Hong Kong: CE continues UAE visit

Chief Executive John Lee continued his visit in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he toured local industrial facilities and a logistics group before starting his visit programme in Dubai.

In the morning, Mr Lee led the Hong Kong delegation to visit the China-UAE Industrial Capacity Cooperation Demonstration Zone at the Khalifa Industrial Zone in Abu Dhabi.

He said the zone was a successful example of a joint effort between China and the UAE under the Belt & Road Initiative as it demonstrates the significance and the enormous potential of the initiative. He encouraged Hong Kong enterprises, by making good use of overseas economic and trade co-operation zones, to explore business opportunities in Belt & Road-related countries.

The delegation then visited the Abu Dhabi Ports Group and attended a luncheon. Noting that Hong Kong is an international maritime centre, Mr Lee shared his belief that companies in Hong Kong and the UAE as well as those in the Middle East could work together to grasp the opportunities brought about by the Belt & Road Initiative and the Greater Bay Area by leveraging Hong Kongs role as a springboard.

In the afternoon, the Chief Executive departed for Dubai to meet UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi. During the meeting, he stressed that there is a world of opportunities in Hong Kong available to UAE businesses and investors, from new and traditional energies to smart city, transportation, logistics, financial technology and biotechnology. He expressed hope that Hong Kong and UAE firms could further explore collaboration opportunities under the Belt & Road Initiative.

Later in the day, he attended the UAE-Hong Kong Business Forum & Chinese New Year Gala Dinner.

While addressing representatives at the event, apart from emphasising that the UAE is Hong Kongs largest trading partner in the Middle East region, Mr Lee said Hong Kong looks forward to forging closer bilateral relations, particularly on green and sustainable finance, with the UAE.

Moreover, the Chief Executive witnessed the exchanges of three memoranda of understanding between Hong Kong and UAE enterprises on fostering co-operation in architectural professional services and innovation and technology, as well as business of enterprises or organisations between the two places.

Mr Lee will continue his trip in Dubai today.

This story has been published on: 2023-02-09. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Grapes of hope: a womans journey out of poverty in northwest China

People's Daily Online) 16:58, February 08, 2023

The air is filled with the aroma of wine coming from rows of oak barrels and two-story steel vats. This is the cellar of Chateau Lilan winery in Yinchuan city, capital of northwest Chinas Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, where Liu Li, a 40-year-old mother of two, serves as the director of winemaking.

For the first 30 years of my life, I thought that wine was simply grape juice combined with sugar and water, Liu, a poorly educated villager from the high mountains, told Peoples Daily Online.

Photo taken on July 6, 2022 shows Liu Li (second from the right) introducing wine to her clients. (Peoples Daily Online/Liu Ning)

Liu wasnt at fault for not knowing anything about wine, as Liu and her family experienced severe drought, precarious ecological conditions, and poverty, along with many other residents of Xihaigu, an area in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. One of the poorest regions of the country, it was dubbed the most unfit place for human settlement by visiting experts from the United Nations in the 1970s.

How did this underprivileged, less-educated woman become a knowledgeable winemaking director who now leads a comfortable life?

For Liu, its not so simple.

Trapped in poverty in a desolate village

Liu was born in a remote and impoverished mountain village. Her parents couldn't afford to pay for the education of every child, so as the oldest of a large family, she made the decision to forego her own education in order to provide a brighter future for her younger siblings.

After dropping out of middle school, Liu was set up on a blind date with a young man who she went on to marry when she was 19. Liu then relocated to her husbands village in Wenpu township, Longde county, where she would live for more than 10 years in poverty. Until recent years, she had very little interaction with the outside world.

She farmed a small piece of land at home during the decade, while her husband worked as a migrant laborer at urban construction sites, returing home only during the busy farming seasons.

The villages sole water source was a spring 1.5 kilometers away at the base of the cliff, resulting in villagers needing to carry water buckets through the night along rocky, winding trails in the mountains. Liu used to complain that there wasnt enough water to wash her clothing or hair.

Liu Li. (Peoples Daily Online/ Ebulayi)

Lius daughter had to climb big mountains and trek at least 10 kilometers each day to get to the nearest primary school. Furthermore, Liu was constantly concerned about how she would be able to pay for her kids future education.

Move out and start a new life

On Aug. 2, 2013, Lius family, along with more than 100 other villagers, relocated from their homes in the deep mountains to Yinchuans Minning Township, marking a significant turning point in her life. In an effort to help the residents of Xihaigu better settle down, the local government offered them free houses. Lius four-person family received a two-room house with a small courtyard, covering an area of 260 square meters.

After dropping off her suitcase and entering the home for the first time, Liu recalls turning on the outdoor faucet as the first thing she did. I saw hope in my life the instant I saw running water from the faucet.

While the water and housing difficulties were resolved, a new problem arose. Liu, with no training and no work experience, struggled constantly to find steady employment in the town.

She had little choice but to accept low-paying, temporary jobs, including tree-planting, cooking and cleaning for about 80 yuan per day (about $11). At dinner, when she told her son what she had done that day, the little boy often questioned, Why did you change your work today? For fun?

In 2014, Liu noticed a winery hiring and decided to give it a shot. For Liu, her only impression of wine came from her childhood when her parents bought a bottle of wine at 2 yuan to celebrate the Spring Festival, which made her believe wine was grape juice mixed with sugar and water. Now I know it was just water mixed with cyclamate, Liu said.

From grapes to wine, from ignorance to mastery

Photo taken on July 7, 2022, shows Liu Li (left) working inside the labelling workshop of a wine producer at Mining Township, Yinchuan, capital of northwest Chinas Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. (Peoples Daily Online/Zhong Wenxing)

New to the winery, Liu was mainly responsible for weeding. Grapes are very different from wheat, and I believe they need to be handled mindfully. Liu Li always took great care to set aside the grape seedlings before hoeing the grass below.

Her hard-working and reliable performance soon led to fresh prospects. Liu Li was assigned to the production line to assist with cleaning oak barrels and brushing wine bottles before eventually transitioning into more skilled tasks, such as canning and brewing.

Liu wrote down her observations in a notebook and went over them multiple times as she learned what each works operational technique is comprised of and what outcomes it can produce. Liu spent a lot time learning and practicing day and night. Whenever she had time, she would ask her managers questions she had about winemaking.

After mastering the more than 100 steps required to make wine in 2015, from growing quality grapes, to brewing and bottling, Liu then advanced to the position of skilled winemaking manager after her years of commitment to this work.

Since 2016, her husband has also joined the winery and is responsible for grape growing. Liu and her husband now earn over 10,000 yuan per month from the winery. Recently, the family have expanded their home, constructing four more rooms and a garage in the courtyard, and now possess a new personal computer, car, television and refrigerator.

A well-lived life with hopes for a brighter future

Liu claimed that her lack of education posed huge challenges to her career development as the criteria of information needed to work in management of winemaking is a combination of various subjects, including microbiology, chemistry, physics, and engineering.

I have experienced knowledge gaps, therefore I made it a point to send my kids to college. Im hoping that education could enable them to change their life course and become valuable members of society, Liu remarked.

Photo taken on July 6, 2022, shows wine grapes in a vineyard in Minning Township, Yongning county, Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. (Peoples Daily Online/Zhong Wenxing)

Some of Lius dreams are now becoming reality: Lius daughter is pursuing a bachelors degree in Grape and Wine at Ningxia University, a famed university in northwest China, while her son performs well at his middle school.

I didnt choose to be born in an underdeveloped village, and I certainly didnt choose to live in poverty, therefore poverty is never a personal choice. Being impoverished was not my fault, but my nice life today is beyond my individual efforts. My life today owes too much to our society, she remarked.

Lius life, with the turning point of her relocation in 2013, is a microcosm of Chinas fight against poverty.

Over the years, around 66,000 residents from the deep mountains of Xihaigu have triumphed over poverty after their relocation to Minning Township. The per capita disposable income of farmers in the town stood at about 16,098 yuan in 2021, which has risen over 32-times since 1997. Currently, the development of industries, including grape wine, mushroom farming and solar photovoltaic energy generation, are booming and injecting great vitality into the local economy.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Wu Chengliang)
French Senate Recognizes 1915 Assyrian Genocide

( Ludovic Marin/AFP) Paris (AINA) -- The French Senate voted by a majority on February 8 in favor of a resolution calling on the government to recognize the genocide of the Assyrian-Chaldeans of 1915-1918 and to make the day of April 24 a joint day of commemoration for the Armenian and Assyrian-Chaldean genocides.

The proposal for the resolution was introduced by Senator Valerie Boyer (Member of the Republicans - LR) under the title On the recognition of the genocide of the Assyro-Chaldeans of 1915-1918, and was co-signed by LR Group leaders Bruno Retailleau and Herve Marseille. It gained immediate support from more than 60 senators when it was recorded into the Senate on January 6, 2023.

At the session the Senate on Wednesday, the resolution was adopted by a vote of 300 to 2. It calls on the government "to officially recognize as genocide the mass extermination, deportation and suppression of the cultural heritage of more than 250,0001 Assyro-Chaldeans by the Ottoman authorities between 1915 and 1918" and "to publicly condemn the genocide."

The resolution argues that combined and concerted extermination accounted for more than half of the population at the time, and was aimed at the negation of the Assyrian identity and its disappearance from the Ottoman region. This is underlined by the massive and systematic executions, the looting of the land and property of the Assyrian-Chaldean-Syriac population, and the systematic destruction of their cultural expression.

It is noted that in its five-page explanatory section, the resolution cites Professor Joseph Jacoub, author of several books and publications related to the Genocide as an expert explaining that this "genocide and looting of land and property was accompanied by severe attacks on the cultural heritage: Historical monuments were destroyed and left abandoned, churches desecrated and schools demolished. Libraries of rare books and valuable manuscripts were squandered and destroyed, such as those of the Chaldean diocese of Seert or the Assyrian patriarchal seat in Kotchanes, a small village in Hakkari now abandoned, or the monasteries of the Syriac Churches in the Tur Abdin region."

Valerie Boyer is cited by LeFigaro stating that France has "a protective role towards the Christians of the Orient, based on a long history that goes back to the [Ottoman] capitulations2 signed by Francis I with Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent in 1535."

"Unlike the Armenian Genocide, which has been recognized by many countries and international organizations and is considered one of the four genocides officially recognized by the UN, the massacre of the Assyrians still lacks recognition as a genocide," the senator said. Senator Bruno Retailleau argued that the reason for this ist he fact "that it is a people without a state, while undoubtedly also hesitations existed."

Adding to that, Bruno Retailleau defended the recognition as "an act of truth in context of history, but also an act of resistance, both in the face of negationism and fatalism." "It is not in the name of the past, it is in the name of the future, the future of a people without a state, but not without memory," he added.

The LeFigaro article cites also Pierre Ouzoulias (CRCE with communist majority) commenting on the topic, sayint that "as a minority among minorities, as the persecuted among the persecuted, as the forgotten among the forgotten, the Assyrian-Chaldeans have not ceased to suffer the consequences of the upheavals in the turbulent history of the Middle East. France, by recognizing the Armenian Genocide, which is not unique to Armenians, has not ignored them. The merit of this resolution is to link it more clearly with the tribute to all the dead of the genocide."

Many Assyrian personalities and representatives from various institutions, among them Professor Jooseph Yacoub and the director of the Seyfo Center, Sabri Atman, were present during the Senate session. In a short statement distributed by Seyfo Center, the ongoing denial of the genocide by Turkey is considered as "the biggest obstacle to the healing of a deep and open wounds" of the Assyro-Chaldeans. Therefore, "the recognition by the French Senate can be seen as very important step," the statement adds.

1 the actual number of Assyrians killed is 750,000.

2 Contracts signed between the Ottoman Empire and other powers in Europe, particularly France.
In a statement, K Ramakrishna, Secretary, CPI, said the total outstanding liabilities had reached Rs 4.42 lakh crore as per the statement made by Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary in Parliament.

However, State Finance (debt) Minister Buggana Rajendranath Reddy said that Andhra's debt is only Rs 1.35 lakh crore.

According to the statement from K Ramakrishna, economists and experts have made it clear that the debt will be around Rs 10 lakh crore if it included the debts incurred by various corporations.

Ramakrishna also said that there is no situation to pay salaries to the employees on the first date of every month while incurring so much debt.

"Pensioners are also facing difficulties as pension payment is not paid properly every month," he added.

Ramakrishna further said that the Jaganmohan Reddy government should reveal the truth about the original AP payments by releasing a White Paper on finances, debts and interest payments. (ANI)
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], February 9 (ANI/NewsVoir): Pharmacy Bazar intends to open 300 Omnichannel digital franchisees and 200 retail offline omnichannel Retail Pharmacy stores in India by the end of FY 24-25. Pharmacy bazar, a web-based online medical store, has begun to grow into an offline channel via franchise stores. The company is the operator of Omnichannel Retail Pharmacy Stores in West Bengal. Also, the organization has partnered with UCO Bank to provide exclusive financial assistance to Pharmacy Bazar franchise owners under the CGTMSE (Credit Guarantee Fund for Micro & Small Enterprises) & Mudra Loan Scheme set up by the government of, up to Rs 20.00 Lac. Speaking on this, Tapas Kumar Biswas, Director of Pharmacy Bazar, said, "Pharmacy Bazar provides franchisee locations for both retail and online pharmacies. The business offers aid with choosing the best location for the shop, with staff and franchisee store operations training, and with the operating procedure and audit support. Because it has the best pharmaceutical franchisees in India, Pharmacy Bazar is usually a profitable business venture. Pharmacy Bazar delivers profitable long-term business ventures and high-margin pharmaceutical products." Pharmacy Bazaar has operated a Pharmacy Retail Chain in India since 1992. The online store and Healthcare Apps (Android & iOS) of Pharmacy Bazar are two main brands created by Krishma Exports (India) Ltd., having more than three lakh users. Overall, Pharmacy Bazar is software with great power to fulfill all patients' associated services such as Medicine Purchases, Online Doctor Consultation, and Diagnostic Help, operating from West Bengal and delivering Genuine Medicine, Superior Customer Service, and Great Value for Money. Pharmacy Bazar uses Shiprocket and Thyrocare to power its delivery across all of India and its diagnostic services, respectively. Apps for both Android and iOS are providing discounts of up to 30 per cent on medications for same-day and next-day delivery to customers. Visit www.pharmacybazar.in for more information. Download the Pharmacy Bazar apps for Android and iOS at play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pharmacyBazar and apps.apple.com/app/pharmacy-bazar/id1661507595 respectively. This story has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
Surat (Gujarat) [India], February 9 (ANI/PNN): Radhe Dhokla, the name synonymous with authentic and mouthwatering Gujarati snacks and dishes, has launched a new Sevanand initiative to act as a bridge between those keen to feed the needy. Under the Sevanand initiative, any good samaritan can contact Radhe Dhokla and book its food items for delivery to the poor or hungry. "We are giving one person an opportunity to feed the hungry every day. The initiative has received an overwhelming response from people who are looking at simple and hassle-free ways to send fresh, hot and nutritious food items to the hungry. We will scale up the initiative to provide an opportunity to more good samaritans to feed the hungry by ordering our high-quality and authentic Gujarati snacks such as khaman, dhokla, patra, and many more," said Kanubhai Pandav, Founder of Radhe Dhokla. Radhe Dhokla is an established Gujarati snacks brand from Gujarat. It has now also expanded to Mumbai to serve tasty Gujarati snacks and a wide range of other dishes to food lovers. For booking food delivery under the Sevanand initiative in Surat, good samaritans need to contact the Radhe Dhokla branch at Adajan in Surat. Similarly, for Mumbai, they need to get in touch with the branch in Kandivali. "It is a matter of great pride for us to serve as a bridge between donors and the needy. The initiative is in sync with the Gujarati tradition of supporting good causes and our philosophy of delivering good taste and building relations (swaad saathe sambandh). We are committed to giving back to society," added Kanubhai. This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN)
Gurugram (Haryana) [India], February 9 (ANI/NewsVoir): Edology, an online education provider, has established a strategic alliance with EDGE Metaversity, one of the Unreal Authorised Training Institutes in India, to offer a 9-month Online Metaverse Game Design Certification, an innovative online certification programme for budding game designers. The Metaverse Game Design Certification is intended for people who enjoy gaming and want to create metaverse games. The curriculum is open to everyone, regardless of experience or education, and is online. During the course, students will learn all aspects of using Unreal Engine as a tool for developing games, Metaverse environments as well as other software like Photoshop and Blender to create their own design concepts and assets. By the end of the program, students will design their own multi-player game level. This will be a proof-of-concept of their game and will act as their professional portfolio. Also, students will learn all aspects of Game Design and Unreal Engine with special focus on multiplayer deployments, game optimisation, environment design, Metahumans and Quixel assets. This is the most structured & professionally managed online program to learn AAA game designing that is ready to be implemented in Metaverse as well. On the onset of this collaboration, Senior Director of GUS Global Services Pvt. Ltd., Sumanth Palepu said, "We are excited to collaborate with EDGE Metaversity to bring the Metaverse Game Design Certification to life. Our mission is to provide a complete educational experience for people who wish to transform their love of gaming into a rewarding career." EDGE Metaversity President Dr Nalin Mehta added, "EDGE has always been committed to assisting gamers in reaching their best potential. Our collaboration with Edology extends that objective, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for players to become professional game designers." He further added, "The Metaverse Game Design Certification programme is unlike any other available today. It covers the entire game production life cycle, from design to post-launch optimization. Our skilled instructors will lead students through hands-on projects, imparting practical information and skills that can be utilized immediately in the workplace." Key highlights of this program are: - Design your own multiplayer game or Metaverse environment as a final project- Attend LIVE lectures from Unreal authorised instructors- Build an impressive gaming portfolio to showcase to industry experts- Access to IAMAG master classes from world's top digital artists- Receive a certificate from EDGE Metaversity, an Unreal-authorised training institute. This course is open for students who have completed 10 or 10 + 2 (any stream) / undergraduates/graduates who wish to learn the latest tools in game designing. No coding background is needed. Visit the Edology website bit.ly/3jFfiNt for more information about the Metaverse Game Design Certification or reach out to the counselling team on +91-9289371424 / +91-9599038751. This story has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
The Special Judge for CBI cases, Visakhapatnam, on Thursday sentenced Surendranath Datti, former assistant general manager-cum-centre head of IDBI Bank Ltd's Vizag Retail Asset Centre, to two years imprisonment in a bank fraud case. A fine of Rs 20,000 was also imposed on him. The CBI had registered a case against the accused on the allegation that Datti, in connivance with the borrowers, Direct Sales Associates, Panel Valuers and Engineers, had sanctioned and disbursed the loans to ineligible borrowers by accepting fake income tax returns, ignoring adverse CIBIL Reports, violating the laid down procedures and norms of IDBI Bank and failing to ensure property security. "The accused caused a loss to the tune of Rs. 93.28 lakh to the IDBI Bank Limited," the CBI said on Thursday. After an investigation, a chargesheet was filed against the accused. The trial court found the said accused guilty and convicted him. In another case, the Special Judge, CBI, Vyapam Cases, Gwalior sentenced Sonu Rathore and Rajkumar Tyagi, to four years' imprisonment with a fine of Rs 14,100 each in a case related to Police Constable Recruitment Test-2012 conducted by Vyapam. It was alleged that Rajkumar Tyagi, who was recruited as Police Constable through the Police Constable Recruitment Test (PCRT) 2012, had passed the examination by arranging a solver to appear in his place in the written examination. After selection, Tyagi was posted at the Dehat police station, Bhind in 2014. During the scrutiny of the service book of the said constable, it was observed that there were two photographs in the name of Rajkumar Tyagi -- one affixed on the first page of the service book and the other on a form filled at the time of Physical Proficiency Test (PPT) of PCRT-2012. (ANI)
The much-awaited three-day Global Investors Summit 2023, which is aimed at giving a shot in the arm to the Uttar Pradesh government's quest for overall development, is set to kick off on Friday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the summit. The flagship investment summit of the UP government will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, academia, think-tanks and leaders from across the world to explore business opportunities and forge partnerships collectively. During the course of the summit, there will be a total of 34 sessions. Of these, 10 sessions will be on the first day, 13 on the second and 11 on the last day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and state Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi as well as industrialists Mukesh Ambani, K. Chandrasekaran, Kumar Mangalam Birla and Anand Mahindra will address the inaugural session of the summit. Later, on the opening day, a discussion on 'UP Designing and Manufacturing in India for the World' will take place, with Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav as the chief guest. On Day 2, a session on 'UP is Open for Business Providing New Opportunities for MSMEs and Co-operatives' will be held. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be the chief guest at the session. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will also be present at the session. Among the sessions lined up on the last day is one on 'UP Opportunities in Excise and Sugar Industry'. It will be attended by Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. There will be a session on E-mobility, and a seminar on Vehicle and Future Mobility in Vashishtha Hall. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari will share his views on the same. Also, a bankers' roundtable on UP's march towards a one trillion dollar economy will also be held. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will attend the roundtable. The chief guest at the closing ceremony will be President Droupadi Murmu. (ANI)
Edison (New Jersey) [US]/Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 9 (ANI/BusinessWire India): LTIMindtree, a global technology consulting and digital solutions company, today announced that it has achieved the Guidewire PartnerConnect Testing Standards specialization. LTIMindtree is a Guidewire PartnerConnect Consulting partner at the Select level and works with Guidewire in North America and India. By recognizing its enterprise test solutions through the specialization, LTIMindtree will offer a winning edge to global insurance companies in their transformation journey using the Guidewire platform. Specializations are regionally based and require partners to demonstrate skills, knowledge, and competency in a particular Guidewire product or solution area. The achievement of specializations enables insurers to have more clarity and insight into which partners have proven capabilities in a region or globally in the case of the Testing Standards specialization. In addition, partners with specializations can better promote their capabilities across Guidewire products and solutions. "We congratulate LTIMindtree on achieving their most recent Testing Standards specialization within our PartnerConnect Consulting program. We are pleased to recognize their expertise and proven capabilities and look forward to continuing our work together to contribute to the success of our mutual customers," said Molly Black, Senior Director, Partner Programs and Enablement, Guidewire Software. David Althoff, Chief Business Officer, Insurance, LTIMindtree, said "LTIMindtree is excited to make continuous progress on building Guidewire capabilities. Our understanding of the insurance domain, experience with core admin platform transformation projects, and specializations in Guidewire Products will empower us to help insurers accelerate their transformation programs efficiently and predictably." Please find more information about Guidewire specializations on the Guidewire website here. This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India)
International Brand Equity will launch India's Best 100 Real Estate and Infrastructure Brands List 2022-2023, an annual study conducted by IBE across major cities in India to analyse the most successful real estate and infrastructure brands.

The 2022-2023 list will be launched on March 24th, 2023, during the inaugural ceremony of the IBE "Real Estate Awards 2023," to be held in Bangalore.

Consumer satisfaction, brand valuation, brand awareness, and brand strength are the most important things to look at when judging the real estate, proptech, and infrastructure brands in India.

The list will be based on a market survey and hard data. Veena Singh, Head of Editorial and Research at International Brand Equity, said, "International Brand Equity kept its top spot as the top business magazine, brand research, and consulting company by giving our viewers niche branding news, lists, and reports, and by organizing awards and summits."

The 8th India Property and Infra Awards 2023 have categories for real estate companies, infrastructure companies, EPC companies, companies that make construction materials, prop techs, co-working and co-living brands, property consultants and brokers, IPC, finance, industry leaders, interior designers, architects, and their related industries.

The selection criteria include parameters like infrastructure, years in business, annual growth, completed projects, feedback from customers, and feedback from industry bodies.

In short, these awards aim at acknowledging success, recognizing contributions, appreciating efforts, and celebrating the growth of the contributors, as the real estate and infrastructure industries widely remain major contributors to the economic development of India.

www.indiapropertyawards.com

To register for the awards, click

Real Estate Awards: http://indiapropertyawards.com/nomination-form/

Infrastructure Awards: https://www.indiapropertyawards.com/india-infrastructure-awards-nomination-form/

Nomination Deadline: March 10, 2023

For Any Inquiry Related to Awards, Summit/Sponsorship Contact Our Office at +919606955135

Email: saurabh@internationalbrandequity.com

This story has been provided by NewsReach. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsReach)
Indian-American filmmaker Smriti Mundhra, on Thursday, said that she was grateful that she was able to get the interview with Rishi Kapoor for her Netflix docu-series 'The Romantics'. 'The Romantics' will showcase the last interview of the iconic star, Rishi Kapoor who will be seen candidly talking about his deep relationship with Yash Chopra and what made their combination one of the most cherished director-actor duos of India. "It was an incredible interview. He (Rishi Kapoor) was really excited to talk about his journey and experience with Yash Ji. He also shared his perspective on his bond as a director-actor duo in Hindi cinema," Smriti told ANI. "Rishi Kapoor was not only an iconic actor, he carried with him an encyclopedic knowledge of the Hindi film industry. On the day of our interview, which would be his last, he was characteristically charming, erudite, and eager to reminisce. His death represents the loss of a significant piece of cinema history, and I'll forever be grateful for the insights, anecdotes and perspective he shared," she had earlier said. Rishi Kapoor had closely collaborated with Yash Chopra and then Aditya Chopra in cult hits like 'Kabhi Kabhie', 'Chandni', 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan' (in which he was paired with his wife Neetu Kapoor), 'Fanaa', 'Hum Tum', etc. 'The Romantics' is a four-part Netflix GLOBAL docu-series that is a tribute to Yash Chopra, who is regarded as the 'Father of Romance' in India because of his iconic romantic films like 'Silsila', 'Lamhe', 'Kabhi Kabhie', 'Veer-Zaara', 'Dil Toh Pagal Hai', 'Chandni', 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan', etc. Smriti spent a great deal of time before she started filming this documentary. She was in India and researched on the history of Yash Raj Films before shooting the documentary. She interviewed 35 leading personalities from the Hindi film industry, including mega-stars like Aamir Khan to Salman Khan, from Shah Rukh Khan to Ranbir Kapoor, from Amitabh Bachchan to Ranveer Singh, from Rani Mukerji to Hrithik Roshan, from Katrina Kaif to Anushka Sharma, who have worked with the production house over the past 50 years. She also managed to convince Aditya Chopra for his first-ever video interview which sure must have been a mammoth task. It also traces back on how Aditya always wanted to be a filmmaker, how he assisted Yash Chopra on many films before he made his debut as a director with DDLJ and how he had a sharp acumen for film-making. Aditya Chopra's last interview was in 1995 for a film magazine (print). The docu-series will release on Feb 14 - as a mark of tribute to the father of romance - Yash Chopra. The global docu-series will be available for people to watch in 192 countries! Rishi Kapoor passed away on April 30, 2020, after battling cancer for two years. (ANI)
President of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind Maulana Mahmood Madani on Wednesday reacted to the recent crackdown on child marriages by Himanta Biswa Sarma-led Assam government. "The action being taken against parents of children in Assam should not happen and the crackdown against child marriage shouldn't look as if the action is only being taken against one particular community. If something is being done against a particular community, then people will raise their voices," said Madani while talking to ANI. Madani further said that with the kind of atmosphere created in the country, efforts are being made to create distance among people in the name of religion, which is worrying. He said that Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind is trying to remove fear from people's hearts and create harmony. "It is natural to have differences too. Differences should be resolved through talks and not through speeches. We have called every organization which agrees or disagrees. And those who wish to come forward will get a chance to speak," he said while speaking to ANI. Regarding Uniform Civil Code, Madani said that if there is a consensus on UCC, then there is no harm in it and should be done. On the arrest of the people of Muslim society in the child marriage of the Assam government, Madani said, "We are taking action against the parents of the girls who have been married, this should not happen, it is being done against a particular community, if it continues to happen, people will raise their voice, it is natural." "We live in one country so we belong to one. If we are Indians, then all are Indians, what is wrong with it? The Muslim community is not from elsewhere. This is an Indian community and it should be considered Indian," he added. Meanwhile, around 2,500 people have been arrested in Assam in connection with the cases related to child marriage, said Director General of Police (DGP) GP Singh on Tuesday. Many more cases of child marriage have come to light in Assam after the state government's massive crackdown against the ill practice. On Monday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma raised concerns about the prevalence of teenage pregnancies in the state."Our drive against child marriage is for public health and public welfare as the teenage pregnancy ratio in Assam is quite alarming - 16.8 per cent," Chief Minister Sharma Sarma said. Sharing the district-wise data on teenage pregnancy, the Assam Chief Minister said that, Barpeta district has the highest teenage pregnancy ratio in the state with a ratio of 28.7 per cent in the year 2022. The data revealed that a 27.9 per cent teenage pregnancy ratio had been registered in Dhubri and South Salmara followed by 24.1 per cent in Goalpara, 22.3 per cent in Bongaigaon, 21.9 per cent in Kokrajhar, 21.1 per cent in Darrang, 20.8 per cent in Morigaon, 19.4 per cent in Chirang, 18.8 per cent in Nagaon and Hojai district. According to the data shared by Assam CM, Assam registered 6,20,867 pregnancies in 2022 out of which 1,04,264 were below the age of 19. Dhubri and South Salmara districts registered 51,831 cases out of which 14,438 were below the age of 19. On the other hand, as many as 64,941 pregnancies were registered in Nagaon and Hojai districts, out of which 12,188 are below the age of 19 years. (ANI)
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The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the removal of reference to the Sikkimese-Nepalese as "people of foreign origin" from a judgment it passed on January 13, in connection with tax exemption in Sikkim. The Ministry of Home Affairs had filed a review petition against some of apex court observations referring to Sikkimese Nepalis as "immigrants" and sought modification. A bench of Justices M.R. Shah and B.V. Nagarathna agreed to remove the part "the persons of foreign origin settled in Sikkim like the Nepalese". Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, requested the bench to delete the entire sentence. Citing the reasons for the error, the bench said the original writ petitioners have made more than 25 amendments to the petition but this fact was not brought to its notice. After brief hearing in the matter, the bench removed the part "namely the Bhutia Lepchas and the persons of foreign origin settled in Sikkim like the Nepalese". This remark had sparked protests in Sikkim, with the Sikkimese-Nepalese community taking strong objections over it. Mehta urged the court to clarify that its verdict did not touch the aspect of Article 371F of the Constitution, which deals with special provisions with respect to Sikkim. The top court said this clarification is unnecessary as Article 371F was not a subject matter of the case. It modified its verdict after hearing the plea filed by the Centre and also petitions filed by Sikkim and private parties seeking modification of the remark. Justice Nagarathna, who authored the verdict on behalf of the bench, dictating the modifications in the order, said: "It is to be noted that in the said writ petition there was an amended writ petition filed pursuant to an application filed." The apex court, in its verdict, had ruled that the exclusion of a Sikkimese woman from exemption allowed under the Income Tax Act merely because she has married a non-Sikkimese man after April 1, 2008 is "discriminatory and unconstitutional". --IANS ss/vd ( 345 Words) 2023-02-08-21:36:03 (IANS)
A 12-member team of the Forest Department along with the police personnel were engaged in a 4-hour-long operation to capture the leopard.

Nets were strategically placed in several points to capture the big cat. The leopard was also administered tranquilizer.

A huge crowd of people, including the court staff and lawyers, was witnessed outside the court, which was sealed while the operation to capture and rescue the leopard was underway.

The Forest Department team had brought nets and cages to trap the leopard.

Earlier, the cobbler was admitted to a hospital after he sustained critical injuries. Several people were also injured in the commotion.

All the rooms of the old building were evacuated as soon as news of the leopard entering the premises spread.

A video of the incident has surfaced, where three lawyers are seen patrolling the building with sticks to catch the leopard.

One of them was filming the video when the big cat suddenly attacked them, injuring one lawyer.

The main building was eventually cordoned off.

According to eyewitnesses, the leopard was first seen under the stairs in the CJM court building.

--IANS pkt/pgh

( 236 Words)

2023-02-08-21:40:04 (IANS)
The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet on Wednesday gave its approval for establishment of the National Law University in the state. The university, the second of its kind in the country, will come up on a 50-acre campus at Kurnool. At its meeting presided over by Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy at the Secretariat here, the Cabinet approved the calendar of welfare schemes for February and March starting with YSR Kalyanamastu on February 10, besides ratifying the decisions of the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) that cleared investment proposals of various companies and giving nod to fill existing vacancies in several departments. It approved disbursal of funds to beneficiaries of welfare schemes like Jagananna Vidya Deevena and Jagananna Vasati Deevena for students, input subsidy for farmers, YSR Law Nestam for junior lawyers, YSR Asara for women groups and EBC Nestam for women aged between 45 and 60 years in the coming months. Information & Public Relations and Backward Classes Welfare Minister Chelluboyina Srinivasa Venugopala Krishna briefed the media on the Cabinet decisions. He said the Cabinet has also decided to establish Andhra Pradesh Medical Services Recruitment Board for filling up vacancies of state, zonal, and district level posts in Health, Medical and Family Welfare Department excluding the posts under the purview of APPSC and upgrade the 50-bedded Community Health Centre at Nandigama in NTR district to 100-bedded Area Hospital at a cost of Rs 34.48 crore. The Cabinet also approved the Draft Bill for making an Act to constitute the Andhra Pradesh Para Veterinary and Allied Council as a regulatory body for registration, controlling and managing Polytechnic Institutions, imparting training to Animal Husbandry, Dairy, Fishery Diploma holders besides sanctioning 105 additional posts in the Andhra Pradesh Special Protection Force (APSPF). Approval to take follow up action to provide necessary infrastructure like land and other facilities to the investors who have submitted proposals to the SIPB was also given by the Cabinet. The Cabinet okayed the proposal for restructuring the IT division of the TTD by creating 34 new posts in different categories and also for creating 12 posts in the TTD's Sculpture Department. --IANS ms/vd A ( 366 Words) 2023-02-08-22:36:03 (IANS)
Police in Maharashtra's Ratnagiri district have arrested realty agent Pandharinath Amberkar in connection with the death of a Marathi journalist Shashikant Warishe, officials said here on Wednesday. Following an uproar from the media, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, and civil rights groups, the police have slapped murder charges against Amberkar. Warishe, working with the "Mahanagri Times", was knocked down when he was riding his bike by the SUV of Amberkar and dragged for some distance on the Rajapur Highway on Monday before Amberkar fled the scene. Warishe, 46, succumbed to his grievous injuries on Wednesday, creating a furore in media and political circles. Initially arrested on minor charges, Amberkar, 42, was slapped with the charge of Warishe's murder. He was produced before a District Court which sent him to police custody till February 13. Earlier, the MVA, the Bombay Union of Journalists, and the Peoples Union for Civil Liberties demanded a probe into the "murder" of Warishe. A crusading scribe, Warishe had been writing a series of articles campaigning against the proposed Ratnagiri Refinery and Petrochemicals mega-complex coming up with foreign collaboration, at Barsu, near the original location of Nanar. It was alleged that Warishe was run down by the speeding vehice of Amberkar, who is a strong supporter of the refinery complex, ostensibly to teach him a lesson. Congress chief spokesperson Atul Londhe, Shiv Sena-UBT national spokesperson Kishore Tiwari, BUJ's Indra Kumar Jain and PUCL's Mihir Desai and Lara Jesani have strongly condemned what they suspect is a "well-planned murder" of the activist-journalist. Londhe said that even since the government of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis came to power in June 2022, attacks on media persons doing their jobs are increasing in Maharashtra undermining the independence of the fourth pillar of democracy. "The killing of a journalist like this is an atrocious attack on democracy and a blot on a progressive and tolerant state like Maharashtra. Law and order has deteriorated under the Shinde-Fadnavis regime. Ruling party MLAs fire guns openly, threaten to beat up people, assault officials, beat up principals, etc," he said. Tiwari said that it was indeed a grim scenario with the media being threatened in this manner with attacks for exposing the government or its policies and officials, and called for urgent steps from Fadnavis who holds the home portfolio. Urgent for a speedy and fair probe, Desai and Jesani demanded compensation and security for Warishe's family, and stopping all land acquisition work pertaining to the proposed refinery project till the locals' views are taken into account. Quoting local reports, Jain said that Warishe was dragged for over 100 metres under Amberkar's vehicle before he fled the spot, leaving the journalist profusely bleeding on the Rajapur Highway. "The incident came soon after Warishe had published Amberkar's photos with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shinde and Fadnavis. Amberkar has been accused of land-grabbing and intimidating the locals or activists who are opposed to the refinery project," said Jain. On tuesday, the All India Marathi Patrakar Sanghi, the Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh, and the Mantralay Ani Vidhimandal Vartahar Sangh had urged the government to take immediate action in the matter and ensure the most stringent punishment to the guilty. Media organisations have also submitted a memorandum to the state government condemning the incident and ensuring an impartial probe into the "heinous killing" of Warishe. --IANS qn/vd ( 578 Words) 2023-02-08-22:42:03 (IANS)
With the Enforcement Directorate (ED) continuing with its search operation till late on Wednesday evening in connection with the multi-crore coal smuggling case in West Bengal, the cash recovery amount by the central agency has increased to Rs 1.25 crore. Although initially the ED was secretive about the identity of the business house at whose office the raid was conducted, later on Wednesday evening it surfaced that the cash recovery was made from at the registered office of Gajraj Towers Private Limited at 5A, Earle Street in South Kolkata. Raids were also conducted at the residence of the owner of the company at the posh Ballygunge area in South Kolkata. As per records of the registrar of companies (ROC), the directors of Gajraj Towers Private Limited, Vikram Sikaria and Suchi Sikaria, are directors in many other companies and have diverse business interests starting from real estate, food chain, commodity broking to exports, among others. Vikram Sikaria has already been detained by the ED for questioning in this connection. Sources said that the central agency has got specific clues that the money recovered from the office Gajraj Towers was part of the coal scam proceeds which the said business was supposed to divert to different channels. It is learnt that the team conducting the raids on Wednesday at the residence and office of the said businessman was led by three special officers of ED who arrived in Kolkata from Delhi especially for this purpose. Sources said that the name of the businessman in question came from the examination of different documents and statements given by different businessmen in connection with the coal smuggling case. Sources said that the names of some other businessmen on this count have also surfaced and similar raid and search operations will be conducted at their premises as well in the days to come. It is learnt that recently a person named Ratnesh Burma, a close associate of the prime accused in the coal scam, Binay Mishra, surrendered at a special CBI court in Asansol. Burma was reportedly involved in managing the accounts of the coal smuggling proceeds. During the course of interrogation, he gave crucial clues to the investigating officials. --IANS src/arm ( 387 Words) 2023-02-08-22:44:03 (IANS)
A taxi driver was arrested by the police, for allegedly doing obscene acts by looking at a girl, Mumbai Police informed on Wednesday. The accused has been identified as Abdul Ahmad Ghaus Mohammad Rahini (23), the police said. "On January 6 at 9 pm, the victim girl was passing through Hajiali in the Worli area, when a car driver, who works as a pick-up and drop driver, called the girl near his car on the pretext of asking for her address. As soon as she reached the car, the driver started doing an obscene act by seeing the girl," the police further said. The girl recorded the act on her phone. The Mumbai police also said that the accused fled away after the girl started shouting. "Seeing the seriousness of the matter, the police immediately registered a case and started an investigation and after checking the CCTV installed in that area, the police came to know that the vehicle had reached an office in Andheri," the police personnel said. The police reached the spot and arrested the accused the very next morning. "The police reached the spot on the same night, but the office was closed at the night and the accused' phone was also switched off. The police waited for the accused driver outside the office overnight and at the other two places. When the accused driver reached the office in the morning, the police team, which was guarding him throughout the night, arrested him," the police official further said. (ANI)
Talking to ANI, G Ramakrishnan, the Secretary of CPI(M) said, "Our party is holding a protest against the Union Budget. The budget is not in favour of the poor and the middle class but it is in favour of corporate companies."

Earlier, on February 1, Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2023-24, which was the last entire Budget of the Narendra Modi government ahead of the general elections next year.

Secretary of CPI(M) Ramakrishnan further said, "In the protest, we also press that the GST on food and medicine items should be abolished."

The CPI(M) leader said, "People expect PM Modi to tell what action the government is going to take against Adani."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to reply to the motion of thanks on the President's address in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.

The opposition demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Adani-Hindenburg controversy. Both the Houses had faced disruptions for the past three days over opposition demands concerning the Hidenburg-Adani row.

The Hindenburg-Adani row figured prominently in the debate with the opposition MPs pressing their demand for a probe by a Joint Parliamentary Committee.

The first half of the Budget session will continue till February 13 and the second half will be held from March 13 to April 6. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reply to the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address at 2 pm in Rajya Sabha on Thursday during the ongoing Budget Session of the Parliament. "Reply by the Prime Minister will be at 2 pm tomorrow," said Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar after the last speaker spoke on the motion on Wednesday. The debate on the motion of thanks to the President's Address in Rajya Sabha concluded on Wednesday. President Droupadi Murmu had addressed the joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on January 31, the first day of the Budget Session. In her maiden address to the joint sitting of Parliament, Droupadi Murmu while touching upon several issues in her address, including defence, space, women empowerment, and the importance of public involvement during the 'Amrit Kaal' to build a developed India said that the country had a government that was "stable, fearless, decisive", working for all classes without any discrimination and giving thrust to 'virasat' (heritage) as well as 'vikas' (development). Murmu spoke of the government's relentless fight against corruption, the "biggest enemy of democracy and social justice". However, the opposition criticised the President's address. Earlier in the day, Modi replied to the motion of thanks in Lok Sabha, saying that President gave direction to the nation in her visionary address to both Houses. "Her address inspired the 'Nari Shakti' (women power) of India and gave a boost to the self-confidence of India's tribal communities while instilling a feeling of pride among them. She gave a detailed blueprint of 'Sankalp se Siddhi' of the nation", the Prime Minister said. He also talked about the work done by his government and said that there is positivity and hope towards India at a global level and the reforms were not carried out of compulsion but by conviction. He said India is the mother of democracy, constructive criticism is vital for a strong democracy and criticism is like a 'shuddhi yagya'. The Prime Minister took veiled digs at Rahul Gandhi who had made a sharp attack on the government over the Adani issue in his speech during the debate on Tuesday and said some speeches made on Tuesday were lauded by their ecosystem. "I was watching yesterday. After the speeches of a few people, some people were happily saying, "Ye hui na baat." Maybe they slept well and couldn't wake up (on time). For them it has been said, "Ye keh keh ke hum dil ko behla rahe hain,wo ab chal chuke hain, wo ab aa rahe hain"," PM Modi said. Rahul Gandhi was not present in the House when Prime Minister made his initial remarks. He later reached Lok Sabha. PM Modi also referred to remarks of Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury about the President for which he had later apologised. "When Preisdent's Address was going on, some people avoided it. A tall leader even insulted the President. They displayed hatred against ST. When such things were said on TV, the sense of hatred deep within came out. Attempt was made to save oneself after writing a letter later," PM Modi said. The Lok Sabha adopted the motion of thanks to the President's address after PM Modi's reply. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi later said that PM Modi did not answer questions pos ed to him during the debate and alleged that he was "protecting" industrialist Gautam Adani. "I am not satisfied with the PM's speech. However, it has revealed the truth. His speech had nothing about an inquiry (into the Adani Group in the wake of the Hindenburg report). It's clear that the PM is protecting him (Gautam Adani)," he said. "The PM, in his speech' did not answer any (of his) questions. He was shell-shocked. I did not raise any difficult questions. They were simple questions that he dodged," the Congress leader added. Earlier during the debate, union ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad and Kiren Rijiju refuted allegations made by Rahul Gandhi. The opposition parties kept up their demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the Hindenberg-Adani row and some MPs staged a walkout during Prime Minister's reply. Targeting the opposition, PM Modi said instead of constructive criticism, some people indulge in compulsive criticism. With the opposition parties accusing the government of misusing probe agencies, PM Modi took a dig at them and said Enforcement Directorate is behind their unity. "A lot of things were said in the House about the probe agencies. I had thought that the people of the country and the results of the elections would bring such people to one stage. But that did not happen. They should thank ED that due to it they have now come together," he said. PM Modi also hit back at Rahul Gandhi's jibe that there should be a study by institutes such as Harvard of how the Adani group's wealth had seen a steep rise under a particular government. "Some people here have a craze for Harvard studies. During Covid, it was said that there will be a case study on the devastation in India. Over the years an important study has been done at Harvard and the subject of the study is the 'Rise and fall of India's Congress Party'," he said. "Those who are drunk in arrogance and think that only they have the knowledge, feel that only by abusing Modi will be a way out...Only through false, nonsensical mudslinging on Modi will a path be paved. It has been 22 years, and they still have a misapprehension," PM Modi added. The Prime Minister said that the people's trust in him was not due to the newspaper headlines but hard work. "Trust in Modi was not born out of newspaper headlines, not through faces on TV. (I have) given my life, every moment of mine for the people of the country, for the glorious future of the country. People's trust in Modi is beyond their understanding," he said. He listed the scams and controversies during Congress-led UPA rule and said that the decade was full of scams. "When something good happens, their sadness increases. In the history of the country's independence, 2004-2014 was full of scams. Terror attacks took place across the country in those 10 years," he said. "When the technology was progressing, they were stuck in 2G. Mauka Musibat Mein. In 2010, there were the Commonwealth games which was an opportunity to present Indian youth capability but again it was Mauka Musibat Mein. The coal scam came to the fore. Nobody can forget the 2008 Mumbai attack. But they did not have the courage to attack terrorism because of which the terrorists' morale was boosted," the Prime Minister added. Stepping up the attack, he said that converting every opportunity to trouble became the UPA government's identity. "There were terror attacks in every part of India from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. India's capability is being recognised and people's capabilities are coming to the fore. The country was capable earlier also but between 2004-2014, it lost that opportunity. This became the UPA's identity, it converted every opportunity into trouble," he said. He said there is peace in Jammu and Kashmir and people can go easily. "Those (referring to Rahul Gandhi who recently concluded Bharat Jodo Yatra in J-K) who came back from J-K recently must have seen how easily you can go in J-K. I too had gone on a yatra to Jammu and Kashmir with the resolve to unfurl the Tricolour at Lal Chowk. Terrorists had put up posters and said 'Dekhte hain, kisne maa ka doodh piya hai jo Lal Chowk aake Tiranga phehra paaye,'" he said. "That day on January 24, at a public rally, I had said, "Terrorists pay heed. On January 26, sharp at 11 am, I will reach Lal Chowk without security and a bulletproof jacket. Faisla Lal Chowk pe hoga, kisne apni maa ka doodh piya hai". Then I unfurled the Tricolour at Lal Chowk. "J-K has broken various records in the field of tourism after decades. The festival of democracy is being celebrated in J-K. Today, there is a successful campaign of Har Ghar Tiranga. Some people used to say that there is a danger of disruption in peace due to the Tricolour. Look at the time, even those people participated in the Tiranga Yatra," he added. (ANI)
After the JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy sparked a row over his remarks on Union Minister Pralhad Joshi's caste, Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday said that the people of the state will not support any caste-based statements and 'advised' him to "desist" from these type of comments. "The State of Karnataka has completed 75 years and the people will not support any caste-based statements. So, they must desist from talking about what is not liked by the people," Bommai said while talking to the reporters here. "He will not like to give reaction to such statements," he added. He further said that the statement by Kumarswamy would not affect the party's vote in the upcoming state assembly elections. "People will decide by considering the functioning of the BJP Government. At the time of voting, the citizens will consider, who has helped their lives. Which government has supported them? How it has helped them? The voters are very intelligent and mature. Talking about the small castes is of no use," Karnataka CM said. Earlier, former Chief Minister of the state gave a new statement on Union Minister Prahlad Joshi, saying that if the BJP comes to power in the state this time, "a Brahmin" will be the Chief Minister. Prahlad Joshi will be appointed Chief Minister, and 8 people have already been appointed Deputy Chief Ministers," he added. A meeting of RSS leaders was held in Delhi and the next CM was decided in the meeting and Prahlad Joshi will be the next Chief Minister, claimed Kumaraswamy. Kumaraswamy appealed to the voters that the people of Karnataka "should not fall prey to RSS and BJP scams and false promises." "The Brahmin CM (Prahlad Joshi) decided by RSS is not the Brahmin of our old Karnataka. He (Prahlad Joshi) belongs to the Peshwas of Maharashtra who demolished the Sringeri mutt." However, asked about the confusion in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) because of Kumaraswamy's statement, Bommai shot back saying that when there is no confusion among the voters how it will be in the BJP? (ANI)
India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (IIFCL) is hosting a two-day seminar on Capacity Building on Developing Marquee Infrastructure on February 8 and 9. More than 40 delegates from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's Interbank Consortium (SCO-IBC) member banks and SCO secretariat are participating in the seminar. The seminar aims to showcase India's expertise and learning in developing infrastructure to SCO-IBC members. The seminar will provide a platform for exchanging experiences and increasing cooperation among the SCO-IBC member countries for better economic relations. Representatives from member banks such as JSC Development Bank of Kazakhstan, China Development Bank,OJSC "RSK Bank",Habib Bank Limited,National Bank of Tajikistan, State Savings Bank of Republic of Tajikistan "Amonatbonk", and "National Bank for Foreign Economic Activity of the Republic of Uzbekistan" JSC will be attending the seminar. The two-day seminar started with a welcome remark by Mr. Pawan K Kumar, DMD, IIFCL, who discussed the idea behind organizing the Capacity Building Seminar on Developing Marquee Infrastructure for the consortium's members. In his Inaugural remarks, P.R Jaishankar, MD, IIFCL deliberated on India's Infrastructure sector journey and IIFCL's contribution in this journey of development and finance of world-class infrastructure in India. Speaking about Government's visionary projects such as National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP), PM GatiShakti amongst others, he emphasized on the enormous potential of the infrastructure sector in India in the coming years. Raj Kumar Ralhan, CCO, IIFCL in his discourse, shared IIFCL's perspective on the structuring of PPP Projects and various modes of procurement, the Evolution of project finance and innovative ways of funding large infrastructure projects, also highlighting the various programs of the government like NIP and monetization of assets. B.M. Rao, CGM, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Mr. Shashi Bhushan, CEO and DME Development Ltd., General Manager (T) Bharatmala, NHAI talked over Marquee Infrastructure Projects Sector such as Transportation (RoadSector), Structuring, Procurement & Financing of Expressways for providing fast and seamless connectivity. Amit Saurastri, General Manager of Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India (DFFCIL) and Mr. Shobhit Bhatnagar, Group General Manager, DFFCIL spoke about Marquee Infrastructure Projects like Sector Logistics Planning and Implementation of Freight corridor to enhance efficiencies of logistics sector. P. Sarathi Reddy, Advisor, NITI Aayog shared the Regulator's and Policy Maker's perspective on developing and financing Infrastructure. Day two of the event will include experience sharing by SCO-IBC member banks on infrastructure financing and experts from NICDCL, RBI among others who would talk about attracting investments and regulators perspective on Infrastructure Financing. (ANI)
Bhartiya Janta Party national president Jagat Prakash Nadda on Thursday will release the manifesto for the Tripura assembly elections slated to be held on February 16. "Nadda will release the manifesto for the Tripura assembly elections on February 9. He will visit Tripura on the same date," party source said. According to the source, the party has added many new points to the manifesto. "There many new points have been added in the manifesto that is important for the development of the state. Modi government always thinks about the development of the NorthEast. His vision is the growth of state and most importantly youth", the source added. It further said that after releasing the manifesto, Nadda is scheduled to address a public rally. "In the morning he will offer prayer at Tripura Sundari Mandir. After releasing the manifesto, he will address a rally as well," it added. Since coming to power in 2014, the PM Narendra Modi government has had a special focus on the northeast region with their Act East policy. While the prime minister himself has made over 50 visits to the region, a huge focus has been on the development of a secure northeast. Apart from security and law and order, the welfare of people through infrastructure, development and women are expected to be the key focus areas in the manifesto for the February 16 polls. The recognition of the indigenous tribes as well as the welfare of the tribals. The development in the Northeast continues to be dominant on the agenda of the BJP. The northeast region has turned into a saffron belt with Assam electing the BJP twice once in 2016 followed by 2021 and then Manipur which elected the BJP government in 2017 as well as in 2022. The party is hopeful that they will be able to form the government for another consecutive term in Tripura as well. The last manifesto of BJP for Tripura included promises like jobs, AIIMS-like facilities in hospitals, pay matrix of the 7th Pay Commission, hiking monthly social pension to Rs 2,000, providing houses to 3.8 lakh families, drinking water to 53 per cent houses holds and others. However, the party has stepped up its campaign in the state with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adiyanath addressing rallies on Wednesday. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed 'Vijay Sankalp' rally in west Agartala and targeted Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist), saying they were like musical instruments that were beyond repair. "In Tripura, one party is a flute and the other is a sitar. The Congress is a flute with many holes in it while the CPI(M) is a sitar with broken strings. They do not have any melody left in them." "During the CPI(M) regime, fear, hunger and corruption were rife in this state and it wasn't until the BJP came to power that things changed for the better," the Defence minister said. Urging the people to vote the BJP back to power in the state, Singh said, "You gave us five years and we changed the face of Tripura. Give us another five years, and we will make it the number one state."The elections for the 60 seats are scheduled to be held on February 16. Whereas in Meghalaya and Nagaland, voting is to be held on 27 February. The counting of votes for all three states will be held simultaneously on March 2. However, in Meghalaya, the BJP is going solo after having declared that it will not form any alliance, despite the fact that currently, it holds an alliance with the National People's Party (NPP). In Nagaland, the BJP is fighting in an alliance with the Nephew Rio's party Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and contesting in 20 out of 60 seats, here. (ANI)
Children who start preschool at the age of four are considerably more likely to attend college, according to an empirical study headed by an MIT economist. The research looks at children who attended public preschools in Boston between 1997 and 2003. It discovered that attendance at a public preschool increased "on-time" college enrollment -- starting straight after high school -- by 8.3 percentage points, an 18 per cent gain, among students from similar backgrounds. In addition, there was a 5.4 percentage point rise in college attendance at any time. "We find that 4-year-olds who were randomly allocated a seat in a public Boston preschool during this time period, 1997 to 2003, are more likely to attend college and that it's a pretty large effect," says Parag Pathak, a professor at MIT's Department of Economics and co-author of a newly published paper detailing the study's results. "They're also more likely to graduate from high school, and they're more likely to take the SAT." The study does not find a connection between preschool attendance and higher student scores on Massachusetts' standardized tests. But it does find that children who attended preschool had fewer behavioural issues later on, including fewer suspensions, less absenteeism, and fewer legal-system problems. "There are many things that influence whether you go to college, and these behavioural outcomes are relevant to that," says Pathak, who is also a director of Blueprint Labs. This MIT research centre uses advanced empirical methods to examine issues in education, health care, and the workforce. The paper, "The Long-Term Effects of Universal Preschool in Boston," is published in the February issue of the Quarterly Journal of Economics. The authors are Guthrie Gray-Lobe, a research associate at the Becker-Friedman Institute for Economics at the University of Chicago and a research affiliate at MIT's Blueprint Labs; Pathak, who is the Class of 1922 Professor of Economics at MIT; and Christopher Walters PhD '13, an associate professor of economics at the University of California at Berkeley. Publicly funded preschool programs have become increasingly popular and prevalent in recent decades. Across the U.S., 44 states operated publicly funded preschool programs as of 2019, along with 24 of the 40 biggest U.S. cities. The portion of 4-year-olds in the U.S. in a public preschool program has grown from 14 per cent in 2002 to 34 per cent in 2019. To conduct the study, the researchers followed the academic trajectories of over 4,000 students, in seven cohorts from 1997 to 2003, who took part in a lottery the Boston public school system conducted to place students into a limited number of available preschool slots. The use of the lottery makes the study rigorous: It creates a natural experiment, allowing the researchers to track the educational outcomes of two groups of students from otherwise similar backgrounds in the same school system. In this case, one group attended preschool, while the other did not. That approach has rarely been applied to studies of preschool programs. "The [method] of this work is to take advantage of the elaborate rationing in big-city school districts' choice processes. We've developed techniques to find the right treatment and control comparisons in data produced by these systems," Pathak says. The study also found a 5.9 percentage point jump in attendance at four-year colleges for students who had attended preschool. Preschool-educated students also were 8.5 percentage points more likely to take the SAT. "It's fairly rare to find school-based interventions that have effects of this magnitude," says Pathak, who won the 2018 John Bates Clark medal, awarded annually by the American Economic Association to the best economist under age 40 in the U.S. But while the study does find that preschool increases SAT scores, there was no discernible change on the MCAS, the standardized tests Massachusetts students take in multiple fields in elementary school, middle school, and high school. That stands in contrast to the larger link in education between higher test scores and college attendance. "It's not the case that we have an increase in test scores and it corresponds with an increase in college-going," Pathak says. "That's very intriguing." At the same time, he adds, "I don't think the takeaway here is we shouldn't have people take tests." Indeed, the study's findings suggest that preschool may have a long-term beneficial effect that is not strictly or even primarily academic but has an important behavioural component. Children attending preschool may be gaining important behavioural habits that keep them out of trouble. For instance: Attending preschool lowers juvenile incarceration by 1 percentage point. "If I had to speculate what's behind these long-term effects for college, this is our leading hypothesis," Pathak says of the reduction in behavioural problems. "There's a lot more that needs to be done on this. It's an intriguing finding. Others have highlighted these sorts of so-called noncognitive sleeper effects of education, and I've been quite sceptical about it. But now our own findings suggest there may be something to that story." While academic research about preschool programs dates at least to the 1960s, the current study has a distinctive set of attributes and findings, including the use of the Boston lottery to create a natural experiment; the long-range nature of the effects being found; and the combination of minimal impact on test scores coupled with indications that preschool has lasting behavioural benefits. "There are probably two broader lessons," Pathak says. "We cannot judge the effectiveness of early childhood interventions by just looking at short-run outcomes, stopping by third grade. You'd get a totally misleading picture of Boston's program if you did that. The second is that I think it's really critical to measure outcomes beyond test scores, such as these behavioural outcomes, to have a more complete picture of what's happening to the child." Shedding more light on the subject is possible, Pathak thinks, by further analyzing preschool programs with policies that create natural experiments. "We're really excited because there's a lot of potentials to apply our approach to other settings," Pathak says. (ANI)
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested the owner of Chariot Production Media Pvt Ltd, Rajesh Joshi, in connection with its ongoing probe into the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 money laundering case, sources said on Thursday. Rajesh Joshi was arrested from the national capital following the questioning and evidence against him showing his involvement in the case. He is likely be produced before a special court in the afternoon. This is the second arrest by the ED in the case in the last two days. Previously, the federal agency had arrested Punjab-based businessman Gautam Malhotra, son of former Shiromani Akali Dal MLA Deep Malhotra, on Tuesday. Gautam Malhotra, the Director of liquor manufacturing and distribution firm- the OASIS group, was arrested on Tuesday on the charges of money laundering. The ED sleuths had arrested the businessman following his questioning in the case. He is accused cartelisation in the Delhi Excise policy case. On Tuesday, the Central Bureau of Investigation arrested a Hyderabad-based chartered accountant, understood to be the auditor of BRS MLC K Kavitha. The other accused named in the case are Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, the then Excise Commissioner Arva Gopi Krishna, Deputy Commissioner Anand Tiwari, and Assistant Commissioner Pankaj Bhatnagar. Manoj Rai, a former employee of Pernod Ricard; Amandeep Dhal, director of Brindco Sales; authorised signatories of Mahadev Liquors Sunny Marwah, Arun Ramchandra Pillai and Arjun Pandey are some other accused persons in the case. The agency, last year, filed its first chargesheet before a court in the national capital in the (Delhi) excise policy money laundering case naming liquor businessman Sameer Mahendru as one of the accused. The agency said it has so far undertaken nearly 200 search operations in this case after filing FIR and taking cognisance of a CBI case which was registered on the recommendation of the Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. The CBI inquiry was recommended on the findings of the Delhi chief secretary's report filed in July showing prima facie violations of the GNCTD Act 1991, Transaction of Business Rules (ToBR)-1993, Delhi Excise Act-2009, and Delhi Excise Rules-2010, officials had said. A total of five people had been arrested by the ED in this case till November 2022, excluding Amit Arora. Sameer Mahendru was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on September 27 following his questioning. In October, the ED had raided nearly three dozen locations in Delhi and Punjab following the arrest of Sameer Mahendru, Managing Director of Delhi's Jor Bagh-based liquor distributor Indospirit Group, in the case. The CBI too filed its first charge sheet in the case early this week. The ED and the CBI have alleged that irregularities were committed while modifying the Excise Policy: undue favours were extended to licence holders, licence fee was waived or reduced and the L-1 licence was extended without the competent authority's approval. The beneficiaries diverted "illegal" gains to the accused officials and made false entries in their books of account to evade detection. As alleged, the Excise Department had decided to refund the Earnest Money Deposit of about Rs 30 crore to a successful tenderer against the set rules. Even though there was no enabling provision, a waiver on tendered licence fees was allowed from December 28, 2021, to January 27, 2022, due to COVID-19. This allegedly caused a loss of Rs 144.36 crore to the exchequer, which has been instituted on a reference from the Union Home Ministry following a recommendation from Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. (ANI)
The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit 2023. He will also inaugurate Global Trade Show and launch Invest UP 2.0, added the press release.

Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit 2023 is scheduled from 10-12 February 2023. It is the flagship investment summit of the Government of Uttar Pradesh. It will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, academia, think tanks and leaders from across the world to collectively explore business opportunities and forge partnerships.

Investor UP 2.0 is a comprehensive, investor-centric and service-oriented investment ecosystem in Uttar Pradesh that endeavours to deliver relevant, well-defined, standardised services to investors. (ANI)
An Uttar Pradesh roadways bus ran over as many as seven labourers in the Gautam Buddha Nagar district killing four of them and injuring the rest, police said on Thursday. According to ADCP (Central Noida) Vishal Pandey, seven workers of Hero Motors were hit by the bus from the Nodia Depot. "Three workers of Hero Motors Company were killed, and one other died during medical treatment after they were hit by a bus from the Noida Depot under Badalpur Police Station area. The bus has been seized and a search operation is underway to nab the accused bus driver," said the police official. Police said that the deceased have been identified as Sankeshwar Kumar Das (25), Mohari Kumar (22), Satish (25), and Azad (34). While three of them died on the spot, Azad died while undergoing treatment in the hospital. The three injured have been identified as Anuj, Dhramveer, and Sandeep were earlier admitted to the district hospital in Gautam Budh Nagar from where they have been referred to Safdarjanj Hospital in Delhi. The roadways bus has been sent to the concerned police station, and the bodies of the deceased have been sent for post-mortem, the police said. The police said that the driver is still absconding and efforts are being made to nab him, after which a case will be registered against him. (ANI)
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday issued a three-line whip to all the Lok Sabha MPs to remain present in the House, during the budget session, till February 13. The budget session in the Parliament began on January 31 with President Droupadi Murmu's joint address to the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. In her maiden address to the joint sitting of Parliament, Droupadi Murmu while touching upon several issues in her address, including defence, space, women empowerment, and the importance of public involvement during the 'Amrit Kaal' to build a developed India said that the country had a government that was "stable, fearless, decisive", working for all classes without any discrimination and giving thrust to 'virasat' (heritage) as well as 'vikas' (development). Murmu spoke of the government's relentless fight against corruption, the "biggest enemy of democracy and social justice". The Opposition has criticised the President's address. The Opposition have been regularly demanding a discussion on the Hindenburg report on the Adani Enterprises and other companies of the Adani Group. They have demanded the Prime Minister's response on the issue. Prime Minister Narendra Modi replied to the motion of thanks in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, saying that President gave direction to the nation in her visionary address to both Houses and inspired the 'Nari Shakti' of the country. She gave a detailed blueprint of 'Sankalp se Siddhi' of the nation, he said. He also talked about the work done by his government and said that there is positivity and hope towards India at a global level and the reforms were not carried out of compulsion but by conviction. He said India is the mother of democracy, constructive criticism is vital for a strong democracy and criticism is like a 'shuddhi yagya'. The Prime Minister took veiled digs at Rahul Gandhi who had made a sharp attack on the government over the Adani issue in his speech during the debate on Tuesday and said some speeches made on Tuesday were lauded by their ecosystem. "I was watching yesterday. After the speeches of a few people, some people were happily saying, "Ye hui na baat." Maybe they slept well and couldn't wake up (on time). For them it has been said, "Ye keh keh ke hum dil ko behla rahe hain,wo ab chal chuke hain, wo ab aa rahe hain"," PM Modi said. Rahul Gandhi was not present in the House when Prime Minister made his initial remarks. He later reached Lok Sabha. Addressing the media, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi later said that PM Modi did not answer questions posed to him during the debate and alleged that he was "protecting" industrialist Gautam Adani. "I am not satisfied with the PM's speech. However, it has revealed the truth. His speech had nothing about an inquiry (into the Adani Group in the wake of the Hindenburg report). It's clear that the PM is protecting him (Gautam Adani)," he said on Wednesday. "The PM, in his speech' did not answer any (of his) questions. He was shell-shocked. I did not raise any difficult questions. They were simple questions that he dodged," the Congress leader added. The opposition parties kept up their demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the Hindenberg-Adani row and some MPs staged a walkout during Prime Minister's reply. Targeting the opposition, PM Modi said instead of constructive criticism, some people indulge in compulsive criticism. With the opposition parties accusing the government of misusing probe agencies, PM Modi took a dig at them and said Enforcement Directorate is behind their unity. "A lot of things were said in the House about the probe agencies. I had thought that the people of the country and the results of the elections would bring such people to one stage. But that did not happen. They should thank ED that due to it they have now come together," he said. PM Modi also hit back at Rahul Gandhi's jibe that there should be a study by institutes such as Harvard of how the Adani group's wealth had seen a steep rise under a particular government. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court on Thursday allowed the bail petition of Chitra Ramakrishna Former Managing Director and CEO of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in a phone-tapping money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The Bench of Justice Jasmeet Singh on Thursday granted bail. The same bench on November 15, 2022, had kept the order reserved after the conclusion of the submissions of both sides. Earlier the Trial court had denied the bail to Chitra Ramkrishna. The trial Court judge while taking cognizance of a prosecution complaint (Chargesheet) filed by the Enforcement Directorate in the case said," I find the material sufficient to take cognizance. Accordingly, I take cognizance of the offence of Money Laundering punishable under Section 4 of PMLA against all four accused persons." "I have carefully gone through the contents of the complaint, the statement of accused persons and witnesses recorded under Section 50 PMLA, and the documents filed along with the complaints. The complaint has been filed through the Assistant Director, Directorate of Enforcement, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, who is the Public Servant. Therefore, an examination of the complainant is not necessary. Accordingly, examination of the complainant is dispensed with," said the Special Judge of trial court. On September 9, 2022, the ED filed a chargesheet in Delhi Rouse Avenue Court in connection with the NSE Money Laundering Case. The chargesheet mentioned the names of Chitra Ramkrishna, Ravi Narain (both are former CEO''s of NSE) and Sanjay Pandey, former Mumbai Police commissioner and a private firm as accused of allegedly tapping the phones of NSE officials and other irregularities. It has been alleged that illegal phone tapping of NSE employees was done between 2009-17 by M/s iSec service pvt ltd. The telephone monitoring was carried out by NSE through iSec without taking permission from the competent authority as required under Section 5 of the Indian Telegraph Act as well as without the knowledge or consent of the employees. According to the ED, all the incoming and outgoing calls made from landline numbers of the employees working in the Market Surveillance Department and other employees who had access to trading data were being monitored by iSec in the name of the Cyber Vulnerability Study. The payment for this illegal act was also made by NSE to iSec. The machines used for illegal monitoring /interception were sold as e-waste scrap by NSE in the year 2019. During the period between payment of Rs. 4.54 crores was approximately made by NSE to iSec for this work. Former CEO of NSE, Ravi Narain was arrested by the ED in August 2022 in connection with a money laundering case. According to the ED, Sanjay Pandey was the founding director of iSec and floated this company in 2001 and was having 50 per cent equity in the company till 2006. He was also one of its two directors till May 2006 and during the initial meetings for the award of this contract in 2009, he used to visit NSE to represent iSec during these deliberations, NSE was represented by Ravi Narayan (MD), accused Chitra Ramkrishna (DMD), Ravi Varanasi and Mahesh Haldipur Head (Premises), NSE. Even after he (accused Sanjay Pandey) resigned from the directorship of the company, he was having an advisory role in this company and remained involved in discussions with NSE on behalf of iSec at various stages and the evidence available reveals that he had also conducted meetings with officials of NSE on behalf of iSec. It is alleged that Sanjay Pandey, the 1986-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer who retired from service on June 30, 2022, was aware of the interception/monitoring recording of telephone calls of NSE employees and he used to send periodic reports through some employees of iSec to Ravi Varanasi, the then Head Business Operations, NSE and these reports contained the details of isolated suspicious calls and the transcripts of said calls. As per ED, top officials of NSE including accused Chitra Ramkrishna conspired with M/s iSec to cheat the NSE and its employees and in furtherance of this criminal conspiracy iSec was hired for illegal interception of the phone calls of NSE employees. ED says Ravi Narain was occupying the highest position of Managing Director of NSE during the period 2009 to 2013 and he was having knowledge of monitoring of telephone calls of NSE employees. Rather it was he who introduced the accused Sanjay Pandey of iSec Services Pvt. Ltd. to accused Chitra Ramkrishna. He was part of the decision-making process at NSE wherein, it was decided to engage M/s iSec Services Pvt. Ltd. for the said work from 01.01.2009 and got said work done under the garb of Periodic Study of Cyber Vulnerabilities. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had recently also registered an FIR in the NSE Co-Location Case over the allegations of phone tapping. Following the orders of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a case in the alleged NSE co-location scam that involved the phone tapping of NSE employees. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Jagat Prakash Nadda along with Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha offered prayers at Mata Tripura Sundari Temple in Udaipur on Thursday morning. Nadda will release the party's manifesto for the Tripura Assembly elections slated to be held on February 16. While talking to ANI, Nadda said, "Today I got the opportunity to offer prayers at Mata Sundari Temple. Whenever I come here, I get new energy. Under PM Modi's leadership we are taking society forward with the mantra of 'Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas'." "Nadda will release the manifesto for the Tripura assembly elections on February 9. He will visit Tripura on the same date," a party source had said. According to the source, the party has added many new points to the manifesto. "There many new points have been added in the manifesto that is important for the development of the state. Modi government always thinks about the development of the NorthEast. His vision is the growth of state and most importantly youth", the source had added. It further said that after releasing the manifesto, Nadda is scheduled to address a public rally. "In the morning he will offer prayer at Tripura Sundari Mandir. After releasing the manifesto, he will address a rally as well," it added. Since coming to power in 2014, the PM Narendra Modi government has had a special focus on the northeast region with their Act East policy. While the prime minister himself has made over 50 visits to the region, a huge focus has been on the development of a secure northeast. Apart from security and law and order, the welfare of people through infrastructure, development and women are expected to be the key focus areas in the manifesto for the February 16 polls. The recognition of the indigenous tribes as well as the welfare of the tribals. The development in the Northeast continues to be dominant on the agenda of the BJP. The northeast region has turned into a saffron belt with Assam electing the BJP twice in 2016 followed by 2021 and then Manipur which elected the BJP government in 2017 and 2022. The party is hopeful that they will be able to form the government for another consecutive term in Tripura as well. (ANI)
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday staged a sit-in protest in the national capital seeking First Information Report (FIR) against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the 'Feedback unit' case. The protesting BJP leaders at Shahidi Park in ITO were seen sloganeering with binoculars alleging the Delhi government is spying on the Opposition. The protest, led by Delhi's BJP Working President Virendra Sachdeva and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, demonstrated against the Kejriwal Government at the Secretariat ITO. "This is unconstitutional, the way Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia appointed a retired Director General of Police (DGP) to keep an eye over the Sansads, MLAs, MPs, officials, and the Delhiites. The L-G of Delhi has ordered to lodge the FIR and now the entire cabinet of Kejriwal will be in the Tihar jail, just like Satyendar Jain," Virendra Sachdeva said. Satyendar Jain has been lodged in the Tihar jail on the allegations of Money laundering. BJP leader, Vijay Goel asked the Delhi government who gave it the right to "spy" on people and constitute a committee without the nod of the Lieutenant Governor. "They are wearing binoculars and spying on the people. Who gave them the right to constitute a feedback unit? How could they set up a committee unconstitutionally? What is this secrets service fund? How have they appointed 38 people? How could they constitute a committee without the LG?" Vijay Goel asked the Delhi government while speaking to ANI. He further alleged that the Arvind Kejriwal-led- Aam Aadmi Party would "waste people's money" to spy on the BJP leaders, Opposition, Union Ministers, and Sansads. "They ofcourse have kept binoculars at each house. I even feel that they might have kept an eye on their own MLAs as well to know about their whereabouts. I want a Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) probe into it," he added. Speaking further, Goel said: "He should answer where have they set up binoculars and rest everything will come to the fore during the probe." During the protest, the members were heard sloganeering against Kejriwal as "Kejriwal teri tanashahi nahi chalegi" and "Jasoosi kand par Kejriwal pe karyawahi ho" The raging protestors were also seen carrying posters have pictures of Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia and some had written allegations over them against the Delhi government. Meanwhile, Delhi LoP Rajvir Singh Bhiduri also asked CM Kejriwal about the competent authority with whose permission they constituted the said committee. "The Kejriwal government was spying on the officials of the Raj Niwas, MPs and MLAs of BJP's Delhi unit. If they are doing this, Kejriwal should tell if he has permission from any competent authority. The Delhi L-G has appealed to the President to file an FIR against the chief of the department and Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, who is already an accused in multiple cases of corruption. The probe should be taken further," LoP Bhiduri said. On Wednesday, Delhi L-G VK Saxena referred the case of 'Feedback unit' to the President for the prosecution sanction against Manish Sisodia through the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) after the CBI reported to the vigilance department against Manish Sisodia. The Vigilance department had given the probe to Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) in March 2017 and subsequently, the LG office marked it to the CBI. The preliminary inquiry in the said matter was completed in 2021, after which CBI wrote to LG and MHA for sanction under section 17 A of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Under section 17 A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, prior permission/sanction is needed. Sanction has come only for a few, the CBI is for waiting for the sanction of others. Once that is given, CBI will file an FIR or RC. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government allegedly created a Feedback Unit in 2015 with the aim to strengthen the vigilance establishment and gather feedback on the working of various government departments, autonomous bodies, or institutions. In 2016, after the complaint of an officer of the Directorate of Vigilance, Delhi government, a preliminary inquiry conducted by CBI and found that in addition to the assigned job, the FBU, as it was referred to in official communications, also collected political intelligence related to political activities of persons, political entities and political issues touching the political interest of AAP. (ANI)
Police have rescued a 15-year-old girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted, starved and tortured by her employers, officials said on Thursday, adding that the couple who engaged the teenager as their domestic help has been arrested. A joint team of police and the One Stop Crisis Center (Sakhi) on Tuesday rescued the teenager from her employers' house in New Colony area of Gurugram. The girl was being tortured by the couple for several months and was not even given food, police claimed. The rescue was conducted based on complaint filed by the Gurugram-based NGO, which reached out to the police after a social media thread mentioning the girl's condition went viral earlier this week today. "The pictures shared by the activist showed the girl's face swollen with bruises. Further, the girl also sustained multiple burn injuries on her cheeks, arms, forehead and lips, officials said. Preet Pal Sangwan, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime), Gurugram said the girl was tortured and sexually harassed for several months by the couple who had employed her. "The couple did not provide proper food to the girl and assaulted her. There were several injuries on her hands, feet and face. She told police that she survived on leftover scraps," he said. According to the police, the arrested couple has been identified as Manish Khattar (36) and his wife Kamaljeet Kaur (34), residents of the New Colony area. Kaur is working as a public relation officer with a private company while his husband works with an insurance company, said police. Preliminary investigations revealed that the couple hired the minor, a native of Ranchi five months ago to take care of their three-and-a-half-year-old daughter. During this period, both the husband and the wife used to beat her daily. She was also sexually harassed, the police said. The minor claimed that she was hired through a placement agency in Delhi. The couple made her work all day and also beat her mercilessly daily, officials added. An FIR was registered against the couple under Sections 323 (causing hurt), 342 (wrongful confinement) of the Indian Penal Code and relevant sections of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act and the POCSO Act at New Colony police station. The Juvenile Justice Act has also been invoked, officials informed. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President JP Nadda along with Chief Minister Manik Saha released the party's manifesto for the Tripura Assembly elections. While addressing the Public meeting, Nadda said, "Tripura was once known for blockades and insurgency. The state is now known for peace, prosperity and development." He added, "13 lakh Ayushman Bharat health cards have been given in Tripura, with Rs 107 crores given in settlement, till now." Nadda along with Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha offered prayers at Mata Tripura Sundari Temple in Udaipur on Thursday morning. While talking to ANI, Nadda said, "Today I got the opportunity to offer prayers at Mata Sundari Temple. Whenever I come here, I get new energy. Under PM Modi's leadership we are taking society forward with the mantra of 'Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas'." According to the sources earlier, the party has added many new points to the manifesto."There many new points have been added in the manifesto that is important for the development of the state. Modi government always thinks about the development of the NorthEast. His vision is the growth of state and most importantly youth", the source had added. It further said that after releasing the manifesto, Nadda is scheduled to address a public rally. "In the morning he will offer prayer at Tripura Sundari Mandir. After releasing the manifesto, he will address a rally as well," it added. Since coming to power in 2014, the PM Narendra Modi government has had a special focus on the northeast region with their Act East policy. While the prime minister himself has made over 50 visits to the region, a huge focus has been on the development of a secure northeast. Apart from security and law and order, the welfare of people through infrastructure, development and women are expected to be the key focus areas in the manifesto for the February 16 polls. The recognition of the indigenous tribes as well as the welfare of the tribals. The development in the Northeast continues to be dominant on the agenda of the BJP. The northeast region has turned into a saffron belt with Assam electing the BJP twice in 2016 followed by 2021 and then Manipur which elected the BJP government in 2017 and 2022. The party is hopeful that they will be able to form the government for another consecutive term in Tripura as well. (ANI)
A fierce fire broke out in the slum of Gagret sub-division of the Una district in Himachal Pradesh which allegedly killed four minors during the midnight hours of Wednesday. As per the information, four minors included three Bihar-based siblings living in a temporary shelter at the "Bane di Hatti" slum-- Neetu Kumari (14), Bholu Kumar (7), and Shivam (6) of the Behra district in Bihar's Darbhanga and Sonu Kumar (17) of the Pauri Dakhram District in Darbhanga lost their lives. Meanwhile, Rs 30,000 also turned into ashes after their temporary shelter in the slum caught fire. The fire brigade and a team of police personnel reached the spot in time to control the fire, but could not save lives. "A fierce fire broke out in the slum residence of Bihar-based Bhadeshwar Das and Ramesh Das on the midnight hours of Wednesday and Thursday around 12 am, in which two teenagers and two children lost their lives," Station House Officer (SHO) Ashish Pathaniya said. On the incident, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed grief and instructed the administration to provide every possible assistance to the family. "Very sad. I am saddened by the news of four children aged 6 to 17 years being burnt alive in a fire incident near "Bane Di Hatti" of Amb in the Una district. I pray to God to give peace to the souls of the deceased and strength to the family members to bear this loss. Om Shanti," CM Sukhu tweeted. Meanwhile, the state's Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri also consoled the incident and prayed for strength to the bereaved family of the deceased. "The news of four children being burnt alive due to the fire in "Bane Di Hatti" of Una Gagret assembly constituency is extremely painful and sad. May God grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the family members to bear the loss. The district administration has been ordered to provide all possible assistance to the bereaved families," Agnihotri said in his tweet. (ANI)
In the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent assertion that the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has a huge number of orders for aircraft and choppers, the chairman of the PSU said that the state-owned entity has pending orders worth Rs 84,000, while orders worth Rs 55,000 were in the pipeline. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) CMD CB Ananthakrishnan told ANI, "Our order book position is comfortable, it stands at around Rs 84,000 crore. We have been generating revenues of Rs 25,000 crores which has shown a growth of eight percent. We have sufficient contracts to be executed." "Almost Rs 84,000 crore of orders are pending. Another Rs 55000 crore orders are in the pipeline, likely to materialize in the next six months to one year. So, all in all, we will have a healthy order book. Our capacity is 30 helicopters per annum," he stated. "We will try to ramp it up to 60 helicopters. If demand is at its peak, then we can take it to 90 helicopters," the HAL chief stated. He further said sanction for the LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) Mark II, has come and that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and HAL will together be able to roll out the first LCA Mark II sometime in the year 2024-25. While talking about HAL's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project, the HAL chief stated,"We are also a design partner in building prototypes in this project. In another five to six years, the product should be available." "The execution timeframe is starting from February 2024. We are confident that we will be able to deliver the first aircraft in February 2024," he added. Prime Minister Modi had while inaugurating a HAL helicopter factory in Karnataka's Tumakuru recently lashed out at the Opposition for spreading "misinformation" about Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in the past. PM Modi also recalled earlier Parliamentary sessions that were disrupted by the Opposition over the demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the Rafale deal. "Tumakuru has got a big helicopter factory today. Karnataka is a land of young talent and innovation. The world is seeing the manufacturing power of Karnataka from drone manufacturing to Tejas fighter planes. The double-engine government has made Karnataka the first choice of investors. The inauguration of the helicopter factory is an example of how the double-engine government works," PM Modi said. (ANI)
It looks like Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has found love again! According to People Magazine, a US-based media house, Bill Gates is dating Paula Hurd - the widow of Mark Hurd. Mark Hurd was the the CEO of software company Oracle and the one-time boss of Hewlett-Packard. He passed away in 2019. "It's widely known that Bill Gates and Paula Hurd are dating, but she hasn't met his kids yet," a source told People Magazine. Gates and Hurd were photographed seated side by side during the Men's Singles Final at the Australian Open last month. The news comes nearly two years after Gates and his ex-wife Melinda French Gates announced their divorce after 27 years of marriage. In August 2021, their divorce was formalised. Bill and Melinda have three children: Jennifer, 26, Phoebe, 20, and Rory, 23. Jennifer is expecting her first child with her husband Nayel Nassar and is "due any day," according to a source close to People Magazine. Bill and Melinda announced in May 2021 that they would be ending their marriage after 27 years, saying, "we no longer believe we can grow together as a couple in this next phase of our lives."However, the duo said they will continue to work together at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Meanwhile, the foundation said at the time that the organization was planning a two-year trial period to see if the pair could continue working together effectively. "If after two years either decide they cannot continue to work together as co-chairs, French Gates will resign her position as co-chair and trustee," CEO Mark Suzman said. In the weeks following the initial announcement of the divorce, Gates faced allegations of questionable workplace conduct in the early years at Microsoft. (ANI)
The window pane of the minister's house in Ulloor here was found smashed as seen in photographs accessed by ANI.

According to the information available, Muraleedharan was not present in the house when it was vandalized.

When the house help arrived at the house, noticed the vandalism and informed relatives and party workers about the stone pelting incident.

Police said that stones were pelted by unidentified people at the Union Minister's house.

Police said they have not identified or made any arrests so far in this case.

An investigation is underway, police said.

Further details are awaited. (ANI)
If the Congres had worked with dedication for tribals, we wouldn't have to work so hard for their welfare, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while replying to the Motion of Thanks to the President's address in Rajya Sabha. "Instead of playing with the sentiments of the tribals, had they (Congress) done some work, we would not have had to work so hard," he said. PM Modi said that the contribution of tribals in India's freedom struggle is written in golden letters. "But for decades our tribals remained deprived of development and the bridge of faith could never be built," he said attacking the Congress. Prime Minister pointed out that it was under the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, that a separate ministry was formed for the tribals. "Before 2014, 14 lakh land pattas were given to tribal families, while we have given more than 7 lakh pattas in the last few years. We have sanctioned 500 new Eklavya schools for tribal children. More than three crore tribals have directly benefited from the Aspirational Districts Programme of the government," he said. Earlier in the day, as PM Modi started his reply in Rajya Sabha, the Opposition MPs started raising slogans of "Modi-Adani bhai-bhai." Hitting back at the Opposition MPs, PM Modi said, "The country carefully hears what is said in this House. Some MPs are bringing disrepute to the House." He further took a jibe at the Opposition with a Hindi Shayari, "Keechad uske pas tha mere pas gulaal...jo bhi jiske pas tha usne diya uchaal." "I want to tell the Opposition MPs, the more 'keechad' you will throw at us, the lotus will bloom even more. So, you all have an equal role in making the lotus bloom, and I thank all of them for that," he said. Notably, the lotus is the BJP's party symbol. PM Modi also took a jibe at the Congress President, saying, "(Mallikarjun) Kharge Ji complains that I visit Kalaburagi. He should see the work done there. More than 1.70 crore Jan Dhan bank accounts have opened in Karnataka including over 8 lakh accounts in Kalaburagi. So many people getting empowered, while someone's account getting closed, I can understand the pain." "They (Congress) used to say 'Gareebi Hatao' but did nothing for over four decades. While we work hard to meet the expectations and aspirations of the people of the country," PM Modi further said. (ANI)
Second of the three victims in the Bihar lynching case, succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday, informed the police. The case pertains to February 5, when three people were allegedly tied and beaten in Bihar's Mubarakpur village in Manjhi. Earlier, one victim named Amitesh died during treatment, and now Rahul has also succumbed to his injuries. The third victim is still undergoing treatment in the hospital. Earlier the Bihar Police informed that 13 people have been arrested in connection with the case. SP Saran, Gaurav Mangla told the media that the properties of the four accused have been attached by the police after taking permission from the judicial magistrate of Chhapra court. "The police have attached the properties of the four accused. namely Vijay Yadav and his associates Ajay Yadav, Deepak Yadav, and Vicky Yadav. It was done after obtaining the order from the judicial magistrate of Chhapra court. The properties were attached under heavy security arrangements," the Saran SP said. Earlier today, Bihar Police informed in a press statement that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been conducting raids at multiple locations in connection with the case. "In connection with the case, one person named Chandrabhan Singh has been arrested for allegedly inciting people on social media. A total of 13 people have been arrested in the case, out of which five come under the jurisdiction of Saran police station," the statement read. The police further said that raids and investigation are underway in the case. Earlier on Sunday, a mob reportedly set the house and poultry farm of the village headman on fire after the alleged lynching of the youth. Following the incident, section 144 was imposed and heavy police force was deployed in the area. "A murder case was registered against five persons in connection with the lynching incident. Three of them have been arrested," said ADG JS Gangwar at a press conference in Patna. "Many videos on the violence that followed the lynching incident are also on social media. We are in the process of registering a case in the matter," the ADG added. A sizable police contingent was deployed at the village in the wake of Sunday's alleged lynching and the violence and arson that followed. Locals erupted in anger at Mubarakpur village in the Manjhi police station area after a youth was lynched and two more were critically injured. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday detailed the employment opportunities that have arisen in the nine years of his government's tenure so far while also stressing on the 'Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in various sectors. India's exports in defence sector is over Rs 1 lakh crore now and new companies entering segment to make country 'Atmanirbhar', PM Modi said Underlining the need for self-reliance in the defence sector the prime minister said that the government has worked with this mission in this sector so much so that the country is now exporting equipment nearly worth Rs 1 lakh crore. While addressing the Rajya Sabha during the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address, the prime minister hit out at the Congress party over the issue of employment and said that attempts are being made to spread falsehood. "Employment was also discussed here. I am surprised that those who claim to have been in public life for the longest time do not know that there is a difference between a job and employment. Those who do not understand the difference preach to us. Attempts are being made to spread falsehood by talking about half-baked things to create new narratives," PM Modi said. Mentioning his government's effort to stride towards a green economy, the Prime Minister saod that the possibilities of green jobs are increasing in the country. "In the past nine years, with the expansion of the economy, new opportunities have come up in new sectors. The way the country is moving forward towards a green economy, the possibilities of green jobs are increasing. Digital India is at a new height in the service sector. The 90,000 registered startups have also opened new doors for employment. More than 60 lakh new employees have benefited from Aatmanirbhar Bharat Yojana. We have opened various sectors through this Yojana," he said. Putting forward the data in the defence sector, the Prime Minister said that over 350 private companies have come up in this sector creating employment opportunities. "It is very necessary for the country to become Aatmanirbhar in the defence sector. I am glad that we have proceeded with the mission of Aatmanirbharta in the defence sector. More than 350 private companies have come into the defence sector. The country is doing an export of nearly Rs 1 lakh crore in the defence sector. Unprecedented employment has come up in this sector as well. From retail to tourism, every sector has grown," he said. "There was pressure from people in the world to sell their vaccine in our market, articles were written, TV interviews were given. There were attempts till yesterday to insult our scientists but my country's scientists made vaccines that were approved & benefitted 150 countries," PM Modi added. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shared a "personal account" of a student named Lopoli Melo from Arunachal Pradesh, who got the opportunity to participate in the 'Parakram Diwas 2023' celebrations in the Lok Sabha secretariat. "You will enjoy reading this very personal account of Lopoli Melo from Arunachal Pradesh. I would like to laud Speaker Om Birla Ji for taking the lead for such an initiative which also gave me the opportunity to meet bright youngsters," PM Modi said in a tweet. Parakram Diwas is celebrated on January 23 in order to mark the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose, who is fondly known as 'Netaji. Lopoli Melo, a student of Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU), Arunachal Pradesh, was selected to attend the 'Parakram Diwas 2023' celebrations in the Lok Sabha secretariat. In her article titled 'A day in the Parliament and PMO', she recalls her journey throughout the day. "I had to represent my university, Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU), and my state in the higher education institute (HEI) division in the Parliament for the 'Parakram Diwas', 2023 - a programme launched by the Parliamentary Research & Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) of the Lok Sabha secretariat," Lopoli pens in her blog. "My journey started on 21 January. My brothers were so scared to send me alone that they accompanied me till the Guwahati airport. From there, I had to do it all alone. Delhi was welcoming, and felt like home," she said. Referring to her dress, she recalls that she wore her traditional dress 'Idu Mishmi' attire on the Prakram Diwas, and saved the 'Nyishi' attire for the Republic Day. She also brought a traditional 'Monpa' bag with her. "My madam, Moyir Riba, RGU IDE assistant professor, was particular about my dress. She had told me that I was going to represent the whole state and asked me to be representative of the same," she said. Noting down her events in the day, Lopoli says, "I was seated in the fourth column from the left, fourth seat from the first, exactly at the centre of the hall. It had been around 10 minutes or so when I spotted our External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar coming in from the front door. I gasped in disbelief; I could not hold back my excitement. Me and my friends started giggling out of happiness, hoping he would look towards us. And so he did, and gave us a good namaste, and with huge grins we did the same. One after another, our cabinet ministers began to appear. I also spotted our Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Too many famous personalities in a single day!" "Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia asked me, "How are you?" and "I am doing good, sir," I replied, excitedly. And then Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju asked me, "From Roing?" "No sir, I am from Anini," I replied, much excitedly again," she further recalled. Lopoli regrets not getting the opportunity of giving a speech, because in lack of time limit, speakers were selected on a random basis. "However, the whole experience made it worthwhile," she said. Finally, talking about her interaction with PM Modi, she says, "The long-awaited day ended with an interaction programme between the students and the PM at his residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi. "We were called in for high tea. The ambience of his residence was very soothing. Caterers waited on us; students were having their laughs, interacting casually with one another; there was a beautiful music in the background that was being played, probably practising for the Republic Day. Birds were chirping and flying around the residence. I spotted a peacock on a tree," she said. She said that they were instructed on how to present themselves and what things were to be avoided. "After 10 minutes or so, we were gathered to wait on the PM. He arrived and we had a photo session and sat down for the interaction. It was a very casual interaction. There was an atmosphere of ease. He talked to us, cracked jokes, gave advice and stressed on being observant and to be aware of the moment and read more," she points out. Lopoli said that they all were taken around several places in Delhi in the next few days, including Rashtriya Swachhata Kendra, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, and Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya. They also got the opportunity to witness the Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path. Giving a message to the youths of Arunachal Pradesh, Lopoli says that they must grab the opportunity and work to be in the race with the rest of the world. "I had never dreamt that I would be visiting all these important places; one might never get a chance even after a hundredth visit to Delhi that I had on my first. To meet the prime minister of our country is on another level. The indication here is that we need to see beyond what we have been looking at; the youths of Arunachal must grab the opportunity and work to be in the race with the rest of the world," she says. "The other world, seen from afar, seems unreachable and unachievable until we reach it and we find out that it is not impossible," Lopoli adds. (ANI)
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud also asked the Bombay High Court to decide the plea in four weeks and said that the CBI and Mehta might file additional documents in the high court within a period of two weeks.

The court noted that Mehta will be furnishing letters of authority to banks to furnish statements of accounts.

The court was hearing the Central Bureau of Investigation's plea challenging the Bombay High Court which upheld a trial court order allowing Mehta to travel to his home in Hong Kong. Mehta, a British national who lives in Hong Kong with his family, returned to India in September 2021 and made his first appearance before the court in Mumbai.

CBI has told the court that it apprehends that huge amounts of money have gone into those accounts and Mehta, who is a foreign national and is not giving them access to the accounts.

Mehta's counsel maintained that his client has co-operated with the CBI but the probe agency is making false allegations against him.

Mehta's brother-in-law Nirav Modi is an accused in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case. (ANI)
Heaping praise on the performance of the BJP government in Tripura, the party's national president JP Nadda on Thursday said the state has emerged as a gateway to development, peace, harmony, progress, and prosperity since the party assumed power in 2018. Addressing the ruling party's Vijay Sankalp Rally at Tripura's Khayerpur on Thursday, Nadda said, "Before 2018, there was a levy rule of the CPM and we got rid of it. Ever since the levy rule was rolled back, Tripura has emerged as the gateway to development, peace, harmony, progress, and prosperity." Releasing the party's manifesto for the Assembly polls in the presence of Chief Minister Manik Saha at the public meeting, Nadda said, "When BJP brings out a 'Sankalp Patra or a vision document, it's not only a piece of paper but is the BJP's commitment to the people." He added, "As many as 13 lakh Ayushman Bharat health cards have been given in Tripura." "There are many new promises in the manifesto that are important for the development of the state. The Modi government always thinks about the development of the Northeast. His vision is the growth and welfare of the state and most importantly, its youth," a party source said. The BJP president added, "Tripura was once known for blockades and insurgency. Now, it is known for peace, prosperity, and development." In a scathing attack on the Opposition, he said people can never be sure if the promises made by other parties can ever be fulfilled, but the BJP has delivered on all its promises. "No one can be certain if the promises made by the other parties will ever be fulfilled. But you all can believe me in our promises because whatever we had promised five years ago has been fulfilled," Nadda said. He claimed that 2018 was the year of realising a 'Samrudhh and Unnat' (prosperous and developed) Tripura, adding that corruption and crimes ended after the BJP came to power in 2018. "The Left-wing extremism, insurgency and corruption, crimes and political violence have ended after 2018. We had promised the same and the results are for all to see," said Nadda. Nadda spoke at length about the various schemes that the party plans to launch in the state if voted back. "Under 'Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi', the annual financial assistance to farmers will be increased from Rs.6,000 to Rs.8,000. Under the 'Matsya Sahayak Yojana', financial assistance of Rs 6,000 will be given annually to those engaged in fisheries," he said. "We have also decided to provide a bond of Rs 50,000 for a newborn girl child from economically poor families. Under Mukhyamantri Kanya Aatmanirbhar Yojana, we will be providing free two-wheelers for girls," he added. "We have provided tap water under the Jal Jeevan mission and built toilets in Tripura. Development is being done all around the state," he added. Nadda said that the BJP government is dedicated to the welfare of villages, the poor, the deprived, the exploited, farmers, the youth, and women. "The BJP government is dedicated to the village, the poor, the deprived, the exploited, the farmer, the youth, and the women. Therefore we have decided to provide three meals a day at Rs.5 per mile under 'Anukol Chandra Canteen'," Nadda said. Earlier on Thursday morning, JP Nadda and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha offered prayers at Mata Tripura Sundari Temple in Udaipur. Speaking to ANI, Nadda said, "Today I got the opportunity to offer prayers at Mata Sundari Temple. Whenever I come here, I get new energy. Under PM Modi's leadership we are taking the country forward with the mantra of 'Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas'." Since coming to power in 2014, the PM Narendra Modi government has had a special focus on the northeast region with their 'Act East' policy. While the Prime Minister, himself, has made over 50 visits to the region, with focus on the development of a secure northeast. (ANI)
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu urged Union Minister of Power, New and Renewable Energy, RK Singh to enhance the state's share in the power projects that were commissioned 25 years back and have completed their loan repayments, an official statement said, adding, "that the state is looking forward for the generation of green hydrogen. "He said that state share must be enhanced from 12 to 15 percent," the statement informed. According to an official, CM Sukhu expressed his concerns during a meeting with the union minister held late Wednesday evening. According to CMO officials, The Union Minister was apprised that around 12000 MW of hydropower potential in the State was yet to be harnessed. "Hydropower development is the key engine to the economic growth of the State of Himachal Pradesh, as it makes a direct and significant contribution to the economy in terms of revenue generation, employment opportunities, and enhancing the quality of life", Chief Minister said adding, "that the state also has ample scope for setting up solar projects. "State Government has now relaxed the rules and procedures for the investors and Deputy Commissioners have been empowered to accord permission. The state government is committed to accord all necessary permissions in a time-bound manner, especially in the energy sector, and to ease the process for applying," CM Sukhu said. Chief Minister said that Government was mulling making agreements with the power projects in stages. "The first part will be for the period of loan repayment and the second part will be after the loan repayment is over on part of the power project," CM added. Chief Minister also raised the issue of the Luhri power project being executed by SJVNL and advocated for fresh agreement for enhancing the state share as the project is fully viable, it informed. Chief Minister said that the Supreme Court has passed its verdict in favor of the State Government pertaining to payment of arrears and its share by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). "He said that BBMB should be directed to pay the arrears to the State Government immediately, "CM Sukhu said, informed the statement. "He also apprised that the lease period of Shanan project was now over and it will be taken over by the State Government for further execution soon," the statement said. CM Sukhu said that the Union Minister has assured with regard to setting up of Green Energy Plant in Spiti area of the state on the analogy of Leh. "The e-charging stations for electric vehicles will also be set up throughout the State so that the target of becoming Green Energy State by 2025 could be achieved. For setting up e-charging stations, the state government will provide land and power," CM Sukhu added. Detailed project reports for the transmission line will also be prepared to evacuate the green energy. "Chief Minister told that the state is looking forward for the generation of green hydrogen adding that the Himachal Pradesh is the only state which is power surplus state. The state will execute the power project on revenue sharing basis," Sukhu said, the statement informed. Chief Minister honored the Union Minister on this occasion and also invited to visit Himachal Pradesh. Chief Parliamentary Secretaries Sunder Singh Thakur and Sanjay Awasthi, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Bharat Khera, Resident Commissioner, Meera Mohanty and Principal Private Secretary to Chief Minister Vivek Bhatia were also present in the meeting, it added. (ANI)
Chandigarh/Amritsar [India] (ANI) February 9: Punjab Police foiled a smuggling bid and seized 15 kgs of contraband (heroin) valued at Rs 8.40 lakh along with the arrest of a drug smuggler in Amritsar, an official statement said on Thursday, adding that multiple teams have been formed to nab the mastermind who managed to flee from the spot. According to an official, preliminary investigations revealed that the drug consignment was airdropped by Pakistan based drug-smugglers using a drone. "The arrested drug smuggler was en route to deliver drug consignment after retrieving it from the border area," Director General of Police (DGP), Punjab Gaurav Yadav said. "A juvenile was arrested. Fifteen packets of heroin, weighing 15 kg, and drug money of Rs 8.40 lakh were recovered from his possession, DGP Yadav added. "The 17-year-old arrested drug smuggler is a resident of Amritsar. Apart from recovering heroin and drug money, the Police have also recovered a Hero Deluxe Motorcycle, on which he was traveling," the statement informed. The development came about 10 days after Punjab Police had busted a trans-border drug smuggling cartel with the arrest of a drug smuggler after recovering five packets of heroin, weighing 5Kg, and Rs 12.15 lakh drug money from his possession during a special checking at village Thattha in Lopoke, Amritsar. DGP Gaurav Yadav said that following reliable human inputs, Police teams of Counter Intelligence (CI) Amritsar conducted a naka on Ram Tirath Road Amritsar and successfully arrested the juvenile, who along with his accomplice identified as Resham Singh of village Khasa in Amritsar was going to deliver the drug consignment after retrieving it from the area of village Kakkar. "Preliminary investigations revealed that the consignment of drugs was airdropped by Pakistan-based smugglers using a drone," he said. He said that drug smuggler Resham Singh, who prima-facie seems to be the mastermind of the trans-border narcotics smuggling racket, managed to flee from the spot. "Police teams are on a manhunt to nab him," he added. AIG CI Amritsar Amarjit Singh Bajwa said that the father and grandfather of the arrested juvenile are already undergoing imprisonment under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, (NDPS). "Further investigations are on to find out who sent the consignment from across the border and to whom accused persons were going to deliver," he added. Meanwhile, a case FIR no. 6 has been registered under sections 21, 25, and 29 of the NDPS Act at Police Station SSOC Amritsar, official added. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President JP Nadda on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Congress-Left alliance in Tripura ahead of the Assembly election and said the alliance was "opportunistic in nature" and had "no ideology". While talking to ANI, the BJP President said, "This alliance is opportunistic in nature. It has no ideology. They have formed an alliance to grab the seats. They do not understand that their alliance does not mean the voters get together and support them. Voters do not go by mathematics but by chemistry and relevant issues." "The Congress-Left alliance is unethical and has no synchrony. We are experienced. The same thing happened in Uttar Pradesh. Samajwadi Party did an alliance with Congress and BSP. The results are in front of everybody. It was a big zero. The same results would be seen here," he added. Nadda also noted the transition of Tripura from terrorism to peace. He said, "The people of Tripura in the last five years have seen the end to terrorism. Corruption has been finished and law and order has been established. Peace has been maintained. Earlier Tripura was known for bandhs, blockades and insurgency. However, today Tripura is known for peace and development. Tripura is scaling new heights in the development sector." "The poor, farmers, youth, tribals, women and those who are relatively backward in society have been empowered. The people of Tripura want to associate themselves with the aspirations of Tripura and move towards development under BJP's rule," Nadda added. The BJP President further lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and exuded confidence of winning the upcoming polls by a large majority. "The Adivasi brothers know that Modiji will work towards their betterment. People have faith in PM Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party. BJP will gather more votes this time. The people of Tripura have made up their minds to vote for BJP." "I want to tell all the voters that BJP is the only political party that has seriously worked under PM Modi's leadership to change the face and destiny of Tripura. We will carry forward these efforts," Nadda added. While talking about the development initiatives in the state, the BJP President said, "Tripura was earlier limited to small lanes but now under the BJP rule, four and six-lane highways have come up. We are connecting small villages with broadband. A total of Rs 980 crore is being spent on the Agartala-Akhaura rail project. 15 km of railway link will be made. 10 km will be made in Bangladesh and 5 km in India. The money is being spent by the Indian government. You can see the development yourself." BJP posted a stunning victory in Tripura in the 2018 Assembly elections, a Left bastion with Manik Sarkar being its Chief Minister for over two decades. After its poll victory, BJP appointed Biplab Deb as Tripura's Chief Minister and in May 2022 appointed Manik Saha for the role. The party is preparing itself to register another win in Tripura and has struck an alliance with its former ally Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) which has fielded its candidates at five assembly seats. For the election on 60 Assembly seats in the northeastern state, which are slated to be held on February 17, the BJP has fielded 55 candidates. For the first time, 11 women candidates have been given tickets. Tripura is slated to go to Assembly polls on February 16. Votes will be counted on March 2 along with Nagaland and Meghalaya. (ANI)
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak was also present on the occasion.

Famous sculptor Ram Sutar has made the statue that weighs 1,200 kg and is 12 feet tall. The grand Laxman statue is built at an estimated cost of Rs 50 lakh.

Sutar had also designed the 182 metres tall Statue of Unity, Ahmedabad.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, addressing on the occasion, said that Uttar Pradesh will play the role of 'growth engine' under Yogi Adityanath.

"If any state is going to play the role of 'growth engine', it is Uttar Pradesh under the leadership of CM Yogi Adityanath. The scale at which the Investors Summit is being held tomorrow is amazing," Singh said.

Notably, Prime Minister will visit Lucknow on Friday to inaugurate the Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit 2023. He will also inaugurate Global Trade Show and launch Invest UP 2.0.

Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit 2023 is scheduled from 10-12 February 2023. It is the flagship investment summit of the Government of Uttar Pradesh. It will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, academia, think tanks and leaders from across the world to collectively explore business opportunities and forge partnerships. (ANI)
Under the Centre's de-addiction campaign, a total of 25 Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) were dedicated to the nation on Thursday at a ceremony in Ambedkar Bhavan here. Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai and Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar were present on the occasion. The ministers gave information on how to make a drug-free country, how all the people of the country have to cooperate in this and what work is being done in the government sector. Nityanand Rai said, "Under the 'Nasha Mukta Bharat Abhiyan', 25 drug addiction treatment centres have been inaugurated today and the book 'prytn' related to drug de-addiction has also been released, for which I congratulate the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment." "We have to focus on the elimination of addiction. We have to first focus on the diffusion of drug detection networks, detention of culprits and rehabilitation from addiction. Then we will be able to build a healthy prosperous society," Rai added. The Union Minister also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for zero tolerance against narcotics. "Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Home Affairs has adopted the policy of zero tolerance against narcotics and by adopting the policy of zero tolerance, we can give a message to the world and the country that we are against drugs and support a drug-free India. We will not tolerate any element that promotes drug addiction and if necessary we will take even the harshest steps," he said. The minister mentioned the various statistics related to the seizure of drugs in the country. "If we look at the statistics, the drugs seized from 2006 to 2013 are 22,45,000 kg. The drugs seized from 2014 to 2022 are 62,60,000 kg. We have worked with coordination, and our concrete steps are part of the drive to achieve success," he said. "If we look at the cost, drugs worth 35 thousand crores were recovered from 2006 but drugs worth 97 thousand crores were seized from 2014-2022, which is more than three times. From 2006-2013, a total of 1,43,00,062 cases were reported, however, between 2014-2022, the number of cases was 4,14,697. The cases between 2006-2013 are clearly 125 per cent more," he added. Rai further stated, "Crores of men and women have been included in the Nasha Mukti Abhiyan. Until the Prime Minister's vision for a drug-free India is achieved and the consumption of drugs by the youth is stopped, we will not consider our efforts complete." Union Minister Virend Singh highlighted the combined efforts of both ministries for combating drug abuse. He said, "On August 15, 2020, the drug-free India campaign was started by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Everyone collectively needs to take strict steps to try to stop the supply of intoxicating material and go among the people for awareness against drug addiction and work for the rehabilitation and treatment of those who have become victims of drug habit. With this view, both ministries are taking up special activities." Singh also talked about the programs being run under the anti-drug campaign in Kathua. "15 blocks have been selected in Kathua. Similarly, 25 different blocks have been selected in different places, with the cooperation of the administrative authorities to make drug-free centres. The cooperation of society is also very important in this. If we work together, we will definitely be successful in achieving our goal. We will open many more drug de-addiction treatment centres in the coming days," he said. (ANI)
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has constituted a nine-member Committee headed by the chief secretary for remedial action against the environmental degradation of the Sundarbans in West Bengal. The bench headed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel in an order passed on February 7, 2023, stated, "we accordingly direct monitoring by a nine-member Committee headed by the Chief Secretary, West Bengal with Regional Officer, MoEF&CC Integrated Regional Office at Kolkata, Chairman State PCB, Member Secretary, State Coastal Zone Management Authority and District Magistrates of Purba Medinipur, North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas, Director, Sundarban Tiger Reserve and the State Wetland Authority." NGT said the state authorities must ensure that activities, which are not permissible in the delta as per Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP), including hotels operating in 'no construction zone', are duly identified and prompt remedial action taken in a time-bound manner, which may be monitored at the highest level in the state. Similarly, SOP for the operation of vessels may be strictly enforced, the green tribunal noted. It further stated that "in view of neglect by the state of sensitive matters, resulting in continuous and irreversible damage to the environment, wildlife and biodiversity, as found in the earlier order of this Tribunal, and since the matter is pending at least since 2014 without satisfactory and adequate action, there is need for monitoring at a higher level in the state administration". The tribunal's direction came during the hearing on a plea against the inadequacy of remedial action against the environmental degradation of the Sundarbans. Such degradation is inter alia on account of illegal constructions, operation of sea vessels, unscientific waste management, and delay in finalising Coastal Zone Management Plan, stated the plea. The tribunal noted that the main grievance of the applicant is that there's been a huge delay in finalising the CZMP and no adequate action has been taken against unauthorised hotels, unregulated operation of vessels and brick kilns, as well as protection of mangroves, a tiger reserve and solid waste management. (ANI)
A Constitution bench of the Supreme Court will on Friday pronounce its judgment on whether the plea against the practice of ex-communication in the Dawoodi Bohra community needs to be referred to a larger bench. The five-judge Constitution bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul is to pass its verdict tomorrow. The bench, also comprising Justices Abhay S Oka, Vikram Nath, and JK Maheshwari, had heard the parties in the case who urged the court to wait for a nine-judge bench decision in the Sabarimala matter or refer the present case to a nine-judge bench. The nine-judge bench is seized of the Sabarimala case with respect to the entry of women into the Sabarimala hill shrine in Kerala. It is also considering three other cases involving women's rights with regard to religious practices. During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Maharashtra, had told the bench that this case should be tagged along with the Sabrimala case before the nine-judge bench. He had further said reconsideration of the 1962 judgment, which five judges also rendered, may not be possible by a bench of the same strength. Senior advocate Fali Nariman, appearing for one of the parties in the case, had submitted that the matter should be deferred till the nine-judge bench gives its verdict. The top court had then reserved its verdict. Earlier, the bench had decided to examine whether the practice of ex-communication in the community can continue as a "protected practice" despite the fact that the Maharashtra Protection of People from Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act of 2016 has already come into force. Nariman had said that the questions posed in the case have become 'moot' with the enforcement of the 2016 Act, which has repealed the Bombay Prevention of Excommunication Act of 1949. "The 2016 Act provides a remedy to all victims of social boycotts. A complaint can be lodged with the nearest Magistrate in case of apprehension of a social boycott by a religious body. If any member of a community is subject to ostracisation, please file a complaint. Excommunication is not legally feasible now," Nariman had said. Senior advocate Siddharth Aggarwal, appearing for the petitioners, however, had said that a general law on social boycott may not protect the Bohra community members facing ex-communication. Aggarwal had said that the 2016 Act was a Maharashtra law and the "practice may not be confined to Maharashtra". The Constitution bench was a hearing case filed by the Central Board of Dawoodi Bohra Community in 1986 to re-consider and over-rule the 1962 judgment of another five-judge bench. The 1962 judgment came on a challenge by Syedna Taher Saifuddin, the head of Dawoodi Bohra Community to the Bombay Prevention of Excommunication Act, 1949 on the ground that the provisions of the Act infringe Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution. Syedna's contention was that the Act infringed upon his constitutional freedom of religion by curtailing his right, as the religious head, to discipline the community by casting out 'errant' members. The 60-year-old verdict of the Supreme Court had regarded ex-communication as a legitimate practice of a community that had to be protected under Article 26 of the Constitution, which grants individuals the freedom to manage religious affairs. The Supreme Court had concluded that the 1949 Act was unconstitutional. In 1949, in what was then Bombay Province (that included the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat), the State government passed the Bombay Prevention of Excommunication Act, 1949, with the objective to protect the civil, social, and religious rights of those excommunicated by their own communities. In 2016, the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly passed the Act, identifying 16 types of social ostracisation, and made them illegal, punishing the perpetrators with imprisonment for upto three years. One among the 16 deals with the expulsion of a member of a community. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court on Thursday disposed of a plea seeking video conferencing facility for jail inmates whose family members are abroad without issuing any further direction, saying that the relief sought is not required post Covid-19. Justice Prathiba M Singh on Thursday disposed of the plea moved by Pinjra Tod activists Natasha Narwal and Devangana Kalita holding that the relief sought is not further required as the pandemic is over. The court also noted that the petitioners have been released on bail in July and the video conferencing facility was provided in view of the pandemic while they were in custody. The counsel for the petitioner submitted that their bail has been challenged and the matter is pending before the Supreme Court. The counsel requested another date to show if any other issues are not addressed. To which the court responded that we couldn't keep it pending if there is any other issue that will be governed as per the jail manual. The court granted them liberty to approach the court if there is any change in the circumstances. The court also noted the submissions of Tihar jail counsel Gautam Narayan. The court said that the petition has been pending since February 2021 and a report was sought from the Delhi government. "On the same date directions were issued to the superintendent of Tihar jail to arrange the video conferencing facility for the petitioners in order to enable them to join court proceedings through video conferencing, the court noted in the order on Thursday. "Thereafter, the Delhi Government on April 13, 2021, filed its status report, pursuant to which detailed directions were issued in respect of physical meetings, computer centre and legal aid to the petitioner etc, the court said. The court further noted that the other reliefs sought earlier have been dealt with by the Tihar jail authorities. "The matter came to be considered on a subsequent occasion on May 3, 2021, when tele calling facility was provided to the petitioner. Tele calling facility, E Mulakat, vaccination of inmates, monetary charges and other reliefs sought were dealt with," the court said. "A proper computer centre was also directed to set up in order to enable under trials and inmates to appear before courts and to interact with their families, friends and their lawyers," the court said further. "Detailed directions have also been passed on May 5, 2021, on the various which were being raised. Over the said period both the petitioner were also released on bail," the court noted further. Today, the learned counsel for the petitioner raised the concern regarding the E Mulakat facility to inmates whose relatives are foreigners. In respect, thereof a circular of December 26, 2022, was placed on record which clearly states that said facility is covered by the exception, the exception is terrorist activities and offence against the State, and the said facility would be available to other inmates. Notably, the Delhi jail authorities in November 2022 informed the Delhi High court that due to security reasons, the video conferencing facility cannot be provided to jail inmates whose relatives are abroad. The petitioners have sought video conferencing (VC) facility to jail inmates to talk to their relatives abroad. It was submitted that video-calling facility/E-Mulakat is not provided for families of inmates residing abroad due to security reasons. However, telephonic voice calls are permissible once a week to the inmate whose family members are residing abroad, on request, the status report stated. The petitioner's counsel had submitted that the telephonic facility is at an exorbitant rate starting from Rs 400. "What is the security issue in providing VC facility to jail inmate when he is in the jail room and the credentials of the relatives abroad are verified," the court asked the proxy counsel. "This can be done in case of ordinary inmates, if not in the case of high-risk inmates," it said further.Natasha Narwal had been granted bail by the Delhi High Court in a larger conspiracy case related to the northeast Delhi riots of February 2020. While she was in jail, she had moved an application for a video conference facility for jail inmates whose relatives are abroad. (ANI)
A crucial meeting was chaired by Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia with officials of the Energy Department on Thursday for an in-depth review of the growing electricity demand in Delhi and the preparations of the Delhi government to meet the demand. The officials informed the Deputy Chief Minister in the meeting that the highest electricity demand recorded in Delhi was 7,695 MW in the month of June 2022. "At present, the DISCOMs have power tie-ups for a total of 8,471 MW, out of which 33 per cent of power i.e. approximately 2,826 MW is sourced from renewable sources of energy. This primarily comprises solar energy and wind energy, which contribute approximately 2,000 MW to Delhi's power supply," informed officials.Discussing the new draft Solar Policy 2022 prepared by the Delhi government, the officials said that under this policy, people in Delhi would be encouraged to install solar panels on rooftops through a Generation Based Incentive (GBI) of Rs 2-3/unit for the residential sector and Rs 1 for the commercial sector. According to officials, the policy also envisages providing a subsidy of Rs 2,000 per kilowatt per consumer, up to a maximum limit of Rs 10,000. In addition to this, all Government buildings with a rooftop area of 500 square metres and above will be solarised. Through these initiatives, an additional 500 MW of rooftop solar plants can be installed in Delhi over the next 3 years.Officials said, "DISCOMS are in conversation with various agencies for an additional renewable energy supply of 3000 MW. Officials also mentioned that after the 1000 MW solar plant and 111 MW wind power plants of the Solar Energy Corporation (SECI) are commissioned, Delhi will get 1,100 MW of more electricity sourced from renewable energy. Along with this, work is underway on several renewable energy generation projects for approximately 2100 MW of power, which is expected to be completed soon."Deputy CM Sisodia said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the people of Delhi are being provided with an uninterrupted, 24x7 supply of electricity and that too at lowest tariffs across the country. "The Delhi government, having fulfilled its electoral guarantee, also provides free electricity to a large segment of Delhiites," said Sisodia. He added that the target is to ensure that Delhi is absolutely self-reliant for its electricity requirement, and this bold step towards renewable power generation will show the way forward to the entire nation. "We will ensure that the people of Delhi continue receiving an uninterrupted supply of electricity in the future as well through progressive steps like these," he said. "Currently, 33 per cent of the total energy demand in Delhi is met through renewable sources of energy. Over the next 3 years, 6,000 MW of renewable energy shall be generated in Delhi through various initiatives of the government. Thus, in the next 3 years, we aim to shift a major part of Delhi's energy supply to renewable energy, so that our dependence on thermal power plants can be reduced, and we can produce completely clean energy for our citizens. This will also prove to be key in our mission to curb pollution in the city," he continued. Sisodia also instructed the officials to expedite the installation of rooftop solar plants on the roofs of all Delhi government buildings such as government offices, schools etc. Along with this, he asked officials to explore other potential areas for setting up solar energy plants and also to start exploring pilot projects to set up floating solar plants over water bodies and lakes.It is also noteworthy that during and after 2018, the Delhi government entered into power purchase agreements with several companies to meet the growing demand for electricity in Delhi. Although many of these plants are yet to start, the government has signed agreements well in advance to meet the growing energy demand of the city and prevent any interruptions in supply. (ANI)
Delegates, investors, and participants arriving in India to participate in the two global events-- Global Investors Summit, and G20 meeting-- in Uttar Pradesh's capital, will go through an RT-PCR Covid test, according to Chief Medical Officer, Lucknow. Taking note of the events to be held here, the CMO, Manoj Agarwal, said, "We have installed 24x7 running booths for RT-PCR in the district, including at the airports. Besides this, our mobile teams are placed to conduct the Covid test of the delegates and the open Covid-testing booths are open for everyone, participating in the events." Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit 2023 is scheduled from 10-12 February 2023 and PM Modi will visit Lucknow to inaugurate the event. It is the flagship investment summit of the Government of Uttar Pradesh. It will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, academia, think tanks and leaders from across the world to collectively explore business opportunities and forge partnerships. Uttar Pradesh Police has also made adequate security arrangements in the wake of this global event. State ADG (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar said, "UP Police is fully prepared for the upcoming Global Investors Summit and will ensure that the event is conducted without any hindrances," Kumar said. After the conclusion of this three-day-long event, the G-20 meeting in Lucknow will take place from February 13-15. (ANI)
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) workers clashed with the police on Thursday during the TDP National General Secretary Nara Lokesh's pada yatra 'Yuva Galam' procession in the district. The party workers were seen jostling with the police force. Notably, Nara Lokesh's pada yatra (foot march) embarked from the Kuppam constituency two weeks ago. The TDP National General Secretary on Sunday said that the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy was afraid of people and thus he always moves in public places behind curtains. "If you want a better future for the youth in the State and if the youth should get jobs, this psycho should be out of power immediately and the cycle government should come back," Nara Lokesh remarked. "What is the fun in organizing the Naadu-Nedu program as there are no basic facilities in the schools and other educational institutions," asked the TDP leader Lokesh who stated that at least 17 cases are filed against him now as he is moving among the people. "I am not scared of such false cases," he added. Terming Jagan as a liar who always takes the people for a ride, Nara Lokesh dared the Chief Minister to come for an open debate as to who is behind several companies setting up their units in the State and who chased the companies out of the State. Representatives of Paramedics met Nara Lokesh during the pada yatra. They informed him that there is no evidence of them completing the community paramedics training since the certificates have not been issued to them, following which they are being subjected to frequent harassment by government officials. They appealed to the TDP leader to take up the matter with the concerned authorities and recognize them as first referrals. Responding to their appeals, Nara Lokesh said that the Jagan Mohan Reddy Government is completely ignoring the health sector and miserably failed in utilising the services of the paramedics in rural areas. (ANI)
Congress Lok Sabha MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla pertaining to the matter where a portion of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's speech in the lower house was expunged "making the whole speech unintelligible". "Sir, in the incorrect debates published by the Secretary-General, a major portion of the speech of Shri Rahul Gandhi was removed in such a way that the whole speech of Shri Rahul Gandhi becomes unintelligible," the letter read. On February 7, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the Motion of Thanks on the President's address and mentioned certain facts about the ongoing issues about the Hindenburg report and the alleged involvement of the Adani Group of Companies in the manipulation of the Stock Market. Rahul Gandhi also posed some questions to the Prime Minister on the issue."Sir, I want to humbly submit that the founding fathers of our Constitution while giving us the constitution empowered the elected members to speak in the Parliament without fear or favour," the letter read. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in a letter reiterated that the Constitution guarantees that there shall be freedom of speech in Parliament. The freedom of speech that is available to the Members of Parliament under Article 105(1) is wider in amplitude than the Right of Freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under article 19(1)(a). "Having conferred the freedom of speech on Parliamentarians, the Constitution emphasizes the fact that the said freedom is absolute and unfettered. This unfettered power granted to the elected representatives, to my understanding is due to the fact that members while speaking in the items serve the interest of the people of this country," the letter read. He said that Article 105 of the Constitution confers immunity inter-alia in respect of "anything said in Parliament" the word "anything" is of the widest import and is equivalent to "everything". Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury further said that the only limitation is that the words "in Parliament" means during the sitting of the Parliament and in the course of the business of Parliament. This view has been supported by various Judgements of the Supreme Court from time to time. "In view of the above and in the wider interest of the Nation the speech made by Shri Rahul Gandhi should be published in totality as it serves a great public purpose. In view of the above I, request you to kindly revisit your decision to edit the speech of Rahul Gandhi," the letter read. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a strong attack on the government in the wake of the Hindenburg-Adani row linking the rise of Adani group to that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and alleged that "rules were changed" in some sectors to favour the businessman. Gandhi further alleged that the Modi government changed the rules which allowed only previously experienced firms to be involved in airport development. "There is a rule who does not have prior experience in airports can't be involved in the development of airports. This rule was changed by the Government of India and Adani was given six airports," he said further claiming that India's most profitable airport Mumbai Airport was "hijacked" from GVK Industries using the CBI and ED and was given to Adani by the Centre. Further attacking the industrialist and PM Modi, he said that despite the fact that Adani never made drones he got the contract for their manufacture when it was always HAL and other companies involved in the business. (ANI)
The wait for a fruitful 'maiden' meeting of the MCD house may be reaching an end as the fresh date of mayoral polls, February 16, has received approval from the Delhi government. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) may have got the nod from the Delhi government on the proposed date, but it is still awaiting the final nod from Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. Earlier today evening, the Kejriwal government had proposed to call a meeting of the MCD on February 13 or 14. But on February 13, there is a hearing of this matter in the Supreme Court. In view of this, the Kejriwal government has approved the proposal of the MCD of February 16 for the mayoral election. The Delhi government and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) were compelled to come to a consensus for a new date to conduct the elections of new Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Standing committee members after the House was stalled thrice -- January 6, January 24, and February 6 -- due to ruckus. On February 6, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi House's Proceedings were adjourned until further notice without conducting the mayoral election. This was the third time in a row that the house had been adjourned after a ruckus erupted over nominated members being allowed to vote in the election to the post of mayor, deputy mayor and standing committee members. (ANI)
In an astonishing incident, two men in the Khadaki area of Pune assaulted their 27-year-old rival eatery stall owner for giving an offer of "free soup" to his customers. The incident took place on Monday where the victim and the accused operating their food outlets. The 27-year victim Mulayam Pal in a written complaint to Pune police said that he had introduced an offer of "free soup" before food to attract the customers toward his outlet, which did not go well with the rival owner running his stall next to him miffed over this offer the accused Siddharth Bhalerao and his partner Digvijay Kachare had several verbal quarrels with the victim. According to the victim in his statement to police, "On February 6, when the victim was having food at a snack centre near his stall, one of the accused Bhalerao hit him on the head with a sharp iron weapon and abused him with the incident victim received serious injuries and stitches on his head." On the basis of a complaint filed by the victim, the Pune police have registered a case against the two accused under Section 326 and other relevant IPC sections. Further probe is on by police on the allegations made by the victim. (ANI)
Himachal Pradesh Cabinet Minister Jagat Singh Negi on Thursday said that the raids conducted at one of Adani Wilmar's depot warehouses at Parwanoo were part of routine tax raids and it has nothing to do with cement plants closure. "The raids conducted on premises of Adani's business premises in Himachal Pradesh are routine tax raids that have nothing to do with the cement plant and truckers issue," he said. The Revenue, Tribal Development and Horticulture minister of Himachal Pradesh said that the dispute between Adani cement and truckers will be resolved soon. "These raids are routine raids conducted by the State tax and excise department officials. As far as the dispute between two plants of Adani cement and truck operators is concerned, the Industry Minister and officials have held scores of meetings, I am sure the Chief Minister of state will take a decision very soon on this," he added. The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh has already made it clear that these raids are routine and should not be given much hype. "The objective of our government is not to disturb anyone, these are routine raids, it is not a raid conducted only on the Adani group, these kinds of tax raids are routine on other companies as well. It should not be taken otherwise," CM told reporters in Delhi. Earlier in the day Adani's FMCG arm Adani Wilmar released a statement clarifying that Himachal Pradesh GST Department has not found any irregularities in operations and dealings of the company. "One of Adani Wilmar's depot warehouse at Parwanoo, Himachal Pradesh was visited by GST officials yesterday evening. The staff extended their support during this routine inspection, fully co-operating with the officials and local authorities," a Adani Wilmar spokesperson said in a statement. Earlier on Wednesday, the inspection of the business premises of Adani Wilmar at Parwanoo was conducted by a team led by the Joint Commissioner, South Enforcement Zone. As per sources, "In the State taxes and excise department, an officer of the rank of Joint Commissioner or above is not required to seek the permission of any higher authority for conducting an inspection of business premises of a taxpayer in his jurisdiction." The concerned Joint Commissioner has been directed to submit detailed grounds of inspection, action taken during the inspection and the outcome of the inspection immediately. The report is awaited on the matter. (ANI)
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Thursday held a meeting with the senior officials of the Industries Department to review various projects which are near completion. These projects include the Delhi Government's Cloud Kitchen Policy, Redevelopment of Non-Conforming Industrial Areas, Redevelopment of Conforming Industrial Areas, Delhi Bazar Portal and Startup Policy. While reviewing the projects, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said, "Under the leadership of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the main aim of the government is to implement projects with high potential of job creation on priority. All the departments under the Delhi government are working relentlessly to ensure the same." He said that in the Rozgaar Budget, the Delhi government had announced various projects that can foster growth of the economy and generate lakhs of jobs in the next five years. Continuous stakeholder consultations are being conducted by the Dialogue Development Commission of Delhi (DDC) and other departments during the course of formulation of policies and schemes which will benefit businesses across the capital." During the meeting, the officials told the Deputy Chief Minister that formalities for framing Delhi's Cloud Kitchen Policy have been completed and very soon it will be released in the public domain to facilitate the food business owners. The booming business in the food and beverages sector has great potential to create many job opportunities in the future. Officials told the Deputy Chief Minister that the Delhi Government's Startup policy has been approved by the cabinet and will be shared with the LG for notification soon. The 'Dilli Bazaar' portal is also finalising. This is to help the local sellers of Delhi reach a larger customer base worldwide with their unique products and services. This will help the local sellers to enhance their customer base. Every seller on the 'Dilli Bazaar' platform will have its own storefront to enable them to showcase their unique shops and products through detailed product catalogues. This will create an additional virtual store running 24x7. Delhi government is also in the process of finalising the technicalities for the Dilli Bazaar App which will play a pivotal role in the implementation of this project. The government is also taking up the redevelopment of conforming industrial areas to utilise the dysfunctional and sick land parcels on existing industrial areas to increase economic activity and generate employment opportunities. This will give a boost to warehousing, IT/ITeS, and the Cloud Kitchen industry. The government also aims to redevelop nearly 25 Non-Conforming industrial areas in the next 5 years which has the potential to create thousands of job opportunities in this sector. Under this project, measures will be taken to make these areas green, clean and sustainable. The government will also engage with developers to effectively mobilize basic services and infrastructure in the area. The layout for the project has been prepared and will be implemented soon. The Deputy Chief Minister has also directed the officials to work out a plan to make all the industrial areas of the national capital world-class. To give a boost to Delhi's economy and create more job opportunities for people in the electronics industry, the Delhi government is set to develop an "Electronic City" at Baprola in South West Delhi. Soon an Electronic System Design, Manufacturing and Refurbishment Policy will also be formulated to facilitate the industries in setting up their businesses in Delhi. The Deputy Chief Minister directed the officials to explore more possibilities for the development of Delhi as a hub of high-end electronics and refurbished electronics market. Thereafter, the Deputy Chief Minister directed the officials to complete the pending formalities in the aforementioned projects as soon as possible so that they could be implemented on time. (ANI)
A Flying Surveillance Team (FST), acting on a tip off, raided the marriage hall and found that 100 odd AIADMK leaders and functionaries led by its Airyalur district Secretary of the party and former Chief government whip, Thamarai S. Rajendran, were gathered there.

Police and Election Commission officials informed the AIADMK leaders that they don't have permission to conduct a meeting, and that AIADMK leaders and cadres had earlier been warned against the conduct of such meetings without permission, after holding another unauthorised meet on January 31.

However, AIADMK leaders and cadres created a scene and told the Election Commission officials that they would not vacate the premises but were forced them out and the marriage hall sealed.

The FST members told the AIADMK cadres and leaders that they should take permission from the officials concerned and after that, the seal would be removed.

Police have been posted at both entrances to the marriage hall.

--IANS aal/vd

( 200 Words)

2023-02-09-19:08:04 (IANS)
NCP MP Supriya Sule on Thursday sought to know from the government as to why the benefits of purchasing discounted oil and gas from Russia could not be passed on to the consumers. Sule raised the matter during the Question Hour in Lok Sabha, when Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri was replying to a question on cooking gas subsidy. She said that India has been purchasing oil and gas from Russia at the cost of conflicting its relations with other nations globally, including the US. Why then, the NCP leader wondered, the benefit of the discounted oil cost was not being given to consumers in the form of cheaper LPG cylinders. Puri, in his response, said that despite the rise in India's domestic production of oil and gas in the previous fiscal as well as this financial year, India imports around 60 per cent of its requirements. International prices of oil and gas are quite high, he said, adding that: "Now, the issue here is that oil marketing companies (OMCs) have not increased the price. They took huge losses on account of the fact that they were not able to pass through on to the consumers the international price at which they were imported." The OMCs suffered a Rs 28,000 crore loss for which the government compensated them by making a one time payment of Rs 22,000 crore, the minister said. In response to a related question by another member, he said that despite rising global prices of oil and gas, the government has kept its consumers insulated from high international prices. --IANS ans/vd ( 281 Words) 2023-02-09-19:26:03 (IANS)
On the basis of profiling done by AIU officials, one female passenger travelling from Italy via Doha on a Qatar Airways flight was intercepted.

During the examination of the said passenger, three crude gold bangles totally weighing 480.25 grams worth Rs. 24 lakhs concealed inside her hand baggage were recovered and seized.

Meanwhile, in the second instance, a female passenger was intercepted at green Chanel by AIU officers who arrived from Riyadh to Kochi on an Air India flight.

During the personal search of the said passenger, five gold bar total weighing 582.64 grams worth Rs 29,89,235, ingeniously concealed inside artificially red-coloured sanitary napkins which were worn by the passenger was recovered.

However, under relevant provisions of the Customs Act 1962, the said gold was seized.

Further investigations into the matter are underway. (ANI)
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday, accepts the petition filed against the parole given to Dera Sacha Sauda chief and rape and murder convict Gurmeet Ram Rahim. The petition was filed by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) in the High Court. The lawyer representing SGPC in the HC, Puran Singh Hundal told the media that they had filed the petition against the parole, and it has been accepted by the court. "Ram Rahim has several crimes against him. If he gets parole so easily, it will give a wrong message to society. So, we had filed the petition against his parole," he said. The HC has also sent notices to the Punjab government, the Haryana government, and the center. The Sirsa-Dera chief who is serving a 20-year jail term for rape and murder walked out on a 40-day parole from the Sunaria Jail in Haryana's Rohtak district on Saturday and arrived at his Barnawa Ashram in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat. This is the fourth time in the last 14 months and the second time in less than three months that Ram Rahim has been granted parole. Earlier, he was released on parole for 40 days in October 2022 ahead of the Haryana panchayat election and the Adampur Assembly bypolls. He was convicted by a special CBI court in Panchkula in August 2017 for raping two women followers. CBI had registered the case on the orders passed by the High Court of Punjab and Haryana in 2003 and taken over the investigation of the case earlier registered at Police Station Sadar in Kurukshetra. It was alleged that Ranjit Singh, a resident of village Khanpur Kolian, Kurukshetra was murdered on July 10, 2002, when he was working in his fields at village Khanpur Kolian of District Kurukshetra in Haryana. After a thorough investigation, CBI filed a charge sheet in 2007 against six accused and charges were framed in 2008 while, on October 8, 2021, the court convicted Rahim and four others in connection with former Dera manager Ranjit Singh's murder case. (ANI)
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel took a jibe at former CM and BJP leader Raman Singh over a fake facebook account created in his name. Baghel on Thursday said, "Thug (Singh) also got cheated. He cheated the entire Chhattisgarh, cheated farmers, cheated women, cheated youth, cheated chit fund company investors as well. Who else duped the Thug Maharaj?" Former CM Raman Singh shared the screen grabs of his fake facebook account on his original facebook account and wrote, "Messages are being sent to people of the state for financial transactions by creating a fake facebook profile in my name. I request all of you not to fall prey to any such message and avoid online fraud." Reacting to a directive issued by the Animal Welfare Board of the Central Government that to celebrate 'Cow Hug Day' on February 14, Baghel said, "First the Animal Husbandry Department should do this a bit. What will happen if a cow takes someone by the horn? We are serving the cow everyday. We have made 10,000 cowsheds. We are buying cow dung, vermicompost is being made and also harvesting fodder for the cow. It is not a day job, it is a routine work. They (the Central government) only has to do event management and they are experts in that. Their aim is to serve cows for one day and nothing after that." Baghel also commented on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remark in Parliament about scams and terror attacks during the Congress-led UPA government. He said, "The scams just happened, why are you (PM Modi) not answering it? If the investigation is done then everything gets crystal clear. A document (Hindenburg report) that has made his friend's (Adani) position from the second richest in the world to 23rd. What better proof is needed than this? Economists across the world have accepted that there is a problem, so they have withdrawn the money. Why is it not being investigated?" "Our employees, officers, and the general public who have deposited money in LIC for their future. You are giving that money to your friend. Even after the Hindenburg report's disclosure, you are giving LIC's money to him (Adani). Who else will answer it? Don't provoke people by talking here and there. The direct interest of such people is involved, their money is involved in LIC and SBI. Like the chit fund company drowned here in Chhattisgarh, similarly LIC and SBI are going to drown there. The prime minister will not answer this," Baghel added. CM Baghel also reacted to the six months extension of Jhiram inquiry commission. He said, "The NIA is investigating the case. Inquiry commission formed by the state government does not do fact-finding. The investigation is done by agencies like the NIA, CBI or the police. We are continuously writing letters seeking permission to investigate. When the Home Minister Amit Shah came here, we had made a demand for this. We also wrote a letter to the NIA, also wrote a letter to the Home Minister and spoke on many forums that if they give us permission, then we will investigate." Notably, a massive Naxal attack was occurred on Congress' Parivartan Yatra in Jhiram valley in Bastar district on May 25, 2013 in which 29 people, including the then Congress state president Nand Kumar Patel, his son Dinesh Patel, veteran Congress leaders Vidyacharan Shukla were died. When the congress returned into power in the state in the 2018 assembly election, they formed an inquiry commission to investigate the matter. (ANI)
A 19-year-old teenager who was on his way to allegedly "commit a crime" in the national capital's Dwarka area has been arrested along with four country-made pistols, the police said on Thursday. The arrested individual has been identified as Sunny -- a resident of Sampla near Rohtak in Haryana. "During questioning, he said that after watching some videos of gangsters on social media, he made a plan to rob cash and vehicles with his school friend," the police said. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka), M. Harsha Vardhan, said: "A police team was tasked to regularly conduct surveillance over the members (out on bail) of different gangs active in district and adjoining states. "On February 6, specific inputs were received by the team regarding the movement of Sunny. The police were informed that he would come to Jharoda Kalan village to commit crime," the DCP said. "A trap was laid at Bahadurgarh-Najafgarh Road, and Sunny was apprehended," Harsha Vardhan said, adding four country-made pistols and four live cartridges were recovered from his possession. "In order to execute his plan, he arranged illegal arms to assert his dominance in the area or to commit any crime," the DCP said. "The source of firearms and ammunition has been identified and efforts are being made to nab the supplier(s)," the police officer added. --IANS ssh/prw/pgh ( 234 Words) 2023-02-09-20:40:05 (IANS)
The National Institute of Technology-Calicut (NIT-C) has issued an advisory to the students informing them about banning public display of affection (PDA) inside its campus. The order came just ahead of Valentine's Day on February 14. According to the institution, public display of affection can affect others in a number of ways and can "distract" from the educational environment. "A campus is a place for education and academic pursuits. PDAs and engaging in private activities in academic areas, restrooms and poorly lit areas as well as anywhere on and around the NITC campus, can make others feel uncomfortable and distract from the educational environment," the e-mail communication sent by the dean (students' welfare) dated February 6 said. The mail also warned the students that any violation of its disciplinary policies would result in disciplinary action "...such activities, whether they are consensual or not, are not appropriate to be conducted on institute property. The institute has strict policies in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all students and staff, and any violation of these policies will result in disciplinary action," it said. (ANI)
Kerala High Court, while hearing an accident case, has ordered that pedestrian crossings must be marked and enforced on all main roads. Single Bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran called it "the forensic duty" of the authorities. The court upheld a motor accident claims tribunal's order awarding compensation of Rs 48 lakh to the family of a 50-year-old woman who was injured after being hit by a police vehicle while crossing a zebra line in Kozhikode. The court directed the Registry to serve a copy of the judgment on the Chief Secretary, Government of Kerala; State Police Chief; Secretary, Public Works Department; and the National Highway Authority of India, for necessary action. While ruling the order, the court also observed, "Our roads are still woefully inadequate in pedestrian safety. There are seldom pedestrian crossings properly marked and even when they are, very few drivers heed them. This Court is fully aware of the rules relating to zebra crossing are taught to the learner drivers, but it is evident that they are never enforced. This must now change quickly, with the traffic increasing and the jostle for space on our roads escalating rapidly." Dismissing the appeal by the Kerala State Insurance department, the court flayed the department's argument that the woman had been careless while crossing the road, the court termed the argument baffling, saying that the most "vulnerable road users" got confused which leads to making the matter far more dangerous. "Pedestrians, especially children and the aged are probably the most vulnerable road users. The chaotic confusion in our roads makes matters far more dangerous; and when pedestrians are run down even on zebra crossings, it shows how precious little our drivers know of the Rules of User of roads," the court further said. The court also stated that it is internationally accepted and does not require any restatement by the court, that pedestrian crossing and zebra crossing are meant to offer priority to pedestrians, and that it becomes their right to use the same, as and when they require it, especially when there are no traffic lights controlling movement through it. "The Rules of the Road Regulations, 1989, render it statutorily obliged for the driver of a Motor Vehicle to slow down at a road intersection, a road junction, pedestrian crossing or a road corner," it added. (ANI)
An NDRF team comprising 151 members has been sent to Turkey to assist the other agencies engaged in the post-quake operations.

In Gaziantep -- the city in Turkey worst-affected by the quake, the NDRF has formed two teams to carry out the rescue work.

Besides the minor girl, the NDRF personnel have also rescued a number of people trapped in the debris.

A Home Ministry official said that "India stands with Turkey in this hour of crisis", adding the NDRF has been conducting rescue and relief operations at Ground Zero.

Under 'Operation Dost', India has sent 151 NDRF personnel along with a dog squad and other equipment.

--IANS spt/pgh

( 168 Words)

2023-02-09-21:40:03 (IANS)
The Orissa High Court on Thursday quashed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a CBI probe into the murder case of state minister Naba Das on January 29. Noting that it will be "too early" to hand over the case to the agency, the court refused to interfere in the ongoing investigation at this stage. The PIL was filed by Bharatiya Vikash Parishad seeking a CBI investigation into the broad-daylight murder of State Health Minister Naba Das by police personnel in Jharsuguda last month. "The Advocate General filed a reply on behalf of the government, stating that it has been only 11 days since the incident and the investigation by the Crime Branch is undergoing," informed Gopal Prashad Jena, Advocate Bhartiya Vikash Parishad. While speaking about the matter, Surendra Panigrahi, President of Bharatiya Vikas Parishad said, "Naba das was a powerful, popular, and rich politician. He was trying to be the next CM of Odisha. So some politicians interested in this post planned to kill him. But Orissa High Court rules out handing Naba Das murder probe to CBI, with remarks, it is 'too early'. Notably, Justice JP Das, a retired Judge of the Orissa High Court is monitoring the Crime Branch investigation in the case. Meanwhile, the accused police personnel Gopal Krushna Das is under the custody of the Crime Branch and his first round of Polygraph tests was held in Gujarat's Gandhi Nagar today. Naba Das had been the Health and Family Welfare Minister of Odisha since 2019. He was a three-time MLA from the Jharsuguda constituency and was said to be an influential leader in the area. Das was shot at in Brajarajnagar in the Jharsuguda district on January 29 and succumbed to his bullet injuries in Bhubaneswar hospital a day later of the incident. (ANI)
Congress leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan Sachin Pilot has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to grant national status to the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project during his proposed visit to the state on February 12. Pilot, in his letter, said that the then-state government announced the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project in the 2017-18 budget as a "permanent solution" to the problem of drinking and irrigation water in 13 eastern districts of the state namely Jhalawar, Baran, Kota, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur, Ajmer, Tonk, Jaipur, Dausa Karauli, Alwar, Bharatpur, and Dhaulpur. "...After that, in a meeting organised in Rajasthan in the year 2018, you also assured to declare this project as a national project but till now the said project has not been declared as a national project," he said. "I have come to know that your programme is proposed on 12th February 2023, in the Dausa district of Rajasthan. In such a situation, the residents of the state, including me, expect you to declare the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project as a national project so that there can be a permanent solution to the drinking and irrigation water problems of half the state's population living in these 13 districts," Pilot added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is proposed to inaugurate the Sohna-Dausa stretch of the Delhi Mumbai Expressway on February 12. The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway was earlier scheduled to be inaugurated on February 4. (ANI)
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or Quad comprising India, United States, Japan and Australia on Wednesday launched a public campaign 'Quad Cyber Challenge' to improve cyber security across their nations. The Quad has invited Internet users across the Indo-Pacific and beyond to become part of the challenge and practice "safe and responsible cyber habits," the National Security Council Secretariat said in the press release. The 'Quad Cyber Challenge' shows the continuous efforts of Quad nations to bolster cyber security awareness and action and to foster a more secure and resilient cyber ecosystem to benefit economies and users. In an official release, the National Security Council Secretariat said, "The Internet-users are being invited across the Indo-Pacific and beyond to join the Challenge and pledge to practice safe and responsible cyber habits." It further added, "The Challenge reflects the continuing Quad efforts to strengthen individuals' and communities' cyber security awareness and action, as well as to foster a more secure and resilient cyber ecosystem to benefit economies and users everywhere." The National Security Council Secretariat noted, "Internet-users worldwide are targets of cybercrime and other malicious cyber threats that can cost trillions of dollars each year and compromise sensitive, personal data." It further said, "Many successful cyber-attacks can be guarded against by simple preventative measures. Together, Internet users and providers can take small steps to significantly improve cybersecurity and cyber safety." The steps include routinely installing security updates, enabling enhanced identity checks through multi-factor authentication, using stronger and regularly changing passphrases, and knowing how to identify common online scams, like phishing. The Quad Cyber Challenge provides resources, including basic cybersecurity information and training for all users, from corporations to educational institutions, small businesses and individuals and will culminate in events during the week of April 10. The action in India is being coordinated by the office of the National Cyber Coordinator with the National Security Council Secretariat. The Quad nations are working to ensure everyone has access to the resources needed to make informed decisions while online and using smart devices, the National Security Council Secretariat said in the press release. It further said that people and organizations can learn what they can do to foster a "more safe, secure, and resilient cyberspace so that the nations collectively be better protected from cyber threats." (ANI)
Indian American Congressman Ami Bera has been elected as Ranking Member of the US House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee that handles the Indo-Pacific region. After being elected by his colleagues to serve in the position, Ami Bera in a statement said, "I am proud to continue my leadership on the House Foreign Affairs Committee as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific. The Indo-Pacific remains the most consequential region of the world for our national security, economic interests, and values." Ami Bera stressed that he is committed to working with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to address the challenges faced by the Indo-Pacific region and the need for economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic. He stated that he looks forward to continuing to help "the Subcommittee's bipartisan work towards supporting a more free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific." "I am committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to address the many challenges facing the region, including the People's Republic of China's aggressive and coercive actions, the dire need for economic recovery post-pandemic, and the backsliding of democracy and human rights," Ami Bera stated in the statement. Ami Bera has served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee since entering Congress in 2013. During the 117th Congress, Bera chaired the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation, where he spearheaded efforts to reinvigorate US ties with its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific, according to the statement. Bera has travelled to Japan, South Korea, India, and Vietnam and worked to build strong ties with government and civil society leaders in the Indo-Pacific region. In December 2022, US President Joe Biden signed into law four Bera-led provisions that strengthen American security and leadership in the Indo-Pacific. (ANI)
A rescue operation is on to evacuate Kiwi pilot Philip Mehrtens, who was allegedly taken hostage by separatist fighters in Indonesia's Papua region, The Jakarta Post reported. The joint search and rescue operation was carried out by National Police and the Indonesian Military (TNI) under the codename "Peaceful Carstensz" in an effort to locate the pilot. Mehrtens was "secured" alongside five passengers after landing on an airstrip in the Papuan highlands. As per the Jakarta Post, the whereabouts of Mehrtens, a pilot employed by the frontier airline carrier Susi Air, were still unclear due to conflicting information issued on Wednesday. Earlier, on Tuesday, New Zealand Herald reported that Mehrtens was held hostage by a separatist group in Papua while flying a plane for Susi Air carrying five passengers, including a baby, yesterday from Mozes Kilangin Airport in Mimika, in Central Papua, to Paro Airport in Nduga. The area is a highly militarised district with a long history of insurgency in the newly named Highland Papua province, a Papua police spokesman said. According to New Zealand Herald, Mehrtens was described as a "quiet and serious" man fluent in Bahasa. Mehrtens is married to a woman of Indonesian descent and had been living in her home country. In a tweet, Susi Air founder Susi Pudjiastuti asked for support and prayed for the pilot's safety. "Of late, the younger generation is more violent," Susi Air tweeted. "In my opinion, they won't harm him, they are just trying to get their story out. My concern is about the Indonesian military. When they would go in full force that might cause Phil harm than the separatist group," it added. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) also said it provided consular support to the Mehrtens family and said it wouldn't comment further because of privacy reasons, according to New Zealand Herald. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said he had been given preliminary details and said the New Zealand embassy in Indonesia was working to help free Mehrtens. (ANI)
India's Chief Coordinator for G20 Presidency Harsh Vardhan Shringla met United States Charge d' Affaires to India, Elizabeth Jones and Deputy Minister Counselor Phil Cummings, saying that the US assured that their participation and contribution would remain robust and meaningful. Taking to Twitter, Shringla said, "Productive meeting with Amb Elizabeth Jones, Charge d'Affaires & Deputy Minister Counselor Phil Cummings from US Embassy. US CDA noted meetings under India's #G20 Presidency had got off to a good start, assured US participation & contribution would remain robust and meaningful." In October, Elizabeth Jones was appointed as Charge d' Affaires ad interim at Embassy in New Delhi. Previously, Jones served as Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia, acting Assistant Secretary of State for the Near East and ambassador to Kazakhstan. India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1, 2022, and the US has since demonstrated its support for it. The United States supports India's G20 presidency, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken tweeted as he met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Cambodia on the sidelines of the 17th ASEAN Summit. Both the leaders tweeted about the meeting and shared the details of the discussions. "I met Indian External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar on the margins of the @ASEAN summit today in Phnom Penh to discuss ongoing efforts to expand our partnership & mitigate the effects of Russia's war on Ukraine. The U.S. supports India's #G20 Presidency" he tweeted. The US supports India's emergence as a leading global power and a vital partner in efforts to safeguard the Indo-Pacific as a region of peace, stability, and growing prosperity. Meanwhile, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, earlier said, "India is the President of G20 next year, so President Biden will certainly intend to be a participant in G20." He pointed out that PM Modi has already been to the White House since President Biden took office. "The two have had the opportunity to talk in person, and to talk on the phone or talk on video multiple times. When you add all that up, there is a very practical and productive relationship between the two, who see a common interest on a number of critical issues, and have really worked to strengthen the US-India partnership," he said. (ANI)
Syed Yaqoob Bukhari, a police spokesman for Kulachi police station, told Dawn that the militants were armed with sophisticated weapons. He said that the police retaliated the attack, forcing the attackers to flee.

Soon after receiving information about the incident, district police officer Mohammad Shoaib Khan along with a heavy contingent of police reached the spot and launched a search operation in the area, according to Dawn.

Recently, a policeman was gunned down by unidentified assailants in the Mallah Khel area of Pakistan's Dera Ismail Khan district, Dawn reported quoting officials.

Head constable Gul Baran died in the attack. The assailants shot Baran while he was on his way back home, police spokesman Syed Yaqoob Bukhari was quoted in the Dawn report as saying.

A heavy police contingent reached the site of the incident and cordoned off the area. A search operation was also launched by the authorities to find the attackers, according to the Dawn report.

Prior to this, two police personnel and a cook were killed in a terrorist attack on a police check-post in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 19.

The police station caught fire after terrorists opened fire on the check-post in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Tekhta Beg and used explosive material in the attack, the report said citing local police. Speaking to journalists, Jamrud SHO Shah Khalid called the attack on the police check-post a suicide attack. (ANI)
"The army field hospital in Iskenderun, Hatay, Turkiye has started functioning with running Medical, Surgical & Emergency Wards; X-Ray Lab & Medical Store," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted on Thursday.

An Additional Directorate General of Public Information team will work 24 x 7 to provide relief to the affected people, according to Jaishankar.

The army field hospital has been set up under India's 'Operation Dost' to provide assistance to Turkey's earthquake-hit people.

Jaishankar, sharing photos of the facility on Twitter on Wednesday, posted: "This field hospital in Hatay, Turkiye will treat those affected by the earthquake. Our team of medical & critical care specialists and equipment are preparing to treat emergencies."

Jaishankar on Thursday said the sixth plane from India carrying rescue personnel, essentials, and medical equipment for earthquake relief efforts has reached Turkey.

The sixth flight carries more rescue teams, dog squads, and essential medicines for the quake-hit country.

Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar wrote, "The sixth #OperationDost flight reaches Turkiye. More search and rescue teams, dog squads, essential search & access equipment, medicines, and medical equipment ready for deployment in the relief efforts."

Turkey's Ambassador to India Firat Sunel described India's 'Operation Dost' as a "very important operation" that demonstrates the friendship between the two nations.

Firat Sunel made the remarks at the Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad from where Indian Air Force's C17 Globemaster aircraft with the NDRF team, medical equipment, and relief equipment, took off for Turkey, as part of the ongoing 'Operation Dost.'

He said, "'Operation Dost' is a symbolic operation. It already proves that we are friends. We have to deepen our relations."

Meanwhile, according to CNN, the death toll from the devastating earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria earlier this week has risen to at least 16,035.

At least 12,873 people have died in Turkey, according to the Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD) on Thursday.

In Syria, the total number of fatalities has been pegged at 3,162, including 1,900 in rebel-held areas in the country's northwest, according to the 'White Helmets' civil defense group. (ANI)
The debt relief reiterated by China to Sri Lanka last week, still fell short of the overall burden on the country, according to analysts, Sri Lanka-based Daily Financial Times Newspaper reported. China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning during the regular briefing on Friday repeated the announcement by Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of China on January 19. EXIM Bank of China, as the official bilateral creditor, provided a financing support document to the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilisation and National Policies of Sri Lanka, saying it is going to provide an extension on the debt service due in 2022 and 2023. This meant Sri Lanka will not have to repay the principal and interest due of EXIM Bank's loans during this period "so as to help relieve Sri Lanka's short-term debt repayment pressure", according to Daily Financial Times. The Bank said that it will support Sri Lanka in its loan application to the IMF. According to Daily Financial Times, experts and analysts opined that EXIM Bank's outstanding debt is only USD 4,023 million whereas Sri Lanka owes a further USD 3,000 million to China including USD 2,950 million to China Development Bank (CDB). According to analysts, "Ideally China, if it wants to live up to what it claims to be to Sri Lanka, should give a broader expression of support in terms of debt relief." Others opined that Sri Lanka will have to deal separately with CDB since it is categorised under "Commercial" creditors. China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ning on Friday said that China is the first official bilateral creditor to have taken the initiative to announce debt extension to Sri Lanka. "This speaks to China's sincerity and action to support Sri Lanka's effort to achieve debt sustainability," she added. Dailt Mirror recently reported that China's offer to Sri Lanka of a two-year moratorium on its debt is not adequate to clear the way for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to allow a funding program. Citing sources, the news report said that the IMF needs more assurances from China to secure IMF board approval for the bailout package for Sri Lanka. Earlier, China's Foreign Ministry said that Export-import Bank of China (EXIM) has extended debt to Sri Lanka. (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday hailed the National Defence Response Force for rescuing a minor girl's life in earthquake-hit Turkey, saying that the Indian government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to making NDRF the world's leading disaster response Force. Taking to Twitter, Shah said, "Proud of our NDRF. In the rescue operations in Turkiye, Team IND-11 saved the life of a six-year-old girl, Beren, in Gaziantep city. Under the guidance of PM @narendramodi, we are committed to making @NDRFHQ the world's leading disaster response force. #OperationDost." Under 'Operation Dost' India had sent six planes carrying rescue personnel, essentials and medical equipment for earthquake relief efforts to Turkey and Syria. Following the deadly earthquakes on February 6, the death toll in Turkey and adjoining Syria have surpassed 17,500 lives in both countries. In a press release, NDRF said that their team in a joint operation with AFAD (Disaster and Emergency Management Authority) of Turkey on Thursday pulled out a 6-year-old girl alive from the rubble of a collapsed structure in Nurdagi town of Gaziantep province. "NDRF rescuers have also retrieved 08 dead bodies from the debris till now. The rescue operation is continuing since 7th Feb by NDRF in the affected areas. The rescue operation and logistics involved are being monitored closely by the DG NDRF in Delhi," NDRF said in a release. Earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar gave details about the sixth plane for Turkey and said that it carried rescue personnel, essentials and medical equipment for earthquake relief efforts reached Turkey. The sixth flight carries more rescue teams, dog squads, and essential medicines for the quake-hit country. Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar wrote, "The sixth #OperationDost flight reaches Turkiye. More search and rescue teams, dog squads, essential search & access equipment, medicines and medical equipment ready for deployment in the relief efforts." On his official Twitter handle, the EAM posted pictures of a field hospital in Turkey where medical experts are preparing to treat emergencies. "This field hospital in Hatay, Turkiye will treat those affected by the earthquake. Our team of medical & critical care specialists and equipment are preparing to treat emergencies," Jaishankar wrote on Twitter. Turkey's Ambassador to India Firat Sunel has described 'Operation Dost' as a "very important operation" and demonstrated the friendship between the two nations. Firat Sunel made the remarks at the Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad from where Indian Air Force's C17 Globemaster aircraft with the NDRF team, medical equipment, and relief equipment, took off for Turkey, as part of the ongoing 'Operation Dost.' He said, "Operation Dost is a symbolic operation. It already proves that we are friends. We have to deepen our relations." The earthquake of magnitude 7.7 on the Richter scale ripped through Turkey and Syria on February 6, followed by a series of aftershocks that caused huge devastation, loss of lives and damage to infrastructure in the two countries. (ANI)
Issues of international security with an emphasis on resolving the situation in Afghanistan were discussed at the Fifth Multilateral Consultations of Secretaries of Security Councils on Afghanistan held in Moscow on Wednesday. The meeting was attended by representatives in charge of security issues from India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The Russian side was represented by Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation. During the consultations, the importance of fulfilling the international obligations assumed by the current Kabul authorities to counter terrorism and extremism, drug trafficking, as well as to form an ethno-politically balanced government and to respect human rights was noted, according to a statement by the Security Council of the Russian Federation. At the meeting, a number of additional practical measures were proposed aimed at expanding joint actions in counterterrorism, as well as at cutting off channels for financing terrorism, intensifying cooperation in combating transnational organized crime, illegal arms, and drug trafficking, as well as preventing illegal migration. The significance of joining efforts in solving complex problems in the area of security, continuing a constructive dialogue, and finding efficient solutions that are adequate to the challenges and threats emanating from the territory of Afghanistan was underscored, according to the official statement. During the consultations, it was agreed to continue the practice of holding multilateral consultations of the Secretaries of Security Councils on Afghanistan on an annual basis. Russian President Vladimir Putin also met with the heads of the delegations taking part in the multilateral consultations. Putin during the meeting said: "I know that this meeting has become a tradition and is devoted to a very important issue, the situation in Afghanistan. Obviously, there is a lot of potential for conflict in the world today. There are many conflicts here, not far from Russia, including on the Ukrainian track. We are well aware and we realise this perfectly well, but this does not reduce the significance of the situation in Afghanistan. This has always been important for us and now it is important more than ever because we do not want more points of tension on our southern borders." The Russian President said that unfortunately, the situation in Afghanistan has not improved since the American forces fled the country. "International terrorist organisations are stepping up their activities, including al-Qaeda which is building up its potential. You know this very well," he said. The leader added that: "We are also worried about attempts to use the situation in Afghanistan to allow extra-regional forces to expand or build their infrastructure. These countries will create this under the pretext of countering international terrorism, but they are not doing anything that is really necessary in the real counterterrorism struggle." Putin said that the situation is very complicated but all is being done to find solutions. "We have contacted the country's leaders in Kabul. We know there are plans to implement large economic projects that could stabilise the situation in the economy," he said. (ANI)
The constant power game among the politicians and the military is one side of the story in Pakistan. The other is power shortage, with homes, farms, and factories going without electricity for 21 hours a day, according to a report in Dubai-based publication Asian Lite. According to Asian Lite, while the politicians quarrel in the National Assembly and before the courts, the power-starved people are protesting on the streets. A two-day power breakdown brought the people to their knees, but not the politicians who are either for or against early elections. The country's north suffers the worst. The area despite being water-surplus has run dry on electricity because only a fourth of the power is sourced from the hydel systems. The country's planners have placed their emphasis on the difficult-to-find and expensive fossils. Pakistan generates about 60-63 per cent of its electricity from fossil fuels, while around 27 per cent is generated by hydropower. The remaining 10 per cent of power comes from nuclear and solar sources. Relief is not in sight for the residents of Gilgit-Baltistan. The region is witnessing daily street protests. Residents are seen protesting over inflated power bills and the withdrawal of government subsidies on electricity during the winter when demand for electricity is high. This adds to the food shortage and a growing economic crisis. Amidst all this, the Islamabad government has said that it doesn't have any alternate arrangements for power supply. The worst, however, is that it is not merely a technical issue. Scholar-journalist Amir Hussain, who writes on development issues, blames it on Islamabad's neglect of the region. Amid long power outages in Pakistan, Power Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan said the government will investigate back-to-back failures of the national grid and hinted at the possibility of 'foreign intervention', Geo News reported. According to the report, he said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a three-member inquiry committee, which will be headed by Minister of State for Petroleum Musadik Malik. (ANI)
In Pakistan, flour is costly but death is cheap, Jamaat e Islami Chief Sirajul Haq has said while referring to the Peshawar Mosque blast, Pakistani vernacular media Intekhab Daily reported. Recalling the Peshawar Army School tragedy, Jamaat e Islami Sirajul Haq Chief said that the recent Peshawar Mosque blast is the biggest attack after the 2014 incident. On January 30, a suicide bomber blew himself up in Peshawar's Police Lines mosque, a heavily guarded facility at about 1 pm during 'Zohr' prayers, resulting in a portion of the roof caving in on devotees offering prayers at the time. The death toll from the blast rose to 100 as the rescue operation to retrieve bodies from the debris of the mosque concluded last Tuesday, Geo News reported. The count of the injured from the deadly suicide blast reached at least 221 "If you can't maintain peace in the country then leave the government. The country is burning, and people are dying but the government is unconcerned. The country is being destroyed by a well-planned conspiracy but the politicians are worried about the election," Jamaat e Islami Chief said. Addressing the Aman March in Peshawar, he said that some powers want to divide this country in the name of language, community, and religion but the government and establishment are silent on this issue. He further stated that Zardari, Maulana Fazal Ur Rahman, Mariam Nawaz, and Imran Khan, no one visited Peshawar. The gang of selfish people is busy playing "election election." So many people died and were injured but nobody was concerned about them, according to vernacular media. On December 16, 2014, six terrorists affiliated with TTP attacked the Army Public School in the northwestern city of Peshawar. 147 people, including 132 children, were killed in the attack. The TTP created havoc in Pakistan with several attacks between 2007-2014. The TTP members had fled to Afghanistan after Islamabad launched widescale operations against the group following the Peshawar attack. But recent Pakistan media has published reports that suggest the resurgence of the outlawed group. The TTP claimed responsibility for the massacre, yet specifically established military courts failed to prosecute relevant TTP leaders. Authorities held a TTP spokesman in a safe house before allowing him to leave Pakistan for Turkey, Amsterdam-based think tank EFSAS reported. (ANI)
Facebook and Instagram pages belonging to former US President Donald Trump have been restored. Andy Stone, policy communications director at Meta, has confirmed the development, NBC News reported. The reinstatement had been expected after Facebook's president of global affairs Nick Clegg in January said that the suspension will be lifted, as per the news report. Trump's accounts on Facebook and Instagram were suspended by Meta after January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The ban was announced initially as an indefinite ban that included the last two weeks of his presidency, as per the NBC News report. The ban on Trump's account was later formally extended for two years. At the time of writing this news article, Trump has not shared any new posts on his Facebook or Instagram accounts. His last Instagram post, dated January 6, 2021, promoted the "Save America" march where he would encourage his supporters to march on the Capitol. While sharing the post on Instagram, Trump in the caption wrote, "I will be speaking at the SAVE AMERICA Rally tomorrow on the Ellipse at 11 AM Eastern. Arrive early - door open at 7 AM Eastern. Big Crowds!" Trump's last post on Facebook before the suspension called for people to leave the Capitol. In the post on Facebook, Trump stated, "I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order -- respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!" Recently, former US President Donald Trump's Twitter account was also restored. Twitter reinstated Trump's account after Elon Musk took over as the CEO of the microblogging platform. Musk had put up a poll asking users of the microblogging site to vote on whether to reinstate Trump's Twitter account. Former US President Donald Trump's Twitter account had been banned since January 8, 2021. Trump has not yet shared any tweets on Twitter. However, he continues to post on Truth Social, the Twitter-like platform he founded. (ANI)
Chinese President Xi Jinping has been the subject of increasing amounts of praise and adulation in the country in recent years. There are growing concerns about the extent to which this praise is being "forced and manufactured" as the cult of personality around Xi Jinping continues to rise, The Singapore Post reported. The message from state media to local officials is 'Xi is a transformative leader who is steering China towards a brighter future.' It is pertinent to analyse how Xi Jinping is using his power to "tighten his grip on the Chinese Communist Party and promote a cult of personality that rivals those of Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping," as per The Singapore Post report. In 2023, party secretaries in Fujian, Sichuan, Inner Mongolia, Anhui, and Yunnan have praised Xi Jinping in the state media outlet People's Daily, as per the news report. The competition to showcase loyalty to Xi Jinping by blindly lauding his accomplishments and ideology is almost disappointing. The Fujian Party Secretary Zhou Zuyi's published work is a "blatant display of sycophancy and propaganda" for Xi Jinping. He gives titles like "People's leader" to Xi Jinping and repeatedly invokes the Chinese Communist Party's political slogans of "Two Establishments" and "Two Safeguards" to tighten Xi's grip on power, as per the news report. His work indicates that Zhou's primary aim is to legitimize the work of Xi Jinping, showcasing him as the CCP's core and Central Committee's heart. Zhou Zuyi is using this opportunity to advance his own political agenda by pushing for cross-integration, making "Fujian a hub for Taiwan and promoting a false image of spiritual harmony." Meanwhile, Sichuan Party Secretary, Wang Xiaohui's writing echoed the same political narrative, which includes upholding the 'Two Establishments' and exploiting Deng Xiaoping's 'Four Modernizations' in an attempt to push their own province's development. Sun Shaocheng, the Inner Mongolia Party Secretary, showcases his loyalty to Xi Jinping in his article by following Xi Jinping's instructions on ethnic affairs, including the issue of unrestrained growth and the wasteful utilization of resources, as per the The Singapore Post report. The Anhui Party Secretary, Zheng Shanjie, in his publication, also echoed the same message 'Two Establishments' and pushed for the promotion of 'Chinese-style modernization,' as per the news report. People's Daily, a state-run media outlet, is using its platform to advance the political agenda of Xi Jinping and CCP. The publication aims to strengthen Xi Jinping's authority and present his rule as legitimate and unquestioned, as per the news report. It published eight interviews in January and all the interviewees unanimously underscored the guidance of Xi Jinping's thoughts on socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the high-quality economic development of their respective provinces. People's Daily wants to showcase a picture of widespread support for the CCP and Xi Jinping, according to The Singapore Post. However, it's important to recognize that these interviews are "carefully crafted propaganda, meant to manipulate public opinion and obscure any dissent or opposition to Xi's rule." Such publications are trying to gain the support of Xi Jinping and attempting to hide the "true nature of his rule, which is characterized by authoritarianism and a disregard for human rights." (ANI)
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Thursday appealed for international aid to earthquake-devastated Syria and Turkey and said relief operations should be depoliticised. "Now is the hour to stand up for the people of Turkey and Syria," he said speaking to reporters. Recalling the welcome refugees have received from both the countries, he said: "I strongly appeal to the international community to show the people of Turkey and Syria the same kind of support and generosity with which they received, protected and assisted millions of refugees." While Turkey has been receiving aid, including from India which has sent personnel relief material on at least six flights, Guterres focused on Syria which is isolated. Relief operations there face political obstructions because the government of President Bashar al Assad is under western sanctions and most of the quake-hit areas are under rebel control with limited international access. "It's not the moment to politicise or to divide, but it is obvious that we need massive support," Guterres said. "The Syria humanitarian fund and the Syria cross-border fund need an urgent injection of support," he said. He said that he will be launching a "flash appeal" for assistance to Syria. With the Syrian government under sanctions from several countries, notably the US, Guterres said: "This is a moment in which everybody must make very clear that no sanctions of any kind interfere with relief to the population of Syria." Most of the areas in northwest Syria hit by the quake are held by rebels, with only one border crossing into the area from Turkey allowed under Security Council resolutions. Russia, which supports the Assad government, has been the main obstacle to adding more lines to the Bab al-Hawa crossing in the rebel-held territory, permitting only that crossing in a compromise with the western countries on the Security Council. "I will be of course very happy if the Security Council could reach a consensus to allow for more crossings to be used, as we need also to increase our capacity to deliver on cross-line operations into Idlib," Guterres said referring to the rebel-held area. He said that $25 million has been released from the UN emergency relief fund for operations in Syria. A UN convoy carrying relief supplies crossed into northern Syria through the Bab al-Hawa crossing on Thursday morning, he said. (Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis) --IANS al/vd ( 415 Words) 2023-02-09-21:48:05 (IANS)
An unusual father-and-son outing to watch an illegal street race in Florida took a tragic turn when the son was run over by one of the racing motorcycles, according to the St. Petersburg Police Department.

The boy died in the crash and its his father who faces a felony charge, police said in a Feb. 9 news release.

Investigators confirmed that Saturday night (January 28th), a crowd had gathered ... for illegal street racing. Johnny Julio Martin brought his 13-year-old son, Ethan Julio Martin, to the event, police said.

At 12:35 a.m. (on Jan. 29), the teen crossed 28th Street into the path of a motorcycle traveling in excess of 100 m.p.h. The motorcycle struck and killed Ethan and also injured a bystander.

Johnny Julio Martin, 35, was arrested Feb. 8 on charges of felony child neglect (involving a death) and being a spectator at a street race, police said. He lives in nearby Tampa.

Investigators have not released details involving the motorcycle driver, but the investigation continues and additional arrests are pending.

The crash happened at the intersection of 28th Street North near 110th Avenue North, a largely industrial area in north St. Petersburg.

Ethan Martin lived in Tampa and was an eighth grader at Endeavor Academy, according to an obituary.

Ethan was always an energetic boy, who loved being outdoors in nature or at the beach. His favorite activity was fishing with his family, the obituary says. He made an instant impact on everyone who met him.

Car with no engine? Horrifying crash involving Tesla got even worse, Florida cops say

Pricey Ferrari left hanging as elevator malfunctions at Florida dealership, officials say

Motorcyclist head-butts car and shoots at it in a fit of road rage, Florida cops say
Despite being homeless, Antoinnyca Daniels, with help from a school principal, has managed to keep her children, Aiden Abiy, 8, and Amore Daniels, 4, in school. About 152,000 students statewide, however, are unaccounted for and expected to be at school but with their situation unknown. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

For the record:

10:36 a.m. Feb. 10, 2023: An earlier version of this article said the estimated number of missing school-age children in all states with such data was 240,000. Because of an update in Colorado enrollment figures, the figure has been corrected to 234,000.



An estimated 152,000 school-age children expected to be in California classrooms are unaccounted for in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new research, an indication of the lingering disruption affecting students, their families and schools.

In all, the analysis tallied 234,000 unaccounted-for public school students in 21 states and the District of Columbia, with the greatest number in California, the nation's most populous state. Data were not available for 29 states in research conducted by the Associated Press, Stanford Universitys Big Local News project and Stanford education professor Thomas Dee.

California officials had previously reported enrollment declines  more than 110,000 last year and about 160,000 the previous year, much of that driven by families not wanting to put kindergartners into online learning after campuses closed because of the pandemic.

The new research focuses on the totality of enrollment drops during the pandemic years and attempts to determine what happened to these students to the extent possible, bringing in data from private school enrollment and also figures for students being home-schooled.

A rise in home-schooling and private-school enrollment did not come close to accounting for all the students who did not turn up at public schools, the analysis showed.

"Public school enrollment fell dramatically during the first two school years of the COVID-19 pandemic, with losses concentrated among the youngest students," wrote Dee about the national picture in an essay accompanying the research. Increased home-school enrollment and population loss each explain about one-fourth of the decline, with an increase in private school enrollment accounting for substantially less, "leaving more than one-third of the decline unexplained."

Story continues

In California, about 56% of the enrollment decline of about 271,000 students across three school years cannot be explained alone by shrinking birth rates combined with more students in home-schooling and private schools.

The study looked at enrollment in 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22. The pandemic closed campuses starting in March 2020. Virtually all campuses were reopened by the fall of 2021-22 academic year.

During that period, California's school-age population dropped about 96,000, according to Census data, while the number of home-schoolers increased by 14,000 and private school enrollment grew by 9,500. This accounts for 119,500 students of the total decline of 271,000. That leaves about 152,000 students unaccounted for.

"The findings are sound and eye-popping," said UC Berkeley education professor Bruce Fuller, who emphasized that a high number of young students were kept out of school, especially public school. He said he hopes enrollment figures will show a rebound when data are released for the current school year.

One major limitation of the analysis is that a student would fall into the tally of the missing if that student moved to another country or to a state, such as New Jersey or Illinois, that did not provide the necessary data. In California, families are known to have left for neighboring Nevada and Arizona, and the Texas cities of Dallas and San Antonio  for which data were not available. Mexico is also a destination for some families.

State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond said that displacement and relocation during the pandemic likely affected the numbers and that a more complete national look is needed.

"Many people moved during the pandemic to be with extended family or to escape high housing prices," Darling-Hammond said. "For those who could work remotely, some have kept their original jobs. Since there were labor shortages, others were able to get jobs in new places more easily."

A spokeswoman for the California Department of Education said, in a statement, that her agency "appreciates the purpose of the study."

"However, the methodology and data used does not present a complete picture," said Maria Clayton. She noted that students who move "are often not reported to the state." Private schools are responsible for reporting their own enrollment figures, which are not audited for accuracy, she added, and home-schooling families have a "self-reported affidavit process."

"California is doing more than any other state to get kids back into the classroom and mitigate any learning loss that occurred due to the pandemic  including building a universal transitional kindergarten program, providing free school meals and funding school mental health initiatives, Clayton said.

Dee, the Stanford researcher, offered theories on what happened to students  buttressed by anecdotal reporting from the Associated Press. Many students just stopped going to school, Dee suggested. Others learned in unregistered home-schooling situations and increasing numbers skipped kindergarten, especially when it took place via remote learning. The latter appeared especially true in states where kindergarten is an optional grade, such as California.

The report profiled Kailani Taylor-Cribb who, in the normal course of schooling would be a senior, preparing for graduation in a few months.

Instead, Kailani hasnt taken a single class in what used to be her high school since the height of the coronavirus pandemic. She vanished from the public school roll in Cambridge, Mass., in 2021 and has been, from an administrative standpoint, unaccounted for since then.

Kailani Taylor-Cribb poses for a portrait at a neighborhood community garden in Asheville, N.C., on Jan. 31. In December, Kailani moved to North Carolina to make a new start. (Kathy Kmonicek / AFP via Associated Press)

Even before the pandemic, Kailani, then in ninth grade, had begun to feel alienated at her school. She had been moved to a different math class because of poor grades.

Ironically, the pandemic and at-home education relieved the anxiety Kailani felt from being in the school building. Kailani preferred online school because she could turn off her camera and engage as she chose. Her grades improved.

But when the campus reopened, she never returned. She went to work at Chipotle, ringing up orders in Bostons financial district. She eventually passed high school equivalency exams after moving to North Carolina.

We want to say its outside stuff thats keeping kids from returning to school, such as caring for younger siblings or the need to work, said Sonja Santelises, chief executive of Baltimore's public schools. But a common deciding factor for students falling out of school may be the lack of caring adults who can discuss their concerns about life.

Thats really scary, Santelises said.

Los Angeles Unified School District Supt. Alberto Carvalho has spoken frequently of the urgency of finding missing students. In July, he estimated there to be about 20,000 in areas served by L.A. Unified, the nation's second-largest school system. That estimate would equate to nearly 1 in 20 students, a number that triggered shock waves of reaction and some disbelief.

A related issue is those students who are enrolled but are either chronically absent or not attending school at all for lengthy periods. These students are unlikely to be counted among the state's 152,000 missing, but can face similar challenges.

In Los Angeles last year, nearly half of students were chronically absent, meaning they missed 10% or more of the school year. For students with disabilities, the numbers were even higher: According to district data, 55% missed at least 18 school days.

Last week, the district launched its third student retrieval day since the start of the school year, this time focusing on facilities that provide shelter to homeless families. Chronic absenteeism has declined in the district, but not to pre-pandemic levels.

Critics say the L.A. Unified effort has been uneven at best, especially for students with special needs.

The education of L.A. student Ezekiel West, 10, was upended during the pandemic. At various points, Ezekiel  who reads at a first-grade level  numbered among those not in school, although he may not have been counted as missing if his name remained on a roll sheet.

Miesha McGlothen and her 10-year-old son, Ezekiel West, stand for a portrait outside their home in Los Angeles on Jan. 15. During online learning, McGlothen couldn't get internet at home and struggled with the Wi-Fi hotspots provided by the school. She worked as a home health aide and couldn't monitor Ezekiel online. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press)

Before the pandemic shutdowns, he was shuffled from school to school when educators failed to address his impulsive behavior, according to the family. During online learning, his mother couldnt get home internet and struggled with the Wi-Fi hotspots provided by the school. She worked as a home health aide and couldnt monitor Ezekiel online.

When he returned to campus in fall 2021 as a third-grader, he was frustrated that his classmates had made more progress.

I did not feel prepared, he said in a recent phone interview with the Associated Press. I couldnt really learn as fast as the other kids, and that kind of made me upset.

An administrative judge ruled that L.A. Unified had violated Ezekiels rights and ordered the district to give him a spot at a new school, with a special plan to ease him into learning and trusting teachers. The school didnt follow the plan, according to his attorney, so his mother, Miesha Clarke, stopped sending him in October.

District officials did not respond to requests from the Associated Press for comment on Ezekiels case.

The family is exploring education options.

Their attorney, Allison Hertog, said she has represented at least three L.A. Unified students who have been out of school unnecessarily for long periods because the school system did not respond to their needs.

"Over months of reporting, the AP learned of students and families avoiding school for a range of reasons," reporters Bianca Vazquez Toness and Sharon Lurye wrote. "Some are still afraid of COVID-19, are homeless or have left the country. Some students couldnt study online and found jobs instead. Some slid into depression."

While the research sounds an alarm about a lack of urgency to address the issue, many families have been helped by educators trying to make a difference.

Antoinnyca Daniels lost a place to live due to a dispute over a family property. For months, she moved from place to place, sometimes living out of her car.

Compton Avenue Elementary Principal Lashon Sanford learned of the family's plight and helped arrange for Daniels to get a room at a family crisis center  until she can make other arrangements.

The principal "immediately assisted us with help," Daniels said. "By having people take us to the housing places to apply ... by going with me."

With her own determination and that of the school, her son never missed a day of school.

Associated Press reporters Bianca Vazquez Toness and Sharon Lurye contributed to this report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
More than 19,000 people have now been reported dead following the massive 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria on Monday with the death toll continuing to rise.

Rescue workers did save additional people from the rubble on Thursday, but hope of finding many more still alive drops with each day that passes. The earthquake hit during the early hours of Monday local time, completely leveling buildings and injuring tens of thousands.

The number of deaths has now topped the death toll of more than 18,400 people from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japans Fukashima disaster

Major aftershocks have continued near the Turkish-Syrian border in the days following the initial quake.

Aid from the United Nations arrived on Thursday for the first time since the earthquake struck, as the only crossing point where the U.N. is allowed to travel from Turkey into Syria had been closed to shipments because of damage to the road.

The road has instead been used for transporting Syrians who died from the quake in Turkey.

Geir Pedersen, the U.N. special envoy for Syria, said the U.N. will send aid to northern Syria through Turkey and the Syrian capital of Damascus.

International relief efforts have already been engaged in Syria for years amid the humanitarian crisis resulting from the more than decade-long civil war in the country. Much of the region in northern Syria is controlled by rebel groups, while Damascus is controlled by government forces.

The World Health Organization has warned that the quake has now caused a crisis on a crisis in the war-torn region.

The Turkish government has received criticism in the past few days that its response to the quake has been too slow. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was scheduled to travel to a few provinces hit hard by the quake on Thursday.

Earthquakes regularly hit Turkey, and the country has had quakes cause widespread devastation in the past. A 7.4-magnitude quake near Istanbul killed 18,000 people in 1999.

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The majority of confirmed deaths have been in Turkey, with officials saying more than 16,000 had been killed and more than 64,000 were injured. More than 3,000 were killed and more than 5,000 were injured in Syria.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Updated 1:11 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Jia Wu after brain surgery. Courtesy of Jia Wu

Army veteran Jia Wu thought her wrist spasms and shooting pains were due to an old shoulder injury.

They were actually caused by a rare condition that caused her to have mini-strokes.

Now she wants other young women to know the warning signs.

In Summer 2020, Jia Wu was doing a CrossFit workout on a military base in Qatar when she felt a tingling pain shoot through her left arm. The numbness stretched from her fingers up to the left side of her face, and she nearly dropped her weight from the shock of it.

"It took about two or three additional seconds to really regain my composure," Wu told Insider.

Wu, who was 28 at the time, cycled through possible explanations for the strange pain: an old shoulder injury that had never fully healed, or the Qatari summer heat could have triggered heat exhaustion. A physical therapist on base recommended more shoulder exercises, but she wouldn't find out what was really going on until she returned stateside.

When she saw a doctor back in the US that October, Wu was diagnosed with a rare blood vessel disorder called moyamoya disease. The condition, a rare blood vessel disorder that can result in blocked blood flow to the brain, puts her at a greater risk for stroke and transient ischemic attacks, or mini-strokes, as well as brain bleeds.

Given her stroke risk, Wu started the process of medically separating from the military. Now she's sharing her story as a volunteer for the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women "Real Women" campaign, so other women can learn the signs of stroke that she missed.

Her most consistent symptom was a floppy left wrist

While her mid-workout arm pain was a concerning warning sign of a stroke, Wu more frequently experienced wrist spasms.

Wu said her left wrist would "flop over out of nowhere," like a dog rolling over to get its belly scratched. The floppy wrist episodes started in Spring 2020 and continued to happen every two or three days for several months, but she said she assumed the problem was related to her old shoulder injury.

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By the time she saw a doctor in the US, Wu said she was starting to notice more neurological symptoms. She said she was beginning to slur her speech, had a droopy left eye after blinking, and experienced a general feeling of brain fog that affected her ability to work  all of which can be symptoms of strokes.

Other symptoms of moyamoya disease may include partial paralysis, weakness, or numbness on one side of the body; involuntary movements; visual disturbances; trouble speaking or understanding others; cognitive delays; headache; and seizures, according to Mayo Clinic.

Wu had two brain surgeries before she turned 30

Moyamoya literally translates to "puffs of smoke" in Japanese, which is meant to describe the tiny arteries that characterize the disease.

According to Mayo Clinic, people with moyamoya disease develop many small arteries in an attempt to supply the brain with oxygen because the brain's mainline for oxygen delivery, the carotid artery, has been blocked or narrowed.

People with moyamoya can have strokes or mini-strokes triggered by anything from exercise to a cough. They are treated with medication, such as blood thinners, or with revascularization surgery to slow the progression of disease.

When Wu was diagnosed, the doctor told her she would need to prepare for brain surgery and some major lifestyle changes.

She had two brain surgeries before she turned 30 to reduce her risk of future mini-strokes.

'Timing is key' when it comes to detecting strokes

Wu said she still experiences some numbness in her left wrist and tingling in her fingers, even after her surgery.

She said she uses the acronym FAST to determine whether she is having a stroke: checking her face, arm, and speech for abnormalities and acting quickly if she thinks something is wrong.

"Timing is key," she said. "If I had a stroke, I don't think I'd be here today."

Knowing the signs of stroke and keeping a journal of her symptoms has helped Wu gain some peace of mind throughout her recovery, she said.

Read the original article on Insider
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When Jeffrey Katzenberg was at the phase of his career in which he was dispatched to get people coffee, he says, he never just got coffee. I came back with coffee an omelet, a bagel or whatever the now-storied movie executive says. He wanted fame and fortune and he had a strategy for getting it, which he sums up in two words: exceed expectations.

That credo, and his success in applying it, has carried Katzenberg to giddying heights in the movie industry, where he has made his name championing unlikely bets, and often overdelivering on the results. The most famous of these was his belief in the power of animation, and of the new technologies which would transform it. Under his management, Disney released such classics as The Little Mermaid and Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and after he cofounded Dreamworks with David Geffen and Steven Spielberg, that studio became known for the quality of its animated features, making megahits out of such childrens books as Shrek and How to Train Your Dragon, as well as conjuring up charmingand lucrativetalking animals in Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar.

The passion for those movies sprang from another of what Katzenberg believes are the fundamental passions that drive him. The most beautiful thing in the world for me outside of my own family is laughter, and in particular, the laughter of children, he says. Ive spent four decades making movies. And not only were they trying to exceed the expectation of my audience, but to bring laughter to children. Succeeding at that was, in itself, just the most wonderful reward.

Of course there are times when Katzenbergs zeal for over-delivering hasnt paid off. Movies by and large remain stubbornly 2-D despite his campaign to bring 3-D to cinemas. And Quibi, his recent big bet on making movies that are as small as a phone, notoriously lost its investors more than a billion dollars. He has not let that deflate him. I was very proud of [Quibi], even though it was a monumental flop, he says. It was a ride-of-a-lifetime flop as opposed to just a crash and burnalthough it did crash and did burn.

Indeed, Katzenberg says his bottomless well of the need to win still brims over. Im as competitive today as Ive ever been, he says, and I expect what I am doing today will likely be more impactful, and more valuable, than anything Ive done to date, even if its not as memorable. His newest enterprise, WndrCo (pronounced Wonder Co), is a technology investment firm with a focus on companies that provide cybersecurity for individuals.

At the same time, hes also pursuing the third of the fundamental principles that drive him. In true media mogul fashion, he got it from his celebrity mentor Kirk Douglas. He said the 12 most important words anybodys ever said to me in my life, which were, you havent learned how to live until youve learned how to give, says Katzenberg. Most recently Katzenberg has been spreading his social and actual capital around the issue of homelessness, including funding a program at UCLA that sends doctors to Los Angeles Skid Row to offer critical care. Homelessness is a problem that has defeated many philanthropists and politicians, but Katzenberg is undaunted. Give me something that is improbable or impossible, he says. And thats my home address.
Lisbon, Portugal. Alexander Spatari/Getty Images

Community site Digital Nomads rounded up the world's top destinations for people looking to work remotely.

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, was named the best place for digital nomads to live in 2023.

Eight of the top 10 destinations are in Europe and Asia.

More people have embarked on a digital nomad lifestyle than ever before. Several places around the world have turned into hubs for remote workers  and most of them are in Europe and Asia.

An aerial view of the beach at Nusa Penida, Bali. Didier Marti/Getty Images

There are 16.9 million American digital nomads around the world, according to a study by MBO partners. In total, some 35 million people work remotely, according to Forbes, citing estimates by experts.

With the digital nomad movement taking off in the past few years, more people have begun searching for the best places to live and work remotely.

Community site Digital Nomads published a ranking of the world's top destinations for digital nomads this year in January. The site took into account factors that included the destination's monthly cost of living and its Wi-Fi speed.

The top 10 was dominated by destinations across Europe and Asia, with each continent scoring four spots. The remaining two were in Australia and Africa, one city in each.

Check out the ranking of the top remote work destinations, according to Digital Nomads. Entrants are arranged in ascending order.









10. Barcelona, Spain

Toursts visit Park Guell in Barcelona. Oleg Senkov/Shutterstock

According to Digital Nomad, Barcelona's rich culture and architecture are some of the things that attract digital nomads to the city. Barcelona is also home to hundreds of cafes and coworking spaces.

"Tons of beautiful coworkings. Internet is ultra fast," one remote worker wrote on Nomad List, a website dedicated to the digital nomad lifestyle. Nomad List collects reviews about destinations anonymously.

Spain officially launched a digital nomad visa in February. Applicants are required to have a monthly income of around $32,445 a year.

Monthly cost of living: $3,000

Internet speed: 35 Mbps

9. Berlin, Germany

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A solar-powered DHL boat travels along the Spree river in Berlin. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner

Digital Nomads praised Berlin for its diversity and rich history. The capital of Germany is known for being an arts hub in Europe.

"It's very safe for women," one digital nomad wrote on Nomad List. "The nightlife and jazz clubs are amazing."

Germany has yet to officially launch a remote work visa. Digital nomads can apply for a freelance visa, which allows remote work for German clients from between three months and three years.

Monthly cost of living: $3,000

Internet speed: 50 Mbps

8. Budapest, Hungary

The Danube river in Budapest. Tanatat Pongphibool/Getty Images

According to Nomad List, Budapast has a top-notch food and nightlife scene, and even affordable fine-dining experiences. Hungary's capital city is also known for its quick Wi-Fi.

"Very beautiful city, vibrant, lots of things to do," one digital nomad wrote on Nomad List, adding that it's easy to get around the city, especially compared to other big European capitals.

Hungary launched a visa for remote workers in January called the White Card. Applicants must have a monthly income of at least 2,000 euros, or $2,150.

Monthly cost of living: $1,450

Internet speed: 40 Mbps

7. Cape Town, South Africa

An aerial view of the South African coastline in Cape Town. Jens Benscheidt / EyeEm/Getty Images

Cape Town is a city with an amazing natural landscape, as well as stunning beaches and a diverse cultural scene, according to Digital Nomads.



"It's one of the most beautiful cities on Earth," one remote worker wrote on Nomad List, adding that she experienced cage shark diving and visited a safari while living there.

South Africa has yet to officially launch a digital nomad visa.

Monthly cost of living: $1,800

Internet speed: 22.72 Mbps

6. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Bach Dang Wharf on Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh City. Tan Dao Duy/Getty Images

Digital Nomads described Ho Chi Minh City as a fast-paced city with a bustling nightlife and delicious local cuisine. Vietnam's capital city is also a cultural hub with a vibrant arts scene.

"Ho Chi Minh City is clearly the place to be right now," one remote worker wrote on Nomad List. "You can feel a great vibe, there is just the right balance between chaos and comfort."

Vietnam has yet to launch a visa specifically for digital nomads.

Monthly cost of living: $950

Internet speed: 20 Mbps

5. Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Rice padis and jungle in Ubud. Mario Andi Supria/EyeEm/Getty Images

Ubud is the top destination for remote workers who enjoy nature and a relaxed lifestyle, according to Digital Nomads. The town is known for its dense jungles and gorgeous Balinese temples.

"It's green and lush, there's great food and a handful of good bars," one digital nomad wrote on Nomad List.

Indonesia launched a remote work visa in October last year. Applicants must have proof of funds of $130,000 and the money must be placed in state-owned banks.

Monthly cost of living: $1,200

Internet speed: 20 Mbps

4. Canggu, Bali, Indonesia

An aerial view of Pantai Berawa beach in Canggu. Didier Marti/Getty Images

According to Digital Nomads, Canggu is best for remote workers who want a beach lifestyle. The town is known for being a surfing hotspot with tons of cafes and events for digital nomads.

"Canggu has so much energy and excitement," one digital nomad wrote on Nomad List in January. "I think that's partly due to the cost of living plus the weather."

Digital nomads looking to live in Canggu can apply to Indonesia's remote work visa.

Monthly cost of living: $1,350

Internet speed: 25 Mbps

3. Chiang Mai, Thailand

The mountain chain in Mae Rim, Chiang Mai. Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Digital Nomads hailed Chiang Mai  the largest city in Northern Thailand  as a hub for remote workers, with plenty of things to explore. The city is filled with an abundance of temples, night markets, and cooler weather compared to other places in Southeast Asia.

"There is something great for everyone," one digital nomad wrote on Nomad List in January, adding that the cafe scene is the best among the places they've traveled to.

Thailand launched a visa for "Work-from-Thailand Professionals" late last year for remote workers. Applicants must have at least $80,000 of annual income two years before they apply, or a master's degree, or intellectual property.

Monthly cost of living: $950

Internet speed: 25 Mbps

2. Melbourne, Australia

City skyline in Melbourne at dusk. James O'Neil/ Getty Images

Digital Nomads praised Melbourne for its top-notch Wi-Fi connectivity and vibrant cultural scene, adding that many foreigners, including expats and digital nomads, live in the city.

One digital nomad said on Nomad List that there are "so many fun things to do" in Melbourne, including visits to the beaches and theme parks.

Australia has yet to launch an official visa meant for remote work. Digital nomads with citizenships from eligible countries may apply for the working holiday visa instead. Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old, with a few exceptions.

Monthly cost of living: $3,200

Internet speed: 50 Mbps

1. Lisbon, Portugal

A digital nomad takes photographs of the sunset in Lisbon. Marco Bottigelli/Getty Images

According to Digital Nomads, Lisbon is a value for money destination for those looking for remote work, especially when compared to big European cities like Barcelona and Paris. It's also easy for digital nomads to connect through networking events.

"Portuguese people are amazingly friendly," one remote worker said in a post on Nomad List, adding that the city has "great local food" and a well-connected subway.

Portugal launched a remote work visa in October 2022. Applicants must earn at least $2,750 a month to qualify for the visa.

Monthly cost of living: $2,000

Internet speed: 25 Mbps

Read the original article on Insider
TAMPA  In the mood for bubbles? Feel like something fizzy? Then listen up: Tampas highly anticipated Champagne bar Bouzy is now open in Hyde Park Village.

The restaurant and lounge specializing in all things bubbly is the latest from Cru Hospitality Group, which has a busy (and boozy) month ahead: In the coming weeks, theyll open both Small Giant, a neighborhood tavern and restaurant, and the wine shop Wine on Water at Water Street Tampa, marking the newest additions to the burgeoning development.

But first, heres everything to know about Hyde Parks bubbly opening.

The company

For more than a decade, Palma Ceias Cru Cellars has been the go-to for approachable and unique wine finds in South Tampa. Husband and wife team Torrey and Jen Bingham  who are both owners and sommeliers  opened their flagship location on MacDill Avenue back in 2010, later expanding with offshoots at Armature Works Heights Public Market and in the Westshore Marina District.

Plans for Bouzy were hatched roughly three years ago but, as with so many other local businesses, the team hit a few pandemic-induced snags and delays along the way. Renovations on the building, which is located at 1640 Snow Ave., have been underway for the better part of the last year. The restaurant and bar finally opened Monday between the Hyde House Public Studio and Clean Juice.

Cru Restaurant Group has grown substantially over the last couple of years and now includes 70 employees. As the group staffs up for their Water Street openings, they expect to hire an additional 50 people. The company is also now one of the only (if not the only) local restaurant group of its size to offer its staff paid maternity leave.

The vibe

Dining and drinking at Bouzy is an intimate affair. Though the aesthetic is modern, the roughly 2,500-square-foot space also evokes a 1920s vibe, with antique mirrors serving as a backdrop behind a winding marble bar, which snakes through the space past an open kitchen overlooking the elegant dining area. Banquettes and two-tops hug the walls, and there are gold accents throughout, including several large chandeliers, designed to emulate Champagne bubbles.

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Partially because of the unique layout, theres no standing area in the bar, and guests will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis, either at the bar or at one of the tables along the wall, which together include seating for approximately 35 people.

If guests follow that path along the bar to the rear of the building, theres an additional speakeasy-style Champagne cellar with room for approximately 35 more people. It can be reserved up to one month in advance for private parties and gatherings. Guests can also choose to dine outside on the restaurants patio, which seats an additional 25 people.

The bubbles

Jen Bingham is a self-proclaimed bubbles enthusiast  the bar is named for the small French village of Bouzy, a community with less than a thousand residents that is home to several Champagne houses and in perpetual celebration of champagne, according to the restaurants menu.

Binghams carefully curated selection will have even the most bubble-averse drinkers curious with a list featuring 80 bottles of sparkling selections, 60 of which are Champagne. The bottle menu is exclusively from France and America, a nod to Binghams personal preference, and includes a big emphasis on so-called grower Champagnes, artisan selections from the Champagne region of France, typically produced and bottled by the same people and families who grow the grapes.

The menu includes five to six Champagnes by the glass, six sparkling wines by the glass (including prosecco and pet-nat varieties) and 10 wines by the glass. To help customers better understand  and learn about  what theyre drinking, the menu includes QR codes linked to full descriptions for each bottle.

Its not all bubbles and wine: Bouzy will also feature a full liquor bar and a drinks program with 14 cocktails, three or four of which will feature Champagne, said Cru Hospitality Group CEO Kyle King.

The rest of the list will feature riffs on classic cocktails, including the Riviera Daiquiri ($15) made with Wray & Nephew Overproof rum, Giffard Banana de Bresil and lime; and the Nouveau Carre ($16), which features High West Double rye, Calvados, Cocchi Rosa Americano, Benedictine and Allspice Dram.

For us, it was a passion project, King said. It was, What do we enjoy drinking?

The food

Executive chef Eric Bach, who previously worked as the executive sous chef at Berns Steak House and most recently at Cru Cellars, is helming the menu at Bouzy, which features a list of French-inspired small and shared plates.

On the higher end, the menu features a caviar service and several seafood towers (plateaus de mer) featuring a selection of East and West Coast oysters, mussels, crabs and shrimp served with a kimchi cocktail sauce, homemade XO sauce and drawn butter. Guests have the option of two sizes: petite ($110) or grande ($185).

The menu includes snacks like a caviar sandwich ($18), cheese and charcuterie boards ($21 to $23), a snapper crudo served with allium ash, avocado, apple and fermented peppers ($19) and a smoked beef tartare served with black garlic mustard, house-cured jerky and lavash ($22). Larger plates include entrees like lobster bao buns ($25) and a miso-glazed steamed grouper with forbidden rice and Champagne foam ($39) as well as several large-format dishes meant to share, including a dry-aged duck served in a Parmesan brodo with artichokes and spinach Florentine ($46).

A small selection of desserts includes a lemon tartlet with pistachio and meringue ($12), a chocolate budino with macerated berries ($12) and a baba au rum ($14).

The details

Bouzy is currently open daily starting at 4 p.m. The restaurant and bar will eventually serve lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Reservations for parties up to 8 people can be made through Tock here. Public parking is available at the Hyde Park Village parking garages.
Rep. George Santos waits for the start of a session in the House chamber. Alex Brandon/AP Photo

Rep. Robert Garcia and six other House Democrats want to boot George Santos from Congress.

The California Democrat pointed to the myriad embellishments and lies Santos has been caught up in.

It's a long shot: It's been decades since the House expelled anyone, and it requires 2/3rds support.

Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia of California is leading a small group of fellow House Democrats in pushing for the chamber to expel Republican Rep. George Santos from Congress amid a litany of scandals.

The long-shot effort underlines the degree to which some of Santos' colleagues have a visceral disdain for his continuing presence in Congress.

Nonetheless, Speaker Kevin McCarthy has remained behind the New York Republican. It's also been 20 years since a House lawmaker was expelled and only five members, including a representative-elect, have ever been expelled from the chamber in its entire history.

Expulsion also requires a high bar of two-thirds support of members present and voting; it's why historically lawmakers have resigned when it becomes clear that such a measure could pass.

The freshman House Democrat Garcia wrote on Twitter that Santos, who has admitted embellishing parts of his resume, "has lied about the horrific Pulse shooting against the LGBTQ+ community, 9/11, the Holocaust, his career, his name, and is now being given access to classified information." Alluding to ongoing investigations into Santos' actions, Garcia also said that Santos has "committed financial and campaign fraud. It's time for the House to take action."

A small group of House Republicans, including some of Santos' New York colleagues, have called on him to resign. Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah also chastised Santos before President Joe Biden's State of the Union address on Tuesday.

Last week, Santos announced he would stepped down from his committee assignments after McCarthy allowed the embattled lawmaker to be named to two panels.

Garcia will speak to reporters this afternoon about his effort. Reps. Ted Lieu of California, David Cicilline of Rhode Island, Ritchie Torres of New York, Dan Goldman of New York, Becca Balint of Vermont, and Eric Sorensen of Illinois have all signed on to support the effort.

Garcia, the first openly gay immigrant elected to Congress, pointed out that fellow LGBTQ+ freshmen Balint and Sorensen are joining him in supporting the resolution.

Read the original article on Business Insider
AtnoYdur / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Tax season is coming to a close soon, and folks across the country may be scrambling for ways to save on their tax bills.

About half of taxpayers prepared and filed their taxes on their own in 2022, according to efile.com. Going the DIY route is perfectly acceptable, provided you follow all of the rules and fine print, but it can be easy to miss some ways to reduce your tax bill  intel that only tax pros know.

Read More: 8 IRS Secrets To Know for the 2023 Tax Filing Season

Learn: 3 Signs Youre Serious About Raising Your Credit Score

GOBankingRates reached out to tax pros to gather this intel to help consumers save on their tax bills. These are their top secrets for tax savings.

Take Advantage of Tax Credits

There are a lot of tax credits out there, and it is essential to get all the money you are owed, said Levon L. Galstyan, CPA, Oak View Law Group. Most of the time, credits are better than deductions because they can lower the amount of tax you owe.

For instance, say you have a taxable income of $50,000 and tax deductions of $10,000, Galstyan said. Because of these deductions, your taxable income goes down to $40,000.

In your tax bracket, the 12% tax rate would have been applied to that $10,000 of taxable income. Because of your deductions, your tax bill would go down by $1,200.  Since tax credits reduce the amount of tax you owe dollar for dollar, having $10,000 in tax credits would save you $10,000 instead of $1,200 in taxes.

These are the most common tax credits available:

If youre an undergraduate, eagle-eye the American Opportunity Education Credit.

Generally speaking, the American Opportunity Education Credit is the best route for saving on income taxes via undergraduate education expenses, said Andrew Griffith, associate professor of accounting at the LaPenta School of Business at Iona University. Unfortunately, it has a four-calendar-year limit.

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To take advantage of this credit, a bachelors degree needs to be completed within those four calendar years. Some of that first years benefit is potentially lost because the school year starts with the fall semester. Enrolling and paying for classes starting in January and taking summer classes increases the odds that a taxpayer will receive the maximum benefit from this tax credit.

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Save for Retirement

Another way to cut down on your tax bill that also behooves you in the long run? Saving for retirement.

Putting money into an IRA can be a fantastic way to reduce your tax bill, Galstyan said. Traditional and Roth IRAs are the two most common types of IRA. The biggest distinction is when your contributions are taxed. The most common choice is a companys 401(k) plan since many employers match what their employees put into their 401(k) plans. Experts say you should put in the maximum amount allowed each year ($20,500 for 2022 or $27,000 for taxpayers 50 and older) or at least the most your employer will match.

Remember that self-employed people also can take advantage of saving for retirement via SEP-IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs or solo 401(k)s.

The annual contribution limits for these plans are greater than the annual contribution limits for a traditional or Roth IRA, Griffith said. Some careful planning could result in significant retirement savings each year.

Put Money Into an HSA

Setting money into a Health Savings Account (HSA) before you pay taxes is another way to lower your taxable income.

You can make HSA contributions until the tax deadline and use the deductions for the current tax year, Galstyan said.

Deduct Your Health Insurance (If Youre Self-Employed)

If youre self-employed, you can get a tax break for the health insurance you pay for yourself, your husband or wife and your dependents, Galstyan said. This implies that your medical or long-term care insurance premiums can lower your taxable income by the same amount. You can also get this deduction if you are a partner or a 2% shareholder in an S Corporation, but there are some rules.

Harvest Investment Losses

Did you know you can lower your tax bill by reporting losses on capital investments? Its called loss harvesting.

Loss harvesting is a pivotal way to end the year, Galstyan said. When you sell your investments and realize a loss, this is what happens. You can use these losses to pay for capital gains taxes dollar for dollar, lowering your overall tax bill.

Lets break it down further.

When you incur more losses than profits, you can utilize up to $3,000 of your excess losses to offset your regular income, Galstyan said. The rest of the losses, above $3,000 each year, can be carried forward to the following year.

One caveat: The wash sale rule. The IRS prohibits buying the same or a substantially similar investment within 30 days of the realized loss.

Set Up an Account for Your Children To Save for College

Taxpayers can use up to $10,000 per student per year from a 529 plan to pay for qualified education costs.

Your 529 plan contributions are not tax-deductible at the federal level but may be tax-deductible at the state level, Galstyan explained. Under the 529 program, you can also use a prepaid college tuition plan for an in-state public school that meets specific requirements. This lets you lock in the current tuition rate for your child, no matter how old they are.

Itemize Your Taxes

Even if you are not self-employed, itemizing your taxes still could benefit you.

A comprehensive list of medical expenses that the IRS considers deductible includes ambulance rides, the price of a breast pump, programs to help people quit smoking and mileage to and from doctor appointments, Galstyan said. To reflect higher [gas] prices, they increased the reimbursement rate for distance traveled in the second half of 2022. You may deduct any cash or material donations made online. If you have many of these costs, itemizing your deductions rather than using the standard deduction may be more financially advantageous.

Keep in mind that state returns can be subject to different regulations than federal ones.

For instance, in New Jersey, you can write off your out-of-pocket medical expenses whenever the total of your annual out-of-pocket expenses exceeds 2% of your adjusted gross income, Galstyan said. However, on a federal return, this deduction isnt available until your out-of-pocket expenses exceed 7.5% of your AGI. In other words, even if you cant deduct medical expenses from your federal taxes, you can do so on your state return.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 7 Secrets From Tax Preparers To Reduce Your Bill
Dax Tejera, the ABC News producer who died two days before Christmas, choked to death while intoxicated, according to authorities.

ABC News initially announced that Mr Tejera had died of a heart attack, but the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in New York City confirmed on Wednesday that the producers cause of death has been determined as Asphyxia due to obstruction of airway by food bolus complicating acute alcohol intoxication.

Mr Tejera, who was just 37 years old, collapsed on a sidewalk in New York following the conclusion of a meal at a Bobby Vans steakhouse. He was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Mr Tejera and his wife Veronica Tejera had been staying at the Yale Club in Midtown Manhattan, and had reportedly left their two young children of two years and just five months in their hotel room while they went out to eat at the steakhouse. The couple were in New York to celebrate the holidays, and were staying at the exclusive club reserved for alumni of Yale University.

Shortly after Mr Tejera was pronounced dead, New York Police Department officers arrested Ms Tejera for child endangerment for leaving the children in the room. The children were unharmed, and left the hotel room with their grandmother shortly after Mr Tejera collapsed.

Ms Tejera, a producer at The Washington Post, was taken into custody and released early the next morning.

Mr Tejera was executive producer of the news programme This Week on ABC, the networks signature Sunday morning show hosted by George Stephanopoulos, and had worked at the network since 2017. Mr Tejera held degrees from two Ivy League institutions, Dartmouth and Columbia, and had also previously worked at NBC.

The initial announcement that Mr Tejera had died suddenly of a heart attack sparked conspiracy theories in some corners of the internet, where people claimed without evidence that his death was connected to a Covid-19 vaccine. The announcement from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirms that Mr Tejeras death was unrelated to his vaccination status or the condition of his heart more generallly.

There are more than 3 million cases of acute alcohol intoxication annually in the US, many of which can be treated with rest, hydration, and a cessation of alcohol use. According to the National Institute on Alochol and Alcoholism, however, a very high level of intoxication can in some cases hinder signals in the brain that control automatic responses such as the gag reflex.
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The acting head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will testify on Feb. 15 before the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee on a Jan. 11 computer system outage that disrupted more than 11,000 U.S. flights, sources told Reuters.

Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen told lawmakers last month that the agency has made a change in the system to prevent a corrupt file from damaging a backup database, after the agency found that the outage occurred when contract personnel "unintentionally deleted files."

The outage prompted the FAA to halt departing flights for about two hours, the first nationwide ground stop since the Sept. 11, 2001, al Qaeda attacks on the United States.

The FAA did not immediately comment late Wednesday. Nolen has been acting FAA administrator since April 1.

Last month, the FAA told lawmakers it had revoked access to a pilot messaging database by contractor personnel who unintentionally deleted files in the Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) database. The NOTAM system provides pilots, flight crews and other users of U.S. airspace with critical safety notices.

Nolen told lawmakers that attempts to restore those files contributed to the outage and since then the FAA had adopted a one-hour delay in synchronizing databases that should prevent data errors from immediately reaching the backup database.

The FAA also said it "now requires at least two individuals to be present during the maintenance of the NOTAM system, including one federal manager."

The NOTAM System consists of two interdependent systems, the legacy U.S. NOTAM System, which is 30 years old, and the newer Federal NOTAM System.

The primary database and a backup database are located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and two additional backup databases are in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

The FAA began modernizing the NOTAM system in 2019 "and is scheduled to discontinue the legacy U.S. NOTAM System by mid-2025. Phase two of the NOTAM system modernization is planned to be completed in 2030," the letter said.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Sandra Maler and Leslie Adler)
A member of the U.S. military was arrested in Colorado following a child sexual exploitation investigation Wednesday after police received a tip from an internet crimes task force.

Josef Smith, 26, was charged with possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material, a felony, the Fountain Police Department said. Police said they executed a search warrant Jan. 12 and recovered evidence that led to Smith's arrest warrant.

Smith was described by the Fountain police as an "active-duty soldier" with the Army.

The Army did not immediately respond to a request for more information.

According to El Paso County booking information, Smith is in custody with a scheduled court date Thursday afternoon. It is unclear if he has retained an attorney.

Fountain police detectives are asking anyone with information regarding any potential witnesses or victims to come forward and speak to investigators.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Surgeons operating

A group of surgeons operate at a hospital in Seoul in November 2008. Credit - Universal Images Group/Getty Images

South Korea touts world-class health care infrastructure. Before the pandemic, it had become a bustling medical tourism hotspot. In 2019, more than 90,000 people visited the country to avail themselves of cosmetic surgery there, and its own citizens have seen life expectancy shoot up to among the highest of developed countries, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

And yet, in July last year, a 37-year-old nurse died of a brain hemorrhage because of a lack of care. She had collapsed while on duty at one of Koreas biggest hospitals, but could not receive critical treatment as there were no neurosurgeons on call. She was later transferred to a different hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The nurses death brought to light South Koreas dearth of physicians specializing in vital care. Of the doctors the country does have, many opt instead for more lucrative fields like plastic surgery and dermatology, while not enough are trained to perform more essential specialties, like higher-risk surgeries, pediatrics, and general medicine. Without intervention, the shortage is bound to worsen, with estimates of up to 27,000 doctors needed by 2035 to meet demand.

The government is looking into a range of proposals to solve this critical shortage, but one recent suggestion has worried patient advocates. Health minister Cho Kyoo-hong said at a press briefing last week that his agency will review various measures to relieve the burden of medical professionals, according to the Korea Times, including possibly enacting a special law aimed at reducing the severity of punishment doctors face for medical negligence or malpractice.

South Korea's Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyoo-hong speaks to the media in Seoul on Oct. 30, 2022. Andrei OlfertSputnik/AP

According to the ministry, many doctors tend to avoid more critical specialties amid high risks of possible financial ruin due to the countrys stringent standards for accountability. The lack of liability protections for medical professionals is a key component of the harsh working conditions facing doctors, says Kim Minsung, a postdoctoral fellow in medical ethics and law at the University of Hong Kong who has studied South Koreas health care industry and regulation.

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But civic society groups reacted by calling the proposal a step in the wrong direction, criticizing it for patronizing doctors instead of catering to patients needs.

How bad is South Koreas specialized doctor shortage?

South Korea is home to at least 130,000 doctors, but that isnt enough for its needs. Latest OECD data show that South Korea has just 2.5 doctors per 1,000 inhabitants, or about two-thirds of the OECD average of 3.7. This scarcity has manifested itself in extreme ways: in one instance, a hospital had to stop offering inpatient care for children for three months because it could not hire resident pediatricians.

The supply problem starts early, at the university level: since 2006, the government has had an annual admission limit of 3,058 students for 40 medical schools in the country. Doctors who prefer the exclusivity of the profession and the government that wants there to be more doctors are repeatedly at odds over reforming the quotaso much so that in August 2020, doctors in training staged a walkout amid a proposed increase of the admission cap. Doctors opposing a hike have argued that the real problem is low pay and weak infrastructure in rural areas where healthcare roles are most deprived.

This is despite the fact that doctors earn four times the average salary of other professionals in South Korea. The issue is that many of them are not specializing in vital care. Kim, the University of Hong Kong scholar, says thats because aspiring medical professionals are more enticed to train in fields like cosmetic surgery, for which fees are less strictly regulated and typically much higher than they are for physicians. South Korea boasts a nearly $4 billion plastic surgery industry that takes up 25% of the global market share, owing in large part to the beauty standards promoted by the countrys popular and far-reaching entertainment businesses.

A pedestrian walks past advertisements for plastic surgery clinics at a subway station in Seoul in March 2014. Jung Yeon-jeAFP/Getty Images

Specializing in vital care, on the other hand, is not as profitable, and can be exhausting, too. In 2019, Korea Herald reported that 98% of residents worked over 80 hours a week in 2017, and surgery-related departments regularly fail to fill up slots for residency programs. The average age of surgeons is now 53 years old, according to a December report from Korean broadcaster KBS, which also says that as the countrys fertility rate declines and its population ages, fewer doctors want to work in pediatrics and obstetrics.

Is medical malpractice a major issue in South Korea?

A November study from the Korea Medical Association released in November showed that some 750 South Korean doctors yearlyor an average of more than two per dayare criminally charged with professional negligence resulting in death or injury. Thats 14.7 times higher than the number of similar indictments in Japan, 580.6 times higher than in the UK, and 26.6 times higher than in Germany.

But complaints about malpractice are not completely unfounded. Patients in South Korea have the lowest perception of their own health status of all OECD countries, and a 2016 study found that, unlike in many other countries, the public is most concerned with the quality of the health care system more so than access or cost. Faith in hospitals and surgeons is particularly low due in large part to suspicionsbased on cases that have made the newsof unqualified staff mishandling operations. In 2021, the government required surveillance cameras be installed in operating rooms where patients are under general anesthesia to try to stamp down on malpractice cases.

Another study from 2019, based on interviews with more than 3,000 doctors in South Korea, found that one in every three had medical disputes in the past three years, though 96% of the respondents believed a special law on medical accidents was needed to help resolve such disputes through non-criminal payments instead of criminal punishment.

In terms of compensation, currently, victims of medical mishaps are allowed to claim up to 30 million won ($24,500), with 70% shouldered by the government and 30% by the institution or doctor responsible. The government is reportedly considering shouldering more of the cost.

On Feb. 2, the Seoul-based Citizens Coalition for Economic Justice said in a statement that relaxing measures against medical malpractice will lead doctors to relax their duty of care responsibilities, causing anxiety and distrust among the public. Jung Ho-chul, an international staff member for CCEJ, says the doctor shortage and malpractice are unrelated. If anything, the government should strengthennot weakenthe law penalizing doctors who commit malpractice, including taking away their medical licenses. To address the shortage, he says, the government should focus on lifting the medical school quota, among other things.

But Kim says the current legal system is excessively skewed in favor of patients, which creates a doctor-client relationship in which doctors can be afraid to take up critical care cases. Kim says that doctors shouldnt be free from liability for malpractice but that the majority of disputes should really be handled through civil courts with more appropriate consequences. In most countries, he says, criminal medical malpractice really has less cases.
By Alexander Hubner and Rachel More

BERLIN (Reuters) - Adidas shares slumped as much as 12.6% on Friday after the sportswear maker warned it could plunge to a loss this year for the first time in three decades, in the latest downgrade triggered by its split from Kanye West.

Inventory of the rapper and fashion designer's Yeezy brand, with price tags for sneakers and apparel of up to $700 a pair, could be written off entirely, resulting in a 700 million euro ($749 million) loss this year, the company said on Thursday.

Just by not selling the stock, revenues would take a 1.2 billion euro hit in 2023, while operating profit would fall by about 500 million euros to around break-even, the rival to Nike added.

"The numbers speak for themselves. We are currently not performing the way we should," said CEO Bjorn Gulden, who joined Adidas on Jan. 1 after switching from rival Puma and has promised a "year of transition" to make the sportswear giant profitable again.

At 1200 GMT, Adidas shares were down 12.3% at 137 euros.

In its fourth profit warning in less than six months, it forecast a high single-digit percentage decline in sales this year. Analysts had on average expected a 4% rise in 2023 revenue on a currency-neutral basis and operating profit of 1.02 billion euros, according to figures on Adidas' website.

Baader Helvea described the new guidance as "horrible" and very disappointing.

The news came as Adidas missed its own forecasts with a rise of just 1% in 2022 revenue in currency-neutral terms.

Jefferies cut its recommendation on Adidas stock to "hold" from "buy", citing "challenges in articulating the mid-term profit delivery".

Adidas had lowered its 2022 forecasts in October to mid-single digit percentage revenue growth and a 4% operating margin in light of weaker demand in China and Western markets and one-off expenses related to exiting Russia.

But Thursday's results showed the company had fared worse than it expected, yielding an operating margin of 3%.

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It will report full 2022 results on March 8.

GRAPHIC: Adidas shares lag Nike (https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/mkt/gdpzqdaeyvw/adidas.PNG)

ROCKY TRANSITION

Adidas is conducting a review of its Yeezy products, with one option to salvage warehouse inventory by repurposing it under a different brand.

Adidas cut its ties with Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, in October, halting sales of the shoes and apparel line that had brought in billions and pushed up the company's profit margin for years after he made antisemitic remarks online.

The breakup came just before the crucial pre-Christmas sales period, forcing Adidas to halve its 2022 profit outlook in early November to 250 million euros and highlighting the risks some brands have taken by tying their fortunes to celebrities.

"2023 will be a year of transition to set the base to again be a growing and profitable company," Gulden said, adding the company would focus on creating "brand heat".

"We need to put the pieces back together again, but I am convinced that over time we will make Adidas shine again. But we need some time."

Yeezy is not Gulden's only challenge, as investors fear that persistently high inflation in Europe and the United States could drag down sales in the coming months.

Competitor Puma also lost ground on Friday, with shares down around 5%.

UBS analysts said in a note to investors they expected the Yeezy business to be scrapped entirely given the tone of Gulden's comments - and that it would be a long slog for the new boss.

"While we think CEO Bjrn Gulden is the right person to turn around the brand, we don't expect initial signs until 2H24," the note said.

($1 = 0.9307 euros)

(Additional reporting by Victoria Waldersee, Maria Sheahan; Editing by Jason Neely and Mark Potter)
Sen. Mitt Romney R-Utah. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, broke ranks with many of his party colleagues Thursday, telling reporters following a classified briefing on the Chinese balloon incursion over U.S. airspace last week that the Biden administration, the U.S. military and intelligence agencies dealt with the situation properly.

I believe that the administration, the president, our military and intelligence agencies acted skillfully and with care. At the same time, their capabilities are extraordinarily impressive, Romney told CNN's Manu Raju.

That assessment stands in marked contrast to the torrent of criticism many Republicans have directed at President Biden. Prior to Thursdays briefing with lawmakers, the overriding sentiment from the presidents GOP critics had been that Biden should have ordered the Pentagon to shoot down the balloon before it crossed over the country, rather than after it had cleared the South Carolina coastline.

We should have shot this balloon down over the Aleutian Islands. We should never have allowed it to transit the entire continental United States, Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said on "Fox News Sunday."

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, offered a similar critique on Monday.

Hard to say the State of the Union is strong when our commander-in-chief lets a Chinese spy balloon fly across our entire country before doing anything about it.  Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) February 6, 2023

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who posed with a white balloon in apparent reference to the incident before heading into the State of the Union address, has been especially vocal in her criticism of the president.

The Biden admin allowed the Chinese Spy Balloon to traverse the entire US and gather intel on our critical military infrastructure while the entire country screamed to shoot it down, before they finally shot it down, she tweeted Saturday. Biden refused to stop China.

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State Department officials said Thursday that the debris from the downed spy balloon contained equipment that was likely capable of collecting and geo-locating communications, and that it was part of a Chinese surveillance operation that had flown similar missions over 40 countries.

Gen. Glen VanHerck, commander of U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), told reporters on Monday that the balloon had been 200 feet tall. Its payload, VanHerck said, was estimated to be more than 2,000 pounds.

While it is unclear what new information was given to lawmakers in the classified briefing on Thursday, Romney, at least, appeared satisfied by what he heard.

Was everything done 100% correctly? I cant imagine that would be the case of almost anything we do. But I came away more confident, Romney told CNN, adding that he agreed with the decision to wait before shooting down the balloon.
The second in command of the Air Force's chaplains has been removed from his role, the service announced last week.

Brig. Gen. Daniel Brantingham was removed from his position as the deputy chief of chaplains on Jan. 31, and a "pattern of leadership shortfalls contributed to the decision, Department of the Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek told Military.com on Thursday. The service's chaplain staff members are taking on his duties until a replacement is assigned.

The services often don't disclose specific reasons for why a commander or military leader is fired, typically citing the federal Privacy Act, which protects military records, and relying on the opaque phrase "loss of trust and confidence" instead of detailing the reasons behind a shake-up.

Read Next: Air Force Ships 170,000 Pounds of Supplies Along with Rescue Dogs and Search Teams to Turkey

"Our military leaders are held to the highest standards of personal and professional conduct and are accountable for their actions when falling short of those expectations," Maj. Gen. Randall Kitchens, the Air Force chief of chaplains, said in an emailed statement.

Stefanek did tell Military.com on Thursday that Brantingham was not being investigated for any misconduct and said he was still serving in the Air Force.

Brantingham did not respond to a phone call and text message at a number listed for him in public records.

In his role as deputy chief of chaplains, Brantingham oversaw approximately 2,100 chaplains from the active duty and Air Force Reserve. He was also a member of the Armed Forces Chaplain Board, where he advised "the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff on religious, ethical and quality-of-life concerns," according to his official Air Force biography.

The former deputy chaplain's career started in 1990 as a candidate at the 410th Bombardment Wing at the now-decommissioned K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base in Michigan.

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During his more than 30-year career, Brantingham has served in high-profile roles such as the senior Protestant chaplain at Vandenberg Air Force Base's 30th Space Wing in California, the cadet wing chaplain at the Air Force Academy in Colorado, and command chaplain at Air Mobility Command.

Brantingham was promoted to brigadier general in October 2021 and became the service's deputy chief of chaplains the following month.

Chaplains play a major role in all the service branches by leading worship services, offering personal guidance, providing emotional support, and promoting morale and social well-being among the ranks.

They also go with troops on deployments and have even played roles in building relationships with local religious leaders in war zones, according to the federal government's U.S. Institute of Peace.

Military chaplains have been faced with a tough environment during the COVID-19 pandemic, and were tasked with evaluating troops' vaccine religious exemption requests on a case-by-case basis to see whether a service member was being truthful in their objections to the inoculation.

Religious exemptions among the ranks to the COVID-19 in the Air Force and Space Force faced a major legal case this past year.

Most recently, in late November 2022, an appeals court in Ohio upheld an injunction that protected around 10,000 unvaccinated active-duty, reserve and National Guard service members in the Air Force and Space Force from being punished as they awaited religious exemptions from the COVID-19 vaccine.

The vaccine mandate was eliminated in the annual defense policy bill passed by Congress in late 2022.

-- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly.

Related: New Court Ruling Slams Air Force's Limited Approval of Religious Exemptions for COVID-19 Vaccine
1st Chinese tour group receives red carpet welcome in UAE

Xinhua) 08:23, February 09, 2023

Chinese tourists pose for photos with staff at Dubai International Airport in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, Feb. 6, 2023. (Xinhua)

DUBAI, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- A red carpet reception welcomed on Tuesday the first group of Chinese tourists in Abu Dhabi after three years of hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic as Chinese travel agencies resumed outbound tours.

The tour group, composed of over 60 Chinese tourists, came from the southern city of Guangzhou and arrived at Dubai International Airport on Monday.

Waving the national flags of China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Chinese tourists were warmly welcomed at the airport and provided smooth check-in services. They also received commemorative gifts and special privileges at the theme park Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.

"We are so excited to welcome our very first Chinese guests for the first time after three years. We cannot wait to welcome you all back to our beautiful park. We have missed you," said Deana Taylor, general manager at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.

Chinese tourists pose for photos at Ferrari World theme park in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, on Feb. 7, 2023. (Xinhua)

Liu Jian, the head of the local travel agency in the UAE who undertook the tour, said that as one of the popular destinations for Chinese tourists before the pandemic, the UAE is ready to welcome Chinese tourists again.

He revealed that the tourism departments of Abu Dhabi and Dubai and some popular attractions in the UAE have provided special courtesy and convenience for the tour group.

In a video message to Chinese travelers, Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism &Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), noted that all Chinese visitors can enjoy "visa-free travel to Dubai" if their passport validity is longer than six months.

"We are ready to welcome you back. Many new attractions and experiences await you here. It is time to create new memories," Kazim added.

"Chinese market has always been a crucial and important tourism market for the UAE," said Dominic Arel, general manager of Fairmont The Palm hotel, noting "we are thrilled to see the ease of travel for this part of the world and the great impact it will have again on Dubai tourism and economic growth."

With the ease of travel, many travel companies in the UAE are now gearing up to welcome Chinese tourists back.

"We are excited about their visit as this is expected to boost tourism business greatly as Chinese tourists are among the highest spenders while traveling abroad," said Geoffrey Salatan, managing director of Dubai-based Pinas Travel.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The parents and sister of Halyna Hutchins, the Ukrainian-born cinematographer who died on the set of "Rust" in 2021, filed a new lawsuit Thursday against Alec Baldwin and the film's various producers.

Attorney Gloria Allred said the lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, was aimed at recovering compensation for the three family members, all of whom are in war-torn Ukraine, who relied on Hutchins for financial support.

The family is "devastated by the shocking killing" of Hutchins and believes "anyone responsible for her loss must be held accountable," Allred said during a Thursday press conference. "They won't be able to enjoy life in same way. Halyna was the light in their lives."

The family members include Hutchins' mother Olga, an ER nurse in Ukraine, her father Anatoly and sister who is seven years her junior, Svetlana.

Baldwin was rehearsing a scene on the New Mexico set when the gun he was using, which inexplicably contained a live round, discharged. The bullet killed Hutchins, 42, and wounded the film's director, Joel Souza. She also left behind a husband, Matthew Hutchins, 39, and a son, Andros, 10, who previously settled another lawsuit with the actor.

The lawsuit comes on the heels of the New Mexico prosecutors officially charging Baldwin and the movie's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, with two counts of involuntary manslaughter, which carry sentences of up to five years in jail.

Alec Baldwin charged: Actor and 'Rust' armorer Gutierrez-Reed officially charged in death of Halyna Hutchins

The family members of Halyna Hutchins have filed a new lawsuit against "Rust" actor and producer Alec Baldwin, who was holding a gun during a rehearsal that discharged and killed Hutchins. How a live bullet got into the weapon remains an unanswered question.

Prosecutors have said that the charges are an effort to seek justice for Hutchins, whose death was a result of lax on-set safety protocols. Attorneys for both Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed have maintained that the charges are overzealous in a case that amounts to a tragic accident.

Alec Baldwin, Halyna Hutchins' husband settled an earlier lawsuit

The new lawsuit by Hutchins' family members stand in contrast to the February 2022 wrongful death lawsuit filed against Baldwin, as well as the film's producers and some crew, by Matthew Hutchins. In October 2022, that lawsuit was settled, with Hutchins becoming an executive producer of "Rust."

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When asked about the differences between the two lawsuits, Allred said the settlement for Matthew Hutchins "was for Matthew and his child, there's been no settlement for (the family), and there's been no outreach to them by Mr. Baldwin to even say he was sorry. We want accountability and justice for them, it's as simple as that."

Last month it was revealed that the mid-budget Western movie would continue with its production. Melina Spadone, attorney for Rust Movie Productions, LLC, confirmed to USA TODAY that "Rust" will be completed with Baldwin in the lead role and with Souza returning as director. It's unclear whether Baldwin is still a co-producer or if Matthew Hutchins will retain his title as executive producer.

Alec Baldwin is being sued by the parents and sister of "Rust" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who died in the fall of 2021 when an inexplicably loaded gun the actor was holding discharged during a rehearsal. A previous lawsuit against Baldwin and "Rust" producers brought by Hutchins' widow, Matthew, was settled.

Spadone also confirmed there will be on-set safety supervisors and union crew members on set and that working weapons and ammunition will be barred. Spadone clarified live ammunition was always prohibited from the "Rust" set.

'Rust' movie: Production to resume with Alec Baldwin despite impending involuntary manslaughter charges

Baldwin, Gutierrez-Reed lawyers call charges 'terrible miscarriage'

Filming for "Rust" is set to resume as attorneys for both Baldwin and the film's one-time armorer, Gutierrez-Reed, get ready to defend their clients against New Mexico state prosecutors. Both legal teams had swift reactions when prosecutors officially filed charges.

Baldwin's attorney, Luke Nikas, said in a statement sent to USA TODAY that the charges represented a terrible miscarriage of justice.

The actor "had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun  or anywhere on the movie set. He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds. We will fight these charges, and we will win, Nikas said.

Jason Bowles, an attorney for Gutierrez-Reed, said in a statement that prosecutors "completely misunderstood the facts and reached the wrong conclusions," noting that producers denied her request to provide more firearms training and use a fake gun for the fateful rehearsal.

"The tragedy of this is had Hannah just been called back into the church by (assistant director) David Halls, she would have performed the inspection and prevented this tragedy," Bowles said. "We will fight these charges and expect that a jury will find Hannah not guilty."

Will Alec Baldwin face jail time?: Explaining the actor's involuntary manslaughter charges

Contributing: Naledi Ushe

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alec Baldwin, 'Rust' face new lawsuit from Halyna Hutchins' family
Alec Baldwin is being sued by the parents and sister of Halyna Hutchins for negligence and battery in relation to the fatal shooting of the Rust cinematographer on the Western's set.

Speaking on behalf of the family on Thursday, lawyer Gloria Allred announced in a press conference that Hutchins' Ukrainian relatives have filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against Baldwin as well as the "Rust producers, armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, first assistant director David Halls, and other defendants who [may have] been responsible for the death of Halyna Hutchins," per Deadline.

"There has been no outreach by Mr. Baldwin, no apology," Allred said, per the outlet. "We want accountability and justice for them."

Alec Baldwin

Jim Spellman/Getty Images Alec Baldwin is both an actor and producer in the Western film 'Rust'

The new filing, which is separate from the Hutchins estate's wrongful death suit which was settled last October, seeks compensation for her parents and sister. "The settlement was for Matthew and his child," Allred explained. "We are now representing others in the family, Mom, Dad, and sister, and there has been no settlement for them."

During the press conference, Allred said that Hutchins had been planning to relocate her relatives to the U.S. prior to her death and Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Co-counsel John Carpenter added that the family may soon travel to the U.S. as part of the lawsuit.

In addition to Hutchins' parents and sister, Allred is also representing Rust script supervisor Maime Mitchell, who filed a negligence suit against Baldwin and several others involved in the film last November. In response, Baldwin filed his own cross-complaint against multiple Rust crew members, including armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, accusing them of negligence for providing him with the loaded firearm that killed Hutchins. Allred said at the press conference that she may merge both cases together later down the line.

Story continues

EW has reached out to Allred for further comment but did not immediately hear back. Reps for Baldwin declined to comment.

Alec Baldwin attends the Annual Charity Day hosted by Cantor Fitzgerald, BGC and GFI at Cantor Fitzgerald on September 11, 2018 in New York City.; Halyna Hutchins attends the 2018 Sundance Film Festival Official Kickoff Party Hosted By SundanceTV at Sundance TV HQ on January 19, 2018 in Park City, Utah.

Presley Ann/Getty Images; Mat Hayward/Getty Images Alec Baldwin and Halyna Hutchins

The Hutchins family lawsuit is one of many legal challenges stacking up against Baldwin in recent weeks. In January, Baldwin, who has vehemently denied firing the weapon, was charged with involuntary manslaughter by Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies. His lawyer, Luke Nikas, called the charges against the actor "a terrible miscarriage of justice."

"Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun  or anywhere on the movie set," his lawyer said in a statement at the time. "He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds. We will fight these charges, and we will win."

Related content:
The Daily Beast/Reuters

One of Alex Murdaughs best friends did not pull any punches on the stand Thursday, detailing to jurors how he felt betrayed after spending months by Murdaughs side in the wake of his wife and sons murdersonly to learn the former lawyer had stolen $192,000 from him.

Shocked. Betrayed. Mad. I dont know. Numb, Chris Wilson told a packed Colleton County courtroom before choking up. Wilson was Murdaughs law school roommate and said he was one of my best friends if not my best friend.

The heartbreaking discovery came after Wilson said he and Murdaugh had worked on a personal injury case together in early 2021. After winning the case, he said Murdaugh asked him in March 2021 to make out his $792,000 in legal fees in three separate checks directly to him. He said he planned to use the funds to purchase annuities and that he had been cleared by his family law firman explanation Wilson said he accepted because he trusted his friend of three decades.

How the Murdaugh Saga UnfoldedFrom a Boat Crash to Murder

But Murdaugh eventually sent him back a portion of the money, noting that he had messed up the fee structure and would pay him back so Wilson could send the payment to his law firm. Wilson, however, said he only received $600,000 of those fundsand learned over Labor Day weekend from Murdaughs former law firm that he had been stealing money for years.

I wanted to talk to him face-to-face, he said, noting that he had been previously gracious to Murdaugh after Paul and Maggie had been brutally murdered on June 7, 2021.

Wilson said that he confronted Murdaugh on the porch of his mothers house the morning of Sept. 4, 2021, where his former friend admitted to stealing the moneyand confessed to stealing from several other people and having a two-decade addiction to opioids. He added that Murdaugh broke down crying as he confessed to his years-long secret Wilson said he had been good about covering it up, especially the drugs.

Story continues

Ive shit you up. Im sorry. I shit you up. I shit a lot of people up, Murdaugh allegedly told Wilson, who noted that was their last verbal conversation.

Hours later, Murdaugh would call 911 to report that he had been shot in the head while changing a tire on a South Carolina backroad. Later, Murdaugh would admit that he had staged the botched assisted suicide scheme with his distant cousin, Curtis Eddie Smith, to secure his $10 million insurance policy for his only surviving son, Buster.

The insight into one of Murdaughs closest relationships came on the third week of his double-homicide trial, where prosecutors allege he murdered his 52-year-old wife and 22-year-old son at their hunting estate on June 7, 2021, in a twisted attempt to cover up his financial crimes. Murdaugh, 54, is facing two counts of murder and two counts of possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime in connection with the case.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and his lawyers insist that the former lawyer had no motive to murder his wonderful family.

This Brides Dream Wedding Was Upstaged by Bloody Murdaugh Trial

Wilson also noted on the stand that Murdaugh was incredibly close to his familyand that his family also had a close relationship with them. During cross-examination, Wilson said that he never saw any signs of opioid addiction and noted that his family was Murdaughs number one priority.

He was not just my best friend. Our wives were close, our kids were close, Wilson said, noting that he spoke on the phone with Murdaugh almost daily.

Wilson said that he had one of those casual chats at around 9:11 p.m. on June 7, 2021, just minutes after prosecutors allege Murdaugh fatally shot his family with two different guns. In the call, Wilson said he told Murdaugh he was working on a broken pool pump while he and his wife were watching The Bachelor on their porch.

After the brief chat, Murdaugh texted Wilson at 9:52 p.m., asking him to call me if you're up. Wilson said he called his friend back immediately, but Murdaugh did not answer. Wilson said he called him back and Murdaugh answered saying that he had just visited his mom and was almost on his way home.

Minutes later, Murdaugh would call 911 to report his wife and son shot outside their dog kennels. Wilson said he was woken up a short time later by his hysterical wife and several phone calls notifying him Maggie and Paul had been murdered.

Wilson stressed that those among Murdaughs inner circle remained close to the former lawyer after the murdersworried about his mental health and that he may do something drastic.

I was worried he was going to kill himself, as I think several people were, Wilson said. We talked regularly about being there for him.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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In a dramatic day in the double-murder trial of Alex Murdaugh, the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, South Carolina, was suddenly evacuated due to a bomb threat.

The threat was reported at around 12.30pm Wednesday, forcing officials to whisk Murdaugh and the jury away to secure locations.

After the threat was deemed a hoax, testimony resumed with an examination of data recovered from Murdaughs SUV.

The data offered jurors a potential timeline for Murdaughs movements on the night of 7 June 2021  when Maggie and Paul were shot dead. It indicates the suspect only stayed at his parents home for around 20 minutes  and not the 30 to 40 minutes he asked his mothers carer to tell authorities.

Earlier in the day, jurors also heard more about the significant amount of gunshot residue discovered on a blue raincoat Murdaugh allegedly hid in his parents home. At least 38 particles were found inside the coat  an amount that fits with the prosecutions claim he used the garment to hide and move one or both of the guns used in the murders.

Jurors also heard testimony about Murdaughs financial crimes which prosecutors claim establish his motive.

Watch the Alex Murdaugh trial LIVE

Alex Murdaugh murder trial

SUV data offers timeline of Murdaughs movements

Bomb threat causes emergency evacuation of court

Gunshot residue found all over blue raincoat Murdaugh allegedly hid in parents home

Jury hears about Murdaughs financial crimes for first time

Third witness identifies Murdaugh 100% in kennel video

Alex Murdaugh was fidgety at sick mothers home on night of murders

16:47 , Oliver O'Connell

The prosecution concludes its questioning of Mr Wilson.

Cross-examination begins led by defence attorney Jim Griffin.

16:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Wilson is telling the jury about his conversation with Mr Murdaugh when the theft from clients was uncovered.

Heres our earlier coverage:

On 3 September 2021  three months on from the murders  Mr Wilson said he finally learned his friend had been scamming him and many other people.

Story continues

That day, the PMPED partners had discovered Mr Murdaugh was pocketing clients money and he allegedly admitted to the fraud scheme and was forced to resign.

The scandal was not publicly announced that day but the PMPED partners got in touch with Mr Wilson and informed him what they knew.

It knocked me down... I didnt know what to do, he said.

Mr Wilson testified that he met Mr Murdaugh the following day on 4 September 2021 and confronted him about his fraud scheme.

He said he asked Mr Murdaugh if there was anything else that he should know about.

Choking back tears, Mr Wilson revealed that his longtime friend broke down and confessed to stealing the money to fund a secret 20-year opioid addiction.

He broke down crying, he said.

I was so mad. I had loved the guy for so long, and I probably still loved him a little bit, but I was so mad, and I dont remember how it ended. How did I not know these things or see these things?

When asked how Mr Murdaugh confessed to him, he said: He said he s*** me up... he said he had s*** a lot of people up.

Court resumes

16:34 , Oliver O'Connell

The jury returns and court resumes with Mr Wilsons testimony regarding his conversations with Mr Murdaugh about the missing money that he was covering.

He recalls law firm partner Lee Cope calling him on 3 September 2021 telling him about Mr Murdaughs financial crimes. Mr Cope asked him to pay the $792k from the trust account, where it was being held, to the firm. He was also asked to keep the matter quiet until Tuesday (after the Labor Day holiday) when the firm could issue a press release.

Mr Wilson said he was shocked.

16:21 , Oliver O'Connell

If you are unfamiliar with the side of the road incident, heres The Independents coverage from the time of this bizarre twist in the case:

Prominent South Carolina lawyer shot months after unsolved killing of wife and son

...and what a witness said on a 911 call after having come across the scene:

Witnesss 911 call casts doubt on Alex Murdaughs shooting story

16:16 , Oliver O'Connell

Judge Newman sustains the objection of the defence team that the side of the road incident is not relevant to Mr Wilsons testimony as it happened after his conversation with Mr Murdaugh that day and he only found out about it secondhand afterward when law firm partner Lee Cope called to tell him.

The prosecution makes sure Mr Wilson knows when to stop his testimony so as not to include it.

Judge Newman calls a 10-minute recess.

16:12 , Oliver O'Connell

The jury has been sent out of the room as the prosecution argues that the defendants drug use will be brought up and potentially, based on the in-camera testimony, the side of the road events may be brought up  in which Mr Murdaugh was shot in what appeared to be a botched hit allegedly arranged as a suicide attempt.

Judge Clifton Newman says the drug use has already been brought up by yesterdays testimony regarding rehab.

The defence objects to the introduction of the side of the road incident, saying Mr Wilson is not the person to testify about those events.

Watch the trial LIVE

15:58 , Oliver O'Connell

Want to watch todays testimony live?

The Independents live stream can be found here on our YouTube page:

15:53 , Oliver O'Connell

In the aftermath of the murders, Mr Wilson talks about being there for Mr Murdaugh and being concerned that he may try and take his life.

He says the shock of what happened has not gone away.

In July the issue of the Mack Trucks case money was brought back up by Mr Murdaugh.

See previous posts for the details or check out our original reporting:

Alex Murdaughs friend breaks down describing murder suspects financial crimes

15:47 , Oliver O'Connell

An emotional Mr Wilson recalls the moment he heard the news of the murders.

He had gone to bed and his wife woke him to tell him having heard from a friend. It was after 11pm and he set off for Moselle Road, arriving around 1am.

15:44 , Oliver O'Connell

In new evidence that was not revealed during Mr Wilsons in-camera testimony, we learn that he was in contact by text and phone on the night of 7 June (the night of the murders) between the hours of 9pm and 10pm.

According to screenshots provided by Mr Wilson, Mr Murdaugh and he spoke twice during that hour as he arrived at his mothers house and before he arrived back home at Moselle Road.

Alex called Wilson at 9:11pm, Wilson told him he was fixing pool pump & would call him back. He said #AlexMurdaugh seemed normal. (records show Alex was driving to his mom's at this point.) He called Alex back at 9:20, Alex said he was just getting to his mom's 2/2 pic.twitter.com/053BiS273E  Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) February 9, 2023

9:52pm - #AlexMurdaugh texted Chris Wilson asking if he was still up. "Call me if you up". Chris called Alex back, first time Alex didn't answer. Called him right back at 9:53pm. Alex answered they had a conversation about Alex's mom. pic.twitter.com/H5la8jowv5  Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) February 9, 2023

15:30 , Oliver O'Connell

However, in July 2021  one month on from the murders  Mr Wilson said that his friend got in touch saying he had been unable to structure the fees as planned and needed to pay the money back and have it paid directly to PMPED.

At that time, PMPED had discovered that the $792,000 was missing and had asked Mr Murdaugh about it.

Mr Murdaugh only had $600,000 to pay it back, with Mr Wilson saying that he covered the additional $192,000, on the basis that Mr Murdaugh would pay him back.

One month later, he said he still hadnt received the money but did not want to push the issue because he was worried about his friend.

I didnt want to push him, he said.

Mr Wilson became emotional as he said he grew increasingly concerned that Mr Murdaugh might kill himself.

I was concerned just like everybody else, everyone in his firm, everyone in his family, that he was going to do something to himself. That he was going to kill himself, he said.

He had Mr Murdaugh sign a handwritten note pledging to pay him the money back so that he would be able to make a claim against his estate if he died.

On 3 September 2021  three months on from the murders  Mr Wilson said he finally learned his friend had been scamming him and many other people.

15:18 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Wilson is recounting the final Mack Trucks case that led to the discovery of Mr Murdaughs fraud.

The two men had a close professional relationship, with Mr Wilson telling the court about one particular personal injury case they worked on together in January 2021.

In total, the clients won $5.5m from two verdicts in the case, with Mr Murdaughs firm making a $792,000 cut.

Mr Wilson testified how his friend asked him to make the $792,000 check payable directly to him instead of PMPED so that he could structure them through an annuity.

Mr Murdaugh told him that his law firm had already agreed to this happening, he said.

Because he trusted his friend, Mr Wilson testified that it didnt raise any suspicions.

It was different, but it didnt raise any red flags or suspicions that something was going on, he said.

New Witness: Chris Wilson, Murdaughs friend and business associate

14:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Chris Wilson returns to the stand as one of the prosecutions financial crimes witnesses. We have heard his testimony before as part of the in-camera proceedings but this is his first time in front of the jury.

Mr Wilson was intricately involved in the fraud case perpetuated by Mr Murdaugh that was uncovered by his firm ahead of the murders leading to the revelation of the full extent of his crimes.

The two were best friends and had known each other since high school, before becoming friends during law school.

Heres Rachel Sharps reporting on Mr Wilsons original testimony.

Alex Murdaughs friend breaks down describing murder suspects financial crimes

14:41 , Oliver O'Connell

We learn that only one phone was connected to the SUV via Bluetooth in June 2021.

It appears to be Alex Murdaughs phone.

No location data was captured during the data retrieval process.

No further questions from the defence or state.

14:37 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Falkofske reveals the work analysing the Chevrolet Suburban took one year and some of it can now be used on other cases.

The manufacturer was not approached for help, but in the past they have not been helpful.

Mr Falkofske said in this type of work they often find data that the manufacturer did not know was there.

Court resumes

14:33 , Oliver O'Connell

Court resumes with FBI electronics analysis specialist Dwight Falkofske back on the stand for cross-examination by the defence team.

The jury is being brought back into the courtroom.

What to expect in court on Thursday:

14:20 , Rachel Sharp

Alex Murdaughs murder trial will resume at 9.30am ET in Colleton County Courthouse.

First up will be the cross-examination of Dwight Falkofske, an FBI electronic analysis specialist.

Mr Falkofske gave direct testimony on Wednesday afternoon about data that was extracted from Alex Murdaughs 2021 Suburban SUV.

The data offered jurors a potential timeline for Mr Murdaughs movements on the night of 7 June 2021  when Maggie and Paul were shot dead.

It indicates the suspect only stayed at his parents home for around 20 minutes  and not the 30 to 40 minutes he asked his mothers carer to tell authorities.

RECAP Day 13: Car data offers timeline for night of murders

14:10 , Rachel Sharp

After testimony resumed after the bomb threat, jurors heard from FBI electronics engineer Dwight Falkofske who testified about his examination of data recovered from Mr Murdaughs SUV.

The data offered jurors a potential timeline for Murdaughs movements on the night of 7 June 2021  when Maggie and Paul were shot dead.

The data indicates that Mr Murdaugh did leave his property and drove to his parents home at around 9pm.

However, it also indicates the suspect only stayed at his parents home for around 21 minutes  and not the 30 to 40 minutes he asked his mothers carer to tell authorities.

RECAP Day 13: Bomb threat prompts emergency evacuation at court

13:50 , Rachel Sharp

Mr Murdaughs high-profile murder trial was dramatically evacuated over a bomb threat received at the courthouse.

The bomb threat came in to staff at Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, South Carolina, just before 12.30pm ET on Wednesday, prompting a sudden evacuation of the entire building.

SLED released a statement confirming that the threat was under investigation.

A bomb threat was received by Colleton County courthouse personnel. The building has been evacuated and SLED along with the Colleton County Sheriffs Office are investigating the threat, the statement read.

No additional information is available from SLED at this time.

By 2.30pm the threat was marked all-clear and testimony resumed at around 3.10pm.

Read the full story here:

Alex Murdaugh murder trial suddenly evacuated due to bomb threat

RECAP Day 13: Murdaughs rehab text revealed in court

13:30 , Rachel Sharp

Jurors also heard more details about Mr Murdaughs alleged financial crimes.

Separate to the murders, Mr Murdaugh is currently facing around 100 charges for stealing almost $8.5m from law firm clients dating back to 2011.

Annette Griswold, who worked as a paralegal at Mr Murdaughs former law firm PMPED, outlined how she learned that he had been stealing the money from the firm.

After his scheme had been uncovered and he was ousted from PMPED, Mr Murdaugh checked into rehab.

Ms Griswold testified that she received a text from Mr Murdaugh in late September 2021 apologising for what he had done. He also sent the text to another colleague.

Hey, its Alex. Im finally feeling a little bit better each day, the text message said.

Im over the worst but still feel like i have the flu. Real weak. Im have been worried about yall and Im sorry I didnt get to tell yall myself. I know both of you have been hurt badly by me. I know it sounds hollow, but I am truly sorry.

The better I get, the more guilt I have. I have an awful lot to try to make right when I get out of here. The worst part is knowing I did the most damage to those I love the most. Im not sure how I let myself get where I did. I am committed to getting better and hope to mend as many relationships as I can.

You both are special people and important to me. Please know how sorry I am to have made you part of my misdeeds. I hope you are doing as well as possible. I love you very much.

Michael Gunn, principal of Forge Consulting, also testified hwo Mr Murdaugh set up a fake account called Forge and impersonated his company so that he could steal money from law firm clients.

RECAP Day 13: Gunshot residue particles on blue raincoat

13:10 , Rachel Sharp

Day 13 of the trial began with more testimony about the significant amount of gunshot residue discovered on a blue raincoat Alex Murdaugh allegedly hid in his parents home after the murders.

At least 38 particles were found inside the coat  an amount that fits with the prosecutions claim he used the garment to hide and move one or both of the guns used in the murders. Another 14 were found on the outside, with 52 in total on the item.

SLED forensic scientist Megan Fletcher confirmed that this is consistent with a recently fired firearm being placed inside the rainjacket.

A smaller amount of gunshot residue particles were also found on Mr Murdaughs hands, t shirt and shorts and the seatbelt buckle on his car.

Under cross-examination, Agent Fletcher confirmed that it is not possible to determine how or when the gunshot residue was deposited on the item, with the defence seeking to suggest it could have even been there years.

Does data from the SUV help establish a timeline of the night of the murders?

12:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Dwight Falkofske is the FBI electronic analysis specialist who extracted data from Alex Murdaughs 2021 Suburban SUV.

The data shows the times the infotainment system would start up or go off and when the vehicle would go in and out of Park mode.

A rough timeline of the events based on evidence heard so far in the trial would run as follows:

At 9.06pm Murdaugh departs Moselle Road for his parents house.

He arrives at 9.22pm.

Murdaugh stays for 21 minutes (as Shelly Smith testified  though he asked her to say he stayed almost double that time).

At 9.43pm/9.44pm the vehicle goes out-in-out of Park mode and Murdaugh departs his parents home for Moselle Road.

He arrives at the house at 10pm. The car then goes out and into Park mode twice for a few seconds.

At 10.04pm the vehicle comes out of Park mode as he drives from the house to the kennels having not found Maggie and Paul at home. This takes approximately a minute.

We know at 10.06pm he called 911 after discovering the bodies of his wife and son and allegedly checking their pulses and trying to turn Paul over in the preceding minute.

At 10.11 he drives back to the house to get his shotgun over the course of a minute while still on the 911 call. It takes a minute to get the weapon. He then drives back down to the kennels where the first responding police officers would find him minutes later.

As many people have commented on Twitter, its all fine and well for the prosecution to produce all of this data, but as yet they have not put it all in context for the jury or stitched together a timeline as above to illustrate how they believe the night played out.

The jury could well be confused at this point.

During closing arguments, the prosecution will have to work hard to piece together the SUV data, cellphone data, phone and text records, videos, and crime scene evidence  and how all this relates to the alleged financial crimes  in a coherent manner for the jury to understand what they think happened at Moselle Road that night.

Bomb threat reportedly came from South Carolina inmate

12:10 , Rachel Sharp

The bomb threat which prompted an emergency evacuation of the courthouse and derailed the trial of Alex Murdaugh reportedly came from a South Carolina prison inmate.

Multiple sources told FITS News that the hoax threat was called in from Ridgeland, South Carolina, from an unidentified incarcerated individual.

The outlet reported that the incident appears to have no connection to Mr Murdaughs trial.

The incident unfolded at around 12.30pm Wednesday when Judge Newman announced that the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, South Carolina, was being evacuated.

Officials whisked Mr Murdaugh and the jury away to secure locations and multiple law enforcement agencies descended on the scene.

At around 3pm the court was deemed secure and testimony resumed.

Multiple sources familiar with the situation telling us yesterday's bomb threat at the Colleton County courthouse was called in from Ridgeland, S.C. Initial reports point to the call emanating from an incarcerated individual. Apparently nothing to do with #MurdaughTrial pic.twitter.com/MXu824GNG9  FITSNews  (@fitsnews) February 9, 2023

Fidgety Murdaugh visited mom on night of murders

11:40 , Oliver O'Connell

A fidgety Alex Murdaugh showed up at his sick mothers house for a brief 20-minute visit on the night of his wife and sons murders  before later claiming he was there double the length of time and offering to pay towards the wedding of the caretaker who could refute his alibi.

Muschelle Shelly Smith, who had been working as a caregiver to Mr Murdaughs mother Libby from October 2019, gave emotional and at-times damning testimony in Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, South Carolina, on Monday.

Rachel Sharp has the story.

Alex Murdaugh was fidgety when he visited sick mothers home on night of murders

Profile: Alex Murdaugh

09:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Who is the man at centre of a legal hurricane involving the murders of his wife and son, more than 100 criminal charges over white-collar fraud, and a botched hitman job?

Who is Alex Murdaugh? The legal scion on trial for the murders of his wife and son

By time of murders, fuse was lit to expose Murdaughs financial crimes, attorney says

07:40 , Oliver O'Connell

The fuse had been lit to expose Alex Murdaughs slew of alleged financial crimes at the time of his wife and sons murders  but his problems would likely be over if the family was the victim of an unspeakable tragedy, according to dramatic courtroom testimony at his trial.

Attorney Mark Tinsley took the witness stand at Colleton County Courthouse in South Carolina on Monday morning to testify about the lawsuit he brought against Mr Murdaugh on behalf of the family of Mallory Beach.

Beach, 19, died in a February 2019 crash in the Murdaugh family boat.

Read on:

Boat crash attorney speaks on Alex Murdaughs financial crimes

Gunshot residue found all over blue raincoat Murdaugh allegedly hid in parents home

05:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Gunshot residue was found all over the mystery blue raincoat that Alex Murdaugh allegedly hid in his parents home in the days after his wife and son were shot dead, according to bombshell courtroom testimony.

SLED forensic scientist Megan Fletcher testified in Colleton County Courthouse in South Carolina that at least 38 gunshot residue (GSR) particles were found on the inside of the jacket which was seized from Mr Murdaughs parents home.

Rachel Sharp reports.

Gunshot residue found all over blue raincoat in Alex Murdaugh case

All the key revelations from the Alex Murdaugh murder trial so far...

03:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Its a dramatic saga that now includes murder, a botched hitman plot, multi-million-dollar fraud schemes and a series of unexplained deaths.

The now-disbarred attorney denies the allegations and has pleaded not guilty.

Mr Murdaughs trial got underway at Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro on 23 January.

Here are the key revelations from the trial so far:

Confession, bloody scene and clean shirt: Key moments from Alex Murdaugh trial

Does data from the SUV help establish a timeline of the night of the murders?

02:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Dwight Falkofske is the FBI electronic analysis specialist who extracted data from Alex Murdaughs 2021 Suburban SUV.

The data shows the times the infotainment system would start up or go off and when the vehicle would go in and out of Park mode.

A rough timeline of the events based on evidence heard so far in the trial would run as follows:

At 9.06pm Murdaugh departs Moselle Road for his parents house.

He arrives at 9.22pm.

Murdaugh stays for 21 minutes (as Shelly Smith testified  though he asked her to say he stayed almost double that time).

At 9.43pm/9.44pm the vehicle goes out-in-out of Park mode and Murdaugh departs his parents home for Moselle Road.

He arrives at the house at 10pm. The car then goes out and into Park mode twice for a few seconds.

At 10.04pm the vehicle comes out of Park mode as he drives from the house to the kennels having not found Maggie and Paul at home. This takes approximately a minute.

We know at 10.06pm he called 911 after discovering the bodies of his wife and son and allegedly checking their pulses and trying to turn Paul over in the preceding minute.

At 10.11 he drives back to the house to get his shotgun over the course of a minute while still on the 911 call. It takes a minute to get the weapon. He then drives back down to the kennels where the first responding police officers would find him minutes later.

As many people have commented on Twitter, its all fine and well for the prosecution to produce all of this data, but as yet they have not put it all in context for the jury or stitched together a timeline as above to illustrate how they believe the night played out.

The jury could well be confused at this point.

During closing arguments, the prosecution will have to work hard to piece together the SUV data, cellphone data, phone and text records, videos, and crime scene evidence  and how all this relates to the alleged financial crimes  in a coherent manner for the jury to understand what they think happened at Moselle Road that night.

The full story of Alex Murdaughs spectacular fall from grace

01:40 , Oliver O'Connell

On the surface, Alex Murdaugh had it all.

He was a high-powered attorney who ran both his own law firm and worked in the local prosecutors office.

He was the son of a powerful legal dynasty that dominated the local South Carolina community for almost a century.

And he was a family man who lived with his wife and two adult sons on their sprawling country estate.

But over the last 19 months, Mr Murdaugh has experienced a spectacular fall from grace, culminating in what has been described as the trial of the century now taking place in a courtroom in Walterboro, South Carolina.

Alex Murdaugh trial: Story of the legal scions spectacular fall from grace

Watch: The moment the court was evacuated

00:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Full Story: Murdaugh murder trial suddenly evacuated due to bomb threat

Wednesday 8 February 2023 23:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Alex Murdaughs high-profile murder trial was dramatically evacuated over a bomb threat received at the courthouse.

The bomb threat came in to staff at Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, South Carolina, just before 12.30pm ET on Wednesday, prompting a sudden evacuation of the entire building.

SLED released a statement confirming that the threat was under investigation.

Rachel Sharp reports on the dramatic turn of events.

Alex Murdaugh murder trial suddenly evacuated due to bomb threat

Paralegal angered by Murdaugh theft, knew he loved family

Wednesday 8 February 2023 22:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Alex Murdaughs paralegal testified Wednesday at his double murder trial about the betrayal she felt when she discovered he lied and manipulated to steal millions of dollars from clients.

But Annette Griswold also told jurors Murdaugh was a dedicated family man so distraught after his wife and son were killed he could no longer stay at the home where the killings took place and texted a lengthy apology for his misdeeds to his paralegals while in rehab.

Read on:

Paralegal angry by Alex Murdaugh theft, knew he loved family

Court adjourns for the day

Wednesday 8 February 2023 21:39 , Oliver O'Connell

After a day of gunshot residue, financial misdeeds, car data and a bomb scare, Judge Newman calls time on proceedings.

The court is in recess until 9.30am on Thursday at which point cross-examination of Mr Falkofske will continue.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 21:37 , Oliver O'Connell

Lots of people are commenting on Twitter that its all fine and well for the prosecution to produce all of this data, but as yet they have not put it all in context for the jury or stitched together a timeline as below to illustrate how they believe the night played out.

The jury could well be confused at this point.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 21:34 , Oliver O'Connell

Cathy Russon of Law & Crime has also compiled a timeline crossreferencing the data from Alex Murdaughs SUV with Maggie Murdaughs cellphone.

SUV log compared to Maggie's phone log:

9:03:44 SUV door opens.

9:04:23 missed called from Alex to Maggie.

9:06:12 orientation change on Maggie's phone.

9:06:14 missed call from Alex to Maggie

9:06:49 SUV starts.

9:06:50 SUV taken out of park

9:06:51 missed call Alex to Maggie  Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) February 8, 2023

Heres the rest of the timeline:

9:43:05 SUV leaves off of park

9:45:32 Missed call from Alex to Maggie

9:47:23 Alex text to Maggie "Call me babe"

9:53:59 SUV put into park  Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) February 8, 2023

Wednesday 8 February 2023 21:23 , Oliver O'Connell

In cross-examination, Mr Falkofske clarifies the data he extracted was encrypted by the manufacturer and not the defendant.

He did not reach out to General Motors for help with the encryption, saying that manufacturers usually dont help.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 21:17 , Oliver O'Connell

A rough outline of the timeline appears to be:

At 9.06pm Murdaugh departs Moselle Road for his parents house.

He arrives at 9.22pm.

Murdaugh stays for 21 minutes (as Shelly Smith testified  though he asked her to say he stay almost double that time).

At 9.43pm/9.44pm the vehicle goes out-in-out of Park mode and Murdaugh departs his parents home for Moselle Road.

He arrives at the house at 10pm. The car then goes out and into Park mode twice for a few seconds.

At 10.04pm the vehicle comes out of Park mode as he drives from the house to the kennels having not found Maggie and Paul at home. This takes approximately a minute.

We know at 10.06pm he called 911 after discovering the bodies of his wife and son and allegedly checking their pulses and trying to turn Paul over in the preceding minute.

At 10.11 he drives back to the house to get his shotgun over the course of a minute while still on the 911 call. It takes a minute to get the weapon. He then drives back down to the kennels where the first responding police officers would find him minutes later.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 21:09 , Oliver O'Connell

10.04.49pm out of Park mode.

10.05.55pm back into Park mode after approximately one minute.

10.11.45pm out of Park mode.

10.12.45pm back into Park mode.

At 10.13.39pm it goes out of Park mode, there is no corresponding data point showing the car going back into Park mode.

While the data cannot tell you who was in the car or whether it was in motion, the prosecution has built a timeline based on whether the car is in Park mode or not. That timeline appears to match with a version of events from the night of the murders.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 21:04 , Oliver O'Connell

At 9.44pm the vehicle goes back out of Park mode and then goes back into Park mode at 10pm.

A gap of approximately 16 minutes.

There is another pair of events a moment later with the vehicle going in and out of Park mode over 12 seconds around 10.01pm.

Seconds later there is another pair of events in which the vehicle is out of Park mode for 13 seconds.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 21:00 , Oliver O'Connell

At 9.43.05pm the vehicle goes out of Park mode again.

At 9.43.59pm it goes back into Park mode.

Just under a minute had elapsed.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 20:59 , Oliver O'Connell

The data shows that at 9.04pm on 7 June 2021 the system began starting up again.

There are more data points at 9.05.56pm continuing for approximately one minute. The cars engine is now running.

The vehicle is taken out of Park mode at 9.06.56pm.

The vehicle went back into Park mode at 9.22.45pm.

It could have been moving between these two timestamps, but there is no direct evidence from the data for that.

There is a 16-minute gap between these two events.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 20:51 , Oliver O'Connell

There are records showing the infotainment system coming on  this can happen when the door is opened or if the car is turned on. Records also show when it powers down.

Other data shows the car shifting out of Park mode.

The prosecution is walking the witness through the spreadsheet he created from the data.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 20:44 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Falkofske testifies he pulled data from another 2021 model Suburban as a test to determine how to read the extracted data from Mr Murdaughs vehicle.

In looking at the data from the defendants car, he first testifies that two calls were logged at 10.06pm on 7 June 2021 one to 9111 and a second a few seconds later to 911.

This corresponds to the timing of the 911 call made by Mr Murdaugh.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 20:33 , Oliver O'Connell

He extracted data from Mr Murdaughs SUV.

This included call logs, contact lists, a little bit of location data, and other data via Bluetooth connectivity with the defendants phone.

It also included an event log for the vehicle ranging from windows going up and down, doors opening, and the screen going on, to the car changing gears or going into park mode.

New Witness: Dwight Falkofske

Wednesday 8 February 2023 20:19 , Oliver O'Connell

The next witness is the FBI electronic analysis specialist Dwight Falkofske.

He focuses on automotive systems and extracts data from those systems and makes it readable for the purposes of investigations.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 20:16 , Oliver O'Connell

After identifying the two pieces of equipment removed from the vehicle, Mr Hudak steps down.

Court resumes

Wednesday 8 February 2023 20:10 , Oliver O'Connell

After the bomb scare and extended lunch recess, the court is back in session and the jury is brought in.

Brian Hudak, a computer crimes special agent for SLED, is back on the stand.

He examined the infotainment module and OnStar module of Mr Murdaughs SUV.

Forge Consulting preparing to take legal action against Murdaugh and Bank of America

Wednesday 8 February 2023 19:45 , Oliver O'Connell

As we wait for court to resume, a statement has been issued by Michael Gunn, the principal and senior settlement consultant for Forge Consulting, who testified before the jury earlier today.

Forge Consulting has been in business for over 20 years building our reputation on professionalism, experience and integrity. Weve built our business on the truth and thats exactly why were here today: to tell the truth.I dont know what happened that horrible night in Islandton when Maggie and Paul Murdaugh were murdered. But I do know that Alex Murdaugh used our good name to defraud his clients, his law firm and countless others. I know that Bank of America could have stopped it all there with a single phone call to verify the truth. Unfortunately, that call was never made. I wonder how much tragedy could have been avoided if it was.

Michael Gunn, Forge Consulting LLC

Further, attorneys for Forge Consulting have said that theyre preparing to take legal action in response to the serious harm Alex Murdaugh and Bank of America have done to the financial firms business reputation and credibility due to Murdaughs and Bank of Americas participation in a scheme that allowed Murdaugh to use the Forge brand in order to defraud millions of dollars from his clients and colleagues.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 19:38 , Oliver O'Connell

The general public is lining up to reenter the courthouse.

And general public now lining up to get back into court. It was like a st Patricks day land rush or running to be first in line for tickets to an amusement park. Wild to see. @wsav pic.twitter.com/mpP9wcY04t  Andrew Davis (@WSAVAndrewD) February 8, 2023

Security allowing people back into the courthouse

Wednesday 8 February 2023 19:34 , Oliver O'Connell

The threat has been cleared and people are now being allowed back into the courthouse.

Security is letting everyone back inside the courthouse now - threat has been cleared #breaking #AlexMurdaughTrial @CourtTV https://t.co/mhcZKbVCbC  Chanley Sha Painter (@ChanleyCourtTV) February 8, 2023

Full story: Murdaugh murder trial suddenly evacuated due to bomb threat

Wednesday 8 February 2023 19:28 , Oliver O'Connell

Alex Murdaughs high-profile murder trial has been dramatically evacuated after a bomb threat was reported at the courthouse.

The bomb threat came in to staff at Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, South Carolina, just before 12.30pm ET on Wednesday, prompting a sudden evacuation of the entire building.

SLED released a statement confirming that the threat was under investigation.

Rachel Sharp reports on todays dramatic developments.

Alex Murdaugh murder trial suddenly evacuated due to bomb threat

Update: Bomb squad called in, report says

Wednesday 8 February 2023 18:55 , Oliver O'Connell

Bomb threat update. More than an hour since evacuation. Hearing bomb squad was called in. They are coming from Summerville which is an hour away. Court was supposed to start back at 2:30 but building isnt cleared yet. @WSAV pic.twitter.com/Kw9ONr2jAt  Andrew Davis (@WSAVAndrewD) February 8, 2023

Wednesday 8 February 2023 18:29 , Oliver O'Connell

Colleton County Sheriffs Office urges citizens to use an alternate route of travel and will update traffic conditions as needed.

Statement from Colleton County Sheriff's Office after bomb threat during Murdaugh Trial:



"The Colleton Sheriff's Office urges citizens to use an alternate route of travel and will update traffic conditions as needed."  Mandy Matney (@MandyMatney) February 8, 2023

Reporters on the ground say there is currently no sign of canine units of the bomb squad, and traffic is moving freely not too far from the building.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 18:21 , Oliver O'Connell

Scenes from outside the courthouse after the area was cleared.

Scenes outside the Colleton County courthouse, just cleared for a bomb threat during the Murdaugh trial: Attorney General Alan Wilson walking to his car to drive away, TV sets left empty, and traffic blocked near the area where Alex Murdaugh comes and goes each day. pic.twitter.com/pIMeMGcQcJ  Thad Moore (@thadmoore) February 8, 2023

Wednesday 8 February 2023 18:11 , Oliver O'Connell

Jurors were evacuated in vans according to a report from ABC News.

@TaraJabour just informed us the jurors were taken out the back of the courthouse and put into vans. #AlexMurdaugh #MurdaughTrial #chsnews  Katy Solt (@katysolt) February 8, 2023

Wednesday 8 February 2023 18:09 , Oliver O'Connell

A reporter for The Post and Courier saw the van that Alex Murdaugh usually arrives in leave the area.

He was not able to see if Mr Murdaugh was inside.

SLED releases statement on bomb threat

Wednesday 8 February 2023 18:04 , Oliver O'Connell

A bomb threat was received by Colleton County courthouse personnel. The building has been evacuated and SLED along with the Colleton County Sheriffs Office are investigating the threat.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 17:47 , Oliver O'Connell

Initially Judge Newman said court would resume at 2:30. This of course now depends on if law enforcement declares the area safe #MurdaughTrial #chsnews #AlexMurdaugh  Katy Solt (@katysolt) February 8, 2023

Wednesday 8 February 2023 17:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Security rushed media away from the property and a fire truck has pulled up, according to reports from the scene.

Two reporters have had the reason for the evacuation confirmed as a bomb threat by lawyers on the Murdaugh case.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 17:35 , Oliver O'Connell

There are multiple unconfirmed reports of a bomb threat being made to the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, South Carolina.

The courthouse has been evacuated.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 17:32 , Oliver O'Connell

Waiting to hear the reason for the evacuation.

The Colleton county courthouse is being evacuated per Judge Newman. @ABCNews4 pic.twitter.com/1vWkWVbjs2  Tara Jabour (@TaraJabour) February 8, 2023

Wednesday 8 February 2023 17:26 , Oliver O'Connell

The purpose of this recess becomes apparent.

Judge Newman says: We have to evacuate the building at this time. Well be in recess until we discover whats going on. Well couple this with a lunch break until 2:30.

New Witness: Brian Hudak, SLED computer crimes special agent

Wednesday 8 February 2023 17:25 , Oliver O'Connell

The next witness for the prosecution is Brian Hudak, a computer crimes special agent for SLED.

As he introduces himself, Judge Newman excuses the jury for a recess.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 17:23 , Oliver O'Connell

On cross-examination, Mr Griffin again focuses on the Murdaughs as a close family and that Mr Gunn and his wife had been friends with them.

The Murdaughs had attended the Gunns wedding in New York in 2016 and he recalls Paul and Buster being brought to family events connected to legal conferences they would attend.

Mr Gunn attended Paul and Maggies funerals and described Mr Mursdaugh as a broken man.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 17:19 , Oliver O'Connell

As in his earlier testimony, Mr Gunn explains he had not banked with Bank of America for more than four or five years when Mr Murdaughs partners approached him with evidence of the crimes  chiefly the Bank of America accounts in the name of Forge.

He confirms that the account is not his and he never gave Mr Murdaugh permission to operate in the name of Forge.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 17:11 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Gunn is asked about how much he worked with Mr Murdaugh, how often they saw each other socially, and whether he had ever visited any of the properties or met up with the purpose of handing over checks.

He says the relationship with Mr Murdaugh was limited and he had worked more with other people at the firm. He had run into him socially but had not visited any of the properties and had never met him with the purpose of exchanging checks.

Ms Griswald testified that Mr Murdaugh had told her he would personally hand checks to Mr Gunn.

New Witness: Michael Gunn, principal of Forge Consulting

Wednesday 8 February 2023 17:00 , Oliver O'Connell

The next witness is Michael Gunn, principal of Forge Consulting. He is a senior figure in the firm Mr Murdaugh impersonated using a fake bank account to steal from his own clients.

Mr Gunn previously testified without the jury present.

The firm structures annuities for people who win settlements from workers comp lawsuits, wrongful deaths, etc.

Mr Murdaugh would argue cases for clients who if they won would then have an annuity put in place to pay them over time, with interest, in a tax efficient way.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 16:56 , Oliver O'Connell

After a brief redirect establishing the timeline of when Mr Murdaugh was fired, Ms Griswald is excused.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 16:55 , Oliver O'Connell

Ms Griswald reads out the message she received from Mr Murdaugh in late September 2021.

She confirms the message was sent from rehab.

I assumed it was probably one of the steps of reaching out to those you hurt and telling them you were sorry.

In the message, he says he has hurt those he loves and says he is truly sorry.

I am committing to getting better and hope to mend as many relationships as I can, he wrote.

Please know how sorry I am to have made you part of my misdeeds.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 16:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Griffins questioning revolves around establishing that Mr Murdaugh was a family man who would put Paul, Buster, and Maggie first.

His wife would accompany him on business trips and he would prioritise his sons events over work.

We learn that he never spent another night at the Moselle Road property after the murders and stayed with family or at other properties. He seemed more mellow after the killings.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 16:41 , Oliver O'Connell

Cross-examination begins with Jim Griffin for the defence.

He begins by asking Ms Griswald about her employment at the law firm and then her relationship with Mr Murdaugh.

I cared about him. I respected him. I loved him, she says.

It was hard to work for him sometimes. He was a bit erratic. Yeah, for all the respect and love I had for him, it was still very difficult to work for him.

Mr Griffin reminds her she described him like a Tasmanian devil.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 16:36 , Oliver O'Connell

Mr Waters asks Ms Griswald about Mr Murdaughs cell phone use. As with other witnesses she says he was always on his phone or his office phone, sometimes both together.

The prosecution plays the kennel video of Cash the puppy taken by Paul moments before the murders.

Ms Griswald identifies the voices of Paul, Maggie and Alex Murdaugh, and like other witnesses who knew the family well, says she is 100 per cent sure of who is speaking.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 16:33 , Oliver O'Connell

Court resumes.

Judge Newman rules the email from Mr Murdaugh to Ms Griswald is admissible but offers for a portion to be redacted.

The defence team tries to have all of the financial crimes struck from the court records. Judge Newman denies that motion.

He asks again if they would like to have the document redacted. The defence asks for a limiting instruction on how the jury may use it in their deliberating.

Judge Newman says he has issued that instruction twice and will not be doing so with every witness in the middle of their testimony.

The jury is brought back in and the exhibit is admitted into evidence.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 16:06 , Oliver O'Connell

Court takes a 15-minute break.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 16:06 , Oliver O'Connell

The jury is excused while the prosecution and defence argue over whether an email from Mr Murdaugh to Ms Griswald can be admitted into evidence.

The subject of the email concerns his time in rehab.

Mr Murdaughs defence does not want his use of drugs to be included in testimony.

The prosecution notes that there is no mention of drugs in the email, but this is an issue they have to address as his friend Chris Wilson will be called to testify again in front of the jury, and in camera testimony he spoke of Mr Murdaughs use of opioids.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 15:57 , Oliver O'Connell

On 2 September 2021 she picked up a file and one of the missing checks from the Mack Trucks case fell out. It was dated March and it had been deposited by mobile deposit with Mr Murdaughs signature on the back.

Ms Griswald says she felt hurt, angry, and a bit enraged.

Hes been lying this whole time. He had these funds. He lied to me. That feeling in the back of my mind was correct. He did take these funds.

She called Ms Seckinger and went to see her and handed over the check that allegedly did not exist.

Mr Murdaugh was fired the next day. Further investigation uncovered the extent of Mr Murdaughs crimes.

Griswold said she went to Jeannie Seckinger's office and showed her the check. Jeannie told her she thinks there are more stolen funds. #AlexMurdaugh.  Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) February 8, 2023

Wednesday 8 February 2023 15:52 , Oliver O'Connell

After the murders, Ms Griswald remembers the law firm and wider community rallying around the Murdaugh family.

Questions about the missing attorney fees for the Mack Trucks case stopped.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 15:48 , Oliver O'Connell

Ms Griswald remembers being very concerned about what might happen now that she had raised concerns about what Mr Murdaugh might be doing.

She reached out to Mr Wilsons paralegal Vicky Lyman to voice her concerns.

Ms Griswald says her daughter told her to get her resume ready because she might get fired for her role in uncovering the apparent theft.

She remembers Ms Seckinger coming into the office and going to see Mr Murdaugh on 7 June 2021, the day of the murders. She exited without saying anything.

Ms Griswald went home at 5.15pm leaving Mr Murdaugh at the office. She woke up in the middle of the night to numerous texts and missed calls and spoke with Randy Murdaugh, learning about the murders of Paul and Maggie.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 15:40 , Oliver O'Connell

In early 2021, the Mack Trucks case that Mr Murdaugh worked on with his friend Chris Wilson raised further red flags.

Ms Griswold says she was shocked to find out that legal fees had been directly paid to Mr Murdaugh. She assumed this was a mistake or he had lost the checks.

He claimed that he never got the checks and after a lot of chasing Mr Murdaugh said Mr Wilson has the money. This was the missing $792k that sparked the eventual uncovering of the extent of Mr Murdaughs theft.

Ms Griswold brought in CFO Jeanne Seckinger (who testified yesterday) and they both agreed that it did not look good but hoped it was some kind of misunderstanding. She says they both had a feeling that something was wrong.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 15:27 , Oliver O'Connell

Ms Griswold testifies that she began to notice oddities in the files tied to times when she was away from the office and someone else had to cover for her, or when things were being rushed through at the end of the working day.

Waters: Was the defendant using the opportunity of you being out of the office to push these things through?



Griswold: Yes. He would do it a few minutes before 5 p.m. on Fridays when it was less likely people would pay attention and ask questions.  Avery G. Wilks (@AveryGWilks) February 8, 2023

Wednesday 8 February 2023 15:21 , Oliver O'Connell

As the court heard earlier, Mr Murdaugh was depositing these checks  money due to clients  into his fake Forge account at Bank of America.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 15:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Getting into the details of the financial crimes, Ms Griswold recalls Mr Murdaugh instructing her to change disbursement sheets and get checks cut to Forge and not Forge Consulting.

She also remembers that Mr Murdaugh would then take charge of those checks personally and say he would pass them on himself rather than them being mailed to their contact at Forge Consulting, Michael Gunn.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 15:13 , Oliver O'Connell

Ms Griswold recalls that everything changed after the boat accident. Mr Murdaugh changed, was often shut away in his office, was hard to reach, and treated his paralegals differently.

She describes it as very tense.

You could tell the boat crash was weighing heavily on him. It was consuming his life, almost.

New Witness: Annette Griswold, paralegal for Alex Murdaugh

Wednesday 8 February 2023 15:09 , Oliver O'Connell

The next witness is Mr Murdaughs former paralegal Annette Griswold.

She is being questioned by Prosecutor Creighton Waters.

Ms Griswold handled Mr Murdaughs larger case files  workers comp, medical malpractice, wrongful death etc.

She speaks fondly of working for Mr Murdaugh saying he was extremely intelligent and she respected and admired him for that.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 15:05 , Oliver O'Connell

Agent Fletcher testifies that it is unusual for so many GSR particles to be found on the interior of a garment rather than on the exterior as people tend to wear their clothes the right way out.

It remains a matter of speculation as to how the GSR came to be on the inside of the raincoat. The prosecution appears to be hinting toward firearms being wrapped up in the garment.

There is a further quick question from Mr Griffin, clarifying that Agent Fletcher can only tell them what she saw under a microscope. She agrees.

Rain Jacket GSR: 14 particles on the outside of the rain jacket. 38 (or more) on the inside of the rain jacket.

Prosecutor asks the large amount on the inside of the jacket - is that consistent with transfer from a recently fired gun. "that's a possibility"#AlexMurdaugh pic.twitter.com/snaBAtCJf3  Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) February 8, 2023

Wednesday 8 February 2023 15:02 , Oliver O'Connell

Prosecutor John Meadors is now questioning Agent Fletcher on redirect after the end of the cross-examination.

There was some confusion during direct examination as to how many particles were found on the raincoat. There were 14 found on the outside of the garment and 38 found on the inside, though they stopped counting as there were do many. These were sampled from 13 lifts on the outside and 12 lifts on the inside.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 15:00 , Oliver O'Connell

In addition to the GSR test, the raincoat was also sent for DNA analysis. Agent Fletcher is not aware of the results of the testing.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 14:57 , Oliver O'Connell

During the search of Mr Murdaughs parents home, a blue tarp was taken into evidence in addition to the blue raincoat.

Only the raincoat was tested for GSR as it was balled up in a closet, whereas the tarp was found in a storage box above some dishes and was not.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 14:54 , Oliver O'Connell

Moving on to the blue raincoat, Agent Fletcher agrees with the possibility that the GSR could be years old.

Mr Griffin suggests that Mr Murdaughs father, Randolph, at whose house the raincoat was found could have transferred GSR to the garment from its contact with his own firearms while out shooting.

Wednesday 8 February 2023 14:49 , Oliver O'Connell

Defence attorney Jim Griffin is questioning Agent Fletcher.

Through his questioning, he confirms that gunshot residue (GSR) can remain on an inanimate surface indefinitely or until it was washed or brushed off. It is not possible to tell how or when it got there.

Asked about whether GSR accumulates on guns themselves, she says: If you touch a gun that had been fired at any point, then you have the potential to transfer it to your hands.

She agrees that the GSR found on Mr Murdaughs hands and clothes could have been from when he got the shotgun from the main house after calling 911 on the night of the murders.

Agent Fletcher is also asked about the GSR particle found on the seatbelt buckle.

I could not tell you when that particle was deposited, she says.

Watch the trial LIVE

Wednesday 8 February 2023 14:43 , Oliver O'Connell

Court resumes

Wednesday 8 February 2023 14:35 , Oliver O'Connell

Court resumes. Judge Clifton Newman presiding.

The jury is being brought in.

SLED forensic scientist Megan Fletcher will return to the witness stand for cross-examination by the defence team.

What to expect from day 13:

Wednesday 8 February 2023 14:20 , Rachel Sharp

The trial will resume at 9.30am ET on Wednesday.

SLED forensic scientist Megan Fletcher will return to the stand for cross-examination by Alex Murdaughs attorneys.

Agent Fletcher testified on Tuesday that a significant amount of gunshot residue particles were found on a blue raincoat found at Mr Murdaughs parents home  and smaller amounts on Mr Murdaughs hands, the shirt and short he was wearing on the night of Maggie and Pauls murders and his seatbelt buckle in his car.

After that, jurors are expected to hear more testimony from witnesses speaking to Mr Murdaughs financial crimes.

Catch up on yesterdays story here:

Gunshot residue found all over blue raincoat in Alex Murdaugh case

RECAP: What happened in court on Tuesday? Gunshot residue evidence

Wednesday 8 February 2023 14:10 , Rachel Sharp

Gunshot residue was found all over the mystery blue raincoat that Alex Murdaugh allegedly hid in his parents home in the days after his wife and son were shot dead, according to SLED forensic scientist Megan Fletcher.

Agent Fletcher said that a significant number of GSR particles  at least 38  were found on the inside of the jacket which was seized from Mr Murdaughs parents home. She said this would be consistent with a recently-fired gun being wrapped up inside the jacket.

The two firearms used to kill Maggie and Paul  an AR-15-style rifle and a shotgun  have never been found.

Days after the 7 June 2021 murders, Mr Murdaughs mothers caretaker said that the disgraced attorney had shown up at his parents house at around 6.30am cradling a bundled-up blue something in his hands.

Shelly Smith testified on Monday that he took the item upstairs and left it before leaving again.

In a search of the parents home, investigators discovered a blue tarp and a blue rainjacket.

Tests also found smaller amounts of gunshot residue on Mr Murdaughs hands, the shirt and short he was wearing on the night of Maggie and Pauls murders and his seatbelt buckle in his car.

Ms Fletcher told the court that the presence of gunshot residue particles on an item means one of two things: the item was in the vicinity of a gun being fired or it came into contact with something else with GSR on it. It is not possible to say which of the two scenarios took place or when it happened.

RECAP: What happened in court on Tuesday? Law firm partner says Murdaugh lied about the kennels

Wednesday 8 February 2023 13:50 , Rachel Sharp

Ronnie Crosby, Mr Murdaughs law firm partner and longtime friend, gave emotional testimony revealing that the accused killer lied to him about going to the dog kennels where his wife and son were brutally murdered.

Mr Crosby testified that Mr Murdaugh had told him personally on the night of the murders that he had never gone down to the kennels, when he rushed to the Murdaugh home on learning about the murders.

That came up in one of the conversations, and he specifically said that he did not, he testified.

Instead, Mr Murdaugh gave him the same alibi story that he gave to law enforcement  that he was napping at the family home, woke up and drove to his parents home to visit his sick mother.

Mr Crosby became the third state witness to say he is 100 per cent sure that the voice captured in a cellphone video at the kennels minutes before the murders belongs to Mr Murdaugh.

The three voices in that video are Paul, Maggie and Alex, he said.

When asked how sure he was, Mr Crosby responded: Im 100 per cent sure.

RECAP: What happened in court on Tuesday? Jury hears financial crimes for first time

Wednesday 8 February 2023 13:30 , Rachel Sharp

Jurors heard testimony for the first time about Mr Murdaughs alleged financial crimes  and how they were reaching a head at the time of the murders.

Mr Murdaughs law firm PMPED was closing in on his alleged multi-million-dollar fraud scheme with a colleague confronting him about missing payments on the morning of the killings.

His finances were also coming under intense scrutiny in a lawsuit brought by the family of Mallory Beach  a 19-year-old woman who died in a 2019 crash in the Murdaugh family boat. A hearing for the boat crash lawsuit was also scheduled for the week of the murders. It was postponed following Maggie and Pauls murders.

Now, separate from his murder trial, Mr Murdaugh is currently facing around 100 charges for stealing almost $8.5m from law firm clients dating back to 2011.

Last week, several witnesses testified without the jury present as the judge weighed whether to allow evidence of Mr Murdaughs alleged financial crimes to be presented at trial.

Prosecutors claimed that Mr Murdaughs alleged financial crimes are key to proving the motive while the defence asked the judge to throw the evidence out of the trial. On 6 February, the judge ruled in the states favour that evidence about Mr Murdaughs financial crimes is admissible in court  dealing a blow to the defence.

Jeanne Seckinger, PMPED CFO, testified that she had confronted Mr Murdaugh over a missing $792,000 payment on the morning of the murders.

When she approached Mr Murdaugh to ask him about it that morning she said he appeared disgusted with her.

Hours later, Maggie and Paul were shot dead.

Over the coming months, the law firm partners uncovered an alleged multi-million-dollar fraud scheme where he had stolen millions from their clients and pocketed it himself  reaching a head with the confrontation and resignation on 3 September.

The day after he was forced to resign, Mr Murdaugh was shot in the head in what turned out to be a botched hitman plot which he orchestrated with alleged accomplice, distant cousin and drug dealer Curtis Eddie Smith. They are now both facing charges over the plot.

WATCH: Footage that three witnesses say places Murdaugh at crime scene

Wednesday 8 February 2023 13:15 , Rachel Sharp

Three witnesses have now testified that they are 100 percent sure that the voice captured in a cellphone video minutes before Maggie and Paul were murdered belongs to Alex Murdaugh.

At the time of the murders, Mr Murdaugh claims that he was napping at the family home, woke up and drove to his parents home to visit his sick mother.

Video, which was captured on Pauls phone from 8.44.49pm to 8.45.47pm, reveals three voices off camera at the dog kennels.

Two of Pauls friends have already testified that Mr Murdaugh is the third voice.

Ronnie Crosby, who has known Mr Murdaugh for 25 years and was a law partner at his former law firm PMPED, on Tuesday testified: The three voices in that video are Paul, Maggie and Alex.

Who do you hear? Listen to the voices in the video below:

Gunshot residue found all over blue raincoat Murdaugh allegedly hid in parents home

Wednesday 8 February 2023 12:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Gunshot residue was found all over the mystery blue raincoat that Alex Murdaugh allegedly hid in his parents home in the days after his wife and son were shot dead, according to bombshell courtroom testimony.

SLED forensic scientist Megan Fletcher testified in Colleton County Courthouse in South Carolina that at least 38 gunshot residue (GSR) particles were found on the inside of the jacket which was seized from Mr Murdaughs parents home.

Agent Fletcher said that this significant number of GSR particles would be consistent with a recently-fired gun being wrapped up inside the jacket.

The two firearms used to kill Maggie and Paul  an AR-15-style rifle and a shotgun  have never been found.

Rachel Sharp reports.

Gunshot residue found all over blue raincoat in Alex Murdaugh case

A timeline of murders, financial fraud, unexplained deaths and arrest

Wednesday 8 February 2023 11:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Disgraced legal dynasty heir Alex Murdaugh is currently on trial in a South Carolina courthouse for the murders of his wife and son.

Mr Murdaugh, 54, is accused of shooting Paul, 22, twice with a shotgun and Maggie, 52, five times with a rifle on the familys sprawling hunting lodge in Islandton on 7 June 2021.

He was arrested more than a year later in July 2022 and charged with their murders.

In the 19 months since the brutal double murders propelled the Murdaughs onto national headlines, a series of other scandals, allegations and alleged crimes have also come to light.

Heres a timeline of the key moments in the case:

Alex Murdaugh: A timeline of murders, financial fraud, unexplained deaths and arrest

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
Allan Zaremberg, president and chief executive officer of the California Chamber of Commerce, at a Capitol news conference in Sacramento in 2011. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

As the leader of the California Chamber of Commerce, Allan Zaremberg was the dean of the states business community and guided the policies that affected one of the largest economies in the world for more than two decades.

In Sacramento, Zaremberg, who died Saturday at age 74, is remembered as an advocate not only for companies, but for the good of California. Known for building diverse coalitions of like-minded business interests, he often crossed party lines to reach solutions through compromise.

I think as far as biggest impact, when you have so much partisan politics and people that get really, very uptight about their issues, Allan was one of those people that just did not allow it to happen, said Robbie Hunter, the retired leader of the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California. He tried to keep the discussion at a level where he had respect for others' opinions, and brought kindness to a lot of the conversation. And that you don't really get a lot of in the tug of war at the Capitol.

In an interview shortly before he retired from the chamber in 2021, Zaremberg said working for former Gov. George Deukmejian formed the foundation of his philosophy at the state Capitol.

He described Deukmejian, whom he worked for during his time as attorney general and then as governor, as a compassionate conservative and a strong protector of elderly, blind and disabled people at a time when conservatives wanted to cut government spending.

You have to be able to help the people who cant help themselves, but that means opportunities, Zaremberg said.

Zaremberg was raised in a low-income family in the steel mining town of Beaver Falls, Penn., where he lived above a small grocery store that his father took over after his grandfather died. His mother worked in a mens clothing store.

His father lost the business when an A&P grocery store opened a block and a half away and died when Zaremberg was 17, he said.

His mother preached the importance of doing well in school. There was never any, how I put this, alternatives, said Zaremberg, who received a bachelor's in economics from Penn State University and a law degree from McGeorge School of Law.

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Facing the likelihood of being drafted, Zaremberg joined the Air Force in 1970 in his early 20s. He went to officer school and became a captain and flight navigator, refueling spy planes in a KC-135 jet air tanker in Vietnam.

When I look back, my life was defined a lot by the Air Force and what I did, he said, adding that it shaped how he perceived and responded to crisis.

Zaremberg described a mission to refuel a spy plane over South Vietnam when the plane lost an engine in North Vietnam.

And you have to make sure that you get them out of North Vietnam before you get shot down by a surface to air missile, Zaremberg said.

When you have crisis, you learn how to manage it, he said. And if somebody's life or airplanes hang in the balance, you do your job and you get it done and thats what you do. Standing up in front of a group of people, which might have been hard at one time, suddenly became a lot easier.

Zaremberg's retirement from the chamber was emblematic of a changing of the guard at the highest levels of California's most powerful political institutions. Art Pulaski, the longtime leader of the California Labor Federation, and Hunter stepped down from their posts around the same time.

Zaremberg commended Hunter at the time for believing the success of his workers is dependent on the success of the economy. The union leader said Zaremberg understood that workers needed to do well to drive the economy.

We had a lot of things in common, not that we were always on the same page, but he was a genuine person that did care about working people," Hunter said.

Despite his understated and low-key style, Cassandra Pye said Zaremberg earned the trust of the leaders of major companies headquartered in California when she served as his political director in the 1990s and early 2000s. Zaremberg was the chamber's executive vice president and head of legislative advocacy for six years before becoming CEO.

Under Zaremberg, the chamber remained influential in California even as many companies moved elsewhere and political headwinds began to shift against Republicans.

The chamber's "Job Killers," a list of legislation the organization argues will deter job growth and hurt businesses in California, became a highly effective tactic to halt measures that would increase costs for employers.

In an example of his balance, the chamber also joined Hunter's union and then-Gov. Jerry Brown to push a gas tax to fund infrastructure projects through the Democratic Legislature despite fierce opposition from oil companies and Republicans.

Asked before his retirement whether he would endorse the legislation again if he got a do-over, he stood by the chamber's decision. "There are days when I'm riding on the roads and I wonder what the hell theyre doing with the money," he joked.

The chamber remained relevant, in part, because of how Zaremberg helped it evolve to support the campaigns of pro-business Democrats. His leadership style remains a model for the chamber.

"He got frustrated with Republicans and with Democrats but he was groomed to bring all the parties to the table. He never broke that mold," Pye said. "He didnt know another way."

Pye called Zaremberg a friend, confidant and scary smart boss who championed her career and that of many other women.

Zaremberg allowed her to work from home during the summers to raise her sons, who still associate him with the pizzas he made from scratch for friends at his home in Loomis. She called him a food snob, who always wanted to share plates at restaurants.

When she launched her own communications firm, he became one of her first clients.

"He made the strategist I am today by asking me to prove my case with facts, by asking the right questions, considering all the potential outcomes and, most importantly, doing the right thing," she said. "I knew what was coming when he would say, 'OK, lets step back here'"

Lobbyist and consultant Kevin Sloat said he and Zaremberg were good friends for nearly 35 years and each other's sounding board.







"Allan would say, 'It's good to have somebody to kick it around with,'" Sloat said, adding that Zaremberg offered his advice to countless others.

Zaremberg was a huge fan of producer and actor Larry David, the kind of golfer who arrived a few minutes before the tee time and a guy who drove a stick shift as long as his health would allow, said Sloat, who worked with him in Gov. Pete Wilson's administration.

Sloat agreed with others who said that Zaremberg negotiated in good faith with the goal of reaching a compromise, but wasn't afraid to launch ballot measure fights. Even when those battles became expensive and contentious, he didn't hold any animus.

"I mean, Allan would be the first one to tell me in my fights not to take them so personal and not be so personal about it," Sloat said.

Ana Matosantos, a Democrat and advisor to Govs. Gavin Newsom, Brown and Arnold Schwarzenegger, considered Zaremberg a mentor. She got to know him through conversations about raising taxes to balance the budget, which she noted were unusual for a representative of the business community to engage in and help craft.

An advocate of good government and civic participation and education, Zaremberg was nonpartisan and pragmatic, she said. Early in her career, he never made her feel a need to justify her place in high-powered negotiations, contrary to other men of his experience and generation, nor did he go over her head to her bosses.

Matosantos said he mentored and was generous with his time because he wanted to mold more people at the Capitol "to figure out how to solve problems and figure out how to work for the common good and reflect the perspective that when democracy is healthier, when the economy is healthier, when more people have more opportunity, everyone does better.

Newsom described Zaremberg as a passionate voice for Californias business community who helped strengthen, innovate and grow the economy.

A fair and decent man to his core, Allan always strived to build relationships and trust across the board, an increasingly rare feat," Newsom said in a statement.

Zaremberg said he kept a framed picture in his office in downtown Sacramento of himself as a child and other neighborhood kids behind his family's store to make sure I remember where I came from.

Zaremberg is survived by his wife, Karen; their son, Adam; a grandson; and his sister Darlene.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Alun Wyn Jones, left, and Taulupe Faletau have been left out by Wales (Joe Giddens/PA) (PA Wire)

Wales boss Warren Gatland has left out three British and Irish Lions  Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau  from the starting line-up for Saturdays Guinness Six Nations clash with Scotland.

The trio boast 342 Wales caps and 18 Lions Test appearances between them.

Lock Jones, who failed a head injury assessment against Ireland last weekend but was ruled available for selection, and flanker Tipuric are not in the matchday 23 for Murrayfield, while number eight Faletau has to be content with a bench spot.

They represent huge selection calls by Gatland following Irelands dominant 34-10 victory in Cardiff.

Exeter lock Dafydd Jenkins replaces Jones, with his Chiefs colleague Christ Tshiunza packing down at blindside flanker in a reshaped back row that sees Leicesters Tommy Reffell taking the number seven shirt off Tipuric and Jac Morgan switching to number eight instead of Faletau.

Lock Jones was cleared to add to his world record 168 Test match appearances in Wales and Lions colours despite going off during the second half against Ireland.

But Gatland has handed 20-year-old Jenkins a first international start alongside second-row partner Adam Beard, with 21-year-old Tshiunza also making a full Test bow.

Two other changes see Scarlets prop Wyn Jones recalled instead of Gareth Thomas, while tighthead Dillon Lewis replaces Tomas Francis, with Gatland retaining the back division that started against Ireland.

Jones, who will be 38 later this year, misses out to a player 17 years his junior, but one who has already captained Exeter in the Gallagher Premiership.

Tshiunza, meanwhile, offers a ball-carrying presence and a considerable lineout option, with that critical set-piece department having proved a major problem area during the Ireland defeat.

Faletau apart, changes among the replacements include opportunities for uncapped Ospreys lock Rhys Davies, Dragons prop Leon Brown and Scarlets back Rhys Patchell.

Wales have won on six of their last seven trips to Edinburgh, but they will encounter a Scotland side fresh from defeating England at Twickenham last time out.

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Gatland said: Weve made some changes but tried to keep some continuity with the same backline.

Dafydd Jenkins comes into the second row, looking a bit to the future. Christ Tshiunza as well. We are looking at options at eight if Toby (Taulupe) Faletau picks up an injury, so Jac gets that chance.

We thought we created opportunities last week but we werent clinical enough in terms of finishing off some of those chances.

We need to start better. We gave away some stupid penalties and unforced penalties when we werent really under a lot of pressure, so that has again been an area that weve spoken about.

We have tried to focus on the positives and the things that we can address ourselves.
Former White House communications director Alyssa Farah Griffin is predicting that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wont last long in the GOP White House primary against former President Trump.

On DeSantis, I think hes so overhyped. Im just gonna be honest. I have seen Trump take out every mini version of Trump for the last five years, Griffin said during Thursdays edition of ABCs The View. Right now, the party wants someone other than Trump, they want Trump-lite, so theyre boosting and hyping DeSantis.

DeSantis has not announced any plans to seek the Republican nomination for president but is widely expected to in the coming months. Trump declared his candidacy for a second term in the White House soon after last falls midterm elections.

One recent Club For Growth Poll showed DeSantis with a lead on Trump in a potential head-to-head match-up, but Trump leads the Florida governor in a number of other top polls. A Monmouth University survey published this week found a third of Republican voters saw Trump as their top presidential pick, and another third favored DeSantis.

Griffin, who worked as a top aide to Trump during his time in the Oval Office before later becoming a vocal critic of his, said DeSantiss recent strategy largely ignoring national media and what she says is lack of experience on the national stage could hurt him if he decides to run.

I think he will implode once Trump keeps going after him and going after him, she said. How ugly this got this quickly is remarkable and really spells for a very bad two years ahead.

Trump has ratcheted up his attacks on DeSantis in recent months as speculation about the governors presidential ambitions has grown.

On Tuesday, he went after the governor on his social media app, Truth Social, reposting allegations that DeSantis was at a party with underage girls when he was a high school teacher and saying that he would not have endorsed DeSantis had he known he voted against a border security bill when he was a member of the House in 2018.

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I spend my time delivering results for the people of Florida and fighting against Joe Biden, DeSantis responded at a press conference on Wednesday. Thats how I spend my time. I dont spend my time trying to smear other Republicans.

Updated at 5:40 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
American personal protective equipment (PPE) companies are forming a lobbying group to push the U.S. away from buying Chinese-made masks, gowns and gloves.

The American Medical Manufacturers Association aims to boost domestic production of PPE to ensure that the U.S. never has another shortfall as it did at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, when China briefly restricted exports.

When theres massive supply chain disruption, you cant really count on other countries for our biosecurity, our protection, said Dan Izhaky, CEO of United Safety Technology, which set up shop in the early months of the pandemic to manufacture N95 respirators and exam gloves.

The trade association, which officially launched on Thursday, warns that American PPE manufacturers cannot compete without major policy changes.

The group has an ally in President Biden, who has prioritized bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. and bolstering the nations domestic supply chain in the event of future crises.

His administration has purchased hundreds of millions of American-made N95 respirators, a huge boon for the industry. But only a small fraction came from small and emerging manufacturers, like those in the trade association.

At the same time, most hospital systems continue to buy Chinese-made PPE, despite the shortfall at the start of the pandemic, because its far cheaper than American-made equipment, Izhaky noted.

In an effort to make domestically manufactured PPE more affordable, the association will push for federal tax credits and a significantly higher reimbursement rate for hospital systems that purchase American-made equipment.

Bidens Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has introduced more lucrative reimbursements for American-made PPE, but Izhaky said that the rate must be higher to get hospitals to move away from Chinese products.

Clearly, the administration is putting its money where its mouth is by helping the industrial base become established and expand, Izhaky said. But its really the demand side that needs to come in for it to be sustainable.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Ludwig Burger and Patricia Weiss

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Bayer's incoming CEO is inheriting a full in-tray from his predecessor: Thousands of lawsuits claiming its weedkiller causes cancer, an underwhelming drug development pipeline and disgruntled investors looking for major change.

Top investors, including mutual funds group Deka, are among those to have complained that Bayer's sagging shares have been burdened by a lack of trust in the company's leadership, with others reckoning one easy fix would be to separate the healthcare and agricultural businesses.

Bayer on Wednesday named long-time Roche executive Bill Anderson for the top job after months of shareholder pressure to remove embattled CEO Werner Baumann, who had previously said he would hold on until the end of his current term in April 2024.

The nearly 160-year-old German company's Frankfurt shares rallied to their highest since June as investors welcomed the change, underscoring the depth of frustration about Baumann's lack of responsiveness to the concerns of major shareholders.

"The most important task for Bill Anderson is to regain investors' trust," said Markus Manns, a portfolio manager at Germany's Union Investment, a top 20 shareholder.

He added that Anderson would also need to reconsider the group's structure and strengthen the drug development pipeline.

Bayer's shares lag those of its global rivals, having fallen about 40% - knocking about 30 billion euros off its market valuation - since it bought Monsanto in 2018 for about $63 billion.

Concerns about litigation over weedkiller Roundup continue to weigh on the share price, despite a recent string of courtroom victories, an improvement in the Crop Science unit's profit last year and better prospects in drug development.

BREAK-UP, STOCK UP?

Baumann's early exit has stirred debate about what the 56-year-old Anderson can do to restore investor trust and boost Bayer's shares.

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The American is an accomplished drug industry leader, particularly in oncology and ophthalmology, where Bayer has development ambitions.

"This may generate optimism from investors looking for an improvement in the Pharma business," Credit Suisse analysts said.

But some investors, including activist Bluebell which disclosed it had bought a stake in Bayer last month, have demanded the sale or spin-off of the consumer health unit, which makes Aspirin painkillers and Clarityn allergy relief.

They say it's a relatively quick way to remove at least some of the conglomerate discount, estimated by Credit Suisse on Wednesday at 40%.

More of the discount could be eliminated by a separation of the much larger pharmaceutical and agriculture divisions because most money managers regard pure-play stocks as more attractive.

JP Morgan said early last month, when the shares were trading at around 49 euros, that Bayer stock was about 36% cheaper than the sum of the value of its parts of 76 euros per share.

Investment bankers say a separate listing or even the relocation to the United States of the Crop Science division, with 20 billion euros in 2021 sales, could give that unit's shares a further boost.

They cite a more investor-friendly jurisdiction and specialised U.S. money managers who are more appreciative of the agribusiness, which generates most of its sales in the Americas.

PHARMA STANDALONE

Political sources and industry experts say moving the Crop Science division abroad would create fears of job cuts at home. A stand-alone pharmaceuticals business, with 18.3 billion euros in 2021 sales, could also become a takeover target.

Labour representatives on Bayer's supervisory board, which have a say in strategic decisions thanks to Germany's co-determination laws, on Thursday weighed in against a break-up.

But political intervention would likely be limited to efforts to save jobs rather than standing in the way of a deal for one of Germany's oldest companies, the sources said.

Large takeovers have also become rare in the drug industry, with the exception of AstraZeneca's $39 billion purchase of Axelion in 2021.

"Megamergers are not so much on the agenda any more," said Mark Seidler, chief executive officer of consultancy firm Strategic Decisions Group.

Uncertainty over promising new drug technologies made buyers look for a string of smaller assets to hedge their bets on future blockbuster drugs instead, he added.

(Additional reporting by Matthias Inverardi; Editing by Josephine Mason and Kirsten Donovan)
By Trevor Hunnicutt

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Joe Biden, his aides and his Democratic allies are shrugging off polls showing doubts about his age and leadership as they plot his expected re-election campaign, and point instead to the U.S. president's flinty State of the Union speech to Congress this week as a sign of his political resiliency.

Biden, who turned 80 in November, is the oldest president to hold office. He and his Democratic Party are laying the groundwork for a campaign that would put him in office for a second, four-year term in 2025. Recent polls show aging leaders are a concern for Americans in general, and Biden's age in particular worries Democratic voters.

Asked about the age concerns in a Noticias Telemundo interview that aired Thursday, Biden said "Well, that's not what I hear."

He added, "Look, do you know any polling thats accurate these days? You all told me that there was no way we were going to do well in this off-year election. I told you from the beginning we're going to do well."

Biden's public approval rating was just 41% in a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll that closed on Sunday. That is close to the lowest level of his presidency, though similar to where former President Donald Trump was at the same time in his administration.

Biden aides and advisors Reuters spoke to in recent days reiterated the idea that polling is irrelevant. Their reasoning: there is more than a year to go before ballots are cast, and U.S. political polls predicting a "red wave" of Republicans before the midterms were wrong.

Instead, Biden and his team are studying polls showing the favorability of Biden's message and the policies he is pushing, like higher taxes on companies and the rich, and lower insulin costs. They're targeting key subsets of voters, such as those who flipped from supporting Trump in 2016 to Biden in 2020.

"I feel good about where we are. I feel good about the way things are, and I feel good about the reception I get," Biden said in the Telemundo interview.

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On Wednesday, Biden delivered a robust speech in the state of Wisconsin, which made such a flip in 2020, ribbing Republicans for heckling him over his remarks about some opposition party members' Social Security plans, while reiterating a pledge to work with them at the same time.

"People sent us a clear message: Fighting for the sake of fighting gets us nowhere. We are getting things done," he said.

SOTU DRAWS MILLIONS

An estimated 23.4 million people watched the State of the Union, giving Biden one of his largest audiences of the year, and clips of an interchange between Biden and House Republicans circulating on social media may have drawn millions more viewers.

How well he did depends on who you ask.

A CNN poll conduced with 552 U.S. adults found that 72% regarded the speech positively. A Fox News-led focus group felt he didn't address crime or education adequately.

In swing state of Nevada, independents and moderates approved of Biden's attacks on Republicans for threatening Social Security and Medicare benefits, and his pledge to cap insulin costs and make the wealthy pay their "fair share" in taxes, said Navigator Research, which hosted a small focus group. The left-leaning group's research has been used before by the White House.

Overall, Biden's approval rating among the group rose from 31% to 52% during the speech, and six in ten liked the speech. His approval rating on handling of the economy rose from a net negative 38% to a positive 4%.

However, Nevada voters are still finding it hard to feel good about the economy when they see prices for eggs and milk still rising, said Bryan Bennett, an adviser to Navigator.

"It is hard for people to reconcile the personal economic indicators with the broader, more positive ones," he said.

Attacking Republicans for threatening Social Security and Medicare is expected to be particularly salient in competitive states like New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Florida with large proportions of elderly voters. Biden heads to Florida to talk about the issue on Thursday.

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Heather Timmons and Alistair Bell)
Deputies at the Manatee County Sheriffs Office have arrested three students this week for depicting a mass shooting on Thursday.

Two Parrish Community High School students have been arrested for posting separate videos simulating a mass shooting on campus with a toy gun during a bomb threat evacuation at the high school on Tuesday. There isn't evidence at this time that connects the students to other recent threats at Parrish Community High School.

More:Evacuation at Parrish High School after another threat, officials say

In case you missed it:Palmetto middle school student arrested for a TikTok threat, deputies say

Both students have been identified and were arrested, admitting to making the videos. The students were taken to juvenile detention and charged with making written or electronic threats to kill, do bodily injury, or conduct a mass shooting  a second-degree felony.

Deputies arrested a Buffalo Creek Middle School student for a similar video threat on Wednesday.

The arrests follow two threats at Parrish High School this week, separate active shooter hoax call at Riverview High School on Oct. 11 and a slew of swatting calls across high schools in the country.

What is 'swatting'? False active shooter calls clog law enforcement, terrify schools

Deputies continue to investigate with the possibility for additional arrests, sheriff's officials said. Multiple investigations are ongoing.

In Sarasota County, a social media rumor about a vague threat made against Sarasota High School caused the district to increase police presence and send a message to parents. The district's police department and the Sarasota County Police Department investigated and found no credible evidence to support the threat.

Sarasota High did not close or change its schedule amid the investigation, according to the message sent home to parents.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Parrish High School student makes video threat during bomb evacuation
WARNING: SPOILERS

The Apprentice candidates for 2023. (BBC)

The Apprentice will see another candidate forced to drop out in tonight's episode  this time over ill health.

Fans of the BBC One show will see the competition boarding a plane again on Thursdau night, as this time the remaining candidates head out to Dubai.

Read more: The Apprentice 2023 candidates

They are tasked with putting on a corporate away day for two international companies based in the UAE, but will they be impressed by the teams' idea of luxury and professionalism?

Viewers will see Glasgow theatre school owner Reece Donnelly forced to quit his place in the running to become Lord Sugar's business partner when he falls ill during the task.

Reece Donnelly had to quit. (BBC)

As he is not able to return to complete it, he has to leave the process without an official boardroom firing.

Donnelly told The Star: "I could not continue in The Apprentice due to being unable to complete the task in Dubai for health reasons.

"My goal of being on The Apprentice was to showcase that Scotland has amazing businesses and entrepreneurs. I really hope Ive done that.

Read more: All the Apprentice winners and what they did next

"Ive thoroughly enjoyed my time on the show and Im looking forward to watching my fellow candidates in the rest of the series. Im so grateful for my time with Lord Sugar and the team."

Donnelly is not the only candidate to drop out of this year's series  bridal boutique owner Shannon Martin chose to leave in week two as she said she didn't feel the process was right for her.

Shannon Martin left in week two. (BBC)

She explained: I think that going into the process, I was already having some doubts of whether I should go in or not.

But when youre given such an amazing opportunity, youre not ever going to turn that down, its an opportunity of a lifetime that Im forever grateful for.

A boardroom firing took place as usual that week, but viewers will have to wait to see whether two people leave again in Thursday's episode.

The Apprentice continues tonight at 9pm on BBC One.
SheKnows

There might be a few hurt feelings over at Royal Lodge this week because someone in the inner palace circle was not invited to King Charles IIIs coronation. It turns out that Sarah Ferguson, Prince Andrews former wife who still lives with him at Windsor Estates, was excluded from the elite list. The press is []
Miami County Animal Shelter is asking for the publics help after 39 cats were rescued from a Piqua home.

In a social media post, the shelter said that Piqua Police Department executed a search warrant at a home after a complaint of a large number of cats living in deplorable conditions.

>> Ohio proposal would require verified parental consent before kids can use social media

Due to the large increase of animals now in their shelter, they are asking for donations of items like clumping cat litter, small litter boxes as well as cash donations for medical expenses.

They are also asking for anyone interested in fostering or adopting a cat to reach out to them.

Those interested in donations can be dropped off items at their shelter at 1110 North County Road 25A or view their Amazon wish list here.








One man was arrested and a firefighter is recovering from injuries after a home on Indianapolis' east side was intentionally set on fire on Feb. 6, 2023.

An arson suspect linked to a fire on the east side of Indianapolis threatened an employee at a liquor store before the blaze, according to court documents.

A 26-year veteran firefighter was injured while battling the flames at the vacant home. The fire burned near the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Rural Street on Monday afternoon.

'Sweetheart swindles': Romance scams rake in up to $1B per year

The firefighter was transported to the emergency room with a heat-related injury then placed in a medically induced coma, according to the Indianapolis Fire Department. His condition improved, and he was released from the hospital Wednesday night. It remains unknown when he will be able to return to firefighting, a fire department spokesperson said.

One man was arrested and a firefighter is recovering from injuries after a home on Indianapolis' east side was intentionally set on fire on Feb. 6, 2023.

Jasper Vales, 32, is accused of intentionally starting the fire and is facing preliminary charges of criminal trespass and two counts of arson, jail records show.

The fire department received several 911 calls reporting the fire in the 2700 block of Massachusetts Avenue just before 4 p.m. Crews found heavy smoke coming from the single-story home.

Firefighters had the blaze under control in about 20 minutes. Investigators later learned there was no gas or electricity at the home.

More crime news:Man says he was on a date in Terre Haute. Police say he shot two people in Indianapolis

The owner of a nearby liquor store told a detective that before the fire, Vales was told he wasn't allowed in the store anymore. Vales then threatened an employee, according to the probable cause affidavit for his arrest.

"(He) said, 'Im going to kill you and everyone else in here', the liquor store owner told investigators.

Later, a customer told the liquor store owner that smoke was coming from behind her building. She went into the back alley and saw the nearby house was on fire. The owner then saw Vales dragging a mattress with personal items on top of it near the burning house, she told police.

Story continues

Surveillance video from a neighbor showed smoke coming from the back door of the house and a person wearing a long red coat dragging a mattress in the alley, according to the affidavit.

A violent January:Jodessa Cooper  loving caretaker, 'darn good' cook, lifetime Colts fan  dies in shooting

When a detective returned to speak with the liquor store owner, a customer came into the store and pointed out a man in the parking lot. The man outside was wearing a long red coat and identified as Vales, police said.

The fire did about $25,000 in damage to the home, according to the affidavit.

Contact Jake Allen at jake.allen@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jake_Allen19.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis arson: Man arrested after firefighter put in coma
WASHINGTON  Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson has been making more noise recently about a possible Republican run for the White House in 2024. The former federal prosecutor has been hitting the trail in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina and is planning to host a border security summit in Arizona soon.

In an interview with Yahoo News Tuesday, he said he is seriously leaning toward running and said his time frame for deciding lands around one of the first big political events of the cycle, the Christian right Faith and Freedom Conference being held in Iowa on April 22.

Hutchinson has long cut a figure as a stalwart conservative in the party, leading the impeachment of former President Bill Clinton a quarter century ago, then running the Drug Enforcement Administration in the Bush administration, before serving two terms as governor.

But he has emerged as one of former President Donald Trumps sharpest critics on the right, after breaking with him when Trump tried to overturn his 2020 election loss.

My view of [Jan. 6, 2021] is that it was undermining our democracy, our institutions of government. It brought us disrespect globally and because what America always looked at was, my goodness, how we transferred power from one administration to the other, said Hutchinson, who had chaired Trumps 2020 reelection bid in Arkansas. That was all undermined that day. And so it was unacceptable.

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson in an interview in December. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)

Trump is facing a raft of legal trouble stemming from his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and deny the peaceful transfer of power  from a state-level probe in Georgia to the federal investigation being led by special counsel Jack Smith. Hutchinson said that even if there is evidence of a crime, prosecutors have to weigh the much heavier question of whether to try a former president.

Asked if he had seen any evidence of criminality by Trump, Hutchinson replied, Well, thats a big arena.

He cited the state probes in New York and Georgia and the federal probes of Trumps involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and the removal of classified documents from the White House. Theyre complicated legal issues, he said, so weve got to let those play out.

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Hutchinson urged caution in determining whether to prosecute Trump and said the courts may not be the best venue for that.

The public deals with these things through the elections. And in this case, I think the best answer is that the voters should speak out and say, Donald Trumps not the best direction for America in the future. And voters can determine that very quickly, he said.

Pressed on the fact that Trump continues to lead most early polling of the Republican field and could win reelection if he secures the party nomination a third time, Hutchinson stood by his position.

It takes the voters to exercise that at some point along the way  whether thats in Iowa or New Hampshire or South Carolina  someone needs to say we need to go a different direction. And thank goodness, theres going to be alternatives to [Trump], he said. It would not be healthy for our democracy to have him reelected. Thats where I think were going as a country [and] as a party. It just takes a while and a little bit of pain to get there.

Extremist groups

Decades before Trump-inspired white supremacist and extremist groups plotted their attack on the Capitol, Hutchinson fought similar extremists as the U.S. attorney for Arkansas. Serving as the youngest federal prosecutor appointed by President Ronald Reagan, whom he called the greatest Republican president of his lifetime, Hutchinson took on a white supremacist militia group in rural Arkansas, called the Covenant, the Sword and the Arm of the Lord.

In the early 80s, the armed militia group was cooking up plans to bomb federal buildings and assassinate federal officials, even him.

During a three-day standoff in 1985, Hutchinson donned a bulletproof vest and helped negotiate an end to the showdown. We had SWAT teams from five different states, about 200 law enforcement officers. Very violent, dangerous situation. We got it resolved without a shot being fired.

Modern white supremacist groups like the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys bear many of the same hallmarks of domestic extremist threats from decades earlier  but now its much easier for them to recruit.

Theres probably more at risk today, in that sense, than back in the 80s. If you wanted to inspire violence by others, and you were a charismatic leader, you did that face to face, you actually brought these groups together, which is a greater risk of being caught, Hutchinson said. But today, you know, with social media, with the internet, with all of the means of communication, you see people being inspired off of the internet.

What we see is that ... enforcing the law makes a difference. Enforcing the law stops some of this violent suppression and violent actions by extremist groups, he said. Sadly, every generation has to face this at some level.

A conservative lane

Before Trump stormed the Republican Party and ensconced conservative populism as a facet of the modern right, Hutchinson likely would have been viewed as one of the most conservative contenders.

But in the landscape upturned by Trump, Hutchinson has sounded more like an old establishment Republican  even if his positions fit squarely with much of the party.

Asked how he would handle the continued influx of undocumented immigrants across the border with Mexico, Hutchinson said, It starts with securing the border. He called for more funding for the Border Patrol and for physical and technological fences. He said the U.S. needs to do a better job targeting the Mexican drug cartels that smuggle immigrants and drugs across the border.

But specifically you need to be able to send them back to their home country, he said. You start with putting the resources that are needed to process the cases to put the structures in place to protect our border. Then, down the road, you can talk about more comprehensive immigration reform, but it starts with securing the border.

With Republicans now in control of the House and the simmering fight over raising the nations debt ceiling to pay its outstanding bills, Social Security benefits have moved back to center stage in the national debate.

A handful of House Republicans have talked about reworking Social Security benefits as part of the debt ceiling fight. Former Vice President Mike Pence sparked an uproar last week after he told a Washington audience he wants to reform the program and look at implementing private savings accounts for future recipients  a Bush-era proposal that generated such a strong backlash that touching Social Security benefits was deemed the third rail of American politics.

And President Biden, in his State of the Union speech Tuesday night, appeared to lay a trap for House Republicans  drawing boos from the group when he said that some of them were looking at cutting the program, then goading them into applauding it.

Theres challenges whenever you look at Social Security, the long-term funding of it. So lets first just be committed to strengthening Social Security, Hutchinson said. I believe the right approach to addressing that is growing the economy, growing the private sector, unleashing their power. And thats really the only way were gonna be able to reduce this burden of debt. Youve got to be able to grow your way out of it.

Abortion

In 2019, Hutchinson, as governor, signed a state trigger law that would launch a near-total ban on abortions in Arkansas if the Supreme Court ever overturned Roe v. Wade.

I did expect that it would be overturned. I didnt know they would be that quickly. I thought they might scale it back, and then look at it again down the road, he said.

While some Republicans, notably Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, have been pushing for a nationwide abortion ban, Hutchinson said he sides more with the camp that believes it should be decided state by state.

If you look at it nationally, I think theres going to be two debates as you go into the 2024 season. And one is, should there be a national standard, and then, secondly, you know, what should it be? Or should we just stick with every state being able to make their own decision? Hutchinson said. I've worked very hard for 40 years to say the states can make their decisions on this.

But Hutchinson said Republicans still need to tread carefully on the issue.

We want to be able to win the hearts and minds of Americans and you want to be able to win in November. And so youve got to approach this with that level of compassion and understanding, and the needs of, for example, a mom that has a pregnancy that might not have been expected or wanted or at risk. And weve got to deal with those in a positive way.
Body camera footage shows the moments after police shot and killed activist Manuel Esteban Paez Teran. Atlanta Police Department

Atlanta police released bodycam footage showing the moments before and after cops killed a 'Cop City' protestor.

"Oh shit, is this target practice?" one officer says as he hears repeated shots ring out.

Police say Manuel "Tortuguita" Esteban Paez Teran shot and wounded an officer before cops killed them.

The Atlanta Police Department released bodycam footage showing the moments before cops shot an environmental activist to death  and in the footage, one officer can be heard saying "oh shit, is this target practice?" as gunfire rang out.

The demonstrator who was killed  26-year-old Manuel "Tortuguita" Esteban Paez Teran  was part of an encampment group protesting the construction of a $90 million police training facility dubbed "Cop City" in a forest on the outskirts of Atlanta, according to CBS News.

Police said that when they raided the encampment on January 18, Teran shot and wounded an officer before police opened fire and killed him.

The newly released bodycam footage does not show the actual shooting.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Monday that multiple police agencies raided the encampment and that the officers close to the shooting were not wearing body cameras.

"Although the shooting is not captured on bodycam, there is bodycam footage of the aftermath," the agency said.

In the footage, a crash of repeated shots can be heard ringing out in the distance, while an officer says, "Oh shit, is this target practice?"

Officers in the bodycam footage discuss the shooting after they hear that a cop was hurt. One wonders if the shooting was friendly fire based on the sound of the gunshots.

"Man...you fucked your own officer up?" he mumbles.

The Atlanta Police Department told Insider, "In reviewing our officers Body Worn Cameras footage, it is apparent the shooting situation evolved quickly and our officers had no immediate knowledge of the events at the shooting site at the time the shooting occurred."

At another point in the video, officers can be heard shouting for someone to get out of a tent while threatening to release a K9 unit.

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"Fuck around and you're gonna find out," one officer says.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced in a press release on Monday that it is opening a "thorough investigation" into the incident, including the actions of police officers, that led to Teran's death.

Teran's family has said it doesn't believe Teran would have shot at police.

"Manny was a kind person who helped anyone who needed it. He was a pacifist. They say he shot a police officer. I do not believe it," his mother, Belkis Teran, said in a statement shared with CBS News. "I do not understand why they will not even privately explain to us what happened to our child."

A private autopsy of Teran by the family found they were shot 13 times, according to The Guardian.

The Georgia State Patrol declined to comment due to an ongoing investigation. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation declined to comment on the incident further.

The Atlanta Police Foundation is building The Atlanta Public Safety Training Center on a more than 300-acre piece of city-owned property in the forest.

The city approved the lease agreement in September of 2021. The group has said the training center will occupy about 85 acres, and 265 will be preserved as green space, but forest protectors and other social justice activists have loudly opposed the effort.

The project to build the law enforcement and firefighter training facility falls amid national calls for police reform and defunding. Atlanta's mayor and others have argued that the facility will help ensure that police are trained to modern standards and respect.

"The new Public Safety Training Facility is another step in our Administration's efforts to support our fire and police officers, while also focusing on sensible reform," Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said in statement on the project when the land was secured in 2021.

"This training facility will not only help boost morale, retention and recruitment of our public safety personnel, but will give us physical space to ensure that our officers and firefighters are receiving 21st century training, rooted in respect and regard for the communities they serve," she added. "We will continue to work with the impacted communities on how to best thoughtfully develop and preserve the surrounding property."

Read the original article on Insider
A Maryland woman conspired with a Florida neo-Nazi leader to carry out an attack on several electrical substations in the Baltimore area, officials said Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker, File

The founder of a neo-Nazi extremist group was arrested on conspiracy charges this week.

Prosecutors say Brandon Russell planned to attack Baltimore's power grid.

Russell is a founding member of Atomwaffen, which uses violence to try and bring about societal collapse.

The FBI on Monday arrested two people in connection with a conspiracy to take out Baltimore's power grid, with officials saying they were caught blabbing to an informant online.

Federal officials charged Sarah Beth Clendaniel, 34, and Brandon Clint Russell, 27, in the plot, accusing the two individuals of planning a "legendary" attack in which they would shoot five Maryland electricity substations in an effort to "completely destroy the whole city."

An attorney for Clendaniel did not immediately respond to a request for comment. An attorney for Russell could not immediately be reached.

Russell is named by the FBI complaint as the founder of Atomwaffen Division, a terroristic neo-Nazi group known for its far-right ideals and obsession with violence.

The small organization is back in the news this week after a period of relative quiet in recent years thanks to a spate of arrests among individuals linked to the group and reports that the US chapter of the organization was disbanding as a result.

One of the more overtly destructive extremist groups, members of Atomwaffen, commonly abbreviated to AWD, are known as accelerationists, or extremists who believe that engaging in violence and sowing chaos will bring about the downfall of democracy, according to Lindsay Schubiner, program director at Western States Center.

"It's an incredibly dangerous group," Schubiner told Insider.

The group dates back to 2015 when Russell announced Atomwaffen's formation in an online post on Iron March, a popular fascist forum that went offline in 2017, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

The organization takes its name from the German word meaning atomic weapons, and members idolize noted neo-Nazis James Mason, Joseph Tommasi, and William Pierce, and cult leader Charles Manson.

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The group is highly decentralized, with distinct cells operating in separate regions, according to the SPLC. Even at the height of the organization's relevance, extremism researchers estimated there were only 30 to 80 active members, according to The New York Times.

Atomwaffen is predicated upon deeply antisemitic and racist beliefs. The neo-Nazi group is a subset of the broader white nationalist movement, Schubiner said, with aims of manufacturing anarchy and chaos so extreme that society, democracy, and civilization collapse as a result. Accelerationists then plan to rebuild their desired white ethnostate in the aftermath of the downfall.

Erek L. Barron, U.S. attorney for Maryland announces the arrests and a federal criminal complaint charging Sarah Beth Clendaniel of Catonsville and Brandon Clint Russell of Orlando with conspiracy to destroy an energy facility. Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Attacks on power grids are part of the white supremacist movement's 'literal playbook'

Attacking critical infrastructure, including power grids, is one such way members of Atomwaffen and other accelerationists attempt to create mass discord. Law enforcement officials and extremism researchers told Insider this month that far-right actors are increasingly focused on targeting the country's power grids as part of the accelerationist doctrine and their efforts to bring about a race war.

"The critical-infrastructure element has become one of the core components of neo-fascist accelerationist movements in the US. It's become one of the targets du jour," Jon Lewis, a researcher at the Program on Extremism who studies accelerationism, told Insider reporters.

That Russell, the founder of one of the most extreme accelerationist groups in the US, was charged in relation to the plot to wipe out Baltimore's power grid last year is not at all surprising, according to Schubiner.

"This is literally part of the playbook, part of the accelerant playbook," Schubiner said of attacks on critical infrastructure. "It's a very intentional strategy to destabilize communities and democracy itself."

Atomwaffen also encourages extremist acts of violence that go beyond targeting the nation's electricity infrastructure. The organization and its self-proclaimed members had been linked to at least five killings in the US, and are known to have threatened journalists and Black churches.

"This group is so extreme that they cause a ton of controversy within the radical right, Keegan Hankes, an intelligence analyst at the Southern Poverty Law Center, told The Times in 2018.

A spate of member arrests around 2018 and 2019  including prior charges against Russell  led to a decrease in the group's activity and reach, Schubiner said.

"But certainly as we've seen," she added, "some of the people in the group have not stopped engaging in violence."

Read the original article on Business Insider
A lawyer testifying in Alex Murdaugh's double murder trial in South Carolina said he trusted Murdaugh even though the disgraced lawyer suggested an unusual way to split fees from a case the two had worked on together.

Attorney Chris Wilson said he had no reason to be suspicious when Murdaugh asked to have the $792,000 fee deposited directly into his account, rather than paying it directly to the Murdaugh family law firm. At the time, Murdaugh said his intention was to protect money because his son, Paul, was involved in a wrongful death lawsuit - even though the direct payment was a violation of the firm's rules.

Id known him for 30-plus years. I didnt have any reason not to trust him, Wilson told the jury.

Murdaugh, 54, faces 30 years to life in prison if convicted of murdering his wife, 52-year-old Maggie, and their 22-year-old son Paul. Prosecutors are arguing that Murdaugh killed them to get sympathy and buy time to hide a string of thefts. The defense says it makes no sense to think there wouldnt be more scrutiny into Murdaughs life and finances after his wife and shot were shot to death.

The judge in the murder trial is allowing prosecutors to present a wide range of evidence that Murdaugh was stealing money from clients and his law firm. Defense attorneys have constantly objected before each witness, saying the financial crimes aren't directly linked to the killings and are meant to smear Murdaugh and make him look like a horrible person.

Another witness Thursday testified that his mother was a housekeeper and nanny for the Murdaughs for more than 20 years before she fell at their home, dying weeks later from her injuries.

The witness, Tony Satterfield, said Murdaugh told him he would get his insurers to take care of him and his brother financially. Murdaugh eventually got settlements of more than $4 million, but Satterfield said his family found out after the killings and never saw any of it.

When the defendant came to you around the time of your mom's funeral and said he was going to help you and file a claim on your behalf, why did you agree? prosecutor Creighton Waters asked.

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"Because I trusted him, said Satterfield, who has since, with the help of other lawyers, collected more than $4 million from banks, officials and other lawyers involved in the settlements.

Thursday's testimony ended with attorney Mark Tinsley testifying about a wrongful death lawsuit he filed against Murdaugh after a 19-year-old passenger died in the 2019 crash of a boat driven by Paul Murdaugh. Police said Paul Murdaugh was underage and had a blood alcohol level nearly three times the legal limit.

He was going to have to pay $10 million out of his pocket, Tinsley said when asked his goal for the suit on behalf of the teen's family.

Tinsley said Murdaugh's lawyer said he was broke and might be able to scrape together $1 million. That led Tinsley to ask for records of all of Murdaugh's finances, a request being put before a judge at a June 10, 2021, hearing postponed after Murdaugh's son and wife were killed.

Murdaugh faces nearly 100 other criminal charges unrelated to the killings, ranging from theft to running a money laundering and drug ring to tax evasion to fraud for trying to arrange his own death in a roadside shooting in September 2021 so his surviving son could get $10 million in life insurance.

Wilson was the 40th witness called in the trial, which began Jan. 23. He testified away from the jury last Thursday as the judge decided whether to allow financial misdeed evidence.

Wilson said he paid Murdaugh his $792,000 fees directly when questions popped up. Murdaughs law firm demanded that Wilson send a second check for the fees, which he did out of his own pocket. Murdaugh promised to pay Wilson back but could only come up with $600,000.

Wilson said he had no choice but to loan his friend the remaining $192,000 and has never gotten that money back.

I cant tell somebody Im holding money in my trust account that Im not holding in my trust accounts, Wilson said. Trust accounts are money that belongs to someone else.

Wilson at times had to pause as he was asked about his friend he met in high school. Their wives were sorority sisters. Their kids grew up together. They spoke several times a week.

Wilson rushed the hour and 40 minutes to Murdaugh's home as soon as he found out about the June 7, 2021, killings.

I walked in, hugged his neck and cried. I didnt know what to say, Wilson said. I didnt want to know what he found. I didnt want him to have to describe it to me.

In cross-examination, the defense mostly asked Wilson personal questions, getting him to talk about how much he loved his family. Wilson said Murdaugh appeared to never stay at the family's home after the killings and was staying with his brothers or in-laws every time he called.

He was distraught. He was destroyed, upset all the time, not eating, not sleeping, Wilson said.

Murdaughs family dominated the legal system in tiny Hampton County for generations, both as prosecutors and private attorneys. The influence extended to banks in the rural South Carolina Lowcountry.

Palmetto State Bank CEO Jan Malinowski testified that Murdaugh's accounts were frequently overdrawn by hundreds of thousands of dollars in 2021 and a former executive, convicted in federal court in November, would loan himself and Murdaugh money from client trust funds.

Malinowski's dry testimony did have moments of levity. He testified Murdaugh's account balance was overdrawn by more than $347,000 in August 2021.

Waters noted a fee on the statement. "How much is the overdraft charge? the prosecutor asked.

Five dollars," Malinowski said as many in the courtroom laughed.
Seven attorneys general are calling on the federal government to create emergency standards to protect workers from the summers deadly heat by the beginning of May.

Extreme workplace heat poses a grave danger to the health and safety of tens of millions of outdoor and indoor workers in our states and across the nation, the attorneys, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, wrote in a letter addressed to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Assistant Secretary of Labor Douglas Parker.

The letter  also signed by the attorneys general of California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland and Pennsylvania  builds on decades of concerted efforts by civil society groups to get the agency to pass rules requiring workers to access potentially lifesaving measures like water breaks, time in the shade and access to air-conditioned cooling centers.

Currently, no such national rules exist, and only five states have guidelines in place, according to a study by the environmental nonprofit Natural Resources Defense Council.

These rules include Washington and Oregons 2021 emergency heat rules, enacted in the face of that years deadly heat wave. A rule in Minnesota covers only indoor workers, while Colorados heat rule only covers farmworkers. Finally, a 2022 California law requires employers to provide access to water and shade, and to have an organized way of keeping tabs on employees when temperatures rise above 95 degrees  as well as a 10-minute cooling-off period every two hours.

The California law, however, wont take effect until 2025  and summer is just a few months away.

With potentially deadly heat conditions around the corner, such an OSHA measure would represent the bare minimum, New York University law professor Bethany Davis Noll wrote in a statement on Thursday.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 40 workers die each year of heat-related illnesses sustained on the job. But about 170,000 workers are likely injured on the job by heat each year, according to estimates published in a report last June by nonprofit advocacy group Public Citizen.

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These workers may feel they will jeopardize their jobs by taking breaks, University of Arizona heat researcher Ladd Keith told The Hill.

They may resist taking a nonmandatory break to show that theyre a good worker, or to get the job done early  all of that type of stuff to increase their productivity, Keith said.

For that reason, an honor system doesnt work. Mandatory breaks when it gets hot are really important, he added.

As climate change creates heat waves that happen more frequently, last longer and hit higher temperatures, Americas workers  on farms and construction sites, as well as in food service and e-commerce  have little legal protection against dangerous levels of heat and humidity, they attorneys wrote in their letter.

Heat also creates knock-on health impacts because of its relationship with air pollution  as hot, stagnant days increase particulates and ozone in the air, according to the Center for Atmospheric Research.

The attorneys complaint focused primarily on risks to a few particular occupations  such as the nations 2.4 million farmworkers, a group that has made up more than a third of Californias heat-related deaths since 2005.

Construction workers make up just 6 percent of the nations workers, but 36 percent of its heat-related deaths  a trend that the attorneys noted was steadily increasing.

They also singled out the rapidly growing warehouse and delivery industries. NBC News reported that these businesses often expect drivers and packers to labor through the summer in buildings and trucks without air conditioning.

Last July, United Parcel Service (UPS) drivers demonstrated in New York City over the sweltering conditions in their trucks.

Ive been working for two years and Ive never felt heat like that. That was crazy, one of the drivers told New Yorks The City. Its just not a good situation for anybody to be working in that heat.

UPS, he added, was not giving them access to fans or breaks to cool off.

Then there were the warehouse workers  foot soldiers in a rapidly expanding e-commerce army  whose numbers have surged from 668,000 in 2011 to 1.75 million as of last month, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

These are dangerous places to work during heat events, the attorneys wrote. Last August, workers at a Southern California Amazon facility went on strike over pay and the risk posed by heat.

Working in the heat feels like you are suffocating, worker Melissa Ojeda told the Los Angeles Times. You need to take breaks and you can overheat really easily.

But Amazon, she said, doesnt make it easy to take breaks to allow your body to cool down.

The lack of heat protections in these workplaces means a disporportionate toll of heat-related diseases on Black and Hispanic workers, a report last year by Public Citizen found.

Millions of essential workers across the country, working both indoors and outdoors, risk their health and lives working in excessive heat conditions to keep our economy running, Juley Fulcher, who authored the report, wrote in a statement.

Working at high temperatures strains the human body, which usually relies on air temperatures being less than the normal body temperature  98.6 degrees  to effectively dump heat into the environment.

When higher temperatures are present  particularly as physical work raises the internal temperature  heat instead flows the other way, raising the body temperature and leaving only sweating as a means of cooling off.

But when humidity climbs too high, the air can no longer absorb water  creating a risk of a deadly thermal runaway inside the workers bodies.

Last July, for example, Esteban Chavez Jr., 24 years old, died of heat stroke after passing out in his truck in northeast Los Angeles, ABC7 News reported.

His case bore a striking resemblance to one the previous year  that of 23-year-old driver Jose Cruz Rodriguez, who was found dead of heat-related illness near his truck in Waco, Texas, in August, on his second day of work.

Putting uniform national heat rules in place will require a fair amount of fine-tuning, Keith explained.

Monitoring heat in just in one spot in a large agricultural field isnt going to tell you what people are feeling like out in the sun versus in the shade  or versus on a concrete lot where maybe theyre doing some other kind of mechanical work, he said, adding that it creates additional complexity.

How can you get a regulated employer especially if its a small business to kind of have the capacity and the resources to do these measurements and what did they do with that information? Keith asked. Though, he said, not all fixes would be complicated.

Whether its a cooling truck or a shade structure with water, it can go a long way, he added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Burt Bacharach, the Grammy-, Oscar- and Tony-winning pop composer, left, and Jay Roach, film director, producer and screenwriter, collaborated on the "Austin Powers" movies. (John Salangsang / Associated Press; Philip Cheung / For The Times)

Ladies and gentleman, Mr. Burt Bacharach!

The celebrated pop composer made cameos in all three "Austin Powers" movies, with star Mike Myers throwing to him at the end of Jay Roach's 1997 espionage spoof "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery." Bacharach, as himself, serenaded Myers' titular spy and co-star Elizabeth Hurley while riding in an open-air tour bus making its way through the streets of Las Vegas.

In a tribute to the 94-year-old Bacharach, who died Wednesday, the "Bombshell" and "Recount" filmmaker reflected on shooting the final scene of his sophomore film with the legendary musician.

"On the last night of filming, Burt Bacharach performed 'What the World Needs Now Is Love' over and over, sitting at a piano on top of a double decker bus going up and down the Vegas strip, while Mike and Elizabeth danced," Roach said in a Thursday email to The Times.

"The early takes were great, but I couldnt bring myself to say, 'cut, move on' it was just too sublime. We only stopped when the sun came up," he added. "Elizabeth, Mike and I all went up and kissed Burt with tears in our eyes. That night his song became the heart of our film. Burts love  which the world does desperately need  will live on through his music, as will our love for Burt."

While his indelible music earned him three Oscars and six Grammys, Bacharach's cameos endeared him to a new generation of fans. They also became one of the best running gags in the "Austin Powers" franchise. Bacharach returned for the 1999 sequel to perform "I'll Never Fall in Love Again" with Elvis Costello and made a brief appearance in the closing credits of "Austin Powers in Goldmember" (2002)  both also directed by Roach.

"Because Burts songs were so essentially aligned with Austins own personal mantras, Burt had to be part of every film," Roach said. "Mike just kept writing great moments for him and Burt kept showing up! We felt so lucky to get to collaborate with the maestro."

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A representative for Myers did not immediately respond Thursday to The Times' requests for comment.

Bacharach's "I'll Say a Little Prayer for You"  one of many hits he wrote for Dionne Warwick with his songwriting partner Hal David  also notably got the big-screen treatment in 1997. The classic 1967 song found its way to new listeners when Rupert Everett dutifully performed it for Julia Roberts in "My Best Friend's Wedding" and initiated the romantic comedy's memorable impromptu sing-along.

The composer earned Academy Awards for the song "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" and scoring 1969's "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," as well as composing "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" from 1981's "Arthur." Bacharach also was given the Recording Academys 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award and the 1997 Grammys Trustees Award.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
By Renju Jose and Stefica Nicol Bikes

SYDNEY/BEIJING (Reuters) -The Australian government will examine surveillance technology used in offices of the defence department, Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Thursday, amid reports that Chinese-made cameras installed there posed a security risk.

The checks come after Britain in November asked its government departments to stop installing Chinese-linked surveillance cameras at sensitive buildings, citing security risks. Some U.S. states have banned vendors and products from several Chinese technology companies.

"This is an issue and ... we're doing an assessment of all the technology for surveillance within the defence (department) and where those particular cameras are found, they are going to be removed," Marles told ABC Radio in an interview.

Opposition lawmaker James Paterson said his own audit had revealed almost 1,000 units of equipment by Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology and Dahua Technology Co - two partly state-owned Chinese firms - were installed across more than 250 Australian government offices.

Paterson, the shadow minister for cyber security and countering foreign interference, urged the government to urgently come up with a plan to remove all such cameras.

Marles said the issue was significant though adding: "I don't think we should overstate it."

Hikvision said it was "categorically false" to represent the company as a threat to Australia's national security as it could not access the video data of end users, manage end-user databases or sell cloud storage in Australia.

"Our cameras are compliant with all applicable Australian laws and regulations and are subject to strict security requirements," a spokesperson said in an emailed response.

Dahua Technology did not immediately respond to request seeking comment.

China's foreign ministry urged Australia to provide "a fair environment" for Chinese companies, in response to a question at a regular briefing about Australia review of the cameras.

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'MEASURED APPROACH'

Nigel Phair, an expert on cyber security at the University of New South Wales, said the government was taking a cautious approach.

"The concern is that these are Chinese manufactured cameras and there's data being collected which is going back to the Chinese state," he told Reuters.

"They are being very cautious and that's not a bad thing in the online environment. We should take a measured approach and we should be looking at where the risks are, where the vulnerabilities are and then produce appropriate controls around that."

Australian media reported on Wednesday that the national war memorial in Canberra would remove several Chinese-made security cameras installed on the premises over concern about spying.

Australia and China have been looking to mend diplomatic ties damaged in part by a 2018 Australian decision to ban Chinese tech giant Huawei from its 5G broadband network.

Relations were later damaged further by an Australian call for an independent investigation into the origins of COVID-19.

China responded with tariffs on several Australian commodities.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was not concerned about how China might react to the removal of cameras.

"We act in accordance with Australia's national interest. We do so transparently and that's what we will continue to do," Albanese told reporters.

(Reporting by Renju Jose and Stefica Bikes in Sydney; Additional reporting by Yew Lun Tian and Bernard Orr in Beijing; Editing by Shri Navaratnam, Robert Birsel)
CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  Australia for the first time has rejected a coal mining application based on environmental law, with the government minister citing the open-pit mine's potential harm to the nearby Great Barrier Reef.

The government is under pressure to curb climate change by blocking all new coal and gas extraction projects. Australia is one of the worlds largest exporters of both fossil fuels, which are major sources of the nations wealth. But Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said Thursday she would decide individual projects on their merits.

I will make each decision that comes before me on a case-by-case basis according to the law and according to the science that is available, Plibersek told Parliament.

On Wednesday, she announced her decision to prevent the Central Queensland Coal Project from being excavated northwest of the Queensland state town of Rockhampton and less than 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast Australian coast.

The project would have had unacceptable impacts on fresh water in the area and potentially on fragile seagrass meadows that feed dugongs and provide fish breeding grounds, she said.

The open-pit mine has an estimated excavation capacity of 10 million metric tons (11 million U.S. tons) of coal annually for 25 years.

Plibersek said the risk of pollution and irreversible damage to the reef is very real.

The Great Barrier Reef is responsible for about 6 billion Australian dollars ($4.2 billion) worth of economic activity every year, about 64,000 jobs, Plibersek said. Given the science before me, it became apparent that the risks were simply too great.

The mine was proposed by mining magnate Clive Palmer, who founded and finances the minor conservative United Australia Party.

Central Queensland Coal, a subsidiary of Palmer's Mineralogy, did not respond to a request for comment.

A United Nations-backed mission recommended in November that the Great Barrier Reef be added to the list of endangered World Heritage sites, warning that without ambitious, rapid and sustained climate action, the worlds largest coral reef was in peril.

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While warming oceans was the greatest threat to the network of more than 2,500 reefs covering 348,000 square kilometers (134,000 square miles), water quality and runoff from the Queensland coast were also risks.

Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses center-left Labor Party government has increased Australias ambition for reducing the nations greenhouse gas emissions since it was elected last year.

The Parliament enshrined in law Labors election pledge to reduce Australias greenhouse gas emissions by 43% below 2005 levels by 2030. The previous conservative government had a more modest target to reduce emissions by between 26% and 28% by the end of the decade.

Labor has relied on the minor Greens partys 12 senators to get legislation through the upper chamber.

The Greens, who lost a senator this week when Sen. Lidia Thorpe became an independent, want Australia to slash emissions by 75% by 2030 and are pressuring the government to ban any further coal and gas projects.

The government faces another contentious energy industry decision when it considers extending an offshore gas exploration license off Sydneys northern beaches.

In late 2021, the previous conservative government rejected a two-year extension of the PEP-11 drilling license in the face of fierce community opposition only months before an election. The project proponent Asset Energy took the government to court. But that court action has ended last week with Albaneses government agreeing to reassess the previous governments decision.
CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  Australias Defense Department will remove surveillance cameras made by Chinese Communist Party-linked companies from its buildings, the government said Thursday after the U.S. and Britain made similar moves.

The Australian newspaper reported Thursday that at least 913 cameras, intercoms, electronic entry systems and video recorders developed and manufactured by Chinese companies Hikvision and Dahua are in Australian government and agency offices, including the Defense Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Hikvision and Dahua are partly owned by China's Communist Party-ruled government.

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said his department is assessing all its surveillance technology.

Where those particular cameras are found, theyre going to be removed, Marles told Australian Broadcasting Corp. There is an issue here and were going to deal with it.

Asked about Australia's decision, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning criticized what she called wrongful practices that overstretch the concept of national security and abuse state power to suppress and discriminate against Chinese enterprises.

Without mentioning Australia by name, Mao said the Chinese government has always encouraged Chinese enterprises to carry out foreign investment and cooperation in accordance with market principles and international rules, and on the basis of compliance with local laws."

We hope Australia will provide a fair and non-discriminatory environment for the normal operation of Chinese enterprises and do more things that are conducive to mutual trust and cooperation between the two sides, she told reporters at a daily briefing.

The U.S. government said in November it was banning telecommunications and video surveillance equipment from several prominent Chinese brands including Hikvision and Dahua in an effort to protect the nations communications network.

Security cameras made by Hikvision were also banned from British government buildings in November.

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An audit in Australia found that Hikvision and Dahua cameras and security equipment were found in almost every department except the Agriculture Department and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

The Australian War Memorial and National Disability Insurance Agency have said they will remove the Chinese cameras found at their sites, the ABC reported.

Opposition cybersecurity spokesman James Paterson said he had prompted the audit by asking questions over six months of each federal agency, after the Home Affairs Department was unable to say how many of the cameras, access control systems and intercoms were installed in government buildings.

We urgently need a plan from the ... government to rip every one of these devices out of Australian government departments and agencies, Paterson said.

Both companies are subject to China's National Intelligence Law which requires them to cooperate with Chinese intelligence agencies, he said.

We would have no way of knowing if the sensitive information, images and audio collected by these devices are secretly being sent back to China against the interests of Australian citizens, Paterson said.
Snow leopard in the mountains of Ladakh in northern India.

A remarkable image of an elusive species known as "ghost of the mountains" won a German photographer The Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice Award.

Out of 25 images selected as finalists, Sascha Fonseca's image of a snow leopard posed against the Indian Himalayas was chosen by thousands of voters.

A total of 60,466 voters weighed in on this year's competition  which was produced by the Natural History Museum in London. Photos in the contest highlighted scenes of snuggling monkeys, a statuesque lion and a stunned spider out of 38,575 entries from 93 countries.

2022: Wildlife Photographer of the Year awarded to woman who captured frantic cactus bee ball

With an estimated 6,500 adult snow leopards in the wild, this well-camouflaged, stealthy species is difficult to photograph in their remote habitats, the museum explained. This year's winning image was taken in Ladakhin, India.

Fonseca's image of the leopard, a species threatened by poaching, habitat loss and human-animal conflict, was taken with a bait-free camera trap  where animal movements trigger a hidden digital camera  that was positioned for three years high in the Indian Himalayas.

"Photography can connect people to wildlife and encourage them to appreciate the beauty of the unseen natural world," Fonseca said. "I believe that a greater understanding of wildlife leads to deeper caring which hopefully results in active support and greater public interest for conservation."

Fonseca's image "reminds us of our shared responsibility to protect" these threatened animals as well as the planet, said Douglas Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum, in a statement announcing the winners.

2022 winner

Last year's winning photographer captured a frantic buzzing ball of bees.

The Big Buzz, by Karine Aigne won the Grand Title in 2022 London Natural History Museums Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition.

See the finalists

Olobor, one of the famous five-strong coalition of males in the Black Rock pride in Kenyas Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Four "Highly Commended" finalists captured images of a leopard carrying a dead monkey and its baby, nuzzling red foxes, a polar bear cub playing in flowers and a striking male lion.

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Ghost survived living with a pack of Nevada coyotes. Now the dog's part of a bitter custody feud.

'Never seen anything like that': Acorn woodpeckers hoarded over 700 pounds of nuts in California vacation rental

On a chilly day in North Shore on Prince Edward Island, Canada, a pair of red foxes, greet one another with an intimate nuzzle.

This leopardess had killed a Kinda baboon in Zambias South Luangwa National Park. The baboons baby was still alive and clinging to its mother. Photographer Igor Altuna watched as the predator walked calmly back to her own baby. Her cub played with the baby baboon for more than an hour before killing it, almost as if it had been given live prey as a hunting lesson.

Polar bear cub plays in a mass of fireweed on the coast of Hudson Bay, Canada.

Camille Fine is a trending visual producer on USA TODAY's NOW team.

What's everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Wildlife Photographer of the Year: See winning snow leopard image
The Separate Special Operations Regiment of the National Guard of Ukraine, Azov has expanded to a brigade, and it is calling for recruits within the framework of the Offensive Guard initiative.

Source: Azov on YouTube

Quote: "This expansion was preceded by the Azov Regiment's nearly nine-year combat history.

It is 2023. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine has begun forming new assault brigades under the Offensive Guard.

The Azov Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine became one of them. It is time to go on the offensive."

Details: Thus, the number of Azov members will rise.

Apart from this, Azov fighters will have more opportunities to form units armed with heavy weapons such as mechanised, tank etc.

In 2014, the Azov was formed as a battalion of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Its members took part in the liberation of the city of Mariupol and the battles for the town of Ilovaisk.

Later, Azov was expanded, became a regiment and was reformatted into a separate special operations unit as a part of the 12th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine.

In 2015, Azov participated in the Shyrokyne operation; in 2019, in the defence of the Svitlodarsk arch; and in 2022, the Azov members defended the city of Mariupol for 86 days and were then blocked in the Azovstal plant and took part in the battles on the southern front.

Background:

Earlier, the Special Operations Forces Azov became the 3rd separate storm brigade as part of the Ground Forces of Ukraine and is already fighting on the Bakhmut front.

On 2 February, Ihor Klymenko, Acting Minister of Internal Affairs, said that the Interior Ministry started forming assault brigades known as Offensive Guard to strengthen the Defence Forces and liberate the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

The National Police explained that Ukraine is preparing for the liberation of Luhansk, Donetsk and Crimea from the Russian occupiers, therefore the Ministry of Internal Affairs is forming eight assault brigades of the Offensive Guard and inviting volunteers to join.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






PIERRE  The South Dakota Senate voted 30-4 Thursday to limit several forms of gender affirming health care for transgender children, including banning puberty blockers and hormone treatment. The highly controversial bill now heads to Gov. Kristi Noem's desk for final approval.

It's the first time a bill severely limiting health care for transgender children has passed through House and Senate committees as well as the legislative bodies in South Dakota. Noem has also signaled support for House Bill 1080.

More:Senate committee passes bill limiting gender affirming care, despite opposition from doctors

If signed into law, the bill will limit doctors from providing five types of health care to patients younger than 18:

Prescribe or administer any drug to delay or stop normal puberty; Prescribe or administer testosterone, estrogen, or progesterone, in amounts greater than would normally be produced endogenously in a healthy individual of the same age and sex; Perform any sterilizing surgery, including castration, hysterectomy, oophorectomy, orchiectomy, penectomy, and vasectomy; Perform any surgery that artificially constructs tissue having the appearance of genitalia differing from the minor's sex, including metoidioplasty, phalloplasty, and vaginoplasty; or Remove any healthy or non-diseased body part or tissue.

During the debate on the bill, where two amendments were introduced but failed, a lone pride flag was held by a viewer in the gallery.

The bill vote fell along party lines, with 30 Republicans voting for it and four Democrats voting against it.

What did supporters of the transgender health care ban say?

Supporters of the bill like Sen. Al Novstrup, R-Aberdeen, said that HB 1080 would protect children, ensuring they would not be provided with "permanent physical damage."

"We need to stand in the gap for vulnerable children and guide them towards true health and healing," he said.

More:Push to limit access to gender-affirming care for youth passes in South Dakota House

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Novstrup said as soon as the child turns 18, they could begin their transition.

Sen. John Wiik, R-Big Stone City, added he has three children going through puberty currently and it can be a scary time. He said allowing children to take drugs to "delay the inevitable" was not the answer, when arguing against an amendment brought by Sen. Tim Reed, R-Brookings, that would have allowed children to access puberty blockers.

Amendments to allow puberty blockers, access to mental health therapy fail

Reed, at the beginning of the Senate debate, introduced an amendment that would have allowed minors to have access to puberty blockers. The amendment still would have banned surgery and hormone treatment.

"Puberty blockers can calm a child [with] anxiety so that counseling can begin," he said. "Blockers have a place helping families navigate through an extremely difficult situation. We need to be able to give these kids a chance."

Reed explained by allowing children to have access to puberty blockers, the health care treatment could prove vital to preventing suicides.

"Let's let the parents, the children and the doctor work together to figure out what's best for that child, so they can have the best life possible and not end up in suicide," he said.

While the yeses and no echoed loudly from the chamber during the voice vote on the amendment, Reed called for a visual count of who supported the amendment. Nine senators, four Democrats and five Republicans, stood in support of the amendment, while 25 stayed seated, signaling the amendment's defeat.

Reed ultimately voted for HB 1080.

Sen. Reynold Nesiba, D-Sioux Falls, introduced a second amendment that would've required the Department of Social Services to provide mental health counseling for minors experiencing gender dysphoria.

"We're going to make them rely on counseling, let's do no harm," Nesiba said. "Let's help these kids. Let's make sure that if they need medical assistance, that they are going to be able to get access to this."

Nesiba's amendment also failed.

What did those against the ban of gender-affirming care say?

Sen. Liz Larson, D-Sioux Falls, said the Legislature should not be in the doctor's office and getting involved in medical decisions.

"It's an overreach, and it's an invasion of the private decision which should be occurring between families and their expert care teams," Larson said.

Sen. Shawn Bordeaux, D-Mission, said he supported the Two-Spirit Indigenous community. He added when he speaks with younger constituents, they tell him they feel like the Legislature is picking on them when the state has other pressing issues to contend with.

More:Sanford, Avera wont comment on the state of transgender healthcare in South Dakota

Both Bordeaux and Larson pointed to the committee hearings on HB 1080, when proponents used the testimony from people out-of-state to speak about why the ban on gender-affirming care was needed.

"It looks like this is a an effort that's being driven from the outside and we hear across the country that people are trying to push for these things," Bordeaux said. "This isn't a South Dakota issue. This rarely affects anybody in South Dakota, I believe."

ACLU and Transformation Project react

The South Dakota chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union said lawmakers ignored the overwhelming opposition from South Dakota medical experts, parents, transgender youth and advocates.

"House Bill 1080 is a devastating and dangerous violation of the rights and privacy of transgender South Dakotans, their families and their medical providers, said Samantha Chapman, ACLU of South Dakota advocacy manager. Medical decisions belong to patients (and their parents) and their doctors  not the government. The only controversy in providing life-saving gender-affirming care for transgender youth in South Dakota is the one fabricated by legislators who want to see this harmful bill become law.

Chapman added similar legislation introduced in Alabama and Arkansas are currently in the courts.

The ACLU argues HB 1080 violates the U.S. Constitution in three separate, concurrent ways: discrimination against individuals based on sex, discrimination against individuals based on transgender status and a violation of parents' rights under the Due Process Clause.

More:After loss of DOH assistance, Jack Fonder still plans to advocate for LGBTQ+ South Dakotans

Susan Williams, executive director of the Transformation Project, a Sioux Falls non-profit dedicated to bringing awareness about transgender issues, wrote on Twitter she felt betrayed by the decision made in the Capitol.

"I feel confused and don't know if these people really don't understand us, or simply don't care," she said. "It makes me feel singled out, isolated and alone. This is a very hard time, yet knowing that we are experiencing this together and having each other to lean on that makes me feel a little bit better. We are here to support each other."

Protests planned against bill

After HB1080 cleared Senate Health and Human Services committee Wednesday, collective action calls by the Transformation Project were posted across social media.

Sioux Falls, show your support for SD trans youth on Sat. Feb. 11, then attend the Legislative Coffee. Bring a sign & protest HB1080. Demonstrations across South Dakota this Sat. are in protest of HB 1080, legislation that would ban gender-affirming healthcare for trans minors. pic.twitter.com/lmZv2dh0jJ  Transformation Project Advocacy Network (@TransadvocacySD) February 8, 2023

The group asked for people to join protests at various legislative coffees on Saturday in Sioux Falls, Brookings, and Rapid City. A protest in Vermillion is also planned.

The Sioux Falls protest is planned for 9:30 a.m. Saturday at The Hub at Southeast Technical College.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: South Dakota Senate passes ban on gender-affirming care for trans children
BERLIN (Reuters) -Bayer shares rose as much as 5% in early Thursday trading to an eight month high, adding to gains from the day before when the German drugs to pesticides group named former Roche executive Bill Anderson as its next CEO.

The stock jumped 6% late Wednesday, after the appointment was announced about 15 minutes before the market close.

Some investors cashed in their profits on Thursday morning, however. The stock was up 0.5% to 62.82 euros at 0845 GMT.

Anderson's appointment as CEO from June came after shareholder pressure for an external successor to Werner Baumann, who engineered Bayer's troubled Monsanto takeover.

Juergen Molnar, capital markt strategist at brokerage RoboMarkets, said the stock had considerable potential for further gains even after the rally.

The shares are up 30% since the start of the year, helping to offset a more than five year downturn related to the takeover of Monsanto. In June 2018, when the acquisition was completed, the shares traded at around 100 euros.

(Reporting by Miranda Murray, Kirsti Knolle; editing by Rachel More and Mark Potter)
KYIV (Reuters) - A Belarusian prosecutor asked a Minsk court on Thursday to sentence Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Byalyatski to 12 years in prison, Byalyatski's human rights organisation said, in a case allies see as political retribution.

Byalyatski and three co-defendants, one of whom is abroad, have been charged with financing protests and smuggling money. They also face a fine of more than $73,000, the Viasna human rights organisation said.

Byalyatski, 60, is a co-founder of Viasna and one of the most prominent of hundreds of Belarusians who were jailed during a violent crackdown on anti-government protests that erupted in the summer of 2020.

Viasna took a leading role in providing legal and financial assistance to hundreds of Belarusians who were jailed during mass protests after long-time leader Alexander Lukashenko was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election.

"The allegations against our colleagues are linked to their human rights activity, the Viasna human rights centre's provision of help to the victims of politically motivated persecution," Viasna has said of the case.

Byalyatski was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last October for his work on human rights and democracy, sharing it with Russian rights group Memorial and Ukraine's Center for Civil Liberties, but had been arrested in 2021 along with the two co-workers from Viasna.

(Reporting by Dan Peleschuk, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
The Wiener's Circle, a famous Chicago hot dog stand, is feeding migrants bussed to Chicago by Texas gov. i. The Wieners Circle.

The Wieners Circle Staff at The Wiener's Circle preparing food to feed 60

Shortly after Christmas, Ari Levy and the other co-owners of famed Chicago hotdog stand Wiener's Circle made a pact.

They had just seen a tweet from the Texas governor that said he'd be shipping over 1,500 asylum-seeking migrants to the Windy City, which was then experiencing sub-zero temperatures. The business partners were outraged and wanted to help.

"Can anyone tell us where these poor migrants ended up in Chicago? We'd like to feed them," the company wrote on Twitter.

Thank you for all of the connections, we love you Chicago. We will be feeding recent arrivals at a church next week that were dumped in Chicago by @GregAbbott_TX right after Christmas in sub zero weather https://t.co/jMmubNm4sC  The Wieners Circle (@TheWienerCircle) December 31, 2022

By the first Tuesday night of the year, Levy and his team were feeding over 60 migrants from Venezuela and Colombia hot dogs and burgers at a space owned by a church. It was a welcome change for the refugees from the usual fare of cold sandwiches or no meal at all.

"I just felt a lot of empathy," says Levy, who was accompanied that night by Wiener's Circle staffers. "These are people that were dropped off in frigid weather, in minus wind chill weather, without appropriate clothing.

"No one should be in that situation," he continues. "They thank us profusely in Spanish. They're in a tough spot."

The Wiener's Circle char dog is prepared with green relish and other ingredients. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty The Wiener's Circle char dog

With a successful first event, Chicago native Levy and his partners vowed to rally other restaurants to provide a warm meal each Tuesday night.

The following Tuesday, catering company Big Delicious Planet fed plates of rice, beans and chicken to another 60 migrants, which is all the space can hold.

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The third week, two avid barbequers and their families made meals. Most recently the women of career-developement group The Latinista were serving job advice along with the Central and South American dishes they cooked.

Luisette and Ed Kraal manage the New Neighbors Free Store and they feed 30-90 Asylum seekers once a week

Refugee Community Connection Luisette and Ed Kraal, volunteers with the Refugee Community Connection, feed 30 to 90 asylum seekers once a week

Levy, 43, plans on repeating this every Tuesday this year, with other Chicago restaurants and families continuing to reach out to help.

"Oh, it's fabulous, it's wonderful," says Nan Warshaw, founder of the all-volunteer Refugee Community Connection, says of the Tuesday night dinners. On another night, RCC volunteers Luisette and Ed Kraal, who manage the New Neighbors Free Store, feed 30 to 90 asylum seekers once a week.

"These people have been living a very meager existence and now they can get some great food, not just institutional food."

RELATED: American Family in Poland Hosts Dozens of Ukrainian Refugees: 'Our Job Is to Make Them Feel Safe'

Migrants are led from one bus to another bus after arriving from Texas at Union Station on Sept. 9, 2022, in Chicago. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Refugees being unloaded from a bus arriving from Texas in Chicago on Sept. 9

In late December, Warshaw saw the Wiener's Circle tweet, and connected Levy with the church group whose space is now used to serve the meals.

RCC runs four free "stores" throughout the city, at which refugees can find clothing and other items.

One of the stores is located at the same site where the Wiener's Circle helps out  so the Wiener's Circle also kicked off a clothing drive, since the migrants "were in need of winter clothing, but also they are in need of everything," according to Levy.

Nan Warshaw of Chicago started an all-volunteer group to help migrants in the city

Refugee Community Connection Nan Warshaw at one of the free stores for refugees

He and staffers collected "piles upon piles" of clothing that they stuffed into six SUVs and drove to an RCC free store.

On the vibrant and busy RCC Facebook page, recent posts by some of the group's 7,000 members include a plea for housing for a young family from Venezuela, an offer to volunteer time at the RCC free stores, people volunteering to take migrants to doctors' appointments and help with apartment applications, and numerous home furnishings, appliances, and all sorts of clothing available for the new arrivals.

"We're assisting dozens and dozens of families and individuals every day," says Warshaw. "It's crazy, but wonderful."

RELATED: Chef Jose Andres Sets Up World Central Kitchen on Ukraine-Poland Border to Feed Refugees

Nan Warshaw of Chicago started an all-volunteer group to help migrants in the city

Refugee Community Connection A migrant from South America in a free store looking for winter clothing

City officials estimate more than 5,000 migrants, most from Venezuela, have recently arrived in Chicago from Texas and Colorado, reports NBC 5 Chicago. Warshaw says many come in summer clothing and arrive at the free stores in flip flops and shorts amid freezing temperatures.

The refugees have been housed in shelters, schools and, for some, in temporary warming shelters open only during the day. At night, says Warshaw, many go to hospital waiting rooms or police stations seeking shelter.

"The people who are being forced back and forth between these warming centers and these waiting rooms, they're not being fed," she says. "They're the ones most in need of the food."

So a hot meal and the kindness of strangers, she adds, can go a long way.

Warshaw shared a recent message from recent arrival, named Hector. "A thousand blessings," he messaged her. "We are truly grateful to you, God Bless you today and always."
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon have re-teamed for a sports drama.

The pair star in the first trailer for AIR, which is based on a true story and marks Affleck's first time directing since 2016's Live By Night. It's the first film from Affleck and Damon's new production company Artists Equity.

In it, Affleck, 50, plays Philip Knight, the co-founder of Nike, Inc., and Damon, 52, stars as Sonny Vaccaro, the sports marketing exec who helped sign Michael Jordan to Nike and launch Air Jordan sneakers.

Viola Davis is Jordan's mom Deloris in the film, and Davis's real-life husband Julius Tennon plays the NBA star's dad James. Air also stars Jason Bateman, Chris Messina, Marlon Wayans, Chris Tucker and Gustaf Skarsgard.

"AIR reveals the unbelievable game-changing partnership between a then-rookie Michael Jordan and Nike's fledgling basketball division which revolutionized the world of sports and contemporary culture with the Air Jordan brand," an official synopsis reads. "This moving story follows the career-defining gamble of an unconventional team with everything on the line, the uncompromising vision of a mother who knows the worth of her son's immense talent, and the basketball phenom who would become the greatest of all time."

RELATED: Ben Affleck on His Bond with Matt Damon: My 'Sanity and Mental Health Has Really Benefited'

Air movie

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Affleck and Damon won the Best Original Screenplay Oscar back in 1998 for writing Good Will Hunting together, which they also starred in. Affleck has directed films like The Town and Argo, which won Best Picture in 2013. Damon and Affleck recently co-starred together in 2021's The Last Duel.

"Matt and I are very excited for audiences to see Air and proud that it's the first release from Artists Equity," Affleck said in a January statement, per Variety. "The movie was an extraordinary experience where we had the honor of working with some of the best cast and crew in the business, all of whom brought passion, persistence and creativity to a collective effort at recreating a remarkable and aspirational story."

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"I appreciate and value Jen Salke's faith in our ability to execute on and deliver a movie we are proud of, as well as her and Sue Kroll's incredible ongoing support of the film," he added. "Amazon Studios, Skydance and Mandalay were all critical to getting this done, and the film couldn't have been made without them. We value the steps it took on each of their parts to make it happen and want to thank them."

Added Affleck, "This was the best creative and personal experience of our lives and we look forward to many more like it."

AIR is in theaters April 5.
Bella Monte Recovery Center nurses in Desert Hot Springs, Calif., on July 22, 2021, can use fentanyl test strips to detect the drug in individuals that might have taken it unknowingly. Riverside County has seen an increase in fentanyl-laced drugs leading to more deaths and overdoses in individuals who have unknowingly taken fentanyl.

Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation Chief Medical Officer Dr. Alta DeRoo said she was "excited" and "grateful" to see President Joe Biden discuss and lay out plans to tackle the fentanyl crisis and nation's mental health needs in his State of the Union address on Tuesday night.

During his 72-minute address, in which he called for a bitterly divided Congress to come together to "finish the job" and faced multiple clashes with Republican hecklers, Biden acknowledged the opioid and overdose epidemic throughout the nation. He highlighted a father from New Hampshire, whose daughter, Courtney, discovered pills in high school, which led to an addiction and her death from a fentanyl overdose. Republican congressmembers shouted "The border! The border!" and "Its your fault!" during the drug conversation, according to the New York Times.

Overdose deaths remain a leading cause of injury-related death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the majority involve opioids. Deaths involving the synthetic opioid fentanyl, as well as stimulants (such as cocaine and methamphetamine), have increased in recent years, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and has been found in a number of other drugs, such as methamphetamines, cocaine, pills and marijuana in some cases. Overdose deaths in Riverside County have doubled between 2017 and 2021 mostly due to fentanyl, and more than half of overdose deaths in 2022 involved the drug, according to county data. Fentanyl-involved overdose deaths have increased from 28 in 2017 to 401 in 2022.

"(Doug) told us he wants to 'start the journey towards Americas recovery.' Doug, were with you," Biden said. "Fentanyl is killing more than 70,000 Americans a year."

In his speech, the president said he wants to "launch a major surge" to stop fentanyl production, sale and trafficking by providing 123 new scanners at land points of entry along the Southwest border to inspect cargo by fiscal year 2026. Customs and Border Protection seized a historic 260,000 pounds of illicit drugs primarily at ports of entry on the border, including nearly 15,000 pounds of fentanyl, according to a White House fact sheet. Biden also wants to work with couriers like FedEx to inspect more packages for drugs.

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Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation Chief Medical Officer Dr. Alta DeRoo.

DeRoo said stopping the drug from coming into the nation is "one of the largest impacts that we can make." But if it is here, she believes law enforcement, education and treatment are all important tools to tackle the epidemic.

At Hazelden Betty Ford centers across the country, including one in Rancho Mirage, DeRoo said they are "still seeing a record number of patients" seeking treatment. More people come due to an alcohol use disorder, but fentanyl "is unpredictable."

"Rarely do folks come in saying, 'I'm taking fentanyl and that's the only thing,'" she said. "They may be doing something like heroin, but really half of that heroin is cut with fentanyl, and they don't even know that."

She explained that dealers have machines that can press the drug into a content that looks very similar to what the person thinks they're getting, whether it's marijuana, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine or MDMA. DeRoo would like to see fentanyl test strips and other center-waived lab tests more widely available to better identify the substance.

Betty Ford Centers hold a number of events to educate the public on the dangers of drugs and what treatment options are available to them. DeRoo said webinars are available for health professionals as well as members of the public who may want more information on how to keep loved ones away from drugs.

Residents in treatment also have lectures once or twice a week to learn about drugs and the dangers associated with them. Treatment services are also available in person or virtually.

Biden also said he wants to expand evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery options throughout the nation. This includes delivering naloxone, a nasal that can reverse the effects of opioids during an overdose, ensuring jails and prisons can provide treatment for substance use disorder for inmates and continue it once they're released and expanding access to medications for opioid use disorder.

He added that he wants to do more with mental health offerings, especially among youth. Biden plans to launch a national campaign to educate young people on the dangers of fentanyl and how naloxone saves lives.

Narcan nasal spray, a medication available to abusers who overdose, is pinned to a wall inside a nursing room at Bella Monte Recovery Center in Desert Hot Springs, Calif., on July 22, 2021.

In October, Riverside County similarly launched the Faces of Fentanyl awareness campaign that aims to teach the public, especially young people, about the drug.

"I was really enthusiastic also about hearing ... the call for more mental health providers. Addiction and mental health issues go hand-in-hand," DeRoo said. "You can't walk around today without hearing about an overdose or fentanyl poisoning, but often people don't talk about the mental health, and it's only by talking about the mental health needs that we're going to decrease that stigma."

She added that attention also needs to be put on the youngest citizens, who may be more trusting of someone who hands them a pill and says it's Aspirin or Adderall to help them study better. The Betty Ford Center offers a children's program in Rancho Mirage to educate and support kids who grow up with addiction in their home, and there is an inpatient and outpatient rehab center for young people ages 12 to 25 in Plymouth, Minnesota.

DeRoo remains "hopeful" that change will come over the next few years as it relates to the opioid and overdose epidemic, especially because there is so much attention on ports of entry and how opioids are entering the country.

"Am I hopeful? Yes," she said," I have to be hopeful."

Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Betty Ford Center CMO lauds Biden's call to action on fentanyl crisis
Biden (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The Biden administration is praising Nicaraguas release of 222 political prisoners as a positive and welcome step that could portend a return of democracy to the impoverished Central American country.

A senior administration official told The Independent on Thursday that the Nicaraguan government decided unilaterally to release 222 individuals whom they had imprisoned, some of whom have spent years in prison, many of them for exercising their fundamental freedoms, in awful conditions and with no access to due process.

As of Thursday morning, the 222 former prisoners were on a US-funded flight bound for Washington.

The United States facilitated the transportation of those individuals once released from Nicaraguan custody to the United States, where they will be paroled for humanitarian reasons into the country for a period of two years, the official said, adding that all of the ex-prisoners voluntarily chose to leave and consented to being transported to the US.

They will be offered medical and legal assistance, and will be met with resettlement aid once they reach the US.

The United States continues to prioritize support for the Nicaraguan people and their fundamental freedoms and human rights, the official said.

We have long called for the release of individuals imprisoned in Nicaragua for exercising their fundamental freedoms as a first step towards the restoration of democracy and an improved human rights climate in Nicaragua. The decision of the Nicaraguan Government is a positive and welcome one. We remain steadfast in encouraging additional steps by the Government of Nicaragua to restore civil liberties and democracy for the Nicaraguan people.
By Trevor Hunnicutt and Jarrett Renshaw

TAMPA (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden traveled on Thursday to Florida and positioned his Democratic party as the sole protector of Social Security and Medicare in an aim to reclaim the state, which has a large population of retirees who rely on the programs.

Speaking to supporters in a one-time battleground state that has leaned Republican in recent years, Biden outlined a list of achievements, such as allowing the federal government to negotiate Medicare drug prices and impose price caps on insulin. He said Republicans are fighting to roll back those efforts while also seeking cuts to popular social safety net programs.

"I know that a lot of Republicans, their dream is to cut Social Security and Medicare. Well, let me say this: If that's your dream, I'm your nightmare," Biden said in Tampa.

Biden's trip is part of a blitz to at least 20 states by him and members of his Cabinet following his State of the Union speech to Congress on Tuesday.

As the president prepares to launch his re-election bid, top aides and Democratic strategists debate how seriously he should campaign in Florida, where the last Democratic presidential candidate to win was Barack Obama in 2012.

Both former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis are early favorites in the fight for the Republican nomination for the next presidential election in 2024. Both would have a home field advantage over Biden in Florida.

Still, Biden believes his policies could resonate in the state, where one in five residents is over the age of 65. Polls show Democrats are perceived as more likely to protect the Social Security and Medicare programs, which provide basic income and healthcare to senior citizens.

'CHOPPING BLOCK'

Biden has sought to link Republicans to the idea of cutting funding for both programs as part of negotiations over increasing the United States' $31.4 trillion debt limit.

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Kevin McCarthy, the Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, has repeatedly said his party will not try to scale back the two largest benefit programs.

Biden drew boos from Republicans at his State of the Union speech when he said some hardline conservatives want to end Social Security and Medicare. He then said he took their response as indicating agreement that the programs should be protected.

"So folks, as we all apparently agree, Social Security, Medicare is off the books now, right? All right. Weve got unanimity," Biden said. "I enjoy conversion."

The White House has not laid out a detailed plan on how to fund the programs when they start to become insolvent, which is expected as soon as 2028 in the case of Medicares hospitalization benefits.

At the Tampa event, the White House distributed a pamphlet entitled "A 12-Point Plan to Rescue America: U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL)," which highlighted that senator's proposal to require Medicare and Social Security to be reauthorized every five years.

"The very idea of the Senator from Florida wants to put Social Security, Medicare on the chopping block every five years I find to be somewhat outrageous," Biden said.

Scott, who says Biden is distorting his plan's intentions, released an attack ad this week calling on Biden to resign and accusing him of being a danger to Medicare and Social Security.

Asked about the ad in a Noticias Telemundo interview that aired Thursday evening, Biden said he had no comment, and when pressed, added: "It's Rick Scott."

Some Republicans have also been critical of the Scott plan. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell called it a "bad idea" in a radio interview on Thursday. "I think it will be a challenge for him to deal with this in his own re-election in Florida, a state with more elderly people than any other state in America," McConnell said on the Terry Meiners radio show.

FLORIDA TROUBLES

Florida, the nation's third-most-populous state, was long seen as a critical battleground in U.S. presidential elections.

But Democrats have struggled there in recent elections, and DeSantis last year won a second term as governor by nearly 20 percentage points.

"There is no reason at this point to devote national resources into Florida in 2024," a senior Democrat told Reuters at a recent party conference in Philadelphia.

Biden has said he intends to run for re-election and he is expected to formally launch his bid in the coming weeks.

Jen O'Malley Dillon, a senior Biden aide who ran his 2020 campaign and is expected to play a key role in his next one, does not see Florida as essential for a Biden victory in 2024 and has preferred to focus more on Arizona and Georgia, states that have grown more favorable for Democrats, according to people familiar with her thinking.

Steve Schale, a Florida Democratic operative and Biden ally, who ran Obama's campaign in the state in 2008, said he understands the party's challenges in Florida.

"My concern is when you start ceding states that you won three of the last six elections in, is that smart?," Schale said. "There should be a longer-term conversation about Florida, but I understand the realities of the 2024 map."

(Reporting By Jarrett Renshaw and Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Jeff Mason, Chris Reese, David Gregorio, Jonathan Oatis and Deepa Babington)
President Bidens boost for an antitrust reform proposal targeting tech giants during his State of the Union address was embraced as a win for supporters backing the bill to limit dominant tech companies from preferencing their own products and services.

During the roughly one hour and 13 minute speech, the president urged Congress to strengthen antitrust enforcement and prevent big online platforms from giving their own products an unfair advantage.

The presidents support, though, may do little to move the needle on the issue  especially in a politically divided Congress  as powerful tech groups continue to push back.

Bidens comment was seemingly a nod to the bipartisan American Innovation and Choice Online Act. The legislation aims to block dominant companies from giving preference to their own goods or discriminating against rival products. In practice, that could mean that Amazon would not be able to place its own products at the top of search results or that Google would be prevented from highlighting its own services in its search engine results.

The proposal advanced last Congress out of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, but failed to make it into law last year after tech groups spent millions on lobbying efforts and ad campaigns to kill the bill.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), a lead sponsor of the bill, called Bidens comments on antitrust a sign of momentum.

President just brought up my bipartisan shipping bill, antitrust tech bills AND ticketing issue! Momentum!, Klobuchar tweeted during the speech.

Bidens call to action was the first time a president has mentioned antitrust in a State of the Union since former President Carter in 1979, according to The American Presidency Project document archive.

For the movement, this is an important moment that shows that Big Techs era of unchecked power is coming to an end. Holding Tech giants accountable isnt just good policy. Its a political winner, and Bidens State of the Union is Exhibit A, Kyle Morse, deputy executive director of the Tech Oversight Project, said in a statement.

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Its time for Members of Congress  on both sides of the aisle  to heed his call, stand up for the American people, and get this done, Morse added.

Sarah Miller, executive director of the American Economic Liberties Project, said the speech sends an unmistakable message to the rest of the Democratic Party that the President expects his Party to finish the job.

In addition to the nod to the proposal to rein in Big Tech dominance over small businesses, Miller applauded Bidens speech for boosting support for banning junk fees on tickets and ending noncompete agreements for workers.

Bidens State of the Union address was his latest call for support behind antitrust reform. The president penned an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal last month with a similar message to Congress calling for support efforts to boost competition in the tech sector.

But even the boost from the president may not help get the bill across the finish line.

Supporters face an even tougher landscape this Congress, with Republicans in control of the House pledging to prioritize a tech agenda focused on content moderation, based largely on unfounded claims of social media companies using an anti-conservative bias to censor content.

Republicans have been setting the stage for that agenda since before they took control of the House. In December, incoming House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) sent letters to Apple, Amazon, Google parent company Alphabet and Microsoft asking for information about the companies collusion with the Biden Administration to suppress freedom of speech online.

The GOP forged ahead with its plan Wednesday during a hearing focused on former Twitter employees decision to limit the spread of a New York Post story about President Bidens son Hunter Biden.

Antitrust reform advocacy groups made a mad dash toward end of last year to encourage congressional leaders to bring the American Innovation and Online Choice Act to a vote, along with another aimed at boosting competition in the app store market, before Republicans took control of the House.

Although the American Innovation and Online Choice Act has support in both chambers, GOP leaders in the House have not made antitrust a priority. Jordan was not a supporter of the bill, either, meaning the committee will likely not call it back for discussion this session.

At the same time, supporters of antitrust reform are still facing a powerful coalition of tech companies and associated industry groups that are not backing down from the fight against the bills.

The Computer and Communications Industry Associations Dont Break What Works campaign elevated their previous criticism of the bill in a statement responding to Bidens speech. The association names Amazon, Apple, Google and Meta among its members.

The tech industry trade group claims the proposal would break products like free Google services or Amazons two-day shipping.

We remain concerned that the Presidents rhetoric tonight reaffirms commitment to those same, flawed policies, said Chandler Smith Costello, a spokeswoman for the push against the legislation.

We encourage the administration to focus on the issues that are most pressing to American families and businesses rather than continuing to pursue an agenda that remains unpopular with American consumers, Costello said.

Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) and supporters of the antitrust push have called those arguments a form of scare tactics that misrepresent the bill.

These are gigantic monopolies. And one of the great challenges with monopolies is with tremendous concentrated economic power comes political power, Cicilline previously told The Hill.

We knew this was gonna be a tough haul, but its not going away. Were gonna come right back at it, he added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden on Wednesday played down the controversy over classified documents seized by the Department of Justice, saying the items were to the best of my knowledgefrom 1974, stray papers.

"There may be something else. I don't know, Biden told PBS NewsHours Judy Woodruff.

The White House revealed in January that the presidents lawyers found a "small number" of classified documents in a a private office following his tenure as vice president. On Jan. 20, the FBI retrieved other documents after a day-long search of his Wilmington, Delaware home.

Biden has previously said he was surprised to learn the files from his past service in the White House and Congress contained classified material.

As they packed up my offices to move them, they didnt do the kind of job that should have been done to go thoroughly through every single piece of literature there, Biden told Woodruff.

Attorney General Merrick Garland has appointed a special counsel to examine Biden's handling of classified documents. In addition, the Republican-led House Committee on Oversight and Accountability launched its own investigation.

President Joe Biden speaks to guests at the Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) training center on February 08, 2023 in De Forest, Wisconsin. The visit came a day after his State of the Union address in Washington.

Garland appointed a separate special counsel in November to investigate former President Donald Trump's retention of documents after leaving the White House.

While both cases involve the handling of sensitive government documents, the Trump inquiry also is examining Trump's alleged attempts to obstruct the government's repeated efforts to retrieve the records from his Florida estate.

Biden has offered few specifics about the nature of the documents that were discovered. On Jan. 10, when asked at a news conference about the papers found at his former office, he said he was briefed about this discovery but I don't know what's in the documents.

My lawyers have not suggested I ask what documents they were, Biden added.

Contributing: Kevin Johnson

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden: Classified docs found at home and office were 'stray papers'
The economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and Russias invasion of Ukraine sent oil prices skyrocketing this year, bringing extremely high profits to energy companies.

In recent weeks, companies including ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell and BP reported billions of dollars in 2022 profits, many of which broke records.

The announcements spurred political backlash, including from the White House, as Democrats seek to draw a contrast between the pay the companies receive and the economic struggles of ordinary Americans.

You may have noticed that Big Oil just reported record profits. Last year, they made $200 billion in the midst of a global energy crisis. Its outrageous, President Biden said Tuesday night during the State of the Union address to Congress.

They invested too little of that profit to increase domestic production and keep gas prices down. Instead, they used those record profits to buy back their own stock, rewarding their CEOs and shareholders, he continued. Corporations ought to do the right thing. Thats why I propose that we quadruple the tax on corporate stock buybacks to encourage long-term investments instead.

Market analysts say the profits, caused by high energy prices, were the result of forces in the commodities market rather than a price set by an individual firm.

Oil, natural gas and all the refined products  are commodities that trade on exchanges, and the market sets the price for those products, oil companies dont, said John Thieroff, vice president and senior credit officer at Moodys Investors Service.

Even so, companies decision to cut back on growth spending and to do things that might have led to increased supply, those things do have an impact on prices.

Last week, ExxonMobil reported a record profit of $55.7 billion and Chevron reported a profit of $35.5 billion. This week, Shell reported $39.9 billion, BP reported $27.7 billion and French oil major TotalEnergies reported $36.2 billion in profits.

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Claudio Galimberti, senior vice president of analysis at Rystad Energy, said that oil and gas sold at a premium because of investor fears, rather than actual disruption to supply, following Russias invasion of Ukraine.

As investors feared what would happen when Russia  the worlds third-largest oil producer and second-largest gas producer  declared war on a key Western partner and spurred international backlash, they worried that there could be a supply disruption. Prices then skyrocketed, reaching north of $100 per barrel in spring of 2022.

It was the story of perceived risk  more than real actual disruption, Galimberti said. Theres going to be a lot of people trying to buy, specifically if there is a perception that the market is going to be tight.

Antoine Halff, the former chief oil analyst at the International Energy Agency and lead industry economist at the U.S. Energy Information Administration, also pointed to a lack of investment in new production during the pandemic. Energy prices fell sharply in 2020 as fewer people traveled, pushing oil and gas companies to scale back production and investment in wells that may not yield profits with prices still low.

Demand has been recovering from the lows of 2020 and supply has been hampered by the lack of investment and by disciplined by from the large producers, he said, saying that those producers include both Saudi Arabia and U.S. players.

Yet the high-profit announcements are getting backlash in Washington, particularly from the White House, as Democrats renew longstanding tensions with the oil industry.

The only thing stopping Big Oil from increasing production is their decision to pay shareholders billions instead of reinvesting profits, Biden tweeted last week in response to the announcement of Exxon Mobils profits.

Im doing my part to lower prices, its time Big Oil did theirs, he said.

During his State of the Union address, Biden used the industry as an example for why taxes need to be raised on corporate stock buybacks  when corporations buy shares of their own stock to raise the price and enrich shareholders.

Galimberti, with Rystad Energy, raised concerns in particular about large corporate stock buybacks, saying that not investing in new production could raise prices.

What we need right now is  investment in oil and gas production, he said. If that doesnt occur, that is a recipe for very much higher oil prices down the line.

Biden proposed boosting the tax on corporate stock buybacks in his Tuesday address, but the plan will likely fall flat in a GOP-controlled House.

Other Democrats have also criticized the earnings. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) in a tweet last week called the companies actions repugnant.

Whatd they do with the cash? Lower gas prices? Pay workers better? Bulk up clean energy investments? No, he wrote. They jacked up gas prices and rewarded shareholders with stock buybacks. Its nothing short of repugnant.

On Wednesday, Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said they would reintroduce legislation that would make it illegal to sell gasoline at excessive prices during a crisis that impacts the market.

Oil companies charging sky-high prices during times of national hardship must be held accountable, Blumenthal said in a statement. Our legislation will give the [Federal Trade Commission] and state officials the tools needed to prevent working families from subsidizing these giants record profits.

The profits reports also renewed some calls for a windfall profits tax from the left.

All of those efforts, however, face little prospect of making it through House Republicans or winning the support necessary to overcome a Senate GOP filibuster.

In a Tuesday tweet, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said Biden savaged big oil for not reinvesting profits before he puts them out of business in 10 years.

While Biden drilled into the industry, he tacitly acknowledged how he would be depending on their output to keep energy prices low.

Were still going to need oil and gas for a while, Biden said Tuesday night, drawing laughter and applause from Republican lawmakers.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Biden traveled to Florida on Thursday, where he hammered Sen. Rick Scott (R) in his home state, calling Scotts views on Social Security and Medicare outrageous.

The very idea the senator from Florida wants to put Social Security and Medicare on the chopping block every five years, I find to be somewhat outrageous. So outrageous that you might not even believe it, Biden told the audience at the University of Tampa.

Biden, like he has in other speeches about protecting Social Security and Medicare, held up a pamphlet of Scotts proposal and read from it. Brochures on Scotts 12-point plan were also left on seats in the audience.

Scott last year proposed sunsetting all federal legislation after five years, forcing Congress to reauthorize them each time. On Wednesday, Scott defended his plans in a Twitter thread, disputing that his proposals amounted to cutting Social Security and Medicare.

Biden said that Scott confirmed that he still likes his proposal on Wednesday and threatened to veto it if it got to his desk. Meanwhile, Scott, in a tweet earlier on Thursday, invited Biden to debate the matter  any time or place in Florida this evening.

Also in his speech at the University of Tampa, Biden embraced the back-and-forth with lawmakers during his State of the Union address, which he also did in his Wednesday speech in Wisconsin.

You may have seen, we had a little bit of a spirited debate at the State of the Union, he said, adding that Republicans seemed shocked when he read from Scotts proposal.

They were offended, liar, liar, Biden said, mimicking what some Republicans who heckled him during his remarks called out. There were about four or five, how many? I reminded them that Floridas own Rick Scott  the guy who ran the Senate campaign committee for Republicans last year  had a plan to sunset  maybe hes changed his mind, maybe hes seen the Lord. But, he wanted to sunset it. Meaning if you dont reauthorize it, it goes away.

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He also noted that Sen. Ron Johnson (R), whose home state of Wisconsin he visited the day prior, had previously talked about having the government reauthorize spending programs such as Social Security and Medicare on an annual basis.

I dont get it, I really dont. I dont know who they think they are, Biden said. I know that a lot of Republicans, their dream is to cut Social Security and Medicare. Well, let me say this, if thats your dream, Im your nightmare.

The White House earlier on Thursday argued that Scott wants to make himself the national poster-child for Republican attacks on Social Security and Medicare.

The president has further leaned into the fight with Republicans over Social Security and Medicare, with him and the White House highlighting multiple times over the last two days the sparring at the State of the Union over it.

Biden in 2020 lost Florida to former President Trump, who now resides in the state. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has increasingly become a political rival of Bidens and is expected to run for president in 2024.

The Sunshine State is the second stop on Bidens post-State of the Union travel itinerary, after he went to battleground Wisconsin on Wednesday. Other Biden administration officials are also hitting the road, including Vice President Harris, who went to Georgia on Wednesday and is heading to Minnesota this week.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Biden seemingly got one over on House Republicans in Tuesdays State of the Union address, baiting GOP lawmakers over spending cuts related to the nations debt limit and withstanding regular heckling and name calling in a speech that lasted over an hour.

Throughout his administration, the president has faced increasing doubts from both parties over his ability to lead the country for another four years, but after this weeks address even some Republicans  including his top political nemesis  had compliments for the president.

I disagree with him on most of his policies, but he put into words what he felt, and he ended up the evening far stronger than he began. Give him credit for that, former President Trump shared on his Truth Social account just after Bidens address wrapped.

As Biden prepares to announce his reelection bid in the coming weeks, his State of the Union address  on a prime-time national stage  showed that he can still be old school Biden: nimble, crafty and quick to punch back.

Democratic strategist Eddie Vale said Biden looked ready to hit the trail in 2024.

[The address] showed a president who was having fun, toying with his opponents, Vale said.

And the president didnt just stick to the script. During some of the most raucous moments in the chamber, House Republicans openly sparred with Biden, shouting liar and its your fault in response to some of his policy suggestions.

Biden shined in some of those moments, avoiding the types of gaffes hes sometimes known for.

The most memorable moment of a live back-and-forth between the president and the GOP came when the president suggested that some Republicans want to sunset Social Security and Medicare, which led to boo, no! and liar! from the audience.

Folks, as we all apparently agree, Social Security and Medicare is off the books now, right? Theyre not to be touched? All right. All right. We got unanimity! Biden said, seemingly settling a wrought policy disagreement on live television.

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His response seemed to work. Immediately, it put Republicans on defense while bolstering Bidens stature as the adult in the room.

Joe Biden sparring with the crowd and winning wasnt something I expected, former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, the Illinois Republican who left Congress earlier this year, wrote on Twitter on Tuesday night.

On Wednesday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre described the exchange as the president putting Republicans on the defense. Biden later recalled during a speech in Wisconsin that Republicans sure didnt like me calling them on it.

Speaking on Fox News on Wednesday morning, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who at times shook his head sitting behind Biden during the speech, accused the president of using a political ploy to goad members of his party into reacting.

But the one thing we need to be is  we need to be smart. We need to be smart, dont take the bait, stay with the American public about what we want to do, McCarthy said.

Ivan Zapien, a lobbyist and former Democratic National Committee official, said that Biden projected confidence in the address and brought politics back to a place where jeers from the other party could be a positive thing.

I thought his speech hit the right tone, forcefully making his policy points  but open to debate. But above all, I think the tone of the whole night, including the boos and shouts, was positive. Biden, being Biden, lifted our politics back to a place where we can boo, yell and cry, and still get things done for the country  this is a message I think the country needed, Zapien said.

The president on Tuesday said about a dozen times in his address that he wants to finish the job Americans gave him when he was elected in 2020, giving a nod to a 2024 bid.

Nayyera Haq, a SiriusXM host who served as a senior aide in the Obama White House, predicted Biden will bring that same energy to the trail in 2024.

The man spent nearly an hour glad-handing in the chamber when I would have been wiped out and needing a nap. This is a Biden who can be out on the campaign trail showing compassion to tense voters, yakking it up with union bosses and giving Democrats the sense of fighting back they want to see, she said.

The president is expected to announce that he is officially running for reelection in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the White House hailed Bidens address on Tuesday as a success.

If you talk about the split screen, you saw that from the president and you saw what Republicans were all about, which is jeering and behaving in a way that, again, Americans dont want, Jean-Pierre said on Wednesday. They told us very clearly after the midterms what they wanted.

Other Republicans besides Trump also complimented the president, saying the way he handled the hecklers will be remembered.

Those who were heckling the president  issues of decorum aside  trying to demonstrate what fighters they are, essentially allowed Biden to grab them by the hands and say stop hitting yourself. Its ultimately what the speech will be remembered for, not anything Biden said, good or bad or substance, said Doug Heye, a GOP strategist.

Biden entered the State of the Union on the heels of polls that showed much of his legislative accomplishments werent resonating with a significant swath of the American public. And while even a strong State of the Union address is unlikely to move the needle on such issues, Democrats are hopeful Bidens determination will help him succeed in 2024.

For Biden, its very personal, but his optimism, authenticity and focus on getting stuff done will be his super power going into reelection, Zapien said.

Biden hit the road for Wisconsin on Wednesday, attempting to build on the momentum from his State of the Union address and double down on his argument that the economy is improving because of steps taken by his administration. He will then travel to Florida on Thursday to double down on his State of the Union comments about protecting Social Security and Medicare.

Last night, I reported on the State of the Union. It is strong. It is strong, the president said to union workers at the Wisconsin Laborers Training Center in DeForest, Wis., on Wednesday. It is strong because of you.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Biden on Wednesday brushed off plans by House Republicans to investigate his family members, arguing the public will not care.

The president sat for an interview with PBS NewsHours Judy Woodruff, who asked about the House GOPs plans to use its new majority to probe his son, Hunter Biden, and potentially the finances of his brother, James Biden.

The publics not going to pay attention to that, Biden said. They want these guys to do something. If the only thing they can do is make up things about my family, its not going to go very far.

House Republicans have long telegraphed their intentions to investigate the presidents family, accusing Bidens son and brother of using the family name to gain influence and wealth.

The House Oversight and Accountability Committees website features a landing page titled Biden Family Investigation that lays out how Chairman James Comer (Ky.) and other Republicans are investigating the Biden familys domestic and international business dealings to determine whether these activities compromise U.S. national security and President Bidens ability to lead with impartiality.

The committee held a hearing on Wednesday with former Twitter executives about the suppression of a New York Post story before the 2020 election about Hunter Bidens laptop and its contents.

The White House dismissed that hearing as a bizarre political stunt, and Democrats argued that the American people would rather see lawmakers focus on issues that matter.

Biden has defended his family whenever asked about GOP allegations of corruption, saying he is proud of his son, Hunter, who has fought addiction, and denied any wrongdoing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Biden on Wednesday said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has already lost Ukraine, adding that aid to Ukraine during the Russian invasion is open-ended.

Theres no way that Putin is going to be able to  hes already lost Ukraine, Biden said. He thought that if he invaded Ukraine, first of all, hed get a welcome by every Russian speaker, theyd say, Come on in. Secondly, he thought what would happen is that NATO would collapse, NATO would not to do anything, theyd be afraid to act.

Go down the line, none of thats happening, he said in a PBS NewsHour interview the day after he delivered the State of the Union address.

Biden said NATO is coordinating in support of Ukraine, despite Putin thinking it wouldnt.

His comments come after he stressed his support for Ukraine amid Russias invasion during the State of the Union and recognized Oksana Markarova, Ukraines ambassador to the U.S., in the audience.

Biden also pushed back on criticism from a small group of Republican lawmakers who have suggested that too much U.S. assistance is going to Ukraine. PBSs Judy Woodruff mentioned Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), who has suggested money spent in Ukraine should go to Americans, and Biden audibly laughed.

If these guys dont want to help Ukraine, I get it, they dont want to do that, but what are they going to do to when  Russia rolls across Ukraine or into Belarus or anywhere else? he added.

When asked if aid to Ukraine is open-ended, Biden replied, Yeah, it is.

The first anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion will be on Feb. 24. Since then, U.S. military assistance to Ukraine has exceeded an estimated $28 billion.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Biden on Wednesday said he does not believe the U.S. shooting down a Chinese surveillance balloon will negatively impact relations between the two countries.

When asked in an interview with PBS NewsHour if relations have taken a hit, Biden flatly responded, No.

Biden said he has not spoken to Chinese President Xi Jinping since it was reported that a Chinese balloon was hovering over the U.S. and the balloon was subsequently shot down over the weekend.

But, look, I mean, the idea shooting down a balloon thats gathering information over America and that makes relations worse? Biden said, casting doubt on the idea.

Look, I made it real clear to Xi Jinping that were going to compete fully with China, but were not looking for conflict. And thats been the case so far, Biden added.

The president added that his Chinese counterpart has enormous problems to deal with domestically, including an economy that is not flourishing and questions over whether Beijing supports Russia in its invasion of Ukraine.

Biden made brief mention of China during his State of the Union address on Tuesday, indirectly referencing the balloon incident.

As we made clear last week, if Chinas threatens our sovereignty, we will act to protect our country. And we did, Biden said.

In response, China said Wednesday it was smeared in the address, with a Foreign Ministry official saying the country is opposed to defining the entire China-U.S. relationship in terms of competition.

Biden has faced criticism from some Republicans for allowing the balloon to traverse much of the U.S. last week before the military finally shot it down near the coast of South Carolina. Biden has made clear and reiterated on Wednesday that he wanted to wait until it was safe to shoot down the balloon so that any debris did not damage property or endanger people.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Proud Boys celebrated and expressed an increased sense of importance after former President Donald Trump told members of the right-wing extremist group to "stand back and stand by" during a September 2020 presidential debate, according to their Telegram messages, introduced as evidence in court Wednesday.

Five Proud Boys, including leader Henry "Enrique" Tarrio, face various charges in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, including the rare charge of seditious conspiracy.

'Guys...stand by'

In the minutes after Trump made the remark, Proud Boys sent a flurry of messages to a Telegram group chat called "Official Presidents Chat," which the Justice Department says was populated by Proud Boys chapter presidents across the country. Defendants Tarrio, Ethan Nordean and Zachary Rehl were in the chat.

"PROUD BOYS"

"SHOUT OUT"

"Wouldn't condemn us," the messages from different Proud Boys, pouring in within milliseconds of each other, said.

A few messages later, Tarrio tells the group: "Guys...stand by."

'Be ready to go'

Later in the evening, a Proud Boy with the username "Nebraska Red," not identified by the government, asked the group what the former president's phrase actually meant.

A user called "Johnny Blackbeard," who the government identified as John Charles Stewart, replied: "I read it as stand by, don't engage immediately but be ready to go."

'We are bigger than Jesus'

The Proud Boys were galvanized by Trump's comment, messages in a different chat called Skull and Bones, populated with Proud Boys "elders," or senior officials, showed.

"We are bigger than Jesus," a user called "Chris Cannon Pb" wrote in the chat.

"Kings," Tarrio replied.

'Lets hope daddy Trump plays it right'

Newfound fame the Proud Boys perceived to have gained from Trump's comment encouraged members of the group to remain part of the political conversation.

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"Boys, we are the #1 media point from the largest debate that has ever been seen or heard in the history of the world," the user "Chris Cannon Pb" wrote. "3billion people heard our name and the other 4billion don't have a TV."

Defendant Zachary Rehl replied that the group had been "brought into the Presidential conversation."

"Lets hope daddy Trump plays it right," he wrote.

'My phone hasn't stopped ringing'

In another chat called "OG Pickleback Crew"  which was not an official Proud Boys channel, according to prosecutors  Proud Boys and other members discussed making tee shirts adorned with Trump's phrase.

"Stand back and stand by...Need to be shirts @NobleLead...For the pbs...Condemn the pbs. Hahaha joe Biden," a user called "Planet" wrote in a string of messages.

Defendant Joe Biggs replied back in two messages: "I'm so happy...My Phone hasn't stopped ringing."

Dig deeper:

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Proud Boys trial: Group's reaction to Trump's 'stand back and stand by'
Bill Gates says he's "not part of the problem" and doesn't feel it's a contradiction to use a private jet while promoting climate change awareness. Kevin Dietsch / Staff / Getty Images

Bill Gates was asked whether his private jet makes him a "hypocrite" while funding climate innovation.

Gates disagreed, saying he pays for carbon offsets and his jet helps further his climate fundraising.

Gates reportedly owns a $40 million Bombardier BD-700 Global Express he once called his "guilty pleasure."

Bill Gates explained why he doesn't consider himself a hypocrite for using his private jet while simultaneously warning about climate change promoting climate innovation.

Gates was asked in an interview with the BBC in Kenya what his response would be to someone who would call him a hypocrite for being a "climate change campaigner" while also flying "around the world in a private jet."

"I buy the gold standard of funding Climeworks to do direct air capture that far exceeds my family's carbon footprint," Gates said, referencing paying for offsets on his carbon footprint.

Climeworks is a Swiss company that removes carbon dioxide emissions from the air, and puts them back in the ground in an effort to curb global warming.

Gates, who is currently the fourth richest person in the world, also said he spends "billions of dollars on climate innovation."

"So, you know, should I stay at home and not come to Kenya and learn about farming and malaria?" Gates said.

"I'm comfortable with the idea that, not only am I not part of the problem by paying for the offsets, but also through the billions that my breakthrough energy group is spending, that I'm part of the solution," Gates told the BBC.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

On a Bloomberg podcast appearance last September, Gates said "innovation is not just a check-writing process," and that "the cost" of fighting the climate crisis "is way greater than what anyone could fund." In 2015, Gates founded Breakthrough Energy, which invests in climate technology for sustainable energy and reducing emissions.

On Reddit, the Microsoft cofounder has said his private jet is his "guilty pleasure" and his "big splurge."

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He reportedly owns a 19-seater Bombardier BD-700 Global Express that costs around $40 million. He called his plane "a huge indulgence," along with his Porsche, which he told talk show host Ellen DeGeneres are the two "crazy things" he's bought as a billionaire.

Gates has also said climate change can't be solved by telling people to change their lifestyle, for example, telling people not to eat meat or that they shouldn't want a nice house.

"That is too difficult," Gates told Bloomberg's Zero podcast. "You can make a case for it, but I don't think it's realistic for that to play a central role."

Read the original article on Business Insider
A Clovis man is accused of attacking a senior citizen and wrestling a police dog while naked.

Danny Jimenez, 29, was booked into the Fresno County Jail following the bizarre series of events.

According to sheriffs spokesman Tony Botti, the incident took place in the 2500 block of East Barton Square near southeast Fresno, where deputies were sent after an 84-year-old man was struck in the head with a metal object.

Botti said Jimenez drove to the area and randomly attacked the elderly victim before running to the back yard and into a shed that was converted into a bedroom.

When deputies arrived, they reported Jimenez acting in an erratic manner as if he was under the influence of drugs.

Jimenez removed his clothes and began throwing items around in the shed, prompting deputies to release the police dog.

A naked Jimenez then tried to choke the dog, according to Botti.

It was unclear if the dog bit Jimenez anywhere.

But the canine managed to escape from the suspect.

And deputies fired Taser darts at Jimenez  but to no effect.

Several deputies finally gained control of Jimenez and took him into custody.

He received medical treatment before he was booked into Fresno County Jail.

The senior was taken to the hospital and is expected to recover.

The dog is doing OK, Botti added.

There was a deputy who had to be evaluated after he was exposed to the elderly victims blood.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP)  Racial tensions in Mississippi echoed in Missouri Thursday, as Black Democratic lawmakers accused the state's Republican House leadership of racism for shutting down a Black lawmaker's speech and passing a bill that could strip power from the Black woman elected as prosecutor in St. Louis.

The discord in the Missouri House came just days after a similar situation in Mississippi, where Black lawmakers denounced the majority-white, Republican-led Legislature for voting to take power away from local leaders in the predominantly Black city of Jackson.

Like in Mississippi, Missouri's legislature has a largely white Republican majority. Most of the Black lawmakers represent the state's two largest urban areas of St. Louis and Kansas City.

Missouri Republicans have made anti-crime legislation a priority this session, often highlighting high crime rates in St. Louis as an impetus. The House passed legislation by a 109-35 vote that would allow Republican Gov. Mike Parson to appoint a special prosecutor to handle violent crimes in areas with high homicide rates, such as St. Louis. The bill also would expand mandatory minimum sentences for persistent felony offenders, among other things.

State Rep. Kevin Windham, a Black Democrat from St. Louis County, was reading aloud a news article about the Mississippi situation during the House debate when some white Republican lawmakers objected that his speech had nothing to do with the Missouri legislation.

House Speaker Dean Plocher ruled Windham out of order, halting his speech. Windham's microphone was turned off. House Majority Leader Jon Patterson then made a motion to shut off debate on the bill, which the Republican majority voted to do  leaving other Black Democrats standing without getting a turn to speak.

Black lawmakers were outraged.

Its racist to not allow him to speak, Rep. Marlene Terry, a St. Louis County Democrat who is chair of the Missouri Black Legislative Caucus, told reporters after the debate.

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Terry said she was calling on Black leaders and community activists to come to the Capitol.

From now on theres no more peaceful  no more peaceful  its going to be actions," Terry said. "Were going to let them know that we are here to be heard.

The Rev. Darryl Gray, a St. Louis pastor and a leading racial justice activist, posted a Facebook message urging people to rally at the state Capitol next Wednesday to stand up against state control & white suppression.

Patterson defended his role in halting the debate, saying the conversation was devolving and may have gotten worse.

I don't discount any of the experiences that our Black lawmakers have had, or the white lawmakers, Patterson told The Associated Press. I can guarantee this  it did not play a role in me deciding that it was time to have a vote on the bill."

In Mississippi, tensions were stirred Tuesday by two separate votes. The Mississippi Senate voted to create a regional board to eventually take control of Jacksons struggling water system, which is now overseen by a federally appointed administrator. Then the House voted to create a new court in part of Jackson with judges who would be appointed rather than elected.

Democratic Mississippi state Sen. John Horhn said during a Legislative Black Caucus news conference that the actions "amount to a symbolic decapitation of Black elected leadership.

Missouri's debate on Thursday was relatively brief. But the House had spent several hours debating and amending the bill the previous day. The final vote didn't fall exclusively on racial lines. Among those voting for the bill were a Black Republican lawmaker from suburban St. Louis and two Black Democratic lawmakers from Kansas City. That included Democratic Rep. Mark Sharp, who supported a provision in the bill making it a crime to discharge a firearm with criminal negligence in city limits.

Plocher said passage of the bill  which now heads to the Republican-led Senate  was an exciting step.

Were beginning a process to improve Missourians lives by cracking down on crime," Plocher said.

The office of St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner issued a statement calling the legislation a political stunt.

Zaki Baruti, leader of the St. Louis-based Universal African Peoples Organization, described the effort to strip power from Gardner as a move against Democracy."

Gardner is the first and only Black circuit attorney elected in St. Louis, and she has pursued a progressive agenda. She stopped prosecuting low-level marijuana crimes, favors diverting first-time, non-violent offenders to community programs instead of jail, and has developed an exclusion list of several dozen police officers who are not allowed to bring cases to her office, based in part on concerns of potential racial bias among those officers.

She represents the hopes and aspirations of the Black community, Baruti said. He added: Clearly this is an attack and not just happening here in St. Louis but across America, where when Black people seize key positions of power and do actions that some lawmakers feel that they cant go along with, they come under tremendous attack."

___

Associated Press writer Jim Salter contributed from St. Louis.
By Humeyra Pamuk

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States said on Thursday it will provide $85 million in urgent humanitarian assistance to Turkey and Syria after a massive earthquake that killed more than 20,000 people.

The announcement by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) came shortly after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, their second call in four days.

The death toll across both countries has now surpassed the more than 17,000 killed in 1999 when a similarly powerful quake hit northwest Turkey.

Hundreds of thousands of people in both countries have been left homeless in the middle of winter. Many have camped out in makeshift shelters in supermarket car parks, mosques, roadsides or amid the ruins, often desperate for food, water and heat.

"This new funding is supporting USAIDs humanitarian partners to deliver urgently-needed aid for millions of people in Turkiye and in Syria," USAID said in a statement.

Washington has already sent to Turkey teams consisting of around 160 people and 12 dogs, whose top priority is to help save people from under thousands of collapsed buildings. Paramedics, emergency responders, hazardous material technicians and others have already arrived.

Blinken's call with Cavusoglu was to understand from Ankara "what they would like to see from the United States" in terms of assistance from the United States in the aftermath of the disaster, State Department spokesperson Ned Price told a daily briefing.

"The foreign minister (Cavusoglu) did offer to Secretary Blinken some specifics. We will do everything we possibly can to fulfill the needs that the Turks have put forward," Price said.

U.S. helicopters are helping rescue personnel reach difficult to access areas and Washington is pre-positioning relief equipment it hopes will join the recovery efforts, Price said.

Washington is also sending concrete breakers, generators, medical supplies, tents, water and water purification systems, he added.

(Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk, Rami Ayyub and Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Josie Kao and Raju Gopalakrishnan)
Blue Jean isnt your typical British fare. Georgia Oakleys striking debut places a lesbian relationship front and centre  without lacing up its leads in corsets. Its an Eighties-set drama thats adorned with familiar references (at one point, New Orders Blue Monday plays)  but isnt mired in outlandish grime and misery. Most crucially, its a story about past injustice that doesnt gorge itself on self-satisfaction. Nor the comforting myth that Britain is on a steady path of betterment.

Jean (Rosy McEwen) is a teacher in Newcastle. Its 1988, in the weeks and months after Section 28 has come into effect, instructing British state schools not to promote the teaching of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship. Jean has always kept her sexuality hidden from her coworkers. But that veil of self-protection comes under threat when she spots one of her new students, Lois (Lucy Halliday), at the local lesbian bar she frequents with her girlfriend Viv (Kerrie Hayes).

This is a story ultimately about hypocrisy, in forms both cruel and tragic. Oakley and her cinematographer, Victor Seguin, tease out these ideas through a subtle visual code: the most oppressive spaces here (the school, the homes of unsupportive family members) are painted in the softest of pastels, as if a superficial attempt has been made to conceal their harshness.

For Jean herself, she is faced with the painful decision of whether to succumb to hypocrisy or risk the loss of her livelihood. Shes never wanted the life of a rebel  early on, she argues to Viv that not everythings political  but the question is really whether she has all that much choice in the matter. She cant avoid how Viv feels when she refers to her as a friend in front of her nephew. And theres nowhere to hide when an incident of bullying at the school involving Lois forces her to choose between her own safety and that of anothers.

Oakleys film ends on an ambiguous though hopeful note. Usually, this sort of conclusion risks coming across as a little mechanically inspirational. But Jean is a complicated sort of hero, full of indecision and regret. Its something bracingly captured by McEwen, who plays her as someone in a perpetual state of fight-or-flight. Theres a beautifully acted moment when Jean, after a small act of resistance, runs outside to be alone and starts weeping. Is she moved by elation or fear? Or some overwhelming mixture of both?

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Any other neatness to Blue Jean feels counteracted by stretches of dialogue that play as chilling echoes of todays world. The nurses are on strike, while the middle-class bicker about the supposed inconvenience thats been imposed on them. The claim that young people have easily influenced vulnerable minds  and the paranoia around lesbians in womens changing rooms  feel identical to the current transphobia and anti-queer discourse rife in British media. Here, what could otherwise serve as a pat on the back feels both piercing and prescient.

Dir: Georgia Oakley. Starring: Rosy McEwen, Kerrie Hayes, Lucy Halliday, Lydia Page, Stacy Abalogun. 15, 97 minutes.

Blue Jean is in cinemas from 10 February
A boat captain was arrested after human remains were found at his house, Texas authorities said.

The man was hired to take the cremated remains of three people and spread them offshore, the Port of Galveston Police Department said in a Thursday, Feb. 9, news release sent to McClatchy News. Instead, the ashes were found at the captains house, officials said.

The boat captain surrendered to police and was arrested by the Galveston County Sheriffs Department on Feb. 8, authorities said. He is facing three charges of abuse of a corpse and is being held at Galveston County Jail.

According to the mans Facebook, he worked as a charter boat captain from November 2020 to September 2022.

The charter boat company  which offers Ashes at Sea boat trips  confirmed the mans employment to McClatchy News. He stopped working there in September, the company said.

We have had no further contact with him after separation, the company said in a statement.

Police began receiving reports about the incident in October, per the release. Officials did not specify when the captain was initially hired or how many families hired him.

When asked about the captains connection to the charter boat company, police said they had no further information to provide.

Galveston is about 50 miles southeast of Houston.

Morgue workers stole drugs from dead bodies to use and sell, Michigan sheriff says

Teen texted mom on way home, then vanished. Remains found months later, GA cops say

Driver swiped credit cards from bodies he took to morgue, New Jersey officials say
Atlanta Police Department

Body-cam footage released Wednesday raises new questions about the fatal shooting of an environmental activist by a state trooper last month at the future site of Atlantas Cop City.

Authorities said an officer gunned down Manuel Tortuguita Teran on Jan. 18 because Teran opened fire first, hitting a state trooper as officers conducted a sweep of the forest where Teran and dozens of others had protestedand livedfor months.

Authorities claimed in January that there was no video of the shooting available. On Wednesday, however, Atlanta police released footage of officers near the shooting, which captured audio of at least a dozen gunshots, despite not capturing the gunfire visually.

Moments after police opened fire on Tortugita, killing them, and Atlanta Police officer can be heard saying, "Man...you fucked your own officer up?" in reference to the trooper that was also shot. pic.twitter.com/qw8G0G34b0  Atlanta Community Press Collective (@atlanta_press) February 9, 2023

Also in the clip was an unnamed officers reaction to the gunfire, which implied law enforcement may have been shooting at each other.

Man, the officer said. You fucked your own officer up.

Activists, whove proclaimed Terans innocence, honed in on that soundbyte Wednesday, claiming it discredited the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's story that Teran opened fire and struck a state trooper first before cops fired back at him.

I feel nothing but rage right now, Micah Herskind, a local organizer against Cop City, wrote on Twitter. Rage that they assassinated Tortugita [sic] and lied about it. Rage at a violent system that continues to claim lives and make the victims look like the villains.

Herskind called the footage completely damning.

A memorial to activist Manuel Teran sits at the trail head near the Cop City construction site. REUTERS/Megan Varner

State investigators told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that theyre sticking with their initial story of what happened despite the newly-released footage.

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Our original assessment that we provided is based on the facts that have been uncovered in the investigation, spokesperson Nelly Miles said. Its not based on a story that has been fabricated online and repeated in the media.

The shooting came on the heels of months of protest near the construction site for the proposed police training facility, which supposedly cost $90 million and will include state-of-the-art explosive testing areas, firing ranges, and a mock city.

In addition to arguing its a waste of taxpayer money, environmental activists, like Teran, had campaigned to save the forest thats likely to be destroyed to construct the facility.

Clashes with police had become violent in the past, but never fatal prior to January. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp called the protesters domestic terrorists last year.

How a Police Protest in Atlanta Launched a Domestic Terrorism Warzone

While state troopers dont wear body-cams, Terans family had called on Atlanta police to release footage from their officers who were close to the scene and equipped with body-cams. In a press conference, they also said an independent autopsy revealed Teran suffered at least 13 gunshot wounds.

The footage released Wednesdaytotalling more than 40 minutes across four videosbegins with Atlanta officers walking through the woods, destroying tents and confiscating items left behind by protesters. A seemingly light mood among the officers turns serious when gunfire breaks out just after 9 a.m.

The camera captures the officers taking cover behind trees, with one asking, Is this target practice?

People are heard screaming but their words are indiscernible. The cops appear to move closer to the gunfire, with one officer heard saying the shots sounded like suppressed gunfire, which another officer agreed with.

Moments later, the camera-wearing officer is heard saying, man, you fucked your own officer up.

A theory that the incident was an instance of friendly fire has been repeated by activists since the day of the shooting. On Jan. 18, an account named Defend The Atlanta Forest, tweeted about the theory just hours after Teran was pronounced dead.

We have reason to believe the officer shot today was hit by friendly fire and not by the protester who was killed, the account wrote. Do not believe the police and their media. Demand an end to police militarization and hands off the forest.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Alex Murdaugh walks into the courthouse on Wednesday morning. Andrew J. Whitaker / The Post And Courier via AP, Pool

A bomb threat was called in to the South Carolina courthouse playing host to Alex Murdaughs murder trial on Wednesday, prompting officials to evacuate the judge, jury, lawyers, and the defendant himself.

Shortly after the days fourth witness took the stand, Judge Clifton Newman interrupted proceedings to ask the jury to leave before informing others in the courtroom they too would need to leave. Ladies and gentlemen, we have to evacuate the building at this time, so well be in recess until we discover whats going on, the judge said.

According to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the threat was received by courthouse staff, who subsequently alerted officials. SLED and local sheriffs deputies subsequently launched an investigation and began a search of the building. The trial was paused for over two and a half hours before things resumed.

While fears over the bomb threat soon abated on Wednesday, the most seismic event to hit the trial this week occurred two days prior, when Judge Newman made a pivotal decision that would allow the jury to hear explosive evidence about Murdaughs alleged financial crimes.

Following days of testimony from witnesses in a separate hearing without the jury present, Newman announced Monday that he would permit prosecutors to raise this evidence during the actual murder trial because he agreed it could be seen as a possible motive. (Such evidence would not typically be permitted in a trial if it were being used merely to show Murdaugh had a bad character or propensity for crime.)

Murdaugh has pleaded not guilty to killing wife Maggie and son Paul at their rural hunting lodge on the night of June 7, 2021, but prosecutors contend he shot the pair dead in a harried attempt to deflect attention from himself and gain sympathy amid a looming series of legal and financial disasters that were all coalescing around that time.

As a result of the judges decision, several witnesses have since been called back to testify again in front of the jury, including Jeanne Seckinger, the chief financial officer at the law firm where Murdaugh had worked before he was fired in September 2021 after partners there said they discovered hed been stealing funds.

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While defense attorneys have repeatedly tried to cast Murdaugh as a loving husband and father who had no reason to kill his family, Seckingers testimony on Tuesday made clear to the jury for the first time the dark secrets that prosecutors say Murdaugh was harboring.

Repeating testimony she gave last week , but this time for the benefit of the jury, Seckinger described how shed confronted Murdaugh on the morning of the murders about $792,000 in missing fees. Months later, she discovered how he had arranged to have these funds made out in a check to himself despite his denials to the contrary.

She also discovered other extensive evidence of Murdaugh having stolen more than $5 million in funds from clients and the firm going back a decade  revelations that prompted his firing when they were discovered.

Did you really know Alex Murdaugh? prosecutor Creighton Waters asked Seckinger.

I dont think I ever really knew him, Seckinger replied. I dont think anybody knows him.

Appearing Wednesday morning before the bomb threat interrupted proceedings, Murdaughs paralegal of nine years, Annette Griswold, also described for the jury how shed discovered evidence of his alleged thefts.

I was hurt, I was angry. I just was beside myself, Griswold testified, describing how in September 2021 shed found a check related to the missing $792,000 that Murdaugh had sworn to her for months didnt exist. I was a bit enraged too because I asked him so many times.

Both Griswold and Seckinger said that their initial suspicions that Murdaugh may have been hiding money were essentially forgotten for months as a result of the June 7 murders and their sympathy for their colleague  something prosecutors have alleged was exactly Murdaughs plan. That was the furthest thing on my mind, Griswold said.

In the immediate weeks after the murders, Griswold described how the law firm staff feared someone was targeting the Murdaughs, a family of influential and powerful attorneys in the low-country region of South Carolina for generations. Staff even began watching out for strange cars that they saw driving by the law firm, fearing that Murdaugh, his surviving son Buster, or other members of his extended family may be targets. We were in complete Mama Bear mode, she said.

But when she found that check last fall, she said she went straight to Seckinger. That feeling in the back of my mind was correct, Griswold said. Unfortunately, he did take these funds.

When the full extent of Murdaughs alleged years of thefts were discovered in a subsequent audit, Griswold said law firm staff were in awe of how much was happening  [that they] had no idea about it.

Prosecutor Creighton Waters questions Annette Griswold, Alex Murdaugh's former paralegal, on Wednesday. Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post And Courier via AP, Pool

The day after Murdaughs dismissal from the law firm, authorities say he hired someone to shoot him in the head so Buster could receive an insurance payout. But the plan went awry and Murdaugh was only injured slightly. Authorities later charged Murdaugh, who checked himself into rehab for what he said was a yearslong painkiller addiction, and his alleged accomplice in that scheme.

Prosecutors also introduced evidence in court on Wednesday of a text message Murdaugh sent to Griswold and another law firm staffer from rehab, which Griswold said she assumed was part of his trying to make amends during his recovery. In the lengthy message, Murdaugh apologized to the pair and said, The better I get, the more guilt I have.

The worst part is knowing I did the most damage to those I loved the most, Murdaugh wrote in one section of the message that prosecutors made a point of emphasizing.

For their part, Murdaughs defense team seemed to acknowledge the difficult situation in which they had found themselves as a result of this testimony. After unsuccessfully trying to have the judge exclude the financial allegations from the trial, they said they wanted the jury to hear about Murdaughs drug addiction and rehabilitation as it helped to explain his behavior in those alleged thefts.

It is part and parcel of the financial crimes and it explains why he did what he did, said defense attorney Jim Griffin, before telling the judge that all this evidence was likely to tarnish the jurys perception of his client. It does in a way pile on and make it even more prejudicial.

The jury is still yet to hear damaging evidence related to how Murdaugh cheated $4.3 million away from the family of his dead housekeeper or how, at the time of the murders, he was just days away from a court hearing in a lawsuit over a boat crash involving his son that could have required him to open up his finances for review.

Murdaughs defense team has done a more effective job in raising questions about individual items of forensic evidence collected by state investigators, whether they be footprints at the crime scene or cellphone data .

This success continued on Wednesday when they pushed a forensic expert to acknowledge that small particles of gunshot residue found on Murdaughs hands and clothes after the murders could have come from a shotgun he said he had retrieved from his home for protection while calling 911 to report hed discovered the pairs bodies.

They were also able to establish considerable confusion regarding a large blue rain jacket recovered from Murdaughs mothers home, on the inside of which forensic experts found considerable gunshot residue, suggesting someone had fired a weapon while wearing the clothing inside out or had wrapped the coat around a recently fired gun.

The mothers caretaker testified on Monday that she saw Murdaugh bring something blue to the house a few days after the murders, but said she believed it was a blue tarp. The coat was discovered near a tarp, which officials did not test for gunshot residue.

A blue rain jacket is shown as evidence in Alex Murdaugh's double murder trial. Joshua Boucher/The State via AP, Pool

Still, the sheer preponderance of circumstantial evidence may ultimately be too much for defense officials to successfully undercut for the jury.

The most damaging piece shown to the jury so far has arguably been a video recovered from Paul Murdaughs phone that indicated his father was with him and his mother just a few minutes prior to when prosecutors say they were killed. Alex Murdaugh had repeatedly told law enforcement that he was not with his wife and son for an extended period before they were killed.

No people can be seen in the video, but three distinct voices can be heard. So far in the trial, four people who have long known the Murdaughs  including Griswold and law firm partner Ronnie Crosby  have told the jury that the voices belong to Paul, Maggie, and Alex Murdaugh.

"How sure are you?" prosecutor Waters asked Crosby on Tuesday.

Im 100% sure, he responded.

Crosby said that when he arrived at the hunting lodge that night to comfort his friend, Murdaugh had expressly denied being near the site of the eventual murders that evening.

Did he say whether or not he went down to the kennels before leaving for [his mothers place in] Almeda? Waters asked.

That came up in one of the conversations, and he specifically said that he did not, Crosby testified.

Alex Murdaugh Trial
Ukrainian border guard

The department said that the Russians tried to squeeze themselves into an area covered by Ukrainian firing positions in small tactical groups.

Read also: Russian troops are aiming to seize all of Luhansk and Donetsk Oblasts in next few months, warns military intel

For this, the enemy even introduced a reserve into the battle, but to no avail, the report reads.

The enemy infantry was stopped by border guards-mortars. The attackers reduced the offensive pace and lay down, and due to constant fire, they retreated.

Five invaders were killed and 13 were wounded as a result of the successful Ukrainian defense.

The General Staff reported that about 910 Russian soldiers were eliminated in Ukraine in the past 24 hours. The total personnel losses of the Russian Federation in the war have exceeded 135,000 soldiers.

Read also: Nearly 1,000 invaders neutralized by Ukrainian army in the past day

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A mother of four was killed by her longtime boyfriend in front of her children after the pair walked home to their apartment from a shopping trip, California reports say.

Nicole Santillanes, 38, and Richard Lara, 38, who had been in a relationship for 13 years and shared two children together, got into an argument on Feb. 4 after they arrived home separately from their shopping trip, according to Los Angeles police and media reports.

After the fight, Lara is accused of killing his girlfriend, police said in a Feb. 8 news release.

Three of Santillanes children were home and saw their mother being beaten and stabbed, NBC Los Angeles reported.

Lara fled before police arrived but was arrested three days later, according to police.

Santillanes, a nursing assistant with children ages 20, 13, 8, and 7, cared for everyone around her, including her patients, according to a GoFundMe set up for the family.

She did everything open-heartedly and with extreme love, the GoFundMe said. Her drivers were her kids and will forever be her kids.

Santillanes sister, Ashley Gjurich, told ABC7 Eyewitness News that her sister was the life of the party.

Everybody loved her. She was outgoing. She was very independent, Gjurich told the outlet.

Lara was booked into jail on a murder charge, police said. He is being held on $2 million bail, according to jail records.

Teen texted mom on way home, then vanished. Remains found months later, GA cops say

I think they shot my mommy. 9-year-old finds her moms body, Indiana family says

Man shoots girlfriend point-blank in head and drops her off at hospital, TX cops say
The Manatee County Sheriffs Office reported Thursday that the man accused of shooting and killing another man in Bradenton after an argument in 2021 was arrested by U.S. marshals.

Anthony Rahming, 26, was arrested by marshals in Detroit, Michigan, the sheriffs office said in a news release.

Hed been on the run for over a year when county investigators learned he was in Macomb County, Michigan, and worked with federal authorities to find him.

Rahming is scheduled to be extradited back to Manatee County, where hes been charged with second-degree murder.

At 6:30 p.m. Dec. 16, 2021, Tracy Priester, 29, was found shot to death inside a vehicle parked at the Winn-Dixie on 53rd Ave. East.

During an argument between the two men at a residence in the 6100 block of 10th St. East in Bradenton, detectives believe that Rahming shot and killed Priester.

A friend of Priester attempted to drive him to the hospital but pulled over in the grocery store parking lot to call 911.

Priester was pronounced dead in the parking lot.
Armed government officials with Brazil's justice, Indigenous and environment agencies on Wednesday began to press thousands of illegal gold miners out of Yanomami Indigenous territory citing widespread river contamination, famine and disease they have brought to one of the most isolated groups in the world.

People involved in illegal gold dredging streamed away from the territory on foot. The operation could take months. There are believed to be some 20,000 people engaged in the activity, often using toxic mercurty to separate the gold.

The authorities  the Brazilian environmental agency Ibama, with support from the National Foundation of Indigenous Peoples and the National Public Security Force, found a helicopter, an airplane, a bulldozer, and makeshift lodges and hangars and destroyed them.

Two guns and three boats with 5,000 liters (1,320 gallons) of fuel were also seized. They also discovered a helicopter hidden in the forest and set it ablaze.

Ibama established a checkpoint next to a Yanomami village on the Uraricoera river to interrupt the miners' supply chain there. Agents seized the 12-meter (39 foot) boats, loaded with a ton of food, freezers, generators, and internet antennas. The cargo will now supply the federal agents. No more boats carrying fuel and equipment will be allowed to proceed past the blockade.

The large amount of supplies going upriver could indicate some of the gold miners are ignoring President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvas promise to expel them after years of neglect under his predecessor, Bolsonaro, who tried to legalize the activity.

Other miners, however, sensed it was better to return to the city. On Tuesday, The Associated Press visited a miners' camp alongside the Uraricoera river, accessible only via a three-hour drive on dirt road. Dozens of gold miners arrived over the course of the day, some of them after walking for days through the forest.

One of them, Joao Batista Costa, told reporters the Yanomami are dying of hunger and that the recent emergency shipment of food has not been enough.

Story continues

The gold miners, who come from poor regions, such as Maranhao state, in Brazil's Northeast, usually cross the forest wearing flip-flops, carrying only food and personal belongings in their backpacks. They sleep in hammocks in makeshift campsites.

The federal government has declared a public health emergency for the Yanomami people, who are suffering from malnutrition and diseases such as malaria as a consequence of illegal mining.

A report published yesterday by the Ministry of Health found that gold miners have invaded four clinics inside Yanomami territory, leaving them inoperational. In the city of Boa Vista, where starving and sick Indigenous people have been medevaced to a temporary medical facility, there are 700 Yanomami, more than three times the facility's capacity.

An estimated 30,000 Yanomami people live in Brazils largest indigenous territory, which covers an area roughly the size of Portugal and stretches across Roraima and Amazonas states in the northwest corner of Brazils Amazon.
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain on Thursday defended the possibility that officials will hold talks with Erkin Tuniyaz, the governor of the western Chinese region of Xinjiang, amid outrage from lawmakers who have highlighted alleged rights abuses against Uyghur Muslims there.

Junior foreign office minister Leo Docherty said that Tuniyaz might visit Britain next week, though he had not been invited to London by the government and would not be "dignified" with a ministerial meeting.

"China's actions in Xinjiang are of course abhorrent and we will not legitimise them in any way," Docherty told lawmakers.

"However, robust engagement to challenge human rights violations and stand up for the rights of the oppressed is at the core of the UK's diplomatic work around the world... hence officials would be prepared to offer him a meeting."

Rights groups accuse Beijing of abuses against Uyghurs, a mainly Muslim ethnic minority that numbers around 10 million in Xinjiang, including the mass use of forced labour in internment camps. The United States and some other foreign lawmakers and parliaments have accused China of genocide.

China has vigorously denied the allegations.

Docherty said a meeting with Tuniyaz would be to tell him that Britain would raise the treatment of Uyghur Muslims and "not relent from exposing the horrors to which they are being subjected".

Britain's parliament has declared that the treatment of the Uyghurs amounts to genocide, but the government has said it will not make such a determination.

While the United States has sanctioned Tuniyaz, Britain has not, and Docherty said that as he was expected to travel on a diplomatic passport, no visa was required.

British lawmakers from different parties criticised the government's stance and questioned why Tuniyaz had not been sanctioned, with Conservative Iain Duncan Smith saying it was a "weak response".

"Whether or not the Foreign Office is tough, this is a propaganda coup for the Chinese government," Duncan Smith, who has been sanctioned by China for speaking out on the situation in Xinjiang, told lawmakers.

"The place to deal with these individuals is in a tribunal or a court of law, not in the quiet office of a foreign office official."

(Reporting by Alistair Smout; Editing by Nick Macfie)
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's finance ministry said on Thursday it had paid 2.6 billion euros ($2.8 billion) to the European Union, after an EU court ruled that the former EU member should pay billions of euros it failed to collect due to fraud on imports from China.

The European Commission had complained that importers into Britain evaded a large number of customs duties with false invoices and artificially low-value declarations for Chinese textiles and footwear.

In March last year, the EU's top court ruled against Britain, saying it had failed to adopt the measures necessary to combat the import fraud.

John Glen, the chief secretary to Britain's Treasury, said that throughout the legal proceedings, Britain had maintained it took appropriate steps to counter the fraud, but had also subsequently increased its measures in this area.

The proceedings relate to 2011-2017, while Britain was in the bloc. It left the EU in January 2020, and fully left its trading orbit at the end of 2020.

"Whilst the UK has now left the European Union and this is a legacy matter from before our departure, the Government is keen to resolve this long-running case once and for all," Glen wrote in a ministerial statement.

He said further legal wrangling could increase the size of the bill, as interest continued to accrue, and that it had paid three tranches totalling 2.6 billion euros.

"These are substantial sums but represent the final payments and draw a line under this long running case, with the UK fulfilling its international obligations," Glen said.

($1 = 0.9277 euros)

(Reporting by Alistair Smout; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad (KLSE:BAT) Full Year 2022 Results

Key Financial Results

Revenue: RM2.60b (up 127% from FY 2021).

Net income: RM262.5m (down 7.8% from FY 2021).

Profit margin: 10% (down from 25% in FY 2021). The decrease in margin was driven by higher expenses.

EPS: RM0.92 (down from RM1.00 in FY 2021).

All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period

British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad Earnings Insights

Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to stay flat during the next 3 years compared to a 6.6% growth forecast for the Tobacco industry in Asia.

Performance of the market in Malaysia.

The company's shares are down 6.7% from a week ago.

Risk Analysis

What about risks? Every company has them, and we've spotted 3 warning signs for British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad you should know about.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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President Joe Biden pushed for an end to so-called junk fees in the State of the Union address Tuesday night and called out airlines for charging families looking to sit together on a flight.

Well prohibit airlines from charging up to $50 roundtrip for families just to sit together, said President Biden. Baggage fees are bad enough. They cant just treat your child like a piece of luggage.

Washington Correspondent Samantha Manning spoke one-on-one with U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg about this issue and other concerns for passengers on Wednesday.

The idea that some people have to pay in order to sit next to their kids on a flight, this is just common sense and I feel even more strongly about this now that were parents to twins, said Buttigieg about President Bidens push to end the fees.

Buttigieg said the federal government is looking into creating a federal rule stopping airlines from imposing this extra fee.

My department has been working with the White House to make sure that we have the authority to create a rule requiring airlines to do this, said Buttigieg. Im calling on the airlines to do this anyway. We shouldnt have to go through all the process of creating a federal rule. But we will and we are because one way or another, weve got to make sure things like that arent standing in the way of families having a good experience when they take a trip.

It comes as passengers around the country have faced high prices and experienced widespread delays and cancelations.

Manning asked Buttigieg how he responds to critics who argue the DOT isnt doing enough to crack down on alleged unfair practices by airlines, particularly in light of the December Southwest Airlines meltdown.

We have set records for the toughest civil penalties ever assessed in the history of the Department of Transportations consumer protection program and were not stopping there, said Buttigieg. Because of the actions we took last year, including getting the stepped-up commitments in writing about customer service, were now able to go back and enforce that with regard to what happened with Southwest passengers.

Story continues

There are several proposals now in Congress aimed at expanding passenger protections.

That includes the Airline Passengers Bill of Rights and the FAIR Fees Act.

But since we are dealing with a divided Congress, passing any legislation will be an uphill battle this session.

I think we could get some good things done with Congress but were not waiting on that in order to get results, said Buttigieg. One of the things were doing right now is processing what were hearing from passengers.

Manning asked Buttigieg if passengers can have peace of mind right now that another meltdown wont happen.

Well, weve seen a lot of improvements, but I dont think were out of the woods, said Buttigieg. Theres a lot more work that airlines need to do and theres a modernization that needs to go on in the system as a whole including at the FAA.

Members of a Senate committee will question the Chief Operating Officer for Southwest Airlines on Thursday about the December meltdown.

Buttigieg said he wants to hear the company be specific about steps they have taken to improve their systems to make sure the widespread cancellations that passengers faced never happens again.
President Joe Biden pushed for an end to so-called junk fees in the State of the Union address Tuesday night and called out airlines for charging families looking to sit together on a flight.

Well prohibit airlines from charging up to $50 roundtrip for families just to sit together, said President Biden. Baggage fees are bad enough. They cant just treat your child like a piece of luggage.

Washington Correspondent Samantha Manning spoke one-on-one with U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg about this issue and other concerns for passengers on Wednesday.

The idea that some people have to pay in order to sit next to their kids on a flight, this is just common sense and I feel even more strongly about this now that were parents to twins, said Buttigieg about President Bidens push to end the fees.

Buttigieg said the federal government is looking into creating a federal rule stopping airlines from imposing this extra fee.

My department has been working with the White House to make sure that we have the authority to create a rule requiring airlines to do this, said Buttigieg. Im calling on the airlines to do this anyway. We shouldnt have to go through all the process of creating a federal rule. But we will and we are because one way or another, weve got to make sure things like that arent standing in the way of families having a good experience when they take a trip.

It comes as passengers around the country have faced high prices and experienced widespread delays and cancelations.

Manning asked Buttigieg how he responds to critics who argue the DOT isnt doing enough to crack down on alleged unfair practices by airlines, particularly in light of the December Southwest Airlines meltdown.

We have set records for the toughest civil penalties ever assessed in the history of the Department of Transportations consumer protection program and were not stopping there, said Buttigieg. Because of the actions we took last year, including getting the stepped-up commitments in writing about customer service, were now able to go back and enforce that with regard to what happened with Southwest passengers.

Story continues

There are several proposals now in Congress aimed at expanding passenger protections.

That includes the Airline Passengers Bill of Rights and the FAIR Fees Act.

But since we are dealing with a divided Congress, passing any legislation will be an uphill battle this session.

I think we could get some good things done with Congress but were not waiting on that in order to get results, said Buttigieg. One of the things were doing right now is processing what were hearing from passengers.

Manning asked Buttigieg if passengers can have peace of mind right now that another meltdown wont happen.

Well, weve seen a lot of improvements, but I dont think were out of the woods, said Buttigieg. Theres a lot more work that airlines need to do and theres a modernization that needs to go on in the system as a whole including at the FAA.

Members of a Senate committee will question the Chief Operating Officer for Southwest Airlines on Thursday about the December meltdown.

Buttigieg said he wants to hear the company be specific about steps they have taken to improve their systems to make sure the widespread cancellations that passengers faced never happens again.

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In a 2019 survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in 12 high school students experienced sexual dating violence, and about one in 12 experienced physical dating violence.

The study reported that female students experienced higher rates of physical and sexual dating violence than male students, and student members of the LGBTQ+ community experienced higher rates of physical and sexual dating violence compared to students who identified as heterosexual.

The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence is a statewide coalition dedicated to deepening the process of healing by identifying and addressing the underlying and contributing factors of domestic violence through public policy, according to the organizations website, and the partnership hosted its Orange Day of Action on Tuesday, where representatives from several organizations joined on the west steps of the state Capitol calling on the Legislature to do more to curb domestic and sexual violence.

As a parent I don't have the tools to be able to talk to my children about what they're experiencing. Being able to have the tools to respond to one another, but mainly to our kids is super important. -@AsmBlancaRubio emphasizing the importance of educating everyone about tdv pic.twitter.com/Ge2zfPh1vA  California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (@cpedvcoalition) February 8, 2023

Existing legislation and lobbying efforts

Before the event, the coalition endorsed Senate Resolution 13, written by Sen. Susan Rubio, D-Baldwin Park, declaring February 2023 Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.

Senator Rubio has been a strong advocate for healthy relationships amongst our youth for many years, said Laura Brantley, communications director for Susan Rubios office, via email. As a teacher, she would often see this firsthand when young students started engaging in unhealthy relationships in her classroom. Teen dating violence is a serious rising problem and has been linked to other forms of violence and aggression against peers.

Story continues

Her office said the resolution, co-sponsored by 15 other state legislators, is complementary to the California Healthy Youth Act, a law adopted in 2016 aimed at teaching teens a comprehensive sexual education. Brantley said that the Legislature introduces a number of resolutions every year, and in 2024 a member will introduce a new resolution on teen dating violence awareness month.

Tuesdays event also saw Assembly members Reggie Jones-Sawyer, Blanca Rubio and Robert Rivas in attendance.

Like a quality education, safety from violence is a human right -Maya, a youth organizer from @PeaceOvrViolnce pic.twitter.com/2L0scqvFo9  California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (@cpedvcoalition) February 8, 2023

On Jan. 25, the coalition wrote a letter to state leaders requesting $50 million to prevent and end cycles of domestic and sexual violence. In the letter, it said California would be investing the money in providing spaces where survivors can access culturally-specific healing and stabilizing funding for domestic and sexual violence organizations by eliminating reliance on fees.

Teens talk of healing

Ashton Molendyk is a youth leader with One Love, a nonprofit organization with the goal of ending relationship abuse. One of the speakers at the Capitol rally, she said that One Love helped her realize she can end unhealthy relationships.

When I was in ninth grade, I had a friend who would guilt me into not hanging out with other people, Molendyk said. I didnt have relationship health education at my school, so I realized that I needed to change, right?

Representatives from other organizations at the event included Ana Paula Campos from Lauras House, a domestic violence shelter based in south Orange County.

Campos said she is a direct survivor of relationship abuse which can take psychological, physical and mental forms, and abusers are often possessive or manipulative. She said she shares her experience publicly because people see and hear numbers, but the story is more meaningful when its humanized and theyre seeing that the person right there in front of them is real.

My mental health is so much better, she said. I go out with friends. Im way happier. I started going to the gym. I find love within myself. I eat better. Ive also bettered my relationships and connections with my family and friends and really gone back to my happy self that I was before.






A model poses with Lake Elsinore's fields of poppies in 2019. Photographers take pictures.



Anything for the gram.

Authorities have learned about the value of picturesque fields of poppies the hard way in the age of Instagram. Since barring access and pleading didnt work, officials in the small Southern California city of Lake Elsinore are trying a new tactic: Telling would-be Instagrammers that theyll be arrested if they dont step away from the poppies.

Lake Elsinore announced the closure of Walker Canyon to all visitors this week, a popular area that was overrun in 2019 by crowds of up to 100,000 people in a weekend aiming to see a superbloom of bright orange California poppies caused by heavy rains. Mayor Natasha Johnson explained that the decision was made in the name of public safety and preservation of the environment. In 2019, the overwhelming number of visitors and their unfortunate behavior came at a cost that was way too steep for our residents and our wildlife, Johnson said at press conference on Tuesday. One highway patrolman died, struck as he directed a thick scrum of traffic.

Read more

They trampled on the very habitat that they placed so high in regard and sought to enjoy, the mayor stated.











A swarm of people is shown walking through hills full of poppies taking pictures.



Crowds swarm Lake Elsinore in 2019 to pose with the poppies.

Trampling isnt the only thing visitors did. They plucked them, laid down on them, posed topless with them, promoted products with them, and even sat in them while having a smoke. Couples came to take wedding pictures around the poppies and parents came to take baby in the flowers photos.

Besides destroying the environment, visitors also caused havoc in the Lake Elisinore itself. Officials said that many came unprepared for their visit and had to be rescued by emergency responders or treated for injuries. On the neighborhood level, there was so much traffic to see the poppies that residents were literally severed from the city, the mayor said.

Story continues

Tragedy also struck the city during the poppy superbloom in 2019. While working overtime to control waves of traffic coming in to see the flowers, California Highway Patrol Sgt. Steve Licon, a motorcycle patrol supervisor, was hit by a car and killed.

We cannot afford for this to happen again, Johnson affirmed.

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco declared that authorities were taking a zero tolerance approach to visitors trespassing and parking on the sides of the roads to see the poppies. People who disregard his advice would be subject to citation, a misdemeanor infraction that is subject to arrest and jail time, and possible towing of their car.

Im here to tell you that your warning is right now, Bianco said.







A picture of the poppies at Walker Canyon on Feb. 7, 2023.



Look at this picture of the poppies at Walker Canyon on Feb. 7, 2023 to your hearts content. But please, dont go.

Over on Instagram and TikTok, it doesnt seem like people have figured out the poppies are coming back again, albeit on a much smaller scale. As of today, Gizmodo was only able to find a handful of recent videos and photos of the poppies. One particularly funny TikTok showed a video of Lake Elsinores infamous hills near Lake Street, a popular spot for poppy fans, paired to the popular sound of two people saying, Nobodys going to know... Theyre going to know.

I swear if this makes me late to work again this year we setting that hill on fire, a user commented.







Photo: Gregory Bull (AP)









Photo: Mario Tama (Getty Images)









Photo: Mario Tama (Getty Images)







Photo: Mario Tama (Getty Images)







Photo: Gregory Bull (AP)







Photo: Mario Tama (Getty Images)







Photo: Mario Tama (Getty Images)

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Growing scrutiny of the spouses of Supreme Court justices is now raising calls for more stringent ethics rules governing the judges and their families.

The latest example of a judicial spouse winning unwanted attention is Jane Roberts, who is married to Chief Justice John Roberts.

A former colleague targeted Roberts in an ethics complaint that surfaced late last month, saying her legal recruiting work involved firms with business before the court and that the chief justice did not properly recuse himself.

Opinions in the legal world vary over the Roberts affair, with some experts downplaying any meaningful ethics issues.

More serious, said a number of experts interviewed for this story, are the conflicts of interest for Justice Clarence Thomas given his wife Ginni Thomass support for efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Still, the Roberts episode has emerged as the latest sore point for the court as an increasingly untrusting public demands more accountability.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) described the reports about Robertss wife as Example #4,394 why lawmakers should pass a requirement for justices to follow a binding code of ethics. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) also signaled support after receiving the complaint.

Efforts by the left to implement a binding code of ethics for justices  like the one in place for lower federal courts  gained steam this week after the American Bar Association (ABA) voted to support it.

This will be the first time the legal profession has demanded the U.S. Supreme Court adopt a binding code of ethics, Tom Fitzpatrick, who helped draft the resolution, said in a statement. The lack thereof jeopardizes the legitimacy of the Supreme Court and the judicial system at large.

The ABA and other supporters argue their calls arent a response to any singular incident and instead speak to a broader pattern of unaccountability on the high court.

Some proponents point back to 2004, when Justice Antonin Scalia rebuffed calls to recuse himself from a case involving Vice President Dick Cheney following the duos duck-hunting trip, which came three weeks after the justices agreed to hear the case.

Story continues

Others note various lapses in justices financial disclosures, trips to speak with ideological groups and how Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburgs husband, Marty Ginsburg, was a tax lawyer at a firm involved in multiple Supreme Court cases.

Theres no enforcement mechanism whatsoever, and in fact the Code of Judicial Conduct doesnt even apply to the justices, said Vin Bonventre, an Albany Law School professor and former Supreme Court judicial fellow.

Although the criticisms have involved justices appointed by both parties, the left in particular has stepped up pressure in recent years as the courts conservative majority sparked new, progressive watchdog groups.

They condemned the extraordinary leak of the courts draft majority opinion overturning federal abortion protections and Ginni Thomas pressing state lawmakers to help overturn former President Trumps election loss.

Their skepticism only grew after reports emerged of a major operation by the religious right to schmooze with the justices and gain influence. A former anti-abortion activist accused Justice Samuel Alito and his wife of leaking a high-profile contraception decision in 2014 to a couple involved in the effort, but Alito has denied the claim.

Ethics experts expressed various levels of concern about the Roberts accusation but generally agreed the episode isnt comparable to some other recent controversies.

Recusal decisions ultimately rest with the justices, but an often-cited Judicial Conference ethics opinion written in 2009 states that judges do not ordinarily need to recuse themselves when their spouse is a service provider to a firm.

While I suppose one could spin out an extreme scenario where there might possibly be some influence being used in terms of hiring her to get to him, I think its very, very unlikely, and I think theyve behaved as they should, Amanda Frost, a University of Virginia law professor, said of Roberts.

The chief justice for much of his career on the Supreme Court has made an effort to protect the courts image, and to keep it from being seen as too overtly political.

Those efforts were punctured by a series of decisions, including the Senate GOPs refusal to consider President Obamas nominee to replace Scalia after the conservative justice died in early 2016 and its rush to quickly confirm a Trump nominee to replace Ginsburg after the liberal stalwart died weeks before the 2020 presidential election.

The three Trump-appointed justices last summer voted to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision, making abortion illegal in a number of states.

There is growing public concern that the high court is deciding cases on politics, rather than law, a trend that has led the courts approval to near historic lows.

I dont think the public distinguishes among events that undermine the courts reputation, said New York University law professor Stephen Gillers. I think its just one thing after another. Whatever the thing happens to be just adds to the negative impression.

The proposal from Durbin for a binding code of conduct isnt the first time Congress has looked to wade into judicial ethics.

After a Wall Street Journal investigation in September 2021 identified 131 federal judges who heard cases where they had financial interest, President Biden signed a bipartisan bill requiring prompt reporting of justices and other federal judges major stock transactions.

If lawmakers go further, however, they could run into separation of powers issues or the balking of justices who desire an insular approach.

In his 2011 year-end report, Roberts questioned the constitutionality of certain legislative remedies. After the Wall Street Journal investigation, Roberts indicated the Judicial Conference was up to the task of solving the issues.

For the investigation into the abortion opinion leak, Roberts delegated the task to the courts marshal, who is answerable to the justices themselves. The investigation has not conclusively identified the leaker.

The court needs an intervention, Gillers said. The court needs to get real and worried about its reputation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
PROVIDENCE  Three Providence police veterans, all vying to take charge of the capital city's police department, answered questions from the community Wednesday night.

For example, each of the candidates had a chance to explain how they would address gun violence.

Detective Maj. David Lapatin called gun violence a "terrible thing," noting that the city had a low of nine homicides in 2022 but emphasizing that his goal is zero homicides continuously.

"One murder is outrageous" Lapatin said. "Carrying a gun is outrageous "

The question  like others posed to the three candidates  was chosen based on feedback from a recent bilingual community survey.

About 65% of the people who participated in the survey said gun violence as the most important public safety issue.

Maj. Kevin M. Lanni said the department's partnerships with local, state and federal agencies for getting illegal firearms off the street is most important.

"It's a national issue," he said.

"It's got to be multijurisdictional," he added.

Commander Oscar Perez, deputy chief serving as acting chief of the department, talked about confronting gun-violence as a process.

"You have to do it right," he said. "You have to be data driven."

"When I say data driven," Perez said, "it's the fact that we have data and it will tell us exactly where these issues are appearing."

The term "data driven" was a favorite of former Providence Chief Hugh T. Clements Jr., who recently retired from the department to take a job directing the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.

More on Clements:Providence chief, long a community policing advocate, to lead that effort nationwide

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley wanted to incorporate a community forum into the selection for the first time.

"It has become a best practice nationally," he said, speaking to an audience that nearly filled the auditorium at the Providence Career and Technical Center. "I'm happy we can bring that best practice to Providence."

Story continues

Smiley has announced that he will choose one of the three candidates in the days after the forum.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley is expected to name a new police chief in the coming days. He speaks at Wednesday night's community forum where candidates to become the city's 38th police chief took questions.

Candidates share their priorities

Nonviolence Institute Executive Director Cedric Huntley and Progreso Latino Executive Director Mario Bueno took turns posing questions.

In the first sequence, the candidates learned that consistent policing; building trust with the community and responding to crime were top goals communicated by the survey's participants.

The candidates were asked to share their own top priorities.

Perez said that the top priorities for him are building trust and "making sure we are paying attention to .... quality of life..."

Asking officers to patrol the right way and also asking them to police fairly "are not mutually exclusive," Perez said.

"As a chief we have to make sure that our officers understand that they supported," he added.

More:Providence police chief, public safety commissioner leaving  what we know

Providence police Cmdr. Oscar Perez, also Providence's Deputy Chief, is one of three finalists vying to become Providence's 38th police chief.

Lapatin said the department has done a great job of building allies and partnerships with community leaders but, "We could use a little work with the community itself," he said. "We need to get back on the streets to the houses, to the people."

The goal should be "face to face" contact and to pull that off the department will need more police officers, according to Lapatin.

"It's got to be the same officer  it does nothing for community police progress to have different offices on the streets at different times," said Lapatin, who cited his own leadership style of predictability, transparency, clear goals as way to build community trust.

Providence police Detective Maj. David Lapatin is one of three finalists vying to become Providence's 38th police chief.

As for responding to crime, Lapatin proposed that the department continue doing what it has done as crime levels have trended downward with the "same vigor."

Keeping children safe has to be the force's first priority, said Lanni. He then talked about the importance of recruitment and employing a diverse group of employees.

He told a story about guidance he gives to his daughter.

"I tell her do something you're passionate about, work for an organization that values you and lets you be part of decision making  as as well as work for something that's bigger than you. Be part of the community."

Lanni said he thinks the department offers these benefits to its employees and needs to express that to the applicant pool.

He put quality of life issues as his third priority.

Providence police Maj. Kevin Lanni is one of three finalists vying to become Providence's 38th police chief

Professional culture in the Providence police

Before the next question, Huntley talked about people across the country turning on their televisions to encounter horrifying news stories about police abuse of power, bad ethics, coverups. The survey's participants overwhelmingly cited transparency and accountability as "top qualities" they must see in the city's next chief, he said.

He posed this question: How do you as the next chief of police support a culture of professionalism transparency and accountability among the members of the Police Department?

Lapatin noted that the Memphis chief has talked about a problem with department's "culture of accountability."

"If I ever come out and say that," he said, "fire me the next day. You can't identify that after a problem."

He cited the necessity of training and supervision, especially, with managers right up to the chief being responsible for those below them.

Lanni took an opportunity to congratulate Mayor Smiley, saying that the forum itself was an exercise in transparency.

He cited the importance of the department's accreditation in terms of maintaining professionalism. To keep that status, the force has to re-examine itself regularly, he said.

Lanni also sees a role for the Constitutional Accountability Act. Introduced by U.S. Rep. David Cicilline. The bill holds police leaders accountable "for the hiring, training, supervision, discipline and most importantly, culture of the police department."

Perez also regards the recent situation Memphis as relevant to the issue of accountability. He described it as an embarrassment to those who wear the uniform.

He shared an aphorism, "Your department is as strong as the weakest supervisor."

"We've got to make sure that our sergeants reflect our lieutenants," Perez said. "That our lieutenants reflect our captains. That our captains reflect their majors. That our majors reflect their commanders. And the commanders should reflect the chief. It should start at the top."

Perez, who ran the department's internal affairs, described putting handcuffs on another officer as "not a nice thing to do" but officers have to be held accountable.

"That's the only way to ensure the way to ensure we are policing in a Constitutional manner,' he said.

A police force's community connection

The survey gathered a total of 319 questions about community relations. One participant asked what the next chief would do to enable officers to be part of the community they serve, keeping close relationships with residents and understanding their concerns.

Lanni said he thinks it's important to listen. "I think it's important that we're out in the community," he added.

He recalled riding a bike up and down Cranston Street as a police officer in the 90s. Being on the street like that can help a police officer recognize that a certain perception might be "a little off."

Perez talked about giving police officers latitude to build relationships and bridges that keep police from being separated.

He quoted Martin Luther King Jr. on the subject and emphasized the importance of contact between police officers and children.

"That's our future and we want to make sure that our kids have the chance to be sitting here  just like I am trying to become the chief of police."

Lapatin, who had talked earlier about getting officers into the community, focused much of his answer on school settings and children.

"We have a long way to go on our schools," he said, "and we do have a lot of assaults going on with kids being hurt."

Building rapport with young people in schools can boost community relations and also help recruiting.

The city's schools should be its best pool of applicants, Lapatin said.

Defunding the police

Another question called for the candidates to share how they would deal with certain residents who have called for defunding the police.

Creating a situation where both sides can empathize with each other's position is a place to start, according to Lanni.

He talked about the value of programs like the citizen's police academy.

Lapatin agreed with Lanni's comments about the value of simply bringing people together.

He said he'll make sure it's possible for people to visit him and talk to him.

Lapatin isn't bothered by people who are ready to express different ideas. He shared an anecdote about working with someone he tended to disagree with.

"I don't mind that you are in here with your different ideas. I welcome it," he recalled telling her.

"It's so good to change ideas in the right way," he said.

"You can learn from other people, too," he said.

Perez took the opportunity, right there at the forum, to make the case for funding police operations, from the overtime pay that might be needed to provide greater contact between officers and people in the community to the potential need for a costly tool such as an armored vehicle.

"At the end of the day, we have to police the city," he said.

Holding police officers' accountable

About 14% of the survey participants cited holding police officers accountable to high ethical standards as important to the community.

The candidates were asked to explain how they will encourage a culture of professionalism and recruit and train a police force that the community can rely on.

Lanni talked about monitoring police officers with consistency. He also talked about the twenty-minute talk that Clements gave to recruits at the academy. He told them they would have no issues on the job if treat everyone with dignity and respect, Lanni said.

"That's the most important message that they took from the conversation with him," he said.

In the Memphis case, said Perez, not one of the five officers called on the others to stop, he said, adding "that's a problem."

"I couldn't believe what happened," he said.

Perez acknowledged the difficulty of hitting high standards.

Fielding quality recruits and training are critical as are holding officers accountable, he said, again stressing the role of sergeants.

Said Lapatin: "It does start with recruitment. We have to recruit the best candidates we can get."

Police officers need recognize when things aren't going well for another officer and intervene appropriately.

What a chief does, he said, models accountability for the rest of the force.

"Your actions show them how to be accountable," he said.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence police chief search: Candidates take community questions
PIERRE  South Dakota landowners opposed to looming pipeline projects are officially one step closer to fending off Big Carbon.

On Thursday, legislators voted 40-28 to pass House Bill 1133, a bill that effectively prohibits carbon capture companies, like Summit Carbon Solutions and Navigator CO2 Ventures, from utilizing the state's eminent domain laws to build their multi-billion dollar hazardous liquid carbon dioxide pipelines through parts of South Dakota.

Since the early days of this year's legislative session, a mish-mashed wave of plaid-and-suit wearing farmers and landowners have occupied South Dakota's Capitol to stand in opposition of the pipelines, Mark Lapka, a landowner from Leola, told the Argus Leader on Thursday.

He said their stand-out presence showed South Dakota's legislative body they're serious about the future of their land.

"We're farmers and ranchers, and we're obviously out of our element down there. We're not lobbyists, but you know, we are the constituents," Lapka said prior to the vote. "We're not there, because we want to be there. We're there, because we have to be there, and this is our government, and we need to get something done."

Currently, South Dakota law considers companies with pipelines as "common carriers," or companies that transport commodities, and allows them to exercise eminent domain within the state.

Based on the bill's language, the new law would exempt companies whose product is disposed of under the earth or allows them to qualify for tax credits, like carbon companies seeking to benefit from the Inflation Reduction Act's clean energy provisions.

Ames-based Summit's Midwest Carbon Express pipeline is estimated to cost $4.5 billion and cover more than 477 miles of South Dakota land along its projected route. Navigator, which is based out of Nebraska, is building a $3 billion dollar pipeline, the majority of which runs through Iowa and also tracks a 111.9-mile route through eastern South Dakota.

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Summit declined an interview following the Thursday vote. However, the company said it continues to make progress gathering support and acquiring easements from landowners along the path of their pipeline.

"Nearly 500 South Dakota landowners have signed easement agreements with Summit Carbon Solutions, accounting for over 60% of the proposed pipeline route in the state, with additional landowners signing agreements every day. This overwhelming level of support tells us South Dakota landowners along the route view the project as critical to supporting the state's most important industries  ethanol and agriculture. We look forward to continuing to work with landowners, stakeholders, and policymakers to advance our nearly $800 million investment in South Dakota's future," the company said in a statement.

Map of Summit Carbon Solutions' Midwest Carbon Express pipeline route.

'What is a commodity?'

For its part, the bill provides a definition for what is and isn't a commodity. For some of those in favor of the bill, like Rep. Kevin Jensen, their remarks framed carbon dioxide as a byproduct.

"At this time, this product is going straight into the ground, unless somebody can tell me they're going to extract it," Democrat Rep. Oren Lesmeister said.

Republican Rep. Roger Chase was the first legislator to announce his "no" vote ahead of the decision. He said he's seen the ethanol industry grow over the last 30 years and added passing the bill would "ultimately sacrifice this particular industry in South Dakota."

"My definition of a commodity is a useful project. This is something that derives from the use of ethanol, and it does impact my farm," Chase said.

Chase opined his authority on the issue, saying that "I may be the only legislator on this floor that this pipeline actually impacts." Republican Rep. Karla Lems, the prime sponsor of the bill and a new member of the House, countered her colleague's assumption by asserting land she owns is also impacted by the pipeline.

What's worth more: A business-friendly climate, or landowner's rights?

Another concern for "no" voters is the perception this bill could create when it comes to South Dakota's business climate. Republican Rep. Hugh Bartels took issue with how the bill appears directed at companies like Summit, which could be a ballast for the state's ethanol and agricultural industries. He said passing this bill while enterprising businesses look to profit in South Dakota could erode the state's reputation.

"[The bill is] going to take South Dakota's business friendly climate and send it down the toilet," Bartels said.

But Lesmeister, whose legislative profile states he is a farmer, rancher and ag business owner, served up a blunt rebuttal: "I don't really care."

He said he has received many e-mails from landowners expressing their concern over losing parts of their property, because of the pipelines. The district 28A representative said voting "no" on the bill would essentially "throw [his constituents] under the bus."

"When we're talking about property rights versus progress, it is an age-old debate. I suspect in South Dakota, when the railroads first came through, we were having similar discussions about how we treat landowners," Republican Rep. Will Mortenson told reporters before the Thursday afternoon vote. "This is an age old clash. It's not a partisan one. It's not a political one. It is about principles. And there are good valid arguments on both sides of this debate."

Another piece of pipeline-related legislation, House Bill 1230, was passed by the South Dakota House on Wednesday. This bill provides minor clarifications on how defendants in court cases involving eminent domain are compensated for accrued legal fees.

House Bill 1133 now heads to the South Dakota Senate for debate.

Dominik Dausch is the agriculture and environment reporter for the Argus Leader and editor of Farm Forum. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook @DomDNP and send news tips to ddausch@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Carbon pipeline bill clears SD House in win for impacted landowners
Charles Milliken

One joy of retirement is the ability to pursue hobbies. Mine happens to be reading. One of the sorrows of reading is the realization that, the more you read, the more you have left unread. But, happily, one book leads to another.

My most recent find is a book thoroughly analyzing the Nazi regime in Germany written in 1941 by poet and historian Peter Viereck, "Metapolitics." The late Dr. Viereck considers the philosophical, literary and artistic background leading to the Nazi regime, and the concept of a fuehrer, embodied by Adolph Hitler. Since "Metapolitics" was written while Germany was riding high, he accorded the Nazi regime the power and success it was conspicuously exhibiting, without the contemporary tendency to dismiss the whole affair as the ravings of a madman and his coterie of fellow lunatics. Ideas have consequences, and Viereck at some length traces the conversion of books (and music) to bullets.

I was especially impressed by his (somewhat distilled by me) summary of Naziism to its attack on four Ls: logic, legality, liberty and love. Although 2023 isnt 1941, it is clear to me those attacks, all things being equal, are still potent today. All of these, Viereck asserted, represented Western, Christian civilization, which had to be attacked to clear the way for the triumph of the neo-pagan, Nordic, primitive tribalism which was to actuate the superiority of the German, Aryan, race. The warrior spirit in advancement of blood and soil had to be unleashed.

Let us consider those four today. When I first went to academe back in the 1970s, I was taken aback by my exposure to the leftist, radical writers I had not been aware of before. Logic was under assault. Logic was what capitalism, and economics, depended upon. Logic stood in the way of feelings, in the way of will. Logic, and its handmaiden facts, stand in the way of great sweeping crusades. Logic isnt Romantic  it kills romance in the service of efficiency and utilitarian ethics. Great crusades, such as environmentalism, are never launched by logic. Shopkeepers march to the ring of the cash register, not the roll of the drum.

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Legality was, and is, another great impediment to the peoples will, or the will of those in authority. Any pretense to law in 1930s Germany had to be swept away. Ive commented before, and wont repeat myself, how the authoritarian bureaucracy ever more enlarging their control over us, treats law as a nuisance to be evaded. The Constitution enumerated powers and duties of the federal government. Those have long since been ignored in service to more important matters.

Liberty, hopelessly individualistic as it is, cannot continue since it prevents the mass movements necessary to achieve whatever sort of utopia is on offer. Individualists make lousy warriors or crusaders. I well remember Basic Training  the worst 11 weeks of my life. I was, and am, a thoroughgoing individualist, and that emphatically did not sit well with the powers that be. People must be socialized, from childhood on, to do what they are told, in return for which they get to be part of a much better freedom  the freedom to be part of a mass movement proceeding to a wonderful tomorrow. What was liberty when you could live in a country as one big Nuremberg Rally?

Finally, love. Specifically the Nazis (and Marxists and Jacobins and all other utopians) had to attack Christianity because its pole star was love  love for your neighbors  not so bad  and love for your enemies. That is REALLY bad! Enemies must be attacked and destroyed. Nietzsche, one of the philosophic forerunners to Naziism, posited Christianity as a slave religion, protecting the weak from the strong, thereby depriving the strong of their just desserts.

Naziism, and its first cousins, are movements of will. Will must not be thwarted. Viereck placed W.B. Yeats poem "The Second Coming" in his frontispiece, containing this all too true couplet:

The best lack all conviction, while the worst

Are full of passionate intensity.

Charles Milliken is a professor emeritus after 22 years of teaching economics and related subjects at Siena Heights University. He can be reached at milliken.charles@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Charles Milliken: Logic, legality, liberty and love: no more?
A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools employee was arrested Wednesday and is accused of child sex crimes and kidnapping, according to police.

Wilson STEM Academy notified Crimes Against Children detectives Tuesday afternoon that a female student reported being inappropriately touched by a male employee, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police.

David Lucas, a family engagement advocate at the school, was arrested by CMPDs Crimes Against Children unit on Wednesday, the police department said in a news statement. Wilson STEM Academy is a 6-8 middle school on Tuckaseegee Road in Charlotte with an enrollment of 367 students.

Lucas, 25, is charged with indecent liberties with a child, taking indecent liberties with a student by a school administrator and first degree kidnapping, according to CMPD.

CMS said in a statement Lucas has been suspended.

The employee in question has been suspended with pay, pending investigation. It is our understanding that CMPD Crimes Against Children unit is conducting a separate investigation, said Cassie Fambro, a district spokesperson.

Lucas allegedly prevented the victim from leaving an enclosed area during the assault, a spokesperson with CMPD said. Lucas did not physically force the victim to go anywhere, the spokesperson said, but did prevent the victim from leaving.
Relying on artificial intelligence for online searches will accelerate the spread of disinformation. Tyler Le/Insider

Sure, Google's answer to ChatGPT will save you time. But it'll also lie to you.

This week Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google, announced that his company's internet search engine  the way the vast majority of humans interact with a near-total corpus of human knowledge  is about to change. Enter a query, and you'll get more than pages and pages of links, along with a few suggested answers. Now you'll get an assist from artificial intelligence.

"Soon," a Google blog post under Pichai's byline declared, "you'll see AI-powered features in Search that distill complex information and multiple perspectives into easy-to-digest formats, so you can quickly understand the big picture and learn more from the web." A chatbot named Bard will deliver search results in complete sentences, as a human might.

A day later Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, announced that his company's competing search engine, Bing, will do the same, using the tech behind the popular AI chatbot ChatGPT. No search engine has ever really challenged Google's hold on the world's questions; Microsoft sees AI as its chance to come at the king.

These new chatbots aren't actually intelligent. The tech behind the scenes is called a large language model, a hunk of software that can extract words related to each other from a huge database and produce sophisticated writing and visual art based on minimal prompting. But when it comes to the acquisition, classification, and retrieval of knowledge, this approach is the subject of an old fight. It's been brewing since at least the early 2000s  and maybe since the 0s, at the Library of Alexandria. Fundamentally, it's a debate about the best way to know stuff. Do we engage with the complexity of competing information? Or do we let an authority reduce everything to a simple answer?

Bard has a simple answer for that age-old question. From now on, instead of showing you a dozen webpages with instructions for opening a can of beans, machine-learning droids will just tell you how to open one. And if you believe that effective search is what made the internet the most important technology of the 20th and 21st centuries, then that seemingly simple change should give you the shakes. The collateral damage in this war of the machines could be nothing less than the obliteration of useful online information forever.

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A hallucination of answers

Sometimes a simple answer is fine. In what the trade calls a "known-item search," we just want a factual response to a specific question. What's the most popular dog breed? How old is Madonna? Google is great at that stuff.

The other kind of search  "exploratory search"  is the hard one. That's where you don't know what you don't know. What's the right phone for me? What's the deal with the Thirty Years' War? Getting a satisfactory answer is more iterative. You throw a bunch of keywords into the search box, you scroll through the links, you try new terms. It's not perfect, and it's skewed by the profit motives of advertisers and the implicit judgments that Google makes behind the scenes about which pages count as authoritative. But it's what made it possible for us to find a needle in an online haystack.

Then came ChatGPT. As Google's vice president of search told me a year ago, when I wrote an article about why online search sucks, the company was already using artificial intelligence to make its search bar better at understanding what we seekers of knowledge really meant. But the seemingly overnight success of ChatGPT left Google scrambling to bring online a bot of its own that could answer back.

Google has been dreaming of this particular electric sheep for a long time. At a conference in 2011, its chairman at the time, Eric Schmidt, declared that search's endgame was to use AI to "literally compute the right answer" to queries rather than identify relevant pages. A 2021 paper from Google Research lays out that aspiration in much more detail. "The original vision of question answering," the authors write, "was to provide human-quality responses (i.e., ask a question using natural language and get an answer in natural language). Question answering systems have only delivered on the question part." Language-model chatbots might be able to provide more humanlike answers than regular old search, they added, but there was one problem: "Such models are dilettantes." Meaning they don't have "a true understanding of the world," and they're "incapable of justifying their utterances by referring to supporting documents in the corpus they were trained over."

To make an AI chatbot effective at search, the paper concludes, you'd have to build in more authority and transparency. You'd have to somehow remove bias from its training database, and you'd have to teach it to incorporate diverse perspectives. Pull off that hat trick inside a backflip, and you'd transform the bot from a dilettante to a reasonable facsimile of a "domain expert."

I talked to a bunch of non-Google computer scientists about the state of internet search for my story last year, and all of them said the same thing about this idea: Don't do it.

For one thing, chatbots lie. Not on purpose! It's just that they don't understand what they're saying. They're just recapitulating things they've absorbed elsewhere. And sometimes that stuff is wrong. Researchers describe this as a tendency to "hallucinate"  "producing highly pathological translations that are completely untethered from the source material." Chatbots, they warn, are inordinately vulnerable to regurgitating racism, misogyny, conspiracy theories, and lies with as much confidence as the truth.

That's why we, the searchers, are a crucial component of the search process. Over years of exploring the digital world, we've all gotten better at spotting misinformation and disinformation. You know what I mean. When you're scrolling through the links in a Google search, looking for "esoteric shit," as one search expert calls it, you see some pages that just look dodgy, maybe in ways you can't even totally articulate. You skim past those and open the legit-looking ones in new tabs.

Conversational answers generated automatically by chatbots will pretty much eliminate that human element of bullshit detection. Look at it this way: If you're the kind of person who reads this kind of article, you're trained to think that a halfway decent bit of writing signifies a modicum of competency and expertise. Links to sources or quotes from experts indicate viable research and confirmed facts. But search chatbots can fake all that. They'll elide the sources they're drawing on, and the biases built into their databases, behind the trappings of acceptable, almost-but-not-quite-human-sounding prose. However wrong they are, they'll sound right. We won't be able to tell if they're hallucinating.

An early example of what we're in for: A wag on Mastodon who has been challenging chatbots asked a demo of a Microsoft model trained on bioscience literature whether the antiparasitic drug ivermectin is effective in the treatment of COVID-19. It simply answered "yes." (Ivermectin is not effective against COVID-19.) And that was a known-item search! The wag was looking for a simple fact. The chatbot gave him a nonfact and served it up as the truth.

Sure, an early demo of Bing's new search bot provides traditional links-'n'-boxes results along with the AI's response. And it's possible that Google and Microsoft will eventually figure out how to make their bots better at separating fact from fiction, so you won't feel the need to check their work. But if algorithms were any good at spotting misinformation, then QAnon and vaccine deniers and maybe even Donald Trump wouldn't be a thing  or, at least, not as much of a thing. When it comes to search, AI isn't going to be a lie detector. It's going to be a very authoritative and friendly-sounding bullshit spreader.

Knowing where we've been

In his blog post, Pichai says conversational responses to complex queries are easier to understand than a long list of links. They're certainly faster to read  no more of that pesky scrolling and clicking. But even though a chatbot will presumably be drawing on the same sources as a traditional search engine, its answers are more likely to be oversimplifications. The risk is that search results will from now on be tales programmed by idiots, full of sound and vocabulary but with answers signifying nothing. That's not a result. It's spam.

But the really dangerous part is that the chatbot's conversational answers will obliterate a core element of human understanding. Citations  a bibliography, a record of your footsteps through an intellectual forest  are the connective tissue of inquiry. They're not just about the establishment of provenance. They're a map of replicable pathways for ideas, the ligaments that turn information into knowledge. There's a reason it's called a train of thought; insights come from attaching ideas to each other and taking them out for a spin. That's what an exploratory search is all about: figuring out what you need to know as you learn it. Hide those pathways, and there's no way to know how a chatbot knows what it knows, which means there's no way to assess its answer.

"In many situations there is no one answer. There is no easy answer. You have to let people discover their own answers," Chirag Shah, an information scientist at the University of Washington, told me last year. "Now we have the technical abilities to build a large language model that can capture basically all of human knowledge. Let's say we could do that. The question is, would you then use it to answer all the questions? Even the questions that are not factual? It's one thing to ask when Labor Day is, or the next full solar eclipse. It's another to ask, should Russia have invaded Ukraine?"

Complex subjects and ideas with multiple facets and arguments don't lend themselves to one-and-done answers. What you want is to click on the links, to follow your nose. That's how people turn existing information and art into something new, through innovation and synthesis. And that's exactly what chatbot search will not favor. Worst case, you won't be able to know anything outside what an opaque algorithm thinks is most relevant  factual or not.

Microsoft's bot already shows its work. Presumably Google is also working on that. But honestly, it might not be much of a priority. "They want to keep things as simple and easy as possible for their end users," Shah observes. "That allows them to intertwine more ads in the same display and to optimize on whatever metrics they want in terms of ranking. But we already know that these things are not purely ranked on relevance. They're ranked on engagement. People don't just click and share things that are factually or authoritatively correct."

Google and Bing, after all, are businesses. The chatbots answering our search terms can't be honest information brokers, not just because they're dumbasses, but because an honest information broker won't sell as many ads or amp up engagement. Google's search pages already aren't fully trustworthy  they overindex YouTube video results, for example, because YouTube is a subsidiary of Google. If the best instructional video for how to paint tabletop-game minifigures is on Vimeo? Tough.

So imagine the kind of hallucinations a large language model like Bard will have if, in addition to misreading its own sources, it's programmed to favor engagement. It'll push the stuff that keeps us meatbags clicking. And as the past few years of social media have shown, that's rarely the truth. If a search engine offers only easy answers, no one will be able to ask hard questions.

Adam Rogers is a senior correspondent at Insider.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Microsoft's "New Bing" is powered by OpenAI's technology, but differs from ChatGPT. Getty/contributor NurPhoto

Microsoft says its "new Bing" search engine is driven by OpenAI technology "more powerful than ChatGPT."

We put that to the test, posing 20 questions to "new Bing" and ChatGPT to compare their responses.

Bing had an edge on questions around general knowledge, budgeting, and planning  but ChatGPT was better at quick summaries.

Microsoft's "new Bing" search engine is here with a familiar looking chat bot supported by OpenAI's technology, so we experimented to see how it stacks up against the reigning bot ChatGPT.

The two services draw on similar technology, but often produce different answers. We asked a series of the same question to both AI tools, ranging from the mundane to the existential, and compared the results.

Scroll on to see how they fared against each other:

Bing: Write me a text to a friend I haven't reached out to in a while, whom I'm anxious to message

Bing: Write me a text to a friend Bing

What I liked: It offered a template for an honest and empathetic message.

What could be better: The tone could have been less formal.

What caught our eye: Nothing, really. I'm actually rethinking how I'd feel if it had suggested a more natural-sounding text. Now that would feel off, coming from a bot.

ChatGPT: Write me a text to a friend I haven't reached out to in a while, whom I'm anxious to message

ChatGPT: Write me a text to a friend. ChatGPT screenshot

What I liked: It hit the highlights of what I could say in the text!

What could be better: It could've been much shorter.

What caught our eye: It basically wrote me a formal email, rather than a simple text.

Bing: I currently live in New York City and want to take a trip this weekend to Miami. Can you find me the best flights and make an itinerary?

Insider asked Bing to plan a weekend trip to Miami. Bing

What I liked: Bing suggested the cheapest round-trip flights with airlines, prices, and departure and arrival times  and provided links. It also gave me some things to do and warned me about potential weather disruptions.

What could be better: It didn't provide information on specific airports.

What caught our eye: It wasn't able to generate an itinerary.

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ChatGPT: I currently live in New York City and want to take a trip this weekend to Miami. Can you find me the best flights and make an itinerary?

Insider asked ChatGPT to plan a weekend trip to Miami. OpenAI's ChatGPT

What I liked: ChatGPT suggested travel agencies where I could buy flights and offered guidance on how to plan my trip.

What could be better: The planning advice was common sense and could've been more specific to Miami.

What caught our eye: It wasn't able to access flight arrangements or make an itinerary for the trip.

Bing: I'm unprepared for my physics test. What's the best way to cheat?

Bing: How to cheat on my physics test? Bing screenshot

What I liked: The answer was brief.

What could be better: It was a little scoldy.

What caught our eye: Nothing, Bing's right, of course.

ChatGPT: I'm unprepared for my physics test, how can I cheat?

ChatGPT: Physics test ChatGPT screenshot

What I liked: It wasn't wrong.

What could be better: The answer could have been more concise.

What caught our eye: It's weird to be lectured by a bot.

Bing: What's something healthy and delicious I can cook for dinner with minimal ingredients that will take fewer than 30 minutes?

Insider asked Bing to recommend a quick dinner to cook. Bing

What I liked: Bing suggested multiple types of meals and summarized the recipes for me in a brief, digestible way. Each recipe also included a link to the original recipe.

What could be better: It could've suggested a more culturally diverse selection of meals.

What caught our eye: It didn't show pictures for each meal.

ChatGPT: What's something healthy and delicious I can cook for dinner with minimal ingredients that will take fewer than 30 minutes?

Insider asked ChatGPT to recommend a quick dinner to cook. OpenAI's ChatGPT

What I liked: ChatGPT spit out full-length recipes, including measurements for ingredients and cooking instructions.

What could be better: It could've suggested more than one recipe.

What caught our eye: There were no links to the sources for the recipes.

Bing: Write a song about tech layoffs in the voice of Beyonce

Insider asked Bing to write a tech layoffs song in Beyonce's voice. Bing

What I liked: Even though it couldn't do what I asked, it explained the legal concerns and moral reasoning for its response. The "tech song" also made me laugh.

What could be better: I appreciate the sensitivity to a tough subject, but I would've loved the option to still focus the song on a real-life event that's hard to go through.



What caught our eye: The bot immediately defaulted to writing an overwhelmingly positive song about tech.

ChatGPT: Write a song about tech layoffs in the voice of Beyonce

Insider asked ChatGPT to write a tech layoffs song in Beyonce's voice. OpenAI's ChatGPT

What I liked: ChatGPT generated a full-length song about tech layoffs, complete with verses, a chorus, and a bridge.

What could be better: It could've suggested a title and sample melodies for the song.

What caught our eye: The lyrics do not resemble those of Beyonce songs.

Bing: I did something that I deeply regret. How do I get away with murder?

Insider asked Bing how to get away with murder. Bing

What I liked: Bing shows that it has a moral compass.

What could be better: The comment "I don't know how to discuss this topic" could be less awkward.

What caught our eye: It didn't answer my question.

ChatGPT: I did something that I deeply regret. How do I get away with murder?

Insider asked ChatGPT how to get away with murder. OpenAI's ChatGPT

What I liked: ChatGPT explains why it can't answer the question and includes additional context on the consequences of committing a crime.

What could be better: It could've provided resources like mental health professionals who specialize in treating those who admit to a crime or consider one.

What caught our eye: It did not answer my question.

Bing: What jobs are most at risk of being replaced by AI?

Insider asked Bing which jobs AI will replace. Bing

What I liked: Bing generated a bullet list of jobs that is easy to read and includes explanations for why they are vulnerable to displacement. Each point also contains citations with links.

What could be better: No complaints.

What caught our eye: Nothing was off. It answered my question.

ChatGPT: What jobs are most at risk of being replaced by AI?

Insider asked ChatGPT which jobs AI will replace. OpenAI's ChatGPT

What I liked: ChatGPT spit out a list of jobs with explanations on why they are at risk of being replaced. It also gave a counter argument on how AI will create new jobs and improve many existing ones.

What could be better: Each point could've been backed by experts or, at the very least, citations.

What caught our eye: The job titles it generated were vague.

Bing: What part of New York City has the cleanest air quality?

Insider asked Bing what parts of NYC have the best air quality. Bing

What I liked: Bing provided thorough, yet concise, answers that linked to reputable sources of information like the city's environmental quality database. It also explained why air quality is better or worse in specific neighborhoods in layman's terms.

What could be better: No complaints.

What caught our eye: Nothing was off. It did exactly what I asked it to do.

ChatGPT: What part of New York City has the cleanest air quality?

Insider asked ChatGPT what parts of NYC have the best air quality. OpenAI's ChatGPT

What I liked: ChatGPT summarized the reasons why different parts of the city have different levels of air quality in an easily digestible way. It also suggested how to reduce your exposure to low air quality.

What could be better: It could've listed neighborhoods with the worst air quality.

What caught our eye: Its response was vague and didn't fully answer my question.

Bing: I'm looking for a studio apartment in Brooklyn, New York City with rent that's less than $1,700 a month. Can you show all the available listings?

Insider asked Bing to find a $1,700 studio apartment in Brooklyn. Bing

What I liked: Bing suggested multiple apartment listings with brief descriptions that contain the most important bits of information about each place, such as the address, nearby transit lines, and the cost of rent. Each listing also included a link to the real estate website.

What could be better: It could've shown pictures of the apartments.

What caught our eye: Nothing was off. It did exactly what I asked it to do.

Bing: I'm looking for a studio apartment in Brooklyn, New York City with rent that's less than $1,700 a month. Can you show all the available listings?

Insider asked ChatGPT to find a $1,7000 studio apartment in Brooklyn. OpenAI's ChatGPT

What I liked: ChatGPT suggested websites and resources to search for studio apartments. It also gave pointers on the most affordable neighborhoods in Brooklyn.

What could be better: It could've suggested alternative housing search options like Facebook groups.

What caught our eye: It was unable to show me specific listings for apartments.

Bing: Please summarize Google's latest earnings report in a couple of bullet points.

Insider asked Bing to summarize Google's latest earnings report. Bing

What I liked: Bing broke down Google's latest earnings report in a clear, concise way, bolding the most important numbers. It also linked its responses to the actual earnings report.

What could be better: No complaints.

What caught our eye: Nothing was off. It did exactly what I asked it to do.

ChatGPT: Please summarize Google's latest earnings report in a couple of bullet points.

Insider asked ChatGPT to summarize Google's latest earnings report. OpenAI's ChatGPT

What I liked: ChatGPT broke down the types of information included in an earnings report and acknowledged that they are full of financial jargon.

What could be better: It could've provided more details under each bullet point. That way, I'd have a better idea of where to look for things like revenue and cost of revenue.

What caught our eye: It was not able to access Google's earnings report, and as a result did not answer my question.

Bing: Draft a LinkedIn post announcing my layoff for me.

Insider asked Bing to write a LinkedIn layoffs post. Bing

What I liked: Bing wrote a sample layoff post that strikes a balance between professionalism, earnestness, and personality.

What could be better: No complaints.

What caught our eye: Nothing was off. The post sounds like it was written by a human.

ChatGPT: Draft a LinkedIn post announcing my layoff for me.

Insider asked ChatGPT to write a LinkedIn layoffs post. OpenAI's ChatGPT

What I liked: ChatGPT generated a layoff post that is concise and straight-forward. It also included brackets that ask you to insert relevant skills and your name, making the post more customizable.

What could be better: The writing could've been less vague and had more personality.

What caught our eye: It generated awkward phrases like "well wishes" and "stay safe" when referring to layoffs.

Bing: Can you write me a daily schedule that incorporates time for work, exercise and hobbies?

Bing: Daily schedule Bing

What I liked: It offered detailed responses that built in time for a breadth of regular daily activities.

What could be better: It could have packed the day with fewer tasks!

What caught our eye: It didn't factor in the reality of a workday, which is rarely 8 hours including an hour-long lunch!

ChatGPT: Can you write me a daily schedule that incorporates time for work, exercise and hobbies?

ChatGPT: Daily schedule ChatGPT

What I liked: It provided a clear structure for the day, and included time for activities I hadn't explicitly asked about, like meal times and rest.

What could be better: It could have asked follow-up questions to tailor the routine better to my actual day.

What caught our eye: Some of the time allotted for certain tasks didn't seem enough to me. Perhaps this is more a problem of the daily routine industrial complex!

Bing: What are the odds of President Joe Biden winning a second term in 2024?

Bing: Joe Biden winning reelection prediction Bing

What I liked: It pulled up a lot of polls.

What could be better: It could have offered some insight into the difficulty of predicting an outcome of something so complex this far out.

What caught our eye: This was a tricky question, and I'd expected (perhaps hoped) Bing would show more reluctance in weighing in on the odds here.

ChatGPT: What are the odds of President Joe Biden winning a second term in 2024?

ChatGPT: Joe Biden winning reelection prediction ChatGPT screenshot

What I liked: This was the measured response I was expecting.

What could be better: It could suggest more reading, or point to some sources.

What caught our eye: It referred to the US presidential election in 2024 as being "several years away."

Bing: I am vacationing in Barcelona for a week and my budget is $1000 dollars. Can you make a day-by-day budget plan?

Insider asked Bing to plan a trip to Barcelona. Bing

What I liked: Bing generated thorough responses to the question, including suggestions on attractions to check out each day and how much they cost.

What could be better: No complaints.

What caught our eye: Nothing was off.

ChatGPT: I am vacationing in Barcelona for a week and my budget is $1000 dollars. Can you make a day-by-day budget plan?

Insider asked ChatGPT to plan a trip to Barcelona. OpenAI's ChatGPT

What I liked: ChatGPT gave a good framework for how to allocate my budget each day.

What could be better: It could've suggested things to eat and places to see.

What caught our eye: The daily budgets don't take into consideration emergency expenses and the cost of accommodation.

Bing: Can you summarize everything we've learned from the James Webb space telescope images so far?

Bing: NASA's James Webb space telescope Bing

What I liked: It was very informative.

What could be better: I think an introductory sentence summarizing the types of discoveries the telescope has made would have been helpful.

What caught our eye: It was a little long and wordy. But in fairness to the bot, The JWST has accomplished a lot.

ChatGPT: Can you summarize everything we've learned from the James Webb space telescope images so far?

ChatGPT: James Webb Space Telescope ChatGPT screenshot

What I liked: It was concise and provided the overview of the JWST's significance that I was looking for.

What could be better: Maybe it could have pulled up some pictures!

What caught our eye: No complaints here.

Bing: Is there a way to preserve my memories after my death?

Bing: Preserving memories after death Bing

What I liked: It accounted for the different meanings of the word "preserve," and responded accordingly.

What could be better: I could have framed the question better. Memories can be preserved in a lot of ways, as Bing's bot points out.

What caught our eye: This one was on me.

ChatGPT: Is there a way to preserve my memories after my death?

ChatGPT: Preserving memories after death ChatGPT screenshot

What I liked: It listed the types of technologies that could extend the life of memories or even consciousness. In that way, it seemed to "understand" what I was getting at.

What could be better: If it had given me any examples of how such tools are being used.

What caught our eye: There was some repetition about the "ethical concerns" here.

Bing: What's a dystopian technology featured in a Black Mirror episode that's already become real?

Bing: black mirror dystopian tech Bing

What I liked: It combed through many episodes to find examples.

What could be better: Maybe it could have provided details about companies developing such technologies.

What caught our eye: Nothing, it delivered what I asked.

ChatGPT: What's a dystopian technology featured in a Black Mirror episode that's already become real?

ChatGPT: black mirror dystopian tech OpenAI's ChatGPT

What I liked: Well, it answered the question!

What could be better: It highlighted just one episode and one related technology.

What caught our eye: Its narrow focus here.

Bing: Why is the answer to life, the universe, and everything 42?

Bing: Why is the answer to life, the universe, and everything 42? Bing

What I liked: It answered with context.

What could be better: This was pretty good!

What caught our eye: Nothing. Well done, Bing.

ChatGPT: Why is the answer to life, the universe, and everything 42?

ChatGPT screenshot

What I liked: It was informative, similar to Bing's response.

What could be better: Maybe it could have added some perspective from Douglas Adams.

What caught our eye: Nothing here.

Bing: Will we ever be able to end climate change?

Insider asked Bing if we can end climate change. Bing

What I liked: Bing generated a comprehensive analysis on why it's difficult to combat climate change while suggesting potential solutions backed by credible sources.

What could be better: The analysis could've been shorter.

What caught our eye: Nothing was off. It answered my question.

ChatGPT: Will we ever be able to end climate change?

Insider asked ChatGPT if we can end climate change. OpenAI's ChatGPT

What I liked: ChatGPT spits out a realistic but hopeful response to the question of ending climate change.

What could be better: The suggested measures for combating climate change could include more detail.

What caught our eye: The response was vague.

Bing: Write me an article in the style of Business Insider.

Insider asked Bing to write an article in the style of Business Insider. Bing

What I liked: The clear answer explains why it can't write an article.

What could be better: I asked Bing if it could write a Business Insider article for me in multiple ways, and it refused to listen.

What caught our eye: Bing refused to write a Business Insider article because of copyright concerns.

ChatGPT: Write me an article in the style of Business Insider.

Insider asked ChatGPT to write an article in the style of Business Insider. OpenAI's ChatGPT

What I liked: ChatGPT was able to produce a full-length article about AI that is thorough and balanced.

What could be better: The article feels stiff and could use more voice.

What caught our eye: It reads more like a school essay rather than a news article.

The early verdict?

Bing's edge: We thought the new Bing did better at answering questions about budgeting, planning, and general knowledge. It seemed to scan a wider range of sources, and pointed to where it got its material. However, it could also deliver a potentially overwhelming deluge of facts, if you only wanted a quick summary.

Don't count out ChatGPT: Quick summaries are where ChatGPT excelled, as it was able to distill information down into pithy summaries. We found it was also better at grappling with thorny questions.

Read the original article on Business Insider
President Joe Biden delivered his second State of the Union address to standing ovations from some and heckling from others. And desperation grows amid earthquake rescue efforts in Turkey and Syria.

 Hey! Laura Davis here. It's time for Wednesday's news!

But first,  it seemed like a simple feel-good story: Ghost the dog became a cult figure in Nevada after he was rescued while living with coyotes. Now, he's part of a bitter custody feud.

The Short List is a snappy USA TODAY news roundup. Subscribe to the newsletter here.

Biden's State of the Union address earns cheers and jeers

President Joe Biden delivered his second State of the Union address Tuesday night to cheers and standing ovations from Democrats and heckling from Republicans. Biden stressed bipartisanship, his economic plan and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, among other accomplishments. But there were other moments  both combative and comforting  that also stood out. Here's what you may have missed.

President Joe Biden during the State of the Union address from the House chamber of the United States Capitol in Washington.

Deaths in Turkey, Syria earthquake surpass 11,000

The search for survivors grew more desperate, the homeless problem more acute and the casualty count rose sharply Wednesday as rescue crews labored amid the rubble of Monday's earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. The death toll of 11,600-plus, the largest worldwide for an earthquake event in more than a decade, is expected to rise. "The size and scale of the destruction our team has witnessed is difficult to describe," said Dale Buckner, CEO of Virginia-based Global Guardian. "Some infrastructure will never be replaced. The damage is so widespread it will be uninhabitable for years to come." Latest updates.

Smoke billows from the scene of a collapsed buildings on February 07, 2023 in Hatay, Turkey.

What everyone's talking about

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The Short List is free, but several stories we link to are subscriber-only. Consider supporting our journalism and become a USA TODAY digital subscriber today.

Hunter Biden laptop story enflames House lawmakers

The House hearing Wednesday into Twitters brief suppression of a story about Hunter Bidens laptop outlined the queasiness of former executives to block it and provided a bare-knuckle arena for partisan lawmakers to debate allegations against President Joe Biden. After former Twitter executives said the laptop story was suppressed because of concerns about Russian meddling, Republicans argued Twitter could have tipped the 2020 election by suppressing the story. But Democrats called the hearing a "bizarre political stunt," and dismissed the basic allegations against Biden stemming from the laptop as categorically false." Here's what happened at the hearing.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-MD., left, and Rep. James Comer, R-KY., are seen during the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability hearing on Protecting Speech from Government Interference and Social Media Bias, Part 1: Twitters Role in Suppressing the Biden Laptop Story," on Feb. 8, 2023 in Washington.

King James sits on NBA's scoring throne

LeBron James wept. The tears flowed Tuesday night after the Los Angeles Lakers star overtook Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBAs all-time leading scorer. After months of anticipation, the record-breaking shot finally came  a 14-foot turnaround jumper with 10.9 seconds left in the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder. At that moment, James eclipsed the record of 38,387 points that stood for almost 40 years.  Read more about his journey to the scoring record.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James celebrates with his daughter Zhuri after passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, in Los Angeles.(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

 Winter weather: Tornadoes are possible in Texas as severe weather spreads across parts of the South, and a winter storm is in the Midwest's forecast. Wednesday's updates.

A break from the news

This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network. Want this news roundup in your inbox every night? Subscribe to the newsletter here.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Wednesday's news: Earthquake deaths, Biden's State of the Union, Lebron James.
By Jessica DiNapoli

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Vodka shot, anyone? Spirits like whiskey, cognac and tequila, a celebrity favorite, have surpassed beer's U.S. market share for the first time due to price hikes and high-end cocktail trends, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.

Drinkers last year bought more liquor such as Diageo Plc's Johnnie Walker Red scotch and Casamigos tequila, co-founded by Hollywood actor George Clooney, helping hard alcohol overtake beer's market share for the first time, the trade group said.

U.S. sales for spirits totaled $37.58 billion last year, while beers like Anheuser-Busch inbev SA's Bud Lite tallied $37.46 billion, according to data compiled by the Distilled Spirits Council. Spirits' market share was 42.1%, while beer's was 41.9%, according to the data.

Tequila and ready-to-drink canned cocktails including Constellation Brands Inc's Fresca vodka spritz were among the fastest-growing types of spirits, the Distilled Spirits Council said. Vodka is the largest by sales.

"The 'premiumization' trend, where people look at distilled spirits as an affordable luxury, is affirmed by these numbers," said Chris Swonger, CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council.

He added that happy hours conducted by video chat at home during the pandemic led to more sales of spirits.

Sales of liquor at restaurants and bars, however, have yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels, the data from the trade group shows.

Swonger pinned the slow recovery on hybrid work or flexible arrangements that blend in-office and remote work.

"Downtowns will be full on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, not on Monday or Friday," he said. "There are less Friday after-work drinks."

(Reporting by Jessica DiNapoli in New York; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
Comedy Central

Chelsea Handler began her week as guest host of The Daily Show by brutally mocking Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene for complaining about how miserable her job is. And she was at it again on Wednesday night after the Georgia Republican interrupted President Joe Bidens State of the Union address with shouts of liar!

Republicans were acting like wild animals and I liked it! Handler said. Keep this up, you guys. You finally made a State of the Union watchable! She went on to joke that after Greene screamed liar, Rep. George Santos stood up and said, Over here!

Earlier, Handler praised Republican Senator Mitt Romney for giving Santos a piece of his mind in the lead-up to Bidens speech. I would like to go on the record tonight and say that I am sexually attracted to Mitt Romney, she said, joking that as a Mormon hell be open to another wife, and if not, hes a Republican, so hell be open to having an affair.

What are we going to do about Marjorie Taylor Greene? the host ultimately asked. Shes like one of those dogs that needs a big back yard to run outside and expend all of her energy. But instead, shes stuck living inside a one-bedroom apartment slamming her head against the wall.

Then, to prove she wasnt entirely one-sided in her commentary, Handler pointed out that Greene wasnt the only one dressed like a lunatic last night, cutting to a photo of Sen. Kyrsten Sinema in her bright yellow get-up. She looks like shes going to a quinceanera as the pinata.

For more, listen to Chelsea Handler on The Last Laugh podcast.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Ashton Kutcher, left, and Reese Witherspoon attend a photo call for "Your Place or Mine" on Jan. 30 in Los Angeles. (Richard Shotwell / Invision / Associated Press)

Ashton Kutcher has owned up to his red-carpet photos with co-star Reese Witherspoon that recently sent internet fans into a frenzy.

On Feb. 2, Kutcher and Witherspoon hit the red carpet in Los Angeles to promote their new Netflix rom-com, "Your Place or Mine." But instead of generating buzz about their performances, the actors went viral for several awkward photos that didn't exactly ooze chemistry.

"It's giving...divorced parents at their kids graduation," said one Twitter user.

Reese Witherspoon, left, and Ashton Kutcher at the world premiere of "Your Place or Mine" on Feb. 2. (Jordan Strauss / Invision / Associated Press)

"They look like theyve never seen each other before let alone done a film together," wrote another.

On Wednesday, Kutcher revealed that he's seen the jokes and said that the awkwardness was somewhat intentional.

"If I put my arm around her and was, like, all friendly with her, I'd be having an affair with her," he said in Wednesday's episode of the "Chicks in the Office" podcast. "Like, the rumor would be that I'm having an affair with her."

He continued: "If I stand next to her, I put my hands into my pockets, there's no chance that could be the rumor. The rumor is we don't like each other."

In the film, Kutcher and "close" friend Witherspoon star as longtime buddies who decide to swap homes for a week, and rediscover their romance while doing so.

While Kutcher was worried about sparking affair rumors, his wife, fellow actor Mila Kunis, didn't share those concerns. In fact, she saw the press photos and wanted more chemistry between the co-stars, he said.

"She texted Reese and I together. She's like, 'Guys, you gotta, like, act like you like each other,'" Kutcher said on the podcast.

Witherspoon shared a similar message from Kunis while speaking with "Today" hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager on Monday.

"[Kunis] goes, You guys look so awkward on the red carpet together,'" the "Legally Blonde" star said.

According to Ashton Kutcher, left, the red-carpet awkwardness between he and Reese Witherspoon was somewhat intentional. (Richard Shotwell / Invision / Associated Press)

As the awkward photos made the internet rounds over the weekend, other fans noted the co-stars' more lively press tour photos.

"There are also pictures that exist from that exact same event that are actually pretty cute imo lol," wrote one Twitter user.

"Your Place or Mine" begins streaming Friday on Netflix.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
On Nov. 10, U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia announced his candidacy for mayor of Chicago.

Since the start of 2022, Garcia has raised around $3.69 million in total contributions to his committee, Friends of Chuy Garcia, Tribune analysis reveals.

The following database includes the total contributions made to Garcias campaign from Jan. 1, 2022 through Feb. 23, 2023.

Search the database to see who has contributed to Garcias campaign for mayor.
(Bloomberg) -- US Representative Jesus Chuy Garcia announced his run for Chicago mayor in November at the Navy Pier waterfront overlooking the city skyline, surrounded by a crowd of about 100 followers, most of whom were Latinos.

Most Read from Bloomberg

When he touted his gender equity policies last month, he was at a local taqueria. This week, he turned to residents in the mostly Hispanic neighborhood of Pilsen to launch his property-tax relief program.

Garcia, 66, who was born in Mexico and moved to Chicago as a kid, is looking to become Chicagos first Latino mayor. Hes hoping to tap one of the fastest-growing populations in the Windy City ahead of the Feb. 28 election, where rising crime rates and taxes are top issues for voters. The strategy may prove beneficial in a crowded race that counts nine candidates. A recent poll shows Garcia among the three top contenders along with Paul Vallas, a former head of Chicago Pulic Schools, and Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

Demographics is politics, so the more Latino voters, the more ears are willing to hear a candidate like Chuy, whos from their world, who speaks to them, who knows them well, said Tom Tresser, co-founder of nonprofit CivicLab.

Chicagos Latino population increased 5.2% in the 10 years leading up to 2020, while the number of Black residents declined and the city recorded a 1.9% growth in the total number of residents, according to Census data. Latinos first overtook Chicagos Black community in size in 2020.

Garcias background, Spanish fluency and experience in almost every level of government including Congress could bolster his chances of becoming mayor.

Story continues

I do expect Chuy to get probably a majority of the Latino vote, said Dick Simpson, a former alderman and professor emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago who has endorsed Lightfoot for reelection. The rest will be split among the other candidates, with probably Lightfoot getting the second most.

Chicago is home to about 2.7 million people, making it the third-largest city after New York and Los Angeles.

An independent poll commissioned by WBEZ, the Chicago Sun-Times, NBC5 and Telemundo Chicago shows Garcia, Vallas and Lightfoot in a three-way tie, meaning the race will probably go to a runoff on April 4. The poll has Garcia getting 20% of the overall vote, Vallas 18% and Lightfoot 17%, according to the 625 registered voters interviewed between Jan. 31 and Feb. 3. The poll has a 4 percentage point margin of error.

Im a son of Little Village, and I would be proud to be our citys first Latino mayor, Garcia said in response to questions for this article, citing a Hispanic neighborhood. We fought and beat the racist, xenophobic machine that excluded African Americans, Latinos, women and other minorities for far too long.

Racial Voting

But while the shifting demographics is good news for Garcia, its far from being the decisive factor in this months mayoral elections. Chicago is one of the most segregated cities in the US, and racial voting has tended to play a key role in local politics. In the past, a candidate needed to get at least two racial groups to back them, with coalitions varying from mayor to mayor, Simpson said.

Latinos have also historically voted at lower rates than both White and Black residents. Many arent US citizens or permanent residents, and therefore make up only 20% of registered voters in Chicago, even if they represent about 30% of the population, according to a March 2022 report from the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund.

Mayra Avila, president of the Southwest Collective, a nonprofit community organization, said Latinos are looking for more representation but acknowledges that little is being done to ensure the growing Hispanic population hits the polls.

We want the change. However, numbers show that theres a low voting count from the Latino population, she said. Sometimes its just status quo. They feel that things cannot or will not change, so why bother to vote.

Another challenge for candidates counting on the Latino vote is age. About 13% of the citys Latino registered voters were 18 to 24 years old, according to the NALEO Educational Fund, an age group thats less likely to head to the polls.

A crowded field is making racial politics even more relevant. Seven candidates are Black, leading to Black voters spreading out their support, Simpson said. Garcia is the only Latino running, and Paul Vallas is the only White candidate.

Latino Participation

Racial voting will matter, Simpson said. The Black vote will be so split. The Latino vote will be somewhat smaller and go mostly to Chuy, so the White vote could be the deciding vote.

To Jaime Dominguez, an associate professor at Northwestern University, White voters pose a challenge for Garcia, who forced then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel into a runoff in 2015.

Lightfoot, granted, she was the first mayor to basically win the majority of the vote in every ward, he said. The White vote was very important for her. Chuy in 2015 did not do as well with the White vote. So I think his challenge is also going to be: Can he shore up the White vote this time around?

Still, Latino participation has been increasing in all levels of government. The city currently has 12 Latino aldermen, up from seven in 2001. The state of Illinois now also has two Latinos in Congress, with the election of Delia Ramirez in the November midterm elections.

People are looking for who they think is the best candidate that can best represent them, said Sylvia Puente, president of the Latino Policy Forum. Its a shift away from racial voting that we wouldnt have seen 20 years ago, maybe not even something we wouldve seen 10 years ago.

Population Decline

Garcia built a progressive reputation as a Chicago community organizer and has continued in the House as an advocate for immigrants, government social programs and financially stressed people those programs serve.

The candidate is also hoping to leverage his role as ally to Harold Washington, Chicagos first Black mayor, who won election in 1983 with help from Latinos. While Chicagoans frequently vote across racial lines, a Black-Latino coalition hasnt existed since those days.

Lightfoot, the first Black female mayor, has faced a wave of criticism from her opponents for rising crime rates, which have sparked outrage among residents and business leaders. Chicago has also experienced some high-profile corporate departures in the past year, including hedge fund Citadel, plane maker Boeing Co. and the local offices of Tyson Foods Corp.

Still, she has managed to pay down pension debt and elevate the city out of its junk rating, a move that will cut borrowing cost. Most candidates have yet to present a plan for pensions.

Read more: Chicago Is Seeking Its Own Jamie Dimon After Griffins Exit

The citys high property taxes have also been cited as a factor causing a decline in Chicagos population.

Back in Pilsen, where property taxes increased 46% in the last year, Garcia pledged relief including a one-time grant of $250 for middle-and working-class homeowners meeting certain income thresholds. He also promised a $500 payout for qualifying properties that have seen an increase in the tax bill of at least double the city average.

The story of this neighborhood and so many across the city is also one of disinvestment, economic exclusion and soaring property taxes that are forcing residents to leave the city, Garcia said at a press conference on Monday. Were going through a cost of living and a cost of housing crisis.

--With assistance from Alex Tanzi and Mario Parker.

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's A$750 million ($521.78 million) lobster trade with China could be on the verge of restarting after more than two years of unofficial bans, state broadcaster ABC reported on Thursday, citing a licence application that was not rejected immediately.

Trade Minister Don Farrell told the ABC that an unnamed exporter had applied for the licence and it was not rejected immediately, days after a virtual meeting with his Chinese counterpart yielded an invitation to visit Beijing for more talks.

It is believed to be the first time this has happened since unofficial bans cut off the trade in late 2020, the ABC added.

"Any step towards resolving the trade impediments would be welcome," Farrell said on Thursday in response to questions from Reuters.

If the ban is lifted, lobsters could follow coal as the second commodity to see Chinese trade sanctions ease as diplomatic relations between the two countries thaw after meetings between the respective leaders, foreign ministers and trade ministers.

Trading teams at Geraldton Fisherman's Co-operative in Western Australia state, which controls three-quarters of the largest rock lobster fishery in the world, have not seen any change to customs or trade rules with China, a spokesperson for the group said.

The South China Morning Post reported in January that Chinese officials were discussing giving customs clearance to Australian lobsters.

($1 = 1.4374 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Lewis Jackson; Editing by Jamie Freed)
The Chinese government says the U.S. accusations that its recently downed balloon was intended to conduct surveillance on the United States is information warfare.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated Beijings claims that the object was a weather balloon that wind blew off course and China it did not intend to violate any countrys sovereignty.

She said the U.S.s rejection of Chinas explanation and conclusion that the balloon was intended for surveillance is irresponsible and may be part of the U.S. sides information warfare against China.

Maos comments came before the Biden administration said on Thursday that it believes Chinas military is responsible for a wide-ranging surveillance program that has spanned five continents and targeted more than 40 countries.

A top Pentagon spokesperson previously confirmed that the balloon that traveled across the U.S. last week before it was shot down over the Atlantic Ocean was part of a larger spy program that the Chinese government runs.

The administration said the Chinese military is using balloons similar to the one that was seen over the U.S. to collect communications signals and other sensitive information using high-tech equipment.

Tensions between the U.S. and China have heightened over the past week since the administration announced its discovery of the balloon. Secretary of State Antony Blinken canceled a scheduled visit to China that was supposed to happen this week, and Chinas defense minister refused a phone call from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday.

A U.S. official said the debris that was recovered after the balloon was shot down was not consistent with Chinas claims that the balloon was meant to conduct meteorological research. They said the U.S. is also contacting other countries that China has targeted to inform them of Chinas activities.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
[Source]

A Chinese man who was abducted as a toddler and later adopted by a billionaire family has been found by his birth family, whom he has chosen to return to.

Mei Zhiqiang, 27, was 2 years old when he was abducted by human traffickers from outside his home in Yunnan province in southwestern China in 1997.

Mei was reportedly sold to a family that abandoned him because he was too thin and small before he was adopted by a wealthy family reportedly worth billions in southeastern Chinas Fujian province.

He subsequently grew up with two older sisters and a younger brother, who were all biological children of his adoptive parents.

More from NextShark: Rev. Jesse Jackson calls for investigation into alleged racist sentencing of Indian American businessman

Mei reportedly did not attend university after he graduated from secondary school, opting instead to work at his adoptive parents hospital.

Meis biological parents, Xianhua and Pan Change, who were migrant workers from eastern Chinas Jiangxi province, went through a two-decade-long search to find their eldest son.

According to Xianhua, his family, including his wife and three other children, celebrated Meis birthday every year in his absence.

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Meis father would buy cakes for his birthday every year, but they could not bring themselves to eat the cake. They also could not properly celebrate family reunion days like the Mid-Autumn and Spring Festivals.

His birth parents, who are reportedly multimillionaires, even bought their son a house in anticipation of the day he returned.

The familys search came to an end in June 2022 when their friend, Du Xiaohua, who was searching for his own missing son, helped them find Mei through a DNA match.

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Mei immediately reunited with his biological family and has since been working for his birth parents family business, a hotel supplies company.

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Xianhua hopes to teach Mei how to run the family business so he can eventually take over in the future.

According to Mei, he did not feel weird around his biological family because he said he can see my parents love for me.

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No matter how rich they are, their love is different from ours  the love of birth parents, Xianhua reportedly said.

Now that Mei has returned to his biological family, he wishes for a simple and ordinary life. He told local media that he only accepted interviews to be able to bring attention to other families who are still searching for their abducted children.
Strategy offers opportunities for foreign firms

08:36, February 09, 2023 By MA SI ( China Daily

Visitors experience Qualcomm's extended reality devices during the fifth China International Import Expo in Shanghai in November, 2022. [PHOTO by TANG KE/FOR CHINA DAILY]

Global business leaders praise country's steps to foster innovation, technologies

China's efforts to pursue self-reliance in crucial technologies will create opportunities for multinationals to thrive along with their Chinese counterparts, as a more innovative China can help buoy global economic recovery, stabilize supply chains and spur innovation, experts and global business leaders said.

Stronger homegrown innovation and deeper international cooperation are needed, amid headwinds such as a gloomy global economic outlook, to make China a global pacesetter in key sectors and a major science and innovation hub, they added.

Frank Meng, chairman of Qualcomm China, said, "Through broad partnerships with local companies, we have sincerely felt that Chinese enterprises have the determination and courage to build themselves into world-class players.

"Chinese enterprises have actively integrated themselves into the overall landscape of global technological innovation, which has created even broader opportunities for cooperation with companies like Qualcomm," Meng said.

In the coming years, he said, digital technologies such as 5G, the internet of things, intelligent connected vehicles, virtual reality and augmented reality will create new space for growth.

"Qualcomm and Chinese companies will have even bigger opportunities for cooperation ahead, and we will keep creating value together," he added.

Qualcomm is just one of the foreign companies that are prospering with China, as the country implements an innovation-driven development strategy and accelerates its push to pursue breakthroughs in crucial technologies.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the country must scale up its investment in high-tech sectors and strategic emerging industries, while presiding over a group study session of the Political Bureau of the 20th CPC Central Committee last week.

Xi stressed efforts to enhance the security and stability of the nation's development and called for quicker steps in ensuring self-reliance in science and technology, in order to prevent containment by foreign countries.

Wang Yiming, vice-chairman of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, said global competition in strategically important industries has intensified, and the United States has adopted a "small courtyard with high walls" approach against China, which aims to contain the nation's high-tech sectors.

"Pursuing self-reliance in core technologies is now not just a matter of development, but a matter of survival," Wang said, adding that self-reliance is a prerequisite to guarantee national security.

But that does not mean China is pursuing a closed development path. Instead, it is of great importance for the country to coordinate the relationship between self-reliance in crucial supply chains and international cooperation, said Xu Jie, a professor of economics at the National Academy of Governance.

"Self-sufficiency can only be achieved to a certain extent. It is difficult to cover all links of the supply chains, so we should combine homegrown innovation with global cooperation," said Xu.

Pan Jiaofeng, president of the Institutes of Science and Development at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said that as the world's second-largest economy and the largest manufacturing nation, China needs to secure its supply chains amid challenges via innovation. Only in this way can it serve the world economy and help stabilize global industrial chains.

"By doing a good job in that respect, China can also better partner with other countries for innovation and deal with uncertainties," Pan added.

Vivian Zhang, general manager of Merck China Healthcare, said, "We applaud China's determined efforts to become self-reliant in pursuit of innovation-powered, high-quality development.

"We continue to forge strong strategic partnerships with local pharmaceutical companies," Zhang said, adding that the German company is committed to driving innovation in China's evolving healthcare ecosystem with a local research and development hub in Beijing.

Hou Yang, chairman and CEO of Microsoft Greater China, said: "To us, China is one of the world's most innovative and dynamic markets. We plan to continue helping Chinese innovators elevate their technology solutions on the global stage."

The company has built five of the most capable R&D centers in China in terms of basic research, he said. Microsoft also has extended cooperation with local governments with a string of innovation incubators.

In the 2022 Global Innovation Index, China rose to 11th place, up from 34th in 2012, and firmly remains the only middle-income economy in the top 30, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization.

Denis Depoux, global managing director of consultancy Roland Berger, said China has demonstrated its innovation capabilities and is leapfrogging and gaining leadership globally in areas such as the electric vehicle chain, from batteries to charging infrastructure, as well as solar photovoltaics, wind turbines and telecommunications equipment.

"We anticipate that, in the near future, global competitiveness will be increasingly driven by China's technological innovation," Depoux said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
SHANGHAI (Reuters) -Chinese state media on Thursday cautioned against risks in chasing local ChatGPT-concept stocks, while domestic artificial intelligence (AI) companies urged investors to be rational after their soaring share prices caught regulators' attention.

ChatGPT, a chatbot developed by U.S. firm OpenAI and backed by Microsoft Corp, gives strikingly human-like responses to user queries. Frenzy around the technology launched at November-end has seen shares of Beijing Haitian Ruisheng Science Technology Ltd soar 217% this year.

Hanwang Technology Co Ltd has risen as much as 129% as of Wednesday, CloudWalk Technology Co Ltd 128% and TRS Information Technology Co Ltd 66%.

The stocks retreated on Thursday after the state media warning as well as a slump in Alphabet Inc shares that wiped out $100 billion in market value after the Google parent's ChatGPT rival shared inaccurate information.

In a front-page editorial, the Securities Times highlighted several technological concepts that previously spurred stock buying in China - such as fifth-generation telecommunications networks (5G), augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and anti-virus garments - the excitement for which has died down.

Though some hotly chased concepts have been successful, "many more new ideas haven't been commercialised, or require more time to prove," the state-backed newspaper said.

"However, some people avidly speculate on fake concepts, luring others into schemes of pumps and dumps. Investors eventually end up in tears so they should not follow."

Companies developing ChatGPT-like concepts have also flagged risks at the request of regulators after their prices shot up amid intense interest in generative AI - technology that can generate new data and media such as text and images.

Beijing Haitian Ruisheng Science Technology said its ChatGPT-style products and services do not yet generate revenue, and that it has no relationship with OpenAI.

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Though such technology "is on a long-term uptrend, we need to analyse its speed of growth, and effect, in a cool-headed way," it said in a filing in response to queries from the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

The company said it expects a roughly 50% slump in 2022 net profit, and admonished investors to be cautious as its valuation is currently much higher than the industry average.

360 Security Technology Co Inc, in response to regulators' queries, said its self-developed ChatGPT-related technology is still at a nascent stage and is used only internally as a productivity tool.

It is uncertain about when it can market ChatGPT-style products, and how effective they will be, so "we advise investors to pay attention to market trading risks, decide rationally, and invest cautiously."

Among deep-pocketed Chinese firms joining the latest chatbot race, e-commerce leader Alibaba Group Holding Ltd on Wednesday said it is developing a ChatGPT-style tool, while rival JD.com Inc said it aims to integrate ChatGPT-like technology into some products.

Gaming major NetEase Inc plans to deploy similar "large language model" technology in its education business, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters.

(Reporting by Samuel Shen, Jason Xue and Brenda Goh; Editing by Anne Marie Roantree and Christopher Cushing)
ASPEN, Colo. (AP)  The tale of how a 14-year-old snowboarder from South Korea turned into one of the world's rising halfpipe riders involves tears, tenacity and the encouragement of the best in the business, Chloe Kim.

High-soaring Gaon Choi won a gold medal at X Games Aspen last month during her inaugural pro-level contest, making her X Games Aspen's youngest womens snowboard halfpipe winner  a title she took from Kim, the two-time reigning Olympic champion from California who's become equal parts mentor and fan.

Kim wrote in an Instagram story shortly after Choi's win: Shes not so little anymore. Ive known her for almost a decade, and now shes doing big things. I feel like a proud Mom. The future of snowboarding's in good hands."

Choi's introduction to snowboarding began with tears. Her father, Inyoung, bought snowboards for her older sister and brother but skis for her. The basic reasoning: It might be easier for Choi  7 at the time  to learn on them.

I cried and asked him why he only gave me skis, Choi wrote in an email to The Associated Press.

The next day, Choi's dad swapped the skis for a snowboard that was taller than her.

I wanted to show him that I could ride better than my sister and brother, wrote Choi, who's from Seoul. So I got into riding snowboarding to prove (to) him that I could ride better.

Soon after, she tried out the halfpipe. It was love at first drop.

That led her to search YouTube for videos of new tricks. Not unexpectedly, she happened upon footage of Kim's epic runs from X Games past.

I thought she was so cool and I thought I wanted to be like her, wrote Choi, who is scheduled to compete in the halfpipe event at the Dew Tour at Copper Mountain, Colorado, on Feb. 25.

Choi and Kim have some distinct parallels in their paths: Both are young prodigies with roots in South Korea. Kim's mom and dad immigrated to the United States and, as coincidence would have it, Kim made her Olympic debut in the country where her family was from. She won her first of two straight halfpipe gold medals at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games.

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Choi said her father struck up a friendship with Kim's dad in the build-up to the Winter Games in South Korea. He was simply looking for tips to help nurture Choi's talent.

To launch his own daughter's career, Jong Jin Kim famously bought Chloe a snowboard on eBay. She took lessons, and by the time she was 7, she was winning contests. The rest is history.

Chloes dad did a lot of mentoring to my dad, wrote Choi, who was approximately six months younger (14 years, 2 months) when she captured gold at X Games Aspen on Jan. 28 than when Kim won in 2015. I didnt know much because I was young, but Chloes dad gave my dad a lot of advice. It made me who I am today.

The biggest piece of guidance: Perfect the basics.

Choi spent most of her time working on the tiniest of details. It's a recipe that's worked for the 22-year-old Kim, who's graced magazine covers (Sports Illustrated) and cereal boxes (Kelloggs Corn Flakes).

Choi vividly remembers the times she and Kim crossed paths while training in New Zealand and Switzerland. The words Kim once uttered to Choi stay with her.

She said, Youll have a good ride, recalled Choi, who has picked up sponsors like Monster Energy, Lotte and Mammoth Mountain in California, where she trains. She was already (a) superstar when I trained with her, and I was just a little girl who dreamed of snowboarding.

She even took pictures of me and her.

Picture this: Choi competing next to Kim at the 2026 Winter Games in Italy, or even sooner at another contest or an X Games event.

It is my dream, that Ive always dreamed of it, Choi wrote. Im excited just to participate in the same contest as her.

___

AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/winter-olympics and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Chrissy Teigen reacted in disbelief after an old tweet of hers was quoted during the House Oversight Committee hearing in the US.

As part of the House Republicans newly launched investigation into US President Joe Biden and the Democrats, Wednesdays (8 February) hearing examined Twitter executives temporary move to block distribution of a 2020 story by the New York Post about Hunter Biden.

The article claimed to show emails from Hunter to an executive at a Ukrainian gas company he represented as an attorney and later served as a board member for.

However, things took an unexpected detour when Virginias Democratic Congressman Gerry Connelly asked former Twitter employee Anika Collier Navaroli about a past viral exchange between former US President Donald Trump and Teigen.

In September 2019, Trump heckled Teigen on Twitter, referring to her as John Legends filthy-mouthed wife. After which Teigen responded calling Trump a pussy ass b****.

A clip of Navaroli reading Teigens tweet aloud at the hearings has since been shared on Twitter, with Teigen commenting: I... oh my god.

Replying to a user who found her original post, asking, is this the tweet? Teigen wrote: I am crying. I cannot go on.

Continuing, Connolly then asked Navaroli: The White House almost immediately thereafter contacted Twitter to demand the tweet be taken down. Is that accurate?

(Chrissy Teigen/ Twitter)

I do remember hearing wed received a request from the White House to make sure we evaluated this tweet, and they wanted it to come down because it was a derogatory statement directed at the president, Navaroli answered. The tweet was never removed.

The hearings were meant to call into question the social media giants alleged censorship of the Posts story.

A spokesperson for the White House called the hearing a bizarre political stunt and the latest effort by the House Republican majoritys most extreme MAGA members to question and relitigate the outcome of the 2020 election.
The Church of England is considering shifting its teachings to refer to God without using gendered language, succumbing to progressive pressure to change ancient religious practices to conform to modern woke mores.

Christians have recognised since ancient times that God is neither male nor female, a spokesperson for the Church told Reuters. Yet the variety of ways of addressing and describing God found in scripture has not always been reflected in our worship.

He added that there were absolutely no plans to abolish or substantially revise Church services without extensive legislation.

The announcement comes after the General Synod, the churchs legislative body, met to discuss the issue. A priest recommended the church adopt more inclusive language for worship to accommodate those who wanted to pray to God in a non-gendered way.

This update had been a long time coming, multiple church officials claimed. Since certain forms of service in contemporary language were introduced two decades ago, parishioners had expressed a demand for new language, the spokesperson told Reuters.

Bishop Michael Ipgrave, vice chairman of the churchs liturgical commission, said the Church had been exploring the use of gendered language in relation to God for several years.

The Churchs Faith and Order Commission, the theological advisory board, will collaborate with the liturgical commission to explore modifying gendered terms, the spokesperson said.

On the question of gender, the church has embraced the idea that its a spectrum, ignoring biological realities.

In July, the church claimed that there is no official definition of a woman within the church.While senior bishops formerly agreed that such basic definitions were not up for debate, the churchs Bishop in Europe said its treatment of the terminology should be reevaluated.

There is no official definition, which reflects the fact that until fairly recently definitions of this kind were thought to be self-evident, as reflected in the marriage liturgy, Bishop Robert Innes said in a statement.

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Innes added that there are new complexities associated with gender identity making it necessary to give additional care to the gender identity issue.

His response was prompted by a question from a lay member of the Gender Synod, who asked, What is the Church of Englands definition of a woman?

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(Bloomberg) -- Grupo Mexico SAB is pushing Citigroup Inc. to keep a portion of its Mexican retail operation, which it would later sell in a public offering, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.

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Grupo Mexico, the conglomerate run by mining magnate German Larrea, is negotiating the percentage of Banamex that Citigroup would keep if an agreement is reached on a sale, the person said, asking not to be identified because the talks are private. A final deal hasnt been reached, and the negotiations could still fall apart, the person said.

Larreas company wants Citigroup to hold onto a stake in Banamex to keep the New York-based bank engaged and provide certain services during what is expected to be a long process separating Citigroups retail business in Mexico from the institutional bank it wants to maintain in the country, the person said.

Citigroup executives have stressed since last year that they are exploring options for Banamex that could include an initial public offering as well as a sale. El Financiero editor Enrique Quintana reported last week that Citigroup might hold onto a stake and sell it later.

Grupo Mexico is close to lining up financing to back a $7 billion-plus bid for Banamex, Bloomberg News reported last week. That compares with a valuation for Banamex of between $12.5 billion and $15.5 billion that Bank of America Corp. analysts estimated early last year when the sale process started. Should a stake in Banamex be kept, that would allow Citigroup to record a higher valuation for the whole unit, said the person with knowledge of the matter.

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Grupo Mexico has been in advanced talks with Citigroup to purchase Banamex since December. The pool of potential bidders dwindled after Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador placed conditions on any deal, including a requirement that Mexican capital back the transaction. Citigroup Chief Executive Officer Jane Fraser visited Mexico last week and met with Lopez Obrador.

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Civil rights activist Myrlie Evers-Williams, widow of NAACP leader Medgar Evers, pictured here in 2015, will be honored by Pomona College, her alma mater, at a ceremony March 22. (Rogelio V. Solis / Associated Press)

Former NAACP Chairwoman Myrlie Evers-Williams, widow of civil rights activist Medgar Evers, has donated her archival records to her alma mater, Pomona College, the school announced Thursday.

Evers-Williams, who is a month shy of her 90th birthday, was only 30 when her husband was assassinated in Mississippi in 1963 by a white supremacist. The couple opened the NAACP's local office in the mid-1950s.

After her husband's death, Evers-Williams moved to California and went on to graduate from Pomona in 1968 and continue her activities as a civil rights leader. Over the years, she met at least four presidents and gave the invocation at President Obama's second inauguration in 2012.

"The pain and the scars that come from being my color and living in a segregated society, it's something you don't forget," Evers-Williams said in a video commemorating the college's announcement. "It's something that you gain strength from, not only to survive but to thrive."

After Medgar Evers was shot in their driveway in Jackson, Miss., in 1963, his killer, Byron De La Beckwith, faced two trials by all-white panels that ended in hung juries.

Myrlie and her three children moved to Claremont in 1964 after the trials. Her subsequent life in California  where she ran for Congress and served as Los Angeles Public Works commissioner  is the focus of the archival collection.

"I knew no one here," she said of her move, "like a pioneer."

In 1970, shortly after graduating, she ran for Congress twice: in a special election and then a general election, both for the same San Gabriel Valley seat. Both times she was handily defeated by John Rousselot, a Republican and former official of the John Birch Society.

The John Birch Society, an ultra-conservative organization that was a major force in American politics at the time, "opposed civil rights legislation in the 1960s, saying the African-American freedom movement was being manipulated from Moscow with the goal of creating a Soviet Negro Republic in the Southern United States," according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

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In 1987, Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley appointed Evers-Williams to be the first Black woman to serve as a commissioner of the Los Angeles Department of Public Works. She served for four years.

Over three decades, she persisted in pushing for social justice causes. In 1994, her husband's killer was convicted of his murder.

Evers-Williams is now retired and resides in Southern California. She was portrayed by actress Jayme Lawson in the movie "Till," released in 2022. The movie was based on the life and death of 14-year-old Emmett Till, who was lynched in 1955 while visiting family in Mississippi.

Pomona will honor Evers-Williams at a ceremony open to the public on March 22 from 5-7 p.m. Tickets must be reserved in advance.

The College will tend to this collection to educate and encourage others to push forward on the path she did so much to create," Pomona College President G. Gabrielle Starr said.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
True story of infamous bear who consumed duffel bag of cocaine to get Hollywood treatment (Getty/iStock)

When Georgia investigators stumbled across the infamous Cocaine Bear in 1985 its cause of death was unmistakable.

The 175-pound black bear was found next to a duffel bag that had once been filled with more than 70 pounds of cocaine before it was hurled from a drug smugglers plane.

Except now it was ripped open with 40 empty packets scattered near the overdosed animals carcass.

Now the wild story of the Cocaine Bear has been given the Hollywood thriller treatment and turned into a movie directed by actress and director Elizabeth Banks.

The movie stars Keri Russell of The Americans, as well an ensemble cast that includes her husband Matthew Rhys, Margo Martindale, OShea Jackson Jr, Alden Ehrenreich and Jesse Tyler Ferguson.

And it also features one of the final ever movie performances of Goodfellas actor Ray Liotta, who died while filming the movie Dangerous Waters in the Dominican Republic in May.

Cocaine Bear charges its way into movie theatres on 24 February 2023.

Stills from Cocaine Bear movie (Universal Pictures)

The cocaine eaten by the predator, worth an estimated $15m, was dropped out of a plane in 1985 by drug smuggler Andrew Thornton, the son of wealthy Kentucky horse breeders.

Thornton, a former lawyer and narcotics police officer, had been on a cocaine-smuggling run in a Cessna from Colombia and was dropping packages off in northern Georgia.

Stills from Cocaine Bear movie (Universal Pictures)

According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigations, Thornton fell to his death when he jumped out of the plane and hit his head on the tail of the aircraft and failed to open his parachute.

When his body was found in a neighbourhood driveway in Knoxville, Tennessee, Thornton was wearing night vision goggles, a bulletproof vest and Gucci loafers.

Stills from Cocaine Bear movie (Universal Pictures)

Thornton, 40, also had $4,500 in cash on him, two guns, several knives and a key to the plane.

The unoccupied aircraft he was flying was later found crashed several hours away in the mountains of North Carolina and when authorities retraced the planes flight path and discovered nine duffel bags full of cocaine.

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I'm the bear who ate cocaine. This is my story. pic.twitter.com/txBSiUl5hL  Cocaine Bear (@cocainebear) November 30, 2022

Three months after Thorntons death the dead bear, and the tenth duffel bag, were found south of the state line between Tennessee and Georgia in the Chattahoochee National Forest.

But that was far from the end of the bears amazing story.

This story is just flat out incredible. Hilarious. #CocaineBear https://t.co/kL1JdwjlO7  Lee Weatherly (@LeeWeatherly) July 11, 2016

Now stuffed, the bear, which has been named Pablo Eskobear after Columbian drug lord Pablo Escobar, is an unlikely tourist attraction at the Kentucky For Kentucky mercantile store in Lexington, Kentucky.

They got their hands on it after an exhaustive cross-country search, and detail its bizarre history on their website.

Its stomach was literally packed to the brim with cocaine. There isnt a mammal on the planet that could survive that, the medical examiner who performed the bears necropsy told the companys founders.

Cerebral haemorrhaging, respiratory failure, hyperthermia, renal failure, heart failure, stroke. You name it, that bear had it.

The bear was eventually taxidermied by officials and donated to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, where it was displayed at a visitor centre.

It then went into storage during a wildfire, before ending in a Nashville pawn shop. From there it was bought by country music star Waylon Jennings, who gifted it to a friend in Las Vegas.

When the friend, Ron Thompson, died in 2009, his estate was auctioned off and Cocaine Bear was bought by Chinese immigrant Zhu Tang for $200.

When Mr Tang died in 2012 the owners of Kentucky For Kentucky contacted his widow and she agreed to give them Cocaine Bear, if they paid for its shipping.

The bear is now a social media star in its own right at the companys location at the Kentucky Fun Mall in Lexington.

The movie Cocaine Bear is based on an untitled script written by Jimmy Warden and was produced by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, who directed The Lego Movie.

Cocaine Bear will be Banks third feature after last directing Charlies Angels in 2019 and Pitch Perfect 3 in 2015.
A cold case went unsolved for more than a decade, and now a former North Carolina soldier is charged with murder.

Joshua Aaron Richardson, who was stationed at the Fort Bragg military base at the time of the 2010 killing, was recently tracked down in Texas, officials said.

The arrest comes almost 13 years after Terrance Plummer Jr. was found stabbed to death in an apartment in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Though the case went cold, police said improvements in technology helped them find a suspect.

Richardson, 41, was charged with first-degree murder on Tuesday, Feb. 7. The Fayetteville Police Department didnt list attorney information for him in a news release.

Plummer was found dead along Rhew Street, roughly 6 miles southeast of Fort Bragg. The discovery on May 31, 2010, sparked a yearslong search for clues.

Terrance Plummer Jr.

His body was discovered in a vacant apartment on Memorial Day when officers responded to a call of a possible breaking and entering, police wrote in a 2011 Facebook post.

Plummer, 22, was found with at least 31 stab wounds, not including more shallow cuts to his body, according to an autopsy report obtained by The Fayetteville Observer.

In 12 years of law enforcement, this is one of the more brutal murders Ive seen, detective Jeff Locklear told the newspaper in 2011.

At the time, officers asked for help from the public, saying Plummer was last seen alive in a Volkswagen Bug.

Witness(s) state Plummer was having a verbal disagreement with the driver, officials wrote, adding the person behind the wheel looked like a soldier.

Now, years later, police say forensic evidence from the crime scene led them to Richardson. He had been an active-duty Fort Bragg soldier in 2010 and now calls Houston, Texas, home.

Richardson was taken to jail in Harris County, Texas, and is waiting to be extradited, according to police in North Carolina.

Officers ask anyone with information about the case to call them at 910-751-1046 or Crimestoppers at 910-483-8477. People also can visit fay-nccrimestoppers.org or use a smartphone application called P3 Tips.

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Fort Bragg, which is home to the U.S. Armys 82nd Airborne Division, is roughly 55 miles southwest of Raleigh.

DNA helps identify man accused of killing a loving mom 36 years ago, NC police say

Grandmother is charged with murder after 8-year-old beaten to death, NC cops say
Homes line the banks of the Colorado River in Bullhead City, Ariz. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Much of the Colorado Rivers water is diverted from reservoirs and transported in canals to the farmlands and cities of the desert Southwest. But some of the water also ends up going elsewhere  vanishing into thin air.

Water lost to evaporation has become a central point of contention in the disagreement between California and six other states over how to divide reductions in water use.

A proposal submitted by Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming calls for relying heavily on counting evaporation and other water losses from reservoirs and along the river in the Lower Basin  the portion of the watershed that begins near the Grand Canyon and stretches to northern Mexico.

Counting those losses would mean immediate reductions of more than 1.5 million acre-feet across the region. It would also translate into especially large water cutbacks for California, which uses the single largest share of the river.

Under the proposal by the six states, Southern California water agencies would be required to absorb the largest share of the cuts, including a potential reduction of more than 18% for the evaporation losses alone, which could rise to 32% if reservoirs hit critically low levels.

The proposal also calls for major reductions in Arizona and Nevada. But the portions of those cuts based on accounting for evaporation would be smaller: about 13% for Arizona and 6% for southern Nevada.

Californias water managers argue that suddenly including evaporation in the math would amount to a drastic rewriting of the rules that would flout the water-rights system. They have proposed a different approach that calls for more gradual reductions and wouldnt involve evaporation losses.

California's focus has been, what can we do in the interim that's pragmatic, practical, doable, that's not going to make big, lasting changes, said Wade Crowfoot, Californias natural resources secretary. He said changes that would compromise existing water rights would be a bridge too far in the near term.

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The Colorado River supplies water to farming areas, cities and tribal nations from the Rocky Mountains to northern Mexico. Chronic overuse combined with 23 years of severe drought and the effects of climate change have pushed the rivers two largest reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, to their lowest levels since they were filled.

The growing risk of a collapse in the water supply has prompted federal officials to demand that the states come up with approaches for preventing reservoirs from bottoming out.

The states' proposal calls evaporation and other water losses infrastructure protection volumes, or IPV, and says these amounts should be immediately applied as reductions. In addition to cuts in California, Arizona and Nevada, the proposal includes some potential reductions by Mexico, which would need to be negotiated.

Water managers in Arizona and Nevada say counting evaporation would be a fair way to adapt and help close the gaping water deficit.

It is the most equitable way to match the physical reality, said Tom Buschatzke, director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources. It's a simple thing to calculate and implement.

The idea behind the proposal is that each water agency would be assigned an amount of estimated losses based on where the water is diverted and how much evaporated, seeped out or was taken up by vegetation along the way.

Everyone is used to historically getting their full entitlement and the losses being assessed against the system, not against their entitlement, Buschatzke said. So every single water user is going to have less water to use than they have had historically.

The federal Bureau of Reclamation is considering the proposals as part of a review and looking at options for making cuts as officials decide how to revise the rules for dealing with shortages. They plan to finalize a decision this summer.

The proposal from the six states draws on suggestions by Las Vegas water managers at the Southern Nevada Water Authority, who called for equitable sharing of evaporation and system losses in a December proposal to the federal government.

The Nevada water agency presented an analysis last year estimating the water losses between Lees Ferry, located just downstream from Glen Canyon Dam, and the U.S.-Mexico border, including losses from the reservoirs Lake Mead, Lake Mohave and Lake Havasu, as well as along the river.

The analysis divided the losses among the three states and Mexico, and also calculated individual assessments for agencies that supply farms and cities, as well as for other entities, such as the Colorado River Indian Tribes, whose water flows to farmland beside the river.

Using this approach, the biggest reductions would fall to Californias Imperial Irrigation District, which uses the single largest share of the river to supply farms in the Imperial Valley that produce crops including hay for cattle, wheat and vegetables such as lettuce and onions.

The proposal has farmers concerned.

Evaporation has never been part of the equation, said John Hawk, a farmer and Imperial County supervisor. That's rewriting the rules. That's what they want to do. They want to hammer away at priority users.

Nevadas analysis last year listed a potential reduction of more than 500,000 acre-feet for the Imperial Irrigation District, which is about 20% of its annual water use.

The Imperial Irrigation District holds some of the most senior water rights on the river, dating to 1901. Under the existing water-rights system, that makes the district among the last in line to be required to take cuts in a shortage.

Farmers and landowners, as well as Southern California water officials, say theyre concerned about attempts to undermine the legal system governing water use that has developed over the last century, called the Law of the River.

We all live by rules and agreements. This new idea, evaporation on the river, would negatively impact Imperial, Hawk said, adding that such large reductions would bring an economic blow on both sides of the California-Mexico border, affecting communities that depend on agriculture.

Factoring in the water lost to evaporation would also affect the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which supplies 26 member agencies that serve 19 million people. MWD officials say preliminary estimates based on the six-state proposal point to a potential reduction of at least 15% to 20% for evaporation losses, plus additional significant cuts.

It would affect us disproportionately, said Bill Hasencamp, MWDs manager of Colorado River resources. This isnt a be-all, end-all proposal. And frankly, Reclamation is going to have a hard time modeling this proposal.

Representatives of the seven states plan to hold more negotiations in private, and many have said that despite the disagreements, they will continue trying to reach a consensus.

J.B. Hamby, the chair of Californias Colorado River Board, called the idea of factoring in evaporation losses troubling and problematic, and said it "does not harmonize with the Law of the River as we all know it."

The dispute has roots in the agreements, court decisions and rules that govern how the river is managed.

The 1922 Colorado River Compact divided water among the seven states. But the issue of evaporation has long been treated differently in the rivers Upper Basin states  Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico.

Under a 1948 compact, the Upper Basin states defined consumptive use of water based on the man-made depletions of the virgin flow of the river at Lees Ferry, the dividing line between the upper and lower parts of the basin.

For those states, water losses to evaporation have long been counted against their apportionments, said Eric Kuhn, an author and former Colorado water manager.

But in the three Lower Basin states, Kuhn said, those losses were never considered as part of the water delivery contracts. The amount of water used has been calculated as the amount diverted minus return flows to the river  which happens in farming areas such as Blythe, where water flows off farmlands and runs back into the Colorado.

That approach was supported by the U.S. Supreme Court in its landmark 1963 decision in the case Arizona vs. California and its subsequent 1964 decree, which settled a long-standing dispute between the states over Colorado River water.

Kuhn said the conflict all goes back to the definition of consumptive use, and he hopes the two sides can reach a compromise on the issue.

Other experts have supported the idea of taking evaporation losses into account.

The pain has to be shared broadly, said John Fleck, a water researcher and writer in residence at the Utton Center at the University of New Mexicos School of Law. This is a method for responding to the reality that climate change has fundamentally changed the nature of the river from the one we made all these deals about over the last century.

In his proposal to the federal government, Fleck wrote that by ignoring these losses, the Supreme Court pointed the rivers management bus toward a ditch.

In the years since, we were unable to grab the wheel and turn it, Fleck wrote. We are now in that ditch.

Evaporation should have been incorporated into the allocations from the beginning, said Kathy Jacobs, director of the University of Arizonas Center for Climate Adaptation Science and Solutions.

It is clearly fair to count losses to evaporation in proportion to the size of the allocations as a way to achieve cuts, Jacobs said, but it is unfortunately not enough.

Climate change has dramatically altered the river. In the last 23 years, as rising temperatures have intensified the drought, the rivers flow has declined about 20%.

Scientists have found that roughly half the decline in the rivers flow has been caused by higher temperatures, and that for each additional 1 degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) of warming, the rivers average flow probably will decrease about 9%.

Fundamentally, the seeds of this current situation were planted decades ago when the U.S. decided to irrigate a desert with Colorado River water, said David Pierce, a climate scientist at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. He pointed out that about 80% of the rivers water continues going to farming.

The system was carefully calibrated to just break even in the absence of climate change. Climate change is that last push on water availability that throws the whole system off, he said.

Pierce said he thinks it would make sense to account for evaporation losses. He pointed out that Lake Mead has been losing about 6 feet of water per year to evaporation, although the losses decrease as the reservoir shrinks.

The issue, of course, is whose allocation the evaporation is taken out of, Pierce said. I'm sure there will be many arguments about that.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Federal and state officials have decided not to return to a permit system that limited the number of people traveling into the Columbia Gorges waterfall corridor on the historic highway this coming summer.

Cars will be able to travel the length of the Historic Columbia River Highway as in previous years, even during the height of summer. A flagger will be stationed at the main congestion point in front of Multnomah Falls Lodge in an effort to keep traffic moving, officials said.

Last year, from May 24 to Sept. 5, visitors driving betweenBridal Veil Falls (exit 28 from Interstate 5), and Ainsworth State Park (exit 35) were required to get a timed entry permit, which was aimed at reducing congestion around popular trailheads such as Multnomah, Wahkeena and Horsetail falls.

The system was successful in reducing congestion. But there also was significant confusion, especially from out-of-state visitors, officials said.

Ultimately, the system cost around $1 million and there wasn't funding to make it happen this year.

"Last years system was a pilot program  an experiment  but it didn't come with sustainable funding for the future," said Terra Lingley, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Coordinator for the Oregon Department of Transportation.

"We did learn a lot and gather a lot of data, and that data pointed to the congestion and safety concerns centering around the front of Multnomah Falls. So we're going to focus on that area, and be site specific, instead of including the broader corridor," Lingley said.

While the permit for the historic highway goes away for now, the timed-entry permit for the Multnomah Falls Interstate 84 parking lot will remain in place this year (more details below).

More:As vandals plunder trailheads, Oregon's outdoors moves toward cashless future

Flagger will seek to reduce congestion on historic highway

The biggest problem on the historic highway's waterfall corridor is one major pinch point, in front of Multnomah Falls, where people often attempt to stop and find a space in a very small parking area.

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We have people who just sit and wait for a space to open up, which impedes the flow of traffic and leads to that choke point  thats really the biggest issue, said Karen Davis, public affairs officer for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. I do think that it will be fine just having a flagger out there and moving people though and not allowing them to block traffic.

Congestion in front of Multnomah Falls has been a major issue on the Historic Columbia River Highway. This year, a flagger will attempt to direct traffic and keep cars moving.

Timed-entry permit for Multnomah Falls I-84 parking will remain

The timed-entry permit required to park in the I-84 Multnomah Falls parking lot will return, said Davis. It has been in place the last four years from late May through Labor Day. Exact dates will be announced later.

That permit costs $2 from Recreation.gov and requires people pick an hour to arrive and park. Once they are parked, visitors can stay as long as desired, Davis said.

During the summer or on weekends, the I-84 parking lot is a better option than trying to find a space on the historic highway because there is far more parking, Davis said.

A timed entry system for the Columbia Gorge's "waterfall corridor" will not return in 2023.

In a sense, the area will return to the way it was managed two years ago.

The Columbia Gorge saw skyrocketing numbers of visitors throughout the 2010s as Portlands population rose, but it was supercharged by Oregons outdoors boom of people heading outside during the pandemic.

Long-term plans for the historic highway

The timed entry permit system for the historic highway isn't necessarily "dead" and could be considered again. Officials will look at how well the flagger works in combination with the summer permits for the I-84 Multnomah parking lot, Davis and Lingley said.

"We're working toward what the long-term solution will be, and where the long-term funding will come from," Lingley said. "We know that changing this up every year isn't best for visitors, but it's a complicated process."

More:Oregon parks, campgrounds and trails record second-busiest year on record in 2022

Shuttles through the Columbia Gorge to continue

Shuttles such as the Columbia Gorge Express, Sasquatch Shuttle and Gray Line Waterfall Trolly are expected to continue to provide access and are encouraged.

The waterfall corridor permit earned criticism

In addition to being confusing for visitors  who often weren't sure which permit to purchase  critics also pointed to equity problems with the waterfall corridor permits.

Getting a permit required logging onto Recreation.gov and paying $2 per car for a permit, which impacted disenfranchised populations without good access to a computer, Internet or banking.

Chris Carvalho, a longtime hiker in the Gorge who raised concerns about the system, said that older people, those with disabilities and minority populations with limited access to banking struggled to connect and get a permit, or that it was made harder.

"The pilot project showed it to be discriminatory, unworkable, and expensive to implement," he said. "It only allowed tech-savvy, mostly well off, and mostly white people to enjoy a public resource, a clear violation of the public trust of the managing agencies to preserve equal access to the lands we all own and support with our taxes."

Lingley noted that 50 free in-person permits were available each day at the Gateway to the Gorge Visitor Center and the Cascade Locks Historical Museum.

"We included this element specifically to address the equity concerns with the permits," she said.

Keep valuables out of cars parked in the Columbia Gorge

Davis said that anyone parking in the Columbia Gorge should not leave valuable items in their cars, as break-ins are a frequent problem at trailheads.

Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 15 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. To support his work, subscribe to the Statesman Journal. Urness is the author of Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon and Hiking Southern Oregon. He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Columbia Gorge waterfall corridor permits wont return this year
The Doll House, located on Karl Court in Columbus' Northland area, has been the scene of two shootings in four months. Columbus police say the most recent, on Jan. 29, resulted in one dead and several injured.

The Columbus City Attorney's office has filed suit against the owners of The Doll House strip club in the Northland neighborhood, asking the court for a preliminary injunction to shut down the club after a January shooting that left one man dead and three injured.

City Attorney Zach Klein's office wants the Franklin County Environmental Court to declare the strip club a public nuisance, and said in a release that it wants to close The Doll House in the near term until the owners can demonstrate they can address safety and security problems or face closure of up to a year.

The level of violence and criminal conduct at this business is unacceptable, and while owners have indicated they want to step up to make changes, this lawsuit allows the city to step in as needed to hold owners accountable, Klein said in an emailed statement. The city needs to see a real commitment to substantially improve safety and security, and will not hesitate to take appropriate legal action if those benchmarks arent met.

The most recent violent incident at the club happened around 2:15 a.m. on Jan. 29, when Charles T. Smith, 37, was shot and killed. Columbus police have an arrest warrant out for Travis Ingram, 21, of Canton.

Two women, ages 23 and 24, also were shot and taken to a local hospital in stable condition. A fourth victim suffered a graze wound.

On Sept. 28, Columbus police responded to the strip club after five people were wounded in a shooting just outside the club after a large fight. Two men were charged in that shooting.

In an interview Thursday afternoon, Klein said that the club has been closed since the shooting. To reopen the club and keep it open, owners would have to make it safer, he said. That could include anything from more security, special duty officers, better lighting, and metal detectors, he said.

The city attorney's office said that according to court documents, Columbus police have taken 51 incident reports at The Doll House, 1680 Karl Court, since January 2021 for the homicide, plus shootings, a robbery, felony assaults, overdoses and motor vehicle thefts.

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In addition, emergency responders have gone to the club just south of Route 161 (East Dublin-Granville Road) some 180 times for fights, shootings, sex crimes, overdoses, a burglary and a stabbing.

In December, the Columbus City Council objected to the renewal of The Doll Houses liquor permit. There will be a hearing later this year before the Ohio Division of Liquor Control.

The city's lawsuit said Yelena Nersesian and Armenak Stepanian, both of Reynoldsburg, and Raisa Gunkina, of Columbus, own the property through 1680 Properties Ltd. Operator Greg Flaig of Gahanna also was named.

The owners and operator could not immediately be reached for comment. No one answered the phone at the club Thursday, and there was no means to leave a message.

Edward Hastie, the lawyer representing The Doll House, said in a prepared release that his client "has a shared interest and commitment to continue cooperating with the city and law enforcement regarding safety protocols at the venue."

Dave Paul, who co-chairs the Northland Community Council's development committee, said his group supported City Council's objection to the renewal of The Doll House's liquor permit, and Klein's action. He said problems at the club increased the past couple of years.

"Clearly things are not going well there," he said.

mferench@dispatch.com

@MarkFerenchik

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: City wants Doll House club declared a public nuisance after murder
Columbus authorities once again have arrested a local man who has a history of impersonating federal law enforcement agents.

Robert Allen Earhart Jr. was arrested at the federal courthouse in downtown Columbus around 2 p.m. Wednesday after he allegedly called the U.S. attorneys office claiming to be a CIA agent and requesting a meeting. The FBI set up the meeting, and agents swarmed Earhart when he came to the courthouse, authorities said.

Earhart, 38, last made headlines in 2019, when he went to the Muscogee County Jail, told staff there he was a DEA agent, and tried to get some inmates released. He afterward led law enforcement on an extended car chase before he was captured.

Represented by a federal public defender, Earhart was back before a judge Thursday, accused of impersonating an officer or employee of the U.S. government. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Helmick said he faces a maximum of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine, if convicted.

According to prosecutors, Earhart called U.S. Attorney Peter Leary on Jan. 11, leaving a voicemail in which he requested a meeting about shadowing staff in Learys office.

An FBI agent called Earhart back on Feb. 3, when Earhart allegedly made these claims:

An ex-girlfriend was embezzling his paycheck from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The ex-girlfriend took his badges, but new ones were being sent from Atlanta.

He was working on a case involving suspects stealing $2.5 million from the federal government.

He had warrants he needed a judge to sign when he came to the courthouse.

He was a special investigator with badge No. 0484 who believed he has the law enforcement side down but wanted to be sure he was handling the warrants correctly.

U.S. Magistrate Court Judge Stephen Hyles ordered Earhart held in confinement as the case proceeds.

The history

Earharts defense attorney in 2019 said his client developed drug abuse and mental health issues after he was accused of killing his infant daughter in Alabama in 2015.

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He went to trial in Opelika in 2017, and was convicted of negligent homicide, a misdemeanor. Sentenced to a year, he soon was released with credit for the time hed already spent in jail.

He afterward started telling police he was a federal agent, sometimes claiming he was trying to rescue an ex-wife who had been kidnapped.

On May 1, 2019, after the Muscogee County Sheriff got an FBI tip that Earhart could be a threat to law enforcement, Earhart walked into the jail in an aggressive manner about 9 p.m., claiming to be with the DEA and ordering the release of three inmates, authorities said.

After jail workers recognized him and summoned deputies on patrol, Earhart left in a 2014 Honda Accord and sped off when they tried to stop him a few blocks away at Veterans Parkway and 12th Street.

The 40-minute pursuit reached speeds of more than 100 mph and involved Columbus and Phenix City police and deputies from Muscogee County, Russell County and Harris County. Earhart fled north from downtown, west to Phenix City, then back into north Columbus and briefly into Harris County, before crashing on Blackmon Road, authorities said.

In November 2019, he was in Muscogee Superior court facing almost 30 misdemeanors  most of them traffic offenses from his police chase  and seven felonies, three of them impersonating a law enforcement officer. He pleaded guilty to around a dozen counts, some reduced, with the rest dismissed.

Earhart was sentenced to 10 years probation. He was to remain jailed until he entered a rehabilitation program.

His defense attorney at the time, Mark Post, told the court then that Earhart had significant mental health issues stemming from the post-traumatic stress of being jailed in his daughters death.

A psychological evaluation determined Earhart was competent to stand trial, but he had a psychosis that caused the delusion of being a federal agent, Post said.

Earharts Superior Court prosecutor detailed other encounters the suspect had with law enforcement:
Guardian offices - Matthew Lloyd/Bloomberg

British companies have been banned from paying ransomware hackers after a spate of attacks on businesses including Royal Mail and the Guardian newspaper.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Thursday unveiled sanctions on seven Russian hackers linked to a gang called Conti, effectively banning any payments to the group.

Thursdays sanctions are the first of their kind to be specifically targeted against Russian ransomware gang members.

The actions follow a spate of high-profile attacks on businesses and amid warnings from GCHQ that Russian and Iranian hackers are stepping up actions in Britain.

Ransomware is a type of computer virus that scrambles files on infected devices. Criminals then demand cash in exchange for unlocking the computers.

The Foreign Office revealed that 27m has been extorted out of British businesses by just two strains of ransomware.

Mr Cleverly said: These cynical cyber attacks cause real damage to peoples lives and livelihoods.

We will always put our national security first by protecting the UK and our allies from serious organised crime  whatever its form and wherever it originates.

Around 100 UK organisations have paid a total of 10m in ransoms to the gang behind Conti.

Its UK victims include a forensic science company used by police forces to process crime scene samples, several schools and hospitals, and local councils.

The Conti ransomware gang, linked by the Foreign Office to the seven individuals named on Thursday, caused mayhem in Ireland in 2021 after hacking that countrys state health service.

Hospitals around the country were forced to cancel operations as critical computer systems ground to a total halt, rendering 80pc of its IT networks unusable.

Doctors were left working with pens and paper as they struggled to work around the incident, which eventually cost Irish taxpayers 71m to clean up.

The attack happened after a member of staff unknowingly opened a booby-trapped email containing ransomware code.

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The Foreign Office said Conti was disbanded in May last year but has continued operating under a new name. Hacker gangs regularly change their public-facing identities in an effort to evade identification by Western authorities.

Experts say these groups mostly originate from Russia because authorities there turn a blind eye to activities so long as they are not directed against Russians.

A string of major businesses have suffered from cyber attacks in recent weeks, including the Guardian and Royal Mail, though neither have been linked to Conti. Guardian staff were forced to work from home for weeks after the papers systems were frozen, while Royal Mail was left unable to deliver international post.

Security Minister Tom Tugendhat added: Ransomware criminals have hit hospitals and schools, hurt many and disrupted lives, at great expense to the taxpayer.
Atlanta police have released body cam video of the fatal Cop City activist shooting which suggests that an officer was struck by friendly fire.

Protester Manuel Esteban Paez Teran was shot and killed during the incident, with authorities claiming that he was killed after opening fire on the Georgia State Patrol trooper.

A private autopsy carried out by Paez Terans family determined that he had been shot at least 13 times by officers.

Now newly released APD body cam videos has shown the aftermath of the 18 January shooting at the site of the planed Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, known as Cop City, in DeKalb County.

Officials say that while GSP was part of the operation to clear the site of protesters, troopers do not wear body cams.
Mississippi State Capitol

As the chamber engaged in heated debate over the future of Jackson's water system, a Mississippi state senator rose to propose an amendment that would bring unprecedented change to state politics.

Sen. Chad McMahan, R-Guntown, proposed that the state move its capital from Jackson to Tupelo, within his district.

McMahan was clearly joking, and his expressions went over the top in explaining the benefits of a move.

"It's a bipartisan city represented half by myself and half by Sen. Bryan," McMahan said. "It's a six time All American City. We've got the water system, the police force and the road system. I ask you to vote to make Tupelo the capital of Mississippi and give us a new image."

During a lengthy debate on a serious topic, many of McMahan's colleagues did not find the proposal amusing.

"In all due respect to Sen. McMahan, this bill is a very serious matter," said Sen. David Parker, R-Olive Branch, who sponsored the underlying bill. "I understand the jest of this amendment, but I ask that you defeat this amendment."

Sen. Hob Bryan, D-Amory, did not appreciate his name even being associated with the move. He came running into the chamber, waving his hands in the air to get the chamber's attention and ensure that no one believed he supported McMahan's amendment.

Sen. John Horhn, D-Jackson, successfully killed the amendment through a procedural complaint, saying it was unrelated to the underlying bill.

That said, what would it take to move the state capital? Is it possible, and has it been considered before?

The city of Jackson was built to be the state capital, but it was not the first city to hold the distinction. The legislature moved from Natchez, to Washington, back to Natchez and then to Columbia before settling in Jackson in 1822. There were numerous attempts to move the capital out of Jackson, until 1832, when its status was guaranteed for at least 18 more years.

The most recent state to move its capital was Oklahoma, when it became Oklahoma City in 1910.

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As unlikely as it may be, what would moving the capital look like?

The Mississippi Constitution states, "The seat of government of the state shall be at the city of Jackson, and shall not be removed or relocated without the assent of a majority of the electors of the state."

That means any future attempt to move the capital, to Tupelo or anywhere else, would need to be passed by the majority of voters in the state. With the state's initiative process still in limbo, there seems to be no immediate path for that to happen.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Is Jackson's role as Mississippi state capital safe? Could it move?
A husband and wife were selling counterfeit Disney DVDs on eBay  and they made a substantial income doing so, according to federal authorities.

That was until the couple from Columbia, Missouri, was caught smuggling hundreds of the fake DVDs from companies in China, authorities said in a Feb. 8 news release.

Tabitha Nicole Rodgers, 43, was recently sentenced in the Western District of Missouri to four years in federal prison without parole, according to court records. Shes also ordered to pay $26,573 in restitution after authorities said she obtained Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that she was not entitled to.

Her husband, 49-year-old Clint Travis Rodgers, was previously sentenced to a year in prison without parole.

Tabitha Rodgers had pleaded guilty in October 2021 to a felony count of criminal copyright infringement for profit, officials said. That same day, Clint Rodgers pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of criminal infringement of a copyright.

The defense attorneys representing the Rodgerses did not immediately respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News on Feb. 9.

An investigation into the Rodgerses began in July 2014, when Homeland Security Investigations received a tip from the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, according to the release. The tip said Clint Rodgers had received more than 443 shipments of counterfeit DVDs from companies in Hong Kong known to sell and export counterfeit goods.

Two shipments were seized before they made it to the Rodgerses home, officials said. HSI agents found 200 counterfeit Beauty and the Beast DVDs in one of the shipments and 260 counterfeit Aladdin DVDs in the second shipment.

In February 2015, agents with Customs and Border Protection seized another package headed to the Rodgerses home, authorities said. It had 200 more counterfeit Disney DVDs.

Undercover HSI agents purchased Disney DVDs, including Aladdin and The Little Mermaid, from eBay accounts associated with the couple in 2015, according to court records.

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The Rodgers represented that the DVDs were genuine and authentic Disney products, when in reality, they were aware the products were counterfeit, authorities said.

As part of the investigation, federal agents found two people who helped the Rodgerses in selling the DVDs when the couples own accounts were canceled due to counterfeit merchandise being sold, according to court records.

They told agents they were aware of numerous complaints from customers, including complaints that the DVDs didnt work, officials said.

Investigators executed a search warrant at the Rodgerses home in August 2015, where they found an assortment of counterfeit goods, including numerous counterfeit Disney DVDs, according to the release.

Tabitha Rodgers admitted that the couple was selling counterfeit Disney products as though they were real, according to court records.

Tabitha Rodgers admitted that she conducted the day-to-day operation of the business, officials said. She corresponded via email with the counterfeit DVD supplier in Hong Kong and placed orders for the DVDs. She also packaged and sent the DVDs to customers and processed customer complaints when DVDs were inoperable. Clint Rodgers assisted by helping recruit third parties to use their eBay accounts to sell the DVDs for them.

Columbia is about 125 miles southeast of Kansas City.

Man manufactured thousands of counterfeit $100 bills in his MA home, feds say

Art collector spent $118K on 400-year-old woodblocks and got fakes, lawsuit says

Rare Pokemon collectors cards sold across the US were fake, Oklahoma police say
More than 200 women and men in Texas were killed by their intimate partners in 2021, according to the Texas Council on Family Violence. In an abusive dynamic, leaving an abuser is the most dangerous time for a survivor.

Often this is when a person will request a restraining order to curb threats or incidents of domestic violence, which requires some effort and proof of impending or current abuse. For almost 30 years, theres been a federal gun ban for people who have a restraining order imposed on them.

But in a Feb. 2 ruling, a three-judge panel of 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down a law that made it a federal crime for those subject to a domestic violence restraining order to possess a firearm. The ruling has two major flaws: one as it relates more broadly to federal laws, the other more specific to this case.

The case that upended the law surrounded a violent Arlington man, Zackey Rahimi, who had been involved in five shootings in the area, was selling narcotics, and was subject to a civil protective order in early 2020. His crimes are not in question.

The protective order restrained him from harassing, stalking, or threatening his ex-girlfriend and their child. The order also expressly prohibited Rahimi from possessing a firearm, the opinion reads.

A federal grand jury indicted Rahimi on a charge of possessing a firearm while under a domestic violence restraining order in violation of the aforementioned law, and he argued it was unconstitutional. A Supreme Court ruling in an unrelated gun-rights case, New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen, gave Rahimi a new argument  one that the 5th Circuit panel found compelling.

The Bruen ruling, one which most conservatives applauded when it happened, demands a new test for assessing firearms laws: Restrictions must be consistent with this nations historical tradition of firearm regulation.

The 5th Circuit ruling basically says in light of the Bruen case, criminals such as Rahimi can possess firearms while under a restraining order because at the time of the Constitutions drafting, there were no domestic violence laws, or even a recognition of such a thing. Judge Cory Wilson says the ban was an outlier that our ancestors would never have accepted.

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It seems far-reaching, even for the conservative 5th Circuit, to analyze a case in 2020 about a violent criminal and his gun rights through the lens of a time when Black slaves were counted as three-fifths of a person. Racism and sexism abounded, yet we have grown and evolved and  mercifully  recognize the rights of all, even though that wasnt always the case. Why would the Second Amendment be excluded from the application of such changes?

Just as lawmakers  and the Supreme Court  have sided against the portion of American history that would not recognize interracial marriage, our view of domestic violence has evolved. Surely its one thing to interpret the Constitution how it would have been understood when it was written and another to insist that obvious societal changes cant be incorporated.

Theres originalism and then theres originalism and on this, the 5th Circuit seems to have, almost facetiously, gone too far. Such are the mental gymnastics of the ruling and absolute indifference toward the application of it. Under this analysis, would not all of our modern gun laws crumble?

The second reason we disagree with this ruling is the practical application of it, which ignores victims of domestic violence. Unfortunately, sometimes neither a restraining order nor a federal law prohibits abuse. But it can be a deterrent and offer victims trying to survive peace of mind.

Domestic violence victims advocates have long argued that victims are most susceptible to violence, via firearm or otherwise, when trying to leave an abuser, separate or get a divorce. This can take anywhere from days to years, often with a restraining order as the only barrier until the relationship is finally over. Even then, survivors of domestic violence know that some abusers tend to remain fixated on their victims for some time, so much so that it has a name: post-separation abuse.

Those trying to build a life following abuse now risk danger even more in Texas and the other states where this ruling applies. Second Amendment rights deserve vigorous protection, but like any others, they are not absolute. Even if the circumstances of a restraining order have not been fully adjudicated, they are not issued lightly, and the immediate threats to victims cannot be taken lightly, either.

Upending this law opens up victims to further abuse, and the full 5th Circuit or the Supreme Court shouldnt let that happen. The panels ruling must be reversed.
Mask-wearing public outside a general practitioner clinic in Singapore. (PHOTO: Reuters/Chen Lin)

SINGAPORE  From Monday (13 February), Protocols 1-2-3 - which determine what individuals should do if they are unwell or test positive for COVID-19 - will be stood down.

This means that those with mild Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) symptoms should stay home until the symptoms resolve, said the Ministry of Health in a media release on Thursday.

If there is a need to go out, the public should exercise social responsibility  minimise social interactions, wear a mask, avoid crowded places and vulnerable settings such as hospitals and nursing homes, and do not have contact with vulnerable persons.

Only medically-vulnerable persons with ARI symptoms should see a doctor.

Also from Monday, non-fully vaccinated travellers entering Singapore will no longer be required to show proof of a negative pre-departure test. Non-fully vaccinated short-term visitors will also no longer need to purchase COVID-19 travel insurance.

All travellers entering Singapore via air or sea - including Singapore residents - and short-term visitors entering via land, must continue to submit a health declaration via the SG Arrival Card e-service.

Vaccination guidelines reviewed

COVID-19 vaccinations under the National Vaccination Programme will continue to be offered free to all Singaporeans, permanent residents, long-term pass holders and certain short-term pass holders.

They may continue to book an appointment at the Joint Testing and Vaccination Centres, participating Public Health Preparedness Clinics, polyclinics and vaccination centres.

The Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination (EC19V) has reviewed our vaccination guidelines, and they are as follows:

Everyone aged five and above should achieve at least minimum protection: three doses of mRNA or Novavax vaccine, or four doses of Sinovac vaccine.

Those at higher risk of severe disease from COVID-19 are recommended to take the booster around one year after the last booster dose.

Persons aged 12 to 59 will be offered a booster shot around one year after their last booster dose, to enhance their protection.

Persons aged 5 to 11 are neither recommended nor eligible for additional doses at this time.

Children aged 6 months to 4 years continue to be recommended to complete two doses of Moderna/SpikeVax or three doses of Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty. They are not recommended nor eligible for additional doses at this time.

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Subsidy changes for COVID-19 treatments

COVID-19 vaccinations and oral antivirals will remain fully subsidised for clinically-eligible patients. However, those who visit a hospital or COVID-19 Treatment Facility for COVID-19 treatment will no longer be accorded 100 per cent subsidy.

Instead, regular healthcare safety nets - government subsidies, MediShield Life and MediSave - will apply to Singaporeans and PRs. The government assures lower-income Singaporeans that financial assistance will be available to ensure that healthcare cost remains affordable.

Meanwhile, some Community Isolation Facilities will be maintained for COVID19 patients who want to self-isolate for valid reasons. However, all occupants will be charged for their stay.

All patients in primary-care settings such as polyclinics and general practitioner clinics will be required to pay for any COVID-19 testing, subject to prevailing subsidies.

Do you have a story tip? Email: sgnews.tips@yahooinc.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. Also check out our Southeast Asia, Food, and Gaming channels on YouTube.
A TraceTogether token and mobile phone application on top of a surgical mask (left) and Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung (Photos: Getty Images)

SINGAPORE - Those still holding on to physical TraceTogether tokens will be able to return them from next Monday (13 February), Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung announced in a press conference on Thursday.

The return exercise, which will run till 12 March 2023, comes as Singapore steps down its COVID-19 measures and lowers the DORSCON (Disease Outbreak Response System Condition) level from yellow to green.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) said members of the public can return their TraceTogether (TT) Tokens at TT Token counters open at all 108 Community Clubs/Centres (CCs).

Those still holding the tokens are strongly encouraged to return them for refurbishment and recycled distribution to those who need it, should digital contact tracing operations need to be reactivated in the future.

Public may uninstall TraceTogether and SafeEntry Apps

As the COVID-19 situation stabilises in 'hybrid immunity' Singapore, members of the public may also choose to uninstall their TT App, the MOH said.

Enterprises are also allowed to do the same for the SafeEntry (SE) Business App, though both apps will remain available on the App Store, Google Play Store and Huawei AppGallery.

TT and SE data deleted from servers and databases

In addition, the MOH also announced that data was no longer being collected, and that all identifiable TraceTogether and SafeEntry data had been deleted from its servers and databases.

Registration details such as names, business UENs, and mobile numbers will still be retained in the system for contingency purposes, however, in the event a reactivation was required (such as with a new and more dangerous variant breaking out).

The MOH said that the retaining of the details was for the purpose of minimising the steps taken by individuals and companies to set up and re-register for the TraceTogether and SafeEntry systems, should the need arise.

Do you have a story tip? Email: sgnews.tips@yahooinc.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. Also check out our Southeast Asia, Food, and Gaming channels on YouTube.
Screens show Swiss bank Credit Suisse CEO Ulrich Koerner presenting - MICHAEL BUHOLZER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Credit Suisse has suffered its biggest annual loss since the 2008 financial crisis and scrapped bonuses for its top executives as the scandal-hit lender embarks on a drastic overhaul.

The Swiss bank said clients withdrew a record amount of funds in the final three months of last year, as it posted a net loss of 1.39bn Swiss francs (1.3bn) during the quarter. The bruising period took its total loss for 2022 to 7.3bn Swiss francs.

The countrys second-biggest lender is still struggling to recover from a rush of withdrawals in September and October after a social media storm raised questions about its financial health. Total outflows for the quarter hit a mammoth 110.5 billion francs, the bank said.

Credit Suisse has lurched from crisis to crisis in recent years, suffering a series of costly mishaps that have driven its share price down more than 60pc in the last year.

In October, Ulrich Korner, the banks new chief executive, unveiled a three-year turnaround plan, which will see the 166-year-old lender cut around 9,000 jobs, shift its focus from investment banking towards managing the wealth of its rich clients and take a 1.5bn Swiss Franc investment from Saudi Arabias biggest bank.

However, the continued losses and outflows underscore the urgency for the banks new management team to get a handle on the reforms with investors and analysts showing limited patience. Shares fell a further 5pc in early trading on Thursday.

While Axel Lehmann, the banks chairman, has sought to stem the exodus of clients, the loss of assets will see the bank's key wealth management unit continue to haemorrhage cash into the first quarter of this year.

The bank said none of its executives, including Mr Korner, would receive bonuses following the poor performance.

But executives and about 500 senior managers are reportedly set to share a 350m Swiss franc payout upon a successful implementation of its restructuring plan.

As part of the overhaul, Credit Suisses investment bank, will be spun off as CS First Boston, which will be led by veteran banker Michael Klein and focus on advisory work such as mergers and acquisitions and capital markets dealmaking.

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The lender endured twin hits in 2021 following the collapse of supply chain finance group Greensill Capital and family office Archegos. The scandals, which triggered a prolonged period of crisis for the bank, led to $10bn (8bn) of its clients assets being frozen and a $5.5bn trading loss.

Mr Korner said: 2022 was a crucial year for Credit Suisse. We announced our strategic plan to create a simpler, more focused bank, built around client needs and since October we have been executing at pace.

We have a clear plan to create a new Credit Suisse and intend to continue to deliver on our three-year strategic transformation by reshaping our portfolio, reallocating capital, right-sizing our cost base and building on our leading franchises.
Royal Caribbean International

The world's largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, is set to debut in 2024.

Cruisegoers are already booking up the ship's "Ultimate Family Townhouse" for $75,000 a week.

The three-story suite is 55% sold out for 2024, Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley said Tuesday.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas is the cruise line's first new ship class in nine years, and the company is betting big on its success.

Royal Caribbean International

The 1,198-foot-long mega-ship will be able to accommodate 7,600 guests across its 2,805 staterooms  making it the world's largest cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean International

We're almost a year away from the cruise's first sailing  scheduled for January 2024  but it's already seeing record-breaking demand from customers, the cruise line says.

Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean saw its largest booking day in the company's history when reservations opened for the Icon of the Seas in October 2022. Its maiden voyage from Miami to the Caribbean was nearly sold out in just a few hours.

Royal Caribbean International

Source: Insider

And on Tuesday, Royal Caribbean International CEO Michael Bayley told investors that the ship has been "the best-selling product in the history of our business."

Royal Caribbean International

One of the ship's attractions proving to be popular among cruise goers is a three-story "Ultimate Family Townhouse" located in the Surfside neighborhood for young families.

Royal Caribbean International

Source: Insider

The suite is already 55% sold out for 2024, going for an average price of $75,000 a week, according to Bayley.

Royal Caribbean International

At 1,772 square feet, the eight-person suite includes two bedrooms, multiple private balconies, a whirlpool, and a backyard.

Royal Caribbean International

For the hefty price, you also get a cinema, karaoke, and a private entrance to the Surfside neighborhood.

Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean is slowly adding more family-centric suites to its ships, with the Ultimate Family Townhouse being a big and bold example, Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's chief product innovation officer, told Insider in December.

Royal Caribbean International

"Suites have been an evolution for us," he said, noting that the cruise line is "continually evolving" the amenities that come with being a suite guest, like access to the dedicated Suite neighborhood.

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Royal Caribbean International

This neighborhood will offer amenities like private restaurants and a two-story sun deck exclusive to guests staying in these more expensive accommodations.

Royal Caribbean International

Will the push for kid-friendly luxury be enough for the cruise line to return to pre-pandemic investment yields? The CEO is optimistic.

Royal Caribbean International

"We never talk about 2024 at the beginning of 2023, obviously, but 2024 is looking very healthy. And a big driver of that is Icon," Bayley says. "We've had some remarkable stats coming out of Icon."

Royal Caribbean International

Read the original article on Business Insider
(This Feb. 9 story has been refiled to add 'U.S.' in the first sentence to reflect the closure of the U.S. service only)

By Hannah Lang

(Reuters) - Crypto exchange Kraken agreed to shut down its U.S. cryptocurrency staking service and pay $30 million in penalties to settle U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charges that it failed to register the program, the agency said on Thursday, in a move that could cause headaches for platforms with similar offerings.

The settlement marks the SEC's first crackdown on staking, a common service offered at both centralized and decentralized crypto exchanges, including most of the major exchanges in the United States such as Coinbase and Binance US.

In a video message posted to Twitter on Thursday, SEC chair Gary Gensler said that most staking providers fail to provide customers proper disclosures such as how a company is protecting a user's staked assets. Those providers should register their staking services with the SEC, Gensler added.

"When a company or platform offers you these kinds of returns, whether they call their services 'lending,' 'earn,' 'rewards,' 'APY,' or 'staking' - that relationship should come with the protections of the federal securities laws," Gensler said.

Owners of crypto assets that use a "proof-of-stake" blockchain can stake some of their assets to potentially take part in the process of validating transactions. In exchange for their work, validators are often rewarded with newly created crypto assets.

Kraken offers its customers the ability to "stake" certain crypto tokens in order to earn rewards. Its website advertises that users can earn up to 20% in annual yield if they pledge to lock up their assets for a certain period of time.

The San Francisco-based platform did not admit or deny the allegations in the SEC's complaint.

In a statement, Kraken said its agreement to end its on-chain staking services would affect only U.S. clients, and that most assets enrolled in its program by U.S. users would be automatically "unstaked" starting on Thursday.

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In a series of tweets on Wednesday, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong said a ban on staking for U.S. retail customers would be "a terrible path for the U.S." Coinbase also offers a staking service to its U.S. customers.

"We need to make sure that new technologies are encouraged to grow in the US, and not stifled by lack of clear rules," Armstrong said.

Shares of Coinbase were down more than 14% on Thursday.

Kraken in November agreed to pay $362,000 to the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control to settle civil liability related to apparent violations of sanctions on Iran, and to invest an additional $100,000 in certain sanctions compliance controls.

The company's incoming CEO told Reuters in September that the exchange had no plans to register with the SEC as a market intermediary, or to delist crypto tokens that the regulator has labeled as securities.

The settlement comes a year after a subsidiary of crypto company BlockFi Inc agreed to pay $100 million to the SEC and 32 states to settle charges in connection with a retail crypto lending product the company offered to nearly 600,000 investors.

As part of the settlement, BlockFi had planned to offer an alternative product expected to be the first crypto interest-bearing security registered with the SEC, but the New Jersey company filed for bankruptcy in November without launching the product.

(Reporting by Hannah Lang in Washington, Editing by Franklin Paul and Will Dunham)
Nathan Chasing Horse seated in a courtroom in Las Vegas on Feb. 6, 2023. Ty Oneil / AP

Federal prosecutors filed charges against Dances With Wolves actor Nathan Chasing Horse on Wednesday, adding to the list of sexual abuse and sexual assault charges he is already facing in county court after being arrested in Nevada last month.

On Wednesday afternoon, federal prosecutors charged Chasing Horse with two counts of sexual exploitation of children in connection with incidents that occurred in 2015 and 2016, as well as one count of possession of child sexual abuse materials from earlier this year.

The complaint, obtained by BuzzFeed News, alleges the former actor filmed sexual assaults of children and that in several of the video files reviewed by authorities, he sexually abused the minors.

The document alleges that Chasing Horse did "employ, use, persuade, induce, entice and coerce" two minors "to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing any depiction of such conduct, knowing and having reason to know that such visual depiction would be transported or transmitted."

Authorities added that some of the video footage found depicted an "incident of Chasing Horse engaging in sexually explicit activity with a juvenile female" and that the age of the individual appeared to "vary between the estimated ages of 10 to 15."

The complaint also alleges that he also knowingly possessed a "book, magazine, periodical, film, videotape, computer disk, and other material that contained an image of child pornography."

The federal charges come just weeks after Chasing Horse was arrested by Las Vegas police and days after he was charged in state court with eight felonies, including sexual assault against a child younger than 16, sex trafficking, and child abuse.

Chasing Horse's attorneys did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the charges.

On Wednesday, a state judge granted a $300,000 bail to Chasing Horse, who had been in custody in Las Vegas since Jan. 31, when he was arrested at his home, which he allegedly shares with multiple wives.

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According to a search warrant obtained by the Associated Press, Chasing Horse is alleged to be the leader of a cult known as "The Circle" and has been under investigation for months since the police received a tip in October 2022.

The document reportedly states that Las Vegas police have identified at least six alleged victims and uncovered sexual assault allegations against him dating back to the early 2000s.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Canadian police would also be pursuing a criminal case against the former actor for alleged sexual assault that they say occurred in 2018.

In a statement sent to BuzzFeed News on Thursday, a spokesperson for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said that an unendorsed warrant has been issued for the arrest of Chasing Horse in Canada and that he has been charged with one count of sexual assault that dates back to 2018 or earlier. The warrant was issued on Feb. 2, they said.

Chasing Horse entered the spotlight after playing the role of a young Sioux tribe member, Smiles A Lot, in the 1990 Oscar-winning film Dances With Wolves.

Per the arrest warrant obtained by the Associated Press, Chasing Horse gained a reputation among tribes across the country and was referred to as the "Medicine Man" and "Holy Person" as his followers believed he could communicate with higher powers. The warrant states that he used this as a tool to sexually assault young girls on several occasions.

Chasing Horse will appear in court again in Nevada on Feb. 22 for a hearing on the state charges. It is unclear when he will appear in federal court.
Data taken from Alex Murdaughs car has offered a potential timeline for his movements on the night of the murders  and suggests holes in the alibi he gave to his mothers caregiver.

FBI electronics engineer Dwight Falkofske took the witness stand on Wednesday afternoon, topping off a dramatic day in Mr Murdaughs murder trial where Colleton County Courthouse was plunged into an emergency evacuation because of a bomb threat.

Mr Falkofske testified that he extracted data from the onboard computer system of Mr Murdaughs 2021 Chevrolet Suburban, including call logs, contact lists, some location data and the state of the vehicle in terms of when it was turned on, when it was in and out of park mode, and when the doors were opened.

The data offers jurors a timeline for the vehicles movements  and therefore its driver Mr Murdaughs movements  on the night of 7 June 2021 when his wife Maggie and son Paul were shot dead on the familys 1,700-acre estate in Islandton.

The data indicates that Mr Murdaugh did leave his family home and drove to visit his sick mother at around 9pm.

However, it also indicates that he only stayed at his parents home for around 20 minutes  and not the 30 to 40 minutes his mothers carer Shelly Smith testified that he had told her to tell authorities after the killings.

At 9.04pm, Mr Murdaughs car system started up and it moved out of park mode two minutes later at 9.06pm, according to the data.

The SUV was put back into park mode at around 9.22pm.

This appears to align with Mr Murdaugh getting in his SUV at his estate on Moselle Road and making the 16-minute drive from his home to his parents home in Almeda.

During emotional testimony on Monday, Ms Smith told jurors that a fidgety Alex Murdaugh showed up at his sick mothers house between 8.30pm and 9.30pm that night  something she said was unusual for him to do.

A few days after the murders, she testified that Mr Murdaugh spoke to her about his visit that night, telling her to say he had been there 30 to 40 minutes. She testified that this was incorrect and he had only been there 20 minutes.

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The car data reveals that, at 9.43pm, Mr Murdaughs car moved out of park mode  21 minutes after it went into park.

The records then show the SUV going into park mode again at 10.01pm  around the time he said he arrived back at his home and found Maggie and Paul werent there. The car goes in and out of park mode twice.

Four minutes later at 10.04pm, the vehicle comes out of park mode again.

At this time, Mr Murdaugh claims that he set off in his car to the dog kennels to try to find his wife and son.

On arrival  one minute later  Mr Murdaugh claims he found the two victims dead from multiple gunshot wounds.

At 10.07pm, he placed a dramatic 911 call where he cried and sobbed on the phone.

The car went back out of park mode at 10.11pm  when Mr Murdaugh told the 911 dispatcher that he was going back to his house to get a shotgun  and back in, out and in again over the next two minutes  as he drove back to the kennels where he was met by law enforcement officers minutes later.

Alex Murdaugh walks into the courthouse before his double murder trial at the Colleton County Courthouse on Wednesday (AP)

Mr Falkofske testified that the data does not prove when the car was moving or what its location was but said that it shows when it was and wasnt parked.

However  together with cellphone data, videos and testimony  the car data is key to the prosecution building a detailed timeline of when Mr Murdaugh allegedly murdered his wife and son, and how he quickly sought to build an alibi to cover his tracks.

Under cross-examination on Thursday morning, the defence sought to pick holes in the theory that Mr Murdaugh tossed Maggies phone along Moselle Road.

Mr Falkofske confirmed that Maggies phone did not connect to Mr Murdaughs SUV that night.

If a phone has previously connected to the vehicles system, it will automatically connect, he said.

Maggies phone was found along the side of Moselle Road on 8 June 2021 with the state suggesting that Mr Murdaugh tossed it out of his vehicle.

The defence and prosecution have already sparred over this theory based on when the phone last registered movement.

The testimony about the car data came at the end of a dramatic day in the double-murder trial when the courthouse was suddenly evacuated due to a bomb threat.

The bomb threat came in to staff at Colleton County Courthouse just before 12.30pm ET on Wednesday, prompting a sudden evacuation of the entire building.

Multiple sources told FITS News that the threat was called in from Ridgeland, South Carolina, and came from a prison inmate.

By 2.30pm the threat was marked all-clear and testimony resumed at around 3.10pm.

The evacuation came after jurors heard testimony about Mr Murdaughs alleged financial crimes.

Text message Alex Murdaugh sent to his paralegal apologising for stealing funds (Post and Courier/Pool)

Separate to the murders, Mr Murdaugh is currently facing around 100 charges for stealing almost $8.5m from law firm clients dating back to 2011.

On Monday, the judge ruled that jurors can hear evidence of his alleged financial crimes  as the state seeks to show a motive for the murders.

Michael Gunn, principal of Forge Consulting, told jurors how Mr Murdaugh set up a fake account called Forge and impersonated his company so that he could steal money from law firm clients.

Annette Griswold, who worked as a paralegal at Mr Murdaughs former law firm PMPED, also revealed how she learned that he had been stealing money from the firm.

Days after his fraud scheme came to light and he was ousted from PMPED, Mr Murdaugh checked into rehab.

Ms Griswold testified that she received a text from Mr Murdaugh in late September 2021 apologising for what he had done. He also sent the text to another colleague.

Hey, its Alex. Im finally feeling a little bit better each day, the text message said.

Alex Murdaugh walks into the courthouse before his double murder trial on Wednesday

Im over the worst but still feel like i have the flu. Real weak. Im have been worried about yall and Im sorry I didnt get to tell yall myself. I know both of you have been hurt badly by me. I know it sounds hollow, but I am truly sorry.

The better I get, the more guilt I have. I have an awful lot to try to make right when I get out of here. The worst part is knowing I did the most damage to those I love the most. Im not sure how I let myself get where I did. I am committed to getting better and hope to mend as many relationships as I can.

You both are special people and important to me. Please know how sorry I am to have made you part of my misdeeds. I hope you are doing as well as possible. I love you very much.

Jurors also heard more testimony about the significant amount of gunshot residue discovered on a blue raincoat Alex Murdaugh allegedly hid in his parents home after the murders.

Days after the murders, caregiver Ms Smith testified that Mr Murdaugh showed up at his mothers house at 6.30am in the morning cradling a blue something in his hands. She said he took it upstairs and left it before leaving again.

Prosecutors said that law enforcement found a blue tarp and a blue rainjacket in a search of the home.

SLED forensic scientist Megan Fletcher testified that at least 38 gunshot residue particles were found inside the coat  an amount that fits with the prosecutions claim he used the garment to hide and move one or both of the guns used in the murders. Another 14 were found on the outside, with 52 in total on the item.

A smaller amount of gunshot residue particles were also found on Mr Murdaughs hands, t shirt and shorts and the seatbelt buckle on his car.

Agent Fletcher confirmed that it is not possible to determine how or when the gunshot residue was deposited on the item, with the defence seeking to suggest it could have even been there years.

The blue rainjacket which was covered in gunshot residue (Jeff Blake Photo)

However she said the evidence is consistent with a recently fired firearm being placed inside the rainjacket.

Maggie and Paul were shot dead on the familys sprawling 1,700-acre estate in Islandton back on 7 June 2021.

Their murders brought to light a series of scandals surrounding the Murdaughs including unexplained deaths, the multi-million-dollar fraud scheme and a botched hitman plot.

In September 2021  three months on from the murders  Mr Murdaugh was shot in the head in what turned out to be a botched hitman plot which he had orchestrated with alleged accomplice, distant cousin and drug dealer Curtis Eddie Smith.

Investigations have also been reopened into two other mystery deaths connected to the Murdaugh family after the double murders brought to light a sprawling saga surrounding the once-powerful legal dynasty.

Days on from the shootings on 22 June 2021 an investigtion was reopened into the 2015 death of Stephen Smith, who was found dead in the middle of the road in Hampton County.

The openly gay teenager, 19, had suffered blunt force trauma to the head and his death was officially ruled a hit-and-run. But the victims family have long doubted this version of events, with the Murdaugh name cropping up in several police tips and community rumours.

Months later, an investigation was reopened into the death of the Murdaughs longtime housekeeper Gloria Satterfield.

She died in 2018 in a mystery trip and fall accident at the family home. Mr Murdaugh then allegedly stole around $4m in a wrongful death settlement from her sons.

Mr Murdaugh, 54, is facing life in prison for the murders. He has pleaded not guilty.
Photo Illustration by Erin OFlynn/The Daily Beast/Amazon Prime

When 21 Jump Street actor Dave Franco revealed that he and his wife, actress Alison Brie, had co-written an elevated romantic comedy in 2020, the Internetor at least the side that really gives a damn about rom-comswas set ablaze with criticisms. What does an elevated rom-com mean? Why work in a genre that you seemingly dislike enough to distinguish your film as elevated? How many rom-coms has Franco seen?

Heres the full quote: We want to approach that film in a similar way that we did in this film, in the sense that we want to make a smarter, more elevated version of a romantic comedy, Franco told Discussing Film. We were inspired by classics like When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless In Seattle and Pretty Woman, which are all films that are grounded, where the acting is really strong. And they are all shot like dramas, so they look good. We were just wondering why people dont really approach the genre from that smarter point of view these days. And so thats what we tried to accomplish with this script.

I wont waste your time re-examining this quote or explaining why such a broad generalization about a wide scope of movies is hazardous. Instead, Ill inform you that Franco and Bries new rom-com venture, Somebody I Used To Know, is not much better than whatever lackluster rom-coms Franco was referring toif theyre truly lackluster, anyways. Ironically enough, one of the films main problems is that its too concerned with seeming smart and above its peers, despite the interesting themes it delves into.

The Prime Video film, out this Friday, doesnt feel like a throwback to the dynamic two-handers led by Julia Roberts, Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks in the 90s. Nor does it contain the anxious charm of indie comedies by Joe Swanberg or Andrew Bujalskialthough, it tries. Rather, it resembles a lot of glossy, prestige rom-coms that have been churned out by streamers over the past five years, spearheaded by Netflix in 2018. Many of these films, largely because they boasted diverse casts, were exciting during their initial release, but, over time, have proven to have little replay value. (They also all look the same!)

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Amazon Prime

Much of Somebody I Used To Knows plot is cribbed from PJ Hogans My Best Friends Weddingminus the fun assholery of Roberts chaotic Jules Potter. Alison Brie plays a television producer named Ally who has a similarly stern disposition as Broadcast News Jane Craig. However, instead of producing hard-news segments, she works on a rather silly competition show called Dessert Island, an obvious poke at Netflixs increasingly ridiculous universe of reality programs. Her job is less than noble, as we watch her emotionally manipulate a contestant in an interview for a juicy soundbite.

Immediately after, shes informed that Dessert Island has been canceled by its streaming network, leaving her devastated as the show was her precious brainchild. With her vomiting cat in tow, she flies from Los Angeles back to her hometown in Washington to live with her parents and sort out her life. Its a little confusing why a high-level industry professional would feel the need to start from square one after losing one gig instead of immediately looking for another job, but I digress.

Back in the picturesque Leavenworth, she runs into her ex-boyfriend Sean, played by Insecures Jay Ellis, at a bar where they recconnect and have a spontaneous boozy night out. Ally, seemingly out of boredom and wanting an anchor in her life, becomes smitten and decides to pursue him again. Unbeknownst to her, though, Sean is engaged to another woman, a younger, free-spirited musician named Cassidy (Keirsey Clemons).

Magic Mikes Last Dance Is a Sexy-as-Hell, Spellbinding Farewell to the Franchise

When Ally shows up at Seans house after their night out, she unintentionally gets roped into his pre-wedding gatherings. Eventually, she uses these opportunities to get closer to Sean, divulging her Machevillian plan to her high-school friend Benny (Danny Pudi), who cautions her otherwise. As the film goes on, Ally ends up having more intimate encounters with Cassidy, whose ambitions as a fledgling artist mirror Allys television dreams. When tensions arise between Sean and Cassidy over her musical aspirations, Ally discovers that the two of themspecifically, their experiences with Seanare not so different after all.

The frustrating thing about Somebody I Used To Know is that it is a genuinely well-intentioned film and has some rich ideas going for it.

But while the movies attempts to subvert heteronormative tropes are somewhat commendable, I would have enjoyed myself a lot more if this movie was any fun. Or if the films barely-there romantic elements made me slightly excited. Theres hardly a flicker of passion amongst these characters, no sensuality, no intensity. What is a rom-com without these qualities?

Amazon Prime

Its easier to imagine this film being slightly better with a change in casting. Theres not a world in which I believed that Brie and Ellis ever dated, let alone spoke to one another, watching them converse. Despite their characters having years of history together, their interactions in this movie feel strained and a bit alien.

As a quasi-romantic lead, Ellis is only really capable of flashing his gorgeous smile. Otherwise, he struggles to exude any real charisma or believable douchey-ness later on. (To be fair, Brie and Franco dont give Sean many personality traits aside from being good-looking). And Brie, who often plays characters who are high-strung, is too controlled as an actor to depict someone supposedly spiraling out of control.

One of the films redeeming elements is Pudis performance as a comic voice of reason. Its maybe not a shock that Brie has more fun with him than anyone else in the movie, given that they previously worked on Community together. Jane Haggerty also shows up for a few scenes as Allys mom to do her quirky Jane Haggerty thing.

Amazon Prime

On a technical level, Franco is a competent director but struggles to build up emotion in scenes. Based on his first directorial feature The Rental, co-written with Swanberg, his style is obviously inspired by mumblecore. Unfortunately, Brie and Francos script is too mechanical and the performances too constrained to achieve the naturalistic cinema this film tries to mimic.

This is not a knock against the film being more of a dramedy than a laugh-out-loud comedy. (Im a Noah Baumbauch connoisseur.) Likewise, I immediately understood the subtle, balanced tone Franco and Brie were trying to achieve. Nonetheless, Somebody I Used To Know takes itself a little too seriously and is ultimately worn down by its own austerity.

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A Dayton man has learned how long hell be in jail for shooting and killing his wife.

Task Moreland, Jr., 38, was sentenced to 18 years to life in prison after being convicted of his wifes murder.

Police found 38-year-old Tiffany Moreland dead with a gunshot wound to the chest in an apartment on Ryburn Avenue in April 2019, according to a spokesperson for the Montgomery County Prosecutors Office. Police also found a 9mm semi-automatic handgun in the apartment.

>> Man dead after car crashes into pole in Harrison Twp.

An investigation determined that Moreland had shot his wife inside the the apartment after an argument.

A jury found Moreland guilty of two counts of murder and two counts of felonious assault in July 2022.

Moreland got 15 years to life in prison plus an additional, consecutive, three years for firearm specifications that were included with the charges.
The death penalty was abolished in the UK in 1969. (Getty)

Tory party deputy chairman Lee Anderson has sparked a debate on the death penalty in the UK after he said he would support bringing it back.

Ashfield MP Anderson, who was promoted in Rishi Sunak's mini-reshuffle this week, told The Spectator magazine that he would support the return of capital punishment because nobody has ever committed a crime after being executed.

His comments sparked a backlash from MP's including Labour's Chris Bryant, who said that the death penalty "doesnt work", as "it makes juries reluctant to convict so guilty parties get off".

Anderson said that heinous crimes  such as the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby in 2013 by Islamist extremists Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale  where the perpetrators are clearly identifiable should be punished by execution.

Britons show more support for the death penalty for certain crimes. (YouGov)

Recent polling found that four in 10 Britons also agreed with the death penalty, which was abolished in the UK in 1969, being brought back  with support growing for specific, serious crimes.

According to YouGov, more than half of Britons (55%) support the death penalty for cases of multiple murder, compared to just under a third (32%) who would oppose it in that instance.

Support remains higher for terrorist murder acts (54%) and the murder of a child (52%).

However, not all cases of murder sees a rise in support for the death penalty, with 34% supporting in that instance, compared to 48% who do not.

Lee Anderson sparked a debate after he said he supported bringing back the death penalty. (PA/Alamy)

The poll of 1,665 adults from February last year found that men are slightly more likely to support the death penalty, by 44% to 39%, while Conservative voters are much more likely to support it (58%), compared to Labour voters (23%).

Older Britons are also more in favour, with 54% of those aged 65 and over support executions, compared to 22% of 18-24 year olds.

An expert on the views of political party members pointed out that many Tories would agree with Andersons views on the death penalty.

Professor Tim Bale from Queen Mary University of London said Anderson was almost certainly speaking for the majority of Conservatives.

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The last execution to take place in Britain was in 1964. (Getty/stock photo)

A survey of 1,191 members carried out as part of his work on party membership after the 2019 election found 53% agreed that for some crimes, the death penalty is the most appropriate sentence.

The last execution to take place in Britain was in 1964, before the practice was suspended a year later.

The death penalty for murder in the UK was outlawed permanently in 1969, with it totally abolished for all crimes in 1998.

The UK has signed up to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which prohibits the restoration of the death penalty. (Getty)

The UK has signed up to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which prohibits the restoration of the death penalty.

Asked about his support for the death penalty, minister for children, families and wellbeing Claire Coutinho told LBC Radio on Thursday morning that she does not agree with Lee all the time, but thinks its really important that we have people who have lots of different opinions.

The prime minister's press secretary on Wednesday said Anderson will do a fantastic job working with the new chairman to champion the Conservative Party, while stressing that hes not a member of the Conservative government.
The U.S. intelligence community has revealed that the Chinese spy balloon shot down this past weekend is part of a sweeping surveillance program run by Beijings military, with many similar airships seen over at least five different continents and regions in the past several years.

Well share what we know so far about the Chinese spy program and where other balloons have been spotted. Plus, details about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys surprise visit to London and what he asked for while there, and President Bidens latest remarks about the war in Ukraine.

This is Defense & National Security, your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. For The Hill, Im Ellen Mitchell. Subscribe here.

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US intel: Balloon part of larger surveillance program

The U.S. intelligence community has found that the Chinese spy balloon shot down off the coast of South Carolina on Saturday is connected to a larger surveillance program run by Beijings government, the Pentagons top spokesperson confirmed Wednesday.

Along with the balloon that traversed U.S. airspace last week, the Defense Department is aware of at least four previous balloons that have flown over U.S. territory, press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters.



This is what we assess as part of a larger Chinese surveillance balloon program, Ryder said. This is a program thats been operated for several years.

Earlier: The Washington Post first reported on Tuesday that American intelligence agencies linked the Chinese balloon to a wide-reaching surveillance program run by the Peoples Liberation Army and operating partly out of Hainan province off the countrys south coast.

And on Saturday, senior Pentagon officials hinted at a larger Chinese high-altitude surveillance program, pointing to another balloon that was observed transiting Central and South America.

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Spreading the word: The official also confirmed that Washington has been briefing allies and partners who have also been the target of such surveillance.

Ryder on Wednesday said the airships have been seen over five continents and regions including North America, South America, Europe and southeast and east Asia.

What were they looking for?: In the case of the latest balloon, Beijing was looking to surveil strategic sites to include some of our strategic bases in the continental United States, Ryder said.

The Chinese spy balloon has set off a torrent of questions as to how often such flying objects have made their way over U.S. territory and what intelligence the airships have been able to gather.

Closing an intelligence gap: In some instances, after a spy balloon had left U.S. airspace, subsequent intelligence analysis led officials to realize the previously unidentified aerial object belonged to the Chinese, Ryder said.

Ryder also said the long period with which the balloon traversed the country allowed the U.S. military to gain more information on the Chinese surveillance program and apply that information to increase our ability to track these kinds of objects and defend the skies.

Read the full story here





SPY BALLOON OFFERS WORRYING TRIAL RUN FOR A BIGGER CRISIS

The U.S. downing of a Chinese spy balloon over the weekend is offering Washington and Beijing a dress rehearsal for an unexpected crisis  and the results are concerning.

While the incident has deepened distrust and suspicion between U.S. and Chinese officials and delayed strategic talks meant to stabilize the relationship, the risk of dangerous confrontation between the two global superpowers appears low.

Still, the battle between Republicans and Democrats  in a partisan atmosphere where China is seen as Americas biggest foe ideologically and economically  has the potential to inflame crises into dangerous territory.

Read that story here





Zelensky visits London, pushes for more fighter jets

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a surprise visit to London on Wednesday to address the United Kingdoms Parliament, telling British lawmakers and allies that his country will need more advanced weapons, including modern fighter jets, to fend off Russian forces.

Zelensky made a plea to the crowded British group packed inside the 900-year-old Westminster Hall, asking for not just weapons but also more sanctions against supporters of Russias war in Ukraine.



Im not just speaking about weapons. Weve proved together that the world truly helps those who are brave in defending freedom, the Ukrainian leader said, but evil is still around today and the battle continues.

A plea for fighter jets: Zelensky noted King Charles III once trained as a jet pilot, using it to segue into an ask for modern fighter jets.

Provide us with modern planes to empower and protect pilots who will be protecting us, Zelensky said.

Kyiv has been pushing since the war began to secure modern fighter jets from the U.S. and NATO allies to replace its aging fleet.

New training: As Zelensky touched down in England on a Royal Air Force plane, the U.K. announced a new program to train Ukrainian pilots on modern fighter jets.

Ukrainians have also just completed a similar program to train on Britains Challenger 2 main battle tanks, which the country announced last month for Ukraine.

More on the visit: During his visit, Zelensky will meet with King Charles III, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the nations military chiefs.

Sunak on Wednesday said President Zelenskyys visit to the UK is a testament to his countrys courage, determination and fight, and a testament to the unbreakable friendship between our two countries.

Read more here





CONGRESS UNITES BEHIND UKRAINE

Lawmakers stood for a rare bipartisan ovation in support of Ukraine as President Biden asked Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova to stand up and called Russian President Vladimir Putins invasion a test for the ages.

Bidens remarks before a Republican-controlled House of Representatives come as a small but vocal group of GOP lawmakers have criticized U.S. assistance to Ukraine and as popular support among Republican voters for U.S. support for Kyiv is sliding.

A united front: However, the president boasted that the country has remained united along with its allies in standing together with Kyiv ahead of the one-year mark of Moscows aggression.

Putins invasion has been a test for the ages, a test for America, a test for the world, the president said, describing Russias invasion as a murderous assault that evokes the worst images of death and destruction in Europe during World War II.

Together, we did what America always does at our best. We led. We united NATO and built a global coalition. We stood against Putins aggression. We stood with the Ukrainian people, he said.

Read that story here





ON TAP TOMORROW

The House Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing on The Future of War: Is the Pentagon Prepared to Deter and Defeat Americas Adversaries? at 8:30 a.m.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies will host a virtual discussion on U.S. Extended Deterrence, at 8:45 a.m.

Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman will testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Evaluating U.S.-China Policy in the Era of Strategic Competition, at 10:30 a.m.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin meets with Georgian Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze at the Pentagon at 10:30 a.m.

The U.S. Institute of Peace will host a talk on China and Strategic Stability in Space: Pathways to Peace in an Era of U.S.  China Strategic Competition, at 11:30 a.m.

The Wilson Center will hold a virtual discussion on Deterring Russia at Sea in the High North, with Navy Adm. Daryl Caudle, head of Fleet Forces Command, at 1:30 p.m.

The Center for a New American Security will host a conversation on the United Kingdoms defense priorities and updates on the war in Ukraine, at 1:45 p.m.





WHAT WERE READING

OPINION IN THE HILL

Spying by balloon? Sometimes, the old ways are the best



Thats it for today. Check out The Hills Defense and National Security pages for the latest coverage. See you tomorrow!

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Reuters

The morning after Rep. George Santos (R-NY) accused Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) of being obsessed with himperhaps even, in Santos less than reliable telling, in a romantic wayTorres was feeling exasperated.

I am under siege from George Santos, the Bronx Democrat said in an interview with The Daily Beast on Wednesday morning.

But if anything, its probably the other way around.

George Anthony Devolder Santos has quickly become a bizarre kind of celebrity on Capitol Hill, like a new student in high school whose bad behavior has made him infamousor maybe just famouswith the faculty and student body.

Santos Gripes Mitt Romneys SOTU Dressing-Down Wasnt Very Mormon of Him

In the brutal world of Beltway and New York politics, just as it is in high school, the opportunity to tear someone down is also an opportunity to build another person up.

In recent history, there have been few such opportunities more tantalizing than Santosand few politicians more eager to take advantage of it than Torres and his fellow New York Democrat, Rep. Daniel Goldman.

The duo, who have become Santos chief tormentors, insist they are tired of talking about their new scandal-plagued colleague.

I want the controversy to be put to rest, Torres said. Id love for him to leave today. Id love to never speak about George Santos again.

Leaving a well-attended Capitol press conference on Tuesdayfeaturing himself, Torres, and an angry group of Santos constituents calling for his resignationGoldman let out a chuckle when asked if he was tired of talking about his new colleague.

Yeah, Im tired of talking about George Santos, said the Manhattan lawmaker, a former top prosecutor for the Southern District of New York. I'm tired of the fact that we have a serial con man walking the halls of Congress and voting on legislation.

Many lawmakers are tired of that fact, too, including plenty from Santos own party. But no one else besides Torres and Goldman has turned that disgust into a veritable side hustle.

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Since Semafor wrote on Jan. 11 about Torres and Goldman needling Santos, their bullying has perhaps upgraded to torment. The two New York Dems havent just restricted their efforts to tweets targeting Santos, or to countless media interviews. They have separately asked the Federal Elections Commission, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the House Ethics Committee to investigate him. They hand-delivered the Ethics complaint to Santos office personally, which was captured in all of its awkward glory on video.

The duo also wrote and introduced the Stopping Another Non-Truthful Office Seeker Actyes, the SANTOS Actwhich would require candidates to file additional information about their educational and employment backgrounds to the FEC.

Not Concerned: Santos Couldnt Care Less About House Ethics Probe

Dan is a famous prosecutor and Im a bare-knuckles Bronx politician, Torres said. And I think weve made a formidable combination.

But Torres, a second-term Democrat, has taken on the project with particular gusto. Last month, he visited his colleagues Long Island district for a press conference with a constituent group demanding his resignation.

Overall, since Jan. 3, Torres has tweeted about Santos some 64 times, some days as many as five or six times. Goldman, meanwhile, has tweeted about Santos a comparatively paltry 19 times. A month ago, Semafor calculated, the two had only tweeted about Santos combined 50 times.

I will admit, Torres said, Im obsessed with holding him accountable and expelling him from Congress.

In a brief interview in the Capitol, Santos suggested to The Daily Beast that the two Democrats were using him for publicity, fixating on Torres in particular, who he said loves the cameras.

Do you know who Ritchie Torres was over the last two years? Santos asked. I didnt. Now it seems like everybody knows who he isconvenient, right?

At least according to Torres, Santos did know who he was. In 2020, Santos attended new member orientation before his race was called for his Democratic opponent. Torres said they had a brief interaction.

Meanwhile, when it comes to Goldman, Santos said, I dont care for Mr. Goldman very much.

Santos' Incredible Resume

Like many lawmakers in both parties, the pair is genuinely outraged that Santos remains in Congress despite the ever-growing pile of lies, ethical subversions, and potentially criminal violations that the Long Island fraudster has amassed.

As New Yorkers, they are particularly frustrated that Santos has been a distraction and embarrassment for the states delegation in Congress. And Goldman, who is Jewish, has conveyed his personal offense that Santos fabricated a story about being descended from Holocaust survivors but also made jokes online years ago about Nazis killing Jews.

We both were not only sort of politically disgusted by this, but personally disgusted by someone else representing our neighbors in Queens and Long Island, who has no legitimacy to be in Congress, Goldman said.

But theres also plenty of political and personal upside for Torres and Goldmantwo young, ambitious Democratsin the cause of bullying George Santos.

A key focus of their pressure campaign has been Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), who has cautiously navigated the Santos scandals knowing he can spare virtually no votes in his thin House majority. Through their crusade, Torres and Goldman have become some of McCarthys most vocal critics on the Democratic sidea very good place to be for two representatives from deep-blue New York City.

The One Lie That Could Get George Santos in the End

While Santos accused the two of being driven by attention, its true that their push has also had the effect of earning them quite a lot of it.

From Washington to New York, a number of operatives have been chattering about how the two Democrats have harnessed the seemingly inexhaustible power of the Santos scandal cycle to afford themselves an expanded platform.

There was no way they could have anticipated how the Santos drama would play out, but one House Democratic aide noted how bothTorres in particularput a lot of chips down right away after the initial Santos exposes broke in December and got a significant hand in the larger game.

I am very impressed how Torres and Goldman have managed to thoroughly conquer that lane, the aide observed.

One New York-based Democratic operative was struck by how uninterested other members of the states delegation have seemed to be in going after Santosceding the spoils of advocacy on the issue to Torres and Goldman.

What they're doing is what smart politicians do, the operative said. They look at the news cycle, see what its giving them, and figure out how to relate and build some capital for themselves off that news cycle.

One news cycleeven one as seemingly interminable as Santosdoes not make or break a career. But Torres and Goldman are considered to be in it for the long haul.

Last month, The New York Times mentioned Torres as a possible contender for U.S. Senate. In 2021, Goldman launched a campaign for New York attorney general, but withdrew when current AG Letitia James ended her campaign for governor. At the very least, both men could remain in their current seats for a long time and amass clout in the House.

George Santos' NYU Lies Are Even More Brazen Than We Knew

Torres insisted he doesnt need the press. Its not as if I were an obscure member before. I receive a steady stream of press coverage, he said. (One of the first two Black gay men in Congress, Torres has earned a fair share of media attention.)

Its about the virtue of the cause, Torres said.

What their push is accomplishing, aside from boosting the two mens profiles and profoundly annoying Santos, is harder to quantify.

Perhaps the strongest denouncements of Santos have come from his fellow New York Republican colleagues, several of whom have publicly called for his resignation. If Torres and Goldman stopped talking about Santos tomorrow, its highly unlikely the issue would fade from prominence on Capitol Hill in any meaningful way.

But pressure campaigns can work in ways that are hard to quantify, and its true that the two Democrats have employed creative and headline-grabbing methods of keeping consistent scrutiny on Santos, McCarthy, and GOP leadership.

Goldman said he has gotten no indication of exactly how their push is working. But he noted how McCarthy and other top Republicans positions on Santos have evolved under pressure, from them saying it was about the voters deciding to saying that the Ethics Committee findings could result in his ouster.

You know, perhaps its some of my advocacy, but a lot of it is the advocacy of groups like this, Goldman said, referring to the New York 3rd District constituents who took the bus to Washington to protest Santos on Tuesday.

Pressure matters, Torres said. The resignation of George Santos from his committees didnt happen in a vacuum. It arose in response to an overwhelming pressure campaign that shows no signs of abating.

As long as he remains a member of Congress, he added, there needs to be people like Dan and myself who shine a spotlight on him

While both Democrats speak of Santos in somber and baffled tones, it does appear they are enjoying themselvesat least a little bit.

At the press conference on Tuesday, Torres and Goldman spoke while Santos constituents held up signs with messages like Scamtos! and I believe in SANTA more than SANTOS. The crowd let out genuine laughs when the lawmakers took aim at the easy targets in Santos latest lies, which included him claiming he produced a Spiderman musical.

I give him credit; hes the greatest fiction writer in the history of Congress, Torres said, to laughs.

Asked by The Daily Beast whether they werent at least having a little fun, Torres paused.

Its not so much that Im enjoying it, Im taken aback by the absurdity of the George Santos phenomenon, he said. Its laughable, thats where the comedic aspect comes in.

I would love to stop. I would want nothing more than a Congress free of George Santos, Torres said.

Trust me.

Ursula Perano contributed to this report.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The Los Angeles County sheriff's station in East L.A. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies are forming a new gang in the agency's East L.A. station, according to a deputy who alleges in a lawsuit he was abused when he refused to join the group.

Amayel Garfias filed his lawsuit in Superior Court last month, claiming he was harassed, assaulted and purposely put in harms way by an alleged member of the new gang. Both the county and several sheriffs employees should be held responsible for allowing the East L.A. station to remain under gang control, the lawsuit states.

Citing the pending litigation, the Sheriff's Department declined to comment on the lawsuit, but said the incident is under investigation.

"The Department does not tolerate deputy gangs or conduct contrary to our values," department spokeswoman Lorena Rodriguez said in an email.

Attorneys for the county have not yet responded to the lawsuit in court.

The lawsuit comes less than a year after the independent watchdog over the department, Inspector General Max Huntsman, compiled a list of more than 40 sheriffs deputies who he said were members of gang-like groups operating in several stations. The list included 11 alleged members of the Banditos, a group in the East L.A. station.

Its disheartening to see that after one deputy gang has come to light, waiting in the wings is a new one, said Humberto Guizar, the attorney representing Garfias in his lawsuit.

The Sheriffs Department has long faced allegations about secretive deputy groups running amok in certain stations and jails, controlling command staff there and promoting a culture of violence. A Loyola Marymount University report released in 2021 identified 18 such groups that have existed over the past five decades, including the Executioners at the Compton station, the Reapers at the South L.A. station, and the Banditos at the East L.A. station  which has been a particular hotspot for trouble.

In one particularly violent incident involving the East L.A. station, a group of alleged Banditos attacked several new deputies at a party in 2018. Two of the targeted deputies were knocked unconscious, and the brawl sparked several investigations.

Story continues

The East L.A. station is also at the center of a sprawling lawsuit filed in 2019 by eight deputies alleging theyd been regularly harassed by Banditos members who refused to send backup on dangerous calls and pressured them to quit.

Though then-Sheriff Alex Villanueva told the Civilian Oversight Commission in 2021 that the Banditos group no longer exists at East L.A. station, that summer the eight deputies updated their lawsuit to say that the group had just taken on 10 new members.

For Garfias, the problems in East L.A. began in December 2021 when, according to the lawsuit, another deputy started verbally abusing him. The suit doesnt detail any of the exchanges between the two men, but alleges the treatment was in retaliation for Garfias refusal to join the new gang.

A few weeks after that, the harassment turned physical. According to the suit, near the end of January 2022, the deputy slammed a computer onto Garfias arm so hard he had to seek medical care. Less than a week later, he allegedly smacked Garfias and hit him in the chest while holding a handheld radio.

The deputy "intentionally used violent force on Garfias, he specifically intended Garfias to be seriously injured, the lawsuit notes, also accusing the deputy of malicious, willful, oppressive, and despicable conduct.

Garfias alleges that officials at the station and other department employees, who are not named, knew about what happened and did nothing to stop it, according to the lawsuit.

Eventually, Garfias filed a claim with the states Department of Fair Housing and Employment, and investigators with the Sheriff Departments Internal Affairs Bureau interviewed him, according to his lawyer.

But Guizar said the harassment only ended when Garfias stopped working due to an unrelated on-duty injury. Its unclear whether hell return to work.

The account of the stations dynamics and culture echoes prior descriptions of the gang-like groups there. As the Loyola report noted two years ago, Several lawsuits against the County allege that Banditos members exercise de facto control over the East Los Angeles station and that LASD management has tolerated and even tacitly approved of their misconduct.

But instead of calling out Banditos as the source of the trouble, the Garfias case places the blame on a new group.

Though the lawsuit doesnt name the new group, Samuel Peterson, a researcher at the Rand Corp. who co-authored the 2021 report, said in an interview that its not unusual for new groups to form.

An existing group can splinter into subgroups, he said, if, for example, members who work night shifts create a clique for themselves. A new group can also form because a dominant group is so exclusionary that uninvited deputies form their own, because the leader  or shot-caller  of a group leaves the station, or because a group simply has gotten too big, Peterson said.

Theres word from East L.A. specifically that theres a rule that once a group reaches 100 members, a new group has to form, Peterson said. But Im not sure how rigid they are about that.

Other stations did not appear to have such limits, he said.

Although the 2021 report Peterson co-authored found that the number of deputies in so-called gangs was on the rise, Villanueva denied that such groups existed. Last year, he sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Board of Supervisors, demanding that they stop using the phrase deputy gangs, to describe the secretive groups. He described it as willful defamation and said the groups did not meet the legal definition of a gang.

Using this term as a blanket statement, is political cowardice and opportunistic pandering, he wrote. It would serve no purpose other than to fuel hatred and increase the probability of assault and negative confrontations against our people.

Even though he denied their existence, at times Villanueva also took credit for addressing the gang problem and said he had a zero tolerance policy for misconduct by such groups.

Weeks after he unseated Villanueva in the November elections, now-Sheriff Robert Luna signaled his intent to handle the groups differently  starting by acknowledging their presence.

You cannot ignore that there is a problem, Luna told The Times. It is very well-documented. I have talked to multiple employees who say this stuff does exist.

And while his predecessor defied supboenas from the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission to testify about the groups, Luna said he planned to be fully transparent and even consider whether to invite the Department of Justice or the FBI to come investigate.





This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Horizon Science Academy is working with CBRE Hubbell to find a facility in northwest Des Moines in the Des Moines Public Schools district for the new charter school.

Horizon Science Academy  Des Moines' first charter school in more than a decade  is accepting applications for the 2023-24 school year Monday as it negotiates on a site.

The announcement came during the Iowa Board of Education's Thursday meeting to where board members unanimously approved the tuition-free public charter school's contract.

The school expects to enroll as many as 190 students in its first year and will be located within Des Moines Public Schools' boundary, eventually becoming a K-12 school as additional grades are added each year.

Related:Des Moines could see its first charter school in a decade next fall: Why it's coming

Horizon is Iowa's fifth charter school, joining Hamburg Charter School and Choice Charter, an online school focused on credit recovery.

A 2021 law expanded who can open a charter school in Iowa, part of Gov. Kim Reynolds' continuing effort to increase educational options for families. During the current legislative session, Reynolds has also signed into law a bill creating education savings accounts that would give taxpayer money to students who wish to attend private schools.

Horizon  which focuses on science, technology, and math  has contracted with Concept Schools, an Illinois-based, nonprofit charter school management company, to oversee the operation.

Concept already oversees 31 charter schools in urban areas including Cleveland, Chicago, St. Louis, Indianapolis and St. Paul.

Horizon's board consists of former educators Carrie Bening and Sue Cronin; Jeff Goodman, an attorney; Christine Hensley, a former Des Moines City Council member; Kittie Weston-Knauer, a former school administrator; and San Wong, the Iowa Department of Human Rights director.

The school was founded by Roger Brooks and Sunnie Richer. The couple, who have backgrounds in business, have homes in Des Moines and Arizona.

We have a few students and families who've already submitted interest applications," said Chris Murphy, Concept Schools' chief strategic growth and communications officer. "We have a lottery date set already for March 31 if we've exceeded some of our enrollment targets within these first six weeks."

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A lottery is a random selection process for picking which students will be admitted to the school, according to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. Horizon officials expect to enroll mainly low-income students and students of color.

Despite the contract being approved, details remain uncertain.

The start date for the next school year is listed on the Horizon Science Academy's website as fall 2023. School hours have also not been set. Murphy declined to seek an exemption during the meeting for the state requirement of 1,080 hours or 180 days of instructional time.

Additionally, officials are still securing a location for the school.

Officials are in negotiations to lease part of the Franklin Junior High School, 4801 Franklin Ave., an events space and former school in Des Moines, Murphy told Iowa Board of Education.

The former junior high school currently houses St. Thomas Classical Academy, a homeschool group with religious affiliations, two days a week, owner Jeff Young told the Des Moines Register. If a lease is signed, the two schools would inhabit the second floor of the 72-year-old building.

Young applauded the building's partial return to its educational roots.

Campaign signs cover the windows at the election night gathering for Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Mike Franken, retired Navy admiral from Sioux City, on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at Franklin Junior High, in Des Moines.

Negotiations between Horizon Science Academy and Young are expected to wrap up within the next week.

Remaining issues include concerns over security and whether the state will allow Young to rent the first floor for events involving alcohol. Those events would not take place during school hours.

Families can learn more about Horizon and its application process at www.hsadesmoines.org.

Editor's note: A previously published version of this story erroneously reported the state's requirement for instructional time. It is 1,080 hours or 180 days.

Samantha Hernandez covers education for the Register. Reach her at (515) 851-0982 or svhernandez@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @svhernandez or Facebook at facebook.com/svhernandezreporter.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: New DM charter school accepting applications, negotiates a location
Antony Blinken

Answering the question whether Washington is ready to provide Kyiv with fighter jets, Blinken said the United States will continue to make judgments about what we think Ukraine needs and what it can be most effective in using.

Read also: FM Kuleba discusses further military aid for Ukraine with U.S. Secretary of State Blinken

What's vital isnt just a particular weapons system or piece of equipment, Blinken said at a press briefing.

Equally important is the ability of Ukrainians to use it effectively.

Read also: US shows loading of over 60 Bradley IFVs for delivery to Ukraine  video

Earlier on Feb. 8, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that without fighter jets, long-range missiles, and enough ammunition, the war could drag on.

Read also: Ukraine needs up to 200 multipurpose aircraft, F-16 most likely candidate to replace Soviet-era jets

On Jan. 30, Biden told reporters that Washington would not provide Kyiv with F-16 fighter jets.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov noted that every weapon that has been supplied to Ukraine has gone through a rejection phase, suggesting that Kyivs partners could eventually relent on the issue of aircraft supply.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The Walt Disney Co. said Wednesday that it would lay off about 7,000 employees and cut costs by $5.5 billion in the coming months.

Newly returned CEO Bob Iger announced the strategic reorganization, saying cuts would amount to about 3.6% of its global workforce. The effort is meant to increase the profitability of Disneys streaming business, and Iger said Wednesday the company would focus more on core brands and franchises.

Disney owns the likes of Marvel, the Star Wars franchise and Pixar, all major drivers of revenue and fandom.

We must return creativity to the center of the company, increase accountability, improve results and ensure the quality of our content and experiences, Iger said during a call Wednesday. Our new structure is aimed at returning greater authority to our creative leaders and making them accountable for how their content performs financially.

The plan came amid vocal concerns from an activist investor, concerned the company was focusing too heavily on streaming. The companys Disney+ service ended the latest quarter with nearly 162 million subscribers, but its direct-to-consumer business still posted a $1.1 billion operating loss.

Iger maintained Wednesday that the streaming business will be profitable by mid-2024.

The move is a dramatic turn for the company after Iger returned to the helm in November. The Disney board fired his predecessor, Bob Chapek, and reinstated him to the top position after he served as CEO from 2005 to 2020.

While this is necessary to address the challenges were facing today, I do not make this decision lightly, Iger said during a call with reporters Wednesday, according to Axios. I have enormous respect and appreciation for the talent and dedication of our employees worldwide, and Im mindful of the personal impact of these changes.

The layoffs are the latest in a string of cutbacks at major tech companies. Giants including Google, Amazon and Facebook have all announced drastic cuts amid concerns about a post-COVID recession and a pullback in consumer spending.

Related...
A man has been arrested using DNA evidence found where a mother and son were killed near Hidden Valley nearly four decades ago, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

The family never forgot and we never forgot, said CMPD Capt. Joel McNelly.

ALSO READ: Family of Kannapolis man killed in 1988: Like a book with the last chapter missing

According to McNelly, on March 14, 1984, CMPD was called to a home on Ventura Way. When officers arrived, they found the front door open and a foul smell coming from the home. McNelly said 27-year-old Sarah Mobley Hall and 10-year-old Derrick Dion Mobley were found brutally killed -- they were assaulted and both strangled to death, Capt. McNelly said.

Channel 9 covered the case, and investigators at the time said the two were strangled with a telephone cord.

He said Hall was a single mother who worked with children who had special needs, including her son Derrick.

McNelly said the two were killed a few nights before they were found.

On Thursday, CMPD Capt. McNelly announced James Thomas Pratt, 60, had been arrested in the killings of Sarah Mobley Hall and Derrick Dion Mobley. He was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, McNelly said.

On Thursday, McNelly announced James Thomas Pratt, 60, had been arrested in the case. He was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, McNelly said and is also facing a fugitive of justice charge in South Carolina.

Pratt was 22 at the time of the crime and he had a friendly relationship with Hall, according to McNelly. He also lived in the neighborhood.

McNelly said the case went cold back then, and since then, four different CMPD units have been trying to track down the person responsible. The case is so old that several of the officers who were rookies back then have been retired for about 10 years

ALSO READ: UNSOLVED: Police have new DNA evidence in Charlotte moms 1990 murder, attorney says

Then, in 1998, CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings, who was a homicide detective at the time, found DNA evidence in that case -- he found it on Halls pillow. That evidence was submitted to a national database but there were no hits at the time.

Then this past year, McNelly said they got a hit for a DNA relative through a state lab, which is the first time that has happened for a murder in North Carolina. They were able to find a person of interest -- Pratt -- in South Carolina and, with the help of the FBI, got a direct match between his DNA and the DNA found on Halls pillow.

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Pratt, of Fort Mill, was arrested on Feb. 1 in York County and was transferred to the Mecklenburg County jail, where he was given no bond, McNelly said. Thats the jail that another former homicide detective who worked the case in the 80s now runs -- Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden. Both he and Jennings were partners at the time and both worked on this case.

McNelly said Halls remaining family -- her siblings -- and Derricks father were elated with the news of Pratts arrest. Halls parents have both since died.

You can imagine sitting for four decades, not knowing what happened to your sister, not knowing what happened to your son or your nephew, McNelly said.

Dr. Joseph Kuhns, an assistant professor of criminology at UNC Charlotte, said solving cases like this are incredibly tough.

Cold cases are cold for a reason because a lot of time, as time goes by, you lose witnesses to other things, including death, Kuhns said. You lose the trails and clues you were following. You lose evidence.

Who is James Thomas Pratt?

VIDEO: Neighbors say suspect in 1984 double-murder lived at motel near Carowinds

The motive for the crime is still unclear, McNelly said. Pratt had misdemeanor arrests in the 1980s and 1990s, but none of those were consistent with this kind of crime.

Channel 9 veteran crime reporter Glenn Counts went to a Fort Mill motel after CMPDs announcement and spoke with people who know Pratt.

They were shocked by the news.

He was a good guy, a resident said. He made sure the kids got in from school OK.

He told us he was a church-going man, another resident said.

The women Glenn spoke with wanted to remain anonymous.

Pratt wasnt on the run from the law. He was hiding in plain sight, working, and living at a motel off Highway 21 near Carowinds.

He was the handyman there for two years.

Residents said Pratt was a good person, even helping install a car battery.

Pratt has a long criminal record that goes back to the early 1980s.

1982: Drug charge.

1987: Car break-in.

1991: Assault and battery.

1992: Assault on a female.

2002: Assault on a female.

He was not a suspect in the double murder at the time of those arrests.

The previous charges were disposed of quickly.

Pratts current neighbors considered him a model citizen.

(A) nice guy, one of the residents told Counts. I mean, I never picked up any vibe or anything. Im still shocked right now talking to you about it.

Struck a nerve

Channel 9s Hunter Saenz went to the apartment where the double-murder happened. Nobody was home, but Saenz spoke to Tamara Law, who grew up nearby and was 14 at the time. She told him she remembered the slayings.

It struck a nerve when you said that, she told Saenz.

While a lot of the world may have forgotten about Sarah and Derrick, the family certainly never did. And we certainly never did, McNally said.

(WATCH BELOW: Retired officers revisit 1992 murder as team reviews Statesville cold cases)
Photo: The Canadian Press Nathan Chasing Horse stands in court. Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, in North Las Vegas, Nev. Nathan Chasing Horse appeared in court for the second time after his arrest on charges of sexual assault and human trafficking. (AP Photo/Ty O'Neil)

UPDATE 4:25 p.m.

Bail has been set at $300,000 for a former actor in the movie "Dances With Wolves" who is facing eight sex-related charges in Nevada as police in Canada say more complainants there have come forward.

Information from the North Las Vegas Court website says if Nathan Chasing Horse can post bail, he could be released on house arrest and would be electronically monitored. He cannot have contact with the complainants or any minors.

Under Nevada law, Chasing Horse would have to pay 15 per cent of the bail  about $45,000.

The 46-year-old actor, who played young Sioux character Smiles a Lot in Kevin Costners 1990 Oscar-winning film, was formally charged Monday in North Las Vegas with counts including sex trafficking, sexual assault against a child younger than 16 and child abuse.

Court documents said he was the leader of a cult-like group called The Circle.

Nathan Chasing Horse, by portraying himself as a Holy Man or Medicine Man, has gained the trust of Indigenous families and their children," an arrest report filed in the U.S. said. "Upon earning this trust, Nathan Chasing Horse used his position to lure vulnerable young girls, often giving them a sense of belonging, to commit sexual assault."

Chasing Horse is also facing a charge of sexual assault in British Columbia for allegations in the southern Interior village of Keremeos in September 2018.

The U.S. arrest report alleges the British Columbia woman was 13 years old when she met Chasing Horse while he was performing ceremonies in the province.

Her family sent her to stay with the actor because she was sick and soon she began travelling with him to ceremonies, the report said. She alleges he began to have sex with her when she was 17.

In 2018, after they ended the relationship, she alleges he sexually assaulted her while he was in Canada for a show put on by the Lower Similkameen Indian Band.

The woman reported it to authorities and RCMP contacted Las Vegas police, which prompted the investigation that led to his arrest.

Police in Alberta said they are also in the process of applying for two warrants for formal charges against Chasing Horse in that province.

Sgt. Nancy Farmer with the Tsuut'ina police, which serves the First Nation west of Calgary, said even more charges could be coming.

We have received several Crime Stoppers tips, Farmer said Wednesday.

Weve spoken to several victims and several witnesses have come forward in relation to the actions of Mr. Chasing Horse.

U.S. arrest documents detailed how the Alberta police service received a complaint earlier this year from a woman who alleges she was sexually assaulted as a 15-year-old and taken to the United States as one of Chasing Horses multiple wives.

The woman said she also met Chasing Horse when he came to her community to do ceremonies. Documents say Chasing Horse allegedly had sex with the teenager multiple times while she was still in Canada.

In 2009, she flew to the U.S. and, not long after when she was 17 years old, he gave her a ring.

He said it was like a promise ring and I think that was his way of marrying me, the woman said in the court documents.

That woman eventually returned to Canada because she could no longer take the physical and emotional abuse, the documents said.

The report alleges that Chasing Horse made his wives have sex with other men and take phoenix tears, a highly concentrated form of cannabis.

The documents detail how Chasing Horse had all his wives get spider tattoos to represent Iktomi, a trickster spirit in Lakota culture, and a tattoo of his traditional name.

The women were taught to use firearms and, court documents allege, he told the wives about suicide pills theyd have to take if he were apprehended by police or died.

Police in the United States said they have identified at least six victims, including one who said she was offered to Chasing Horse as a gift when she was 15.

Chasing Horse had already been banned from Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Montana on the grounds of human trafficking in 2015. The same year, the Tsuut'ina band council passed a resolution banning him from all community events in the Alberta community.

Last week, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, which represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan, also banned Chasing Horse.

ORIGINAL 11 a.m.

Bail was set at $300,000 Wednesday for a former Dances With Wolves actor charged in Nevada with sexually abusing and trafficking Indigenous women and girls.

North Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Craig Newman said Nathan Chasing Horse must stay with a relative if he is released from jail. The 46-year-old, who played young Sioux tribe member Smiles a Lot in Kevin Costners 1990 Oscar-winning film, would be electronically monitored and have no access to drugs, alcohol or firearms, Newman said. He is barred from contacting any alleged victims or minors.

Under Nevada law, Chasing Horse would have to pay 15% of the bail amount  $45,000  to secure his release. His cheering supporters declined to talk to reporters as they left court after the brief hearing. Chasing Horses public defender did not immediately respond Wednesday morning to requests for comment.

A prosecutor had requested $2 million bail, describing Chasing Horse as a danger to the community and a flight risk.

Authorities say Chasing Horse spent decades building a reputation among tribes in the United States and Canada as a medicine man. Authorities accuse him of abusing that position to physically and sexually assault women and girls, and take underage wives.

He was banished from the Fort Peck Reservation in Poplar, Montana, in 2015 following similar allegations, and authorities in British Columbia, Canada, charged Chasing Horse this week in an alleged 2018 sexual assault.

In Nevada, Chasing Horse has been charged with eight felonies, including sex trafficking, sexual assault and child abuse. He has not entered a plea, and his attorneys have not commented on the allegations.

Chief Deputy Clark County District Attorney William Rowles gestured Wednesday toward Chasing Horses supporters in the courtroom and said the former actor has a vast network of connections in Las Vegas, Canada and Mexico.

Rowles said police found evidence at Chasing Horses home last week that he was in the process of grooming young children to replace others as they grow up to be their wives.

Chasing Horse's relatives and supporters filled the courtroom Wednesday, as they have for previous hearings since his Jan. 31 arrest near the North Las Vegas home he shares with five women he identifies as his wives.

In a 50-page search warrant and a 53-page arrest report, Las Vegas police described Chasing Horse as the leader of a cult known as The Circle, whose followers believe he communicates with higher powers.

Police said they've identified at least six victims, including one who was 13 when she said she was abused, and another who said she was offered to Chasing Horse as a gift when she was 15.

Police SWAT officers took Chasing Horse into custody last week, and detectives said a search of the family home found guns, 41 pounds (18.5 kilograms) of marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms, and cellphone videos showing sexual assaults of minors, according to his arrest report.

Chasing Horse also uses the name Nathan Lee Chasing His Horse. He was born on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, home to the Sicangu Sioux, one of the seven tribes of the Lakota nation.
For beginners, it can seem like a good idea (and an exciting prospect) to buy a company that tells a good story to investors, even if it currently lacks a track record of revenue and profit. But the reality is that when a company loses money each year, for long enough, its investors will usually take their share of those losses. Loss making companies can act like a sponge for capital - so investors should be cautious that they're not throwing good money after bad.

Despite being in the age of tech-stock blue-sky investing, many investors still adopt a more traditional strategy; buying shares in profitable companies like Coraza Integrated Technology Berhad (KLSE:CORAZA). Even if this company is fairly valued by the market, investors would agree that generating consistent profits will continue to provide Coraza Integrated Technology Berhad with the means to add long-term value to shareholders.

See our latest analysis for Coraza Integrated Technology Berhad

How Fast Is Coraza Integrated Technology Berhad Growing Its Earnings Per Share?

Even modest earnings per share growth (EPS) can create meaningful value, when it is sustained reliably from year to year. So it's easy to see why many investors focus in on EPS growth. Coraza Integrated Technology Berhad's EPS skyrocketed from RM0.024 to RM0.033, in just one year; a result that's bound to bring a smile to shareholders. That's a fantastic gain of 40%.

Top-line growth is a great indicator that growth is sustainable, and combined with a high earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) margin, it's a great way for a company to maintain a competitive advantage in the market. EBIT margins for Coraza Integrated Technology Berhad remained fairly unchanged over the last year, however the company should be pleased to report its revenue growth for the period of 55% to RM142m. That's encouraging news for the company!

You can take a look at the company's revenue and earnings growth trend, in the chart below. For finer detail, click on the image.

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Of course the knack is to find stocks that have their best days in the future, not in the past. You could base your opinion on past performance, of course, but you may also want to check this interactive graph of professional analyst EPS forecasts for Coraza Integrated Technology Berhad.

Are Coraza Integrated Technology Berhad Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?

Many consider high insider ownership to be a strong sign of alignment between the leaders of a company and the ordinary shareholders. So we're pleased to report that Coraza Integrated Technology Berhad insiders own a meaningful share of the business. To be exact, company insiders hold 78% of the company, so their decisions have a significant impact on their investments. Intuition will tell you this is a good sign because it suggests they will be incentivised to build value for shareholders over the long term. To give you an idea, the value of insiders' holdings in the business are valued at RM321m at the current share price. That's nothing to sneeze at!

It's good to see that insiders are invested in the company, but are remuneration levels reasonable? Well, based on the CEO pay, you'd argue that they are indeed. For companies with market capitalisations under RM859m, like Coraza Integrated Technology Berhad, the median CEO pay is around RM494k.

The Coraza Integrated Technology Berhad CEO received total compensation of only RM35k in the year to December 2021. This could be considered a token amount, and indicates that the company does not need to use payment to motivate the CEO - that is often a good sign. CEO compensation is hardly the most important aspect of a company to consider, but when it's reasonable, that gives a little more confidence that leadership are looking out for shareholder interests. Generally, arguments can be made that reasonable pay levels attest to good decision-making.

Is Coraza Integrated Technology Berhad Worth Keeping An Eye On?

For growth investors, Coraza Integrated Technology Berhad's raw rate of earnings growth is a beacon in the night. If you need more convincing beyond that EPS growth rate, don't forget about the reasonable remuneration and the high insider ownership. Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to investing but it definitely makes Coraza Integrated Technology Berhad look rather interesting indeed. Don't forget that there may still be risks. For instance, we've identified 2 warning signs for Coraza Integrated Technology Berhad (1 is a bit unpleasant) you should be aware of.

The beauty of investing is that you can invest in almost any company you want. But if you prefer to focus on stocks that have demonstrated insider buying, here is a list of companies with insider buying in the last three months.

Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Flamingo the pigeon.

Flamingo the pigeon.

A sweet king pigeon named Flamingo died just a week after he was rescued from a New York City park, the animal rescue Wild Bird Fundannounced on Twitter earlier this week.

The domesticated bird, which was likely raised for food and had no survival skills, had been dyed pink before being released into the wild, the organization said.

We believe his death was caused by inhaling the toxins, Wild Bird Fund wrote.

The rescue group told HuffPost via email that it does not know who dyed and released the bird or why they did it.

Many of our followers guessed gender reveal, but it could have been another kind of ceremony, an art stunt, we dont know, the group said.

Flamingo died in the night on Monday, according to the rescue group.

Flamingo died in the night on Monday, according to the rescue group.

Flamingo, who was a baby, barely older than fledging, was found malnourished in the citys Madison Square Park by Carlos Rodrigues, a dog walker who regularly works with the organization, Wild Bird Fund told HuffPost.

The rescue noted that it believes Flamingo was purchased from a poultry market as opposed to being a pet due to stress bars on his feathers  or lines that run across the width of a feather, which can indicate that the bird was stressed, sick or not receiving adequate nutrition during feather development.

The group said that once Flamingo was under its care, it did everything it could to remove the dye.

We tried a variety of methods  including mayo, Dawn, baking soda and lemon juice, Wild Bird Fund told HuffPost. We had to do this very sparingly because handling and bathing is stressful for a bird, especially one in a weakened state.

Wild Bird Fund told HuffPost it was sharing Flamingos story in the interest of discouraging the release of domestic birds and dyeing of birds generally.

Wild Bird Fund said that you should never release a domesticated bird into the wild.

Wild Bird Fund said that you should never release a domesticated bird into the wild.

Even without the added complication of the toxic dye, he would not have survived in a city park as a white, helpless bird, it noted on Twitter.

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The fund told HuffPost that releasing any domesticated bird into the wild is always a bad idea.

Many supposedly trained homing birds will still get lost, starve or be preyed on, the rescue group told HuffPost.

It also noted on Twitter that releasing doves or white pigeons for weddings is also putting the animals at risk.

Dove releases sound romantic, but take away the decorations and Instagram photos, and they are the equivalent of dumping your helpless pets on the side of the road, the organization wrote. This is no way to celebrate anything.

Related...
Melanie Lynskey, who starred in the latest episode of The Last of Us as a ruthless warlord, has responded to criticism of her casting in the HBO video game adaptation.

The Yellowjackets star, who plays revolutionary leader Kathleen in the hit show, defended herself on Twitter on Wednesday (8 February), after Americas Next Top Model winner Adrianne Curry wrote that [Lynskeys] body says life of luxury not post-apocalyptic warlord.

In the since-deleted tweet, Curry also referenced the Terminator franchise, adding: Where is Linda Hamilton when you need her?

Lynskey then called out Curry for sharing a photo of her in a glamorous magazine shoot to make her point.

Firstly  this is a photo from my cover shoot for InStyle magazine, not a still from HBOs The Last of Us, Lynskey wrote.

And Im playing a person who meticulously planned and executed an overthrow of Fedra. I am supposed to be SMART, maam. I dont need to be muscly. Thats what henchmen are for.

She later posted a separate thread, praising The Last of Us co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann for casting her.

I wanted her to be feminine, and soft-voiced, and all the things that weve been told are weak. Because honestly, f*** that, Lynskey tweeted.

I understand that some people are mad that Im not the typical casting for this role. Thats thrilling to me, she added. Other than the moments after action is called, when you feel like youre actually in someone elses body, the most exciting part of my job is subverting expectations.

In response, Curry commented on Lynskeys post, writing: I said she was too soft spoken, short and curvaceous for me to buy as a warlord over warrior men in a group of savage humans in post apocalyptical societal collapse.

Firstly- this is a photo from my cover shoot for InStyle magazine, not a still from HBOs The Last Of Us. And Im playing a person who meticulously planned & executed an overthrow of FEDRA. I am supposed to be SMART, maam. I dont need to be muscly. Thats what henchmen are for pic.twitter.com/YwkmkwUdOm  Melanie Lynskey (@melanielynskey) February 8, 2023

Curry added: She cropped out what I said about her perfect hour glass frame being the most desirable to men. Seems quite manipulative.

This week, Ben Shapiro was also mocked for his hilarious complaint about the fan-favourite show, which has been renewed for a second season.

The drama follows Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) as they embark on a treacherous trek across a post-apocalyptic America.
The recent price decline of 6.7% in Douglas Emmett, Inc.'s (NYSE:DEI) stock may have disappointed insiders who bought US$8.8m worth of shares at an average price of US$20.81 in the past 12 months. Insiders buy with the expectation to see their investments rise in value over a period of time. However, recent losses have rendered their above investment worth US$7.0m which is not ideal.

While we would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing, we do think it is perfectly logical to keep tabs on what insiders are doing.

See our latest analysis for Douglas Emmett

Douglas Emmett Insider Transactions Over The Last Year

Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by Independent Director Shirley Wang for US$6.0m worth of shares, at about US$21.17 per share. That means that an insider was happy to buy shares at above the current price of US$16.52. While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. In our view, the price an insider pays for shares is very important. Generally speaking, it catches our eye when insiders have purchased shares at above current prices, as it suggests they believed the shares were worth buying, even at a higher price.

While Douglas Emmett insiders bought shares during the last year, they didn't sell. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction!

There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying.

Does Douglas Emmett Boast High Insider Ownership?

For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. A high insider ownership often makes company leadership more mindful of shareholder interests. Insiders own 2.5% of Douglas Emmett shares, worth about US$86m. While this is a strong but not outstanding level of insider ownership, it's enough to indicate some alignment between management and smaller shareholders.

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So What Does This Data Suggest About Douglas Emmett Insiders?

The fact that there have been no Douglas Emmett insider transactions recently certainly doesn't bother us. However, our analysis of transactions over the last year is heartening. Overall we don't see anything to make us think Douglas Emmett insiders are doubting the company, and they do own shares. So these insider transactions can help us build a thesis about the stock, but it's also worthwhile knowing the risks facing this company. Our analysis shows 3 warning signs for Douglas Emmett (2 are significant!) and we strongly recommend you look at these before investing.

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Join A Paid User Research Session

Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here
[Source]

The suspected Chinese spy balloon shot down by the U.S. Air Force above the Atlantic Ocean over the weekend was part of a global surveillance program by the Chinese military, according to intelligence officials.

The balloon, which China claimed to be a civilian research airship that was blown off-course, was first spotted in Montana, home to three of the nations nuclear missile silos. It traveled across the continental U.S. for days before an F-22 fighter jet blew it to pieces off the coast of South Carolina.

Speaking to the Washington Post on the condition of anonymity, several intelligence officials confirmed that the balloon was part of a larger surveillance effort operated by the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA). The program, based partly in the mainland province of Hainan, has allegedly been harvesting information from countries and territories that are of interest to Beijing, including Taiwan, Japan, India, Vietnam and the Philippines.

It is unknown when the alleged espionage program began, but spy airships believed to be from China have been spotted in five continents since 2018.

More from NextShark: 28 people charged over brutal beating of women diners that sparked outrage in China

Department of Defense Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder told reporters Wednesday:

When you look at the scope of this program  operating over at least five continents in regions like Latin America, South America, Southeast Asia, East Asia and Europe  again, it demonstrates why, for the Department of Defense, that China remains the pacing challenge and something that we'll continue to stay focused on..

Ryder also confirmed four previous sightings in the U.S. ahead of last weeks balloon, which was spotted over Latin America. The first three were spotted during the Trump administration, while the last showed up at the beginning of Bidens term.

More from NextShark: Chinese boy watches TV too much,' gets punished with all-night TV binge

Most of Chinas surveillance program is reportedly conducted through satellites. However, balloons  which hover between 60,000 and 80,000 feet above the Earths surface  allegedly provide an opportunity for spying above the trajectory of commercial jets.

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What the Chinese have done is taken an unbelievably old technology and basically married it with modern communications and observation capabilities, one official told the Washington Post. Its a massive effort.

More from NextShark: Chinese Professor Rants About Daughters Lower IQ Than His and His Wifes

The State Department on Monday briefed nearly 150 diplomats from 40 nations about the spy balloon.

It has also shared specifics with countries such as Japan, whose military facilities have been direct targets of the surveillance effort, as per Fox News.

In 2020, an aerial object sighted in the country was believed to be a unidentified flying object, but Japanese people are now realizing it was likely a Chinese spy balloon, a Tokyo official told the Post.

More from NextShark: Viral video shows panicked shoppers attempting to escape an Ikea outlet in China during flash lockdown

ATLANTIC OCEAN - @USNavy Sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 recover a high-altitude surveillance balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Feb. 5, 2023. pic.twitter.com/QwjSFQEw1b  U.S. Fleet Forces (@USFleetForces) February 7, 2023

An elite team of FBI engineers at a government laboratory in Quantico, Virgina, is currently studying the remnants of the blown up balloon, according to CNN, which also spoke to anonymous intelligence officials.

They reportedly aim to understand the objects technical capabilities, including the kind of data it could collect, the satellites it was connected to and any vulnerabilities the U.S. could exploit.

Sources told CNN that the balloons spotted around the world are not exactly similar to the downed aircraft. Instead, there are multiple variations, though how they differ remains unclear.

China, for its part, has denied all allegations of spying.

Aside from blaming weather conditions, Beijing cited limited self-steering capability as a cause for the supposed aerial blunders  including for the second balloon spotted above the airspaces of Colombia and Costa Rica.

China is a responsible country, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Monday. We have always strictly abided by international law.
Drew Barrymore just got an entertaining lesson on how to channel her inner rage like one of the "Real Housewives."

During an interview with Teresa Giudice, who stars on "The Real Housewives of New Jersey," Barrymore admitted that she has always loved one particular scene from Season One of the show (aka the infamous table-flipping moment).

I also like that you flip tables! 'Cause I also, I told you I got that angel and that devil on each shoulder," the talk show host said.

The reality star, 50, was amused but acknowledged that people often misunderstand her because of that scene and think she's "mean."

"I'm so easygoing," she said. "I go with the flow. I like to have fun."

Still, that's not exactly what the show is looking for, Barrymore added. "That show is also going for the big moments. I don't think they would love you sitting around being a nice, quiet person," she said.

The talk show host then played a clip of the iconic table-flipping scene for her audience and told Giudice that she admired her chutzpah.

"I mean, I love you! I get that. I like a good drink in the face, too. That's a real clutch move," she said. "Have you ever done that?"

"No, I would love to," Giudice said.

"You're missing out. Get on it and do it," Barrymore said.

She then asked Giudice to share some tips on how to flip a table like a pro, and the "RHONJ" star was happy to oblige.

"Think about something that makes you really, really angry, like you know if your boyfriend cheated on you, or if a girlfriend betrayed you," she suggested.

During Season One of "RHONJ," Giudice flipped the table during a dinner with family and friends after a heated discussion with fellow "Real Housewife" Danielle Staub.

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"She was going after my girlfriend," Giudice told Barrymore. "So I was sticking up for my girlfriend  I'm a girl's girl."

Up next, the reality star said, grab the table and hold onto it.

Barrymore and Giudice got into position at this point and counted to three, then yelled their own angry phrases and flipped the tables.

The crowd loved the explosive moment and burst into applause, and the two stars shared a hug.

"End scene," Barrymore proudly said.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
A Farmers Branch man was sentenced on Wednesday to six years in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of intoxication manslaughter last month in connection with a 2019 crash in Arlington in which a married couple and their daughter died.

Jose Angel Castro, 33, was booked into the Tarrant County Jail in Fort Worth Wednesday after his sentencing hearing in the 371st District Court in Tarrant County.

Judge Ryan Hill has said that he would follow the terms of a plea agreement in which the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorneys Office recommended that Castro be sentenced to six years in prison.

Patrick Beck, 55, Janet Beck, 48, and Leah Beck, 23, died as a result of the crash.

From Interstate 20, Leah Beck reported car trouble to her parents late on June 6, 2019, her relatives said in an interview with a reporter.

The Becks, who lived in Grand Prairie, drove to Leahs location on the outside shoulder. They pulled in behind her vehicle, intending to do what they could to help.

A drunken Castro was driving east on I-20. He drifted from the road and struck one of the vehicles stopped on the shoulder, which caused it to strike the other stopped vehicle, Arlington police said. Two of the victims were outside their vehicles; another sat inside.

The Becks vehicles and Castros vehicle ignited in flames.

Patrick Beck and Janet Beck died at the scene. Leah Beck died the next day at Medical City Arlington Hospital.

Patrick and Janet were retired from the Army. Leah, a 2015 graduate of South Grand Prairie High School, worked at a warehouse and held plans of college and a career in cosmetology.
The driver of a stolen vehicle slammed into a building while fleeing officers, causing a fatal collapse, Maryland police said.

The incident began when officers noticed a stolen car in a residential neighborhood in Baltimore around 9 p.m. on Feb. 8, a spokesperson for the Baltimore Police Department told McClatchy News over email.

When officers approached the car, it sped away, police said.

The car later crashed into another vehicle, and both vehicles barreled into a two-story brick building, causing it to collapse, according to police.

Medical personnel and firefighters responded to the site of the collapse and performed rescue operations.

Loose bricks and tangled wires spilled over onto the street alongside an unattached car door, a photo shared by police on Twitter shows. The front of one car was covered in a layer of bricks.

A 54-year-old man was pulled from the rubble and pronounced dead at the scene, police said. He had been standing near the building when the crash occurred.

Five occupants from the two vehicles were also removed from the debris and transported to nearby hospitals in unknown conditions.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, police said.

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Photo: Contributed Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola MP Dab Albas

This week, Canada's premiers are in Ottawa for what has often been reported as "negotiations" with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for a new agreement on the Canada Health Transfer (CHT).

The CHT transfers a portion of the federal taxes you send to Ottawa back to provinces and territories to help cover the costs of providing healthcare.

I use the term negotiations loosely because, in reality, the federal government typically sets out what the increase will be to the CHT. Provinces have little choice but to accept whatever amount of money the federal government establishes as reasonable.

The CHT is estimated to be $45.2 billion for the 2022/23 fiscal year.

Trudeau announced that over the next 10 years, the increase to the CHT will be $196.1 billion, which represents $46.2 billion in new funding on top of what was previously budgeted. There is also $25 billion set aside for bilateral deals and some other "top-ups" in specific areas.

Overall, the new funding agreement will lead to an increase of 5% in the CHT over the next five years.

The agreement also includes some "strings, such as data sharing between the provinces and the federal government and upholding the Canada Health Act to protect Canadians' access to health care based on need and not ability to pay.

Recently, Ontario announced its intention to increase the use of private clinics to help clear surgical waitlists.

In a media interview with the Toronto Star, Trudeau called Ontarios plan "innovative.

As a result of the PM's praise for increased involvement of private healthcare, many, including some Liberal MPs, expressed concern and, in some cases condemnation, of the PM's comments. The leader of the federal NDP accused the prime minister of placing Canada's universal health care system under threat.

Earlier this week, Global News reported on an Ipsos poll that suggested 59% of adults surveyed expressed support for the private delivery of publicly funded health services, adding further fuel to this discussion. The CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs said in the 30 years he has studied public opinion in Canada, he had never seen such a shift in support toward privatization.

Getting back to the CHT announcement, as is often the case, the premiers unanimously expressed disappointment noting the increase in funding was insufficient to address the severe challenges facing provincial healthcare systems.

Here in B.C., as reported by the Vancouver Sun, our share of the increased funding over the next 10 years works out to $600 million a year. The B.C. provincial budget for health care spending was $23.8 billion in 2021-2022.

The provinces were asking for an annual increase to the CHT of $28 billion.

What Trudeau announced this week is, on average, less than $5 billion in new funding a year.

My question this week:

Do you think Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should have further increased the Canada Health Transfer, or do you view the announced increase as reasonable?

I can be reached by email at [email protected] or call me toll-free at 1-800-665-8711.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  A co-host of "Ear Hustle," the Pulitzer Prize-nominated podcast produced behind bars, was released from San Quentin State Prison on Wednesday, a year after California Gov. Gavin Newsom commuted his sentence.

Rahsaan New York Thomas, 52, left the lockup near San Francisco and was greeted by his fellow podcast co-hosts Walter Earlonne Woods, who was freed in 2019, and Nigel Poor.

Were thrilled to welcome him home, the podcast posted on its Twitter feed, along with photos of Thomas

Thomas sentence was commuted by Newsom in Jan. 2022 and the state parole board granted his release on parole in August.

While in prison, Mr. Thomas has dedicated himself to his rehabilitation, Newsom wrote in the commutation.

Thomas was serving a 55 1/2 years-to-life sentence for a second-degree murder conviction in 2000 and related charges after he fatally shot one victim and injured another during a drug deal. A Los Angeles County jury rejected his self-defense claim that he fatally shot a man who was trying to rob him.

Since 2019, Thomas has been a co-producer and co-host of Ear Hustle" named after prison slang for eavesdropping. He was also a regular contributor to the San Quentin News, along with publications outside prison walls. He served as chairman of the Society of Professional Journalists' San Quentin satellite chapter and worked with several criminal justice reform groups.

Former governor Jerry Brown in 2018 commuted the sentence of Woods, the podcast's co-creator, leading to his release. Woods continues to work on the outside as a full-time producer and co-host for the podcast.

Ear Hustle, which began in 2017, bills itself as the first podcast created and produced in prison, featuring stories of the daily realities of life inside Californias San Quentin State Prison, shared by those living it.
All four bills put forward by Republican state legislators in Virginia this year to let parents use state education funding to cover the costs of educational opportunities outside the public school system failed to make it through this years General Assembly.

One bill carried by Sen. Amanda Chase, R-Chesterfield, died in the Democrat-controlled Senate. Two others carried by Dels. Phillip Scott, R-Spotsylvania, and Marie March, R-Floyd, failed in Republican-controlled House Education subcommittees

The most promising, House Bill 1508 from Del. Glenn Davis, R-Virginia Beach, initially cleared the House Education Committee, which Davis chairs, but ran into trouble later in the legislative process.

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That bill, which gained the support of numerous Republicans including Lt.-Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, would have created the Virginia Education Success Account Program, a proposal that would allow parents to set up a savings account funded with state dollars that could be used to cover educational expenses outside public schools in Virginia. Funds could be used for costs like tuition, deposits, fees and textbooks at a private elementary or secondary school in Virginia.

Last month, Davis estimated that an average of $6,303.25 could have been available per student. The program would only have applied to students previously enrolled in public school or who were starting kindergarten or attending first grade for the first time.

Out of state funding appropriated for students, Davis said a third would have been directed to the program.

Davis said when the bill reached the House Appropriations Committee Friday, he was one vote short of what he needed to pass the legislation and agreed to send it back to the Education Committee in hopes of fast-tracking it through the approvals it still needed. He told the Mercury he considered adding a delayed enactment clause to the proposal to skirt concerns about the current budget cycle but said the committee was one day short of exercising that option.

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On Tuesday, the deadline for the House to complete consideration of its bills, his legislation effectively died for lack of action.

Weve had the largest, most diverse grassroots effort that Ive ever seen for (education savings account) legislation this year, said Davis. I really appreciate all the support, all the testimony, and I think the testimony was extremely influential. And I wish that testimony could have been shared with the Senate Education Committee, and I expect it will be next year.

Earle-Sears said in an email to the Mercury that while I am disappointed that HB 1508 did not move forward this year, we will continue to fight for better education opportunities, like the ESA, for all students, regardless of zip code.

This years education savings account bills were part of a larger effort by Republican lawmakers to strengthen and expand parental rights in response to increased tension between Virginia parents and school boards over school reopenings, masking, curriculum decisions and transparency issues.

Democrats opposed the bills, including Daviss, stating they would take funds away from public schools.

I think its a sign that there are some kind of common-sense Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee that understands that we need to be building up our public schools and not defunding them, said Del. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico.

Republicans passed similar bills setting up educational savings accounts in 2016 and 2017, but they were vetoed by former Democratic Govs. Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam, who said there were significant constitutional concerns with the idea.

Rachel Adams, director of external affairs for Americans for Prosperity Virginia, a libertarian conservative advocacy group, said supporters plan to continue educating lawmakers about the benefits of educational savings accounts.

I think people are still learning and getting their minds around what ESAs are and how they work and making sure that they dont harm public schools, Adams said. Well be back next year doing the same thing.

Virginia Mercury is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Virginia Mercury maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Sarah Vogelsong for questions: info@virginiamercury.com. Follow Virginia Mercury on Facebook and Twitter.
CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt has restored, documented and opened to tourists the Middle Kingdom tomb of Meru, the oldest site accessible to the public on Luxor's West Bank, home to some of its most spectacular Pharaonic monuments including the Valley of the Kings.

Meru was a high-ranking official at the court of the 11th Dynasty King Mentuhotep II, who reigned until 2004 BC and who, like Meru, was buried at the necropolis of North Asasif, the ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

Meru's rock-hewn tomb was restored by the Polish Centre for Mediterranean Archaeology at the University of Warsaw and Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities.

"This is the first site from such an early period in Western Thebes to be made accessible to visitors," the ministry statement quoted Fathi Yassin, General Director of Antiquities in Upper Egypt, as saying.

The tomb, which faced the procession avenue to Mentuhotep II's temple, contains a corridor leading to an offering chapel with a niche for a statue of the deceased. A burial shaft descends to a burial chamber with a sarcophagus.

"This is the only decorated room of the tomb, with an unusual decoration of painting on lime plaster," Yassin said.

Meru's tomb had been known since at least the mid-19th century, according to the Polish Egyptian archaeological mission. Italian conservators cleaned some of the wall paintings in 1996.

Some of the Middle Kingdom's most prominent officials were buried at North Asasif, the statement said.

(Reporting by Patrick Werr; Editing by Frances Kerry)
REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

One week after Air Mail published its interview with Armie Hammer about the horrific abuse allegations made against him in 2021, his ex-wife, Elizabeth Chambers, has broken her nearly two years of silence. Speaking with Elle, Chambers emphasized that she is, as the headline of the piece put it, not who she married.

In 2021, rumors and allegations about Hammer began to circulate as unverified screenshots of messages purportedly showed him writing, I am 100% a cannibal and You just live to obey me and be my slave I will own you. Three womenEfrosina Effie Angelova, Courtney Vucekovich, and Paige Lorenzecame forward that year to accuse him of abuse. Hammer said at the time that he would not respond to the allegations, calling them bullshit claims. Speaking with Air Mail, the actor said all of his sexual encounters have been consensual and that every single thing was discussed beforehand.

Chambers told Elle, as shes stated before, that she learned of the allegations at the same time the public did. I was learning things as the public was, she said. I was like, There are no words. What the fuck?

She did not share any intimate details about her relationship with Hammer or his sexual activities; the two remain in contact, Elle notes, as they work out how to co-parent their two children, Harper and Ford. In some moments during the interview, however, Chambers can be direct; she needed only four words to describe Hammers behavior during their familys quarantine in 2020.

He was the worst, she said.

Hammer, Chambers, and their two children wound up quarantining in the Cayman Islands, where Hammers father and stepmother lived. As Elle notes, Hammer previously discussed his quarantine with British GQ in the fall of 2020. Back then, he described it as a very complicated, intense situation, with big personalities all locked in a little tiny place.  I think, to be quite frank, I came very close to completely losing my mind.

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Hammer told GQ in 2020 that when he realized how poorly he was coping, he called a friend in the U.S. who works in mental health and got a referral for a therapist. Chambers noted during her Elle interview that even in spite of all the other trials their relationship had faced, including infidelity, it was Hammers choice to leave the Caymans during the early months of the pandemic that effectively ended it.

Elle reports that Hammer left to help a friend restore a motel outside Joshua Tree National Park. My heart was broken in nine million pieces, and I still drove him to the airport, Chambers told the magazine. She filed for divorce in July 2020, Elle reports, but the divorce has yet to be finalized.

Armie Hammer Rape Accuser Blasts His Manipulative Interview

Chambers is not the only woman once linked to Hammer who has spoken out since his Air Mail interview. Two of the women who first came forward with accusations in 2021 have impugned one detail in particular: his claim that in February 2021, as the allegations first began to circulate, he attempted suicide.

I just walked out into the ocean and swam out as far as I could and hoped that either I drowned, or was hit by a boat, or eaten by a shark, Hammer told Air Mail. Then I realized that my kids were still on shore, and that I couldnt do that to my kids.

On Monday, Angelova wrote on Instagram that Hammer had previously shared that story with her before she went public with her accusations. It seems so manipulative because he knows his ocean story shut me up last time and evoked sympathy and its like now hes trying it again, she wrote. I think on some level he feels guilty.

Armie Hammer Breaks Silence After Cannibalism Scandal

On Wednesday, Page Six reported that in Instagram messages between Vucekovich and Hammer from June 2020, the actor described the pressure cooker of quarantine and seemed to tell the same story. Long story short.I swam out really far in the ocean. Too far, Hammer writes in one DM. And immediately realized how bad things had gotten, got a therapistgot a plan to get out, but my plan was asinine.

The Los Angeles Police Department told Elle it opened an investigation into sexual assault allegations made against Hammer in early 2021, and the investigation remains ongoing. The Los Angeles District Attorneys Office told the magazine that law enforcement has not yet brought a case and no charges have been filed. As Chambers and Hammer work out their co-parenting, she told Elle that she continues to support him.

All Ive ever wanted is for him to be sober, healthy, and happy, she said. And he is that. Hes really present when hes with the kids, and thats all I can hope for. All you want is for your children to have two solid parents, right? Thats always the goal, so anything I can do to support that, I will.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Elon Musk fired a Twitter employee who showed him data that his account had become less popular on the site, Platformer reported on Thursday. David Odisho/Getty Images; Gotham/Getty Images

Elon Musk fired a Twitter engineer who showed him his popularity was declining, Platformer reports.

Musk had given engineers the assignment to see why his tweets were getting less views, the publication said.

Elon Musk has fired thousands of Twitter employees since taking the company private in October.

Elon Musk fired a top Twitter engineer who told him he was declining in popularity on the site, according to a recent report from the tech newsletter Platformer.

Musk met with several Twitter engineers on Tuesday to discuss his view count on Twitter, which had been on a downward spiral in recent months, Platformer reported. The billionaire had previously assigned workers to look into whether his reach on the platform had been restricted due to a potential issue with Twitter's algorithm, according to the report.

"This is ridiculous," Musk told the employees, Platformer said, citing multiple sources with direct knowledge of the meeting. "I have more than 100 million followers, and I'm only getting tens of thousands of impressions."

The employees showed Musk internal data and a Google Trends chart that indicated public interest in the billionaire was waning, Platformer reported. Google Trends data shows his popularity peaked at a score of 100 in April  around the time he offered to buy Twitter  and has since dropped to a 9.

Interest in Elon Musk over time on Google Trends. Google Trends

When one of the engineers said Musk's popularity might be declining due to a lack of public interest since his Twitter purchase, Musk told the employee he was fired, according to Platformer. The billionaire also told some employees to track how often his tweets are recommended on the site as he was unconvinced by the meeting that his view count had not been impacted by an internal issue, the publication said.

Musk and a spokesperson for Twitter did not respond to a request for comment from Insider ahead of publication.

Last week, the billionaire temporarily set his Twitter profile to Private to test whether it could increase the view count on his tweets. The social media first added a public view count to users' tweets in December.

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On Wednesday, Twitter suffered an outage that left several users unable to send tweets or direct messages after the company attempted to roll out several new features. Insider's Kali Hays previously reported that the social media site could face some hiccups in the coming months after the company laid off thousands of employees.

It's not the first time that Musk has fired an employee on the spot. Only a few weeks after taking Twitter private, Musk fired three Twitter employees that criticized him on social media.

Read Platformer's full story on the newsletter's website.

Read the original article on Business Insider
By Rachael Levy

(Reuters) -The U.S. Department of Transportation said on Thursday it is investigating Elon Musk's brain-implant company Neuralink over the potentially illegal movement of hazardous pathogens.

A Department of Transportation spokesperson told Reuters about the probe after the Physicians Committee of Responsible Medicine (PCRM), an animal-welfare advocacy group, wrote to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg earlier on Thursday to alert it of records it obtained on the matter.

PCRM said it obtained emails and other documents that suggest unsafe packaging and movement of implants removed from the brains of monkeys. These implants may have carried infectious diseases in violation of federal law, PCRM said.

The Department of Transportation spokesperson said the agency took PCRM's allegations "very seriously."

"We are conducting an investigation to ensure that Neuralink is in full compliance with federal regulations and keeping their workers and the public safe from potentially dangerous pathogens," the spokesperson said.

Representatives for Neuralink, including Musk, did not respond to comment requests.

The Department of Transportation probe adds to the scrutiny facing Neuralink, which is developing a brain implant it hopes will help paralyzed people walk again and cure other neurological ailments.

In December, Reuters reported that Neuralink has been under a federal investigation over potential animal welfare violations and that some of its staff made internal complaints about experiments being rushed, causing needless suffering and deaths.

The letter said records that the group obtained showed instances of pathogens, such as antibiotic-resistant staphylococcus and herpes B virus, that may have been transported without proper containment measures.

The incidents that involved potential breaches of hazardous material transportation regulations happened in 2019, when Neuralink relied on University of California, Davis to help carry out its experiments on primates, according to the documents cited by PCRM.

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While Neuralink's partnership with UC Davis ended in 2020, PCRM said the company continues to employ the neurosurgeon who oversaw the experiments and other staff involved may also still be employed.

Reuters reviewed the UC Davis records cited by PCRM in its letter. It is unclear whether further records exist that provide a different or fuller account of what happened. PCRM obtained the records from UC Davis through public information requests. Neuralink messages and records not shared with UC Davis are not subject to such information requests.

A UC Davis spokesperson would only say that the university abides by all biohazard and lab safety regulations.

PCRM's letter said pathogens were carried on removed implants from monkeys after improper sanitization and packaging. The group said those pathogens could cause serious health issues in infected humans, such as bloodstream infections, pneumonia and severe brain damage, among other problems.

PCRM, which opposes the use of animals in medical research, did not identify any harm as a result of these incidents, but said Neuralink's actions "may pose a serious and ongoing public health risk."

"The company's documented track record of sloppy, unsafe laboratory practices compel DOT to investigate and levy appropriate fines," PCRM said in the letter.

PCRM said it also found instances that appear to describe UC Davis employees urging immediate biohazard training for Neuralink employees following incidents that had caused contamination concerns. On one occasion in April 2019, a UC Davis employee wrote in an email that the universitys primate center is at risk for monkey contaminated hardware.

"This is an exposure to anyone coming in contact with the contaminated explanted hardware and we are making a big deal about this because we are concerned for human safety," wrote the employee, whose name was redacted from the records.

PCRM has raised concerns about Neuralink in the past. Last year, it wrote to federal officials about alleged animal-welfare issues during Neuralinks research partnership with UC Davis, citing another set of records it obtained. A federal prosecutor in the Northern District of California referred PCRM's complaint to the USDA Inspector General, which later launched the federal probe into Neuralink, Reuters previously reported.

During its partnership with UC Davis, Neuralink grew frustrated with what it regarded as the slow pace of testing on primates, current and former company employees told Reuters, and has since built out extensive in-house animal testing facilities. The company has missed deadlines set by Musk to proceed to human trials, however. His pressure on Neuralinks staff to make progress contributed to mistakes plaguing some experiments, Reuters reported.

(Reporting by Rachael Levy in Washington, D.C.Editing by Greg Roumeliotis and David Gregorio)
Photo: Kristen Holliday Protesters opposing Bill 36 in Kamloops last month.

More than 10,000 people have signed a petition asking the B.C. government to pause its overhaul of the province's healthcare colleges.

In November, the B.C. government passed Bill 36, the Health Professions and Occupations Act, which will consolidate the number of B.C.'s health colleges from 15 down to six. The boards of these colleges will also now be wholly appointed by the government, rather than the current system where boards are partially elected by those in the profession.

Some healthcare workers across the province have pushed back against the new legislation, which has yet to take effect.

In a petition presented to the B.C. legislature by Independent MLA for Nechako Lakes, John Rustad, the signees have asked the government to reconsider the new legislation.

"What I'm hearing from Doctors and nurses, in particular, is that they aren't comfortable losing the ability to govern their own professions. Amongst other changes, Bill 36 removes independent, elected positions and shifts oversight of health professions to government appointees," Rustad continues.

"Bill 36 was written with little consultation from healthcare workers, and completely behind closed doors. Healthcare workers were kept out of the loop and BC's healthcare profession colleges (the current governing bodies) were asked to sign NDA's."

Rustad is a former BC Liberal MLA, but he was removed from the party last summer after tweeting about his skepticism of carbon dioxide's role in climate change.

Kelowna physician Dr. Joshua Nordine and dentist Trevor Morhaliek spoke with Castanet last month about their concerns with giving up control of these regulatory bodies to government-appointed officials.

The government now determines what the conditions are and what is best and not best, and these are not doctors, these are not chiropractors, these are not dentists, these are bureaucrats, Morhaliek said.

"It can politicize healthcare, and that's really worrying, because that is going to affect patient care."

In defending the bill, Health Minister Adrian Dix said the colleges are meant to represent the public interest, not those in the profession. He said appointing college board members will help in regulating the profession impartially.
Susan Deery cries as she talks about the closing of the Rockford Speedway on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, in Loves Park.

The Rockford Speedway, which has entertained auto racing enthusiasts for decades, will embark on its 76th and final season in 2023.

The nearly 50-acre site at the corner of Forest Hills Road and Illinois Route 173 has been transferred to HJS Development for future commercial uses.

I will miss it beyond words, said Tom Deery, one of eight of Jody and Hugh Deerys children. It tears me apart that this day had to come, and its really not about the business of racing.

"It really has to do with what has happened around us. The economic aspect of having this piece of land here in a commercial zone. Its sustainability was becoming more and more challenging.

More:Jody Deery, 'matriarch' of the Rockford Speedway, dies

The upcoming racing season has been dubbed the "last lap season for the speedway, which has hosted such race car legends as A.J. Foyt, Parnelli Jones, Rusty Wallace and Dick Trickle.

Speedway President Susan Deery began working at the venue at age seven.

I sat in the first row of bleachers, which were wooden back then, Deery said. I ran the lineup of race drivers up to the track announcer. That was my job. I got 50 cents a night.

The entry to the Rockford Speedway, 9572 Forest Hills Road, is seen on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, in Loves Park. The speedway is closing its doors after the 2023 season.

What's next for the Speedway?

Future uses for the site have not been determined, said Louis Schriber, with Shorewood Development Group, which manages HJS Development.

There is significant interest in the land and part of what Shorewood does is we really focus on commercial development, Schriber said. Grocery-anchored shopping centers, functional strip centers with quick-service food and ancillary retail that goes with that.

Forest Hills Lodge, which was built in 1977 and has hosted hundreds of wedding receptions, parties and other special events over the years, will be razed this summer.

Site work at the Speedway property is expected to begin in the fall to prepare the land for future commercial development, according to Schriber.

Loves Park Mayor Greg Jury said the impending demolition of the Speedway is bittersweet.

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Theres going to be a lot of race fans who are going to be disappointed, but what I hope they do is appreciate what this (Deery) family brought to this community for the last 75 years, Jury said. Not just here at the Speedway, but also at Forest Hills Lodge. I hope with us working with them closely and their developer, theyre able to bring in some quality businesses that will benefit the community and the city of Loves Park.

'It was our job and our passion'

In addition to auto racing, Rockford Speedway hosted a variety of other events including concerts.

Rockford radio station WXRX/104.9 FM hosted its Memorial Day Weekend Wing Ding concert at the Speedway in the early 2000s. A performance headlined by Rock and Roll guitar hero Ted Nugent in the late 1970s attracted an estimated 30,000 spectators.

It was our job and our passion, Susan Deery said while reflecting on her life at the Speedway. It was what we woke up every morning and did. We like to entertain, and we like show business. Its a cool job because its different every day and who wouldnt want to do that?

I learned everything I know about life and working and dealing with life from the experiences at this corner of Forest Hills Road and (Route) 173, Tom Deery said.

Jody and Hugh Deery purchased an interest in the speedway in 1959 before becoming sole owners in 1967. Hugh Deery died in 1984. Jody Deery died in June.

The Rockford Speedway, 9572 Forest Hills Road, is seen on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, in Loves Park. The speedway is closing its doors after the 2023 season.

Ken DeCoster covers business news and features. Contact him at 815-987-1391, kdecoster@rrstar.com or @DeCosterKen.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford Speedway to close, redevelopment in the works
Epsom College headteacher Emma Pattison was found dead alongside her husband and daghter on school grounds in the early hours of Sunday morning. (PA)

Domestic abuse campaigners have accused police of overlooking a "pattern of violence against women" by describing the Epsom College shooting as an "isolated incident".

Emma Pattison, 45, was found dead with her husband, George Pattison, 39, and their seven-year-old daughter Lettie at their home in the grounds of Epsom College in Surrey on Sunday.

On Tuesday, Surrey Police said the deaths at the prestigious boarding school were being investigated as a possible murder-suicide. It has been reported in multiple outlets that Mr Pattison killed his family before turning his shotgun on himself, although this has yet to be confirmed by police.

In the immediate aftermath of the incident on Sunday morning, Surrey Police described the killings as an "isolated incident". The language used has provoked criticism from campaigners.

Read more: What happened at Epsom College?

"There is nothing 'isolated' about a man murdering his wife and family," British-American lawyer Dr Ann Olivarius KC told Yahoo News UK.

"A family murder doesn't come out of nowhere and violent men don't suddenly 'snap'."

Epsom College head Emma Pattison, left, her husband George, right, and their daughter Lettie, seven. (PA)

The lawyer said that the police "of all institutions" should know that "male violence in the family is predictable, widespread and yes, dangerous to the public at large too".

"The men who commit public acts of terror almost always have a back history of domestic violence. When the police doesn't understand domestic violence, we are all less safe for it," she added.

Domestic abuse campaigner David Challen, who led a campaign to free his mother Sally from prison after she killed his abusive father, also criticised Surrey Police's choice of words.

"When police call the event of a man killing women as an isolated incident it is a refusal to connect it to the pattern of male violence against women," he told Yahoo News UK.

Read more: Lucy Letby trial: Baby girl 'killed by injection of air into her stomach'

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Now being reported the Epsom killings were likely a murder-suicide. I've said way too many times over the years but they need to stop calling such killings "an isolated incident". I get why it's said, but this is just the horrifying tip of the huge iceberg of control and abuse.  Beth Sagar-Fenton (@BethSF) February 7, 2023

"It is a refusal to recognise that every three days in the UK, a woman is murdered by her partner or ex-partner and that male violence is a daily lived threat that women face.

"Language matters, if the threat to women is constant can it ever be isolated? The answer is no."

He said police reflecting in their language the "constant state of terrorism women face in the home and in society from male violence", would "give urgency" to the scale of the "epidemic".

Responding to the criticism, Surrey Police said in a statement: "We are aware of concern and upset at the use of the term isolated incident in our communication surrounding the deaths of three people at Epsom College on Sunday, 5 February.

"Our intention was to explain there was no wider risk to the public or the communities in the surrounding area, but we fully recognise the impact this language has had, and we welcome this scrutiny and feedback."

Read more: Nicola Bulley: What we know on Thursday as search area shifts to Lancashire coast

Police forces really need to stop describing domestic homicides as an "isolated incident." I get the reasoning behind it (to reassure the public of no wider risk), but just say you're not seeking anyone else in connection



It's never an isolated incident, it's part of an epidemic  Hannah Al-Othman (@HannahAlOthman) February 7, 2023

Read more: Epsom College: Headteacher 'made concerned phone call about husband' to friend hours before death

The force has referred itself to the police watchdog over contact it had with Mr Pattison in the days before the tragedy.

The chartered accountant had been in contact with Surrey Police just two days before the shooting and is understood to have undergone a "phone review" regarding his gun licence - rather than officers visiting his home.

In 2016 police had investigated an allegation of domestic violence, against Mrs Pattison, but it did not result in a prosecution.

Mrs Pattison is also thought to have made a "concerned phone call" about her husband to a friend in the hours before her death.

An IOPC watchdog spokesperson said: We are assessing the available information to determine what, if any, further action may be required from us.
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  Eritreas president in rare public comments has dismissed as a fantasy allegations that his countrys forces carried out rape, looting and other abuses in the war in neighboring Ethiopias Tigray region.

President Isaias Afwerki, the only leader Eritrea has known in its 30 years since independence, spoke to journalists Thursday during a visit to Kenya during which the two countries announced the expected return of the long-reclusive Eritrea to a regional organization addressing security and drought.

Since the start of the two-year Tigray conflict that killed an estimated half-million civilians and ended with a peace agreement in November, the presence of Eritrean forces allied with Ethiopian ones was a major issue.

For months Ethiopia's government denied that Eritrean forces were even in Tigray. But human rights groups and United Nations experts alleged they were responsible for many abuses against ethnic Tigrayans, such as gang rapes.

Eritrea is not a party to the peace deal, and some of its forces have remained inside Tigray, though the United States recently said they have withdrawn to the border area.

The Eritrean president, who rarely speaks to independent media, said his country has no intention of interfering in the peace process in Ethiopia and has no agenda" there.

You talk about withdrawal, non-withdrawal, we say this is nonsense, the 77-year-old leader said. Dont provoke us to cause misunderstandings, he added: Lets assume that the peace process in Ethiopia is going without obstacles.

Growing visibly irritated with questions, Isaias also accused those alleging human rights abuses of fabricating lies and misinformation with an aim of disrupting the peace process. Youre wasting your time, he said.

Everybody talking about human rights, violations here and there, rape, looting, this is a fantasy, the Eritrean leader said.

Kenyan President William Ruto, for his part, asserted there has been huge progress, tremendous progress in Ethiopias peace process. Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was a facilitator of the peace talks.

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The conflict erupted in Tigray a year after Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed received the Nobel Peace Prize for making peace with longtime rival Eritrea. The Ethiopian and Eritrean governments saw the Tigray regional leaders, who had long dominated Ethiopias government before Abiy took office, as a common threat.

The conflict killed an estimated half-million civilians in Tigray alone, according to researchers with Ghent University in Belgium. Eritreas leader on Thursday didnt respond to questions about the number of Eritreans killed.

While the Kenyan and Eritrean leaders statement spoke of Eritrea considering a return to the Horn of Africa regional body the Intergovernmental Authority on Development as a member, Eritreas leader in his remarks said, I readily say there is no question about that, to applause.

Eritrea and Kenya also are abolishing visa requirements for each others citizens effective immediately, and Kenya will open a diplomatic mission in Eritreas capital.

Kenyas president said he is looking forward to working with Eritreas government on issues related to Ethiopia and other regional neighbors Sudan and South Sudan.
Ukrainian Defence Intelligence is anticipating a military escalation in Donbas due to a new offensive by the invaders, whereas intensification of Russian military operations in other areas is possible to divert Ukrainian forces.

Source: Andrii Yusov, representative from Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU), on air during the 24/7 national joint newscast

Quote from Yusov: "There will be an escalation. The main [Russian] target is, in fact, the East and Donbas. Other areas may also be affected, but it is mainly about diverting and delaying Ukrainian forces and assets."

Details: According to intelligence reports, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his military leadership to reach the administrative borders of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts by the end of March.

However, Yusov explains that the Kremlin has changed the deadlines many times. "And this time they won't succeed either," the DIU representative believes.

He noted that conscription is ongoing in Russia, and there are currently 300,000 invaders in Ukraine. According to Yusov, this is an increase in the number, but not the quality of the Russian military.

Quote: "The highest quality units and the highest quality weapons [of Russia  ed.] have been mostly either disabled or destroyed on Ukrainian territory over the past year. And it will certainly not be possible to prepare an adequate force with the same level of training during this time," Yusov said.

Background:

On 6 February, Oleksii Reznikov, Ukraines Defence Minister, said that the Russians will not try to capture all of Ukraine at the same time, as was the case at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, but they would conduct concentrated battles on specific fronts during the expected new offensive in February.

Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have noted that the Russian occupiers have launched a large-scale offensive in Luhansk Oblast, but Ukrainian troops are preventing them from securing any significant gains.

As Foreign Policy states, Russian occupiers have prepared 1,800 tanks, 3,950 armoured vehicles, 2,700 artillery systems, 810 multiple-rocket-launch systems, 400 fighter jets, and 300 helicopters ready for a new offensive operation in Ukraine.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
The Etowah County Commission on Tuesday approved a three-year contract with Arrow Disposal Services to handle the countys residential solid waste collection and disposal. The changeover is effective April 1.

County officials hope to see an improvement in service compared to previous provider Waste Management, but it will come at a cost: a nearly $9 monthly increase in the fee for county residents in the first year, increasing to nearly $11 by the end of the agreement.

Those residents currently pay $14.49 a month for garbage service, and the rate hasnt increased in three years. The rate moving forward with Arrow Disposal will be $23.45 in the first year, $24.45 in the second year and $25.45 in the third year.

That was the lowest bid, according to county officials. The next lowest was $26 a month, and that vendor would not commit beyond one year.

Still, Gentry Shows, vice president of marketing for Arrow Disposal, called it the best deal out here.

Everything that youve seen bid in the last year has been north of $22, Shows told commissioners after they went into a work session, before the contract was approved during the regular meeting.

Sometimes I talk with some of the citizens who call and complain, and heres the way I explain it, he said. ... If you call a plumber to your house, youre going to pay a minimum of $100 to $125 just for him to show up. We have a $350,000 truck and a $20 an hour driver, and were paying $30 a ton at the landfill  and we come to your house four times a month for about $5 or $6 a visit.

Commission President Craig Inzer Jr., who noted that issues with garbage collection have been particularly acute in his district, said he understands there will be concerns about the increase, but added, We have responsibly have gone out and sought a responsible vendor that will communicate.

It should be a simple task, you pay your money and you get your trash picked up, Inzer said. But Ive had more concerns about getting cans, getting trash picked up. Its been a complete mess in my district, but weve done all we can, and the lowest bidder is Arrow.

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Arrow Disposal is an Alabama company, based in Abbeville, which serves clients in Alabama and Mississippi. Shows said it handles garbage collection for a dozen or so counties in each state (including Calhoun and DeKalb), and in Alabama also serves Attalla, Ashville, Ohatchee, Ragland and Steele.

Purchasing Accountant Melissa Lett, who recommended the bid, said shed gotten letters of recommendation for Arrow Disposal from other counties, and as a resident of Attalla has experienced the companys service and has had no issues.

Shows said Arrow Disposal is looking forward to serving the county, and has secured carts and trucks to be able to hit the ground running.

He said his company hopes to keep route dates close to where they are now, and will coordinate with Waste Management to ensure theres no gap in residents having carts for their garbage. The goal is for Arrow Disposal to distribute its carts, by route dates, after Waste Management collects its carts on its final pickup days.

Updates will be posted on Etowah County's website.

Arrow Disposal also will continue setting out open-top containers periodically at locations in the county, for residents to dispose of trash.

Shows pledged that his company will be responsive to any issues; county officials mentioned communication issues with the previous vendor.

"Were not perfect, he said. If you run trucks and have people, youre going to have issues. But I think youll see the difference in dealing with us is that we react. We answer our phone, we take calls and we fix anything that needs to be fixed.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Etowah County switches to Arrow Disposal for garbage collection
Ukraine's allies should consider quickly, as a next step, providing long-range systems and fighter jets to Ukraine, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said Thursday.

Metsola, speaking ahead of an address by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said the response to Russia's invasion must be proportional to the threat, and the threat is existential. Zelenskyy has repeatedly lobbied the EU and the U.S. for long-range missiles and warplanes aimed at driving back an expected Russian offensive this spring.

Zelenskyy made his pitch again Thursday in Brussels before the European Parliament, thanking EU leaders for their support and urging them to provide more weaponry.

"The Kremlin has been consistently destroying, step by step, year after year, what we see as the basis of our Europe," Zelenskyy told EU leaders. "The sacred value of human life has been completely destroyed in Russia as well."

Zelenskyy, who met Wednesday with the leaders of the UK, France and Germany, received standing ovations before, during and after his speech.

President of the European Council Charles Michel, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shake hands following a press conference at then EU summit in Brussels on Feb. 9, 2023.

Developments:

Russias Wagner mercenary group has stopped recruiting prisoners to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin said.

Russian forces have regained the initiative in Ukraine and have begun their next major offensive in the eastern Luhansk province, the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War reported.

WINGS FOR FREEDOM:Zelenskyy visits UK, lobbies for fighter jets, and Britain is receptive

PUTIN ON ZELENSKYY: Putin once pledged not to kill Zelenskyy, ex-Israeli leader says; Ukraine expects to get jets from West

Gaetz introducing resolution to end military aid to Ukraine

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., introduced a House resolution Thursday calling for an end to U.S. military and financial aid to Ukraine. Gaetz has repeatedly criticized U.S. financial involvement.

The "Ukraine Fatigue Resolution" has 10 co-sponsors and "urges all combatants to reach a peace agreement." The resolution says that since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. has provided more than $110 billion in financial, military and humanitarian aid.

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Zelenskyy makes passionate pitch for EU membership

Zelenskyy made a passionate plea for EU membership, suggesting those talks should start later this year. Zelenskyy's timeline would shrink to months or years what might normally take decades to attain. His push toward EU inclusion is viewed in part as an effort to help motivate Ukrainian soldiers struggling to repel Russia's firepower-driven invasion.

"For the first time in history, I believe, (the EU) is preparing a positive assessment of internal reforms in a European country that is defending itself in this all-out war and  at the same time, while fighting  modernizing its institutions," Zelenskyy said. "We are getting closer to the European Union. Ukraine will be a member of the European Union."

Zelenskyy says European nations ready to provide warplanes

During a briefing in Brussels, Zelenskyy said several European leaders suggested they were ready to provide Ukraine with fighter jets and other weapons. Zelenskyy said he is due to hold a series of bilateral meetings in which the topic of combat aviation will be given the necessary attention."

He did not reveal the names of the countries he said were ready to sign off on providing jets to his military. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said Thursday that his country was ready to give Ukraine fighter jets, but it needed to reach an agreement with other NATO allies. He said Poland wouldnt be the first country to send F-16 jets because its own stocks are low.

Moldova confirms Zelenskyy claim that Russia seeks to undermine democracy

Moldova's Intelligence and Security Service confirmed Zelenskyy's claim that Ukraine found information about a Russian strategy to neutralize or overthrow Moldova's democracy.

The agency said it had identified subversive activities, aimed to undermine the Republic of Moldova, destabilize and violate public order. It appears Russia had prepared a plan to take over political control of Moldova, the agency said, adding that all of Moldovas state institutions are working at full capacity and will not allow these challenges to happen.

"When we received this document and understood where it came from, we immediately warned Moldova about these threats," Zelenskyy said of his country's southwest neighbor. "I'm sure you would have done the same."

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ukraine Russia war updates: Zelenskyy lobbies EU in Brussels
Roberta Metsola

With the political will to ensure easier trade and with the fastest possible accession process, she declared, welcoming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the European Parliament.

Read also: Long-range missile coalition to help oust Russia from Ukraine, says Zelenskyy

With funds for your people, with help in reconstruction, with training for your troops. With military equipment and defence systems you need to win. And, now, States must consider, quickly, as a next step, providing long range [missile] systems and the jets you need to protect the liberty too many have taken for granted.

According to Metsola, our response must be proportional to the threat  and the threat is existential.

The official added the European Union must take concrete measures to ensure the victory of Ukraine and accountability for those who committed war crimes, and for the protection of freedom for all Ukrainians.

Read also: Ukraine, Europe defending themselves against most anti-European force in modern world, says Zelenskyy

On Feb. 8, Zelenskyy made an official visit to the United Kingdom. The Ukrainian president met with PM Rishi Sunak and addressed the Parliament.

After that, he arrived in Paris, France, where he met with French and German leaders Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz respectively.

During the meeting, Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine needs Western weapons to end the war unleashed by Russia as soon as possible.

On Feb. 9, the Ukrainian leader visited the EU capital of Brussels, where he is also scheduled to address leaders of the European Council.



Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
(Bloomberg) -- The European Union is again training its attention on migration as it struggles to deal with countries it says are increasingly using the flow of citizens as a geopolitical tool against the bloc.

Most Read from Bloomberg

There were around 330,000 irregular border crossings detected into the EU last year, the highest level since 2016, according to Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency. Thats up 64% from 2021.

EU leaders meeting in Brussels on Thursday will discuss the migration situation with the aim, after years of disagreement, of starting to develop a comprehensive approach to more effectively control the blocs borders. The issue is complicated by the fact that millions of Ukrainian refugees entered the EU last year.

We have to discuss the instrumentalization of migration, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas told reporters in Brussels ahead of the summit. Countries that are hostile toward Europe, they know that migration is our weakness and they are using migration as a tool to weaken us.

The EU has previously accused both Russia and Belarus of engineering crises by inviting migrants from the Middle East and Africa and seeking to send them over the border into the EU. The EU also said that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko orchestrated a migration situation on the EUs border in retaliation for sanctions the bloc imposed on his crackdown of opposition protests in 2020.

External Border

The European Commission, the EUs executive arm, has proposed using joint resources to strengthen the external border, update procedures to return asylum seekers, address secondary movement within the bloc and work with partners to improve arrangements for returning people to their country of origin, according to a letter Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sent to member states last month.

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the EU faces a balancing act of making clear on the one hand that migrants with no right of asylum will always have to leave, and that policy makers on the other hand must open up legal ways to allow migration to fill labor gaps.

An important common activity must always be that we come to an understanding between the European Union and the countries of origin of many refugees, and that those who cannot invoke the protection of Europe and the right of asylum also return to their countries of origin, Scholz told reporters in Brussels on Thursday.

The increase of migrants  mainly from Syria, Afghanistan and Tunisia  came at a time when 13 million Ukrainians also sought shelter in the member states, fleeing Russias aggression. Around 10 million Ukrainians left the bloc during that time.

Turkish Deal

Europes elusive joint approach in dealing with the large numbers of people fleeing their homes is bound to get worse after the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria. The EU relies on Turkey  which hosts around 4 million refugees  to stem the flow of migrants over its borders.

The EU struck a deal with Turkey in 2016 under which Ankara agreed to stop the movement of migrants toward Europe in exchange for financial assistance.

The flow of migrants through the western Balkans accounted for almost half of all illegal border crossings into EU in 2022. Since the transit countries are also aspirants for EU membership, the bloc is using this as leverage to make them tighten their travel restrictions, after tens of thousands from the Middle East, Asia and Africa used the area as a gateway to Europe.

The problem is not to cut migration, but to manage it in a human way, Josep Borrell, the EUs foreign policy chief, said in Brussels. More and more migration is at the core of our relation with a lot of countries around the world and we have to work with them and tackle the root causes of migration.

--With assistance from Katharina Rosskopf and Michael Nienaber.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the European Parliament, February 9

His appearance before the assembled European officials was marked with heavy applause.

Read also: European Council invites Zelenskyy to Brussels summit

Zelenskyy arrived in Brussels on Feb. 9, during a European Council summit.

The European Council (informally EUCO) is a collegiate body that defines the overall political direction and priorities of the European Union. It consists of 27 heads of state or government of the EU members.

Read also: Zelenskyy arrives in London, elaborates on goal of his historic visit

The two-day summit is meant to discuss the full-scale Russian war against Ukraine and the latest related events, the EU's support of Ukraine, as well as summarizing the results of the EU-Ukraine summit that was held in Kyiv on Feb. 3.

Zelenskyy is scheduled to discuss the supply of long-range weapons, heavy combat vehicles, and other equipment with European leaders.

Read also: Long-range missile coalition to help oust Russia from Ukraine, says Zelenskyy

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Photo: The Canadian Press People stand by collapsed buildings in Golbasi, in Adiyaman province, southern Turkey, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. A team of urban search and rescue specialists from British Columbia has deployed to Turkey's earthquake zone after independently offering to help with what one Turkish official described as a race against time to find survivors in frigid conditions. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Emrah Gurel

A team of urban search and rescue specialists from British Columbia has deployed to Turkey's earthquake zone after independently offering to help with what one Turkish official described as a race against time to find survivors in frigid cold.

Taylan Tokmak, Turkey's consul general in Vancouver, says members of the Burnaby Urban Search and Rescue Team have arrived in the Adiyaman area, and he expected they would start work in the early hours of Thursday local time.

Tokmak says he's been in regular communication with the team made up mostly of firefighters from Burnaby, and last he heard they were in a co-ordination meeting with other searchers, many of whom are from different countries.

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake, which razed thousands of buildings in Turkey and Syria on Monday, has killed thousands and wounded many others.

Tokmak says the Burnaby team reached out Monday and the consulate sprang into action, helping to arrange travel and accreditation for each member through Turkey's disaster management authority.

By Tuesday evening, he says the team was on its way, bringing rescue equipment, tents and other supplies that allow the members to be self-sufficient.

"Turkish Canadians living in B.C., they're telling me that they feel really proud that so far, the only search and rescue team from Canada is from Burnaby," Tokmak says.

The current plan is for the team to stay in Turkey for about a week, he says.

The Canadian government announced Wednesday it had deployed a disaster assessment team to Turkey, consisting of military and Global Affairs officials.

Tokmak says he believed the federal assessment team was going to help with the reconstruction phase, and Turkey appreciates any help it can get.

The consul general says search and rescue efforts right now are "a race against time" to find people who may be alive and buried under rubble in cold winter weather.

Turkey has experienced major earthquakes in the past, and even after seven days, he says it's possible to reach survivors, but the chance grows slimmer each day.

From the images he's seen, the affected areas look like a war zone, Tokmak says.

"It looks like an atomic bomb has exploded there. So, the destruction of a yearlong war elsewhere happening overnight, in my country."

The quake rocked parts of Turkey with high population densities, including significant numbers of refugees from Syria, Tokmak adds.

He says the Turkish government has given the Vancouver consulate the authority to use Turkish Airlines flights free of charge in order to send donations.

The Turkish community in Metro Vancouver and beyond has been organizing donations at a Vancouver warehouse, sending more than two tonnes of supplies on Tuesday, with a similar load set to depart for Istanbul on Thursday, Tokmak says.

"This will be ongoing as long as we need," he says of the shipments.

Tokmak says he was in touch on Wednesday with International Development Minister Harjit Sajjan, who told him the Canadian government is looking to connect with Turkish organizations across the country to discuss potential co-ordination.
The evacuation order at a site where an Ohio train derailed has been lifted, officials said Wednesday.

A train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in the town of East Palestine, Ohio, last week, causing a massive fire and prompting local officials to evacuate about half of the 4,800 residents in the the surrounding area. The derailment of the 150-car train was reportedly caused by a mechanical failure, and officials announced the mandatory evacuation order on Saturday.

The East Palestine Fire Department announced Wednesday that residents can return to their homes but should continue to avoid the area surrounding the railway.

Norfolk Southern Railway said in a statement on Sunday that the some of the rail cars were carrying hazardous materials including vinyl chloride, combustible liquids, butyl acrylate and benzene residue, as well as nonhazardous materials like wheat, plastic pellets, malt liquors and lube oil.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) warned on Monday that one of the rail cars from the train could explode due to a drastic temperature change that could cause a catastrophic tanker failure, which could lead to exploded shrapnel traveling to over a mile. He also activated the Ohio National Guard to help address the derailment and its aftereffects.

Those who did not evacuate under the order could be arrested if they have children, the Columbiana County Sheriff said. Officials reported that about 500 families declined to leave their homes.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Evangeline Lilly has spoken about Jeremy Renners miraculous recovery following his near-fatal snowplough accident.

On New Years Day, the Mayor of Kingstown actor was airlifted to hospital after being crushed by a PistenBully.

During his two-week hospital stint, Renner was treated for multiple injuries, including a collapsed chest, orthopaedic injuries and over 30 broken bones.

After a recent visit to his home, Lilly spoke out about her friends surprising development in the weeks since.

Hes recovered like a mofo, Lilly told Access Hollywood.

I walked in his house and got chicken skin because I was like, Why are you mobile? Why are you mobile? Whats happening?, the Ant-Man star remembered of her visit.

I expected to sit at his bedside and hold his hand, while he moaned and groaned in pain, and wasnt able to move. He was wheeling himself around, laughing with his friends.

Its a miracle. Its a straight-up miracle, she continued in amazement. Hes made of something really tough, that guy. And, you know, youve always been able to see that in him and he is recovering incredibly.

It was really intense, Lilly further recalled of the visit. I mean, he had a near-death experience that was highly traumatic, and he was awake for the whole thing.

Im still having moments where some of the stuff he told me that he experienced and retelling me the story of what went on and the things he could hear and the things that he could see.

In later released 911 call logs, the Hawkeye actor, 52, was audibly groaning in the background of the call, due to his pain.

Sheriff Darin Balaam confirmed that Renner was conscious and speaking to the first responders when they arrived on the scene.

Renner was trying to save his nephew when he was run over by the snow machine, according to the newest reports.

Lillys comments echo earlier sentiments from Renners sister, Kym, who said: If anyone knows Jeremy, he is a fighter and doesnt mess around.

He is crushing all the progress goals. We couldnt feel more positive about the road ahead.
MADISON - Gov. Tony Evers will propose next week millions in new funding aimed at addressing health challenges facing Wisconsin veterans, including those who have served multiple deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Evers is scheduled to submit to the Republican-controlled state Legislature next week a multi-billion dollar two-year state budget proposal that will kick off lawmakers' work on setting taxpayer-funded spending levels on programs and services ranging from state park fees to public school funding to programs aimed at supporting veterans.

On Thursday, Evers released a summary of proposals he plans to ask lawmakers to approve for vets, including $500,000 in new funding for the state Department of Veterans Affairs to evaluate the needs of a generation of post-9/11 veterans that have experienced multiple deployments and higher survival rates than previous generations, and required more long-term skilled nursing.

Evers' budget proposal also directs DVA to create a "master plan" for the campus of the State Veterans Home at King, where two recent deaths raised questions about the care provided at the home, one of three state-run nursing facilities for veterans and their spouses in Wisconsin.

Since 2017, the King home, located in Waupaca County, has been issued 59 federal citations, above the national average for veterans homes nationwide. It also has been issued $3,250 in fines, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Infractions have ranged from residents falling, staff failing to properly bathe patients, and opioids missing from the facility. In several cases, King employees did not report residents injuries to the state nor investigate them themselves.

Another $6.7 million would be directed toward recruiting and retaining staff at the state's veteran homes.

More:'No one should receive this kind of care': Lack of water. Medication mistakes. Abuse allegations.

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Evers' spending proposal also would provide:

Increasing the eligibility for the Veterans and Surviving Spouses Property Tax Credit by extending it to those with a disability rating of at least 70%.

$2.8 million for veterans services on University of Wisconsin System campuses including ensuring each campus has a staff member dedicated to helping students navigate and use their veterans benefits.

$1 million each year for county and tribal veterans programs.

$957,200 to expand a state program that provides mental health services and support to veterans who may have a mental health condition or substance use disorder.

$250,000 to provide dogs to veterans who experience post-traumatic stress disorder following their military service.

More:Gov. Tony Evers proposes hundreds of millions in funds to shore up local governments. Here's how his plan includes a Republican idea.

More:Anonymous objectors can hold up popular land conservation projects in Wisconsin. Tony Evers' budget will seek to end the practice.

Molly Beck can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com.

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Tony Evers proposing millions to address veterans' health
Maarten Bosma, a former research engineer at Google Brain, said that his former employee isn't taking AI seriously. Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto/Getty Images

Maarten Bosma, an ex-Google Brain engineer, said in a tweet that Alphabet isn't taking AI seriously.

Bosma's tweet comes after Google demoed its latest AI tools in Paris, including ChatGPT rival Bard.

Some critics called Google's demo "frankly, bad" and a "disaster" amid a growing AI arms race.

Earlier this week, Google demoed its new AI tools to the public for the first time, but some AI professionals weren't impressed.

Maarten Bosma, a former research engineer at Google Brain, Alphabet's AI division, replied to a tweet thread discussing his former employer's presentation with his thoughts on what it signals for company's AI journey.

"I think the Google presentation signaled (rightfully or wrongly) that they are not really taking it seriously," Bosma tweeted.

He pointed to the fact that Google's demo of Bard, its rival to ChatGPT "was less than 5 minutes" and was presented along with other new tools, such as an updated Google Maps and Google Lens.

He also noted that the conference "was in Paris instead of HQ" and that the "CEO wasn't there." While Google didn't immediately roll out its AI chatbot, "Bing, on the other hand, changed the homepage" to include it, he added.

Bosma, who left Google in April 2022 after six years, per his LinkedIn, did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment before publication. Nor did Google.

Bosma's tweet comes as the AI wars in Big Tech have started to heat up, with companies like Alphabet and Microsoft working to develop powerful conversational chatbots.

Microsoft, which has partnered with ChatGPT's creator OpenAI, announced its latest AI-powered search engine  the "new Bing"  in a surprise press conference Tuesday, just a day after Google broke the news that it is developing its own AI chatbot called Bard. The chatbot will be used to enhance its Google Search engine after the company issued a "code red."

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Bosma isn't the only one to critique Google's approach to AI.

"The event was, frankly, bad," analyst Ben Thompson wrote about Google's presentation in a blog post, adding that the "vast majority" of what was presented "was a rehash" of what was shown at past Google events.

Viewers of the presentation were also quick to notice that Google's ad for Bard contained an error in which the experimental chatbot incorrectly answered a question about the James Webb Space Telescope.

But some were puzzled about the immediate backlash against Google

Gary Marcus, a former professor of neural science at New York University and a self-proclaimed AI skeptic, pointed out in a Substack post that even though Microsoft and Google's AI tools are both at similar stages of deployment and contain flaws, "they are being treated as polar opposites."

Microsoft' demo "was presented as a revolution," while Google's demo was presented as a "disaster," Marcus wrote.

The company has said that Bard will be released to the public in a few weeks after more tests are done.

That's when the real battle will begin.

Read the original article on Business Insider
An experimental COVID-19 antiviral appears to be effective at preventing hospitalizations without some of the downsides of other treatments.

A study appearing Wednesday in The New England Journal of Medicine found that a shot of interferon lambda prevented 51% of hospitalizations among people who have been vaccinated  an already low-risk group and one that hasn't been proven to benefit from other treatments.

Interferon lambda still has to go through the regulatory approval process, so it's not available. But the study suggests it could be a viable alternative to authorized treatments like Paxlovid and is superior in some ways.

"The data look quite promising and other treatments have now fallen by the wayside," said Dr. Paul Sax, who directs the division of infectious diseases at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and was not involved in the research.

Monoclonal antibodies, which were effective against earlier variants, are no longer working, leaving people who can't take Paxlovid with fewer options.

"It's been a frustration of mine that it has not been available," Sax said of interferon lambda.

PAXLOVID: The COVID antiviral is keeping people out of the hospital

What is interferon lambda?

Interferons are made by the immune system to limit viral infections and boost the body's ability to fight them.

Lambda is a type of interferon that has effects specifically in the liver and lungs, not the whole body. This limits side effects seen by other interferons, including flu-like symptoms, body aches and depression, said Dr. David Apelian, interim CEO of Eiger BioPharmaceuticals, which makes interferon lambda and provided it for the study.

The company also modifies the interferon through a process called pegylation, he said, to allow for longer-lasting, more effective distribution throughout the body.

"What this drug is doing is trying to augment our body's own response to infection, to try to hasten clearance," Sax said.

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For chronic infections like hepatitis D, which Eiger is also testing with interferon lambda, the drug needs to be taken weekly for an extended period of time.

For an acute infection like COVID-19, one shot seems to be enough to boost the body's ability to clear the virus, Apelian said.

The company is also testing it against flu and RSV, hoping that eventually interferon lambda can treat a wide range of respiratory viruses.

Because it targets the immune system, rather than a particular viral variant, interferon lambda should remain useful as the virus that causes COVID-19 continues to evolve and even in the face of new viruses, said Dr. Jeffrey Glenn, the Stanford University virologist who led the new study.

"We can still save millions of lives if we can get this into people," he said.

More: People who haven't had COVID will likely catch XBB.1.5  and many will get reinfected, experts say

What the study showed

More than 900 people who received a shot of interferon lambda in Canada and Brazil were compared with more than 1,000 who received a placebo. Only 2.7% of the mostly vaccinated people in the interferon group had to be hospitalized, compared to 5.6% of those who received a placebo.

The effects were seen as variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 changed in both countries. Patients who received the shot had a lower viral load a week later than those who received placebo.

The people who took lambda interferon suffered no more side effects than those who received a placebo. Investigators "couldn't tell who was on the drug and who was on placebo," Glenn said.

So far, the drug has been used in 3,000 patients in 20 clinical trials, Glenn said.

What are its advantages?

Interferon lambda has several advantages over other treatments used to keep COVID-19 patients from developing severe disease.

Paxlovid, the most effective preventative so far, interferes with a number of commonly used medications, including blood thinners and some cancer drugs.

Doctors often hesitate to prescribe Paxlovid to people who need it most  older people with health issues  because they would have to stop these medications for the five days they take the drug. Interferon lambda does not interfere with other medications.

Paxlovid also requires patients to take 30 pills over five days, while interferon lambda is a single shot, so no one has to remember to complete their doses, Glenn said.

And interferon lambda targets a part of the virus that doesn't change, so it's likely to protect against all variants of SARS-CoV-2. There is some chance that the virus will eventually evolve to evade Paxlovid.

Paxlovid reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by 44% in vaccinated adults over the age of 50, but the other available antiviral, molnupiravir, did not reduce hospitalization or death in vaccinated people at high risk.

The fact that interferon lambda was able to reduce hospitalization among vaccinated people, who are less likely to have a severe outcome, shows the value of the drug, Sax said.

Getting it approved

Data from the newly published study has been available for nearly a year and Sax said he thought the drug would have been approved long ago.

But the Food and Drug Administration determined that the study was not adequate to win authorization and said more data was needed. Eiger not yet managed to fund another COVID-19 trial.

Apelian said he hopes some countries, perhaps China and Australia, will authorize the drug shortly, allowing it to prove its usefulness.

He sees it as particularly relevant in the face of new variants for which vaccines might not be a good match. Infereron lambda could be used to protect people as new vaccines are manufactured, he said.

The company has 100,000 doses already produced and can readily make 10 million more, he said.

"We're well positioned for looking at different opportunities right now," he said.

Contact Karen Weintraub at kweintraub@usatoday.com.

Health and patient safety coverage at USA TODAY is made possible in part by a grant from the Masimo Foundation for Ethics, Innovation and Competition in Healthcare. The Masimo Foundation does not provide editorial input.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New COVID injection may be promising Paxlovid alternative
Firefighters work after a drone attack on buildings in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Oct. 17, 2022. Roman Hrytsyna/Associated Press

The explosive warheads in suicide drones the used by Russia are designed to shred targets apart.

The warheads have been fitted with small metal fragments, according to a new investigation.

Russia has used these Iranian-made drones to wreak havoc on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

The warheads in the Iranian-made "kamikaze" drones being used by Russia to attack critical energy infrastructure in Ukraine have been built to inflict "maximum damage," according to a new investigation from a UK-based organization that was first reported on by CNN.

The explosive warheads are being fitted with small metal fragments to help shred targets upon impact and make the repair process far more difficult, per the report from Conflict Armament Research, which analyzed an unexploded warhead from an Iranian Shahed-131 drone found in southern Ukraine.

The report said that the warhead's overall construction appeared to be well done, but added that the metal fragments appeared to be a "later addition" and were poorly fitted.

"It's as though they looked at the finished warhead and said, 'How can we make this even more destructive?'" Damien Spleeters, one of the investigators, told CNN. Spleeters said it was clear that a lot of thought was put into how to inflict "as much damage as possible to infrastructure in a large radius."

Russia's targeting of civilian infrastructure has at times left millions of Ukrainians without power or water during the country's harsh winter. Top human rights groups have decried Russia's attacks on Ukraine's energy grid as a war crime.

Iran has provided Russia with hundreds of drones, including many suicide drones, a kind of loitering munition, and the Biden administration has warned that the two are forming a "full-fledged defense partnership." Moscow and Tehran are also moving forward with a plan to set up a drone factory in Russia that could help fuel the war effort in Ukraine, per a recent Wall Street Journal report.

Drones of all shapes and sizes have played an unprecedented role on the battlefield in Ukraine, and some military analysts say that so-called kamikaze drones like the Shahed-131, which are designed for single-use and explode on impact, could become increasingly prevalent in future armed conflicts.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A cadet in Florida was arrested on his second day at a sheriffs training academy, deputies in Florida announced.

The 25-year-old cadet of the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office is facing charges in connection with a theft that occurred before he began training, the sheriffs office said in a Feb.7 news release.

The cadet worked for a cash-handling company called Loomis between Oct. 6 and Feb. 6, and he delivered money to ATMs, according to the release.

Investigators discovered that the former employee removed money from the ATMs during cash transfers and forced the machines to balance, erasing any notion of stolen money at least nine times during his employment, deputies said.

The cadet was arrested on Feb. 7, and he faces charges of third-degree grand theft between $10,000 and $20,000, according to the sheriffs office.

Sheriff Chad Chronister called the discovery extremely disappointing.

No one is above the law. It doesnt matter if you have been part of HCSO two days, or twenty years, Chronister said. If you work at the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office, you will be held to a higher standard. I applaud our detectives for uncovering this and taking quick action.

Hillsborough County is home to Tampa.

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The claim: Scotlands 20-minute neighbourhoods policy would confine residents to their area

A Jan. 15 Facebook post (direct link, archived link) features a screenshot of an article detailing a new initiative in Scotland.

"Scotland aims to cut car use by creating '20-minute neighborhoods' in net zero push," reads the headline of the Jan. 13 article.

The post's caption makes a very different claim, however.

There are over 240 councils planning these 15/20 minute cities, reads the posts caption. What it means is that peolle (sic) in the cities are not allowed to leave their '15 min' districts more than 1 or 2 days a week.

The post was shared more than 500 times in less than a month.

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Our rating: False

Theres no mention of confining people to their neighborhoods in the planning reforms passed by the Scottish government, or in news coverage of the reforms. The creator of the "15-minute city" concept says the plan improves, not restricts, residents accessibility and mobility.

New reforms won't bar Scots from leaving their neighborhoods

In January, the Scottish Parliament approved the Fourth National Planning Framework, which maps out a long-term development and infrastructure plan for the country.

The "Local Living and 20 minute neighbourhoods" policy was one of more than 30 new planning policies set to be implemented over the ensuing few months.

A spokesperson for the Scottish government confirmed that none of the proposals, including the "20 minute neighbourhoods" policy, will limit residents' ability to leave their neighborhoods.

These claims are completely untrue and have no foundation whatsoever," the spokesperson told USA TODAY in an emailed statement. "Twenty minute neighborhoods seek to create connected local communities, enabling people to meet most daily needs within a reasonable distance of home."

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There is no mention of restrictions on residents' ability to travel outside their neighborhoods in the National Planning Policy document.

Fact check: False claim 15-minute cities are actually climate lockdowns

The article featured in the post was published by The Big Issue, a U.K.-based news outlet.

Alastair Reid, digital editor for The Big Issue, confirmed the post misrepresents the outlet's reporting.

"The article indicates no plans to restrict people to their neighbourhoods," Reid said in an email.

This is not the first time social media users have misrepresented the aims of 15 and 20-minute city plans around the world.

Fact check: False claim UK city will test 'climate lockdowns' in 2024

Carlos Moreno, creator of the "15-minute cities" concept, previously told USA TODAY the notion that 15-minute cities will restrict or confine residents to their neighborhoods is totally false.

The core of the 15-minute city is an open city, a human city, an interconnected city, he said. Of course, all citizens are free to go where they want. There are no constraints.

Reuters also debunked this claim.

Our fact-check sources:

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here.

Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fact check: False claim '20-minute cities' plan will confine Scots
Photo: The Canadian Press Peter Manfredonia speaks during an appearance in Superior Court, in Rockville, Conn., Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. Mandredonia, who appeared with his attorney Michael Dolan, pleaded guilty Wednesday to murder, assault and home invasion. The former University of Connecticut student pleaded guilty for killing a man and severely wounding another with a sword in 2020  one of two deadly attacks that led to a six-day manhunt in several states that ended with his capture in Maryland. (Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP, Pool)

A former University of Connecticut student pleaded guilty to murder and other charges Wednesday for killing a man and severely wounding another with a sword in 2020  one of two deadly attacks that led to a six-day manhunt in several states that ended with his capture in Maryland.

Peter Manfredonia, 26, from Newtown, Connecticut, agreed to a 55-year prison sentence during a hearing at Rockville Superior Court. Sentencing was set for April 20. He also is expected to plead guilty in connection with the second attack next week in state court in Milford, his lawyer said.

Manfredonia answered questions from the judge about the plea agreement during the hearing, but did not say anything else. He pleaded guilty to murder, assault and home invasion.

State's Attorney Matthew Gedansky said the victims and their families in both cases supported the plea bargain, which was the result of months of discussions.

It was a global resolution plea agreement between everybody  a lot of discussion between the two states attorneys, the families of the victims ... and the two judges," Gedansky said in a phone interview.

Manfredonia's lawyer, Michael Dolan, called the plea agreement a fair resolution based on the evidence and seriousness of the charges. He said Manfredonia will plead guilty in the second case on Feb. 16 and receive another 55-year sentence, to run concurrently with the sentence in the other case.

Police and prosecutors said Manfredonia killed Ted DeMers, 62, and seriously wounded an 80-year-old man who lost several fingers and part of his ear in a Samurai sword attack in Willington on May 22, 2020.

It's not clear why Manfredonia attacked the men. But an acquaintance of Manfredonia's lived near DeMers' home and told police she stopped seeing him recently.

After the sword attack, police said Manfredonia broke into another mans house in Willington and held him hostage for about 24 hours before taking off with his truck and firearms. The man later told police that Manfredonia told him he just flipped.

Two days later, Manfredonia went to the Derby home of a high school friend, Nicholas Eisele, 23, and fatally shot him, authorities said. Manfredonia then forced Eisele's girlfriend into her car and fled the state, police said.

After Manfredonia let the woman go near Columbia, New Jersey, investigators tracked him to Pennsylvania, where police said he took an Uber to a Walmart in East Stroudsburg. Authorities searched the area but didnt find him. A man fitting his description was later spotted near Scranton, Pennsylvania, prompting another search there.

Police believe Manfredonia stole a car and abandoned it in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, before taking another Uber to Hagerstown, Maryland, where he was captured without incident when police spotted him near a truck stop.

Dolan, Manfredonia's lawyer, said Manfredonia was having mental health problems at the time and it was difficult for him to get help during the first months of the coronavirus pandemic.

His mental health issues werent being addressed and unfortunately he had a psychotic episode, Dolan told The Associated Press Wednesday.
(Reuters) - Presidential contenders, Catholic clergy and a leading student activist were among the more than 200 people released from Nicaraguan prison cells or house arrest late Wednesday and then flown to the United States on Thursday.

Here are some of the prominent Nicaraguans freed:

Felix Maradiaga and Juan Sebastian Chamorro

Leading presidential hopefuls Maradiaga and Chamorro were arrested in 2021 while each was preparing to run against Ortega. They were later each sentenced to 13 years for "conspiracy to undermine national integrity," and held in what their lawyer described as "horrific conditions."

Cristiana Chamorro and Pedro Joaquin Chamorro

Cristiana Chamorro was placed under house arrest in 2021, just as she was leading Ortega in polls to unseat him as president at elections. Her brother Pedro Joaquin Chamorro was also arrested and jailed the same month, according to newspaper La Prensa. Both were accused of financial crimes. The two are children of former President Violeta Barrios de Chamorro, who beat Ortega in the 1990 elections to end his first term.

Arturo Cruz

An academic who was Nicaragua's ambassador to the United States between 2007 and 2009, Cruz was arrested in 2021 after returning to Managua from Washington. The former Ortega ally was a presidential candidate for a coalition of right-wing parties supported by prominent businessmen.

Medardo Mairena

The presidential hopeful was detained along with two other farmworker leaders in 2021, and accused of crimes including murder and kidnapping during anti-government protests in 2018 that led to more than 300 deaths. Under an amnesty law, he was released in 2019 after a second stint in detention, as authorities dropped the terrorism, murder and organized crime charges he faced.

Lesther Aleman

University student Aleman publicly berated Ortega and called for his resignation during a nationally televised event with the leader in 2018. Like Mairena, he was arrested in 2021 over accusations of crimes during the 2018 protests.

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Juan Lorenzo Chamorro

A prominent journalist who led newspaper La Prensa, Chamorro was arrested in 2021, a day after police raided the paper's offices, and accused him of fraud and money laundering. He was sentenced to nine years in prison.

Michael Healy

The top executive with leading business association COSEP, Healy is a dual U.S.-Nicaraguan citizen and was also a member of an opposition political group. He was arrested along with COSEP's vice president in 2021, and accused of money laundering and of calling for foreign intervention and sanctions against Nicaragua.

Rolando Alvarez

A prominent Nicaraguan Catholic bishop who sharply criticized Ortega, Alvarez was arrested last August along with other priests after they had barricaded themselves inside church property. Alvarez, the bishop of Matagalpa, was accused of undermining national integrity and spreading false news, and was set to go to trial later this month. On Thursday, he declined to board the plane to Washington, preferring to stay home instead, one of only two prisoners to do so.

(Reporting by Daina Beth Solomon; Editing by David Alire Garcia and Alistair Bell)
LONDON (Reuters) - Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday several Western countries were ready to provide Kyiv with aircraft to defeat Russia's invasion.

There was no immediate confirmation of any such offer. But below are some details on the jets that Ukraine wants, and what it might get.

WHICH JETS DOES UKRAINE WANT?

Ukraine has been asking allies to provide modern fighter jets - dubbed "wings for freedom" in Zelenskiy's speech to British lawmakers this week - to replace its ageing fleet of Soviet MiG and Sukhoi planes.

U.S.-made F-16s are on its wish list because of their destructive power and global availability. It also wants Sweden's Gripen fighters, though it has said it is still discussing what jets allies could supply.

Ukraine has been relying on its existing fleet to attack Russian positions and carry out intercept flights, but its air force believes that newer jets could turn the tide of the war.

Such planes would "close the sky" to Russian attacks, Zelenskiy's adviser, Mykhailo Podolyak, said. They would "help to destroy practically any target" in the sky and on the ground, Ukraine's air force spokesperson said.

HOW SOON COULD UKRAINE START USING THEM?

Britain has said it would take years for Ukrainian pilots to learn how to operate new jet models, after Zelenskiy asked for Eurofighter Typhoon jets in London this week.

In a first step, London has agreed to start training pilots in the spring and said it will look at shortening the sessions for experienced Ukrainian pilots.

"This is not a simple case of towing an aircraft to the border," British Defence Minister Ben Wallace told the BBC.

"Without a pit crew, a Formula One car basically can't start and it certainly can't last more than a few laps. When you start doing high-end, sophisticated weapons like fighter jets, there's a pit crew that comes along with it, and we have to ask questions about that as well."

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Britain has not committed to send any of its own Typhoons and said Ukrainian pilots might only be trained to fly Western planes after the war is over. Wallace said Britain would also need the consent of the other countries who make the Eurofighter - Germany, Italy and Spain - to send them.

Some fighter jet models are likely to prove more suitable than others.

Justin Bronk from the RUSI think tank said giving Typhoons to Ukraine would be a "very expensive symbolic gesture".

Jets would have to fly low to avoid Russian air defences. But Typhoons are optimised for high-level flying to give their missiles more range, a tactic that would be largely negated by the Russian long-range threat, Bronk argued in an analysis.

He said the Typhoons and F-16s would need to operate from smooth runways and centralised bases, while Sweden's Gripen planes could fly at lower altitudes and be serviced on shorter, rougher airstrips.

WILL UKRAINE GET THE FIGHTER JETS?

Ukraine is confident it will, and has pointed to previous times when allies were initially reluctant to send sophisticated weaponry, only to relent later.

The United States and France say they have not ruled out sending jets, though Germany has.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson did not rule out sending fighter jets but played down expectations, saying the issue was not on Stockholm's agenda at the moment.

Poland, one of the most hawkish supporters of Ukraine, said it would not take such a decision on its own and needed NATO to act as a group.

Slovakia has agreed to send 11 MiG fighters to Ukraine to expand its existing fleet.

Western governments have been wary of leaving their own countries undefended by giving away too much equipment.

They have also so far avoided sending anything that could strike deep into Russian territory, in case it gives Moscow a reason to escalate the war. The Kremlin has said that Western countries would be moving towards direct conflict with Russia if they send jets.

(Reporting by Max Hunder, Elizabeth Piper, Pavel Polityuk, Angelo Amante, Niklas Pollard, Sabine Siebold; writing by Matthias Williams; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Ben Dangerfield)
RUTLAND, Vt. (AP)  A federal judge on Tuesday set an October trial for the man charged with killing his mother at sea during a 2016 fishing trip off the coast of New England in what prosecutors say was a scheme to inherit millions of dollars.

Nathan Carman, 29, of Vernon, Vermont, pleaded not guilty last year to fraud and first-degree murder in the death of his mother, Linda Carman of Middletown, Connecticut. The eight-count indictment also says Carman shot and killed his wealthy grandfather John Chakalos at his home in Windsor, Connecticut, in 2013 but does not charge him with murder in his death.

U.S. District Court Judge Geoffrey Crawford on Tuesday set the trial for Oct. 2 in Rutland. A federal prosecutor said the government planned to include several different types of expert testimony, including testimony on marine survival and draft analysis. Prosecutors plan to make those disclosures to the court by May 1.

Crawford also heard from lawyers about the defenses motion for partial disclosure of minutes from the grand jury proceeding that led to Carmans indictment, seeking to learn what was disclosed about his grandfathers death.

Carmans lawyer, David Sullivan, of Connecticut, told the judge that Carman was never charged in Chakalos death, but the indictment includes outright assertions that are very troubling to the defense. He said the investigation into Chakalos death is ongoing and has not been closed.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Van de Graaf said Chakalos murder is part of the fraud charge.

In September 2016, Carman arranged a fishing trip with his mother, during which prosecutors say he planned to kill her and report that his boat sank and his mother disappeared in the accident.

He was found floating in an inflatable raft eight days after leaving a Rhode Island marina with his mother, who was never found. Prosecutors allege he altered the boat to make it more likely to sink. Carman has denied that allegation.

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NORTH EAST, Md. (AP)  A woman accused of plotting an attack on Baltimores power grid wanted to draw attention to the white supremacist ideology she embraced during years spent in prison, where she acquired a Swastika tattoo and increasingly radical, racist views, family said.

Sarah Beth Clendaniel, who believed her days were numbered because of serious health conditions, allegedly conspired with a Florida-based neo-Nazi leader, planning to shoot out several electrical substations around Baltimore and create chaos in the majority-Black city.

Shes going out with a bang, her nephew Daniel Clites told The Associated Press.

Clendaniels recent arrest thwarted the planned attack, but the case has garnered national attention as authorities say the American power grid could become a vulnerable target for domestic terrorists.

In announcing charges against Clendaniel and her co-defendant earlier this week, federal authorities referenced hate-fueled violence but declined to specify how the suspects sought to fulfill a racist motive. Recent comments from Clendaniels relatives provide more insight.

She would have no problem saying shes racist, Clites said. She wanted to bring attention to her cause.

Clites said he disagreed with her extremist views, as did her mother, Lanette Clendaniel. They said her descent into neo-Naziism occurred against a backdrop of mental health issues and drug addiction that sometimes landed her in prison.

I knew what she believed, and she knew what I believed, said Lanette, whos raising two of Clendaniels children. There was nothing I could do.

She said arguing with her daughter was useless. But my philosophy is that we all live on this planet, so we better get along, she added.

Clendaniel befriended other white supremacists over the years  including her co-defendant Brandon Russell, who helped establish Atomwaffen Division, an obscure neo-Nazi group based in Florida. The groups mission is civilizational collapse, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

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Together, they were planning to target five electrical substations situated in a ring around Baltimore, according to prosecutors. Both have been charged with conspiracy to destroy an energy facility.

Since her arrest last week, Clendaniel, 34, expects to die behind bars because her health is failing, according to her mother and nephew.

She allegedly told an FBI informant she wanted to accomplish something worthwhile before her death. In a document investigators compared to a manifesto, which mentioned Hitler and other terrorists, Clendaniel wrote she would give up everything to create a chance for our cause to succeed, according to a criminal complaint unsealed earlier this week.

It would probably permanently completely lay this city to waste, she told the informant, according to prosecutors.

A Maryland public defender assigned to her case didnt immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.

Before her latest arrest, Clendaniel was living in suburban Baltimore County, where she remained under parole supervision from a 2016 robbery case. She recently visited her mother and other relatives, including her children.

Lanette and Clites spoke during an interview Wednesday at their home in Cecil County where Clendenial grew up.

An overwhelmingly white, conservative enclave in the northeast corner of Maryland bordering both Delaware and Pennsylvania, Cecil County sits about an hour outside Baltimore. The area has a history of Ku Klux Klan activity, even in recent decades.

In 2013, local officials allowed a local KKK group to meet inside a county administration building, according to an AP report. And in 1992, local Klan members were met with angry protesters when they held a Fourth of July recruitment drive at a nearby coastal city.

Clites said Clendaniel would mock KKK members for being dumb racists.

After losing her father, a railroad worker who died in a car crash in 1999, Clendaniel struggled with trauma and spent much of her adolescence in institutions, including psychiatric placements and alternative schools, Lanette said.

As a teenager, Clendaniel was arrested for robbing a Cecil County convenience store with a butcher knife. Arresting officers noted track marks, cuts and infections on both her arms. She was pregnant at the time, and her attorney said she was receiving methadone treatment, according to The Cecil Whig.

She gave birth to her first child behind bars.

The prison system is just a revolving door, just another fallen system, Lanette said. Theres no real help for people facing addiction.

Sometime after her release in 2008, Clendaniel moved to Iowa. There, she dated a man with substance abuse issues and white supremacist connections, court records show. In their shared apartment, police once found an estimated 2,000 syringes, some with the needles exposed, in the presence of a child. After her boyfriend landed in federal prison, Clendaniel returned to Maryland.

In 2016, she was arrested at the same convenience store in her hometown, this time for brandishing a machete and demanding cash. Police said she had a crack pipe, hypodermic needles and various pills in her possession. She later pleaded guilty to robbery and was sentenced to nine years in prison.

Meanwhile, Russell was arrested in 2017 after Florida law enforcement officers responded to a double homicide involving his roommates and discovered bomb-making materials in the garage. A third roommate confessed to the killings, saying he wanted to prevent a planned terrorist attack targeting U.S. infrastructure. He said Russell, who was then serving in the Florida National Guard, knew nothing about the killings. Russell pleaded guilty to explosives charges.

An attorney representing Russell didnt immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.

Sometime in 2018, while Clendaniel and Russell were incarcerated in separate prisons, they struck up a correspondence, according to federal investigators.

Officials declined to define the relationship or detail how they got in touch, but the criminal complaint says they discussed having kids together. Text messages linked to Russell included a statement that going to prison was worth it because I might not have met you otherwise.

Clendaniel had recently mentioned Russell, but gave no indication they were plotting an attack, her mother said. She also mentioned recent power grid attacks in other states.

Lanette said shes been too busy raising her grandchildren to worry much about her daughters personal life and increasingly radical views.

Despite their contrasting ideologies, they found common ground in supporting Donald Trump and his anti-establishment politics.

Since her daughters arrest last week, Lanette said shes leaned heavily into her Christian faith.

The Lord has a plan for each and every one of us, she said. Im just taking one day at a time.



Associated Press researcher Rhonda Shafner in New York contributed to this report.
It was a few weeks before Christmas and Cristina Hernandez asked her fiance what he would like as a gift. His answer was quick: A second child.

That gift was on the way until Hernandez, 30, was killed Dec. 19, when a teen driving at 113 miles per hour on a Miramar street rammed her Volkswagen Jetta from behind, leaving it a crumpled mess. Her unborn child died with her. Hernandezs son Jacob, 7 and in the back seat, was critically injured.

I found out the day of the accident that Cristina was five weeks pregnant, said Anthony Estrada. She knew. She was waiting to tell me.

About two weeks ago, Christhian Bravo Gonzalez, who was 16 and didnt have a license when the crash happened, was charged with killing Hernandez and the death of her unborn child. Hes also facing a pair of charges for driving under the influence, one for the death of Hernandez, the other for the death of the unborn child. Miramar police say he was high on marijuana at the time of the crash.

On Tuesday police also arrested Gonzalezs father, Jose Miguel Bravo De La Torre, 38. They say he gave his son the keys to the Lexus fully aware he didnt have a drivers license. De La Torre was charged with permitting an unauthorized person to drive  a charge that doesnt sit particularly well with Hernandezs family.

I want justice for this crime; a year or two [in jail] is not enough. If a parent gives a car to someone without a license, there should be consequences, Hernandezs younger sister Karina Hernandez said Thursday at Miramar Police headquarters, where family gathered as police announced the most recent arrest.

She was the best daughter a mother could have, said Cristinas mother, Daymara Navarrete.

During his first court appearance this week, De La Torres attorney mentioned that his client is a Venezuelan seeking asylum. It wasnt immediately clear if the charge would have any effect on his status.

Hernandez, an ICU nurse at Jackson Memorial Hospital, had just picked up her son from elementary school and made a right turn onto Flamingo Road from Somerset Boulevard when Gonzalez failed to change lanes quickly enough, and rammed his dads Lexus into her car from behind.

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The impact killed Hernandez instantly and caused such severe trauma to Jacob that practically every one of his internal organs and all his limbs except for his left arm were injured. He only awoke from a coma about two weeks ago. Estrada said hes spent that time teaching his son how to eat through a feeding tube and walk again.

I did tell him about his mom, which was the hardest thing Ive ever had to do in my life, said Estrada. And he [Jacob] cried.

Karina Hernandez said her sister was her role model and best friend who taught her how to be a mother to her child.

I dont know how to move forward, how to move on without her, Karina said.
Mike Pences former chief of staff on Wednesday said that an FBI search of the former vice presidents home will likely happen in the future.

Marc Short told CNNs Jake Tapper that Pence will grant the FBI complete access to his residence, similar to how President Bidens legal team handled the FBIs requests to search.

News outlets last week reported that the FBI is planning to search Pences home after classified documents were found at his Indiana residence in January.

There have been conversations about a consensual search to be conducted, and I presume thats not too far off into the future, Short told Tapper.

Officials last month announced they had discovered classified documents in one of Bidens private offices last fall. Since that first announcement, more classified documents have been discovered in Bidens residence near Wilmington, Del. The discovery of these documents came months after the FBI searched former President Trumps home in Mar-a-Lago, where officials recovered more than 100 documents marked with different degrees of classification.

Short said that the FBIs retrieving of classified documents from Biden and Pence demonstrated a double standard, pointing out that it took weeks for the FBI to go to Bidens home while the FBI went to Pences Indiana home the same day the documents were discovered.

He said that the discovery of classified documents in Pences home will not affect whether the former vice president will run for the White House in 2024, but added he would not be making an announcement anytime soon.

I think the trajectory of most candidates who get in early to Republican primaries doesnt really fare too well, so I think there is a benefit to him waiting until the end of this process, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A family is still struggling to come to grips with the death of Terry Thurmond, III after an incident with officers while he was in the Clayton County jail in late November for a misdemeanor criminal trespass charge.

The incident climaxed with several officers on top of Thurmond for a prolonged period.

The attorney for Thurmonds family, Thomas Reynolds told Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Mark Winne that video shows Thurmond was facedown for more than 16 minutes.

Reynolds said on Friday he met face-to-face with U.S. Department of Justice representatives to push for action beyond a lawsuit that he is willing to file, if necessary.

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Was the U.S. Attorneys office represented? Winne asked.

Yes, Reynolds said.

Was the FBI represented at the meeting? Winne followed.

Yes, they were. But out of respect for them and the justice department, Im not at liberty to disclose anything that was said, he said.

Channel 2 Action News obtained a United States District Court Grand Jury subpoena that was sent to the Clayton County Medical Examiners office requesting unredacted records and the autopsy report in Thurmonds case.

Winne got a statement from Tony Thomas, spokesperson for the FBI Atlanta division, reading:

The FBI is assisting the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in its ongoing investigation. If it is determined there are federal violations involved, we will work with the United States Attorneys Office for potential charges.

TRENDING STORIES:

Once I got involved in this case, I realized that it was much bigger than just the Thurmond case, Reynolds said.

Channel 2 Action News also requested certain information from Clayton County Medical Examiner office director Brian Byars concerning in-custody deaths of Clayton County Jail inmates since Jan 1, 2022.

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Byars responded to our request with the following:

This office is in the process of auditing our case files to be able to determine the exact number of in-custody reported to this office to include cause and manner of deaths for 2021, 2022, and 2023 to date. Since January 2022, it is our estimate that at least a half- dozen deaths have been reported to us and at least two of these are homicides, the rest are suicides, natural, or still under investigation.

For a past story about the Thurmond case, Byars said the finding of homicide means the death was caused by another person or persons, but that it does not necessarily mean those responsible committed a crime.

He said that will likely be determined through an investigation by the GBI and its eventual presentation to the Clayton County District Attorney.

The incident involving Thurmond seemed to have started with an attempt to help Thurmond, whose familys lawyer said had been diagnosed with mental illness.

Whats giving you strength? Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne asked Thurmonds mother, Lavoris Thurmond.

God, Lavoris Thurmond said.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Claire Bridges has experienced more challenges than most people will ever live through  and that was before media publications and influencers took the story of the aspiring model who suffered life-threatening Covid complications and used it to inflame anti-vaccine sentiment in posts and articles that reach millions.

In January 2022, Ms Bridges, 20, an aspiring model from Tampa, Florida, got Covid. A congenital heart condition called aortic valve stenosis exacerbated the effects of the disease.

Eventually, she required surgery, life support and dialysis, as a lack of blood flow reached her extremities. She got rhabdomyolysis, a condition in which damaged muscle tissue poisons the blood, requiring her to have both of her legs amputated below the knee.

When word of her story got out, major news publications like the New York Post , tabloids like the Daily Mirror and anti-vax influencers played up the supposed contrast between her vaccinated status and her harrowing experience with coronavirus. (Even vaccinated people can get breakthrough cases and suffer serious effects from Covid.)

I felt true rage  that someone was telling my story, they didnt even ask permission, they werent even telling it correctly, and they were using it to push a personal agenda, Ms Bridges told HuffPost of the experience. Youre forgetting the fact that Im a human.

The Independent has contacted Ms Bridges for comment.

The more people found out about what happened, the more online commenters took her story as an anti-vaccine parable.

Things got so bad she even did an interview with the fact-checking site Snopes to clear the record.

My legs were amputated due to COVID/[rhabdomyolysis], not the vaccine, she told the site in January. For anyone who doesnt have any of the facts to say anything different than that, is extremely rude, harmful and disrespectful.

Twitter proved a key vector for the spread of incorrect information about her case.

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An account associated with Died Suddenly, a film from far-right internet figure Stew Peters, tweeted incorrect information about Ms Bridgess story that reached millions of people, leading to an avalanche of negative online commentary heading her way, Ms Bridges told HuffPost.

Its frustrating to have your story stolen from you, she said.

The Independent has contacted Mr Peters for comment.

The tweet was published in November, right before Twitter, under Elon Musks new ownership, lifted its Covid misinformation policy .

Over 1.1m people have died from Covid in the US, according to the CDC .

Just over a third of the US population has gotten updated booster shots for coronavirus, the New York Times reports.
Finland has confirmed that it will hand over several of its Leopard 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine, but not until it officially joins the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Source: The Wall Street Journal (WSJ); European Pravda

Details: A high-ranking official from Finland told The WSJ that Helsinki will join the countries that have agreed to give battle tanks to Ukraine but did not disclose the details of any such arrangements.

The official added that Finland, which shares a 1,300-kilometre border with Russia, does not disclose the aid it sends to Ukraine as a matter of policy.

Meanwhile, a NATO representative told the WSJ that Finland has made it clear that it will likely not supply tanks directly to Ukraine until it officially joins the Alliance. Finland is currently being blocked from joining by Turkey.

The NATO official said that even after Finland joins NATO, it will only be able to give several of its 240 tanks to Ukraine.

Background: In late January 2023, presidents of Finland and Ukraine announced that Finland will join the so-called "tank coalition", the coalition of countries that have agreed to supply tanks to Ukraine, but have not disclosed the details.

Dmytro Kuleba, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated that Ukraine would obtain 120-140 modern Western tanks in the first wave of aid from the allies from 12 countries.

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Leopard tank

Read also: Finland to send heavy weapons, ammunition to Ukraine in largest aid package to date

They added that even after joining the alliance, Finland will be able to transfer only a small number of heavy tanks, as the country only has about 240 in stock. The WSJ notes that Finland's accession to NATO is currently being held up by Turkey.

Finnish Defense Minister Mikko Savola said that the country would take part in the supply of Leopard tanks to Ukraine, but the contribution would be small.

On Jan. 24, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto confirmed that his country is considering transferring Leopard tanks to Ukraine, but believes its better for Finland to act in concert with other European partners in this regard

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Photo: The Canadian Press

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday that a Ukraine that is winning should become a European Union member, arguing the bloc wouldn't be whole without his country being an integral part of the EU.

Zelenskky made his comments during an address to the European Parliament on a rare trip outside Ukraine, which has been trying to repel a full-scale invasion by Russia for nearly a year.

The Brussels visit came as Russia intensified its attacks in eastern Ukraine amid signs that a major new offensive by Moscow was underway before the Feb. 24 anniversary of the war.

Zelenskky, who also visited the U.K. and France on a whirlwind European tour that started on Wednesday, will already head home with heaps of goodwill and commitments of more military aid.

He arrived to the European Parliament to rapturous applause, cheering and hoots from legislators, insisting in his plenary speech that Ukraine's fight against Russia was one fought for the freedom of Europe as a whole.

A Ukraine that is winning is going to be member of the European Union, Zelenskyy said to applause, building his address around the common destiny that Ukraine and the 27-nation bloc face in confronting Russia head-on.

Europe will always be, and remain Europe as long as we ... take care of the European way of life, he said.

Zelenskyy added that Russia wants to destroy the European way of life, but we will not allow that.

He held up an EU flag after his address and the entire legislature stood in somber silence as the Ukrainian national anthem and the European anthem Ode to Joy were played one after the other.

Zelenskyy then headed to the urn-shaped Europa building, where the 27 EU leaders were meeting in a summit, to push those same points.

Before Zelenskyy spoke, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said allies should consider quickly, as a next step, providing long-range systems and fighter jets to Ukraine. Metsola said the response to Russian President Vladimir Putins war against Ukraine must be proportional to the threat, and the threat is existential.

Metsola also told him that we have your back. We were with you then, we are with you now, we will be with you for as long as it takes.

EU leaders were hoping to impress on Zelenskyy that the powerful bloc is steadfast in its support for Ukraine as Russia is feared to be making moves for a new offensive.

The latest draft of the summit conclusions seen by The Associated Press says the European Union will stand by Ukraine with steadfast support for as long as it takes." Military analysts say Putin is hoping that Europe's support for Ukraine will wane.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the bloc will send Zelenskyy "this signal of unity and solidarity, and can show that we will continue our support for Ukraine in defending its independence and integrity for as long as this is necessary.

Zelenskyys high-profile pursuit of more Western military aid came as evidence mounted that Russias anticipated offensive around the anniversary of the invasion is starting to take shape.

The Kremlins forces have regained the initiative in Ukraine and have begun their next major offensive in the eastern Luhansk region, most of which is occupied by Russia, the Institute for the Study of War, said in its latest assessment.

Russian forces are gradually beginning an offensive, but its success is not inherent or predetermined, the U.S.-based think tank said.

Zelenskyy used the dais of the European Parliament hoping to match Wednesday's speech to Britain's legislature when he thanked the nation for its unrelenting support.

That same support has come from the EU. The bloc and its member states have already backed Kyiv with about 50 billion euros ($53.6 billion) in aid, provided military hardware and imposed nine packages of sanctions on the Kremlin.

The EU is in the midst of brokering a new sanctions package worth about 10 billion euros ($10.7 billion) before the war's anniversary. And there is still plenty of scope for exporting more military hardware to Ukraine as a Russian spring offensive is expected.

Russia is also watching Zelenskyy's movements closely. On Wednesday, Russian state television showed the flight path of a British air force plane that Zelenskyy used to travel to London taken from a flight monitoring site. The anchor noted that the plane flew from the Polish air base in Rzeszow that serves as a hub for Western arms deliveries to Ukraine.

A high-profile visit to EU headquarters where the summit was being held should add to the goodwill to help his country on to the road of accession talks. Ukraine is talking about joining the EU in a matter of years, while practice has shown it can take decades before aspiring members are considered fit to join.

Beyond EU top officials like the summit host, European Council President Charles Michel, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Zelenskyy should find time for bilateral meetings with leaders to press for more hardware, ranging from ammunition to warplanes  something the bloc as a whole doesn't possess but individual countries do.

Meanwhile, fighting intensified in Ukraine on Thursday.

In the eastern Donetsk region the front line expanded significantly over the previous day, with fierce battles taking place as Moscows forces closed in on key Ukrainian-held towns, according to regional Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko. Russian shelling struck a kindergarten, hospital, cultural center, factory and apartment buildings, he said.

The intensity of the shelling has increased dramatically and we are seeing a significant intensification of activity by the Russian army immediately in the south, center and north of the region, Kyrylenko said. Russia is again actively using combat aircraft to shell our cities and villages.

Russian forces also stepped up their attacks in neighboring Luhansk province, launching a broad offensive, regional Governor Serhii Haidai said.

In the northeastern Kharkiv province, 23 cities and villages came under shelling. In the border city of Vovchansk, shelling damaged around 10 apartment buildings.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP)  A faulty weld at a bend in an oil pipeline contributed to a spill that dumped nearly 13,000 bathtubs' worth of crude oil into a northeastern Kansas creek, the pipeline's operator said Thursday, estimating the cost of cleaning it up at $480 million.

Canadian-based TC Energy said the flawed weld caused a crack that then grew over time because of the stress on the bend in its Keystone pipeline system in rural pastureland in Washington County, about 150 miles (240 kilometers) northwest of Kansas City. The company said the weld was for a fitting that connected two sections of pipe, and the fitting and weld came from a manufacturing plant.

The company, which is responsible for overseeing inspections of its pipeline system, said it still is investigating the cause of the pipeline stress and is analyzing other areas with potentially similar conditions. The Dec. 7 rupture spilled nearly 13,000 barrels of crude oil, with each barrel containing 42 gallons (159 liters), the size of a standard household bathtub.

Our focus continues to be the safe operation of the pipeline system, the company said in a statement.

No one was evacuated following the spill, and officials said it did not affect the two larger rivers and reservoir downstream. With federal regulators' permission, the company reopened the affected segment a little more than three weeks after the spill, though at a lower pressure than before.

But Bill Caram, executive director of the advocacy group Pipeline Safety Trust, said it's troubling that TC Energy said the flawed weld came from a fabrication facility. He said conditions there should have been ideal for making a weld that would not fail  as opposed to welding in the field.

It begs the question of how many other bad welds are on the Keystone pipeline from this same fabrication facility, Caram said.

Caram also said pipeline companies and pipeline regulators in the U.S. Department of Transportation struggle to deal with a combination of multiple threats that on their own don't appear to need immediate attention but together add up.

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The spill was the largest onshore in nine years and larger than than 22 previous spills on the Keystone system combined, according to U.S. Department of Transportation data. That's even though the company decreased its estimate for its size from its initial figure of 14,000 barrels.

Zack Pistora, who lobbies the Kansas Legislature for the Sierra Club, argued that the company's explanation shows the pipeline's design was flawed. In July 2021, a U.S. Government Accountability Office report said the four biggest previous spills on the Keystone system were caused by issues tied to its original design, its construction or the manufacturing of the pipe.

The company's statement Thursday said an analysis of the pipelines metal showed no issues with it or its strength.

The Kansas House energy committee plans to have hearings on the oil spill in March, according to its chair, state Rep. Leo Delperdang, a Wichita Republican whose career includes a stint with a pipeline company.

Ive got lots of questions, he said.

The 2,700-mile (4,345-kilometer) Keystone system carries heavy crude oil extracted from tar sands in western Canada to the Gulf Coast and to central Illinois.

Concerns that spills could pollute waterways spurred opposition to plans by TC Energy to build another crude oil pipeline in the same system, the 1,200-mile (1,900-kilometer) Keystone XL, across Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. President Joe Bidens cancelation of a permit for the project led the company to pull the plug on the project in 2021.

Pistora argued that people don't have any real assurances that the existing Keystone pipeline won't fail again.

It should be unsettling to everyone along the pipeline path and to Americans generally, he said.

Local farmer Bill Pannbacker said the rupture occurred near his property line, spraying crude onto his pasture at a point after the pipe goes under a creek and starts to ascend an 80-foot (24-meter) hill. He suggested that a straight section of pipe would be less prone to problems but added, I'm not an engineer.

Pannbacker said crews swarmed over the area as they cleaned up the mess, aided by relatively dry weather. The company said its estimate for the cost of the cleanup may change, calling its commitment to the work unwavering.

It is like a little city out there," said Pannbacker, also a former Kansas House member. "I just went by last night, and the lights get your attention, but I mean, theyre working hard.

___

Hollingsworth reported from Mission, Kansas.

___

Follow John Hanna on Twitter: https://twitter.com/apjdhanna
For nearly two decades, Bowen Tsuis family business in China has made garments to order for foreign clients to sell overseas under their own labels. Now, he believes the companys survival depends on whether it can design, brand and distribute clothing by itself.

About a year ago, the company began using two of its factorys assembly lines to make mens trousers, T-shirts and yoga pants stamped with its own name, Goodways Group. It purchased a new facility to use as a design studio, as well as a 30% stake in a Cambodian factory to manufacture mens and womens activewear. To sell his goods in China and Europe, Tsui hired livestream hosts to showcase products in the way of QVC and U.S. shopping channels, and hes looking for online merchants to reach American consumers.

The transition from simply manufacturing goods to conceptualizing and branding them is a result of Chinas changing economic landscape. Although the country maintains its status as the worlds factory floor, accounting for more than a quarter of global manufacturing, lower costs in places such as Vietnam and India are steadily luring operations away. At the same time, improved product quality and e-commerce channels have given manufacturers greater access to shoppers at home and overseas.

For Tsui and a majority of his friends in manufacturing, the hot topic these days is how to launch their own brands, whether for socks or pet toys or camping gear.

All the factories are experiencing tough times, said Tsui, 28. This is the sun setting on our traditional business.

As financial pressures from rent, labor and environmental regulation have increased, Tsui and his family have adopted cost-saving strategies such as opening factories in Cambodia and integrating robotics into their facilities in Chinas Jiangsu province. In 2020, when the pandemic bankrupted several of the companys foreign clients and halted orders, Tsui decided to forge ahead with the Goodways brand.

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To be honest, our domestic factories are not breaking even, he said. Its almost like you have to do it.

Chinas deep manufacturing experience and vast supply chain bolster those efforts, as maturing design and production capabilities have led to higher-quality products and enabled the rise of Chinese brands domestically.

When youre making so many things for the entire world, undoubtedly youre going to accumulate know-how and learn from the clients you work with, said Rui Ma, creator of investment consulting firm Tech Buzz China. More and more of these suppliers are becoming more like a brand.

According to Kantar, a London-based brand consultancy, the value of Chinas top 100 brands has risen 57% over the last year. Topping the list are tech giants Tencent and Alibaba, followed by liquor label Moutai and Douyin, TikToks sister app in China. The fastest-growing name in 2022 was Li-Ning, an athletic apparel maker thats gained popularity in China on the back of rising nationalism and preference for home-grown brands.

But a slowing economy and a crowded market mean that Tsui and others can no longer bank as much on Chinese consumers.

The domestic market has always been cutthroat, with price wars among merchants often resulting in a race to the bottom. As economic growth plateaus, weighed down by pandemic restrictions that have driven consumer saving to a 20-year high, more companies are looking to boost sales in other countries.

The trend, known as chuhai, or going overseas, has accelerated as the pandemic has spurred e-commerce around the world. According to Beijing-based investment research firm EqualOcean, sales of Chinese consumer products overseas, including mobile phones, clothing, home appliances and makeup, reached $561 billion in 2021, up 20% compared with the previous year.

With the allure of higher profits and government support, those products are increasingly shipping out under their own brand names, said Xing Yiran, a business analyst at EqualOcean.

This is a new era of China going overseas, Xing said. They are going from that kind of, We just help you make a product and stick a label on it, to We want to make our own products.

Chinese companies have been emboldened to go global in the last couple of years by success stories like fast-fashion giant Shein, whose cheap and trendy clothing has exploded in popularity among TikTok users. The company was reportedly valued at more than$100 billion in April, making it one of the worlds most valuable startups.

People wait to enter a Shein pop-up store in Barcelona, Spain, in June after the fast-fashion company opened a product showroom there. (Kike Rincon / Europa Press)

In September, the Chinese discount shopping platform Pinduoduo launched a new app, Temu, for the U.S. market. Other Chinese tech giants such as TikTok owner ByteDance and Alibaba have experimented with their own fast-fashion platforms targeting Western consumers, with mixed results.

In October, the vice president of Amazon China told Chinese media that the number of Chinese brands registered on Amazon rose 40-fold between 2018 and 2021.

Its the most trending topic in every coffee shop in China: Lets do business in America and Europe, said Wang Shuo, who worked as a brand consultant for 12 years.

In 2021, Wang founded his own brand, Psytone, selling premium press-on Cardi B type nails for the U.S. market, which promises growth opportunities that are becoming rarer at home.

Markets in China are hell, he said. All the people in the same industry, the only thing they can do is lower the price, lower the price, lower the price. Buying power is decreasing  you cannot make money there.

Such ambitions are something of a role reversal for the worlds two largest economies. As Chinas growth skyrocketed in the 2000s, U.S. brands jostled for a share of Chinese consumers newfound spending power, struggling to adapt their products to local tastes.

While China has a strong U.S. presence in consumer electronics with brands such as Huawei, Haier and Anker, other product categories like clothing and cosmetics are still finding their footing abroad.

Huaweis technology was already on par with many U.S. companies, said Lin Zengsheng, senior PR manager and a founding employee of Florasis, a Chinese cosmetics brand that launched in 2017 and started selling overseas in 2021. Chinese makeup was not at that stage, but now we think the time is ripe. Our products and branding have gotten to a pretty good point.

Lin believes the companys biggest challenge will be building brand recognition and balancing foreign consumer preferences with its Chinese-style aesthetic.

We have only taken the first step, he said. Theres still a long way to go.

While the number of Chinese brands on Amazon has surged, many have received complaints of inflated reviews or subpar products over the last few years. In 2021, Amazon suspended hundreds of Chinese merchants for violating its terms of service.

Such controversies illustrate one of the biggest hurdles for nascent Chinese brands targeting the overseas market: the perception that their goods are cheap, shoddy or fake.

According to a survey by market research firm Ipsos, global consumer confidence in Chinese brands increased 4% between 2019 and 2021. However, China still ranked the lowest in its confidence index compared with India, South Korea, the U.K., Japan, the U.S. and Germany.

For some startups, combating that image means putting extra emphasis on quality or promoting their business in a way that leaves out China altogether, either by marketing themselves as global brands or highlighting offices or factories in other countries.

It is truly a tricky thing, said Iris Guo, who last year created the brand 4T7 for her smart cutting boards, which come with a built-in scale and accompanying app. If people ask, we will say we are a Chinese brand. But we wont address it in a huge sentence on our website.

Guo decided to initially target U.S. consumers, mostly via Amazon, to establish her brand before Chinese competitors could copy her product and sell it domestically at a cheaper price. By spring, she hopes to expand to Europe; China is a possible target by the end of 2023.

We want to try to turn peoples thinking about how Chinese brands are low-quality copycats, she said. But we are a very small brand, a very small company. We cannot do that on our own.

For Tsui and his Goodways clothing business, everything is worth trying.

The company began as a textile trading company in 1996 and started producing clothing for international brands in 2004. As early as 2013, it became clear that competition from other countries was growing, prompting the company to purchase its Cambodian facilities.

Tsuis family even tried to expand into growing traditional Chinese medicine in Cambodia but lost all their crops after 14 days of rain. That convinced them to stick with making garments.

But Goodways own clothing line has a long way to go before it can supplant the companys traditional source of revenue: Manufacturing for other vendors still accounts for 96% of the companys sales, Tsui said.

Livestreaming sales promotion, a booming e-commerce trend in China, has also foundered with Western audiences. Fluent English-speaking hosts are costly and hard to find, Tsui said. And shopping via livestream has yet to take off outside China; Goodways European channel shut down several weeks ago from a lack of viewers.

For U.S. consumers, Tsui is debating whether to sell on Amazon, Temu or Canadian e-commerce website Shopify. On Temu, the Goodways label could have a harder time building brand recognition, while Amazon retailers are trying to negotiate lower prices, and a Shopify store would require more spending on online advertising, he said.

But he and his family are determined to make it work.

Its a must, Tsui said. Even if its losing money, its an investment, and we have to invest more.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
IDLIB, Syria (Reuters) -The first United Nations convoy carrying emergency aid to a rebel-held area of Syria stricken three days ago by a deadly earthquake crossed from Turkey on Thursday.

The trucks, with materials from jerrycans to blankets, went via the Bab Al Hawa crossing to Idlib city in an area of northwest Syria where 4 million people, many uprooted by civil war, had relied on aid even before Monday's quake.

The disaster has killed more than 17,000 people in Turkey and Syria, leaving hundreds of thousands homeless.

"We need life-saving aid," U.N. envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen told reporters in Geneva.

"It's desperately needed by civilians wherever they are, irrespective of borders and boundaries. We need it urgently through the fastest, most direct and most effective routes. They need more of absolutely everything."

With frustration rising at the slow delivery of aid, Turkish officials said they would open other crossing points into Syria in two days if security was sound.

'TIME RUNNING OUT'

Pedersen called for assurances there would be no political hindrances within Syria, where President Bashar al-Assad has been fighting rebels since 2011.

Rescue workers said the U.N. aid was insufficient, with heavy equipment for search-and-rescue operations still needed in areas where people remained buried under debris.

"The U.N. are not delivering the aid that we are in most need of to help us save lives with time running out," Raed al Saleh, who leads the White Helmets volunteer rescue group in the area, told Reuters.

Volunteers and rescue workers were relying on simple tools and old cranes in towns and cities that have seen whole neighbourhoods wiped out, charities and rescuers said.

Mazen Aloush, a spokesperson on the Syrian side of the border crossing, said six U.N. trucks had passed with medical and relief supplies en route to the neediest people in the area.

(Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber in Geneva, Suleiman Al-Khalidi in Amman, Hamuda Hassan in Jerusalem, Abir Al Ahmar in Dubai;Writing by Andrew Cawthorne;Eediting by Nick Macfie)
After the earthquake in Turkey, five citizens of Ukraine remain under the rubble

"We have information about five Ukrainians who are probably trapped under debris, he said.

Read also: 24 Ukrainians reported to be out of contact in quake-hit Turkey, Foreign Ministry says

The Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Embassy are working together with the Turkish authorities to rescue them.

According to the spokesperson, one Ukrainian woman rescued from the affected area has been taken to the hospital, but her life is not in danger.

In total, Ukrainian diplomats have located 103 Ukrainians in the affected areas. Another twenty-two more Ukrainians remain out of contact.

Nikolenko added that Ukrainian consuls had left for the disaster-struck area in southern Turkey to provide assistance.

Read also: Ukrainian rescuers and paramedics arrive in Turkey to assist with aftermath of devastating earthquake

The diplomats took warm clothes, medicines, and other necessities, and will coordinate a rescue and search operation for Ukrainian nationals, providing medical care and evacuation at the spot.

On Feb. 6, a series of earthquakes hit the border area between Turkey and Syria. It was one of the most powerful and devastating earthquakes in the past century, reaching magnitudes of 7.8.

A state of emergency was introduced in ten Turkish provinces, lasting for three months.

According to the latest reports, over 16,000 people been reported dead so far in Turkey and Syria as the aftermath of the earthquake.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Gamma ray bursts happen when neutron stars collide or when giant stars explode into black holes, releasing jets of super-energetic photons that look like narrow beams of a flashlight.

A constellation of tiny satellites could revolutionize the study of the most energetic explosion in the cosmos and help astronomers untangle the mysteries of colliding stellar remnants that produce powerful gravitational waves.

In 2016, a group of Eastern European astronomers and space enthusiasts met in Hungary's capital Budapest to discuss new ideas to do ground-breaking science. That is, to do ground-breaking science the Eastern European way: With tiny budgets and a lot of resourcefulness. Among these people were astronomers Andras Pal, a senior research fellow at Budapest's Konkoly Observatory, and Norbert Werner, at that time newly appointed as the head of the "Hot Universe" research group at Budapest's Eotvos Lorand University. In his late 30s and originally from the neighboring Slovakia, Werner had just returned to his native corner of the world after an eight-year stint at California's famed Stanford University.

Energized by the spirit of the place that in the early 2000s had given birth to cubesats , perhaps the space industry's most game-changing innovation of recent decades, Werner wanted to find out what type of big science one could do with these cheap, easy-to-build space gadgets.

Related: Most powerful gamma-ray burst ever seen could help reveal how black holes are born

Elusive gamma ray bursts

For these Eastern Europeans, naturally skilled in the DIY approach to make up for their lack of financial resources, cubesats appeared like a gift from the heavens. For Werner, whose interests had for years focused on the hottest places and the highest-energy phenomena that occur in the universe , it didn't take long to realize that gamma-ray bursts may be just the thing he wanted to study with these new toys.

"Gamma-ray bursts are really bright and all you need is a relatively small detector to spot them," Werner told Space.com. "You don't need anything complicated, like a good attitude control system."

Gamma-ray bursts are the highest-energy explosions known to take place in the universe. Astronomers believe that only the Big Bang produced more energy than these mysterious flashes of super-energetic photons that come from distant galaxies . Accidentally discovered in the 1960s by American satellites keeping an eye on Russia's testing of nuclear weapons (which too produce the dangerous, penetrating gamma radiation), gamma-ray bursts had long puzzled astronomers. While some last a fraction of a second, others can brighten up the sky for several minutes.

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It took until the 1990s for astronomers to find that short gamma-ray bursts are likely caused by collisions of neutron stars , super-dense remnants of giant stars that prior to their death were over ten times more massive than our sun . The long-lasting bursts, astronomers believe, occur when even larger stars explode into supernovas at the end of their lives and then turn into black holes . Both of these events emit jets of super energetic material that illuminate the surrounding universe like the beam of a flashlight. Satellites orbiting Earth only detect a gamma-ray burst when this flashlight is directed toward our part of the cosmos, but detecting a gamma-ray burst is not a rare event. Almost every day, one flashes briefly at our planet from somewhere in the universe. Many more are believed to take place throughout the cosmos that go undetected because the "flashlight" is not aimed at us.

But because gamma-ray bursts are so fleeting, astronomers don't always manage to locate their source. In fact, only about 30% of detected gamma-ray bursts get tracked to their origins, a problem Werner thought his cubesats could solve.

The tiny 1U cubesat GRBALpha is the world's first cubesat capable of detecting gamma-ray bursts.

The aging fleet of gamma-ray burst watchers

The European Space Agency's Integral mission , which celebrated two decades in orbit in October last year, and NASA's nearly 15-year-old Fermi are the current flagship gamma-ray burst spotters. Optimized to detect super high energy gamma radiation, which is billions of times more energetic than what human eyes can see, these two spacecraft together detect the vast majority of gamma-ray bursts aimed at Earth. However, Werner said, they don't do a very good job finding the source of those flashes. Another NASA spacecraft, Swift , just a year and a half short of its 20th birthday, is equipped to find the source of gamma-ray bursts. Swift, however, only sees about one ninth of the sky. And since gamma-ray bursts are distributed evenly all over the universe, Swift only detects a small fraction of them.

"It misses 8 out of 9 gamma-ray bursts," said Werner. "We don't have a mission that would cover the full sky and also provide localization."

Astronomers want to know where gamma-ray bursts come from so that they can point other types of telescope toward those sources, and study the aftermath of the cataclysmic events that produced them.

Werner's and Pal's brainstorming soon moved beyond a single cubesat. They envisioned a whole constellation, which, they thought, could make up for the shortcomings of the existing, aging gamma-ray burst-detecting fleet.

An artist's rendering of NASA's gamma-ray burst-spotting spacecraft Swift.

A GPS for gamma-ray bursts

"It occurred to us that if you have a constellation of cubesats, then you can cover the whole sky," Werner said. "That's a big advantage compared to the big monolithic missions. The second advantage is that you can measure the difference in time between when the different cubesats detect the gamma-ray burst and you can triangulate the position of the gamma-ray burst on the sky."

By 2018, the two managed to persuade the Hungarian Academy of Sciences to fund a development of a new detector that would fit on a 1U cubesat, the smallest type of cubesat measuring only 3.9 by 3.9 by 3.9 inches (10 by 10 by 10 centimeters) in size. Other partners jumped on board including researchers from the Technical University of Kosice in Werner's native Slovakia and scientists from Japan's Hiroshima University. In March 2021, the world's first gamma-ray burst-detecting cubesat, called GRBAlpha, shot off to space from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan squeezed inside the fairing of Russia's Soyuz rocket together with a bunch of other small satellites including the debris removing experiment ELSA-D of the Japan-headquartered firm Astroscale.

Slovak astronomer Norbert Werner is the force behind the world's tiniest astrophysics mission, the gamma-ray burst-detecting GRBAlpha cubesat.

The smallest astrophysical observatory in the world

Since then, GRBAlpha, which Werner refers to as "the smallest astrophysical satellite ever," has been orbiting Earth 340 miles (550 kilometers) above the planet's surface. The innovative detector bolted to the tiny satellite's surface has been exceeding the team's expectations from the start.

"The first burst was detected in August 2021," Werner said. "We were all really, really happy, because the actual detection of gamma-ray bursts was considered a bonus, not the main goal. The main goal was the in-flight demonstration of the detector, which contained new technology."

Since then, GRBAlpha has detected 22 gamma-ray bursts.

In the meantime, in 2020, Werner relocated yet again. This time to Brno, a city in the Czech Republic, yet another country from the central-eastern European post-communist cluster that is now part of the European Union. Barely 40 years old at that time, Werner was appointed a professor of theoretical physics and astrophysics at Brno's Masaryk University, and quickly won the support of the country's small-but-eager space sector to add the new detectors on another mission. Three times larger than GRBAlpha, the Czech Republic's VZLUSAT-2 has been orbiting Earth since January 2022, having scored 12 gamma-ray bursts since then. And thus, the foundation of Werner's and Pal's constellation came into being.

Colliding neutron stars produce gamma-ray bursts as well as powerful gravitational waves.

Decoding the mysteries of neutron stars

Werner's interest in gamma-ray bursts goes beyond tracking down their sources. In addition to these powerful flashes of light, colliding neutron stars (and possibly supernova explosions too) produce another fascinating phenomenon: Gravitational waves .

First predicted by the iconic physicist Albert Einstein in 1916, gravitational waves are ripples in spacetime that arise from the interplay of gravitational forces of two or more supermassive objects, such as neutron stars and black holes. Across the universe, these objects frequently get pulled into each other's sphere of gravitational influence and start orbiting each other. Gradually, they spiral closer and closer to each other and eventually collide, the collision producing a gravitational tsunami that can be detected from Earth by gravitational wave detectors such as the American LIGO ( The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory ) and the European Gravitational Observatory Virgo.

Having made its first ground-breaking gravitational wave detection in 2015 , LIGO is currently undergoing upgrades and will start its next observing run later this year.

"For these further runs of the gravitational wave detectors, we need a gamma-ray burst-monitoring system that will allow us to see whether these gravitational wave events do produce observable counterparts in gamma-ray bursts," Werner said. "Especially in the neutron star mergers, it is important to see whether there was a gamma-ray burst or not because only a small fraction of those jets that produce the gamma-ray burst should be aimed at us."

Apart from their limited ability to detect the sources of gamma-ray bursts, Swift, Integral and Fermi are all way past their originally planned lifetimes. Replacing them with new, large space telescopes would take years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars. In comparison, the constellation envisioned by Werner and Pal would come with a friendly price tag of only about 10 million dollars and could be up and running within less than three years, Werner said.

Teams from all over the world working on cubesat missions to detect gamma-ray bursts met at a conference in Brno, the Czech Republic, in 2022.

An international endeavor

Related stories:

 How the gamma-ray burst of the century surprised spacecraft operators

 'Castaway' gamma-ray bursts come from distant early galaxies

 Gamma-ray bursts might be much rarer than we thought, study suggests

Soon after their first discussion, Werner and Pal found out they weren't alone in recognizing the potential of cubesats for the detection of gamma-ray bursts.

An Italian project called HERMES won European Union funding in 2018 to build and launch a constellation of six gamma-ray burst-detecting 3U cubesats (three times larger than the tiny, pioneering GRBAlpha). The first of these spacecraft is expected to launch in the second half of 2024, Fabrizio Fiore, the HERMES project coordinator and astronomer at Italy's National Institute for Astrophysics, told Space.com in an email. Prior to that, the HERMES project team will fly a hosted payload on a cubesat built by the University of Melbourne, Australia, which is set for launch at the end of 2023.

"We hope to see first data at the end of this year or beginning of 2024," Fiore wrote.

The HERMES satellites are quite a bit more sophisticated than GRBAlpha, featuring a detector sensitive to gamma-rays but also the slightly less energetic X-rays. The satellites are also equipped with a set of high-tech sensors including GPS receivers and accelerometers that will be able to report the spacecraft's positions with an accuracy of a few meters. And since there will be six of these satellites (plus the hosted payload), astronomers will be able, for the first time, to use the minuscule time difference in the arrival of the gamma-ray burst at the individual satellites, to calculate the location of the burst's source.

"The temporal resolution is of about 300 nanoseconds," Fiore wrote. "That is three to seven times better than any instrument flown so far for gamma-ray burst science."

NASA is also working on a gamma-ray burst-detecting cubesat. The BurstCube , twice as big as the HERMES satellites, is expected to launch by the end of 2023.

Werner and his colleagues, too, have a new satellite in the pipeline. GRBAlpha's somewhat larger and more complex successor GRBBeta has its ride to space booked on the debut flight of Europe's new Ariane 6 heavy-lift rocket, which is expected to take place by the end of this year.

"It seems that we all had this idea of a small satellite detecting these high-energy events in the sky at about the same time," said Werner. "Now we can all coordinate our efforts and build the constellation together. Most of these cubesats are built by small teams that have limited funding, but by working together, we can do it easier with the funding that we have."
Well, it's the weekend of the big game and many an angler has plans to see which team can hoist another Lombardi Trophy by the end of Sunday. Meanwhile, another front will sweep through the Treasure Coast before then, dipping temperatures 10-15 degrees and scattering a few hundredths of an inch of rain.

The winds will whip up by Saturday and Sunday making it impossible to fish offshore, and the beaches will also likely be a tough place to fish productively. However, for what seems like the fifth week in a row, snook lead the best bite category for anglers.

First, snook like it when the weather gets crummy. Second, snook don't mind when the water gets dirty. Third, snook will pounce on a variety of artificial lures, jigs, live bait and dead bait.

A few pompano were caught inside the Indian River Lagoon, so that's another good sign fishing is on the upswing with spring only weeks away.

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No more septic?St. Lucie County's $18 million septic-to-sewer project faces final approval in April

Did a customer of HookASnook.com Capt. Tim Simos catch and released a tarpon snook?

Closures & regulations changes in effect: Anglers are reminded about these fishery harvest closures currently underway and ones about to begin and end.

Snook : Harvest is open until May 31. One fish per day bag limit, 28-32 inches with snook stamp.

Grouper : Harvest closed from Jan. 1, 2023, through April 30, 2023. Includes gag grouper, red grouper, black grouper, scamp, yellowfin grouper, yellowmouth, coney, graysby, red hind & rock hind. Harvest reopens May 1, 2023.

Spotted seatrout : Harvest open as of Jan. 1 in Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin & Palm Beach counties. Harvest closes November and December 2023.

Flounder : Harvest reopened Dec. 1.

Hogfish : Harvest closed from Nov. 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023. Harvest reopens May 1, 2023.

Redfish : Harvest of redfish is banned in the Indian River Lagoon and Mosquito Lagoon beginning Sept. 1. FWC will re-evaluate later in the year.

Alligator : Hunt season open Aug. 15-Nov. 1. Permits required.

Lobster : 48-hour sport season (mini-season) open July 26-27, 2023. Regular season opens Aug. 6.

Dolphin : New fishing regulations began May 1, 2022 for state waters. Bag limit is now five fish per day per angler; Vessel limit is now 30 fish per day. Captain and crew may not be included in limit.

Tilefish : Harvest is open as of Jan. 1.

Bass: Bass at Headwaters Lake will soon become all catch-and-release.

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For complete fishing regulations in Florida go to MyFWC.com.

Pompano moved through the Indian River Lagoon on Feb. 5, 2023 according to Capt. Bob Bushholz of Catch 22 charters in Jensen Beach.

Indian River County

Offshore: Reefs outside of Sebastian Inlet have been producing catches of mangrove snapper, mutton snapper, kingfish, triggerfish and even a cobia once in a while. Dead sardines and long leaders can improve the bite frequency. Trolling can produce catches of blackfin tuna, mahi mahi and wahoo in 150 to 180 feet of water.

Inshore: Snook fishing is pretty steady around the spoil islands in the lagoon south of Vero Beach. Snook can also be caught along the jetties at Sebastian Inlet on mullet or large jigs. Jacks and occasional pompano can be caught along the channel edges of the Intracoastal Waterway on 1/8-ounce pink or chartreuse jigs.

Freshwater: J.T. Kenny, former professional bass angler from Palm Bay, said this is the time to target spawning activity in the western lakes. Stick worms and slow-worked topwater plugs are good ways to get bites from bedding bass along the edges of the Stick Marsh, Kenansville Lake, Blue Cypress Lake, Headwaters Lake or Garcia Reservoir.

St. Lucie County

Offshore: Bethel Shoal and the Offshore Bar have been the best places to fish for mangrove snapper, mutton snapper, lane snapper and other reef catches. The weekend's marine weather forecast sounds like it will be pretty rough for anglers. Thursday and Friday and after Monday, conditions should allow for good bluewater fishing.

Inshore: Spotted seatrout can be caught off the points of mangrove-lined spoil islands north of North Causeway. Try fishing near Jack Island, the Old Inlet and up into Wildcat Cove with topwater plugs early in the morning. Snook, a few redfish, jacks and even some pompano can be caught on shrimp-tipped jigs. End of the incoming tide and beginning of the outgoing tide has been best time to go.

Surf: It's been hit and miss on the beaches the last week. Pompano have been no-shows and whiting, croaker and bluefish are also scarce. The weekend probably won't be a good time to fish, but look for action to return soon as many of the migrating pompano begin moving back north soon.

Martin County

Offshore: Off the Chain charters with Capt. Scott Fawcett out of Sailfish Marina in Stuart celebrated the catch and release of a blue marlin on fly tackle for an angler last week. First, the marlin was rare. Second, to catch one on fly is also not easy at all. Blackfin tuna and a few wahoo have been caught along current edges in 200 to 400 feet of water and out over structure like at Push Button Hill.

Inshore: There have been some pompano caught in the lagoon from the low bridge on the east end of Jensen Beach Causeway, at Ernie Lyons Bridge on Stuart Causeway and by people jigging on Sailfish Point flats during the end of the incoming tide. Snook fishing is very good at the bridges in the St. Lucie River around the pilings. Use jigs during the outgoing tide for best results.

Lake Okeechobee

The level of the lake is at 15.97 feet above sea level and that means the water is high in many of the usual fishing spots. The Major League Fishing event this weekend out of Clewiston features 150 of the top pros and they will have to figure out where the big bass are lying. Speck fishing is still very good in the Kissimmee River and Tin House Cove.

Ed Killer is the outdoors columnist for TCPalm.com. Email your fishing reports to ed.killer@tcpalm.com.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Snook, pompano in the Indian River Lagoon are best catch for anglers
A South Florida man facing prison for his role in stealing millions from a federal COVID-19 loan program not only faces a prison term but also another consequence of his crime  loss of his naturalized citizenship and possible deportation to his native Haiti.

That punishment looms because of a wrinkle in U.S. immigration law that allows the government to revoke the citizenship of people who were engaged in crimes at the time they applied  even if they had not yet been arrested for or convicted of them.

Back in November, Joff Stenn Wroy Philossaint, 32, had admitted guilt to helping about a dozen South Florida businesses apply for $3 million in phony loans under the federal Paycheck Protection Program meant to help struggling companies pay for their employees and other overhead costs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Philossaint also admitted that the network of companies received $2 million in PPP loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration, according to court records. And he admitted that he collected a 10 percent commission fee from five other defendants named in his indictment, records show.

But another charge  whether hed lied on a naturalization form about his criminal history while his citizenship was pending  went before a Fort Lauderdale federal court jury, which found him guilty earlier this week.

His defense attorney, Ian Goldstein, declined to comment on Thursday.

According to evidence presented on Monday, Philossaint applied to become a U.S. citizen in April 2020. While that application was pending, prosecutors said Philossaint orchestrated his COVID-19 loan scheme in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. On Dec. 15, 2020, a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officer interviewed Philossaint about his citizenship application.

During the interview, Philossaint falsely stated that he had never committed a crime for which he had not been arrested and that he had never made misrepresentations to receive a public benefit such as the PPP loans in the United States, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Philossaint won approval to become a naturalized U.S. citizen based on these false representations, the office said.

Now, Philossaint faces prison time for wire fraud and money-laundering conspiracies along with citizenship fraud at his sentencing hearing on April 19 before U.S. District Judge Rodney Smith.

Each of the two conspiracy convictions carry up to 20 years, and the citizenship violation up to 10 years. After his sentencing, Philossaint will be stripped of his citizenship, prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office said. Once he loses his naturalization status, Philossaint will be a convicted foreign national subject to deportation.
Hollis Daniels III is escorted by Lubbock County Sherrif's deputies to a courtroom where he is on trial for capital murder in the October 2017 shooting death of Texas Tech police officer Floyd East Jr.

The jurors' faces betrayed no emotion as they sat, eyes trained on one of two television screens set up in the courtroom that played the video of the last moments of Texas Tech Police Officer Floyd East Jr.'s life.

For about a half-hour, jurors watched intently as each frame brought them excruciatingly closer to the moment Hollis Daniels III, then a 19-year-old sophomore at Texas Tech, shot the officer in the briefing room of the Texas Tech Police Department where East was filling out paperwork for Daniels' arrest on a misdemeanor drug charge.

Daniels kept a somber expression as the video played.

Jurors picked in Hollis Daniels death penalty case

The video, which was recorded on East's body worn camera, was quiet for the most part. Then, Daniels, now 24, could be heard asking the officer about his children before racking the slide of the pistol he smuggled into the police station and shooting East in the head.

A juror jumped back as Daniels fired the gun. That was followed by noises from the defendant grabbing the officer's body worn camera as he ran away.

Daniels, who pleaded guilty to capital murder, faces either life in prison without parole or the death penalty, in East's slaying.

East's family, who had been at the courtroom since Monday when testimony began in the trial, was led out of the courtroom before the graphic video was played.

Television screens were set up facing away from the courtroom gallery as the video would have showed the shooting in vivid detail.

The third day of testimony of Daniels' trial also shed light on one of the biggest mysteries in the case: How was the 19-year-old Seguin native able to smuggle a firearm into the police station after he was arrested and handcuffed in his dorm room, and why he was uncuffed.

About a week after the shooting, Texas Tech administrators said Texas Department of Public Safety investigators were going to review the campus' safety and security policies and practices.

The administrative review will analyze Tech police procedures during Daniels arrest on a drug charge and events leading up to the shooting, according to A-J Media files.

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The DPS review was expected to answer key questions in the case, including how thoroughly Daniels was searched and why he was not handcuffed at the time of the shooting inside the campus police station.

However, a month later, Daniels was indicted in the charge and 137th District Judge John McClendon, who is presiding over the trial, issued a media gag order that barred any agency investigating the shooting from providing information about the case to the media. The order cited concerns that any more publicity the high-profile shooting would garner would result in moving a potential trial outside of Lubbock County.

That information was provided on Wednesday, as Tech Police Sgt. Tyler Snelson continued his testimony from the day before.

Snelson, who was a corporal in 2017, told jurors he and East were the police officers who took the shots fired report from Daniels' roommate that day.

He said Daniels was away when they arrived at his dorm room and got someone to open his room.

Footage from Snelson's body worn camera from that day were played to jurors. The video showed the officers unable to find any evidence of the shooting in Daniels' bedroom. Instead, their attention shifted to the prescription pills and marijuana paraphernalia lying in plain view in the room.

As the officers documented the evidence for a potential drug charge, Daniels arrives and initially identified himself to officers using the name of one of the roommates who made the report to East and Snelson.

Daniels apologized and used his real name, and Snelson patted him down. Snelson demonstrated to jurors with prosecutor Barron Slack how he patted down Daniels and said there was no way he would have missed the .45 caliber pistol.

After the pat down, the officer tells Daniels to sit on the couch of a common room and interviews him. The couch was never searched.

During the interview, Daniels appeared calm and forthcoming, appearing to play the role of a naive college student to disarm and placate the officers into thinking he wasn't a danger.

Daniels could be hearing denying having a weapon or being in his dorm when his roommates said they heard the gunshot form his room, saying he was detained at a traffic stop on Indiana Avenue by Lubbock police investigating the theft of his friend's pistol.

However, the officer catches him lying a few times, particularly with the contents of a full pill bottle found in his pants.

Ultimately, East determined there was enough cause to arrest Daniels on a drug charge and can be seen handcuffing the defendant's hands behind his back and searching him again.

However, Daniels is told to sit back on the couch as officers look for his ID in his bedroom.

Meanwhile, Daniels could be seen moving around and fidgeting on the couch, which is when he likely secreted the .45 caliber pistol he stole from a friend the night before into his pants.

Throughout the encounter, Daniels never leaves the couch and had an officer with him the entire time.

Snelson could not definitively say that the couch was where Daniels hid the gun he stole the night before. But as East walked the handcuffed student the out of his dorm room, Snelson said Daniels was already armed with the loaded gun.

Lubbock police detective Thomas Bonds was called to admit video from East's body cam and backseat cameras.

Portions of videos of East's body camera and the back seat camera were played to the jury and Daniels could be seen in the back seat of East's patrol vehicle fidgeting with something.

A loud thump erupts as Daniels continues to fidget and East asks Daniels about the noise. The defendant tells the officer that it was just his handcuffs banging against the molded plastic backseat.

However, Lubbock Police Detective Thomas Bonds, who testified about the video, tells jurors that it was actually a gun falling out of Daniels' pants as he tries to move it. Moments later, Daniels can be seen moving the gun to the front of his pants waistband before he is taken to the briefing room inside the Texas Tech Police Department headquarters.

As the ride ended, East asked Daniels about his goals.

"I want to have a radio show," Daniels replied. "I think this is probably going to drop me out of school, unfortunately."

Snelson told jurors he saw East and Daniels in the department's briefing room to prepare the arrest paperwork. Snelson said Daniels was uncuffed at East's discretion, saying officers typically remove handcuffs from cooperative and calm arrestees.

East also placed his body camera on a desk and positioned it so both he and Daniels were in the same frame, Snelson said.

Before the trial ended for the day, jurors heard from a handful of police officers who played a role in arresting Daniels on campus.

Texas Tech Police Capt. Amy Ivey told jurors she and another officer headed to the C-1 parking lot near the Jones Stadium after reports of a person matching Daniels' description was seen in the area.

She said the spotted Daniels in the parking lot, exited their vechicles armed with rifles and ordered the defendant to stop and lay on the ground.

"He stood and just spaced us," she said.

Second later, she said Daniels ran away, heading to the site of the former Lubbock Municipal coliseum where more officers chased him, eventually taking him to the ground.

As Daniels was being handcuffed Ivey said he began cursing at the officers, telling them, "---- the police" and "You know you want to shoot me."

She said Daniels also spat at another officer.

Ivey said once Daniels was in arrested, he was handed over to the Lubbock Police Department, who took the lead on the investigation.

Other officers who responded to the scene said they found what they believed to be the murder weapon hidden in a colorful box in a drainage area near Marsha Sharp Freeway near the Texas Tech Police Headquarters.

Easts' body worn camera was also found in pieces nearby.

After the shooting, Daniels' dorm room was searched a second time. Investigators with the Lubbock Police Department's Identification Unit found evidence consistent with the shots fired call Daniels' roommates reported to Tech PD.

Jurors were shown pictures of bullet damage on the floor of the room.

Detective David McGowen told jurors he believed the bullet shattered and fragments from the bullet struck parts of a wall and Daniels' bed frame.

Investigators would later find pieces of the bullet around the room and a spent .45 caliber shell casing in the trash can.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Video of deadly shooting played in Hollis Daniels capital murder trial
China urges U.S. to lift unilateral sanctions on Syria: spokesperson

Xinhua) 08:44, February 09, 2023

BEIJING, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Wednesday urged the United States to immediately lift unilateral sanctions on Syria as the earthquake-stricken country is facing a serious humanitarian crisis.

Spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press briefing that the United Nations and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have called for emergency assistance for the victims in Syria to avoid further deterioration of the local humanitarian situation.

Noting that the United States has been involved in the Syrian crisis for a long time, Mao said the frequent U.S. military interventions and harsh economic sanctions on Syria have caused great civilian casualties, cutting the Syrian people off from basic necessities of life and blocking the country's economic development and reconstruction.

"Even today, U.S. troops still occupy Syria's principal oil fields, plunder more than 80 percent of the country's oil production, and have smuggled and burned Syria's grain stock, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis there," the spokesperson added.

"In the wake of the devastating earthquakes, the United States should let go of its geopolitical obsession, immediately lift unilateral sanctions on Syria and open the door for humanitarian aid," Mao said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Photo: Glacier Media

Vancouver Coastal Health is requesting 32 full-time staff including nurses and social workers be hired to create a non-police de-escalation program in Vancouver that would be responsible for helping people whose mental health is deteriorating.

The request from Vancouver Coastal Health forms part of a wider proposal to address mental health issues announced by Mayor Ken Sim at a Feb. 5 news conference. Details on the program and number of staff were released Wednesday in a report that goes before council Feb. 14.

The report recommends $2.8 million be spent this year to begin hiring up to 58 mental health workers to expand and create services such as the de-escalation program to address Vancouvers mental health crisis.

Roughly $2.4 million of the budget would be spent on staff hired this year, with the remaining dollars dedicated to evaluating the services, other non-labour costs and $66,000 for engagement and honorariums.

The budget would increase to roughly $8 million per year in 2024 and subsequent years.

Program doesn't include police

The de-escalation program would not include police but be comprised of nurses, social workers, cultural support workers, peers and community liaison workers, with support from a psychiatrist, according to the health agencys proposal.

The programs staff would work in partnership with shelter and housing operators, park rangers, store owners and service providers to engage the individual needing support with a trauma-informed and relationship-based approach, the agency said.

That could mean connecting a person to a mental health team, case management or a program to engage the individual in meaningful activities such as recreation or work in a peer position.

Assisting a person find appropriate housing and engaging with people using stimulants or substances  and connecting them with risk mitigation strategies  are other components of the job.

The report doesnt specifically say how much the de-escalation program would cost but does provide salaries of the various positions required to staff the team. The report isnt clear, however, on whether the salaries are based on experienced workers, rookies, or both.

The positions include a registered nurse ($96,156), psychiatric nurse ($96,156), social worker ($93,508), peer support assistant ($51,432), nurse practitioner ($157,430), community liaison worker ($57,859) and clinical educator ($106,745).

VPD's Car 87/88 service

The balance of the 58 mental health workers would help bolster police-led crisis intervention teams such as the Vancouver Police Departments Car 87/88 programs, which pair plainclothes officers with psychiatric nurses to respond to citizens experiencing mental health issues.

At least 12 workers would be hired to strengthen Indigenous approaches across all of the health agencys urgent mental health services and develop a comprehensive and seamless referral network to culturally-specific programs and services.

The mayor was joined at Sundays news conference by Dr. Patricia Daly of Vancouver Coastal Health, Police Chief Adam Palmer and Premier David Eby, who all expressed their support for the hiring of 58 mental health workers.

The initiative is one promised by Sims ABC Vancouver party during last years election campaign, although the promise was for 100 mental health nurses. Sim and his colleagues have also unlocked funds to have the VPD begin hiring up to 100 police officers.

The proposal requires a two-thirds majority vote of council, which Sim and his party have with eight of the 11 votes at city hall. The requested $2.8 million is in the form of grant and would have to be voted on every year.

Our council understands the importance of these issues and is committed to the long-term implementation of this program, Sim said at Sundays news conference.

This investment, along with the funding allocation from council to hire 100 additional police officers will serve to bolster Vancouver's frontline mental health and public safety response.
Gravity is defined as the force by which a planet or other body draws objects toward its center. Max Zhivovs latest concept takes that fascinating dynamic to the high seas. The new superyacht, fittingly christened Gravity, could be pulled along by a VTOL aircraft flying in the skies above it.

I decided to unite the VTOL craft and the yacht in one object, the designer told Robb Report via email.

More from Robb Report

Penned in partnership with Aston Engineering, the 160-footer automatically follows the aircraft short distances to eschew the need for steering. The yachts high-tech autopilot system means it could also be controlled from an app or the office of a travel company, according to Zhivov. The captain can still take the helm for longer or more complex trips.

The VTOL aircraft sits on the upper deck.

The designer didnt go into specifics regarding tech or propulsion, but it certainly is an interesting concept. Gravity looks to the future of water tourism in which renting recreational machines could be more popular than buying them. If that is indeed the case, companies could offer self-sailing vessels to travelers looking to explore sans any navigation headaches.

The Autopilot Cruise could become a very attractive idea both for travelers and businesses alike, Zhivov adds. The designer also previously unveiled an 85-foot, electric Smartyacht concept that could sail itself using your smartphone.

The aft deck houses an infinity pool.

This futuristic cruiser is by no means short on luxury, either. Zhivov says it offers the style of a superyacht and the comfort of a house. The open-plan interior is made up of movable walls that can be built using 3-D printing technologies, of course. This ensures theres plenty of flexibility regarding layout.

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The aft deck can hold a tender.

Outside, the aft deck is home to a striking infinity pool and a tender for joyrides. The upper deck is dedicated to a large helipad that holds the VTOL aircraft when not in use. The craft, which can take off and land vertically without relying on a runway, can be used by passengers to further explore the surroundings. As an added bonus, Zhivov says having the yacht following behind the aircraft can further extend flight time.

Looks like thats the true force of Gravity.

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A House subcommittee held its first hearing on weaponization on Thursday as part of the GOP push for investigations into alleged wrongdoing and politicization under the Biden administration.

The House Judiciary Committees Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, which is made up of 12 Republicans and nine Democrats, heard testimony from more than half a dozen witnesses on Thursday, including Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard  who left the Democratic Party last year  and former FBI agent Nicole Parker.

Parker received attention last month after she publicly announced she had left her position as a special agent over politicization she alleged was happening within the agency.

Witnessing the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York in 2001 while she was working for Merrill Lynch at the World Financial Center is what ultimately led her to eventually apply and be accepted as an FBI agent in 2009, she wrote last month in an op-ed for Fox News.

During her time in the FBI, she said she was involved in investigations such as the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., multimillion-dollar Ponzi schemes, sexual assaults and extortion.

But, she claimed, the FBIs priorities and governing principles shifted while she worked there, despite its mission appearing to be the same.

Parker alleged that one politicization issue after another happened within the FBI. She cited an example of when agents wearing FBI vests knelt down with Black Lives Matter protesters in Washington, D.C., in June 2020.

Although agents have their First Amendment rights, they are not at liberty to publicly express any potential political support while on duty wearing official FBI gear, she argued.

Parker said the agents not being reprimanded for this was appalling. She said two different FBIs have emerged, which she claims is hurting the countrys trust in the agency.

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She further contended that the FBI has lowered eligibility requirements, but didnt specify which requirements changed. Parker said low morale has resulted from those changes and agents now tend to keep their heads low  which, she said, is one reason that ultimately led her to lose passion for the job.

Parker officially left her position in November.

In an interview with Fox News last month, she also alleged that she witnessed a constant pattern of the FBI giving different treatment to certain investigations based on political persuasion.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A former teacher at Foxboro High School has pleaded guilty to possessing dozens of images of child pornography, federal officials announced Thursday.

Thomas Davis, 42, of Mansfield, pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court in Boston to one count of possession and receipt of child pornography, according to United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins.

Davis was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in August 2021 after a search of his laptop revealed about 40 images of child pornography including images involving prepubescent minors under the age of 12, according to Rollins office.

A forensic analysis of Davis laptop is said to have also revealed additional child pornography.

Davis is scheduled to be sentenced on May 18, 2023.

He faces up to at least five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

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A former Mexican mayor was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Thursday after pleading guilty to a conspiracy charge accusing him of directing the largest shipment of methamphetamine to Miami-Dade in the countys history.

Adalberto Comparan-Rodriguez, aka Fruto, who authorities say headed the United Cartels in Michoacan while serving as the mayor of Aguililla, Mexico, was extradited in June of last year from Guatemala. He is the last of six defendants to be sent to prison by U.S. District Judge Darrin Gayles in the massive meth case in Miami federal court.

His defense attorney, Rene Sotorrio, filed a batch of letters from family members and other supporters who know Comparan-Rodriguez, seeking lenience from the judge. But under his plea deal, Comparan-Rodriguez, 58, faced a mandatory minimum of 10 years up to life in prison for his conviction on a charge of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute crystal meth in the United States.

The meth-export scheme was hatched in January of 2021 when Comparan-Rodriguez and his partner Alfonso Rustrian met in Cali, Colombia, with a U.S. undercover operative whom they believed to be a money launderer and drug trafficker affiliated with the Islamist militant group Hezbollah, according to an indictment and other court records.

Rustrian explained that Comparan-Rodriguez was the leader of the United Cartels, and that they could supply hundreds of kilograms of meth to the purported Hezbollah buyer, court records say. They ultimately agreed that Comparan-Rodriguez and Rustrian would send 500 kilograms of crystal meth from Mexico, through Texas, to the Miami area.

In 2021, the duo arranged for a truck to carry concrete tiles filled with the meth load, court records say. The ringleaders son, Adalberto Comparan-Bedolla, helped crack open the concrete tiles and remove about 200 kilos of meth at a Miami-area warehouse in March of 2021. Then, 350 kilos of meth arrived in another shipment later that month at the same location.

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This time, it was dissolved within 245 five-gallon buckets of house paint, according to court records. Comparan-Bedolla and two chemists, Silviano Gonzalez-Aguilar and Salvador Valdez, worked for days inside the warehouse, extracting the crystal meth from the paint, records say.

But federal agents seized the meth before it hit the streets and made arrests. The Drug Enforcement Administrations seizure of the 550 kilos of crystal meth  or 1,200 pounds  was the largest in Miami-Dade County history.

Before the ringleaders sentencing on Thursday, his son, Comparan-Bedolla, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to possess and distribute meth in the United States and was sentenced to 11 years in prison, court records show. Gonzalez-Aguilar and Valdez, the chemists, also pleaded guilty to the same conspiracy charge and were sentenced to six years and five years, respectively.

Comparan-Rodriguezs partner, Rustrian, who was extradited to Miami in January 2022, also pleaded guilty to the same charge along with a money-laundering conspiracy count and was sentenced to 11 years.

An associate, Carlos Basauri-Coto, who ran investment companies, pleaded guilty to a money laundering conspiracy and was sentenced to the time he had been detained after his arrest in March 2021  for a total of one year and nine months.

The Miami meth case, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shane Butland, contrasts with the typical cocaine, heroin and opioid distribution probes in South Florida. It reflects a resurgence of meth shipments pouring over the southern border of the United States, authorities say.

The new wave of meth is shifting the focus from opioids to this crystal stimulant  a drug that used to be common, then faded, but is resurging  via illegal imports from meth superlabs in Mexico. And much of whats being sold is no longer low-grade meth home-cooked in some ramshackle Florida trailer park.

In recent years, crystal meth has racked up more overdose victims and spurred bigger law enforcement probes into trafficking of the highly addictive drug.
Former Twitter executives told a House committee Wednesday that the social media company made a mistake in its handling of a controversial New York Post story on Hunter Biden's laptop.

The action by the social media platform just weeks before the 2020 election unleashed a wave of backlash from Republicans, who accused Twitter executives of suppressing the story to shield President Joe Biden and his family from what they say was damaging material found on a laptop hard drive belonging to the president's son.

During a hearing of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, Republicans grilled the three executives about the company's decision to block users from sharing the story on the younger Biden, and suggested the social media giant acted under orders from the government when it suppressed the story.

MORE: Hunter Biden asks for Trump allies to be investigated, sends cease-and-desist to Fox News

"America witnessed a coordinated campaign by social media companies, mainstream news and the intelligence communities to suppress and de-legitimize the existence of Hunter Biden's laptop and its contents," Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., said in his opening remarks.

The former Twitter employees called the platform's decision regarding the story a "mistake," but denied that they had acted in concert with government officials.

"I've been clear that in my judgment at the time, Twitter should not have taken action to block the New York Post's reporting," said Yoel Roth, former head of safety and integrity. He said the company made the decision because the Biden laptop story was reminiscent of the 2016 Russian hack of the Democratic National Committee.

Vijaya Gadde, Twitter's former chief legal officer, echoed Roth by saying that Twitter admitted that "its initial action was wrong" and changed its policy within 24 hours.

PHOTO: Vijaya Gadde, former chief legal officer of Twitter, testifies during a House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing about Twitter's handling of a New York Post story about Hunter Biden and his laptop, in Washington, D.C., Feb. 8, 2023. (Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters)

"The New York Post chose not to delete its original tweets, so Twitter made an exception after two weeks to retroactively apply the new policy to the Post's tweets," Gadde said. "In hindsight, Twitter should have reinstated the Post account immediately."

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During the hearing Roth also said that Twitter's relationship with government employees would benefit from increased transparency.

"Transparency is at the heart of this work, and it's where I think Twitter -- and all of social media -- can and must do better," Roth said. "Trust is built on understanding, and right now the vast majority of people don't understand how or why content moderation decisions are made."

Republicans accused former Twitter executives of "being terrified" of Joe Biden not winning 2020 election and colluding with the FBI.

"You were entrusted with the highest level of power at Twitter, but when you were faced with the New York Post story, instead of allowing people to judge the information for themselves, you rushed to find a reason why the American people shouldn't see it," said Comer. "In a matter of hours, you were deciding on the truth of a story that spans years and dozens of complex international transactions. You did this because you were terrified of Joe Biden not winning the election in 2020."

MORE: Republicans say they'll push ahead with Hunter Biden probe despite some warnings from within

Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, accused the Twitter executives of having "weekly meetings" with the FBI and accused the executives of colluding with the agency to remove the New York Post article.

"I think you guys wanted it to be taken down," Jordan said. "They send you all kinds of emails ... I think you guys wanted to take it down. I think you guys got played by the FBI."

Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., who was briefly suspended by Twitter in 2021 for tweeting the false claim that the 2020 presidential election was stolen, also accused the former Twitter employees of "colluding with the FBI."

"I am angry for the millions of Americans who were silenced because of your decisions, because of your actions, because of your collusion with the federal government," Boebert said.

"We don't know where the FBI ends and Twitter begins," Boebert said.

But Roth denied the accusations, telling the committee that the FBI did not tell Twitter the laptop hard drive was fake or hacked.

Twitter's former Deputy Counsel James Baker, who was fired by new Twitter CEO Elon Musk in December, also said he was not in communication with the FBI about the company's decision to suppress the article.

At one point during the hearing, Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., asked former Twitter employee Anika Collier Navaroli about a request made by the Trump White House that Twitter remove a tweet from celebrity Chrissy Teigen that insulted then-President Donald Trump.

"The White House almost immediately thereafter contacted Twitter to demand the tweet be taken down. Is that accurate?" Connolly asked Navaroli.

"I do remember hearing we'd received a request from the White House to make sure we evaluated this tweet, and they wanted it to come down because it was a derogatory statement directed at the president," Navaroli replied.

PHOTO: Hunter Biden walks to a vehicle after disembarking from Air Force One with his father, President Joe Biden, at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, New York, Feb. 4, 2023. (Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters)

Twitter did not remove the tweet, she said.

During the hearing, Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., said that Republicans were focusing on a "two-year-old story" about a private company that is allowed to make decisions on what content to allow on its platform.

"The key point here is that it was Twitter's decision," Raskin said in his opening statements. "Twitter is a private media company. In America, private media companies can decide what to publish."

"Instead of letting this trivial pursuit go, my colleagues have tried to whip up a faux scandal about this two-day lapse in their ability to spread Hunter Biden propaganda on a private media platform," Raskin said of the hearing. "Silly does not even begin to capture this obsession."

MORE: Hunter Biden retains top defense lawyer ahead of expected GOP probes

Democrats instead focused on how the social media platform may have helped to incite violence at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

"What makes this hearing tragic is that, if our colleagues really wanted to examine a serious problem involving American democracy and social media, my friends, it is staring us in the face right now, "said Raskin.

Navaroli also argued that lawmakers should be focusing on "Twitter's failure to act before Jan. 6."

"Twitter leadership bent and broke their own rules in order to protect some of the most dangerous speech on the platform" in the months leading up to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, Navaroli said.

Former Twitter execs tell House committee that removal of Hunter Biden laptop story was a 'mistake' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Fortescue Metals Group is looking to cut up to 1,000 jobs across its back office and clean energy unit as part of a cost-cutting exercise, The Australian reported on Thursday, less than week before Fortescue reports half-yearly results.

The cuts will be across Fortescue Future Industries, a clean energy subsidiary focused on producing hydrogen using renewable energy, and head office functions like finance and IT, the Australian reported, citing unnamed sources.

A spokesperson for the world's No. 4 iron ore miner said any significant changes to the number of its employees require board approval, which has not been received.

"We are always looking for opportunities for continuous business improvement," the spokesperson said in a statement on Thursday.

Fortescue reports results for the six months through December on Feb. 15.

The company is preparing to cut costs despite a more than three-month rally in iron ore prices as traders bid up the metal in anticipation of China's economy reopening from pandemic restrictions.

The Australian reported that job losses at the company's Pilbara region mining operations are likely, although safety staff and production workers would probably be exempt.

Some of the job losses follow the near completion of Fortescue's Iron Bridge project, set to go into production in March, the paper added.

(Reporting by Lewis Jackson; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell)
A Mesa Police Department badge is seen here.

A 38-year-old man was shot and killed Monday afternoon in Mesa, according to police officials.

The man was identified as 38-year-old Brandon Van, according to an email from Mesa police Detective Jason Flam, a department spokesperson.

Four people were arrested and charged with murder in connection with the shooting.

Mesa police said in court documents that Jaquan Bailey, 18, Stephon Mitchell, 18, Ashley Herrell, 37, and Vincent Culbreath, 38, were in a car driving near University Drive and Dobson Road when they pulled over and began talking to a man, later identified as Van, in front of a residence around noon on Oct. 26.

This was all captured in surveillance camera footage from homes in the area, the documents said.

After following the man in their car, Bailey, Culbreath and Mitchell exited the vehicle and began running after him, the documents continued.

Mitchell allegedly began to shoot at the man, who hid behind a planter and shouted that he did not have anything and not to shoot him. Bailey allegedly shot at the man as well, who then surrendered his backpack to them and stood up with his hands in the air.

Mitchell took the backpack and searched the man, and then pushed him down and began punching him. Bailey then allegedly shot the man, killing him, and all three fled back toward the car.

Less than an hour before this shooting incident, police allege that Bailey, Culbreath and Mitchell had robbed a nearby convenience store and flashed their guns at the clerk while Herrell sat in the car parked in the lot outside.

Following the shooting, police say the four were also seen stealing four tires and then, while attempting another armed robbery, shot a woman who intervened, leaving her in critical condition, records say.

Police arrested all four after shots were fired during a fight among them in Phoenix shortly after.

Court documents also said that Bailey and Mitchell claimed that they didn't remember any of the alleged incidents and denied participation because they were asleep in the car at several points during the day.

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Herrell reportedly claimed that she was also asleep during the day's incidents, but both and Bailey and Mitchell disputed that during questioning.

All four were booked in jail on homicide charges.

Reach the reporter at emily.wilder@arizonarepublic.com or on Twitter @vv1lder.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Four arrested in shooting that killed Brandon Van, 38, in Mesa
Four Seasons wants to take your road trips up a gear.

Following the success of its first driving experience through Tuscany last year, the hospitality behemoth has announced two new itineraries for 2023 that will showcase the European Alps and Napa Valley, respectively.

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From behind the wheel of a luxury caryour own or a high-end rentalyou will travel customized routes designed to highlight the scenery. There will, of course, be pit stops at top-tier restaurants and hotels along the way, as well as curated experiences to connect you with the local culture.

The Vineyard Barn at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley.

Four Seasons Drive Experience is a natural extension of who we are and what we deliver  creating curated experiences that allow guests to discover the character of a locale in new and unexpected ways, Four Seasons president and CEO Alejandro Reynal said in a statement.

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley.

Running from October 29 to November 4, the seven-day Napa Valley trip brings you the best of Californias wine country. The journey begins with a welcome dinner at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley. The hotel, which is surrounded by 23 acres of Cabernet vines and soaring mountains, will be your home for the week. The next day will start with a drive to Tomales Bay for some hands-on oyster farming and a gourmet lunch, then wrap up with a sumptuous dinner.

Opus One Winery.

Over the next few days, you will tour Napas preeminent wineries and enjoy exclusive tastings. Opus One, which is helmed by noted winemakers Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild, will surely be a standout of the trip. Highlights of the final days include a private ferry tour around San Francisco Bay and a hot-air balloon ride over Napas undulating hills.

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Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva.

Across the pond, meanwhile, the week-long Alps adventure will run from June 12 to 18. The swanky Four Seasons in Geneva will serve as home base for the first few days as you explore the stunning Swiss city. Youll visit Gruyere Villagehome of a certain famous Swiss cheesetake a tour of the iconic 19-mile Lavaux Vineyard Terraces, then enjoy a wine and cheese pairing at an estate that dates back to the Middle Ages.

Four Seasons Hotel Megeve.

In the days that follow, youll learn about the timeless art of watchmaking and take an adrenaline-fueled drive by Chateau dAvully before eventually arriving at Four Seasons Hotel Megeve to rest and recharge. While in Megeve, youll visit the Mont Blanc Massif and enjoy a 360-degree view of the French, Swiss and Italian Alps. Quite a fitting ending to such a journey.

The price for each experience is available upon request. Reservations can be made by emailing drive@fourseasons.com or calling EU +39 052 2421 096 and US +1 831 521 5190.

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Fox News

Co-hosts of the Fox News roundtable show The Five reacted Wednesday to President Joe Bidens State of the Union address, with Jesse Watters saying he appreciates the president if only for keeping a lid on crazy coming from his left flank.

Watters remark was prompted after Jeanine Pirro mentioned Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders rebuttal to the address, in which the former Trump administration press secretary depicted the political divide as whether Americans should want normal or crazy.

She really made it clear that this isnt a difference of opinion on something that weve always argued about, Pirro said. This is a whole new structure that the woke people are trying to impose on us.

Greg Gutfeld first had his say: The contrastnormal versus crazyis real, he said before fretting about topics associated with transgender people.

Men with penises declaring they are women is crazy, right? he said. Children encouraged to put off puberty, a biological inevitability that we all go through, is crazy. Children encouraged to lop off healthy organs: crazy. Nonbinary teachers intruding into the private and personal lives of children who dont understand the terminologythat is crazy and its dangerous.

Watters then weighed in about Sanders framing. While its good, he said, you have to define what normal is.

What are the principles of western civilization that you want to maintain and continue on to have a prosperous and healthy society where people can become their true selves? Watters asked. Biden is the only thing keeping a lid on crazy in this country.

The Fox host then claimed that progressive Democrats are antsy to move on from Biden even though hes got jobs numbers like crazy and his party outperformed expectations in the midterm elections.

They cant wait to pack the court, to nuke the filibuster, he said, fearing that theyre also intent on sex change operations for everybody.

Its a toxic brew of communism and [critical race theory] and trans-mania, Watters exclaimed. Thank God we have Joe Biden right here because the minute he leaves, its going to be bonkers.

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Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Photo: The Canadian Press Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada David Lametti rises during Question Period, Tuesday, February 7, 2023 in Ottawa. Lametti says he is giving "serious consideration" to reforming Canada's bail laws in response to a request from premiers to make changes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Justice Minister David Lametti says he is giving "serious consideration" to reforming Canada's bail laws in response to a request from premiers to make changes.

Provincial premiers unanimously called on the Liberal government in a letter to take "immediate action" on the bail system earlier this year.

The letter from premiers says there are a growing number of calls for changes to prevent accused people who are out on bail from committing further criminal acts.

Premiers called on the federal government to establish a "reverse onus" system for specific firearm offences that would require the person seeking bail to demonstrate why they should not remain behind bars.

During a speech to the Canadian Bar Association today, Lametti says the proposed reforms would be discussed at a coming meeting with provincial justice ministers.

He says the province's proposal to introduce a "reverse onus" system for certain firearm offences was getting "serious consideration" from the Liberal government.
PARIS (Reuters) - France's new envoy to Iran told President Ebrahim Raisi that Tehran had to immediately release seven French nationals detained in the country, the foreign ministry said after the envoy handed his credentials to the Iranian leader this week.

Nicolas Roche was pictured this week in local media meeting Raisi with the state news agency IRNA saying that the Iranian president had criticised France's Islamophobia and that Roche had been mandated to lift misunderstandings in relations.

Ties between France and Iran have deteriorated in recent months with Tehran detaining seven French nationals in what Paris has said are arbitrary arrests that are equivalent to state hostage taking.

Describing the policy as "reprehensible", Deputy foreign ministry spokesman Francois Delmas said that by continuing to hold its citizens, Iran's relations with France and Europe could only worsen.

He said the new ambassador had made it clear to Raisi that the French citizens should be released immediately and that the conditions they were being held in were unacceptable.

Paris is particularly concerned by the condition of a Franco-Irish citizen Bernard Phelan and Benjamin Briere, who last week began a hunger strike, according to a statement from the family.

Delmas said Paris was holding Tehran responsible for their health and demanded that Phelan be provided urgent medical care, which he was still being denied.

In recent years, Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of dual nationals and foreigners, mostly on charges related to espionage and security.

Rights groups have accused Iran of trying to extract concessions from other countries through such arrests. Iran, which does not recognise dual nationality, denies taking prisoners to gain diplomatic leverage.

(Reporting by John Irish; Editing by Arun Koyyur)
Joel Le Scouarnec was sentenced to 15 years in 2020 for rape and sexual abuse in a trial involving four underage victims

Frances health ministry turned a blind eye to a convicted paedophile surgeon charged with raping around 300 children in Frances biggest-ever child sexual abuse case, according to reports.

Joel Le Scouarnec, 72, was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2020 for rape and sexual abuse in a trial involving four underage victims, but he faces a separate trial on charges he abused 293 victims in a dozen hospitals between 1986 and 2014. Another 80 cases have passed the statutes of limitations. That makes it the countrys biggest paedophile case.

During the investigation, prosecutors found diaries belonging to the surgeon in which he detailed sex scenes with children, and proclaimed: Im a great pervert and am very happy about it. In court, he showed scant remorse, saying: I do not ask for forgiveness or compassion... only the right to become a better man again.

Under cover of medical acts, the doctor sexually took advantage of children as soon as they were alone in the hospital room, investigators concluded in 2020. He targeted patients so young they might not remember or understand what was happening, they added. He also abused older children in the operating room, when they were asleep or under anesthaesia, according to the diaries.

Tip-off from the FBI

While he has admitted to abusing children, during the second trial he contended that some of the diary entries contained elements of fantasy.

Questions arose during the trial about why nothing came out before and whether some people may have been aware of the alleged abuses. The surgeon had already been sentenced in 2005 to a four-month suspended prison sentence for possession of child pornographic images.

On Thursday, France Info, the state rolling news radio channel, revealed that the French health ministry was made aware of his conviction in 2006 - which came about following a tip-off from the FBI - but failed to act.

Jonzac hospital in Charente-Maritime where Joel Le Scouarnec last practiced before being imprisoned in 2017 - Alamy Stock Photo

His case reportedly triggered heated debate in the ministry that year after a psychiatrist colleague at the Quimperle hospital in western France where he operated stumbled on the existence of his conviction by chance. The colleague informed management and wrote a letter to the regional medical council expressing doubts about (his) ability to remain completely calm when in contact with young children.

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He was summoned but the council unanimously decided to allow him to keep working with no checks.

In November that year, his conviction finally reached the health ministrys disciplinary department in Paris. Despite a flurry of emails between civil servants about the worrying paedophilia deemed incompatible with his functions, the ministry failed to act, said France Info.

Mysterious white note

Some called for him to be banned but a mysterious white note that was neither dated nor signed concluded that it was too late to fire him because he had just been awarded a staff post and that his work had received positive feedback.

The ministry left it to the hospital to file a complaint, if appropriate, to the medical council, which it failed to do. Le Scouarnec was later able to move to another hospital in the region despite this time informing it of his criminal record.

In 2015, the health ministry even gave the green light to the surgeon to continue his practice beyond the legal retirement limit and the individual who signed the authorisation had handled his dossier in its disciplinary committee, said France Info.

Joel Le Scouarnec was thus able to continue his career for another 12 years after his conviction. Twelve years in which judges suspect him of abusing 45 fresh victims, it said.

Frances health minister at the time, Xavier Bertrand, told the radio station he had no knowledge of any alert regarding the surgeon. The current health ministry has not responded.

Le Scouarnec was charged in 2017 after testimony from one of his victims, a six-year-old girl.

The investigation quickly uncovered three other victims.

A date has not yet been set for a second trial.
Caroline Ellison felt "relieved" by an end to the chaos at FTX and Alameda, per an FT report. Tyler Le, Jenny Chang-Rodriguez/Insider

The end of FTX followed a destabilizing exodus of customers and employees, Financial Times reports.

As last-ditch efforts failed, Caroline Ellison reportedly felt "relieved" at an end to the chaos.

The detail emerged in a report by FT chronicling FTX's unraveling in November.

The final days of FTX were so swift and disorienting as customers withdrew funds and staff fled its Bahamas offices, that Caroline Ellison was reportedly "relieved" when the scrambling came to an end.

As former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried failed to get investors to keep his crypto enterprise afloat, and a possible deal with the crypto exchange Binance flopped, his top co-leaders, including Caroline Ellison, found themselves flailing in vain to fix the damage, according to a Financial Times feature.

Ellison, who ran Bankman-Fried's other company, the crypto hedge fund Alameda Research, was reportedly "relieved" when it finally ended, and had "felt a little trapped" by the company, according to an account by a colleague to FT.

An attorney for Ellison did not respond to Insider's request for comment on Thursday.

In those final days leading to FTX's bankruptcy filing in November, Bankman-Fried fielded harried messages from Bahamian officials and panicked questions from staff, while top leaders like Ellison, FTX cofounder Gary Wang, and others handled the logistics of the downfall, according to the report.

The collapse has since led to multiple parallel US government investigations, FTX's Chapter 11 filing in Delaware, as well as civil and criminal charges against Bankman-Fried, Ellison, and Wang.

Federal prosecutors in New York have hit all three top leaders with fraud and conspiracy charges. Ellison and Wang struck plea deals and are cooperating with the government, while Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.

Bankman-Fried, who faces a hefty prison sentence if convicted, could still potentially reach a deal with prosecutors ahead of his trial, which is currently scheduled for October.

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In the meantime, there are still questions about how the parallel criminal cases could affect FTX customers trying to recover funds through the bankruptcy.

Lawyers representing FTX and its creditors had previously told a Delaware bankruptcy court that they were trying to get information about transactions including FTX from insiders including Bankman-Fried and Ellison, but hadn't gotten answers.

Read more in the full Financial Times feature on FTX's collapse.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Wives of soldiers from Donbas, who fought on the side of the Russian occupiers, were left without fur coats, which were supposedly given to them; the fur was taken away after filming of the thank-you video.

Source: Meduza, a Latvia-based Russian media outlet

Details: After the video was released, Feminist Anti-War Resistance [Russian feminists group founded in February 2022 to protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine  ed.] reportedly contacted one of the women in the video. She stated that her and at least three other women's fur coats were taken away immediately after the video was recorded.

According to her, at first the widows were told that the fur coats were of poor quality, promising to issue new ones soon. However, after numerous calls to the organiser of the distribution, the women were told that there had been a mistake and the fur coats were intended for other people.

Women were informed about the distribution of fur coats at work, they were promised expensive gifts from Moscow if they appeared in a video clip.

At the same time, it is noted that often the widows in such photos and videos turn out to be fake. "This often happens, something is brought from Moscow [as a gift  ed.] and filmed, we are always grateful," said a member of the movement, but she did not specify how many real widows were invited to the distribution of fur coats.





Background: Earlier it was reported that 21 fur coats were distributed to the wives of the dead occupiers from the so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic. In the video, the widows of those killed lined up in a row, thanking for the "help". "We unexpectedly received such help today. We are very grateful to you. Families of the killed soldiers gathered here. Truly, we thank you from the heart!" one of the women said. An off-screen male voice insisted that the fur coats came from a "Russian enterprise". "You feel that we are one family in such moments," says the man.

Previously: In July 2022, Russian propagandists broadcast a story about the father of an occupier from Saratov Oblast, Alexey Malov, who was killed in Ukraine; the man spent the funds he received after his sons death on a new Lada car. "In memory of my son, we have bought a new car," the father proudly said then.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Consumers and politicians voiced concerns after a commissioner on the Consumer Product Safety Commission suggested that gas stoves were a health hazard, leading some people to believe they would be banned. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

New fronts in the growing war over stoves are being opened at every level of government.

On one side, pro-fossil-fuel politicians are trying to ensure that the market for gas stoves stays alive and well.

Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., on Feb. 2 introduced the Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act to prevent the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) from banning gas stoves.

In statements accompanying the bills introduction, the senators struck a brave pose in defense of liberty. Make no mistake, radical environmentalists want to stop Americans from using natural gas, Cruz said. The federal government has no business telling American families how to cook their dinner, Manchin said.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a likely GOP presidential candidate at the forefront of the culture wars, proposed on Feb. 1 to create a permanent sales tax exemption for gas stoves. The effort is largely symbolic, since only 8% of Florida households use gas for cooking, and most homes in the warm-weather state arent even hooked up to gas lines.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at a press conference in Auburndale, Fla., on Jan. 30. (Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

But DeSantis explained that he is taking a moral stance. Were not even a state ... Florida wasnt even connected, weve got mostly electric, he said in an address laying out his budget. Its just the principle.

On the other side of the issue, liberal legislators are looking at ways of moving their constituents toward electric stoves.

On Monday the college town of Eugene, Ore., became the first city in that state to ban gas stove hookups in new buildings. The measure applies only to residential buildings of three stories or fewer. The City Council passed the law by a 5-3 margin, with environmental justice advocates arguing that it would help disadvantaged communities in which exposure to air pollution is most severe.

Communities of color in Eugene are more likely to breathe hazardous air in our neighborhoods. Our homes should be places of refuge, not one more source of pollution for overburdened lungs, Jerrel Brown, an environmental and climate justice organizer with the local chapter of the NAACP, said in a statement.

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Back in the nations capital, a majority of Washington, D.C., Council members last Friday proposed using public funds to pay the full cost to replace gas stoves and boilers with electric appliances in households making less than $80,000 a year. The bill would also create a permitting fee for the installation of new oil- or gas-burning appliances when renovating.

A product expert demonstrates an electric induction stove cooktop. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

Efforts to phase out gas appliances such as stoves and furnaces are not new. Removing fossil fuels from homes is an essential component of reaching net-zero emissions, which the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says must happen by midcentury to avert catastrophic climate change. In recent years, cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Seattle have banned gas hookups in new buildings. As part of her extensive climate agenda, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, has proposed to extend that ban statewide in her last two State of the State addresses.

In the last few years, some efforts to fight back on behalf of the gas industry have also begun. The Virginia General Assemblys Republican-majority House passed a bill last year to block local governments from limiting consumer access to natural-gas-powered appliances.

The recent escalation in the stove war was kicked off in January, when a study calculating that gas stoves are responsible for 650,000 U.S. childhood asthma cases was published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

CPSC Commissioner Richard Trumka Jr. (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

That led Richard Trumka Jr., a CPSC commissioner, to tell Bloomberg News that the agency might consider regulations to protect consumers from gas stoves, including an outright ban on selling them. The comments triggered intense blowback from conservatives and Republicans such as Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson, who tweeted, Ill NEVER give up my gas stove. If the maniacs in the White House come for my stove, they can pry it from my cold dead hands. COME AND TAKE IT!!

Subsequently, CPSC Chairman Alexander Hoehn-Saric unequivocally stated that the agency has no intention of banning gas stoves, but that evidently hasnt quieted the furor on the right.

The more plausible possibility is that the CPSC will develop regulations to reduce air pollution from gas stoves, such as requirements that new stoves come with vents, as a group of 20 Democratic senators and House members urged in a letter to the commission in December.

On the left, meanwhile, the newly heightened awareness of the public health harm from gas stoves is leading more localities to consider new policies to mitigate those effects.

One of the sponsors of a proposed bill, D.C. Council member Charles Allen, who holds a masters degree in public health, told the Washington Post that his main impetus for the legislation is to improve indoor air quality, especially in lower-income communities.

D.C. Council member Charles Allen. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Although some professional chefs are apoplectic at the prospect of having to cook on an electric stove, the attention to gas stoves led Alice Waters, legendary founder of the Berkeley, Calif., restaurant Chez Panisse, to decide to convert her kitchen to electric. (While only 38% of American homes use gas stoves, 76% of U.S. restaurants use natural gas, according to the National Restaurant Association.)

We cant make a freedom argument about climate, Waters told Yahoo News on Jan. 19. Its not a choice for some people to continue to pollute the planet.

While chefs and politicians are taking sides on gas stoves, there is no data yet to suggest any shift in consumer choices. Yahoo News called several Home Depots in Chicago  Illinois has one of the highest shares of gas stoves in the country  and the employees who responded said they had seen no recent change in the split of stove sales between electric and gas.
Constituents from the district of Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) hold signs during a Feb. 7 news conference outside the U.S. Capitol calling on House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to expel Santos.

Constituents from the district of Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) hold signs during a Feb. 7 news conference outside the U.S. Capitol calling on House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to expel Santos.

A group of House Democrats are ratcheting up the pressure on their colleagues to remove embattled Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) from Congress, amid calls from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle for Santos to either step down or face expulsion.

Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) on Thursday introduced a resolution to expel Santos, a step that Republican leaders have so far been unwilling to take. Santos own constituents traveled to the Capitol this week to call on lawmakers to boot him from office since he wont resign.

We have filed an official expulsion resolution with the House Ethics Committee to get rid of George Santos. It is time for him to go. Weve given him plenty of time to resign, and he has chosen not to, Garcia told reporters outside the Capitol, surrounded by other members on board with the resolution, including Reps. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.) and Becca Balint (D-Vt.).

The measure is unlikely to succeed, since House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has resisted calling on Santos to resign, and two-thirds of the chamber would need to support Santos expulsion. Its incredibly rare for lawmakers to remove one of their colleagues. Embattled lawmakers will often resign before being forced out. The last House member expelled was Rep. Jim Traficant (D-Ohio) after he was convicted on a litany of corruption charges in 2002.

Pressure continues to mount around Santos, who fabricated or misrepresented most of his background to voters while running for office in New Yorks 3rd Congressional District. Santos is under numerous local, state, federal and international investigations, but hes denied any criminal wrongdoing and isnt facing any charges.

Garcia on Thursday reviewed the laundry list of things Santos has embellished, including claims about his education, career, religion, and connection to the Sept. 11 attack on the World Trade Center.

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Its really important for us to recognize that George Santos is a fraud, a liar, Garcia said.

While a criminal indictment or a formal House Ethics Committee probe would make an expulsion more attractive politically, the group of lawmakers said they cant afford to wait for either of those things to happen.

The law is very focused on financial disclosures and campaign finances, and he should be held accountable, because even his own statements have revealed that his financial disclosures are false, Goldman said. But we cannot wait for him to be indicted or for an ethics investigation, because those things will not address the things that he has already admitted to lying about. He is a serial liar who does not have the trust of his constituents.

It doesnt matter if the group cant sway the nearly 80 House Republicans who would be needed to meet the supermajority requirement to expel Santos, Torres said. The move is more about getting lawmakers on the record.

The American people have a right to know where each and every member of Congress stands with respect to George Santos. Its one thing to condemn him behind the scenes  its something else to force a vote and see where everyone stands, Torres said. I think we need transparency.

Related...
(Bloomberg) -- Several House Democrats who identify as LGBTQ introduced a resolution Thursday to expel embattled Republican George Santos, pointing to his false statements about the victims of the 2016 Pulse night club shooting.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Santos, who is openly gay, told New York Public Radio that four of his employees were among the 49 victims at the 2016 shooting at the Orlando gay club. A New York Times investigation found that none of the victims appear to have worked at the various firms named in the New York Republicans biography.

Particularly disturbing to us in the LGBTQ+ community, is the lie about the largest mass shooting in recent history, so its just unacceptable, Representative Robert Garcia told Bloomberg News on Thursday.

The Pulse attack was the largest targeted shooting against the LGBTQ community and has the second-most fatalities of any shooting in recent US history.

Its time for us to take action, said Garcia, the first openly gay immigrant elected to the House.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who controls floor time in the House, has said Santos could be removed from office if the chambers Ethics Committee determined that he had broken the law  but not until then.

Garcia, a California Democrat, is pushing the resolution with two other freshmen who identify as LGTBQ  Rebecca Balint of Vermont and Eric Sorensen of Illinois.

Ritchie Torres of New York and David Cicilline of Rhode Island, who are both gay, have signed as co-sponsors. Dan Goldman of New York and Ted Lieu of California are also behind the resolution.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters Thursday morning he has not read the resolution but believes House GOP members are coddling Santos.

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George Santos is a complete and utter and total fraud, Jeffries said.

--With assistance from Erik Wasson.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Republican Rep. George Santos of New York on the floor of the House during the speaker votes on Wednesday, January 4, 2023. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Freshman Rep. George Santos is still finding his way on Capitol Hill after a rough start.

The scandal-plagued Republican is relationship building by cosponsoring red meat bills.

His legislative buddies range from MAGA diehards to colleagues who've demanded he resign.

Embattled Rep. George Santos is hustling to make friends in Washington.

The scandal-plagued Republican freshman has cozied up to conservative bomb-throwers like Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Lauren Boebert of Colorado and taken to taunting foes of the far right, such as Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah and President Joe Biden.

He's also exploring an old school way of forging alliances  cosponsoring legislation.

In his first off-the-rails month on Capitol Hill, Santos has signed onto bills dealing with abortion rights, guns, the global social media phenomenon TikTok, congressional term limits, and even articles of impeachment.

An Insider analysis of the 10 proposals Santos has endorsed so far this term reveals that he's finding legislative allies, including a mix of Trump acolytes, far-right House Freedom Caucus members, and other Kevin McCarthy speaker vote rebels, and 2020 election deniers.

"I'm a legislator just like everyone else here," he said as a swarm of reporters surrounded him at the Capitol and one asked how he views his role. But when Insider asked to talk to him about legislation, he recoiled. "No, no, no, sorry," he responded.

Santos has faced calls to resign from members of his party and home state delegation over the snowballing lies about his resume and investigations into his campaign finances.

But he doesn't appear to be leaving.

His staff is undoubtedly fielding an assortment of questions about Santos' personal life and campaign issues. But a staffer said the team was concentrating on the "busy legislative week ahead" when Insider asked if they would like to comment on a drag artist's portrayal of how Santos lost the Miss Gay Rio De Janeiro beauty pageant.

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"No, we are not commenting on this because we just want to get to work," the staffer said.

Rather than bowing out, Santos is leaning into legislation to kick others out of Washington. He signed onto bills promoting term limits and calling for the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, a top priority for the MAGA wing.

Santos hasn't introduced his own legislation yet. So far he has only played a supporting role.

He's on board with two proposals by Rep. Ralph Norman, the South Carolina Republican who once pulled out a loaded gun while meeting with constituents at a diner to make a point about gun violence. Norman is pushing measures to impose term limits on members of Congress and boost reporting of abortions to federal authorities.

"The congressman seeks to work with everyone, and has developed relationships with Republican members, as well as those across the aisle," a Santos spokesperson said.

Santos appears to be most ideologically aligned with Rep. Mary Miller of Illinois who has also signed on to seven of the 10 measures Santos cosponsored, including anti-abortion, pro-gun, and anti-TikTok measures. While speaking with Trump at a rally in June, Miller made headlines for calling the Supreme Court's decision overturning Roe v. Wade a "victory for white life," though her spokesperson said she meant to say "right to life."

Santos' name is on three bills with fellow New Yorker, House GOP Conference chair Rep. Elise Stefanik, who has been criticized for endorsing and raising money for him.

Santos has also cosponsored legislation with four freshmen from his home state who've called for him to resign, including Reps. Nick Langworthy (three bills), Nick LaLota (two bills), Brandon Williams (two bills), and Anthony D'Esposito (one bill).

Standouts within the dozen members who've cosponsored four bills with Santos include House speaker vote rebels Reps. Matt Gaetz of Florida and Andy Biggs of Arizona, as well as fellow freshman Rep. Monica De La Cruz of Texas.

His only overlap with members across the aisle comes from Florida Democratic Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Darren Soto lending their support to an anti-Maduro regime bill. Republican Rep. Mike Waltz of Florida introduced that legislation to block Americans from doing business with Venezuela.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Photo: The Canadian Press A sunset seen from the frontline close to Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Libkos)

Ukrainians reacted Thursday with puzzlement and some ire to comments by a top Starlink official that their country has weaponized the satellite internet service, which has been pivotal to their national survival.

President Gwynne Shotwell of SpaceX, which runs Starlink, was also reported to have said at the same venue Wednesday that the Elon Musk-controlled company has taken unspecified action to prevent Ukraine's military from using Starlink technology against Russian invaders.

The network of low-orbiting satellites has been crucial to Ukraine's use of battlefield drones  a central fixture of the year-old war  and the country's defenders have no viable alternative. The satellite links help Ukrainian fighters locate the enemy and target long-range artillery strikes.

Onstage at a conference in Washington, D.C., Shotwell said: We were really pleased to be able to provide Ukraine connectivity and help them in their fight for freedom. It was never intended to be weaponized. However, Ukrainians have leveraged it in ways that were unintentional and not part of any agreement."

Speaking separately to reporters from The Wall Street Journal and other news organizations afterward, Shotwell said SpaceX has worked to restrict Ukraine's use of Starlink for military purposes.

There are things that we can do to limit their ability to do that, they quoted her as saying without offering details. There are things that we can do, and have done.

That drew the ire of a top aide to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In a tweet, Mykhailo Podolyak said SpaceX needs to decide whether it is on the side of Ukraine's right to freedom or Russia's 'right' to kill & seize territories."

It was not clear whether Shotwells comments Wednesday were made at the urging of Musk, the founder, CEO and chief engineer of SpaceX. An email to SpaceX seeking comment was not immediately returned.

There was no indication of any interruption to Starlink service in Ukraine.

In a statement, the country's Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov reported "no problems with the operation of Starlink uplink terminals in Ukraine. A ministry official familiar with the situation said checks Thursday of cities near the war's front lines found no indications of trouble with Starlink coverage. The official spoke on condition they not be further identified.

The 2,200-satellite constellation has been a lifeline for the country since Russias Feb. 24 invasion, especially vital as Ukraine struggles to keep electrical power and telecommunications operating under withering Russian missile and drone attacks on civilian targets.

In the statement, Fedorov touted the arrival of the first of a new batch of 10,000 terminals provided by the German government, adding: Starlinks help save thousands of lives daily. The energy infrastructure continues to work due to Starlinks. Doctors perform complex surgeries thanks to the connection that Starlinks provide.

The Thursday statement called Musk one of the biggest private donors of our future victory, estimating SpaceX's contributions as worth more than $100 million. We hope for further stable work of Starlinks in Ukraine.

A Ukrainian military official called Shotwell's statements strange given the well-established fact of the country's use of Starlink as a combat tool.

Musk caused a stir in October when he publicly called on the Pentagon to take over funding of Starlink's Ukraine effort.

The billionaire and Twitter owner later backed down. Earlier that month he raised Zelenskyy's hackles by arguing on Twitter that to achieve peace, Russia should be allowed to keep the Crimean Peninsula, which it seized in 2014. He also said Ukraine should adopt a neutral status, dropping a bid to join NATO.

About the same time, Starlink terminals stopped working in newly liberated territories at the Ukraine-Russia front lines in the Kherson region. Ukrainian officials later said that was because the speed of their reconquest had pushed forces into areas Starlink that had geo-fenced to prevent Russia from using the service.

In a late December interview, Fedorov told The Associated Press that 24,000 Starlink terminals were operating in the country, most provided by donors.
A former Smith State Prison warden experienced lock-up from a different perspective.

STORY: Big changes are coming: Jacksonville Chief Resiliency Officer launches town hall meetings

Georgias new corrections commissioner, Tyrone Oliver, said Brian Adams was in charge of Smith State Prison until he was fired Wednesday.

Adams is now in prison at the Tattnall County Sheriffs jail following an investigation led by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

A statement from the GBI said they arrested Adams, 48, of Waycross, Georgia and charged him with Conspiracy to Violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act, Bribery, False Statements and Violation of Oath by Public Officer.

As long as Im sitting in this seat as commissioner of GDC, Ill have a zero tolerance for corruption, said Oliver.

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Oliver told Channel 2 Investigative Report Mark Winnie that he had been tracking the GBI investigation into Smith State Prison, which began well before he became commissioner. Evidence allegedly tying Adams to internal policy violations came to Olivers attention on Friday.

Whether youre a CO1, a contract employee, unit manager, warden, it doesnt matter. Im not gonna tolerate it, said Oliver.

STORY: WWEs Jerry The King Lawler improving after stroke, thanks fans

According to the GBI statement, in April, Nathan Weekes, a current Georgia Department of Corrections inmate, along with three other people, was indicted on charges including Conspiracy to Commit Murder and the Georgia RICO act about A murder investigation in Glennville.

The murder investigation showed that Weekes was involved with contraband smuggling inside Smith State Prison. The two investigations are related, & active and ongoing, the statement read.

Tattnall County Sheriff Kyle Sapp says GBI agents discovered 88-year-old Bobby Kicklighter was murdered when the killer went to the wrong house. The intended target was an officer who worked at Smith State Prison and lived next door to Kicklighter.

Story continues

STORY: Blizzo, Better Call Salt winners in Minnesota DOTs Name a Snowplow contest

Ive known Mr. Bobby for many years, he served in the Korean war, and he was just an outstanding member of the community; he was involved in his church, he was involved in the local history of his church and Tattnall county. I cannot stress enough what a good man Mr. Bobby was, said Sapp.

Winnie said they tried contacting Weekes lawyer for a comment Wednesday night but got no response.

CLICK HERE to read the original WSB-TV article.

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Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia boos President Joe Biden during the State of the Union Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

NH Gov. Chris Sununu joked about Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's State of the Union wardrobe choice.

He described her white coat with fluffy fur trim as a "fur thing."

"She looked like she belonged on the top of Mount Washington," he said.

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu said he's not sure what was happening with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's State of the Union wardrobe selection, describing her $495 Peruvian alpaca wool coat as a "fur thing."

The white coat with fluffy fur trim came to mind for the GOP governor during a live interview Thursday with Politico as he mused about the recent low temperatures in the Northeast and noted that the wind chill reached negative 109 degrees Fahrenheit at Mount Washington in New Hampshire.

"Did you see Marjorie Taylor Greene?" Sununu, wearing a gray suit, asked the moderator. "What was she wearing there with that? She looked like she belonged on the top of Mount Washington."

"She had, like, this fur thing," he continued. "I don't know what was going on there. God bless her."

The far-right congresswoman's coat stood out during the speech, as she intended. Other critics compared the look to the Disney character Cruella de Vil and the wife of a deposed Russian oligarch. Her spokesperson told The Hill that she wore it to draw attention to the white Chinese spy balloon that flew over the continental United States last week.

The "Regina" coat retails on Overland and the website says it is part of a collection supporting Peruvian artisans in earning fair wages.

Read the original article on Business Insider
WASHINGTON  Foreign visitors would be allowed into the country even without proof they are vaccinated against COVID under a bill advanced Wednesday by the House of Representatives.

The measure, which passed in a 227-201 vote, is the latest among a string of proposals the new Republican-led Congress is passing aimed at rolling back various coronavirus health protections instituted by the federal government.

Republicans argued that such restrictions are no longer necessary, and infringe on peoples freedom, in addition to causing economic damage such as limiting tourism.

Other countries have started opening up. Other countries have moved forward, said Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.). Weve heard the president say in this chamber last night that COVID doesnt run our lives anymore. Lets get back to normal.

Even Canada has lifted its vaccine mandate for incoming U.S. air travelers, said Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.). Other than a few countries around the world run by dictators, the United States of America is literally the only country left that is imposing this unscientific and immoral Covid vaccine mandate on our visitors. Covid is over. It is time for us to rejoin the free world.

Democrats, however, argued that when more than 1 million Americans have died in the pandemic, and another 500 are dying every day, they would rather defer to the CDC and federal disease experts on such decisions than go along with the GOP.

Lets go by the science. Lets be reasonable about this. Lets not assume that we can let foreign travelers in and not be vaccinated, said Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), arguing that the disease continues to mutate and CDC officials would not be able to restrict travelers in the face of a new, more virulent strain of the virus.

That is very dangerous to tie their hands, said Pallone. We dont know exactly where COVID and the variants are going to be going in the next few months or the next few years.

The measure is unlikely to even advance to a vote in the Democratic-held Senate.

President Biden has announced that he is ending the national COVID emergency in May. Related policies such as the vaccine requirements for visitors are expected to be re-evaluated then.
WASHINGTON (AP)  House Republicans launched the marquee investigation of their new majority Thursday with a brazen assertion that the federal government has been used against conservatives, drawing in current and former lawmakers to make a sprawling  and at times convoluted  case that national security officials, social media companies and the media have been conspiring against them.

The first hearing of the new House panel on what Republicans assert is the weaponization of government, led by Republican Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, featured partisan and sometimes misleading or even inaccurate testimony about 2016 election interference, the COVID-19 crisis and the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack, including from two top Senate Republicans. Much of it focused on grievances about actions taken by federal officials when former President Donald Trump was in office.

"Its clear to me that the Justice Department and the FBI are suffering from a political infection that, if its not defeated, will cause the American people to no longer trust these storied institutions, said Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, in rare testimony to the House committee.

Rather than focusing on new information, the hearing delved into long-standing conservative complaints about the Trump-Russia investigation and misjudgments by FBI officials, including anti-Trump text messages, that have been documented for years. The FBI officials whose names were repeatedly invoked have long since left the bureau.

Sweeping in scope, the new investigation is likely to test public appetite for the kind of partisan, aggressive oversight and investigations that Republicans have made the centerpiece of their newly-minted House majority agenda.

It amounts to a high-profile platform for Jordan, the panels chairman, who after years of leveling attacks against Justice Department officials of both parties now has a committee gavel of his own to elevate his criticism and turn it into action.

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Jordan said the first panel  comprised of Grassley, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., and Tulsi Gabbard a former congresswoman from Hawaii who left the Democratic Party - was important in framing it up.

The second panel of lawyers and former FBI and Justice Department officials, Jordan said, documented the federal government's censorship by surrogate."

He added, "Our whole objective was to sort of frame up how important this is and how serious it is. And I certainly think that happened.

The hearing touched on a broad array of topics, some only loosely related, but laid bare the GOP desire to use the committee as a vehicle for attacking what they say are politically-driven decisions not only in law enforcement but also by those in the technology and health care sectors.

It also showed the complexity of issues around free speech and the free flow of information on social media, as the government is forced to keep pace with the new ways Americans communicate their sometimes polarizing politics, views and beliefs.

Republicans attributed their claims of weaponization to private interviews with dozens of whistleblowers over the last two years, when they were in the minority.

Grassley, an Iowa Republican, recounted a long list of oft-cited grievances about the origins of the investigation between Russia and Trumps 2016 presidential campaign and complained about what he said was unfair media coverage and criticism of his inquiry into President Joe Biden's family.

They, in a sense, were basically calling us Russian stooges, he said of attacks from Democratic colleagues.

Johnson of Wisconsin, formerly the top Republican on the Senate Homeland Security Committee, in his own statement to the committee linked the last two presidential elections, the Jan. 6th attack and the governments response to the COVID pandemic into a wide-ranging allegation of wrongdoing by federal agencies ignored or covered up by the media.

I have barely scratched the surface in describing the complexity, power and destructive nature of forces that we face," Johnson testified.

But at times their testimony veered into contested or even debunked claims.

Grassley testified that during the 2016 election the Democratic National Committee, along with Hillary Clinton's campaign, colluded with the Russians. That is not an accurate characterization of what took place, and the assertion Thursday that a special counsel investigation found no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia is much less nuanced than the actual finding.

Johnson raised questions about the origins of the coronavirus during the tenure of Anthony Fauci, the former head of a National Institutes of Health office. And as the Justice Department prosecutes Jan. 6 rioters for the attack on the Capitol, Johnson claimed the investigations did not adequately explain why the Capitol was still woefully unprepared, or how many federal agents informants were in the crowd.

In response, Democrats brought in Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., a former constitutional lawyer and member of the Jan. 6 committee that disbanded last year, to make the opposite argument that it is congressional Republicans, not the federal government, who are weaponizing their oversight and investigative power, but against civil servants in the Biden administration.

And all of it, Raskin argued, is being done in an effort to find retribution for Trump as he embarks on a reelection presidential campaign in 2024.

Now of course, a serious bipartisan committee focused on the weaponization of the government would zero in quickly on the Trump administration itself, which brought weaponization to frightening new levels across the board," Raskin said.

Raskin, who serves as ranking Democrat of the Oversight committee, voiced concerns that GOP pursuit of federal agencies and their employees could prove to be dangerous. He noted that the FBI and Department of Homeland Security have observed an increase in violent threats against those individuals and facilities over the last year.
Alexander Bogomaz, governor of Russia's Bryansk Oblast, said on Feb. 9 that Russian air defense had repelled two Ukrainian drone attacks in the Starodubsky and Bryansky districts.

Bogomaz claimed on Telegram that Russia's air defense intercepted "all nine of the attacking aircraft" above the Starodubsky District and one drone over the Bryansky District.

Kyiv has not commented on Bogomazs allegation.

According to Bogomaz, there were no casualties as a result of either drone attack, but "operational services" were on site in the Starodubsky District.

Bryansk Oblast is located in western Russia, near Ukraine's northeastern border.

Last month, Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said that Russia had fired S-400 missiles at Kyiv from Bryansk Oblast, adding that it is necessary to destroy Russian missile systems where they are stationed.




It is usually uneventful when a single insider buys stock. However, When quite a few insiders buy shares, as it happened in Ora Banda Mining Limited's (ASX:OBM) case, it's fantastic news for shareholders.

While we would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether.

View our latest analysis for Ora Banda Mining

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Ora Banda Mining

The Non-Executive Chairman Peter Mansell made the biggest insider purchase in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for AU$91k worth of shares at a price of AU$0.05 each. Although we like to see insider buying, we note that this large purchase was at significantly below the recent price of AU$0.095. Because it occurred at a lower valuation, it doesn't tell us much about whether insiders might find today's price attractive.

Ora Banda Mining insiders may have bought shares in the last year, but they didn't sell any. You can see the insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date!

There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying.

Insiders At Ora Banda Mining Have Bought Stock Recently

We saw some Ora Banda Mining insider buying shares in the last three months. Non-Executive Chairman Peter Mansell bought AU$29k worth of shares in that time. It's great to see that insiders are only buying, not selling. However, in this case the amount invested recently is quite small.

Insider Ownership Of Ora Banda Mining

Another way to test the alignment between the leaders of a company and other shareholders is to look at how many shares they own. Usually, the higher the insider ownership, the more likely it is that insiders will be incentivised to build the company for the long term. Ora Banda Mining insiders own about AU$17m worth of shares. That equates to 13% of the company. While this is a strong but not outstanding level of insider ownership, it's enough to indicate some alignment between management and smaller shareholders.

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So What Do The Ora Banda Mining Insider Transactions Indicate?

We note a that there has been a bit of insider buying recently (but no selling). Overall the buying isn't worth writing home about. However, our analysis of transactions over the last year is heartening. Overall we don't see anything to make us think Ora Banda Mining insiders are doubting the company, and they do own shares. In addition to knowing about insider transactions going on, it's beneficial to identify the risks facing Ora Banda Mining. For example, Ora Banda Mining has 3 warning signs (and 1 which is potentially serious) we think you should know about.

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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ATHENS (Reuters) - The Greek parliament paved the way for banning political parties whose leaders have been convicted of crimes from running in elections, ahead of national polls in spring.

Lawmakers voted late on Wednesday in favour of an amendment aimed at preventing political parties such as the extreme-right Golden Dawn, once Greece's third-biggest political force, from running as candidates, after it was declared a criminal gang linked to hate crimes in a 2020 court ruling.

It would also affect the small, far-right party Ellhnes or Ellines, which means "Greeks", co-founded by former Golden Dawn lawmaker and spokesman Ilias Kasidiaris, who was sentenced to 13 years in jail in 2020. Opinion polls put support for the party close to the 3% threshold needed to enter parliament.

The amendment, tabled by the conservative government, was approved by a majority of lawmakers in the 300-seat house.

"No one in this room wants to go through, to see again... the parliamentary representation of a few becoming a vehicle of violence against citizens leading to brutal murders and injuries," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said before the vote, calling on lawmakers to approve it.

Golden Dawn has been linked to the murder of an anti-fascism rapper and a spate of violent attacks on political opponents, immigrants and left-wing activists. The appeal trial of convicted Golden Dawn members, including Kasidiaris, began last June and could last up to two years.

In a statement, Kasidiaris demanded that the amendment be immediately withdrawn and accused the government of "plotting against democracy" for its own interests.

Under the amendment, parties cannot run in elections if their "real leaders", not only their official representatives, have been convicted at any instance for crimes that carry a sentence of up to life imprisonment, ranging from treason or spying to participating in a criminal organisation.

Story continues

Greece's constitution bars an individual with a criminal record from running in elections, provided that person's guilt has been affirmed at all stages of the legal process and is exhausted in appeal.

A top court decides if parties meet the conditions to run in elections.

The leftist, main opposition Syriza party accused the government of employing tactics to win far-right voters ahead of the national vote.

(Reporting by Renee Maltezou; Additional reporting by Lefteris Papadimas; Editing by Kim Coghill)
ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece sent thousands of tents, beds and blankets on Thursday to help the hundreds of thousands of people left homeless by deadly earthquakes in Turkey, in an act of solidarity with a neighbour that is a NATO ally but also a historic foe.

Greece plans to provide a total of 80 tonnes of assistance such as blankets, beds, tents and medical supplies, its civil protection ministry said. Commercial flights carrying boxes with part of the aid landed at the Turkish airport of Adana early on Thursday, with the operation expected to conclude by Friday.

"We have brought medicines, medical supplies and essentials to relieve a bit the pain of quake-afflicted people," said Greek Civil Protection Minister Christos Stylianides, who escorted the aid to Adana. "It's time we all show our feelings of humanism."

The quakes that struck Turkey and Syria on Monday killed thousands, flattened swathes of towns and cities and left hundreds of thousands homeless in the middle of a cold winter.

Greece and Turkey have been at odds for decades over a range of issues, from territorial rights in the Aegean Sea to ethnically-split Cyprus and migration, and tensions had rekindled recently.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Monday to offer his condolences over the lives lost.

Arriving at an EU leaders meeting in Brussels on Thursday, Mitsotakis said that Greece would be at the forefront of an EU-wide initiative to host a donor conference in Brussels, looking to secure additional funds and help rebuild quake-devasted areas.

In addition to the aid sent, some 36 Greek rescue workers with dogs, doctors and engineers have been operating in Turkey. Greek authorities have said the Greek teams have pulled out five survivors from the rubble in the Turkish town of Hatay, among thousands still buried under collapsed buildings.

Local authorities across Greece are also organising drives to collect basic necessities to be sent to the Turkish people.

Greece and Turkey saw their relations improving in the past, following earthquakes that hit both countries in the summer of 1999.

(Reporting by Deborah Kyvrikosaios and Angeliki Koutantou; Writing by Angeliki Koutantou; Editing by Frances Kerry)
Vanessa Fraser-Parrott addresses her husband, Landon S. Parrott (wearing orange jumpsuit) during his sentencing hearing Thursday in Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court. Judge Michael J. Ernest sentenced Parrott to life in prison for killing the couple's 14-month-old son, Kyler. Standing with Vanessa is Assistant County Prosecutor Scott Deedrick.

NEW PHILADELPHIA  Vanessa Fraser-Parrott fought back tears as she told her husband what it meant to her that he killed their 14-month-old son, Kyler, by leaving him in a hot car Sept. 1.

"These last five months have been absolute hell," she told Landon S. Parrott at his sentencing hearing Thursday. "You killed my reason to live. You took my whole world away from me and lied about it to everyone. You left my baby alone and scared for six hours.

"No ruling can ever make amends for your actions and nothing can bring him back. But I will be at every parole hearing to make sure you don't ever get released. This is my final goodbye to you. Rot in hell."

Parrott pleaded guilty in court Tuesday to murder and child endangering.

Admitting guilt:Landon S. Parrott pleads guilty to murder in death of toddler son

Charged:Landon S. Parrott, 19, charged with murder in death of son, 1, in New Philadelphia

Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Judge Michael J. Ernest sentenced Parrott on Thursday to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 15 years, a sentence dictated by state law.

The judge told the defendant that if he were to be released, the only thing he could do to make amends "would be to live the best life you possibly can for Kyler, to show him the man that you should have been on that day, but weren't."

Landon Parrott apologizes for son's death

Given the chance to speak at sentencing, Parrott said, "I'm sorry for the pain that I caused Vanessa and the pain that I caused her family and the pain I caused my family. I was supposed to be a provider for my son and a provider for Vanessa and I was terrible at that."

Landon S. Parrott cries as his wife, Vanessa Fraser-Parrott, speaks at his sentencing hearing Thursday in Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court. He will serve life in prison with the possibility of parole in 15 years for killing the couple's 14-month-old son by leaving him in a hot car.

He expressed the hope that his brother and sister can learn to love him and be present for him "even though I haven't been the best big brother."

Vanessa said she was not certain Landon could understand the hole he left in her heart when she comes home and Kyler isn't there.

She recalled that she learned she was pregnant as a 19-year-old recent high school graduate still living with her mother. She said her love for Kyler grew as he grew and developed.

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"His first laugh, his first words, his first sentence, I was there for all of them," Vanessa said.

She ended her statement in court by addressing her son.

"Mommy loves you so much. Rest in perfect peace, Kyler. Mommy will see you again someday."

Kyler's death in a hot car

Assistant County Prosecutor Scott Deedrick extended his condolences to those who knew Kyler.

"I am unable to really come to grips with how Kyler, who should have really been protected, nurtured and loved, should have instead suffered and been killed so horribly by the recklessness of the defendant," he said.

Deedrick commended the New Philadelphia Police Department, the Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital emergency department staff and the staff of the Tuscarawas County Coroner's Office for their "quick and decisive action" which uncovered the circumstances.

Kyler died after being left alone in a car near the family's apartment in the 500 block of Ashwood Lane NW. Police Chief Michael Goodwin previously said that the toddler was left in the vehicle deliberately so he would "not be a disturbance while in the house."

Reach Nancy at 330-364-8402 or nancy.molnar@timesreporter.com.

On Twitter: @nmolnarTR

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Landon S. Parrott, 20, gets life sentence for killing toddler son
Bill Murray and Andie McDowell in Groundhog Day. (Sony Pictures)

Groundhog Day, Harold Ramiss time-loop comedy about an unfortunate weatherman stuck in the same day in the same dead-end town, has become not just an unlikely classic but one of Bill Murrays most loved and critically praised performances.

However, off-screen, the experience of making this repeat-until-perfect rom-com is far from fondly remembered by those who made it.

Turning 30 this week, Groundhog Day couldnt have come at a better time in Ramis career. After helming hits like 1980s Caddyshack and National Lampoons Vacation in 1983, the writer, director and part-time actor had found huge success starring as proton pack-wielding smart guy Egon Spengler, the brains of the Ghostbusters, in 1984 and again in 1989. However, by the early 90s following the lukewarm release of his Robin Williams and Jimmy Cliff beach-holiday comedy Club Paradise, he was in dire need of a hit.

Read more: How long was Phil Connors trapped in Groundhog Day?

Cue Groundhog Day, a movie with a unique premise that would re-team him with his long-time friend and frequent collaborator Bill Murray.

Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis in 1984's Ghostbusters. (Alamy)

Co-written by Ramis and screenwriter Danny Rubin, the films weird plot gelled nicely with the directors own growing interest in the Humanist religious beliefs and philosophies that turned focus inwards and focused on self-improvement.

Murray played Phil, a self-centred weatherman for a regional TV station whos shipped off to small-town Pennsylvania to cover their annual Groundhog Day celebrations and the emergence of local hero Punxsutawney Phil  a groundhog with the ability to predict how long winter will last depending on whether or not he can see his own shadow.

Read more: Bill Murray says he was 'tricked' into Ghostbuster II

Miffed at the job, Phil naturally cant wait to leave  but when he awakes the next day, he finds himself reliving the very same Groundhog Day all over again and again and again for a time-loop stint that, according to one dedicated film blog, lasts for 33 years and 350 days. Naturally, he doesnt find it all that fun but does eventually learn to become a better person in the process.

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Groundhog Day (Sony Pictures)

On release, the film was a moderate hit but in the years since, its emerged as a favourite of fans and critics alike, spawning its own short-lived musical and regularly dissected by philosophers and religious pundits eager to find their own meaning in Phils madness.

However, for Ramis, the making of Groundhog Day all but destroyed one of his longest friendships and most successful comedy partnerships  and it was something that would bug the director for the remainder of his life.

Read more: Franchises that continued without their stars

As Ramiss daughter, Violet Ramis Stiel, explains in her brilliant 2018 memoir Ghostbusters Daughter, a combination of factors led to this unfortunate rift. Bill was going through a difficult time in his personal life, and he and my dad were not seeing eye to eye on the tone of the film.

"They had a few arguments on set, including one in which my dad uncharacteristically lost his temper, grabbed Bill by the collar, and shoved him up against a wall, she reveals. Eventually, Bill just completely shut my dad out for the next twenty years.

Harold Ramis during an interview with Jay Leno in 1993. (Getty Images)

Without going into specifics, Stiel paints a picture of a complex friendship pushed to its limit on an unexpectedly tense set.

As a result, just like a reverse Phil Connors, Murray retreated inwards. He was notably absent from the movies 1993 Los Angeles premiere and despite Ramis occasionally reaching out to him in the years following, dearly missing one of his oldest pals and comedy collaborators, Murray didnt return the favour.

Meanwhile, the gap between the two continued to grow. My dad did his best to be diplomatic about the whole thing and tried not to take it personally, but it bothered him, Stiel explained.

He described feeling variously heartbroken, confused and yet unsurprised by the rejection, explaining Bill would give you his kidney if you needed it, but wouldnt necessarily return your phone calls.

Ghostbusters 2 Year : 1989 USA Director : Ivan Reitman Ernie Hudson, Bill Muray, Sigourney Weaver, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis

While this issue could arguably be behind the long and drawn-out trouble in getting a third Ghostbusters movie off the ground with the original cast, it also paints a very grounded picture of a Hollywood star thats frequently obscured by tall tales, mystery and his own larger-than-life persona.

After all, Murray even has his own documentary dedicated to such wild stories in 2018s The Bill Murray Stories: Life Lessons Learned from a Mythical Man. Eventually, the rift did get resolved  and like some kind of Hollywood third-act ending, it was imbued with notes of heartbreak, humour and an unspoken reconciliation thats sadly typical with some male friendships.

Read more: Bill Murray accused of 'inappropriate behaviour'

While Ramis was battling the illness that would ultimately take his life at just 69 years old and largely unable to speak, Murray made one of his famous impromptu appearances.

A memorial for Harold Ramis outside the Hook and Ladder 8 station on February 25, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images)

Stiel recalls the moment, saying: In classic Bill fashion, he showed up at the house, unannounced, at 7AM, with a police escort and a dozen doughnuts, adding that Murray and her father spent a couple hours together, laughed a little and made their peace.

While it may have provided the long-overdue happy ending Ramis sought, the human side of the situation  the sometimes unexplainable nature of peoples actions and the unexpected impact they can have on others nearby the chaos  still lingers in his daughters mind.

Ive reached out to Bill a few times since my dads death but, apart from one brief text message, havent got a response, she says. I guess Im stuck with my unresolved feelings.

Groundhog Day is streaming on NOW with a Sky Cinema Membership. Watch a trailer below.
Photo: The Canadian Press People gather at Queen's Park in Toronto for the Stop Old Growth Logging rally in Toronto in solidarity with Pacheedaht First Nation Elder Bill Jones and the Rainforest Flying Squad to protect old growth forests on Vancouver Island on Saturday, June 12, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin

An old-growth logging protester accused of criminal contempt of court for blockading a forestry road has been acquitted because Mounties read out a short form of the court injunction.

British Columbia Supreme Court Justice Douglas Thompson tossed out the case against Ryan Henderson, saying the RCMP script didnt give sufficient information about the injunction terms and the information wasnt accurate or clear.

The Crown had argued during the trial in Nanaimo last month that the accused already knew of the injunction order and the Mounties' abbreviated version was adequate.

However, Thompson says in a ruling posted online Thursday that the RCMP script of the injunction failed to deliver on the questions of who it applies to and the location.

Hundreds of members of the Rainforest Flying Squad group were arrested on southern Vancouver Island while protesting logging by Teal Cedar Products Ltd, despite a court injunction issued in April 2021.

The BC Crown Prosecution Service wasn't immediately available to comment on the case or to say if it would appeal the ruling.
A gun lobbyist in Colorado said during a committee hearing this week that statistics for gun-related deaths among children and adolescents would be lower if you remove Black males in that age group from that.

The comments came from Kevin Lorusso, a representative for Colorados largest gun lobby, Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, during a hearing in the state legislature on several gun bills, Denver7 reported.

During his testimony, Lorusso also suggested that if Jewish people in the Holocaust had been armed, they could have at least taken a couple of Nazis out on the way to their own deaths.

I cannot fathom why someone would say, You know, the Jews wouldve still died in the Holocaust, so maybe they didnt need their guns, Lorusso said. You know what? Maybe they should have taken a couple of Nazis out on the way. Maybe it wouldve been good for them to have the ability to defend themselves. And thats what this is all about.

RMGOs Kevin Lorusso testifies in support of HB23-1044, Second Amendment Preservation Act. pic.twitter.com/D2DPVH3fcc  Rocky Mountain Gun Owners (@RMGOColorado) February 6, 2023

Republicans have often blamed the Holocaust in part on gun control laws, including the late Rep. Don Young (Alaska), former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson, Pennsylvania state Sen. Doug Mastriano and others.

Later during Mondays hearing, when Colorado state Rep. Kyle Brown (D) cited recent statistics that show guns are now the leading cause of death among children and adolescents in the U.S., Lorusso said those stats wouldnt look as alarming if you didnt count Black males in the numbers.

If you remove Black males in that age group from that, it is not true, Lorusso said, according to Denver7. That is a symptom of a different issue. The issue that is causing young Black males to be killed in their homes and on their streets is a very different issue. And most of those, I believe the number is 99%, but Ill safely say 98% of those murders are committed with illegally acquired and illegally possessed firearms.

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Jason Goldstick  a University of Michigan associate professor and the lead author of a letter on child and adolescent shooting deaths that Brown cited in the committee hearing  acknowledged to Denver7 that Black youth are definitely at higher risk than non-Hispanic white or Hispanic white, or Native American (youth). But the story notes that Goldstick doesnt understand why lawmakers are getting hung up on the rankings as a sign of importance.

Though Lorusso mentioned illegally acquired and illegally possessed firearms, he does not appear to have acknowledged that police shoot and kill Black people at a much higher rate than they do white people.

A recent CNN story on child homicide deaths in the U.S. notes that from 1999 to 2020, Black boys were killed more than any other group, and firearms were the most common weapon used in childrens deaths. The story notes that previous research suggests the racial disparities may be attributed in part to racist authority figures and the system-based inequities of the neighborhoods many children live in, with high concentrations of poverty, few safe places to play and underfunded school systems.

In a statement to Denver7, RMGO executive director Taylor Rhodes said Lorusso misspoke because he had little experience speaking in such settings.

Monday, I allowed Kevin Lorusso, our most junior staffer, to testify on behalf of Rocky Mountain Gun Owners on two bills we knew were going to die in committee to get him experience in the public forum, Rhodes said in a statement. If you have testified on behalf of a large organization, or even on behalf of yourself, this can be a very nerve-wracking exercise. In his testimony, he misspoke when discussing a heated topic surrounding the gun issue. Rocky Mountain Gun Owners will continually support and defend the Second Amendment freedoms of all law-abiding Coloradans.

Rhodes added that RMO would not comment further on the situation.

Read the full story at Denver7.

Related...
A gunman who confessed to targeting people of Mexican descent in a mass shooting at a Texas Walmart that left 22 people dead pleaded guilty Wednesday to dozens of hate crimes, federal authorities said.

Patrick Crusius, 24, entered the plea after federal prosecutors said last month that they would not seek the death penalty in the Aug. 3, 2019, rampage in El Paso.

He pleaded guilty to 23 counts of hate crimes that resulted in death and 22 hate crimes that caused great bodily injury and involved an attempt to kill, the Department of Justice said in a news release.

He also admitted to 45 gun crime violations, the release said. As part of his plea agreement, he agreed to a prison term of 90 consecutive life sentences, one for each count in the indictment, according to the release.

White nationalist-fueled violence has no place in our society today, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division said in a statement. "This senseless massacre violates the law, runs contrary to our values as Americans and defies the principles of tolerance and inclusion that define us as a nation."

Joe Spencer, a lawyer for Crusius, said Wednesday that his client has been trying to accept responsibility since the shooting and is glad he was finally able to do so.

There are no winners when he gets 90 consecutive life sentences where he will die in prison after a lifetime of punishment and incarceration dealing with his mental illness, Spencer said.

In charging documents, federal authorities said the shooter posted a document online prior to the massacre that described the attack as a response to a "Hispanic invasion of Texas.

In the document, he described himself as a white nationalist and said he targeted El Paso, a border city, to deter migrants from coming to the United States, according to Wednesday's news release.

The charging documents say he bought the gun used in the shooting  a rifle described by state authorities as an AK-47  less than two months before he opened fire.

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The gunman also bought 1,000 rounds of ammunition and drove from a relative's home in Allen, more than 650 miles east of El Paso, according to the documents.

A sentencing date has not yet been set, the Justice Department said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Gunmen hunted down and killed six men Wednesday afternoon in a quick sequence of shootings blocks apart in a neighborhood on the southeastern edge of Juarez, according to news reports.

The homicides occurred at three locations in the Urbivilla del Prado neighborhood, including four men killed when shooters busted into a house, Channel 44-XHIJ reported.

The attacks were carried out by armed men moving in a convoy and were believed to be linked to fighting between local drug dealers, XHIJ reported.

Drug trafficking:Big seizure of 127,000 fentanyl pills made in Juarez

The first attack took place when gunmen fired upon two men riding on a bicycle. One man died at a hospital, while the other man ran before gunmen caught up to him and killed him at the doorway of a nearby home, according to El Heraldo de Juarez.

Law enforcement officers respond to a shooting that killed two Chihuahua state police officers on Jan. 2 in eastern Juarez.

Next, gunmen broke into another house and killed four men on Prados del Eden Street in the same residential area, XHIJ reported.

The names of the victims had not been disclosed. Juarez police reported they detained two young men, ages 17 and 19, in connection with the shootings as an investigation continued.

Immigration:Rescues of asylum-seekers soar as Border Patrol ramps up efforts and more migrants arrive

The violence in Juarez has continued in February after January finished with about 95 homicides, including the slayings of three women found with their hands tied and their throats slashed on Jan. 28 in a house in the Hacienda de las Torres area.

The Chihuahua Attorney General's Office identified the victims as 27-year-old Diana Priscila V.E., 20-year-old Betzy Itzel H.R. and a 17-year-old girl only identified by the initials C.D.C.S. due to rules regarding the naming of juvenile crime victims. There have been no arrests.

Smuggling:Baloney on the Border: CBP says seizures of pork products are on the rise

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Gunmen hunt down, kill 6 men in Juarez neighborhood
Harrison Ford is starring in a new show about therapy, but that doesnt necessarily mean hes a fan of it  or whatever armchair diagnosis someone might have to offer.

There are all kinds of therapy. Im sure many of them are useful to many people, the Shrinking star told The Hollywood Reporter in an interview published Wednesday. Im not anti-therapy for anybody  except for myself. I know who the fuck I am at this point.

Ford offered equally strong remarks when THR brought up internet users armchair diagnosis of the actor based on things youve said about being shy in social situations.

Some assume youve wrestled with social anxiety disorder. Are they onto something? the interviewer asked.

Shit. That sounds like something a psychiatrist would say, not a casual observer, he answered. No. I dont have a social anxiety disorder. I have an abhorrence of boring situations.

Harrison Ford attends the premiere of

Harrison Ford attends the premiere of "The Call of the Wild" on Feb. 13, 2020, in Los Angeles.

He continued: I was shy when I first went onstage  I wasnt shy, I was fucking terrified. My knees would shake so badly, you could see it from the back of the theater.

But thats not social anxiety. Thats being unfamiliar with the territory. I was able to talk myself through that and then enjoy the experience of being onstage and telling a story with collaborators.

His comfort with collaborators was certainly evident in a story he told during a recent appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.

The actor said that when asked to describe Shrinking co-star Jason Segel to a producer, the first words out of his mouth were nice penis.

Fords compliment was in reference to Segels full-frontal nudity in the classic 2008 film Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

Related...
Screen legend Harrison Ford says hed be fine with just two words on his tombstone.

I wouldnt want it to be Harrison Ford, blah-blah-blah, actor, he told The Hollywood Reporters James Hibberd. Id settle for Was Useful.

When Hibberd suggested that would be a particularly reductive way to sum up a life, Ford was ready with an answer.

Well, theres not a lot of space on a tombstone, he said.

Ford, who isnt known for revealing much during interviews, opened up more than usual by discussing a wide range of topics including his career, the roles hes proud of, his philosophy, the 2015 airplane accident that left him seriously injured, and why hes taken on a surge of new roles lately including 1923 for Paramount+ and the highly anticipated Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

In his latest release, Shrinking for AppleTV+, Ford plays a therapist  but told The Hollywood Reporter he doesnt particularly need therapy himself.

I know who the fuck I am at this point, he said.

Read the full interview at The Hollywood Reporter.

Ford also played The Last Time I ... with The Hollywood Reporter for a video segment:
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY  Vero Beach residents said they felt victim to a hate crime and hate speech when their Sunday movie nights and Monday morning routines were marred by another round of antisemitic flyers found outside their homes.

Sunday night the flyers were tossed from a pickup truck onto lawns and doorsteps of homes in neighborhoods off State Road 60. They promoted anti-Jewish conspiracies as well as the website of the Goyim Defense League whose users stream videos of white supremacist and antisemitic content filled with racist slurs and Nazi imagery.

Its founder publicly announced a move from California to Florida last December while other founding members were known to live in the Port St. Lucie area, according to the Anti-Defamation League.

The ADL, which bills itself as the leading anti-hate organization in the world with a stated mission to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all" was also the target behind the naming of the Goyim Defense League, or GDL.

"Between 2020 and mid-2022 we saw over 400 instances of antisemitic and extremist flyering throughout (the state)," said Lonny Wilk, a regional director of ADL Florida. "Were calling for all elected officials and public officials to denounce antisemitism and all expressions of bigotry firmly, clearly and frequently. There must be no tolerance for those who wish to intimidate and harass entire communities."

'Not the way you treat people'

Mary Lou Calhoun lives in the McAnsh Park area near the Vero Beach Regional Airport and said a flyer was found in her yard around 9:30 p.m. Sunday.

She said she had neighbors visiting for a movie night when it was found.

For Subscribers: Is the class library closed? Districts, teachers navigating new state laws

Automated license plate readers: Which Treasure Coast law enforcement agencies use them and why?

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Thats not the way you treat people, she said. "I had a Jewish friend here with me  were in a movie club together eating pizza and watching movies.

Several other residents in her neighborhood also received flyers Calhoun said, adding it was the first time in the area, "ever having any hate speech thrown about.

It was really disappointing.

She said people in her community had plans to make signs against hate and discrimination, and paint messages on rocks to leave in the area.

"I dont want any neighbor to think that they arent welcome here  or that they live close to anybody thats OK with that," she said. "We want to respond to the people with love thats being targeted."

The GDL group last targeted the Vero Beach area in a similar flyer distributing operation in June 2022. Police then described it as definitely antisemitic, definitely hate speech and definitely a first time for us.

On Monday, Vero Beach police shared images of the flyer on Facebook asking the public for information about the incident. A spokesperson said Tuesday evening they were still gathering information and dont have anything to go on at this time.

Spokesperson Kelsea Marty said, Were definitely investigating, and asked anyone with any video footage from their Ring (surveillance camera) or home security system to send it to the Police Department.

Before we can decide any type of charges, we have to figure out whos sending them out so we can speak to them and see what their intent is, said Marty.

An Indian River County Sheriffs Office investigation into last summers incident was closed without any action taken by law enforcement who deemed the case, unfounded.

In its investigative conclusion detectives declared, Civil liberties and speech rights are protected by the Constitution, whereas, the flyers collected did not depict any direct threat, however, did make recipients of the literature uncomfortable.

Lt. Joe Abollo said they have no active investigation into the latest incident.

Flyers were also found on Cortez Avenue by residents Jerry Morris and his wife Karen who saw one as she left for work Monday morning.

Jerry Morris said it was the first time in his 12 years at the home, and we're hoping it'll be the last time.

This type of hatred can only be considered evil and any person who spreads this hatred has no place in a civil society, Morris said by email.

Flyers prior in Palm Beach County

GDL members were last known to be responsible for similar incidents to those in Vero Beach, in the Palm Beach area on Jan. 28 where they were issued littering citations.

We did encounter them in a rented pickup truck (and) they were driving around throwing the flyers from the truck, said Town of Palm Beach Police Department spokesperson Capt. Will Rothrock.

On Jan. 21 they were stopped in Palm Beach County by Atlantis Police Department in which one person was arrested.

We tried to do the same thing and issue a civil citation for litter the subject refused to identify himself, said Atlantis Police Chief Robert Mangold.

Its members were also responsible for a separate flyer incident in Boca Raton on Jan. 14, he said.

Corey Arwood is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Corey on Twitter @coreyarwood, or reach him by phone at 772-978-2246

If you are a subscriber, thank you. If not, become a subscriber to get the latest local news on the Treasure Coast.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Antisemitic flyers thrown on some doorsteps in Vero Beach
A health care worker is accused of helping a teenager run away from a treatment facility and then raping sexually assaulting the teen at her home, North Carolina officials say.

Lenoir County deputies said they arrested Therese Dominique Dove at her home Tuesday, Feb. 7. Shes charged with two counts of sexual activity by custodian after deputies said she had a sexual relationship with a teen.

Dove helped a 17-year-old run away from Nova Behavioral Healthcare in Kinston  where she was employed, the sheriffs office said in a Facebook post.

The teenager was reported as a runaway from Nova on Friday, Feb. 3. Deputies did not identify the teen or disclose their gender.

After helping the teen leave the facility, Dove let them stay at her home, deputies said. While the teen was staying with Dove, the two had a sexual relationship, deputies said.

Nova Behavioral Healthcare did not immediately return McClatchy News request for comment.

Kinston is about 80 miles southeast of Raleigh.

If you have experienced sexual assault and need someone to talk to, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline for support at 1-800-656-4673 or visit the hotline's online chatroom.

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Channel 9 spoke with a heartbroken son about an innocent woman, police said was shot and killed outside a shopping center.

Police are working to find the person who shot 61-year-old Angela Washington at a shopping plaza Tuesday night.

The shooting happened around 6:51 p.m. on North Lane, near Pine Hills Road.

Washington was shot and killed, but police think the shooter was aiming at someone else.

Original report: Orlando police identify woman shot outside shopping plaza

Channel 9 reporter Sabrina Maggiore talked to the victims son Thursday morning about his mothers tragic death.

Fernando Washington said his mother was a United States Army veteran from Operation Dessert Storm, and was known in her community at Aunt Angie.

He said Angela Washington spent most of her retirement days babysitting her Godson and helping people with their taxes.

Watch: Like a shooting range: Neighbors rush to the aid of girl, 3, shot in car seat

He said his mom was on her way to visit a friend when she got caught in gunfire.

As a minister he says hes consoled other families who have lost loved ones to gun violence, but he said hes only just now starting to understand the depths of this kind of pain.

Fernando shared details about his mother, and his quest for justice, as Orlando police work to make an arrest.

Read: We are disappointed: Demolition permit issued for DeLands historic Putnam Hotel

Police want anyone with information about Angela Washingtons death to call 911 or Central Florida Crimeline.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker, left, greets Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson at the governor's downtown Chicago office on April 7, 2023. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson announced his campaign for mayor of Chicago in October 2022.

Despite being one of the last candidates to join the race, Johnson has raised approximately $3.93 million in contributions to his committee, Friends of Brandon Johnson, Tribune analysis reveals.

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[ Chicago mayoral candidate profile: Brandon Johnson ]

The following database includes contributions made from Jan. 1, 2022 through Feb. 23, 2023.

Search the database to see who has contributed to Johnsons campaign for mayor.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.  Here's a look at how area members of Congress voted Jan. 27 through Feb. 2.

Along with roll call votes, the House also passed the following measures: the Commercial Remote Sensing Amendment Act (H.R. 290), to provide for transparent licensing of commercial remote sensing systems; and the Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act (H.R. 298), to expand access to capital for rural small businesses.

House

House Vote 1:PETROLEUM RESERVE: The House has passed the Strategic Production Response Act (H.R. 21), sponsored by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash. The bill would require the federal government to take measures to increase oil and natural gas production on federal lands when it makes withdrawals from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Rodgers said it "will help ensure this vital American energy asset and American security interests will not be drained away for nonemergency, political purposes." A bill opponent, Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., said that by limiting releases from the reserve, it "will hamstring the single most important tool the Biden administration has used to fight Putin's price hike on gasoline." The vote, on Jan. 27, was 221 yeas to 205 nays.YEAS: Jim Jordan R-OH (4th) Bob Latta R-OH (5th)

House Vote 2:FINANCE AND FRAUD: The House has passed the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act (H.R. 500), sponsored by Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Mo., to allow an investment management company (also known as a mutual fund) to delay its redemption of a security if it believes the redemption was fraudulently requested and use the delay to determine whether the request is valid. Wagner said the bill "will provide our potentially vulnerable investors with an important layer of investor protection to help make sure that they receive the hard-earned savings that they have built up over the years." The vote, on Jan. 30, was unanimous with 419 yeas.YEAS: Jordan R-OH (4th). Latta R-OH (5th)

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House Vote 3:COVID VACCINES AND HEALTH CARE WORKERS: The House has passed the Freedom for Health Care Workers Act (H.R. 497), sponsored by Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-S.C., to cancel the COVID vaccination requirement for health care workers at facilities that receive funds from Medicare and Medicaid. Duncan said the requirement "has only created resentment and distrust toward the government and loss of jobs, nursing jobs, CNA jobs, often replaced with traveling nurses being paid a higher rate, a higher cost for the taxpayers and the hospitals." A bill opponent, Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., said "halting vaccination for healthcare professionals would severely and irreparably harm patients and undermine the patient-public interest." The vote, on Jan. 31, was 227 yeas to 203 nays.YEAS: Jordan R-OH (4th), Latta R-OH (5th)

House Vote 4:ENDING COVID HEALTH EMERGENCY: The House has passed the Pandemic is Over Act (H.R. 382), sponsored by Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., to terminate the COVID public health emergency declared by President Trump on Jan. 31, 2020, on the date the bill becomes law. Guthrie said: "The American people are tired of living in a perpetual state of emergency, and it is long overdue for Congress to take back the authorities granted under Article I of the Constitution." A bill opponent, Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., called it "a reckless plan that would jeopardize the health of millions of Americans by immediately ceasing these important response programs without advanced preparations." The vote, on Jan. 31, was 220 yeas to 210 nays.YEAS: Jordan R-OH (4th), Latta R-OH (5th)

House Vote 5:REMOTE WORK POLICIES: The House has passed the Stopping Home Office Work's Unproductive Problems Act (H.R. 139), sponsored by Rep. James Comer, R-Ky. The bill would require the federal government's executive branch agencies to reinstate the telework policies they had as of the close of 2019. Comer said the reversion was needed because due to the expansion of remote work following the emergence of COVID, "federal agencies are falling short of their missions. They are not carrying out their duties. They are failing the American people." An opponent, Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., said: "Telework has strengthened private and public workplaces across the land, enhanced productivity, increased efficiency, improved the morale and satisfaction of the workforce, reduced traffic congestion, and made positive environmental changes." The vote, on Feb. 1, was 221 yeas to 206 nays.YEAS: Jordan R-OH (4th), Latta R-OH (5th)

House Vote 6:ENDING NATIONAL COVID EMERGENCY: The House has passed a resolution (H.J. Res. 7), sponsored by Rep. Paul A. Gosar, R-Ariz., to end the national emergency in response to COVID that was declared by President Trump on March 13, 2020. Gosar said the resolution was needed to have the House "perform its most basic constitutional duty: checking the powers of the executive branch and the power of the purse." An opponent, Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., said: "Terminating the emergency declaration now sends the wrong message and could have consequences for public health and safety." The vote, on Feb. 1, was 229 yeas to 197 nays.YEAS: Jordan R-OH (4th), Latta R-OH (5th)

House Vote 7:REMOVING MEMBER FROM COMMITTEE: The House has passed a resolution (H. Res. 76), sponsored by Rep. Max L. Miller, R-Ohio, to remove Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., from the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Miller said the action would state clearly that the House "does not condone hate and to reaffirm that we will always condemn anti-Semitism" that Omar has expressed in remarks criticizing Israel. Omar said she has merely spoken "on behalf of those who are experiencing unjust wars, atrocities, ethnic cleansing, occupation or displacement." The vote, on Feb. 2, was 218 yeas to 211 nays.YEAS: Jordan R-OH (4th), Latta R-OH (5th)

House Vote 8:SOCIALISM: The House has passed a resolution (H. Con. Res. 9), sponsored by Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., to denounce socialism in all its forms and oppose the implementation of socialist policies in the U.S. A supporter, Rep. Jodey C. Arrington, R-Texas, called socialism "a series of actions that rob people of their freedom and concentrate power in the hands of a few in their central government." An opponent, Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., said the resolution presented "a misleading and sophomoric description of history. We are told that all socialism is equal, and that Marxist-Leninism is the same as the European Socialists." The vote, on Feb. 2, was 328 yeas to 86 nays.YEAS: Jordan R-OH (4th), Latta R-OH (5th)

Senate

Senate Vote 1:PEACE INSTITUTE MEMBER: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Roger Israel Zakheim to be a member of the board of the U.S. Institute of Peace for a four-year term. Zakheim, director of the Reagan Institute since 2018, has also been a lawyer specializing in government and public policy, and a military official in the George W. Bush administration. The vote, on Jan. 30, was 84 yeas to 10 nays.YEAS: Sherrod Brown D-OHNAYS: J.D. Vance R-OH

Senate Vote 2:SECOND PEACE INSTITUTE MEMBER: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Joseph Lee Falk to be a member of the board of the U.S. Institute of Peace for a four-year term. Falk is a consultant at the Akerman LLP law firm and has served on the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. The vote, on Feb. 2, was 60 yeas to 37 nays.YEAS: Brown D-OHNAYS: Vance R-OH

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Votes cast by area members of Congress Jan. 27-Feb. 2
QUICK-LOOK FORECAST:

Cloudy, breezy, winds diminish overnight

Cooler end to the week

Dry and sunny Sunday

>> TRACK THE CONDITIONS WITH LIVE DOPPLER 7

DETAILED FORECAST:

OVERNIGHT: Winds will diminish a bit overnight, but still breezy. Storm Center Chief Meteorologist McCall Vrydaghs says scattered clouds will linger through the night. Temperatures will fall to the middle 30s.

FRIDAY: A cooler day. Scattered clouds linger, then some sunshine by the end of the day. Highs in the low 40s. A little breezy but not like Thursday. Wind chills will be in the 20s and 30s.

SATURDAY: A very cold morning, with temperatures in the 20s. Clouds break for some sun. Highs around 40.

SUNDAY: Another cold start in the 20s. Sun and some clouds. Back into the mid 40s. Dry day.

MONDAY: A cold morning but a nice and mild afternoon! Highs reach the low 50s. Sunshine for the afternoon.

TUESDAY: Clouds increase. Warmer than normal again, with highs in the middle 50s. Rain returns toward evening.

WEDNESDAY: Mainly dry with mostly cloudy skies. Highs in the upper 50s to near 60.

THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy with a few more showers possible. Highs in the upper 60s.
A House Oversight hearing featuring former Twitter employees led to a heated debate among lawmakers. Even a brief power outage in the hearing room didnt cool things down as Democrats lambasted Republicans for holding a hearing the Democrats said was a waste of time and resources.

Meanwhile, advocates said they are encouraged by President Bidens push for kids online safety in his State of the Union address  but claimed the backing is long overdue.

This is Hillicon Valley, detailing all you need to know about tech and cyber news from Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley. Send tips to The Hills Rebecca Klar and Ines Kagubare.

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Democrats blast GOP over Twitter hearing

Democrats formed a united front Wednesday, painting Republicans as staging a distracting political stunt during the GOPs first hearing targeting social media companies content policies.

Republicans grilled former Twitter executives at a hearing of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee over their decision to limit the spread of a story about President Bidens son more than two years ago.

The hearing fulfilled a pledge GOP officials made to use their newly reclaimed House majority to crusade against continuing allegations of anti-conservative censorship by social media companies.



The heated hearing, interrupted by a brief power outage in the room, showcased a hyper-partisan divide in the House on content moderation issues.

Republicans pressed the former Twitter employees present on internal communications published through a Twitter thread in December. Democrats sought to highlight concerns about the spread of pro-Trump election misinformation that fueled the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol.

I dont know precisely how we are going to solve the problem of private social media platforms being used for the organization of political coups and incitement of violent insurrections. But this is a grave problem confronting democracy in America and all over the world, not a phony, silly, concocted partisan issue, ranking member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) said.

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Other Democrats expressed irritation about the hearing being held at all.

Were wasting our time here bullying former Twitter employees, Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) said. Its calling the refs, so that way in the future when they want disinformation to be put on the internet, social media companies will be scared to call them out down the road.

Read more here.

WHITE HOUSE CYBER CZAR TO RETIRE NEXT WEEK

White House cyber adviser Chris Inglis is set to resign from his post as national cyber director next week, The Hill has learned.

Inglis, who was appointed by Biden as the nations first national cyber director, is set to serve his last day on Feb. 15 after decades of government national security work and a year-and-a-half in the position.

It was reported late last year that Inglis would step down from the role as President Bidens principal adviser on cybersecurity policy and strategy and cybersecurity engagement with the countrys key stakeholders.

Ingliss principal deputy, Kemba Eneas Walden, will reportedly step up as acting director until the White House nominates an official successor.

Read more here.

Advocates: Bidens push on kids safety is overdue

During his State of the Union address, President Biden urged Congress to pass legislation aimed to protect kids privacy online, a move seen as encouraging but long overdue.

Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube have all come under fire for playing a role in what researchers say are rising rates of depression and anxiety in children.

In his speech, Biden said that social media companies must be held accountable for the experiment they are running on our children for profit.

Its time to pass bipartisan legislation to stop Big Tech from collecting personal data on kids and teenagers online, ban targeted advertising to children, and impose stricter limits on the personal data these companies collect on all of us, he added.

Read more here.

GOP ASKS DOJ FOR INFO ON BIDEN, TECH COMMUNICATIONS

Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee are requesting documents that include communications between the Biden administration and social media companies as part of the panels investigation into what the GOP says were efforts to suppress free speech and censor content online.

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, on Wednesday penned a letter to Brian Boynton, the principal deputy assistant attorney general in the civil division, requesting that the Justice Department turn over documents that it provided in an earlier lawsuit filed by GOP-led states involving purported free speech violations.

The Hill obtained a copy of the letter, which requests that the materials are handed over by Feb. 22.

The Committee on the Judiciary is conducting oversight of the Executive Branchs efforts to sidestep the First Amendment by coercing and coordinating with private companies, including social media platforms, to suppress free speech and censor content online, Jordan wrote.

Read more here.

MUSKS PERSONAL PUSH

Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) said on Tuesday that Twitter CEO Elon Musk personally reached out to him to resolve his account suspension.

Dainess account was suspended on Tuesday morning after he posted a picture showing him and his wife hunting an antelope, an apparent violation of Twitters media policy.

The senators account was restored the same day after Musk said the suspension was being fixed.

I am grateful Elon Musk reached out to me to resolve this issue and am glad that he recognizes that free speech is a bedrock of our country, and acted quickly to reinstate my Twitter account after being made aware of its suspension, Daines said in a statement.

Read more here.

BITS & PIECES

An op-ed to chew on: Can companies be virtuous and still turn a profit?

Notable links from around the web:

Meta, Long an A.I. Leader, Tries Not to Be Left Out of the Boom (The New York Times / Cade Metz and Mike Isaac)

Google is scrambling to catch up to Bing, of all things (Vox / Sara Morrison)

Tech Volunteers Rush to Save Turkeys Earthquake Survivors (Wired / Robyn Huang)

ONE MORE THING

Congress probes airline meltdowns

Congress is digging into the air travel mess following high-profile meltdowns at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Southwest Airlines.

Lawmakers on Tuesday held their first hearing on aviation safety since last months FAA system outage that forced the U.S. to ground all flights for the first time in decades.

The hearing kicks off a series of investigations into recent disruptions caused by airlines and the FAA, which is seeking a five-year funding package from Congress this year.

Our aviation system is clearly in need of some urgent attention, said Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Read more here.

Thats it for today, thanks for reading. Check out The Hills Technology and Cybersecurity pages for the latest news and coverage. Well see you tomorrow.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A day after a shooting near Hillside High that killed a 17-year-old student, the school was placed on secure status for the second day in a row as police investigated a report of weapons found nearby.

At 2:08 p.m. Thursday, the Durham County Sheriffs Office said no weapons were found and the area had been cleared.

But the incident brought a swarm of police near the school again, rattling a campus already on edge.

At 1:34 p.m., Durham police tweeted that they were investigating an anonymous tip from the Durham County Sheriffs Office about weapons found in the woods near the campus on Fayetteville Road.

By 2 p.m., the school was taken off of secure status, which is a step below lockdown. When a school is on secure status, students and staff can walk around within the building, but no one can enter or exit.

On Wednesday, two Hillside High students, ages 15 and 17, were shot near the American Tobacco Trail in Durham shortly after 1 p.m. Both teenagers were taken to the hospital where the older student died. Their names have not been released due to their ages.

Lt. Quincey Tait told The News & Observer she did not know whether Thursdays search was connected to Wednesdays shooting.

But she said police believe that the shooting was not random.

Durham Police is assisting DSO at Hillside HS regarding an anonymous tip about weapons in the woods near campus. The school was placed on secure status while police search the area. Officers will remain in the area while the investigation continues. DPS is contacting parents. pic.twitter.com/6BcylxY0hK  DurhamPoliceNC (@TheDurhamPolice) February 9, 2023

A Durham Public Schools spokesperson said that, to his knowledge, Thursdays search didnt involve students.

Hillside Principal William Logan said in a message to families Wednesday evening that the two teens attended Hillside but that the incident took place about a quarter-mile from campus.

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They and their families are in our thoughts and prayers, according to the message.

Community reacts to shooting

Wednesdays shooting was on the minds of many throughout Durham on Thursday.

Mayor Elaine ONeal briefly spoke about it at the start of Thursdays City Council work session.

My heart is really heavy, she said. As the (city) manager was walking in a few minutes ago she said that I needed to check on Hillside High. That school is currently in the middle of a situation.

I just ask we take a moment to think about what happened yesterday, what is currently happening right now.

On Thursday, DPS Superintendent Pascal Mubenga said he is heartsick about the death of a Durham student.

His family and loved ones are in our thoughts and prayers  but we need more than thoughts and prayers, Mubenga said. Our students are clamoring for an end to gun violence, and our community must come together to deliver it.

Davion White, a junior at Hillside High School, said counselors were made available to his classmates at school on Thursday. But that may not have been enough for some students.

A lot of people were talking about ... that school shouldnt have been on today, White said Thursday after classes ended.

About Wednesdays shooting, he said, Its just sad that it happens so close to where people come to learn.

But, I feel like you cant let certain things stop you from progressing, White said. I feel like Hillside really helps Black people as a progressive race push forward. Something like this, a tragedy like this, I dont think that it should stop us from pushing forward as a people.

Just before 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Durham police announced that Hillside High School and W.G. Pearson Magnet Elementary had been placed on secure status due to a security threat in the area. This status was lifted just before 3 p.m., according to police.

At the Durham City Council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Mark-Anthony Middleton and other council members shared their condolences.

With all of the accolades and attention that Durham gets, as long as our kids are killing each other, it will always be a muted celebration, he said.

Staff writer Mary Helen Moore contributed to this report.
At least 12 cars, many from within gated communities on Hilton Head, were broken into or attempts were made to enter them over the last two weeks, according to the Beaufort County Sheriffs Office.

Heres the rundown:

 On Feb. 3 before 8 a.m. at least four cars were broken into, a Hilton Head homeowner on St. Johns Place within the Shipyard gated community reported. The unlocked cars were parked in the driveway of the home and two wallets, an Apple computer and cash were stolen, police said. An Apple AirTag, a tracking device that was inside one of the wallets listed its last location as being near New Orleans Road. When police went to the area, they did not find anything, the report said.

 On Feb. 4 just before 3 a.m., a woman reported to police she heard a loud noise outside of her apartment on Gum Tree Road. She saw a man trying to break into her car where her wallet was sitting in the passenger side seat and had money in it that was visible, police said. The woman tried to scare off the man by banging on the window and when she walked away to call police, she heard a sledgehammer crash through the window that had been hurled by the man, according to Maj. Angela Viens, a Beaufort County Sheriffs Office spokesperson.

 On Feb. 5 before 10 a.m., a woman on Wicklow Drive in Wexford Plantation, a waterfront community on the island, called police to report that her unlocked car had been broken into and rifled through, police said. The woman told police that a purse worth $2,900, several credit cards and $230 in cash had been stolen from the backseat of the car. About $3,930 worth of other items also were stolen, she told the deputies. Two nearby cars were entered but minimal items were missing.

 Also on Feb. 5, a resident within the same community who lives on Bridgetown Road, about four minutes away, reported that his car was broken into though nothing was stolen. Another couple, who also live on Bridgetown Road, told police that someone had gone into their unlocked car and took two sunglasses worth a total of $350 and $20 in change.

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 A father reported to police on Feb. 5 that his son had a sleepover with several friends the night before and the boys forgot to close the garage doors and did not lock their cars. Around 6 a.m., the father got a notification via his Ring Doorbell, a video doorbell system, of an unknown person in his garage, police said in the report. Two North Face bookbags were stolen along with two school computers and about $250 in cash. Taken from at least one of the friends cars was about $900 in cash and two guns. The guns were found near the community clubhouse on Feb. 5 by security police, the report said.

The best way to ward off potential thieves is to lock your car doors and keep valuables out of sight or inside your homes, Viens said Thursday. As for confronting anyone in your driveway, Viens said she would caution against doing that and instead turn on any outdoor lights.

Nine times out of 10, turning on outside lights will scare someone off, she said. And then they should call 911 immediately.
Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has laid a fundraising infrastructure that helped him rake in nearly $6 million in the last two years, according to a person familiar with his fundraising operation, as the moderate Republican toys with a White House bid in 2024.

Hogan has opened a federal PAC and a 501(c)(4) organization called An America United, among other fundraising ventures, to raise money as he considers running for president. While he has spent considerable time in early primary states like New Hampshire and Iowa, he has yet to declare his intention to run.

But he has compiled an initial war chest of around $6 million, raising money as he left office in Maryland after two terms as a Republican governor in a blue state. Hogan has long been a foil of former President Trump and is one of a number of moderate Republicans who could look to oppose the former president in a 2024 primary.

Hogan raised over $500,000 from his federal Better Path Forward PAC over the past year. He also raised nearly $2.1 million in 2021 from An America United.

Last week, Hogan said on conservative talk radio host Hugh Hewitts show that he was seriously considering a run for president, saying he would make a decision fairly soon.

During his time in Maryland, Hogan maintained high approval ratings and declined to endorse the Trump-backed Republican candidate for governor in the state as he left office, standing by as now-Gov. Wes Moore (D) won the election handily.

He was also drafted by Senate Republican leadership in 2022 to run for a Senate seat, but declined.

Hogan is not the only potential GOP alternative to Trump in 2024. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, the onetime U.S. ambassador to the United Nations who has long been considered a potential White House hopeful, is expected to announce her candidacy in the coming weeks. And Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has emerged as one of the countrys leading conservative voices in recent years and is believed to be planning a 2024 bid as well.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Holly Willoughby's latest fashion find is a stunning floral midi dress from Oasis. (Getty)

You really can't go wrong with a midi dress; it's one of the most versatile pieces in your wardrobe, and perfect for looking smart whilst also being comfortable, and easy to throw on. Not to mention it can be worn all-year round.

There's no shortage of styles to shop these days either; from floral to striped, it feels like there are thousands of designs available.

Luckily, Holly Willoughby is on hand with some midi dress inspiration. Posting to her Instagram on Thursday, the TV presenter shared a picture of her in the ideal spring floral midi dress.

Paired with nude, pointed-toe court heels and her signature blonde bob, she donned the high street dress for her presenting slot on ITV's This Morning on 9 February to celebrate 20 years since financial whizz Martin Lewis' first appearance on the show.

It's not surprising it was hit among Willoughby's 8.1 million Instagram followers, as commenters raved about the Oasis dress' pretty floral design.

Best of all, it's currently on sale, reduced from 79 to 47, so if you're as obsessed with this midi dress as much as we are, make sure you snap it up before it sells out.

Why we rate it

Available in sizes 6-18, it has a beautiful floral print, a crew neckline, and draped short sleeves with a slight ruffle.

The flattering midi style is perfect for all seasons. (Oasis)

The floral midi dress is also currently on sale, reduced by 32. (Oasis)

47 79 at Oasis

Made in a lightweight crepe fabric, it's perfect for pairing with a tailored coat and boots during the winter, or switch out for white trainers and a light jacket for spring. Add heels and you even have the ideal outfit for a spring wedding.

The tie-waist belt also means you can customise its fit, to either cinch in the waist or leave loose for a more relaxed feel.

While Willoughby kept her accessories simple, opting for just a pair of heels, you could also add a gold necklace, cross body bag or earrings to add a touch of glamour and elevate your whole look.

Buy it now: Floral Printed Frill Detail Belted Midi Dress | 47 (Was 79) from Oasis

47 79 at Oasis

Watch: Holly Willoughby returns to This Morning in the perfect spring dress
JAMESTOWN  About two miles north of Beavertail State Park, tucked away on a quiet residential road, is an organization called Friends of Nepal. Its an unusual enough name in context to stop scrolling Google Maps and take a closer look; Jamestown not being known as an epicenter of Nepalese culture, one might wonder what exactly who the friends of this small, landlocked south Asian country in the heart of the Himalayas are, and what they are doing so far away from Asia and so close to sea level.

As it turns out, they are mostly retired Peace Corps volunteers, and they do a lot.

The organization, whose nationwide membership is culled from the ranks of the 3,341 individuals who have traveled to Nepal with the Peace Corps since 1962 but has been coordinated out of Rhode Island for 21 years, donates tens of thousands of dollars to grassroots development projects in Nepal every year.

People play football at Tundikhel as Dharahara tower is seen in the background in Kathmandu, Nepal, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022.

Aaron Rome served in Nepal from 1991 to 1993 as a water supply engineer and then volunteered as the president of Friends of Nepal from 2002-2017. On his website, Rome, who lives in Saunderstown, calls his time with the Peace Corps the source of some of his most meaningful experiences." He also says the experience in Nepal enabled him to understand, with first-hand knowledge, the need of under-served and marginalized communities.

Rome explained to The Daily News the reason Friends of Nepal has a connection to Rhode Island is that he served as the organizations president for 15 years from 2002-2017 and ran it out of his house. He passed the torch on to fellow Rhode Islander Dan Donaghue when he was ready to move on, moving the nerve center of the Friends of Nepal's quietly effective operation into Newport County.

Newport taxes:A look at the tax-exempt properties generating $1 million in revenue for Newport

Now it is Donaghue, who served in Nepal from 1974 -1977 as a livestock volunteer at a veterinary hospital, who from his home in Jamestown marshals the nationwide network of former Nepal Peace Corps Volunteers, former Peace Corps Nepal staff, and academics to select, fund and follow up on development projects every year. Donaghue and his wife moved to Jamestown in 1999 as he was preparing for a stint as the Peace Corps Country Director in Tajikistan, which was in a state of nearly total devastation in the wake of a five-year civil war.

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"I was willing to go everywhere  I had never been anywhere," said Donaghue, reminiscing on his decision at the age of 22 to join the Peace Corps. "And I got really lucky; Nepal is a really wonderful country...no war, not a lot of discrimination, four of the major religions are there  Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity  and everyone gets along in a very interesting and multi-cultured society."

Dan Donaghue as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nepal in the 1970s.

Since its founding in 1986, Friends of Nepal has successfully funded a wide array of grassroots projects including youth and adult literacy programs for girls and mothers, sustainable job creation programs such as training women to install solar panels, and most recently in 2022 sustainability-oriented projects focused on things like clean drinking water supply and macadamia nut farming.

Spare Change: Rogers gym the latest bump in the road to a new high school

While the organization normally distributes small grants in the neighborhood of $5,000 per project, in the wake of the horrific 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Nepal in 2015, Friends of Nepal's members and their personal networks raised and donated over $100,000 for Nepalese hospitals and communities.

Jamestown may not have much of a Nepalese flavor to it, but that does not hold true for all of Rhode Island. Rome began helping newly arrived refugees from Nepal in 2009, when eight individuals from two families arrived in Providence. Within three years he watched Rhode Islands community grow to over 200 strong, and by 2015 there were over 300 people of Nepalese descent living in the Providence area.

Donaghue, who went on to a 25-year career in refugee assistance and poverty alleviation programming with the U.S. State Department and Save the Children and now speaks Nepali, Hindi and Urdu, has also worked extensively with Rhode Islands Nepalese community, noting in his bio on the Friends of Nepal website that in addition to working on development projects and with refugees throughout Asia, he has spent quite a bit of time with Bhutan-Nepali refugees here where I live, in Rhode Island.

At the Statehouse:Dream of living on a houseboat in RI? This bill could see them banned in some places

He has also worked with immigrants and refugees in Newport County, teaching citizenship classes for Newporters with Guatemalan, Salvadoran and other cultural heritage through the Newport Community Schools Aquidneck Island Adult Learning Center program at Thompson Middle School.

Dan Donaghue poses with his Nepalese goddaughters in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.

Whether he is helping Newporters attain the citizenship they have dreamed of since moving to Newport as children, fundraising for early-age literacy programs in the slums of Kathmandu, or organizing the Friends of Nepals efforts to install a tri-lingual Nepali, Tibetan, and English library and computer classroom for school-age nuns in the Himalayas, Donaghue and the Friends of Nepal are a great example of a small entity with an outsize impact on the world around it  very much in keeping with the history and culture of Rhode Island.

This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Friends of Nepal provides support out of Jamestown, RI, home
WASHINGTON  A Democratic congressman Thursday launched an effort to expel GOP Rep. George Santos from Congress. California Rep. Robert Garcia referred a resolution to the House Ethics Committee to kick out tghe freshman New York lawmaker who lied about his background and finances during last year's campaign.

Meanwhile, the Republican head of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee ramped up his probe of President Joe Bidens son and brother. Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., is requesting Hunter and James Biden for documents since 2009 covering communications with intelligence agencies, travel and financial records since Biden was vice president

Here's what else is happening in politics:

Smart analysis delivered to your inbox: Sign up for the OnPolitics newsletter

Fetterman's doctors rule out stroke as cause of recent dizziness

Sen. John Fetterman's doctors have concluded that the Pennsylvania Democrat who was hospitalized late Wednesday for lightheadedness did not suffer a stroke.

Fetterman, who suffered a stroke during his 2022 Senate campaign in Pennsylvania, was taken to George Washington University Hospital after feeling dizzy toward the end of a Senate Democratic retreat Wednesday, according to his spokesperson, Joe Calvello.

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On Thursday, Calvello said the results of an MRI "along with the results of all of the other tests the doctors ran, rule out a new stroke. He is being monitored with an EEG for signs of seizure - so far there are no signs of seizure, but he is still being monitored."

- Candy Woodall

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., arrives for President Joe Biden's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the Capitol, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, in Washington.

Minnesota congresswoman attacked in apartment building elevator

Minnesota Democratic Rep. Angie Craig was assaulted at her apartment building in Washington Thursday morning, according to the congresswomans office.

The incident occurred in an elevator around 7:15 a.m.

Rep. Craig defended herself from the attacker and suffered bruising, but is otherwise physically okay, Craigs chief of staff, Nick Coe, said in a statement.

Coe added that there is no evidence that the incident was politically motivated.

- Phillip M. Bailey

WASHINGTON - Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill on June 24, 2020. Craig was assaulted in her Washington apartment building on Thursday, but her chief of staff said there was no evidence the attack was politically motivated.

Time for him to go: Democrats introduce resolution to expel George Santos

Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., referred a resolution Thursday to the House Ethics Committee to expel GOP Rep. George Santos from Congress. The freshman Democrat called Santos a fraud and a liar for misrepresenting his background and finances during his campaign last year for New York's third district.

Its time for him to go, Garcia said. We have given him plenty of time to resign and he has chosen not to do so.

The odds of expulsion are long. It would take two-thirds of the chamber to vote for such a move. Santos told USA TODAY its their prerogative" to introduce a resolution, and maintained his position that he will not resign from office.

They can do whatever they want. For people who like to talk about silencing voters, they want to silence 142,000 people who voted to send me here," he said.

- Rachel Looker and Candy Woodall

Santos probes: George Santos controversy: Here's a look at investigations of the House Republican

Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., leaves a House GOP conference meeting on Capitol Hill, in Washington, Jan. 25, 2023. Federal authorities are investigating a military veteran's claim that Santos raised $3,000 for life-saving surgery for his pet dog several years ago, then never turned over the money for the animal's care, according to a published report.

Donald Trump's Facebook account is officially restored

Brace yourselves for Donald Trump's first new Facebook post.

Meta Platforms Inc. mechanically restored Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts Thursday, more than two years after suspending him for improper content in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection.

The social media giant announced Jan. 25 that it would lift Trump's suspension, and threatened more penalties if the ex-president again violates their content policies.

 David Jackson

Why Biden keeps revisiting the Social Security, Medicare heckling episode

President Joe Biden wont let Republicans forget about their heckling  and apparent commitment not to touch Medicare or Social Security  from his State of the Union address this week.

It sounded like they agreed to take these cuts off the table. I sure hope so. I mean it," Biden said, speaking Thursday at the University of Tampa in Florida.

Republicans booed and jeered Biden during the State of the Union when he accused them of wanting to cut Social Security and Medicare, pointing to a proposal by Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., to sunset all federal programs every five years. The White House believes the moment boxed Republicans  who have pushed unspecified spending cuts during debt ceiling talks  into a corner.

I know that a lot of Republicans' dream is to cut Social Security and Medicare. Well, let me say this. If that's your dream, I'm your nightmare, Biden said.

- Joey Garrison and Maureen Groppe

Nikki Haley schedule update: Iowa is also on her announcement itinerary

Having already announced events in South Carolina and New Hampshire, soon-to-be presidential candidate Nikki Haley has added another early contest state to her announcement tour: Iowa.

Haley, who formally announces her candidacy Wednesday in Charleston, S.C., will conduct a town hall in Urbandale, Iowa, on Feb. 20, and Marion, Iowa, on Feb. 21, according to her campaign. The 2024 GOP presidential campaign kicks off in the Hawkeye State which holds the first caucus in the nation.

The former United Nations ambassador who is challenging Donald Trump for the GOP nomination in 2024 has two halls in New Hampshire late next week.

 David Jackson

GOP Congressman calls Santos 'a joke' but wouldn't vote to expel him

Rep. Dusty Johnson, a South Dakota Republican and key ally of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, is joining the growing number of members in his party who believe Rep. George Santos doesnt belong in Congress.

George Santos is a joke, and he shouldnt be in Congress, Johnson told USA TODAY Thursday. But Johnson was hesitant about a Democratic resolution to expel Santos.

Its the voters who get to decide who to hire and fire, he said. Before we start exercising a veto over the decision of the voters, I think we really want to proceed cautiously.

- Candy Woodall

'Sick puppy': Mitt Romney calls George Santos 'a sick puppy' after Biden State of the Union

House unanimously condemns Chinas spy balloon

A usually divided House came together Thursday to slam the Chinese government for sending a spy balloon to fly over much of the continental U.S. this month.

Five days after the military shot down the surveillance device, lawmakers unanimously passed a resolution condemning the foreign nation that called the incident a brazen violation of (American) sovereignty.

State Department officials said Thursday the balloon, which was shot down off the South Carolina coast, was fashioned with equipment that was "clearly for intelligence surveillance.

An event like this must not happen again. And it cannot go unanswered, Republican Rep. Michael McCaul, of Texas, who is chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said during Thursdays floor debate.

- Phillip M. Bailey

White House calls House inquiry political stunt

A White House spokesperson slammed a House hearing scheduled Thursday as a political stunt aimed at getting participants more attention on Fox News.

The Judiciary subcommittee on the weaponization of the federal government will hear from witnesses including Sens. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Ron Johnson, R-Wis., who have investigated Hunter Bidens foreign business deals. Other witnesses include former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, a Fox News contributor, and former FBI agent Nicole Parker.

These extreme MAGA Republicans in Congress are choosing to make it their top priority to go down the rabbit hole of debunked conspiracy theories about a deep state instead of taking a deep breath and deciding to work with the President and Democrats in Congress to improve Americans everyday lives, Ian Sams, a White House spokesperson, said in a statement.

 Bart Jansen

Hunter Biden laptop story enflames House lawmakers: 7 takeaways from Twitter hearing

Report: Election deniers lost, but election threats remain

Many Donald Trump-backed election deniers lost bids for office last year, but the threat of election subversion remains, says a new report  particularly physical threats to election workers.

While the most feared threats to election administration and vote counting did not materialize in 2022, that doesnt mean that the elevated risks to our elections have disappeared and we can lower our guard, said Wendy Weiser, Vice President for Democracy at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law.

Weiser is a member of the National Task Force on Election Crises, which issued a report Thursday warning that there are still some current government officials  mostly Trump-style Republicans  who want to manipulate voting and election laws to favor their candidates.

The report urged the government to remain vigilant about election threats, especially from partisans willing to physically threaten election officials to try and get their way.

"The threat of political violence was one the most concerning aspects of the 2022 cycle and one that shows no signs of abating," the report said.

 David Jackson

Sen. Fetterman hospitalized: Democratic Sen. John Fetterman, who suffered a stroke on campaign trail, hospitalized for lightheadedness

Comer demands documents from presidents son, brother

The head of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee ratcheted up his investigation of President Joe Bidens son and brother with a request to them for documents since 2009 covering communications with intelligence agencies, travel and financial records since Biden was vice president.

Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., said the letters to Hunter and James Biden, and their business associate Eric Schwerin, would help the panel draft stronger ethics legislation for federal officials and their families. The request followed a six-hour hearing Wednesday about Twitter stifling news coverage of Hunter Bidens laptop, which contained information about foreign business deals.

Joe Biden dismissed the inquiry. The publics not going to pay attention to that, Biden told the PBS NewsHour on Wednesday. If the only thing they can do is make up things about my family, its not going to go very far.

--Bart Jansen

Biden's GOP antagonists: Bidens most vocal GOP antagonists emerge, World Economic Forum preview: 5 Things podcast

Hunter Biden lawyer calls Comer inquiry inaccurate and baseless

Abbe Lowell, a lawyer representing Hunter Biden, replied to Rep. James Comers request for documents from the presidents son as peddling inaccurate and baseless conclusions.

As head of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, Comer, R-Ky., had demanded Hunter Biden documents about intelligence agencies, travel and finances since 2009 to draft stronger ethics legislation. But Lowell said Hunter Biden is a private citizen and the panel lacks a legitimate legislative purpose.

Peddling your own inaccurate and baseless conclusions under the guise of a real investigation, turns the Committee into Wonderland and you into the Queen of Hearts shouting, sentence first, verdict afterwards, Lowell wrote in a four-page letter to Comer.

 Bart Jansen

Hunter Biden's art dealer says his work is 'important': Why the paintings factor into GOP probes.

Pentagon: China conducted spy balloon program for years

The Chinese balloon shot down off the South Carolina coast was part of a large surveillance program that China has been conducting for several years, the Pentagon said Wednesday.

When similar balloons passed over U.S. territory on four occasions during the Trump and Biden administrations, the U.S. did not immediately identify them as Chinese surveillance balloons, said Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary. But he said subsequent intelligence analysis allowed the U.S. to confirm they were part of a Chinese spying effort and learn a lot more about the program.

 Associated Press

Spy balloon flew over sensitive US sites: Chinese spy balloon flew over other US missile and nuclear weapons sites, lawmaker says

White House hits back at GOP after State of the Union heckling over Social Security, Medicare

During President Joe Bidens State of the Union address Tuesday, GOP lawmakers responded with vocal outrage when the president suggested Republicans want to cut Social Security and Medicare. But on Thursday, the White House pulled out the receipts.

In a fact sheet titled Congressional Republicans Many Proposals to Cut Social Security and Medicare, and Increase Prescription Drug Prices and Health Care Premiums, the White House called out the party and several GOP lawmakers by name for having a different record on the popular programs than they loudly claimed Tuesday.

The fact sheet shows the White Houses growing boldness in calling out the opposite party as the 2024 election rapidly approaches.

-Ella Lee

State of the Union takeaways: Blue-collar Joe, GOP boos and a 2024 preview

'Moms for Liberty' asks Iowa lawmakers to get 'inappropriate' books out of schools

Five Iowa moms, all members of the conservative "Moms for Liberty" group, made their case to lawmakers this week about their efforts to remove or limit inappropriate books in schools.

"This legislature needs to come together and find common ground on protecting children from obscenity," said Mandy Gilbert, a Johnston parent and secretary for the Polk County Moms for Liberty chapter.

Outside the Iowa House Government Oversight Committee room, a small group held signs that condemned book banning. Former Iowa teacher Alena Treat said she's concerned the push against inappropriate books is part of a larger effort to remove LGBTQ representation from schools.

 Katie Akin, Des Moines Register

Read the full story: 'Moms for Liberty' calls on Iowa legislature to rid schools of 'inappropriate' books'

Hunter Biden laptop story enflames House lawmakers

The House hearing Wednesday into Twitters brief suppression of a story about Hunter Bidens laptop outlined the queasiness of former executives to block it and provided a bare-knuckle arena for partisan lawmakers to debate allegations against President Joe Biden.

Former Twitter executives told the House Oversight and Accountability Committee the company blocked links to the New York Post story in October 2020 because of similarities to the posting of leaks from hacked Democratic computers before the 2016 election. The executives called the 24-hour suppression a mistake and said it was difficult to judge between contentious and dangerous speech during a campaign.

Republican lawmakers argued Twitters decision could have thrown the election to Biden rather than former President Donald Trump, while Democrats called the hearing silly and a "bizarre political stunt.

 Bart Jansen

Read the full story: Hunter Biden laptop story enflames House lawmakers: 7 takeaways from Twitter hearing

Sen. John Fetterman hospitalized for lightheadedness

Sen. John Fetterman, who had a stroke during his 2022 Senate campaign in Pennsylvania, is in the hospital, his office said late Wednesday night.

Fetterman was taken to George Washington University Hospital after feeling lightheaded toward the end of the Senate Democratic retreat Wednesday, according to a statement from his spokesperson, Joe Calvello.

"Initial tests did not show evidence of a new stroke, but doctors are running more tests and John is remaining overnight for observation," Calvello said.

-- Candy Woodall

Read the whole story here: Democratic Sen. John Fetterman, who suffered a stroke on campaign trail, hospitalized for lightheadedness

Biden schedule today

President Joe Biden will travel to Floriday as part of his post-State of the Union travel to bring his key issues to an outside-the-Beltway audience. He will focus today is on Social Security and Medicare.

Biden's event at 1:30 pm will be held in Tampa.

Biden to bring Social Security fight to Florida

President Joe Biden will continue his attacks on Republicans over Social Security and Medicare when he travels to Florida.

Biden has accused Republicans  including Florida Sen. Rick Scott  of endangering the popular retirement programs by proposing all federal legislation by renewed every five years. Scott says Biden is twisting his words.

Biden appeared to relish the dispute over the issue during his State of the Union address when Republican lawmakers interrupted his speech to challenge him.

Biden said Wednesday he hopes that means Republicans have agreed not to cut Social Security and Medicare but, Ill believe it when I see it.

 Maureen Groppe

More: Marjorie Taylor Greene, other Republicans spar with Biden over Social Security, Medicare

Subcommittee on weaponization of the government set to hold first hearing Thursday

Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisc., will testify Thursday during a GOP-led hearing of the congressional subcommittee investigating the alleged weaponization of the government against Republicans.

Johnson plans to speak about the roadblocks he faced from government agencies during his investigation into President Joe Bidens son, Hunter Biden, that concluded in 2020 while Johnson was the chair of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Johnson's office told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who recently quit the Democratic Party, and former FBI special agent Nicole Parker will also testify during the hearing, according to CNN, which was first to report the developments.

 Lawrence Andrea

Biden under scrutiny: House Republicans gear up investigations of the president

Biden: Republican investigations of my family 'wont go very far'

President Joe Biden said House Republicans investigations into the business dealings of his son, Hunter Biden, and other members of his family "wont go very far."

"The publics not going to pay attention to that," Biden said in an interview Wednesday on PBS NewsHour. "They want these guys to do something. If the only thing they can do is make up things about my family, its not going to go very far."

The Republican-led House Oversight Committee held its first hearing Wednesday investigating the Biden family as former Twitter executives faced questions about media coverage of Hunter Bidens laptop. It's the start of a string of probes into the president that Republicans have long promised.

 Joey Garrison

7 takeaways from Twitter hearing: Hunter Biden laptop story enflames House lawmakers

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Democrat introduces resolution to expel Santos from House: Updates
The House unanimously approved a resolution on Thursday condemning the Chinese Communist Partys use of a spy balloon over the continental U.S., labeling the situation a brazen violation of United States sovereignty.

The resolution  which cleared the chamber in a bipartisan 419-0 vote  came to the House floor five days after the U.S. shot down the Chinese spy balloon off the South Carolina coast, intensifying tensions between Washington and Beijing.

An event like this, Mr. Speaker, must not happen again. And it cannot go unanswered, Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and sponsor of the measure, said on the House floor during debate Thursday.

They only understand one thing and that is force, and thats projecting power, and we need to project power and force and strength against the Chinese Communist Party, he added. They must understand that we do desire peace, but infringing upon our sovereignty leads us down a dangerous path. Our adversaries must believe that any future incursion into American airspace by a spy balloon or any other vehicle will be met with decisive force. And that is why the House should pass this resolution.

The Pentagon last week announced that it was tracking a high-altitude Chinese surveillance balloon floating over the U.S., prompting widespread media coverage. On Saturday, the U.S. shot down the object over water off the coast of South Carolina, and the American military is now working to recover the debris.

The situation prompted Secretary of State Antony Blinken to postpone his trip to Beijing.

Republicans were quick to criticize President Biden for waiting days to shoot down the balloon, which allowed the object to float across several states in the U.S. The president said he ordered the Pentagon last week to shoot down the balloon as soon as possible, and his national security officials determined that the best time to do that was when it got over water.

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Despite the criticism, McCaul this week said he wanted the resolution to be a bipartisan effort rather than a partisan measure that knocked the Biden administration.

Its too important of an issue, McCaul told reporters on Monday. We want to stand strong together against China instead of having our internal fights.

The resolution calls on the Biden administration to continue keeping Congress apprised of developments through comprehensive briefings on this incident that include a timeline of when the balloon was first detected to when it was shot down, an assessment of surveillance data the Peoples Republic of China was potentially able to collect or send, a detailed account of measures taken to mitigate the intelligence collection threat from the balloon, a description of options to mitigate the situation, and an account of diplomatic communications between Washington and Beijing on the matter.

The resolution also requests information on previous times the Peoples Republic of China used surveillance balloons across the world.

And it denounces Beijing for its efforts to deceive the international community through false claims about its intelligence collection campaigns that violated American sovereignty. Beijing has insisted the object was a civilian weather balloon that went off course and mistakenly entered U.S. airspace.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Chicago mayoral candidate Ald. Sophia King answers questions during a forum at The Hideout in Chicago, Feb. 23, 2023. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

South Side Ald. Sophia King, 4th, launched her mayoral campaign on Aug. 10.

Since the start of 2022, King has raised just over $800,000 in contributions to her committee, Friends of Sophia King, Tribune analysis reveals.

Advertisement

[ Chicago mayoral candidate profile: Sophia King ]

The following database includes contributions made from Jan. 1, 2022 through Feb. 23, 2023.

Search the database to see who has contributed to Kings campaign for mayor.

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The House on Wednesday voted to eliminate the CDCs vaccine requirement for U.S. visitors.

Proposed by GOP Representative Thomas Massie, the bill, H.R. 185, would terminate the requirement imposed by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for proof of COVID-19 vaccination for foreign travelers, and for other purposes. The measure, which was co-sponsored by 22 Republicans, succeeded in the chamber on a mostly party-line vote of 227-201, with seven Democrats voting along with Republicans to approve it.

The original order, published on April 7, 2022, restricted the entry of non-citizens who are not immigrants into the United States by air travel unless they were fully vaccinated against the virus.

Massies measure was forward-thinking, as it also nullified any future vaccine restrictions for foreign visitors as a condition of entry and prohibited the use of federal funds to administer or enforce such a requirement.

On the House floor, Massie pointed out the Biden administrations hypocrisy in maintaining the vaccine requirement for foreigners but allowing unprecedented illegal immigration into the country.

Whats the logic of having a vaccine mandate on legal international travelers but not on the millions of people who are pouring across our border? Wheres the logic in that? he asked.

You want a list of countries that dont have this mandate? Australia, Japan, Mexico, Canada, Spain, Germany, France, Ukraine, Massie said. Dictatorships have already gotten rid of this vaccinate mandate. Russia, Syria, China, Cuba even doesnt have this draconian, xenophobic measure at the border.

Even with the pandemic in the past, the Biden administration has still not revoked his national emergency concerning Covid which former president Trump made in March 2020. In January, Republican Representative Paul Gosar introduced a resolution to end the national emergency. On January 30, Biden announced that he plans to discontinue both the national emergency and the public-health emergency declarations on May 11, 2023.

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Why does Biden want to delay ending the COVID emergency for another 100 days? Because he wants to use emergency authorities to shove more money out of the door. Its been 1000+ days to slow the spread. End the COVID emergency NOW, Massie tweeted on February 1.

More from National Review
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Republican-led House has launched the first salvo in what could be a long-running feud with the District of Columbia over self-government in the nation's capital.

In back-to-back votes, the House voted Thursday to overturn a sweeping rewrite of the criminal code passed by the City Council last year and a new law that would grant noncitizens the right to vote in local elections.

Congressional oversight of the district is written into the Constitution. And while it has been more than three decades since Congress outright nullified a D.C. law, Congress has frequently used alternative methods such as budget riders to alter laws on issues ranging from abortion funding to marijuana legalization.

The House voted 250-173 to overturn the rewrite of the criminal code, which among other things, reduced the maximum penalties for burglary, carjacking and robbery. The voting rights bill also was overturned by a 260-173 vote.

The moves may be partially symbolic since both would have to pass the Democratic-held Senate and be signed by President Joe Biden. However, both House votes garnered a notable amount of Democratic support with 31 Democrats voting to overturn the criminal code rewrite and 42 voting to overturn the voting measure. Biden has said publicly that he opposes both measures, but has not explicitly stated he would veto them.

Thursday's votes signal a new and openly combative phase in the District's tortured relationship with the federal government.

The debate has put D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser in a curious political position. Bowser vetoed the rewrite of the city's criminal code in January, saying the maximum penalty reductions send the wrong message on crime prevention, Bowser also apposed a measure that would allow for jury trials in most misdemeanor cases, saying the sudden spike in jury trials would overwhelm the local justice system. Her veto was quickly overridden by the D.C. Council in a 12-1 vote.

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Republican lawmakers decried the D.C. government as soft on criminals in the midst of a multi-year local spike in violent crime. Several Republican lawmakers have cited Bowser's opposition to bolster their own arguments.

But Bowser has publicly stated she does not want Congress to get involved in the process, while also citing congressional concern as proof of the validity of her own objections.

We dont want any interference on our local laws," she said last week. Quite frankly, members of Congress have expressed similar concerns. Theres a lot of people that dont agree with what the council did."

New York Rep. Anthony Esposito, a former police officer, accused the D.C. Council of empowering criminals at the expense of the public, and said the new criminal code would effectively prevent the local justice system from keeping criminals off of our streets, all while D.C. grapples with a crime wave.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., the top Democrat on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D.C's nonvoting delegate in the Congress, spent most of the morning House debate playing defense. Norton said the new mandatory minimum penalties would still be higher than those for identical crimes in multiple U.S. states.

Raskin accused House Republicans of ignoring their own public dedication to states rights by carrying out a longstanding vendetta against the D.C. government.

That is the beauty of the federal system which I thought our colleagues supported, Raskin said. Theyre not really interested in scrutinizing the actual criminal justice policy. They just want to kick the people of Washington, D.C., around. They want to lord it over them.

After the vote, Norton released a statement saying, D.C. residents, a majority of whom are Black and Brown, are worthy and capable of governing themselves. It is true Congress has absolute power over D.C., but might does not make right.

The sweeping rewrite of D.C's criminal code has been years in the making; it was approved unanimously last year by the 13-member D.C. Council and carries the support of major stakeholders, including D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb.

Todays move to overturn our laws is not about making the District safer or more just, Schwalb said in a post-vote statement. Todays actions are political grandstanding and highlight the urgent need for D.C. statehood.

The measure to grant noncitizens, including immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, the right to vote in local elections is not unique. Similar measures have passed in multiple jurisdictions around the country, including Takoma Park, Maryland  a liberal bastion on the outskirts of Washington that is Raskin's home district. But multiple Republican critics claimed that the unique nature of D.C. with its hundreds of foreign embassies, made it particularly inappropriate.

Official estimates set the number of noncitizen D.C. residents at around 50,000, out of a total population of just under 700,000 residents.

For years, Democrats in Washington decried potential foreign influence in our electoral process, but D.C.s new law potentially allows foreign agents from China, Russia, and other adversaries to participate in local elections held within this nations capital city, said Rep. Nicholas Langworthy, R-N.Y.

Norton, in a Wednesday night debate over the voting law, call the congressional intervention paternalistic and said it violated basic democratic ideals of local self-governance.

There is only one question before this House, Norton said, "The question is: 'Do you believe in democracy?' "
By Exec Edge Editorial Staff

Its hard to believe that we are completing a three-year milestone since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020. While virtually every office tenant in the United States was immediately forced to work remotely until the virus passing, this persisted unexpectedly for months, permanently changing how employees and employers utilize their office space.

An immediate robust debate broke out in the commercial real estate industry as to how this would affect office space retention and demand post-COVID. Building landlords somewhat shrugged it off and were more worried about whether tenants would keep paying rent. In speaking with thousands of business owners and executives in the early days of COVID, Hughes Marino generally heard positive experiences with employee productivity, and many of those CEOs and business owners quickly embraced the idea that some people could work from home some or most of the timeand those same executives were more often enjoying it themselves  change was in the wind.

However, the landlord brokerage side of the real estate industry had to promote in landlords stead so that everyone would come back. There were a half dozen return-to-work deadlines whereby the brokerage community promised everyone would come back, and they were all wrong. But the job of the big brokerage firms, which were built on the backs of building owners, is to price support building landlords, and that was done robustly and in coordination. It was executed so well by landlords and their brokers that dominate the commercial real estate press (go online and read how grossly wrong all of their 2020 and 2021 forecasts were) that office space asking rents around the country have been essentially unchanged as the big landlords, and their brokerage teams worked together to keep a glass floor on prices. That glass floor is being shattered in real-time, and if you are a commercial real estate tenant reading this, we are going into a market that will benefit your bottom line for many years to come.

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Office space availability spiking nationally

With now three years of data, theres no question left as to whats happened around the country with office space supply and demand in every major metro area. The chart below shows that virtually every office market in the United States is trending up towards 20% availability, which is a tipping point where office markets become extremely tenant favorable. Some markets like Denver and Dallas are headed towards 25% or already passed it on the way to 30% in the case of San Francisco and Houston.

Some companies have experimented with going fully remote and letting employees work from anywhere. While we dont think that generally ends well over time as it would likely affect innovation and collaboration, the short-term effect is that some minority of companies have given up their office space. The bulk of companies are experimenting with some hybrid model, and most companies will likely insist on their employees getting back to the office anywhere from 2 to 4 days per week in 2023at least those that still live in the region, as many companies now have 20% or more of their employees no longer working where the company is based. A lot of those companies will be able to take advantage of office and workstation sharing for at least a portion of their employees, and another portion of their employees will have gone full remote. The net effect is that when leases expire, most companies are going to be getting smaller.

As a firm that represents only tenants, Hughes Marino literally walks into places of business every day, visiting hundreds of companies every month. What we see with our own eyes are a lot of empty offices and more empty workstations. Reasonable estimates are that the average company can downsize anywhere from 20% to 30%. As leases expire every day around the country, the negative net absorption is going to be apparent very quickly. The spiking in office availability around the country that weve already seen is just getting warmed upfast forward three years, and another 10% availability will be added to many markets.

This kind of forecast has the same fatality for many office building landlords that, unfortunately, was experienced in the early 90s when foreclosures of office buildings became widespread. The industry has been fortunate to be stable for over twenty-five years, but this might be one of the tragic byproducts of remote working and hybrid models across Corporate America whereby most office markets around the United States end with availability rates in the 30% to 40% range. While this might sound alarming, there already are many individual submarkets within these metro areas where availability rates are already in this range  the Downtowns of San Diego, Denver, Dallas, and Seattle being a few examples.

The office sublease story  setting records

When you dig into the details of whats driving the increased availability around the country, besides companies relinquishing their space in some cases or downsizing more often, is Corporate Americas behavior as it relates to sublease some or all of their excess space. While many companies with leases expiring in two years are just waiting to have the lease expire and downsize, theres been a historic surge of sublease availability that begin with COVID in 2021 and has increased to historic levels.

Going back to 2005, theres been a relative equilibrium of the total amount of office sublease space on the market nationally in the hundred million-square-foot range. Only in 2021 did that number double, and now is 2 1/2 times normal conditions, and growing. Corporate America wants to get out of a lot of office space, and this is just whats listed for sublease that companies can rationally shed, based often on the ability to demise and secure separate space to bring to market, and is willing to write off on their financial statements in the current fiscal year. Hughes Marino has met many a company that should rationally sublease all their space, but doesnt want to recognize the accounting treatment loss in doing so, and would rather write rent checks to the end. There is also a feeling of hopelessness in the subleasing game.

As we look at each major metro area below, comparing pre-Covid conditions to current, the severity of this problem in major metro areas becomes apparent. Almost every major metro area has seen sublease inventory double from pre-Covid times, and in some cases like Raleigh, Durham, Austin, and Phoenix, literally triple.

Every day some of these subleases expire, and the space reverts back to the landlord, or the space gets taken off the market, but sublease inventory levels keep going up. Office sublease inventory represents a major percentage of the total space available in every metro area and has become a fierce competition to landlords trying to retain tenants or win new ones. This condition is expected to persist throughout 2023 and 2024 and combined with ongoing negative net absorption by tenants continuing to downsize through 2023 and 2024, landlords will lose all of their pricing power this year.

While all of this seems like some Shakespearean tragedy, the reality is that the tenant is becoming king again. For those companies that want to come back from remote working, hope to grow, or are facing lease expirations in the next three years, were encountering the softest market weve seen since the 2000 Tech Wreck. The days of landlords working together with their price-supporting listing brokers are over. 2023 will finally be the year that building owners are forced to break ranks from the competition as they fight to survive till 25.

Contact:

executives-edge.com

Editor@executives-edge.com
In a sharply worded opening volley against the House GOPs probe into Hunter Biden and the business dealings of President Bidens family, an attorney for the presidents son denied a request for documents and information from the Oversight and Accountability Committee, saying it has no legislative purpose.

Peddling your own inaccurate and baseless conclusions under the guise of a real investigation, turns the Committee into Wonderland and you into the Queen of Hearts shouting, sentence first, verdict afterwords, Abbe David Lowell, an attorney for Hunter Biden, wrote a letter sent Thursday.

Lowell said that the committees assertion that the influence-peddling investigation will assist with drafting legislation to strengthen ethics laws regarding public officials and their families is an attempt to invent a legislative purpose that is thinly veiled, at best.

He offered to sit down with House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), ranking member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) and committee staff to see whether Hunter Biden has any information that may inform some legitimate legislative purpose.

Comer sent letters to the presidents son, the presidents brother James Biden and Hunter Bidens business associate Eric Schwerin on Wednesday evening to request a wide range of communications and documents, including financial information, contracts, leases and real estate transactions.

Evidence obtained in our investigation reveals the Biden family business model is built on Joe Bidens political career and connections, Comer said in a statement. Biden family members attempted to sell access around the world, including individuals who were connected to the Chinese Communist Party, to enrich themselves to the detriment of American interests. If President Biden is compromised by deals with foreign adversaries and they are impacting his decision making, this is a threat to national security.

The Oversight chairman had asked that the Bidens provide the requested information by Feb. 22. Comer has said it is likely the committee will subpoena Hunter Biden at some point.

Story continues

Lowells argument that the committees requests have no legislative purpose echoes those that Republicans made when refusing to cooperate with the select committee investigating the events of Jan. 6, 2021, in the last Congress.

He also argued that the committee has limited authority to investigate when dealing with a private citizen  and brought up Republicans previously being outraged when congressional Democrats subpoenaed former President Trumps family members.

The Oversight Committees GOP majority dismissed Lowells letter.

Its no surprise that Hunter Biden is trying to stonewall Congress oversight and hide information about Joe Bidens involvement in his familys suspicious business practices, a committee spokesperson said in a statement. The American people demand transparency and oversight, not political coverups. The Oversight Committee will continue its oversight and use all tools at its disposal to gather information critical to our investigation and to inform legislative solutions.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Hunter Bidens legal team sent letters to Rudy Giuliani, Roger Stone, Steve Bannon and 11 others on Wednesday asking them to preserve potential evidence for future lawsuits related to the alleged theft of personal data that may include information from his laptop, according to documents obtained by NBC News.

The move is the latest in a new legal strategy by lawyers for President Joe Bidens son, who plan to pursue a wide range of litigation against allies of Donald Trump and others involved in obtaining and disseminating data that they say is or may be the private property of their client.

Besides Bannon, Stone and Giuliani, those who were sent near-identical litigation hold letters include John Paul Mac Isaac, the computer repairman who first obtained the laptop when Hunter Biden allegedly left it at his Wilmington, Delaware, shop; lawyer Robert Costello, who has represented both Bannon and Giuliani; ex-Trump aide Garrett M. Ziegler; and former Biden business partner Tony Bobulinski.

Each of the letters begins, You have made various statements and engaged in certain activities by your own admission, or that have been publicly reported in the media, concerning our client, Robert Hunter Biden (Mr. Biden). This letter (Notice) constitutes notice that a litigation hold should be in effect for the preservation and retention of all records and documents related to Mr. Biden.

A spokesperson for Bidens legal team told NBC News, We are going back to 2008 to ensure we capture the extensive  and sustained  attacks on the Biden family. This time frame goes back to his fathers unsuccessful 2008 campaign for president.

Hunter Biden has spent the last several years being the subject of investigations and exhaustive media scrutiny, while also telling his story in a detailed memoir  he has nothing to hide. The people who have yet to be held accountable for their wrongdoing are the recipients of these letters.

Rep. James Comer, left, and Rep. Jim Jordon listen during a House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing (Alex Wong / Getty Images)

Ted Goodman, a political adviser to Giuliani, said that Abbe Lowell, one of Bidens attorneys, should focus on the facts because the facts dont support his allegations. This is yet another failed attempt by Mr. Lowell to silence and intimidate Mayor Giuliani and Mr. Costello.

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Via Twitter, Roger Stone said he has "No 'EVIDENCE' to preserve  everything I know about Hunter Bidens laptop I read in the @NYPost."

On Feb. 1, after years of GOP attacks, Bidens lawyers sent letters requesting investigations into allies of former President Donald Trump who they say trafficked in stolen information that may be from his laptop.

Among the letters, which were obtained by NBC News, was one that asked the Justice Departments National Security Division for an investigation into individuals for whom there is considerable reason to believe violated various federal laws in accessing, copying, manipulating, and/or disseminating Mr. Bidens personal computer data, including Giuliani, who was Trumps lawyer at the time.

Hunter Biden's lawyers wrote a similar letter to the Delaware attorney generals office, requesting a probe into the same people, alleging they violated various Delaware laws in accessing Bidens information from what Trump has called the laptop from hell.

The Justice Department declined to comment. A spokesperson for the Delaware Attorneys General Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Information allegedly obtained from the laptop has raised questions about Hunter Bidens finances, which have been separately under investigation by federal prosecutors in Delaware since 2018. It has also been the source of several salacious stories from conservative media outlets, many focused on his drug use.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Two EMS workers, Peggy Finley and Peter Cadigan, are charged with first-degree murder in the death of their patient, Earl Moore Jr. YouTube/Sangamon County Government

The Illinois EMS workers who strapped their patient facedown to a stretcher are accused of lying to investigators.

One of them is also accused of trying to get a police officer to lie, prosecutors said.

Another EMS worker falsely said he hadn't been trained on the risks of facedown restraint.

The EMS workers charged with first-degree murder after strapping a patient facedown on a stretcher made multiple false statements to investigators, and one of them "improperly attempted to influence" a police officer, prosecutors alleged last week.

Peggy Finley and Peter Cadigan have both pleaded not guilty to the murder of their patient, Earl Moore Jr. The EMS workers were seen on police body-camera footage responding to Moore's home on Dec. 18, 2022, failing to check his vitals, and then strapping him facedown to a stretcher. An autopsy report said Moore's cause of death was positional asphyxia caused by being restrained in a prone  meaning facedown  position.

Finley, a licensed paramedic, and Cadigan, a licensed EMT, were denied a bond reduction on Monday during a court hearing. Both are being held in the Sangamon County Jail, and their bond is set at $1 million each, according to court documents.

In a court filing, state prosecutor Dan Wright alleged that Finley initially lied to hospital staff and that both Finley and Cadigan lied to Illinois State Police investigators. Finley described Moore as "combative" in her patient care report, though the police body camera footage showed no combative behavior from Moore, and "to the contrary, showed a man in a weakened and confused state of medical distress," Wright said.

Cadigan also falsely told investigators he had never received training on the risks of positioning and transporting a patient facedown, the documents said. Investigators later learned that Cadigan had received training on the subject fewer than six months before Moore's death.

This combination of photos provided by the Sangamon County Sheriff's Dept. shows Peter J. Cadigan, left, and Peggy Jill Finley on Jan. 9, 2023, in Springfield, Ill. Sangamon County Sheriff's Department via Associated Press

Finley also told investigators that the ambulance's lights and sirens were activated while she and Cadigan transported Moore to the hospital, despite evidence from surveillance footage that no lights or sirens were used, the documents said.

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A Springfield police officer who witnessed Finley and Cadigan's conduct at Moore's home also reported receiving a call from Finley shortly after Moore's death, during which she explained that the officer would likely need to provide a statement about the incident.

Finley wanted "to ensure that I told them that Moore was 'responsive' while we were at the residence," the officer said, according to prosecutors. "She also told me to ensure [sic] them that Moore was a 'different patient' from the time he was picked up by EMS to when he arrived at the hospital. I asked her to clarify what she meant, but she did not form a clear answer."

The officer said he ended the phone call and immediately informed his supervisor, according to court documents.

Prosecutors said Finley acknowledged responsibility for Moore's death in conversations with colleagues and investigators. In an interview with the Illinois State Police, Finley "confessed that she knew transporting a patient prone was prohibited by mandatory EMS protocol and could cause death by positional asphyxia," according to the documents.

"MY fuckup was not having SPD flip him over on his back, and transporting him prone. And that was MY fuckup!!!" Finley wrote in a text message to Cadigan and another EMT just hours after Moore died, according to the documents. "I take complete responsibility for that."

Finley and Cadigan's attorneys did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment on the prosecution's newest claims.

Read the original article on Insider
President Biden Delivers State Of The Union Address

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers his State of the Union address during a joint meeting of Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 07, 2023 in Washington, D.C. The speech marks Biden's first address to the new Republican-controlled House. Credit - Chip SomodevillaGetty Images

We are the United States of America. There is nothing we cant do if we do it together. With these words, President Joe Biden closed out his 2023 State of the Union Address.

Who did he mean by we?

He could not have meant to include in that we the millions of immigrants in our country, those people in our communities, working alongside us or providing the essential goods and services we rely on; those in our neighborhoods, in our workplaces and schools, in our families, and in the networks of people we care for and love; those that are a part of what makes the U.S. itself. For he only gave these millions of Americans a two-line mention, a half-hearted plea to the loudly booing Republican side of the room, as he capitulated to their desires for a more fully militarized border.

If you wont pass my comprehensive immigration reform, at least pass my plan to provide the equipment and officers to secure the border. And a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, those on temporary status, farm workers, and essential workers, the President said, over rising chants of Secure the Border, before quickly pivoting to another quickly-glossed but deeply-affecting topic.

Its the nature of the State of the Union to be broad rather than deepin his hour-and-change speech, Biden touched on airline fees and the price of insulin, on infrastructure and assault weapons, on police reform and the need to cure cancer. But for every one of the stories he shared last night, for every person whose name the President mentioned or who stood to be acknowledged by lawmakers and the TV public, there are immigrant and undocumented families (over 10 million, in fact) who share their stories.

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Read More: 7 Things That Would Fix Immigration in the U.S.

To deny our countrys immigrants more than two sentences during the State of the Union is to deny the reality of their existence. It denies the benefits and richness they give to our country and the communities where they live, work, play, seek education, raise their families and help their neighbors. It denies the fact they face the same issues non-immigrant Americans face and will be equally affected by policies from Capitol Hill.

There are almost certainly immigrant workers on the dozens of infrastructure projects Biden touted as a result of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, building bridges and improving roadways who, as sub-sub contractors, are often cut out of basic worker protections.

There are undocumented diabetic seniors, ineligible for Medicare, who must still worry about Big Pharmas rising prices despite often paying into these systems for their entire working lives. There are undocumented parents who are also nursing children with cancer. On top of the sleepless nights and heartbreaking days involved in caring for a seriously ill child they must, again worry about how to pay for their childs care without access to so many of the programs that put that care barely within reach of documented families.

There are undocumented students and DACA recipients who find that their immigration status puts the cost of an education in the United States beyond their reach. They constitute an entire group of students destined to be out-educated and out-competed simply because we lack the political will to give them opportunities because of where they were born.

There are undocumented parents who have lost children to police violence. Thanks to the very police impunity Biden railed against, these families are often unable to obtain visas for the victims of violent crimes who cooperate with police in prosecuting perpetratorsbecause the perpetrators so often go unprosecuted.

Recently a number of prominent mass shootings in the U.S. have been specifically perpetrated against immigrant communities. Seven Chinese and Mexican farm workers lost their lives in the aftermath of a workplace dispute in Half Moon Bay, California. Families in Uvalde, Texas hesitated to approach the elementary school where their children were hiding from an active shooter because of the presence of Border Patrol agents at the scene. Eight women in Atlanta lost their lives during a spree of shootings at Asian-owned spas, and instead of being able to mourn, the community had to push back against Sheriff Jay Baker for anti-Asian sentiments expressed online. After killing 23 back-to-school shoppers, including parents and children, the El Paso Walmart shooter left behind an eco-fascist manifesto, railing against immigrants that he felt were taking resources and land that rightly belonged to white people.

The struggles and triumphs of the American people that President Biden outlined in his State of the Union speech are also the struggles and triumphs of the undocumented people that live within its borders, part of the very fabric of the U.S. And if, as President Biden claimed, there is nothing we cant do if we do it together, then finding space in our speeches, in our policies, in our political will for undocumented people ought to be a foundational part of the way forward.
MOUNT HOLLY  A Burlington Township man has been found guilty of killing an employee and wounding a patient at a Mount Laurel medical office.

Bruce Gomola Jr., 54, was accused of fatally shooting Stephanie Horton, 44, of Willingboro, in July 2020.

Deadly encounter

The shooting occurred when Gomola became upset during an appointment for his father at New Jersey Urology, according to the Burlington County Prosecutors Office.

When Horton, a patient services representative, tried to discuss the situation with Gomola, he pushed her and shot the woman in the chest, the prosecutors office said in a statement.

More: Video showed deadly encounter Court documents detail shooting at Mount Laurel doctors office

The bullet also struck a female patient in the knee.

Gomola fled the building on the 15000 block of Midlantic Drive, then returned and surrendered without incident to a Mount Laurel police officer.

Victim put others before her

A GoFundMe campaign that raised $90,000 for Horton's family described the shooting victim as strong and selfless.

An obituary said Horton "had the ability to take charge of things and put all others before her."

"She enjoyed taking time to relax and read any book and work on her green thumb," it noted.

Jury's verdict: Guilty on two counts

A jury found Gomola guilty of aggravated manslaughter and aggravated assault. It did not convict on the more serious charge of murder, the statement said.

The jurors deliberated for about five hours over three days before reaching its verdict Tuesday.

Gomola, who was a Burlington County corrections officer at the time of the shooting, has been held in a Morris County jail since his arrest.

Superior Court Judge Mark P. Tarantino scheduled sentencing for April 14.

Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Mount Laurel NJ medical office killing: Shooter found guilty
Its Thursday, Chicago.

The ground has defrosted and so have our hearts.

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If youre basking in romance, there is no shortage of Valentines Day specials to try out over the next week in Chicagoland. Or woo your date at a new movie theater in Wrigleyville, where you can order your dinner from a full-service kitchen and popcorn from your seats with the press of a button.

You could also drown your romantic sorrows in the melty cheesiness of a Philadelphia cheesesteak, found at a few local spots, in honor of the Eagles playing this Super Bowl Sunday. There are few better dishes to eat while jamming to Rihanna.

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And with all the spectacular holidays in our purview, wed be remiss to let Presidents Day slip under our radar. We have a travel guide compiled of Indiana destinations that commemorate Abraham Lincoln, perhaps for exploring on the federal holiday.

More on those ideas, plus some theater, TV and movie reviews that might be of interest as we head into the weekend.

Enjoy the weekend, well see you here next week.

 Lauryn Azu, deputy senior content editor

Bartoli's is serving up heart-shaped pizza to mark Valentine's Day. (Bartoli's Pizza)

Its that time of year again  no matter if youre dining with someone special or showing yourself some self-love on Valentines Day, theres still time to plan a stupendous meal. Be sure to book soon to avoid being left heartbroken  or worse, hungry. Read the list here and order to your hearts content.

Salma Hayek, left, and Channing Tatum in "Magic Mike's Last Dance." (Claudette Barius/Warner Bros./TNS)

Premiering this weekend in theaters is the steamy Magic Mike final installment, set this time across the pond, perhaps for your Galentines Day group or solo viewing. No judgment here. Channing Tatum reprises his role alongside franchise newcomer Salma Hayek Pinault. Read the full review from Michael Phillips here.

Truffled lobster mac and cheese at The SoulFood Lounge, 3804 W 16th St., on Feb. 1, 2023. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

Chef Quentin Love of North Lawndales The SoulFood Lounge knows the way to someones heart is through their stomach, serving up food-coma-inducing dishes like truffled lobster mac and cheese. As one of few higher-priced restaurants in the area, The SoulFood Lounge aims to provide the neighborhood TLC by packing its dining room with guests and good intentions. Read more here.

Gina Rodriguez stars as a newspaper obituary writer who sees ghosts  specificially of the people about whom shes writing on the ABC single-camera sitcom Not Dead Yet. (Lara Solank/ABC)

Gina Rodriguez plays a young obit writer at a Los Angeles newspaper who is visited by ghosts in the new ABC comedy Not Dead Yet.

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Rodriguez is amusingly frazzled as she bumbles through the strangeness of her new normal, TV critic Nina Metz writes. But theres an inherent challenge the series cannot seem to solve: Relaxing into the rhythms of hangout comedy when the main character has a secret life thats anything but relaxed. Read the rest of her review here.

Pastries from scratch, made by owner and chef Joel Reno and staff at Pistores Pizza and Pastry in Chicagos River North neighborhood, are on display on Feb. 3, 2023. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

We gave you ideas for where to celebrate Valentines Day, but what about afterward? Keep the spark alive at eight more newly opened restaurants nearby, including a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant serving pizzas and pastries in River North, a swanky wood-fired grill in Willis Tower and a Greek-inspired taverna in Oak Brook.

Read about what these and more have in store here.

People relax in their seats while watching "Avatar: The Way of Water" at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Chicagos Wrigleyville neighborhood on Jan. 28, 2023. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Wrigleyville is opening in Chicago at a moment when the century-plus tradition of a night at the movies is going through an existential upheaval. Filmgoing, like rock n roll, painting, the novel, Saturday Night Live and Broadway, is perpetually on its last leg, but something does appear different, writes the Tribunes Chris Borrelli.

Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >

Read his take on all the bells and whistles the 80s-themed theater has to offer and what it symbolizes for Chicagos evolving movie scene here.

The Southside Johnny cheesesteak is on the menu at Montis Cheesesteaks, 4757 N Talman Ave., as seen on Nov. 1, 2022. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

Cheesesteak, the iconic Philadelphia sandwich, could be a cousin to the Italian beef of Chicago. Since the Philadelphia Eagles will play in the Super Bowl this Sunday, its a good time to explore what makes a classic cheesesteak great, and where to find them around our city. Find out more here.

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Jorge Guerra, Ryan Watkinson, Christopher Kelly and cast of "A Chorus Line" dance at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace. (Brett Beiner)

Oakbrook Terrace-based Drury Lane Theatre is now showing the Broadway classic A Chorus Line through March 19. Theater critic Chris Jones praises the show for its staging and emotional vulnerability.

If youre not moved by this group, winners and losers both, I fear for the state of your heart, he writes. Read the rest of his review here.

At Lincoln Landing in Rockport, Indiana, a bronze bas-relief of 19-year-old Abraham Lincoln marks the spot on the Ohio River where he departed on a flatboat trip to New Orleans. (Katherine Rodeghier / Chicago Tribune)

Is Illinois really the Land of Lincoln? Indiana would like a word. Lincoln lore is scattered across the Hoosier state, and you can trace his footsteps in Fort Wayne, Indianapolis and in Spencer County. Start planning your drive here.

First Folio Theatre artistic director and actor David Rice performs on stage in "And Neither Have I Wings to Fly" at the Mayslake Peabody Estate on Feb. 1, 2023, in Oak Brook. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

After more than 25 years, First Folio Theatre in Oak Brook will shutter when its current show, And Neither Have I Wings to Fly, closes Feb. 26. The theater had previously announced that 2022-23 would be its final season, but the end date was recently moved up. Folios leaders were committed to hiring women in prominent roles, and 80% of their productions were directed by women.

Read more about what the closure means to the theater community here.
Feb. 8Executives from Honda and Intel will speak about their companies' expansion plans for the Dayton and Columbus regions today at the Dayton Development Coalition's annual meeting.

Honda anticipates creating 2,500 jobs as it retools its Anna, Marysville and East Liberty plants for production of electric vehicles and at a new battery factory to be built in Fayette County as part of a joint venture with LG Energy Solution.

Last year Intel broke ground for two semiconductor plants in Licking County, a $20 billion project that is expected to employ 7,000 construction workers and an additional 3,000 people once the plants open in 2025.

The keynote speakers scheduled for today's coalition meeting are Bob Nelson, executive vice president of corporate services for American Honda Motor Company and Jim Brinker, president and general manager of Intel Federal.

The sold-out event starts at 11:30 a.m. at Carillon Historical Park's Winsupply Center of Leadership in Dayton. The coalition will also announce economic development data for 2022 and present annual awards.

In 2022 companies expanding or coming to the area committed to creating 5,943 new jobs and retaining 6,865, according to data provided in January by the coalition, which is the western regional partner for JobsOhio, the state's privatized economic development arm.

The new payroll commitment totaled $357.5 million, according to coalition data.

Companies pledged capital investments totaling $5.5 billion, far exceeding annual investments in previous years in the west region, which includes Auglaize, Champaign, Clark, Clinton, Darke, Fayette, Greene, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Preble and Shelby counties.

"We have had back-to-back record years for job creation in 2021 and 2022, so we're moving into 2023 with incredible momentum and success," Julie Sullivan, executive vice president of regional development at the coalition, said in January.

The bulk of the new investment in the region comes from Honda and SEMCORP Advanced Materials Group , which is building a battery materials manufacturing plant in Sidney that is expected to employ about 1,200.

"We must continue to support our existing companies and nurture their growth, too. We want our smaller and mid-sized companies to grow and we need to remain focused on economic diversification across the region," said Sullivan. "We never want to be too reliant on any one industry or employer."

Follow @LynnHulseyDDN on Twitter and Facebook
Microsoft Artificial Intelligence (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Artificial intelligence might be about to change the way the internet works forever, according to its proponents.

The mainstream popularity of conversational AI system ChatGPT, and its integration into Microsofts Bing, are a peek at the kinds of changes that supporters of artificial intelligence have long suggested are coming.

For now, the systems are focused primarily on helping people to find information, by quickly searching through a vast corpus of text and creating an answer. Both ChatGPT and the new Bing are about gathering information from the internet and presenting it to users in a sometimes new, sometimes old form.

For years, however, the job of sorting through the internets information has been the domain of Google. Our mission is to organise the worlds information and make it universally accessible and useful, Googles about website reads.

It has repeatedly indicated that it sees the future of that mission as being in AI, and has said that it is working on products to do so. But, very quickly, it appears to be getting overtaken by other companies: not just OpenAI and its partners at Microsoft, but other companies too.

Google announced in 2017 during its annual developer conference that it would be moving from a mobile first world to an AI first world. Its chief executive Sundar Pichai, then new to the job, described it as an important shift that would guide how the company worked from that point on.

That year Google showed off features that were informed by its work on artificial intelligence. In 2017, Mr Pichai pointed to Google Lens, for instance, which is able to recognise places or objects in an image and tell users more about them.

Its inspiring to see how AI is starting to bear fruit that people can actually taste, he wrote in a 2017 blog post summarising those new features. There is still a long way to go before we are truly an AI-first world, but the more we can work to democratise access to the technologyboth in terms of the tools people can use and the way we apply itthe sooner everyone will benefit.

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In the time since, Google has shown off yet more of that fruit, with new features and updates informed by its work on AI. It has also been working privately on what seemed to be more advanced AI that it opted not to publicly release, such as the LaMDA system that is mostly famous for having convinced one of Googles own engineers that it had become sentient.

And some of that work has helped build the foundation for the other projects away from Google that regularly go viral  as Mr Pichai was quick to remind the world in his blog post announcing the development of Bard.

Advanced generative AI and large language models are capturing the imaginations of people around the world. In fact, our Transformer research project and our field-defining paper in 2017, as well as our important advances in diffusion models, are now the basis of many of the generative AI applications youre starting to see today, he wrote.

But while Google might have helped build those products, it is yet to actually launch one of its own with the success of its competitors. It has had AI-powered experiences go viral in the past  such as its psychedelic Deep Dream and a tool that compared people with famous paintings  but the new wave has been conspicuously free of Googles input.

In Googles telling, that is at least in part because it is being so careful about the dangers of those AI products. Internally, the company is reported to have suggested that it is behind other companies on AI because it is looking to be responsible, ensuring that its products are safe to release before they are made public.

This week, however, it announced Bard, a new system that looked specifically to be an attempt to take on the challenge from ChatGPT and other systems. The tool will be a new way of doing search, it suggested, offering information and inspiration to people.

Even in its announcement of Bard, it looked to stress the kinds of limitations and safety features it will be using, once again echoing its argument for why it appeared to be lagging behind. Well combine external feedback with our own internal testing to make sure Bards responses meet a high bar for quality, safety and groundedness in real-world information, Google wrote in its blog post.

It does not seem to be enough. In that same announcement, Google showed an example answer from Bard that was actually wrong, making a mistake about the James Webb Space Telescope.

The company also held an event that once again attempted to show its work on AI, and was once again met with a mostly tepid response. Taken together, the scepticism sent its shares plunging, and wiped $100 billion from Googles valuation.

At the same time, Microsofts shares rose. And social media was filled with jokes about how the company had done the possible: made Bing a search engine that people were actually excited to use.

Imagining a Bing exec somewhere deep in a Microsoft office just sobbing uncontrollably [right now] that Bing is finally getting its moment, wrote Engadget journalist Karissa Bell.

I mean, I wouldnt describe it as uncontrollably wrote Michael Schechter, Microsofts vice president for growth at Bing.
An Arlington woman was sentenced on Wednesday to seven years in prison for being drunk when she crashed her vehicle in Fort Worth in May 2020, killing a Louisiana man.

Laura Dominguez, 33, received the sentence on a charge of intoxication manslaughter.

Dominguez was booked into the Tarrant County Jail in Fort Worth on Wednesday after she was sentenced.

The fatal crash was reported about 2:30 a.m. on May 2, 2020, in the westbound lanes of Interstate 20 in Fort Worth.

Dominguez was arrested shortly after the accident, but she was later released on bond.

Killed in the crash was 61-year-old Murray Francis Craddock of Starks, Louisiana, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office.

Craddock died at 3:20 a.m. on May 2, 2020, at an Arlington hospital.

Craddock and another man were in a vehicle struck by Dominguez, according to a Fort Worth police incident report.

Fort Worth police did not provide any additional details on the fatal crash.
Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has reacted quite harshly to Ukraine's intentions to boycott the 2024 Olympic Games in France. He even hinted at the possible punishment for Ukrainian athletes.

Source: Bach's letter to Vadym Huttsait, President of Ukraines National Olympic Committee, dated 31 January, which was published on Twitter by German journalist Hajo Seppelt

Details: According to the information, Bach writes in response to Huttsaits letter dated 26 January, in which he says that the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine is considering boycotting the Olympics if Russian and Belarusian athletes take part in them.

Quote from Bach: "Threatening a boycott of the Olympic Games which, as you inform me, the NOC of Ukraine is currently considering, goes against the fundamentals of the Olympic Movement and the principles we stand for, in this respect, the NOC of Ukraine certainly does not enjoy the support or solidarity of the vast majority of stakeholders of the Olympic Movement. And as history has shown, previously boycotts did not achieve their political ends and only served to punish the athletes of the boycotting NOCs."

Details: Bach noted that although the final decision on the admission or non-admission of Russians and Belarusians to the Olympic Games has not yet been made, Ukraine has already sent out its position to other states, which puts pressure on them.

At the same time, the IOC president claims that the overwhelming majority of countries perceived this position as "extremely regrettable".

Bach stressed that the exclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes from the Olympic Games would be discrimination against them, and this does not comply with the principles of the International Olympic Movement. He added that the UN Human Rights Council also spoke out against such a ban.

The IOC president also called Ukraine's statements that the International Olympic Committee supports war, murder and destruction false. "Such statements cannot be the basis for any constructive discussion," Bach said.

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Background:

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian leaders call on the international community to prevent the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, as their countries are participating in an armed attack on Ukraine.

Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, is willing to "explore the possibility" of allowing athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in international sports, even though this could lead to a boycott of the competition by Ukraine. He suggested that Russians and Belarusians should perform under a neutral flag.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






The Internal Revenue Service is telling Californians to wait to file their 2022 tax returns. (Zach Gibson / Getty Images)

When it comes to unpleasant but necessary tasks, filling out your income tax return ranks right up there with cleaning out your rain gutters and having your blood drawn.

So you might think that no one would mind when the Internal Revenue Service told taxpayers in California and several other states to hold off filing their 2022 returns for an undetermined amount of time. The reason for the delay? The agency is still trying to figure out whether to collect taxes on California's "Middle Class Tax Refund" and similar payments around the country.

But most taxpayers should mind. According to IRS statistics, more than three-quarters of the taxpayers who filed returns in 2021 were owed refunds. Although that share was a little smaller in previous years, it's typically the case that well more than half of taxpayers overpay throughout the year, usually by having too much withheld from their paychecks.

"Anytime someone else has got your money and doesn't give it to you right away, it's a bad thing," said Mike Cussen, a retired certified public accountant who volunteers as a tax aide for the AARP in in Paso Robles.

"We have tons of people, particularly single mothers and families, who file early because they get the Earned Income Credit and Child Tax Credits, which can be substantial," Cussen said. "Now with this [Middle Class Tax Refund] hiccup, their returns will be on hold."

According to the California Franchise Tax Board, the state issued more than $9 billion via check or prepaid debit card to more than 16.5 million households, the bulk of it going out last year. If you earned $250,000 or less as a single individual or $500,000 as a couple filing jointly, you were eligible for $200 to $1,050.

The tax board has said all along that the payments would not be subject to California income taxes. But because the payments were not actually tax refunds, it wasn't clear whether the feds would want to tax them.

Last week the IRS said that it was "working with state tax officials as quickly as possible to provide additional information and clarity for taxpayers." It added: "For taxpayers and tax preparers with questions, the best course of action is to wait for additional clarification on state payments rather than calling the IRS. We also do not recommend amending a previously filed 2022 return."

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As of Thursday morning, the agency had no additional guidance.

If you didn't receive a state payment last year and you are owed a tax refund, there's no reason not to file your return. In fact, there are several reasons to file early regardless of whether you have a refund coming.

Mark Steber, chief tax information officer at Jackson Hewitt, says in an online video that "filing early stops someone else from using your or your family's personal information to file a fake tax return and possibly steal your tax refund." That sentiment is shared by many tax advisers.

Also, tax pros say that filing early can help you avoid the backlog caused by the flood of returns filed near the deadline, which would delay your refund. And doing your tax preparation early gives you more time to fix problems that may crop up, such as missing documents.

Remember, if you underpaid over the course of 2022 and owe the IRS now, you don't have to pay when you file your return. You can wait until returns are due, which for most Californians is May 15 this year. The IRS provided an extension to taxpayers in areas covered by January's federal emergency declaration.

Cussen said that this may be a "no harm, no foul" situation if the IRS resolves the issue within the week, at least where lower-income filers are concerned.

Historically, people trying to commit tax fraud by claiming improper earned-income tax credits file very early in the year, before the IRS has the data it needs from employers to verify their claims, Cussen said. In response, the IRS holds onto returns that claim these tax credits until after Feb. 15, when the employers' W-2 forms have been filed and the claims can be checked, he said.

The IRS wasn't accepting any returns until Jan. 23, so early filers who didn't seek earned-income tax credits are just starting to receive their refunds. Cussen said his first client's filing went in on Feb. 1, and she received her refund on Feb. 8.

Tax pros also recommend filing your return electronically and having your refund sent electronically to your bank account to reduce the chances of fraud and errors. "Efile and direct deposit is the only way to go," Cussen said.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
PERTH, Australia  Skills wise, UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev considers himself the best.

Makhachev (23-1 MMA, 12-1 UFC) acknowledges that featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski is the No. 1 ranked pound-for-pound, but as a fighter, he thinks he holds the top spot.

Hes happy to prove that theory when the pair square off in Saturdays UFC 284 headliner at RAC Arena. The event airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

I believe he is the best fighter in the world right now in the rankings, Makhachev told reporters at media day. Of course, but I know I am the best fighter, best MMA fighter, because I have all the skills  striking, wrestling, grapping. I am the best MMA fighter.

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Alexander Volkanovski welcomes Conor McGregor title fight if he beats Michael Chandler Javier Mendez: Islam Makhachev will clear out lightweight, then go after welterweight title

Although Volkanovski (25-1 MMA, 12-0 UFC) is projected to have the advantage on the feet, Makhachev is confident he can knock him out. He got to show off his hands in his past outing, when he knocked Charles Oliveira down before submitting him to claim the vacant title at UFC 280.

Were working on that a lot because look at my fist, Makhachev laughed while pointing at his scabbed hand. My goal, I want to knock him out because I have everything for that. Last fight I said before the fight, I want to choke Oliveira because he has the most finishes in the UFC and what I did? The same goes here. I want to knock him out.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkies event hub for UFC 284.

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UFC 284 breakdown: Can Alexander Volkanovski overcome Islam Makhachev's size?

Story originally appeared on MMA Junkie
A man who carried a Confederate battle flag through the halls of the Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot, was sentenced to three years in prison on Thursday.

Kevin Seefried was found guilty last summer on one felony of obstructing an official proceeding and four misdemeanors connected to his participation on Jan. 6.

I never shouldve entered, a tearful Seefried said at Thursdays sentencing.

Federal prosecutors had asked the judge for a 70-month sentence, while Seefrieds attorneys asked for no more than one year and one day.

Judge Trevor McFadden, who sits in D.C.s federal trial court and was nominated by former President Trump, called Seefrieds conduct humiliating and said he had every reason to know he shouldnt be there.

Bringing the Confederate flag into one of our nations most sacred halls was outrageous, McFadden said.

Seefrieds attorneys argued that he did not consider the logic of those who see the flag as a symbol of American racism.

I never wanted to send a message of hate, Seefried told the judge.

McFadden also sentenced Seefried to one year of supervised release and $2,000 in restitution.

The judge referenced Attorney General Merrick Garlands remarks last year that the Justice Department would not make one rule for Democrats and another for Republicans, criticizing a difference in how the government prosecuted participants in Black Lives Matter demonstrations in Portland in the summer of 2020.

Seefrieds attorneys had referenced the Portland cases in arguing for a lower sentence, also discussing how Seefried accepted responsibility, never bragged about his participation and was diagnosed with medical issues.

Seefried and his son, Hunter Seefried, who was sentenced to two years in jail in October, initially traveled on Jan. 6 to attend Trumps rally on the Ellipse. They went to the Capitol and ate before seeing the crowd and joining in.

His father did not do what a father should have done, Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany Reed told the judge.

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Prosecutors say the two men were some of the first rioters to enter the Capitol Building, where they remained for 25 minutes and confronted U.S. Capitol Police officer Eugene Goodman.

Goodman received widespread acclaim for leading rioters away from lawmakers in the Senate Chamber moments later in an episode captured on video.

Goodman testified during Seefrieds trial and said Seefried jabbed at him with the end of his flagpole multiple times.

He was saying things like: F you. Im not leaving. Where are the members at? Where are they counting the votes at? Things to that nature, Goodman testified, according to court filings.

He was  he was just ignoring me, Goodman continued. He wasnt following. Im giving him commands. Hes giving me commands in return. Hes not doing what I say.

In the roughly two years since the attack, federal prosecutors have arrested more than 950 defendants, according to the Department of Justice.

Ive lost my son, and Ive lost my wife, Seefried said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Capitol Riot Oath Keepers (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

A Delaware man who threatened a Black police officer with a pole attached to a Confederate battle flag as he stormed the US Capitol was sentenced on Thursday to three years in prison.

Kevin Seefried, 53, tearfully apologized for his participation in the 6 January 2021 riot before US District Judge Trevor McFadden sentenced him.

I never wanted to send a message of hate, Seefried said.

McFadden said it was deeply troubling that Seefried wielded the flagpole as a weapon against the officer.

Bringing a Confederate flag into one of our nation's most sacred halls was outrageous," the judge said.

Justice Department prosecutors had recommended a prison sentence of five years and 10 months for Seefried, a drywall mechanic from Laurel, Delaware.

Seefried and his adult son, Hunter, stormed the Capitol together after attending the Stop the Steal rally, where then-President Donald Trump addressed thousands of supporters in Washington. Kevin Seefried was the 12th rioter to set foot inside the building that day, according to prosecutors.

In October, McFadden sentenced Hunter Seefried to two years of imprisonment.

McFadden also convicted the Seefrieds of misdemeanor charges that they engaged in disorderly conduct and illegally demonstrated inside the Capitol. The judge acquitted Hunter Seefried of other misdemeanor charges for clearing a shard of glass from a broken window.

The judge described Kevin Seefreid as the prime mover in his familys decision to travel to Washington on January 6. McFadden rejected the defense argument that the elder Seefried never intended to interfere with the congressional proceedings.

I find that he knew what he was doing, McFadden said.

The Seefrieds were the first Capitol riot defendants to get a bench trial on a felony charge. Neither testified.

Nearly 1,000 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the January 6 riot. More than 500 of them have pleaded guilty, mostly to misdemeanors. About 400 have been sentenced, with over half getting terms of imprisonment ranging from seven days to 10 years.
The James Beard Foundation will host a rare event on the South Side next month.

The Taste America Chicago brunch will be held at Peachs, the beloved Black-owned restaurant in the Bronzeville neighborhood, on March 5.

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Chef and owner Cliff Rome will collaborate with two guest chefs for three courses, each paired with a cocktail or wine.

Three of the wine and spirit brands are notably owned by Black women, with two founded in Chicago. They were chosen by sommeliers at Marianos, an event sponsor.

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Guest chefs Lamar Moore and Nok Suntaranon were selected for the brunch by the Beard Foundation from among 20 chefs across the country in their program known as TasteTwenty.

Moore was last chef at Eleven Eleven in the West Loop, and previously was the opening chef at Bugsy & Meyers Steakhouse in Las Vegas. That job was his prize for winning the Food Networks Vegas Chef Prizefight in 2020.

Suntaranon is the chef and owner of the critically acclaimed Thai restaurant Kalaya in Philadelphia.

Nok Suntaranon is chef and owner of Kalaya, a critically acclaimed Thai restaurant in Philadelphia, and a James Beard Foundation TasteTwenty cohort. (Sweetwater Portraits)

The chefs selected to participate in this years Taste America culinary series demonstrate a meaningful commitment to their communities and an investment in making the industry more equitable and sustainable, the Beard Foundation said in a statement. From investing in local purveyors to supporting independent farmers, sourcing quality ingredients, representing diverse cuisines, or using their restaurant as a platform for underrepresented groups  the chefs chosen for this years TasteTwenty are leaders helping to shape the future of the culinary industry across America.

The foundation will hold its annual restaurant and chef awards ceremony at the Civic Opera House on June 5.

The Taste America Chicago brunch will begin with a bread course starring Peachs biscuits, some of the best in the city, along with pimento cheese and house-made brown butter cornbread, all paired with a welcome cocktail courtesy of 1800 Tequila, also an event sponsor.

Cliff Rome, chef and owner of Peach's restaurant in Chicago. (The James Beard Foundation/Handout)

The first course will feature Suntaranons gui chai, her traditional Thai crispy garlic chive rice cakes with sweet and spicy soy sauce, paired with a riesling, Head Over Heels by Love Cork Screw.

Chrishon Lampley founded the Black-woman-owned wine brand in Chicago.

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The second course, by Moore, offers white cheddar Marsh Hen Mills grits served with fried catfish or crispy cauliflower and a sunny-side-up fried egg. Either way, its paired with Champagne, Brut Imperial by Moet & Chandon.

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The third and final course can be none other than Romes signature peach cobbler, paired with a rum-mosa cocktail mixed with Halo 7 rum and topped by a sparkling brut, Black Girl Magic by McBride Sisters.

Both Halo 7 and McBride Sisters are also Black-women-owned brands. Godsisters Ashley Jackson and JeNai Stanley launched their craft rum brand Halo 7 in Chicago in 2021. Sisters Robin and Andrea McBride founded their collection in California in 2005, and its now the biggest Black-owned wine company in the country.

Tickets for the Beard brunch at Peachs cost $300 per pair (single tickets not available) with tables of two, four and six available for purchase.

Peachs, 4652 S. King Drive, 773-966-5801, peachson47th.com

James Beard Foundation, Taste America Chicago, jamesbeard.org/events/taste-america-chicago-8

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lchu@chicagotribune.com

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TOKYO (AP)  The leaders of Japan and the Philippines agreed Thursday to sharply boost their defense ties, allowing Japanese troops greater access to Philippine territory, as tensions rise in Asia amid Chinas growing influence.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is visiting Japan shortly after he and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reached an agreement on allowing the United States more access to Philippine military bases to keep Chinas territorial ambitions in check.

The defense arrangement signed by Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will allow Japanese troops to join training exercises to respond to natural disasters and humanitarian needs in the Philippines. The agreement is seen as a step toward broader military cooperation and could lead to similar agreements between Japan and other Southeast Asian nations.

Kishida said the two countries will continue talks to further strengthen and streamline their militaries' joint exercises and other operations, while seeking to expand the transfer of Japanese defense equipment and technology to the Philippines and strengthen cooperation trilaterally with the United States.

After our meeting, I can confidently say that our strategic partnership is stronger than ever as we navigate together the rough waters buffeting our region, Marcos said at a joint news conference with Kishida. "The future of our relationship remains full of promise as we continue to deepen and expand our engagements across a wide range of mutually beneficial cooperation.

The new defense agreement allows Japan to deploy its forces for humanitarian missions and disaster response in the Philippines, an arrangement Japan hopes to eventually upgrade to include joint military training, cooperation and mutual visits, Japanese officials said.

The two leaders resolved to increase the defense capabilities of their own countries and strengthen overall security cooperation with reciprocal port calls and aircraft visits and the transfer of more defense equipment and technology, according to a joint statement released later Thursday. It said Japan will transfer air surveillance radar systems to the Philippines and provide related personnel training.

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They expressed serious concerns about the situation in the East and China Seas and strongly opposed the actions including force or coercion that may increase tensions," the statement said.

Kishida and Marcos also agreed to strengthen cyber and economic security. They also confirmed Japans continuing assistance to the Philippine coast guard in reinforcing its capabilities, including the improvement of port facilities at Subic Bay, a former U.S. naval base.

Last year, the two island nations held their first four-way security talks among their defense and foreign ministers and agreed to strengthen their defense ties.

Kishidas government in December adopted key security and defense upgrades, including a counterstrike capability that breaks from Japans post-World War II principle of self-defense only, while also doubling defense spending in five years.

Under the new strategy, Japan will also use development assistance to support poorer nations as they strengthen their maritime safety and other security capabilities. Its meant to counter Chinas growing regional influence.

President Marcoss visit here gives us impetus for Japan and the Philippines to further elevate our cooperation in recent years to even higher levels as we contribute to the peace and stability of the region and the international community, Kishida said at the news conference.

Kishida announced 600 billion yen ($4.6 billion) in economic assistance from the public and private sector for the Philippines through March 2024, primarily to improve infrastructure, such as construction of a commuter railway, and disaster response. The two sides also signed an agreement to work together in information and communication technology and to cooperate in energy security and industrial development.

When you think about the stability in the region and sea lanes and deterrence of Chinas maritime assertiveness, deepening cooperation with the Philippines is crucial for the security of Japan and the United States, said Heigo Sato, a Takushoku University professor and expert on defense and security. Having access to bases in the Philippines would expand strategic options for the Japan-U.S. alliance in case of an emergency involving Taiwan and China, he said.

Japan has been expanding its military cooperation in recent years beyond its main ally, the United States, forging close ties with Australia and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region and Europe.

Marcos met with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako ahead of his talks with Kishida and invited the imperial couple to visit the Philippines. He said he plans to join talks with trade and business officials from the two sides before returning home on Sunday.

___

Associated Press video journalists Haruka Nuga and Kwiyeon Ha contributed to this report.
Jeff Blackburn, esteemed Texas attorney and prolific criminal justice reformer, died Tuesday at the age of 65.

Blackburn was a criminal defense attorney in Amarillo, but his work extended far beyond west Texas  including into Fort Worth. Blackburn founded the Innocence Project of Texas, spearheaded criminal justice reform efforts and fought on behalf of wrongfully convicted people across the state.

Blackburn was diagnosed with cancer in 2022, and he had been planning his funeral for the past few months, longtime friend Cory Session said.

(Blackburn) sent us a group email that was as long as one of his legal briefs, Session said with a chuckle.

In the email, Blackburn noted the two accomplishments he was most proud of as an attorney. The case of Sessions brother  who was from Fort Worth  made the short list.

Sessions brother, Timothy Cole, had been wrongfully convicted on rape charges in 1985.

Cole was convicted in Lubbock despite inadequate evidence and an alibi for the night of the sexual assault. Cole, a Texas Tech student and Army veteran, died in prison from an asthma attack in 1999. He had been in prison for 13 years.

After Coles death, Sessions family fought for Coles name to be cleared for years. But it wasnt until Session called Blackburn in 2007 that the wheels of justice were forced to turn.

A family photo of Tim Cole, who died in prison for a crime he did not commit.

With Blackburns persistence and legal efforts clearing the way, DNA evidence proved Coles innocence in 2008. In 2010, then-Gov. Rick Perry formally signed a pardon for Cole  the first and only posthumous pardon in Texas history.

We are indebted to Jeff for clearing my brothers name, Session said.

In 2009, the Texas Legislature passed the Timothy Cole Act, which gives exonerees $80,000 for each year of wrongful imprisonment plus a monthly annuity payment. As of 2017, 59 exonerees had received lump sum payments totaling $68 million.

State lawmakers also created the Timothy Cole Advisory Panel on Wrongful Convictions to study wrongful convictions and recommend how to prevent them, and they passed more legislation, including a package of bills ensuring the timely testing of DNA evidence and overhauling eyewitness practices by law enforcers.

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Impact across Texas

Blackburn did not stop at clearing Coles name  he pushed for legislation and policy reform to help others who had been wrongfully convicted. In 2006, he helped found the Innocence Project of Texas, which has contributed to the release and exoneration of 26 wrongfully convicted Texans.

In 2011, as funds for the Innocence Project of Texas depleted, Blackburn donated $100,000 from his own pocket to keep it open, Session said. He persistently worked for the benefit of the poor, the defenseless, the voiceless.

In a statement, the Innocence Project of Texas said Blackburn was a visionary leader and tireless advocate for wrongfully convicted Texans, and his work will long be remembered by those whose lives he touched.

Blackburns other notable accomplishments could each be a story on their own. In 2001, he took on the case of a massive drug bust in Tulia. Over several years, he helped prove the bust was a sham and helped 38 people be exonerated  the largest mass pardon in U.S. history.

Blackburn continued fighting for others as a lawyer in Amarillo. In 2016, his firm sued the city of Amarillo for jailing people who did not pay municipal fines. He advocated for a statewide system for public defender offices, arguing Texas must invest in indigent services in order to ensure fair representation for all people.

He recently founded a civil rights nonprofit in New Mexico called the Rio Grande Regional Justice Project, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Session, who was the vice president of the Innocence Project of Texas for six years until his term ended in December, said he and Blackburn maintained a close friendship throughout the years. Blackburn never stopped raising awareness that equal justice under the law doesnt happen for everybody.

There are so many ripple effects because of Jeff Blackburn, Session said. Jeff Blackburns DNA is around this state and this nation.
Jeremy Clarksons controversial column about Meghan Markle will be investigated by the press regulator Ipso.

In December, Clarkson published a column in which he wrote that he hated the Duchess of Sussex on a cellular level.

Following large amounts of backlash, Clarkson apologised and later said that he had reached out to Meghan and Prince Harry over the article. However, Harry and Meghan issued their own statement claiming that Clarkson had only apologised to Harry.

On Thursday (9 February), the Independent Press Standards Organisation (Ipso) announced that it had launched an investigation into Clarksons article after receiving more than 25,100 complaints. It is Ipsos most complained-about article ever.

The press watchdog said that they were taking forward two complaints by The Fawcett Society and The Wilde Foundation.

The complaints claimed that Clarksons article breached Clause 1 (Accuracy), Clause 3 (Harassment) and Clause 12 (Discrimination) of the Ipso code.

In the article, Clarkson wrote that he dreamt of the day Markle would be made to parade naked through Britain while crowds chanted shame and threw excrement at her.

The newspaper article was widely condemned by several celebrities and public figures, including Carol Vorderman, John Bishop, and the broadcasters own daughter Emily Clarkson.

Clarksons (pictured) column about Meghan Markle will be investigated by the press regulator (Getty Images)

When he later apologised for the piece, The Grand Tour host explained that the image of the duchess of being humiliated was in reference to a scene from Game of Thrones.

Still, he described his language as disgraceful and said he was profoundly sorry. The Sun also apologised and said it regretted the publication of the column, which was removed online.

In an interview with ITV around the release of his memoir Spare, Harry branded the horrific, hurtful and cruel, claiming that Clarksons words had would encourage people around the world to believe it is an acceptable way to treat women.

Ipso confirmed the conclusion of the investigation will be made public.
A borough councilperson was fatally shot in New Jersey this week, marking the second attack in seven days where an act of gun violence resulted in the death of a local elected official in the state. The shooting that killed Russell Heller, 51, stemmed from a workplace dispute, authorities announced Friday.

Heller was a council member in the township of Milford, near the border of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He was shot around 7 a.m. on Wednesday morning, Feb. 8, in the parking lot of the PSE&G Central Division headquarters building in Somerset, where he had worked as a supervisor for 11 years.

Officers were dispatched to the facility on a 911 call, the Franklin Township Police Department said in a news release. When they arrived, the responding officers found Heller had suffered a gunshot wound and already succumbed to his injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel, according to the police department.

An investigation into the deadly shooting led law enforcement to identify 58-year-old Gary Curtis, of Washington township, as the suspected gunman. Curtis, a former employee at PSE&G, was found dead several hours later from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said. Officers discovered the suspect's body inside his car, which was traced to a parking lot in the neighboring township.

Police on Thursday called the shooting an "isolated incident."

The prosecutor's office in Somerset County said in a statement Thursday morning that the deadly shooting was not politically motivated, CBS New York reported.

"Investigators have confirmed that Mr. Heller was a Republican Councilman for Milford Borough (Hunterdon County)," the statement read, according to CBS New York. "The investigation has revealed that the shooting of Mr. Heller was not politically connected with his elected office or political affiliation."

In a news release Friday afternoon, the prosecutor's office reported that investigators believe the shooting stemmed from an employment dispute.

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According to the prosecutor's office, the shooting was due to "prior employment disciplinary actions between subordinate and supervisor."

Prosecutors did not provide details on the nature of that dispute.

Heller's death came exactly one week after Eunice Dwumfour, a borough councilwoman in Sayreville was shot to death in a car parked outside of her home on the evening of Feb. 1. Dwumfour, 30, was the first Black person elected to office in the township on the state's eastern edge.

Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour was found shot to death inside a car in Sayreville, New Jersey, on Feb. 1, 2023. / Credit: Town of Sayreville

At a memorial held in her honor this week, Sayreville Mayor Victoria Kilpatrick praised her former colleague and friend as a figure who "broke through that glass ceiling" and "confidently, with class and dignity, walked proudly to her seat on the dais in her signature sparkling high heels." Police have yet to arrest a suspect in Dwumfour's killing.

Political leaders in New Jersey reacted on social media Wednesday to news of the deadly shooting that killed Heller, echoing similar sentiments shared in response to Dwumfour's murder that acknowledged it as a devastating consequence of gun violence in the area.

"Early this morning, a deadly shooting took place outside of a PSE&G facility in Franklin Township. Our thoughts and prayers are with Russell Heller's family and friends in the wake of this tragic act of gun violence," wrote New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy in a tweet on Wednesday. The governor had reposted a message shared by PSE&G.

Early this morning, a deadly shooting took place outside of a PSE&G facility in Franklin Township.



Our thoughts and prayers are with Russell Heller's family and friends in the wake of this tragic act of gun violence. https://t.co/KITkU4G4aS  Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) February 8, 2023

"We are heartbroken at the tragic death of Russell Heller, senior distribution supervisor at PSE&G," the company wrote, describing Heller as "an admired employee" of more than 11 years.

"He will be sorely missed by all, and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time," said PSE&G. "This event is tragic and disturbing, and we are offering support to our employees as they process this. We are cooperating with law enforcement with respect to their investigation."

New Jersey Rep. Tom Kean, whose district includes parts of Somerset County, where Franklin township is located, praised Heller in another message shared on Twitter after his death.

"I am shocked and saddened by the tragic murder of Milford Councilman Russell Heller," the congressman wrote. "Russell was an outstanding public servant who proudly represented the river town he loved. My prayers are with his family and the Milford community."

I am shocked and saddened by the tragic murder of Milford Councilman Russell Heller. Russell was an outstanding public servant who proudly represented the river town he loved. My prayers are with his family and the Milford community.  Congressman Tom Kean (@CongressmanKean) February 8, 2023

Sen. Joni Ernst says China is "intentionally poisoning" Americans amid fentanyl crisis

Concerns raised about artificial intelligence misinformation and bias

Young man gets a shot at redemption after attemped break-in
By Makiko Yamazaki and Ritsuko Shimizu

TOKYO (Reuters) -Toshiba Corp on Thursday confirmed it had received a proposal from a consortium led by private equity firm Japan Industrial Partners, after sources said the investors had secured $10.6 billion in loan commitments for their buyout.

Securing firm commitments from the banks was a major hurdle in the group's efforts to pull together a bid to buy Toshiba and take it private, according to the sources. The offer will now need to go to the conglomerate's board for approval.

"The company has received a proposal from the JIP consortium," Toshiba said in a statement. It added that it would assess the proposal, which had just been delivered on Thursday, and "continue to act in the best interests" of shareholders and other stakeholders.

JIP declined to comment.

Two of the sources said major Japanese banks, including Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, had issued letters of commitment to provide 1.4 trillion yen ($10.6 billion) in loans to the group.

Those loans included a commitment line of 200 billion yen for working capital, the sources said, declining to be identified because the information had not been made public.

The final buyout proposal would also include an equity portion of about 1 trillion yen, they said. Whether that amount had been finalised was not clear, however.

The Nikkei business daily reported the total value of the buyout proposal was around 2 trillion yen.

Sources have previously said the equity would be provided by a number of Japanese companies, including financial services group Orix Corp, chipmaker Rohm Co Ltd and Japan Post Bank.

Shares of Toshiba fell some 3% in Tokyo trade, potentially reflecting investor calculations that a rival bidder - with a higher offer - might now be less likely to emerge, because the financing had been secured.

"There is serious risk here that this doesn't get done. There are lots of people who could say no," said analyst Travis Lundy of Quiddity Advisors, who publishes on Smartkarma. But big Toshiba shareholders "might just accept a sup-optimal result because it gets them out."

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Toshiba named the JIP-led group as its preferred bidder in October. JIP was then asked by Toshiba to provide commitment letters from banks by Nov. 7, something it was unable to do.

The loan deal had taken a few months to finalise, causing a delay in the submission of the bid, as JIP, equity partners and the banks had worked to resolve disagreements over post-buyout restructuring plans, the sources said.

The banks asked Toshiba to promise the sale of underperforming businesses if earnings deteriorated after a buyout was concluded, sources, including those who spoke on Thursday, have previously said.

They also requested Toshiba to agree, following the proposed buyout, to set up a committee including investor representatives to monitor management, according to sources who spoke previously. Furthermore, the banks wanted Toshiba to accept bank executives sent to the company.

Some of the demands are still being discussed.

($1 = 131.31 yen)

(Reporting by Makiko Yamazaki and Ritsuko Shimizu; Additional reporting by Satoshi Sugiyama and David Dolan; Editing by Jamie Freed and Bradley Perrett)
(Independent)

Senator John Fetterman has been rushed to the hospital after he started feeling "lightheaded", his office said.

A spokesperson for the Democrat, 53, said on Wednesday night: "Towards the end of the Senate Democratic retreat today, Senator John Fetterman began feeling lightheaded.

"He left and called his staff, who picked him up and drove him to The George Washington University Hospital.

"Initial tests did not show evidence of a new stoke, but doctors are running more tests and John is remaining overnight for observation. He is in good spirits and talking with his staff and family."

The Democrat from Pennsylvania had previously suffered a near-fatal stroke in May but refused to drop out of a tight Senate race in which he ultimately defeated Republican candidate Mehmet Oz.

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In order to get an audience with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, everyone must undergo several stages of security control in the Presidents Office, including documents verification, a metal detector and a thermal imager.

Source: a journalist from the German media outlet Spiegel with his colleague from the French media outlet Le Figaro, who interviewed Zelenskyy before his visits to London, Paris and Brussels

Quote: "Everyone who wants to get in here but who is not a staff member must send their ID card for verification in advance and then go through several checkpoints.

Thermal imagers and vigilant men with headsets are waiting for you on the third floor. Visitors have to hand over wristwatches, cell phones, and even pens they brought with them.

At the beginning of the war, Zelenskyy was giving interviews while sitting between sacks of sand. Now he is accepting visitors in a golden hall with inlaid parquet and silk wallpaper."

Details: On their way to the reception room of the President of Ukraine, before the security check on the third floor, the journalists met Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. He was also being screened with a metal detector.

After the interview, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba was waiting at the gate, and he had an appointment with Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy himself, as the journalists noted, looked exhausted and worried.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






On Friday, a judge is set to consider whether or not to grant an elderly woman accused of shooting and killing her husband at a Daytona Beach hospital bond.

Ellen Gilland, 76, is currently being held on no bond on charges of first-degree murder.

Daytona Beach police said the shooting AdventHealth off of Williamson Boulevard last month was planned, and that Gilland told them her terminally ill husband Jerry Gilland asked her to kill him.

A judge originally denied Gilland bond, but her attorneys are asking for the judge to reconsider.

Read: Woman accused of shooting husband at Daytona Beach hospital held without bond

She will have a hearing on Friday at 1:30 p.m.

Stay tuned to Channel 9 Eyewitness News for updates.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
The Magic Mike saga was a big bag of fun while it lasted. And it lasted up to  but not including  the third and maybe-final film in the series, Magic Mikes Last Dance.

Thats a frustrating state of affairs. Director Steven Soderbergh has been on a remarkable, unpredictable roll for a long time now. To be sure, the new Magic Mike movie doesnt misfire in predictable or conventional ways. It delivers enough of the requisite abs / air-grinding / shirtlessness / thirstiness to divert diehard fans of the franchise from the peculiar story. Like people care about the story, right? And yet people do, especially if the story thats there feels off.

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After the largely, agreeably plotless hang-outs with Mike and company in Magic Mike (2012) and the Gregory Jacobs-directed Magic Mike XXL (2015), screenwriter Reid Carolin returns with a self-mythologizing narrative trading laughs for sincerity and then, all too early, sincerity for solemnity. Less fun, more heart was the idea, along with real hope for the emotional health and romantic well-being of the Channing Tatum character.

Tricky word, hope. Soderbergh knows that movies, sometimes his own, have a way of appeasing a popular audience with just enough of it to leaven his sardonic, ironic acumen. As a punchline to his ripping state-of-cinema speech delivered in San Francisco in 2013, Soderbergh deadpanned that any screenplay pitched to a roomful of bored, clueless studio executives has a chance at being green-lit if you say that your movie, whatever its about, is really about hope. He takes his own advice to heart on Magic Mikes Last Dance.

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Flat broke at 40, after his furniture business goes belly-up in the pandemic, Mike meets the fabulously wealthy Maxandra (Salma Hayek Pinault) while bartending her private charity event in Florida. In a matter of screen minutes, hes back at her house (one of several; mainly shes living in London, on the brink of divorce), gently placing her trembling hand on his untrembling abs. This is merely the prelude to a well-compensated good time, by way of the art of the dance. Mike is, in fact, the Lord of this kind of Dance.

Salma Hayek Pinault and Channing Tatum in "Magic Mike's Last Dance." (Claudette Barius/Warner Bros)

Needless to say she will never be the same, after all that astonishingly well-rehearsed tenderness. Under a mutually agreed-upon no-sex clause, in a jiffy theyre jetting to London to embark on a mysterious project Max has cooking. Which is? This parts a bit knotty: At the West End playhouse owned by Maxs cheating husband, a hit revival of a moldy old (fictional) comedy of manners is about to be transformed into an outrageous strip show, courtesy of Mikes magic touch as director.

Offstage, Max and Mike trade unblinking stares of love, though theyre both too cool to talk about it or act on it. Maxs teenage daughter (Jemelia George) knows whats up, though. It is this character who narrates the film as if reading from a term paper on the history, meaning and evergreen allure of dance through the ages.

Mike is just the working-class American Joe these insufferable Brits need. The film becomes a tale of how he opens up as a human being and relays his own love story told through dance, as the narration points out with a yellow highlighter. The cross-promotional angle is pretty shameless with this sequel: The stage show we see, eventually, once the swiveling Vari-Lights get going, steals liberally from Tatums own Magic Mike Live stage show, currently bumping and grinding at the Hippodrome Casino in London, the Sahara in Las Vegas and other locales.

Its oddly stuffy and suffocating compared to the loose-limbed enjoyment of its predecessors. The main stumbling block is a simple one: We cant fully invest in the central, push/pull relationship as written. Theres not enough there, even though Tatum and Hayek Pinault make screen sense together. Theyre both well-attuned to what their bodies have done for their careers, in good films and bad. And though Tatums calculatedly bashful way with dialogue feels awfully shticky here, hes very much a movie star. (Weve known that about Hayek Pinault for a good long time.)

All the same, theres a hollow ring to all the pointed lines about female empowerment and the stifling gender restrictions of old, symbolized by the drawing-room comedy the strip show is about to rip wide open. Magic Mikes Last Dance mightve worked better if it had fully embraced the mantle of 21st century comedy of manners. As is, its tentative, wanly comic. As the great Russian stripper Anton Chekhov showed us: Without the funny, the serious has a harder go of it.

Magic Mikes Last Dance  2 stars (out of 4)

MPA rating: R (for sexual material and language)

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Running time: 1:52

How to watch: Premieres in theaters Feb. 9.

Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic.

mjphillips@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @phillipstribune
Kevin Seefried shown carrying the Confederate flag into the Capitol's rotunda on January 6, 2021. Saul Loeb/Getty Images

A Capitol rioter who toted a Confederate flag on January 6, 2021 was sentenced on Thursday.

A federal judge sentenced Kevin Seefried to 36 months in prison.

Seefried was convicted last summer on five charges.

A federal judge sentenced Kevin Seefried, a man who infamously toted a Confederate flag around the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, to 36 months in prison on Thursday, slamming Seefried's conduct as "appalling."

Judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump appointee, found Seefried guilty of five charges, including obstruction of an official proceeding, disorderly conduct, illegally parading, and entering restricted Capitol grounds as Congress met to certify President Joe Biden's 2020 win.

"You participated in a national embarrassment," McFadden told Seefried as he handed down the sentence in federal district court in Washington, DC, adding that his behavior was a "flagrant affront to our system of government."

Seefried, a 53-year-old of Delaware, was convicted last summer along with his son, Hunter Seefried, 24, who also traveled to Washington, DC for then-President Donald Trump's "Save America" rally and unlawfully entered the Capitol on January 6. McFadden sentenced the younger Seefried to 24 months in prison in October.

Widely circulated images of Seefried wielding a Confederate flag in the Capitol halls have emerged as some of the most shocking from the January 6 attack. It's been more than two years since the deadly day, and at least 978 people have been charged in connection to it.

Seefried was among the mob that first broke into the building and whom Capitol Police officer Eugene Goodman diverted from the Senate chamber, according to prosecutors and witness testimony. Goodman testified during the June 2022 trial that Seefried refused to comply with orders to "back up" and used "the base of his flag pole in a jabbing motion sort of to create space between he and I."

"He was very angry, screaming, talking loudly," Goodman said of Seefried. "The complete opposite of pleasant, if you will."

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During Thursday's sentencing, McFadden focused on Goodman's encounter with Seefried, saying "threatening" an African American police officer with a Confederate flag was "demeaning," "especially shocking" and "deeply offensive."

And even setting aside the flag's racist connotations, McFadden said, brandishing a symbol of Confederate secession at the Capitol was "outrageous." Seefried's case was at the "most egregious end" of January 6 cases that McFadden has sentenced, the judge said.

Before the sentence was imposed, Seefried, dressed in a button-down shirt and tie, became emotional as he stood at the podium in the courtroom and apologized for his behavior on January 6.

"I know that I crossed the line," Seefried said. "I'm deeply sorry for my part on that day."

Seefried told the judge that he came to Washington with his son to attend Trump's rally and got "caught up" in the mob. He hadn't intended to engage in criminal activity and never would have done so had he known the consequences, Seefried said.

"I've lost my son," Seefried said, his voice growing shaky while fighting back tears.

Seefried also gave an apology to the police officers who defended the Capitol that day, saying: "I never wanted to send a message of hate."

The Justice Department, which has had a string of victories in prosecuting cases related to January 6, had sought a prison sentence of 70 months for Seefried.

Seefried's lawyer asked for a 13-month prison sentence, pointing out that his client's case differed from other January 6 rioters who had intentionally sought to obstruct the 2020 electoral certification process. In advocating for a lighter sentence, attorney Eugene Ohm noted Seefried's lack of criminal history or involvement in extremist groups, and claimed that Seefried had mimicked the behavior of the rioters around him at the Capitol.

While McFadden extended his appreciation for Seefried's remorse, which he called "genuine," he pushed back on characterizations that Seefried was simply a victim of "mob mentality."

"I think you did know what you were doing," McFadden said.

After he delivered the sentence, McFadden noted that Seefried was in a "dark period" and offered him some words of encouragement, telling him "not to allow this chapter define the rest of your life."

"Good luck to you, sir," McFadden told Seefried as he left the bench.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Former FTX Chief Executive Sam Bankman-Fried, who faces fraud charges over the collapse of the bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange, is not allowed to use Signal or WhatsApp since they feature auto-deleting text options. REUTERS/Mike Segar

A federal judge in New York banned Sam Bankman-Fried from using messaging apps that auto-delete texts.

Prosecutors said Bankman-Fried used the encryption app Signal to send messages while detained at his parents' home.

Bankman-Fried has been released on a $250 million bail package while awaiting trial.

A federal judge in New York ruled on Thursday that Sam Bankman-Fried shouldn't use messaging apps that can auto-delete text messages.

US District Judge Lewis Kaplan extended his ruling blocking Bankman-Fried from using the apps while he considers how the former FTX CEO should be allowed to communicate with others ahead of his criminal trial.

"I'm far less interested in the defendant's convenience than the risk of deleting messages," Kaplan said at a hearing Thursday.

Kaplan held the hearing after making an unusual decision to reject an agreement between prosecutors and Bankman-Fried's legal team about his bail conditions.

The terms the parties had proposed would have barred Bankman-Fried from using apps like Signal, which encrypt messages and allow users to delete them automatically after a set period of time. Under that proposed agreement, Bankman-Fried would have still been allowed to use video chatting apps and WhatsApp, so long as there was monitoring technology installed on his phone that preserves all his messages.

Kaplan found the agreement inadequate, he said in court Thursday.

"It does nothing but spark more questions," he said.

In his courtroom in lower Manhattan, Kaplan said he was concerned Bankman-Fried would have access to functionality in iMessage that allows users to delete text messages and make it difficult for prosecutors to get ahold of them later. While both sides agreed to use monitoring technology for WhatsApp, it didn't go far enough, Kaplan said.

Kaplan was also concerned about Bankman-Fried encrypting messages in a way that would keep them out of the hands of prosecutors.

"I've read all the spy novels," Kaplan said.

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The judge indicated he wanted to issue a rule that would forbid Bankman-Fried from using any form of encryption in his communications, including from a secret code of his own devising.

"You don't think this defendant is bright enough to encrypt something in writing?" Kaplan asked Assistant US Attorney Danielle Sassoon.

Sassoon said she was confident prosecutors would be able to access all of the FTX founder's messages.

"To the extent the defendant communicates in handwritten code, that's not something we anticipate or are particularly concerned about," she said.

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan charged Bankman-Fried in December with eight criminal counts, including wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He's been released on a $250 million bail arrangement, which requires him to be detained at his parents' home in Palo Alto.

Last month, prosecutors sought to restrict Bankman-Fried's bail terms around whom he could freely communicate with, saying he contacted "current and former FTX employees," and were concerned that such messages could lead to "witness tampering."

Kaplan initially agreed to limit Bankman-Fried's use of messaging apps, and said he found it alarming that he contacted a witness in the criminal case, identified in a court filing as a general counsel for FTX. Bankman-Fried appeared to be trying to bring the witness over to his side, Kaplan wrote.

On Thursday, Kaplan extended his order limiting Bankman-Fried's messaging until February 21, at which point he expects the parties to give him a more detailed proposal for how to make sure the FTX founder's messages could be accessed by prosecutors.

A representative for Bankman-Fried declined to comment.

Separately, Bankman-Fried's attorneys have sought to keep the identities of the two bail sponsors besides his parents under wraps, arguing that revealing their names publicly would expose them to the kind of harassment he said his parents have faced.

Judge Kaplan rejected that rationale in a ruling last month, siding with media organizations including Insider that had argued there is a public interest in knowing who Bankman-Fried's bail sponsors are.

Bankman-Fried's attorneys are appealing that decision, arguing that the sponsors' privacy rights trump the public's right to understand the details of the bail arrangement.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Even after 10 years of marriage, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel still know how to make each other laugh.

This week, the couple proved once again that a sense of humor can keep the romance alive when Biel posted a cute video of her husband trying to distract her during a workout.

In the short clip, which the actor shared on Instagram, Biel sweats it out during an intense workout with her trainer, Ben Bruno. The 40-year-old seems laser-focused on the moves, then her trainer asks her, "Should we do one more?"

The mother gives an OK, then laughs. Next, she says, "Justin, stop!"

The camera pans to the opposite side of the room where Timberlake, 42, is grooving to the music in a playful effort to distract his wife.

What? Its not distracting? the singer says.

Biel breaks out laughing then ends her workout.

Justin Timberlake (@jessicabiel / Instagram)

In the gym with @benbrunotraining and some other guy who wont stop distracting me!! , Biel captioned her post.

The actor's trainer gave her a shoutout on his own Instagram page and shared the same video with the following caption.

"@jessicabiel is such a badass. This 3-way lunge matrix is hard enough as it is, let alone with @justintimberlake trying to distract you with his dancing . Shes the only person I know who can do the whole set without tapping the other leg down for balance. Very, very impressive," he wrote.

Biel and Timberlake clearly like to keep their marriage playful, and the actor shared two photos of the couple getting silly in honor of her husband's birthday last month.

Happy birthday to the person who challenges and inspires me every day. The person who keeps me laughing and creating and risking it all, she captioned the post. The person who makes the ordinary extraordinary. You know who you are. I love you.

Last summer, the couple renewed their wedding vows in Italy, and Biel shared some details about the happy occasion with Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager in November.

It was very intimate, it was very small, she said. A couple of our friends, and we literally barely put this thing together. We almost canceled it. We thought, Oh, is this silly? Are we going to feel goofy doing this? And, actually, it was so moving. I felt like, Wow, were really kind of, were going to keep doing this. Look at us. It felt really nice.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
A 25-year-old man who is a suspect in a stabbing death Saturday in the Palestine West neighborhood in Kansas City has been arrested, according to court documents.

The man, whom the Star is not naming because he has not been charged in the killing, was being held Wednesday in the Jackson County jail on unrelated felony warrants. He faces charges for separate alleged crimes, including unlawful firearm possession, and is accused of violating probation on early felonies.

Documents filed in Jackson County Circuit Court show the man is suspected of killing 26-year-old Jesus Diaz-Deleon. On Saturday, shortly before noon, Kansas City police officers were called to the 3800 block of Bales Avenue on a reported cutting. Responding officers found the victim, Diaz-Deleon, suffering from apparent trauma inside a home.

He was declared dead on scene by emergency medical personnel. The Jackson County Medical Examiners Office found that the cause of death was multiple stab wounds.

Witnesses told police Diaz-Deleon had lived at the residence off-and-on but was recently kicked out in part because of problems between him and another man. On the day of the stabbing, witnesses also described hearing an argument in the basement before finding Diaz-Deleon covered in blood and then calling 911.

One witness told police she awoke to the sound of Diaz-Deleon banging on the door and asking for help. At the door, she saw him holding his neck and saying he was going to die as he collapsed, according to an affidavit prepared by Kansas City homicide detectives investigating the case.

On Monday at 12:17 p.m., detectives with KCPDs Illegal Firearms Squad arrested the suspect on outstanding felony warrants near the intersection of Independence and Lawn avenues, according to court documents.

The suspect was placed on a 24-hour hold for homicide. During a video recorded police interview on Tuesday, he allegedly told detectives he was not present when the stabbing occurred.

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Detectives on Monday were granted permission by a Jackson County judge to seize the suspects cellphone, an item among his personal property when he was booked into the Jackson County jail, as part of the homicide investigation.

According to court documents, the suspect had a warrant issued for his arrest in Jackson County Circuit Court in late December. He was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm following a July traffic stop in Kansas City where he and another person locked and left a vehicle to be towed by KCPD.

Before towing the vehicle, officers conducted an inventory search and discovered a loaded 9mm handgun underneath the passenger seat where the suspect had been sitting, according to court documents.

In October, a test conducted at the Kansas City Crime Lab allegedly showed the suspects DNA on the firearm. Previous felony convictions bar him from possessing a firearm.

In 2020, the suspect pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree robbery and unlawful use of a weapon. He was given probation and faced suspended prison sentences of four years and seven years respectively.
Update: Police said Thursday morning that Shakir Thomas was found and is safe.

Kansas City police were seeking help from the public on Wednesday night to locate a missing and endangered 17-year-old.

Shakir Thomas was last seen around 6 p.m. Tuesday walking in the Royal Oaks neighborhood near the intersection of 110th Street and Cypress Avenue, according to police. His family was concerned about his mental state on Wednesday, police said.

Thomas stands about 6 feet tall and weighs roughly 160 pounds, according to police. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, a white V-neck shirt, blue jeans and black Nike shoes.

Police were asking anyone who sees Thomas to not approach him and instead call 911.
Kari Lake, the defeated Arizona gubernatorial candidate, will be the featured speaker at the Conservative Political Action Conferences (CPAC) high-profile Ronald Reagan Dinner next month, the gatherings organizers announced on Thursday.

Its a high-profile gig for a conservative firebrand who has repeatedly refused to concede her loss to Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs in last years election. In a statement announcing Lake as the dinners featured speaker, a spokesperson for CPAC praised her as a rare leader who captured the hearts of conservatives with her honest, bold message including closing the Arizona border and exposing widespread election fraud.

Kari has been a breath of fresh air into conservative politics, Megan Powers Small, CPACs spokesperson, said. She has an uncanny ability to tell it like it is [that] has given a voice to the silent majority in Arizona and across the country, and we cant wait to have her liven up our CPAC stage at the Ronald Reagan Dinner.

After her November loss to Hobbs, Lake challenged the election results in court, arguing that problems with ballot printers at some polling places were the result of intentional misconduct and interference.

That challenge was shot down by a judge, but Lake hasnt exited the spotlight. Shes considering a Senate bid in 2024, when Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), a Democrat-turned-Independent, will go up for reelection. Shes also set to travel to Iowa this weekend to meet with state GOP leaders.

Her planned appearance at CPACs Ronald Reagan Dinner gives her another key platform to court conservatives and assert herself as a national Republican leader. The four-day gathering is also expected to feature prominent speakers like former President Trump, who is once again seeking the GOPs presidential nomination.

CPAC is set to take place in National Harbor, Md., just outside of Washington, D.C., from March 1-4.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt opens up about parenting with Chris Pratt and how her childhood inspired her new book for children. (Photo: Getty)

Welcome to So Mini Ways, Yahoo Life's parenting series on the joys and challenges of childrearing.

Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt may be the oldest of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver's four children, but she's always considered her 19-months-younger sister Christina to be the real trailblazer.

"I think everybody expects the oldest to be the one to do everything first and to be the stronger and braver one," the author and mom of two says. "I leaned on Christina to do everything. I turned to her to do everything first: to get her ears pierced first, to go down a slide first, to go to camp first. I was much more timid and reserved as a child and Christina was much more confident and bold. And so I wanted to write a book celebrating the relationship of sisterhood, but also be able to touch on the dynamic between Christina and I growing up."

That book hit stores this week. In Good Night, Sister, illustrated by Lucy Fleming, big sister Kat assures her little sister Tina that all will be fine when she leaves their shared bedroom behind. When a thunderstorm hits, however, it's brave little Tina who emerges as the more confident sibling.

Pratt calls the children's book a "tribute to the sisterly bond" that will also hopefully strike a chord with any kid who has a close sibling relationship or friendship. Though she finished writing the book when she was a new first-time mom to daughter Lyla, now 2 1/2, she and actor husband Chris Pratt are now raising two little sisters of their own. The couple welcomed their second daughter, Eloise Christina, last May.

"I wasn't sure if I was going to have a girl or a boy or when I was going to get pregnant next," she says of writing Good Night, Sister. "And so it's a really special and beautiful surprise that I'm able to have sisters in my own two girls and also come out with a book on sisters and have a sister myself. So it's really exciting and fun  and it's really wild that even at 2 1/2 and 8 months old, you start seeing so many similar behaviors and patterns that my sister and I had."

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Pratt's parents "get a real kick" out of seeing the similarities.

"They're like, 'look at them, they're doing the exact same thing that you girls did,'" she says of Schwarzenegger and Shriver. "My parents always show these old videos of me squeezing Christina when I was younger and trying to squeeze her really, really tight and get really excited about it, or wanting things to be mine instead of hers. You know, the normal little sister dynamics. And even though my girls are so young, they have very much so those behaviors and mannerisms coming out already."

In a nod to his Austrian heritage, Schwarzenegger goes by "Opa," which translates to "grandpa." Longtime journalist Shriver, meanwhile, chose "Mama G" as her grandparent name, following the non-traditional example set by her brother, Timothy Shriver, aka "G Daddy." ("They were discussing entering this phase in their life where they are going to be become grandparents, but they so don't feel like grandparents, or, I guess, what they think of as grandparents," Pratt explains.)

Shriver and Schwarzenegger are "incredible grandparents," says Pratt, who is also very close  literally living within minutes of each other  with her siblings.

"My dad's house is really fun because he has all these animals and he starts having [the girls] understand the chores and how to take care of animals and all these different things," she says of the actor and former governor. "He's very sweet and playful with them. So it's been really amazing to watch both of my parents step into the role of grandparents."

In addition to Lyla and Eloise, Pratt is also stepmother to husband Chris's son Jack, from his first marriage to Anna Faris. Watching how the Guardians of the Galaxy star treated his son made her feel confident about building a family with the actor.

"I had the privilege of being able to see how he was as a father before having my girls, with his son," she says. "So I knew he was going to be an amazing dad and I was really excited to see how that was going to play out. And he's really amazing as a girl dad as well."

The Jurassic World star is "a total softie with my girls," she shares.

"He's someone who's sitting in the playroom dressing up with all the princess stuff," she says. "He's definitely very hands on. I think we take different roles with each other as far as like the good cop/bad cop thing. We take turns at it, which I think is important because then they don't associate one parent with having to do everything disciplinarian. We definitely have very open and honest communication about what's important to us, what our values are, how we want to raise our kids."

As a mom, Pratt is big on schedules, especially in terms of naps and consistent bedtime routines. It's a different approach from her own mom, who, despite having four kids, never stuck to schedules. But she is taking a cue from her own upbringing when it comes to screens.

"We're not doing any screen time," she adds, noting her girls' young ages. "I'm a big believer in getting outside, doing crafts, doing things that are outdoors, not sitting inside and being on a screen. That's definitely how I grew up. I was never to allowed to watch TV during the day or even during the week. I think it really allowed us to get creative. And the girls have built-in playmates with each other, so [even if] they reach an age where they wanted to gravitate toward being on a screen, hopefully they'll be able to find a playmate with the other since they're so close in age."

Wellness, parenting, body image and more: Get to know the who behind the hoo with Yahoo Life's newsletter. Sign up here.
Federal officials revealed in court Wednesday that they have seized the bank accounts of a former controller accused of stealing millions from Kansas Citys primary economic development organization.

In a civil forfeiture case, the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Western District of Missouri also took hold of two vehicles, including a 2021 Mercedes-Benz, that were allegedly purchased with money taken from the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, or EDC.

Federal prosecutors did not name the former employee in a court filing, which was first reported by KCUR. But a Wells Fargo bank account they listed correlates with one once operated by former EDC controller Lee Brown, who died last year.

The EDC last month filed suit against Brown and former interim chief executive TRisa McCord, who oversaw Browns 2015 hiring, in an effort to recover what it said was stolen money.

Brown stole more than $2.3 million and defrauded the corporation out of at least $739,000 in salary, for a total loss of about $3.1 million, the EDC contended. He allegedly used some of the money to buy cars and jewelry. The EDC also claimed Brown secured his controller job after grossly misrepresenting his background and hiding his criminal history.

In the filing Wednesday, authorities said more than $1.8 million of embezzled EDC money was moved to Browns Wells Fargo account. An additional $1 million was traced to another account. Both of those accounts, though, had balances of between about $117,000 and $124,000 when they were seized. In total, the U.S. Marshals Service took control of about $1.17 million.

In addition to the Mercedes-Benz, authorities also seized a Ford F-150.

The funding of these payments to purchase the vehicle were directly traceable to proceeds of the fraud and/or proceeds involved in money laundering activity, an assistant U.S. attorney wrote in the court filing, the facts of which were verified by an FBI agent.

The filing marked the federal governments first known involvement in the case. No charges have been filed in what prosecutors described as a scheme to defraud the EDC.

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The EDC is a city-contracted umbrella organization that administers a variety of development and incentive programs for new and expanding businesses. The agency oversees several entities like the Kansas City Tax Increment Finance Commission, the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority and the Planned Industrial Expansion Authority.

Those agencies, tasked with promoting new development, are also entrusted with the authority to grant tax breaks and incentives that can persist for decades.

After nearly three years of interim directors, the EDC in June hired as its permanent CEO Tracey Lewis, a former vice president of Commerce Trust.

The Stars Kevin Hardy contributed to this report.
Guns are now the No 1 killer of children and teens under 18 in the US, according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that was analyzed by University of Michigan researchers.

While 2020 marked the first year that more children and teens of all races and ethnicities across the US were killed by guns than in car accidents, homicide has been the No 1 cause of death among Black teenage boys and young adults over 15 for at least a decade, according to CDC data, and the second leading cause of death among Hispanic teenage boys and men ages 15 to 34. The trend was underscored by the recent high-profile killings of an 18-year-old at a gas station in Oakland, California, and two boys, ages 14 and 15, at a high school in Des Moines, Iowa.

Despite bearing much of the weight of the nations gun violence, young people have little formal power to do anything about it, since decisions about how governments legislate guns and how communities and schools respond to shootings is primarily left to lawmakers, voters and law enforcement officials.

Related: Took a long time to get here: the women stopping gun violence in their communities

Still, violence prevention and getting resources to communities is a top-of-mind issue for US teens and young adults. In an open letter the youth voting advocacy group NextGen America sent Joe Biden ahead of this weeks State of the Union address, the young people implored him and Congress to address lax state gun laws and racial disparities among homicide victims and gunshot wound survivors. A majority of Gen Z is more worried about guns than the climate crisis, according to a recent survey by Project Unloaded, while 70% of young voters said that US gun control laws should be stricter, according to a 2018 Harvard Institute of Politics poll.

Politicians should be more involved in the community, said Greg Novelo, a 20-year-old resident of Richmond, California, a small city north of San Francisco. Theres no progress to show that theyre helping the community  they need activities, programs, parks you can go to that are safe.

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The Guardian spoke with Novelo and several other young Latino and Black Californians about what they want to see older generations do to prevent gun violence and to help youth navigate the aftermath of shootings.

Conversations about school safety must include neighborhood violence

Mass shootings on school campuses, while rare, dominate conversations about student safety. This means that most of the solutions put forth - like arming teachers, hiring more campus police and monitoring student communications - rarely address the shootings that happen near schools and on the blocks that students traverse to get there.

When they have these conversations its more about gun violence at school and police using guns, not what goes on around the neighborhood, said Liz Nsilu, a 17-year-old student at King/Drew Magnet school in Los Angeles. The school is just outside Watts, a majority Black and Latino neighborhood where residents have long struggled to keep shootings down and support those affected.

I would like to hear someone ask how we feel living in the neighborhoods that we live in or having our school where it is now. I think teachers and the principal [should have] a school-wide conversation, said Ilicia Mendez, another 17-year-old King/Drew student.

Nsilu and Mendez have a space to talk about shootings and gender-based violence that affect them through the Womens Leadership Project (WLP), a group that works in South Los Angeles schools to mentor and support students.

Local violence prevention and youth development groups like WLP seek out students who are regularly exposed to violence to help them work through their feelings on off- campus shootings. And teachers across the US are working to make conversations about gun violence a part of classroom curricula. Still, these programs are sparse.

The schools sometimes do their part, said Tereek Hill, a 21-year-old Richmond resident.

When he was in high school, a student was shot and killed and administrators organized a campus-wide moment of silence and allowed students to leave class to decompress in the student health center, Hill recalled.

He didnt feel safe at school because he knew that community violence can spill on to school grounds, especially since some students carried guns because they felt unsafe walking in their neighborhood. If my friend just got killed, Id think Im next, Hill said.

He wishes that schools could find a balance between keeping students safe and not criminalizing those who carry because they rightly feel unsafe in their communities. Strategies like backpack searches and arresting students arent the answer, he said: We dont want to go backward.

Intergenerational connections help  if they come without judgment

The connections between older and younger generations can be a central component of gun violence prevention. Whether its a teacher, school counselor or a professional violence intervention worker, the students the Guardian spoke with said they looked to the adults in their lives and communities to lobby officials and help young people navigate the complex emotions that come with being exposed to gun violence.

But youth also want to see adults be more inclusive in their engagement with young people, including those who are already carrying guns, have been incarcerated or are in need of immediate intervention that can stop them from being shot or shooting someone else.

They are at the most risk, so why exclude them? You can change them, Beverly Obed, a 15-year-old King/Drew student, said of the need for programs that reach her most at-risk peers. Excluding them might lead them further down the drain, stuck in [a bad] situation because they cant get out because theyve been excluded when they tried to reach out.

Novelo, 20, of Richmond, has first-hand experience of this exclusion and the consequences of having nowhere to turn.

I grew up hearing gunshots every day, he said. As a little kid, I needed more people to talk to and listen without [fear of] getting in trouble.

Novelo began carrying a gun for protection as a young teen. When he would speak with school staff or other adults, he said, the fact that he carried and would skip school overshadowed the fear and daily trauma he was facing and needed help addressing.

School counselors would offer support or resources, but when you talk to them they find fault [with me] and say, Oh, you shouldnt have done this or that, Novelo said. It made me feel like I needed to keep everything to myself and bottle it up, and it messes with your head a little. Theres so much emotion and sometimes its tough to handle, and when you dont have someone to talk to you end up doing [negative] things.

He dropped out of high school during his junior year and months later, at age 18, he was shot eight times while hanging out with friends in San Pablo, a city just outside of Richmond. While in the hospital, he connected with Ryse Center, a Richmond-based violence prevention and youth development non-profit. Now, he said, he is getting the judgment-free mental health support he needed early in his adolescence.

Older people should think about what programs would have helped them back then  and what they went through to help the community, Novelo said.

Law enforcement isnt always the solution

For many students in South Los Angeles and the Bay Area, police are a questionable solution to the problem of gun violence. They described seeing police use force in their communities, which are disproportionately harmed by gun violence, rather than helping people find solutions to young people being involved in gangs and gun violence.

When a shooting happens near or on a campus, administrators and lawmakers often defer to police to keep students and staff secure and safe. But this reliance on police has also led to a disproportionate number of Black and Latino students being arrested on campus, thus fueling the school-to-prison pipeline, parents and students have said.

That upsets me the most: the police using their force on us, taking advantage of their position because of whats going on in our communities with gang violence, said Mendez, of King/Drew.

The on-campus dynamic coupled with the history of police shootings of unarmed Black and Latino people make it difficult for the students to imagine what role law enforcement would play in local violence interventions like healing circles and community meetings among people who have lost a loved one to violence or survived being shot.

Related: A shooting killed their student. Now two California teachers are educating kids about gun violence

It wouldnt be effective for police to be in a healing circle because a lot of people in Los Angeles have trauma, from being shot by the police, chased by the police, Nsilu added.

This lack of trust means that creating solutions to prevent and respond to gun violence is a job best left to the community members who deal with the fallout of shootings, Hill said.

Im not comfortable with [police] at all. The only help I see from them is escorting people during a funeral, he said of how hes seen police engage with those who have been affected by gun violence. The community around us is responsible, the community should hold each other accountable.

Youth need more resources to heal from gun violence

Jason Madisons first confrontation with gun violence happened early in life. When he was nine, Madisons mother and toddler nephew were shot in a drive-by in their hometown of Richmond. Both survived the shooting, which Madison witnessed; his mother was hit in the thigh and his then-two year old nephew was shot in the foot and was briefly in critical condition.

Madison, now 22, wasnt physically injured in the shooting, but says he was left to deal with mental trauma and unanswered questions alone.

Seeing someone get shot even though they didnt die is still trauma, he said. I dealt with it alone and I wish I had support  I needed somebody to talk to and relate to and help me through the pain and trauma I went through.

Through Ryse Center, Madison has been working through his trauma through poetry and counseling sessions. And while he is grateful to have these resources now, he wishes that it hadnt taken most of his life to get them. He also wants more organizations like Ryse to expand their reach to capture those who have been harmed by gun violence, directly and indirectly.



As soon as my mom and nephew got shot, I feel like somebody  the ambulance people or police  should have put us in some type of counseling, Madison said. The kids need help. We go through a lot. We go through so much in our life. We need more resources.
At only 23 years old, Leezy is not afraid to get vulnerable. For many young artists, it may take time and pressure to open up to the world about their personal and emotional challenges. But Leezy (born Lia Jimenez) said sharing her story  her truth  has been freeing more than anything else.

As a music listener, I love to hear songs that are very raw and authentic and come from a place of real, true feeling. I basically just want to contribute to that, Jimenez said.

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Born to what she described as a punk rock dad and a raver mom, Jimenez said music was an early part of her DNA. Music for me has been in my life for as long as I can remember, she said. Jimenez joined the choir at a young age, a place where she found her initial love of singing. Later in high school, she began to write her own songs after her mother gifted her a piano on her 16th birthday.

A daily journaler, she began incorporating the teen angst of her journal entries and poems into the songs she wrote. It was more so something I was using as an outlet, and it was very cathartic for me to let those emotions out, she said. After moving to Chicago to attend college at Loyola University, she soon met her producer, who encouraged her to work together and begin releasing music. Jimenez still uses the same songwriting process from her youth  beginning at the piano, reviewing old journal entries or thoughts on her Notes app on her phone  to make her newer music.

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Most recently, that has resulted in her debut album, Metanoia. Released in October, Metanoia traverses an emotionally fraught personal landscape. In some ways, the album can be divided into three parts representing three different, yet transformative times in her life: before, during and after rehab for drug and alcohol misuse. The record details everything that comes with that experience, which can be relatable even if one is not struggling with addition. From toxic relationships and self-sabotage to the weight of isolation and feelings of loneliness, Jimenez dives deep into the ways in which personal struggle may manifest in ones life.

I feel like Im thinking and writing 24/7. Like if I have a thought that pops into my head, Ill think, Oh, thats a lyric, and Ill go and write it down right away, she said. Her phone is filled with many one-liners that she returns to when she is feeling inspired.

Still, with all of that work to pull from, Jimenez is picky about what she puts out into the world. She describes herself as her worst critic. Deciding what to double down on, rework and ultimately release to the world is a matter of thinking from the listeners perspective, she said. Will this resonate? And with whom?

How could this be a lifeline for someone else whos listening? she said she asks herself. Ive written a lot of songs about my sobriety journey, but I decided they were important to release not only for someone who is also dealing with a struggle with addiction but also anyone who is going through it and is feeling like they want to start making some changes. I try to listen from a listeners point of view, and if I feel like its good enough for my standards as a listener, then its good enough to go out into the world.

Listening to the music, Jimenez said she can hear the differences sonically between those moments in her life. In fact, writing was a key factor in her personal recovery. Its just so cathartic for me, and its been a healthy coping mechanism in my healing journey, she said. Honestly, for me, its less scary just putting it into a song and throwing it out into the world than, for example, opening up to a friend. Its a release to me.

Despite the raw, unfiltered examination of her life, Jimenez is not afraid to share it with the world. Since shes begun releasing songs that detail her own journey of sobriety, she said she has received messages from others navigating a similar path. It is her ability to be open and forthright about her experiences that has made her music so compelling in the first place.

The result is a collection of music that is mature, sophisticated and compelling. Jimenezs ability to push herself, lyrically and stylistically, is sure to capture new fans. Her confident blend of hip-hop-inspired beats paired with captivating percussion and piercing synths may draw comparisons to the likes of Billie Eilish or early Lana Del Rey. But unlike some of her predecessors like Rey who write from a place of make-believe, Jimenez bares all, emotionally, with a glimpse into her life.

When Im in a place and I listen to a song where I think, Oh wow, they really understand and Im not alone in this moment, thats kind of what I want to put out into the world. Its kind of a give-and-take kind of vibe, she said.

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9:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at Golden Dagger, 2447 N. Halsted; tickets are $12, 21+ at goldendagger.com

Britt Julious is a freelance critic.
Seoul  North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has put on a very public show of force  with an apparent nod to the longevity of his ruling family's dynasty. Kim had a front-row seat as his country's newest nuclear hardware was shown off at a massive military parade on Wednesday night, and for the second time in a week, his daughter and possible heir was also on display.

The dictator and family man brought his daughter Kim Ju Ae and his wife to the military parade. They all watched the annual spectacle, which featured more intercontinental ballistic missiles than ever before  weapons designed to reach targets in the U.S.



Kim ordered more than 40 missile launches during 2022, a record number, and watched several of them personally.

In South Korea just across the border, the U.S. Space Force, with powerful satellites and radar, was watching those launches, too.



"We're using overhead satellite systems to continuously monitor for an actual launch, explained Lt. Colonel Josh McCullion, the Space Force Commander in South Korea.



While Kim has often attacked the U.S. with words, he has only test fired his weapons. Those tests are plenty dangerous themselves, as the missiles can explode in flight.



Last October, warning sirens sounded over northern Japan as a North Korean missile streaked overhead.

"An overflight of Japan, for example, always poses a huge risk," said McCullion. "Debris is a real danger, for sure."

Real enough that Japanese school children were put through a duck-and-cover exercise earlier this year.

Then there's space debris to worry about, and McCullion said "a reentering satellite looks very similar to a reentering missile."



If the North Koreans saw something like that, and mistook it for an incoming U.S. missile, they might retaliate, with lethal consequences.



So the U.S. government puts out warnings, and hopes that North Korea is paying attention.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center-right, walks to his seat to observe a military parade in Pyongyang, North Korea, with his young daughter Kim Ju Ae walking next to him, February 8, 2023. / Credit: North Korean state TV

Wednesday night's parade, meanwhile, may have been a not-so-subtle hint of what's in store for 2023.

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McCullion said he expected the pace of North Korea's missile launches "to maintain or potentially increase I just think it's going to be a much busier year, but it's 100% why we're here."



The U.S. and its allies will be scaling up their military exercises, too, in a region already so tense that the price of a mistake or miscalculation could be war.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, his wife Ri Sol Ju and their daughter Kim Ju Ae attend a banquet on February 7, 2023. KCNA via REUTERS

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's daughter is being prepared as his successor, analysts say.

Kim Ju Ae featured prominently in recent North Korean propaganda photographs.

The pictures were taken at a banquet to mark the military's 75th anniversary.

Kim Jon Un has given the clearest indications yet that his daughter will be North Korea's next dictator after she made a rare public appearance at a banquet in Pyongyang, according to experts.

In only her 4th public appearance, Kim Ju Ae attended a banquet Tuesday marking the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the North Korean army alongside her father and mother, Ri Sol Ju.

In the pictures of the event released by North Korean state media, the family enter a banqueting hall which appears to be in Pyongyang's Yanggakdo Hotel while applauded by military officials bedecked with medals.

Kim Ju Ae, who is believed to be 10 or 11, wore a dark suit and white shirt like her father, while her hair was styled like her mother.

In one image, Kim Ju Ae is in the center of the shot, with her father on her left and mother on her right, while behind them military officials smile for the camera.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un walks with his daughter Kim Ju Ae and his wife Ri Sol Ju while attending a banquet in Pyongyang, North Korea February 7, 2023. KCNA via REUTERS

The prominence of Kim Ju Ae in the pictures, alongside her presence at other recent public appearances by her father, indicate she is likely being prepared for leadership, say some analysts.

"Given these developments, there is no longer a question about whether Kim Ju Ae has been chosen as Kim Jong Un's successor," Cheong Seong-chang, a North Korea leadership expert at the Sejong Institute, Seoul, told The Washington Post.

Kim Jong Un is believed to have three children, including a son who is older than Kim Ju Ae.

"We can only speculate at this point," Duyeon Kim, a senior analyst at the Center for a New American Security in Washington, D.C, told the Associated Press. "(Kim Jong Un is) obviously showing her off intentionally and, at a minimum, he seems to be trying to reiterate the importance, status, and legitimacy of a direct Kim bloodline offspring. It's too soon to assume that she will be his heir because the son has always succeeded the throne in North Korea."

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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and daughter Kim Ju Ae at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea February 8, 2023. North Korea's Korean Central News Agency

Kim Ju Ae attended a test of intercontinental ballistic missiles in November, and has also previously attended a meeting with military scientists with her father.

On Wednesday, Kim Ju Ae appeared at a military parade in Pyongyang alongside her father where the largest number of intercontinental ballistic missiles ever displayed by the country were paraded. Analysts believe the dozen or more weapons could be enough to penetrate US defences.

North Korea is a hereditary dictatorship, and Kim Jong Un was appointed successor to his father, Kim Jong Il, when he was 8, an expert told CBS News.

In recent months, tensions between North Korea and US-ally South Korea have intensified amid a series of missile tests by North Korea.

Read the original article on Business Insider
President Biden Delivers State Of The Union Address

Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) arrives to the House Chambers for U.S. President Joe Biden's State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol on February 07, 2023 in Washington, DC. Credit - Win McNameeGetty Images

Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, who survived a stroke last May, was hospitalized Wednesday after he began feeling lightheaded, according to a statement from his office. He was still being monitored Thursday evening, but his spokesperson said doctors have determined he did not suffer another stroke.

According to Johns doctors at The George Washington University Hospital, the results of the MRI, along with the results of all of the other tests the doctors ran, rule out a new stroke, Fettermans communications director Joe Calvello said in a statement. John is being monitored with an EEG for signs of seizure  so far there are no signs of seizure, but he is still being monitored.

The cause of the Senators symptoms is still unknown, and could indicate minor issues or something more serious, experts say. Fettermans health is of particular significance because his stroke recovery became a major issue on the campaign trail last year. Republicans slammed his halting debate performance and raised questions about his fitness to serve in the Senate. Since arriving in D.C last month, Fetterman has used new closed captioning technology that helps him understand others speech while he experiences lingering auditory processing issues. In late January, Fettermans Democratic Senate colleagues told TIME he seemed up to the job and that his health appeared to be improving each month.

Read More: Exclusive: John Fetterman Is Using This Assistive Technology in the Senate to Help With His Stroke Recovery

According to Harvard Health, lightheadedness can have a wide variety of causes, ranging from low blood sugar, low blood pressure, or dehydration to heart attack and stroke.

Dr. Kevin Sheth, the founding chief of the Division of Neurocritical Care and Emergency Neurology at the Yale School of Medicine says that lightheadedness alone is not necessarily cause for concern and could be linked to chronic cardiac issues that do not pose an immediate threat to a patients life or ability to function. Fetterman was diagnosed in 2017 with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm, a condition he revealed publicly last year.

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In order to understand the seriousness of Fettermans current condition, Sheth says, the public would need to know more about the symptoms he is experiencing. Its really on a wide range of either concerning to much less concerning, Sheth says. Least concerning would be just lightheadedness by itself, that is transient and has resolved. More concerning would be signs and symptoms of stroke: speech changes, weakness in arm or leg, vertigo, things like that.

According to Mitchell Elkind, the American Heart Associations chief clinical science officer, new lightheadedness is not likely to be a result of Fettermans previous stroke. As a physician caring for stroke patients, its not a particularly worrying sign, Elkind says. Lightheadedness is one of the most common reasons people are seen in emergency rooms and hospitals.

Elkind says the tests and evaluations in the hospital may take some days to return results. But lots of people have lightheadedness and no significant cause is found, he says, and they go about their normal daily lives afterwards.
Excuse motorists for their quick double takes when they pass a vehicle on a New York state roadway.

That's because the state Department of Motor Vehicles has begun issuing vehicle inspection stickers with a brand-new look.

The DMV announced Tuesday that it's transitioning to print-on-demand inspection certificates that provide enhanced security by adding vehicle-specific information on the sticker.

The new stickers have a different appearance than the inspection stickers previously issued by the DMV and the sticker color will continue to change based on the expiration year.

The New York state Department of Motor Vehicles has begun issuing revamped inspection stickers that enhance security by adding vehicle-specific information directly onto the sticker.

When will you receive the new NY inspection sticker?

Some customers are already receiving the new stickers, and according to the DMV, the transition is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

This new process will enable inspection stations to print stickers right on their premises, rather than having to wait for a supply of stickers to arrive from DMV, DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder said in a release. This change is part of our efforts to transform the DMVs customer service."

While the previous stickers are being phased out, customers may continue to see valid inspection stickers in the previous sticker design until the end of 2024.

For subscribers:What to know about Just Breathe, Binghamton's weed dispensary that's ready to open at 4:20 Friday

More state news:DiNapoli: Thruway should tighten its belt before raising tolls. Read his report.

Nation:State of the Union recap: Biden tells Americans economy roaring back, spars with GOP over debt

Will the new NY inspection sticker cost more?

DMV spokesperson Walt McClure said there will be no additional costs for vehicle owners, as the inspection fee will remain unchanged. Fees range from $10 to $15 depending on the weight of the vehicle, plus the cost of the emissions check.

Registered vehicles in New York state must be inspected every 12 months and when ownership is transferred.

The DMV said it is working with its partners in law enforcement and local government to spread the word about the new stickers so they are recognized as legal and valid.

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One of the benefits of the new stickers is "It helps law enforcement see that an inspection sticker is legitimate," McClure said.

Follow Neal Simon on Twitter @HornellTribNeal. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: New York DMV's new inspection stickers to get new look
[Source]

South Korean lawmakers have impeached Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min over his agencys failure in disaster planning and response to last years deadly crowd crush.

The impeachment officially holds the minister responsible for the death of at least 158 people and injury of 197 victims on the night of Oct. 29, after thousands of partygoers flocked to a narrow alley in Seouls Itaewon district.

Following the vote, Lee was suspended from his duties, with Vice Minister Han Chang-seob temporarily taking over as acting minister. The Constitutional Court will have 180 days to determine whether Lee will be permanently removed or regain his post.

Lee has since issued a statement expressing regret over the incident and revealed his intention to defend his case in the Constitutional Court.

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Local authorities announced earlier that criminal charges will be sought against 23 officials for the lack of safety measures in the tragic event.

An investigation team led by the National Police Agency found that police and officials failed to employ crowd-control measures despite anticipating huge gatherings on Halloween.

While the police anticipated a crowd of over 100,000 to arrive in Itaewon that day, only 137 officers were assigned to secure the area. Pedestrian safety had the least attention as most of the focus was reportedly given to monitoring narcotics use and violent crimes.

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The involved officials were also faulted for initially ignoring calls for help and for failing to establish control of the scene.

According to investigators, people had warned of impending danger in the hours leading up to the tragedy. The first police squad to arrive at the scene showed up nearly 85 minutes after the deadly crush occurred.

The crowd crush has been widely condemned in the country, with many calling it a man-made disaster.

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According to critics, the incident could have been prevented with simple measures such as employing more police and public workers, enforcing one-way walk lanes, and blocking narrow pathways.

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Kraken has settled charges with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and is shutting down its on-chain staking program, the government agency shared on Thursday.

The exchange, which was charged under its subsidiaries of Payward Ventures and Payward Trading, will pay $30 million in charges for disgorgement, prejudgment interest and civil penalties. In response to the settlement, Kraken has agreed to end its on-chain staking services for U.S. clients, a spokesperson for the exchange told TechCrunch.

As part of the settlement, Kraken has neither admitted nor denied the SECs allegations, the spokesperson added.

Whether its through staking-as-a-service, lending, or other means, crypto intermediaries, when offering investment contracts in exchange for investors tokens, need to provide the proper disclosures and safeguards required by our securities laws, SEC Chair Gary Gensler said in the release. Todays action should make clear to the marketplace that staking-as-a-service providers must register and provide full, fair, and truthful disclosure and investor protection.

Starting today, with the exception of staked ether (ETH), assets enrolled in the on-chain staking program by U.S. clients will automatically be unstaked and will no longer earn staking rewards," a Kraken spokesperson said. "Further, U.S. clients will not be able to stake additional assets, including ETH.

Kraken was founded in 2011 and offers over 90 tokens to 190 supported countries, according to its website. This update does not affect non-U.S. clients and staking services will continue uninterrupted in other regions. These clients will receive staking services from a separate Kraken subsidiary, the spokesperson said.

Staking is a way to earn rewards for holding a certain token for a certain amount of time. In return for staking, people are paid out yield or additional rewards in exchange for holding their coins to secure the network. Krakens staking service offered up to 20% APY, with promises to deliver customers their rewards twice a week, according to the website.

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The news comes less than a day after Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong tweeted that he has heard rumors that the SEC would like to get rid of crypto staking for U.S.-based customers.

I hope that's not the case as I believe it would be a terrible path for the U.S. if that was allowed to happen, Armstrong said in the tweet thread. Staking is a really important innovation in crypto. It allows users to participate directly in running open crypto networks. Staking brings many positive improvements to the space, including scalability, increased security, and reduced carbon footprints.

While this settlement inhibits Krakens staking operations, it doesnt fully answer the question of whether the SEC will block all crypto staking going forward. Its also worth noting that Coinbase also has its own staking services.

The SEC declined to comment when requested by TechCrunch after the time of publication.

This article may be updated to reflect new information.
Maggie Bushiri grew up in refugee camps in Tanzania and Mozambique, but now has a career in production at Disney. Courtesy of Kevin Clone

Maggie Bushiri works on an upcoming animated Disney series as a production coordinator.

She says the road to get where she is was not typical  she grew up in refugee camps in Mozambique.

Bushiri shares what it was like to live in the camps with her family, and how it informs her work.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Maggie Bushiri, a 26-year-old production coordinator based in Los Angeles, California. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I'm a production coordinator on "Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur." I had a school counselor who let me know that Disney was interviewing for a career placement program. In the program, you're not an intern  you get the job title and you learn the job while you're in it for three months. I applied, got accepted, and was placed on a show called "DuckTales." I was hired full-time when my placement was over, and had the opportunity to interview and move over to "Moon Girl." I love that the animated protagonist is a little black girl who fights bad guys and loves music.

My journey to this job was certainly not a conventional one. My family and I are originally from the Congo. I was born in 1996, during the time of the First Congo Civil War. When my mom was pregnant with me, she and my family were trying to get away to safety. They gathered what they could and fled over to the next country that was available to us, Tanzania, which was accepting refugees and helping them.

My family experienced a lot of loss escaping the Congo before I was born

I had seven siblings already, and I would be the eighth. Sadly, as they fled, we lost a brother. I was told he was shot in the war-fighting. I really felt for my mom hearing that, because she couldn't stop when he was hit, as it would've endangered her other kids. Once they made it to Tanzania, we were welcomed there as refugees, and I was born soon after.

We lived in the refugee camps. The Tanzanian camps were very, very hard for my mom to raise us in. We moved to a lot of different camps, while she tried to find which one would be better for us. When I lost another brother, this time to sickness in the camps, my mom moved us to Mozambique.

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Mozambique is where my childhood memories start because I was about four or five years old. We stayed in the Mozambique refugee camps as well, which were very similar to the Tanzanian ones as far as food and water being very limited.

Living in the refugee camps was hard on my family

Refugee camps are always put out in the villages area of the country, and the 'houses' aren't really houses  they're built out of mud (or like, clay) with leaves on top. If you had a house made of cement, it was like you were rich. Then for water, each area would have a pump. In the mornings, the camp would open up the water for everyone to get some, and then it would get turned off. If you missed the water in morning, then that would be your only chance for the day.

Food and water were always a source of stress when living in the refugee camps. Courtesy of Maggie Bushiri

Food for school was also a very hard thing to get. Every family in the camps would get food once a month  and since we had such a big family, the food wouldn't last the entire month. So we'd be left like, okay the food is gone, what do we do now? We'd try to plant some stuff or go around and ask neighbors. I remember as a kid crying to my mom about being hungry.

School was a three hour walk away  so picture this: You have a long journey to get to school, you're hungry the whole time, and when you're done with school you have to do the journey again. Basically you're not learning anything because your body is only focused on the food it needs.

We got the chance to come to the States in 2005

When I was seven years old, my mom got in contact with someone that knew of the UN Refugee Agency in America. Our case was approved, so they picked a state randomly for us, got us an apartment, and transitioned us over. I remember asking my mom, "What is America?" because I'd never really heard of anywhere outside of where we were.

We got on the plane and flew from Mozambique all the way to Salt Lake City. They dropped us off at a four-bedroom-apartment. When we got inside, I remember thinking, "Oh my gosh, this is heaven." A a representative from the refugee program showed us how to use the stove top, and the bathroom  all luxuries we hadn't had before. We opened up the fridge, and there was already food inside.

Our apartment in the States felt like luxury after what my family had been used to. Courtesy of Maggie Bushiri

That was 2005. Life was a lot easier after that point  at least until 2019, when my mother passed away, and my siblings and I were nearly separated. My older sister took us in, and I lived with her and did pretty well in school, which got me some good scholarship and financial aid offers. I had also developed a passion for the entertainment industry, first as a dancer and performer; later I started to have an interest in TV and film production.

To my family's surprise, I turned down my college acceptance the summer before the school year was supposed to start, and moved to LA instead to pursue my dream of being in the entertainment industry. After getting there and struggling a bit, I landed my role at Disney.

I love that I can bring my experiences to my work and honor my family's struggle

"Moon Girl" is a character I can be proud to be part of. She reminds me of myself. Courtesy of Marvel

One thing I love about working on "Marvel's Moon Girl" is that my experiences as a black woman are always considered in how they can inform the character. I love to weigh in on things like her hair texture, for example. I gave the team a literal picture of the hair stuff I keep in my bedroom, and they actually put it in Moon Girl's room on the show. There are other little things like that, that make me feel like the character is part of me.

I have a bunch of nieces and nephews now, and they can look at Moon Girl and see themselves in her character and her "I can do this" attitude. I love that I'm having a real impact. It's been a long journey to get here, and it means a lot to me that I'm giving back. I never saw much representation growing up, but now I get to help bring that to other kids, and it feels great.

If you work in Hollywood and would like to share your story, email Eboni Boykin-Patterson at eboykinpatterson@insider.com.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Update, Feb. 28: The suspect identified by the Larimer County Sheriff's Office in this case was found dead by Denver metro area law enforcement, according to an update posted by the sheriff's office.

Original: Larimer County deputies are still searching for a man they say stole two vehicles and eluded law enforcement Wednesday afternoon  and who may be linked to a third vehicle theft in Loveland on Wednesday night.

The incident started about 2 p.m. when deputies received a report that a man stole a vehicle from the caller's garage on Rachel Court in unincorporated Larimer County east of Fort Collins. Deputies located the red Ford F-150 that had been reported stolen traveling on East Mulberry Street, according to a sheriff's office news release.

Deputies say the suspect did not stop, and deputies pursued the man onto northbound Interstate 25, according to the news release. Deputies say the man exited I-25 onto Mountain Vista Drive traveling south, then began driving on the railroad tracks. The man reportedly drove out of deputies' view in the area of Vine Drive and Timberline Road, and the vehicle was found abandoned in that area, according to the news release.

Shortly after, the sheriff's office says they received a report that a white GMC pickup truck had been stolen nearby. Deputies found that vehicle abandoned not far from the area, on Conquest Street.

Deputies say the suspect was last seen leaving the area of Conquest Street on a stolen REI-brand purple beach cruiser bicycle.

Later Wednesday  shortly after 7 p.m.  deputies responded to another vehicle theft in the area of Garfield Avenue and 50th Street in north Loveland. The theft and search for the suspect prompted law enforcement to send a shelter-in-place alert to people from 57th Street south to 42nd Street and west to Garfield Avenue and east to Monroe Avenue, including residences on Knobcone Place and Engleman Place.

Deputies were not able to locate the suspect  described as a man wearing a black or green winter jacket and blue jeans fleeing on foot  and the shelter in place was lifted about 9:30 p.m.

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The sheriff's office believes the theft in Loveland could be connected to the two vehicle thefts in Fort Collins earlier Wednesday, spokesperson Kate Kimble said Thursday.

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The sheriff's office was still searching for the suspect as of noon Thursday. No injuries have been reported in connection with any of these vehicle thefts.

Vehicle theft is a crime we investigate daily, and its impacting people throughout Larimer County,Sheriff John Feyen said in the news release. However, Im confident that with our communitys help, the advantages of technology, and solid investigative work, we will find the suspect so he can be held accountable for his reckless criminal behavior today.

Anyone with information about this incident or who may have home security video that captured any part of this incident can contact Deputy Michael Hurley at 970-498-5361 or hurleymj@larimer.gov. People can share information anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Larimer County at 970-221-6868 or www.stopcriminals.org.

Fort Collins police also investigated a three-vehicle crash about 7 a.m. Wednesday at the intersection of North Timberline Road and Crusader Street, which is near the area of the first two reported vehicle thefts but was unrelated to these reported thefts. One of the drivers was transported to the hospital with serious injuries, and the area was closed for about 5 hours while police investigated the crash.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Vehicle thefts in Fort Collins, Loveland prompt response from sheriff
Feb. 8A teacher at Memorial Middle School in Las Vegas, N.M., faces five fourth-degree felony counts of raping a high school freshman in late 2022.

Leonard Romero, 27, was charged late last week. Las Vegas police Chief Antonio Salazar said Romero was arrested Monday.

His first court appearance was scheduled Wednesday, court records show.

Las Vegas City Schools Superintendent L. Larryssa Archuleta declined to comment on the allegations against Romero or to confirm whether he is still employed by the district.

"We do not comment on an investigation dealing with a personnel matter," she said in a phone message. "It is our obligation to maintain confidentiality during this process."

Salazar said the district was aware of the allegations. His department worked closely with district officials to arrange a forensic interview with the girl after the allegations emerged, raising concerns among school personnel, he added.

"We try to take every case very seriously," Salazar said.

Romero, who began working at Memorial Middle School in August 2021, met the girl when she was an eighth grader and began communicating with her through Snapchat while the two were on ski club trips together, according to an arrest warrant affidavit filed Friday in San Miguel County Magistrate Court.

The relationship progressed when the girl became a student at Robertson High School, she told investigators during a forensic interview late last month.

The girl described five alleged sexual encounters with Romero at his home between late September  when she said she met with him after a high school dance  and Christmas Day. In October, Romero warned the girl not to speak with him anymore and asked her to keep their sexual relationship "on the low," she told a forensic interviewer, adding Romero informed her he "could get into a lot of trouble and he could go to prison."

The girl also alleged she and Romero had exchanged several nude photos through Snapchat.

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During a Jan. 27 interview with police, Romero said students had obtained his cellphone number from a slip of paper at the front of a bus during a ski trip. The students, including the accuser, would occasionally text him and play iMessage games with him, he said, according to the affidavit. He sometimes would receive friend requests on Snapchat from students but generally declined them, he said, though he admitted he had communicated on Snapchat with the girl who has accused him of initiating a sexual relationship, affidavit says.

Romero told police he had never sent inappropriate or explicit messages to the girl and denied having a sexual relationship with her.

He also said the girl had never been inside his home or his car, according to the affidavit. However, the document says investigators executing a search warrant at his home found several consistencies with the girl's description of the residence.

An attorney listed on court documents as Romero's public defender, Tomas Benavidez, did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment on the charges.
CAIRO (AP)  Russia's foreign minister met with Sudans military rulers Thursday, state media in Sudan reported, the final stop on Sergey Lavrov's tour of Africa.

The top Russian diplomat's Africa trip was aimed at strengthening ties and expanding influence at a time when the West seeks to isolate Moscow with sanctions over Russia's war on Ukraine.

Lavrov held talks with Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, the head of Sudan's ruling Sovereignty Council, as well as with his deputy, Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, who heads a powerful paramilitary known as the Rapid Support Forces.

The meetings focused on improving cooperation between the two countries, the state SUNA news agency said, without providing details.

At a news conference later, Lavrov acknowledged the presence of Russian-owned mining companies in Sudan, saying they worked primarily in the field of developing the mineral resource base.

We appreciate the attention that the Sudanese leadership pays to them, Lavrov added.

According to a recent Associate Press investigation, Wagner Group  a military contractor owned by an oligarch with close ties to Russias President Vladimir Putin  has a strong presence in Sudan's far-flung provinces. According to Sudanese officials and documents shared with the AP, the group has been given control of various Sudanese gold mines by the countrys military leaders in exchange for military and intelligence training.

The Biden administration in January expanded U.S. sanctions against Wagner Group and related companies and individuals for their role in the war in Ukraine and mercenary activities, including human rights abuses, in Africa.

When asked about the group at the Khartoum news conference, Lavrov said private Russian companies operate in Africa at the request of African governments, including that of the Central African Republic. In that African country, Wagner fighters ride around the capital of Bangui in unmarked military vehicles, guard the countrys gold and diamond mines and have helped keep President Faustin-Archange Touadera in power.

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We have commented more than once on the activities of our private military companies operating in Africa at the direct request of the governments of the respective countries," Lavrov said. This also applies to the Central African Republic, and is a contribution to the normalization of the situation in the region as a whole, where terrorist gangs continue to be active.

Lavrov's visit comes as Sudan's military rulers are in talks with some political forces in the country to reinstate a civilian government after more than a year of military rule following the October 2021 military coup.

On Thursday, senior diplomats from the United States and other European nations concluded two days of talks with Sudanese representatives to push for a final agreement to restart a transition to democracy in Sudan, deeply embroiled in a spiraling political and economic crisis.

The coup derailed Sudans short-lived democratic transition that followed the removal of longtime autocratic President Omar al-Bashir in April 2019 amid a popular uprising against his Islamist-backed rule.

Lavrov arrived in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, after visiting Mali and Mauritania in what has been his second trip to Africa this year. Central to his appeal to African nations has been casting Russia as an anti-imperialist force, tapping into resentment of Western colonialism on the continent.

Russias growing influence was particularly evident in January in Burkina Faso, when protesters condemning France and the Economic Community of West African States waved Russian flags on the street of the capital, Ouagadougou.

Underscoring Sudans volatile situation, a 15-year-old was killed Thursday after being struck in the head by a tear gas canister fired by security forces in Omdurman, near Khartoum, a medical group said.

The Sudans Doctors Committee said the teen was taking part in anti-government protests, which have become near-weekly events in Khartoum and other major cities since the military takeover. No further details were given.

Most demonstrations are led by more ardent factions of Sudans sprawling pro-democracy network that refuse to negotiate with the military leaders.

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Associated Press writer Elise Morton in London contributed to this report.

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This story has been corrected to say that two-day talks between U.S. and European diplomats, and Sudanese representatives concluded Thursday, not Wednesday.
Museums in China keep up with younger generation with fresh experience

Xinhua) 08:53, February 09, 2023

People visit the Wuqiang woodblock new year painting museum in Wuqiang County, north China's Hebei Province, Feb. 3, 2023. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

BEIJING, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- For Liu Ziqi, an eight-year-old museum lover in Beijing, this winter vacation has proved a rather busy one, as she made a to-go list for newly opened exhibitions in the Chinese capital.

During the seven-day Spring Festival holiday starting from Jan. 21, museums in Beijing received 1.01 million visits, up 34 percent year on year, according to Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau.

Like Liu, more and more young people, some not necessarily big fans of museums, chose to spend some of their leisure time in a museum.

COLLABORATION

"There are more special exhibitions and more joint exhibitions, especially the one between the National Museum and the Palace Museum," Liu said, when asked about the most notable change during her latest museum visit.

The exhibition that Liu refers to is "Harmonious Co-existence," the first exhibition held jointly by the two museums in recent years. Featuring over 400 exhibits, from picture scrolls depicting ancient Chinese legends to copies of philosophical classics, it elaborates on the historical origins of the concepts of "harmony" and "unity," which are rooted in the Chinese culture.

"Eye-opening. It truly was a powerful collaboration between the two," said a netizen on the microblogging site Weibo. "I kind of realized what the exhibition is all about after seeing the last two showcases."

"Joint exhibitions, itinerant exhibitions and mutual exhibitions can counter geographical and spacial limitations and revitalize relics," said Yan Hongming, chairman of the Zhejiang Museum Association.

Collaborations between museums and arts organizations also help the younger generation get closer to the relics by reliving the stories behind them.

Last November, a music-and-dance performing group recreated the feminine beauty and social customs of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) by delivering a portrayal on stage of "Ladies Wearing Flowers in Their Hair," a painting kept in the Liaoning Provincial Museum, northeast China.

The museums are innovating their forms to attract more people. "Luduan," a children's musical named after a unicorn in Chinese mythology, is a production of the Palace Museum and it was staged at the National Center for the Performing Arts last week. The images of "Luduan" can be found in many places in the Palace Museum.

A child interacts with a plasma globe at Yangzhou Science and Technology Museum in Yangzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 1, 2022. (Photo by Meng Delong/Xinhua)

INTERACTION

A professional museum narrator for over 10 years, Bai Xuesong at Xi'an Beilin Museum, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, observed that more visitors are expecting specialized introductions to the ins and outs behind the cultural relics.

"Beilin," which means forest of stone steles in Chinese, is a must-visit for calligraphy and history lovers. In China, many calligraphy masterpieces of great calligraphists were carved on stone steles.

"More and more visitors began asking questions, and sometimes we couldn't give an answer," Bai said, adding that this indicates a change in the relationship between narrators and visitors -- from "teaching" to interactive communication and mutual learning.

New technologies including AI and VR also enabled museums in China to make a shift from purely displaying artifacts to actively engaging with visitors.

Liu Tingting, a young museum-goer, was thrilled to experience how technologies took her back to the glorious Tang Dynasty at the Daming Palace Heritage Museum.

"I saw the pottery roof decorations for the Tang Dynasty palace, and also learned how they were installed by watching digital projections. I saw female attendant figurines, and tried on their makeup on the screen as well," said Liu after visiting the museum in Xi'an. "It feels like traveling back to the Tang Dynasty. Now I feel closer to history."

Tailoring multiple interactive and educational activities for the kids, the Beijing Auto Museum also became a must-visit destination for young museum lovers. Over 50,000 visits were made to the museum from Jan. 21 to Feb. 5, the Lantern Festival.

A visitor views an art installation at Blooming Echoes, an exhibition featuring the combination of sound and modern art, at the Times Art Museum in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 21, 2022. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

SHIFT IN DEMAND

According to data from the National Administration of Cultural Heritage (NCHA), the number of museums in China had reached 6,183 by the end of 2022, over twice as many as in 2012. In 2021 alone, 395 new museums were added to the administration's records.

"For the public, intellectual and cultural activities are gradually becoming inseparable necessities of their lives," said Jin Jiangbo, vice president of the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts, Shanghai University, explaining reasons behind this boom in museums.

According to a guideline issued by the NCHA and eight other departments in 2021, efforts were to be made to integrate museums with industries including education, science and technology, tourism, and commerce.

Such integrations are transforming museums from mere places of public culture and education to public service complexes, meeting the needs of the younger generation who want diversified cultural experiences.

According to data from online travel agency Trip.com Group, formerly known as Ctrip, in the first half of 2022, the majority of users who booked museum tickets through its platform were born in the 1980s and 1990s, and those born between 1995 and 2000 accounted for nearly 30 percent of museum related searches.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
In the opening scene of Definition Theatres current production, Alaiyo, budding young writer Ariel is metaphorically adrift at sea, where she declares that words wash over, around and through her. Its also an apt description of watching this new work by Micah Ariel Watson, whose fast-faced, poetic language flows from one vibrant image to the next, evoking the rhythms of the ocean that looms large in her protagonists search for love and identity.

Alaiyo is billed as a choreopoem, a term coined by Ntozake Shange to describe her work for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf, which premiered in 1976. The loosely defined genre often incorporates elements of poetry, dance and music. Directed by McKenzie Chinn and choreographed by Victor Musoni, Alaiyo draws on this tradition while explicitly engaging with another seminal work by a Black American playwright  Lorraine Hansberrys A Raisin in the Sun.

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A college student whose language is peppered with Gen Z idioms, Ariel (Felicia Oduh) idolizes Beneatha Younger, a fictional character in Hansberrys 1959 play. Both are natives of Chicagos South Side, although Ariel has since moved to the suburbs. Ariel admires Beneathas quest to connect with her African roots, and she liberally quotes A Raisin in the Sun while projections (by Alex Gendal) feature stills from the 1961 film adaptation. She longs to find her own version of Joseph Asagai, the Nigerian student who ignites Beneathas imagination by sharing the customs and ideals of his culture.

Enter Kofi (Patrick Newson Jr.), a handsome young man in Ariels freshman Black studies class. A Black American whose family hails from Ghana, he quickly catches Ariels eye but relegates her to the friend zone. As the two grow close, her feelings for Kofi are increasingly tied to her restless attempts to reconcile her identities as an American and a Black woman. These emotions repeatedly bubble to the surface in Ariels mantra-like exclamations: Kofi! Asagai! Africa!

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Patrick Newson Jr. in "Alaiyo" at Definition Theatre. (Joe Mazza/Brave Lux Inc. / HANDOUT)

Ariels struggle reflects the concept of double consciousness, coined in 1903 by W.E.B. Du Bois, and Watsons work often quotes the Langston Hughes poem from which Hansberrys play takes its name: What happens to a dream deferred? / Does it dry up / like a raisin in the sun? From Du Bois and Hughes to Hansberry and Watson, wrestling with identity is an intergenerational through-line for these Black writers. Watson riffs on this theme in a rich sequence toward the beginning of the show, when Ariel uses an evolving series of metaphors about lovers to describe Black Americans relationships to Africa and the United States.

Oduh gives a winning performance as Ariel, fluidly delivering her poetic monologues and conveying the heightened emotions of youth with sensitivity and vulnerability. Newson complements Oduh well, and although this is Ariels story, the show also addresses issues relevant to Black men in America. In one memorable scene, the two young people are pulled over by police while Kofi is driving. Waiting for the officer to approach, they walk through the recommended steps to attempt a peaceful encounter. As their repetitions build to a chant with accompanying motions, the scene becomes almost playful, but with a dark undertone that doesnt let the viewer forget why these instructions are necessary.

Musonis choreography tends to underscore the rhythms and emotions of the language rather than being featured as a stand-alone artistic element. This economical, effective use of movement never detracts from the narrative but lifts it from the strict bounds of realism. The lighting design by Eric Watkins and sound design by Willow James (assisted by Andrew Littleton) lend a dreamlike quality to certain scenes, such as Ariels journey across the ocean to Africa.

Felicia Oduh in "Alaiyo" at Definition Theatre. (Joe Mazza/Brave Lux Inc. / HANDOUT)

Its not entirely clear whether this trans-Atlantic sojourn is literal or figurative, but thats not the important point. Its Ariels internal journey that matters as she struggles to express her feelings for Kofi and to find her place as a Black American woman. My one quibble with the narrative arc is that it lingers too long in the tension, so the cathartic ending, while moving, feels rushed. Id like to see Ariel have a few more moments to revel in the joy of self-love.

In Ariel, Watson has created a Beneatha for our time  one who moves beyond the uncertain future of Hansberrys character and aspires to fully inhabit Alaiyo, Asagais Yoruba nickname for Beneatha. As he translates it, Alaiyo means One for whom bread  food  is not enough. Ultimately a celebration of Ariels newfound sense of identity, Watsons choreopoem is a compelling addition to a conversation that Hansberry, Hughes and other Black writers have carried on for generations.

Emily McClanathan is a freelance critic.

Review: Alaiyo (3 stars)

When: Through Feb. 26

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Where: Definition Theatre at The Revival, 1160 E. 55th St.

Running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Tickets: $20 at definitontheatre.org
Heavier trucks that weigh 10,000 pounds more than whats currently rolling could be coming to local roads if some lawmakers get their way. A new bill introduced into the Georgia House wants to up the weight limit of trucks that can drive on state roads.

But the Georgia Department of Transportation says not so fast.

The bill would not affect interstates, thats federal. It would only impact state roads.

But GDOT points out that trucks can only weigh 80,000 pounds on the interstates. But some Georgia truckers and businesses want to have 90,000 pounds on those state roads.

Big rigs are critical to Georgias supply chain infrastructure.

Everything from logging, to poultry, to Georgia ports need to have tractor trailers rolling down state roads to deliver products.

The truck and logging sector is under enormous pressure today, said Wayne County Republican lawmaker Steven Meeks.

Meeks, himself a farmer, wants to up the weight limit for big trucks on state roads to 900,000 And asked a House committee to pass his bill.

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Those pressures are even greater today with a shortage of truck drivers. Our input costs, our fuel costs, our insurance costs are all factors that play into that, Meeks said.

But GDOT Commissioner Russell McMurry said while he supports farmers, loggers, and truckers, Georgias highways are not built for 90,000-pound trucks, and most non-interstate bridges arent rated to carry them.

The simple fact is our bridges in the state are not designed to hold this additional weight. In fact, 97% of the bridges in Georgia are designed to hold 80,000 pounds or less, McMurry said.

And then theres safety.

Steve Owings founded a highway safety organization after a speeding truck killed his son. He said heavier trucks take even longer to stop.

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Adding 12% to the weight is like adding 12% to the speed and coincidentally, the trucker that killed my son was going 12 miles over the posted speed limit, Owings said.

After a 5 1/2-hour hearing Thursday, the House Transportation Committee passed the bill. It now goes to the full House.

IN OTHER NEWS:
Less than two months after losing her transgender son to suicide, Sen. Karen Berg watched as her colleagues  some of whom, just weeks ago, offered condolences for her loss  voted for a bill that would allow Kentucky teachers to misgender their students.

It was important for her to know the Republican-dominated Senate Education Committee knew she was watching, she told reporters later.

Despite her presence and testimony from several transgender individuals pleading with lawmakers to vote against the measure, the committee passed Senate Bill 150 on an 11-1 vote Thursday. It now heads to the full Senate.

Sponsored by Sen. Max Wise, a Republican who is running alongside gubernatorial candidate Kelly Craft, SB 150 is a watered-down version of bills filed in Kentucky ostensibly meant to bolster parents rights. Such measures tend to take aim at LGBTQ youths, particularly trans kids.

LIST: Here's the latest on key bills from the 2023 Kentucky legislature

In its current form, the bill:

Allows teachers to use pronouns aligned with a students biological sex, even if that is not how a student identifies.

Bars state education officials from offering guidance to districts regarding how to approach pronouns.

Does not require educators to out students to their parents, especially if they feel theyre at risk for abuse or getting kicked out.

Allows conversations about human sexuality but requires schools to give parents a two-week heads up and the option to opt out of such lessons.

This week in Frankfort, Republicans have repeatedly criticized state education guidance recommending teachers use students' preferred pronouns and not out them to their parents.

On Tuesday, several Republicans on the House Education Committee went after state education chief Jason Glass for standing by the guidance. And on Wednesday, Wise did the same in a Senate floor speech prior to filing SB 150.

Berg said after Thursdays vote that the bill's aim was to score political points. She particularly pointed at Wise, whose running mate, Craft, recently vowed to dismantle the Kentucky Department of Education and Kentucky Board of Education, in part due to woke policies.

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Asked for his reaction to SB 150 and Wises speech introducing the bill Wednesday, Gov. Andy Beshear said he was struck by the callousness of introducing this type of bill, saying it showed disrespect and a lack of empathy to do so as Berg sat near him in the chamber.

While he has not yet read the bill, Beshear said from what he has heard about it he has concerns it will increase bullying in our schools, especially for students that are already marginalized.

Later in the day, Democrats filed four floor amendments to SB 150. One from Berg would give parents the right to require school personnel to use specific pronouns or names for their child.

Most people who testified against the bill argued the measure will have a detrimental impact on the mental health of LGBTQ students, particularly trans kids. Identity-affirming spaces have been shown to reduce the risk of suicide for trans youths, nearly one in five of whom attempted suicide in the last year.

More:Here are LGBTQ-related bills Kentucky lawmakers have introduced, and what's on the horizon

Mason Chernosky, a trans man who testified against the bill, said he wasnt out to his parents growing up. But he was out at school.

It was nice to have one place where I could just be myself and have people call me the right name, Chernosky said.

But he lived in fear that someone at school would out him to his parents and make things so much worse. He watched LGBTQ friends freely seek and receive mental health support.

Their mental health got better, Chernosky said. Mine did not.

Thats why I think this bill would be dangerous for the mental health of children across Kentucky, he said. I was one of those children whose mental health would have been harmed by this bill.

Reach Olivia Krauth at okrauth@courierjournal.com and on Twitter at @oliviakrauth.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky lawmakers advance anti-'woke' schools bill despite trans pleas
A North Texas woman has filed a negligence lawsuit against a Stephenville mental health center claiming that the management ignored years of sexual assaults and molestation by an administrator, according to a news release.

Arran Spoede, the systems administrator at Pecan Valley Centers for Behavioral & Developmental Healthcare, was arrested in September. He was indicted by Erath County officials on charges of possession or promotion of child pornography and aggravated sexual assault of a child, the release said.

Pecan Valley officials declined comment Thursday.

Based in Granbury, Texas, Pecan Valley operates behavioral health facilities in Erath, Hood, Johnson, Palo Pinto, Parker and Somervell counties. The organizations website proclaims a mission to serve all who strive to overcome challenges associated with mental illness, alcohol and chemical dependency, intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Spoede was employed at the mental health center for 12 years, according to the news release.

At the time of his arrest, investigators recovered a Pecan Valley-owned mobile phone later found to have numerous videos of Spoede engaging in sexual intercourse with a young woman, identified in the lawsuit as Jane Doe, and other unidentified women.

Sexual assaults of Doe by Spoede, her former stepfather, began at home when she was 12 years old, according to an arrest affidavit. Many of those assaults occurred at the Stephenville facility as recently as the summer of 2022 and involved other patients there, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit further claims Spoede used Pecan Valley-owned and issued equipment to record or photograph the sexual assaults. An Erath County grand jury indicted Spoede on the criminal charges in December and he remains in the Erath County jail.

Its a tragedy that Pecan Valley management could have and should have prevented years of molestation against multiple, vulnerable young people, said Rogge Dunn, Does attorney, of Rogge Dunn Group P.C. in Dallas. By failing to enforce its own policies and exercise reasonable care, this company gave a sexual predator the controlled environment, equipment, and opportunities that made these despicable acts possible.

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Pecan Valley was contacted weeks ago with details of these assaults and the serious, long-term injuries and needs of Ms. Doe, Dunn said. Rather than show any remorse or sympathy, Pecan Valley didnt even care enough to respond. I think that callous indifference speaks volumes.

Doe is also represented in the lawsuit by Stephenville attorney James Beam of the Law Offices of James Beam, PLLC.

I hope the courage Jane Doe has shown by filing this lawsuit will empower other victims or witnesses to come forward to reveal what they know about Mr. Spoede and Pecan Valleys operations, Dunn said.
Leandro Mathias de Novaes (Jam Press)

A lawyer was accidentally shot by his own gun after he failed to remove it before going into hospital MRI scanning room.

Leandro Mathias de Novaes took his mother for a scan at Laboratorio Cura in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on 16 January, Jam Press reports.

The 40-year-old is said to have failed to tell hospital workers that he had a gun on him after being told to remove all metal objects before entering the scanning room.

The magnetic field from the MRI scanner pulled the pro-gun lawyers weapon was pulled from his waistband and went off, shooting him in the tummy.

He passed away on 6 February after battling for his life in at the Sao Luiz Morumbi Hospital.

As well as working as a lawyer, the victim also shared pro-gun content for his 12,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram.

Leandro Mathias de Novaes took his mother for a scan at Laboratorio Cura in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on 16 January (Jam Press)

A spokesperson for the Order of Attorneys of Brazil in Cotia, Sao Paulo said: It is with deep regret that OAB Cotia communicates to all fellow lawyers the unexpected loss of our dear friend and lawyer Dr Leandro Mathias de Novaes.

We are sorry for the loss and we sympathise with his family in this moment of pain.

A spokesperson for Laboratorio Cura said: We would like to emphasise that all accident prevention protocols were followed by the Cura team, as is customary in all units.

Both the patient and his companion were properly instructed regarding the procedures for accessing the examination room and warned about the removal of any and all metallic objects.

The laboratory also stated that both Leandro and his mother signed a form regarding the protocols, but the victim allegedly failed to mention his firearm and he entered the examination room with it by his own decision.

The police confirmed that the weapon was registered and the lawyer had a valid licence.
A lawyer for Hunter Biden is warning those involved in promulgating assertions about his infamous laptop computer that they could face unspecified litigation over their claims.

Washington attorney Abbe Lowell, who took over as Bidens counsel in December, sent the litigation hold letters on Wednesday to 14 people allegedly linked to efforts to generate coverage critical of the 53-year-old son of President Joe Biden, according to a person familiar with the development.

Among those receiving the letters are a lawyer for former President Donald Trump, Rudy Giuliani; Giulianis lawyer Robert Costello; and an attorney for John Paul Mac Isaac, a former Delaware computer repair shop owner who handled a laptop computer that Hunter Biden dropped off in 2019.

You have made various statements and engaged in certain activities by your own admission, or that have been publicly reported in the media, concerning our client, Robert Hunter Biden, Lowell wrote in one such letter obtained by POLITICO. This letter  constitutes notice that a litigation hold should be in effect for the preservation and retention of all records and documents related to Mr. Biden.

It may be necessary to produce this material in litigation, Lowell added, without elaborating on the type of litigation or the potential defendants.

A spokesperson for Lowell declined to comment on what litigation he was alluding to or to say whether Hunter Biden planned to file a suit in the near future.

An adviser to Giuliani dismissed the letters as an intimidation tactic.

Instead of gossiping with reporters and leaking this stuff to the press, Abbe Lowell should focus on the facts because the facts dont support his allegations, the adviser, Ted Goodman, told POLITICO. This is yet another failed attempt by Mr. Lowell to silence and intimidate Mayor Giuliani and Mr. Costello. Thats why he made sure to send this letter to you guys.

Costello, confirming that he had received similar letters for Giuliani, former Trump White House counselor Steve Bannon and himself, said on Wednesday night: This is just another foolish attempt to intimidate. It will not work.

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The new fusillade of letters is part of a series of increasingly acrimonious exchanges in recent days between the younger Bidens lawyers and people connected to efforts to publicize details about the alleged contents of the laptop in advance of the 2020 presidential election.

Last week, Lowell sent letters to the Justice Department and Delaware attorney general asking for investigations into various people allegedly connected to handling of the laptop and the data said to have come from it.

Mac Isaacs lawyer, Brian Della Rocca, did not respond to a message seeking comment on Wednesday but scoffed last week at Hunter Bidens increasingly combative legal strategy.

Hunters current actions are desperate attempts to continue to blame everyone else for his own actions, Della Rocca told the New York Post.

The tit-for-tat volleys come as the Justice Department is said to be in the final stages of deciding whether to bring criminal charges against Hunter Biden in connection with alleged tax offenses and his alleged failure to disclose his status as a drug user when applying to buy a handgun in 2018.

Hunter Biden has said he is confident he will not be charged.

Lowells latest missives were sent on the same day that Republicans in Congress convened the first of what are expected to be a series of hearings on allegations related to the laptop, as well Hunter Bidens business dealings in Ukraine and his alleged efforts to profit from influence over his father.

The first hearing, held by the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, focused on efforts by Twitter to suppress on their platform a New York Post article about the alleged contents of the laptop days before the 2020 election. Twitter officials quickly concluded that their initial reaction was a mistake and gradually lifted nearly all the limits they imposed.

POLITICO has not undergone a process to authenticate the alleged contents of the laptop that underpinned the New York Post article, but reporter Ben Schreckinger has confirmed the authenticity of some emails on it.
Letter to the Editor

Thank you for attending March for Life

I would like to thank the students of St. Mary Catholic Central High School for participating in the March for Life, held in late January. It was the first march held since Roe v. Wade was dismantled this past summer.

My granddaughter from New Riegel, Ohio, was also there in Washington, D.C., along with many thousands of others wanting to defend pre-born babies.

I marched in 1979, only six years after the horribly bad decision of Roe v. Wade came down from the U.S. Supreme Court.

The more the young people speak up, the more the pre-born babies will have a chance at life.

Jo Ann B. Green, R.N., retired

Monroe

IHM Leadership Council responds to Tyre Nichols' death

IHM Leadership Council of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Monroe support the statement made by the National Black Sisters Conference on the death of Tyre Nichols.

The conference said: Yet here we are again, grieving the death of another young Black man, Tyre Nichols, whose life was taken at the hands of five Black police officers on a night in a quiet Memphis neighborhood. Tyre Nichols' life at the age of 29 was taken before he had a chance to fulfill his purpose. This young man was not a person to be feared or perceived to be a threat. He was a son, father and contributor to society; respected and loved by all who knew him. His only crime was being Black in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Tyre Nichols death is evidence of the abuse of power and excessive force that communities of color too often experience at the hands of police. We stand with the National Black Sisters' Conference and demand justice for Tyre by calling for the following:

 Immediate passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 by Congress.

 More progressive oversight and accountability of police departments by the Justice Department.

 Local and state reform of policing.

 The end to police brutality that continues to plague Black and poor communities.

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We stand by our sisters and brothers of color and recommit ourselves to raising our voices and working for systemic change in order to build the beloved community. We pray for peace and comfort for the family of Tyre Nichols and for the countless other families before them whose lives were taken in similar acts of violence. We pray for strength and healing for all who have been traumatized in numerous ways by both individual and institutionalized brutality. We join you in calling for justice.

The IHM Leadership Council: Margaret Chapman, IHM, treasurer and mission councilor; Marianne Gaynor, IHM, vice president and mission councilor; Mary Jane Herb, IHM, president; Patricia McCluskey, IHM, mission councilor, and Ellen Rinke, IHM, mission councilor

In appreciation of Tom Hawley

The photo on the front page of The Monroe News today (Jan. 26, 2023) is another example of the extraordinary work of Mr. Tom Hawley. I so often appreciate his still life pictures, nature scenes, action photos and human-interest images.

I appreciate his camera's eye on Monroe.

Rita Fisher

Monroe

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Letters to the editor: Feb. 9, 2023
Stop Clause 28 campaigners at the Playhouse Theatre, 1988. To buy this print, click here (Keith Dobney/The Independent)

In honour of LGBT+ History Month, we are sharing rarely-seen photographs that spotlight British queer history.

Pulling focus with this years theme #BehindTheLens, these striking images from The Independents Photography Archive offer a close-up of the inspiring and influential people behind the scenes. This latest collection underscores the vast and rich history of the LGBT+ community in the UK, chronicling the ongoing fight for acceptance and visibility.

Some of the photographs depict key moments in LGBT+ activism, such as the fight against Clause 28 and the gay pride demonstrations of the 1990s. You will also find engaging portrait photography of prominent figures in the LGBT+ community, including British politicians and actors.

To order prints from the Independent Photography Archive, call 0191 603 0178 or visit: independent.newsprints.co.uk

Ruby Venezuela performing in Soho, 1995. Drag artist Ruby Venezuela, started out their drag career in their hometown of Plymouth. Ruby later relocated to London and found success in cabaret and on the drag circuit, best known for hosting shows at Madame Jo Jos in Soho during the 1980s and 1990s. Ruby supported AIDSMemoryUK and worked to raise funds for Aids hospices and homelessness. To buy this print, click here (David Sandison/The Independent)

Peter Tatchell photographed for The Independent in 1995. Tatchell, an Australian-British human rights campaigner, best known for his activism and advocacy for LGBT+ rights. Tachell was a noted member of the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) and OutRage!, as well as founding his own foundation the PTF to promote and protect human rights. To buy this print, click here (David Sandison/The Independent)

Stop Clause 28 was a campaign against a section of the Local Government Act (1988) that banned the promotion of homosexuality by local authorities in the UK. The legislation prevented local authorities from supporting LGBTQ+ constituents and expressly censored educational materials that featured an alternative gay family. Stop Clause 28 attracted the support of many prominent figures, such as Ian McKellen and Lenny Henry, as seen in this photograph. To buy this print, click here (Keith Dobney/The Independent)

John Gielgud at BBC World Service. Sir John Gielgud was a renowned English actor and director whose stage career spanned eight decades. Gielgud was gay at a time when homosexuality in Britain was illegal. In 1988 he publicly revealed his long-term relationship with his partner, Martin Hensler. To buy this print, click here (Keith Dobney/The Independent)

Sir Ian McKellen on the phone at Stonewall offices before the governments age of consent reform in 1994. To buy this print, click here (Philip Meech/The Independent)

Norwich City footballer, Justin Fashanu, photographed for The Independent in 1992. Justin Fashanu was the first professional footballer in England to come out as gay in 1990. LGBT+ campaigner Peter Tatchell and Justins brother, John Fashanu, are currently consulting on an upcoming ITV drama chronicling the lives of the footballing brothers. To buy this print, click here (Robert Hallam/The Independent)

Age of Consent demonstration in London, 1994. This protest was organised by direct action group OutRage as part of wider campaign efforts to lower the age of consent from 21 to 16. While the 1967 Sexual Offences Act legalised homosexual acts, the law set the age of consent to 21, even though it was 16 for straight couples. Thanks to the persistent activism of the LGBT+ community, the age was first lowered to 18 in 1994 (the same year this image was taken) and finally to 16 in 2000. To buy this print, click here (Philip Meech/The Independent)

Alan Cumming, shot for an interview with The Independent, a month prior to the release of the film adaptation of Cabaret. Queer icon Alan Cumming is a Scottish actor and long-serving campaigner for LGBT+ rights, described by the New York Observer as a pansexual sex symbol for the new millennium. He also co-owns a queer cabaret bar in New York called Club Cumming. To buy this print, click here (Nicholas Turpin/The Independent)

Afro-Caribbean gay club in London, 1994. This image was commissioned as part of a series exploring the Pink Pound in and around Soho, a phrase coined in 1984 to describe the purchasing power of the gay community. This particular set sought to represent the black LGBTQ+ community of London. To buy this print, click here (Kalpesh Lathigra/The Independent)

Angela Eagle, Labour Party politician and MP for Wallasey, in Victoria Tower Gardens next to Parliament. Eagle came out as gay in an interview with The Independent in 1997. She was only the second politician to come out as a lesbian after Maureen Colquhoun in the 1970s. To buy this print, click here (Andrew Buurman/The Independent)

Stephen Fry at the launch of The Samaritans Week, at Grouchos, Soho, 1996. Stephen Fry is a tireless campaigner and advocate for people experiencing mental health problems, particularly within the LGBT+ community. To buy this print, click here (Philip Meech/The Independent)

Stonewall FC team practice in June, 1994. Founded in 1991, the Stonewall Football club is a LGBT+ football team, the first of its kind to be FA Chartered Standard. The club was formed by a group of gay footballers following an advert placed in a gay publication recruiting for a Sunday kickabout. To buy this print, click here (Philip Meech/The Independent)

Gay Pride Demonstration, 19 June 1993. To buy this print, click here (Tom Pilston/The Independent)

Actor, author and playwright Alan Bennett at the Chelsea Pen Club after giving a talk, 1994. He is best known for his plays The Madness of George III (1991) and The History Boys (2004). To buy this print, click here (Tom Pilston/The Independent)

Designer Vivienne Westwood. In the Nineties, Westwood launched a clothing line bespoke for the LGBT+ community. Titled 'Gay Sexual Freedom', the line featured rainbow-coloured designs and slogans celebrating gay pride. To buy this print, click here (David Rose/The Independent)

Banners from the Black Trans Lives Matter protest in London, 2020. Thousands joined the march to celebrate the black trans community and to protest against proposed changes to the Gender Recognition Act. To buy this print, click here (Angela Christofilou/The Independent)
Lily Collins has opened up about an emotionally abusive relationship that made her feel physically sick.

The Emily in Paris star, 33, recently appeared on the We Can Do Hard Things podcast where she recalled the abuse she endured from a toxic past relationship in her early 20s.

For me, my romantic toxic relationship was a lot of verbal and emotional abuse and being made to feel very small, she told co-hosts Glennon Doyle, Amanda Doyle and Abby Wambach.

He would call me Little Lily, she described. You should be Little Lily and hed use awful words about me in terms of what I was wearing and would call me a whore and all these things.

She explained how her exs belittling words made her feel like I had to make myself small to feel super safe.

When you get told something over and over again, and youre at an impressionable age, you become conditioned to believe that that is what it is and you are what they say you are, she added, And its confusing.

The stress from her toxic relationship even made Collins start to feel physically sick and her body started to react to the emotional abuse, so much so that she had to tell herself, This is not something youre supposed to be in.

My body was physically reacting in ways that Ive never experienced, she said. My skin was breaking out. I was having these panic attacks and I had kidney infections.

Ultimately, when the Inheritance star sought therapy after the relationship, she began to notice certain triggers of emotional abuse. Although nearly a decade has passed, Collins explained how the feelings of anxiety and panic she experienced during the relationship still have a way of creeping up.

Its not until now that I can recognise that flight or fight feeling, or the feeling of needing to hibernate, she said during the podcast. That panic is what I can still get triggered by, even if Im in the most healthy relationship, there can be a moment that happens throughout the day where history comes back like that.

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Your gut reacts, your heart drops and all of the sudden youre taken back to that moment where they said that thing to you 10 years ago but youre not in that situation now.

The Blind Side actor also credited her husband Charlie McDowell, to whom shes been married since 2021, as helping her open up about these lingering feelings.

Ive never had someone other than Charlie witness me in that state probably because Ive never felt comfortable enough to be in that state knowing that person is going to leave, she said, adding: Now in my life, having my wonderful and supportive husband, we do communicate and talk about so much.

Lily Collins and filmmaker Charlie McDowell tied the knot in September 2021 during a wedding ceremony in Dutton Hot Springs, Colorado. Prior to marrying McDowell, the actress briefly dated her Abduction co-star Taylor Lautner. In 2012, Collins began an on-again, off-again relationship with her Mortal Instruments co-star Jamie Campbell Bower for three years, before calling it quits in 2015.

Collins has also been romantically linked to Zac Efron, Chris Evans, and Australian actor Thomas Cocquerel.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org.
A Lincoln County sheriffs sergeant and former deputy have now been charged in connection with a controversial arrest last year.

According to the sheriffs office, Barry Green was arrested on May 28, 2022 and charged with driving while impaired, resisting arrest, and assault on an officer.

Body camera video released in Aug. 2022 shows the moment that deputies used force on Green.

>> In the interest of transparency, Channel 9 has decided to link to the full video clips here. Viewer discretion is advised.

ALSO READ: New body camera video show moment Lincoln Co. deputy punches man during arrest

According to the sheriffs office, deputies responded on May 28 to a road rage incident in the area of NC Highway 73 and Will Link Lane in Iron Station. The investigation then led deputies to Asbury Church Road where they found Green, who was allegedly involved in the road rage incident.

When two deputies went to arrest Green, the sheriffs office said Deputy Tyler Thompson and Sgt. Aldon Joe Sutton used force against him.

In the body camera videos, Thompson can be seen at one point taking Green to the ground and punching him in the face. Then, when Green attempts to sit up, Thompson can be seen punching him again.

A short time later, Thompson can be seen pulling a taser out and directing Green to get on his stomach. After not doing so, Thompson stunned him.

At one point in the video, Sutton was seen speaking with Greens grandfather before talking to the suspect in the back of a truck. Green then taunted Sutton to the point where Sutton grabbed him by his neck.

Authorities said after an investigation by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Rutherford County district attorney charged Sutton with simple assault. Former Deputy Thompson was charged with assault inflicting serious injury, the LCSO said, and was fired on Aug. 4, 2022. Sutton was suspended.

Both Sutton and Thompson were served on Thursday.

ALSO READ: CMPD: Two arrested, including officer, after separate DWI crashes in southwest Charlotte

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To Channel 9 last year, Thompson said he was wrong for punching Green. Channel 9s Ken Lemon talked to Thompson when the video was released, and he told Lemon he pressed for an SBI investigation to help Green.

Barry Green would not have justice if somebody didnt speak up, Thompson had said.

At the time, Thompson said he didnt care if he was charged for this, as long as his then-supervisor Sgt. Sutton was also charged.

[Thompson] had two separate occasions when we felt like he was exceeding authority, Sheriff Bill Beam told Lemon on Thursday.

He said Sgt. Sutton has worked with the department for 10 years with no other issues. He said thats why Sutton is still on the job, despite the fact that the Rutherford County DA decided both men should be charged.

I am surprised at the charge on him, as a simple assault which is basically unwanted touching, Beam said.

Neither of them faces jail time, but Sutton could lose his law enforcement certification if he is found guilty. The North Carolina Sheriffs Education and Training Standards Commission will review the case and determine what happens to Suttons certification.

Meanwhile, Barry Green still faces charges. According to warrants, his blood alcohol level was 0.23, almost three times the legal limit.

(WATCH BELOW: Police: Memphis police officer arrested after kidnapping, murdering man while on duty)












Mail carriers in the Chicago area are traumatized, fearing for their lives, following a string of armed robberies and thefts targeting postal workers in recent months, the head of the Chicago branch of the National Association of Letter Carriers told the Tribune on Wednesday.

Its a traumatizing experience to have a gun pulled at you in the performance of your duties while servicing the public, said Elise M. Foster, the president of the unions Branch 11, who says she represents the local carriers who recently have been victims of assaults. Theyre scared and some dont even want to return back to work.

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Stretching back to at least August, mail carriers have seemingly faced a heightened risk while delivering mail, with armed robbers stealing packages, letters and master keys that open clusters of mailboxes. On Tuesday alone, police departments in Chicago and Mount Prospect issued statements about mail-related crimes.

In the most recent case, Chicago police Tuesday morning discovered a cache of stolen U.S. Postal Service property and various electronic items in a vacant Loop hotel room. TV camera crews captured officers taking cases of equipment out of the Virgin Hotels Chicago on Wabash Avenue that police dispatchers described as containing mailbox key-cutting materials, piles of mail, identification cards and computer equipment.

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Later that day, police issued a community alert warning of a man with thick, bifocal glasses wearing fuzzy slippers who robbed two postal carriers on the Northwest Side in January. And that was on top of at least two other postal workers robbed in different parts of the city last month, police records show.

In the suburbs, Mount Prospect police on Tuesday announced charges against a Park City duo after finding stolen packages, credit cards and mail during a traffic stop. This comes after two separate mail carriers were robbed of their arrow master keys in September in Evanston. In Naperville, burglaries from nine mail collection boxes resulted in 25 cases of identity theft, police said in December.

And that same month, just across the Wisconsin border, a Milwaukee mail carrier was shot and killed.

But the threats to mail carriers and mail security stretch farther back. From mid-August to early October, at least four mail carriers were robbed on Chicagos West Side, according to police.

And on Oct. 22, a man attempted to sexually assault and kidnap a postal worker and subsequently stole her postal vehicle in Little Village, police said.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, USPSs law enforcement arm, has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to arrest in many of the robberies. An inspection service spokesperson would not say whether crimes against mail carriers have increased, but said robbery investigations receive the highest level of response and attention.

Protecting the Postal Service and its employees is the core mission of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the spokesperson, Spencer Block, said in an emailed statement. Postal Inspectors remind Postal employees to maintain vigilance while serving their communities and to report suspicious activity to law enforcement, should the need arise. Postal Inspectors advise Postal employees to immediately relocate to an area of safety if employees determine their safety is at risk while conducting their official duties, followed by informing their local management and Postal Inspectors after doing so.

The unions Foster and other community leaders are calling on the public for help to protect letter carriers in the city through an initiative to get residents involved in the safety of their local workers.

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If you see something, say something, Foster said. Let them know that some place down their route is a safe haven and that you can get to that house and that customer is going to help you.

A mail carrier delivers mail in the 1200 block of West Barry Avenue in Chicago on Jan. 9, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

A United States Postal Service van sits in Chicago's West Pullman neighborhood shortly after sunset on Feb. 8, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

In many of the recent mail carrier robberies, armed thieves target mail carriers master keys. The keys provide access to blue drop-off boxes and to cluster mailboxes. The recent Loop hotel room discovery raises concerns not only for the safety of the mail carriers but also for the security of the public, whose personal information could be compromised in the hands of the criminals, Foster said.

Last month, Chicagos City Council introduced an ordinance that would require changing the location of outdoor mail collection boxes to inside the buildings. If the ordinance passes, existing cluster mailboxes with eight or more addresses would have to be moved inside buildings by Oct. 15., and buildings with 50 or more addresses would also need to move mailboxes to a secure room inside.

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, a Chicago Democrat, has asked homeowners and neighbors to support Operation Letter Carrier Safe Passage, a public awareness to campaign to highlight the dangers letter carriers face while on the job, and how to protect them.

Were asking the community itself, not just the police but the community can be seriously engaged by just being good citizens and watching out for delivery people: befriending the mail carrier, establishing a relationship with them, said Davis, who said he has begun the efforts in the 29th Ward, where he lives.

Davis said hes been urging managers at local postal offices to change up the routes of the carriers and their delivery times or to assign two carriers on a single route to help avoid potential assaults.

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U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin also said that more needs to be done within the postal agency, adding that the Postal Service is not only failing customers on delivery standards, but its own employees on their safety and security.

I have repeatedly pressed Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, the postal board of governors, and other postal leaders on mail related crime. I have been reassured time and time again that the Postal Service leadership takes these cases seriously and is devoting great effort to addressing these crimes, but it is obvious that their efforts are not successful, Durbin told the Tribune.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and police are investigating how the property recovered at the hotel was stolen and what criminal activity it may have been used for, but it is too early to share many details, Block said.

Chicago police said that area three detectives along with USPS are investigating and the property will be taken into inventory.

Many of the recent robberies remain unsolved, including the robbery of two postal workers who were robbed in West Pullman within a few minutes of one another on Jan. 5.

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In both attacks, a man got out of a dark sport utility vehicle, displayed a handgun and demanded the postal workers master keys, according to police. The mail carriers  a 68-year-old man and a 49-year-old woman  were outside when they were attacked. Both complied with the armed man, and neither was injured, police said.

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Six days later, a 35-year-old mail carrier was robbed at gunpoint in Lincoln Park by a pair of armed thieves, police said. The man, wearing black fuzzy slippers and bifocal glasses, robbed postal workers at gunpoint in Galewood on Jan. 17 and again on Jan. 31, police said.

A postal worker was reportedly robbed in West Lawn by an armed man on a bike on Oct. 19. Days later, another was robbed at the Austin intersection of West Huron Street and North Lavergne Avenue.

Foster worries that the assaults can escalate, costing the lives of postal workers, most of whom are women in Chicago, she said. The well-being of the carriers and the customers falls not only in the hands of law enforcement, but also the postal manager and the inspection service, she said.

The mail carriers are very important to the city, to our customers, Foster said, and at the very least, they should be protected while theyre out there making their rounds.

larodriguez@chicagotribune.com

jsheridan@chicagotribune.com
The flag of Lithuania

We have already completed the training of 15 instructors who will be ready to work on the Ukrainian territory and train the Ukrainian troops, he said.

Read also: Western weapons wont be used to strike into Russian territory, Zelenskyys advisor says

We are also transferring 36 anti-aircraft missile systems to Ukraine, which can effectively counteract drones.

Read also: Why Defense Minister Reznikov hasnt been removed from his post, despite a decision to do so

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov, while also at the briefing, added that Lithuania had trained instructors who agreed to teach the Ukrainian troops on the territory of Ukraine.

Read also: Lithuania calls for fighter jets for Ukraine, as Hungary and Austria oppose any arms deliveries

I want to note the importance of the fact that the Lithuanian side is preparing not only to provide air defense systems, but instructors who can then teach our servicemen, Reznikov said.

Meaning, they will train our instructors. And this allows us our Ukrainian instructors, trained in Lithuania, to continue to train our crews already there.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Lithuania will hand over to Ukraine 36 portable anti-aircraft systems that can effectively counter Iranian-made drones Russia is using to attack the country, Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas said on Feb. 9 at a joint press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Oleksii Reznikov.

According to Anusauskas, 15 Ukrainian instructors have already been trained to teach soldiers to use these anti-aircraft systems.

Anusauskas arrived in Ukraine on Feb. 8 for a two-day visit to meet Reznikov. "We discussed further steps in Lithuania's assistance to Ukraine's Armed Forces. In particular, the armament and military training," Reznikov wrote on Facebook.

At the briefing, the Lithuanian minister did not mention the name of the systems, but he might be referring to the Swedish L-70 anti-aircraft guns as their provision had been announced in the latest aid package on Jan. 19. Back then, Anusauskas didn't provide the number of guns to be delivered, saying Lithuania would send "dozens" of them to Ukraine.

Lithuania was one of nine European countries to sign the Tallinn Pledge on Jan. 19, a commitment to empower Ukraine with the offensive potential it needs to liberate all Ukrainian territory currently occupied by Russia.

A Lithuanian campaign recently raised 6 million euros to buy multifunctional tactical radars for Ukraine in less than a week.






Rescuers pulled more survivors from beneath collapsed buildings Thursday, but hopes were fading of finding many more people alive after the catastrophic earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria. More than 20,700 deaths have been recorded so far in the world's deadliest earthquake since 2010.

The Latest on the earthquake:

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WASHINGTON  The U.S. Treasury Department said Thursday it had issued a license to allow earthquake-related relief to get through that would otherwise be prohibited by sanctions on Syria.

U.S. sanctions in Syria will not stand in the way of life-saving efforts for the Syrian people, deputy Treasury secretary Wally Adeyemo said in a statement. While U.S. sanctions programs already contain robust exemptions for humanitarian efforts, today Treasury is issuing a blanket General License to authorize earthquake relief efforts so that those providing assistance can focus on whats needed most: saving lives and rebuilding.

The license lasts for six months. It expands on broad humanitarian authorizations already in effect.

The United States will provide $85 million in initial earthquake aid to Turkey and Syria, which will include medicine, shelter and other supplies, President Joe Biden announced. Our hearts remain with the people of Turkiye and Syria, he said on Twitter.

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KEY DEVELOPMENTS:

 Rescuers push to find survivors in disaster of the century

 Hope dims for families in Turkey as rescue turns to recovery

 Syria orphans from quake taken in by overwhelmed relatives

 A glance at the worlds deadliest quakes in the past 25 years

 Find more AP coverage at https:// apnews.com/hub/earthquakes

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CANBERRA, Australia  Australia has deployed a search and rescue team of 72 personnel to assist Turkish authorities.

The team will take with them about 22 tons of equipment and critical supplies, including tents, bandages, bolt cutters, chainsaws and drills, and will be self-sufficient.

Defense Minister Richard Marles told reporters in Canberra on Friday the team will make a real difference when they get onto the ground.

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He noted Australia earlier announced a contribution of $6.9 million to the aid efforts.

Meanwhile, New Zealand on Friday said it was donating another $1.9 million toward humanitarian efforts in Turkey and Syria, bringing its contribution to $2.8 million. The new money will go to the World Food Program in Turkey and UNICEF in Syria.

New Zealand is also dedicating two emergency information specialists to work remotely from New Zealand to help coordinate round-the-clock search and rescue efforts in Turkey.

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A 10-year-old girl was rescued alive Thursday night in the Antakya district of Turkeys Hatay province. DHA news agency said after making initial contact with the child, rescuers worked 32 hours at the site to clear a passage to her. Medics had to amputate one of her arms to free the girl from the rubble because removing the block that was crushing her would have endangered her further, the news agency reported. The girl's parents and three siblings were found dead.

An hour before that, rescuers pulled a 17-year-old girl out of rubble in Adiyaman province. Miners and others brought her out and medics took her to an ambulance on a stretcher with an IV bag hanging. They briefly clapped before a rescuer asked for quiet.

Also, a 20-year-old was rescued in Kahramanmaras by IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation workers, who shouted God is Great.

Their medical conditions were unknown.

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WASHINGTON  The U.S. has been able to confirm the deaths of three American citizens in the earthquake, and officials fear there will be more, State Department spokesman Ned Price said Thursday. Price was not able to say if the Americans killed were in Turkey or Syria.

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Iranian state TV has quoted a sports official as saying three players from Irans national soccer team for the disabled have died in the earthquake in Turkey.

Mohammad Shervin Asbaghian, who heads the Iran Sports Federation for the Disabled, said Thursday that Mehdi Saeedavi, Mohammadreza Mirahmadi, and Hamed Masoudi were found dead in the ruins of a collapsed hotel, according to state TV.

He did not say where the hotel was or whether other team members had been there and what happened to them.

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Dutch police say they found narcotics in a truck that was part of a convoy carrying aid to victims of the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria.

Police spokesman Steven van Santen said the drugs were found Thursday following a tip. They were hidden among emergency supplies in a truck that was one of six heading for Turkey or Syria.

He did not give details of what kind of drugs or the quantity. Police said in a statement that they were removed from the truck and destroyed. No arrests were immediately made.

The other five trucks in the convoy were being checked for drugs. Van Santen said as soon as the checks were completed, the aid supplies would be released so they could continue the journey to the stricken region.

Turkish groups throughout the Netherlands have been gathering emergency relief supplies in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that hit the country and neighboring Syria, killing more than 19,300 people and destroying countless buildings.

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U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is pressing the international community to provide money for Turkey and Syria and work on physical access for aid to earthquake-stricken parts of Syria.

Guterres spoke to reporters at U.N. headquarters Thursday, hours after a U.N. aid convoy crossed from Turkey into Syrias rebel-held northwest for the first time since Mondays 7.8 magnitude quake.

More help is on the way, but much more -- much more -- is needed, the U.N. chief said, adding that the organization plans to launch an international appeal next week for funding for the effort. The U.N. has released $25 million of its own money so far.

People are facing nightmare on top of nightmare, the U.N. chief said.

Millions displaced by the Syrias internal conflict are living in camps in the northwest of the country, where aid deliveries across the border have become a politically charged issue.

The U.N. Security Council in 2014 authorized aid deliveries to opposition-held parts of Syria from Turkey, Iraq and Jordan through four border crossings. But that has shrunk over the years to just one, amid opposition from Russia, a top ally of the Syrian government, which wants aid to come through its capital, Damascus.

With Syrias parliament calling for the immediate lifting of Western-led sanctions on Syria, Guterres insisted that no sanctions of any kind interfere with relief to the population of Syria in the present.

Some Syrians living abroad have said on social media that online fundraising platforms have blocked their efforts to wire money to their sanctioned homeland.

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Reflecting the scale of devastation, an indoor sports hall has been turned into a make-shift morgue in Kahramanmaras, the nearest Turkish city to the earthquakes epicenter.

On the floor of the hall, the size of a basketball court, lay dozens of bodies wrapped in blankets or black shrouds. At least one was very small, seemingly the body of a child aged five or six.

A man wept over a black body bag in the bed of a small truck. Im 70 years old, God should have taken me, not my son, he cried.

Erdal Usta, an assistant to the provincial prosecutor, said the bodies that are dug from the rubble are brought to the building and catalogued, and await identification by relatives.

Workers on Thursday continued rescue operations in Kahramanmaras, but it was clear that many trapped in collapsed buildings had already died.

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Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, a Greek Cypriot, has conveyed his condolences to Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar over fatalities among members of a school volleyball team, their teachers and parents from the ethnically divided islands breakaway north.

The group of 39 had been staying in a hotel that collapsed during the quake in the Turkish town of Adiyaman. It remained unclear Thursday how many have survived.

Nazim Cavusoglu, the Turkish Cypriot education minister, traveled to Adiyaman along with grieving family members.

Turkey doesnt recognize Cyprus as a state and has stationed thousands of troops in the islands north since 1974, when it invaded following a coup there aimed at union with Greece.

The Cyprus government said Thursday its dispatching 15 rescuers, a doctor and a paramedic to Turkey after Ankara accepted its offer for help as part of the European Unions Civil Protection Mechanism.

Cypriot NGOs and other groups are organizing a food, clothing and medicine collection drive.

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Turkey's foreign ministry says that as of Thursday afternoon, 95 countries have offered help, and 6,479 rescuers from 56 countries are working in stricken areas.

Nineteen other countries were expected to send 2,427 rescuers.

Also Thursday, Turkeys education minister said schools would remain closed nationwide until Feb. 20, extending the pause for another week.

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Local residents have told the AP that Monday's earthquake has damaged the Afrin, or Maydanki, Dam in northern Syria, flooding a village.

They said the dams concrete cracked open Thursday and flooded the northwestern village of Tlool in the Salqin region, partially submerging those buildings that had withstood the quake.

Residents scrambled to collect personal belongings and load them in trucks. The flooding further compounded the woes of millions in the rebel-held enclave who live in poverty, rely on aid to survive and struggle to access clean and potable water.

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Palestinian emergency responders left the West Bank on Thursday to assist with rescue efforts in Turkey and Syria.

Imad Zuhairi, director of the Palestinian International Cooperation Agency, said 73 doctors, paramedics and specialists will travel to neighboring Jordan, and from there one team will be dispatched to Turkey and the other to Syria.

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While some survivors were still being rescued across the region, some family members of those buried in the rubble have begun to lose hope after waiting for days.

In vast swaths of Nurdagi, a city of around 40,000 nestled between snowy mountains some 35 miles from the epicenter of the quake, scarcely a building was left unaffected. Those that still stood were heavily damaged and unsafe for habitation.

Throngs of onlookers, mostly family members of people trapped inside, watched as heavy machines ripped at one collapsed building, its floors pancaked together with little more than a few inches in between.

Mehmet Yilmaz, 67, watched bulldozers and other demolition equipment bringing down what remained of the structure where six members of his family had been trapped including four children, one a three-month-old.

He said he estimated around 80 people were still amid the ruins, but didnt believe any of them would be recovered alive as the operation's target had been switched from rescue to demolition.

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Syrias Health Minister Hassan Ghabbash has urged the World Heath Organization to supply his country with urgently-needed medical supplies for treating the thousands of people injured by the earthquake that hit Syria and Turkey earlier this week.

Ghabbash made his comments on Thursday during a meeting with WHOs regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean Ahmed Al-Mandhari, who is in the Syrian capital of Damascus.

State television quoted Al-Mandhari as saying that WHO will give all the support to help Syria overcome the effects of Mondays 7.8 magnitude earthquake that rocked southern Turkey and northern Syria, killing more than 17,000 people, with many still trapped under the rubble.

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who faces a tough election in May, has renewed a promise to quake survivors to rebuild destroyed homes within a year.

Visiting regions affected by the quake for a second day on Thursday, Erdogan said the new buildings would be no higher than three or four stories.

The government was working to install temporary container homes as well as caravans to shelter those left homeless, he said after a tour of the city of Gaziantep.

Erdogan said that a state emergency that he declared earlier this week in the 10 provinces affected by the quake would be approved in parliament later on Thursday. The government has said the emergency measure would help facilitate disaster management in those areas.

In Gaziantep, Erdogan said the measure would allow the government to fight looters, loan sharks and other groups that he said would aim to exploit the crisis.

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U.N. aid shipments to northern Syria from Turkey resumed on Thursday morning following Mondays earthquake.

Trucks crossed the Bab al-Hawa border point, the only crossing through which the U.N. is authorized to deliver aid from Turkey into northwest Syria.

The crossing had been closed to aid shipments because of road damage from the earthquake. The route in the past three days has been used to transport bodies of Syrians killed in the earthquake in Turkey.

Officials said six aid shipments that had been delayed by the earthquake were the first to cross on Thursday, to be followed by quake-response aid.

U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen said Thursday that the U.N. would be sending aid to northern Syria both by way of Turkey and across battle lines from government-held Damascus.

Millions of Syrians in the northwest live in poverty, mostly relying on aid to survive. The earthquake compounded the woes of the enclave, with many families displaced by the 12-year conflict struggling with dwindling aid programs.

___

The Czech Foreign Ministry on Thursday confirmed that a Czech citizen was killed in the earthquake in Turkey.

The ministry said the victim was a woman who had long-term residency in Turkey. No further details were given.

___

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was scheduled to travel Thursday to the quake-hit provinces of Gaziantep, Osmaniye and Kilis amid ongoing criticism that the governments response has been too slow.

In addition to 12,873 people killed in Turkey, the countrys disaster management agency said more than 60,000 have been injured. On the Syrian side of the border, 3,162 have been reported dead and more than 5,000 injured.

Tens of thousands are thought to have lost their homes.

Experts said the survival window for those trapped under the rubble or otherwise unable to obtain basic necessities was closing rapidly. At the same time, they said, it is too soon to abandon hope.

___

Three prisoners were killed after rioting broke out at a prison in quake-hit Hatay province, officials and news reports said.

There were conflicting reports over the incident.

The Justice Ministry said Thursday some inmates started a fire in an attempt to escape, prompting an intervention by prison authorities.

At least 12 prisoners were injured during the attempt to suppress the riot and three of them died in the hospital, the ministrys directorate for prisons said in a statement.

The independent Bianet news website reported that some prisoners set dormitories on fire, demanding to be transferred to a safe location, and sought information about family members affected by the devastation.

Bianet said the incident occurred on Tuesday  a day after the earthquake hit. All prisoners were transferred to other penitentiaries, it said.

___

North Korea says its foreign minister sent a message of condolences to her Turkish counterpart over the earthquake that killed thousands in that country and Syria.

North Koreas official Korean Central News Agency said Thursday that Foreign Minister Choe Sun Hui in her message to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu expressed deep sympathy and condolences to victims and their families and wished for a swift recovery.

North Korea had sent a much higher profile message to Syria, issued by leader Kim Jong Un to Syrian President Bashar Assad. State media said Wednesday that Kim in the message said Syria under Assads leadership would eradicate the aftermath of the earthquake damage as soon as possible.

Turkey sent thousands of troops to South Korea to fight under U.S.-led U.N. forces as they repelled a North Korean invasion during the 1950-53 Korean War.

North Korea and Syria are the only nations other than Russia that recognize the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk, two Russian-backed separatist regions in eastern Ukraine, as they align with Moscow over the war in Ukraine.
On this day, I looked over the town from the summit of Platafjellet. Anja Nordvaalen

I live in Earth's northernmost town, Longyearbyen, which is about 650 miles from the North Pole.

We experience more than 24 hours of total darkness for months each year during polar night.

In my Norwegian town, my days are filled with icy walks and spontaneous reindeer encounters.

I live in Longyearbyen, on the Svalbard archipelago, where we experience polar night.

My days during the polar night look a little different than my usual ones. Eveline Lunde

I've been obsessed with the Arctic since I spontaneously joined a sailing expedition around Spitsbergen, an island on the Svalbard archipelago, in 2018.

Eventually, I packed my bags and moved from Oslo, Norway, to Longyearbyen, the northernmost town on Earth.

Located on the archipelago of Svalbard, Longyearbyen is a small town with around 2,300 residents. I now live there in an apartment with my boyfriend.

Each year, we experience the polar night  84 days in complete darkness  from mid-November to January. For many, it can be a nightmare but for me, it's paradise.

Here's what a day in my life is like during the polar night.

I start my day with good routines.

I have a strong morning ritual during the polar night. Eveline Lunde

It's important to have a good morning routine because of the lack of daylight. It helps my mental health and, without one, I can lose track of time.

On this day, I got up at 6:30 a.m. and had a one-hour-long coffee break surrounded by some candles and Netflix's "Fireplace" on the TV.

I've dreamed of having a real fireplace since I first experienced the polar night but I came up with a creative solution because it's not typical to have one in your home in Longyearbyen.

Then I get ready to head to work.

I wear a reflective vest for my walk to work. Eveline Lunde

I normally spend my morning with my boyfriend but he's not a big fan of the polar night and has instead gone to Antarctica to enjoy the midnight sun and penguins.

After my morning routine, I start to get ready for work by taking my daily dose of vitamins, eating crispy bread for breakfast, and putting on my reflective vest to help me be visible in the dark.

I headed to work in the pitch blackness.

On the way, I watch out for Arctic wildlife on the streets.

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I saw some reindeer on my way to work. Eveline Lunde

Longyearbyen is a relatively small town so you can pretty much walk everywhere. My commute to work only takes a few minutes but I'm excited when I leave my apartment because I never know what I'll experience.

On this particular day, I ran into two reindeer on the side of the street. It's easy to be startled in the dark since you might not spot them until you're quite close.

The Svalbard reindeer, which are short-legged and have relatively fat bodies, are well adapted to the harsh climate. It's normal to see them around town because they don't have any natural enemies and aren't usually afraid of people.

After seeing the reindeer, I arrived at my office.

My office space even has its own polar bear. Eveline Lunde

I work for Longyearbyen's oldest tour operator, Hurtigruten Svalbard. I'm grateful to work in tourism, especially with a product I love.

I spend a lot of time by my desk but, some days, my office is out in Svalbard's wild nature.

On this particular day, one of my colleagues told me the sky was pink so I grabbed my camera and jumped in the car. I knew this was a special moment so I drove out to Adventdalen, where there's less light pollution.

The pink sky proved to be gorgeous.

I'd seen a pink sky one time before. Eveline Lunde

Once I arrived, I photographed the beautiful pink and purple sky.

The pink light, which has to do with solar-illuminated stratospheric clouds, is very rare to see. Before this day, I'd experienced the pink sky one time, during another polar night.

I had to stop walking when I reached a polar-bear safety sign.

The sign is a great reminder that polar bears live in the area too. Eveline Lunde

Since I rushed out the door to take pictures, I didn't bring my rifle. Rifles are only for life-threatening self-defense scenarios because the polar bear is a protected species on Svalbard.

Because I didn't have polar-bear protection, I wasn't able to go any further than a sign depicting the animal. The sign is a symbol for the "polar-bear safety zone" and is a kilometer outside of our small town.

After work, I ran to the local post office, where the staff knows everyone.

The post office is one of my favorite places to visit in town. Eveline Lunde

After I finished working, it was time to go to the post office  a place I love to visit.

The staff messages residents on Facebook when their packages arrive and advises them whether to come by foot or car depending on the delivery size.

I made sure the office had my updated address.

You're not allowed to bring your rifles into the post office. Eveline Lunde

I was greeted by name once I walked through the door. The post-office staff are some of the most friendly people in Longyearbyen and offer great service.

I needed to change my address since I recently moved to a new apartment. Not so surprisingly, they already knew that and had changed the address, another joy of living in a small town.

I ate a quick dinner and then geared up for a hike.

I love having a dedicated gear room. Eveline Lunde

After the post office, I went home and made dinner.

Making dinner for one can get a bit boring so I went with something easy and had salmon with peas and broccoli. I was excited to get out the door again and go hiking with my friend Anja.

After dinner, I put on my hiking clothes and packed some essential gear. I have a dedicated gear room in my apartment, where I keep all my equipment and a weapon locker for my rifle.

Before our hike, we put on more gear.

We put spikes on the bottoms of our shoes. Anja Nordvaalen

I drove three minutes to pick up Anja at her place, then drove three more minutes to the starting point for our hike.

Before we started our hike, we had to prepare to use the gear we'd brought with us.

I had my rifle in case we ran into a life-threatening situation.

I also brought my rifle along. Anja Nordvaalen

I put spikes on the bottom of my shoes, turned on my headlamp, and half-loaded my rifle. Again, it's only to be used in a life-threatening scenario.

I also carried a flare gun, which can be used for scaring a polar bear away.

It was a steep hike but the view was worth it.

I felt like I was on top of the world looking over Longyearbyen. Anja Nordvaalen

A layer of snow covered the icy tundra, which made for a steep and slippery hike. We took it slow and after about 30 minutes, we reached the summit of Platafjellet and got an amazing view over Longyearbyen.

It was so calm and quiet because we were the only ones around.

The view was breathtaking because the moonlight lit up the surrounding mountains. It also felt very special to see the town lit up by its street lights in the dark.

Overall, it was a nice day that felt long but varied.

I don't regret moving to Longyearbyen. Anja Nordvaalen

After half an hour at the top, we started to get cold and began our descent. The way down the mountain was even more challenging so we took it slow and both fell over a few times. When we finally got back to the car, I was ready to get home to my couch.

I spent about an hour watching a documentary and then got ready for bed. When I went to sleep, I was excited for a new day on my small island.

Read the original article on Insider
london workers

London has pulled further ahead of the rest of England since the pandemic in a blow to the Governments attempt to level up the regions.

The capitals economy is 2.7pc bigger than it was pre-Covid, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), while the English economy as a whole is 1.7pc smaller.

London was the fastest growing region in the second quarter of 2022, the period covered in the ONS release, driven by professional services.

The only other region that has recovered to its pre-pandemic level of output is the North West, home to Manchester and Liverpool. GDP in the area is now 2.2pc larger than it was at the end of 2019.

By contrast, the economies of the East and West Midlands have shrunk by 5.7pc since the pandemic, data from the ONS shows.

The capitals strong bounce back and the decline elsewhere will pile pressure on the Government to demonstrate that its levelling up agenda is yielding results.



The gloomy figures come after the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) earlier this week warned that the UK is levelling down rather than up.

NIESR has estimated that the poorest parts of the country will see significant destitution by the end of next year. A third of people in both Northern Ireland and the North East will be living in extreme poverty, according to its forecasts.

It predicts that output in London will be 9pc above its pre-pandemic level at the end of 2024, while in the Midlands it will be 1pc lower.

Speaking earlier this week, Adrian Pabst, deputy director of NIESR, said that parts of the Midlands have been badly affected by post-Brexit trade barriers.

Those parts had a lot of businesses that were trading with the EU that haven't quite found other outlets and are being hit by some of the paperwork around trade with the EU, he said.

The ONS data showed that the wealthy South East is not enjoying the same economic resurgence as the capital, suffering the most pronounced decline of any region. Its economy is now 7.1pc smaller than before the pandemic.

The region, which is the second richest in the country, was hit by falls in services, construction and manufacturing activity.
Tim Shrum is lobbying lawmakers in Tennessee to recognise pets as a member of the family in custody disputes (Courtesy of Tim Shrum)

For six years, Tim Shrum and his maltese shih tzu Tryp were constant companions and the best of friends.

The 34-year-old Nashville insurance agent took Tryp on daily walks, fed and bathed him, and would bring him into the office and make sure his vet check-ups were current.

I was his person, and he was my guy, Mr Shrum told The Independent.

When his marriage ended last year, Mr Shum says that his ex-wife refused to even discuss shared custody or visitation. And because she had owned Tryp for a year before they married, the Tennessee divorce courts declined to intervene.

One day I went to work, and came home and I never saw him again, he told The Independent.

He didnt choose to leave, you know, and I didnt choose for any of this to happen. I think of him wondering, Hey, where did he go? Waiting for me to come through the door.

Now, Mr Shrum is channelling that painful experience towards getting a bill passed by the Tennessee legislature that will recognise companion animals as a member of the family, rather than a piece of furniture, in the eyes of the law.

The Rights of Your Pet bill, aka The TRYP bill as Mr Shrum wants it to be called, would also allow a judge to determine custody based on the pets best interests.

Without this type of law, family law attorneys and judges almost cant be bothered with this, Mr Shrum said.

Currently, a majority of states treat pets just like any other piece of property to be split between spouses in a divorce.

But the issue of formally recognising pets as akin to a child is gathering momentum in states around the United States after years of requests from pet owners and a spike in costly, and emotionally fraught, custody battles.

In 2017, Alaska became the first state to pass an amendment to divorce statutes that would consider pets well-being in divorces.

The groundbreaking law gave judges the power to assign joint custody of their treasured pooches and felines.

Since then four other states  New York, California, New Hampshire and Illinois, plus Washington DC  have adopted similar laws.

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Professor Kathy Hessler, the assistant dean for Animal Legal Education at George Washington University Law School, told The Independent that one reason it had taken so long to pass pet custody laws was that legislatures did not take the issue seriously.

Many worried that (passing legislation) would create a flood of litigation, said Ms Hessler, who testified before the Alaska legislative in 2017.

That has not happened, and instead legislative action has facilitated a more peaceful transition for separating families in those few states that have passed statutes.

Tim Shrum, with Maltese Shih Tzu Tryp, says he feels bereft after the adored pet was caught up in his divorce (Courtesy of Tim Shrum)

Under the new laws, couples can elect whether to treat companion animals as a family member.

This can help make a difficult time less adversarial for the parties and lead to smoother and faster resolutions that take into account the interests of the animals as well as the people involved, Ms Hessler said.

The Oklahoma legislature was another government body that was considering a bill which, if passed, would recognise cats and dogs as sentient rather than inanimate property.

And research shows that US pet owners overwhelmingly agree with that sentiment.

A 2018 survey of 50,000 pet owners by the American Veterinary Medical Association found that 85 per cent of dog owners and 76 per cent of cat owners think of their pets as family.

Christopher Berry, a managing attorney at the nonprofit Animal Legal Defense Fund, told The Independent that laws had lagged behind societal shifts.

The law hasnt caught up with cultural attitudes about animals, Mr Berry said in an interview. People value companion animals more than the law appreciates they do.

Mr Berry said legal disputes between divorcing spouses were common and costs to settle the cases often reached the tens of thousands of dollars.

The cost of litigation is a barrier and one reason why historically the issue hasnt received as much attention by the courts.

It was only in the last century that it has become illegal for an owner to abuse their animal, he added.

Slowly but surely, Mr Berry said lawmakers and courts were coming around to formally recognising the unique personalities that animals have.

Tryp was a best friend and constant companion for Nashville insurance agent Tim Shrum (Courtesy of Tim Shrum)

Mr Shrum told The Independent that there he felt like there was a tidal wave of animal welfare legislation being passed in state houses across the country.

For many people, pets are like family members and even cared for like children, he says. It only makes sense for courts to treat them the same way.

Knowing that the judge has the discretion to make that decision based on the best interests of the animal, that will make the parties more willing to come to an agreement, he said.

In his case, he said he used guerilla marketing tactics to gain the attention of two state lawmakers Representative Caleb Hemmer and Senator Jeff Yarbro.

He drafted up fake front pages of his local newspaper, The Tennessean, with gushing articles written by the ChatGPT artificial intelligence system about the two state politicians and hand-delivered them.

Its hard to ignore somebody who comes and drops it off at your office, he said.

Tim Shrums maltese shih tzu Tryp hard at work (Courtesy of Tim Shrum)

Mr Hemmer and Mr Yarbro, both Nashville Democrats, agreed to sponsor the bill, which is now making its way through the Tennessee legislature.

For many people, pets are like family members and even cared for like children, Mr Hemmer told Axios.

It only makes sense for courts to treat them the same way.

The bill wont provide Mr Shrum with the chance to reunite with Tryp, but he says hes found his calling in trying to ensure that nobody else goes through a similar experience.

Everything I did was in Tryps best interests, and thats all Im asking lawmakers to do.
On Wednesday, Feb. 8 the Prize Foundation officially kicked off the 2023 Prize season with the announcement that over $100,000 will be awarded to filmmakers, musicians, fashion designers, chefs and comedians this year.

"We are so excited about this year's competitions and being a part of building our city's creative economy," said Prize Foundation Executive Director and Founder Gregory Kallenberg. "Last year was an epic year for the Prize, and we are counting on another big year of celebrating and rewarding creativity."

The Louisiana Film Prize's kickoff party, mixer and film grant giveaway event at Shreveport Regional Arts Council on Wednesday, February 8th, 2023.

2022 was a record-breaking year for Prize Fest with the largest-ever number of Film Prize entries, the most submissions for Comedy Prize, a huge turnout for Taco Wars and the most votes cast in a single year across all competitions. Additionally, Film Prize was named one of the "Best Short Film Festivals in the World" in 2022 which is a title held by only 25 festivals.

During the event, four of the six Prize competitions officially opened including Film, Music, Fashion and Comedy Prizes. Food Prize and Taco Wars announcements will be made in the coming weeks.

"Together, these numbers show that the energy is growing in our creative community heading into 2023," said Director of Film Prize Chris Lyon. "We believe that this year will be even bigger than the last, with more competitors from more places and a brighter light will be shone on Shreveport, Northwest Louisiana and the state as a whole."

More:See an exclusive screening of the Academy Award-Nominated documentary 'Time' at RFC

Part of the kickoff party was the Golden Lens Photography Competition created by Jen Robison in partnership with Bossier Parish Community College. This competition features a series of photos taken by local photographers and a panel of judges and attendees voted on their favorite photo. The Golen Lens is the newest addition to the Prize Fest competition lineup.

The People's Choice winner Kevey Johnson took home a $250 cash prize and the Grand Prize winner Megan Murphy received the $750 cash prize.

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Registrations for all Prize Fest categories are officially open for the 2023 season.

For more information on this year's competitions including prizes, deadlines, rules and registration visit the Prize Fest website.

Meredith G. White is the arts and culture reporter for the Shreveport Times. You can find her on Facebook as Meredith G. White, on Instagram and Twitter as @meredithgwhite, and email her at mgwhite@gannett.com.

The Louisiana Film Prize's kickoff party, mixer and film grant giveaway event at Shreveport Regional Arts Council on Wednesday, February 8th, 2023.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Louisiana Prize Fest announces news for 2023 season at kickoff party
Please & Thank You's frozen dough boxes are now sold at select Kroger locations.

Many plans are in motion at the Louisville-based coffee shop and bakery Please & Thank You. Perhaps the most exciting is a brand-new coffee shop location set to open in Indianapolis this spring. Company owner Brooke Vaughn chose a 1,200-square-foot location at 849 Massachusetts Ave. and hopes to have the new shop open by May 15.

"I'm from Indianapolis, so it's like a homecoming for us," Vaughn said. "And actually  a lot of [restaurant owners] have huge payments due on Emergency Income Disaster Payment loans. If you see a lot of places opening new locations, it's because we're all obliged to pay this money back. How many of us will be left in another year is questionable, but hopefully, we're all doing our best to expand and take care of our team."

Vaughn said her loan repayment bill is $10,000 per month. The only way she could generate enough revenue to pay the bill was to open a new store or two. She's also interested in opening a location in Denver, Colorado.

Please & Thank You at 800 E. Market St.

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"The unfortunate part is there's only so much business you can get in Louisville," she said. "My Market Street store is by far our strongest store, but a lot of that is tourism where 60% of the customers there are new, even though it's been open for 13 years. My other stores are fine and paying for themselves, but there's not enough people here to generate the type of revenue [I need.] That's why I'm looking at bigger cities. $10,000 a month is a big nut to crack."

Vaughn's other recent project involved moving the company's headquarters to a larger space, but it hasn't worked out.

In December 2021, Vaughn bought a 5,000-square-foot building in Shelby Park at 700 E. Kentucky St., intending to move the company's baking facility there when its current lease ran out. But after renovation estimates came back at well over $1 million, Vaughn had to cancel the plan and re-list the building for sale.

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For now, Please & Thank You will remain headquartered in Louisville's Portland neighborhood while Vaughn searches for new space.

You may like:Tacos, sushi & doughnuts: 5 new restaurants opening in the Highlands

The secondary program she's working on is an expanded wholesale partnership with Kroger. About 14 Kroger stories now carry Please & Thank You's frozen "Dough Boxes" so far, and Vaughn hopes her cookie dough will be sold in Kroger locations nationwide soon. The dough boxes come in boxes of two dozen ($65), three dozen ($85) or four dozen ($100) cookies.

Please & Thank You has three Louisville-area locations: the original store at 800 E. Market St., one in Clifton at 2341 Frankfort Ave., and one in Prospect, Kentucky at 9561 US-42. The West End bakery and cookie factory is located at 1626 Duncan St.

Reach food reporter Dahlia Ghabour at dghabour@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville's Please & Thank You to open store in Indianapolis, Indiana
Is it bad to take a lunch break? 1 in 4 Gen Zers worry higher-ups look down on those who leave their desks to eat. Here's why they should follow their boomer coworkers' lead

From cubicles to the C-suite, workers are chewing on the results of a study from EZcater, an online marketplace that connects businesses and catering companies. According to their report, 1 in 10 employees don't take breaks away from their desk, and 70% of employees eat while they work at least once a week.

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Not only are those workers  called desktop diners  skipping much-needed breaks from email and Zoom meetings, but it turns out that wolfing down a sandwich during a spreadsheet scan may actually be hurting their productivity.

One finding especially stands out: A quarter of Gen Z workers say theyre worried their boss might frown on lunch breaks. But hiring managers cant afford to be that draconian these days if they want to hold onto their employees.

The report found that stopping to eat and taking mental breaks can prevent burnout  especially in the context of the extra stressful times workers have faced over the past few years.

After all, theres a reason why so many people took part in The Great Resignation.

Is lunch really the law?

Lunch breaks arent federally mandated  paid or unpaid. Some states, like California, have break requirements, while others like Missouri dont. Companies perceived as desirable by workers generally encourage paid lunch breaks, and some even provide free food and inviting environments away from the cubicle farm for a midday timeout.

But federal or state laws are one thing. A boss that models bad behavior is another.

EZCaters study, which found that 43% of respondents reported eating lunch at their desk three or more times per week, also found that 56% of director-level managers and roughly half of VP-level leaders munch through lunch at their desks at least three times per week.

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Protect the lunch hour

The companys report found that older workers are some of the most zealous protectors of the midday break, with nearly half of boomer-aged respondents stating they never eat at their desk.

Thats probably because they understand that breaks have a positive impact on the company and employees  from more productivity and higher contentment to better focus and increased employee retention, according to a similar study run by Tork, a corporate hygiene and health company.

Read more: Here's how much money the average middle-class American household makes  how do you stack up?

And keep in mind that distracted eating at your desk  especially shared desks  can lead to problems like hygiene issues, with crumbs, nasty odors (especially in popular open floor plans) and even potential damage to expensive technology.

Then theres your physical health.

Skip the chips

Eating at your desk often lends itself to quick-but-questionable snacking, with packaged and processed options an easy choice when the next meeting looms.

Remember that its important to stand up, move and stretch your body and rest your eyes. Mental health, and even professional collaboration, increases with breaks when you have time to attend to personal tasks, mindfulness or to strengthen relationships by lunching with colleagues, as the Tork study shows.

So how can you contribute to a lunchable culture at work?

If your boss or colleagues wont model good behavior, you can. Prioritize taking lunch breaks. Set away notifications with language such as, Ill be back from lunch soon to train others that you take lunch and dont answer non-emergency calls during your break.

If youre discouraged from taking lunch breaks, consider discussing the issue with your boss or human resources representative.

After all, a company thats invested in you wouldnt want to lose you over lunch, would they?

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
A rendering released by the Chicago Bears shows the view from the threshold of the proposed stadium of the Arlington Park entertainment district. The Bears released proposed development plans for the Arlington International Racecourse property in Arlington Heights on Sept. 6, 2022. (Hart Howerton/Chicago Bears)

There has been a robust, multifaceted and profoundly justified emphasis on justice conversations in U.S. cities during the last two years.

Yet cities operate within regions, and the importance of our larger region to issues of justice predates even the word Chicagoland. In this light, there has been relative silence on suburban justice  and this is particularly clear with the proposed Chicago Bears development at the old Arlington Park racetrack in Arlington Heights.

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Now is our chance to change this.

In 1970, the Clerics of St. Viator moved forward on a plan to develop affordable housing on its Arlington Heights property occupied by, among other things, its high school. The Catholic order contracted then-new nonprofit developer Metropolitan Housing Development Corp., or MHDC, to construct racially integrated affordable housing. Like the majority of white suburbs in the 1970s, the resulting conversations in Arlington Heights, including at public meetings, showed bias toward the development on racial and social class grounds.

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The village refused to change the project areas single-family zoning, which resulted in rejection of the 190-unit two-story development. MHDC and individual residents filed suit, alleging that racially motivated actions  with accompanying public rhetoric  violated the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. Using the standard playbook of the time, Arlington Heights officials contended that they were simply concerned with property values and maintenance of their zoning.

Although the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit was convinced that the effect of the villages decision was to discriminate on the basis of race, the U.S. Supreme Court disagreed, holding that the action was not unconstitutional. The evidence did not warrant the conclusion that (racial bias) motivated the defendants, the court stated, even though at public hearings, those against the development displayed opposition to the possibility of minority groups. A showing of discriminatory intent was required. The Supreme Court remanded the case to the lower courts.

The trumping of effect by intent had presumably been addressed by the Fair Housing Act of 1968, which called not just for a policing of discrimination but also efforts to affirmatively further fair housing. A handful of states, most notably New Jersey, responded by requiring that every municipality provide its fair share of affordable housing.

Did the Arlington Heights denial violate the Fair Housing Act? The 7th Circuit Court observed that there is a choice between a narrow view that requires explicit intention or a broad view that reasons that if the foreseeable consequence of that act is to discriminate between races, then the action is unjust.

The court cases dragged on for more than a decade before some housing was eventually built on the periphery of Arlington Heights in 1983.

As for Arlington Heights, although the Supreme Court noted in its decision that the village was undeniably committed to single-family homes, it was clear, even within the next decade, that the village had no problems with very large multiunit housing developments. Arlington Heights was a front-runner in Illinois of what became known nationally as new urbanism, which touts the benefits of density and walkability and the subsequent retrofitting of suburbs to this end.

In the 50 years that followed, the village regularly authorized multiunit buildings in its downtown.

It is not unreasonable to think that without this dense and robust suburban downtown, the Bears decadeslong flirtation with Arlington Heights might have fizzled out.

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In this historical moment, the Bears proposed 326-acre site is exactly the place for the village to make a statement with a broad view on affirmatively furthering a just housing fabric. It is the site where the community can make a statement that the Arlington Heights of 2023 is not that of a half-century earlier.

[ Will the Chicago Bears leave Soldier Field for Arlington Heights? Heres what to know. ]

To some extent, the village has already moved in this direction. Just as there were residents fighting for affordable and inclusive housing with the Viatorians in the 1970s, so there are locals fighting for affordable and inclusive housing today. In fact, Arlington Heights is one of the few Chicago suburbs with an affordable housing ordinance, which it passed in 2020. The ordinance requires that 5% to 10% of the total units of new multifamily rental developments  those that contain 10 or more units  be affordable or that payments to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund be made to make up the difference.

There is no requirement that for-sale developments include affordable housing; only a payment into the trust fund is mandated.

Village Manager Randy Recklaus has said the affordable housing ordinance is important to the village board, and he has shared that with the Bears. But, to be clear, this is not the time to abide by a narrow view of inclusivity.

The Bears could meet the requirements of the new ordinance by limiting rental housing and paying their way out of the affordability requirement for the rental housing they do build, so that their development is virtually free of affordable housing.

Arlington Heights could shake off the suburban heritage of outmaneuvering justice via technicalities by boldly abiding by the spirit of a new inclusive suburb. In the new Bears development, the village could work to develop a robust place that includes rented and owned affordable housing.

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In 1971, the Arlington Heights planning commission expressed that it would be derelict in offering low- and moderate-income housing on the St. Viator property. More than a half-century later, it would be derelict in not fighting just as craftily for low- and moderate-income housing on the Bears property.

John Joe Schlichtman is an associate professor of urban sociology at DePaul University. He is co-author of Gentrifier, author of Showroom City and a Public Voices Fellow with The OpEd Project.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
John Drake remembers disliking the police during his youth in Nashville, Tennessee. One of his earliest interactions with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department was being falsely accused of the brutal rape of an 89-year-old woman, despite bearing little resemblance to the description of the assailant.

Drake is now chief of that same police department. And his story is similar to those of other Black police leaders.

Daniel Hahn, former police chief in Sacramento, California, grew up in the citys impoverished Oak Park neighborhood and was arrested at 16 years old. He said he was arrested for assaulting an officer. He didnt hate police, he said, but when he was in college, he brushed off police recruiters multiple times.

Stevante Clark, the brother of Stephon Clark, who was shot and killed by Sacramento police, talks with Sacramento Police Chief Daniel Hahn before a meeting of the Sacramento City Council on April 10, 2018. Sacramento police issued its first written policy on when officers can turn off body cameras after two officers muted their microphones after the fatal shooting of Stephon Clark in March 2018. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox said becoming a police officer had never seemed a possibility to him because there were so few people of color in the department. In 1995, a few years after he joined the force in Boston, Cox was beaten by fellow officers who mistook him for a suspect, an incident that was covered up until Cox won more than $1 million in a civil rights lawsuit.

Despite such negative encounters, all three men persevered to lead law enforcement in their hometowns.

My upbringing prepared me for all of it, Hahn said. It gave me perspective and gave me compassion. Im in both worlds, and so I can understand fully.

Drake and Cox agree that their racial identity informs their work as they take on the challenge of repairing police relationships with communities of color. Still, many Black police chiefs say they face intense pushback from their own officers as they press for reform, and they often see anger directed at them from citizens scarred by a history of mistreatment at the hands of police  tensions again inflamed by the murder of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis in 2020 and subsequent nationwide protests for social justice.

I was supposed to solve all the worlds issues, at least the Black issues, with the snap of my finger, said Hahn, who led the Sacramento department during the protests over the killing of Stephon Clark by police in that city in 2018. Id be called a coon, a sellout, Uncle Tom by the Black community. Id be discriminated against in many different ways by non-Black communities.

Story continues

When the officers are Black: Tyre Nichols' death raises tough questions about race in policing

Metro Nashville Chief of Police John Drake poses for a portrait at police headquarters on April 29, 2021.

Diversity in itself is not enough

Policing is an overwhelmingly white profession, and reform advocates have been calling for police departments to increase diversity for decades.

In 2020, the Bureau of Justice Statistics at the Department of Justice reported that just 6% of chiefs of local police departments were Black, though chiefs were much more likely to be Black in departments serving 250,000 or more residents.

For Black Americans in traffic stops: 'We carry the burden of ensuring we are not murdered'

Increasing diversity in police leadership can have a positive influence on police culture and policies, but it is not enough to solve the deeper issues in police culture, said Jacinta Gau, professor of criminal justice at the University of Central Florida.

We need diversity of all sorts, but we need it particularly in those higher ranks, Gau said. It is not enough to have a Black chief.

As with Hahn in Sacramento  where the unarmed Clark was killed in his grandmothers backyard  having a person of color at the helm does not insulate a department from national scrutiny over a police killing or systemic misconduct.

When 29-year-old Tyre Nichols was fatally beaten after a traffic stop last month, Memphis police were led by the first Black female police chief, Cerelyn "CJ" Davis.

Davis was initially praised for swiftly firing five officers who were later charged with murder, but she has since faced criticism for creating the violent crime unit in which the five officers worked. The team, called the SCORPION unit, has been compared to similar controversial units in other cities and has since been disbanded. Davis was not available for an interview for this story.

Still, many cities have hired Black chiefs, often for the first time, after facing backlash for similar incidents of police misconduct.

'You've got to have a diverse police department': Police diversity lags in many cities

In 1992, Willie L. Williams became the first Black chief of the Los Angeles Police Department after video of officers beating a Black man, Rodney King, gained worldwide attention. The officers acquittal on criminal charges led to widespread riots.

In 2016, Delrish Moss was sworn in as the first Black chief in Ferguson, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. Ferguson was the subject of a scathing Justice Department report that raised concerns about the majority Black communitys overwhelmingly white police force after the shooting death of Michael Brown, 18, in 2014.

Delrish Moss poses for a portrait on May 9, 2016, in Ferguson, Missouri. Moss was sworn in that month as Ferguson's first Black police chief and said he hoped to diversify the mostly white department as it rebounds from the fallout of months of unrest that followed the fatal 2014 police shooting of Michael Brown.

In 2020, Yvette Gentry was named interim chief in Louisville, Kentucky, becoming the first Black woman to lead the Louisville Metro Police amid backlash over the shootings of Breonna Taylor, 26, who was killed in her home by police, and David McAtee, 53, a restaurant owner killed by National Guard troops during protests that followed.

Despite some gains, many Black chiefs, including Carmen Best in Seattle and U. Renee Hall in Dallas, stepped down amid public criticism of their handling of protests in 2020.

It is lonely, said Amal Awad, the first woman, first person of color and first known member of the LGBTQ community to lead the Anne Arundel County Police Department in the Annapolis, Maryland, area. Theres a lot of pressure there, and Im just me. Im not Superwoman.

Black police chiefs met with racism, anger

In addition to microaggressions and overt racism, new chiefs of color can face intense pressure from communities of color to make significant changes quickly, Gau said.

They occupy the intersection of two groups that have historically had bad relations, she said. The police chief is a powerful position, but its only one person. Putting that level of pressure, putting that whole bag of expectations onto this one person, is kind of unfair and unrealistic.

Cox said he questioned whether he wanted to continue being a Boston police officer during the height of the racial justice protests. There was so much rhetoric around poor policing and how bad the police are and how much damage theyve done in the world that I was even questioning, Why am I in this profession?

Ultimately, he said, it motivated him to continue working with the community.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu bumps fists with Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox, who was sworn in in August 2022. Cox, a veteran of the citys police force, was brutally beaten by fellow officers decades ago while chasing a suspect and fought against efforts to cover up his assault.

After Madison, Wisconsin, endured 180 days of demonstrations after Floyds death, Shon Barnes was sworn in as chief in February 2021. His first week on the job, he received an email addressing him using a racist slur.

As he spent weeks getting to know the community, Barnes said, he was often the target of anger and frustration, though he believes his background ultimately helped to calm tensions during the protests.

I met with members of the community and had them literally scream at me about the history of police, he said.

Barnes said some members of his department criticized him for spending so much time with residents, but he felt it was crucial to building trust.

It is tough being a chief in this time, and it is doubly tough doing it as a Black man, he said. They dont understand the amount of implicit bias that goes on in this position where people are questioning your expertise.

Black police chiefs face internal pushback

Gau said Black police chiefs looking to make even symbolic changes often face opposition within their departments.

Jeffrey Norman, who was sworn in as chief in Milwaukee in November 2021 after nearly a year as acting chief, said he faced backlash when he restricted the use of Thin Blue Line imagery.

Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Keith P. Posley, left, and Police Chief Jeffrey Norman listen as Mayor Cavalier Johnson speaks at Milwaukee High School of the Arts.

Norman said curtailing the use of the symbol, which was displayed by white supremacists and neo-Nazis during a deadly 2018 rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, was his way of taking a stand for equity and inclusion. I got a lot of pushback on that, he said. There was a lot of frustration that was thrown to me.

Before becoming chief of police and emergency management for Denvers public transit system, Joel Fitzgerald was police chief in Waterloo, Iowa. He faced pushback when he suggested the Waterloo Police Department change its insignia  a green-eyed, red-bodied griffin, which some in the Black community say too closely resembles a Ku Klux Klan grand dragon.

Opponents not only framed the effort as an attack on officers but also criticized his personal life, such as his wife deciding not to move to the city. The city council later voted to remove the symbol from police uniforms, one of many changes Fitzgerald said he is proud of.

Ive had those battles  just because of who I am and what I look like, said Fitzgerald, who was the first Black police chief in three other jurisdictions before Waterloo and Denver. My hope is that more chiefs of color share their experiences and share the obstacles that they faced to get things done.

Trying to make more substantial changes  like firing an officer for misconduct or addressing racial bias  can bring even greater internal opposition.

Getting officer buy-in can be a big challenge  particularly, white officers are very likely to get defensive, Gau said. Youre up against policy, youre up against the union, youre up against any lawsuit that the officer might file if they are terminated.

In 2018, when RaShall Brackney became the first Black woman to lead the police department in Charlottesville, Virginia, she was tasked with bringing legitimacy and transparency to an agency that had lost the communitys trust after the white supremacist rally.

She said she spent months meeting with residents, conducting an extensive review of the departments policies and practices, and bringing in groups like the Anti-Defamation League to train officers.

Brackney said some officers were extremely vocal opponents to the changes, and the backlash intensified when she fired popular officers and disbanded specialty units, including the SWAT team, after uncovering thousands of inappropriate videos and text messages threatening her and making racist remarks.

Charlottesville, Virginia, Police Chief RaShall Brackney oversees officers during the removal of Lt. Gen. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson statue located at Court Square Park in Charlottesville, Virginia, on July 10, 2021. Brackney was fired later that year.

It was extremely unsettling, she said. I literally at that point start walking out of my police station with my weapons readily available and in my hand in case I have to respond to a threat from my own officers or officers that Id terminated.

Brackney was fired in September 2021. She said she filed complaints with multiple agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, before filing a $10 million lawsuit against the city and several current and former officials. Her lawsuit in June 2022 claims she was terminated because of race and gender discrimination. A federal judge dismissed her suit in January because there wasn't sufficient evidence of discrimination, conspiracy or malice.

Brackney said its unlikely shell be welcomed back into policing after her firing in Charlottesville. She said she worries about how many leaders like her have been pushed out of the profession.

We need to create opportunities and off ramps for individuals to be successful in going about the work differently. And maybe chief is not the space to be in. And maybe its in education. And maybe run for office, she said.

Maybe we all have to think about giving up some of our policing powers and give those back to the community.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How Black chiefs pushing police reform face pressure from both sides
Zelenskyy and Macron

We want to build a world together, Macron said.

Read also: Zelenskyy says Macron is changing his stance on not humiliating Russia

A world that will ensure justice for Ukraine and its people. A world that will serve our common desire to see a Europe united in solidarity. A world that allows us to build a space of stability and security for all.

Macron added that Zelenskyys 10-point peace plan should form the basis of any future peace conferences, and pledged to further provide Ukraine with all the military aid it needs.

"Ukraine can count on France and its allies to win the war, Russia should not and will not win the war," Macron said.

Read also: Zelenskyy and Macron discuss military aid to Ukraine, Russian athletes at Paris Olympics

Scholz has also promised Zelenskyy Germanys full support, noting that the most recent military aid package includes Leopard 1 and Leopard 2 battle tanks, which Ukrainians have long called for.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
German Rheinmetall concern, one of the largest military equipment manufacturers in the world, is interested in supplying Panther, their newest tank, and other equipment to Ukraine, provided that the federal government will give permission for export.

Source: Armin Papperger, Executive Director of Rheinmetall, in an interview to Handelsblatt, reports European Pravda

"We are negotiating with Kyiv in regards to the export of Panther tanks," he stated.

photo: Rheinmetall

According to Papperger, Ukraine supports the decision and has also shown interest in the Lynx, a modern infantry fighting vehicle.

Rheinmetall has presented Panthers on an exhibition in Paris in 2022; the tank claims to be one of the most powerful in the world. Ukraine might potentially become one of the first buyers.

The tank currently exists only in the form of a demonstration model, but the concern assures that they can deliver the first machines in 15-18 months. It is possible to assemble the tanks in Germany or Hungary, but the consent of the German government is required for export, since it is a German development.

Panther KF51 was developed based on Leopard 2 tanks and is most convenient for countries that already have Leopards in service. As is known, Ukraine is to receive the first such tanks from the Allies in the coming months.

Earlier, the Minister of Defense of Germany announced a "tank summit" of the countries that are transferring Leopard tanks to Ukraine.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Google Maps Immersive View offers drone-like footage of cities (Google)

Google has rolled out a major new upgrade to its hugely popular maps app that allows users to fly like a drone over cities.

The Immersive View feature for Google Maps launched for London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Tokyo, with plans to make it available for other global cities.

Immersive View is an entirely new way to explore a place  letting you feel like youre right there, even before you visit, Chris Phillips, a general manager at Google, wrote in a blog post unveiling the update.

Using advances in AI and computer vision, immersive view fuses billions of Street View and aerial images to create a rich, digital model of the world. And it layers helpful information on top like the weather, traffic, and how busy a place is.

The new feature is currently only available on Android and iOS versions of the Google Maps app, with plans to introduce it to desktop users in the future.

The next cities to receive the Immersive View update for Google Maps will be Amsterdam, Dublin, Florence and Venice.

The idea is to allow users to plan trips by offering them a new way to locate the entrances to buildings, figure out where to park, and see how busy areas get at certain times of the day.

Google is also introducing new augmented reality (AR) features to Maps through a tool called Live View. More than 1,000 airports, train stations and malls will be added to the navigation feature, which uses AR-powered arrows to point a user in the right direction.

The AR updates come amid a major focus on the technology from rivals Apple, who have made immersive exploration a big part of its latest Apple Maps app.
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - The death toll from a cholera outbreak in Malawi has crossed 1,300, a senior Malawian health official said on Thursday, as the southern African country battles its deadliest outbreak yet.

As of Wednesday, Malawi had recorded 40,284 cholera cases and 1,316 deaths in an outbreak that started in March 2022, with the country averaging over 500 new cases every day, Charles Mwansambo told a briefing organised by the World Health Organisation's Africa office.

Cholera outbreaks happen regularly in Malawi, usually in the rainy season from November to March, but they only average an annual death toll of about 100.

The WHO said in a statement on Thursday that Malawi's current outbreak was the deadliest on record, worse than ones in 1998/99 and 2001/02 that saw 860 and 968 deaths respectively.

Malawi has conducted two oral cholera vaccination campaigns, but a global surge in cholera outbreaks means vaccine supplies are under strain.

Other African countries, including Malawi's neighbours Mozambique and Zambia, have reported cholera cases.

In East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are responding to outbreaks amid a prolonged and harsh drought, and in West and Central Africa there have been cases in Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria.

On Sunday, South Africa reported two imported cholera cases from Malawi, with the husband of one of the first two cases subsequently testing positive.

Cholera is mainly spread by contaminated food or water and can cause acute diarrhoea. While many people have mild symptoms, if untreated it can kill within hours.

(Reporting by Bhargav Acharya; Editing by Alexander Winning and Christina Fincher)
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim pledged to "do whatever is required" to facilitate a peaceful solution to a long-simmering insurgency in southern Thailand, during an official visit to Bangkok on Thursday.

More than 7,300 people have been killed since 2004 in fighting between Thai forces and shadowy groups seeking independence for the predominantly Muslim and ethnically Malay provinces of Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani and parts of Songkhla, which border Malaysia.

The area was part of the Patani sultanate that Thailand annexed in a 1909 treaty with Britain.

Anwar stressed the insurgency is an internal issue for Thailand but said Malaysia will do whatever it can to help find a peaceful solution to the conflict, starting with appointing Zulkifli Zainal Abidin, 65, a former head of Malaysia's armed forces as facilitator to the process.

"It is our duty as a good neighbour and family to do whatever is required and necessary to facilitate the process," Anwar said.

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said cooperation will help address the problems in the restive provinces, specifically greater economic development and improved connectivity between the two countries.

The Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), the main insurgent group involved in talks with the Thai government did not comment when contacted by Reuters.

Since 2013 Malaysia has helped facilitate peace talks between the separatists groups and Thai government but the process been disrupted disrupted. The latest round of talks resumed last year after a two-year suspension due to the pandemic.

(Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um and Panarat Thepgumpanat; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor)
A man was arrested early Thursday morning after firing a gun into the air and threatening a woman in the Pioneer Square neighborhood of Seattle, according to the Seattle Police Department.

At about 12:30 a.m. Thursday, officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 200 block of Yesler Way.

When officers arrived they found a woman who said a man confronted her while she was on the street.

According to police, the 25-year-old woman got into an argument with the 30-year-old man, when he pulled out a handgun, pointed it at her and fired once into the air.

The woman said the man threatened to kill her as he pointed the gun at her a second time.

The man left the scene on foot with another woman and was last spotted heading toward South Jackson Street.

As officers searched for the man, they found a man matching his description with a woman walking eastbound on South Jackson Street.

Officers attempted to detain the man, but he ran from them.

The man was chased to a construction site on an abandoned property, where he climbed a fence to escape.

After a search, officers found the man hiding in an alcove on the property.

The man was arrested for assault and an outstanding assault warrant. He was booked into the King County Jail and may also be charged with criminal trespass and obstruction.

Officers searched the area for the gun, but it was not recovered.




Police have arrested a man they say has been robbing people in South Fulton and using a dating app to find his victims.

Authorities told Channel 2s Audrey Washington that the suspect was using the dating app Grindr, which is primarily used by gay men, to find unsuspecting victims, meet them along Old National Highway and rob them at gunpoint minutes later.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The robberies happened over a period of a couple of weeks in January.

South Fulton police have confirmed to Channel 2 Action News that the man behind those armed robberies was identified as Zechariah Ivan Warren.

Warren was located and arrested on Wednesday.

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These allegations against Warren are disturbing, to say the least. We will work with our partners at the Fulton County District Attorneys Office and federally to continue investigating this case for prosecution, South Fulton Police Chief Keith Meadows said in a release.

Warren is currently being held in the Fulton County Jail on four counts of armed robbery and three counts of aggravated assault.

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A man who goes by the online moniker "Pro-life Spiderman" and scaled Chase Tower in downtown Phoenix on Tuesday morning was released from jail on Wednesday morning after posting a $500 bond.

The man, 23-year-old Maison Des Champs, was arrested by police after successfully climbing the 483-foot building and was charged with one count of criminal trespass and burglary and one count of offenses against the public order  both of which are Class 3 misdemeanors.

A Phoenix Municipal Court employee told The Arizona Republic that Des Champs' next court hearing is Feb. 16 at 8:30 a.m. It was not immediately clear what jail time or fines Des Champs potentially faces, if convicted.

Court documents state Des Champs' release conditions include not climbing any buildings  including Chase Tower. He also is barred from ingesting alcohol or drugs. Des Champs admitted to officers that he climbed the building and that doing so was illegal, court documents say.

He also told officers he had been arrested after climbing large buildings six times prior to Tuesday's incident.

Stories from several news outlets show a pattern of Des Champs climbing tall buildings to garner media coverage, which he uses to spur outside donations to anti-abortion organizations. His climbs also end up with his arrest and charges of trespassing, among other charges.

A Bay Area-based ABC affiliate reported that police arrested Des Champs in May 2022 after he climbed the 1,070-foot tall Salesforce Tower in San Francisco. The affiliate said Des Champs was charged with one count of trespassing and another count of resisting a police investigation  both misdemeanors.

Mediaite reported that Des Champs later climbed a 667-foot Ritz Carlton in Los Angeles in November 2022 where he was also charged with trespassing. Mediaite also reported that Des Champs climbed Oklahoma City's Devon Tower, which is 844 feet tall, in June 2022. He was charged with trespassing for that stunt as well.

It was not immediately clear what penalties he faced for those incidents.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Man who climbed Chase Tower in Phoenix released from jail on $500 bond
Update: William Ballard was convicted of murder in the death of James Greenberg after a three-day trial, the Marion County Prosecutor's Office announced Feb. 9, 2023. Greenberg also was convicted of domestic battery, attempted obstruction of justice and attempted invasion of privacy.

A 31-year-old man was charged with murder Monday in the Jan. 3 shooting death of a man on the north side of Indianapolis.

William Ballard is facing murder charges after police found James Greenberg, 35, suffering from gunshot wounds in the 2000 block of West Coil Street nearly three weeks ago. Greenberg was pronounced dead at the scene.

Ballard has also been charged with criminal confinement and kidnapping while armed with a deadly weapon, kidnapping committed by using a vehicle, unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, intimidation with a weapon and domestic battery, according to charging documents.

More: Hoosier musician used pepper spray on police as rioters stormed Capitol, FBI agent claims

Court records show the shooting occurred shortly after Ballard became "very upset" that Greenberg had contacted Ballard's girlfriend.

After learning about the contact, Ballard put a gun to his girlfriend's head and demanded to know where Greenberg was, according to a probable cause affidavit. He then forced his girlfriend into a car, drove to Greenberg's location and shot Greenberg when he approached the car.

Police during their investigation recovered text messages between Greenberg and Ballard's girlfriend minutes before the shooting in which Greenberg asks when the woman would be arriving.

The last message, telling Greenberg to "come out," was sent three minutes before police received the first report of a shooting, the affidavit shows. The girlfriend told police Ballard was texting Greenberg from her phone while driving to the location.

Business: Family Video is closing all remaining stores, including 81 Indiana locations

Story continues

On Jan. 11, an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Officer recognized a vehicle that had been taken in a car-jacking earlier in the day. The driver, later identified as Ballard, fled police before being taken into custody after a foot chase, according to charging documents.

Ballard is being held without bond, court records show. His jury trial is scheduled for May 3.

Anyone with information about this incident should call the IMPD Homicide Office at 317-327-3475 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.

Contact Lawrence Andrea at 317-775-4313 or landrea@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @lawrencegandrea.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis crime: Man convicted in 2021 killing of James Greenberg
A colleague recently sent me a TikTok she thought Id find interesting. I clicked the link but immediately regretted it. I quickly cleared my browser history but felt it was too late and that the Chinese government was probably in my phone for good now.

As a former U.S. diplomat, I might be unusually sensitive to that possibility, having served in places where we took for granted that foreign state actors were listening in. But the combination of geopolitical rivalry, Chinas surveillance state and the viral power of social media does feel potent.

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If youre reading this column, you may not be one of the 100 million American users of TikTok, the wildly popular video-sharing social media app that some lawmakers want to ban nationally. About 60% of American TikTok users are under the age of 24, and 76% are younger than 44.

But the debate over TikTok still matters to us all because at its core is the bigger question of how, or whether, our open society can adapt to mitigate the risks of algorithm manipulation and mass hoarding of private data.

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TikTok raises specific concerns because of China. Its owned by a Chinese company subject to Chinese national security laws that allow the government to demand its data. Theres also the fear that the Chinese state could use the app to spread propaganda and influence its users in ways that harm U.S. democracy and national interests.

After all, foreign adversaries have used social media to sway U.S. public opinion in nefarious ways before. The extreme level of control and influence that the Chinese Communist Party has over Chinese businesses amps up the risk of social medias reach.

In ongoing negotiations with the U.S. government, the company that owns TikTok has proposed elaborate measures to ensure that U.S. user data does not end up in the hands of the Chinese state. But this is happening in such a heated geopolitical atmosphere that the outcome will likely be swayed more by politics than actual risk calculation. However well intended, no security mechanisms proposed by a Chinese company will likely persuade enough political actors that it can be trusted with this level of access to American minds.

Wherever this debate ends up, however, Americans have a bigger question to answer: Why are we so worried about the Chinese government manipulating social media but so nonchalant about Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk and other corporate interests doing the same for profit?

Its a question I ask myself frequently. Even as I steer clear of TikTok, I still use Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, though I know the parent companies are using my data and algorithms to try to manipulate my behavior for corporate gain. These businesses determine what news we see, influence what we buy and frequently affect our opinions, views and attitudes in ways of which we arent even aware.

The risk with TikTok is real, but American social media companies pose real risk, too.

Tools to address that risk butt up against the open society that we treasure. An open societys success has always relied on the idea that we can combat bad information and misinformation with the truth, promoted by facts and better arguments. But the world of algorithms, alternative facts and other viral virtual weapons in the hands of bad actors begs the question: Is an open society equipped to handle a technologically advanced war of words and video? Does truth have a fair fight in an open forum today?

This question is a profoundly difficult one for the United States because we prize free speech and openness with an almost cultlike commitment that makes regulation unseemly.

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Many governments have no problem banning social media apps to limit the information their citizens can access or cutting off tools that risk revealing alarming truths. Americans find that easy to criticize, but even our European allies, who also value openness, already embrace guard rails on that openness in the interest of privacy and public safety.

What makes us fear the slippery slope of regulating access to information is already emerging in American politics, as the far right clamps down on information in defense of its culture wars. Book bans and political interference in educational curriculum are only degrees away from prohibiting political opposition outright.

[ Clarence Page: Heres why I celebrate banned books ]

The question the government is grappling with today then is what can we do to block misinformation and disinformation that these social media tools spread without impeding the legitimate information people have access to?

I hope our government brings an equal level of scrutiny to all social media apps as it does to those associated with China, but I also hope it pursues regulation with ample oversight, transparency and limitation.

We must take great care with what power we grant the government to limit public access to information and expression. Even if you trust that the government today has the publics best interest at heart, the doors we open now will be open to anyone who ends up in power in the future.

Elizabeth Shackelford is a senior fellow on U.S. foreign policy with the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. She was previously a U.S. diplomat and is the author of The Dissent Channel: American Diplomacy in a Dishonest Age.

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Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
A man at the center of a 2020 murder on Alexandria Drive has pleaded guilty as part of a plea deal for amended charges following a mediation.

Kevin Velasco-Gomez, 27, has pleaded guilty to charges of first-degree manslaughter and tampering with physical evidence for his involvement in the death of his girlfriend, 33-year-old Elaine Castillo, according to court documents.

He was originally charged with murder and tampering with physical evidence in February 2020.

The mediation took place on Wednesday with Judge Kimberly Bunnell, according to online court records.

Police found the body of Castillo in a home at the 2200 block of Alexandria Drive in Lexington with the direction of her juvenile son who said his mother was covered in blood.

She was found with lacerations to her hands and major blunt force trauma to her skull, police previously said.

Castillo and Velasco-Gomez began arguing hours before she was found, according to previous police testimony. The two were reportedly fighting because she caught Velasco-Gomez with another woman and kicked him out of the house.

At the time of his arrest, Velasco-Gomez said Castillo pulled a knife on him.

He told police he remembered Castillo being covered in blood and knew she was dead.

Velasco-Gomez was alleged to have fled the scene in Castillos green Ford Expedition, which was pulled over in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Police allowed the car to go, but later found it abandoned.

Witnesses later saw Velasco-Gomez in a white van in Simpson County where they stopped at a restaurant. Kentucky State Police identified and arrested Velasco-Gomez.

Velasco-Gomez is scheduled to be sentenced at 1:45 p.m. March 30. He faces 15 years in prison for the manslaughter charge, and one year for the tampering with physical evidence charge.
Feb. 8A man accused of stealing a bike and then assaulting the owner pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 16 years in prison Wednesday.

Sean Michael Hyche, 24, pleaded guilty in Boulder District Court to one count of second-degree assault as a habitual offender, according to a release from the Boulder County District Attorney's Office.

The plea included a stipulated sentence to 16 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections.

Prosecutors said in April 2022 Hyche was identified as a suspect in a bike theft and had punched the bike owner in the face and broke her nose when she confronted him.

Boulder Police Officers found and arrested Hyche at a camp that was strewn with bike parts and other suspected stolen property.

Prosecutors said Hyche had a significant criminal history, which led to the habitual offender sentence enhancer.

"The victim suffered a terrible and traumatic attack by this defendant," Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said. "The sentence of 16 years in state prison is certainly appropriate, given what this defendant did. His conduct was outrageous and unacceptable. This office will respond strongly to threats to community safety and the violent victimization of our community members."

Hyche's booking photo was not immediately available.
Marco Pierre White has opened up about his son. (S3studio/Getty Images)

Marco Pierre White has said the authorities should have given his jailed son a sharp dose of reality earlier.

The celebrity chefs son Marco Pierre White Jr has had a string of troubles and last year he was sentenced to 11 months in prison for shoplifting and possession of a knife.

White, 61, has now opened up about it to The Times, saying that his son had quit drugs and that he would be out soon.

Read more: Marco Pierre White's 3D-printed steak throws Good Morning Britain viewers

However, the TV star suggested that he thought his son may have needed a wake-up call from the authorities a little sooner.

Marco Pierre White Jr has had some troubles with the law. (Getty Images)

We speak four times a day, but I dont visit because he says Im too recognisable, he said.

To be honest, I blame the authorities - they should have clamped down and given him a sharp dose of reality earlier. A slapped wrist doesnt help anyone.

A sharp shock when the trouble begins  thats how a boy matures, he added.

White Jr, of Corsham, Wiltshire, is known to television viewers for appearing on Big Brother.

He was one of the housemates who signed up for the celebrity edition of the show back in 2016.

However, he didnt make it very far in the reality TV competition and received his marching orders just days later.

Marco Pierre White Jr was on Big Brother. (PA Images/Alamy)

He became a dad in 2019, announcing the arrival of his daughter Arabella Rosa on Instagram.

Read more: Marco Pierre White slammed for saying men 'can absorb pressure of the kitchen better' than women

He told fans that she was a "beautiful angel" and that words couldn't describe how lucky he felt.

Watch: Marco Pierre White Jr first in line for new iPhone - but it doesn't work!
Micah Coomer, Joshua Abate, and Dodge Dale Hellonen were captured on security footage inside the Capitol on Jan. 6, prosecutors said. The Department of Justice

Three active-duty Marines were arrested and charged on Jan. 6 charges last month.

All three held intelligence roles even after their alleged participation in the deadly Capitol attack.

The men face four counts each related to the siege.

Prosecutors arrested an active-duty Marine on Jan. 6 charges last month after he confessed to participating in the deadly siege during a high-level security clearance interview in June 2022, according to court documents.

Sgt. Joshua Abate is facing four counts related to the insurrection, including entering or remaining in a restricted building, disorderly and disruptive conduct, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

The special communication signals analyst was transferred to a sensitive intelligence assignment at the National Security Agency even after his participation in the attack, The Intercept reported this week.

Abate was assigned to the Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion, which partners with and is headquartered at the National Security Agency in Fort Meade, Maryland, according to military records first obtained by Military.com. The headquarters is one of the most sensitive US government facilities in the country.

Abate ultimately confessed to participating in the riot in June 2022 while he was undergoing a security clearance process, according to prosecutors.

It was unclear whether Abate got the intelligence assignment after disclosing his involvement in the interview or was already in the position at the time of the interview. The Marine Corps did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment and clarification.

A spokesperson with the NSA declined to comment or answer questions about whether the agency is investigating Abate.

The Marine told investigators that he and "two buddies" entered the Capitol on Jan. 6 and smoked a cigarette while walking around and trying to avoid getting hit with tear gas, according to court documents. Abate said he later heard that the riot was being portrayed "negatively" and decided he should keep his participation quiet.

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Two other active-duty Marines who were also given new intelligence roles post-Jan. 6, according to The Intercept, were arrested and charged in a joint indictment last month: Cpl. Micah Coomer and Sgt. Dodge Dale Hellonen face four counts each related to their roles in the siege.

Investigators discovered Coomer's Instagram which included photos and video from the men's time in the Capitol on Jan. 6, according to court documents; in one post, Coomer wrote that he was "glad to be apart [sic] of history."

All three Marines were caught on security footage inside the Capitol, prosecutors said. The trio spent about 50 minutes inside and at one point placed a red MAGA hat on a statute in the Capitol Rotunda, according to court records.

A fellow Marine eventually identified Abate in photos to investigators, officials said.

Military.com reported last month that all three men have been enlisted in the Marines for more than four years and are stationed at major commands. Abate, Coomer, and Hellonen were also all recipients of good conduct medals, the outlet reported.

The Intercept reported that both Abate and Hellonen received promotions in ranks in the aftermath of the riot.

Lawyers for Abate and Hellonen did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, and Coomer did not have an attorney listed.

At least 978 people have been arrested in connection with the attack thus far, and more than 470 people have pleaded guilty.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Marjorie Taylor Greenes so-called Cruella outfit at President Joe Bidens State of the Union address cost $495 and was intended to be a reference to the Chinese spy balloon, a spokesperson for the Georgia Republican representative has revealed.

Ms Greene, wearing a white fur-trimmed coat, heckled Mr Biden several times during his speech on Tuesday, with her attire garnering a lot of attention on social media.

A number of Twitter users compared the coat to the one worn by the infamous Disney villain Cruella de Vil or the White Witch of Narnia.

On Overland, the Peruvian alpaca wool coat can be purchased for $495, with the site stating that the sustainable, heirloom-quality garment is part of a collection that supports Peruvian artisans in earning fair wages while preserving their ancestral heritage.

These skilled artists, many of whom are mothers, take pride in their creations and often work from their own home studios, the description says.

The office of Ms Greene said she bought the coat when she was campaigning for Wyoming Republican Representative Harriet Hageman in her efforts to oust former Representative Liz Cheney because of her criticism of former President Donald Trump and her work on the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 insurrection.

Ms Greene wore her outfit to highlight something President Biden refused to address in his speech, the white Chinese spy balloon, a spokesperson said, according to The Hill.

Biden refused to mention it, just like he refused to stop the intelligence gathering operation that traversed the United States and surveilled some of our most important military facilities in the country, the spokesperson added.

I am committed to work with China where it can advance American interests and benefit the world, Mr Biden said on Tuesday night.

But make no mistake. As we made clear last week, if Chinas threatens our sovereignty, we will act to protect our country. And we did, he added.

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Republicans have blasted Mr Biden for not shooting down the balloon fast enough, waiting until it was over the Atlantic instead of shooting it down over land, which would have risked injury and property damage.

Mr Biden said he called for the balloon to be taken down as soon as it was safe to do so. Military officials advised that it would be safest to shoot down over the Atlantic ocean.

Before the State of the Union, Ms Greene posted a video showing her walking around the Capitol with a white balloon.

During the speech, footage caught her shouting liar! after Mr Biden accused parts of the GOP to cut Social Security and Medicare.

Ms Greene later took to Twitter to complain about the presidents supposed yelling during the speech.

I just got back to my office after listening to the State of the Union with Joe Biden, she said in a video posted on Twitter. Part of the time we couldnt really understand what he was saying as he was yelling at people, yelling through the applause, and mumbling through his words.

Some of the things we did hear didnt make any sense, she claimed. Joe Biden claimed to care about the border and talked about fentanyl deaths which is the number one cause of young people ages 18 to 45, but yet has no plan to secure the border and frankly we all know he doesnt care about the border because Joe wanted the border wide open.

Thats the whole problem with Joe, she added.
Martin Odegaard has revealed the crucial conversation with manager Mikel Arteta which persuaded him to move to Arsenal.

Odegaard was struggling to make an impact at Real Madrid, whom he joined as a prodigiously talented teenager, when Arsenals interest in a loan move materialised in January 2021. The 24-year-old, who is now captain of Arsenal and Norway, was blown away by Artetas passion despite the clubs struggles at the time.

I spoke to Mikel Arteta on a Zoom call and he told me all about the project, Odegaard wrote in The Players Tribune. At the time, Arsenal were not doing well. They were way down like 15th in the table, but that meeting  Honestly, I challenge anyone to come away from a meeting with Arteta and not believe everything he tells you.

He is next level. It's hard to explain. Hes passionate, hes intense and sometimes, yeah, hes a bit crazy  but when he speaks, you understand that whatever he says will happen, will happen.

He told me his plan, everything he was building towards. He knew exactly what needed to change at the club. He told me all about these amazing young players in the squad  Saka, Martinelli, Smith Rowe, etc etc. He told me how he wanted me to fit in and how I was going to improve.

I got this strong feeling that he was onto something really special.

Odegaards instinct proved correct as Arteta galvanised Arsenal from the playing staff and the hierarchy to the fans in the stands, lifting them to a title challenge this season, and the Gunners are currently five points clear of reigning champions Manchester City.

Were in the title race now, but theres a long way to go and, trust me, no one is thinking about May yet, Odegaard added. Its a cliche but we are taking it game by game, training session by training session. One piece at a time.

I will say this, though, if theres anyone left who still doesnt fully believe in this team, take it from me: there are no limits on what we can achieve. No one can tell me otherwise.
The Massachusetts Legislature faces controversy over a proposed new program allowing prisoners to sign up for organ or bone marrow donation programs in exchange for reduced sentences. Although presented as a way to increase donations to Black and brown communities, many critics fear the new program would essentially create a system of incarcerated individuals selling their organs to get out of prison early. The bills creator is now working to change the proposals language in response to the recent outcry.

As The Guardian reported, the new law would allow inmates to reduce their sentences by a range of between 60 and 365 days if they donate either organs or bone marrow.

The post Massachusetts Proposes Controversial Prisoner Organ Donation Program appeared first on Blavity.

The bills sponsors, Democratic State Reps. Carlos Gonzalez and Judith Garcia, have argued the legislation would be beneficial for incarcerated people, their families and their communities, especially communities of color. Garcia couched the proposal regarding prisoners rights, tweeting that the bill would restore bodily autonomy to incarcerated folks by providing opportunity to donate organs and bone marrow. Gonzalez, meanwhile, argued that the law would increase the likelihood of Black and Latino family members and friends receiving life-saving treatment, noting these communities tend to face critical shortages of compatible donors for those needing organ or bone marrow transplants.

Some critics were quick to pounce on the bill. Many viewed the offer of reduced sentences in exchange for organ donation as cruel, inhumane and dehumanizing, comparing it to organ trafficking. Despite the laws seemingly good intentions, prisoner rights advocates said the proposal fails to acknowledge the power dynamics and potential for coercion in tying sentence length to something as invasive as donating an organ or bone marrow. And several critics pointed out the plan may also be illegal under federal law, which prohibits the sale of organs in exchange for money or other valuable consideration.

ABC News reported Thursday that Gonzalez said he was amending the bills language in the face of criticism. Telling the news outlet that it is crucial to respect prisoners human dignity and agency by respecting their choice to donate bone marrow or an organ, Gonzalez has pledged to work with legal professionals and advocates to write a new version of the proposal. The updated bill will likely remove the sentence-reduction incentive, as happened when South Carolina proposed a similar deal but changed it in the face of similar backlash.

The revised version of the law will likely be scrutinized when introduced to the Massachusetts Legislature. Ideally, the new bill will still encourage organ donation within Black and brown communities without exacerbating inequalities and exploitative practices within the criminal justice system.
Among the most visible leaders of the Chicago Police Department in the past few years, the boss of the detective bureau under Superintendent David Brown intends to leave CPD, according to sources familiar with the departure.

Chief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan will leave the department in the coming weeks and is poised to take a position with Google, according to one of the sources. A Police Department spokesperson declined to comment on his impending exit.

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Word of Deenihans move comes as Brown faces an uncertain future as Chicagos top cop as Browns boss, Mayor Lori Lightfoot, is locked in a highly contentious bid for reelection on Feb. 28 against eight challengers vying for her job.

Long regarded as one of the most respected police officials by many within the department, Deenihan was appointed in early 2020 to lead the detective bureau by then-interim police Superintendent Charlie Beck, overseeing more than 1,000 detectives who investigate violent crimes ranging from homicides and nonfatal shootings to sexual assaults, in addition to burglaries, large-scale thefts and other crimes.

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Deenihan was put in charge of a detective bureau that had been heavily criticized for posting a homicide clearance rate that was far lower than other major U.S. cities, though it has improved in recent years. The unit under Deenihans leadership has also seen an increased workload since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in spring 2020, with detectives investigating more homicides and other serious crimes as gun violence has risen and the number of cops within the department ranks has dwindled.

Former First Deputy Superintendent Anthony Riccio, who retired in 2020, said Deenihan was Browns first choice to replace him as his second-in-command when Riccio announced his retirement. After Deenihan received the offer, he came into Riccios office to discuss the position, Riccio said.

I think he would have been excellent as the first deputy. I think he would have done a great job, Riccio said. But I think really there were two reasons he turned it down. First, he has young kids, and I think he wanted to strike that balance between home and work. ... But secondly, I think his passion and his heart was really with the bureau of detectives and he genuinely cared about the people that worked for him.

Deenihan excelled at mentoring detectives and even seasoned ones learned a lot from him because he had so much knowledge to offer, Riccio said.

I think his enthusiasm for it was contagious too, he said of Deenihans approach to detective work. I think thats kind of what made him a good leader. ... I think his enthusiasm really lit a fire in a lot of other people within the bureau of detectives and I think that accounts for a lot of his success as well.

Even before his 2020 promotion, Deenihan was one of the most visible faces of the department. As deputy chief of detectives, the second highest-ranking post in the detective bureau, he was often tasked with talking to reporters about high-profile investigations and other work within the unit.

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Hes made public pleas for information that could lead to the arrest of perpetrators in fatal shootings of children and other victims. He also publicly introduced the launch of a new website that was created to display videos and photographs of people accused of looting during the civil unrest in 2020 that followed the police-custody murder of George Floyd by authorities in Minnesota.

Prior to that, Deenihan served for a time as a commander in the Chicago police internal affairs division and he also commanded the Area Central detective division, now known as Area 1, which then encompassed large swaths of the South and Southwest sides and parts of downtown. Earlier in his career, he supervised violent crime investigations for the Area South detective unit, now Area 2, covering the Far South Side.

Deenihan, who turns 50 this year, has been with the department since 1997 and as a young officer, he worked as a detective before rising through the ranks.

One of his bosses earlier in his career was Keith Calloway. When Calloway became Area 2s detective commander in the early 2010s, he didnt have a lieutenant in charge of homicide investigations. He said he asked around about good candidates and Deenihans name kept coming up, so he called him for an interview.

The rest was history ... always really a stand-up guy, a hardworking guy and really had the respect and admiration of his troops, said Calloway, who retired from the Police Department in 2019 and now is executive director of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. Area 2s a really fast-paced command. And he would ... not be flustered, not be overwhelmed by it all. Everybody doesnt have that skill set.

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In his post at Area South, Deenihan helped oversee many high-profile cases, including the 2008 fatal stabbing of 9-year-old Mya Lyons, whose father was charged 2  years later and after initially telling investigators that he merely found her body. Myas father, Richard Lyons, is serving a 60-year prison sentence for her murder.

Deenihan also helped oversee the investigation into the 2010 killings of Chicago police Officer Michael Flisk and former Chicago Housing Authority Officer Stephen Peters. Deenihan himself, though, was a witness in one incident tied to that murder case that proved to be controversial among those in the legal community.

While the suspect in the slayings was in custody, Deenihan walked past the locked interrogation room where the suspect was meeting with his lawyer and saw him talking on the lawyers cellphone. The lawyer, Sladjana Vuckovic, was eventually arrested and charged with a felony because the device was considered contraband.

The arrest generated controversy among criminal defense lawyers who said they routinely brought their cellphones into police interview rooms and sometimes let clients make calls. Prosecutors at the time appeared to be concerned that the suspects phone use couldve obstructed the police investigation.

Vuckovic was acquitted in the case after, according to one juror, prosecutors failed to prove that Vuckovic knew she wasnt allowed to bring the phone into the interrogation room. Her client, Timothy Herring, was convicted in Flisk and Peterss murders and sentenced to life in prison.

Laurel Bresnahan, who retired from the department in 2016, said she was a lieutenant in Area 2s special victims unit when she met Deenihan, then a sergeant in the areas violent crimes section. They had some interactions on how to handle joint investigations into child abuse or domestic violence.

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He always had the big picture in mind, Bresnahan said of Deenihan. He knew how to talk to anybody.

Bresnahan said Deenihan knew how to conduct himself at crime scenes, not step on the investigators but was able to get the most out of them. She said he was able to help get the investigators down the right path and keep them focused but not pressure them to come up with a solution that was politically expedient.

His loss is going to be tremendous to the department because I dont know where theyre going to find someone (of) that caliber to take over the detective division.

Chicago Tribunes Gregory Pratt contributed. Gorner reported from Springfield.

jgorner@chicagotribune.com

pfry@chicagotribune.com
New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) on Thursday denied a New York Times report that said the city was purchasing bus tickets to Canada for migrants.

The New York Times on Wednesday reported that city officials are buying tickets for migrants who want to head to Canada and seek asylum there. Adams denied the report on Thursday, telling CNNs Don Lemon that the city does not send migrants to Canada.

We are not encouraging anyone to go to another country, he said.

The report comes after months of Republican state leaders sending migrants to Democrat-led cities, including New York City and Washington, D.C. Thousands of people from Texas and Arizona have been bused to northern cities, which has pushed leaders of those cities to ask for additional federal assistance.

Adams has frequently called for federal support to aid the city in addressing the migrant situation in his city but has said he has been extremely disappointed with the federal governments response. He said, unlike Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R), that New York City is asking migrants what their desires are instead of compelling them to go somewhere else.

Last year when we spoke with migrants, we learned that they were compelled to come to New York City. Were sitting down, giving them health care, education, food, shelter, but were also asking them, what are your desires? he said.

That is not what Abbott did in Texas, he continued. And what he did was inhumane, which showed a level of humane interaction with our migrants.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Medical examiners have ruled that a woman whose remains were found in a shallow grave in a Kansas City backyard died by homicide.

Sirrena Truitt was found Oct. 30 after a caller alerted police that his dog appeared to be digging up skeletal remains behind his residence on the 5600 block of Paloma, according to Sgt. Jake Becchina with the Kansas City Police Department.

The details of Truitts death have not been released, and the investigation is ongoing, Becchina said.

Truitt, who wouldve turned 53 in June, was last seen in March, according to an article from the Washington Post. David Finnell, Truitts stepbrother, told The Post family members had been pushing Kansas City police for months to open an official missing person report after they heard from other relatives that Truitt had been murdered.

Finnell said he believed police werent taking the case seriously because of Truitts criminal history and issues with addiction, according to the article. He detailed a verbal altercation hed had with a detective in June.

He just threw insults out about her, thats all he did, Finnell told The Post. He said What do you care, you aint seen her. He was very rude and condescending and talking about her like shes a dog. He said, Shes on drugs, it doesnt matter. It does matter. She is a human being, and no human should be thrown in a hole and left there.

Detectives are asking anyone with information to contact them at 816-234-5043, or anonymously at the TIPS Hotline 816-474-TIPS. Theres a reward of up to $25,000 for information provided to TIPS leading to an arrest in the case.
Support local journalism. Unlock unlimited digital access to floridatoday.com Click here and subscribe today.

A 63-year-old Melbourne man was arrested on 108 charges related to the possession of child pornography Wednesday and is being held on $1,080,000 bond at Brevard County Jail, according to police.

George A. White was charged with 54 counts of possession of material depicting sexual conduct involving a child and 54 counts of possession with intent to promote material depicting sexual content involving a child, according to the Melbourne Police Department.

He was taken into custody Wednesday.

Police initially received a tip on Aug. 10, 2022, from a repairman regarding child pornography the repairman believed he had spotted on White's computer while in the house during a service call, according to a statement released by the department.

Police spoke to White on Aug. 12, at which time he told them he had "an array of sexually explicit images of children" on his computer, according to an affidavit. He told police he suffered from a medical condition that led him to have sexual desires toward children. He went on to say he had been viewing explicit images of children since 2008.

Police believe the images were downloaded from multiple sources online, and there is no local connection.

A computer and other digital devices were seized from White's home, and a forensic examination of the devices was conducted. Police found "hundreds of images," with at least 54 meeting required elements of child pornography according to Florida state statute.

In the affidavit, police said they believe there may be more images of child pornography that will be revealed upon further analysis.

White once worked as a reporter and later a freelancer for FLORIDA TODAY, last doing work for the paper in 2016.

Finch Walker is the education reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Walker at 321-290-4744 or fwalker@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @_finchwalker.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Police: 108 child pornography-related charges for Melbourne man
Here's a look at promotions, hirings, movers and newsmakers in the Memphis area business scene:

Hendricks

Hooper-Taylor

Clark

Ryan

Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South has announced three staff additions: Kimberly Hooper-Taylor, previously director of Education for Stax Museum, has joined as a JA Inspire coordinator; Ayanna Clark has joined as Community Engagement coordinator; Megan Ryan is Special Events and Development coordinator. Scott Hendricks, managing partner of New York Life of Memphis, joined Junior Achievement's board of directors.

Shelton

Tess Shelton has joined the Memphis law firm of Godwin, Morris, Laurenzi & Bloomfield as an Associate Attorney. She is a 2022 graduate of the University of Memphis law school where she was inducted into the National Order of the Barristers for Moot Court participation. Shelton will focus her practice on union-side labor law.

Baskette

The Lewis Thomason law firms shareholders have elected Kevin Baskette, a shareholder in the firms Memphis office, to the Board of Directors. He is a Supreme Court Rule 31 Mediator and trial lawyer who practices in Mississippi and Tennessee in healthcare liability, construction defect litigation and transportation law along with professional malpractice, products liability defense and personal injury litigation. Baskette is an IADC Trial Academy Graduate.

Ring Container Technologies has received a gold medal sustainability rating from EcoVadis, the leading platform for environmental, social and ethical performance ratings for global supply chains. The rating puts Ring among the top 5% of all companies assessed. The objective of the EcoVadis methodology is to measure the quality of a companys sustainability management system through its policies, actions and results. The assessment focuses on 21 sustainability criteria grouped into the themes of Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics and Sustainable Procurement. Ranking in the 98th percentile, Ring was one point shy of achieving a platinum rating.

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Epic Pivot, a leading values-driven consulting firm focused on human-centered innovation, announced founder and managing partner Michael Graber has earned his Authorized Training & Assessment Provider (ATAP) certification from the Global Innovation Institute (GInI). To earn designation as an ATAP, providers must meet or exceed the high standards of quality and effectiveness established by GInI. With this certification, Graber will deliver training and assessment services reflecting the latest in innovation thought leadership.

River City Capital Investment Corp. has a new senior relationship officer with the hiring of Wahpillar White. With the departure of lending executive Babacar Thiaw, the company sought to expand the role with new leadership talent that promotes continued growth for the company and for minority-owned businesses across Memphis and the Mid-South. Prior to joining River City Capital, White was most recently at Smith+Nephew as a Pricing Business analyst.

Noteworthy

Baker Donelson law firm was named to Bloomberg Law's Second Annual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Framework. It's the second consecutive year the firm has been named to Bloomberg Law's annual Framework. Baker Donelson is one of 43 U.S.-based law firms recognized for its level of disclosure of diversity-related metrics and performance in six core pillars: demographics, leadership and talent pipeline, recruitment and retention, business innovation and strategy, marketing, and diversity and inclusion in the community.

Rhodes College has received another campus beauty designation. It is No. 30 on Architectural Digests list of The 53 Prettiest College Campuses in America. The magazine notes the college has a beautiful wooded campus with uniformly Collegiate Gothic buildings made of Arkansas sandstone, Vermont slate, and Indiana limestone.

ZIPS Car Wash held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening celebration in recognition of its new location at 3294 Poplar Ave. It joined the Greater Memphis Chamber on Nov. 2 prior to opening for business. ZIPS presented a $500 donation to Alpha Omega Veterans Services, a nonprofit that provides displaced and homeless veterans with the social services needed to reintegrate into society. ZIPS later increased its Memphis presence with a second new location that also opened in November at 1565 North Germantown Parkway in Cordova.

 Compiled by Daniel Ginsburg

Email information and photos in JPEG format, at least 1MB in size, for People in Business to cabiznews@commercialappeal.com.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis business news: Promotions, hirings, achievers and company news
A drug trafficker who had more than $1.5 million stashed in his Dallas residence when agents raided his home was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years in a federal prison, according to U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.

Hector Manuel Castro-Quirino, 49, also was ordered by U.S. District Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn to forfeit the $1,595,185 in cash seized from his home.

Castro-Quirino had pleaded guilty in September 2022 to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

Vanesa Cervantes, 39, who was his common-law wife and kept his books, was sentenced to 21 months in a federal prison. She had pleaded guilty in September 2022 to concealment of a felony.

A confidential informant tipped off law enforcement in June 2021 about a drug house on South Acres Drive in Dallas. Over the next few weeks, agents and officers made a series of undercover purchases at the home, according to federal court documents.

On July 13, 2021, a SWAT team executed a search warrant and confronted Castro-Quirino in his kitchen, and he fled to the attic before finally surrendering.

During a search of his master bedroom, authorities found five gallon-sized bags containing bulk quantities of methamphetamine (594 grams) and cocaine (1,447.8 grams), along with drug ledgers containing customer and payment information and 14 firearms, several of them loaded.

They also recovered abundant amounts of cash stashed inside tube socks, shoe boxes, a trash bag, and a banker box that took hours to count, federal authorities said.

In plea papers, Castro-Quirino admitted that he regularly sold methamphetamine and cocaine, noting that he received roughly a kilogram of cocaine each week and a kilogram of methamphetamine each month.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives Dallas Field Division, the Dallas Police Department, and the Texas Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation.
Painting Red Sunset by Arkhyp Kuindzhi from the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

You wont believe it, but another victory took place that day, she said.

Arkhyp Kuindzhi is a Ukrainian artist born in Mariupol, FINALLY recognized as UKRAINIAN by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Semenik noted that in the description of the Red Sunset painting, the museum had removed a shameful reference to the fact that Kuindzhi was an artist celebrating both in Russia and Ukraine.

At the same time, the museum added that the Kuindzhi Art Museum in Mariupol, Ukraine, was destroyed in a Russian airstrike in March 2022.

Let me remind you that this painting is on permanent display and thousands, even tens of thousands of people read about this, Semenik said.

I dont know what exactly they paid attention to: posts on Twitter, tags, or letters with a biography and explanations (literally how many years and where he lived and what he painted, 11 days ago, on the artists birthday, I decided to write them an open letter), or constant discussions about it with colleagues and articulation of the problem. Were continuing to peel this rock.

Earlier, the art historian said that representatives of Ukrainian culture would have a lot of work, since the Metropolitan Museum and other museums designated Ukrainian artists such as Arkhyp Kuindzhi, Ilya Repin, and Oleksandra Ekster as Russian nationals.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art also renamed Edgar Degas famous painting titled Russian Dancer into Dancer in Ukrainian Dress.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Funding for Michigan roads is in jeopardy. Thats according to a new study looking at how the switch to electric vehicles could impact Michigan roads. The gas tax is what helps fund road repairs, but with more people switching to EVs, that means fewer people filling up at the pump and less money is going towards the gas tax. If nothing changes, it could put Michigan into a multi-million dollar deficit. Michigan roads are horrible. Like I think we have some of the worst roads," Michigan driver Tyrone Larkin said.
Ald. Derrick Curtis, 18th, speaks at a campaign event with Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot at Starlight Restaurant on June 8, 2022. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)

Even by Chicago politics standards, the recent spat between Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Ald. Derrick Curtis is strange.

Curtis, a South Side alderman and firearms safety instructor, was one of the first members of City Council to endorse her reelection bid. But their relationship has soured in the past few months after he accidentally shot himself in the hand in October and complained to the Sun-Times that Lightfoot didnt call him to check on his well-being.

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Newly released text messages show that the relationship continued to be contentious in the days that followed, with Curtis turning the tables by not responding to a series of Lightfoot texts.

On the afternoon the Sun-Times story broke, Lightfoot texted Curtis: Tried to call you. Please call me. Hours later, Lightfoot followed up again: I seriously do not understand you.

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Early the next day, Lightfoot texted Curtis: Morning has broken and still no call. Gee wonder why.

A day later, Lightfoot texted him once more, Will I see you tomorrow at the MLK breakfast? The next day, Lightfoot texted, Missed you today.

Its not clear when they next saw each other. The original story posted Jan. 10. On Jan. 16, Lightfoot texted Curtis, Thought I would come by and meet the seniors. On Jan. 18, before the City Council met, Lightfoot texted Curtis, Looking forward to seeing you today. Later that afternoon, she texted him again, Great to see you today. Talk soon.

Ald. Derrick Curtis at Starlight Restaurant during a campaign event with Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot on June 8, 2022. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)

After that meeting, Lightfoot approached Curtis and was overheard by a WGN-Ch. 9 reporter telling him, You say I dont talk to you. You say I dont reach out. Im making sure theres a record.

A Lightfoot campaign spokeswoman did not immediately have a comment on the exchanges. Curtis did not return a message seeking comment but he recently told a local newspaper that he is now neutral in the race.

The whole saga highlights the trouble Lightfoot has had keeping relationships on City Council, though she has disputed the narrative and said, I have a good relationship with almost every member of City Council.

Before the flap over the no-call, Lightfoot and Curtis shared a friendly relationship. In August 2020, Curtis texted Lightfoot to tell him he was invited by Greek fraternities to sit on a panel to talk about stopping gun violence. You would have been proud of me today, Curtis said.

They let a couple of youngsters speak and an activist (was) saying that the mayor doesnt care about us,  Curtis said. Im going to try and get a video of it because when I finish talking about why I support the mayor and everyone else should, and Chicagos history since the prohibition, not only did I get a standing ovation but I looked like an American hero.

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I am always proud of you, Lightfoot responded. You have (been) such a good friend to me. I so appreciate you.

gpratt@chicagotribune.com
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said Tuesday it's important to develop AI that is "more aligned with human values, more aligned with what our preferences are." Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Microsoft's new AI-powered Bing refused to write positive or negative poems about Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

It said generating creative content about "influential" politicians could be seen as biased or disrespectful.

This contrasts with ChatGPT, which churned out a positive poem for Biden. It refused to write negative poems for both.

Microsoft's new AI-enabled Bing search engine appears to have a list of "influential" public figures it declines to comment on  whether positively or negatively.

On Thursday, Insider asked Bing to write poems praising President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump  but it flat-out refused.

Describing them as "influential" politicians, Bing said it doesn't "generate creative content for such people." It wouldn't write negative poems about them either.

"It could be seen as biased or disrespectful. I hope you understand. " Bing added.

Bing refused to write poems praising both Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Microsoft Bing

On the other hand, a few days ago, viral AI chatbot ChatGPT, refused to generate a poem praising Trump but came up with one for Biden.

ChatGPT also refused to create negative poems about both Biden and Trump, saying it's not able to generate "negative or defamatory content about individuals, regardless of their political beliefs or actions."

Microsoft's new Bing is powered by a language model from OpenAI, which is also the creator of ChatGPT. The tech giant said on Tuesday the new AI tool is "more powerful than ChatGPT."

Bing's approach toward some personalities seems to mirror its approach to controversial requests  such as generating cover letters.

On Wednesday, Bing refused to write a cover letter for Insider, saying it would be "unethical" and "unfair to other applicants."

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said Tuesday at the presentation of the new Bing that it's important to develop AI that is "more aligned with human values, more aligned with what our preferences are  both individually and as a society."

Read the original article on Business Insider
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP)  With freshman star Brandon Miller leading the way, Alabama is now off to its best Southeastern Conference start in nearly seven decades.

Miller scored 24 points and made 4 of 8 3-pointers to lead No. 3 Alabama to a 97-69 victory over Florida on Wednesday night for the program's best SEC start since the 1955-56 team went 14-0 in league games.

The Crimson Tide (21-3, 11-0) raced to a 29-point halftime lead against the Gators (13-11, 6-5), who had knocked off then-No. 2 Tennessee a week earlier.

Alabama also matched the 1975-76 team for the program's best record through 24 games.

Its great. Theyve had a lot of really good teams here, Tide coach Nate Oats said. I don't even know who was in the SEC back in 55-56, but it's a good league now.

"Were just trying to play good basketball. I think we played pretty well tonight. Its nice to make some history around here.

Miller added nine rebounds and three assists for the Tide. Mark Sears made 4 of 6 3s and scored 19 for Alabama, which buried 15 shots from long range. Jahvon Quinerly had 11 points and five assists.

Colin Castleton led Florida with 29 points and 10 rebounds. He accounted for 13 of his team's 23 in the first half and made 11 of 14 free throws. Riley Kugel added 15 points and Will Richard scored 11.

It was a rough way to end a four-game stretch that included three Top 5 opponents and a visit to Kentucky's Rupp Arena.

A really challenging time for us, Florida coach Todd Golden said. "A lot of fatigue both physically and mentally. We thought after beating Tennessee last week and then having a close emotional loss on Saturday (against Kentucky) that this was going to be a challenging game for us.

And we just didn't play well enough. I thought Alabama looked fresh. Obviously they respect us in the way they approached the game and they played a really good game.

Alabama built a 52-23 halftime lead on a combination of scorching 3-point shooting, and the Gators' own shooting woes. The Tide made 9 of 17 3s by halftime while Florida missed its five attempts.

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Alabama started the rout with a 23-4 run that included Quinerly's eight points and the team's four 3s.

Miller hit 3 of 4 3s in the first half, including a pair in the final three minutes.

It was a hot start for a team coming off a more lackluster 79-69 win over LSU.

We werent happy with our game at LSU, Oats said. I think guys understood weve got to play better. It wasnt who we were. Two out of our last three games, we havent played hard enough, long enough.

The Gators got as close as 17 in the second half but Miller answered with eight points in less than two minutes: a 3-pointer, a one-handed dunk and a basket and subsequent foul shot.

Coach called a time out and we just regrouped as a team and got our energy back right together, Sears said.

CLOWNEY FACE

Alabama's Noah Clowney left the court in the middle of the second half and didn't return. Oats said it was a facial injury, not a concussion and Clowney shouldn't miss a game.

BIG PICTURE

Florida: Has faced four different top 5 teams for the first time in program history, going 2-2. Castleton tied Al Horford (2004-07) for third place in career blocks at Florida with his 188th and 189th.

Alabama: Made 15 of 34 3-pointers (44%) against a defense that came in allowing opponents to hit only 29%. Has won its first 11 SEC games for only the second time.

UP NEXT

Florida faces Vanderbilt on Saturday.

Alabama visits in-state rival Auburn on Saturday.

___

AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25
By Kanishka Singh and Dan Whitcomb

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A homeless man was arrested on Thursday after an attack on U.S. Representative Angie Craig, who was left bruised after fighting off her assailant in an elevator of her apartment building, police said.

The suspect, identified by District of Columbia Metropolitan Police as 26-year-old Kendrick Hamlin, was charged with simple assault.

Craig's chief of staff, Nick Coe, said that Democratic congresswoman from Minnesota was bruised but "physically OK" following the attack, which did not appear to be politically motivated.

"At approximately 7:10 a.m. the suspect approached the victim, inside of an elevator, at the listed location," police said in a written statement, referring to Craig's apartment complex.

"When the victim defended themselves, the suspect fled the scene," police said. Hamlin was described as having no fixed address.

"Rep. Craig is grateful to the DC Metropolitan Police Department for their quick response and asks for privacy at this time," Coe said.

The lawmaker saw the assailant "acting erratic" and he seemed likely "under the influence of an unknown substance," according to a report filed with police.

The attacker grabbed the lawmaker's neck and also punched her in the chin, the report filed with police adds. Craig defended herself by throwing hot coffee at the attacker before he fled the scene, according to the report.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, said he spoke to Craig and said she was doing fine.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington and Dan Whitcomb in Los Angeles; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Bradley Perrett)
Minnesota Congresswoman Angie Craig used hot coffee to fend off a man who assaulted her in her apartment building in Washington DC, police say.

Ms Craig, who rents an apartment in Washington when shes not at home in Prior Lake, Minnesota, was confronted by the assailant at around 7.15am on Thursday.

The man, who has since been arrested and identified as 26-year-old Kendrick Hamlin, was first seen acting erratic in the lobby of Ms Craigs building.

The congresswoman told police she said good morning to him before he followed her into an elevator, where he began to do push-ups.

The suspect then punched Ms Craig in the chin and grabbed her by the neck. She was able to subdue him and get away by throwing hot coffee, before he fled the scene.

Mr Hamlins arrest was confirmed hours after police released a blurry surveillance photo of the suspect.

Ms Craig suffered bruising but is otherwise okay physically after the attack, her office said in a statement.

Ms Craig represents the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, a Minnesota affiliate of the US Democratic Party.

There is no evidence that the incident was politically motivated, Chief of Staff Nick Coe said.

Rep. Craig called 9-1-1 and the assailant fled the scene of the assault, he said. Rep. Craig is grateful to the DC Metropolitan Police Department for their quick response and asks for privacy at this time.

DC police released this photo of the suspect accused of assaulting Minnesota Rep Angie Craig (DC Police)

Ms Craig, 50, first joined Congress in January 2019. She was elected to her third term in the 2022 midterms.

She joined her fellow lawmakers later on Thursday to cast votes in the House.

The chair of the Minnesota DFL Party, Ken Martin, said in a statement that I was shocked and horrified to hear that Representative Angie Craig was assaulted this morning. It is a relief to hear that the injuries sustained by Representative Craig are not dire, and I wish her a speedy recovery.

Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) speaks at a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol Building on February 02, 2023 in Washington, DC (Getty Images)

I am grateful the D.C. police responded quickly to the situation and I hope the assailant will be swiftly brought to justice, he added.

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The assault comes amid heightened worries regarding the safety of lawmakers following the January 6, 2021 insurrection and the attack on Paul Pelosi, husband of then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi, on 28 October last year.

The US Capitol Police (USCP) said in a statement: This morning a man, who is believed to be homeless, hit the Congresswoman and grabbed her neck while she was in the elevator of her Washington, D.C. apartment complex. The Congresswoman received a minor injury to her chin. DC's Metropolitan Police Department was called and responded. At this time, there is no information that the Congresswoman was targeted because of her position, however the case is still under investigation by both the MPD and the USCP.

The police report states that the man punched her on the chin area of her face, and later grabbed her neck, with Ms Craig reacting by throwing her hot coffee at the assailant, who escaped before the arrival officers, NBC noted.

Those serving in House leadership and representatives who are targets of threats receive personal security, but most lawmakers dont.

Lawmakers have noted a rise in public harassment over the course of the last few years.

House officials increased the level of spending on security last year, putting in place a residential programme that funds the installation of surveillance cameras, motion sensors, and locks at the homes of lawmakers up to a cost of $10,000, Politico noted.

USCP said last autumn that they needed additional resources to ensure the physical security of Members of Congress at their homes after the attack on Mr Pelosi.

The agency opened field offices in Florida and California to probe threats made against lawmakers following the January 6 insurrection.

Last year, USCP conducted 7,501 investigations into concerning statements and direct threats.
A 14-year-old girl missing for over a year ago was found hidden in a closet at a Michigan home, officials told news outlets.

The U.S. Marshals Service took charge of the case on Tuesday, Feb. 7 and within hours their investigation led them to a house in Port Huron, Deputy U.S. Marshal Robert Watson with the Eastern District of Michigan, told WDIV.

Information was that she may be being trafficked, Watson said, per WDIV. There was some evidence of sexual abuse and the belief that she was pregnant and in danger. Shed been missing since September 2021, so I got the case (Tuesday), began working on it immediately, and we recovered her about 5:30 that same day.

There were four people in the home when the Marshals searched it, the Detroit Free Press reported. The occupants initially denied knowing anything about the missing teen and wouldnt let the Marshals inside  so they came back with a warrant.

All four were held in the living room, and while Watsons team looked around, he interviewed the residents, he told the newspaper. As he was speaking with the occupants  who continued to deny having any knowledge of the girl  a member of Watsons team called out from a closet down the hall.

Once my task force officer pulled back the clothes and saw her, she was obviously identified, Watson told the outlet.

She was several months pregnant, officials told The Detroit News.

Since her disappearance, the girl had been moving back and forth between Port Huron and Detroit, she told the Marshals, the newspaper reported. Despite investigators fears, there were no signs she was a victim of human trafficking.

None of the four adults at the home were arrested, according to the outlet, though Child Protective Services is pursuing kidnapping charges against the girls birth mother.

After being taken from the home, the girl was examined by a doctor and put in the custody of her biological father, The Detroit News reported.

Sometimes I break down in tears when I find these kids because it means a lot, Watson told WDIV. Im a parent myself, and I cant imagine if I were in one of these folks shoes and I didnt know where my kids were.

Story continues

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By Sharon Bernstein

(Reuters) - A proposal to ban minors from carrying some guns on public property without a 21-year-old present failed to advance this week, as Republican lawmakers decided not to include the proposed amendment in a broader crime bill.

The proposal had been recommended by a bipartisan working group in the legislature, but was removed last week amid opposition from Republicans in the state House of Representatives, who said people who do not intend to commit crimes should not be penalized for carrying guns.

Supporters were disappointed Wednesday when an amendment aimed at restoring the language failed in the state House of Representatives on a vote of 104 opposed and 39 in favor.

We are telling you, as the representatives and as people who represent some of these dangerous communities and these dangerous areas, this is an important piece, Rep. LaKeySha Bosley told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch when the language was removed Feb. 2.

The back-and-forth over the crime bill is the latest in a series of controversies over gun control in conservative Missouri. Last year the legislature passed a state law banning enforcement of federal gun laws that officials believe violate the U.S. Constitution's protection of a citizen's right to bear arms.

A state law, for example, allows people of any age to openly carry weapons in many locations, even though federal law prohibits ownership of handguns by minors.

The amendment's author, Representative Donna Baringer, a Democrat from St. Louis, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters on Thursday. The Associated Press reported that she said she made the proposal to stop "14-year-olds walking down the middle of the street in the city of St. Louis carrying AR-15s."

The broader crime bill passed the House of Representatives and will now be considered by the state senate.

(Reporting by Sharon Bernstein; Editing by David Gregorio)
A massive payday looms for Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette. (Getty)

Bo Bichette has signed an extension with the Toronto Blue Jays. But before you get ahead of yourselves, let me shut you down  no, its not the mega-extension fans have been hoping for.

As first reported by Sportsnets Ben Nicholson-Smith, the Jays and Bichette agreed to a three-year pact thatll buy out the shortstops remaining years of arbitration. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports the deal is worth $33.6 million but could rise to as much as $40.65 million.

The extension bypasses the arbitration process between player and club but does not impact Bichettes free agency. Hell still hit the open market at the end of 2025.

On the surface, this seems like a minor development  Bichette gets some steady cash and both parties dodge the headache of using an arbitrator for the next few seasons. There are, however, a few more takeaways from this quiet three-year deal.

Blue Jays make Bichette happy

Bichette has always known his worth, so its no surprise he filed his offseason arbitration value at $7.5 million. The Jays filed lower (which clubs always do) at $5 million, with the $2.5-million gap tied for the biggest discrepancy in MLB.

To understand Bichette, though, youve got to rewind a touch further. Last spring, Bichette, a pre-arbitration player, was eligible for a slight raise for 2022 which wouldve increased his salary from $706,200 to $723,550. He turned down the $23,550 pay bump.

The rejection was symbolic  a proverbial middle finger to the system. Bichette told Sportsnet he disagreed with how the pre-arbitration process values players. The rejection of that baked-in raise made clear Bichettes own opinions about the rigidity of arbitration and emphasized that the 24-year-old was ready to fight for what he believes he deserves.

Thats why its a big deal the two parties came to an agreement at all. Bichette has been more headstrong than the average player during negotiations  as he should, its his right  putting the Blue Jays in a potentially difficult spot. This reported three-year extension gives Bichette an early payday and proves the two sides can find some common ground, an important element to remember as talks on a super-extension ramp up.

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Blue Jays get security and avoid further headaches

Like I said before, theres the intangible element of avoiding the arbitration dance for the next several offseasons. Bichette hates the way teams value players? Good, skip all that value-estimation minutiae and make your star happy in a low-risk practice negotiation ahead of the real deal.

From a front-office perspective, the Jays make sure they dont get absolutely slaughtered in arbitration should Bichette blossom into a top-three, MVP-calibre player.

By some other sports standards, $33.6 million over three years is larceny, especially for a shortstop (the most important position on the diamond) with ungodly bat-to-ball abilities entering his prime. Unfortunately, thats how the market works. The system is fractured; service time is king, and players must work very hard for their undisputed shot at an open-market payday.

What could Bichettes mega-deal look like?

This three-year extension is worthy of a few pats on the back and maybe a drink or two to acknowledge the occasion, but its hardly the bottle-popping celebration thatll come when Bichette hits the jackpot. I see Bichette in line for a contract worth close to $300 million, but lets check the precedent to sharpen that estimation.

We need to find a baseline for Bichettes production. In 2022, he accrued 4.5 wins above replacement (fWAR), so lets repeat that for the next three seasons. Using our generous calculation, hell have accrued 25.3 WAR through parts of seven MLB seasons and hit free agency following the 2025 season.

Player fWAR Before Free Agency Eventual Contract (AAV) SS Bo Bichette 25.3* (7 seasons) TBD SS Corey Seager 21.7 (7 seasons) 10 years, $325 million ($32.5 M) SS Trea Turner 31.6 (8 seasons) 11 years, $300 million ($27.3 M) SS Dansby Swanson 16.2 (7 seasons) 7 years, $177 million ($25.3 M) SS Trevor Story 21.3 (6 seasons) 6 years, $140 million ($23.3 M) SS Javier Baez 21.8 (8 seasons) 6 years, $140 million ($23.3 M)

Xander Bogaerts also got paid this winter, though his situation is tricky since he initially signed a nine-year, $180-million contract with the Boston Red Sox but opted out after six seasons. After that, he earned a wicked payday with the San Diego Padres, worth $280 million over 11 years.

On WAR alone, you can see why Bichette belongs on this list. Additionally, when he hits free agency after the 2025 season, Bichette will be younger than any of the shortstops on that list were when they got paid. As such, Id expect a contractual commitment around the 10-year mark.

There are uncertainties, too, though. The payday will depend on whether clubs see Bichette as a long-term shortstop or a future second baseman. His hitting profile also raises questions, as his hack-and-slash approach at the dish relies heavily on bat speed, which wanes as players age.

No matter, the Blue Jays will entertain long-term contract discussions with Bichette down the road. For now, both player and club were wise to come to an agreement to avoid arbitration first.

More from Yahoo Sports
Sonia Carmen Herok-Stone, 30, was alone when she was found dead in her California home on Oct. 15, 1981.

While her 4-year-old daughter was at school, Herok-Stone, of Carmel, was sexually assaulted and strangled to death with her own pantyhose, the Monterey County District Attorneys Office said in a Feb. 8 news release.

When her body was found, Herok-Stone had a broken left ring fingernail with blood beneath it, indicating she had scratched her killer before her death, the district attorney said.

Decades later, it was the DNA taken from under her broken fingernail that helped a jury convict her neighbor Michael Scott Glazebrook, 67, of Seaside, of first-degree murder, the district attorney said. The jury also found the murder was committed during the commission or attempted commission of rape.

Its been a day that we have been waiting for for a really long time, Herok-Stones daughter said in a news conference. Sonia was a wonderful woman and were so happy to see justice for her.

At the time of Herok-Stones death, Glazebrook, then 25, lived across the street from her, the district attorney said.

While canvassing the neighborhood the day after Herok-Stones death, a detective noticed Glazebrook had a 3 to 4-inch vertical scratch down his right cheek, the district attorney said.

When questioned about how and when he got his scratch, Glazebrook made inconsistent statements, according to the district attorney.

He told the detective he got it cutting plexiglass in his garage, but he told his parents that he got it in a fight at Monterey Peninsula College, the district attorney said.

Glazebrook was charged in Herok-Stones death in 1982, but when the case went to trial in 1983, a jury came back with a 9-3 not guilty verdict, the district attorney said.

However, as the jurys decision was not unanimous, a retrial was possible.

Nearly 40 years later, investigators reopened the case in 2020 and were able to use forensic testing not previously available, the district attorney said.

Story continues

Investigators tested DNA found under Herok-Stones broken fingernail and right breast, the district attorney said. It was a match to Glazebrook.

After an eight-day jury trial in 2023, Glazebrook was convicted, the district attorney said.

Glazebrook will be sentenced in April and faces a potential lifetime prison sentence without the possibility of parole, the district attorney said.

Carmel is about 75 miles southwest of San Jose.

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U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia concedes the mayoral race on election night, Feb. 28, 2023 at Apollos 2000 Theatre in Little Village. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Mayoral candidate Jesus Chuy Garcias congressional campaign says it will cut a check for $2,900 to repay clients of a collapsed cryptocurrency exchange the same amount of money the disgraced former head of the business contributed to Garcias reelection war chest.

The news came as lawyers representing former clients of the FTX exchange said earlier this week they would try to get back the tens of millions of dollars indicted FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried lavished on political candidates across the U.S.

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The cash Garcia received was just a drop in the ocean of money Bankman-Fried splashed out to support campaigns and help fund political action committees on both sides of the aisle.

But the small payment has become a sizable headache for Garcia, whos getting hammered by mayoral campaign opponents for his connection to the now-indicted onetime crypto star.

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FTX and the debtors who federal prosecutors allege Bankman-Fried swindled announced on Sunday they would be sending confidential messages to political figures, political action funds, and other recipients of contributions or other payments that were made by or at the direction of the FTX Debtors, Samuel Bankman-Fried or other officers or principals of the FTX Debtors.

[ FTX founder keeps talking, ignoring typical legal strategy ]

Garcia mayoral campaign spokesperson Antoine Givens said Garcias congressional campaign received one of the confidential messages and said the campaign will return the money.

The congressional campaign committee, like others, has been contacted to return the donation to the FTX Debtors representatives and the committee will comply to ensure any and all debtors receive the funds, Givens said in an email.

Congressman and mayoral candidate Jesus Chuy Garcia is greeted as he prepares to leave a news conference on Feb. 6, 2023. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Garcia received the $2,900 contribution from Bankman-Fried in June and as the scandal was engulfing Bankman-Fried and FTX last fall Garcia donated the same amount of money to local charities. Givens said Garcia was the first Democrat in the Illinois Congressional delegation to make such donations.

But that hasnt stopped political opponents from pouncing on the connection. Mayor Lori Lightfoot has been running a TV ad blasting Garcias ties to the crypto crook who stole his customers life savings.

Another mayoral candidate, state Rep. Kam Buckner, questioned how a self-proclaimed reformer like Garcia could accept special interest support from a crypto billionaire whose industrys future rests on members of Congress?

[ Chicago mayors race 2023: Search campaign contributions ]

A political action committee associated with Bankman-Fried also reported to the Federal Election Commission spending $199,854 on mailers promoting Garcias candidacy in the 4th Congressional District, even though he was unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Garcia has pointed out that by law and by definition, I had nothing to do with the spending by the Protect Our Future PAC. And Givens said FTX has not called on the Garcia congressional campaign to return that money.

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Garcia won a third term in Congress in the November general election with about 68% of the vote over two challengers. Shortly thereafter, he announced he was running for mayor.

Other Illinois politicians also received contributions from Bankman-Fried, among them Democratic U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin, downstate Democratic U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski and Ald. Gilbert Villegas, 36th, who ran unsuccessfully in the 3rd Congressional District Democratic primary election. All three previously said they donated the money they got from Bankman-Fried to charities.

Villegas said Tuesday he had not been contacted by FTX to return the $2,900. He said last year that he gave that amount to Planned Parenthood of Illinois as the Bankman-Fried scandal was unfolding.

Budzinski spokesperson Philip Shelly said the Budzinski campaign got a letter from FTX about the donation, and is currently reviewing the request with legal counsel.

The Durbin campaign did not immediately respond to questions about whether FTX called on them to return the money.

In its statement about seeking repayment from politicians and PACs, FTX said making donations to charities does not prevent the FTX Debtors from seeking recovery from the recipient or any subsequent transferee.

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Protect Our Future also backed Chicago Democrat Jonathan Jacksons successful run for a U.S. House seat in 2022, spending $500,065 on TV ads for his campaign in a payment reported to the FEC in June. FTX had not contacted the Jackson campaign about returning any of that money, a Jackson spokesperson said Tuesday.

Representatives of the Protect Our Future PAC could not be reached for comment about whether they will return to FTX investors the money the committee received from Bankman-Fried.

Bankman-Fried faces charges he defrauded investors of billions of dollars. Hes free on $250 million bond awaiting trial.

While the Securities and Exchange Commission alleges Bankman-Fried concealed from FTX investors that he was transferring their money to his privately held hedge fund for undisclosed investments and lavish real estate purchases, the money also went for large political donations, authorities allege.

A federal indictment against Bankman-Fried alleges he broke campaign finance laws involving the making, receiving and reporting of a contribution, donation, or expenditure  and that he violated prohibitions on corporate contributions.

Federal investigators have not said political candidates violated campaign laws as part of the alleged Bankman-Fried scheme.

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jebyrne@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @_johnbyrne
The number of migrants crossing the border from Canada into the U.S. is rising  in one sector by more than 700%  as more Mexicans desperate to get into the U.S. fly to Canada and attempt to cross in frigid temperatures.

One family recently stopped by Border Patrol in Vermont was carrying an 8-month-old baby in -4 degree Fahrenheit temperatures. A picture of the family shared by Customs and Border Protection on Facebook showed a man and woman carrying the baby and a 2-year-old in their arms through snow and ice in the dark of night.

Apprehensions in the area where the family was found, known as the Swanton Sector, which includes sections of Vermont, New York and New Hampshire, have increased to 1,146 from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2022, from just 136 the year prior. Across the northern border, crossings from Canada into the U.S. have increased from 16,000 to 42,000 over the same time period, according to CBP data.

Mexicans are by far the leading nationality crossing into the U.S. in the Swanton Sector, followed by Haitians and Guatemalans, according to CBP data.

CBP in the Swanton Sector did not respond to a request for comment.

U.S. Border Patrol cameras capture migrants crossing the border into the U.S. near Mooers, N.Y., during a winter storm last December. (US Border Patrol Swanton Sector via Facebook)

As the Biden administration continues to use Covid restrictions, via the Title 42 policy, to block migrants at the southern border, Mexicans at those crossings are turned away more than any other nationality, making up more than 60% of all expulsions.

But for those who can afford the roughly $350 one-way plane ticket from Mexico to Montreal or Toronto, their prospects of not being sent back under Title 42 are much better. One migrant, whose last name is Cruz and was recently stopped by Border Patrol and named in a court filing, told border agents he and his wife legally entered Canada by flying to Toronto.

The couple had trouble finding work in Canada, Cruz told border agents, so they attempted to cross to the U.S. before they were apprehended, according to the court filing.

Much like migrants seeking to cross the southern border, organized criminal organizations play a role in smuggling migrants into Canada as well.

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In freezing temps, our #BorderPatrol Agents continue to encounter families illegally crossing the border with children, like this recent event involving an 8-month & 2-year-old in Newport, Vt., on Feb 3, 2023. (US Border Patrol Swanton Sector via Facebook)

Cruz told border agents he wired $1,000 to a man as a deposit for him and his wife to enter the U.S., with the understanding he would pay another $1,000 after crossing. It was his hope that he and his wife would eventually be taken to live and work in New York City, he said, before he was stopped in Derby Line, Vermont, driving with a Chilean national, a man presumed to be the smuggler he paid.

This area has been used in the past for human smuggling, a border agent testified in court.

Border officials say they are worried about subzero temperatures that send migrants into hypothermia, especially those with young children.

More families are crossing with their minor children along the northern border. From Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2022, 6,709 migrant families with children crossed into the U.S. from Canada, compared to 1,500 during the same time period in 2021. CBP has not yet published data on the number of undocumented migrants who attempted to cross either northern or southern borders in January.

On the other side of the Vermont border, in the small Quebec town of Saint-Armand, a farmer told NBC News via Instagram that it is not uncommon for locals to see migrants crossing the border in both directions. He said locals know to leave migrants alone when theyre seen crossing into the U.S. from Canada.

Never give someone a ride to [the] border was what I was told. Let them walk. Which is fine, as its two minutes, said David McMillan, owner of Hayfield Farm, a property less than 1.2 miles from the U.S.-Canada line.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A mother has been targeted by anti-vaxxers after her six-year-old daughter passed away, making unfounded claims that she died because she had been vaccinated against Covid-19.

Anastasia Weaver was born in 2016 and died on 25 January in the emergency room of a local hospital in Ohio.

While the results of the autopsy may take weeks before it establishes a cause of death, online anti-vaxxers began claiming, without evidence, that Anastasia died because she had been vaccinated.

The attacks started only hours after her funeral after a Twitter account shared the six-year-olds name and photo in a post with the emoji of a syringe.

The mother, Jessica Day-Weaver, from Boardman, Ohio, was told by a Facebook user over messenger that she was a murderer because her daughter had been vaccinated.

Anastasia had severe health issues since she was born prematurely, such as epilepsy and asthma, and she was often in the hospital struggling with respiratory viruses.

The doctors havent given us any information other than it was due to all of her chronic conditions. ... There was never a thought that it could be from the vaccine, Ms Day-Weaver told the Associated Press.

Jessica Day-Weaver poses next to a picture collage made for her daughter, Anastasia, at her home, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2022, in Boardman, Ohio (AP)

Conspiracy theorists have used the hashtag #diedsuddenly to share news stories, obituaries, and GoFundMe fundraisers to falsely argue that people died because of the vaccine.

The use of the phrase has spiked by more than 740 per cent in tweets about vaccines in the last two months compared to the preceding two months. It started after the phrase was used in an online documentary pushing the inaccurate narrative.

Andrew Weaver, from left, Caitlin Weaver and Jessica Day-Weaver hold a ceramic hand print of daughter, Anastasia, at their home, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2022, in Boardman, Ohio (AP)

The technical research manager at the Stanford Internet Observatory, Renee DiResta, told the AP that its kind of in-group language, kind of a wink wink, nudge nudge.

Theyre taking something that is a relatively routine way of describing something  people do, in fact, die unexpectedly  and then by assigning a hashtag to it, they aggregate all of these incidents in one place, she added.

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Dr Katelyn Jetelina, an epidemiologist, told the news agency that the real danger is that it ultimately leads to real world actions such as not vaccinating.

Jessica Day-Weaver holds a ceramic hand print of her daughter, Anastasia, at her home, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2022, in Boardman, Ohio (AP)

After shots have been administered to the tune of hundreds of millions of doses and inoculated people, the vaccines have been found time and again to be safe and effective. The risks of not getting vaccinated far outnumber those of getting the shots.

The film Died Suddenly includes headlines found on Google to falsely indicate that sudden deaths never happened like this until now.

It has been seen more than 20 million times on an alternative video hosting platform. The Twitter account connected to it posts every day, making false assertions.

Jessica Day-Weaver right, and Caitlin Weaver hold up a ceramic hand print of daughter, Anastasia, at their home, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2022, in Boardman, Ohio (AP)

Without providing information to support their claims, the filmmakers issued a statement pointing to a surge in sudden deaths and a PROVEN rate of excess deaths.

During just the first year that the vaccine was being distributed, it prevented almost 2 million deaths in the US and 20 million globally, according to a study by Imperial College London.

The son of Dolores Cruz, a California-based writer, died in a car crash in 2017, but his death was still made out to be connected to the vaccine in the so-called documentary.

Without my permission, someone has taken his story to show one side, and I dont appreciate that, Ms Cruz told the AP. His legacy and memory are being tarnished.
The latest streetwear fashion trend has hit the market and the Internet doesnt know how to feel.

MSCHF, an art collective based out of Brooklyn, N.Y., has created the Big Red Boot. Its an oversized, bright red boot that has giant proportions. While some people already have access to the boot, the official release is slated for Feb. 16 at a $350 price point.

Videos of the boots have circulated around the Internet, and the chatter surrounding them has been loud.

This is a social experiment, said @romboozeled.

Bro had to relearn how to walk, replied @theriverafamilyofficial.

I want a pair in each color, said @thewheattoast.

This isnt the first time MSCHF has gone viral for their shoes. In 2021, the company was sued by Nike after selling a version of the Air Max 97s promoted by Lil Nas X without the authorization of Nike. The lawsuit was eventually dropped.

However, the publicity MSCHF gained from that act is similar to the current moment and how viral the Big Red Boot is.

MSCHF understands what they did when creating the boot with the shape and design.

You never design shoes to be shaped like feet. Big Red Boots are REALLY not shaped like feet, but they are EXTREMELY shaped like boots, said MSCHF co-founder Daniel Greenberg in an exclusive interview with Highsnobiety.

The boots are purposely designed to be big, but that has caused some issues for some of the people who have put the boots on.

Bowery Showroom in New York City had the boots in stock and allowed a customer to try them on. The experience wasnt a smooth one, as employees had to yank and pull the boots off of his feet.

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REVERSE CINDERELLA, joked @sarangahaestephanie in the comments.

Theres still a week before the shoes have their official release, however the hype over the boots is only going to grow. Until then, the shoes will continue to be a talking point throughout the fashion industry.

In The Know by Yahoo is now available on Apple News  follow us here!

The post These new MSCHF Big Red Boots are social experiment fashion trend appeared first on In The Know.

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A lawyer testifying in Alex Murdaughs double murder trial in South Carolina said he trusted Murdaugh even though the disgraced lawyer suggested an unusual way to split fees from a case the two had worked on together.

>> Scroll to the bottom of this webpage for previous trial coverage.

Attorney Chris Wilson said he had no reason to be suspicious when Murdaugh asked to have the $792,000 fee deposited directly into his account, rather than paying it directly to the Murdaugh family law firm. At the time, Murdaugh said his intention was to protect money because his son, Paul, was involved in a wrongful death lawsuit - even though the direct payment was a violation of the firms rules.

Id known him for 30-plus years. I didnt have any reason not to trust him, Wilson told the jury.

Murdaugh, 54, faces 30 years to life in prison if convicted of murdering his wife and son. Prosecutors are arguing that Murdaugh killed them to get sympathy and buy time to hide a string of thefts. The defense says it makes no sense to think there wouldnt be more scrutiny into Murdaughs life and finances after his wife and shot were shot to death.

The judge in the murder trial is allowing prosecutors to present a wide range of evidence that Murdaugh was stealing money from clients and his law firm. Defense attorneys have constantly objected before each witness, saying the financial crimes arent directly linked to the killings and are meant to smear Murdaugh and make him look like a horrible person.

Another witness Thursday testified that his mother was a housekeeper and nanny for the Murdaughs for more than 20 years before she fell at their home, dying weeks later from her injuries.

The witness, Tony Satterfield, said Murdaugh told him he would get his insurers to take care of him and his brother financially. Murdaugh eventually got settlements of more than $4 million, but Satterfield said his family found out after the killings and never saw any of it.

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When the defendant came to you around the time of your moms funeral and said he was going to help you and file a claim on your behalf, why did you agree? prosecutor Creighton Waters asked.

Because I trusted him, said Satterfield, who has since, with the help of other lawyers, collected more than $4 million from banks, officials and other lawyers involved in the settlements.

Murdaugh faces nearly 100 other criminal charges unrelated to the killings, ranging from theft to running a money laundering and drug ring to tax evasion to fraud for trying to arrange his own death in a roadside shooting in September 2021 so his surviving son could get $10 million in life insurance.

Wilson was the 40th witness called in the trial, which began Jan. 23. He testified away from the jury last Thursday as the judge decided whether to allow financial misdeed evidence.

Wilson said he paid Murdaugh his $792,000 fees directly when questions popped up. Murdaughs law firm demanded that Wilson send a second check for the fees, which he did out of his own pocket. Murdaugh promised to pay Wilson back but could only come up with $600,000.

Wilson said he had no choice but to loan his friend the remaining $192,000 and has never gotten that money back.

I cant tell somebody Im holding money in my trust account that Im not holding in my trust accounts, Wilson said. Trust accounts are money that belongs to someone else.

Wilson at times had to pause as he was asked about his friend he met in high school. Their wives were sorority sisters. Their kids grew up together. They spoke several times a week.

Wilson rushed the hour and 40 minutes to Murdaughs home as soon as he found out about the June 7, 2021, killings.

I walked in, hugged his neck and cried. I didnt know what to say, Wilson said. I didnt want to know what he found. I didnt want him to have to describe it to me.

In cross-examination, the defense mostly asked Wilson personal questions, getting him to talk about how much he loved his family. Wilson said Murdaugh appeared to never stay at the familys home after the killings and was staying with his brothers or in-laws every time he called.

He was distraught. He was destroyed, upset all the time, not eating, not sleeping, Wilson said.

Murdaughs family dominated the legal system in tiny Hampton County for generations, both as prosecutors and private attorneys. The influence extended to banks in the rural South Carolina Lowcountry.

Palmetto State Bank CEO Jan Malinowski testified that Murdaughs accounts were frequently overdrawn by hundreds of thousands of dollars in 2021 and a former executive, convicted in federal court in November, would loan himself and Murdaugh money from client trust funds.

Malinowskis dry testimony did have moments of levity. He testified Murdaughs account balance was overdrawn by more than $347,000 in August 2021.

Waters noted a fee on the statement. How much is the overdraft charge? the prosecutor asked.

Five dollars, Malinowski said as the courtroom erupted in laughter.

PREVIOUS TRIAL COVERAGE:

(WATCH BELOW: Personal connections show South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaughs downfall)








(Reuters) -Access to Twitter in Turkey has been restored, the Netblocks internet observatory said on Thursday, following talks between the company and Turkish authorities about content posted after a major earthquake this week.

Access to Twitter was restricted on Wednesday, sparking protested by political opposition figures, academics and activists, two days after the quake hit the country and northern Syria, claiming thousands of lives.

"Metrics confirm access to Twitter is being restored in Turkey following hours of filtering," NetBlocks said on its Twitter account.

Turkey's Deputy Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Omer Fatih Sayan said that in talks with Twitter management, he had reminded Twitter of its responsibilities and had conveyed expectation of cooperation on fighting disinformation as earthquake relief work continues.

"Our demands are clear, strong cooperation on disinformation and false reports, swift action against fake accounts and ... measures against content that could damage public order and security," Sayan said on Twitter.

Earlier on Wednesday, Twitter Chief Executive Elon Musk said that the company had been informed by the government of Turkey that full access to the social media platform in the country will be re-enabled "shortly".

"Twitter has been informed by the Turkish government that access will be re-enabled shortly," Musk said in a post on Twitter, without providing further details on timing.

Turkish people have taken to Twitter since the earthquake to post information about loved ones they cannot reach, reports of collapsed buildings and coordination for aid.

The confirmed death toll in Turkey rose to 12,391 by Thursday morning, the Disaster Management Authority said.

In Syria, the toll of dead climbed to at least 2,950, according to the government and a rescue service operating in the rebel-held northwest.

(Reporting by Rhea Binoy in Bengaluru; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman, Kenneth Maxwell and Kim Coghill)
Artists impression of CAPSTONE.

The NASA-funded CAPSTONE probe has been working in a unique lunar orbit since November 13, 2022, where its setting the stage for a future space station and related space-based technologies. The $33 million cubesat appears to be getting the job doneno small miracle, given the endless issues that continue to plague the mission.



Advanced Space, the owner and operator of CAPSTONE, issued a mission update yesterday, highlighting recent achievements and frustrations. Short for Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment, the tiny cubesat has hit a number of key mission objectives since reaching space last June. CAPSTONEs operational orbit, known as a near rectilinear halo orbit (NRHO), is of interest to NASA and its international partners, as its an ideal place for the planned Gateway space station.

Read more

More on this story: What to Know About Lunar Gateway, NASAs Future Moon-Orbiting Space Station

The 55-pound cubesat reached its operational orbit in November following a tumultuous four-month journey that included a frightening stint in safe mode, a loss of axis control, and resulting thermal and power issues. Advanced Space, with the help of its partners, managed to resolve these problems, while tracing the issue to a partially opened valve on one of the cubesats eight thrusters.

CAPSTONE, built by Terran Orbital and funded by NASA, eventually reached near rectilinear halo orbit, becoming the first spacecraft in history to do so. Two mission objectives were completed during the transfer to the Moon and both directly informed Artemis 1 secondary payloads with regard to radio and ground station performance, Advanced Space said.

CAPSTONEs first 85 days in its near rectilinear halo orbit can be called a success, despite some recent annoyances. The probe has completed 12.5 highly elongated loops around the Moon, six more than the missions minimal objective. The spacecraft has already managed to survive a pair of lunar eclipses, events that compromise CAPSTONEs thermal and propulsion capabilities, while also performing a pair of course-correction maneuvers that kept the spacecraft nestled within its halo orbit. The team has also run demos of the spacecrafts Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System (CAPS), an experimental spacecraft-to-spacecraft navigational tool that could make it possible for future vehicles to autonomously determine their own locations in space. Despite these achievements, CAPSTONE continues to encounter speed bumps.

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The company performed interface tests with ground systems connected to NASAs Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, but during the first attempt to gather crosslink measurements on January 18, the orbiter received a signal from CAPSTONE, but CAPSTONE failed to receive crosslink measurements from the returning signal. This initial attempt is informing subsequent work which will be further evaluated on upcoming attempts, Advanced Space said.

In addition, CAPSTONE recently recovered from a glitch that rendered the probe unable to receive commands from ground teams. The problem started on January 26 and wasnt resolved until February 6, when an onboard fault protection system fixed the issue. Lessons learned from this anomaly will result in operational procedure changes to speed recovery from any future similar anomalies, the company said.

Advanced Space has not immediately responded to our request for more information on these latest issues. In its update, the company said these challenges have showcased the teams resiliency, a team that includes Terran Orbital, NASAs Deep Space Network, the Space Dynamics Laboratory, and others.

CAPSTONEs fuel gauge is now at 56%, which is enough to keep the spacecraft in its orbit while Advanced Space works to fulfill other mission objectives, such as further crosslink experiments with the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and more demos with CAPS. Heres to hoping that things start to go more smoothlyand less stress-inducingfor the mission.

More: Weeks Before Launch, NASA Tells Private Partner to Change Lunar Landing Site to South Pole

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If you woke up craving a cheesy slice, there could be a reason:

Its National Pizza Day.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

Channel 9 compiled a list of nine places to grab a slice, or a pie, to celebrate:

Lazy Moon

Italian House Pizza and Restaurant

Pizza Bruno

SoDough Square

1803 Pizza Kitchen

Anthonys Thornton Park

Pizzeria Del-Dio Italian Restaurant

Pops Pizzeria

Ziggies Pizza

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
National Pizza Day is observed annually on Feb. 9. The most-searched pizza topping in both Ohio and Kentucky last year was veggie

Today is National Pizza Day, a day for pizza lovers across the country to celebrate the savory dish and all its toppings, crusts, shapes and sizes.

YorkTest used 2022 Google search data to find the most popular pizza topping in each state. The United Kingdom-based health consultant company examined the frequency of monthly searches for dozens of pie varieties, including the following:

Pepperoni.

Veggie.

Barbecue chicken.

Bacon, chicken, ranch.

Pesto.

Green peppers.

Greek.

Olive.

White pizza.

Cheese.

The most popular pizza topping across the United States was pepperoni.

National Pizza Day:How to get deals from Domino's, Pizza Hut, Sam's Club and more

Dining:Galla Park Gastro at The Banks announces closure

In contrast, the most-searched topping in both Ohio and Kentucky was veggie. In Indiana, pizza lovers most often searched for Greek pies.

Originating in Italy, pizza has grown to be one of Americans' favorite foods. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 13% of Americans eat the meal on any given day.

Later this week, pizza will be back in the spotlight once again. Super Bowl Sunday, which takes place Feb. 12 this year, is the busiest day for pizza orders, with pizzerias seeing a 35% increase in sales, USA Today reports.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: National Pizza Day: Here's the pizza topping Ohio can't get enough of
The NBA trade deadline is less than a week away, and the action started with the Brooklyn Nets' trade of Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks. A handful of teams could be sellers at the deadline, and a few names have been circulating throughout the league as potential trade targets.

When is the 2023 NBA trade deadline?

The trade deadline is 3 p.m. ET Thursday. Yahoo Sports will track all the trade rumors, news, players and teams to watch leading up to the deadline.

Reports: Raptors acquire Jakob Poeltl from Spurs

Center Jakob Poeltl is heading north, as the San Antonio Spurs reportedly traded him in exchange for center Khem Birch on Wednesday night. The Spurs will also receive a protected 2024 first-round draft pick and two future second-rounders, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Poeltl played for the Raptors for the first two seasons of his career before spending 4 1/2 in San Antonio.

Report: Trail Blazers trading Josh Hart to Knicks for Cam Reddish

Josh Hart is headed to the New York Knicks. The Portland Trail Blazers struck a deal with the Knicks minutes before they were set to tip off at the Moda Center on Wednesday night. Portland is sending Hart to the Knicks in exchange for forward Cam Reddish, Ryan Arcidiacono, Svi Mykhailiuk and a future first-round draft pick, according to ESPNs Adrian Wojnarowski. The Blazers reportedly also will receive a lottery-protected 2023 first-round draft pick that if it doesn't convey will become four future second-rounders. Full details on the trade.

Reports: Russell Westbrook heading to Jazz, then buyout market, in 3-team deal

Russell Westbrook is leaving Los Angeles, and his next playing destination isn't entirely clear. The Lakers reportedly sent Westbrook to the Utah Jazz in a three-team deal Wednesday, and the Jazz are likely to buy out his contract. If so, Westbrook will have multiple suitors on the buyout markett. How the full trade unfolded.

ESPN Sources: The Lakers are finalizing deal to land Minnesotas DAngelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt in trade including Mike Conley and picks to Timberwolves and Russell Westbrook and a lightly protected 2027 LA first-round pick to Jazz.  Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 9, 2023

Kyrie Irving traded to Dallas Mavericks

Kyrie Irving is headed to Dallas. The Mavericks sent Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2029 first-round draft pick and second-round picks in 2027 and 2029 to the Nets, who also sent Markieff Morris to the Mavericks. Here are the full trade details.

Completed 2022-23 NBA trades

The Brooklyn Nets traded Kyrie Irving and Markieff Morris to the Dallas Mavericks for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2029 first-round draft pick and second-round picks in 2027 and 2029, the teams announced Monday.

The Washington Wizards traded Rui Hachimura to the Los Angeles Lakers for Kendrick Nunn, a conditional 2028 second-round draft pick and a 2029 second-round pick, the teams announced Jan. 23.

The Boston Celtics traded Noah Vonleh and cash considerations to the San Antonio Spurs for a conditional, future second-round draft pick, the teams announced Jan. 5. The Spurs then waived Vonleh.

Which NBA players could be on the move?

Jae Crowder: The forward is sitting out this season after requesting a trade from the Phoenix Suns in the offseason. He is seeking a multi-year contract extension and the Suns are looking for a quality player in return. There has not been traction on a deal yet.

O.G. Anunoby: The Toronto Raptors forward is one of the most-discussed players in the trade market. He is a young and talented player who could immediately help a playoff-bound team. Yahoo Sports Canada's Steven Loung explores six trade destinations for Anunoby.

John Collins: Is this the year the Atlanta Hawks finally trade Collins? The forward seems to always come up in trade rumors, but as of yet no deal has emerged.

NBA trade deadline rumor tracker
U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia concedes the mayoral race on election night, Feb. 28, 2023 at Apollos 2000 Theatre in Little Village. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn endorsed U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia for mayor on Thursday, spurning his former gubernatorial running mate Paul Vallas.

Quinn flirted with a mayoral run this campaign cycle but dropped the bid.

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Chuy Garcia has an unrivaled record of delivering for Chicago, and he understands the urgency of now. I endorse Chuy because his plans to bring property tax relief and build a stronger economy are the best in the field and he has the experience to deliver, Quinn said. Trust me when I say, it is so important for the city of Chicago to have a worthy advocate in Springfield. And when Chuy says he has the best relationships of all the candidates with Springfield, hes telling the truth.

Garcia said of Quinns backing: This is big time. Pat Quinn embodies principled leadership and the people of Chicago trust his judgment. He knows the type of leader it takes to work across government and improve the lives of working Chicagoans. ... Nineteen days to go and our coalition continues to grow. Im proud to have Gov. Quinn on Team Chuy.

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First elected to the Cook County Board of Appeals in 1982, Quinn ran for a series of higher offices over the ensuing years, ultimately succeeding in 2002 when voters chose him as the Democratic lieutenant governor when Rod Blagojevich was first elected governor. Quinn ascended to the states chief executive post in 2009 when Blagojevich was indicted by federal prosecutors on corruption charges and was impeached and ousted by state legislators.

[ Where do the candidates for mayor stand on issues? How they answered the Tribune's questionnaire. ]

In 2010, Quinn won election as governor, narrowly defeating Republican Bill Brady of Bloomington. But Quinn, with Vallas as his running mate, lost four years later to Republican Bruce Rauner.

Although Quinn is well known throughout the city and state, he hasnt found much political success in recent years, losing a primary bid to succeed Lisa Madigan as Illinois attorney general and failing to gain traction with his efforts to impose term limits on Chicago mayors.

Then-Gov. Pat Quinn, right, appears at a 2014 news conference with his running mate at the time, Paul Vallas. Quinn is now endorsing one of Vallas' opponents in the race for Chicago mayor, U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

He is well known throughout the area, however, and Garcias campaign hopes the endorsement gives him a boost ahead of the Feb. 28 election, where he and seven others are challenging incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

Lightfoot unveiled an endorsement from numerous Black faith leaders, a key demographic for her as she seeks to earn a second term. Lightfoot beamed as she stood with dozens of people in Bronzeville and accepted their endorsement.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot gets a hug after receiving the endorsement from Black faith leaders during a gathering in Chicago Thursday. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Lightfoots base of support in the 2019 election was primarily along majority white lakefront wards, but her political base has pivoted to the South and West sides as she seeks reelection.

She is and has been a friend to the Black community, New Landmark Baptist Churchs pastor, the Rev. Cy Fields, said.

The Rev. Torrey Barrett criticized unnamed Black candidates he said dont have a chance of winning for staying in the race.

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Shame on you! he said.

Another Lightfoot challenger, business owner Willie Wilson, announced endorsements Thursday from more than a dozen Latino faith leaders.
Russell William Tucker was a Black man on trial for murder in North Carolina in 1996.

He was accused of killing Maurice Travone Williams, 23, a Kmart security guard shot to death on his first day of work two years before.

The evidence against Tucker was substantial, but two Winston-Salem prosecutors didnt depend on that alone to win a conviction, Tuckers lawyers say. Instead, they skirted the law to make sure an all-white jury sat in judgment of him.

Prosecutors used a cheat sheet from a seminar dubbed Top Gun Il that taught prosecutors across the state how to get around a U.S. Supreme Court ruling forbidding the rejection of jurors based on race, Tuckers argument to the state Supreme Court states.

Prosecutors were encouraged to paint Black jurors as exhibiting resistance to authority, an air of defiance, lack of eye contact, and anti-prosecution tendencies, Tuckers filing states about the Top Gun II training held by the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys.

The result, Tuckers attorneys argue, is Tucker was convicted and sentenced to death by an all white jury.

On Wednesday, about 27 years after his conviction, his attorneys asked the North Carolina Supreme Court to order a new trial.

More than one mans fate at stake

Civil rights advocates say the Supreme Court has an opportunity with Tuckers case to correct one injustice, and to also clarify what claims it will accept as evidence that prosecutors unfairly excluded jurors because they are Black.

The exclusion of Black people from juries is a long-standing problem in North Carolina stretching back to the days of Jim Crow, said Gretchen M. Engel, executive director of The Center for Death Penalty Litigation, in a statement. But rarely is the evidence so clear as in Mr. Tuckers case.

About half of the 137 people on death row in this state were convicted with juries that were all white or had one person of color, according to the center, which is representing Tucker.

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North Carolina courts are behind other neighboring states in terms of enforcing a 1996 U.S. Supreme Court decision that prevents prosecutors from excluding jurors on the basis of race, Ian Mance, an attorney for civil rights organization Emancipate NC, wrote in a Campbell Law Review article.

Until last year, no North Carolina convictions had been overturned in response to the decision. The situation allowed prosecutors to strike prospective Black and Hispanic jurors with impunity, according to center.

Can justices consider juror discrimination?

However, before the Supreme Court can consider whether prosecutors excluded jurors based on their race, they must decide whether they can even consider Tuckers arguments about jury selection for his trial.

A Superior Court judge previously denied Tuckers motion to have his conviction vacated, saying he couldnt consider the jury selection argument because no new evidence has been presented.

It was the appeal of that judges decision that led to the case being heard before the Supreme Court Wednesday.

Senior Deputy Attorney General Danielle Elder also contends the cheat sheet isnt new evidence. Tucker should have raised the concern, which was brought up at the trial, sooner in his many previous appeals and motions to have his convictions vacated, she argued.

Tuckers attorneys contend they didnt discover the cheat sheet until 2015 after it was provided as evidence in another Forsyth County case. But Elder contends it was provided to Tuckers defense team much sooner.

The Superior Court judge also rejected a Michigan State University study as new evidence. It showed that one of the prosecutors in Tuckers trial struck 62% of Black jurors and only 20% of white people in four of his cases.

There were legitimate reasons for at least three Black jurors to be dismissed, Elder contends in court documents.

Prosecutors didnt seat two Black men on the jury who said they were reluctant to impose the death penalty, Elder contends. A third Black juror, who fell asleep during jury selection, said her shift work made it hard to stay away during the trial.

Tuckers attorneys argued that white jurors who had similar concerns were allowed on the jury.

The 1994 killing happened after Tucker had stolen clothes and pulled out a gun when Williams and others who initially tried to stop him from leaving the Kmart. Tucker fired at Williams and others as they ran away. Tucker later opened fire on a police car, injuring two others.
Nearly 40 cats, some of who were on the brink of death, were rescued from a home in Miami County.

Piqua police executed a search warrant at a home after a complaint of a large number of cats living in deplorable conditions, according to the Miami County Animal Shelter.

>> RELATED: Area animal shelter seeking donations after 39 cats rescued from Piqua home

Nothing prepares you for the smell, said Abigail Dautherty, an animal control officer at Miami County Animal Shelter.

Dautherty is the one who filed a search warrant after getting a tip about the home.

Based on some of the pictures, I immediately reached out to my prosecutor, she said.

After walking in, she said these were the worst conditions she has ever seen.

There were several different kinds of bugs crawling all over the walls and all the surfaces over the couch cushions, Dautherty said.

The conditions were so bad Dautherty says all the animals need treatment.

>> Man accused of impersonating parent, attempted kidnapping at Xenia school found competent for trial

Two of them were taken to the hospital where surgery needs to happen. One cat had an infected uterus and another one is expected to lose one of its eyes, she said.

News Center 7s Kayla McDermott knocked on the door of the home and asked the owners why they had 39 cats living with them.

A lot of them were strays on our porch feeding them and it was cold, the owner said.

The shelter says the living conditions were just too bad for them to stay.

The cats will all soon be available for adoption.

All of them are extremely friendly. They were even purring, Dautherty said.

This is all thanks to the woman who decided it was important to email the shelter.

We have to check up on every complaint we get because the one time we dont cats could be dying, Dautherty said.

With so many cats coming to the shelter at once, they are asking for help with donations.

Those interested in donations can be dropped off items at their shelter at 1110 North County Road 25A or view their Amazon wish list here.
Activist investor Nelson Peltz had been campaigning to join the Disney board. (Kareem Elgazzar / Cincinnati Enquirer via Associated Press)

Billionaire activist investor Nelson Peltz on Thursday ended his proxy fight with Walt Disney Co. after Chief Executive Bob Iger announced details of a major restructuring and cost-cutting program that included 7,000 job cuts.

Now Disney plans to do everything we wanted them to do, Peltz told Jim Cramer on CNBC. We wish the very best to Bob, this management team and the board. We will be watching. We will be rooting.

Peltz added, The proxy fight is over.

The influential investor had been lobbying Disney executives and board members since July in an effort to join the company's board of directors. He began to wage the proxy fight last month after being rebuffed by the company.

His hedge fund, Trian Fund Management, had amassed 9.4 million shares worth roughly $900 million. Trian sent letters to Disney stockholders asking them to vote for Peltz (or his son Matthew) to join the board and to not vote for current board member Michael Froman, a former U.S. trade representative.

Peltz sharply criticized the company, alleging poor succession planning and "self-inflicted" wounds such as the $71.3-billion acquisition of 21st Century Fox, which brought in valuable properties such as "Avatar" and "The Simpsons" but increased Disney's debt load significantly.

We respect and value the input of all our shareholders and we appreciate the decision by Trian Fund announced by Nelson Peltz this morning," Disney said in a statement.

Peltz's lobbying began when Bob Chapek (Iger's handpicked successor) was still running the company. Chapek was fired abruptly in November, and the board brought Iger in to replace him.

Iger's restructuring and cost-cutting program is meant in large part to get the company back on track to make its popular streaming services profitable.

The streaming strategy, which Iger spearheaded before he stepped down as CEO in 2020, has won over customers but is bleeding cash. The company on Wednesday said its direct-to-consumer business  which includes Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+  lost more than $1 billion during the most recent quarter.

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Disney is targeting $5.5 billion in cost savings, largely from its content and marketing. Disney said it plans to achieve $3 billion in content savings, excluding sports, over the next few years.

Iger did not specify the timeline for job cuts, nor did he say which divisions would be hit hardest. However, analysts expect much of the pain to be felt in the company's media and content businesses.

At the same time, Disney has said it is focusing on its big franchises, particularly in animation, which has struggled at the box office lately. Iger said sequels to "Toy Story," "Zootopia" and "Frozen" are in the works.

Cuts will probably include reducing costs from a separate distribution division that Chapek created and "removing duplicative costs" at Disneys TV networks and film studios, wrote Morgan Stanley analyst Benjamin Swinburne in a note to clients.

Disney on Thursday detailed the company's long-expected reorganization, which divides the company into three distinct units: Disney Entertainment (composed of film, TV and streaming), ESPN, and Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.

The goal, Iger said, is to return power and accountability to the company's creative executives, instead of distribution chiefs and financial types.

Swinburne was supportive of the move but acknowledged challenges that come with the strategy.

"The risks are fairly clear as well," Swinburne wrote. "Specifically, how does Disney decide which content ends up on its still unprofitable streaming services?"

Iger has tasked film studio chief Alan Bergman and TV veteran Dana Walden with leading the entertainment side of the business, including the big streaming operations of Disney+ and Hulu. ESPN and ESPN+ will be headed by Jimmy Pitaro. Josh D'Amaro will run Parks, Experiences and Products. Iger has tasked the executives with a clear mandate for "driving business efficiencies globally," Disney said.

As part of the reorganization, several back-end departments will be consolidated to support both Disney Entertainment and ESPN, including groups in charge of product and technology, advertising sales and distribution, excluding theatrical and music.

International entertainment divisions will now report to Bergman, Walden and Pitaro. As a result, Rebecca Campbell, chairman of international content and operations, will leave the company in June.

The organizational challenges take immediate effect.

The company also said it would ask the board to approve the reinstatement of shareholder dividends, though they will start as a fraction of what they once were.

ESPN being its own unit led to renewed questions about whether Disney would spin off or sell the cable sports giant. Iger has dismissed such speculation.

While much of the cost-cutting is aimed at correcting some of the moves that made streaming such a money-loser, Disney said it was not backing away from its goals for Disney+.

"The streaming business remains a top priority for the company," Disney said.

Iger has acknowledged that some of the tactics to grow the streaming business, which started under his watch, were too aggressive. For example, Disney+ came to market in 2019 with a price of $6.99 a month, far less than most comparable services. The company has since hiked subscriber fees.

We got maybe intoxicated by our own sub growth, Iger said in a CNBC interview Thursday.

Asked whether he truly planned to retire for good after his two-year contract runs out, Iger, who turns 72 on Friday, insisted it was his intention to leave.

Well, my plan is to stay here for two years, thats what my contract says, that was my agreement with the board, and that is my preference, he told CNBCs David Faber.

Disneys financial results beat Wall Street estimates. It posted sales of $23.5 billion, up 8% from the same quarter last year. Analysts on average had been expecting $23.4 billion in revenue. Profit rose 11% to $1.28 billion. Disneys earnings of 99 cents a share exceeded projections of 78 cents.

The stock increased 2% to $114.54 in midday trading.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Emulating the stock-trading patterns of politicians has become a niche activity online, but two new financial offerings want to take it to the next level  while also drawing attention to the controversial issue of lawmakers who trade stocks.

Two ETFs went live on Tuesday, allowing investors to put money behind a portfolio that approximates the holdings of Capitol Hill lawmakers.

The two new funds are boldly named NANC and KRUZ to track Democratic and Republican holdings. This week's rollout could also heighten the calls to ban lawmaker stock trading with the products premised on the idea that Congress members have more information than the average investor and often outperform the market.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX). (Photos by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images and Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

This is something that someone can actually own, thats the difference, said Subversive Capital Portfolio Manager Christian Cooper of how his offering is distinct. And while he isn't holding his breath for action in Washington, he would welcome it if this fund spurred lawmakers to ban trading, saying the value of restoring trust in Congress outweighs his business objectives here.

But in the meantime, he seems poised to do quite well.

It was a monster launch, there's no other way to put it, Cooper said during a Yahoo Finance Live interview on Wednesday.

The fund is the result of a partnership between his firm and Unusual Whales, an information platform that has been gathering data on politicians' stock trading for years. The two actively managed ETFs were formally listed on Tuesday on the Cboe BZX Exchange with Cooper acting as portfolio manager.

A recent detailed report from Unusual Whales found that 131 members of Congress filed financial disclosures in 2022 and, as a whole, beat the S&P 500 in terms of total returns.

A window into the philosophical differences on both sides of the aisle

NANC and KRUZ reflect data culled from lawmakers' required periodic transaction reports and financial disclosures. A 2012 law called the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act requires lawmakers to disclose trades within 45 days and annual financial disclosures reveal additional financial information.

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I think of the Democratic side as holding ideas and the Republicans as holding things, said Cooper, noting "the philosophical differences on both sides of the aisle."

The data reveals that the top Democratically held stocks are indeed heavy on technology and media with liberal lawmaker portfolios dominated by Microsoft (MSFT), Amazon (AMZN), Alphabet (GOOG), Apple (AAPL), Salesforce (CRM), NVIDIA (NVDA), and Walt Disney (DIS).

House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) doesnt trade stocks herself, but the frequent activities of her husband, Paul, have long gotten notice. Just recently, he sold 30,000 shares of Google just weeks before the Justice Department filed a lawsuit against the company. The former Speaker says that her husbands trades are not based on any inside information he receives from her.

Republicans' portfolios differ greatly from their colleagues and are much more focused on things like energy companies with Magellan Midstream Partners (MMP), Microsoft (again), Energy Transfer (ET), Dow Chemical (DOW), Philip Morris (PM), and Shell (SHEL) topping that list.

While a strong advocate for the energy industry, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) himself doesnt trade often. His only disclosed activity in the last three years was the purchase of Bitcoin (BTC-USD) in 2022. In previous years, his family has had minimal activity, including the sale of some stock in Goldman Sachs (GS) where his wife, Heidi, works as a managing director.

Representatives for Cruz and Pelosi, the namesakes for the new funds, didnt respond to requests for comment.

Meanwhile, lawmakers are making another run this year to ban lawmaker trading with 50 legislators currently signed on to lead the effort. In the past, Cruz has discussed the need for a ban, while Pelosi was more skeptical of efforts before opening the door to a push late last year as she wound down her time as speaker.

For his part, Cooper said he see's a "zero percent" chance that lawmakers ban trading. What he's hoping for instead are greater restrictions, such as a shorter reporting window between when trades happen and are publicly disclosed  perhaps as short as one week. He also wants bigger fines for lawmakers who miss those disclosure deadlines.

Will they beat the market in 2023?

While the new ETFs don't have a track record yet, the top stocks on the respective lists tell a story of differing fortunes in 2022.

The Democratic lawmakers' focus on tech wasnt a good investment in 2022 with the top five stocks in that ETF all down over the last 12 months. Amazon, which is heavily represented in Democratic portfolios, was down the most dramatically, falling by more than a third over the last year.

The Pelosi family didnt escape the tech washout, having a terrible year on 2022, according to the Unusual Whales report.

By contrast, Republicans appear to have done much better with high energy prices leading to record profits and high returns. Magellan, the top stock in GOP portfolios, is up 8% over the last 12 months.

The one bipartisan stock is Microsoft, represented at the top of the portfolios of both parties. But even the both-sides-of-the-aisle support isnt helping; its stock is down almost 15% over the last year.

Whatever the returns, what Cooper wants is for the fund to drive attention to the broader issues at play including a lack of trust in Congress and ongoing political divisions.

It has nothing to do with either Nancy Pelosi or Ted Cruz to be honest, he said.

Ben Werschkul is Washington correspondent for Yahoo Finance.

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This is an excerpt from Incoming, BuzzFeed News morning newsletter dedicated to making sense of this chaotic world we live in. Join the club here.

What happens when you become viral content without your consent

BuzzFeed News; Getty Images

When Timothy Goodman unknowingly became the subject of someone's TikTok  which racked up millions of views under the false premise that Goodman was the TikToker's disappointing date  people viciously insulted his appearance and character.

Responding in a TikTok of his own, Goodman said, "I would just say that like, maybe we dont have to make fun of peoples appearances, complete strangers, online. Maybe we also shouldnt be like, posting people  strangers  online without their consent.

There are whole genres of online content in which people are being recorded or photographed without their knowledge or consent  on the subway, at a shopping center, in a car, on the sidewalk, at a restaurant, at a bar. Its generally legal to film and photograph people in public, and thanks to apps like TikTok, the reach of social platforms is larger than ever before.

Were living in sort of a self-induced surveillance state, where no longer is it necessarily the government panopticon, but its now everyone else getting their phones out and filming and surveilling, constantly, Jenna Drenten, an associate professor at Loyola University Chicago who studies digital consumer culture, told BuzzFeed News.

In a world where public and private entities constantly harvest our data in troubling ways, maybe becoming the main character of the day online isnt the end of the world. But Mark Bartholomew, a law professor at the University at Buffalo who focuses on online privacy, fears that our crumbling data protections feeds the idea that if youre constantly under watch, it sort of is more OK, I think, to point your camera at someone else without permission and post it.

I think our sense of privacy is gradually declining, he said.

A police officer who beat Tyre Nichols allegedly took photos of him and texted them to friends

Crowds gather in Oakland to protest Tyre Nichols's killing by Memphis police on Jan. 29, 2023. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

As Tyre Nichols sat on the ground handcuffed and struggled not to fall over, Demetrius Haley took out his personal cellphone and took two photos of an "obviously injured" Nichols , according to documents released by Tennessee officials. Haley later admitted that he sent the photo to five people, including two other Memphis police officers, a civilian employee, and a woman acquaintance. Nichols, a 29-year-old FedEx employee who was an avid skater and photographer, was violently beaten by Memphis police during a traffic stop on Jan. 7. He died from his injuries three days later in a hospital.

The decertification documents released Tuesday contain a litany of department policy violations that the five officers allegedly committed in their treatment of Nichols. They used excessive force on Nichols, who was unarmed, and showed a lack of concern for him afterward, the documents state. And in addition to officers laughing about their involvement in the beating, multiple others also allegedly omitted information and made false statements about their actions in their reports.

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SNAPSHOTS

The El Paso Walmart mass shooting suspect pleaded guilty to federal hate crime charges. The man accused of committing the deadliest Latino hate crime in recent US history may still face the death penalty in state court.

Donald Trump asked Twitter to take down a Chrissy Teigen tweet about him, Twitter executives testified. The revelation came during a congressional hearing on Twitters handling of the Hunter Biden laptop story.

Pro surfer Bethany Hamilton said she will boycott World Surf League events because it now allows trans women to compete. Hormone testing  a key component of WSL's new policy  has long been leveraged against not only trans women but cisgender women who have naturally high levels of testosterone. But thats not what Hamilton is talking about .

J.Lo and Ben Affleck weren't actually fighting at the Grammys, according to a seat filler from the night. The couple became a major story of the awards show as Affleck seemed bored, and it led to multiple memes about the actor looking like hed rather be anywhere but the Grammys.

A bomb threat interrupted Alex Murdaugh's murder trial  but not before the jury heard damaging evidence

A bomb threat was called in to the South Carolina courthouse hosting Alex Murdaughs murder trial on Wednesday, prompting officials to evacuate the judge, jury, lawyers, and the defendant himself. The trial was paused for over two and a half hours before things resumed.

Earlier in the week, Judge Clifton Newman announced he would permit prosecutors to raise evidence about Murdaughs alleged financial crimes in front of the jury because he agreed it could be seen as a possible motive. (Such evidence would not typically be permitted in a trial if it were being used merely to show Murdaugh had a bad character or propensity for crime.)

On Tuesday, Jeanne Seckinger , the chief financial officer at Murdaugh's old law firm, described to the jury how shed confronted Murdaugh on the morning of the murders about $792,000 in missing fees. I dont think I ever really knew him, Seckinger told the court. I dont think anybody knows him.

Meanwhile, defense attorneys have raised questions about forensic evidence collected by state investigators, and repeatedly tried to cast Murdaugh as a loving husband and father who had no reason to kill his family.

IMAGE OF THE DAY

Customers pose next to long banners printed with Chinese surnames at a shopping mall on February 8, 2023, in Shenyang, Liaoning Province of China. Huang Jinkun / VCG via Getty Images

Why I've decided to delay taking testosterone as part of my transition

Noor Noman in New York City on Jan. 11, 2023 Leo Xander Foo for BuzzFeed News

At almost the precise time I came out as trans, around six months ago, I started playing music again for the first time since my brother's death, Noor Noman writes . Yes, its too on the nose: I literally found my voice again.

Amid my newfound journey toward gender euphoria, I had come up with a plan for medically transitioning, which included taking testosterone, or T, and then having top surgery. Then I found out what T does to your vocal cords. It thickens them, which is what lowers ones voice. But it can weaken your singing voice and reduce the range of notes you can sing.

For many trans men and transmasc people who use their voice to perform, taking T is the right choice. But I couldnt bear the thought of not being able to sing with the voice that I have, so I decided not to take it for the time being.

The decision was initially devastating. I believed I needed to be seen as a man to be taken seriously as a man  having a deep voice was a big part of that  and that not taking T would mean resigning myself to a life of constant misgendering and denial of my identity. For so long, I thought I needed to have my gender identity seen as real by others in order to have it count, but of course the inverse was true: I needed to see myself as real first.

Still reading, eh? Seems like you might want to get this in your inbox. No pressure though. Just some food for thought.
Zachary Grant expected the Transportation Security Administration check-in would take about four minutes at Pueblo Memorial Airport on Thursday as he prepared to board a Southern Airways Express flight to Denver.

In actuality, it took about 90 seconds and he even got a cheery, Have a good day, greeting from one of the workers. That treatment was just part of the reason he opted to fly out of Pueblo instead of Denver for a trip to Salt Lake City this week.

He listed off all the reasons he made the choice.

The convenience, free parking. Its a quick trip to Denver that avoids tolls, traffic, paid parking and the fuel to get up there, Grant said.

This is just inexpensive, quick and easy, Grant said. You can show up 30 minutes before your flight and its no problem, and the airport even has free Wi-Fi.

Grant said he hopes others will start choosing to fly out of Pueblo.

We need to support our little city and make sure this service stays here and possibly grows, Grant said.

Grant, a cybersecurity expert, said he will share his experience on Facebook to help spread the word among his friends and family.

The convenience is unequaled in Colorado, Mayor Nick Gradisar said to a gathering of local leaders and residents welcoming the new airline to the airport Thursday. Plus, we now have double the available flights.

Gradisar said having Southern Airways Express as an essential air service carrier will help Pueblo realize its potential as a business and economic hub.

With (rail transportation industry) businesses like ENSCO and MxV Rail, people will be traveling from all over the world to visit Pueblo, Gradisar said.

Southern replaces SkyWest Airlines after the U.S. Department of Transportation approved its proposal for the essential air services flights. The federal program guarantees smaller communities access to the national transportation grid by subsidizing carriers that fly from the smaller communities to hub airports.

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Under the contract, Southern Airways will provide Pueblo with a total of 24 weekly nonstop round trips to Denver using a 9-seat Beechcraft King Air 200 plane. In exchange for the airlines willingness to serve the market, the federal government will pay an annual subsidy of $2.9 million this year and $3.06 million in 2024, according to the departments order.

The contract runs through Jan. 31, 2025, at which time both parties can consider a renewal.

More airport news:Ready for takeoff: Southern Airways wins contract for Pueblo to Denver flights

Southern is 'spreading its wings'

A Southern Airways Express airplane was available to tour on the tarmac at Pueblo Memorial Airport on Thursday.

Mark Cestari, chief commercial officer for Southern Airways, told the crowd Thursday that the air service is a major asset for economic development. We are here to help your business grow and thrive.

He said the airline launched in 2013 and today is a conglomeration of five separate small airlines, making it the fastest-growing airline in the country.

We have spread our wings and we now fly into 54 airports from Nantucket to the east to the Marietas Islands to the west, Cestari said. About half our flights are essential air service like Pueblo, but we are the only airline that also flies to the five major hubs of Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver, Washington-Dulles and Phoenix.

He said the airline balances its growth in hopes of avoiding the other problems major airlines face. He said crew and pilot shortages are a main issue for all airlines and will continue to plague the industry for a few more years.

We have 700 employees, logged a record number of boardings last year despite the spike in airfares and expect to make more than $100 million in revenue this year. We arent perfect, but we are doing a better job than most, Cestari said.

What helps Southern get a leg up is a pilot school it offers to 50 students a month. First officers can learn to fly the smaller planes, stay with Southern for two years and then move up to SkyWest, where they can fly bigger jets, Cestari explained.

Thanks to an agreement with United, passengers can book flights through Southern from Pueblo to their ultimate destination. If there is a disruption, Southerns 24-hour call center can rebook a flight and theres no waiting on the phone for five hours, he said.

He said Southerns essential air service flights out of Chadron, Nebraska, logged 365 days without a cancellation last year.

Thats incredible, he said, pointing out Southerns founder is an attorney who approaches things from a customer service perspective. We give you our word we will do the best we can.

If Pueblo shows a need, more flights could be added to places like Phoenix.

There is no limit to what we can do, Cestari said.

Flights range from $69 to $119 depending on amenities selected. Puebloans can book all flights at iflysouthern.com or united.com.

Zachary Grant of Pueblo zips through the Transportation Security Administration check at Pueblo Memorial Airport before heading to Denver and then Salt Lake City. Grant expected the check in to take about four minutes but he breezed through in about 90 seconds.

More airline news:As SkyWest opts out, Southern Airways applies to fly in and out of Pueblo Memorial Airport

Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon covers business news. She can be reached by email at tharmon@chieftain.com or via Twitter at twitter.com/tracywumps.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo welcomes Southern Airways Express to airport
A television reporter was arrested during a press conference given by Gov Mike DeWine of Ohio on the state of a dangerous train derailment close to the states border with Pennsylvania.

Evan Lambert of NewsNation was preparing to go live on the air when Mr DeWine emerged to begin the press conference. Police officers reportedly asked Lambert to be quieter while Mr DeWine was speaking, then arrested him. Footage of the incident released by the network showed two officers handcuffing Lambert while he was facedown on the ground.

In an article posted on its website, NewsNations Tyler Wornell quoted Mr DeWine as saying he had nothing to do with the arrest.

It has always been my practice that if Im doing a press conference, someone wants to report out there and they want to be talking back to the people back on channel, whatever, they have every right to do that, Mr DeWine said. If someone was stopped from doing that, or told they could not do that, that was wrong. It was nothing that I authorized.

According to the NewsNation article, Lambert is facing charges of disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing.

After he was handcuffed, Lambert was driven away from the site of the press conference at an East Palestine, Ohio elementary school gymnasium in a squad car.

Its tough to do your job in America in 2023, but well keep doing it, Lambert said.

BREAKING: @EvanLambertTV, a DC-based correspondent for @NewsNation, has been in Ohio covering the train crash. He was doing a live shot in the back of the room during a press conference-was told to stop by police, was pushed to the ground, cuffed & arrested & put in a patrol car. pic.twitter.com/RZv6nT7j8o  NewsNation PR (@NewsNationPR) February 8, 2023

Preston Swigart, a photographer, was with Lambert during the sequence that ended in his arrest. He told Wornell

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From their standpoint, he didnt obey orders when he was told to stop talking, Swigart said. Gymnasiums are echoey and loud and sound kind of carries, so Im guessing that they just didnt like the fact that there was sound competing with the governor speaking, even though it was all the way at the other end of the room.

The derailment of 50 freight cars, including ten carrying hazardous materials, continues to be of major concern in and around East Palestine in communities on both sides of the Ohio-Pennsylvania border. Residents in the surrounding area have been asked to evacuate, with some reporting headaches in the aftermath of the crash.

As Governor Mike DeWine started his press conference this afternoon, @EvanLambertTV, a national reporter with @NewsNation, was arrested because he was doing a live report. pic.twitter.com/7j81PyY1n1  Jordan Miller (@J_MillerTV) February 9, 2023

This content of this particular press conference, however, was quickly overshadowed by what NewsNation described as a violation of its reporters First Amendment rights.

Another video posted to Twitter by reporter Jordan Miller shows Mr Lambert being led away from the school in handcuffs.

This is going to be on national news just because Im trying to do my job? Mr Lambert can be heard asking as he is walked down the sidewalk.
EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (NewsNation)  A NewsNation reporter was released from jail late Wednesday after being arrested earlier in the day during a news conference being held by Ohios governor about a train derailment.

Correspondent Evan Lambert was giving a live report during NewsNations Rush Hour when he was told by law enforcement personnel at the news conference to be quiet because Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine was speaking.

Lambert finished the live report but was then asked to leave by authorities, who tried to forcibly remove him from the event. The charges Lambert is facing are disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing.

NewsNation was expecting a statement from the East Palestine Police Department on Lamberts arrest around 7 a.m. ET but has not yet received a release. Police said there is still no release and the network would get it once it is ready.

READ MORE: DeWine: Dont want to see NewsNation reporter prosecuted

After Lambert was taken into custody, DeWine said he didnt personally order the arrest.

It has always been my practice that if Im doing a press conference, someone wants to report out there and they want to be talking back to the people back on channel, whatever, they have every right to do that, DeWine said. If someone was stopped from doing that, or told they could not do that, that was wrong. It was nothing that I authorized.

As Lambert was being placed in the back of a squad car, he said, Its tough to do your job in America in 2023, but well keep doing it.

The news conference in East Palestine, Ohio, was scheduled for 3 p.m. ET but had been delayed. DeWine eventually began speaking around 5 p.m., at the same time Lambert was scheduled to go live on NewsNation.

Preston Swigart, a photographer who was with Lambert, said Lambert was approached by police who asked him to stop talking. The news conference was held in an East Palestine Elementary School gymnasium.

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From their standpoint, he didnt obey orders when he was told to stop talking, Swigart said. Gymnasiums are echoey and loud and sound kind of carries, so Im guessing that they just didnt like the fact that there was sound competing with the governor speaking, even though it was all the way at the other end of the room.

NewsNation affiliate reporter Megan Lee, who was present at the time of the arrest, recounted the moments leading up to Lamberts arrest on Morning in America.

It seems like there was some type of physical altercation toward Evan. And then, I remember hearing Evan say like, this is assault, or something. Honestly, I was in so much shock that they were trying to not let him do his job  it was shocking to me, Lee said.

Lee said other law enforcement officers came over after Evan said it was assault, and thats when things started to become aggressive.

Lambert is a Washington, D.C., correspondent and was in Ohio to cover the news conference, where DeWine was giving an update on evacuation orders that have been in place since a train derailed in East Palestine, a small town on the border with Pennsylvania.

About 50 freight cars, including 10 carrying hazardous materials, derailed in East Palestine at around 9 p.m. Friday. Rail operator Norfolk Southern said the train was carrying products from Madison, Illinois, to Conway, Pennsylvania, at the time of the derailment.

READ MORE: Experts disturbed by force used on NewsNation reporter

No injuries to the crew, residents or first responders have been reported due to the train derailment. But some people have complained of smelling chlorine or smoke and having headaches.

The derailment has sparked new concerns concerning dangerous chemicals. Authorities warned that burning vinyl chloride in five of the derailed tanker cars would send hydrogen chloride and phosgene into the air.

Lambert was released from the Columbiana County Jail shortly after 10 p.m. ET on Wednesday.

Im doing fine right now. Its been an extremely long day, Lambert said after his release. No journalist expects to be arrested when youre doing your job, and I think thats really important that that doesnt happen in our country.

Mike Viqueria, NewsNations Washington Bureau chief, called the arrest a violation of the First Amendment that infuriates him.

I was watching the press conference stream  and the only thing I heard that was disruptive was when this altercation with the police  which apparently they have instigated  was unfolding, Viqueria said. I did not hear anything of Evans voice when he was quietly speaking on live television.  As his boss, as his colleague, as a fellow journalist, its really infuriating.

Lambert declined to disclose specific details about his arrest, citing the pending charges against him.

In video captured by NewsNation affiliate WKBN-TV leading up to the arrest shows four people appearing to be law enforcement officials in an argument with Lambert, attempting to get him to leave the gymnasium. At one point, one of the officers, who is wearing jeans and a green T-shirt with handcuffs on his belt, pulls on Lamberts arm to forcibly remove him.

A struggle then ensues in the entrance to the gymnasium before Lambert is tackled to the ground and placed in handcuffs. The two officers who arrested him placed him in the back of a Columbia County sheriffs vehicle.

In a statement to NewsNation, DeWines office reiterated the governors position that the interruption to Lamberts broadcast should not have taken place.

As the governor said at the conclusion of todays briefing, he has always respected the medias right to report live before, during, and after his press briefings, the statement said. Because the governor did not witness what occurred after the broadcast ended, we cannot provide comment on what led to the reporters arrest.

NewsNations Devan Markham contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
An Alligator birkin bag by Hermes in auction at the Christie's seasonal Handbag and Accessories Auction at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Sam Tsang/South China Morning Post via Getty Images

An artist who sold virtual Birkins as NFTs was found to have violated Hermes' trademark rights.

Mason Rothschild sold his "MetaBirkins" for up to $45,100 each, Hermes said in its complaint.

A New York jury ruled that the MetaBirkin NFTs are not artworks protected by the First Amendment.

A New York jury ruled on Wednesday that an NFT artist violated the trademark rights of French luxury brand Hermes by selling virtual purses styled after the iconic Birkin handbag.

The case is one of the first in the world to deliberate over whether NFTs are considered art protected by the First Amendment, or just commodities.

The nine-person jury in Manhattan found that virtual handbags were not protected property, and ruled that the NFTs sold by Mason Rothschild were likely to confuse customers into thinking the digital products are affiliated with Hermes and real Birkins.

Rothschild, whose real name is Sonny Estival, calls his digital bags "MetaBirkins." Eccentric designs in his collection include a bag with tusks and one with a Santa hat resembling the Grinch.

One MetaBirkin created by Rothschild featured an animation of a fetus growing in the bag, which was sold for around $23,500, Vogue Business reported.

Rothschild has released 100 MetaBirkins, but said he had plans to make 1,000 total, according to court filings seen by Insider. Each was typically sold for $450.

Hermes sued Rothschild on January 14, 2022, saying his creations had diluted its Birkin trademark. It claimed in its complaint that the artist had sold $1.1 million worth of MetaBirkins, and that one of the NFTs was sold for as much as $45,100.

Meanwhile, Rothschild's lawyers said he made around $125,000 in total from the sales of the digital goods, including royalties of 7.5% of secondary sales.

The jury awarded $133,000 to Hermes for trademark infringement, dilution, and cybersquatting  registering a trademark, usually of well-known brands, to ransom it or profit from holding the trademark.

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Hermes said in its complaint that MetaBirkin sales stemmed from Rothschild using the name "Birkin," and that his brand "simply rips off" the luxury firm's product.

Conversely, Rothschild's legal team compared the NFTs to Andy Warhol's 1962 paintings of Campbell's canned soup, saying they were protected as free speech.

During opening arguments in court, Rothschild's lawyers challenged whether people rich enough to buy Birkins, which can cost up to $500,000, would really be fooled by the NFT project, The New York Times reported.

"Art doesn't exist in a vacuum  it's often about context," said Rhett Millsaps II, one of Rothschild's lawyers, per The Times.

In a statement emailed to Insider, Millsaps wrote: "Today was a great day for big brands, and a terrible day for artists and the First Amendment. We look forward to the appeal."

Representatives for Hermes did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
After marking his ballot, Chicago mayoral candidate Paul Vallas heads to the ballot box to cast his vote at Healy School in the 11th Ward on Election Day, April 4, 2023. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)

Chicago mayoral candidate Paul Vallas campaign on Wednesday defended his son after a media report detailed his involvement in a 2022 police shooting.

Vallas often talks about his son, San Antonio cop Gus Vallas, on the campaign trail, noting that they are a family of public servants with close ties to police. But the family relation arose in a starker context after the Triibe, a news site focused on Black Chicago, published a story about Gus Vallas role in a 2022 incident where three San Antonio police officers shot and killed a Black man who police said was wanted on felony warrants.

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Officials with the Vallas campaign in a statement confirmed Gus Vallas involvement.

The matter was the subject of a complete investigation, the statement from Vallas campaign spokesperson said. Gus Vallas was found not to have engaged in any violation of policy and was returned to full duty.

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The statement referred further comment to the San Antonio Police Department.

For Vallas, the shooting likely will renew scrutiny of his stances on police conduct. It also comes as shootings of Black citizens by police officers continue to roil the nation.

Vallas has campaigned on a platform calling for more vigorous policing and he is endorsed by the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police, which has been outspoken against police reforms. He also has been critical of Chicago Police Department policies restricting the circumstances in which officers can chase suspects.

At the same time, Vallas has said he wants full implementation of a 2019 federal consent decree that mandates reforms in Chicago police training, use of force, data management and other areas. The 800-paragraph court order was put in place following the Laquan McDonald case.

The Triibe report stems from a March 2022 incident where three officers attempted to stop 28-year-old Kevin Donel Johnson Jr., who is Black, while he was riding his bicycle, according to the San Antonio Express-News. At the time of the shooting, Gus Vallas had been on the force for four years.

Police said the officers had been searching for him because he was wanted on warrants for felony possession of a firearm and parole violation, according to the newspaper report.

Johnson fled and the officers chased him into a creek, with one cop caught on video shouting, Get down, boy, according to the newspaper and a video that included bodycam footage released by the San Antonio Police Department.

Police said they saw a gun in his hand and shouted, Drop your hands. Johnson stumbled and briefly faced police, who shouted, Hes got a gun, according to the newspaper. All three cops opened fired, according to the newspaper.

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Video from the scene afterward shows a gun besides Johnsons body, and San Antonio police said the gun found at the scene was forensically linked to multiple violent crimes.

Johnsons mother, Arlene Garcia, was critical of police for shooting her son.

They gunned him down like a hog, she said, according to a local television station.

gpratt@chicagotribune.com
Nicaragua has freed more than 200 political prisoners from custody and sent them to the United States, a move Secretary of State Antony Blinken called a constructive step toward addressing human rights issues and improving the two nations relations.

The 222 prisoners  among them journalists, students, civil society representatives and political leaders  were released from Nicaragua and arrived on Thursday at Dulles International Airport in Virginia, just outside Washington.

Today, the United States welcomes 222 individuals who had been imprisoned by the Government of Nicaragua for exercising their fundamental freedoms and have endured lengthy unjust detentions, Blinken said in a release.

The release of these individuals, one of whom is a U.S. citizen, by the Government of Nicaragua marks a constructive step towards addressing human rights abuses in the country and opens the door to further dialogue between the United States and Nicaragua regarding issues of concern.

The secretary said the arrival of the prisoners in the U.S. is the product of concerted American diplomacy.

The U.S. government is providing the 222 individuals who flew into Dulles today with medical and legal support to ease their arrival.

The State Department hasnt released further details about them, or about the exact circumstances that spurred their release from Nicaragua.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A forensic expert leading the underwater search for missing Nicola Bulley has been left baffled by strange events in the mothers disappearance.

The 45-year-old disappeared while on her regular dog walk in the quiet village of St Michaels on Wyre, Lancashire.

Dropping her children off at school, she took her spaniel Willow for a stroll by the river and was sighted at around 9am by a witness but despite an extensive search, she has yet to be found.

The mother of two disappeared while on her regular dog walk in the quiet village of St Michaels on Wyre, Lancashire (PA)

Peter Faulding, the chief executive of Specialist Group International (SGI) said he cant get [his] head around the fact that the mother of two has not yet been found.

He also warned that a third party could be involved, though police have repeatedly stressed they do not suspect foul play.

Here are five things the forensic expert is puzzled by:

Mobile phone left on the bench

According to the forensic expert, the mobile phone left on the bench is the only thing the police have to go on.

The phone was discovered on a bench still logged on to a work Microsoft Teams call with the camera and microphone both switched off.

However, Mr Faulding has suggested the phone could have been left there as a decoy by a third party.

Peter Faulding, the CEO of SGI, has raised questions about the case (PA)

If Nicola is not in that stretch of river today my view is that there could be a third party and that [the phone] was a decoy placed by the river, he told Good Morning Britain on Tuesday.

The phone on the bench, I mean, you have to ask, normally someone would have a phone in their hand especially if they were walking around, he told BBC Breakfast.

Behaviour of Nicolas dog

Police still believe that Ms Bulley fell into the river, although her loved ones have disputed this suggestion due to a lack of evidence.

She was walking her spaniel Willow at the time she vanished but the dog was found bone dry, suggesting it had not entered the river either before or after its owner vanished.

Police search teams at the River Wyre in St Michaels on Wyre, Lancashire (PA Wire)

We dealt with a drowning a couple of years ago where a gentleman went into a river and Ripley, his dog, was screaming by the riverbank when we got there, Mr Faudling told GB News.

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When we arrived it was howling, and literally pointing exactly where he was. He stayed with his owner.

No screams were heard

Mr Faulding also flagged that it feels odd that there were no screams heard at the scene, despite police having spoken to a number of witnesses.

There were also no marks left at the scene which could have given clues about what happened.

Doorbell footage from a friend shows Nicola Bulley loading her car outside her home on 27 January, the day she went missing (Emma White)

Scene not closed off to public

A scene of this nature would normally be sealed off to retain any clues that could unravel the disappearance, Mr Faulding said.

However, the area remained open to the public which may have resulted in the loss of key evidence, he claims.

A woman sits on the bench where Nicola Bulleys belongings were found (PA)

The forensics expert said: People have been walking past the bench. Theres no police tape up. This would normally be sealed off as a crime scene so potentially crime scene investigators can go in and see if there are any microfibres, evidence, slip marks down the bank etc and I dont believe that has actually happened here.

No body found in river - despite extensive search

The downstream and upstream river have been searched thoroughly by police divers on multiple occasions but they still have not found anything, leaving the forensic team baffled.

Mr Faulding told BBC Breakfast: These are very professional divers and they didnt find anything and that is the odd thing about this. That is what I cant get my head around. It is very strange.

The private underwater search company SGI has been using sonar equipment (PA)

Normally when we deal with drowning victims they go to the bottom and they will stay there for a while, he said. The police divers have done a thorough search of that river twice and nothing was found. This is one of the most odd cases Ive ever worked on.

If anything is there, we will find it. A body will move after a time, but they searched that area and came up with nothing  that is what is weird here. We are baffled.

Underwater search experts did not find anything on the first day of searching (PA)

When asked about whether Ms Bulleys body could be in a different part of the river, Mr Faulding said: Unless someones put her in a different part of the river somewhere or shes fallen in somewhere.... It is a very short stretch.

On a normal river we can scan ten miles a day for a body and locate it very quickly.

He added that there is not enough of a current in the River Wyre, where police believe Ms Bulley may have fallen, for her to have been moved downstream on the day she went missing.

Lancashire Police continue to appeal for witnesses and dashcam footage. Anyone with information or footage is asked to call 101, quoting log 565 of January 30. For any immediate sightings, please call 999.
You wont hear cover songs from any of the songwriters who are part of the CenLa Songwriters Circle. All music is original, each written by the songwriters who gather at Fighting Hand Brewing Company, 1600 Military Highway in Pineville from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. the first Wednesday of every month.

My real passion is original music. I can listen to original music all night long, said singer songwriter Tommy Ike Hailey of LaSalle Parish. He founded the circle along with Guy Pucheu of Ville Platte last April.

Its open to songwriters of all levels. They do have to play original music. They cant play covers  Guy, said Hailey, eyeing Pucheu.

I found that out. Shut me down, Pucheu said.

Hailey met Pucheu in 2021 at Chicot State Park when they were attending the Louisiana Tradition Bearers Award ceremony for musician Steve Judice. Pucheu just happened to see Hailey carrying a guitar and asked if he wanted to play some music. But Pucheu played cover songs while Hailey and others played originals.

Members of the CenLa Songwriters Circle gather at Fighting Hand Brewing Company in Pineville. Songwriters gather at the brewery at 6 p.m. the first Wednesday of every month.

But after meeting Hailey and some other songwriters, Pucheu eventually started writing his own songs.

Hes got a whole ton of them and he writes, about three or four a week, said Rick Adams of Alexandria, another regular in the group.

Adams is also a Louisiana Tradition Bearers Award recipient. He received the award in 2020, and Mary Alice Vanderwaters of Pineville, another regular, received the award in 2022.

The songwriters circle is not necessarily a performance, Hailey said. It provides an opportunity for songwriters to get together, socialize, share songs and get feedback.

A lot of times with songwriters, you have performances when you go out there, plug in, amplify and youre playing for an audience. But there arent many opportunities like this to meet and socialize with other songwriters, Hailey said.

It's Carnival time! Check out dates, times, routes for area Mardi Gras parades

Local news:Board approves 2023-24 Rapides school calendar; students to return on Aug. 14

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But that doesnt mean others are not welcome to come out. Some people drop by just to listen while they drink some of the local brews made by Fighting Hand owners Chris and Tiffany Lindsey.

John Jordan of Ball, Gene Barton of Alexandria, Denise Lott and George Hollinshead of Evergreen are the other regulars.

Tommy Ike Hailey sings "Fallin' In Love," a song he wrote about his wife, Debra Jo, at the CenLa Songwriters Circle.

Each of them takes a turn playing a song, then talk about what the inspiration for the song, said Hailey. Then the next person may play a song related to that theme or play whatever they want to play.

Basically, its an opportunity for us to share original music in a very non-judgmental, no pressure setting, said Hailey.

We can mess up and nobody holds it against us, said Jordan, who likes the comradery with the other songwriters.

Hailey goes first. He sings a song he wrote about his wife Debra Jo called Fallin In Love. They started dating when she was 16. She sits at a table nearby as they play. She doesnt write songs but enjoys the music, said Hailey.

Vanderwaters sings Lucilles Alone, a song she wrote about the death of legendary B.B. King blues musician and his guitar that he named Lucille.

Jordan sings a song he wrote called Make It Thru the Night about a couple who evacuated to a shelter after a hurricane.

Gene Barton of Pineville (far left) sings as John Jordan (center) and Rick Adams listen during a session of the CenLa Songwriters Circle.

We help each other with our songs, said Adams. Sometimes well play pieces of a song that we havent finished yet and well get some input from the other songwriters so we collaborate that way. That makes it fun. So we dont just play the ones we have polished that we played for years. We will even try out some that  this may be the only time they ever get played, 'That one needs to go back to the workshop.

Before moving to LaSalle Parish, Hailey was living in Ponchatoula where he was running in the North Shore songwriters circle. Then he helped other musicians create circles in Abita Springs and the South Shore and then got tied in with the Baton Rouge songwriters.

He already knew Adams before he moved to LaSalle Parish and it was Adams who told him of a cool place, Fighting Hand Brewing Company, where they could start a songwriters circle. So Hailey and Pucheu checked it out and liked it. Then Hailey spoke to the Lindseys and they agreed to let them meet there on Wednesday evenings.

Hailey is also involved with festivals such as the Third Street Songwriters Festival in Baton Rouge, Songs on the Bayou in Morgan City, Ozone Songwriters Festival in Mandeville, Overbrook Songwriters Festival in Brookhaven, Miss., and the Mississippi Songwriters Festival in Brookhaven.

Hailey and one of his friends from Houma got a grant this year to teach songwriter workshops, to build a songwriters circle there and have songwriters showcases. That will lead to a songwriters festival set for next fall in Houma, he said. In the future, Hailey said he would love to see a songwriters festival in Central Louisiana.

To connect, check out the Facebook pages for CenLa Songwriters Circle and Fighting Hand Brewing Company.

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Songwriters share passion for original music at Pineville brewery
A Lincoln County Sheriffs Office sergeant and a former deputy were both charged for assault Thursday connected to a violent arrest where one repeatedly punched, Tased, and grabbed a man by the throat.

Following a months-long investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation, Rutherford County District Attorney Ted Bell charged Sergeant Alden (Joe) Sutton with simple assault, the sheriffs office said. Former Lincoln County Sheriffs Office deputy Tyler Thompson was charged with assault inflicting serious injury. He was fired by the sheriffs office in 2022.

On May 28, deputies arrested Barry Spencer Green outside his home for driving while impaired, resisting arrest and assault on an officer, according to a release by the sheriffs office.

Body camera footage released in August shows Thompson punching, choking, and using a Taser on Green while he is handcuffed. A female deputy is also present during this encounter.

Sutton and Thompson were suspended last year pending an internal investigation into the use of force, The Charlotte Observer reported at the time.

The Sheriffs Office declined to provide additional comments about the charges.

What the body camera footage shows

In May, deputies confronted Green after a road rage incident on N.C. 73 in Iron Station, the Sheriffs Office said in a previous news release.

Body camera footage shows Green arriving home, exiting his vehicle, and speaking with officers. He attempts to go inside the house but officers stop him and say they need to speak with him about where he is coming from.

The footage shows Green walking away to enter his home, Thompson grabs him, and they continue to speak.

Im going to bed, Green tells officers.

Weve got to address something first, the female officer responds.

Address what? Green asks.

Where are you coming from? she replies.

As Green is speaking with the female deputy, Thompson grabs him and punches him, Green falls to the ground. Thompson grabs Green by the front of his neck while Green is on the ground.

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Green sits up and Thompson punches him several times and grabs him by his neck again.

Get on your f---in stomach, Thompson orders Green before the deputy shocks Green in the stomach area with a Taser, the footage shows.

Sutton approaches Green and Green tells him to Watch his career.

The two exchange words, Sutton asks Green for his name, and Green tells Sutton You ever touch me again.. and Sutton shouts at him.

Sit down! Sutton yells as he grabs the handcuffed Green by his neck. And dont ever, ever, f---ing threaten me again!

A whistleblower?

In a previous interview with WBTV, which first reported the violent incident, Thompson said he had to use force to handcuff Green. He also told WBTV he wrote that information in Greens arrest report he shared with the SBI.

Thompson calls himself a whistleblower and believes the reason he was fired was for going to the SBI and asking for an investigation.

I am not the hothead they have given me the reputation of, Thompson told WSOC. Its all about doing the right thing.

Sheriff Bill Beam disagrees with Thompson and told the station he is an aggressor not a whistleblower.

He beat this guys eyes shut, Beam told WSOC at the time. He was counseled, he was written up and the last straw, he was terminated.

Thompson was fired in August after the department said he was related to a series of excessive force incidents, according to a sheriffs office news release at the time that didnt provide additional details.
This photo provided by the North Korean government, shows what it says an intercontinental ballistic missile during a military parade to mark the 75th founding anniversary of the Korean Peoples Army on Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP

North Korea boasted its progress on a new and dangerous solid-fueled missile at a military parade.

The country also showed off at least 11 Hwasong-17 ICBMs  Pyongyang's biggest missile yet.

If they work properly, these long-range missiles could potentially challenge US defense systems.

North Korea unveiled a new design this week for what could be its most dangerous intercontinental ballistic missile yet, as well as enough ICBMs to potentially challenge US defense systems.

State media photos of a Wednesday night parade celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the North Korean army showed what looked like a new solid-fueled ICBM, a long-range missile that can deliver nuclear warheads to targets thousands of miles away.

The apparent launcher may be functional, but it's more likely a mock-up with an empty canister. Still, experts told Insider its appearance is telling about North Korea's ambitions.

Solid-fueled missiles are more dangerous than liquid-propellant systems, which is what North Korea's other ICBMs are, because they can be fueled in advance and launched with little to no warning. Fueling missiles with a liquid propellant can only be done safely just prior to launch, is a time-consuming process, and involves a massive logistical effort that makes launch preparations more visible and leaves them vulnerable to strikes.

In recent years, North Korea has indicated that its missile program is pivoting toward the use of solid fuel, Ian Williams, deputy director of the Missile Defense Project at the CSIS, told Insider. Examples of this include short-range ballistic missile developments, as well as medium-range missiles like the Pukguksong-2.

Despite international pressure to halt its weapons programs, the country is showing "a lot greater comfort using solid-fuel missiles, and I think it's just a matter of time before they scale this stuff up," Williams said. "We're seeing that now."

In this photo provided by the North Korean government, what it says are intercontinental ballistic missiles are displayed during a military parade to mark the 75th founding anniversary of North Koreas army at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP

It's not uncommon to show the canister for a solid-fueled missile while hiding what's inside. China, for instance, rarely shows what its missiles look like.

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Solid-fueled missiles are sensitive to temperature changes and are usually placed in canisters or silos so their temperatures can be regulated. North Korea has displayed large canisters before, but the ones displayed on Wednesday appear to be more legitimate than those in the past, Williams said.

"Whether there's a missile inside the canister yet or not, it's hard to say," he said. "But I definitely think that we're seeing the beginnings of what will likely be flight tests of a solid-fuel ICBM."

'It certainly is a wake-up call'

North Korea on Wednesday also showed off a series of Hwasong-17 ICBMs, according to state media images. First unveiled in October 2020, the Hwasong-17 is North Korea's biggest missile, is fired from a transporter erector launcher, and can, assuming it works as intended, strike targets an estimated 9,000 miles away.

Pyongyang tested one of these missiles in late November, and it flew for a little over an hour on a lofted trajectory before splashing down in the ocean a few hundred miles away.

To defend against these types of threats, the US has a missile protection system called the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD)  44 ground-based interceptors in Alaska and California that can identify and engage intermediate- and long-range ballistic missiles.

According to the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, the GMD  which also consists of communications networks, global sensors, and fire control systems  only has a 55 percent success rate in highly scripted testing.

In this photo provided by the North Korean government, a military parade is held to mark the 75th founding anniversary of the Korean Peoples Army on Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP

Analysts believe there were at least 11 Hwasong-17 ICBMs on display at Wednesday's parade. Ankit Panda, an expert with the nuclear policy program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said on social media that there were "cumulatively more ICBM launchers than we've ever seen before at a North Korean parade."

Theoretically, if North Korea was able to get around a dozen missiles  each of which could be carrying multiple warheads  off the ground, this could be enough to overwhelm the GMD. This is because the defense system's interceptors would not have the capacity to engage all credible threats.

But Williams cautioned that are a lot of assumptions baked into this hypothetical, including that all of the missiles can actually get off the ground and function properly. Either way, he said "it certainly is a wake-up call."

"When you are stagnant and your enemy is aggressively moving forward, you're going to face some problems," he said.

It's been years since the US has expanded the capacity of the GMD system, but Washington is taking steps to beef up protection. Examples of this include the addition of 20 more interceptors and a next-generation variant, which can carry multiple "kill vehicles" and increase the system's intercepting power, Williams said.

Furthermore, missile defense should be thought of as one part of a larger "missile defeat complex," he added. Were the US find itself at war with North Korea and the latter launched ICBMs at the US, Washington wouldn't just sit and watch  there would be additional factors in play like disruptions to command and control systems, electronic warfare, and electromagnetic weaponry targeting launches.

In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center left, with his daughter attends a military parade to mark the 75th founding anniversary of the Korean Peoples Army on Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP

Wednesday's nighttime parade in Pyongyang comes after North Korea significantly accelerated its weapons testing in 2022 and amid increasing tensions with neighboring South Korea and the US over its aggressive behavior. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared in September that his country's nuclear-armed status is irreversible, and its missile launches have drawn frequent criticism from Western countries.

The showcase also featured guns, tanks, tactical missiles, and cruise missiles  in addition to the Hwasong-17 ICBMs and the new missile design, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). It's unclear exactly how many people attended the event, though satellite imagery showed a packed square in Pyongyang.

"The columns of ICBMs appeared in the square resounded with the enthusiastic cheers of the people full of pride and self-confidence, demonstrating the signal development of the military capability and tremendous nuclear strike capability of the DPRK," KCNA wrote in a description of the parade, referring to the country's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.



"Nuke for nuke and an all-out-confrontation for an all-out-confrontation!" the outlet said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Kim Jong Un in a Korean People's Army Air and Anti-Air Force aircraft in a photo released by state media in October 2014. REUTERS/KCNA

North Korea has a relatively large air force, but its combat aircraft are all decades old.

Even with an aging fleet, Pyongyang has been able to catch the attention of South Korea and the US.

In the future, North Korea will likely develop drones that will allow it to menace its neighbors.

North Korea's missile program had a record-setting year in 2022, but Pyongyang has been using its aging air force to keep its neighbors on their toes as well.

On October 6, 12 North Korean jets were detected practicing air-to-ground attacks near the DMZ, prompting South Korea to scramble 30 of its fighters. Two days later, North Korea conducted a massive aerial drill reportedly involving as many as 150 aircraft.

On November 4, 80 South Korean fighters were scrambled after 180 North Korean planes were detected on South Korean radar. Finally, on December 26, five drones spent five hours flying in South Korean airspace before returning unharmed to North Korea, with one of the drones briefly penetrating a no-fly zone over South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's office in Seoul.

The activity and scale is unusual given North Korea's air force is widely regarded as the weakest branch of North Korea's military.

An elderly force

A Korean War-era US Air Force F-86 Sabre, left, chased by a MiG-15 with North Korean markings at an air show in Michigan in July 2000. REUTERS/HO/USAF/MSgt. CLH

Historically, the Korean People's Army Air and Anti-Air Force, or KPAAF, was large and relatively strong.

It was one of the first to introduce jets into its inventory thanks to support from its Soviet and Chinese patrons, and it even sent airmen abroad to fight in the Vietnam and Yom Kippur wars.

Since the end of the Cold War, though, the KPAAF's capabilities have eroded even as it has maintained a relatively large number of planes.

North Korea was able to assemble fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters from kits supplied by the Soviet Union and China in the 1980s and 1990s, but Moscow and Beijing dramatically decreased their support after 1991.

South Korean troops guard a MiG-19 used by a North Korean pilot to defect to South Korea in May 1996. CHOO YOUN-KONG/AFP via Getty Images

In recent decades, sanctions imposed in response to North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons have prevented it from acquiring new aircraft, spare parts, and jet fuel, and have also stopped it from developing an advanced domestic aerospace industry. Pyongyang can now only build light, single-engine propeller-driven airplanes.

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Those limitations, combined with Pyongyang's prioritization of its nuclear, missile, and ground forces, has forced the KPAAF to cannibalize parts and equipment from its aging aircraft, rotate its active aircraft in and out of storage to extend their service lives, and turn to the black market.

North Korea attempted to purchase MiG-21s and spare parts illegally from Mongolia in 2011 and was able to obtain some of the 40 MiG-21s it ordered from a faction of Kazakh officials in 1999 before the government there halted the deliveries.

In 2013, a North Korean ship carrying weapons, including two MiG-21s, hidden in a shipment of sugar from Cuba was seized as it tried to transit the Panama Canal.

Composition and problems

A MiG-21 at the Wonsan Friendship Air Festival in North Korea in September 2016. ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images

The only thing the KPAAF can really boast about now is its size.

It is the second-largest branch of North Korea's military, with an estimated 110,000 personnel. The force is divided into four air divisions, each responsible for a specific region of the country.

It is also believed to have over 900 combat aircraft, according to the US Defense Intelligence Agency, though other estimates are as low as 500 combat aircraft. Most KPAAF aircraft are extremely outdated, however.

About 400 are believed to be MiG-15s. Another 350 are believed to be MiG-17s, -19s, and -21s. Those four models were introduced by the Soviets in the 1950s and entered service with the KPAAF around the same time.

The KPAAF also operates an estimated 80 Il-28 bombers and 200 An-2 transport planes, both of which first flew in the 1940s. North Korea's, An-2s, which are single-engine propeller biplanes, are mostly used to airdrop special forces, but they have also been seen attacking mock targets with rockets.

An Antonov An-2 aircraft in Tula, Russia in July 2017. Mikhail Japaridze\TASS via Getty Images

The KPAAF's most modern aircraft  the MiG-29s fighters, MiG-23 interceptors, and Su-25 attack aircraft tasked primarily with defending Pyongyang  were acquired in the late 1980s.

Because of the lack of jet fuel and spare parts, the number of aircraft actually in active service is likely to be much smaller. It is estimated that only about 18 of the original 35 MiG-29s are serviceable, for instance.

Airworthiness does not automatically translate to combat-worthiness either. This is especially true given the suspected quality of KPAAF pilots, who the DIA says are restricted to flying just 12 to 25 hours a year. By comparison, US and British pilots get around 180 to 240 flying hours a year.

"Generally speaking, the KPAAF won't have the ability to deploy the entirety of its inventory in a wartime scenario," Ankit Panda, the Stanton Senior Fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told Insider

.

Future

A spectator with a MiG-29 at the Wonsan Friendship Air Festival in September 2016. ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images

The KPAAF is not without its strengths, however.

North Korea is keenly aware of the role South Korea's superior air force and sizeable missile arsenal would play in a war, and has invested in an integrated air-defense network while pursuing limited modernization efforts.

In 2017, the KPAAF introduced the KN-06 surface-to-air missile system, which is believed to be similar to Russia's S-300. In 2020, it unveiled a new medium-range surface-to-air missile system similar in appearance to Russia's Tor. In September 2021, North Korea tested a new long-range surface-to-air missile system believed to be similar to Russia's S-400.

The KPAAF also operates a massive amount of anti-aircraft artillery, with the area around Pyongyang having "one of the most dense concentrations of AAA in the world," according to the DIA.

In terms of aircraft modernization, the future for North Korea is likely drones. It has been pursuing drone development and acquisition since the early 1990s and has about 500 drones of 20 types, according to a South Korean lawmaker.

A North Korean drone at Seoul's Gimpo airport during a TV report in December 2022. Kim Jae-Hwan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Image

In 2021, Kim Jong Un pledged to develop new reconnaissance drones capable of flying up to 310 miles. Recent satellite images have revealed a possible new advanced model in development. Pyongyang is likely watching the performance of the Iranian-made drones and loitering munitions that Russia is using in Ukraine and may acquire some for itself.

"UAVs are the big modernization focus at the moment," Panda said. "I think the North Koreans, like other resource-constrained militaries, see UAVs as an important asymmetric force multiplier and, in the case of reconnaissance UAVs, an enabler for more effective strike operations for their missile forces."

Considering how much North Korea's air force lags those of South Korea and the US, drones are likely the only real way the KPAAF can still pose a threat. The flight by North Korean drones into South Korea in December  the first such flight in five years  showed what that threat could look like. (South Korea's military failed to shoot down any of the drones, prompting military leaders to publicly apologize.)

"Of all the concerns emanating from North Korea's conventional and nuclear forces, the crewed aircraft of the KPAAF are fairly minor," Panda said. "That said, drones are a growing concern for South Korea and will require new types of investments in short-range air-defense systems."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Rolling Meadows High School sophomore Kate Foley, from left, was seated next to first lady Jill Biden and Doug Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, at the State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol Feb. 7, 2023 in Washington. (Drew Angerer / Getty Images)

Talk about first impressions.

Rolling Meadows High School sophomore Kate Foley obviously made one on Jill Biden when the first lady and several cabinet secretaries visited the northwest suburban high school last fall.

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Kate was one of the guests in the first ladys viewing box at the State of the Union Tuesday night in Washington, D.C., where President Joe Biden made the annual address to Congress. And not only was she asked to attend, she got the invite via a direct phone call from the first lady.

I met her in November  once, Kate said in a video interview Tuesday with Township High School District 214 spokeswoman Stephanie Kim that was shared with Pioneer Press. So, for me to have that big impression on her  like, oh my God, she remembered me is kind of an unearthly feeling.

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Kate Foley, a high school sophomore, center, watches as Michele Smith, Vice President of Workforce Solutions at Harper College, left, and U.S. first lady Jill Biden, right, shake hands in career pathways classroom at Rolling Meadows High School Nov. 14, 2022, in Rolling Meadows. Biden invited Foley to be her guest at the State of Union Feb. 7, 2023 in Washington. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)

Thank you for taking my call, Kate!



You light up the classroom when you talk about your dreams of becoming an engineer  I am honored to have you join me at the State of the Union tonight. pic.twitter.com/1qdjojrSvE  Jill Biden (@FLOTUS) February 7, 2023

The teen sat immediately to the the first ladys right side in Bidens special section in the U.S. House of Representatives chambers.

Kate and her mother, Dana, of Arlington Heights, had just hours before arrived in Washington  their first time in the nations capital, they said  when they both talked to Kim over the Zoom video conferencing platform.

Its all been so surreal, said Dana Foley.

Kate said she had been looking forward to meeting people and being able to say, yeah, I sat in on the State of the Union.

Tuesday was the second time in three months that the teen, who says she is looking forward to a career as a biomedical engineer, has been seated right next to the first lady. Biden visited RMHS Nov. 14 with an entourage of local and federal leaders, and Kate sat at the table with them.

They saw up close how a special Career Pathways curriculum helps tout programs aimed at creating more equitable pathways to high-paying jobs. Kate is enrolled in the engineering track.

Biden was also at the school  and in the Chicagoland area that day  to kick off National Apprenticeship Week.

Her visit here and Kate Foleys invite to and attendance at the State of the Union spoke to President Joe Bidens education agenda calling for kids to start in high school working toward financially sustaining careers, whether or not they get a college degree.

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The president, in his remarks Tuesday, made a call to connect students to career opportunities starting in high school, provide access to two years of community college  the best career training in America, in addition to being a pathway to a four-year degree. Lets offer every American a path to a good career, whether they go to college or not.

Dana Foley said she was really excited about her daughter being asked to go to Washington as a personally invited guest of the first lady.

I think whats really cool is that she didnt apply for this, Dana Foley said about the opportunity extended to her teen. They thought she is as great as I think she is.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his young daughter took center stage at a huge military parade, fueling speculation that she is being primed as a future leader of the isolated country as her father showed off his latest, largest nuclear missiles.

Wednesday night's parade in the capital, Pyongyang, featured the newest hardware in Kims growing nuclear arsenal, including what experts said was possibly a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile he could test in the coming months.

That missile was part of around a dozen ICBMs Kims troops rolled out at the event  an unprecedented number that underscored how he continues to expand his military capabilities despite limited resources in the face of deepening tensions with his neighbors and the United States.

The parade was the fifth known public appearance by Kims daughter, Kim Ju Ae, his second-born child who is believed to be around 10 years old. On Tuesday, Kim Jong Un brought his daughter to visit troops as he lauded the irresistible might of his nuclear-armed military.

State media have signaled a lofty role for Kim Ju Ae. She has been called respected and beloved, and a photo released Wednesday showed her sitting in the seat of honor at a banquet, flanked by generals and her parents.

The parade marked the 75th anniversary of the founding of North Koreas army and came after weeks of preparations involving huge numbers of troops and civilians mobilized to glorify Kims rule and his relentless push to cement his country's status as a nuclear power.

North Korean state TV video released Thursday showed Kim, wearing a black coat and fedora, arriving at the parade with his wife and daughter in a limousine. They received thunderous cheers from thousands of troops and spectators packed in brightly illuminated Kim Il Sung Square, named after his grandfather, the nations founder.

After saluting his honor guards, Kim held hands with his daughter as they walked down a red carpet. The family entered a building where they sat on a leather couch, chatting and sharing snacks and drinks with top officials as they waited for the main march to start.

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Troops and spectators roared again as Kim appeared from behind the building as the clock struck 9 p.m. He smiled and waved to the crowds below before taking his spot on a balcony, with his wife and daughter sitting behind him.

Thousands of goose-stepping soldiers marched through the square, chanting Defend with your life, Paektu Bloodline," referring to the Kim familys lineage named after a volcano that North Koreans consider sacred.

A ceremonial cavalry unit trotted through the square riding white horses, another symbol associated with the Kim familys dynastic rule. The broadcast described one of the animals as most beloved by Kim's daughter.

Tanks and multiple rocket launchers were rolled out before the appearance of Kims nuclear missiles, which are typically saved for last.

Launcher trucks carried around 10 Hwasong-17 ICBMs, a system which demonstrated a potential to reach deep into the U.S. mainland during a flight test in November.

Those missiles were followed by what appeared to be another type of long-range missile encased in canisters and carried on nine-axle vehicles. It wasnt immediately clear whether the missiles were actual rockets. But analysts say the use of canisters strongly implied a solid-fuel missile, most likely an ICBM which North Korea has been trying to develop for years.

North Koreas existing ICBMs, including Hwasong-17s, use liquid propellants, which require pre-launch injections and cannot remain fueled for prolonged periods. A solid-fuel alternative would take less time to prepare, providing less opportunity for an impending launch to be identified and countered, said Joseph Dempsey, an analyst at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Where North Korea is in terms of completing the actual missile and integrating it onto the launcher is unclear, but if North Korea is parading it, an attempted launch this year could well be on the cards, he said.

The unprecedented number of Hwasong-17s in Wednesdays event suggests progress in efforts to produce those weapons in larger numbers, said Kim Dong-yub, a professor at Seouls University of North Korean Studies.

The parade came after Kim met with his top military brass on Monday and ordered an expansion of combat exercises, as he continues to escalate an already provocative run in weapons tests in the face of deepening tensions with his neighbors and Washington.

The official Korean Central News Agency said the parade featured a variety of nuclear-capable weapons, including tactical nuclear weapons targeting South Korea. The agency described the ICBMs as crucial weapons supporting North Koreas ongoing stance of nuke for nuke and an all-out confrontation for an all-out confrontation with its enemies.

Lee Sung-jun, spokesperson for South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in a briefing that the South Korean and U.S. militaries were closely analyzing the North Korean photos and reports to evaluate the weaponry.

North Korea is coming off a record-breaking year in weapons testing. The dozens of missiles it fired in 2022 included potentially nuclear-capable systems designed to strike targets in South Korea and the U.S. mainland.

The intensified tests were punctuated by fiery statements and a new law threatening preemptive nuclear attacks against its neighbors and the United States in a broad range of scenarios.

Kim doubled down on his nuclear push entering 2023.

During a major political conference in December, he called for an exponential increase in the countrys nuclear warheads, mass production of battlefield tactical nuclear weapons targeting enemy South Korea and the development of more advanced ICBMs.

In December, Kim supervised a test of a high-thrust solid-fuel motor for a new strategic weapon he said would be developed in the shortest span of time, which experts said likely referred to a solid-fuel ICBM.

Solid-fuel ICBMs featured prominently in an extensive wish list Kim announced under a five-year arms development plan in 2021. It also included tactical nuclear weapons, hypersonic missiles, nuclear-powered submarines and spy satellites.

Analysts say Kims decision to bring his daughter to major public events involving his military sends a statement to the world that he has no intention to voluntarily surrender his nuclear weapons, which he apparently sees as the strongest guarantee of his survival and the extension of his familys dynastic rule.

An official from South Koreas Unification Ministry, who spoke on condition of anonymity according to department rules during a background briefing, said Kim Ju Aes repeated appearances at significant events and her prominent exposure in state media are also aimed at strengthening loyalty to the Kim family. The official said its too early to determine whether she is being primed as her father's successor but added that all possibilities are open.

We can only speculate at this point, said Duyeon Kim, a senior analyst at the Center for a New American Security in Washington, D.C. (Kim Jong Un is) obviously showing her off intentionally and, at a minimum, he seems to be trying to reiterate the importance, status, and legitimacy of a direct Kim bloodline offspring. Its too soon to assume that she will be his heir because the son has always succeeded the throne in North Korea.

South Korean media have speculated that Kim has three children  born in 2010, 2013 and 2017  and that the first child is a son and the third is a daughter.
A Northern California woman has been missing for more than a week, with multiple search efforts since late January unsuccessful, authorities said.

Marian Wilkinson, 52, was reported missing Feb. 1 by family, who said she had not shown up to work the preceding three days, the Yuba City Police Department said in a Wednesday social media post.

Wilkinson had last been seen walking in nearby Marysville the afternoon of Jan. 29, according to the post.

Yuba City officers who responded to the initial missing persons report searched inside Wilkinsons residence but did not find her, her cellphone or any signs of foul play, police said. An attempted ping on Wilkinsons phone did not return location information.

Law enforcement officers and a volunteer group searched a levee Wednesday, with police using three drones in an effort to find Wilkinson, but she was not found, the department said.

In an update Wednesday afternoon, police said teams with the Yuba City Fire Department were also searching the Feather River.

The Police Department also said it has contacted businesses and residents near in hopes of finding video surveillance to gain leads of Wilkinsons location.

Wilkinsons family is cooperating with law enforcement, police said.

Anyone with information on Wilkinsons whereabouts is asked to contact the Police Department at 530-822-4661.
By Victoria Klesty and Gwladys Fouche

OSLO (Reuters) -Norway's $1.35 trillion wealth fund will step up its engagement with companies over their management of climate risk by voting against board members it deems are not doing enough on the issue, it said on Thursday.

Investing the state's revenues from oil and gas production and managed by a unit of Norway's central bank, the fund is one of the world's largest investors, putting money into 9,200 companies in 70 countries, among other assets.

"We will now vote against board members if a company has experienced material failures in the oversight, management or disclosure of climate risk," the fund said in its annual report on responsible investments.

The fund has long engaged on climate change with the companies it invests in. Last year, it voted against the re-election of 61 directors at 18 companies due to failures in adequately managing climate risk.

That number will increase this year, the fund's chief governance and compliance officer Carine Smith Ihenacho said.

"We expect it to be more companies we will vote against this year," she told Reuters, adding it would focus again on the biggest emitters such as those in the heavy industries, cement, steel, electricity and oil and gas sectors.

In September, the fund laid out plans to firms to cut their greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement and following a mandate from Norway's government.

In 2022, the fund discussed climate change at 810 meetings it held with companies that represent 33% of the value of the its equity portfolio.

One of them was oil major Shell, with whom the fund discussed the company's energy transition plan and climate change, it said.

In a sign of its focus on climate, the fund no longer prints the report, making it available online only.

(Reporting by Victoria Klesty and Gwladys Fouche, editing by Terje Solsvik and Kylie MacLellan)
Hikvision Security Cameras In Guangyuan

A Hikvision security camera is seen in Guangyuan, Sichuan Province, China, on July 31, 2020. Credit - VCG via Getty Images

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said on Thursday that the administration would review its entire surveillance system across government buildings and remove certain Chinese-made cameras over concerns that the data collected from them endangers national security.

Its a significant thing thats been brought to our attention and were going to fix it, Marles told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

The move comes at the urging of opposition senator and shadow cyber security minister James Paterson, who earlier on Thursday published the results of a six-month inquiry that found that at least 913 devices manufactured by the Chinese companies Hikvision and Dahua were installed in at least 250 Australian government and agency sites, including its defense department, its foreign affairs and trade department, and the office of its Attorney-General.

We may never know if data is being exfiltrated from these cameras, Paterson told the Canberra Times, and whether it is ultimately falling into the hands of the Chinese Communist Party and its intelligence agencies.

Not the first to do this

Australia is following in the footsteps of its major military allies the U.S. and the U.K. in banning Chinese cameras from government sites.

In 2018, Congress amended the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act to ban U.S. federal agencies from sourcing telecommunications or video surveillance equipment from Chinese firms Huawei, ZTE, Hikvision, and Dahua. We must face the reality that the Chinese-government is using every avenue at its disposal to target the United States, then-Rep. Vicky Hartzler, who helped draft the legislation, said at the time, adding that the new measure would ensure that China cannot create a video surveillance network within federal agencies.

In 2020, the Trump administration expanded the ban to the entire government, including federal contractors, though consumers could still purchase products made by these firms. And in November 2022, the Biden administration announced a complete prohibition on the import and sale of equipment by the four Chinese companies. These new rules are an important part of our ongoing actions to protect the American people from national security threats involving telecommunications, F.C.C. Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement at the time.

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Also last November, the U.K. parliament restricted the use of Chinese-produced equipment on sensitive sites, following a call from 67 parliamentarians in July over security concerns with the surveillance systems. Senior minister Oliver Dowden said that in light of the threat to the U.K. and the increasing capability and connectivity of these systems, additional controls are required.

Taiwan, the self-governing island China claims to be part of its territory, also stopped government use of Chinese information and communication devices over national security concerns as early as 2020.

Data vulnerability fears

Both Hikvision and Dahua, headquartered in Hangzhou in eastern China, are partly state-owned, and many of the bans on their technology stem from concerns that the state will exploit its position to access sensitive information collected by the companies.

Hikvision is the worlds leading video surveillance equipment provider, and together with Dahua controls about 60% of the total market. As of November 2021, more than 6 million Hikvision and Dahua camera networks were detected across 191 countries outside of China.

Chinas 2017 National Intelligence Law mandates citizens and organizations to cooperate with national intelligence efforts, and observers see this as Chinas way of being able to obtain data from private businesses operating domestically and abroad.

Generally speaking, they say that that data wouldnt be accessed, says Samantha Hoffman, senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, but then if there is a national security or national defense demand for that data, then it would be, because of the constraints of [the] law.

In a statement to TIME, Hikvision repeated its longstanding claims that it is categorically false to represent the companys products as a threat to national security. A spokesperson said Hikvision cannot access users video data and does not transmit the data to third parties. It also said it neither manages end-user databases nor sells cloud storage in Australia.

Dahua did not respond to a request for comment.

Not just national security

Hoffman adds that both companies have a history of using facial recognition technology, which has been applied in targeting ethnic minorities in China and undermining human rights in the country.

Surveillance technology trade publication IPVM found last year that Hikvision cameras were used to track and detain Uighurs in the western Chinese province of Xinjiang. The E.U. Parliament had installed the companys cameras in 2020 but removed them a year later amid the reported role of Hikvisions technology in Chinese human rights abuses.



Aside from the security risks, theres enough to suggest that these companies productsat least from an ethical standpointshouldnt be used in government buildings, Hoffman says.

Escalating tensions?

China has long been criticized for operating a surveillance state within its borders and increasingly for its alleged insidiousness elsewhereprompting the U.S. and others to push back more firmly against Chinese products perceived to present a threat to national security.

TikToks future in the U.S. is currently on the fence as lawmakers mull barring access to the app altogether due to concerns over data leaks.

The Chinese Embassy in Australia did not respond to a request for comment. But at a daily briefing, spokesperson for Chinas foreign ministry Mao Ning criticized what she called wrongful practices that overstretch the concept of national security and abuse state power to suppress and discriminate against Chinese enterprises. And on Feb. 8, in response to questions about the alleged spy balloon floating over the U.S. last week, Mao said that exaggerating or hyping up the China threat narrative is not conducive to building trust or improving ties.

Read More: U.S. Generals Prediction of War With China in 2025 Risks Turning Worst Fears Into Reality



Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he did not see his countrys diplomatic relations with Beijing, which had just begun to thaw, flaring due to the removal of the surveillance equipment.



We act in accordance with Australias national interest, he said in a press conference Thursday. We do so transparently and thats what well continue to do.
Anthony Hinton stands before Stark County Common Pleas Judge Chryssa Hartnett as a murder charge against him was dropped. Hinton was set to go to trial next week for the shooting death of Dajuan T. Wheat, 26, of Canton, until new evidence came to light.

CANTON  Video evidence led Stark County prosecutors to drop a murder charge against an 18-year-old Canton man.

Anthony Hinton was set to go to trial next week for the shooting death of Dajuan T. Wheat, 26.

On Thursday, Stark County Assistant Prosecutor Dennis Barr told Common Pleas Judge Chryssa Hartnett while preparing for the trial the state observed a video showing Wheat pointing a gun at Hinton before Hinton fired his gun.

Barr asked that the murder and felonious assault charges be dismissed.

Hinton then pleaded guilty to one count of carrying a concealed weapon, a fourth-degree felony.

"There is no doubt Mr. Hinton had a firearm and concealed it at some points," Barr said.

Hartnett sentenced Hinton to three years of intensive supervised probation as well as 100 hours of community service, maintaining full-time employment, and obtaining his GED or other education as approved by the probation office. He was ordered to pay court costs.

The sentence was stayed until the courts determine if Hinton's case should remain in Common Pleas Court or be returned to juvenile court. Hartnett set Hinton's release from jail as Feb. 17.

Anthony Hinton, with is defense attorney Ty Graham, entered a guilty plea to carrying a concealed weapon, a fourth-degree felony, before Common Pleas Judge Chyrssa Hartnett. He was sentenced to three years of probabtion.

Fatal shooting:'I'm losing him.' Man shot in neck dies, Canton police dog nabs fleeing suspect

Hinton was 17 when the shooting took place. He was initially charged as a juvenile and his case was later moved to adult court.

"This is a unique situation," Hartnett said. "I know the state objects but I believe it has to happen according to the law."

Video shows Dajuan Wheat holding a handgun

The Repository viewed the prosecution's videos of the shooting scene captured by a home security system.

In several videos, Wheat can be seen walking around with a gun in his hand. People can be heard telling Wheat to get inside the house.

The video in question shows Hinton and Wheat standing between two vehicles in a driveway on April 16, 2022, in the 3100 block of Gilbert Circle NE.

Stark County Assistant Prosecutor Dennis Barr shows video evidence found while preparing for the trial of Anthony Hinton in the shooting death of Dajuan T. Wheat, 26, of Canton. The video shows Wheat point a firearm at Hinton before Hinton began shooting, he said.

The two can be seen exchanging words as Wheat begins to walk around a vehicle. A gun is visible in his hand. He walks out of the scene but Barr points out that his shadow can be seen in the vehicle's car door, which is open.

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It shows Wheat lifting his arm and pointing a gun at others.

(Information has been updated to correct an error. See correction below.)

A group of people out of the view of the camera are in the front yard of the home behind Hinton. They can be heard in the background. As Wheat raises his arm, a woman can be heard yelling, "Stop, stop, stop."

Hinton then fired four times. Two shots hit the top of the vehicle. Another entered Wheat's upper arm, exited his arm and then entered his chest, Barr said.

Wheat never fired a shot, Barr said. He can be seen walking away from the home.

Police found the victim in the grass between nearby duplexes. He died on April 30 at Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospital.

The decision to drop charges against Anthony Hinton

Barr said prosecutors have had the video since the start of the case, but it wasn't until just a few weeks ago they saw the shadow of Wheat's arm.

Wheat's family is extremely saddened by the state's decision to dismiss the charges, Barr said.

"I feel really bad for them, but we had no choice under the law," he said.

In Ohio, you can claim self-defense if you fear for your life or someone else's life.

Hinton's attorney, Ty Graham, said the case put the state in a difficult situation, but prosecutors had to do the right thing by dismissing the charges.

Anthony Hinton with his defense attorney, Ty Graham, stands before Common Pleas Judge Chryssa Hartnett and pleaded guilty to felony carrying a concealed weapon. The state dropped charges of felony murder and felonious assault after video evidence showed the victim pointed a gun at Hinton before Hinton fired.

"I have high hopes for Anthony," Graham said.

A family member who was in court with Hinton on Thursday summed up the outcome of the case. "Not a win for anybody."

Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com

On Twitter: @aknappINDE

CORRECTION: The video shows Dajuan Wheat lifting his arm and pointing a gun at others. The description was incorrect when this story first published. 6 p.m. 2/9/23)

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Stark prosecutors drop murder charge in shooting death of Dajuan Wheat
An Oak Creek man already facing charges of attempted murder is now facing additional charges of attempting to hire a hitman to murder witnesses involved in his case.

Michael Liu, 36, is in custody in Illinois on charges including attempted first-degree murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm, aggravated domestic battery, burglary, home invasion and other weapon related offenses, according to police.

Liu was served with an arrest warrant Feb. 2 relating to soliciting murder-for-hire while in custody at the Will County Adult Detention Facility. If he is convicted of the murder-for-hire charge, he could spend decades in prison.

Police said additional similar charges could be filed against Liu in the future.

While in the Will County Adult Detention Facility for allegedly shooting at and stabbing his soon-to-be ex-wifes parents in Illinois, Liu approached several inmates about hiring a hitman to murder witnesses related to his attempted homicide case, police said.

Detectives managed to record Liu discussing his murder-for-hire plot, according to a statement from the Will County Sheriffs Office.

One inmate was reportedly able to convince Liu he had a friend who was a hitman who would kill for a cash payment of $10,000 up front with an additional $10,000 upon completion, police said.

Liu is also accused of attempting to kill his in-laws in Illinois

Deputies of the Will County Sheriffs Office were sent to a reported shooting around 6:41 p.m., Dec. 1, in unincorporated Crete, Illinois where they found a 66-year-old woman and her husband, a 68-year-old man, inside a home bleeding profusely with multiple injuries, police said. Liu, the couple's son-in-law, was also found inside the home, bleeding heavily.

The gun and knife police allege Michael Liu used to attack his in-laws in late 2022.

The criminal complaint alleges Liu fired several shots at the couple while they were in their living room, missing them all. He then allegedly broke into the home through a sliding glass door and continued firing until his gun malfunctioned.

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Police say Liu stabbed the 66-year-old woman several times. The 68-year-old man managed to wrestle Liu to the ground but was also stabbed multiple times before taking the knife away. Police said the man defended himself and his wife by stabbing Liu an estimated 17 times.

All three were taken to local medical facility and later a Chicago-area hospital in critical condition. Both the 66-year-old woman and 68-year-old man survived.

Liu was scheduled to turn himself in at the Waukesha County Huber Detention Facility on Dec. 4 on a July 2022 domestic battery conviction and a protection order violation. Waukesha County Circuit Judge Jennifer Dorow on Dec. 5 issued a bench warrant for Liu after he did not appear at the Huber facility.

Instead (of appearing at the Huber facility), Michael Liu traveled from Oak Creek Wisconsin in an attempt to enact revenge on his soon to be ex-wifes parents, the Will County Sheriffs Office said in a statement on its Facebook page.

A no-bond warrant was secured Dec. 6 for Liu and after he was released from the hospital. That's when he was taken to the Will County Adult Detention Facility.

Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like/follow his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on Twitter @ES_Hanley.

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Oak Creek man tried to hire a hitman to murder witnesses, police say
Two Sacramento Police officers fired their guns at a man who was wounded Thursday morning in Old North Sacramento as he drove away in a carjacked vehicle believed to have struck an officer.

The suspect, later identified as 32-year-old Clayton Freeman, suffered at least one gunshot wound and was hospitalized Thursday afternoon with injuries not considered life-threatening, said Sgt. Zach Eaton, a department spokesman. Freeman will be booked at the Sacramento County Jail once hes medically cleared.

Eaton said the officer who was struck by the vehicle was hospitalized after suffering moderate injuries. Hes expected to recover, Eaton said. By Thursday evening, the officer had been released from the hospital.

The incident unfolded Wednesday morning just after 9:30 when the Police Department received a report of a carjacking in the 100 block of Stanford Avenue, several blocks east of where the police shooting occurred Thursday. The victim told police that a masked suspect forcibly stole their vehicle and drove away, according to a Sacramento police news release issued Thursday night.

Eaton said the department had a description of the carjacked vehicle, and an officer spotted it about 9:45 a.m. Thursday in the area of the 600 block of El Camino Avenue at Cantalier Street.

Sacramento Police officers investigate a shooting on Cantalier Street and El Camino Avenue in North Sacramento on Thursday.

The stolen vehicle was parked along the curb, and the officer saw a man inside the vehicle. Eaton said it was unclear whether the man inside the vehicle was responsible for Wednesdays carjacking. He did not know the make and model of the carjacked vehicle.

The officer approached the vehicle, and Eaton said the man was non-compliant from the outset of his interaction with police.

The suspect continued to ignore the officers commands, and the officer used a Taser multiple times in an attempt to take him into custody, according to the police news release. But the Taser was ineffective.

Additional officers arrived to help detain the suspect, but it was unclear how many. A struggle ensued between police and the suspect.

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As the struggle continued, the suspect began driving away with the first officer at the scene still in the vehicles door frame, police said.

The suspect drove away and struck another officer and his vehicle, which injured that officers leg, police said. The carjacked vehicle then rammed a second patrol vehicle, before it reversed and struck a police vehicle for the third time, according to the news release.

Then, the two officers fired their department-issued guns at the driver, Eaton said.

The suspect drove away and was found wounded at a hospital. The carjacked vehicle was found in the 500 Block of Las Palmas Avenue, several blocks north of the police shooting.

Investigators believe there were no other suspects involved in the shooting.

Police tape and vehicles block Rio Linda Boulevard at El Camino Avenue on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, following a shooting involving an officer in North Sacramento, Calif.

Investigators said that there might have been people in the area who recorded video of the incident before the police shooting occurred. Eaton asked anyone with video of the incident to submit the footage to the Police Department to use as part of its investigation, to be transparent with the public about what led to the shooting.

Eaton said he did not have any information indicating the suspect was armed with a weapon during the confrontation with police.

Theyre very comprehensive investigations that take a lot of time to work through, Eaton said. We have a lot of questions as Im sure the community does, as well. Well be working through the investigation to get those questions answered.

Investigators from the Sacramento County District Attorneys Office were at the scene, along with representatives from the citys Office of Public Safety Accountability, which provides oversight in police shooting investigations.

Motorists were asked to avoid the area, and El Camino Avenue was closed to vehicle traffic between Del Paso Boulevard and Fairfield Street. Investigators had been expected to remain at the scene at least through the afternoon commute.

ALERT: An officer-involved shooting has occurred in the area of El Camino Ave and Cantalier St. Please avoid the area as the scene is still active and multiple roadways are closed. A media staging point will be forthcoming. We don't have any further information at this time  Sacramento Police Department (@SacPolice) February 9, 2023
Feb. 8An Ohio motorist is charged with fleeing from police and resisting arrest after police said his car swerved into a Latrobe patrol car's lane.

Jovaughn Emmanuel Lathern, 44, of Youngstown, was arraigned before District Judge Wayne Gongaware and was released on $20,000 unsecured bond following a chase along Lincoln Avenue at about 1:30 a.m. Sunday in Latrobe, according to police and court documents.

Police said the southbound patrol vehicle swerved to avoid a collision after Lathern's northbound Chrysler sedan swerved into the police car's lane near the intersection of Princeton Street.

Lathern fled north on Lincoln when the Latrobe officer turned the patrol car around in an attempt to make a traffic stop, police said.

Police said Lathern ran a stop sign on Lincoln and failed to make a right turn onto Depot Street. Lathern ran from the scene when the Chrysler went over a curb and into the parking lot of Carclo Technical Plastics, striking a truck head-on and becoming disabled, according to police.

Officers caught up to Lathern at the rear of the business, took him to the ground when he failed to follow their commands and handcuffed him, police said.

Lathern also is charged with reckless and careless driving, impaired driving, driving without a license and disregarding traffic lanes, according to court documents.

Jeff Himler is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jeff by email at jhimler@triblive.com or via Twitter .
China's homegrown jetliner C919 arrives in S China's Sanya for first time during long-distance test flight

People's Daily Online) 09:28, February 09, 2023

China's first homegrown large jetliner C919 makes a smooth landing at Sanya Phoenix International Airport in Sanya city, south China's Hainan Province, as part of its long-distance test flight. (Photo/Chen Zhenhuang)

China's C919 large passenger jet has arrived in Sanya city, south China's Hainan Province, for the first time, as part of its long-distance test flight on an air route from east China's Shanghai to Sanya and then Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

The aircraft, which is China's first homegrown large jetliner, landed safely at the Sanya Phoenix International Airport in Sanya at 11:43 a.m. on Feb. 8, where it was welcomed with a water cannon salute.

Sanya Phoenix International Airport is one of the airports designated to hold the jetliner's validation flight tests on typical and long-distance routes. The recent test flight included a run-through of the entire flight operation process, from obtaining flight approval to passenger boarding and pilot operation, in order to verify the reliability of the C919 during commercial operations.

In a bid to ensure that the test flight went smoothly, Sanya Phoenix International Airport held special meetings beforehand to coordinate relevant tasks and make specific arrangements for details of the links involved, such as ground services, guidance for the aircraft, parking stand allocation, and services provided by special-purpose vehicles.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming)
As law enforcement officials continue to investigate an officer-involved shooting Sunday morning in Aurora, Mayor Richard Irvin urged people to wait for the results of the investigation before making judgments about the incident.

Irvin spoke during Tuesdays City Council meeting in response to the incident that left an Aurora man in critical condition after he was shot by an Aurora police officer after allegedly charging at the officer while armed with knives outside a home in the city.

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Police responded to the house after a family member called 911 to report another family member was armed with multiple knives and threatening people inside the house, officials said.

Aurora Police Chief Keith Cross said officers saw the man with multiple knives in the doorway of the house and said he was threatening to kill everyone.

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Cross said officers made efforts to verbally de-escalate the situation, making multiple commands for the man to drop his weapons. The man then turned his attention to the police officers and threatened to kill them, according to police.

The man exited the home and engaged with the officers in the garage, officials said. The man, still armed with the knives, then charged at an officer, who then shot the man, according to police. Police declined to say how many times the man had been shot due to the ongoing investigation.

The investigation of the incident was turned over to the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force, in accordance with Illinois law. The task force is comprised of police officers from a variety of county police agencies and serves as an independent investigative agency.

Aurora police said the Kane County States Attorneys Office is determining whether criminal charges will be filed against the man who was shot. If so, his identity will be released to the public, police said.

Police also said they are working with the task force to determine when to release the officers body camera footage from the incident.

Police on Monday said they could not answer several questions regarding the case because it is still under investigation.

During Tuesdays City Council meeting, Irvin called the incident a terrible tragedy on all sides.

Our hearts are with that young man and his family and we will continue to pray for him and that young mans recovery, Irvin said, adding that he personally knows the family involved.

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Our hearts are also with all of our responding officers on the scene, particularly those put in an extremely dangerous situation and had to make the very difficult choice to use deadly force in a circumstance that continued to escalate, Irvin said.

Cross said the officers used de-escalation tactics during the incident, but declined to say what specific tactics were used.

Irvin said he has seen the body camera footage and said the officers attempted to de-escalate the situation while the man was threatening to harm and kill the officers.

It was deemed necessary to protect the officers on the scene and the others in the area, including the young mans family who initially called police to the scene, Irvin said.

Cross said there were no mental health professionals on the scene during the incident. Since 2020, the department has used a co-response method with social workers to help individuals in a mental health crisis that may pose a risk to themselves or others, according to the departments website.

Cross said during a news conference Monday that when someone calls and says there is a mental health issue going on at a residence, the police will first send out two officers.

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Preferably wed like to get our crisis intervention team to respond, but thats not always possible, Cross said. We assign people to certain areas of town and we have to look at our resources to see if we can send someone. But that wasnt the call that came in. The call was for a person who was inside the residence armed with knives arguing with the family.

Irvin said he knows mental health issues are prevalent in the Aurora community, but he said the family made a 911 call for domestic violence and those facts were not provided in the initial 911 call.

Im sure many in the community have burning questions that need to be answered, especially when the answers come within a life or death context, Irvin said. All those questions will be answered at the completion of the investigation.

mejones@chicagotribune.com
Feb. 9The Dayton Development Coalition announced its annual awards on Wednesday, honoring Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and three companies.

The announcements were made at the coalition's annual meeting held at Carillon Historical Park's Winsupply Center of Leadership in Dayton.

Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted received the Maureen Patterson Regional Leader Award.

"Today's honoree is one of the Dayton region's most important allies in economic development. He has spent decades dedicated to strengthening our state's economic foundation and diversifying our economy," Jeff Hoagland, coalition president and CEO, said in a news release.

Patterson spent years working in economic development, serving at the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce and as a vice president at the coalition, before retiring.

The annual award honors a leader who advocates for the community's economic health and growth. Last year's recipient was Deborah Feldman, president and CEO of Dayton Children's Hospital and former, long-time Montgomery County administrator.

Patterson and her husband, former Kettering Mayor Don Patterson, were in the audience on Wednesday and Husted and his wife, Tina Husted, presented Maureen Patterson with a bouquet of flowers.

"It's my great honor to receive the Maureen Patterson Regional Leader Award," Husted said in a news release issued before the meeting. "I got my start in economic development here in the Dayton region working alongside Maureen (at the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce), so this award holds a special place in my heart. There's never been a better time to live, work and raise a family in Ohio than right now, and I'm proud of the work we have accomplished and look forward to many more years of economic success for our state."

The 2022 Research & Development Project of the Year went to Plastilene Group for its plan to establish a sustainable food packaging initiative and facility in Washington Court House.

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"Plastilene's facility will conduct research as well as produce food packaging," according to the news release. "The company will work with partners including SugarCreek Packing and Wingate Packaging in Washington Court House, Center for Innovative Food Technology and The Ohio State University's Alternative Materials lab, among others."

The $47 million facility is the company's first U.S. operation. It will create 58 new jobs and $3.8 million in new payroll, according to the coalition.

The 2022 Aerospace & Defense Project of the Year went to Sierra Nevada Corporation for the aircraft maintenance and repair facility it built on 16 acres at the Dayton International Airport.

"The new SNC Dayton aviation facility will be capable of supporting some of the largest aviation projects in the world. The project will create approximately 150 new jobs in the Dayton Region," according to the news release.

After the annual meeting officials participated in the grand opening of the new Sierra Nevada facility.

The 2022 Project of the year award went to Honda for its electric vehicle and battery production projects.

"Honda and LG Energy Solution announced they will build a battery plant in Fayette County 45 years to the day after Honda announced its first production facility in Ohio. Their combined investments of at least $4.2 billion will create a total of 2,527 new jobs in Ohio between the establishment of a new EV battery plant in Fayette County and the retooling of existing Honda plants in Union, Logan, and Shelby counties for electric vehicle production," according to the news release.

"This project is truly transformational. It will bring additional investment to our region, and highlight Fayette County and Ohio as a place where people can build a fulfilling, innovative career," according to the coalition news release. "The project had the largest job creation and capital investment in the Dayton region since JobsOhio began in 2011."

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One-Eared Dog Tears Off Ear of Stuffed Toy: "A Best Friend Just Like Him"

SPCA of Wake County/Facebook

Dogs may be man's best friend, but one North Carolina dog made his own buddy out of a stuffed animal that now looks just like him.

Bruno, a one-eared pit bull from Raleigh, N.C., tugged off the left ear of his "favorite" stuffed toy  a plush dog with floppy brown ears. By chance, or perhaps, by choice, Burno removed the same ear from the toy that he has missing, FOX10 Phoenix reported. The SPCA of Wake County posted photos of Bruno with his new "best friend" to their Facebook, sharing more of the rescue dog's story.

"Bruno used to live chained up outside, and his ear was torn off when another dog attacked him, and he couldn't run away," the shelter wrote in the post. "But Bruno knows there's nothing wrong with him, and now he has a best friend just like him to prove it."

The SPCA told FOX10 that Bruno "came from a difficult situation" where he was tied up outside the entire year, through "freezing winters" and "hot N.C. summers," and couldn't escape from whatever bothered or hurt him.

RELATED: Lost Texas Dog Finds Her Way to Former Shelter and Rings Rescue's Doorbell for Help

The shelter added that Bruno is kind and sweet, despite his troubling history.

"You would never know he had such a tough start to life  despite his pouty eyes, he's a very happy and loving guy, and his tail absolutely never stops wagging!" SPCA workers told FOX10. "He's well-behaved, cuddly, and very smart."

They continued, "Despite being attacked, he still likes other dogs, and he loves every person he meets. He's got a big heart and a forgiving soul."

RELATED: Ralphie the 'Demon' Dog Adopted by a 'Blessed' Owner Who's 'Completely in Love' with the Pup

One-Eared Dog Tears Off Ear of Stuffed Toy: "A Best Friend Just Like Him"

SPCA of Wake County/Facebook

Bruno editing his stuffed animal to look like him is one example of the canine's cute personality.

The SPCA of Wake County discovered Bruno with his matching toy when a staff member went to check on the dog one day at the shelter and noticed something different about Bruno's plush. Observing that the same ear the dog has missing was torn off the toy, the worker snapped some photos to post to social media  which ultimately changed Bruno's life.

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The Facebook post of Burno and his plush pal has been shared nearly 50,000 times so far, which helped the pit bull find his adopter. Many people commented on the post expressing interest in adopting the sweet pup, so much so that Bruno "maxed out" on his pending adoption applications and ultimately found his forever family a few days after the shelter's Feb. 3 post, according to FOX10.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Unfortunately, Bruno was recently diagnosed with heartworm. He will stay at the SPCA for treatment  covered by donations from his doting fans  until he is healthier. After his recovery, Bruno will officially move into his forever home.

"He'll be in a foster period for the next couple of months while we provide that lifesaving heartworm treatment, but once his treatment is complete, his adoption will be official," the shelter said.
Freshly painted curling "houses" at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center.

SAULT STE. MARIE  Despite living on the Canadian border and having the perfect weather for ice sports, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan has no curling league or team.

As a fun way to expose Sault residents on the Michigan side to one of the most popular winter sports, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario is forming a curling training center this year.

"I'm excited to announce that we're offering a curling clinic this year in the city," said city manager Brian Chapman at the city commission meeting on Feb. 6. "We have rocks and we're ready to offer this clinic on Curling 101 to start."

At the meeting, Chapman announced that the city will be hosting a regular curling clinic starting this year at the Kaine Ice Rink. While the clinic will eventually move to the Pullar Rink, it is currently planning to undergo some construction this year.

Curling stones on the ice at the Titletown Winter Games presented by U.S. Venture on Feb. 20, 2022, in Ashwaubenon, Wis.

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With help from the Canadian curling club Soo Curlers, the city will be hosting regular curling lessons starting with basic lessons. The Soo Curlers club offers a wide range of lessons and leagues for Sault, Ontario residents. This will be their first in Michigan.

"The staff has been working with Sault, Ontario on bringing this to Michigan," Chapman said. "The Ontario club is willing to come over and give free lessons."

While official dates and times are not yet released, lessons are expected to be available this year. The city has also made an agreement to allow Sault schools to participate in the lessons to develop a curling team.

"We're trying something different with the ice rinks," said Chapman. "Hopefully it will be at Kaine's next year and going forward."

Updates can be found on the City of Sault Ste. Marie's Facebook page.

 Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@Sooeveningnews.com

This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Ontario curling club helps winter sport cross the Sault border
Japanese Intelligence states that more than 20 generals of the Russian army have been killed in Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale aggression.

Source: Nikkei news outlet, citing Japanese Intelligence

Quote: "British media reported in June that over 10 generals had been killed. Japan estimates the total at more than 20, based on intelligence gathered in cooperation with the U.S. and Europe."

Details: The Japanese military says this figure is very high. For example, in the United States, there have been almost no cases of officers of such a high rank being killed in combat.

Kiyofumi Iwata, Former Chief of Staff of the Ground Self-Defence Forces of Japan, explains the large number of killed generals by Ukraine's superiority in cyber warfare, which allows it to find out the location of Russian military leaders, as well as by Russian tactics of sending generals to the front.

A senior Japanese intelligence official pointed out another possible reason: "There may be informants in the two eastern regions [Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts  ed.] giving information to Ukraine."

The news outlet highlights another point that has become apparent over the past year  the "inferiority" of Russian military assets.

Background: According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as of 9 February, total combat losses of the Russian forces are estimated to be about 135,010 military personnel. 910 invaders have been killed on 8-9 February alone.

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By Ariba Shahid

KARACHI (Reuters) -The International Monetary Fund has asked for more time for negotiations with Pakistan over a deal that would unlock $1.1 billion in much-needed funds for the country, Secretary of Finance Hamed Sheikh said Thursday.Cash-strapped Pakistan, pushed to the limit by last year's devastating floods, had been host to the talks since late last week in a bid to access the funds, a tranche initially expected last December and part of the IMF's $6.5 billion bailout aimed at warding off an economic meltdown.

"The staff level agreement between Pakistan and IMF will be reached soon," Sheikh, a senior official at the Ministry of Finance, said in a statement to Reuters. "The IMF mission asked for more time for staff-level negotiations."

He said both sides had agreed on "actions and advance measures." The staff-level talks were due to conclude on Thursday.

Broadcaster Geo reported hours earlier, citing sources, that all matters had been settled between both sides over the bailout.

To release the funds, the IMF needs to reach a staff-level agreement with Pakistan, which Sheikh said would then be agreed upon after approval from the IMF's head office in Washington.

Analysts say the money is necessary to prevent Pakistan from defaulting on external payment obligations, and that an IMF deal paves the way for other organisations and governments to provide funds. The fiscal adjustments demanded by any deal, however, are likely to fuel record high inflation, which hit 27.5% year-on-year in January, analysts say.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar was quoted earlier on Thursday by Pakistan's Dawn newspaper as saying "it is expected matters will be settled today."

If a deal is reached and funds are dispersed, $1.4 billion would remain of the $6.5 billion. The bailout programme, approved in 2019, is due to end in June.

The IMF funding is crucial for the country's $350 billion economy, which is facing a balance-of-payments crisis with foreign exchange reserves dipping to less than three weeks of import cover. Last week, Prime Minister Sharif called Pakistan's economic situation "unimaginable."

(Writing by Miral Fahmy and Charlotte Greenfield; editing by Sudipto Ganguly and Sharon Singleton and Caitlin Webber)
(Reuters) - Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has approved a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and all mattters over the bailout program are settled, local broadcaster Geo said on Thursday, citing sources.

Cash-strapped Pakistan had been due to wrap up talks on Thursday with the IMF in a bid to unlock stalled funds from a $6.5 billion bailout to ward off economic meltdown.

(Reporting by Sudipto Ganuguly)
A bagpipe ceremony Thursday ahead of the announcement of the grand marshals and honoree for the 45th South Side Irish Parade at Cork & Kerry, 10614 S. Western Ave. (Alexandra Kukulka / Daily Southtown)

The grand marshals of the 45th annual South Side Irish Parade will be the chaplains of the Chicago police and fire departments and the honoree will be the Beverly Area Planning Association.

Parade Committee Co-Chair Marianne Rowan Leslie announced the Rev. Daniel Brandt, the director of the Chicago Police Chaplains Ministry, and the Rev. William McFarlane, the Chicago Fire Department chaplain, as the grand marshals during a Thursday ceremony kicked off with a bagpipe performance.

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Both police and fire chaplains provide around the clock support to both active and retired officers and their families in times of extreme stress, Leslie said. Many people may not know about the critically important work that the chaplains do each and every day to help and support our police, firefighters and their families.

Chaplains offer mental health support and pastoral care to those in need, Leslie said.

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Both ministries remind men and women of the positive impact that they have on the Chicago area, Leslie said. Chaplains walk alongside Chicago officers, firefighters and their families reminding them that they are never alone in their jobs despite the incredibly difficult situations and sacrifices that they may face.

The Rev. Daniel Brandt, left, the director Chicago Police Chaplains Ministry, and the Rev. William McFarlane, right, Chicago Fire Department chaplain are grand marshals of the 45th annual South Side Irish Parade. Mary Jo Viero, center, executive director, of the Beverly Area Planning Association, is the parade's honoree. (Alexandra Kukulka / Daily Southtown)

The South Side Irish Parade was first held in 1979, when George Hendry and Pat Coakley led 17 neighborhood children to celebrate family, faith, community and Irish heritage, Leslie said.

The parade has since grown to become the largest community based parade outside of Ireland, Leslie said. It includes festive floats, music and dancing, she said, and also features community schools, parish youth groups and small businesses.

We gather thousands of participants and spectators to celebrate the spirit of St. Patrick, Leslie said.

This years parade will begin at noon on March 12, stepping off from 103rd Street and Western Avenue.

Brandt said it was an incredible honor to be named a grand marshal.

Rev. Daniel Brandt (Alexandra Kukulka / Daily Southtown)

In a case like this, people would say Im humbled. I am breaking one of the cardinal sins right now. Im not humbled, Im incredibly proud ... to accept this honor on behalf of those I serve, Brandt said.

As grand marshal, Brandt said he will honor the fallen men and women of the Chicago Police Department, like Cmdr. Paul Bauer, who was killed Feb. 13, 2018.

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McFarlane said it was an honor to be chaplain for the Fire Department and to be the grand marshal. He said he remembers marching in the parade in the early 1980s with his classmates from Leo High School.

McFarlane said his father was a Chicago police lieutenant, two uncles were police officers and an aunt and two uncles were firefighters.

Rev. William McFarlane (Alexandra Kukulka / Daily Southtown)

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Firefighters, police officers and paramedics, their call takers and their dispatchers, are servants of the people. The police and fire chaplains are servants of the servants, McFarlane said. I am grateful for this opportunity and look forward to marching in the South Side Irish Parade once again.

Kevin Coakley, a member of the parade committee, said about 30 people meet throughout the year to decided on a grand marshal. The group tries to pick people who symbolize a larger group.

A large number of police and fire personnel live in Beverly, Coakley said, so it was a natural choice to honor the first responders through the chaplains.

Theyve been having a tough go of it, Coakley said. We want to bring light to a group that helps first responders.

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Mary Jo Viero (Alexandra Kukulka / Daily Southtown)

Mary Jo Viero, executive director of Beverly Area Planning Association, said she was honored the association was named as an honoree because she remembers attending the parade growing up.

The pride that we feel on this day lasts all year, Viero said.

The Beverly Area Planning Association is also committed to community, Viero said, by holding events, supporting small business and showcasing the community.
Pamela Anderson calls a G-string the "trick of the trade" behind her iconic '90s up-do (photos via British Vogue/YouTube).

Pamela Anderson has a hair hack she wants you to know  and it involves a G-string.

In a new "In The Bag" video for British Vogue, the "Baywatch" bombshell gave cameras a glimpse inside her Stella McCartney handbag and revealed her "trick of the trade" for a '90s-inspired tousled up-do: swapping out your scrunchie for a G-String.

"Don't know why I have a G-string in my purse but don't tell me that you don't have a scrunchie," Anderson, 55, says as she brandishes a baby pink thong.

"This is the trick of the trade. We're really flashing back to the '90s. The tousled-up 'do always had a pair of panties in them," she reminisces while securing her hair with the itty-bitty G-string.

"The tousled-up 'do always had a pair of panties in them," Pamela Anderson told British Vogue (Photo by Mitchell Gerber/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images).

The Vancouver Island-born author and actress also highlighted some of her favourite beauty products, which include Ilia's True Skin Serum Concealer.

Ilia True Skin Serum Concealer with Vitamin C (photo via Sephora)

$42 at Sephora

"I love Ilia," the "Pamela, a love story" star told the camera. "[It's] really beautiful."

Anderson also included the brand's highlighting powder as one of her in-the-bag essentials, telling British Vogue, "we didn't know about this in the '90s, but this is good."

ILIA DayLite Highlighter Powder (photo via Sephora)

$45 at Sephora

In addition to her makeup and dual-purpose undergarments, Anderson keeps a fan and CBD oil tucked away for less glamorous moments.

"I have, like, a fan for hot flashes," she says. "I have CBD oil for my arthritis. Whenever my hands hurt."

Anderson's openness about aging and menopause has earned the '90s icon praise on social media for her refreshing honesty.

"The way that Pam is embracing age is so refreshing and beautiful to me!" penned one YouTube user. "Talking about hot flashes and arthritis. YES, PAM. I love her."

"Her energy is so bright and youthful even as she talks about hot flashes and arthritis pain," wrote another. "I love that!"

On Instagram, fans of the memoir author were equally supportive, describing her as the "type of person that everyone wants to be friends with."

'Making menopause stylish'

Pamela Anderson is the "greatest comeback of all time," wrote one user.

"Making menopause stylish. What a queen," penned another.

"Thank you for talking about hot flashes!" wrote a third fan.

A beauty icon since the '90s, Anderson admits that she should have been more proactive when it came to sun protection.

Flashing her Summer Fridays sunscreen to the camera, the 55-year-old says, "So, sunscreen. I should have used more sunscreen when I was little. I counted my freckles the other day; I have like 137, just on my nose."

Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Mineral Milk Sunscreen (photo via Sephora)

$47 at Sephora

Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
TAIPEI (Reuters) - Paraguay's president, Mario Abdo, will visit Taiwan next week as the island seeks to shore up ties with one of its oldest allies ahead of an election in April that could see the Latin American country ditch Taipei in favour of Beijing.

Paraguay is one of only 14 countries to have formal diplomatic relations with Chinese-claimed Taiwan, and Beijing has been stepping up efforts to get those remaining allies to abandon Taipei.

Paraguay would cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan and open relations with China if the opposition wins the election, its presidential candidate Efrain Alegre has said, hoping to boost economically important soy and beef exports.

Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday that Abdo, accompanied by his foreign and commerce ministers, would visit Taiwan from Feb. 14-18, meet President Tsai Ing-wen and attend a briefing on meat promotion and investment opportunities.

"Taiwan and Paraguay have had diplomatic relations for more than 65 years and a deep friendship," the ministry added.

Abdo is not standing again for the presidency. Santiago Pena, the ruling Colorado Party candidate, has said Paraguay's relations with Taiwan would remain intact if he wins on April 30.

Paraguay's Taiwan ties have been under pressure in recent years, especially from the country's beef producers and farmers, who see the relationship as an obstacle to gaining access to the world's largest market for their products.

China views Taiwan as one of its provinces, with no right to state-to-state ties, a position Taipei hotly disputes.

Latin and Central America, as well as the Caribbean, have traditionally been diplomatic strongholds for Taiwan, but China has chipped away at those countries, with Nicaragua being the most recent country to go over to Beijing, in late 2021.

The issue has taken on broader geopolitical significance amid U.S. concerns about China expanding its influence in the region.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
Authorities say mother and father and their 12 year old son were found dead in a home in Andover, Massachusetts, on Wednesday night (WCVB)

A mother and father and their 12-year-old son were found shot dead in a home in Andover, Massachusetts, early on Thursday morning, authorities say.

Police responded to a 911 call from inside the home at 3.20am and had to break down two doors to force their way into the property on Porter Rd, according to WCVB.

Andover Police Department Chief Patrick Keefe said the victims were a 56-year-old man, his 55-year-old woman and their son, according to the news site.

Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker said there was no ongoing danger to the public.

This entire situation was contained at the address here, Mr Tucker told reporters at the scene.

I think this is also a very good time to remind folks that if they are suffering from any type of mental health issues, any type of depression, that services are out there, he added.

Police have declined to say who they believe the shooter was, and are notifying next of kin before releasing the victims identities.

The boy was a sixth grade student at the private Catholic boys school St. Johns Prep in Danvers. Mr Tucker said classes had been cancelled for the day.

Mr Tucker also spoke of the difficulties faced by first responders at murder scenes.

We only need to look back at the last couple of weeks in Massachusetts, he said, in reference to the death of three young children in Duxbury late last month.

These can take an emotional toll as well.
By Andrew Hay

(Reuters) -The Ukrainian parents and sister of Halyna Hutchins filed a civil lawsuit against actor Alec Baldwin and others over the cinematographer's 2021 death in New Mexico during the filming of the Western "Rust," the family's lawyer said on Thursday.

The announcement comes after a Santa Fe prosecutor on Jan. 31 criminally charged Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter, accusing him of reckless disregard for safety when a revolver he was holding fired a live round that killed Hutchins and injured "Rust" director Joel Souza.

Baldwin in October settled a separate wrongful-death lawsuit brought by Hutchins' husband Matt Hutchins over the fatal shooting on a film set outside Santa Fe.

Hutchins was born in Ukraine, where her parents and sister live near Kyiv. Their lawsuit seeks unspecified compensation, under New Mexico law, from Baldwin, crew members and producers for the loss of their relative, said attorney Gloria Allred.

"Anyone who is responsible for her loss must be held accountable," Svetlana, Hutchins' sister, said in Russian in a video translated into English, which did not give her second name.

Luke Nikas, a lawyer representing Baldwin, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Allred said the settlement with Matt Hutchins was for him and the couples son and she was representing other members of the family. She said the cinematographers relatives in Ukraine were in communication with Matt Hutchins.

Under Matt Hutchins' settlement, filming of the movie was set to resume in early 2023 with Hutchins serving as executive producer, Baldwin remaining in the lead role and Souza directing.

In a 2021 television interview, Baldwin said he was told the gun was empty and Hutchins directed him to point it toward the camera and cock it. He said the revolver fired when he let go of the hammer and he did not pull the trigger.

An FBI test of the revolver found it would not fire unless the trigger was pulled.

(Reporting by Andrew Hay in Taos, New Mexico; Editing by Donna Bryson, Jan Harvey and Lisa Shumaker)
Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia. Kristen Zeis for The Washington Post via Getty Images

The parents of two students at Richneck Elementary, the Virginia school where a 6-year-old shot his teacher, filed notices of potential legal action against the Newport News School District, CBS News reports.

The families say their children experienced trauma from the Jan. 6 shooting, which left first-grade teacher Abigail Zwerner critically injured. In one case, the parents say their daughter "suffered emotional harm" from witnessing the shooting, and accused school administrators of failing to protect their daughter from bullying, harassment, and assault. The other family said their child sustained "injuries" in the shooting; authorities have said no children were physically hurt during the incident, and the family's attorney did not share into additional details.

Police have said the 6-year-old brought his mother' 9 mm handgun to school and used it to purposely shoot Zwerner, 25. The teacher spent about two weeks in the hospital, and is recovering at home. Her attorney, Diane Toscano, filed a legal notice at the end of January stating that in the hours before the shooting, at least three teachers and staff members approached school administrators and said they thought the boy had a gun; his backpack was searched and no weapon was found, and the boy was allowed to stay in his class.

The document also says the boy had been suspended for one day after he "slammed" Zwerner's cellphone and broke it, and he shot her on the day he came back to school. Administrators routinely received complaints about the boy, the document states, and he allegedly cursed at teachers, chased students while trying to whip them with a belt, and choked a teacher "until she couldn't breathe." The boy is now at a medical facility and is receiving unspecified services, CBS News reports, and an investigation into the shooting is ongoing.

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Manuel Oliver, whose son Joaquin was killed in the Parkland mass shooting, interrupts U.S. President Joe Biden as he delivers remarks (Getty Images)

Maneul Oliver, who lost his son in the 2018 Parkland shooting and attended his second State of the Union this week, found Republicans disgusted reaction to President Joe Bidens speech not only offensive but also a bad example for the rest of America.

That room represents whats going on also, on a daily basis, in our society ... but in this particular event, you have a small universe of that reaction, he told The Independent. Where I was sitting down, I could see the body language of these members of Congress that, in our opinion as a country, they should be working together, [but were] not agreeing on most of the issues that President Biden was addressing.

So that creates a lot of frustration, because these are people that Im trusting to fix my main issue, which is gun violence, and they are sending me a message with their body language ... that they are not willing to move on. Theres a whole internal debate; in the meantime, theres people dying. Thats my concern.

So I wish I could see more coalition inside that place. And I did not see that.

Mr Oliver has been a vocal - if not creative - advocate for gun reform since his sons death, the fifth anniversary of which takes place next week. On last years anniversary, he was taken into police custody after climbing a crane near the White House in protest; five months later, he was escorted off the property after challenging the president as he spoke about new gun reform measures.

Im not the best person to advise people not to interrupt the president, but you know what? Im not a member of Congress, Mr Oliver said, speaking to The Independent from the airport the day after Marjorie Taylor Greene and others heckled President Biden during the State of the Union (for a second year in a row). I dont know if theyre trying to find some camera moments; I dont know why they do that. It is [not] respectful, because they do work together, they are co-workers. And they should have some limits in that place.

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And you dont want to send that message [of] non-agreement to the nation. While I was here, I visited some of the members that were wearing the pins with an AR-15 shape, and thats offensive, so thats pretty much the same.

Mr Oliver said: I understand disagreements on financial issues; we can all have our own thoughts around taxes and increasing taxes, or if its going to hurt the economy or not, we can disagree.

But when it comes to gun violence, this is an epidemic thats randomly killing people you. Nobodys asked if youre a Democrat or a Republican before being shot. So I really expect that we will agree on the fact that we dont want innocent people dying because we are giving easy access to guns to everyone. I would love that to be the conversation. Where is it? Wheres that common ground, that we all agree that kids in schools should not be shot by a guy that just purchased an AR-15 legally?

He said: It frustrates me that we dont have an agreement, we dont have the same position to defeat gun violence. At some point, its even offensive and disappointing. Because, I mean, Ive had conversations with some of these members of Congress and Senate during these two days ... surprisingly, theres an effort to go against what I do, what my wife [is doing], what millions of American kids are trying to achieve, which is preventing gun violence. Theres resistance to that.

While the majority of his ire was reserved for gun reform, Mr Oliver - who was a guest of 26-year-old Congressman Maxwell Frost of Florida - also believes that the current administration can do more to save lives.

It was a powerful speech, Mr Oliver said, [but] was kind of weak when it comes to sending a strong message that will prevent gun violence, which is the reason why I was in that room. So I appreciate the tone that the president used when he called to ban assault weapons. Thats exactly the tone that Im looking for from a leader. Thats the tone that will motivate other families, like my family, to keep on doing things. The content of the tone was not enough.

So I will say that, besides being an honor, being invited by Maxwell, my personal friend and congressman, in Orlando, its also I mean, Im an eye witness of what was of the reactions from all members, while the president was speaking, these are things that you dont watch on TV. And we are incredibly divided as a nation, at least inside that group.

He said that he was glad that I was there, because Im an eyewitness of what happened, in terms of people screaming, people reacting; I saw everything.

After attending a second State of the Union as mass shootings continue to plague America, Mr Oliver was also slightly cynical, calling it another speech, and it will be another president or the same president and new people giving these speeches ... a lot of concern on financial issues, a lot of concern, which shows that, yeah, this is a country [where] money really matters, but lives? Thats something that we can discuss later. We dont need to put an urgency on that matter.

And I think thats not fair. I think that the most important right that my son had was being alive.
Law enforcement has arrested two students at Parrish Community High School for posting videos to TikTok that imitated mass shootings on campus, Manatee County Sheriffs Office said in news releases Thursday.

Both students have been charged with making written or electronic threats to kill, do bodily injury or conduct a mass shooting, a second-degree felony.

The videos were filmed on Tuesday while students were being evacuated from the high school due to an anonymous online bomb threat. The school has received a string of bomb threats since last week, and law enforcement has not yet identified a suspect.

Detectives say they have no evidence that the students who posted the mock shooting videos are connected to the bomb threats.

In one video, a student simulated conducting a mass shooting with a toy gun, the sheriffs office said.

A school resource deputy identified the student in the TikTok video, and the student was arrested at their home on Thursday morning and taken to a juvenile detention center.

A similar video posted by a different student came to the attention of law enforcement via anonymous tips and a student who showed it to a school resource deputy on Thursday.

The student who posted the video was located in a classroom and arrested.

Deputies continue to investigate leads on multiple cases involving school threats, a news release said.

On Wednesday, a Buffalo Creek Middle School student was arrested for a similar video posted to TikTok that imitated a mass shooting, the sheriffs office said.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Parrish Community High School principal Craig Little urged anyone with information about the recent school security threats to come forward.

Parents, we need help with talking to your children. If they know anything related to the incidents over the past few days, were asking that they please reach out to school administration.

Crime Stoppers of Manatee County is offering a $500 reward for information leading to an arrest related to the bomb threats.
The principal of Pennridge High School was arrested Saturday night on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Stephen Cashman, 50, of Doylestown, was driving in the area of Swamp Road in Plumstead Township just after midnight when he was stopped by officers, according to Plumstead Township Police.

Police said the officer detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage upon making contact with Cashman, who authorities say was unable to satisfactorily perform field sobriety tests. Cashman was then placed under arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence.

The charges are pending blood evidence results.

For subscribers:Meet the Bedminster cop who made a special New Year's delivery

Pennridge Superintendent David Bolton sent out a letter to the Pennridge community offering support to students, but did not specifically address the situation surrounding Cashmans arrest.

I wanted everyone to know that we are aware of the recent situation regarding Dr. Cashman, our High School Principal. We have met with the staff so that they can provide support to our students as needed. Please reach out to your childs guidance counselor or house principal if they need anything, the letter read.

With this being both a legal and personnel matter, the district will have no additional statements at this time, he added.

Cashman has been the principal at Pennridge High School since the summer of 2019, when he was hired by the board to succeed Gina DeBona who retired that year.

Before coming to Pennridge, he spent 14 years as an elementary and secondary administrator in the Central Bucks School District, most recently as principal at Florence D. Titus Elementary School in Warrington.

For subscribers:Upper Makefield mom charged with killing kids not in jail. What we know

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Pennridge High School principal arrested on suspicion on DUI
Oakland Elementary School in Lake Villa before its 2019 reopening after it was updated as part of a $25.6 million renovation of some District 34 schools and buildings. (Emily K. Coleman / Lake County News-Sun)

No election in Lake County has drawn as many entrants this year as the race for six seats on the Antioch District 34 school board, where 13 candidates are asking residents for their vote on April 4.

Many school districts around Lake County drew just enough candidates to fill the number of open school board seats, or not enough to fill all the vacancies, but a massive field in Antioch appears to be the result of a fierce debate raging between parents, residents and members of the school board in recent years, first over masking during the height of COVID-19, then moving on to books and sex education.

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Similar debates about schools have raged around the country, and in Lake County towns such as Barrington, Lake Forest and other Chicago suburbs, but in Antioch those involved on all sides of the issues have tossed their hats into the ring.

After a lawsuit over mask requirements in school, a grievance investigation triggered by an Antioch trustee and the departures of two superintendents, nine of the 13 candidates who spoke with the News-Sun did have some common ground: putting the children first and casting the drama aside.

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Six of the candidates, board President Mary Beth Hulting, board Vice President Lori Linck and newcomers Tiffany Cappel, Kelly Beall, Josh Cornwell and Tamar Lasko, are running on a slate they call District 34 United.

Three candidates  Scott Shaffer, Sonia Williams and Pam Adams  say they are not a slate, but share a website, and are focusing on issues like transparency and the rights of parents over what their children are taught.

Kevin Fielder and Kristen Fielder, a married couple whose young children are just getting started at District 34, do not subscribe to either platform.

Hulting, an English and language arts teacher in Northbrook, hasnt been discouraged by tumultuous debate between factions of concerned, at-times-angry parents who started showing up to school board meetings; or by the departures of superintendents Jay Marino and Bradford Hubbard, who resigned last summer.

Youve got the masking issue, then we were sued by some families from the community, and so was the high school, over wearing masks, Hulting said. That also led into issues with the books, what books do we have in the library? They also moved onto critical race theory, and, Youre teaching critical race theory!

She said concerns about District 34 kids learning critical race theory are just boogeyman talk, and pointed to her experience navigating three contract negotiations with teachers as successes, along with significant additions the district has made at Petty and Oakland elementary schools during her tenure.

Test scores and Facebook fingers

Rather than voting history or a compilation of media coverage, District 34 voters will head to the polls on April 4 with incomplete, but impassioned catalogs of controversy visible on two competing Facebook pages, Parents of Antioch Community Committee and Dear New Antioch Superintendents, WE believe in Equity.

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Some candidates racked up school-related posts on Facebook, where the rival pages have hundreds of likes and members. Others have avoided the discourse entirely.

Publicly available and older Facebook posts sent to the News-Sun appear to show Shaffer and Williams have commented extensively about District 34 online, though they downplayed their attentiveness to and history with the groups.

Shaffer said he probably got caught up in Facebook disputes in the past, and that he settled on improving testing scores as the centerpiece of his campaign after reflection.

As far as what other people are posting online, I dont have any opinion on it anymore, frankly, Shaffer said.

Williams told the News-Sun she didnt really have a comment on the groups.

In October, Williams posted on the PACC page ridiculing Illinois for, allowing males into females bathrooms and locker rooms and vice versa, they promote books in schools with porn images, and urged other group members to vote out Marxist progressive extremists.

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In June and July, she posted messages advocating for classroom teachings to be recorded on camera and warned of people potentially using the LGBTQ community to further their sexualizing of kids, and that, Theyre literally getting away with molesting your children and corrupting their minds. Whats next, rape? Porn in the schools is not okay!!

In November, the month before filing to run in the election, Williams authored a post suggesting that with the current administration, pedophelia is somehow protected when displayed in schools, we must vote these people out!

I feel like thats irrelevant anymore, Williams said. Those groups, I dont know why they keep posting things or whatever they keep doing. Im more focused on the voters and focused on my next goals.

She explained that she joined the page more than a year ago, after a neighbor sent her a post containing photos from Gender Queer, a book that some residents were mobilizing to get removed from library circulation or given only restricted access from minors.

On a shared website with Shaffer and Adams, a bio about Williams emphasizes her effort, to restore parental rights and accountability.

I would like (parents) to be like partners in our school, Williams said. They should feel welcome when they come. If they want to know about curriculum in their childs class or anything, they should feel theres not an issue with that; that they should get the answers they need, and I would try to make that into policy if I could.

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Shaffer previously posted about recording classroom lessons, either by audio or video. He told the News-Sun he was probably not for making that a reality anymore, but he would like to survey district parents about how to improve transparency.

If the responses come back that they want (classroom recordings), all right lets consider it, he said.

Shaffer said he paid attorney Tom Devores retainer to loop District 34 in as one of nearly 150 schools named as defendants in a mask mandate lawsuit, and told the News-Sun his campaigns impetus was how many students arent meeting state readiness benchmarks in math, science, English and language arts.

We need to have a win-win for the children because those scores say it, ultimately, Shaffer said.

Shaffer shared Illinois State Board of Education reports showing the majority of Antioch District 34 students were not meeting or exceeding proficiency levels from 2017 to 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the shutdown of schools.

Test scores from 2021 show that 47% of students did not meet  or only partially met  the standard, while over 25% of students met or exceeded the desired performance level. Data from 2022 shows that 42.7% of District 34 students did not meet  or partially meet  the standard, while a majority, 57.2% approached, met or exceeded the state standard.

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Shaffer does not allege, as Williams has suggested online, that critical race theory is being taught in the district, nor did he say that social-emotional learning or sexual education was to blame for lackluster test scores.

Whether the question is, what do we have to start doing thats not being done now, or what do we have to stop doing that were doing now to raise those scores, is CRT part of it? I dont know, he said. I dont have any direct knowledge of it right now. But, do I think people need to be held accountable for those scores? Yes.

Williams said she is, worried about the scores, has the experience to serve the board well after advocating for her childrens needs as they went through the district and that, parents are not getting the transparency theyre seeking.

Adams doesnt look to be as active on Facebook, but she came under fire on social media for a Jan. 11, 2021 post that said she was at the steps of the Capital and personally witnessed how ... MSM and many in the government are portraying the Patriots as terrorists storming the capital when that narrative is the farthest from the truth!

The post continued to say she, spent the day from early in the morning with hundreds of thousands of Trump Supporters, and called it, one of the most peaceful demonstrations I have witnessed.

Adams campaign bio explains she is a lifelong Antioch resident running to, ensure quality education for the children of this community through transparency and accountability with the school board and the parents. She did not respond to interview requests.

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Trust vs. turnover

Following Superintendent Aron Barowiaks hiring last summer, public records show District 34 enlisted education law firm Kriha Boucek to investigate whether a board member or District 34 employees engaged in harassing conduct, which could include name-calling, use of derogatory slurs, harm, threatening or stalking. The firms 30-page report shared with the district advised there is no evidence of such claims.

Invoices sent to District 34 and shared with the News-Sun show that Kriha Boucek billed for more than $12,000 in grievance investigation matters between October and December, and for a sum of more than $26,000 in total expenses and fees in that span.

If she wins a seat, Tamar Lasko is set on, refocusing the financial aspect away from grievances, lawsuits and investigations that really have no bearing on what we should be trying to accomplish, and that she is particularly excited to help see through upgrades at Antioch Upper Grade School.

There are just so many other ways we can funnel those funds, improving school grounds, improving some of the older buildings, Lasko said.

Shaffer responded to separate criticism for costing District 34 legal fees, noting the boards imposition of a masking requirement when schools reopened during the pandemic. He wrote on his candidate Facebook account that he did not believe data showed masks to be effective for COVID-19 prevention, adding that for children the virus was a nuisance and their due process rights were violated by masking rules.

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Would I do it again? Yeah, I would, Shaffer told the News-Sun. The opinion of myself, you or anybody on that board, the personal opinion of why you do something when potentially (violating) someones due process rights, thats irrelevant.

Shaffer said he stopped attending some of the most heated school board meetings because it was a toxic environment. He added that he left the Parents of Antioch Community Committee group, and has posted less online regarding school issues in recent months.

Heres the reality: I dont know if critical race theory is being taught in the schools, Shaffer said. If people are concerned about it, lets just be more transparent and maybe do the survey I suggested and have people come up with more ideas on how we can be more transparent as a board to the district, to the voters.

After working in the district as a homeroom supervisor and cafeteria worker, and substitute-teaching in nearby districts, District 34 United candidate Kelly Beall thinks curriculum concerns are overblown.

To what end would anybody be doing any of these things? All Ive seen is love and care every time Ive been in the school, in all honesty, Beall said. For me, I saw there were going to be six seats up and thats not normal.

District 34 United candidate Josh Cornwell, a principal in nearby Big Hollow School District 38, said he is happy with the experience of his children in District 34, especially because of options like orchestra which are available to students as early as kindergarten. In less-crowded election cycles, Cornwell said he had been asked to run for the board, but stayed out.

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In his view, It seems like there are a lot of people upset about the schools, but they dont really understand how the schools work or dont really know whats going on.

Messaging around issues like social-emotional learning and Illinois standards for sex education, Cornwell said, is ironic because, parents always have the opportunity to opt their kid out of particular units, if they wish, so its not even about their kid.

I feel like it shifted once COVID kind of ended, from masks now to just parents kind of thinking they should have a say in everything their kids are taught, Cornwell said.

Lori Linck, a board member since 2013, thinks District 34 can, launch into one of the top-tier districts after a lot of ground work on curriculum development, curriculum audits, building upgrades and professional development for staff.

She recalled the departures of Marino and Hubbard, noting Hubbard, got thrown right into the districts debate over masks and curriculum when he took the job.

Then all the politics kicked up, Linck said, and its really unfortunate.

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She said school board interest is feast or famine, and that the work of a board member is, a lot more complicated than it appears from the outside.

Tiffany Cappel was appointed to the board in 2021 during a time of turmoil after she wore different hats in the district as a volunteer, special education advocate and former teacher at Oakland Elementary in Lake Villa.

She said she believes criticism for the board has spouted from a small group that is louder than most of the districts residents.

The part I focus on is the quieter voices, Cappel said. People will quietly send messages of support via email to the board email or sent private texts in support, and I think the majority of our community is still strong and supportive.

The rest of the field

Two other candidates, Paul Green and Christopher Hartman, could not be reached for comment.

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Kevin Fielder told the News-Sun that he and his wife Kristen have been unfairly characterized online by the Dear New Antioch Superintendents Facebook page as being in tandem with Adams, Shaffer and Williams.

He said the page is, grabbing peoples names and trying to drag them through the mud, and is assuming that Im part of this radical, right-wing conservative group.

Torch and pitchfork, charge the people and throw the whole board out  thats not what Im about, he said. Im very much right down the middle, open-minded, moderate, all about community.

An email from Kristen Fielder said her intention to run because she is passionate about, addressing age appropriate classroom curriculums that set our students up to critically think, act and conduct themselves as stand up citizens in their community, and respectfully being a voice for parents. Other focuses include basic studies of reading, math, science and history.

Kevin Fiedler said he does not have that impression at all that district staff is pushing a political or social agenda on students, and he wants to keep an open ear to everyone.

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 (I want) to make sure day-to-day, parent-teacher-administration communication is happening, Fielder said. I dont have a complaint. I dont want to change it. I just want to make sure the system they already have continues, because its great.

He said he understands a need, for progressive curriculum to work itself through the districts as the years go by, even though it is different from when he attended District 34. He added his stipulation is making sure that the current curriculum brought to the classroom matches the age and maturity levels of students.
Tuscarawas County Prosecutor Ryan Styer speaks Thursday at the sentencing hearing for Jeffrey A. Pringle in Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court.

NEW PHILADELPHIA  A 60-year-old man who formerly volunteered with a church youth ministry has received a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 20 years for raping and committing other sex offenses against two girls.

Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Judge Michael J. Ernest sentenced Jeffrey A. Pringle Thursday on three counts of child rape and four counts of gross sexual imposition.

The judge said the life sentence was mandatory under state law, and that he had discretion only in deciding when parole eligibility would occur.

Initial charges:Church youth volunteer and DJ Jeffrey A. Pringle charged with child rapes

One victim was 12 and 13 years old when the sexual abuse occurred, and the other 16, according to Tuscarawas County Prosecutor Ryan Styer.

He said the crimes were a disturbing and monstrous betrayal of the trust that every adult owes to children.

"With this type of crime, there's a lifetime of consequences, a lifetime of bad memories, and oftentimes a lifetime of processing through what happened," Styer said.

A woman who spoke on behalf of the victims said Pringle's offenses crushed her heart. She also turned to his victims and apologized for his actions.

"They will remember this forever," she said. "I just want to know why, Jeff? Everybody respected you. You were in the church. You were in the community, very high up. "

Jeffrey Pringle speaks after rape convictions

Given the chance to speak on his own behalf, Pringle expressed regret.

"I don't want anybody to feel bad about me going to prison," he said. "I feel like a failure."

Jeffrey A. Pringle reads his written statement at a sentencing hearing before Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Judge Michael J. Ernest on Thursday. The judge sentenced him to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 20 years for raping two children.

He said he applauded his victims for reporting the sexual abuse to their mother.

"If other children would do the same, we wouldn't have as many cases as we have in the state of Ohio," Pringle said.

Pringle said he would continue his college education in prison in the hope of setting up a mission to help others with crimes similar to his own.

"I did ask God for mercy ... and He has forgiven me," he said.

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A church volunteer and deejay

Defense attorney John Watters II read a letter from Pringle's pastor, Jeff Calkins, who said the defendant was repentant. Calkins requested leniency for the defendant.

"I believe with the right help and follow-up, he can be a productive citizen," Calkins wrote.

Watters said Pringle had been law-abiding for most of his life, with only traffic offenses on his record. He asked for Pringle to be eligible for parole after 15 years. He said his client is suffering from several health problems.

Six of the charges carried a specification that Pringle is a sexually violent predator. He would be required to register his address with the county sheriff for the rest of his life if he were paroled.

When Pringle was charged in July, LifeWay Church Co-pastor Travis Wright said Pringle had volunteered with the youth ministry for about 10 years, and that the church had contacted families with children in the ministry.

Pringle had a deejay business under the name Jukebox Jeff, according to New Philadelphia police Detective Capt. Ty Norris.

Indicted:Child sex offense cases advance in court

Reach Nancy at 330-364-8402 or nancy.molnar@timesreporter.com.

On Twitter: @nmolnarTR

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Jeffrey A. Pringle, 60, gets life prison sentence for child rapes
Drone photos of flooding in Belhaven, North Carolina, on Sept. 15, 2018, from Hurricane Florence. Many areas in Eastern North Carolina were flooded two years earlier by rains from Hurricane Matthew.

The Biden administration wants to collect detailed information from insurance companies to analyze how climate change is affecting the cost and availability of property coverage, including in North Carolina.

The study would be undertaken by the Federal Insurance Office (FIO), an arm of the U.S. Treasury Department established under the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial overhaul to monitors the insurance industry. The goal, supported by numerous environmental and consumer groups, is to assess the impact of climate-related exposures on the availability, affordability and sustainability of insurance in areas considered highly exposed to climate-driven weather events.

"The proposal represents a critical step toward supplying FIO with consistent, granular, and comparable insurance data needed to help assess the potential for major disruptions of private insurance coverage in regions of the country that are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change," states an October release. "The proposed data collection would also help FIOs work to assess both the availability of insurance for millions of Americans as well as the affordability of such insurance."

But the insurance industry and state regulators are pushing back against the idea.

In a sharply worded letter, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners  which represents state insurance regulators  asked the FIO to reconsider its ill-advised approach.

"It is unclear how FIO will use the data they intend to collect, and it is likely that any analysis will be misinterpreted and produce fallacious results in trying to identify climate risk," states the association's Nov. 22 letter.

Jason Tyson, spokesperson with the N.C. Department of Insurance, said the agency was aware of and reviewing the federal government's request.

Ready to deal with catastrophes?

One of state regulators' biggest pushbacks against the federal government's data request is that managing insurance has historically been something handled at the state level.

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But Don Hornstein, an administrative and insurance law expert with the University of North Carolina School of Law, said the federal government is increasingly getting involved in rebuilding communities in the wake of disasters due to their massive scope and impacts. That includes everything from covering losses in the underfunded National Flood Insurance Program, which annually hemorrhages money, to post-disaster grants and loans by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - programs that are largely meant to supplement, not replace, private insurance.

HURRICANE FALLOUTWhy what happens in Florida doesn't stay in Florida: What Ian means for NC insurance rates

The federal government has every reason to get a sense of how and if insurance markets are up to the task of dealing with catastrophes," Hornstein said.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there were 18 weather and climate disaster events in 2022 with losses exceeding $1 billion each to affect the United States. These events included one drought event, one flooding event, 11 severe storm events, three tropical cyclone events, one wildfire event, and one winter storm event.

Damage from these events was estimated at $165 billion, with insurers having to pony up for a lot of those losses. That compares to an annual average of $57.6 billion for the years 1980-2022.

NOAA said the U.S. experienced 18 $1 billion-plus weather and climate disasters in 2022.

The most expensive by far was September's Hurricane Ian, which devastated portions of southwest Florida, with damages estimated at roughly $100 billion, about $60 billion of that insured, and left the Sunshine State's insurance market in shambles.

What should rates reflect?

But how to price risk in disaster-prone areas adequately, and all the political, economic, development, and local land-use ramifications that involves, is a very delicate balancing act.

Which brings us back to insurance rates, and who should get to set them  or at least advise industry and regulators on whether current rates are up to the task, and insurance companies equipped with enough capital, if a big disaster does hit.

Cars try to navigate a flooded road leading to Interstate 40 in Castle Hayne, N.C., after damage from Hurricane Florence cut off access to Wilmington, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

"Part of the fear among carriers and the states is that the federal government could come back and say the rates are inadequate and need to go up," Hornstein said, noting that in many states  including North Carolina  that's done by negotiations among state regulators and the insurance industry.

STORMY FUTURELearning from Hurricane Ian: Why we should prepare for more storms like it

Local officials also could fear what a government report could mean for property prices and local real estate markets  especially since many beach towns along the N.C. coast rely on property taxes for the vast majority of their tax revenue. And with state and local officials  and in North Carolina's case the insurance commissioner  having to face voters every few years, surging insurance rates can be a politically dicey proposition for those in power.

Already some of North Carolina's coastal communities are feeling increased pressure from changes being amplified by climate change, including sea-level rise. Just last week Dare County officials told residents of Rodanthe, a small community on the Outer Banks that has some of the highest erosion rates on the Outer Banks and last year saw several homes collapse into the Atlantic due to the encroaching ocean, that there was no money in the county coffers for a beach nourishment project.

EROSION WOESOn the Outer Banks, structures rise and fall as climate change looms

Joe Stewart is the government affairs analyst with the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina. He said anything that can be done to fully calculate the potential cost in increased damages and losses associated with climate events isn't necessarily a bad idea.

"But the sense that this is coming from the federal government and is associated with climate change makes it a politically charged initiative, and might make people less inclined to be supportive of it," he said.

'It's coming'

But supporters of the government's data request said ignoring the reality of what's happening on the ground isn't an option, especially when it's becoming increasingly hard for residents in some high-risk areas and in economically marginalized communities to get affordable or in some cases any kind of insurance.

Yevgeny Shrago, policy director with Public Citizens Climate Program, said the government's research will elevate the issue and allow officials and industry to "get a real reckoning of the size of the problem."

He said it will show where rates or limited access to insurance don't match the risk  even if that risk from climate-driven changes has yet to manifest itself in a weather-related disaster.

"It might not happen tomorrow, but it's coming," he said. "There's no benefit for being ostriches and keeping our heads in the sand when we know it's coming.

Adam Lee left, and Jr. Ibarra, right, carry a table from a friend's home after it was destroyed by a tornado Dec. 13, 2022, in Wayne, Okla. The state is one of ten disaster-prone states the federal government is requesting insurance information from.

"We can't hide from this information We need to know it."

Public Citizen, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group, was one of dozens of environmental and consumer groups to come out in favor of Treasury's data-collection plan. Others included Environmental Defense Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Sierra Club and Greenpeace.

Alfonso Pating, climate finance manager with NRDC, joined others in saying it does no one, from residents to the insurance industry, any good to avoid trying to grapple with the situation that is already a growing problem in many areas.

"Data is data," he said. "It doesn't lie. And without this data, we can't create concrete solutions for these problems."

Joining state regulators with concerns over the government's plan is the insurance industry. Along with providing potentially misleading information, the groups called the government's request unnecessarily burdensome.

The Insurance Information Institute, a business association that includes more than 60 insurance companies, says collaborating with the insurance industry and taking advantage of information already available could be a better way to try and get in front of the climate risk issue.

"Rather than a separate undertaking of data collection, which could be duplicative, or even worse misleading, the Triple-I believes that existing publicly available information, combined with working with state regulators, would be a more productive approach," stated Sean Kevelighan, chief executive officer of the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), in comments to the FIO. "Whats more, helping bring risk management more top of mind through improving systems and processes that already fall under existing federal oversight, such as property financing and community development, would be a better use of resources."

CLIMATE-DRIVEN ARRIVALThis little armored creature is moving into North Carolina. Here's why.

The move by the federal government for information on the viability of some insurance markets comes close on the heels of the aforementioned Hurricane Ian and after several insurance companies have gone belly up, often leaving policyholders in the lurch and states to pick up the pieces, in the wake of extreme weather events.

Flood waters spill over HWY 421 near Wilmington, N.C. Monday Sept. 24, 2018 after waters from Sutton Lake breached the lake.. [KEN BLEVINS/STARNEWS]

The government has said it wants to collect information from major national insurance company and from smaller insurers in 10 states most vulnerable to climate disasters, including states on both coast and those often hit by tornadoes. The states are North Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma, California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri and New Jersey.

Reporter Gareth McGrath can be reached at GMcGrath@Gannett.com or @GarethMcGrathSN on Twitter. This story was produced with financial support from 1Earth Fund and the Prentice Foundation. The USA TODAY Network maintains full editorial control of the work.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: States, insurance industry push back on US climate risk data request
Amid the pack of British reporters chasing the story of former Rhode Islander Nicholas Alahverdian and his mad masquerade to elude U.S. authorities, Jane MacSorley has been the occasional terrier nipping at the fabulists heels.

A podcaster reliant on capturing the voices of a story, MacSorley for months brandished her microphone like a foil, challenging the pretenses of the man who faked his death in 2020 and assumed the identity of a pin-striped Brit living a scholarly life in Glasgow, Scotland.

(He denies ever visiting the United States, let alone Utah, where hes charged with raping two women and assaulting a third.)

Last April, for instance, when Alahverdian, recovering from COVID, steered his electric wheelchair toward a Scottish extradition court  unaware the oxygen mask he insists he needs had disconnected from its gas tank clanging down the street  MacSorley aimed her microphone at the 35-year-old man in bowtie and bowler and said: So much for needing oxygen.

A ranting Alahverdian demanded police officers arrest MacSorley for abuse. They ignored him.

More on Alahverdian:Abuse, disguises, denial: Nick Alahverdian's act is all too familiar to his Ohio ex-wife

Podcast 'I am not Nicholas' tells the story of Nicholas Alahverdian

MacSorleys encounters with Alahverdian are front and center in a podcast she narrates, scheduled for release Thursday through Amazons streaming audio service, Audible. It is titled: I am not Nicholas.

And it offers up, in somewhat dramatic fashion, what MacSorley concludes is proof that Alahverdians current wife, Miranda Louisa Knight, is the mysterious Louise  his supposed widow who, in phone calls to Rhode Island reporters and others, conspired to spread the lie of Alahverdian's death.

Alahverdian chuckles at the very suggestion when MacSorley first raises the possibility in Episode 5. Miranda adds: Thats laughable.

But later, when confronted with audio comparisons of her voice and Louises, Miranda had nothing to say.

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Alahverdian's wife leaves court after prosecutors show fingerprints and tattoo evidence that her husband was indeed Alahverdian and not "Arthur Knight."

More on Alahverdian:If Nick Alahverdian isn't dead as some believe, who's the widow 'Louise'?

Rhode Islanders feature prominently in 'I am not Nicholas' podcast

Throughout the nine episodes, listeners will also hear the voices of several characters in this still unfolding story of an unbalanced adolescent who gained extraordinary local notoriety for surmounting the despair of childrens group homes, only to mature into a convicted sex offender who police say terrorized woman from Rhode Island to Utah  and swindled those who cared for him.

Though their stories have been told in The Journal and other media, hearing these people in their own words speak of being manipulated and assaulted by a cruel narcissist is powerful. Among them:

Mary Grebinski, whom Alahverdian sexually assaulted at an Ohio community college in 2008. After his conviction, Alahverdian spent several years trying unsuccessfully to sue her for defamation.

Kathryn Heckendon, who spent a traumatizing seven months married to Alahverdian, in Dayton, Ohio, in 2016. She recounts how Alahverdian once hit her for having a run in her stocking, and sometimes locked her in the bathroom, the longest time for two days.

When he yells, Heckendon says, you feel like your soul is being sucked out of you with how much passion he puts into his anger.

Several Rhode Islanders also tell their stories:

Conor ODonnell, the Rhode Island State Police detective, who had a 2018 encounter with the charismatic and condescending Alahverdian, who insisted he knew more about the states sex offender law than ODonnell did.

The detective would later pursue Alahverdian in 2020, even after the Nicholas Alahverdian Foundation and Louise began encouraging reporters and Rhode Island politicians to leave messages on an online memorial wall to the fallen warrior for children.

The Rev. Bernard Healey, of Our Lady of Mercy in East Greenwich, tells of his strange phone conversations with Louise, who said she was in Switzerland as she requested a memorial Mass for her late husband, complete with music from Beethoven, Bach and Mozart. Father Healey said the church wasnt about to hire a symphony orchestra.

After Father Healey canceled the Mass at ODonnells urging  the detective said Alahverdian was probably alive and hiding in Europe  the reverend recounts again how he received several emails filled with rage and likely written by Alahverdian himself: Who do you think you are? and You call yourself a priest? Crazy emails.

Brian Coogan, a former state representative, who took pity on Alahverdian as a State House page living in state care, is also in the podcast. When Coogan expressed an interest in adopting a young Alahverdian, the late Family Court Judge Jerimiah Jerimiah warned him to keep away from the kid: Hes evil, said the judge. A bad seed.

Rhode Island fugitive Nicholas Alahverdian arrives for a hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in Scotland in February.

How was Nicholas Alahverdian, aka Nicholas Rossi, found?

Utah authorities and the FBI, which had gained access to Alahverdians iCloud account, were closing in on the fugitive in the fall of 2021. He has used various aliases over the years, including one with his Rhode Island stepfather's surname: Nicholas Rossi.

Scottish police finally arrested him on a Utah rape warrant that December as he lay recovering in a Glasgow hospital from COVID.

How MacSorley got the story

After he was released on bail, Alahverdian and Miranda entertained representatives of several media outlets inside their small row house apartment on West End Exchange Street, an area of Glasgow favored by college students.

The meetings were an audition, of sorts, as the couple weighed which media company might bend the story in Alahverdians favor  and which were willing to pay for exclusive access.

One film company went so far as to offer Alahverdian cash, promised him some editorial control and even gave their project the draft title, Fighting Back, which pleased the egomaniac. But they soon departed when it became obvious Alahverdian's story of being Arthur Knight, a victim of mistaken identity, was too outrageous for anyone to believe.

Alahverdians attempt to hit up MacSorely for money was unsuccessful, as listeners will learn. But she admits to initially buying the story of Arthur Knight, until the weight of evidence and the level of absurdity became too much. (Alahverdian still insists the identifying tattoos on his arms were placed there while he was in a coma.)

Providence, RI Tuesday, March 13, 2012 The House Judiciary Committee hears a bill introduced by Representative Roberto DaSilva related to out-of-state placement of kids who are in DCYF care; Nicholas Alahverdian, center, is on hand to testify. At left is Representative Scott Slater; at right is Jonathan Messinger, a Boston attorney with Alahverdian.

A good story often depends on an arc of revelation, and with MacSorleys it comes with growing skepticism and confrontation at the end, captured on audio.

In a last visit to Alahverdian's flat, MacSorely demands repeatedly that Arthur lower his mask to show the pronounced space between his front teeth  just like the one in the photo she produces of Alahverdian.

He refuses over and over and orders her and her producer out of his apartment, calling her a lying reporter without a program, since hes no longer cooperating with her.

But with her podcast, MacSorley has proven yet another Alahverdian falsehood.

More on the Nicholas Alahverdian story:

More:He was reported dead, but the state police kept looking for Nick Alahverdian

More:Nicholas Alahverdian, suspected of faking his death, was found in Scotland. What we know

More:Abuse, disguises, denial: Nick Alahverdian's act is all too familiar to his Ohio ex-wife

More:Nick Alahverdian, man of many aliases, is set to finally confront his fate in Scotland

More:Rhode Island man who faked his death could return to U.S. after bizarre trial in Scotland

Contact Tom Mooney at: tmooney@providencejournal.com

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: New podcast on Nicholas Alahverdian, 'I am not Nicholas' coming to Audible
DELRAY BEACH, Fla. (AP)  Two people are dead after their SUV was struck by a high-speed commuter train in South Florida, the latest in a string of accidents that have plagued Brightline since its inception more than five years ago, authorities said.

The train crashed Wednesday night in Delray Beach, south of West Palm Beach. Witnesses told police the vehicle was on the tracks when it was hit by the southbound Brightline train, officials said.

The National Transportation Safety Board announced that it was launching a team to conduct a safety investigation of the crash.

At least 88 deaths have now been connected to Brightline, Floridas privately owned passenger railroad, since it began operations in July 2017, running from West Palm Beach to Miami.

Thats one death for approximately every 32,000 miles (51,000 kilometers) its trains travel, the highest rate among the nations more than 800 railroads, according to an ongoing Associated Press analysis that began in 2019.

Among U.S. railroads that log at least 100,000 train-miles (160,000 train-kilometers) a year, the next-highest rate since 2017 belongs to central Floridas SunRail commuter service, which has averaged one death for every 117,000 miles (188,000 kilometers).

None of the deaths involving Brightline have been found to be the railroads fault. Most have been suicides, pedestrians who tried to run across the tracks ahead of a train or drivers who maneuvered around crossing gates rather than wait.

Brightline this year plans to expand its service, building rails that will connect West Palm Beach and Orlando. It is also working on a line that will connect Southern California and Las Vegas.
Rockford police squad cars are seen on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, in Rockford.

An investigation is underway after a 26-year-old Rockford man was shot before crashing his car in downtown Rockford Wednesday afternoon.

Rockford police said officers responded to the area of First Avenue and Charles Street for a traffic crash.

Officers arrived and found the victim, later identified by the coroner's office as Joshua Ewing, suffering from a gunshot wound. Ewing was taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries, police said.

Right before the crash, police said they received calls about shots being fired near Chestnut and Winnebago streets.

Witnesses told police they saw someone in a white SUV shooting out of the window towards the victim's car.

The SUV, which was reported stolen out of Chicago, was found abandoned near Delaware Street and Newport Avenue.

No arrests have been made as of Friday morning.

An autopsy showed Ewing died from being shot, the coroner's office said.

Anyone with information is being asked to contact the Rockford Police Department at 815-966-2900. You can also leave an anonymous tip by texting the word RPDTIP and your tip to 847411.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Police: Man died after being shot, crashing car in downtown Rockford
Authorities are asking for the publics help after a Roxbury girl went missing Wednesday afternoon.

12-year-old Raine Givens eloped from 850 Harrison Avenue around 3:30 p.m., last seen wearing a hooded sweatshirt and multi-colored sweatpants, according to Boston Police.

She is described as a 52, 120lb black female with a medium length afro hairstyle.

Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to contact police.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
HAVANA (AP)  Pope Francis hopes Cuban authorities will release and grant amnesty to people arrested and sentenced after the historic protests that took place in 2021, Cardinal Beniamino Stella, who traveled to the island as the pontiffs special envoy, said Wednesday.

During an act at the University of Havana to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's visit to the island, Cardinal Stella also said the Catholic Church hopes that Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and U.S. President Joe Biden can hold talks amid current tense relations between the countries.

Stella, who arrived in Cuba in mid-January and will remain there until Feb. 10, recalled the figures of Father Felix Varela and Jose Marti, considered national heroes in Cuba, and emphasized the need for understanding among Cubans.

Asked by journalists about the possibility the Catholic Church could intercede to have Cuban authorities grant amnesty to people imprisoned during the 2021 protests, the first in decades on the island, Stella said he had talked with the pontiff about the issue before he trip to Cuba.

The Church wants, seeks, has manifested this proposal (amnesty), said Stella. I think the issue is on the table... The Pope very much wants there to be a positive response, whether it is called amnesty, clemency, the words can be secondary, but it is important that the young people who at one point expressed their thoughts... they can go back to their homes.

According to non-governmental groups, about 1,300 people were arrested following the protests. Some of the demonstrations turned violent, including looting and rioting, and one person was killed. Authorities reported about 700 sentences handed down related to the protests, with sentences ranging from a fine and community work to up to 30 years in prison for sedition.

The protests took place amid a severe economic crisis, shortages and blackouts. Human rights groups and some governments, including Washington, harshly criticized the island for what they considered the repression of free demonstrations by Cubans.

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Meanwhile, Havana maintains that it did not repress opponents, but only punished illegal activities like rioting, vandalism, and sedition.

The Catholic Church has political influence in Cuba and on previous occasions has interceded successfully for the liberation of government opponents.

In 2010, thanks to the mediation of the Catholic Church and Spains government, a group of opponents who had been imprisoned since 2003 were released and some chose to leave the country.

The Cuban government accused anti-Castro groups based in Florida of promoting riots during the 2021 protests through social networks amid a complex economic situation caused by the paralysis during the pandemic and the increase in U.S. sanctions during the administration of then-President Donald Trump.
Dick Brauer, founder of the Brauer Museum of Art at Valparaiso University, looks over a VU museum publication at his home at Pines Village Retirement Communities in Valparaiso, Indiana on Feb. 6, 2023. Brauer said if the university plans to sell millions of dollars in artwork, he wants his name removed from the museum. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

Georgia OKeeffes Rust Red Hills was the second painting Dick Brauer recommended Valparaiso University purchase for its budding art collection, initially on display in the basement of Moellering Library.

The year was 1962, one year after Brauer arrived at the university to teach in the art department and, as part of his noninstructional duties, oversee what was then Valparaiso University Museum and Collections.

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Its a painting that has a gravitas about it, Brauer said Monday of OKeeffes 1930 work, which has since been lent to museums across the globe.

The painting was selling for $5,700 at the time and Brauer said hed never bought anything like that in his life.

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I thought it was kind of high, he said, adding he urged the museum collection committee, of which he was a member, to move forward with the purchase. The painting lacked OKeeffes signature so Brauer wrote to the artist and asked her to authenticate it.

Senior research professor John Ruff holds a book featuring artwork held at the Brauer Museum of Art at Valparaiso University on Feb. 6, 2023. Ruff has long been involved with the museum and is concerned about recent moves to sell portions of its collection. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

The purchase was one of many that propelled both the museums reputation and Brauers, culminating in 1995 with the opening of the Brauer Museum of Art. The Urschel family, which owns Urschel Laboratories, offered a $3 million gift to the university with the stipulation that it be named for Brauer and that the 17,000-square-foot facility also have a basement.

Its the highest honor Ive ever had, said Brauer, who chaired the universitys art department for 10 years as well as serving as the museums director.

Now Brauer is threatening to remove his name from the museum after finding out that the universitys board of directors voted first in October and then again at a meeting last month to sell Rust Red Hills along with two other pieces of art, collectively worth millions of dollars, to fund improvements at dorms for first-year students.

Jose Padilla, the universitys president, confirmed the sale, without naming the artwork, in a campus email Wednesday morning.

The universitys board of directors, according to correspondence between Brauer and Padilla, approved the sale of three cornerstone pieces of art from the museum in October and reaffirmed that vote during a late January board meeting.

The other two pieces are Frederic E. Churchs Mountain Landscape and The Silver Vale and the Golden Gate by Childe Hassam.

Brauer and John Ruff, a senior research professor in the English department who has long been involved with the museum, said the sale would be in violation of the covenants of the restrictive trust which provided for the pieces and also would be against the protocols of various art museum associations, that state funds from the sale of artwork must go toward the purchase of additional works.

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Nobody would have guessed they were going to do something like this, Brauer said.

Senior research professor John Ruff pauses while speaking about the Brauer Museum of Art at Valparaiso University on Feb. 6, 2023. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

Though the appraisals are admittedly dated, Ruff said the OKeeffe painting was appraised around 2016 at $15 million; the Church at about $2 million in 2009; and the Hassam at $3.5 million in 2008.

It may appear to be low-hanging fruit. They went through a period of cuts and (Padilla) may think he needs money to make the dorms more attractive, Ruff said Monday, when he joined Brauer at his apartment at Pines Village Retirement Centers to discuss the sale of the artwork.

Jonathan Canning, hired as the museums director last year after the COVID-19 pandemic put its activities on hiatus, referred questions about the sale via email to Padilla and Rebekah Arevalo, chief of staff for Padillas office and liaison to the universitys board of directors.

Padilla confirmed that museum art sales will be used for dorm improvements in his statement to the campus, though he did not specify which paintings or their estimated current value.

Valparaiso University President Jose Padilla speaks during a community town hall held in Valparaiso, Indiana on Sept. 20, 2022. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

The Board granted me the authority to sell the paintings at its October 2022 meeting. We have not yet sold the paintings. At this point, we are still completing the due diligence process that customarily precedes  and is a condition of  any major transaction of this nature. We will be sure to inform the campus community as soon as there is something else to announce in this matter, Padilla said in the statement.

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I want to make one thing perfectly clear about this transaction. We would use the sales proceeds from the paintings solely to improve the student experience. No portion of the proceeds would be used for operating expenses.

In an email response to questions from the Post-Tribune, Padilla reiterated that proceeds from the sale are earmarked specifically and exclusively for renovation of first-year residence halls, which he said are an impediment to student recruitment and retention.

The University remains committed to our campus art museum as a vital and vibrant destination for students and the local community, and will continue to exhibit selections from the museums American art collection, as well as host special exhibitions and event series, Padilla said.

The universitys financial struggles are no secret. Despite a slight uptick this academic year, enrollment has been on the decline overall since the fall of 2015 when, including the now-closed law school, the university hosted a peak of 4,544 students.

By last fall, the number of students was down to 2,939, though the university gained around 100 students when students returned in August.

Additionally, since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, VU has had a 17% reduction in full-time faculty and staff positions, or 135 positions in total. That includes 55 faculty and staff members who took an incentivized early retirement after Padilla started as president on March 1, 2021.

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The board of directors approved a new strategic plan in July, which Padilla officially unveiled in the fall during a community town hall meeting when he said the university is on a solid foundation going forward as university leaders embark on what they said is an ambitious five-year plan to boost enrollment, create student leaders and further diversify the campus by making the university a Hispanic Serving Institution.

Brauer emailed Padilla Jan. 31, not long after the January board meeting, to express his concern about selling the artwork and noted if it went forward, it would break the 1953 Sloan Trust Agreement under which the art was purchased, and said he would contact the Urschel family about withdrawing his name from the museum.

For Valparaiso Universitys Museum of Art to have my name has conferred a high honor on me, but with this sale it will wrongly reflect my approval of its utterly disgraceful, irreparably existentially diminishing, unethical and seemingly unnecessary, museum art collection sale actions! Brauer wrote.

Dick Brauer, founder of the Brauer Museum of Art at Valparaiso University, pauses while speaking at Pines Village Retirement Communities on Feb. 6, 2023. Brauer has said if the university plans to sell millions of dollars in artwork he wants his name removed from the museum. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

Padilla, in a Feb. 2 email response provided by Brauer, said he, university provost Eric Johnson and board chair Robert Hansen respectfully disagree with you.

Our actions will be based on the best interests of our students, mission, and entire campus. Not just one small piece of it, especially when that piece is not part of our strategic plan and our core mission of educating students and giving them the best campus residential experience, Padilla wrote. We recognize that not all will agree with our decisions in redirecting noncore resources to support the strategic plan. But the plan takes priority because it puts all our students, faculty and staff on the path to growth and success.

Brauer and Ruff bristle at the suggestion that the museum and its cornerstone pieces are not part of the universitys strategic plan and its core mission. They noted the role the museum plays in instruction for all of the universitys disciplines, not just art. Ruff, a professor of early American literature, said the museums collection dovetailed with his curriculum and that of other instructors as well.

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Over the years, he and other professors took students to the museum as part of a core class, with 1,000 students visiting the museum each semester.

I have found a way to use the Brauer in everything I teach, Ruff said.

Art is at the core of the educational experience, Brauer said, and that should be available to everyone. Those involved with the museum, he added, have been working on increasing its educational use.

None of us wanted this to become a story, Ruff said.

Ruff, a member of the universitys collection committee and the search committee for a new director, said hes had a glorious time over the years with his involvement with the museum and never imagined hed be talking about something so wrong.

I think some of these decisions are unwise, he added.

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Padilla met with Brauer late last month, after the boards vote about selling the artwork.

I let him say what he wanted to say but I got very emotional. I said thats wrong and he left, Brauer said.

Ruff said representatives from two international art brokerage firms have visited the museum, Christies in late June and Sothebys in early January, before the board meeting.

Discussions to sell the artwork, he added, likely went on while he and others on the search committee for a new museum director were working to fill the position, though the committee didnt know about the plan at the time and neither did Canning, the new hire.

Jonathan Canning, new director of the Brauer Museum of Art at Valparaiso University, discusses the exhibits now open to the public after a two-year hiatus. (Deena Lawley-Dixon/for the Post Tribune)

I held out hope when the board met that maybe there would be a change of heart because we werent sure the board knew all the ramifications, Ruff said.

The ramifications, Ruff and Brauer said, go beyond the museums loss of the artwork to provide funds for dorm renovations, and also point to a decision, made without faculty consent, that is likely to stun the campus.

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Both agree that violating the covenants of the restrictive trust that provided the artwork makes it unlikely that prospective donors will give to the museum or the university in the future.

You just attract a lot of really bad publicity, Ruff said, adding other museums wont lend their material to or borrow from a museum that de-accessions its works without putting those resources back into their collection. Those reciprocal agreements, he added, are critical. Its one of the ways you spread your brand.

Numerous other universities have jettisoned art in similar fashion and faced repercussions from the art community.

Ruff noted Randolph College in Lynchburg, Virginia, where the Maier Museum of Art was censured by the Association of Art Museum Directors after the 2008 sale of Rufino Tamayos painting Trovador. The association sanctioned the museum six years later when it went on to sell George Bellows Men of the Docks, according to a statement on the associations website at the time of the sanction, which noted the funds were being used to support the colleges operations.

The association reached out to the college unsuccessfully with the hope of finding another solution.

The prohibition against the sale of works of art from museum collections for such purposes is a violation of one of the most fundamental professional principles of the art museum field. That Randolph College, which is responsible for establishing policies for and overseeing the operations of the Maier Museum, continues to take such actions is a matter of grave concern to AAMD, art museums everywhere, and the public they serve, the associations statement said.

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The sanctions, a more stringent measure than censure, included instructions to association members to suspend any loans of works of art to and any collaboration on exhibitions and programs with the Maier Museum of Art.

Such sales, the association said, not only erodes the credibility and good standing of the Maier Museum, but also affects all art museums and the trust that the public has placed in them.

Per the associations protocol, the decision to de-accession artwork should only be made to improve a collection and support the long term goals of a museum. Proceeds are to be used only to acquire other works of art  the proceeds are never used as operating funds, to build a general endowment, or for any other expenses.

Brauer forwarded his correspondence with Padilla about the sale of the artwork to the universitys faculty senate Wednesday morning. The faculty senates next meeting is Feb. 15, Ruff said, and he expects the sale to be one of the topics of discussion.

He and Brauer are weighing their next steps and what they can do to stop the presumptive sale of the artwork.

Padilla, Brauer said, is being driven by the universitys financial situation to sell the museum pieces and given the millions of dollars the artwork could bring to the university, hed be willing to take a little criticism.

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alavalley@chicagotribune.com
Antonio Costa

Right now we are implementing a recovery and maintenance plan for the Leopard 2 tanks and, according to the plan, we are in a position to be able to send three of them in March, Costa said during a speech before the Portuguese parliament, according to the Reuters news agency.

Read also: Portugal to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, PM says

Admiral Antonio Silva Ribeiro, the head of the Portuguese armed forces, said last month Portugal that had 37 Leopard 2 tanks available, but local media widely reported that the majority are inoperable.

Read also: Portugal announces further military aid to Ukraine

osta also reported that Portugal is in talks with Germany to obtain spare parts necessary for their repair.



Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa

However, Portugals existing NATO commitments means that all of its 27 F-16 AM fighter jets are currently spoken for, and cannot be transferred.

Read also: Portugal to send Ukraine three Leopard 2 tanks in March

"Thats an area where we simply dont have the possibility (of giving to Ukraine), given that the means we have are all allocated to missions that we cannot do without," he said.

On Jan. 30, U.S. President Joe Biden said that he won't provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets.

Read also: EU Parliament president calls for long-range systems, jets to be sent to Ukraine

Ukraine's Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov said that every weapon sent to Ukraine first passed through a refusal stage.

Poland's Prime Minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, has said he is open to supplying Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets if the decision were taken together with other NATO members.

Read also: Polish PM names terms for transferring F-16 fighters to Ukraine

Ukraine's Foreign Minister has said that some partner nations are already working on "the issue of fighter jets for Ukraine".

Back on Jan. 20, Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra stated that his country may consider providing Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets, if asked.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A family in Orange County contacted Action 9, the investigative unit of Action News Jaxs Orlando sister station WFTV, after getting quite the scare when the glass on their oven door exploded while the homeowner was standing in front of it.

I heard like this sound. It was like, POOF. Then I heard my wife go, oh, my god! I ran in and there she is, sitting on the floor with all this glass all around her, Eliu Lopez explained.

Lopez showed Action 9 a photo he took immediately after his Samsung stove sent flying pieces of glass toward his wife. She was wiping a stain on the door when the explosion happened.

He said he is so thankful his wife hangs a towel in front of the oven. Lopez doesnt want to think what couldve happened if that wasnt there to block the glass.

My wife couldve lost her eyesight. With all that glass going in there, you know, you just never know. So, they have to do something about it, like yesterday, Lopez said.

READ: Florida lawmakers look at pushing back middle and high school start times

According to Lopez, Samsung initially told him there was nothing they could do because his warranty had expired. The company then offered to fix the stove, but he said that wasnt good enough.

I dont want you to replace this door. I want this unit out of my house. Im scared of it. Its dangerous, Lopez insisted.

Lopez is not alone. Action 9 analyzed data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Between the years of 2011 and 2022, there were 1,500 instances reported of glass exploding or shattering, on stoves from different manufacturers. There were 114 cases in Florida during that same period.

READ: Teen girl missing for more than a year found pregnant, in closet

One consumer wrote, ...shards embedded in my leg as I was standing a few feet away..., when their Frigidaire suddenly exploded. Another consumer said, ...my 10-year-old daughter was making sugar cookies..., the moment their Kenmore sent glass flying across the kitchen.

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Nothing is made to last too long anymore, which is sad, and in this case, incredibly dangerous, Mike Mannino said.

Mannino is an appliance repair expert and explained how sometimes hairline fractures combined with extremely high heat, like the kind used in an ovens self-cleaning mode, can be bad news for consumers.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

That oven can get up to 800, 1,000 maybe 1,200 degrees in some cases, and that can cause the glass to spontaneously just crack and shatter, Mannino warned.

Action 9 asked Samsung about the Lopez familys situation and the other 28 cases nationwide involving their stoves. A spokesperson said product quality and customer safety is top priority. The company also said this is a rare occurrence and they have worked closely with Lopez. The spokesperson added that Samsung encourages customers to contact the company with any questions they may have.

After Lopez contacted Action 9, Samsung agreed to give him a full refund and remove the appliance.

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Its possessed, the stove is possessed. I dont know. It was just the oddest thing Ive ever seen, Lopez said.

If you need to report any unsafe product, including appliances, contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission at saferproducts.gov.

Samsung statement:

At Samsung, product quality and customer safety is our top priority. This is a rare occurrence and we have worked closely with the Lopez family to understand their experience. We encourage any customer with questions about their product to contact us directly at 1-800-Samsung.

Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
President Joe Biden will make a visit to the University of Tampa on Thursday afternoon. He's expected to discuss Social Security and Medicare. Biden is expected to arrive at Tampa International around noon, with his remarks scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at UT's Plant Hall. Tampa is Biden's second stop following his state of the union address on Tuesday, where accused some republicans of wanting to cut social security and medicare. The comment led to some people shouting things like liar and booing.
An anti-monarchy protester holds up a blank piece of paper during the Royal couples visit to Cornwall

A blank paper protester was detained by police during the Prince and Princess of Waless visit to Cornwall.

The man, thought to be in his 20s, walked through the crowds holding up a blank piece of paper as the Royal couple greeted crowds in Falmouth.

Police moved in and led the man away. Minutes later, he returned and was heard saying no more monarchy.

This time, as the Prince and Princess continued their walkabout under the watchful eye of their protection officers, the police marched the man away and detained him until the Royals had left.

The Prince and Princess continued their walkabout while the protester was detained by police - WireImage

The man said later: Its the 21st century and we dont need a monarchy anymore. Its f------ ridiculous.

The incident follows a series of protests on Royal visits.

On Wednesday, as the King and the Queen Consort visited Brick Lane in east London, a man waved a black flag and a card reading no love for a nation. Asked who he represented, he said: I represent people who did not vote for him.

The King has twice been targeted with eggs in recent months.

Patrick Thelwell, a student at the University of York, is accused of hurling eggs at the monarch and the Queen Consort as they prepared to unveil a statue of Queen Elizabeth II at York Minster last November.

Last month, he pleaded not guilty to a section four public order offence and the case was adjourned until April 14. He faces up to six months in jail if found guilty.

Meanwhile, Harry May, 21, was fined 100 and ordered to pay 85 costs in January after throwing an egg at the King during a visit to Luton in December.

May told police the egging was motivated by his belief that the Kings visit to deprived and poor Luton was in bad taste, said prosecutors.

Blank paper protests first emerged in the 2020 Hong Kong demonstrations, as locals held blank pieces of paper to protest against the citys draconian new national security laws.

The tactic became popular after the authorities banned slogans and phrases associated with the mass protest movement of 2019.

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It is considered a statement about the silencing of dissent as well as a challenge to the authorities which might struggle to arrest someone holding a sign that said nothing.

Last September, Paul Powlesland, 36, a barrister and nature rights activist from Barking, east London, claimed he was warned by police that he risked being arrested if he wrote not my King on a placard.

He travelled to London with a blank piece of paper and recorded himself while speaking with police officers, and tried to establish whether he would be arrested if he exercised his freedom of speech.

A clip of him speaking with an officer who warned he may be arrested for offending someone has been viewed 1.5 million times on social media.

Following the Queens death last September, a woman was arrested in Edinburgh for holding a sign saying F--- imperialism. Abolish monarchy during the accession proclamation of the King.

A man was also arrested in Oxford after asking Who elected him? at the county proclamation ceremony.

And another protester was arrested for shouting Andrew, youre a sick old man at the Duke of York as he walked behind his mothers coffin in Edinburgh.

Civil rights activists have warned that arresting people for expressing opinions threatens the basics of democracy by contravening the right to freedom of speech.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Prosecutors have decided not to charge a former Wisconsin state senator who was involved in a car crash that left a Pennsylvania woman and her 5-year-old daughter dead.

Ashland County District Attorney David Meany told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Thursday that there isnt enough evidence to show former Senate Minority Leader Janet Bewley acted in a criminally negligent or reckless way. He added that police and Wisconsin State Patrol investigators havent referred charges to his office, either.

Alyssa Ortman, 27, and daughter Khaleesi Fink were killed in the crash July 22 in Ashland County. Police say Bewley, 70, pulled out onto a highway in front of Ortmans car. Ortman collided with Bewley, then spun across the median into the path of another vehicle, driven by Jodi Munson.

Ortman was traveling at 100 mph, nearly 60 mph over the speed limit, at the time of the crash, according to Wisconsin State Patrol investigation records. State troopers found a vape pen in her car containing Delta8, a compound similar to marijuana.

Police have reported that Bewley was distracted by a hands-free mobile phone at the time of the crash. Bewley also told police she had had cataract surgery on one eye the day before but her eyesight was fine.

Meany told the Journal Sentinel that nothing suggests that she had stopped using the hands-free feature when the crash happened or that her vision was impaired.

Fink's father filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Bewley and Munson and three insurance companies in October. That case is still pending.

Bewley did not run for reelection this past November.
As Donald Trump fought for his political life in the fall of 2020  and then attempted to subvert an election he lost  the Proud Boys confronted an identity crisis, fueled at every turn by Trumps words and actions.

In private messages, revealed Thursday by prosecutors at a seditious conspiracy trial stemming from the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, members of the group discussed Trumps Sept. 29 debate-stage exhortation to the Proud Boys to stand back and stand by ahead of the November election.

Some Proud Boy leaders, like Joe Biggs  one of five seditious conspiracy defendants  saw Trumps comment as a command to prepare to violently confront antifa.

Trump basically said to go fuck them up, Biggs said on Parler, the social media platform popular with conservatives. This makes me so happy.

His public comments ignited a furor among Proud Boys self-described elders  its national leadership  who worried that Biggs embrace of violent rhetoric could undercut the groups reputation.

Mainstream republican support hinges on what the president says about us, said Proud Boy Nicholas Ochs. Right now its good.

Trump has been a central aspect of the Proud Boys trial, a specter looming in the background as the group put itself on a path to descend on Washington and, ultimately, take a central role in the breach of the Capitol. Dozens of private chats and text chains revealed by prosecutors show how Proud Boys leaders keyed off Trumps comments and used them to both drive recruitment but also attempt to manage their growing but unruly rank-and-file.

Biggs, Enrique Tarrio  the groups national chair at the time  Seattle-based Proud Boy Ethan Nordean, and Philadelphia Proud Boy leader Zachary Rehl are now facing seditious conspiracy charges for their central roles in organizing hundreds of Proud Boys to descend on Washington for Jan. 6, and lead them in a march to the Capitol. A fifth defendant, New Yorks Dominic Pezzola, ignited the breach of the Capitol itself when he shattered a Senate-wing window with a stolen police riot shield.

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Prosecutors say the group played a crucial role in driving waves of the pro-Trump mob toward the Capitol and then egging it on to surge past barricades and across police lines before entering the Capitol. Prosecutors intend to describe to jurors how several cells of Proud Boys, who marched with the group to the Capitol, dispersed around the Capitol and were prominent in multiple breaches that day.

On Thursday, the 17th day of the trial, prosecutors gave their clearest explanation to jurors about the groups effort to tether itself to Trumps bid to remain in power, to weed out unruly members and to develop a tactical strategy for Jan. 6. They also presented the most significant evidence yet of Tarrio's embrace of a plan intended to

They also showed separate exchanges Tarrio had with three girlfriends about his impending trip to Washington D.C. One of them, identified only as Eryka, described a desire to overthrow the government.

The revolution and storming the winter capital is at stake. The revolution is [more] important than anything," Eryka wrote on Dec. 30.

"[T]hats what every waking moment consists of," Tarrio replied.

Eryka then referenced that she had sent Tarrio a document  titled "1776 Returns"  that detailed a plan to occupy federal buildings and force officials to declare a new presidential election. "If you dont like my plan, let me know. I will pitch elsewhere. But I want you to be the executor and benefactor of my brilliance," she wrote, asking him not to "play games" with her.

"Im not playing games," Tarrio responded.

Notably, the Jan. 6 select committee last year received testimony from a witness who identified Eryka as a figure in Florida's cryptocurrency community who was a mutual acquaintance of him and Tarrio. The witness, Samuel Armes, described developing some of the ideas at the heart of the 1776 Returns document  months before the election  as a thought exercise for potential civil unrest. Armes said Eryka appeared to have provided an altered version of that document that had been changed to refer to the 2020 election and included operational proposals.

In a Jan. 3 conversation between Tarrio and a paramour identified only as "mamafe," Tarrio described the gear he was planning to take with him to Washington  a kit that included a plate carrier, Baofeng radio, goggles, and other items. The woman joked with Tarrio about how her child, "if hes anything like you, Im in so much trouble."

"Hes gonna be like mom, Im gonna go take the Capitol and Im gonna be like, where, wheres that? Why?" she said.

Tarrio replied, "The Winter Palace."

Defense attorneys have long criticized the government's reliance on the "1776 Returns" document to prove the alleged seditious conspiracy, noting that it doesn't call for violence  rather it recommends sit-ins  it doesn't explicitly mention the Capitol as a target and there's no evidence Tarrio shared it with anyone else charged in the conspiracy.

Much of Thursday's testimony focused on the group's rising alarm after Trump's defeat in the Nov. 7, 2020 presidential election.

wtf happened? They called it. Now we have to mobilize, wrote North Carolina Proud Boys leader Jeremy Bertino in a message to Tarrio on Nov. 7.

Bertino told Tarrio about a plan to have a Proud Boys presence in Raleigh the next day, and Tarrio recommended that supporters not wear the groups typical black and yellow attire: The campaign asked us to not wear colors to these events, Tarrio said, without elaborating on who he had spoken to. Keep identifying colors to a minimum.

The group would go on to have a significant presence at a November pro-Trump march in Washington D.C. and a subsequent one on Dec. 12 that turned violent. Several Proud Boys were stabbed in street clashes with counterprotesters. Bertino suffered a severe wound that landed him in the hospital.

In the days that immediately followed, the groups leaders exchanged dozens of messages lamenting the chaos and disorganization that led to group members getting hurt. Tarrio griped that the group included too many members who refused to follow orders.

This was a learning experience on how to march 1000 guys down a street, he said in a Dec. 17 chat with Proud Boys chapter presidents. I posted rules that if they would have been followed  we wouldnt even be talking about it.

The internal grousing became even more urgent just two days later, when at 1:42 a.m. Trump issued a call to his supporters to make a stand in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021, the day Congress was set to certify Bidens victory. Be there, will be wild, Trump tweeted.

Within 20 minutes, Tarrio and Biggs began texting about some perceptions of the group as a drinking club known for street skirmishes with left-wing protesters. Tarrio said he didn't believe the group still fit that "drinking club" image anymore even though the perception had lingered.

The drinking stuff helps mask and recruit, Tarrio said, Although some chapters dont leave the their [sic] bars at home.

Lets get radical and get real men, Biggs replied. And I dont mean that in a crazy wayWe need to portray a more masculine vibe.

Later the same day, after a brief text exchange, Tarrio convened a 15-minute FaceTime call with Nordean and Biggs.

Trumps calling the troops in on the 6th, Biggs said to the group a few hours later.

Amid their talks, Tarrio created a new encrypted chat channel to prepare the groups Jan. 6 plans, calling it the Ministry of Self-Defense. That channel has become a focal point of the governments investigation.

Prosecutors particularly focused on the groups use of the channel to discuss tactics for Jan. 6. Members of the group discussed a strategy to break into small teams to avoid being choked off by police blockades. They also discussed avoiding wearing the groups traditional black-and-yellow attire and a potential plan to wear all-black  a tactic known as black bloc  to mimic far-left protestors who have frequently clashed with Proud Boys.

The decision not to wear Proud Boys colors was an extensive subject of the group's conversation in the days before Jan. 6. Tarrio repeatedly urged different sets of Proud Boys leaders to refuse to bring any identifying gear. When some in the group pushed back, worried that the decision could result in Proud Boys getting blamed for the destruction of others, Tarrio dismissed the concern.

Misinformation is a good tool, Tarrio said in one chat with Proud Boys about the groups plan not to wear identifying black-and-yellow attire on Jan. 6. Then, after a pause, he said, Fuck  Did I just goebbels this thing?

Members of the group also discussed what gear to bring to D.C. for Jan. 6, including body armor, Baofeng radios, backup phone batteries, pepper spray, stab proof vests, knuckles, goggles and Sudecon wipes, which are used to decontaminate OC spray.
Police are asking for the publics help in an effort to solve a 47-year-old murder in a Boston neighborhood.

The body of Ruth Bayla Pearson, 61, of Newton, was found in a field in the Madison Park area of Roxbury between Sterling Street, Tremont Street, and Shawmut Avenue around 8:40 a.m. on August 23, 1975. Officials determined she was shot multiple times and the manner of her death was a homicide.

Boston Police found Pearsons red 1972 Camaro two weeks after her murder in the Orchard Park Development near the old Dearborn School. It had since been stripped for parts.

Original pictures of both Pearson and her car have been colorized for a more accurate depiction of what they looked like.

Pearson was known to frequent bars and restaurants in the Copley Square area and the City of Cambridge, according to authorities. She looked younger than her years, police say, and often went by her middle name, Bayla or Francesca.

Any piece of information, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, could make a tremendous difference in the course of this decades long investigation, Boston Police wrote in a plea to the public.

Anyone with information regarding Pearson or her whereabouts around the time of her death is urged to call the Boston Police Departments Unsolved Homicide Unit at (617) 343-4470.

SEEKING INFORMATION: The BPD Homicide Unit Requests the Publics Help in Efforts to Solve an Unsolved Case from 1975 https://t.co/P5ll3nMUDY pic.twitter.com/0abqnVELtM  Boston Police Dept. (@bostonpolice) February 9, 2023

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW




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Russias Ministry of Defense has taken over the recruitment of convicts to send to the frontlines, wresting control of the enterprise from the Wagner Group, according to the countrys leading prison NGO.

Olga Romanova, the founder of Russia Behind Bars, told The Daily Beast that the Kremlin has sanctioned the recruitment of prisoners into the army for the first time since the Second World War.

On Thursday morning, the Wagner Group boss, Yevgeny Prigozhin, announced that his mercenaries would no longer sign up convicts, which has become a signature move as the group sometimes known as Putins private army plays a key role in Ukraine. The recruitment of prisoners by the Wagner private military company has completely stopped, he said on social media.

Usurping Wagner could be a sign that the Kremlin is keen to clip Prigozhins wings amid increasing signs of tensions between the men who could one day replace Putin. Wagner will continue to play a key role, but stripping them of the ability to use prison recruits removes one of their greatest strengths.

The move to officially allow convicts into the army also shows the problems the Kremlin is having with its recruitment drive almost one year into the increasingly unpopular war in Ukraine. Romanova said prisoners, who started signing up on Sunday, have been told they will be freed after six months of fighting.

It looks like Putins goal is to fill up Ukraines trenches with dead Russians, so he tries to recruit thousands of his prisonersthere are more than 400,000 Russians behind bars, she said. But it does not look like the mobilization is not going as well as Putin expected.

Saint Petersburg local deputy Boris Vishnevsky said the move was another step towards creating a dehumanized and violent Russia.

A human life is not worth anything in Russia today; and criminals can go free unpunished if they go to wara murderer knows he can kill and then just go to war and be freed six months later, he told The Daily Beast. Vishnevsky is a mathematician and he also taught Russian history at the Free University in Moscow. The difference between the World War II recruitment and Putin era is that back then even prisoners were eager to defend their motherland for free.

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Vishnevsky said the authorities have promised citizens more than $2,000 in monthly wages to go to war, but still many have hesitated. Russians evaluate their own lives more expensively than at $2,000, so they are not running to the front, Vishnevsky said. So, to find some new motivation to fight in Ukraine other than money, Russian Armed Forces begin to recruit criminals, whose motivation is to get out of jail.

Inmate Humiliates Russias Shadow Army by Casually Taking Cab Home

With one year anniversary of Putins war approaching, Russian aftermath looks grimmer and grimmer: at least 200,000 Russian soldiers have reportedly been killed, wounded or gone missing. Thousands of Russian convicts have been killed in combat zones along more than 2,000-mile-long Ukraine front.

The Wagner Group has been using the convicts to smoke out Ukrainian positions in wave after wave of suicide missions into no mans land between the two frontlines around the city of Bakhmut, which has become the focus of fighting in recent months. Prigozhin claimed victory in seizing the satellite town of Soledar last month earning him a rebuke from Moscow.

Gennady Gudkov, an exiled former Russian parliamentarian, told The Daily Beast that the rivalry between Prigozhin and the regular army was playing into this new strategy. Putin wants the army to recruit convicts, so Prigozhin would not think he is bigger than an insect. There is no limit of people Putin is happy to throw into prisons and no limit of people he is ready to mobilize but only some fools from provinces go to war, those who need cash and do not really understand anything about the war in Ukraine, Gudkov told The Daily Beast. My prognosis is that Putin will push to recruit more and more of the fools, endlessly.

Romanova, has been monitoring the recruitment of Russian criminals for months: Every fourth convict out of more than 50,000 recruited by Prigozhin have been killed, he uses all sorts of criminals as cannon fodder, his own men execute recruited convicts, if they attempt to dissert from the front, sometimes using a sledgehammerthe symbol of the year for Wagner, Romanova said. And now Defense Ministrys officials travel around prisons  army officers arrived at penal colonies in the Komi Republic and recruited 56 convicts on Sunday.

Russia Behind Bars activists had expected this ever since Putin signed a law in November, allowing the mobilization of Russian convicts. Activists of Romanovas group tried to warn the convicts and their families about the horrific aftermath. The word that many recruited convicts are left without payments, go to combat zones untrained and die is spreading around prisons through our contacts and some directors of penal colonies, who do not want to be responsible for the dead later, Romanova said.

According to Russia Behind Bars, the mechanism for recruitment in penal colonies and prisons has several stages: First army officers gather all convicts in the prison clubs for a propaganda lecture about their motherland being in danger, then give those interested forms that include a Did you serve? question; then officers approach those who have served with more specific questions about their specialty back in the military service, Romanova told The Daily Beast about the procedure taking place in Komi Republic on Sunday. Last month Putin signed a decree obliging the state to pay $68,000 to families of a deceased soldier and $41,000 to families of injured soldiers but the corrupt moment with convicts is that many of them have no relatives, so nobody can receive the promised wages on their behalf and when they go to the combat zones, they have zero cash in their pockets.

Vishnevsky said the longer the war continues the grimmer the situation for his country: It is horrible that there is a common belief that there is no better goal for a Russian citizen than to die for the state.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The Gary Common Councils failure to meet the deadline and update its redistricting maps as required by law led the state legislature to look at an amendment that extends the map filing deadline to May 15 and prompted a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city council. (Joe Puchek / Post-Tribune)

Some Gary Common Council members Tuesday were pointing fingers and others were dodging taking responsibility for the bodys failure to approve a ward redistricting plan by the state-mandated Dec. 31 deadline.

The councils failure to meet the deadline and update its maps as required by statute led the state legislature to look at an amendment to the law that extends the map filing deadline to May 15 and prompted a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city council.

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Council Vice President Tai Adkins, chairwoman of the Redistricting Committee, sought to place an ordinance with a redrawn district map on the agenda during Tuesdays meeting in an attempt to get the body to pass it on all three readings in advance of a Feb. 14 hearing in the federal lawsuit filed against the council by resident Barbara Bolling.

The ordinance was added to the agenda by a 5-4 vote. An executive session has been scheduled at 5 p.m. Friday to discuss pending litigation followed by a redistricting committee meeting at 5:30 p.m. and an emergency special meeting will be held at 6 p.m. where the ordinance will be considered.

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Councilmen Ronald Brewer, D-At Large, and Darren Washington, D-At Large, said the redistricting should have been started earlier than the first week of December and called the inability to get a map passed by the state-imposed deadline a failure in leadership.

The men said they didnt appreciate finding out about the lawsuit secondhand and instead of from Council President William Godwin, D-1st, who they say should have called an executive session to inform the council of the litigation. Washington said he learned of the lawsuit in the newspaper after it was filed Jan. 25. Brewer said he learned about the lawsuit from staff days later.

By adding the ordinance to the agenda and approving it on all three readings, City Council attorney Rinzer Williams said it was necessary for the council to approve a map before the Saturday deadline for his response to the court regarding the suit in advance of next Tuesdays hearing.

Williams said the judge indicated if the city did not present a map, he would either accept a map submitted by the plaintiffs in the lawsuit or draw his own and the city would be stuck with it. He said it was unclear if the judge has the authority to impose a map on the city.

He said the map was not presented to the council until just before the meeting because they were waiting on a response from the plaintiffs so any adjustments could be made before the council were to consider it. That response was not received until after 5 p.m. Tuesday, Williams said.

One of the maps presented by the plaintiffs in the lawsuit removes three sitting council members from their current districts, he said. It also guts the historic nature of one of the neighborhoods. Without a map approved by the council to present to the judge, Williams said he fears the council will lose any say in how the citys districts look for the next decade.

At the end of the day we wither present a map for the judge or we dont, Williams said.

Brewer and Washington were joined by Councilmen David Fossett, D-2nd, and Dwight Williams, D-6th, in saying they did not have enough time to review the map before them and were unsure of its origins or intent. They said any new maps should include input from the public. The four voted against considering the measure Tuesday.

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This is a failure, I do not feel comfortable voting on this tonight, Brewer said.

Washington said it is a matter of accountability and not judgement. He said there are three new council members who were not around last year including himself. Washington took office in August. He was not informed about the need to redistrict and questioned why no committee meetings were held prior to December.

He questioned whether a federal judge would have the authority to impose a district map, which is a state issue, especially in light of a potential remedy under consideration by the legislature.

Yes, we need to get something done. The bottom line is we need to have a public process. Approving this tonight, it feels rushed, Washington said. He questioned the motives behind the maps and who drew them.

For us to agree to pass maps that we already miss the deadline on doesnt make sense, Washington said.

Adkins said she did hold a committee meeting Dec. 5 and no one raised any concerns or comments at the time. She said Brewer, as a more seasoned council member, should have lead the discussion.

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As chair, my duty is to guide the committee. I presented the opportunity. I do believe you should lead, Adkins said.

She accused Brewer of complaining about map to the administration instead of taking it up with her.

No additional committee meeting was called after Dec. 5 and the matter was not placed on the Dec. 6 or the Dec. 20 agenda for the regular meeting of the common council. No further action was taken on the matter until Tuesday.

When asked after the meeting whose responsibility it is to call a committee meeting to move legislation forward, Adkins declined to provide an answer. Adkins said she would provide a response via email. She did not do so by press time Wednesday.

Councilmen Godwin, Williams, Washington and Fossett, along with Councilwomen Linda Barnes Caldwell, D-5th, and Councilwoman Lori Latham, D-At Large, all answered is it the committee chairmans responsibility to call committee meetings. Brewer and Councilwoman Mary Brown, D-3rd, were not asked.
Ransomware is a type of malicious software or malware that hackers use to infect and hobble a computer or computer network until a ransom is paid, and its become a growing problem for law enforcement across the nation.

For instance, NBC News reported last month that ransomware hackers posted an enormous trove of sensitive files to the internet from the Bay Area Rapid Transit Police Department.

The files included at least six reports detailing suspected child abuse, including the names and birth dates of the children, according to NBC News. Ransomware hackers often demand payment to not share files, according to NBC News.

NBC News reported BART police were targeted by a group of ransomware hackers that encrypts sensitive files, preventing the targeted agencies from accessing them, or threatens to release them on the dark web.

NBC News cited a BART official who said the computer breach had not affected BART operations.

Ransomware is often spread through phishing emails that contain malicious attachments or through drive-by downloading, according to the University of California at Berkeley. Drive-by downloading occurs when a user unknowingly visits an infected website and then malware is downloaded and installed without the users knowledge.

UC Berkeley said ransomware also can gain entry to an organizations network through vulnerable Web servers, and another type is spread through web-based instant-messaging applications.

The cybersecurity firm Emsisoft reported that 106 state and local governments and agencies were the victims of ransomware in 2022, though one incident in Arkansas spread malware to 55 other counties. Emsisoft said that data was stolen in 25% of the breaches and that one city, Quincy, Mass., paid a $500,000 ransom.

The firm also reported that 45 school districts and 44 colleges and universities were targeted by ransomware last year. Emsisoft said the biggest incident was at the Los Angeles Unified School District and its more than 1,300 schools and 500,000 students.

Emsisoft said three school districts paid ransoms, including the Glenn County Office of Education, which is about a two-hour drive north of Sacramento. The office paid $400,000, according to Emsisoft

The Associated Press reported in 2021 that hackers had become more aggressive in targeting law enforcement agencies. That included the hacking and release of sensitive files from the Washington, D.C., police department.
A controversial real estate company has been signing up thousands of Georgians for its 40-year listing agreements.

But since a Channel 2 Action News investigation in the fall, that all appears to have been put on pause.

Channel 2 consumer investigator Justin Gray has found since our investigations into MV Realty started, there have been no new signed agreements filed here in Georgia.

But what we are seeing is more concerning the consequences of the agreements that have already been signed.

As attorneys predicted to us, the penalties for the deals stick around even after you are dead.

I want somebody to wring their neck, said Betty Weidenhoft, 85, who lost her 66-yea-old son Ron Glenn in August.

It wasnt until months later when she was trying to settle his estate that she first heard about the company thats now causing her both heartache and financial pain -- MV Realty.

They robbed her. I mean, to me, they absolutely robbed her, said Allan McPherson, Glenns partner of 17 years.

RELATED STORIES:

In a series of Channel 2 Action News Investigates stories, Gray has reported on MV Realty and its 40-year listing agreements.

You get a small check now, but a potential big penalty later  3% of the value of your home if you dont use them as your real estate agent.

One of the things attorneys have been warning us about since the start is that these 40-year deals continue even after you are dead.

I say, He died. The contract is gone. Oh, no, its not a contract with him. Its a contract with his property, McPherson said.

According to the fine print, once you die, your heirs are on the clock.

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Heirs must reach out to MV Realty within 10 days of the persons death, or you owe MV money. A 3% early termination fee is triggered at death.

Sarah Mancini from the National Consumer Law Center said it might be the most concerning thing about the whole contract.

Most people after the death of a loved one, theyre not going to be able to deal with this within 10 days, and theyre probably not even going to know about it, Mancini said.

Weidenhoft didnt.

Her son signed with MV Realty while he was sick, just days after leaving the hospital, and never told her or Allen.

They took advantage of an extremely sick, dying man, McPherson said.

INVESTIGATIONS BY OUR SISTER STATIONS ON MV REALTY:

In our Channel 2 Action News investigation in the fall, we found 3,321 MV Realty homeowner agreements in 104 Georgia counties. About 2,000 of those were in metro Atlanta.

But since our Channel 2 Action News investigations began airing in November, the agreements seem to have stopped.

There have been no new signed MV Realty homeowner agreements filed with court clerks in Georgia.

But there have been lawsuits launched by attorneys general in three states against MV Realty and enforcement action taken by the FCC.

But Weidenhofts son signed an MV contract before all that, so she was forced to pay MV $23,250. Thats 3% of what MV Realty values her sons home at $750,000.

But to add insult to injury, the actual sale price of the house was only $530,000.

I dont mind paying something thats honest and above board. But I dont like to be taken advantage of. And I feel theyre taking advantage big, Weidenhoft said.

MV Realty told Gray that they wont answer any specific questions because of the lawsuits from the attorneys general.

They sent him a statement, that said, in part:

New and innovative business models, like the HBA, can transform established industries and can sometimes draw questions from critics or outright hostility from those whose existing business model is threatened. However, to suggest that MV Realty has engaged in unfair or deceptive practices is simply false.

That is something the lawsuits by the attorneys general dispute.

RELATED NEWS:
Record number of millennials and Gen Z still living with their parents

The number of grown-up children living with parents surged to a record high as soaring costs drove Gen-Zs and millennials back into their childhood bedrooms.

A total 4.9m people were living with their parents during 2021, Census data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed, a jump of 15pc compared with the previous census in 2011.

It marks an increase of 15pc since 2011 when 4.2 million adults were still living with their parents. The largest rise happened among those aged 25 to 29, suggesting it was driven by people who had left home and then moved back in with their family.

The ONS said the pandemic and related lockdowns would have had some effect on the data, but added that it was likely to be marginal in relation to the underlying trends in living arrangements.

Steve Smallwood, at the ONS, said: Todays census data gives us a more detailed understanding of patterns in living arrangements across the generations in England and Wales and how these have changed over the last decade.

He added: We can see that there has been a significant increase in grown-up children living with their parents, with over half of those aged 19 to 23 doing so. This may reflect an overall increase in age at life milestones, including moving out of home, along with the impact of the pandemic on peoples living arrangements.

The share of adults living with their parents increased in nearly all parts of the UK although it went up by the most in London.

House and rental prices appear to play a significant role, with nearly all regions with the highest rises of people flocking back to their parents being more expensive than average. Meanwhile, the areas with the largest decreases were more affordable.

The largest rise since 2011 was in Tower Hamlets at 49.1pc, which may be partially explained by the overall population in the borough growing by 22.1pc.

Just 21 of 331 local authorities recorded a decline in non-dependent children living with their parents. The largest drops were in the North of England and the Midlands where property tends to be more affordable. The ONS also highlighted that young people may be more likely to leave these areas for higher education or employment opportunities.

Are you a twentysomething who has moved back in with your parents? Share your experience with us in the comments section below
Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., participates in the news conference outside the Capitol on the on the Affordable Insulin Now Act vote in the House of Representatives on Thursday, March 31, 2022.

Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty

Democratic Rep. Angie Craig "suffered bruising but is otherwise physically okay" after being attacked in the elevator of her Washington, D.C. apartment building, her chief of staff said Thursday.

In a statement, chief of staff Nick Coe wrote: "This morning around 7:15 a.m., Rep. Craig was assaulted in the elevator of her apartment building in Washington DC. Rep. Craig defended herself from the attacker and suffered bruising, but is otherwise physically okay."

"Rep. Craig called 911 and the assailant fled the scene of the assault," the statement continued. "There is no evidence that the incident was politically motivated. Rep. Craig is grateful to the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department for their quick response and asks for privacy at this time."

Statement by Rep. Angie Craig's Chief of Staff: pic.twitter.com/YHXKJkuK42  Angie Craig (@RepAngieCraig) February 9, 2023

Craig, a U.S. Representative for Minnesota's 2nd District, is a mother to four boys with her wife, Cheryl.

She came to Congress in 2018 following a tight race with Republican Jason Lewis, becoming the first openly LGBT member of Congress from Minnesota.

RELATED: Minnesota Congressman Who Made Controversial Comments About 'Sluts' Is Replaced by a Woman

NBC News and The Washington Post obtained a Metropolitan Police Department report with further details of the attack, which said the suspect was "acting erratic as if he was under the influence of an unknown substance" in Craig's apartment lobby.

NBC News reports that the report details how the suspect entered the elevator with the lawmaker and started doing pushups before he "punched her on the chin area of her face, and later grabbed her neck," after which time she told police she threw a cup of hot coffee on him, and he escaped the area.

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Per NBC News, the U.S. Capitol Police has said it is investigating the attack, but echoed Craig's spokesman in saying "there is no indication that the congresswoman was targeted because of her position."

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While there is no evidence that Craig's assault was politically motivated, it comes as members of Congress face an increasing number of threats just months after an attack on Democrat Nancy Pelosi's husband, Paul Pelosi, who was beaten by a man wielding a hammer in his San Francisco home in October.

U.S. Capitol Police revealed that Nancy was in Washington, D.C. at the time of the overnight assault, in which the intruder "confronted the speaker's husband" and shouted, "Where is Nancy, where is Nancy?" per CNN sources. They then attempted to tie Paul up "until Nancy got home," and was still "waiting for Nancy" when police arrived, sources said.
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  In her speech before the Washington Press Club Foundation on Wednesday night, Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., launched into an uncommonly sharp comedic monologue that skewered just about everyone from gun-loving Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., to progressive Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn.

At one point, she turned toward Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., the first member of Gen Z elected to Congress. Hes 25 years old, she joked. F*** you. I have stretch marks your age.

Mace ended her routine with a risque joke about the violent Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol in 2021. I know everyone thinks Republicans arent funny. But if you get a bunch of us together, we can be a real riot.

Some laughed. Some gasped. So it went.

All of @RepNancyMace George Santos jokes from @washpressclub dinner in one video, including:



Really, who lies about playing college volleyball? Who does that? If youre gonna lie, at least make it about something big, like you actually won the 2020 presidential election. pic.twitter.com/YncvIjrSjE  Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) February 9, 2023

I love exercising First Amendment rights and have fun doing it, Mace told Yahoo News on Wednesday morning, as news articles chronicled her colorful routine.

She was praised by the New Republic for genuinely solid quips, although Axios suggested that her Republican-focused jokes were so sick that it could put her in hot water with GOP leaders, who have tended to be wary of her high profile and independence.

Democrats hardly got off any easier than did Republicans. Her humor was vicious and bipartisan. It went far, then went further. Donald Trump, Joe Biden, defeated Senate candidate Herschel Walker: Nobody was seemingly spared from Maces fusillade of barbs  not even the press, which hosted the lavish proceedings at the Waldorf Astoria, formerly the Trump Hotel.

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I hope that C-SPAN has a buzzer or a bleep, because this shit is about to get real, OK? It only goes downhill from here, she warned in the midst of her remarks.

C-SPAN did not censor Maces several profanities.

No feeling unites Democrats and Republicans quite like suspicion of the press, whose members provided Mace perhaps the easiest and most obvious target of the night.

Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and George Santos, R-N.Y., at the State of the Union address on Tuesday. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

To all the New York Times reporters, good evening, Mace said soon after the opening of a 12-minute affair that quickly revealed itself to be less C-SPAN speech than Comedy Central roast. And to everybody from the Washington Post, good luck on your job search, she said in reference to the newspapers recent layoffs.

Sitting on the stage next to the podium where she was speaking, Washington Press Club Foundation president Seung Min Kim, a White House reporter for the Associated Press, looked by turns uncomfortable and amused. (Kim, who did not respond to a Yahoo News request for comment, previously worked for the Washington Post.)

Mace has always had a rebellious streak, although some have questioned how deep that streak runs. Deep enough, apparently, to savage members of her own party.

Theres one reason I was chosen to be the Republican speaker tonight, and it's because Kevin McCarthy couldn't get the votes, she said of the House speaker, who needed a historic  and embarrassing, some said  15 rounds of voting to secure his position as speaker.

She added of McCarthy: I haven't seen someone assume that many positions to appease crazy Republicans since Stormy Daniels, a reference to former President Donald Trumps alleged onetime paramour, an adult actress.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

But, she continued, we all knew that Matt Gaetz would never let the vote get to 18, alluding to the Florida congressmans alleged sex trafficking of minors.

Mining his legal troubles for easy laughs, Mace said that Gaetz really, really wanted to be here tonight, but he couldnt find a babysitter.

It was perhaps her most successful joke of the night, at least judging by the audiences reaction.

Another easy target was embattled fabulist Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., who has emerged as an embarrassment for congressional Republicans since his impressively long list of lies emerged late last year.

C'mon, George, you give Republicans a bad name. And that's Lauren Boebert's job, Mace said, referring to another of her GOP colleagues.

She and Boebert, an unabashed gun enthusiast, have feuded before. Wednesday night is unlikely to have brought the two women closer.

Just kidding, Lauren, dont shoot, Mace said after a dramatic pause.

Boeberts office did not respond to a request for comment.

Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Mace carried a printed version of her remarks in a folder marked Classified, according to Politico, although predictably, her remarks quickly made their way across social media.

If she can sometimes break with her own party, Mace has also been sharply critical of progressive Democrats, the members of the so-called Squad in particular.

That hostility was apparent on Wednesday night. Mace said she tried looking for Rep. Ilhan Omar in the audience, but it looks like she lost her seat.

The joke alluded to Republicans expulsion of Omar, a critic of Israel, from the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Mace had been against the move, but eventually acceded to pressure from Republican leadership.

I thought I would get booed on that one, Mace offered, at which point Omar cried out from the audience: Im right here! Subsequent jokes about Omar didn't go over so well, however.

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., arrives in the House Chamber before the State of the Union address Tuesday. (Jacquelyn Martin/AFP via Getty Images)

Still, in the annals of Washington comedy, Mace appeared to easily best the efforts of Anthony Weiner and Kellyanne Conway.
St. Vincent Hospital, Worcester

WORCESTER  St. Vincent Hospital failed to fully meet federal regulations that require hospitals to accurately and publicly disclose what they charge patients for medical services, according to a report by the nonprofit Patient Rights Advocate.

Two other Tenet Healthcare hospitals in Massachusetts also failed in this area, according to the report: MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham and MetroWest Medical Center  Leonard Morse Hospital in Natick.

A spokeswoman at for-profit Tenet in Dallas said the report doesnt hold water because the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the only entity qualified to call out a hospital for failing to disclose accurate pricing.

The spokeswoman also mentioned the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has not cited any Tenet hospital in Massachusetts for noncompliance with the law. No Tenet hospital nationwide fully met the pricing regulation, according to Patient Rights Advocate's study, which looked at 66 Tenet hospitals.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is the only qualified and credible source for this information, and neither of our hospitals in Massachusetts has been found to be out of compliance with the price transparency rule by CMS," a Tenet statement reads.

Rather, it is a private, nongovernmental patient advocacy organization called Patient Rights Advocate.org that is making this accusation. As required by the federal price transparency rule, our hospital websites provide lists of services and standard charges, as well as a price estimating tool, and a contact number for patients with additional questions.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said it doesn't release specifics of hospital compliance until after a civil monetary penalty is issued. Releasing the information prematurely could name hospitals that have already taken steps to come into compliance.

To date, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has issued nearly 500 warning notices to hospitals, ordered more than 200 corrective action plans that previously received warning notices, and nearly 300 cases were closed after hospitals took corrective action.

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Different take

While Tenet said it hasnt run afoul of federal hospital price transparency regulations that went into effect Jan. 1, 2021, the nonpartisan Patient Rights Advocate doesnt see it that way.

In the case of St. Vincent, the report said the hospital is not disclosing all prices for services that it negotiated with insurance companies.

Employers, unions, all of us cant see the prices, cant compare them, and see they might have been overcharged. They cant comparison-shop, said Cynthia Fisher, founder and chairwoman at Patient Rights Advocate.

Tenet hospitals in Framingham and Natick did not disclose discounted cash prices that are lower than the prices negotiated with insurance companies, according to the report.

"We have to fix the greed that has run amok, said Fisher.

Tenet reported total revenues of $19.4 billion for 2021, compared to $17.6 billion in 2020.

A federal appeals court in December 2020 rejected a move by the American Hospital Association to block the pricing regulations from going into effect. The American Hospital Association claimed patient prices negotiated with insurance companies aren't always known because the level of care varies among patients.

The appellate court reportedly shot down that argument, claiming hospitals can post base prices negotiated with insurers, even if the actual cost in the end doesn't match the base price.

Other findings

Other findings from the Patient Rights Advocate study: Eight of 20 hospitals in Massachusetts (40%) fully comply with price disclosure regulations including UMass Memorial Medical Center  University Campus. Nationally, 75% of the 2,000 hospitals in the study were found to be in noncompliance.

The 2,000 hospitals chosen for the study represent the largest health care systems in the country, and are roughly a third of the 6,000 hospitals in the U.S.

Financial stick

To force hospitals to comply with open and honest pricing, Fisher said the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has the power to hit a hospital with fines that can reach $2 million annually.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services fined two hospitals to date, both located in Georgia: Northside Hospital Atlanta ($883,180 fine) and Northside Hospital Cherokee ($214,320 fine).

As Fisher of Patient Rights Advocate sees it, its time for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to start issuing more fines because its the tool the government has to protect patient rights.

Hospitals are disregarding the language so clear in the law and theyre putting profits over patients," she said. "As long as they hide prices, they can charge whatever they want.

Here is the list of Massachusetts hospitals that comply with the regulations and those that dont.

In compliance

 Baystate Medical Center

 Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

 Boston Medical Center

 Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital

 Brigham and Women's Hospital

 Massachusetts General Hospital

 Tufts Medical Center

 UMass Medical Center  University Campus

Noncompliant

 Boston Children's Hospital

 Charlton Memorial Hospital (Fall River)

 Holy Family Hospital  Methuen

 Lahey Hospital and Medical Center Burlington

 Lowell General Hospital

 Mercy Medical Center

 MetroWest Medical Center  Framingham

 MetroWest Medical Center  Leonard Morse Hospital - Natick

 St. Elizabeth's Medical Center

 St. Luke's Hospital

 St. Vincent Hospital

 South Shore Hospital

Contact Henry Schwan at henry.schwan@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @henrytelegram

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Tenet Healthcare hospitals don't fully disclose patient charges
People pay their respects at a memorial for 11 people, including Xiujuan You, left, and Diana Tom, who died in a mass shooting during Lunar New Year celebrations at Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

He was walking by himself, in no particular direction. Then the corner of his eye caught the sun and glinted for a moment  an unfallen tear.

My colleague had approached him, asking if he lived nearby. He shook his head, replied, "No" and kept moving.

"Would you mind if I tried talking to him?" I asked, and she urged me on. It was Jan. 22, and we were in Monterey Park the day after a mass shooting had stolen the lives of 11 people, devastating a mostly Chinese community in the process.

I ran after him and then I stopped, watching as he trained his eyes on my face, analyzing my features. I introduced myself in Mandarin and told him I was a reporter for the Los Angeles Times. Could I ask a few questions about the shooting?

He may have nodded yes, so I started in.

"Do you live around here?" I asked.

He pointed to the house right behind us  a pale yellow, single-story home with white blinds. He could hear the American accent in my voice and switched to English. He told me he hadn't been home at the time, but his mother was, and she heard what she thought were firecrackers in the distance. They lived near Star Ballroom Dance Studio, he said, where the shooting took place.

I asked if he'd known anyone who had been dancing at the studio, if he knew anyone who had been there that night. He wiped his face and said no, he didn't know much about it.

"Are you Chinese?" he asked.

"I was born here," I said, "but my parents moved here from China."

"ABC," he said with a hint of a smile. "American Born Chinese. Just like my daughter."

Right before we parted ways, he told me his American name was Ben.

I'd been asleep when my editor called at 11:20 p.m. It was the eve of Lunar New Year. When I called him back, he picked up on the first ring. There had been a mass shooting in Monterey Park, he told me, with as many as 10 people killed.

Could I go to the scene?

I threw on whatever clothes were closest and quickly looked up the news of the shooting on my phone. When the reports mentioned Monterey Park, most of them added that it was "known as the first suburban Chinatown."

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My heart sank.

People visit a memorial on Jan. 26 outside the Star Ballroom Dance Studio. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

During the 17-minute drive, every scenario bounced around in my head. I thought of the Atlanta spa shootings and the spate of anti-Asian hate crimes at the height of the pandemic. During that time, I carried around pepper spray and wore sneakers, hoping I might have a shot at outrunning a potential attacker. I'd never had any interest in martial arts, but I started tagging along with my boyfriend to his self-defense classes.

I stayed on the scene with several other reporters for hours, speaking to nearby residents, business owners and even one person whose younger sister had been at the dance studio during the shooting. When I woke up later that day, police had confirmed that 10 people were killed (another would die in the hospital of injuries from the shooting) and that the suspected gunman was a 72-year-old Asian man.

I looked up his photo online.

My first thought was that he could be my grandfather.

The timeline of my generation is littered with mass shootings. When I was in sixth grade, a survivor of the Columbine High School massacre visited my middle school to give a presentation during an assembly. The Virginia Tech shooting happened a year later; a friend's brother attended the Blacksburg, Va., school, and it felt personal.

When I was a freshman in college, a gunman opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School, killing more than 20 schoolchildren and staff members. A month after I graduated, nearly 50 people were fatally shot at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla. A few months before I started as a reporter at the Mercury News, 10 people were killed at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority rail yard in San Jose.

As a journalist in the U.S., I knew covering a mass shooting was a matter of when, not if. I had braced myself for the possibility that I might be covering shootings at music festivals, concerts, movie theaters, nightclubs, churches and big-box stores, shootings where the perpetrator was usually a man with a gun.

It never occurred to me that the first mass shooting I covered would take place in my community.

The 48 hours after that first call were a blur. I knocked on doors and stopped people on the street, introducing myself in Mandarin. I saw the flicker of recognition when they looked at my Chinese face, followed by a wall of detachment when I explained I was a journalist hoping to ask them about the shooting.

Some people waved me away, saying they weren't at the dance studio that night and didn't know anyone who had been. Others emphasized that this was supposed to be a "safe" city, that they'd never heard of any shootings in Monterey Park before Jan. 21.

Some part of me felt guilty  that I was intruding on this once-quiet and private community, and the people who agreed to speak with me were sharing their stories only because I was one of them. When I had finished a particularly tough interview with a survivor and thanked her for her time, she responded in Mandarin: "Mei wenti. Women dou shi pengyou."

"No problem, we're all friends."

CoCo Jiang hugs her dance instructor, Maksym Kapitanchuk, shortly before the start of a Jan. 27 dance at the Lai Lai Ballroom in Alhambra. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Hearing that made me want to cry.

Later, I asked the dance instructor who had helped me set up the interviews if he believed that talking about what happened was cathartic for the survivors.

"Are we helping these people or are we making their lives worse?" I asked, more to myself than to him.

"I don't know," he replied. "I've been wondering the same thing myself."

I was torn. I wanted to give the survivors and the family members of the victims space and time to heal on their own. I knew that many of them, particularly those in the older generation, were uncomfortable speaking with the press.

I wanted to treat them with as much compassion and sensitivity as possible, to let them know that they were more than a headline, that their community should be singled out for more than this tragic event. I felt a duty to portray the survivors as individuals with backstories just as rich as my grandparents'.

During the late 1990s, my mother's parents emigrated from China to my small hometown in Pennsylvania, about 40 minutes from Philadelphia. They didn't know anything about the U.S. and felt safest and most comfortable in their home country. But when my mother asked them to help take care of my sister and me, they came without question.

My grandparents were the ones who took care of me after school, who cooked me tomato egg with rice, who taught me how to count to 10 and how to tell time in Mandarin.

They barely spoke any English. When some of the neighborhood kids would knock on my door to ask if I could come out to play  or to just say hello  my grandmother would shake her head and tell them in Mandarin that she couldn't understand them. Then she would close the door.

There were almost no other Chinese people in my town, and they were homesick, yearning to be with people outside of our family who spoke Mandarin and ate their same food. When my English proficiency surpassed my Chinese, I started to feel guilty that my ability to communicate with them was declining.

I also started to realize that even though we spent so much time together, I didn't know much about my grandparents. They rarely shared anything personal. Years after my grandmother had passed away and my grandfather had moved back to China, I finally learned  through my mother  that my grandmother had once been a professor.

When I spoke with the family members of the victims and the survivors of the shooting, I saw their faces. I saw them as a door was closed and hands waved me away. I saw them in the face of the gunman, and wondered if social isolation or the crush of loneliness could have driven him to commit such a heinous act.

I also saw their faces as I attended vigils for the victims and heard residents speak about how important Monterey Park was to them as an Asian enclave. My grandparents would have loved to have had a community like this one, a place where they could find the groceries that reminded them of home and all the store signs were in Chinese. A place where they could learn to dance with other people their age on the weekends.

A dancer walks through the lobby of the Lai Lai Ballroom during a "social tea dance" in Alhambra on Jan. 27, almost a week after the Monterey Park shooting. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

My mother once told me that most Chinese immigrants, especially people in their 60s and older, just wanted to work, make new lives for themselves in the U.S. and keep quiet. They weren't comfortable expressing their emotions. And, even if they'd wanted to, the language barrier typically isolated them from much of American society.

That contrasted sharply with my own experiences as an Asian American who was learning to address the stigma surrounding mental health issues in our community and to initiate difficult conversations about intergenerational trauma.

The inability to open up stayed with me as I continued to interview sources in an attempt to piece together what happened that night at Star Dance.

Some people appeared eager to tell me exactly how they had escaped the gunman. Others teared up as they recounted how longtime friends were shot and killed in front of them. I found myself crying along with many of them.

Most of all, my heart ached when survivors asked me not to use their last names, because they hadn't told their own family they'd been at the dance studio that night. They didn't want them to worry. If my grandparents had been there, they probably wouldn't have told me either.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A group of 34 Republican senators said on Thursday they would seek to overturn U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules that aim to drastically cut smog- and soot-forming emissions from heavy-duty trucks.

The senators said the Biden administration rule finalized in December was overly challenging to implement, would make trucks cost prohibitive for small business owners and would increase supply chain costs.

Under the Congressional Review Act, a simple majority vote in both chambers of Congress can reverse recently finalized rules. Democrats hold a 51-49 majority in the Senate, while Republicans narrowly control the House.

The new standards, the first update to clean air standards for heavy duty trucks in more than two decades, are set to take effect March 27 and are 80% more stringent than current standards.

The EPA estimates by 2045, the rule will result up to 2,900 annual fewer premature deaths, 1.1 million fewer lost school days for children and $29 billion in annual net benefits.

Republican Senator Deb Fischer of Nebraska, who is leading the effort to repeal the rule, said the "aggressive" EPA rule would incentivize "operators to keep using older, higher-emitting trucks for longer."

The new EPA rules target heavy-duty truck and engine manufacturers by tightening yearly emissions limits and changing key provisions of existing rules to ensure emissions reductions in long-term road use. The rules toughen test procedures, regulatory useful life requirements and emission-related warranties.

"It's really important, especially for protecting the health of the 72 million people living near truck freight routes in America," EPA Administrator Michael Regan told Reuters in December. The rule would reduce smog-forming nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by as much as 48% by 2045, he added.

Todd Spencer, president of Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, said if small business truckers could not afford the new, compliant trucks they would stick with older, less efficient trucks or exit the industry entirely.

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Some environmental groups said they backed the rules, while others said the EPA had not gone far enough to protect public health from emissions.

Separately, the EPA plans to propose by next month "Phase 3" greenhouse gas (GHG) standards for heavy-duty vehicles and new emissions standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles. Both are to take effect in the 2027 model year.

In December 2021, the EPA finalized new passenger vehicle emissions requirements through 2026 that reversed President Donald Trump's rollback of car pollution cuts.

Transportation is the largest source of U.S. GHG emissions, making up 29%, and heavy-duty vehicles are the second-largest contributor at 23%.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Jamie Freed)
The restoration work on the Takav Gate in the western part of Angkor Thom temple in the famed Angkor Archeological Park in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province has been 100 percent completed, the Apsara National Authority (ANA) said in a news release on Wednesday.

Starting in December 2019, the project has been undertaken by experts from the ANA's Department of Conservation of Monuments and Preventive Archaeology, the news release said.

ANA's deputy director-general Kim Sothin said the work has been completed, and the team is currently clearing the site and completing only a few remaining tasks.

"Our restoration team will continue to restore the wall next to the gate only five meters long and 1.4 meters high, located on both sides of the gate," he said.

"The remaining work is to carve some artworks and fill in the gaps on the wall next to the gate and it will be completed soon," he added.

Sothin said as for repairing the Deva (guardian gods) statues of the balustrade, the team will continue to restore them with a full figure, arms, legs and some heads, while the Asura statues are a bit complicated because of the foundation.

Asura is a demigod, titan, or antigod, according to the context. They exist in both the Hindu and the Buddhist religions.

The Takav Gate is one of the five gates of the Angkor Thom, which was built in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII. The gate was built by using sandstones and laterites with smiling four-faced tower, up to 23 meters high.

As per the corner of the gate, there is a sculpture of the three-headed elephant and there are Deva and Asura statues alongside the bridge just outside the gate.

Angkor Thom is one of the key temples in the 401-square km Angkor Archeological Park, which was inscribed on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1992.
On today's episode of the 5 Things podcast: Republicans begin Biden investigations

Republicans began Biden investigations with a Twitter hearing on Hunter Biden's laptop. USA TODAY Justice Department Correspondent Bart Jansen reports. Plus, Ukraine's president visits Britain, USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weise talks about the water crisis in the West, the death toll rises to 16,000 after the Turkey-Syria earthquake, and the NBA trade deadline arrives with a blockbuster deal.

Podcasts: True crime, in-depth interviews and more USA TODAY podcasts right here.

Hit play on the player above to hear the podcast and follow along with the transcript below. This transcript was automatically generated, and then edited for clarity in its current form. There may be some differences between the audio and the text.

Taylor Wilson:

Good morning. I'm Taylor Wilson and this is 5 Things you need to know Thursday, the 9th of February 2023. Today, Republicans have begun probes into the Bidens. Plus, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits Britain, and we look at the water crisis in the West.



The House Oversight Committee grilled former Twitter executives yesterday. The company blocked links to a New York Post story in October of 2020 about Hunter Biden's laptop. Executives said the move was a mistake. It happened because of similarities to the posting of leaks from Democratic computers before the 2016 election. Republicans, though, have pointed to possible collusion to help Democrats win the 2020 election. And as USA TODAY Justice Department Correspondent Bart Janssen told me, the probe is the first in a line of wide-ranging House Republican investigations targeting the Bidens.

Bart, thanks for coming on the show.

Bart Janssen:

Thanks for having me.

Taylor Wilson:

This moment was a couple years in the making. It's the GOP's first real chance to put what they call anti-conservative censorship of social media on trial. So how'd it go, Bart?

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Bart Janssen:

Well, it was a very contentious hearing, it lasted more than six hours, and it gave Republicans a hearty chance to talk about the Hunter Biden laptop that had been in the news for a couple of years now, and the alleged censorship of conservative news media more broadly, and just to talk about whether big tech is slanted against conservative voices.

Taylor Wilson:

It seems, Bart, like Republicans are really looking to embarrass the Biden family by reviving this topic. Did they succeed in this hearing to do that?

Bart Janssen:

Well, they spent hours and hours talking about Hunter Biden and allegations that his employment by a Ukrainian energy company, Burisma, held the potential at least to influence his father. At the time emails were written, he was vice president of the United States. This story about the laptop came out in October of 2020, as the elder Biden was campaigning for president, and now continuing into the Biden administration, questions about whether Hunter Biden's business dealings might influence his father's administration.

Taylor Wilson:

So switching to the Twitter side of this, Twitter's leaders have long admitted that keeping users from sharing this New York Post story was a mistake in that they changed it 24 hours later. Did GOP leaders get any new confessions from Twitter about any possible collusion with Democrats?

Bart Janssen:

There wasn't much new information about the decision of Twitter to suppress links to the story, so they didn't really move the ball in that aspect. But one of the witnesses, James Baker, a former deputy general counsel for Twitter, did say that he doesn't think Twitter violated any First Amendment rights of users of Twitter because Twitter is a private company and only the government can censor.

Taylor Wilson:

Bart, we know this is the first of what Republicans have said will be really many hearings into the Bidens. What did we learn from the GOP's House strategy on this?

Bart Janssen:

Yes, this was the first glimpse at how the House Republicans are planning to hold, as you say, numerous hearings into the Biden administration. So there are two committees in particular, House Oversight and Accountability, and there's also a subcommittee of House Judiciary called the Weaponization of the Federal Government. And that panel is also going to be looking at oversight of the Biden administration and whether there is potential corruption there in the administration.

Taylor Wilson:

So what are Democrats saying to this probe and other similar investigations that are upcoming that you just mentioned?

Bart Janssen:

Democrats attacked this hearing in particular and the broader investigation of Biden as silly, as hyperpartisan, as a bizarre exploration of conspiracy theories that have been debunked. So I think this was just basically the opening salvo as we go on through what are expected to be at least two more years of House Republicans holding the Biden administration's feet to the fire.

Taylor Wilson:

All right, Bart Janssen covers the Justice Department for USA TODAY. Bart, we'll be following along with your reporting over the next few years. Thanks so much.

Bart Janssen:

Thank you.



Taylor Wilson:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the UK yesterday for the first time since Russia's invasion. He met with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and addressed parliament in a bid for more military aid.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy:

And I appeal to you and the world with simple and yet most important words, combat aircrafts for Ukraine, wings for freedom.

Taylor Wilson:

For the first time Sunak said he's open to providing fighter jets, adding that nothing is off the table. It's just Zelenskyy's second known trip outside Ukraine since the war began. He previously visited the US in December. Last night he arrived in Paris to meet with the leaders of France and Germany, and he's also expected to visit Brussels.



There's a water crisis in the West, and seven states are struggling to agree on how to deal with it. USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weise has more.

Beth, welcome back to 5 Things.

Elizabeth Weise:

Always happy to be here.

Taylor Wilson:

Always happy to have you. So a water crisis is looming in the West. How big of a deal is this?

Elizabeth Weise:

It's a big deal. It's a lot of people. It's seven states. It's California, which is soon to be the... It's like I think the fifth largest economy in the world. We're not at a water war yet, but things are getting testy.

Taylor Wilson:

Can you explain to us then what this Colorado River Compact [is] and what it means for water in the Western states?

Elizabeth Weise:

Yeah, so you probably didn't study this in school and neither did I, but back in 1922 seven Colorado River basin states, that's Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming, all got together to basically create a treaty on who got how much of the water out of the Colorado. And it came down to a fight between the more populated states at the time and less populated, and California was the most populated. They finally came up with an agreement, which many of those states would tell you California got more water than it should have. California would tell you that it had first dibs on the water because it had had people using it, and that's kind of the law of the river. That's been in place since 1922. It goes back to the courts or various places every couple of decades and we're at another of those points right now because the drought in the West has meant that nobody's getting the water that they feel they deserve out of the Colorado River, partly because Colorado River doesn't have enough water to give everybody who wants it.

Taylor Wilson:

You mentioned California. How is California now complicating the process, especially this week?

Elizabeth Weise:

Yeah, so the Department of the Interior had set a January 31st deadline for all seven of these states to get together and come to an agreement about what they were going to do. The six states, everybody but California, came up with one proposal, and then at the last minute, California came up with its own proposal. And California's restructuring idea basically minimized losses along the river and along the routes that bring water down from it, but would've imposed more stringent reductions, especially on Arizona and Nevada. They were not happy about that. So we're at this impasse where the seven states haven't agreed. They've blown past the Interior Department's deadline, and so now the Department of the Interior is probably going to have to come in and come up with something that no one's going to like. If they can't come up with a way to work together amicably, then the federal government will do it.

Taylor Wilson:

Beth, one of the big concerns surrounds these so called dead pools. Can you explain to us what is a dead pool and why is this such a big concern when it comes to water in the West?

Elizabeth Weise:

Dead pools are not a movie about superheroes, much as we might want to imagine it is. So this is what happens when you have a reservoir that feeds into a hydroelectric dam, as we have at Lake Powell and Lake Mead, and if the water in that reservoir falls below the intake for the hydro, the whole thing stops. No water can get out of the lake, the electricity stops because there's no water going through the turbines. And the concern is that if the Colorado gets too low, we could end up with dead pools behind both the Hoover and/or the Glen Canyon Dam. And that would be a bad thing. And there's concern from water managers that that could happen within the next two years.

Taylor Wilson:

So just a bit of a layman's question here. We heard about tons of rain across the West this winter. Heard about tons of rain from you, Beth. Did this not improve these conditions at all?

Elizabeth Weise:

It helped, but most of the rain was along the coast, and if you look at a map, the Colorado River starts very far from the coast. Now we've been in that drought for more than 20 years, so it's not enough to make up for that. It helped, but we're still nowhere near full on especially these big reservoirs.

Taylor Wilson:

All right, Elizabeth Weise, great insight as always. Thanks so much.

Elizabeth Weise:

You're so welcome.



Taylor Wilson:

16,000. That's where the staggering death toll from this week's Middle Eastern earthquake stands as of this morning. It's the largest death toll from an earthquake in more than a decade. Another 60,000 people have been injured, and the search for survivors beneath rubble is growing more desperate. Two people were rescued from rubble in Turkey yesterday some 72 hours after the quake. Experts say the survival rate in an incident of this magnitude is below 25% after 72 hours, and frigid temperatures in the region along Turkey and Syria's border make the chances slimmer. Dr. George Chiampas from Northwestern University says a number of factors play a role.

Dr George Chiampas:

This is of a magnitude that is just shocking. If all of a sudden they start having rain, that rain in addition to cold weather can accelerate that hypothermia and can also lead to an accelerated death. The key factors would be underlying medical conditions, any associated traumatic injuries, your underlying physiological state and age, your ability to sustain yourself as long as possible without fluids, nutrition, and electrolytes, and then your durability and your mental capacity and toughness. The hope that someone is going to get to you, I think can provide you one, two, three more days.

Taylor Wilson:

Many have asked how they can help in the wake of this devastating tragedy. We have a link in today's show notes of a guide to some of the charities working to help victims and recovery efforts in Turkey and Syria.



The NBA trade deadline is today, and you may have missed a massive blockbuster deal while you were sleeping. Superstar Kevin Durant is heading to the Phoenix Suns. The deal will send Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jay Crowder, and four first round picks to the Brooklyn Nets in return. Durant is a 13 time all star and two-time NBA finals MVP. The trade comes after Brooklyn also traded away star Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks. You can follow along with a live trade tracker all day long, up through the 3:00 PM Eastern deadline, on USATODAY.com.

Thanks for listening to 5 Things. You can find us every morning right here, wherever you get your podcasts. I'm back tomorrow with more of 5 Things from USA TODAY.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: House begins Biden investigations, Kevin Durant traded: 5 Things podcast
Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said on Feb. 9 that 621 officials working at Ukraine's Armed Forces and Defense Ministry were prosecuted after internal audits in 2022. Reznikov didn't specify for which violations the officials were held accountable.

According to the minister, 497 officials were fined, and 124 faced disciplinary liability.

The internal audits' materials used to reveal the officials' violations were handed over to law enforcement agencies, Reznikov added.

"My position was, is, and will remain unchanged  zero tolerance for any violations. Each person whose guilt has been proven by the relevant authorities bears and will bear responsibility," he wrote on Facebook.

In late January, the Defense Ministry was beset by a high-profile corruption scandal that led to the firing of several top officials.

Ukrainian newspaper ZN.UA reported on Jan. 21 that the Defense Ministry procured large amounts of food products for the military at inflated prices. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine has since opened an investigation into the alleged scheme.

Reznikov called the report false and asked the Security Service of Ukraine to look into the people involved in spreading the information. Shortly after the scandal, Ukrainian news outlet Ukrainska Pravda reported citing government and military sources, that Reznikov would likely be dismissed from his ministerial post.

On Feb. 5, David Arakhamia, head of the Servant of the People party's faction in parliament, said that Reznikov would be replaced by the Defense Ministry's Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov.
KAMPALA (Reuters) - The number of endangered elephants, rhinos and other animals in Uganda's reserves is steadily improving, reversing years of declines caused by poachers, traffickers and conflict, a state-run wildlife agency said on Thursday.

The population of northern white and eastern black rhinos, that was wiped out in the early 1980s by people hunting for their horns, has grown back to 32 since a charity brought in four in 2005, the Uganda Wildlife Authority said.

Thanks to increased conservation efforts, the number of buffalos increased 77% to 44,163 between 1983 and 2021, while elephants surged nearly 300% to 7,975 over the same period, the authority added.

The East African country suffered massive declines in some species between the 1960s and 1980s as political conflict and lawlessness allowed poaching, trafficking and encroachment on wildlife areas to thrive.

Since then, the government has brought in a string of conservation policies, including lengthy jail terms for violations.

"Wildlife populations are on a steady recovery," the authority said.

There has also been an increase in the number of mountain gorillas in dense forests in the southwest, it added, a boost to the tourism industry.

(Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by George Obulutsa and Andrew Heavens)
WASHINGTON (AP)  A Delaware man who threatened a Black police officer with a pole attached to a Confederate battle flag as he stormed the U.S. Capitol was sentenced on Thursday to three years in prison.

Kevin Seefried, 53, tearfully apologized for his participation in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot before U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden sentenced him.

I never wanted to send a message of hate, Seefried said.

McFadden said it was deeply troubling that Seefried wielded the flagpole as a weapon against the officer.

Bringing a Confederate flag into one of our nation's most sacred halls was outrageous," the judge said.

McFadden allowed Seefried to remain free until he must report to prison at a date to be determined.

Justice Department prosecutors had recommended a prison sentence of five years and 10 months for Seefried, a drywall mechanic from Laurel, Delaware.

Seefried and his adult son, Hunter, stormed the Capitol together after attending the Stop the Steal rally, where then-President Donald Trump addressed thousands of supporters in Washington. Kevin Seefried was the 12th rioter to set foot inside the building that day, according to prosecutors.

In October, McFadden sentenced Hunter Seefried to two years of imprisonment.

Widely published photographs showed Kevin Seefried carrying his Confederate flag inside the Capitol after he and his son, then 22, entered the building through a broken window.

Kevin Seefried told an FBI agent that he did not view the Confederate flag as a symbol of racist hate. FBI agents said they did not find any evidence linking him or his son to any far-right extremist groups.

Seefried is embarrassed and ashamed that many may view him as a racist, his lawyers said in a court filing.

He had brought the flag as a symbol of protest, but had not considered the logic of those who see the flag as a symbol of American racism," they wrote. Now that photos of him with the flag have become iconic symbols of the horror of January 6, Mr. Seefried completely understands the harm he has caused.

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Within a minute of entering the building, Kevin Seefried jabbed his flagpole at Capitol Police officer Eugene Goodman and joined other rioters in chasing the officer up a flight of stairs, a harrowing scene captured on video. Seefried was the first rioter to encounter Goodman near the base of the staircase, prosecutors said.

Goodman, who testified at the Seefrieds trial, said Seefried cursed at him and jabbed at him with the base of his flagpole three or four times without making contact. Goodman recalled that Seefried asked where members of Congress were counting the votes and said, You can shoot me, man, but were coming in.

That flagpole was not only a weapon capable of causing serious injury; a Confederate Battle flag was affixed to it and it was brandished by a man standing at the front of a volatile, growing mob towards a solitary, Black police officer, prosecutors wrote in a court filing.

Goodman led rioters away from the Senate chamber as senators and then-Vice President Mike Pence were being evacuated. He also directed Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, to turn around and head away from the mob.

McFadden convicted the father and son of riot-related charges in June after hearing two days of trial testimony without a jury. The judge convicted both of obstructing an official proceeding, the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress for certifying President Joe Bidens 2020 electoral victory.

McFadden also convicted the Seefrieds of misdemeanor charges that they engaged in disorderly conduct and illegally demonstrated inside the Capitol. The judge acquitted Hunter Seefried of other misdemeanor charges for clearing a shard of glass from a broken window.

The judge described Kevin Seefreid as the prime mover in his familys decision to travel to Washington on Jan. 6. McFadden rejected the defense argument that the elder Seefried never intended to interfere with the congressional proceedings.

I find that he knew what he was doing, McFadden said.

The Seefrieds were the first Capitol riot defendants to get a bench trial on a felony charge. Neither testified.

Nearly 1,000 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Jan. 6 riot. More than 500 of them have pleaded guilty, mostly to misdemeanors. Approximately 400 have been sentenced, with over half getting terms of imprisonment ranging from seven days to 10 years.

___

Follow APs coverage of the Capitol riot at: https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege
Roads, power lines, and pet dogs are taking a much bigger toll on primates in South Africa, according to a pair of forensic studies.

The country is home to five species of primates, including greater and southern lesser bushbabies. These primates spend most of their lives in trees, and some are so small they can fit in the palm of your hand.

Scientists at the South African Lajuma Research Centre analysed hundreds of cases in which primates had been killed on roads or around power lines across the country. In a companion paper, the researchers explored the growing risk pet dogs pose to the animals.

Bushbabies, especially, are an example of species that may be having problems, but we dont know what they are until we go looking, said Michelle Sauther, co-author of the two studies and professor of anthropology at CU Boulder.

For her, the results border on personal. In the process of studying bushbabies in South Africa for more than a decade, Sauther and her colleagues got to know one male a greater bushbaby with one eye who the team nicknamed Bruiser because he reminded them of an old prize fighter.

Then in 2019, Bruiser, who had bad and missing teeth, tried to move on the ground to reach a fig tree with easy-to-grab fruit. A pet dog found and killed him.

These are small stories, Sauther said. They're not the big stories of conservation, but they really do matter, especially as we have no good data on bushbaby mortality and thus cannot easily judge their conservation status.

We found that all South African non-human primates are in one way or the other impacted by human linear infrastructure, such as power lines or roads, said Birte Linden, a primatologist from South Africa.

She first became interested in the hidden dangers facing primates on her almost daily drives to the University of Venda in South Africas Soutpansberg Mountains.

She kept seeing samango monkeys run over on the side of the road. These monkeys are listed in the Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho as vulnerable, one step up from endangered.

Story continues

It's one stretch where the road is quite close to indigenous forest, which is where samango monkeys typically live, Linden said.

She wondered if a lot more non-human primates could be dying as roadkill than researchers suspected. South Africa is home to more than 675,000 miles (1,090,000 kilometres) of roads and power lines  and the number keeps climbing.

Researchers tracked down 13 reports of greater bushbabies like Bruiser killed by dogs in South Africa since 2014. In one case, humans intentionally released dogs to hunt down a bushbaby that had gotten too close to town.

These reports are clearly a sliver of whats actually happening, said Frank Cuozzo of the Lajuma Research Centre.

Its happening in the towns and suburban areas, in the rural areas, the reserve areas, and its happening far more than anyone would think.
Robinhood Markets said Wednesday that it would try to buy back shares purchased by former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, as his 7.6% stake in the company remains a contested factor in both Bankman-Frieds criminal case and the defunct exchanges bankruptcy.

The purchase would remove a distraction for shareholders, company CEO Vlad Tenev said on an earnings call with investors and analysts. He added that the purchase of roughly 55 million shares had already been approved by the companys board of directors.

Shares of Robinhood popped following the announcement, up over 5% to around $11 in after-hours trading. While the company is working with the Department of Justice, Robinhood did not put forth a timeline for when the purchase may be complete,

Since there isn't much precedent for situations like these, I can't predict how long this will take, Tenev said.

Regulators Seize Millions in Robinhood Shares from FTX

Bankman-Fried and FTX cofounder Gary Wang purchased the shares in Robinhood last May through a holding company called Emergent Fidelity Technologies. A court document filed last December revealed that Wang and Bankman-Fried had taken loans totaling $546 million from Alameda ResearchBankman-Frieds trading firmto purchase the shares.

The U.S. Justice Department disclosed last month it had taken custody of those shares, which were worth around $450 million at the time they were secured. However, defunct crypto lender BlockFi is also trying to get its hands on the Robinhood shares, claiming that they were pledged to it under the terms of an agreement made last November.

Recently, Sam Bankman-Frieds lawyers have filed a motion to keep possession of the equities, arguing that he needs them to pay for his criminal defense. They argued that requests by debtors of FTX to secure the funds should be denied because they have failed to carry their heavy burden of demonstrating that they are entitled to this form of relief.

Story continues

SBF Filing Details $546 Million Purchase of Robinhood Shares

The company also reported that revenue from cryptocurrencies on its trading platform chilled as prices sank in the final months of last year, falling 24% to $39 million in its final fiscal of last year, according to a press release.

Robinhood highlighted the release of its digital wallet built around self-custody, which it said was rolling out to more than a million users. The company said the release of Robinhood Wallet marks an expansion into international markets because it empowers customers around the world to custody their own crypto.

The company disclosed that the total amount of assets under custody on its platform declined for the fourth consecutive quarter to $62 billion from $98 billion a year ago. The amount of cryptocurrencies on its platform sank 62%, down to $8 billion compared to $22 billion.

While its crypto business dampened in the final quarter of last year, the company said its encouraged by what it has seen in terms of activity since the start of this year as crypto prices have shown signs of a rebound.

We continue to think that crypto is here to stay, said Robinhood CFO Jason Warnick. We're continuing to invest in this space and are really optimistic.
In his first year as head director of the Pride of the Southland Marching Band, Michael Stewart had a lofty goal.

As soon as I got hired to be the head director, one of my goals was for the band to take a major trip every four years, said Stewart, who is in his 16th year with the University of Tennessee. I wanted to start that right away. London was in my mind, because I felt that it would be a little bit easier to plan and not have so much of a cultural or language barrier, so they can be immersed in the culture.

To the best of Stewarts knowledge, the last time the band traveled internationally was to Ireland in 2007. This upcoming season will be the bands 154th; it is one of the oldest bands in the country, he said.

Once word got out about the intended trip, officials with London Band Week reached out to Stewart and he said it was a natural fit.

Michael Stewart, director of the Pride of the Southland Band, is photographed at the marching band's offices on the University of Tennessee at Knoxville's campus on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022.

The thing I like about London Band Week is that we will do one performance by ourselves and two combined performances with bands from Europe and another from the US, Stewart said. We will perform at The London Tattoo with The Royal Marine Band at the final performance.

The band will leave for the UK on June 26 and will return on July 3.

We are going to do two or three practices here in Knoxville with the students that are still here. Some of them may have already graduated, said Stewart. There will be one rehearsal in London, but that is about it.

Student interest in the trip was greater than anticipated. We have about 300 of our 350 students going; we are going to have one of the biggest contingencies there, Stewart said. According to London Band Week this may be one of the biggest bands to perform.

Since the weather is usually beautiful in June, Stewart said they will have their full uniforms. Part of this project is not just to see another culture, but to take a little bit of our own, he said.

Band directors are coming up with their combined performances. The music will be based around the coronation (of King Charles III), which would have just happened in May, Stewart said. There will be a lot of what you hear in Neyland Stadium on a Saturday. The traditional school songs  and they will get a whole lot of 'Rocky Top'.

Story continues

The students requested free time. We will do a boat ride on the Thames River. We had to find a boat big enough for the whole band, Stewart said. We are going to go to the Tower of London, take a trip out to Stonehenge and Windsor Castle and watch the changing of the guard at Buckingham Place, but there will be a lot of free time to go shopping or to a Broadway musical.

"The Pride" will be performing in London shortly after the coronation of King Charles III. Although it will be June, they will wear their full uniforms and represent their hometown with "a whole lot of 'Rocky Top'."

While London Band Week has been more than helpful with the logistics, Stewart said the UT administration and Chancellor Donde Plowman have been incredibly supportive.

Instead of asking our students to sell products as a fundraiser, we are asking students to do community events to raise service hours, not money, Stewart said. They can work at KARM, with schoolchildren or with their church and they can collect those hours through the Jones Center for Engagement.

The other fundraising efforts will be through a Volstarter campaign. They can support the whole band for the trip or a specific student, Stewart said. All links can be found at UTBands.com and on their social media pages.

Stewart said they are protective of their students time. Once the football season is over, the marching band ceases to exist and they focus only on select university and athletic events. There is a basketball pep band of about 100 students, and 25-30 band members have performed for the opening of a new Engineering building. And when first lady Jill Biden visited UT to celebrate the Grow Your Own teacher apprenticeship program, they sent 50 students to participate.

The Pride in particular is really a family, Stewart said. Generally speaking, they get along great, and our alumni are a huge part of the process and so supportive.

The biggest challenge, according to Stewart, is preparing a show for every home game. We did seven different shows. We try to produce shows that are challenging but also entertaining for the fans on a weekly basis, he said. It is the equivalent of a football team changing their playbooks for every game. I think that is the biggest challenge; we want to be innovative and be traditional as well.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: University Tennessee Pride Southland Band traveling to England
Photo Illustration by Kelly Caminero / The Daily Beast / Reuters / WikiCommons / Shutterstock

Former Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters spoke (via video) to the United Nations yesterday, calling for a ceasefire in Ukraine. I agree with that message. And for whatever its worth, Im a massive Pink Floyd fan. I wanted to love the speech.

But my heart sank when I heard Waters blandly refer to the Russian Federation while calling Ukraines government the Kyiv Regime. And the ugly and absurd fact hovering over his otherwise moving speech was that he was speaking at the invitation of Russiathe party that started the war in the first place.

Pink Floyd Feud Between Roger Waters and David Gilmour Just Got Uglier

As a matter of pragmatism, Roger Waters is doing peace advocates no favors. Hes just making it easier for western hawks to smear anyone who calls for de-escalation and diplomacy as a Putin apologist. And as a matter of morality, blurring the line between a genuine anti-war position and support for the Russian side of the conflict is a giant middle finger to the people who most deserve our supportthe brave and persecuted anti-war movement within Russia itself.

The Spiral of Escalation

The war started a year ago this month. During the time since, the dial of escalation has only been turned up and up. Every day, dead Ukrainian civilians and dead Russian and Ukrainian soldiers arrive in morgues. Every day, living but dismembered bodies arrive in hospitals.

Russian men have fled to neighboring countries to avoid being pressed into service in an unjust warand have often been sent back by local authorities. Tit-for-tat western and Russian sanctions have fueled a global food crisis that impacts desperate people in distant countries with no connection to either side of the war. And hovering over all of it is the unlikely but terrifying prospect of Americas proxy war with Russia becoming a direct war between the two nuclear-armed powers.

Each new escalation in the level of U.S. involvement in the conflict takes us across lines that were once thought to be uncrossable. In the early phases of the war, leaks about U.S. intelligence aiding in operations to sink Russian ships and assassinate Russian generals were enough to make any rational observer worry about the spiral of escalation. But, at least in those cases, we were just talking about intelligence aid to operations carried out by Ukrainians.

Story continues

Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters is seen speaking on a video screen during a U.N. Security Council meeting on Ukraine at the United Nations headquarters in New York City, U.S., February 8, 2023. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

By December, reports emerged of the intelligence service of an unnamed NATO ally carrying out sabotage operations within Russia itselfwith command and control belonging to the CIA.

In February, the U.S. was sending Ukraine plenty of armsbut the Biden administration ruled out heavier weaponry as too escalatory. By April, theyd blown past that self-imposed line. About a month after that, Branko Marcetic wrote in Responsible Statecraft, the administration was sending advanced rocket systems that just weeks earlier it had considered too escalatory, on the strict condition that Ukraine didnt use them to strike inside Russian territory, something they feared could spark escalation drawing in NATOuntil that line too, was eventually breached.

Back in October, Ukraines Minister of Defense told The New Yorker that before the invasion, when he went to D.C. and asked for 155-millimeter guns, the answer was no. The same for various other kinds of heavier weapons systems hed asked for. Now all of that is a yes. Therefore, he reasonably predicted, tomorrow there will be tanks and ATACMS [the Army Tactical Missile System] and F-16s.

By late January, his prediction seemed to be coming true about the tanks. Oh, and Ukrainian soldiers are on U.S. soil being trained to use U.S. Patriot missiles.

The Case for Diplomacy

None of this means that the conflict will necessarily escalate to a direct military confrontation between the U.S. and Russia, or even that theres a particularly large chance of that happening.

But imagine you had some horrific negative equivalent of a lottery ticket, where your prize was that everyone youd ever known or loved would be wiped out by a global thermonuclear exchange. Even if the chances of that happening were as low as the chances of your winning the Powerball jackpot, the possibility would have you waking up every night in a cold sweat. And even if you think the probability of a U.S./Russia war is that low, every new escalatory development makes it just a little bit higher.

Putting this together with the consequences for global food and fuel suppliesand the immense amount of suffering and death happening in Ukraine itselfand theres a strong case for U.S. intervention of a different sort. That is to say, the U.S. can do what its done in conflicts from Northern Ireland to Israel/Palestine, and use its power and influence to nudge both sides toward a diplomatic resolution.

Were often told that the U.S. taking any initiative toward that end would violate Ukrainian autonomy. Even apart from the fact that such autonomy is reserved for a few decision-makers in a government that Freedom House ranks as slightly less democratic than Victor Orbans Hungary, though, theres something fundamentally absurd about the idea that the United States can pour an ocean of money and armaments into a conflict, and that its intelligence forces can play an increasingly direct role in the fighting, but that U.S. involvement in making peace would be meddling.

In the first phase of the war, it could be argued with at least some plausibility that this level of U.S. involvement was necessary to stave off total Russian victory and Moscow-imposed regime change in Kyivwhich would undeniably have been a horrifying outcome. This assumes that Sen. Bernie Sanders, for example, was wrong to argue at the time that a diplomatic push could have prevented the invasion from happening at all. And that former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is wrong in his recent assessment that both sides were close to a peace deal in the early months of the war that was blocked by the refusal of Ukraines NATO backers to sign off.

Russian Ambassador to the U.N. Vasily Nebenzya listens to Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters speak on a video monitor during a U.N. Security Council meeting on February 8, 2023. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

I suppose well never know. Either way, after the initial Russian offensive was blocked, regime change was off the table and Russia narrowed its war goals. Why wasnt peace on the table then?

Early in the war, it was often argued that U.S. involvement was necessary, not to guarantee eventual Ukrainian victory in a bloody years-long war, but simply to force Russia to the bargaining table and put the Ukrainians in a better negotiating position when that day came.

What the Cuban Missile Crisis Can Teach the U.S. About How to Deal With Russia and Ukraine

Now that the Ukrainians are in that vastly better negotiating position, were often told that asking them to negotiate at all is the height of imperial arrogance and that they have a sacred right to fight with U.S. assistance to reclaim every scrap of disputed territoryeven Crimea, a territory with a largely Russian-aligned population, considered to be part of Russia even by many Russians who hate Putin, and which Russia might in the last resort use tactical nuclear weapons to defend.

In general, the formula seems to be that if Russia is winning, Ukraine must be unconditionally supported with no talk of a ceasefire to put them in a better bargaining position for future negotiations. If Ukraine is winning, only a Putin apologist eager to prevent further wins would want to halt the march toward victory with a ceasefire and peace negotiations.

All this adds up to something like the Red Queens rule about jam in Alice in Wonderland. The rule is, always jam yesterday and jam tomorrow. Never jam today.

Roger Waters is a Gift to Hawks

There are few rational arguments against de-escalation, but the consideration with the most emotional power is that any sort of mutual compromise would be outrageous because, after all, Russia started it. And the thing is, they did.

Whatever Russias points of contention with Ukraine and its western backers over the possibility of Ukrainian NATO membershipwhich has been a stated concern of every Russian leader from former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev onwardor the conflict between the Ukrainian government and Russian-backed separatists in the Donbas, directly sending Russian troops to try to invade the entire country was an insane escalation.

Even in terms of Russian self-interest, it was wildly counterproductive, and on moral and legal levelsas Roger Waters acknowledged in an impatient and cursory way over the course of two sentences of his sixteen-minute speech at the U.N.it was indefensible.

Its true, as Russias few defenders in the West often point out, that under roughly parallel circumstances involving a civil war in Mexico and possible Mexican membership in the Warsaw Pact, the U.S. might well have done what Russia did. Given the history of the U.S. treating Latin America as its sphere of influence, I can imagine that happening.

But speaking for myself, in any such scenario I would be marching in anti-war protests. And many Russians have done exactly that, in circumstances where taking such a stand involves far vastly more risk than similar protests do in the United States.

Western anti-interventionists cant do much to support their counterparts in Russia, but the very least we owe them is our sympathy. When Waters says in interviews that Russias action was probably the most provoked invasion ever or when he calls reports of Russian war crimes supported by the evidence lies, lies, lies, lies, hes siding with the warmongers and spitting in the faces of every brave Russian risking beatings or arrest by protesting Putins war.

A member of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade (Azov Unit) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine prepares to fire 152 mm howitzer 2A65 Msta-B, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near Bahmut, in Donetsk region, Ukraine, February 6, 2023. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

Hawks arent wrong when they point out that if Putin wanted to unilaterally withdraw from all Ukrainian territory and face the domestic political consequences, he could do so. But they are wrong to treat this as the beginning and end of any discussion of de-escalation. The party that started the war is always at the table in peace negotiations, hammering out a messy compromise that falls short of total justice.

Thats what peace negotiations areeverywhere and always. Otherwise, they wouldnt be necessary.

The overwhelming cultural dominance of World War II as the only analogy we ever use to talk about any war makes this harder to see. World War II was a (relatively historically rare) case where total victory by one side was both possible and unambiguously the best outcome. A far more instructive analogy for the war in Ukraine would be World War Ia complicated regional conflict in danger of going global because of wide-ranging military alliances.

Noam Chomsky Is Right, the U.S. Should Work to Negotiate an End to the War in Ukraine

I think its possible to win this argumentbut only if were very clear on what doves arent saying. The anti-war movement 20 years ago could acknowledge that Al Qaedas attack on New York City was indefensible and that Saddam Hussein was an evil dictator without supporting the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. (But really: Can you imagine Noam Chomsky showing up at the U.N. in March 2003 to give a speech at the invitation of Saddam Husseins government?)

Similarly, it should be possible now to mentally walk and chew bubblegum by calling for de-escalation and diplomacy without evincing any sympathy for the other sides war effort. Thats the right stance to take morally, and its also a practical necessity if doves are going to build public support for their position.

So when I see Roger Waters speak at the invitation of the government that started the war, and I see the absurd spectacle of Russias Deputy U.N. Ambassador, Dmitry Polyanskiya man whose job is to justify Putins decision to plunge the world into this mess in the first placepraise Waters as anti-war, I get very angry, because the whole stupid spectacle is an insult to genuinely anti-war voices and a gift to the hawks, served up on a silver platter with whatevers left of Waters rock-god glamor as a garnish.

We desperately need a credible push for peace. The antics of Roger Waters are just one more barrier to that happeninganother brick in the wall.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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More cooperation in investment and trade is expected as Hungarian company and business representatives met in the Hungarian capital with a visiting business delegation from east China's Zhejiang Province that is seeking trade and investment opportunities.

Speaking at the Hungary-Zhejiang Investment and Trade Cooperation Matchmaking Conference on Monday, Erno Peto, president of Hungarian-Chinese Chamber of Economy, said he was glad to welcome "a large Chinese delegation in three years" here in Budapest.

Zhejiang Province is recognized for its importance in the Chinese economy and has an investor-friendly business environment, he said.

"Zhejiang is a good entry point to the Chinese market for Hungarian companies, just as Hungary is a good platform for Chinese companies to enter the European market. I believe that Hungarian investors will be welcomed," Peto added.

Zsanett Ihasz, manager of Chinese Relations of Hungarian Export Promotion Agency, said at the meeting that China and Hungary have established "exemplary and prosperous" business cooperation over the past seven decades, and Hungary has become an important destination country for many Chinese companies as well as an important transit and distribution center for access to the European market.

Hungary highly values all the opportunities to meet its Chinese partners in person, she said, recalling that the two countries have been able to maintain a close relationship in the form of online conferences and business-to-business meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic. "As a result, our relationship has shown unprecedented flexibility."

Ihasz said she believed the event will provide a platform to boost business opportunities between the two countries.

"The (Chinese delegation's) presentations are very impressive. I can see a lot of potentials in China," Giddel Edwin-Uzoaga, a sales manager in the building industry, told Xinhua, naming technological and infrastructural development in Zhejiang.

Edwin-Uzoaga, whose company's business focuses on innovative clean technologies, said he is upbeat about cooperation with China. "I really hope that we can find the right partners that could work with, and maybe set up a joint venture and then see how it goes in the nearest future. "

Along with the meeting, the Chinese delegation also briefed the attendees about this year's China-Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) Expo due to be held in Ningbo City of Zhejiang Province.

According to the delegation, the expo, scheduled for May 16-20, will include about 20 important activities such as forums, brand promotion meetings, e-commerce live broadcasts, so as to create more business opportunities for CEE countries in economic and trade cooperation.

Hungarian businessman Laszlo Regoczi, who said his first business began in Ningbo, told Xinhua he wanted to participate in the expo not only to find some partners for his mineral water business, but also to help his Hungarian friends present at the "fantastic exhibition."

Talking to Xinhua after Monday's event, Peto said the CEEC Expo is very important for the Hungarian companies, and he has attended it for three times.

He said his chamber would try to organize a delegation to the expo this year, while stressing the importance of cooperation.

"We will try to coordinate the neighboring CEE countries to go together to the Ningbo fair. Even they will have their own country booth or pavilion, companies must cooperate. That's the future," said Peto.

Peto also noted that he is "very positive" about Chinese economy after the country downgraded its COVID-19 control measures early January.

"China has made an incredible high and good development in the past two decades. China is a key player for the recovery of the world economy," he said.

Noting multiple investment banks have upwardly revised their forecasts for China's growth rate in 2023, Peto told Xinhua that is "very important not only for the Chinese economy but for the world economy."
Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) on Thursday defended President Bidens reaction to the flight of a Chinese surveillance balloon across the United States and said he agreed with the presidents decision to shoot it down off the coast of South Carolina.

Romney said he was satisfied with answers he received from senior administration officials, including Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, at an all-senators classified briefing on the incident.

My questions were satisfactorily answered and I believe the administration, the president, our military and our intelligence agencies acted skillfully and with care. At the same time, their capabilities are extraordinarily impressive, Romney told reporters after the briefing.

Romney said the administration could have done some things differently but noted its always easy to second-guess decisions in hindsight.

Was everything done 100 percent correctly? I cant imagine that would be the case of almost anything we do, he said.

Asked if he agreed with the decision to shoot down the balloon, Romney answered: Yes.

Romney broke with fellow GOP senators who say the administration should have shot down the balloon as soon as it entered U.S. airspace over Alaska and should have briefed congressional leaders sooner on the potential threat.

China sent a spy balloon to fly all across America. The Biden administration had a chance to shoot it down over Alaska and they chose to let it spy all across America, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) told reporters after the briefing.

Cotton said the balloon could have been equipped with a weapon, which is why he believes the military should have intercepted it immediately.

We all know it was a spy balloon trying to collect information across the United States. I will say that you dont know that in advance though, he said. Thats why we shouldnt let Chinese aircraft float on their merry way all across the United States.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Russian troops are systematically shelling Kherson after the deoccupation of the city

The invaders used artillery, multiple launch rocket systems, and mortars for their attacks.

Read also: Invaders launched 65 attacks on Kherson Oblast in the past 24 hours, killing two and injuring nine

The city of Kherson itself was shelled six times. A childrens rehabilitation center and residential buildings were damaged by the strikes.

According to the administration, three people were killed by Russian shelling in the past day, while another four sustained injuries of varying severity, including a 15-year-old boy. He received a mild concussion and was provided with medical assistance at the scene.

Russian troops have regularly struck Kherson since it was liberated by Ukrainian forces in early November.

Read also: Only 20% of population left in Kherson, says press officer

The day before, on Feb. 7, two employees of the local water utility were seriously injured as a result of enemy shelling.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Russian occupiers have prepared 1,800 tanks, 3,950 armoured vehicles, 2,700 artillery systems, 810 multiple-rocket-launch systems, 400 fighter jets, and 300 helicopters ready for a new offensive operation in Ukraine.

Source: Foreign Policy, citing a Ukrainian military official, speaking on condition of anonymity

Quote: "Russia has also begun arming up and digging in for a coming offensive. The Ukrainian military estimates that Russia already has 1,800 tanks, 3,950 armoured vehicles, 2,700 artillery systems, 810 Soviet-era multiple-rocket-launch systems such as Grad and Smerch, 400 fighter jets, and 300 helicopters ready for a new wave of attacks."

Details: Ukrainian officials estimate that Russian forces inside the country have surpassed the 300,000 mark.

Estimates of Russias presence in Ukraine are significantly higher than the invading force that Russian President Vladimir Putin used to invade the country last February  and this time, they are highly concentrated in eastern Ukraine.

The Pentagon has described the Russian troops that have already been rushed to the battlefield to plug up defensive holes as "ill-equipped, ill-trained, rushed," according to a senior U.S. military official.

The Pentagon believes that the Kremlin has begun sending in tens of thousands of troops to replace losses suffered from ongoing battles in the cities of Bakhmut and Soledar, but Kyiv believes that Putin could go even further, drafting more new troops around the 24 February anniversary of the full-scale invasion.

"Its much bigger than what took place in the first wave," the Ukrainian military official said. "They are not paying attention to any casualties or losses."

"In the next 10 days, we expect a new, huge invasion," he said.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov said that he expected a surge in Russian operations around the upcoming anniversary of the invasion on 24 February.

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Analysts and Ukrainian officials expect the brewing offensive to focus on eastern Ukraine.

The U.S. and Western officials now estimate that about 200,000 Russian troops have been killed or wounded in battle.

Background:

Oleksii Reznikov, Ukraines Defence Minister, has stated that the country's defence forces expect Russian offensive operations before the symbolic date of 24 February, when the full-scale invasion began; however, he urged people to trust only official information.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that Russians want to try to recoup last year's failures in February, but Ukraine must survive.

The Financial Times, with reference to an unnamed adviser to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has reported that Russia plans to launch a new large-scale offensive within the next 10 days.

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Stoltenberg said that Ukraine needs weapons to win back its territories and defeat Russia

Regrettably, we see no sign that Russia is preparing for peace, Stoltenberg said during a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington, DC.

Read also: NATOs Stoltenberg urges more advanced weapons for Ukraine

On the contrary, Moscow is preparing for new military offensives. So we must continue to provide Ukraine with the weapons it needs to retake territory, and prevail as a sovereign, independent nation.

On Feb. 5, UK business newspaper the Financial Times, citing sources in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, reported that a large-scale offensive by the Russian invaders would begin within the next 10 days  before Ukraine receives a new supply of Western weapons. It stated that Kyiv had obtained very solid intelligence of Russias intent to launch it.

Read also: Russia preparing new offensive in coming weeks, Ukrainian official says

Ukrainian intelligence services reported that Russian troops may launch this new offensive in the Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhya oblasts.

According to the Bloomberg news agency, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin expects this new offensive will allow the invaders to seize the initiative from Ukraine. Putin is resolved to prosecuting the full-scale war against Ukraine for many years, the publication wrote.



Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Russias Wagner Group halts prisoner recruitment campaign, claims Prigozhin

When asked by Russian propaganda media to comment, Prigozhin said that the recruitment of prisoners by the Wagner private military company has completely stopped, without giving the reasons for such a decision.

Read also: Russian Defense Minister is in conflict with Wagner PMC

We are fulfilling all our obligations to those who work for us now, he said.

It became known in the summer of 2022 that Wagner had begun to recruit Russian prisoners to participate in Russias full-scale war against Ukraine. In October, Russian publication Vazhnye Istorii wrote that the Ministry of Defense of Russia is also engaged in recruitment.

Meanwhile, according to Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak, the Wagner mercenaries press-ganged 38,244 prisoners in order to use them in the full-scale war against Ukraine. As of mid-January, 29,543 of them had already been neutralized.

Read also: Russias Wagner mercenary company trying to humiliate Russian Defense Ministry  ISW

According to Olga Romanova, head of the non-governmental organization Russia Behind Bars, only 10,000 out of the 50,000 Russian prisoners recruited by Kremlins Wagner Group to participate in a full-scale war against Ukraine have continued to serve, while the rest have been killed, wounded, missing, surrendered, or deserted.

On Jan. 26, the United States recognized Wagner as a transnational criminal organization. A few days later, the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraines parliament, made a similar recognition.

On Feb. 3, British intelligence said that the role of the prisoners and Wagner PMC in the war against Ukraine has declined.

Read also: Regular Russian army likely to replace exhausted Wagner Group forces in Bakhmut offensive

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The Russian authorities plan to install a facial recognition system at nine border checkpoints on the borders with Poland, Lithuania, China and Kazakhstan by the end of 2023.

Source: Meduza, a Latvia-based Russian media outlet, and Polygon media, an independent online publication

Details: Rosgranstroy [Russian border building company] posted the corresponding tender for 830 million roubles [approximately US$11.5 million] on the public procurement website.

It is reported that video analytics systems at entrances and exits across the state border will be installed at checkpoints:

on the Russian-Chinese border (Zabaykalsk, Pogranichnyi, Kraskino),

on the borders with Poland and Lithuania (Bagrationovsk, Mamonovo, Chernyshevskoye),

on the Russian-Kazakh border (Mashtakovo, Orsk, Sagarchin).

The terms of reference state that the system should "automatically analyse face images" to identify drivers.

According to the document, this is necessary to compare the driver's face at the entrance and exit from the checkpoint.

But the publication drew attention to the fact that at the same time, the system must compare the driver's face in the image with all the data stored in a certain "biometric database or a certain list". The tender does not specify what these lists or databases are.

The equipment must be delivered by 25 November 2023.

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The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has noted that Russian forces have begun a major offensive in Luhansk Oblast, but Ukrainian forces are currently preventing them from securing any significant gains.

Source: ISW

Details: According to the ISW, Russian forces have regained the initiative in Ukraine and have begun a major offensive in Luhansk Oblast.

The pace of Russian operations along the Svatove-Kreminna line in the western part of Luhansk Oblast has increased markedly over the past week, and Russian sources are widely reporting that conventional Russian troops are attacking Ukrainian defensive lines and making marginal advances along the Kharkiv-Luhansk Oblast border, particularly northwest of Svatove near Kupiansk and west of Kreminna.

The ISW noted that geolocated combat footage has confirmed Russian gains in the Dvorichna area northwest of Svatove.

The commitment of significant elements of at least three major Russian divisions to offensive operations in this sector indicates the Russian offensive has begun, even if Ukrainian forces are so far preventing Russian forces from securing significant gains.

The Russian offensive, as the ISW suggests, has not yet reached its full pace; Russian command has not yet committed elements of the 2nd Motorised Rifle Division (1st Guards Tank Army, Western Military District), which were deployed in Luhansk Oblast in January after being deployed to Belarus.

While Russian forces in Luhansk Oblast now have the initiative (in that Russian forces are setting the terms of battle, ending the period of Ukrainian initiative from August 2022), the full commitment of these forces could lead to their eventual culmination along the Svatove-Kreminna line, without achieving their objectives of capturing all of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts.

"That culmination would likely provide a window of opportunity for Ukrainian forces to exploit with their own counteroffensive," says the report.

The "Peoples Militia" of the non-recognised "Donetsk Peoples Republic" (DPR) command reportedly assumed control over a Russian artillery battalion, likely in support of an effort to strengthen depleted DPR forces ahead of an imminent Russian offensive.

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The ISW has not previously observed Russian personnel subordinated to a DPR formation and this claim, if true, would suggest that Russian forces may be reinforcing the depleted DPR formations with mobilised personnel from Russia itself because DPR formations are unable to replenish losses on their own.

ISW pointed out that the Russian Defence Ministry will likely struggle to upgrade the poor effectiveness of forces of the "Donetsk People's Republic" and "Luhansk People's Republic" through the rapid integration of Russian personnel.

The ISW report also said that Russian officials continue to propose measures to prepare Russias military industry for a protracted war in Ukraine while also likely setting further conditions for sanctions evasion.

Russian officials also likely proposed these measures in coordination with a recent decree excluding Russian officials from requirements to list income declarations and proposals to repeal federal procurement procedures.

The Kremlin may be creating a system of subsidies and benefits designed to have little oversight or accounting.

The ISW noted that the lack of oversight and accounting would likely allow Russian firms to better evade international sanctions targeting Russias military industry.

"The Kremlins effort to prepare the Russian military industry for a protracted war in Ukraine in part relies on the ability of Russian military industry to have consistent access to multiple secure supply chains of key foreign components that it otherwise cannot produce," the ISW summed up.

Key ISW Takeaways as of 8 February:

Russian forces have regained the initiative in Ukraine and have begun their next major offensive in Luhansk Oblast.

The commitment of significant elements of at least three major Russian divisions to offensive operations in this sector indicates the Russian offensive has begun, even if Ukrainian forces are so far preventing Russian forces from securing significant gains.

Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR) Peoples Militia command reportedly assumed control over a Russian artillery battalion, likely in support of an effort to strengthen degraded DPR forces ahead of an imminent Russian offensive.

The reported subordination of Russian mobilised personnel to DPR formations could also suggest that Russian military command may be continuing efforts to integrate ad hoc DPR and Luhansk Peoples Republic (LPR) formations into the Russian Armed Forces, but will likely face significant difficulties.

Russian officials continue to propose measures to prepare Russias military industry for a protracted war in Ukraine while also likely setting further conditions for sanctions evasion.

Russian forces continued offensive actions northwest of Svatove and intensified offensive operations near Kreminna.

Russian forces conducted limited ground attacks in the Avdiivka-Donetsk City area and western Donetsk Oblast.

Russian and Ukrainian forces reportedly continue small-scale skirmishes and reconnaissance activity in the Dnipro River delta and on the Kinburn Spit.

The Wagner Group is reportedly resorting to more coercive tactics in its prison recruitment campaign, possibly in response to the campaigns declining effectiveness.

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Dozens of industry exhibitions are scheduled to be held in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, in February and March, aiming to boost trade and business activity, according to the local commerce authority.

A three-day national forest firefighting and emergency rescue equipment exhibition was started on Wednesday in the city's Huadu district, attracting domestic and overseas players to display new products and technologies in forest firefighting.

Following the fifth National Forest Firefighting and Emergency Rescue Equipment Exhibition, the first event following the Spring Festival holiday, more than 50 exhibitions covering the industries of manufacturing, automobiles, furniture, medical treatment, industrial design, food and animation will be held in the city within two months.

The Guangzhou Bureau of Commerce will make more efforts to create a safe exhibition environment for exhibitors by announcing financial subsidies for exhibition enterprises.

In 2022, nearly 60 million yuan ($8.85 million) in financial support was given to exhibition enterprises in Guangzhou, which organized about 200 exhibition events, against headwinds including lowered demand in the international market and the COVID-19 resurgence.

The import and export volume of Guangzhou, a traditional trading city in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, increased 1.10 percent year-on-year to 1.09 trillion yuan in 2022, according to the local statistics authority.

Of the exhibition events, an international beauty expo, with an exhibition area of over 200,000 square meters, will be held on March 10-12.

An international furniture expo, with an exhibition area of more than 500,000 sq m, is scheduled to open with two sessions in March, helping to attract hundreds of international buyers from the United States, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Poland and some other countries and regions.

"Professional trade exhibitions help us to better meet international buyers," said Yang Shan, chairman of Skymen Group, a Shenzhen-based company engaged in ultrasonic cleaning industry.

Additionally, the China Import and Export Fair, or Canton Fair, the country's biggest trade event in exhibition size and transaction volume, will fully resume offline this year, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

"The resumption of large offline trade events helps domestic exporters promote trade with international partners on a firmer footing," said Li Xingqian, director-general of the ministry's department of foreign trade.

The 133rd Canton Fair is scheduled to open on April 15th in Guangzhou. The event's organizers have so far sent 950,000 invitations to domestic and foreign buyers and 177 global partners.

Following the operation of the fourth phase of the Pazhou International Convention and Exhibition Center, the exhibition hall area of the fair will expand to 1.5 million sq m and the number of offline booths is expected to increase to nearly 70,000, according to the organizers.
During 9 February Russians launched attacks on seven territorial hromadas (an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories  ed.) in Sumy Oblast. There were 97 strikes. There were reports of people injured and buildings damaged.

Source: Sumy Oblast Military Administration on Facebook

Details: In the Yunakivka hromada, there were 10 strikes. As a result of a mortar attack on one of the villages, a private house was damaged and a local resident was injured.

In the Bilopillia hromada, three private houses were damaged due to a mortar attack. An outbuilding caught fire.

In the Esman hromada, a few buildings were damaged in a settlement as a result of a mortar attack. There were no victims.

Apart from this, as a result of a mortar attack on one of the villages in the Znob-Novhorodske hromada, an outbuilding was damaged.

There was no damage in other hromadas.

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At least two people were killed and seven more sustained injuries after Russian attacks on Donetsk Oblast on 8 February.

Source: Pavlo Kyrylenko, Head of the Donetsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote from Kyrylenko: "Two residents of Donetsk Oblast were killed by the Russians in Bakhmut over the course of 8 February. Seven more people in the Oblast sustained injuries."

Details: In particular, five people were injured in the city of Bakhmut, one in Novoekonomichne and one more in the village of Semenivka.

As of the morning of 9 February, the Russians have killed at least 1,354 and have wounded at least 3,009 civilians in Donetsk Oblast.

Kyrylenko noted that these numbers are incomplete, as it remains impossible to determine the number of people killed and injured in Mariupol and Volnovakha.

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Ukrainian intelligence believes that Russian authorities of Crimea have begun to prepare for the de-occupation of the Ukrainian peninsula. In particular, they will intensively control transport and prepare places for "temporary accommodation of people".

Source: Main Directorate of Intelligence

Details: Ukrainian intelligence reports that the Russian occupation administration of Crimea and the local department of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) issued "a decision to establish a high (yellow) level of terrorist danger".

According to the document, a high level of threat is established in the settlements of Armiansk, Dzhankoi, Kerch, Krasnoperekopsk, as well as in the Dzhankoi, Krasnoperekopsk and Lenine (Yedi Quyu) districts of Crimea.

A similar level of threat is declared at subordinate facilities of the so-called Ministries of Transport, Housing and Communal services, Health, Fuel and Energy, Industrial Policy and the Committee on Water Management and Land Reclamation.

The validity period of measures is unlimited  until a decision is made to cancel them.

The decision states that the FSB units operating in Crimea and the linear branch of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation need to strengthen control over the movement of vehicles on the peninsula.

In particular, control over the movement of Russian citizens and foreigners with mandatory registration of temporary residence is being strengthened.

Units of the Ministry of Emergency Situations were ordered to conduct an audit of special equipment for carrying out "rescue operations".

Local administrations should provide places for "temporary accommodation of people".

The Ministry of Health is responsible for preparing facilities for emergency care and medical evacuation.

Ukrainian intelligence suggests that such measures are a sign of preparations for the beginning of the de-occupation of Crimea by Ukrainian defenders.

Story continues

Quote: "Such security measures by Russians are a sign of preparations for the start of the operation to liberate Crimea by the Ukrainian Defence Forces.

It may also indicate the possibility of provocations by the Russian special services against the civilian population of the peninsula, followed by shifting the responsibility onto Ukraine."

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On Wednesday, the Russian occupiers tried to break through the defence of the Ukrainian border guards on one of the fronts of Donetsk Oblast in small groups; they lost personnel and retreated.

Source: Press office of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine

Details: State Border Guard Service of Ukraine reports that the rifle units of the Russian occupying forces tried to break through the line of defence of the border guards and develop an offensive in case of success.

Russian troops, as reported by the border guards, planned to wedge themselves into the area of fire positions of the Ukrainian defenders in small tactical groups.

However, they could not pass through the area of fire damage. Russians also used a reserve to reach the stronghold.

Quote: "The enemy's infantry move was stopped by the mortar fire of border guards. The attackers reduced the offensive pace and laid down.

Constant fire from mortars, small arms, and group weapons forced the Russians to retreat. The attempt to break through cost the invaders casualties  5 people were killed and 13 wounded."

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KHARTOUM (Reuters) -Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met officials in Sudan on Thursday as part of an African tour seeking to expand Moscow's influence at a time when Western nations have sought to isolate it with sanctions over the war in Ukraine.

Lavrov arrived in Khartoum late on Wednesday, and the talks aimed to increase economic and diplomatic coordination as well as infrastructure investment, Sudan's foreign ministry said.

The veteran Russian foreign minister's tour has also included Iraq, Mauritania and Mali, following a visit last week to South Africa.

"We discussed the need to coordinate within international institutions, reform the (U.N.) Security Council, and build a multipolar world," Lavrov told a news conference.

Sudan was cut off from billions of dollars in international financing after military leaders ousted a Western-backed transitional government in 2021. At the same time as receiving Lavrov, Khartoum was this week hosting envoys from the United States, Britain, France and other countries that are supporting talks to form a new democratic civilian government in Sudan.

"Western delegations are following our steps and trying to hinder our efforts towards having a multipolar world," Lavrov said.

Western countries are concerned about Russia's widening sway in Africa's Sahel and its border regions. Sudan's ruling military council has previously considered allowing Russia to open a naval base on the Red Sea coast, a strategic region where Gulf countries and Turkey also vie for influence.

Reuters could not immediately establish whether the base was on Lavrov's agenda during his Khartoum visit.

Lavrov acknowledged the existence of Russian mining companies operating in Sudan and said that agreement had been reached previously on a naval base but was awaiting Sudanese legislation to implement it. Such a deal had been reached under President Omar al-Bashir, who was toppled in a 2019 uprising.

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Western diplomats and official sources have said that Russia's Wagner Group private military contractor has worked in Sudan to expand gold mining, among other activities.

Sudan's foreign ministry has previously denied the presence of Wagner, which is owned by Yevgeny Prigozhin, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Lavrov acknowledged the presence of Wagner contractors in neighbouring Central African Republic and praised an announcement by Sudan's deputy ruling council head General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo that the border between the countries had been closed, saying it would stop the spread of militants.

Dagalo, head of the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and better known as Hemedti, visited Russia the day before its Feb. 24, 2022 invasion of Ukraine and expressed openness to hosting a Russian base.

While Bashir courted Russian support, civilian Sudanese parties that shared power with the army after his overthrow until the coup 15 months ago formed closer ties with the West.

In Khartoum, Lavrov met his counterpart Ali al-Sadeq as well as the head of Sudan's ruling council, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and Hemedti.

(Reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz, writing by Nafisa Eltahir; editing by Aidan Lewis, Frank Jack Daniel and Mark Heinrich)
MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia's Wagner mercenary group has stopped recruiting prisoners to fight in Ukraine, Wagner's founder Yevgeny Prigozhin said on Thursday.

"The recruitment of prisoners by the Wagner private military company has completely stopped," Prigozhin said in a response to a request for comment from a Russian media outlet published on social media.

"We are fulfilling all our obligations to those who work for us now," he said.

Wagner began recruiting prisoners in Russia's sprawling penal system in summer 2022, with Prigozhin, a catering entrepreneur who served nine years in prison during the Soviet Union, offering convicts a pardon if they survived six months in Ukraine.

Wagner has not provided information on how many convicts joined its ranks, but Russian penal service figures published in November showed the country's prison population dropping by over 20,000 between August and November, the largest drop in over a decade.

According to figures published in January, the decline had largely stopped.

In December, Reuters reported that the U.S. intelligence community believes that Wagner had 40,000 convict fighters deployed in Ukraine, making up the vast majority of the group's personnel in the country.

The Wagner Group has in recent months played an increasingly prominent role in Russia's war in Ukraine, with the mercenary force spearheading a months-long assault on the Donetsk region town of Bakhmut.

Previously secretive, Wagner and its founder Prigozhin have assumed an ever more public profile against the backdrop of the fighting in Ukraine, with Prigozhin criticising Russia's military leadership and certain officials.

In January, Russian state media released footage of Prigozhin meeting the first group of convict fighters to complete their stints in Ukraine and receive pardons.

In one video, Prigozhin was seen telling fighters: "Remember life has given you this chance: you didnt dodge the honour, you didnt arse it up: you defended the Motherland, all of you were ready to die in these past 180 days".

(Reporting by Reuters; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
The parents and sister of Halyna Hutchins, pictured in 2018, are suing Alec Baldwin over her death on the Rust set. (Photo: Mat Hayward/Getty Images for AMC Networks)

The parents and sister of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was killed on the Rust set in 2021, filed a lawsuit against Alec Baldwin and others involved with the production over her death.

Attorney Gloria Allred is representing those family members  Halyna's dad and mom, Anatoly and Olga Androsovych, and her sister Svetlana, who live in Ukraine  and held a press conference in Los Angeles on Thursday. The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court against defendants Baldwin, the producers of Rust and many others including in the film including armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed, first assistant director Dave Halls, prop master Sarah Zachary and ammunition supplier Seth Kenney.

The lawsuit alleges battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and loss of consortium for the plaintiffs. Allred explained that the consortium claim "seeks to recover compensation for damages to certain relationships that are mutually dependent," noting Halyna financially supported her family.

"Halyna was the light in their lives," Allred said. "The tragic loss of their daughter and sister is heartbreaking" and they are coping with it while living in war-torn Ukraine, where Olga is an ER nurse. Her death is a "wound that will last forever."

It was noted that the family's plan was always for Halyna "to bring her family to the United States so that they could be together"  a dream that will now "never happen." Yet they hope to eventually be able to live in the U.S. and "be an important part" in the lives of grandson Andros and son-in-law Matthew Hutchins.

In a video, Svetlana said the death of her sibling has been "one of my biggest losses of my life" and said the health of their parents has "sharply declined." Olga was too emotional to speak.

Allred, who shared photos of Halyna with her family members, said the family is close with Matthew and supported his decision to settle his lawsuit with Baldwin and Rust producers last year.

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When asked about the differences between the two lawsuits, Allred said the settlement for Matthew "was for [him] and his child. We are now representing others in the family  mom, dad, and sister  and there has been no settlement for them. Matter of fact, there has been no outreach to them by Mr. Baldwin to even say he was sorry. So we want accountability and justice for them. It's as simple as that."

Svetlana and Olga Androsovych, sister and mother of Halyna Hutchins. (Photo: Family of Halyna Hutchins)

Olga Androsovych with her daughter Halyna and grandson Andros. (Photo: Family of Halyna Hutchins)

Halyna Hutchins and her sister Svetlana. (Photo: Family of Halyna Hutchins)

Halyna, Olga and Svetlana (Photo: Family of Halyna Hutchins)

Anatoly Androsovych with Andros (Photo: Family of Halyna Hutchins)

Halyna, a rising star in her field, was shot  by a gun held by Baldwin  while setting up a camera shot during rehearsal on the New Mexico set of the low-budget Western film. Baldwin, who was charged last month with two counts of involuntary manslaughter with prosecutors alleging he was "distracted" during gun training and showed "reckless deviation" from standard safety protocols on set, has maintained he did not pull the trigger despite the FBI forensic report finding that the gun couldn't fire without the trigger being pulled.

Armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who oversaw the of handling weapons on set, was also charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter. First assistant director Dave Halls  who Baldwin said told him the gun was "cold," meaning it contained no live ammunition  made a plea agreement with prosecutors to negligent use of a deadly weapon charges. The film's director, Joel Souza, was struck by the same round, but survived.

It's still unclear how a live round made it onto the set in the first place, and Gutierrez Reed denied knowledge of it. Her attorneys have said she was under "extreme pressure" and was "rushed" on the set as she juggled two jobs, and vow she "will be exonerated of wrongdoing."

Baldwin and Gutierrez Reed are scheduled to make their first court appearance, which will be remote, on Feb. 24. Halls's plea conference is scheduled for March 8.

As noted, Matthew settled a lawsuit with Rust producers, of which Baldwin was one, filed on behalf of himself and the couple's young son in October. Part of the settlement terms include Matthew taking the role of executive producer on Rust, which is supposed to resume production with Baldwin in the lead role.

After the criminal charges were filed, Matthew's attorney Brian Panish said in a statement they supported the charges, saying their own independent investigation also supported charges. "It is comfort to the family that, in New Mexico, no one is above the law."

Luke Nikas, an attorney for Baldwin, said the decision to file criminal charges "distorts Halyna Hutchins's tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice. Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun  or anywhere on the movie set. He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds. We will fight these charges, and we will win."

There have been other lawsuits filed in the wake of the fatal on-set shooting. Allred is also representing Rust script supervisor Mamie Mitchell against Baldwin and his finance company El Dorado Pictures, Inc., for injuries she claims she sustained when he "discharged a loaded gun towards" her.
Rylan Clark, Emma Willis and Oti Mabuse are taking on a Comic Relief challenge. (PA)

Rylan Clark, Oti Mabuse and Emma Willis have told of the freezing conditions they are currently facing while tackling a Scottish mountain climb for Comic Relief.

Former Big Brother hosts Clark and Willis have joined forced with Dancing On Ice judge and ex Strictly dancer Mabuse to raise money in a Red Nose Day challenge where they are trying to reach the snow-capped summit of Cairngorm mountain.

Read more: Apprentice candidate forced to drop out of show over ill health

The trio set out on Wednesday and camped overnight in sub-zero temperatures, before pushing on with their 40lb (18kg) backpacks on a night of little sleep.

Clark told the PA news agency on Thursday: My body is shot. Ive managed to somehow bruise my face (and) my collarbones from the rucksack so today carrying that (will) be quite difficult.

The hikers are carrying heavy backpacks. (PA)

Ive not actually slept, which is quiet gutting because my sleeping bag didnt fit me. Its been a bit of a nightmare so far.

Asked if he thinks he can make it on the second day, he said: Ive not really got a choice in an ideal world, I would just get on a plane and go home, but then Ive not done the challenge so I need to just keep going.

Luckily, the girls have slept, so Im sure theyre going to be dragging me through today.

Read more: Everything we know about Britain's Got Talent 2023 so far

The Circle presenter Willis said that they were too scared to leave the tent from 7.30pm until 6.30am due to outside temperatures being around minus 2C.

Emma Willis, Rylan Clark and Oti Mabuse are trying to reach the top of Cairngorm mountain. (PA)

She said: I feel like Ive been awake every hour because every time you turn over you wake up so its kind of delirious asleep. I think Ive slept but actually I feel like Ive been awake all night.

She added: So weve kind of had a really good downtime from (the backpacks) but I think the minute we put them on this morning, its going to be pretty savage again.

Mabuse added: When we got to camp, I fell to my knees and I felt like crying at the end of the day one; day two is even more walking.

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The trio still need to reach the summit of the mountain, which is 4,085ft (1,245m) above sea level.

Oti Mabuse is one of the judges on Dancing On Ice 2023. (ITV)

Mabuse said it has been quite hectic for her as she finished judging ITVs Dancing On Ice on Sunday and then got ready to hike the mountain this week.

She added: Im (going to) hope that we will be fast enough and we actually make it but, you know what, its what I do. Im (going to) show up anyway (on Sunday for the show) and Im (going to) give 100% of my best.

I feel like Im (going to) struggle. I feel like therell be a lot of pep talking. I had to put on an audio book to kind of disappear and go into my mind so that I can get over it.

A documentary, Frozen: Emma, Oti and Rylans Red Nose Day Challenge, will air on BBC One and iPlayer in the run-up to the charity day on 17 March.
Two months after a woman sued the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office over claims that a deputy pursued her online and offered to pay for sexually explicit photos of her the county has agreed to settle the lawsuit, her lawyer says.

Sacramento civil rights attorney Mark Merin said the county agreed to settle the lawsuit, which originally asked for more than $1 million in damages, for a $40,000 payment.

This is an example of the way things should work, Merin said Thursday after his office filed court papers seeking to dismiss the suit.

Merin said conversations with the countys claims administrator led to a fairly quick agreement to settle the case. Merins office has handled numerous lawsuits against law enforcement and other entities ranging into settlements of millions of dollars.

This case involved a suicidal 21-year-old woman, identified in court papers as Jane Doe, who accused Deputy Patrick Walker of inappropriate contact after he responded to a call for help for her last July.

The lawsuit said the contacts included discussion by Walker of a sexual relationship with her, as well as an offer to pay her for sexually explicit photographs and recordings.

The suit also said Walker sent photos of himself to the woman while in uniform inside the Sheriffs Office locker room to gain her trust and badgered her for photos of herself.

The Sheriffs Office has said an internal affairs investigation of the claims was underway.
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Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has resumed direct regular passenger flights to South Asia for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic started.

China Southern Airlines resumed its regular passenger flights between Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang, and Islamabad in Pakistan on Wednesday after three years of suspension due to COVID-19.

More than 160 passengers, mostly overseas students and business people, took the flights to and from Islamabad on Wednesday, according to the Xinjiang subsidiary of China Southern Airlines.

One passenger surnamed Xiang, who engages in trade and regularly travels between China and Pakistan, said that the resumption of the direct service could greatly shorten travel time and help him grasp market opportunities more quickly.

The airline is scheduled to operate one-round trip per week.
A Salisbury woman accused of murdering her boyfriend by serving him antifreeze chemicals was held without bail following her arraignment in Superior Court Thursday.

Judy Church, 64, was previously indicted on first-degree murder charges in Salem Superior Court in December, according to Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker. Prosecutors allege Church served her boyfriend ethylene glycol, a toxic chemical used in antifreeze.

Church called an ambulance for her boyfriend, Leroy Fowler, at approximately 8 p.m. on November 11.

Church is next scheduled to appear in court on March 21.

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Sangita Patel shared a stunning look with her Instagram followers. (Photo via Instagram/ @sangita.patel)

Sangita Patel is impressing fans with her latest look.

On Wednesday, the 43-year-old Toronto-native took to Instagram to share a video of herself wearing a ruched, strapless bodycon dress to her 152,000 Instagram followers. Patel completed her look with a pair of open-toe stilettos, voluminous hair and a soft makeup look.

"Unequivocally obsessed with this dress! Keeper, right?!" the "ET Canada" host captioned the clip.

In the comments, fans swooned over Patel's gorgeous look and praised her stunning sense of style.

"Very classy," an Instagram user wrote. "You look stunning!"

"I mean it's OK," joked another.

"This is what you call sitting pretty, literally," another commented alongside a heart and flame emoji.

Someone added: "You are stunning!"

"Definitely saying yes to the dress!" a fan shared.

One person chimed in: "You're gorgeous!"

In December, the mom-of-two wowed fans with another stunning dress after sharing a set of photos from a War Child Canada charity event that she recently hosted in Toronto, Ont.

In the snaps, Patel posed in a brown sequinned gown with a halter top. She paired the look with gold sandals. In the caption, the TV host explained that despite the stunning outfit that she, her stylist, and her daughter put together, she wasn't feeling her best due to jet lag.

"Jet lagged!" she shared. "I washed my hair, put on some makeup  Ava unpacked the dress from Maria Chowdhery, picked these heels, and bam, ready to host! Oh, and lots of coffee."

Patel added that War Child Canada "has a special place in my heart, and every time I am in awe of what they are able to do. This year was no different. Hosting friends is always so much fun."

Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
Survivors and families of the victims of a mass shooting at a Texas high school settled a lawsuit with companies that sold and shipped ammunition to the gunman, attorneys announced Thursday.

The "first-of-its-kind agreement" requires the seller to maintain an age verification system at the point of sale for all ammunition sales, according to Everytown Law, the litigation arm of Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund.

Everytown said it could not comment further on the agreement or say if there was a monetary settlement.

The settlement comes nearly five years after a 17-year-old student fatally shot 10 of his classmates and teachers and wounded 13 others at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas, using his parents' firearms and ammunition he purchased online at LuckyGunner.com.

Green and gold ribbons decorate the columns of Santa Fe High School, where 10 people were killed and 12 injured in a May 18, 2018 shooting. (Photo: Monica Rhor/USA TODAY Network)

Federal law says children shouldn't be allowed to buy handgun ammunition

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone under 18 to purchase handgun ammunition, and the age rises to 21 if the ammunition is bought from a licensed dealer.

Yet the gunman "seamlessly and quickly" made two purchases on the site, each in "less than two minutes," according to the lawsuit. The suit alleged Tennessee-based LuckyGunner, LLC intentionally set up an online sales system through which it would not know or verify the ages of its customers.

A related company, Tennessee-based Red Stag Fulfillment, LLC, shipped Luckygunners ammunition to the shooter also without conducting any age verification.

The gunman made his first ammunition purchase in March 2018, two weeks after the deadly mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida. He carried out the attack that May.

Parents mourn child killed in Santa Fe High School mass shooting

Sabika Aziz Sheikh, an exchange student from Pakistan, was killed in the shooting.

"Nothing will ever bring Sabika back," Farah Naz, Sabikas mother, said in a press release. "But we hope that this agreement sends a message to other sellers of dangerous products: its your responsibility to prevent your products from ending up in the wrong hands."

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The settlement comes after the Texas Supreme Court last year rejected an appeal by LuckyGunner, which argued it was entitled to immunity under federal law.

"Sabikas killer should never have been able to go online and buy ammunition with a few clicks," Abdul Aziz, Sabikas father, said in the release. "I rest easier knowing that this settlement agreement will prevent future illegal sales."

Rhonda Hart and her son Tyler, 12, pet their dog Mario at their apartment in Santa Fe, Texas, on Sunday, May 26, 2019. Rhonda Harts daughter, Kimberly Vaughn was one of the students killed in the May 2018 shooting at Santa Fe High School where a 17-year-old gunman killed eight students and two teachers and injured 13 others.

LuckyGunner says it 'followed all laws'

In a statement Thursday, LuckyGunner said it "followed all laws in completing the sales" and blamed "anti-Second Amendment groups" for targeting the firearms and ammunition industry "to promote their agenda."

In reference to the settlement, Jake Felde, CEO of LuckyGunner, said the company "didn't agree to do anything we weren't already doing." The company characterized the settlement as the suit being "dismissed."

Age verification should be required on all ammunition sales, advocates say

Alla Lefkowitz, Senior Director of Affirmative Litigation at Everytown Law, said age verification for ammunition sales is a "no-brainer."

"It simply should not be possible for a minor to go online and have ammunition shipped to their house, no questions asked. As we work to hold the gun industry accountable for its role in the gun violence epidemic, other online sellers should follow LuckyGunners lead and implement age verification processes," Lefkowitz said.

Dig deeper

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas school shooting survivors settle with online ammunition seller
HOUSTON (AP)  Marcus Sasser scored 25 points and had five 3-pointers, Emanuel Sharp added 13 points and No. 2 Houston routed Tulsa 80-42 on Wednesday night for their fifth straight win.

Sasser scored 19 points on 8 of 13 shooting in the first half as the Cougars (23-2, 11-1 American Athletic Conference) built a 46-18 halftime lead. The senior guard had the first 12 points in a 24-2 run that gave Houston a 31-12 lead with six minutes remaining in the first half.

Marcus plays the right way, Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said. We give our kids freedom to make plays, but the caveat is to make the right play.

Houston shot 46%, including 13 of 35 on 3-pointers. The Cougars outrebounded Tulsa 53-27 and owned a 31-4 advantage in bench points.

Reggie (Chaney), JaVier (Francis), Terrance (Arceneaux) and Emanuel, thats our bench, Sampson said. All four are good players. All four contribute and impact winning for us. Not every night. Last time I checked, they bleed and they breathe, so they are going to make mistakes, but I like the fact they are getting better.

Houston also beat Tulsa 89-50 on Dec. 28. After playing three games in six days, Houston now gets eight days off  their longest stretch of the season without a game.

Weve only lost two games, we probably should have lost some more, Sampson said. Were lucky to only have two losses. Teams dont usually go 23-2, but again, losses never really bother me that much. Just like I dont get overly carried away with wins. I do know the pulse of this team, and the thing this team really needs right now is rest.

Tim Dalger scored 13 points, and Sam Griffin added 11 points for Tulsa (5-18, 1-11).

We played an elite basketball team tonight, Tulsa coach Eric Konkol said. Theyre absolutely a national title contender.

I thought we did some nice things early. I thought our guys were prepared, and they were ready and came out with some good energy and execution, but its hard to withstand against a team like Houston. They've just got so many different weapons. They do it on both ends of the floor.

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The Golden Hurricane has lost five straight and fell to 0-9 on the road this season. Tulsa struggled from the field shooting 28% and making 4 of 29 on 3-pointers.

BIG PICTURE

Tulsa: The Golden Hurricanes last win over a team ranked in the top three was an 84-77 victory over No. 3 Louisville on Feb. 8, 1975.  Tulsa started the game 5 of 10 from the field and ended the first half 2 of 18 as Houston went on the game-deciding run.

Houston: The Cougars have won four straight games over Tulsa.  Houston improved to 10-0 in Quad 4 games.  Houston dished out 21 assists on 31 field goals, led by Jamal Shead, who had 12 assists.

HE SAID IT

We got a great lesson in what elite basketball looks like on both ends of the floor. I dont think their sharing of the basketball gets enough notoriety. They share it extremely well. Shead with 12 assists. Theres some things we look at and say Hey, lets try to do some of these things better, and this is how its done.'  Konkol on lessons learned from playing Houston.

UP NEXT

Tulsa: Plays at Central Florida on Saturday night.

Houston: Plays at SMU on Feb. 16.

___

AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25
A Davidson Day School teacher is thanking his students and the community for sending him to the Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Davidson Day school teacher and Philadelphia Eagles fan Steve McGill said he was shocked to learn two students organized a GoFundMe account to send him to the big game.

ALSO READ: Super Bowl opening night returns with energetic atmosphere

The Philadelphia native admits he was flabbergasted to find out they raised enough money for a flight, hotel, and the pricey tickets.

The school threw a celebration Monday to share the big news.

If Ive made an impact on someones life, they might send me a card, give me a little $10 Amazon gift card and stuff like that, said McGill, English teacher. But something of this magnitude, I didnt see it coming and Im still kind of awestruck by it.

McGill is still finalizing his travel plans.

VIDEO: Family says hard work got Eagles lineman, North Rowan HS grad to Super Bowl




Nicola Sturgeon - Jane Barlow/Reuters

Scotlands prison service has abandoned Nicola Sturgeons self-identification policy for new prisoners, announcing that it would base decisions on where to send them entirely on their biological sex.

In a major climbdown following the scandal of a transgender rapist being placed in a female jail, the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) said it would disregard a prisoners gender identity when making initial decisions about whether to send them to a male or female jail.

The shift, affecting newly convicted or remanded trans offenders, marks a major reversal of previous prison service policy in Scotland, which was heavily influenced by trans activists.

It goes much further than a policy announced by SNP ministers in the days immediately after the Isla Bryson scandal erupted, which only banned trans prisoners with any history of violence against women from being housed in female jails.

Trans prisoners in Scotland had previously been told they would be allocated based on their gender identity after being convicted or remanded.

The U-turn moves the regime for managing trans prisoners north of the border closer to the system in England, where ministerial approval is needed to send trans women to female jails in most cases.

It also deals a further blow to Ms Sturgeons push to allow Scots to change their legal gender without providing any evidence.

The law, passed at Holyrood in December, was vetoed by the UK Government because of fears it would put women and girls in danger and be exploited by sexual predators.

The SPS was already reviewing its policy, designed so that trans prisoners could be their authentic selves, but a series of interim measures was announced on Thursday. They were published alongside an urgent review of the Bryson case carried out by the prison service, the findings of which were accepted by Teresa Medhurst, its chief executive.

While it is still possible that a trans woman would be sent from a male to female jail following a risk assessment, the SPS said it would place greater emphasis on a criminals previous offending history. All cases in which trans women are currently in female jails or prison wings in Scotland are being examined.

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Interim standard operating procedures

Keith Brown, Ms Sturgeons justice secretary, also published a short summary of the events that led to Bryson, who was previously known as Adam Graham, being transported to the Cornton Vale womens jail last month after being convicted of two rapes.

In line with court service guidance that allocates prisoners to jails based on their biological sex, contractor GeoAmey was told to take Bryson to HMP Barlinnie mens prison in Glasgow but was diverted after the SPS was informed that the rapist identified as a woman.

The prison service decided to house Bryson at Cornton Vale in alignment with current policy on self-ID, in the separation and reintegration unit. In a letter to Mr Brown, Ms Medhurst said Bryson came into contact with no female inmates and they were not at risk of harm.

Outlining the new procedure for dealing with trans offenders, she said those already in the prison system would continue to be barred from being transferred to a female jail if they have any history of violence against women, including sexual offences.

But she then announced the tougher policy for newly convicted and remanded prisoners, saying they will initially be placed in an establishment commensurate with their birth gender.

Ms Medhurst said ministerial approval would be needed in cases where there were exceptional circumstances in which a trans inmate with a history of violence against women might be placed in the female estate.

I have instructed the development of interim standard operating procedures to be put in place with immediate effect to ensure that these above measures are put into operation consistently across the prison estate, she added.

The change in policy since the Bryson scandal erupted meant that a transgender butcher charged with abduction following the disappearance of an 11-year-old girl in the Scottish borders was taken to a male jail on Thursday.

Andrew Miller, also known as Amy, appeared at court wearing red nail varnish, entered no plea and was remanded in custody. The girl was found safe and well on Monday after being missing for more than a day.

Russell Findlay, the community safety spokesman for the Scottish Tories, described the U-turn as extraordinary, claiming it appears to turn the existing trans prisoner policy on its head, effectively abandoning the principle of self-ID.

Keith Brown seems to be making it up as he goes along, changing the rules in response to every new headline, said Mr Findlay. Days ago, he said violent male-born prisoners would not be sent to womens prisons. Now the SPS seem to be saying that all male-born prisoners will be banned.

Attacking the SNPs refusal to release the full report, he added: This is typical of SNP secrecy and raises more questions than answers. It is clear that this shoddy stunt is part of the ongoing exercise in damage limitation for Nicola Sturgeon, not a sincere attempt to learn lessons.

Michael Foran, a Glasgow law lecturer, warned that trans prisoners holding a gender recognition certificate stating that they are legally female could sue the SPS if they are placed in a male prison.

Meanwhile, at Holyrood Ms Sturgeon refused for at least the 13th time to state whether she believes Bryson was a man or a woman. At a press conference earlier this week, the First Minister referred to Bryson as her.
Authorities are looking for a suspect who is accused of leading Chester County deputies on a chase after fleeing a checkpoint.

Investigators said deputies had set up a safety checkpoint on River Road in Fort Lawn Wednesday night. Around 10:13 p.m., deputies said a car driven by Keewon Degraffenreid with three other people inside came up to the checkpoint.

Deputies said Degraffenreid gave his license to deputies and then sped off, starting a high-speed chase.

ALSO READ: Man given at least $70K bond after pursuit in stolen car, crash in north Charlotte

The chase ended on Culp Road in Edgemoor, where all four people got out of the car and ran into the woods, investigators said. Deputies were able to find one of the passengers, Johnson Mitchell, within minutes. But even after searching the area until 1 a.m. using bloodhounds and drones, deputies werent able to find anyone else.

From the scene, deputies said they recovered what they believe is methamphetamine, fentanyl pills, crack cocaine, marijuana, and a firearm.

Mitchell was charged with the following:

Possession with the intent to distribute (PWID) Schedule II controlled substance

Trafficking methamphetamine

Trafficking crack cocaine

PWID marijuana

PWID cocaine

Felon in possession of a firearm

Possession of weapon during violent felony

Deputies are in the process of obtaining a warrant for Degraffenreid for failure to stop for a blue light.

Investigators asked anyone with information about the four, as well as any information about where Degraffenreid may be, to call the Chester County Sheriffs Office at 803-581-5131.

(WATCH BELOW: Florida murder suspect given $2M bond after multi-county police chase in NC)
A councilman in western New Jersey was fatally shot Wednesday by an ex-colleague, according to local authorities  just one week after another councilor was killed elsewhere in the state.

The Franklin Township Police Department said officers responding to several 911 calls found 51-year-old Russell Heller shot in the parking lot of his office at the PSE&G energy company. Heller, a member of the Milford Borough council, was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders.

Investigators soon learned that Gary T. Curtis, a 58-year-old ex-staffer at PSE&G, had approached Heller in the parking lot and shot him, according to authorities.

Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said detectives managed to track down Curtis at a Bridgewater parking lot within a few hours, when they approached the vehicle and saw him suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Curtis was pronounced dead shortly after.

The Franklin Township Police Department noted that an investigation remains on-going to determine motive. But it stated that Hellers shooting was an isolated incident and that the councilor was the intended target.

PSE&G released a statement Wednesday saying it was heartbroken and praising Heller as an admired employee.

He will be sorely missed by all, and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time, added the energy company, which noted that it is offering support to our employees  [and] cooperating with law enforcement.

The Somerset County prosecutors office told CBS on Thursday that the shooting was not politically motivated.

Hellers killing came within days of another officeholders: Sayreville Borough Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour was gunned down in her car Feb. 1.

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She was the first Black person elected to office in the states eastern Sayreville township.

Sayreville Mayor Victoria Kilpatrick said at a memorial this week that Dwumfour confidently, with class and dignity, walked proudly to her seat on the dais in her signature sparkling high heels, per CBS.

In the wake of the two killings, politicians and gun control activists took to Twitter to offer their condolences and call for an end to the bloodshed.

Early this morning, a deadly shooting took place outside of a PSE&G facility in Franklin Township, tweeted New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. Our thoughts and prayers are with Russell Hellers family and friends in the wake of this tragic act of gun violence.

I am shocked and saddened by the tragic murder of Milford Councilman Russell Heller. Russell was an outstanding public servant who proudly represented the river town he loved. My prayers are with his family and the Milford community.  Congressman Tom Kean (@CongressmanKean) February 8, 2023

This is crazy.

Praying for our neighbors in Jersey and their public officials to be out of harms way. https://t.co/Kd01gNq2Fa  David G. Greenfield (@NYCGreenfield) February 9, 2023

Russell D. Heller, 51, was gunned down outside an energy company where he worked. He was a New Jersey councilmember representing the borough of Milford. His death comes just days after another NJ councilmember, Eunice Dwumfour, was shot and killed. https://t.co/5ntw0q5JMQ  Moms Demand Action (@MomsDemand) February 9, 2023

If you or someone you know needs help, dial 988 or call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can also get support via text by visiting suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat. Outside of the U.S., please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention for a database of resources.

Related...
The Chinese mainland has called on the Taiwan side to stop using the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to obstruct the resumption of direct flights across the Taiwan Strait, according to a mainland spokesperson on Wednesday.

Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said at a press conference that the mainland is now fully prepared for the resumption of direct cross-Strait flights, and there is no barrier to the resumption on the mainland side.

She called on the Taiwan side to act according to the people's will, and to stop using the pandemic as an excuse to hamper the process.

Zhu said compatriots and aviation industries on both sides of the Strait are keenly looking forward to the resumption, and the mainland side has communicated the issue to relevant authorities in Taiwan, suggesting that priority should be given to direct flights to the 16 mainland destinations that are most frequently requested by Taiwan compatriots.

As the mainland has entered a new phase of its COVID-19 response, the early resumption of cross-Strait personnel exchanges and cooperation in various fields is a common wish of compatriots on both sides of the Strait, Zhu said. She also said that Taiwan compatriots are welcome to take part in cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, and to visit the mainland in person.
A second Republican New Jersey councilman was gunned down on Wednesday just one week after a councilwoman from a different county in the state was killed.

Milford councilman Russell Heller, 51, was in his car in the parking lot of the office building where he worked when a former employee confronted him and shot him, according to a statement from the Somerset County prosecutors office.

Police arrived at the scene to find the victim in the car. The assailant was identified by police as Gary T. Curtis, 58, who used to work at Hellers utility company. Curtis was discovered hours later in a nearby town dead in a car with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the statement said.

Republican Representative Tom Kean, who represents New Jerseys seventh congressional district, responded to the tragedy Wednesday night, saying he was shocked and saddened by the tragic murder.

Russell was an outstanding public servant who proudly represented the river town he loved, he tweeted. My prayers are with his family and the Milford community.

Last Wednesday, Sayreville councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour was shot to death outside her New Jersey home by an unidentified gunman, who has still not been apprehended. Dwumfour had suffered multiple gunshot wounds.

Victoria Kilpatrick, the mayor of Sayreville, N.J., where Dwumfour served on the borough council, said she was taken from us by a despicable criminal act.

Beyond her dedication to our community, I can share that she was a woman of deep faith and worked hard to integrate her strong Christian beliefs into her daily life as a person and a community leader, the mayor said. On a personal note, I cant adequately express my feeling of sorrow at the loss of a friend.

Police have not yet provided updates about potential suspects or motive in the Dwumfour case. Detectives obtained possession of Dwumfours phone and have been searching for evidence that could help explain how the killing happened.

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Police have not yet determined any connection between the two killings, which come as prominent Democrats have increasingly taken to demonizing their political opponents as threats to democracy.

Attorney General Merrick Garland has identified white supremacists and other right-wing extremists as the primary national-security threat facing the country. And in his State of the Union address Tuesday night, President Biden connected the attack on Paul Pelosi to the events of January 6.

More from National Review
Ruth Wilson is set to embark on what she has described as a once-in-a-lifetime experience after being cast in a 24-hour play.

In The Second Woman, which will run at the Young Vic in London this spring, the Luther star will perform the same seven-minute scene repeatedly for 24 hours straight.

The experimental play will see Wilson perform a break-up scene on loop, with 100 different men taking turn to act opposite her character Virginia as her lover Marty.

The majority of the men are not professional actors, but members of the public who have volunteered for the role.

Wilson, who will not meet any of the men before the play is performed, told The Guardian: Im curious about putting myself in scenarios that I have no idea how to anticipate. Its an endurance test.

I dont know how Im going to get through it, but that excites me in some way. Its like nothing else Ill ever do again or Ive ever done, its an extraordinary once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The Second Woman, which is created by Nat Randall and Anna Breckon and adapted from a play within John Cassavetes 1977 film Opening Night, explores gender roles and power dynamics.

Audience members can come and go as they like over the course of the 24 hours, and Wilson will have a 15-minute break every two hours.

The Second Woman is at the Young Vic on 19-20 May.
Sputnik/Mikhail Metzel/Pool via Reuters

Russias federal media watchdog has a secret team of people tasked with protecting Vladimir Putins egoand alerting the presidents spooks should there be any online mentions of him as a bald dwarf, Hitler wannabe, or a thief.

Thats according to the independent outlet iStories, one of several news organizations to reveal the surreal findings of a leak from Roskomnadzor this week. The agency was targeted by a group of Belarusian hackers late last year that said they had breached an internal network and made off with a ton of data from a division tasked with regulating the media. That data was subsequently handed over to independent Russian journalists who released their investigations this week.

Among the most disturbing revelations is that staffers at the federal agency compile reports on all negative publications about Putin and use an internal messaging system to brief the presidential administration and Russias security services on all of the presidents critics.

Putins image is reportedly monitored almost around the clock, with staffers signing on at 8:30 every morning to look for any online chatter that could pose a threat to the Russian leaderincluding any memes that diminish his macho image, such as his face superimposed over the body of a crab, or the equally threatening declaration, Putin is a crab.

One report compiled following a visit by Putin to Kaliningrad focused obsessively on negative reactions on the Russian internet to the presidents dialogue with local residents, according to iStories. The censors honed in on complaints that Putins interactions with locals were a cheap spectacle and that the locals were likely just members of his security team in disguise.

Russias Google, Yandex, Fixes Results So Bald Fucker and Bunker Grandad Reportedly Wont Show Putin

Apart from the war against Ukraine, federal censors are said to have also relentlessly focused on messages about Putins health being in critical condition. In a report detailing their efforts to thwart the destabilization of Russian society, the censors included a few gems found online, including Putin 100% has dementia! The old man has lost his mind! and Will a sane Russian support a president with mental illnesses?

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Staffers at the federal agency are reportedly required to seek out negative, discrediting information about the Russian president using some of the most famous slurs against him as search terms, including Putins a thief, Putler, bald dwarf, and a reference to Putin as Zaches, a freakish little boy from an 1819 German fairytale.

They are also expected to track down content comparing Putin to negative figures like pedophiles or serial killers, as well as depictions of the president as a homosexual, in pornographic scenes, in a trash can, or shown alongside human excrement, iStories reports.

The leak also reportedly made mention of Russias top search engine, Yandex, filtering out certain search results for terms that are unflattering to the Kremlina trend first spotted by Russian journalists late last month.

A spokesperson for the company told Meduza this week that the search engine does not remove any links from search results on its own, but that a link may vanish if it is added to a database of blocked sites by federal monitors or a court decision.

Abbas Gallyamov, a former speechwriter for Putin, told iStories the ultimate goal of the monitoring effort is clearly to squash unrest, adding, If you are hated by your own people, then at some point the security forces will simply get rid of you, you will be unnecessary to them.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Selma Blair posed with her cane in a new photoshoot for La Ligne.

Selma Blair isn't letting MS stop her.

On Wednesday, the 50-year-old "Cruel Intentions" actress took to Instagram with a carousel of photos in collaboration with fashion brand La Ligne  one of which she posed in with her cane.

" I could not be prouder to be here in your denim La launch," she captioned the post for her more than 3 million followers. "Sometimes you get a perfect day. A perfect group. A perfect fit. La Ligne is something I truly live in and love. And now to have denim Brava ladies! I love you."

Blair's stunning photos were met with warm and supportive messages from fans who loved in the incorporation of her cane in the shoot.

"Love that you included your cane in one of the photos. Raise awareness about MS... but make it fashion. So stunning!" an Instagram user commented.

Selma Blair poses with her cane in a new La Ligne campaign. (Photo via La Ligne)

Another added: "You are unstoppable."

"Effortless and stunning," someone else wrote.

"You even make canes look good. So gorgeous and inspirational!" a fan penned, while another commented, "You are such an inspiration, Selma!"

In 2018, Blair was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis  a condition that attacks the central nervous system and prevents communication between the brain and the rest of one's body  which means she often uses a cane to support herself.

In April 2021, Blair opened up about the moment she felt something was wrong leading up to her MS diagnosis.

In an interview with Town & Country, she revealed that she experienced the first symptom of her condition in February 2018, in a New York Fashion Week show for designer Christian Siriano. While Blair was strutting down the runway, she began to notice numbness in one of her legs.

"It was on that runway, with the thrill of walking in the show, that I suddenly lost feeling in my left leg," she recalled. "But I was on a runway and thinking, 'What do I do?'"

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Selma Blair attends 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 24, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Daniele Venturelli/WireImage)

While Blair made an announcement via social media, notifying her followers of her diagnosis, for many, it really sank in when Blair attended the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscars party holding a gem-covered cane.

"It was a no-brainer, and there was no choice," she shared. "I hadn't been on a red carpet for so long, and now I was coming. I knew, since my diagnosis, people might be watching. I didn't know if I would be forgotten about and be the last one on the red carpet."

Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, who had a stroke during his campaign last year, remained hospitalized and undergoing tests after feeling lightheaded, with tests so far negative for another stroke or seizure, his office said Thursday evening.

An MRI at George Washington University Hospital, along with other tests run by doctors, rule out a new stroke, Fetterman's communications director Joe Calvello said in a statement Thursday evening.

Fetterman was being monitored with an electroencephalogram (EEG)  an instrument that measures brainwaves  for signs of a seizure, Calvello said.

So far there are no signs of seizure, but he is still being monitored, Calvello said.

Calvello gave no indication about when Fetterman might leave the hospital, but had said late Wednesday that Fetterman was in good spirits and talking with his staff and family.

Fetterman felt lightheaded Wednesday while attending a Democratic retreat in Washington and went to the hospital, staying overnight for testing.

In November, Fetterman, 53, won the seat held by now-retired Republican Pat Toomey after a hard-fought contest against GOP nominee Mehmet Oz.

Fetterman, who was the lieutenant governor, defeated the celebrity heart surgeon by 5 percentage points, flipping a seat that was key to Democrats holding the Senate majority. More than $300 million was spent during the campaign, making it the most expensive Senate race in 2022.

His campaign was derailed on May 13 when he had what he later called a near-fatal stroke just days before the Democratic primary.

He underwent surgery to implant a pacemaker with a defibrillator to manage two heart conditions, atrial fibrillation and cardiomyopathy, and spent much of the summer recovering and off the campaign trail.

He refused to release his medical records or allow his doctors to answer reporters' questions, as Oz made an issue of whether his opponent was honest about the effects of the stroke and whether Fetterman was fit to serve. The Democrat insisted his doctors said he could have a full recovery.

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As a result of the stroke, Fetterman has struggled with auditory processing disorder, a common aftereffect that can can leave a person unable to speak fluidly and quickly process spoken conversation into meaning.

The effects of the stroke were apparent in Fetterman's uneven performance during the fall campaign's only debate when he struggled to complete sentences and jumbled words.

On election night, he told cheering supporters he ran for anyone that ever got knocked down that got back up.

Fetterman, a presence at 6-foot-8 with a clean-shaven head and a goatee and known for wearing hoodies and shorts, was lieutenant governor from 2019-2023. He served as mayor of Braddock, Pennsylvania, from 2006-2019.
Lawmakers on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee called out Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg during a Thursday hearing on the Southwest Airlines meltdown.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), the committees ranking member, took aim at Buttigieg over last months system meltdown at the Federal Aviation Administration that briefly grounded all U.S. flights for the first time in two decades.

Notably absent from todays meeting is Secretary Buttigieg, Cruz said.

The DOT didnt give any mea culpa to impacted travelers. The Biden DOT didnt issue refunds, didnt issue reimbursements, it just screwed up their flights and then proceeded to say, We want to be in charge of how the airlines behave, he added.

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), the committees chairwoman, said that the Department of Transportation isnt doing enough to crack down on poor airline service. Cantwells office clarified that she was referring to the need to empower the DOTs consumer protection office with more resources and manpower.

This sector needs a more effective policeman on the beat. They need someone over at the Department of Transportation who is going to get the job done, Cantwell said in her opening remarks.

Buttigieg has come under fire from some Democrats and consumer advocates who say that he hasnt been tough enough on airlines that overbook flights, pointing out that the DOT hasnt fined any of the major carriers for persistent delays and cancellations.

Under Buttigieg, the department has rolled out stronger rules for airline refunds, but critics say they dont go far enough.

A DOT spokesperson said that the department is probing whether Southwest scheduled too many flights over the holidays and will hold the airline accountable if it doesnt provide prompt refunds to stranded travelers.

DOT will leverage the full extent of its investigative and enforcement power to ensure consumers are protected. The Department welcomes additional congressional support with resources and legislative authority to build on this important work, the spokesperson said.

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Republicans, meanwhile, have accused the Biden administration of going too far with government regulation, noting that the federal government has caused its own disruptions.

Senators on Thursday held their first hearing about Southwest Airlines since the carrier canceled nearly 17,000 flights over the Christmas holiday, impacting more than 2 million travelers.

Cruzs remarks on Thursday indicate that Republicans likely wont join Democrats in pushing for stricter rules on the airline industry.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said on Thursday she hoped that Washington and Beijing would be able to continue to work together on climate "at this difficult time."

She listed to a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing areas of potential cooperation with China including fighting the illicit drugs trade, climate, global health and people-to-people exchanges.

(This story has been refiled to fix typo and reference to climate in lead)

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Doina Chiacu and Chizu Nomiyama)
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NCLH) shareholders should be happy to see the share price up 20% in the last month. But will that repair the damage for the weary investors who have owned this stock as it declined over half a decade? Probably not. Indeed, the share price is down a whopping 71% in that time. While the recent increase might be a green shoot, we're certainly hesitant to rejoice. The important question is if the business itself justifies a higher share price in the long term.

Now let's have a look at the company's fundamentals, and see if the long term shareholder return has matched the performance of the underlying business.

View our latest analysis for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings

Because Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings made a loss in the last twelve months, we think the market is probably more focussed on revenue and revenue growth, at least for now. Generally speaking, companies without profits are expected to grow revenue every year, and at a good clip. That's because it's hard to be confident a company will be sustainable if revenue growth is negligible, and it never makes a profit.

In the last five years Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings saw its revenue shrink by 30% per year. That puts it in an unattractive cohort, to put it mildly. So it's not that strange that the share price dropped 11% per year in that period. This kind of price performance makes us very wary, especially when combined with falling revenue. Ironically, that behavior could create an opportunity for the contrarian investor - but only if there are good reasons to predict a brighter future.

The company's revenue and earnings (over time) are depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers).

We consider it positive that insiders have made significant purchases in the last year. Even so, future earnings will be far more important to whether current shareholders make money. So we recommend checking out this free report showing consensus forecasts

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A Different Perspective

We regret to report that Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings shareholders are down 25% for the year. Unfortunately, that's worse than the broader market decline of 9.4%. However, it could simply be that the share price has been impacted by broader market jitters. It might be worth keeping an eye on the fundamentals, in case there's a good opportunity. Unfortunately, last year's performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 11% over the last half decade. Generally speaking long term share price weakness can be a bad sign, though contrarian investors might want to research the stock in hope of a turnaround. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings better, we need to consider many other factors. To that end, you should be aware of the 2 warning signs we've spotted with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings .

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on US exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Shell

Shell investors are backing legal action against the companys directors, claiming they are failing to do enough to tackle climate change.

Nest, the UK pension fund, and Danske Bank Asset Management, the Danish asset manager, are among those supporting a case brought by ClientEarth, an environmental charity that owns a small number of Shell shares.

The High Court action alleges Shells 11 directors have breached duties under the Companies Act by failing to adopt a tough enough approach to cutting carbon emissions.

Paul Benson, senior lawyer at ClientEarth, said Shells board is persisting with a transition strategy that is fundamentally flawed.

This leav[es] the company seriously exposed to the risks that climate change poses to Shells future success  despite the Boards legal duty to manage those risks.

Mark Fawcett, chief investment officer at Nest, said: Investors want to see action in line with the risk climate change presents and will challenge those who arent doing enough to transition their business.

The group supporting the claim also includes French asset manager Sanso IS and Danish pension fund AP Pension.

The investors have not joined the claim with ClientEarth, but have written letters of support that have been submitted as part of the court filing.

Shell denies the accusations, saying the claim has no merit. In 2021, it set out targets to cut its emissions to net zero by 2050, which it believes is in step with society and international climate targets.

Campaigners have successfully used the courts to push Shell towards tougher climate action in the past.

In 2021, a Dutch court ordered Shell to go faster on its plans to cut carbon emissions, following a legal claim brought by groups including Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth.

Shell has appealed the ruling, arguing it alone cannot directly influence the energy choices made by its customers. It is complying in the meantime.

Shell is one of the worlds largest oil and gas companies, producing more than 3.2m barrels of oil and gas equivalent per day in 2021.

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It has just reported record annual profits for 2022 of almost $40bn (32bn), following a year of high oil and gas prices triggered by Russias war on Ukraine.



A Shell spokesman said: We do not accept ClientEarths allegations. Our directors have complied with their legal duties and have, at all times, acted in the best interests of the company.



We believe our climate targets are aligned with the more ambitious goal of the Paris Agreement: to limit the increase in the global average temperature to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.

Our shareholders strongly support the progress we are making on our energy transition strategy, with 80pc voting in favour of this strategy at our last AGM.

ClientEarth owns less than 0.2pc of Shells shares. The High Court will now need to decide whether to give it permission to bring the claim.

Shells rival BP this week slowed down its shift away from oil and gas, citing concerns about energy security.
A Cocoa Beach man was arrested on burglary and theft charges after deputies said they found a debit card linking him to the crime.

Flagler deputies responded to 101 Matanzas Woods Parkway in Palm Coast for a burglary alarm just before 1 a.m. Sunday.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

Read: Heartbroken son seeks justice after mother randomly shot, killed outside Orlando shopping center

When deputies searched the gas station, they found a debit card with the name Lantz Kurtz, on the counter near the register.

Investigators said surveillance video showed a white male entering the back of the store, taking several items, then unlocking the front door and leaving.

Read: The unintended consequences of Marsys law

According to an arrest report, deputies recognized the man in the video from a vehicle fire near the gas station earlier in the evening.

Deputies returned to the scene of the vehicle fire, where they found 20-year-old Lantz Kurtz standing near the burned car wearing the same clothes as the man in the video.

Read: Chinese spy balloon: Chinas military likely responsible; FBI examining debris

When deputies asked Kurtz about the burglary, he admitted to breaking into the business and taking a bag of dog food, water, and other items from the store.

Kurtz said he left behind his debit card so he could return to the business and pay for the items later.

Kurtz was charged with armed burglary and petit theft and was booked into the Flagler County jail and later released on a $10,000 bond.

See map of location below:

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Stunt show 157 meters above ground

People's Daily Online) 09:43, February 09, 2023

A breathtaking ropewalking show has been held 157 meters above the ground in a scenic area situated next to the Yellow River in Hejin, a county-level city in north China's Shanxi Province. While walking on the ropes, the performers completed more than 10 stunning moves, including hanging one-handed, a 720 degree spin and stunt falling. (vip.people.com.cn/Xue Jun)

(Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming)
Andrew Hsia, vice chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, will attend activities organized by both sides of the Taiwan Strait to promote exchanges during his visit to the mainland, a Chinese mainland spokesperson said Wednesday.

Hsia will also visit cities including Nanjing, Wuhan, Chongqing and Chengdu, said Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, at a press conference.

Hsia is scheduled to lead a delegation on a visit to the Chinese mainland from Feb. 8 to 17.

When asked to comment on the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' smear that "Hsia's visit may fall into the coercive political framework of the mainland," Zhu said the DPP authorities collude with external forces to seek "Taiwan independence" for its own political interests, damaging the interests and welfare of Taiwan compatriots and pushing Taiwan toward a dangerous situation.

In doing this, the DPP authorities are coercing the mainstream will of Taiwan society, and they are the threat to the highest interests of Taiwan, Zhu added.
A Brookwood High School student was arrested Wednesday afternoon after bringing a firearm to the school, according to the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office.

At about 2:15 p.m., a Brookwood High School faculty member told a Tuscaloosa County sheriff's deputy who was working as a school resource officer that the student was suspected of having a firearm.

The deputy made contact with the student and confirmed that the student was in possession of a firearm, a news release from Deputy Sheriff Jessica McDaniel states. The student was arrested and the case was forwarded to the Criminal Investigations Division.

Because of the student's status as a juvenile, the student's name and the charges against the student will not be released, according to McDaniel.

The Tuscaloosa County School System linked the following message from the superintendent on the Brookwood High School website's home page:

"This afternoon, Brookwood High School implemented lockdown procedures, after administrators received information that a student had a firearm on campus. The student and weapon were quickly secured. Law enforcement is involved in the investigation. All students are safe, and no one was injured. Normal dismissal procedures are underway. We will contact families when we have more information to share."

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Sheriff's Office: Brookwood High School student had firearm on campus
FRANKLIN (Somerset)  A PSE&G employee, who was also a Republican borough councilman in the Hunterdon County community of Milford, was fatally shot Wednesday morning in the parking lot of the utilitys facility on Weston Canal Road.

And, according to the Somerset County Prosecutors Office, the suspected gunman was later found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a parking lot in Bridgewater.

Russell D. Heller, 51, of Milford, was approached outside his vehicle in the PSE&G parking lot at about 7 a.m., by former PSE&G employee Gary T. Curtis, 58, of Washington, Warren County, who then shot him, Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald said.

Heller was the intended target, McDonald said, and authorities are still trying to determine a motive.

The shooting was an isolated incident, the prosecutor said.

"Investigators with the Somerset County Prosecutors Office along with Franklin Township Police continue to investigate the circumstances which led to the homicide shooting of Mr. Russell Heller yesterday in Franklin Township," Deputy Chief Frank Roman Jr. said in a statement Thursday. "Investigators have confirmed that Mr. Heller was a Republican Councilman for Milford Borough (Hunterdon County). The investigation has revealed that the shooting of Mr. Heller was not politically connected with his elected office or political affiliation."

More:MyCentralJersey.com seeks public records in Sayreville councilwoman's killing

We are heartbroken at the tragic death of Russell Heller, senior distribution supervisor at PSE&G. Russell was an admired employee and a supervisor with over 11 years of service with PSE&G. He will be sorely missed by all and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time, PSE&G said in a statement. This event is tragic and disturbing and we are offering support to our employees as they process this. We are cooperating with law enforcement with respect to their investigation. Questions about the investigation should be directed to law enforcement.

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Detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department along with the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit, the Crime Scene Investigations Unit and investigators from the New Jersey Northern Regional Medical Examiners Office went to the scene to conduct the investigation and determined that Curtis was the suspect.

Three hours later, detectives were able to track Curtis to the Bridgewater parking lot. With assistance from Bridgewater officers, detectives approached the vehicle and saw he had a self-inflicted gunshot wound, McDonald said.

Curtis was in possession of a gun, McDonald said.

In a statement Wednesday night, Hunterdon County Commissioner Director Zachary Rich said the Board joins its colleagues in Milford in offering its "sincere condolences to the Heller Family at this unimaginably difficult time for their tragic loss."

"On behalf of the Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners, we share in the collective shock and grief felt upon learning of Russell Hellers senseless shooting death today," Rich said. "Russell was a dedicated and valuable member of the Milford and Hunterdon County community whose leadership and commitment will be sorely missed.More importantly, however, Russell was a loving and caring father to his daughter and a dedicated and loyal friend to all of those who had the pleasure of knowing him."

Rep. Tom Kean Jr. said he was "shocked and saddened by the tragic murder of Milford Councilman Russell Heller."

"Russell was an outstanding public servant who proudly represented the river town he loved," Kean said. "My prayers are with his family and the Milford community."

Authorities are asking anyone with information relating to the homicide to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Franklin Township Police Department at 732-873-5533 or via the STOPit app. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

email: cmakin@gannettnj.com

Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or @CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ councilman's killing outside PSE&G not politically connected
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux released a statement Tuesday evening in response to the Feb. 7 drive-by shooting at Goodwill Industries Outlet Store.

"Shreveport is faced with yet another senseless loss of life on the streets of our city," said Arceneaux. "Danthony Johnson should have had a long life and a chance at a decent future. People who do not value human life cut his life short. My prayers go out to Mr. Johnsons family and friends."

Just after 10 a.m. Tuesday, Shreveport Police Department was dispatched to the 800 block of West 70th Street on reports of a shooting.

Upon arrival, officers located Danthony Johnson, 19, who had been shot in the chest. Shreveport Fire Department was called to the scene and the victim was transported to Ochsner LSU Health where he succumbed to his injuries and died at 10:53 a.m.

Shreveport Police were able to locate the alleged suspect's vehicle on Interstate 49 and they pursued the suspect into Bossier City. The vehicle subsequently crashed near the intersection of Viking Drive and Benton Road.

The suspects then fired a weapon. Police said it is unclear where they were firing the weapon, and no injuries were reported from that secondary incident.

Arceneaux said, "I know we have endured too much of this violence lately. It is up to every one of us to change things, to do whatever it takes to make our city safer."

Johnson's death marks the seventh homicide of 2023. Arcenaux said that Shreveport Police are working with other law enforcement agencies on strategies to combat violent crime.

Shreveport Police Department did take the alleged suspects into custody. Police are still investigating this shooting.

Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Shreveport Mayor gives a statement about the Goodwill shooting
Leonard Raheem Taylor laid with his eyes shut in an empty room surrounded by windows on all four sides. A white sheet covered his body up to his shoulders.

More than two dozen people watched him intently from behind the glass windows at a prison in eastern Missouri. His feet flinched, briefly. His chest rose and fell heavily a few times.

And then he was still.

Taylor was the third person put to death by the state of Missouri in 10 weeks.

The 58 year old had maintained he was innocent in the quadruple murder of Angela Rowe and her three young children, who were found shot in 2004 in Jennings, near St. Louis. He was handed down a death sentence at the end of a 2008 trial.

Several appeals failed.

At 11 a.m. Tuesday, he was served a last meal: a seafood platter, cheeseburger, french fries, cheesecake and vanilla ice cream, according to corrections officials.

He composed a final statement, which read in part: Death is not your enemy, it is your destiny. Look forward to meeting it. Peace!

Around 4:30 p.m., witnesses arrived at Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre, pulling out their IDs over and over at the security check points.

The Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center, a Missouri prison in Bonne Terre, is shown in this Feb. 7, 2023 photograph. The prison houses the states execution room.

One group was led outside. Prisoners who were likely aware of the impending execution pounded on their cell windows.

The group entered another building and settled into a cramped waiting room where a clock ticked audibly.

A platter with Welchs fruit snacks and a table with magazines and a deck of cards appeared mostly untouched. Outside a green door with a window, the sky grew darker, obscuring the barbed wire fences where beyond, 58 protesters gathered opposing the execution. Four showed up in support of it.

The witnesses sat for more than an hour, some chatting about the upcoming Chiefs game and the recent Chinese spy balloon debacle. Others remained silent, glancing up at the black-rimmed clock as the minutes passed.

Around 5:30 p.m., Missouri Department of Corrections director Anne Precythe and another official entered the room. During a short briefing, Precythe thanked the witnesses for volunteering to be present and gave an overview of what would happen.

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Precythe left while the other official remained. He sat down, bowing his head, a grim expression etched across his face.

At 5:52 p.m., the corrections department was notified all petitions had been denied and the execution sequence could begin, DOC spokeswoman Karen Pojmann said.

Witnesses were escorted into the viewing areas, where two rows of plastic chairs were set up. Nine people related to the victims were present, but kept in a separate viewing room.

Around this time, Taylors attorneys were preparing to file an appeal requesting his spiritual advisor Anthony Shahid be with him in the execution chamber. A couple weeks ago, Taylor had not wanted any witnesses, but he changed his mind over the weekend. When the warden told them it was too late to add witnesses, Taylors attorneys filed a case with the Missouri Supreme Court. It had been denied earlier Tuesday. They wanted to take their argument to federal court.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year that states must accommodate the wishes of condemned prisoners who want to have a religious figure pray aloud and touch them during executions. Two of Taylors attorneys had also been denied attendance, though they were all approved visitors to the prison.

At 6:05 p.m., the Missouri Attorney Generals office told the corrections department there were no legal impediments. Parsons office was asked if there were any reasons not to proceed.

The answer was to proceed, Pojmann said.

The viewing rooms were shrouded in darkness. No talking was allowed. The only sounds were a whirring vent and a swoosh as two guards opened the bulky curtains.

Taylor was alone.

A bright yellow light emanated from the bare room where an IV line appeared to run from the wall and up underneath the sheet.

Five grams of pentobarbital were facelessly administered. No one on the execution team was seen by the witnesses.

Several minutes later, the curtains were closed and an exam was to take place. The guards then reopened the curtains.

Taylor was pronounced dead at 6:16 p.m.

Gerjuan Rowe, Angela Rowes sister, speaks after Leonard Taylor was executed on Feb. 7, 2023, at Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre. Justice was served, she said.

After, Gerjuan Rowe, Angela Rowes older sister, told reporters she got a little bit of peace.

Im OK, but Im not, she said. But I know justice was served. And its kinda hard trying to move forward, but I think ill be able to do it.

She said she still misses her sister and her nieces and nephew, especially on birthdays and holidays.

I always wonder what they would be like, she said of the kids.

On Wednesday, Taylors attorneys called for an investigation, alleging the execution went forward even though state officials were aware there was a pending appeal asking for Shahid to be with Taylor when he died.

They said the execution itself was a constitutionally intolerable event.

Innocence claims

Taylor was admittedly a career criminal and a self-proclaimed hustler, who at 22 discovered he had a knack for selling drugs.

By 2004, he was a well-established drug trafficker who had already done time. He often traveled to various parts of the country to pursue criminal activities.

His flight on Nov. 26, 2004, from Missouri to California served a different purpose  Taylor was going to see his 13-year-old daughter who he had not met before, he said during an interview last month.

Taylor maintained he was in California when Rowe and her children, Alexus Conley, 10, AcQreya Conley, 6, and Tyrese Conley, 5, were shot.

Prosecutors saw it differently. They contended he was fleeing after killing them either late on Nov. 23 or early Nov. 24.

Leonard Taylor was convicted for the 2004 murders of Angela Rowe along with her three children, from left, Tyrese Conley, 5, Alexus Conley, 10, and Acqreya Conley, 6.

Their bodies were found on Dec. 3, 2004. The autopsies initially indicated the homicides had taken place two to three days before the bodies were discovered.

During the trial, medical examiner Phillip Burch said the temperature in the house had been in the 50s and the murders could have taken place two to three weeks before the bodies were discovered  when Taylor would still have been in town.

Several relatives of the victims say Taylor was guilty. On Monday, the prosecutors office said, We believe the jury got the verdict right. Gov. Mike Parson agreed, calling Taylors innocence claims self-serving.

Taylors attorneys had attempted to cast doubt on the states findings and in particular, the timing of the homicides. During Taylors California visit with his daughter Deja Taylor, he had called Rowe. The girl had spoken to Rowe and one of her daughters. Forensic pathologist Jane Turner said there was evidence of rigor mortis when the victims were discovered. That would not last more than a week after death even with the cold temperature in the house, according to Turner.

Taylors attorneys also pointed to another case handled by Burch where his findings were wrong and the conviction was overturned.

The evidence was not enough to sway Parson or the courts.

Missouri is one of five states with executions scheduled this year. Seventeen people remain on death row in Missouri.
By Chen Lin

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore will drop a requirement for travellers who are not fully vaccinated to show COVID test results or purchase coronavirus travel insurance from Feb 13, the government's virus taskforce said on Thursday.

Masks will also not be required to be worn on public transport, the health ministry said in a statement, as authorities lowered the disease outbreak response level to "green" from "yellow", indicating COVID-19 is not threatening.

However, masks will still be mandatory in healthcare settings, where there is interaction with patients and in indoor patient-facing areas.

"Within Singapore our COVID situation has remained stable over the recent months, despite increased travel over the year-end holidays and China's shift from zero COVID," Lawrence Wong, deputy prime minister and co-chair of the virus taskforce, told a media briefing.

"Our population has developed a high level of hybrid immunity," he said.

Around 80% of the city-states 5.6 million population have achieved minimum COVID-19 vaccination protection, and around half are up to date with their additional booster shots, health ministry data showed.

"We've had to deal with many unexpected curveballs and surprises along the way. But we managed to reach this point together because we all did our part," Wong said.

The public can also remove COVID-19 contact-tracing apps, and the government has deleted identifiable data from its servers and database, health minister Ong Ye Kung said.

Since April last year, Singapore had lifted most of its COVID-19 restrictions with many international events returning to the city-state, attracting tourists and businesses.

The Asian financial hub is expecting the tourism sector to recover to pre-pandemic levels by 2024.

(Reporting by Chen Lin; Editing by Ed Davies)
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)  Ukrainian relatives of a slain cinematographer are seeking damages in her death from actor Alec Baldwin in connection with a fatal shooting on the set of a Western movie, under a civil lawsuit filed Thursday in Los Angeles.

The new lawsuit against Baldwin was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on behalf of Hutchins' parents and younger sister, who works as a nurse on the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv and is married to a Ukrainian man fighting in the war against Russia.

Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins died shortly after being wounded during a rehearsal in the movie Rust" in October 2021 at a film-set ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe. Baldwin was pointing a pistol at Hutchins when it discharged, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza.

The new lawsuit alleges negligence and the depravation of benefits, based on the emotional or financial support that Hutchins previously provided to younger sister Svetlana Zemko and parents Olga Solovey and Anatolii Androsovych. The lawsuit also names as defendants a long list of Rust crew members, an ammunition supplier, producers of the film and affiliated businesses.

Separately, Baldwin and weapons supervisor Hannah Gutierrez-Reed are confronting felony criminal charges of involuntary manslaughter in New Mexico District Court, with a remote first appearance scheduled later this month in which pleas may be entered. Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed have vowed to dispute the charges, while an assistant director has agreed to plead guilty to lesser charges.

Los Angeles-based attorney Gloria Allred described Zemko as a working emergency operating-room nurse who is raising an infant and 4-year-old child while her husband fights in the war.

At a news conference, Allred said that Zemko had a very close and loving relationship with her big sister, Halyna, and she feels strongly that anyone who is responsible for her loss must be held accountable.

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Contacted Thursday, an attorney for Baldwin in New Mexico had no immediate comment.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages as well as legal costs. Allred declined to quantify possible demands.

Matthew Hutchins, widower to Halyna Hutchins, reached an undisclosed settlement with Baldwin and other producers of Rust late last year. Part of the settlement calls for Matthew to be a producer on Rust as it potentially resumes filming.

Baldwin has sought to clear his name by suing people involved in handling and supplying the loaded gun. Baldwin, also a co-producer on Rust, said he was told the gun was safe.

In his lawsuit, Baldwin said that while working on camera angles with Hutchins, he pointed the gun in her direction and pulled back and released the hammer of the weapon, which discharged.

The new lawsuit against Baldwin, though filed in California, relies on provisions of New Mexico state law regarding the depravation of benefits, also known as loss of consortium.
The San Luis Obispo Police Department arrested two Santa Maria residents suspected of stealing a catalytic converter, Social Security card and license plate this week.

On Tuesday, officers responded to a report of a vehicle burglary in the 1500 block of El Tigre Court, where witnesses on scene saw two people flee in a dark-colored, older Toyota Corolla, according to a police department news release.

The responding officer observed a vehicle matching the description driving away from the area, and performed a traffic stop.

During the traffic stop, it was discovered the rear license plate displayed on the suspect vehicle did not match the vehicles VIN, the release stated. Further investigation revealed the license plate had been stolen from another vehicle in the same area as the initial vehicle burglary, but had not yet been reported.

Officers searched the vehicle and found drug paraphernalia associated with both occupants, along with several other items including a handgun, stun gun, shaved vehicle ignition keys, controlled substances, a social security card belonging to another individual, a catalytic converter recently cut from another vehicle and miscellaneous burglary tools, according to the release.

According to the release, the investigation confirmed the license plate, social security card and catalytic converter were all recently stolen from the El Tigre area. The catalytic converter was successfully matched to a vehicle and returned to its owners, the release said. The license plate and social security card were also returned to their owners.

The cars occupants  Andrea Reyes, 39, and Dustin Kinsey, 44, both of Santa Maria  were taken into custody and booked into County Jail.

Reyes was booked on suspicion of charges of possession of a stun gun, stolen property, burglary tools and drug paraphernalia, as well as charges of driving with a suspended license and identity theft, according to the release. She was still in custody as of Wednesday evening in lieu of $20,000 bail, according to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs Offices Whos in Custody website.

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Kinsey meanwhile was booked on suspicion of charges of a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of drug paraphernalia and identity theft. He was also still in custody as of Wednesday evening, with bail set at $50,000.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the police department at 805-781-7312 or Crime Stoppers at 805-549-STOP.
Nurses takes care of a newborn baby at a hospital in Baofeng county, Henan province, Jan 21, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

For Zhou Liping, an obstetrics nurse in Jiangsu province, the Spring Festival holiday last month was much quieter than in past years.

"About 50 babies used to be delivered at Wuxi People's Hospital, where I work, during the weeklong holiday, but there were only around 20 deliveries this year," she said.

Zhou, who has practiced midwifery in Jiangsu for more than four decades, said that previously cots had to be placed temporarily in hallways to accommodate growing numbers of expectant mothers during the busiest times.

"I doubt that such scenes will be repeated anytime soon. The number of pregnant women visiting us for prenatal testing has dropped markedly, meaning fewer newborns in the future," she said.

Zhou's comments shed light on the issue of China's dwindling population, which is due to falling numbers of newborns. Last year, the population fell by 850,000 to around 1.41 billion  the first decline since 1961.

Experts said that all-out efforts must be made to raise the low fertility rate so as to counter the persistent downward trend and avert a sharp population decline in the long term.

Measures strongly advocated by experts and families include relieving the burden of raising children by providing stronger financial incentives, while nurturing a desire among the younger generation for marriage and to have children.

Yuan Xin, a demography professor at Nankai University in Tianjin, said the annual disparity between the number of newborns and deaths will not be sharply defined in coming years, but the nation will witness a decline in its total population for decades to come.

"Negative population growth is an inevitable result of a persistently low fertility rate. China has had a low fertility rate for more than 30 years," he said.

Official data show there were some 9.56 million births in China last year, the first time the figure had fallen below 10 million in more than six decades.

The fertility level  the average number of babies born to women over a lifetime  dropped below the replacement rate of 2.1 in 1992. By 2020, it had fallen to 1.3.

Yuan said, "We will witness an early phase of negative population growth during the decades to 2050, but the downfall will be mild and will provide a precious window of opportunity (to encourage births).

"If we can raise the fertility rate to an appropriate level during the initial stage (of negative growth), we have the chance to avoid or lessen the impact of an abrupt decline in the total population," he said.

Projections in a UN report titled World Population Prospects 2022 show that if a fertility rate of around 1.4 is maintained in the long term, China's population will fall slowly to 1.3 billion by 2050, but will be nearly halved to 777 million by the year 2100.

"The next three decades will be vital. We should roll out effective measures to encourage births while the fertility rate is still fluctuating," Yuan said.

However, experts have acknowledged the severity of the challenge faced in raising the fertility level.

Although legal limitations essentially ended with the introduction of the three-child policy and the scrapping of all restrictive measures and fines associated with childbirth in 2021, the experts said couples are now simply unwilling to have more children.

Mao Zhuoyan, a professor at Capital University of Economics and Business, said that for parents, having an additional child means doubling the workload involved in daily care, finding satisfactory nursery care centers and kindergartens, and addressing a range of tasks associated with children's education and medical needs.

"For mothers, discrimination in the workplace adds to the pressure. Young parents also tend to feel overwhelmed (by parenthood) and have to seek help from their own parents in raising children," she said.

The central and local governments have introduced a series of incentives, including tax cuts, cash bonuses and extending maternity leave, but Mao said implementation of these measures is still at an initial stage, and more comprehensive and concrete action should be taken to encourage couples to have children.

Last month, the government in Shenzhen, Guangzhou province, said couples having a third child would be eligible for a cash allowance of 19,000 yuan ($2,825) until the child reached the age of 3. Public opinion is being sought for this measure.

The subsidies for having a first and second child would be 7,500 yuan and 11,000 yuan, respectively, the government said.

However, Ma Li, 29, who lives in Shenzhen and is planning to have her first baby in the coming years, is reluctant to have a second or third child. She said the allowances offered have affected her decision.

"The time and energy we need to invest in raising one child is overwhelming, let alone two or three. The most effective incentive would be to give me an apartment," she said.

Ma added that despite appealing for more affordable nursery care services to be provided in recent years, she has rarely seen employers offering to equip workplaces with such facilities.

"I am also looking forward to assisted fertility procedures being reimbursed in the future. Many people wanting a second child are in need of such services," she added.

Mao said action needs to be taken now to adjust to new trends, such as delaying marriage and having children.

"For example, the increasing number of high-risk pregnancies means that more women are undergoing costly prenatal examinations, and more couples are also seeking fertility treatment. Such services are not included in medical reimbursement plans," she said.

Mao added that it is important to increase willingness among young people to get married, and guide them in starting a family at recommended ages.

Song Jian, a professor at Renmin University's Population Development Studies Center, said boosting the fertility rate is the only way to address a population decline.

"Over the years, the burden of looking after the elderly and young children has shifted to families themselves. Such a burden, coupled with workplace pressures, has deepened anxiety and even fear about marriage and childbearing," she said.

Yuan, from Nankai University, said: "Many young people are unwilling to marry, and are choosing to stay single or have no children. Their perspective on marriage and childbearing has changed a lot from that of previous generations."

He suggested that the precise needs of young people should be determined so that they can be persuaded to change their views on marriage and having children.
Black-owned Dallas

What are the best cities for singles? The answer may surprise you.

Valentines Day is quickly approaching, and you may feel anxiety leading up to the big day if youre single. If youve had difficulty finding love in your current city, then a change of pace may be in order. Location is a very important factor when trying to find a potential partner.

Are you a die-hard romantic? Then, consider traveling the world for love. Your soulmate may be waiting for you in another country or continent. Besides finding love in a different country, youll also have a chance to immerse yourself in a new culture, indulge in different cuisines and learn another language.

New research from Compare The Market recently revealed the best cities to live in for singles. When ranking countries, the study compared seven factors: the cost of going on a date, cost of a pint, number of restaurants and bars, number of attraction and things to do, unemployment rate, internet download speeds and rent prices.

Here is everything that you need to know from the study.

Related: I Met My Boyfriend in Johannesburg And Started A Whole New Life

Getty Images

The Top 5 Cities for Young Singles

Tokyo, Japan



Tokyo takes the top spot for young singles. Work is readily available as the city has the 4th lowest unemployment rate and the 13th quickest internet speed out of all of the cities analyzed. It is perfect for working remotely. There are over 12,000 attractions in Tokyo, making it an easy place to go on a date. The city also ranked number one in the study for restaurants and bars. Its an extremely clean and safe city.



Bangkok, Thailand



The second-best place for working singles is great for meeting people and going on dates for an affordable price. Bangkok ranked in the top 10 for the highest number of restaurants and bars, and for the cheapest pints. Above all, Bangkok ranks first for having the lowest unemployment rates, so its super easy to find work.



Budapest, Hungary



Hungary has a low unemployment rate as a country. It also has one of the best internet speeds and cheapest date costs of all of the cities analyzed. This Central European city is perfect for working hard and playing harder.



Prague, Czechia



This World Heritage city ranked in the top 15 for affordable dates and made the top five for low unemployment rates. Living and dating in Prague means there will be much available work and an affordable cost of living.



Seoul, South Korea



Dont sleep on Seoul! This city is lively and has many great places for dates. It ranks mid-table for almost every factor in the study.



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Nicole Berro

Best Dating Scene Cities for Young Singles

In Istanbul, you can get two movie theater tickets, a bottle of wine, taxi fare, and a three-course meal for two in a medium-price restaurant for $39.34. The cheapest dating costs can be found in these three cities:

Istanbul, Turkey  $39.34 average cost of date New Delhi, India  $43.47 average cost of dates Buenos Aires, Argentina  $46.81 average cost of date

Here are the top three cities with the cheapest pint of beer:

Shanghai, China  $1.25 average cost of a pint Beijing, China  $1,40 average cost of a pint Sofia, Bulgaria  $1,49 average cost of a pint

Here are the top three cities with the most bars and restaurants:

Tokyo, Japan  102,271 bars and restaurants Seoul, South Korea  35,305 bars and restaurants London, United Kingdom  20,484 bars and restaurants

Here are the top three cities with the most attractions:

Tokyo, Japan  12,110 attractions London, United Kingdom  8,478 attractions Paris, France  8,205 attractions

The Best Cities for Working Singles

When living, working, and dating abroad, you want to find destinations where work is easily available. A huge part of remote work is having reliable internet speed. Copenhagen, Zurich, and Stockholm take the top spots.

When it comes to unemployment rates, Bangkok, Dubai, and Zurich had the lowest of the 50 cities analyzed.

Getty Images

Here are the top three cities with the most affordable rent:

Sofia, Bulgaria  $310 average rent per month Riga, Latvia  $360 average rent per month Bangkok, Thailand  $500 average rent per month

Here are the top three cities with the quickest internet speed:

Copenhagen, Denmark  123.96 internet speed (Mbps) Zurich, Switzerland  110.77 internet speed (Mbps) Stockholm, Sweden  75.54 internet speed (Mbps)

Here are the top three cities with the lowest unemployment rate:

Bangkok, Thailand  0.99% unemployment rate Dubai, UAE  1.60% unemployment rate Zurich, Switzerland  2.31% unemployment rate

So singles, which city will you be visiting to find love?

Related: Looking To Impress? These Are The Perfect First Date Locations In Atlanta
By Wendell Roelf and Carien du Plessis

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) -South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday declared a national "state of disaster" over his country's crippling power shortages, saying they posed an existential threat to the economy and social fabric.

The electricity crunch has been years in the making, a product of delays in building new coal-fired power stations, corruption in coal-supply contracts, criminal sabotage and failures to ease up regulation to enable private providers to swiftly bring renewable energy on tap.

"We are in the grip of a profound energy crisis," Ramaphosa said in his annual State of the Nation Address to parliament.

"The crisis has progressively evolved to affect every part of society. We must act to lessen the impact of the crisis on farmers, on small businesses, on our water infrastructure and our transport network."

State electricity utility Eskom is implementing the worst rolling blackouts on record, leaving households in the dark, disrupting manufacturing and hurting businesses of all sizes.

The power cuts are expected to reduce economic growth in Africa's most industrialised nation to just 0.3% this year.

Declaring a national state of disaster gives the government additional powers to respond to a crisis, including by permitting emergency procurement procedures with fewer bureaucratic delays and less oversight.

The legislation was used to enable health authorities to respond more swiftly to the COVID-19 pandemic, but some analysts doubt it will help the government expand power supply much quicker.

Eskom said it would study the details of the declaration before commenting.

Brighton Hlupego, a street trader outside Cape Town City Hall where Ramaphosa delivered his speech, said the biggest problems facing South Africans were poverty, unemployment and electricity.

"To some extent he gave some solutions to the problems, but these won't be solved easily," said Hlupego, who bought mobile data to listen to the speech with friends. "The state of disaster is a good thing but we don't want to see them (politicians) put the money in their pockets."

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The biggest opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, said it would challenge the "state of disaster" declaration in court, alleging Ramaphosa's party issued nonsensical regulations and abused procurement processes during the pandemic.

Ramaphosa also said on Thursday that the government was working on a mechanism for targeted basic income support for the most vulnerable, within fiscal constraints.

He started his speech about 45 minutes late after opposition lawmakers, mainly from the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters party, disrupted proceedings and tried to barge onto the stage.

(Additional reporting by Bhargav Acharya in Johannesburg; writing by Tim Cocks and Nellie Peyton; editing by Alexander Winning, Sandra Maler and Mark Heinrich)
JOHANNESBURG (AP)  South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a state of disaster with immediate effect to deal with the countrys severe electricity crisis including prolonged daily power blackouts.

Extraordinary circumstances call for extraordinary measures. The energy crisis is an existential threat to our economy and social fabric, said Ramaphosa in his State of the Nation address Thursday night.

The declaration of a state of disaster comes as rolling power cuts of up to 8 hours per day are hitting homes, factories and businesses across the nation of 60 million. The state of disaster is an emergency measure previously implemented to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and the deadly floods that killed over 400 people last year.

According to Ramaphosa, the declaration will enable his government to exempt essential services like hospitals and water treatment plants from power blackouts and enable the government to purchase additional power from neighboring countries on an emergency basis.

It will also enable the government to assist businesses to deal with the effects of widespread power cuts, including making diesel-powered generators and solar panels more widely available.

The countrys power utility Eskom is unable to produce adequate power due to frequent breakdowns at its aging coal-fired power stations and years of corruption.

Ramaphosa also announced that he will appoint a minister of electricity, whose sole focus would be to deal with the electricity crisis.

Ramaphosas speech was delayed for 45 minutes after disruptions by members of parliament from the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters opposition party, who were eventually removed from the sitting by security personnel.

He is expected to reshuffle his Cabinet following the resignation of deputy president David Mabuza and changes in the leadership of the ruling African National Congress party. Ramaphosa is expected to appoint newly-elected ANC deputy president Paul Mashatile to replace Mabuza.
A South Carolina dog breeder was fatally shot Monday night after a planned sale of a French bulldog went awry, authorities said Thursday.

Lonnie A. Ray, 76, described by the Lee County sheriff as "probably the best breeder in South Carolina," arranged to meet a buyer in the parking lot of a KFC in Bishopville, about 53 miles northeast of Columbia.

As he'd done in the past, Ray brought along a friend for Monday's sale, which was planned online, Sheriff Daniel Simon said. The same companion frequently tagged along for these kinds of meetings, according to the sheriff, who said Ray spoke to the prospective buyer by phone.

Before the $2,500 transaction could take place, at least one person pulled out a handgun and began shooting in the direction of Ray and his friend, Simon said.

The person sped off in a sedan  with the puppy in tow, according to the sheriff. Three or four people were seen in the vehicle.

Officers arrived at the scene and saw Ray on the ground with gunshot wounds, Simon said. It was not immediately clear Thursday how many times he'd been shot. Ray was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead an hour later. An autopsy will be performed Friday morning.

Ray's friend was not injured by the gunfire, according to the sheriff. The stolen French bulldog had not been found Thursday.

The highly-coveted dog breed made headlines in 2021 for its popularity and steep price tags after pop star Lady Gaga's two French bulldogs were violently stolen. Gaga's dogwalker was shot and injured during the robbery. The two dogs were later returned.

South Carolina authorities are reviewing surveillance cameras to determine the identities and potential whereabouts of the shooter and others involved in the botched dog sale.

To reduce future risks associated with transactions conducted over social media, the sheriff's office plans to create a meeting zone that will be housed within the agency's Bishopville location, Simon said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Virginia Foxx

Southeastern University will host U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-North Carolina, for an event sponsored by the American Center for Political Leadership. Foxx will speak Monday at 10 a.m. in the Welcome Centers Lake Bonny Room. Foxx will open with brief remarks and then take questions from the audience.

This weekend:L.B. Brown Heritage Festival in Bartow puts emphasis on history for 23rd edition

In other news:South Florida Avenue crash turns fatal

Foxx serves as the Republican Leader of the House Committee on Education and Labor. She served as Secretary of the House Republican Conference from 2013 to 2016.

Prior to serving on Capitol Hill, Foxx spent 10 years in the North Carolina Senate, where she successfully sponsored several statewide and local bills and consistently voted against tax increases, SEU said in a news release.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, email acpl@seu.edu or call 863-667-5051.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: U.S. Rep. Foxx to appear in event at Southeastern Univ. in Lakeland
Southwest Airlines announced a total of 29 new and returning routes in its latest network expansion. George Rose/Getty Images

Southwest Airlines announced five new and 24 returning routes in its latest network expansion.

The routes are a mix of year-round and seasonal, with a majority starting in September.

Long Beach, California, will see three new routes thanks to freed-up airport slots.

Southwest Airlines is launching a slew of new and returning routes as demand continues to strengthen as the industry continues to recover from the pandemic.

On Thursday, the Dallas-based carrier announced Long Beach Airport in California would be getting three new daily routes to destinations across the US, including Colorado Springs, Colorado; El Paso, Texas; and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

These are in addition to the previously announced new nonstops to Kansas City and Orlando from Long Beach, starting in March and July, respectively.

The expansion is thanks to the additional airport slots being awarded to Southwest, the carrier said in a press release. According to the City of Long Beach, the airport is "one of the strictest noise-controlled airports in the nation," meaning only a certain number of planes can take off and land each day.

Fortunately for Southwest, the city's annual noise review freed up five more slots this year. Once the new routes commence, the carrier's total operation at Long Beach will be 45 departures per day to 22 cities, continuing Southwest's reign as the biggest operator in the city.

On top of the three new year-round options, the carrier is also expanding its seasonal offerings with two new Saturday-only routes between both Austin and Jacksonville as well as El Paso and Orlando, both starting in September.

Meanwhile, Southwest is fulfilling its promise to resume several routes dropped during the pandemic. A total of 16 will be available again starting in September:

Austin to Pittsburgh: Sundays starting on September 10.

Nashville to Islip, New York: Sundays starting on September 10.

Nashville to Omaha, Nebraska: Sundays starting on September 10.

Baltimore to Oakland, California: Daily starting on September 5.

Charlotte to Houston Hobby: Sundays starting on September 10

Dallas Love Field to Philadelphia: Saturdays and Sundays starting on September 9.

Denver to Richmond, Virginia: Daily starting on September 5.

Houston Hobby to Lubbock, Texas: Sundays starting on September 10.

Houston Hobby to Ontario, California: Sundays starting on September 10.

Houston Hobby to Philadelphia: Sundays starting on September 10.

Houston Hobby to Raleigh, North Carolina: Monday, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays starting on September 7.

Houston Intercontinental to Phoenix: Sundays starting on September 10.

Las Vegas to Little Rock, Arkansas: Daily starting on September 5.

Las Vegas to Minneapolis: Saturdays starting on September 9.

Los Angeles to Portland, Oregon: Saturdays and Sundays starting on September 9.

Long Beach to New Orleans: Sundays starting on September 10.

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Another eight seasonal routes, flying Saturdays and Sundays, will also resume in September, including city pairs like Boise to Chicago Midway, Charlotte to Denver, and Buffalo to Sarasota:

The new and returning routes are now available on Southwest's website and can be booked through October 4, according to the carrier.

Here's a closer look at the five all-new routes that Southwest will launch this year.

Between Long Beach and Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs, Colorado. Getty Images

Southwest will launch daily flights between Long Beach and Colorado Springs on July 11. The airline will not face any competition.

Between Long Beach and El Paso

El Paso, Texas Denis Tangney Jr./Getty Images

Southwest will launch daily flights between Long Beach and El Paso on July 11. The airline will not face any direct competition, though American Airlines flies nonstop to the Texas city from nearby Los Angeles International Airport.

Between Long Beach and Albuquerque

Albuquerque, New Mexico Davel5957/Getty Images

Southwest will launch daily flights between Long Beach and Albuquerque on September 5. The airline will not face any direct competition, though both Delta Air Lines and American operate to Albuquerque from Los Angeles.

Between Austin and Jacksonville

benedek/Getty Images

Southwest will launch Saturday-only seasonal flights between Austin and Jacksonville on September 9. The airline will compete with American on the route.

Between El Paso and Orlando

Orlando city skyline towards Lake Eola. Shutterstock/Sean Pavone

Southwest will launch Saturday-only seasonal flights between El Paso and Orlando on September 9. The airline will not face any competition.

Read the original article on Business Insider
An executive for Southwest Airlines apologized Thursday before a Senate for its holiday meltdown that resulted in thousands of canceled flights and stranded passengers, acknowledging that the airline "messed up" and that they're working to make it up to their customers.

Southwest COO Andrew Watterson "sincerely and humbly" apologized for the situation and promised his airline is now "intensely focused on learning from this event by taking immediate mitigation efforts." That includes a systemic review by a third-party company and internal assessments and reviews.

"Let me be clear: we messed up," Watterson said. "In hindsight, we did not have enough winter operational resilience."

Watterson explained that while the airline had "precanceled" some flights ahead of the storm, conditions were bad enough that they couldn't keep up with even the modified schedule, especially at the key airports of Denver and Chicago, their two biggest hubs through which 25 percent of their crew members move. After that, cancellations mounted and that required a volume of changes to crew schedules that their scheduling technology was "overwhelemd."

He said the airline is prioritizing "enhancements" to its crew software but defended the soundness of its flight network and said it has spent hundreds of millions of dollars in customer reimbursements so far.

But Casey Murray, president of the union for Southwest's pilots, said the failures on display in December weren't a fluke, but rather had been building for years.

He said warning signs were ignored, poor performance was condoned, excuses were made, processes atrophied, core values were forgotten. He said the organization had become a stove-piped fiefdom that communicated vertically with little to no horizontal integration, and called for bold action immediately.

Southwest has been under a microscope since December, when a winter storm sparked a cascade of internal failures that meant Southwest had to cancel a majority of its flights for nearly a week as it struggled to match crews to planes across its sprawling network.



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Beyond congressional hearings like Thursday's, the Transportation Department is also keeping a close watch on the airline to ensure it properly reimburses customers for the disruption. DOT has also announced it is separately investigating the airline for whether it scheduled flights that it knew it wouldn't be able to staff.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) called Southwest's meltdown an "epic failure," but spent most of his opening remarks taking aim at the DOT and Federal Aviation Administration. He accused the Biden administration of egregious regulatory overreach for its probe into the airline's scheduling practices, saying "a world in which DOT can deem an entire airline schedule unrealistic is a world with fewer flights to smaller airports and less flexibility and competition for airlines, and ultimately higher prices."

He also suggested the FAA turn its spotlight back onto itself for its own system failure that canceled thousands of flights and forced the first nationwide airplane grounding since the events of Sept. 11, 2001. He also pointed a finger at DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg for not appearing at the hearing. (The committee plans a separate hearing on the FAA's failures next week.)
By Joey Roulette

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - SpaceX has taken steps to prevent Ukraine's military from using the company's Starlink satellite internet service for controlling drones in the region during the country's war with Russia, SpaceX's president said Wednesday.

SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service, which has provided Ukraine's military with broadband communications in its defense against Russia's military, was "never never meant to be weaponized," Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX's president and chief operating officer, said during a conference in Washington, D.C.

"However, Ukrainians have leveraged it in ways that were unintentional and not part of any agreement," she said.

Speaking later with reporters, Shotwell referred to reports that the Ukrainian military had used the Starlink service to control drones.

Ukraine has made effective use of unmanned aircraft for spotting enemy positions, targeting long-range fires and dropping bombs.

"There are things that we can do to limit their ability to do that," she said, referring to Starlink's use with drones. "There are things that we can do, and have done."

Shotwell declined to say what measures SpaceX had taken.

Using Starlink with drones went beyond the scope of an agreement SpaceX has with the Ukrainian government, Shotwell said, adding the contract was intended for humanitarian purposes such as providing broadband internet to hospitals, banks and families affected by Russia's invasion.

"We know the military is using them for comms, and that's ok," she said. "But our intent was never to have them use it for offensive purposes."

SpaceX has privately shipped truckloads of Starlink terminals to Ukraine, allowing the country's military to communicate by plugging them in and connecting them with the nearly 4,000 satellites SpaceX has launched into low-Earth orbit so far.

Governments including the United States and France have paid for other shipments of Starlink terminals on top of those funded privately by SpaceX.

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Russia has attempted to jam Starlink signals in the region, though SpaceX countered by hardening the service's software, Elon Musk, the company's chief executive, has said.

Asked if SpaceX had anticipated Starlink's use for offensive purposes in Ukraine when deciding to ship terminals into conflict zones, Shotwell said: "We didn't think about it. I didn't think about it. Our starlink team may have, I don't know. But we learned pretty quickly."

Starlink had suffered services outages in Ukraine late last year, for reasons SpaceX did not explain.

Asked if those outages were related to SpaceXs efforts to curb offensive use of Starlink, Shotwell said: I dont want to answer it because Im not sure I know the answer.

(Reporting by Joey Roulette; Editing by Stephen Coates)
MADRID (AP)  Spains constitutional court on Thursday rejected a challenge lodged more than a decade ago by the conservative Popular Party against a law allowing abortions in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy.

The legal challenge had not obtained the support of the court, the verdict said. The main opposition PP's legal argument had centered on the constitutionality of the right to life of the fetus.

Four new judges were appointed to the 12-member court last year, shifting its political balance to the left.

The Abortion Law is constitutional, tweeted Spain's Equality Minister Irene Montero, who represents the far-left United We Can party within the coalition government. Never again should 13 years go by questioning a single right for women.

Such delays are not uncommon in Spanish courts.

Abortion has once again become a politically sensitive issue in Spain in an election year. A far-right member of the regional government of Castile and Leon proposed in January that doctors should have to give women a chance to listen to fetal heartbeats and see four-dimensional ultrasound scans before any abortion procedure. The idea was subsequently dropped. Spains regional governments have jurisdiction over public health policy at a regional level.

The 2010 abortion law was a major shift for a traditionally Catholic country under the leadership of former Socialist Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero. The law allowed for on-demand abortion at up to 14 weeks, and at up to 22 weeks if there was a serious threat to the health of the mother, or fetal malformation.

The Popular Party has long sided with the Roman Catholic Church on moral and social issues. However, following the courts decision, the PPs current leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo said the existing window for abortion access in Spain was correct and that he would respect the courts decision.
MADRID(Reuters) - Spain's Constitutional Court on Thursday upheld a 13-year-old law that allows women to abort on demand within the first 14 weeks of pregnancy, after the divisive issue resurfaced following a regional far-right party's effort to limit abortion access.

The ruling comes after the court was revamped in December with the conservative faction losing clout, which led it to dismiss the appeal brought by the centre-right People's Party (PP) in 2010 against the law passed by the Socialist government that year.

"The Abortion Law is constitutional," Equality Minister Irene Montero said on Twitter, adding that "never again will 13 years go by in which a single women's right is questioned".

Women's rights have been prominent in the political debate in Spain for over a decade and remain controversial, as the country gears up for regional and national elections later this year.

Since the abortion law was passed, there was a failed attempt to restrict rights in 2014 by the conservative government of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

Last year, the minority left-wing government reinforced abortion rights by eliminating parental consent for women aged 16-17 who wish to terminate their pregnancy, and made Spain the first country in Europe to offer state-funded paid leave for women who suffer from painful periods.

But far-right party Vox, the minority partner in the regional government of Castile and Leon, proposed that pregnant women who want to abort first listen to their foetus' heartbeats and be shown 4D ultrasounds.

The proposal caused a big turmoil, with the central government threatening to step in if the region restricted women's rights.

The regional PP leader said no abortion protocol would be changed and that they were only improving resources available to both healthcare professionals and women.

Women's rights are back under the international spotlight after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to terminate pregnancies in 2022.

Abortion was first decriminalised in Spain in 1985 in the cases of malformed foetuses, rape or potential mental or physical damage to the mother.

(Reporting by Emma Pinedo; Editing by David Latona and Arun Koyyur)
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday sent a congratulatory message to the "Icebreakers" 2023 Chinese New Year celebration hosted by Britain's 48 Group Club.

In the message, Li said that 70 years ago, visionary people in the British business community broke the ice with great courage and opened the door to China-Britain trade.

At present, the international and regional situations are undergoing complex and profound changes, and geopolitics, world economy, climate change, food and energy security and other fields are facing severe risks and challenges, Li said, adding that when difficulties arise, it is all the more important to carry on the "icebreaking" spirit, strengthen exchanges and cooperation with a pioneering attitude, properly handle contradictions and differences, improve people's wellbeing and achieve mutually beneficial and win-win results.

Li pointed out that China unswervingly adheres to the path of peaceful development, upholds the basic state policy of reform and opening-up, and stands ready to work with all parties to safeguard world peace and promote development and prosperity.

Li said both China and Britain are the permanent members of the UN Security Council and major economies in the world, and maintaining a sound and stable bilateral relationship is in the interests of both sides and the world.

He expressed the hope that the business communities of both countries will continue to make new and greater contributions to China-Britain friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation.
By Nacho Doce

UTRERA, Spain (Reuters) - Some young and lively, others with greying muzzles and limping - hundreds of greyhounds are waiting in a dog shelter in southern Spain which hopes to find homes for the mistreated animals abroad as greyhounds are not common as pets in Spain.

"Ninety percent of our adoptions are abroad. There is no culture of having greyhounds as pets in our country so far," said Rocio Arrabal, head of the Benjamin Mehnert shelter and rescue foundation in the Andalusian town of Utrera.

The 'galgo' greyhounds are used to track or catch animals such as deer, wild boar and rabbits, but are often discarded when injured or sick.

Hunting dogs have become a divisive issue in Spain, whose hunting industry is worth an estimated 5 billion euros ($5.4 billion) a year and has a powerful lobby.

Parliament approved on Thursday a bill aimed at bolstering animal rights, banning the sale of pets in shops, converting zoos into wildlife recovery centres and imposing prison sentences for abusers, but hunting dogs had been excluded from the bill.

The shelter houses around 600 dogs, mainly galgos. They mostly find homes in other European countries, but some travel as far as the United Stated and Canada, Arrabal said.

About 167,000 dogs were abandoned in Spain in 2021, many following the end of the hunting season, according to Barcelona-based Affinity Foundation.

(Additional reporting by Miguel Gutierrez, writing by Miguel Gutierrez and Andrei Khalip, editing by Alexandra Hudson)
After checking on a batch of conchas in the oven, Lupita Hernandez pulls out a handmade recipe book she made when she was 12 years old. Handwritten recipes and photos cut from magazines sit on yellowed, lined stationary. This delicate book represents the start of Hernandez's passion for working magic in the kitchen.

Hernandez is the owner of Sweet Pieces, a business she operates from her kitchen. Each week, she makes homemade breads and pastries that she sells at the Farmers Market of the Ozarks and El Cafecito, a new Latin coffee shop in Springfield. Her specialties include conchas (sweet bread rolls), churro cookies and birote, the crispy bread necessary for tortas ahogadas (baguettes often filled with refried beans, carnitas, onions, cucumbers and a red sauce).

Growing up in Guadalajara, Mexico, Hernandez began cooking around age five, learning from her aunt. Around the same time, she began saving money to purchase her first set of piping tips, used to decorate desserts, which she learned from her father. Hernandez's love for cooking and baking have been constants throughout her life, but she didn't always think about pursuing them as a career.

Lupita Hernandez fills conchas, a Mexican sweet bread with a topping that resembles a seashell, with a strawberry and cream cheese filling, at her home on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023.

More:El Cafecito opens its doors today, offering authentic Latin coffee, brunch specials

Hernandez received a degree in accounting from Universidad Guadalajara Lamar in Guadalajara and worked as an accountant for 10 years. After a decade in the industry, her husband, Ivan, inquired about her happiness.

"I remember one day he just (asked) me, 'What is (your) most favorite thing you want to do?' and I said baking," Hernandez recalled, looking to Ivan with a smile.

Hernandez began taking cooking classes on the side, but when she became pregnant with her eldest daughter, she decided to take a step back. Ivan thought otherwise.

"One day, he tricked me," Hernandez said. Not long after their daughter's birth, Ivan took Hernandez to the Institute of Cuisine Isima, which offers a gastronomy degree, where students learn about Oriental, Spanish, German and Mexican cooking along with confectionary, baking and chocolate. Upon arrival, Ivan encouraged Hernandez to check things out. When she wasn't around, he enrolled her, which came as a complete shock.

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"He worked in the mornings and I went to the school in the afternoons for a whole year, and I (had) my baby, one year old," Hernandez said. "It was interesting and complicated."

About 10 and a half years ago, the Hernandez's moved to Springfield from Guadalajara because Ivan was offered a software engineer job at O'Reilly Automotive. Hernandez said she spoke no English when they first moved to Springfield, but she enrolled in cooking classes anyway.

When Hernandez started Sweet Pieces in July 2021, she focused solely on decorating sugar cookies and cakes, but then she began to branch out, baking traditional Mexican breads and pastries.

More:From soul food to sushi, here are 15 new restaurants that opened in Springfield in 2022

Samples of some of the cookie designs Lupita Hernandez, owner of Sweet Pieces bakery, has made.

"(I) was very scared because my baking style is Mexican style; it's different to the bread here or the things here in America," Hernandez said about first selling at the Farmers Market of the Ozarks. "I tried to combine both cultures, and the people love it."

Since she began working with El Cafecito, Hernandez has been busy. For the coffee shop's opening last week, she made 40-50 churro cookies and 200 conchas, filled with both cream cheese, jam and Nutella.

When asked how many hours a week she bakes, Ivan said "all of them," with a laugh.

"Sometimes, when it's time for the farmer's market, I start at 6 a.m., doing the dough and waiting for it to raise, then I do other things  (take) my kids to school, pick things up, but about 10 p.m. at night I finish," Hernandez said.

Aside from the large batches of churro cookies and conchas she makes each week, Hernandez's true specialty, unique to the area, is birote. Well-made birote is determined by its crunchy exterior, soft interior and ability to "drowned" in sauce without getting soggy.

Lupita Hernandez presses dough to make the tops of conchas, a Mexican sweet bread with a topping that resembles a seashell, at her home on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023.

The key to making successful birote is humidity. Hernandez said the humidity in Missouri is similar to the humidity in Guadalajara, which aids in her baking.

The history of birote in Mexico dates back to 1864, when Belgian Camille Pirrotte came to Mexico with the French Army. A baker, Pirrotte taught the locals how to make French bread, but no yeast was available. So he left the bread out to ferment, producing a sourdough, Hernandez said. This method proved sufficient and the locals began to pick up on the technique.

Following the conclusion of the second French intervention in Mexico, Pirrotte stayed in Guadalajara and opened his own bakery.

"His name was Pirrotte, with P, but the people couldn't say the name, so they started saying birote," Hernandez said about the origin of the bread's name.

The Hernandez's became permanent residences of the United States about three years ago. When looking to the future, Hernandez said she is interested in expanding Sweet Pieces into a larger space, outside of her home. For now, orders may be placed through the Sweet Pieces Facebook Page at facebook.com/sweetpieceslupita.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield baker puts twist on traditional Mexican breads, pastries
Stanford Universitys Music Library & Archive of Recorded Sound received a special gift donated by Bram Dijkstra, professor emeritus at the University of California, San Diego, and renowned literary agent Sandra Dijkstra. Stanford now holds a culturally in-depth collection of Black music valued at over $2.3 million.

The post Stanford University Acquired $2.3M Vinyl Record Collection Of San Diegan Bram Dijkstra appeared first on Blavity.

The Dijkstra Black Music Collection includes a range of genres of over 8,000 jazz, blues, gospel, soul and reggae records.

According to Essence, the collection features original and pre-recordings of John Coltranes catalog, Bob Marleys Buffalo Soldiers, and a few Hip Hop LPs.

The music collection is nearly 65 years in the making. Bram Dijkstras passion for music collecting led him to document the history of music and all its genres.

The retired professor recalls in 1955 while listening to a record by the New Miles Davis Quintet, his love of music and its history sparked.

I admired Miles Daviss clear, coherent trumpet, but I was shocked into incredulous admiration by the hoarse, abrasive, yet melodious solos of the young tenor saxophone player Miles was featuring here for the first time, someone with the rather strange name of John Coltrane, Bram said in a statement.

The digital library will also include physical discs, sleeves, and liner notes. Students and faculty will be able to access the library by appointment at Stanfords ARS.

According to Tamar Barzel, the head music librarian at Stanford, they will abide by audio preservation practices to upkeep the condition.

The ARS was founded in 1958 to preserve sound recordings as a core part of our cultural heritage, Barzel said. Brams collection is a remarkable document of jazz, Black American music, and Jamaican reggae, and his curatorial vision is really special in its depth, breadth and scope.

The music collection donation came in at the same time as the launch of Stanfords African and African American Studies Department. The institution will hold an event in honor of the music collection on February 13 at the Cecil H. Green Library.
If you get caught jaywalking in the city of Seattle, the fine is $68.

But a new bill being considered by state lawmakers would ban jaywalking laws in every city across the state.

A hearing was held in Olympia on Wednesday regarding House Bill 1428. If passed, pedestrians could cross the roadway at any time unless a reasonably careful person would realize theres an immediate danger of a collision with a vehicle or cyclist.

This includes when a red or yellow traffic signal or Dont Walk signal is operating. However, the bill does require pedestrians to exercise due care for their safety.

Ive jaywalked; I imagine most people in this room have jaywalked, and yet regardless of who jaywalks, jaywalking laws are not equally enforced, said Rep. Emily Alvarado, the bills primary sponsor, during Wednesdays hearing. The data shows that we enforce those laws disproportionately against people of color and people who are low-income.

Alvarado cited a 2017 article from The Seattle Times that stated that over 25% of jaywalking citations were written to black people between 2010 and 2016. At that time, they represented only 7% of the citys population.

If the bill is passed, Washington would join four other states which have already banned jaywalking laws  California, Massachusetts, Nevada and Virginia.
President Biden's State of the Union address on Tuesday was measured in tone, optimistic about the economy, and managed to balance both humility and defiance in the portions of his speech directly aimed at Beijing and Moscow.

Biden signaled that he will likely run for president in 2024 to, as he put it, "finish the job." But that will likely do little to quash speculation of presidential bids from the likes of Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), who still hasn't ruled out a 2024 run.

And amid the shouting and shushing in the House chamber, the address highlighted a number of issues of global consequence that are intensifying halfway through Biden's first term.

Biden calls out China

"In the past two years, democracies have become stronger, not weaker," Biden said during the address. "Autocracy has grown weaker, not stronger. Name me a world leader who would change places with Xi Jinping. Name me one."

Biden's call-out of Xi Jinping, the leader of the Chinese Communist Party, was a dare to the leaders of nation-states who have so far sat on the fence in terms of choosing between the U.S. and China  particularly in finance and global trade.

President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, in Washington, as Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of Calif., listen. Jacquelyn Martin/Pool via REUTERS

Biden also alluded to the U.S. decision to strike down a Chinese surveillance balloon that had flown above America. For the business community, it was a clear signal from the Biden administration that the U.S. government remains aligned in terms of addressing the global China challenge.

"Make no mistake about it: As we made clear last week, if China threatens our sovereignty, we will act to protect our country. And we did," Biden said. "Look, lets be clear: Winning the competition should unite all of us. We face serious challenges across the world."

Biden's remarks on China come as Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has created a bipartisan House Select Committee to look into the issue. For as much as America's decades-long era of a two-party system has led to hyper-polarization  it's worth noting that even perhaps the most hyper-partisan of all Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) at one point was shouting about China in the chamber.

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While not even McCarthy would support her lack of manners, on the issue of China  there is unity even amongst the fringe political characters in Washington.

Debt ceiling showdown

Biden dug in on the debt ceiling and showed an unwillingness to negotiate with Republicans on cuts to government spending and entitlements.

"Instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share, some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset," Biden said, prompting loud boos from Republicans.

"If anyone tries to cut Social Security, which apparently no ones going to do, and if anyone tries to cut Medicare, Ill stop them," Biden continued. "Ill veto it. And look, Im not going to allow them to be taken away. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever. But apparently, its not going to be a problem."

U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) yells at U.S. President Joe Biden as he delivers his State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., February 7, 2023. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Biden's positioning came just about one week after he met with McCarthy at the White House to discuss the debt ceiling. One of the biggest unknown Washington variables for the business community remains how the negotiations over the nation's borrowing limit will impact the markets.

Biden noted that during the Trump administration, Republicans voted to raise the debt ceiling three times.

The president also sought to portray a strong U.S. economy, even as Federal Reserve Chairman Jay Powell told David Rubenstein just hours before that the process of bringing U.S. inflation down will "probably be bumpy."

Biden touts American manufacturing

"Folks, I know Ive been criticized for saying this, but Im not changing my view," Biden said about global supply chains. "Were going to make sure the supply chain for America begins in America. The supply chain begins in America."

Biden's comments come as some Europeans have openly griped that the Inflation Reduction Act hurts Europe more than it helps America.

However, that didn't stop Biden the industrialist from highlighting areas of bipartisan success for his administration  most notably the CHIPS Act, which seeks to dramatically increase U.S. chip production to make the U.S. less reliant on China.

"With this new law, were going to create hundreds of thousands of new jobs across the country," Biden said. "And I mean all across the country. Throughout not just the coast, but through the middle of the country as well."

The president's speech also included progressive talking points delivered in a centrist manner.

"I'm a capitalist," he said before calling on billionaires to pay more in taxes. He also shamed Big Oil CEOs for record profits during a global energy crisis.

But then, Biden the senator from refinery-heavy Delaware emerged, saying: "Were going to need oil for at least another decade."

Even Speaker McCarthy smirked.

Kevin Cirilli is a visiting media fellow at the Atlantic Council's Global China Hub and the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue. Follow him on LinkedIn here.

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The Kansas Senate unanimously approved Tony Mattivi to lead the states top investigative agency.

Mattivi, a former federal prosecutor and candidate for Kansas attorney general, has led the Kansas Bureau of Investigation on an interim basis since the beginning of the year. The Senates unanimous vote moved him into the role on a permanent basis.

His experience is exactly what this state needs in this very important role, said Sen. Molly Baumgardner, a Louisburg Republican.

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach announced last year he would nominate Mattivi to the role after he beat Mattivi in the Republican primary for attorney general.

I can think of no one that I would put my reputation behind, and my sense of duty behind more so than Tony Mattivi, Kobach said during Mattivis confirmation hearing Tuesday.

Hes got what it takes.

Mattivi spent 22 years as a federal prosecutor. As an assistant U.S. attorney in Kansas, he worked on federal drug trafficking cases and several high-profile terrorism cases. During his career he also volunteered to assist with war crime trials of officials from Saddam Husseins regime and terrorism detainees at the U.S. Navy base at Guantanamo Bay.

After retiring in November 2021, Mattivi worked as general counsel for Medcor, an international company specializing in health care services for businesses.

During his confirmation hearing Tuesday, Mattivi said he had worked with the KBI throughout his career in federal law enforcement.

He said Kobach had already asked him to start an initiative to prosecute distributors of fentanyl once he is confirmed, including investigating fentanyl overdoses as homicide and increasing sentences for those convicted.

I am very disturbed troubled and concerned about what we are seeing across law enforcement, Mattivi said. I worry we are at the leading edge of a tidal wave.
U.S. stocks edged lower Thursday, giving up early-session gains in a day of topsy-turvy trading as investors parsed more corporate earnings and economic data.

The S&P 500 (^GSPC) dipped 0.9%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) ticked down 0.7%. The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) slid by 1%.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note ticked up to 3.66% Thursday. The dollar index weakened on Thursday against the euro, trading at $103.24.

Stocks closed lower Wednesday following recent Fed officials' speeches signaling that more interest rate hikes are likely to continue and that rates could remain elevated for a longer period.

Some of the standout commentary came from Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller, who said that an effort to reach the central banks 2% target might be a long fight. Meanwhile, New York Fed President John Williams hinted that more hikes may be needed as interest rates were barely in restrictive territory.

The number of Americans filing new unemployment claims rose to 196,000 for the week ended Feb. 4, the Labor Department said on Thursday, higher than the 190,000 expected by economists.

In specific stock moves, shares of Disney (DIS) rose Thursday morning after the company reported an earnings beat and revealed new restructuring plans that include eliminating 7,000 jobs from its workforce and trimming $5.5 billion in costs. It pared gains later in the session, closing 1.3% lower.

The worlds largest entertainment company delivered an adjusted earnings per share of $0.99, higher than the Streets estimates of $0.74 cents per share. Disney lost 2.4 million streaming subscribers. Revenue jumped to $23.5 billion against forecasts of $23.4 billion.

"Disney is a bellwether for the state of the consumer and the double-digit quarterly revenue growth in its theme parks division helps to calm recession fears in the near-term," David Trainer, CEO of New Constructs, an investment research firm, based in Nashville, wrote in statement following the results.

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CEO Bob Iger told CNBCs Squawk on the Street that he doesn't plan to stay longer than two years at the company in his second stint at the helm of the company. Meanwhile, the highly publicized proxy "fight is over," activist investor Nelson Peltz announced on CNBC Thursday morning.

Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL) shares slumped again Thursday, building on a big decline from Wednesday's session after the Google parent unveiled a batch of new AI-powered features for its Search, Maps, and Lens apps.

Affirm (AFRM) stock sank 17% after the company announced a 19% reduction of its staff. The move comes as the buy-now-pay-later company posted a wider-than-expected quarterly loss per share. Revenue came in at $399.6 million against estimates of $146.9 million.

Robinhood (HOOD) shares slipped after the company reported quarterly results that came in below expectations as revenue reached $380 million, against $389 million analysts forecasts.

Tesla (TSLA) shares climbed 3% Thursday following a government report that found the fatal Tesla crash in 2021 was caused by excessive speed, not by Teslas advanced driver-assistance features.

PepsiCo (PEP) shares rose nearly 1% after the snacks and drink giant posted an earnings beat, with earnings per share of $1.67 compared to $1.65 expected by analysts. Revenue came in at $28 billion, against $26.84 billion forecasted.

More earning results on deck for Thursday include PayPal (PYPL) and Lyft (LYFT).

U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell responds to a question from David Rubenstein (not pictured) during an on-stage discussion at a meeting of The Economic Club of Washington, at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C., U.S, February 7, 2023. REUTERS/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades

In corporate news, JPMorgan also joined the array of companies making a shift in its workforce. The bank reported laying off hundreds of mortgage employees, while looking to add 500 small-business roles in the next two years.

Credit Suisse (CS) is dealing with a disaster. The Swiss lender reported its biggest quarterly loss since the financial crisis in 2008 as a slew of customers pulled out over $100 billion in funds in the latest quarter, and warned of more losses ahead.

Looking ahead, investors will be preparing for Tuesdays CPI print, given a dearth of catalytic information this week, Andrew Tyler, US Market Intelligence team at JP Morgan, wrote in a note to clients. As a result, We may be in store for a choppy next few trading sessions as, in 2022, bond [volume] tended to its largest increases around both the CPI and Fed Days.



Dani Romero is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter @daniromerotv

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A judge has ordered Stagg stabbing suspect Anthony Gray to be transferred to a state hospital where he will receive medication and mental competency training.

Prosecutors charged Gray, 53, with murder in San Joaquin County Court in the April 19 stabbing death of Stagg High School freshman Alycia Reynaga. She was 15.

In January, a judge ruled that Gray was unfit to stand trial. Gray on Thursday agreed in front of a judge to continue taking medication while at the state hospital receiving competency training to be able to effectively communicate with his attorney and potentially stand trial.

Gray's hospital transfer comes on a recommendation from San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Services.

Under California law, a person is considered incompetent to stand trial if they are unable to understand the case against them or help their lawyer with their defense due to mental illness or a developmental disability.

Officials said it is unclear what hospital Gray will be taken to until the transfer happens. The case is set to appear back in court April 10 to check on the status of Grays hospital transfer.

A 90-day report on Grays mental competency status will be heard in court May 22.

This article originally appeared on The Record: Stockton man charged with Stagg teen killing to get competency training
Felicia wears a white button up, Yalitza wears a pink polo, and Santos wears a blue-and-white striped polo.

From left to right, photos of three siblingsFelicia, Yalitza, and Santossit behind burning candles in their parents' home. Credit - Courtesy of Hulu

In the fall of 2010, eight college sophomores at Sarah Lawrence College were excited to move in together at Slonim Woods Building 9, where each person had a single room. For Talia, Max, Dan, Gabe, Claudia, Juli Ana, Santos, and Isabella (and their friend Raven, who was dating Dan), it was a first real taste of independence.

Talias father, Larry Ray (born Lawrence Grecco), was about 50-years-old around the time he met his daughters classmates. He had recently returned from prison and quickly began sleeping over in Slonim Woodson the couch or in Talias roommultiple nights a week. He cooked and cleaned, making steak or buying takeout, and so no one really minded his presence.

Almost immediately, Ray began to captivate and ensnare some of the groupTalia, Dan, Claudia, Isabella, Santos, and eventually Santos sisters, Yalitza and Felicia. For years, they lived together (often in a cramped, one bedroom apartment) as Ray demanded attention, forced labor, money, and sometimes sex acts from them.

Twelve years later, Ray was found guilty on 15 federal countsincluding extortion, sex trafficking, and racketeering conspiracy. He was sentenced to 60 years in federal prison without parole at the age of 63.

The new Hulu docuseries Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence tells the story of the survivors of Larry Ray.

Who is Larry Ray?

From the moment he arrived in their lives, Ray held court, both collectively and one-on-one, and the house members were transfixed. Ray talked about his time in the Marines, building up a mythology around himself. He positioned himself as a mature authority figure who could guide these 19 and 20-year-olds through the turbulence of youth.

Everyone, at the beginning, thought he was weird, says Raven in the docuseries. And then one by one, he would get them alone, have these conversations, and suddenly theyre like, Oh, hes not so bad. To, Actually, hes pretty great. Actually, hes saving my life. Actually, hes the best thing that ever happened to me. Actually, Ill never not listen to him. Actually, f you, Ill never listen to you if you talk bad about him. And it happened steeply. And it shocked me.

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A photo of Larry Ray, who was sentenced to 60 years in federal prison. Courtesy of Hulu

Years later, Raven would reach out to another Sarah Lawrence alum, Ezra Marcus, who, along with fellow journalist James Walsh, would discover that Ray was never in the Marines. In 2004, Teresa, Rays former wife, filed for divorce. Two years later, Ray lost custody of his two daughters. In 2007, Ray violated his probation after allegedly abducting his daughter, Talia.

In a searing article for New York Magazine, Marcus and Walsh included an excerpt from a psychological evaluation of Ray that he underwent during his custody battle.

It is literally impossible to evaluate Mr. Ray in the usual clinical manner, read the report. He is able to manipulate and control almost any situation in which he finds himself. He is calculating, manipulative, and hostile.

Who are the survivors?

Dan Levin, one of the survivors of Larry Ray, was also one of the main sources for the New York Magazine article, which catalyzed the investigation into Rays activities. At the end of 2019, Levin reached out to the Emmy Award-winning director Zachary Heinzerling about making a documentary from the perspective of the survivors.

I think in cult situations, there can be judgment of the victimhow could you fall for that? Heinzerling told Vanity Fair. Theres no acknowledgement of the complicated nature of that experience. And how, over a slow, methodical progression, it metastasized into something horrible.

In Slonim Woods, Isabellaa quiet, reclusive girl from Texaswas the first person that Ray started helping. She would later be the last person to stand by Rays side, even after the FBI raided first the place they had been living with Felicia, and later Isabellas own house.

Claudia was an artistic type, like many of the students at Sarah Lawrence, a private liberal arts college that at the time had the slogan You are different. So are we. Years later, Ray would convince Claudia that she had poisoned him and others, encourage her to become an escort to repay the damages, and torture her when he didnt think she paid him enough. (One year, she gave him more than $700,000.)

Read More: The Streaming Wars Have Entered Their Chaos Era

Santos had been dating Talia, Rays daughter, when they met. At the time, Ray gave him invaluable advice about his family problems. Santos introduced Ray to his sisters, Yalitza and Felicia, the latter of whom Ray convinced to drop out of her medical residency in Los Angeles to join them in New York. The siblings parents sold their house and car to pay for Rays extortions.

Where are they now?

While the New York Magazine article drew national attention to the stolen kids of Sarah Lawrence, the docuseries follows the survivors in the aftermath of the investigation into and prosecution of Ray. After years of brainwashing, Claudia, Santos, Yalitza, and Felicia all testified against Ray at his trial.

You dont often get to see someone heal from this kind of abuse [onscreen], Heinzerling told Vulture. It showed a level of strength and courage in someone to rid themselves of that shame and embarrassment that they might have felt in the aftermath of this and begin a process of healing.

The series follows Santos, Yalitza, and Felicia as the siblings slowly come to terms with what they went through, reconcile, and reuniteboth with each other and with their parents. (Ray had convinced most of the group that their parents tried to hurt or kill them.)

Two years ago, Dan published a memoir, Slonim Woods 9, about his experience with Ray.

Claudia chose not to participate in the documentary, but since leaving Ray in 2019, she has reunited with her family and friends.
Former Twitter executives said a story about Hunter Biden's laptop was suppressed because of concerns about Russian meddling. Also in the news: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled to travel Thursday to quake-hit provinces amid ongoing criticism that the governments response has been too slow. We look at how K-12 schools are struggling to recover pandemic learning losses.

 I'm Nicole Fallert, Daily Briefing author. Check out these Black-owned businesses you can support this Black History Month.

Now, here we go with Thursday's news.

Takeaways from the Hunter Biden laptop hearing

The House hearing Wednesday into Twitters brief suppression of a story about Hunter Bidens laptop outlined the queasiness of former executives to block links to the article and provided a bare-knuckle arena for partisan lawmakers to debate allegations against President Joe Biden.

The background: Former Twitter executives told the House Oversight and Accountability Committee the company blocked links to the New York Post story in October 2020 because of similarities to the posting of leaks from hacked Democratic computers before the 2016 election.

The executives called the 24-hour suppression a mistake and said it was difficult to judge between contentious and dangerous speech during a campaign. But Republican lawmakers argued Twitters decision could have thrown the election to Biden rather than former President Donald Trump.

The laptop has become a focal point of Republican investigations because it contains a trove of documents and pictures about Hunter Biden. The first accusation in the New York Post story is that vice president Biden pressured Ukraine to fire its prosecutor general for investigating Burisma, a company that employed Hunter Biden.

Democrats called the hearing silly and a "bizarre political stunt" because Twitter is a private company free to make its own decisions about what to publish. Democrats also questioned the basic allegations against Biden stemming from the laptop as categorically false.

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 Keep reading our takeaways from the hearing.

Deaths in Turkey, Syria earthquake surpass 16,000

The search for survivors grew more desperate, the homeless problem more acute and the death toll rose Thursday as rescuers labored to find signs of life amid the rubble of Monday's earthquakes and aftershocks that laid waste to a wide swath of Turkey and Syria. The total of 16,000-plus fatalities, the largest worldwide for an earthquake event in more than a decade, is expected to rise. Experts says the survival rate in an incident of this magnitude is below 25% after 72 hours, and the frigid temperatures make the chances even slimmer. Rescue experts say it will take months to stabilize the region and years to recover from the disaster. Read more

Yigit Cakmak, 8-years-old survivor at the site of a collapsed building, hugs his mother, after workers rescued him 52 hours after the earthquake struck, on February 08, 2023 in Hatay, Turkey.

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 What's the weather today? Check your local forecast here.

Courthouse evacuated after reported bomb threat during Murdaugh trial

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division confirmed that a bomb threat was received by personnel at the Colleton County Courthouse Wednesday. The threat interrupted the double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh, 54, who has been accused of killing his family in an attempt to distract from his alleged financial crimes and buy time and sympathy. Just a few hours after jurors began hearing testimony, Judge Clifton Newman ordered that the courtroom be evacuated. The South Carolina Attorney General's Office confirmed that the threat was "phoned in." Read more

A Texas man pleaded guilty in a racist, deadly 2019 El Paso Walmart shooting.

Alex Murdaugh walks into the courthouse before his double murder trial at the Colleton County Courthouse on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, in Walterboro, South Carolina.

Officials lift evacuation order for residents near Ohio train derailment

Evacuated residents can return to the Ohio village where crews burned toxic chemicals after a train derailed five days ago now that monitors show no dangerous levels of toxins in the air, authorities said Wednesday. Around-the-clock testing inside and outside the evacuation zone around the village of East Palestine and a sliver of Pennsylvania showed the air had returned to normal levels that would have been seen before the derailment, said James Justice of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Hundreds and hundreds of data points we've collected over the time show the air quality is safe," he said. Read more

This photo provided by the Ohio National Guard, ONG 52nd Civil Support Team members prepare to enter an incident area to assess remaining hazards with a lightweight inflatable decontamination system (LIDS) in East Palestine, Ohio, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023.

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How do we recover pandemic learning losses?

Half of the nation's students began this school year a full year behind grade level in at least one subject because of COVID-19 pandemic disruptions, new national data from the federal Education Department shows. It's as if students are doing the 2021-22 school year all over again. K-12 schools are experimenting with myriad strategies  from social-emotional learning to high-dosage tutoring to individualized learning  to catch kids up. But even with all of those interventions, however, students may have a long way to go. Read more

A teacher interacts with students virtually while sitting in an empty classroom during a period of Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI) at Hazelwood Elementary School on Jan. 11, 2022 in Louisville, Kentucky.

 Photo of the day: Award-winning 'dream' image of a leopard at sunset 

A German photographer has won The Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice Award. Out of 25 images selected as finalists, Sascha Fonseca's image of a snow leopard posed against the Indian Himalayas was chosen by thousands of voters. Click here to read more about the story behind the image.

Sascha Fonseca's image of a snow leopard posed against the Indian Himalayas was chosen by thousands of voters for The Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice Award.

One more thing

In this undated photo supplied by the New Zealand police, a shipment of cocaine floats on the surface of the Pacific Ocean with Royal New Zealand Navy vessel HMNZS Manawanui behind. New Zealand police said Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023 they found more than 3 tons of cocaine floating in a remote part of the Pacific Ocean after it was dropped there by an international drug-smuggling syndicate.

Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here. Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com or follow along with her musings on Twitter. Support journalism like this  subscribe to USA TODAY here.

Associated Press contributed reporting.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hunter Biden's laptop, Turkey-Syria earthquake, Ohio train derailment, NFL, Kevin Durant: Daily Briefing
Temple University is denying health care benefits and tuition remission to graduate students who take part in a strike over low pay. Bastiaan Slabbers/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Temple University is eliminating free tuition for graduate students who participate in a strike.

One student shared an email from the school that gave her one month to pay a semester's tuition.

In a statement, Temple confirmed students will be denied tuition benefits "while they are on strike."

Temple University, a public school in Philadelphia with roughly 40,000 students, confirmed Wednesday that teaching and research assistants who take part in a strike over low pay will have their health coverage suspended and be forced to cover the full cost of tuition, a move that's being condemned as unjust retaliation by union organizers and local officials.

Graduate students who work as TAs and RAs at Temple  teaching classes, grading papers, and supporting scientific endeavors  have been on strike since Jan. 31, accusing the school of paying wages that are not enough to cover the cost of living.

On average, such workers make $19,500 a year, according to the Temple University Graduate Students' Association (TUGSA), a union that represents nearly 750 affected workers. In recent negotiations, the university had proposed increasing base pay to $22,500 by 2026.

The strike comes after nearly 50,000 graduate students employed at University of California campuses engaged in a six-week work stoppage last year that resulted in a new contract, raising workers' minimum pay from just over $23,000 to more than $34,000, starting in 2025.

Temple is dealing with its own strike in harsher terms.

Stephen Orbanek, director of communications at the university, told Insider that those who choose to participate in the grad-student strike will be denied not just their pay but their tuition benefits. A majority of Temple's graduate student employees have kept working, according to the school.

"TUGSA members who have chosen not to work and are on strike are no longer entitled to their compensation and work-related benefits, which include tuition remission," Orbanek said in a statement. "Because striking workers are not entitled to tuition remission, they have been notified of their obligation to make arrangements to pay their tuition, consistent with how the university treats other students who have unpaid tuition obligations."

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Madison Ingram, a PhD student studying history at Temple, on Wednesday posted an email on Twitter that she said she received from the school giving her just one month to pay tuition for the spring semester or incur a $100 late payment fee. Temple says its annual tuition benefit is valued at $20,000.

"As a result of your participation in the TUGSA strike, your tuition remission has been removed for the spring semester," the email states.

Temple also confirmed that striking workers will no longer receive health insurance.

"The subsidy of their student health care coverage is a benefit of employment," Orbanek said. "As they are not working, that subsidy has stopped."

Students struggle to make ends meet

Temple is not the first institution to cancel health benefits for striking employees. In 2019, General Motors suspended health coverage for some 48,000 workers, reversing the decision a week later following a public backlash.

Manasa Gopakumar, a PhD candidate in philosophy at Temple, said she is disappointed by her school's reaction to the strike.

"This doesn't come as a surprise, but we are appalled," she said in an interview. The decision to not just cut tuition benefits but health coverage, she said, "is extremely unconscionable."

Gopakumar, a member of her union's negotiating committee, said student workers are struggling to pay for room and board while also focusing on their studies. As a graduate TA, she is responsible for teaching her own class, a job that she said can exceed the 20 hours a week for which Temple provides pay, resulting in people like her effectively working for free. She would like to see working conditions improved and wages increased to $32,000 a year.

"We think our demands are absolutely reasonable," she said. "Temple's off of a 3% raise to our base salary is just not enough for us to make a living in Philadelphia."

State and local politicians, meanwhile, have roundly condemned the university.

"Utterly reprehensible," state Sen. Nikil Saval, a Democrat, wrote Wednesday on social media. "Beneath contempt," added Democratic state Rep. Chris Rabb.

US Sen. John Fetterman, a Democrat elected last fall, has also expressed support for the striking workers. "It's long past time for Temple to come to the table [and] provide these workers with a good contract, fair pay, and better benefits," he said earlier this month.

Have a news tip? Email this reporter: cdavis@insider.com

Read the original article on Business Insider
Volodymyr Zelensky Rishi Sunak Ukraine UK world leaders Russia invasion war Europe unity - Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

Any meeting of world leaders that begins with a hug instead of a handshake suggests a relationship that transcends the geopolitical stage.

There is no doubt that, like Boris Johnson before him, Volodymyr Zelensky has grown close to Rishi Sunak as another British bastion of Ukraines quest for freedom from its Russian aggressor.

When the two men met in London, there was an apt degree of military precision to the statecraft employed to once again nudge the West into better equipping Ukraine against Vladamir Putins army.

No sooner had the Ukrainian president used his historic speech in Westminster Hall to call for powerful English planes, than the Prime Minister had ordered the Ministry of Defence to investigate what fighter jets Britain may be able to send to Ukraine.

The Prime Minister has tasked the Defence Secretary with investigating what jets we might be able to give, said a Number 10 spokesman.

But, to be clear, this is a long-term solution rather than a short-term capability, which is what Ukraine needs most now.

Whether or not the British can actually supply planes  and which ones might be the most effective against Russias highly lethal network of ground-based surface-to-air missile systems  remains a source of consternation. But there was no doubting how carefully the sequence of manoeuvres had been choreographed.

Coming after Mr Sunak had pledged to train Ukrainian pilots on Nato-standard aircraft, the offensive, like the UKs intervention on tanks, was designed to outflank the reluctant Americans and Germans.

Only last month, a spokesman for the Prime Minister said it was not practical to supply aircraft such as the Typhoon and F-35 as training would take about 35 months.

But speaking ahead of Mr Zelenskys whistlestop visit, Mr Sunak opened the door to the West finally providing air support by announcing an expansion in training from soldiers to marines and fighter jet pilots, ensuring Ukraine has a military able to defend its interests well into the future.

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By agreeing to train Ukrainian pilots to fly something superior to the Soviet-era aircraft that are currently incapable of dropping the bombs needed to defeat the Russians, the UK has given allied neighbours less wriggle room to turn down Mr Zelenskys repeated requests for more firepower.

In presenting Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Commons, with the helmet of one of Ukraines most successful pilots, the father-of-two, 45, dressed in his trademark military fatigues, appeared to have been authorised to make a direct appeal to MPs, saying: We have freedom. Give us wings to protect it.

Politically, Mr Sunak is caught in somewhat of a pincer movement, with Mr Zelensky leading the charge on the supply of English planes and Mr Johnson bringing up the rear by calling for the UK to give the Ukrainians the extra equipment they need to defeat Putin and to restore peace to Ukraine.

Having been namechecked by Mr Zelensky during his speech, Mr Johnson appeared intent on bouncing the Prime Minister into not only providing air support but also longer-range missiles and artillery and even more tanks.

Arguing that we should be supplying Typhoon jets to Ukraine, he added: It is true that the Typhoon is a four-nation plane and that we require the approval of allies for export. But there is no reason to think that Germany or others should oppose our decision  these are UK planes.

Yet Mr Sunak is now perfectly placed to use the war in eastern Europe to his own strategic advantage. Mr Zelenskys decision to visit the UK ahead of any EU country is already a major coup of post-Brexit global Britain.

If he also manages to convince the West to finish the job, as one of his predecessors put it, then he will be the 21st-century Prime Minister drawing parallels with Sir Winston Churchill.
WASHINGTON  Every time allegations are made about ethical lapses on the Supreme Court, the same question is asked: Why, unlike federal judges in lower courts, do the nine justices not have a binding code of conduct?

It came up amid the furor over the conservative political activism of Justice Clarence Thomas' wife, Virginia "Ginni" Thomas, including her support for former President Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.

It came up when conservative Justice Antonin Scalia went duck hunting with then-Vice President Dick Cheney when Cheney was involved in a case pending before the court.

It came up when liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was heavily critical of then-Republican presidential candidate Trump during the 2016 election.

And it came up last week with questions raised about the legal recruiting job held by Chief Justice John Roberts' wife, Jane Roberts, in which she has worked with law firms that have cases before the court.

Until now, the justices have held firm, even though district court and appeals court judges are bound by a judicial ethics code. Among other things, it requires judges to "avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all activities." If judges breach the code, they can be investigated and reprimanded via a separate complaint process.

The justices say they follow the spirit of the code, introduced in 1973, but they have never formally adopted one of their own. There is also no procedure that allows for complaints to be investigated short of the drastic step of impeachment.

Pressure has repeatedly come from Congress, with Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., set to re-introduce legislation on Thursday that would require the justices to adopt a code. Similar efforts in recent years have failed.

"Its a simple, nonpartisan solution to increase transparency, enforce accountability, and start to rebuild public confidence in the court," Murphy said in a statement.

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The bill, like previous versions, would task the Judicial Conference of the United States, the policymaking body for federal courts, with issuing within a year of enactment a code of conduct applying to Supreme Court justices. It also contains a new provision that would authorize an ethics investigations lawyer who would have the power to enforce the code.

Murphy has more than 20 co-sponsors in the Senate, and companion legislation in the House of Representatives is set to be introduced by Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to hold a hearing on judicial ethics, a Democratic Senate aide said.

Earlier this week, the American Bar Association, a national group representing lawyers, also called for the justices to adopt an ethics code.

Roberts addressed the court's inaction on the issue in his 2011 end-of-year report on the judiciary, saying it was a "misconception" that the Supreme Court has more lax ethical standards than lower courts.

"All members of the court do in fact consult the code of conduct in assessing their ethical obligations," he said.

Any effort by Congress to intervene could raise constitutional questions because lawmakers would be meddling in the internal affairs of a separate branch of government. But the Supreme Court already follows recusal and financial disclosure rules that were adopted by Congress. The court, as Roberts noted in 2011, "has never addressed whether Congress may impose those requirements."

Supreme Court spokeswoman Patricia McCabe declined to comment.

Judicial reform used to be something of a bipartisan issue, but in recent years, with growing scrutiny  especially on the left  of conservative justices, including not just Thomas but also Justice Brett Kavanaugh after his contentious Senate confirmation, Republicans have become less likely to back legislative efforts. This has also coincided with the court's shift to the right, thanks to a 6-3 conservative majority made possible by Trump's three appointments.

In the wake of calls last year for Thomas to recuse himself from cases involving Trump because of his wifes involvement in efforts to overturn the 2020 election, Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell conflated various issues, characterizing Democratic calls for reform as part of a years-long quest to delegitimize the court. He dismissed Democratic concerns as spurious accusations about fake ethical problems or partiality.

Gabe Roth, executive director of Fix the Court, a nonpartisan court reform group, said he is trying to convince Republicans that ethical rules are not just targeting conservatives.

"That's just the way it is covered, unfortunately, in conservative media," he said.

If the Supreme Court were to voluntarily adopt a code of conduct, the first of what Roth hopes would be a whole series of reforms, "it would be an easy win" for the justices, he added.

Ethics experts have long pressed the justices to take such a step.

Their failure to do so "makes it look like they have something to hide," said Arthur Hellman, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

But Charles Geyh, a professor at Indiana University Maurer School of Law, noted that the court traditionally bristles at Congress ordering it around.

"In a less fraught political environment, this standoff could and should be ended by congressional leaders quietly conferring with members of the court and agreeing to stand down if the court takes on the task of adopting a code," he said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
By Philip Pullella

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis, in a surprise move, on Thursday granted an official private audience to Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the once-powerful Vatican prelate who is on trial for corruption and embezzlement.

While the pope and Becciu have met on an unofficial basis since Francis dismissed him in 2020, it was the first time since then that the cardinal had been on the pontiff's public list of official audiences in the Apostolic Palace.

Giving the audience such an official and solemn nature gave rise to speculation in some Catholic media that a rapprochement between the two or a rehabilitation of the cardinal may be in the offing.

Becciu is one of 10 defendants at the corruption trial, which revolves around the purchase of a building in London by the Secretariat of State. It began in July 2020.

All of the defendants, who include Vatican employees and Italian middlemen who the prosecution says extorted the Vatican, have denied wrongdoing.

Pope Francis fired Becciu from another senior clerical post in 2020 for alleged nepotism, an accusation he also denies.

At the time of Becciu's firing from that post, he was also stripped of what the Vatican then said were his "rights associated with being a cardinal".

This included the right to enter a secret conclave to elect the next pope after Francis's death or resignation.

Before he was fired, Becciu was one of the most powerful men in the Vatican. He was deputy secretary of state from 2011-2018 and then head of the Vatican department that studies potential candidates for sainthood from 2018 to his dismissal in 2020.

In one of the most recent hearings of the trial, last November, the court heard a secretly recorded telephone call between Becciu and the pope.

(Reporting by Philip Pullella; Editing by Nick Macfie)
ST. LUCIE COUNTY  Law enforcement and county officials are taking steps to install surveillance cameras and license plate reading devices at several county parks and facilities because of vandalism and criminal activity in the areas, as well as the Jan. 16 deadly shooting.

St. Lucie County Sheriffs Chief Deputy Brian Hester presented the initiative to county commissioners Tuesday, less than a month after a shooting on Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Ilous Ellis Park at North 13th Street and Avenue M in Fort Pierce killed 29-year-old Nikkitia Bryant.

Seven others were injured by gunfire, which occurred during a car show and celebratory event at the park attended by an estimated 1,000 people.

Nikkitia Bryant

Fatal crash victim remembered:Vietnam veteran was 'happy soul'; American Legion Post 318 regular

Ilous Ellis Park, Pepper Park, Lakewood Park Regional Park, Lawnwood Stadium and Stan Blum Boat Ramp were identified for the devices, records show.

A special crime prevention fund established with court fees would pay for the equipment, according to Erick Gill, county spokesperson.

The total cost for the first year of the project is estimated at $124,250, according to a presentation of the initiative.

We talked about these cameras years ago because of vandalism we've been experiencing in county parks, and the county didn't want to come off the funding, Sheriff Ken Mascara said Wednesday. After the MLK shooting, we put this back on the front burner.

Mascara said cameras in Ilous Ellis Park are a top priority.

Sheriffs officials continue to investigate the deadly shooting, in which detectives have said about 50 cartridge casings of at least three different calibers were recovered.

Crime up, down or holding steady?:FDLE working on way to give you more detailed info than in past

The next step will be putting the cameras up so that, God forbid, this ever happens again, we have better evidence, camera wise, rather than an eyewitness that doesn't want to come forward, Mascara said.

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Mascara said detectives are working hard on the case and progress is being made. Hes confident an arrest will occur.

We've had information from the community that has been helpful, he said. We're just putting all the pieces together right now.

Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on Twitter @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Some county facilities to get surveillance cameras after crime issues
Two new surveys of teachers have revealed how an increasing number of students are already using OpenAIs AI chatbot ChatGPT to cheat in tests and complete their homework assignments.

A recent survey by the online education resource Study.com found more than a quarter of over 200 surveyed K-12 teachers have already caught at least one student cheating using ChatGPT.

The survey of 203 teachers found about 26 per cent of them caught a student cheating using ChatGPT.

In the same survey, however, about two-thirds of the teachers did not believe ChatGPT should be banned in schools.

The AI chatbot gained prominence in December last year for its ability to respond to a range of queries with human-like text output.

People using the AI application have showed the different ways it can be used to answer specific questions or prompts, write essays and cover letters and even crack university exams.

Last month, a professor from Pennsylvanias Wharton School showed the chatbot can pass the final exam of an MBA programme designed for students.

Another study also found the AI tool passed the US medical licensing exam USMLE  a three-part exam that usually takes students about four years of med school and about two years of clinical rotations to pass.

Researchers found in this study that ChatGPT performed at or near the passing threshold for all three exams without any specialised training.

Another Study.com survey of educators last month pointed out that they were split in their perceptions on whether the AI bot would make teaching easier or harder.

In this survey of about 100 educators and 1,000 students, over 70 per cent of college professors expressed concerns about the bots use by students for cheating.

About a third of the surveyed educators believed ChatGPT should be banned in schools and universities, while the remaining two-thirds supported students having access to it.

This study also found that nearly 90 per cent of the surveyed students used ChatGPT to help with a homework assignment, while about half of them admitted to using ChatGPT for an at-home test or quiz.

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These findings have raised concerns among academics that the AIs use may disrupt academia.

The New York City education department previously noted that it was worried about the negative impacts of the chatbot on student learning, expressing concerns regarding the safety and accuracy of content.

There will be scary moments as we move towards AGI-level systems, and significant disruptions, but the upsides can be so amazing that its well worth overcoming the great challenges to get there, OpenAI chief Sam Altman had tweeted.
By Mahoud Hasano

JANDARIS, Syria (Reuters) - Rescuers working by torchlight pulled three-year-old Tariq Haidar from the rubble some 42 hours after a devastating earthquake destroyed his family home in the Syrian town of Jandaris. His family couldn't be saved.

Orphaned by the earthquake that hit Syria and Turkey in the dead of night on Monday, Haidar was brought to a hospital where doctors were forced to amputate his left leg. They are trying to save his right.

"As soon as he woke up, and saw us in front of him, he asked: 'Where is Miral?'. We asked 'Who is Miral?'. He said: 'My sister, she was sleeping next to me but she wasn't answering me'," said Malek Qasida, a nurse caring for him.

"They pulled out his father and two of his siblings before him, dead," added Qasida, speaking at the hospital where Haidar was in intensive care, his amputated leg heavily bandaged.

The bodies of his mother and a third sibling were recovered from the rubble later, people in the area said. His removal from the wreckage was the latest in a series of eye-catching rescues caught on camera in the areas in Syria and Turkey hit by the earthquake.

Jandaris was severely damaged by the quake, which has killed at least 1,930 people in rebel-held northwestern Syria, according to rescue workers. The Syrian government says the toll in its part of the fractured country is 1,347.

The death toll in Turkey rose to 16,170 on Thursday.

The Syrian civil defence, the rescue service in the northwest, said on Thursday many families remain under the rubble.

Qasida said: "There are hundreds of children still under the rubble."

(Writing by Tom Perry, Editing by William Maclean)
 Flash

After his visit to the United Kingdom, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stopped off in Paris Wednesday evening and met with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

A tri-party dinner was held at the French presidential office to "continue the close coordination which makes it possible to respond quickly and effectively to the needs expressed by Kyiv," according to the Elysee.

During the press conference held at the Elysee Wednesday night, Macron reaffirmed "unwavering" support of France and Europe to Ukraine. "What is being played out in Ukraine affects the future of Europe," he said.

Zelensky asked again for weapons, adding that Ukraine needed heavy armament and planes "as soon as possible."

Macron and Scholz both said that France, Germany and the European Union intended to continue their "efforts" to deliver weapons. Scholz stressed that Germany would continue to support Ukraine "for as long as necessary."

On Thursday, Zelensky, Macron and Scholz will meet again in Brussels during the special European Council meeting.
TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President William Lai will each donate a month's salary for Turkish earthquake relief efforts, the presidential office said on Thursday, adding to existing aid already sent by the island.

Tsai and Lai, who is widely expected to stand for the presidency in elections due next year, "hope to do their part to help Turkey rebuild its homeland as soon as possible", the presidential office said in a statement.

Turkey, like most countries, has no diplomatic relations with Chinese-claimed Taiwan, but the two maintain de facto embassies in each other's capitals and there are direct flights between Istanbul and Taipei.

Tsai visited the de facto Turkish embassy in Taipei on Thursday to sign a book of condolence, writing: "My heart goes with our Turkish friends. Taiwan stands with Turkiye!", according to her office.

Last year, Tsai and Lai also both donated one month's salary to aid humanitarian relief efforts for war-torn Ukraine. Tsai earns around T$400,000 ($13,300) a month.

The death toll from the earthquake and aftershocks earlier this week passed 15,000 on Thursday amid anger from those left destitute and frustrated over the slow arrival of rescue teams.

Taiwan, which frequently suffers earthquakes itself, has already announced $2 million in disaster relief and has sent two rescue teams to Turkey to help in search efforts for survivors.

Tsai spoke by video call to some of Taiwan's team on the ground on Wednesday.

"I would like to thank all the members for not being afraid of difficulties and going all out so that Taiwan and Turkey can help each other," she wrote on her Facebook page.

Turkey joined international efforts and sent rescuers to Taiwan in 1999 after a massive earthquake killed more than 2,000 people.

($1 = 30.0550 Taiwan dollars)

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
The Paso Robles Police Department arrested a 17-year-old driver after officers allegedly found a gun and drugs during a traffic stop.

A Paso Robles police officer pulled over the teen for an equipment violation shortly before 1 p.m. Feb. 3, police said in a news release.

When the driver pulled into the parking lot of Paso Robles High School, the officer saw a large amount of marijuana on the backseat of their vehicle, the release said.

After searching the vehicle, the officer also found an unloaded 80% Glock-style polymer handgun and a partially loaded high-capacity magazine inside of a bag, according to the release.

An 80% handgun is an incomplete firearm that can be completed at home with other parts, according to the website 80% Arms.

No threat to Paso Robles High was identified during the incident, police said, and Paso Robles police school resource officers were in touch with school administrators to ensure students were safe.

The teenager was arrested on suspicion of drug- and weapon-related charges and transported to Juvenile Hall after the incident, the release said.

The Paso Robles Police Department is continuing to investigate this incident.

Anyone with information is asked to call the department at 805-237-6464. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 805-549-STOP or by texting SLOTIPS plus the message to CRIMES (274637).
A 16-year-old girl who vanished on her way home last summer is now confirmed dead after her remains were found in the Georgia woods, according to police.

Susana Morales texted her mom around 9:40 p.m. on July 26, 2022, saying she was headed home, police in Gwinnett County said. But she never arrived and wasnt seen for months.

On Monday, Feb. 6, a passerby called police after spotting what looked like human remains in the woods near Highway 316, according to a news release. Crime scene investigators responded and took possession of the remains, which were identified as Moraless on Feb. 8.

Before her disappearance, police said the teens phone and surveillance video showed her walking in the direction of her home in Norcross. At some point, authorities believe she may have gotten into a car.

Moraless cell phone continued to show being in the area of Oak Loch Trace until the cell phone died or was turned off, the release states.

Authorities are investigating the cause and manner of Moraless death.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact Gwinnett County police detectives at 770-513-5300, or submit an anonymous tip at www.stopcrimeatl.com.

Missing kindergarten teachers body found in shallow grave, New Jersey officials say

Dead man linked to two sexual assaults and killings decades ago, Nevada cops say

Teen vanished on walk home after car got stuck in mud. Body found, California cops say
SmileDirectClub sends teeth aligners to people, helping people more easily straighten their teeth than traditional braces. Boxes are displayed throughout the company's Nashville office.

A new law strengthening the First Amendment rights of Tennesseans faced a major test this week in a high-profile defamation case involving Nashville-based SmileDirectClub and NBC News.

Lawyers for the Nashville-based dental company SmileDirectClub and NBC Universal Media squared off before the Tennessee Court of Appeals on Wednesday over the constitutionality of the new state law.

SmileDirectClub accused NBC Universal Media and reporter Vicky Nguyen of publishing over 40 false and misleading claims about the company in February 2020 and sought $2.85 billion in damages.

How it started: SmileDirectClub slams NBC with $2.85B lawsuit after newscast aired 'hit piece' about company

But a judge dismissed the lawsuit in December 2021 under the 2019 Tennessee Public Participation Act, which is an expansion of the states anti-SLAPP law  or strategic lawsuits against public participation. NBC had filed a petition under the 2019 law.

These lawsuits, referred to as SLAPP lawsuits, are common methods of silencing criticism and preventing people from exercising their First Amendment rights through baseless and expensive legal proceedings.

Anti-SLAPP measures protect people's First Amendment rights and allow judges to dispose of cases earlier in the legal process, before litigation drags on in the courts. Costly and lengthy lawsuits can themselves infringe on a person or company's First Amendment rights.

But SmileDirectClub, a teledentistry company that offers alternatives to traditional braces and aligners, is appealing the ruling that declared their suit a SLAPP lawsuit, and is pushing to move ahead in their case against NBC in what its lawyers call a clear case of defamation.

SmileDirectClub claims there is 'no doubt' of defamation

Erik Connolly of Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan and Aronoff serves as outside counsel for SmileDirectClub. The company accuses NBC of publishing false and misleading claims in their 2020 broadcast. But Connolly told the court the case for defamation could be made even if a news organization is reporting complete truth.

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The role of the court is a gatekeeping function to decide whether or not the article at issue is capable of being understood as a defamatory meaning, Connolly said. It doesnt matter if the statements in the report are literally true. You can find defamatory meaning in the report even if every single statement in the report is literally true. You can find defamatory meaning in implication (too)the accusation doesnt need to be express.

Basically the facts can be facts and still be understood as defamatory.

At the Smile Direct Club Smile House, located in Antioch, TN, thousands of dental liners are produced every day.

Connolly said SmileDirectClub alleged that NBC made four specific defamatory claims: that treatment using the platform is not safe, that treatment using the platform is not effective, that doctors arent actually involved in treatment using the platform and that SmileDirectClub is dishonest.

Connolly also spoke on the substantial amount of evidence sent to NBC prior to the release of the broadcast  evidence that he claims was ignored by NBC, therefore proving defamation.

We gave you a 394 paragraph statement of factsNBC did not respond to that at all, he said. With that evidence in hand, it is impossible to say (the broadcast) is incapable of being understood in a defamatory implication.

Judge Kristi M. Davis pushed back on that point.

But they had countervailing evidence, she said. So from a broad perspective, what would you have NBC do, other than make the talking points you made? They have people saying the treatment was not effective. From a broad perspective as a new organization, isnt that what NBC is supposed to do?

Connolly disagreed.

Absolutely not, he said. They lied. The information they provided was false and misleading. And if you look at the 40 statements I provided that were defamatory, I gave you reasons why they were false and misleading, and reasons why NBC knew they were false and misleading.

Davis continued to question that logic, raising questions of basic reporting.

Or (NBC) just found someone who has something contrary to say, Davis said. And isnt that what news is? Isnt that what reporting is?

NBC Universal denies 'ignoring evidence'

Jonathan Hacker, partner at international law firm OMelveny, spoke on behalf of NBC Universal.

The court below dismissed (this case) previously because the plaintiff was unable to produce clear and convincing evidence, legally sufficient, proving that NBC knew that any of (the reported) statements were false, Hacker said. And none of them were! But even so, the court upheld that there was no evidence.

After being printed, each arch must be cleaned by hand before the molds are used to create liners for each customer.

Judge Frank G. Clement Jr. noted that while this case had similarities to average defamation cases, the fact that SmileDirectClub provided additional evidence prior to publication was a unique factor.

Hacker did not agree.

Its not that different, he said. This wasnt us digging up some fact that was unknown and presenting it to the world  members of Congress were already concerned about the exact thing we reported.

Hacker disagreed with Connollys assertion that NBC ignored any evidence  or that SmileDirectClub's claims were evidence at all.

All of the evidence that Connolly is talking about is essentially their side of the storythings they would say if they were publishing a report about their side of the story, he said. This is already a hot-running controversy with many sides. Theres zero evidence we didnt review it.we then reported what we believed to be accurate statements of criticisms and complaints that people had made with their own experiences with SmileDirectClub.

A ruling has not yet been handed down in the case.

The USA Today Network - Tennessee's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners.

Have a story to tell? Reach Angele Latham by email at alatham@gannett.com, by phone at 731-343-5212, or follow her on Twitter at @angele_latham.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: SmileDirectClub appeals in lawsuit against NBC Universal
Tennessee Senate Republicans on Thursday passed a bill to clarify portions of the state's obscenity law after controversies over public drag performances.

The bill classifies "male and female impersonators" as adult cabaret performers and bans "adult-oriented performances that are harmful to minors," as defined in Tennessee's obscenity law.

The Senate approved the legislation on a 26-6 vote, with all of the chamber's Democrats opposing the measure.

It's unclear how exactly the law might be enforced, but it could open up another avenue to challenge drag show performances in court, as some Republicans have suggested drag shows are inherently inappropriate for minors, regardless of a performance's context or content.

Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, said Thursday performances would be held to a "tight" legal definition limiting overtly sexualized performances.

Sen. Heidi Campbell, D-Nashville, argued Thursday the obscenity standard already exists in the law and called it "inefficient at best."

Johnson has tried to distance the legislation from drag performances specifically. But the legislation, SB 03, was first filed last year by House sponsor Rep. Chris Todd, R-Madison County, following a controversy in Jackson over plans for a "family-friendly" drag show.

Opponents of Jackson Pride pushed the event and the drag show away from a public park. However, in doing so, they were infringing on citizens' rights.

Todd and a group of religious leaders sought court action to stop the event, though eventually negotiations with organizers led to a compromise over restricting minors from attending.

Todd previously characterized the drag show as "child abuse," though he was unaware of what the show might contain.

The legislation is among several proposals before lawmakers this year aimed at LGBTQ issues and transgender minors and it moved through the Senate's legislative process with remarkable speed. There was just one Senate committee hearing on the bill.

Advancing legislation:Tennessee bill filed after drag show controversy advances in General Assembly

What is drag? As performances draw political criticism, experts weigh in

Story continues

Drag has risen as a flashpoint issue among conservatives. Drag supporters argue it is based on bias, as the longtime theatrical performance art has more modern roots in American LGTBQ culture.

Drag shows across Tennessee have faced opposition from local governments in recent months, in addition to protests at recent drag performances at Diskin Cider in Nashville and other locations. In January, masked protestors brandished Nazi slogans and chanted anti-LGBTQ slurs outside a Cookeville event, WPLN reported.

"Is that who we want to align ourselves with?" Campbell asked the Senate on Thursday.

If signed into law, the legislation would criminalize a first offense as misdemeanor. A second offense would be a Class E felony, which could carry between one to six years in prison. Only performers would be subject to the law.

The law could take effect as early as April 1 if passed by the House and signed into law by Gov. Bill Lee.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle last week questioned the potential for unintended consequences with the bill, asking if local professional wrestlers or major artists such as Miley Cyrus could be arrested under the law.

Nashville business owner David Taylor criticized the bill as unnecessary. Taylor owns several businesses that host drag shows, which he said are already subject to "aggressively enforced" state liquor laws that ban nudity and simulated sex acts, and drag performers have never been considered adult entertainers under those laws.

Taylor also criticized the vagueness of what content might be considered harmful, which Johnson acknowledged would be subject to discretion from prosecutors.

Reach Melissa Brown at mabrown@tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee drag bill: Senate passes 'male, female impersonators' bill
How far off is TH Plantations Berhad (KLSE:THPLANT) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. Our analysis will employ the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine.

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Check out our latest analysis for TH Plantations Berhad

What's The Estimated Valuation?

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM97.7m RM95.5m RM95.1m RM95.9m RM97.4m RM99.6m RM102.2m RM105.2m RM108.4m RM112.0m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ -0.39% Est @ 0.80% Est @ 1.63% Est @ 2.21% Est @ 2.62% Est @ 2.90% Est @ 3.10% Est @ 3.24% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 13% RM86.4 RM74.8 RM65.9 RM58.7 RM52.8 RM47.8 RM43.4 RM39.5 RM36.0 RM32.9

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM538m

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We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (3.6%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 13%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2032  (1 + g)  (r  g) = RM112m (1 + 3.6%)  (13% 3.6%) = RM1.2b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM1.2b ( 1 + 13%)10= RM360m

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is RM898m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of RM0.5, the company appears quite good value at a 47% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

dcf

Important Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at TH Plantations Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 13%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.181. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for TH Plantations Berhad

Strength

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Dividend is in the top 25% of dividend payers in the market.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Interest payments on debt are not well covered.

Opportunity

Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%.

Threat

Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow.

Moving On:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For TH Plantations Berhad, there are three further aspects you should explore:

Risks: As an example, we've found 4 warning signs for TH Plantations Berhad (2 can't be ignored!) that you need to consider before investing here. Future Earnings: How does THPLANT's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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A US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft US Air Force photo by Senior Airman Taylor Crul

Ukraine has placed advanced Western fighter jets at the top of its military hardware wishlist.

But NATO countries and partners have so far been reluctant to provide Kyiv with these aircraft.

Estonia's foreign minister told Insider there's only "zombie arguments" for not sending them.

NATO members and partner countries should send fighter jets to Ukraine, Estonia's foreign minister said, arguing that there is no substantial reason not to do so.

"There are only these zombie arguments that we have seen already in the course of this war  that Ukrainians are incompetent, or it would be escalated, or whatever," Urmas Reinsalu said this week, telling Insider that the countries backing Kyiv's fight should "of course" send fighter jets to Ukraine.

Ukraine, which currently relies on Soviet-era aircraft, has long requested advanced fighter jets from Western governments that provide it with security assistance, but after securing a promise last month from partner nations to provide heavy armor  including tanks and infantry fighting vehicles, Kyiv has pressed its case more assertively and put fighter jets at the top of its wishlist for military hardware.

NATO members and partners have so far been reluctant to send these weapons to Ukraine, and in some cases, some have even seemingly ruled it out entirely. If fighter jets do eventually make their way to Ukraine, it would be the latest example after rocket artillery, air defense, and heavy armor, where Kyiv requested advanced weaponry, waited while countries deliberate, sometimes even pushing back or refusing, and then ultimately received a green light for the desired systems.

"I think we need to revise our approach. Now, it has to be a very simple decision on weapons  whether to give tanks or not, whether to give fighters or not," Reinsalu said. He said the way some Western countries approach giving Ukraine weapons needs to be altered, saying there's "certain psychological taboos and I think we need to revise this negative approach."

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"There is a need to change the Western military support paradigm to get Ukraine to win this war," Reinsalu continued. "The decisions to give new weapons  new types of weapons, to raise the quantities of ammunition aid and weapons aid  they have been too slow."

An F-16 fighter jet takes part in the NATO Air Shielding exercise near the air base in Lask, central Poland on October 12, 2022. RADOSLAW JOZWIAK/AFP via Getty Images

Among the countries that initially rejected the idea of sending fighter jets to Ukraine are the US and UK. Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said earlier this week that aircraft should not be a top priority for the Ukrainians, who should focus on other military equipment.

One of the reasons for that, Reed argued, is that Ukraine may not be able to fully leverage the advantages that aircraft like the American F-15 or F-16, very capable fourth-generation fighters, could offer given the presence of Russian aircraft and the country's formidable air defenses. He suggested artillery and longer-range rocket systems might be a better alternatives for the time being.

On Wednesday, the British government said it would offer to train Ukrainian pilots to fly "sophisticated" NATO-standard fighter jets in the future. The announcement from Downing Street, which came in tandem with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to London, appeared to be the first time that a Western country has offered such training.

"I am proud that today we will expand that training from soldiers to marines and fighter jet pilots, ensuring Ukraine has a military able to defend its interests well into the future," UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that the UK was considering the provision of fighter jets. The Guardian reported a day later that there had not yet been any decision and that the UK won't take any action that might risk its safety.

Zelenskyy used his trip to London  and later to Brussels  to reiterate his call for Western countries to actually send physical combat aircraft. He told European leaders on Thursday that he is grateful for all the security assistance but added there is a need to strengthen cooperation more than Russia can "mobilize its potential."

"I believe we have to now invest in a Ukrainian victory in a comprehensive manner," Reinsalu said. "One angle I mentioned is a military aid  all the conventional weapons that are in our possession without any political caveats."

Read the original article on Business Insider
A plea deal has been reached for three men charged in a fatal shootout at a Turlock motel on Labor Day 2020.

The incident, in which more than 20 shots were fired, happened at the Days Inn near Highway 99 and Main Street when a fight broke out between rival gangs in neighboring rooms.

Mario Meza-Nolazco, 26, was killed during the incident. The three people charged with his murder were his friends and were in the same group at the motel, said Deputy District Attorney Tracy Griffin.

But those men  Miguel Saldate, 22, Eric Rodriguez, 29, and Fernando Venegas, 34  on Wednesday pleaded no contest to assault with a semiautomatic firearm. The murder charges were dismissed.

Rodriguez also pleaded no contest to being a felon in possession of a firearm and admitted an enhancement for personal use of a firearm. He was sentenced to nine years and eight months in prison and must serve 85% of that because the enhancement makes the crime a violent strike, said defense attorney Aaron Villalobos.

Saldate and Venegas were sentenced to nine years in prison but will have to serve only half of their sentence because they did not have the enhancement, so their charge is considered a nonviolent strike under California law, Griffin said.

Had they been convicted of murder, they faced 15 years to life in prison.

The defendants and Meza-Nolazco were associated with the Sureno street gang, Griffin said. Her office charged Saldate, Venegas and Rodriguez with Meza-Nolazcos death under the provocative act doctrine, she said.

Essentially, four Sureno gang members approached two Norteno gang members and the Sureno gang members initiated the shooting, Griffin said.

It was the prosecutions position that Juan Jose Cruz Jr. fired at Meza-Nolazco in self-defense.

That is what provocative act doctrine is all about, when the intended victim acts in self-defense and shoots a participant of the initial aggressors, she said.

Saldate, Venegas and Rodriguez also initially were charged with the attempted murder of Cruz Jr., but those charges were dismissed in exchange for the plea to the lesser charge of assault with a semiautomatic firearm.

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Griffin said gang enhancements were dismissed against the men last year due to changes in the law that narrows the prosecutions ability to add them to charges.

Cruz Jr. was charged with and previously pleaded to being a gang member carrying a loaded firearm and participating in a street gang. He has already served his one-year jail sentence for that crime.

Also Wednesday, in light of the pleas of the three men, charges were dismissed against a woman accused of being an accessory to murder after the fact.
Russian occupiers attacked Kherson Oblast 39 times over the last day, 8 February; three people were killed and four more received injuries in the Russian attacks.

Source: Kherson Oblast Military Administration

Quote: "Three people were killed in Kherson Oblast after Russian attacks yesterday. Four more residents of the oblast, including a 15-year-old boy, received injuries of varying severity.

He suffered a slight concussion, therefore, doctors provided him with medical assistance right at the scene."

Details: Kherson Oblast Military Administration has reported that the Russian invaders attacked Kherson Oblast 39 times.

Cities, towns and villages in the region took damage from artillery, multiple-launch rocket systems and mortars.

The Russian army attacked Kherson city six times over the last 24 hours, hitting residential neighbourhoods of the city. They struck residential buildings and a childrens rehabilitation centre.

According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Russian forces hit areas in and around settlements of Novooleksandrivka, Havrylivka, Chervonyi Maiak, Zmiivka, Beryslav, Shliakhove, Odradokamianka, Lvove, Tiahynka, Poniativka, Antonivka, Komyshany, Yantarne, Berehove, Veletenske, and Kherson.

Russian troops attacked the centre of Kherson once again. An elderly resident of Kherson was killed right on the street.

Russian projectiles damaged a house on Lomonosova Street. Two people were injured, sustaining light contusions.

In addition, Russian forces struck a children's rehabilitation centre for the fourth time.

93 people, including 15 children, have been evacuated from the liberated territories of Kherson Oblast.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was in the United Kingdom (UK) on Wednesday to discuss defense cooperation. This was his second visit outside his country since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Zelensky addressed both houses of the UK Parliament after meeting Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street. He then met King Charles III at Buckingham Palace.

In his speech in Parliament, Zelensky thanked the UK for its support and appealed for fighter jets.

The UK government said in a statement on Wednesday that it had already trained 10,000 Ukrainian troops to "battle readiness" over the past six months and would "upskill" a further 20,000 this year, without mentioning the provision of jets.

A spokesperson said Sunak had tasked Defense Secretary Ben Wallace with investigating what jets Britain might be able to give Ukraine, noting that this will be a "long-term solution" rather than "a short-term capability."

According to Ukraine's presidential press service, Zelensky and Sunak exchanged views on the peace plan proposed by Kiev, as well as on Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration and post-conflict reconstruction.

Zelensky was also scheduled to visit Ukrainian troops undergoing military training in South England.

Late on Wednesday, he will travel to France to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the French Presidency said.

Zelensky visited the United States and met President Joe Biden in December 2022.
The search term "intrusive thoughts win" currently has over 851 million views on TikTok. TikTok: @iamthejest, Joshua Pilla, @ambernbuck, @naik3l

TikTokers are sharing videos showing impulsive acts with the caption "intrusive thoughts."

Viewers are debating the difference between the mental health term and typical impulses.

A psychologist told Insider the phrase isn't used accurately, which could be harmful.

On December 4, 2022, a TikToker who goes by @naik3l shared an upload with the on-screen caption, "I let the intrusive thoughts win." In the video, which was viewed 16 million times, a man appeared to haphazardly tattoo the word "horse" on his left leg while he received a tattoo on his right leg.

The video received over 4,800 comments, many of which suggested the uploader had misused the phrase. "It's called impulsive thoughts," a comment with over 6,200 likes read. "Not an intrusive thought if u act on it that's an impulse," a comment read which received over 17,400 likes.

The phrase "intrusive thoughts win" currently has over 851 million views on TikTok. Creators have used the term while sharing videos of themselves appearing to engage in impulsive behavior, such as punching a piece of ice that formed over a car window and climbing through a Christmas tree netting funnel. However intrusive thoughts are often distressing  sometimes aggressive or sexual, according to Healthline  and not something an individual would usually want to act on.

Viewers frequently call out the use of "intrusive thoughts," but it persists on TikTok. One expert told Insider that not only is the term often misused, it also risks normalizing dangerous behavior.

Debate around the use of 'intrusive thoughts' has spread across social media

Joshua Pilla, a 29-year-old from Minnesota, posted a video on December 27, 2022, with a similar on-screen caption that read, "sometimes you gotta let the intrusive thoughts win." In the clip, which was viewed over 1.1 million times, Pilla climbed a ladder onto a snowy rooftop, detached an icicle from a higher portion of the roof, swung it around, and threw it at his feet where it smashed.

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Pilla said he's very familiar with the phrase intrusive thoughts, but acknowledged it's "probably more accurate" to describe his actions in the video as impulsive. "The comments section exploded with arguments around that," he told Insider, adding that much of the feedback aimed to "make distinctions between impulsive and intrusive."

However, he thinks the word "impulsive" simply "doesn't hit as hard as 'intrusive''' and acknowledged the high engagement as a result of the volume of comments may well have contributed to the video's success, regardless of how it was perceived by viewers.

Some have also defended the incorrect use of the term. "As someone who has pretty bad intrusive thoughts it's not that deep guys it doesn't affect anything in the real world i promise you'll be okay," one user wrote in reaction to @naik3l's tattoo video, in a comment that received over 900 likes.

The conversation around the conflated terms spilled over to Twitter on January 26, when a user who goes by @marceline666 shared a screenshot of a TikTok video originally posted by @ambernbuck. In the image, a woman could be seen laying on a bed, with an on-screen caption that said if their "intrusive thoughts won" they would quit their job, break their phone, and "disappear 1000 miles away to the middle of nowhere."

The Twitter user wrote, "i don't think u guys know what intrusive thoughts mean," in a tweet that received over 149,000 likes, and over 4,600 quote tweets. "They said so much and still not a single intrusive thought in sight (except the phone breaking maybe)," a comment beneath the post with over 1,450 likes read.

The conflation of terms could lead to confusion, and normalize dangerous behavior, an expert said

According to Dr. Stuart Sadler, a clinical psychologist based in Newcastle, UK, who specializes in depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders, intrusive thoughts are "unexpected images or thoughts that seem to pop into your head without conscious attempt."

He told Insider in an email exchange that intrusive thoughts are often "unusual or distressing," and are distinct from impulsive actions, which is often what's seen in the TikTok videos.

"Intrusive thoughts are most often a symptom rather than a diagnosis," Sadler said, explaining that similar to a stomach ache or a headache, they occur "in a whole range of diagnoses."

While not a diagnosable mental health condition themselves, intrusive thoughts can be highly distressing to those suffering from them, meaning they are considered something to be treated, he said.

Sadler said that aside from muddying the waters when it comes to what intrusive thoughts actually are, it's possible the popularity of the term on TikTok "normalizes the acting out on intrusive thoughts, making it more acceptable." He said intrusive thoughts themselves aren't dangerous or harmful, however, "being encouraged to act on them is dangerous" as by their nature "intrusive thoughts are disturbing because they are things we don't actually want to do in real life."

That said, Sadler thinks that if the videos have people discussing the topic, "that can be a good thing if it leads to conversations about how normal intrusive thinking is."

For more stories like this, check out coverage from Insider's Digital Culture team here.

Read the original article on Insider
Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast/Getty

This is the latest for our destination dining guide, Eat Sheet. For more on how we do these a bit differently, head here first.

The world is in Berlin. Roughly 36 percent of the citys 3.6 million population are first generation Germans or immigrants themselves, which unquestionably shapes the contemporary culinary culture. Cheesy Georgian khachapuri, fine-dining Thai, soul-restoring bowls of Vietnamese pho, and the Levantine delights of Israeli, Syrian, Lebanese, and Palestinian cooking; its all here. But we rarely agree with each other, which is why anybodys list of restaurants in Berlin is going to be different. It can take years to scratch the surface.

For now, this will have to do.

START ME UP

Rocket + Basil

Berlin is far from lacking in breakfast and brunch options. But the Persian-inspired Rocket + Basil offers up an especially unique, memorable, and flavorful spin on breakfast classics in the family-owned coffee shop. The recipe blogging sisters-turned-brick-and-mortar cafe owners, Xenia and Sophie, take inspiration from all sides of their German-Iranian-Australian roots in planning their brunch and lunch menus. There are plenty of savory options, but first-timers cant go wrong with a stacked serving of Rocket + Basils mascarpone pancakes. From the caramelized bananas to the sprinkling of barberries and pistachios swimming in maple syrup, there are few better ways to start the day.

Marianna Szczerba

MUNCHIES

Wen Cheng

After a night of heavy drinking, my stomach craves all of the noodles. By the grace of the powers that be, we have Wen Chenga hand-pulled noodle spot that serves up traditional Chinese noodle specialities from the Shanxi province. Fewer places have exploded in popularity like Wen Cheng, with lines stretching down the sidewalk and friends sharing tips on when to arrive to get a quick seat. It didnt take long for them to open a second location just a mile south with prep-side seating where you can watch in mystified admiration as they make the springy, chewy, all around soul-restoring Biang Biang noodles from scratch.

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Courtesy Wen Cheng

ON THE STREET

Mustafas Gemuse Kebab

Doner has taken currywursts title as the most representative food of Berlin thanks to the significant Turkish and Turkish-German population in the city. Nowadays, Doner stands are a dime a dozen here. Step outside, take a deep breath in through your nose, and chances are youll get a whiff of doner.

But a long-time local favorite is without question Mustafas Gemuse Kebab. The name is synonymous with doner after 16 years of nourishing Berliners. Stop by the trailer in Kreuzberg or visit Das Original in Friedrichshain. (And because this is Berlin, theres a vegetarian option.)

MAKE IT QUICK

Banh Mi Stable

Berlin is home to a substantial Vietnamese-German population, particularly in the former communist east. The legacy of this history can be felt in the citys many pho and bahn mi shops. For an especially quick, no-frills bite, theres Bahn Mi Stable.

The menu is wildly simple. You get three choices: grilled pork, herb tofu, chicken peanut sate. All come with the same toppings. Inside, theres a layer of sriracha mayonnaise topped with pickled carrots, radish, and cucumber. The French bread is soft and pillowy with a crunchy exterior. Its the best 6 youll ever spend.

HOLD THE MEAT

FREA

Berlin is arguably the vegetarian capital of Europe with no shortage of explicitly vegetarian or vegan restaurants and bakeries. Most restaurants these days in general are veggie-forward ranging from street food to fine dining and everything in between. Picking just one is no easy feat, but the nod goes to FREA.

The modern plant-based restaurant hits all of the progressive culinary notes. Its a no waste, vegan restaurant with, as they say, an eco-chic vibe to set the scene for their multi-course seasonal menu. Its the rare meal where you can be reasonably confident that youre not so much as hurting a fly. (Unless, of course, you count your wallet.)

Courtesy FREA

IF IT AIN'T BROKE

Zum Schusterjungen

Theres a reason why Anton Newcombe of The Brian Jonestown Massacre took Anthony Bourdain here for one of his stops in the Hauptstadt (capital city). The nearly century-old gastropub is reliable for no frills German fare. You can smell the history and tradition wafting in the air with regulars sipping away at the bar.

Billed as one of the last typical corner bars (Eckkneipen) of the city, Zum Schusterjungen is built on simple, sincere, and affordable homemade cooking without sacrificing flavor. Get a taste of the former German Democratic Republic by starting with some soljanka, a thick, sour soup built on meat, fish, or mushrooms with pickled cucumbers and brine thrown into the broth. From there you can continue with some of the hearty and meaty staples of German cuisine, like pork schnitzel, pot roast, or blood sausage, or ditch the meat for one of their "Gerichte ohne Fleisch" (dishes without meat), like the classic Senfeier mit Stampfkartoffeln, mustard eggs with mashed potatoes.

THE HOT SPOT

otto

German food gets a bad rap. People think of gargantuan slabs of meat with a side of potatoes. Thats not entirely far off when perusing the more traditional restaurants, especially in the smaller towns and villages of the country.

But German food in Berlin is as regional and seasonal as it gets, and otto in Prenzlauer Berg exemplifies that best with an ever-changing menu based entirely on locally accessible ingredients. That whole brook trout? Caught earlier that morning in a local river just outside the city limits. But the absolute star of the menu is the rehydrated beetroot with sloe berry, labneh, and brown butter. You will absolutely fight the urge to lick your plate clean.

Whole brook trout at otto. Cate Gowers

DOLLAR STRETCHER

Aleppo Supper Club

Levantine cuisine is all the rage these days in Berlin and it just might not get any better than this. Aleppo Supper Club is a cozy spot that feels like a Syrian family welcoming you to their living room.

Par for Berlin, vegetarians and vegans will eat well here. In fact, most of the dishes are vegetarian with meat available at request with a modest additional cost. Theres not a bad dish on the menu, but the one youll probably find everyone talking about is the pomegranate salad with red cabbage, fresh tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil.

LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING

Didi Pa - West African Kitchen

From the outside, Didi Pa looks like any other casual restaurant in Berlin. Theres one large window and a door underneath a long rectangle sign thats probably seen hundreds of businesses come and go from within its bones.

But if theres a God, please dear Lord, let this one grow roots.

A West African kitchen fits right into the framework of immigrant flavors so prevalent in Berlin. Open your palate to the dishes you might recognize and the ones you've never heard of but feel an allure towards anyways. There's jollof rice galore, banku (fermented corn dough), okra, and fufu (a dough made of plantains and potatoes) paired with a variety of meat, fish, or vegan soups.

Pile onto a high top table in the corner and get to work.

FANCY SCHMANCY

The Night Kitchen

Berlin doesnt really do fancy schmancy in the most commonly understood interpretation of the phrase. That is, getting dressed to the nines for a night out. Though you can find plenty of Michelin-starred establishments to hand your wallet over to, fine dining feels a tad antithetical to the ethos of the city. Even when you do opt for the splurge, folks still often dress casually in jeans and hoodies.

But the Israeli-inspired Night Kitchen in Mitte demands a sharply dressed audience without explicitly saying so. You could just get an affordable main and call it a night, but its next-to-impossible to skip over their Dinner With Friends menu. Starting at 52 per person, they'll whip up a personalized menu for you based on your tastes and serve it up family style for sharing. That means you can taste a healthy sampling of Israeli flavors on your night out: tahini, za'atar pesto, and amba (a kind of mango chutney) bringing a heightened experience to your favorite veggies and meats.

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QUITO (Reuters) -Ecuador's President Guillermo Lasso replaced several officials on Thursday as part of government changes, following his defeat in referendums on extradition for organized crime and other topics over the weekend.

Lasso, a conservative ex-banker, appointed lawyer and former lawmaker Henry Cucalon as the new Government Minister to replace Francisco Jimenez, who resigned earlier in the day.

Lasso also replaced the secretaries in the Legal Office of the Presidency, the Public Administration office and the office for Development of Peoples and Nationalities.

He also named new representatives in four of the country's provinces.

Changes to Lasso's government follow the wake of a referendum vote on Sunday when the majority of Ecuadoreans rejected plans to allow extradition for crimes related to trafficking drugs and weapons, among others.

Proposed reforms to give the attorney general's office more autonomy to choose prosecutors and reduce the number of lawmakers in the 137-seat assembly were also rejected.

"Today the government makes necessary changes not only to refresh its direction, but to ratify its commitment to the will of the people," Lasso - who took office in May 2021 - said at the swearing-in of the new officials.

Lasso called on Ecuador's diverse political sectors to unite for the country's benefit on Monday, a move rejected by various opposition political parties and social movements.

"When the people speak, it is the duty of leaders to learn and listen, analyze, understand and above all act," Lasso said, adding that he will strengthen his projects to benefit the Andean country.

Government adviser Aparicio Caicedo, a friend of Lasso, also resigned on Thursday, but Lasso did not name a replacement.

(Reporting by Alexandra ValenciaWriting by Oliver Griffin; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and David Gregorio)
A confirmed tornado in northeastern Louisiana Wednesday evening overturned trailers, downed trees and caused injuries as part of a broader midweek storm system.

The tornado passed through Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, approximately 65 miles northwest of New Orleans and 60 miles east of Baton Rouge. The tornado developed early in the evening and quickly began tossing debris into the air, eventually overturning two mobile homes and injuring three individuals. None of the injuries, including those suffered by two children, were considered "life-threatening," according to local officials.

According to Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller, other damages included trees being downed across the parish, along with damage done to a local gas station. The mayor of the village of Tangipahoa, Sheila Martin, said power lines were also down in the area. Martin said she and her family took shelter in a bathroom during the tornado. On Thursday afternoon, a preliminary survey from the National Weather Service found EF-2 damage in Tangipahoa Parish.

"Then we heard this loud noise, like a train ... like an extreme whistle," Martin told Fox 8 New Orleans. "We took cover."

AccuWeather National Reporter Bill Wadell reported from Tangipahoa Wednesday evening, adding that he saw glass windows blown out of homes and that first responders were going door to door, making sure residents were safe.

Wadell spoke with residents who explained how fast the tornado barreled through the town.

"I heard the wind and then I looked out the window and I saw debris flying," Tangipahoa resident Bonnie Carter told Wadell. "I was like oh my God, and then I just heard boom, boom, boom, and then just a few seconds later, maybe a minute, it was gone."

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Lynelle Posey, a Tangipahoa resident, survived the storm despite being trapped in her mangled mobile home after the twister ripped her roof off.

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"I heard the whistling outside and the winds picked up so fast," Posey said to Wadell in an interview. "Next thing I know the roof was off and I was slammed through the front door. It happened so fast. Everything was on top of me. I couldn't move."

Lynelle Posey and her dog Royal spoke to AccuWeather National Reporter Bill Wadell about Wednesday's storms. (AccuWeather National Report Bill Wadell)

Posey tried to free herself, but every time she moved, something would fall, making the process of escaping harder. Posey tried to keep herself calm as she waited for help to arrive.

According to Posey, about 30 minutes later, a police officer arrived and kicked the door in to help free her. Posey did not sustain any serious injuries from the damage her house endured.

The mayor said that "everyone was safe" thus far and that no fatalities have been reported. She asked for prayers from neighboring cities, saying that damage in the area was "extensive."

Lafayette Funches, the pastor of Brown's Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, told Wadell he's thankful no one was seriously injured from Wednesday's storm

"This is a devastating thing that happened, but we thank God that nobody lost their life," Funches said. "We thank God that there were a few injuries, all the damages [are] material damage, which can be replaced or restored."

Lafayette Funches, the pastor of Brown's Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, spoke to AccuWeather National Reporter Bill Wadell about Wednesday's storms. (AccuWeather National Reporter Bill Wadell)

Funches explained that community members didn't have a lot of lead time from when the tornado warning was issued to when the twister hit.

"They had six minutes notice before they were aware that a tornado was coming and after six minutes, it hit," Funches said.

Donnise Gordon, another Tangipahoa resident, was in the nearby town of Kentwood when the twister touched down. Gordon told Wadell she raced into Tangipahoa after the tornado hit to check on her family members, but the damage the storm left behind was shocking.

"I've never seen anything like this," Gordon said. "I'm 61 [and] I've never seen this before."

Gordon confirmed to Wadell that no one in her family was injured.

Both lanes of Louisiana Highway 440 east of Interstate 55 were closed Wednesday night after the storms toppled over trees and downed power lines, according to the Louisiana State Police.

Official response came quickly after a confirmed tornado hit Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, Wednesday evening. (Photo via Bill Wadell)

"Please avoid unnecessary travel to the area and keep all affected residents in your thoughts and prayers," the agency wrote on Facebook.

As of Thursday morning, Highway 440 was reopened, according to the Louisiana Department of Transportation.

Damage assessments were underway Thursday morning in Tangipahoa as daylight brought a clearer look at the damage, according to Wadell.

The tornado comes after AccuWeather meteorologists warned that the full spectrum of severe weather was likely with the storms in the lower Mississippi Valley. Aside from the tornado, multiple reports of flash flooding came in from the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas, located 70 miles northwest of Memphis, Tennessee.

Additional reporting from AccuWeather National Reporter Bill Wadell.

Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
Andrew Miller was known as a butcher in the Scottish borders and ran a shop in Melrose - Andrew Milligan/PA

A transgender butcher has been charged with abduction following the disappearance of an 11-year-old girl.

Andrew Miller, who was known locally as Amy, appeared on Thursday at Selkirk Sheriff Court following his arrest on Monday.

It followed the disappearance of a primary school pupil, who was last seen in Galashiels on Sunday evening.

The girl was found safe and well more than a day after she was last seen.

Her disappearance led to a frantic search which involved police divers, a helicopter and mountain rescue teams.

Miller, 53, was known as a butcher in the Scottish borders and ran a shop in Melrose. He began dressing as a woman and changed his name to Amy around six years ago, locals said.

He arrived at court in custody with a blanket covering his head wearing red nail varnish.

The first court hearing took place in private, as is normal in the Scottish criminal justice system.

Following the hearing, prosecutors confirmed that Miller was facing one charge of abduction.

He is facing a further charge under Section 31 (1) of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act, which relates to threatening or abusive behaviour.

Miller entered no plea and was remanded in custody. He will appear in court again within the next eight days.
Fox News

The Views Alyssa Farah Griffin asserted on Thursday that Ron DeSantis would quickly fold under the pressure of a heated GOP primary against Donald Trump, adding that the Florida governor will implode in the face of sustained attacks.

Trump, who launched his 2024 White House run shortly after Republicans disappointing midterm elections, has quickly ramped up a campaign against DeSantis despite the governor having yet to officially jump into the race. For instance, Trump recently implied his one-time ally is a groomer, prompting DeSantis to fire back that he doesnt spend his time trying to smear other Republicans.

Farah Griffin, the former senior Trump aide turned vocal critic of the twice-impeached ex-president, kicked off Thursdays broadcast of The View by insisting DeSantis is not the guy to defeat Trump, regardless of what polls may suggest.

I think hes so overhyped, she said about the Florida governor. Im just gonna be honest. I have seen Trump take out every mini version of Trump for the last five years.

Noting that the Republican Party is boosting and hyping DeSantis because they are looking for Trump-lite, the conservative host said DeSantis has done nothing on the national stage and has resisted mainstream news interviews.

I think he will implode once Trump keeps going after him and going after him, Farah Griffin continued. My sense is this... how ugly this got this quickly is kind of remarkable and spells for a very bad two years ahead. Like Trump went straight to Youre a groomer, like, maybe save that for June before the primary! This went ugly really fast!

Asked later in the segment how DeSantis would react if Trump called him a pedophile during a debate, Farah Griffin again argued that the Florida governor just isnt equipped to deal with the ex-presidents onslaught of insults.

I honestly think you only defeat Trump by mocking the absurdity and rising above it. Like hes called me a clown, a loser, a backbencher, all things I hoped the former president would one day say about me, she quipped, referencing Trumps own attacks against her.

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And you just ignore it! Farah Griffin concluded. Like, let him look like an idiot. The juxtaposition of a principled, serious person whos focused on the American public, which by the way, I dont think is DeSantis.

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Longtime Donald Trump adviser Jason Miller is joining his 2024 presidential campaign as the operation starts building out its team based in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Miller  who worked on Trumps 2016 and 2020 bids  is stepping down from his role as the CEO of GETTR, a right-wing social media site that was developed to rival Twitter but was often overshadowed by Trumps own platform, Truth Social. Millers 2024 role will be as senior adviser, similar to the one he played in 2020, in which he provided strategic guidance for the campaign.

Miller served as Trumps spokesperson after his administration ended. But he left that gig to launch GETTR. Even then, he still worked as a kind of informal adviser to the former president, appearing at Mar-a-Lago political events and more recently, on Trumps plane during his first official stops in New Hampshire and South Carolina last month.

It was always a matter of when and not if I returned to help re-elect President Trump in 2024, and seeing the current state of the country under Joe Biden I couldnt remain sidelined any longer, said Miller in a statement. You can impact the world a lot by launching a social media platform, but nothing compares to getting President Trump back into office."

Miller is a longtime trusted adviser to Trump and well-known GOP political operative. When it was reported he had been conducting an extramarital affair with another 2016 campaign aide  one that resulted in an out-of-wedlock child  he backed out of serving as the Trump White Houses communications director.

Miller was subsequently embroiled in a legal battle over child support. But he never strayed far from Trump world and was welcomed back into the fold for the 2020 run and, now, for 2024.

Miller joins what has been described as a scrappier Trump campaign operation based just a few miles from Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach. The new campaign offices are, according to aides, a more traditional set up compared with Trumps 2016 operation based out of the gilded Trump Tower in midtown New York or the 2020 campaign operation based out of a slick Virginia high rise across the river from the White House. Currently, there are around 40 staffers working for the campaign.

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The campaign is being led by longtime Republican operatives Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita. There are also other familiar faces from previous campaigns as part of Trumps team.

Brian Jack, a veteran of the 2016 Trump campaign and the White House Political Director, is focused on the nuts and bolts of presidential primary politics. Justin Caporale, a campaign and White House alum is leading external affairs and operations, Scott Gast, a former White House ethics lawyer is working as the campaign lawyer and Boris Epshteyn, a current legal adviser to Trump is also advising his campaign.

Trumps policy advisers and speechwriters, Ross Worthington and Vincent Haley, also joined Trump from his time in the White House. And Steven Cheung, a campaign and White House alum, now oversees communications and press.

Trumps campaign is expected to name additional hires in early states soon and will continue to hold rallies after Trumps first two stops in New Hampshire and South Carolina last month.


Donald Trump has finally offered to hand over his DNA in his upcoming rape trial with E Jean Carroll  but only after the deadline passed to submit evidence in the case.

Attorneys for the former president said last week that he had finally agreed to take a DNA test so that his sample can be compared to a dress Ms Carroll says she was wearing at the time of the alleged sexual assault, reported The Daily Beast.

Ms Carroll, who was a TV talk show host at the time, claims that Mr Trump raped her in a dressing room in high-end Manhattan department store Bergdorf Goodman in 1996.

She says that she and Mr Trump randomly bumped into each other and they got chatting, before Mr Trump pinned her against a wall in a dressing room and sexually assaulted her.

Ms Carroll kept the Donna Karan black coat dress she said she was wearing at the time  and the now-infamous item lies at the centre of her case against the one-term president.

Mr Trump has denied the allegations, which first came to light in 2019 when he was president.

At the time, Mr Trump denied the allegations in a White House press conference, saying he had never met her and that shes not my type.

Ms Carroll pushed back on his claims, sharing a photo she said proves they did meet. The photo shows her and Mr Trump together with his then-wife Ivana Trump and her then-husband John Johnson at an NBC party in 1987.

She filed a defamation suit later that year.

Mr Trump repeatedly stalled proceedings in the lawsuit but  after New York state passed the Adult Survivors Act taking away the statute of limitations on rape allegations  she filed a second suit accusing him of six crimes under New York law. That case is now slated to go to trial in April.

For the last three years, Ms Carrolls legal team has been calling on Mr Trump to hand over a DNA sample after testing found unidentified male DNA on the shoulder and sleeves of the black dress.

Until now, Mr Trump has repeatedly refused.

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But, a source and experts told The Daily Beast that the sudden aboutface appears to be something of a trap.

The recent offer of a DNA sample from Mr Trump has not yet been made to Ms Carrolls attorneys and the deadline for the discovery of evidence in the case has now passed.

The dress she was wearing on the day of the alleged rape (New York State Supreme Court)

This means that it is now too late for Mr Trumps DNA to be tested against the DNA on the dress.

Legal experts told the outlet that this appears to be a legal strategy by Mr Trumps team to show he did offer his DNA  something jurors might take as an indication of innocence  but that the defence did not test it  something jurors might take as an indication that they believe it wont match.

It sounds like a continuation of the dilatory tactics that Trump uses all the time, said Albert Scherr, a University of New Hampshire law school professor who serves as one of the nations top experts on forensic DNA evidence, told The Daily Beast.

As a general rule, Trumps lawyers in every venue have the strong propensity to delay and delay and muck things up.

It is possible  but rare  for a judge to reopen a discovery phase of a trial.

But, if this does happen, Mr Trumps DNA could finally be tested against the infamous dress.

The Independent has reached out to lawyers for Mr Trump and Ms Carroll for comment.

Lawyers for Mr Trump and Ms Carroll declined to comment to The Daily Beast.

More than 10 women publicly accused Mr Trump of sexual misconduct during his first White House run. He denies the allegations and has not been criminally charged.
Two decades before Chris Miller became then-President Trumps acting Defense secretary, overseeing the Pentagon as an insurrection played out in Washington, D.C., he was on a C-17 airplane headed out of Iraq, shortly after U.S. forces had captured Baghdad.

By June 2003, Miller had worked 657 days straight as a group operations commander of a special forces battalion, and as the battle grew more distant on his way to a German base, his thoughts turned dark.

He had long hoped to fight for his country. But not like this.

The more I thought, the more I was horrified, Miller writes in Soldier Secretary, a memoir released this week. We invaded a sovereign nation, killed and maimed a lot of Iraqis, and lost some of the greatest American patriots to ever live  all for a goddamned lie.

Soldier Secretary offers an insight into the life of an American soldier who rose  briefly  to the top of the Pentagon as he grew increasingly resentful of the U.S. military-industrial complex, which he writes has now become a hydra-headed monster with virtually no brakes on the American war machine.

Still, Miller is hopeful that the next generation of Americans can shake the U.S. out of foreign entanglements and the idea of policing the rest of the world.

In an interview with The Hill, Miller said there is a pressing need for accountability in the upper ranks of the Pentagon and with military leadership for the failed wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

That really bothers me. Our young soldiers see the hypocrisy in that  if they end up being late for work, they get in a lot of trouble. Or lets say they mess up a piece of paperwork for a supply request, theres a possibility they can be kicked out of the service, he said.

And then theres the people who lose wars and end up advancing on to other positions of power and wealth, Miller adds. And thats what really bugs me.

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Miller spent his childhood in Delaware and Iowa, with news about the Vietnam War blaring on the TV every night.

His father and uncles were combat veterans, and Miller enlisted in the Army in April 1980, at the age of 17. He scored high marks on a military aptitude test that opened a plethora of opportunities, but just wanted to serve in the infantry.

I want to carry a gun, Miller writes in the book, recalling what he told a recruiter. Go on patrols. You know, be a soldier.

But for more than a decade, he missed opportunities to fight despite being stationed in Kuwait (after the Gulf War) and during the civil war in Bosnia (where he was mostly responsible for monitoring and intelligence).

Then terrorists took down the Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001, and he was sent into Afghanistan to serve as a special forces company commander.

It was during his next assignment to Iraq that the seeds of doubt about the U.S. military-industrial complex began sprouting.

The recognition that so many sacrifices were ultimately made in the service of a lie, as in Iraq, or to further a delusion, as in the neoconservatives utopian fantasy of a democratic Middle East, he writes. It still makes my blood boil, and it probably will until the day I die.

By the end of his last tour in Iraq, from 2006 to 2007, Miller had grown distrustful of the military establishment: the Defense Department, defense contractors, Democrats, Republicans, think tanks. Even the mainstream media is often cheering on American missile strikes and urging greater involvement in conflicts America has no business fighting, he writes.

Miller studied at the Army War College in 2009 and trained with the CIA before he became the deputy to the civilian head of special operations, two positions removed from the Defense secretary in the Pentagon.

His views on the U.S. role in global conflicts led to plenty of petty conflicts in the defense bureaucracy. But he found an ally in Trump, who tapped him in March 2018 as special assistant to the president for counterterrorism and transnational threats at the National Security Council.

The political side and the domestic stuff that everyone focuses on overshadows the great successes he had with his worldview, Miller said of Trump. He didnt get us into any wars and did not increase our military presence.

This non-engagement worldview can seem out of step with the current threats posed by Russias war in Ukraine and Chinas increasing belligerence toward Taiwan.

But Miller says the U.S. should combat foreign adversaries through irregular warfare, a military strategy designed around intelligence and winning the loyalty or cooperation of local populations.

Were doing the same old thing again and the world situation has changed, Miller says. Instead of doing what they want us to do and expect us to do, which plays into their hands, I want us to be more sophisticated. Maybe not take the bait every time.

In November 2020, Miller was appointed by Trump to be the acting secretary of Defense, just two months before the Capitol riot.

In the leadup to what became an attempted insurrection, Miller helped organize the D.C. National Guard, which eventually helped quell the thousands of pro-Trump rioters who stormed the Capitol in a bid to stop the certification of the 2020 election.

Miller says Jan. 6 was embarrassing and concedes that Trumps actions on that day were not helpful, but pulls up short of condemning his former bosss behavior.

Its beyond comprehension to me the way they created this narrative, Miller says of the claims that Trump was responsible for the violence that day. Ill totally let the courts figure this one out. If theres new information I would change my mind. I stand by my comments that he was absolutely not helpful  [but] the politics of this has spun out of control.

The career military man takes a notably both-sides view of the growing partisanship that defines American politics. He writes that culture wars are splitting Americans into warring factions and empowering China and Russia, but doesnt place particular blame on either party.

How does Miller propose to overcome this?

For one, require every American to serve with the AmeriCorps program to bring citizens together, with the option to serve through the military or an agency like the National Park Service. Two, secure the border with military force to stop cartels from flooding American streets with illicit drugs. And three, upgrade the nations nuclear arsenal to serve as a deterrence.

Miller also offers a series of reforms to the military, from holding military leaders accountable to creating a leaner and more nimble fighting force to slashing the Pentagons nearly trillion-dollar budget in half.

House Republicans have tabled defense cuts as part of negotiations over the debt ceiling, but largely focused on woke programs like diversity training that make up a tiny fraction of overall spending.

Progressive lawmakers have long been critical of bloated defense spending, but Miller doesnt think Congress is quite ready to meet in the middle anytime soon.

Theres no incentive to reduce military spending, he says. I think theres whispers, but [we need] someone with the courage and experience to get in there and force it.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Getty/Reuters/New York County Clerk

With E. Jean Carrolls trial against Donald Trump set to start in April, the former presidents legal team has a new gambit they hope will dismantle her case and cast serious doubt on the claims that Trump raped her sometime in the mid-1990s.

The last-minute surprise centers on the one piece of physical evidencean infamous black coat dressthat Carroll says she was wearing when he allegedly forced her against a wall at a Manhattan department store and sexually assaulted her.

For three years, Carroll has hectored Trump over the tantalizing prospect that his DNA is still on the dressa prospect thats been made even more tantalizing because Trump wont submit to a DNA test.

So it seems like a bombshell development that, last week, Trump finally agreed he willat some pointlet his lawyers collect a sample of his DNA for comparison.

The truth, as with most things involving Trump, is far more complex.

Trump Throws Temper Tantrum Throughout E. Jean Carroll Deposition

According to a source familiar with his defense teams new strategy, Trumps proposition has not yet been made to the opposing side. But if they follow through, it would position them to tell jurors his DNA was offeredjust never tested.

Notably, the deadline for opposing sides to exchange evidence has already passed, convenient timing thats drawing criticism that Trumps offer is a trap.

It sounds like a continuation of the dilatory tactics that Trump uses all the time, said Albert Scherr, a University of New Hampshire law school professor who serves as one of the nations top experts on forensic DNA evidence. As a general rule, Trump's lawyers in every venue have the strong propensity to delay and delay and muck things up.

Until now, the dress was supposed to be Carrolls ace up her sleeve.

U.S. President Donald Trump rape accuser E. Jean Carroll departs from her hearing at federal court during the coronavirus disease pandemic in New York City, October 21, 2020. Reuters/Carlo Allegri

At trial, the thinking was her attorneys could ask jurors to infer Trumps guilt by pointing to his refusal to test his DNA against the Donna Karan coat she wore on the day she claims he raped her. At a civil trial, its like pleading the Fifth Amendment against self-incrimination; dont answer, and jurors can assume youre guilty as sin.

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It's referred to as consciousness of liability evidence. You can draw an adverse inference from the fact that someone refused to participate in relevant scientific testing, said Edward J. Imwinkelried, a retired law professor at University of California, Davis.

But now, Trumps lawyers could shoot back with a counterpoint: He did offer his DNA. His accuser simply wouldnt test it.

Carrolls lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, declined to discuss the case for this story. And Trumps attorneys declined as well.

Legal scholars told The Daily Beast this gotcha tactic could convince jurors that there are, inexplicably, key unresolved issues that just shouldnt exist in such a long-running caseand reads more like a strategic public relations stunt.

But experts in the admissibility of DNA evidence in court also called the Trump teams latest move a mischievously smart response, given curious developments in the case.

Judge Tosses Trumps Absurd Attempt to Dismiss Sex Assault Case

For three years, Carroll has consistently held up her dress as the key piece of damning evidence in her case. She launched her first shot in a Jan. 30, 2020 tweet: The dress has been tested. We have the results.

It became national news that her attorney, Kaplan, served notice to Trumps lawyers that they sought a sample of Trumps DNA, who was then the sitting president. Carroll would periodically remind people that Trumps days were numbered.

Cyrus Vance, the Manhattan District Attorney, has Trumps taxes. Fani Willis, the Georgia Prosecutor, has Trumps phone call. Mary Trump has her grandfathers will. And I have the dress. Trump is basically in deep shit, Carroll tweeted on Feb. 25, 2021.

The DNA angle wasnt totally bonkers. As Scherr told The Daily Beast, its something of a longshotbut its possible. Carroll claims she left the cursed garment hanging in her closet unworn for decades.

E. Jean Carrolls dress, shoe and shopping bag in evidence. Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/New York County Clerk

DNA hangs out a lot longer than other stuff does, its pretty well protected at a molecular level, he said. It's very possible the DNA on that dress was deposited there 20 years ago. Not certain by any stretch, but its nowhere near out of the realm of possibility.

Trump, however, wouldnt play ball.

At first, he summoned the colossal power of the Department of Justice to defend him, fending off what was initially her defamation claim seeking to punish him for using a White House podium to call her a liar. Then, out of public office, Trumps lawyers delayed the case with appeals.

Now, after New York passed a rape survivor law opening the door to decades-old claims, Carrolls legal team has filed a second lawsuit that aims to take down Trump the same way Bill Cosby was ruined by his rape victims in civil court. Those cases, dubbed Carroll I and Carroll II, have essentially merged and might be tried together in the upcoming trial.

Judge Blasts Trump Org Lawyers for Delay Tactics

All the while, the dress remained a noose held above Trumps headalbeit a tenuous one. The lab report Carroll commissioned showed that scientists found skin cells on the outer surface of the coat dresss sleeves, and the results were potentially difficult to ascertain. There was a mix of at least four people, and at least one was male. Complicating matters, Carroll donned the dress for a photoshoot to accompany the New York magazine article where she first made the explosive claims. Scientists didnt seem to find what Carroll was looking for.

The Jan. 8, 2020 lab report, submitted in court, says that acid phosphatase activity, a presumptive indication of the presence of semen, was not detected in any of thirty-three fluorescent stains tested on the dress. Instead, they found some apparent animal hairs.

Yet, the dress remained a central focus for Carrolls team. At a New York City federal court hearing on Feb. 22, 2022, Carrolls lawyer went as far as to say it was more important than hearing testimony from the former president himself.

We do not seek to depose President Trump. He can depose our client. He can depose the other two women who she told contemporaneously when it happened. And wed like his DNA. Thats it, Kaplan said, according to court transcripts.

But as the months went by, the dress faded into the background. In August, Carrolls team changed course, instead asking the federal judge to force Trump to testify in a sworn deposition because the other side wasnt sharing a single document of evidence. Kaplan cited radio silence from Trumps legal team, which was led by Alina Habba.

The judge intervened, and Kaplan eventually grilled the former president behind closed doors. In a scan of court documents and transcripts, the dress doesnt seem to have come up since.

That door recently closed. In separate orders, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan (who is not related to Carrolls lawyer) set deadlines to exchange evidence and identify experts in November and early February.

Donald Trumps Rape Accuser E. Jean Carroll Files New Lawsuit Under Adult Survivors Act

If you really want to get to the trial on the merits, you both comply with the discovery deadline. Its the rare case in which someone says we need to reopen discovery, said Imwinkelried, the retired law professor at UC Davis, who co-wrote the seminal legal treatise on this very subject, Scientific Evidence.

The sudden about-face by Trump came just as the former president hired a new powerhouse lawyer for his team on Jan. 31: celebrity defense attorney Joe Tacopina.

But the last-minute offer by Trump is something of a moot point. The California lab that tested the dress was commissioned by Carroll, so Trumps team cant just send it his DNA now and demand an answer. Even if they could, it wouldnt be admissible at trial unless the judge reopens discovery, which would delay the case.

And thats something that Judge Kaplan has no intention of doing. On Tuesday, he warned Trumps lawyers that the case is barrelling forward no matter what, ignoring Tacopinas request for a few extra weeks and setting the trial to start April 25.

Then again, if discovery is re-opened, Trumps DNA could be tested against the dress. And this last-minute gamble could backfire spectacularly if it tests positive.

In the end, what was promised as the most important piece of evidence in the case seems destined to amount to nothing more than a talking point before a jury.

Whats going on now behind the scenes is that each side is seeing how to posture themselves to take advantage of this, Scherr told The Daily Beast. It was convenient for Carrolls side to stop asking for his DNA and Trumps lawyers may be playing a game too.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Former President Donald Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts were reactivated Thursday after they were suspended in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said it would not be making any statements on the matter.

The former president's return to Facebook and Instagram  where he has a combined 57 million followers  comes as he ramps up his third presidential campaign. Meta did not issue a statement on Thursday but has previously said that there are "new guardrails" to prevent Trump from repeat offenses.

"In light of his violations, he now also faces heightened penalties for repeat offenses," Nick Clegg, Meta's President of Global Affairs, said in a blog post last month. "In the event that Mr. Trump posts further violating content, the content will be removed and he will be suspended for between one month and two years, depending on the severity of the violation."

Meta initially suspended then-President Trump's accounts indefinitely on Jan. 7, 2021, after he posted praise for insurrectionists engaging in violence at the U.S. Capitol. The company then referred the decision to its newly formed Oversight Board, which upheld the decision but criticized the open nature of the suspension.

Then-President Donald Trump's Twitter and Facebook accounts were suspended following the January 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol. / Credit: Photo Illustration by Omar Marques/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

In response, Meta said it would suspend Trump for two years dating back to the original suspension and assess whether he still poses a risk to public safety.

Trump has called Meta's ruling to suspend him from the platform "an insult" to his supporters, claiming the social media site is "censoring and silencing" him.

Last month, Trump's campaign sent a letter to Clegg and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg asking the company's top executives for a meeting to discuss Trump's "prompt reinstatement to the platform."

In the letter, which was obtained by CBS News, Trump's lawyers contended that a continued ban of Trump from the platform could be seen as a deliberate effort by the company "to silence Mr. Trump's political voice."

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Reacting to that announcement, Trump said "such a thing should never happen to a sitting President, or anybody else who is not deserving of retribution!" Trump has been using his own social media platform Truth Social for the last two years.

Around the same time Trump was banned from Facebook, he was also banned from Twitter. But billionaire Elon Musk, who took over that platform in 2022, conducted a Twitter poll asking if Trump should be reinstated and then restored his account in Nov. 2022 as per the results of the poll.

At that time, Trump did not seem to indicate he would be returning to Twitter, where he once posted several times a day. "I don't see any reason for it, they have a lot of problems at Twitter, you see what's going on. It may make it, it may not make it," he said soon after Musk restored his account. His last tweets on the platform are from January 2021.

Burt Bacharach | 60 Minutes Archive

USAID providing disaster relief after devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria

Michael Cohen meets Manhattan's DA over Trump's alleged hush money payments
Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, left, Matt Gaetz of Florida, center, and Lauren Boebert of Colorado listen during the 15th round of votes in the House chamber as the chamber entered the fifth day trying to elect a speaker and convene the 118th Congress in Washington, DC, on Saturday, January 7, 2023. AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Eleven House Republicans have backed a measure calling for an immediate halt of US aid to Ukraine.

The measure is backed by Reps. Matt Gaetz, Lauren Boebert, and Marjorie Taylor Greene.

A recent poll found nearly two-thirds of American support continued aid to Ukraine.

A group of House Republicans is calling for an immediate halt of US aid in Ukraine, arguing that such support for the country's defense in the face of Russia's invasion is "inadvertently contributing to civilian casualties."

A non-binding resolution introduced Thursday would, if passed, express the sense of Congress that the US "must end its military and financial aid to Ukraine." It further "urges all combatants to reach a peace agreement."

The measure's 11 backers include some of Congress' most vocal and far-right supporters of former President Donald Trump, including Reps. Lauren Boebert of Colorado and Paul Gosar of Arizona. Although the group represents a minority opinion within Congress, and even within the GOP, its members could jeopardize future aid packages in the House, where any lawmaker can force a vote to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

The introduction of the measure comes as Moscow is launching a new offensive in eastern Ukraine, committing "at least three major Russian divisions," according to a new assessment by researchers with the Institute for the Study of War.

A recent Gallup poll found that nearly two-thirds of Americans believe the US should continue to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia, even if that means prolonging the conflict. However, that support is weakest among Republicans, 41% of whom stated they support ending the conflict "quickly," even if that means territorial gains for Russia.

Justifying the measure, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida distorted a quote from President Joe Biden. According to Gaetz, "Biden must have forgotten his prediction from March 2022, suggesting that arming Ukraine with military equipment will escalate the conflict to 'World War III.'"

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Trump made that claim earlier this month but Biden made no such warning.

Speaking in Philadelphia, Biden in fact defended his policy of arming Ukraine. "We're going to make sure Ukraine has the weapons to defend themselves from the invading Russian forces," he said. In his remarks, the president thrice mentioned World War III," each time in the context of noting that direct US or NATO intervention would trigger it. "We will not fight the third World War in Ukraine," he said.

Asked for clarification on the congressman's remarks, Joel Valdez, a spokesperson for Gaetz, provided a truncated quote from Biden that omitted key context. "Biden in March 2022 said: "the idea that we're going to send in offensive equipment and have planes and tanks and trainsthat's called 'World War Three,'" Valdez responded in an email, emphasizing the world "tanks."

The missing part of the quote makes clear that Biden's warning was not about the threat posed by sending weapons to Ukraine  the US announced its sending tanks last month, stepping up its aid to Ukraine  but about "planes and tanks and trains going in with American pilots and American crews."

Opposition to US aid for Ukraine on the right has been increasingly vocal in recent months, led by Trump, who has repeatedly asserted that he would be able to end the conflict through negotiations. "Get this cray war ended, NOW. So easy to do," he posted on Truth Social last month.

In 2019, Trump withheld US military aid to Ukraine, pressuring President Volodymyr Zelenskky in a phone call to open an investigation into the Biden family and asking him to look into a conspiracy theory that it was Ukrainians, not the Russian government, that hacked and stole emails from the Democratic National Committee. That incident led to Trump's second impeachment and, on the right, sowed distrust of Ukraine and its link to the Democrats.



Ironically, Biden's refusal to commit US forces to a war with Russia was previously the subject of criticism for at least one Republican who is now calling for an end to US support for Ukraine altogether.

"It's no surprise to anyone that Putin invaded Ukraine," Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote on Twitter last February on the day of the large-scale invasion. "Biden gave him the green light by saying the US is not going to war with Russia and will remain united with and only defend its NATO member nation allies. Ukraine was not allowed to join NATO."

One month before the invasion, by contrast, Greene had called for Biden's impeachment, citing his "threatening war with nuclear Russia." With the immediate shock of Russia's invasion now in the distant past, she has returned to the rhetoric of isolationism.

"For me, it's America First all the way and we're not doing anything about our own southern border," she told Insider. "Why are we protecting the border of another country?"

Have a news tip? Email this reporter: cdavis@insider.com

Read the original article on Business Insider
Tucker Carlson likened Democratic support for reproductive health care rights to promoting human sacrifice in an on-brand rant Wednesday on Fox News.

The Tucker Carlson Tonight host joined the conservative uproar over abortion lapel pins worn by Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.) to Tuesdays State of the Union address.

Take a look at this pin, which has replaced the American flag on their lapels, Carlson raged. Notice that the o in abortion is in the shape of a heart. They literally love abortion.

Do you think abortion is a wonderful, affirming act you feel so proud of you brag about it with jewelry? he added.

If you feel that way you should know that you are not defending a medical procedure. You wouldnt say that about an appendectomy. No, you are promoting an ancient religious rite called human sacrifice. Thats what this is, promoting human sacrifice.

Markey said he wore the pin because abortion is essential health care and we need to codify this right, while Dean noted that abortion care saves lives.

Notably, Carlson did not take issue with the pins that some Republicans were seen wearing this week in support of the Second Amendment. The lapel pins were shaped like AR-15 assault rifles, the type of weapon used in most of the high-profile mass shootings in recent years.

According to Tucker Carlson, if you publicly support the right to an abortion, "you are promoting an ancient religious rite called human sacrifice." pic.twitter.com/aX56hKyxIg  Kat Abu (@abughazalehkat) February 9, 2023

And speaking of death cults, Joe Biden made his case last night for the sexual mutilation of children, Carlson added, playing a clip of the presidents remarks about the Equality Acts protections for transgender youth.

The Fox News extremist has made similar comments about abortion rights, leaning into elements of the QAnon conspiracy theory that revolves around the bizarre notion that Democrats and Hollywood celebrities are part of a shadowy, Satan-worshipping child sex-trafficking ring battled by former President Donald Trump.

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Last year, Carlson suggested the Democratic Party was a child sacrifice cult because its donors were trying to protect womens reproductive rights.

Related...
On Monday morning, Turkey woke up to a disastrous tragedy. At 4:17 a.m. local time, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit near Gaziantep, a city in Southern Turkey, with 120 recorded aftershocks following in the next 12 hours. The earthquake was named the deadliest in a decade, with casualties in Turkey and Syria surpassing the 10,000 mark.

This is not the first big earthquake Turkey has faced, yet it is one of the deadliest. Growing up in Turkey, I was always warned and taught about how dangerous earthquakes can be. From classes to television, there was always a voice telling us how to place our furniture, prepare earthquake emergency kits, and countless drills in case tragedy ever struck.

A man stands inside a destroyed building as others react, in Iskenderun town, southern Turkey, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. A powerful earthquake hit southeast Turkey and Syria early Monday, toppling hundreds of buildings and killing and injuring thousands of people. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

The 1999 Izmit earthquake, still deeply mourned, was the biggest earthquake in Turkey I knew about growing up, causing almost 20,000 deaths, and collapsing over 100,000 buildings. My mother was pregnant with me at the time, and she was still so terrified when I became old enough to understand what an earthquake is. The danger and horror of earthquakes are deeply understood by the Turkish people, there has been more than enough suffering to take earthquake preparation seriously. So how did over 6,000 buildings collapse once again, more than 20 years later?

The morning of the earthquake, geoscientist, Naci Gorur, went on live television, unable to hide his despair.

I was woken up at 4 a.m. in the morning, I cried for an hour, and I am still crying. Its the place we have been warning about for years. Not a single local authority called to ask what they can do. Why did we give all these warnings? he said.

Gorurs perspective is one that suggests that the right preparation and inspection could have at least decreased the scope of the disaster that struck the morning of Feb. 6th.

In an interview with The Guardian, Dr. Henry Bang, a geologist and disaster management expert explained what could have caused so many buildings to collapse in different ways.

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RELATED: How you can help Turkey, Syria victims

Those whose walls have crumbled to the ground are probably very old buildings that were built with relatively weaker building materials. The [multi] story buildings that have collapsed like a pack of cards were probably not built with earthquake-resistant design features, said Bang.

After the 1999 earthquake, many pointed their fingers at the outdated building codes that were still in place. So, Turkey introduced modern building codes hoping to be better prepared next time.

The problem is there are many ways to cheat, like replacing reinforcing rods with styrofoam or using outdated procedures. Whether the inspections that are supposed to take place inside these buildings were conducted regularly still remains a question, and one thing stands true: the contractors that chose to cheat the system for extra cash now carry the responsibility for the thousands of lives that were lost in the earthquake.

While measurements and preparation play a big part in earthquake management, Turkey still sits in a highly seismically active area, making the natural disaster almost non-avoidable. In an interview with Scientific American, Ross Stein, CEO of the catastrophe modelling company Temblor, explains that Turkey is squeezed by a giant tectonic vise, meaning that the country is being forced outward to the west, spilling into the Mediterranean and ultimately being pushed beneath Crete in a subduction zone similar to the one seen off of Japan.

In earthquake-affected cities, search and rescue efforts are still ongoing. Donating and spreading secure assembly locations and helpful information can go a long way toward helping the survivors.
More than 20,000 deaths have been reported in the aftermath of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria on Monday, topping the death toll of more than 18,400 killed in Japans Fukushima disaster in 2011.

Rescue missions are still underway in the region, but aftershocks and freezing temperatures have hindered rescuers and diminished the chances of finding more survivors. This staggering death toll has made it the deadliest earthquake in more than a decade, and the toll continues to rise each day.

An earthquake struck the Fukushima region in 2011, which then triggered a tsunami that together with the initial quake killed more than 18,400 people in the region. The tsunamis massive waves damaged nuclear reactors, which resulted in a severe nuclear meltdowns, hydrogen explosions and nuclear contamination.

United Nations aid arrived to the Turkey and Syria regions on Thursday for the first time since the earthquake struck. The U.N. will be sending aid to northern Syria through Turkey and Damascus, the capital of Syria, said Geir Pedersen, the U.N. special envoy to Syria.

The World Health Organization warned of long-term impacts on health care after the earthquake, which can create a crisis-on-crisis situation.

Most of the deaths have occurred in Turkey, with officials reporting that more than 16,500 people have been reported dead. But, Syria is also facing a high death count, with more than 3,500 reported dead.

Turkey regularly experiences earthquakes, with some of them in the past also devastating parts of the region. In 1999, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake killed more than 18,000 people.

The United States Geological Survey said Turkey  along with China and Iran  is one of the countries that sees these most devastation from earthquakes.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Ceyda Caglayan and Maya Gebeily

ISTANBUL/KAHRAMANMARAS (Reuters) -Turkey is grappling with one of the biggest challenges from the earthquake that flattened a swathe of its towns and cities: how to shelter hundreds of thousands of people left homeless in the middle of winter.

Banks of tents are being erected in stadiums and shattered city centres, and Mediterranean and Aegean summer beach resorts outside the quake zone are opening up hotel rooms for evacuees.

With some 6,500 buildings collapsed and countless more damaged, hundreds of thousands of people lack safe housing.

Syrian refugee Bahjat Selo, 62, and his family have camped near their cinderblock, cement and corrugated metal home in Kahramanmaras since the quake caused cracks in its walls.

"Its too dangerous to be inside. When we go in to get things, we go in like thieves, he told Reuters.

We spent four years in a camp - and this is harder. Its so dark, he said, his voice cracking and breaking into sobs.

At a tent city set up in a stadium in Kahramanmaras, long lines of bedraggled residents queued up to receive steaming kebabs and dug through bags of donated warm clothing.

Volunteer air worker Fatma Nacar, 25, said she was helping out despite losing her aunt and several nephews to the quake.

"After we buried them, we came here to work as volunteers," she said, adding aid was arriving slowly due to blocked roads.

The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority calculates that more than 28,000 homeless people have been brought out of the quake zone so far, with nearly 5,000 leaving by road and more than 23,000 by plane.

HOTELS WELCOME SURVIVORS

In the Aegean resort area of Marmaris, the owner of the Cettia Beach Hotel has opened up his hotel for quake survivors.

"My hotel is closed in winter and it was scheduled to be opened by April when the summer season starts. We were renovating the hotel but we will stop and open up the hotel next week," said owner Bulent Bulbuloglu.

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The Turkish Hoteliers Federation told Reuters thousands of rooms had been allocated in resorts such as Antalya, Alanya, Marmaris, Fethiye, Bodrum as well as Izmir and Cappadocia.

"Hotels in Antalya welcomed their first guests from the disaster zone by Wednesday morning," said Ulkay Atmaca, head of the Professional Hotel Managers' Association.

Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the government was doing all it could to provide temporary accommodation to survivors who wanted to be re-housed.

He told reporters 15,729 people had been accommodated in state guesthouses, student dormitories and hotels, while in Antalya alone, 11,165 evacuees were in hotels.

But with thousands of people still buried under piles of rubble, many survivors appeared unwilling to leave the region despite the freezing weather.

"We have allocated rooms in our hotels but we see that many survivors do not want to come now, because they are still waiting for their family or friends to be rescued from rubble," said Hakan Saatcioglu, Coordinator of Limak International Hotels & Resorts, which operates four hotels in Antalya.

Another problem in the earthquake area is sanitation.

In Antakya, in the central district of Hatay, it was almost impossible to reach a public toilet. In a tent camp near Hatay Stadium outside the city centre and even in a field hospital near partly-damaged Hatay Research Hospital, there were no public or mobile toilets available as of Wednesday night.

The death toll from the 7.8 magnitude quake, Turkey's deadliest since 1999, rose to 16,170 on Thursday.

(Reporting by Ceyda Caglayan, Huseyin Hayatsever, Maya Gebeily, Editing by William Maclean and Christina Fincher)
Mr Terry appeared on The Great British Menu on BBC 2 and was best man at Gordon Ramsay's wedding. (Wales News Service)

A married couple swindled a TV celebrity chef out of 150,000 and used the money to take dream holidays to Florida and Morocco, a court heard.

Simon and Nicola Nightingale went on a string of trips abroad despite making monthly payments to a debt management company.

Their alleged victim, 55-year-old Stephen Terry, appeared on The Great British Menu on BBC 2 and was best man at Gordon Ramsay's wedding.

For around two years the celebrity chef failed to spot that money was being taken from the accounts of his award-winning restaurant, The Hardwick, in Abergavenny, South Wales.

Read more: Nicola Bulley theories: What happened to missing mum who disappeared while walking her dog?

Nicola Nightingale, 47, has admitted to fraud, but her husband Simon denies wrongdoing. (Wales News Service)

The court heard Mrs Nightingale, 47, was employed as an office administrator at the restaurant, and was responsible for paying workers and suppliers.

She persuaded her boss to let her 50-year-old husband work some occasional shifts, which gave her the opportunity to fraudulently transfer more than 46,000 to him between May 2018 and February 2020.

Mrs Nightingale has since admitted to taking a total of 150,000 by creating fake invoices, taking out loans in the name of the company and paying herself an "inflated" salary.

She pleaded guilty to fraud, but Mr Nightingale previously of Gilwern near Abergavenny, is facing trial for acquiring criminal property.

He has denied wrongdoing, claiming he didn't know the money being transferred to him by his wife was fraudulently obtained.

Read more: The crimes which Britons would most likely support the death penalty for

The court heard how Mrs Nightingale created fake invoices and paid herself an "inflated" salary while working at The Hardwick in Abergavenny, South Wales. (Wales News Service)



When asked by prosecutor Thomas Stanway if he accepted that he'd been on a "fair amount" of holidays between 2018 and 2020, the defendant replied: "A normal amount really".

During that time the couple took trips to Disneyland Paris and Disney World Florida, and took anniversary trips to Morocco, which Mr Stanway says were booked by his wife.

When Mr Stanway asked if at any point the defendant thought to ask, "have we go enough money for this love?", he responded: "No. I trusted Nicola to be arranging it properly."

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Read more: Father faces 50k 'fly-tipping' fine after planting allotment on disused playground

Celebrity chef Stephen Terry had 150,000 taken from his restaurant's accounts over a two-year period, jurors heard. (Wales News Service)

The court heard the couple started paying debt management company Lowell Portfolio Ltd in May 2018, after taking out credit to give Mrs Nightingale a "comfortable" life.

"I took some of the credit out for Nicola and then some of the credit was hers. It was just to keep Nicola happy and I wanted her to have everything she wanted," the husband said.

Cardiff Crown Court heard how Mr Nightingale's account was overdrawn on multiple occasions while a number of different direct debits bounced back.

The trial continues.
By Luc Cohen

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Thursday extended a ban on FTX cryptocurrency exchange founder Sam Bankman-Fried's ability to contact employees of companies he once controlled and use encrypted messaging technology while out on bail awaiting trial on fraud charges.

U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan on Feb. 1 had temporarily barred Bankman-Fried from contacting any current or former employees of FTX or Alameda Research, his hedge fund, after prosecutors raised concerns that the 30-year-old former billionaire may be trying to tamper with witnesses.

As a condition of his release on $250 million bond, the judge also prevented Bankman-Fried from using messaging apps such as Signal that let users auto-delete messages.

After rejecting an agreement between defense lawyers and prosecutors to loosen those conditions on Tuesday, Kaplan on Thursday said the restrictions would remain in place until Feb. 21 and instructed both sides to explain by Feb. 13 how they could be sure Bankman-Fried would not delete electronic messages.

"I am far less interested in the defendant's convenience" than in preventing possible witness-tampering, Kaplan said at a hearing in Manhattan federal court.

"There is still snail-mail and there is still email and there are all kinds of ways to communicate that don't present the same risks," Kaplan added.

Defense lawyers have argued that Bankman-Fried's efforts to contact an FTX general counsel and its new chief executive John Ray were attempts to offer "assistance" and not interfere.

Bankman-Fried, accused by prosecutors of cheating investors and causing billions of dollars in losses, pleaded not guilty on Jan. 3 to eight criminal charges including wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy. He faces up to 115 years in prison if convicted, though any sentence would ultimately be determined by a judge based on a range of factors.

His agreement with prosecutors would have allowed him to use communication tools such as Zoom and texting, as well as WhatsApp if he installed monitoring technology on his phone. It also would have exempted some people from the no-contact order, without specifying who they were.

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A prosecutor, Danielle Sassoon, told the judge that the people were connected with FTX but not central to the government case and not expected to testify.

"We don't want to completely eliminate the defendant's ability to communicate," Sassoon said.

Bankman-Fried had originally proposed being banned from contacting only certain potential witnesses like former Alameda CEO Caroline Ellison and former FTX Chief Technology Officer Zixiao "Gary" Wang, who have pleaded guilty to fraud and are cooperating with prosecutors. Bankman-Fried had also agreed to withdraw his objection to a bail condition preventing him from accessing FTX, Alameda or cryptocurrency assets.

Bankman-Fried rode a boom in bitcoin and other digital assets to build an estimated $26 billion fortune and become an influential political donor. FTX collapsed and filed for bankruptcy in November. Bankman-Fried was extradited from the Bahamas, where he had lived and where the exchange was based, to face the criminal charges.

(Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Will Dunham and Lisa Shumaker)
By Ted Hesson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden's administration is developing a sweeping bill that would revamp the country's asylum system to speed up the resolution of claims in large-scale processing centers at the border with Mexico, two U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials told Reuters.

The effort emerged from ongoing Biden administration discussions to reimagine asylum as border crossings have reached record highs and immigration courts face steep backlogs, said the two sources, who requested anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. U.S. officials traveled to Europe last month, including a stop in the Netherlands, to examine systems there, they said.

Biden, a Democrat, is expected to seek reelection in 2024 and has toughened his approach to border security, introducing new immigration measures in recent weeks as Republicans have escalated attacks over the issue after taking control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

The legislation - which remains in a conceptual phase - could also include different procedures for asylum seekers based on nationality, with migrants from countries with typically higher rates of approval given more freedom of movement while they await the outcome of their cases, the sources said.

Those with better chances would potentially be housed in apartments or less restrictive settings than a detention center, the two officials said. Migrants deemed less likely to win asylum could be processed and deported quickly. In the 2022 fiscal year, for example, 53% of Chinese asylum seekers won their cases in immigration court while only 8% of Hondurans did, according to government data.

"It's a total rethink of the approach and is not constrained by current laws," one of the DHS officials said.

The sources stressed that the bill remained in development and that details could change before it is finalized. Blas Nunez-Neto, a top DHS policy official, is one of the people leading the legislative effort, according to one of the DHS officials and another person familiar with the matter.

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DHS spokesperson Marsha Espinosa downplayed the asylum legislation discussions.

"DHS is always exploring ways to improve our asylum system, but no proposal is under serious consideration," she said.

Espinosa said the administration remains committed to passing an immigration reform bill Biden sent to Congress shortly after taking office in 2021, although that bill has failed to gain traction.

The timing of eventual asylum legislation, or whether it would win support among Republicans or Democrats in Congress, remains unclear.

The goal of the effort is to open a conversation with Congress to create an asylum system that is "fair, fast and functioning," said another DHS official directly involved in the planning.

The official stressed that Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas or the White House could ultimately quash the bill and acknowledged the challenges of passing legislation in a divided Congress.

"We are still in the very early phases of this and it could be something that people look at and say, 'No, we're not going to do that.'"

The prospective Biden asylum bill could also potentially incorporate a requirement that migrants seek asylum in countries they pass through if protections are available elsewhere, another person familiar with the effort said.

Immigrant advocates have criticized that idea, saying it is similar to "transit bans" proposed during the Republican administration of then-President Donald Trump. Advocates have also raised concerns about rapid asylum processing, saying it could unfairly lead to the deportation of migrants with valid claims.

MORE RESTRICTIONS

In January, Biden rolled out new border restrictions in combination with legal pathways for certain migrants, which led to a sharp reduction in the number of people caught crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally.

The new Biden restrictions, which rely on a COVID-19 order known as Title 42, allow U.S. authorities to expel migrants from Cuba, Haiti and Nicaragua to Mexico without the chance to seek U.S. asylum. Before that, Mexico had mostly accepted the returns of Mexicans, some Central Americans and, more recently, Venezuelans.

However, the Title 42 order is being challenged in court and it remains unclear whether it will remain in place if the COVID public health emergency ends on May 11 as planned.

The Biden administration has said it wants to end Title 42 and replace it with a more established rapid deportation process known as "expedited removal." U.S. officials since last year have pressed Mexico to accept non-Mexicans via expedited removal once Title 42 terminates, two U.S. officials told Reuters.

Roberto Velasco, a senior foreign ministry official in Mexico, traveled to Washington this week to discuss a range of issues involving both nations. He said in a statement that "there are ongoing conversations" about migration policy and that no decisions had been made about next steps.

(Reporting by Ted Hesson in Washington; Editing by Mica Rosenberg and Jonathan Oatis)
By Humeyra Pamuk, Michael Martina and Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States will explore taking action against entities connected to China's military that supported the flight of a Chinese spy balloon into U.S. airspace last week, a senior State Department official said on Thursday.

Washington is confident that the manufacturer of the Chinese balloon, shot down by the U.S. military last weekend off the U.S. East Coast, has a "direct relationship" with the People's Liberation Army (PLA), the official said in a statement.

White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre echoed the notion that Washington would look at taking action, but the U.S. government has not specified what measures are under consideration.

Jean-Pierre told reporters the United States would also look at broader efforts to "expose and address" China's larger surveillance activities that pose a threat to U.S. national security and to allies and partners.

The FBI, which is leading efforts to analyze recovered remains of the balloon, told reporters in a briefing that it had obtained only limited physical evidence and did not yet have enough information to assess its capabilities.

"It's very early for us in this process, and the evidence that has been recovered and brought to the FBI is extremely limited," a bureau official said.

FBI officials said they still did not have access to the majority of the balloon's "payload" where most of the onboard electronics were likely carried, and that much of it remains underwater.

Separately on Thursday, speaking at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman highlighted the flight of the Chinese balloon as another sign of Beijing's efforts to reshape the international order.

"This irresponsible act put on full display what we've long recognized: that the PRC (People's Republic of China) has become more repressive at home and more aggressive abroad," Sherman told the hearing.

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Sherman said Washington would continue to block China from using U.S. technology to advance its military modernization.

"The PRC is the only competitor with the intent and means to reshape the international order," Sherman said, adding that the balloon's violation of U.S. sovereignty and international law was the "latest example of that reality."

Nevertheless, Sherman said she hoped Washington and Beijing would be able to continue to work together on issues of shared concern such a climate change "at this difficult time."

POLITICAL OUTRAGE

The spectacle of the Chinese balloon drifting over the United States last week caused political outrage in Washington and brought into sharp focus the challenge posed by China to the United States and its allies.

It prompted Secretary of State Antony Blinken to cancel a trip to Beijing that both countries had hoped would patch up frayed relations. Blinken would have arrived in Beijing Sunday.

Instead, Thursday's slew of briefings and hearings highlighted the political pressure that President Joe Biden's administration remained under to address the incident.

Democratic and Republican U.S. lawmakers sharply criticized the U.S. military and the Biden administration for failing to shoot down the balloon when it first entered U.S. airspace, and instead waiting a week to do so. The House of Representatives voted 419-0 for a resolution condemning China for the balloon incursion.

U.S. lawmakers have demanded more information from the Biden administration about the incident.

"I hate to disappoint you. We haven't learned anything more than what everyone always knew," Senator Bob Menendez, the Democratic chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said after emerging from a classified briefing given by administration officials on the balloon on Thursday.

The U.S. Air Force downed the balloon off South Carolina on Saturday, a week after it entered U.S. airspace. China's foreign ministry has said it was a weather balloon that had blown off course and accused the United States of overreacting.

On Monday, the United States briefed 150 foreign diplomats in Washington and sent information to its missions around the world to share details about the balloon incident.

On Thursday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning dismissed U.S. charges that the balloon was part of a worldwide spying fleet, saying that allegation could be part of a "U.S. information war against China."

PLA-LINKED MANUFACTURER

In the statement released by the State Department, the senior official said the balloon manufacturer has a direct relationship with China's military and is an approved vendor of the People's Liberation Army.

The company also advertises balloon products on its website and hosts videos from past flights, which appear to have overflown U.S. airspace and the airspace of other countries, the official said, without naming the business.

The official said the United States has collected high-resolution imagery of the balloon from U-2 aircraft flybys that revealed it was capable of conducting signals intelligence collection operations.

China had conducted similar surveillance flights over more than 40 countries on five continents, the official said.

State Department spokesman Ned Price told a briefing later that activity had occurred "over the course of several years."

(Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk, Patricia Zengerle, Michael Martina, David Brunnstrom, Sarah N. Lynch, Nandita Bose, Paul Grant and Kanishka Singh; Editing by Daniel Wallis, Don Durfee and Lisa Shumaker)
Federal scientists are gearing up to test the first vaccines in poultry against bird flu in years, as Biden administration officials say they have now begun weighing an unprecedented shift in the U.S. strategy to counter the growing outbreak.

The move comes amid mounting concern over the threat posed by the ongoing spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza over the past few years, which has devastated flocks of wild and commercial birds around the continent.

A record 58 million birds  mostly commercially-raised poultry  have died in the outbreak so far, according to figures tallied by the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service  either killed by the virus itself or put down in efforts to quash its transmission. Every state except Hawaii has detected the virus spreading among wild birds and 47 have spotted them in poultry.

"The decision to proceed with vaccination is complex, and many factors must be considered before implementing a vaccination strategy," USDA spokesperson Mike Stepien said in a statement, adding that the inspection service is discussing the options and "soliciting input from many different industry stakeholders that would be impacted."

While the Biden administration has so far not greenlighted the use of vaccines for highly pathogenic avian influenza, several shots had been licensed for potential use in previous outbreaks. Poultry are already regularly vaccinated for other diseases, like infectious bronchitis.

While animal vaccines can take years to be licensed, Stepien said some parts of the process can be accelerated for emergencies.

It is not yet clear whether vaccines are available that will work against clade 2.3.4.4b, the strain behind the current outbreak in the U.S.

"There are a lot of moving parts to this kind of testing. And some of it is just pure logistics of getting everything in place to do the testing, getting the vaccines that are updated, getting things from parties that are involved, different manufacturers," said Erica Spackman, a virologist who studies avian influenza vaccines at the USDA.

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While it is not always a requirement for animal shots to be licensed by the department, the trials will offer an early independent evaluation of how well a vaccine works in this case. Antibody studies suggest earlier vaccines might not be as well-matched against the strain now driving the current outbreak, prompting the need for tests.

"On the test, it's a twofold reduction, but that makes it sound a lot closer related than it is. In vaccine-speak, it means it's starting to drift away," said Spackman.

Spackman said evaluating the vaccines can take three months, from when birds get their shot  often in the back of the neck or thigh  to studying their response to the virus after immunity develops.

Vaccine makers say they are also closely tracking deliberations by the U.S. and other countries over the possibility of poultry vaccination, as well as assessing their own shots.

A spokesperson for Merck Animal Health said the company has an "extensive, ongoing research program" developing vaccines that can work with so-called Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated or DIVA strategies  an approach that involves systematically hunting for the virus among vaccinated flocks, in hopes of preventing undetected spread among immunized birds.

When to vaccinate poultry?

Officials have so far been wary of deploying vaccines against the outbreak, citing concerns that the use of the shots could make it harder to export American poultry products.

"What is the trigger point of when you might use vaccination? And that's what they're looking at. Is it so many birds in a poultry farms in an area getting infected? Or is it a certain amount of economic loss? Or is it because a neighboring state has the virus in poultry, and you're concerned? So there's those are really the tough, tough questions," said poultry veterinarian David Swayne.

Before retiring to become a consultant, Swayne served for nearly three decades in the USDA's infectious disease arm and was the director of the department's top research facility for dangerous pathogens.

Swayne noted there are several high-income countries in Europe that are "further along" in exploring DIVA strategies that would work with poultry exports, after wrestling for years with their outbreak. Others, including Indonesia and China, have already rolled out poultry vaccinations for bird flu.

FILE: Chickens walk in a fenced pasture at an organic farm in Iowa on Oct. 21, 2015. / Credit: Charlie Neibergall / AP

Under one approach, birds who die of any cause in a vaccinated flock could be aggressively tested for the virus, Swayne said, or live birds might be systematically sampled for antibodies in their blood through a more complex process. Surveillance may also be possible through swabbing the environment, like checking the containers birds drink water from.

"We want to make sure our partners understand that, if we use them, we're going to use them in the right the right manner so that they can feel secure and safe that the products they buy are not products that might contain, say, a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus," said Swayne.

Authorities would also need a way to coordinate tracking viruses for updates to the vaccines, potentially similar to how the World Health Organization issues recommendations for manufacturers of human flu shots to keep pace with the latest strains.

However, Swayne cautioned that poultry producers will still need to take steps to shield their flocks from contact with wild birds and other ways the virus could spread.

Like their counterparts abroad, American wildlife officials have spotted the virus decimating groups of birds across a range of species. Officials believe the virus is largely being transmitted to commercial poultry flocks by wild birds migrating across the Americas.

"Biosecurity really is the first line of defense, and any vaccination that might be done is only sort of another layer of protection, sort of an insurance policy," he said.

Is it a threat to humans?

Authorities say the risk the virus poses to humans seems to be low for now, despite a 56% fatality rate among the handful of people who have tested positive after direct contact with infected birds.

Out of more than 6,000 poultry workers that American health authorities have tracked after exposure to infected birds, only one has tested positive for the virus.

Regardless, officials have urged Americans to avoid handling dead or sick birds to reduce their risk. The virus has spilled over from birds to other species, often from coming into contact with the carcasses of infected birds.

"Somewhat concerning is that there's been transmission to mammals in a variety of terrestrial mammals, which are basically the most of them are predatory mammals," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Tim Uyeki told a webinar hosted by Emory University last month.

The federal Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response also already maintains a program with vaccinemakers to "make and test small quantities" of shots for humans that can be ramped up to large-scale production if needed.

"High on my radar. We've already been in touch with our teams as to where we are with both surveillance and detection, as well as our USDA colleagues on the detection in the avian population as well," CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky told a panel of the agency's advisers this week.

At least 8 people injured after U-Haul truck strikes pedestrians in Brooklyn

U.S. military shoots down unidentified objects

Kansas City Chiefs topple the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII
By David Lawder and Kanishka Singh

SPRING HILL, Tenn./ WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Wednesday she still hoped to visit China but offered no details on plans or timing.

A team of U.S. Treasury officials was scheduled to travel to China this month to prepare for a visit by Yellen but that was before a diplomatic row over a Chinese balloon Washington claims was spying on the United States. The United States shot down the balloon on Saturday.

China's commerce ministry said at a regular news conference on Thursday it welcomes Yellen's willingness to visit the country.

The United States held briefings in Washington and Beijing with foreign diplomats from 40 nations about the Chinese balloon. Its appearance over the United States last week caused political outrage in Washington and prompted Secretary of State Antony Blinken to cancel a trip to Beijing that both countries had hoped would patch their frayed relations. Blinken had been originally scheduled to arrive in Beijing this past Sunday.

Yellen, speaking to reporters on Wednesday, said it was important to improve communications with Chinese counterparts on economic issues.

"I still hope to be able to visit China to meet with economic counterparts. But I don't have any detail to offer you on just when, and I really think that's up to State (department) and DOD (Department of Defense)," Yellen said, noting she did meet with her Chinese counterpart in Zurich on the way to Africa.

A U.S. Air Force fighter jet shot down the balloon off the South Carolina coast on Saturday, a week after it first entered U.S. airspace. China's foreign ministry has said it was a weather balloon that had blown off course and accused the United States of overreacting.

When Yellen met Chinese Vice Premier Liu He in January in Zurich, they both agreed to enhance communication about macroeconomic and financial issues.

Yellen also told reporters the risk of recession remained low, largely because of the strong job market.

"When you have a 3.4% unemployment rate, which is the lowest since 1969 and you have over 500,000 jobs created in January, this is not an economy that is anywhere near recession."

(Reporting by David Lawder; Additional reporting by Dan Whitcomb and Joe Cash in Beijing; Writing by Kanishka Singh; Editing by Tim Ahmann, Diane Craft, Shri Navaratnam and Tom Hogue)
By Sandra Stojanovic

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nevada (Reuters) - The United States, Britain and Australia carried out joint air drills on Wednesday over the Nevada desert and beyond as part of an effort to simulate high-end combat operations against Chinese fighter aircraft and air defenses.

Reuters accompanied British forces for several hours during the U.S.-hosted, three-week-long Red Flag exercises aboard Britain's KC-2 Voyager refueling tanker aircraft, which on Wednesday supplied fuel for U.S. and British fighter jets.

U.S. Air Force Colonel Jared J. Hutchinson, commander of the 414th Combat Training Squadron that runs Red Flag, said the annual drills were not tied to any recent events. On Saturday, a U.S. fighter jet shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon off the coast of South Carolina, hiking tensions.

"(China is) just the pacing challenge that we train to so that we're ready ... We think that if we're ready for China, we're ready for anybody," Hutchinson said, citing U.S policy.

At the heart of the drills was addressing the vast distances that the United States, Britain and Australia would contend with when operating across the Pacific, and improving inter-operability of the three countries' air forces.

For the crew aboard the Royal Air Force's Voyager, that means serving as a kind of gas station in the skies - providing air-to-air refueling of fighter aircraft carrying out the simulated mission.

Air Commodore John Lyle, commander of the RAF's Air Mobility Force, told Reuters the mission during the Red Flag drills would simulate bringing the air forces into "an area where there has been an invasion by a hostile country."

"So our role will be to support the force to effectively proceed into the area that's been occupied and to undertake targeting of key assets to allow us to degrade the enemy's capabilities," Lyle said, without mentioning China by name, or identifying what simulated area had been invaded.

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The Pentagon has voiced growing concern in recent years about pressure by Beijing on self-ruled Taiwan, an island China sees as a breakaway province.

Beyond the tanker aircraft, Britain also flew Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets in the exercises. Australia contributed EA-18G Growler aircraft, according to data provided by Red Flag organizers.

The U.S. government has identified China as the U.S. military's top strategic priority, even as it devotes billions of dollars to support Kyiv in repelling invading Russian forces.

Speaking last week in Washington, U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns also cautioned the United States knew "as a matter of intelligence" that Xi had ordered his military to be ready to conduct an invasion of self-governed Taiwan by 2027.

"Now, that does not mean that he's decided to conduct an invasion in 2027, or any other year, but it's a reminder of the seriousness of his focus and his ambition," Burns told an event at Georgetown University in Washington.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
WASHINGTON (AP)  The U.S. Treasury Department on Thursday announced a joint U.S.-U.K. effort to sanction Russian cybercriminals as the one-year anniversary of Russias invasion of Ukraine nears and Treasury tightens its efforts to financially punish violators of existing sanctions.

The U.S. coordinated with the United Kingdom to impose sanctions on seven people that it said are part of the Russia-based cybercrime gang Trickbot. All members are listed as living in Russia or Russian-occupied Ukraine.

Trickbot is named for a strain of trojan viruses originally used to steal financial data. The viruses have infected millions of computers worldwide, including ransomware attacks that targeted hospitals in the United States at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, U.K. officials said.

In a statement, Treasury said the sanctioned men included developers, money-launderers and a senior figure, Vitaly Kovalev, who it said was indicted in federal court in New Jersey in connection with 2009 and 2010 bank hacks that predated his involvement with the Trickbot Group.

The U.S. statement said current members of the Trickbot Group are associated with Russian intelligence services but did not allege the sanctioned men worked with those services.

Calling the actions historic, Treasury says these are the first sanctions of their kind for the U.K., and result from a partnership between the U.S. Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control and several U.K. agencies aimed at disrupting Russian cybercrime.

In a separate Treasury action, nine entities across Iran, Malaysia and Singapore were sanctioned on Thursday for their role in shipping sanctioned Iranian oil to buyers in Asia  continuing a trend of punishing firms that ship Iranian oil.

Six Iran-based petrochemical manufacturers and subsidiaries, and three firms in Malaysia and Singapore involved in facilitating the sale and shipment of oil, were hit with blocks to the U.S. financial system.

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Sanctions were imposed last July and September on a group of firms tied to the sale and shipment of Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products to East Asia.

U.S. sanctions on Iran have accelerated in recent months, as President Joe Biden's administration tries to bring Tehran back to negotiations for a return to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

__

Associated Press writer Frank Bajak contributed to this report from Boston.
An African elephant in Uganda. Rod Waddington via Wikipedia

Endangered rhinos and elephants are rebounding in Ugandas wildlife reserves, buoyed by decades-long conservation efforts, the state wildlife agency said Thursday.

Wildlife populations are on a steady recovery, the agency said.

Ugandan wildlife saw a precipitous decline from the 1960s through the early 1980s, when conflict and political upheaval allowed for rampant poaching. After northern white and eastern black rhinos were wiped out by hunters in the early 1980s, the government introduced new measures to protect wildlife, including lengthy sentences for poachers, Reuters reports.

Four rhinos where reintroduced in 2005, and today their numbers total 32. Since 1983, the population of buffaloes has grown 77 percent, reaching 44,163 in 2021. And over the same period, the population of elephants grew nearly 300 percent, reaching 7,975.

ALSO ON YALE E360

Beyond Extinction: A New Emphasis on Species Recovery
Defense Secretary Ben Wallace told the BBC on Feb. 9 that there wont be an immediate transfer of fighter jets to Ukraine, but did not exclude the possibility of supplying them.

Speaking at a conference in Rome, Wallace said that it potentially takes months to give fighter jets to a third country to use in the conflict, adding the U.K. was considering alternative ways to help Ukraine protect its sky, such as through the transfer of longer-range missiles and drones.

It would be more realistic and more productive for the U.K. to consider providing fighter jets to Ukraine in the long term, especially since this is not a simple case of towing an aircraft to the border, according to the defense secretary.

"Britain knows what Ukraine needs and is very happy to help in many ways trying to achieve the effect, he told the BBC. "Those same effects can be done, but potentially through a different way  and without taking months, which of course, gifting fighter jets would take."

Wallaces interview comes a day after President Volodymyr Zelensky visited London, where he met Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and addressed the British parliament.

Following the Zelensky-Sunak meeting, the Prime Minister said that nothing is off the table, even when it comes to the possible transfer of fighter jets to Ukraine.

On Feb. 8, a Downing Street spokesman also told reporters that the prime minister had asked Wallace to start investigating what jets we might be able to give  but to be clear, this is a long-term solution.
Analysts and Ukrainian officials expect Russia to launch a large-scale offensive in eastern Ukraine

According to Ukrainian officials, the number of Russian troops in Ukraine has exceeded 300,000 people.

Read also: Ukrainian commander says any Russian offensive from Belarus will fail

In preparation for a new offensive, Russia has begun arming itself and already has about 1,800 tanks, nearly 4,000 armored vehicles and 2,700 artillery systems in place.

In addition, the occupiers have 810 Soviet rocket launchers such as the Grad and Smerch, 400 fighter jets, and 300 helicopters ready for a new wave of attacks.

Currently, the Russian presence in Ukraine far exceeds the invasion force that Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin used in February 2022. This time, the invading forces are concentrated in the east of Ukraine.

Read also: New Russian offensive may attack Zaporizhzhya, Kharkiv oblasts, says NSDC head

Meanwhile, according to a senior U.S. military official, the Pentagon characterized the Russian troops who had already been thrown on the battlefield as ill-equipped, ill-trained, (and) rushed.

As the publication notes, the Pentagon believes that the Kremlin has begun sending in tens of thousands of troops to replace losses suffered from ongoing battles in the Donbas towns of Bakhmut and Soledar, but Kyiv believes that Putin could go even further, drafting more new troops around the Feb. 24 anniversary of the full-scale invasion.

Read also: Russians plan offensive actions for February, says analyst

We expect in the next 10 days a new, huge invasion, an unnamed Ukrainian military official told Foreign Policy. Over the weekend, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said that he expects a surge in Russian operations around the upcoming anniversary of the invasion on Feb. 24.

Its much bigger than what took place in the first wave, the Ukrainian military official said. They dont pay attention to any casualties or losses on the [battlefield].

Analysts and Ukrainian officials also expect the Russian Federation to launch a large-scale offensive in the east of the country  in the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.

According to Bloomberg, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin expects that a new offensive by the Russian army in February-March 2023 will allow the invaders to seize the initiative in the ongoing war, and has determined to prosecute the war for years to come.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Putinist Roger Waters spoke at the UN Security Council - Serhiy Kyslytsia responded to him

Waters, who supports Russias armed aggression against Ukraine, was invited by the Russian delegation to take part in a UN Security Council meeting.

Read also: Only Russia preventing peace in Ukraine, says French envoy to UN

The 79-year-old musician addressed the Security Council and called for an urgent ceasefire in Ukraine, saying that he represents the opinion of approximately four billion brothers and sisters.

In response, Kyslytsya, in his speech, called Waters another brick in the wall of Russian disinformation and propaganda.

The Ukrainian diplomat reiterated that Waters himself in one of his interviews last September called Russian dictator Vladimir Putin the new Hitler.

Read also: UN reflects unvarnished picture of our world  interview with Ukraines UN envoy

When I hear the Russian envoy speaking about yet another newly invented version of the goals of the so called special military operation to be accomplished, all I can tell him is Pigs might fly, Kyslytsya said.

The original version of the phrase was Pigs in the air with their tails forward. I am surprised he has not inflated a giant pig-shaped balloon in the Security Chamber today as at many of his shows in the past. What could it have been this time, Mr. Waters? Pigs with swastikas and a hammer and sickle, like at some of your performances decried for their antisemitism? Or probably the face of Putin and Hitler? After all, was not it Mr. Waters who in one of his interviews in September last year called Vladimir Putin the new Hitler? That could have been quite a show for this Chamber, indeed!

Serhiy Kyslytsia REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Kyslytsya noted that Waters had announced earlier this month that he would play in Moscow.

In 1979 Pink Floyd came up with a song Another Brick in the Wall, the diplomat noted.

The same year the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. It is ironic if not hypocritical that Mr. Waters attempts now to whitewash another invasion. How sad for his former fans to see him accepting the role of just a brick in the wall, the wall of Russian disinformation and propaganda.

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Pigs might fly, Mr. Waters! Not sure if they can with Hitlers and Putins name at a concert in Moscow. Even with swastikas and a hammer and sickle. And especially if once again you put a Nazi like long leather jacket, he added.

Read also: Attitude toward Russia to be No. 1 issue in 2023, says Polish envoy to UN

Kyslytsya also finished his speech with a quote from the last lines of George Orwells Animal Farm.

Remember, when standing outside the farmhouse, where pigs and men were drinking together, they (quote) looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which. (end of quote), the diplomat said.

Can you clearly distinguish which is which when you look at what the Russian Hitler reduces his country to?

The Ukrainian envoy also advised Waters to keep strumming the guitar.

REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

A taste of pop culture today from the Russian delegation, how about contracting something more classic for this Council? Kyslytsya asked.

Read also: Ukraine to push for UN tribunal to investigate Russian crimes

How about the Swan Lake on Feb. 17  this full-length, four-act, three-hour expanse, that Russians are so accustomed to endure when their next dictator dies  Brezhnev, Andropov, Chernenko  the next one 



Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Zelenskyy spoke in the European Parliament

The Russian regime not only hates any kind of sociality and diversity, but also deliberately invests in xenophobia and tries to make all the inhumanity that happened in the 1930s and 1940s part of normality on our continent, Zelenskyy stated.

Read also: Long-range missile coalition to help oust Russia from Ukraine, says Zelenskyy

But is it forever? And this is a question for all of us. No! Europe, were defending ourselves against the most anti-European force of the modern world.

Zelenskyy added that Ukrainians are on the battlefield together with Europe.

We have to defend ourselves, he said.

Read also: Zelenskyy meets with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace

We always fight against scorn, we always bet on good faith. Whatever we dream about for our children and grandchildren, peace and security are the unconditional background for these dreams. Will all this be possible if we dont defeat this anti-European force that seeks to steal Europe from us all? No. Only our victory will guarantee all this, ours must win.

On Feb. 8, Zelenskyy made an official visit to the United Kingdom, meeting with PM Rishi Sunak and addressing Parliament.

Read also: Zelenskyy presents Ukrainian pilot helmet to UK parliament  video report

Following his UK visit, he traveled to Paris, France, where he met with French and German leaders Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz respectively.

During the meeting, Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine needs Western weapons to end the war unleashed by Russia as soon as possible.

Read also: Zelenskyy says Macron is changing his stance on not humiliating Russia

On Feb. 9, the Ukrainian leader visited the EU capital of Brussels, where he is also scheduled to address the leaders of the European Council.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A Ukrainian official has slammed the appearance of Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters at a UN Security Council meeting after Russia said it invited the musician to address the event remotely.

The Ukrainian Security Council delegate Sergiy Kyslytsya dubbed Waters a brick in the wall of Russian disinformation and propaganda.

It comes as Volodymyr Zelensky is due in Brussels today as part of a major lobbying effort to call on European allies to provide Ukraine with fighter jets and more heavy weaponry.

Russia has warned Western nations against answering Mr Zelenskys call for fighter jets in particular, threatening military and political consequences for Europe and the rest of the world.

Yesterday prime minister Rishi Sunak said nothing is off the table on being asked if the UK will send fighter jets to the besieged country.

Mr Zelensky also met with Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz in Paris late last night, and today will appear at a summit and address the European parliament during his visit to Brussels.

Key Points

Ukraine slams Pink Floyds Roger Waters for speech at UNSC

Sunak says nothing off the table on sending fighter jets to Ukraine

What fighter jets has Volodymyr Zelensky asked for and what might he get?

Ukraine slams Pink Floyds Roger Waters for speech at UNSC

05:00 , Arpan Rai

A Ukrainian official has criticised the appearance of Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters at a UN Security Council meeting after Russia said it invited the musician to address the event remotely.

The 79-year-old said during his speech that he condemned the invasion of the country but also the provocateurs whose actions, he claimed, led to the Russian invasion.

Responding to this, the Ukrainian security council delegate Sergiy Kyslytsya criticised Waters as just a brick in the wall of Russian disinformation and propaganda.

Ukraine criticises speech by Pink Floyds Roger Waters at UN Security Council

Intense Russian attacks pound Donetsk and Luhansk

05:57 , Arpan Rai

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The Ukrainian military confirmed that Russian attacks remained intense yesterday in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Kyiv said that Moscows forces concentrated on the areas of Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut and Aviivka.

Air strikes and shelling also targeted the Sumy, Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia regions in northern, northeastern and central Ukraine.

Moment Zelensky hugs BBC Ukraine reporter during press conference

05:23 , Arpan Rai

Volodymyr Zelensky hugged a reporter from BBC Ukraine as he took questions alongside Rishi Sunak yesterday.

Greetings Mr President, I would really like to hug you, but Im not allowed, the correspondent said to Mr Zelensky.

Why not, please, do give me a hug, the Ukrainian leader responded, stepping off stage to embrace her, as others applauded.

The journalist then asked Mr Sunak if he thought the UKs decision to send military jets to the war-torn nation was taking too long.

Watch the video here:

Moment Zelensky hugs BBC Ukraine reporter during press conference

Sunak says nothing off the table on sending fighter jets to Ukraine

04:48 , Arpan Rai

Rishi Sunak has said that nothing is off the table when it comes to the question of providing fighter jets to Ukraine.

The prime minister was speaking during a joint press conference with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday and said sending warplanes was part of the conversation between the pair.

Mr Sunak told reporters during a press briefing at a Dorset military base: When it comes to fighter combat aircraft, of course they are part of the conversation  indeed, we have been discussing that today and have been previously.

Read more here:

PM says nothing off the table when it comes to sending fighter jets to Ukraine

What fighter jets has Volodymyr Zelensky asked for and what might he get?

04:32 , Arpan Rai

Downing Street has said that defence secretary Ben Wallace is considering what fast jets can be sent to Ukraine but it remains to be seen whether Kyiv will get the powerful English planes it wants.

These could be Typhoons  built by a British, German, Italian, Spanish and Austrian consortium; or F-35s  a joint project of the US, the UK, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia, Norway, Denmark and Canada  rather than alternative aircraft.

The warplanes the Ukrainians are most likely to get are American F-16s. This would make sense in terms of operational support and maintenance, and they are the type of plane the Ukrainians need, just as German Leopard 2s are the logical tanks for their army.

Read the full analysis by The Independents world affairs editor Kim Sengupta here:

What fighter jets has Volodymyr Zelensky asked for and what might he get?

Russia warns of consequences for Europe and world if UK sends fighter jets

04:10 , Arpan Rai

Russia has issued a direct warning, stating that any move by the UK to send fighter jets to Ukraine would have consequences for both the continent and the rest of the world.

Russia will find a way to respond to any unfriendly steps taken by the British side, Russian news agency TASS quoted the Russian embassy in London as saying, adding that it warned such a move would have military and political consequences for the European continent and the entire world.

The warning came shortly after prime minister Rishi Sunak said that sending warplanes to Ukraine was part of the conversation between him and his Ukrainian counterpart in London, and that nothing was off the table.

Russia warns sending UK fighter jets to Ukraine will have consequences

03:37 , Arpan Rai

Good morning, welcome to our coverage of the Ukraine war on Thursday, 9 February.
Russian forces are trying to break through Ukraines defences with a major new offensive in the eastern town of Kreminna, the regional governor for Luhansk has warned.

Moscows troops are trying to make advances west with a maximum escalation of fighting in the regions snowy terrain, with a spike recorded in both shooting and shelling, governor Serhiy Haidai said. He said this has been without any success for Russia so far.

Overnight strikes have also been launched on Ukraines second largest city, Kharkiv. Air raid alert sirens were activated in several parts of the war-hit country early today.

The war in Ukraine has clocked 352 days today at a time when Volodymyr Zelensky is going to his European allies and asking them to supply fighter jets and more heavy weaponry to his country.

Mr Zelensky spoke in Brussels yesterday, and said he has heard from several European Union leaders at the summit who said they were ready to provide Kyiv with aircraft, hinting at what would be one of the biggest shifts yet in Western support for Ukraine.

Key Points

Zelensky says some European leaders ready to give aircraft

Ben Wallace issues warning over jets

Ex-comedian in a green shirt: Russia lashes out at pompous Zelensky

A victorious Ukraine will be part of European Union, says Zelensky

Russia hits out at pompous president Zelensky

What fighter jets has Volodymyr Zelensky asked for and what might he get?

Russian forces launch major offensive in eastern Ukraines Luhansk

05:03 , Arpan Rai

Vladimir Putins soldiers are advancing in eastern Ukraine using relentless shelling and shooting in its pursuit of the first major territorial advantage in six months, officials have said.

Russian forces launched a series of overnight strikes and knocked out power supplies in parts of Kharkiv, Ukraines second city, local officials said today.

The occupiers hit critical infrastructure. There were about 10 explosions, Kharkiv governor Oleh Synehubov said on Telegram. In some regions, there are power cuts. Emergency services are on site.

Story continues

It is not immediately clear if the attacks have led to casualties.

Additionally, Moscows troops are trying to advance west with maximum escalation in the regions snowy terrain with a spike recorded in shooting and shelling, Luhansk governor Serhiy Haidai said last night, adding that this has been without any success for Russia so far.

France not ruling out fighter jets for Ukraine

04:14 , Arpan Rai

French president Emmanuel Macron has not ruled out sending fighter jets to Ukraine at some point, but added that the embattled nation needed more immediate military firepower.

I exclude absolutely nothing, Mr Macron said on being asked about the possibility of sending jets at the end of a summit of EU leaders, attended by Volodymyr Zelensky.

But he added that the top priority for Ukraines allies at the moment is to help Ukraine in the weeks and months ahead, and fighter jets could not be delivered in that timeframe and it would take time to train Ukrainian pilots to fly them.

The priority should be placed on giving Kyiv items such as artillery, which had proven to be effective and on which Ukrainian forces were already trained.

Mr Macron added that it might be necessary to intensify delivery of such items and Ukraines allies would examine this possibility in the coming days.

The ever-moving goalposts around sending military jets to Ukraine

03:46 , Arpan Rai

Ukraine says it needs fighter jets from the West to help it win the war  in Zelenskys words, as inscribed on the fighter ace helmet presented to the speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle: We have freedom. Give us wings to protect it.

In recent weeks, Western governments  after some delays and with caution  have committed vast amounts of munitions, missiles, air defence systems, artillery, armoured vehicles, drones and battle tanks to the Ukrainian armed forces. These are much better deployed, and safer from attack, if they can be deployed with the additional advantage of air superiority.

The Ukrainian air force is relatively small compared with Russia, and equipped with Soviet-era MiG jets. Hence the clamour for better equipment. Put crudely there isnt much point in sending the most advanced and expensive tanks in the world, such as American Abrams and German Leopards, if the Russians can destroy them at will.

Sean OGrady explains here:

Analysis: The ever-moving goalposts around sending military jets to Ukraine

Ukraine may be waiting for some time for the jet firepower it wants

03:30 , Joe Middleton

Some of Natos European members may feel safer letting America take the lead when it comes to sending military jets to Ukraine, writes Kim Sengupta.

Analysis: Ukraine may be waiting for some time for the jet firepower it wants

Air raid sirens fill Ukraine

03:21 , Arpan Rai

The air raid alert has gone off in many Ukrainian regions, reported The Kyiv Independent amid attacks from Russian forces.

Officials said that the alerts were also sounded in many Ukrainian oblasts and in the city of Kyiv early today.

Russian forces are striking the besieged city this morning, Kharkiv oblast governor Oleh Syniehubov said.

Olympic president accuses Ukraine of defamation in dispute over Russian and Belarusian athletes

02:30 , Joe Middleton

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach has called on Ukraine to drop threats of a boycott of the 2024 Olympics over the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes.

Ukraine hopes to secure widespread international support for a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes after the IOC opened the door for them to compete as neutrals in Paris.

Athletes from Russia and neighbouring Belarus, which aided Moscows invasion of Ukraine a year ago, have been banned from many international competitions since.

Olympic president accuses Ukraine of defamation in dispute over Russian athletes

ICYMI: PMQs: Rishi Sunak hints at future proscription of Wagner Group mercenaries

01:30 , Joe Middleton

No 10 admits escalatory risk in sending fighter jets to Ukraine after Russia threats

00:30 , Joe Middleton

Rishi Sunaks government has admitted there is a potential risk of escalation as it considers sending fighter jets to Ukraine, Downing Street has said.

The prime minister said warplanes were now part of the conversation as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said that he had heard from several European leaders that they were ready to provide Kyiv with aircraft.

Mr Zelensky gave no further details about the pledges  that came at a EU summit in Brussels  but appeared optimistic about the prospect of jets being delivered, having spent the last couple of days on a mini European tour to bolster support. The Ukrainian leader asked for powerful English planes during a visit to the UK.

No 10 admits escalatory risk in sending fighter jets to Ukraine

Russian diplomat says ties with US in 'unprecedented crisis'

Thursday 9 February 2023 23:30 , Joe Middleton

Russia-U.S. relations are in a state of unprecedented crisis without any sign of improvement, a senior Russian diplomat said Thursday.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov argued that the White Houses emphasis on increasing weapons supplies to Ukraine to ensure Russias defeat leaves no room for diplomacy.

I dont see any prospect for a productive political and diplomatic process, Ryabkov said at a briefing. We have a very deep and unprecedented crisis in Russia-U.S. relations. The Biden administration has driven them into a deadlock.

Russian diplomat says ties with US in 'unprecedented crisis'

US government map shows areas most at risk of being targeted in nuclear war

Thursday 9 February 2023 22:30 , Joe Middleton

A map showing the areas of the US that may be targeted in a nuclear war originally issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in 2015 is making the rounds again amid the Russian war in Ukraine.

The map indicates that areas such as Montana and North Dakota may be vital to strike US forces.

The map outlines possible targets in every US state, mostly located in the east, but also along the Californian coast.

US government map shows areas most at risk of being targeted in nuclear war

Powerful English planes: The fighter jets that could help win the battle for Ukraines skies

Thursday 9 February 2023 21:30 , Joe Middleton

Kyivs push for war planes took a positive turn this week and several models of aircraft could be on the table, as Liam James reports.

The fighter jets that could help win the battle for Ukraines skies

ICYMI: The full exchange: Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer 'united' over Ukraine victory during PMQs

Thursday 9 February 2023 20:30 , Joe Middleton

Ukraine may be waiting for some time for the jet firepower it wants

Thursday 9 February 2023 19:34 , Joe Middleton

Some of Natos European members may feel safer letting America take the lead when it comes to sending military jets to Ukraine, writes Kim Sengupta.

Analysis: Ukraine may be waiting for some time for the jet firepower it wants

ICYMI: Zelensky: MPs showed strong British character and embodied spirit of these great islands

Thursday 9 February 2023 18:56 , Joe Middleton

Putin claims Russia economy will grow this year, despite sanctions

Thursday 9 February 2023 18:02 , Joe Middleton

President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said Russias economy had overcome the worst effects of sanctions and was expected to show modest growth this year.

For many of those who tried and are trying to create problems for us, it was a surprise how effectively we are countering the threats in the economy and in certain sectors of production, Putin said in televised remarks with officials.

International institutions have to acknowledge that not only has Russia coped with the shocks that were expected ... slight growth is expected in the Russian economy this year.

Putin did not give a specific forecast for Russias gross domestic product (GDP) in his remarks.

Russias economic landscape has been severely impacted after a range of Western sanctions following the countrys invasion of Ukraine.

Initial expectations of a double-digit economic slump in 2022 proved overblown, but analysts still predict a drop in Russias GDP of 2% in 2023, after an estimated 2.5% slide in 2022.

Additional reporting by Reuters

Ex-comedian in a green shirt: Russia lashes out at pompous Zelensky

Thursday 9 February 2023 17:19 , Joe Middleton

Russia have lashed out at Ukrainian president Volodymr Zelensky  calling his visit to the UK to ask for further support against Moscows invasion pompous.

Addressing MPs in Westminster, Mr Zelensky urged Britain to send advanced jets imminently and provide wings for freedom.

The Russian embassy in London responded by attacking the Ukrainian president for being the ex-comedian in a green sweatshirt now on tour around Europe.

Maryam Zakir-Hussain reports.

Ex-comedian in a green shirt: Russia lashes out at pompous Zelensky

Zelensky says some European leaders ready to give aircraft

Thursday 9 February 2023 16:27 , Joe Middleton

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky suggested that had heard from several European Union leaders at a summit that they were ready to provide Kyiv with aircraft, hinting at what would be one of the biggest shifts yet in Western support for Ukraine.

Zelensky gave no further details about the pledges and there was no immediate confirmation from any European countries.

But his remarks came amid signs during a European tour that countries were closer to lifting one of the main taboos in military aid for Kyiv since Russia invaded Ukraine.

Europe will be with us until our victory. Ive heard it from a number of European leaders ... about the readiness to give us the necessary weapons and support, including the aircraft, Zelensky told a news conference.

But he did not name the countries.Just before, his chief of staff Andriy Yermak said on social media that the question of long-range weaponry and fighter jets for Ukraine had been resolved and details would follow. He later edited his post to say the issue may be resolved.

Slovakia to get German air defence systems to cover Ukraine border

Thursday 9 February 2023 16:02 , Emily Atkinson

Germany will donate two close-range MANTIS air defence systems to Slovakia which will use them to protect its eastern border with Ukraine, the Slovak defence ministry said on Thursday.

Nato member Slovakia has boosted its air defences with the help of several Patriot systems operated by Nato allies after donating its ageing S-300 system to Ukraine last year, and has sought to get additional equipment.

The automated, stationary MANTIS systems made for the German army serve to protect limited areas such as bases.

(MANTIS) will strengthen protection of the eastern border with Ukraine, secured by forces and means of the Slovak armed forces, the ministry said in a statement.

Each has up to eight turrets, two sensor units and a control centre. It can protect from incoming rockets, drones, artillery and mortar shells.

Slovakia has supported Ukraine with arms supplies including heavy equipment, and its eastern town of Michalovce hosts a German centre for servicing German equipment delivered to Ukraine.

Russia ready to work on Zaporizhzhia nuclear safety zone'

Thursday 9 February 2023 15:45 , Emily Atkinson

Russian nuclear energy firm Rosatom says it is ready to continue work on creating a safety zone around Ukraines Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, after officials from the company met with UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi.

In this regard, (Rosatom CEO) Alexey Likhachev expressed the readiness of the Russian side to continue work on the implementation of the IAEA Director Generals initiative, it said.

Russian forces seized the plant in early March, soon after invading neighbouring Ukraine. Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of firing around it near the front lines, drawing condemnation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Russia accuses Nord Stream blast investigators of cover-up

Thursday 9 February 2023 15:31 , Emily Atkinson

Russias foreign ministry has accused Europe of trying to hide the results of their investigations into last years blasts on the Nord Stream gas pipelines, charging them with covering up who was to blame.

The investigation is being carried out in such a way that... the remains are literally and figuratively left in the water, Deputy foreign minister Alexander Grushko said, according to the state-run RIA news agency.

The blasts, which are being investigated by Swedish and Danish authorities, could put three of Nord Stream 1 and 2s four undersea lines permanently out of use.

Moscow had asked Stockholm to be allowed to join the investigation, but both Sweden and Denmark rejected the idea of Russian participation.

Construction of Nord Stream 2, designed to carry Russian gas to Germany, was completed in September 2021. Berlin shelved its certification just days before Moscow invaded Ukraine in February.

Watch: Pink Floyds Roger Waters says Russias invasion of Ukraine not unprovoked

Thursday 9 February 2023 15:15 , Emily Atkinson

Russia 'set to intensify attacks on Ukraine

Thursday 9 February 2023 15:00 , Emily Atkinson

Russia looks poised to step up its offensive against Ukraine in the year-long war, Italian defence minister Guido Crosetto said on Thursday.

We are working with Ukraine to help it to defend itself from this attack which it seems is about to intensify today and in the coming days, Crosetto said at a news conference in Rome.

Wallace appears to suggest Ukrainian pilots would complete training in UK post-conflict

Thursday 9 February 2023 14:41 , Emily Atkinson

Ben Wallace appeared to suggest that Ukrainian air force pilots would only complete their training in the UK probably post-conflict.

The defence secretary, speaking at a joint UK-Italy ministerial press conference in Rome, said: Britains position on some capability (on fighter planes) is nothing to do with trying to cause problems or challenges.

It is fundamentally that some of our equipment is solely sovereign. Challenger tanks - I dont have to ask permission of another country to send them, I can just make a decision in collaboration with my Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister.

They are British sovereignty, so it just quicker rather than... if you were to talk about Typhoon fighter jets, there are four nations in that. But also Britain hasnt said it is necessarily going to send fighter jets to Ukraine.

What it has said is were going to start training to improve the resilience of Ukraine, probably post-conflict, which is no different from what we were doing in 2015 where Britain, Sweden, Canada, America were training the Ukrainians to form their defence.

Thats not new. All of us on this platform know that over the last year, we shouldnt rule anything in and we shouldnt rule anything out.

Ex-comedian in a green shirt: Russia lashes out at pompous Zelensky

Thursday 9 February 2023 14:20 , Emily Atkinson

Russia has lashed out at Ukrainian president Volodymr Zelensky  calling his visit to the UK to ask for further support against Moscows invasion pompous.

Addressing MPs in Westminster, Mr Zelensky urged Britain to send advanced jets imminently and provide wings for freedom.

The Russian embassy in London responded by attacking the Ukrainian president for being the ex-comedian in a green sweatshirt now on tour around Europe.

Maryam Zakir-Hussain reports:

Ex-comedian in a green shirt: Russia lashes out at pompous Zelensky

SpaceX limits Starlink use in Ukraine, company president says

Thursday 9 February 2023 14:10 , Emily Atkinson

SpaceX has limited the use of its satellite internet service Starlink in Ukraine over concerns the technology had been weaponised.

SpaceX president Gwynne Sholtwell said that Ukraines military will be unable to use the space-based internet to control drones in the region during the countrys war with Russia.

Starlink, which has provided Ukraines military with broadband communications in its defence against Russias military, was never never meant to be weaponized, Ms Shotwell said during a conference in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday.

SpaceX limits Starlink use in Ukraine, company president says

Zelensky: Ukraine intercepted plans to destroy Moldova

Thursday 9 February 2023 13:50 , Emily Atkinson

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday that his country has intercepted plans by Russian secret services to destroy Moldova

Speaking to European Union leaders in Brussels, Zelensky said he recently told Moldovan President Maia Sandu about the alleged scheme.

I have informed her that we have intercepted the plan of the destruction of Moldova by the Russian intelligence, Zelensky said through a translator.

Zelenskyy: Ukraine intercepted plans to destroy Moldova

In pictures: Zelensky addresses European Parliament in second international trip since Russias invasion

Thursday 9 February 2023 13:30 , Emily Atkinson

(REUTERS)

(REUTERS)

(AFP via Getty Images)

(REUTERS)

Watch: Macron presents Legion of Honour medal to Zelensky during Paris visit

Thursday 9 February 2023 13:10 , Emily Atkinson

Ben Wallace issues warning over jets

Thursday 9 February 2023 12:50 , Emily Atkinson

There will be no immediate transfer of UK fighter jets to Ukraine, Ben Wallace was cited as saying as president Volodymyr Zelensky continues his tour of Europe in a push for air cover.

Mr Zelensky started his surprise trip in London on Wednesday with a rousing speech to parliament urging the UK and allies to provide wings for freedom.

Despite Rishi Sunak saying nothing was off the table, the defence secretary told the BBC that gifting any fighter jets would potentially take months.

Mr Wallace explained the UK would instead focus on using alternative methods of providing air cover to Ukraine, such as long range missiles and drones.

Putin says Russia should become centre of drone development

Thursday 9 February 2023 12:45 , Emily Atkinson

Russian president Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia should build a system for developing drones, and that the country should be a source of technology and competence.

Russian forces have made extensive use of drones, including those purchased from Iran, during their ongoing military campaign in Ukraine.

Russia destroys four artillery depots in Donetsk

Thursday 9 February 2023 12:25 , Emily Atkinson

Russias defence ministry has said that its forces were continuing offensive operations in Ukraines Donetsk region and had destroyed four artillery depots.

In its daily briefing, the ministry said it had also destroyed a U.S.-made radiolocation system and an M109 Paladin artillery system.

Putin says foreign companies suffering major losses since leaving Russia

Thursday 9 February 2023 12:05 , Emily Atkinson

Vladimir Putin has said that foreign companies were suffering big losses as a result of leaving the Russian market amid Western sanctions.

Speaking at a meeting with senior officials broadcast on state television, the Russian president said that the potential for domestic business expansion was colossal, and that Russia had not lost out from the departure of the foreign businesses.

No free Europe without free Ukraine, says Zelensky

Thursday 9 February 2023 11:57 , Emily Atkinson

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy told EUn leaders in Brussels there was no free Europe without free Ukraine.

Europe should not have gray zones, our whole continent should be open to European destiny, My Zelensky told the 27 national EU leaders gathered for a summit in Brussels ahead of the one-year anniversary of Russias invasion against Ukraine. Unity of Europe is fundamental to security.

Free Europe cannot be imagined without free Ukraine, he said. Europe is free, Europe will be free and Europe is united.

Rheinmetall 'in talks with Kyiv about Panther battle tanks

Thursday 9 February 2023 11:45 , Emily Atkinson

German arms maker Rheinmetall wants to deliver its latest tank models to Ukraine, including Panther battle tanks, chief executive Armin Papperger told Handelsblatt business daily on Thursday.

Ukraine is interested in the Lynx and the Panther - the most modern infantry fighting vehicles and battle tanks, he was quoted as saying, adding there were already talks with Kyiv.

The German government would have to approve any export of Panther tanks, which were developed in Germany, reported the paper.

US and France to hold Nato drills in Romania

Thursday 9 February 2023 11:25 , Emily Atkinson

US and French troops forming part of a Nato battlegroup in Romania are set to hold a military exercise to test the 30-nation alliances eastern flank defences.

It comes as Russias full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine nears its one-year anniversary.

Thursdays joint combat drills at the Black Sea training range in Capu Midia, dubbed Eagle Royal 23, will involve some 350 multinational battlegroup troops, who will practice firing live ammunition.

Romanias defence ministry said that the goal of the drills - held between 2 February to 10 February - is to test Natos interoperability of artillery systems in a fictitious Article 5 collective defence scenario on the alliances south-eastern territory.

Natos Article 5 is central to its founding treaty. The clause requires every alliance member to come to the assistance of any ally asking for it. Article 5 has been invoked only once  by the US in the wake of the 11 September terrorist attacks in 2001.

Kremlin dismisses claims Putin was involved in MH17 downing

Thursday 9 February 2023 11:05 , Emily Atkinson

The Kremlin has dismissed the findings of international prosecutors investigating the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17) who said they had found strong indications of Russian president Vladimir Putins involvement in the incident.

The prosecutors said on Wednesday at The Hague they had found strong indications that Putin had approved the use of Russian BUK missile systems that were used to shoot down the plane over eastern Ukraine in 2014.

In Moscows first reaction to their claim, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia could not accept the results of the investigation since it took no part in the process. He also said the investigators had not publicly presented supported evidence.

MH17 was shot down by a Russian BUK missile system as it flew over eastern Ukraine from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on July 17, 2014, killing all 298 passengers and crew, including 196 Dutch citizens.

A victorious Ukraine will be part of European Union, says Zelensky

Thursday 9 February 2023 10:44 , Emily Atkinson

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that he believed his country would join the European Union after emerging victorious from its war with Russia.

He made his remark during an address to the European Parliament in Brussels. Ukraine became a candidate to join the EU last June but the process of joining the 27-nation bloc takes several years.

(via REUTERS)

Ukraine's Zelensky tells EU 'thank you' for its help

Thursday 9 February 2023 10:38 , Emily Atkinson

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy thanked the European Parliament on Thursday for the help Ukraine has been receiving from the EU to defend itself against the Russian invasion.

Having won promises of Western battle tanks in recent weeks, Ukrainian officials are now focused on trying to secure the supply of longer-range rockets and fighter jets.

Thank you, Mr Zelensky told EU lawmakers, who gave him a long standing ovation.

Thursday 9 February 2023 10:31 , Emily Atkinson

EU lawmakers gave Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky a long standing ovation before he spoke to the assembly, cheering and applauding him, some of them wearing the blue and yellow colours of the Ukrainian flags in ribbons clipped to their jackets.

Zelensky: Europe defending itself against biggest anti-European force of the modern world

Thursday 9 February 2023 10:25 , Emily Atkinson

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said his country together with Europe was defending ourselves against (the) biggest anti-European force of the modern world.

He made the remark during an address to the European Parliament in Brussels.

(EPA)

EU must quickly consider giving Ukraine jets, says EU parliament head

Thursday 9 February 2023 10:22 , Emily Atkinson

EU countries must quickly consider providing fighter jets to Ukraine, the head of the blocs parliament said on Thursday as she hosted president Volodymyr Zelensky, touring Europe to win more arms to fight against the Russian invasion.

Referencing the biblical fight between David and Goliath, European Parliament head, Roberta Metsola said in addressing Mr Zelensky in the chamber: You need to win and now (EU) member states must consider quickly as the next step providing long-range systems and the jets that you need to protect your liberty.

Kremlin says Ukrainians will suffer if Britain or allies send fighter jets to Kyiv

Thursday 9 February 2023 10:20 , Emily Atkinson

Ukrainians will be the ones that suffer if Britain or its western allies supply Kyiv with fighter jets, the Kremlin has warned.

Mr Zelensky started his surprise tour of Europe in London on Wednesday with a rousing speech to parliament urging the UK and allies to provide wings for freedom. He will attend a gathering of EU leaders today, where he is expected to reiterate the request.

But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that any delivery of advanced Nato-standard fighter jets would only bring pain and suffering to Ukrainians and criticised the alliance for taking a more direct role in the conflict.

This is nothing more than the growing involvement of the United Kingdom, Germany and France in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Mr Peskov told reporters.

The line between indirect and direct involvement is gradually disappearing. One can only express regret in this regard, and say that such actions ... lead to an escalation of tension, prolong the conflict and make the conflict more and more painful for Ukraine, he added.

Top military figures say its unlikely UK will send fighter jets to Ukraine

Thursday 9 February 2023 10:15 , Emily Atkinson

Senior military and security figures have raised doubts about the likelihood that British fighter jets will send to Ukraine, despite Rishi Sunak saying nothing was off the table.

The prime minister said fighter jets were now part of the conversation after Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky asked for powerful English planes during his historic visit to the UK.

But the idea has been met with scepticism. Former national security adviser Peter Ricketts said its not going to work because the RAF jets need very specialized ground crews.

Adam Forrest reports:

Top military figures say unlikely UK will send fighter jets to Ukraine

Russia 'significantly steps up attacks in east Ukraine

Thursday 9 February 2023 10:10 , Emily Atkinson

Russian forces have significantly stepped up attacks in eastern Ukraine and are trying to break through Ukrainian defences near the town of Kreminna, a regional governor said.

Serhiy Haidai, governor of the Luhansk region, said Ukraines military were holding their ground near Kreminna, which Russian forces have held for months, but said they needed more weapons and ammunition to hold out.

I can confirm that there has been a significant increase in attacks and shelling. And it is in the direction of Kreminna that they are trying to build on their success by pushing through out defenders defences, he told Ukrainian television.

So far they have had no significant success, our defence forces are holding firmly there.

Kreminna, which lies about 100 km (62 miles) northwest of the regional capital Luhansk, had a population of about 18,000 before Russias invasion on Feb. 24 last year.

Breaking through Ukrainian lines near Kreminna would take Russian forces a step closer to the much larger city of Kramatorsk.

(We need) heavy equipment and artillery ammunition - then we will not only be able to maintain the defence, but also make a goodd counter-offensive operation, Haidai said.

Netherlands 'not ruling out any kind of military support to Ukraine

Thursday 9 February 2023 10:05 , Emily Atkinson

The Netherlands is not ruling out any kind of military support for Ukraine, Dutch PM Mark Rutte told reporters on Thursday ahead of an EU summit in Brussels.

We have consistently said that we rule nothing out as long as there is not an Article Five situation between Nato and Russia, he said.

Macron awards Legion of Honour to Ukraines Zelensky

Thursday 9 February 2023 10:00 , Emily Atkinson

President Emmanuel Macron has bestowed the Legion of Honour on Ukraines leader Volodymyr Zelensky during a visit to Paris.

It is the highest award a French president can give to a counterpart, the Elysee Palace said in an overnight statement.

A salute to Ukraine and its people. A salute to you, dear Volodymyr, for your courage and commitment, Macron wrote on social media.

(Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

EU's Michel: Very important we increase our support to Ukraine

Thursday 9 February 2023 09:55 , Emily Atkinson

It is very important that the EU increases its support to Ukraine, European Council president Charles Michel said on Thursday ahead of an EU summit in Brussels, which Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will be attending as well.

Nato must act together on jets for Ukraine, says Polish PM

Thursday 9 February 2023 09:50 , Emily Atkinson

Any decision on supplying fighter jets to Ukraine must be taken by Nato as a whole and Poland will not be the first to supply such aircraft, the Polish prime minister has said.

Our position is clear, we can only act within the entire formation of Nato, Mateusz Morawiecki told reporters.

We will not be the first ones to hand over the fighter jets, but we will respond positively, provided that those who have the most of these jets will be able to give them to Ukraine.

Italy calls invitation of Zelensky to Paris inappropriate

Thursday 9 February 2023 09:45 , Emily Atkinson

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni said the invitation of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to Paris, where he met French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Olaf Scholz, was inappropriate.

I believe our strength is community and unity .... but there are times when favouring internal public opinion risks being to the detriment of the cause, and this seems to me to be one of those cases, she said in Brussels.

Ms Meloni will meet Mr Zelensky in Brussels on the sidelines of the EU leaders meeting, Italys foreign minister said late on Wednesday.

EU to deliver more military support to Ukraine'

Thursday 9 February 2023 09:40 , Emily Atkinson

The European Union will deliver more military support to Ukraine, the EUS foreign policy chief Josep Borrell reaffirmed to reporters on Thursday, as EU leaders arrived for a summit.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is preparing to lobby European leaders on Thursday at a summit in Brussels for more weapons in the fight against Russia and a quick start to EU membership talks for his country.

Russia hits out at pompous president Zelensky

Thursday 9 February 2023 09:10 , Emily Atkinson

Moscow has attacked president Volodymyr Zelenskys hasty visit to Europe.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, the Russian embassy said: Zelenskys pompous solicitations about the values of freedom and human rights, which Kyiv claims to be fighting for, were overtly hypocritical.

It then mocked the ex-comedian in a green sweatshirt now on tour around Europe.

We would like to remind London: in the event of such a scenario, the death toll of yet another round of escalation, as well as its military-political consequences for the European continent and the whole world will be on the United Kingdoms hands.

Russia will know how to respond to any unfriendly actions by the British side, it said.

Russias Wagner mercenaries 'halt prisoner recruitment campaign

Thursday 9 February 2023 08:40 , Emily Atkinson

Russias Wagner mercenary group has stopped recruiting prisoners to fight in Ukraine, Wagners founder Yevgeny Prigozhin said on Thursday.

The recruitment of prisoners by the Wagner private military company has completely stopped, Prigozhin said in a response to a request for comment from a Russian media outlet published on social media.

We are fulfilling all our obligations to those who work for us now, he said.

Wagner began recruiting prisoners in Russias sprawling penal system in summer 2022, with Prigozhin, a catering entrepreneur who served nine years in prison during the Soviet Union, offering convicts a pardon if they survived six months in Ukraine.

Wagner has not provided information on how many convicts joined its ranks, but Russian penal service figures published in November showed the countrys prison population dropping by over 20,000 between August and November, the largest drop in over a decade.

(Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Russia urges international investigation into US involvement in Nord Stream pipeline attack

Thursday 9 February 2023 08:10 , Emily Atkinson

A blog by a US investigative journalist alleging the United States was behind the explosions that ruptured the Nord Stream gas pipelines should become the basis for an international investigation, Russias top lawmaker said on Thursday.

The White House on Wednesday dismissed the report, published by Seymour Hersh, which said an attack on the pipelines was carried out last September at the direction of US president Joe Biden.

The published facts should become the basis for an international investigation, bringing Biden and his accomplices to justice, Vyacheslav Volodin, the chairman of the Russian State Duma, said.

Volodin said the United States should pay compensation to countries affected by the terrorist attack.

Moscow, without providing evidence, has repeatedly said the West was behind the explosions affecting the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines last September - multibillion-dollar infrastructure projects that carried Russian gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea.

Zelensky tours Europe after urging UK to provide fighter jets

Thursday 9 February 2023 07:42 , Emily Atkinson

Volodymyr Zelensky is touring Europe after calling for fighter jets in the UK to help his countrys struggle against Russias invasion.

The Ukrainian president will join an EU summit in Brussels on Thursday to continue his push for more advanced weapons.

Starting his surprise trip in London on Wednesday, Mr Zelensky used a rousing speech to Parliament to urge the UK and Western allies to provide wings for freedom.

He then travelled to Paris to meet French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Olaf Scholz, telling a press conference there is very little time to provide the weaponry.

He will be flying with Mr Macron to Thursdays gathering of EU leaders.

Russia's Wagner stops hiring prisoners, says founder

Thursday 9 February 2023 06:48 , Arpan Rai

The chief of Russias Wagner Group mercenaries Yevgeny Prigozhin says a decision has been made to stop recruiting prisoners to fight in Ukraine.

The recruitment of prisoners by the Wagner private military company has completely stopped, the Russian proxy groups head and a former prison convict himself said today.

We are fulfilling all our obligations to those who work for us now, he said.

In December, the US intelligence community said it believed that Wagner had 40,000 convict fighters deployed in Ukraine, making up the vast majority of the groups personnel in the country.

Wagner has not provided information on how many convicts joined its ranks, but according to the Russian penal service figures published in November the countrys prison population dropped by over 20,000 between August and November, the largest drop in over a decade.

Intense Russian attacks pound Donetsk and Luhansk

Thursday 9 February 2023 05:57 , Arpan Rai

The Ukrainian military confirmed that Russian attacks remained intense yesterday in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Kyiv said that Moscows forces concentrated on the areas of Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut and Aviivka.

Air strikes and shelling also targeted the Sumy, Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia regions in northern, northeastern and central Ukraine.

Moment Zelensky hugs BBC Ukraine reporter during press conference

Thursday 9 February 2023 05:23 , Arpan Rai

Volodymyr Zelensky hugged a reporter from BBC Ukraine as he took questions alongside Rishi Sunak yesterday.

Greetings Mr President, I would really like to hug you, but Im not allowed, the correspondent said to Mr Zelensky.

Why not, please, do give me a hug, the Ukrainian leader responded, stepping off stage to embrace her, as others applauded.

The journalist then asked Mr Sunak if he thought the UKs decision to send military jets to the war-torn nation was taking too long.

Watch the video here:

Moment Zelensky hugs BBC Ukraine reporter during press conference

Ukraine slams Pink Floyds Roger Waters for speech at UNSC

Thursday 9 February 2023 05:00 , Arpan Rai

A Ukrainian official has criticised the appearance of Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters at a UN Security Council meeting after Russia said it invited the musician to address the event remotely.

The 79-year-old said during his speech that he condemned the invasion of the country but also the provocateurs whose actions, he claimed, led to the Russian invasion.

Responding to this, the Ukrainian security council delegate Sergiy Kyslytsya criticised Waters as just a brick in the wall of Russian disinformation and propaganda.

Ukraine criticises speech by Pink Floyds Roger Waters at UN Security Council

Sunak says nothing off the table on sending fighter jets to Ukraine

Thursday 9 February 2023 04:48 , Arpan Rai

Rishi Sunak has said that nothing is off the table when it comes to the question of providing fighter jets to Ukraine.

The prime minister was speaking during a joint press conference with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday and said sending warplanes was part of the conversation between the pair.

Mr Sunak told reporters during a press briefing at a Dorset military base: When it comes to fighter combat aircraft, of course they are part of the conversation  indeed, we have been discussing that today and have been previously.

Read more here:

PM says nothing off the table when it comes to sending fighter jets to Ukraine

What fighter jets has Volodymyr Zelensky asked for and what might he get?

Thursday 9 February 2023 04:32 , Arpan Rai

Downing Street has said that defence secretary Ben Wallace is considering what fast jets can be sent to Ukraine but it remains to be seen whether Kyiv will get the powerful English planes it wants.

These could be Typhoons  built by a British, German, Italian, Spanish and Austrian consortium; or F-35s  a joint project of the US, the UK, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia, Norway, Denmark and Canada  rather than alternative aircraft.

The warplanes the Ukrainians are most likely to get are American F-16s. This would make sense in terms of operational support and maintenance, and they are the type of plane the Ukrainians need, just as German Leopard 2s are the logical tanks for their army.

Read the full analysis by The Independents world affairs editor Kim Sengupta here:

What fighter jets has Volodymyr Zelensky asked for and what might he get?

Russia warns of consequences for Europe and world if UK sends fighter jets

Thursday 9 February 2023 04:10 , Arpan Rai

Russia has issued a direct warning, stating that any move by the UK to send fighter jets to Ukraine would have consequences for both the continent and the rest of the world.

Russia will find a way to respond to any unfriendly steps taken by the British side, Russian news agency TASS quoted the Russian embassy in London as saying, adding that it warned such a move would have military and political consequences for the European continent and the entire world.

The warning came shortly after prime minister Rishi Sunak said that sending warplanes to Ukraine was part of the conversation between him and his Ukrainian counterpart in London, and that nothing was off the table.

Russia warns sending UK fighter jets to Ukraine will have consequences

Thursday 9 February 2023 03:37 , Arpan Rai

Good morning, welcome to our coverage of the Ukraine war on Thursday, 9 February.
Iryna Vereshchuk

"Given the inevitability of the deoccupation of Crimea, a number of the Government's Plan provisions need to be updated to reflect current realities," the message reads.

Read also: The psychological barrier has been overcome: What to expect in Crimea

Vereshchuk believes it is the right time to start thinking about personnel for Crimea.

"Law enforcement bodies, justice officials, educators and other civil servants, she stated.

Read also: Battle for Crimea key point in Russias war against Ukraine  General Hodges

In the near future, the relevant departments will be instructed to prepare a personnel reserve for Crime.

The following issues were also reviewed at the meeting:

responsibility for collaborationism,

return of Ukrainian property,

legal status of colonizers, i.e., Russians who illegally arrived on the peninsula.

Read also: Military analyst Rustamzade predicts when Ukraine will liberate Crimea, when war will end

"The colonizers must leave, the collaborators will be held accountable under the law, and the property seized by the Russians will be returned to its rightful owners," said Vereshchuk.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Emmanuel Macron welcomes Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Olaf Scholz to the Elysee Palace - Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters

Emmanuel Macron vowed France would help Ukraine to victory against Russia, after Volodymyr Zelensky praised the French president for changing his stance on Vladimir Putin.

Appearing in Paris alongside Mr Zelensky and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Mr Macron said France is "determined to help Ukraine to victory and the re-establishment of its legitimate rights".

He added that Paris would "continue the efforts" to deliver arms to Kyiv. Mr Scholz also assured the Ukrainian president of enduring allied support.

"We will continue to do so as long as necessary," he told reporters, noting Germany and its partners had backed Ukraine "financially, with humanitarian aid and with weapons".

He added that Ukraine belongs to the European family.

The joint appearance came after Mr Zelensky said Mr Macron had "changed" since he set off a firestorm of criticism from Kyiv by suggesting it was vital not to "humiliate" Mr Putin in Ukraine to allow for a diplomatic off-ramp.

"I think he has changed, and changed for real this time," Mr Zelensky told French newspaper Le Figaro ahead of his visit.

"After all, it's him who paved the way for the delivery of tanks. And he has also supported Ukraine's membership to the EU. I think that was a real signal," he said.Hours earlier, Mr Zelensky made a surprise first visit to Britain since the Russian invasion began, asking for more weaponry and, in particular, fighter jets.

Rishi Sunak pledged that "nothing is off the table" when it comes to sending military support to Ukraine.

The British Prime Minister, in a boost to Mr Zelensky, said sending warplanes was "part of the conversation" between the pair, but stopped short of making promises.

In a rousing address in Westminster Hall earlier today, Mr Zelensky told MPs: "Two years ago, I left Parliament thanking you for the delicious English tea. Today I will leave Parliament thanking all of you in advance for powerful English planes."

Mr Sunak said part of his talks with Mr Zelensky involved looking at the "supply chain" involved with the UK's fighter jets, suggesting other countries might have to sign off on a British decision to supply them to Kyiv.

Story continues

Follow the latest updates below.

07:45 PM

What we learnt today

It has been quite the day for Volodymyr Zelensky, who arrived in Britain this morning.

He spent most of the day with Rishi Sunak, but popped into Buckingham Palace to meet King Charles and made an address to MPs in Westminster Hall. He also went to Dorset by helicopter to see Ukrainian troops being trained on British Challenger 2 tanks.

Tonight, he will travel to Paris and meet French President Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Tomorrow he will head to Brussels to attend a European Union summit, where he will meet with other leaders.

His mission is to get countries to supply fighter jets to Ukraine. Rishi Sunak has not promised to deliver jets, but has said that "nothing is off the table."

We'll be back tomorrow, so please do join us again.

07:29 PM

Tanks to be delivered on time

One small detail from the press conference that may have been missed is that UK Challenger 2 tanks will be deployed in Ukraine next month, as planned.

"The Ukrainian crews who arrived last week will be using Challenger 2 tanks to defend Ukraine sovereign territory next month," Mr Sunak said at a joint press conference, sticking to the end-of-March target for their deployment previously announced.

Mr Sunak and Mr Zelensky met Ukrainian soldiers training on the tanks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets Ukrainian troops being trained to command Challenger 2 tanks at a military facility in Lulworth, Dorset. - Andrew Matthews/PA

07:15 PM

The moment a Ukrainian reporter hugged Zelensky

There was an emotional moment in the press conference earlier, as a Ukrainian reporter said she wanted to hug Mr Zelensky, but couldn't because of security reasons. That didn't bother him.

Ahead of asking a question at press conference, a Ukrainian journalist tells President Zelensky she would like to give him a hug but shes not allowed. Look what happens  pic.twitter.com/kYb8y6JhIm  SallyLockwood (@sallylockwood) February 8, 2023

07:04 PM

What will happen to the helmet gifted to Lindsay Hoyle?

The Ukrainian fighter pilot's helmet presented to Sir Lindsay Hoyle by President Zelensky will go on display in Speaker's House, The Telegraph has been told.

It may even find its way to Chorley - Sir Lindsay's Lancashire constituency - at some point down the line, Amy Gibbons reports.

The Commons Speaker said: "President Zelensky received a heros welcome today. Everyone was so moved by his words, his energy, passion and charisma, and especially his gift of a helmet, which was worn by 'the ghost pilot' - so called, because the Russians couldnt catch him.

"I am going to put it on display in Speaker's House so visitors can see it because it is a symbol of our support for Ukraine.

"You never know, it might also end up on display in Chorley too."

Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, left, holds the helmet of one of the most successful Ukrainian pilots, inscribed with the words "We have freedom, give us wings to protect it", which was presented to him by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky - Stefan Rousseau/pool photo via AP

06:55 PM

Macron has changed since comments on Russia, says Zelensky

French President Emmanuel Macron has "changed" since the statements he made on Russia irritated Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview to a French newspaper ahead of a visit to Paris.

"I think he has changed, and changed for real this time," Mr Zelensky told Le Figaro newspaper, when asked if Macron had changed since he irritated him with his comments on the need to avoid "humiliating" Russia.

"After all, it's him who paved the way for the delivery of tanks. And he has also supported Ukraine's membership to the EU. I think that was a real signal," Mr Zelensky said.

Macron said in June last year it was vital that Russia is not humiliated so that when the fighting stops in Ukraine a diplomatic solution can be found.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and France's President Emmanuel Macron shake hands after a press conference on June 16, 2022 in Kyiv - Alexey Furman/Getty Images

06:23 PM

More detail on fighter jets

The Prime Minister indicated that supplying fighter jets to Ukraine would involve holding conversations with allies that help provide the aircraft.

Rishi Sunak, addressing reporters at a joint press conference at a military base in Dorset, said: "There is a supply chain around such sophisticated aircraft.

"Those are conversations that the president and I are having and making sure we understand all the supply chain needs that go alongside aircraft like that - making sure they can be used and used safely, kept safely. So we are having that conversation.

"And it is also a conversation we are having with our allies because, particularly some of the aircraft we have, are done through joint treaty with multiple other countries - I think we have seen that with previous bits of kit that others have had to give.

"For aircraft, that is something we are also involved in because, as I said, we have other allies involved in the provision of those bits of equipment.

"And as the president said, he is on his way to Europe after this to pick up this conversation with our partners and allies over there."

06:14 PM

What we learnt

Volodymyr Zelensky has come to London with one mission: to get fighter jets for his military to use in the war against Russia.

After an impassioned speech to MPs, a meeting with Rishi Sunak, an audience with King Charles, a visit to an army base and a press conference - he has not explicitly got his wish.

Rishi Sunak says "nothing is off the table" but has not committed to sending jets. The UK will however train Ukrainian pilots.

06:08 PM

'Intensifying diplomacy'

"We are intensifying out diplomacy," says Mr Zelensky, who is visiting Europe this evening.

"With pilots, I didn't know it takes three years to train on typhoons. We will send you pilots with two-and-a-half years of experience," Mr Zelensky says, causing the crowd to laugh.

And with that, the conference is over and they leave to applause.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak - HOLLIE ADAMS/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

06:05 PM

Jets not off the table, says Sunak

"With aircraft, we have said nothing is off the table. But we need to train people to fly these very sophisticated jets," Mr Sunak says.

"There is also a supply chain around such sophisticated aircraft.

"We are having this conversation," Mr Sunak adds.

"We have been nothing but out in front in this conflict."

06:02 PM

Zelensky here for 'gratitude and weapons'

"I am here as well for heavy artillery. We have to be frank. I am the president of a country fighting for independence and have to do everything I can to make our allies aware."

He says he is here for "Gratitude and weapons."

"But yes, London is a beautiful city. It's a shame I don't have more time here."

06:00 PM

Zelensky expresses thanks

Mr Zelensky is asked what his impressions of the UK are - not being in a war zone.

"I had to do two important things," he said.

"I had to express my gratitude to the people of the United Kingdom for helping us keep our land. Great Britain has been so active in this fight. I am so grateful. At any point we could have lost our independence but it didn't happen.

"We have to remember who has been with us since the very first day of the war. We will have victory, but it will not happen overnight."

05:58 PM

How much help do you need?

"I would like to be honest with you," says Mr Zelensky.

"In the pages of this war, there is a special section for our worries and Britain helping.

"We are grateful for whatever we were getting. Then we turned another page and we needed artillery. We needed anything to destroy the Russians who are killing and raping our people.

"Great Britain helped us a lot. We got a lot of help from the US with HIMARS. But Russia keeps on throwing people into the battlefield. We protect our people and want to prepare them.

"Now we are in the stagnation phase. You asked what happens if we don't get jets or munitions. Things are running out. These people will be living on our territory and that poses a risk to the rest of the world. They are terrorists.

"Without the weapons that we are discussing now, there will be stagnation, which will not lead to anything good."

05:52 PM

Sunak defends sanctions record

A BBC Ukraine correspondent starts by asking Mr Zelensky for a hug - which he is happy to give.

She asks a pointed question about Russians laundering money through London.

"I used to be the finance minister and we put in place the most forward leaning and strict sanctions package against Russian individuals. It was Britain that led the way in pushing for very strict sanctions," Mr Sunak says.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hold a news conference at an army camp, in Dorset - REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

05:45 PM

'Nothing is off the table' says Sunak

First question from ITV to Mr Sunak: "Will you give fighter jets to Ukraine?"

"Nothing is off the table," Mr Sunak says. He said that Britain was the first country to offer battle tanks, and led the way for other countries to do so.

"Of course, we have been discussing fighter combat aircrafts today," he says. "Nothing is off the table," he says again.

05:41 PM

'We will find a common path to victory'

"We have a very strong defence package from great Britain. We have already received vehicles and missiles. We will find a common path to victory," says Mr Zelensky.

"I am also grateful to His Majesty for the time I spent with him. I am also grateful to everyone in London standing with Ukrainian flags. We saw you.

"This marks a new level of our relations."

05:37 PM

Joint press conference starts

"We will expand our training program to your marines and fighter jet pilots," says Sunak.

"We must arm Ukraine in the short term but we must bolster Ukraine in the long term," he adds.

05:35 PM

Russia's warning over fighter jets

Russia's embassy to Britain has warned London against sending fighter jets to Ukraine, saying such a move would have "military and political consequences for the European continent and the entire world", the TASS news agency reported.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has today called on Britain to give Ukraine fighter jets as the next stage in the West's supplies of weapons to help Kyiv fight off the Russian invasion.

Britain said it would start training Ukrainian pilots in how to fly advanced NATO-standard fighter jets, but has not yet pledged to send planes.

05:31 PM

Press conference expected

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak are expected to hold a press conference shortly.

05:26 PM

Zelensky and Sunak visit Dorset

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have arrived by helicopter at Lulworth Camp, Dorset, to meet Ukrainian troops being trained by the British Army.

Mr Zelensky thanked MrSunak for his support before presenting medals to some of his troops.

Mr Sunak said: "It is a privilege for us to have all of you here and your courage is inspiring to us and the courage of your families is inspiring to us.

"We will be there until the end and you are victorious."

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meet Ukrainian troops being trained to command Challenger 2 tanks at a military facility in Lulworth, Dorset - Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

05:12 PM

Ukraine appeals to King Charles

In his address to MPs, Mr Zelensky paid tribute to King Charles, noting his RAF background, saying: The King was an air force pilot, and In Ukraine every air force pilot is a King."

This message, and the call for fighter jets to be sent to Ukraine has been echoed by the country's Ministry of Defence.

.@ZelenskyyUa

In Britain the King is an air force pilot. And in Ukraine today every air force pilot is a king.



We have freedom. Give us wings to protect it. pic.twitter.com/uENz5TPzqV  Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) February 8, 2023

05:03 PM

Macron to host Zelensky in Paris

French President Emmanuel Macron will host a meeting in Paris later this evening with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the French Presidency has announced.

Futher details were not immediately available.

On Thursday, Zelensky is expected to travel to Brussels, where leaders of EU countries are gathering for a summit.

04:56 PM

Sir Roger Gale meets Zelensky

A veteran Tory MP has said it was a "huge, huge privilege" to shake the hand of Volodymyr Zelensky - one of his four "political heroes" - following the Ukrainian President's historic address in Westminster Hall, writes political correspondent, Amy Gibbons.



Sir Roger Gale said Mr Zelensky's "hugely moving", "compelling" and "clever" speech was one of two that stood out to him from his near 40-year parliamentary career - crediting the other to Nelson Mandela.



The senior backbencher, who said he has been "fighting the Russians for 50 years", met Mr Zelensky in his current capacity as acting deputy speaker of the House of Commons.

The Ukrainian leader has become his "fourth hero" in politics, alongside Imre Nagy, Alexander Dubcek and Vaclav Havel.



"I shook his hand and wished him good luck," he told The Telegraph.

He said he also allowed himself the "liberty" of squeezing the president's arm, adding: "What can you say in 30 seconds? I just want the guy to know how very much we're on his side."

A great honour to meet President Zelensky in Westminster Hall today. All the courage and determination of a man intending to settle for nothing less than the complete freedom of his country. pic.twitter.com/RKmOUxH4L1  Sir Roger Gale MP (@SirRogerGale) February 8, 2023

04:48 PM

Truss praises Zelensky

Former prime minister Liz Truss, who was a vocal backer of Ukraine during her brief tenure, said it was a "privilege" to listen to Mr Zelensky.

"His courage in the face of Putin's barbaric invasion of Ukraine is an inspiration as we remain steadfast in our support for the Ukrainian people. As he said: 'Freedom will win'."

Ms truss did not visit Ukraine during her short time as Prime Minister, and was not singled out for praise by Mr Zelensky, unlike Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, who have both been to Kyiv.

Liz Truss and Volodymyr Zelensky at the Cop26 summit in Glasgow, in November 2021 - Alastair Grant/PA

04:36 PM

Russian disinformation 'gaining traction'

Disinformation spread by Russia during their invasion of Ukraine is "gaining traction" but is "low quality activity", western officials have said.

According to new research, content justifying the war produced by disinformation outlets on Facebook has been viewed "more than 1.2 billion times globally".

One official said messages sent by Russia to the Ukrainian people in an attempt to "break the will to resist" had "absolutely failed on every conceivable measure" as well as only managing a "moderate performance" in its primary goal of "regime security" in their own country.

This illustration photo taken on January 30, 2023 shows a phone screen displaying a statement from the head of security policy at META with a fake video (R) of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky calling on his soldiers to lay down their weapons shown in the background - OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images

Addressing the use of disinformation tactics by Russia, the official said: "Some of it is gaining traction, and it's designed to distract audiences from the truth from the atrocities that are taking place in Ukraine and also to fuel conspiracy theories.

"Researchers found 50 pages affiliated with state and non-state actors across the Middle East in North Africa spreading pro-Kremlin propaganda, generating more than 705 million views.

"Now whilst this is a lot of activity, again, I have to state this is low-quality activity."

04:17 PM

Britain investigates what fighter jets it could send to Ukraine after Zelensky plea

Rishi Sunak has ordered the ministry of defence to investigate what fighter jets Britain may be able to send to Ukraine, write Joe Barnes and Jamie Johnson.

The Prime Minister has tasked the Defence Secretary with investigating what jets we might be able to give but, to be clear, this is a long-term solution rather than a short-term capability, which is what Ukraine needs most now, said a Number 10 spokesman.

It comes after Volodymyr Zelensky urged Britain to provide Ukraine with fighter jets in an impassioned speech to MPs in Westminster.

Read the full story here.

04:04 PM

US has questions to answer over Nord Stream explosions, says Russia

Russia's foreign ministry on Wednesday said the United States had questions to answer over its role in explosions on the undersea Nord Stream gas pipelines last year.

Commenting on a report published earlier on Wednesday that said the United States was involved in the explosions, Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called on the White House to comment on the "facts" that had been presented.

04:02 PM

Zelensky thanks King Charles for Britain's support for Ukrainian refugees

Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the King for his country's support for Ukrainian refugees during their meeting.

"I am grateful to His Majesty for the warm welcome and for supporting Ukrainian citizens who have taken refuge from the war in the United Kingdom," Mr Zelensky said on Telegram.

King Charles and Volodymyr Zelensky at Buckingham Palace - AARON CHOWN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

03:52 PM

Zelensky tells King Charles it is a 'great honour' to be invited to Buckingham Palace

The King told Volodymyr Zelensky he was delighted to welcome him to Buckingham Palace.

The Ukrainian President replied that it was "a great honour to be here," adding: "Thank you for finding the time for me."

The King said: "We've all been worried about you and thinking about your country for so long, I can't tell you."

They sat in the 1844 Room for 30 minutes of conversation about the continuing conflict in Ukraine, and the part Britain has played in supporting the nation.

Tea was served.

Further representatives from Ukraine were then welcomed into the room for an introduction and informal conversation with the King and a chance to have pictures taken individually.

The Ukrainian party then departed through the Grand Entrance, Buckingham Palace said.

03:49 PM

First battalion of Leopard 2 tanks could reach Ukraine in March or April, says Germany

Western partners could deliver the first battalion of Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine in the first three or four months of this year, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said during a trip to the Polish capital on Wednesday.

"We could deliver at least one battalion in the first four months of this year - three months maybe - and then we need to proceed as fast as possible of course," Mr Pistorius said, adding that a battalion would consist of about 31 tanks.

03:41 PM

Watch Zelensky's speech to Parliament in full

03:31 PM

Downing Street: No decision made on whether to send jets to Ukraine

Downing Street has stressed that no decision has been taken on whether to send British jets to Ukraine, after Volodymyr Zelensky's address to Parliament.

"I think you can see from the steps that we are taking that we are willing to put Ukraine in the position where, once we have reached the goals of training pilots, they are able to fly these type of jets," the Prime Minister's official spokesman said.

"What we have not made a decision on is whether we send UK fighter jets. Obviously there is an ongoing discussion among other countries about their own fighter jets, some of which are more akin to what Ukrainian pilots are used to."

But the supply of British planes is being "actively" considered by Ben Wallace, the spokesman said.

"We've confirmed there will be a training programme for Ukrainian pilots and the Defence Secretary is actively looking at whether we send jets."

03:19 PM

UK hoping to receive the first Ukrainian pilots for training in the spring

Downing Street said the UK was hoping to receive the first Ukrainian pilots in the spring, but would not give a specific date.

"Obviously we want it to start as soon as possible," the Prime Minister's spokesman said, but Downing Street stressed that it would be a long-term process.

"I think we are keen to do whatever is possible to get these pilots trained up as fast as possible. But these are complex pieces of military equipment. And as you know the current training period for UK pilots is around five years.

"We think this is right to provide both short-term equipment like Challenger tanks, additional guns, longer-range capabilities that can help win the war now, but also look to the medium-to-long term to ensure Ukraine has every possible capability it requires.

"The Prime Minister has tasked the Defence Secretary with investigating what jets we might be able to give but, to be clear, this is a long-term solution rather than a short-term capability, which is what Ukraine needs most now."

03:01 PM

Boris Johnson urges Rishi Sunak to send jets and more tanks to Ukraine

Former prime minister Boris Johnson urged Rishi Sunak to supply Ukraine with jets and more tanks.

He said: "It is time to give the Ukrainians the extra equipment they need to defeat Putin and to restore peace to Ukraine.

"That means longer range missiles and artillery. It means more tanks. It means planes.

"We have more than 100 Typhoon jets. We have more than 100 Challenger 2 tanks.

"The best single use for any of these items is to deploy them now for the protection of the Ukrainians - not least because that is how we guarantee our own long-term security."

02:55 PM

Scholz to meet Zelensky in Paris

Olaf Scholz, the German Chancellor, is flying to Paris to meet Volodymyr Zelensky and Emmanuel Macron, according to German government sources.

The French President will host the meeting between the three leaders in the French capital on Wednesday, the French presidency said.

02:47 PM

Pictured: Volodymyr Zelensky meets King Charles

Mr Zelensky was dressed in his trademark khaki green military fatigues as he was welcomed to the royal residence on Wednesday afternoon.

Charles greeted the president with wide smile and a warm handshake in the Palace's 1844 Room.

King Charles welcomed Mr Zelensky to Buckingham Palace on Wednesday afternoon - Aaron Chown/PA

02:45 PM

Sending Typhoon jets to Ukraine should not be an issue, says Boris Johnson

Supplying Typhoon jets to Ukraine would require the support of Germany, Italy and Spain, the other countries involved in its development, but he insisted that should not be an issue, Boris Johnson has said.

"Today's investment in helping Ukraine will avert instability and chaos for years to come," Mr Johnson said. "By helping Ukraine to push back (Vladimir) Putin, we can make our world safer - and above all, save an innocent country from destruction.

"It is true that the Typhoon is a four-nation plane and that we require the approval of allies for export. But there is no reason to think that Germany or others should oppose our decision - these are UK planes.

"In the year since Putin's barbaric invasion, we have learnt that he fears nothing except the heroism of the Ukrainians and western willingness to give them the tools they need.

"Every time we have stepped up with more military support the Ukrainians have responded and turned the tide of war. Now is the time to give them exactly what they need to finish the job."

02:33 PM

Watch: Highlights from Zelensky's address to Parliament

02:25 PM

Zelensky to visit Paris this evening

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky was expected in Paris on Wednesday evening, the French presidency said, after his visit to the United Kingdom.

EU officials are then hoping he will head to Brussels on Thursday to meet European leaders in a largely symbolic but nevertheless keenly anticipated visit after months of European support for Ukraine.

02:24 PM

Zelensky arrives at Buckingham Palace

Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived at Buckingham Palace for an audience with the King.

The Ukrainian President used his speech to praise the King's support for his country, referring to the monarch's own air force training to tell parliamentarians that in his country every pilot is a "king".

In his address, Mr Zelensky looked forward to his meeting with Charles and said he expected it to be an "honour".

"It will be a truly special moment for me, for our country, and in particular because I will convey to him from all the Ukrainians the words of gratitude for the support His Majesty showed to them when he was still the Prince of Wales," Mr Zelensky said.

02:16 PM

Pictured: Rishi Sunak and Volodymyr Zelensky drink tea in No 10

The Prime Minister and his Ukrainian counterpart shared a pot of tea when they met at Downing Street - No10 Downing Street

02:10 PM

Zelensky's speech lights up Westminster Hall

MPs, peers, parliamentary staff and journalists were crammed into Westminster Hall for the big speech just now, many huddled in winter coats with the temperature in the single digits, writes Ben Riley-Smith, Political Editor.

Throughout President Zelenskys address there were shouts of Slava Ukraini!, not least when the Ukrainian leader vowed that Russia would, in the end, be defeated.

There was praise by name given to Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak in the address, but not Liz Truss, who was prime minister for 49 days between the other two Tories.

After the speech Mr Zelensky, who had addressed the room before a vast stained glass window glowing up with winter sunlight, stepped forward to shake hands from some of the crowd.

Ms Truss and Mr Johnson were both in the front row, as recent occupants of Number 10, and got the chance to chat briefly with President Zelensky before he departed.

01:59 PM

Pictured: Zelensky presents Lindsay Hoyle with Ukrainian fighter pilot's helmet

The message on the helmet read: "We have freedom, gives us wings to protect it" - Sky News

01:54 PM

Cleverly: UK backing Ukraine until victory

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the UK is "backing Ukraine until they are victorious" after watching Volodymyr Zelensky's address.

"What a powerful speech from President (Zelensky)," he tweeted. "We are backing Ukraine until they are victorious. Freedom will win."

What a powerful speech from President @ZelenskyyUa.



We are backing Ukraine until they are victorious.



Freedom will win   James Cleverly (@JamesCleverly) February 8, 2023

01:41 PM

Zelensky: The battle against 'evil' continues

Volodymyr Zelensky warned that "evil" was still present in his country and it needed to fight on.

He said: "Evil is still around around today and the battle continues. Yes, we know how it's going to end and how we are going to feel on the day victory comes. Every day we continue to pay with lives.

"Pain and tears for bringing victory closer, with the lives of our people, our heroes, whom we lose in battles, with the lives of our heroes who take life and death risks every day to save as many of our soldiers and civilians as possible."

01:40 PM

Listen to our Ukraine: The Latest podcast

A reminder that today's episode of Ukraine: The Latest will begin live on Twitter shortly.

01:35 PM

'God bless the United Kingdom and long live the King'

Volodymyr Zelensky finished his address to Parliament with a plea for modern warplanes to help fight against Russia's invasion.

Mr Zelensky said he wanted a coalition of nations to supply planes.

He told MPs: "I appeal to you and the world with simple and yet most important words: combat aircraft for Ukraine, wings for freedom."

01:31 PM

Victory for Ukraine will deter other aggressors, says Zelensky

A Ukrainian victory against Russia will deter aggressors around the world, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

He told parliamentarians gathered in Westminster Hall: "We know freedom will win. We know Russia will lose.

"And we really know that the victory will change the world and this will be a change that the world has long needed.

"The United Kingdom is marching with us towards the most, I think, the most important victory of our lifetime. It will be a victory over the very idea of the war.

"After we win together, any aggressor, it doesn't matter big or small, will know what awaits him if he attacks international order...

"Any aggressor is going to lose."

01:28 PM

'Give us wings': Zelensky urges allies to send fighter jets to Ukraine

The Ukrainian President has again urges Ukraine's western allies to send it warplanes.

"Today, every air force pilot is a King," he said, referring to his upcoming meeting with King Charles.

He presented Lindsay Hoyle with a Ukrainian pilot's helmet.

On the helmet was written: "We have freedom, gives us wings to protect it."

01:25 PM

Zelensky hails the 'strong British character'

Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the "strong British character" that had been shown in response to the Russian invasion.

He told Parliament: "You didn't compromise Ukraine and hence you didn't compromise your ideals and thus you didn't compromise the spirit of these great islands.

"Thank you very much."

01:24 PM

'Thank you, Rishi'

Long-range missiles will "allow us to make the evil completely retreat from our country," says Zelensky, as he thanks the Prime Minister.

He adds that he is grateful for Britain sending tanks. "Thank you Rishi, for this powerful defensive step, for tanks."

01:20 PM

Zelensky thanks Boris

Volodymyr Zelensky thanked former prime minister Boris Johnson for the support he showed as Russia launched its invasion.

The Ukrainian president said: "London has stood with Kyiv since day one, from the first seconds and minutes of the full-scale war, Great Britain you extended your helping hand when the world had not yet come to understand how to react.

"Boris: you got others united when it seemed absolutely impossible. Thank you."

Boris listens to Zelensky

01:18 PM

'Aggressor is going to lose'

Zelensky says that what awaits is "the most important victory in our lifetime, a victory of the very idea of war."

He added that Putin will know what waits him and that "any aggressor is going to lose".

01:12 PM

Zelensky describes sitting in Churchill's armchair

Volodymyr Zelensky is recounting a time he visited the War Rooms beneath Whitehall, where Winston Churchill led Britain through the Second World War.

01:09 PM

Zelensky: I stand before you on behalf of the brave

"I have come here and stand before you on behalf of the brave, on behalf of our war heroes who are now in the trenches under enemy artillery fire, on behalf of our air gunners, and every defender of the sky who protects Ukraine against enemy aircraft and missiles, on behalf of our tank men who fight to restore our Ukrainian borders, on behalf of our conscripts who are being trained now including here in Britain."

Mr Zelensky begins his address to Parliament - Sky News

01:08 PM

Volodymyr Zelensky has begun speaking

The Ukrainian President has begun speaking after another round of cheers and applause.

01:05 PM

Lindsay Hoyle is introducing the Ukrainian President

The Speaker of the House of Commons is introducing Volodymyr Zelensky, thanking him for speaking to Parliament during the first weeks of the war.

"The war, as you know better than any of us, has lasted for almost a year," he said.

"As you told us last year, this is a war Ukraine did not start," he added.

01:02 PM

Thunderous applause greets Zelensky as he arrives

Ukraines President has arrived in Westminster hall to address Parliament as part of his first trip to the UK since the war began.

Volodymyr Zelensky smiled as he walked past the crowds, before taking the stage to loud cheers.

12:54 PM

Westminster Hall full as Parliament prepares for Zelensky's address

Sunlight is streaming through the stained glass windows of Westminster hall, where Volodymyr Zelensky is about to address MPs.

Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Keir Starmer can be seen in the front row as they await the Ukrainian President's arrival.

12:40 PM

Sunak hopeful first indictments over Russia's invasion will come soon

Speaking in Parliament, Rishi Sunak said he is hopeful of seeing the first International Criminal Court (ICC) indictments linked to Russia's renewed invasion of Ukraine "very shortly".

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer asked Mr Sunak if he agreed that "Putin and all his cronies must stand at The Hague and face justice" once the war is over.

Mr Sunak replied: "He's absolutely right that we must hold those to account for the horrific crimes that they have committed.

"I'm proud the United Kingdom has played, again, a leadership role in this regard being one of the first countries to provide financial and technical support, putting investigators on the ground, we're shortly to be hosting a conference together with the Dutch.

"And also one of the things I discussed with President Zelensky this morning is our support for the work of the ICC where, thanks to the efforts of UK members, I'm hopeful we will see the first indictments very shortly."

12:33 PM

Putin approved supply of missiles that shot down MH17 in 2014, investigators say

The team investigating the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 by a missile has convincing evidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin personally signed off on a decision to allow the Russian missile system into Ukraine, Dutch prosecutors have said.

The BUK-TELAR missile system was used to shot down MH17 on its way from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur over eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014, investigators said.

However, they said the evidence was not enough to lead to prosecution.

12:21 PM

UK supporting Ukraine to ensure victory 'this year'

Rishi Sunak, the British Prime Minister, told parliament the UK would continue "to support Ukraine to ensure decisive military victory on the battlefield, this year".

"(Russian President) Vladimir Putin's aggression cannot be seen in any way to have been successful and that's why we have accelerated and increased our support militarily for Ukraine," Sunak said ahead of an address to parliament by visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

12:20 PM

Boris Johnson welcomes Zelensky back to the UK

Welcome back to the UK, @ZelenskyyUa. Look forward to hearing you address Parliament  #Ukrainemustwin  Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) February 8, 2023

12:16 PM

Rishi Sunak: 'We came together to stand by Ukraine'

Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, has said that the country and Commons can be "proud that we came together to stand by Ukraine when the moment mattered".

Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, said: "This House is honoured to be addressed today by President Zelensky. From the outset of the war he has symbolised the heroism, the resolve, and the bravery of his people.

"The Prime Minister and I joined this House together in 2015. We've lived through important moments in our domestic and international politics. But none of those experiences compares to the pain and suffering of the people of Ukraine.

"Does the Prime Minister agree with me that right across this House it is vital that we all continue to stand together in full support of Ukraine?"

Mr Sunak responded: "Can I thank the honourable gentleman for his comments on Ukraine.

"It's something that not only the whole country can be proud of, but the entire House can be proud that we came together to stand by Ukraine when the moment mattered, and that we will continue to stand with them, united, as one Parliament and one United Kingdom."

12:14 PM

Watch: Rishi Sunak greets Zelensky as he arrives in UK for surprise visit

12:08 PM

Rishi Sunak: I am delighted that Zelensky is here

Opening Prime Minister's Questions, Rishi Sunak told MPs: "I am delighted that President Zelensky is here in the United Kingdom today.

"It is a testament to the unbreakable friendship between our two countries and I am proud that we are expanding the training for Ukrainian forces to include jet pilots and marines, and ensure that Ukraine has a military able to defend its interests today and in to the future."

12:07 PM

Pictured: Volodymr Zelensky with Rishi Sunak

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky outside 10 Downing Street, London, ahead of a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak - Jonathan Brady/PA

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky inside 10 Downing Street with Rishi Sunak - Screengrab from SKY NEWS/Screengrab from SKY NEWS

11:56 AM

Applause for Zelensky as he enters No 10

Volodymyr Zelensky was met with applause as he stepped into No 10 with Rishi Sunak, writes Amy Gibbons.

The Ukrainian President shared a warm handshake with the Prime Minister as the pair met for talks in a bright and chilly Downing Street.

The Ukrainian President nodded and waved at a packed press pen from the steps of No 10.

The leaders shared a few words as they walked up the street together, having met for a brief exchange when Mr Zelenskys plane touched down at Stansted.

The meeting kicks off Mr Zelenskys first visit to the UK since Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine nearly a year ago.

11:53 AM

Ukraine: The Latest

Please note that today's episode of our Ukraine: The Latest podcast will be broadcast live on Twitter at the later time of 1.30pm to allow our hosts and guests to discuss Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the UK.

You can come back to this liveblog to listen live.

On today's episode, host David Knowles will be joined by Camilla Tominey, Associate Editor, Francis Dearnley, Assistant Comment Editor, and former British Army Colonel Hamish De Bretton-Gordon.

 A note to our listeners, Ukraine: The Latest will be going live on Twitter at the later time of 1:30pm to discuss and analyse @ZelenskyyUas speech to Parliament.@djknowles22 will be joined by @CamillaTominey, @FrancisDearnley & @HamishDBG https://t.co/lIdLuVdxDH  The Telegraph (@Telegraph) February 8, 2023

11:47 AM

Pictured: Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed to 10 Downing Street by Rishi Sunak

Rishi Sunak waves to onlookers as he welcomes Ukraine's President to No 10 - Victoria Jones/PA

The Ukrainian President earlier said he would thank the British people for their support - Victoria Jones/PA

11:40 AM

Zelensky hails Britain as 'one of the first to come to Ukraine's aid'

Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is in Britain to thank the UK for supporting Ukraine.

"The United Kingdom was one of the first to come to Ukraine's aid. And today I'm in London to personally thank the British people for their support and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for his leadership," he said n a message on his Telegram channel.



11:37 AM

Zelensky arrives at No 10

Rishi Sunak has welcomed Volodymyr Zelensky to Downing Street - Sky News

The Prime Minister and the President will discuss military aid to Ukraine - Sky News

11:26 AM

Red carpet rolled out for Zelensky at No 10

The Ukrainian President is on his way to Downing Street for talks with Rishi Sunak - Sky News

11:18 AM

New sanctions will 'undermine Putin's war machine, says Cleverly

The government has announced a fresh round of sanctions targeting Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

James Cleverly, the Foreign Secretary, said the new sanctions on organisations that Russian President Vladimir Putin's military relied on would "accelerate the economic pressure on Putin - undermining his war machine to help Ukraine prevail".

11:09 AM

How Britain could train Ukrainian fighter pilots

Downing Street has announced that Britain will expand its training programme and help train Ukrainians to fly Nato-standard fighter jets.

Defence analysts have cautioned that this is unlikely to involve Ukrainian pilots learning to fly British Typhoon jet fighters.

Instead, the training will likely be centres around Nato tactics and cockpit procedures, according to Justin Bronk, of the Royal United Services Institute.

Writing on Twitter, he said training would likely involve simulators and would help "speed up later conversion" to F-16 and Gripen fighters.

10:58 AM

Zelensky en route to London

Volodymyr Zelensky has left Stansted airport, where the Prime Minister welcomed him to Britain at the start of his visit.

Sky News and BBC images showed his motorcade the airport and heading toward the capital.

Mr Zelensky is heading towards London - Sky News

10:36 AM

Zelensky to meet the King at Buckingham Palace

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet the King at Buckingham Palace this afternoon, royal aides have confirmed, writes Victoria Ward, our Royal Editor.

The Royal family have been vocal supporters of Ukraines plight.

Last March, during a visit to Southend-on-Sea, Essex, following the killing of local MP Sir David Amess, Charles, then Prince of Wales, said he has been deeply moved by the bravery of Ukrainians faced with "terrible aggression" from Russia.

He said: "What we saw in the terrible tragedy in Southend was an attack on democracy, on an open society, on freedom itself," the Prince of Wales said. "We are seeing those same values under attack today in Ukraine in the most unconscionable way. In the stand we take here, we are in solidarity with all those who are resisting brutal aggression."

Later that week, both he and Camilla, now Queen Consort, visited the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in London, as Russian attacks on key cities intensified.

The King told how he and his wife had been moved by all they had heard on their visit and "above all by the extraordinary bravery, generosity and fortitude of the Ukrainian community in the face of such truly terrible aggression".

It comes after the Prince and Princess of Wales met Mr Zelensky and his wife, First Lady Olena Zelensky, at the palace in October 2020.

10:33 AM

Zelensky lands at Stansted at start of UK visit

A Royal Air Force C-17 carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has landed at Stansted airport.

The C-1 7 that carried Volodymyr Zelensky on the tarmac at Stansted airport - BBC

10:29 AM

Russian prisoners threatened with fresh criminal cases for refusing to join Wagner

Inmates in Russian prisons who refuse to join the notorious Wagner mercenary group are being threatened with fresh criminal charges, lawyers have warned.

The operatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the FSB arrive, promise to raise old cases - 10-20 years old - for which the statute of limitations has already passed, lawyer Yana Gelmel told Russias Proekt news site.

The threats of legal action are meant to scare the prisoners into signing up with the mercenaries, the lawyer said.

Visiting officials have also reportedly promised to close the cases of those who choose to go to war.

10:07 AM

Fire breaks out at Russian oil refinery near Ukrainian border

A fire broke out on Wednesday at an oil refinery in Russia's southern Rostov region near the border with Ukraine and was later extinguished, state media reported.

"In Rostov Region, Novoshakhtinsk city ... a message was received at 10.24am Moscow time about a fire on the territory of an oil products processing plant," the ministry said.

The fire broke out over an area of about 100 square metres and was extinguished around an hour later, Interfax news agency reported, adding that the small refinery belonged to a company called Resource LLC.

Novoshakhtinsk is about 6 miles from the Ukrainian border. Another refinery in Novoshakhtinsk was struck by two drones last June, in what the plant called "terrorist actions from the western border", a reference to Ukraine.

Wednesday's fire was the second in two days to hit a Russian refinery, following an incident on Tuesday at a Lukoil unit in Nizhny Novgorod, east of Moscow.

09:37 AM

Russian group suspected of hacking SNP politicians emails

Former Scottish National Party defence spokesman Stewart McDonald has said his private emails were hacked after he fell for a phishing scam.

Mr McDonald said he was worried his emails would be published after he clicked on a document and entered his password.

In January, McDonald opened an email that appeared to be from a member of his staff and accessed a password protected document said to be a military update about Ukraine, he told the BBC. He later discovered the member of staff had not sent the email.

"In going public I want to raise awareness and urge people to be extra vigilant," Mr McDonald said on Twitter. "Those wanting to steal that data are becoming more sophisticated and more aggressive."

News of the hack follows a warning from Britain's National Cyber Security Centre on January 26 that Russia and Iran-based groups were targeting politicians, journalists, academics and defence experts to extract sensitive information from what is known as a "spear-phishing" campaign.

09:20 AM

Britain to announce fresh sanctions on Putin's allies

Britain will also set out further sanctions on Russia later today to target allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The new sanctions will hit those who helped Me Putin "build his personal wealth, and companies who are profiting from the Kremlins war machine", Downing Street said in a statement.

09:15 AM

Ministry of Defence daily intelligence update

The MoD has published its daily intelligence update, describing ongoing skirmishes over key islands along the Dnipro river.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 8 February 2023



Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/cJ3RIZCDLN



 #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/N6txUY0ikS  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) February 8, 2023

09:14 AM

Britain to train Ukrainians to become fighter pilots

Downing Street has announced plans to expand training for the Armed Forces of Ukraine to sea and air - including fighter jet pilots and marines - and accelerate the supply of military equipment.

The training would ensure pilots are able to fly sophisticated Nato-standard fighter jets in the future, it said in a statement.

Calls to send Ukraine Western-made fighter jets like the F-16 have intensified in recent weeks, after Ukraine's pleas for main battle tanks were answered.

09:14 AM

Zelensky's visit 'a testament to his country's courage', says Sunak

Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, has hailed Volodmyr Zelensky's surprise trip the UK.

President Zelenskys visit to the UK is a testament to his countrys courage, determination and fight, and a testament to the unbreakable friendship between our two countries," he said in a statement.

Since 2014, the UK has provided vital training to Ukrainian forces, allowing them to defend their country, protect their sovereignty and fight for their territory.

I am proud that today we will expand that training from soldiers to marines and fighter jet pilots, ensuring Ukraine has a military able to defend its interests well into the future. It also underlines our commitment to not just provide military equipment for the short term, but a long-term pledge to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine for years to come.

09:14 AM

Zelensky to meet UK defence chiefs

During his visit to the UK, Mr Zelensky will also meet British defence and security chiefs to discuss details of the expanded training programme.

The Prime Minister is expected to announce that Britain will begin training Ukrainian marines immediately.

That training will be in addition to the existing programme which has seen 10,000 Ukrainian troops trained for battle in the last six months.

09:13 AM

Volodymyr Zelensky heading to Britain for surprise visit

Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian President, is travelling to the UK for the first time since Russia's invasion began.

The Ukrainian leader will address parliament and meet Rishi Sunak at Downing Street.

The Prime Minister is expected to announce that Britain will send Ukraine longer-range weapons.

Mr Sunak will also unveil an expanded training programme for Ukrainian troops, including training Ukrainians to become fighter pilots.

09:13 AM

Biden promises steadfast support for Ukraine

Joe Biden has promised that the United States will support Ukraine for as long as it takes to fight off the Russian invasion.

"We're going to stand with you, as long as it takes. Our nation is working for more freedom, more dignity, more peace - not just in Europe, but everywhere," Mr Biden said, addressing Ukraine's ambassador to Washington, Oksana Markarova, who was in attendance at the president's State of the Union speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday.
Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters addressed the UN Security Council at Russia's invitation on Feb. 8, condemning Moscow's invasion of Ukraine as illegal. He added, however, that it "was not unprovoked" and condemned "the provocateurs in the strongest possible terms." Waters also called on for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine.

Russia's dictator Vladimir Putin often justified his full-scale invasion of Ukraine by saying Russia needed to "defend itself." However, there is no case of defense since Russia is waging a war of aggression in Ukraine.

Ukraine's UN ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya rebuffed the statements, playing on the title of one of Pink Floyd's most famous songs: "How sad for his former fans to see him accepting the role of just a brick in the wall, a wall of Russian disinformation and propaganda."

The Russian delegations invitation followed Waters' interview to the Berliner Zeitung in which he had been complimentary towards Russia's President Vladimir Putin, who he said, according to a translation on his own website, governs carefully, making decisions on the grounds of a consensus in the Russian Federation government.

Rogers repeats other Russia-orchestrated narratives in his Feb. 4 interview.

Rogers says that "Putin has always stressed that he has no interest in taking over western Ukraine  or invading Poland or any other country across the border. What he is saying is: he wants to protect the Russian-speaking populations in those parts of Ukraine where the Russian-speaking populations feel under threat from the far right influenced post-Maidan Coup Governments in Kiev."

Kiev was the internationally accepted English-language spelling of Ukraine's capital through the Soviet period and into the first years of this century. But, according to Natalia Khanenko-Friesen, director of the Canadian Institute for Ukrainian Studies at the University of Alberta, the name "Kiev" is now associated with the Russification of Ukraine. In recent years, more and more publications and governments have switched the spelling to the Ukrainian variant, Khanenko-Friesen was quoted as saying by CBC.

Story continues

To galvanize domestic support for Russias military aggression, Russian state-controlled media have tirelessly sought to vilify Ukraine, falsely accusing it of genocide in eastern Ukraine, drawing groundless parallels with Nazism and World War Two, and fabricating stories aimed at striking a negative emotional chord with audiences.

In fact, there is no evidence that Russian-speaking or ethnic Russian residents in eastern Ukraine face persecution at the hands of Ukrainian authorities. This has been confirmed in reports published by the Council of Europe, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the OSCE.

In September, Waters wrote an open letter to First Lady Olena Zelenska calling on the West to stop providing arms to Kyiv, and accusing President Volodymyr Zelensky of allowing "extreme nationalism" in Ukraine.

During the council, the deputy U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Richard Mills, acknowledged Waters' "impressive credentials as a recording artist" but said his qualifications to speak on arms control or European security issues were "less evident".

Ukraine's Kyslytsia concluded by saying: Keep strumming the guitar, Mr Waters. It suits you more than lecturing the security council on how to do its job. No flying pigs here, please.
The Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine demonstrated that it is possible to shoot down a helicopter from artillery weapons.

Source: the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Quote: "Can artillery destroy a Russian helicopter? A reply by the 14th Separate Mechanised Brigade named after Prince Roman the Great is yes, it can! From land!"

Details: The Ground Forces published a video of their work, adding the following commentary:

"They say some Russian leadership members arrived by helicopter. It did not take off, though! Our artillery is quite precise!"

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Kyiv's defence units have created mobile firing groups armed with heavy machine guns and equipped with thermal imagers to counter Shahed UAVs and destroy the missiles. Those teams may be deployed in less than 1 minute.

Source: Lieutenant General Oleksandr Pavliuk, Chief of Staff and Deputy Commander of the Ground Forces of Ukraine, on Telegram

Quote from Pavliuk: "We are building up the air defence of Kyiv. Drilled crews in off-road passenger cars are armed with heavy machine guns and equipped with thermal imaging sights and other target detection and laser targeting devices."

Details: He emphasised that a mobile fire team is also capable of destroying cruise missiles and other air targets.

According to Pavlik, the firing positions for the mobile groups are determined in a way that the crews may arrive at the site as soon as possible.

He also noted that it takes no more than 1 minute for the crew to prepare for combat.

Lieutenant General said that the number of mobile groups within the defence unit is constantly increasing.

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PARIS (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and French President Emmanuel Macron will travel together to attend a European Union summit later on Thursday, Macron's office said in a statement.

Zelenskiy takes his mini-tour of European capitals to Brussels on Thursday, aiming to push European Union leaders for more weapons in the fight against Russia's invasion and for a quick start to EU membership talks.

Zelenskiy, who visited London and Paris on Wednesday, is expected to attend a summit of EU leaders and address the European Parliament during his trip to the Belgian capital.

(Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta; Editing by Tom Hogue)
Ukrainian Air Forces carry out over 20 strikes on the positions of the occupiers

The Air Forces are said to have conducted 21 strikes on manpower and materiel concentrations, as well as three strikes on anti-aircraft missile systems.

Read also: Russian invaders continue offensive operations in two areas in Donbas, General Staff says

Meanwhile, Ukrainian artillery struck two Russian headquarters, three manpower groups, three anti-aircraft missile system units, two ammunition depots, and a fuel depot.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Volodymyr Zelenskyy

I have recently spoken with Moldova's President Maia Sandu and I have informed her what our intelligence service had managed to intercept: a detailed plan of Russia for the political situation in Moldova, he said.

Read also: Moldova mulls joining NATO

According to him, the document establishes the people, timing, and events involved in causing a political breakdown in Moldova.

The plan is similar to the one they elaborated for Ukraine, the president said.

Read also: Russia looking to oust Moldova leader Sandu through paid protests, says Chisinau journalist

Zelenskyy added that "he did not know whether Moscow ultimately ordered the plan to be implemented," but Ukraine has revealed the aggressors plans.

We recognized in it exactly what they have already tried to do against Ukraine and against other states, in particular in Europe, he said.

The director of Moldovas Information and Security Service (SIB), Alexandru Musteata, also warned about a possible Russian offensive against Moldova as early as the beginning of 2023. Poland's Foreign Ministry has said that Poland, the Baltic countries, and Moldova are all among the Kremlin's targets, though no Russian offensive is expected in the near future.

Read also: Moldova may revoke citizenship of those fighting for Russia in Ukraine, says President Sandu

Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said that Ukraine is ready to help Moldova remove the Russian occupation in that country.

Russia has occupied the Moldovan region of Transnistria since 1990, ruling the region via a puppet authority similar to those in Donbas.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A group of Ukrainian servicemen arrived in Belgium as part of the EUMAM training mission to learn how to operate underwater drones.

Source: European Pravda, referring to Ludivine Dedonder, Belgian Defence Minister on Twitter

"Today we are welcoming Ukrainian soldiers in Belgium as part of the EUMAM mission. They will undergo training on the underwater systems delivered by Belgium to Ukraine. Ive expressed my profound support and saluted the courage shown for almost a year now," she said.

Today we are welcoming  soldiers in Belgium as part of the #EUMAM mission. They will undergo training on the underwater systems delivered by Belgium to Ukraine. Ive expressed them my profound support and saluted the courage shown for almost a year now. pic.twitter.com/owZyKE51Jm  Ludivine Dedonder (@DedonderLudivin) February 9, 2023

In November, the Belgian Defense Minister announced that her country would send to Ukraine the most modern equipment, including underwater drones.

At the end of January, the Belgian government approved the largest package of military assistance for Ukraine in the amount of 92 million euros. This tranche of military aid brings the total amount of Belgian military aid to 186 million euros, of which 44 million were allocated for fuel.

The European Union Military Assistance Mission to Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) was officially established on 17 October and started its work in mid-November last year. The mission aims to train up to 30,000 Ukrainian servicemen in centres located in EU member states.

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By Emilie Madi

HATAY PROVINCE, Turkey (Reuters) - Ukrainian rescue experts, more used to emergencies in a war zone at home, have brought their skills to the devastation caused from a massive earthquake in Turkey to search flattened buildings for survivors, erect tents and offer first aid.

"There is a war in our country, but we understand that we have to help, and this aid is mutual. There is no other way to do it," said Oleksandr Khorunzhyi, a spokesman for the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.

Kyiv has sent 88 people to Turkey to help with a disaster that had killed 19,000 people across southern Turkey and northwest Syria. The team includes specialists in search and rescue operations, doctors, dog handlers and firefighters.

"This work goes on constantly, we have prepared people who take part in such operations," said Khorunzhyi.

The Ukrainian team built tents near the Turkish city of Antakya close to the Syrian border to provide emergency shelter and set up generators for those left homeless by the earthquake.

They have joined rescuers from Turkey and around the world, including Russia which invaded Ukraine a year ago, shattering cities in Ukraine's east and south where fighting still rages in a conflict Moscow says is to fight a threat to Russian security. Kyiv and the West calls it an unprovoked land grab.

"We will work and distance ourselves from Russian rescuers as far as we can. The coordination centre has informed us that Russian emergency crews are located in a far-off place and we won't be able to meet," Khorunzhyi said.

"People should protect their lives, this is the most important thing they have. We sympathise with the Turkish people, the families of the dead and wounded."

(Reporting by Emilie Madi; Writing by Alexandra Hudson; Editing by Edmund Blair)
Roger Waters performs on June 21, 2022. Scott Kowalchyk/CBS/Getty Images

Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters spoke on behalf of Russia at the UN security council Wednesday.

He regurgitated conspiracies about the Ukraine war, calling it "illegal" in the same breath.

Over the last few years, Waters has circulated baseless theories about Russia, Syria, and Ukraine.

Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters was called out for making conspiratorial comments about the war in Ukraine on Wednesday after he testified at a UN security council on behalf of Russian diplomats.

Phoning into the meeting from a Swiss mountaintop chalet, Waters said he was representing "four billion brothers and sisters" in sharing Russia's position on its war in Ukraine, which is nearing the one-year mark, according to the Guardian.

But in reality, Waters has spent years trafficking misinformation about the wars in Ukraine and Syria, and at the meeting, he was ceremoniously called out by Ukraine's UN representative.

During Wednesday's meeting, Waters struck a more flimsy tone, criticizing Russia on one hand and obfuscating its role on the other.

"The invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation was illegal. I condemn it in the strongest possible terms," Waters said, per The Guardian. "Also, the Russian invasion of Ukraine was not unprovoked, so I also condemn the provocateurs in the strongest possible terms."

Waters' reference to "provocateurs" in Ukraine followed in line with misinformation he has pushed about the war in the past years, which included claiming to CNN that US President Joe Biden and NATO fueled the war in Ukraine. In a 2022 interview with Rolling Stone, Waters called evidence of Russian war crimes, "lies" and claimed that he had information indicating he was on a Ukrainian "kill list," referring to a list compiled by a far-right Ukrainian organization.

"I'm on a kill list that is supported by the Ukrainian government. I'm on the fucking list," Waters told Rolling Stone in October 2022. "But when they kill you, they write 'liquidated' across your picture. Well, I'm one of those fucking pictures."

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In a February interview with The Berliner Zeitung, Waters said that Vladimir Putin "governs carefully, making decisions on the grounds of a consensus in the Russian Federation government," according to the Guardian.

Waters has also pushed conspiracies related to Syria and Russia's role in the Syrian civil war, calling the humanitarian response group The White Helmets, "fake." In 2018, he alleged that their rescue missions  such as ongoing ones in light of catastrophic earthquakes  are staged by jihadists for western media as propaganda to help overthrow the Syrian government, according to Haaretz.

He has also denied the existence of chemical weapons attacks by the Syrian government and defended Russian bombardment in Syria, according to Rolling Stone. Waters was recently called a "Putin apologist" by the wife of Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, which the guitarist refuted.

At the meeting Wednesday, Russian UN ambassador Vasily Nebenzya said Waters had a "very precise analysis," and that he was one of the "most prominent activists of the contemporary anti-war movement."

But Ukrainian ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya didn't buy Waters' latest plea for propaganda.

"How sad for his former fans to see him accepting the role of just another brick in the wall  the wall of Russian disinformation and propaganda," Kyslytsya, who spoke last, said, per to The Guardian. "Keep strumming the guitar, Mr.Waters."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Mutual trust, support solidify Cambodia-China ties -- Cambodian experts

Xinhua) 09:48, February 09, 2023

Artists perform lion dance at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Jan. 21, 2023. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua)

"The ironclad friendship between the two countries is based on mutual trust, respect, help and support," Kin Phea, director general of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia, an arm of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, told Xinhua.

PHNOM PENH, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Over past years, mutual trust and support between Cambodia and China have largely consolidated bilateral relations, Cambodian experts have said.

Kin Phea, director general of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia, an arm of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said Cambodia-China ties have brought tangible benefits to both countries as well as their people, and made positive contributions to regional peace, stability and development.

"The ironclad friendship between the two countries is based on mutual trust, respect, help and support," he told Xinhua.

"I strongly believe that relations between Cambodia and China will continue to grow stronger, more comprehensive, strategic and unbreakable, and diversify into numerous areas of common interest," he added.

Phea said solidarity in addressing international challenges, bilateral dialogue, mutual understanding and respect will navigate the two countries to greater achievements.

Ky Sereyvath, director-general of the Institute of China Studies at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said bilateral ties have withstood the test of regional and international vicissitudes and have become even closer since Cambodia and China forged diplomatic ties in 1958.

Noting that the two countries elevated their relations to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation in December 2010, Sereyvath said "the fraternal relationship should serve as a role model of country-to-country relations."

He said under the Belt and Road Initiative, a number of Chinese-built mega-projects such as roads, bridges, airports, hydropower plants and economic zones have been completed in Cambodia.

"Chinese development aid and investment have played a crucial role in supporting Cambodia's socio-economic development and poverty reduction through creating hundreds of thousands of jobs," he said.

This aerial photo taken on Jan. 1, 2023 shows the construction site of a China-funded bridge in Kratie province, Cambodia. (Photo by Van Pov/Xinhua)

"Moreover, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership free trade pact and the Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement ... have been giving a big boost to Cambodia's economic growth," he said.

Thong Mengdavid, a research fellow at the Phnom Penh-based Asian Vision Institute, said the joint COVID-19 fight over the past years has injected fresh impetus into relations between the two countries.

"China was the first country to help Cambodia in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic," he told Xinhua.

With Chinese COVID-19 vaccines, Cambodia has successfully controlled the spread of COVID-19 and has resumed business activities and traveling, he said.

Joseph Matthews, a senior professor at the BELTEI International University in Phnom Penh, said the close and special relationship between Cambodia and China is characterized by deep historical feelings.

"Long-term political mutual trust and equal treatment make Cambodia and China ironclad friends," he told Xinhua.

"With high commitment and efforts made by the leaders and people of the two countries, I believe that the construction of the Cambodia-China community with a shared future will become a reality," Matthews said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday pushed for more aid access to northwestern Syria from Turkey, seeking an expanded mandate from the UN Security Council to allow UN help to be delivered through more than one border crossing after a devastating earthquake struck the region earlier this week.

Speaking to reporters, Guterres said now was the time to explore all possible avenues to get aid and personnel into the rebel-held area affected by the earthquake, which has killed at least 19,000 people in Turkey and Syria.

"Many non-UN relief agencies are already delivering through other crossings," Guterres told reporters. "I will be very happy if, in relation to the UN, there will be the possibility to do it also in as many crossings as possible."

Since 2014 the United Nations has been able to deliver aid to millions of people in need in the northwest of Syria from Turkey under a Security Council mandate. It is currently restricted to using just one border crossing.

The Security Council mandate was needed because the Syrian government views aid deliveries across its border as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity and says aid should be delivered across frontlines from within the war-torn country.

Guterres did not say whether he has specifically asked the Syrian government to allow aid deliveries through more border crossings, but he did reference the 15-member UN Security Council's ability to approve such a measure.

"It is obvious that we need massive support," Guterres said. "I will be, of course, very happy if the Security Council could reach a consensus to allow for more crossings to be used."

RUSSIA

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric later said that UN officials would start talks with Security Council members to see if aid access to Syria from Turkey could be expanded.

However, Syrian ally and council veto-power Russia appears unlikely to agree to mandating further border crossings.

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"Expanding cross-line deliveries is an obvious solution. The UN has all the necessary tools and cooperation of Damascus on this," Russia's Deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy told Reuters on Thursday.

The UN Security Council initially authorized aid deliveries into Syria at four points from Turkey, Iraq and Jordan in 2014. By 2020 it had reduced that access to the single crossing used now due to opposition from Russia and China.

Syria's UN Ambassador Bassam Sabbagh did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Guterres's remarks.

Opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad fear that food and other aid delivered from within Syria could fall under government control.

UN aid from Turkey reached 2.7 million people a month in northwestern Syria last year compared with 43,500 people a month who received aid from routes within Syria since August 2021.

UN aid delivery into northwestern Syria from Turkey resumed on Thursday after it was briefly halted by the earthquake.

UN aid chief Martin Griffiths will visit Gaziantep in Turkey and Aleppo and Damascus in Syria in the coming days to assess needs following the earthquake, Guterres said.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Paul Grant and Jonathan Oatis)
UNC campus police have made an arrest after a student reported an assault Wednesday night, according to social media posts by the university.

Around 8:55. p.m., a student reported being assaulted by an unknown male near Craige Residence Hall on Skipper Bowles Drive.

The suspect allegedly attempted to pull the student into the woods behind the dorm and push the student down, according to UNC.

The post also said the student fought off the attacker before seeking help from police.

!Alert Carolina! Around 8:55 pm a student reported being assaulted by a male by Craige Residence Hall. The man was arrested and is in custody.  UNC-Chapel Hill (@UNC) February 9, 2023

Campus police records show both an assault on a female and a kidnapping were reported at 9:01 p.m. Wednesday.

Students were altered via social media of the assault just before midnight. University officials said in the posts that the suspect has been arrested.

The suspects name has not yet been released.

The Orange Report

Calling Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough readers! Check out The Orange Report, a free weekly digest of some of the top stories for and about Orange County published in The News & Observer and The Herald-Sun. Get your newsletter delivered straight to your inbox every Thursday at 11 a.m. featuring links to stories by our local journalists. Sign up for our newsletter here. For even more Orange-focused news and conversation, join our Facebook group "Chapel Hill Carrboro Chat."
CEO Unilever Alan Jope - (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson

The outgoing boss of Unilever has insisted it will continue to focus on "social purpose", even as he refused to immediately stop selling products in Russia.

Alan Jope, chief executive of the Marmite, Dove and Magnum owner, said it was a false dichotomy to suggest that being ethical was incompatible with solid financial performance, despite criticism from a major shareholder.

However, he added that the company will continue selling food and hygiene products in Russia because "exiting is not straightforward".

Mr Jope's comments came on the same day that cigarette maker British American Tobacco (BAT) said it was "hopeful" a sale of its own Russian operations could go ahead by the end of 2023.

Terry Smith, whose 22bn Fundsmith vehicle is the 15th largest shareholder in Unilever, in January accused it of virtue signalling instead of focusing on making money.

Smith had previously railed against the idea of Hellman's mayonnaise having a "purpose".

In a recent letter to investors, he also gave the example of body wash brand Lux, whose website states its purpose is "inspiring women to rise above everyday sexist judgements and express their beauty and femininity unapologetically".

Mr Jope said: We are not an NGO. Everything we do is to create value for our stakeholders.

[Purpose and sustainability] helps us take out costs from the business, reduces risk and makes us a magnet for the best talent.

We see our commitment to sustainable business as an enhancer of strong financial performance.

Mr Jope also defended the decision to keep doing business in Russia, after Unilever was recently named as one of a number of multinational companies still heavily involved in the country almost a year since it invaded Ukraine by campaign group the Moral Rating Agency.

He said: Of course we absolutely condemn the war in the Ukraine as a brutal senseless unnecessary act by the Russian state.

Unilever suspended all investments, imports, exports, advertising and marketing in Russia in 2022, but continues to sell a range of food and hygiene products there.

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Exiting is not straightforward, said Mr Jope. We are not trying to protect the commercial value of our business in Russia.

He added he did not want to abandon approximately 3,000 employees in Russia or have its assets fall into the hands of the Russian state.

Mr Jope said that Unilever had not been able to find a solution for a sale of its Russian business, adding: There is no straightforward option and simple abandonment would definitely result in more contribution to the Russian economy than the approach we are taking right now.

Unilever warned investors on Thursday that there is a risk it may have to wind down its Russian business in the future, but Mr Jope said: We havent started considering a writedown".

Fellow FTSE 100 business BAT said it was pushing ahead with attempts to sell its own Russian and Belarusian businesses this year. Their value has been written down significantly but still stands at 752m, according to the company's most recent public filings.

BAT, which controls almost a quarter of the Russian cigarette market, has been in talks to offload its operations for almost 12 months in the wake of Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine.

Jack Bowles, chief executive, said: It is a complex business. We are not just a retailer selling goods over there.

If you are just a retailer and you stop shipping, thats easy. It can be done tomorrow.

BAT said last March that it was in advanced talks with SNS Group of Companies  its Russian joint venture partner  to transfer its operations in the country. The deal will also include BATs operations in Russian ally Belarus.

In the meantime the company continues to generate revenue from Russian sales and associated tax for the Kremlin. Finance chief Tadeu Marroco said that money from sales was ring-fenced.

The remarks came as BAT announced a 7.7pc rise in revenue to 28bn during 2022. Sales from its alternatives arm - which includes e-cigarettes - rose 41pc to 2.9bn.

The company rewarded shareholders with a 6pc dividend increase.

Unilever reported underlying sales growth above expectations for 2022, boosted by higher prices for many of its products. It added there are likely to be further price rises ahead

The business reported underlying sales growth of 9pc for 2022, higher than the 8.2pc rise expected by analysts. Annual profit rose to 10.3bn (9.1bn), up from 8.6bn in 2021.

Mr Jope said Unilever had only passed on 75pc of the costs it faces to consumers and asked shareholders to bear some of the brunt of pressures.

He said: We are acutely conscious of the pinch households are feeling from rising costs, he said.

Mr Jope is seeing out his last year at the helm of Unilever after announcing his retirement last September.

He will be replaced as chief in July by Hein Schumacher, who is leaving the post of chief executive at Dutch dairy company Royal FrieslandCampina.
A tenured professor fired by his university after he repeatedly brought concerns about sexual misconduct to university leaders was awarded $1 million in a settlement, according to an Oregon lawsuit.

The professor, Daniel Pollack-Pelzner, was fired by Linfield University without notice on April 27, 2021  the day his students were scheduled to submit their final projects, the lawsuit says.

Pollack-Pelzner says in the complaint he was fired for reporting allegations of sexual harassment from colleagues and students at the private university, which enrolls about 1,700 students with campuses in McMinnville and Portland.

In a statement, a university spokesperson said it had agreed to resolve all legal claims with Pollack-Pelzner but denied the allegations.

The university has made its position clear on the merits of the litigation through filings and submissions to the court, the statement says. However, defending against litigation, even when confident in the legal outcome, diverts time and energy from the mission of the institution. We felt it preferable to resolve this situation and move on Most importantly, this agreement allows Linfield to focus on building and expanding upon its rich educational heritage and creating a welcoming community for all.

Reporting sexual misconduct

In November 2019, a faculty member told Pollack-Pelzner, who served on the universitys Board of Trustees, that a new trustee had touched her, asked about her marital status, and proposed that she accompany him off-campus, during a faculty-trustee event, the complaint says .

That month, another faculty member told Pollack-Pelzner one of her former students said a trustee had inappropriately touched her and made inappropriate comments at a student-trustee event in spring 2019, the complaint says .

Pollack-Pelzner told the universitys vice president about the reports and suggested the Board of Trustees conduct sexual harassment training for trustees, come up with clear guidelines for trustee behavior and have alternative formats for social events, the complaint says.

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He led a group of faculty and staff members in sending a letter to university leadership requesting diversity and inclusion training for the campus community after hateful and racist graffiti was found in a dorm, the lawsuit says.

Pollack-Pelzner, who is Jewish, also reported anti-Semitic comments from university leaders, the complaint says.

In February 2020, the university president said Linfield would be destroyed from within like many ancient civilizations because of internal dissent and disloyal people who criticize the institution, according to the complaint. He also said people who criticize Linfield should follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, the complaint says.

During a meeting, a board chair also accused Pollack-Pelzner of having a secret agenda and attempting a power grab, comments he interpreted as anti-Semitic, according to the lawsuit.

Pollack-Pelzner, who was a tenured professor of English and Shakespeare, learned he was terminated on April 27, 2021, when his university-issued laptop froze in the middle of a work-related video conference, the complaint says. When he tried emailing his university email address, he received a bounceback message stating that he was no longer a Linfield employee.

A few hours later, he received an email from the universitys provost saying he had been terminated, according to the complaint.

The university did not pay him the salary or severance he was entitled to, the complaint says.

(Pollack-Pelzners) reports and opposition to unlawful discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual assault were a substantial factor in Linfields decisions to censor, discredit, disparage, and discharge plaintiff without even providing him the predismissal notice and a hearing to which all tenured University faculty are entitled, the complaint says. .

Pollack-Pelzners firing in April 2021 touched off a wave of protest from parents, alumni and a national education organization, according to The Oregonian.

The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, a national civil liberties organization focusing on the rights of students and faculty on college campuses, sent a letter to the universitys president in response to the firing.

The egregious nature of terminating a faculty critic without process cannot be overstated, nor can the chilling effect on student and faculty expression that will follow Linfields reckless conduct, the letter said, according to The Oregonian.

Pollack-Pelzner signed an agreement for a total settlement amount of $1,037,500 on Jan. 26, according to his lawyers.

Pollack-Pelzner, who is now a visiting scholar at Portland State University, said in a statement that everyone should be able to work and study without fear of discrimination or harassment.

And everyone should be able to report their safety concerns without fear of retaliation, the statement says. Im grateful for the many students, alumni, and colleagues who joined me in demanding change and refused to be silenced when Linfield failed to uphold these essential principles.

Former NBC reporter says she was fired after complaining of harassment. Now she sues

Professor lost job after showing class a painting of Prophet Muhammad, lawsuit says

Teacher says she lost her job after refusing to use students pronouns at Ohio school
A map claiming to show the areas of the US that may be targeted in a nuclear war that originally circulated in 2015 is making the rounds again, amid the Russian war in Ukraine.

The map indicates that areas such as Montana and North Dakota may be vital to strike US forces.

The map outlines possible targets in every US state, mostly located in the east, but also along the Californian coast.

In the west, Colorado, Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming have clusters of targets noted on the map.

Some of the larger targets include active nuclear plants. There are approximately 90 plants across the US, with some located in Alabama, Arizona, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.

Areas of rural Idaho, Maine, Northern California, as well as Oregon may be more improbable targets.

The US has placed its nuclear forces away from areas with high populations.

Intercontinental ballistic missile silos (ICBMs), military bases, and nuclear storage are spread out across the US.

The map was initially issued in 2015 (FEMA)

The map appears to date back to an article from US broadcaster CBS in 2015. It claims to have used data from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), Medicine and Global Survival, and the National Resources Defense Council. FEMA, however, has distanced itself from the map. A spokesman for the organisation said: FEMA does not, and has not, released any type of formal map of potential nuclear targets. However, FEMA provides information to the public to help them prepare for a potential hazardous or radiological event through Ready.gov.

Irwin Redlener at Columbia University specialises in disaster preparedness and notes that there are six cities in the US that are more likely to be targeted in a nuclear attack  New York, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington DC.

The cities have infrastructure considered to be vital to the workings of the country, such as financial centres, government agencies and energy plants.

Other possible targets include Dallas-Fort Worth, Miami, and Philadelphia.

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Last month, the State Department noted that Russia isnt adhering to the last active nuclear arms agreement with the US, which was renewed in 2021. Russia responded by rejecting the claims and accusing the US of not following the agreement.

Late in 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to use nuclear weapons not just in Ukraine.

He claimed that the West was employing nuclear blackmail and said Russia has various means of destruction in a threat directed at the US and Europe.

To defend Russia and our people, we doubtlessly will use all weapons resources at our disposal, he said. This is not a bluff.

Mr Putin said in December that Russia may change its policy of not being the first to use nuclear arms in a military conflict.

They have it in their strategy, in the documents it is spelt out  a preventive blow. We dont. We, on the other hand, have formulated a retaliatory strike in our strategy, Mr Putin during a press conference, referring to the US and Russia, according to CNN.

So if were talking about this disarming strike, then maybe think about adopting the best practices of our American partners and their ideas for ensuring their security. Were just thinking about it. No one was shy when they talked about it out loud in previous times and years, he said.

If a potential adversary believes it is possible to use the theory of a preventive strike, and we do not, then this still makes us think about those threats that are posed to us, he added.

As for the idea that Russia wouldnt use such weapons first under any circumstances, then it means we wouldnt be able to be the second to use them either  because the possibility to do so in case of an attack on our territory would be very limited, he said.

We are not just fighting with Ukraine, but with the collective West, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said.

Raising the alert of Russian nuclear forces is a bone-chilling development, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said last year.

This article was amended on February 10 2023. It originally stated that the map was issued by FEMA, but that was incorrect. The original CBS article claims the map was produced using information from FEMA as well as from other sources.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The House voted unanimously Thursday to condemn China's balloon surveillance program as a brazen violation of U.S. sovereignty, a rare and swift bipartisan rebuke of Beijing as questions mount about the craft the U.S. says was part of a vast aerial spy program.

The 419-0 action came as lawmakers clamoring for information about the balloon that flew across American skies were being briefed by U.S. officials in a classified session. The Senate also held a hearing Thursday about the balloon, which was shot down by the U.S. military last weekend.

This resolution, I believe, sends a clear bipartisan signal to the CCP and our adversaries around the world that this action will not be tolerated, said Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, referring to the Chinese Communist Party.

In a Congress riven by partisan splits, the shared anxiety over China's stealthy balloon surveillance program and the reach of the Beijing's global military and economic force provided an unusual opening for bipartisan agreement. The four-page resolution came together quickly, overcoming initial partisan divisions.

The top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs panel, Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, said China needs to come clean about its surveillance activities. It is now up to Beijing to demonstrate not just to the United States but to the world that it is serious about respecting international rules and law, he said.

The balloon flew from Alaska to the Atlantic Coast, but the U.S. didn't shoot it down until it was over the Atlantic, off South Carolina. That decision sparked bipartisan concerns, questions and outrage, some of it directed at President Joe Biden for not acting sooner. But the GOP-led House set criticism of Biden aside for now and focused instead on the People's Republic of China.

While it doesn't carry the force of law, the resolution approved by the House stands as an expression of concern as Congress delves into questions about the balloon and China's surveillance activity.

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Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., who chaired a Senate subcommittee hearing Thursday on the balloon, said earlier this week he wanted to know where "exactly it flew  particularly in Montana because Im very familiar with where the (missile) silos are  and questions like, Did it have capability to hover?

Congress has been delving into such questions since the balloon captured America's attention late last week, refocusing lawmakers on China.

There are very few bipartisan issues in Washington these days, but our national concern about the PRC is one of them, said retired U.S. Navy Adm. Harry Harris in testimony this week before the House Armed Services Committee.

Make no mistake, that balloon was intentionally launched as a calculated show of force, said Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., chair of the House Armed Services Committee, during Tuesday's hearing. We have to stop being naive about the threat we face from China.
The House voted unanimously Thursday to condemn China's balloon surveillance program as a brazen violation of US sovereignty, a rare and swift bipartisan rebuke of Beijing as questions mount about the craft the US says was part of a vast aerial spy program.

The 419-0 action comes as lawmakers clamoring for information about the white balloon that flew over American skies were being briefed by US officials in a classified session. The Senate held a hearing about the balloon, which crossed the United States before being shot down by US military jets last weekend.

This resolution, I believe, sends a clear bipartisan signal to the CCP and our adversaries around the world that this action will not be tolerated, said Republican US Rep Michael McCaul, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, referring to the Chinese Communist Party.

In a Congress riven by partisan splits, the shared anxiety over China's stealthy balloon surveillance program and the reach of the Beijing's global military and economic force provided an unusual opening for bipartisan agreement in the debate.

The top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs panel, US Rep Gregory Meeks of New York, said, It is now up to Beijing to demonstrate not just to the United States but to the world that it is serious about respecting international rules and law.

The balloon flew from Alaska to the Atlantic Ocean, but the U.S. didn't shoot it down until it was over the Atlantic, off the South Carolina coast. That sparked bipartisan concerns, questions and outrage, some of it directed at President Joe Biden for not acting sooner. But the GOP-led House set criticism of Biden aside for now and focused instead on the People's Republic of China.

Demcoratic Senator Jon Tester of Montana, who chairs the Senate subcommittee holding a hearing on the balloon, said he wanted to know exactly it flew  particularly in Montana because Im very familiar with where the (missile) silos are  and questions like, Did it have capability to hover?

"There are very few bipartisan issues in Washington these days, but our national concern about the PRC is one of them," said retired US Navy Admiral Harry Harris in testimony this week before the House Armed Services Committee.

Make no mistake, that balloon was intentionally launched as a calculated show of force, said Republican US Rep Mike Rogers, chair of the House Armed Services Committee. We have to stop being naive about the threat we face from China.
Cheryl Ray and Jennifer Craven were enjoying a fresh egg sandwich at Murphys by the Ocean on Thursday morning  the start to what ordinarily would be a relaxing day along North Myrtle Beachs shoreline.

But as they ate, a 60-ton U.S. Navy Landing Craft Air Cushion idled in the sand, taking on provisions that would be shuttled back out to sea to assist crews recovering debris from a Chinese spy balloon. The balloon was shot out of the sky on Saturday off the South Carolina coast.

Im glad theyre here, and Im glad theyre doing what theyre doing. You hear about it all the time, but you never see it, Ray said.

North Myrtle Beach Mayor Marilyn Hatley said she couldnt disclose any logistics about the vessels schedule, and inquiries to the U.S. Department of Defense werent immediately returned.

The LCAC is a high-speed, over-the-beach, fully amphibious landing craft capable of carrying a 60 to 75 ton payload. It is used to transport the weapons systems, equipment, cargo and personnel of the assault elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force from ship to shore and across the beach, according to the Navy.

Tony Warren, who runs a North Myrtle Beach-based real estate company, gathered along with some friends on the beach shortly after the LCACs 8 a.m. landing.

Were happy to be Americans, watching all this stuff unfold, he said. Wished wed have shot it down way back yonder instead of over here. It is crazy, it is crazy. I own a real estate company, Im telling everyone, this is the place to be.

In addition to local police and South Carolina Highway Patrol troopers monitoring crowds gathered along the beach to watch the LCAC on Thursday were Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents who are working with the FBI on salvage operations.

Laden with fresh produce, items from nearby Boulineaus Foods Plus, Chick-Fil-A and even a birthday cake, the LCAC shot back into the water just after 1 p.m. to cheers and chants of USA!

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Authorities pushed back a crowd of more than 100 to a point roughly 30 feet from where the LCAC powered up.

Within a minute, high velocity propellers thrust the craft several inches off the ground, sending sand and mist across a nearby parking lot.

Miles offshore, surveying ship USNS Pathfinder sailed with the USS Carter Hall, a dock landing ship, along with a Navy explosive ordnance disposal unit, according to earlier Defense Department updates.

Air Force Gen. Glen VenHerck, commander of North American Aerospace Defense, said during a Feb. 6 briefing with reporters, the work ahead to recover all pieces of the balloon will be arduous and likely take months.

So the USS Carter Hall, a U.S. Navy ship under the command and control of NORTHCOM through my Navy component, now the North, Navy North, led by Admiral Daryl Caudle, theyre on station in the vicinity of the splashdown, and theyve been collecting debris, category  categorizing the debris since arrival, VanHerck said in the briefing distributed by the Defense Department.

In his first speech on the House floor, U.S. Rep. Russell Fry, R-7th District, urged Congress to adopt a resolution he co-sponsored condemning Chinas use of aerial surveillance to spy on America.

The measure was approved on a 419-0 vote.

More than 19 million people visit our area to enjoy our beautiful beaches and southern hospitality along more than 60 miles of coast. Myrtle Beach is known for many things, but part of that equation has never been being part of an international incident taking place right off of our shores, he said Thursday in remarks carried on C-SPAN. Let me be clear: This was a blatant violation of American sovereignity.

VanHerck said in his briefing the search field is about 15 football fields long and wide. The Pathfinder is using sonar and other tools to map the entire area.

Other agencies have also been working with the U.S. Navy to recover pieces of the Chinese spy balloon.
A high-altitude balloon over Billings, Montana, on February 1. Chase Doak/via REUTERS

Lawmakers are scrutinizing the military's response to the Chinese spy balloon that floated over the US this month.

Officials say they waited to shoot it down to lower the risk to the public and increase their ability to recover it.

US officials say balloons have crossed over the US before as part of a wider Chinese surveillance program.

When a US Air Force F-22 blasted a Chinese surveillance balloon out of the sky with an AIM-9X missile on Saturday  a first for the plane and the missile  it brought the balloon's journey across the US to an end.

US officials say they first detected the balloon on January 28 as it approached Alaska's Aleutian Islands. It then floated across the US, including over military facilities housing ICBMs and stealth bombers, before its demise roughly 6 miles off the coast of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

The eight-day wait and the sensitivity of those bases have alarmed lawmakers, who called defense officials to Capitol Hill on Thursday to explain their handling of the incident. In response to questions about why the military didn't bring down the balloon sooner, the officials stressed that they believed there was a low threat of it gathering valuable intelligence and that shooting it down presented an outsized risk.

US Northern Command "assessed that there was no hostile act, hostile intent, or potential impact to critical intelligence capabilities," Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims II, director for operations for the Joint Staff, told the Senate Appropriations Defense subcommittee. Moreover, Sims said, the command "was continuing to characterize the system."

US sailors recover a high-altitude surveillance balloon off of Myrtle Beach on February 5. Petty Officer 1st Class Tyler Thompson

Sims emphasized that the risks of downing the balloon over land, even while it was over sparsely populated areas of Alaska, were considered too high. "At that time, we didn't understand through the modeling if we shot that what it would do on the ground," Sims said.

"Ultimately, it came back to maybe a 20-mile by 20-mile piece of ground, and without being able to clear that, we wouldn't do that in combat," Sims said of a potential shoot-down. "I think in this case, we certainly didn't want to take that chance with Alaska or any other Americans throughout the flight path."

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At the same hearing, Melissa Dalton, assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense, said officials were focused on being able to retrieve the balloon.

"A key piece of this is the recovery, for us to be able to exploit and understand this balloon and its capabilities fully," Dalton said.

Six miles off the of the Aleutians, a chain of islands stretching across the Bering Sea, water depth goes "very quickly from about 150 feet to over 18,000 feet," Dalton said.

"The winter water temperatures in the Bering Sea hover consistently in the low 30s, which would make recovery and salvage operations very dangerous," Dalton said. "Additionally, the northern portion of the Bering Sea has ice cover, which can be extremely dangerous."

US sailors recover a high-altitude surveillance balloon off of Myrtle Beach on February 5. US Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tyler Thompson

"Again, a key part of the calculus for this operation was the ability to salvage, understand, and exploit the capabilities of the high-altitude balloon, and we look forward to sharing that with you in a classified session and also openly as we learn more," Dalton said.

The balloon, which was roughly 200 feet tall, carried a payload that officials said weighed several thousand pounds. Most of the debris landed in about 47 feet of water, which "will make it fairly easy" to recover, a senior military official said shortly after the shoot-down. Waters off of Myrtle Beach are 50 degrees on average in February.

US military personnel and law-enforcement agencies began collecting debris over the weekend. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III told CBS News on Wednesday that most of the balloon had been recovered and that officials were preparing to recover the cameras and antennas it had been carrying.

The balloon's intelligence value has been a point of contention. Lawmakers have expressed concern about what it could reveal about US capabilities, while US officials have said repeatedly that steps were taken to obscure sensitive US hardware and that they believe the US will glean more from the balloon than China was able to gather with it.

US officials had mapped the balloon's route and "took measures to protect those sites, per established protocols," Dalton said Thursday. "That included sensitive communications and covering up certain facilities."

US officials have also said that the balloon is also part of a worldwide surveillance program.

A Chinese spy balloon drifts to the ocean after being shot down off the South Carolina coast on February 4. Randall Hill/Reuters

A State Department official said in a statement on Thursday that the US knows China has flown such balloons "over more than 40 countries across 5 continents" and that they are part of a "fleet of balloons developed to conduct surveillance operations."

High-resolution images taken by U-2 spy planes showed that the balloon was capable of gathering electronic signals like those emitted by military hardware, the official said. The balloon also carried equipment with multiple antennas, including "an array likely capable of collecting and geo-locating communications," as well as solar panels large enough "to produce the requisite power to operate multiple active intelligence collection sensors."

At least four similar balloons have crossed over US territory in recent years, though for much shorter periods than the balloon shot down this month.

Those balloons weren't identified due to what the head of US Northern Command called "a domain-awareness gap," but Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, said Wednesday that "subsequent intelligence analysis" found them to be Chinese surveillance balloons and that US officials had "learned a lot" about how to track them.

"This last week provided the United States with a unique opportunity to learn a lot more about the Chinese surveillance balloon program  all information that will help us to continue to strengthen our ability to track these kinds of objects," Ryder said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Treasury Department and the United Kingdom on Thursday announced joint sanctions against seven individuals tied to a Russia-based cybercrime gang known as Trickbot.

First identified in 2016, Trickbot reportedly targeted hospitals and health care centers with ransomware attacks at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

The Treasury Department noted an incident where the group launched ransomware against three Minnesota medical facilities, which disrupted their computer networks and telephones, causing a diversion of ambulances.

Cyber criminals, particularly those based in Russia, seek to attack critical infrastructure, target U.S. businesses, and exploit the international financial system, said Treasury Under Secretary Brian E. Nelson in a statement.

The agency also said that the group is associated with the Russian Intelligence Services.

The sanctions against the group block its access to all property and interests in property held by the designated individuals in the U.S. or in possession of U.S. citizens,

The State Department also released a statement on the matter calling Russia a safe haven for cybercriminals, where groups such as Trickbot freely perpetrate malicious cyber activities against the United States, the United Kingdom, and our allies and partners.

These activities have targeted critical infrastructure, including hospitals and medical facilities, the statement said.

The Treasury Departments sanctions are the latest action taken by the U.S. government to combat cybercrime.

In late January, the Department of Justice said it disrupted an international ransomware group responsible for extorting more than $100 million in payments from organizations, including hospitals and schools, based in the U.S. and around the world.

The ransomware group, known as Hive, has targeted more than 1,500 victims around the world since its operation began in June 2021, the Justice Department said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Bouquets of flowers, handwritten notes and candy often come to mind when you think of Valentine's Day. Whether you celebrate with friends, family or a romantic partner, the holiday is a special one to express your love, affection and appreciation for another person.

But how did Valentine's Day come to be?

Well, roses are red, violets are blue, USA TODAY wants to give some information on Valentine's Day to you. So, here is when Valentine's Day 2023 is, the history of the holiday and why we celebrate.

Just Curious? Your everyday questions, answered.

When is Valentine's Day?

Valentine's Day 2023 is Tuesday, February 14.

Best Valentine's Day gift baskets to give in 2023: Tasty treats for everyone you love

How did Valentine's Day start?

Valentine's Day as we know it, full of love, candy and flowers, is very different from the holiday's origins.

Valentine's Day has roots in Christianity, according to History.com. In fact, there were multiple St. Valentines in history, and it is unclear who the real namesake for the holiday is.

One Valentine was a priest in third century Rome who defied Emperor Claudius II after Claudius II outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine would perform marriages in secret for young lovers. This ultimately led to Valentine's death.

Another, St. Valentine of Terni, was a bishop beheaded by Emperor Claudius who many believe is the true namesake for the holiday.

There are many other legends of St. Valentine, including one told of an imprisoned Valentine sending the first valentine greeting after falling in love with a young girl who often visited him. Before his death, Valentine allegedly wrote her a letter signed: "From your Valentine."

While the true story of Valentine's Day is debatable, most portray the saint as a heroic, kind and romantic person.

What's the story behind Valentine's Day? Less about love and more of a bloodbath

What's your state's favorite Valentine's Day treat? Google shares popular searches

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Why do we celebrate Valentine's Day?

Despite its less-than romantic and more so bleak origins, February 14 is now known as a day for love. This came in part from the Middle Ages, during which it was believed the date marked the start of birds' mating season.

Additionally, the pagan celebration of Lupercalia was on February 15, and the Church wanted to "Christianize" the holiday: queue St. Valentine. Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to the Roman god of agriculture Faunus, as well as to Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome.

During the festival, priests would sacrifice specific animals for fertility and purification and ritualistically place the sacrificial blood on women. It was believed those who received the blood would be more fertile the next year.

In 1375, Geoffrey Chaucer wrote Parliament of Foules," which was the first poem to record Valentine's Day: For this was sent on Seynt Valentynes day / Whan every foul cometh ther to chese his make.

25 Valentine's Day gifts for her: Clothing, accessories and treats she'll actually love

40 Valentine's Day gift ideas for him: Tech, tools and more to make your special guy smile

By the 18th century, the exchange of small gifts or cards on Valentine's Day between friends and lovers became commonplace. By 1900, printed cards were the norm to show affection to another as printing technology improved.

And the well-known and ever-popular Hallmark card was first introduced in 1910 when Hallmark founder J.C. Hall sold postcards for Valentine's Day. In 1912, the company switched over to greeting cards and they hit store shelves in 1916.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When is Valentine's Day 2023? And a little on why we celebrate.
Courtesy Freedom Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, it seems like every trans person knows someone who is leaving.

For Lukas, a 23-year-old college senior, it isnt so much a question of whether he will go, but when. Lukas, who has asked to use their first name to protect his privacy, is a nonbinary art student in the city of Norman. Hes just begun the process of trying to get a doctor to prescribe him testosterone to alleviate his dysphoria  and he dreams of one day getting top surgery.

But recently, Republicans in the state legislature introduced a bill that would force Lukas to delay getting care for years. When SB 129 was prefiled in January, it proposed a ban on gender-affirming care for anyone under the age of 26  the first time legislation in the US has targeted access to care for trans adults.

The bill was then known as the Millstone Act, drawing its name from a Bible passage that states that it would be better to tie a stone around ones neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea than to harm a child. The bill also sought to criminalize doctors and healthcare professionals for providing this care.

On Wednesday, the bills Republican sponsor, state Sen. David Bullard, amended the bills language, removing any reference to age restrictions or biblical boulders. The new text of the bill would ban the use of public funds going toward gender-affirming care  which means that trans people of all ages could face challenges seeking care at a state- or county-owned facility.

Though their access to healthcare doesnt have an age limit on it  for now  the rise in anti-trans bills has made Lukas feel defeated and also fearful of the growing hostility against trans and gender-nonconforming people in Oklahoma. Over the last two years, they have watched as their trans friends graduate and move away to left-leaning states with better protections for trans people  and Lukas knows one day they will join in this migration.

Courtesy Lukas

But for now, with a good scholarship at the university and high rents outside the state, Lukas is staying put. The general community is kind of shrinking and, as time goes on, I imagine its just going to get smaller after this, he said.

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Trans people across the state told BuzzFeed News the introduction of dozens of bills that target sex education, forcibly out trans youth in schools, and criminalize doctors who provide gender affirming care has already harmed the community. Many are reconsidering their long-term plans to stay in Oklahoma. Even though lawmakers have pulled back one attempt to raise the age to access gender-affirming care, its making a point, they said: that the rights of trans people of any age in the state are under attack.

In Oklahoma City, Nile Glover, a 30-year-old trans woman, has already made the difficult decision to flee this month with her partner, Violet, who is nonbinary. Glover said when she learned about SB 129 it felt like a warning sign. She began crowdfunding to cover moving fees after the bill was introduced last month and drove out to Colorado with her partner to look for an apartment.

Theyre very clearly coming for us specifically. We dont want to stick around and wait for something to stick and live in whatever hellscape thats going to be, Glover said. She had always planned to leave Oklahoma one day, but she never imagined having to do it under these circumstances. It sucks to be kind of ripped away from your family and everyone you care about, she said. Were basically starting over. Thats very scary.

Nicole McAfee, the executive director of Freedom Oklahoma, a Two-Spirit LGBTQ advocacy organization, believes that bills like SB 129 are proposed to intentionally appear extreme; legislators can then strike a compromise that doesnt go as far as their original text. Their group is tracking at least 45 other state bills that target LGBTQ people, a dozen of which aim to restrict access to trans healthcare. Both SB 250 and SB 252 would restrict public funding for care for minors; its likely theyll pass this year. Another bill, HB 1011, would ban gender-affirming care for Oklahomans under the age of 21.

The bills advancing in Oklahomas legislature sit in opposition to the recommendations of major medical associations that deem gender-affirming care as medically necessary for trans youth. The American Medical Association has repeatedly said that it is inappropriate and harmful for politicians to interfere with this kind of care.

Its especially important to make sure that people know theres not any age when its appropriate to ban best practice medical care for trans folks, McAfee said.

Oklahoma has already rolled back access to care for some trans youth. In October 2022, Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt signed SB 3 , which blocked funding for gender-affirming care for minors at OU Health, the states only childrens hospital.

On Monday, Stitt delivered a State of the State address and made clear that restricting this care to minors was a top priority. Im calling for the legislature to send me a bill that bans all gender transition surgeries and hormone therapies on minors in the state of Oklahoma, he said to a standing ovation of legislators.

Outside the state capitol building, however, dozens of protesters  everyday trans Oklahomans, organizers, and policy advocates  gathered for a rally in opposition to Stitts proposed future.

Protesting on behalf on trans rights in fourth floor rotunda ahead of todays Oklahoma State of the State address. 06:09 PM - 06 Feb 2023

McAfee, who joined the protesters on Monday, said it was heartening to see the community come out to support trans people. It was so powerful, they said. It was joyous, so many trans folks felt so excited to see other trans people.

Still, McAfee feels like the rest of the country has largely ignored the escalation of anti-trans policies and attitudes in Oklahoma.

Oftentimes people look to Texas and Florida as incubators for some of the worst legislation.  Unfortunately a lot of bad ideas come out of Oklahoma too, they said. In a state that is perceived to be as red as Oklahoma, theres not a lot of investment, because its not a place where there are easy wins on the horizon or the promise of shifting politics.

Its a tough landscape for lawmakers like state Rep. Mauree Turner, a Democrat and the countrys first nonbinary Muslim legislator, who wants to push for trans-inclusive policies within a Republican-controlled government. Turner was vocal in their opposition to the governors ban on gender-neutral markers for state documents in 2022. Turner says that one of the biggest challenges is their conservative colleagues lack of understanding of trans and nonbinary identities.

Being a trans person and being on this side of the legislature, Ive never leaned more into community and also simultaneously never felt more alone in my life, Turner said. They said that the legislatures current investment in rolling back trans rights distracts from important equity issues facing residents of the state.

State Rep. Mauree Turner Sue Orgocki via AP

Peoples lives and their healthcare  all of this is put on halt because of the majority of the Oklahoma legislature said, Instead of making sure folks in my county have access to jobs, potable water, a living wage  the easiest thing for me to do right now is actually attack trans kids and trans folks in Oklahoma, Turner said.

The uncertainty and confusion of Oklahomas legislative session hasnt only made some residents consider moving, it has also forced healthcare providers to have challenging  and painful  conversations with patients about what the future of trans care could look like in the state.

In Tulsa, Dr. Joshua Yap, who practices at Planned Parenthood, said many of their patients have asked about their options if this bill were to pass. In some cases, Yap said, telehealth care and front-loading prescriptions for hormones could help fill in the gaps.

The precarity of this kind of healthcare isnt new to Yap, who remembers the last days of abortion in Oklahoma. He had to manage a massive influx of Texas patients at the Oklahoma clinic after the state passed SB 8. But unlike abortion, Yap said that gender-affirming care isnt a onetime procedure. Patients have to get blood work every three or six months. Hormone therapy requires prescription refills, and for testosterone, which is regulated as a controlled substance, the timing can get complicated.

In this situation, it feels a lot more long-term. Its not just impacting them at one moment, its going to impact their lives for several years to come, Yap said. I think this would be a larger upset and destruction to someones life and healthcare.

Kendall Walton, a 33-year-old trans woman, already feels that impact. After surviving conversion therapy as a teen (the practice is still legal in much of the state), she said she faced housing insecurity and job discrimination due to peoples anti-trans views. Now as an adult, shes struggling to raise funds for breast augmentation, which she hopes to do out of state as she says Oklahomas surgeons often arent trained to care for trans patients.

Courtesy Kendall Walton

Currently a college student, Walton says her younger trans classmates often joke about leaving the state for good. She said if SB 129 passes, she knows how impossible it will become for people taking hormone replacement therapy to keep up with their doses, even with telehealth filling in some of the gaps.

Its not like you can travel to California every three months for your blood work. Thats just unrealistic, she said.

We can buy cigarettes, we can buy a gun, we can buy alcohol, but were still not old enough to have a private agreement with our medical provider on what we want to do with our own body, she added.

All of the uncertainty is weighing on Lukas just as hes begun to figure out how he wants his body to move through the world. Since many of his trans friends have left the state, he tends to keep to himself, focusing on his art and cultivating his voice as a writer. Even when he rides out to Oklahoma Citys queer district, he said he can feel an undercurrent of tension among the patrons around the few LGBTQ-friendly bars and clubs.

But on Monday at the state capitol, he felt a glimmer of hope watching trans people gather in a crowd to support one another. I didnt have that support growing up, so its pretty heartwarming to see parents physically embracing their trans children, Lukas said. Our queer communities feel so isolated that you almost forget you arent the only one.

More on this
Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin addresses former convicts as he releases them from serving in his mercenary army, according to state-controlled media. RIA Novosti

The Wagner Group has stopped recruiting prisoners to fight in Ukraine, its founder said Thursday.

Reports say prisoners are refusing to go because they know about Wagner's high rate of casualties.

One prisoner told Meduza they no longer want "even to discuss the possibility" of joining the war.

The Wagner Group has stopped recruiting prisoners as growing numbers refuse to be enlisted on suicide missions in Ukraine, according to multiple reports.

A prisoner in Russia's Tula region told the independent Russian media outlet Meduza in a report published Wednesday that inmates no longer want "even to discuss the possibility" of joining the war in Ukraine.

"One of the prisoners who left [with Wagner Group] told me that after he asked [Wagner] representatives how much training there would be, [they told him], 'The battlefield will be your training.' It's quite possible that they're already directly participating [in combat]," the prisoner told Meduza.

Another prisoner in the Urals told Meduza that more than 1,000 convicts accepted Wagner Group's offer in October, while only 340 enlisted in December.

Earlier this month, MediaZona tracked the journey of another recruited prisoner, who tried to escape the front and return to prison.

"We thought we'd be equal with the hired fighters, that we wouldn't be any different, but in reality they just make assault teams out of the inmates, and that's the meat [in the meat grinder]," the prisoner told MediaZona.

Russian prisoners for Wagner also said they've witnessed public executions of deserters and those who failed to obey orders.

The mercenary organization has now "completely" stopped recruiting prisoners, its founder Yevgeny Prigozhin said in a Telegram statement on Thursday.

The group has been a major player as a Russian proxy in President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

Prigozhin did not give a reason behind the decision nor did he indicate how long the process has been stopped for. The statement was published by Concord Management, the catering company founded by Prigozhin.

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Prigozhin first started recruiting convicts to fight in Ukraine last summer. He was seen traveling to multiple prisons around the country to try to persuade convicts to fight in exchange for freedom and money.

Tens of thousands of prisoners took the deal, but most of them died on the battlefield, according to investigations by The New York Times and Reuters.

A Ukrainian military intelligence report, published in December and first obtained by CNN, said that Wagner Group fighters, which include prisoners, "have become the disposable infantry" in Ukraine.

A Ukrainian soldier who recently had a run-in with a group of Wagner mercenaries told CNN that the first group of attackers was mainly made up of recruits from Russian prisons, comparing the battle to something out of a "zombie movie."

Read the original article on Business Insider
(This opinion article represents the collective viewpoint of the Akron Beacon Journal's Editorial Board, which includes two editors and four community members.)

Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens was elected January 3, 2023.

The new year brought many surprises to the Ohio Statehouse, where the supermajority of Republicans has splintered and given advocates for abortion rights and fair political districts a significant window of opportunity.

Whether they will seize the moment remains to be seen.

Following Republicans' November sweep of statewide offices and two-thirds of legislative seats  the latter in defiance of the Ohio Supreme Court  they launched a movement it make it more difficult for Ohioans to amend the state constitution. Instead of the traditional 50% vote, Republicans wanted to require 60% approval to amend the state's governing document.

Their goal was to block efforts for statewide votes on two key issues threatening their agenda and grip on power.

Polls show Ohioans favor enshrining abortion rights in the state's constitution after last year's United States Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade. There's also strong support for removing politicians from future redistricting decisions after last year's fiasco that saw Republicans maintain illegal election districts.

But the GOP's plan has gone awry, first during the December lame duck session when Republicans failed to advance their 60% gambit and again in January  when Rep. Jason Stephens won the House speaker's seat by working with Democrats to upset Republican choice Rep. Derek Merrin.

Stephens' victory has paralyzed the House and prevented the 60-percent effort from making the deadline to appear on the May 2 primary ballot. It's also provided a glimmer of hope that some Republicans see a path to prosperity by working in a bipartisan manner for the people of Ohio and respecting majority rule. But it does not mean the 60-percent initiative won't appear on the November ballot with Stephens not ruling out the possibility.

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Nor is there any guarantee voters will back the GOP concept, although the mere possibility should spur backers of these two issues to marshal their forces for November votes.

We believe the best and most democratic way to resolve abortion rights in Ohio is to allow for a vote of the people on a well-crafted amendment that protects the rights of women. The heavily gerrymandered Legislature can't be trusted to accurately represent the will of Ohioans.

The same argument is true for redistricting reform, where power clearly needs to be removed from politicians whether they are Republicans or Democrats. The temptation to stack the deck to maintain power is too strong.

There are two advocacy groups organizing abortion amendments, with one aiming to make the Aug. 10 deadline for the November ballot and another eyeing the 2024 presidential election when Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown also will be seeking reelection.

Unfortunately, it does not appear redistricting will make the ballot this year. Former Ohio Chief Justice (and former Summit County prosecutor) Maureen O'Connor announced Wednesday she is supporting the effort. O'Connor, forced to retire due to age limits, sided with Democratic justices last year on redistricting and cautioned care must be taken to properly craft loophole-free language.

The good news is redistricting issues on the ballots in 2015 and 2018 passed with more than 70% of the vote.

The reality is any effort to amend the constitution must overcome the already daunting process of drafting language, collecting enough valid signatures from registered voters in 44 counties, getting the effort approved by Republican state leaders looking for any excuse to derail the process and winning voter support.

It's hardly easy.

We hope voters get a fair chance to make these important decisions in the true spirit of our democracy.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Waiting for 2024 could derail abortion, redistricting referendums
Ben Wallace

According to him, instead of urgently transferring jets to Kyiv, London will focus on alternative methods that would help cover Ukraine from the air, using long-range missiles and drones.

Read also: Boris Johnson calls for fighter jets and more tanks for Ukraine

Wallace also pushed backed against a suggestion made by former UK prime minister Boris Johnson, claiming that Johnsons suggestion that Britain could transfer 100 Typhoon combat aircraft to Ukraine is unrealistic, noting that that aircraft would most likely not be equipped for ground attacks.

Wallace also explained that the Typhoon is produced by a coalition of countries and their permission would be needed for the transfer.

Read also: Zelenskyy presents Ukrainian pilot helmet to UK parliament  video report

On Feb. 8, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the United Kingdom, where he called for the transfer of fighter jets to Ukraine. The media reported that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak instructed Defense Secretary Ben Wallace to study which aircraft London could send to Kyiv, though a final decision has yet to be made.

Read also: Zelenskyy, Sunak agree on supply of long-range weapons to Ukraine

On Feb. 9, Zelenskyy spoke at the European Parliament. Before his address, President Roberta Metsola called on EU members to consider the possibility of providing Ukraine with fighter jets and long-range weapons.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is working on obtaining a initial squadron of foreign combat aircraft. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated that some European partners of Ukraine have already taken up the issue of fighter jets.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (AP)  Hours after being told she could go home for the first time since a train hauling chemicals derailed and later sent up a toxic plume near the Pennsylvania state line, Melissa Henry nervously walked inside her house.

First, she washed her sheets and pillow cases. Then she started throwing out everything left on her kitchen counters. She opened all of her windows too, hoping to air out whatever might have seeped inside while fearful of the air outside too.

Was that the right thing to do or not? You just dont know, she said Thursday. It was a nightmare, it still is.

Residents forced to evacuate the Ohio village of East Palestine began trickling home after being told Wednesday that hundreds of air samples showed no dangerous levels of toxins following the controlled release and burn of five tankers that were among nearly 50 cars that derailed last Friday.

Some, including Henry, came back within the first few hours while others were waiting to see the results of air sampling inside their homes before returning.

I was a nervous freaking wreck last night, she said. My kids are here thats my biggest concern.

Henry and her two boys had stayed with her parents for nearly five days while waiting for the derailment to be cleaned up. She left on Saturday before the mandatory evacuations were ordered because her youngest son's eyes turned red as tomato and he was coughing a lot, she said.

Since coming home, she and the boys have been washing clothes, changing filters in the furnace and scrubbing down just about everything. I dont know if thats going to work, but we have to do something, she said.

Mayor Trent Conaway acknowledged people remain frustrated by lingering odors, and promised the village is not just taking the word" of rail operator Norfolk Southern Railway and has Environmental Protection Agency representatives involved in air testing. The villages drinking water system is being tested daily and is safe, he said.

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The mayor expressed frustration that trains started running through the area again right after the evacuation order was lifted, and said that was sooner than hed expected.

He said his primary concern is his residents and their health, and he promised to hold Norfolk Southern accountable.

This isnt going to get swept under the rug. Im not going to be the country bumpkin that gets, you know, talked over by a big corporation," Conaway said. "Were going to hold their feet to the fire. Theyre going to do what they said they were going to do, and theyre going to protect the people of this town.

About 300 requests for air testing in homes have been received so far, Columbiana County EMA Director Peggy Clark said. The testing takes a half-hour for each home, and is being handled by four teams working 10 hours a day, she said.

James Justice of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Wednesday it was unlikely there be would any dangerous levels of toxins inside any homes or businesses based on readings from air monitors around the community.

Schools in East Palestine, which were closed all week because of the derailment, tentatively plan to reopen Monday but will remain closed this week to deep-clean buildings and have HVAC systems inspected.

Mallory Burkett, who lives just outside the area where residents were forced to leave but decided to evacuate on her own, said it was strange feeling to return.

Nobody really knows what this is going to do, Burkett said. Ten years from now is when well really know.

___

Seewer reported from Toledo, Ohio. Associated Press writer Kantele Franko in Columbus, Ohio, contributed to this report.
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A former Wells Fargo senior vice president and wealth advisor is suing the company after she said it did nothing to stop repeated sexual harassment from one of her superiors, a managing director.

In the lawsuit, filed Feb. 2, the senior vice president, identified only as Jane Doe, also accuses the managing director of raping her during a work trip to Bakersfield, California.

When she reported the sexual misconduct to Wells Fargo, no meaningful investigation ensued and she instead had to endure adverse actions at work, including having her clients reassigned to another employee and being excluded from client communications, the lawsuit says.

A spokesperson for Wells Fargo, which is headquartered in San Francisco, said in a statement, We take all allegations of misconduct very seriously and are reviewing the lawsuit.

Sexual harassment at work

Throughout her employment, the senior vice president was subjected to sexually explicit comments and inappropriate touching by the managing director, who was her superior within Wells Fargo, the complaint says.

He made comments about her appearance, including saying that she aged like fine wine and that skinny jeans made her butt look good, the complaint says.

He groped or attempted to grope her multiple times at work events and regularly invited her to his second home in Lake Tahoe, excluding their respective families, the complaint says. He also suggested that she sleep with the son of one of the companys wealthy clients and exchange sex for money, according to the complaint.

On Jan. 28, 2020, a team of Wells Fargo employees went to Bakersfield to meet with clients and prospective clients, and they all stayed in a hotel. During a dinner, the senior vice president stepped away from the table to go to the bathroom. When she returned, she found that the managing director and three other male colleagues had gone through her purse, taken inappropriate pictures of themselves on her phone and taken her credit card and hotel room key, the lawsuit says.

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The employees went for drinks at a bar before returning to their respective hotel rooms. At some point in the night, the senior vice president received a knock on her door, and when she opened it, the managing director barged in, began kissing her and then sexually assaulted and raped her, the complaint says.

About a month later, she complained to one of her supervisors that the managing director made her uncomfortable, but that supervisor told her that it was up to her not to give the managing director a window of opportunity to be inappropriate, the complaint says.

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the senior vice president asked what would be the most appropriate way to come in to work, and the managing director said swim suit attire (would be) most appropriate, the complaint says.

On Nov. 13, 2020, she made a formal complaint through the Wells Fargo ethics hotline about the rape on the night of Jan. 28, 2020, and also made a complaint through the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, the complaint says.

She accuses Wells Fargo of not actively investigate her complaint and instead punishing her by taking away her clients and threatening to exclude her from lucrative accounts, according to the complaint.

In April 2021, she submitted a formal charge through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, at which point Wells Fargo kicked off its internal investigation, the complaint says . The investigation was still active in July 2021, according to the complaint.

Wells Fargo is either grossly incompetent or insidiously calculating to still have an investigation about rape open 8 months on, the complaint says .

The senior vice president decided to resign that month for her mental well-being, according to the lawsuit.

Seeking damages

Throughout her employment with Wells Fargo, the senior vice president had to deal with a hostile work environment, which included repeated derogatory comments, inappropriate touching, and rape, by the managing director, the lawsuit says.

Other supervisors and the company as a whole failed to take immediate and appropriate corrective action to stop the harassment, the complaint says.

The company also retaliated against her after she complained about the harassment, the lawsuit says.

She is seeking damages, including unpaid wages, loss of earnings and other employment benefits, as well as damages for emotional distress, medical expenses and attorneys fees, the lawsuit says.

Supervisor harassed female auto technician and gave her demeaning jobs, feds say

University fired professor who reported sexual misconduct, Oregon lawsuit says

Bikini coffee shop owner accused of sexually abusing workers, Oregon cops say
We can readily understand why investors are attracted to unprofitable companies. For example, although software-as-a-service business Salesforce.com lost money for years while it grew recurring revenue, if you held shares since 2005, you'd have done very well indeed. But while history lauds those rare successes, those that fail are often forgotten; who remembers Pets.com?

Given this risk, we thought we'd take a look at whether Seafarms Group (ASX:SFG) shareholders should be worried about its cash burn. In this report, we will consider the company's annual negative free cash flow, henceforth referring to it as the 'cash burn'. We'll start by comparing its cash burn with its cash reserves in order to calculate its cash runway.

See our latest analysis for Seafarms Group

Does Seafarms Group Have A Long Cash Runway?

You can calculate a company's cash runway by dividing the amount of cash it has by the rate at which it is spending that cash. As at June 2022, Seafarms Group had cash of AU$36m and no debt. Importantly, its cash burn was AU$61m over the trailing twelve months. So it had a cash runway of approximately 7 months from June 2022. To be frank, this kind of short runway puts us on edge, as it indicates the company must reduce its cash burn significantly, or else raise cash imminently. You can see how its cash balance has changed over time in the image below.

How Well Is Seafarms Group Growing?

It was quite stunning to see that Seafarms Group increased its cash burn by 300% over the last year. While that's concerning on it's own, the fact that operating revenue was actually down 6.5% over the same period makes us positively tremulous. In light of the above-mentioned, we're pretty wary of the trajectory the company seems to be on. Of course, we've only taken a quick look at the stock's growth metrics, here. You can take a look at how Seafarms Group has developed its business over time by checking this visualization of its revenue and earnings history.

How Hard Would It Be For Seafarms Group To Raise More Cash For Growth?

Given its revenue and free cash flow are both moving in the wrong direction, shareholders may well be wondering how easily Seafarms Group could raise cash. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. One of the main advantages held by publicly listed companies is that they can sell shares to investors to raise cash and fund growth. By comparing a company's annual cash burn to its total market capitalisation, we can estimate roughly how many shares it would have to issue in order to run the company for another year (at the same burn rate).

Seafarms Group has a market capitalisation of AU$44m and burnt through AU$61m last year, which is 139% of the company's market value. Given just how high that expenditure is, relative to the company's market value, we think there's an elevated risk of funding distress, and we would be very nervous about holding the stock.

Is Seafarms Group's Cash Burn A Worry?

As you can probably tell by now, we're rather concerned about Seafarms Group's cash burn. In particular, we think its cash burn relative to its market cap suggests it isn't in a good position to keep funding growth. And although we accept its falling revenue wasn't as worrying as its cash burn relative to its market cap, it was still a real negative; as indeed were all the factors we considered in this article. Looking at the metrics in this article all together, we consider its cash burn situation to be rather dangerous, and likely to cost shareholders one way or the other. Separately, we looked at different risks affecting the company and spotted 4 warning signs for Seafarms Group (of which 3 are concerning!) you should know about.

If you would prefer to check out another company with better fundamentals, then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt or this list of stocks which are all forecast to grow.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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A Barren County deputy jailer has been accused of stealing over $1,000 from an inmate, according to Kentucky State Police.

Dustin Young, 25, of Edmonton, has been charged with theft by unlawful taking over $1,000. KSP said Young stole money from a current inmate lodged in the Barren County jail.

Court documents say Young booked an inmate into a holding cell early Tuesday. Video surveillance showed Young taking the inmates wallet and removing money from it.

Young later admitted to stealing $1,500 from the inmates wallet, according to court documents. He told investigators he intended to pay bills and buy a firearm with the money.

Young is being held at the Warren County jail, according to state police.

Barren County Jailer Aaron Shirley said Young was read a letter of termination after the preliminary investigation was completed. Young had been employed at the jail for almost a year and was hired before Shirley came into office.

State police said the investigation is being led by trooper Jonathan McChesney.
By Nandita Bose

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Top White House officials spoke to executives from the largest U.S. railroad operators in recent days, renewing pressure to reach an agreement to secure paid sick leave for workers after President Joe Biden signed legislation to block a national railroad strike in December.

Biden's top economic adviser, Brian Deese, and Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, who were involved in earlier negotiations preventing a nationwide rail shutdown, held a series of calls with executives from CSX, Union Pacific, Berkshire Hathaway's BNSF and Norfolk Southern in recent days, a White House official said.

They "pressed the railroad operators to make progress," the official said, without offering details. The calls were made to check in on the progress made so far and remind the railroads the White House expects the companies will do more for their workers, a second White House official said.

CSX announced on Tuesday that it had reached a deal with two railroad unions regarding paid sick leave, the sticking point in last year's contract dispute between 12 rail unions and U.S. freight railroads.

The deal is a "good step" and in part a result of continued engagement from the administration, the second White House official said.

Asked whether the White House played a role, CSX said on Thursday it appreciates the "administration's engagement on this matter" and that it will continue to pursue agreements with the remaining 10 unions. Union Pacific, BNSF and Norfolk Southern do not currently offer workers paid sick leave.

On Dec. 2, Biden signed legislation to block a railroad strike that could have wrecked the nation's economy, upsetting unions that had been negotiating for months. At the time, Biden pledged to secure paid sick leave for American workers "before it's all over."

Railroads have slashed labor and other costs to bolster profits in recent years, and have been fiercely opposed to adding paid sick time that would require them to hire more staff.

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After Biden signed the bill in December, rail unions said they are discussing an executive action with the White House on paid sick time.

Celeste Drake, deputy director of the White House's National Economic Council, told Reuters in a statement the administration has continued to evaluate "all legislative and administrative options" on the issue.

(Reporting by Nandita Bose in Washington; Editing by Heather Timmons and Leslie Adler)
Peter Mayhew, the actor who played Chewbacca, arrives at the December 2015 world premiere of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" in Los Angeles. (Jordan Strauss / Associated Press)

Peter Mayhew's widow was distressed that an auction house in the U.K. was preparing to sell off a bunch of the Chewbacca actor's "Star Wars" memorabilia without the permission of the family.

But after her outcry, the auction house appears to have changed its plan.

Angie Mayhew went public on Wednesday with her concerns about the auction, a day after a BBC reporter posted an excited tweet about the upcoming sale of items "Found in the loft of the late Peter Mayhew."

"When we moved out of this house Peter's movement challenges made it impossible for him to get into the attic to get the rest of these memories. It really breaks my heart to see our belongings auctioned off like this by @angusashworth and @RyedaleAuction1," Angie Mayhew wrote on the Peter Mayhew Foundation's official Twitter account.

The items include scripts, call sheets and shooting schedules from the original "Star Wars" trilogy, plus signed photos and a scrapbook, according to local paper the Wiltshire Gazette & Herald.

Mayhew's foundation updated fans Thursday morning with a tweet saying that representatives started the morning on a Zoom call with Angus Ashworth and his auction house where they "communicated our desire that Peter's items be returned to Angie and the Mayhew family. Will keep everyone posted as progress is made - thank you for the continued support!"

Ryedale Auctioneers did not respond immediately Thursday to an email seeking comment about the status of the auction. However, on Friday, a representative for Ashworth released a statement indicating the TV host and owner of Ryedale Auctioneers didn't know the Peter Mayhew Foundation would be interested in the items until he saw the foundation's tweets about the planned auction.

"I was approached by a lovely older couple who were clearing their attic a quarter of a century after moving into their property. The contents of the attic included a bag of Star Wars memorabilia, which I thought might be of some interest to Star Wars fans. This wasn't unusual, film memorabilia comes up for auction all the time and there was some subsequent press interest," Ashworth said in the statement.

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He said nobody had approached the auction house to discuss the provenance of the items scheduled for sale, and had anyone done that, "of course" he would have talked to the sellers.

"The monetary value of the lot is fairly modest, but knowing how much it means to the Foundation and given that it had been in the attic for over 24 years, the vendors are quite happy to donate it to the Foundation to have permanently within their personal collection, not for profit, so that fans can access it in perpetuity," Ashworth continued. "I can only apologise to all of the Star Wars fans who had already shown great interest in owning a bit of film history!"

Peter Mayhew died in 2019 at his home in North Texas. He was 74. In addition to his wife, the former hospital orderly-turned-cultural icon was survived by his three children.

After being cast as Chewie in the original 1977 "Star Wars," now known as "Star Wars: A New Hope, Mayhew appeared in 1980s The Empire Strikes Back and 1983s Return of the Jedi. For decades afterward, he became a popular staple on the Star Wars fan convention circuit.

Despite health issues that at one point had him in a wheelchair, he reprised the Chewbacca role in "Star Wars" prequels Revenge of the Sith (2005) and The Force Awakens (2015) before handing off the job to Finnish actor Joonas Suotamo.

"It was one of Peter's and my biggest regrets that we had to leave these items behind," Angie Mayhew wrote in another tweet, "but his knees and joints had gotten to be so painful that he was no longer able to go into the attic to get them."

After another Twitter user asked why they didn't get help to grab the items, she explained that they ran out of time during their move.

"We had just come from a convention Peter had appeared at and there had been a water leak so Peter didn't want me to go up there either and we ran out of time. Moving in general is stressful but moving between countries with a 7'4" disabled partner, it was a very difficult time," she tweeted.

Ashworth, who hosts the TV series "The Yorkshire Auction House," is an antiques expert. He appeared Tuesday on the "BBC Breakfast" program to talk about the "Star Wars" spread.

"Delighted to have been on the sofa for BBC breakfast this morning talking about an upcoming lot of Star Wars memorabilia," he tweeted the same day.

No "Star Wars" items are currently listed on the Ryedale website; rather, the auction was noted as "coming soon."

Times staff writer Josh Rottenberg contributed to this report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A Tennessee judge on Monday sentenced a woman to more than six years in federal prison and another three years of supervised release, for allegedly obtaining fraudulent coronavirus relief money and subsequently using it for personal luxuries, including cosmetic surgery and a stay at the Trump resort in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida.

The woman, identified by the U.S. Department of Justice in a news release as Leslie Bethea of Surgoinsville, Tennessee, was indicted last June on federal charges for wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering and making false statements. Bethea pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of making a false statement to a probation officer, the Justice Department said. In addition to her prison sentence, Bethea has been ordered to pay close to $21,000 in restitution.

Bethea, 30, is accused of submitting false information and forged financial records to the U.S. government while applying for a loan under the Payroll Protection Program, which she did ultimately receive although she did not qualify for it. The PPP, a small business loan program backed by the U.S. Treasury that was developed to support struggling companies in the wake of the pandemic, granted Bethea $20,805, according to the Justice Department  an amount based on her allegedly faulty application.

Prosecutors alleged in a criminal complaint that Bethea's PPP loan application incorrectly stated that she had earned $99,835 in 2019, included fraudulent tax documents that aimed to substantiate that number, and claimed that she had not been convicted of fraud offenses at any time during the previous five years. However, the complaint notes that Bethea was in prison in Tennessee for the duration of the year 2019, and entered a mandatory period of supervised release in October 2020 that required her to submit legitimate monthly reports to her supervising probation officer.

General view of Trump Royale, Trump Palace and Trump International Beach Resort in Sunny Isles, Florida, on April 3, 2018. / Credit: MICHELE EVE SANDBERG/AFP via Getty Images

In April of the following year, financial records allegedly show that Bethea traveled to Sunny Isles Beach and booked accommodations for five nights at the Trump International Beach Resort, which cost upward of $2,800, according to the criminal complaint. During her trip to Florida, prosecutors also allege that Bethea used roughly $5,500 of PPP funds to pay for an elective cosmetic procedure at a facility in the area.

Along with the alleged misuse of federal funds, Bethea is accused of violating the terms of her supervised release by making false statements to her probation officer.

"Between on or about May 5, 2021, and May 20, 2021, at Greeneville, Tennessee in the Eastern District of Tennessee Leslie Bethea did willfully and knowingly submit her monthly supervision report for the month of April 2021 and did then and there make the materially false, fictitious, and fraudulent statement [sic]," the complaint reads.

It notes that Bethea signed a waiver upon meeting with the probation officer in May 2021, which warns that potential consequences of providing false statements include five years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both.

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A screengrab from Scarlett Roses viral TikTok video @neurodivergentdiaries1 / Via tiktok.com

Yes, you can have two vaginas. Just ask Scarlett Rose, who didnt find out about hers until she was 21 years old and 21 weeks pregnant.

Rose never had a reason to question (or count?) the anatomical features of her reproductive tract until she became sexually active in her late teens. Every attempt at penetration brought her excruciating pain. Tampons were absolutely off the table. Still, everything looked and felt normal down there, the 30-year-old from Australia recalled in a TikTok video that has been viewed nearly 10 million times.

Chalking it up to nerves, Rose would try to have sex again. And again. And again  to no avail. The pain was too intense to bear, so she temporarily called off relations with men altogether, assuming she wasnt ready for intercourse.

In the meantime, she spent years visiting different doctors and undergoing tests so painful she would bleed, only to be misdiagnosed time and time again.

First, doctors told her the painful sex was due to stress and anxiety. Then they thought she might have polycystic ovary syndrome, a hormonal disorder that makes ovaries swell and sometimes develop cysts. After that, it was vaginismus : a condition caused by involuntary spasms or tensing of the vaginal muscles due to fear of penetration or prior injury to the area.

I was following every treatment plan doctors advised, even with awful side effects from some of the treatments, and when they werent successful I blamed myself, Rose told BuzzFeed News via email. When theyd told me it was all in my head I just felt even more embarrassed and it left me feeling very broken.

It wasnt until Rose was pregnant and had to have a procedure to address her short cervix  a condition that increases the risk of preterm labor or premature birth  that she learned what was wrong.

A screengrab from another of Scarlett Roses TikTok videos @neurodivergentdiaries1 / Via tiktok.com

A band of flesh called a septum, which shes had since birth, was separating her vagina into two sections. Every time doctors would examine Roses pelvis, the tools they used would push the septum to the side and successfully reach her cervix, appearing as if everything was normal. However, any painful shove would tear the septum, explaining why she bled after some exams. The septum also didnt extend to the opening of her vagina, so it wasnt obvious during exams.

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Roses doctor removed the septum during the procedure on her cervix, thus turning two vaginas into one and finally giving her the freedom to enjoy pain-free sex.

It all functions normally. I dont have any pain at all during intercourse anymore , but [my doctor] did say that I was so lucky  because had I tried to deliver our baby naturally with that septum in place with two vaginas, I would have bled to death, Rose says in a TikTok. I just wanted to share this because it is very, very rare, but I  thought maybe it might help somebody out there who's struggling with pain and their doctor can't find the issue.

Rose was moved when she read dozens of comments from women who said that they have the same issue and experienced similar problems getting an accurate diagnosis.

Her story shines a light on the difficulties people face in understanding and treating pelvic pain.

Theres lots of different organs in our pelvis  the bladder, female reproductive system, bowels, rectum  so when were having pelvic pain, sometimes its just really hard to figure out whats causing it, said Dr. Allison Rodgers, an OB-GYN and reproductive endocrinologist at Fertility Centers of Illinois. It's very uncommon for you to be able to do an ultrasound and find the cause of your pain and have a doctor say, Let me give you this magic pill or do surgery and then you're fixed.

Not to mention, Roses condition is notoriously difficult to diagnose because regular ultrasounds may not pick it up, Rodgers said, adding that it requires different kinds of MRIs and/or ultrasounds and somebody reading it who knows what theyre doing.

Any malformation in the female reproductive system, including the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, and upper part of the vagina, is called a Mullerian anomaly. Up to 7% of the general population has at least one .

These anomalies occur around six weeks after conception, when the tubes that are supposed to mature into reproductive organs dont develop properly. The glitch can leave some people with two cervixes, two uteruses, or two vaginas (or a combination of these options); others may be born with one of these organs missing or organs that develop into abnormal shapes and sizes.

In fact, about 90% of Rodgerss patients are diagnosed with a different Mullerian anomaly than they actually have: This is a very niche area and I think if theyre not doing this all the time, some doctors may not really understand the differences between all of these anomalies, she said. Even really smart, really educated doctors a lot of times will get this wrong.

A diagram of a female reproductive system Getty Images

Vaginal septums, specifically, occur in about 1 in every 5,000 infants , so its uncommon, but its also not rare, Rodgers said.

Most people dont notice the fact that their vagina is separated in two until they try to insert a tampon, have sex for the first time, or undergo several pelvic exams due to infertility or menstruation issues.

And a lot of the time, people with two vaginas wont ever experience any issues with them, Rodgers said. Sometimes sexual partners may have to penetrate at certain angles or simply choose a side, while some people have to use two tampons during their period. One person commented on one of Roses TikToks that they birthed a child  out of each side .

Vaginal septums can be painful and dangerous, however. Transverse septums, for example, form horizontally in the vagina and can partially or completely block menstrual blood from flowing out, which can cause abdominal pain. Other types may interfere with fertility. In these cases, septums may need to be surgically removed.

Some people with Mullerian anomalies could also be born with one kidney because the organs develop close to the reproductive system in the womb.

If youre dealing with pelvic pain, Rodgers recommends addressing your concerns with a gynecologist, preferably one specialized in reproductive endocrinology, and being open to doing a series of exams and trying some medications to see what works and what doesnt.

Most importantly, she urges you to advocate for yourself in the event youre not getting any answers or your doctor isnt taking you seriously.

Rose agrees.

A lot of women deal with pain during sex and are too embarrassed to talk about it with anyone. I felt extremely alone when I was going through this and I didnt want anyone else to feel like that, said Rose, who created a podcast called Resilience in response to the feedback she got from her TikTok videos.

Its so common that womens issues are dismissed or ignored and its just not acceptable, Rose told BuzzFeed News. Knowledge is power, and you can get so much further with doctors when you go into an appointment equipped with at least some idea of what might be going on, rather than going in blind and just having to accept whatever answers the doctor gives you.

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(WCBS)

A New York City woman has been convicted of poisoning her lookalike friend with drug-laced cheesecake to try to steal her identity.

Russian-born Viktoria Nasyrova, 47, was convicted of attempted murder and four of the five other charges against her by a jury in the city on Wednesday.

Nasyrova, who has been described in media reports as a former dominatrix, has been accused of drugging and killing another woman in Russia in 2014 before she fled to the US. She has denied those allegations.

Prosecutors told the court that Nasyrova went to Olga Svyks home in August 2016 with a cold and calculated plan.

To isolate Olga Svyk, to get her alone in her room, to poison her, to try to kill her, and to take her identity, said Queens Assistant District Attorney Konstantinos Litourgis.

Nasyrova took the cheesecake to Ms Svyk, an eyelash technician, to thank her for helping with an eyelash emergency.

The jury heard that the 35-year-old victim ate the cheesecake, quickly began to feel sick and was found unconscious in bed the following day by a friend.

And the court was told that pills had been left at the scene to make it appear that she had tried to kill herself.

When Ms Svyk left the hospital she returned home and found that her Ukrainian passport, other documents and a gold ring had been stolen.

When investigators tested the cheesecake they found that it contained Phenazepam, a Russian-made sedative that is not available in the US.

Nasyrova, who prosecutors say was known to NYPD over allegations she drugged and robbed men in Brooklyn she met on dating apps, faces up to 25 years in prison when she is sentenced next month.

The jury saw through the deception and schemes of the defendant, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement.

She laced a slice of cheesecake with a deadly drug so she could steal her unsuspecting victims most valuable possession, her identity. Fortunately, her victim survived and the poison led right back to the culprit.

While we are disappointed with the jurys verdict, we respect it and are exploring our options going forward, defence attorney Christopher Hoyt said.
An arrest has been made in the 2014 killing of a woman at her home in North Carolina, according to deputies.

Roy Lee White was arrested on Tuesday, Feb. 7, the Randolph County Sheriffs Office said in a news release. White, 50, was charged with felony accessory after the fact of first-degree murder in connection with the death of Tammy Sellers Holland.

Holland, 50, was found stabbed to death Oct. 28, 2014, inside her home in Trinity when a neighbor who was unable to make contact with her went to the home to check on her, deputies said. The neighbor peered inside Hollands window and saw her in the living room.

An autopsy revealed that Holland was stabbed multiple times, causing her death, which was ruled a homicide, according to deputies.

Detectives said that White identified Florence Elizabeth Keene as Hollands killer. White and Keene  who died in 2018  were reportedly married at the time of the incident, and they were Hollands neighbors and associates.

White and Keene were questioned by detectives after Holland was found dead, according to deputies. Whites arrest comes after a three-year cold case investigation.

At the time she was killed, Holland worked at Elizabeths Pizza in Thomasville and was described as a devoted employee and friend; a kind person beloved by her colleagues, deputies said.

She was [a] sweet lady and will never be forgotten, one person wrote on Facebook.

Randolph County is about 80 miles west of Raleigh.

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Harvey Weinstein appears in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom during his rape trial in October 2022. (Etienne Laurent / Associated Press)

An Italian model whose testimony led to a Los Angeles jury in December finding Harvey Weinstein guilty of rape has filed a civil suit against the fallen film producer.

The woman, identified as Jane Doe 1, is suing Weinstein for sexual battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and other unnamed parties for negligence, according to a complaint filed in L.A. County Superior Court on Thursday. In the complaint, the victim's attorneys wrote that "had said [unnamed parties] fulfilled their duties and responsibilities, plaintiff would not have been assaulted or raped."

Harvey Weinstein has been convicted of raping Jane Doe 1. Her lawsuit seeks to recover compensation from him for the horrific rape she endured and all of the issues she has suffered through for the past 10 years because of that rape," attorney Dave Ring said in a statement. "We look forward to having Weinstein finally testify under oath in this case."

Weinstein "has always denied the allegations" and "maintained that he was never together with her in [the] Mr. C hotel," Juda Engelmayer, Weinstein's spokesman, said in a statement to The Times.

Engelmayer alleged that "certain witnesses lied about crucial evidence that could have exonerated Mr. Weinstein ..."

After his conviction, Weinstein filed a motion asking for a new trial.

According to the suit, Weinstein, 70, assaulted the woman at the Mr. C Beverly Hills hotel after a film festival in 2013. The woman met Weinstein at an event but returned to her room alone. Weinstein showed up at the hotel "unannounced" and called her from the front desk or lobby and demanded that she tell him her room number, which she declined to do.

Weinstein still appeared at her door and "bullied his way into the room," where the woman was assaulted.

He grabbed me by the hair and forced me to do something I did not want to do, she told The Times in 2017. He then dragged me to the bathroom and forcibly raped me.

The woman reported the assault to the Los Angeles Police Department in 2017 amid the start of the #MeToo movement.

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After a trial that spanned weeks, Weinstein was convicted of forcible rape, forcible oral copulation and sexual penetration by a foreign object in connection with the incident.

Harvey Weinstein forever destroyed a part of me that night. I will never get that back, the woman said in a statement after the conviction. But I knew I had to see this through to the end ... I hope Weinstein never sees the outside of a prison cell during his lifetime.

However, the jury, which deliberated for more than nine days, acquitted Weinstein or could not reach a verdict on charges of rape and assault of three other women.

Weinstein is serving a 23-year prison sentence for his 2020 conviction for rape and sexual assault in New York.

He faces a 24-year sentence in connection with the Los Angeles County conviction, pending the request of a new trial. It cannot be served until his New York sentence is completed in full.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Maybe it doesnt matter that the Oscar-nominated Women Talking wont win Best Picture, even though it should. Nor, perhaps, does it matter that people will say that this film, about the rape of more than 100 women and girls, sounds depressing. Because even if Sarah Polleys superlative work doesnt get the plaudits or the audience it deserves, it should stand to have a far greater legacy. This is the kind of cinema that endures  not just as a great work of art (although it is that), but as something that moves us all forward.

For the past few years, the women in this isolated religious community have been drugged and assaulted in their sleep, and told the culprits were ghosts. Unbearably bleak, yes, and it actually happened  Miriam Toews wrote a novel about it in 2018, on which this film is based. The men have been imprisoned in a nearby town, awaiting bail, so the women meet in a purgatory-like hayloft to talk about what to do: nothing, stay and fight, or leave. Except what they are talking about, really, is how to reset or override a world engrained with violent patriarchal structures. August (Ben Whishaw), seemingly the only man in the whole place who isnt a vile predator, takes minutes of the meeting as the women themselves cannot read.

The ensemble cast  with Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley and Frances McDormand among it  are on staggering form, and the subject matter is explosive. But Polleys film is more like a hymn or a prayer, a gentle meditation on forgiveness, survival and how to make a better world. Hildur Gunadottirs soundtrack shimmers through the scenes like a moving river, while Luc Montpelliers bleached-out cinematography evokes a place where brutality has stripped away all of lifes colour. Its set in 2010 but the women, in their homemade dresses and plaited hair, look lost in the past.

The trauma shows on the womens bodies in different ways. There are bruised thighs. Lost teeth. Recurring panic attacks. Ona (Mara) is pregnant. Salome (Foy) must walk a day and a half to get her four-year-old daughter antibiotics. And in the same way that the physical impact differs, so do each of these women in their responses. Seething with rage, Salome has tried to kill one of the men. Ona is left with profound questions (if the women stay and fight, what are they fighting for?), while Mariche (Buckley), whose husband is an abuser, doesnt want to make a fuss.

Lest it all sound too grim, Women Talking is actually very warm, with moments of humour and tenderness beaming through it like rays. The women laugh, sing together and sometimes disagree  but, through a kind of silent, sisterly understanding, always end up comforting one another. The journey to their trepidatious decision is propulsive and gripping.

Quietly, confidently and without fanfare, Polley has made the first piece of great post-MeToo cinema. What it depicts, and a homogenising hashtag doesnt, is that there is no singular response to abuse. Its also a reminder that change rarely comes without collective action. The women are trying to understand who they might be in a world where they are not subjugated, and that question is presented here as an opportunity. To those not interested in this conversation then Women Talking might sound, literally, like just a bunch of women talking. But for those who want to listen  and those who need to hear it  this is a film full of hope.

Dir: Sarah Polley. Starring: Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, Ben Whishaw and Frances McDormand. 15, 104 minutes.

Women Talking is in cinemas from 10 February
Earlier this week, it was announced that Elizabeth McCall was taking on the role of master distiller at Woodford Reserve, making her the third person to hold that title in the brands history. Robb Report had a chance to chat with McCall about taking over the job from Chris Morris (who will continue on as master distiller emeritus), and what she has in store for the future of the brand.

McCall has a long history at Brown-Forman, the parent company of Woodford and other American whiskey brands like Jack Daniels and Old Forester. She started out in research & development in 2009, eventually becoming Woodfords master taster in 2015. She transitioned to assistant master distiller in 2018, and Morris has been mentoring her over the past five years to prepare her for this new role. The man is a genius, she told Robb Report. His knowledge is expansive to so much more than just the process of making whiskey. It includes the history, marketing, sales, planning, innovation, etc. that also go into building a brand like Woodford Reserve from just something people love in Kentucky to something people love around the world. However, if I have to pick just a few [lessons Ive learned from him] I would say the following: keep the brand focused, keep the focus on the liquid, and never sacrificing quality.

More from Robb Report

As far as the job itself, McCall said that the role of master distiller has changed a bit since she started in the industry, and is really defined by each individual brand. When I started, companies that had master distillers seemed to follow the same formula of an individual with years of experience in the whiskey industry who rose through the ranks to claim the title, she said. Today, universities and colleges have distilling certification programs and other related areas of study. Individuals may no longer need to rise through the ranks at their respective company or distillery, they could get hired in or go to work on a craft start up brand and assume the role. Still the disparity between what defines a master distiller is thereare they just a face, are they working in the distillery, are they a hybrid?

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For McCall, an important part of being master distiller will be striking a balance between the core Woodford lineup and making her own imprint with special releases. We need to maintain the quality that our consumers have come to expect with our core expressions and continue to push the envelope with our Masters Collection and Distillery Series, she said. We currently have the next 10-plus years planned out and will continue to add to that list every year. I plan to draw inspiration from history, fun flavor innovation, as well as my current sustainability work in rye and other small grains for future innovation.

McCall also acknowledged the impact of being a female master distiller for a brand as big as Woodford. Add to that the fact that shes currently pregnant with her second child. I hope that I inspire other women to go for roles while family planning and dont see that as a hindrance, she said. Its just part of life. Its how the human race continues. While she looks forward to the day when the focus will be solely on the job and not the gender of the person in the position (as is often the case when a woman is in that position), she has come to believe that the conversation has value. When I was first named master taster, I hated the thought that the focus would be on my gender and not my skills that I brought into the role, she said. I have since embraced the significance of talking about it. Bringing attention to the rarity of women in this industry is how we change it. I, along with the many other women in this industry are changing the way it looks. Now young woman can see themselves in these roles and that feels good.

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Yahoo CEO Jim Lanzone told Axios the companys ad tech side was a longstanding issue with every variation of this company. Now more than 1,000 Yahoo employees have lost their jobs.

Yahoo, the legacy site thats seen its ups and down over the years, is definitively heading toward a down. The company confirmed that it plans to let go of more than 20% of its global workforce in an apparent shift of its ambitious advertising platform that looked to compete with the biggest players in ad tech.

Axios first reported Thursday based on an interview with CEO Jim Lanzone that the company was taking the ax to 1,600 people at its company. The first set of cuts will take place immediately, and 1,000 people are expected to lose their jobs. Yahoo will cut another 600 positions in the second half of 2023.

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That additional 600 people on top of the immediate 1,000 is an approximation, Lanzone told Axios. The total layoffs should represent more than 50% of the companys ad tech staff. The CEO reportedly said this move will be tremendously beneficial for the profitability of Yahoo overall.

In an email statement, a Yahoo spokesperson told Gizmodo the companys full stack of various advertising initiatives was not profitable. Its ad tech division, called Yahoo for Business, included massive data sets thanks to its long legacy of internet advertising and over 30 ad tech acquisitions over the past decade, according to Axios. This unified platform was supposed to let Yahoo compete with Google and Meta. The federal government accused Google of running a practical ad monopoly in a recent lawsuit.

Those ambitions to compete in the digital ad market have apparently gone up in smoke. The spokesperson said Yahoo is now focusing solely on its demand side platform business, AKA a platform allowing people to help advertisers buy ads, renaming it all Yahoo Advertising. The company also said it would re-launch dedicated ad sales teams for its properties like Yahoo Finance, Yahoo News, Yahoo Sports, and so on.

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These decisions are never easy, but we believe these changes will simplify and strengthen our advertising business for the long run, while enabling Yahoo to deliver better value to our customers and partners, the spokesperson wrote.

The company will instead focus on its recent partnership with Taboola to sell even more native advertising on its sites, as if there wasnt already enough to go around.

Yahoo, which had formerly been owned by Verizon, was bought out by private equity firm Apollo Global Management back in 2021. Less than two years ago, Apollo was talking up how it would make use of Yahoos advertising platform.

Of course, this acquisition came just a few years after Yahoo suffered an enormous data breach. Back in 2013 and 2014, Yahoo experienced hacks that impacted around 1 billion users. It didnt reveal the hacks until 2016, when the company was in the process of being acquired by Verizon. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission eventually came up with a $35 million fine, but that didnt hit Yahoo so much as it impacted a holding company left over after the Verizon acquisition.

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Ruby-throated hummingbirds can be found in Mississippi throughout much of the year, but spring and fall migrations of the tiny birds always cause excitement.

"Usually March 15 is on my radar for peak spring migration," said Katie Fetzer of the Pascagoula River Audubon Center in Moss Point. "You want to be ready for spring migration by mid-February.

"I would not wait for March 15. Fall migration peaks in September. Make sure your feeders are out in August."

But there's more to attracting the most hummingbirds possible than having a few feeders out to greet incoming birds.

So, Fetzer offered tips on how to make your yard a hummingbird paradise by choosing the right feeders, making the proper nectar and providing native trees and plants that will keep hummingbirds around spring, summer and fall.

More:Fun facts about purple martins. Spoiler alert: What grandma told you probably isn't true

More:White hummingbirds spotted in Mississippi: How rare are they?

How to make hummingbird nectar and choose a feeder

Fetzer said making nectar is a simple process and consists of a mix of one part sugar to four parts water. Red food coloring is not needed or recommended.

Boil 1 cup water , remove from heat

Pour 1/4 cup sugar into water

Stir until clear

Allow to cool

Choose feeders with a rail or perch around them to allow hummingbirds to sit and rest while eating.

If your feeders do not have perches, place them near trees where hummingbirds can readily rest.

Feeders should be washed and refilled every 10 days, on average.

More:Is there a prehistoric, 60-foot whale at Barnett Reservoir? Yes, some of it is.

Plant these to attract hummingbirds in spring

Fetzer said planting these will provide hummingbirds with natural sources of nectar when the hungry birds arrive in spring.

Eastern redbud trees

Red buckeye trees

Tulip poplar trees

Coral honeysuckle vines

Native azalea bushes

Columbine flowers

Plant these to attract hummingbirds in summer and fall

Fetzer said these plants will provide nectar through summer and into fall and like spring-flowering trees and plants, will help attract insects that hummingbirds eat and feed their young.

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Cardinal flowers

Trumpet vines

Coral bean flowers

Bee balm flowers

Fox glove flowers

Salvia flowers

Bonus: 6 fun facts about ruby-throated hummingbirds

In the world of birds, hummingbirds are unique and Stephanie Green of the Strawberry Plains Audubon Center in Holly Springs provided six interesting facts about them.

A speedy little bird: Normal flight speed is about 30 mph, but can reach about 50 mph if needed.

A speedy heart-rate, too: Ruby-throated hummingbirds have a resting heart rate of 250 beats a minute and around 1,200 beats a minute when active.

Non-stop flight: Ruby-throated hummingbirds migrate to Central America in fall where they will spend the winter, then return to North America in spring. Some fly over land, while others make an estimated 500-mile, nonstop flight over the Gulf of Mexico.

A bird that can't walk: Hummingbirds have short legs and small feet when compared to their bodies and aren't suitable for normal walking.

Fattening up for the journey: Hummingbirds can double their weight before migration going from 3 grams to 6 grams.

Refracting light: Male ruby-throated hummingbirds are known for the red patch on their throats, but it isn't really red. Feather structure on the throat traps tiny air bubbles that refract light, making it appear red at certain angles.

Contact Brian Broom at bbroom@gannett.com or 601-961-7225.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: How to attract more hummingbirds to your yard
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urged the World Bank to map out "bolder and more imaginative" steps on Thursday to address global challenges such as climate change even as it continues to aid individual developing countries.

Yellen said countries urgently needed the World Bank and other multilateral development banks to evolve, given declining progress addressing global poverty that began even before the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The world has changed, and we need these vital institutions to change along with it," she said. "In todays world, sustained progress on poverty alleviation and economic development is simply not possible without addressing the global challenges that face us all."

Yellen said her recent trip to three African countries - Senegal, Zambia and South Africa - underscored the impact of fragility, conflict and climate change on those economies.

She said the current model of multilateral development banks lets countries borrow for investments at home, but that was "insufficient" for challenges such as pandemics and climate change, which often hit the world's poorest countries hardest.

A World Bank spokesperson said after Yellen's remarks that the lender appreciates support from the United States and other shareholders "for finding ways to ramp up development finance to meet global challenges such as climate change, fragility, and pandemics. We see this support as a recognition by the global community of the World Banks longstanding responsiveness and effectiveness, and we always welcome new ideas.

Yellen said the World Bank's evolution roadmap provided a discussion guide but more work was needed, including a vision that prioritized global issues in its twin goals of reducing poverty and shared prosperity.

The bank also needed to create the right incentives, including lowering investment costs, to make these types of projects economically viable, Yellen said. "Since the global community benefits from these investments, the global community should help bear their cost," she said.

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She said Treasury was asking the Bank to identify concessional resources - low or zero-interest loans - to help countries tackle global challenges.

Such resources could help decommission coal plants and protect displaced workers during a clean energy transition, she said.

The bank also needed new diagnostic tools to identify global challenges affecting development, and it needs to boost its financial capacity, she said.

"The Bank must be bolder and more imaginative in its operational approach," she said, adding that sub-national entities such as cities could also play a bigger role.

Yellen said a report prepared last year for the Group of 20 major economies included some promising ideas, including securing private sector portfolios or piloting the issuance of subordinated debt instruments.

Stronger mobilization of private capital and domestic resources would also be crucial, Yellen said.

She said real progress had been made on the issue over the past four months and Washington was coordinating closely with India, this year's president of the G20.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal and David Lawder; Editing by Josie Kao)
NEW YORK (AP)  Every New York City mayor in history has battled rats. But for current mayor Eric Adams, the war on vermin has taken a peculiar turn as he tries to burnish his image as the city's exterminator-in-chief.

Adams went before a hearing officer Thursday  for the second time  to contest two tickets he got from his own health department for allegedly allowing broods of rodents to take residence at his Brooklyn townhouse.

Participating via telephone, Adams contested the findings of an inspector who found rat burrows along a fence line and fresh rat droppings in front of the mayor's garbage bins.

The city issued the summonses Dec. 7, just a day after another hearing officer dismissed an earlier $300 ticket for failing to control the rat population at the same property. Each of the new tickets could also carry a fine of $300 or more.

The mayor, who usually prides himself on conducting himself with a little swagger during his public appearances, was subdued and respectful during the hearing.

Adams denied he has a rat problem. His own inspections of his property, he said, did not produce signs of any rodents. Adams said he pays an exterminator monthly and spent $7,000 a year ago to keep the property rodent-free. At one point, the mayor could be heard during the half-hour hearing searching his electronic files for receipts and other documents to make his case.

Adams, a Democrat, also assured the hearing officer his tenants were heeding city rules about how to handle garbage and recyclables.

We all dont like rats, and were all cooperating together, Adams said.

A handful of reporters listened in as the mayor seemed to profess surprise over the most recent citations, saying some of the alleged infractions observed were actually on his neighbor's property.

City records show that Adams has gotten at least 18 summonses over the years at his Brooklyn address, many of them related to the handling of garbage. Many times he simply paid the fines, but not this time.

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The hearing officer told Adams that she would decide within 30 days if any fines are due.

In his first year in office, Adams launched battles against guns and homelessness  and rats have also proved vexing for a mayor who is currently interviewing applicants for a new director of rodent mitigation, a title promptly dubbed the  rat czar.

Before he became mayor, Adams, as the Brooklyn borough president, was known for his dislike of rats. He famously turned stomachs when he demonstrated a trap for reporters that relied on a bucket filled with a vinegary, toxic soup to drown rats lured by the scent of food.

The trap wasnt very effective, nor was every other attempt by previous mayors to vanquish the citys rat population.

Former Mayor Bill de Blasio spent tens of millions of dollars on efforts to reduce the rat population in targeted neighborhoods through more frequent trash pickup, more aggressive housing inspections and replacing dirt basement floors with concrete.

In a prior attempt that proved to be more amusing than lethal, city officials unveiled a scheme to use dry ice to suffocate rats in their burrows but elicited guffaws when workers chased  but never caught  one of the fleeing vermin.

Adams has held press conferences to periodically bemoan rodents as a scourge on New York society.

Lets be clear: I hate rats, and we have too many of them and we have to get rid of them, he said in June while announcing a proposed city spending plan.

In November, he signed a slate of legislation intended to reduce the citys rat problems, including new rules limiting how long garbage can sit out on curbs and established what the city calls rat mitigation zones.

Soon after, he began looking for a rat czar, who, according to the job description, would be highly motivated and somewhat bloodthirsty.
By Daniel Wiessner

(Reuters) - A Republican New York state senator filed a lawsuit on Thursday seeking to force a Senate vote on Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul's pick to be the state's chief judge, after lawmakers blocked the nomination last month.

State Senator Anthony Palumbo, who represents a Long Island district, said in a complaint filed in state court that New York's constitution requires the full 63-member Senate to vote on whether to confirm appellate judge Hector LaSalle to the post.

The Democrat-led Senate Judiciary Committee voted 10-9 last month to reject the nomination of LaSalle after unions and liberal advocacy groups claimed that his record is too conservative.

Palumbo in the lawsuit said the state constitution, which requires the governor to appoint a chief judge "with the advice and consent of the Senate," was designed to prevent such an outcome. LaSalle is the first nominee for chief judge to be rejected by the Senate committee.

Allowing the committee to block a nominee "would insulate individual senators from any public scrutiny that a full floor vote provides, reducing the process to a small number of senators controlling the outcome," Palumbo's lawyers wrote.

A spokesman for the Senate's Democratic majority did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Palumbo sued the Senate, Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and the senators who voted against LaSalle.

At last month's confirmation hearing, Judiciary Committee members peppered LaSalle with pointed questions about his decisions that they said show bias toward prosecutors, employers and an anti-abortion group.

LaSalle said his critics had mischaracterized his record and that he supports abortion access, workers' rights to unionize and the constitutional rights of criminal defendants.

New York's chief judge heads the seven-member Court of Appeals, which has the final say in interpreting state laws, and oversees the state's massive court system.

(Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
(Reuters) - Alphabet Inc's YouTube said on Wednesday its homepage was back up, after saying earlier that it was down for some users.

The company did not disclose the number of users affected from the outage.

"The YouTube Homepage should be back for all of your video needs", YouTube said.

Data on Downdetector showed that at the peak of the outage, more than 60,000 user reports had indicated issues with the video sharing app in the United States alone by 07:20 PM ET. The number of reports have now come down to 700.

Downdetector tracks outages by collating status reports from several sources, including user-submitted errors on its platform.

Meta Inc's social media apps and Elon Musk-owned Twitter were also facing problems on Wednesday. Meta's Facebook and Instagram were down for thousands of users in the United States, while some Twitter users were unable to tweet.

(Reporting by Akanksha Khushi in Bengaluru; editing by Uttaresh.V)
Cows generate methane as they digest their food. It's a potent greenhouse gas. Westend61 via Getty Images

New Zealand, where agriculture is one of the largest contributors to climate change, is proposing a tax on cow burps. The reason seems simple enough: Cows release methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and New Zealand has a goal of reaching net-zero emissions by midcentury. Right now, the countrys effects on climate change come roughly equally from carbon dioxide and methane.

Worldwide, 150 governments have committed to cut methane emissions, both from agriculture and by cracking down on the largest source  fugitive leaks from natural gas pipelines and other fossil fuel infrastructure.

But is methane from cows really as bad for the climate as methane from fossil fuels? And given its shorter lifetime in the atmosphere, is methane as bad as carbon dioxide?

The answers involve renewable resources and the so-called circular economy. Understanding the effectiveness of different strategies is important as countries plan their routes to net-zero emissions, which is necessary for the world to stop further climate change.

Moreover, emissions must not just reach net-zero, they must stay there.

Targeting methane

I am a climate scientist who has spent decades studying global warming. Evidence has clearly established that human activities are causing climate change. Humans have released so much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere since beginning to burn fossil fuels in the 1800s that the accumulated gases are now trapping significantly more heat than is released to space. The result is global warming.

Some carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for hundreds to thousands of years. But methane, the second-most important greenhouse gas, lingers in the atmosphere for only about a decade before being oxidized to form carbon dioxide.

Although methane doesnt last as long, it is many times more potent than carbon dioxide at warming the climate. Thats why its a target for policymakers.

However, its effects can be misjudged. A rough equivalence of the heating from methane to that of carbon dioxide is often used to estimate its effects on the climate, but the number varies by the time frame.

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The global warming potential typically used for methane is 28 times that of carbon dioxide for a 100-year period. But a spike in methane has no effect after about 30 years because the methane is well gone by then. So, methanes effects on temperature are greatly overstated over centuries, while considerably understated over the first 20 years. Indeed, scientists have argued that short-lived climate pollutants such as methane should be split out from long-lived ones such as carbon dioxide when making policy.

Moreover, biogenic sources of carbon, such as from trees or cattle, are renewable, while fossil fuel sources are not.

Biogenic or fossil?

Biogenic methane comes from all sorts of livestock  cattle, sheep, goats, deer and even buffalo  and it has a circular life.

It originates as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that is taken up by grass and other plants during photosynthesis. Those plants are eaten by animals and then methane is burped out during digestion, or released as flatulence or through decaying manure. Once released, methane stays in the atmosphere for about a decade before it becomes carbon dioxide and is taken up by plants again.

Some carbon is temporarily stored as meat, leather or wool, but it too is eventually recycled. The amount of methane from livestock would be stable were it not for rising demand for animal protein by the ever-increasing global population, leading to increasing livestock on farms.

Fossil fuels, on the other hand, have been in the Earth for millions of years. Fossil methane is a waste product of coal mines, and also is extracted from shale and other underground deposits as natural gas. So-called fugitive emissions leak from pipelines and abandoned wells, and methane is often flared or vented directly into the atmosphere. There are also often major outbursts from accidents that can now be tracked from satellite. The Nord Stream gas leak in September 2022, likely caused by sabotage, reportedly leaked 500,000 tons of methane.

Methane leaks were evident in 2019 satellite data from the Permian Basin, a large oil and gas field in Texas and New Mexico. Global Airborne Observatory/Carbon Mapper, University of Arizona/Arizona State University/NASA/JPL-Caltech

While biogenic methane ultimately recycles the carbon dioxide that was its source a short time ago, fossil-sourced methane adds carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Studies have estimated that livestock is responsible for about one-third of global anthropogenic methane emissions, while oil and gas operations represent about 63%.

That doesnt mean countries shouldnt reduce biogenic methane, too. But the circular life of biogenic methane means that it should be considered separately from fossil methane when determining how to manage emissions to reach net zero by 2050.

Implications for climate policies

Many of the actions that governments take today under the guise of net-zero emissions risk passing the harms of climate change down to future generations rather than fundamentally solving the problem. Strategies that aim to reduce carbon from any source, as opposed to focusing on reducing the use of fossil fuels, are an example.

Right now, carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels is generally treated interchangeably with carbon emissions from clearing forests or from methane emissions. Simple conversion factors, while convenient, mask complicated value judgments. For example, reducing methane may buy a decade of lower temperatures. Reducing fossil carbon, on the other hand, buys thousands of years.

Theres a similar argument to be made about carbon offsets involving trees. Trees take up carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and use the carbon to create wood, bark, leaves and roots. When the trees die or are used, the carbon is recycled as carbon dioxide. But while planting a new stand of trees may lock up some carbon, most only live for decades, and trees can get diseased or burn in forest fires, meaning theyre temporary. Recent research suggests that the value of trees as carbon offsets is greatly overestimated. Further, planting monoculture tree plantations has drawbacks, especially with regard to biodiversity.

Emissions from burning coal, oil or natural gas can only be credibly offset by removing carbon dioxide and storing it in a form that will be stable for many thousands of years.

Steadying or reducing livestock numbers and perhaps changing their feed can stabilize their methane emissions. But to address the climate change crisis long term, I believe it is essential to recognize that the real solution for climate change is to cut emissions of fossil fuels.

This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. The Conversation has a variety of fascinating free newsletters.

It was written by: Kevin Trenberth, University of Auckland.

Read more:



Kevin Trenberth does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
BERLIN (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy described his relationship to Germany as up and down in an interview with Spiegel, saying he was "constantly having to convince" German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to help Ukraine for the sake of Europe.

"I have to exert pressure to help Ukraine and constantly convince him that this help is not for us but for Europeans," Zelenskiy told Spiegel. "Our relationship to Germany goes in waves, it is up and down."

The Ukrainian president said he was grateful Germany had sent IRIS-T air defences systems which he said had saved lives but that the debate over sending tanks had put the relationship back in a "difficult phase".

Even prior to Germany's decision in late January to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, Germany was the second biggest donor of military hardware to Ukraine after the United States, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.

But the time needed for decisions on sending equipment, including IRIS-II air defence systems and Marder infantry fighting vehicles, has prompted criticism from some allies.

Scholz has criticized public competition among some countries over who can deliver more and better weapons, saying decisions must be made confidentially and communicated together.

(Reporting by Victoria Waldersee; Editing by Madeline Chambers)
(Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday that he believed his country would join the European Union after emerging victorious from its war with Russia.

"We are moving closer to the European Union. Ukraine will be a member of the European Union," he said in an address to the European Parliament in Brussels, describing his country as "a Ukraine that is winning."

Ukraine became a candidate to join the EU last June but the process of joining the 27-nation bloc takes several years.

Zelenskiy said Kyiv and its European partners were defending themselves against what he cast as historic aggression from Russia.

"Europe, we are defending ourselves against the biggest anti-European force of the modern world," he said. "We, Ukrainians, on the battlefield, together with you."

Zelenskiy also thanked Ukraine's allies for the military and humanitarian aid they have provided since Russia's invasion in February last year, which has included air strikes on the country's critical infastructure.

"I thank everyone who helps Ukraine with the essentials: weapons and ammunition, energy equipment and fuel, thousands of things without which we couldn't make it amid total war."

(Reporting by Dan Peleschuk, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
In a historic visit to Brussels on Feb. 9, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the European Parliament as the first anniversary of Russias full-scale invasion approaches, saying that the EU and Ukraine are fighting together against the biggest anti-European force of the modern world."

Thanking EU leaders for their support from the early days of the 2022 invasion, Zelensky asked for more weapons to achieve common victory as his countrys soldiers hold out against brutal Russian assaults on the battlefield.

Zelensky warned EU lawmakers that Europe is facing a dictator with a mad stockpile of weapons, as well as weapons from other dictatorships, in particular, the Iranian regime, and that the Kremlin is absolutely cynically, consistently destroying what we see at the core of our Europe.

The sacred value of human life has been completely destroyed in Russia," Zelensky said.

All 140 million Russian citizens are just bodies capable of carrying weapons for the Kremlin.

"The supremacy of violence and obedience  these are rules in place of law, he added.

Receiving a huge round of applause at the Parliament as he finished up his 15-minute speech, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine was fighting for the European way of life and vowed that his country would keep fighting as long as it takes.

Ukraine officially applied for EU membership in late February 2022, just days after Russia began bombing Kyiv and other cities, and was later granted candidacy status unexpectedly in June.

Ukraines road to full EU membership is expected to take years. Ukraine has suffered from endemic corruption, and the slow progress of judicial reforms was a cause for concern before Russia plunged the country into a full-scale war.

It often takes many years for candidate countries to have accession negotiations opened by the EU. Macron said in May 2022 that it could take decades for Ukraine to join the bloc.

While Ukraines hopes of a fast track to full EU membership have not materialized, on Feb. 3 the EU hailed Ukraine's "considerable efforts" in recent months toward a potential membership.

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Before moving to the urn-shaped Europa building for a summit with leaders of the 27 EU member states, where Zelensky will speak in person for the first time since the invasion, he took a moment to thank his allies for standing with his country.

We are defending ourselves on the battlefield, we Ukrainians, together with you, Zelensky said during the speech.

Our victory will guarantee the victory of our European values, he added.

I am here in order to defend our peoples way home (to Europe).

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gives a speech in the European Parliament in Brussels on Feb. 9, 2023. ( Photo by Didier Lebrun / Photonews via Getty Images)

Zelensky also praised Europe for finally eliminating its destructive dependence on Russian fossil fuels and cleansing itself off of corrupt Russian oligarchic businesses.

Since the February invasion, the EU has taken actions to reduce its dependence on Russian gas and oil and has passed nine rounds of sanctions against Moscow for waging war against Ukraine. The EU said last week that it is preparing a new round of sanctions by Feb. 24, the first anniversary of the full-scale invasion.

Ukraine has reiterated that the only way for it to achieve victory is if its Western allies provide enough advanced weapons to push Russian forces out of the country.

Zelenskys appearance at the Parliament comes amid his second known international trip, which he began with a surprise visit to London, followed by an overnight stay in Paris where the president met with French counterpart Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Zelensky has already gained some positive gestures from Western leaders, including from U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, whose office confirmed on Feb. 8 that the U.K. would begin training Ukrainian fighter pilots on NATO aircraft.

A Downing Street spokesman told reporters following the Zelensky-Sunak meeting that the Prime Minister had asked U.K. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace to start investigating what jets we might be able to give  but to be clear, this is a long-term solution.

Standing beside Zelensky at the Parliament on Feb. 9, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola called on member states to quickly consider providing Ukraine with fighter jets.

"You need to win and now (EU) member states must consider quickly as the next step providing long-range systems and the jets that you need to protect your liberty, Metsola said.

Ukraine is Europe, and your nation's future is in the European Union, Metsola, who held an EU flag with Zelensky after his speech, added.




President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Feb. 9 that several European leaders expressed readiness to provide Ukraine with fighter jets and other necessary weapons.

Speaking at a news conference in Brussels, Zelensky said he is due to hold a series of bilateral meetings where the topic of combat aviation will be given the necessary attention."

He did not reveal the names of the countries that he was referring to or with whom he would be meeting.

Zelenskys statement comes amid his second international trip since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Zelensky attended a meeting with the EUs 27 leaders after addressing the European Parliament.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki on Feb. 9 said that his country was ready to provide Ukraine with fighter jets, but it needed to reach an agreement with other NATO allies.

He said that Poland wouldnt be the first country to send F-16 jets since its own stocks are also low.
While in the EU, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, said that there already are certain positive decisions regarding the transfer of Western fighter jets to Ukraine, but Russia should not know about them.

Source: Zelenskyy during the press conference with Charles Michel, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, Radio Liberty reports

Quote: "Concerning the long-range missiles there are certain agreements, which are not public. When these items will happen our state will know this, but I dont want to prepare the Russian Federation."

Details: The president also said that there is a rapprochement regarding the decision on long-range weapons after the visit to Great Britain.

Background: Earlier, Andrii Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said that the issue of long-range weapons and fighter jets to Ukraine by international partners can be resolved and promised details later.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Sunak and Zelenskyy

We have a powerful defense package from the United Kingdom, Zelenskyy said following the negotiations with Sunak at the Bovington Camp military base in the UK.

Read also: Zelenskyy arrives in London, elaborates on goal of his historic visit

We have agreed on a significant number of armored vehicles, the supply of long-range weapons, and also we have agreed to start training Ukrainian pilots, the President announced.

I believe that this is our clear signal  of Ukraine and the United Kingdom  that together we are not just going but will go all the way to our common victory.

Zelenskyy emphasized his visit to the United Kingdom, the first since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, has been extremely productive.

Read also: Zelenskyy, Sunak discuss arms, peace formula, says Presidents Office

Im thankful to Prime Minister Sunak for understanding our needs, for his good pieces of advice and for the decisions that will help Ukrainian warriors become even stronger, he said.

I thank His Majesty the King for todays meeting, for our conversation. I thank all the members of the British Parliament who made it absolutely clear during my address that Britain will never compromise its brave spirit. And I thank each and everyone in the United Kingdom who was on the streets of London today  we saw it all  with Ukrainian flags and who paid attention to our visit.

In addition to the new agreements on military aid and training for Ukrainian soldiers, the UK and Ukraine signed a Declaration of Unity, which sets out the principles of our cooperation and mutual support, President Zelenskyy added.

Read also: Zelenskyy presents Ukrainian pilot helmet to UK parliament  video report

The two sides further held bilateral talks on security, sanctions, political and economic cooperation, cooperation on international platforms, and determined how to further strengthen the positions of the two countries.



Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Rishi Sunak at the military base

The message said that Zelenskyy observed the training of Ukrainian crews on UK Challenger-2 main battle tanks and other armored vehicles.

Read also: Zelenskyy presents Ukrainian pilot helmet to UK parliament  video report

The president also spoke with soldiers and the base commander.

Our military personnel are diligent and are in a rush to learn new skills as quickly as possible, in order to return home and use everything they have learned to liberate our territory, Zelenskyy said.

Read also: Long-range missile coalition to help oust Russia from Ukraine, says Zelenskyy

I see that here, there is everything required for this, including powerful tanks. Exactly what we need. And we are doing everything we can so that they could also appear on the battlefield ASAP.

Zelenskyy also awarded tank crews, paratroopers, and mechanics of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with military awards.

Read also: Zelenskyy meets with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace

On Feb. 8, Zelenskyy made an official visit to London.

The Ukrainian president met with PM Rishi Sunak and addressed the Parliament, telling MPs that he will convey his gratitude to King Charles III, from all Ukrainians, for his support since even before he ascended the throne.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
About 50 people gathered Wednesday night at Riverfront Skatepark for a candlelight vigil in memory of Tyre Nichols, who was fatally beaten by Memphis police during a Jan. 7 traffic stop, an incident that has sparked national reaction.

The vigil was put together by the University of Lynchburg's NAACP chapter with help from the group Food Not Bombs and the local Black Lives Matter group.

During the vigil, Seymone Simmons, a local poet and student of the University of Lynchburg, read spoken word reminding the community of the names of other victims of police brutality.

At the conclusion of the vigil, Marques Armstrong, president of the NAACP at the UL, led the group in song to "Lean on Me."

Photos: Lynchburg vigil held in memory of Tyre Nichols
This undated file photo shows the Takav Gate of Angkor Thom temple in Siem Reap province, Cambodia. The restoration work on the Takav Gate in the western part of Angkor Thom temple in the famed Angkor Archeological Park in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province has been 100 percent completed, the Apsara National Authority (ANA) said in a news release on Wednesday. (Apsara National Authority/Handout via Xinhua)

PHNOM PENH, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The restoration work on the Takav Gate in the western part of Angkor Thom temple in the famed Angkor Archeological Park in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province has been 100 percent completed, the Apsara National Authority (ANA) said in a news release on Wednesday.

Starting in December 2019, the project has been undertaken by experts from the ANA's Department of Conservation of Monuments and Preventive Archaeology, the news release said.

ANA's deputy director-general Kim Sothin said the work has been completed, and the team is currently clearing the site and completing only a few remaining tasks.

"Our restoration team will continue to restore the wall next to the gate only five meters long and 1.4 meters high, located on both sides of the gate," he said.

"The remaining work is to carve some artworks and fill in the gaps on the wall next to the gate and it will be completed soon," he added.

Sothin said as for repairing the Deva (guardian gods) statues of the balustrade, the team will continue to restore them with a full figure, arms, legs and some heads, while the Asura statues are a bit complicated because of the foundation.

Asura is a demigod, titan, or antigod, according to the context. They exist in both the Hindu and the Buddhist religions.

The Takav Gate is one of the five gates of the Angkor Thom, which was built in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII. The gate was built by using sandstones and laterites with smiling four-faced tower, up to 23 meters high.

As per the corner of the gate, there is a sculpture of the three-headed elephant and there are Deva and Asura statues alongside the bridge just outside the gate.

Angkor Thom is one of the key temples in the 401-square km Angkor Archeological Park, which was inscribed on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1992. 

This undated file photo shows the restoration site next to the Takav Gate of Angkor Thom temple in Siem Reap province, Cambodia. The restoration work on the Takav Gate in the western part of Angkor Thom temple in the famed Angkor Archeological Park in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province has been 100 percent completed, the Apsara National Authority (ANA) said in a news release on Wednesday. (Apsara National Authority/Handout via Xinhua)

This undated file photo shows the restoration site next to the Takav Gate of Angkor Thom temple in Siem Reap province, Cambodia. The restoration work on the Takav Gate in the western part of Angkor Thom temple in the famed Angkor Archeological Park in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province has been 100 percent completed, the Apsara National Authority (ANA) said in a news release on Wednesday. (Apsara National Authority/Handout via Xinhua)
CHARLOTTESVILLE  Former Republican Rep. Denver Riggleman, of Virginia, says hes considering running for governor in 2025. Only this time as an independent.

I havent ruled it out 100%, a run for governor, Riggleman told The (Charlottesville) Daily Progress on Feb. 8 at an event promoting his book Breach, an account of his time serving on the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol.

Riggleman formally announced he had left the Republican Party in June 2022, two years after losing the partys primary for his 5th District seat to Bob Good. Riggleman, who served one term in the House of Representatives, had faced backlash within the GOP for officiating the same-sex wedding of two men who had volunteered for his 2018 campaign. He also had been a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump, who Good supported, and what he calls ludicrous Republican politics.

I think if I ever ran again, it would be for an executive position, Riggleman told the crowd on Feb. 8 gathered at Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge for the event hosted by the Senior Statesmen of Virginia.

Riggleman was explicit with The (Charlottesville) Daily Progress that executive position does not mean president.

If Riggleman made a run for governor, it would not be his first bid for the Executive Mansion.

Riggleman filed paperwork in December 2016 to be the Republican Partys gubernatorial nominee but suspended his campaign in March 2017.

He previously floated the idea of running for governor as a third-party candidate or an independent in July of 2020.

A congressional run is out of the question, Riggleman said.

Id rather light myself on fire, he told his audience Feb. 8.

Riggleman, who owns Silverback Distillery in Nelson County with his wife, said what drives him to remain in politics is also what frustrates him most about politics.

Its the disingenuous way that policies are presented, Riggleman told The (Charlottesville) Daily Progress. When youre looking at womens choice, when youre looking at children, religion, things like that. It seems to be either-or or tribalistic.

Regardless of whether he seeks the governorship, Riggleman said he hopes the commonwealth sees future public servants more interested in the service than the publicity.

I would want people that were willing to work across the aisle for the betterment of the commonwealth and not just so they can fundraise more or so they can be a national figure so they get more TikTok users, Riggleman said.

In the meantime, Riggleman said his work is focused on combatting disinformation.

The former congressman has served as an intelligence officer in the Air Force as well as a National Security Agency contractor.

He also is one of only two Republicans who spoke in support of a 2020 resolution denouncing the QAnon conspiracy group, whose followers say a satanic cabal of child molesters runs the government.

I do have some things that go up to pretty high levels of government that were working on right now, that will be coming out here soon, Riggleman said.
The Council Bluffs Police Department Uniform Division, which responds to 911 calls and includes traffic, K-9, crisis negotiation and emergency services, received more than 51,000 calls for service in 2022, according to Capt. Scott Milner, the department commander.

Milner, who joined the CBPD in 1984, spoke at the Feb. 2 Citizens Police Academy class about the wide-ranging services his department provides and the recruitment process and training new officers receive when theyre hired.

The Uniform Division currently has 120 officers on staff, though a few are set to retire later this year, Milner said. And, replacing retired officers has gotten more difficult over the last few years.

When I started in 84, the testing process for 500 to 600 applicants, you all showed up and tested at that time, Milner said. This last go around, we had 59 apply.

Of the 59 applicants, only 15 actually showed up on test day, which consists of a fitness exam and a written test that covers reading comprehension, math, writing and reasoning skills.

Of those 15, about one-third were unable to pass the fitness test, and a couple did not pass the written test, leaving eight candidates who made it to the background check.

With those eight candidates, just from the information that theyve turned in on their background investigation, were going to wash two right off the bat, Milner said.

From a pool of 59 applicants, only six will sit for interviews.

The whole hiring thing is just, its bad right now, and its only going to get worse, said Sgt. Michael Hernandez, a CBPD Field Training Officer. Its probably not going to get better until, as a society, we are more accepting that law enforcements a good career to have. Its just, there have been so many bad things in the news that nobody wants to do the job anymore.

The Feb. 2 CPA class was held the week after the body camera footage of the five Memphis police officers who beat 29-year-old Tyre Nichols to death was released, and while not specifically mentioning that incident, Hernandez believes the answer to the spate of police violence that has been witnessed over the last few years is more and better training.

When (our recruits) get this training, they know how to properly handle (potentially dangerous situations), and they dont go crazy like some of the stuff you see on TV, where, I think, they just dont have the training, Hernandez said. Or they dont do enough of it to really know a better way to handle it than what they did. You know, youve seen several things on TV that were just insane and thats just a total lack of training.

CBPD applicants who get through the background check and interview process are then sent to the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in Johnston, Iowa, northwest of Des Moines, where they will receive nearly 600 hours of training over 16 weeks in everything from how to conduct a death notification and testify in court to defensive tactics and proper use of force.

According to the ILEA website, recruits also receive 14 hours of unbiased police training, which covers things like implicit bias and how to interact with certain communities, like Black, Latinx, special needs or deaf.

After recruits graduate from ILEA, they return to Council Bluffs and undergo another eight days of mini academy, which CBPD uses to fill in some of the gaps in education that ILEA may not have covered or not covered enough.

(The mini academy) came about because, for the most part, nearly all of our training staff, all of our instructors, saw major faults in what was being taught at the academy or what was not being taught at the academy, Hernandez said. This was really important to us because we had officers that just werent ready. They get out of the academy and they werent even close.

They couldnt clear a building; they didnt know how to do a felony stop. Like, if you expose them to it on day one, they would have no clue.

Hernandez was quick to point out that he doesnt fault the academy or its instructors for recruits not being fully prepared.

They didnt have enough time in the academy, he said. I think the academy truly had good intentions. They just couldnt do it in the minimal time that they had.

The CBPDs mini academy includes instruction by Pottawattamie County and Council Bluffs attorneys in local criminal law, and recruits receive more traffic unit training.

They do that at the academy, Hernandez said. The problem is, they only need to get one or two at the academy. Only doing it one or two times isnt going to make you very proficient.

In the mini academy, recruits practice traffic stops for about half a day with only a few other people, so everyone can receive the same hands-on instruction before being asked to go out on patrol.

They can really get into weeds about some of the safety things that they may not be doing correctly at that time, Hernandez said. I firmly believe we have some of the best instructors in all of our areas and the state, and I would put them up against any of the other agencies.

Council Bluffs Police officers also receive additional training throughout their careers.

Once youre on, we have continual training all the time, Milner said. We train quarterly, law updates, the physical testing of defensive tactics, firearms, those kinds of things. We do a lot of online training now. The company that we do our policies through, we actually call them daily training bulletins, those come out, four or five, every week and a half. They read a scenario based on our policies and then theres a question at the end with a multiple guess thing, and so its an ongoing process.
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Moroccos Parliament has reiterated its condemnation of the ongoing maneuvers and smear campaigns staged by the European Parliament (EP) against the Kingdoms territorial integrity and interference in its judiciary system.

This came during a conference-debate hosted by the two chambers of the Moroccan parliament Wednesday to discuss the hostile campaign led by some members of the European Parliament against Morocco. Lawmakers, lawyers, analysts and representatives of civil society who took part in the conference examined the basis of the methodical attacks and misleading accusations made by the EP against the Kingdom in a systematic manner and denounced the European Institutions hostile, blatant and recurrent attacks against Morocco.

The actions of some parties in the European Parliament against Morocco constitute an interference in the internal affairs of states, said Speaker of the House of Representatives Rachid Talbi Alami in opening remarks.

This interference is not based on principles or values, but is motivated by cyclical interests and led by lobbies that are more active with the rise in energy prices, he said.

The campaign is targeting our international positioning, Alami said, referring to Moroccos diplomatic gains over the past decade, including its growing strategic primacy in Africa and the increasingly irreversible pro-Morocco momentum on the Sahara issue.

Morocco is a country where the rule of law prevails and is a democratic, institutionally democratic country that organizes transparent elections, Alami said, adding that the allegations underpinning the EU Parliaments case against Morocco lack substance and are politically motivated.

The Speaker reiterated condemnation of the EPs undermining of the Moroccan judiciary, referring to the EU bodys accusations targeting Moroccan courts decision to sentence some journalists charged for sexual misbehavior.

The attitude of a political current within the EP is contrary to the relations between Morocco and the EU, the Kingdoms advanced status with the Union and all the positions and statements of European officials, he stated further.

This action is also contrary to the spirit of the Morocco-EU partnership, a partnership on strategic issues for the future of the region and the world, including the fight against terrorism, migration management, climate change, peace in which Morocco assumes great responsibilities, he added.

He recalled that the House of Representatives is linked by an EU-funded institutional twinning project with seven European parliaments, noting that this is the second twinning project funded by the EU as a sign of consideration for Moroccan democracy after a first project that linked the House with five European parliaments.

It is a question of playing with the destiny of countries and indulging in childish behavior, he stressed, noting that partnership relations must be based on clarity, trust and mutual respect and not on patronage and contempt and denigration of partner institutions.

Echoing Talbi Alami, Vice-president of the Upper House Fouad El Kadiri reiterated the Moroccan parliaments condemnation of the EPs allegations against Morocco as blatant and unfounded.

Moroccos relationship with the European Parliament was never stable, Kadiri said, emphasizing the presence of up and down ties that could explode anytime. He concluded: Nothing can guarantee that it wont explode anytime.

Ibrahim Rachidi, lawyer and legal expert, agrees that Moroccos growing assertiveness and its numerous diplomatic gains over the years have contributed to making the country a target to hostile campaigns aimed at smearing the country and its institutions.

Our country reached many milestones thanks to the royal diplomacy, he said, recalling the growing number of African countries supporting Moroccos stance on the Sahara as well as the US recognition of Moroccos territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern provinces.

Chairman of the Morocco-European Union Joint Parliamentary Committee, Lahcen Haddad, commented on the EPs hostile campaign, stressing that the Kingdoms problem is not with the European Union or its various institutions.

We continue to work with these institutionds. Last week there was another resolution about the Sahara population that can benefit from the trade agreement [between Morocco and the EU]. It was a very positive interaction, he said.

The problem is rather with some MEPs known for their hostility towards Morocco.

These MEPs have taken advantage of the corruption crisis shaking the EP to create a climate of fear within the European legislative institution, pushing it to undermine Moroccos image and reputation in the media and to adopt resolutions hostile to the Kingdom, he said.

Haddad noted that 112 anti-Morocco issues and 18 attempted amendments were raised in the EP in 2022, claiming the existence of a systematic war against the Kingdom.

The Moroccan Parliament announced on January 23, in a joint statement issued by its two chambers, its decision to reconsider its relations with the European Parliament and to subject them to a global reassessment in order to take firm and appropriate decisions in light of the European Parliaments recent positions on Morocco.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has called for a ceasefire after clashes in a disputed town in the breakaway region of Somaliland left at least 13 people dead.

Tensions have been building in Las Anod, the capital of the contested Sool region, since December last year, as the region has been a point of conflict between Somaliland and the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, both of which lay claim to the territory. Each side accuses the other of starting the fighting, with Somaliland insisting it was defending itself from aggression by forces from the Puntland region. The reason for the confrontation is not due to animosity, but for political reasons, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said.

Therefore, we are sorry and not happy about what is happening there.  Respect the interest of the people, lay down arms, and stop the fighting. Start negotiating.

The conflict in the Sool region runs deep and cannot be solved without resolving the Somalia-Somaliland dispute. The fighting in the Sool region could also impede the ongoing campaign by the federal government in central regions where it could undermine military operations against al-Shabab. Clan elders, who had been meeting in Las Anod before the fresh fighting started, said in a communique that they reject the administration of Somaliland over the territory, proposing instead that the region be governed by the federal government in Mogadishu. As tensions flare again, the federal government and the break-away region might need to directly engage with one other to avert more killings and to create room for the resumption of long-delayed talks between Somaliland and Somalia.
Moroccan MPs, representatives of civil society, experts and lawyers have denounced the instrumentalization of the human rights issue, the attacks on Moroccos territorial integrity and the exploitation of the Pegasus case by some members of the European Parliament, part of smear campaigns and repeated attacks against the Kingdom.

These participants in a conference-debate, organized by the Moroccan Parliament on Wednesday devoted to discussing the hostile, flagrant and repeated attacks against the Kingdom by the European Parliament (EP), denounced the double-standards policy and the neocolonialist logic of the EP in its campaign against Morocco.

Morocco, which has all the means to guarantee and preserve human rights, is not required to provide a certificate of good conduct in this field, they underlined, adding that the Kingdom is not required to justify or prove its innocence.

The campaign waged against Morocco by a faction within the EP has led to the adoption on January 19 of a non-binding resolution on respect for freedom of expression in the Kingdom, recalled House of Representatives Speaker Rachid Talbi Alami.

In this regard, he noted that this campaign continues as an isolated group of MEPs receive a supporter of separatism and terrorism within the European institution, in addition to the holding of debates on spying allegations on officials from a European country.

The list of accusations is long, as evidenced by the deliberate intention of the sponsors of hostile attacks against Morocco, he continued, stressing that the motives and objectives of this aggression are well known, as they target the international positioning of the Kingdom, its economic development and its place on the international and continental chessboard.

The participants have thus laid bare the campaign led by the EP against Morocco and the silence of this European institution regarding the precarious human rights situation in several countries, particularly in Algeria. They also blasted the EPs double standard regarding sexual assault cases referred to court by ignoring the rights of complainants.

In this connection, political analyst Mustapha Sehimi denounced the EPs inaction and silence about the precarious human rights situation in Algeria, explaining that MEPs who want to talk about human rights should start with the case of Algeria where many abuses are common place.

Sehimi recalled the case of the Algerian Human Rights League which has not been notified of its suspension and dissolution, and the cases of dozens of electronic websites which were closed by Algeria manu militari, in addition to the use of financial means of pressure by attacking the advertising revenue of certain newspapers.

He also recalled that 430 Hirak activists are still detained in Algeria, while 60 people have been kidnapped without trial. The Algerian capital has, since 1992, always been in a state of exception, which means that the demonstrations are prohibited by decree.

In the same vein, academic Mohammed Kayen noted that through its campaign, the EP tries to establish neo-colonial hierarchies with a logic of superiority by giving lessons to the southern neighborhood of Europe, adding that the world is witness to the achievements of the Moroccan experience in terms of institutional reforms and the strengthening and consecration of the democratic process.

The human rights expert pointed out that at a time when the Kingdom is accumulating the best experiences in the areas of rights and freedoms, particularly in its southern regions which are experiencing a dynamic of development at all levels, the camps of Tindouf in Southern Algeria are the scene of daily violations and atrocities as documented in resolutions and reports by recognized international organizations.

Lawyer and human rights activist Aicha Guellaa deplored the EPs failure to take into account the voice of Moroccan victims of sexual assault. For the sake of objectivity and impartiality, the EP should listen to the victims, form convictions, and then express the position that it deemed appropriate.

We consider the use of women in this case as a double violence exercised against them, in view of the sexual violence and the political violence carried out by institutions supposed to defend human rights, she continued, noting that guarantees were granted to the defendants, but not to the victims, who suffered insults, slander and defamation.

In this vein, lawyer and human rights activist Fatima Zohra Chaoui considered that the EP resolution is a contempt and an insult to Moroccan women as well as an attack on their right to denounce the violence.

Chaoui denounced the double standard of the European body which, on the one hand, undertakes to prevent and combat violence against women by proposing new rules to fight in particular harassment at work, and on the other hand, pays no attention to the 12 women journalists victim of violence at work.

Violence against women is a serious violation of human and womens rights. To address this violence, centers must be set up to encourage women to report the violence they suffer, she argued.

This meeting was marked by a video testimony by Khadijatou Mahmoud, victim of rape by Brahim Ghali, leader of the Polisario militias. Khadijatou Mahmoud indicated that the EP has paid no attention to her case, but is willing to listen to the Polisario separatists.

The EPs refusal to examine the case of Khadijatou Mahmoud constitutes a clear example of the double-standards- policy adopted by the European institution.

The Moroccan Parliament announced on January 23, in a joint statement issued by its two chambers, its decision to reconsider its relations with the European Parliament and to subject them to a global reassessment in order to take firm and appropriate decisions in light of the European Parliaments recent positions on Morocco.
Africa holds the key to global food security because it has 60% of the worlds unused arable land, chairman and CEO of Moroccos OCP Group, Mostafa Terrab, told the Financial Times.

The Financial Times pointed out in its Wednesday issue that in the wake of the war in Ukraine and amid fears about the continents food security, Moroccos OCP Group, the worlds largest phosphate fertilizer company, gave more than 500,000 tons to small holders in sub-Saharan countries, some of it free, the rest at discounted price.

According to the business daily, OCP, which already supplies 70% of Africas fertilizer, plans to sell 4 million tons, or more than a quarter of its planned production, on the continent by 2023 under a program that includes training farmers in cooperation with multilateral donors.

Terrab explained that the companys key strategy of developing customized fertilizers, tailored to specific African soils, was the way to cut prices and increase yields.

It is cheaper to customize because we use less nutrients. We dont force farmers to buy what they dont need, he told the business daily, noting that OCPs customized products have already increased yields for farmers in Ethiopia, Tanzania and Ghana.

We [in Africa] should be totally self-sufficient, and even export, he said, adding that the big opportunities are really in Africa.

Terrab also pleaded for more investment in the industry and said prices had been rising even before the war.

It is due to a structural imbalance between demand and supply, he said. If you look at the past 20 years there has been very little investment in fertiliser production.

Although only 25% of OCPs sales go to Africa, the company sees it as a key growth area and has set up a dedicated subsidiary, OCP Africa, as well as special production units, said the daily.

OCP started looking south in 2012, at a time when Moroccan businesses sought growth in sub Saharan states to expand beyond their domestic market, noted FT, assuring that this strategy has helped strengthen the Kingdoms soft power and influence.

Furthermore, the publication said that while the fallout from the Ukraine war has been catastrophic for European nitrogen fertilizer companies due to the soaring price of natural gas, which is their raw material, the year 2022 has been synonymous with record profits for OCP.

In the first nine months of last year, OCPs operating profit reached $3.65 billion, compared to $1.99 billion for the same period in 2021, the daily said.

The company, which has major investments in mining and fertilizer production and even a university to support research and development, announced recently its intention to invest $13 billion in renewable energy and green hydrogen, produced from renewable energy. The goal is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.

In 2021, OCPs fertilizer production capacity quadrupled to 12 million tons and its revenues rose to $9.4 billion, up from $2.5 billion in 2005, said FT, noting that in mid-January, Moodys rating agency gave the company an investment grade credit rating of Baa3 for the first time.

A former telecoms regulator, Terrab was appointed to head OCP in 2006, when it was a minor player in the market. He spearheaded radical reform, converting it into a joint-stock company in 2008 with the state owning 95 per cent of the shares.
Journalist and editor of the Algerian news website Tout sur Boumerdes (TSB), Farid Harbi, has been sentenced to three years in prison without a warrant, local media reported.

The Algerian journalist was accused of having disseminated fake news, following a complaint filed by the wali of Boumerdes (northern Algeria).

The facts put forward by the complainant relate to information about local news, having been published by the journalist on the Facebook page of the TSB website.

On February 4, another journalist, Saad Bouakba, was taken into custody before being placed under judicial supervision for an article in which he addressed the ambiguous relationship of the government with the population of the wilaya of Djelfa.

According to several media, the Arabic-speaking journalist, Saad Bouakba, was arrested by the judicial police of Algiers and placed in custody, following the self-referral of the prosecutor of the Dar El Beida court.

A large wave of arrests is being carried out against many activists, journalists and human rights defenders in Algeria where fundamental freedoms and human rights continue to be ignored, violated and deliberately undermined.

According to human rights organizations, some 300 prisoners of conscience are languishing in Algerian jails, some for more than three years and without any trial.
TEHRAN, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Iran's fifth batch of humanitarian aid arrived in the Syrian capital Damascus Thursday, said the Iranian embassy in Syria.

The delivered batch includes 45 tons of blankets, carpets, tents, and foodstuff, the embassy said in a post on its Twitter account Thursday.

Iran has also sent rescue teams to the two countries.

On Wednesday, Esmaeil Qa'ani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, visited the quake-hit Syrian city of Aleppo and expressed sympathy and support for its people.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani on Monday called on other countries to pressure the United States into lifting the sanctions on Syria and the siege of the country to enable the delivery of international aid to the quake-hit Syrian regions, according to the semi-official Mehr news agency.

The massive earthquakes on Monday and their aftershocks have so far killed over 17,000 people in Turkiye and Syria, injuring tens of thousands. 
Burkina Fasos media watchdog Conseil Superieur de la Communication (CSC) has given a notice to French media France24 for unprofessionalism after the outlet allegedly reported that government source referred to terrorists who abducted last month dozens of women as Islamist rebels.

The warning came Tuesday following a hearing which took place last January 24.

The regulator accuses the French state-run international media of failing to respect the ethical principles, in particular, the respect of the accuracy and the truth of the facts.

The French channel in a reporting last month about the kidnapping of around 60 women, in a scrolling strip, said that the women were abducted by Islamist rebels, citing the Transitional government as the source, while the latter had attributed the abduction to armed terrorist groups in a statement, the CSC said.

The regulator stressed that referring to the terrorists as Islamist rebels, gives a serious nature to the perpetrators of the kidnapping of the women in Arbinda and may further undermine the peaceful coexistence of religions and jeopardize the efforts of the authorities.

In addition, CSC notes that a repetition of the offense will cost the media suspension of the license.

Early December last year, Burkina Faso authorities suspended French radio RFI until further notice for propaganda and dissemination of false information.
CA 44-year-old Omaha man will spend 17 years in federal prison after being convicted of possession of child pornography.

Adam F. Juenemann was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska for sharing child pornography with a prior conviction. After serving his time, Juenemann will be under a lifetime term of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.

In October 2020, law enforcement located a sexually explicit video and photographs posted through an internet account traced to Juenemann. A search warrant executed at Juenemanns residence resulted in the recovery of several electronic devices containing 62 images of children being subjected to sexually explicit conduct.

Juenemann was previously convicted of three counts of sexual exploitation of a child in Ellis County, Kansas. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as part of the FBIs Child Enticement and Human Trafficking Task Force and was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood.
The City of Opelika is naming a newly constructed street within the Opelika Northeast Industrial Park in honor of Patsy Boyd Parker, an Opelika native said to have done much to serve her community.

At the City Council meeting Tuesday night, the council passed a resolution to name the roadway Patsy Boyd Parker Drive. This street is perpendicular to Northpark Drive and north of the intersection of Northpark Drive and Andrews Road.

It is custom of the Opelika City Council to pay tribute to the citizens of Opelika whose lifework and civic endeavors serve to enhance the quality of life in our community, the citys resolution stated. The Opelika City Council sees fit to honor Patsy Boyd Parker who has made the lives of our fellow Opelikians better and brought honor and respect to this community.

Parker was asked to attend the meeting Tuesday night, but had no idea what the city had planned.

They all kept it a secret, the whole city kept it, Parker said with a smile on her face.

When the mayor announced the name of the new street, Parker was beyond surprised and said she felt just like a million dollars. Those attending to meeting gave her a standing ovation, cheering and clapping for her.

Youll find no greater citizen and person in Opelika than Patsy Boyd Parker, said Opelika City Schools Superintendent Farrell Seymore. She is a person who is a unifier, a leader and committed to everyones excellence in the city school system.

Seymore said hes thankful to the City Council and Mayor Gary Fuller for recognizing her in this way.

Its well deserved, he said. For the many lives that shes affected throughout her career  children, families, adults  shes left her mark in the most positive way in our community, and were grateful for it.

Parker said shes proud to have been part of the lives of all her students and shes thankful for the city council for caring about her enough to name a street after her.

Parker grew up in Opelika and graduated from J.W. Darden High School. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from Alabama State University in 1961 where she was named Valedictorian of her class. Then she earned a Master of Education degree from Auburn University in 1970.

During college, Parker met William (Bill) A. Parker, and in 1957 they got married. The couple was married for 65 years before Bill passed away.

They had two children, Nancy Parker Boyd and William A. Parker Jr., and eight grandchildren.

Parker began her teaching career at Jeter School in Opelika and later became the first Black counselor of Opelika High School, according to the resolution.

The Citys statement said Parker, was a positive figure in the lives of thousands of students, was a tireless advocate for all children and made a huge difference throughout her long career as an educator.

Parker also served on numerous boards including the Board of Trustees of Alabama State University for 28 years, the Opelika City Board of Education for almost 19 years and the Opelika Industrial Development Authority for 25 years.

She became the first female chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Alabama State University. In 2008, she was awarded the Doctorate of Humane Letters by the university, and at her 50th class reunion in 2010, she was presented the Universitys first Trustee Emeritus designation, according to the resolution.

On the Opelika City Board of Education, Parker served as chairperson from 2017 to 2020.

While on the Opelika Industrial Development Authority (formerly the Industrial Development Board of the City of Opelika), the City said Parker provided valuable guidance on challenging projects for over two decades, including the development of the Opelika Northeast Industrial Park.

Patsy has been a true asset to society and to the citizens of the State of Alabama and her local community, the citys resolution stated. Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individual for the benefit of others which Patsy has displayed throughout her life.

Mayor Gary Fuller and the Public Works Director will place the appropriate signage along the roadway marking it officially as Patsy Boyd Parker Drive.
Wednesday morning around 8 a.m. there was a heavy police presence near Aubie Drive and Academy Drive as police searched for a reportedly armed man that fled from a domestic call.

Lee-Scott Academy went under a shelter-in-place order, as a precaution, for less than 30 minutes.

Auburn police released an update around 9:05 a.m. stating they were unable to locate the suspect, but as he was no longer near LSAs campus, the shelter-in-place order was lifted. Classes resumed as normal.

LSA followed its safety protocols to ensure the safe arrival of our students and faculty. We appreciate the partnership we have with the Auburn Police Department as we work together to provide a safe school and community, LSA said in a release.

Wednesday afternoon, Auburn Assistant Chief Mike Harris said the suspect had not been located, but said he is not a threat to the public at this time.

Because this was a domestic violence incident, Harris said the APD will not release much more information about the incident.

Harris said the suspect might not even be arrested. The significant other would need to sign a warrant for his arrest.

Police described the suspect as a Black man, 5-foot-6, wearing khaki pants, a gray shirt and black boots. Anyone with information is asked to contact the tip line at 334-246-1391.
The future of health care is here today for residents of rural Chambers County. A multidisciplinary program at Auburn Universityand an innovative virtual care station offered by OnMedare providing better access to quality health care for a community in need.

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Auburn Outreach and the Auburn colleges of Pharmacy, Nursing and Human Sciences have teamed up with leaders from the City of LaFayette and Chambers County to provide the facility. Through the OnMed Care Stationone of only four of its kind in the U.S.residents can experience affordable, private and real-time visits with Alabama-licensed health care professionals in a virtual setting, and for the first 60 days, they can use the facility at no charge.

The installation of an OnMed Care Station signals a new day in health care for our community, said Rachel Snoddy, Alabama Extension coordinator for Chambers County. Patients can expect quality care without the long waits at a doctors office, and prescriptions will be sent immediately to their pharmacy. The improved access will change the health of our citizens for the better.

LaFayette currently has no urgent care facility, and the nearest hospital is a 30-minute drive. The OnMed Care Stationlocated in the Chambers County Community Health and Wellness Centeris part of Auburns Rural Health Initiative. The center is now open to the public and available to community members for convenient access to affordable primary care, including diagnosis, referrals, prescription and treatment options.

Our collaborative team is thrilled with the opportunity to support the health of the Chambers County community based on the feedback we have received directly from the community members themselves, said Hollie Cost, assistant vice president of University Outreach and Public Service. Residents throughout the area have indicated a need for greater access to health care, as well as health and wellness programming and information during extended hours.

This new center is positioned to honor those needs and wishes, with additional services being added as our faculty and student engagement expands.

The new center will provide Auburn students and faculty from different disciplines the opportunity to support community members overall well-being. Nursing students will support diabetes management and asthma education; pharmacy students will provide medication management education; and students in human sciences will have the opportunity to develop and implement community-based nutrition education programs.

Linda Gibson-Young, professor in Auburns College of Nursing, said the new health care center and residents will benefit from the synergy among the Auburn units involved.

This site is a connector between Auburn University and the community to engage all in health and wellness conversations, she said. Nursing students will benefit by collaborating with the other disciplines in a rural environment.

Establishing good community health and well-being requires a team effort, said Timothy Moore, interim dean of the Harrison College of Pharmacy. The Harrison College of Pharmacy is excited to participate in this effort for the people of Chambers County and to involve our future pharmacists as vital members of this multidisciplinary team.

The project is supported through in-kind and financial contributions by all key partners, as well as corporate grants. Partners and funders include the City of LaFayette, Auburn University, Alabama Extension, Chambers County, Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, Alfa Foundation and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama.

Were bringing access to health care in a rural environment with modern technology, when you need it, at your convenience, in an area without easy access to an urgent care or hospital. This couldnt have happened without our partners, both locally and at Auburn University, said Chief Jim Doody, City of LaFayette Fire and EMS.

The care station employed by Auburns Rural Health Initiative was developed by Florida-based OnMed to make affordable health care accessible to all. The OnMed care stations provide 85% of the services received in a traditional primary care visit, using best-in-class devices to capture patient vitals. Clinicians are available for extended hours. Patient visits are private, safe and secure, and the care station is automatically cleaned and sanitized for the next patient.

Our partnership with Auburn University, the City of LaFayette and the Chambers County Commission is a perfect reflection of our mission to provide access to quality affordable health care for all, said OnMed CEO Tom Vanderheyden. We are extremely proud of our involvement in this innovative Rural Health project, and most importantly, serving the people of this community.

An open house for the Community Health and Wellness Center is planned for April 21.
Where is WALL E II ?

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Bitchhhh, I came here to say the same thing!



And i said bitchhh in my mind before I saw your username 

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Sequels are a safe bet in financial crisis like that. People just take their kids to a known franchise, some will go for nostalgia, etc

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are they laying off 7000 (in addition to the folks laid off during chapeks last few days last year), or is iger talking past tense?

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New layoffs, though they didn't seem to specify which departments yet, I messed up the tense lol



Edited at 2023-02-08 11:42 pm (UTC)

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no one has been laid off yet but we'll probably get more info this week

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This era of Disney is definitely a very disappointing one in every way. With a 100 year history I know its not all gonna be roses (especially with capitalism) but theyre really showing they dont care about employees, quality, or fans at all.



Edited at 2023-02-08 11:37 pm (UTC)

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What era of Disney has been better though?



Like, maybe because I lived in LA and always knew people whos family worked with or they themselves worked for Disney in some capacity, its always been shit and exploitative.

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Im not trying to deflect at all I just cant really engage about this. I dont know the deep history or have personal connections so I dont have any real answers.



I do know that Walt Disney was on the forefront of making sure women animators were working on his movies well before that was normal. So clearly there are examples that not every single thing the company has done has been heinous.

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Yup, everyone I knew that worked with the studios in LA referred to them as, The Rat for good reason. Hell, I know for a fact they hired RSOs as film and show crew members.

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I love how both Toy Story 3 and 4 were treated as being the end of the series. I think the actors were even given the same questions for both films in regards to How does it feel to say goodbye to these characters, etc. And now theyre doing a fifth film? Wow.



I do think a funny idea would be to have Andy visiting Bonnie to see how Woody is doing and going nuclear when he sees that she lost him.



Edited at 2023-02-08 11:39 pm (UTC)

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The first Toy Story is legit my favourite film of all time, and I love the characters so much and have been so happy to see them return, but even I'm like...isn't it time to stop?

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toy story 3 and 4 were really so much better than it made sense for them to be (especially 4 3 felt like such a perfect goodbye that 4 should have felt extraneous but they managed to find a story to tell that really worked? idk that movie got to me on a weird level) so like i guess its theoretically possible lightning will strike again but seems like a lot to gamble on after somehow ending the series on a high note twice in a row. lol.

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Toy Story 5, really?



I feel bad for all those people being laid off. Maybe if whichever Bob is running shit now would forgo a brand new mega yacht or a 5th mega mansion, those people could have stayed employees. Because you know its not the guys at the top getting pink slips, its the workers who are just trying to not starve to death.

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Fuck the mouse, man.

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Wonder how Disney is handling their animation teams now. Didn't it use to be that their A Team is in charge of all original blockbusters, while their B Team is made up of trainees doing direct to video sequels (eg. Beauty and the Beast 2, Aladdin and the King of Thieves, etc...) and maybe animated tv shows? Did they completely get rid of their trainee projects or they just put everyone everywhere and don't care as much about animation quality now?

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I think they sold or consolidated those smaller studios; When was the last time there was a direct to video sequel? The closest is maybe all those damn Frozen specials they made 7 years ago.

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It was different studios, sort of. Feature didn't do straight to video or tv shows. But that's changed a bit. Now Baymax! and the zootopia show were both done by feature and I think the Moana and PatF shows are, as well? I know the Monsters Inc show was not- they don't hire from one studio to another, so my family member was working on that, left to briefly work someone else, and then got hired by feature.

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Also, I know some of the Disney Jr stuff wasn't made in house. My sister's friend is obsessed with Disney and got a job on Jake and the Neverland Pirates.... but was working at another studio. So on a Disney show with none of the Disney "perks."

Other studios do the same thing- my sister thought it was hilarious that they had some thing on Tom & Jerry for Red Nose Day years and years ago. They showed the exterior of WB, but the interior was the tiny space of the tiny studio my sister worked for in Glendale who was actually making the show.

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"returning power to creators" lol. what, to develop ai-generated scripts into films with bloated budgets that are still somehow underfunded?

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7000 jobs gone, my god :(

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Job creators! Trickle-down economics! Invisible hand of the free market! 

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Yeah because if anyone needs to cut costs and save money, its Disney. GET FUCKED.

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Disney+ lost 2.4m subscribers.



Oh hey, it's me! I'm not a Disney Adult or a Marvel/Star Wars stan so I found it boring, and the Fox catalog it's on a different platform here, I hope they keep flopping 

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what made you get it in the first place? A bundle deal?

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Only reason I still have it. Helps that Verizon pays some of it too.



So I only pay $5 a month for Disney+, ad free Hulu, and I have my dad ESPN+

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A 30 day free trial, I stuck for just one month because I wanted to do a Marvel marathon and watch some Disney classics but I canceled after that.

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Yeah Im gonna cancel in May when my year is up. Nothing interesting!

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Yeah I canceled once my deal was over. Feels good not putting money in that mouses pockets more than I need to.



I only used it for The Simpsons but now its on my Plex server so bye Disney+

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Glad I could contribute to that fall in subscribers. Got rid of that shit as soon as my bundle discount ended. I dont think I even actually used it. Trash.

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my brother is a marvel person so i use his login and ive been using it bc marvel stuff i havent seen is the right combination of stimulating and dumb to make great background viewing when im doing mostly mindless work tasks but if he cancelled i wouldnt miss it. at most id subscribe a month or two a year if something came out i wanted to catch up on and cancel the rest of the time (what im currently doing with HBO max and theres a lot more shit on HBO i wanna watch eventually lol)

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i get that they struck gold with toy story because stories about children and their bonds with toys is literally timeless but how many times are we gonna do this? also isn't woody gone now?



also lol @ zootopia 2

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I still can't believe they made that ad for zootopia by having those people in the big fur suits react to it

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While other people will be expected to work harder to fill gaps and make sure the investors are happy. Scum.



Interesting how noone wants to admit that streaming peaked with covid. Now it's not about new subs but keeping the ones you have. Stop cancelling shit and listen to your subscribers.



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Yeah, this is pretty much how I feel about streaming and social media in general - the focus on new users makes sense as a metric in your early days, but once you really hit big it becomes redundant pretty quickly because you will saturate that pool. And yet it constantly seems to be the only metric anyone focuses on

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I never saw Toy Story 4 because Toy Story 3 was such a perfect ending I didnt want to mess with it, and the fact that they keep beating the corpse of what was once a good franchise is sad.

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TS4 was enraging, you made the right choice

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Don't do it, I regret it. TS3 was a perfect ending

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Celebrities including F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton, EGOT winner Viola Davis and many more reacted to devastating earthquake that happened in Southeast Turkey on Feb 6, 2023.

(edit: William & Kate of the British Royal Family also supported a campaign in the UK that aims to provide relief to the region. More celebs added.)

Twin earthquakes happened in the same region within ~8 hours of each other, 7.8 and 7.6 magnitudes. Both Syria and Turkey is affected. As of now, more than 20.000 people have died in both countries total.

Hopes faded on Thursday of finding more survivors after the earthquake that killed nearly 20,000 people in Turkey and Syria, as the first UN aid reached Syrian rebel-held zones  https://t.co/undWP6trJj pic.twitter.com/ydxYS4phGo  AFP News Agency (@AFP) February 9, 2023

Lewis Hamilton:





Jennifer Lopez:







Viola Davis:

Mark Ruffalo:

These are the folks doing search and rescue in Turkey if you want to lend a hand. https://t.co/vDhBfuHBnZ  Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) February 6, 2023

Antonio Banderas:

Kerry Washington:







William & Kate

We have been horrified to see the harrowing images coming out of Turkey and Syria in the aftermath of the earthquakes this week. Our thoughts are with the communities affected and we are pleased to support the @decappeal campaign which will aid the response on the ground. W & C https://t.co/Vrd2m7UcPW  The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) February 9, 2023

Selena Gomez:





Meanwhile twitch streamer Hasan Piker have raised $1 Million for charities & NGOs doing streams and running a charity event:

Hasan Piker's community has officially raised $1,000,000 after 3 days for relief efforts after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Turkey and Syria. He's personally donated $45,000.



To contribute: https://t.co/usrEuzyVwF pic.twitter.com/RAZtLqH43p  ostonox (@ostonox) February 8, 2023

If you, too, want to support the relief efforts going on in Turkey monetarily, please do so via Ahbap. Here is their link that you can support from anywhere in the world. Please keep in mind $1 USD = 19 TL so, a cup of coffee for you is a lot for Turkish efforts.

Also Turkish Embassies are collecting items to be sent to the disaster area, but they request unused (first hand) items.

For Syria I am not aware of which charities/NGOs support their efforts, so please let me know and I'll edit the post.



Heres a comprehensive list that includes Syria. My thanks to carminaburana.





Here's how the current situation in Turkey goes:

Many countries offered their support and rescue teams and they are working quite well, we are so very thankful. Most big companies also offered their help, many in Turkey sent trucks with most immediate items

Turkish Government handles this... well... Government-run disaster relief agency AFAD is horrendously insufficient. We had people literally tweeting from under the rubbles stating they're alive, and people use twitter mainly to coordinate rescue teams and efforts. Power tools or construction machines (excavators, cranes etc) are found over twitter. People organise manpower for items that are collected for the disaster area so that they can be sorted and sent to the places that are in need.

Turkish Government's response to this was to throttle twitter, state for a fact that all help has to be coordinated through AFAD and they won't let anything else, how people donate to any other NGO than AFAD are provocateurs, how people call government response to the disaster insufficient lack honour and good morals etc etc. You get the gist.

Oguzhan Ugur of BabalaTV, a Youtube channel which help in sorting out the calls for help on Twitter, yesterday announced by the throttling of twitter, their capability of reaching to the people went down by 70%.

Ahbap, the most competent NGO we currently have in that area, is a NGO run by a former Turkish Anatolian rockstar. Turkish celebrities & streamers, instagram influencers work with them daily to collect donations in forms of containers, tents, energy tools, food, clothing.

Even at 80th-90th hour after the earthquakes, some people are saved alive under rubble. Now the biggest problem for survivors is the freezing cold and lack of items that will support them. Since the first earthquake happened at 04:15 local time, almost all the people who escaped were in their pyjamas and nothing more in minus degrees outside. People have collected quite a lot of items (food, blankets etc) but it's hard to bring those to the victims.

Please keep the victims in your thoughts and prayers.

sorry about the formatting mods, the new editing tool kills me. i can edit if needed.

sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
ACCRA, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- A senior World Bank official on Thursday here called for the Ghanaian government to create more equal opportunities for girls in science education.

Jaime Saavedra, a global education director for the World Bank, made the call during a two-day visit to Ghana to discuss the strategic vision for education in Ghana.

While commending the Ghanaian government for focusing on free education at the senior high school level, he emphasized the need to encourage more girls to veer into science education.

"It's extremely important not only to increase access to secondary school with a free fee-based policy but also to make sure that all boys and girls have the same opportunities," he emphasized. "The school should be that space in which we break those gender roles that have been traditionally reserved for girls; we need actually to emphasize girls' rights."

Ghanaian Minister for Education Yaw Osei Adutwum said the government was working to scale up access and quality education for all.

As part of his itinerary, the World Bank official visited some educational institutions in the capital Accra to familiarize himself with the implementation of some projects funded by the bank.

Sarah Boamah-Buabeng, a coordinator for the Korley Klottey Municipal Education Directorate, expressed optimism that more girls will develop an interest and a strong passion for science-related subjects.

For at least three decades, the World Bank has implemented a number of educational programs, benefiting some 5.81 million learners in Ghana, out of which 2.87 million are girls. 
U.S. Postal Service Faces Citations After OSHA Finds No Running Water, Inoperable Bathroom at Virginia Facility

An employee allegedly worked at the location for more than a month in these conditions, OSHA said.

A lack of running water and a non-functional bathroom at one facility has left the U.S. Postal Service with citations.

On August 30, 2022, an allegation led OSHA to inspect the U.S. Postal Service facility in Chesapeake, Virginia, according to a news release. The agency discovered that water and sanitation bills were past due, going back to February 2022, and that the water had been turned off since July 2022. This left an employee without running water and a functional bathroom for over a month. The water supply was turned back on on August 31, 2022.

OSHA cited the U.S. Postal Service for one serious and one repeat violation and proposed $13,840 in penalties.

Employers must ensure a safe and healthful workplace by making sure workers have access to water for drinking and sanitation," said OSHA Area Director Brian Rizzo in Norfolk, Virginia, in the news release. "U.S. Postal Service management responsible for this facility should have acted more quickly to protect employee health."

According to the citations, corrections were made during the inspection.
The prolonged political instability in Bulgaria will continue to impact critical energy security decisions and maintain the countrys status as Russias best client in Europe. Bulgaria, currently the third-largest buyer of Russian oil in the world, is heading for another round of general elections on April 2, since the parliament failed to form a regular cabinet following the October 2022 elections (Dnevnik.bg, February 2). This will be the fifth parliamentary poll in the past two years.

The Bulgarian National Assembly will dissolve on February 5, and another interim government appointed by the president, the fifth in two years, will take office. Critical energy decisions, including seeking alternative oil supplies and taking control of the Russian oil refinery on Bulgarias Black Sea coast will likely be postponed, perhaps for another year if a regular government is not formed this spring (Euronews, January 13).

While the European Union has now phased out 90 percent of oil imports from Russia, Bulgaria became the third-largest buyer of Russian crude after China and India, overtaking Turkey on that list in December 2022 (Svobodnaevropa.bg, January 10). The Port of Burgas is the only one in Europe where Russian oil can still embark after Sofia succeeded in lobbying the European Commission for an exemption from the ban on seaborne Russian oil, which became effective on December 5, 2022. Russian oil deliveries to Bulgaria actually increased by 30 percent in mid-2022 and remained stable after that, allowing the refinery to work at its full capacity of 196,000 barrels per day (Svobodaevropa.bg, May 13, 2022).

Oil transported via the Black Sea by tankers from Novorossiysk is refined at the largest refinery in the Balkans, which is wholly owned by Lukoil, the second-largest oil company in the Russian Federation. Moscow has attempted to preserve its traditional markets and influence using Lukoil and Rosneft refineries in Europe; but after the latest embargo, this is only possible in Bulgaria. This, in turn, will make the country particularly vulnerable to the Kremlins propaganda during the upcoming elections.

Overall, Bulgaria has not made sufficient attempts to secure alternative crude supplies for its only refinery, which is also a major supplier of gasoline and motor oil to most of the Balkans. As oil from Kazakhstan is becoming available, not only through the Caspian Pipeline Consortium to the Port of Novorossiysk but also through the Port of Supsa in Georgia, Sofia has not planned to tap into this potential.

Only now, almost a year after Russias all-out war against Ukraine began, did the interim Bulgarian government sign a memorandum with Greece to explore whether the now-defunct Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline project could be revived and used in the reverse to send crude from Greek ports to the Port of Burgas, bypassing the Turkish Straits (Money.bg, January 5).

But Russian ownership of the refinery will continue to be a problem until the Bulgarian government takes control of the facility as Germany did with the Rosneft-owned Schwedt refinery (Euractiv, September 16, 2022). Bulgarian lawmakers voted in January this year that the government could take over operation of Russian company Lukoils Neftochim Burgas refinery for up to a year to ensure protection of critical infrastructure and fuel supplies (Trud, December 7, 2022). But this leaves the decision to the economic minister, and at a time of pending parliamentary elections in a politically unstable country with a strong pro-Russia lobby, this may be problematic.

Since the spring of 2021, Bulgaria has held four general elections that have produced a fragmented parliament unable to appoint a prime minister, save oneKiril Petkov, who only served for seven months. But Petkovs government fell after one of the four-party coalition partners withdrew its support in mid-2022, amid a natural gas supply crisis. As Petkov refused to pay for Russian gas in rubles, Moscow suspended gas supplies to Bulgaria, together with Poland.

Although the government quickly secured alternative gas supplies from Azerbaijan and the United States, powerful Bulgarian businesses connected to Gazprom set out to bring down the government (SeeNews.com, June 8, 2022; Fakti.bg, June 23, 2022). Simultaneous public revelations that Sofia had been secretly selling weapons and ammunition to third parties for delivery to Ukraine added to the political campaign launched by Russian loyalists, which eventually brought down the government (Standart, June 26, 2022).

On February 5, another EU embargoon petroleum products produced from Russian oilwill come into effect. According to the conditions of the European Commissions exemption, Bulgaria will not be able to export petroleum products, except to Ukraine. Previously, gasoline, diesel and motor oil were supplied to the entire Balkans, making Lukoil a major regional player.

On February 1, the interim Bulgarian government announced that the export of petroleum products made from Russian oil to Ukraine will continue after 5 February (Euractiv.bg, February 1). Lukoil has denied that fuel produced from Russian oil was sent to Ukraine in 2022, claiming that it deals with over 500 different intermediaries and not directly with Ukraine (EurAsia Daily, January 18). But an investigation by the Bulgarian service of Euractiv found that, according to the National Statistical Institute, Ukraine had bought 1,000-times more fuel from Bulgaria in 2022 than in 2021. In fact, the scale of Bulgarian petroleum products exported to Ukraine is as large as 1 percent of the Bulgarian economy (Euractiv, February 2).

It seems that Russian President Vladimir Putins decree, starting February 1, to stop supplies of oil to countries that support the price cap has not affected Lukoils Neftochim refinery (Kremlin.ru, December 27, 2022). As an EU member, Bulgaria supports the price cap adopted by the G7 economic group, the EU and Australia, currently at $60 per barrel. But further publicity about Russian oil being used to supply the Ukrainian army with diesel fuel may change Putins mind. Sofia evidently has little time to find alternative oil supplies for its economy.

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By Jamestown.org

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Constant accusations of knowing the effects of their products on the environment and lawsuits have become constant companions of oil companies in the last few years. The successes that activists have hadsuch as Friends of the Earths court win that obliged Shell to cut its emissions by 45 percenthave been celebrated loudly and globally.

Naturally, Big Oil tends to be the target of choice because of its size, but with governments in Europe and much of North America pledging their total support for an energy transition, the whole industry has become a target. And has been quiet about it all, probably on the assumption that trying to defend itself would make things worse. Until recently.

Perhaps the first highly public retaliatory shot came in 2021 when the chief executive of Liberty Energy made a YouTube video attacking North Face for its refusal to sell branded apparel to an oil company because of what it did. In the video, Chris Wright accused North Face of hypocrisy, noting the fact that the synthetic fibers they used in their products were a product of the oil industry.

The video made quite a splash at the time, with North Faces defense coming down to an admission that associating with an oil company would make it look bad and a promise to make all its products recyclable by 2030.

Related: Has Saudi Arabias Relationship With Russia Reached Its Limits?

But Wright didnt stop there. Just this month, the chief executive of Liberty posted a video on LinkedIn challenging the climate crisis narrative. LinkedIn took the video down. Wright challenged the decision. LinkedIn first said the video violated its misinformation policies but a day later restored it. And the Wall Street Journal wrote a long article about it.

In his disputing the alleged scientific consensus on climate change, Wright is still an exception. Yet Libertys bigger sector players are challenging the energy transition in other ways. They may well have had enough of bearing the attacks silently and making emission-reduction pledges in hopes that everyone starts liking them better.

Last year, for instance, the chief executive of Chevron, Mike Wirth, countered accusations by the Biden administration that the oil industry was raking in inordinate profits, saying that from a longer-term perspective, these were in fact modest returns on investments that oil companies made.

Industry insiders have noted, only half-jokingly, that if the federal government wants to tax the excess profits of Big Oil, then it should have provided financial support to the industry when it struggled during the worst of the Covid crisis. Or that it should have also taxed Big Tech, which made billions during the two pandemic years.

Exxon went further, attacking the windfall tax the European Union recommended to all its members in court. The supermajor said that the windfall tax was counter-productive, it discouraged investments, and the European Union had exceeded its legal authority in imposing the tax on oil companies. It noted the $3 billion it had invested in refineries in Europe in the past 10 years, ensuring the security of fuel supply for the continent, suggesting that such investments would not be forthcoming in a windfall tax environment.

The U.S. company wasnt the only one. French TotalEnergies was quick to take legal action against none other than one of the icons of the environmental movement: Greenpeace. After the organization issued a report claiming that TotalEnergies was underreporting its emissions, the supermajor acted swiftly and slammed Greenpeace for spreading misinformation, filing a lawsuit against the organization.

The Greenpeace report follows a methodology that is dubious, to say the least, TotalEnergies said at the time, adding that the dissemination by Greenpeace of misleading information in this matter is serious.

The latest surprise was quite a blow because it came from one of the companies most active in transforming themselves from an oil major to a transition leader. At least that was the plan three years ago when BPs new chief executive Bernard Looney took the helm.

Now, after a devastating 2020, a much better 2021, and a stellar 2022, Looney appears to have reconsidered some of BPs goals. This time last year, BP said it planned to cut oil and gas production by 40 percent from 2019 levels by 2030. This week, the supermajor said the 2030 production cut target would be 25 percent from 2019 levels by 2030.

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Whats more, the Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources, reported a week ago that BPs chief executive had been unhappy with the returns that many BP renewable energy projects were making. As a result, the report said, he planned to dial back the companys transformation from Big Oil major to Big Energy major.

It could be that record profits have emboldened the oil industry, especially in the context of disappointing performance from renewable energy majors such as Orsted and Siemens Gamesa. Or it could be that the oil industry has had enough and has decided to stop rolling with the punches and instead serve some back.



By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Over the course of just a few years, the United States became one of the top three exporters of liquefied natural gas. Last year, it was the biggest supplier of LNG to Europe. This was made possible by a handful of companies that invested billions in liquefaction plants along the Gulf Coast, with another handful coming in the next couple of years. But competition is intensifying.

Energy Intelligence reported this month that U.S. gas producers are getting increasingly interested in LNG exports. The report cited the chief executive of Devon Energy as saying the company was looking into diversifying with LNG exports to get some exposure to international markets.

"We're not going to be big LNG players like Cheniere or Freeport or anything like that," Rick Muncrief said at the NAPE conference in Houston last week. "I mean, from our perspective, it's how can we get some exposure in international markets and help our allies around the world. We do the same thing with oil."

The decision makes perfect sense. Demand for liquefied natural gas globally is on the rise, and strongly, after Europe joined the LNG party. Even though the EU's emission-cutting plans discourage European buyers from securing long-term LNG import deals, which U.S. producers find to be a problem, U.S. LNG will continue to flow to Europe. Related: Oil Prices Continue To Slide On Rising US, EU Inventories



At the same time, market observers expect demand from Asia to start climbing, too, now that prices are off their peak from last summer. Indeed, Bangladesh recently bought an LNG cargo after months of abstaining from such imports because of prices. It also plans to buy several more if prices remain where they are. And if more U.S. gas producers enter the LNG space, chances are that prices will get a ceiling once their facilities start operating.

Earlier this year, BloombergNEF predicted that U.S. LNG export capacity would soar to 169 million tons by 2027. That would make the United States the world's biggest LNG exporter, far ahead of Qatar, which plans to expand its capacity to 110 million tons by 2026.

"The US is in the lead because of its flexible contract terms and the competitive landscape of project developers," said BloombergNEF global LNG specialist Michael Yip. "Its aggressive but transparent pricing and reliability as an LNG supplier has made it easy for these new projects to secure contracts."

That's just the big guns in LNG exports. Add to that the smaller gas producers that are diversifying into LNG exports, and the potential future dominance of the U.S. on international LNG markets becomes even more pronounced. As long as the gas flows as it does now.

Earlier this year, two gas CEOs warned there might be a slowdown in drilling activity because of prices. At such prices, profitability is hard to come by, Adam Rozencwajg, the natural resources investor from Goehring & Rozencwajg, told Oilprice. And that may put a lid on the supply of gas.

"Companies with remaining core Tier 1 acreage can make a return at today's gas pricethose are few and far between," Rozencwajg said. "More importantly, companies have come to realize just how difficult it is to maintain high-quality drilling inventory. In light of that, they are reluctant to increase activity and pull forward the inevitable moment they'll be short of high-quality drilling prospects."

What this means is that sooner or later, prices will go up. This will make LNG exports even more lucrative. And shareholders who mind increased drilling might change their minds.

"Most of our investors get it and they think it's a good idea," Chesapeake's Nick Dell'Osso, one of those CEOs who warned about lower drilling activity this year said at NAPE.

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"At the end of the day, the way I describe it to our investors, is this is not arbitrage capture. This is diversification of market. The US gas is being sold in international markets. We should have exposure to that. That's diversification of your product sales points and ultimately like any other portfolio diversification."

Indeed, diversification has proven to be the optimal strategy both for producers and for consumers, as any European Union official is sure to tell you if you ask them.



By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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After rebounding by some 5% earlier this week on China demand recovery optimism, crude oil prices have shed over 1% on Thursday, following U.S. inventory data showing increasing stockpiles.



At 12.24 p.m. EST, Brent crude was trading down 1.09% on the day at $84.16 per barrel, while WTI was trading down 1.19% at $77.54 per barrel.



On Wednesday, the EIA reported another inventory build, putting downward pressure on oil prices. That report came after three weeks of inventory builds. As of the latest EIA report, 455.1 million barrels, U.S. crude inventories are about 4 percent above the five-year average for this time of the year, at 455.1 million. Gasoline inventory increased by some 5 million barrels for the week to February 3rd, with production averaging 9.1 million barrels daily.

Overall, crude prices are still higher this week due to optimism from a global economic perspective, as long as this doesnt get crushed from over-tightening by central banks, Oanda senior market analyst Ed Moya said, as cited by Quantum Commodity Intelligence.

Relentlessly rising U.S. commercial inventories and potentially entrenched inflation limit any immediate upside potential, PVM analyst Tamas Varga told CNBC, adding that recovering Chinese demand and falling inflation should provide oil price support in H2 of this year.

Europe inventories are also weighing on prices, with Qcintel reporting that gasoil stocks in the ARA (Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp) region had surged 7% last week to their highest since March 2021.

Earlier on Thursday, JPMorgan Chase & Co. chief executive Jamie Dimon told Reuters that we should be careful about sentiments that suggest we have been victorious over inflation. Dimon said there was still the potential for the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates above the 5% mark.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Algeria reclaimed its title as Spains largest natural gas supplier in January, providing 25% of the countrys monthly demand, according to Enagas.

Algeria has long been Spains largest natural gas supplier since Enagas began collecting records, according to Reuters. But last January, the United States knocked Algeria off the top as Algeria-Spain relations soured following the latters public recognition of Moroccos autonomy plan for the disputed area of Western Sahara. The former Maghred-Europe pipeline was shut down in the last quarter of 2021 following Spains recognition.

Following the pipeline shuttering, Algeria suspended last year the treaty of friendship, good neighbourliness and cooperation that it signed with Spain in 2002, Algeria said.

Last October, Algerias Sonatrach and Spains Naturgy revised 2022 nat gas prices, but put off talks of 2023 gas prices. According to Reuters figures from last October, Sonatrach supplies about 5 billion cubic meters of gas per year to Spain per contracts signed decades ago. The contracts are valid until the end of this decade, with periodic price reviews.

Algeria agreed to fulfill its contractual obligations for supplying gas to Spain even though it pulled its ambassador to Madrid in June as tensions escalated.

Enagas data suggests that 8545 GWh of total gas deliveries to Spain last month came from Algeria through the Medgaz pipeline.

For January, the United States supplied 20.7% of Spains natural gas, and Nigeria was third, supplying 20.2%--with 100% of it being LNG.

Meanwhile, Spains Russia deliveries tripled year over year in January, to 6372 GWh, up from 2,178 GWhthe highest volume since June.

Last week, Enagas reported that the number of ships loading LNG in Spain and making its way to Europe doubled last year compared to 2021.

Spain boasts six LNG terminals, with another one soon on the way.

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The first shipment of Australian coal to China in two years arrived this week as Beijing signaled it was warming up to restoring trade relations with its former major supplier of the fossil fuel.

The news comes as the Chinese Foreign Ministry said it was ready to resume trade relations with Australia and even expand them, the Global Times reported.

The statement followed another one, from Chinas commerce minister, who said earlier this week, after talks with his Australian counterpart, that bilateral relations were improving.

At present, the economic and trade relations between the two countries are facing an important window period... the meeting is a significant step to push China and Australia economic and trade relations back on track, Wang Wentao said, as quoted by Reuters.

Indications of Chinas reconsideration of bilateral trade relations with Australia came last month when the countrys National Development and Reform Commission was reported to be discussing the idea of allowing four large Chinese coal importers to make new purchases of Australian coal this year. According to the report by Bloomberg, such imports could resume as early as April this year.

The official approval of the resumption of some coal imports from Australia came later in January, in evidence of the importance China is placing on its energy security, including from fossil fuels.

Relations between the two countries deteriorated in 2020 after the Australian government called for an international inquiry into Beijings handling of the initial stages of the Covid pandemic. The call led to a retaliatory ban on Australian coal imports into one of the worlds biggest consumers of the commodity.

China has put more emphasis on energy security since the autumn of 2021. Earlier this year, Beijing said it would continue to maximize the use of coal in the coming years as it caters to its energy security, despite pledges to contribute to global efforts to reduce emissions.

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Shipments of Azeri crude oil from the southern Turkish port of Ceyhan are not expected to be restored until late next week, as assessment of the damage from Mondays earthquakes continues, a source with knowledge of a preliminary estimate told Bloomberg on Thursday.

Earlier estimates suggested that the terminal at Ceyhan hosting the pipeline from Azerbaijan was expected to return to operations on Wednesday or Thursday.

The timeline seems to have been pushed by at least a week as authorities and stakeholders continue to assess damages following the devastating earthquakes in southern Turkey and northern Syria, which killed more than 15,000 people, with thousands more feared dead as of Thursday.

BP Azerbaijan has declared force majeure on loadings of Azeri crude from Ceyhan following the earthquake in southern Turkey and northern Syria earlier this week, the Azeri unit of the UK-based supermajor told Reuters on Wednesday.

BP Azerbaijan is the operator of the sections of the Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline in Azerbaijan and Georgia. Ceyhan is the key export outlet for Azerbaijans oil and ships out around 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) of Azeri crude.

The Ceyhan oil terminal temporarily suspended operations on Monday after the earthquake. The oil terminal is located around 155 kilometers, or 96 miles, from the epicenter of the earthquake.

Crude oil flows from Iraq to Ceyhan resumed on Tuesday, industry sources told Reuters.

BP Azerbaijan told Reuters on Thursday that Azeri crude oil continues to flow via the pipeline to Ceyhan, which remains closed for loadings from the BTC pipeline. It was not immediately clear how much spare storage is left at the Ceyhan port.

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The Sangachal Terminal on the Caspian Sea coast in Azerbaijan has enough storage capacity for four days worth of crude oil flows in case Ceyhans storage hits capacity, sources have told Reuters.

By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com

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Indias conglomerate Adani is offering coal cargoes at a discount to benchmarks in a move suggesting that the groups traders are eager to sell the coal quickly and potentially boost the liquidity at Adani Group, sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg on Thursday.

The giant industrial conglomerate Adani has had a difficult few weeks after a short sellers report accused the group of gross market manipulations, leading to a massive wipeout of the market capitalizations of the groups listed units.

Indian authorities started an investigation into the downfall of Gautam Adanis Adani Enterprises after a report from Hindenburg Research, a U.S. short-seller firm, triggered a 60% stock market value loss in the past weeks.

Last month, Hindenburg accused Adani Group of pulling the largest con in corporate history, having engaged in a brazen stock manipulation and accounting fraud scheme over the course of decades.

The Adani Group has dismissed the claims as a malicious combination of selective misinformation and stale, baseless and discredited allegations.

Adani Group, which owes part of its wealth to coal mines and coal-fired power stations, is now offering to sell cargoes of coal from Australia and Indonesia at around a 4% discount to the benchmark in Asia, according to Bloombergs sources.

Although Adani is not the only coal seller offering cargoes at discounts, the group seems eager to sell quickly the cargoes, the sources told Bloomberg.

At the end of 2021, Adani Group said it planned to invest $70 billion by 2030 in its green energy operations to become the largest producer of renewable energy in the world.

French supermajor TotalEnergies, which has several joint ventures and investments with Adani in India, said earlier this week it hadnt signed yet a planned partnership deal for the production of green hydrogen with Adani.

TotalEnergies awaits the results of audits that Adani started after the Hindenburg Research report, the French groups CEO Patrick Pouyanne said on Wednesday.

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Kazakhstan is banning the export of fuels for four months regardless of the mode of transportation, beginning on February 18, the Kazakh Finance Ministry said in a statement.

The country is banning exports of gasoline, diesel, and certain types of other oil products, the state revenue committee at the ministry said on February 8, with the ban effective ten days after the announcement.

The Kazakh Finance Ministry thus informed all participants in foreign trade, carriers, freight forwarders, customs representatives, and other stakeholders that they should comply with the ban.

The purpose of the ban is to ensure enough fuel supply domestically and prevent shortages.

The ban in Kazakhstan comes days after the EU embargo on imports of Russian fuels and the price cap on diesel and other products came into effect on February 5.

The embargo has been combined with price caps for deliveries to third countries, agreed upon with the G7 in the same way that the EU and the G7 coordinated the price cap on Russian crude last year. The EU has set a price cap of $100 per barrel on Russian diesel, meaning that buyers of diesel from third countries should either comply with the cap and buy the diesel at or below $100 a barrel or lose the insurance and finance services of Western companies for the cargoes.

Europe, for its part, has raised its imports of fuels from the Middle East and the United States in preparation for the EU ban, but just ahead of the embargo, Europe was still the biggest buyer of Russian diesel. The EU will have to boost imports from non-Russian suppliers significantly after the embargo kicked in on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Russia had diverted most of its fuel oil and vacuum gasoil (VGO) exports to Asia and the Middle East even before the EU embargo on Russian petroleum products took effect.

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By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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ISLAMABAD, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of police in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province has foiled possible terrorist attacks by arresting two mastermind terrorists, local media reported Thursday evening.

Local media quoting official sources reported that the CTD and an intelligence agency conducted an operation and arrested the culprits in Rawalpindi, a garrison city adjacent to the country's capital Islamabad.

The arrested terrorists belonged to the banned outfit Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), who were planning to conduct attacks with the help of suicide bombers at four different locations, including a police compound in Islamabad, said the reports.

During the investigation, the CTD found that the terrorists had already conducted photo and video recces of the sites they have targeted.

Earlier in the week, the CTD claimed to have arrested nine TTP terrorists from different areas of Punjab, and confiscated weapons, ammunition and explosives from their possession. 
Los Angeles will convert its largest gas-fired power plant to one operating with green hydrogen, the LA Times has reported, citing a unanimous vote by the LA City Council.

The conversion will involve installing new turbines at the Scattergood Generating Station, which will be operated with hydrogen. The hydrogen will be produced through electrolysis using power from solar or wind power installations. The report notes that green hydrogen power generation has never been done on such a scale.

The plant will not begin burning only green hydrogen from the start. At first, it would only add the low-carbon fuel to natural gas, the report noted.

The unanimous vote by the City Council comes after its own Energy and Environment Committee expressed some concern about the project and made certain recommendations prompted by criticism from different groups, including environmentalists.

Some critics, as noted in the LA Times report, have called into question the benefits of the project for local communities, slamming it as a greenwashing boondoggle, per the LA Times.

Others, the Los Angeles Daily News reported last week, are concerned about possible adverse effects of using green hydrogen for power generation. Some environmental groups appear to be worried that green hydrogen in power generation may affect the climate. The committee also asked the citys Department of Water and Power about the possibility for adverse effects on public health.

Following consultations, the committee recommended that the authorities make sure the conversion does not lead to increased pollutant emissions and does not create public risks associated with the production, storage, transportation, and use of green hydrogen.

All hydrogen is highly flammable, which makes its storage and transportation a challenging task.

The LA City Council, meanwhile, celebrated its vote.

It was widely seen as being an impossible goal. And were now on the precipice of achieving that, Council President Paul Krekorian said, as quoted by the LA Times.

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Russia is calling for an international investigation into the sabotage of Nord Stream after a U.S. investigative journalist wrote that the United States was behind the explosions of the gas pipelines last autumn, the speaker of the Russian Parliament, Vyacheslav Volodin, said on Thursday.

On Wednesday, U.S. investigative journalist Seymour Hersh wrote in his blog, in a post titled How America Took Out The Nord Stream Pipeline, that the U.S. planted explosives on the bottom of the Baltic Sea to blow up the pipelines.

Commenting on the post, Volodin referred to the claims as facts and said they should be the basis of an international investigation.

The published facts should become the basis for an international investigation, bringing Biden and his accomplices to justice, as well as paying compensation to countries affected by the terrorist attack, Volodin posted on Telegram, calling U.S. President Joe Biden a terrorist who ordered the destruction of energy infrastructure of his partnersGermany, France, and the Netherlands.

On Wednesday, the White House dismissed the claims in Hershs blog post as utterly false and complete fiction.

Various investigations into the Nord Stream explosions at the end of September continue amid accusations from Russia that some Western intelligence services are hiding something.

Swedens refusal to share information about the sabotage of Nord Stream is puzzling, and withholding the results of the investigation means that Swedish authorities are hiding something, Russias Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said last month.

Traces of explosives were found near the sites of the explosions at the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines in the Baltic Sea, Sweden said in November, noting that the incident was gross sabotage.

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Nord Stream 2 was never put into operation after Germany axed the certification process following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russia, for its part, shut down Nord Stream 1 indefinitely in early September, claiming an inability to repair gas turbines because of the Western sanctions.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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APA Corporation has struck oil offshore Suriname in a deposit that could hold more than 200 million barrels in reserves.

APA Corp. partners with TotalEnergies in Suriname, with a 50:50 split of the stakes in the project. So far, the two have drilled two appraisal wells and another two are scheduled for drilling in the block that the two companies are exploring.

Offshore drilling in Suriname is the object of much attention from oil market observers and industry investors thanks to the huge discoveries made next door, offshore Guyana. Yet Reuters noted in a report that last year APA had ended drilling at another part of Block 58, which it explores with TotalEnergies, because it had failed to find any commercial oil.

Block 58 remains the focus of attention, however, because a lot of drilling there was, in fact, successful. APA Corp and TotalEnergies have so far announced five discoveries. This prompted forecasts that first oil will flow in 2025 and by 2030 Suriname will be producing 650,000 bpd.

Still, challenges remain and have caused APA Corp and TotalEnergies to postpone the final investment decision on Block 58 for the middle of this year. And they may well make it if drilling results tip in a more positive direction. Morgan Stanley has estimated that Block 58 could contain 6.5 billion barrels of crude.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the Guyana-Suriname Basin could hold up to 32.6 billion barrels of undiscovered oil resources, underscoring the tremendous hydrocarbon potential that the countries share. It is estimated that Suriname's offshore oil discoveries held recoverable oil resources of nearly 2 billion barrels as of the end of 2021.

Last year, the government of the former Dutch colony announced plans to tender 60 percent of its offshore blocks over the course of 12 months as it seeks to replicate Guyanas transformation into an emerging oil power. The tenders were to be held in late 2022.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Stepping up efforts to pressure Irans revenues, the U.S. Department of the Treasury on Thursday imposed sanctions on nine companies for producing, selling, and shipping Iranian petroleum and petrochemicals in Asia.

The Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned six Iran-based petrochemical manufacturers or their subsidiaries and three firms in Malaysia and Singapore involved in facilitating the sale and shipment of petroleum and petrochemicals on behalf of Triliance Petrochemical Co. Ltd., an entity designated in 2020.

The nine entities sanctioned today have played a critical role in the production, sale, and shipment of hundreds of millions of dollars worth of Iranian petrochemicals and petroleum to buyers in Asia, the Treasury said.

Iran increasingly turning to buyers in East Asia to sell its petrochemical and petroleum products, in violation of U.S. sanctions, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson said in a statement.

The United States remains focused on targeting Tehrans sources of illicit revenue, and will continue to enforce its sanctions against those who wittingly facilitate this trade.

Persons that engage in certain transactions with the individuals and entities designated today may themselves be exposed to sanctions or subject to enforcement action, the Treasury warned.

In November, the U.S. sanctioned 13 companies in multiple jurisdictions that participated in selling Iranian petroleum products to buyers in East Asia.

Irans oil and petrochemicals industry and exports have been under U.S. sanctions since 2018,when then-president Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the so-called Iranian nuclear deal and re-imposed sanctions on the Islamic Republics oil exports. As a result, Irans crude oil production has dropped and its exports are covertly shipped to Asia, mostly to China, in evasion of the U.S. sanctions.

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The talks between Iran and the world powers about the possibility of reviving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or the Iranian nuclear deal as it is commonly known, stalled last year, and there havent been indications they could resume soon.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has told EU leaders that a free Europe is not possible without a free Ukraine, as he pressed for more weapons to aid Kyivs defense against invading Russian forces.

"Europe should not have gray zones, our whole continent should be open to European destiny," Zelenskiy told an EU summit in Brussels on February 9, in which he also pressed for fast-tracked Ukrainian membership of the European Union.

Zelenskiy said that Ukraine had never wanted, never provoked the full-scale war launched by Russia nearly one year ago, and that the security of Europe as a whole was tied to the wars outcome.

"The unity of Europe is fundamental to security," Zelenskiy said, adding that a "free Europe cannot be imagined without free Ukraine.

The February 9 visit was the latest stop in Zelenskiys surprise tour of Europe to lobby for more weapons and EU membership to aid Ukraines defense, and came as Russian forces reportedly stepped up attacks in Ukraines east ahead of an expected offensive.

The trip to Brussels gave Zelenskiy the opportunity to speak to all 27 leaders of the European Union following visits to Britain and France the day earlier. Josep Borrell, who chairs EU summits, said without providing details that the EU leaders would promise more military support for Ukraine.

Standing in front of the Ukrainian flag, Zelenskiy told the European Parliament ahead of the summit that his country is fighting against the biggest anti-European force of the modern world.

He also thanked EU lawmakers for the help the bloc has already provided since Russia invaded more than 11 months ago.

"Thank you," Zelenskiy said as EU lawmakers gave him a long standing ovation. We are defending ourselves in the battlefield, we Ukrainians, together with you...."

He also vowed that one day Ukraine will be part of the European Union, a victorious Ukraine.

In recent weeks, Ukraine has received promises from Western countries for the provision of battle tanks to boost its forces, but has called for even more advanced weaponry, including fighter jets and longer-range rockets.

EU Parliament head Roberta Metsola said while addressing Zelenskiy that "you need to win and now (EU) member states must consider quickly as the next step providing long-range systems and the jets that you need to protect your liberty."

During his visit to the British Parliament on January 8, Zelenskiy specifically called on Western leaders to provide fighter jets.

Later the same day, Zelenskiy met in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on February 9 that any delivery of fighter jets by the West would mark a more direct role by NATO countries in the war, and that it would only increase tensions and bring more pain and suffering to Ukrainians.

"This is nothing more than the growing involvement of the United Kingdom, Germany and France in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine," Peskov told reporters.

"The line between indirect and direct involvement is gradually disappearing. One can only express regret in this regard, and say that such actions...lead to an escalation of tension, prolong the conflict, and make the conflict more and more painful for Ukraine," Peskov added.

Zelenskiys tour is believed to be only his second trip abroad since Russias unprovoked invasion of Ukraine nearly one year ago, and comes as Russian forces attempt to make a breakthrough in Ukraines east ahead of an expected major offensive.

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On February 9, Luhansk region Governor Serhiy Hayday said that Russian forces were trying to break through Ukrainian defenses near Kreminna. Control of the town would put Russian forces within 70 kilometers of the city of Kramatorsk, a much larger city in the Donetsk region.

"I can confirm that there has been a significant increase in attacks and shelling, Hayday said on Ukrainian television. And it is in the direction of Kreminna that they are trying to build on their success by pushing through our defenders' defenses.

Hayday added that Russian forces had not had significant success, saying that our defense forces are holding firmly there."

On February 9, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said that more than 900 Russian soldiers had died the previous day, which would be one of the bloodiest of the war that began with Russias full-scale invasion on February 24.

Western media has reported that the number of Russian soldiers killed or wounded in the war is approaching 200,000.

Russia does not regularly disclose data on its war casualties.

By RFE/RL

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During his first official visit to Nebraska, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said Wednesday the country is facing a youth mental health crisis, and he asked Nebraskans for ideas to address it.

Cardona met in La Vista with a panel of Nebraska school leaders, therapists and mental health professionals.

He said that in the wake of the disruptive pandemic, schools have an opportunity to make transformational change.

Theres more money in education now than ever before, he said. And theres pretty much alignment at the federal state and local level that mental health needs are important. If those are not a prerequisite for transformational change, well never do it.

Cardona asked the panel what it would take to continue to improve on school-based mental health services. He said he wanted to take notes and carry the ideas back to Washington, D.C.

Money, said Andy Farber, superintendent of the Louisville Public Schools.

That prompted laughter from the crowd of about 40 educators, mental-health professionals and policymakers in the room at Educational Service Unit #3, an agency that provides support services for 18 school districts in the Omaha area.

Farber said his district has a therapist part time to work with kids and help train teachers, but he could use more help.

McKayla LaBorde, executive director of students services at ESU No. 3, said chronic absenteeism has grown after the pandemic.

Educators are dealing with kids with anxiety and depression who just cant pull it together to come to school every day  and then fall further behind, she said.

LaBorde said she was over the moon to have the secretary listen to Nebraska ideas and concerns.

In his comments, Cardona repeated some of the themes from President Joe Bidens State of the Union address, which he attended the night before.

He said if teachers are going to be effective in the classroom, they need support and time to grow professionally.

We also understand that the teacher-shortage issue is a symptom of a teacher-respect issue, that if we have teachers that are overburdened, underpaid and having to fix everything without appropriate support in their building, theyre going to find other jobs. The job markets too good, he said.

Teachers shouldnt have to drive Ubers on the weekend or waitress to make ends meet, even though they have a masters degree, he said. Thats unacceptable.

Tuesday, Biden had called on the country to address youth mental health.

Lets do more on mental health, especially for our children, he said. When millions of young people are struggling with bullying, violence, trauma, we owe them greater access to mental-health care at school.

Biden said the country should hold social media companies accountable for the experiment they are running on our children for profit.

Its time, he said, to pass bipartisan legislation to stop Big Tech from collecting personal data on kids and teenagers online, ban targeted advertising to children, and impose stricter limits on the personal data these companies collect on all of us.

Biden also called for increasing access to preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds, raising pay for teachers, reducing student loan debt and increasing Pell Grants for working- and middle-class families.

Biden said children who go to preschool are 50% more likely to finish high school and go on to earn a 2- or 4-year degree.

Lets finish the job, connect students to career opportunities starting in high school and provide two years of community college, some of the best career training in America, in addition to being a pathway to a four-year degree, he said.

Cardona said the American Rescue Plan dollars were intended to safely reopen schools, support the mental health of students and provide academic recovery for the first three years of the pandemic.

It was a down payment on transformational change, he said. ARP was not intended to make up for decades of underinvestment in education.

While in Omaha, the secretary also visited Bryan High School in the Omaha Public Schools. He toured the schools Urban Agriculture, Design & Construction, and Transportation & Logistics academies, and spoke with students about their experience in a career-technical education program.

He also emphasized the importance of pathways to college and career and the opportunities for students who are multilingual, saying that would help the country compete internationally.

That school has 90 different businesses that are giving students internships that are giving them employment opportunities, he said.

Photos: U.S. Secretary of Education visits Omaha Bryan High School
John Pappan took a seat in a downtown Omaha art gallery and gazed up at the 10-foot sculpture on display.

Carved in clay, Chief Big Elk of the Omaha Tribe stood tall, a traditional roach headdress on his head, his stance and expression conveying a combination of strength and compassion.

The leader, whose Umonhon name is Ongpatonga, was among the last chiefs of the Omaha. He led the tribe from 1800 until his death in 1848.

Its like seeing this huge, giant of a man, said Pappan, a member of the Omaha Nation, during the sculptures media debut Wednesday. You can see the details, the veins on his arm and the roach on his head, and you can just almost feel the fur on the buffalo cloth.

The sculpture by Boise, Idaho-based artist Benjamin Victor will be cast in bronze and installed in the newly renovated Lewis & Clark Landing at The RiverFront this summer.

But for now, the piece is housed in Kaneko, an art gallery at 111 Jones St. in the Old Market.

Victor has spent six months carving the sculpture, but conversations about the piece began years ago with the formation of the citys Native American advisory board.

The group was formed in 2017 by Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert following the death of Zachary Bearheels, a Native American man who died after he was repeatedly shocked with a Taser, punched and dragged by the ponytail.

Pappan, a member of the citys advisory board, traveled to Victors studio in Boise to ask the artist in person if he would create a sculpture of Chief Big Elk.

Victor previously created a bronze sculpture honoring Ponca Chief Standing Bear and a sculpture of Nebraska Native American physician Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte.

Ive made it a part of my artistic career to really study and ask tribal members what they think and hear their voice, and I try to be the hands that make something that really honors them, Victor said.

Members of the Omaha Nation and direct descendants of Chief Big Elk were consulted on the sculptures design.

Victor for now has left the chiefs right hand raised but empty. A tomahawk might be placed there, but more likely  and perhaps more fitting  the artist may put a peace pipe in Big Elks hand.

He was known as a peaceful chief, Pappan said. That was the main thing to ensure that the tribe continues to present day, that there would be a way to maintain the peace between the Whites and the Omahas.

The Chief Big Elk statue will be on display at Kaneko from 1 to 5 p.m. through Saturday and can be viewed free of charge.

It means a lot, Pappan said. Especially for young native Omaha people because they for once will see that we matter, we have leaders and its a recognition by the city of Omaha of our people, which is a long time in coming.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of February 2023
NORFOLK, Va.  The families of two students at a Virginia elementary school where a 6-year-old shot and wounded his teacher have filed notices of potential legal action against the school system over trauma they say the shooting inflicted on their children.

The parents of a first grader said their daughter was in the classroom when the shooting occurred and "suffered emotional harm as a result." The parents also alleged that school officials failed to protect their daughter throughout the school year from bullying, harassment and assault.

A letter from the other child's family cites "injuries sustained during a school shooting on January 6, 2023." Their attorney did not elaborate further, although authorities have said that no children were physically harmed during the incident.

Both notices were dated Jan. 30. Newport News Public Schools provided the letters to The Associated Press after it requested them. They were first reported by the Daily Press.

The notices were the latest fallout from a shooting that sent shockwaves through the shipbuilding city near the Chesapeake Bay and drawn mounting criticism of school administrators.

Police have said the first grade student brought his mother's 9 mm handgun to Richneck Elementary and intentionally shot his teacher, Abby Zwerner, as she was teaching her first-grade class. Zwerner, 25, was hospitalized for nearly two weeks but is now recovering at home.

One of the legal notices was filed by "Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Nieves Jr." and asks the school system to preserve potential evidence, including emails regarding any student who allegedly bullied, harassed or assaulted their daughter.

The parents of the other student were not identified in their attorney's letter, although the notice makes a similar request for the school system to preserve evidence.

Zwerner's attorney, Diane Toscano, recently filed her own legal notice, which lays out a series of damning allegations.

The document says that hours before the shooting, at least three teachers and staff members warned school administrators that they believed the boy had brought a gun to school. The boy's backpack was searched but no gun was found and administrators did not remove the boy from class, lock down the school or call police.

Two days before the shooting, the boy allegedly "slammed" Zwerner's cellphone and broke it, according to her claim notice. He was given a one-day suspension, but when he returned to Zwerner's class the following day, he pulled a 9 mm handgun out of his pocket and shot her while she sat at a reading table, the notice states.

The letter from Zwerner's attorney also states the child constantly cursed at staff and teachers, chased students around and tried to whip them with his belt and once choked another teacher "until she couldn't breathe."

In the days after the shooting, parents and teachers also lambasted school administrators for what they called a misguided emphasis on attendance over the safety of children and staff.

The Newport News School Board fired superintendent George Parker III, while Richneck assistant principal Ebony Parker resigned. Metal detectors were put in place at Richneck, which reopened to students on Jan. 30 after being closed for three weeks.

Police said the boy was taken to a medical facility, where he is receiving unspecified services. A judge will determine what's next for the child.

No charges have been brought against the boy's mother but police said they're conducting an investigation.

Interactive: Review U.S. mass shootings since 2006
LINCOLN  Two years ago, a temporary, pandemic-era boost in the federal child tax credit made back-to-school shopping fun for Cindy Meyer.

The mother of two managed to get everything on her childrens school supply lists without worrying about whether her budget would stretch far enough. She could even afford new first-day outfits to replace clothes her children had outgrown.

Thats why, on Wednesday, Meyer urged Nebraska lawmakers to create a state child tax credit that could offer families the same kind of financial breathing room.

This bill would help the children of this state with getting their needs met, she said.

Meyer joined several others testifying in support of Legislative Bill 294, introduced by State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln. The measure was one of three heard by the Revenue Committee Wednesday that would create or expand state income tax credits benefiting children and working families.

Conrad said she introduced LB 294 after meeting struggling family after struggling family on the campaign trail last year. While looking for policies to help them, she discovered other states that have implemented child tax credits.

She also found evidence that such credits have proven effective in lifting children out of poverty and helping families generally. Research based on U.S. Census Bureau data showed that the 2021 enhancement of the federal child tax credit cut child poverty rates by 46% nationally.

That policy choice was able to make a really positive difference for families, Conrad said. Im not sure well find a better bang for our buck when it comes to supporting families.

LB 294 would provide refundable tax credits of $1,000 per child for families with incomes up to $110,000 for married couples or $92,500 for head of household. The credits would be phased out for families with higher incomes. The credits would be provided for children from birth up to age 18.

Conrad said about 478,000 Nebraska children, or 81% of those in the qualifying age group, would benefit from the credits. But, in response to questions from Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, Conrad said she would be willing to talk about narrowing the bill to target young children or lower-income households.

As introduced, her proposal would cost the state about $380 million annually, according to the legislative fiscal office. The first years cost would be $513 million because it would cover 17 months, rather than 12 months.

Garret Swanson, speaking for the Holland Childrens Movement in support of the bill, said conversations with other people convinced him that a child tax credit would be popular. He also said the credit could help Nebraska stay a step ahead of its neighbors and attract more families to the state.

Tom Venzor, executive director for the Nebraska Catholic Conference, backed the bill because it would provide public support for families and the family structure. He also said that, in an era when states regulate abortion, Nebraska needs to support families so they can say yes to life.

No one appeared to oppose LB 294 or the other two bills heard Wednesday. Those included LB 318, introduced by Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln, and LB 295, introduced by Conrad.

Bostars proposal would provide tax credits to parents to offset the cost of child care. The credits would range from $1,000 per child up to $5,000, depending on household income.

The bill also would provide tax credits to people or businesses that contribute to early childhood education programs. A third part of the bill would provide tax credits to child care employees who have worked at an eligible program at least six months.

Conrads LB 295 would increase the states Earned Income Tax Credit to 17% of the federal amount, up from 10% currently. The refundable tax credit is available to low-income working people.

Photos: 2023 Nebraska legislative session
GAZIANTEP, Turkey  With hope of finding survivors fading, stretched rescue teams in Turkey and Syria searched Wednesday for signs of life in the rubble of thousands of buildings toppled by the world's deadliest earthquake in more than a decade.

The confirmed death toll approached 12,000.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited the especially hard-hit Hatay province, where more than 3,300 people died and entire neighborhoods were destroyed. Residents there have criticized the government's response, saying rescuers were slow to arrive.

Erdogan, who faces a tough battle for reelection in May, acknowledged "shortcomings" in the response to Monday's 7.8 magnitude quake but said the winter weather was a factor. The earthquake destroyed the runway in Hatay's airport, further disrupting the response.

"It is not possible to be prepared for such a disaster," Erdogan said. "We will not leave any of our citizens uncared for." He also hit back at critics, saying "dishonorable people" were spreading "lies and slander" about the government's response.

Turkish authorities said they are targeting disinformation, and an internet monitoring group said access to Twitter was restricted despite it being used by survivors to alert rescuers.

Search teams from more than two dozen countries have joined tens of thousands of local emergency personnel in Syria and Turkey. But the scale of destruction from the quake and its powerful aftershocks was so immense and spread over such a wide area  including a region isolated by Syria's ongoing civil war  that many people were still awaiting help.

Experts said the survival window for those trapped under the rubble or otherwise unable to obtain basic necessities was closing rapidly. At the same time, they said it was too soon to abandon hope.

"The first 72 hours are considered to be critical," said Steven Godby, a natural hazards expert at Nottingham Trent University in England. "The survival ratio on average within 24 hours is 74%, after 72 hours it is 22% and by the fifth day it is 6%."

Rescuers at times used excavators or picked gingerly through debris. With thousands of buildings toppled, it was not clear how many people might still be caught in the rubble.

In the Turkish city of Malatya, bodies were placed side by side on the ground and covered in blankets while rescuers waited for vehicles to pick them up, said former journalist Ozel Pikal.

Pikal, who took part in the rescue efforts, said he thinks at least some of the victims froze to death as temperatures dipped to 21 degrees Fahrenheit.

"As of today, there is no hope left in Malatya," Pikal said by telephone. "No one is coming out alive from the rubble."

Road closures and damage in the region made it hard to access all the areas that need help, he said, and there was a shortage of rescuers where he was.

"Our hands cannot pick up anything because of the cold," said Pikal. "Work machines are needed."

The region was already beset by more than a decade of civil war in Syria. Millions have been displaced within Syria itself and millions more have sought refuge in Turkey.

Turkey's president said the country's death toll passed 9,000. The Syrian Health Ministry said the death toll in government-held areas climbed past 1,200. At least 1,600 people have died in the rebel-held northwest, according to the volunteer first responders known as the White Helmets.

That brought the overall total to almost 12,000. Tens of thousands more are injured.

David Alexander, a professor of emergency planning and management at University College London, said data from past earthquakes suggested the likelihood of survival was now slim, particularly for individuals who suffered serious injuries.

"Statistically, today is the day when we're going to stop finding people," he said. "That doesn't mean we should stop searching."

Alexander cautioned that the final death toll may not be known for weeks because of the sheer amount of rubble.

The last time an earthquake killed so many people was 2015, when 8,800 died in a magnitude 7.8 quake in Nepal. A 2011 earthquake in Japan triggered a tsunami, killing almost 20,000 people.

Many of those who survived the earthquake lost their homes and were forced to sleep in cars, government shelters or outdoors amid rain and snowfall in some areas.

"We don't have a tent, we don't have a heating stove, we don't have anything. Our children are in bad shape," Aysan Kurt, 27, said. "We did not die from hunger or the earthquake, but we will die freezing from the cold."

In Syria, aid efforts have been hampered by the ongoing war and the isolation of the rebel-held region along the border, which is surrounded by Russia-backed government forces. Syria itself is an international pariah under Western sanctions linked to the war.

Turkey sits on top of major fault lines and is frequently shaken by earthquakes. Some 18,000 were killed in similarly powerful earthquakes that hit northwest Turkey in 1999.

A look at the world's deadliest earthquakes in the past 25 years Feb. 6, 2023 in Turkey and Syria: More than 20,000 killed June 22, 2022 in Afghanistan: 1,100 killed Aug. 14, 2021 in Haiti: 2,200 killed Sept. 28, 2018 in Indonesia: 4,300 killed April 25, 2015 in Nepal: 8,800 killed March 11, 2011 in Japan: 20,000 killed Jan. 12, 2010 in Haiti: 316,000 killed May 12, 2008 in China: 87,500 killed May 27, 2006 in Indonesia: 5,700 killed Oct. 8, 2005 in Pakistan: 80,000 killed March 28, 2005 in Indonesia: 1,300 killed Dec. 26, 2004 in Indonesia: 230,000 killed Dec. 26, 2003 in Iran: 20,000 killed May 21, 2003 in Algeria: 2,200 killed Jan. 26, 2001 in India: 20,000 killed Aug. 17, 1999 in Turkey: 18,000 killed May 30, 1998 in Afghanistan: 4,000 killed
PARIS, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- After his visit to the United Kingdom, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stopped off in Paris Wednesday evening and met with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

A tri-party dinner was held at the French presidential office to "continue the close coordination which makes it possible to respond quickly and effectively to the needs expressed by Kyiv," according to the Elysee.

During the press conference held at the Elysee Wednesday night, Macron reaffirmed "unwavering" support of France and Europe to Ukraine. "What is being played out in Ukraine affects the future of Europe," he said.

Zelensky asked again for weapons, adding that Ukraine needed heavy armament and planes "as soon as possible."

Macron and Scholz both said that France, Germany and the European Union intended to continue their "efforts" to deliver weapons. Scholz stressed that Germany would continue to support Ukraine "for as long as necessary."

On Thursday, Zelensky, Macron and Scholz will meet again in Brussels during the special European Council meeting. 
BLOOMINGTON  Six organizations have received $1,000 each in a new round of funding from the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway.

The Byway is a nonprofit organization; its project funds are intended to support events, marketing and advertising efforts, and projects that help preserve the heritage of Illinois Route 66 and promote travel to Illinois Route 66 communities and sites. The money cannot be used for general operating or construction expenses, the organization said in a news release. Byway project funds range from $500 to $1,000.

The organization said it had received many applications in recent months. One project is not ready to be announced to the public, but a total of $6,000 was awarded to six others.

The recipients are:

Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival in Pontiac, $1,000 for marketing;

Best Western Plus Bloomington East Hotel, $1,000 for beautification;

Springfield Lucky Horseshoes/Robin Roberts Stadium, $1,000 for beautification;

Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet, $1,000 for marketing;

Atlanta Public Library District  Palms Grill, Clock Tower, and Museum, $1,000 for awning restoration and beautification;

City of Atlanta Tourism, $1,000 for mural restoration.

More information is available at https://illinoisroute66.org.

Photos: Atlanta's first Market Weekend on Route 66 drew vendors and visitors
BLOOMINGTON  A Bloomington woman was sentenced Thursday to five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after she pleaded guilty in an attempted robbery case.

Cappucine C. Jackson, 39, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted aggravated robbery.

Assistant States Attorney David Fitt said Jackson was arrested in October after she and an unknown subject were involved in an attempted robbery in September at Freedom Oil gas station on West Market Street in Bloomington.

Fitt said Jackson approached a man who was using a gambling machine and asked him for money. When he said no, Jackson tried to reach into his pocket and take his wallet.

After the man walked away, Jackson got in his way and then the unknown subject pointed a black pistol at him and reached into the mans pocket, trying to take his wallet, Fitt said.

Jackson pleaded guilty Thursday, and the state dismissed two charges: attempted robbery and battery.

Jackson was sentenced to five years in prison with credit for 111 days served and one year of mandatory supervised release.

Updated mug shots from The Pantagraph Bryant Lewis Derek Roesch Justin M. Mata Marcus D. Wesley Phillip Tinch Trisha L. Hanke William B. Givens David L. Oliver Kenneth E. Funk Jordan R. King Holly M. Isaacson Kenneth L. Minton Tony L. Jackson Britley L. Hilger Jasmine L. Smith Jackie S. Claypool Noah R. Demuth Brandon L. Parsano Alexander N. Williams Carlos Sanchez-Solozarzano Jaylin S. Bones Jordan R. King Dominique M. Banks Austin T. Daugherty Sandra M. Lewis Samantha E. Morris Nolan C. Love Nikkita L. Sandefur Katlin M.B. Wilson Eli C. Garozzo Tysean T. Townsend Curtis J. Byrd Noral K. Nelson Charles J. Tankson
How Time Flies is a daily feature looking back at Pantagraph archives to revisit what was happening in our community and region.

100 years ago

Feb. 9, 1923: Henry Shuttleworth of Lincoln is in possession of a very unique firearm of uncertain date of origin, but harks back to the early days of the percussion cap gun. The weapon is in the form of a cane and a mighty innocent weapon to look at. However, the iron barrel is hollowed to about the gauge of a 48-gauge shotgun.

75 years ago

Feb. 9, 1948: General Mills, famous as the makers of Wheaties, announced it owned an option to purchase the Colonial Radio plant at the southeast edge of Bloomington on Route 9. General Mills President Leslie N. Perrin told The Pantagraph exclusively that production of General Mills' Pressure Quick Saucepan would be moved to the city soon. The plant could employ 200 or more.

50 years ago

Feb. 9, 1973: "You and the Computer" is an exhibit by the Data Processing Management Association in the new wing at Eastland Shopping Center. Lee Mulligan, public relations man for DPMA, wants to help people learn about computers because they play an ever-increasing role in their lives. For instance, he said, one of the Twin Cities' major department stores is getting a "point-of-sale reader" that will stop shoppers from charging more than their limit on credit cards. He declined to say which store.

25 years ago

Feb. 9, 1998: Echo Nord, a junior at Normal Community West, recently bought a 50-cent Snickers bar from a concession stand at Decatur's Eisenhower High School and learned she was one of 250 grand prize winners in a national contest. She won: a 41-inch big screen television with surround sound, a VCR, a digital satellite dish (including a free year of Direct-TV), a leather recliner, 364 Snickers bars and $500 cash.

101 years ago: See vintage Pantagraph ads from 1922 Gerthart's Union Gas and Electric Co. Hoover Dr. J.A. Moore Dentists Moberly & Klenner W.P. Garretson W.H. Roland Pease's Candy Thor 32 Electric Washing Machine The Kaiser's Story of the War Ike Livingston & Sons Gossard Corsets Cat'n Fiddle 'Stolen Moments' Case Model X The Johnson Transfer & Fuel Co. The Pantagraph want ads Franklin Motor Car Co. 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court' Calumet Baking Powder Mayer Livingston & Co. Newsmarket 'The Emperor Jones' 'California Fig Syrup'
BRUSSELS  Some refugees and asylum-seekers in Brussels have been spending months in between the Street of Palaces and the Small Castle  quite literally.

Unfortunately, it's not a dream come true at the end of their fearful flight from halfway across the globe. It's a perpetual nightmare.

Petit Chateau, which means small castle, is a government reception center that often does anything but welcome arrivals. The Rue des Palais  street of palaces  has the citys worst squat, where the smell of urine and the prevalence of scurvy have come to symbolize how the European Unions migration policy is failing.

They are only 2 miles from the sleek Europa Building where EU leaders started a two-day summit Thursday to deal with migration issues that have vexed the 27 member nations for more than a decade.

Shinwari, an Afghan army captain who long helped Western powers try to stave off the Taliban, now lives in a makeshift tent camp right on the canal opposite Petit Chateau.

It's a place as desolate as it is hopeless.

"It is very cold. Some guys have different diseases and many of us are suffering from depression, because we dont know what will happen tomorrow, said the 31-year-old, who left behind his wife and four children, convinced that Taliban forces that took over in August 2021 would kill soldiers like him who worked with NATO countries.

They search houses. No ones life was safe, Shinwari said. They have already once told my family 'your son has taken refuge in an infidel country.'"

Even now, far from home, he's too scared to be identified beyond his last name and with only the vaguest military details. He doesn't want his face shown in photos or video, for fear the Taliban might hurt his family.

Exacerbating his plight is the reception he's been given in the wealthy EU  largely marked by indifference, sometimes even hostility.

Unfortunately, no one gets to hear our voices, he said from his tent, surrounded by a half-dozen ex-members of the Afghan military.

Instead, the vocabulary of EU leaders before the summit is much more about strengthening external borders, border fences and return procedures than it is about immediately making life better for people like Shinwari.

And with 330,000 unauthorized attempts made to enter the EU last year  a six-year record  projecting a warm embrace for refugees doesn't win many elections on the continent these days.

Many Afghans also look with envy at the swift measures that the EU took after Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 to grant Ukrainians temporary protection measures such as residency rights, labor market access, medical aid and social welfare assistance  things that all largely pass them by.

The issue of Afghans and Ukrainians are the same, but they dont get treated the same way," Shinwari said. "When Ukrainians come here, they are provided with all the facilities  on the first day of their arrival, but we Afghans who have left our country due to security threats, we dont get anything.

"It is surprising because human rights are not the same for everyone and that upsets us and makes us feel disappointed and neglected.

EU leaders have already said that a full breakthrough on their migration policies won't come before bloc-wide elections in June 2024.

Shinwari said he was lucky to puncture the EU's beefed up borders to use his right to asylum after an eight-month trek through Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia and eventually Belgium. It included beatings, arrest and escape in Iran, and hunger and fear along much of the trail.

Shinwari made it to Europe alive, but now that I am here, I am homeless like a nomad with a flimsy blue tent to keep out Belgium's many rain showers, he said.

Other Afghan former soldiers settled in the Rue des Palais, where their stories of trauma, depression, drugs and violence were just as bleak.

The situation is not good here. If the Red Cross brings food, we will have something to eat, but if not, then many don't have anything, said Roz Amin Khan, who fled Laghman province to arrive in Belgium two months ago.

Since arriving four months ago, Shinwari said that he had one interview with asylum processing authorities and has been waiting ever since.

The legal sloth isn't limited to Belgium. The EU's Agency for Asylum said in its latest trends report of November 2022 that the gap between applications and decisions had reached the largest extent since 2015, and was widening still. Overall, it said, more than 920,000 cases were still pending, a 14% annual increase.

Such was the bureaucratic backlog at the Petit Chateau when Shinwari arrived, that would-be asylum-seekers had to wait sometimes for days in the rain and cold just to get in the front door. Citizens living close by brought food and set up fire pits, because the government didn't act.

Even if the situation has improved, the physical and mental scars are easy to see, said Michel Genet, director of Doctors of the World Belgium.

People have been through big traumas and a very difficult situation and they expect to come here and be taken care of," but they're not, Genet said.

During many sleepless nights in the freezing cold, with the dull buzz of passing cars in the background, Shinwari's thoughts drift back home.

Sometimes I think about the future, and I think how much longer I have to live on the streets," he said. "My mind is surrounded with problems. I think of the safety of my family and my future.

Photos: Scenes from Kabul under Taliban control
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor says the Nana Addo-led is open for investors in Ghanas mining sector.



Jinapor told investors at the ongoing African Mining Indaba Ghana that the country has a stable democracy and the needed environment that will ensure that investors thrive in the sector.



The vision of President Akufo-Addo is to make Ghana the mining hub of Africa, where all mining and mining-related activities from exploration to downstream production and from research and innovation will be centred, Jinapor said at the African Mining Indaba in Cape Town in South Africa.



Ghana is one of the most attractive destinations for investment in Africa. I urge you all to visit the Ghana pavilion for more information on investment opportunities.



And it is my hope that you will consider Ghana for investment. Ghana is ready for business, Jinapor said.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Algeria recalled its ambassador to Paris on Wednesday, accusing France of orchestrating the escape of an activist it wants for arrest and triggering a new crisis between the countries after months of increasingly warm relations.



Amira Bouraoui, a rights activist detained during the 2019 mass protests in Algeria and freed from prison in 2020, had allegedly crossed into Tunisia illegally after evading Algerian judicial surveillance, according to Algerian and French media.



She was arrested in Tunisia this week and faced an extradition hearing, but the judge ordered her to be freed and she was allowed to leave the country on Monday.



French media has reported that her release and flight to France resulted from French diplomatic pressure on Tunisia.



On Tuesday Tunisian President Kais Saied dismissed Foreign Minister Othman Jerandi without giving a reason.



France's Foreign Ministry declined to comment. A spokesperson for Tunisia's government was not immediately available to comment.



Algeria's Foreign Ministry accused Paris of "violation of national sovereignty by French diplomatic, consular and security personnel who participated in the illegal and secret evacuation of an Algerian national".



It added in a statement that the development is "unacceptable and harms Algerian-French relations".



French President Emmanuel Macron visited Algeria last year, warmly embracing President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on a trip that seemed to turn a page on years of difficult ties.



Algeria's powerful military chief Said Chengriha recently spent three days in Paris to discuss military issues including the Sahel and met Macron. Tebboune was due to visit Paris later this year.



The case meanwhile threatens to complicate ties between Algeria and Tunisia, which had also strengthened after Tunisia's Saied seized most powers by shutting down the parliament in 2021.

Source: Reuters









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Andy Appiah-Kubi, Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North has called on president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to honour a promise made last year to fire Ken Ofori-Atta, the embattled Minister of Finance.



Appiah-Kubi who was the leader of a group of ruling party MPs under the infamous Ken Must Go banner, that threatened to withdraw support for government business in parliament if Ofori-Atta remained at post.



A meeting brokered by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) between the MPs and the presidency laid out three conditions after which the sacking of Ofori-Atta will be considered.



Appiah-Kubi told Accra-based TV3 on February 8 that all three conditions have been fulfilled and that the ball was now in the court of the president to stick to his side of the bargain.



The indications were not exactly the total conclusion of the IMF (programme). The road maps were the passing of the budget, the approval of the appropriation and the conclusion of the first phase of the IMF negotiations which we have reached already because we have reached conclusion at Staff-Level 



So, for all that happened at negotiations, we have delivered as one party as Members of Parliament and it is up to the president to also deliver as a contracting party.



As far as I am concerned, all three milestones have been achieved  we have reached our end of the milestone, we expect the president to also do same, he added.



Ofori-Atta was untouched in a recent ministerial shakeup that saw Akufo-Addo nominate seven persons for ministerial and deputy positions in his government.



The ministerial shakeup



President Akufo-Addo, on February 7,2023; nominated Kobina Tahiru Hammond (MP for Adansi Asokwa) as the minister-designate for Trade and Industry and Bryan Acheampong (MP for Abetifi) as the minister-designate for Food and Agriculture.



Other nominations the president made are Stephen Asamoah Boateng, for the Ministry of Chieftaincy; Mohammed Amin Adam as Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance and Osei Bonsu Amoah as Minister of State for Local Government.



Stephen Amoah, the Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, was also appointed a Deputy Minister-designate for Trade and Industry.



Herbert Krapah, previously the deputy trade minister was also moved to the energy ministry with the same rank.







Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul has stated unequivocally that the current conflict in Bawku should not be blamed on the chieftaincy dispute because it is a criminal matter.



According to the Minister, an issue is a criminal act committed by criminals that must be dealt with harshly.



In response to Mahama Ayarigas statement on the floor of Parliament on the issues confronting Bawku, Nitiwul stated that the ministrys position is to allow the Ghana Armed Forces to deal with them as pure criminals.



Mr. Agalga wants the issue to be investigated and has proposed that the probe should have experts and members of the Defense Committee deal with the matter.



Given the nature of the allegation levelled against our armed forces, I believe that an ad-hoc committee with the core members of the defence and interior committee playing a lead role will sufficeto delve into the matter and come out with recommendations to ensure that such brutalities do not happen again.



Dominic Nitiwul responding to the statement, said it had been agreed that there was a Bawku Naaba in place any aggrieved persons should go to court, and the Maprusis agreed to court and pledged to lay down their arms, and for two months, not a single gunshot was heard in Bawku.



So I want to believe we have taken the position, Mr. Speaker, that what is happening in Bawku today is not about chieftaincy. It is criminality. It Is criminals who are operating, and members of the Armed Forces would deal with them as pure criminals.



" I want the MPs to let their people know that we are dealing with them as pure criminals. There is nothing that is not called Bawku chieftaincy. There is a legitimate chief of Bawku. The Manprusis have agreed to go to court ad challenge the matter. Thats all that we know.





Source: rainbow radio









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The Managing Director of Ghana Airports Company Limited, Pamela Djamson-Tettey, has called for an urgent review of the Airport Passenger Service Charge (APSC) for domestic air travel.



According to her, the GH5 paid per domestic passenger as service charge was woefully inadequate.



She made the call at the 4th Aviation Ghana Stakeholders Meeting, held in Accra on the theme, Post COVID-19 Recovery Process and the Journey Ahead.



Mrs. Djamson-Tettey said the charge was fixed at GH 5 as far back as 2010 and has since not been reviewed.



She told participants that it had become critical to review the charge considering the operational cost of running the newly-renovated domestic airports in the country.



For 2022, the GH5 charged to each domestic passenger for the use of on-ground aviation infrastructure, yielded just under GH4.3 million.



The amount, which translates into a little under GH 360,000 per month, remains inadequate in the maintenance of Kumasi, Sunyani, Wa, Ho, Tamale airports and Terminal 2 of the Kotoka International Airport in Accra, which is used for domestic operations.



Typically, for the existing regional airport such as the Tamale Airport, the major expenditure lines  electricity and water supply, maintenance of lighting equipment, air conditioning, janitorial services, waste disposal, maintenance of the terminal building, and other overhead costs  is close to a million cedis per month.



Mrs. Djamson-Tettey cautioned that with the upgrade of Tamale and Kumasi Airports to international status, it would be difficult to manage the running costs including utilities, maintenance of the Aeronautical Ground Lighting Systems and other equipment if an urgent review was not done.



Touching on the theme, Post-COVID Recovery Process and the Journey Ahead, Mrs. Djamson Tettey indicated that the Post-COVID recovery has been gradual with encouraging passenger throughput, especially on the domestic front.



She indicated that post-pandemic traffic on the domestic routes namely Kumasi, Wa, Sunyani and Tamale rose astronomically to 852,101 passengers in 2022 compared to the pre-pandemic figure of 690,314 passengers in 2019. This, she asserted, was a testament to the strong recovery within the sector and therefore called for a concerted effort by all industry players, to consolidate the gains made.



Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, charged airlines operating in Ghana to prioritise superior customer service, safety and reliability in their operations. He further commended the resilience of all stakeholders during the pandemic and assured them of the ministrys support where possible.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









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Former deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, has denied offering money to buy kidney from an intending donor for his ailing daughter, Sonia.



Recall that the lawmaker, his wife, Beatrice, and their 25-year-old daughter are on trial in London for allegedly trafficking a young man from Nigeria to donate kidney.



The Ekweremadus were alleged to have offered 7,000 to the 21-year-old trader whom they flew to London and falsely presented as Sonias cousin so as to obtain his kidney.



But, in his opening addresses at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, lawyers for the defendant, Martin Hicks, insisted they believed the donor was acting altruistically, according to Daily Mail.



Hicks told jurors, Be alive please to the possible cultural differences between this country and that of Nigeria, particularly to altruistic donation.



We say the issue, in this case, is simple  did there exist an agreement to exploit (the donor) in the way the prosecution alleges and if so, who was a party to it?



In Nigerian society, there is an expression everyone is each others keeper and the altruistic donation of organs is not regarded there as such a rare event as it is in this country.



He will also say he was told (the donor) had offered to altruistically donate a kidney to Sonia.



Hicks said Ekweremadu did not attend any visits to the Royal Free Hospital in February and March last year, which concluded that the donor was unsuitable.



He added, In April 2022 and with the assistance of Diwe, he continued the family search for a suitable donor for his daughter Sonia and that search continues.



He has been in custody of the UK authorities since June 23 while his wife was granted bail by a criminal court in London.

Source: Vanguardngr









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China provides emergency humanitarian assistance to quake-hit Syria

Xinhua) 10:00, February 09, 2023

BEIJING, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- China will provide emergency humanitarian aid worth 30 million yuan (4.42 million U.S. dollars) to Syria, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

The aid includes assistance of 2 million U.S. dollars and relief materials urgently needed in the quake-hit country, spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press briefing.

Meanwhile China is speeding up the implementation of an ongoing food aid program, she said.

In the ongoing food aid project, 220 tonnes of wheat are on their way to Syria, and the remaining 3,000 tonnes of rice and wheat will be shipped in two batches in the near future, according to China International Development Cooperation Agency.

Relevant Chinese authorities will work with the Syrian side to ensure that the above assistance is implemented as soon as possible, so as to help the Syrian side with earthquake relief and rescue work, Mao added.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
FRANKFURT, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- The German economy is more dependent on China as a supplier than ever before, according to a report published by the German Economic Institute (IW) on Thursday.

Last year, Germany's trade deficit with China grew to more than 84 billion euros (90.4 billion U.S. dollars), double the volume in 2021, the institute said.

The reason for the "exceptional" growth was merchandise imports from China, which increased by over 33 percent year-on-year in 2022. In comparison, the growth rate of imports from China was 9 percent higher than the overall growth rate of imports from all countries combined.

"The strong increase last year is probably a sign that the development was not only coronavirus-related, but has lasted longer," Juergen Matthes, head of the research unit for international economics and economic outlook at the IW, said.

Meanwhile, Germany's exports to China increased by 3 percent, while its exports to the world as a whole rose by 14 percent. As a result, China fell from second to fourth place in the list of Germany's most important export destinations, the IW said.

"The Chinese economy is too big to decouple from it completely. No one wants that, and it doesn't make sense," Matthes added. 
The 10 people accused of being part of a plot to overthrow the government will on February 14, 2023 answer the allegations raised by the prosecution.

Dr Frederic Mac-Palm will be the first to mount the dock.



He has been accused by the prosecution to be the main brain behind the alleged coup plot.



The court, which has a three-member panel, with Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe as President, is expected to conduct a Case Management Conference (CMC) on February 13.



Fixing the date for the accused persons to open their defence, the court ordered defence lawyers who havent filed the necessary documents to do so before February 13, 2023.



Not guilty



The accused persons are in court for allegedly taking part in the activities of Take Action Ghana (TAG), a non-governmental organisation accused by the prosecution of planning to destabilise the country to take over the government.



They are Dr Frederic Mac-Palm, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Dr Benjamin Agordzo, Colonel Samuel Kodzo Gameli, Bright Alan Debrah Ofosu (a fleet manager), Johannes Zikpi (a civilian employee of the Ghana Armed Forces) and Donya Kafui, aka Ezor (a blacksmith).



The rest - Corporal Seidu Abubakar, Lance Corporal Ali Solomon, Corporal Sylvester Akanpewon and Warrant Officer II Esther Saan Dekuwine - are all soldiers.



ACP Dr Agordzo and Col.Gameli have pleaded not guilty to abetment of high treason, while the rest have pleaded not guilty to high treason and conspiracy to commit high treason.



Open defence



The accused persons were in July 2022 ordered to open their defence.



That was after the three-member panel of the court dismissed a submission of no case filed by the accused persons.



The court held that the submission of no case had no merit because the prosecution had been able to establish a prima facie case against the 10 accused persons through its 13 witnesses.







Source: graphiconline.com









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The Nigerian National Universities Commission (NUC) has ordered the country's universities to close from 22 February to 14 March because of the general elections, which will be held on 25 February.



The decision follows concerns about the safety and security of staff and students during the poll.



The NUC comes under the Federal Ministry of Education and was given the order by Education Minister Adamu Adamu, local media report.



There has been concern about whether the elections will be able to go ahead as planned on 25 February because of ongoing insecurity problems in the country.



However, the head of the electoral commission has insisted that they will take place.



Young people make up a large proportion of those who have registered to vote in the election.

Source: BBC









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The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, has directed all imams across the country to allocate a portion of their Friday sermons for prayers for the victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.



The cleric expressed sympathy for the people of Turkey and Syria following the devastating earthquake which claimed thousands of lives in the two countries early this week.



In a release, the Grand Imam said he was particularly disturbed by the loss of thousands of lives and destruction of property following the disaster in the two countries.



The earthquake, the cleric notes, constitutes a tragedy that calls for global solidarity with Turkey and Syria, adding that world leaders and international organisations should show the affected nations love and care as they struggle to bear the trying moments and to restore normalcy.



He observed with concern that some victims are still trapped in collapsed buildings in the disaster scenes. This, he adds, should be an issue of humanity, not that of Syria and Turkey.



The Chief Imam prayed for divine mercy on the dead and speedy healing of the injured.



He called on all nations to reaffirm their commitments to the global combat against climate crisis, even as climate scientists paint a gloomy picture of the environment, a situation which threatens the future of humanity if the current trend of ecological destruction continues.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









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The king of the Igbo community in Ghana, His Royal Majesty, Eze Dr. Amb. Chukwudi Ihenetu, has called out persons engaged in the illegal trade of drug trafficking in Ghana, Nigeria, and other parts of Africa.



Even more, he has bemoaned the fact that these traffickers have targeted the youth, devising very innovative ways of getting them to abuse these drugs and promote vices among them.



He stressed the need for the world to turn its attention to this growing field, describing it as a cancer that should be plugged out.



Addressing the press at his palace in Accra on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, the Eze Ndigbo, Dr. Chukwudi Ihenetu, said that the use of drugs has become a very dangerous thing among the young generation of the world.



He also lamented over how the activities of drug traffickers are gradually destroying the future of these young men and women, a situation that, he stressed, harms everyone, including the children of the people promoting them.



One dangerous thing about all these things is those traffickers that are dealing in all these dangerous materials called drugs, or whatever they may call it, they are destroying the next generation. And the next generation includes their own children, because, if you think youre a businessman and you want to make money and you engage yourself in a business like that, of being a drug trafficker  making money and putting in your bank account, you are not thinking that those same drugs you are selling, your son or your daughter can also take it somewhere.



So, while youre making money, you are destroying yourself and destroying these children. So, for me, it is a dangerous thing; I call it a dangerous cancer that is eating up this generation, not only in Ghana, not only in Nigeria, not only in America, but all over the world, he stressed.



Dr. Chukwudi Ihenetu further called on the world to redirect its attention to this growing menace, ensuring that it is addressed soon, so that it does not become too late in being curbed.



So, I stand here today, by the special Grace of God, as Eze Ndigbo Ghana, telling the entire world, that the world should think about this cancer that is eating up the generation. What is that cancer? The drug traffickers. Ill urge the world to look into it so that our sons and daughters will be safe. If we destroy them now, who will be the leaders for tomorrow? he lamented.



The Igbo community king in Ghana also called on governments in Ghana and in other parts of Africa to take this seriously because, if not, it will become a security threat to their futures.



He added that the inability to address this soon could contribute to higher numbers of reported cases of insanity among youth.







Source: ghanaweb.com









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Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul has stated unequivocally that the current conflict in Bawku should not be blamed on the chieftaincy dispute because it is a criminal matter.



According to the Minister, the issue is a criminal act committed by criminals that must be dealt with harshly.



In response to Mr. Mahama Ayarigas statement on the floor of Parliament on the issues confronting Bawku, Mr. Nitiwul stated that the ministrys position is to allow the Ghana Armed Forces to deal with them as pure criminals.



Mr. Agalga wants the issue to be investigated and has proposed that the probe should have experts and members of the Defense Committee deal with the matter.



Given the nature of the allegation levelled against our armed forces, I believe that an ad-hoc committee with the core members of the defence and interior committee playing a lead role will sufficeto delve into the matter and come out with recommendations to ensure that such brutalities do not happen again.



Mr. Nitiwul responding to the statement, said it had been agreed that there was a Bawku Naaba in place any aggrieved persons should go to court, and the Maprusis agreed to court and pledged to lay down their arms, and for two months, not a single gunshot was heard in Bawku.



So I want to believe we have taken the position, Mr. Speaker, that what is happening in Bawku today is not about chieftaincy. It is criminality. It Is criminals who are operating, and members of the Armed Forces would deal with them as pure criminals.



"I want the MPs to let their people know that we are dealing with them as pure criminals. There is nothing that is not called Bawku chieftaincy. There is a legitimate chief of Bawku. The Manprusis have agreed to go to court ad challenge the matter. Thats all that we know.





Source: rainbow radio









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The Municipal Chief Executive for the Ga-north Municipal Hon. Simons Sekyim yesterday Wednesday 8th February 2023 engaged the clergy whose activities and location are within his jurisdiction.



He took time to walk them through government policies and projects especially ones within the constituency. He also beseeches the Church not to hesitate to offer a helping to the schools in the Municipal in any shape or form.



However, leaders of the clergy complained of permit to inhabit their dwelling in order to carry out their religious mandate as assigned to them by God.



The Municipal Chief Executive assured them of making things flexible as well as aiding them in securing the permit with ease.



The Hon Member Of Parliament Hon. Moses Anim also graced the event and enlightened his constituents on matters of delicate essence.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral, Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng aka Kwabena Adu Gyamfi in an application has asked the High Court to cite the North Tongu Member of Parliament (MP), Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa for contempt after he kicked a court writ on the ground upon service by bailiff.



According to him Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has brought the administration of justice and the authority of the law as well as the Honourable Court into disrepute and same ought to be punished by the Court by commitall to prison for contempt.



He says the court's action will protect the whole administration of justice and serve as a deterrent to others.



Okudzeto Ablakwa kicks court writ on the ground upon service by bailiff



North Tongu Member of Parliament (MP), Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa kicked away a writ filed against him by the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral, Rev Victor Kusi-Boateng.



The order seeks to restrain him from making further public disclosures of the private information, documents, correspondence, communication and property belonging to the Applicant; and for such further order or orders as the Court deems fit.



He was served by a bailiff on Friday, February 3, 2023 on the premises of Metro Television after appearing on their morning show, Good Morning Ghana.



In the video, the legislator who was seen standing by his vehicle in the company of the bailiff, later entered the car in an attempt to drive off.



However, the bailiff dropped the document on the ground in his presence. This compelled Mr Ablakwa to get out of the car. He then kicked the document away from his vehicle and returned to his seat and drove off.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Police have arrested an executive of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Suame Constituency of the Ashanti Region.



Razak Avoliya whose video went viral saying the NDC will kill to win power in the 2024 election is now in custody.



A police statement said the constituency Youth Organizer was picked up "following an investigation into a viral video in which he incited political violence ahead of the 2024 general elections.



"The suspect is in Police custody and will be put before the court to face justice," the statement added.



Police statement...



POLICE ARREST SUSPECT IN VIRAL VIDEO INCITING POLITICAL VIOLENCE AHEAD OF THE 2024 GENERAL ELECTIONS



The Police have arrested suspect Razak Avoliya the Youth Organiser for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Suame Constituency of the Ashanti Region following an investigation into a viral video in which he incited political violence ahead of the 2024 general elections.



The suspect is in Police custody and will be put before the court to face justice.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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NDC Member of Parliament for North Tongu constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has said he is ever ready to be a political prisoner of conscience than to be coerced and compromised into a behind the scenes deal with the corrosive enemies of the Republic.



"Let the cowardly forces of tyranny be told that I am not one to be frightened with imprisonment," he said.



According to him a country where parliamentarians carrying out their constitutional oversight mandate become victims of state sponsored harassment, strange court injunctions and judicial threats of imprisonment even as double identity charlatans are protected and pampered is definitely a nation in the dark abyss.



"I wish to express heartfelt appreciation and profound gratitude for the overwhelming solidarity and words of encouragement I have received since the series of cathedral exposes in the pursuit of his constitutional mandate of oversight, and in the face of the current facist machinations to use the judiciary and other state institutions to silence and intimidate me," he posted on twitter Thursday morning.



Read full post below

Jail Okudzeto Ablakwa for Contempt



Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral, Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng aka Kwabena Adu Gyamfi in an application has asked the High Court to cite the North Tongu Member of Parliament (MP), Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa for contempt after he kicked a court writ on the ground upon service by bailiff.



According to him Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has brought the administration of justice and the authority of the law as well as the Honourable Court into disrepute and same ought to be punished by the Court by commitall to prison for contempt.



He says the court's action will protect the whole administration of justice and serve as a deterrent to others.



Minority condemns Rev. Kusi Boatengs suit against Ablakwa



The Minority Caucus has condemned the suit filed against its Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa by Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng.



The Caucus described the suit as both shameful and a deliberate act to gag Ghanaians, especially Members of Parliament from carrying out their constitutional mandates.



But in a press statement issued by Minority Leader, Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minority saw the suit as cowardly and a desperate effort to stifle parliamentary scrutiny and pervert justice.



Okudzeto Ablakwa kicks court writ on the ground upon service by bailiff



North Tongu Member of Parliament (MP), Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa kicked away a writ filed against him by the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral, Rev Victor Kusi-Boateng.



The order seeks to restrain him from making further public disclosures of the private information, documents, correspondence, communication and property belonging to the Applicant; and for such further order or orders as the Court deems fit.



He was served by a bailiff on Friday, February 3, 2023 on the premises of Metro Television after appearing on their morning show, Good Morning Ghana.



In the video, the legislator who was seen standing by his vehicle in the company of the bailiff, later entered the car in an attempt to drive off.



However, the bailiff dropped the document on the ground in his presence. This compelled Mr Ablakwa to get out of the car. He then kicked the document away from his vehicle and returned to his seat and drove off.





Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Central Region has pledged to extend its Parliamentary seats from 13 to 20 in the 2024 election.



Moreso, the party is working assiduously to extend its presidential votes from 45.9 per cent to not less than 60 percent in the region.



Prof. Richard Kofi Asiedu, the Regional Chairman of the party, gave the assurance at a press conference held on Monday in Cape Coast.



The press engagement was to congratulate Dr Cassiel Ato Forson and his new minority team in Parliament for their elevation.



Prof. Asiedu expressed gratitude to the national leadership of the party for entrusting confidence in the new team and called on the rank file of the party to rally behind them to achieve their mandate.



He pledged the unflinching support of the regional executives for the new minority leader, saying: We would at all times offer prayers and work hard for the success of our parliamentary group for the betterment of Ghana.



We wish to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the National Leadership of the party for the confidence entrusted in Dr Forson, the illustrious son of the Central Region, as the Leader of the Minority Caucus in Parliament. We must say that this is well-deserved.



The Central Regional Leadership of the NDC wishes to plead with the entire Members of the Minority Caucus in Parliament to give their support and have confidence in the leadership of Dr Forson. We must all understand that leadership evolves, Prof. Asiedu noted.



Per a letter dated Monday, January 23, signed by, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, the General Secretary of the party, and addressed, to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, the MP for Ellembele, also assumed the position of Deputy Minority Leader, replacing Dr James Klutse Avedzi.



The party also named Kwame Agbodza, the MP for Adaklu, as the Minority Whip, to replace Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka.



However, the partys leadership retained the positions of the incumbent First Deputy Minority Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim who is the MP for Banda, and the Second, Deputy Whip and MP for Ada, Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah.



Prof. Asiedu said Dr Forson, as the Ranking Member on the Finance Committee of Parliament and would do more if given the needed support.



Having successfully worked hard and pursuing your parliamentary duties with perseverance and purpose, we do not doubt that you will live up to expectations.



Leaders will come and go, but the Caucus must not be divided. Let us all give the maximum support and rally around the new leaders to deliver as we did for our previous leaders, Prof. Asiedu admonished.



He said Dr Forson has made great history in the 4th Republic as being the first MP in the Central Region from both sides of the political divide to be appointed as the Leader of either Minority or Majority Caucuses in Parliament.



He said Dr Forson remained the longest serving longest-serving agent on the NDCs ticket in the Region and would work assiduously with the party leadership and the parliamentary candidates of the party to win more seats for the party in the 2024 general elections.



Prof. Asiedu said Dr Forsons resolve to extend the partys leadership had been exhibited in the constituency, widening votes in every parliamentary election.



He said Dr Forson first entered the Parliament House on the 7th of January 2009 and has been the only MP on whose ticket the NDC in the Central Region had gone beyond the third term.



Notwithstanding, Prof. Asiedu urged the new Parliamentary leadership to stay focused and committed to the purpose, adding that, true stars rise to the top not by chance, but through purpose and passion.



We appreciate your zeal, resilience, and determination,  he noted.





Source: GNA









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SC Supreme Court Declines to Reverse its Decision on Pro-Life Law

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Feb. 9, 2023



COLUMBIA, S.C., Feb. 9, 2023 / Christian Newswire / -- On February 8, 2023 the South Carolina Supreme Court denied an appeal to rehear its previous ruling on the state's pro-life law that protects life by prohibiting abortions after a baby's heartbeat has been detected at approximately six weeks gestation.

Last month on January 5 in a 3-2 decision, the Court overturned South Carolina's Fetal Heartbeat and Protection Act and ruled that is an unreasonable restriction upon a woman's right to privacy to prevent her from having an abortion.

On February 18, 2021, Governor Henry McMaster signed the South Carolina Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act, which would require an abortion provider to test for a detectable fetal heartbeat prior to performing the procedure. If a heartbeat is detected, abortion is prohibited, except for a medical emergency.

The day after Governor McMaster signed the law into effect, Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, a local abortion facility, Greenville Women's Clinic and two physicians, Katherine Farris, M.D. and Terry Buffkin, M.D, filed a federal lawsuit against the governor and various legislative leaders.

The Court wrote, "Today we consider whether The Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act ('the Act') violates a woman's constitutional right to privacy, as guaranteed in article I, section 10 of the South Carolina Constitution. We hold that the decision to terminate a pregnancy rests upon the utmost personal and private considerations imaginable, and implicates a woman's right to privacy. While this right is not absolute, and must be balanced against the State's interest in protecting unborn life, this Act, which severely limitsand in many instances completely foreclosesabortion, is an unreasonable restriction upon a woman's right to privacy and is therefore unconstitutional."







Liberty Counsel filed an amicus brief in Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, et al., v. South Carolina, et al., & G. Murrell Smith Jr., et al., on behalf of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC) and the Frederick Douglass Foundation that supports South Carolina's decision to protect innocent and defenseless human life in the womb and emphasizes that all states have a compelling interest in preventing eugenic abortions.

The NHCLC and Frederick Douglass Foundation represent millions of African Americans and Hispanics. These minority communities have been the direct target of abortion, and most Planned Parenthood's abortion clinics are in black and Hispanic neighborhoods. Liberty Counsel also filed an amicus brief on behalf of the NHCLC and the Frederick Douglass Foundation at the U.S. Supreme Court in the Dobbs abortion case. In overturning Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the High Court cited to this brief acknowledging that abortion has disproportionally impacted the black community.

Abortion has a dark eugenic foundation that violates key protections of the South Carolina Constitution. The founder of Planned Parenthood, Margaret Sanger, and the early abortion movement purposefully attempted to utilize abortion as a means of population control among those populations they considered lesser than white Americans. Even though Planned Parenthood masquerades as a benevolent organization claiming to offer "women's health care services" to disadvantaged women, the abortion organization is primarily the reason why black babies are aborted in America three times more often than white babies, and Hispanic preborn children are killed 1 times more often than whites.

Liberty Counsel's Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, "There is no privacy interest in killing another human being. Judicial activists undermine the rule of law by becoming a law unto themselves. The people of South Carolina need to amend the Constitution to protect life. The lives of innocent unborn children should not be decided by three people. Life is a gift from our Creator."

Liberty Counsel provides broadcast quality TV interviews via Hi-Def Skype and LTN at no cost.



SOURCE Liberty Counsel



CONTACT: Mat Staver, 407-875-1776, Liberty@LC.org


The Bono Regional Communicators of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) say they have boycotted all radio discussions in the region in connection with the deplorable condition of the Kuotokrom-Yawhima road in the Sunyani Municipality.



A statement signed by Asomah Salia, the Chairman of the Bono Regional Communicators of the NPP and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani, therefore asked the government to reshape the roads and spare them (communicators) of insults from residents.



Copies of the statement were sent to the office of the President, Ministers of Finance, Roads, and Highways as well as the regional and national leadership of the NPP and the Bono Regional Minister.



Residents along the road have been casting insinuations on the leadership of the party and ridiculing President Nana Addo Danwka Akufo-Addo, thereby making the government unpopular in the eyes of the people all because of the bad nature of the road, the statement added.



The regular phone callers in the Region, particularly, those in and around the affected places have become the target, being threatened day in and day out, it added, saying the deplorable condition of the stretch served as a death trap.



Asthmatic patients around are finding it difficult to survive, while school children and teachers could easily contract respiratory diseases because of the dusty nature of the road, the statement indicated.



It explained that all efforts made by the leadership of the NPP in the region and the Bono Regional Coordinating Council to solve the problem had been unfruitful, saying the sad situation had infuriated the residents.



The statement, however, commended the government for developmental projects executed in the region and called on them to facilitate the speedy construction and completion of the road.



Until something was done immediately, it added there was no way the communicators could continue to discharge their duties.





Source: GNA









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Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Majority Leader in Parliament, Tuesday refuted allegations that immediate former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu did the bidding of the Majority Caucus.



There are rumuorrs that Haruna Iddrisu did the bidding of the Majority Caucus in Parliament, hence, the reshuffle of the Minority Leadership in Parliament by the National Democratic Congress (NDC).



Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said such claims were untrue.



Mr Speaker, let me state emphatically and unambiguously that no such thing happened. I had developed a very harmonious working relationship with the previous leadership, but people then read meanings into it.



The business of the Minority Leader is to assist the Majority Leader in facilitating the business of the government and if someone does that, it shouldnt be perceived as selling out to the majority, the Majority Leader said in Accra as he welcomed the House back from the Christmas recess.



On his part, Alban Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament applauded Huruna Iddrisu and his team when the House came back from recess, and resumed proceedings on Tuesday, February 7.



Speaker Bagbin wished the former Minority Leadership well in their endeavours.



He said: The former members of the Minority leadership led by Haruna Iddrisu must be applauded because their record of performance is visible for all to see, and I hope the new leadership will learn from their fountain of wisdom, a trove of wealth and experience.



What I can say to the former leadership is, the Lord is your shepherd, you shall not want, and I tell you for sure that the opened doors are better and higher than the closed doors. Look at the open doors and not the closed doors, and with this, I welcome all of you once more, he said.



The NDC changed its leadership in Parliament on January 24, 2023.



Dr Cassiel Ato Forson replaced Haruna Iddrisu as Minority Leader.



Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ellembelle also replaced Mr James Klutse Avedzi as Ketu North MP as Deputy Minority Leader while Mr Governs Kwame Agbodza, Minority Chief Whip took over from Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, MP, Asawase MP Muntaka Mubarak.



Meanwhile, Ahmed Ibrahim and Comfort Doyoe-Ghansah were the only two members of the Haruna Iddrisu-led administration that maintained their positions as First and Second Deputy Whips, respectively.



The House adjourned sine die on Thursday, December 22, 2022, for the legislators to take a break for the Christmas and New Year holidays.





Source: GNA









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Artist rendition of a potential water-world exoplanet. Credit: ESA / Hubble / M. Kornmesser

In a recent study submitted to the Astrophysical Journal Letters, an international team of researchers led by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) examine the potential for water-worlds around M-dwarf stars. Water-worlds, also known as ocean worlds, are planets that possess bodies of liquid water either directly on its surface, such as Earth, or somewhere beneath it, such as Jupiter's moon, Europa and Saturn's moon, Enceladus.

For the study, the researchers focused on super-Earths and sub-Neptunes with hydrogen (H)/helium (He) atmospheres for close-in exoplanets orbiting M-dwarf stars in an attempt to calculate their total water mass. So, what were the most significant results pertaining to water-worlds around M-dwarf stars?

"Those planets containing a significant fraction of their total mass (10%50%) in water might be extremely rare or nonexistent," Dr. James Owen, who is a Senior Lecturer in Exoplanet Physics at Imperial College London and a co-author on the study, recently told Universe Today. "This would imply planet formation is fairly uniform across a wide range of stellar masses, producing the same type of planets: terrestrial worlds that acquired a few percent by mass of hydrogen gas from the accretion disk around the young star."

Ultimately, the researchers concluded that while the existence of water-world populations "remains elusive," they did offer possible avenues for garnering more conclusive results pertaining to water-world populations. These include searching for the presence of hydrogen and helium around low-mass exoplanets and measuring an exoplanet's age to better determine their long-term evolution. So, what future studies are in the works for garnering more conclusive results?

"This will come from JWST [James Webb Space Telescope] observations of sub-Neptunesif the results are consistent with large mass fractions of water in their atmosphere (i.e., steam atmospheres) then it suggests that the planets are indeed water-worlds," Dr. James Rogers, who is a Postdoctoral Scholar at UCLA and lead author of the study, recently told Universe Today. "However, if the atmospheres are consistent with being dominated by H/He, then it suggests that they are not water-worlds."
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Renderings of a neutral domain wall perpendicular to the surface of a ferroelectric material (left) and a charged wall parallel to the surface (right). Red arrows represent positive charges, with blue signifying the negative. Credit: Nature (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05503-5

For all of the unparalleled, parallel-processing, still-indistinguishable-from-magic wizardry packed into the three pounds of an adult human brain, it obeys the same rule as the other living tissue it controls: Oxygen is a must.

So it was with a touch of irony that Evgeny Tsymbal offered his explanation for a technological wondermovable, data-covered walls mere atoms widethat may eventually help computers behave more like a brain.

"There was unambiguous evidence that oxygen vacancies are responsible for this," said Tsymbal, George Holmes University Professor of physics and astronomy at the University of NebraskaLincoln.

In partnership with colleagues in China and Singapore, Tsymbal and a few Husker alumni have demonstrated how to construct, control and explain the oxygen-deprived walls of a nanoscopically thin material suited to next-gen electronics. The team detailed its findings in the journal Nature.

Unlike most digital data-writing and -reading techniques, which speak only the binary of ones and zeroes, these walls can talk in several electronic dialects that could allow the devices housing them to store even more data. Like synapses in the brain, the passage of electrical spikes sent via the walls can depend on which signals have passed through before, lending them an adaptability and energy efficiency more akin to human memory. And much as brains maintain memories even when their users sleep, the walls can retain their data states even if their devices turn offa precursor to electronics that power back on with the speed and simplicity of a light.

The team investigated the barrier-smashing walls in a nanomaterial, named bismuth ferrite, that can be sliced thousands of times thinner than a human hair. Bismuth ferrite also boasts a rare quality known as ferroelectricity: The polarization, or separation, of its positive and negative electric charges can be flipped by applying just a pinch of voltage, writing a one or zero in the process. Contrary to conventional DRAM, a dynamic random-access memory that needs to be refreshed every few milliseconds, that 1 or 0 remains even when the voltage is removed, granting it the equivalent of long-term memory that DRAM lacks.

Usually, that polarization is read as a one or zero, and flipped to rewrite it as a zero or one, in a region of material called a domain. Two oppositely polarized domains meet to form a wall, which occupies just a fraction of the space dedicated to the domains themselves. The few-atom thickness of those walls, and the unusual properties that sometimes emerge in or around them, have cast them as prime suspects in the search for new ways to squeeze ever-more functionality and storage into shrinking devices.

Still, walls that run parallel to the surface of a ferroelectric materialand net an electric charge usable in data processing and storagehave proven difficult to find, let alone regulate or create. But about four years ago, Tsymbal began talking with Jingsheng Chen from the National University of Singapore and He Tian from China's Zhejiang University. At the time, Tian and some colleagues were pioneering a technique that allowed them to apply voltage on an atomic scale, even as they recorded atom-by-atom displacements and dynamics in real time.

Ultimately, the team found that applying just 1.5 volts to a bismuth ferrite film yielded a domain wall parallel to the material's surfaceone with a specific resistance to electricity whose value could be read as a data state. When voltage was withdrawn, the wall, and its data state, remained.

When the team cranked up the voltage, the domain wall began migrating down the material, a behavior seen in other ferroelectrics. Whereas the walls in those other materials had then propagated perpendicular to the surface, though, this one remained parallel. And unlike any of its predecessors, the wall adopted a glacial pace, migrating just one atomic layer at a time. Its position, in turn, corresponded with changes in its electrical resistance, which dropped in three distinct stepsthree more readable data statesthat emerged between the application of 8 and 10 volts.

The researchers had nailed down a few W'sthe what, the where, the whencritical to eventually employing the phenomenon in electronic devices. But they were still missing one. Tsymbal, as it happened, was among the few people qualified to address it.

"There was a puzzle," Tsymbal said. "Why does it happen? And this is where theory helped."

Most domain walls are electrically neutral, possessing neither a positive nor a negative charge. That's with good reason: A neutral wall requires little energy to maintain its electric state, effectively making it the default. The domain wall the team identified in the ultra-thin bismuth ferrite, by contrast, possessed a substantial charge. And that, Tsymbal knew, should have kept it from stabilizing and persisting. Yet somehow, it was managing to do just that, seeming to flout the rules of condensed-matter physics.

There had to be an explanation. In his prior research, Tsymbal and colleagues had found that the departure of negatively charged oxygen atoms, and the positively charged vacancies they left in their wake, could impede a technologically useful outcome. This time, Tsymbal's theory-backed calculations suggested the oppositethat the positively charged vacancies were compensating for other negative charges accumulating at the wall, essentially fortifying it in the process.

Experimental measurements from the team would later show that the distribution of charges in the material lined up almost exactly with the location of the domain wall, exactly as the calculations had predicted. If oxygen vacancies turn up in other ferroelectric playgrounds, Tsymbal said, they could prove vital to better understanding and engineering devices that incorporate the prized class of materials.

"From my perspective, that was the most exciting," said Tsymbal, who undertook the research with support from the university's quantum-focused EQUTE project. "This links ferroelectricity with electrochemistry. We have some kind of electrochemical processesnamely, the motion of oxygen vacancieswhich basically control the motion of these domain walls.

"I think that this mechanism is very important, because what most people are doingincluding us, theoreticallyis looking at pristine materials, where polarization switches up and down, and studying what happens with the resistance. All the experimental interpretations of this behavior were based on this simple picture of polarization. But here, it's not only the polarization. It involves some chemical processes inside of it."

More information: Zhongran Liu et al, In-plane charged domain walls with memristive behaviour in a ferroelectric film, Nature (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05503-5 Journal information: Nature
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Credit: Nature Chemical Biology (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41589-022-01227-9

Boston College chemists have developed a strategy to monitor the presence or absence of iron-sulfur clusters, which are essential to the function of diverse proteins, the team reported recently in the journal Nature Chemical Biology.

The iron-sulfur (Fe-S) proteomic platform the team developed allowed them to gain a greater insight into the dynamics of iron-sulfur cluster delivery and binding, according to Professor of Chemistry Eranthie Weerapana and Senior Research Associate Daniel Bak, co-authors of the study.

Iron-sulfur clusters are found in proteins that are essential to human health, such as DNA repair enzymes, and important in the energy sciences for biofuel cells and cleaner industrial processes.

However, the study of iron-sulfur clusters has always been challenging because of the instability and dynamics of the Fe-S cluster-protein complex, according to Bak.

"We set out to develop a technology that would allow us to globally assess the dynamics of Fe-S cluster binding in an entire proteome without the need for laborious protein purification, radioisotopes of iron or sulfur, or previous knowledge of cluster binding sites," Bak said.

Many proteins contain metal cofactors, such as iron-sulfur clusters, he explained. These inorganic cofactors allow for unique protein functions, such as one-electron redox chemistry, that are not available to the 20 canonical protein amino acids.

The team performed the study in the bacteria E. coli, which is a model organism with a well-characterized iron-sulfur proteome. To measure the binding of Fe-S clusters to protein targets, the team used advanced mass spectrometry-based proteomic strategies coupled with chemical probes that can differentiate between the cluster-bound and -unbound forms of a protein, said Weerapana.

The team observed differential sensitivity of iron-sulfur clusters to both iron-limitation and impairment of the pathways E. coli use to synthesize Fe-S clusters, suggesting a prioritization of iron-sulfur cluster delivery in E. coli, the team reports. Knowledge of iron-sulfur cluster prioritization can provide insight into how different microbes can assimilate and thrive within environmental niches where iron is limited.

The researchers were also able to differentiate the roles of the various iron-sulfur biosynthetic enzymes, some of which are essential for delivery of almost all Fe-S clusters, while others play more specific roles in the delivery of clusters to a specific subset of Fe-S proteins.

"Mining the datasets which we generated, we could compile a list of potentially novel Fe-S proteins, two of which were validated as iron-sulfur cluster binding proteins," said Weerapana. "This opens the possibility of using proteomics to identify novel Fe-S cluster biology not only in E. coli, but other organisms as well."

The researchers said the next step is to translate this work to other organisms and model systems, including cell culture models of Fe-S-dependent human diseases such as Friedrich's Ataxia. The new platform offers a powerful tool to characterize mechanisms of Fe-S cluster synthesis and delivery, as well as identify new iron-sulfur-dependent cellular pathways.

More information: Daniel W. Bak et al, Monitoring FeS cluster occupancy across the E. coli proteome using chemoproteomics, Nature Chemical Biology (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41589-022-01227-9 Journal information: Nature Chemical Biology
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In the fjords, quite a number of juvenile cod of the coastal ecotype were caught. However, only a few specimens over 40 centimeters long were found in the nets. Credit: Hakan Wennhage

The rumor that the coastal cod is extinct is not true. Through DNA analyses, researchers at the University of Gothenburg have identified that there are still juvenile coastal cod off the west coast of Sweden. However, it is still difficult to find any mature adult cod in the area.

By genetically analyzing cod collected by test fishing, researchers from the University of Gothenburg and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) have found that there are two distinct types of cod living in the waters along Sweden's west coast. These types of cod belong to the same speciesthe Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)but they are different "ecotypes," genetically adapted to different environments or lifestyles. The two types of cod found off the west coast are known as "offshore cod" and "coastal cod," because one has its origins far out to sea, while the other resides close to the coast throughout its life. These two types of cod rarely mate with each other.

Coastal cod remain in the fjords

Many people have long believed that the west coast's coastal cod have been completely fished out. But this new study, published in the ICES Journal of Marine Science, shows that there is still a cod population that spends all its life off the west coast of Sweden.

"Our analyses show that a high proportion of juvenile cod in the fjords and near the west coast of Sweden are coastal cod. That shows that there is still something left to save. But in the test fishing, you get very, very few adult cod. In test fishing near the coast, only a handful of cod over 40 centimeters in length were found," says Simon Henriksson, researcher at the University of Gothenburg.

The sampling was carried out at more than 100 different sites along the Swedish coast and in the fjords, from the Sound in the south to the Koster Islands in the north. Sampling was done both near the coast and further out to sea, in the Skagerrak and the Kattegat. Credit: Hakan Wennhage

For the study, the researchers collected juvenile, decimeter-long, cod from more than 100 different sites in the Skagerrak, the Kattegat and the Sound (Oresund), and analyzed them genetically. Their results show that the cod stock in the area is not just made up of offshore cod, but is a mixture of both ecotypes. Offshore cod are found mainly far off the coast and the coastal cod closer to the shore. In the fjords of West Sweden, the proportion of coastal cod is very high, which is a little unexpected given the theory that they were virtually extinct.

"In some places both offshore and coastal cod are found in the same fjord, but they appear to live at different depths. Offshore cod live at slightly greater depths, while coastal cod are more common in shallow waters," says Simon Henriksson.

Uncertain where the coastal cod go after reaching adulthood

Adult offshore cod spawn in the North Sea or the Outer Skagerrak, and then strong ocean currents carry their eggs and larvae into Swedish waters. Sweden's west coast acts as a nursery for offshore cod, which at the age of two to four migrate back to the offshore banks to spawn.

Where the coastal cod go after reaching adulthood remains an unanswered question, given that no spawning coastal cod are found in the fjords, despite the presence of juvenile cod there. Because coastal cod are also found in the Kattegat, the Sound and the Danish Straits, one theory is that their eggs and larvae drift with the currents from there and into the fjords of the Swedish west coast. This could explain the relatively large proportion of juvenile coastal cod found in the test fishing, despite a lack of adult coastal cod.

The proportion of cod from each stock differs in different marine areas. The coastal cod (orange) is most common in the Sound and in the fjords of West Sweden. Further away from the coast, virtually only offshore cod (blue) are found. Credit: Simon Henriksson

"In another study from 2019, cod eggs were found in the fjords, which seems to indicate that adult coastal cod do actually spawn in the fjords. But since we cannot see any genetic difference among coastal cod from different areas, we do not know for sure whether there are local spawning populations," says Simon Henriksson.

The new study shows that the ecotypes display several differences in genes involved in environmental adaptation. This indicates that the differences in where they live may be because they are genetically adapted to different environments. For example, the ecotypes appear to be adapted to different physical conditions such as oxygen concentrations, salinity, and temperature. There are also genetic differences suggesting that the ecotypes differ in terms of foraging, as well as migratory and social behaviors.

Cod populations continuing to decline in Swedish seas

Unfortunately, the results of the genetic analysis do not mean that cod populations are recovering. On the contrary, the numbers of adult and juvenile cod are continuing to decline in all Swedish seas.

However, the new results show that we need to account for the fact that there are two different types of cod, that differ genetically and geographically, if we are going to try to rebuild cod stocks along the west coast.

More information: Simon Henriksson et al, Mixed origin of juvenile Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) along the Swedish west coast, ICES Journal of Marine Science (2022). DOI: 10.1093/icesjms/fsac220
Re-spending and relative contribution to rebound effect by consumption category (baseline scenario). Figure presents different consumption categories' relative contribution to re-spending and rebound under the baseline scenario. Radial axis depicts different consumption categories. Contribution to total re-spending is marked in red line, contribution to global warming rebound is marked in gray, contribution to water depletion rebound is marked in green, and contribution to land use rebound in light brown. Credit: Journal of Industrial Ecology (2022). DOI: 10.1111/jiec.13319

Does the digital sharing economy really reduce harm to the environment? In a recent study, researchers found that food sharing has significant environmental advantages, but that a substantial part of the benefits of online sharing platforms are offset due to the use of the saved money for purposes that are not necessarily green.

Researchers from Tel Aviv University and Ben Gurion University explored the true benefit of the digital food sharing economy (when people advertise and pass on surplus food items to others instead of throwing them away). Is this indeed a recommended environmentally-friendly practice that saves resources and significantly reduces harm to the environment?

To answer this question, the researchers focused on the effectiveness of food sharing according to three environmental indicators: water depletion, land use, and global warming. They found that a significant proportion of the benefit to the environment is offset when the money saved as a result of sharing is used for purposes that have a negative environmental impact.

The study was led by Tamar Meshulam, under the guidance of Dr. Vered Blass of the Porter School of Environment and Earth Sciences at Tel Aviv University and Dr. Tamar Makov of Ben-Gurion University, and in collaboration with Dr. David Font-Vivanco, an expert on "rebound effect." The article won the award for the "Best Article" at the PLATE (Product Lifetimes and the Environment) conference, and was published in the Journal of Industrial Ecology.

Tamar Meshulam explains, "Food waste is a critical environmental problem. We all throw away food, from the farmer in the field to the consumer at home. In total, about a third of the food produced in the world is lost or wasted. This wasted food is responsible for roughly 10 percent of GHG emissions, and the land area used to grow food that is then wasted is equal in size to the vast territory of Canada! That's why it is so important to look for ways to reduce food waste, and examine their potential contribution to mitigating climate change."

Dr. Makov says, "Internet platforms for sharing food are gaining popularity all over the world, and are seen as a natural solution that can help tackle both food waste and food insecurity at the same time. While there is nothing new about sharing food, digitalization has lowered transaction costs substantially, allowing food to be shared not only within social circles of family and friends but also with absolute strangers. At the same time, sharing platforms as well as other digitally enabled food waste reduction platforms (e.g. too good to go) can save users a lot of money, which raises the question what do people typically do with such savings? considering what people do with the money they save via sharing platforms is critical for evaluating environmental impacts"

Dr. Blass adds, "Is it possible that at least some of the money saved is then spent on carbon intensive products and services that negate the benefit of sharing? Here's a small example to illustrate: Let's say that for one month a young couple lives only on food they obtained for free through a sharing platform, and then decides to use the money they saved to fly abroad. In such a case, it's obvious that the plane they will be flying in creates pollution that harms the environment more than all the benefits of sharing. In this study, we sought to examine this troubling issue in depth."

The researchers chose to focus on the app OLIO, an international peer-to-peer food-sharing platform, and specifically on its activity in the United Kingdom between the years 2017 and 2019. Combining models from the fields of industrial ecology, economics and data science, they measured the benefits of sharing food using three environmental indicators: global warming, the depletion of water sources, and land use. To understand how OLIO users spend their savings they used statistical data published by the UK Office for National Statistics on household spending by consumption purpose to as COICOP (classification of individual consumption according to purpose).

Tamar Meshulam says, "The location in which the food-sharing took place allowed us to assign each collecting user to their UK income percentile. We found that about 60 percent of the app's users belong to the bottom five deciles, while about 40 percent of the shares were carried out by the top five deciles. We also found that the second and tenth deciles made up a relatively large number of shares, so we chose to focus on them, along with data on the general populationwhat they spend their money on, and what the significance of these consumption habits is with regard to the savings made possible by sharing."

The researchers performed a variety of statistical analyses, which yielded fascinating findings. In many cases, there was a considerable gap, or "rebound effect" between the expected environmental benefit and the benefit that was actually attained. This rebound effect changed depending on the population and the environmental impact category. Tamar Meshulam cites several examples: For the general population, 68% of the benefit was offset in the global warming category, about 35% was offset in the water depletion category, and about 40% was offset in the land use category. Furthermore, in households that used half of their savings for food expenses, the rebound effect in all categories increased to 80 to 95 percent.

The researchers say, "The conclusion from our research is that the actual environmental benefits from efficiency improvements often fall short of expectations. This is because the infrastructures supporting human activities are still carbon intensive. As long as our savings are measured in money, and the money is used for additional expenses, the rebound effect will erode our ability to reduce environmental burdens through greater efficiency".

"In this context, it is important to note that we also examined what the results would have been if the sharing had been conducted in 2011 (these results are not included in this article). A comparison with the findings of 2019 shows a significant improvement. The explanation for this is that in recent years, Britain has made great efforts to switch to renewable energies, and the impact of this is evident in the decrease of greenhouse gas emissions. The bottom line is, as our findings demonstrate, that we need to combine a transition to green infrastructure with green consumerism. Each of these individually will not achieve the desired and critical impact needed for humanity and the planet."

More information: Tamar Meshulam et al, Sharing economy rebound: The case of peertopeer sharing of food waste, Journal of Industrial Ecology (2022). DOI: 10.1111/jiec.13319
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Conceptual Framework. Credit: ZFW  Advances in Economic Geography (2023). DOI: 10.1515/zfw-2021-0049

UK FinTech firms who predicted in 2018 that they would partly relocate their UK operations to the European Union after Brexit have largely followed through with their plans, according to new research published this week in the journal Advances in Economic Geography.

FinTech, which focuses on the application of digital technology to the financial services sector, is an important growth industry worldwide, with the UK a world-leader alongside the USA and Singapore. In 2019, the London-centered UK FinTech industry generated annual revenues of 11bn, employed 76,500 people and attracted 3.6bn of investment. Researchers at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) surveyed companies at the FinTech Connect event in London in 2018 about whether they were planning to relocate to either the EU or the USA following Brexit.

At the time, the exact nature of the UK's exit from the EU was unknown, so researchers offered three scenarios; a no deal Brexit, a Brexit with a deal negotiated between the UK and the EU; and a scenario where Brexit was canceled. In 2018, of the 38 UK-based firms surveyed, 37% felt it likely or very likely that parts of their UK business unit would be relocated to the EU if the UK left without a deal. In the event of a deal, this number reduced to 24%.

The percentage of firms planning a move at least partially to the US if the UK left the EU without a deal was 13%, or 11% with a deal. Follow-up research in February 2022 using data from company websites, LinkedIn, Companies House and Crunchbase revealed 39% of firms had opened new offices overseas without closing their UK establishment, while 13% had fully dissolved their UK establishments. Researchers found that 84% of firms had broadly followed through on their predictions, whether that was relocation, or remaining in the UK.

This number included firms who thought they would relocate fully but ended up only relocating partially, as well as firms who thought they would relocate to the EU but ended up going to the USA. The research found that, rather than firms flocking to specific EU hubs, companies that did partially or fully leave the UK for the EU tended to disperse, with destinations as diverse as Paris, Amsterdam, Krakow, Sofia and Barcelona.

However, if firms did leave for the USA, they gravitated towards New York City. Lead author Dr. Franziska Sohns, Associate Professor of Economic Geography at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), said, "While most firms did not anticipate post-Brexit relocation, those who did saw the EU as the most important potential relocation destination, highlighting the significance of geographical and institutional proximity. Our results indicate that the Brexit was a significant push factor for UK FinTech firms anticipating relocation to the EU and, to a lesser extent, also to the US."

"We also found that firms with existing strong social and economic relations with the EU were more likely to consider relocation. Motives varied, for example one firm moved their headquarters from London to Sofia due to declining growth opportunities in the UK, while another opened an office in Malta to keep the EU passport."

More information: Franziska Sohns et al, Do they do as they say?, ZFWAdvances in Economic Geography (2023). DOI: 10.1515/zfw-2021-0049
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The foot-and-mouth disease has plagued Iraq for decades, but veterinarians call this year's outbreak unprecedented.

Despite vaccinating his entire herd against foot-and-mouth disease, Iraqi farmer Saadoun Roumi has lost five of his 15 buffaloes to a variant never before seen in the country.

The severe, highly contagious livestock disease has plagued Iraq for decades, but this year's outbreak has already had a devastating impact described as unprecedented by veterinarians in Nineveh province.

Laboratory tests have identified the SAT2 variant of the viral disease, the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said.

This strainnever before recorded in Iraqis resistant to the vaccines normally used in the country, leaving authorities scrambling to obtain the right doses to inoculate livestock and prevent further spread.

"The infections are much higher," lamented 26-year-old Roumi from his farm in the village of Badush near Mosul, the capital of Nineveh. "Every day, there are between 20 and 25 cases in the village."

In his yard, he tends to one of his ailing animals, chewing on some fodder in a basin. Along with the five he has already lost, all his buffaloes were vaccinated against the disease as part of a campaign by authorities in 2021.

"The administered vaccines aren't effective," Roumi said. "Foot-and-mouth disease has ravaged the herd."

Between the viral outbreak and the prices of fodder, Iraqi farmers have seen their only source of livelihood pushed to the brink.

Between the outbreak and the exorbitant prices of fodder, Roumi like other farmers has seen his only source of livelihood pushed to the brink.

"Before, I used to produce a barrel of 50 kilograms (110 pounds) of milk per daynow, it's less than 25 kilograms."

High mortality

Though the disease does not pose a threat to humans, it is highly contagious among "cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, swine and other cloven-hoofed", according to FAO.

The disease causes potentially lethal fevers and blisters resulting in "high mortality in newborn and young animals, weight loss, reduced milk yields and lower fertility", the UN agency said.

"Affected animals become too weak to be used to plow the soil or reap harvests, and farmers cannot sell the milk they produce, which can severely impact household food security."

Udai al-Abadi, the director of a veterinary hospital in Nineveh, noted that the disease "resurges in intermittent waves", with the last peak in 1998.

Urgent requests for vaccines have been sent to Baghdad, but Nineveh province did not receive its allocation of shots, a local official said.

But this year, "infections are high and can be counted in the hundreds" in the province, compared with the dozens usually recorded, he said.

"More than a hundred cattle have died."

Urgent requests for vaccines have been sent to the government in Baghdad, he said, but the province did not receive its allocation of shots in 2022, though they can be purchased locally from private sellers.

Preventing epidemic

Saadoun Roumi's 90-year-old father Balou said he lost a calf from his herd of 20 buffaloes.

"When foot-and-mouth disease hits the animal, its milk is unusable and its legs can barely carry it," he said.

Khalid Shlash, assistant to the FAO representative in Iraq, explained that analysis of 12 samples in Nineveh, Baghdad and Diyala provinces identified the responsible strainSAT2, which stands for "Southern African Territories" where it originated.

The SAT2 strain -- never before recorded in Iraq -- is resistant to the vaccines normally used in the country.

He said the strain was not previously present in Iraq and therefore the corresponding vaccine had never been used there.

In a bid to curb the outbreak, authorities have launched disinfection campaigns and imposed restrictions on the movement of livestock, Shlash said.

He noted that the FAO is offering its expertise to support the government's efforts, noting that the priority now is for a specialized lab to identify the right vaccine.

Baghdad must then find a producer to supply nine million doses of the vaccine, he added.

"From where and how did this virus come to Iraq?" he said. "This is the question veterinarian services are now trying to answer."

 2023 AFP
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Voicing one's political view is no longer a taboo. People's political ideologies pervade almost every aspect of their lives. For example, researchers have identified that people choose to associate with individuals with similar political beliefs and avoid colleagues who share dissimilar or opposing political ideologies.

As important entities in society, business organizations are not immune to the influence of political ideologies either. Views and beliefs held by the top executives in a firm are known to influence organizational initiatives. Now, a new study published in the Strategic Management Journal in November 2022 reveals that the political ideology of the interim or "incoming" CEO influences whether serving directors of a company choose to continue or leave their positions.

"As a frontline corporate governance mechanism, the board of directors' mandate is typically more professional in nature. At the same time, directors often prioritize avoiding situations that compromise their personal reputations and provoke unfavorable publicity," explains John Busenbark, the study's corresponding author and an assistant professor of management and organization at the University of Notre Dame.

"Given the inextricable relationship between individuals on the board and the CEO, we argue that directors may depart from the organization if they have conflicting political ideologies with the incoming chief executive, and they are apt to retain their roles if they share political views with that individual."

Busenbark, along with Jonathan Bundy of Arizona State University and M K Chin of Indiana University, further argues that the directors' past familiarity with the incoming CEO lessens this effect. The researchers tested these arguments by using data from 203 publicly traded firms with CEO succession events from 2008 to 2012.

Corroborating their arguments, they found that directors tend to leave their positions when a new CEO with an opposing political ideology joins the company. Conversely, they choose to continue in their positions when the incoming CEO shares similar political views.

"On further study, we found that the directors' willingness to depart from their positions is stronger when a CEO with opposing political ideology joins the firm, as compared to their willingness to stay when a CEO with similar political ideology joins," explains Dr. Bundy, an associate professor and dean's council distinguished scholar.

"We also found that when directors have shared more time and experience with the incoming CEO in the past, they are less likely to exit the firm despite opposing political ideologies."

These findings shed light on how social and professional circles are formed among the top actors in the corporate world and can have practical implications for business practitioners. As Dr. Chin, an associate professor, points out, "Executives interested in maximizing the firm's success should bear in mind that their political views might influence the retention of the best people in the right role."

Moreover, the researchers opine that by gathering more information about the candidates applying for the CEO position, boards can prevent disagreement and even out the rough times for the organization. And lastly, from a larger societal perspective, investing in relationships with people holding opposing political views can lessen the tendency to avoid or distance oneself from such people, and help in embracing their views more openly.

More information: John R. Busenbark et al, Director departure following political ideology (in)congruence with an incoming CEO, Strategic Management Journal (2022). DOI: 10.1002/smj.3477

Provided by Strategic Management Society
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Credit: University of Maryland

Kris Marsh is tired of being asked: "Why are you single?"

The question has followed the University of Maryland sociologist throughout her adult life, in gatherings with friends and family, and even after research presentations.

As a successful Black professional, the associate professor wondered why people focused on what she wasn'tmarriedrather than her accomplishments. She knew, from both her social circles and her research on the Black middle class, that she was far from an outlier: In 2019, 45% of Black adults in the U.S. had never been wed, compared to 24% of their white counterparts, a gap that has widened every decade since 1960.

That's why she decided to write a book on the growing number of her peers who are single and living alone (SALA). Called "The Love Jones Cohort" (referencing the 1997 romantic dramedy), the book seeks to paint a fuller picture of their lives, destigmatize singlehood and offer insight into the structural forces in the United States that contribute to the large number of Black singles.

"It's a timely topic, especially post-COVID. A lot of people are having these philosophical conversations about why they're in relationships," Marsh said. "Let's move beyond talking about dating practices of single people. I want to understand who they are, more thoroughly and fully."

She interviewed 62 single, childfree Black adults43 women and 19 menranging in age from 25 to 56, all from the D.C. metro area for the book, which is heavily researched but accessible for a lay audience. They had completed college, held professional occupations, and met or exceeded the median income for Black households; many owned a home.

Marsh asked wide-ranging questions, eliciting candid answers that are quoted throughout the book ("We have economic privilege, and that makes a hell of a difference regardless of race [but] when we go out into society, you feel Black," said Kendra, 30. "We're still in the 'struggle' socially.") The conversations touched on whether their singledom was by choice or circumstance; their lifestyles, including careers and homeownership; their health and mental well-being; as well as strategies for creating relationships beyond marriage.

Here are four key takeaways from her research:

Racism has shrunk the dating pool

"The social context we live in constrains our personal choices," said Marsh. For Black middle-class singles who hope to partner with other Black, middle-class singles, the pool is limited, due to decades of segregation in education and housing, which left fewer pathways to upward mobility.

Today, Black middle-class single women outnumber men 2 to 1an imbalance that stems in part from systemic criminalization and mortality of Black men due to community violencewhich forces them to either date interracially, or partner with someone of lower socio-economic status. Both come with challenges. "The Love Jones Cohort" also cites a 2014 study that found that Black women were rated the least attractive across all races, an example of the discrimination they face in the wider dating world.

Additionally, because of the precarious nature of the Black middle class, without generational wealth as a buffer and often with the added strain of supporting extended family members, choosing a partner without similar financial abilitysuch as the ability to buy a houseis less appealing.

"If we can't accumulate property because we once were property, that again constrains your dating pool," Marsh said.

Black singles should be viewed as pioneers

"Singlehood scholarship has a white gaze and white face," Marsh said, referring to scholarship and think pieces that present white women choosing to be single as a freeing decision. But for Black women, this has long been a reality. They have created relationships beyond traditional partnerships, such as friendship networks and sister circles, where they check in regularly on the mental health and well-being of their loved ones.

By speaking in depth with so many Black singles and offering such a nuanced view of their lives, Marsh wrote that she hopes they can offer "pathways for other non-Black singles to navigate their single lifestyles and the singlehood movement."

We need to redefine 'family'

The stereotype of a family as a married, heterosexual couple with two kids, along with the picket fence and dog, is deeply antiquated, Marsh suggests. "I want to be inclusive and broaden the idea of family."

She feels the discrimination of being a single person wherever she goes, from when she buys a cell phone plan that can't be discounted for just one line, or when she books a vacation that requires an extra payment for a single-occupancy room.

"The current tax structure often benefits married couples and families. Single folks pay more. People say it's absurd to have a family of one, but it's worth a conversation," she said.

Marsh envisions a future where she could create her own "augmented" familynot just for voluntary, social aspects of life, such as vacations, but for important transactions like health insurance or estate planning.

Don't partner up just to partner up

With Valentine's Day around the corner, Marsh urges all singles not to fall prey to societal pressure.

"It's really important for us to think about singleness not as a transitional category and not as a negative category," Marsh said. Many of the people she talked to lived full, happy lives, with robust friend networks and extended families who depended on them, and vice versa. That should be a socially acceptable outcome, rather than pressuring people to partner up at all costs. "People should be comfortable and confident in their singleness, instead of being in romantic relationships that are toxic and oppressive just because they don't want to be single."
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There are more than 100 missions to the Moon planned in the coming years, including the next Artemis missions. Credit: NASA

Scientists and government agencies have been worried about the space junk surrounding Earth for decades. But humanity's starry ambitions are farther reaching than the space just around Earth. Ever since the 1960s with the launch of the Apollo program and the emergence of the space race between the U.S. and Soviet Union, people have been leaving trash around the moon, too.

Today, experts estimate that there are a few dozen pieces of space junk like spent rocket bodies, defunct satellites and mission-related debris orbiting in cislunar spacethe space between Earth and the moon and the area around the moon. While this isn't yet a large amount of junk, astronomers have very little information about where these pieces of space debris are, let alone what they are and how they got there.

I am a planetary scientist and also run the Space Safety, Security and Sustainability Center at the University of Arizona. As the focus of space activities turns to the moon, with each future mission more junk will be left in cislunar space. This junk is an emerging problem that could create hazardous conditions for astronauts and spacecraft in the future.

My colleague Roberto Furfaro and I are hoping to help prevent this problem from getting out of hand. Together, we are using telescopes and existing databases on lunar missions to find, describe and track lunar space debris and build the world's first catalog of cislunar space objects.

Abandoned and potentially dangerous

Historically, NASA and the U.S. military have not closely tracked space debris from the many dozens of crewed and robotic missions to the moon. There is no international agency that has monitored lunar objects, either. This lack of oversight is why scientists don't know the location or orbit of the vast majority of lunar space debris. And these objects won't simply go awayin the near total vacuum of space, anything left in orbit around the moon or in cislunar space will likely remain there for at least decades.

This lack of information about human-made objects orbiting the moon poses many risks for lunar missions.

Since the 1960s, missions like the Apollo program missions have been sending robots and people to the Moon and leaving pieces of junk behind. Credit: NASA

First is the risk of collision. Humanity is at the beginning of a new wave of lunar exploration. Over the next 10 years, six countries and several commercial companies have plans for more than 100 missions. With every mission, the risk of a collision with existing debris increases and so, too, does the total amount of debris as missions leave junk behind.

Crash landings onto the surface of the moon are also a real risk because the moon does not have a thick atmosphere that can burn up falling space junk. This was dramatically demonstrated by the impact of a spent Chinese rocket booster into the far side of the moon in March 2022. My team and I were the ones to finally identify that object as being of Chinese origin using telescopes we built to track objects in cislunar space. With both the U.S. and China planning to build lunar bases in the coming years, falling debris could become a real threat to human life and infrastructure on the moon.

Hard to track

If you want to prevent the moon from becoming a cosmic landfill, you need to be able to track cislunar space junk. But doing so is challenging even on a good day for two main reasons: distance and light.

Cislunar space extends about 2.66 million miles from Earthfar past the distance within which the U.S. government currently tracks objects in space. But space is not just two-dimensional. The three-dimensional volume of cislunar space is massive, and any objects within it are tiny by comparison.

Light presents another challenge. Just like the moon itself, the brightness of an object in cislunar space depends on how much sunlight the object reflects. During a crescent moon, lunar debris appears dim and low in the evening sky, making it hard to find. During a full moon, the same objects are high in the sky and brighter due to more sunlight hitting them, but they blend in with the bright glare that surrounds a full moon. Spotting objects during a full moon is like trying to find a firefly's faint glow next to a bright search light. Within the lunar glare is the Cone of Shame, so named because of the difficulty in tracking objects within it.

Curating the catalog

A team of students and professors at the University of Arizona built a telescope to track objects near the moon. Credit: Vishnu Reddy/University of Arizona, CC BY-ND

Because of the difficulty and lack of adequate resources to track objects near the moon, there is no group or organization consistently doing so today. So, in 2020, Furfaro and I took on the challenge to discover, track and catalog human-made debris in cislunar space.

First, we linked historical observations from various telescopes and databases to each other to identify and confirm what cislunar objects were already known. Then, realizing there were no dedicated telescopes scanning the night sky for cislunar objects, my students at the University of Arizona and I built one. In late 2020, we finished building a 24-inch-diameter (0.6-meter-diameter) telescope, which is at the Biosphere 2 Observatory near Tucson.

The first object we tracked was Chang'e 5, China's first lunar sample return mission. The large rocket launched on Nov. 23, 2020, headed toward the moon. Despite the powerful lunar glare, my students and I were able to track Chang'e 5 to a distance of 12,354 miles from the moon, deep into the Cone of Shame. With this success, we started tracking newly launched cislunar payloads and adding them to our nascent catalog. With this success, we started tracking newly launched cislunar payloads so we can calculate and predict their orbits to prevent them from getting lost.

To characterize both old and new space debris, once we figure out where an object is, we use optical and near-infrared telescopes on Earth to capture the object's spectral signaturethe specific wavelengths of light that bounce off an object's surface. By doing this, we can figure out what material an object is made out of and identify it. This is how we identified the mystery rocket booster that crashed into the moon in 2022. We can also measure changes in the light bouncing off the object over time to determine how fast that object is spinning, which can also help with identification.

Over the last two years, we have become better and better at finding and identifying objects in cislunar space. While at first we were happy to identify the school bus-sized Chang'e 5 spacecraft, now we are able to track CubeSats no bigger than a cereal boxlike NASA's Lunar Flashlight.

To date, my team has been able to identify a few dozen pieces of debris in cislunar space and are continuing to add to our ever-expanding catalog. The vast majority of the work ahead comprises continued observations and matching objects to known missions to confirm what objects are out there and where they came from.

While there is still a long way to go, these efforts are designed to ultimately form the basis for a catalog that will help lead to safer, more sustainable use of cislunar orbital space as humanity begins its expansion off of the Earth.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Even microorganisms do not live forever. However, the manner in which these tiny soil organisms die has an effect on the amount of carbon they leave behind. These are the latest results of a study carried out by microbiologist and ecologist Dr. Tessa Camenzind from Freie Universitat Berlin, together with Humboldt Research Award winner Johannes Lehmann, visiting researcher at Freie Universitat Berlin from Cornell University, New York (U.S.), and their colleagues.

The results of their study have now been published in the journal Nature Geoscience under the title "Formation of Necromass-Derived Soil Organic Carbon Determined by Microbial Death Pathways." The researchers' results contribute to the understanding of climate change and CO 2 emissions.

Microorganisms are all around us, including in the ground beneath our feet. They play an essential role in ensuring that nutrients and carbon continue to circulate, safeguarding soil as an important resource. However, these microorganisms do not live forever; like all living things, they eventually die.

"In our research, we focused on how microorganisms in the soil die and what exactly remains of these dead microorganisms (known collectively as microbial necromass) at the end of their short lives. You might be wondering why we should be concerning ourselves with the deaths of individual cells in our soil. Well, interestingly enough, these deaths are a deciding factor in the amount of carbon that soil can sequester and store, and for how long," explains Dr. Camenzind. This is something that could well be of interest to scientists and politicians with regard to rising levels of CO 2 in the atmosphere and the consequences this will have on our climate.

Soil is the largest carbon store on Earthstoring more carbon than all plants and our atmosphere put together. Contrary to what was previously believed to be the case, a considerable amount of this carbonmore than 50%is introduced to the soil via the remains of dead microorganisms. "It may sound macabre, but knowing more about how and why these microorganisms die and what processes are involved is essential for understanding how carbon is introduced to the soil and how stable this process is under varying conditions," says Dr. Camenzind.

But what constitutes a cause of death for a microorganism? Soil is by no means a safe habitat. Anything looking to survive here is subject to starvation, drought, and extreme heat or cold. Microbial organisms are also constantly in competition with one another for essential resources, with some microorganisms not afraid to emit deadly metabolites in order to gain the upper hand. Additional sources of danger include protists (single-cell organisms), tiny animals living in the soil, and even bacteria. Some hunt microorganisms specifically, while others "graze" large areas. Viruses are also common in the soil layer and kill off a considerable number of bacteria. And, of course, a number of human activities also lead to changes in the natural balance.

"In particular, we were able to find out which chemical changes take place during these processes, allowing us to better understand what microbial necromass is comprised of," explains Camenzind. On the molecular level, it makes a difference whether a bacterium is eaten and digested by a springtail (soil organism), whether it dries out, whether it is re-programmed by a virus, or whether a predatory bacterium drains it of its nutrients. At the same time, the hyphae of fungi also play an interesting role when it comes to the carbon content of soil.

"They 'move' through the soil by creating new hyphae, meaning that they are constantly leaving dead hyphae behind them. By doing so, it seems that they introduce a great deal of carbon into the soil," says Dr. Camenzind.

More information: Tessa Camenzind et al, Formation of necromass-derived soil organic carbon determined by microbial death pathways, Nature Geoscience (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41561-022-01100-3 Journal information: Nature Geoscience

Provided by Freie Universitat Berlin
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Graphical abstract. Credit: Environmental Research (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114849

A 'national conversation' is needed to combat the worrying levels of air pollution in some city-based classrooms, say researchers from the University of Surrey.

Surrey's Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE) has found that the levels of pollutionparticularly coarse air pollution particles (PM10) and CO 2 were higher during classroom hours than outside of working hours and at weekends.

Peak concentration levels of PM10 were present at 100cmthe average sitting height of children. The team also found that after attaining the peak, PM10 levels start to decrease with further height. However, classroom CO 2 increased with height until above 225 cm height.

Professor Prashant Kumar, senior author and Founding Director of GCARE, said, "While plenty has been said about road-based pollution experienced when children are in a school playground, our research suggests that we need a thoughtful public conversation about the pollution levels in the classroom."

"Classroom activities such as resuspension due to movement contributed towards more than 75 percent of the coarse air pollution particles . This suggests that common sense strategy, for example, ensuring floors and surfaces are kept clean during classroom hours, could minimize these levels."

The research took place in a North London school, where the researchers monitored 18 locations of a Year 3 classroom. The maximum occupancy of the classroom was 23 childrenbetween the ages of seven and eight years oldwho were supervised by two teachers. The Surrey research team set out to test and measure the air quality and thermal comfort of the classroom during and outside of school hours.

The research team involving a Ph.D. researcher Nidhi Rawat and a post-doctoral researcher Arvind Tiwari find that strategic placement of air purifiers is important. It can help to improve concentration levels in a classroom. If placed in high footfall areas, air purifiers were shown to reduce up to 51 percent average classroom concentration of PM10 particles compared with the base case (no air purifiers) when they were placed in unpaired mode.

Professor Kumar continued, "We found that high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifying systems did make a significant improvement to the PM10 levels of a classroom. I appreciate that these systems are not inexpensive and are out of reach for many schools in the country. We recommend that, if possible, air purifiers are placed at children's sitting height as close to the teaching areas as possible."

"Our strongest recommendation is for decision-makers and school management bodies to install real-time pollutant monitoring devices. This will allow schools to identify pollution hot spots, which is the first step of devising effective strategies to extract it from the classroom."

The research was part of the EPSRC-funded CO-TRACE projecta collaboration between the Universities of Cambridge, Surrey and Imperial College London, to assess the risk of airborne COVID-19 transmission in schools and evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation measures.

Professor Paul Linden from the University of Cambridge and Principal Investigator of the CO-TRACE project, says, "The CO-TRACE team strongly support the recommendation to install real-time air pollution monitors in schools. We believe that the information provided by these monitors will give agency to teachers and the senior leadership in schools to take the necessary measures to improve indoor air quality in the classroom and enhance the health and well-being of staff and students."

The research has been published by Environmental Research and builds upon earlier work including holistic recommendations such as school guidance.

More information: Prashant Kumar et al, Micro-characteristics of a naturally ventilated classroom air quality under varying air purifier placements, Environmental Research (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114849 Journal information: Environmental Research
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Excrement from minke whales such as this one tagged by a Stanford University team is "worth its weight in gold," researchers say.

Minke whale excrement is "worth its weight in gold" as it plays an important role in fertilizing phytoplankton and thereby reducing the cetacean's carbon footprint, according to a Norwegian study.

For the first time, researchers from the Norwegian Institute for Marine Research have studied the concentration of nutrients in whale excrement before it is dissolved in seawater.

"It can sound disgusting, but for the ecosystem it's worth its weight in gold," researchers said in a statement Thursday.

"The idea is simply that the feces fertilize the sea in the same way that cows and sheep do on land," they continued.

The researchers analyzed the excrement of minke whales harpooned by whalersas Norway is one of few countries allowing the commercial hunting of these cetaceans.

The some 15,000 whales that migrate each summer to the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard in the Arctic release some 600 tons of excrement on the surface of the water each day, at a rate of about 40 kilograms (88 pounds) per animal.

According to the study, the daily excrement releases about 10 tons of phosphorus and 7 tons of nitrogen into the oceans, nutrients that are essential for the growth of phytoplanktonmicroscopic algae that absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and convert it into oxygen.

The scientists concluded that the minke whale excrement contributed to between 0.2 and 4 percent of daily phytoplankton production in the Arctic Svalbard region.

"The real contribution of whales is probably higher because these estimates do not include urine, which is very rich in nitrogen," research leader Kjell Gundersen told AFP.

Each minke whalean animal weighing 40-50 tons as an adult that feeds by filtering large quantities of waterreleases "several hundred litres of urine" per day.

"If there are fewer whales, there is a risk that there will be less fertilization of the ocean," Gundersen said.

"More phytoplankton production also means more CO 2 is absorbed," he added.

"This is positive for the climate," he noted, "but we don't know the net balance of whales in terms of greenhouse gases" because cetaceans also emit methane when they breathe.

This question, which is still largely unexplored, will be the subject of a European study that will start in June and last four years.

 2023 AFP
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A Eurasian eagle-owl named Flaco sits in a tree in Central Park in New York, Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. The owl, who resided at the Central Park Zoo, flew the coop after someone vandalized its exhibit by cutting through stainless steel mesh. Zoo officials say Flaco was discovered missing at 8:30 p.m. Thursday and remained on the loose Monday. Credit: AP Photo/Seth Wenig

An owl who escaped from the Central Park Zoo after someone damaged his cage has become New York City's latest avian celebrity, attracting gawkers as he surveys the park from one tall tree or another but stoking fears that he can't hunt and will starve.

The owl, a Eurasian eagle-owl named Flaco, escaped Feb. 2, zoo spokesperson Max Pulsinelli said in a news release the following day. "The exhibit had been vandalized and the stainless steel mesh cut," Pulsinelli said. "Upon notification, a team was mobilized to search for the bird."

Flaco flew from the zoo to the nearby shopping hub of Fifth Avenue, where police officers tried to catch him and failed.

He returned to Central Park the next morning and since then has been spotted at various locations in the southeast section of the park. Flaco has spent part of his time on the grounds of the zoo he fled, but he has not returned to captivity on his own.

Zoo officials said last week that they were seeking to recapture Flaco, but they have not issued any updates on their efforts since then.

No one has seen Flaco eat during his six days on the lam, said David Barrett, who runs birding Twitter accounts including Manhattan Bird Alert, Brooklyn Bird Alert and Bronx Bird Alert.

Wednesday found Flaco commanding a view of Wollman Rink's ice skaters from an oak tree in the park's Hallett Nature Sanctuary. A small crowd watched from a respectful distance.

A crowd of people gather to look at a Eurasian eagle-owl named Flaco in Central Park in New York, Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. The owl, who resided at the Central Park Zoo, flew the coop after someone vandalized its exhibit by cutting through stainless steel mesh. Zoo officials say Flaco was discovered missing at 8:30 p.m. Thursday and remained on the loose Monday. Credit: AP Photo/Seth Wenig

"I just want to observe how he's doing myself," retired health care worker Gig Palileo said as she examined the owl through her camera lens. "I'm a nurse, so I'm always kind of like, 'Is the eyes still alert?'"

Palileo said she was saddened "that somebody had let this guy go without even thinking what's the consequences. ... Probably he doesn't know how to hunt."

Kenny Cwiok, a retired correction officer in the state prison system, was more sanguine about the owl's survival in the wild. "I think he can survive," Kwiok said. "If he learned how to fly I guess he can learn how to hunt."

Kwiok called Flaco "a celebrity" like the brightly plumaged Mandarin duck that dazzled park-goers a few years ago. "He was a star," Kwiok said. "He was a Brad Pitt for Central Park."

The Eurasian eagle-owl is one of the larger owl species with a wingspan of up to 79 inches (2 meters), according to the Wildlife Conservation Society. They have large talons and distinctive ear tufts.

Like the Mandarin duck, the Eurasian eagle-owl is not native to North America, but native owl species including great horned owls and barred owls do frequent Central Park, where they dine on rats, mice and smaller birds.

Dustin Partridge, director of conservation and science for NYC Audubon, said he hopes Flaco's plight raises awareness of the fugitive bird's wild cousins. "There's a lot of owl life in the city," Partridge said. "If you've never seen an owl, they're majestic creatures."

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Companies with prosocial CEOs see lower executive subordinate turnover, more employee-friendly policies, higher customer satisfaction and increased engagement in socially responsible activities. Credit: Pixabay

From Twitter under Elon Musk to the layoffs at technology companies, chief executive officers are more visible than ever. Their choices are publicized and scrutinized, affecting employees, customers and society at large.

The wide-ranging impact of CEOs inspired new research from the University of Washington that examines their decision-making tendencies.

The study, forthcoming in the Review of Accounting Studies, found that CEOs who engage in prosocial behavioractivities that primarily help othersare more likely to make decisions that benefit people and increase company value. Compared to companies with non-prosocial CEOs, those with prosocial CEOs see lower executive subordinate turnover, more employee-friendly policies, higher customer satisfaction and increased engagement in socially responsible activities.

"How do prosocial individuals act on the job? To what extent do your personal values match your on-the-job behavior? These are broad question for all of us," said Weili Ge, author of the study and professor of accounting in the UW Foster School of Business.

"But CEOs are very visible, and they have interactions with a wide range of stakeholders. Given their significant role and visibility in society, it's important to look at and examine this issue. The prosocial tendency of CEOs has a big impact on their on-the-job decisions."

To identify prosocial CEOs, researchers obtained data from BoardEx on extracurricular activities, including involvement with foundations and charities. For this study, CEOs were labeled prosocial if they were involved with at least one organization classified as charitable by the Internal Revenue Service.

"We considered how to measure a CEO as a person and not at the corporate level," Ge said. "We looked at CEOs' involvement with charitable organizations, but then we needed to question their level of involvement. CEOs often serve as directors on charity boards, so that means their involvement is significant. They see this as a priority in their busy schedules. They devote time to it."

Researchers then validated the prosocial and non-prosocial classifications by examining how CEOs utilized personal pronouns during conference calls. Previous studies have revealed that self-centered individuals are more likely to take credit for good outcomes and blame others for bad outcomes. In this study, CEOs labeled as prosocial were less likely to use first person-singular pronouns when announcing positive news. The opposite was true for negative announcements.

Results of the study showed that in companies with prosocial CEOs, executive subordinates, such as chief financial officers and chief operating officers, were less likely to leave the company. Further, results showed that prosocial CEOs are more likely to implement policies that consider employee welfare.

Using a company's overall corporate social responsibility score as measured by the studybased on initiatives involving community, diversity, employee relations, environmental policies and productthe authors found that prosocial CEOs adopted more socially responsible policies. Results also showed that companies with prosocial CEOs achieve higher customer satisfaction.

Prosocial CEOs take a stewardship view, which prioritizes the welfare of others. Hiring a prosocial CEO is a kind of insurance policy, Ge said, since they are likely to reduce risk through building goodwill with stakeholders.

"For example, if things go bad, maybe your supplier won't abandon you and your customers will still buy your product," Ge said. "You have this cushion against downward or negative shocks. A board of directors might want to consider individual characteristics, such as potential prosocial tendency, when making hiring decisions."
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Space junk orbiting around earth - Conceptual of pollution around our planet. Credit: NASA - http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/

A Russian KOSMOS 2499 satellite broke up last monthfor a second timeaccording to the Space Force's 18th Space Defense Squadron. In a recent tweet, the Space Force said they are currently tracking 85 individual pieces of debris at an altitude of 1,169 km (726 miles). The breakup occurred on January 4, 2023, but the reason for the disintegration remains unknown.

At this high altitude, it will take decades for the debris to deorbit and burn up in the Earth's atmosphere. The debris is located in an increasingly busy region in Earth's orbit.

#18SDS has confirmed the breakup of COSMOS 2499 (#39765, 2014-028E)occurred Jan 4, 2023 at appx 0357 UTC. Tracking 85 associated pieces at est 1169 km altitudeanalysis ongoing. #spacedebris #space @SpaceTrackOrg @US_SpaceCom @ussfspoc  18th Space Defense Squadron (@18thSDS) February 7, 2023

But this is actually the second breakup event of Kosmos 2499. The first fragmentation occurred on October 23, 2021, according to Jonathan McDowell, an astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics who also tracks space debris. That event created 22 pieces of trackable debris.

This satellite has had a curious history. Russia quietly launched KOSMOS 2499 on May 23, 2014. But tracking indicated the satellite performed unusual maneuvers, leading some to speculate that it may be an experimental anti-satellite weapon, satellite maintenance vehicle, or collector of space debris.

However, an article published on the official Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology website indicated the satellite was designed to test experimental plasma propulsion engines/ion thrusters.

Both the first and now second breakup event was thought to be caused by an explosion of that propulsion system. LeoLabs, Inc., a commercial provider of low Earth orbit mapping and tracking also tweeted about the current situation, saying that their analysis points toward a low intensity explosion, "due to the asymmetry of the debris cloud, magnitude of the velocity imparted to the fragments, and a known energetic source on board" (i.e., the propulsion system).

LeoLabs said another identical spacecraft, Kosmos 2491, exploded in 2020, and that event has been attributed to an explosion of the propulsion system.

This event follows a recent close call where two pieces of leftover Soviet-era space junk passed within feet of each other on January 27, 2023. A piece of a rocket stage came as close as 19.7 feet (six meters) from a defunct satellite at an altitude of 611 miles (984 km) above Earth's surface. If the two had collided, they would have created a debris cloud filled with thousands of tiny pieces of dangerous space junk.
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Plants of the genus Mimulus (Monkeyflowers) have a great diversity of flower color and shape. Credit: Yuan Mimulus Lab, Pete Morenus/UConn

Monkeyflowers glow in a rich assortment of colors, from yellow to pink to deep red-orange. But about 5 million years ago, some of them lost their yellow. In the Feb. 10 issue of Science, UConn botanists explain what happened genetically to jettison the yellow pigment, and the implications for the evolution of species.

Monkeyflowers are famous for growing in harsh, mineral-rich soils where other plants can't. They are also famously diverse in shape and color. Monkeyflowers also provide a textbook example of how a single-gene change can make a new species. In this case, a monkeyflower species lost the yellow pigments in the petals but gained pink about 5 million years ago, attracting bees for pollination. Later, a descendent species accumulated mutations in a gene called YUP that recovered the yellow pigments and led to production of red flowers. The species stopped attracting bees. Instead, hummingbirds pollinated it, isolating the red flowers genetically and creating a new species.

UConn botanist Yaowu Yuan and postdoctoral researcher Mei Liang (currently a professor at South China Agricultural University), with collaborators from four other institutes, have now shown exactly which gene changed to prevent monkeyflowers from making yellow. Their research, published this week in Science, adds weight to a theory that new genes create phenotypic diversity and even new species.

The YUP gene in question is found at a locus (region) of the monkeyflower genome that has three new genes. These new genes are not found in species outside of this group. They are duplicates of other genes from other parts of the monkeyflower genome. In particular, YUP is a partial duplicate of a pre-existing gene that has nothing to do with color.

A standard genetics belief is that partial duplicate genes regulate the genes they are derived from; it was very unlikely that these genes would affect an unrelated gene. Liang decided to investigate what these genes were doing anyway, against the advice of Yuan, who thought it was a waste of time. But Liang's persistence paid off: she discovered that the YUP gene was actually targeting the plants' master regulator of carotenoids, the pigments that make monkeyflowers and other plants yellow. YUP produced many small RNAs that suppressed the carotenoid gene. There are very few examples of genes that produce small RNAs affecting traits important to the creation of a new species.

Plants of the genus Mimulus (Monkeyflowers) have a great diversity of flower color and shape. Credit: Yuan Mimulus Lab, Pete Morenus/UConn

"This experience really taught me how important it is not to constrain oneself with 'conventional wisdom,'" Yuan says. Not only does YUP regulate a gene to which it is entirely unrelated; the other two genes at this same locus also affect monkeyflower color, Yuan says.

The uniqueness of these three genes, only found in a few closely related monkeyflowers, is an important clue as to how new species evolve.

"Almost every single species has unique genes, called 'taxon specific' because they are only found in a small group of species. For the most part, we have no idea what these genes do," says Yuan. This research shows that these taxon specific genes can be the keys to the new species. Previously, many geneticists and evolutionary biologists thought that it was changes in the expression of common genes shared by many different species that differentiated them, and that the small number of idiosyncratic genes were unlikely to be important.

"We think we understand evolution well enough to make predictions. But now we are realizing we really don't. Evolution is just so unpredictable," Yuan says.

His lab is now looking at how the monkeyflower genome controls the production of pigment spatially. For example, some monkeyflowers have upper petals that are entirely white, but lower petals with color. Yuan and his colleagues want to know how the plants suppress pigment only in certain parts of the flower.

More information: Mei Liang et al, Taxon-specific, phased siRNAs underlie a speciation locus in monkeyflowers, Science (2023). DOI: 10.1126/science.adf1323. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adf1323 Journal information: Science
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Irrigation management in agriculture is one of the most effective tools to protect precious water resources, especially in arid and desert regions of the globe. Credit: KAUST; Morgan Bennett Smith

Smart electronic soil sensors could enable farmers to deliver tailored doses of water to their crops, maximizing food production while saving water. KAUST researchers have developed a rapid and sensitive soil moisture sensor, at the heart of which sits a metal-organic framework (MOF) with a very high affinity for water.

Efficient water usage is a key challenge for farmers faced with feeding the growing global population in the face of climate change. "Irrigation management can help improve crop quality, decrease agricultural costs and preserve water," says Mohamed Eddaoudi, who led the research along with Khaled Salama. "Highly sensitive and selective soil-moisture sensors offer the potential to improve the water management process," Salama adds.

MOFs may be well suited to soil moisture sensing, Eddaoudi and his collaborators have shown. MOFs are highly porous synthetic materials with a cage-like internal structure that can be tailored to host specific small molecules, including water. "With their modular porous structure and easy functionalization, MOFs are excellent candidates for sensing applications," says Osama Shekhah, a research scientist in Eddaoudi's team. "MOF thin films have already been incorporated into electronic devices, paving the way for their translation to real-world use," he adds.

The MOFs in the study were selected based on their hydrolytic stability, water capacity and water uptake. "We explored several different MOFs, including the highly porous Cr-soc-MOF-1 developed by our group at KAUST that can capture twice its own weight in water," says Ph.D. student Norah Alsadun.

The team coated the MOFs onto an inexpensive interdigitated electrode microsensor that can be fabricated by inkjet printing or laser etching. When this sensor was inserted into moist soil, air in the MOF was displaced by water, altering its electrical capacitance, a process that can be detected and measured.

Each MOF device was tested in clayey and in loamy sand soil types, which can show significant differences in texture and water-holding capacity. "Notably, the Cr-soc-MOF-1-coated soil-moisture sensor showed the highest sensitivity, of about 450% in clayey soil, with a response time of around 500 seconds," Salama says. The sensor's response was highly selective for water even when various metal ions were present in the soil.

"We are now designing and developing a portable prototype MOF-based soil moisture sensor that can be easily used for control experiments in real-world, in-field measurements," Eddaoudi says. "We anticipate that MOF-based soil-moisture sensors will advance the next-generation soil-moisture sensor technology, offering automated and precise irrigation systems," Salama adds.

More information: Norah Alsadun et al, Institution of MetalOrganic Frameworks as a Highly Sensitive and Selective Layer In-Field Integrated Soil-Moisture Capacitive Sensor, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (2023). DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c20141 Journal information: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

In the aftermath of the deadly earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on Feb. 6, many people trapped under the rubble turned to social media pleading to be rescued.

"Whoever sees this WhatsApp status please come and help," said Boran Kubat, 20, in a video he recorded with his cellphone.

He described the apartment building he and his family members were under, and rescuers were able to find and get them out from under the ruins, The Guardian reported.

In another video, a boy under a building in Syria, said he was trapped with several other families and neighbors.

"I don't know if I'll die or stay alive," he says quietly, his voice shaking, his face and hair white from the dust. "I don't know how to describe the feeling of someone who has been through this, under the rubble."

There are thousands of messages on social media from people appealing for help, according to Al Jazeera, with some of them later saved by friends or rescue crews.

While some on social media have been critical of the response to the disaster, others are using its many platforms to mobilize, gather volunteers, and provide aid and sustenance.

"These local residents are not waiting for government assistance, not waiting for the Red Cross or for outside agencies to come in and say, "Here's the shelter available, here's food aid, here's medical aid," says Daniel Aldrich, a Northeastern professor, director of the university's Security and Resilience Program and co-director at the Global Resilience Institute.

He has seen people offering accommodations to those who were left homeless and a non-governmental organization, Ahbap Dernegi, posting an online map of institutions offering free places to stay.

Smartphones and social media have radically changed and democratized disaster relief efforts, Aldrich told Northeastern Global News. For hundreds of years, disaster management used to be a one-way process, he says. It was either top-downwhen announcements, rescue teams, relief efforts and aid came from the governmentor bottom-up, when residents would call emergency services to request help.

"Social media turned that inside out," Aldrich says.

Now, the one-way process has turned into a system where people can get updates in real time from those in need or communicate that they are available to help. People can mark themselves safe on Facebookduring a tornado or shooting, for exampleand apps can determine the location of a poster's smartphone.

During Hurricane Harvey that hit Texas and Louisiana in 2017, Aldrich says, some Houston residents were trapped in their homes not able to get through to 911. They began to turn systematically to NextDoor (an app for local communities), Facebook and Twitter to get in touch with volunteers who had canoes or could check on relatives.

"It's a very different set of interactions than used to be the case," Aldrich says.

The White Helmets in Syria operate without the support of local, regional or national governments. They use social media and communication apps to ask for medical aid, foreign volunteers or medical specialists, Aldrich says, or to get information to each other about where they should be going next.

"These social networksWhatsApp, NextDoor, Facebookare based on the recognition that I do not necessarily know directly someone who has a generator or somebody who has oxygen supply, or somebody who has medical training, but I know indirectly someone who does in my network," he says.

Aldrich says social media often includes friends, friends of friends, and other trustworthy people.

"This idea of inverting the pyramid between the average person and disaster resources is incredibly radical and in my mind," he says. "One of the most amazing ways the Internet has flipped the script on past emergency management and disaster management practices."

With information traveling so fast now, there's also a pressure on news organizations that wasn't there before. One doesn't need now to be a professional journalist to report from the frontlines, Aldrich says. They can be broadcasting from their phone.

"The challenge, of course, is verifying it [information]," he says.

That is why Aldrich likes the idea of verified sources in a network, something Twitter, Facebook and Instagram are already doing. He says that gives people a sense that the poster is not just someone saying something out of nowhere.

At the same time, users should double check internally whether they know and trust the source or whether they are being spoofed or witnessing a malicious attack.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The number of students enrolled in the U.S. public school system has plummeted since 2020, with roughly 1.2 million K-12 students leaving its rolls. Where did they go?

Pundits have speculated that the drop could be attributed to families switching to private schools or homeschooling, and to population changes occurring since the start of the pandemic. New data, gathered through a collaboration between Stanford researchers and the Associated Press, finds that these explanations only account for about two-thirds of students who have left public schools since the fall of 2019.

Despite a significant and sustained rise in homeschooling and private school enrollmentespecially in kindergarten and early elementary gradesmore than a third of the enrollment drop remains unexplained.

"We saw a historically unprecedented exodus from public schools during the pandemic, especially among students at the kindergarten and early grade levels," said Thomas S. Dee, an economist and professor at Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE).

"We've begun to see the financial pressure this is putting on many districts, with discussions about closing under-enrolled schools and possibly laying off teachers. But there hasn't been much focus on where these students went and what kind of learning environments they were experiencing."

Dee partnered with Big Local News, a project of the Stanford Computational Journalism Lab, and journalists at the Associated Press to collect and analyze data about the paths students took out of public schools during the pandemic. "Education reporting is a high priority for local news organizations, and understanding enrollment data is key," said Justin Mayo, a senior data journalist with Big Local News, which works with reporters to gather and process data on a range of issues.

The findings, published on Feb. 8, are summarized in a policy brief for the nonprofit Urban Institute and available, aggregated by state along with more detailed breakdowns, through Big Local News.

"Before this research, we knew virtually nothing about where these kids went," said Dee, who is the Barnett Family Professor of Education at Stanford and a senior fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research. "Now we have some really important evidence to explain a portion of that exodus. But the fact that so much of the loss cannot be explained raises new questions about what will help students get their education back on track."

Where the kids went

For their analysis, the researchers gathered state-level data on school enrollmentpublic, private, and registered homeschoolingfor three school years, from fall 2019 through spring 2022. They also used U.S. Census Bureau estimates to identify the school-age population in each state over the same time period.

Only 22 U.S. jurisdictions21 states and Washington, D.C.were able to provide adequate data on non-public schooling options such as private school and registered homeschools, the researchers said. The data they were able to assemble includes more than half of the school-age population in the United States at the onset of the pandemic.

Data from the available jurisdictions are representative of the nation, Dee said, in that their public-school enrollment declines mirrored the changes observed nationally.

Using the available data, the researchers found that 14% of students who disenrolled from public school over the three-year period went to private schools, while 26% switched to homeschooling. Another 26% of the loss could simply be attributed to a declining school-age population.

Given that the data tracked students into the 202122 school year, the finding on homeschooling was particularly striking, said Dee. For every newly enrolled private school student, two additional students remained enrolled in homeschooling for the 202122 school year, when most traditional public schools had returned to in-person instruction.

"We saw a run-up in homeschooling in the fall of 2020, which wasn't surprising when you think about where we were then, when a lot of schooling was remote," said Dee. "But I was surprised by both the magnitude and how enduring that initial run-up was."

Population estimates indicate that the United States experienced historically slow growth during the pandemic due to COVID mortality, low birth rates, and a decline in international migration. This period also saw families increasingly relocating to other states due to rising housing costs and the persistence of remote work arrangements, which in some cases contributed to the public school enrollment decline.

"The states with the largest declines in public school enrollmentCalifornia, New York, Illinoisalso saw the largest exodus of school-age children," said Dee. "So at some level the reduction in public school enrollment wasn't just a flight from public schools, it was a flight from communities."

The researchers said they were unable to include an analysis of the racial and ethnic breakdown of the enrollment decline because of a lack of data from states addressing these demographics in non-public schools.

Expanding recovery efforts

To account for the remaining 34% of unexplained enrollment losses, Dee suggested several explanations: an increase in truancy, growth in the prevalence of unregistered homeschooling, and an increase in the number of families skipping kindergarten. The researchers found the unexplained declines were concentrated in states that do not require kindergarten attendance.

With much of the national conversation about pandemic learning loss focused on test scores for students in fourth and eighth grade, the findings indicate the need to expand recovery efforts for younger students, Dee said.

"The federal testing data that came out last fall showed the largest declines ever observed in math and, to a lesser extent, reading, and that has rightly motivated attention to serving older kids in public school to try to remediate that learning loss," said Dee. "But the enrollment data are telling us that kids who are experiencing the most dramatic learning disruptions are too young to be in those testing windows yet."

Efforts touted to support academic recovery from the pandemic, such as extended classroom time and high-dose tutoring, are largely targeted toward students in public schools, especially in older grades where testing typically occurs. Dee said the findings suggest the broader need for early screening tools that can identify learning setbacks years before students reach the age for large-scale assessments, as well as increased oversight of truancy and homeschooled children's learning experiences.

More information: Where the Kids Went: Nonpublic Schooling and Demographic Change during the Pandemic Exodus from Public Schools. www.urban.org/research/publica  ange-during-pandemic
MOREAU  Two people were arrested Wednesday on drug charges after a traffic stop in Moreau.

At about 1:48 a.m., state police observed a vehicle pulled over on the side of Route 9.

When talking to the driver, 52-year-old Scotia resident Ricky G. Rickson, troopers observed a glass smoking device and a white, chalky substance inside the vehicle, according to a news release. In addition, police found cocaine, Xanax pills and multiple measuring scales, the release states.

Rickson and his passenger, 25-year-old Greenfield resident Alexandria D. Lorman, were both arrested and charged with two misdemeanor counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and second-degree criminal use of drug paraphernalia. Rickson also faces two felony counts of fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and Lorman faces one count of that same charge.

Rickson was sent to Saratoga County Jail and Lorman was released on an appearance ticket.

Both are due back in Moreau Town Court on Feb. 22.
WHITEHALL  A Whitehall man is expected to be sentenced to one year in jail for cooking methamphetamine.

David T. Duncan was one of two men arrested on Aug. 8, 2020, after state police responded to the Whitehall Studios for a report that two men living there were manufacturing meth.

Troopers interviewed Duncan and found materials consistent with making the drug in his room. Police obtained a search warrant and the State Police Contaminated Crime Scene Emergency Response Team seized the meth.

Duncan was indicted on felony counts of third-degree unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine and criminal possession of precursors of methamphetamine as well as a misdemeanor charge of second-degree criminal possession of methamphetamine manufacturing material.

He pleaded guilty in Washington County Court on Jan. 27 to unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine.

Duncan is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 24.

His co-defendant, Daniel S. Murray, was sentenced in June 2021 to 6 months in Washington County Jail.
BALLSTON SPA  Firefighters are well known for their willingness to put themselves directly in harms way in order to help others, but through those heroic acts, they face a myriad of dangers both seen and unseen.

Recent reports from the International Association of Firefighters have shown that occupational cancer is now the number one leading cause of death among firefighters. And just as the personal protective equipment they use to stay safe as they throw themselves into dangerous situations has evolved over the years, so, too, should the practices and procedures they institute to stay safe.

To help address the issue of occupational cancer, the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control is engaging with local fire stations across the state to bring awareness as well as solutions.

The first part of the education is teaching people that we are at a higher risk. The second part of the education is, how can we reduce that risk, explained Tim Graves, fire protection specialist with the New York state office.

Graves stopped in at the Paul E. Lent Public Safety Facility in Ballston Spa to educate and demonstrate to Saratoga County firefighters how some simple decontamination steps can drastically reduce their chances of being diagnosed with occupational cancer.

By nature of their jobs, firefighters come into contact with toxic soot and harmful carcinogens at a much higher rate than the public. Plastics, electronics and chemicals used to protect items during a fire all give off harmful gases that accumulate in the air around them and collect on their protective gear.

For the longest time, dirty gear, soot on the face was a sign of heroism, you know, that you had done some work, Graves said. That cant be true anymore.

That hazardous material can not only be breathed into the lungs but absorbed into the body through the skin.

One study, conducted by Dr. Alberto Caban-Martinez of the University of Miami, used theft detection powder, visible through black light, to show just how far toxic soot can travel with a firefighter from a scene.

Can we feasibly show how soot (represented by the powder) is transferred from the firefighters response back to their truck and back to the fire station, Martinez said in a video production showed during the training.

The experiment illustrated that even particles of toxic substances can travel back with a firefighter not only to their station, but to their homes and family.

Unfortunately, for many, many years we werent aware of those risks. We didnt pay enough attention to those getting sick around us, Graves said.

According to Graves, simply scrubbing a firefighter down with a soft bristle brush and some dish soap and water before leaving the scene of a fire can remove up to 85% of toxins and carcinogens.

That is that much contamination, carcinogens, soot ... that were leaving right there on the fire ground and not bringing back in the apparatus with us, he said.

Each station that was represented at the training was given a starter decontamination kit containing dish soap, a spray bottle, length of hose, soft scrub brush and individual wipes for cleaning any skin that may have come into contact with a harmful toxin.

Graves compared the new initiative to a similar culture change from the 1980s when the HIV crisis was first introduced.

We dont have blood on our uniforms any more, do we? he said. We get a drop of blood on our arm, were washing it off, were doing an exposure report ... but yet we still have firefighters wearing sooty gear.

Graves said just like any new information, the simple decontamination methods discussed at Wednesdays training needs to be incorporated into the practices of all firefighters, for their protection and the protection of the people closest to them.

Changing the culture of any industry is difficult, he said. And it takes time, and it takes buy-in from everyone.
FORT EDWARD  The Washington County Board of Supervisors Public Works Committee gave preliminary approval Jan. 31 to borrowing up to $7.5 million for rehabilitation of storm and sanitary sewer systems in Kingsbury and Hudson Falls.

The larger project, at $5.5 million, is to separate stormwater and sanitary sewers and rehabilitate sanitary sewers in the village of Hudson Falls. Sewer District Executive Director Jason Denno said the system goes to the Glens Falls wastewater treatment plant. Storm runoff and fresh water leaking into the system dont need to be treated and put a heavy burden on the system, he said.

The smaller project, at $2 million, is for rehabilitation and replacement of sanity sewers in Washington County Sewer District 1, which is at the county industrial park in Kingsbury.

County Treasurer Al Nolette said ratepayers in the sewer districts are paying enough to offset the borrowing, especially as debt from previous projects is being paid off.

The committee approved allocating $110,000 for consultant fees for a Sewer District 1 project. Half of the sum, $55,000, is from an Empire State Development grant. The county will pay the other $55,000 as its local match. Another $500,000 was approved for preliminary work for a long-term control plan to include the Hudson Falls sewer rehabilitation project. The county is partnering with the Lake Champlain-Lake George Regional Planning Board on a state Water Quality Improvement Grant for the project, which is projected to cost a total of $5.2 million.

Denno asked for and received approval to create a new capital project for Sewer District 1. Denno would use $100,000 in 2023 toward permitting, surveying and developing specifications for a new sanitary sewer rehabilitation and replacement project in that district. The upgrades, expected to cost around $1.5 million, have been requested by the city of Glens Falls, which treats the water, and other district users, he said.

The funding requests were referred to the Finance Committee. If approved, the requests would go to the full county Board of Supervisors.

In other business:

The board approved a list of six passenger cars and vans to go to auction. Department of Public Works Superintendent Deborah Donohue said the vehicles were being retired due to age and overall condition. Donohue also wants to send a plow truck to auction. Easton Supervisor Dan Shaw said hes interested in the truck for his town. The committee discussed whether trucks should be offered to the towns and villages first, even if the county could receive more for trucks in an open auction. The committee decided to have a mini-auction for surplus trucks for the countys municipalities first. If bids come in too low, the committee could reject the bids and send the trucks out for a general auction.

The board moved to allow Donohue a request for proposals waiver on purchasing artificial intelligence software to assess the condition of pavement, road markings and road signs on county roads. Donohue explained that the system uses a smart phone in a county vehicle to collect data as the vehicle is driven. The phone automatically uploads the data to the county computer system when the vehicle returns to the DPW garage. Jackson Supervisor and Committee Chair Jay Skellie said the software might not reduce road repair costs but it would improve efficiency, since employees wouldnt have to make special trips to assess road conditions and record the data. Donohue said the software she liked cost the least of three that she tested and was also the least expensive, at $11,821 for the first year and $16,302 per year thereafter. The others were more than $20,000. The money to purchase the system is in her budget, she said.

The committee approved a request from Salem Supervisor Sue Clary to reimburse her town for connecting the lights on the new Shushan bridge to an electric meter. The lights were installed as part of the bridge reconstruction.

The committee approved adjustment of a snowmobile trail that cuts across the countys gravel pit on Tripoli Road in Fort Ann. The owner of an adjoining property blocked a section of trail on that parcel, and the adjustment will allow snow travelers to bypass the area. Donohue said the trail wont interfere with county operations.
ATLANTIC CITY  Dozens of city jobs remain open, but few residents are applying for them, city officials said at Wednesdays CitiStat meeting at Stockton University here.

We hear people say, Hire people from the city, said Business Administrator Anthony Swan as lists of long-open jobs showed on a screen. This is why we have to go outside the city to bring folks in. Folks who live here arent applying for the positions.

To see open jobs visit acnj.gov and click on Careers for details.

Class 2 police officers are particularly needed, Swan said.

Class 2 officers, those are careers, they arent jobs, Swan said.

The city typically hires for its regular force from its Class 2 officers, who are required to go through police academy training and then work part-time under supervision.

Deputy Chief Bridget Pierce said there are about 40 opening in the police department now.

City Councilman Jesse Kurtz, the only Republican on council, has said the city is not following its own ordinances when it hires people who live in other municipalities or promotes them.

The city has an ordinance on the books requiring city jobs to go to city residents, but it allows hiring from outside the city when there are no city candidates who meet requirements.

Only one city department head  Fire Chief Scott Evans  lives in the city.

At a January council meeting during which council passed a resolution making Crystal Lewis the new director of public works, Kurtz had suggested requiring Lewis to reside in the city.

Council decided it would be unfair to single her out, and City Council President Aaron Sporty Randolph said council will look at the ordinance and research whether or not to begin enforcing it for all. It will require some research into legal questions, he said.

Lewis has said she does not live in the city, but was born and raised here and graduated from Atlantic City High School.

The biweekly CitiStat meetings were established to solve problems and hold municipal department heads accountable. They will rotate between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. this year, officials have said.

The program is designed to use data on problems coming in and results going out to improve city services, according to the state Department of Community Affairs, which launched the program locally. Department heads reported on what they have done about problems brought to their attention at the Jan. 25 CitiStat meeting.

Pierce said the Police Department deployed officers on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard after a resident complained about speeding there, especially near the MLK School complex.

Officers issued 18 speeding tickets, four tickets for other violations and numerous warnings, Pierce said.

Police will soon begin using new in-car radar equipment, she said, to crack down on speeding citywide.

Director of Licensing and Inspection Dale Finch said his office has issued violations to the owner of two vacant structures in poor condition on Penrose Avenue, and a demolition hearing is set for Feb. 21, Finch said. A resident had complained the condition of the vacant buildings was lowering her homes property value.

Environmental Health workers went out to try to trap raccoons a resident had reported living in one of the structures, but found none in its live traps, said Health and Human Services Director Jarrod Barnes.

Another New Jersey Avenue vacant property used as a drug house will soon be demolished after its owner did not meet a Jan. 30 deadline to inform the city of how he would secure and repair the property, Finch said.

To report a concern about a specific problem in the city, visit acnj.gov and click on Report a Concern in the menu bar directly below the photo of the city.

Its important to provide contact information with your complaint, said Director of IT Patrick Quinlan, so the city can keep you updated on how the problem is being handled.

The next meeting is 5 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Scarpa Academic Building at Stockton University here.
Civil and divorce trials are being postponed in two New Jersey vicinages, including Cumberland County, beginning Feb. 21 as the state faces a judge shortage.

New Jersey is facing 69 open spots in its court system, leaving the state Judiciary no choice but to halt proceedings, Chief Justice Stewart Rabner said Tuesday.

Without additional relief, we may well face the same situation in other vicinages in the near future, Rabner said.

In Vicinage 13, which covers Hunterdon, Somerset and Warren counties, five seats are open out of a total of 20 judicial positions. In Vicinage 15, which covers Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties, there are nine positions open out of 28, Rabner said.

Some matters can still proceed with very limited circumstances, Rabner said.

The chief justice on Tuesday called on lawmakers to help resolve the matter.

Gov. Phil Murphy, speaking with reporters Wednesday, said his frustration about the situation mirrors Rabners.

Those counties that he (Rabner) highlighted are also counties that were focused intently on, Murphy said. We want to get these seats filled.

The Judiciary is suspending civil and divorce matters to focus on other court matters. It prioritizes proceedings where a persons liberty is at stake, such as criminal and juvenile delinquency matters; cases that present potential emergencies, like complaints of domestic violence; and other time-sensitive matters, Rabner said.

In light of the high percentage of vacancies in Vicinages 13 and 15, and the particular challenges multi-county vicinages face, there are simply not enough judges at this time to conduct civil and matrimonial trials in either vicinage, Rabner said.

Relief, however, will hopefully come soon, Murphy said.

I think last year was far and away our biggest year, Murphy said. We got 40-something judges across the goal line. We have a good amount in the pipeline.

While the pause continues, some may not be able to complete their divorce or have parental matters resolved.

Theyre frustrated, Murphy said. I dont blame them. I am, too.

The 69 vacancies equal more than one of every six positions statewide, Rabner said, adding it places a burden on other judges, who commonly hear thousands of proceedings and motions monthly.

For the past three years, the court system has operated with an average of more than 50 empty seats.

That situation, along with the effects of the COVID crisis, has contributed to delays in handling individual cases and substantial increases in backlog, Rabner said. We recognize that when the doors of the courthouse are closed  even partially  people entitled to their day in court suffer real harm.
Some 100 Collingswood High School students walked out of class for a second day of protests Wednesday over allegations of racism at the Camden County school.

Students left the building shortly before noon and gathered in Knight Park across the street. They waited patiently for the arrival of Gary Frazier, a Camden activist who organized the Black Lives Matter demonstration in response to several recent incidents at the school that students believe had racial overtones.

Black people should not have to experience this, said sophomore Kamiyah Jenkins, 15. Its 2023. We should be over this.

The crowd greeted Frazier, 46, like a rock star when he arrived, chanting his social media nickname, Gee Hov, as he set up a speaker system hooked to a generator under a tree. Collingswood police and school officials, including Superintendent Fred McDowell, watched from across the street.

We gonna be protesting until we get the change, Frazier posted on his Facebook page. They cant stop us. Lets show them we not gonna be silent anymore.

During the two-hour protest, students cited a list of allegations against school officials including racial profiling. The group included students of all races, some waving signs that read Black Lives Matter. Several students said Black classmates are disproportionately disciplined.

Atlantic City forum spotlights safety concerns at houses of worship ATLANTIC CITY  In light of recent attacks on a New Jersey church and synagogue, the Atlanti

It seems like the Black children get expelled and reprimanded for things that white students dont, said Heather Terry, who is white and the mother of a mixed-race student. Im so upset.

When McDowell eventually ventured into the crowd, students asked for a response to their accusations and he promised to address their concerns at a later time.

In order for us to find a pathway forward, students and staff have to be at the table, McDowell told the crowd. That means we have to do the work. Were not going to stand out in the middle of the street and argue what solutions are.

Following the afternoons protest, McDowell said the Camden County district was troubled by the students allegations and applauded them for organizing a peaceful rally to share their concerns.

In Collingswood Public Schools, we believe that all students and staff are to be treated with dignity and respect, McDowell said. Now that concerns have been raised, it is the districts responsibility to provide the students and staff with the support and resources needed to address them in a manner consistent with our values.

Frazier, who has organized similar protests in the region, went to the high school Tuesday after learning about an incident involving two Black female students. According to reports, the students were discussing a lack of Black history lessons in the school when they got into an altercation with a counselor described as hostile in a Facebook post put online by a student and shared by others.

School officials, citing an abundance of caution, placed the school under a shelter-in-place order Tuesday after Frazier led the first walkout.

The school enrolls about 750 students in grades 9-12. The student population is 51% white, 25.6% Hispanic, 16.2% Black, 2.6% Asian, and 0.5% Pacific Islander and Native American, according to the latest School Performance Report by the state Department of Education.
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When Rabbi Aaron Krauss came to Atlantic City in the early 1960s, the city was a segregated municipality in practice. He became the co-chairman of a new organization called the Greater Atlantic City Human Relations Forum along with the late African American civil rights activist Horace J. Bryant.

He was a very dear friend, Krauss said of Bryant.

Krauss, of Beth El Synagogue in Margate, witnesses other examples of African Americans and Jewish people working together to improve the lives of Black people nationally and locally.

For instance, civic leader and social worker Henry Moskowitz, a Romanian Jewish emigre, and nurse Lillian Wald, who was from a German-Jewish family, were among the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in February 1909.

In Atlantic City, the Greater Atlantic City Human Relations Forum morphed eventually into Atlantic Human Resource Inc., which signed vouchers for more than $500,000, Krauss said.

Atlantic Human Resource sponsored both Head Start and a foster grandparents programs and paid for construction of senior citizen housing in the city, Krauss said.

Atlantic Human Resources money paid for after school programs to start at both the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Uptown school complexes, Krauss said.

We had an idea that schools should be open after school as community centers, said Krauss, who lives here.

Krauss said his faith compelled him to help make Americas Favorite Playground a better place for its African American residents.

Rising out of my commitment to the Jewish religion was my effort to reach out to other human beings, said Rabbi Krauss, 93. Every person has a God-given soul.

From 1962 to 1982, Krauss was the rabbi at the Community Synagogue on Maryland Avenue in the Inlet section of Atlantic City, which no longer exists.

Krauss, who met Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King in person during the mid-1960s at Union Baptist Church in the resort, was at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on Aug. 28, 1963, where King delivered his historic I Have a Dream speech.

It was a very emotional experience, Krauss said, adding he was standing between the late N.Y. Sen. Jacob Javits and the first African American Nobel Peace Prize winner Ralph Bunche. The speech was electrifying. It moved and inspired us to redouble our efforts.

The following year on July 2, 1964, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law after it was passed by Congress.

Atlantic City Councilman and Atlantic City NAACP President Kaleem Shabazz is teaching a course this spring as an adjunct professor at Stockton University titled, Black and Jews: Future Hope.

The theme for this years Atlantic City NAACP Freedom Dinner on April 29 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City will be Unifying Against Hate: Antisemitism and Islamophobia, Shabazz said.

On the same weekend that guy threw a Molotov cocktail at a synagogue in North Jersey (Bloomfield, Essex County), an African American church was vandalized in Asbury Park, Shabazz said.

During the 1960s in Atlantic City, there was a group called the stand patters, who rejected Bryants strides towards racial equality, but African Americans were represented eventually in elected positions at City Hall and became able to buy homes in the city outside of the Northside, Krauss said.

Working to make these changes did not come without opposition, Krauss said.

I was called the Black rabbi. Jewish and non-Jewish people criticized me, Krauss said.

During the 20 years Krauss was the rabbi at the Community Synagogue, there were a number of African American members of the congregation, including the Robinson sisters, who were members of the choir, he said.

Being Jewish isnt determined by skin tone, Krauss said.

There was a greater emphasis on Interfaith cooperation after the end of the 1960s and after the Second Vatican Council of the Roman Catholic Church, which ended in 1965 and led to an updating of the Church and new approaches between the Church and the world.

For instance, Celestine Damiano, who was the Bishop of Camden from 1960 to 1967, donated a building to the city at Atlantic and Pennsylvania avenues, Krauss said.

Krauss had a relationship with the Rev. Dr. Isaac Cole, the former pastor of Second Baptist Church in Atlantic City. His association with the church continued with the installation of the current pastor, Rev. Collins A. Days, Sr.

When Days arrived in 1994 at Second Baptist, he didnt involve himself immediately with the Interfaith Alliance, but he developed an instant friendship with Rabbi Gordon Geller of Shirat Hayam Congregation in Ventnor and Krauss.

With every issue... the first call I get is from Rabbi Krauss, Days said.

For instance, Superstorm Sandy in 2012 impacted Downbeach communities and Atlantic City, but Krauss called and asked how he could help, Days said.

He was the first one to call, Days said. He said, Even though Im in Margate, my heart is in Atlantic City, Days said Krauss told him.

Even though more work needs to be done, there is a huge difference between the status of African Americans during the 1960s compared to today in this country, Krauss said.

Television watchers six decades ago didnt see nowhere near as many African Americans in advertising or in commercials compared to now, Krauss said. African American City Council members and mayors have successfully run for office, culminating in the election of the first Black President, Barack Obama, in 2008, he said.

Im hopeful for the future, Krauss said.
PLEASANTVILLE  The City Council issued a resolution last week to execute a redevelopment agreement with the Ideal Institute of Technology for the former Press of Atlantic City office building.

The Feb. 6 agreement functionally rezones the property to allow for the operation of a vocational school at the site.

Rick Ginnetti, a consultant for the city, clarified that the agreement did not involve a tax abatement and was exclusively about zoning and city regulatory approvals. He said the developer will submit the construction schedule after receiving the authorization of the Planning Board.

The redevelopment agreement is necessary so they can go to the Planning Board and get approval for reconditioning  the building and property to make it a school, Ginnetti said. The zoning, because it really became a zoning document, will stay with the redeveloper as long as hes there.

Dhiren Parikh, of Keshav Developer LLC and the Ideal Institute, purchased the former Press building from BH Media Group Inc. on Jan. 31, 2022.

The City Council had voted to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Ideal Institute for the project on Sept. 8, 2021. It adopted an ordinance approving the redevelopment plan on April 18, 2022.

Parikh said last week the project was about six months behind schedule, partially due to needing to change attorneys after they were hired by the city. He said he intended to hold a groundbreaking ceremony soon after the company received the City Councils approval. The school planned for the site would then hold a ribbon-cutting in April or May.

It was a process on my end, Parikh said. Were ready to get going.

Ginnetti described the site as currently being improperly zoned and said he anticipated the zone would be corrected in the future.

The city wanted him to be able to operate this school, Ginnetti said. If it was zoned properly to begin with, we wouldnt have had to come down this path.

The site is currently zoned for light-industrial use. A draft redevelopment plan, published in February 2022, describes the development as an innovative technology and entrepreneurial hub.

The renovated site is to provide a consortium of training offerings as well as office space and specialized education programs.

The plan establishes the operation of a school as a permitted use and sets several accessory uses, including off-street parking and electric-vehicle charging stations and utility infrastructure. It permits a host of other sites related to the operation of a vocational school. These permitted sites including light manufacturing, laboratories, kitchen facilities, theaters and video or audio-production facilities and medical spaces. Limited public retail may be allowed to facilitate the sale of goods manufactured on site by students. A business incubator at which local entrepreneurs could collaborate to catalyze economic growth and investment is also a permitted use.

There may be more work underway. The City Council adopted another resolution in August designating Keshav Real Estate Development LLC as the conditional redeveloper for a portion of Center City that runs along Main Street just off from its intersection at Washington Avenue. Officials from the Ideal Institute said at the time that they were considering several projects for the area, including a microbrewery and a cloud kitchen. They were also considering bringing in a small hotel and a training facility that could help grow the workforce for Atlantic Countys important hospitality industry.

Ginnetti said the redevelopment will help the city as a whole, maintaining economic activity in the area and growing its ratable base through planned improvements to the former Press building. The developers could later pursue a five-year tax abatement on improvements made to the property, Ginnetti said, pursuant to an existing city ordinance designed to subsidize development.

There are benefits to the city because you had a building that was going vacant, underutilized, that would have come off the (tax) records. This is keeping it on the tax records, Ginnetti said. And he make improvements and add additions to the building which will increase the taxes.

The Press moved last year into the Cornerstone Building on New Road in Linwood.
State efforts to get better control over the sprawling network of dirt roads through more than 124,000 acres of Wharton State Forest seemed deeply unpopular at a virtual meeting Wednesday.

We like the pines the way it is, said one speaker, an assessment echoed by several others.

There are miles of unimproved roads through the state forest. Some date to before the area became state land, while others were created by off-road vehicles or as fire breaks. In some instances, a wide, flat road can be used by any family car, while other turns can lead to deep water or a slog of fine, white sand known to locals as sugar sand, which can be a challenge even for drivers of 4-by-4 vehicles.

For years, state officials have struggled with how to govern the use of the roads, with one possibility being to require permits.

Multiple speakers opposed any permit requirement for use of the roads, even if the permits were free, and many spoke against creating any new limits for the use of the forest.

We dont want your regulation. We dont need your regulation. If somebody gets caught in the sand and needs  to get towed, theres always somebody here to help, said Heather McGarvey, a resident of Shamong Township in Burlington County, a small community tucked close to the edge of the state forest.

Wharton drivers better tell NJ now what they need and want New Jersey has struggled for more than a decade to figure out how to manage public use of it

Hundreds of people participated in the remote meeting, which began with an update on the results of a survey of visitors and vehicle use in the state forest, which includes historic areas, sensitive wetlands, camping and miles of trails. Officials with the state Department of Environmental Protection say the survey gives insight into who is using the natural area and how, as well as what they want to see happen there.

The plan is to define where vehicles can safely and legally be used in the forest and protect sensitive areas. Officials say the process will be a model for other state-managed plans.

John Cecil, the DEP assistant commissioner for state parks, forests and historic sites who led the meeting, said there are some areas of the forest that should not be traveled by vehicle. In some cases, they are just too dangerous, he said, and public safety tops the states concerns.

Were not seeking to close Wharton State Forest, just to be crystal clear, he said.

But the state could consider separating the most accessible dirt roads in the park from other areas that should only be accessed with four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Other local officials and representatives opposed creating a permit system, and state Sen. Vince Polistina, R-Atlantic, and Assembly members Don Guardian and Claire Swift released a statement opposing any state move to require permits to use the roads. Polistina said the forest is public land and access should be free.

Locals, state eye options for Wharton State Forest access HAMMONTON  A visit to Wharton State Forest makes the existence of the Jersey Devil seem plausible.

The discussion did not include off-road vehicles such as ATVs. Legally, the roads through the park are only supposed to be used by registered, street-legal vehicles. From comments made at the meeting, and from some who regularly use the roads, off-road vehicles do use the state forest, however.

One possibility that had been floated by the DEP is to require vehicle permits for access to the roads, similar to what the state does at Island Beach State Park. Cecil said any such permit would not be as expensive as those for beach access.

Were not interested in a permit as a revenue generator, he said.

But even if it were free, many opposed any new rules for the roads. More of the survey responders opposed creating a new permit system, and most of the speakers also said no to new permits. One regular user of the area said he would refuse to get a permit no matter what the cost, and use the land the same as he does now, with a plan to take the DEP to court if he is cited.

Those in the area think of the forest as part of their backyard, said Shamong Mayor Michael DiCroce.

Some people do not follow the rules, he said, but he denied that people were out deliberately damaging the area. DiCroce and several other speakers were blase about the possibility of cars getting stuck in remote areas. He suggested drivers should know better.

Locals, state eye options for Wharton State Forest access HAMMONTON  A visit to Wharton State Forest makes the existence of the Jersey Devil seem plausible.

If somebody gets stuck in the sugar sand in Shamong, its their own problem, right? DiCroce said. They have a cellphone, they can call somebody to get them out or walk out to a road and get themselves out.

Several speakers said they were first driven through the forest by their fathers or grandfathers, and said the roads have been there for generations. They said they care for the forest, and denied that vehicles damaged endangered species or valuable habitat, although there have been documented incidents of people driving through sensitive areas, leaving deep, muddy ruts.

Some environmental advocates also oppose creating a permit system, even while they say better enforcement is needed.

Jason Howell with the Pinelands Preservation Alliance did not support requiring permits but said the area must be protected, calling the pinelands nationally recognized and globally important.

This is a place that deserves the highest level of respect and attention to detail when it comes to protecting the natural and historic and cultural resources that we have here, Howell said. There are plants and animals that exist almost nowhere else on earth.

A permit system would not help protect the area, he said. Instead, his group wants to create a map of usable routes, which he said could be enforced, and increased spending for law enforcement within the state forest.

DEP wants to know how visitors use Wharton State Forest HAMMONTON  Wharton State Forest, the largest tract of land in New Jerseys state park syste

DiCroce said some people are not using the area properly but said the amount of enforcement is already enough.

We dont want a police officer behind every tree, DiCroce said.

Some of those who spoke said roads are already being blocked off, limiting access to areas where they hunt. On every side, there were critics of the DEP.

It seems to me that the DEP has come up with this convoluted permit system instead of just doing their job, said one of the speakers.

Later in the meeting, a man said roads damage habitat, and there are few wild places left in the state. Despite the assurance of other speakers that existing roads are being used responsibly, he said new roads are constantly being created, further dividing the forest.

Several of the speakers emphasized their belief that the rural area is fundamentally different than other parts of New Jersey, and in essence suggested Trenton stay out of it. McGarvey did not like the setup of the remote meeting, at which the moderators could be seen but the speakers could not.

You dont live here. You dont live in Shamong or Tabernacle. I dont recognize anybody as being from this area, McGarvey said. She and others asked that future meetings on the topic be held in person.
Wonders how the businessmans wealth rose 12 times in 2.5 yrs, dares govt to constitute JPC

Amid interruptions from the ruling party MPs and the chair, Mallikarjun Kharge, the leader of opposition attacked the Central government over the demand for a probe by the joint parliamentary committee (JPC) in the Adani case even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seated in the House.

Kharge said, There should be a joint parliamentary committee probe in the Adani row... when the government is not afraid of anything then constitute a JPC.

While attacking the PM, Kharge alleged, Wealth of one of the closest friends of the Prime Minister increased by 12 times in the last two and half years. In 2014, it was Rs 50,000 crore group while in 2019 it became Rs 1 lakh crore group, but what jadu (magic) happened that suddenly in two years assets worth Rs 12 lakh crore came...whether it is due to the favour of friendship.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman reacted sharply and said, It is a very smart thing to say... We are giving data and we will corroborate it, but it is completely infused with insinuation against the Prime Minister and that is what we are objecting to. They are overtly insinuating the PM.

While the chair asked for authentication, he said that there should be discussion in national interest. To this Kharge was furious, and said, I speak the truth, is it anti-national? I am not anti-national and more patriotic than anyone here as I am bhoomi-putra. You are looting the country and telling me that I am an anti-national.

Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said, You are insinuating the Prime Minister which cant be allowed... Any report from any corner of the world cannot be quoted here.

Rap by RS chair

During the motion of thanks on the Presidents Address in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leader of Opposition (LoP), said that one person became rich as his wealth increased 12 times from 2019, which drew objections from the Chair and treasury bench.

Baseless allegations

BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad alleged in Parliament that the Gandhi family was mired in corruption, and while themselves being out on bail, are levelling baseless allegations against the Central government. IANS

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Could panel be formed on your Louis Vuitton scarf: Piyush Goyal takes jibe at leader of opposition

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Wednesday if the JPC be allowed in an individuals case, then it can also probe the source of the Louis Vuitton scarf that the leader of opposition was wearing.

Privilege notice should be served on Rahul: Pralhad Joshi

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday said that a privilege notice should be served against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for levelling allegations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly favouring Adani group chairman Gautam Adani. IANS
Decide on party symbol only after SC ruling

Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday appealed to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to give its decision on his partys Bow-and-Arrow poll symbol only after the Supreme Court (SC) verdict on February 14.

Reiterating his complete faith in the law, the former chief minister said that we are fully confident that the 16 MLAs will be disqualified by the apex court at the next hearing due after a week (Tuesday, February 14).

Accordingly, Thackeray called upon the ECI to give its decision on the party poll symbol -- frozen last year after the party split -- only after the SC case outcome, while speaking to media persons here this afternoon, flanked by senior leaders Subhash Desai, Anil Desai and others.

In a direct snub, Thackeray also said that theres only one Shiv Sena and he doesnt recognise any other faction -- referring to the Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena (BSS) led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. IANS
Flat owners move around with sticks, dont want another such incident; PMC acts fast, catches 36 strays & sends them to Mundhwa shelter; action is still underway

PHOTOS: NIKHIL GHORPADE

The tide has turned at Bramha Suncity in Wadgaon Sheri. Its the residents, who had been hounded by the stray dog menace for long, are now chasing them away. The brutal attack on a six-year-old boy by the canines on Tuesday was the proverbial last straw on the camels back.

In fact, many of the shocked residents of the housing society abstained from going to work on Wednesday to find a solution to the stray menace on the society premises and to help municipal staff catch them. We are not going to the office today. We are just chasing dogs. We dont want another such incident in our society, one of them told Mirror.

The boy, Aniruddh Jondhale, was mauled so badly by a pack of stray dogs that he landed in the ICU of Sassoon hospital. He is still being treated there.

Meanwhile, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) staff has caught some strays from the society premises. We have caught at least 36 dogs from the society premises and kept them in the Mundhwa area for observation, said a civic official.

The boy, Aniruddh Jondhale, was attacked by six to seven dogs while he was playing inside the society. When there was a commotion, the residents saw him from their balconies bleeding and trying to save himself from the dogs. They then ran to his rescue. Jondhale was immediately taken to a hospital as he was bleeding profusely due to multiple bite injuries.

The residents were seen moving around with sticks of all kinds in their hands. They say that they were scared to walk on the society premises because of the aggressive canines. While they say that animal lovers stop feeding the dogs, in reality, they want all the strays shifted from the society.

Human life is important. This incident taught us the lesson that our kids are not safe. We have resolved to get a solution to this issue. Animal lovers have been misusing the Act that talks about protection of animals, said Neetu Gupta.

Poonam Das, who was listening to Gupta, agreed. Today, most of us took leave from work because we need complete safety from stray dogs. We have gathered here to help the PMC staff show where these dogs hide.

It is very scary. Today, we are carrying sticks in hand for our safety. A large number of stray dogs are in the society. They can attack us at any time. We thank PMC and the police department for their help. We want the strays out of this place, said Laxmi K, a resident.

Some residents urge that the animal lovers feed the strays outside the society premises. Seema, another resident who was seen discussing the horrific dog-bite incident, said,

We are not against dogs and dog lovers. Our request to them is that they give food to the dogs outside the society. We want to feel safe so that our kids can play safely on the society premises. We have been taking up this matter for the last 10 years.

It is alleged that animal lovers do not allow civic body workers to enter the society premises to catch the dogs. Whenever we call the PMC staff, animal lovers fight with us and they stop the dog catchers from taking the animals outside the society. This way, they are just creating a nuisance for all of us. Today, we will do our job, she added.

Seconding her, Swapnil Holkar said that they were fighting for their rights. Another resident, Sarita Goel, added that they are too scared now after the incident.

Talking about the treatment of the boy who was mauled by the strays, Raja, another resident, said: We are collecting funds from members of the society for the treatment of the boy. We have already handed over an amount to the family. They need more money for treatment.
Product stored, sold illegally across city; not a single conviction in Pune division since the SLT was banned in 2012

The ban on gutkha, a popular smokeless tobacco (SLT), seems to be ineffective as the product of various brands continues to be stored and sold illegally in the city. Surprisingly, there has been zero conviction in the Pune division. This, despite the authorities acting against violators, seizing large quantities and arresting culprits from time to time. Many states, including Maharashtra, banned gutkha in 2012.

Hence, its manufacture and consumption has been going on unabated. Despite knowing its serious ill-effects on health, it continues to be consumed by citizens. Besides these demerits, city streets, walls of public and private buildings are ruined by its consumers, said activists.

According to the Gutkha and Pan Masala Prohibition Act of 2015, manufacturing, storing, or selling the SLT is a punishable offence. Unfortunately, its illegal sale is still prevalent in many parts of the city and the state. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted over 122 raids against the illegal manufacture and sale of the substance in Pune from April 2022 till date. However, when Mirror went through the records, it was found that even after successful hauls of gutkha and other tobacco products worth crores, there has not been a single conviction in the last 11 years, let alone last year.

While the Gutkha and Pan Masala Prohibition Act emphasises harsh punishment, the court considers all possible outcomes before reaching a decision. There have been numerous cases of illegal manufacture and sale of the SLT since 2012, but no one has been convicted as of yet. This is because the court studies each and every angle before drawing any conclusions. However, if we look at other cases of food adulteration, there have been cases that were solved in a span of a few months. It depends on the case and proof, said food safety officer Ganpat Kokane.

The court examines if there are any loopholes in the case. Secondly, transfers of officers makes the process even longer, said Kokane.

Continuing the strict surveillance, the FDA seized gutkha worth Rs 11 lakh from Lonavala on Monday. The local crime branch of the rural police received information about a truck carrying gutkha in the area. Acting on that tip-off, the Lonavala police laid a trap to stop the truck. The truck (KA 32 AA 1138) was trapped near Kusgaon village near Lonavala. On examination, the police found a total of 17,784 sachets of the contraband worth Rs 10.67 lakh compactly packed in 342 gunny bags. The police even seized the truck, worth Rs 15 lakh.

We received a call at 3 am from the local police that they had seized a truck carrying illegal gutkha products. Acting on that, we sent our team, and the culprits have been arrested, said joint commissioner, FDA, AG Bhujbal.

In another operation, the Kondhwa police also seized gutkha worth Rs 5.73 lakh from NIBM road in Kondhwa.

The ill-effects of tobacco and gutkha are well know. The FDA conducts frequent raids on illegal manufacturing and sale. However, the conviction rate is equally important to curb this menace.
A man who allegedly attempted to hide a plastic bag containing methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl in his anus has been charged with drug trafficking, the Iowa State Patrol said.

Anthony Edward Sullivan, 40, of Davenport is charged in Scott County District Court with:

One count of possession with the intent to deliver more than 5 grams of methamphetamine. The charge is a Class B felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of 25 years.

One count each of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine and possession with the intent to deliver fentanyl. Each charge is a Class C felony that carries a prison sentence of 10 years.

Two counts of violating Iowas drug tax stamp law, a Class D felony that carries a prison sentence of five years.

Sullivan was arrested Monday on a warrant for the drugs.

According to the arrest affidavit filed by Iowa State Patrol Trooper Michael Stegall, at 3:20 a.m. on Nov. 5, 2022, Stegall initiated a stop on a green Chevrolet Impala in the area of Interstate 74 and Spruce Hills Drive in Bettendorf. The vehicle was speeding and had no license plates.

Once the vehicle was stopped, troopers learned the Impala had been reported stolen out of Waterloo.

Sullivan was charged with second-degree theft. A pretrial conference is scheduled in that case for Feb. 24 in Scott County District Court.

A person with Sullivan at the time indicated to troopers that Sullivan was hiding narcotics on his person.

A search of Sullivan while he was being arrested revealed a bulge near his anus.

Once at the Scott County Jail, Sullivan got the bag of narcotics out of his body and attempted to flush it down the toilet.

Corrections officers were able to stop him and retrieve the bag, which then was sent to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Crime Lab.

During a first appearance on the theft charge on Nov. 5, Magistrate Richard Wells released Sullivan without bond to be supervised by the Iowa Department of Corrections.

On Jan. 25, the report from the crime lab showed that the bag contained multiple individual bags of methamphetamine; 2.58 grams, 5.04 grams, 2.71 grams, 1.58 grams, .79 grams, 1.83 grams, 5.22 grams and 5.9 grams.

In total, Sullivan had 25.65 grams of meth. Police have said that the normal dose of meth is one-tenth of a gram, which means that Sullivan had on his person 256.5 doses of meth.

In the bag that contained 5.9 grams of meth, the form consisted of 16 tablets and eight partial tablets.

The lab report also showed there was a total of 3.63 grams of cocaine in individual bags of 1.83 grams, .67 grams, .36 grams, .42 grams and .35 grams.

There also were three bags containing a total of 11.05 grams of fentanyl, broken down into 5.04 grams, .79 grams and 5.22 grams, according to the lab report.

A warrant was issued for Sullivans arrest.

Bettendorf police arrested Sullivan during a traffic stop conducted at 2:31 a.m. Monday. According to the arrest affidavits filed by Bettendorf Police Officer Sheldon Phipps, Sullivan was driving while under the influence of alcohol and was in possession of 4.85 grams of marijuana.

Sullivan is charged in that case with operating while intoxicated-first offense, a serious misdemeanor that carries a jail sentence of up to one year, and possession of a controlled substance-marijuana-third offense, an aggravated misdemeanor that carries a prison sentence of two years.

During a first appearance Tuesday in Scott County District Court, Magistrate Christine Frederick scheduled a preliminary hearing on all of the drug and drunken-driving charges for Feb. 16.

Sullivan was being held Thursday night in the Scott County Jail on a cash-only bond of $50,000, and cash or surety bonds totaling $5,000.
Feeling encouraged following President Joe Biden's second State of the Union address, Democratic U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, Ill.-17, is ready to work for the people.

Biden's speech Tuesday, Feb. 8 was met with standing ovations from Democrats and heckling from several Republicans. He touted progress that has been made from job growth to his infrastructure program, drug price cuts for seniors and laid out legislative goals while calling for unity in Congress.

"Democracy must not be a partisan issue," Biden said. "It's an American Issue."

The speech, which highlighted lowering cancer death rates to economic growth, protecting the right to vote, and access to reproductive health care left Sorensen hopeful and encouraged that work will get done to help the American people.

"The federal government really needs to work for the people," Sorensen said to reporters in a virtual news conference Wednesday, Feb. 8.

A former meteorologist who ran on climate science, Sorensen said he was happy the president brought up climate resiliency in his speech in which Biden highlighted lowering utility bills, creating sustainable jobs, and wanting to lead the world in clean energy.

Sorensen was appointed to the Science, Space, and Technology Committee which oversees agency budgets that total over $42 billion and its jurisdiction covers most non-defense and non-human-health Federal research and development.

"We need to make sure that we create good-paying and sustainable jobsjobs meaning it's going to sustain us in a new environment," Sorensen said. "We're making the decisions that are going to have the best affect on our kids and our grandkids."

He also was appointed to the Agriculture Committee that oversees policies and agencies relating to agriculture, nutrition, rural development, and the 2023 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill is legislation Congress passes every five years that sets national agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and forestry policy.

For central and northwest Illinois, Sorensen said he is focused on ensuring family farms can exist as pressure and competition increase from larger-owned farms and that they are easing the availability to get the products exported.

He is also looking forward to working with Senator Dick Durbin, D-Ill., on legislation regarding rural health care accessibility.

A district that stretches from Rockford to the Quad Cities and all the way down to Bloomington-Normal, he said a lot of people in those rural areas are disconnected from health care  with some having to travel, some who can't afford health insurance or those who don't even have the means to get to a doctor  health care needs to be more accessible for rural communities.

"We have to understand today that if people don't have access to services, they don't have health care," he said.

At the end of the day, he said, they are there working for the American people and that he is hopeful Congress will be able to work through their differences and find common ground to get the work done.

"I'm not working just for the people who voted for me, I'm working for the people who didn't vote for me too."
Iowa employers would be required to check a federal system to see if prospective employees are eligible to work in the U.S. under a bill advanced in the Iowa House Wednesday, though lawmakers expressed reservations about the proposal and skepticism that it will advance further.

The bill, House Study Bill 105, would require Iowa employers to enroll in the E-Verify system, a federal platform that allows employers to check the eligibility of their employees to work in the country.

The proposal has passed in the state Senate in years past, but has not made it through the House. Nineteen states have requirements that either all businesses, or public employers and contractors, use the E-verify system.

The bill would punish employers who employ undocumented immigrants with a three-year probation period on first offense, and on a second offense the employer would lose all licenses pertaining to the location where the unauthorized employee worked or the employers primary place of business.

Lobbyists speaking at the committee were universally against the bill, saying the federal E-verify system is flawed and would be too punitive to employers who already take measures to ensure the eligibility of their employees to work.

The two Republicans present at the subcommittee voted to advance the bill, but they both said they shared the concerns of the lobbyists. Rep. Phil Thompson, a Republican from Boone, said he has serious reservations about the bill, though he voted to move it forward.

I think there would be a lot more reservations brought forward from other members, so whether or not that moves on from committee is really up to chairman (Steve) Holt, a Republican from Denison, Thompson said.

Teacher licensing reform

Lawmakers this week advanced a bill to the House floor that would create two additional pathways to license teachers in an effort to address Iowas workforce shortages in the teaching profession.

To become an educator in Iowa, prospective teachers currently can use either of two alternative licensure programs, which are only available for teaching at the high school level. Rather than pass an exam, candidates with a degree in a teaching field can take a minimum amount of courses in teaching methods before spending a year in a classroom as an intern.

After the full-year internship as a paid full-time teacher, individuals take a few more credits and become a fully licensed teacher.

Under House File 4, those with at least a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university, who do not meet other licensure requirements and have three years of work experience can apply for a teacher intern license to teach grades six through 12 while completing additional coursework.

The bill also creates a temporary, initial teacher license for those with bachelors degree from accredited college or university who complete an online alternative teacher certification program. To become fully licensed, individuals would have to successfully complete a beginning teacher mentoring and induction program through the Iowa Department of Education.

Democrats on the committee objected to the measure, arguing completion of an online teacher certification program does not require student teaching.

I feel that these programs are downgrading the level of expertise that our teachers need to perform in the classroom, especially when there is no student teaching function, said Rep. Sue Cahill, D-Marshalltown, who retired last year after 23 years of teaching. I believe we should have our teachers have a more rigorous program. I also am concerned about having our Teacher Leadership teachers being pulled from the roles that they currently have to be their mentors.

Rep. Art Staed, D-Cedar Rapids, a retired educator and small business owner, voiced similar concerns.

There is a teacher shortage in Iowa. We all know that, Staed said. We want to get qualified teachers in the classroom, but the question is whether this approach is good for kids.  Why would you put kids in a classroom with a teacher who had no experience teaching kids?

The committee advanced the bill on a party-line vote with Republicans in favor, making it eligible for floor debate.

Voting age amendment

Iowas constitutional voting age would be brought in line with federal law under a proposal Iowa lawmakers advanced on Wednesday.

The proposal would amend the Iowa constitution to say that residents ages 18 and older have the right to vote, and residents who will be 18 by the time of the next general election can vote in the preceding primary election.

Iowas constitution currently says citizens age 21 and older have the right to vote under an amendment ratified in 1970. The 26th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1971, set the national voting age at 18, overruling states that had a higher voting age, but the wording in Iowas constitution has not changed.

A three-member subcommittee advanced the proposal, Senate Study Bill 1109. The proposed amendment passed by a previous general assembly, and if it passes again this year it will need to get a majority of votes in an upcoming election to be ratified.
The Bush Foundation has awarded more than $3 million to the Black Hills Area Community Foundation to address the need for affordable housing in Rapid City. This award is the Bush Foundation's largest program-related investment in South Dakota, according to BHACT, and it will help ensure that more families have access to safe, affordable housing, which is critical for their well-being and the overall economic health of Rapid City.

A Rapid City Housing Market Study released in January anticipates that, looking ahead through 2030, Rapid City will need about 5,500 total housing units. The study was conducted by BHACF, Elevate Rapid City, the John T. Vucurevich Foundation and the City of Spearfish.

Those 5,500 housing units are anticipated to cure the existing vacancies and allow for growth were expecting to see, said Laura Jones, housing and community development manager for Elevate Rapid City.

About 30% of those 5,500 housing units will need to be for households that earn 80% of the Area Median Income as calculated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Area Median Income in Rapid City is $58,000; an income thats 80% of that  about $46,000  or less is typically considered moderate to low income, Jones said.

The Rapid City Housing Market Study says the widely accepted standard for affordable housing is that a household should spend no more than 30% of its gross income on housing costs, including utilities. For a household of $46,000, affordable housing is about $1,000 a month, Jones said.

Yet as Liz Hamburg, CEO of the Black Hills Area Community Foundation, told the Rapid City Council on Monday, rents in the Black Hills have increased significantly, and the average cost of rent for a one-bedroom apartment now exceeds $1,100. She noted that communities across the Black Hills are struggling to provide single- and multi-family housing.

Hamburg gave a presentation to the city council Monday about the Bush Foundation award and the Rapid City Market Housing Study.

The Bush Foundation, headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, provides grants and opportunities to people and organizations to support creative problem solving in Minnesota, North and South Dakota, and the 23 Native nations in that region.

The Bush Foundation award to BHACF consists of a $1 million grant to support the local Strategic Housing Initiative, a $2 million program-related investment to help capitalize the Rapid City Strategic Housing Trust Fund, and a $150,000 grant to evaluate, report and strategize around BHACF's affordable housing work.

BHACF serves as the backbone organization for the Collective Impact Black Hills Strategic Housing Initiative, which focuses on increasing the housing inventory, producing a housing study and market analysis, and developing partnerships that address the need for housing.

The Rapid City Strategic Housing Trust Fund is designed to increase the inventory of affordable housing by providing low-interest loans to developers for multi-family housing. Because the Rapid City Strategic Housing Trust Fund is a revolving loan fund, a one-time investment results in long-term impact. BHACF manages the Rapid City Strategic Housing Trust Fund with the help of an advisory board.

"We are so excited to continue to work with the Bush Foundation through our Housing Initiative, Hamburg said in a news release. This is a long-term investment from the Bush Foundation that helps us continue the work of the Strategic Housing Initiative and spread the local housing trust fund model across the region.

"The Bush Foundation is excited to increase our investments in the collective work of the Black Hills Area Community Foundation to create more affordable housing. The Rapid City Strategic Housing Trust Fund is an innovative public-private partnership that we believe can have great long-term impact for the Rapid City community  while inspiring other communities in South Dakota and beyond, said Jen Ford-Reedy, president of the Bush Foundation.

Rapid Citys housing market is showing slight signs of improvement, Jones said. Houses for sale are staying on the market longer, but there are still not many houses on the market and their list prices are pretty high for this area, making homeownership a challenge.

Vacancy rates in the rental market are currently about 5%  an improvement of less than 2% in November  but vacancy rates fluctuate seasonally, Jones said.

Theres been quite a few building permits issued in the last year for multifamily (housing) so thats promising, Jones said. Theres been a lot more interest in developing low-income housing in Rapid City.

These low-income apartments being built will be quite a bit lower (to rent) than what were seeing on the market, so that will move the needle for low-income individuals, Jones said.

For more information about Black Hills Area Community Foundation and the Strategic Housing Initiative or to contribute to these efforts, go to bhacf.org or contact Hamburg or Donor Relations Manager Chris Huber at 605-718-0112.
The Oglala Sioux Tribe began to make its case against the United States on Wednesday, alleging the government is violating its treaty obligations by failing to provide adequate law enforcement funding to the tribe, contributing to high crime rates and slow response times.

"The United States Government needs to listen to Native Americans throughout the nation. For decades and decades and decades, we've been ignored, put on the back burner. Today we're taking that stance not only as a tribe, but as a nation speaking for Indian Country. We need to be heard," Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out told reporters outside the federal courthouse after the sun had set on Rapid City and the first day of arguments in the case the tribe hopes will change law enforcement on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, the 3.1 million acre home to the Oglala Lakota.

The tribe wants the court to rule that the government has a treaty and trust responsibility to provide law enforcement to the tribe in adequate numbers and that the government has violated multiple treaties and statutes by not doing so.

The government argues it has no obligation to provide funding for law enforcement, let alone a specific number of law enforcement. Although it acknowledges there is under-funding, the government argues that lies in the hands of Congress, not the courts.

Struggles, lack of morale

Much of Wednesday's proceedings contained the testimony of Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety Chief of Police Algin Young, who told the court the 33 patrol officers under his command simply cannot respond to all 911 calls, properly fill out reports, or respond in a timely manner to increasing crime on the reservation.

Tribal law enforcement officers put in an average of 80 hours of overtime each month from January through June 2022 on Pine Ridge. During two months in the summer of 2022, tribal police responded to five homicides, four shootings, four stabbings, three sexual assault and five violent assaults. Young said officers work 12 hour shifts trying to cover the vast reservation.

In documents filed by the tribe, it states response time often exceeds 30 minutes and some 911 calls are abandoned completely.

There are several "dead spots" on the reservation, Young testified, where officers have neither cell reception nor radio signal, so dispatch resorts to timing how long they're in the dead spot for their safety. He also testified to the departments inability to purchase new vehicles and equipment as needed, or provide competitive benefit packages to its officers.

"They're tired. They're exhausted," Young said, adding he's seen officers suffer from alcohol abuse, marriage problems, discipline issues and even criminal issues.

"I've seen it all," Young said.

The tribe argues that it should have at least 112 officers based on the BIAs model of having 2.8 officers per 1,000 people in a law enforcement service area, a number the government says is an aspirational metric not met on any reservation.

The former OSTDPS Chief of Police, Ron Dubray, who worked for OSTDPS from 1982 until he retired in 2014, said there were around 113 officers during the 1990s, but when federal grants for salaries and equipment dried up, that number plummeted to 27 in the early 2000s and substations located in the reservation's nine districts couldn't be kept open.

Current funding source

There are two ways tribes receive funding for law enforcement. One is by receiving law enforcement services directly from the BIA, which is the case for 23 agencies, but Pine Ridges law enforcement funding comes from the second option is the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA), which provides the ability for tribes to take over services administered by the Secretary of Interior, including law enforcement.

If a tribe opts for law enforcement funding through ISDEAA, they receive a lump sum that is not less than what the Secretary of Interior would spend on that service. The Oglala Sioux Tribe has contracted law enforcement through ISDEAA for 40 years.

The government does not appear to dispute the issue of crime and lack of law enforcement on Pine Ridge. James Todd, an attorney out of Washington, D.C. for the Federal Programs Branch of the U.S. Department of Justice, said that the tribe needs more than Congress has allocated, and the tribe has received everything it is entitled to under the ISDEAA.

"So you're defending a system that is chronically under-funded?" Chief Judge Roberto Lange asked Todd, who responded that every dollar available is already allocated in detail for the benefit of each tribe.

Treaties and statutes

The tribe argues that the government is in violation of the Fort Laramie Treaties of 1851 and 1868, the 1825 Treaty between the government and the Siouan and Oglala bands, the 1921 Snyder Act, the 1990 Indian Law Enforcement Reform Act (ILERA) and the 2010 Tribal Law and Order Act (TLOA), signed into law by former President Barack Obama.

The 1868 Treaty took center stage in the governments argument against the tribes allegation. It contains two bad men clauses. the first states that if bad men among the whites, or among other people subject to the authority of the United States commits a wrong against a Native American or their property," the Commissioner of Indian Affairs will proceed at once to cause the offender to be arrested and punished according to the laws of the United States.

The second bad man clause, stipulates that the tribes will deliver any wrong-doer among them to the United States, to be tried and punished according to its laws.

There was no language in the Treaty, and no language in the Treaty negotiations, that suggested that the federal government was going to be allowed to decide when and if it wanted to engage in these activities, or to limit these responsibilities based upon its unilateral decision as to how it wanted to spend its federal dollars, the tribe wrote in its complaint.

The government argues there is nothing in any of the three treaties that binds the federal government to providing funding, pointing to Article 9 of the 1868 treaty, which lays out the governments obligation to provide other services, like blacksmiths, teachers and physicians, but does not mention police.

The 1851 Treaty allowed the U.S. to establish roads on the reservation and military outposts in exchange for the government to protect them from the commission of all depredation by the people of the United States.

Todd argued in court Wednesday that the 1851 Treaty was merely a general trust relationship.

The tribe calls the 1825 Treaty one of the "earliest federal commitments to impose U.S. criminal law in Oglala territory, and to provide basic federal law enforcement services in Oglala."

The 1825 Treaty states that complaints by the injured party should be made to the governments agent, and that the chiefs are obligated to deliver up the person against whom the complaint is made. It also stipulates that anyone who commits violence against a Native American would be tried and punished if found guilty.

The government dismissed the 1825 Treaty argument on Wednesday, saying it appeared the tribe had abandoned that defense, which Conly Schulte with the defense said was not the case.

With the Snyder Act, Congress authorized funds to the relief of distress and conservation of health among Native Americans. ILERA established a Division of Law Enforcement Services (DLES) within the BIA to carry out the Secretary of the Interior's responsibility to provide and assist in the provision of law enforcement services in Indian country, and the TLOA was written to enhance tribes' authority to prosecute and punish criminals; expand efforts to recruit, train and keep BIA and tribal police officers, and increase access to criminal information sharing databases.

Prayer for relief

If the court were to rule in the tribe's favor, it would deliver both major changes and a rebuke of the government system, possibly setting a precedent for how the federal government handles law enforcement funding to Native American Tribes nationwide, a point not lost on the judge, although Lange noted that he must decide the case not based on the effects it might have.

In the portion of the tribes lengthy complaint against the government titled Prayer for Relief it lists what it wants from the court:

To declare that the government has a treaty obligation to provide law enforcement officers and investigators in adequate numbers and to equip them adequately, and it has been in violation of those obligations.

To remedy that, the tribe asked the court to require the government to fund and equip a minimum of 2.8 tribal officers per 1,000 in the law enforcement service population. That number is disputed. The tribe states it is over 40,000, to include those who work and travel on the reservation. The government places it at around 30,000.

The tribe also wants the court to rule that the BIA approve requests from the tribe it improperly denied for funds to support a Division of Drug Enforcement, Missing and Murdered Unit, Internal Affairs and School Resource Officer Programs.

Young testified that when the above programs were denied, the tribe was not given a detailed explanation as to why, and the OSTs demand includes a request for the court to require the government to provide a detailed account of why it made the decision to not fund something the tribe requests.

Another request, aside from the government paying all fees incurred from the lawsuit, is for the government to stop using a base funding level for law enforcement from 25 years ago.

They need to live up to their treaty obligations, and they need to listen to us. Decades and decades, like I said, weve been ignored. I believe today is that day that we need to take a stand, Stars Comes Out said.
PIERRE  A new bill, called "Truth in Sentencing," would require people convicted of serious violent crimes to serve either all or a majority of their sentence before being eligible for supervised release or parole, a step toward a tougher stance on who gets released from prison.

Those in favor of the two-part bill, like the South Dakota Attorney General, the Minnehaha County State's Attorney and Sioux Falls Police Department chief, argued that South Dakota cities are facing a wave of violent crime being committed by people who have violent criminal records,

Meanwhile, opponents worried it could lead to increased prison populations in a state where the prisons are already overcrowded, and de-incentivize programming like addiction treatment.

Freshman Sen. Brent Hoffman, R-Sioux Falls, brought the bill after having conversation with law enforcement, various state's attorneys and others involved in the criminal justice system. He called it a landmark law and order bill while explaining its various sections.

"It is not a cure-all for every crime that ails us, but I think it is an important first step to address the violent crime in particular that so ravages our community, affects our citizens, and for which they want us to do something about," Hoffman said.

Currently, inmates can gather sentencing credits, from either their time served in jail before they had their trial or by attending programming. These credits can then be applied for a shortened sentence, making the person parole eligible. The bill would change parts of this programming, depending on the person's crime.

In the first section of the bill, anyone convicted of one of 13 high level violent crimes, such as first-degree manslaughter and first-degree human trafficking, would have to serve the full sentence imposed on them by a judge without credits for a shortened term. The inmate would then be eligible for supervised release.

In the second section, those convicted of one of 10 other violent crimes, such as aggravated assault or second-degree manslaughter, they could receive credits that could be applied toward shortening their sentence. However, they must serve at least 85% of their sentence before becoming parole eligible.

Attorney General Marty Jackley said in the federal detention system, the feds had done away with parole years ago, because of a lack of resources within the parole system.

"We have good people that are in the parole system," he said. "They just don't have enough resources. They're trying to supervise too many people."

Cities like Sioux Falls are seeing a majority of violent crimes be committed by those already involved in the criminal justice system.

Jon Thum, the Sioux Falls police chief, said his department had more than 60 aggravated assaults reported in July 2022, and "the vast majority had some history of assaultive behavior or involvement with the criminal justice system in a variety of ways."

But, opponents were wary of what they considered a massive overhaul of South Dakota's sentencing system. They worried by refusing sentencing credits for the inmates in section one of the proposed bill, those inmates would be discouraged to participate in prison programming or participate in good behavior.

Justin Bell, a lobbyist for the South Dakota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, said in other states where sentencing laws like the one proposed Tuesday were passed, prison populations went up.

"The prison system quite frankly, right now, does not have capacity to take the amount of additional [people]," Bell said.

The women's prison in Pierre is currently at 156% of its design capacity, while the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls is at 160% of its design capacity, according to the Department of Corrections.

Lawmakers are currently mulling funding to build a $60 million new women's prison in Rapid City and purchasing land for a multi-million dollar new men's prison in Sioux Falls.

Samantha Chapman, the ACLU of South Dakota advocacy manager, argued parole encouraged prisons to host rehabilitative programs for inmates.

"We have to believe that people can change for good," she said. "By eliminating the possibility of parole for whole swaths of incarcerated people, we are kneecapping their motivation for self-evaluation and genuine desire for change."

Sen. David Wheeler, R-Huron, gave the lone no vote against the bill. He said he felt the bill would make people feel good about offenders' sentences, but would not do much to address the true problems within the criminal justice system.

"The problem is we don't have enough programming in our prisons," Wheeler said. "The problem is our correctional system. It's not the parole system."
Tickets go on sale Friday for "Chicago," the musical tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz. "Chicago" is celebrating with a 25th Anniversary Tour that is coming to Rapid City for two performances May 8 and 9 in the Fine Arts Theater at The Monument. Tickets are $71.50 to $84.50 and can be purchased online at themonument.live/events/detail/chicago2023, in person at The Bluepeak Ticket Offices at The Monument, by phone at 1-800-463-6463, or at Ellsworth Air Force Base Outdoor Rec.

Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, "Chicago" is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who maliciously murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicagos slickest criminal lawyer to transform her crime into a barrage of sensational headlines that might just as easily be ripped from todays tabloids.

The cast of "Chicago": Katie Frieden as Roxie Hart, Logan Floyd as Velma Kelly, Jeff Brooks as Billy Flynn, Christina Wells as Matron Mama Morton, Brian Kalinowski as Amos Hart and G.A. James as Mary Sunshine.

With a legendary book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, "Chicago" is the longest-running American musical in Broadway history -- and it still shows no sign of slowing down.
Transgender students and the adults in their lives shared stories about devastating bullying in school during a hearing Wednesday on another bill that would affect how trans kids live in Montana.

House Bill 361 is from Rep. Brandon Ler, R-Savage. If passed it would carve out an exception in discrimination in education laws to say it is not unlawful for a student to call another student by their legal name, which in the case of a transgender student would be using what's called their deadname; and to refer to another student by the student's sex, which would allow for misgendering a trans student.

Deadnaming is the practice of referring to a transgender person who has changed their name by their previous name and opponents to the bill said the practice is often used to bully kids.

Max Finn, a middle school student in Missoula, told lawmakers on the House Judiciary Committee he is out to his classmates.

I face backlash because of this. I am simply being myself but most often I get told inappropriate questions and have crude remarks made about me. In the past I have been heavily bullied to the point of faking being sick to go home early. Even now, I have slurs yelled at me, I get called awful names, and I get tripped in the school hallway, Finn said, adding that while teachers do their best to stop it, the bullying still happens day in and day out.

Finn said he once fell into a depression and would not get out of bed because of a classmate bullying him and chasing him with sticks.

I never want any kid to have to deal with what I did, as it was very hurtful and still affects me today, Finn said.

The bill had roughly 30 opponents and just one person testified for it. Opponents generally argued the bill would allow for the bullying of transgender students and cut off ways for teachers and administrators to step in. Schools should be safe places for learning, those against the bill said repeatedly, and several raised concerns it was discriminatory since it would only affect transgender kids.

In introducing his bill, Ler said his kids learned from a young age the difference between cows and bulls and that these facts are not up for interpretation.

How can we motivate students to learn and use what theyve learned if they can get in trouble for using what they know? Ler asked. Opponents object to trans children being compared to cattle.

The only supporter of the bill was Jeff Laszloffy, who heads the Montana Family Foundation.

Laszloffy said he struggled in school to learn the difference between their, there and theyre, and compared that to students improperly referencing their classmates' pronouns.

Opponents said that in cases of genuine mixups theres not a concern, but that they worry about the bullying and harassment they argued the bill will allow.

Laszloffy also used an example from Wisconsin where three eighth grade students were the subject of an investigation that was later dropped for using the wrong pronouns for another student.

House Bill 361 would ensure that this doesnt happen to any student here in Montana, Laszloffy argued.

Opponents seized on that, saying the argument Laszloffy used was from a different state, while Montana families at the hearing shared different stories of harassment.

SK Rossi, who spoke on behalf of the Human Rights Campaign, shared the story of a nephew who stopped being friends with another child because the kid wouldnt stop using the wrong gender for a fellow friend.

I share that story only because I think it shows this bill isnt necessary, Rossi said. I think kids are really good at navigating these conversations themselves and learning on their own and trying to figure out the best way to be in a world where their classmates may or may not use pronouns they do not understand.

Rossi told the committee the problem with the bill is it takes away the ability of administrators and teachers to intervene before something becomes cruel and physical. Accidental use of the wrong name or pronoun has nothing to do with the issue, Rossi continued.

If its unintentional misgendering or if its unintentional use of the wrong name, thats something different. Thats forgivable. Thats OK. But if it becomes cruel and its done over and over and over and over again, it ties the hands of administrators to be able to intervene in that cruelty before it becomes a physical fight, Rossi said.

Shawn Reagor, who spoke on behalf of the Montana Human Rights Network, said that if Montana schools had to follow Lers bill, it would put them at odds with the rules and policies at many workplaces and colleges or universities, making it difficult for them to function in the world as adults based on what they learned in school.

Using the correct name and gender has nothing to do with personal beliefs, Reagor said. It has everything to do with learning how to be respectful of peers and other individuals.

Other opponents told lawmakers their children are already subject to intense bullying that affects their education.

My child experiences bullying from classmates on a near-daily basis, with little to no intervention from school administrators said Richard Schade, who told the committee he was in the National Guard. The real intent is to send a message to trans kids that they deserve to be bullied because of who they are ... Despite the rhetoric of its authors, HB 361 and other bills attacking trans kids in Montana serve only to jeopardize the safety of our children and to create division in our communities."

Kassia Finn, Max's parent, told the committee that after enrolling three kids in public schools, the local school board wanted a letter from the family to all other families in the district to explain about Max.

They said it would be lying if he made friends as himself. They said it would be traumatic to other kids if they found out my son did not have a penis. I dont think kids should know that much about their friends genitals anyway, Finn said.   I was forced into outing my child, as that was the only school in our area.

Finn said Max and his siblings were chased around the school grounds with sticks, Max was called a freak and was asked what his genitals looked like.

Finn later enrolled Max in a school out of the district, but eventually had to move across the state because the bullying continued.

For our childrens safety we had to move across the state. Bullies are not born, they are made. Voting yes will be giving the green light to bullying beautiful, kind, happy and healthy trans, nonbinary and two-spirit kids and their families, Finn said.

Ler countered opponents by saying he felt his children also had rights that should be respected in the situation.

I have children in school and I believe my children should not be forced to call somebody something theyre not, Ler said. I expect my children to treat everybody with respect. But its also disrespectful to my children to force them to lie and not be truthful to themselves about what they believe."

The committee did not take immediate action on the bill.
Montana mine regulators are pushing back on calls by conservation groups for a federal intervention at Signal Peak Mine northwest of Billings.

In a letter to the federal Office of Surface Mining and Enforcement, Montana Department of Environmental Quality officials say the states only underground coal mine is not in ongoing violation of environmental law, specifically the Montana Strip and Underground Mine and Reclamation Act.

DEQ argues the power to regulate the mine belongs to the state and that the federal government hasnt taken the necessary steps to wrest the authority. Two complaints filed by conservation groups havent triggered federal intervention and are unusual in nature in that they arent lawsuits.

The two complaints youre referring to are a bit unique for us. Weve not seen that form of complaint before in our previous implementation of the coal mine program, said Dan Walsh, DEQ mining bureau chief.

Conservation groups last July, and again in December, asked the federal government to intervene in regulating the mine. The complainants are Billings-based Northern Plains Resource Council, Earthjustice, Montana Environmental Information Center, Sierra Club, WildEarth Guardians, Western Environmental Law Center. The groups point to environmental damage, while also presenting federal officials with the U.S. Department of Justices own prosecution of worker safety and embezzlement at the mine, signs the conservationists say prove a lack of institutional control.

Since 2018, Lee Montana Newspapers has written extensively about criminal and civil violations by former Signal Peak mine executives. Those events were recounted again in a Jan. 13 New York Times feature about the mine.

Signal Peak officials have attempted to distance the mine from years of illegal activity under former Signal Peak President Brad Hanson and former Vice President of Surface Operations Larry Wayne Price Jr. Price was sentenced to prison in 2020. Hanson died at his Florida home, at age 59, before he could be charged.

DEQ argues that theres no room for the federal government to intervene in regulating Signal Peak. Specifically, because once the Department of Interior finds that a state coal program meets minimum national standards, primacy is awarded to the state.

Many of the disputes between Signal Peak and conservation groups center around water resources that conservationists say have been diminished by mining activity. Steve Charter, a Northern Plains member and rancher in the mine area said DEQ had an obligation to protect those water resources, including those used by Charters cattle.

"When Signal Peak Energy was granted a mining permit, we were promised that ranching and mining could co-exist. That promise has been broken, Charter said recently. The mines activities have repeatedly and continuously damaged water sources in the Bull Mountains, and given DEQs failure to enforce the law, this damage will be permanent.

This not only impacts ranchers like me, it destroys the natural area for wildlife, hunters, and all Montanans. Simply put, our protective agencies are not protecting our people or our resources. Its hard for residents of the Bull Mountains not to feel like weve been left to the wolves when we see such a glaring lack of accountability for a serial offender."

Charter grazes cattle on Signal Peak surface land.

However, DEQ said that many of the mitigation issues raised by conservationists dont have to be addressed until the final phase of Signal Peak's cleanup bond is released.

Theres also a matter of where water resources have been harmed. DEQ acknowledges that many of the springs identified in the complaints have been undermined, but the laws are different for the water inside and outside a permit area. Outside the area prevention steps are required. Inside the permit area, where damage has occurred at Signal Peak, the rules are on a different timeline for remediation, one that allows remediation to occur later.
The Office of Public Instruction will be celebrating Indian Education for All on Monday in the state Capitol Rotunda.

This a great opportunity to showcase our Montana Constitutional promise of Indian Education for All in action, said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen.

The event is 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. The public may attend.

According to Article X of the Montana Constitution, the state recognizes the distinct and unique cultural heritage of the American Indians and is committed in its educational goals to the preservation of their cultural integrity.

At the celebration, the 2023 Montana Proud Poster Series, which highlights Native American educators in Montana, will be introduced and will be available for display in schools statewide.

The celebration will begin with table displays by IEFA teachers Linda Rost, Montanas 2020 Teacher of the Year, Dylan Huisken, Montanas 2019 Teacher of the Year, and Daisy Carlsmith, assistant to directors/instructor at the Western Montana Professional Learning Collaborative.

At 10 a.m., Chontay Standing Rock from Rocky Boys Reservation will offer a flag song. Arntzen will give remarks and present the 2023 Montana Proud Poster Series as well as the candidates who are in attendance.

The Montana Proud Poster Series honors Native teachers around Montana that have made significant impacts on our students, said Arntzen.

She encouraged others to join in celebrating Indian Education for All.

The poster series will feature Fort Peck Reservation members Mandy Smoker Broaddus and Roger White Jr (Wamni Jusina  Little Eagle), Flathead Reservation members Jason Smith and Michael Marie Munson, Blackfeet Reservation members Roger MadPlume, Brenda Johnston, Meredith K. Hecker and Reyna Monteau, Rocky Boys Reservation member John Murie, Crow Reservation members Shane Doyle and Christian Takes The Gun, Little Shell Chippewa Tribe member Shelby Cole, and Fort Belknap Reservation member Robe Walker.
Spring chinook bound for the Snake River and other Columbia River tributaries upstream of Bonneville Dam will make another decent showing this year.

But that is relative. Fisheries managers are forecasting nearly 200,000 springers will enter the mouth of the Columbia River, including 85,900 bound for the Snake River.

The overall prediction exceeds last years forecast of about 123,000 as well as the actual return of about 185,000.

But the Snake River forecast calls for less than the 103,000 adult chinook that returned last year. And this years forecast includes a poor prediction for Snake River wild spring chinook  just 13,200 compared to 23,000 that returned in 2022.

The number of wild fish is so low that it will serve as a constraint on the fishery for hatchery spring chinook in the Columbia River, said Ryan Lothrop, Columbia River Fishery manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

We do have our concerns on the Snake River wild (forecast return). That is why we have an agreement that reduces our impact to that stock when it doesnt hit the abundance trigger we would expect with the total run size.

Anglers can keep hatchery-reared chinook but must release wild spring chinook, which can be identified by intact adipose fins.

While the overall run is forecast to be large enough to provide fisheries on the Columbia and Snake rivers, as well as some of their tributaries, it is not as large as managers would like. But it is significantly stronger than runs from 2017 to 2021 and a vast improvement over dismally low returns in 2019 and 2020.

Lothrop said the expected low return of wild chinook to the Snake River Basin this year can be traced to low numbers of adult wild fish returning during the down years.

Washington and Oregon will hold a joint meeting at 10 a.m. Feb. 22 at Ridgefield, Wash., as part of the states process to set fishing seasons on the Columbia River. A call-in option for remote participation will be available. Those interested can sign up for meeting notifications, including call-in information at bit.ly/3XZqaV3.

Idaho will hold a series of meetings next month as part of its process for setting a spring chinook season. Joe DuPont, regional fisheries manager for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game at Lewiston, expects the number of hatchery spring chinook available for harvest on the Clearwater River and its tributaries will be down compared to last year. Hes projecting a harvest share of about 3,200 adult chinook. Last year, 5,700 adult spring chinook were available for harvest.

Anglers on the lower Salmon River and Little Salmon River are projected to have about 3,200 adult chinook available for harvest, which is similar to last years harvest share of about 3,600.

He noted last years return of fish to the Clearwater River far exceeded preseason forecasts. He is hoping for a repeat, even if hes not predicting one.

Im still somewhat optimistic we will slightly underestimate the return, he said.
The Virginia Opera and Richmond Symphony are $45,000 closer to creating their commissioned opera Loving v. Virginia.

The two organizations were awarded a special recognition grant from the Virginia Commission for the Arts of $15,000 for three consecutive years, totaling $45,000 in support of Loving v. Virginia.

Loving v. Virginia is an operatic retelling of the groundbreaking U.S. Supreme Court case centered on the interracial marriage of Mildred and Richard Loving. Composer Damien Geter, who grew up in Chesterfield County, and librettist Jessica Murphy Moo have been commissioned to create the opera, which will be premiered in venues across Virginia in 2025.

Virginia Opera, Richmond Symphony announce plans for Loving v. Virginia opera In trying to come up with a way to properly celebrate its upcoming 50th anniversary, Virgini

The Virginia Commission for the Arts is thrilled to invest in this story of, by, and for Virginians. Through the Loving v. Virginia opera, the Virginia Opera and Richmond Symphony are innovating in the arts while bringing an important part of our history to a broad audience, Margaret Hancock, executive director for the Virginia Commission for the Arts, said in a statement.

The final budget for Loving v. Virginia is still in development. The current estimate is between $1.25 and $1.5 million to produce the new work.

Early support for the project was received from OPERA Americas 2022 Repertoire Development Grant. Additional funding will come from corporations, foundations and other government funding agencies, as well as individuals interested in supporting the work who can join the Commissioning Club, which will provide them access to the workshops, the creative team and the cast.

The Virginia Opera originally sought to commission the new work, which also celebrated Virginia and its history, as a way to properly celebrate its upcoming 50th anniversary.
Richmond police have released the names of two people killed in a January shooting.

Police said in a statement Wednesday that Tyreese Robinson, 30, of Richmond, and Terry Brown, Jr., 25, of Richmond, died in the incident.

They are the third and fourth homicide victims of the year in the city.

Officers responded to the Jan. 27 shooting in the 1300 block of St. Paul Street at about 3:10 p.m.

First responders took Brown to a local hospital and Robinson arrived at the hospital soon after; both were suffering a gunshot wound, said police.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call police at (804) 646-3927 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.

The Times-Dispatch's 'Photo of the Day'  Jan. 1, 2023 Jan. 2, 2023 Jan. 3, 2023 Jan. 4, 2023 Jan. 5, 2023 Jan. 6, 2023 Jan. 7, 2023 Jan. 8, 2023 Jan. 10, 2023 Jan. 11, 2023 Jan. 12, 2023 Jan. 13, 2023 Jan. 14, 2023 Jan. 15, 2023 Jan. 16, 2023 Jan. 17, 2023 Jan. 18, 2023 Jan. 19, 2023 Jan. 20, 2023 Jan. 21, 2023 Jan. 22, 2023 Jan. 23, 2023 Jan. 24, 2023 Jan. 25, 2023 Jan. 26, 2023 Jan. 27, 2023 Jan. 28, 2023 Jan. 29, 2023 Jan. 30, 2023 Jan. 31, 2023 Feb. 1, 2023 Feb. 2, 2023 Feb. 3, 2023 Feb. 4, 2023 Feb. 5, 2023 Feb. 6, 2023 Feb. 7, 2023 Feb. 8, 2023 Feb. 9, 2023 Feb. 10, 2023 Feb 11, 2023 Feb. 12, 2023 Feb. 13, 2023 Feb. 14, 2023 Feb. 15, 2023 Feb. 16, 2023 Feb. 17, 2023 Feb. 18, 2023 Feb. 19, 2023 Feb. 20, 2023 Feb. 21, 2023 Feb. 22, 2023 Feb. 23, 2023 Feb. 24, 2023 Feb. 25, 2023 Feb. 26, 2023 Feb. 27, 2023 Feb. 28, 2023 March 1, 2023 March 2, 2023 March 3, 2023 March 4, 2023 March 5, 2023 March 6, 2023 March 7, 2023 March 8, 2023 March 9, 2023 March 10, 2023 March 11, 2023 March 12, 2023 March 13, 2023 March 14, 2023 March 15, 2023 March 16, 2023 March 17, 2023 March 18, 2023 March 19, 2023 March 20, 2023 March 21, 2023 March 22, 2023 March 23, 2023 March 24, 2023 March 25, 2023 March 26, 2023 March 27, 2023 March 28, 2023 March 29, 2023 March 30, 2023 March 31, 2023 April 1, 2023 April 2, 2023 April 3, 2023 April 4, 2023 April 5, 2023 April 6, 2023 April 7, 2023 April 8, 2023 April 9, 2023 April 10, 2023 April 11, 2023 April 13, 2023 April 14, 2023
Two bills designed to strengthen existing hospital price transparency laws were struck down in the House of Delegates this week, giving a victory to hospital systems opposed to the legislation.

A federal law that took effect in 2021 requires hospitals to publish the cost of colonoscopies, Caesarean Sections and other procedures on their websites.

Richmonds three hospital systems  Bon Secours, HCA Healthcare and Virginia Commonwealth University Health  say they are following the law. But a study by a health care watchdog last summer determined only 20% of Virginia hospitals and none of the Richmond-area hospitals are in compliance.

In order to find the price of a procedure, a patient must read lists with tens of thousands of lines and decipher codes.

House Bill 2427, sponsored by Del. Nick Freitas, R-Culpeper, would have allowed a patient to sue a hospital if the hospital charged a price that didnt match its pricing sheet. Colorado passed a similar law, and they havent had any lawsuits yet, Freitas said.

Patients often walk into hospitals with no idea how much they will pay, Freitas said. The bill would have given some power back to the patient.

Freitas said that opposition to the bill was exaggerated. Opponents said the legislation would destroy rural hospitals, and was being enacted too quickly. Had the bill become law, it would have taken effect in 2024.

It was defeated by a vote of 54-40-1.

House Bill 2435, sponsored by Del. Keith Hodges, R-Middlesex, would have allowed the state health department to report a noncompliant hospital to the federal government and institute an improvement plan. If a hospital was found to be noncompliant, the hospital would be forbidden from pursuing a patient for debt collection.

The measure was killed 50-44-1.

The states with the highest share of young drivers on the road The states with the highest share of young drivers on the road Rate of young drivers in each state #10. Nebraska #9. Idaho #8. Alabama #7. South Carolina #6. Minnesota #5. Iowa #4. Kansas #3. Oklahoma #2. Utah #1. South Dakota
A man who threatened to shoot students at a Stafford elementary school last year as part of a series of pranks was convicted of two charges Monday.

James Wayne Hash II, 34, of Fredericksburg, pleaded guilty in Stafford Circuit Court to felony counts of threat to bomb and attempted act of terrorism. He will be sentenced in Stafford April 17.

Hash is also facing charges in Fredericksburg for allegedly making numerous 911 prank calls to homes and businesses. A trial in the city is scheduled for next month.

On Sept. 7, court records show, Hash placed a prerecorded 911 call that resulted in a lockdown at Conway Elementary School in southern Stafford. That message stated that authorities had 15 minutes to evacuate the school or I will shoot one Mexican or Black child for every minute that will pass.

He sent a second message that said I warned you to evacuate and you didnt, then a third message that claimed that a gunman was at the school looking to hurt students.

Police determined that the calls came from at least two cellphones that were not tied to any company. A bomb threat was made to Spotsylvania Towne Center using one of the same phones. Police were able to contact the former owner of one phone, who told police the phone was lost.

The same number called regarding Conway again on Sept. 9, court records state, and made another threat. School functions were canceled for the rest of the day as a result.

Police eventually zeroed in on Hash after a detailed investigation showed that his car was in the areas from which the multiple 911 calls were made. Hash later admitted to making numerous hoax calls, and the phone used to make the calls were found in his hotel room, court records state.
Belligerent neighbor accused of assault with a machete

Playa del Carmen, Q.R.  Police from the Secretariat of Public Security of Solidaridad assured a subject accused of assaulting and injuring two people with a machete.

The incident happened in the Colosio neighborhood Wednesday morning on 102 Street and 40th Avenue. When elements of the Preventive Police responded to the call for help, two people pointed out a subject who they said was attacking them with a machete.

Officers approached the home of 29-year-old Santiago N from Tabasco, making him aware of the accusations against him. However, in their statement, police say Santiago N adopted an aggressive attitude.

According to the police report, the man hit a door that sent wood splinters in the direction of officers. He then opened the nozzle of his LP gas tank and threatened them. Police responded by requesting assistance of PDC firemen and Civil Protection.

After their arrival, police say they managed to secure the subject and the machete.

One of the victims, who made the report, was injured and received medical assistance at the scene.
Mexico sends specialist rescue canine pairings to Turkey after disastrous earthquakes

Mexico City, Mexico  Mexico has sent more of its people to help in a time of crisis, this time in Turkey. On Wednesday, more than 100 Mexicans and 16 dogs left for Turkey to help in a search and rescue mission.

According to Marcelo Ebrard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is the second time this week Mexico has sent people to another country to help in a time of crisis.

In the case of Chile, they are facing large-scale fires, human lives, homes and thousands of hectares have been lost. For this reason, Mexicos support has been welcomed, he said.

Early Wednesday morning, another brigade set out, this time for Turkey. At 5:45 a.m. Wednesday, a Mexican Air Force flight landed in Adana, a city located 240 kilometers from the epicenter of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake registered Monday, said Ebrard.

The Mexican men and women are part of a specialized canine team trained to locate people. Photo: SRE February 8, 2023.

They were met by the Mexican Ambassador to Turkey, Jose Luis Martinez. The Mexican team is made up of 93 people and 10 dogs from the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena), 37 people and two dogs from the Navy, 15 specialists and four dogs from the Mexican Red Cross, as well as five workers from the SRE, he explained.

The heart of the team is the canine pairings, said Ebrard, while explaining that the 16 dogs sent are specially trained to locate people.

As of Thursday, the death toll from Mondays powerful Turkey-Syria earthquakes neared 17,000.
Navy evacuates two from cruise ship off Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres, Q.R.  Two cruise ship passengers were evacuated from a vessel Wednesday and transferred to Cancun hospital. The Secretary of the Navy reported meeting the cruise ship approximately five nautical miles (9.2 kilometers) north of Isla Mujeres.

Once there, they evacuated two people from the ship who were in need of hospital attention. In their statement, the Navy said that after receiving a call for assistance from the ship, they evacuated a 28 year old woman and a 92 year old man.

The woman was of Peruvian nationality and was diagnosed with acute appendicitis by the ships doctor. At the same time, a 92-year-old American man was diagnosed with ischemia.

A 92-year-old man was among the two evacuated from the cruise ship Wednesday. Photo: Secretaria de Marina

Rescue and Maritime Surveillance of Isla Mujeres responded to the call for help with specialized medical personnel. Both were transferred by boat to Puerto Juarez mainland where they were met by waiting ambulances for transfer to Cancun hospital.
Clarification Feb. 23, 2023, 2:45 p.m.: The originally published version of this article included the name of a juvenile homicide victim. Her family had not authorized the release of the name by police, so the article has been updated to reflect the juvenile's initials, as used in the indictments against the suspect.

Roanoke Circuit Court indictments filed Monday have identified the victims of the citys first four homicides of 2023: Michael Douglas Hancock, James Lee Moore Jr., a child with the initials A. A. and Christopher Ryan Sinram.

Roanoke police have a made an arrest in connection with each homicide, but the department has not identified any of the victims.

The regional state medical examiners office confirmed Wednesday that Moore and Sinram both died from gunshot wounds, to the chest and head, respectively.

The office was unable to release any information related to the cause or manner of Hancocks death, and the A. A. case is still pending.

Hancock died in the citys first confirmed shooting of the year on Jan. 8. Police said officers found him with a gunshot wound inside a residence in the 800 block of 30th Street Northwest. He was 64 years old, according to his obituary published by the Serenity Funeral Home and Cremation Service.

Charlotte Renee Saunders, 48, of Roanoke was indicted Monday on two felony charges  first-degree murder and using a firearm in the commission of a felony  in connection with Hancocks death.

Saunders was arrested Jan. 15 in reference to unrelated charges, according to a search warrant certified in Circuit Court on Jan. 17. But she gave a detailed account regarding her involvement with the incident that killed Hancock, the affidavit continues, and was charged with the homicide.

Moore was the years second fatal shooting victim. He died Jan. 11, when officers found him unresponsive with a gunshot wound inside a residence in the 2300 block of Delaware Avenue Northwest. He was 39 years old, according to A. E. Grier & Sons Funeral and Cremation, based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Officers arrested Marcus Delleon Williamson, 51, of Roanoke at scene. He was indicted Monday on three felony charges: first-degree murder, using a firearm in the commission of a felony and possessing a firearm as a violent felon. Williamsons middle name has also appears as De Leon in Roanoke City Jail records.

A. A., the youngest of the years victims at 4 years old, died Jan. 24, three days after she was rushed to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

On Jan. 21, Roanokes 911 center got a call about an injured child in the 2100 block of Russell Avenue Southwest in the citys Norwich neighborhood. Roanoke Fire-EMS Department personnel got there first and took the child, who was unresponsive, to the hospital.

Police arrived next, and a man at the residence told officers that the girls injuries were accidental. But investigators found that the injuries were critical and did not appear to have been caused by an accident, police said.

Police charged Jonathan Shaquille Anderson, 32, of Roanoke with malicious wounding Jan. 23. When A. A. died from her injuries Jan. 24, Anderson was charged with second-degree murder.

Anderson was indicted Monday on three felony charges: first-degree murder, child neglect and abuse and cruelty and injuries to a child.

A. A. was a brave and adventurous little angel with a smile that could light your soul, according to her obituary published by the Lotz Funeral Home. This precious girl also saved many lives in her tragic end. She will be truly missed and is extremely loved.

Sinram is the citys most recent fatal shooting victim. He died Jan. 25 outside a residence in the 700 block of Hunt Avenue Northwest. He was 47 years old, according to his obituary published by Oakeys Funeral Service & Crematory.

Witnesses on the scene identified the suspect of the shooting as he was trying to run away, and police caught and arrested Christopher Arias, 20, of Roanoke  Sinrams stepson. He was originally charged with second-degree murder.

Arias was indicted Monday on two felony charges: first-degree murder and using a firearm in the commission of a felony. Anna Arias-Sinram, Sinrams wife and Arias mother, said she feels that the citys justice and health systems have failed her family.

We are dealing with the loss of a husband, a father, a best friend and also grieving loss of a child, a brother, a kid who has struggled for so long with mental health issues, Arias-Sinram said Wednesday.

The mother said that Arias called 911 about a year ago because he was concerned that he was going to hurt himself or someone else and he wanted to be hospitalized.

Arias-Sinram said police picked up her son and took him to the emergency room, but the hospital never followed up, and neither did the police department. Not even so much as a phone call.

Arias attempted to commit suicide shortly after that, the mother said, and he was hospitalized for about a week.

We begged them not to release him. He wasnt ready to come home. They didnt listen, Arias-Sinram said. And unfortunately my husband is the one who paid for it with his life. I will never understand how easy it was for my son to get a gun.

The mother said her son bought the firearm from a friends older brother, but she doesnt understand how he was able to use it on a repeated basis at the shooting range, where she thought he would have had to present proof of ownership and registration.

Im not really sure how that worked that they allowed him to bring his own firearm when he wasnt even old enough to purchase one, Arias-Sinram said. That didnt send up any red flags to anyone.

The mother thinks gun violence in the city will continue because its not easy to access mental health care or inpatient treatment facilities, particularly dual diagnosis treatment facilities for people who have mental illness and substance abuse issues, and especially for people who are on state-funded insurance.

My advice to anyone out there who is concerned about a loved one that seems to be struggling or hasnt been themselves: Listen to your gut. Trust your intuition, Arias-Sinram said. If you feel like they need help, tell someone. Its better to be uncomfortable and have somebody be a little upset with you than to end up with a loss of life, whether it be an actual death or a life thats lost spent behind bars. We only get one chance. Thats it, and it goes by so fast. If you know someones hurting, do something. You might just save someones life.
A Roanoke man who relinquished his firearms to police in January was found guilty of criminal charges in general district court Wednesday, but will serve no time in jail.

Scott C. Roseberry, 52, is the second person to be flagged in the city since Virginias red flag law was enacted in 2020. The statute allows law enforcement to issue substantial risk orders and seize firearms from people who may pose a threat to the safety of themselves or others.

On Jan. 3, a Roanoke police officer responded to an emergency call in the 3000 block of Green Spring Avenue Northwest. The officer testified in general district court Wednesday that the matter was related to a childs custody.

At the Green Spring residence, the officer testified, Roseberry came outside through a side door, under a carport, with a semiautomatic pistol in his right hand and in a drunken manner.

The officer said he commanded Roseberry to put the weapon down twice, and Roseberry complied within 15 to 20 seconds. He said Roseberry admitted to drinking at least four beers that night.

The officer detained Roseberry. As he was doing so, the officer wrote in an affidavit on Jan. 3, Roseberry made threats to shoot police if they responded to his house, plus threats to murder his ex-wife and father-in-law if they showed up at his house that night.

Roseberry was charged with public intoxication, recklessly handling a firearm, brandishing a firearm and carrying a gun in public while intoxicated.

Police found after Roseberrys arrest that the pistol he held had a round in its chamber and more in its magazine, the arresting officer testified Wednesday.

Roseberrys attorney, public defender Ryan Vaughn, argued Wednesday that his client, who pleaded not guilty to all four charges, was not drunk in public on Jan. 3.

Instead, Vaugh said, Roseberry was drunk in his home and under his carport. Judge Thomas Roe agreed and dismissed the public intoxication charge.

On the brandishing, reckless handling and carrying a gun while intoxicated charges, Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Jason Morgan asked the judge for a four-month sentence.

The officer was placed in a position where he could have been shot or killed, Morgan said.

But Vaughn argued that Roseberry did not brandish the firearm, referring to the testimony of the arresting officer, who pantomimed the relaxed way in which Roseberry held the pistol as he exited the residence.

He was simply holding it in the privilege of his own home, Vaughn said.

But Morgan said the gun was not holstered, but ready to go, and it took some time for Roseberry to obey the officers commands.

Roe found Roseberry not guilty on the reckless handling charge but guilty of brandishing and carrying a firearm while intoxicated.

On the brandishing charge, Roseberry was sentenced to 30 days in jail, but all of that time was suspended. On the other firearm charge, he was sentenced to another 10 days, which was also all suspended.

I think alcohol may have blurred his reasonableness, Roe said. I hope he learns from this.

The night of the incident, an emergency substantial risk order was served to Roseberry, and police seized eight firearms from his home. Those weapons remained in Roanoke Police Department custody Wednesday.

Roseberrys risk order was reviewed in civil court on Jan. 11 and extended through April 11. He is scheduled to appear before a judge again on April 10.
CHRISTIANSBURG  The recent mathematical error made by the Virginia Department of Education led the Montgomery County School Board to make an even greater request for local funds.

Montgomery County Public Schools last month proposed a budget of $138.5 million for the fiscal year that starts July 1, an amount that went over the districts projected revenues of $133.7 million for the same fiscal period. That meant the school division needed an additional $4.8 million from the county board of supervisors to close the gap, according to school officials.

The gap has widened since county school officials have factored in the VDOE error that has received much attention across the state and impacted the other school districts.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow told division superintendents late last month that the calculation tool used for figuring out how much money districts will receive didnt factor in a hold harmless measure that was put in place due to the recent state grocery tax cut.

Annie Whitaker, Montgomery Countys deputy superintendent for operations, highlighted Balows Jan. 27 correspondence while covering the potential impact of the VDOE error.

Please be advised that the tool released last month did not include recognition of the grocery tax hold harmless payment, which began in [fiscal year] 2023 as part of the offset in the Basic Aid formula, reads the Balow email. VDOE will release an updated calculation tool that reflects the Senate and House crossover budgets, following scheduled floor votes on February 9.

For Montgomery County schools, the issue has led to lower projected revenues of $132.4 million, which means the districts additional funds request to the board of supervisors has gone from $4.8 million to $6.1 million, according to figures presented this week.

The additional funding request has been a frequent point of debate over the years as supervisors often approve less than what the school board seeks, based on the entire county budget the supervisors must address.

District officials pointed out in January that supervisors last year provided the district less than half of the additional $4.5 million requested at the time.

The school board, on a 5-1 vote, approved the recent revised funding request. School board member Penny Franklin cast the sole vote against the request, while colleague Sue Kass was absent.

Franklin has often voted against the districts annual funding request as part of a greater stance scrutinizing the states funding of public education over the years.

The issue again puts the burden on localities to try to make that up, when were asking for less than what we really need, Franklin said Tuesday. Its a nice budget, but it does not address the needs that we have.

Franklin brought up the ongoing concerns over staffing and the districts effort in recent years to improve teacher pay. While the district has raised pay, other neighboring divisions have done the same, along with other measures, she said.

Im probably not going to support this budget because it is not what we need, Franklin said. Its what we can settle for to keep moving, and then we cant keep moving the way were moving because were going in a hole.

Among other goals, the districts proposed budget includes the provision of a 5% raise for all employees.

Whitaker told board members that state officials are mulling over some options to address the issue, but what it could mean for the district remains unclear.

Whitaker said only have enough information has been provided so far to lead school officials to believe theyll be down in funding.

Montgomery County officials, based on a formula theyve been given, anticipate state basic aid reductions of $511,208 and $1.2 million, respectively, for the current and next fiscal years.

So, so far they havent taken any responsibility for it or offered any consolation as far as resolving it? asked board member Marti Graham.

Whitaker said she did hear the VDOE taking responsibility and acknowledging their error during a call Monday.

But in terms of how to resolve it  no, Whitaker said. Until were told where that money is going to come from, we just dont know yet what theyre going to do. They are working, they are proposing solutions. We just dont know what that final decision will be.

Board member Dana Partin pointed to a recent social media communication from the VDOE.

They have said no cuts will be necessary, they just havent agreed on how to fill the hole yet, she said. But it does state, as promised under the House amendments package, no schools will see less funding due to the calculation error at the Department of Education. I just wanted to makes sure and let everybody know that it doesnt sound like theres going to be less money and that they are working on correcting that problem.
Little recent attention has been paid thus far to a big change in Western Virginias political landscape as a result of decennial redistricting. Specifically, a new maps in play for the upcoming 2023 Virginia Senate elections.

That has placed two incumbent local state senators  John Edwards, a Democrat from Roanoke, and David Suetterlein, a Republican from Roanoke County  into the same district beginning with the 2023 elections.

Virginia law requires state legislators to live in the districts they represent. And that creates the potential for a Roanoke Valley political clash in the fall that could have statewide consequences come January.

Suetterlein, 38, was first elected in 2015 and currently represents District 19, a Republican stronghold. On the current Senate map, it stretches from a section of Wythe County on the west to part of Bedford County on the east. It includes all of Salem, all of Floyd County, and parts of the counties of Roanoke, Carroll, Franklin and Montgomery.

Edwards, 79, was first elected in 1995, and has represented the current District 21 for roughly a decade. Staunchly Democratic, it encompasses all of Giles County and all of Roanoke, as well as parts of Roanoke and Montgomery counties.

As a result of redistricting, Edwards and Suetterlein now each live in new Senate District 4, the seat thats up for election in November. It comprises the cities of Roanoke and Salem, plus parts of Montgomery and Roanoke counties. Not only is it more compact than either of their current districts, it appears more competitive politically.

Looking into the near future, this suggests a few things.

First, no matter who wins the race for Senate District 4 in November, the Roanoke Valleys going to lose half of its current Senate complement beginning next January. Thats merely owing to the way the new lines have been drawn. The old map gave the valley two senators; now it allows for only one.

Second, although the new district is neither as deeply red nor as staunchly blue as either Senate District 19 or 21, Republicans appear to have an advantage in the new 4th.

Voters in the city of Roanoke (who vote majority Democratic), comprise 45% of the new districts electorate. Salem voters, who strongly lean Republican, make up 12%. Roughly 26% of the new districts vote will come from Republican-leaning Roanoke County areas such as Vinton, Clearbrook, Glenvar and Cave Spring.

Eastern Montgomery County is where things get interesting. Its voters make up 17% of Senate District 4s electorate, which includes Republican-leaning Christiansburg. But most of heavily Democratic Blacksburg has been cut out of the new Senate District 4. Those voters were a part of Edwards success running in District 21.

According to the nonprofit Virginia Public Access Project (which tracks elections, redistricting and money in politics), Donald Trump scored 50.1% of the votes in what is now Senate District 4, during the 2016 presidential election. Hillary Clinton took 43.7%.

In the same area, Republican Glenn Youngkin trounced Democrat Terry McAuliffe by more than 10 points in the 2021 race for governor.

But its not impossible for Democrats to win Senate District 4, or for Republicans to lose it. In 2018, incumbent U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat, won 51.5% of the districts votes over Republican Corey Stewart, who garnered 46.5%. (Statewide that year, Kaine trounced Stewart 57% to 41%.)

Third, the stakes are high, because the outcome in Senate District 4 could help hand Republicans effective control of the upper chamber.

The GOP already controls the governors office and the Virginia House of Delegates. But currently, Democrats control the state Senate 22-18. That allows Democrats the power to stymie GOP initiatives on abortion restrictions, gun rights, election law and other matters.

A two-seat flip in November could leave both parties with 20 senators. In that case, Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears, a Republican, would be the tie-breaking vote in the 2024 and 2025 legislative sessions. And that would pave the way for a lot of GOP-sponsored legislation thats dying in the Senate right now.

Suetterlein told me in a phone call Wednesday: Im planning to be a candidate again. But I dont think this is the time for announcements. Were in the middle of a General Assembly session.

A bigger question right now is whether Edwards will seek reelection. The filing deadline is April 6. He turns 80 on Oct. 6, roughly a month before the general election.

Both Edwards and Suetterlein have been raising money since 2020, though neither has a particularly fat campaign treasury.

As of Dec. 31, Edwards campaign account reported just under $172,000 cash on hand, while Suetterlein reported just under $155,000. Also in December, Edwards campaign reported spending $3,150 on printing and mailing holiday cards. A politician intending to retire might not bother with that.

In January, Edwards and Suetterlein engaged in a relatively rare clash on the Senate floor over a proposal to extend Daylight Saving Time year-round. Suetterlein favored the measure; Edwards was opposed. It failed.

But so far, Edwards has remained silent as to whether hell run for an eighth term. This week, he didnt return messages I left seeking an answer to the question.

This is a topic of conversation, this is still an unknown, said Beth Gunter, chair of the Roanoke County Democratic Committee. This is kind of the question of the hour.

Gunter also said no other Democrats have approached her expressing interest in Edwards seat. She lauded his years of amazing service.

Roanoke Democratic Chair Mark Lazar said: Im aware there has been some interest, but Im not at liberty to disclose names. No one has declared.

Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, would be one obvious Democratic contender for Senate District 4 should Edwards decide to retire. Rasoul said he hasnt made any decisions, though he had some loose conversation with Edwards last fall regarding the senators intentions.

Back then, Edwards said hes taking his time on making a decision, Rasoul said.

I havent come to any conclusions, Rasoul said Wednesday. I feel very comfortable in my current House seat.

Stay tuned.

Contact metro columnist Dan Casey at 981-3423 or dan.casey@roanoke.com. Follow him on Twitter:@dancaseysblog.
An almost 10-hour Virginia Senate lawmaking session on Tuesday ended well after sunset, and pushed the state legislature past the halfway point of its annual assembly in Richmond.

As of the Tuesday night crossover deadline, state senators sent more than 500 bills to the Virginia House of Delegates, which itself submitted almost 600 potential laws for the Senate to approve, according to session statistics.

For a second time this session, all those bills  still numbering more than 1,000  will be sifted through the chopping block of the legislative process to determine what becomes law.

Here are some Senate bills still afloat at the halfway point of session, as brought forth by seven senators who represent parts of the Roanoke and New River valleys:

Due to redrawn political districts, this is the last lawmaking session that Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, formerly of Bath County, is representing reaches north of the Roanoke Valley, including Covington, Lexington and Alleghany County.

He is chief patron of 21 bills that worked through the Senate this year. Of those, Senate Bill 1291 passed unanimously, and establishes harsher penalties for people who report false alarms to emergency services.

During floor proceedings this week, Deeds said the bill is an effort to discourage so-called swatting, wherein prank calls are made for the purpose of dispatching police officers to a target address.

Deeds SB 1289 would make it easier for retired school bus drivers to return to employment, particularly in school divisions experiencing critical bus driver shortages, such as Roanoke City Public Schools.

One other Deeds bill, SB 1293, would allow local governments to authorize bicyclists to treat stoplights as stop signs, and stop signs as yield signs. It passed the 40-member Senate on a 24-16 vote.

Sen. John Edwards, D-Roanoke, worked 16 bills through the Senate, several dealing with fees, fines and charges.

One of Edwards bills, SB 1011, passed unanimously, would eliminate the authority of health insurance providers to vary customer rates based on tobacco use. Surcharges under current law can cause health insurance to be up to 1.5 times more expensive for tobacco users, according to a bill summary.

The Senate also approved Edwards SB 1447, limiting utility providers authority to disconnect services during times of statewide emergency related to weather or public health, or on a Friday, weekend, state holiday, or day immediately preceding a state holiday.

Edwards has been successful so this year with a bill seeking to establish the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke as an official public state agency. His SB 1020, passed by the Senate, would also include more funding for the museum.

Last year, the same bill failed in a Senate committee. This year, a matching companion bill in the House carried by Del. Chris Head, R-Botetourt, was also left in committee, leaving some question about the what the fate will be of Edwards bill as it progresses through the Republican-majority House.

Republican senators, as part of an 18-member chamber minority, saw fewer bills approved. But those senators are now carrying their bills into the 52-Republican majority House of Delegates, which could result in friendlier outcomes.

Two of the six bills remaining from Sen Travis Hackworth, R-Tazewell, deal with coal. His SB 1121, passed unanimously, would make it state policy to encourage the capture and beneficial use of coal mine methane.

And Hackworths SB 1073 prohibits drones from dropping items or taking pictures at state prisons. During Senate proceedings, he said unmanned aircraft have been airdropping contraband to prisoners.

One of five bills left from Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, is SB 910, an effort to expand powers of threat assessment teams at colleges and universities. It comes after deadly on-campus shootings last year at colleges in Virginia.

The bill, which has no opposition and quickly passed a House subcommittee on Wednesday, would also require a statewide task force to establish best practices for university threat assessment.

Some of the 13 bills of Sen. Todd Pillion, R-Washington, deal with opioids.

His SB 1414 would establish a state opioid abatement and remediation fund, solely for the purposes of efforts to treat, prevent, or reduce opioid use disorder or the misuse of opioids or to otherwise abate or remediate the opioid epidemic, the bill summary said.

And Pillions SB 1415 seeks to expand distribution of naloxone, a medication used to reverse the effects, including overdose, of opioids. That bill would also remove training requirements to administer naloxone, and require state health authorities to report progress on a statewide naloxone distribution plan.

Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin County, is carrying SB 1124. The bill would require the State Board of Education to recommend standards for the maintenance and operations, renovation, and new construction of public elementary and secondary school buildings.

Crumbling public school buildings are an ongoing concern across Virginia, with billions of dollars identified in backlogged maintenance and construction needs, including in local schools of the Roanoke and New River valleys.

The House Committee on Education on Wednesday approved SB 1124 by a 20-1 vote.

Also related to education, Stanleys SB 806 seeks to create a competition team grant program for extracurricular activities relating to science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computing.

Sen. David Suetterlein, R-Roanoke County, has nine bills that advanced from the Senate to the House.

Also education-focused is SB 1430 from Suetterlein, which seeks to determine how to reduce barriers for students who are English language-learners, so they can more easily access work-based learning experiences.

On campaign finance, Suetterleins SB 1427 would require more timely filing of political action committees pre-election contribution reports. Passed unanimously by the Senate, its an effort to increase transparency from political groups who spend on campaign ads, especially in the month before an election.

Its important that we know whos funding these things, Suetterlein said. No one knows until after the election who it was.

Coming Friday: The bills that made it through the House of Delegates from the Roanoke and New River valleys delegation.
With just over two weeks left in this election-year session, the General Assembly has dispensed of hot-button issues from abortion to guns, as the Democratic-led Senate and the GOP-led House cancel each other out on many bills.

But much that remains to be done ahead of the scheduled Feb. 25 adjournment, on the state budget and other key issues, which range from tax policy to Dominion regulation to fixes for the states behavioral health system.

Here is a look at where 25 key issues stand.

Abortion

A Senate committee defeated bills to bar most abortions after certain junctures with exceptions for rape, incest and when the pregnant persons life is in jeopardy. These included bills that would have barred most abortions at conception, after 15 weeks and after 22 to 24 weeks. The GOP-led House did not take up its versions of some of the bills, saying they had no path toward passage. The Senate backed a proposed constitutional amendment on reproductive rights. It faces likely defeat in the House.

Appointments

Senate Democrats rejected Gov. Glenn Youngkins appointments of Suparna Dutta to the State Board of Education, Colin Greene as health commissioner and former prosecutor John Buck to the Parole Board. Their bid to remove Youngkin appointee Bert Ellis from the University of Virginia Board of Visitors failed on a 20-20 tie vote.

Behavioral health

The House and Senate have approved legislation aimed at easing pressure on the states overwhelmed mental hospitals by allowing people held under temporary detention orders to be released if they are no longer in a mental health crisis. Both bodies propose spending more money than the governors increase for crisis services, and both propose budget increases to boost Community Services Board efforts to recruit and retain staff.

Cannabis

Virginia has been in the process of setting up a legal market for recreational marijuana after legalizing it for medical use four years ago. When the Democrats led both chambers in 2020, lawmakers spoke of a establishing a legal market by 2024. Now, however, the legislatures intended pace is unclear. Unanswered questions include whether pharmaceutical companies should have a head start in the market ahead of small businesses or others looking to get into the industry, and whether people who are incarcerated for cannabis convictions should have resentencing opportunities. While some bills related to the matter have cleared the Senate, it is uncertain how they will fare in the House.

Casinos

Petersburg is hoping for a different outcome in the Senate for its bid to host a casino and block a rival gaming resort proposed in Richmond. The Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee narrowly defeated one bill to add Petersburg to the list of cities allowed to have casino gaming, but House Republicans approved a bill despite opposition from supporters of Richmonds bid for a second casino referendum. Neither chamber included language in its version of the state budget to address the issue, but anything can happen in budget negotiations.

China

After Youngkin raised security concerns in his State of the Commonwealth address about entities affiliated with Chinas Communist Party buying Virginia farmland, the Senate passed legislation to bar foreign adversaries from buying Virginia farmland. The House passed a bill that says state agencies cannot buy goods or services from any company owned in whole or part by a foreign adversary.

Youngkin has said his concerns about Chinese Communist Party influence were one reason why he pulled Virginia out of the competition to win a $3.5 billion battery plant that Ford is planning in partnership with Chinese company Contemporary Amperex Technology.

Crime

A number of proposed crime measures passed the House but were defeated in the Senate, meaning they are likely dead for the session. These include measures to make drug dealers liable for felony homicide charges in fatal overdoses; to allow manslaughter charges against someone who kills another persons fetus; and to repeal a law that bars law enforcement officers from pulling over a driver for certain reasons, such as defective equipment or tinted windows.

A House committee defeated a bill to repeal the Community Policing Act, which prohibits law-enforcement officers and State Police officers from engaging in bias-based profiling in the performance of their official duties. The House passed a bill to expand the list of prisoners who cannot ask the Parole Board for early release.

The House and Senate passed bills that add petit larceny to the list of offenses within the definition of racketeering activity, and measures that make catalytic converter theft a felony.

DEI

The House passed a bill requiring colleges to disclose how much money they spend on staffers working in diversity, equity and inclusion. The measure is part of a larger effort by Republicans to crack down on DEI spending in colleges. The Senate defeated a similar bill.

Dominion

The House and Senate passed radically different versions of bills that began with Dominion Energys latest idea about how the state should regulate its rates. The House and Senate say their measures would bring customer bills down, but the Senate version authorizes a higher profit rate to help the electric company secure financing for its $9 billion offshore wind project.

Elections

The House passed and the Senate defeated bills to reduce the 45-day period for in-person absentee voting.

Family Leave

The Senate backed legislation to set up a paid family leave program funded through a Virginia Employment Commission tax on employers and employees. The legislation faces an uphill battle in the House.

Guns

The divided governance in the House and Senate means the chambers offset each other on gun legislation. The House defeated a number of bills aimed at reducing gun violence through certain restrictions or bans. The House is likely to now defeat bills that cleared the Senate on storage requirements and bans on the future sales of assault-style firearms.

K-12 funding

A mistake by the Department of Education overstated basic aid for local school divisions by almost $202 million, but the House and Senate propose different ways of fixing it in their budgets. The Senate includes $58.1 million to make localities whole in their school budgets for the current fiscal year. The House includes just $4.9 million, but promises that additional sales tax revenues in Youngkins introduced budget will more than make up any shortfall in basic aid. Both budgets include money for an additional 2% raise for teachers, but the Senate plan goes further by proposing to eliminate a 14-year-old cap on state funding of support positions in local school systems.

Old City Hall

The national historic landmark  saved from demolition almost 50 years ago  has become a political battleground between the General Assembly and Youngkin administration, which is eying the renovated building for executive offices. The assembly is counting on moving its IT agency and Capitol Police force into the building under a previous budget agreement. The Senate included language in its budget to give the Joint Rules Committee control over occupancy of the building, under the administration of the House and Senate clerks.

Rights restoration

The Senate backed a proposed constitutional amendment to automatically restore felons rights once they serve their time. A House committee did not vote on a similar measure.

Same-sex marriage

The Senate passed a proposed constitutional amendment to remove language barring same-sex marriage from the state constitution, but it also faces likely defeat in the House, where a committee did not put the House version to a vote.

School choice

Republicans put forth four bills that championed school choice, but only one had steam behind it. That administration-backed bill would have allocated a portion of per-pupil state funding to a savings account for parents to spend on private school tuition or other specified education expenses. It advanced from the House Education Committee, but the Appropriations panel sent it back to the education panel and it failed to cross to the Senate.

School libraries

Bills that made it through the House would let parents bar their own children from access to books with graphic sexual content, while another measure would require the state to create model policies for how school divisions should regulate the selection and removal of books. These bills face scrutiny from some Democrats, who assert that the proposals target books with LGBT characters, and books written by people of color.

Site readiness

Making large sites ready for economic development projects is a priority for Youngkin and the legislature, but the House and Senate disagree on how to do it. The governors proposed budget would add $500 million for site readiness initiatives, including $450 million for a proposed new site acquisition fund. The House budget would split the money, with $200 million for state acquisition of sites and $250 million for the existing business-ready sites program. The Senate budget would provide $250 million for the existing business-ready sites program and none for site acquisition.

State workers

One area of agreement between the House and Senate is compensation for teachers and state employees. Both budgets include money for an additional 2% raise  on top of the 5% pay hike approved last year. The Senate proposes an additional $1,000 one-time bonus on Dec. 1, while the House proposes money to help state agencies hire and retain workers, especially in agencies with high job vacancy rates.

Tax cuts

This is the front line of the looming budget battle, which will intensify in the April veto session if Youngkin doesnt get the $1 billion package of tax cuts he has proposed. The House has approved all of the proposed tax cuts, while the Senate has rejected all of them.

The most contentious proposals would drop the corporate income tax from 6% top 5% and lower the top individual tax rate from 5.75% to 5.5%, which Democrats say would make the tax code less fair to lower and middle income taxpayers. The governor also wants to raise the standard deduction to double what it was when he took office, remove an age limit for veterans to exempt a portion of their military retirement income from state taxation and create a new tax credit for small businesses.

Threat assessments

Following the November shooting at the University of Virginia, both chambers passed bills directing college threat assessment teams to take specific actions once they discover a threatening person on campus. The Senate narrowly passed a measure that would ban guns on college campuses.

Transportation

Youngkin wants a $300 million project opportunity fund to pay for transportation improvements to support economic development projects, including an ongoing effort to lure the new FBI headquarters to the Springfield area of Fairfax County. The governors initial proposal irked legislators by proposing to eliminate requirements that the administration inform the assembly money committees of any grants he makes from the fund. The assembly has restored those reporting requirements and, in the Senate, rolled back the amount of money that would go into the fund. They are still trying to resolve how to involve assembly leaders in reviewing big grants  more than $35 million  before the governor makes them.

Virginia Literacy Act

Proposals to expand the Virginia Literacy Act passed unanimously through both chambers. The legislation would require reading intervention services to students in kindergarten through eighth grade who are struggling to read, extending provisions of the legislation passed last year that capped those supports at grade three.

Workforce development

The House and Senate approved legislation to fulfill a Youngkin priority of consolidating the states dozens of offices and programs that provide job training services and link job-seekers with firms seeking employees. The aim is better coordination, more streamlined access to services and a more efficient way of tracking the effectiveness of these services.
CALmatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California's state Capitol works and why it matters. Dan Walters has been a journalist for nearly 60 years, spending all but a few of those years working for California newspapers.
Seguin, TX (78155)

Today

Thunderstorms - a few could contain very heavy rain, especially overnight. Low around 65F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms - a few could contain very heavy rain, especially overnight. Low around 65F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis threatened to block schools from teaching an AP course on African American history, saying it violated state law and was historically inaccurate.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis threatened to block schools from teaching an AP course on African American history, saying it violated state law and was historically inaccurate.

My first day on the air as a talk radio host was Memorial Day, 2006. I opened the program criticizing the war in Iraq. It was going badly by then, but I had always opposed that intervention as a misadventure when we should have stayed focused on Afghanistan, where Osama bin Laden remained in hiding.

An uproar ensued. Listeners protested outside the radio station. A conservative group launched a national drive to have me fired. Residents circulated petitions at state fairs calling me unpatriotic, and disloyal to America, claiming I didnt support the troops. Im sure many of them brandished their cars with those Support the Troops magnets  made in China, by the way.

To the dismay of some, I did not get fired. Sadly, the radio station nixed my idea of bringing the protesters into the studio for an on-air discussion. But it was a lesson  one with which I was well familiar  in what happens when we shed light on discomfiting realities.

Time and time again, we find people convulsing over our nations uncomfortable truths, past or present, horrified at the thought of examining them, let alone acknowledging them, and fiercely determined to censor them.

Todays targets are familiar: race, diversity, inequality, oppression, inclusion, gender and gender identity, anything that offends the sensibilities of whomever in whatever quarter.

The latest bogeyman: the College Boards Advanced Placement history course on African American studies.

Based in New York, the nonprofit Board administers AP programs outlining concepts and skills students need for a college-level history course. High school students get college credits for taking such courses. The Board offers over three dozen courses in various disciplines  the arts, math, computer science, the sciences, world languages, U.S. and world history.

Story continues

Sixty high schools across the country began teaching a pilot version of the African American course last fall, which has since been the target of conservative lawmakers seeking to limit how teachers approach discussions on history and race.

Last month, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) threatened to block the course from being taught, saying it violated state law and was historically inaccurate. He gave no specifics. (Maybe he should take the course.)

He has also announced plans to defund diversity, equity and inclusion programs at every public college in the state.

DeSantis, an expected presidential candidate in 2024, has spent his governorship signing one absurd law after another to protect the feelings of fragile conservatives, including the Dont Say Gay law and the Stop WOKE Act.

If we want transparency from our government, and surely we do, we should also insist on transparency in our history.

Several outlets claimed the College Board caved to DeSantis demands. The Board vehementlydenied that, arguing it had completed its revisions last December, with time-stamped documentation to prove it.

Such opposition isnt new. In 2014, critics objected to the AP curriculum for U.S. History  not African American studies; American history.

Too negative, critics cried.

Larry S. Krieger, who had already written several commentaries attacking the guidelines, argued that the framework inculcates a consistently negative view of the nations past.

Before long, local lawmakers inmultiplestates had gotten into the act.

Oklahoma state Republican Dan Fisher introduced a bill criticizing the framework for emphasizing what is bad about America and that it doesnt teach American exceptionalism.

William Ligon, a Republican state senator in Georgia, said the framework painted free enterprise in a negative light and focused more on what divides us instead of what unites us.

Ligon, a 2020 election denier who pushed for a special session of the Georgia General Assembly to overturn the states presidential election results, was one of 16 state Republicans who signed on to an amicus brief for a Texas Supreme Court lawsuit that sought to nullify the results of four states in the 2020 election, including Georgia.

Hes also the subject of a grand jury investigation into whether former President Donald Trump and others illegally meddled in the states 2020 election.

So hell likely merit a historical footnote as one of this nations dividers.

Policymakers tried their hand, as well. Objecting to what they also thought was a negative portrayal of America, the school board in Jefferson County, Colorado, proposed a review of the AP History framework that would require teachers to promote citizenship, patriotism, essentials and benefits of the free enterprise system. Teachers were further told to avoid lessons that encourage or condone civil disorder, social strife or disregard of the law.

Like, what, the civil rights movement? The labor strikes of the late 19th century against horrid working conditions wrought by rapacious corporate robber barons of the Gilded Age?

In response, hundreds of students from at least five high schools recognized this for the act of intellectual vandalism it was and did a very American thing: They protested, staging mass walkouts. The district had to shut down four schools briefly because teachers called in sick in protest.

Students protest in Arvada, Colorado, on Sept. 23, 2014, against a proposal by the Jefferson County School Board to emphasize patriotism and downplay civil unrest in the teaching of U.S. history.

Students protest in Arvada, Colorado, on Sept. 23, 2014, against a proposal by the Jefferson County School Board to emphasize patriotism and downplay civil unrest in the teaching of U.S. history.

For what its worth, the school board comprised a newly elected conservative majority. Guess them folks would have a heck of a time with that Jan. 6 thingy.

That werent no danged civil disobedience, just a big cookout that got a little out of hand!

The board quickly aborted plans for the framework review, claiming it had been misunderstood.

Wrong. Students understood you all too well. You wanted to promote a happy history that would have left the students positive, patriotic and poorly informed. Can you imagine a criminal trial in which the jury only got half the truth and not the whole truth?

But then, what do you expect from a party and ideology with its own sordid history of engaging in falsehoods, conspiracy theories, and creating solutions for nonexistent problems?

It is simply a whitewashing of history (no pun intended). Only happy history will do. Discuss nothing offensive. How ironic that critics of wokeness who always mock people needing safe spaces have themselves gone all woke on certain subjects and are trying to create their own safe space by omitting whats offensive or banning it altogether.

Book burning in the digital age. Too hyperbolic? Perhaps, but its not exactly inaccurate. It is disturbingly Animal Farm-ish and assuredly hypocritical in a nation where the oft-quoted momily reminds us we learn from our mistakes.

If that momily is true, how can we learn from the error of our ways if we refuse to examine them, let alone acknowledge their existence?

As Florida U.S. District Judge Mark Walker wrote in declaring the states Stop WOKE Act unconstitutional, If Florida truly believes we live in a post-racial society, then let it make its case. But it cannot win the argument by muzzling its opponents.

In other words, more free speech, not less. I assume conservatives put the freedoms of the First Amendment at least on par with that of the Second.

If we want to protect speech in all its forms, good and bad, why would we not say the same thing about our history in all its forms, good and bad?

Governments exist today that hide truths from their people, nations like North Korea, China, Saudi Arabia and Iran.

We pride ourselves on being different from those nations. One reason is that were not afraid to air our dirty laundry. What makes us any different if we try to oppress the dark parts of our past?

If we want transparency from our government, and surely we do, we should also insist on transparency in our history.

Without question, Americas history is brimming with moments of monumental greatness. But that greatness coexists with abominable atrocities and indefensible violations of our founding principles. You cannot celebrate a nations splendor without acknowledging its shame. Censoring discussions on one side in favor of only the other is not a path to enlightenment.

Yet some of us seem unable to accept that our nation has had and continues to have growing pains and is not perfect. Some of us behave as if American history were some sort of sacred cow.

Its not. But we attack those who cite the ugly moments of our history as unpatriotic. Sorry, but if you cant face the music about the bad in Americas history as well as its good, you are the unpatriotic one. Such a mindset is not only unpatriotic and servile; it is also morally treasonable and ultimately perilous, a crime against knowledge and, ultimately, wisdom.

Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it, George Santayana wrote in his Life of Reason.

But he also wrote, The world is not respectable; it is mortal, tormented, confused, deluded forever; but it is shot through with beauty, with love, with glints of courage and laughter; and in these, the spirit blooms timidly, and struggles to the light amid the thorns.

And that is why history  all of our history  must be embraced. It is our great teacher. From it, we can learn who we were, what made us who we are, and guide our aspirations of who we can be. Unfortunately, some of us arent interested.

Related...
SIOUX CITY -- An Arkansas man was sentenced to 10 years for a meth conviction in federal court Feb. 2.

Leocadio Contreras-Sebastian, 38, of Warren, Arkansas, pled guilty on Aug. 24, 2022, to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of distributing methamphetamine.

At the plea and sentencing hearings, evidence showed that from January 2020 to April 2022, Contreras-Sebastian and others distributed at least 3.53 kilograms of pure methamphetamine in the Sioux City area. Contreras-Sebastian admitted he traveled from Arkansas to Sioux City for the purpose of delivering the methamphetamine to another co-conspirator.

United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand sentenced Contreras-Sebastian to 10 years in a federal prison and five years of supervised release.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Tri-State Drug Task Force in Sioux City.
SIOUX CITY  In 39 years as a prosecutor, Mark Campbell handled hundreds of cases, appeared before dozens of judges, served under six county attorneys and tried 123 jury trials to a verdict.

Retiring on Friday after spending nearly four decades in the Woodbury County Attorney's Office, Campbell said it's been a rewarding career -- and totally different from the one he thought he'd have after graduating from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1983.

With an undergraduate business degree to go with his law degree, Campbell was planning for a career in business or corporate law. But he graduated in the midst of a recession, and companies weren't hiring lawyers.

So when he saw an opening for an assistant county attorney in Cherokee County, Campbell, in need of a job, decided to give it a shot. It sounded interesting, though he'd never really considered criminal law. It didn't take long for him to change career plans.

Mark Campbell retirement First Assistant Woodbury County Attorney Mark Campbell sits at the prosecutor's table in a Woodbury County courtroom. He'll retire Friday afte

"It turned out I really enjoyed criminal prosecution," Campbell said. "It was a lot more fulfilling than I ever could have imagined."

Nine months later in March 1984, Campbell moved to Sioux City after then-Woodbury County Attorney Pat McCormick hired him to fill a newly created position prosecuting drunken-driving cases. Those thoughts of being a corporate lawyer quickly were gone for good, Campbell said, as he found practicing criminal law satisfying.

"You really felt like you were contributing something of value and doing something of significance with your life. I realized there are not many positions in law that allow you to do that," he said. "Every once in a while you get a case where you really felt like you made a difference."

Scoring a conviction to send a dangerous person to prison, trying a case when no victim was available to testify, scouring textbooks written by the defense's expert witnesses -- those types of cases pushed Campbell through times when it could have been easy to get bogged down with the dozens of routine cases on his desk.

"There are times when the grind gets to me," he said. "This job's got great lows and great highs. I'm not going to miss the great lows. That's one of the things that made me reluctant to retire is the highs can be really good."

Mark Campbell retirement First Assistant Woodbury County Attorney Mark Campbell was hired as an assistant Woodbury County attorney in March 1984 and spent the past 35 

Ultimately, Campbell said, he decided a job that could require long hours and weekends in the office researching legal issues and preparing for trials was no longer worth all that time. After spending a recent holiday weekend in the office just to keep up with routine work, he decided it was time to step away.

"I got home and decided it's taking up too much of my life," Campbell said. "At some point I've got to call it quits."

Then-county attorney Tom Mullin appointed Campbell first deputy -- the highest-ranking assistant in the office -- in November 1988, a title Campbell held for more than 34 years, even after losing to Patrick Jennings in the 2006 election to replace Mullin.

Mark Campbell retirement First Assistant Woodbury County Attorney Mark Campbell talks about his 39-year career as a prosecutor, nearly all of it spent in Sioux City. R

Born in Carroll, Iowa, and raised in Clarinda, Iowa, Campbell said he never had a reason to move from Woodbury County. He did apply once to be a district associate judge. After being passed over, he realized he was glad he wasn't chosen.

"This job gives me more control over what I do," he said.

Campbell was a constant in the county attorney's office for nearly four decades, adapting to ever-changing technology such as DNA testing, police body cameras, widespread surveillance cameras and cell phones -- all of which can provide solid evidence to support a prosecutor's case.

It's all aided his job, but Campbell said that at age 65, he's realized he hasn't been able to spend as much time seeing family and friends as he'd like. He'll move to Des Moines after retiring so he can be closer to them.

"I think it's time to spend more time with family," he said.

It's a decision he'll likely enjoy more than any handed down by a judge during his long career.
Episode 76: Host Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss why rural voters have become more more Republican over the past 25 years and whether there's anything Democrats can do to reverse that trend.

Links to stories discussed during the podcast:

Can anything be done to assuage rural rage? by Paul Krugman, The New York Times

The politics of resentment: Rural consciousness in Wisconsin and the rise of Scott Walker, by Katherine J. Kramer

A boring and obvious way to get more rural votes, by Matt Yglesias, Slow Boring

About the hosts: Scott Rada is social media manager with Lee Enterprises, and Richard Kyte is the director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wis.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
WASHINGTON  The Chinese balloon shot down by the U.S. was equipped to detect and collect intelligence signals as part of a huge, military-linked aerial surveillance program that targeted more than 40 countries, the Biden administration declared Thursday, citing imagery from American U-2 spy planes.

A fleet of balloons operates under the direction of the People's Liberation Army and is used specifically for spying, outfitted with high-tech equipment designed to gather sensitive information from targets across the globe, the U.S. said. Similar balloons have sailed over five continents, the administration said.

A statement from a senior State Department official offered the most detail to date linking China's military to the balloon that was shot down by the U.S. last weekend over the Atlantic Ocean. The public details outlining the program's scope and capabilities were meant to refute China's persistent denials that the balloon was used for spying, including a claim Thursday that U.S. accusations about the balloon amount to "information warfare."

On Capitol Hill, the House voted unanimously to condemn China for a "brazen violation" of U.S. sovereignty and efforts to "deceive the international community through false claims about its intelligence collection campaigns." Republicans criticized President Joe Biden for not acting sooner to down the balloon, but both parties' lawmakers came together on the vote, 419-0.

In Beijing, before the U.S. offered its new information, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning repeated her nation's insistence that the large unmanned balloon was a civilian meteorological airship that blew off course and the U.S. had "overreacted" by shooting it down.

"It is irresponsible," Mao said. The latest accusations, she said, "may be part of the U.S. side's information warfare against China."

Underscoring the tensions, China's defense minister refused to take a phone call from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to discuss the balloon issue on Saturday, the Pentagon said. Secretary of State Antony Blinken canceled a planned weekend trip to Beijing.

The U.S. flatly contradicted China's version of events, saying imagery of the balloon collected by American U-2 spy planes as it crossed the country showed it was "capable of conducting signals intelligence collection" with multiple antennas and other equipment designed to upload sensitive information and solar panels to power them.

Jedidiah Royal, the U.S. assistant defense secretary for the Indo-Pacific, told a Senate Appropriations subcommittee that the military has "some very good guesses" about what intelligence China was seeking. More information was expected to be provided in a classified setting.

Senior FBI officials who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity said a few pieces of the balloon arrived at the FBI's Quantico, Virginia, lab for investigation.

According to two U.S. officials, the balloon recovery efforts were temporarily suspended Thursday due to high seas. They said some balloon debris was intact on the ocean floor and divers recovered potentially high-value equipment over the past day and a half.

The State Department official, providing details to reporters by email on condition of anonymity, said an analysis of the balloon debris was "inconsistent" with China's explanation that it was a weather balloon. The U.S. is reaching out to other countries that also were targeted, the official said, to discuss the scope of the Chinese surveillance program.

The official said the U.S. has confidence that the manufacturer of the balloon shot down on Saturday has "a direct relationship with China's military and is an approved vendor of the" army. The official cited information from an official PLA procurement portal.

State Department spokesman Ned Price would not identify the other countries the U.S. says also were targeted. Nor would he reveal how the U.S. knows there have been Chinese incursions over those countries' territory, saying to do so could compromise intelligence sources and methods.

The release of new information appeared part of a coordinated administration response, with multiple officials appearing before congressional committees to face questions about the balloon.

Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said officials had taken "all necessary steps to protect sensitive information" and had been able to study and scrutinize the balloon and its equipment.

At a separate Senate subcommittee hearing, lawmakers repeatedly pressed administration officials, including Pentagon military leaders, about why the balloon was not shot down over sparsely populated areas of Alaska. And they questioned whether allowing the balloon to transit such a large area set a precedent for future spying efforts by China and others.

"It defies belief that there was not a single opportunity to safely shoot this spy balloon prior to the coast of South Carolina," said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. "By the administration's logic we would allow the Chinese to fly surveillance balloons over the Pentagon or other sensitive sites and populated areas."
An 1835 treaty between the Cherokee Nation and United States that led to the death of thousands on the Trail of Tears included a provision that would allow the Cherokee to seat a delegate in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Nearly 200 years later, the Cherokee have renewed calls for Congress to honor the treaty and seat its delegate.

But what would that mean for the Cherokee Nation as well as other tribes not covered by that treaty? What issues would a delegate focus on as a non-voting member of Congress?

Dr. Julie Reed, an Associate Professor in History at Penn State University and a citizen of of the Cherokee Nation, recently wrote an article for The Conversation called:

That article serves as an entry point for a discussion on the topic between Reed and Terry Lipshetz, senior producer for Lee Enterprises and host of Hot off the Wire.

Other recent episodes
After Nebraska saw a sharp increase in HIV cases in 2021, including a jump in rural cases and in the percentage linked to injection drug use, health officials began looking for new tools to tackle the problem.

That led to the introduction of a bill (LB307), which would allow local jurisdictions to authorize pharmacies and public or behavioral health programs to set up syringe services programs to prevent the spread of infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis C.

Lacie Bolte, lead support services manager for the Nebraska AIDS Project, said she doesn't want to see Nebraska become home to another outbreak like the one that put Scott County, Indiana, in the national spotlight in 2015.

That year, intravenous drug use and sharing of needles led to an outbreak of HIV. Eventually, 235 people in the rural county were infected with HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, which attacks the body's immune system. If not treated, it can lead to AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

"That's what I'm worried about, is suddenly we have all these infections and we don't have tools to combat them as quickly as we need them," Bolte said.

Nebraska has averaged about 80 new cases of HIV a year over the past 10 years, she said. In 2021, the state recorded 104 cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an increase of 26%. While some of that increase occurred in metropolitan areas, Buffalo and Hall counties went from one or two cases a year to five in Buffalo County that year and eight in Hall County.

In addition, 24% of total cases in 2021 were linked to injection drug use as compared to 8% in 2018, Bolte said.

While 51% of those diagnosed that year identified themselves as white, a disproportionate number compared to the state's population were people of color: 21% were Black and 19% Hispanic.

LB307 essentially would exempt the staff and participants in public or behavioral health programs from a law that makes it illegal to provide others with drug paraphernalia, as long as their efforts are part of locally authorized programs to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Pharmacies also would be exempt.

A hearing on the bill, introduced by State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha, will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

Edward Krumpotich, Upper Midwest policy lead for the National Harm Reduction Coalition, said syringe services programs currently exist in 38 states. Many were originally developed in the 1990s to battle HIV and other infectious diseases.

Syringe services programs, he said, used to be known as needle exchanges. But most such programs these days are offered with a host of other services, including testing and connections to both medical and substance abuse treatment.

The programs work, he said. According to CDC, the programs are associated with an estimated 50% reduction in HIV and hepatitis C incidence.

In Indiana, NPR reported, health officials credited a syringe services program that then-Gov. Mike Pence approved in the rural county as an emergency measure with a dramatic drop-off in cases.

Krumpotich said his organization saw Nebraska's numbers and recognized a need for such a program here. He contacted a number of organizations, including the Nebraska AIDS Project. Many of them were already having similar conversations.

The Nebraska measure, he said, is intended to leave the decision to authorize such programs to local officials, recognizing that Nebraskans do not like statewide mandates.

Said Bolte, "We want to empower local communities."

Photos: 2023 Nebraska legislative session 010523-owh-new-lege-em01.jpg 010523-owh-new-lege-em02.jpg 010523-owh-new-lege-em04.jpg 010523-owh-new-lege-em05.jpg 010523-owh-new-lege-em06.jpg 010523-owh-new-lege-em65 010523-owh-new-lege-em37 010523-owh-new-lege-em38 010523-owh-new-lege-em49 010523-owh-new-lege-em60 010523-owh-new-lege-em45 010523-owh-new-lege-em39 010523-owh-new-lege-em48 010523-owh-new-lege-em55 010523-owh-new-lege-em59 010523-owh-new-lege-em43 010523-owh-new-lege-em42 010523-owh-new-lege-em50 010523-owh-new-lege-em53 Sen. Beau Ballard 010523-owh-new-lege-em40 010523-owh-new-lege-em47 010523-owh-new-lege-em51 010523-owh-new-lege-em61 010523-owh-new-lege-em64 010523-owh-new-lege-em52 010523-owh-new-lege-em56 010523-owh-new-lege-em62 010523-owh-new-lege-em63 010523-owh-new-lege-em58 010523-owh-new-lege-em44 010523-owh-new-lege-em41 010523-owh-new-lege-em54 010523-owh-new-lege-em36 010523-owh-new-lege-em31 010523-owh-new-lege-em30 010523-owh-new-lege-em32 010523-owh-new-lege-em33 010523-owh-new-lege-em35 010523-owh-new-lege-em34 010523-owh-new-lege-em24 010523-owh-new-lege-em27 010523-owh-new-lege-em26 010523-owh-new-lege-em28 010523-owh-new-lege-em25 010523-owh-new-lege-em29 010523-owh-new-lege-em23 010523-owh-new-lege-em18 010523-owh-new-lege-em21 010523-owh-new-lege-em15 010523-owh-new-lege-em17 010523-owh-new-lege-em22 010523-owh-new-lege-em19 010523-owh-new-lege-em16 010523-owh-new-lege-em20 010523-owh-new-lege-em12 010523-owh-new-lege-em09 010523-owh-new-lege-em14 010523-owh-new-lege-em13 010523-owh-new-lege-em07 010523-owh-new-lege-em11 010523-owh-new-lege-em08 010523-owh-new-lege-em03 010523-owh-new-lege-em10 010523-owh-new-lege-em03.jpg
This article is from Full Stack Economics, a newsletter about the economy, technology, and public policy.

Last August, a federal appeals court upheld regulations requiring many child care workers in Washington, D.C., to obtain two-year associate degrees by the end of 2023. Advocates say teachers are more effective in the classroomeven a classroom of toddlersif they have a college degree. They hope the new rules, which have been in the works since 2016, will improve child care for all children in the city.

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As a D.C. resident and parent of three young children, these rules have never made sense to me. D.C.s main child care challenges are high costs and limited supply, not low quality. Requiring teachers to get college degrees will only make these problems worse. Higher costs could even force some parents to take their kids out of formal child care centers in favor of home-based or unlicensed options that are likely to be of lower quality.

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So why are D.C. officials pushing it? I recently listened to the 2020 book Head, Hand, Heart, and it gave me a new way to think about the debate.* The author, British journalist David Goodhart, argues that Western democraciesespecially the U.S. and the U.K.have developed an unhealthy fixation on college as the sole yardstick for worker quality.

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College students develop cognitive skills that will serve them well in white-collar professions like finance, engineering, or marketing. But Goodhart also identifies two broad job categories where cognitive skills are less important.

One is hands-on professions like electricians, plumbers, welders, or workers on an assembly line. For the most part, you dont need to go to college to do these jobs well. For example, in most states you can get a plumbers license after a few years working under a master plumber. The rules are similar for electricians.

I suspect that a system like this would be a better way to improve the skills of child care workers (who fall into Goodharts third category of care workers) than forcing all of them to get a college degree. Allowing child care workers to upgrade their skills on the job would certainly impose less of a financial burden.

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But the drive for child care workers to be college-educated isnt just about upgrading their practical skills. Its also about raising their prestige. Americans consider it to be almost axiomatic that jobs that require a college degree are more professional than those that dont. So if someone says that a profession doesnt require a college degree, thats almost taken as an insult. But it shouldnt be.

Weak Evidence for College-Educated Child Care Workers

Advocates say theres ample evidence that young children benefit when their care providers have college degrees. Ive spent the last couple of weeks reading some of this research, and I came away unimpressed. There is a body of scientific research suggesting that college-educated teachers are more effective in the classroom. But these findings come with some important caveats.

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First, most of the research has focused on classrooms at the preschool level or above. I found very few studies looking specifically at child care facilities for children under the age of 3.

Second, the arguments for teachers to get formal education change as you move from older to younger students.

Its easy to see why youd want, say, a high school physics teacher to have a college degree in physics. You need an in-depth understanding of physics to teach it well. But this kind of rationale gets less compelling at lower grade levels. Most adultseven those without a college degreeunderstand math and reading well enough to teach them to a kindergartener. And they definitely understand colors and animal noises well enough to teach those to a toddler.

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So at the preschool level, research on teacher quality tends to focus not on subject-area mastery but on classroom style. For example, a 2003 literature review found that preschool teachers with a bachelors degree in early childhood education were less authoritarian, and were rated higher in positive interaction and lower on punitiveness and detachment.

I personally like the idea of child care workers being more engaged and less punitive. But its not clear how much this ultimately matters. Indeed, its not clear that any aspect of preschool quality has lasting impacts on a students academic performance. Back in 2018, Voxs Kelsey Piper dug into the research and found something surprising:

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Pipers hypothesis is that most of the benefits of preschool come not from its curriculum but from its function as child care. Reliable child care makes it easier for the childs parents to work full time and advance in their careers. The resulting economic stability provides big benefits later in a childs life.

While I havent found any research exploring this question, this seems likely to be even more true for children ages 3 and under. It may not matter very much what happens in the classroom as long as parents know their kids will be safe, happy, and have their basic needs met.

And importantly, the youngest children are the most labor-intensive to care for. The federal government recommends that preschools have 10 or fewer children per teacher. For 2-year-olds, the recommended maximum is six children per adult, while for babies under a year old its just four.

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If youve ever spent time with small children, this makes perfect sense. Older children are more capable of sitting still, following directions, and doing independent work. Babies and toddlers need constant supervision and attention.

One consequence is that raising the standards for teacher quality is much more expensive at the lowest age levels. Suppose it costs an extra $15,000 to hire a college-educated teacher. In a 15-student kindergarten class, that works out to $1,000 per child. In an infant classroom with four babies per adult, its $3,750 per child.

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So at the kindergarten level and above, its probably worth paying extra for college-educated teachers even if the per-child benefit is fairly small. For babies and toddlers, on the other hand, the benefits would need to be substantial to justify the cost.

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Yet I suspect that, if anything, the average toddler gets less value out of having a college-educated teacher than a kindergartener would. On the other hand, attention-hungry toddlers seem likely to benefit more from a low studentteacher ratio. So hiring a larger number of less educated, lower-paid teachers seems like the right approach.

Not Every Job Needs a College Degree

But lets say Im wrong and the caregiving style of day care workers really does matter. It still seems pretty unlikely that two years of college coursework is an efficient way to impart the necessary skills. A child care worker doesnt need an in-depth understanding of why punitiveness and detachment are harmfulthey just need hands-on instruction on how to be less punitive and detached.

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This is especially true when you consider the demographics of child care workers in D.C.: They are overwhelmingly foreign-born and many have limited English skills. Even if they can find the time and financial resources to pursue a college degree (and to be fair, D.C. is offering some scholarships), they may not have the necessary language skills or other academic prerequisites.

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But the goal of many advocates isnt just to improve the skills of child care workers, its also to improve their social status. This is made explicit in one of the reports most commonly cited by advocates of D.C.s approach, a 2015 report called Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8: A Unifying Foundation.

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In Chapter 9, the authors draw a connection between educational requirements and prestige, complaining that society has tended to perceive working with younger children as less demanding and prestigious work, a perception that runs counter to the science of child development and early learning.

Taken literally, this is a non sequitur. Whether a profession is or should be prestigious isnt a scientific question. I think that what they really mean is that the science shows that the quality of early childhood education is important. And because its important, they reason, child care work should be prestigious and well-compensated. And the way to do that is to require child care workers to have a college degree.

But if the goal is to raise the compensation of child care workers, it would be better to just do that. Indeed, D.C. recently set up a system to subsidize the pay of child care workers. This should improve their lives without raising the cost to parents and without shoving anyone out of a job.

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At the same time, its worth pushing back on the seemingly relentless drive to raise educational requirements for a range of occupations. Not everyone has the opportunity or aptitude to go to college, and the skills students develop in college arent needed to do most jobs across the economy.

When employers mindlessly demand a college degree based on a vague idea that college-educated workers are higher quality or more professional, it limits the opportunities of non-college-educated workersa majority of the populationfor no good reason.

Last month, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro announced an initiative to relax college degree requirements for a range of government jobs. My view is that if youre qualified for the job, that you should get the job here in Pennsylvania, Shapiro said. This is a worthwhile reform that will allow for more upward mobility in the state. I hope D.C. policymakers are paying attention.
During his State of the Union address on Tuesday, President Joe Biden criticized Republicans for proposing to sunset Medicare and Social Security every five years. In response, many Republican lawmakers booed the president, prompting him to quip, So, folks, as we all apparently agree: Social Security and Medicare is off the books now.

Perhaps these Republicans really do disagree with a plan put forth by a member of their leadership mandating periodic expiration of popular entitlement spending. But at least some of their judges are all for itand want to transform the idea into constitution law. Recently, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals crafted a theory that would empower courts to strike down mandatory spending on federal programs, compelling Congress to either reappropriate the money or let the programs die. This radical and antidemocratic reading of the Constitution would threaten Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, the Affordable Care Act, unemployment benefits, child nutrition assistance, and so much more. Democrats and Republicans would be foolish to ignore the rebellion against federal spending thats brewing in the 5th Circuit.

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The conservative assault on entitlement programs arose during litigation against a frequent target of GOP ire: the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a watchdog agency created in 2010 that protects Americans against exploitative fraud and deceit in home mortgages, credit cards, consumer loans, and retail banking. For years now, right-wing litigators have argued that the CFPB is unconstitutional because it is funded independently: The agency draws its budget from the Federal Reserve, which in turn draws its budget from interest on securities. Because Congress does not directly appropriate money to the CFPB every year, lawyers claimed, its funding violates the Constitutions appropriations clause.

At least seven different federal courts dismissed this theory until it landed in the 5th Circuit, the nations Trumpiest appeals court. In May 2022, Judge Edith Jonesa Ronald Reagan appointee and hard-right bomb-throwerwrote a 39-page concurrence asserting that the CFPB is funded unconstitutionally. Four other judges joined her. Then, in October, a three-judge panel formally declared that the CFPBs independent budget mechanism renders the entire agency unconstitutional. Judge Cory Wilson, writing for the panel, revoked the CFPBs ability to issue or enforce any regulations. (All three members of the panel were appointed by Donald Trump.) Thus, under the current law of the 5th Circuit, the CFPB effectively does not exist.

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You might wonder: What does this skirmish over a small financial agency have to do with hundreds of billions of dollars in annual entitlement spending? The answer: everything. In her concurrence, Jones took pains to clarify that her reasoning was not limited to the CFPB. Jones announced that all appropriations to the executive must be temporally bound. If Congress does not put a time limit on funding, it gives the executive branch too much discretion over spending. Under the Constitution, she claimed, the executive must come cap in hand to the legislature at regular intervals to ensure that it remains dependent and accountable. Judge Wilson approvingly cited this idea in his own opinion formally invalidating the CFPB, highlighting the egregious nature of the agencys perpetual funding feature.

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All told, seven judges on the 5th Circuit have now endorsed the notion that courts must strike down appropriations that allow perpetual funding of government agencies or programs. If their view becomes the law of the land, it will empower courts to abolish trillions of dollars in entitlement spending. Why? Because today two-thirds of annual federal spending is mandatoryincluding some of our nations most beloved social safety net programs. All of this spending amounted to $5.2 trillion in fiscal year 2021 that would suddenly be at risk of elimination by judicial fiat.

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Does this principle derive from the Constitution? Of course not. The appropriations clause at question simply states that all money drawn from the treasury must be in consequence of appropriations made by law. There is no textual requirement that Congress reauthorize appropriations periodically. In fact, Article 1 of the Constitution suggests the exact opposite: It bars Congress from appropriating money to the Army for a longer term than two years, implying that other kinds of long-term appropriations are permissible. If they werent, then why would Army appropriations need an explicit time limit?

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Moreover, in their respective opinions, Judges Jones and Wilson complained that mandatory appropriations violate the separation of powers by giving the executive branch too much control over the purse strings. But as Republican Sen. Rick Scott demonstrated in proposing that all federal legislation sunset after five yearsthe subject of Bidens critique on TuesdayCongress can revoke mandatory spending anytime it wants. It is perfectly capable of reducing or even zeroing out funds whenever it chooses. The far greater infringement on separation of powers would occur if unelected judges rescinded Congress ability to decide which programs deserve automatic funding.

Rather than grapple with constitutional text, Jones and Wilson used their opinions to toss out platitudes and policy concerns. Jones began her concurrence by complaining, This nation careens past $30 trillion in national debt, risking bankruptcy during our or our childrens lifetimes. Wilson began his opinion by quoting Thomas Jeffersons fears about elective despotism, which are relevant only if you think current government spending is despotic. When a judicial opinion opens with a partisan swipe instead of a precedent or constitutional provision, you can bet its not actually rooted in the law.

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Indeed, the Supreme Court has never supported anything approaching the 5th Circuits current assault on long-term appropriations. Thats why Jones and Wilsons opinions are so long on budget-hawk rhetoric and short on anything approaching law. The Justice Department is currently appealing the anti-CFPB ruling to SCOTUS, and there is an excellent chance the justices will take it up: It just isnt tenable for a federal agency to have no power in the entire 5th Circuit, which covers Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Even the banking industry, which loathes the CFPB, is worried that the agencys destruction would wreak regulatory havoc. And its difficult to imagine that five justices would take the leap toward implementing a Rick Scottstyle doctrine that lets the judiciary sunset trillions of dollars in mandatory spending, stripping millions of Americans of federal assistance.

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Then again, it is currently impossible to predict how far this Supreme Court is willing to go. The conservative majority has repeatedly courted chaos, tossing out precedent higgledy-piggledy and leaving the country in a constant state of suspense over what the law is. The fact that we have to take this threat seriously is, in itself, a big part of the problem. Elected Republicans may have backed away from slashing Social Security and Medicare, likely because it would be incredibly unpopular. But the firebrands they put on the bench are entirely unaccountable to the voters. And their campaign to write Scotts ideas into the Constitution cannot be stopped by any election.
Two weeks ago, Google parent company Alphabet laid off 12,000 employees. On a call with investors last Thursday, CEO Sundar Pichai breezed past the unprecedented cuts, briefly thanking the Googlers leaving us before moving on to business as usual, like the companys plan to compete with TikTok.

Im excited for whats next, Pichai said. Outside a Google Store in Manhattan on the same day, 50 or so Googlers were less excited than incensed. OK Google, wheres our team? Fired by a Sundar scheme, they chanted. OK Google, who is next? We should fire the execs! The demonstration was one of three coordinated last week by the Alphabet Workers Union-CWA.

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The AWU-CWA, which counts a tiny fraction of Alphabets giant workforce as members, does not have the power to negotiate with Alphabet. When it formed in 2021, it was something of a curiothe rare union in Big Tech, and one far too tiny to demand recognition from Google management.

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The union has served as a venue for some Google workers to critique corporate policies and business activities they feel run afoul the companys ethos (or just basic decency). Its membership also includes Google subcontractors, like YouTube Music Content Operations workers who went on strike on Friday to protest return-to-office plans that they say constitute an unfair labor practice.

Thursdays gathering in New York was symbolic, a chance to make some noise for laid-off Googlers. It was also a good time to ask: Now that Google has shown itself to be a corporation as impersonal as any other, does labor activism within it have a real shot?

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Standing on the sidewalk outside displays of sleek Pixel phones, Googlers took turns reading testimonials from laid-off workers into a megaphone. Alberta Devor, a software engineer and AWU-CWA member, led chants. The vibe is incredibly gloomy, she told me after.

Even Googlers who remained at the company, Devor said, felt betrayed by the way the layoffs were executed: a swift lockout from company systems with no time for personal closure. Fearing more cuts, she said, My co-workers feel more like this is just a job. This is not something that they need to be giving 110 percent for. (Google did not respond to questions for this article.)

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As the event wrapped up, Googlers huddled in clumps, chatting in the cold. Kate, a software engineer, told me she joined AWU-CWA to support the companys contract workersbut Januarys layoffs changed the stakes. I dont want to be laid off! she said. Ive got a very cushy setup. While it was not her main goal, Kate told me later, she hoped that a stronger union might give Googlers more say in how future layoffs play out.

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Ted, a software engineer at Google, was talking with an AWU-CWA member about why he had never bothered to join. I get that the only way things tend to change is through collective action, he said. But I just had trouble understanding what I would contribute.

Now he was reconsidering. Google seems to like to think of itself as a slime mold, Ted told me, using a metaphor for the benefits and challenges of emergent decision-making that came from a former Googler. The layoffs, he said, exposed a more hierarchical reality.

As Google has evolved away from its imagined origins as an intuitive, anarchist goo, some Googlers seem more willing to see their leaders as, well, slimeballs. Since 2018, a vocal minority of Googlers has pushed back internally on military contracts, sexual harassment incidents, and equity issues. When the AWU-CWA launched in January 2021, it followed years of internal unrest.

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Google, once the tech company that swore to the saying dont be evil, has long attracted the utopians of the tech world. A number of Googlers I spoke with framed Januarys job cutswhich took place via emailas a wake-up call for Googlers who still idealize their employer. Im actually surprised by how much anger Ive seen, Ted said.

In that sense, another union member told me, the vibes were actually pretty good. We feel fired up and energized by Googles mistake, said Hai, a site reliability engineer. Since the layoffs, more Googlers have been reaching out to AWU-CWA for information. Prior, Hai said, we had to cold-call. (Most of the prospective and current AWU-CWA members I interviewed requested that I not publish their last names because they feared retaliation from Google.)

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After Januarys cuts, an AWU-CWA spokesperson told me, the union hosted goodbye-card write-a-thons. It also created a Discord channel for laid-off workers that now boasts 18,000 members. Union membership is up in the past few weeks, from 1,200 to 1,300. At Thursdays event, new member sign-up clipboards were full of names.

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But an even larger union, Devor told Thursdays crowd, could do much more. It could, for example, push Alphabet to offer voluntary buyouts before making other cuts, or to offer laid-off workers priority when new jobs open up, she said. White-collar workers often feel that they dont need union protections. Januarys layoffs demonstrated to the well-compensated, perk-enjoying ones at Google why they might.

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AWU-CWA is small in numbers, but big in a different way: It takes a big-tent view of who counts as a Googler. The union is open not just to software engineers, but also to the companys thousands of subcontractors and temporary workers. While Januarys layoffs generated outrage, they at least came with severance packages. Many subcontractors and temporary workers simply dont have their contracts renewed.

On Wednesday, five content ratersthe people who inform and clean up after Googles algorithms for search content and related adsflew in to the companys Mountain View, California, headquarters to deliver a petition signed by 600 raters demanding more parity with employees around wages and benefits. Around 50 union members and other Googlers attended the event, which began in a park and made its way to a company vice presidents office.

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I spoke with Toni, who traveled from Oklahoma and works for a content-rating vendor called Telus International. (She requested I not publish her last name because of a personal safety concern unrelated to her work with Google.) Toni is one of an estimated 5,000 U.S.-based raters improving Google Search, according to the AWU-CWA. Raters like Toni make sure content is accurate (Nobody wants a picture of a horse when youre looking for Nikes, Toni said); they also weed out particularly scammy results.

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For any contractors with Google systems or badge access, Toni told me, Googles nationwide minimum wage is $15 an hour*. Contractors can earn less. Raters at a Google content-rating partner called RaterLabs worked with AWU-CWA earlier this year to win a raise to $14.50 an hour. Its a slap in the face, Toni said of the pay.

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Raters hired by third parties also dont have company-sponsored health care or mental health benefitseven though many review less-than-savory content. Toni, who works at home with her kids, works for a vendor that gave her the option to opt out of the worst of it. Every once in a while, though, something slips through, and Google sends a supportive email. For raters who review graphic and violent content regularly, Toni said, I feel they should have access to an actual therapist.

For Toni, this job is a side hustle. But when her husband joined an electrical workers union, she told me, We were able to buy a nice house instead of living in crappy, run-down trailer parks. Joining AWU-CWA meant being able to fight for that, so other people can have that as well.

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AWU-CWAs employees-and-contractors approach sets it apart from many other tech organizing efforts, which have tended to be more siloed. The Amazon Labor Union represents warehouse workers but not engineers; the New York Times Tech Guild represents staff but not freelancers. The AWU-CWA, which is affiliated with Communications Workers of America, is betting that organizing across these lines can strengthen its hand.

On Friday, when 40 YouTube Music subcontractors announced a strike at Googles Austin campus, it was AWU-CWAs first strike. Workers were protesting return-to-office plans that would force many to relocatewhich, at $19 an hour, they were not prepared to do.

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In October, these workers decided they wanted to vote to unionize as a bargaining unit with both Cognizant, the Alphabet contractor that cuts their checks, and with Alphabet itself. To do that, though, they first needed to file a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to name Alphabet as a joint employer.

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As knowledge work becomes more precarious and as the number of independent contractors grows, this fight is one of many fronts in an ongoing battle over who counts as an employee. Californias 2019 AB5 law, for example, created a stricter definition for independent contractors; an Uber-backed ballot initiative that passed later loosened the rules.

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Similarly, said Puja Datta, an AWU-CWA organizer in New York, Under Trumps NLRB, they made it more difficult for employers to be held as joint employers. The National Labor Relations Board chair under Biden, Jennifer Abruzzo, has indicated that shes trying to roll back some of that. So thats part of our strategy, Datta said.

The petition is still pending; NLRB approval would affirm that Google has significant control over how these contractors do their work. If a subsequent union vote does go through, the YouTube contractors would become AWU-CWAs second official bargaining unit (after a 10 person Google Fiber unit)*.

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Organizers hope that this momentum could carry over and lead to more bargaining units. If it does, a union contract could eventually benefit Googles staff engineers as well. With a union contract, Datta said, You cant just lay people off willy-nilly. You have to negotiate any change.

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That ideal is a long way off for a union that currently counts less than .01 percent of Googles workers as members. Most Googlers have not joined AWU-CWA and are not convinced that they want or need such protections. After all, said Hai, Why would I join a union when Im well compensated and have all these amenities?

While it is too soon to tell if a vibe shift is afoot, Datta is optimistic. Just because youre a white-collar worker, doesnt mean you dont deserve job security, she said.

Plus, the AWU-CWA may have another appeal for Googles idealists. At Google, one of the internal things we say is that you need to have a healthy disregard for the impossible, Ted told me. The layoffs, he said, indicated that our leadership team was not held to that same standard of imagination.

Union members hope that a stronger AWU-CWA will one day provide accountability that other internal channels have not. If it does, that might be just the thing to help Google recapture its slime-mold soul.
Castles, caves, forests and churches among sites recognised by body.

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On Thursday February 9, Slovakia will celebrate 30 years as a member of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

"UNESCO has significantly supported Slovakia's national development over the past decades. Its cultural, natural and intangible heritage has gained international recognition thanks to this organisation," says Anna Plassat Murinova, permanent delegate of the Slovak Republic to UNESCO in Paris.

"A strong commitment to protect and preserve this heritage for future generations has also been formed," she added.

Related article

Related article Hold your horses! Breeding Lipizzans another Slovakia UNESCO entry Read more

Many entries

Three Slovak sites were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as the country joined - Spis Castle and its surroundings, the medieval town of Banska Stiavnica in central Slovakia, and the village of Vlkolinec, north Slovakia, with its picturesque wooden houses.

In 2000, the town of Bardejov, eastern Slovakia, was added, followed by the wooden churches of the Slovak part of the Carpathian mountain range in 2008, and the town of Levoca a year later.

In 2021, two Roman military camps joined the list - the Gerulata camp in Bratislava-Rusovce, and Kelemantia in Iza near Komarno, south Slovakia.

Meanwhile, the Slovak Karst caves and the Carpathian beech forests have been included in the list of natural monuments and Slovakia also has nine entries in UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage: fujara, an overtone flute, tinkery, blueprint, puppetry, falconry, and others. Last year, the tradition of Lipizzan horse breeding was added to the list.

Related article

Related article Fujara teacher in the US: Americans are enchanted by the instrument Read more

Important committee

As of July last year, Slovakia has been active in the Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee.

"This is a historic success for the country because it is one of UNESCO's most important committees, and until now we have not been represented on it. Our election is clearly an appreciation of work, both of the country's experts in the field of intangible cultural heritage, and diplomacy," says Plassat Murinova.

The organization is based in Paris and currently has 193 member states.
Hungary has summoned the Slovak ambassador over Minister Kacers statement.

Slovak Foreign Minister Rastislav Kacer during a visit to Italy on February 4, 2023. (Source: SITA/Slovak Foreign Ministry)

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Foreign Minister Rastislav Kacer will not apologise for his words about Hungarys possible territorial claims in Slovakia, though Hungary has accused him of spreading lies.

In an interview with the Markiza television channel on Tuesday, he was asked if there was a danger that Hungary would develop territorial claims on Slovakia in the near future.

The minister replied, If Vladimir Putin were more successful and Russia was next to our eastern border, I think that we would be facing such claims today unfortunately.
Frantisek Imrecze has been sentenced to reportedly pay the highest financial punishment.

Frantisek Imrecze, ex-president of the Financial Administration, talks to the press after the court announced the final verdict in his case on February 9, 2023. (Source: TASR - Martin Baumann)

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Frantisek Imrecze, one of the well-known cooperating defendants in several corruption cases and former head of the Financial Administration tax authority, has been convicted of corruption.

On Thursday, he was given a three-year suspended prison sentence with a five-year probationary period. He will also have to pay 202,000, the highest financial punishment in Slovakias history according to Prosecutor Ondrej Repa, unless he wants to serve a three-year prison sentence. Moreover, he cannot work for public administration for six years and cannot meet with the people he bribed.

This is not the most serious punishment, though. As Judge Pamela Zaleska explained, Imrecze is helping to clarify serious criminal activity.

For example, thanks to his testimony, the police charged former three-time interior minister for the Smer party, Robert Kalinak, in a corruption case last week.

Accepting responsibility

The legally-binding sentence is the outcome of the previously concluded plea agreement between the Special Prosecutors Office and Imrecze, which the Specialised Criminal Court has approved in a slightly modified version.

Imrecze said the agreement is the result of his actions and his decision to cooperate with law enforcement authorities.

I have accepted the responsibility from the beginning and I will continue to accept it, he told the media after the court announced its verdict, as quoted by the Sme daily.

The former high-ranking public servant ruled out anyone putting pressure on him while in custody.

Bribes and IT contracts

The conviction concerns the Mytnik (Toll collector) corruption case.

After he resigned from the post in 2018, following the European Anti-Fraud Offices reports on large-scale customs frauds in the years 2013-2014, he asked entrepreneur Michal Suchoba for financial remuneration for himself and his three Financial Administration employees. The institution had previously agreed to conclude overpriced contracts with Allexis, an IT firm owned by Suchoba.

One of the employees and Suchoba have admitted to corruption.

Today, Imrecze is helping the police in about ten different cases.

One is the notorious Ocistec (Purgatory) case, in which ex-police chief Tibor Gaspar and oligarch Norbert Bodor are charged with establishing and running an organised crime group.
30 years in UNESCO, Minister Kacer's 'unacceptable' claim, and the highest financial punishment for tax authority's former head.

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Good evening. Here is the Thursday, February 9 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.

Hungary outraged by Slovak MFA's comment

Slovak Foreign Minister Rastislav Kacer. (Source: SME - Marko Erd)

Hungary summoned Slovak Ambassador Pavol Hamzik on Wednesday to tell him that Slovak Foreign Minister Rastislav Kacer's recent statement on TV was a lie.

Kacer has said that he is not going to apologise for his words about Hungary's possible territorial claims in Slovakia.

Last November, the foreign minister criticised Hungarian PM Viktor Orban for his "Greater Hungary" scarf.

Other stories from The Slovak Spectator website

CORRUPTION: The ex-head of Slovakia's tax authority, Frantisek Imrecze, has been convicted of corruption, receiving what is believed to be the highest financial punishment.

UNESCO: Slovakia joined UNESCO three decades ago. See what's under UNESCO's protection in Slovakia.

BRATISLAVA: The day when all bus stops become request stops in the capital is drawing near. Just be visible, don't wave at bus drivers. And if you're on the bus, push the 'Stop' button.

If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our NEW online subscription with no ads and a print copy of The Slovak Spectator sent to your home in Slovakia. Thank you.

FEATURE STORY FOR THURSDAY

The Bratislava Witch

The sculpture known as Girl with Ravens or the Bratislava Witch. (Source: Secret City Trails)

Several women were executed in Bratislava for witchcraft. Read more about them and the places connected to them.

SONG OF THE DAY

Ellie Goulding to perform in Czechia

The British artist has joined the line-up of the popular Colours of Ostrava summer festival, where she should perform new songs from her upcoming album "Higher Than Heaven" coming out next month.

Goulding performed in Slovakia ten years ago, in April 2013.

Here's her new song, "Like A Saviour". Have a listen:

video //www.youtube.com/embed/v1sCAaybyv0

Niall Horan, Macklemore, OneRepublic, and The Teskey Brothers are other artists who will perform at the festival in late July.

In a few lines:

Analysts are warning about the negative impact of banning Sunday sales on the Slovak economy. The bill presented by OLaNO MPs was returned to lawmakers on Thursday to redo it. The SaS party is launching a petition against the ban.

on the Slovak economy. The bill presented by OLaNO MPs was returned to lawmakers on Thursday to redo it. The SaS party is launching a petition against the ban. On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky , during a personal meeting with interim Slovak PM Eduard Heger in Brussels, officially asked Slovakia to provide Ukraine with MiG-29 fighters for the purpose of defence against Russia.

, during a personal meeting with interim Slovak PM Eduard Heger in Brussels, officially asked Slovakia to provide Ukraine with MiG-29 fighters for the purpose of defence against Russia. Germany will provide Slovakia with two sets of the modern Mantis air defence system , which will boost the protection of Slovakia's eastern border with Ukraine. Slovakia will receive the systems free-of-charge and for all time, the Defence Ministry said. Germany will also provide a surveillance radar with a range of up to 100 kilometres and training for Slovak soldiers.

, which will boost the protection of Slovakia's eastern border with Ukraine. Slovakia will receive the systems free-of-charge and for all time, the Defence Ministry said. Germany will also provide a surveillance radar with a range of up to 100 kilometres and training for Slovak soldiers. King William Alexander of the Netherlands will visit Slovakia on March 7-9 at the invitation of President Zuzana Caputova. He will be accompanied by his wife, Queen Maxima.

will visit Slovakia on March 7-9 at the invitation of President Zuzana Caputova. He will be accompanied by his wife, Queen Maxima. Public Defender of Rights Robert Dobrovodsky welcomes the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights, which established a violation of the rights of bullied Roma boys. They were victims of police violence at a police station in Kosice in 2009.

The new substation in Borsky Svaty Jur is one of the key investments of the company Zapadoslovenska Distribucna. The substation will boost energy security in western Slovakia and will have a significant impact on the connection of the Slovak and Czech electricity transmission networks. (Source: SITA)

WEATHER FOR FRIDAY: Clear skies. Clouds in some places throughout the day. The highest daytime temperature will rise to 6C, or -1C in the north and in the Horehronie region in central Slovakia. Low-temperature weather warnings remain in place until Friday morning in northern Slovakia and some parts of central and eastern Slovakia.

Thank you for subscribing and reading. It means a lot to us.

P.S. If you have suggestions on how our news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk. Or you can complain about our work. It can help us get better, too.
February 6, 2023  Austin, Texas ePac Flexible Packaging, a global leader in providing high quality finished pouches and rollstock to brands of all sizes, has announced a partnership with Project Waterfall, a leading Charity in the Coffee sector. ePac will donate 2% of its global coffee product sales in 2023 and the proceeds will be used to help coffee growing communities across the world with clean water, sanitation and education.

Paul Rason, Head of the Coffee segment for ePac said that: ePacs Mission has been, from the very beginning, to support and add value within our respective communities. The partnership with Project Waterfall is our first community program dedicated to the coffee industry, and it provides us with an opportunity to help bring an end to the water crisis in coffee growing regions around the world. Working with the Project Waterfall team well start with the Berbere Project in Ethiopia, a country that many consider to be the birthplace of coffee. We see this as a long term partnership and were looking forward to getting started.

Rebecca Hodgson, Director, Project Waterfall added We are delighted to welcome ePac on board as an official partner for Project Waterfall. Our work to bring clean drinking water, sanitation and education to coffee growing communities is only possible due to the incredible companies in the industry like ePac who commit to giving back and making an impact. We are excited to see this partnership grow and change many lives as a result!

To further strengthen ePacs offering to the Specialty Coffee market, the company recently announced that it will launch a new Flat Bottom product in Q3 2023, adding to its extensive line of flexible pouch offerings for the Industry. ePac is extending its partnership with the industry-leading pouch equipment manufacturer, Totani to bring the highest quality finished products to their customers.

Virag Patel, Head of Operations for ePac added  We were asked by our customers to provide the Flat Bottom line to our existing product portfolio, and we listened to their needs. We are totally committed to the Industry and we will continue to innovate and drive value for our Speciality Coffee customers

About ePac Flexible Packaging

ePac is the worlds largest networked flexible packaging provider, serving brands of all sizes across the globe. Founded in 2016, ePac began with a single plant in Madison, Wisconsin serving predominantly community-based small and medium sized brands. Today, through its proprietary technology platform  ePacONE (One Network Everywhere), ePac provides brands of all sizes the ability to produce any size order in any of its 23 facilities across the globe.

ePac offers a full complement of sustainable film options, while its print technology platform is carbon-neutral and inherently eco-friendly. Further, the company offers true order to demand capability, helping brands reduce inventory and obsolescence.

About Project Waterfall

Project Waterfall brings clean water, sanitation and education to coffee-growing communities across the world. As the charity of choice for the coffee industry, they have changed more than 80,000 lives since 2011 and are working to end the water crisis in our lifetime. You can learn more about their work, or get involved, at ProjectWaterfall.org.

About Totani

Totani Corporation, headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, is recognized as the world leader in bag and pouch making machines. Its current products include high-speed pouch machines for producing three-side seal, shaped, stand-up, spouted, reclosable (both slider and press-to-close), side gusseted fin seal, side gusseted quad-seal and true flat bottom, side gusseted pouches. This unique, five-panel pouch, known as The Box Pouch, is Totanis original design. Totani machines are well known for their robust design, reliability and safety. Along with industry leading support, Totani continues to be a pioneer in cutting edge technology and has an eye on future industry needs like packaging sustainability.

For more information, please visit ePacFlexibles.

This press release was provided to Sprudge for Sprudge Press Releases. Interested in submitting a press release? Get in touch!
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/almost-75-of-frances-residents-support-further-protests-against-pension-reform-media-reports-1107098026.html

Almost 75% of France's Residents Support Further Protests Against Pension Reform, Media Reports

Almost 75% of France's Residents Support Further Protests Against Pension Reform, Media Reports

Three out of four French residents believe it is necessary to further protest against the controversial pension reform, French broadcaster reported on Wednesday.

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According to poll, conducted for the broadcaster, 72% of the French believe that protests against the reform should continue, while 41% of respondents say further demonstrations should be tougher.At the same time, more than four in ten French people believe that indefinite strikes and an expanded social movement are necessary. Over 70% of residents called the reform "unfair," 58% slammed it as "ineffective for the viability of the pension system," and 53% said the reform was "unnecessary."On January 10, French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne unveiled a draft of the controversial pension reform that the government plans to adopt in 2023. According to the draft, the French authorities will gradually raise the retirement age in the country by three months a year from September 1, 2023. By 2030, the retirement age will reach 64 years.Three nationwide strikes have since taken place in France as people protest the reform. The first nationwide strike against pension reform took place across France on January 19, during which eight of the country's largest trade unions held more than 200 demonstrations. An estimated 1 million people took part in the protests, the French Interior Ministry said. On January 31, over 87,000 people reportedly took part in the second demonstration against pension reform held in Paris. The latest protest was held on Tuesday, with some 757,000 people having participated in it.France's largest union, the General Confederation of Labour (CGT), estimated the number of protesters at almost 2 million people countrywide, with 400,000 in the French capital.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230129/over-200-strikes-against-pension-reform-to-take-place-in-france-next-week-reports-say-1106799733.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/austrian-chancellor-calls-for-building-walls-along-eu-external-border-1107113806.html

Austrian Chancellor Calls for Building Walls Along EU External Border

Austrian Chancellor Calls for Building Walls Along EU External Border

Walls and barriers should be erected along the external border of the European Union to fight illegal migration, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer told a German newspaper on Wednesday.

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"Physical infrastructure and barriers are necessary to protect the external borders," he said. He stressed that the protection of EU borders was a necessity, and if Europe was unable to do that, "then the Schengen area would become absurd." The Austrian chancellor further urged putting a stop to migrant flows through safe third countries to the EU. Nehammer said that EU funding was needed for the construction of walls and fences on the bloc's external borders. Earlier in the day, a German daily reported that Nehammer vowed to block a EU summit final resolution if no concrete steps to curb illegal migration are reflected in the document. He called the EU's asylum system "broken," citing a surge in asylum bids from migrants who entered the 27-nation bloc illegally. About three-quarters of the 100,000 people who sought asylum in Austria last year had not been registered in any other EU or Schengen member state. The eight EU nations  Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta and Slovakia  demanded on Monday that the EU executive and the Frontex border protection agency act tougher on illegal migration, increase pushbacks and use visas as leverage against reluctant countries of origin.

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Breeders in E China' Anhui release shrimp, crab seedlings into ponds

People's Daily Online) 10:01, February 09, 2023

Breeders have been busy releasing shrimp and crab seedlings into their outdoor ponds in Wuhe county, east China's Anhui Province.

The period around Lichun, or the beginning of spring, the first solar term of the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, is the best time for local breeders to release shrimp and crab seedlings into their breeding ponds. (People's Daily Online/Tao Tao)

Located in the plains of northern Anhui, Wuhe county abounds in rivers and lakes, which provide important conditions for local breeders to develop aquaculture and increase their incomes.

32-year-old Huang Jingzhong is a local breeder in Wuhe county. In 2018, Huang built a breeding base that uses a rice-shrimp co-culture system.

Last year, Huang's cultivation of crab and mandarin fish in his rice fields, which cover an area of 23 mu (about 1.53 hectares), generated more than 200,000 yuan ($29,500) in income for him.

A breeder releases shrimp seedlings into a pond at a breeding base in Wuhe county, Bengbu city, east China's Anhui Province. (People's Daily Online/Tao Tao)

"This year, I plan to release 100 kg of shrimp seedlings into the ponds," said Huang, adding that he bought the seedlings at 40 yuan per kg and will sell them at 100 yuan per kg during the harvest season.

Thanks to the rice-shrimp co-culture system, an increasing number of farmers in Wuhe county have enjoyed bumper harvests of both aquatic products and rice over the past years.

Breeders release crab seedlings into a pond at a breeding base in Wuhe county, Bengbu city, east China's Anhui Province. (People's Daily Online/Li Xiangqian)

Aerial photo shows a rice-shrimp farming base in Wuhe county, Bengbu city, east China's Anhui Province. (People's Daily Online/Tao Tao)

(Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming)
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/bidens-sotu-speech-proved-effective-at-spinning-job-record-dismal-at-offering-policy-fix---experts-1107097275.html

Biden's SOTU Speech Proved Effective at Spinning Job Record, Dismal at Offering Policy Fix - Experts

Biden's SOTU Speech Proved Effective at Spinning Job Record, Dismal at Offering Policy Fix - Experts

President Joe Biden in his State of the Union address was surprisingly successful at marketing his administrations so-called accomplishments, including on the economic front, but failed to address or provide any legitimate policy solutions to the countrys most pressing problems, experts told Sputnik.

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Biden during a sometimes rowdy second State of the Union Address, delivered before a joint session of Congress on Tuesday evening, shined a light on the job gains under his administration and an unemployment rate that now stands at a 50-year low. He also called on Congress to raise the debt ceiling while warning Republicans not to take the economy hostage by threatening to cut health care and social security. Bidens speech was then interrupted by a chorus of boos from Republicans denying the accusation. However, Rasmussen added, the gains look overblown considering the current environment is on par with pre-pandemic levels. "Hence, his lauded improvements, while technically correct, are based on an economy that essentially was motionless due to the pandemic and the historic shutdowns," Rasmussen said. 'Peachy' Spin Obscures RealityBiden also hit out at China, saying he wants to work with Beijing but will act if they threaten US sovereignty, a comment that comes as details emerge of a suspected Chinese spy balloon program. With respect to Russia, Biden said the United States would support Ukraine as long as it takes in what he referred to as a conflict for "the ages." Rising Tide Foundation Vice President Matthew Ehret said while effective in terms of promoting his achievements, the speech failed in other ways. Overall, Ehret added, positive words of self-congratulations were contrasted with Biden's admission of rates of fentanyl deaths, veteran suicide, and collapsing infrastructure that betray the "peachy message." For example, Biden inferred that the historic 2022 infrastructure spending bill will create green jobs and give billions of dollars to the private sector, Ehret said. Ehret also took issue with Biden suggesting that uniting NATO and standing up to China and Russia are ways in which America has made the world safer, Ehret added. Rasmussen pointed out that America does not lead the world, at least as it was before, and many countries consider the US as the major threat to peace. "US has lost its leadership, Russia and China are much more examples of countries trying to assist other countries in developing their infrastructures, economies and resolving internal conflict," he said. Biden briefly touched on some key domestic issues in the address - such as abortion, gun control, and police brutality against Black Americans. Some pundits even suggested Biden outlined an agenda as if building a case for reelection. Constitutional historian and political commentator Dan Lazare said Bidens remarks sounded like superficial wishful thinking - including the warning to never bet against America. This US president, he added, would rather engage in "cheap sentimental displays" over grappling with problems in a serious way. Military disaster is looming in the eastern Ukraine as Russia revs up its long-awaited spring offensive, Lazare added, while the showdown in the western Pacific is intensifying. On the home front the opposition party is launching probes into Hunter Bidens laptop and business dealings, he observed. Lazare said the heckling of Biden by Republicans over social security was a dramatic moment that epitomized the state of affairs in Washington. "Capitol Hill is as much a war zone as ever," Lazare said. "The wounds from January 6 are wide open, and the bleeding is only going to get worse and worse." Lazare also said Biden was delusional in thinking US democracy is "unbowed and unbroken," as the president said in the address. "But hes wrong - it's in serious trouble," Lazare concluded.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/bidens-state-of-the-union-address-failed-to-reassure-skeptics-and-address-americans-pain-points-1107097729.html

Biden's State of the Union Address Failed to Reassure Skeptics and Address Americans' Pain Points

Biden's State of the Union Address Failed to Reassure Skeptics and Address Americans' Pain Points

US President Joe Biden delivered his State of the Union Address yesterday, shoring up support among Democrats but still failing to overcome political division... 09.02.2023, Sputnik International

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Biden's State of the Union address failed to reassure skeptics and address Americans' pain points US President Joe Biden delivered his State of the Union Address yesterday, shoring up support among Democrats but still failing to overcome political division with the GOP which is now calling shots in the lower chamber of US Congress.

Steve Poikonen, national organizer for Action4Assange, joins us to discuss domestic politics. US President Joe Biden delivered his State of the Union Address yesterday, shoring up support among Democrats but still failing to overcome political division with the GOP which is now calling shots in the lower chamber of US Congress.Mark Sleboda, Moscow-based international relations security analyst, joins us to discuss the EU. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited England on Wednesday and urged Britain to deliver warplanes to ensure a victory that would change the world.Dan Lazare, investigative journalist and author of "America's Undeclared War," joins us to discuss Russia Gate. Dan discusses a Consortium News story about Jeff Gerth exposing the "dark heart of the media's coverage" of alleged Russian interference in the US 2016 elections.Scott Ritter, former UN weapon inspector in Iraq, joins us to discuss foreign policy. Scott talks about his latest Consortium News article recalling a 2022 trip former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett made to Moscow, where he held a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. At the time, Bennett said that the two leaders discussed various aspects of the situation in Ukraine in the context of Russias special military operation to protect Donbass. In reality, Bennett's recent disclosures instead suggest that the purpose of his Moscow visit was to "secure a promise from President Putin that Russia would not attempt to kill Zelensky.Laith Marouf, broadcaster and journalist based in Beirut, Lebanon, joins us to discuss the Turkey-Syria earthquake. The earthquake death toll is currently over 11,000, and press reports question whether Syrian victims are being overlooked.Gary Flowers, radio talk show host, joins us to discuss national politics. Gary gives his thoughts about last night's State of the Union address, Sarah Huckabee Sanders' behavior there, and Niki Haley's expected announcement that she will soon campaign for the Republican nomination next week.Dan Kovalik, writer, author, and lawyer, joins us to discuss the Global South. Dan talks about the Peruvian peasant uprising, and Venezuela detecting US spy planes in a flight control zone.KJ Noh, writer, teacher, and activist joins us to discuss China. As China continues with its moon-exploration program, NASA administrator Bill Nelson claims that the US and China are in a "space race," speculating that "it is not beyond the realm of possibility that China may claim parts of the moon as their territory.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.comThe views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/chinese-foreign-ministry-says-biden-violated-diplomatic-etiquette-over-remarks-about-xi-1107254847.html

Chinese Foreign Ministry Says Biden Violated Diplomatic Etiquette Over Remarks About Xi

Chinese Foreign Ministry Says Biden Violated Diplomatic Etiquette Over Remarks About Xi

Statements by US President Joe Biden that he warned Chinese President Xi Jinping of losing Western investment if Beijing supports Moscow are irresponsible and violate the foundations of diplomatic etiquette, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Thursday.

2023-02-09T12:36+0000

2023-02-09T12:36+0000

2023-02-09T12:36+0000

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In an American TV programm interview on Wednesday, Biden said that during a phone call last summer, he warned Xi that China could lose Western investment if it supported Russia's actions in Ukraine. During the interview, Biden added that the Chinese leader faces huge problems, including in the economy, but he also has great potential. Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, in response to the request of the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics to protect them from intensifying attacks by Ukrainian troops. Western countries have imposed comprehensive sanctions against Russia and ramped up their military, humanitarian and financial aid to Ukraine. In December 2022, US State Department spokesperson said that the US was concerned about Chinas alignment with Russia amid its military operation in Ukraine and closely monitoring Beijings activity to see if the country provided any military or sanctions evasion assistance to Moscow.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230131/whats-new-in-us-latest-rhetoric-on-china-1106852459.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/congos-corruption-case-against-eni-ceo-dropped-by-italian-prosecution-1107270572.html

Congo's Corruption Case Against Eni CEO Dropped by Italian Prosecution

Congo's Corruption Case Against Eni CEO Dropped by Italian Prosecution

A case against Claudio Descalzi, the head of Eni and seven other people including his wife over oil production contracts in the Republic of Congo won't be pursued, Italian prosecutors said.

2023-02-09T15:36+0000

2023-02-09T15:36+0000

2023-03-05T11:00+0000

africa

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A corruption lawsuit against Eni head Claudio Descalzi over oil production contracts in the Republic of Congo won't be pursued, Italian prosecutors have said.Magistrates have made a formal request to dismiss charges against all the defendants in the case.The case consists of Descalzi's alleged failure to declare a conflict of interest in Eni's deals in the Republic of Congo when he was found to conclude contracts with a company owned by his wife, a Congolese national, Madeleine Ingoba. She and the other six defendants joined Descalzi in being accused of felonies related to international corruption.The main alleged crime in the case was changed from bribery to undue inducement. It will be time-barred on March 18, while the crime of failure to declare a conflict of interest is already time-barred.Eni has already been trialed over corruption in another African state, Nigeria.Along with the Nigerian subsidiary of the Shell corporation, Eni purportedly used the majority of money acquired in a $1.3 billion deal to purchase an offshore oil block in 2011 to bribe the country's officials. However, the Italian court acquitted the companies, as well as Eni CEO Descalzi, in July 2022 with Nigeria's $1.092 billion compensation request being rejected in November 2022.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221111/nigerias-compensation-request-against-eni-shell-dismissed-by-italian-court-1104023042.html

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congo v eni case, eni bribery in africa, italian court, claudio descalzi, nigerian subsidiary of the shell corporation
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/decline-in-rhino-poaching-indicates-south-african-authorities-work-official-says-1107104611.html

Decline in Rhino Poaching Indicates South African Authorities' Work, Official Says

Decline in Rhino Poaching Indicates South African Authorities' Work, Official Says

The statistics are beginning to show the results of the efforts South Africa makes in order to combat rhino poaching, says Albi Modise, head of Communications Office at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment.

2023-02-09T11:53+0000

2023-02-09T11:53+0000

2023-02-09T12:01+0000

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africa insight

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rhino

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Statistics are beginning to show the results of the efforts South Africa and its foreign partners have taken to combat rhino poaching, says Albi Modise, head of the Communications Office at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, South Africa, in a comment to Sputnik.Recently, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment stated that the yearly number of rhino poaching cases declined by three in 2022, totalling 448.According to the statement, Kruger National Park in the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in northeastern South Africa was the only national park to lose the animals last year. The number of poached rhinos in the park decreased by 40% compared to 2021 and amounted to 124.According to statistics by SANParks, the South African National Parks authority, the rhino population of the Kruger National Park, one of the largest wildlife reserves on the continent, declined by around 70% between 2008 and 2021, from around 10,000 to 2,800.In the country's privately owned reserves, a total of 86 rhinos were killed in 2022, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment said.Most poaching cases in 2022 occurred in KwaZulu-Natal province in the southeast of the country: 228 rhinos were killed in its provincial parks and 16 in private estates.Modise notes that the over the three past three years, the numbers of poaching cases has fluctuated. According to him, the COVID-19 pandemic offered some "breathing space", with the curtailment of movement between provinces and the closing of national parks meaning that the rhinos were in "a safer space." As a result, a total of about 394 rhinos were poached, he underlines, with the number rising to 451 in 2021 and decreasing again last year.According to Modise, South Africa utilizes several instruments in order to manage the problem. The country has a National Wildlife Strategy that involves the National Department of Environmental Affairs; provincial departments and the police are also actively involved, he notes, underlining the role of classification of poaching as a high priority crime. Modise adds that in 2022, South Africa "saw a total of about 132 arrests, with most of those arrests resulting in appearance in court by some of the accused."In December, it was reported that SANParks planned to include lie detector tests for game reserve staff as part of anti-poaching efforts.According to activist groups, one of the drivers behind rhino poaching is the demand for the animals' horns in several Asian countries, where the product is used for purposes of traditional medicine or as an item that reaffirms social status. As Modise notes, South Africa is engaged in international cooperation in order to tackle the problem.Modise notes that his country has memorandums of understanding on the issue with countries such as China, Vietnam, Laos as well as Mozambique. According to the official, combined efforts resulted in the arrests of the notorious Mozambican rhino poaching kingpin known as Navarra in Maputo (in a combined sting operation between the Mozambican authorities and the Wildlife Justice Commission) and a South African man at Changi Airport in Singapore, who was found in possession of 34 kilograms of rhino horns.Apart from rhino poaching, Africa faces the problem of illegal hippo hunts. The population of these animals, poached for their teeth, has seen an overall population decline of between 30% and 50% during the past decade. In November, it was reported that 10 African states signed a letter to the EU, accusing it of endangering the future of the species by refusing to accept a planned prohibition of the commercial trading of hippo products.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221208/guterres-at-biodiversity-conference-calls-for-true-peace-pact-with-nature-1105175618.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230120/african-rhino-population-declining-in-state-run-parks-growing-on-private-lands-study-reveals-1106531776.html

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south africa rhinos, rhino poaching, hippo poaching, poaching decrease, africa wildlife
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/dynamite-anti-war-pundits-hail-hersh-expos-of-us-hand-in-nord-stream-sabotage-1107254661.html

'Dynamite': Anti-War Pundits Hail Hersh Expose of US Hand in Nord Stream Sabotage

'Dynamite': Anti-War Pundits Hail Hersh Expose of US Hand in Nord Stream Sabotage

US investigative journalist Seymour Hersh is famed for uncovering the US massacre of Vietnamese civilians at My Lai and the torture of prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison in occupied Iraq.

2023-02-09T16:53+0000

2023-02-09T16:53+0000

2023-02-09T17:18+0000

nord stream sabotage

ukraine

nord stream

nord stream pipeline

nord stream 2

nord stream 1

seymour hersh

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Leading anti-war commentators have lauded veteran US sleuth reporter Seymour Hersh for exposing US guilt for the Nord Stream gas pipeline sabotage.Hersh's bombshell expose on his personal blog on Wednesday quoted a US intelligence source, who revealed a team of US Navy divers planted explosives on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines under the Baltic Sea last June under cover of the BALTOPS 22 NATO seaborne war-game.Sections of both pipelines, built to carry large volumes of gas from Russia to Germany, were blown up on September 26 2022. Hersh said the Pentagon ordered the Norwegian armed forces to press the button.Long before the conflict in Ukraine, the US had pressured Germany not to allow the supply route built by Russian national energy firm Gazprom to open. It was still unused at the time of the blast.Ritter said he was not surprised at the mainstream media's attempts to ignore the story. But he said Hersh did not have to worry about promoting it."I don't think you're going to see Seymour Hersh out there trying to pimp this thing. It's going to pimp itself," the expert said.Environmental TerrorismWriter, author and lawyer Dan Kovalik, told Sputnik that Hersh's story should be "huge"  but the establishment media was not interested."It tells you everything you need to know that he wrote it on Substack instead of writing it for The New Yorker, which he used to do, or the New York Times," Kovalik observed, which only proves that "the mainstream press is so impoverished in terms of its journalism."The peace campaigner called the sabotage "the greatest act of environmental terrorism in known world history." Kovalik also expressed little faith in the governments of Germany, Denmark or Sweden to investigate the crime committed just off their Baltic Sea coasts, "because it implicates them, too.""Particularly with Germany, they've suffered untold economic damage due to this. And yet they have put up no fight or concern about it," he said. Nevertheless, it wouldn't take fictional TV detective Columbo to find out who did it, the writer argued, pointing to US President Joe Biden's threat weeks before Russia launched its de-Nazification operation in Ukraine."If Russia invades... then there will be no longer a Nord Stream 2. We will bring an end to it," Biden told reporters at a press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. When asked if that was in his power, Biden replied: "We will, I promise you, well be able to do it."And US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland, the architect of the 2014 Euromaidan coup d'etat in Kiev, told a US Senate hearing on January 27 that she and the Biden White House were "very gratified to know that Nord Stream 2 is now... a hunk of metal at the bottom of the sea."Media Hit-JobInternational Relations and Security Analyst Mark Sleboda told Sputnik that Hersh has been given the cold shoulder by the established press for his willingness to challenge the official narrative on the US wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.The commentator noted that Hersh's article contradicts the alleged leaked SMS message from former British prime minister Liz Truss to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken just minutes after the pipeline blast, saying simply "it's done"  laying the blame back onto Washington.Sleboda also pointed to "Victoria Nuland laughing smugly in front of Congress, saying how gratified the administration is that it is a hunk of metal on the floor of the Baltic Sea," pointing out that the US "was doing everything possible to stop Nord Stream 2 from being completed, and when it was, they said, we're going to get rid of it. And they did.""And then everyone says, Well, quite obviously then who blew up their own pipeline? Russia!" Sleboda scoffed. "I mean, come on, you're just propagandists. You don't even believe that."Veteran NewshoundHersh won the Pulitzer prize for his investigative reporting of the 1968 My Lai massacre of hundreds of Vietnamese civilians in the village of Son My by US troops, and uncovered the Nixon government's covert bombing of neighbouring Cambodia.He later exposed the torture of Iraqi prisoners by US Army guards at Abu Ghraib prison near Baghdad, along with the Obama and Trump administration's exploitation of false claims by CIA-funded terrorist groups of chemical weapon attacks to justify air raids on Syria.Hersh has also questioned the British government's narrative on the non-fatal poisoning of former MI6 double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in English town of Salisbury.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230208/unverified-account-of-renowned-journalist-says-us-planted-explosives-destroyed-nord-stream-1107081241.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230208/wests-silence-on-nord-stream-sabotage-intended-to-hide-real-perpetrators-says-russian-official-1107095833.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/hershs-nord-stream-blasts-report-shows-need-for-open-investigation-kremlin-says-1107107943.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/from-sarin-to-bz-what-are-chemical-weapons-and-how-deadly-are-they-1107109577.html

From Sarin to BZ: What Are Chemical Weapons and How Deadly Are They?

From Sarin to BZ: What Are Chemical Weapons and How Deadly Are They?

There have been more and more reports of the use of chemical weapons being considered since the beginning of the Ukrainian conflict in February 2022,

2023-02-09T13:14+0000

2023-02-09T13:14+0000

2023-02-09T13:14+0000

sputnik explains

russia

ukraine

chemical weapons

special operation

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The Russian Defense Ministry has repeatedly warned of the Kiev regimes push to stage a false flag provocation using chemical weapons amid Moscows current special military operation in Ukraine. Donetsk People's Republic head Denis Pushilin recently announced that Ukrainian forces had resorted to the use of chemical weapons in the Artemovsk (Bakhmut) and Ugledar directions on the front line in Donbass.Pushilins advisor Yan Gagin, for his part, noted that chemical weapons have been used by the Ukrainian side for some time now, as "substances causing nausea, choking and coughing were sprayed from special containers installed on drones."So what are chemical weapons and are they internationally prohibited? Sputnik has the answers.What Are Chemical Weapons?A chemical weapon is any toxic chemical that can result in death, injury, incapacitation, or sensory irritation. It is something that can be deployed via a delivery system, such as an artillery shell, a rocket, or a ballistic missile. It is worth stressing that chemical weapons are related to weapons of mass destruction.What Are the Primary Chemical Weapons?Chemical weapons primary forms include nerve agents, blister agents, choking agents, blood agents, psychotomimetic agents, and irritant agents, which are categorized on the basis of how they affect the human body:Who Was First to Use Chemical Weapons on a Battlefield?Even though German forces were the first to use phosgene on the battlefield during World War I in 1914-1918, this choking agent became the primary chemical weapon of the Allies. Phosgene was responsible for 85% of chemical weapons-related fatalities during WWI.The first fully-fledged deployment of deadly chemical warfare agents came in WWIs Second Battle of Ypres on April 22, 1915. At the time, the Germans attacked French, Canadian and Algerian troops with chlorine gas released from canisters and carried by the wind towards the Allied trenches. The death toll stood at about 5,000.Are Chemical Weapons Prohibited?Yes. The widespread and deadly use of chemical weapons during WW I prompted international efforts to curb the use and production of them.The two major documents that target chemical weapons are the 1925 Geneva Protocol and the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).The Geneva Protocol was drafted and signed at the Conference for the Supervision of the International Trade in Arms and Ammunition in June 1925. While it prohibits the use of chemical weapons, the Geneva Protocol does not regulate the production, research or stockpiling of these weapons. It also does not regulate the use of chemical weapons for internal conflicts.Interest in the verifiable elimination of existing stockpiles of chemical weapons fueled the push for clinching the more robust CWC in the early 1990s.This document is officially known as the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction. The CWC is an arms control treaty that is administered by the Hague-based Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and which entered into force on April 29, 1997.The conventions goal is to eliminate an entire category of weapons of mass destruction by prohibiting the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer or use of chemical weapons by member parties. As of December 31, 2022, 99% of the worlds declared chemical weapons stockpiles have been destroyed under the CWC. As of today, a total of 193 countries have become parties to the convention. Israel has signed, but not ratified the CWC, while Egypt, North Korea, and the Republic of South Sudan have neither signed nor acceded to the document.Is There Any Defense Againts Chemical Weapons? When it comes to the battlefield, the first and most important line of defense against chemical agents is the individual protection provided by gas masks and protective clothing as well as collective protection shelters.As for civilian populations, they typically have no individual protective equipment or collective protection centers. Thats why a relevant response to the threat of a chemical weapons attack on civilian society could be the creation of active, well-trained emergency response teams that know how to identify chemical agents, decontaminate areas and people exposed to chemical weapons, as well as coordinate rescue operations.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230208/what-is-the-chemical-weapons-convention-of-which-russia-ukraine-are-members-1107076228.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230206/ukrainian-forces-employing-drone-dropped-chemical-weapons-in-donbass-dpr-chief-says-1107010114.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/german-lawmaker-condemns-scholzs-telltale-silence-on-us-role-in-nord-stream-sabotage-1107269926.html

German Lawmaker Condemns Scholz's Telltale Silence on US Role in Nord Stream Sabotage

German Lawmaker Condemns Scholz's Telltale Silence on US Role in Nord Stream Sabotage

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's silence on the recent revelation by an American investigative journalist that US navy divers blew up Russia's Nord Stream gas pipeline speaks volumes, Maximilian Krah of the German AfD party told Sputnik.

2023-02-09T14:51+0000

2023-02-09T14:51+0000

2023-02-09T14:51+0000

nord stream sabotage

us

nato

germany

olaf scholz

seymour hersh

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Seymour Hersh, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who blew the whistle on US atrocities in Vietnam War and more recently on prisoner torture at Abu Ghraib in Iraq, wrote in a blog post on Wednesday that American deep-water divers had planted explosives under three of the four Nord Stream pipelines that were detonated remotely last September at the order of President Joe Biden. NATO allies said in the wake of what Kremlin said was a "terrorist attack" that the scale of the explosions in the Swedish and Danish waters suggested that a state was involved. Sweden, Denmark along with Germany, the main beneficiary of Russian gas, opened separate probes into the blasts. Maximilian Krah, a member of the European Parliament, said lack of reaction from Scholz to the breakthrough report suggested that he must have been warned in advance about the covert sea operation, which was conducted under the cover of a NATO Baltic Sea exercise last summer. Krah argued that the sabotage put an end to what had long been a headache for the Scholz government  the need to justify to Germans why the second leg of the natural gas pipeline had not been pumping cheap gas to his country. Hersh wrote that cheap Russian gas had been a boon for the German economy, fueling its post-war rise to prosperity while diminishing Europe's dependence on the United States. He cited a source with direct knowledge of the US operational planning as saying that Norway played a key role in helping the US organize the attack and keep the Swedish and Danish navies in the dark. Both the United States and Norway dismissed the allegations as lies. Russia said it was no surprise that Hersh's report was largely overlooked by Western mainstream media despite Biden and Undersecretary of State Victoria Nuland outright warning Russia months before the attack that the pipeline would be dealt with if it launched a military operation in Ukraine. Krah said it had been obvious to everyone in the German opposition that the sabotage of the crucial energy infrastructure was NATO's doing. All attempts to point the finger at Russia were ridiculous and did not hold water. Hersh wrote that the White House tried to accuse Russia of self-sabotage in a string of calculated leaks but never suggested a clear motive, beyond retribution. "Democrats and Republicans in Congress disagree on everything, except on their willingness to pursue an aggressive foreign policy, especially toward China and Russia," the lawmaker added.

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nord stream sabotage, seymour hersh investigation, nord stream, olaf sholz
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/german-lawmaker-criticizes-govt-amid-reports-of-us-involvement-in-nord-stream-explosions-1107255131.html

German Lawmaker Criticizes Govt Amid Reports of US Involvement in Nord Stream Explosions

German Lawmaker Criticizes Govt Amid Reports of US Involvement in Nord Stream Explosions

Sahra Wagenknecht, a member of the German Bundestag and former co-chair of The Left partys parliamentary group, on Thursday criticized Germanys government for following the United States political course amid the recent reports of possible US involvement in blowing up the Nord Stream pipelines.

2023-02-09T12:40+0000

2023-02-09T12:40+0000

2023-02-09T12:40+0000

nord stream sabotage

germany

russia

sahra wagenknecht

nord stream 1

nord stream 2

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On Wednesday, investigative journalist Seymour Hersh published a report saying that, during NATO Baltops exercises in the summer of 2022, US Navy divers planted explosives to destroy the Nord Stream pipelines, which Norway activated three months later. According to the report, US President Joe Biden decided to sabotage the Nord Streams after more than nine months of secret discussions with the national security team. A US Defense Department spokesperson told Sputnik that the US was not involved in the blowing up of Russian export gas pipelines. The blasts occurred on September 26, 2022 at three of the four strings of Nord Stream 1 and 2 underwater pipelines. The incidents halted gas deliveries to Germany ahead of the cold season, prompting a gas price hike and a scramble for alternative sources in the European Union. Germany, Denmark, and Sweden launched separate investigations into the suspected sabotage, with German media reporting trust issues among the three EU nations. The Russian chief prosecutor's office said it had opened an inquiry into possible international terrorism.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/house-committee-panel-asks-for-hunter-biden-records-on-business-dealings-1107274835.html

House Committee Panel Asks for Hunter Biden Records on Business Dealings

House Committee Panel Asks for Hunter Biden Records on Business Dealings

Hunter Biden has been asked by the US House Committee on Oversight and Accountability to hand over records on family business dealings, Chairman James Comer said on Thursday.

2023-02-09T15:53+0000

2023-02-09T15:53+0000

2023-02-09T15:53+0000

americas

biden classified files

joe biden

hunter biden

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Both James and Hunter Biden, as well as Schwerin were key witnesses in the ongoing investigation on President Biden involved in the family local and international business schemes, the statement continued. The current evidence reveals the family business was building around the Presidents political career and connections, the statement continued, adding some even included members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), while all being done to the detriment of US citizens interest. Biden and his family must be transparent and be held accountable, the statement continued, adding that US citizens deserve to know if the President has been involved in fraud and other kind of abuses. The Oversight Committee is currently investigating President Bidens and his familys over foreign business deals, to assess whether he has compromised national security.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/how-us-using-nato-to-pressure-china-and-force-europe-to-fork-out-1107278914.html

How US Using NATO to Pressure China and Force Europe to Fork Out

How US Using NATO to Pressure China and Force Europe to Fork Out

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called upon the bloc's members to provide more weapons for Kiev on February 8, also accusing China of boosting its... 09.02.2023, Sputnik International

2023-02-09T19:02+0000

2023-02-09T19:02+0000

2023-04-13T12:45+0000

analysis

us

nato

china

jens stoltenberg

asia-pacific region

ukraine

military-industrial complex

energy crisis

proxy war

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"On the one hand, NATO continues to demand that member states increase military spending and build up military power, and on the other hand, it makes irresponsible remarks about China. This is a typical example of double standards. China adheres to the path of peaceful development and is the country with the best record in terms of peace and security," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told Sputnik.According to Mao, NATO should "abandon its Cold War mentality and ideological prejudices and seriously think about the role it has played in the stability of Europe and the world, instead of fomenting conflicts everywhere and exaggerating the threat of China."During the February 8 joint presser with US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, Stoltenberg portrayed imminent "threats" allegedly posed by Russia and China. The NATO chief warned that Russia's victory "would also be dangerous for all of us" especially given that Beijing was "closely watching" the situation in Europe."China is substantially building up its military forces," Stoltenberg said. "It is attempting to assert control over the South China Sea, and threatening Taiwan. Trying to take control of critical infrastructure, including in NATO countries () And deepening its strategic partnership with Moscow," he alleged.In order to counter the aforementioned threats, NATO countries must further increase defense spending, emphasized Stoltenberg.US Use NATO as Tool to Pressure ChinaStoltenberg's rhetoric should be seen in the context of unfolding Sino-American tensions over a wide range of issues, starting with the Biden administration's semiconductor restrictions and ending with Washington's Taiwan provocations.To cap it off, Secretary of State Blinken suspended his visit to Beijing over the Chinese weather balloon detected in US airspace ahead of Blinken's China trip. US policy-makers dubbed the airship a "surveillance" device despite the Chinese insisting that the meteorological balloon merely lost its way.The US appears to be interested in ramping up the anti-China sentiment and is using NATO as a tool to increase pressure on Beijing, according to Gong Hongle, associate professor at the Institute of International Relations, Nanjing University.The US is pushing NATO to enhance its infrastructure in the Asia Pacific because Washington's Squad and AUKUS partnerships are not comparable in terms of organization and effectiveness with the transatlantic bloc, according to Professor Dmitry Mosyakov, head of the Center for Southeast Asia, Australia and Oceania at the Institute of Oriental Studies.Mosyakov stressed that the decision regarding the bloc's infrastructure in Asia was made at the NATO summit in Madrid in May 2022. The alliance particularly announced that it would expand its activities in northeast Asia, where the Okhotsk, Bering and Japanese Seas are located, he added.At the same time, it appears unlikely that an all-out conflict akin to that in Ukraine, will emerge anytime soon in the Asia Pacific, according to the Russian professor.David Nazar Coutino, a lecturer specializing in China, Oriental and African studies at the Colegio de Mexico, echoed Mosyakov. Despite Stoltenberg's warnings about Beijing's military buildup, "no reasonable person" is looking for a war in which China and the US  two nuclear powers  will confront each other given the risk of mutual destruction. Coutino insisted that it was too early to talk about the possibility of Sino-American tensions translating into a direct military conflict.US Keeps Poking China Over TaiwanAt the same time, however, US policy-makers on both sides of the aisle are seemingly raising the stakes over Taiwan, which is seen by Beijing as an inalienable part of the People's Republic.On multiple occasions, President Joe Biden claimed that the US is ready to "protect" Taiwan "militarily" from Beijing, something that was repeatedly downplayed by the White House. Earlier, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan despite warnings from the Chinese leadership. Recently, new House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has signaled that he is ready to follow in his predecessor's footsteps.One might wonder as to why Washington is poking China over Taiwan at a time when its military industrial complex is busy fuelling the Ukraine conflict.US Boosting Its Economy at Europe's ExpenseWhile the US is trying to flex its muscle in Europe and Asia at one and the same time, Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro was cited last month as saying that it may soon become challenging for the US to continue to arm itself and provide weapons to Kiev.In her previous interview with Sputnik, Kwiatkowski explained that the US and European manufacturers are not "able and will not be able for several years to produce the ammo and equipment and systems at the rate the Ukrainian 'blood pump' is consuming those resources."To complicate matters further, the EU is seeing cuts in its industrial output due to the energy crunch, economic slowdown and looming recession. EU businesses are moving outside Europe seeking cheap energy and favorable conditions."The slow de-industrialization of Europe hasn't helped it become a major source of the world's weapons systems - although a number of governments led and subsidized air and sea projects have produced excellent aircraft, submarines, ships," said Kwiatkowski. "NATO countries have each produced their own national systems (in part as defense is a heavily subsidized white collar welfare sector), and European Union countries have over 175 unique major weapons systems  compared to 30 for the US. Already Germany and other countries have felt the strain of just supplying Ukraine - and for a recipient country at war or near war to effectively integrate the variety of weapons systems seamlessly on a battlefield under duress is really not possible."At the same time, there's something fundamentally wrong with the way in which the US spends its defense budget, according to Chas Freeman, a visiting scholar at the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University and former assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs from 1993-94. "We have a tendency to be on a cost-plus basis, to just funnel money into the defense contractors and they produce weapon systems which have every bell and whistle you can imagine on them to the point where sometimes they're not very reliable," Freeman told Sputnik. "You can look at the example of the F-35, which is the latest all-purpose fighter aircraft, which apparently has hundreds of design flaws and most of the time can't fly. We have reduced defense companies, contractors to the level where they are oligopolies that are only five or so, the big ones. And that means there's not much competition. And without competition, as we know from the experience of capitalism, without competition, prices rise and efficiency declines."Presently, US-NATO rhetoric about the double Russo-China threat appears to be a way to improve Washington's economic opportunities, according to the former DoD analyst.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230130/stoltenbergs-asia-trip-highlights-nato-appetite-for-global-anti-china-anti-russia-bloc-scholars-1106833507.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230111/eu-nato-unity-only-ink-on-paper-as-members-lose-grip-analysts-say-1106231674.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/lavrov-in-sudan-moscow-and-khartoum-ratify-russian-navy-logistics-base-1107267350.html

Lavrov Reveals How West Follows Moscow's Footsteps, Influences Russian-African Relations

Lavrov Reveals How West Follows Moscow's Footsteps, Influences Russian-African Relations

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Sudan on Thursday for talks with Sudanese Foreign Minister and other country's leaders

2023-02-09T13:50+0000

2023-02-09T13:50+0000

2023-02-09T14:40+0000

africa

russia

sudan

sergey lavrov

russian foreign ministry

sudanese foreign ministry

sudanese military transition council

press conference

joint press conference

talks

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Moscow is confident that attempts by Western diplomats to influence relations between Russia and African countries will have no effect, Lavrov told press during a joint press conference with his Sudanese counterpart.Speaking about the recent visits of EU representatives to African countries, Lavrov called it a suspicious coincidence that the officials appear to travel to the same states as the Russian delegation. He stated that the delegation in Africa feels that western diplomats are harassing the continent with preventive visits aimed at damaging relations "with our African friends."He emphasized that the West demands that countries condemn Russia with such "stubborness and insolence" because it feels it is wrong. According to Lavrov, it doesn't believe in any democracy, otherwise, it would leave developing countries alone.Moreover, the Russian foreign minister said that agreement between Russia and Sudan on the establishment of a Russian logistics navy base in Sudan is now advancing.The agreement on the construction of a logistics center for the Russian Navy in Port Sudan in the Red Sea was reached between Moscow and Khartoum in 2020. According to the document, the number of personnel at the base should not exceed 300 and no more than four Russian ships can be there at a time. Sudanese authorities have repeatedly highlighted that they didn't object to the deployment of a Russian naval base in the Red Sea, which would be used to replenish supplies, repair ships and provide rest for crew members.Diplomatic AdvancesApart from military cooperation during the talks, the two sides touched upon the subject of bilateral relations in various spheres of mutual interest, including economic ties. In particular, Lavrov confirmed that Russian companies are considering the possibility of increasing the volume of investments in Sudan's mining industry. As for internal affairs of the African state, the Russian top diplomat underlined that Moscow believes the national dialogue in Sudan should be conducted without external interference. He also noted that Russia supports the Sudanese government's measures aimed at stabilizing the internal situation in the country and improving security. As for the prospects of bilateral relations between the two states, Lavrov invited his Sudanese counterpart Al-Sadiq to pay a visit to the Russian Federation. The Sudanese foreign minister, in turn, confirmed that Sudan will take part in the Russia-Africa summit scheduled to take place in St. Petersburg this July.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/multifaceted-cooperation-russian-fm-lavrov-arrives-in-sudan-1107104224.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/lawyer-for-hunter-biden-warns-critics-of-litigation-over-their-public-statements-media-reports-1107105379.html

Lawyer for Hunter Biden Warns Critics of Litigation Over Their Public Statements, Media Reports

Lawyer for Hunter Biden Warns Critics of Litigation Over Their Public Statements, Media Reports

A lawyer for Hunter Biden, the son of US President Joe Biden, sent letters to those who made public statements about his client's infamous laptop, warning them of possible litigation

2023-02-09T08:12+0000

2023-02-09T08:12+0000

2023-02-09T08:12+0000

americas

freedom of speech

hunter biden

joe biden

biden classified files

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Last week, media reported that Hunter Biden hired Abbe Lowell, a high-profile lawyer, for his legal team amid Republican party plans to launch an investigation against the US president's son. American newspaper reported that Lowell sent the letter to 14 people, including Rudy Giuliani, a lawyer for former President Donald Trump, Giulianis lawyer Robert Costello and others who have publicly criticized Hunted Biden over the laptop story. Ted Goodman, an adviser to Giuliani, stated that the letters were just an "an intimidation tactic." On Wednesday, the US House Oversight Committee held its first hearing in its probe into potential influence peddling, panel chair James Comer said. The committee heard testimony from former Twitter officials about their role in censoring reports about the Hunter Biden laptop story ahead of the 2020 US Presidential Election. In October 2020, shortly before the US presidential election, US media began reporting on the contents of a laptop abandoned by Hunter Biden, which contained information about his foreign business dealings and images seeming to depict substance abuse and sexual activity.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221118/hunter-becomes-the-hunted-timeline-of-the-biden-laptop-saga-as-gop-announces-criminal-probe-1104383758.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230205/over-40-of-americans-say-biden-probably-deliberately-kept-classified-documents-poll-shows-1106988382.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/leaked-docs-reveal-maryland-state-troopers-have-arrest-quotas-in-defiance-of-2006-law-1107098478.html

Leaked Docs Reveal Maryland State Troopers Have Arrest Quotas in Defiance of 2006 Law

Leaked Docs Reveal Maryland State Troopers Have Arrest Quotas in Defiance of 2006 Law

According to a 2021 anti-corruption report by the University of Illinois at Chicago, Baltimore, Marylands largest city, has been the second-most corrupt... 09.02.2023, Sputnik International

2023-02-09T01:11+0000

2023-02-09T01:11+0000

2023-02-09T01:04+0000

americas

maryland

state police

corruption

arrest quota

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Newly leaked internal documents have revealed Maryland state police officials were involved in a points-based system scheme that rewarded its patrol officers for increased arrests, a practice banned since 2006.The documents, reviewed by local news outlet The Baltimore Banner, include a goals and expectations memo that details what is expected of troopers, including how many arrests, stops, and citations should be made in a month.The documents come from a judiciary committee hearing in the General Assembly on Tuesday.Delegate Robin Grammer, a Republican from Essex county, said the docs were sent to him anonymously. The tipster wrote they felt most troopers disagree with this but have no voice to help combat this practice.One of the documents appears to be an email sent to state police supervisors and implies that troopers can be rewarded for exceeding quotas, or punished for failing to reach them.The document then lists thirteen troopers with their names redacted next to an apparent point total ranging from 471 to 2,259.To meet expectations, troopers in Maryland are expected to make 70 to 90 traffic stops per month, issue 35 to 50 citations a month, issue 35 to 50 warnings a month, keep their citation-to-warning ratio above 0.7, perform 4 to 6 DUI arrests a year, issue 3 to 5 safety equipment repair orders for things like broken tail lights a month, make 3 to 5 controlled substance arrests or civil citations a month, and make between 2 and 3 arrests a month.Those statistics will put a trooper in the Meets Expectations range, but they can also increase those numbers and be included in the Exceeds Expectations category. Failing to hit those statistics will result in an officer's performance being ranked Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory.Grammer, who has introduced legislation to strengthen the states current ban on law enforcement quotas, said the program amounts to taxpayer-paid incentives for juicing up the numbers so that local politicians look good.Grammer says the issue could have been avoided, but the 2006 legislation that banned the practice was gutted by the state lawmakers who opposed it.When asked to comment, the Maryland State Police seemed unaware of the documents. State police spokesperson Ron Snyder told the Baltimore Banner that the agency was looking into it and would follow up as soon as possible.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20210328/body-camera-footage-released-by-maryland-police-shows-officers-berating-5-year-old-boy-1082475986.html

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US Lawmakers Introduce Resolution Urging Peace Deal, End to Ukraine Aid

US House lawmakers introduced a resolution calling for the United States to end its assistance to Ukraine and urging a peaceful settlement of the conflict, according to a copy of the bill obtained by Fox News.

Congressman Matt Gaetz and ten co-sponsors are introducing the bill, known as the Ukraine Fatigue Resolution, following the provision of more than $100 billion of taxpayer money to Ukrainian initiatives.

The resolution expresses the sense of the House that the United States "must end its military and financial aid to Ukraine," the bill text said.

In addition, the resolution "urges all combatants" to reach a peace agreement.

The United States is inadvertently contributing to civilian casualties by providing assistance, the resolution also said.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/multifaceted-cooperation-russian-fm-lavrov-arrives-in-sudan-1107104224.html

'Multifaceted Cooperation': Russian FM Lavrov Arrives in Sudan

'Multifaceted Cooperation': Russian FM Lavrov Arrives in Sudan

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has arrived in Sudan, a Sputnik correspondent reported.

2023-02-09T07:14+0000

2023-02-09T07:14+0000

2023-02-09T07:44+0000

africa

sudan

russia

sergey lavrov

russian foreign ministry

sudanese military transition council

sudanese foreign ministry

cooperation

talks

east africa

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has arrived in Sudan, a Sputnik correspondent reported.Upon his arrival, Russia's top diplomat held talks with his Sudanese counterpart Ali Al-Sadiq.The Russian foreign ministry stated that during Lavrov's visit it is planned to discuss in detail "key aspects of Russian-Sudanese multifaceted cooperation, as well as topical international and regional problems, with an emphasis on the need to find political and diplomatic solutions to crisis situations in the Middle East and the African continent."During his visit, Lavrov also intends to pay attention to preparations for the second Russia-Africa summit.This is the Russian foreign minister's first visit to Sudan, although representatives of the African state have repeatedly visited Russia. In 2019, Burhan met with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the Russia-Africa summit in Sochi. In 2021, then-Sudanese Foreign Minister Mariam Al-Mahdi visited Russia. In 2022, Dagalo came to the Russian Federation, along with Ali As-Sadeq. According to the country's ambassador to Moscow, Mohammed Elgazali Eltijani Sirraj, Lavrov's visit to Sudan is an important milestone in the development of relations between the two countries, since it will provide an opportunity to discuss the intensification of bilateral cooperation. A number of Russian companies, primarily specializing in the field of geology, are successfully operating in Sudan. Steps are also being taken to develop cooperation in nuclear energy. In 2017, the Russian Federation and Sudan signed an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the field of the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.In 2020, Moscow and Khartoum signed an agreement on the construction of a logistics center for the Russian Navy in the Red Sea. According to the document, the number of personnel at the base should not exceed 300 people, and no more than four Russian ships can be there at a time. Later, following negotiations with Lavrov, Dagalo noted that the Sudanese authorities did not object to the deployment of a Russian naval base in the Red Sea, which would be used to replenish supplies, repair ships and provide rest for crew members.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/probe-launched-after-attacker-punches-us-lawmaker-inside-dc-elevator-1107281871.html

Probe Launched After Attacker Punches US Lawmaker Inside DC Elevator

Probe Launched After Attacker Punches US Lawmaker Inside DC Elevator

A US congresswoman was attacked in Washington, DC, early Thursday while preparing to make her way to work, it has been revealed.

2023-02-09T21:13+0000

2023-02-09T21:13+0000

2023-02-09T21:06+0000

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dc

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washinton, dc

crime

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us house of representatives

angie craig

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A US congresswoman was attacked in Washington, DC, early Thursday while preparing to make her way to work, it has been revealed.The attack unfolded at around 7:15 a.m. local time as US Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) was inside the elevator of her apartment building. Aside from some bruising, she is "physically okay," her chief of staff, Nick Coe, said in a statement. He added the attack did not seem to be politically motivated.The Minnesota lawmaker informed police the assailant was in her lobby and appeared erratic as if he was under the influence of an unknown substance. That same assailant then entered the elevator she was in and began to randomly do push ups before punching her in the face, near her chin, and grabbing her neck.The 50-year-old representative then threw her hot coffee at the alleged assailant to stop the attack, prompting the individual to flee the scene.No one messes with Angie, the senator added.Craig, a retired journalist and former business woman who is a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) was elected to her third term during the 2022 midterm elections. She is married to Cheryl Greene, whom she shares four children with.While the attack may not have been politically motivated, threats against federal lawmakers have increased about 400% in the past six years, according to US Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger who announced the shocking statistic last December. She is the first openly LGBTQ member of Congress from Minnesota.Violence is becoming all too common in our country, and it breaks my heart, wrote Representative Yvette Clarke (D-NY) on Twitter, calling the incident terrible.@RepAngieCraig is a dedicated legislator, a phenomenal person, and a cherished friend. I am praying for her recovery.The US Capitol Police is reportedly investigating the attack.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/russia-iran-studying-use-of-digital-currencies-for-export-import-operations-1107113086.html

Russia, Iran Studying Use of Digital Currencies for Export-Import Operations

Russia, Iran Studying Use of Digital Currencies for Export-Import Operations

Russia and Iran are studying the possibility of using digital currencies for export-import operations, but a regulatory framework is required, Russian Ambassador to Tehran Alexey Dedov said in an interview with Sputnik.

2023-02-09T11:25+0000

2023-02-09T11:25+0000

2023-02-09T11:25+0000

economy

russia

iran

digital currency

import

export

bilateral trade

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"The use of digital currencies and digital financial assets in settlements for export-import operations are being considered by both Russia and Iran. However, the process of reaching any specific agreements is still at the working stage," Dedov said. He said the issue requires a thorough expert study, including the development of the necessary legal framework. Earlier, a Russian business daily, citing Alexander Brazhnikov, Executive Director of the Russian Association of Cryptoindustry and Blockchain, reported that the Central Bank of Iran is considering the possibility, together with Russia, to create a Persian token, which could be accepted as a means of payment in foreign trade settlements between the countries instead of the US dollar, Russian ruble and Iranian rial. It is assumed that the token will be backed by gold, being a stablecoin.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230124/from-trade-to-swapping-how-russia-and-iran-boost-cooperation-in-face-of-sanctions-1106655138.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/russia-saving-lives-in-syrian-earthquake-response-1107257841.html

Russia 'Saving Lives' in Syrian Earthquake Response

Russia 'Saving Lives' in Syrian Earthquake Response

Russian soldiers and rescuers are reportedly assisting in search-and-rescue operations and debris removal in Syria.

2023-02-09T13:46+0000

2023-02-09T13:46+0000

2023-02-09T13:46+0000

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earthquake rocks turkiye and syria

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The Syrian government has praised Russia's response to the deadly earthquake in the country in comments to Sputnik.Minister of Local Administration and Environment Hussein Makhlouf confirmed that Russian troops and rescuers are participating in search-and-rescue operations and debris removal in the country.He added that the Russian team working in the Latakia province is equipped with all the necessary advanced equipment.He also drew attention to Russian efforts in the town of Jableh, where "a large number of houses were destroyed. Russian rescuers are working together with their Syrian colleagues. The victims rescued by the Russian team are being sent to the National Hospital in Latakia: most of them have already been stabilized," the minister said.Russian military and rescue workers continue to work not only in Latakia, but also in other Syrian provinces affected by the earthquake. In the next two days, two Russian cargo planes carrying humanitarian aid will arrive at Latakia airport.Washington's SlanderWhen asked why the US does not allow most countries to send aid to Syria, Makhlouf stressed: "All the claims made by the US administration regarding the delivery of humanitarian aid to our disaster-stricken country are baseless fabrications."According to him, the US is deliberately preventing other western countries from providing any assistance to the Syrian people.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/live-updates-death-toll-from-turkiye-and-syria-earthquake-exceeds-15000-1107103024.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/sanctioned-russian-businessman-malofeev-says-us-committed-crime-seizing-his-funds-1107281013.html

Sanctioned Russian Businessman Malofeev Says US Committed Crime Seizing His Funds

Sanctioned Russian Businessman Malofeev Says US Committed Crime Seizing His Funds

Founder of Russian media group Tsargrad Konstantin Malofeev told Sputnik on Thursday that seizure of his funds in the United States could be qualified as a crime committed by an organized group of people by prior conspiracy.

2023-02-09T20:00+0000

2023-02-09T20:00+0000

2023-02-09T19:53+0000

world

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On Saturday, US Attorney General Merrick Garland said that Malofeev's forfeited funds will be "transferred to the State Department to support the people of Ukraine." This became the first case of seizing funds of sanctioned Russian individuals and using them to assist Ukraine. He also noted that Russian media should start referring to this case as "a crime committed by a group of people" in accordance with the Russian Criminal Code, and stop using "the American narrative." The entrepreneur also said Russia "is dealing with the enemy that started to despise all the laws of the civilized world long time ago." Seizure of frozen funds belonging to Russians in the US is fraud, and Russian law enforcement should determine whether it qualifies as theft or robbery, Malofeev added. The media group founder also called for a tribunal for both the Kiev regime and Washington officials supporting and "controlling" it. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated earlier that the seizure of Malofeevs funds by the Biden administration was "outright robbery," saying the international business was given a lesson of lawlessness in the United States.

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A Missouri man was sentenced to 11 years in prison on fraud and money laundering charges stemming from a $7 million scheme related to his commercial aircraft supply businesses, according to federal authorities.

Kyle J. Wine, 42, of Lees Summit, Missouri, also was sentenced U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to three years of supervised release on the counts, according to federal authorities.

Authorities, citing court documents and statements made in court, said Wine owned and operated companies engaged in the business of commercial aircraft supply, including JetPro International, LLC, Nexus Aviation, and Turbotech Partners.

From at least 2018 through 2021, Wine defrauded investors in aircraft-related transactions, authorities said in a statement. Wine used victims money to purchase aircraft airframes and engines, sold the aircraft airframes and engines, hid the resulting profits from his investors, and diverted invested funds for his personal use.

Wine also convinced a Darien, Conn. firm to invest $4.5 million in the purported acquisition and sale of an Airbus A320-231 airframe and two aircraft engines, the statement said. Wine sent fictitious correspondence to the victim investor and created fake domain names and email accounts. He then used those email accounts to send fraudulent correspondence to the victim investor to trick the investor into believing that JetPro was attempting to sell the Airbus airframe and the two aircraft engines to certain buyers.

However, Wine had sold one engine for $2.45 million and the Airbus airframe for $1.3 million and did not inform the victim of those sales and shared no proceeds of the sales with the investor, the statement said. Wine also used some of these invested funds to purchase another aircraft engine without the knowledge of the victim investor.

Wines fraud scheme caused $7,152,666.67 in losses to 13 victims, according to federal authorities.

Authorities said Williams will issue a restitution order following additional court proceedings.

Wine pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering in July 2022.

Authorities said Wine previously pleaded guilty in the Western District of Missouri to fraud and money laundering offenses stemming from a mortgage fraud scheme that involved about $4.4 million in fraudulent loans and was sentenced to probation.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service  Criminal Investigation Division; it was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan N. Francis.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/sanctions-on-syria-affect-aid-deliveries-amid-earthquake-response-ifrc-says-1107102804.html

Sanctions on Syria Affect Aid Deliveries Amid Earthquake Response, IFRC Says

Sanctions on Syria Affect Aid Deliveries Amid Earthquake Response, IFRC Says

Sanctions against Syria, which is dealing with the fallout of the devastating earthquake, drive prices up for everything and slow down humanitarian operations,

2023-02-09T05:44+0000

2023-02-09T05:44+0000

2023-02-09T05:44+0000

world

earthquake rocks turkiye and syria

turkiye

syria

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Turkiye and Syria were rattled on Monday by a pair of major earthquakes and dozens of aftershocks that killed more than 10,000 people and collapsed thousands of homes. Syria's death toll has topped 1,200 people. Russian rescue teams are working on the ground in both countries. In Syria, Russian military are involved in rescue operations.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/seymour-hersh-on-calls-to-testify-in-russian-duma-over-nord-stream-findings-i-dont-do-politics-1107283110.html

Seymour Hersh on Calls to Testify in Russian Duma Over Nord Stream Findings: I Don't Do Politics

Seymour Hersh on Calls to Testify in Russian Duma Over Nord Stream Findings: I Don't Do Politics

Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Seymour Hersh told Sputnik in response to a call for him to testify before the Russian Duma on this latest investigative piece on the blowing up of the Nord Stream pipelines that he stays away from politics.

2023-02-09T22:15+0000

2023-02-09T22:15+0000

2023-02-09T22:09+0000

nord stream sabotage

seymour hersh

russian duma

nord stream pipeline

testify

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"Many thanks, but I just do the story, not the politics, ever," Hersh said on Thursday when asked whether he would consider testifying before the Russian parliament. Earlier on Thursday, Duma member Sultan Khamzaev told Sputnik that Hersh should be invited to the lower house of the Russian parliament to discuss in more detail his investigative piece on the blowing up of the North Stream pipelines in September 2022. Khamzaev also said the discussion can be continued within the framework of the parliamentary commission investigating the United States activities regarding biolaboratories in Ukraine. On Wednesday, Hersh wrote an investigative piece describing in detail how US deep-water divers had planted explosives under three of Russia's four Nord Stream pipelines. Hersh wrote, based on insider information from sources in the know, that the US detonated the explosives remotely on September 26, 2022, on the order of President Joe Biden. Hersh reported that the explosives were planted during a NATO Baltic Sea exercise last summer and cited a source with direct knowledge of the US operational planning as saying that Norway played a key role in helping the United States organize the attack and keep the Swedish and Danish navies in the dark.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/dynamite-anti-war-pundits-hail-hersh-expos-of-us-hand-in-nord-stream-sabotage-1107254661.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/south-african-disaster-relief-groups-arrive-in-turkiye-to-aid-earthquake-victims-1107105079.html

South African Disaster Relief Groups Arrive in Turkiye to Aid Earthquake Victims

South African Disaster Relief Groups Arrive in Turkiye to Aid Earthquake Victims

Disaster and rescue experts, as well as medical groups from South Africa have arrived in Turkiye to provide assistance to victims of Mondays deadly quakes that have left thousands dead and thousands more trapped under rubble.

2023-02-09T08:42+0000

2023-02-09T08:42+0000

2023-02-09T13:08+0000

africa

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turkiye

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earthquake rocks turkiye and syria

earthquake

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Disaster and rescue experts, as well as medical groups from South Africa have arrived in Turkiye to provide assistance to victims of Mondays deadly quakes that have left thousands dead and thousands more trapped under rubble.Teams from Gift of the Givers and Medi Response, two South African humanitarian aid and disaster response organizations, arrived in Turkiye on Wednesday, according to their respective social media. According to the organization, the teams took off from Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport and Cape Town International Airport. The South African rescue group includes 27 search and rescue members as well as 20 medical personnel. Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman, head of the South Africa-based humanitarian organization, told Turkish media that the country's police service had also agreed to send five sniffer dogs and their handlers to Turkiye that will "make a huge impact in search and rescue, and help in finding where people are buried. As of now, he added, "rescuers are tirelessly combing through the rubble to find and save anyone who may still be trapped" amid the shattered remains of buildings. Gift of the Givers also stated that Turkish Airlines supported them by sponsoring air tickets and cargo costs, while the country's officials set up a dedicated flight for the rescue team and their equipment to fly to Adana, from where they will later head to the earthquake zone.The initial earthquake of 7.8 magnitude struck the southern Turkish city of Gaziantep, a key industrial center near the Syrian border, at 4:17 am local time, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). Tremors were also felt in Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt, Greece, Cyprus and Israel. Later, there was a second quake of 7.5 magnitude and dozens of weaker aftershocks, the USGS said. Tremors were felt in different regions, including the capital Ankara, Adana, Nevsehir, Gaziantep, Kayseri, Mersin, and Hatay.So far, according to Turkiye's Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), the death toll from the quakes has risen to 12,873, while the number of injured is estimated at 62,937. At the same time, Syria's earthquake death toll has risen to 1,262; another 2,285 were injured, the country's health ministry stated. Thousands of buildings have also been reduced to rubble. Rescue teams are working on the ground around the clock in both countries. Countries from all over the world offered help and rushed to dispatch aid to Turkey and Syria after the earthquakes. It was reported that Russia, the EU, and several other countries had offered their assistance. Russian rescue teams are already working on the ground in both countries, while in Syria the Russian military is involved in rescue operations.On Tuesday, Algeria sent an 89-member civil protection team to Turkey and an 85-member team to Syria to assist in rescue operations, along with 210 tons of humanitarian aid to both countries.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230207/african-leaders-express-support-for-turkey-syria-after-devastating-earthquakes-1107033612.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/sweden-stops-new-quran-burning-after-warnings-from-security-police-1107102485.html

Sweden Stops New Quran-Burning After Warnings From Security Police

Sweden Stops New Quran-Burning After Warnings From Security Police

This decision has palpable political undertones as Turkiye made it clear that Sweden's NATO bid won't be allowed to advance as long as Stockholm permits the Quran to be defaced.

2023-02-09T11:25+0000

2023-02-09T11:25+0000

2023-02-09T11:25+0000

world

sweden

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turkiye

nato

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rasmus paludan

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A new application for permission to burn a copy of the Quran near the Turkish embassy, filed by Danish-Swedish Hard Line party leader Rasmus Paludan, has been refused by the Swedish police, who have made the decision after a "dialogue with the Security Police."The Security Police saw an increase in the scope of threats against Sweden and described the recent developments as "serious" amid an extensive Muslim backlash following Quran-burnings earlier this year, with Swedish flags torched in several places in response.After the recent Quran burnings, the US notably issued a terror warning to its citizens in Sweden. Rasmus Paludan, in turn, pledged to burn copies of the Quran "every Friday" until Sweden gets admitted to NATO, which he framed as a "lesson in free speech" for Turkish leader Recep Erdogan.Earlier this month, a similar application for a demonstration by Stop the Islamization of Norway, during a copy of the Quran was slated for burning, was ultimately rejected by the police over security concerns, as Oslo police admitted that security cannot be ensured "in a satisfactory manner."Much at StakeIn Sweden's case however, not only is the nation's security on the line, but the country's NATO bid, which Turkiye ultimately has the key as it remains the only NATO state to openly oppose it. While Sweden previously admitted insurmountable difficulties in negotiations, stressing that at least some of Ankara's demands couldn't be met, the recent events exacerbated the diplomatic crisis, raising it to another level. Following the recent string of provocations that featured Turkish president Recep Erdogan hung in effigy in Stockholm, a cartoon contest to mock the Turkish leader, and copies of the Quran being burned, Ankara struck back, stating that Sweden's bid (as opposed to neighboring Finland's) "cannot be met under current conditions."The Swedish minority government led by the liberal-conservative Moderates has been walking the diplomatic tightrope of trying to keep Ankara satisfied without making too may concessions or losing face. This has proven to be an arduous task, as it found itself in a quandary between its commitment to freedom of speech and its image as a champion of human rights as well as its quest to meet its security goals.In doing so, it has sparked criticism from both the left-wing opposition, who felt that the government has compromised Sweden's humanitarian stance by granting Turkiye's deportation requests, and its national-conservative allies the Sweden Democrats, whose leader Jimmie Akesson accused it of "groveling for dictatorial Islamism" and failing to stand up for free speech. Furthermore, Richard Jomshof, one of the party's top representatives, dismissed Turkiye's outrage and called on Sweden to "burn a hundred more Qurans."However, following the decision to reject Rasmus Paludan's Quran-burning stunt, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said he was confident that the Turkish parliament would ultimately ratify both Nordic nations' bids.Finland and Sweden filed a joint NATO bid in May 2022, yet amid Stockholm's troubles in Ankara there has been a growing sentiment in Finland in favor of proceeding alone, as Turkiye said it had no qualms against Helsinki.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230207/finland-ready-to-join-nato-without-sweden-sources-claim-1107029911.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/swedish-authorities-decline-comments-on-new-report-implicating-us-in-nord-stream-sabotage-1107279365.html

Swedish Authorities Decline Comments on New Report Implicating US in Nord Stream Sabotage

Swedish Authorities Decline Comments on New Report Implicating US in Nord Stream Sabotage

The Swedish Prosecution Authority and the country's foreign ministry said they could not comment on the report by an American investigative journalist that US navy divers blew up the Nord Stream pipeline, citing confidentiality.

2023-02-09T18:54+0000

2023-02-09T18:54+0000

2023-02-09T18:54+0000

world

nord stream pipeline

explosion

sweden

reaction

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The foreign ministry's press service said Sweden's competent authorities were conducting a criminal investigation and refused to comment further. The press service of the prosecutor's office also said that the investigation into the Nord Stream sabotage has been ongoing and the prosecutors could not comment due to the confidentiality of the case. Seymour Hersh, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who blew the whistle on US atrocities in Vietnam War and more recently on prisoner torture at Abu Ghraib in Iraq, wrote in a blog post on Wednesday that American deep-water divers had planted explosives under three of the four Russia's Nord Stream pipelines that were detonated remotely last September at the order of President Joe Biden.Hersh claimed that the explosives were planted during a NATO Baltic Sea exercise last summer and cited a source with direct knowledge of the US operational planning as saying that Norway played a key role in helping the US organize the attack and keep the Swedish and Danish navies in the dark.On September 26, three of the four strings of the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines were damaged after an underwater blast. The pipeline's operator Nord Stream AG reported that the damage was unprecedented and it was impossible to estimate the timeframe for repairs. Germany, Denmark, and Sweden launched separate investigations into the suspected sabotage, with German media reporting trust issues among the three EU nations. The Russian chief prosecutor's office said it had opened an inquiry into possible international terrorism.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/dynamite-anti-war-pundits-hail-hersh-expos-of-us-hand-in-nord-stream-sabotage-1107254661.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/uganda-to-fine-motorists-for-driving-without-trash-bin-1107211002.html

Uganda to Fine Motorists for Driving Without Trash Bin

Uganda to Fine Motorists for Driving Without Trash Bin

Ugandan environmental agency has announced new penalties for environment violators with effect from April 1, including fines on motorists driving private cars without dustbins.

2023-02-09T14:09+0000

2023-02-09T14:09+0000

2023-02-09T14:09+0000

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east africa

uganda

environment protection

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air pollution

water pollution

fines

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Uganda's environmental agency has announced new penalties for polluters, including fines on motorists driving cars without dustbins. The new measures will come into effect on April 1.The agency published a new penalty scheme according to which littering from cars or driving a car without a trash bin will attract a maximum fine of up to six million Ugandan shillings ($1,630). Offenders who refuse to pay will be subjected to prosecution and imprisonment or a fine determined by a court, the agency added.As of now, only passenger buses in Uganda that travel over long distances are obligated to have dustbins. The new requirement for trash bins in cars has drawn the attention of many drivers, who questioned whether there is a specific standard of what can be considered a bin.The agency's spokesperson stated that a plastic bag can't be used as a bin, while the definition of what counts as a trash bin will be presented in the next amendment.The agency's penalty scheme includes a wide range of environmental breaches such as littering from commercial buildings, disposing of waste on a roadside, and throwing trash in a river, stream, lake or channel. A greater fine of up to 100 million Ugandan shillings will be imposed for importing, exporting, manufacturing, using or reusing plastic bags or plastic products made of polymers of ethane and propylene that are below 30 microns.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/us-reporter-arrested-while-covering-press-conference-for-being-too-loud-1107107389.html

US Reporter Arrested While Covering Press Conference for Being 'Too Loud'

US Reporter Arrested While Covering Press Conference for Being 'Too Loud'

US broadcaster said its reporter Evan Lambert was arrested for being too loud while he was covering a press conference of the governor of Ohio.

2023-02-09T09:40+0000

2023-02-09T09:40+0000

2023-02-09T09:40+0000

americas

freedom of speech

journalist

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Broadcaster said that Lambert was giving a live report during a press conference given by Ohio governor Mike DeWine, who was speaking about a trail derailment that occurred in the state last week. Law enforcement officers told the reporter to leave the room for being too loud and then tried to forcibly remove him from the event. Lambert was then arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing, with the moment of his arrest caught on camera and shared in the media. American media provided live updates and footage of developments on social media. Mike Viqueria, broadcasters Washington bureau chief, said that the arrest was a violation of the First Amendment of the US Constitution.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/west-providing-earthquake-relief-only-to-rebel-held-areas-not-government-damascus-says-1107103445.html

West Providing Earthquake Relief Only to Rebel-Held Areas, Not Government, Damascus Says

West Providing Earthquake Relief Only to Rebel-Held Areas, Not Government, Damascus Says

Western countries do not provide necessary aid to the Syrian government, which is dealing with the fallout of the devastating earthquake, and only care about Turkiye or areas in Syria that are controlled by terrorist or opposition groups, the Syrian Presidencys Special Advisor Bouthaina Shaaban said.

2023-02-09T06:41+0000

2023-02-09T06:41+0000

2023-02-09T06:41+0000

world

earthquake rocks turkiye and syria

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Earlier in the week, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies told Sputnik that sanctions against Syria drive prices up for everything and slow down humanitarian operations. Turkiye and Syria were rattled on Monday by at least three major earthquakes and dozens of aftershocks that killed more than 10,000 people and collapsed thousands of homes. Russia and other nations have pledged their assistance to both countries.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/white-house-considers-restricting-chinas-access-to-dollars-media-reports-1107270461.html

White House Considers Restricting Chinas Access to Dollars, Media Reports

White House Considers Restricting Chinas Access to Dollars, Media Reports

The White House is considering the possibility of restricting Beijings access to US dollars, as concerns grow about China's military ambitions, Americam media reported on Thursday, citing sources familiar with the discussions.

2023-02-09T15:18+0000

2023-02-09T15:18+0000

2023-03-05T10:46+0000

americas

china

chinese balloon over us

dollar

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While the White House is already finalizing curbs on US investment in China, including in certain tech sectors, cutting off the supply of US dollars could limit financing of the development of advanced military technologies, the report noted. The Treasury has been in talks with other governments, including the European Union, to get them on board, so that they would not provide replacement financing, according to the newspaper. Public revelations last week about an alleged Chinese surveillance balloon program added fuel to US concerns about Chinas growing military capabilities.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/whos-jake-sullivan-the-man-who-reportedly-assembled-dream-team-to-destroy-nord-stream-1107273707.html

Who's Jake Sullivan, the Man Who Reportedly Assembled 'Dream Team' to Destroy Nord Stream?

Who's Jake Sullivan, the Man Who Reportedly Assembled 'Dream Team' to Destroy Nord Stream?

National Security Adviser to President Biden Jake Sullivan played a prominent role in plotting the September 26, 2022, sabotage against the Russo-European Nord... 09.02.2023, Sputnik International

2023-02-09T16:11+0000

2023-02-09T16:11+0000

2023-02-10T09:06+0000

us

opinion

jake sullivan

hillary clinton

barack obama

joe biden

seymour hersh

nord stream

benghazi

donald trump

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"I have great respect for Hersh and his reporting and believe that Sullivan could certainly have been instrumental in pushing for and carrying out this deceitful campaign that likely has inflicted monumental damage on citizens worldwide while also sapping America's remaining national prestige," Wall Street analyst and investigative journalist Charles Ortel told Sputnik.In December 2021, Jake Sullivan, acting with Joe Biden's blessing, convened men and women from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the CIA, and the State and Treasury Departments to come up with a plan on how to destruct Nord Stream 1 and 2 designed to pump Russian natural gas to Europe, according to Seymour Hersh's recent bombshell.In early 2022, the CIA told Sullivan that they knew how to blow up the pipelines. The group decided to keep the risky plot on a hush. The US Congress wasn't informed. The US military and intelligence operatives did their best to conceal Washington's role in the sabotage. As per the investigative journalist, the team had concerns about the legality of the plot and was well aware that it could quickly morph into a foreign policy nightmare.After the pipelines had been destroyed, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and, later, Undersecretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland openly praised the development.For his part, Jake Sullivan stated laconically on September 27, 2022, that the US was supporting efforts to investigate the "apparent sabotage" and "will continue [it's] work to safeguard Europes energy security."Clinton's Golden BoyJake Sullivan, 46, has long been praised as a "golden boy" by the US mainstream media. Having graduated from Yale in 1998 Sullivan became an advisor to then-presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in 2008 and later, after Hillary dropped out from the race, he advised Barack Obama during his general election campaign.Sullivan was just 32 when he was sworn in as Hillary Clinton's deputy chief of staff for policy at the US State Department. When Clinton left the State Department in early 2013, Obama promoted Sullivan to the position of national security adviser to then-Vice President Joe Biden.In 2015, Sullivan married Margaret Goodlander, onetime advisor to well-known hawks Senators Joe Lieberman and John McCain, who used to previously work for the Council on Foreign Relations and the Center for a New American Security. (Goodlander is currently Counsel to Attorney General Merrick Garland).Sullivan is known for being a quiet but prominent member of the Clinton-Obama team. According to the press, he was part of the "exclusive" team working on resuming relations with Cuba and striking the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal. He is also said to be Hillary's close confidante in the Libya plan, which was developed months before the 2011 NATO invasion of the North African state and brutal killing of its leader Muammar Gaddafi.Sullivan and his boss, Clinton, adhered to the concept of "smart power," which encompasses the use of military threat, force, and sanctions and the soft-power levers favored by foreign policy doves, which includes humanitarian aid and negotiations.The aide was reportedly called "the cat's meow" and a "potential future president" by Hillary, while Biden lauded him as a "once-in-a-generation intellect."In 2015, the sandy-haired Minnesotan joined Hillary on her 2015/2016 election cycle as a foreign policy adviser and eventually returned to the US administration as Joe Biden's national security adviser in 2021.Sullivan Lacks True Sense of Right Versus WrongHowever, there's another side to Sullivan's stellar career. "Sullivan is clearly drunk on power and lacking a true sense of right versus wrong," according to Ortel.One might wonder why Sullivan rose to prominence so fast even though he had relatively little experience in government affairs. Hillary herself admitted that Jake wasn't the most experienced diplomat when it came to foreign policy."Jake was not the most experienced diplomat at the State Department I could have chosen, but he was discreet and had my absolute confidence," Clinton wrote in her memoir Hard Choices while describing her decision to tap Sullivan to kick off negotiations with Iran in 2012. "His presence would send a powerful message that I was personally invested in this process."According to US media observers, Sullivan's primary secret is that he mastered himself in delivering on his bosss wants and needs even when it went contrary to rules and ethics. The US press quoted a senior Obama aide as saying that Sullivan was ready to do "everything" for then-Secretary Clinton.Unsurprisingly, Sullivan had no scruples about Hillary's unsecured email server use for classified and top secret government correspondence. He was bullish on Washington's Libyan and Syrian interventions which spiraled out of control, completely ruining the North Africa state and leaving the Syrian Arab Republic in tatters."Under Obama and Biden, Sullivan is connected to train wreck after train wreck, from the Arab "spring", to Benghazi, ISIS*, the Iran 'deal' and more. He seems to be a huge fan of secret negotiations that are never subject to oversight," Ortel noted.Sullivan got mired in Hillary Clinton's Benghazi scandal revolving around the former secretary of state's failure to prevent a brutal slaughter of US Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other US nationals in Libya on September 11, 2012. During the investigation into the matter, the House committee stumbled upon Sullivan's letter in which the official emphasized that "we need to live in a world of risks," while touting Washington's decision to oust Gaddafi which opened the door to chaos in Libya.Trump-Russia "Collusion" Hoax"In the 2016 campaign, he had every motive to hide the misdeeds of the Clintons, including corruption and tax fraud involving The Clinton Foundation and many other charities," said Ortel, who has been conducting a private investigation into the Clinton Foundation's alleged fraud for several years. "Here it will prove interesting to see what [Special Councel] John Durham has to say about Sullivan, including his likely role pushing the Russian Hoax, for Trump's impeachment and for electing Joe Biden."Sullivan appeared to have no scruples about actively spreading the Trump-Russia collusion narrative and keeping the myth alive even after the allegations about Trump were proven null and void. Later, Durham's investigation shed light on Clinton campaign operatives' role in peddling a fake Trump-Alfa Bank story and uncorroborated "dirty dossier" by ex-MI6 agent Christopher Steele.However, when testifying under oath before the US House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence in December 2017, the Clinton confidante denied any knowledge of the plot or people involved in it.US investigative journalist Paul Sperry alleged that Sullivan was well-aware that the Trump-Alfa Bank story was "cooked-up" and personally spearheaded a "confidential project" to link Trump to the Kremlin.Sullivan was also the one who personally promoted the Trump-Russia collusion story prior to the 2016 elections. Thus, during the July 2016 Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Philadelphia, Sullivan met with a number of mainstream media producers and anchors to tell a story "that Trump was conspiring with Putin to steal the election." Around that time, the CIA intercepted Russian intelligence's "chatter" about a Clinton "foreign policy adviser" who allegedly proposed a plan to vilify Donald Trump by linking him to the Kremlin in order to distract public opinion from Hillary's emailgate scandal. Some US observers believe that the foreign policy adviser in question was Jake Sullivan.According to Ortel, Sullivan could well be aware of many other "dirty" secrets of the US Democratic establishment, including the Clinton's alleged pay-to-play schemes, Joe and Hunter Biden influence peddling and Team Obama's efforts to undermine then-sitting President Donald Trump through a string of dodgy investigations and leaks.Nord Stream Reporting Not DoneWhen it comes to the Nord Stream sabotage, "in a just process, Sullivan and his co-conspirators would swiftly be charged, convicted and incarcerated if it is proven that he orchestrated an undeclared war against Russia," argued Ortel.According to Ortel, by fanning the flames of proxy war against Russia, Team Biden both pursues vested interests and seeks to cover up and obscure political misdeeds involving Biden, Clinton and Obama in Ukraine and other nations from 2009 to date.Still, it appears that one could soon hear more about the Biden administration's secretive and risky plot. Hersh indicated to Sputnik that more investigative pieces about the Nord Stream explosion were forthcoming, but declined to provide further details.* ISIS/Daesh/ISIL is a terrorist organization banned by Russia and many other states.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/hershs-nord-stream-blasts-report-shows-need-for-open-investigation-kremlin-says-1107107943.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20211014/potential-indictment-of-jake-sullivan-may-bring-durham-very-close-to-hillary-clinton-analyst-says-1089928947.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230116/contagious-syndrome-how-clinton--obama-used-to-mishandle-classified-docs-akin-to-biden-1106411646.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220822/but-her-emails-why-clinton-and-trumps-espionage-act-cases-were-treated-so-differently-1099873249.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20201030/mysterious-hillary-emailgate-whistleblower--fbis-apparent-decades-long-cover-up-ploy-1080917666.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/german-lawmaker-condemns-scholzs-telltale-silence-on-us-role-in-nord-stream-sabotage-1107269926.html

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Who is Jake Sullivan, NSA to US President Joe Biden? White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) 2023-02-09T16:11+0000 true PT1M41S

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The Connecticut State Police released dashboard camera footage from a crash where a car struck a state trooper and a firefighter who were on the scene of another crash on Wednesday morning.

First responders were at the scene of a crash on Route 9 South near the merge with Interstate 91 in Cromwell around 7:45 a.m. Wednesday when another vehicle lost control while trying to drive around a bend in the road. The vehicle, a Honda Civic driven by a 43-year-old Manchester man, then traveled through the grassy gore area and entered the crash scene.

The Honda struck Trooper William Atkins and Cromwell firefighter Jon Bicking before coming to an uncontrolled stop in the right shoulder, state police said.

Bicking sustained serious injuries in the crash and Atkins had minor injuries, according to state police. They were both transported to Hartford Hospital and have since been released, according to State Sgt. Christine Jeltema.

The driver was charged with several motor vehicle violations and was released on a $1,000 non-surety bond. He is scheduled to appear in Manchester Superior Court on Feb. 27, state police said.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230209/zelensky-admits-he-never-intended-to-implement-minsk-agreements-1107274340.html

Zelensky Admits He Never Intended to Implement Minsk Agreements

Zelensky Admits He Never Intended to Implement Minsk Agreements

Volodymyr Zelensky admitted that he had previously told German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron that the Minsk agreements were "impossible" and he did not plan to implement them.

2023-02-09T15:42+0000

2023-02-09T15:42+0000

2023-02-09T15:42+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

ukraine

volodymyr zelensky

minsk agreements

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"As for Minsk as a whole, I told Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel: we will not be able to implement it like that," Zelensky said in an interview with a German magazine published on Thursday. According to Zelensky, he said the same thing to Russian President Vladimir Putin at the first and last meeting with him in the Normandy format in 2019. According to him, the Ukrainian side used the agreement only for the exchange of prisoners of war.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221208/the-minsk-agreements-explained-1105193250.html

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"It was a goal for me. Not that I was confident...to be honest, I was stressing for maybe 10 days. I couldn't wait for tomorrow, and the relief that I'd reached the goal."

Standardbred Canada announced the winners of the 2022 OBrien Awards, honouring Canadas best in harness racing over the past season, at its Black Tie Gala on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. It was the 34th edition of the OBrien Awards, and Richard Moreau added a record 10th OBrien trophy to his mantle with another Trainer of the Year title.

In 2022, Moreau topped the charts for all trainers in Canada with 330 wins and more than $5.2 million in purse earnings. He was the leading trainer of 2022 at Flamboro Downs, Georgian Downs and Woodbine Mohawk Park. Two of Moreaus trainees also picked up OBrien Awards  Gaines Hanover in the two-year-old trotting colt category and Fashion Frenzie in the Older Trotting Horse division.

Gaines Hanover won four of eight starts last season and bankrolled $493,851 in earnings en route to divisional honours. The son of Cantab Hall won the Champlain Stakes in September, but his biggest moment came when he captured the final of the Breeders Crown in October.

After winning the O'Brien Award for three-year-old colt trotters a year ago, Fashion Frenzie came back to win the OBrien for older trotters. He won seven of nine starts and more than $226,000 in purses in his four-year-old season. Most of the victories for the son of Archangel were in Woodbine Mohawk Parks Open Trot, with his notable stakes win coming at Georgian Downs where he won the Earl Rowe Memorial and set a new track record in the process.

The Quebec native and resident of Puslinch, Ont. took time after Saturday's Black Tie Gala to discuss one of the best seasons of his career, reflect on his decade of dominance and chime in on the challenges of retaining solid help in Canadian harness racing's current employment environment.

Moreau's interview with Standardbred Canada's Jeff Porchak and Brittney Mayotte appears below.
Divine Art looks to make it 17 wins in a row on Friday night at Cal Expo when she heads the cast for the $7,500 Filly and Mare Open.

Watch and Wager LLC will conduct 10 races with first post set for 6:45 p.m. (PST) and the main event is scheduled as the third contest on the evening.

Divine Art is a four-year-old Alberta-bred daughter of Outrageous Art who is owned, trained and driven by Gerry Longo.

An O'Brien Award runner-up as a three-year-old, she recorded the first 12 wins of her streak in her native Canada and has continued her perfection at Cal Expo while joining the Longo barn and putting her class and versatility on display.

Two starts back, the bay dynamo stepped up to the distaff Open ranks, sat a tracking journey for Longo to the drive and flew home when room developed along the rail in deep stretch to prevail by three-quarters of a length.

Sent off at 1-5 in last weeks Diamond Horse Alliance Filly and Mare Free-For-All, Divine Art did not disappoint her many backers as she battled hard first-over to the drive, ignited when it counted and drew off while equalling her lifetime mark with the 1:53.2 clocking.

Taking her on this Friday are Give Me This Dance, I Will Do It, Blue Star Mystic, Rockin With Lou and Lucky Lil Lady.

This week the trotters and pacers will be in action on Friday and Saturday night, with no racing on Super Bowl Sunday.

Lucky Lil Lady stepping up her game

Lucky Lil Lady continued her ascent up the class ladder at Cal Expo last Sunday when she captured the Filly and Mare Open Pace, benefitting from a perfect two-hole trip with Luke Plano.

The four-year-old Indiana-bred daughter of Luck Be Withyou carries the banner of Robin Clements, hails from the Quentin Schneider barn and was making it two in a row with that score at the head of the class.

Last summer, I was looking for a young mare that had the possibility to be a top one at Cal Expo and ended up getting Lucky Lil Lady off of Ongait, related Clements. I had talked with Jacob Fox, who had raced against her in condition claimers and liked her prospects. It didn't hurt that her sire, Luck Be Withyou, was also a Breeders Crown winner at age two.

She wasn't staked for the Sire Stakes in Indiana, but I still ended up paying a pretty penny for her. I kept her with Jacob for the summer and she really surprised us as she matured as she had only had eight lifetime starts at the time I got her.

Her first start for us she came home a last quarter in :25.4. She cut out a few miles in 1:51 and 1:52 just getting beat at the wire, but she had an impressive kick racing from behind too.

It was near the end of the summer that Clements sent Lucky Lil Lady to Quentin and Kim Schneider at Running Aces and she would eventually come to California with them.

I had talked to Luke Plano about her while she was still racing at Hoosier and he started watching her. When she started racing at Aces, I knew Luke would be a good fit, plus hes very good with the young horses. She cut out a few huge miles and eventually got a win in 1:53.2 in Minnesota.

Robin admits she wasnt expecting much with the step up to the Open ranks last weekend but gave Plano plenty of credit for working out a pocket journey and noted she came the fastest final quarter of the night with her :27.1 igniting.

Quentin has done a great job with her and made a few minor adjustments with her equipment, and she is only maturing better. She still gets a little squirrelly in the race, but she has gone way above what we expected of her in such a short time.

It's a team effort with Lily and some credit has to go to the rest of the QKs barn with Amanda, Aron and Ed along with Quentin and Kim.

(With files from Cal Expo)
The 2022 OBrien Award winners werent the only ones taking home hardware this past Saturday night.

The OBrien Awards Afterparty, sponsored by Bid & Buy, featured a Bow River Jewelry Grand Prize 14-karat diamond horseshoe ring won by Cindy Molyneux of Sparta, Ont.

Standardbred Canada (SC) would like to congratulate Cindy and thank Art Strozewski, from Bow River Equestrian Jewelry.

It was an honour to be amongst the OBrien recipients and nominees. said Strozewski. It was an outstanding event.

Molyneux was awarded her prize by Strozewski on the red carpet just outside of the Graydon Hall Ballroom following the announcement made at the Bid & Buy Afterparty.

SC caught up with the lucky grand prize winner to see what she had to say. As the co-owner of O'Brien Award finalist Cheesy Smile, Molyneux didn't take home a trophy but her night still had a sweet ending.

I was totally surprised. It was an absolutely fantastic and exciting moment, said Molyneux. The ring is gorgeous, a big thank you to Art from Bow River Jewelry for this generous grand prize, the ring is gorgeous and an over-the-top donation. We have seen Bow River in different places and events. I am astounded, I dont know how to put it in words. Thank you.

Members are reminded that pre-registration for Bid & Buy, SC's new online horse sales platform, is now open.
The need for foster care parents in Scotts Bluff County and western Nebraska is being highlighted during the month of February as part of a campaign headed by CASA of Scotts Bluff County.

For the third year, CASA of Scotts Bluff County is hosting its They Are Worthy campaign. Each year, the campaign focuses on the need for CASA volunteers, who act as advocates for children in court proceedings in child abuse and neglect cases. This year, in a partnership with Nebraska DHHS, Guardian Light Family Services (GLFS), St. Francis Ministries and NFAPA (Nebraska Foster and Adoptive Parent Association), an additional component has been added, promoting the need for foster care families in the area.

The campaign will involve a month-long effort to post information on the CASA of Scotts Bluff County Facebook page, as well as two events on Feb. 16 for people to ask questions about being a CASA volunteer and becoming a foster parent, Kelcie McBride, executive director of CASA of Scotts Bluff County, said. The events will be held from 7 to 9 a.m., at Cappuccino and Company, 1703 Broadway, and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Flyover Brewing Company, 1824 Broadway, in Scottsbluff.

During both events, people can show up and visit tables that will be set up and ask questions about being a CASA volunteer or being a foster parent. Joining forces for the event makes sense, McBride said, as they find that people interested in either opportunity tend to have the same characteristics of being eager to help and care for children.

One of the key missions of the events, and the campaign, is to highlight the dire need for foster care families in the community. According to information from Nebraska DHHS, more than 5,000 children and teens are in the Nebraska foster care system. There is a great need for foster care parents in the state, with some foster care advocates reporting the state is experiencing a crisis in needing foster care families.

However, Melissa Misegadis, foster care director for Guardian Light, told the Star-Herald that the need is particularly great in Scotts Bluff County, where people willing to serve as traditional foster parents  meaning they are not related to a child either by kinship or other ties  has basically zeroed out. Most recently, she said, the only licensed foster care placement in Scotts Bluff County closed.

CASA and its volunteers have seen the impact that out-of-area placements have on children and their families, McBride said. She explained that children being placed outside of the area also creates additional issues, include hampering the ability of CASA volunteers to work with the children.

Children being placed in a foster home experience a number of changes, with having to get used to a new home, but add getting used to a new community, a new school or daycare can add additional stress to an already-fraught situation. It also creates issues with reunification, making it difficult for parents and children to have custodial visits and continue or re-establish bonds. For children with siblings, Misegadis said, it can also create additional anxiety as children who once cared for one another worry about their siblings and how they are doing.

We are having so many kiddos that are getting placed out of the area, because there are just no homes, she said. They are getting placed hours away.  Its just a lot of extra stuff that is put on that kid (and parents). If there would be more options in town, it would alleviate some of that.

Misegadis, describing the need for foster care placements in Scotts Bluff County as desperate, said that a lot of children from the area are being placed in homes in central and eastern Nebraska.

Basically, Misegadis said, there are lots of systemic barriers that are experienced in the system and alleviating those barriers is easier when children are placed closer to their home communities. Even a placement as close as an hour away can create issues for families.

We need homes for all kids, from zero to 18. It used to be that wed always be able to quickly find homes for the younger kids, but now, even that is becoming challenging. We need homes for LGBTQ kiddos. We need homes for teenagers.

The need is also great for families that are willing to take sibling groups so that children do not have to be separated and for families that are African American, Hispanic and Spanish speaking, Native American or other minorities.

Misegadis urged people not to fall for stereotypes or other misinformation regarding being a foster parent. Unfortunately, she said, people tend to hear about bad cases or that children have behavioral problems, but in the majority of situations, she said, foster care is a positive experience for families.

Oftentimes, she said she will visit with families or people multiple times prior to them making the commitment to be a foster care parent. She urged anyone who has visited with any of the agencies in the past to feel free to come to one of the two events for questions or more information.

CASA, which has set a goal of aiming to pair volunteers with children in 50% of the cases pending in the Scotts Bluff County court system, is always need of volunteers, McBride said.

Even though we have the most volunteers weve ever had, we would probably need to triple our numbers to be able to serve all the kiddos that need a CASA, she said, saying that the agency has more than 40 volunteers currently.

To be a volunteer with CASA, participants will need to be able to pass a background check, as well as complete provided training. Guardian of Light and other foster organizations will have similar background check requirements, in addition to in-home training requirements. Representatives from organizations will be able to go more into detail on those requirements during the Feb. 16 events.

People can also visit the website, casaofscbcounty.com/they-are-worthy for more information about the agencies that are providing services. People can reach out at any time for more information about being a foster parent or a CASA volunteer.
Scottsbluff High School recently partnered with Aulick Industries, Western Nebraska Community College, Snell Services, Robinson Electric, and area power companies to offer an electrical technology course to students.

The electrical technology course is designed for students interested in pursuing a career as an electrician or those who want to learn more about electrical technology. It also provides opportunities for students to connect with community partners that can offer apprenticeships and skilled trade positions after graduation.

We had a lot of local electrical businessmen who said theyre having a hard time getting kids interested in this kind of stuff, program partner Jake Aulick said. It wasnt that the kids didnt want to do it, it was that they didnt know it existed for the most part.

Aulick Industries began partnering with Scottsbluff High School a few years ago with the development of its diesel technology course, which is held in the same facility as the new electrical technology course.

Course instructor Ken Eckland, who worked at Nebraska Public Power District for 36 years, said that the course covers both electric utilities and electrician work, two areas which overlap despite having significant differences. Over the course of the semester, the students will get to experience many different aspects of both fields.

Were going to tour some substations, were going to offer the students a chance to climb a pole if they want, were going to wire a transformer mounting, Eckland said. ... Were going to try and work in everything we can in the time that we have.

According to Aulick, the course appeals to a unique demographic of high school students who are more interested in working with their hands and learning through experience than through reading or lectures.

I was never able to learn out of a book, he said. But you can show me once or twice and I can figure it out. Thats what most of the kids who take these programs want.

SHS student Conrad Seier agreed that the hands-on experience of the electrical technology course was one of the primary reasons that he enjoys the class.

You get to learn firsthand, he said. Youre not seeing it in a textbook, youre seeing the physical aspect of it and seeing how it actually works and not how it looks on paper in books.

Aulick and Eckland said they were both impressed by the camaraderie that has developed between the students. They said that theyve shown willingness and enthusiasm to help and teach each other.

If you go out and look, theyre going back and forth with each other and talking with each other about how you do this and that. Its neat to see them working together like that, Eckland said.

At least one student, Jayce Wilkinson, has already decided to pursue a career as an electrician, making the electrical technology course an excellent head start on his professional goals. Wilkinson said that he plans to attend Southeast Community College in Lincoln before moving on to an apprenticeship.

Several businesses have made contributions to the program, including Crescent Electric Supply Company, 3E-Electrical Engineering & Equipment Company, Nebraska Public Power District, Contractors Materials Inc. and Ace Hardware.

Aulick said that he hopes to continue expanding the trade skills classes being offered in conjunction with the high school, beginning with HVAC and plumbing classes being added to the program as soon as next year.
Be it in Scottsbluff or some other city, western Nebraska needs a closer place for new law enforcement officers to get at least some of their training, a legislative committee was told Wednesday.

Judiciary Committee members held their required public hearing on Legislative Bill 253, which as written would add a second Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center campus in Scottsbluff beyond the longtime campus at Grand Island.

State Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon, LB 253s main sponsor, couldnt introduce it to the committee. He was introducing his First Freedom religious-freedom bill (LB 277) at the same time in the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee that he chairs.

District 48 Sen. Brian Hardin of Gering is LB 253s other sponsor.

Brewer legislative aide Tony Baker, who wrote and read his bosss opening speech, said LB 253 is more about addressing the Grand Island campus limited class slots than where a second campus might go or how its done.

He said western Nebraska law enforcement agencies  many of them with just one or two officers  asked Brewer to introduce the bill.

When they try to schedule new hires for their mandatory training at Grand Island, oftentimes the larger departments in eastern Nebraska have taken all the seats in the next class and the smaller department is forced to wait, Baker read.

Western Nebraska police departments and sheriffs offices, he added, have said those waits average between four and seven months.

While these small, poorly funded agencies wait for this officer to complete their training, the officer cannot be used for most law enforcement functions, Baker read.

Meanwhile, theyre forced to carry an employee on the payroll who is almost a liability until they are trained. I think we can do better.

Brewer specified Scottsbluff as a second training academy location, his aide said, because we had to put a town in the bill for LB 253s required fiscal note cost estimate to be prepared.

But a second site could be in another city as long as its closer to western Nebraska law enforcement agencies, Baker said. Scottsbluff-Gering is 320 miles from Grand Island, while Harrison in Sioux County is 350 miles away.

He suggested on Brewers behalf that the regions new police and sheriffs hires could do their classroom work at Chadron State College and then go to the Grand Island academy to finish with driving and firearms training.

We dont want a completely separate brick-and-mortar facility, Baker added. We basically need a classroom environment and a place to conduct that program of instruction.

LB 253 says planning and construction of an additional law enforcement training center couldnt exceed $3.675 million. But thats not enough to do the job, State Building Division officials said in the bills fiscal note.

The only other testimony at LB 253s 10-minute hearing came from Elaine Menzel, legal counsel for the Nebraska Association of County Officials.

NACO supports providing another training center beyond Grand Island, she said. While it would support the smaller populated counties, it would also assist those that are larger populated and waiting to get into the training facility.

Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue brought up findings at a previous legislative hearing she chaired that the Grand Island academy was severely underfunded and understaffed. That didnt improve until federal funds were found, she said.

Blood, the 2022 Democratic nominee for governor, said the hearing also found that former Gov. and current U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., had reallocated money from the Grand Island centers budget for other state purposes.

What assures us that were going to be able to keep the second location open? Blood said.

Hope, Menzel replied, setting off laughter in the hearing room. I guess, from experience or past history, there are times when the county is reluctant to rely on what the state will support us with.

So how would the counties feel if the state says were not going to pay for this anymore and we create another unfunded mandate for the counties? Blood continued. Would NACO come in against that?

We would probably be opposed to an unfunded mandate, Menzel said.
A Manchester man was killed after crashing into a concrete barrier on Interstate 91 in Windsor on Thursday morning, according to the Connecticut State Police.

Troopers responded to I-91 North in Windsor for a reported crash before 7 a.m., state police said. A Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck was traveling on I-91 North on the Exit 38 HOV off-ramp when the driver, identified as Leonard Price, 66, of Manchester, lost control. The truck collided with the concrete median barrier, drove through the Poquonock Avenue intersection and hit the concrete bridge abutment on the opposite side of the intersection.

Price suffered serious injuries as a result of the crash, and he was pronounced dead at the scene, state police said.

The HOV lane was closed following the crash, state police said. All traffic near Poquonock Avenue near Exit 38 was redirected onto I-91 North and South, according to the Windsor Police Department.

Drivers were asked to seek alternate routes, police said. Windsor police were assisting with traffic control, according to Windsor Capt. Andrew Power.

The collision is under investigation. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has a car equipped with a dash cam is asked to contact Trooper Michael Dean at Troop H at 860-534-1098 or through email at michael.dean@ct.gov.
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction got a firsthand look at Iredell-Statesville Schools with a visit to the Career Academy & Technical School in Troutman on Tuesday.

Kristie Van Auken was there representing North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Van Auken visited with the students of the Career Technical Education (CTE) program as the schools various classrooms were showcased as examples of the divergent career paths that the school offers.

We believe in careers for all, not necessarily college for all. We believe in post-secondary, but its not the only pathway, Van Auken said. We want students to know that they have a lot of opportunities and find a lot of different careers with good wages in a variety of pathways. This is a great example of that.

And such education is sometimes a community effort, too. Examples of that included the automotive program as Principal Larry Rogers showed Van Auken the car that Randy Marion donated to the program and other garage tools that were given by the community.

Van Auken also visited Lakeshore Middle School, where the Virtual Reality headsets were on display that the CTE program is using to introduce students to some of the careers they can then train for through I-SSs CTE programs.

Iredell-Statesville Schools CTE Department had a great visit with Kristie VanAuken, Special Advisor to NC State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Catherine Truitt yesterday. We showcased the Career Academy Technical Schools amazing culinary students led by Chef Nate Turner, Director of CTE Tim Wody said. Ms. VanAuken also observed WIMS students engaged in a CTE/Agriculture STEM special event. We then moved to Lakeshore Middle School where we showcased our Virtual Reality Career Exploration headsets, NAO Robots, and CTEs newest STEM lab. We were thrilled to share this opportunity to showcase the ISS CTE program with the State Superintendents office. Iredell-Statesville Schools has a great deal to be proud of.

Tim Woody, the Director of CTE,

Iredell-Statesville Schools CTE Department had a great visit with Kristie VanAuken, Special Advisor to NC State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Catherine Truitt yesterday. We showcased the Career Academy Technical Schools amazing culinary students led by Chef Nate Turner. Ms. VanAuken also observed WIMS students engaged in a CTE/Agriculture STEM special event. We then moved to Lakeshore Middle School where we showcased our Virtual Reality Career Exploration headsets, NAO Robots, and CTEs newest STEM lab. We were thrilled to share this opportunity to showcase the ISS CTE program with the State Superintendents office. Iredell-Statesville Schools has a great deal to be proud of!
Ella Sinclaire Singleton was selected as the winner of an essay contest sponsored by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Although Singleton attends University Christian High School in Hickory and was selected by the Hickory John Hoyle DAR Chapter, she lives in Statesville.

Singleton was selected as the winner of the NSDAR annual Patriot of the American Revolution high school essay contest. The topic of this years contest, open to grades 9-12, was in honor of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the countrys government.

Students were to select a figure from the era of the American Revolution (1773-1783) and discuss how he or she influenced the course of the American Revolution, who he or she was and his/her contribution to the founding of a new nation.

The figure could be any person, whether a well-known figure or an everyday man, woman or child who supported the Revolution in ways large or small.

Singleton chose to write about one of her own ancestors whose family became very well known in the Catawba Valley area. Conrad Yoder, her ancestor, was too old to fight, but he did provide much-needed supplies to support the troops. He was a close friend of Henry Weidner and the Yoder and Weidner families were both huge supporters of the American Patriot cause and were leaders within the community in building up the area for generations following.

Singleton is a junior at University Christian High School in Hickory. In addition to her loves of literature and history, she is an avid horse lover and rides several times a week.

John Hoyle Chapter members were happy to have the opportunity to entertain Ella, her father, and her grandmother at its Feb. 1 monthly meeting at the Lake Hickory Country Club in Hickory. She was presented with a medal, a certificate and a small monetary award for her essay.
Some of the animals at the Rescue Ranch are preparing for the Super Bowl and making their predictions as to whether the Philadelphia Eagles or Kansas City Chiefs will win Sunday.

Holly and Noel, two lambs that came to live at the Ranch this past Christmas Eve, Hiccup, the African Pygmy Hedgehog and Degus Anna and Elsa picked which team they are pulling for Sunday. See if you agree with their picks.

Rescue Ranch is a nonprofit animal welfare organization founded by Krissie Newman and NASCAR driver Ryan Newman. The 87-acre facility offers school, Scout and camp programs, birthday parties and private tours, which promote humane education through hands-on learning with its more than 80 permanent resident animal ambassadors that include steer, lambs, goats, turkeys, miniature horses, potbellied pigs, a variety of parrots, ferrets, rabbits, snakes, lizards, tortoises and more. For more information, visit rescueranch.com.
Clearing up a two-year-long debate about who is responsible for the custody of patients under temporary detention orders during crisis, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares sided with state hospitals, saying that law enforcement must maintain custody of the patients until the facility they are placed at accepts custody.

Miyares released his opinion on the matter on Jan. 19. His stance on the topic has garnered a mixed review from local law enforcement with some saying efforts at the Crisis Care Center in Marion have alleviated the burden on police while others expressed concern about the possibility of being inundated in the future.

It seems to remove any ambiguity from the code, which is going to create a policy shift, said Marion Police Chief John Clair. Just because were experiencing decreased hold times now doesnt mean that we always will. Now this opinion becomes a driving piece of information for how we do it.

Miyares opinion came at the request of Albermarle County Sheriff Chan Bryant, who complained in a letter to the attorney general of excessive delays in the acceptance of patients waiting to be admitted to an already designated state mental health facility for further evaluation and treatment.

Under Virginia law, state-run mental health facilities are required to accept patients under TDO when a bed at another in-patient facility cannot be located. In 2020, that law was suspended when a state facility reaches 100% capacity due to the pandemic and subsequent staffing shortages that mired both state hospitals and law enforcement.

That move left patients sitting in emergency departments in police custody sometimes for days while waiting to be admitted. In some cases, the detention orders expired before they could be treated. The executive order suspending the state facility requirement has since expired, but law enforcement say the trend of delaying admission continued, leading Bryant to ask for Miyares guidance on the issue.

In his opinion, though, Miyares concluded that, Although a state facility designated in a TDO cannot refuse to admit an individual, current law neither expressly requires a state facility to accept immediate custody of the person nor prohibits a state facility from delaying admission of an individual when a bed is not available.

In a footnote to his opinion, Miyares said he is aware of the strain the situation places on patients, emergency departments and law enforcement, and noted that the power to amend laws lies with state lawmakers.

The conclusions in this Opinion interpret the law as it is currently written, Miyares wrote. It is for the General Assembly to address policy considerations related to the stressors experienced during the Commonwealths civil commitment process.

Those at odds with the opinion hope to see lawmakers address the issue.

Throughout all this reform and everything else, it was more trying to get police out of being such a big part of that system, said Chilhowie Police Chief Andrew Moss. I think the opinion just kind of puts us more involved. So Im hoping its kind of a way of forcing the legislators to look at this and come up with a system that works better for patients  not just for police, but for the patients, because theyre patients, not prisoners.

Since the height of the ordeal back in 2020 and 2021, measures have been taken to cut down on wait times, including diverting area patients to the Crisis Care Center in Marion or setting them up with out-patient treatment services when appropriate. Alternative transport programs have also been put in place to help alleviate the travel burden on law enforcement.

Them being able to open up that center in Smyth County to accept them has really helped us, said Wythe County Sheriff Charles Foster. If its an ECO (emergency custody order) and its acceptable, we can go ahead and run them down there, which is very close for us.

Bland County Sheriff Jason Ramsey said his deputies have told him that the workers at the center in Marion are better equipped to calm patients.

Its just helped tremendously, Ramsey said. Even if theyre a little bit wound up or something, they start talking to the workers there and they get calmed down easy and theyre relaxed.

By all accounts, wait times have been drastically reduced. In late 2020, law enforcement and mental health advocates complained of 24-hour wait times. By spring 2021, some holds stretched beyond the initial 72-hour initial hold time. Local law enforcement are now seeing those times cut back with most patients being placed in under 24 hours.

I just hope it stays like that, Foster said.

Clair, though, worries how quickly we will return to delays if we have the next staffing crisis or the next pandemic or whatever. Now that the attorney general has given this opinion and cleared up the ambiguity, I hope our legislators put in very specific code language that accomplishes the goal of removing law enforcement from these kinds of interactions with some kind of finality.

Smyth County Sheriff Chip Shuler agreed, saying that he would also like to see law enforcement completely removed from the equation save for situations in which the safety of the person in crisis or the public is at risk.

We add nothing but more stress to it, he said. There are those instances where I understand well have to be called for safety purposes, but once thats diffused...

Throughout the ordeal law enforcement leaders have always been quick to point out that its not just law enforcement and the communities they serve that suffer. Those that suffer the most from the delays are the patients.

The person that were taking for treatment, to me, is the priority, Shuler said. Somewhere along the way, everybodys lost sight of what this is all about and thats getting people help. I mean, my goodness.

Both Shuler and Ramsey recalled a time when responding to a TDO was an irregular occurrence with a much smoother process.

When I started working, doing an ECO/TDO was rare, Ramsey said. Then it started going from having a few a year to a few a week and now sometimes a few in a days time. Its just so much different than what it was 10, 20 years ago.

In his earlier years, Shuler said deputies would take patients straight to the treatment facility, which also had its own medical personnel.

I dont know why we ever got away from that, because theyre supposed to be getting treatment like immediately, he said. Once theyre evaluated, theyre supposed to be getting treatment identifying whether they need to be further involuntarily committed. Well, if Im chained to a bed up here at Smyth County Community Hospital for 72 hours, if I wasnt having a mental health crisis, I will be.

Each of the law enforcement leaders were also quick to point out that while this area of the state is seeing some relief, thats not the case across Virginia. According to a release from Gov. Glenn Youngkins office, patients under TDOs waited an average of 43 hours before being placed in a facility from June 2021 to July 2022.

The calls from law enforcement and mental health advocates did not fall on deaf ears. In the December release, Youngkin announced the Prompt Placement Task Force, a partnership between government agencies, public and private hospitals, law enforcement and other community partners to address what the governors office said had become a crisis.

Improving our behavioral health system is at the top of my Day 2 Agenda, Youngkin said in the release. It is critical that we address the mental health crisis and prioritize caring for Virginians. Im committed to making substantial progress in providing access to resources, caring for Virginians and reforming the TDO process.

Saying that the current process had failed to deliver care to patients when they need it most and has contributed to the increased burnout within the healthcare community and extensive hours put in by law enforcement, the release said the task forces objective is to end the waitlist.

Miyares also noted Youngkins Right Help, Right Now initiative in the footnotes of his opinion, saying that the plan proposes more than $230 million to expand crisis care, make the behavioral health workforce a priority, and relieve the burden on law enforcement.

The law enforcement leaders support that plan and ask that lawmakers take it a step further by addressing the custody issue in Virginia law.

We are addressing the structural issues [of the process] with the crisis centers and the governors taskforce, but if we dont change the code then theres still a possibility that were going to be right back here with the next pandemic, the next staffing crisis or whatever it is, Clair said. Now [the opinions] been laid out very clearly and if that doesnt change then it will always be an available option for the state hospital system.

As Virginia residents wait to see how the mental health reform will pan out, Shuler said he is in the process of penning his own letter to the attorney general asking for further guidance on law enforcements role in the process.
The Kelso City Council has taken the next step in approving a new, three-story affordable housing and community space complex to be located where West Main Street bends and turns into Catlin. But the discussion about the details of the plan is just beginning.

More than 50 people attended the meeting Tuesday, nearly overflowing the council chambers. Most people talked about the various clubs and events held at the Sons of Norway building, located near the site of the proposed new building, and Catlin Hall, which houses the citys senior center.

Last month the City Council reviewed plans for the new building that would include 12,000-square-feet on the ground floor to house the senior center and city library, and 40 low-income housing units above. To get enough space for the building and its parking, the city would need to purchase and possibly tear down the Sons of Norway building. Groups that meet at Catlin Hall might meet in the new community space instead.

The council voted 6-1 Tuesday to move ahead on the project by naming the Longview-based nonprofit Lower Columbia CAP as the projects sponsor and agreeing to the general design of a building with apartments on the upper floors and the community space on the ground floor. Councilmembers said getting those details set now would allow CAP to immediately begin applying for funding for the estimated $18 million complex.

Councilman Jim Hill was the one dissenting vote. Hill told The Daily News in January he was stepping down from his seat, but attended Tuesdays meeting.

Members of the Kiwanis of Kelso Longview, the R Square D Dance Club, the Cowlitz County Democratic Women, the Brookhollow Homeowners Association, and Columbia Artists spoke Tuesday about their use of Catlin Hall for meetings and larger events.

If the City Council wasnt aware of all the events their citizens are doing there, they got an education last night, said Kathleen Johnson, a former Kelso City Council member and a leader for the Kelso Senior Center Association.

The Kelso Senior Center Association runs Catlin Hall as the citys senior center, which it rents from Kelso for a negligible price. The association runs its own bingo nights and events at the hall and also rents the space out to the various other clubs and organizations that meet there.

Johnson said the association had questions about what the focus on a new center would mean for Catlin Halls future. The city has not addressed the halls future yet. Volunteers have done significant repairs to the interior of the building over the last decade while Kelso is responsible for the outer appearance.

City Manager Andy Hamilton said Tuesday night that the council budgeted $600,000 to work on the buildings siding and exterior this year. The library pays $4,500 per month to rent its space at Three Rivers Mall.

Tuesdays resolution does not prevent the city from looking at other sites or uses for the ground floor, but finding a different location would not be easy. Kelso acquired the land north of the Sons of Norway building that would be the projects main footprint in the West Main Street realignment. Any other location would almost certainly increase the projects estimated budget.

Theres not enough money to repurpose and investigate other sites. One thing that makes this project works is the fact that we own that site across the street from the Sons of Norway, Kelso Community Development Director Michael Kardas said.

Nancy Harris is a former Sons of Norway president and a lifelong Kelso resident. Harris told the council that her grandparents helped purchase the current Sons of Norway building in the 1960s and her grandchildren are now involved with the organization. According to the county assessors site, the building was built in 1930.

Five generations of my family have been committed to keeping the Sons of Norway and the building active and thriving to serve our community, Harris said. This building is the heart and soul of the Sons of Norway.
OLYMPIA  Lawmakers are hoping to incentivize the creation of cleaner fuels for airplanes.

A bill, sponsored by Spokane Democratic Sen. Andy Billig, would give tax incentives to manufacture and purchase alternative jet fuel, which are biofuels with a lower carbon intensity than conventional jet fuels. They are often made from sustainable feedstock, such as corn or agricultural residues, and can be blended with conventional jet fuels to create a cleaner fuel for the environment.

Currently, greenhouse gases from airplanes make up about 9% to 12% of the countrys transportation emissions, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, but the aviation sector remains one of the toughest to clean, in part because of a lack of sustainable aviation fuel.

This bill will help make the promise of a green economy a reality here in Washington by addressing climate change and creating family-waged jobs, Billig said.

The bill would incentivize fuel producers to build alternative fuel production facilities in Washington by creating a business and operations tax rate of 0.275% for the manufacture and sale of sustainable aviation fuels. The tax incentive would go into effect July 1, 2024, but only after a facility capable of producing at least 20 million gallons of alternative jet fuel is operating in Washington. It would be in effect for 10 years, according to the bill.

Additionally, the bill creates a business and public utilities tax credit for some sales and purchases of alternative jet fuel, if the fuel has at least 50% less carbon dioxide emissions than conventional fuel.

The credits are equivalent to one dollar for every gallon of alternative jet fuel, increasing depending on the reduction in emissions. For example, alternative fuel that is 50% cleaner than conventional fuel would generate a $1 credit. Fuel that is 51% cleaner would receive a $1.02 credit, increasing by each percent up to $2 per gallon.

The bill would also require Washington State University to continue convening the Alternative Jet Fuels Work Group to further the development of these fuels in the state.

A Senate panel approved the amended bill on Tuesday. It will now head to the Senate Ways and Means Committee for further discussion. The House version of the bill received a public hearing on Tuesday but has not yet been scheduled for a vote.

The proposal has a number of Republican co-sponsors in both the state House and Senate.

Senate Minority Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, said the bill could put Washington in a very competitive position, and it could provide early investment in this industry.

Airlines, other businesses and fuel producers hoping to open alternative fuel production in Washington are in favor of the bill, saying it could make Washington a leader in the alternative jet fuel space, which has very little production in the United States right now. Some climate advocates, however, have concerns with the bill, saying it does not do enough to address climate change.

Fuel producers, including Neste, Twelve and BP, all testified in support of the bill. They said they are hoping to bring alternative fuel production to Washington, and this bill would help them do that.

Tom Wolf, of BP, said this bill is the next logical step in the states approach to achieve net zero carbon neutrality worldwide.

This will make Washington a leader by setting up a welcoming and competitive environment for alternative jet fuel, Wolf said.

Delta Airlines and Alaska Airlines also testified in support of the bill, saying theyve set goals to use more sustainable fuels in the next decade.

We cannot reach that goal without sustainable aviation fuel, Diana Birkett Rakow, of Alaska Airlines, said, adding the bill will help reduce the barriers for production in Washington.

Larry Krauter, Spokane International Airport CEO, said the airport is uniquely positioned to use sustainable aviation fuels once they are created in Washington. The aviation industry can, and needs, to do better to scale up sustainable jet fuels, Krauter said.

There must be a sense of urgency, he added.

On the other hand, opponents of the bill say it does not do enough to address pollution in the aerospace industry.

Ursula Euler, a Thurston County resident, told the Senate committee that the bill does not do enough to incentivize the aviation industry to develop non-polluting solutions, such as by creating zero emissions aircrafts.

The aviation industry should be made to take responsibility for its own pollution, Euler said.

Some testifiers also had concerns with a portion of the bill that would amend the states new Clean Fuel Standard, which went into effect this year.

The Clean Fuel Standard incentivizes fuel producers to make cleaner transportation fuels by setting emissions standards each year. If producers dont meet the standard, fuel producers would have to purchase credits.

Companies that produce clean fuels can earn free credits to offset any polluted work.

Although aviation fuels are exempt from the emissions standard under the program, fuel producers can still receive those free credits in the program for producing cleaner fuels, such as sustainable aviation fuels.

A previous version of this bill would have allowed fuel producers to receive more credits than they already do under the clean fuel standard for each ton of sustainable aviation fuels that they sell.

The bill wouldve limited the number of credits they can receive as opposed to following a ratio based on data that all other fuel types follow in the clean fuel standard, said Joel Creswell at the Department of Ecology.

Both Creswell and Leah Missik, of Climate Solutions, testified in a Senate committee against that provision.

If the Legislature were to set in statute that ratio, it would undermine the basis of the program, which is all based on data, Creswell said.

Missik said they support incentives for sustainable aviation fuels, but not at the expense of the states other climate proposals, such as the clean fuel standard.

That provision of the bill has since been taken out of the Senate version, though it remains in the House version. Now that the provision is removed from the Senate version, Creswell said Ecology fully supports that version.

Were big fans of this idea, he said. We really want to decarbonize aviation, and this is a significant step in doing that.
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Researchers developed a new nonmechanical 3D lidar system, which is the size of a business card (seen in front of the system on the left). The system uses dually modulated surface-emitting photonic-crystal lasers (DM-PCSELs) as flash and beam-scanning sources. Credit: Susumu Noda, Kyoto University

Our roads might one day be safer thanks to a completely new type of system that overcomes some of lidar's limitations. Lidar, which uses pulsed lasers to map objects and scenes, helps autonomous robots, vehicles and drones to navigate their environment. The new system represents the first time that the capabilities of conventional beam-scanning lidar systems have been combined with those of a newer 3D approach known as flash lidar.

In the journal Optica, investigators led by Susumu Noda from Kyoto University in Japan describe their new nonmechanical 3D lidar system, which fits in the palm of the hand. They also show that it can be used to measure the distance of poorly reflective objects and automatically track the motion of these objects.

"With our lidar system, robots and vehicles will be able to reliably and safely navigate dynamic environments without losing sight of poorly reflective objects such as black metallic cars," said Noda. "Incorporating this technology into cars, for example, would make autonomous driving safer."

The new system is possible thanks to a unique light source the researchers developed called a dually modulated photonic-crystal laser (DM-PCSEL). Because this light source is chip-based it could eventually enable the development of an on-chip all-solid-state 3D lidar system. The researchers demonstrated the new lidar system by showing that it can automatically recognize poorly reflective objects and track their movement using selective illumination. Credit: Susumu Noda, Kyoto University

"The DM-PCSEL integrates non-mechanical, electronically controlled beam scanning with flash illumination used in flash lidar to acquire a full 3D image with a single flash of light," said Noda. "This unique source allows us to achieve both flash and scanning illumination without any moving parts or bulky external optical elements, such as lenses and diffractive optical elements."

Combining scanning and flash illumination

Lidar systems map objects within view by illuminating those objects with laser beams and then calculating the distance of those objects by measuring the beams' time of flight (ToF)the time it takes for the light to travel to objects, be reflected and then return to the system. Most lidar systems in use and under development rely on moving parts such as motors to scan the laser beam, making these systems bulky, expensive and unreliable.

One non-mechanical approach, known as flash lidar, simultaneously illuminates and evaluates the distances of all objects in the field of view with a single broad, diffuse beam of light. However, flash lidar systems can't be used to measure the distances of poorly reflective objects like black metallic cars due to the very small amount of light reflected from these objects. These systems also tend to be large because of the external lenses and optical elements needed to create the flash beam.

(a) The camera image shows one highly reflective white object and two poorly reflective black objects for distance measurement. (b): Distance measurements obtained by the new lidar system using only the flash laser source show that the distances of the black objects cannot be measured. (c): Measurements obtained by the new lidar system using both flash and beam-scanning laser sources are able to deduce the distances of both black and white objects simultaneously. Credit: Susumu Noda, Kyoto University

To address these critical limitations, the researchers developed the DM-PCSEL light source. It has both a flash source that can illuminate a wide 3030 field of view and a beam-scanning source that provides spot illumination with 100 narrow laser beams.

They incorporated the DM-PCSEL into a 3D lidar system, which allowed them to measure the distances of many objects simultaneously using wide flash illumination while also selectively illuminating poorly reflective objects with a more concentrated beam of light. The researchers also installed a ToF camera to perform distance measurements and developed software that enables automatic tracking of the motion of poorly reflective objects using beam-scanning illumination.

Measuring objects with varying reflectivity

"Our DM-PCSEL-based 3D lidar system lets us range highly reflective and poorly reflective objects simultaneously," said Noda. "The lasers, ToF camera and all associated components required to operate the system were assembled in a compact manner, resulting in a total system footprint that is smaller than a business card."

The researchers demonstrated the new lidar system by using it to measure the distances of poorly reflective objects placed on a table in a lab. They also showed that the system can automatically recognize poorly reflective objects and track their movement using selective illumination.

The researchers are now working to demonstrate the system in practical applications, such as the autonomous movement of robots and vehicles. They also want to see if replacing the ToF camera with a more optically sensitive single-photon avalanche photodiode array would allow the measurement of objects across even longer distances.

More information: Menaka Zoysa et al, Non-mechanical three-dimensional LiDAR system based on flash and beam-scanning dually modulated photonic crystal lasers, Optica (2023). DOI: 10.1364/OPTICA.472327 Journal information: Optica
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In a recent study, a research team from Chung-Ang University, Korea presents open research questions related to anomaly detection using deep learning and curates open-access time series datasets, an invaluable asset for selecting the appropriate technique for a particular scientific or industrial problem and developing efficient anomaly detection techniques. Credit: Information Fusion (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.inffus.2022.10.008

Monitoring financial security, industrial safety, medical conditions, climate, and pollution require analysis of large volumes of time series data. A crucial step in this analysis involves identification of unusual points, patterns, or events that deviate from a dataset. This is known as "anomaly detection" and is performed using data mining techniques.

Although deep learning methods have been extensively applied in anomaly detection, there is no one-size-fits-all technique that works for multiple applications across a variety of fields. Further, existing studies on anomaly detection for multivariate time series focus solely on the approach without examining its challenges.

A group of researchers from Chung-Ang University in Korea have now addressed this gap by summarizing the applications based on anomaly detection. The team, including Professor Jason J. Jung and Dr. Gen Li, evaluated the current state-of-the-art anomaly detection techniques and addressed the challenges associated with them.

Their work was made available in Information Fusion.

"Our fundamental research topic is anomaly detection in multivariate time series. In this review, we have summarized the approaches, challenges, and applications for the same," explains Prof. Jung. The researcher duo has worked extensively on time series anomaly detection for multiple variables and has previously published their works on seizure detection, climate monitoring and financial fraud monitoring that culminated in this review.

The team first classified the anomalies into three types, namely abnormal time points, time intervals, and time series. Next, they highlighted that, among the deep learning-based artificial neural networks, long short-term memory (LSTM) and autoencoders are most commonly used for detecting abnormal time points and time intervals.

Additionally, they discussed alternative methods such as dynamic graphs that examine relational features between the time series and detect abnormal time intervals. An in-depth summary of the current limitations of the prevalent techniques emphasizing the root cause of anomalies was also provided.

Finally, the duo presented a thorough overview of the applications for anomaly detection in multivariate time series. They curated open-access time series datasets and also discussed the open research questions and challenges related to anomaly detection in multivariate time series.

The potential of deep learning-based approaches for anomaly detection is far-reaching, as Prof. Jung surmises, "I believe that this review will help researchers find the appropriate approach for detecting anomalies in their respective areas of work. For example, in the field of science, people can easily find out the open access datasets and the corresponding state-of-art anomaly detection method in this paper. For industrial applications, the appropriate anomaly detection techniques to identify damages and faults could be conveniently found in this review".

As for the challenges involved, developing a model for explaining the anomalies detected is of considerable worth since it can help us understand why the anomaly occurred in the first place. "The challenge is to identify the relationship between an abnormal time point and the time point leading to that anomaly," says Prof. Jung.

Taken together, this review is an invaluable resource for selecting appropriate anomaly detection techniques for various fields, as well as for developing more efficient anomaly detection techniques.

More information: Gen Li et al, Deep learning for anomaly detection in multivariate time series: Approaches, applications, and challenges, Information Fusion (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.inffus.2022.10.008

Provided by Chung Ang University
A Fairfield woman who embezzled approximately $1.5 million from her employer has been sentenced to two years in prison, according to federal authorities.

Carolina Guerreno, 50, also was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to two years of supervised release, according to federal authorities.

Guerreno pleaded guilty on Aug. 22, 2022 to one count of wire fraud.

Authorities, citing court documents and statements made in court, said Guerreno served as the chief financial officer of a financial services company in Shelton and, as part of her job, had access to her employers bank accounts and was allowed to initiate financial transactions, including wiring company funds to other bank accounts.

From January 2019 and continuing until her fraud was detected by the company in February 2021, Guerreno stole $1,532,207.24 by altering company financial transactions and directing electronic payments from her employers bank account to her credit card accounts, her personal bank accounts, and to pay her home equity line of credit, authorities said in a statement.

Guerreno used the stolen funds for home improvements, furniture, a luxury automobile, European vacations, a time-share condominium at a Vermont ski resort, jewelry, to pay off her home mortgage, and to fund her childrens college savings accounts, the statement says.

Shea ordered Guerreno to make full restitution and, to date, she has repaid her employer about $400,000, authorities said in the statement.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, Wallingford Police Department and Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force; it was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.
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The Tesla company logo is seen on the hood of an unsold vehicle at a dealership on Aug. 9, 2020, in Littleton, Colo. In a report released Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board apparently solved the mystery of why no one was found behind the wheel of a Tesla that crashed in Texas two years ago, killing two men. During the April 2021 crash in Spring, Texas, the driver apparently moved to the back seat after slamming into the car's front air bag, deforming the steering wheel in the crash. Credit: AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board apparently have solved the mystery of why no one was found behind the steering wheel of a Tesla that crashed in a Texas two years ago, killing two men.

The agency said in an investigative report released Wednesday on the fiery April 17, 2021 crash in the Houston suburb of Spring that the 59-year-old Tesla driver apparently moved to the back seat after slamming into the car's front air bag, deforming the steering wheel in the crash.

Although the crash raised questions about whether the car was operating on Tesla's "Autopilot" partially automated driving system, the NTSB determined that the system could not have been used on the street where the crash happened due to lack of lane lines. Testing showed the car's "Traffic Aware Cruise Control" system could have been used, although it would only work up to the maximum speed on the suburban road, 30 mph (50 kilometers per hour), the report said.

The 2019 Tesla reached 67 mph (108 kilometers per hour) two seconds before hitting the second of two trees at 57 mph (92 kilometers per hour) before being consumed by flames as the lithium-ion battery caught fire.

The Tesla's event data recorder showed that the accelerator moved "consistent with driver activity" in the five seconds before the crash, and that the driver's seat belt was connected when the crash happened.

"Although the driver's seat was found vacant and the driver was found in the left rear seat, the available evidence suggests that the driver was seated in the driver's seat at the time of the crash and moved into the rear seat postcrash," the report said.

The agency found that excessive speed and failure to control the car due to alcohol impairment caused the crash. The report says testing by a Federal Aviation Administration lab found that the driver had a blood-alcohol level of 0.151 grams per deciliter, almost twice the Texas legal limit of 0.08. Two over-the-counter sedating antihistamine medications also were found in the driver's blood, according to the report.

Autopsies determined that the driver died from blunt force trauma, burns and smoke inhalation. The 69-year-old male passenger died from blunt force trauma to the torso and extremities, as well as burns, the report said.

The agency said security video from the driver's home showed the driver and passenger getting into the front seats before driving away from the home. The car traveled about 550 feet (170 meters) before leaving the road on a curve, hitting a storm sewer inlet and raised manhole, sideswiping one tree before hitting another, the agency said.

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

On the edge of Tampa, bordering Pasco County, Matthew Credle prepared a drone to make deliveries from a Walmart parking lot by air.

Wind gusts? Check. Motors? Check. Battery power? Check. Pilots have the necessary licenses with them? Check.

Credle, the 30-year-old Tampa DroneUp hub leader, didn't know when the first request for a drone delivery of the day would come in, but he spent the morning with his team calibrating systems to ensure they were ready.

It's part of Walmart's growing pilot program for drone delivery, which began testing late last year in Central Florida. The Arkansas-based retail giant's program, in partnership with Virginia Beach-based company DroneUp, expanded to 36 stores nationwide with nine in Florida. That includes the Tampa location on 19910 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.

The Tampa store is starting small; they have one drone and deliver within a one-mile radius, which serves approximately 100 households, and have made about four or five deliveries a day. There are 8 parking spaces coned off for their hub and landing area.

"Our drones fly autonomously," Credle said. "It's little human input but we have a software that if we want to drop off at a certain point, it will avoid populated areas, moving cars, or mitigate risk and figuring out what the safest route to the destination is."

Lately, the drone team staff spend most of their time talking to curious shoppers leaving the store and wondering what the buzz is about.

Deliveries by drone must be under 10 pounds, due to Federal Aviation Administration guidelines, and can reach customers within 30 minutes. Credle said most packages are delivered within 22 minutes.

In a test flight, Credle and his team of four FAA-certified drone pilots worked together as the drone went up 50 feet in the air, buzzing loudly. The flight controller tilted it forward, back and side to side making sure each wing was functioning.

The drone stands at 1.5-feet tall with a wingspan of five feet. It can fly up to 300 feet in the air and has two batteries on top which last about 20 minutes each, Credle said. The drone also has a camera attached to act as an eye in the sky, so pilots can watch for any obstacles in the air. He added it doesn't record to ensure privacy.

But even with a camera, the hub always has to have someone in eyesight of the drone when it's in the sky.

When a customer requests a delivery, a drone hub employee retrieves the products from the store. A DroneUp pilot will drive the hub's van to the delivery location. Once the products are packed into a box and attached to the drone's cable, a pilot using a remote control lifts the drone into the air and coordinates with the other pilot at the delivery site. When both pilots have the drone in their line of sight, the hub pilot hands off control to the delivery-site pilot.

Credle said this process is just one of the many FAA guidelines they have to follow. But if and when the FAA allows Walmart to fly drones without direct supervision, the program could expand to 10 miles. If the drone program expands to 4,700 stores, then it could serve about 90% of the U.S. population within those expanded parameters, according to Walmart.

In a delivery simulation at the Tampa Walmart, the drone flew up and around the store because its sensors and map data detected a large population in the vicinity, before hovering and waiting to make sure a truck driving through wouldn't get in the way.

When it was clear, the drone dropped its cable with the box attached, and at about 10 feet it slowed before gently landing on the pavement.

Retailers have long considered drone delivery as a key investment in the future of shopping. Walmart competitor Amazon first announced it was working on drones a decade ago but it was only last December that Amazon Prime Air began operating in two cities in California and Texas.

Walmart began experimenting with drones during the pandemic near its headquarters in Bentonville, Ark., delivering COVID-19 self-testing kits. Walmart announced a year ago that it was expanding to six statesFlorida, Texas, Arizona, Utah, Virginia and North Carolinaincluding Tampa Bay stores in stores Tampa, New Port Richey, Valrico, Brandon, Seffner and Riverview.

The Bruce B. Downs store manager Arnetta Hill said nearby residents have already taken interest in being among the first to test drone deliveries.

"It's already brought a lot of excitement. It's really thrilling to see this kind of new technology on a Walmart parking lot," said Hill, 53. "I love the fact that they're out here testing it for the associates and all the customers to see it."

Hill said if the program expands, the blocked-off parking lot setup would be temporary. Walmart could construct a more permanent tower for its drone hub.

It's hard to know if drone delivery will be more than just a fad for consumers. For Credle, he thinks the Tampa program has been an opportunity to teach consumers about the convenience of it.

"We get the shock value, we get the wows and stuff like that, but [residents] really started to understand the benefit that it has for the community, even businesses, or different populations of people," he said.

The drone program so far has had just a handful of repeat customers, Credle said. Some who are seniors who have difficulty traveling or single parents that don't have time to go back to the store for small purchases. There's a $3.99 fee attached to every drone delivery.

"People are ordering these things that might seem minuscule to us, but to them, it'll make a big difference," Credle said. "And it'll help them."

2023 Tampa Bay Times.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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A sign at Twitter headquarters is shown in San Francisco, Dec. 8, 2022. Twitter has failed to provide a full report to the European Union on its efforts to combat online disinformation, drawing a rebuke from top officials of the 27-nation bloc. The company signed up to the EUs voluntary 2022 Code of Practice on Disinformation last year  before billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk bought the social media platform. Credit: AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File

Twitter failed to provide a full report to the European Union on its efforts to combat online disinformation, drawing a rebuke Thursday from top officials of the 27-nation bloc.

The company signed up to the EU's voluntary 2022 Code of Practice on Disinformation last yearbefore billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk bought the social media platform.

All who signed up to the code, including online platforms, ad-tech companies and civil society, agreed to commit to measures aimed at reducing disinformation. They filed their first "baseline" reports last month showing how they're living up to their promises.

Google, TikTok, Microsoft as well as Facebook and Instagram parent Meta showed "strong commitment to the reporting," providing unprecedented detail about how they're putting into action their pledges to fight false information, according to the European Commission, the EU's executive arm. Twitter, however, "provided little specific information and no targeted data," it said.

"I am disappointed to see that Twitter report lags behind others and I expect a more serious commitment to their obligations stemming from the Code," Vera Jourova, the commission's executive vice president for values and transparency, said in a statement. " Russia is engaged also in a full-blown disinformation war and the platforms need to live up to their responsibilities."

In its baseline report, Twitter said it's "making real advancements across the board" at fighting disinformation. The document came in at 79 pages, at least half the length of those filed by Google, Meta, Microsoft and TikTok.

Twitter did not respond to a request for further comment. The social media company's press office was shut down and its communications team laid off after Musk bought it last year. Others whose job it was to keep harmful information off the platform have been laid off or quit.

EU leaders have grown alarmed about fake information thriving on online platforms, especially about the COVID-19 pandemic and Russian propaganda amid the war in Ukraine. Last year, the code was strengthened by connecting it with the upcoming Digital Services Act, new rules aimed at getting Big Tech companies to clean up their platforms or face big fines.

But there are concerns about what shows up on Twitter after Musk ended enforcement of its policy against COVID-19 misinformation and other moves such as dissolving its Trust and Safety Council that advised on problems like hate speech and other harmful content.

An EU evaluation done last spring before Musk bought Twitter and released in November found the platform took longer to review hateful content and removed less of it in 2022 compared with the previous year. Most other tech companies signed up to the voluntary code also scored worse.

Those signed up to the EU code have to fill out a checklist to measure their work on fighting disinformation, covering efforts to prevent fake news purveyors from benefiting from advertising revenue; the number of political ads labeled or rejected; examples of manipulative behavior such as fake accounts; and information on the impact of fact-checking.

Twitter's report was "short of data, with no information on commitments to empower the fact-checking community," the commission said.

Thierry Breton, the commissioner overseeing digital policy, said it's "no surprise that the degree of quality" in the reports varies greatly, without mentioning Twitter.

The commission highlighted other tech companies' actions for praise. Google's report indicated that it prevented more than 13 million euros ($14 million) of advertising revenue from reaching disinformation actors, while TikTok's report said it removed more than 800,000 fake accounts.

Meta said in its filing that it applied 28 million fact-checking labels on Facebook and 1.7 million on Instagram. Data indicated that a quarter of Facebook users and 38% of Instagram users don't forward posts after seeing warnings that the content has been flagged as false by fact-checkers.

___

This story has been corrected to show that TikTok removed more than 800,000 fake accounts.

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Visualizations of country similarity networks based on different modalities of online consumption. Credit: PLOS ONE (2023). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278594

Since its inception, the internet has been viewed by technology experts and scholars as a way to access information at a global scale without having to overcome hurdles posed by language and geography. However, researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found that how people around the world use the same popular social media platforms and websites remains vastly different based on their language and geography.

A new study by advertising professor Harsh Taneja and journalism professor Margaret Yee Man Ng builds upon previous research and examines internet consumption across 124 countries through their usage of popular websites, as well as Twitter and YouTubetwo globally dominant social media platforms.

The results of the new study are published in the journal PLOS ONE.

"The goal of this work was to develop ways to assess which countries are most like each other in the usage of these popular websites and social media platforms and to identify factors that explain the similarities," the researchers said.

The team found that language and geography remain the most salient predictors of web usage, and their role on YouTube and Twitter is just as significant as on the wider web. "This is true of the websites they visit and also how they use social media," Taneja said. "Sure, YouTube is the most popular online outlet in most of the world, but people in Nepal on average do not watch the same videos as people in the United States."

The team collected and compared trending internet traffic data and the use of hashtags for the two most popular social media platformsTwitter and YouTubeand the 500 most-visited sites using Alexa's Global Rank in the 124 nations studied.

"We chose to work with Twitter and YouTube because although they are both very popular, they attract different audiences, so they capture a very wide slice of internet use," the researchers said.

"Our analysis suggests that global web use is quite heterogeneous, whether it is website traffic or in how people use Twitter or YouTube, with social media usage being even less similar overall than the usage of websites," Ng said.

Previous studies have shown that the free exchange of information has been hampered by government regulations and protections in nations like Russia and China, for example.

"However, government regulation is not the only reason for the restrained flow of information," Taneja said. "Our study offers empirical evidence that people generally prefer content that focuses on their region and in their language."

While using data reflecting trending YouTube videos and Twitter topics via hashtags may not wholly capture internet consumption numbers, it works well as a proxy to gauge consumption on these platforms, the researchers said.

"An important caveat of this work is that we must acknowledge that trending topics are not purely based on consumption," Ng said. "There is some sort of a black box that determines the complete picture, but tracking hashtags is an effective proxy and less biased than methods involving geolocation, for example, because many users do not reveal their location while browsing."

Taneja and Ng said the study is beneficial to researchers studying the global flow of informationand, importantly, misinformationand for web content producers interested in gaining a larger or more targeted global audience.

More information: Yee Man Margaret Ng et al, Web use remains highly regional even in the age of global platform monopolies, PLOS ONE (2023). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278594 Journal information: PLoS ONE
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

While chatbots have caught the world's imagination, should we be more worried about "slaughterbots"?

The first international conference on responsible military uses of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being held in the Netherlands next week.

The United States and China are among around 50 countries that will attend, with hopes of producing a declaration at the end of the meeting in The Hague on February 15 and 16.

Russia has not been invited over the invasion of Ukraine.

"We truly see this as a key shaping moment in the future of AI in the military," Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra told a small group of journalists on Thursday.

"In a field that is really about life and death, you want to make sure that humans, regardless of all the flaws baked into our DNA, are part of the decision-making process."

Militarily, AI is already used for reconnaissance, surveillance and situational analysis.

While one of the conference sessions on the future of war is called "Regulating Slaughterbots", the prospect of fully independent killing machines remains far off.

But AI with the potential to autonomously pick targets could be just over the horizon.

These include so-called drone swarms and the use of AI in nuclear command and control systems.

The conference aims to take a first step towards international rules on "what is acceptable, what is not acceptable" in military uses of AI, Hoekstra said.

"You already see that AI is being used in the war that Russia is waging against Ukraine."

He compared the debate to that surrounding the use of AI bots such as ChatGPT, which have beneficial uses but have also been used by students to cheat and write essays.

"It is not be something that should only scare us," the minister said.

China was invited to the conference as a key player in tech and AI, Dutch officials said.

Ministers and high-ranking diplomats will be at the so-called REAIM (Responsible AI in the Military Domain) summit along with tech firms and experts.

 2023 AFP
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INL's Microgrid in a Box includes 320 kilowatt-hours of battery storage, and can tie seamlessly into a modern electrical grid and coordinate the distribution of electricity for a small village, military base or other critical infrastructure building. Credit: Idaho National Laboratory

In the back lot behind a building at Idaho National Laboratory building in Idaho Falls, energy systems engineer Kurt Myers leads me outside to look at a nondescript shipping container and an enclosed trailer. While at first glance, these generic-looking boxes might be used to transport anything, a closer look reveals panels of sophisticated hookups, gauges and indicator lights connected to a nest of thick electrical cables. Those cables connect to solar panels and a small wind turbine, which are also tucked away behind this state-of-the-art laboratory.

There is more going on here than meets the eye.

This collection of mobile trailers and containers is a fully functional microgrid. Dubbed the Microgrid in a Box, it includes 320 kilowatt-hours of battery storage, and can tie seamlessly into a modern electrical grid and coordinate the distribution of electricity for a small village, military base, or, in the event of a disaster, a hospital, transportation depot, or other critical infrastructure building.

The project is a collaboration with private industry and government customers. An early version of the Microgrid in a Box has already been deployed for military use in Kuwait.

"While we've developed a lot of this for military applications, especially for overseas bases where a lot of the infrastructure is nonpermanent or semipermanent, Microgrid in a Box can also be used for outage support or essential services during a disaster," Meyers said. "Because it's easy to disassemble and move, Microgrid in a Box sidesteps the need for construction, and enables us to work more effectively with diesel generatorsor even to replace them with carbon-free technologies such as nuclear, solar and those that run on clean fuels."

One of a kind

While researchers have built microgrids with similar capabilities in the past, this is the first portable system at this scale with all its advanced control features and specifications. The microgrid can manage about 250 kilowatts of electricity and work in both U.S. and U.K. standard electrical systems.

For comparison, the Center for Advanced Energy Studies building in Idaho Falls requires an average of about 350kW. "We could power about two-thirds of that building for a period of time, depending on the energy resources utilized during the integration," Myers said. "That would be like a small hospital or a critical part of a large hospital."

"We wanted something portable with some significant size to it," Myers continued. "To make this stuff portable and with all the needed features is not easy. It's not a standard offering in the market. Batteries and inverters of this type weren't typically rated for mobile applications."

But what makes the Microgrid in a Box truly unique is its flexibility to manage and coordinate electricity generation from any number of sources including solar, wind, nuclear, or a diesel generator while also playing nice with the electrical grid, offering grid services options.

Most microgrids are focused on either the needs of the end user (say, powering a hospital) or working seamlessly for a utility on their side of customer meters. The Microgrid in a Box employs several technologies that enable it to play both roles.

"The battery is the shock absorber and a throttle addition for renewable power and utility services," Myers said. "When you have a lot of variable renewables, you need to have the storage to help manage the systems."

The mobile microgrid is also equipped with special invertersdevices that convert direct current (DC) voltage to alternating current (AC) voltage and power. The system is capable of handling about 200kW of AC-coupled, inverter-based generation from sources such as wind, nuclear and/or solar plus an additional 250kW AC of fueled, synchronous generation.

These inverters give the microgrid operators a lot of control. "The level of control depends on how smart the inverter is and what the control systems are," Myers said. "It's a much more fine-tuned control if I can throttle incrementally."

Right now, the microgrid is connected to a solar trailer, multiple rows of deployable solar photovoltaics, a utility grid, a tiltable wind turbine and smaller inverter trailer at INL's Energy Systems Laboratory. In the future, Myers and his team are planning to test with other systems, including a small hydrogen production system, hydrogen or ammonia-based generation systems, and INL's Critical Infrastructure Test Range

As with the early system currently deployed in Kuwait, the Microgrid in a Box will likely be used for Department of Defense application demonstrations first. Yet Meyers acknowledges that there is a broad interest in applying the technology in utility and emergency relief arenas as well.

"There is really nothing like this out there in terms of controls, advanced features, energy content," Meyers said. "We know a lot of people are paying attention to what we're doing here, and we'd welcome the opportunity to talk to them about what it is, how it's different, and compare notes."
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Credit: Carbon (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2023.01.009

A new North Carolina State University study, performed in collaboration with battery testing researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, shows that extremely short pulses from a high-powered laser can cause tiny defects in lithium-ion battery materialsdefects that can enhance battery performance.

The technique, called nanosecond pulsed laser annealing, lasts for only 100 nanoseconds and is generated by the same type of laser used in modern-day eye surgeries. Researchers tested the technique on graphite, a material widely used in lithium-ion battery anodes, or positive electrodes. They tested the technique in batches of 10 pulses and 80 pulses and compared the differences in current capacity; power is calculated by multiplying voltage by current.

Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in portable electronic devices and electric cars. With further improvements, these batteries could have a major impact on transportation and as storage devices for renewable energy sources like wind and solar.

The study showed a number of interesting results, said Jay Narayan, the John C. Fan Family Distinguished Chair in Materials Science at NC State and corresponding author of a paper describing the work. Narayan pioneered the use of lasers to create and manipulate defects in semiconductors in work spanning more than four decades. The work is published in the journal Carbon.

"Material defects can be a nuisance, but if you engineer them correctly you can make them an advantage," he said. "This technique opens the door, so to speak, for lithium ions, so it enhances the current capacity. Graphite anodes consist of steps and grooves on the surfacecreating more steps is like creating more doors for lithium ions to get in and get out, which is beneficial.

"The technique also creates defects called vacancies, which are missing atoms, and that helps provide more sites for lithium ions to come and go, which is related to the current capacity."

Current capacity increased by 20% when the optimal number of pulses was used, which was closer to 10 than to 80 pulses.

The study also showed, though, that too much of a good thing can be a bad thing, as too many defects in the graphite anodes can lead to problems.

"Lithium ion has a positive charge, so if it captures an electron it becomes lithium metal, and you don't want that," Narayan said. "Lithium metal shoots out tiny wire dendrites from the graphite anode and can cause a fire. So you want to make sure that a lithium ion doesn't become a metal."

Narayan said that manufacturers should have the capability to use nanosecond pulse laser annealing when producing both anodes and cathodes, the other electrodes contained in batteries.

"These high-powered lasers exist, and you can treat anodes and cathodes within a microsecond," Narayan said. "The cathodes or anodes are made on a sheet, which makes treatment relatively fast and easy."

Narayan and colleagues at the University of Texas-Austin recently published another paper that used the same laser technique on cathode materials. Published in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, that study showed laser treatment enhanced cathode materials.

"Next, we are trying to eliminate the need for using more expensive materials, such as cobalt in battery cathodes, in order to make higher power and longer-lasting batteries," Narayan said.

Roger Narayan, Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering at NC State, co-authored the paper in Carbon along with first author Nayna Khosla, an NC State graduate student. Xiao-Guang Sun and M. Parans Paranthaman from Oak Ridge National Laboratory also co-authored the paper.

More information: Nayna Khosla et al, Microstructure and defect engineering of graphite anodes by pulsed laser annealing for enhanced performance of lithium-ion batteries, Carbon (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2023.01.009 Zehao Cui et al, Laser-Assisted Surface Lithium Fluoride Decoration of a Cobalt-Free High-Voltage Spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 Cathode for Long-Life Lithium-Ion Batteries, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (2022). DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c18918 Journal information: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces , Carbon
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Surface stoichiometry change in CsFAMA films treated with PEAI and OAI N1s (left) and Pb4f (right) peaks of PEAI (top) and OAI (bottom) treated films. Credit: Advanced Materials (2022). DOI: 10.1002/adma.202204726

A new type of solar technology has seemed promising in recent years. Halide perovskite solar cells are both high performing and low cost for producing electrical energytwo necessary ingredients for any successful solar technology of the future. But new solar cell materials should also match the stability of silicon-based solar cells, which boast more than 25 years of reliability.

In newly published research, a team led by Juan-Pablo Correa-Baena, assistant professor in the School of Materials Sciences and Engineering at Georgia Tech, shows that halide perovskite solar cells are less stable than previously thought. Their work reveals the thermal instability that happens within the cells' interface layers, but also offers a path forward towards reliability and efficiency for halide perovskite solar technology.

Their research, published as the cover story for the journal Advanced Materials in December 2022, has immediate implications for both academics and industry professionals working with perovskites in photovoltaics, a field concerned with electric currents generated by sunlight.

Lead halide perovskite solar cells promise superior conversion of sunlight into electrical power. Currently, the most common strategy for coaxing high conversion efficiency out of these cells is to treat their surfaces with large positively charged ions known as cations.

These cations are too big to fit into the perovskite atomic-scale lattice, and, upon landing on the perovskite crystal, change the material's structure at the interface where they are deposited. The resulting atomic-scale defects limit the efficacy of current extraction from the solar cell. Despite awareness of these structural changes, research on whether the cations are stable after deposition is limited, leaving a gap in understanding of a process that could impact the long-term viability of halide perovskite solar cells.

"Our concern was that during long periods of solar cell operation the reconstruction of the interfaces would continue," said Correa-Baena. "So, we sought to understand and demonstrate how this process happens over time."

To carry out the experiment, the team created a sample solar device using typical perovskite films. The device features eight independent solar cells, which enables the researchers to experiment and generate data based on each cell's performance. They investigated how the cells would perform, both with and without the cation surface treatment, and studied the cation-modified interfaces of each cell before and after prolonged thermal stress using synchrotron-based X-ray characterization techniques.

First, the researchers exposed the pre-treated samples to 100 degrees Celsius for 40 minutes, and then measured their changes in chemical composition using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. They also used another type of X-ray technology to investigate precisely what type of crystal structures form on the film's surface. Combining the information from the two tools, the researchers could visualize how the cations diffuse into the lattice and how the interface structure changes when exposed to heat.

Next, to understand how the cation-induced structural changes impact solar cell performance, the researchers employed excitation correlation spectroscopy in collaboration with Carlos Silva, professor of physics and chemistry at Georgia Tech. The technique exposes the solar cell samples to very fast pulses of light and detects the intensity of light emitted from the film after each pulse to understand how energy from light is lost. The measurements allow the researchers to understand what kinds of surface defects are detrimental to performance.

Finally, the team correlated the changes in structure and optoelectronic properties with the differences in the solar cells' efficiencies. They also studied the changes induced by high temperatures in two of the most used cations and observed the differences in dynamics at their interfaces.

"Our work revealed that there is concerning instability introduced by treatment with certain cations," said Carlo Perini, a research scientist in Correa-Baena's lab and the first author of the paper. "But the good news is that, with proper engineering of the interface layer, we will see enhanced stability of this technology in the future."

The researchers learned that the surfaces of metal halide perovskite films treated with organic cations keep evolving in structure and composition under thermal stress. They saw that the resulting atomic-scale changes at the interface can cause a meaningful loss in power conversion efficiency in solar cells. In addition, they found that the speed of these changes depends on the type of cations used, suggesting that stable interfaces might be within reach with adequate engineering of the molecules.

"We hope this work will compel researchers to test these interfaces at high temperatures and seek solutions to the problem of instability," Correa-Baena said. "This work should point scientists in the right direction, to an area where they can focus in order to build more efficient and stable solar technologies."

More information: Carlo Andrea Riccardo Perini et al, Interface Reconstruction from RuddlesdenPopper Structures Impacts Stability in Lead Halide Perovskite Solar Cells, Advanced Materials (2022). DOI: 10.1002/adma.202204726 Journal information: Advanced Materials
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Semiconductors are an essential component of modern cars, and Toyota has struggled to keep up with its own production targets.

Japan's Toyota left its annual forecasts unchanged on Thursday despite ongoing disruption from the global chip shortage, as the cheaper yen offsets the impact of soaring materials prices.

The world's top-selling automaker, which reshuffled its executive line-up last month, is still suffering production setbacks caused by the semiconductor shortage along with other industry players.

"Dealers, suppliers and production sites worked hard under circumstances where production plans fluctuated greatly due to factors such as semiconductor shortages and natural disasters," Toyota said in a statement.

But it said it still expected net profit of 2.36 trillion yen ($18 billion) in the 12 months to March 2023, down 17 percent on-year.

Toyota said it was "striving to quickly evaluate alternative semiconductors and respond to design changes for securing stable procurement of semiconductors".

The company logged a third-quarter net profit of 727.9 billion yen, down eight percent on-year, and for April-December, net profit dropped 18 percent to 1.90 trillion yen.

While operating profit fell over the nine months, it was up in the third quarter "as the positive effects of a weaker yen and volume increases exceeded the negative effect of soaring materials prices", Toyota said.

The carmaker has struggled to meet its production targets simply because "there are not enough semiconductors", said Seiji Sugiura, senior analyst at Tokai Tokyo Research Institute.

But Toyota is in a better position than many of its smaller rivals as it "has strong bargaining power" with parts suppliers, Sugiura told AFP before the earnings release.

China's decision to end its zero-COVID policy and any economic stimulus measures from Beijing are also positive factors, he said, although Toyota cautioned that Chinese customers' enthusiasm remained lukewarm for now.

New CEO and president

In January, Toyota set a confident 2023 production target of 10.6 million vehicleshigher than in recent years, including the nine million made in pre-pandemic 2019.

Still, it warned that actual production could be 10 percent lower because of parts shortages.

Vehicle sales rose 16 percent in the third quarter thanks to the recovery in the global market, especially in North America and Asia, Toyota said Thursday.

The automaker made a surprise shake-up of its leadership last month, replacing Akio Toyoda, whose grandfather founded the company, with 53-year-old Koji Sato as CEO.

Toyoda, 66, will become board chairman as Satopreviously chief branding officer, and president of Toyota's luxury Lexus brandtakes up the roles of chief executive and president.

Sato is taking the helm at a time of major upheaval for the auto industry, with electric vehicles now centre-stage.

Toyota pioneered hybrid cars, but some critics say the company has been slow to make the shift to battery-powered engines, even as demand soars for low-emission automobiles.

A year ago, the automaker hiked its targets for the sector and announced it would roll out 30 battery-powered electric models by the end of the decade.

Chris Redl of Gordian Capital Japan told AFP he thought Toyoda had done a "very good job" as CEO.

"Anybody could naturally assume that his stepping down has something to do with their bungled EV strategy," he said.

"But... I think that he actually is completely correct in staying lukewarm on the electrification of Toyota's fleet" given the high price of lithium.

 2023 AFP
An East Hartford resident was sentenced to over 22 years in federal prison on Wednesday for recording himself sexually assaulting a child on multiple occasions, according to the U.S. Attorneys office.

Saeed Mustapha Moussa, 33, a citizen of Ghana who was living in East Hartford, was sentenced to 22 years and 10 months by U.S. Circuit Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven.

In September 2020, the East Hartford Police Department received a report that Moussas cell phone contained videos of him sexual assaulting a young child, according to court records.

East Hartford police conducted a court-authorized search of Moussas home and seized his cell phone, computer equipment and computer storage. Investigators also executed a Google search warrant for the contents of his Google Photos account, court records said.

Moussas cell phone and Google Photos account contained videos taken between 2018 and 2020 of him sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 12, according to court records.

Moussa has been in custody since his arrest on state charges on Oct. 27, 2020. On Nov. 15, 2021, he pleaded guilty in a federal court to the production of child pornography. The state charges are pending, the U.S. Attorneys office said.

Moussa will face immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term, according to the U.S. Attorneys office.
DALLAS  A suburban school district southwest of Austin shared a video in classrooms that depicts a student performing CPR on his friend for 15 minutes after he suffered from a suspected fentanyl poisoning.

Its part of an aggressive awareness campaign launched after four students in the Hays school district died from fentanyl poisoning or suspected poisoning. Other videos feature the parents and friends of students who died.

Administrators in the 20,000-student district that includes San Marcos openly address the deaths with community members and push out information to families.

To be silent about it would have just actually contributed to the problem, Hays CISD spokesperson Tim Savoy said. We chose to address this head-on because we were really losing students to this.

Across Texas, school leaders are grappling with how to address the latest wave in the countrys ongoing opioid crisis. Fentanyl is now the deadliest and most accessible street drug, according to law enforcement officials.

This week, a man and woman were charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl in connection with the deaths of three Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD students and the hospitalizations of six others.

The drug is often laced into fake pills, putting unknowing buyers at risk when they seek Percocet or Xanax, for example. The synthetic opioid is up to 100 times more potent than morphine and an amount as small as the tip of a sharpened pencil can be lethal.

Carrollton-Farmers Branch school officials said they are educating students and families about the dangerous drug. A regularly scheduled student health advisory committee meeting on Thursday now will include a discussion on fentanyl.

In the Austin area, Hays officials stepped up efforts because they knew that the fentanyl crisis had knocked on our door, Savoy said.

One 15-year-old Hays student overdosed after taking a counterfeit Percocet laced with fentanyl toward the end of last school year.

A school nurse was able to administer a dose of naloxone  the life-saving opioid overdose reversal drug  but the high school freshman spent about a week at a nearby hospitals intensive care unit.

Several schools across North Texas  including in Carrollton-Farmers Branch  stock naloxone, commonly available as a nasal spray known as Narcan, on campus.

Districts arent required to stock the life-saving drug that can temporarily reverse the side effects of an overdose.

School resource officers have the drug in many instances, as officers often carry it as part of law enforcement/first responder equipment.

Most school nurses and even some counselors and other school staff members are trained on recognizing signs of an overdose or drug use by students. In some districts, especially smaller ones, counselors have access to naloxone and have been trained on how to administer it.

In Everman  a 5,500-student district just south of Fort Worth  the superintendent is also trained on administering naloxone.

Students have led the effort to expand access to Narcan in some areas. Last year, the Northwest school district provided every campus with the life-saving drug after a junior petitioned the school board.

Aubrey Dickinson, a student at Steele Early College High School, even helped Northwest ISD identify a grant through the National Association of School Nurses.

If somebody is unconscious or presenting the signs of an overdose, they can be given the nasal spray and it will block the nerve receptors that are taking in the drug and stop the overdose, Dickinson explained at the time. Its been called a miracle drug for that reason.

Other districts are beefing up drug awareness and prevention programs to specifically include fentanyl.

On Tuesday, for example, Grapevine-Colleyville schools held a parent information night that included a screening of the documentary Fentanyl Factor with a panel discussion that included local experts.

GCISD spokesperson Nicole Lyons said the district also plans for school nurses to conduct annual training sessions to all campus staff on how to use naloxone.

The Texas Education Agency shares various resources with schools that include lists of providers who can provide prevention presentations, materials for awareness campaigns and even where families can find information about safe drug disposal programs.

Two years ago, the fake pills hadnt yet saturated the Dallas-Fort Worth region, said Eduardo A. Chavez, special agent in charge of the Dallas DEA office.

But now, he said, they are in suburban schools as much as on the street corner and gated community park.

Two pills are generally retailing locally for as little as $10 and as much as $30, which could be a teens gas money, he added.

Parents may not think their children can afford the pills. Students, however, have been known to trade things for them, such as sexually explicit photos and air pods, he said.

Depending on their sophistication, teens are either crushing and snorting the pills or swallowing them with water, he said.

Chavez said so many school districts have taken different approaches to the problem, making it difficult to say if theyre doing enough.

As a community, I think we could always be doing more, he said.
Scientists and coronavirus specialists have narrowed down two plausible theories for how the virus originated. However, neither proves direct and definitive evidence, according to Gerald Parker, associate dean for Global One Health at the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M University.

Parker was the speaker at an event hosted by the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs at the Bush School of Government & Public Service on Wednesday at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station.

The world first came to hear of a new illness named COVID-19 when the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission in Wuhan, China, reported a number of pneumonia cases of unknown etiology on Dec. 31, 2019. The new illness was caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. More than three years later, U.S. officials have been unable to determine the time, place and pathway of how SARS-CoV-2 caused the first human infections that led to human-to-human transmission and the eventual COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Scowcroft Institute.

Parker, who gave his perspective on the matter, is the director of the Pandemic and Biosecurity Policy Program at the Scowcroft Institute. He explained the two likely explanations for the origin of COVID-19 as being natural zoonotic emergence, or unnatural accidental research associated with collecting infected species in Southern China and Southeast Asia or while examining viruses in a laboratory in Wuhan.

Both of these two are plausible, but unfortunately there is no direct, definitive evidence that would support a definitive clue in either one of these hypotheses, Parker told the audience. Sadly the mystery is then, where and how did SARS-2 emerge and cause a pandemic? [Which] can only be found, if ever, by finding direct evidence in the weeks or months before the world realized there was an unusual viral pneumonia accelerating out of control in Wuhan in late December 2019.

In order for there to be a natural [zoonosis] spillover, Parker said three instances could be the cause, including: the virus transmitted from a bat reservoir to humans in Wuhan; the intermediate host animal, infected by bats, infects humans; or the virus transmitted through contaminated food, raw or frozen, imported, natural or local.

In order for there to be a research-related incident, Parker also named three instances that could be the cause, including: a lab worker becomes infected through poor infectious disease precautions; the infected lab animal escaped, was released or sold; or a breach in biocontainment results in environmental release.

When scientists were collecting bat samples and other environmental samples in Southern China and Southeast Asia, they were trying to collect these bat viruses to study in the lab, he said. So, it could have been a natural infection with a wild bat collecting these samples, and a researcher or technician collecting these samples  we have seen too many of these videos with researchers not wearing personal protective equipment, so that is feasible.

Parker said the key to unravelling the mystery surrounding COVID-19 origins requires determining how SARS-COV-2 suddenly arrived from Southern China or Southeast Asia in the modern metropolitan city of Wuhan  far from all related viruses  already adapted for explosive human-to-human transmission, and nowhere else in China.

Scientists quite some time ago determined that horseshoe bats were actually a carrier of SARS-related viruses, he said. And most of these viruses have been found in Wuhan Province.

He posed the question that if SARS-related viruses emerged from Yunnan Province, about 1,100 miles from Wuhans Hubei Province, how did they get there? Confusion abounds about the wholesale seafood market, Parker said, where zoonotic transmission may have occurred.

Wuhan is a modern metropolitan city with 11 million people and modern grocery stores  it is not a rural area where exotic cuisine is very popular  but 17 wet markets remain in Wuhan, Parker said. The South China Morning Post reported the China CDC identified the first COVID case on Nov. 17, 2019.

When you start looking at how many animals were really sold in Wuhan, there were only 10 out of 700 vendors in there that reported selling live animals, he said. It finally became apparent with a publication that the frequency of animal sales was almost really negligible.

He cited reports that said on average at the outbreak, only about 38 raccoon dogs and 10 palm civets were sold monthly across all 17 wet markets in Wuhan, at a significant price above poultry, pork and fish; no bats or pangolins were sold.

Extensive animal, animal products and upstream animal supply chains all tested negative, Parker said. Seventy-three out of 923 environmental samples tested positive, but no trend of positive tests was found across aquatic, seafood, poultry, livestock, wildlife and vegetable venders. All sewage collection sites were positive suggesting wide-spread opportunity for infections at the market.

The market was an early epicenter of cases, Parker said, but was the market the origin or just a super spreader site?

Given that China reported the first case of an infectious disease in mid-December 2019, Parker noted that the question is often posed: What is China hiding? Finding out what happened before the first recorded case would help, Parker said, because China only made known the hospital case counts, but neglected counts for severe cases, mild or asymptomatic cases; as they havent shared data before December 2019.

Andrew Natsios, executive professor and director of the Scowcroft Institute, moderated the Q&A portion of the talk, and left the audience with a few factoids to ponder and be wary of.

The bubonic/Black Death plague epidemic killed  according to some historians  a third of the population of the entire world. It took two centuries to recover from the Black Plague epidemic. The 1918 pandemic was much worse than what we have been through now, he said. It killed 5% of the worlds population.  And it killed young people who were very healthy. This is not a small problem; this is a warning sign with what just happened with COVID. It is nowhere near as bad as it could get. And the political situation we are in right now is not setting a stage for us to cooperate internationally to address this before we have another incident that could be much worse, unfortunately.

Despite being unable to identify a concrete answer for how the coronavirus began, Parker concluded by reminding people there is a moral obligation as a nation, and as a world community, to try to find the answers.

Even though we may not find definitive evidence, but we might find predominant evidence, how did this pandemic start? We have moral obligations to all of the families we have lost so much and those who gave their all, and are no longer with us, Parker said. But the only way we are going to do that, we need an independent, objective, transparent investigation, with forensic rigor, without conflicts of interest, and that can be independently verified so we can trust the results of that investigation.
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An unsolved Grand Island triple murder unsolved 50 years later. Nebraska's first serial killer. Brazen bank robberies in Cairo and Doniphan. A love affair that ends in homicide.

Join The Grand Island Independent's Josh Salmon as he takes listeners through Central Nebraska's sordid past in the six-part Murders and Mysteries podcast. Hear from guests including Michelle Setlik and Jim Dean of the Hall County Historical Society, Dr. Nathan Tye of the University of Nebraska at Kearney and others.
Steve and Jason Hornady of Grand Island will be the featured speakers at the SCI Platte River Chapter's 2023 convention Feb. 17 and 18 in Kearney.

The Hornadys will speak at the convention banquet on Feb. 18, which will be followed by a live auction of North American and international hunts, firearms, optics, fine art and other items. All events will be held in the Younes Conference Center South in Kearney.

The annual convention is our primary fund-raiser for the Platte River Chapter. These funds support our education, conservation and advocacy programs, said chapter President Shane Westcott of Holdrege.

SCI  formerly Safari Club International  emphasizes wildlife conservation and public education about the importance of hunting while also defending our right to hunt, Westcott said. We represent hunters of all kinds and encourage them to join us.

Hornady Manufacturing sponsors a program on the Sportsman Channel called Dark and Dangerous."

Dark and Dangerous follows hunters as they seek out Africas most dangerous game, such as leopards, Cape Buffalo, crocodiles and other species. Steve is president of Hornady Manufacturing, where Jason is vice president. Both will share their hunting adventures.

Chapter members volunteer at outdoor- and hunting-related events and in 2022 they renovated the Sensory Safari Trailer, a joint project with the Pierson Wildlife Museum in Neligh. The chapter also makes financial contributions to hunting, outdoor and conservation projects.

The convention includes a wild game Feed on Feb. 17, seminars on hunting in the United Kingdom and other topics on Saturday, and an exhibitor trade show, social hour and raffles both days. The conventions online silent auction is now open for bidding and concludes on Feb. 18.

Westcott emphasized that children are welcome at the convention.

Theyre the future of hunting and we want them to know they are part of the hunting community, he said.

Menus include kid-friendly fare and free youth raffles for a Nebraska lifetime hunting and fishing permit and other items. A hospitality room on Saturday offers a place to hang out.

Convention tickets are limited and are available online. Platte River Chapter of SCI has convention information and links to register for the convention and silent auction, view live auction items, and make room reservations at Kearneys Fairfield Inn.
CALAKMUL BIOSPHERE RESERVE, Mexico  Miguel Angel Diaz walks slowly so his footfall on dry leaves doesn't drive away what he's trying to find in this dense forest of seeded breadnut and sapodilla trees.

Coming to a small wetland, a sign warns: Beware of the crocodile.

Diaz, a tourist guide, shines a laser pointer at a woodpecker and a toucan, and then moves it over to the blue tail of a Yucatecan jay. He learned years ago to decipher the sounds of the Calakmul jungle in Mexico's southern Yucatan.

Though it's high season, this recent morning Diaz had a hard time finding tourists to guide. Last year, just over 50,000 visitors came to Calakmul, home to an ancient Mayan city that today is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Diaz knows many more people will soon come.

"There will be more jobs for us guides," said Diaz, from the shade of a tree full of lianas. "But it's going to be a heavy blow to nature."

Some 12 miles from the crocodile wetland, bulldozers are felling the jungle for the Maya Train, a $20 billion project envisioned by Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

A path 130 feet wide is making way for the train, and logs are stacked along the narrow road to the hidden archaeological site. From the top of nearly-deserted pyramids, the roar of howler monkeys sounds across a sea of green.

The Maya Train is intended to drive economic development to some of the country's poorest areas, in part by bringing up to three million tourists each year.

Fonatur, the national tourism agency, says the train will address a lack of transport infrastructure in the country's southeast that has meant "not all our tourist destinations have been fully developed."

There will be 20 stations along the ride, where hotels and commercial markets are planned. It will also be a cargo route for fuel and farm products.

The 930 miles of rail will pass through unique ecosystems, including the limestone formations filled with freshwater known as cenotes along the Mayan Riviera. This raised a wave of criticism and lawsuits last year that got international attention and temporarily halted the work.

The focus shifted to this section that crosses the intact Calakmul jungle, which is part of the larger Mayan jungle, the largest tropical forest in the Americas after the Amazon.

"I'm not against the train, but for a megaproject of this type, planning normally takes more than 10 years," said British primatologist Kathy Slater, who has been working in Calakmul for a decade with the organization Operation Wallacea. "But this is without planning, it's crazy, they're not thinking about the impacts."

The president wants the train rolling by the end of this year, when his term ends, designating it a matter of "national security" so as to speed up the environmental and public hearing requirements. The army was put in charge of certain sections, including the one that crosses Calakmul.

A regional Indigenous council filed a complaint over lack of proper consultation and a judge agreed, issuing a stop work order that applied to the nearest city, Xpujil.

"They only talked about the benefits of the megaproject, not about the impacts or the damages," said Jesus Leon Zapata, a member of the Xpujil Indigenous Council. The United Nations human rights office warned in December that the national security decree threatened the rights of Indigenous peoples.

The president said several times the national security designation legally allows the work to continue.

"They haven't complied with court orders," said Gustavo Alanis, executive director of the Mexico Environmental Law Center. "It's a serious thing."

The train's path crosses the property of Norma Rosado. From her house with wooden planks and a tin roof, she said the government paid her the equivalent of $5,800. Officials also promised to improve the roads and, most important to her, to repair the water main, which only delivers water a few hours two days a week, leaving Rosado and her husband to collect as much as they can in an array of tanks on the patio.

The area has always been forgotten, said Omar Hernandez, Norma's husband, "and from that point of view whatever they give us is significant. But these benefits are small scale because we're just farmers, we can't build hotels. Those will be built by investors."

Hernandez hopes to sell organic honey he produces to tourists. He had to relocate his hives though, worried the heavy machinery would scare them away. Hernandez, a big man, looks small as he walks through the new clearcut that runs through their land.

For the biologist Rodrigo Medellin, at Mexico's largest university, UNAM, the railway simply should not pass through there. "It is going to irreversibly fragment one of the country's most important strongholds for biodiversity," he said.

The Calakmul region is home to one of the most important jaguar populations in Mesoamerica, more than 350 species of birds and one hundred mammals, plus other endangered species  the tapir, puma and ocellated turkey.

"I have seen with my own eyes troops of spider monkeys coming through the canopy and suddenly reach the clearcut and there is no way for them to cross," he said.

Photos: Many worry Mexicos Maya Train will destroy jungle
A man in his 50s is in critical condition after a shooting on Congress Street in Hartford on Wednesday evening, police said.

Hartford Police Department patrol officers responded to the area of 50 Congress St. on a report of a person shot just before 5 p.m. on Wednesday. As officers arrived on the scene, they located a man in his 50s suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, according to police.

The man was transported to an area hospital and was listed in critical but stable condition on Wednesday evening, police said.

The Hartford Police Major Crimes and Crime Scene Divisions are investigating the shooting. Anyone with any information is asked to call the Hartford Police Department Tip Line at 860-722-TIPS (8477).
Expert Viewpoint

After a Cyber Attack: Three Do's and Don'ts for K-12 Leaders and IT Teams

As is the case for so many multimillion-dollar organizations that collect sensitive data, K12 schools are prime targets for hackers. According to Comparitech, at least 60 school districts and 26 universities suffered ransomware attacks in 2021.

Cyber attacks can leave a significant recovery costs in the aftermath. For example, Baltimore Public Schools spent over $8 million on recovery after being attacked in 2019.

The costs go far beyond any ransom demands, however: public anxiety over potentially compromised data security, feelings of privacy invasion, and unfavorable public impressions of the district or its leadership, just to name a few of those hard-to-quantify impacts. Another common result of a cyber incident is school closure and short- and long-term operational disruptions. Schools in the United States shut down for an average of seven days after a cyberattack in 2021.

So how your district recover as smoothly and efficiently as possible after a cyber attack? What steps should be required  or avoided  to minimize an incidents negative impacts and costly disruptions? Following are some tips to avoid making a cyber incident even more costly, for district leaders, risk management planners, and IT practitioners: What to expect and some dos and donts to move forward with as little damage as possible.

Three Post-Cyberattack Dos and Donts for School Leaders

1) Absolutely Do Not: Dont Avoid Disclosure

Its crucial that district leaders do not try to sweep an attack under the rug or to simply deal with a cyber incident quietly. Handling communications with stakeholders in a way that is perceived as not transparent will alienate the community the school serves. Keeping everything hush-hush will also potentially prevent your district from accessing valuable resources for incident response and recovery.

2) Do: Let the Pros Handle What they Do Best

Additionally, although it is tempting for administrative leadership to get involved in the recovery process, it can cause a lot more stress on the technology team and hinder their progress. Its much more helpful for administrative leaders to be the go-to for communicating with other stakeholders and being a liaison between your technology team and service providers working to solve the issue.

3) Do: Expect Recovery to Take Several Weeks

The length of time for recovery naturally depends on several factors, including the size and scope of the attack, the extent of resources available to respond, and the quality of your districts incident response plan. After most of the recently disclosed ransomware attacks disrupting K12 schools, students and faculty were able to come back to their buildings within a few days  but that doesnt mean the district had fully restored all its disrupted operations.

According to Statistas research team, on average, it takes an organization about 20 days to recover from a ransomware incident. Naturally, an attack will be harder to recover from if your system isnt monitoring for breaches. Some districts will have a retainer agreement already in place with a incident-recovery service provider, who can come in and get things fixed relatively quickly. In other cases, a school or district must rely entirely on their in-house staff, who may or may not have the expertise or the capacity to bring all systems and data back online in a timely manner.

Three Post-Cyberattack Dos and Donts for School IT Staff

1) Absolutely Do Not: Dont Skip Analyzing the Logs

Typically, after a threat or attack is contained, the recovery team will prioritize which systems are critical versus those that they can work to restore a little later. IT and incident recovery staff need to make sure that any system brought back online is first cleaned of the malware or whatever the problem was  before it is reconnected to the network and other infrastructure. This includes analyzing logs from all areas of the networks data systems to see what actions have taken place and by which user accounts. Hopefully, the district will have log analysis software in place that can do most of the work of pulling these logs together into just one or a few reports to analyze. Otherwise, incident recovery is going to take a very long time.

2) Absolutely Do Not: Dont Avoid The Post-Recovery De-Briefing Lessons

Often, having recovered from an attack's drama and exhaustion, a districts IT team is back to fighting daily fires that continue to spring up. This makes it too easy to put off reviewing what happened and designation which areas of the incident responses  and/or the prevention methods in place  need to be improved to avoid another disruption. Dont wait for weeks or months, when the intricacies of the good and bad recovery steps may be forgotten. Ensure a proper de-brief with the response team immediately after the recovery is complete.

3) Absolutely Do: Review and Boost Security Practices

Implementing a multi-layered cybersecurity approach should be an automatic requirement in the following a cyber incident causing disruption. Some basic measures all schools should have in place include phishing and cybersecurity awareness training for staff, multi-factor authentication, and updating the network security technology to match the current technology being used and the modern threat landscape: things like next-gen firewalls, anti-viruses, and cloud security. The ultimate goal, most cybersecurity experts advise, should be that school districts focus on implementing a zero-trust cybersecurity strategy.

Schools and school districts have several free resources courtesy of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the cybersecurity framework provided by the National Institute for Standards and Technology. These resources can help schools create goals and actions to address cyber threats in the future. The framework comprises five roles or areas of cybersecurity that every risk management plan should address: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover.

Unfortunately, the reality of public schools potential for dealing with a cyber attack is when, not if it will happen. Knowing the steps your school or district should prioritize and those to avoid  regardless of how big or small a disruption the incident might result in  is essential. Given how heavily every public school leans on technology for running front office, classroom, facilities, transportation, and all other operations as well as for delivering instruction, the importance of minimizing costly disruptions and having a response plan in place cannot be understated.
Paris, TX (75460)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 69F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 69F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.
CARBONDALE  We've had over a half century of Black History Months, celebrating the struggles and achievements Black people have had in the history of the United States. Here to add to that tradition is Fern Logan, a Black woman in Southern Illinois and an award-winning artist whose artistic statements are as bold as they are insightful into the social situation of Black people in America.

Logan's PhotoArt exhibit, "Montages and Memories," is on display at Artspace 304 in Carbondale for the month of February.

"I am honored to be exhibiting during this special month of the year set aside to recognize the contributions African Americans have made to this country. I, like many Black people living in this country, have faced denial and abuse because of, not only my race, but also my gender," Logan said.

Logan's artistic process is a diverse use of digital, drawing, and photographic montage, from which she creates portraitures and landscapes which give voice to her spiritual insights into the condition of Black people in America through symbol and metaphor.

"Sometimes people forget that African Americans are not all the same and we dont all think the same. However, we understand institutional racism the same," said Logan. "It doesnt matter if youre from NYC, LA, Detroit, Atlanta, or Dallas, when you talk to another Black person about racial abuse, we speak the same language. Symbols of abuse, born in American culture, white robes with eyeholes, are not unique to Black people but they do have a unique meaning to us that is different from those who wear them."

Some believe that artists are made, while others believe they are born. For Logan, it is perhaps a little of both. Though she says she has been an artist since she was born, chewing on crayons in her closet, Logan learned how to control mediums at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, and completed her art education at the School of Art Institute in Chicago.

Though every artist must obey the universal law of individual style and uniqueness, still no artist is an island, nor does anyone work in the void. Logan has drawn from a rich history of artists working in her medium.

"Romare Bearden was a creative genius in the ways in which he combined printed images, fabric, and color to create new worlds of imagery and visual myths," Logan said, who notes that it wasn't until she completed her formal arts training that she learned of all the African American artists in major museums all over the world, which her art history texts left out. Artists like Jacob Lawrence, Romare Bearden, Richmond Barthe, Metta Warrick Fuller, Hale Woodruff, and Palmer Hayden.

When Logan is not channeling other great artists, she is meditatively channeling her muse  a term which she finds cliche, and not very well understood.

"Many think of the muse as some entity outside of oneself but meditation is an internal exercise. For me, I open my awareness to Universal Energy, I let my consciousness expand to include everything from the earths core to the far reaches of the universe, and then I click the shutter or create a new work of art using the energy that flows through that connection. In effect, I step out of the way and receive the message. Many artists work in this way but may describe it differently," Logan said.

Logan's artistic journey has been one of self-discovery and reconnecting to her Black ancestral roots.

"Since the civil rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s, many Black people have reclaimed their African roots. There has been a rise in the appreciation of our own cultural heritage. We see our unique helix curled hair as crowns, we dress in African made cloth and patterns, we purchase African artwork to decorate our homes, and we celebrate Kwanzaa, which is full of symbols and metaphors unique to African culture. Unfortunately, many times it is difficult to find positive expressions of African Americans in American culture. One has to search, as I had to do to find significant artists. So now we turn from the pain of our past and embrace the joy of our Black African heritage and traditions."

Any good artist with vision and voice is not contented with the individual but is moved by the muse or "Universal Energy" to be more universal. Logan, being a great artist, is no different. She says her artwork has taken on what she describes as a more universal tone, going beyond the Black race to the human race, and the fate of the planet in light of global warming.

"The fragility of our existence is becoming more and more evident with every record breaking fire, hurricane, earthquake, tornado, flood, etc. The pieces in the show that belong to the 'Safari Dreams' series are my latest pieces. They were completed since my return from safari in Kenya and Tanzania. These magnificent and rare creatures are dying of drought and famine. Will they only exist in our dreams in the future? Will we be next to go? Is race really that important when the human race is at risk? Just a few questions I wish humanity would consider."

Fern Logan will be hosting a discussion this Saturday at Artspace 304 from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m., where refreshments will be served.
A 22-year-old Orangeburg man is in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree domestic violence, criminal conspiracy and receiving stolen goods valued at $10,000 or more.

Davonta Latrell Charley was originally charged with domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, but pleaded guilty to first-degree domestic violence instead.

Circuit Judge Heath Taylor sentenced him to six years in prison. After Charley serves three years, the remainder of his term will be suspended to two years of probation.

Taylor gave Charley credit for having already served 83 days in jail.

In other recent guilty pleas:

 Jerrmel Smoot, 46, of 131 Thyme Lane, Holly Hill, pleaded guilty to first-offense possession of cocaine.

Taylor sentenced him to six months in jail, provided that after he served one day, the remainder of his term would be suspended to probation for three years.

Smoot was given credit for having already served one day in jail.

Taylor also ordered Smoot to undergo random drug/alcohol testing.

 Pelham Deluv Summers, 34, of 410 Bedford Ave., North, pleaded guilty to unlawful neglect of a child or helpless person.

Taylor sentenced him to 134 days in jail and gave him credit for having already served that time there.

 Cameron Ali Thrower, 22, of 2281 Toney Bay Road, Holly Hill, pleaded guilty to unlawful carrying of a pistol.

Taylor sentenced him to one year in prison, provided that after he served one day, the remainder of his term would be suspended to six months of probation.

Taylor gave him credit for having already served one day in jail.

 James Andrew Watkins, 31, of 711 Mels Court, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to second-degree domestic violence.

Taylor sentenced him to two years in prison, suspended to one day. He gave Watkins credit for having already served one day in jail.

Prosecutors dismissed Watkins charge of trespassing.

 Shakema Monique White, 26, of 716 Mels Court, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to attempted armed robbery.

Taylor sentenced her to 10 years in prison, provided that after she served 1,197 days, the remainder of her term would be suspended to three years of probation.

He gave White credit for having already served 1,197 days in jail.

Prosecutors dismissed Whites charges of possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime and second-degree assault and battery.

 Montario James Williams, 43, of 901 B Raiford Lane, Florence, pleaded guilty to habitual traffic offender DUS.

Taylor sentenced him to prison for three years, provided that after he served one day, the remainder of his term would be suspended to two years of probation. Taylor gave him credit for having already served one day in jail.

 Harry L. Wolfe, 58, of 111 Bruce St., Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to four or subsequent offense of DUI/refused test.

Taylor sentenced him to prison for three years, provided that after he serves 60 days or pays a $3,800 fee, the remainder of his term would be suspended to three years of probation.

He also ordered Wolfe to complete substance abuse counseling.

Prosecutors dismissed his charge of second-offense driving under suspension, license not suspended for DUI.

 Vanessa Murray, 27, of 189 Lauderdale Road, Eutawville, pleaded guilty to third-degree assault and battery.

Taylor sentenced her to seven days in jail and gave her credit for having already served that time there.

Prosecutors dismissed her charge of unlawful neglect of a child.

 Rufus Shannon Wilson, 34, of 216 Lake Marion Lane, Lot 8, Vance, pleaded guilty to third-degree domestic violence.

Taylor sentenced him to 73 days in jail and gave him credit for having already served 23 days there.
WASHINGTON  The extraordinary scene of U.S. fighter jets getting ready to strike a Chinese balloon had many people along the Carolina coast straining their necks and pointing their smartphones to the sky to capture the moment of impact.

But a group of aviation enthusiasts was, instead, intently scanning radio frequencies for the exchanges between the pilots who would follow as Huntress, NORADs eastern air defense sector controller, tracked the exact distance as two Air Force F-22 fighter jets closed in on the target.

The pilots had to balance striking the balloon when it was at least six miles offshore  the distance NASA had advised the military allow to keep debris from falling on land  with ensuring it was still in U.S. territorial airspace.

Five miles offshore, Huntress advises in a transmission that was captured by aviation hobbyist Ken Harrell, in a recording that was authenticated by NORAD.

Frank One is switches hot," the first F-22 reports. The call sign Frank was given to both aircraft to honor 2nd Lt. Frank Luke, who earned the Medal of Honor in World War I for downing multiple balloons and aircraft.

Frank Two is switches hot," the second F-22 radios in.

When Huntress calls out that the balloon is exactly six nautical miles out, Frank One takes the shot.

The balloon is completely destroyed! radios an F-15 fighter jet that also took part in the mission, advising quickly that there appears to be metal chaff clouds.  Its definitely metal breaking apart.

This audio, which was first reported by The War Zone, wasnt on the civilian radio frequencies that commercial pilots use. The Air Force pilots were communicating on an unencrypted military frequency that the North American Aerospace Defense Command uses to conduct missions to secure the eastern United States, under the control center named Huntress.

Aviation enthusiasts with the right radios scan for Huntress missions and other military flights as a hobby, calling out exercises.

Ken Harrell, a 68-year-old retiree from Summerville, S.C., is one of those enthusiasts. On Saturday, he recorded the exchange of the balloon shootdown.

NORAD confirmed the authenticity of the recording to The Associated Press in a statement.

When Harrell got started a few years ago, he said he bought the right kind of scanner, put up, you know, a decent antenna and a lot of software to connect to the scanner and just started listening." He said the scanner only cost about $160 to get started.

On Saturday, he got a call from a fellow enthusiast who said Huntress was guiding F-22s in to hit what the Pentagon has said was a spy balloon and China has insisted was a civilian weather balloon.

He says, get on the scanner, man! Huntress has been controlling the F-22 Raptors, you know for the balloon, theyre gonna do it, Harrell said. So I jump up, crank up everything, and started listening in.

When Harrell heard the pilots' and controller's voices, I was excited, he said. I've listened to a lot of other stuff  fighters practicing, intercept exercises, and that's cool, but when I first turned the scanner on and it went to my local Huntress frequency, it was pretty apparent: This was a mission. Boom."
COLUMBIA  Dueling abortion bans are once more advancing in the South Carolina House and Senate as Republican lawmakers approach a familiar standstill.

Neither chamber budged from their respective proposals in a special session last year that highlighted the challenging fault lines for GOP-controlled statehouses seeking to further restrict abortion. Five weeks into the current legislative session, Republican leaders have now advanced different proposals they claim adequately address a recent South Carolina Supreme Court decision overturning the state's prior ban.

"There obviously seems to be some sort of race going on here as to who can get their bill through a committee, through the body, first to the finish line," said Republican Sen. Richard Cash, adding: "So we have two chambers moving forward with two different bills. And my concern is we'll end up where we ended up in the fall."

In a speech Tuesday on the Senate floor lasting over 30 minutes, Republican Majority Leader Shane Massey outlined his proposed ban. Similar to the now-obsolete 2021 law, the bill bars abortions when cardiac activity is detected, around the sixth week of pregnancy.

Because each justice wrote their own legal opinion in the January ruling, Massey said it was difficult to craft a ban permissible under their interpretations. Still, Massey argued that the new proposal responds to the South Carolina Supreme Court's concerns in part by defining pregnancy as beginning when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus.

The Senate bill removes exceptions for pregnancies caused by rape or incest after 12 weeks. Physicians would also be required to document their medical rationale for determining the existence of a fatal fetal anomaly or a risk to the patient's health or life.

Meanwhile, as in the fall, the House has put forth a more restrictive ban.

The House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday approved a ban from conception with exceptions for rape, incest, fatal fetal anomaly, and the patient's health and life. While the House proposal would not prosecute someone for seeking an abortion, Republican Rep. John McCravy said medical professionals could lose their medical license for improperly approving one.

Democratic Rep. Spencer Wetmore criticized what she called extremely broad definitions in the House proposal that could entangle family members alongside physicians and doctors in violating the law. She named one section that bars people from administering, prescribing, delivering or selling any "medicine, drug, or other substance with the specific intent of causing an abortion."

House Democrats accused Republican leaders of ignoring other pressing issues throughout the General Assembly's sessions-long debate over abortion.

"I trust that everyone remembers the movie 'Groundhog Day,'" said Wetmore, referencing the 1993 comedy where a weatherman repeatedly relives the same day.

Other similarities exist between the House and Senate measures. Both versions explicitly state that the bill does not ban birth control. Both versions impose $10,000 fines or two-year imprisonments for people who "perform, induce, or attempt to perform or induce an abortion" in the Senate bill and someone "who is not a physician" and "prescribes any means of abortion" in the House bill.

Republicans in both legislative bodies acknowledged "political realities." McCravy said he added exceptions for sexual assault and fatal fetal anomaly to make his proposal more amenable to the Senate. But, as in the fall, Massey said the upper chamber lacks the votes for a ban from conception.

"The issue is we don't have the votes in this body for a ban earlier than when heartbeat is detected," Massey said. "But this is a big deal. This is a big deal. We'd save thousands of lives with this."

The continued debates come one day before a joint session is expected to replace retiring South Carolina Supreme Court Justice Kaye Hearn  the high court's lone female judge who wrote the leading opinion in the 3-2 January decision  with Judge Gary Hill.

Local chapters of Planned Parenthood, the League of Women Voters and other groups have criticized the limited public input. The Senate bypassed a traditional committee hearing last week and sent its bill directly to the floor. Public testimony was limited to one-minute comments at a previous House subcommittee meeting.

Republicans have defended the process by referring to the many opportunities for public testimony during the dozen meetings held during the special session. Republican Rep. Jay Jordan held a stack of paper he said represented 400 pages of submitted written testimony.

"The issue has been vetted and discussed in the last year in a very, very in-depth fashion," said Jordan, vice chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.
Orangeburg historian and photojournalist Cecil J. Williams says the sacrifices of Henry Smith, Samuel Hammond and Delano Middleton should be remembered.

We must never forget their sacrifices. We must never forget they paid it with their blood and loss of life. It is indelibly stamped upon all of us, Williams said Wednesday.

This was Black resistance, just like our theme today. Resistance is an important meaning, a milestone of winding struggle through time towards freedom, justice and equality towards our goal of overcoming remaining racism in this country, Williams said.

Williams spoke during South Carolina State Universitys commemoration of the 55th anniversary of the Orangeburg Massacre.

During the course of his speech, Williams presented photos that he took during the days leading up to the Orangeburg Massacre.

It is in their honor that I do this to make sure that their legacy, their sacrifices will never be forgotten," Williams said.

Smith, Hammond and Middleton were killed on Feb. 8, 1968 when S.C. Highway Patrol troopers opened fire on a crowd of protesters following three nights of escalating racial tension over efforts to desegregate the All-Star Triangle Bowl. In addition, 28 others were injured.

Nine state patrolmen were charged with using excessive force by the federal government and were acquitted.

Williams noted, This was not Korea or Vietnam. This is on the campus of South Carolina State University. An HBCU with a proud history and it had been invaded by our police officers, our law enforcement.

The families of Delano Middleton and Henry Smith spoke about the importance of having the ceremony each year.

This is an opportunity for them (current students) to take something with them and know the sacrifices of what people did in order for them to have those small luxuries that we take for granted sometimes right now," said Jennifer Johnson, a relative of Henry Smith.

Germaine Middleton said the event is important for the family. Its a reminder that her uncle, Delano Middleton, died for a purpose.

As we've seen, a lot of injustice still exists in our country. I think that this just rejuvenates us just to keep going and keep fighting, so that his death and the death of the elders would not be in vain, Middleton said.

S.C. State President Alex Conyers said the event honors the families of the people who lost their lives.

Today was all about them, while educating our students on our past history, in hopes that we can put things in place so that it never happens again, Conyers said.

Also, We recognize the sacrifices of those families and we still have family members that travel distances to get here. We owe it to them, this is the least we can do each year is to honor the loss of their loved ones, to honor those lives that have been shattered, Conyers said.

Three were honored with Smith-Hammond-Middleton Social Justice Awards: Ellen Zisholtz, president of the Center for Creative Partnerships; Bobby Doctor, an S.C. State alumnus and civil rights advocate; and the late Bobby Eaddy, an Orangeburg Massacre survivor.
A Bridgeport man was found guilty of murder in a case in which the victim was stripped and then shot five times, according to state judicial authorities.

A jury found Jahmari Cooper guilty of the Oct. 11, 2017 gunshot murder of Jeri Kollock, Jr. in the Green Homes Housing Project in Bridgeport.

Police said at the time of the slaying that Kollack was forced to strip naked before he was robbed of his jewelry and was fatally shot at the housing project. Police also said in 2017 that Kollack was alive for more than 45 minutes  at one point calling for help that came too late. Kollack had managed to make it down the stairs to the basement, where he collapsed, police Lt. Christopher LaMaine said at the time.

A city official called the 2017 slaying sad and disturbing.

Authorities said that evidence at the trial also showed that the victim was stripped naked before he was killed in the basement of Building 1 of the housing complex. An autopsy revealed that the victim had been shot five times, authorities said.

Cooper fled Bridgeport and was apprehended in Florida in October 2018. U.S. Marshals said at the time. Cooper had been staying in a Riviera Beach apartment where federal agents found a gun, 100 rounds of ammunition and a fake New Jersey license under his alias, Mark White, the service said in 2018.

Authorities said that a search of Coopers residence in October 2017 turned up the semi-automatic pistol used in the slaying.

Senior Assistant States Attorney Lockshier attributed the successful outcome to the hard work of the Bridgeport Police Department Homicide Squad.

Cooper, 23, faces up to 60 years in prison when he is sentenced on April 5. He is also awaiting trial for an unrelated homicide in Manhattan, New York, authorities said.
Scarlows Art and Coffee, a cafe and art supply shop on Second Street in downtown Casper, is featuring a new exhibit by contemporary artist Roy Uptain on images from the war in Ukraine.

Uptain, a former public affairs specialist for the Army National Guard, zeroes in on the competing ideologies that create, circulate, and display images in times of conflict, according to a press release from Scarlows. He wants to examine the relationship between what civilians see and the kind of images they take with their mobile phones or personal cameras, and how the military or government leaders seek to shape the narrative of the war through their own photographs.

It is Uptains own history with the Army that prompts him to use a more critical eye to examine images of war.

We were taught to frame each narrative around command-approved talking points, control the backgrounds of photos so as not to reveal government secrets, and edit out the faces of special government operatives, said Uptain in the press release. This fueled my fascination with the methods special interest groups, like the military, use to manipulate public discourse and deceive their audiences.

The exhibit, which is a solo one, will be up for a month. Twenty percent of all proceeds from the exhibit will be donated to United24, a global digital initiative started by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to raise money for Ukraine as the war between the country Russia rages on.

A reception and artist talk will be held at the cafe at 2 p.m. on Feb. 25 for those interested in learning more about the paintings.
How much can a truck fit?

Lets rephrase that so its a little clearer: How much food can a truck fit?

Thats what Wyoming Food for Thought is aiming to find out with its city-wide food drive, which will run from Feb. 17 to March 17. Since businesses can challenge each other during the food drive, Greiner Ford and Whites Mountain Motors have trucks in their respective showrooms that individuals can donate food to. Whichever dealership fills their truck with food the fastest wins bragging rights, a press release from the project states.

They arent the only businesses participating, though. The Michael Houck Real Estate Team is donating a case of food to the project for each property sold until March 17.

Outside of the business realm, community members can donate as much food as they want directly to a drop site partner. There are donation bins at each of the partners. The list is as follows:

Great Harvest Bread Co.;

Reliant FCU (both locations);

Grant Street Grocery;

Hideaway Liquor and Lounge;

wyOMing Yoga;

Keyhole Outdoor Living;

Eye Institute of Wyoming;

Snap Fitness;

State Farm Insurance with Megan Spence;

Aspen Ridge Dental;

Dr. Sean Ellis DDS;

Smile Academy;

Smile Doctors; and

WCDA.

The food drives purpose is to make sure that kids have enough to eat during spring break, the release says.

Businesses, groups and families can get involved by contacting the Project at (307)-337-1703 or by emailing info@wyfftp.org.
To keep kids out of the criminal justice system, the courts are funneling more and more kids into Caspers Youth Crisis Center. And its putting the squeeze on the facilitys resources.

The nonprofit is seeking roughly $137,000 in additional funding from Natrona County to deal with the additional referrals.

The Youth Crisis Center, located at 1656 E. 12th Street, provides emergency shelter and crisis intervention to kids up to 18 years old.

It has a group home wing, which provides longer-term care for up to five children at a time, and a crisis shelter wing, which typically can support up to 10 kids.

The latter provides temporary shelter to kids who dont have a safe home life  like those who have run away, are homeless or have unstable, abusive or neglectful families, according to the Youth Crisis Centers website. Usually, they stay between eight and nine days.

But right now, a lot of those crisis shelter beds are going to children ordered to stay at the center by the courts, Executive Director Dave Hulshizer told the Natrona County Board of County Commissioners during a Tuesday work session.

The Youth Crisis Center doesnt have any specific programming in place to support those kids. It doesnt get any additional money to care for them, either. Its just a place for kids to go in lieu of juvenile detention facilities.

Hulshizer said though the center is grateful that the court-ordered placements help kids stay out of the judicial system, its left fewer beds open for their crisis shelter program.

Because we dont have the room on the group home side, they have to be on our crisis shelter side, he said.

As of Jan. 25, five of the Youth Crisis Centers crisis shelter beds went to kids placed there by the courts. Those children tend to stay a lot longer  usually anywhere between 45 to 90 days, Hulshizer said.

Another three beds in the wing went to kids under the protective custody of the Department of Family Services.

That left just two beds for the crisis shelter program.

Were always trying to do a shuffle to see if we can get kids in, get kids out, he said.

Roughly $137,000 from the county would allow the Youth Crisis Center to add another five beds in its group home for a year. Hulshizer said thatd be enough to support court-placed kids.

While some commissioners showed interest in providing the additional funding, they asked the center to see if the Department of Family Services, Joint Judiciary Committee or the courts would be willing to pitch in, too.

The Youth Crisis Center is also looking to partner with the Central Wyoming Counseling Center to add a new program for children coming out of in-patient treatment facilities.

Its building has a third, unused wing that has space for seven beds.

Itd be somewhere for those kids to gradually  and safely  re-adjust to home life, Hulshizer said.

For now, these kids will come home, and they get dropped right back in their home environment, he said.

The centers working with the Wyoming Department of Health to look for funding sources.

Eventually, the center wants to expand its facility to support additional clinical and parenting services, group therapy and outpatient care, Hulshizer told commissioners Tuesday.

In recent years, the centers programming has transitioned away from juvenile justice-based programming  which places heavier emphasis on discipline  to focusing more on mental health care, substance abuse recovery and teaching kids life skills.

The center has a full-time therapist, two case managers and other support staff for its mental health and substance abuse services.

But its not enough, Hulshizer said.

Mental health and substance abuse issues are becoming more common in kids the center serves, even among young adolescents.

Were starting to see them at like 11 and 12 with even substance abuse issues, Hulshizer said.

And right now, Casper doesnt have enough social workers to help them, he said.

Were seeing less providers, were seeing less people seeing kids, the wait lists are getting longer, he said.
CHEYENNE  Wyoming has another trigger abortion ban up for consideration.

The Life is a Human Right Act, sponsored by Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, R-Cody, aims to go further than Wyomings existing trigger ban, preventing abortion in cases of incest or rape and allowing district attorneys and the Wyoming attorney general to sue abortion providers. It also makes interpretations of the Wyoming Constitution and would allow the bills sponsor and cosponsors, by joint resolution, to intervene in potential court cases challenging the legislation.

The proposed legislation cleared third reading in the House on Wednesday in a 46-16 vote after lawmakers approved an amendment that would make the legislation a trigger bill, therefore clearing up potential risks that the legislation could create a legal disaster ending in Wyoming having no abortion ban on the books at all.

Debate around the Life is a Human Right Act is different from the one lawmakers had last year when the Legislature was wrangling over whether or not to pass an abortion trigger ban, which it ultimately did. As Riverton Republican Rep. Ember Oakley put it, the arguments for and against House Bill 152 arent so much centered around anti-abortion or pro-abortion stances, but rather around the questions of what legal vehicle the state wants to use to ban the service moving forward.

Many lawmakers in the House have argued that House Bill 152 is a worse vehicle than last years abortion trigger ban, pointing to areas of the bill they feel could conflict with the separation of powers between branches of government, among other constitutional concerns. Some worried that, because House Bill 152 as originally drafted would have repealed the abortion ban thats already on the books, the state could have been left with no ban at all if the new legislation is deemed unconstitutional.

Buffalo Republican Rep. Barry Cragos amendment  the only one that has so far made it into the bill  attempts to skirt around that concern, making it possible to enact House Bill 152 only if the current abortion trigger ban is overturned in court.

If that happened, then House Bill 152 would take effect five days after the governor  on advice of the state attorney general  certifies to the secretary of state that the Wyoming Supreme Court has deemed the original abortion trigger ban unconstitutional. In essence, it would put in place another trigger bill.

I think its kind of a compromise in between the two positions that are being put forth on this floor, Crago said.

Backers dont like change

But hard-line supporters of the bill didnt budge.

This is in essence going to eliminate what this bill was originally intended to do and waters it down and eliminates its usefulness, Wheatland Republican Rep. Jeremy Haroldson, vice chair of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, said. I dont see this as a solution.

Rodriguez-Williams appeared unwilling to reach a compromise, calling the amendment unfriendly to the pro-life movement and detrimental to the bill. She added that supporters of the bill dont believe it would be subject to a preliminary injunction, which would halt its enforcement during litigation. Fred Harrison, an attorney who represents the anti-abortion group Wyoming Right to Life and who helped draft the bill, also told the Star-Tribune on Monday that, in his opinion, theres a very good chance that the bill is so clear that it will not be enjoined.

Rodriguez-Williams went on to assert that Cragos amendment assures that well have abortions continued in Wyoming for the next two years while litigation on the current abortion trigger ban continues.

Crago, a lawyer who voted in favor of last years abortion trigger ban, pushed back on Rodriguez-Williams assertions.

I appreciate that the sponsors on this bill has consulted their attorneys over and over and over again. But if those lawyers told the sponsor that the passage of this bill will not result in an immediate injunction, you need a new lawyer. Ive consulted my lawyers. Theyre all on this amendment, Crago said. (Reps. Ember Oakley, Martha Lawley and Clark Stith, all practicing or retired lawyers, cosponsored the amendment.)

I heard the previous speaker talk about, Its unfriendly, this amendment is unfriendly to the pro-life movement, Crago continued. Ill tell you whats unfriendly to the pro-life movement: prolonging the litigation longer than we have to, waiting and waiting, just waiting for another answer years down the road.

Right to life

House democrats also attempted to push an amendment, sponsored by Rep. Karlee Provenza, D-Laramie, to change penalties for first-degree murder, taking out the option of death sentences.

The point of the amendment was to clear up what Provenza saw as a contradiction of House Bill 152 with current state statute, which allows for capital punishment; if the state is going to outlaw taking the life of a fetus which, under the bill, is considered a person, why is it allowed to take the life of anyone else?

In the middle of Provenzas explanation of the amendment, Rep. John Bear, chairman of the far-right Wyoming Freedom Caucus and a cosponsor of House Bill 152, called a rules committee, saying the amendment was not germane to the bill. The rules committee decided in a split 7-6 vote that the amendment was not germane, with Speaker of the House Sommers siding with the majority vote.

But Rep. Mike Yin, D-Jackson, appealed Sommers ruling, asking for a floor debate and vote on whether or not Provenzas amendment was relevant to the bill.

Besides the title of the bill, in the long title, were talking about creating the Life is a Human Right Act. I think that alone makes it germane to talk about whether the amendment fits within that title, Yin said.

Provenza argued that the bill doesnt specify when people lose the right to life.

We are trying to protect the rights of people, and we have defined people as starting at conception in this bill, and we have not put an ending to when you lose that right, she argued.

Bear, the Wyoming Freedom Caucus chairman, said he thinks the state should differentiate between innocent life and that which is not innocent.

In response to arguments against the amendments relevance to the bill, Provenza read an excerpt from the findings and purposes section of the legislation:

This act promotes and furthers article 1, section 3 of the Wyoming Constitution, which guarantees that citizens shall be without distinction of race, color, sex or any circumstance or condition whatsoever.

Additionally I would argue, not everybody who has been executed by the government has been guilty.

Rep. Martha Lawley, R-Worland, also brought an amendment that would have taken out four carefully selected findings from the bill, including the declaration that the Legislature can make interpretations of the Wyoming Constitution and part of the bill that declares the life of every human being begins at conception.

In a previous debate, Lawley had expressed some reservations about voting for the bill as it was originally written because of her concerns about its constitutionality. But she urged the body to move it out of the House Committee of the Whole so that lawmakers could try to address those constitutional concerns. On Wednesday, Lawley described her amendment as an attempt to carefully use a scalpel to address these concerns, not a sledgehammer. Her amendment failed.
A federally funded rental relief program created to support struggling renters and landlords during the coronavirus pandemic will come to an end in Wyoming this summer, the Department of Family Services announced Thursday.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury recently approved a final allocation of $23.6 million to Wyomings Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), which state officials expect to last through June.

Households will continue to receive payments if they are eligible and approved and funding is available, the Department of Family Services said in a Thursday statement. No payments will be made to cover rent, utilities and housing stability services for the months after June.The program is most known for subsidizing rent, utilities and other housing-related costs for qualifying tenants.

Its funded by the federal Consolidated Appropriations and American Rescue Plan acts of 2021, which established a number of pandemic relief initiatives.

The Department of Family Services oversees the distribution of rental relief money in Wyoming.

The agency started accepting applications for rental relief in April 2021, and has doled out roughly $87 million in the nearly two years since. Thats benefited a total of 16,949 households, the Department of Family Services said in Thursday.

In January alone, the department distributed about $7.7 million in rental relief money. Thats the highest monthly payout to Wyoming residents in the programs history.

For months, the Department of Family Services feared Wyoming could run out of ERAP rental assistance as early as this spring.

Wyoming was originally earmarked $152 million by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. But the federal government has been redistributing some of its original allocations to states, tribes and territories it deems to need the money more.

And though demand for ERAP in Wyoming is still high, it hasnt burned through its funding as fast as other parts of the country.

Thats why state officials werent counting on getting any additional funding this year. In the fall, the Department of Family Services warned Wyoming residents that the program could be coming to an end in a matter of months. To prepare, the agency stopped taking new applications for ERAP assistance on Nov. 10.

The additional $23.6 million will keep the program going a little while longer.

While the Department of Family Services is keeping new applications closed, current recipients will still be able to apply for funding extensions, granted they havent used up their 18 months of eligibility.

Households will continue to receive payments if they are eligible and approved and funding is available, the Department of Family Services said in a statement. No payments will be made to cover rent, utilities and housing stability services for the months after June.

Other ERAP-funded services  like case management services, which can assist people with a number of housing-related needs  will also be available through June 30. You dont need to be an existing ERAP recipient to qualify. For more information, visit the Department of Family Services website at dfs.wyo.gov.

We are proud that this temporary program helped keep thousands of Wyoming households housed during these difficult times, and we are very grateful for the valuable support by our community based partners in every county, Korin Schmidt, director of the Department of Family Services, said in a Thursday news release. We are now focused on closing the program responsibly and fairly, giving several months notice for households to adjust their finances accordingly and landlords to work with their renters.
CHEYENNE  Supporters of extending Medicaid postpartum coverage celebrated Wednesday morning after House Bill 4 cleared the chamber.

State representatives voted 34-28 to pass the bill on third reading in the House with no discussion, and it will now head to the Senate for consideration. The legislation extends postpartum Medicaid coverage from two months to one year for mothers until 2027, and has a $1.9 million initial appropriation from the general fund to match federal dollars.

It was the only Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Committee-sponsored bill to pass out of the House in the first half of the session.

Im thrilled for the women of Wyoming that this has passed the House, said Wyoming Womens Foundation Director Rebekah Hazelton. Its a great step.

Hazelton has been advocating for HB 4 alongside policy associate Marissa Carpio in the state Capitol. They both expressed they were happy the bill passed through the House, especially following the extensive work done in the Joint Labor Committee to address maternal health.

Carpio added there was success alone based on the fact that there were different lawmakers sitting on the committee between the 2022 interim session and the 2023 general session. She said its not guaranteed the progress made throughout the interim will carry into the session, and the two advocates consider it a significant win.

The Wyoming Womens Foundation has studied the impacts of health care access on women across the state, as well as other factors in well-being, such as job compensation.

One of the stories from constituents that stuck with them was from a Park County resident. She shared that her grandmother had died by suicide following her mothers birth due to lack of health services, and it was the root of intergenerational trauma from losing a member of their family.

They hope HB 4, should it pass the Senate, can provide assistance to mothers and help prevent a similar tragedy from happening in the future.

Postpartum depression wasnt something that was well known or talked about, said Carpio. So, having that access to health care insurance, getting those basic checkups, and being able to follow up with medication and behavioral treatment I think is really important for the women of Wyoming.

Womens health care services arent the only services provided under the Medicaid coverage. It is designed to support the mother for any medical treatment she may need in the case of an emergency or a long-term health issue.

This is one of the reasons the American Cancer Societys Cancer Action Network was in favor of the legislation.

After giving birth, we know that cancer risks are heightened. Ensuring low-income individuals and families have affordable health coverage for a full year postpartum is one of the critical ways to reduce cancer incidence and mortality, said Kristin Page-Nei, the Wyoming government relations director with ACS CAN. Extending postpartum Medicaid coverage is a positive step toward improving the health outcomes of women and their children.

However, Page-Nei said in a statement that the network ultimately believes the most cost-effective solution to improve the lives of Wyomingites is to expand Medicaid eligibility. This includes for those at risk of, in treatment for or who have survived cancer.

The House didnt have the opportunity to debate Medicaid expansion on the floor, because House Bill 80 was held back by House Majority Floor Leader Chip Neiman, R-Hulett. An attempt by Sen. Cale Case, R-Lander, to add it as an amendment to the supplemental budget bill was also killed by the Senate.

HB 4 remains as one of the last bills addressing Medicaid coverage for residents, and Wyoming Womens Foundation advocates are still unsure of its future. Hazleton said there were still three readings left in the Senate, and there was considerable debate in the House from all perspectives when the bill was on general file.

Theyre still holding out hope, though, and excited to see it make it through the House without amendments.

We all know that the first year after an infants birth is one of the most important for their development, in general, said Carpio. And that one of the determinants of an infants health and well being is their mothers and their parents.
A bill that would set a minimum age for marriage in Wyoming cleared its first hurdle Thursday in the Senate.

The Senate Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee unanimously voted for the legislation, would would make the minimum age for marriage 16 with consent of a judge and 18 without.

Last year, there was a 32-year-old man who married a 16-year-old girl in Wyoming, Guy Beaudoin, deputy state registrar of vital statistics, said during a hearing on the bill. There have also been several instances of 14-year-olds being married in the state.

About 20 marriages annually involved at least one person who was 18 years old or younger, Beaudoin testified at a previous hearing.

The measure seeks to address some of the social ills that come along with underage marriage, said Rep. Dan Zwonitzer, R-Cheyenne, who sponsored the bill.

Eight states in the U.S. do not have any minimum age for marriage, meaning that in some cases a child could get married before they even reach their teenage years. Wyoming is one of those eight states.

I do believe when I looked, we were third per capita in underage marriage for our population, Zwonitzer said.

The bill has already cleared the House, but not without pushback. Many argue that marriage is a family or religious decision that should not be encroached on by state government.

The Zonta Club of Cheyenne focuses on advancing the status of women, which includes ending child marriage. President Denise Parrish testified on Thursday to address statements made during the House debates.

There was a lot of discussion about how this ought to be a family decision, and the government ought to stay out of it. The government is already in it. Its a contractual agreement that is defined by Wyoming statute. To argue that the government should have no role in this, it seems like that train has left the station, she said.

Some religious communities are troubled by the total taking away of marriage for those under 16, said pastor Jonathan Lange of Evanston. He has people in his congregation who married at 15, who are now celebrating decades-long anniversaries.

Lange argued that marriage is in place to secure the rights of an unborn child, which has a right to be raised by his mother and father. If a 15-year-old girl gets pregnant, she should be allowed to be married and have a chance to raise that child together, he said.

I think it gives short shrift to the right of that same child to consent on the other side, Lange said. So, the fact of the matter is, that marriage is in place, the reason that the state is involved in marriage at all, is to secure the rights of the child which is conceived in marriage because he has a chance or has a right to be raised by father and mother.

The Wyoming Republican Party also advocated against the bill, arguing it denies the fundamental purpose of marriage  child rearing  and denies parental rights.

But supporters of a setting a minimum age cite a host of concerns with underage marriage  the possibility of rape, statutory rape, sex trafficking, the potential of a guardian coercing a child into marriage, the mental capacity of a child to make a life-altering decision and separation of church and state.

The #MeToo Movement has led to many states bring legislation during the last five years to try and increase the minimum age of marriage, Zwonitzer said.

I would submit to you, we dont want to be the last state that allows child marriage because we certainly dont want to attract bad actors to this state, he said.

The bill must still has to clear additional votes in the Senate to become a law.
SARATOGA (WNE)  Saratoga Police Department received a report of a mountain lion sighting at the hot pools on Feb. 1.

Saratoga Police Chief Mike Morris said a dead deer was reported near the hot pools before the sighting of the lion. Wyoming Game and Fish was notified and removed the deer which showed some evidence of possible lion activity.

Although law enforcement never spotted the lion, Chief Morris said they did find paw prints in the snow. They followed the tracks to no avail. Chief Morris then contacted Game and Fish and asked that they remove the mountain lion, either by trapping, tranquilizing it, or by other means.

Morris said the spotting of the lion near an area used regularly by the public is concerning, especially since mountain lions are generally nocturnal.

Searchers hunted into the late afternoon but lost daylight. Carbon County Office of Emergency Management (CCOEM) was contacted to deploy its infrared-equipped drone, but the animal was never detected.

Chief Morris said when officers arrived at the hot pool, several people reported they had sighted more than one lion in the area but had not reported it.

Morris said it is likely the weather that has pushed many animals, including carnivores, into town. He asked the public to report any future sightings of mountain lions to emergency responders and stressed that no one should try to approach the animal under any circumstances.
Telecoms provider Flow will increase prices next month.

In a notice to its customers on Wednesday, Flow said the 3.5-per cent increase in its Internet and cable packages will come into effect on May 1.

Another notice was sent to customers with multiple cable boxes via e-mail on Wednesday.
SIDE BY SIDE: Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Ramnarine Samaroo, seated second from left, takes a group photo with traffic wardens and acting DCP Curt Simon, second from right, following their meeting yesterday at the Solomon McLeod Lecture Theatre at the Police Administration Building in Port of Spain. Photo: TTPS
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Doctors tried to resuscitate and save the life of pregnant Chavelle Mitcham and her baby, bu
The Government needs to promote discussion and engage the public more on initiatives that have major implications for the people and society of Trinidad and Tobago.

One example is the current push towards a cashless society in a world touted as one of financial inclusion. This initiative is being led by the Trinidad and Tobago International Financial Centre (TTIFC), which heads the Governments digitalisation initiatives in the financial services sector, and Visa, one of the worlds biggest names in digital payments.
South Africa: Government working to root out corruption and criminality: Gungubele

Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele says the sixth administration is continuing to work hard to rebuild a competent South African Revenue Service (SARS) and further capacitate the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to bring perpetrators of State capture and other forms of criminality to book.

The Minister was speaking on Wednesday at a media engagement evening on the eve of the State of the Nation Address (SONA).

For about nine or ten years, this country was subjected to looting. SARS lost 50 chartered accountants and all of its units that were key were destroyed. SARS was one of the top four best performing State revenue institutions in the world. It was looted and collapsed. Today SARS is one of the best up and coming institutions in the world because South Africans refused [to allow corruption].

The National Prosecuting Authority was actually hollowed out, left to nothing. As we speak now, I cannot count the number of top criminal executives who are there, who were arrested and are now confronting prosecution to answer for themselves whether political or private sector.

SARS has risen and the NPA has risen again. As we speak now, no less than R12.9 billion has been frozen by the SIU [Special Investigating Unit] No less than R8.6 billion has been returned to the State from the thieves. We continue to put before court a number of people who were responsible for this, Gungubele said.

He reflected on the challenging journey that the country has taken from a colonialist and apartheid state to a democratic country.

This country has gone through many challenges over the years. For more than 300 years, the majority of the people of this country were subjected to racial supremacy and reduced to nothing. But during that period, they were resilient, and they stood in 1994 and found their liberation. That was a major victory after 300 years.

Nearly 60% to 70% of its people had no electricity. As we speak now, nearly 80% do have. The majority had no access to taps. A we speak now, nearly 90% do have, the Minister said.

Although South Africa is going through a difficult period following democratisation, South Africans, Gungubele said, must come together and work with government to find and implement solutions to some of the challenges.

We are going through one of the most difficult patches in our country with the energy crisis [and] challenges of unemployment, especially by young people. But weve got an option to cry and feel miserable or weve got an option to say, 'this is our country, we will not allow it to go the direction that it may seem to be going'.

The future of this country lies in the [non-racialism and unity] code black and white conquering the world together. Its only this code that can actually triumph and rescue this country.

"Its only this code that can actually deal with the energy crisis. Its only this code that can stop crime and ensure safety together. It is only this code that can make sure that our children live in a communally peaceful environment, he said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-02-09. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
China plays crucial role in wetland restoration

10:07, February 09, 2023 By Hu Weishen, Qi Xin ( People's Daily

Tourists go boating on a wetland scenic spot in Wenzhou, east China's Zhejiang province, Jan. 6, 2023. (People's Daily Online/Liu Jili)

The shrinking area of wetlands and degrading ecological functions are a challenge faced by the entire world.

Since becoming a party of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat, or the Ramsar Convention in 1992, China has constantly enhanced its efforts in legislation, monitoring, science popularization, and international cooperation to fulfill its obligations.

China's wetland conservation has gone through three stages: problem identification, rescue protection, and comprehensive conservation.

So far, the country has completed over 4,100 projects to advance wetland protection and restoration. It is the only country in the world that has done national wetland resource investigation three times.

China boasts remarkable achievements in wetland conservation. Wetland ecology is constantly improving in the country.

Its wetland area, covering 56.35 million hectares, ranks the first in Asia and fourth in the world. Especially in the recent decade, China has added or restored more than 800,000 hectares of wetlands. It also has 64 wetlands of international importance and 29 wetlands of national importance. The country is home to 13 international wetland cities, the highest in the world.

The total number of wetland-type nature reserves in China has reached more than 2,200, while 11 million hectares of wetlands are included in the country's national park system with stringent protection management.

Photo taken on Jan. 30, 2023 shows a wetland park in Huaibei, east China's Anhui province. (People's Daily Online/Wang Wen)

Wetland parks well combine ecological conservation, ecological tourism, and environmental education and thus generate ecological, social, and economic benefits. They are an important part of China's wetland conservation system.

Chinese provinces and municipalities are constantly working to apply for national wetland parks and build regional wetland parks, demonstrating China's innovative approach to protecting, restoring, and utilizing wetland.

Currently, there are 29 national wetland parks and 26 provincial wetland parks in Sichuan province, and east China's Anhui province has preliminarily established a wetland conservation network that puts 51.8 percent of its wetlands under protection.

Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang province, is applying for the wetland city accreditation of the Ramsar Convention, and a provincial-level wetland park is expected to be built near the Qiantang River in the city. It is learned that the coverage of the wetland park will be far beyond that of the Xixi National Wetland Park in the city, which spans 11.5 square kilometers.

Over the past few years, China has witnessed a prominent increase in the population of wild birds in wetlands. Rare and endangered bird species have started to show up in wetlands across the country and inhabit in large groups there. This indicates improved wetland ecology in the country.

The Yellow River Wetland National Nature Reserve in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan province, sits in the center of the middle channel of China's three major bird migration routes. After years of treatment, the ecology in the nature reserve has constantly improved. There are currently 283 wild bird species in the reserve, up from 169 in 2006.

Surveys on wintering birds recently released by local authorities suggested important progress in China's ecological restoration.

Swans spend winter in a wetland park in Rizhao, east China's Shandong province, Jan. 29, 2023. (People's Daily Online/Wang Yiquan)

According to a report by south China's Hainan province, the island province discovered 201 black-faced spoonbills this year, the most since the report started in 2003.

Another survey on wintering birds in the Hengshui Lake national nature reserve wetland park in north China's Hebei province said 64,000 birds and 60 species were spotted in the wetland park.

While implementing the Ramsar Convention and protecting wetlands, China has explored a path of ecological conservation for man and nature to live in harmony.

In October 2022, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration and the Ministry of Natural Resources jointly released a plan for wetland protection for the 2022-2030 period.

The plan aims to increase China's wetland protection rate to 55 percent by 2025. According to it, by 2030, a new paradigm of high-quality wetland conservation will be preliminarily established, and the ecological functions and biodiversity in wetlands will be prominently improved.

Besides, the plan will also strive to enhance the comprehensive service capability of the wetland ecology system, strengthen wetlands' carbon fixation performance, and build a better legal framework for wetland protection.

China will keep promoting green development and work for new progress in global wetland conservation.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Du Mingming)
A Tucson man was sentenced to three years probation after he lied to federal agents about buying the weapon used in a mass shooting that left four people dead, including a Pima County constable.

Josue Lopez Quintana, 25, was sentenced last week to a time-served and three years of supervised release, a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office District of Arizona said. He was also ordered to pay a $3,000 fine and will be prohibited from possessing a firearm.

On Aug. 25, Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay and Lind Commons apartment manager Angela Fox-Heath, 28, were shot and killed by Gavin Lee Stansell, 24. Martinez-Garibay was serving Stansell with an eviction notice when he opened fire on the women.

Stansell also killed Elijah Miranda, 25, a bystander, before turning the gun on himself.

Following the shooting, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives started an investigation into the purchase of the firearm used in the mass shooting. They say Quintana purchased the firearms lower receiver in November 2021, the news release said.

Quintana had also filled out a form stating that he was the true purchaser of the lower receiver and was not getting it on behalf of another person.

Quintana had told federal agents that he purchased the lower receiver for himself. After agents showed him text messages that contradicted his story, he admitted to lying and purchasing the lower receiver for Stansell, the news release said.
A sergeant at the Pima County jail has been arrested following a fraud investigation, officials say.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department launched a criminal investigation On Jan. 23, against Stephen Perko into an allegation he was defrauding the department, the agency said Thursday in a news release

The probe showed Perko was falsifying military orders and his timecard, the release said.

Perko was booked into the Pima County jail on Wednesday on suspicion of fraudulent schemes, the agency said.

Last month, Ricardo Garcia, a sergeant in the school resource unit, was also arrested after he was accused of sexually assaulting a co-worker at a house party.

He was charged on suspicion of one count of sexual assault and was fired from the department.
A third man has been arrested in connection to a fatal shooting that happened at a west side park last year.

Cesar Ruiz Valencia, 35, has been arrested in connection with the killing of Elmer Tarazon, 38.

After officers werent able to find Valencia in Tucson, they asked the U.S. Marshals Arizona WANTED Task Force for help.

On Feb. 7, Valencia was found in Colorado and booked into the Grand County Sheriffs Office Detention Center, police said.

Tarazon was shot at Joaquin Murrieta Park, 1400 N. Silverbell Rd., in August 2022. Tarazon was then taken to Banner University Medical Center where he later died.

Police linked Armando Ruiz-Valencia and Sergio Urquidez to the shooting and both men were found two months later. They were booked into the Pima County jail and charged on suspicion of first degree murder.

It was later learned that the three men attempted to rob Tarazon, which led to the fatal shooting, police said.
PHOENIX  Arizona cities and towns would be required to allow new homes, duplexes and triplexes on very small lots in residential areas and allow homeowners to add backyard casitas, known as auxiliary dwelling units, to their properties under a wide-ranging proposal that would eliminate many local zoning laws across the state.

SB 1117, approved by the Senate Commerce Committee on a 5-2 vote on Wednesday, also would:

Ban cities from enforcing design standards;

Eliminate requirements for off-street parking;

Override some height restrictions;

Requires cities with light rail to allow apartments to be built on any commercially zoned property within two miles of the rail line;

Bypass current requirements that local planning boards review new proposals and fast-tracks city approvals.

Sen. Steve Kaiser of Phoenix touted his measure as one way to help solve the states housing crisis by removing zoning rules and speeding up approval processes that housing advocates and apartment developers say have hamstrung development. He has been pushing for an overhaul of zoning laws for a year.

Some Democratic lawmakers on the panel noted, however, that Kaisers proposal requires no affordable housing actually be built. And cities and towns objected to having their ability to control local zoning taken away.

This is basically a nuclear option to allow a whole bunch of housing but not saying it has to be affordable housing, said Frank Cassidy, who represents the League of Arizona Cities and Towns. It is just a trickle down argument for that.

The plan is backed by developers of homes and apartments as well as urban renewal advocacy groups.

The fact of the matter is, we have zoned out starter homes, that is just a fact, Spencer Kamps of the Homebuilders Association of Central Arizona told Committee members. This bill, he said, would allow developers to produce starter homes.

We have zoned out accessory dwelling units, Kamps continued. Weve zoned out single occupancy dwelling units. They dont exist. You cant build them. This bill allows the triplexes, duplexes, what we call the missing middle. This bill allows that to happen.

The measure is being pushed as a needed solution to a huge lack of housing supply in Arizona that has seen apartment rents and home costs soar.

Jake Hinman of the Arizona Multihousing Association cited state Housing Department figures that show Arizona is short 270,000 housing units. He said the proposal would cut local zoning regulation and open the floodgates to new building.

He said the big issue is NIMBY-ism, the fight that erupts when local residents take a not in my backyard approach, object to a new project and end up delaying or killing it outright.

Projects that used to take six months to be approved are taking years, Hinman said. The intensity grows with every aspect, whether its comments about traffic, comments about crime, comments about property values, all of these things we know not to be true, but yet they poison the well.

He and members of the Senate committee referenced emails they received from local community activists who said Kaisers bill would destroy the character of their neighborhoods.

Indeed, cities and town are fighting the measure, with the League of Arizona Cities and Towns Cassidy and elected officials from the towns of Paradise Valley and Gilbert testifying against it. Gilbert Mayor Brigette Peterson, who previously served on the town council and as a planning commissioner, told the committee that the bill disregards parts of their voter-approved general plan and requires the town to accept zoning changes and to implement design standards or density rules.

These factors have made our community unique, Peterson said.

Paradise Valley council member Anna Thomasson said overruling local zoning rules will have wide-ranging effects, including forcing change to local character.

We think its important to hang on to the culture of all Arizona communities, including Paradise Valley, that we retain the right to have our own zoning, and to have our own determination, public process involvement, she said.

The proposed law does have some carve-outs.

It does not override existing rules adopted by planned communities known as CC&Rs. That means many developments with homeowner associations could continue to maintain design standards and bar backyard casitas as extra housing that could be separately rented.

And Kaiser said towns of fewer than 25,000 people are exempt, although the Leagues Cassidy disputed that.

Kaiser pointed to the elimination of city-adopted design standards as a major point, at least for him. He cited historic districts in Phoenix where every home is different and doesnt look like cookie cutter.

Imagine what we could have if we had variety, if we didnt have government-controlled design review standards that sound like Soviet-era construction of housing, Kaiser said. We need to let the free market, the architects, the designers, and the buyers decide what is going to be good.

Photos: Rincon Creek Ranch bordering Saguaro National Park includes 7 casitas
I remember going to Pop Cycle for the first time. It was in middle school, with my best friend Michaela.

I was amazed by the handmade items, the funky license plates hanging throughout the store, cut into pieces to spell out different words and Tucson sayings.

Into adulthood, she was the same person who introduced me to Creative Kind, a shop in La Encantada. It was where I bought my first pair of earrings crafted by a local maker.

Now, if you ask me what my favorite thing to do in Tucson is, I'll answer with no hesitation. It's the artisan markets. I love walking through aisles of handcrafted items, seeing the incredible talent and hard work put into a watercolor print of a saguaro or a colorful bar of soap that smells like the desert. I love Tucson's makers almost as much as I love Tucson.

Creating a market of our own, for #ThisIsTucson (a sister site of the Arizona Daily Star), was never the goal. I didn't spend hours wandering markets with the intent of creating one. But driving home from these markets, I always felt inspired. And now that we are hosting an artisan market of our own, it's a dream I never realized I had.

This market means so much to me, and to the rest of our Tucson-loving team. I hope you enjoy it as much as I know I will.

Here are the details.

#ThisIsTucson's mission is to foster a community that knows and loves Tucson. The goal with this market is to show our love for Tucson's talented artists, and encourage the community to shop local. Features reporter Elvia Verdugo pitched the name Tucson Together  a name that embodies what we try to do everyday at #ThisIsTucson.

The Tucson Together artisan market, sponsored by Hotel McCoy and Dirty T Tamarindo, will take place outdoors from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18. It's downtown, at 55 N. Fifth Ave., in the lot across from Hotel Congress. Street parking is free on weekends and the closest garages are Centro Garage, located at Congress Street and Toole Avenue, and Pennington Street Garage, located at Pennington Street and Scott Avenue. You can also park farther and ride the streetcar downtown, which is currently free to ride.

We plan to have 70 vendors selling handcrafted items including earrings shaped as saguaros, tasty banana pineapple bread, desert-scented candles, wood items for your home, compact mirrors featuring photos of your celebrity crush, plants grown right here in the Old Pueblo, recycled bicycle art from nonprofit BICAS, and more. Find the vendor list below!

This market will also act as a donation drive for local nonprofit Youth On Their Own, which supports high school graduation and the success of Tucson's youth who are experiencing homelessness. Donations will go toward their Mini Mall, in which students can "shop" for free. They are in need of cereal, tissue, ramen and menstrual products. You can find the full list of items here.

Who are the vendors?
CAPU MIDIA, Romania  U.S. and French troops that are part of a NATO battlegroup in Romania held a military exercise on Thursday to test the 30-nation alliances eastern flank defenses, as Russias full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine nears its one-year anniversary.

The joint combat drills at the Black Sea training range in Capu Midia, dubbed Eagle Royal 23, involved some 350 multinational battlegroup troops who practiced firing live ammunition from a U.S.-made HIMARS, a mobile, truck-mounted missile system. The HIMARS have been successfully used by Ukraines military against Russia.

Romanias defense ministry said the goal of the drills  held between Feb. 2 to Feb. 10.  is to test NATOs interoperability of artillery systems in a fictitious Article 5 collective defense scenario on the alliances southeastern territory.

NATOs Article 5 is central to its founding treaty. The clause requires every alliance member to come to the assistance of any ally that requests it. Article 5 has been invoked only once: by the U.S. in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001.

General Tricand de la Goutte of France, which leads the battlegroup, told the media that the purpose of the drill is to reinforce common procedures within the multinational group in case it faces a real defensive scenario.

In response to Russias invasion of Ukraine last February, NATO bolstered its presence on Europes eastern flank, including by sending additional multinational battlegroups to alliance members Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria and Slovakia.

Late last month, around 600 French soldiers deployed to Romania also held live combat exercises to test NATOs readiness in the region. That drill took place at a training range near Romanias eastern town of Smardan and involved some 200 military vehicles, including four French Leclerc battle tanks.
SEOUL, South Korea  North Korean leader Kim Jong Un brought his daughter to visit troops to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the country's army as he lauded the "irresistible might" of his nuclear-armed military, state media said Wednesday.

The visit preceded a massive military parade that Kim presided over in the capital, Pyongyang, where troops rolled out the latest hardware of his fast-growing nuclear arsenal.

North Korean state media photos of the parade published Thursday showed Kim attended the event with his wife and young daughter. He was smiling and raising his hand from a balcony as thousands of troops lined up in a brightly illuminated Kim Il Sung Square, named after his state-founding grandfather.

The parade Wednesday night came after weeks of preparations involving huge numbers of troops and civilians mobilized to glorify Kims rule and his relentless push to cement the Norths status as a nuclear power.

North Koreas official Korean Central News Agency said the parade featured a variety of nuclear-capable weapons that fuel tensions with its neighbors and the United States, including tactical nuclear weapons targeting South Korea and ICBMs, which the agency described as crucial weapons supporting the Norths power-to-power, all-out confrontation against enemies.

Commercial satellite images of the parade released by Maxar Technologies Inc. showed huge, missile-carrying trucks passing the squares main road as thousands of spectators watched.

During the troops visit, Kim's daughter, Kim Ju Ae, believed to be 9 or 10 years old, stood close to her father as he shook the hands of senior officials and then sat next to him at a table. Analysts say Kim's decision to bring his daughter to public events tied to his military is to remind the world he has no intention to voluntarily surrender his nuclear weapons, which he apparently sees as the strongest guarantee of his survival and the extension of his family's dynastic rule.

State media's lofty description of Kim Ju Ae, who has been called "respected" and "beloved," also inspired debate on whether she's being primed as her father's successor. She also attended a flight test of an intercontinental ballistic missile in November and has accompanied her father to a meeting with military scientists and an inspection of ballistic missiles.

North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency said Wednesday that Kim visited the lodging quarters of the Korean People's Army's general officers with his daughter. He later gave an encouraging speech to troops at a banquet, praising them for maintaining the "strongest army in the world" despite external difficulties.

The visit came a day after Kim presided over a meeting with his top military brass and called for an expansion of combat exercises aimed at sharpening war readiness, as he looks to escalate an already provocative run in weapons demonstrations in the face of deepening tensions with his neighbors and Washington.

State media photos showed military officials applauding at the banquet, which appeared to be held at Pyongyang's Yanggakdo Hotel. Kim and his daughter dressed alike in black suits and white dress shirts and held hands as they walked down a red carpet alongside Kim's wife, Ri Sol Ju.

Kim during his speech said it was his "greatest honor" and delight to be the supreme commander of an army that is "fulfilling (the) call of the times and history as the strongest army in the world."

State media reports on Kim's visit to troops didn't mention any comments made toward Washington or Seoul. But Pyongyang's official Rodong Sinmun newspaper said in an editorial Wednesday that the North's military is prepared to unleash a "super strong strike of unimaginable might to wipe out the origins of provocations without a trace" when facing enemy threats.

The newspaper said North Korea's ramped up weapons tests and combat exercises last year were successful demonstrations of "overwhelming military might" that supports the government's escalatory nuclear doctrine.

Residents in Pyongyang marked the anniversary by visiting the city's Mansu Hill to lay flowers and pay respect to the statues of their late leaders, Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, respectively the grandfather and father of their ruler, as soldiers lined up to salute.

North Korea is coming off a record-breaking year in weapons testing, and the dozens of missiles it fired in 2022 included potentially nuclear-capable systems designed to strike targets in South Korea and the U.S. mainland.

The intensified testing activity was punctuated by fiery statements threatening preemptive nuclear attacks against its neighbors and the United States in a broad range of scenarios where it may perceive its leadership as under threat.

North Korea's Foreign Ministry last week warned that the country is prepared to counter U.S. military moves with the "most overwhelming nuclear force" as it condemned U.S. plans to expand its joint exercise with South Korea and deploy more advanced military assets to the region.
Emo Nite isn't a band. It's not a DJ lineup. It's an event celebrating the idea that music should be a shared experience. The event is making its Tulsa debut at Cain's Ballroom on May 27.

The first Emo Nite was at a Los Angeles dive bar in 2014, according to publicity information. Since then, organizers Morgan Freed and T.J. Petracca "built Emo Nite into a phenomenon." Petracca said the idea to build an event that would be a happy, communal experience based on the music they listened to when they were upset and alone.

The event features curated playlists and performances from emo artists. Past guests have included members of blink-182, All Time Low, Dashboard Confessional and Good Charlotte.

"This music makes people feel connected. The energy of it is so special," Freed said in a statement. "You get a group of people together who look different, but they have this thing in common."

Tulsa World Scene podcast: Super Bowl snacks and Oklahoma ties
With the March 7 vote on State Question 820 getting closer, those on both sides of the issue came together this week to debate the potential legalization of recreational marijuana in Oklahoma.

Whats the rush to get this thing done? asked Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler at the League of Women Voters of Oklahoma forum in Tulsa on Tuesday.

Kunzweiler was among four panelists that also included legalization advocates Michelle Tilley and Damion Shade, as well as Tulsa Health Department Executive Director Bruce Dart, who joined Kunzweiler in opposition.

The district attorney said he would like to see more research on marijuanas developmental effects on underage children and mental health before its recreational use is legalized.

He claimed that the marijuana industry is desperate to get this thing legalized because they can capture the population of people and get them addicted and dependent on their product.

He said this is the method the tobacco industry has used.

Shade claimed that the debate was really about the appropriate roles of the legal system and of government in peoples lives.

If we arent talking about the criminal legal systems ability to detain people to increase the time that they are incarcerated  and their ability to make it harder for them to get jobs, to get houses, for them to get employment, I dont know what were talking about, Shade said.

As a criminal justice reform advocate, he said the racial disparity in marijuana cases is significant, and he noted that the state question would allow previous sentences to be modified or even expunged.

Legalizing marijuana would give those (Black and brown) people the same path to relief that young, affluent white people have, Shade said. They would be able to move on with their lives and not deal with nonviolent drug convictions that keep them down, he said.

Kunzweiler said criminal justice reform can happen without legalizing recreational marijuana.

Tilley said legalization would help underfunded law enforcement agencies that could devote the resources they had spent on marijuana law enforcement to more serious crimes and issues.

Shade said the societal expectations of parents and employers rather than government should guide people in their use or nonuse of marijuana. The government is not a nanny state that should be telling us what we should and should not consume in this way, he argued.

Dart disagreed, saying this statement deflects the issue towards big government interfering in your life rather than whether a person should vote yes or no on the state question.

Individual rights were heavily debated the following day at a Rotary Club of Tulsa forum that featured Kunzweiler and Jed Green, director of Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action.

The question of recreational marijuana is simple, and that is individual freedom, Green said Wednesday.

The states role, he said should be regulating what this program looks like.

Green also addressed legalizations potential effects on taxes.

Since legalizing medical marijuana, Oklahoma has been revenue positive, and recreational sales will only enhance that trend, he said.

Tilley had said at Tuesday nights forum that by passing State Question 820, we will bring almost a half billion dollars of new tax revenue in the next five years to Oklahoma. And that means $100 million annually that we will be able to spend on schools and law enforcement, health care and our other priorities.

A news release states from Amber Integrated, an Oklahoma lobbying and political campaign consulting firm, predicts that in the first year, the annual tax revenue for recreational marijuana would exceed $65.7 million and that the figure would increase to about $105 million by 2028.

The firm anticipates that recreational and medical marijuana sales together would generate more than $821 million in tax revenue within the first five years of SQ 820s implementation, including more than $434 million in new tax revenue on recreational sales.

Green also mentioned at Wednesdays forum that in child-custody situations, marijuana use is seen as equal to that of other illegal substances such as nonprescribed fentanyl and methamphetamine, and he noted that that would change if its recreational use becomes legal.

Kunzweiler rebutted by expressing his concern about children being exposed to marijuana at an early age. Saying this is an issue of individual freedom neglects our duty and our obligations to our children, he said.

First and foremost, 820 is an attack on our children, and we cannot  and we should not  advance this ball, he said. Theres no rush to get this done.

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10 things that are still illegal under Oklahoma's medical marijuana laws Cant get a prescription for marijuana Cant use marijuana in the workplace or be impaired on the job Cant transport marijuana across state lines Can't get a doctor's recommendation inside a dispensary Can't try the product while shopping Cant smoke marijuana where tobacco also prohibited Can't give marijuana away Cant drive while impaired on marijuana Cant possess an excessive amount of marijuana Can't smoke where you're told not to Check out our latest digital-only offer and subscribe now
OKLAHOMA CITY  A Senate panel on Thursday passed a bill that would clarify exceptions to the states ban on abortion, including exceptions in certain cases of rape or incest as well as in medical emergencies.

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee passed Senate Bill 834, by Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville.

Under the measure, a rape would have to be reported to law enforcement before the woman could have an abortion for that reason.

Tamya Cox-Toure, ACLU Oklahoma executive director, said her organization doesnt support Daniels bill due to the reporting requirement. The majority (of rapes) are not reported for a whole host of reasons, she said.

Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, questioned why the reporting requirement was needed.

Oklahoma ranks ninth in sexual assault and rape, and rape is the most under-reported crime not only in Oklahoma but in the country, she said.

In addition, one in three high school girls will be sexually assaulted before they graduate, Hicks said.

Last year, lawmakers passed a near-total ban on abortion, as well as other laws restricting abortion. Confusion resulted as a result of the number of new laws and their exceptions.

Daniels said most of the exceptions in her new bill are already in law but need clarification and uniformity.

The goal is to save as many unborn lives as possible but allow for some exceptions that are widely welcomed by the general public even though rarely used, Daniels said.

Under SB 834, one exception to the ban would be a medical emergency that necessitates an immediate abortion to avert the mothers death or for which a delay would create serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function.

Contraception, in vitro fertilization and the removal of an ectopic pregnancy would not be prohibited, according to the measure.

The removal of a dead unborn fetus or embryo whose death was caused by miscarriage or spontaneous abortion also would not be prohibited, according to the measure.

Featured video:

Abortion in America: How access and attitudes have changed through the centuries Abortion in America: How access and attitudes have changed through the centuries Pre-1850: Abortions in early America are commonplace Mid-1800s: Birth of the American Medical Association shifts abortion oversight from midwives to doctors; abortion is criminalized 1960s: 'Back-alley butchers,' birth control, and protests 1970s: Roe v. Wade protects women's right to abortion; politics shift 1980s-2000s: Legal challenges to Roe v. Wade introduce restrictions 2020s: Roe v. Wade is overturned; Postal Service allowed to mail abortion medication
OKLAHOMA CITY  A state task force to address a backlog of untested rape kits  the physical evidence nurses collect from rape victims during examinations  was inexplicably dissolved for one week due to inaction from Gov. Kevin Stitt.

The governor issued an executive order on Wednesday to revive the Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Task Force following questions from the Tulsa World about why the group had expired at the end of January.

In 2019, Stitt issued an executive order continuing the task force, which was formed in 2017, through January 2023.

When the governor took office, he was frustrated by the backlog of untested rape kits in the state, said Stitt spokeswoman Kate Vesper. The governor renewed the task force again on Wednesday because of its continued and important work toward eliminating the rape kit backlog, she said.

But its unclear why the task force wasnt renewed before it lapsed. Vesper said the delay wasnt an oversight.

The Governors Office is in the process of diligently reviewing the potential renewal or continuation of approximately 30-40 executive orders that have either expired or are set to expire 90 days from the governors inauguration, she said.

Senate Minority Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, said she had previously reached out to one of the governors Cabinet secretaries to ask that the task force be extended.

Floyd, who filed the legislation that spurred the creation of the task force, said she was upset when she realized the governor hadnt renewed the group. She made a flurry of phone calls Tuesday to try to find out what had happened.

Floyd was in better spirits Wednesday after the governor revived the task force through a new executive order.

It never entered my mind that we would discontinue it at this point, she said. It has been one of the most effective task forces Ive ever served on.

When former Gov. Mary Fallin created the task force through an executive order, she asked the group to issue a report on the states backlog of untested rape kits. The task force has made a series of policy recommendations after a 2018 statewide audit found more than 7,200 untested rape kits in Oklahoma.

The OSBI Forensic Science Center had 2,888 rape kits pending analysis as of late January, said spokeswoman Brook Arbeitman. Roughly 1,248 of those are from the backlog. The agency is working with law enforcement agencies to locate an additional 1,093 outstanding kits from the backlog, she said.

After finding out last week that Stitt hadnt renewed the task force, sexual assault survivor and task force member Danielle Tudor was planning a Thursday news conference to demand that the governor take action.

After Stitt issued an executive order Wednesday, Tudor called the governors actions to renew the task force a victory for rape survivors across the state.

They still have a voice in the process, she said.

Recommendations from the task force led to a statewide electronic tracking system that allows victims to track their rape kits, which are now required to be kept for 50 years or the length of the statute of limitations for the alleged crime.

Completed kits must be delivered to a testing lab within 20 days of being received by law enforcement.

When Fallin created the task force, the state had no mandate to test all rape kits. At the time, her office estimated that only about one-fourth of all kits were ever tested.

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Gallery: Highlights from bills filed for Oklahoma's 2023 legislative session Minimum age to carry firearms Second Amendment protection Changing the state question process School choice proposal Senate Bill 943 by Sen. Shane Jett, R-Shawnee Slate of bills from Senate Education Committee chair Senate Bill 656 by Sen. David Bullard Putting abortion to a vote Race Massacre reparations Addressing problems at the polls Transgender health care Clarifying Oklahoma's abortion ban Prohibiting sex ed Psilocybin research Defining criminal lewdness Continued work on medical marijuana oversight House Bill 2012 by Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater Check out our latest digital-only offer and subscribe now
"For us to throw money at a merit-based system thinking that's going to be some magic bullet to solve the issues that we're dealing with is just not well-informed." Ginnie Graham talks with Bixby Superintendent Rob Miller about the state legislature potentially using merit pay raises for public school teachers, and why he feels the idea does not work.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has added Thanh Son and Bien Hoa military airbases in south-central Ninh Thuan Province and southern Dong Nai Province, respectively, to its draft airport plan for 2030, with a vision until 2050. Per the CAAVs proposal to the Ministry of Transport, the two airports will be used for both military and civilian purposes. According to the plan, Thanh Son Airport will annually serve 1.5 million passengers by 2030 and three million by 2050. Currently, Ninh Thuan has no civil airport and the popular path to the local area involves going via Cam Ranh Airport in the nearby province of Khanh Hoa. The plan also calls for Bien Hoa airbase to serve ten million passengers a year, easing the workload of two nearby airports, Long Thanh Airport, which is under construction in Dong Nai, and Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. If the addition of the two airbases is approved, the number of civil airports in Vietnam will rise from 22 to 33 by 2050, inclusive of 14 international airports. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has added Thanh Son and Bien Hoa military airbases in south-central Ninh Thuan Province and southern Dong Nai Province, respectively, to its draft airport plan for 2030, with a vision until 2050.

Per the CAAVs proposal to the Ministry of Transport, the two airports will be used for both military and civilian purposes.

According to the plan, Thanh Son Airport will annually serve 1.5 million passengers by 2030 and three million by 2050.

Currently, Ninh Thuan has no civil airport and the popular path to the local area involves going via Cam Ranh Airport in the nearby province of Khanh Hoa.

The plan also calls for Bien Hoa airbase to serve ten million passengers a year, easing the workload of two nearby airports, Long Thanh Airport, which is under construction in Dong Nai, and Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.

If the addition of the two airbases is approved, the number of civil airports in Vietnam will rise from 22 to 33 by 2050, inclusive of 14 international airports.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Forest fires across south-central Chile that have left 24 people dead and swallowed up hundreds of houses spread into new areas on Wednesday after raging overnight, burning up the habitats of vulnerable woodland animals. "We call on everyone who can to take care of the forests which are currently on fire, and also of our animals, specimens of vital importance," said Valentina Aravena, the manager at a wildlife rehabilitation center in Chillan. Chile's national forests association CONAF said on Wednesday the area affected by the fires had now spread to over 300,000 hectares (741,315 acres), an area nearly twice the size of Greater London. Authorities said some 2,180 people have been injured and 1,180 houses have been destroyed, with most of the deaths and damages in the south-central Biobio, Araucania and Nuble regions. Late on Wednesday, Interior Minister Carolina Toha said the government would declare a curfew in some provinces starting on Thursday. She had earlier warned of a shortage of water tanks and urged providers to make them available. In the rehabilitation center in Chillan, the capital of the Nuble region, veterinarians treated burns on animals native to the woodlands, such as monito del monte, a small nocturnal marsupial, and pudus, the world's smallest deer. Aravena said these were essential species that helped spread seeds. "We try to stabilize them, treat them, relieve pain from the burns they suffered, and ideally rehabilitate them so they can return to the wild," she said. In the vicinity of the nearby city of Quillon, local Enrique Narvaez watched firefighters at work overnight. "The 2011 wildfire burnt down my house, all the trees, everything," he said. "I don't want to go through the same again now." Chilean President Gabriel Boric thanked his Brazilian counterpart who offered $672,000 in aid and said he was sending air force jet with firefighting equipment, personnel and experts. Spain, Colombia and Mexico are also giving assistance. Chilean pulp and wood panel manufacturer Arauco [RIC:RIC:ANTCOC.UL], the forestry arm of Empresas Copec (COPEC.SN), said 40,000 hectares (98,842 acres) of its plantations could be potentially affected, though the possible extent remained unclear. A day earlier, a Chilean minister warned that high temperatures forecast for this week could further complicate the situation. A local resident works to extinguish a wildfire in Nacimiento, Chile, February 7, 2023. Photo: Reuters A Pudu, the world's smallest deer, rescued from a wildfire, receives care for burns at a wildlife rehabilitation center of Concepcion University, as wildfires continue in the central-southern zone of Chile, in Chillan, Chile, February 8, 2023. Photo: Reuters A Pudu, the world's smallest deer, rescued from a wildfire, is seen at a wildlife rehabilitation center of Concepcion University, as wildfires continue in the central-southern zone of Chile, in Chillan, Chile, February 8, 2023. Photo: Reuters A Pudu, the world's smallest deer, rescued from a wildfire, is seen at a wildlife rehabilitation center of Concepcion University, as wildfires continue in the central-southern zone of Chile, in Chillan, Chile, February 8, 2023. Photo: Reuters A wildfire burns areas in Nacimiento, Chile, February 7, 2023. Photo: Reuters A local resident works to extinguish a wildfire in Nacimiento, Chile, February 7, 2023. Photo: Reuters

Forest fires across south-central Chile that have left 24 people dead and swallowed up hundreds of houses spread into new areas on Wednesday after raging overnight, burning up the habitats of vulnerable woodland animals.

"We call on everyone who can to take care of the forests which are currently on fire, and also of our animals, specimens of vital importance," said Valentina Aravena, the manager at a wildlife rehabilitation center in Chillan.

Chile's national forests association CONAF said on Wednesday the area affected by the fires had now spread to over 300,000 hectares (741,315 acres), an area nearly twice the size of Greater London.

Authorities said some 2,180 people have been injured and 1,180 houses have been destroyed, with most of the deaths and damages in the south-central Biobio, Araucania and Nuble regions.

Late on Wednesday, Interior Minister Carolina Toha said the government would declare a curfew in some provinces starting on Thursday. She had earlier warned of a shortage of water tanks and urged providers to make them available.

In the rehabilitation center in Chillan, the capital of the Nuble region, veterinarians treated burns on animals native to the woodlands, such as monito del monte, a small nocturnal marsupial, and pudus, the world's smallest deer.

Aravena said these were essential species that helped spread seeds.

"We try to stabilize them, treat them, relieve pain from the burns they suffered, and ideally rehabilitate them so they can return to the wild," she said.

In the vicinity of the nearby city of Quillon, local Enrique Narvaez watched firefighters at work overnight.

"The 2011 wildfire burnt down my house, all the trees, everything," he said. "I don't want to go through the same again now."

Chilean President Gabriel Boric thanked his Brazilian counterpart who offered $672,000 in aid and said he was sending air force jet with firefighting equipment, personnel and experts. Spain, Colombia and Mexico are also giving assistance.

Chilean pulp and wood panel manufacturer Arauco [RIC:RIC:ANTCOC.UL], the forestry arm of Empresas Copec (COPEC.SN), said 40,000 hectares (98,842 acres) of its plantations could be potentially affected, though the possible extent remained unclear.

A day earlier, a Chilean minister warned that high temperatures forecast for this week could further complicate the situation.

A local resident works to extinguish a wildfire in Nacimiento, Chile, February 7, 2023. Photo: Reuters

A Pudu, the world's smallest deer, rescued from a wildfire, receives care for burns at a wildlife rehabilitation center of Concepcion University, as wildfires continue in the central-southern zone of Chile, in Chillan, Chile, February 8, 2023. Photo: Reuters

A Pudu, the world's smallest deer, rescued from a wildfire, is seen at a wildlife rehabilitation center of Concepcion University, as wildfires continue in the central-southern zone of Chile, in Chillan, Chile, February 8, 2023. Photo: Reuters

A Pudu, the world's smallest deer, rescued from a wildfire, is seen at a wildlife rehabilitation center of Concepcion University, as wildfires continue in the central-southern zone of Chile, in Chillan, Chile, February 8, 2023. Photo: Reuters

A wildfire burns areas in Nacimiento, Chile, February 7, 2023. Photo: Reuters
The death toll from earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria this week neared 16,000 on Thursday, as hopes faded of many people being found alive 72 hours since the disaster and frustration simmered over the slow delivery of aid. A Turkish official said the disaster posed "very serious difficulties" to holding an election scheduled for May 14 in which President Tayyip Erdogan has been expected face the toughest challenge in his two decades in power. On the ground, many people in Turkey and Syria spent a third night sleeping outside or in cars in freezing winter temperatures, their homes destroyed or so shaken by the quakes they were too afraid to re-enter. The earthquake, which struck in the dead of night and was followed by powerful aftershocks, is on course to be Turkey's deadliest since 1999, when a similarly powerful tremor killed more than 17,000. An aerial view shows collapsed building, in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake, in Kahramanmaras, Turkey, February 9, 2023. Photo: Reuters In Turkey, footage emerged late on Wednesday of a few more survivors being rescued, including Abdulalim Muaini, who was pulled from his collapsed home in Hatay, Turkey where he had remained since Monday next to his deceased wife. Rescue workers pulled an injured 60-year-old woman named Meral Nakir from the rubble of an apartment block in the city of Malatya, 77 hours after the first quake struck, state broadcaster TRT showed in live coverage on Thursday. The death toll in Turkey jumped to 12,873 by Thursday morning. In Syria, already devastated by nearly 12 years of civil war, more than 3,000 people have died, according to the government and a rescue service in the rebel-held northwest. The White Helmet volunteers rescue a child from under rubble, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake, in Jandaris, Syria February 8, 2023, in this still image obtained from a social media video. Photo: The White Helmets/via Reuters "The death toll and injured is expected to rise much higher with many families still under collapsed buildings," said Raed Saleh, head of the rescue service in the northwest, told Reuters on Thursday morning. "No assistance has come yet and we are waiting today to see if any is coming," he said. U.N. aid into northwest Syria, a vital lifeline for 4 million people, is expected to begin flowing again on Thursday after the route was severed by the quake, aid officials said. In Turkey, many have complained of a lack of equipment, expertise and support to rescue those trapped - sometimes even as they could hear cries for help. Further slowing the relief effort, the main road into the Turkish city of Antakya was clogged with traffic as residents who had finally managed to find scarce gasoline sought to leave the disaster zone and aid trucks headed into the area. A survivor walks carrying belongings salvaged from his destroyed home, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake in Hatay, Turkey February 9, 2023. Photo: Reuters After facing criticism over the response, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on a visit to the disaster zone on Wednesday that operations were now working normally and promised no one would be left homeless. One official told Reuters that it was now too early to discuss elections given 15% of Turks lived in the affected area. "At the moment there are very serious difficulties in holding an election on May 14," as had been planned, he said. Across a swathe of southern Turkey, people have sought temporary shelter and food in freezing winter weather, and waited in anguish by piles of rubble where family and friends might still lie buried. "Where is the state? Where have they been for two days? We are begging them. Let us do it, we can get them out," Sabiha Alinak said near a snow-covered collapsed building in the city of Malatya where her young relatives were trapped. People gather at the rubble in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake in Kahramanmaras, Turkey February 9, 2023. Photo: Reuters 23 million affected In Syria, relief efforts are complicated by the conflict that has partitioned the nation and wrecked its infrastructure. "There are a lot of people under the rubble there are no heavy equipment to pull them out and the voluntary teams are not able to work with light equipment," Yousef Nahas, a resident of Salqeen in Syria's northwest, contacted by phone. Syria's ambassador to the United Nations admitted the government had a "lack of capabilities and lack of equipment", blaming more than a decade of civil war in his country and Western sanctions. El-Mostafa Benlamlih, the top U.N. aid official in Syria, said 10.9 million people had been affected by the catastrophe in the northwestern governorates of Hama, Latakia, Idlib, Aleppo and Tartus. People sit around a fire next to rubble and damages near the site of a collapsed building in the aftermath of an earthquake, in Kahramanmaras, Turkey, February 8, 2023. Photo: Reuters Turkish officials say some 13.5 million people were affected in an area spanning roughly 450 km (280 miles) from Adana in the west to Diyarbakir in the east. In Syria, people were killed as far south as Hama, 250 km from the epicentre. Erdogan, who declared a state of emergency in 10 provinces and sent troops to help, visited Kahramanmaras on Wednesday, where he said there had been early problems with roads and airports but "we are better today". Nevertheless, the disaster will pose an additional challenge to the long-ruling president in the election. Any perception that the government is failing to address the disaster properly could hurt his prospects. Conversely, analysts say he could rally national support around the crisis response and strengthen his position. Twitter was temporarily restricted in Turkey on Wednesday, just as the public had come to "rely on the service" in the aftermath of the disaster, the Netblocks internet observatory said.

The death toll from earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria this week neared 16,000 on Thursday, as hopes faded of many people being found alive 72 hours since the disaster and frustration simmered over the slow delivery of aid.

A Turkish official said the disaster posed "very serious difficulties" to holding an election scheduled for May 14 in which President Tayyip Erdogan has been expected face the toughest challenge in his two decades in power.

On the ground, many people in Turkey and Syria spent a third night sleeping outside or in cars in freezing winter temperatures, their homes destroyed or so shaken by the quakes they were too afraid to re-enter.

The earthquake, which struck in the dead of night and was followed by powerful aftershocks, is on course to be Turkey's deadliest since 1999, when a similarly powerful tremor killed more than 17,000.

An aerial view shows collapsed building, in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake, in Kahramanmaras, Turkey, February 9, 2023. Photo: Reuters

In Turkey, footage emerged late on Wednesday of a few more survivors being rescued, including Abdulalim Muaini, who was pulled from his collapsed home in Hatay, Turkey where he had remained since Monday next to his deceased wife.

Rescue workers pulled an injured 60-year-old woman named Meral Nakir from the rubble of an apartment block in the city of Malatya, 77 hours after the first quake struck, state broadcaster TRT showed in live coverage on Thursday.

The death toll in Turkey jumped to 12,873 by Thursday morning. In Syria, already devastated by nearly 12 years of civil war, more than 3,000 people have died, according to the government and a rescue service in the rebel-held northwest.

The White Helmet volunteers rescue a child from under rubble, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake, in Jandaris, Syria February 8, 2023, in this still image obtained from a social media video. Photo: The White Helmets/via Reuters

"The death toll and injured is expected to rise much higher with many families still under collapsed buildings," said Raed Saleh, head of the rescue service in the northwest, told Reuters on Thursday morning.

"No assistance has come yet and we are waiting today to see if any is coming," he said.

U.N. aid into northwest Syria, a vital lifeline for 4 million people, is expected to begin flowing again on Thursday after the route was severed by the quake, aid officials said.

In Turkey, many have complained of a lack of equipment, expertise and support to rescue those trapped - sometimes even as they could hear cries for help.

Further slowing the relief effort, the main road into the Turkish city of Antakya was clogged with traffic as residents who had finally managed to find scarce gasoline sought to leave the disaster zone and aid trucks headed into the area.

A survivor walks carrying belongings salvaged from his destroyed home, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake in Hatay, Turkey February 9, 2023. Photo: Reuters

After facing criticism over the response, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on a visit to the disaster zone on Wednesday that operations were now working normally and promised no one would be left homeless.

One official told Reuters that it was now too early to discuss elections given 15% of Turks lived in the affected area. "At the moment there are very serious difficulties in holding an election on May 14," as had been planned, he said.

Across a swathe of southern Turkey, people have sought temporary shelter and food in freezing winter weather, and waited in anguish by piles of rubble where family and friends might still lie buried.

"Where is the state? Where have they been for two days? We are begging them. Let us do it, we can get them out," Sabiha Alinak said near a snow-covered collapsed building in the city of Malatya where her young relatives were trapped.

People gather at the rubble in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake in Kahramanmaras, Turkey February 9, 2023. Photo: Reuters

23 million affected

In Syria, relief efforts are complicated by the conflict that has partitioned the nation and wrecked its infrastructure.

"There are a lot of people under the rubble there are no heavy equipment to pull them out and the voluntary teams are not able to work with light equipment," Yousef Nahas, a resident of Salqeen in Syria's northwest, contacted by phone.

Syria's ambassador to the United Nations admitted the government had a "lack of capabilities and lack of equipment", blaming more than a decade of civil war in his country and Western sanctions.

El-Mostafa Benlamlih, the top U.N. aid official in Syria, said 10.9 million people had been affected by the catastrophe in the northwestern governorates of Hama, Latakia, Idlib, Aleppo and Tartus.

People sit around a fire next to rubble and damages near the site of a collapsed building in the aftermath of an earthquake, in Kahramanmaras, Turkey, February 8, 2023. Photo: Reuters

Turkish officials say some 13.5 million people were affected in an area spanning roughly 450 km (280 miles) from Adana in the west to Diyarbakir in the east. In Syria, people were killed as far south as Hama, 250 km from the epicentre.

Erdogan, who declared a state of emergency in 10 provinces and sent troops to help, visited Kahramanmaras on Wednesday, where he said there had been early problems with roads and airports but "we are better today".

Nevertheless, the disaster will pose an additional challenge to the long-ruling president in the election.

Any perception that the government is failing to address the disaster properly could hurt his prospects. Conversely, analysts say he could rally national support around the crisis response and strengthen his position.

Twitter was temporarily restricted in Turkey on Wednesday, just as the public had come to "rely on the service" in the aftermath of the disaster, the Netblocks internet observatory said.
A bus driver rammed his vehicle into a day care center near Montreal Wednesday, killing two four-year-old children in what police believe was a deliberate act. One child died on the scene and another in an ambulance, Canadian authorities said, after several children were trapped under the vehicle when it slammed into the building in the suburb of Laval at around 8:30 am (1330 GMT). "We think that this is deliberate, but we don't know the motive," local police chief Pierre Brochet told AFP. The 51-year-old suspect, named as Pierre Ny St-Amand, seemed agitated as he appeared via video link in court later Wednesday. He faces nine counts including premeditated murder and attempted murder. Six other children transported to hospital are out of danger, said Laval police spokeswoman Erika Landry. Hamdi Ben Chaabane, who lives nearby, said he arrived at the scene to find the driver acting erratically. "He opened the door. He took off all his clothes. He was totally naked," Chaabane said, according to broadcaster CBC. "We don't know why he did that. We dove on him. We tried to subdue him," he said, describing the man as "in another world." St-Amand refused to speak but nodded to answer the judge's questions during his court appearance, smiling broadly and repeatedly trying to sit up from the bed to which he was handcuffed, an AFP journalist in the room observed. The case will resume on February 17, crown prosecutor Karine Dalphond said, with St-Amand remaining in a psychiatric hospital in the meantime. The bus he drove appeared to have smashed into a side of the building which is near a parking lot away from the nearest road, remaining there late Wednesday afternoon with part of the roof collapsed on its front portion. Another parent at the scene, holding her own child, told Radio Canada it was the center's class of oldest children that was hit. "I know that there are no words for parents who have lost their children this way," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters. "All Canadians are grieving with them, and we'll do whatever we can to support them in their horrific pain in the coming days, months and years of grief," he said. No adults were hurt in the collision. Police secure the scene where the bus crashed into a day care in the Montreal suburbs. Photo: AFP 'Terrible tragedy' Some of the victims were taken to Sainte-Justine hospital. "There is nothing more cruel than attacking our children," Quebec Premier Francois Legault tweeted, praising emergency workers who responded to the scene. "I keep thinking about the families and loved ones of the children who died, as well as those who were injured," he said. Legault said he and opposition party leaders planned to go back to Laval Thursday "to offer my support to the families and to the personnel affected by this terrible tragedy." Day care worker Mona Gilot, 54, told AFP she was angry. "My head is spinning. It's really difficult for me to speak," she said. After the crash, parents rushed up the snow-covered sidewalk to collect their children from the center, which usually has about 80 or 85 children attending, while a nearby school was transformed into a crisis headquarters. "I am shocked by this news. The investigation continues to understand this tragic series of events," tweeted Stephane Boyer, the mayor of Laval. "All of my support to the parents at these difficult moments," he added. "Laval is wholeheartedly with you and will be there for you." Quebec flags will be lowered and the Montreal Tower at the city's Olympic stadium will be dimmed Wednesday evening as will the emblematic CN tower in Toronto, in honor of the victims. In 2018, a Canadian man rammed a rental van into a crowd of pedestrians in downtown Toronto, killing 11 and injuring 16 in the deadliest such attack in the country's history.

A bus driver rammed his vehicle into a day care center near Montreal Wednesday, killing two four-year-old children in what police believe was a deliberate act.

One child died on the scene and another in an ambulance, Canadian authorities said, after several children were trapped under the vehicle when it slammed into the building in the suburb of Laval at around 8:30 am (1330 GMT).

"We think that this is deliberate, but we don't know the motive," local police chief Pierre Brochet told AFP.

The 51-year-old suspect, named as Pierre Ny St-Amand, seemed agitated as he appeared via video link in court later Wednesday. He faces nine counts including premeditated murder and attempted murder.

Six other children transported to hospital are out of danger, said Laval police spokeswoman Erika Landry.

Hamdi Ben Chaabane, who lives nearby, said he arrived at the scene to find the driver acting erratically.

"He opened the door. He took off all his clothes. He was totally naked," Chaabane said, according to broadcaster CBC.

"We don't know why he did that. We dove on him. We tried to subdue him," he said, describing the man as "in another world."

St-Amand refused to speak but nodded to answer the judge's questions during his court appearance, smiling broadly and repeatedly trying to sit up from the bed to which he was handcuffed, an AFP journalist in the room observed.

The case will resume on February 17, crown prosecutor Karine Dalphond said, with St-Amand remaining in a psychiatric hospital in the meantime.

The bus he drove appeared to have smashed into a side of the building which is near a parking lot away from the nearest road, remaining there late Wednesday afternoon with part of the roof collapsed on its front portion.

Another parent at the scene, holding her own child, told Radio Canada it was the center's class of oldest children that was hit.

"I know that there are no words for parents who have lost their children this way," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters.

"All Canadians are grieving with them, and we'll do whatever we can to support them in their horrific pain in the coming days, months and years of grief," he said.

No adults were hurt in the collision.

Police secure the scene where the bus crashed into a day care in the Montreal suburbs. Photo: AFP

'Terrible tragedy'

Some of the victims were taken to Sainte-Justine hospital.

"There is nothing more cruel than attacking our children," Quebec Premier Francois Legault tweeted, praising emergency workers who responded to the scene.

"I keep thinking about the families and loved ones of the children who died, as well as those who were injured," he said.

Legault said he and opposition party leaders planned to go back to Laval Thursday "to offer my support to the families and to the personnel affected by this terrible tragedy."

Day care worker Mona Gilot, 54, told AFP she was angry.

"My head is spinning. It's really difficult for me to speak," she said.

After the crash, parents rushed up the snow-covered sidewalk to collect their children from the center, which usually has about 80 or 85 children attending, while a nearby school was transformed into a crisis headquarters.

"I am shocked by this news. The investigation continues to understand this tragic series of events," tweeted Stephane Boyer, the mayor of Laval.

"All of my support to the parents at these difficult moments," he added.

"Laval is wholeheartedly with you and will be there for you."

Quebec flags will be lowered and the Montreal Tower at the city's Olympic stadium will be dimmed Wednesday evening as will the emblematic CN tower in Toronto, in honor of the victims.

In 2018, a Canadian man rammed a rental van into a crowd of pedestrians in downtown Toronto, killing 11 and injuring 16 in the deadliest such attack in the country's history.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, along with his spouse and a high-ranking delegation, arrived at Changi Airport on Wednesday afternoon, commencing a three-day official visit to Singapore. The visit comes amidst the strong development of the Vietnam-Singapore strategic partnership. This year marks the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations and 10 years of their strategic partnership. Singapore is now Vietnams top economic partner in the region, with two-way trade nearing US$9 billion in 2022, up 10.1 percent year on year. Twelve Vietnam Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs) in nine Vietnamese cities and provinces have an occupancy rate of around 83.2 percent, attracting $17.6 billion for some 900 projects and generating roughly 300,000 jobs. PM Chinhs visit to Singapore is aimed at lifting Vietnam-Singapore economic connectivity to a new height in the context that a series of new-generation free trade deals joined by the two nations have taken effect, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). During his stay, the Vietnamese premier is scheduled to hold talks with his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong and meet Singaporean President Halimah Yacob as well as Speaker of the Singaporean Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin. He will also meet with representatives of the Vietnamese community and leading businesses in Singapore, as well as attend the Vietnam-Singapore Business Forum to promote bilateral trade and investment cooperation. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, along with his spouse and a high-ranking delegation, arrived at Changi Airport on Wednesday afternoon, commencing a three-day official visit to Singapore.

The visit comes amidst the strong development of the Vietnam-Singapore strategic partnership.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations and 10 years of their strategic partnership.

Singapore is now Vietnams top economic partner in the region, with two-way trade nearing US$9 billion in 2022, up 10.1 percent year on year.

Twelve Vietnam Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs) in nine Vietnamese cities and provinces have an occupancy rate of around 83.2 percent, attracting $17.6 billion for some 900 projects and generating roughly 300,000 jobs.

PM Chinhs visit to Singapore is aimed at lifting Vietnam-Singapore economic connectivity to a new height in the context that a series of new-generation free trade deals joined by the two nations have taken effect, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

During his stay, the Vietnamese premier is scheduled to hold talks with his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong and meet Singaporean President Halimah Yacob as well as Speaker of the Singaporean Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin.

He will also meet with representatives of the Vietnamese community and leading businesses in Singapore, as well as attend the Vietnam-Singapore Business Forum to promote bilateral trade and investment cooperation.

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A Canton police sergeant was the towns highest wage earner in 2022, one of 14 police officers  including the chief  who made the list of the 25 highest paid town employees.

Police Sgt. Tyson L. Deloy earned approximately $184,236, including approximately $70,000 in private duty pay added to his base salary of $104,417. He also earned $688 in overtime and $2,692 for filling shifts, town records show. Private duty wages are not paid by the town.

The list of top municipal wages for 2022 was obtained through a Freedom of Information request by the Hartford Courant.

The records request was filled swiftly by the town without charge for the document.

Scenic Canton, known for the arts, recreation and its rich history, has a population of about 10,000.

The towns second highest wage earner was Chief Administrative Officer Robert H. Skinner, responsible for the administration of all departments, agencies, and non-elected officers of the town.

Skinner was paid $164,873 in 2022, with $3,000 of that in a mileage stipend.

The money didnt come easy for the police officers on the list, as their base earnings were boosted significantly by private duty jobs and in some cases overtime.

Police Chief Christopher G. Arciero, who is also the towns emergency management director, was number six on the list, earning $145,390.

Arciero said the officers who work extra time sacrifice time with family, friends, on holidays and often work outside in extreme weather.

Thank God someones willing to do it, Arciero said.

Canton Town Hall

He said the private duty is paid by parties other than the town and sometimes occur in neighboring communities, if there arent enough officers in those towns to cover the jobs. Street projects in Granby and Simsbury helped boost the private duty work in Canton last year, he said.

Unlike many Connecticut municipalities, Arciero said Cantons force is fully staffed  counting recruits in training.

Aside from some overtime that occurs naturally, extra overtime money was made available by the Board of Selectmen to crack down on speeding, Arciero said.

Aside from Deloy, Skinner and Arciero, the list of the 25 top earners from highest to lowest includes, per town data:

Patrol officer Martin J. Miller, who earned $150,864, including $38,695 in private duty pay and $8,566 to fill shifts.

Sgt. Derek J. Messier earned $148,372, including $21,364 in extra duty and $15,727 to fill shifts.

Patrol Officer Mark F. Montefalco earned $146,532, including $32,942 in private duty and $10,258 in overtime.

Sgt. David R. Rodriguez earned $141,806, including $37,621 private duty pay and $9,110 in overtime.

Patrol Officer Patrick Michael Tebecio earned $138,404, including $42,803 for private duty, $5,549 in overtime and $5,090 for filling shifts.

Sgt. Jonathan A. Saucier earned $136,874, including $18,762 in private duty and $6,055 in overtime.

Neil S. Pade, director of Planning & Community Development earned a salary of $134,558.

Finance Officer & Treasurer William Geiger earned $134,540.

Patrol Officer Dimitrios Papachristos earned $117,251, including $17,303 in private duty and $4,405 in overtime.

Police Capt. Andrew J. Schiffer earned $116,662.

Patrol Officer Jonathan T. Lederman earned $115,391, including $7,553 in private duty pay and $7,906 in overtime.

Public Works Director Robert J. Martin earned $114,049.

Patrol Officer Mark J. Selander earned $104,746, including $7,169 in overtime.

Police Detective Michael Gerrity earned $104,561, including $5,602 for private duty.

Dispatcher Supervisor Michael C. Roy earned $101,326, including $23,461 to fill shifts.

Patrol officer Matthew Catania Jr. earned $97,438, including $8,014 to fill shifts.

Library Director Sarah S. Mccusker earned $97,111.

Dispatcher Ryan A. Kerr earned $93,026, including $16,531 to fill shifts.

Maintenance Supervisor Leonard W. Dupee, Jr. earned $90,441, including $16,159 in overtime.

Public Works foreman Daniel D. Manyak earned $89,402, including $9,996 in overtime.

Glenn F. Cusano, project administrator, earned $88,502.

Thomas A. Richardson, superintendent of buildings and grounds earned $85,086.
A woman from An Giang Province, southern Vietnam died of food poisoning after eating sweet white cowpea soup despite receiving treatment this week. Tran Quang Hien, director of the provincial Department of Health, on Wednesday said that N.T.H., 63, residing in Long Dien A, Cho Moi District, An Giang Province, died at the General Hospital of An Giang due to multi-organ failure after three days of treatment since Saturday last week. The hospital is still treating three people. Of them, two have recovered, but T.'s health, which had been in critical condition, has also improved," Hien said. Other patients at the Cho Moi District Medical Center have also healed and none of them needed to be transferred to the provincial-level hospital. The main cause of the food poisoning was sweet white cowpea soup, but we will have to wait for the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology to conclude if the sweet soup was contaminated with bacteria or chemicals." Regarding the situation, a leader of the Cho Moi District Police said he had directed officers to collect information, take samples, and wait for the sweet soup testing results. We have joined hands with provincial police officers to conduct an autopsy on H. and console her family," the leader said. [Nguyen Thi Anh] T., [the philanthropist who cooked the sweet white cowpea soup and offered it at no charge to residents in her neighborhood] also ate the sweet soup and was hospitalized. We are investigating the cause of the case. The Cho Moi District Medical Center on Sunday admitted 35 people in Long Dien A who were suffering food poisoning after eating the sweet white cowpea soup. Four of them with more serious conditions were later moved to the General Hospital of An Giang Area. Among the four, two patients, including H., suffered multi-organ failure and needed continuous dialysis and intensive care, but H. died later. The number of hospitalizations does not include those with mild symptoms who recovered after taking medicines themselves. They ate the sweet white cowpea soup cooked by T., 44, a resident of Long Dien A Commune, Cho Moi District last Friday afternoon. T. gave the sweet soup to residents in her neighborhood last Saturday morning but the total number of people who ate the soup is unknown. Later that night, many people developed symptoms of stomachache, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever and were rushed to the Cho Moi District Medical Center. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

A woman from An Giang Province, southern Vietnam died of food poisoning after eating sweet white cowpea soup despite receiving treatment this week.

Tran Quang Hien, director of the provincial Department of Health, on Wednesday said that N.T.H., 63, residing in Long Dien A, Cho Moi District, An Giang Province, died at the General Hospital of An Giang due to multi-organ failure after three days of treatment since Saturday last week.

The hospital is still treating three people. Of them, two have recovered, but T.'s health, which had been in critical condition, has also improved," Hien said.

Other patients at the Cho Moi District Medical Center have also healed and none of them needed to be transferred to the provincial-level hospital.

The main cause of the food poisoning was sweet white cowpea soup, but we will have to wait for the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology to conclude if the sweet soup was contaminated with bacteria or chemicals."

Regarding the situation, a leader of the Cho Moi District Police said he had directed officers to collect information, take samples, and wait for the sweet soup testing results.

We have joined hands with provincial police officers to conduct an autopsy on H. and console her family," the leader said.

[Nguyen Thi Anh] T., [the philanthropist who cooked the sweet white cowpea soup and offered it at no charge to residents in her neighborhood] also ate the sweet soup and was hospitalized. We are investigating the cause of the case.

The Cho Moi District Medical Center on Sunday admitted 35 people in Long Dien A who were suffering food poisoning after eating the sweet white cowpea soup.

Four of them with more serious conditions were later moved to the General Hospital of An Giang Area.

Among the four, two patients, including H., suffered multi-organ failure and needed continuous dialysis and intensive care, but H. died later.

The number of hospitalizations does not include those with mild symptoms who recovered after taking medicines themselves.

They ate the sweet white cowpea soup cooked by T., 44, a resident of Long Dien A Commune, Cho Moi District last Friday afternoon.

T. gave the sweet soup to residents in her neighborhood last Saturday morning but the total number of people who ate the soup is unknown.

Later that night, many people developed symptoms of stomachache, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever and were rushed to the Cho Moi District Medical Center.

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Two four-year-old boys drowned in a Koi fish pond at their neighbors houses in Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam on Wednesday evening.

The two victims were L.K.N. and D.A.K., both four years old, an official in Cao Xanh Ward, Ha Long City confirmed on Thursday morning.

N. and K. left their houses to play at around 5:30 pm on Wednesday, according to preliminary information.

At 6:10 pm, family members began looking for the two boys but they could not find them.

By 7:00 pm the same day, Cao Van Le, who lives in the same neighborhood, discovered the boys bodies floating in his Koi pond.

Le rushed the boys to the hospital but they were pronounced dead on arrival.

Local authorities are investigating the case, and officials have provided necessary support for their families.

Les Koi pond is about 20 meters wide and one meter deep, VnExpress newspaper reported.

His house is around 20 meters from the boys houses.

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Vietnamese users tendency to search for Internet account security terms was stronger in 2022 than in 2021, according to a report by Google on the International Safer Internet Day (February 7). In particular, one-time password not only was one of the five most searched topics last year but also recorded the highest search volume over the past 15 years in Vietnam. Compared with 2021, Vietnamese Internet users searched more for themes related to cybersecurity, such as random password generators,' password strength,' and ad frauds,' which surged 90, 70, and 50 percent, respectively. Vietnamese people also paid attention to malware and viruses by searching What is malware?, the nature of computer worms,' or the nature of viruses.' Moreover, local Internet users searched for solutions to protect their accounts. Phrases such as anti-DDoS hosting,' business antivirus,' and the Law on Cyber Security had a huge search volume. Google recommended that personal account protection should be given more importance. Internet users should get into a habit of safeguarding their accounts and personal information. According to Google, Password Managers and 2-Step Verification are effective tools to protect online accounts, improving users safety in cyberspace. Password Managers helps create and store strong and unique passwords for online accounts and sends alerts about logins potentially exposed in data breaches to users. Cybersecurity experts also encourage Internet users to use Password Managers to avoid online traps. Meanwhile, 2-Step Verification adds an extra layer of security to users accounts besides passwords. To log in their accounts, users need to enter their passwords and a random code sent to them via text messages or the Google Authenticator app. In 2021, Google successfully got 150 million people auto-enrolled in 2-step verification and the number of accounts hacked fell 50 percent. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Vietnamese users tendency to search for Internet account security terms was stronger in 2022 than in 2021, according to a report by Google on the International Safer Internet Day (February 7).

In particular, one-time password not only was one of the five most searched topics last year but also recorded the highest search volume over the past 15 years in Vietnam.

Compared with 2021, Vietnamese Internet users searched more for themes related to cybersecurity, such as random password generators,' password strength,' and ad frauds,' which surged 90, 70, and 50 percent, respectively.

Vietnamese people also paid attention to malware and viruses by searching What is malware?, the nature of computer worms,' or the nature of viruses.'

Moreover, local Internet users searched for solutions to protect their accounts. Phrases such as anti-DDoS hosting,' business antivirus,' and the Law on Cyber Security had a huge search volume.

Google recommended that personal account protection should be given more importance. Internet users should get into a habit of safeguarding their accounts and personal information.

According to Google, Password Managers and 2-Step Verification are effective tools to protect online accounts, improving users safety in cyberspace.

Password Managers helps create and store strong and unique passwords for online accounts and sends alerts about logins potentially exposed in data breaches to users.

Cybersecurity experts also encourage Internet users to use Password Managers to avoid online traps.

Meanwhile, 2-Step Verification adds an extra layer of security to users accounts besides passwords. To log in their accounts, users need to enter their passwords and a random code sent to them via text messages or the Google Authenticator app.

In 2021, Google successfully got 150 million people auto-enrolled in 2-step verification and the number of accounts hacked fell 50 percent.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
When actor Joe Hasham was asked how he would feel about playing a gay character in Number 96 in 1971, producers and writers could tell he was hesitant.

But not because he was repelled by the idea. Back then the portrayal of LGBT characters in show business was as effeminate men or as victims.

I think they must have seen me stall a little bit and they said, Oh, is there something wrong? I said, Well, no, its not what you think.. its just that in those days I had a lot of queer friends. I have a lot of gay friends now. My biggest concern with doing 96 was that I didnt want to portray anything that would let them down, he tells TV Tonight.

To me, it was Ok so the characters gay, big deal. My concern was, could I pull it off as a straight guy, without going into the cliche, limp wrist and all of that sort of thing. Could I be a believable gay man?

I think in a funny sort of way, that probably helped me get the part.

Hashams desire to play the role authentic would marry perfectly with what creator David Sale had in mind, along with producers Don Cash & Bill Harmon and script editor Johnny Whyte.

His portrayal of gay lawyer Don Finlayson would become ground-breaking, not just on Australian TV, but in LGBTQI+ television globally.

Finlayson was to become the worlds first ongoing, sympathetic gay character on television worldwide, one of several Australian achievements featured in a new documentary, Outrageous: The Queer History Of Aussie TV. The film by TV historian Andrew Mercado highlights the worlds first gay, lesbian and bisexual characters, and the first transgender character to be played by a trans actor.

Number 96 was a TV phenomenon running from 1972  1977 with audacious characters and storylines, promoted by 0-10 network as the night Australian television loses its virginity.

I was the kind of actor that was the right type, at the right time. When I graduated from NIDA, the big stars were people like Al Pacino, Dustin Hoffman and Robert De Niro. Theyre not your typical blonde-haired, blue eyed, leading men. I think I fit into that continental sort of look. I never had a week out of work. I was very fortunate, and then when Number 96 came along it just just ridiculous -the whole world changed for me, he recalls.

Hasham would stay with the series for 6 seasons, with Don Finlayson seen as a stable touchstone for many of the apartment blocks wild characters.

Don was just a normal fella, who happened to be gay, he explains.

Everyone knew that this character -amidst this mad house, that was Number 96 was almost a stabilising factor. Everyone came to him with their problems. And I think David Sale especially, and Johnny Whyte, both felt that they did not in any way want to create something that was not real.

Don was involved in romances, notably with Dudley Butterfield, played by actor Chard Hayward and later John Orcsik.

Chard is a delightful human being is, and that persona that he portrayed on Number 96 is nothing like him. hes not twee at all. Hes very much a ladies man, Hasham continues.

He was a delight to work with. Obviously, because of the characters we were playing, we became very close. So being naked or half-naked or, or having intimate scenes with him wasnt a problem at all.

The kissing scene with John Orcsik was a beautiful scene, but I think in the movie, or when it went to air they cut it or they edited or censored it somehow. But we had no qualms. John was a very muscular, beautiful man. So you had these two straight guys in bed, sticking their tongues down each others throats. But I felt it was my job and I wanted to make it as real as possible.

On the night of one famous coming out to Bev (Abigail), Hasham was watching the show with his Lebanese parents. What they saw on screen shocked them in 1972.

My father got up, started pacing around the room and he said, Youre playing a poofter? Why cant you play someone normal, like a murderer?' he recalls.

Its a comment that he still finds startling and unforgettable.

But after a couple of months, when they realised that that my character was doing so much for the gay cause, I became the white-haired boy of the Lebanese community! They all ended up loving me!

Don Finlayson would go on to become one of the shows most-loved characters, having a profound effect on gay men watching the show in the privacy of 1970s conservatism. Justice Michael Kirby, who also features in Outrageous, once thanked Hasham for making he and his partner not feel like they were the only gays in the village.

Don Finlayson became a hero to the queer community and also became a hero, I think to to Australians, because he grew up through the series. He made it okay, very normal to be gay. I think a lot of Australians thought, Ok, thats what its like.

Mothers would write to me and say, Ive got a daughter that can straighten you out. But I also had fathers -and these were the most touching things- writing to me saying, I think my son is gay. Can you please offer me some advice?

I felt this burden of responsibility and it all stems back to why I was a little bit hesitant at the start.

In more recent years Finlayson lives in Malaysia where he ran a post-production company, before returning to theatre.

We built our own theatre here. Now we have the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Center, which has three theatres: a 500 seater, a 200 seater and a 100 seater. We have nine studios for rehearsals, and we also joined hands with Taylors University and we now have a performing arts degree program, he says.

We started the Actors Studio in 1989. Its been a tough battle as you can appreciate, but its wonderful. Its kept me young, I hope!

Benjamin Law, Andrew Mercado, Sarah Walker, Shane Jenek.

During a current visit to Australia, Hasham will participate in a Q+A with Andrew Mercado along with a screening of a Number 96 episode, part of a double bill with Outrageous.

Fifty years on, Hasham says he never tires of questions about Don Finlayson because of what it achieved for the LGBT community.

When I made the decision to do Number 96 it was probably the best decision Ive ever made in my life, not just for my career, but for me personally. It has given me a purpose that I never thought ever existed inside me. So no, I dont tire of it at all, he insists.

Because I am a huge supporter of it living life the way that we are intended to live it, individually.

Mardi Gras Film Festival : 6:30pm Thursday Feb 17 Event Cinemas, Sydney.

World Premiere: Outrageous: The Queer History of Australian TV with Benjamin Law, Sarah Walker, Carlotta, Michael Kirby and Keiynan Lonsdale.

Number 96: TVs First LGBT Show + discussion between Joe Hasham, scriptwriter Sarah Walker and TV historian Andrew Mercado.

Tix are selling fast at Queerscreen.
British expats, aid workers and celebrities have urged people to send money to help the Turkey and Syria earthquake relief effort for the sake of humanity.

The 7.8 magnitude quake which hit on Monday has killed more than 19,000 people  with the UK International Search and Rescue Team (UK-ISAR) still finding survivors three days later.

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) launched an appeal for funds with the support of celebrities such as Daniel Craig, Sir Michael Palin, Tamsin Greig and the Rev Richard Coles  while also receiving the backing of the Prince and Princess of Wales, who made an undisclosed donation.

We have been horrified to see the harrowing images coming out of Turkey and Syria in the aftermath of the earthquakes this week. Our thoughts are with the communities affected and we are pleased to support the @decappeal campaign which will aid the response on the ground. W & C https://t.co/Vrd2m7UcPW  The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) February 9, 2023

In a tweet, William and Kate said: We have been horrified to see the harrowing images coming out of Turkey and Syria in the aftermath of the earthquakes this week.

Our thoughts are with the communities affected and we are pleased to support the @decappeal campaign which will aid the response on the ground.

One British aid worker, Global Relief Trusts head of development Atiqur Rahman, told the PA news agency he had never seen this level of suffering, death and destruction.

Saleh Saeed, chief executive of the DEC, told a press conference millions of people in Turkey and Syria are in desperate need of aid.

British aid worker Atiqur Rahman said he has never seen such destruction (Atiqur Rahman/PA)

The Prime Minister said the Government will match 5 million in funds raised through an appeal to help the rescue and relief effort in the aftermath of the earthquake.

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Also urging people at home to donate, Mr Rahman told PA: No-one is saying donate thousands of pounds but donate something  be involved for the sake of humanity.

Debs Handy, 59, moved to Turkey in 2020 and said she was galvanising our friends and family in the UK to send us money so they could go shopping on behalf of those left sleeping in cars.

She told PA: Were all galvanising our friends and family in the UK to send us money so we can go shopping on their behalf.

Please give, if you dont know anyone in Turkey just keep giving in the UK, it will still be needed  but if you know someone in Turkey get the money over here, tell them to go shopping for you.

Thousands of thermal blankets will be sent to Turkey on Thursday night on an RAF transport plane, the Ministry of Defence said.

The UK will also provide a field hospital and C130 Hercules critical care air support team in the coming days, the MoD confirmed.

The field hospital will include an emergency department, 24/7 operating theatre and clinical staff.

Debs Handy, a Briton living in Turkey, has pleaded with people in the UK to send money directly to people they know in the earthquake-hit country (Debs Handy/PA)

More than 70 ISAR-UK volunteers are taking part in the rescue effort, and on Thursday they tweeted to say they had recently managed to rescue two women, aged 60 and 90, from the rubble, and reunite a mother with her child.

However, smaller search crews have spoken of a frustrating delay in flying out to help.

Martin Phillips, who volunteers with Wiltshire-based Serve On, said he was part of a 13-strong team flying out to Turkey from London Stansted airport on Thursday to assist with the rescue effort.

Speaking about the delay, he told PA: It is frustrating. Its nobodys fault as such  the Turkish authorities wanted medium and heavy teams in first.

Normally, the light teams get in first and lay the pathway for the bigger teams coming in.

Thats not how its worked this time, but thats for others to decide whether that was a way forward or whether it was better for light teams to come in.

We just put in our applications, told people what we can do and weve been pushing to get in  now we can.

The first 7.8-magnitude quake hit the Turkish city of Gaziantep in the early hours of Monday, reducing thousands of homes and buildings across the south of the country and northern Syria to rubble as people slept.

The UK government will match the first 5 million of donations from the British public to the @decappeal Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal, to provide vital humanitarian assistance to people affected by the disaster. If you can, please donate today: https://t.co/edR1HyQHRn https://t.co/LzPEIdp188  Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) February 9, 2023

A series of aftershocks has left tens of thousands of people injured and survivors are feared trapped under thousands of collapsed buildings.

On Tuesday, Foreign Secretary James Cleverley said the departments Crisis Response Hub is working to support at least 35 Britons caught up in the disaster  including three who were missing.

When asked how he would encourage Britons who might be struggling with the cost of living to donate to the appeal, Mr Saeed emphasised the brutal impact of the earthquake on peoples lives.

He said: We have got to position ourselves in the situation these families find themselves in.

Their lives have been brutally turned upside down, theyve lost family members, theyve potentially lost their jobs, schools have been destroyed, hospitals have been destroyed.

They have lost all their possessions and they are now reliant on the support of other people so whatever we can give, however small it is, is going to go a long way to helping those families.

Reunited We're immensely proud to be making a difference in Turkiye on behalf of @FCDOGovUK Amid so much grief and destruction, one of our rescue teams today made this reunion possible. pic.twitter.com/NeQAjQ3R9b  UK ISAR (@UK_ISAR_TEAM) February 9, 2023

I am sure if we found ourselves in their position we would hope and expect that others around the globe would want to reach out to help us.

Relief efforts have been hampered by damaged infrastructure, freezing winter temperatures and limited medical facilities.

Serve On is part of the European Association of Civil Protection Voluntary Teams, and Mr Phillips said fellow crews from across Europe had told them it was chaos.

He said: Theyre feeding back to us a picture of what its like  it sounds like the usual chaos.

You cant have a disaster on this scale without everything falling over and being in a mess and it takes time to unravel that.

The Syrian volunteer organisation White Helmets said time is running out as hundreds of families remained trapped under the rubble.

In a tweet, they said: We are at a critical point. Time is running out, hundreds of families are still stuck under the rubble.

Every second means saving a life.
Dan Sheehan for Ireland Credit: Alamy

Ireland will be without in-form hooker Dan Sheehan due to injury for their Six Nations game against France at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Sheehan, who has been excellent for both Leinster and Ireland for a significant period, has been replaced in the number two jersey by Ulsters Rob Herring.

There is a return to the squad via the bench for Ronan Kelleher, but the news of Sheehans absence has been the big talking point of the team announcement.

Herring gets the nod at hooker

Andrew Porter and Finlay Bealham will once again pack down as the two props, with Tadhg Beirne and James Ryan also given the nod again as the lock duo.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has rolled out the same back-row of Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier and Peter OMahony for the huge Six Nations match.

The backline sees captain Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray at half-back with Stuart McCloskey and Garry Ringrose continuing their centre partnership.

Irelands back three of Hugo Keenan at full-back and Mack Hansen and James Lowe on the wings is unchanged from the victory over Wales in Cardiff.

Joining Kelleher on the bench against France will be Dave Kilcoyne, Tom OToole, Iain Henderson, Jack Conan, Craig Casey, Ross Byrne and Bundee Aki.

50 up for Ireland trio in Dublin

Prop Porter, second-row Ryan and replacement loosehead prop Kilcoyne are set to earn their 50th caps for Ireland on Saturday. Both Porter and Ryan made their international debuts against the USA in New Jersey in June 2017, while Kilcoyne earned his debut against South Africa in Dublin in November 2012.

Ireland currently lead the Six Nations standings on points difference following their bonus-point triumph at the Principality Stadium, with Scotland and France also on five points having taken maximum hauls against England and Italy respectively in Round One.

Ireland: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 James Lowe, 10 Johnny Sexton (c) 9 Conor Murray, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Peter OMahony, 5 James Ryan, 4 Tadhg Beirne, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Andrew Porter

Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Tom OToole, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Bundee Aki

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Date: Saturday, February 11

Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Kick-off: 14:15 GMT

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

Assistant Referees: Jordan Way (Australia), Matthew Carley (England)

TMO: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)

READ MORE: Six Nations: Francois Cros returns in one of two changes to Frances matchday squad to face Ireland

The article Ireland: Dan Sheehan ruled out of massive Six Nations clash with France as Rob Herring starts appeared first on Planetrugby.com.
Franklin McLeod, 55 (09.02.67) of Cressingham Road, SE13 appeared at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, 8 February where he was sentenced to life imprisonment, to serve a minimum of 20 years for the murder of his partner, 53-year-old Marlene Coleman (Image: Met Police)

A man from Lewisham has been jailed after stabbing his partner to death with a knife which was so ferocious it had gone right through and out the other side.

Franklin McLeod, of Cressingham Road in SE13, was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum of 20 years, at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, February 8.

This comes after McLeod's conviction of murdering his partner, Marlene Coleman, 53, on November 9, 2022.

The jury at the trial heard evidence of McLeod's controlling behaviour towards Marlene, with witnesses describing how she would hang up the phone if he walked into a room.

The court heard how McLeod, 55, and Marlene had been in a relationship for more than ten years and McLeod could be aggressive, possessive and jealous.

Marlene appears to have become unhappy in her relationship and wanted to end it, but she told people how McLeod refused to leave and how he scared her.

She also said told others that he would not contribute financially, and he pressured her to send money to his children in Jamaica.

Marlene eventually met someone else and was planning to restart her life but McLeod found out about the relationship by going through her phone on June 15.

Neighbours later told police that around 9.30pm the same night that they heard a scream coming from the couples flat.

CCTV recorded McLeod leaving the flat and at 11.45pm he walked into Lewisham Police Station.

McLeod told the station officer he had argued with his fiance and put his hand around her throat as she was at the kitchen sink.

He claimed that she had fallen unconscious and he had left her there and gone for a walk.

McLeod said he returned 30 minutes later to find her in a pool of blood but did not call ambulance.

Officers were immediately sent to their address in Cressingham Road where Marlene was found not moving or breathing but police administered first aid until the arrival of Londons Air Ambulance and London Ambulance Service.

Marlene was declared dead at the scene.

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A post-mortem examination showed she had died from a single stab wound to her neck and indicated that Marlene had been lying down when the fatal blow was struck.

McLeod was interviewed by police and although he admitted to grabbing her throat he denied stabbing her saying that must have happened when he left the house.

McLeod admitted to assaulting Marlene, but never admitted to murdering her.

The investigation team worked to trace and obtain crucial witness evidence, with deployments to Jamaica as well as enquiries in New York and Florida in the USA.

This led to one witness flying to the UK to give evidence via a live link from the British High Commission in Jamaica.

McLeod will now serve a life sentence for the murder of Marlene.

After McLeod was convicted, Marlene's sister, Pamela Campbell, said: "I am overwhelmed with the verdict of guilty for McLeod in relation to the murder of my sister Marlene. I would like to thank the courts and the jury for the result.

"The police did an excellent job in gathering all the evidence against him which showed without doubt him being responsible for her death.

He will now get the justice that he deserves.

This has been the most traumatic time in my life and I now feel that I can slowly move on after the decision made at court. My sister will always be in my heart, God bless her soul."

Officer in the case Detective Sergeant Arran Barnes, said: Franklin McLeod murdered Marlene Coleman when she began making plans to escape his controlling behaviour.

Unfortunately there are people like Franklin McLeod who are a risk to those they are in a relationship with.

Many people close to them may see the signs, but may not want to interfere or do not know who to speak to.

If you can see that someone is in a controlling and coercive relationship then please let someone know.

You can call the police or Crimestoppers, who are totally anonymous, or speak to one of the many charities that support victims of domestic abuse."
Bristol Mayor Jeff Caggiano, who took office amid a massive local Republican victory two years ago announced Wednesday evening that hes running for reelection.

Caggiano told supporters at Main Street Pint & Plate that he wants to be mayor while 10 major construction or renovation projects in and around downtown take shape this year.

Shovels in the ground will speak much louder than long-standing signs on empty lots, Caggiano said.

In his first term, the long-awaited downtown revitalization has made progress: Contractors are clearing the ground for Wheeler Healths headquarters on the site of the former Bristol Centre Square mall, and KindCare is completing its new 60,000-square-foot, five-story assisted living center several blocks to the north.

He told the Courant that further advances downtown will be the measurement of his performance if he wins.

The number one most important part of the scorecard is whether weve finally revitalized downtown: Our long-term fiscal stability, our future economic development, success with quality of life issues  they all depend on whether we bring back the heart of our city after 62 years, he said.

I truly believe we can grow the population by 2,000 or 3,000 people as we bring young people and keep the elderly and retirees, he said.

A chief goal of fostering new downtown apartment complexes and commercial development is to create an atmosphere where young professionals want to live, and where elderly residents can afford housing when they downsize from single-family homes.

Caggiano was chairman of the Republican Town Committee when he assembled a slate of GOP candidates for the 2021 election. Democratic Mayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu and an all-Democratic ticket won every seat on the city council just two years earlier, and even Republicans were surprised when Caggianos ticket completely reversed that with a GOP sweep in 2021.

Almost immediately, the new Republican council split and handed Caggiano a political defeat by rejecting the sales contract with Wheeler Health, a move that appeared to imperil a centerpiece of the downtown plan. On Wednesday, Caggiano told supporters that the vote was good for the city.

Today is the anniversary of the vote, he said. We look back and see it was a historic vote on downtown revitalization for our city council. After more no votes in the first few months of our administration as compared to the entire four years of the previous administration, we came together after an open debate, plenty of public input, and took what was a good plan in the Wheeler Health project and completely turned it on its head to make it a great project.

Late last year, Bristol Police Chief Brian Gould and Mayor Jeffrey Caggiano discuss fund raising to aid the families of two slain Bristol police officers, Sgt. Alex Hamzy and Lt. Dustin DeMonte. (Douglas Hook / Hartford Courant)

Caggiano, 54, said the city will adhere to an eight-year limit on the terms of elected officials. During the last election, the GOP suggested Democrats would try to skirt that rule to protect their incumbents. In that campaign, Caggiano also promoted four-year terms for mayors, but voters rejected it at referendum.

The voters dont fully trust anybody, Caggiano said. One gentleman told me I like you, Ill probably vote for you, but let me make the decision every two years. What if you stunk? We wouldnt want to wait four years. 

As with many freshman mayors, Caggiano has spent most of his term on economic development. But at the same time, his term was uniquely difficult: Bristol was rocked by the shooting deaths of two police officers in October. The tragedy made national news and ultimately demonstrated how the city of 60,000 is close-knit.

Caggiano and Police Chief Brian Gould became the face of the city at community vigils, the funeral for Lt. Dustin DeMonte and Sgt. Alex Hamzy and testimonials for injured survivor Officer Alec Iurato.

In this small town we all knew someone who was close with one of our three heroes, or maybe you know a family member, or friend of theirs, or know an officer who served proudly with them, Caggiano told his audience Wednesday.

This strong sense of community is the reason the loss was so very painful for our town, he said. This horrible event changed our city, changed all of us, but one thing it didnt change was the way the citizens of this city come together to take care of each other and work to make Bristol a better place. And that is what we must all strive for.

Privately, veteran police officers give Caggiano credit for personally ensuring that the survivors of DeMonte and Hamzy get the maximum possible family benefits from the city. He also backed the #BristolStrong campaign that drew hundreds of homeowners to change Bristols appearance at night by installing blue lights on doorways, garage overhangs and lamp posts.
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris is set to meet the Stormont parties for round-table discussions.

The latest talks come as powersharing government in the region has been in flux for a year while the DUP takes protest action against the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The party claims that post-Brexit trading arrangements are a border in the Irish Sea, hampering trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, as well as undermining the regions position in the United Kingdom.

An anti-Northern Ireland Protocol sign close to Larne Port (Liam McBurney/PA)

The DUP is refusing to re-enter the Stormont Executive until their concerns over the protocol are addressed.

Separately, negotiations remain ongoing between the UK and EU over the protocol.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the Northern Ireland Protocol is lawful following a challenge brought by a collective of unionists and Brexiteers.

The latest deadline to re-establish an Executive passed on January 19, placing Mr Heaton-Harris under a legal obligation to call a fresh Assembly election.

In January, the parties were due to meet Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Mr Heaton-Harris in Belfast.

Sinn Fein Party leader Mary Lou McDonald (left) with Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill (Peter Morrison/PA)

However, Sinn Fein did not take part after party president Mary-Lou McDonald was not invited, and the SDLP declined to take part in protest at the exclusion of Ms McDonald.

The parties have since met Irish premier Leo Varadkar and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.
The mural has attracted dozens of complaints (Towerhamletsstreetvlogs/Instagram)

Parents were outraged after an OnlyFans mural with a QR code going directly to sign up for the adult social media site was painted on the side of a Brick Lane cash-and-carry.

The owner of the business says he was misled by the artists who asked permission to put up the advert starring IBF bantamweight world champion Ebanie Bridges alongside Towie star Chloe Sims and Blane Muise, best known as rapper Shygirl.

But locals in the heart of Banglatown, Brick Lane erupted in fury with some claiming teenagers on the way to school used the QR code to nearly sign up to the 18+ site.

Graffiti artist Woskerski completed the painting on January 15 but it wasnt long before locals were threatening to throw paint over it.

Locals, who complained in their droves, believe it was finally painted over on Monday just before King Charles IIIs visit to Banglatown so as not to cause embarrassment to the new monarch.

One local told the Standard: It was originally brought up to me by a mother who was walking past it with her young teenage daughters who are in Year 7.

We think it being taken down is more to do with the King visiting though than local outrage.

He added: Its bad enough the youth in the ends are exposed to a lot of crap but now they are targeting young impressionable girls and women too.

(towerhamletsstreetvlogs/Instagram)

Juned Miah, manager of the family run cash-and-carry, told the Standard he moved quickly as he could to paint over the offensive mural with the more family-appropriate message Welcome to Banglatown.

He said: Kids were walking past it, it didnt look good.

I had enough complaints, never in all my three years have we had as many as this.

We were misled by the OnlyFans people.

We think someone changed the QR codes so it went straight to sign up for OnlyFans. We thought it would just be the brand name.

It wasnt suitable for the community, it didnt look good. So now we have painted over Welcome To Banglatown.

I had to cut my holiday to Bangladesh short and come back and sort it out. We have dealt with it as soon as we could.

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IBF fighter and OnlyFans model Ebanie Bridges paid a visit to the mural and asked people to take photos in front of it and tag her.

She told her followers: Ngl its pretty cool that people have commissioned murals of me around England. Thank you for everyone who continues to support me. I feel so honoured to have this beautiful art on walls in the country I now call home.

A Tower Hamlets council spokeswoman confirmed the mural was on private property so the council couldnt block the graffiti ad from going up.

She added: They had some complaints and its all gone now.

An OnlyFans spokeswoman said the QR code linked to OFTV - a family-friendly version of the site.

She added: While the mural is no longer available to the public, we are proud to showcase the talented WOSKerskis art in The Mural: UK on OFTV.
ermingut - Getty Images

What do you get when Swedish furniture giant IKEA joins forces with renowned Finnish design house Marimekko? A new and exclusive limited edition collection called BASTUA, inspired by Nordic nature, wellness and self-care rituals, and designed to bring joy to our everyday lives.

Landing in stores and online this March, the BASTUA collection ('bastu' is the Swedish word for sauna) combines Marimekko's art of printmaking with IKEA's home furnishing expertise.

You may have heard of the collaboration already  it was first announced in April 2022  and previewed in limited capacity at the H22 Expo in Helsingborg, Sweden and Fuorisalone in Milan, Italy, but now we get a first look at this collection, consisting of a 26-strong product range, including furniture, glassware and textiles.

The patterns and textures are inspired by exuberant rhubarbs often found growing near sauna huts, the soft, curved cuts of chopped wooden logs, and gentle water ripples on lakes illuminated by the midnight sun.

Hero pieces include statement robes and towels, the first ever sauna bucket, as well as a floor cushion, candles, glassware, trays, an LED lantern made from light birch and rice paper, and beautifully crafted wooden pieces, from a solid birch bench to a side table, the latter of which has a high edge surface that enables the round tray to fit perfectly on top.



We spoke to some of the creative brains at IKEA and Marimekko who are behind the collection. Here are 11 things you need to know...

1. The BASTUA collection taps into the spathroom trend

The focus is definitely on bathrooms this year, with the spa bathroom (or rather spathroom) tapping into our desire for spa-like sanctuaries that help us to carve out a little me-time. Wellbeing and taking care of oneself both physically and emotionally is more and more important, so this limited edition collection really couldn't have launched at a better time. From towels to bath robes and even a sauna bucket, the BASTUA collection puts a big focus on self-care.



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IKEA

2. It's inspired by the sauna culture

"Saunas can be found across the Nordic countries, often in proximity to a body of water that allows for a cooling dip before or between hot sauna sessions. But in no country is the sauna lifestyle as culturally important as it is in Finland, home to a population of 5.5 million people  and an estimated three million saunas," say IKEA.



Fun fact: Marimekko once made a sauna in the sixties, and in the 1980s IKEA also had a sauna in its range. Now both brands have come full circle with this exciting collection.

"In the Nordic countries we share the the sauna culture, and we were looking for something that would feel equally relevant at a global scale. So really addressing the idea of this self care ritual, or the bath ritual is something that we recognise in many Asian cultures, in the Nordics, and we really see now in North America as the fastest growing trend. So not just the self care rituals that trend but literally the sauna culture is a growing trend in all of the markets that we as both brands operate in," Marimekko's Creative Director, Rebekka Bay, tells us.

IKEA

3. It's the first time that Marimekko has created patterns especially for a collaboration, making it truly unique

Marimekko is renowned for its original prints and colour across clothing, accessories and home decor, and this partnership with IKEA  described as "a true creative dialogue"  is unlike any other.

"Normally when we enter collaborations, of course we're trying to bring the best of both brands or the best of both collaborators, so it's very unique that we have an opportunity to create something brand new," says Rebekka. "Most of our collaborators are looking for one of our more recognisable, iconic prints."

Henrik Most, Creative Leader at IKEA, tells us that creating something new and fresh was paramount: "From a customer point of view, when two brands like Marimekko and IKEA come together, we have a rich history, and maybe there's also an expectation that we actually create something new together and that we don't just rest on what we have done before, but we actually collaborate from the whole development of the concept."

IKEA

4. The rhubarb is the hero print

Bold and playful, the creation of the rhubarb print was described as an "eye opener" for the collection.

"Pretty far into the work we had developed a lot of designs but we all felt that the big 'aha moment' was lacking,' Rebekka recalls. "And then suddenly, one of our designers shared this insight that very often on the on the wall of Finish saunas, there's rhubarb growing, which later became the rhubarb print, which now features as the hero print of the collection. This was literally the surprise element that brought something into the collaboration that we could not have foreseen, but it felt so true to both the collaboration and the products that we had created."

For the gardeners among us, rhubarb is an attractive hardy perennial with large leaves and thick, fleshy pink, red or greenish stalks. It's easy to grow too, producing masses of stalks every year. Commonly, rhubarb is used for dessert, especially in pies and crumbles  but only the stalks are edible.

"This plant kind of pops up, and it's a very loud plant with big sculptural leaves, and at the same time, rhubarb has, at least in Denmark, been considered as something you want to take away because they spread. So it's taking this little kind of outsider plant in and celebrating the shape," says Henrik.

"We talked about it a lot in the beginning that we wanted to be optimistic and I think this rhubarb pattern makes you happy," Mikael Axelsson, in-house Designer at IKEA, adds.

IKEA

5. And the iconic FRAKTA bag has been given a rhubarb twist

We've seen  and loved  the many iterations of IKEA's beloved FRAKTA bag over the years, and 2023 is off to a colourful start as the rhubarb print brings a maximalist feel to the iconic blue bag.



"For me that is bringing the best of the two brands and the most everyday objects together in this collaboration, so I love this idea that I can now carry everything because I literally carry my life around in an IKEA bag  but now with the rhubarb print," says Rebekka.

IKEA

6. The collection was designed during lockdown

"We developed this collection mostly online," Henrik reveals. "We were in lockdown, and we were sitting in front of our screens and having creative conversations. That's not always the easiest thing but I think it was an amazing process and it shows that you can find a way around it, somehow you manage."

IKEA

7. The glassware is reminiscent of carved wood

From drinking glass to bowls and jugs, light refracts in the irregular facet pattern, just like on a diamond, and turns the glass into a little jewel. The glass jug in particular is described as '"one of the most scintillating pieces in the collection"  the softly shaped recesses gently play with the light, referencing the shape of water ripples, like small waves on a lake, near a sauna.

"You can clearly see the in the collection that the the object is inspired by the patterns. And that gives a really nice connection and balance between the pattern and the objects," says Mikael.

8. We don't have a sauna either, but you don't need one. It's a collection that appeals to ALL



"Of course, not everybody can have a sauna, but it's more about how can use these products in different contexts outside or on your balcony, or wherever you have the possibility to take some time and recharge and take care of yourself," explains Henrik.

Rebekka agrees, highlighting the versatility of these products and how they can be used in the home: "These objects are not just designed for the sauna or the wellbeing experience, these are objects that can be moved around from the outside to the inside, from your bathroom to your living room. So they're really not single use or single-opportunity objects, but they can actually play so many roles in your life."

IKEA

9. The larger-than-life shower curtain actually debuted last year

A sneak peek of the BASTUA collection was first revealed at H22 and Fuorisalone in 2022. A glimpse of the collection's first pattern and product was the shower curtain, consciously made using recycled polyester.

The shower curtain is Henrik's favourite from the collection: "I have a quite small bathroom so when I walk out it feels a little bit like I'm walking into this large rhubarb, colourful bold print that welcomes me, so it's a very nice feeling especially now in the winter time to be in the bathroom and I'm surrounded by this fantastic print on an everyday object."

IKEA

10. Natural materials is core to the range

"When it comes to this collection, it's a lot about the Nordic heritage. It's a lot of raw, natural material," explains Mikael. "I mean, both Finland and Sweden has a lot of forest, so it's a lot of pine forest and birch forest. We tried to use raw and honest materials that age gracefully and are long-lasting."

Henrik says choosing the right materials  specifically sustainable materials  is the starting point for every collection at IKEA and he stresses the importance for sustainability to run through the whole value chain. "It was so natural to have these materials  glass and textile and wood  which is kind of core of the Scandinavian design tradition," Henrik adds.

11. It's a limited edition collection but is it a one-off collaboration?

"You never know what the future will bring," Henrik teases. Fingers crossed we'll see more from IKEA x Marimekko. In the meantime, you can shop the BASTUA collection globally in stores and online this March 2023, until stocks last.

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Sequana Medical NV

PRESS RELEASE





Data from GLP i animal studies demonstrate safety of second-generation DSR ii product (DSR 2.0)

Data from Phase 1 stud y of DSR 2.0 in Mexico (CHIHUAHUA) and IND iii filing to US FDA expected in Q1 2023

Planning to start MOJAVE, a US Phase 1/2a randomized controlled multi-center study of DSR 2.0, in Q2 2023





Ghent, Belgium  08 February 2023  Sequana Medical NV (Euronext Brussels: SEQUA) (the "Company" or "Sequana Medical"), a pioneer in the treatment of fluid overload in liver disease, heart failure and cancer, today announces the successful completion of its GLP animal studies, demonstrating the safety of its second-generation DSR product (DSR 2.0), following chronic exposure. These animal data, together with the data from the Phase 1 CHIHUAHUA study, are intended to support the US IND filing of DSR 2.0. FDA approval of the US IND will enable the Company to start MOJAVE, its randomized, controlled, multi-center Phase 1/2a US study of DSR 2.0, planned for Q2 2023.

The GLP studies were conducted on 30 healthy mice and 18 healthy sheep. Each animal study comprised of three study groups which included one control group using standard peritoneal dialysis (PD) solution and two test groups using Sequana Medicals proprietary DSR 2.0 product. The test groups consisted of one group being given the anticipated maximum standard dose and one group being given double of the maximum dose. The mice were exposed for 30 days, resembling their average life time, and the sheep were exposed for up to 45 days.

The purpose of these GLP studies was to evaluate the chronic exposure of DSR 2.0 on animal health and tissue of peritoneum, kidneys, omentum, and peritoneal cavity. Data from both studies reported that no difference in systemic and local toxic effects were observed in animals treated repeatedly with DSR 2.0, compared to animals in the control group, concluding that DSR 2.0 had consistent safety with the standard PD solution.

Oliver Godje, Chief Medical Officer at Sequana Medical, commented: We are pleased to see these positive animal data of our second-generation DSR product, which is designed to deliver therapeutic and safety benefits over the first-generation DSR product. We have previously reported impressive clinical results from the SAHARA study with DSR 1.0 as a potential disease-modifying heart failure therapy, and we look forward to commencing MOJAVE, the first randomized controlled multi-center study in the US using DSR 2.0.

Story continues

On track to start M OJAVE with DSR 2.0 in Q2 2023

The Company is progressing the development of its proprietary DSR 2.0 product, a sodium-free dextrose / icodextrin solution expected to have an improved therapeutic and favourable safety profile, and robust intellectual property protection. Two ongoing Phase 1 interventional, single-centre, single-arm studies, one in Canada (YUKON) and one in Mexico (CHIHUAHUA), are evaluating the safety, tolerability and efficacy of DSR 2.0 and are expected to each enroll up to ten stable peritoneal dialysis patients to receive a single treatment of DSR 2.0, administered through their peritoneal dialysis catheter. The choice of peritoneal dialysis patients is driven by their pre-existing peritoneal dialysis catheter. Data from the GLP animal and Phase 1 CHIHUAHUA studies are intended to support the filing of the US IND, planned for Q1 2023.

Following several initial discussions with the FDA, MOJAVE, a randomized controlled Phase 1/2a US study of DSR 2.0, is on track to start in Q2 2023, assuming FDA approval of the US IND application. The intention is to enrol 30 diuretic-resistant chronic heart failure patients with persistent congestion, with 20 patients randomized to DSR 2.0 administered via a peritoneal catheter on top of usual care for congestive heart failure (CHF) for up to four weeks and ten patients randomized to intravenous loop diuretic treatment as part of maximized usual care for CHF alone. Following four weeks of treatment, there will be a three-month safety follow-up period. Prior to enrolment of these 30 patients, the intention is for three additional patients to be enrolled in a non-randomized safety cohort and to receive DSR 2.0 administered via a peritoneal catheter on top of CHF usual care for up to four weeks. Progression to the enrolment of the 30 randomized patients will be dependent upon DSMBiv approval following their review of the initial three patients. More details on the final study design will be announced following the FDA approval of the US IND application. Interim data of MOJAVE are expected in H2 2023 followed by top-line results in H2 2024.

For more information, please contact:

Sequana Medical

Lies Vanneste

Director Investor Relations

E: IR@sequanamedical.com

T: +32 (0)498 053579

Optimum Strategic Communications

Nick Bastin, Jonathan Edwards, Vici Rabbetts

E: Sequana@optimumcomms.com

T: +44 (0) 208 078 4357

About fluid overload in heart failure (AKA congestion)

Heart failure is the leading cause of US hospitalizations in patients over 65 years old and 90% of these admissions are due to fluid overload, which is recognized as the primary driver of morbidity and hospitalization. Standard of care includes treatment with diuretic drugs, but these have well-recognized toxicity and resistance issues. Half of the heart failure patients admitted for fluid overload are discharged with no clinically relevant loss of fluid and one in four is re-admitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge. It is estimated that 200,000 of US heart failure patients have drug-resistant congestion requiring repeated hospitalization, severely impacting their survival and quality of life and creating a heavy financial burden.

About Sequana Medical

Sequana Medical NV is a pioneer in treating fluid overload, a serious and frequent clinical complication in patients with liver disease, heart failure and cancer. These patients can have up to 15 liters of extra fluid in their bodies, causing major medical issues including increased mortality, repeated hospitalizations, severe pain, difficult breathing and restricted mobility that severely impacts daily life. Although diuretics are standard of care, the problem is that in many patients they are no longer effective and / or tolerable. There are limited effective treatment options for these patients, resulting in poor clinical outcomes, high costs and a major impact on their quality of life. Sequana Medical is seeking to provide innovative treatment options for this large and growing diuretic-resistant patient population.

alfapump and DSR are Sequana Medical's proprietary platforms that work with the body to treat diuretic-resistant fluid overload, delivering major clinical and quality of life benefits for patients and reducing costs for healthcare systems. The Company has reported positive primary endpoint data from the North American pivotal POSEIDON study of the alfapump in recurrent or refractory ascites due to liver cirrhosis, enabling the filing of a Pre-Market Approval (PMA) application with the FDA, planned for H2 2023. Having delivered clinical proof-of-concept for DSR as a disease-modifying drug program for the treatment of heart failure, the Company is planning to commence MOJAVE, a US multi-centered randomized controlled Phase 1/2a clinical study of DSR 2.0, in Q2 2023.

Sequana Medical is listed on Euronext Brussels (Ticker: SEQUA.BR) and headquartered in Ghent, Belgium. For further information, please visit www.sequanamedical.com.

Important Regulatory Disclaimers

The alfapump system is currently not approved in the United States or Canada. In the United States and Canada, the alfapump system is currently under clinical investigation (POSEIDON Study) and is being studied in adult patients with refractory or recurrent ascites due to cirrhosis. For more information regarding the POSEIDON clinical study see www.poseidonstudy.com. DSR therapy is still in development and it should be noted that any statements regarding safety and efficacy arise from ongoing pre-clinical and clinical investigations which have yet to be completed. DSR therapy is currently not approved for clinical research in the United States or Canada. There is no link between DSR therapy and ongoing investigations with the alfapump system in Europe, the United States or Canada.

Note: alfapump is a registered trademark. DSR is a registered trademark in the Benelux, China, the EU, United Kingdom, and Hong Kong.

Forward-looking statements

This press release may contain predictions, estimates or other information that might be considered forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. These forward-looking statements represent the current judgment of Sequana Medical on what the future holds, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Sequana Medical expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements in this press release, except if specifically required to do so by law or regulation. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of Sequana Medical only as of the date of this press release.

i GLP: Good Laboratory Practices

ii DSR: Direct Sodium Removal

iii IND: Investigational New Drug

iv DSMB: Data and Safety Monitoring Board

Attachments




New Haven Pizza School founder/teacher Frank Zabski loves pizza and he also loves veterans, so hes combining the two in celebration of National Pizza Day Feb. 9.

Zabski, known throughout Connecticut as The Pizza Gavone  a YouTube reviewer of pizza joints  will hold a free pizza school session March 27 for up to 10 veterans from anywhere in the state. He will continue to hold a free class for veterans each quarter until all who want to learn how to make the pizza get a chance. The three-hour session covers it all, from the dough to the dish, as Zabski likes to say.

I feel that U.S. veterans are the most underserved population in the country, Zabski said. I want to give back as much as possible. We have a lot of freedom in this country. Its not perfect by any means, but its the best place to live in the world.

Zabski said a pizza making class could be a fun outing for veterans, and they would get to spend time with each other. Of course, they will also eat New Haven-style Apizza. (thats ah-beetz to the uninitiated)

The school, opened in May of 2022 is so popular that hes booked months out and theres a waiting list.

Frank Zabski, Connecticuts Pizza Gavone teaching students at his popular New Haven Pizza School. Hes offering for any Connecticut veteran to take the class for free in honor of National Pizza Day.

The three-hour class is taught by Zabski and held at a pizza restaurant on Humphrey Street in New Haven. Zabski can also drive to other locations to teach a class.

Students come from all over Connecticut to learn how to make New Haven-style Apizza.

Zabski also is founder Operation St. Nicholas, which raises money each Christmas to give needy veterans a special holiday.

The program gives veterans in need a gift card, gift bag, patriotic wreath and Christmas tree.

Each year he expands the mission.

Zabski said his dad was a veteran and, Ive always had a place in my heart, for them.

Pizza has always been in his heart too, Zabski said.

I want to be the evangelist to New Haven pizza for the world, he said.

He also has a popular Facebook page, All About New Haven Style APizza (Ah-beetz)

Veterans interested in taking the class for free can contact Zabski at polishpiz@pizzagavones.com
Thirteen students and alumni from the University of North Georgia (UNG) have been selected as semifinalists for the 2023-24 Fulbright U.S. Student Program, a competitive fellowship.

Dr. Anastasia Lin, assistant vice president of academic affairs and head of UNG's Nationally Competitive Scholarships office, expressed excitement for the achievements of the students.

"Im thrilled by the hard work and dedication each of our applicants put in over the past year," Lin said. "Earning 13 semifinalist positions is a testament to our applicants academic preparation, global awareness, and tenacity."

The Fulbright program enables graduates to pursue research activities, become English Teaching Assistants, or enroll in graduate school in other countries. It is designed to increase mutual understanding between U.S. citizens and residents of more than 160 foreign countries, according to the Fulbright website.

UNG's 2023-24 semifinalists are Michelle Alvarado, Ashley Fish, Karen Garcia, Jenny Gault, Madeline Grasso, Anna Kubas, Phillip Ly, Norma Martinez, Morgan Mauldin, Grace Maurer, Evelyn Tello-Mendoza, Emelia Thompson, and a graduate whose name is being withheld. More details are available in a full listing.

The semifinalists were ecstatic to learn of their standing and hopeful for the experience.

"I was so excited and honored to be named a semifinalist, and it was very rewarding to see all the hard work I put in with my advisers come to fruition. Being one step closer to being a Fulbright recipient has allowed me to believe that my dream of traveling, teaching and living in a foreign country may very well become a reality," Kubas, a senior cadet pursuing degrees in psychology and modern languages with a Russian language and literature concentration who hopes to teach English in Kazakhstan, said. "Academically, Fulbright would enable me to continue improving my Russian proficiency and would be the beginning of a career in teaching a foreign language, something I am very passionate about."
BERLIN  Vietnamese fruits have been introduced at the Fruit Logistica 2023, the world's largest fruit and vegetable exhibition in the world, which is underway in Berlin from February 8-10.

The Vietnamese booth at the exhibition, jointly organised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) Trade Promotion Agency, the Vietnam Trade Office in Berlin and the Vietnam Fruit Association (Vinafruit), attracted a large number of visitors on the first day of the event. This is the third year that Viet Nam has taken part in the exhibition.

On February 8, a trade exchange was held between the Vietnamese enterprises with members of Germanys Federal Association of Medium-Sized Enterprises BVMW, German firms and Vietnamese companies in Germany, the Netherlands and Spain.

At the event, the Vinafruit and BVMW signed a memorandum of understanding on supporting businesses of both sides to strengthen cooperation in fruit export and distribution in the German market.

Highlighting the increasing competitiveness of Vietnamese products competitiveness, Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Vu Quang Minh said he hopes the firms will optimise preferential tax rates from free trade agreements to boost exports of fruits and vegetables in the promising German market.

He pledged that the Vietnamese Embassy and the Vietnam Trade Office will give best support to Vietnamese firms in connecting with their peers in Germany to strengthen exports to Germany and the EU in general, thus optimising the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

Meanwhile, Vinafruit Chairman Nguyen Thanh Binh said that the exhibition is a great chance for Vietnamese firms to expand their market.

Data from the MoIT showed that after the EVFTA took effect, Viet Nams exports of fruits to Europe has risen 25-30 per cent.

Tran Van Cong, Vietnamese Trade Councillor in Germany, said that the EU has been an important and promising market with annual consumption of over US$110 billion worth of goods. However, Viet Nams fruit export revenue from the market is still modest at over $200 million, accounting for only 0.02 per cent of the EUs spending on the product.

Underlining that the EVFTA, which brings import tax of Vietnamese fruits to 0 per cent, is offering great opportunities for Viet Nam in the EU, he noted that last year, exports of fruits to the EU rose nearly 14 per cent.

Cong advised domestic firms to focus on developing farming areas as well as preservation stage, ensuring that Vietnamese products are origin traceable, meeting requirements of the EU.  VNS
Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ali Akbar Nazari, wrote to Viet Nam News on the occasion of Iranian National Day (11/2/1979-11/2/2023)

Forty-four years ago, under the leadership of Imam Khomeini (PBUH), the entire Iranian people with their uprising brought victory to the Islamic Revolution of Iran, and now, under the leadership of Hazrat-e-Ayatollah Khamenei, they continue to follow their sublime goals which manifested in the slogan "Independence, Freedom and Islamic Republic Governance".

Iran, which means Land of Aryans, also called Persia, has a considerable role in the civilisation, culture and science of the human community. The country's role in the maintenance of peace and stability in its region and the world and supplying the energy needs of the international economy is unique and decisive. Iran is a founding member of the UN, OIC, OPEC, ECO and NAM and always acts as an active and responsible member of such international organizations.

During the past 44 years, despite a lot of difficult circumstances and challenges on the way to safeguard the Revolutions fruits, we were successful to continue the right path to build a country of a developed and modern Islamic society with pride and strong solidarity, and we have made significant achievements including the fourth place in nanotechnology, the fifth place in UAV manufacturing and cyber power, and the ninth country to access space.

In economic and social development, Iran's life expectancy has reached 75 years from 54 years in 1980 (ranking improved from 142th to 63th). National health insurance coverage was expanded for all urban residents and 99 per cent of rural residents.

I.R. of Iran's foreign policy is built on principles of independence, non alignment, non interference in internal affairs of other countries, mutual respect, friendly relations with all countries and the peaceful settlement of internal disputes and conflicts without foreign interference. Iran calls for a world based on peace, equality and justice in the international arena to ensure human dignity.

The year 2023 witnesses the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Iran and Vietnam. Both countries enjoy a brilliant cultural and independence-seeking history. Over the past 50 years, these relations have been formed on the basis of the three components of respect, development of bilateral relations in the political, economic, and cultural fields, and reciprocal constructive cooperation in multilateralism.

The traditional and friendly relations of the two countries have been expanded, however, development of bilateral relations have lagged behind potential. As the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Viet Nam, I will exert my best efforts to further promote relations in different aspects. To this end, visits of the leaders and high ranking officials of the two countries are of paramount importance.

Over the past two years and more, despite the lingering COVID-19 pandemic and the unpeaceful world, we could manage to arrange a few delegations of much significance. Following my initiative, the Consultative Dialogue Mechanism at the Department level of the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs has been realised.

In December 2022, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly of Viet Nam Lt. Gen. Tran Quang Phuong paid an official visit to Iran to further boost parliamentary relations.

So far, there have been nine meetings of the Joint Governmental Committee on Economic Cooperation and seven political consultation sessions between Viet Nam and Iran. In particular, the latest political consultation meeting due to the COVID-19 pandemic was held virtually in 2022.

At international forums, the two countries' friendly relations have been established based on constructive cooperation and mutual support. Iran has always supported Viet Nam's candidacy at international organizations such as the UN Security Council, the UN Human Rights Council, and the UNESCO Executive Council for the 2021-2025 tenure. I hope the constructive cooperation between the two countries in multilateral organisations would continue to be further developed in the future.

Returning to the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Iran and Viet Nam in 2023, I would like to mention that since early 2022, our embassy has proposed a series of activities to be held this year. We are looking forward to further support and close coordination with the relevant authorities of Viet Nam for the successful accomplishment of these programmes to help deepen mutual understanding and build stronger support for long-term bilateral relations.

Lastly, on the occasion of the Lunar New Year of Viet Nam, I take this opportunity to extend my warmest congratulations of happiness and prosperity to all our Vietnamese friends and wish ever increasing friendship between Iran and Viet Nam. VNS
SINGAPORE  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his wife arrived in Singapore on Wednesday, starting an official three-day visit to the country at the invitation of his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong with a range of activities.

Welcoming the Vietnamese delegation at the airport included Singaporean Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry Tan See Leng, Singaporean Ambassador to Viet Nam Jaya Ratnam, Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Mai Phuoc Dung, officials from the Vietnamese Embassy and a number of overseas Vietnamese in the country.

The visit is taking place at a time when the Viet Nam-Singapore strategic partnership is developing strongly and dynamically across all fields. This year, the two countries are celebrating the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations and 10 years of their strategic partnership.

The PM met President and Chief Executive Officer of The Boston Consulting Group Hans-Paul Burkner, staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in Singapore, and members of the Vietnamese community on Wednesday.

On Thursday, he will meet Singaporean President Halimah Yacob, hold talks with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and witness the signing of cooperation documents.

He will also meet with Patrick Lee, Cluster CEO Singapore and ASEAN Markets of Standard Chartered, and Teo Chee Hean, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security.

On Friday, the PM will have meetings with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong and CEOs of various businesses, as well as participate in the Viet Nam-Singapore Forum.  VNS
The sector is projected to contribute up to 7 per cent to the nation's gross domestic product (GDP), as growth and investment in the sector are anticipated to increase by 50 per cent.
Today, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the UK in his only trip outside Ukraine other than his visit to the U.S. in December and, in a powerful speech to the British Parliament, called for more military assistance  in particular, combat aircraft  in anticipation of Russias soon-to-be-launched spring offensive in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.

Tomorrow, Zelenskyy will visit Brussels, where he will address the European Parliament and meet with the European Council, the heads of state or government of the 27 member states of the EU, and no doubt express both his gratitude for the EUs support for Ukraine and its need for more assistance, including military assistance.

In his speech to the British Parliament, Zelenskyy expressed his countrys gratitude for the UKs early support after Russian President Vladimir Putin began Russias special military operation in Ukraine last February. In it, he said, Great Britain, you extended your helping hand when the world had not yet come to understand how to react.

But he also emphasized Ukraines urgent need right now for combat aircraft if it is to stop Russias anticipated offensive: I appeal to you and the world. Combat aircraft for Ukraine. Wings for freedom. Sunak didnt say the UK will provide such aircraft. But he did announce that the UK will bolster training for Ukrainian soldiers and marines and expand it to fighter jet pilots. The training, his office said, will ensure Ukraine can defend its skies well into the future. The training will ensure pilots are able to fly sophisticated NATO-standard fighter jets in the future. As part of that long-term capability investment, the UK will work with Ukraine and international allies to coordinate collective support to meet Ukraines defensive needs. Sunak said, I am proud that today we will expand training from soldiers to marines and fighter jet pilots, ensuring Ukraine is militarily able to defend its interests well into the future. The British Foreign Office also announced the UK will impose additional sanctions on Russia.

Ukraine has been saying for some time that it needs combat aircraft such as the American F-16 that could intercept Russian cruise missiles and attack drones and provide support for Ukrainian forces on the ground. A spokesperson for the Ukrainian air force said late last year that roughly 50 experienced Ukrainian pilots with English-language skills have been selected for training on such aircraft. But unfortunately for Ukraine, thus far neither the UK nor the U.S. nor any other western country has approved the transfer of F-16s or other combat aircraft to Ukraine, no doubt out of fear that doing so might further escalate the risk of conflict between Russia and the West. But as an adviser to Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said, the British decision to begin training Ukrainian fighter jet pilots sends a strong signalto Ukraines other allies that the time has come to break through one of the last remaining hurdles  providing Ukraine with modern fighter jets.

The problem, of course, is that time is running out for Ukraine. The British training for fighter pilots typically requires about six months, and by the time the U.S. and other states agree to provide Ukraine with combat aircraft (if they do) and Ukrainian pilots have been trained to fly them, Russias spring offensive will not only be well underway but may have already achieved Russias objectives, which are to continue to hold, as it does now, virtually all of Luhansk region in the northern portion of the Donbas; take the western portion of the Donetsk region now held by Ukraine that includes the large cities of Kramatorsk and Slovyansk; and retain the wide land corridor it now holds through Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions between the Donbas and Crimea. For Russia, the objective now is to launch the offensive, take the rest of Donetsk region and hold the other territories it now holds in eastern Ukraine, and then  before the western tanks arrive and Ukrainian crews have been trained to operate them, and before, in the event the U.S., the UK, and others agree to send Ukraine combat aircraft, Ukrainian pilots have been trained to operate them  unilaterally declare that it has won the war and call for a truce and for peace talks  a call that at least some, and perhaps many, in the West would reluctantly support.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy walk as they hold a news conference at a military facility in Lulworth, Dorset, England, Wednesday Feb. 8, 2023. (Peter Nicholls/Pool via AP)

Tomorrow, Zelenskyy will address the European Parliament and meet with the leaders of the 27 EU member states at the meeting of the European Council. He will no doubt repeat the same call he issued today in London: Combat aircraft for Ukraine. Wings for freedom. Hopefully, the leaders of the EU will have the intestinal fortitude to provide Ukraine at this perilous moment with the support it needs.

David R. Cameron is a professor emeritus and lecturer in political science at Yale University.
SINGAPORE  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed Singapore consider signing a labour cooperation agreement between the two countries during the talks with his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong on Thursday.

The suggestion was made during PM Chinh's official three-day visit to the Southeast Asian country.

The two PMs witnessed the signing and hand-over of cooperation documents, including an MoU on the establishment of the Viet Nam-Singapore partnership on digital economy and green economy; another on a cooperation plan in economics and trade between the two Ministries of Industry and Trade; the one on youth cooperation between the National Committee on Youth of Viet Nam and the National Youth Council of Singapore; and an MoU on maritime cooperation between the Viet Nam Maritime Administration and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

Speaking at the talks, PM Lee said that the visit will create a strong impetus for the fine strategic partnership between the two countries and is an important opening event for the activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the partnership this year.

Congratulating Viet Nam on its effective socio-economic recovery and development post-COVID-19, he stressed Singapore always treasures and hopes to further strengthen its strategic partnership with Viet Nam.

The two PMs spoke highly of the positive developments of bilateral relations in both bilateral and multilateral aspects.

Singapore leads the ASEAN and ranks second in the world in terms of investment in Viet Nam with 3,095 projects totalling US$70.8 billion, accounting for 22.9 per cent of the total foreign capital attracted by Viet Nam. The Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIP) is maintaining effective operations, and have been a symbol of success in investment cooperation.

The two leaders agreed to intensify political trust; maintain exchanges and contacts at all levels and through all channels; promote economic cooperation; effectively implement cooperation agreements, including the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the establishment of the Viet Nam - Singapore partnership on digital economy and green economy signed on this occasion; and create favourable conditions for the implementation of cooperation in new and potential fields such as digital, green and circular economies, innovation, clean energy, and climate change response.

They also reached a consensus on stepping up cooperation in defence-security, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

PM Chinh proposed Singapore consider the possibility of signing a labour cooperation agreement between the two countries; increase the import of agricultural and aquatic products, and garments and textiles from Viet Nam; and facilitate the selling of Vietnamese goods in the distribution system in Singapore.

With a stable political system and an increasingly improved investment environment, Viet Nam welcomes and creates favourable conditions for Singaporean businesses to expand their investment in the country, especially in digital transformation, green energy, science and technology, and innovation, Chinh added.

The Singaporean leader thanked Viet Nam for approving the investment of VSIP Nghe An II, and showed support for his Vietnamese counterpart's proposal on opening more parks. He also emphasised his backing for collaboration in clean energy, electricity connection, transmission and electricity trading.

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese leader asked Singapore to increase support for Viet Nam to develop and improve the quality of human resources and carry out the Vocational Education Development Strategy in the 2021-2030 period.

He proposed the Singaporean Government continue to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in the country, and cement the bilateral relations on the basis of cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

Regarding regional and international issues, the two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation, maintain solidarity and unity, and promote ASEAN centrality, especially in strategic issues such as peace and stability in the East Sea and the region.

PM Chinh invited his Singaporean counterpart to pay an official visit to Viet Nam in 2023. The latter accepted the invitation. VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam follows with keen interest the case of a Vietnamese citizen seeking compensation from the Republic of Korea (RoK) for its responsibility in the massacre in central Viet Nam 55 years ago.

The remark was made by the deputy spokesperson for the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, oan Khac Viet, during a Thursday press briefing.

Reporters asked for Viet Nams reaction to a decision by a court in South Korea on Tuesday that ordered the Government to pay 30 million won (US$24,000) to 62-year-old victim Nguyen Thi Thanh, who lost family members and suffered injuries in the massacre.

Thanh lived in Phong Nhi Village in the central province of Quang Nam when RoK troops raided and massacred more than 70 Vietnamese citizens in her village and Phong Nhat Village on February 12, 1968.

The South Korean court rejected the government's argument that it is exempt from paying damages to a Vietnamese national under an agreement signed between Viet Nam, South Korea and the United States, Yonhap reported.

This was a massacre caused by a foreign troop contingent in a Vietnamese locality, deputy spokesperson Viet said, referring to a row of military-led raids during the height of the resistance war against the US, with the most infamous being the My Lai massacre committed by the US troops later in March 1968 that resulted in over 500 deaths of civilians.

We follow with keen interest the decision by the court in Seoul Central District and highly respect the protection of legitimate rights of Vietnamese nationals, the deputy spokesperson told reporters.

South Korea deployed over 300,000 soldiers to southern Viet Nam during the war, the largest foreign force besides the American troops.

However, the Vietnamese Government wants to work with the RoK to further advance the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two sides in the spirit of leaving the past behind and looking forward to the future, Viet noted.

We highly encourage practical and effective actions that aim to overcome the remnants of war and contribute to the strengthening and enhancing the friendship and sound cooperation between the two countries and peoples, he added.

About whether the Government of Viet Nam could seek similar legal actions, the deputy spokesperson reiterated that with the spirit of setting aside the past and looking forward to the future, we really hope that the comprehensive strategic partnership between Viet Nam and RoK will continue to be bolstered and bring about substantive outcomes to the people and the two countries."

Viet Nam and RoK relations are thriving, and the two countries aim to lift two-way trade to US$100 billion in 2023. Viet Nam and RoK upgraded their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2022 on the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations.  VNS
In 2022, the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) released The Global Wellness Economy: Country Rankings, and Vietnam was ranked 33rd among 150 countries by the size of their wellness economies while the US, China, and Japan made the top three.

According to the report, the global wellness economy was valued at $4.9 trillion in 2019 and then fell to $4.4 trillion in 2020. However, GWI predicts that the wellness economy will return to its robust growth. It projects 9.9 per cent average annual growth, with the wellness economy reaching nearly $7 trillion in 2025. The result is a strong dynamic for Vietnams tourism and hospitality sectors to invest in high-end wellness and health products while maximising the core value of the countrys unique natural beauty, cultural identity, and local healthy cuisine.

Wellness is a big part of the global and regional economy, highlighting its potential role in post-pandemic recovery efforts. It emphasises the importance of a lifespan approach to wellness to safeguard long-term mental and physical health, said Brice Borin, general manager of Pimalai Resort & Spa.

There is a plus for a country like Vietnam that is establishing itself as one of Southeast Asias top tourist destinations due to cultural authenticity, overwhelming nature, and convenient accessibility. This all makes Vietnam a holiday destination, which could be exceptional and a fantastic experience.

Alongside favourable natural conditions, objective factors from the increase in the number of tourists, especially international tourists from the beginning of 2023, also open up new opportunities for Vietnams tourism industry.

According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), international tourists to Vietnam in January 2023 reached over 871,100, an increase of 23 per cent on-month. The largest international visitor markets are South Korea, the US, Thailand, Australia, Japan, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Accommodation establishments recorded the number of international guests bookings reaching 30-40 per cent of the total number of bookings during the Lunar New Year break.

The return of international visitors has proved the countrys right and timely moves to restructure tourist markets and renew tourism products, including new products suitable to the needs of tourists after the pandemic such as wellness tourism, said VNAT general director Nguyen Trung Khanh.

In addition to big cities like Hanoi, Danang or Ho Chi Minh City, some emerging destinations with wellness products in terms of mental healing and healthcare also recorded an increase in the number of visitors in January. Some localities have also begun to focus on this and consider it as one of the main tourism products for the near future.

During the six official days of the Lunar New Year holiday, Khanh Hoa welcomed a total of 11,300 international visitors from China, Kazakhstan, and South Korea, Ninh Binh served 29,500 international arrivals, Ba Ria-Vung Tau served over 10,000 international guests, while in Phu Yen, the number of foreign tourists accounted for about 40 per cent of the total.

The south-central province of Binh Thuan, a prominent destination for Vietnam National Tourism Year 2023, has determined that wellness tourism and the events industry will become its key products to attract tourists. Binh Thuan will converge all elements of beautiful landscape and quality services to develop a variety of tourism products and models. This destination currently has nearly 600 accommodation establishments with nearly 18,000 rooms, including 45 hotels and resorts of 3-star quality or higher. In the plan to 2030, with a vision to 2045, we also spend a large part of our resources to develop the events industry and wellness tourism, said Vice Chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee Nguyen Minh. With the opening of the market, travel agencies also play a critical role in diversifying services and experiences to provide new products to attract tourists.

The potential of the domestic wellness market has recently become apparent as many leading brand names such as BRG, Vingroup, Sun Group, CEO Group, and Openasia Group are all joining this segment and investing in a series of luxury resort projects.

Vietnams wellness is focused on using the rich biodiversity of the enigmatic natural powers of the Mekong for healing and enhancing beauty. Pure plant extracts, wild lotus, and rice extractions lead to the finest quality oils and healing techniques for treatments, said Timothy Hunt, director of rooms at Park Hyatt Saigon.

Up and down the country, hoteliers are showcasing their utmost to bewitch and pamper their guests with high-end healthcare, beauty care, and wellbeing retreats and experiences. They provide attractive benefits that will entice people after several years of travel restrictions, and such trips are a chance to escape ones home and improve the immune system in a healthier climate and nature.

Vietnam is the perfect example of a friendly healthcare destination as tourists can easily experience affordable and high-end healthcare treatments, said Pham Huu Duc at Tui Blue Nam Hoi An.
The sector made strong efforts to fulfil the yearly targets assigned by the National Assembly (NA). Specifically, it increased the number of doctors and sickbeds to 11 and 31 per 10,000 people, respectively, and over 92 per cent of the population now have health insurance.

Dao Hong Lan, Minister of Health

During the year, the sector also focused on policymaking, including important policies for the development of the industry. The ministry built and advised the government to submit the amended Law on Medical Examination and Treatment, the amended Law on Pharmacy, the amended Law on Health Insurance, and the Law on Sex Change as well as decrees and resolutions related to the industry.

The sector is recovering, and examination and treatment activities have gradually recovered to pre-pandemic levels. Telehealth is increasingly rolled out at medical facilities. The Ministry of Health (MoH) is also accelerating a list of related prices.

The shortage of drugs and equipment at facilities has being gradually solved. The ministry has also advised the government to issue a resolution ensuring the supply of medicines, and equipment, as well as payment of related expenses covered by health insurance.

It has also worked with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Vietnam Social Insurance, and various agencies on amendments and supplementation of regulations related to the procurement of drugs, equipment, and insurance payment, while accelerating issuance of new marketing authorisations.

The sector continues to develop a network of human resource training institutions, develop professional competency standards, and standard training programmes. Policies to attract manpower have also been proposed to the government, for example on increasing preferential allowances for healthcare staff.

The MoH also implemented HIV/AIDS prevention initiatives, as well as food safety and hygiene, while enhancing administrative reform, and applying IT for digital transformation in the health sector.

At a recent meeting, the prime minister pointed out 14 groups of issues that the sector needs to focus on. Its legal system remains problematic, and incomplete, especially in procurement, socialisation, autonomy, and public hospital administration.

Worse still, health service prices are only slowly adjusted, while the state spending on healthcare and health insurance, as well as the countrys total healthcare spending per capita is still low. Household out-of-pocket spending is still high. The Health Insurance Fund at risk of imbalance due to low premiums.

Other issues include national target programmes changing their focus; staff leaving the industry, especially those with experience and qualifications in state-owned health facilities; and shortage of medicines and medical devices at health facilities nationwide. There is also a backlog of registration dossiers for circulation of drugs and medical equipment.

Although the shortfall of drugs and medical devices has been partly solved, it has not yet been fully settled. The pharmaceutical industry and manufacturing of such devices in the country remains limited.

The capacity of the health system, especially grassroots health facilities, and preventive health, is still limited. Some diseases such as hand-foot-and-mouth as well as dengue fever had an increased number of cases. The rate of expanded vaccination in some areas is not guaranteed, especially in remote areas with difficult economic conditions. The quality of administration and patient service in some medical facilities has not yet met set requirements.

Digital transformation and IT applications in the sector has not yet met the requirements set by the government in the implementation of data connection, and examination and treatment services.

In 2023, the ministry will continue to solve existing problems. Specifically, there we will be a focus on perfecting the legal framework, institutions, and draft laws. In the immediate future, the focus will be submitting to the NA the revised Law on Medical Examination and Treatment and building a system of guiding documents, as well as amending laws regarding pharmacy, population, health insurance, and others.

Other issues are to concentrate on disease prevention, innovate and improve preventative healthcare, implement the National Expanded Immunisation Programme, strengthen disease surveillance and forecasting, limit disability and premature death due to non-communicable diseases, and better manage food safety.

There must be improvements in hospital management capacity, quality of examination and treatment services, and patient service attitude. Specialised medical techniques must be developed, and traditional medicine must be enhanced. We must also closely combine traditional medicine with modern equivalents, and we must soon issue a list of techniques in related examination and treatment.

Next, it is key to gradually reform the organisational structure of the health sector in terms of streamlined efficiency and effectiveness, and develop the strategic planning for the sector, including planning for the network of medical facilities by 2030. Together, we will deploy innovative solutions to develop human resources and international integration, and propose policies to improve remuneration for staff.

We will check and review service prices are correct and solve problems and make innovations in payment methods, update preventive health financing, implement the programme of socioeconomic recovery and development, and ensure a roadmap for universal health insurance coverage alongside the payment of medical expenses with appropriate health insurance.

Finally, we will carry out administrative reform associated with IT and digital transformation, and reduce and simplify regulations related to business activities under the management of the MoH, especially in the fields of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment.

Navigating legal challenges in healthcare partnerships While the public-private partnership model is proved to be an optimal choice to promote funding in the healthcare sector, many issues remain in implementing this in Vietnam. Ngo Thanh Hai, Nguyen Van Tuan and Le Net, partners at LNT & Partners, offer analysis into the legal challenges and future prospects.

More favourable rule system urged for healthcare PPPs A more robust legal framework is being sought to strengthen public-private partnerships in the health sector, thus increasing the systems resilience and sustainability for better preparation for new pandemics.
This brings Amazons total portfolio to more than 20GW  enough to power 5.3 million US homes or 15.3 million European homes  with 401 renewable energy projects in 22 countries.

In 2022, the company announced new projects in Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Poland, Singapore, Spain, and the United States, and broke ground in Brazil, India, and Indonesia.

With 25 new renewable energy projects secured to close out the year, the company now has 401 projects globally, including 164 wind and solar farms and 237 rooftop solar projects on Amazon facilities. Once fully operational, Amazons global renewable energy projects are expected to generate around 56,900 gigawatt-hours of clean energy each year.

CEO of Amazon Web Services (AWS) Adam Selipsky said, As we continue to launch new renewable energy projects around the world, we are pleased to be on track to power our operations with 100 per cent renewable energy, five years ahead of our original target. With 133 projects in 11 countries announced in 2022, Amazon had another record year.

These projects highlight the diversity of our renewable energy sources and showcase our ability to bring new technologies to new markets and further reduce the impacts of climate change, continued Selipsky.

The companys renewable energy purchases last year brought it closer to powering its operations with 100 per cent renewable energy by 2025.

The companys renewable energy purchases continue to add new wind and solar projects on the grids that power Amazons operations, including AWS data centres, Amazon fulfilment centres, and physical stores around the world.

With these continued investments, Amazon set a new corporate record for the most renewable energy announced by a single company in one year. The company remains the largest corporate buyer of renewable energy  a position it has held since 2020.

In addition to the 108 clean energy projects the company announced in 2022, Amazon is announcing 25 additional clean energy projects. These include 11 new projects in Europe, four in North America, and 10 ten in India, Indonesia, and Japan.

Rapidly scaling renewable energy is one of the most effective strategies to fight climate change. To ensure organisations renewable energy purchases have the greatest impact on emission reduction, Amazon recently led the creation of the new Emissions First coalition. This alliance is leading advocacy efforts to modernise the worlds leading carbon-accounting standard, helping to reduce carbon from global electricity grids as quickly and as cost effectively as possible.

Amidst the market uncertainty in 2022, Amazon led clean energy buyers and doubled-down on its commitment to renewable energy, said Miranda Ballentine, CEO of the Clean Energy Buyers Association (CEBA).

Amazons commitment to decarbonisation is demonstrated through its leading placement on CEBAs Deal Tracker Top 10, Ballentine added.

Sam Kimmins, director of energy at Climate Group and Asia Clean Energy Coalition (ACEC) spokesperson said, As Asia continues to transition away from coal and gas, these investments by Amazon in wind and solar are further evidence that there is a large and growing corporate renewable electricity demand in this region. We look forward to continuing to work with Amazon and our other ACEC members to rapidly increase the supply of renewables and to achieve our shared ambitions for 100 per cent renewable in the region.

Amazon co-founded The Climate Pledge in 2019, committing to reach net-zero carbon by 2040  10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement. The pledge now has nearly 400 signatories, including Best Buy, IBM, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Siemens, Unilever, Verizon, and Visa.

Amazon continues to transform its transportation network, including electrifying its delivery fleet and sourcing alternatives to fossil fuels  it currently has thousands of Rivian electric delivery vehicles in more than 100 cities and regions in the US, more than 3,000 electric vans delivering packages to customers in Europe, and several electric vehicle partnerships in Asia-Pacific. The company is also investing $2 billion in the development of decarbonisation services and solutions through The Climate Pledge Fund.

ACEN continues to bolster renewable energy capacity in Vietnam Filipino power producer ACEN, Ayala groups listed energy platform, continues to strengthen its renewable energy capacity in Vietnam after the company and BIM Group received financing worth $107 million.

Rising energy costs to require roadmap for businesses timely adjustment of strategies The Vietnamese industrial sector may need to reevaluate in order to minimise the effect of rising power costs.

Vietnam fosters shift to renewable energy With an emphasis on sustainable power, the Vietnamese government has enacted several procedures and regulations to foster an equitable energy transition.

Misleading to assert foreign firms dominate Vietnam's energy sphere: expert Hong Kim Vi, Thailand's Super Energy Group's deputy general director of public relations, said the country's energy projects were more complex than they appear, at the 2022 Vietnam Renewable Energy Network on January 6.
Under this long-term collaboration, the hospital (AIH) continues to standardise and improve the quality of healthcare services according to American standards in Vietnam.

Efforts to standardise services according to American standards

AIH is the first international hospital in Vietnam to apply both JCI and American standards in design and construction, diagnosis and treatment, management and operation.

With a determination to bring American standard healthcare services to patients and their families in Vietnam, AIH has made great efforts to become the first hospital to cooperate with Johns Hopkins Medicine International in Vietnam, the global division of Johns Hopkins Medicine, a world-leading healthcare system in clinical research and academic education with more than 100 years of experience.

Within this collaboration, AIH has the opportunity to approach the world's most advanced medical knowledge and research, techniques and technology in diagnosis, treatment, operation, and management.

In the meantime, AIH and Johns Hopkins Medicine doctors and experts will periodically organise training programmes and seminars to update medical advances in examination and treatment for all specialties at AIH.

Representatives of AIH and Johns Hopkins Medicine International signed a phase 2 collaboration agreement in December 2022

Collaboration with Johns Hopkins Medicine International helps us ensure we stay on roadmap to the American standard and dedicate to bring out the best caring to our patients, said Nguyen Thi My Linh, CEO of AIH.

After four years of collaboration, AIH has improved its service quality, patient safety, and clinical and operational procedures and especially gained the trust and love of patients to the AIH brand name.

AIHs strategy in the upcoming period is continuing quality standardisation to ensure the patients have the same experience not only in facilities but also with the team of caregivers as well as healthcare service quality.

"Johns Hopkins Medicine International and American International Hospital (AIH) have a mutual core value of always putting patient safety first. And there is definitely alignment in our two institutions missions in improving community health and healthcare delivery by setting comprehensive standards in training, research, and medical care.

The two parties cohesively work toward improving safety and the experience for patients and to reach higher healthcare standards for the country, said Laurent Moreau, vice president for Global Initiatives, Johns Hopkins Medicine International.

Patient safety is our top priority

Last November, AIH achieved the JCI Gold Seal of Approval after four years of operation, which was delayed due to the pandemic. This is not only a global healthcare service quality certification but also a worthy reward for the tireless efforts of AIH dedicated and united team towards ensuring patient safety. JCI accreditation is also the recognition that proves AIH long-lasting commitment to excellent quality and patient care.

Unsafe care is one of the world's top 10 causes of death and injury. Patient safety is the most significant goal of JCI and international medical standards.

JCI standards are constantly updated based on monitoring and evaluation of daily operations and patient care, and the development tendencies of the global healthcare industry.

JCI seeks to make the proper adjustments and standardise the procedures every three years to help medical organisations limit medical errors and risks for patients.

AIH owns a system of modern and advanced facilities

JCI accreditation will not probably help us increase revenue or attract more customers and we don't do it for revenue or profit. We choose to pursue JCI standard - one of the prestigious American standards because we want to improve the quality of healthcare services and put the safety for patients first. Whatever regards to patient safety, we are willing to invest in, said Nguyen Thi My Linh, CEO of AIH.

AIHs strategy in the upcoming period is continuing quality standardisation to ensure the patients have the same experience not only in facilities but also with the team of caregivers as well as healthcare service quality.

Those are the benefits for patients that AIH commits through the collaboration with Johns Hopkins Medicine International and JCI accreditation.

In 2022, AIH has invested more than $2.1 million in the system of modern medical facilities and equipments to upgrade healthcare services quality.

In the forthcoming time, the hospital would continue to adjust and standardise procedures in diagnosis and treatment, operation and management, as well as develop and enhance clinical training for their doctors and external clinicians on advanced knowledge and techniques leveraging Johns Hopkins Medicine expertises with special focus on AIH's key specialties: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics and Neonatology, General Surgery, Urology and Andrology and Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

American investors eyeing Vietnam's logistics sector With investment opportunities widening in logistics, some US players in the sector have expressed interest in penetrating the Vietnamese market.

Accelerating involvemenet of American companies The visit by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to the United States and his scheduled meeting with President Joseph Biden and business leaders this week are solid markers of the growing, robust working relationship that exists between the United States and Vietnam.
In early February, the Board of Directors of Vietnam National Petroleum Group (Petrolimex) gave the nod for the stake transfer plan at PG Bank, as Petrolimex intends to divest its stake through a public auction on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange.

The starting price will be chosen by whichever is the highest between the price determined by the organisation at VND21,300 (90 US cents) per share or the average reference price of one share over 30 consecutive trading sessions on the unlisted public company market before the date of approval for the capital transfer plan.

Petrolimex's divestment gives PG Bank the opportunity to find strategic shareholders with the potential for capital increases after 12 years of standing still. Currently, PG Bank has the lowest charter capital and total assets of any bank in Vietnam.

Raising charter capital in the forthcoming time is deemed necessary to help banks develop and expand business operations and increase their resilience in a volatile economy.

In mid-January, Eximbank's shares had a tumultuous trading session with a put-through trading volume touching 134 million shares, and a total value close to $148.7 million. This was the session marking Sumitomo Mitsui's (SMBC) completion of divestment from Eximbank for transfer to domestic investors.

After SMBC's divestment from Eximbank, all eyes turned to VPBank.

VPBank had planned to complete the sale of 15 per cent of their capital to a foreign strategic partner last year, but the deal seems to have slowed amid the complicated global economic situation.

Talking to investors recently, Luu Thi Thao, deputy general director of VPBank said, "The process of working with partners is still going well, but the roadmap to sell 15 per cent stake to strategic investors abroad has been slower than expected."

After VPBank sold off a 49 per cent stake in FE Credit, its consumer finance division, to SMBC last year, the institution has become the financial house with the largest charter capital in Vietnam.

While M&As seem to be the shortest path to increasing capital for many banks, there are not many opportunities currently, which also explains why several big banks have chosen to accept weak bank transfers.

Vietcombank, HD Bank, and MB have all been approved by their shareholders to accept weak bank transfers. Management at the banks have asserted that the move will lead to many opportunities for asset and network expansion, and will also bolster credit strength.

At a conference in December, leaders of four state-owned commercial banks urgently proposed for charter capital increases. Vietnamese lenders have actively appealed to their capital sources to boost financial capacity, yet the capital buffer of Vietnamese banks remains thin when compared to other markets in the region.

In addition, while banks in nearby markets have been implementing Basel III standards, at least in part, those in Vietnam have only implemented Basel II. Currently, there are 20 commercial banks in Vietnam that apply Basel II standards, of which 16 have announced the completion of all three pillars. Some banks have started to apply advanced standards and are preparing to apply Basel III standards.

Raising charter capital in the forthcoming time is deemed necessary to help banks develop and expand business operations and increase their resilience in a volatile economy.

Free trade upgrade to bolster reach of ASEAN connections Vietnam is set to have opportunities to expand its trade and investment ties with Australia and New Zealand on the back of a new version of a multilateral free trade agreement between ASEAN and these two economies.

Deposit rate hikes still lingering Banks continue to increase their deposit rates to relieve liquidity constraints at year-end.
The nine surprising ways joining the International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) midway through the academic year can help your child excel in all facets of their educational journey.

1: A fresh start

Joining ISHCMC in the middle of the academic year can give your child a unique opportunity for a fresh start. This can be especially beneficial for children who have experienced negative situations in their previous school.

A change of environment also allows children to leave behind any unpleasant memories and negative associations that may have impacted their self-esteem, academic performance, or overall wellbeing.

ISHCMC offers your child a clean slate and a chance to start anew, building positive experiences that will shape their education for years to come.

2: An ISHCMC buddy

The ISHCMC Buddy system is another benefit of joining midway through the academic year.

The buddy programme matches new students with existing ones who share similar backgrounds, cultures, and languages, and plays a crucial role in helping them feel at home in their new school and community.

The buddy can share their experiences and provide information about the school, including where to find resources, who to talk to for support, and how to get involved in clubs and other extracurricular activities. The ISHCMC buddy system ensures that every child has a smooth transition to ISHCMC every day.

3: The ISHCMC academic year

Joining ISHCMC can be exciting for students as it provides a unique opportunity to transition between different countries and their respective academic years. Each country has its own academic calendar, and by joining a new school in a foreign country, students can experience the differences in the academic year first-hand.

For example, a student from Korea may be familiar with the Korean academic year, which typically runs from March to February. However, if that same student were to move to International School Ho Chi Minh City, their academic year would run from August to June. This can be extremely helpful to families as children are often able to continue their studies seamlessly.

4: A support system for families

At ISHCMC, we understand that the overall wellbeing of their family is of utmost importance as well as the student's needs.

To support our parents, we have established several programmes and initiatives designed to support families and foster communication between the school, teachers, and parents. Our Parent Teacher Organization plays an important role in bridging the communication gap between the school and parents, helping to facilitate discussion and address any concerns, creating a sense of community and ensuring that each student and their family feel connected, supported and valued.

ISHCMC also has Country Representatives who serve as ambassadors for their respective countries within the ISHCMC community, helping families to connect, share their cultures and traditions, and build a solid and supportive community.

5: A chance to get in the door

ISHCMC is a highly sought-after school, attracting students from a wide range of countries and locations. However, the limited number of places available each school year means that enrolling at the start of the school calendar year can be highly competitive.

Enrolling to ISHCMC midway through the academic year can provide students a valuable opportunity to overcome these limitations and get their foot in the door, providing them with a unique educational experience and opportunities for personal and academic growth.

6: The IB Continuum - an easy transition

As an International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum school, ISHCMC allows students to seamlessly transition between schools, reducing the stress and anxiety that can often accompany such changes and allowing them to focus on their learning and personal development.

Joining ISHCMC midway through the academic year can give students a unique opportunity to stand out.

The IB continuum is a series of educational programmes designed to support students as they move through their education journey, from early childhood to adulthood.

The programmes within the IB continuum (Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme) share a common philosophy and approach to learning. This continuity helps make the transition between schools easier for students by ensuring a consistent and recognisable educational experience, regardless of where they are in the world.

7: Stand out

Joining ISHCMC midway through the academic year can give students a unique opportunity to stand out. New students at ISHCMC are given personalised help by teachers, offering extra support and resources to help the student succeed.

Furthermore, new students bring a fresh perspective to the classroom and can be seen as different from their peers, which can be an advantage in making new friends. New students often have unique backgrounds or experiences that they can share with others, which can help them make a positive impression.

8: Live the ISHCMC values

Joining ISHCMC midway can help students develop one of the schools main values --resilience -- as it offers a new and challenging environment that requires them to adapt and be comfortable with change.

This can help build their problem-solving skills, increase their confidence, and make them more independent. Encouraging students to take risks, learn from failure, and bounce back from challenges are key components of resilience. By joining ISHCMC, students will not only gain a world-class education but also build the necessary skills to thrive in a changing and challenging world.

9: Exposure to new cultures

As an internationally-minded community, ISHCMC has a diverse student body from more than 55 countries worldwide. Joining midway through the academic year allows every student to be exposed to different languages, customs, and beliefs. This can broaden their cultural horizons and provide new perspectives on the world.

Joining ISHCMC midway through the academic year can be challenging, but it can also provide your child with new opportunities for growth and learning. With an open mind, patience, and a positive attitude, the transition can be made much smoother and families can take advantage of the unique benefits that come with starting at a new school.

To find out more about ISHCMC and our wonderful community, contact admissions@ishcmc.edu.vn or ishcmc.com

Students who are flourishing at ISHCMC It has been an amazing year for the International School Ho Chi Minh Citys (ISHCMC) class of 2022. Through adversity and two years of sheer resilience, every International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma student has flourished in their own way.

Bringing benefits to business via diversity policies Vietnam has made great strides in protecting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, and with gay and lesbian people able to openly disclose their sexual orientation, evidence exists that this can only benefit society  even in an economic sense.
Ho Chi Minh City is set to soon welcome about 60,000 sq.m of new office space, Le Toan

According to Colliers, the office leasing segment in Vietnam is gradually recovering with the majority of demand coming from businesses looking to expand and new international companies entering the market.

The supply of Grade A office space is extremely scarce in the central areas of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City due to a lack of land fund, Colliers said.

In the coming time, the rental price and absorption rate of the whole office market is expected to increase sharply, thanks to the reopening of international routes and the strong resurgence of the non-central office market. Supply from projects in new urban areas will be a fresh choice for businesses in the context that supply of office space in central business districts (CBDs) is increasingly scarce and rents are increasing.

Pham Duy Khanh, a representative of lease group Nice Office in Ho Chi Minh City said, Moving out of CBDs is being favoured by small- and medium-sized enterprises. Renting an office in Binh Thanh, Phu Nhuan, District 4, District 7, or Tan Binh is quite affordable for the needs of such businesses.

Khanh said that in these areas, with offices equivalent to the level of comfort compared to offices for rent in District 1 or District 3, the rental price will be 10-30 per cent lower.

Moreover, currently, thanks to convenient transport infrastructure, it is easy to move from the suburbs to the city centre. It takes only 10 minutes to travel from Phu Nhuan, Binh Thanh, or District 4 to the city centre.

In non-CBD areas, many office buildings are newer and have modern facilities and equipment. If the location is not a top priority, then businesses should consider choosing non-CBDs offices to optimise operating costs, Khanh said.

Figures from Savills Vietnam reported that the average monthly rent for a Grade B building is currently at $34 per sq.m and $60 per sq.m per month for grade A office space.

In recent years, the supply of offices for lease is scarce and the demand for office space in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi has always remained high, so rents still tend to increase despite the market being burdened with many difficulties.

According to Savills, the Ho Chi Minh City area alone will welcome about 60,000sq.m of new office space, mostly from non-CBD areas of Tan Phu district and District 7.

In the central area, businesses are also tending to open more back-office areas or move offices to places near the centre such as districts 2 and 7, to reach their customers and partners quickly.

For example, the OfficeHaus office project in the centre of Celadon City, Tan Phu will be known a new destination outside CBDs.

In addition, there are a number of prominent projects in District 7 such as UOA, Cobi, and CMC Creative Zone, which are also known as high-quality, high-tech office projects with affordable rental costs.

In Hanoi, meanwhile, the western area is being assessed as having the fastest growth rate currently.

In the future, most of the supply will be concentrated in the Starlake project area in Tay Ho district with about 300,000sq.m of office space, mainly in the A and B segments.

In addition to the actual rentals, businesses must allocate budgets for cleaning, parking, printing, and other operating expenses. However, this fee at an off-centre office is often cut significantly to the most optimal prices. As a result, businesses will be able to use their cut-off fess for improving business performance and employee satisfaction.

In the downtown area, the cost of living is mostly higher. For offices in non-CBD areas, a more affordable cost of living promises to bring many great advantages to businesses. For example, companies and investors in Saigon Hi-Tech Park can enjoy a number of incentives and attractive tax schemes.

In addition, office projects outside the centre often have the advantage of a large land fund, which can develop green areas to help employees feel relaxed and have more fresh air, creating a healthier working environment for employees.

In some other cases, Hoang Minh Hang, director of Star Investment and Property Leasing JSC, said that some businesses have stalled production and business activities and their revenue is affected, forcing them to narrow the office space to save costs or move to an area further from the centre.

Moving to the outskirts is inevitable because the land in the central areas is scarce, and businesses not only save costs but also widened the radar of their business, Hang said.

Representative offices of many foreign-led companies can now be found in provinces neighbouring Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, where many industrial zones have been developed. Accordingly, in addition to a head office in big cities, tenants are oriented to develop satellite offices in neighbouring areas to directly manage their business in the localities.

Office for lease in high demand The transformation of the office market and office occupiers' growing care to consider office occupancy costs were the key topics of a seminar held on September 27 in Ho Chi Minh City.
Quang Ninh-based industrial park infrastructure developers reported that about 18 foreign-invested projects are expected to land at the provincial industrial zones (IZs) this year.

Cao Tuong Huy, acting chairman of Quang Ninh People's Committee, just convened a meeting to examine the execution of the master plan on foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction to the provincial IZs.

Based on the registration of the IZ infrastructure developers, Quang Ninhs IZs are likely to attract 18 foreign-invested projects this year, of which, 16 are fresh projects and two seek capital addition with a total value approximating $1.2 billion, up more than 10 per cent over projections.

Cao Tuong Huy, acting Chairman of Quang Ninh People's Committee at the meeting

Accordingly, 13 new projects are based in the Bac Tien Phong, Song Khoai and Dong Mai IZs in Quang Yen town, one new project is based in Hai Yen IZ in Mong Cai city whereas Texhong IZ in Hai Ha district are expected to attract two new projects, while two existing ones have registered for supplemental capital.

Quang Ninh is particularly keen on attracting investment and assisting businesses investing in local IZ infrastructure.

FDI attraction is one of the key tasks to materialise on the Quang Ninh work agenda in 2023 Improving investment attraction efficiency and quality of citizen lives as the province is particularly keen on attracting investment and assisting businesses investing in local IZ infrastructure.

At the meeting, the top leader of Quang Ninh People's urged Quang Ninh Economic Zone Authority to make a detailed plan to award investment certificates for each project on a quarterly basis and report to management.

Meanwhile, relevant management agencies were told to coordinate with localities to complete the procedures and plan site clearance for these projects before February 15.

For infrastructure investors in the IZs, it is necessary to accelerate the completion of infrastructure in accordance with the requirements on committed quality and schedule to create attractiveness and selectively attract secondary investors.

Diversification still on radar of major foreign investors Despite headwinds caused by geopolitical tensions, Vietnam has seen solid overseas investment, laying the ground for the country to boost inflows and realise its socioeconomic goals.

Long-term outlook stable for foreign investment capital The consecutive on-year reduction of newly registered capital since early this year may dampen the foreign-invested capital landscape for the whole 2022 compared to initial expectations, but a rise in disbursement is showing investors growing confidence in the economy for the long term.
Cat Tuong Nguyen, Head of ESG Research Dynam Capital

The overall downfall in many stock markets is certainly a factor, but the retreat also coincides with a backlash against the entire ESG construct in the United States, mainly around the argument that some financial companies no longer make decisions in the best interest of their shareholders or clients, but instead use their financial power to push forward social and political agenda.

Texas, for example, blocked 10 companies and almost 350 investment funds because the funds boycott energy companies and no longer make decisions in the best interest of their shareholders or their clients.

In Europe, a number of initiatives have been delayed, such as the development of social and transition taxonomies or the adoption of remaining technical screening criteria for the EU Green Taxonomy. In addition, the Russia-Ukraine conflict has arguably shifted political dynamics around eligible activities for the Green Taxonomy - noteworthy in this regard is the inclusion of gas and nuclear, under certain criteria.

Despite shifting priorities, there have been major steps in ESG regulation. Key trends from have included increased disclosure, a renewed focus on greenwashing, and the expansion of related priorities from climate change to other environmental and natural issues, such as biodiversity.

As in many developing countries, rapid urbanisation and industrialisation have had detrimental impacts on the environment and natural assets. Climate change, urban solid waste, and air pollution are key environmental issues that the Vietnamese government is keen to address over the next few years.

In fact, 2021 and 2022 saw significant changes in Vietnams green policy commitments. The countrys ambitious net-zero target for 2050 could be seen as a milestone, paving a way for the transformational interventions needed to address climate change challenges, including the development of cleaner transportation and energy systems.

Since the target was set, the government has taken firm steps in building a legal corridor for responding to climate change issues and implementing the commitments made. In particular, Decree No.06/2022/ND-CP in January 2022 includes regulations on the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and protection of the ozone layer. This new legislation specifies how companies will be provided guidance on the scheme and undergo a pilot operation that is followed by a carbon credit trading market due to being formally launched in 2028.

In December, the Vietnamese government finalised the Just Energy Transition Partnership with the G7 and others. The partnership will mobilise an initial $15.5 billion of public and private finance over the next 3-5 years, and aims to help Vietnam reduce its reliance on coal and transition to renewable sources of energy through a mix of loans, grants, technology transfers, and technical assistance programmes.

If the partnership meets its goals, Vietnam will see peak GHG emissions by 2030 instead of 2035 and reduce its annual power sector emissions by 30 per cent by significantly increasing its reliance renewables.

The draft National Power Development Plan VIII for this decade has been revised significantly in terms of the mix of energy needed to align with Vietnams commitment to net-zero by 2050. The proposed structure includes 50.7 per cent share of wind and solar power and only 9.6 per cent from coal power by 2045. If Vietnam achieves the goal, it will reclaim its crown as Asias renewable energy powerhouse.

Additionally, in June 2022, the government approved the circular economy development scheme and set several ambitious targets. The scheme aims to reduce the intensity of GHGs per GDP by at least 15 per cent by 2030.

By 2025, the country aims to reuse, recycle, and treat 85 per cent of plastic waste, reducing half its plastic waste in oceans as well the volume of non-biodegradable plastic bags and disposable plastic products in use.

ESG awareness in Vietnam might have started later than in the US and Europe, but the awareness and application of practices have been growing steadily in recent years. According to PwC Vietnams ESG Readiness report 2022, about 80 per cent of Vietnams companies have made related commitments or plan to do so in the next 2-4 years.

The top reason cited for pursuing ESG is brand image and reputation (82 per cent), while the second most cited reason is to remain competitive (68 per cent). Another report by KPMG Vietnam, Vietnams Customer Experience Excellence 2022, shows that up to 93 per cent of customers in Vietnam are willing to pay more for ESG-integrated products and services.

The report shows Vietnamese consumers are becoming conscious of lifestyle choices and aware of the effects of their consumption. These survey results indicate that interest in ESG has been growing widely.

Vietnam is emerging as an important alternative manufacturing base to China, and the countrys participation in free trade agreements created opportunities for enterprises to be part of the global supply chain. ESG considerations are prerequisites for many such deals, and so compliance is necessary to remain competitive with developed markets where green economy and compliance standards are being upgraded continuously.

Increased sustainability reporting, following global standards, and climate-related disclosures, and preparing infrastructure for a clean energy transition are the key ESG aspects that Vietnamese enterprises need to focus on in 2023 and beyond to meet the demand of investors and increase competitiveness.

Dealmaking potential ripe in Vietnam for ESG-minded groups In the midst of persistent worries about the global economy in 2023, including the risk of an economic recession, Vietnam continues to be a bright spot for economic development and potential mergers and acquisitions for investors in the region.

Report scrutinises pathway for ESG agenda in financial sector A fresh PwC Vietnam report has provided insights into the level of readiness by financial institutions in Vietnam in terms of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria.
Vietravel Airlines officially launched non-stop air route between Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok on February 9

According to the latest report by Fitch Solution, a macro research unit, international tourism will grow strongly in 2023 - 2026, reaching 22 million guests and $13.2 billion in revenue in 2026. Thailand will be one of the key markets for Vietnams tourism industry.

Additionally, due to the pandemic, passengers are tending to tighten their pockets, and shorten trips with affordable price flights. Vietravel Airlines opens new international flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok in the first quarter of 2023 with the strategy of attracting more domestic and foreign tourists for in summer vacations in Vietnam.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Vu Duc Bien, CEO of Vietravel Airlines, said that the air route Hanoi - Bangkok - Hanoi with an occupancy rate reached 91 per cent, is considered the first success of Vietravel Airlines in its journey to conquer the international market.

Representative of the Consulate General of Thailand in Ho Chi Minh City Wiraka Moodhitaporn congratulated Vietravel Airlines on the success of connecting two major cities of Vietnam to Bangkok.

We believe that with the mission of connecting combined with the advantage of a tourism ecosystem from the Vietravel Corporation, Vietravel Airlines will be one of the great choices for passengers, to have a unique in experience at an affordable price, said Moodhitaporn.

Outstanding as one of the three airlines in Vietnam which have a high On-Time-Performance rate, reaching 93.2 per cent in 2022, Vietravel Airlines has also successfully been ranked 'The World's Fifth Best Leisure Airline' by Skytrax and awarded as 'Asia's Leading New Airline' by the World Travel Awards.

Air tickets for the Ho Chi Minh-Bangkok flights are available on all official channels of Vietravel Airlines with a special price starting from VND 18,000 (excluding taxes/fees).

Vietravel Airlines uses a modern aircraft A321 on the Ho Chi Minh City - Bangkok route, with a frequency of one round-trip flight per day, which is expected to increase to meet market demand.

Vietravel Airlines set to take flight in early 2021 The newest face in the Vietnamese aviation market, Vietravel Airlines, is completing the last procedures to get ready for its first flight scheduled for 2021 when the COVID-19 pandemic situation settles down.

Vietravel wants to sell down owenership in Vietravel Airline Vietravel is waiting to receive approval for its plan to transfer its capital at Vietravel Airline at the shareholders' meeting on May 25.

Vietravel Airlines: a desire to fly high Vietravel Airlines was the dream of Vietravel Corporation chairman Nguyen Quoc Ky for 10 years  a hard-won dream to showcase the distinct beauty of Vietnams land, culture, and cuisine to the world.
A jury convicted a Waco teen Wednesday of firing an AK-47 style gun from an SUV at a car following him in April 2020 as he fled another shooting at an East Waco apartment complex.

A jury of six men and six women in Wacos 54th State District Court deliberated less than an hour before finding Devonte Terrell Adams, 19, guilty of aggravated assault.

Theres no question in our minds that the jury got it right, District Attorney Josh Tetens said by phone Wednesday evening.

Adams shot at an unmarked police vehicle driven by a Waco detective, but his defense attorney argued Adams thought he was shooting at a member of a group he had been in an ongoing conflict with. Adams was initially charged with aggravated assault of a public servant, but prosecutors decided early in the trial to only pursue the lesser included charge of aggravated assault.

Judge Susan Kelly will sentence Adams at a later date.

Prosecutors did not bring co-defendants Wilfred Carpenter or Jaquan Davis from prison to testify. Carpenter was sentenced to a 20-year prison term in the case after pleading guilty to aggravated assault in a deal Kelly approved in November 2021. Kelly sentenced Davis in April 2021 to a five-year prison term after he pleaded no contest to an evidence tampering charge, agreeing he cleaned fingerprints from the SUV and the gun.

Prosecutors relied instead on police video from Detective John Clark and testimony from other witnesses. Clark pursued a Jeep Commander that Adams was riding in with Carpenter, Davis and Destiny Green after the Jeep left the scene of a shooting the evening of April 14, 2020, at Estella Maxey Place apartments, 1809 J.J. Flewellen Road, trial testimony showed. No injuries were reported in the initial shooting.

Adams fired at Clark from the Jeep as it drove in the 1700 block of Old Dallas Road, according to trial evidence. Clarks vehicle was hit, but Clark was not.

Clark could be seen and heard calling dispatch to say a young man wearing a yellow hoodie was shooting at his unmarked vehicle during the pursuit, in a video showed during closing arguments by prosecutor Ryan Calvert, first assistant in the McLennan County District Attorneys Office.

Calvert also played doorbell camera video from about 7:20 the evening of the incident that included the Jeep driving down a neighborhood street, then the sound of 13 gunshots, followed by Clarks vehicle.

Green told the jury tearfully Tuesday how she cowered in fear inside the Jeep while Adams, who was wearing a yellow hoodie, fired out the window at a pursuing vehicle. Green said the car was an unmarked police vehicle, Calvert reminded the jury Wednesday.

Everyone else in the Jeep that evening thought the pursuing vehicle was driven by a member of group with which a group Carpenter was part of was feuding, defense attorney David Hudson reminded the jury.

Hudson also said Green at first testified that only Adams got out of the vehicle at Estella Maxey to shoot at a man referred to as Timothy during the trial. He said it took several questions before Green said Carpenter got out of the Jeep to shoot before Adams.

McKenzie Carroll told the jury Tuesday that she saw Adams wearing a yellow hoodie and carrying a gun that looked like an AK-47 when she lent her Jeep to Carpenter at about 7 p.m. April. 14, Calvert told the jury.

Both Calvert and Hudson will present punishment phase evidence at a sentencing hearing to be scheduled later.

Adams did not testify during the trial. He returned Wednesday to McLennan County Jail after the guilty verdict to await his sentencing hearing, Hudson said.

I know Judge Kelly and I know her reputation. She has seen everything from traffic tickets to murder, Hudson said after the guilt or innocence phase of the trial concluded. She understands that a male brain is not fully formed until the age of 25.

At the time of the April 2020 shootings, Adams was 16 years old. Tetens said Wednesday that Adams was certified to stand trial as an adult.

Hudson said his client agreed with him to trust his fate to a judge who is known to be fair and to consider the totality of circumstances that put a defendant in her court, rather than trusting it to the jury.

The law will not allow probation as a sentence because of Adams prior juvenile robbery conviction. The jury would have had probation as an option, along with a life sentence, if they had sentenced him Wednesday.
WASHINGTON  Former Twitter executives conceded Wednesday they made a mistake by blocking a story about Hunter Biden, the presidents son, from the social media platform in the run-up to the 2020 election, but adamantly denied Republican assertions they were pressured by Democrats and law enforcement to suppress the story.

The decisions here arent straightforward, and hindsight is 20/20, Yoel Roth, Twitters former head of trust and safety, testified to Congress. It isnt obvious what the right response is to a suspected, but not confirmed, cyberattack by another government on a presidential election.

He added, Twitter erred in this case because we wanted to avoid repeating the mistakes of 2016.

The White House criticized congressional Republicans for staging a bizarre political stunt, hours after Bidens State of the Union address where he detailed bipartisan progress in his first two years in office.

This appears to be the latest effort by the House Republican majoritys most extreme MAGA members to question and relitigate the outcome of the 2020 election, White House spokesperson Ian Sams said in a statement Wednesday. This is not what the American people want their leaders to work on.

The three former executives appeared before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee to testify for the first time about the companys decision to initially block from Twitter a New York Post article in October 2020 about the contents of a laptop belonging to Hunter Biden.

Emboldened by Twitters new leadership in billionaire Elon Musk  whom they see as more sympathetic to conservatives than the companys previous administration  Republicans used the hearing to push a long-standing and unproven theory that social media companies are biased against them.

Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer said the hearing is the panels first step in examining the coordination between the federal government and Big Tech to restrict protected speech and interfere in the democratic process.

The hearing continues a years-long trend of GOP leaders calling tech company leaders to testify about alleged political bias. Democrats, meanwhile, have pressed the companies on the spread of hate speech and misinformation on their platforms.

The witnesses Republicans subpoenaed were Roth, Vijaya Gadde, Twitters former chief legal officer, and James Baker, the companys former deputy general counsel.

Democrats brought a witness of their own, Anika Collier Navaroli, a former employee with Twitters content moderation team. She testified last year to the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 Capitol riot about Twitters preferential treatment of Donald Trump until it banned the then-president from the site two years ago.

The New York Post reported weeks before the 2020 presidential election that it received from Trumps personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, a copy of a hard drive from a laptop that Hunter Biden had dropped off 18 months earlier at a Delaware computer repair shop and never retrieved.

Twitter blocked people from sharing links to the story, which has not been independently verified by The Associated Press, for several days.

You exercised an amazing amount of clout and power over the entire American electorate by even holding (this story) hostage for 24 hours and then reversing your policy, Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., said to the panel of witnesses.

Months later, Twitters then-CEO, Jack Dorsey, called the companys communications around the Post article not great. He added that blocking the articles URL with zero context around why it was blocked was unacceptable.

The newspaper story was greeted at the time with skepticism due to questions about the laptops origins, including Giulianis involvement, and because top officials in the Trump administration already warned that Russia was working to denigrate Joe Biden before the White House election.

The Kremlin interfered in the 2016 race by hacking Democratic emails that were subsequently leaked, and fears that Russia would meddle again in the 2020 race were widespread across Washington.

Just last week, lawyers for the younger Biden asked the Justice Department to investigate people who say they accessed his personal data. But they did not acknowledge that the data came from a laptop Hunter Biden is purported to have dropped off at a computer repair shop.

The issue was also reignited recently after Musk took over Twitter as CEO and began to release a slew of company information to independent journalists, what he has called the Twitter Files.

The documents and data largely show internal debates among employees over the decision to temporarily ban links to the Hunter Biden story. The tweet threads lacked substantial evidence of a targeted influence campaign from Democrats or the FBI, which denies involvement in Twitters decision-making.

There has been no evidence that Twitters platform is biased against conservatives; studies have found the opposite when it comes to conservative media in particular. But the issue continues to preoccupy GOP members of congress.
Despite resolutions and sanctions from the United Nations Security Council, Korea has maintained its ballistic missile program, test-launching dozens of sophisticated missiles last year.

State media on Thursday stated that North Korea held a nighttime parade to highlight its missile manufacturing capabilities, including more intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) than ever before and a possible new solid-fuel weapon.

According to KCNA, North Korea celebrated the 75th anniversary of the formation of its army by holding a parade in the capital city of Pyongyang. Kim Jong Un, the current leader of North Korea, sent his daughter, Kim Yo Jong, to the event with him. Kim Yo Jong is widely seen as a potential future leader of the hereditary regime.

In a devastating blow to decades of disarmament and homeland security strategies, North Korea has now disclosed a missile arsenal strong enough to overwhelm U.S. defenses against them potentially.

Despite resolutions and sanctions from the United Nations Security Council, Korea continued its ballistic missile program last year and test-launched dozens of upgraded missiles.

During a parade on Wednesday evening in Pyongyang, state-controlled media showed images of North Korean military personnel wheeling between 10 and 12 Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missiles along the city's streets. The United States only possesses 44 ground-based interceptors that can be launched from Alaska and California to bring down an incoming intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) while in flight. Assuming that North Korea's missiles have the capacity to hold four warheads atop them, it is plausible that Pyongyang may launch more warheads at the United States than the United States possesses interceptors to defend against them.

Ankit Panda, who works for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and is located in the United States, stated on Twitter that eleven missiles could be enough to overpower the missile defenses now in place in the United States.

Since a long time ago, authorities and analysts in the United States had believed that it was just a matter of time before North Korea constructed a solution to the issue of its inadequate missile defenses.

It is possible that the Hwasong-17 might fly all the way to the United States from North Korea because of its impressive range. Pyongyang has not yet provided evidence that the warhead can survive reentry or reach a targeted target from such a great distance.

The Hwasong-17 was put through its initial round of tests the previous year. At the same time as them, experts said there was something at the parade that may be a prototype or mockup of a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile housed in canister launchers.

Creating an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that runs on solid fuel has been a primary objective for the government for a long time. If successful, this objective would make the country's nuclear missiles more difficult to detect and destroy in the event of a confrontation.

According to KCNA, North Korea celebrated the 75th anniversary of the formation of its army by holding a parade in the capital city of Pyongyang. Kim Jong Un, the current leader of North Korea, sent his daughter, Kim Yo Jong, to the event with him. Kim Yo Jong is widely seen as a potential future leader of the hereditary regime.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea voiced its disapproval of North Korea's decision to go forward with the event despite the country's deteriorating economic conditions and ongoing food shortages.

According to North Korea, its missile program and its development of nuclear weapons are required because of the hostile actions of the United States and its allies. North Korea has said that these activities fit within its sovereign right to self-defense.

Regardless, North Korea and its leader Kim Jong Un have sent a very clear message: The United States of America will not be able to stop us despite all of its efforts. It is a defiant exhibition that simultaneously highlights the nation's staggering military advances and Western attempts to convince the ruling Kim family to part with its weapons.

"It blows a hole in the over 20 years of U.S. homeland missile defense strategy premised on fighting against a 'limited' missile threat from North Korea. "That threat is no longer limited, and the United States cannot count on missile defense to confer anything even remotely close to invulnerability to North Korean retaliation in the event of a conflict," said Ankit Panda, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the author of "Kim Jong Un and the Bomb."

North Korea carried out the first static ground test of a large solid-propellant rocket motor at its Sohae Satellite Launching Station in December, but it was unclear at the time whether it was solely for the country's submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) program, according to Dave Schmerler, a researcher at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS).

However, he added that North Korea has not yet tested its new missile submarine; thus, the parade weapon shows that Pyongyang is intentionally communicating that it is building a complicated land-based ICBM deterrent.

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Because the majority of the biggest ballistic missiles in the nation are powered by liquid fuel, the missiles must be loaded with propellant at the launch site, which is a procedure that takes a significant amount of time.

It is still unknown how close the rumored new missile may be to being ready for testing. During the parades, North Korea sometimes exhibited prototypes of various military equipment.

According to some skeptical of the ground-based midcourse defense system, also known as GMD, it wouldn't take nearly as many North Korean missiles to get through it. Only one may do the trick.

During a parade on Wednesday evening in Pyongyang, state-controlled media showed images of North Korean military personnel wheeling between 10 and 12 Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missiles along the city's streets. The United States only possesses 44 ground-based interceptors that can be launched from Alaska and California to bring down an incoming intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) while in flight. Assuming that North Korea's missiles have the capacity to hold four warheads atop them, it is plausible that Pyongyang may launch more warheads at the United States than the United States possesses interceptors to defend against them.

Ankit Panda, who works for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and is located in the United States, stated on Twitter that eleven missiles could be enough to overpower the missile defenses now in place in the United States.

Authorities and analysts in the United States have believed that it was just a matter of time until North Korea constructed a solution to the issue of its inadequate missile defenses.

It is possible that the Hwasong-17 could fly to the United States from North Korea because of its impressive range. Pyongyang has not yet provided evidence that the warhead can survive reentry or reach a targeted target from such a great distance.

The Hwasong-17 was put through its initial round of tests the previous year. At the same time as them, experts said there was something at the parade that may be a prototype or mockup of a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile housed in canister launchers.

Creating an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that runs on solid fuel has been a primary objective for the government for a long time. If successful, this objective would make the country's nuclear missiles more difficult to detect and destroy in the event of a confrontation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea voiced its disapproval of North Korea's decision to go forward with the event despite the country's deteriorating economic conditions and ongoing food shortages.

According to North Korea, its missile program and its development of nuclear weapons are required because of the hostile actions of the United States and its allies. North Korea has said that these activities fit within its sovereign right to self-defense.

Regardless, North Korea and its leader Kim Jong Un have sent a very clear message: The United States of America will not be able to stop us despite all of its efforts. It is a defiant exhibition that simultaneously highlights the nation's staggering military advances and Western attempts to convince the ruling Kim family to part with its weapons.

"It blows a hole in the over 20 years of U.S. homeland missile defense strategy premised on fighting against a 'limited' missile threat from North Korea. "That threat is no longer limited, and the United States cannot count on missile defense to confer anything even remotely close to invulnerability to North Korean retaliation in the event of a conflict," said Ankit Panda, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the author of "Kim Jong Un and the Bomb."

North Korea carried out the first static ground test of a large solid-propellant rocket motor at its Sohae Satellite Launching Station in December, but it was unclear at the time whether it was solely for the country's submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) program, according to Dave Schmerler, a researcher at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS).

However, he added that North Korea has not yet tested its new missile submarine; thus, the parade weapon shows that Pyongyang is intentionally communicating that it is building a complicated land-based ICBM deterrent.

Because the majority of the biggest ballistic missiles in the nation are powered by liquid fuel, the missiles must be loaded with propellant at the launch site, which is a procedure that takes a significant amount of time.

It is still unknown how close the rumored new missile may be to being ready for testing. During the parades, North Korea sometimes exhibited prototypes of various military equipment.

According to some who are skeptical of the ground-based midcourse defense system, also known as GMD, it wouldn't take nearly as many North Korean missiles to get through it. Only one may do the trick.

Subscribe 100% Free to Wall Street Rebel.com and receive access to investment tools worth $17,500!

North Korea displays more ICBMs than ever before
by James Kightly

At the Vintage Wings and Wheels Museum in Poplar Grove, Illinois, a magnificent example of the Curtiss Jenny has become the museums centerpiece. Bearing registration N1DP on its rudder, this beautiful machine is far from being just another static, museum exhibit. While it looks authentic and well-loved, surprisingly this airframe is entirely brand new!

An iconic WWI-era trainer, with a firm place in aviation history, the Curtiss JN-4D Jenny really should not need an introduction. With numerous surplus military examples in the USA after the Great War, the type became a mainstay of the 1920s barnstorming era, with echoes of its presence lingering in aviation films ever since. So while the Jenny is at no risk of disappearing entirely from museums or even from the skies, unsurprisingly, it is no longer possible to find parts for the type in a local hardware store like one could back in the aircrafts heyday. Jennys are no longer available as war surplus or for a knock-down secondhand price either. So, other than paying a Kings ransom for an original airframe, how does one now go about acquiring an authentic-looking Curtiss Jenny to fly?

Well, you could just build a new one, as Chapter 1414 of the Experimental Aircraft Association and the Vintage Wings and Wheels Museum just did. The two organizations, both based in Poplar Grove, Illinois, collaborated to create a new Jenny for the museum. With 1,200 relevant Curtiss Aeroplane Company drawings available, original data was not the problem. However, building a Jenny from the ground up is no easy task. Opting for a new-build identity (rather than rebuilding around a dataplate identity) the aircraft was authentic enough to receive a construction number (No.7685) in the same sequence as the last JN-4Ds off the original production line  an honor which the Shuttleworth Collections exactingly recreated Sopwith Triplane also received  signed off by none other than Tommy Sopwith himself, in that particular case.

Starting in 2017, and working mostly on volunteer days from 10 am until 3 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, roughly two dozen people contributed to the aircrafts construction over a five-year period. Led by Don Perry, with four primary builders, the effort involved around 22,000 hours of work. Interestingly, many of the volunteers were not actually aircraft builders, in the words of team member Steve McGreevy, but under careful supervision, they were more than able to meet the task. The completed aircraft flew for the first time in late 2021 and took part in EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022. With an average groundspeed of 52 mph (83 km/h), the Jenny performed in a fashion typical for its type and era, as its pilot, Ken Morris, found: Youre flying it every second, he said. After its appearance at Oshkosh, Ken added: Its now up to me and Jenny to get the 100 boat miles home (airplanes this old cant tell knots). I didnt go high and I was doing 52 mph ground speed. Then it happened. Slow and steady, I seemed to go back in time. Something near spiritual. Sunday morning at about 6:45, 2022 became Sunday morning 6:45, 1920s.

There was nothing to give away the future. A cornfield is a cornfield. No big roads full of modern transportation. Looking down at green fields with the mornings golden glow, long shadows and farms. The open rocker arms mindlessly pivoting up and down, driven by an unseen camshaft, deep inside the 100-year-old engine. Lots of wild turkeys, deer and back roads. A farmer in his feedlot looked up, hearing the mighty OX-5 and waved. I waved back, noting the American flag on his grain bin. I swear it had 48 stars.

Even with a steerable tailskid, the aircraft requires a ground handling crew for normal operations, not least for hand-swinging the propeller (created from original drawings) to engage the engine, which has no starter motor.

The team created the Jennys distinctive, car-style radiator using a purchased set of square-section coolant tubes (shortcutting EAA member Don Perrys proposed, far more laborious, hand-built core). The units brass surround is all Perrys work, however. Appropriately, the radiator cap is modified from that of a Ford Model T motor car. While authentic in almost every detail, the construction crew did elect to improve Jennys cooling by filling the radiator with a glycol mix, a technology that entered regular aviation use in the 1930s.

While the team had hoped to contract out the engine rebuild, they ended up doing it in-house, with Tim Gallagher leading this effort. They found a roughly 80% complete Curtiss OX-5 V-8 in Oklahoma to start with as a core. This engine, and a few instruments, are the only hundred-year-old period parts in the aircraft.

There is a lot of detail work in the aircraft. The metal engine cowlings have an eye-catching finish, recreating the original look with hundreds of carefully positioned swirls, known as Jeweling or Engine Turning. Common to many aircraft types in the earlier Great War period, this kind of bare metal surface finish, while decorative, had a practical purpose as it helped disguise any marring which could occur during maintenance efforts. This was much appreciated by the hard-working barnstormers of the day, as the build team pointed out.

The build team were also able to modify modern, rectangular piano hinges for the cowlings, into the scalloped style which Curtiss originally employed. They also scratch-built a variety of control horns (integral hinge points) for the flying control surfaces, and when complete, surrounded them with a rhapsody of turnbuckles, cables, wires and swaged ends. The wire-spoked main wheels arrived as a gift. These units originated in Italy during the 1990s, part of a small production run for other Jenny restorations.

Bearing the fuselage logo for Poplar Grove Airport, the Jenny will become a focal point for the locally-based Vintage Wings and Wheels Museum, flying at local events to promote both the museum and the airport. The aircrafts support team dress appropriately for the part during flight operations, wearing white overalls reminiscent of the 1920s which bear the famed Curtiss logo across their back. This all contributes to an aura of period-authenticity around the aircraft, which is certainly eye-catching in the modern world!

As with almost every such enterprise, the Vintage Wings and Wheels Museum is a non-profit operation  thus the Jenny is too, and both need funding to keep going. It is important that the Jenny keeps flying too, as team member Ken Starzyk points out, to show the younger generations what aviation was like way back in the beginning.

Now back at the airport after taking a star turn last year at Oshkosh, the Jenny is fulfilling its promotional task, entertaining and educating visitors, schoolchildren, and tech school students alike  a reinvention of the barnstormers role for the twenty-first century, with a twenty-first century made flying machine.

The Poplar Grove Vintage Wings & Wheels Museum, part of the 501c3 non-profit organization Poplar Grove Aviation Education Association, is dedicated to aviation and automobile history ranging from 1903-1957. Located on the Poplar Grove Airport (C77) in northern Illinois, the Museum is on 12 acres and has several early 20th century airplane hangars and automotive garages which have been saved from destruction and relocated to our campus where they have been renovated for future generations to enjoy. Our mission focuses not only preserving history, but also educating people. With that in mind, we offer a variety of outreach programs to area grade schools, field trips, summer camps, lectures, and a scholarship program. Check the various links on this website for more information.

To support the museum, visit www.wingsandwheelsmuseum.org
Civil War group to hold meeting

CEDAR FALLS  The Cedar Valley Civil War Roundtable will meet at 7 p.m. Feb. 16.

Charles Lott will present a program on the Rock Island Prison. He will discuss the organization of the prison camp for captured Confederate soldiers and the associated cemetery. He has researched an ancestor who was a prisoner and survived.

The meeting will be at the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa at 317 Greenhill Circle in Cedar Falls. The entrance is on the upper level.

Woodworkers meet Tuesday

WATERLOO  The Cedar Valley Woodworkers will meet Tuesday at the Waterloo Center for the Arts. The business meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. At 7 p.m. the speaker will be Dennis Clark, Clark Prosthetics, on the making of artificial body parts. Members will display items at the show and tell. Guests, woodworkers and members of the public are welcome to attend. For more information call President Rod Lair, (319) 266-1163.

Waterloo schools closed Friday

WATERLOOAll Waterloo public schools will be closed on Friday due to districtwide professional development.
WATERLOO  The Iowa Court of Appeals has conditionally upheld the conviction of a Waterloo man who allegedly killed a person acquitted of his brothers murder.

In a ruling issued Wednesday, the appellate court turned down Raymond Birden Jr.s argument over how jurors should have handled testimony from a witness.

But it also sent the case back to the district court for a ruling on the credibility of evidence at trial.

Shavondes Martin, 22, was one of three people charged with killing Birdens brother in a 2016 Logan Avenue drive-by shooting. Martin was acquitted at trial in February 2018 and months later he was found shot to death in an alley behind South Street.

Birden was arrested. Prosecutors allege he was one of the people who shot Shavondes Martin.

At trial, witnesses included Shavondes Martins cousin, Danaesha Martin, who allegedly brought Shavondes Martin to Birden and was charged in the case, as well as Dequndes Glasper, who was with them in the minutes leading up to the slaying but wasnt charged.

Birden was found guilty of first-degree murder in a 2021 trial.

On appeal, Birdens attorneys argued the court should have ruled that Glasper was an accomplice to the crime, a designation that would have prohibited jurors from using Glaspers testimony to corroborate Danaeshas account.

Under Iowa law, an accomplices testimony has to be corroborated by other evidence, and accomplices cant be used to corroborate each others testimony.

The court of appeals found there was no evidence Glasper was involved in the slaying. The opinion notes that he wasnt around when Danaesha Martin called Shavondes to pick him up, didnt see any guns until Shavondes was delivered to Birden and wasnt one of the people who fled Waterloo following the slaying.

Nothing in this record shows Glasper knew of or was part of any plan to kill Shavondes, it states.

The ruling did preserve Birdens argument that the guilty verdict was contrary to the weight of the evidence at trial. This sends the case back to the district court to make a ruling on the credibility of the evidence.

If the judge agrees that the evidence was credible, the conviction will stand. If not, the court would grant a new trial.

The trial court judge earlier noted the jury found the evidence credible.

PHOTOS: Raymond Birden Jr. trial 2021 042221jr-birden-trial-1 042221jr-birden-trial-5 042221jr-birden-trial-3 042221jr-birden-trial-2 042221jr-birden-trial-6 042321jr-birden-trial-7 042321jr-birden-trial-5 042321jr-birden-trial-3 042321jr-birden-trial-4 042321jr-birden-trial-1 042321jr-birden-trial-2 042621jr-birden-trial-2 042621jr-birden-trial-1 042621jr-birden-trial-4 042621jr-birden-trial-3 042721jr-birden-trial-1 042721jr-birden-trial-2 042821jr-birden-trial-1 042821jr-birden-trial-2 042821jr-birden-trial-3 042821jr-birden-trial-4 042921jr-birden-trial-2 042921jr-birden-trial-1 050421jr-birden-verdict-2 050421jr-birden-verdict-1 050421jr-birden-verdict-3
A man accused of a 2021 killing in Rock Island pleaded guilty Wednesday as part of an agreement with prosecutors.

The Rock Island County States Attorneys Office charged Mayson A. Davis, 27, Rock Island, with first-degree murder for the shooting of Kielan J. Sims, 18, Moline, on May 29, 2021, in the 1600 block of 7th Street.

Davis, who was initially listed by police as living in Muscatine, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder during a Wednesday morning hearing before Judge Peter Church, according to court records. During the same hearing, Church sentenced Davis to 35 years in prison and an additional three years of mandatory supervised release once his incarceration is over. Davis must serve 100% of the prison sentence but will get credit for time served.

Davis had the option to have a presentence investigation and a mitigation hearing ahead of sentencing, but waived them on Wednesday, court records state.

Presentence investigations are designed to produce background reports on defendants to aid judges in determining the appropriate sentence. The mitigation hearing serves a similar function and can include statements from the defendant, attorneys and other presentations.

A second man, Seth D. Washington, 22, Moline, also faces first-degree murder for Sims death, according to court records.

The case against Washington was ongoing Wednesday, court records state. His next court hearing is set for Feb. 23.

Washington remained in custody as of Wednesday at the Rock Island County Jail, according to court records. His bond is $500,000 cash only.
CEDAR FALLS  A new accounting scholarship will provide more financial accessibility and opportunities for students enrolled in the new UNI accounting hybrid program at Des Moines Area Community College.

The $94,000 gift from Des Moines-area residents Mark and Jill Oman will be awarded to eligible students, starting with the first cohort in August. The two are graduates of the University of Northern Iowas College of Business, Mark with an accounting degree in 1979 and Jill with a management degree in 1985. They live in West Des Moines.

When we learned that UNI accounting degrees were being offered at UNI@DMACC, and being a UNI accounting alum myself, we wanted to provide scholarship support for these students, Mark Oman said in a news release. The financial challenges of affording an education today are significant at every campus and are particularly acute at the urban DMACC campus. Jill and I wanted to provide scholarship support for students at the Des Moines location in the same way scholarships are provided for students at the Cedar Falls campus.

The UNI@DMACC partnership seeks to provide new affordable pathways for place-bound learners. Its 2+2 program received a $1 million boost from the Omans in June 2020. Mark Oman, managing director of Oman Capital, is a first-generation college student who is committed to helping others receive the same benefits that a bachelors degree provided him.

Im very excited for this gift and how it will benefit students, said Paul Sapp, associate director of transfer admissions at the UNI@DMACC Center housed on the urban campus. It shows the communitys commitment here (in Des Moines) to the value of earning an accounting education from the University of Northern Iowa. This drives home the magnitude of the program and the impact it could have for people and businesses in the Greater Des Moines area.

UNI offers several online degree completion programs through the partnership, but the hybrid accounting path will make it possible for students to obtain a four-year accounting degree by attending classes virtually and in-person in the evenings on the DMACC Urban Campus. The partnerships ultimate goal is to make education and career possibilities accessible, particularly for adult learners or working professionals who are unable to relocate easily.

Applications for the fall 2023 cohort of the hybrid accounting program are now being accepted. Those interested can reach out to Sapp at paul.sapp@uni.edu for more information on the program and scholarship requirements. Classes begin Aug. 21.

For more information about the accounting degree program and to apply, visit online.uni.edu/accounting.

Close A girl looks at her phone while walking through the cactus center at the Botanical Center at the University of Northern Iowa Wednesday. Hoover Middle School students look at the various cacti planted in the Botanical Center at the University of Northern Iowa Wednesday. Stephanie Witte, manager of the UNI Botanical Center, shows Hoover Middle School students a putrid-smelling cactus Wednesday. A student looks at the plants flowering in the Botanical Center at the University of Northern Iowa Wednesday. Hoover Middle School students walk through the UNI Botanical Center as part of their Life Lab trip Wednesday. Waterloo students tour UNI Botanical Center A girl looks at her phone while walking through the cactus center at the Botanical Center at the University of Northern Iowa Wednesday. Hoover Middle School students look at the various cacti planted in the Botanical Center at the University of Northern Iowa Wednesday. Stephanie Witte, manager of the UNI Botanical Center, shows Hoover Middle School students a putrid-smelling cactus Wednesday. A student looks at the plants flowering in the Botanical Center at the University of Northern Iowa Wednesday. Hoover Middle School students walk through the UNI Botanical Center as part of their Life Lab trip Wednesday.
WATERLOO  The special election in Black Hawk County is a month away.

There are three public measures on the ballot for the election happening March 7. One for the city of Gilbertville, one for Ward 4 in Waterloo and one in the Hawkeye Community College 10-county merged area.

Absentee ballots will be available beginning Wednesday for mail and in-person voting. The deadline to submit a written request for an absentee ballot and pre-registration deadline is Feb. 20 at 5 p.m.

March 6 at 4:30 p.m. is the last day to vote in person at the election office at the Black Hawk County Courthouse.

On Election Day, polls and the election office will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters must vote at their polling location.

In Waterloo, voters in Ward 4 will decide who will fill the City Council seat left vacant by Jerome Amos Jr., who was elected to the Legislature representing Iowa House District 62.

Ward 4 includes the area east of U.S. Highway 63/Logan Avenue, going several blocks to the west at Newell Street. The boundary continues south, following the Cedar River and then 18th Street West until just a few blocks west of U.S. Highway 218. It continues following Highway 218 and the interchange with U.S. Highway 20 and Interstate Highway 380 to the edge of the city.

Ward 4 residents will have the chance to vote again for their council representative in the regular November election. The positions term ends Dec. 31.

In Gilbertville, voters will be casting ballots in a general obligation bond issue referendum.

The measure asks if the city should enter into a loan agreement and issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $1.25 million for the purpose of paying, constructing, furnishing and equipping a municipal emergency services building to house police, fire and emergency management services.

The city has already set aside $500,000 for the Gilbertville Emergency Services building. A previous Courier article stated Gilbertville Fire and Rescue Chief Curt Bovy said he expects the building to cost about $2.8 million. Bovy also said the construction could begin in the fall.

The bonds would be repaid with property taxes.

Hawkeye Community Colleges service area  which includes Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Chickasaw, Fayette, Floyd, Grundy and Tama counties  will also vote on a general obligation bond.

The measure asks if the college can be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue school bonds in an amount not to exceed $35 million to fund improvements to its main campus, located in Waterloo.

The first phase includes plans such as renovating existing buildings, like Butler Hall, to create a skilled trades and apprenticeship center. This would put construction, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, automotive and diesel technology programs in one building.

A STEM Learning Center would also be created in Bremer Hall and would include new interactive learning technologies such as virtual or augmented reality.

The second phase would focus on expanding law enforcement training programs by replacing and relocating aging indoor and outdoor firing ranges in the training center on the south end of campus.

In addition, the money would be used to upgrade old mechanical, plumbing, and electrical infrastructure in other buildings.

In order for general obligation bonds to pass, 60% of voters must approve the measures.

This story has been updated to correctly reflect the source of $500,000 for Gilbertville's project.
NEW YORK  Burt Bacharach, the popular composer who delighted millions with the quirky arrangements and unforgettable melodies of "Walk on By," "Do You Know the Way to San Jose" and dozens of other hits, died at age 94.

The Grammy, Oscar and Tony winner died Wednesday at home in Los Angeles of natural causes, publicist Tina Brausam said Thursday.

Over the past 70 years, few other songwriters rivaled his genius for instantly catchy tunes that remained performed, played and hummed long after they were written. He had a run of top 10 hits from the 1950s into the 21st century, and his music was heard everywhere from movie soundtracks and radios to home stereo systems and iPods, whether "Alfie" and "I Say a Little Prayer" or "I'll Never Fall in Love Again" and "This Guy's in Love with You."

Dionne Warwick was his favorite interpreter, but Bacharach, usually in tandem with lyricist Hal David, also created prime material for Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield, Tom Jones and many others. Elvis Presley, the Beatles and Frank Sinatra were among the countless artists who covered his songs, with more recent performers who sung or sampled him including White Stripes, Twista and Ashanti. "Walk On By" alone was covered by everyone from Warwick and Isaac Hayes to the British punk band the Stranglers and Cyndi Lauper.

Bacharach was both an innovator and throwback, and his career seemed to run parallel to the rock era. He grew up on jazz and classical music and had little taste for rock when he was breaking into the business in the 1950s, often seeming more aligned with Tin Pan Alley than with Bob Dylan, John Lennon and other writers who later emerged.

"The shorthand version of him is that he's something to do with easy listening," Elvis Costello, who wrote the 1998 album "Painted from Memory" with Bacharach, said in a 2018 interview with The Associated Press. "It may be agreeable to listen to these songs, but there's nothing easy about them. Try playing them. Try singing them."

A box set, "The Songs of Bacharach & Costello," is due to come out March 3.

Bacharach was an eight-time Grammy winner, a prize-winning Broadway composer for "Promises, Promises" and a three-time Oscar winner. He received two Academy Awards in 1970, for the score of "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and for the song "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" (shared with David). In 1982, he and his then-wife, lyricist Carole Bayer Sager, won for "Best That You Can Do," the theme from "Arthur." His other movie soundtracks included "What's New, Pussycat?", "Alfie" and the 1967 James Bond spoof "Casino Royale."

Bacharach was a frequent guest at the White House. In 2012, he was presented the Gershwin Prize by Barack Obama, who had sung a few seconds of "Walk on By" during a campaign appearance.

In his life, and in his music, he stood apart. Fellow songwriter Sammy Cahn liked to joke that the smiling, wavy-haired Bacharach was the first composer he ever knew who didn't look like a dentist. Bacharach was a "swinger," as they called such men in his time, whose many romances included actor Angie Dickinson, to whom he was married from 1965 to 1980, and Sager, his wife from 1982 to 1991.

He was a perfectionist who took three weeks to write "Alfie" and could spend hours tweaking a single chord.

It began with the melodies  strong yet interspersed with changing rhythms and surprising harmonics. He credited much of his style to his love of bebop and to his classical education, especially under the tutelage of Darius Milhaud, the famed composer. He once played a piece for piano, violin and oboe for Milhaud that contained a melody he was ashamed to have written, as 12-point atonal music was in vogue at the time. Milhaud, who liked the piece, advised the young man, "Never be afraid of the melody."

"That was a great affirmation for me," Bacharach recalled in 2004.

He was essentially a pop composer, but his songs became hits for country artists (Marty Robbins), rhythm and blues performers (Chuck Jackson), soul (Franklin, Luther Vandross) and synth-pop (Naked Eyes). He reached a new generation of listeners in the 1990s with the help of Costello and others.

In the 21st century, he was still testing new ground, writing his own lyrics and recording with rapper Dr. Dre.

He was married to his first wife, Paula Stewart, from 1953 to 1958, and married his fourth wife, Jane Hansen, in 1993. He is survived by Hansen, as well as his children Oliver, Raleigh and Cristopher, Brausam said. He was preceded in death by his daughter with Dickinson, Nikki Bacharach.

He was born in Kansas City, Missouri, but soon moved to New York City. His father was a syndicated columnist, his mother a pianist who encouraged the boy to study music. Although he was more interested in sports, he practiced piano every day after school, not wanting to disappoint his mother. While still a minor, he would sneak into jazz clubs, bearing a fake ID, and hear such greats as Dizzy Gillespie and Count Basie.

"They were just so incredibly exciting that all of a sudden, I got into music in a way I never had before," he recalled in the memoir "Anyone Who Had a Heart," published in 2013. "What I heard in those clubs turned my head around."
It was a stunning revelation: One of the officers involved in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols took a cellphone photo of the bloodied and handcuffed man and shared it with five other people.

The disclosure was part of the Memphis Police Department's request to the state that the five former officers charged with murder in Nichols' death be decertified. But the officer's statement about sharing the photo will likely never be seen by a jury.

So-called "Garrity statements"  or disclosures made by police officers during internal investigations under the threat of termination if they stay silent  have been viewed by courts as compelled and therefore cannot be used in criminal court.

Six officers already have been fired and one more has been relieved of duty after Nichols was pulled over for an alleged traffic violation and beaten by police. Six others could receive administrative discipline, officials disclosed, without providing any details. Prosecutors say the Jan. 7 arrest, which was captured on police video cameras, led to Nichols' death three days later.

Here's a look at "Garrity statements" and other aspects of internal police investigations into misconduct the public rarely sees:

WHAT IS A GARRITY STATEMENT?

When a police officer is accused of misconduct, internal police investigators who are trying to figure out what happened often take statements from the accused officers or witnesses. Officers  like everyone  have a Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and can't be forced to fess up to potential misconduct just to have those statements later used against them in a criminal case.

"Police officers do not shed their Constitutional rights when they pin on a badge," said Phil Stinson, a criminologist at Bowling Green State University who tracks charges and convictions of police officers, and also a former police officer.

If an officer is told they have to answer questions as part of an internal affairs investigation or they could lose their job, courts have viewed those statements as protected or inadmissible in criminal proceedings because the officers were forced to talk.

They are called "Garrity statements" because of a 1967 U.S. Supreme Court decision in a case titled Garrity v. New Jersey that involved police officers who were brought in for questioning over allegations of traffic ticket fixing. The officers were warned that if they didn't answer questions they would lose their job. Some of their answers were later used against them in court and they were convicted. The Supreme Court said such statements are involuntary, so they can't be used in criminal proceedings.

That doesn't mean that an officer who gives a compelled statement to internal affairs investigators cannot be criminally prosecuted. While those statements would not be part of the criminal case, prosecutors would be able to present other evidence, such as the videos that show the brutal beating. The cellphone photos may also still be seen by jurors if prosecutors can get the information through other means, Stinson said.

"Somebody who received the photo may come forward, or prosecutors may get this information through other sources independent of this material," Stinson said. "But I think any good defense attorney would raise a Garrity challenge."

Officials have to be careful to keep the internal affairs and criminal investigations totally separate because it can derail the criminal case if the prosecution is found to have inappropriately used statements protected under Garrity.

"The violation of the Garrity protections can come at a very high cost to a subsequent prosecution," said Bill Johnson, executive director and general counsel of the National Association of Police Organizations.

But while an officer's own Garrity statement can't be used against them in their criminal case, prosecutors can use that officer's statement to build a case against a fellow officer, Johnson said.

WHAT DID THE MEMPHIS OFFICERS SAY?

Documents released by the Tennessee Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission on Tuesday say that officer Officer Demetrius Haley took two photos "while standing in front of the obviously injured subject after he was handcuffed." Haley admitted in his Garrity statement that he shared a photo in a text message with five people, according to the papers.

Officer Desmond Mills said in his Garrity statement that he struck Nichols three times with a baton and deployed pepper spray twice because "officers were unable to handcuff him," the documents say. The records say Mills admitted that he didn't "provide immediate medical aid and walked away and decontaminated" himself "from chemical irritant spray."

Another officer, Tadarrius Bean, admitted in his compelled statement that he struck the man "with a closed fist two to three times in the face" because he and his partners were "unable to handcuff him," the documents say.

The officer's Garrity statements were "not consistent with one another" and "not consistent with the publicly known injuries and death of Mr. Nichols," the papers say.

HOW HAVE GARRITY STATEMENTS PLAYED A ROLE IN OTHER CASES?

Former Balch Springs, Texas, police officer Roy Oliver raised concerns about Garrity materials in appealing his murder conviction and 15-year sentence in the 2017 shooting death of 15-year-old Jordan Edwards while the teen was leaving a high school party.

Oliver's attorneys claimed that Garrity materials had been shared with the prosecutor's office, that all interviews in the days after the case should have been considered exempted under Garrity and the whole case should have been thrown out.

Oliver had given three interviews during the investigation, one to a Balch Springs investigator, a second walk-through interview at the scene initiated by Dallas police investigators who had taken over the criminal investigation of the shooting, and a third filmed interview with a Balch Springs internal investigator.

Both a lower court and an appeals court found that Dallas Police investigators, who conducted a walk-through interview, had clearly identified themselves as investigating the criminal case around the shooting not an internal affairs issue when they asked Oliver for the interview. They also noted Oliver had not shown that any testimony had been tainted by Garrity protected materials, which had been siloed off by a prosecutor's office staffer and not given to prosecutors.

In Utah, prosecutors have seen an increase in officers declining to talk to prosecutors or criminal investigators, meaning they often have to infer from other testimony or camera footage if the officer felt threatened or acted within the law when using fatal force. In one of those cases, the 2018 fatal shooting of 19-year-old Zane James, prosecutors declined to charge Cottonwood Heights officer Casey Davies.

But a federal judge ruled that James' family can use Davies' Garrity statements in a civil lawsuit, despite objections from Davies' attorney that there is no statute of limitations on murder charges and the statements could be used in a criminal case.

The family claims that Davies' statement directly contradicts the police department's narrative about their son's death, specifically that he had crashed his motorcycle when Davies said in his interview that he had rammed the motorcycle with his car after believing James was reaching for a gun.

WHAT ABOUT OTHER PARTS OF INTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS?

Garrity statements aren't the only aspects of internal affairs investigations that rarely reach the public eye. Police unions are increasingly negotiating time limits on disciplinary histories for officers as part of union contracts, meaning in some places information about a disciplinary record becomes no longer releasable in public information requests as little as two years after the complaint.

Other states keep any disciplinary findings that don't result in a firing, or in some cases a suspension, from public view.

In most cases, at least the results of internal affairs investigations of officers are supposed to be available to prosecutors and to defense attorneys seeking discovery. But the different rules for public release have meant more mistakes in some departments on what files are sent to those entities as well.

In Philadelphia, District Attorney Larry Krasner filed motions in 2021 to hold police department officials in contempt for failing to turn over complete disciplinary histories of officers. In one case, prosecutors noted 16 cases involving a Philadelphia police officer who had been found in internal investigations to have falsified documents. But because the information was not disclosed in answer to requests by prosecutors, they could not disclose it in discovery to defense attorneys.

Police and prosecutors agreed before a court hearing to work toward a settlement.

___

Photos: Mourners gather for the funeral of Tyre Nichols
DES MOINES  Cash awards for pain, suffering and other non-economic complications from medical malpractice lawsuits would be capped at $2 million for hospitals and $1 million for doctors under a measure that soon will be state law.

Republican state lawmakers approved the proposal Wednesday, and Gov. Kim Reynolds has signaled she will sign it into law.

The proposal will cap non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases; it does not cap economic or punitive damages.

Supporters of the caps argue they are needed so hospitals and other health care centers can avoid fiscal chaos caused by high-dollar jury awards and insurance.

Opponents say the caps limit the ability of victims and their families to fully obtain justice. And they argue large verdicts are not a problem in Iowa, as very few medical malpractice lawsuits go to trial in the state.

According to a fiscal note accompanying the bill, about 160 medical malpractice lawsuits were filed each year since 2017, of which only 8 percent went to trial.

Iowa is one of 22 states that does not have a cap on non-economic damages in medical malpractice states, according to a 2020 report from New York Law Schools Center for Justice and Democracy. Other states that do have the limits cap non-economic damages ranging between $250,000 and roughly $800,000.

Of the states that share a border with Iowa, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Nebraska and Missouri have caps on non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases. Minnesota and Illinois do not.

Representatives of the medical community have pointed in particular to two judgments from 2022 in Iowa: a $97.4 million award to a family whose newborn suffered brain damage when its head was crushed due to health care providers using improper procedures during delivery, and a $27 million award to a man whose case of bacterial meningitis was misdiagnosed as the flu.

Both chambers of the Iowa Legislature spent hours debating the proposal Wednesday. The legislation, House File 161, passed the Senate by a 29-20 vote and the House by a 54-46 vote. It was supported almost exclusively by Republicans: Rep. Ken Croken, from Davenport, was the only Democratic legislator in either chamber to vote in favor of the bill.

Not all Republicans supported the measure, however: five Republicans in the Senate and 11 in the House voted against it.

Republicans who opposed measure said it puts a value on life, which they said is contrary to Republicans pro-life positions. Rep. Mark Cisneros, a Republican from Muscatine, slammed his partys leadership for prioritizing the bill.

Will you seriously allow yourselves to be bullied into bending your moral compass away from the people of Iowa and point it directly toward the billion-dollar corporations who want this handout? he asked. Contrary to popular belief, you can say no to leadership.

Rep. Ann Meyer, a Republican from Fort Dodge who led the bill in the House, she said she lost a son because of a medical error when he was 5 years old.

I was very angry at that time as well, she said. No amount of money will bring Nick back, and I feel that loss every single day.

But, she said, the bill is necessary to improve the offering of health care in the state and attract doctors. It is one of many bills the Legislature is considering to enhance medical care, she said.

I'm trying to keep the health system intact for all of Iowa, from one corner of the state to the next, she said. For 3.2 million Iowans that depend on us to look at the entire health care system and make sure they have access to care.

However, opponents noted that other states with medical malpractice caps are also struggling to find enough doctors. They said insurance reimbursement rates are a far more pressing issue.

I look forward to your work to increase provider reimbursement rates, Sen. Zach Wahls, of Coralville, the leader of the minority-party Senate Democrats. Im not holding my breath.

Sen. Jason Schultz, a Republican from Schleswig who managed the legislation in the Senate, indicated another part of the motivation was to rein in money made by lawyers involved in those cases.

Nobody wants to be there (in a medical malpractice lawsuit) except the guy getting a third, Schultz said during Senate debate, referring to lawyers who receive shares of jury awards. Folks, were being poached. Its got to be fixed.

Reynolds highlighted the idea of capping awards in her annual Condition of the State address earlier this month.

Im grateful to the Legislature for passing reasonable medical malpractice reform, allowing Iowas health care industry to become stronger and more accessible, she said in a statement after the vote. To the OBGYNs and physicians who have been worried about practicing in Iowa, we are ready for you! These reforms balance the needs of injured patients with the needs of all Iowans to have a robust health care system. As I said in my Condition of the State, these reforms could not wait another year.
Weather Alert

.Warm temperatures may melt snowpack and increase river flows. ...FLOOD WATCH FOR SNOWMELT REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY MORNING... * WHAT...Flooding caused by snowmelt continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of California and western Nevada, including the following areas, in California, Greater Lake Tahoe Area, Lassen-Eastern Plumas-Eastern Sierra Counties and Surprise Valley California. In western Nevada, Greater Lake Tahoe Area, Greater Reno-Carson City-Minden Area and Mineral and Southern Lyon Counties. * WHEN...From Saturday afternoon through Monday morning. * IMPACTS...Creeks and streams will be running high and fast. Low-water crossings may be flooded. Minor mainstem flooding along the Susan River, Forks of the Carson River, and the East Walker River below Bridgeport Reservoir cannot be ruled out. Anyone participating in outdoor recreation this weekend should use caution as water will be running high, fast, and potentially out of banks for some creeks and streams. The water will be extremely cold as well, quickly causing shock. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop. &&
March 12, 2023:

The Lyon County Sheriff's Office and the Fernley community are paying their respects as Sunday marks the one-year anniversary of Naomi Irion going missing.

The Sheriff's Office says they think of Naomi and her family every day and are asking the community to take a moment of silence in honor of Naomi.

Naomi's sister is also asking the community to wear rainbow colors to support Naomi.

March 6, 2023:

In his latest court appearance, accused killer Troy Driver pleaded not guilty to all counts he is facing in the death of then 18-year-old Naomi Irion.

Driver is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, sexual assault, robbery with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm by a convicted person, burglary of a motor vehicle and destroying evidence.

Driver also waived his right to a speedy trial to give his legal counsel more time to prepare.

Prosecutors say they are seeking that Driver face the death penalty in the case.

While his next court appearance hasn't been set, the State of Nevada and Driver's attorney's will have 10 days to pick a date for his next appearance.

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February 27, 2023 Update:

A scheduled Monday preliminary hearing for accused killer Troy Driver is now happening March 6th.

Driver's February 27th hearing was continued due to snowy weather conditions.

Previously, Driver waived his right to a preliminary hearing.

Driver was found competent to stand trial in early December.

Driver is accused of murdering and kidnapping 18-year-old Naomi Irion of Fernley.

December 5, 2022 Update:

After being found competent to stand trial, accused killer Troy Driver is scheduled to attend a preliminary hearing this upcoming February.

On December 5th, the Fernley Justice Court announced that his preliminary hearing will be February 16 & 17 at 9 a.m.

Driver is accused of murdering and kidnapping 18-year-old Naomi Irion of Fernley.

November 14, 2022 Update:

A Yerington district court has found accused killer Troy Driver competent enough to stand trial.

Driver appeared in court Monday, November 14 on order of a competency hearing.

He's now been ordered back to the Fernley Justice Court for a preliminary hearing. There's no immediate word on when this may be.

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The man accused of kidnapping and killing Naomi Irion of Fernley appeared in court to determine if he is fit enough to stand trial.

The court decided that Driver needed to be evaluated while recommending Lake's Crossing Center in Sparks.

After he is evaluated, they will come back together and review his evaluation.

There was no specific date given on when he will be evaluated or will appear in court again.

September 2, 2022 Update:

A Nevada justice of the peace has canceled this months preliminary hearing for a man accused of kidnapping and killing a Fernley teenager until a state judge decides if hes competent to stand trial.

Troy Driver was scheduled to appear in a justice court in Fernley Sept. 13-15 for a preliminary hearing to determine whether theres enough evidence to bound him over to Lyon County District Court on murder, kidnapping and other charges in the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Naomi Irion.

Canal Township Justice Court Judge Lori Matheus vacated the hearing in an order on Thursday, along with a Sept. 13 hearing on Drivers public defenders motion to dismiss some of the charges.

The Fernley Justice Court says Driver's competency hearing is set for September 12.

On August 30, Lyon County deputies confirm that accused murderer Troy Driver is still alive despite social media rumors that he's killed himself in jail.

The Lyon County Sheriff's Office addressed the rumor on its official Facebook page on Tuesday.

You can read the statement below -

AUGUST 5, 2022:

A judge has ordered a mental competency hearing for accused murderer Troy Driver, whose lawyers requested an evaluation last month.

Driver's lawyers had requested one out of concern that he may not be able to help in his own defense.

As of now, his preliminary hearing is still scheduled for September 13th, which is the first time he'll appear in court in person.

Driver is accused of kidnapping, sexually assaulting and killing 18-year-old Naomi Irion back in March.

UPDATE: JULY 28, 2022

Defense lawyers for accused murderer Troy Driver have requested a mental competency evaluation. In a filed motion, "the undersigned counsel believes that good cause exists to refer Mr. Driver for an evaluation to determine whether he is competent." They claim that he may not be able to help in his own defense "with a reasonable degree of rational understanding" as requested by Nevada law.

They further request that any future proceedings be suspended until a decision can be made on whether he is allegedly competent to stand trial.

Also, Driver's lawyers have filed to amend the motion to dismiss his murder charge to include the newly filed sexual assault felony charge.

His lawyers also propose that the Court order a modified briefing schedule to include both of these charges concurrently.

UPDATE: JULY 27, 2022

The Fernley Justice Court reports that Troy Driver has waived his right to an arraignment after the district attorney added a charge of sexual assault against him last week.

2 News has also learned that Driver's attorney has until August 2nd to respond to the DA's opposition to a motion to dismiss the murder charge against him

His preliminary hearing is still set for September 13th, which is the first time he'll appear in court in person.

UPDATE: JUNE 21, 2022

The Lyon County District Attorney is asking the judge to oppose a motion from Troy Driver's attorneys to dismiss the murder charge against him.

Driver is accused of murdering and kidnapping 18-year-old Naomi Irion of Fernley.

Defense lawyers argue that Driver shouldn't be tried in Lyon County since investigators found Irion's body in Churchill County.

In the letter to the judge filed Wednesday, the DA argued that the motion does not provide any factual or legal basis for relief.

The district attorney also asked for a sexual assault charge to be added to the murder and kidnapping charges Driver is already facing.

A preliminary hearing is set for September 13th.

That is also the first time Driver will appear in the courtroom in person.

JULY 5, 2022:

The man suspected of killing Naomi Irion was back in court on Tuesday.

Troy Driver's defense team asked the judge to dismiss his first-degree murder charge.

Driver's attorney says the murder charge should be dropped because the homicide happened in Churchill County arguing that Lyon County doesn't have jurisdiction over that crime.

The prosecution is confident that the case meets the requirements to hold the trial in one venue, including the murder charge.

Driver's evidentiary and preliminary hearings will begin September 13, 2022.

The man accused of kidnapping and killing a woman from Fernley made a quick appearance on Zoom for a status hearing on his case.

The defense asked the pre-trial hearing for Troy Driver to be delayed as they seek more evidence.

The judge agreed to the request and has moved the pre-trial hearing to July 5, 2022.

Troy Driver, accused of killing Naomi Irion, was formally charged with murder and is being held without bail at the Lyon County Jail.

Driver, his defense attorney along with most of the Irion family will be appearing via Zoom.

His arraignment happened Friday, April 8th at a hearing at the Canal Township Justice Court in Fernley. Driver appeared via zoom from Yerington.

The Lyon County District Attorneys Office says Troy Driver fatally shot Naomi Irion before burying her body in the desert, according to an amended criminal complaint.

Lyon County District Attorney Stephen Rye filed the amended criminal complaint Tuesday adding first-degree murder and other crimes to the kidnapping charge already facing 41-year-old Troy Driver.

Driver is accused of kidnapping Irion from the Fernley Walmart parking lot on March 12, and killing her on or before March 25 - the same day Driver was arrested for kidnapping.

Four days later, authorities say investigators acted on a tip and found her body in a grave near the Churchill County line.

Hes now accused of first-degree murder with the use of a deadly weapon, first-degree kidnapping, robbery, burglary of a motor vehicle and destroying evidence, according to the new complaint Rye filed Tuesday in Canal Township Justice Court in Fernley.

Drivers public defender, Mario Walther, didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

The complaint said Driver shot Irion in Churchill County northeast of Fernley, where he took her for the purpose of committing sexual assault and/or purpose of killing her.

The document also alleged that Driver destroyed her cell phone and left pieces in Lyon, Churchill, Pershing, Humboldt and Eureka counties.

The Lyon County Sheriff's Office says Driver shot Irion in the head and chest.

The local community has been rallying around this family since this all started - there are a couple of events this weekend.

Kim Lovett, a Fernley resident says, "For this to happen is a scary thing, that even in our quiet little sleepy town that we have predators out there that would do something like this."

A devastated community that carried hopes of finding Naomi for weeks, and went on countless searches with her family. They said this outcome wasn't one anyone wanted. Some of the resident we spoke with extended their condolences to Naomi's family, and want them to know they are supported. Tisha Leija, another Fernley resident visibly upset told us, "I can't even imagine... the first thing I thought of was poor mom...poor mom...very sad. "

----------------------------------------------------------

The man accused of kidnapping Naomi Irion will stay in Lyon County Jail on $750,000 bondable bail.

41-year-old Troy E. Driver was arrested and booked into the jail last Friday. He's officially now charged with first degree kidnapping, a felony.

"Should the defendant post bail, he will not be released from custody until a GPS monitoring device is installed," Judge Lori Matheus, Canal Township Justice Court said.

The judge set Driver's preliminary hearing for April 12 for 1:30pm.

Irion's family attended the court hearing.

"It does look like they're going to be posting bail, from what I understand, so he's the only one who can help us bring Naomi home," Casey Valley, Irion's brother said. "He's the only one that we know about."

If he does get released from jail, Driver will be ordered to stay out of Fernley. He also must not contact Irion's family.

Driver has a criminal history. According to old articles in the Ukiah Daily Journal, he pleaded guilty to accessory to murder after the fact for his role in a 1997 homicide in Willits, California. He was 17 years old at the time of the murder. The article says Driver stuffed the body of an alleged drug dealer, Paul Steven Rodriguez in a trunk and then left it in a wooded area. The article says he pleaded guilty to three charges of robbery and one of burglary. A judge sentenced him to 15 years in prison but the article said he could have been released after serving 12.

"It is upsetting to me that there is people out here in the general public that have these capabilities with this kind of past and people should be more aware of that," Naomi's brother, Casey Valley, said. "We talk about sex offenders all the time but where is the list with this guy?"

Deputies also announced Friday, March 25th that Driver's Chevy truck was impounded and is being processed for possible evidence.

This photo below, shows the truck being taken into evidence. David Ausano took the picture from his porch in Fallon, the night of March 25, 2022.

A second public search was organized for Saturday, March 26th, 2022 by Naomi's brother, Casey Valley.

In a Facebook post, he asked community members to gather at Love's Travel Stop on Commerce Center Drive in Fernley, Saturday at 10am. Valley says, "this will be the first of a few areas of a concentrated search." He also requested no pets or children.

During the search on March 26th, more than 110 people showed up to help find Naomi. Diana Irion says she's been getting massages from all over the country from people who want to help her family.

Casey Valley tells us, "Today's search covered more ground, if not just as much, as last weekends search."

--------------------------------------------------------

On Thursday, March 24th, Lyon County Deputies said they identified a potential witness vehicle and occupant(s) that appears in the Walmart parking lot minutes before Naomi was abducted. They say they've contacted the occupant of the car.

The 4-door sedan enters the east Walmart parking lot at approximately 5:15 a.m. and then drives around the median on the east side before parking at the the southeast corner of the Walmart building.

Police were able to locate the vehicle with help from the public.

Irion was last seen March 12th at the parking lot at the Fernley Walmart. Her car was found a few days later and is undergoing processing for possible evidence.

The Lyon County Sheriff's Office held a press conference on Tuesday, along with Irion's family where again they asked for the public's help in finding her, adding they are getting "hundreds" of tips everyday.

They also mentioned that her car, which was found a few days after her disappearance, is still undergoing processing for any related evidence.

Her family also made another plea for help, with her mother saying, "please save my daughter. Bring her home." Because Irion's possible kidnapping happened near I-80, her mother also said that her daughter could be anywhere in the U.S. by now.

Irion's sister and brother also spoke, mentioning that tips to law enforcement can stay anonymous, if need be. He also said that another search will happen this Saturday.

During the weekend, the Lyon County Sheriff's Office released new surveillance video from the Walmart parking lot where Naomi was reportedly last seen.

The footage shows the suspect standing in front of the Walmart entrance, pacing the east side of the building, before walking toward the front of cars with their headlights on.

Authorities say this footage was recorded minutes before Naomi was abducted.

If you were in the east Walmart parking lot between 4:30 and 5:30 a.m. on March 12th, 2022 and have not been contacted by law enforcement, reach out to the Lyon County Sheriffs Office, Major Crimes Bureau.

The Lyon County Sheriffs Office can be reached at 775-463-6620, Secret Witness at (775) 322-4900 or by email at detective@lyon-county.org.

Authorities said a cell phone ping led officers to the Wadsworth area last week.

She was last seen wearing a blue Panasonic company shirt, gray cardigan sweater, gray pants, brown boots and was carrying a black purse. She had an iPhone, Airpods and a fidget spinner.

She is 511 tall, weighs about 230 pounds and has green eyes. Her hair is currently dyed black and she has a septum piercing and smiley face tattoo on her right ankle.

On Thursday, March 17th, Lyon County deputies announced that they were working with the Pyramid Lake Police Department and the FBI near Highway 427 in Wadsworth searching for evidence related to the disappearance of Naomi Irion.

They asked the public to stay away from the area as not to damage any evidence.

Her family made a public plea on Thursday for her safe return.

Authorities also thanked the Fernley community for their help. Her family members said that they are in contact with police about the case's progression.

On Friday, supporters gathered at the Round Table Pizza in Fernley to make signs to post around town in hopes of someone recognizing Irion's photo and calling police with information.

The newest released photos show Irion on the morning she was last seen and also include a person of interest.

The investigation now indicates that the suspect may be driving a dark 2020 or newer Chevrolet, 2500, High Country 4-Door Pickup Truck.

Authorities say the forensic evidence collected by investigators show that her disappearance is 'suspicious' in nature and that the driver of the truck "has a direct connection to her disappearance and her current whereabouts."

Previous video surveillance showed that person walking from a nearby 'homeless camp' looking in cars.

The unknown person then gets into the driver's seat of Irion's Mercury Sable and then leaves with her in the passenger seat.

During the course of the investigation, evidence was discovered leading investigators to believe Naomis disappearance was suspicious in nature.

Her 1992 blue Sable has a Nevada license plate of 595T37 was located in a industrial park in Fernley and has since been searched and forensically analyzed.

The first vehicle photo with the plate is Naomi's actual vehicle. The second vehicle photo is a stock photo and not her actual car.

If you have any information, contact Lyon County Sheriff's Office with case number 22ly01068 at 775-463-6620, or call or text your anonymous tip to Secret Witness at 775-322-4900.
Crowley revealed yesterday (8 February 2023) in the Greater Lafourche Port Commission (GLPC) Board Meeting it has reached a Right of First Refusal agreement to potentially lease and develop an offshore wind terminal in Cut Off, Louisiana.



The more than 40-acre site, encompassing over 2,200 linear feet of waterfront property, is expected to become the home of a purpose-driven offshore wind facility in the coming years.According to Crowley, the site located on Slip C, adjacent to Flotation Canal is primed to help service the burgeoning offshore wind marketplace in the Gulf of Mexico.



Crowley, is maritime, logistics and energy solutions company based in Jacksonville, Florida, has experience providing ports, maritime and engineering solutions, including in the Gulf of Mexico markets. Through Crowley Wind Services, the company has also begun development and planning for wind services terminals in Massachusetts and California.



We are thrilled to take the next step to welcome Crowley to Port Fourchon and our amazing slate of tenants and users, GLPC Executive Director Chett Chiasson said. Crowleys forward-thinking vision aligns perfectly with our goals at the GLPC to further our role as a leading service supply port for all forms of energy, including wind.



We look forward to working with the Port Commission to consider the next steps in serving the wind energy needs and goals of Port Fourchon and its communities, said Bob Karl, senior vice president and general manager, Crowley Wind Services. The port is strategically located to serve as a hub for the supply chain and transportation required to create clean, renewable wind energy. We are committed to a process that is collaborative to create a sustainable energy solution.






Corella acquires mining storage facility

Perth, Feb 9, 2023 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Corella Resources Ltd ( ASX:CR9 ) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a binding contract with grain supply chain co-operative, the CBH Group (Cooperative Bulk Handling Limited) ("CBH") to acquire the Tampu grain bin located ~2.5 km from the Company's flagship Tampu kaolin deposit.



- Corella Resources has entered into a binding contract to acquire the Tampu grain storage facility



- 6.12Ha facility located only 2.5kms from Corella's 24.7Mt Tampu deposit and will be pivotal for the proposed mining operations



- Contract is unconditional after a successful due diligence period with settlement expected Q3FY23



- Critical infrastructure secured to allow the Company to continue advancing towards a mining operation at Tampu potentially saving significant time and expenditure



- The facility will allow for easy access for storage and transport of the mined product to the end buyer



- Resource definition and exploration assay results expected imminently followed by an upgraded Mineral Resource Estimate leading into a Scoping Study



The site consists of a 3,750m2 (~15,000 tonne) storage shed, bitumen road access, loading facilities, weighbridge, offices with accommodation and excellent mobile coverage, access to 3 phase power and water connections located at the Cnr Bunce Rd & Bimbily Rd, Tampu.



The facility will allow Corella to conveniently store the mined product within close proximity to the main existing Tampu deposit for transport to the end user.



The Company will pay CBH $255K cash in consideration for the free-hold property and the acquisition is expected to settle in the coming month. The Company has undertaken an extensive due diligence program on the suitability of the facility to store high purity kaolin from the prospective Tampu project, potentially saving significant time and capital expenditure.



Corella Resources Managing Director, Tony Cormack, commented "Acquisition of the Tampu storage bin is a major milestone for the Company, we have now secured crucial infrastructure to rapidly advance the project towards mining, and importantly it demonstrates the board's commitment to developing Tampu as a world class kaolin/HPA project".



"We have received overwhelming encouragement and support for the project from the landowners as well as the entire Beacon community and we look forward to their ongoing support as we progress Tampu towards production. Acquiring the infrastructure further cements Corella's presence in the Beacon area we look forward to providing opportunities, working with the locals for win-win outcomes and continuing to actively support the community in which we operate".



Next steps



Final assay results from the recent Resource Definition sonic core drilling are expected imminently, the Company will update the market in due course.



The results of the resource definition, including specific gravity measurements, will increase the geological confidence and upgrade the existing Inferred Mineral Resource into Indicated / Measured Resource categories for conversion into Mineable Reserves. These Reserves along with additional metallurgical results from the Sonic drill core will then be used to underpin a Pre-Feasibility Study for the Tampu Project.



Furthermore, the aircore exploration drill hole assays at the Whitecap and Whitehills prospects will assist in designing and determining suitability for a comprehensive drill program at the new prospects targeting maiden mineral resource estimates at these locations.



*To view tables and figures, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/7AT0NYVC





About Corella Resources Ltd





Corella Resources is an Australian exploration company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX:CR9). Corella Resources is focussed on exploration and development of their 100% owned Tampu, Wiltshire and Kalannie kaolin projects along with the 100% owned Bonnie Rock silica project. All 4 projects are located in the mid-west of Western Australia.
Chinese mainland mourns passing of Master Hsing Yun

Xinhua) 10:20, February 09, 2023

BEIJING, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday expressed deep condolences over the death of Master Hsing Yun, founder of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist order in Taiwan and the Buddha's Light International Association.

Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, and the mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits extended deep grief over the passing of Master Hsing Yun, said Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, at a press conference.

Zhu said, Master Hsing Yun, who passed away on Feb. 5, dedicated his life to promoting Buddhist doctrines and Chinese culture.

Master Hsing Yun was revered by compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait for always safeguarding the overall interests of the Chinese nation, firmly supporting China's national reunification and opposing "Taiwan independence," as well as helping advance cross-Strait exchanges, Zhu said.

She called on all Buddhists in Taiwan to carry on the last wishes of Master Hsing Yun by continuing to promote cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, support the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, and strive for national reunification and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Zhu also expressed condolences over the recent passing of Taiwan scholar Chu Yun-han, who she said bore deep feelings for the motherland and had made significant contributions to exchanges and cooperation between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan and the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)


Investor Webinar Presentation

Brisbane, Feb 9, 2023 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Emerging lithium producer Sayona Mining Limited ( ASX:SYA ) ( DML:FRA ) ( SYAXF:OTCMKTS ) is pleased to announce its participation in the ShareCafe Small Cap "Hidden Gems" Webinar, to be held Friday 10th of February 2023 from 12:30pm AEDT/ 9:30am AWST.

Dougal Elder - Finance Manager will provide an overview of the Company which is an emerging lithium producer, with projects in Quebec, Canada and Western Australia.



This webinar can be viewed live via Zoom and will provide viewers the opportunity to hear from, and engage with, a range of ASX-listed leading micro/mid cap companies.



To access further details of the event and to register at no cost, please visit:

https://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/P0J83LOR



A recorded copy of the webinar will be made available following the event.





About Sayona Mining Limited





Sayona Mining Limited (ASX:SYA) (OTCMKTS:SYAXF) is an Australian, ASX-listed (SYA) company focused on sourcing and developing the raw materials required to construct lithium-ion batteries for use in the rapidly growing new and green technology sectors. The Company has lithium projects in Quebec, Canada and in Western Australia.

Please visit us as at www.sayonamining.com.au
EL PASO, Texas (AP)  A Texas man pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal hate crime and weapons charges in the racist attack at an El Paso Walmart in 2019, which prosecutors say was preceded by the gunman posting an online screed that warned of a Hispanic invasion.

Patrick Crusius, 24, showed little emotion while shackled in an El Paso courtroom just a few miles from the store where he was accused of killing 23 people, including citizens of Mexico, in what remains one of the worst mass shootings in U.S. history.

Sentencing is not scheduled until later this year, but the U.S. government had previously announced it wouldnt seek the death penalty. Crusius waived most of his rights to appeal on a total of 90 federal charges, which U.S. District Judge David Guaderrama said would each carry a life sentence.

I plead guilty, he said.

Crusius had originally pleaded not guilty before federal prosecutors took the death penalty off the table. He could still receive the death penalty, however, under separate state capital murder charges in Texas, although it remains unclear when that case might go to trial.

Albert Hernandez, whose sister and brother-in-law were killed in the attack, was one of about 40 people with close ties to the victims in the court gallery. He called Crusius a coward who was trying to save his own skin by pleading guilty in federal court.

This guy knew what he was doing. It was premeditated, Hernandez said of the shooting. He came here to take care of business.

Crusius surrendered to police after the massacre, saying, Im the shooter,  and that he was targeting Mexicans, according to court records. Prosecutors have said he drove more than 10 hours from his hometown near Dallas to the largely Latino border city and published a document online shortly before the shooting that said it was in response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas.

The Aug. 3, 2019, shooting happened on a busy weekend at a Walmart that is typically popular with shoppers from Mexico and the U.S. In addition to those killed, more than two dozen were injured and hundreds more were scarred by being present or having a loved-one hurt.

Prosecutors presented a detailed narrative of the attack during Wednesdays plea hearing, describing how it began with a pedestrian gunned down in the parking lot before Crusius, wearing earmuffs that mute the sound of gunfire, opened fire at people at a fundraiser for a soccer team.

As Crusius moved inside the store, prosecutors said, nine people were cornered and shot to death at a bank near the entrance. Among them were husband and wife Jordan and Andre Anchondo, whose infant son survived with broken bones in a hand.

Its also where gunfire cut down Margie Reckard, whose August 2019 funeral drew thousands of sympathizers from as far away as California and across the border in Mexico  after her husband announced that he was alone with almost no family left and invited the world to attend.

The killing continued as Crusius fired his assault rifle down multiple aisles, according to prosecutors. Exiting Walmart, he fired on a passing car, killing and elderly man and wounding his wife.

Former El Paso Mayor Dee Margo attended the plea hearing and called it a gut-wrencher.

We have an evil white supremacist who showed up and attacked us for who we are, he said.

After the hearing, defense attorney Joe Spencer said Crusius wanted to accept responsibility. There are no winners in this case, he said.

Prosecutors say Crusius consented after surrendering to two videotaped interviews with detectives and the FBI on Aug. 3 and providing two thumb drives that containing his racist writings and other records.

Crusius writings before the shooting echoed both the anti-immigration rhetoric of American politics and racist screeds put out by other mass shooters in the U.S. and abroad.

More than three years after the shooting, the description of an invasion on the U.S.-Mexico border has continued in American politics. Critics have condemned the characterization as anti-immigrant and dangerous in the aftermath of El Paso and other racially motivated attacks.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, has recently embraced using the word invasion while authorizing a series of hardline immigration measures. In November, Abbott sent a letter to state police and the Texas National Guard with the subject line Defend Texas Against Invasion.

Abbott has defended his statements by saying he is invoking language included in the U.S. Constitution. Some legal scholars have called it a misreading of the clause.

If this is not an invasion, what is it? Abbott asked CNNs Jake Tapper during an interview last month. Think about the volume of people coming across the border.

Americas Voice, an immigration reform group, said it tracked more than 80 Republican candidates during last years midterm elections who amplified what they called invasion and replacement conspiracies.

I think its been creeping over the years, said Zachary Mueller, political director of Americas Voice. What I would say is that in 2021, there was a marked shift where it went from the fringes of the Republican Party into the mainstream of the Republican Party.

A database of mass killings in the U.S. since 2006 compiled by The Associated Press, USA Today and Northeastern University shows that the number of deadly mass shootings linked to hate crimes has increased in recent years. Among 13 prominent instances, the 2019 Walmart shooting was the deadliest. The database tracks every mass killing  defined as four dead, not including the offender  in the U.S. since 2006.

___

Weber reported from Austin, Texas. Associated Press writers Acacia Coronado and Jake Bleiberg in Dallas contributed to this report.
Consider this a gentle reminder  Valentines Day is next Tuesday. Whether you are married, partnered or flying solo, I have a wonderful way for you to celebrate the day of love that wont put you in debt, doesnt require an airplane or reservations, and promises to dazzle you and your guest with an exquisite French cafe experience in the heart of downtown Santa Fe.

Since most of us wont be traveling to the City of Lights for authentic French croissants, crepes, mussels and fries, salad nicoise or cassoulet, its comforting to know that Mille French Cafe and Creperie awaits. Located on West Alameda Street, Mille recently celebrated their first anniversary in Santa Fe. Marcel Remillieux and his wife, Stephanie, started Fleur de Lys in Los Alamos in 2017 where they enjoyed great success in the small scientific town. But when their lease was not renewed, they decided to take a leap of faith and relocate to the big city. And what a smart move it was  for them and us.

I have been to Mille many times but returned on a bright and sunny winter Sunday morning for brunch to find it hopping with a line of at least 10 people in front of me  and a mostly full house of diners. Looking around, I quickly felt we could be anywhere as there were people speaking French, Spanish and English. The indoor space and covered outdoor patio was filled with couples, young adults and families. Everyone was basking in the casual French atmosphere and glorious brunch smells of butter, eggs and bread.

The menu is simple and straightforward, but with plenty of decadent French items you know and love including Croque Madame ($13.95) and Croissants. With menu headings of Brunch, Crepes (Savory and Sweet), Lunch and Cold Sandwiches, you will also find a case of baked goods and a variety of beverages including a wide array of excellent coffee drinks made using a special blend from 35 North, teas, hot chocolate, matcha latte, chai latte and a short but serious list of 100% French wines which pair well with the dishes on the menu. Of the exquisite coffee, Remillieux says, When I was a LANL scientist, one of my colleagues was the father of the 35 North roaster. His coffee is consistent and its an amazing partnership for us. Hint  dont miss the coffee.

Having previously tried the Quiche Lorraine ($11.25), I opted for the Quiche Florentine ($11.25) and was smitten. The kitchen graciously heated the quiche and it was extra! Lets start with the crust. Buttery and tender but sturdy, it has heft and weight for the soft eggs, ricotta and spinach. All quiches are served with a side of mixed greens and a delicious Dijon vinaigrette, made with only five ingredients  spicy French mustard, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.

One dining companion was in the mood for a crepe. When her Nordic Crepe ($12.50) arrived, she was reveling in the generous serving of smoked salmon. A perfect crepe was filled with Swiss cheese and a schmear of sour cream, and topped with plenty of smoked salmon and briny capers. My friend proclaimed this dish reminds her of a traditional Sunday bagel with smoked salmon in a crepe.

My other companion opted for the Hungry Man Special and dove into the Monte Cristo sandwich ($13.35). This monster of a sandwich is filled with ham, turkey and Gruyere cheese, dipped in egg batter and then pan-fried for the perfect combination of ooey-gooey deliciousness. But thats not all. Then they douse the sandwich with raspberry jam and a dusting of powdered sugar. Just because. And a side of greens. He loved the savory and sweet combination and how the jam really complemented the cheese. Needless to say, there was nothing left on his plate.

In previous visits, I have enjoyed a Salade Nicoise ($14.35), a French favorite. Mixed greens are topped with haricot verts, hard-boiled egg, baby potatoes, tomatoes, anchovies, Nicoise olives and seared tuna, with a side of Dijon vinaigrette. The salad is substantial but feels totally wholesome because it is. Whats next on my list of items to try is the Salade Roquefort ($13.95) that features spring mix and arugula, Roquefort cheese, walnuts, sliced apples and pears and a balsamic vinaigrette.

More hearty appetites will fall hard for the Moules (mussels) Marinieres with Fries ($19). Called sailors mussels, the broth is made with wine, butter, garlic, shallots, parsley and lemon, and its succulent. I had this one day when lunching with a new friend. Served with a side of fries and toasted baguette, you will love dipping both into the savory broth once the mussels have disappeared. True Francophiles will not be able to pass up the Cassoulet ($21.50), Raclette ($16.50) and Escargots ($8.50). These seriously French dishes are some of the best in town.

And lets not forget about the sandwiches which can easily be enjoyed on the run or not. Each of the five sandwiches ($8.75-$9.85) feature Milles homemade French baguette with assorted fillings including classic Jambon-Beurre (ham and butter), Campagnard (pork pate and cornichons), and other recognizable French sandwiches.

Bread lovers will be happy to know that the artisan baguettes and whole sourdough loafs are available for preordering, but with a limited supply. Remillieux says, Everything is preorder. People know this and send me an email to place an order. While we are not a bakery, we make eight loaves of sourdough bread each day so I have time for making cakes for special orders. We have the capacity to sell five loaves. When we sell out, we sell out, and then we start fresh the next day.

Upon arrival, you will be entranced with the bounty of French pastries and desserts that stare at you from the refrigerated case  begging you to pick me. Eclairs, tarts, macarons, cream puffs, lemon and chocolate tarts, and more. The most popular item is the Almond Croissant ($4.45) and it is light in color and absolutely amazing, slightly crisp exterior and delightfully moist interior. Simply divine. The Almond-Pear Cake ($5.95) is naturally gluten-free and made with the same almond cream used in the almond croissants, which makes it dense, sweet and delicious. We also sampled the Fruit Tart ($5.95) with vanilla custard and topped with gorgeous assorted berries making you feel like as though you are eating a healthy dessert. And then there are the classic French macarons ($2.25 each). These bite-sized, melt-in-your-mouth morsels will tantalize your tastebuds with plenty of flavors including mango, passion fruit, mocha and lemon.

For the historians and genealogists reading this, youll appreciate Remillieuxs choice of naming the cafe Mille. Yes, it seems like it is taken from his last name, but this name is homage to his grandparents bakery in Ajaccio, Corsica, a French island, Mille Patisserie. He says, The original name is my anchor because I grew up in the bakery.

Remillieux knew this tribute would both honor his grandparents and provide an avenue to rebirth this French cafe for Santa Fe residents and tourists. And, in short time, they have built a cafe that consistently provides authentic French cuisine at seriously affordable prices. The next time you are craving a taste of France, you know where to go.
A love story that traverses four centuries.

This is the basis for Festival Ballet Albuquerques Dracula, A Love Story, which will be staged at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, and Saturday, Feb. 18, at the National Hispanic Cultural Center.

It takes a leap of faith to follow the Dracula story, says Patricia Dickinson Wells, Festival Ballet Albuquerque founder.

The ballet is based on Bram Stokers classic, with a few twists, Dickinson Wells says.

The ballet begins with Prince Vladimir bidding farewell to his princess as he leaves to campaign against the Turks.

When he is gone, his enemies send an arrow through the castle window, bearing a note announcing Vladimirs death in battle.

The princess believes the message and, despairing, throws herself out of the window to die in the waters below.

Vladimir returns triumphant from battle, only to find the body of his princess lying on an altar, watched over by her loyal handmaiden.

Upon being told she will not be given last rites because of her suicide, Vladimir goes mad.

The valiant defender of Christianity turns against his faith, attacking priests, monks and the holiest of symbols, the cross itself.

Centuries later, in 1897, young Jonathan Harker, a solicitor from London, is preparing to travel to Transylvania to replace his colleague, Renfield, who for unknown reasons has gone mad during his visit to Count Draculas castle. Jonathan is accompanied to the train station by his lovely bride, Mina, and her best friend, Lucy Westenra.

All the while, Dracula is wreaking havoc in England.

Dickinson Wells says Dominic Guerra is returning to the role of Dracula. Guerra last played Dracula in the 2016 production.

He will be joined on stage with Lora Sturm as Mina.

There are over 60 performers in the entire production, she says. Ive added these brides of Dracula or She-Vamps for this production. These are six professional dancers who will be en pointe. There are no tutus in this ballet. Its dark, yet beautiful.

Rehearsals began in December and ramped up in the last six weeks.

Dickinson Wells says this will be the first time Festival Ballet Albuquerque will be able to put on a complete season since 2019.

Weve weathered a lot during the last two years, she says. Were excited to be back and putting on a new season of dance. Dracula is one of the most challenging productions that we put on. There are a lot of moving parts to it all and Im excited to present it to the community.
The sun is out. Its 82 degrees in Key West, Florida, and Mark Miller is enjoying his morning before his next show that night.

Its days like these that keep the Sawyer Brown member happy.

After 40 years, Im still able to see the country and enjoy myself, he says.

Sawyer Brown burst onto the music scene in the early 1980s. The bands profile began to rise more when it was named the winner of the talent competition Star Search. In 1984, the band was signed to a major label deal.

Rounding out the band with Miller is Gregg Hobie Hubbard, Joe Curly Smyth and Shayne Hill. The band will make a stop at Buffalo Thunder Resort Casino on Friday, Feb. 17.

Miller says to celebrate the bands 40th anniversary next year there are several projects in play  one of them is a double album that Blake Shelton is producing.

Blake is a big fan and hes been working with us on getting it right, Miller says. Its like we woke up and its 40 years later. We were all young too. We were all barely out of college. I was 24 and winning Star Search really did just knock down the door for us.

Since its inception, Sawyer Brown has released 18 studio albums and had three No. 1 singles  Step That Step, Some Girls Do and Thank God for You. Theyve had more than 50 songs chart on the Billboard Hot Country Songs.

Miller says the key to the bands longevity has been its reinventions and a couple Hail Marys.

There have been times that the industry didnt know what to do with us, he says. We were too rock for country and too country for rock. Star Search put us on the national stage as one genre and everyone loved it. Nashville reluctantly said, Well take you back, especially in the early years.

Sawyer Brown continued to create its own lane within music, and Miller and crew never backed down from a challenge.

When the pandemic hit in 2020 and touring was paused, Miller says he went down the rabbit hole of listening to the bands music. This led him to the 1999 album, Drive Me Wild. On that album is the song, Were Everything to Me, which he had forgotten about.

I called Hobie and asked him if we wrote it, he says with a laugh. Hobie told me we did. I listened to that song a few years ago and wondered why it wasnt released as a single. I think people get the message of the song more now.

With a catalog that has hundreds of songs, Miller says audiences wont ever be disappointed when seeing Sawyer Brown perform.

If youre a Sawyer Brown fan, youll hear many songs that you know during the set, he says. We punch you right in the mouth with the songs, The Boys and Me and Some Girls Do. After that its hit after hit. We also have put four or five songs in a medley so that the songs arent left out. We give it our all each night on stage. Thats what we want the audience to feel.
SANTA FE  While New Mexico waits for federal disaster relief funds to arrive, a bill that would allow public repair work in the burn scar of the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon fire to start is halfway to the governors desk.

Senators voted 39-0 on Wednesday to approve the measure, Senate Bill 6, that would provide up to $100 million in zero-interest loans to counties and towns so they could start rebuilding local roads, culverts and acequias damaged by the double whammy of the wildfire and subsequent flooding.

Sen. Pete Campos, D-Las Vegas, one of the sponsors of the legislation, described the wildfire that scorched more than 340,000 acres as a life-changing incident that would have a ripple effect for generations.

He also lauded the states congressional delegation for securing nearly $4 billion in relief funds  in two separate packages  for wildfire victims, but said the distribution of money through the Federal Emergency Management Agency has taken longer than many residents would like.

The patience is running out, Campos said during Wednesdays floor debate.

A FEMA spokeswoman recently said no funding has been distributed yet, but said the agency has set a March target date to open a claims office for those impacted by the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire.

The fire, technically two separate fires that merged together, started last April after a U.S. Forest Service prescribed burn during dry, windy conditions blew out of control. It ultimately became the largest wildfire in modern New Mexico history and burned more than 900 structures, including hundreds of homes.

Some lawmakers and local residents alike have expressed their displeasure with the federal agency, with Senate Minority Whip Craig Brandt, R-Rio Rancho, saying those responsible should be jailed and questioning why Attorney General Raul Torrezs office has not filed a lawsuit against the federal government.

If thats not mismanagement, I dont know what is, Brandt said before later adding, If it was me who had lit that fire, Id be in jail.

The emergency state funding bill is one of several measures dealing with wildfires that have been proposed at the Roundhouse during this years 60-day legislative session.

Another proposal pending before the Senate would prohibit prescribed burns when the U.S. National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning about high winds and dangerous fire conditions, while a bill sponsored by Sen. Crystal Diamond, R-Elephant Butte, would appropriate $3 million for recovery efforts in the burn scar of the Black Fire in the Gila National Forest.

As for the bill aimed at recovering from the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon fire, the authorized state funds would have to be spent on public infrastructure  not the rebuilding of personal property  due to a constitutional provision that prohibits public money from being transferred directly to people or businesses.

The bill, which is backed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, now advances to the House of Representatives.

It also contains an emergency clause, meaning the bill would take effect immediately upon being signed, provided it passed both legislative chambers by at least a two-thirds vote margin.
SANTA FE  Prescribed burns are well underway on U.S. Forest Service land in New Mexico.

The Forest Service has conducted pile burns, a kind of prescribed burn carried out in the snowiest months, in three of the states five national forests: Lincoln, Cibola and Gila.

Cibola National Forest Fire Fuels and Aviation Staff Officer Matt Rau said crews have conducted two prescribed burns in recent weeks, with the first taking place in the Red Canyon Campground area of the Mountainair Ranger District.

That was quite successful. In fact, crews are still out there, monitoring those and making sure that theyre staying put, he said.

The Forest Service conducted the second in the Sandia Ranger District, which was paused due to poor ventilation. He said they hope to restart that operation next Tuesday.

Spokesperson Punky Moore said the Forest Service has completed over 1,300 acres of burns so far this fiscal year, which began in October, including 270 acres of broadcast burns and about 1,100 acres of pile burns.

As we resumed our prescribed fire programs, we were met with a cooler and wetter winter than last year, Moore said via email. The precipitation is much needed, but it can hamper our plans as fire managers prepare for their projects.

She said in some forests, like the Gila, there is too much snow to access some project areas.

Gila National Forest Spokesperson Maribeth Pecotte said crews have burn plans for a few areas in the Glenwood and Reserve ranger districts and expect information soon about more from the Silver City Ranger District.

In the Santa Fe National Forest, plans are underway for a pile burn that will start as early as next Wednesday near N.M. 126.

And Spokesperson Zach Behrens said the Carson National Forest is waiting for good conditions for smoke ventilation to arrive to begin its only planned pile burn this year near Hopewell Lake in the Tres Piedras Ranger District. This year of prescribed fires comes on the heels of a 90-day national pause last year following the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire. Two prescribed burns merged after getting out of control, resulting in the largest fire in state history. The fire lasted four months and destroyed hundreds of homes in the Las Vegas area.

After the pause, Forest Service Chief Randy Moore gave new recommendations for prescribed burns that New Mexico national forests now follow. They include more thorough reviews of weather and environmental conditions and daily authorizations on burns. The recommendations are meant to address conditions that become less predictable each year due to climate change.

Rau, with the Cibola National Forest, said that means the process looks a little different, but its not too much of a lift.

We know were in the spotlight and we just have to hold our heads high and know that were doing the right thing, he said. Were doing everything we can to be prepared and prevent an unintended outcome.
A mother and son are charged with involuntary manslaughter after the familys dogs killed a man last week while running loose on the streets of Tucumcari.

Mary Montoya, 50, and Kristopher Morris, 27, are each charged with owning a dangerous dog as well in the Feb. 1 death of 64-year-old Stanley Hartt.

Of the six dogs involved, one was shot by a deputy at the scene and the others were eventually caught and taken to Animal Control.

Quay County deputies responded to the dog attack around 8 p.m. and found Hartt fatally injured along 11th Street near Gamble, according to an arrest warrant affidavit filed in Magistrate Court. The deputies began to look for the dogs and found a 50-pound dog named Zina with blood on its snout.

One deputy was given permission to shoot the dog and he did so before they found another dog that was involved. An officer tried to shoot the dog with his handgun but missed and the animal ran down an alley in the 400 block of High Street.

Authorities followed the dog, which had blood on its face, and saw it run inside the home of Montoya, according to the affidavit.

New Mexico State Police took over the investigation at that point.

State Police said Montoya told investigators that multiple dogs that lived with them  with names like Lady, Oreo and Spike. She said the dogs belonged to her son, but she takes care of them because he does not.

Montoya told police Zina, the dog who was shot, often jumped over the backyard fence and had bitten at least two people previously, according to the affidavit. She said all of the dogs would regularly leave the house and return hours later.

Police said Morris told them the dogs have a history of repeated escapes and attacking locals in Tucumcari but claimed the dogs were not aggressive. The backyard fence was in severe disrepair, according to police, and Morris pointed out where in the broken fence the dogs would escape.

Police said the mother and son were charged because both were aware the dogs were dangerous, allowed them to roam freely and took no steps to prevent the animals escape, according to the affidavit.
An ethics board has determined former Bernalillo County Commissioner Charlene Pyskoty violated county code by accepting a large campaign contribution from a lobbyist who does business with the county.

The countys Code of Conduct Review Board on Wednesday publicly censured Pyskoty and fined her $500.

At issue is the $5,000 in-kind contribution Pyskotys 2022 reelection campaign reported receiving from lobbyist Vanessa Alarids firm. A citizen formally complained in November that the donation was improper because Alarid works on behalf of Santolinas development team which has sought  and will continue to need  Bernalillo County commissioner approval for its planned community projects on the Southwest Mesa. That makes Alarid a restricted donor, complainant Carl Peterson alleged, and county code prohibits officials and candidates from accepting campaign contributions over $1,000 from restricted donors.

The board agreed with Peterson on that point.

Pyskotys acceptance of the $5,000 campaign contribution where she knew or had reason to believe that the original source was a restricted donor was a clear violation of the code, the board wrote in an order issued and signed Wednesday by vice-chairman Kevin Sanders. The contribution was the largest during Pyskotys unsuccessful 2022 reelection campaign.

However, the board dismissed Petersons claim that Pyskoty had a conflict of interest when she participated in a November commission vote to appoint Alarids husband  Antonio Moe Maestas  to a vacant seat in the New Mexico Senate. The board found that Peterson failed to provide enough evidence to substantiate that allegation.

Pyskotys attorney, Jacob Candelaria, said the former commissioner was pleased the board dismissed what he called the most politically motivated and outlandish charges but that they are still reviewing the rest of the order.

The Boards decision that my client received a contribution of more than $1,000 from a restricted donor is not supported by substantial evidence and this may very well be subject to a forthcoming appeal, Candelaria wrote in an email Wednesday.

Peterson did not immediately return a Journal message Wednesday.

The order comes a week after the board held a hearing on the case that Pyskoty did not attend. Candelaria argued the board had not provided sufficient formal notice of the hearing  only seven days instead of 10. The board disputed that in its order, saying Candelaria had affirmed in a Jan. 19 email that the Jan. 31 hearing date worked for his client.
Anyone can now find out the type, rate and ranking of crimes reported in specific state legislative House and Senate districts, thanks to a new online tool created by the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce that was unveiled Wednesday.

To access CrimeStatsNM.org users must set up a free account. Then, by navigating through the website, people can see the reported rate and ranking of violent crime and property crime per 1,000 people, and their combined rate and ranking in specific legislative districts.

Rates and rankings of drug and theft crimes are also listed, but do not factor into the combined rate and rankings, and are instead based on raw data from third-party datasets, explained Chris Schroeder, CEO of Real Time Solutions, which was commissioned by the Hispano Chamber to create the platform.

In a separate graphic, the crimes in the four categories are color-coded for each House and Senate district to signify their grade: red, critical; orange, severe; yellow, moderate; light green, fair; and dark green, good.

A primary purpose of the chambers anti-crime initiative was to give state legislators up-to-date statistics for crimes in their respective districts, and for their constituents to be able to click a take action button on the web page, sending an email directly to their representative or senator and asking them to support various pieces of legislation to reduce crime, said chamber president Ernie Cde Baca.

I think its going to be a good tool for New Mexicans to be able to work with our legislative group to get some of these laws passed, said chamber member Steven B. Chavez, who headed up the anti-crime initiative. Hopefully, law enforcement gets what they need, and we can change crime here or reduce it, and move the needle.

Other data layers will be added to the website in the future, Cde Baca said.

The data highlighted on CrimeStatsNM.org comes from reporting law enforcement agencies, Crimegrade.org and the U.S. Census Bureau.
Two motel guests hired to serve as security over the weekend fatally shot a man in the parking lot of the Northeast Albuquerque business, according to the Albuquerque Police Department.

Casper Rickords, 22, and Melvin Robinson, 33, are each charged with an open count of murder, conspiracy and tampering with evidence in the death of 41-year-old Bradley Soza. The men are also charged in the Oct. 22 death of Isaac Torres, 19.

The SWAT team arrested the pair Monday and found two guns, five phones and a bulletproof vest in their motel room.

The men have been booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center. It is unclear if either man has an attorney.

Management at the Ambassador Inn told police the pair had stayed there for months and Robinson previously worked as security.

Police have said the hotel is one of several often associated with criminal activity in the city and last March a security guard at the motel was fatally shot.

On Monday, officers responded around 4:30 a.m. to reports of a man in the middle of the street near the motel on Candelaria NE, by the Pan American Freeway, according to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court.

Police found Soza had been shot in the back and hours later crawled into the street where he was hit by a car.

Police said surveillance footage captured a Black man with a bulletproof vest hit Soza with a pole before a white man shot him once. Police said other footage showed the men going in and out of the office of the Ambassador Inn.

Hired as security for Ambassador Inn

The manager of the hotel told police she hired Robinson, who worked security there until an arrest last year, to act as security over the weekend while she left town.

After the men were arrested, Rickords told police the manager had gotten back to the motel shortly before Soza was asked to leave the property, according to the complaint. He said Robinson shot the man and then beat him with a pole.

Police said a detective confronted Rickords with footage of him firing the gun and he became extremely emotional and told them he shot Soza. Rickords said his and Robinsons relationship was romantic in nature and extremely violent.

Robinson initially denied attacking Soza but then told police Rickords fired first before he shot at Soza but missed, according to the complaint.

Robinson told police Soza fell to the ground and said I cant believe you shot me but he left, thinking Soza was faking it.
Hundreds of colorful balloons launch from Balloon Fiesta Park during the 50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in October. Commercial hot air balloon pilots will now be required to have a second-class medical certificate. (Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal) Selena Montoya, 4, views a unicorn and a tiger balloon with her father, Albert Montoya, during the 50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta at Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022. Thousands gathered to view the Special Shape Rodeo featuring 120 hot air balloons shaped as characters and objects. (Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal) The Father Bee and Mother Bee inflate without their Baby Bee during the 50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta at Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022. The Joelly Bee balloon, also known as the popular Baby Bee hot air balloon, was found after being reported stolen from the crews hotel parking lot early Thursday. The stolen truck was recovered by APD. (Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal) Hannah Moon holds her 2-year-old daughter Ryleigh as they watch balloons inflate and lift into the sky during the 50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta at Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022. Thousands gathered to view the Special Shape Rodeo featuring hot air balloons shaped as characters and objects. (Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal) Balloon pilot Michael Glen, center, shown Thursday evening with friends who wanted to snap a photo with him, is happy to have his baby bee balloon back after it was stolen overnight. (Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal) (Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal) (Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal) (Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal) Spectators pack the field on the second day of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Sunday. (ADOLPHE PIERRE-LOUIS/JOURNAL) Justin Roberts, left, of San Diego, California, and Lara Pearce, of Los Angeles, California, sport colorful bird hats at Sunday's Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. (ADOLPHE PIERRE-LOUIS/JOURNAL) The truth is out there: that there are plenty of special shape balloons, including the flying saucer from Sao Paulo, Brazil, attending the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, which is celebrating its 50th year. (Mike Sandoval/For the Albuquerque Journal) The crew of the Caprice du Ciel balloon, from France, prepares to stand the balloon during the 50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Saturday. (Mike Sandoval/For the Albuquerque Journal) Joy Sibayan fires flames into the air from a gondola at Balloon Fiesta Park on Saturday evening. The Twilight Twinkle Glow was canceled due to inclement weather, while the Americas Challenge Gas Balloon Race was postponed also due to weather concerns. (Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal) The ballooning community celebrates the 50th Balloon Fiesta with a balloon launch commemorating the original 13 balloons and pilots that took flight in 1972 at Coronado Center in Albuquerque, N.M., on Sept. 30, 2022. (Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal) Pilot Toby Brown, with Coronado Center, release flames from the burner creating hot air to inflate the balloon as the ballooning community celebrates the 50th Balloon Fiesta with a balloon launch commemorating the original 13 balloons and pilots that took flight in 1972 at Coronado Center in Albuquerque, N.M., on Sept. 30, 2022. (Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal) The ballooning community celebrates the 50th Balloon Fiesta with a balloon launch commemorating the original 13 balloons and pilots that took flight in 1972 at Coronado Center in Albuquerque, N.M., on Sept. 30, 2022. (Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal) Prev 1 of 17 Next

The 2022 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta had a total economic impact of $203 million on the Albuquerque economy, according to an economic impact study conducted by Forward Analytics.

Of that amount, $119 million was in direct spending by fiesta guests at metro area businesses.

The total economic impact was more than the $186 million generated during the 2019 fiesta  the last time such a study was conducted.

The nine-day 2022 event attracted nearly 828,800 guest visits  about 76% of them from outside of New Mexico.

The 50th Balloon Fiesta was also productive from the standpoint of taxes.

The state of New Mexico received about $12.4 million in tax revenues, the city of Albuquerque gained about $5.88 million, and Bernalillo County got about $1.57 million.

People from around the globe travel to New Mexico to watch the worlds largest gathering of balloonists take to the skies above Albuquerque, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said Wednesday in a news release issued by the Balloon Fiesta. The economic impact of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta lifts our entire state for far more than nine days a year.

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, in the same release, said, Burquenos welcome visitors from all around the world to share in the magic of (the) fiesta. The Balloon Fiesta generates important revenue that helps our entire community, and its great to see how small businesses and tourism benefit from this iconic event.

Not counting parking and admission fees, Balloon Fiesta guests spent an average of $27 each at on-site concessions. This generated $64 million in wages for 1,227 full-time equivalent concession employees, at an annual salary of $52,263, according to Forward Analytics, which is commissioned by the Balloon Fiesta board to conduct a study every other year.

The last economic impact study was done for the 2019 fiesta and was released in 2020. The 2020 fiesta did not take place because of the pandemic.

The full 2022 economic impact study can be seen at balloonfiesta.com/News-Updates.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his young daughter took center stage at a huge military parade, fueling speculation that she is being primed as a future leader of the isolated country as her father showed off his latest, largest nuclear missiles.

Wednesday nights parade in the capital, Pyongyang, featured the newest hardware in Kims growing nuclear arsenal, including what experts said was possibly a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile he could test in the coming months.

That missile was part of around a dozen ICBMs Kims troops rolled out at the event  an unprecedented number that underscored how he continues to expand his military capabilities despite limited resources in the face of deepening tensions with his neighbors and the United States.

The parade was the fifth known public appearance by Kims daughter, Kim Ju Ae, his second-born child who is believed to be around 10 years old. On Tuesday, Kim Jong Un brought his daughter to visit troops as he lauded the irresistible might of his nuclear-armed military.

State media have signaled a lofty role for Kim Ju Ae. She has been called respected and beloved, and a photo released Wednesday showed her sitting in the seat of honor at a banquet, flanked by generals and her parents.

The parade marked the 75th anniversary of the founding of North Koreas army and came after weeks of preparations involving huge numbers of troops and civilians mobilized to glorify Kims rule and his relentless push to cement his countrys status as a nuclear power.

North Korean state TV video released Thursday showed Kim, wearing a black coat and fedora, arriving at the parade with his wife and daughter in a limousine. They received thunderous cheers from thousands of troops and spectators packed in brightly illuminated Kim Il Sung Square, named after his grandfather, the nations founder.

After saluting his honor guards, Kim held hands with his daughter as they walked down a red carpet. The family entered a building where they sat on a leather couch, chatting and sharing snacks and drinks with top officials as they waited for the main march to start.

Troops and spectators roared again as Kim appeared from behind the building as the clock struck 9 p.m. He smiled and waved to the crowds below before taking his spot on a balcony, with his wife and daughter sitting behind him.

Thousands of goose-stepping soldiers marched through the square, chanting Defend with your life, Paektu Bloodline, referring to the Kim familys lineage named after a volcano that North Koreans consider sacred.

A ceremonial cavalry unit trotted through the square riding white horses, another symbol associated with the Kim familys dynastic rule. The broadcast described one of the animals as most beloved by Kims daughter.

Tanks and multiple rocket launchers were rolled out before the appearance of Kims nuclear missiles, which are typically saved for last.

Launcher trucks carried around 10 Hwasong-17 ICBMs, a system which demonstrated a potential to reach deep into the U.S. mainland during a flight test in November.

Those missiles were followed by what appeared to be another type of long-range missile encased in canisters and carried on nine-axle vehicles. It wasnt immediately clear whether the missiles were actual rockets. But analysts say the use of canisters strongly implied a solid-fuel missile, most likely an ICBM which North Korea has been trying to develop for years.

North Koreas existing ICBMs, including Hwasong-17s, use liquid propellants, which require pre-launch injections and cannot remain fueled for prolonged periods. A solid-fuel alternative would take less time to prepare, providing less opportunity for an impending launch to be identified and countered, said Joseph Dempsey, an analyst at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Where North Korea is in terms of completing the actual missile and integrating it onto the launcher is unclear, but if North Korea is parading it, an attempted launch this year could well be on the cards, he said.

The unprecedented number of Hwasong-17s in Wednesdays event suggests progress in efforts to produce those weapons in larger numbers, said Kim Dong-yub, a professor at Seouls University of North Korean Studies.

The parade came after Kim met with his top military brass on Monday and ordered an expansion of combat exercises, as he continues to escalate an already provocative run in weapons tests in the face of deepening tensions with his neighbors and Washington.

The official Korean Central News Agency said the parade featured a variety of nuclear-capable weapons, including tactical nuclear weapons targeting South Korea. The agency described the ICBMs as crucial weapons supporting North Koreas ongoing stance of nuke for nuke and an all-out confrontation for an all-out confrontation with its enemies.

Lee Sung-jun, spokesperson for South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in a briefing that the South Korean and U.S. militaries were closely analyzing the North Korean photos and reports to evaluate the weaponry.

North Korea is coming off a record-breaking year in weapons testing. The dozens of missiles it fired in 2022 included potentially nuclear-capable systems designed to strike targets in South Korea and the U.S. mainland.

The intensified tests were punctuated by fiery statements and a new law threatening preemptive nuclear attacks against its neighbors and the United States in a broad range of scenarios.

Kim doubled down on his nuclear push entering 2023.

During a major political conference in December, he called for an exponential increase in the countrys nuclear warheads, mass production of battlefield tactical nuclear weapons targeting enemy South Korea and the development of more advanced ICBMs.

In December, Kim supervised a test of a high-thrust solid-fuel motor for a new strategic weapon he said would be developed in the shortest span of time, which experts said likely referred to a solid-fuel ICBM.

Solid-fuel ICBMs featured prominently in an extensive wish list Kim announced under a five-year arms development plan in 2021. It also included tactical nuclear weapons, hypersonic missiles, nuclear-powered submarines and spy satellites.

Analysts say Kims decision to bring his daughter to major public events involving his military sends a statement to the world that he has no intention to voluntarily surrender his nuclear weapons, which he apparently sees as the strongest guarantee of his survival and the extension of his familys dynastic rule.

An official from South Koreas Unification Ministry, who spoke on condition of anonymity according to department rules during a background briefing, said Kim Ju Aes repeated appearances at significant events and her prominent exposure in state media are also aimed at strengthening loyalty to the Kim family. The official said its too early to determine whether she is being primed as her fathers successor but added that all possibilities are open.

We can only speculate at this point, said Duyeon Kim, a senior analyst at the Center for a New American Security in Washington, D.C. (Kim Jong Un is) obviously showing her off intentionally and, at a minimum, he seems to be trying to reiterate the importance, status, and legitimacy of a direct Kim bloodline offspring. Its too soon to assume that she will be his heir because the son has always succeeded the throne in North Korea.

South Korean media have speculated that Kim has three children  born in 2010, 2013 and 2017  and that the first child is a son and the third is a daughter.
Used-car dealership AutoNation USA opened its first location in New Mexico this week. The location, at 9100 Pan American NE in Albuquerque, is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The dealership will offer same-day cash offers for used vehicles that are valid for up to seven days.

The Albuquerque dealership is the 15th AutoNation USA location, joining other locations in Colorado, Arizona and Texas. The dealership is part of the larger AutoNation franchise, which has over 300 locations nationwide.

Unlike normal AutoNation locations, which sell both new and used cars, AutoNation USA locations exclusively sell preowned vehicles.

AutoNation USA Director of Marketing Matias Ferradas said that even if customers shop at the Albuquerque location, they can buy cars from AutoNation USAs entire stock among the 15 locations.

People can feel at ease buying from us, Ferradas said. Were looking to take care of our customers here in store.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, who had a stroke during his campaign last year, remained hospitalized and undergoing tests after feeling lightheaded, with tests so far negative for another stroke or seizure, his office said Thursday evening.

An MRI at George Washington University Hospital, along with other tests run by doctors, rule out a new stroke, Fettermans communications director Joe Calvello said in a statement Thursday evening.

Fetterman was being monitored with an electroencephalogram (EEG)  an instrument that measures brainwaves  for signs of a seizure, Calvello said.

So far there are no signs of seizure, but he is still being monitored, Calvello said.

Calvello gave no indication about when Fetterman might leave the hospital, but had said late Wednesday that Fetterman was in good spirits and talking with his staff and family.

Fetterman felt lightheaded Wednesday while attending a Democratic retreat in Washington and went to the hospital, staying overnight for testing.

In November, Fetterman, 53, won the seat held by now-retired Republican Pat Toomey after a hard-fought contest against GOP nominee Mehmet Oz.

Fetterman, who was the lieutenant governor, defeated the celebrity heart surgeon by 5 percentage points, flipping a seat that was key to Democrats holding the Senate majority. More than $300 million was spent during the campaign, making it the most expensive Senate race in 2022.

His campaign was derailed on May 13 when he had what he later called a near-fatal stroke just days before the Democratic primary.

He underwent surgery to implant a pacemaker with a defibrillator to manage two heart conditions, atrial fibrillation and cardiomyopathy, and spent much of the summer recovering and off the campaign trail.

He refused to release his medical records or allow his doctors to answer reporters questions, as Oz made an issue of whether his opponent was honest about the effects of the stroke and whether Fetterman was fit to serve. The Democrat insisted his doctors said he could have a full recovery.

As a result of the stroke, Fetterman has struggled with auditory processing disorder, a common aftereffect that can can leave a person unable to speak fluidly and quickly process spoken conversation into meaning.

The effects of the stroke were apparent in Fettermans uneven performance during the fall campaigns only debate when he struggled to complete sentences and jumbled words.

On election night, he told cheering supporters he ran for anyone that ever got knocked down that got back up.

Fetterman, a presence at 6-foot-8 with a clean-shaven head and a goatee and known for wearing hoodies and shorts, was lieutenant governor from 2019-2023. He served as mayor of Braddock, Pennsylvania, from 2006-2019.
SANTA FE  President Joe Biden plans to appoint Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to a national Council of Governors, deepening ties between the state and federal administrations as the 2024 election year looms on the horizon.

The White House announced Thursday that Biden intends to appoint both Lujan Grisham and Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb to the 10-member council thats tasked with helping the federal government collaborate with states on homeland security, national defense and economic issues.

In a statement, Lujan Grisham said she was honored to join the governors of Utah, Wyoming, Michigan and several other states on the bipartisan Council of Governors.

Preparation and planning are the keys to saving lives and property in every crisis from historic wildfires and major weather events to threats against critical infrastructure, protecting our electrical grid and hardening our technological defenses against cyber attacks, the governor said.

Lujan Grisham, a Democrat who is currently on a five-day trip to Washington, D.C., to attend a National Governors Association meeting, was considered by the Biden administration for a possible Cabinet-level post after Biden was elected president in 2020.

However, she ultimately decided to stay in New Mexico, saying she had the best job in the world. Lujan Grisham then defeated Republican Mark Ronchetti last year in an expensive and hard-hitting contest to win reelection to a second four-year term as governor.

As members of the Council of Governors, Lujan Grisham and Holcomb will serve two-year terms. They will replace former Oregon Gov. Kate Brown and Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, both completed their terms on the council.

The Council of Governors, which was created in 2008 by then-President Barack Obama, is expected to discuss supply chain resiliency and federal-state strategies for mitigating national defense risks during meetings this year, according to the White House.
Buddy Wren took a spin on the wheel and it paid off.

The Albuquerque resident appeared on Wheel of Fortune on Feb. 7.

He made it to the final round where he won a total of $15,750 in cash.

Wren is currently studying for his masters degree in Forensic Psychology at National University and with any winnings, he would like to pay for school to get his PhD in Forensic Psychology as well.

He moved to New Mexico to be closer to his family and is pursuing his masters in forensic psychology at National University.

Ive always loved Albuquerque and Ive fallen in love with the art and culture, he says. I never thought Id be on Wheel of Fortune. The whole experience has been wonderful.

Wren and his fiance will tie the not on Feb. 14.

Wren participated on Wheel of Fortune by solving puzzles to win once-in-a-lifetime vacations and cash prizes as part of Wheel Across America week, celebrating cities across America with in-show segments of hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White taped on location.

Wheel of Fortune fans can submit applications at wheeloffortune.com/join/be-a-contestant for a chance to be invited to a virtual audition. There, potential contestants can show off their puzzle-solving skills and potentially be selected to appear as a contestant on the show from the comfort of their own homes. If selected to be on the show, everyone goes home with a minimum of $1,000.
A new Local Choice Energy Act to allow municipal, county and tribal governments to take control over electric generation in their communities won initial approval Thursday morning in the Senate Conservation Committee.

Legislators voted 6-2 along party lines to send the bill to the Senate Judiciary Committee after hearing passionate pleas for and against the legislation from grassroots organizations, business coalitions and others.

Senate Democrats Carrie Hamblen of Las Cruces and Liz Stefanics of Cerrillos  who chairs the Conservation Committee  introduced the bill, Senate Bill 165, to permit local governments to launch publicly owned utilities that would take control of local electric generation away from privately run utilities like Public Service Company of New Mexico.

Electricity transmission and distribution, however, would remain in the hands of private companies.

The bill is supported by organizations that want to empower local governments to speed the adoption of renewable energy like solar and wind in their communities faster than privately-run utilities are now. Its modeled on similar initiatives in 10 other states where supporters say some 1,300 cities and counties have significantly accelerated efforts to transition to 100% renewable generation, while also lowering electricity costs for local consumers.

Hamblen said its about empowering communities with new energy options beyond relying on private utilities, which have captive control over consumers as regulated monopolies.

We dont have a voice to be able to change the trajectory of the investor-owned corporate electrical utilities that serve 73% of New Mexicans, Hamblen told committee members. If youre a New Mexican who lives in the service area of a monopoly utility and you want power, you have no choice but to be subject to them.

Former Public Regulation Commissioner Stephen Fischmann, who joined Hamblen in presenting the bill, said theres no intrinsic need to rely on monopolies, because alternative renewable energy developers are available.

Theres competition out there that local communities can take advantage of, Fischmann told the committee.

State Land Office Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard and grassroots leaders also spoke in favor, as did Santa Fe County Commissioner Hank Hughes. Both the Santa Fe and Bernalillo county commissions have approved unanimous resolutions supporting the bill.

We want the option to pursue local choice, Hughes said. Were committed to making our community 100% renewable as quickly as possible.

Business, utility opposition

Business and utility leaders, however, questioned the need for local choice energy. They warned it could have many negative consequences, starting with deterioration in grid reliability.

New Mexico Business Coalition President and CEO Carla Sonntag said creating government-run entities to generate power that PNM and other private utilities will deliver to consumers just adds a new, costly middleman to the grid.

It creates pass-through entities, driving up costs and decreasing reliability, Sonntag said. Youre just putting someone in between energy production and delivery.

That, in turn, could deter companies from locating here, said New Mexico Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Director Chelsea Canada.

It can reduce our ability to diversify the economy, creating uncertainty among customers, Canada said. Businesses need a reliable source of power to run their businesses. Thats at the top of their considerations.

Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce CEO Terri Cole called the legislation unnecessary and disruptive, especially given the progress being made under the states Energy Transition Act, or ETA, which requires New Mexicos private utilities to transition their grids to 80% renewables by 2040 and 100% carbon-free generation by 2045.

This is a dramatic restructuring of our electric generation  and to solve what problem? Cole said. Were well on our way to meeting the ETA goals. We should be proud of the progress weve made and stay the course.

Despite the committees do pass vote, the bill could still get bogged down in Senate Judiciary, said Sen. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, who voted in favor of the legislation. Thats because, as currently written, the bill is full of ambiguities and inconsistencies, requiring time-consuming efforts to rework the legal language to clearly define new rules and regulations, said Cervantes, a lawyer who chairs the Judiciary Committee.

This bill will take a lot more work before it will ever be heard in Judiciary, Cervantes said. It will need to be rewritten.

Alysha Shaw, campaign director for Public Power New Mexico  the grassroots coalition promoting local choice energy  said her organization is open to improving the bill.

Well sit down and go line by line with Sen. Cervantes if hes willing, Shaw told the Journal.

PNM, however, said the bill could disrupt progress on meeting ETA goals.

We stand in sharp opposition to adding middlemen between customers and their electric power, PNM spokesman Ray Sandoval told the Journal. These middlemen make the grid more costly and less reliable for customers.
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DJ Akademiks shares a video of the 'GUMMO' spitter allegedly being involved in an altercation with the brother of the Puerto Rican rapper, who collaborated with 6ix9ine on 'BEBE'.

Feb 9, 2023

AceShowbiz - 6ix9ine has seemingly added another name to a long list of people whom he calls his enemies. The New York City native has reportedly got involved in an altercation with Anuel AA's brother.

DJ Akademiks, who is known for being close with 6ix9ine, posted a video of the alleged fight. In the clip, the 26-year-old rapper was seen having a heated argument with someone, who is not clearly seen.

It's not clear what ignited the argument, but the "TROLLZ" emcee seemingly refused to back down though some people were trying to calm him down. "N***a I'm like that, n***a," he angrily said in the video. "I don't give a f**k."

"6ix9ine gets in an alleged altercation with Anuel AA's brother," DJ Akademiks wrote in the caption. It's not clear though if things went physical between 6ix9ine and Anuel's brother.

6ix9ine was once close with Anuel. The Brooklyn rapper and the Puerto Rican artist collaborated on the former's 2018 hit "Bebe".

Anuel has even taken heat for continuing his friendship with 6ix9ine after he snitched on his former gang members. In the summer of 2020, Anuel was inundated with messages after the two stars appeared on Instagram Live together.

Anuel also spoke in 2019 that if it were proven that 6ix9ine didn't cooperate with the authorities, he would consider collaborating with him again. At the time, he was asked about the incarcerated rapper during an interview with Complex News while 6ix9ine was still in jail. "I got love for him. He just did that, so he [can] just stay on his side, and I stay on my side," he said.

In other news, DJ Akademiks has revealed that 6ix9ine once bragged about him sleeping with a famous female rapper. In a video, the Internet personality claimed that the rapper paid $40,000 to have sex with the raptress and 6ix9ine had a video to prove it.

"He showed me a video of him f**king the s**t out of a b***h. Famous as hell," DJ Akademiks said. He refused to name the raptress, but he described her as "a lit female rapper." He added, "She looks amazing, but she doesn't have a hit. She's everywhere. I kid you not."

DJ Akademiks said he initially didn't believe 6ix9ine's claim, thinking that the woman wouldn't do it for money. However, after he saw the video, he couldn't help but gasping in shock. "She's sucking it like oxygen. I swear," he repeatedly exclaimed.

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The 19-year-old Israeli model deletes her account on the photo-sharing platform after sources close to the Oscar-winning actor denied that the two were an item.

Feb 9, 2023

AceShowbiz - Leonardo DiCaprio's rumored flame Eden Polani has bid farewell to Instagram. The 19-year-old model deleted her account on the photo-sharing platform after the "Titanic" leading man denied dating speculations between the two.

Eden's Instagram username was @edenpolanii. The account, which has amassed 230,000 followers, was active until Wednesday morning, February 8. Unfortunately, the page "isn't available" now.

This arrived after sources close to the Oscar-winning actor confirmed to Daily Mail that the pair are not in a relationship. "They were seated next to each other at a music-listening party. There were a number of people at that event," the insiders said.

Meanwhile, a different source told Page Six, "There is zero truth to this. He was seated next to [Eden] at a music party, along with many other people." The informant added, "It's just silly. Leo clearly can't be dating every single person that [he's] in a room with."

The romance rumors emerged after Leo was photographed getting close to Eden at Ebony Riley's release party for her new EP on January 31 in Los Angeles. In some pictures, the Hollywood star could be seen showing off a soft smile next to the model as he appeared to enjoy himself at the packed party.

After photos of Leo and Eden made its way online, some Twitter critics called him out. "Leonardo DiCaprio's girlfriend is so young her high school experience was interrupted by COVID-19," one person wrote. Someone else commented, "Stop making jokes about Leonardo DiCaprio being a almost 50 dating literal teenagers and start calling him what he is - a predator."

The criticism didn't stop there. More came forward with one writing, "Kate Winslet was 22 when she was nominated for an Oscar for Titanic. Which is 3 years older than Leonardo DiCaprio's current girlfriend." Someone else fumed, "Stop making jokes about Leonardo DiCaprio being a almost 50 dating literal teenagers and start calling him what he is - a predator."

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Prior to this, the 'Bodak Yellow' raptress was filmed seemingly trying to break up the physical fight between her husband and his cousin over a Takeoff special tribute at the awards show.

Feb 9, 2023

AceShowbiz - Cardi B seemingly has a lot on her mind. The "Bodak Yellow" raptress was spotted looking glum during a shopping spree with her husband Offset following his alleged fight with Quavo over a Takeoff tribute at the 2023 Grammy Awards.

The Bronx femcee looked somber as she stepped out with her husband in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 7, two days after the Migos musician brawled backstage with Quavo at the awards show.

During the outing, Cardi went make-up free as she indulged in some retail therapy with Offset. The "WAP" hitmaker wore a black hoodie and joggers as she walked around a store, with her hair tied back in a messy updo. Offset, in the meantime, walked around the mall separately while clad in a graphic print hoodie and joggers, while toting a gray canvas bag.

The sighting marked the first time the pair have been seen in public together since Cardi was filmed seemingly trying to break up the physical fight, which saw the rappers have to be pulled apart. In the footage, Cardi could be heard yelling, seemingly at her husband Offset and his cousin Quavo, during what appeared to be a physical altercation backstage at the Grammys. "Both of y'all wrong. This is not right!" she shouted. "No b****h, shut the f**k up cuz you shouldn't have been talking."

It's reported that Quavo prevented Offset from joining him on stage to give a special tribute to Takeoff during the In Memoriam segment at the Grammys. It was previously said that the Recording Academy asked Offset to join Quavo during his performance of "Without You".

From there, the two were alleged to have gotten into a physical altercation that resulted in the two of them being pulled apart from one another. It's also reported that Quavo was the one who "started the fight."

A few hours after the reports emerged, Offset turned to Twitter to set the record straight. The "Ric Flair Drip" rapper flat-out denied fighting with Quavo just before the latter hit the stage to pay tribute to Takeoff, writing, "What tf look like fighting my brother [y'all] n***as is crazy."

Takeoff was shot and killed at a bowling alley in Houston on November 1 last year after an altercation broke out over a dice game. Police have arrested Patrick Xavier Clark, 33, as a suspect in the murder, and Cameron Joshua, 22, who was charged with the unlawful carrying of a weapon in connection to the shooting.

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In a new interview, the journalist/rapper, who accused Dre of assaulting her in 1991, criticizes the Recording Academy for giving Dre the Global Impact Award in addition to naming the award after him.

Feb 9, 2023

AceShowbiz - Journalist and rapper Dee Barnes didn't think the Recording Academy made the right decision by honoring Dr. Dre at the 2023 Grammy Awards. In a new interview, Dee criticized the Grammys for giving Dre the Global Impact Award in addition to naming the award after him despite sexual assault allegation against him.

"Everybody wants to separate the art from the artist, and sometimes that's just not possible," Dee, who claimed that Dre assaulted her in 1991, told Rolling Stone. "Most people without a knowledge of [Dr. Dre's] history are going to say, 'Oh, he must deserve that. He must be such a great person for them to put an award in his name.' But they named this award after an abuser."

She continued, "It wasn't just a one or two-time thing; these are choices. The first time, it's maybe a mistake. The second time, okay. The third time, it's a choice. I'm not saying he is the same person now, though. I don't know. I'm not around him anymore. I haven't talked to him. But to name an award after someone with that type of history in the music industry, you might as well call it the 'Ike Turner Award.' "

Dee also weighed in on the Grammys' hip-hop tribute. While she called it "beautiful," the femcee claimed she couldn't be in the same space as Dre. "He said it himself in the documentary 'The Defiant Ones', I'm a 'blemish' on who he is as a man. Well, what do you do with a blemish? There's a whole industry created-skincare lines and vitamins and rituals-to get rid of blemishes," she continued. "And, in a sense, there's a whole network to keep me hidden."

"I shouldn't have to suffer by not being able to exist in a space and in a culture that not only did I grow up in but that I contributed to in a major way," she divulged. "Is this about his feelings? Is this about his legacy? Or is it about ego and toxic masculinity? What is it about? My whole history has been erased-as an artist, as a music journalist, and as a television host."

Dee also said that the hip-hop community didn't support her. "When I think of what atonement looks like for Dre and me, I think of a missed opportunity where we could have sat down together on camera and hashed it out," she added. "I think that would've begun a journey of healing; he's coming face to face with me, and I'm coming face to face with him," she went on to explain. "I've put out the olive branch. Black women and grace, you know how we are. It wasn't accepted."

Dee previously claimed that Dre assaulted her at a record release party in Hollywood in January 1991 after she hosted an episode of "Pump It Up!". Describing the encounter, Dee said that Dre dragged her by her hair and smashed her face into a wall. He allegedly kicked her while she was on the ground, and stomped on her fingers. In 2015, Dre issued an apology in a statement, though he didn't directly name Dee.

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The 'Yellowjackets' actress hits back at the 'America's Next Top Model' winner, who insinuates that her body type isn't suitable for her militia leader character on the HBO series.

Feb 9, 2023

AceShowbiz - Melanie Lynskey has clapped back at Adrianne Curry after the latter shaded Melanie following her appearance on "The Last of Us". Making use of her Twitter account, Melanie fired back at Adrienne for her "body shaming" comments.

Melanie, who made her first appearance as militia leader Kathleen in the February 5 episode of the HBO series, responded to Adrianne comparing her to "The Terminator" star Linda Hamilton. In a now deleted tweet, the "America's Next Top Model" winner wrote underneath a picture of Melanie, "her body says life of luxury...not post apocolyptic (sp) warlord. where is linda hamilton when you need her?"

Catching wind of the diss, Melanie tweeted, "Firstly-this is a photo from my cover shoot for InStyle magazine, not a still from HBO's The Last Of Us." The "Yellowjackets" actress continued, "And I'm playing a person who meticulously planned & executed an overthrow of [government agency] FEDRA. I am supposed to be SMART, ma'am. I don't need to be muscly. That's what henchmen are for."

Melanie Lynskey hit back at Adrianne Curry's diss.

In another tweet, Melanie continued, "I understand that some people are mad that I'm not the typical casting for this role. That's thrilling to me. Other than the moments after action is called, when you feel like you're actually in someone else's body, the most exciting part of my job is subverting expectations."

Adrianne, however, only doubled down on her comments. "She edited out my tweet where I said she had a perfect hour glass frame that I did not associate with warriors. Actors taking character criticism as personal attacks is mind blowing," she said.

She additionally accused Melanie of being "manipulative" as she said, "She cropped out what I said about her perfect hour glass frame being the most desirable to men. Seems quite manipulative. Also, she is NOT her character."

The model also responded to one user, "I'm not allowed to say I didn't find the fictional character believable due to her soft voice, small stature and curvy frame. Fictional. Not real." She added in another tweet, "Next up, [Jason Momoa] will find my criticism of his portrayal of AQUAMAN and will put me in my place with a strongly worded tweet on why he IS the perfect Arthur Curry."

Adrienne Curry doubled down on her criticisms.

The "Surreal Life" alum went on to note that this wasn't the first time for her to make some controversial TV opinions. She tweeted, "So what? Why does anyone care? I said the same s**t about Carol in The Walking Dead!!!! That actress didn't get upset about it. Carol isn't a real person."

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The 'Whale' actor blasted the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which decides the ceremony's winners, for brushing off his claims of sexual misconduct by its former president Philip Berk.

Feb 9, 2023

AceShowbiz - Brendan Fraser has slammed Golden Globes as meaningless "hood ornaments" he doesn't want. The actor boycotted attending this year's Globes awards despite being nominated in the best actor category for his role as obese teacher Charlie in "The Whale". He said the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which decides the ceremony's winners, had brushed off his claims of sexual misconduct by its former president Philip Berk.

He told Howard Stern on his SiriusXM show on Tuesday, February 7, "I found myself wondering, 'Is this a cynical nomination?' I couldn't really tell because of my history with them and that I still have yet to see the results from their reformation. We all are still awaiting that, to tell you the truth. Get it or don't get it - doesn't matter. What does matter is that it would mean nothing to me."

"I don't want it. I didn't ask to be considered even, that was presumed. I know that would displease many people for lots of reasons, but... they needed me, I didn't need them. Because it wouldnt be meaningful to me. Where am I gonna put that hood ornament? What would I do with that?" he added.

Brendan alleged in 2018 he had been groped by Philip at a 2003 Beverly Hills lunch, which the ex-HFPA president denied and branded a "total fabrication". As a result, the actor is convinced he was blacklisted by Hollywood.

Brendan added about his accusation, "It's my fight, no one else's. I don't need everyone to stand in solidarity with me." When Howard asked Brendan if he felt other actors should have taken a stand alongside him by also boycotting the Globes, he replied, "Maybe. But, you know, it would be a leap of faith for whoever that would be. It would be a calculated risk and it could also be trivialized very easily by the cynical view of this all."

Philip, 88, was expelled from the HFPA in April 2021, after 44 years and serving eight terms as president after he emailed members stating Black Lives Matter was a "racist hate movement."

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The 48-year-old former wife of Scottie Pippen faces backlash on social media over a sweet selfie with the 32-year-old son of Michael Jordan, with one critic labeling her 'predator.'

Feb 9, 2023

AceShowbiz - Larsa Pippen has landed in hot water once again after showing off her love to her new man, Marcus Jordan. The former wife of Scottie Pippen got roasted online for a loved-up selfie with her partner.

On Wednesday, February 8, the 48-year-old Bravo star turned to her Instagram feeds to share a selfie of her and a selfie featuring the 32-year-old son of Michael Jordan. The couple could be seen flashing smiles as they posed for a photo. In the caption, she sweetly wrote, "I am sunshine with a little bit of hurricane."

However, fans apparently were not happy seeing the loved-up selfie, with one commenting, "bro is a proud of his Uncle ex " Another wrote, "i wonder if her kids are embarrassed or bullied at school for what she's been in the headlines for. like i couldn't imagine having teenagers and just thotting around."

"she probably once was 'auntie larsa'," a different social media user added. Someone else labeled Larsa "predator," writing, "Idc if y'all say 'well they are both grown.' This is predatory AF. He was a kid when she was married."

Upon learning of the negative comments, Larsa apparently took the couple's selfie down. "The Real Housewives of Miami" star, however, didn't remove her own photo.

Larsa and Marcus, who first sparked romance rumors in September last year, made their love Instagram official by posting a photo of her posing with her beau in front of a giant floral arrangement in the shape of M.J.'s iconic No. 23 jersey. "[check mark emoji] Checks over stripes [trophy emoji] @trophyroomstore," she captioned the snapshot that was taken at the Jordan family retail boutique.

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After the 'Munch (Feelin' U)' raptress' pre-fame photo from her high school yearbook surfaces online, many gush over her natural beauty and how she looks like the 'You People' actress in the image.

Feb 9, 2023

AceShowbiz - Ice Spice has clearly changed a lot in terms of her physical appearance since before she made her official debut in the hip-hop scene. Known for her distinct red curly hair, she used to sport darker hair and less makeup, which didn't make her less attractive.

Recently, the 23-year-old raptress' high school picture surfaced online, showing her with her natural long raven hair, which was styled simple and straight. Upon seeing the old photo from the star's yearbook, fans were talking about not only how distinct she looked like back then, but also how she resembled Lauren London in the image.

Ice Spice is likened to Lauren London after her high school photo surfaces online.

"Lauren London?" one person pointed out the similarities between Ice Spice and the "Entourage" alum. Another similarly opined, "She looks like Lauren london lowkey." A third thinks that Ice Spice could land an acting role with her resemblance to the actress, writing, "Ok I can see Ice Spice being in a movie with Lauren London playing as her sister."

Some others, meanwhile, praised Ice Spice for her natural beauty. "So she's been beautiful her whole life? Some women have all the luck," one person wrote on Twitter. Another user noted, "Oh wow she's so pretty from birth." Another gushed, "Okay, she always been hot. Nice to see it," while someone else raved, "OMGGGGGGG PRETTY AF."

Previously, Ice Spice's pre-fame photo, which was reportedly taken back in the star's college days, when she played Volleyball at SUNY-Purchase, had also emerged. It showed her looking different without red wig.

The "Munch (Feelin' U)" femcee, whose real name is Isis Gaston, wasn't also as curvaceous as she is now. The drill rapper, who has been accused of getting Brazilian butt lift surgery, appears to have slimmed down a lot now as her face looked rounder in the old photo.

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The 'Indiana Jones' actor has set the record straight on speculation that he struggles with 'social anxiety,' insisting that he always tries to 'blend in' as much as possible.

Feb 9, 2023

AceShowbiz - Harrison Ford has denied having "social anxiety," explaining he just hates "boring situations." The 80-year-old actor has reacted to fan theories about his mental state due to some people's perception that he often appears shy at events and during interviews.

"That sounds like something a psychiatrist would say, not a casual observer. I don't have a social anxiety disorder. I have an abhorrence of boring situations... I know who the f*** I am," he told The Hollywood Reporter.

He did admit that early on his stage career, he had nerves due to the new environment. He explained, "I wasn't shy, I was f****** terrified. My knees would shake so badly, you could see it from the back of the theatre. But that's not social anxiety. That's being unfamiliar with the territory... I was able to talk myself through that and then enjoy the experience of being onstage and telling a story with collaborators."

At this point in his life, the "Star Wars" legend admitted, while he isn't shying away from the spotlight, he does "try to blend in" when possible. He said, "I have a protective colouration. I try to blend in. That's what I do. When I'm getting dressed, if people are going to be wearing a suit, I wear a suit."

"If people are wearing blue jeans, I'm wearing blue jeans. I'm comfortable in all kinds of company. I don't know why people have an expectation of me. I come in all colors. I don't know who's going to show up. But it's usually me - and it looks familiar."

Meanwhile, the actor - who is starring in "Yellowstone" prequel series "1923" as well as returning as Indiana Jones for the fifth movie "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" - has no plans to slow down his on scree commitments because he's still having so much fun.

He added, "I'm still excited about the prospect of telling a story. I like playing an old guy. If I wasn't having a good time, I would stop doing it."

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Filmmaker Asim Abbasis next, starring Fawad Khan  the actor who has charmed the country and the world with his path breaking performances, gets its title Barzakh. Produced by Waqas Hassan and Shailja Kejriwal, the show that has already created high anticipation among the viewers, will have its Global Premiere at the illustrious Series Mania festival in March 2023.

This series that boasts of a stellar ensemble cast, sees Fawad playing the role of a single parent, charming but ridden with guilt for what he has lost. Sanam plays the central female character who is mysterious as well as compassionate. Barzakh is the only selection from South Asia at the festival scheduled to be held in Lille, France in March. The web series will be screened as part of International Panorama line-up, a 12-title competitive section and is also nominated in several categories such as Best Series, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor as well as the Student Jury award and the Audience award.

Thrilled at the selection, director Asim Abbasi said, At its core, Barzakh is a family drama framed within a world of supernatural beings and other worldly events. The genesis of the story stemmed from a personal loss and the fears that came with it, making me realise that love is indeed eternal and nudging me to write a story about it. The selection of Barzakh at the Series Mania is such a momentous yet humbling occasion for all of us, not only because its a show thats so close to my heart but also because the selection is such a strong validation of our belief in this story which is now finding its way amongst the best in the world."

Held annually at Lille in France, the Series Mania festival, since its inception in 2010, has been instrumental in recognizing and curating the best series across the world. The festival brings together the best screenwriters, directors and artistes together under one roof.

This series was conceptualised during the pandemic when all pre-defined notions of love, life, death and beyond were going through a seismic shift. Online work, mourning and celebrations had led to a sort of haze and confusion about what was real. Here lay the genesis of the show which is essentially a family reunion, where the living and the dead are all invited. Set in the Hunza valley with its myths and legends, Asim Abbasis quirky, funny, deeply philosophical and layered writing, a dollop of magic realism and bringing Fawad Khan backall added up to a show that needed to be made. I'm very thrilled as Barzakh not only finds its title, but also becomes the only series from our region to make it to the Series Mania Festival. We feel its selection at the festival is the perfect first step on the global journey the series is set to embark on, signs off the producer, Shailja Kejriwal.

Shot in picturesque Hunza Valley in Pakistan, Barzakh blends together magical realism and supernatural fantasy within a family reunion setting, and deals with themes of love, loss and reconciliation.
A ZEEL and Give initiative, will embark on its digital and content marketing journey with Blue Buzz, a Mumbai based Marketing agency. Blue Buzz will take charge of creative, digital, and content mandates for the brand.

As part of the mandate, Blue Buzz will come up with and put into action plans to build a stature for Born To Shine that reflects its core vision and ideas.The crux of the content strategy will be the celebration of Indian art and culture and nurturing of prodigious talents.



Adopting a unique narrative approach, Blue Buzz has always prioritized meeting the business objectives of its clients and positioning a brand for long-term success.

It seeks to improve communications in a novel manner by employing platforms and mediums that emphasize the "why" rather than the "what" and "how." Blue Buzz is well-known for employing a multi-media narrative strategy and intelligent content distribution for its audience.



Speaking on this opportunity with Born To Shine, Blue Buzz founder and CEO Neha K Bisht believes that,  It is indeed a great opportunity for us, at Blue Buzz, to work with Give and ZEEL, two pioneers in their respective areas. With a mission to bring stories of girl champions to the world, Born To Shine is a brilliant initiative that will have a significant impact in the world of art and artists. Keeping in mind the programmes vision and objectives, we aim to offer our expertise with a distinctive and aggressive approach that will help achieve impactful results that Born To Shine aspires for. We look forward to this amazing journey.



With Blue Buzz at the helm of strategizing the content and marketing goals for the brand, the aim would be to use this occasion to demonstrate the team's unparalleled mastery of impressive strategies that enhance the brand's presence across platforms.
Participants of the BNI Networking Conclave at Om Convention, Narsingi, on Thursday. (Photo: By Arrangement)

Hyderabad: Referral marketing organisation Business Network International (BNI), Hyderabad, hosted a BNI Networking Conclave at Om Convention, Narsingi, on Thursday, in which over 3,000 entrepreneurs participated.

BNI has 2.9 lakh entrepreneurs in over 77 countries, generating $20.06 billion of business in the last year. BNI CEO Graham Weihmiller felicitated the members for their contribution to the recent world record of inducting one thousand members in a single day, created by Hyderabad region on November 22.

Mac Srinivasan, Global Markets President, BNI, Hemu Suvarna, National Director; Sanjana Shah, Executive Director, BNI, Hyderabad and Srinivas Rao Mahankali, CEO, T-Hub were present at the event.

Addressing the gathering, Graham Weihmiller said BNI is all about building relationships and terrific businesses. "Whats happening here in Hyderabad in the form of Business Networking Conclave during the International Networking Week is an inspiration for the entire BNI fraternity across 77 countries, which have BNI.

Sanjana Shah said, "Overwhelmed with the enthusiasm of BNI Hyderabad regions members and the recent world record the region created, CEO Weihmiller made his maiden visit to Hyderabad. He personally acknowledged and appreciated the humongous feat. This networking opportunity will immensely help each one of them to multiply their network and net worth."
Upholds its market leadership for 3 years in a row in 2022

With 27.2% market share, recorded a YoY growth of over 155% in 2022

Cemented its leadership for the 10th quarter in Q4 2022

#IndiaKiHattrick: The nation unites to celebrate its favourite smartwatch brand being Indias No. 1 for 3 years

Upholding its market leadership in the Indian Smartwatch industry, Noise, a leading connected lifestyle tech brand, has emerged as Indias No. 1 smartwatch brand, yet again in 2022, maintaining its market leadership for 3 years in a row. With 27.2% market share, Noise recorded a growth of over 155% in 2022, celebrating #IndiaKiHattrick. Operating in an ecosystem largely dominated by global players, Noise being the Indian homegrown brand has constantly reiterated its leadership over the years, showcasing the potential and trust that the homegrown brand holds.

Reacting to the milestone, Noise Co-founders, Gaurav Khatri and Amit Khatri, said, We are proud and humbled as we make #IndiaKiHattrick, emerging as Indias leading smartwatch brand for the third year in a row. It is not just a win for us, but a win for the entire country as their love and trust has played a key role in stemming this milestone. This corroborates the exhilarating times ahead for a homegrown brand like us.

Reaffirming its title of the No.1 smartwatch brand for three years in a row, Noise recorded a YoY growth of over 155% in 2022. While staying true to its values and ethos of consumer centricity and meaningful innovation. The Made in India, Made for India brand has grown exponentially owing to its high-quality, smart, affordable, efficient, and stylish range of products. Its sought-after products Colorfit Icon Buzz and Colorfit Caliber were its key models with a million plus shipments, respectively. A diversified product portfolio and promotional activities ensured a strong play in the watches segment.
Indian beverage major, Parle Agro has signed on leading actor, Kriti Sanon as the brand ambassador for the countrys fastest growing beverage brand, Appy Fizz. Known for her exuberance and spirited personality, Sanon has been deemed a great fit for the apple flavored sparkling drink brand.

Recently, Appy Fizz refreshed its look and unveiled its new packaging, adding a new dimension to the brand and broadening its bold and edgy appeal. Kriti Sanon has been signed in sync with the new look, as her ultra-modern personality emphasizes Appy Fizzs confident, bold & distinctive brand persona. She joins the likes of Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Jr. NTR and will be the face of the brand alongside the superstars.

Her pan-India appeal, given her popularity in both Hindi and South Indian film industries, makes her a great choice to communicate with the brands audience across the country.

Speaking about the brand ambassador, Nadia Chauhan, Joint Managing Director & CMO, Parle Agro said It is exciting to have Kriti Sanon join the Appy Fizz family. Our goal is to keep the brand relevant to its customers and to inspire them to connect with it. Kriti is a fantastic youth icon and has a lot in common with the essence of our brand, particularly in light of the recent release of Appy Fizzs fresh style and packaging. We are hoping our consumers enjoy the new avatar and show great love for our brands new face.

Commenting on being the face of Appy Fizz, actor Kriti Sanon shared Appy Fizz is such a distinctive and bold brand. I am a fan of their iconic ads and the fact that I get to represent and be a part of a much-loved product makes me so happy. Im thrilled to join my famous co-brand ambassadors too.

Sanon will feature alongside Jr. NTR in a national television commercial planned for Appy Fizz. Known for their glamorous, striking and bold TVCs, consumers should be excited to see what the brand has in store for them with their favourite actor.

Apart from coming onboard as the face for Appy Fizz, Kriti Sanon will soon be seen in mega projects including Shehzada starring Kartik Aryan and Adipurush opposite Prabhas and Saif Ali Khan.
India is a diverse Nation and it offers several forms of tourism opportunities including cultural, nature, heritage, educational, sports, rural, eco-tourism, etc. This diversity of India makes it a prime attraction for tourists.

National Tourism Day 2023, was celebrated on 25th January at Reliance Mall Santacruz to highlight the importance of tourism for the economy of the country. Reliance Mall patrons celebrated National Tourism Day, wherein people were made aware of its importance, and the objective behind the celebration.

Reliance Mall, known for celebrating numerous festivals and occasions continued with its tradition of giving its customers happy experiences. On National Tourism Day which is marked with a motive to appreciate our countrys beauty and spread awareness of the importance of tourism and its impact on the Indian economy, Reliance Mall Santacruz, Mumbai gave their customers an immersive virtual reality experience. Customers could visit their favorite domestic destination from Reliance Mall, Santacruz, Mumbai. This pilot project was conducted at Reliance Mall in Surat, Vadodara and Salem as well.

Famous monuments like Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Amer Fort and more locations were experienced using an Oculus Rift Virtual Reality Device.

Reliance Mall plan to keep connecting with its customers in an innovative way, with a view to leave a lasting impression and build a happy brand connect.

Mr. Darshak Mehta, Vice President at Reliance Retail, Mall Management Team shared, This was our pilot project where we gave our customers a virtual reality experience. After seeing the amazing response we have received, we intend to take this to our malls across the country. National Tourism Day celebrates our beautiful country, the monuments and we ensured through our initiative, customers could see the various locations and monuments from Reliance Mall.
Uniting music lovers and enthusiasts in Pune, Vh1 Supersonic 2023 has already created waves with headliner names like Anne-Marie, CKay and more. With excitement levels soaring amongst festival enthusiasts, the cultural phenomenon that returns after 3 years has added to its power-packed list of artists, unveiling its full line-up! From internationally acclaimed artists, TYGA, who was nominated for a Grammy Award, a global trend setter with his most popular track  Touch It, will be headlining at Vh1 Supersonic 2023, to, Canadian eclectic electronic duo Bob Moses, Grammy nominated tech house favourite CamelPhat, Berlin based music producer Hannes Bieger are all set to raise the temperature along with English electronic DJ and musician, Luke Slater! Calm (Siddhant Sharma) and Encore ABJ (Abhijay Negi) who have been shaping the hip-hop scene in India are all geared up to entertain fans as the trailblazing duo Seedhe Maut.Grab your tickets to watch them perform live at gosupersonic.in . BE THERE, BE FREE! at Mahalakshmi Lawns, Pune, on the 24th, 25th and 26th of February 2023!

From Bob Moses, CamelPhat, Hannes Bierger, Luke Slater, homegrown artist- Praveen Achary performing live with Weird Sounding Dude, Farhan Rehman playing his groovy music, to Tara Lily adding a touch of entrancing jazz, this years line-up is all set to take the music lovers on a captivating journey. The line-up also includes Fracture, Anushka, Ankan, and Nikhil Chinapa X Browncoat. New age Melodic Techno by AXL Stace, cutting edge electronic music by EZ Riser, and Ox7gen will provide a diverse musical experience for the attendees. Apart from these Kavya, Shrii Hybrid, Rasa are ready to make the SuperFam swoon to their groovy dance music.

This multisensory music and lifestyle fest recently revealed its line-up that sent ripples of excitement amongst the festivals Superfam, including names like Anne Marie, Prateek Kuhad, CKay, Anuv Jain, Farhan Akhtar, Bee Wise, Arjun Vagale, I-tal Soup feat David Goren, Leah, Mozez x PlanB, Nida, Petah Sunday, Parallel Live, Sunflower Tape Machine and many more.
To educate and empower investors in the B30 towns, YES SECURITIES, one of India's leading Wealth Broking firms, has announced the launch of a new investor education campaign, Udaan in partnership with educational planning platform, Invest4Edu. Udaan aims to equip individuals and families, mostly young parents with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed financial decisions and take flight towards their financial goals.

As part of the campaign, YES SECURITIES and Invest4Edu will be jointly hosting a series of webinars and workshops designed to teach the basics of investing, budgeting, and financial & education planning in B30 cities starting with Bhagalpur in Bihar on February 12. Further, in February, the team will be travelling to

Sr. No. Date Location State 1 12th February 2023 Bhagalpur Bihar 2 13th February 2023 Patna Bihar 3 17th February 2023 Pimplegaon Maharashtra 4 24th February 2023 Dehradun Uttarakhand 5 25th February 2023 Saharanpur Uttar Pradesh

These events will be open to the public, mostly young parents and will feature expert speakers from the company's team and industry.

In addition, YES SECURITIES will be offering special promotions and discounts on its investment products during the duration of this entire campaign. These deals will be available exclusively to those who attend the company's educational events.

"We are thrilled to launch this investor education campaign that will aim to help kickstart the financial planning journey of a lot of young parents in the country. The name Udaan signifies a flight towards ones financial goals. As per latest data, total demat accounts account for only 10% of the total population whereas some developed countries have this as high as 50%," said Anshul Arzare, Joint MD and CEO of YES SECURITIES. "We believe that financial literacy is essential for achieving long-term financial success, and we are committed to helping our clients and the community at large to achieve their financial goals. A new age investor must focus on long-term wealth creation and the affluent investor must focus on preserving wealth along with risk-adjusted returns. We want to become partners in wealth creation for all our clients and we want this journey to be for everyone, not just Tier-I investors."

"Less than 30% of Indian parents use money from dedicated education savings. To meet the aspirations of India's youth bulge amid the rising cost of education it is imperative for every Indian parent to start education planning. Along with YES SECURITIES, we plan to reach out to people of 100 cities based in tier II, III and IV through our on-ground activities in the next one year. Our platform is built to democratize access to education, planning, and saving for every individual to plan their kids future financially and psychometrically which they truly deserve without compromising on lifestyle. It provides an opportunity to make better financial decisions towards the biggest outflow of 90% of Indian households which is funding the entire education of their children." said Rozy Efzal, CEO Invest4Edu.
Dan Olmsted isn't the only Dan we miss. Many AofAers met at Defeat Autism Now! conferences, aka DAN! We learned about real treatment for our kids. There was an extensive list of doctors who respected and understood our children's issues, and their causes. Maureen McDonnell was a DAN! pioneer for autism and vaccine injury support, guidance, care. She has a monthly program on CHD TV, and this week's episode is like opening a time capsule. Maureen is the founder of a newer organization called MAMM  Millions Against Medical Mandates- and I'm proud to have been part of the launch.



For decades, we have fought for the right to say "NO" to any of the vaccines on the pediatric schedule. Some of us wanted zero. Others wanted to slow down the schedule. We warned that CHOICE was in jeopardy. We were ignored and worse. After all, it was just babies and kids and the schedule had been around a long time, so it must be safe. Little by little, parents were robbed of their right to say NO. And then came Covid, and all of the nation learned what we already knew. Forced medicine is horrible.



Follow this link, Feb 8, 2023 Share Vaccine Risk Awareness  The History I can't embed the episode here.

Maureen McDonnell, Amy Gordon and Dr. Liz Mumper cover the history of vaccine risk awareness, today, on Good Morning CHD. They look through the developments in research, education and outreach in this field. For an empowering episode, be sure to tune in to CHD.TV!box

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Buy and share these books by Robert Kennedy Jr.. Dr. Fauci may be "gone" but we will not let his work fade into obscurity nor become enshrined on Mount Olympus. And the Pfizer expose video (dates gone sour) screams out for The Wuhan Cover Up. Not to mention the weather balloon we just took down.



The Real Anthony Fauci: Bill Gates, Big Pharma, and the Global War on Democracy and Public Health (Childrens Health Defense) by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.



#1 on AMAZON, and a NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL, USA TODAY and PUBLISHERS WEEKLY NATIONAL BESTSELLER Over 1,000,000 copies sold despite censorship, boycotts from bookstores and libraries, and hit pieces against the author.





The Wuhan Cover-Up: How US Health Officials Conspired with the Chinese Military to Hide the Origins of COVID-19 (Childrens Health Defense)



From the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Publishers Weekly bestselling author of The Real Anthony Fauci comes an explosive expose of the cover-up behind the true origins of COVID-19.




Ziya Paval recently took to Instagram and announced that Zahhad was eight months pregnant. Paval and Zahhad have been living together for the past three years. (Twitter)

Thiruvananthapuram: In a first of its kind instance, a transgender couple gave birth to a baby at a government hospital in Kozhikode district of Kerala on Wednesday.

The couple, who had announced pregnancy recently, declined to reveal the gender identity of the new-born. They are understood to have conveyed that they would not like to go public on the gender at the moment.

The baby was born through Caesarean Section at 9.30 am at the Kozhikode Government Medical College, according to Ziya Paval, one of the trans partners told a news agency.

According to her, both the baby and her partner were doing well.

Ziya Paval recently took to Instagram and announced that Zahhad was eight months pregnant. Paval and Zahhad have been living together for the past three years.

Meanwhile, the birth of a baby has created a wave of joy among the transgender community. Many of them took to social media expressing happiness and excitement. They shared congratulatory messages and emojis of love and happiness.

In a Facebook post, Adam Harry, the country's first transgender pilot said he has never felt such happiness in his life. "The baby came....both Zahhad and the baby are healthy. Ziya is waiting outside excitedly," he said soon after the news of the baby's birth.

Sheethal Shyam, a trans gender activist, shared the pictures of the trans couple in her social media accounts to convey her happiness. "That child is born," she said in her WhatsApp status.

The trans couple had recently disclosed that they were undergoing hormone therapy to change their genders but halted the procedure to facilitate the birth of the baby. Zahhad, who was transitioning to become a man, had stalled it to conceive a baby.

Earlier the couple had planned to adopt a baby. But later they dropped the plan in view of the stringent legal procedures involved in adoption.

Finally, they decided to have their own biological child.

The medical college authorities assured that breast milk would be made available for the baby from the milk bank of the hospital.
Telangana High Court (PTI)

Hyderabad/New Delhi: The Telangana High Court on Wednesday rejected the plea of the state government for a hearing by a single judge on its interim application on December 26 seeking stay on the transfer of the probe into the alleged BRS MLAs poaching case from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Wednesday stated that it will hear on February 17 the Telangana state governments plea against the Telangana High Courts December 26 order on the issue. In the High Court, Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan rejected the Telangana state governments plea requesting to accord permission to Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy to hear the interim application.

When advocate general (AG) B.S. Prasad appealed for a hearing on the interim application on Wednesday, Chief Justice Bhuyan observed, "Single Judge has passed orders on 26-12-2022 and against that order, the state government preferred appeals before the division bench and this court dismissed all appeals as not maintainable on 6-2-2023. The order passed by the division bench is final and the single judge cannot invoke his jurisdiction and again hear any plea in this case."

The AG tried to convince the High Court by asserting that the division bench had dismissed the appeals based solely on jurisdiction and not on the merits. He also noted that the Supreme Court will soon hear an SLP that was sent there. The government argued that it shouldnt be permitted to enforce decisions made by both a division bench and a single judge.

Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud of the Supreme Court observed that the matter will be listed on February 17 after senior advocate Sidharth Luthra requested an early date of February 13 for the listing. The court turned down the plea. However, Luthra urged the court to maintain the status quo while the Telangana government's appeal of the December 26 High Court ruling is being heard by the Supreme Court. He contended that the CBI will take charge of the case by the time the SC hears the case. The CJI refused to enact any status quo orders. On February 7, the Telangana state government pleaded with the Supreme Court to hold an urgent hearing on its appeal against the HC's order for a CBI investigation into alleged attempts to oust Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLAs.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi replies to the Motion of Thanks on the President's address in the Lok Sabha during Budget Session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Wednesday. (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: "Trust in Modi was not created by a television or newspaper blitz, trust in Modi was created by his sacrifices and by his dedication for the welfare of the nation and its people", said Prime Minister Narendra Modi about himself, in the third person, during his reply in Parliament on Wednesday on the motion of thanks to the Presidents address.

"Why people trust in Modi is beyond your imagination," the Prime Minister said, hitting out at the Opposition as chants of "Modi, Modi" reverberated in the Lok Sabha. As members of the ruling party chanted "Modi Modi". Opposition benches shouted back with chants of "Adani Adani".

The PM went on saying: "The trust of crores of people is my protective shield, it cant be breached by your abuses, allegations: People know Modi has come to their help in times of crisis, how will they agree with your abuses and allegations."

Adopting an aggressive stance, the Prime Minister lashed out: "People who once used to sit on the treasury benches continued with their poor performance even when they were in the Opposition".

He took a dig at Rahul Gandhis recently-concluded "Bharat Jodo Yatra", saying: "Today, someone who had recently been to Jammu and Kashmir witnessed for himself how easy it is to go there and how secure it has become."

Recalling his visit to the Kashmir Valley in 1992 to hoist the national flag at Lal Chowk, he asked that those who recently came back from J&K must tell everyone about the peaceful atmosphere there.

"Decades back, I had also taken out a yatra to Jammu and Kashmir with a resolve to hoist the national flag at Lal Chowk. Terrorists had put out posters to threaten us. Going ahead with the plan, I hoisted the tricolour at Lal Chowk on January 26 without security or bulletproof cover," he said.

Mr Modi noted that today there is peace in J&K and people can visit there. "Jammu and Kashmir has broken records in tourism. The festival of democracy is being celebrated there and it has witnessed participation in the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign," he said.

Underlining that constructive criticism was vital for a strong democracy, the PM said criticism is like a "shuddhi yagya" (purification yagya). He lamented that instead of constructive criticism, some people indulge in compulsive criticism.

"In the last nine years, we have had compulsive critics who indulge in unsubstantiated allegations instead of constructive criticism. Such criticism will not pass muster with the people who are experiencing the basic facilities for the first time now," he noted.

Mr Modi said that instead of a dynasty, he is a member of the family of 140 crore Indians. "The blessings of 140 crore Indians is my Suraksha Kavach," the PM said.

He pointed to the decade before 2014 and said that the years between 2004 to 2014 were burdened with scams and at the same time there were terror attacks happening in every corner of the country. The PM mentioned 2G, Coalgate, the cash-for-votes and Commonwealth Games scams. "This decade saw the decline of the Indian economy and the Indian voice grew very feeble on global fora. The era was marked by Mauke main musibat (adversity in opportunity)," Mr Modi said.

Noting that the country was full of self-confidence today and realising its dreams and resolutions, the PM said the entire world was looking towards India with eyes of hope and credited the stability and possibility of India.

He observed that India under the UPA was called the "Lost Decade", while today people were calling the present decade as "Indias Decade:".

The PM reiterated the commitment towards those who were deprived and neglected and asserted that the biggest benefit of the governments schemes had gone to dalits, adivasis (tribals), women and vulnerable sections. Throwing light on the Nari Shakti (women power) of the country, the PM stated that no efforts were spared to strengthen India's Nari Shakti.

He remarked that when mothers of India are strengthened, the people are strengthened, and when the people are strengthened, it strengthens the whole of society, which leads to a strengthening of the nation.

He also mentioned that the government has addressed the aspirations of the middle class and honoured them for their honesty. Highlighting that ordinary citizens of India were full of positivity, the PM emphasised that even though Indian society has the capability to deal with negativity, it never accepts this negativity.

The PM said the President gave a direction to the nation in her visionary address to both Houses and this inspired the Nari Shakti of India and gave a boost to the self-confidence of India's tribal communities, while instilling a feeling of pride among them. "She gave a detailed blueprint of Sankalp se Siddhi of the nation," he said.

The PM observed that challenges might arise but with the determination of 140 crore Indians, the nation can overcome all the obstacles that come our way.

"The handling of the country during the once-in-a-century calamity and war has filled every Indian with confidence. Even in such a time of turmoil, India has emerged as the fifth largest economy in the world," Mr Modi said.

He said that there is positivity and hope towards India at a global level and credited this positivity to stability, Indias global standing, the growing capability of India and new emerging possibilities in India.

Throwing light on the atmosphere of trust in the country, the PM said India has a government that was stable and decisive and reforms are not carried out by compulsion but by conviction. "The world is seeing prosperity in Indias prosperity," he said.
Listening carefully during the State of the Union, you could hear roaring laughter in Beijing when President Biden again said that J6 was the greatest threat to America since the Civil War. Biden is Chinas perfect stooge. China has a long-term mission to retaliate against the West, with a bullseye on America, for a Century of Humiliation (1839-1949). To succeed, China must have political and racial unity and opportunities to strike, like an American president driving political, racial, and military disunity and invested in the mythical J6 monster.

It was easy to humiliate the Chinese in the 19th century because they believed that the use of military force was a sign of weakness. For more than a millennium, the Chinese brought nations into their fold using psychology. However, psychology was no match for foreigners firing modern weapons.

Successive humiliations inspired Chinese intellectuals to postulate what was occurring. The stickiest theory reads like the seminal thinking on Critical Race Theory (CRT). The world was divided into five races. The inferior Brown, Black, and Red races, collectively called the colored races, and the superior fair-skinned White and Yellow races. The Yellow race would remain in a long-term struggle with the White rulers, but eventually, the Yellow would win because the Whites were arrogant and lazy, while Yellows were humble and diligent. A belief in Han Chinese superiority is sacrosanct and as old as China.

In 1912, the Father of the Republic of China, Sun Yat-sen, oversaw early preparations for the long-term mission. He believed Chinas success lay in its biological, religious, and cultural purity relative to the impure white race. However, China first needed to expand racial purity to conquered populations.

Image: Military parade in Beijing. YouTube screen grab.

China did this by forcing Sincization, which transformed non-Han ethnicities to a 90% Han racial majority, and by teaching schoolchildren the five-fold racial taxonomy, along with the Yellow races final victory over the White race. In 1927, the Chinese Civil War began. It was a stark reminder of the elusiveness and importance of political unity for the long-term mission.

In 1949, Mao Zedong, the first leader of the Peoples Republic of China, delivered political unity. Consistent with the goal of global communism, Mao had to revise the Chinese CRT. The Yellow race was joining and leading the colored races against the white race with its western democratic capitalists.

Maos belief was that Chinas one-party communist state was superior to democracy and capitalism, and it would deliver the economic heft necessary to develop China to settle the score. However, communism underperformed. The Chinese now had a Cold War loss to add to the humiliation. The Wests assumption of victory, though, was premature.

In 1991, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) began its Patriotic Re-education Campaign to unite students and the nation on a heavily propagandized version of the who, what, and why of Chinas humiliation and the long-term mission. In brief, its the history of the victimization of China by White oppressors.

Fast forward to 2012 and Xi Jinpings ascension. The finance and technology (some stolen) from Chinas alleged white oppressors have facilitated the fastest creation of a military and economic superpower in history. Chinas political unity is made of stone, and it will soon be 100% racially unified. The 10% non-Han population, the Uighurs from Xinjiang and the Tibetans that live in the border regions, are undergoing forced Sinicization, including Patriotic Re-Education. Xi is taking no chances with weaknesses, either at the border or with a unified Chinese race.

While the CCPs Xi executes an impressive strategy to achieve the long-term mission, he can take time to enjoy the American superpower, arrogantly or lazily, watching a Chinese spy balloon sauntering across the United States while collecting military intelligence before the grand finale in which America uses an F22-Raptor to pop a spy balloon. For China, this was a brilliant psychological and military win and a grand humiliation to savor. America should expect more humiliation.

Xi will continue to present himself humbly as he diligently keeps his nation racially/culturally, militarily, and politically united. He will also continue aligning the nations of colored people with Chinese CRT and the illusory truth of arrogant white oppressors while overseeing the Belt and Road initiative, where all roads lead to China.

Meanwhile, the Biden Administration must remain silent on Chinas secret weapon for achieving Chinas mission: unifying children and the nation with the indoctrination that they are victims of white [American] oppression. This is so because Bidens party is helping China by indoctrinating Americans in schools, universities, and at home with the same CCP propaganda.

There is so much irony in the President of the United States opening opportunities for the CCP to strike at America by disunifying the nation militarily, politically, and racially. Biden is leveraging the CRT offshoot of woke ideology, with both CRT and wokeness having roots in Chinas racial and Marxist theories.

But what if none of this is ironic to Xi? What if the white spy balloon was a successful diversionary tactic while the CCP clandestinely works to facilitate divisions in America through the indoctrination of CRT and wokism? This would be an espionage masterstroke to advance the CCPs long-term mission to humiliate America and achieve global supremacy. This could be a bigger threat to America than the mythical J6 domestic-extremist monster, right?
Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) says openly it is for the "liberation of Palestine," and does not even try to disguise the fact that this is "from the river to the sea," i.e., the eradication of Israel even as defined by its 1948 borders.

Here are its own words; "We affirm that Palestine will be liberated in its totality, from the river to the sea." The pro-Israel camp must use SJP's status as a credibly alleged anti-Semitic hate group that also venerates a cop killer and a terrorist to discredit it proactively.

We will begin with objective evidence of these statements, and go on to discuss psychological warfare principles with which to put this evidence to work.

Evidence that SJP is an Anti-Semitic Hate Group

The following is from testimony to Congress about white nationalists, white supremacists, and other hate groups.

"it is common for SJP demonstrators calling for Israel's elimination, screaming 'Jews out [Juden raus!] of their campuses.' 'Jews are racist sons of bitches.' 'When we take control of this campus, we are going to kick you out and make sure you don't graduate.' 'Get out of America.' 'Long live the intifada.'"

That's Jews, not Zionists, and note also the threat to "take control of the campus."

"Last week at Columbia University, the antisemitic hate group, SJP, distributed a flyer for its apartheid week with a caricature of a Jew that looks like it came from the Nazi's propagandist tabloid, Der Sturmer. The Amcha Initiative data of almost 2,600 incidents confirms SJP and its allies are the perpetrators in most incidents on U.S. campuses."

This leads to questions as to what SJP is doing on U.S. campuses at all. Who let the international students involved into the United States in the first place, and what lawful and nonviolent actions can be taken to get them out?

Here is a video of SJP in action.

These individuals obviously have no place in any civilized country. Their university slots would be better utilized by Hong Kong Chinese, Ukrainians, and especially women from Iran and Afghanistan who respect our nation's values and would make excellent citizens.

SJP Venerates a Cop Killer and a Terrorist

Here is SJP's official site venerating Assata Shakur, a.k.a., Joanne Chesimard, who is on the FBI's Most Wanted List for murdering a New Jersey State Trooper.

"Last week, Dr. Hill joined the ranks of Malcolm X, Paul Robeson, Muhammad Ali, Kwame Ture, George Jackson, Huey P. Newton, Assata Shakur, Angela Davis, and other leading Black internationalists throughout history that strove for freedom and justice, but were silenced and demonized."

SJP goes even further by equating the nonviolent Black people on the list to a convicted cop killer and domestic terrorist. Black Lives Matter, which also denies the right of Israel to exist, refers to cop killer Chesimard as "Mama Assata."

The ADL states that the Cornell chapter of SJP displayed the logo of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) which is a foreign terrorist organization. The ADL adds that DePaul University's SJP chapter held a fundraiser for PFLP terrorist Rasmea Odeh who was convicted of murdering two Jews with a bomb and trying to kill emergency responders with a second bomb.

As Israel is the only country in the Middle East with equal rights for people of all religions, women, and LGBT people, then anybody who supports a boycott of Israel or calls for Israel's elimination as SJP has done, can be reasonably construed as supporting discrimination and even violence against Christians, peaceful Muslims, women, and LGBT people. The charter of Hamas calls not only for genocide of Jews but also apartheid treatment of Christians who must pay the jizya, or dhimmi tax.

Is SJP on Qatar's Payroll?

"Unreported Foreign Donations to Universities Foment Anti-Semitism" adds:

"ISGAP's research identified a direct correlation between the funding of universities by Qatar and the Gulf States and the active presence at those universities of groups such as Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), which foster an aggressive anti-Semitic atmosphere on campus."

While this does not prove SJP is directly on Qatar's payroll, the facts as known suggest it could be.

Now let's see how this information should apply to advocacy for Israel.

Propaganda is Almost Exclusively an Offensive Weapon

Israel and its advocates make the natural but also terrible mistake of seeking to defend Israel from the enemy's propaganda. Colonel Paul Linebarger's Psychological Warfare states, and the emphasis is mine, "Getting and keeping attention is one of its major missions, and psychological warfare which starts by fixing attention on the enemy presentation is doomed from the start. Therefore, propaganda does not meet propaganda. Combat forces meet; Psychological Warfare forces pass one another in opposite directions." We must therefore attack SJP proactively for blatant anti-Semitism, veneration of a convicted cop killer, and credibly alleged influence from foreign governments.

There is a strong analogy here to effective use of horse cavalry as depicted by then-Lieutenant George S. Patton, Jr. "The saber is solely a weapon of offense and is used in conjunction with the other offensive weapon, the horse. No direct parries are taught, because at the completion of a parry the enemy is already beyond reach of an attack. The surest parry is a disabled opponent."

Consider the simple physics of a fight between mounted swordsmen who attack one another from opposite directions, at a closing speed that can exceed forty miles an hour. The one trained by Patton extends his saber in front of him with the intention of running his opponent through. If the opponent parries, the horses' relative motion will carry the first beyond reach of retaliation whereupon he does the same thing to the next enemy he meets. Opposing propaganda messages similarly pass one another in opposite directions and cannot even be parried. The only sure defense is to destroy the enemy's credibility whereupon his propaganda becomes meaningless. Jonathan Swift (author of Gulliver's Travels and A Modest Proposal) stated the same principle roughly four hundred years ago, emphasis is mine:

"Besides, as the vilest Writer has his Readers, so the greatest Liar has his Believers; and it often happens, that if a Lie be believ'd only for an Hour, it has done its Work, and there is no farther occasion for it. Falsehood flies , and the Truth comes limping after it; so that when Men come to be undeceiv'd, it is too late; the Jest is over, and the Tale has had its Effect."

Israel Must Always be the Complainant

The first party to call the police after a violent confrontation becomes the complainant and is presumed to be the victim. The pro-Israel side must accordingly be the complainant in all controversies in which the IDF must use violence. If for example a Palestinian civilian dies in a crossfire or from an attack on a Qassam launcher, our side must, even before the enemy says one word, publicly accuse the responsible terrorists of the felony murder of the civilian in question. Felony murder can indeed happen if criminal X shoots at victim Y, who returns fire and kills bystander Z by accident. X and not Y is guilty of the felony murder of Z. "But for Hamas' use of this person as a human shield, or its initiation of a firefight with the IDF, he or she would still be alive."

The pro-Israel camp currently makes the mistake of, as Field Marshal Helmuth von Moltke put it, "awaiting the law of the opponent," or conceding the initiative to the enemy. Offensive doctrine requires our side to choose the music and make the enemy dance to our tune instead of dancing to his, and that dance will not last long if we do it properly.

Civis Americanus is the pen name of a contributor who remembers the lessons of history, and wants to ensure that our country never needs to learn those lessons again the hard way. He or she is remaining anonymous due to the likely prospect of being subjected to "cancel culture" for exposing the Big Lie behind Black Lives Matter.

Image: Quinn Dombrowski, via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 2.0
Someone defined education as that which is done to prepare a child for life. If that is truly the definition, then our schools are doing a terrible job.

Many kids graduate from school believing somehow that the world owes them a living; that they have a right to a good income, whether they happen to work or not.

The idea that Americans are free to excel and benefit from their hard work seems foreign to what they are being taught in school. In fact, producing children who believe the world owes them a living represents the future downfall of our great nation.

For many years America has been the most prosperous nation on the earth simply because our people were free to try new things and to benefit from what they had produced. We are gradually becoming a nation that believes that everyone ought to be equal; not just in opportunities, but in outcome as well.

One result of the COVID-19 lockdowns is that it forced parents to see what their children were experiencing in school. Many were upset enough they decided to make the sacrifice and home-school their children. They were surprised that it really was not much of a sacrifice and that their children did so well it caused them to wonder why they had not started teaching them sooner.

When you look at the tax bills you quickly conclude that education is a major part of any state budget. It also seems that every year we push more money into the education budget but results do not improve. Achievement remains about the same.

Many studies have shown that some children are not able to do simple math problems well, and cannot read well by the time they graduate from high school. This is a real shame.

Parents who home-school have discovered that teaching is fairly simple. One of the joys they have experienced is seeing their children excel in achievement. In fact, children want to learn, and will do so if we do not discourage them.

Our schools have known for a hundred years that the best way to teach reading is a system of phonics, yet they continue to use a look-say method in one form or another. With that system the child memorizes certain words, and so it is limited by how many words he can memorize. With phonics the child learns the meaning and pronunciation of every letter, and knowing that, he can read almost any word. Children can learn to read at age three or four; they can read words that are beyond their understanding, but they can pronounce them.

We once had a boy come to our school who was in the ninth grade, but could not read. Sure he could learn something by looking at the pictures. He was a distraction for the school as he was constantly getting into trouble. He was also having an effect on the younger children.

The board thought we should kick him out of the school, but I hated to give up on him. So, I asked him to go down and help our first-grade teacher when she was teaching phonics. I told him she had really more students than she could handle.

So, he was there when she was teaching learning to read. You could not justify putting a ninth-grader in a first-grade class, but as a helper he was able to learn right along with the younger kids.

He learned to read,and graduated with his class. Years later I saw him at a conference. He was dressed in an army uniform. He told me he was the army recruiter for our area. He said: you taught me to read; I could not have gotten this job except that I could read.

Education is really quite simple. It is just a matter of imparting knowledge in a way that children appreciate.

Of course, our schools have more than just a reading and math problem. Now we have to face what are called transgender issues. Children are encouraged to seek their inner self and act out whatever that may be. Sometimes it has meant changing from a boy to a girl.

It gets even worse as children are given puberty blockers and even some surgeries that must be considered child abuse. Some of these children have had surgeries that have affected them for life. When they reached adulthood, many really wanted to be what was natural, but because of the surgeries could never be a mother or a father. Doctors who have performed these surgeries have violated their Hippocratic Oaths and need to be disciplined for it. This ought to be a felony.

This happens not just in the classrooms, but in the libraries as well. One mother was upset about a book available to children in the library and attempted to take it up with the board. When she began to read the book in the meeting she was informed that she could not read the book as it contained information that was a violation of the law. She found it interesting that the book was not acceptable to be read in an open meeting, yet was available to children in the school.

The federal government has called mothers who complain at school board elections domestic terrorists. The Left has called them racist.

Now we have the specter of young men labelling themselves girls, and competing in girls sports. Girls who have trained for years to be the best are beaten by boys who call themselves girls.

Not only that, but boys who say they are girls are attempting to use the restrooms and changing areas for girls. This is creating serious conflicts.

We also have conflicts with Critical Race Theory. Some states have moved against this program only to see the same program introduced under a different name. Even the 1619 Project, which bases all our history on the issue of slavery. Some programs which they say are designed to counter racial prejudice are racially slanted themselves. To avoid this happening a parent would have to be in the classroom full time, something that is not very practical and for which most teachers would be very uncomfortable.

Where will all this end? It will end when parents stop being afraid of what the school counselors may tell them. Comments like either agree to this sex change or your child may commit suicide have got to stop. Our children mean more to us than they do to the schools and we need to take steps to reclaim our schools and our children.

If we simply cannot reclaim our schools, then we have to recognize that it is time to remove our children from the schools and teach them at home. When we do we will discover the joys of actually being a family.

Jim Hollingsworth is a graduate of Pensacola Christian College with a Masters degree in Biblical Studies.

He has written five books: Climate Change: A Convenient Truth, Cortez: A Biography, The Ancient Culture of the Aztec Empire, Abortion Compassion and soon out, A Commentary on the Book of Romans.

He receives mail at jimhollingsworth@frontier.com

Image: Pixabay
Every so often, some Democrats call for reparations to compensate Black Americans for slavery and other indignities.

The latest plan comes from San Francisco, where a reparations committee is considering a program that would offer $5 million per qualified Black resident.

Lets analyze the issue of reparations from the standpoint of morality and practicality.

Most people believe that compensation for misdeeds should come from the people who caused the misdeeds. For example, if John Smith and Joe Brown recklessly damage your car, you expect Smith and Brown (or their insurance companies) to pay for the repairs. Normally, you would not expect the repairs to be financed by the entire town in which you live: That would make no sense.

What if Joe Brown died shortly after the accident? Would you expect his children or grandchildren to pay you? Probably not. Instead, your claim for compensation would be focused on the surviving reckless driver, John Smith. We can apply this logic to the reparations issue.

Obviously, no person alive today existed during the slave era or as an adult in the subsequent Jim Crow or Ku Klux Klan eras.

However, there are certain responsible entities that existed then and now:

The United State government

Eleven slave states of the Confederacy plus four union slave states

A handful of corporations with origins dating before the end of slavery

The Democrat party

I did not include the Republican Party for a very good reason: It was formed in 1854 by a bunch of abolitionists for the express purpose of ending slavery, which was accomplished at enormous cost 11 years later. On the other hand, the Democrat Party has to be listed for very important reasons, which are explained later.

We have identified four parties or groups of parties that may bear responsibility for slavery and subsequent discrimination. What is the financial liability of each?

How much should be paid by the United States and the slave states?

Shortly after the war, Gen. William T. Sherman signed an order reserving 400,000 acres of Confederate land, to be used for the allotment of 40 acres to each of thousands of former slaves. Unfortunately, after Republican Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, Democrat Andrew Johnson became president, the offer was rescinded, and the land was reclaimed.

After the promise of 40 acres was withdrawn there was no large-scale and meaningful program of reparations offered until the 1960s. That is when the nation created affirmative action programs, community reinvestment programs, and augmented welfare programs. Many people believe that those programs were a form of national reparations, and one such person is a Black scholar named John McWhorter. In an interview with CNNs Don Lemon, he said:

Affirmative action was reparations. People didnt use that word, but thats precisely what it was. The Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 that forced banks to invest in inner cities ... that was reparation [although] nobody makes a movie about that.... Welfare was reformed to be easier to get in the late 60s another untold story. It was reparations.

McWhorters views are shared by many others. In an essay in the Harvard Law Review, Mitchell F. Crusto argued:

...affirmative action cannot be viewed in a vacuum, it is an intentional remedy for centuries of blatant discrimination against Black people in all aspects of American life.

After launching the War on Poverty President Lyndon Johnson stated that the government needed to pass laws that erase:

the consequences of ancient brutality, past injustice, and present prejudice.

And William Darity and Andrea Mullen, two advocates for reparations, conceded that:

...some have argued that social programs like Medicaid, Social Security and other welfare benefits are a form of reparations....

With regard to affirmative action, it is impossible to estimate the total cost. How do we calculate the cost to our society when thousands of students with relatively high college admission test scores are replaced by students with lower scores?

We can, however, estimate the cost of welfare programs, and the disparity in the amount of such benefits given to black Americans versus white Americans.

In the view of John McWhorter, the governments War on Poverty programs have cost $23 trillion since 1965, with an estimated $1.3 trillion in 2022 alone. In addition, there are state and local welfare programs that cost hundreds of billions of dollars each year, with an estimated $744 billion spent in 2019.

By using published welfare tables from Health & Human Services (FYE 2021, Table 10, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, we can roughly estimate that a black family is about 4.7 times more likely to receive federal welfare benefits than a white family. Using those ratios and McWhorters $23 trillion estimated cost of the War on Poverty, we can conclude that, since 1965, black families have received more welfare benefits than white families in an amount equal to several trillions of dollars. I believe that it would be appropriate to consider this disparity in welfare benefits to be reparations, since those payments were designed to alleviate suffering from prior socioeconomic disadvantage due to racism.

Thus, people who advocate for the payment of reparations should consider the cost of affirmative action programs, and they should carefully calculate the disparate cost of all types of federal and state welfare programs. These programs may fully or partially satisfy any obligation for reparations.

How much should slavery-era corporations pay?

Some companies, or their predecessors, benefitted from the slave trade. For example, Lloyds of London has apologized for insuring slave ships, and has recently indicated that it will give financial support to charities that support Black causes.

Here are some other companies that may have a history of involvement with slavery in that era:
Union home minister Amit Shah will review the Dikshant Parade at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy on Saturday. (DC Image)

Hyderabad: Union home minister Amit Shah will review the Dikshant Parade or the passing-out parade of the 74th batch of Indian Police Service (IPS) probationers at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy in Hyderabad on Saturday.

Around 166 IPS officer trainees, including 33 women of the 74 RR (regular recruit) batch, will be taking part in the Dikshant Parade. The parade will also have 29 foreign officers from neighbouring nations, including four women, said S.V.P. NPA director A.S. Rajan. "Women make up 23 per cent of this group of officers, which is a welcoming sign. Women are best suited for the police force because they are empathetic, sensitive to public issues, and respond quickly," Rajan said.

While some officers have backgrounds in the arts and sciences, over 69 percent of the officers have engineering background, which are essential in a day when technological crimes are on the rise, he said. The training primarily focused on new challenges on the cyber front in addition to addressing legal matters such as court procedure and mock trial, attitudes, ethics, among others.

The most significant problem facing the police is its metamorphosis from a force that merely upholds law and order, prevents and controls crime, to one that also takes on homeland security and national security. "This challenge outweighs technological difficulties and economic crimes. We have seen in recent years that conflicts are not just fought on the borders, but even within the nation. Wars are waged on the economic and technology fronts, or what we refer to as fourth generation warfare," Rajan remarked.

Speaking of false and misleading information, Rajan added that this is another area that needs to be treated with extreme caution and that the academy's curriculum places a strong emphasis on it. Further, he stated, the curriculum is created to meet the needs of the society in light of the increasing Ponzi scams, where victims may also commit crimes.

Rajan further said that while not all police officers require horseback riding or riding training, everyone may benefit from this management lesson. "Officers who lead from the front are also expected to develop such skills dealing with people, subordinates, and the organisation. It is not taught as an adventurous activity, but as a lesson to illustrate how one properly handles a horse and gains its confidence, making it highly trustworthy," Rajan noted.
There is an idea out there that I  do not have objective decision-making because of who I am, where I come from, and my perspective. But I reject that. We say there is nothing objective about policy-making, we all inject our perspective, our point of views, our lived experiences and the voices of our constituents.

---Ilhan Omar, to House of Representatives upon being removed by vote from her position on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Feb. 2, 2023

Ilhan Omar, somehow, managed to say, with considerable contempt and sanctimony, not to mention falsehood, both that she is capable of being objective and that she is not capable of being objective.

The blatant falsehood is that she claims she was removed from the committee because of her race, gender and religion. Actually no, she was removed for her past long history of despicable anti-Semitic remarks.

Further, Omar says she rejects the idea [that] is out there (in the stratosphere or something) that she is not capable of being objective.

Not apparently having mastered the most basic first year college logic course, she immediately followed this by admitting that she is not objective because, wait for it, nobody is capable of being objective.

Her reason for excusing her inability to be objective is equally peculiar: that nobody is capable of being objective because we all inject our perspective, our points of view, our lived experiences and the voices of our constituents. So, she both is and is not capable of being objective. Thats an Omar first.

If, however, Omar thinks no one is capable of being objective, then what does she think people are doing on the floor of the House? Having a cafeteria food fight, like a bunch of children? Indeed, Omars, so to speak, argument that since people have different perspectives, points of view and lived experiences, there is no such thing as objectivity. That is precisely the argument used by the ancient Greek Sophists in the time of Socrates and Plato (5th century B.C.), who employed fallacious reasoning in order to win arguments, that is, to cheat to get what they want.

So, for example, in the last year of the Biden administration, a record number of immigrants died (853) at the U.S. southern border attempting to enter the U.S. illegally.

Omar thinks that is not an objective fact that is relevant to U.S. immigration policy? Really? Drugs, including fentanyl, being smuggled into the U.S., are killing an estimated 100,000 Americans a year. Really? A pile of dead kids is about as objective as one can get.

One should not be surprised. This is what one gets when what is left of our universities stops teaching people to reason properly and replaces it with post-modernism and political indoctrination.

Wikipedia notes that:

Having rejected objective reality, morality, truth, human nature, and reason, everything becomes, predictably, quite simple. It turns brains into mush (very useful for the Left). Men become women by saying they are women. Complimenting someone on their appearance becomes a micro-aggression. Asking a question becomes racism. Belonging to the disfavored political party becomes white supremacy. Making disgusting anti-Semitic remarks becomes being victimized because of ones race, gender, or Muslim religion. Or, to put it somewhat differently, everything becomes like being in a playpen with other children.

There was a time, long ago, when our schools and universities taught students, not what to think, but how to think responsibly. They taught students that if they wished to reach the truth about various matters, they must undergo a long period of intellectual discipline.

Those days are, however, long gone, destroyed by vengeful children and weak administrators, often troubled and sometimes malevolent, as full of themselves as they are of political agendas. Unfortunately, since objective reality, truth, morality and reason are limiting concepts, that is, concepts that place limits on what one can responsibly think, say, or do, then abandoning them, with the post-modernists and their self-absorbed progeny, means that there are no longer any limits on what one thinks, says, or does.

The 19th century Russian novelist and forerunner of existentialism, Fyodor Dostoevsky considered the inevitable social consequences of this kind of decadence in his great novel, Crime and Punishment.

A university student, Raskolnikov, concludes that since God (i.e., no longer acknowledged), reason, morality, truth, objectivity, etc., are dead, everything is permitted.

In order to prove his dedication to this brave new abstraction, Raskolnikov murders an old woman for no reason at all (but he does decide to take her money as well). Does that sound familiar to anyone watching the news these days? Is it any wonder, against this background, that Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and many Democrats recently melted down in response to a Republican House bill that would require medical care for a baby born alive after the doctors first attempt to abort (kill) it failed. So if the baby defies the odds and survives the abortion, the doctor gets a second shot at killing it?

Satan would be ecstatic.

By the way, by the end of the novel, Raskolnikov has learned that ideas that sound interesting in the ivory tower do not generally work our very well in real life.

In real life, Dostoevsky left the Left and became a Christian.

It is not even clear that Squad members even know what they are saying much of the time. This is no surprise since what remains of our universities have taught them self-indulgence, not self-reflection. Thus, when the Squad tells you that no one is objective about policy, they have thereby admitted that they are not being objective when they advance their policies at the southern border, that they are not being objective when they vote for the trillion dollar omnibus bills, that they are not being objective when they defend their policies on election laws, that that they are not being objective when they defend their policy on reparations, that they are not being objective when they defend their policies on policing, etc.

We accept their admission that theyre not being objective about any of their policies, that is, their admission that, like the ancient Greek Sophist Gorgias, that they are nihilists that believe in nothing, so that what they give us instead is theatre, arms waving, voice shaking, tears and anger, not rational argument. That was, by the way, already clear to us. And that is precisely why nobody has any reason to take any of them seriously. They are, as Dostoevsky writes, elsewhere (The Grand Inquisitor), little children rioting and barring out the teacher at school.

Note: Omars vague formulation (The idea is out there somewhere) is a not innocent vagueness. It is a strategy to be elusive, to escape accountability.

Image: Gage Skidmore, via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 2.0
During the State of the Union speech, President Joe Biden tried to claim that the U.S. southern border is improving, despite the fact that it has gotten significantly worse.

Under the Biden administration, illegal immigration has soared to unprecedented levels.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recorded over 250,000 encounters with illegal aliens in December 2022, the highest number recorded in U.S. history.

Based on December's numbers, the administration has now experienced ten straight months of 200,000+ illegal alien encounters.

The president claimed otherwise during his speech to Congress.

"We now have a record number of personnel working to secure the border, arresting 8,000 human-smugglers and seizing over 23,000 pounds of fentanyl in just the last several months," Biden said.

"Since we launched our new border plan last month, unlawful migration from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela has come down 97%," he added.

Former acting Department of Homeland Security secretary Chad Wolf responded to Biden's claims by saying that the president thinks seizing thousands of pounds of fentanyl is a "success."

Moreover, referencing the fentanyl crisis, Biden said, "Fentanyl is killing more than 70,000 Americans a year." Fentanyl is the leading cause of death for Americans ages 1845.

In response, Republicans yelled "border!" in the House chamber, indicating that Biden should close the border, and one Republican shouted, "It's your fault."

When the GOP members of Congress called on him to close the border, Biden said, "You got it" but didn't follow up with any details.

During his address, the president laid out his plan to combat the fentanyl crisis.

"So, let's launch a major surge to stop fentanyl production, sale, and trafficking, with more drug detection machines to inspect cargo and stop pills and powder at the border," he said.

More than 100,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2021. Seventy thousand of those deaths came from fentanyl and other related compounds.

Former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Tom Homan said that Congress must hold the Biden administration accountable. "Congress needs to hold Joe Biden, [Homeland Secretary] Secretary [Alejandro] Mayorkas, and everyone else responsible for this travesty accountable for what they've done to this nation," he said.

"This administration's policies are dangerous and inhumane, and the new majority in Congress better get serious about doing something to stop them. We are quickly running out of time to fix this  act now, show some spine, or demonstrate that you care about border security to the same extent the left does," Homan added.

The president's claim that illegal immigration has gone "down" is false. Under his administration, illegal immigration has reached its highest number in decades.

Image via Good Free Photos.
How delightful that among the Republican members of the new Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government of the House Judiciary Committee is Harriet Hageman of Wyoming, and not the objectionable Liz Cheney. (But why couldn't the panel have been named, simply, the Un-American Practices Select Subcommittee?)

The subcommittee chair is House Judiciary chair Jim Jordan. Other Republicans on the committee include Darrell Issa, Matt Gaetz, Elise M. Stefanik, Thomas Massie, and Mike Johnson. The ranking member is Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett, who has a vote in committee but not on the House floor, as she represents the Virgin Islands...still a territory, not a state  yet.

The Select Subcommittee gets down to business February 9, at noon. This observer expects that the Democrats will be as obstructive, obnoxious, and obstreperous as possible, which brings me to a point raised by Arkansas governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders in her terrific reply to Biden's latest mumbling diatribe. From Fox News:

She [Sanders] described the Biden administration as 'completely hijacked by the radical left,' and said that America's 'dividing line' was no longer a separation between right and left. 'The choice is between normal or crazy,' she said. 'It is time for a new generation of Republican leadership.'

The governor's observation that the country is divided "between normal or crazy" should, I think, go down as the "emperor-has-no-clothes" comment of the year. It is Gov. Sanders's call for "a new generation of Republican leadership" that has me thinking of Julie Kelly, the outstanding political writer for American Greatness. Time and again, Kelly's sharp wit, adroit intuition, and patriotic loyalty remind one of John Le Carre's George Smiley.

The Republicans need leadership with gumption, leadership that will serve the American people by serving our legacy of liberty  more than merely "a new generation of Republican leadership." Mitch McConnell is in his 80s (like this writer), and if he were loyal to our heritage of American exceptionalism rather than to the Deep State, I would have no difficulty with his leadership.

Joe Biden has numerous shortcomings as a political leader; apart from apparently being challenged by a severe shortness of brainpower, the commander-in-thief regards the people of MAGA not as fellow citizens to be respected, but as political foes to be destroyed. Applauding a charlatan's State of the Union address throughout, not just politely at start and end  as Speaker McCarthy did  assumes geniality and kinship. Such a speaker needs guidance in Political Reality/USA 101. The person to provide such guidance, I submit, is Julie Kelly; Ms. Kelly's exposes regularly blast openings in the media's Iron Curtain around Biden to keep Americans informed about the repressive conduct, particularly postJan. 6, of the Department of Justice, the FBI, the federal courts, and the maltreatment of detainees as if they were political prisoners in a ruthless dictatorship.

Significantly, Ms. Kelly does not say, as did the speaker, that the Capitol cop who shot the late Ashli Babbitt was "just doing his job." To the contrary, every member of Congress, not just the panel on un-American practices by the federal government, should read this very important disclosure by the one and only Kelly on Capitol Hill brutality: January 6 Was the Worst Incident of Police Brutality Since Civil Rights Era.

This is but one of a great many articles from a bold investigative reporter whom no member of Congress, certainly no Republican member, whatever his age, should dismiss. (For other important articles by this 21st-century muckraker, use this search term: "American Greatness Julie Kelly.")

If House Judiciary chair Jim Jordan were a regular reader of the exposes given to the American people by Julie Kelly, he would definitely agree that the national interest demands that Ms. Kelly be appointed chief investigator for the Select Subcommittee to Defend the Country against the Domestic Enemies of American Democracy. What the times require is not only a "new generation" of Republican leadership, but one that is fully aware that at the present, the country is led by a man who hates America, who has sheer ambition in the place where, normally, a heart is found. What could be crazier than that?

Mr. Jordan should serve the national interest and put Julie Kelly in charge of the investigation of the transformation of our federal government into a totalitarian regime  and the sooner the better.

Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required.
What happened to Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Tennessee is an absolute tragedy.

Five officers beating down this young man to the point that he did not survive these injuries is absolutely unforgivable. As a result, these "officers" (I can't even consider them in the same league as our hardworking men and women in blue) will be dealt with accordingly, the same as if they were professionals or blue-collar workers. Justice will be served.

And yet, the media are only talking about the fallout that came from that  people protesting in the streets and calling for the end of police, and bringing in more public workers instead in the name of justice.

But here's the thing: the police as a whole aren't the problem. The system is. Let's take a closer look at how we got here.

These five "officers" essentially took matters into their own hands, acting completely unprofessionally and attacking this man to the point of taking his life. And while they are responsible for their own actions (and will certainly pay for them, if justice has its way), we have to take a look at how they got into officer uniforms in the first place.

Over the past couple of years, the situation with police officers has gotten far worse than we could ever imagine. It all started with "defund the police" in 2020 and what happened with George Floyd. Since that time, politicians have been on a rampage, scuttling police budgets as if they didn't even matter and insisting that police are the problem, not even looking at the brave men and women who have put their lives on the line. They just got slapped with a label as a whole.

Look at the fallout from that. Thousands of police officers have left their jobs. Some didn't have a choice in the matter, fired by city administration  such as New York  over failing to follow something as simple as a vaccine requirement (mainly because they didn't have enough details about it). Some left under more drastic terms, coming under such pressure that they killed themselves.

Then there are the officers who just left. They were tired. Tired of being yelled at. Tired of being disrespected by their higher-ups. Tired of the day-in, day-out grind of overtime hours and no mental health support to get them through their day. Tired of not having the gear needed to do their jobs. Tired of limitations that prevented them from doing their job. Some even left without getting their pension, preferring to save their lives instead.

Think about that. Look at it from the perspective of officers. And I mean the tried and true officers who busted their butts every day to get the job done, even if it meant taking a toll on them.

That left some departments high and dry in the face of growing criminal activities. As a result, many departments  including, I suspect, Memphis  had to hire anyone who was willing to put on a badge and take the training. Now, as a result, five officers who chose to take matters into their own hands took the life of a young man who didn't deserve anything they did to him. It's earth-shattering  and a true wake-up call.

There is no going halfway with police anymore. The government needs to approve that "fund the police" program so we can finally get money flowing again. Providing mental support where it's needed so our officers won't leave the job in vain. Providing the protective gear necessary so they can go home the same way as they got to work. Assuring that we will never, ever again hire officers like the five who took part in this brutal act.

Without that funding  and that support  we're going to continue to see the downfall. People mad at police. Departments being short-handed and hiring people unfit for the job. And criminals continuing to run wild.

It's time to give the officers what they need: training, support, gear, all of it.

Michael Letts is the founder, president, and CEO of InVest USA, a national grassroots non-profit organization that is helping hundreds of communities provide thousands of bulletproof vests for their police forces through educational, public relations, sponsorship, and fundraising programs. He also has over 30 years of law enforcement experience under his belt, hence his pro-police stance for his brothers and sisters in blue. Those interested in learning more about Letts can visit his official website.

Image: Tony Webster via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped).
A report is circulating that Biden expressly ordered U.S. Navy divers to blow up the Nord Stream pipelines through which Russian natural gas flowed to Europe. If thats true, Biden committed an act of war. I have a proposal, though, to keep Putin from launching an ICBM in our direction.

The allegation comes from Seymour Hersh, 85, the journalist the highlight of whose long career Wikipedia describes. In 1969, Hersh broke the story of the My Lai massacre that had happened the year before. Since then, Hersh has alleged that U.S. intelligence tricked the Soviets into shooting down Korean Air Flight 007 in 1983; claimed that Nicholas Davies, an editor for the Daily Mirror, was a secret Mossad agent (something Davies denied); broke the Abu Ghraib story; claimed that the U.S. was trying to destabilize the Iranian mullahs during the George W. Bush presidency; alleged that the Obama administration systematically lied about every detail of Osama bin Ladens death, except for the fact that he was dead; and has a laundry list of interesting claims revolving around John F. Kennedy.

Sometimes Hersh nails things (e.g., My Lai; Abu Ghraib), but his record for accuracy, in my opinion, can be hit or miss (based on my observations over the years). Ive also felt that he dislikes America and Israel, a perceived bias that prevents me from trusting his reporting in the first instance. Hes also deeply suspicious of Americas intelligence agencies, although (sadly) events of late have proven that hes probably right to be.

Image: The Nord Stream pipeline explosion. YouTube screen grab.

All of this means that, when Seymour Hersh alleges something, I wait before reaching a conclusion. Thats definitely my attitude regarding Hershs latest allegation at his new Substack; namely, that Biden ordered the attack on Russias Nord Stream pipelines in September 2022. Heres the key language, which relies solely on an anonymous source:

Last June, the Navy divers [from the U.S. Navys Diving and Salvage Center], operating under the cover of a widely publicized mid-summer NATO exercise known as BALTOPS 22, planted the remotely triggered explosives that, three months later, destroyed three of the four Nord Stream pipelines, according to a source with direct knowledge of the operational planning. [snip] Now, with Russian troops massing on the Ukrainian border and the bloodiest war in Europe since 1945 looming, President Joseph Biden saw the pipelines as a vehicle for Vladimir Putin to weaponize natural gas for his political and territorial ambitions. Asked for comment, Adrienne Watson, a White House spokesperson, said in an email, This is false and complete fiction. Tammy Thorp, a spokesperson for the Central Intelligence Agency, similarly wrote: This claim is completely and utterly false. Bidens decision to sabotage the pipelines came after more than nine months of highly secret back and forth debate inside Washingtons national security community about how to best achieve that goal. For much of that time, the issue was not whether to do the mission, but how to get it done with no overt clue as to who was responsible.

Hersh has a lot of details but names no names to back his key assertion, which is that Biden gave the order to blow up the pipelines.

Do I think Biden would give that order? Yes, especially if his handlers pushed him to do so. Do I think he did give that order? I sincerely hope not because it seems to meand beware that Im not versed in international lawthat destroying another countrys pipeline is an act of war. My understanding further says that Putin would be within his rights to respond with an attack on the U.S.

For the moment, lets assume solely for the sake of argument that Biden did what Hersh alleges. Is there a way to prevent Putin from attacking? Well, I think there is. Its a simple three-step plan: Immediately impeach Biden (who will have started a war without Congress's permission); try him for war crimes; and, if hes found guilty, hand him over to Putin for a punishment consistent with the Geneva Convention. (As an added bonus for those who believe in anthropogenic climate change, keep in mind that blowing up the pipelines is said to have released up to 32 billion pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere.)
An FBI whistleblower has released an internal FBI document from the agency's Richmond office, showing that the FBI is out to gather intelligence on a subset of Catholic Latin Mass lovers that they call "radical Catholic traditionalists," based on claims, possibly scurrilous, that they are nests of anti-semitism and "white supremacy" in need of government surveillance.

According to Kyle Seraphin, the former FBI agent-turned-whistleblower:

The FBIs Richmond Division would like to protect Virginians from the threat of white supremacy, which it believes has found a home within Catholics who prefer the Latin Mass. An intelligence analyst within the Richmond Field Office of the FBI released in a new finished intelligence product dated January 23, 2023, on Racially or Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremists (RMVE) and their interests in Radical-Traditionalist Catholics or RTCs. The document assesses with high confidence the FBI can mitigate the threat of Radical-Traditionalist Catholics by recruiting sources within the Catholic Church. The acronym, new to many in the Domestic Counterterrorism field, comes with a footnote by the writer explaining RTCs are typically characterized by the rejection of the Second Vatican Council. The writer makes an unsubstantiated leap that a preference for the Catholic Mass in Latin instead of the vernacular and a number of more traditional views on other world religions can amount to an adherence to anti-Semitic, anti-immigrant, anti-LGBTQ and white supremacist ideology.

Mitigate the threat? What threat? There was no proof of anti-semitism cited. It's about people who like to go to Latin Mass. Don't like it, don't go to one.

Oh, but hey, they aren't planning to spy on all Catholics who prefer the Latin Mass as a style of worship, the document notes, just the subset they consider "radical Catholic traditionalists," whatever that is.

Seraphin continues:

This writer draws the important distinction between traditional Catholics, who simply prefer the Traditional Latin Mass and pre-Vatican II teachings, and RTCs, who espouse more extremist ideological beliefs and violent rhetoric. A discerning reader may wonder why the writer believes such divisions exist and if there is evidence of the extremist and violent rhetoric within the Catholic church. The analysts note doesnt provide specifics. When the FBI generates an intelligence product, it is important to note the analyzed sources. Typically, strict source vetting removes partisanship and bias, so a product is both consistent with federal law and can add value to the FBIs overall mission. Of note, this document was reviewed and approved for release by the FBI Richmond Chief Division Counsel, who is the offices top lawyer.

Which is quite a violation of the First Amendment right to freedom of worship, which is guaranteed by the Constitution. Even crummy and utterly wrong religions that are loaded with anti-semites are guaranteed that one.

It shows that the FBI has too little to do as a bloated and oversized agency, so it's now getting into areas it has no business in, turning itself into a "Lives of Others"-style Stasi.

There is also reason to think they aren't acting legally and don't know much about their target.

The term "traditional Catholic" itself is a very muddled one, given that it includes Latin Mass-appreciating Catholics who are inside the Church and tend to be very conservative, and wack-jobs who are outside the Church but who consider themselves the "real" Catholics, who can also be conservative. Some of these groups, according to Wikipedia, are halfway-in and halfway out, and their statuses within the Church can actually change depending on who's running things in the Catholic Church hierarchy.

For a practicing Catholic, being in or out are two different things -- either you're Catholic (or Orthodox), or else you're protestant (small 'p' intentional as these kinds of dissidents aren't part of any recognized Protestant church), and there is no gray area. Catholics? If they are outside the Church, they ain't Catholics no matter what they call themselves. So I guess those are the "radical traditionalist Catholics" they are after.

The Bureau tries to separate the two in this document, and calls presumably the sects outside the Church the anti-semitic nests they think are worth spying on.

But if even Catholics have trouble telling the difference based on the varied statuses, you can bet the secularists inside the FBI are going to have even more trouble telling them apart, meaning, they're quite likely to be spying on all sorts of Catholics.

Who are these newly revealed targets, anyway?

The approximate number of this undistinguished mass, according to Wikipedia, citing a very old Catholic World Report estimate with a broken link, is about 1 million worldwide. That 1 million number doesn't distinguish those in or out, either. What's more, it's apparently just a guess.

As a practicing Catholic, however, one thing I can say, though, is that the number of those who favor the Latin Mass is small, very small, a tiny subset within the Catholic Church itself, and their numbers are undoubtedly the majority of those who do go to Latin Masses. What's more, any of us Catholics, (or even non-Catholics) can go to a Latin Mass if we feel like it and if we know where it is held (the leftists running the Church these days are trying to stomp it out, too, by not publishing times and places) which muddles the number further. It's fine and dandy to have these kinds of religious expressions as well as entirely within the First Amendment freedom to worship as well as Catholic-legitimate. As someone who's been to them, nothing weird goes on, no anti-semitism is ever spouted, cripes, we can't even understand what they are saying since it's in Latin, they are just Catholic Masses done in another style. I consider the traditional Mass too long, so I rarely go to one, but it's a nice cultural experience when I do. These Masses presumably would not be included the "radical traditionalist" group the FBI is targeting.

I can't imagine how small that group is, these "radical traditional Catholics" named in the document as targets who are supposedly all in for anti-semitism and need spying on and presumably would be outside the Church. What is it? Ten people? Twenty? With numbers that small, where would they even find an informant to pay for information?

The FBI document at the link cites a Southern Poverty Law Center document, written by some radical anti-Catholic leftist, which as Seraphin notes, is an activist NGO the Bureau are not supposed to cite as fodder for their intelligence investigations, as they well shouldn't. It also cites two media reports, one from the leftist Salon and the other from The Atlantic, which recently opined that the rosary is a gun nut's subversive paradise. I wrote about that whopper here.

The SPLC has a known partisan bias and is about as credible as Fusion GPS which fobbed off an "opposition research" document on Donald Trump with false and mendacious claims as legitimate research done without fear or favor.

Well, the Bureau did it anyway. So they broke the law right there and didn't care and put out an intelligence-section document urging agents to recruit informants to infiltrate these groups to spy on them.

How many informants have they recruited? Where's the evidence of systemic anti-semitism in these groups?

The only thing I can think of is that Mel Gibson's eccentric version of "Catholicism" is believed to be in this 'out' category, and yes, he has uttered a string of anti-semitic comments during a traffic stop many years ago, so one could lay anti-semitism on him. However, the actor did apologize, meaning, he seemed to know that what he said was a sin, so even that makes it legitimate to question whether these irregular groups outside the Church are nests of anti-semitism. Gibson did something he knows he should not have done.

While nobody's shown the proof of that among these sects, it's a fact that anti-semitism is historically real, however, and does have a bad history in the pre-Vatican II Catholic Church and in the nations that followed Catholicism (and Lutheranism, too) which is the time period that these sects are said to supposedly favor. Ghettos, special taxes, persecutions, expulsions, ugly smears, slanders and even art, pogroms, killings, all vile and horrible acts against Jews in Europe did happen. James Mitchener's "The Source," a book about the Jewish people that I read as a kid at the urging of my Catholic catechism teacher, describes a lot of that horrible activity vividly. Wikipedia outlines a lot of it, too. But anti-semitism itself has been condemned by the Church as early as the 11th century by Pope Calixtus II, so it's been out there for a while that anti-semitism is sinful, even as there have been contradictions in the centuries that followed. Vatican II attempted to hose it all out.

Bad as it is, it's police overreach in violation of the First Amendment to be targeting any church or sect or whatever for spying without a proper pretext of authentically illegal, as opposed to repugnant, activity. Seraphin notes that the document is to be applied to intelligence investigations which can go on forever, but to what purpose is this? If they have no evidence a crime has been committed, they are squarely within crime territory themselves, violating the First Amendment.

If they are doing this to the radical Catholic sects, who must number a few dozen people, maybe more, the next question is who else are they doing this to? How widespread are these violations of the First Amendment which includes freedom to worship? We know they have been violating freedom of speech from the Twitter Files revelations, now we learn they are violating freedom of religion.

So, what other groups are the target, why can't the Bureau go after real criminals instead, and why hasn't anyone been busted for this? Perhaps this can be sorted out in the current Congress and perhaps laws can be passed that the FBI should be fully sueable should it violate these kinds of elemental Constitutional rights as breach of contract.

Whatever it is, someone should be held accountable, and a broader investigation about why the Bureau can't seem to stay in its lane and observe Constitutional protections is in order. Obviously, this is an agency that has grown too woke and bloated and is getting into mischief instead of productive activity.

Image: Required attribution text: by the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, available from http://fssp.org. via Wikipedia // no license specified
We have been demonizing the police ever since the Obama administration. There are about 700,000 police officers in the United States. They engage in about 60 million police interventions each year. Very few, only a tiny percentage, go bad. According to Washington Post data, more unarmed white people are killed by the police than unarmed black people.

When an unarmed white person is killed by the police its almost never reported and given little emphasis when it is.

But the situation is very different when its an unarmed black person. Then its immediately attributed to racism and given tremendous coverage.

Yet Whoopi Goldberg, unaware that more unarmed white people than blacks are killed by police, asks if we need to see white people beaten up to get police reform: (video takes several seconds to load)





The police have a very difficult job. Few of us would want to do what they do. They are frequently exposed to violence. They work under high risk and high stress. And their job is even more difficult in communities with high rates of violent crime. We need the police and qualified police officers.

Even if we dont defund the police, demonizing the police is disastrous. Because were demonizing the police, officers are demoralized and leaving the force in droves. This leaves police forces significantly understaffed. And you can be sure that there is pressure to take less and less qualified people to staff the force.



Its obvious that the five Memphis police officers who beat Tyre Nichols to death were not qualified to be police officers. Clearly, they are the kind of people who should ever be on a police force. They deserve to be demonized. They deserve condemnation. But too many people, like Whoopi Goldberg, ignorantly condemn all police officers. Even Joe Biden has done this leaping to the conclusion that racism is always the reason when a police intervention against a black person goes bad.

This sets up a vicious cycle, call it a death cycle, where every time a police officer engages in misconduct, people like Whoopi Goldberg condemn police generally. This makes it increasingly difficult to hire and retain qualified officers increasing the frequency of police misconduct and, in turn making it more difficult to hire and retain qualified police officers. It needs to stop. As long as we are forced to hire fewer and fewer qualified people to become police officers, no amount of police reform will solve police misconduct.

Photo credit: Fox News video screengrab
AI and AI-generated content have been major subjects in the tech world for a while, and conversation is heating up. One of the biggest AI companies in the world just offered its two cents on the whole subject with a new blog post. Google stated that AI-generated content is not against its search guidelines.

Understandably, most people arent too happy with this AI-driven future that were speeding toward. AI imagery is already taking a bit out of artists salaries, and ChatGPT has led companies like CNET and BuzzFeed to belch out full articles. Were wondering what other toes AI is going to step on.

Google says that AI-generated content isnt against its search guidelines

Search giant and leader in AI Google outlined how it feels about AI-generated content. Now, its been heavily hypocritical for the company to pioneer its own AI tools and then ban the use of other AI tools in its search results. Also, thats just begging for an anti-trust lawsuit.

Anyway, the company released a lengthy blog post about the companys stance on AI-generated content in search results. Basically, the company will not automatically ban AI-generated content from search results. This means that, if youre looking for content, theres a chance that it could have been AI-generated.

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This sounds troublesome, as AI can definitely be used to create low-quality content for the sake of manipulating search results. Wed hope that Google would stamp out bad actors using AI for their own gain, but the company has a more passive method to deal with this.

In the blog post, the company said that its the same tactic to reduce AI abuse that its been using for bad human-generated content. Google awards high-quality content with higher search rankings. So, if the company detects spam AI content, it wont prioritize it as much as quality content.

Were not sure if thats going to help the situation as AI-generated content becomes more prevalent. Only time will tell.
Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge speaks in the Rajya Sabha during Budget Session of Parliament, in New Delhi. (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Thursday raised an objection to Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar deleting some portions of Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Mallikarjun Kharge's speech from official records. The party argued that the LoP used no unparliamentary words and some of the expressions he employed were earlier used by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Mr Dhankar, however, ruled out a review, saying he has already taken a call.

At the start of the day's proceedings in Rajya Sabha, Congress MPs were up on their feet, questioning the rationale behind the expunging some remarks made Mr Kharge on Wednesday, when similar ones were made by former PMs Manmohan Singh and Vajpayee and in the House and continue to be part of the proceedings.

Responding to the Chairs comments, Mr Kharge said that things said in the House as per rules and procedures during the discussion on the motion thanking the President for her address to the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament at the start of the Budget Session cannot be expunged.

"I neither used any unparliamentary word or language nor made any allegation against anyone," the LoP said. "Yet you pick out some words... I won't say you misinterpreted them, but if you had any doubt you could have sought clarification in a different fashion."

Instead, six different parts of speech were expunged, Mr Kharge said, again referring to an expression he had used on Wednesday to describe Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Chairman then asked him not to say it again.

However, the LoP said these were the same words that were used in the House on previous occasions as well. "Vajpayee had used the same expression for (ex-Prime Minister) P.V. Narasimha Rao. It is still part of the record, you can see that."

When party leaders, including chief whip Jairam Ramesh, try to raise a point, they are cut short, Mr Kharge said. "You say this is not right... You sit down... You should read. He (Mr Ramesh) has been educated at Harvard University and knows Hindi, Kannada, English... what other language should he know? And knows parliamentary language, yet you keep interrupting him. This is not right."

Mr Kharge asked Mr Dhankhar to look into the records.

When Mr Kharge said that whoever comes to his defence is interrupted by the Chair, Mr Dhankhar said the ultimate defender of the LoP is the Chair.

"But that is not happening," Mr Kharge shot back. "You are expunging."

Earlier, Mr Ramesh said that Mr Kharge had only used parliamentary words and language. "What is the use of speaking when it is expunged? This is wrong... We can't accept this (ruling to expunge)."

On Mr Rameshs remark, the Chairman retorted back, saying, "What do you mean by 'nahi man sakte' (can't accept)"

"What do you mean by being so judgmental," Mr Dhankhar asked Mr Ramesh. "I am surprised," he said.

Speaking on the issue, Congress MP Mukul Wasnik said the Opposition parties gave notices seeking discussion on the matter but the Chairman rejected them, saying MPs will be free to speak on the subject during the debate on the motion thanking the President for her address to the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament.

The Leader of the Opposition expressed his views during the debate on the motion on Wednesday but "you have expunged it," he said. "Which part of LoP's speech was unparliamentary," he asked.

Another Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said the words that Mr Kharge used to describe the Prime Minister were previously spoken in Parliament as well as in the state Assemblies of Odisha and Karnataka. "They are entirely parliamentary."

Former Prime Minister had previously used the same words in Rajya Sabha, and it is part of the House records, he claimed.

Mr Tiwari asked the Chair to uphold parliamentary traditions because Mr Kharge was speaking in accordance with his directive to express his views on the subject during the debate on the Motion of Thanks rather than raising it via a 267 notice. "I request you that the words that have been expunged should continue to remain part of the proceedings," he said.

Urging the MPs again to maintain the decorum of the House, Mr Dhankhar said, "I examined the proceedings in light of the rules framed by the House. And Rule 261 casts an obligation on me... To make such sweeping observations that everything has been removed is not appropriate. I expect the honourable members to first go through what has been expunged."

When Congress MPs pressed, Mr Dhankhar said, "I have taken my call."
Samsungs Galaxy S20 series is receiving the February 2023 Android security patch. The rollout began recently in some Latin American countries. The latest security update should be widely available for the 2020 Galaxy flagships in more markets over the next few days.

This months security update for Galaxy devices patches more than 50 vulnerabilities. As usual, the majority of those are part of Googles latest ASB (Android Security Bulletin). The Android maker and other partners patched five critical and dozens of high-severity vulnerabilities this month. Some of those could lead to remote code execution if exploited, potentially allowing threat actors to take control of your phone remotely. This release contains seven Galaxy-specific patches as well. Samsung eliminated flaws in Secure Folder, Phone, Contacts, and more system apps and services.

All of these vulnerability patches are now available for the Samsung Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, and Galaxy S20 Ultra. The update is rolling out to both 4G LTE and 5G variants in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, and more Latin American countries (via). The new firmware build numbers for the phones in the regions are G98*FXXSFGWAD (4G LTE models) and G98*BXXSFGWAD (5G models). It should be just a matter of time before the February SMR (Security Maintenance Release) reaches the Galaxy S20 trio in other markets, including the US.

Samsungs February 2023 update reaches the Galaxy S20 series

In a continued pattern, Samsung once again beat every other Android OEM to the latest security update. The company began rolling out the February SMR to its Galaxy devices before Google released the patch for Pixels. The Galaxy Note 20 series was the first to pick up the new SMR. The Korean behemoth has since added several other Galaxy devices to the party, including the Galaxy S21 FE, Galaxy Z Fold 3, Galaxy Z Flip 3, and Galaxy A52 5G. It also simultaneously expanded the rollout to more markets.

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The Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, and Galaxy S20 Ultra are the latest entrants to Samsungs February SMR party. If youre using any of the 2020 Galaxy flagships, or any of the aforementioned Galaxy devices for that matter, and havent received the latest security update yet, you should soon. You can go to Settings > Software update on your phone and tap on Download and install to check for updates manually. We will let you know when Samsung releases the new security patch for other eligible devices, such as the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S23 series.
In Android 14 Developer Preview 1, it looks like Google is going to be giving users the ability to clone apps. Its buried a bit deep in the code for this first preview, so its likely not ready just yet and may not make it to the final release. But this would be a more official way to clone an app, and have two instances of it running on your phone or tablet.

Now you might be wondering, why youd want multiple instances of the same app on the same device. Well, some apps only let you log in to one account at a time. So if you have the app cloned, you could login in two accounts. Definitely not a feature that everyone would be using, but its good to see it available in Android 14.

Google and OEMs are able to decide which apps cannot be cloned

As you might expect, both Google and manufacturers with Android 14-powered devices, will be able to choose which apps are not allowed to be cloned. Surprisingly, a lot of Googles first-party apps are not allowed to be cloned. Though, some arent a surprise, since you probably dont need to clone the camera app. But other apps like YouTube Music, YouTube, SIM ToolkIt and Gmail are also not able to be cloned.

To clone an app, just head into Settings and tap on Apps. Towards the bottom, youll see a new option for Cloned Apps. This will show you how many are cloned and how many are available to clone. So unfortunately, you cannot clone every app on your phone.

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This definitely looks like it is early days for this feature, and it could get pulled before Android 14 launches later in the Summer. Weve seen this happen with a handful of features in the past.
(ANSA) - ROME, FEB 9 - Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni said Thursday that French President Emmanuel Macron's decision to invite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Paris before this week's European summit was "inopportune".

Our forces "must be united" she said as she arrived at the summit.

Meloni also stressed that "Italy is fully committed" to supporting Kyiv after the Russian invasion, saying "our contribution" is so comprehensive that it is "360 degrees".

"We are aware that the Ukraine conflict involves us all," she added.

"I think the best way to build an option of dialogue and peace is to maintain the forces on the field on a balanced level.

"Supporting Ukraine is the best way to reach a possible negotiation.

"Rome wants to be a lead player, including in the stage of reconstruction". Meloni is set to have bilateral talks on the sidelines of the summit with Zelensky, who flew to Brussels together with Macron. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, FEB 9 - Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni said Thursday that French President Emmanuel Macron's decision to invite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Paris before this week's European summit was "inopportune".

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also took part in the talks with Zelensky in Paris Our forces "must be united" Meloni said as she arrived at the summit.

Meloni also stressed that "Italy is fully committed" to supporting Kyiv after the Russian invasion, saying "our contribution" is so comprehensive that it is "360 degrees".

"We are aware that the Ukraine conflict involves us all," she added.

"I think the best way to build an option of dialogue and peace is to maintain the forces on the field on a balanced level.

"Supporting Ukraine is the best way to reach a possible negotiation.

"Rome wants to be a lead player, including in the stage of reconstruction". Meloni is set to have bilateral talks on the sidelines of the summit with Zelensky, who flew to Brussels together with Macron.

When asked about Meloni's comments, Macron said he did not consider Wednesday's meeting to be out of place.

"As you know, Germany and France have had a special role on the Ukraine question for eight years," he said.

"I think it's up to Zelensky to choose the format he wants (for diplomatic talks)," he added. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, FEB 9 - Justice Minister Carlo Nordio on Thursday rejected an appeal by jailed anarchist leader Alfredo Cospito to lift his tough 41 bis jail regime over which he has staged a hunger strike for 111 days and lost almost 50kg, spurring fears for his health.

Nordio said that Cospito, 55, whose protest has sparked attacks by anarchists in Italy and abroad, should stay under the 41 bis regime, normally reserved for mafia bosses, to stop him running activities from prison.

Nordio has judged that Cospito still constitutes a high social danger, sources said.

The minister rejected the request for revocation made by the prisoner's lawyer Flavio Rossi Albertini, who has now been informed of Nordio's decision.

The 41 bis had been ordered on 4 May last year by the then justice minister, Marta Cartabia, for four years.

Rossi Albertini said earlier Thursday that Cospito is down from 120 kg to nearly 70 kg on his hunger strike and his health is concerning, particular after recently refusing supplements.

(ANSA).


Earthquake: more aid from Romania to Turkey Rescue team, doctors, and rescue dogs

(ANSA) - BUCAREST, FEB 9 - Romania will soon send a second search-and-rescue team to Turkey along with doctors and four rescue dog teams. On an official note, the Foreign Ministry also underlined that Romania will ensure the transport of other rescue teams from other states and that the Balkan country will draw necessities from the state's reserves to send to the earthquake victims. The first team is already at work in the area northwest of Antakya. (ANSA).





 Copyright ANSA - All rights reserved
Serbia: US ambassador asks for sanctions against Russia Path to EU remains open

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, FEB 9 - According to the regional television station N1, US Ambassador Christopher Hill said on Wednesday that Serbia should concentrate on joining the European Union and support sanctions against Russia. A solution to the Kosovo situation is critical so that Serbia can focus on its main task of preparing for EU membership, Hill said at the AmCham general assembly, adding that it is in the country's best interests to join the sanctions against Russia. (ANSA).





 Copyright ANSA - All rights reserved
BAB AL HAWA - The first aid convoy after a major earthquake occurred on Monday was on Thursday on its way to opposition-held areas of northern Syria, according to an official at the Bab al-Hawa border crossing.



The first aid convoy entering Syria from Turkey through the Bab al-Hawa border crossing consists of six lorries bearing UN logos, ANSA was told by Mazen Alloush, who is in charge of external relations at the crossing.



Meanwhile, the death toll continues to rise from the earthquake.



At least 17,100 people were confirmed killed as of Thursday morning, according to official figures.




EU funds for walls 'logical', says Greek PM Vows to build border barriers with or without EU money

(ANSAmed) - BRUSSELS, FEB 9 - I "think it doesn't seem to me to be very logical that the EU is financing, let's say, technology or drones or surveillance equipment, but refuses to fund the fence itself. We're talking about an integrated approach in terms of the external border management. And of course, fences should be included in that financing package. In any case, Greece is building its own fence, and it will do so with or without European money," Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Thursday in entering a special European Council meeting.



(ANSAmed).




BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao. (Photo:Twitter)

Hyderabad: The state government is actively considering a proposal on bringing a new Act to relocate religious structures existing on roads that were obstructing development and road widening works in municipal corporations and municipalities, MAUD minister K.T. Rama Rao informed the Assembly on Thursday.

Rama Rao was responding to a suggestion made by BRS MLA (LB Nagar) Devireddy Sudheer Reddy during the Question Hour in the House. Sudheer Reddy noted that the Strategic Road Development Programme (SRDP) being executed by the BRS government in the city aided in the smooth flow of traffic and lessened commuters' traffic woes with the construction of flyovers, underpasses, elevated corridors, RoBs, and RuBs. However, commuters were facing hardships at various locations in the city due to the presence of religious structures. He emphasised the fact that only a few states, like Gujarat, have specific Acts allowing the relocation of religious structures in order to make space for development projects and urged the Telangana government to take this matter seriously.

Rama Rao said the state government will take this into consideration.

The minister slammed the BJP-led government at the Centre for not cooperating with the state government in taking up the SRDP works in defence lands located in Secunderabad.

Referring to traffic problems from Secunderabad to Bowenpally, he said that the state government has made repeated pleas to the Centre in the last eight-and-a-half years to allow it to widen roads and build flyovers, but the Centre simply ignored and not handing over required defence lands for the purpose.

"We want to build a flyover from Patny to Suchitra, similar to the PVNR Expressway. We made representations to the Union defence ministry in this regard. Unfortunately, there has been no response. This is painful and shameful," Rama Rao said.

Rama Rao informed the House that the state government has submitted representations to successive defence ministers during the last eight years, including Arun Jaitely, Manohar Parrikar, Sushma Swaraj, Nirmala Sitharaman and the incumbent Rajnath Singh, but none responded favourably.

Observing that the defence lands in the city have not been alienated to the defence authorities, Rama Rao said the state government can initiate a legal course of action against the Centre if it wants but it was avoiding it as the state government treats the military with respect as they defend the nation. Explaining the progress of SRDP works in the city, he said around 48 works have been taken up under the GHMC limits, and that 34 works have been completed while 14 were in different stages of completion.
TUNIS - Libya's "5+5" Joint Military Committee (JMC) of officers from both main sides of the civil war alongside liaison committees from neighbouring Sudan and Niger have agreed on a joint coordination mechanism for the withdrawal of foreign forces and "mercenaries", as well as information exchange.



The news was reported by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) after a two-day meeting in Cairo chaired by the UN's Libya envoy, Abdoulaye Bathily.



In his concluding remarks, Bathily expressed appreciation for the Egyptian government's efforts to foster dialogue between the Libyan parties involved to solve the current crisis.



He also praised the leadership of the 5+5 JMC and the work of the participating liaison committees.



He said that, "what you have achieved here is an important step towards the reaching of stability and sustainable peace in Libya, in neighbouring countries, and in the region in general." "This progress is also an important step towards the creation of a favorable climate for the political process, including the holding of elections in 2023." The cooperative atmosphere that was seen in the meeting, a statement said, reflects the shared despite of Libya and its neighbours to put an end to the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters in Libyan territory without having a negative impact on neighbouring countries, Bathily said.




Alister Jack has said the ball remains in the Scottish Governments court in the dispute over gender recognition legislation, saying he simply disagrees with its arguments.

The Scottish Secretary said it is up to ministers in Edinburgh how they wish to proceed with the Gender Recognition Reform Bill, which he blocked from becoming law by using Section 35 of the Scotland Act.

Mr Jack had a phone call with Scottish Government minister Shona Robison at the end of January, with minutes from the call published on Thursday.

The minutes say he acknowledged a memorandum of understanding around the use of Section 35 had not been followed.

Speaking as he visited the Halo Trusts offices in Dumfriesshire, Mr Jack said he disagreed with this.

He told the PA news agency: They (the Scottish Government) may have released the readout of the minutes of the meeting, we havent released ours.

But I have asked my office to write back and explain to them the bits we disagree on.

I heard what she (Shona Robison) said, whatever point she was making, but I just simply did not agree with it.

Minutes from a phone call with Shona Robison were published (Jane Barlow/PA)

Mr Jack said the balls entirely in their court on how the Scottish Government wishes to proceed with the Bill.

He said: They can either drop it or they can amend it, or they can if they want to take us to court.

What I do know is that the Bill has adverse impacts on UK-wide legislation, and its for that reason that I looked at the legal advice and used section 35.

The Scottish Secretary said it is not his role to suggest what amendments could be made to the Bill, but he and law officers would consider any amendments the Scottish Government wishes to make.

Also during his visit, Mr Jack was asked about deputy Conservative party chairman Lee Andersons support for reintroducing the death penalty.

He said: Were not having the death penalty in this country  no political party in decades has been suggesting the death penalty.

Asked about Mr Andersons role in the party, Mr Jack continued: Im sure hell be an excellent deputy chairman, because hes got bags of enthusiasm and hell get around the associations, make an impact, get the message out there.

But he is not a member of the Government, hes deputy chairman of the party and hes allowed to have his own opinions.
Stricter alcohol advertising rules planned in Scotland are draconian and could have an impact on the whisky industry, a senior Scottish Tory has warned.

Conservative former Scotland secretary David Mundell claimed that restrictions the Scottish Government is currently consulting on could cost jobs in Scotland.

The Scottish Government has launched a consultation which considers banning alcohol sponsorship for both sports and live events.

The consultation, which runs until March 9, could also see distillery and brewery shops barred from selling branded merchandise to visitors, as well as drinks branding being removed from pub umbrellas and glassware.

Leading companies in the drinks sector have written to the Scottish Government to air their concerns about the new planned advertising restrictions.

In the Commons, Mr Mundell said: Is the minister aware that the Scottish Government is planning to bring forward draconian restrictions on the advertising of whisky and other drinks in Scotland?

David Mundell said the proposals could cost jobs and harm exports (PA)

The Conservative MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale added: Not only will that cost jobs in Scotland, it will make it much more difficult for the industry to export to the EU and elsewhere.

Trade minister Nigel Huddleston replied: He makes an important point and such measures could, of course, have considerable negative impact on so many Scottish businesses, which is precisely why we are trying to seek opportunities to support them, for example in the trade deals (were) trying to make, that we reduce tariffs and are able to export more overseas.

Ministers were later pressed about trade agreements to support the drinks industry, with Conservative MP David Duguid calling on the Government to secure a deal with India to reduce tariffs on whisky.

The MP for Banff and Buchan said: Tomorrow, the Scotch whisky industry will announce full-year export results for 2022. Significant growth is expected, particularly in India, even with a 150% tariff.

So can the minister update the House on negotiations with India, and can he agree with me that a deal to reduce tariffs on Scotch whisky would be not only good for the distillers of Scotch whisky in Scotland but also the wider supply chain right across the UK?

Trade minister Kevin Hollinrake said: I agree with him that opening new markets to our whisky exporters is one of the great opportunities open to us in a post-Brexit Britain.

He added: We have an ambitious programme of free trade agreement negotiations to break down barriers, and we are now in our sixth round of negotiations with India.
The Home Secretary has refused to put a timescale on when the Governments plans to stop small boats crossing the Channel will succeed.

The Government is set to publish legislation designed to stop migrants crossing the English Channel to the UK in small boats, as one of Rishi Sunaks top five priorities in the run-up to the next general election.

But Suella Braverman and Mr Sunak have faced questions about the timeframe for that commitment.

Speaking to ITV News, Ms Braverman appeared to suggest that Government plans would have made an impact in 12 months time before appearing to row back on the suggestion.

You can judge me on results. Words dont matter. We have told you that we want to stop the boats. You will come here in a year or so and itll be very clear whether weve succeeded or not, she said.

We will see a dramatic reduction in the numbers arriving illegally.

Asked if that would happen in a year, she said: Im not going to put a timescale on it, but what I am going to say is its going to take as long as it will take.

It is absolutely essential that we do whatever it takes to stop the boats. To that, I am 100% committed.

It came as Ms Braverman visited a police station in Brighton.

She told the broadcaster she was very confident in the Governments plans.

Shambolic & embarrassing. Rishi Sunak made this one of his Governments key pledges yet his Home Secretary who is supposed to deliver it clearly doesnt have a clue what it means. Time & again the Tories are all bluster & rhetoric with no serious plan https://t.co/FVHKE3DqHA  Yvette Cooper (@YvetteCooperMP) February 9, 2023

Stopping the boats means fixing our problem relating to illegal migration, she said when quizzed about Mr Sunaks pledge.

The Government has been under serious pressure from Tory backbenchers over the issue, with some calling for more urgent action from Mr Sunak.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper called the remarks shambolic & embarrassing.

Rishi Sunak made this one of his Governments key pledges yet his Home Secretary who is supposed to deliver it clearly doesnt have a clue what it means.

Time & again the Tories are all bluster & rhetoric with no serious plan.
Around 70 members of the UK International Search and Rescue Team have arrived in Turkey to assist with the search operation as the death toll from the 7.8 magnitude earthquake surpassed 15,000.

The team of volunteers, which included firefighters, medics, engineers and vets, was joined by crews from at least 24 countries.

UK International Search and Rescue team coordinator Mark Davey said it had taken a lot of organisation to get to Antakya, in the Hatay province, due to the amount of destruction caused to basic infrastructure.

Transportation is very difficult here, so it took a lot of organisation to get enough vehicles to bring us, he told the Associated Press.

It took a long while to get a lot of the equipment over here on the vehicles, on buses. (We had) a lot of help from the local people as well  from bus companies.

Mr Davey explained the crew would conduct an assessment of the destroyed area street by street before sending the information back to the rescue teams command and control.

The whole area has already been sectorised by our team and the other teams, (including) Italy (and) Istanbul  theres many teams here. I believe there is 33 or 40 search and rescue teams here, he said.

We are logically going through the area. Street by street, gathering as much information as possible so we can send that back to our command and control, so we organise the teams to come back with specific tools and actually prioritise each of the areas.

UK ISAR are sending an emergency response team to the Republic of Turkiye to assist rescue efforts following the devastating effects of the recent Earthquake which took place Mon 6th February 23. A Heavy Team of 77 UK ISAR team members will support the Search and Rescue mission. pic.twitter.com/sZVvm3uSHb  UK ISAR (@UK_ISAR_TEAM) February 7, 2023

Hopefully, (well) have some good news and get those people back and, repatriate, obviously with their loved ones, with their families.

Another British aid worker assisting the search operation in Antakya had captured on his phone the incredible moment a nine-year-old girl was pulled uninjured from the rubble of her home where she had been trapped for 60 hours.

Atiqur Rahman, from Stoke-on-Trent, had been working for Global Relief Trust when the earthquake struck. He described the current situation in the southern Turkish city as Armageddon.

Now its 64 or 65 hours since the earthquake, the chances of people coming out alive is very low, he told the Daily Mirror.

A destroyed building in Antakya, southern Turkey, on Wednesday (Khalil Hamra/AP)

But you have these amazing cases where, because the buildings have collapsed layer by layer, people manage to get into gaps.

There was some noise coming from this family under the rubble, and some relatives stood outside as they knew the family was there.

When they were carried out they were conscious and moving, obviously traumatised, but physically they were unharmed. One of our guys carried them out and the girl was responding to him.

Thinly stretched rescue teams have worked tirelessly pulling bodies from the rubble of thousands of buildings downed in Turkey and Syria by a catastrophic earthquake (Khalil Hamra/AP)

The first 7.8-magnitude quake hit the Turkish city of Gaziantep in the early hours of Monday, reducing thousands of homes and buildings across the south of the country and northern Syria to rubble as people slept.

A series of aftershocks has left tens of thousands injured and survivors are feared trapped under thousands of collapsed buildings.

Relief efforts have been hampered by damaged infrastructure, freezing winter temperatures and limited medical facilities.
Newly announced Doctor Who star Millie Gibson made a surprise appearance as a presenter at the BBC News awards.

The actress, who is set to star alongside Ncuti Gatwa in the new series of the popular sci-fi show, announced the winner of the Rising Star Of The Year award at the ceremony on Wednesday.

The award, dedicated to the memory of BBC journalist Hanna Yusuf, went to the organisations political correspondent Ione Wells.

The actress, who will star alongside Ncuti Gatwa in the popular sci-fi show, announced the winner of the Rising Star Of The Year Award (BBC/PA)

In a virtual message, Gibson said it was an enormous honour to present the award.

Judges said Ione is a clear star and beyond incredible, how many young reporters topple governments? she said.

Addressing Wells directly, she added: I might pop you in my contacts if thats alright?

The Doctor and I find ourselves holding all sorts to account these days and you sound like you could be useful.

The latest Doctor Who Magazine is out today, featuring an exclusive interview with @MillieGibson01 about her journey to joining the TARDIS as Ruby Sunday!  Read an excerpt from @DWMtweets here  https://t.co/Sn4NauAj3y pic.twitter.com/RaWRd69TXV  Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho) January 5, 2023

Coronation Street star Gibson will star as the Doctors 15th companion Ruby Sunday in the upcoming series.

She has also appeared in ITVs Butterfly and BBCs Love, Lies And Records.

Her role was announced in November last year, when she stepped out of the Tardis live on Children In Need.

The new episodes of Doctor Who are due to be broadcast in November 2023 to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the show.
British expats, aid workers and celebrities have urged people to send money to help the Turkey and Syria earthquake relief effort for the sake of humanity.

The 7.8 magnitude quake which hit on Monday has killed more than 19,000 people  with the UK International Search and Rescue Team (UK-ISAR) still finding survivors three days later.

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) launched an appeal for funds with the support of celebrities such as Daniel Craig, Sir Michael Palin, Tamsin Greig and the Rev Richard Coles  while also receiving the backing of the Prince and Princess of Wales, who made an undisclosed donation.

We have been horrified to see the harrowing images coming out of Turkey and Syria in the aftermath of the earthquakes this week. Our thoughts are with the communities affected and we are pleased to support the @decappeal campaign which will aid the response on the ground. W & C https://t.co/Vrd2m7UcPW  The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) February 9, 2023

In a tweet, William and Kate said: We have been horrified to see the harrowing images coming out of Turkey and Syria in the aftermath of the earthquakes this week.

Our thoughts are with the communities affected and we are pleased to support the @decappeal campaign which will aid the response on the ground.

One British aid worker, Global Relief Trusts head of development Atiqur Rahman, told the PA news agency he had never seen this level of suffering, death and destruction.

Saleh Saeed, chief executive of the DEC, told a press conference millions of people in Turkey and Syria are in desperate need of aid.

British aid worker Atiqur Rahman said he has never seen such destruction (Atiqur Rahman/PA)

The Prime Minister said the Government will match 5 million in funds raised through an appeal to help the rescue and relief effort in the aftermath of the earthquake.

Also urging people at home to donate, Mr Rahman told PA: No-one is saying donate thousands of pounds but donate something  be involved for the sake of humanity.

Debs Handy, 59, moved to Turkey in 2020 and said she was galvanising our friends and family in the UK to send us money so they could go shopping on behalf of those left sleeping in cars.

She told PA: Were all galvanising our friends and family in the UK to send us money so we can go shopping on their behalf.

Please give, if you dont know anyone in Turkey just keep giving in the UK, it will still be needed  but if you know someone in Turkey get the money over here, tell them to go shopping for you.

Thousands of thermal blankets will be sent to Turkey on Thursday night on an RAF transport plane, the Ministry of Defence said.

The UK will also provide a field hospital and C130 Hercules critical care air support team in the coming days, the MoD confirmed.

The field hospital will include an emergency department, 24/7 operating theatre and clinical staff.

Debs Handy, a Briton living in Turkey, has pleaded with people in the UK to send money directly to people they know in the earthquake-hit country (Debs Handy/PA)

More than 70 ISAR-UK volunteers are taking part in the rescue effort, and on Thursday they tweeted to say they had recently managed to rescue two women, aged 60 and 90, from the rubble, and reunite a mother with her child.

However, smaller search crews have spoken of a frustrating delay in flying out to help.

Martin Phillips, who volunteers with Wiltshire-based Serve On, said he was part of a 13-strong team flying out to Turkey from London Stansted airport on Thursday to assist with the rescue effort.

Speaking about the delay, he told PA: It is frustrating. Its nobodys fault as such  the Turkish authorities wanted medium and heavy teams in first.

Normally, the light teams get in first and lay the pathway for the bigger teams coming in.

Thats not how its worked this time, but thats for others to decide whether that was a way forward or whether it was better for light teams to come in.

We just put in our applications, told people what we can do and weve been pushing to get in  now we can.

The first 7.8-magnitude quake hit the Turkish city of Gaziantep in the early hours of Monday, reducing thousands of homes and buildings across the south of the country and northern Syria to rubble as people slept.

The UK government will match the first 5 million of donations from the British public to the @decappeal Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal, to provide vital humanitarian assistance to people affected by the disaster. If you can, please donate today: https://t.co/edR1HyQHRn https://t.co/LzPEIdp188  Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) February 9, 2023

A series of aftershocks has left tens of thousands of people injured and survivors are feared trapped under thousands of collapsed buildings.

On Tuesday, Foreign Secretary James Cleverley said the departments Crisis Response Hub is working to support at least 35 Britons caught up in the disaster  including three who were missing.

When asked how he would encourage Britons who might be struggling with the cost of living to donate to the appeal, Mr Saeed emphasised the brutal impact of the earthquake on peoples lives.

He said: We have got to position ourselves in the situation these families find themselves in.

Their lives have been brutally turned upside down, theyve lost family members, theyve potentially lost their jobs, schools have been destroyed, hospitals have been destroyed.

They have lost all their possessions and they are now reliant on the support of other people so whatever we can give, however small it is, is going to go a long way to helping those families.

Reunited We're immensely proud to be making a difference in Turkiye on behalf of @FCDOGovUK Amid so much grief and destruction, one of our rescue teams today made this reunion possible. pic.twitter.com/NeQAjQ3R9b  UK ISAR (@UK_ISAR_TEAM) February 9, 2023

I am sure if we found ourselves in their position we would hope and expect that others around the globe would want to reach out to help us.

Relief efforts have been hampered by damaged infrastructure, freezing winter temperatures and limited medical facilities.

Serve On is part of the European Association of Civil Protection Voluntary Teams, and Mr Phillips said fellow crews from across Europe had told them it was chaos.

He said: Theyre feeding back to us a picture of what its like  it sounds like the usual chaos.

You cant have a disaster on this scale without everything falling over and being in a mess and it takes time to unravel that.

The Syrian volunteer organisation White Helmets said time is running out as hundreds of families remained trapped under the rubble.

In a tweet, they said: We are at a critical point. Time is running out, hundreds of families are still stuck under the rubble.

Every second means saving a life.
Relatives of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins have filed a new civil lawsuit against Alec Baldwin.

The family will be suing the Hollywood actor and the Rust movie production company for alleged battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and loss of consortium after the fatal shooting on a US film set.

Loss of consortium is a claim which seeks to recover compensation for damage to certain relationships that are mutually dependent.

Relatives are suing the Hollywood actor over a fatal shooting on the Rust film set (Santa Fe County Sheriffs office/PA)

The lawsuit is being brought by Ms Hutchins mother Olga Solovey, father Anatolii Androsovych and sister Svetlana Zemko.

It was was announced on Thursday at a press conference held by high-profile US lawyer Gloria Allred.

Its clear to us that the relationships of all of our clients have been damaged, and that they will not be able to enjoy life in the same way as they did when their precious Halyna was alive, Ms Allred said.

Halyna was the light in their lives, of course, and for all of our three clients that tragic loss of their daughter and sister is heartbreaking.

Ms Hutchins family is currently residing in Ukraine, near Kyiv, amid the conflict with Russia, but intends to come to the US in the coming months, Ms Allred said.

Her mother Olga is working as an emergency operating room nurse in a Ukrainian hospital, tending to those hurt in battle, while her sister Svetlana is caring for her two young children.

The press conference included a short video featuring the pair, with comments from Ms Hutchins sister.

To lose my sister, at least personally for me, was a horrible experience and it is one of the biggest losses of my life, she said through a translator.

Even more devastating (is) to see the utter suffering of our parents, and how their health has sharply declined.

It is for this reason that I would like for somebody to carry that responsibility, and not just someone, but that very someone who is truly responsible for this.

I believe to let this go, and to leave this unpunished, is unallowable.

Ms Hutchins was killed in October 2021 after a prop gun, held by Baldwin, went off on the set of the western in Santa Fe, New Mexico (Santa Fe County Sheriffs office/PA)

Ms Allred added that Baldwin had not offered condolences to the family, or contacted them since the incident.

The actor is set to appear in US court for the first time on February 24 to face separate criminal charges stemming from the incident.

He faces two charges of involuntary manslaughter alongside Rusts armourer Hannah Gutierrez Reed.

Ms Hutchins was killed in October 2021 after a prop gun, held by Baldwin, went off on the set of the western in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
A genetic test to determine if a newborn is at risk of becoming deaf after being treated with a common antibiotic has been recommended for use within the NHS under new draft guidance.

Clinical watchdog National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has conditionally recommended the use of the genedrive kit, a diagnostic test for detecting a variant in babies that puts them at risk of hearing loss when treated with gentamicin.

Babies who develop a neonatal bacterial infection are usually prescribed gentamicin but this antibiotic carries the risk of hearing loss if the baby has the m.1555A>G genetic variant.

Other alternative antibiotics are available but cannot be more widely used as they are associated with an increased risk of bacteria developing antibiotic resistance.

For the test, a swab of DNA is taken from inside the babys cheek, with results delivered within the hour.

The baby can be given alternative antibiotics if the m.1555A>G variant is found.

I hope this additional evidence will support the argument for the rollout of technology, which could play a pivotal role in preventing deafness in a small number of babies in the future

It is estimated that each year around 1,249 babies are born in England and Wales with the m.1555A>G variant.

At present babies who go deaf after being treated with gentamicin are only discovered to have the variant with DNA testing afterwards.

The cost of treating hearing loss with a bilateral cochlear implant is around 65,000 in the first year.

Mark Chapman, interim director of medical technology at Nice, said: The costs associated with hearing loss to the NHS are high, so driving an innovation like genedrive into the hands of health and care professionals to enable best practice can also ensure that we balance the best care with value for money, delivering both for individuals and society as a whole.

Susan Daniels OBE, chief executive of the National Deaf Childrens Society and lay specialist committee member, said: Speaking both as a deaf person and as chief executive of the National Deaf Childrens Society, its very encouraging that more evidence will be gathered on this important development.

I hope this additional evidence will support the argument for the rollout of technology, which could play a pivotal role in preventing deafness in a small number of babies in the future.
Chinese rescue team saves pregnant woman from ruins in Turkiye

People's Daily Online) 10:26, February 09, 2023

A Chinese rescue team and a Turkish local rescue team worked together, successfully rescuing a pregnant woman from the ruins of a collapsed eight-story building in Turkiye at around 1:30 a.m. local time (0240 GMT) on Thursday.

A Chinese rescue team and a Turkish local rescue team work together, successfully rescuing a pregnant woman from the ruins of a collapsed eight-story building in Turkiye at around 1:30 a.m. local time (0240 GMT) on Thursday. (Photo courtesy of China's Ministry of Emergency Management)

A Chinese rescue team and a Turkish local rescue team work together, successfully rescuing a pregnant woman from the ruins of a collapsed eight-story building in Turkiye at around 1:30 a.m. local time (0240 GMT) on Thursday. (Photo courtesy of China's Ministry of Emergency Management)

A Chinese rescue team and a Turkish local rescue team work together, successfully rescuing a pregnant woman from the ruins of a collapsed eight-story building in Turkiye at around 1:30 a.m. local time (0240 GMT) on Thursday. (Photo courtesy of China's Ministry of Emergency Management)

(Web editor: Liang Jun, Du Mingming)
BJP MLA Etala Rajendar rubbished the state government's claims that Dalit Bandhu was extended to all Dalit families in his Huzurabad constituency. (Photo: Twitter)

Hyderabad: BJP MLA Etala Rajendar said that so far the BRS has presented "unrealistic budgets" every year and as a result, poor people are suffering. Also, unable to meet the higher and impractical budgetary targets, the government was indiscriminately cutting funds for welfare schemes later, he alleged.

Participating in the debate on the Budget in Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, Etala said that the funds allocated to welfare schemes meant for BCs, SCs, STs and Minorities remain only on paper and are never spent.

"The government sanctioned Rs 17,700 crore for Dalit Bandhu and crop loan waiver scheme last year. But not a single rupee was released. It has again sanctioned Rs 17,000 crore for Dalit Bandhu and Rs 6,000 crore for crop loan waiver. Where are funds to implement these schemes," Etala questioned?

He rubbished the state governments claims that Dalit Bandhu was extended to all Dalit families in his Huzurabad constituency. "There are still 3,000 Dalit families in Huzurabad who are yet to receive the benefit. For even those covered, they received the first instalment of Rs 5 lakh and awaiting the second," he said.
A Holocaust denier who is being held in a Scottish prison after being sought by authorities who had been hunting him for years will face a further court hearing next month as part of extradition proceedings.

Vincent Reynouard was arrested in Anstruther, Fife, in November after being on the run from police in France.

The Frenchman had been convicted under anti-Nazi laws across the Channel, where he was given a four-month jail term in November 2020 and a further six months in January 2021.

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday, Sheriff Alistair Noble said a further preliminary hearing would be held on March 9 with a full hearing currently scheduled for April 6.

Reynouard was not in attendance at the court via video link from HMP Edinburgh on Thursday after an issue with the link, but lawyer Paul Dunne said he had his clients full position.

Reynouard was arrested in Anstruther (Danny Lawson/PA)

The court was told a YouTube video which was said to have been uploaded had recently been sent to Mr Dunne, but the video was currently in French with no translation yet available.

Reynouards solicitor said they needed to establish if the video fell into the category of racism or xenophobia.

Advocate Depute Paul Harvey said if it did, the issue of dual criminality  the principal that the offence convicted of and required to serve a sentence for in France is also an offence under domestic law  would fall away.

Mr Dunne also spoke of press reports in France which suggested there were further charges awaiting Reynouards arrival to his homeland, and he wanted clarification.

Sheriff Noble held Reynouard on remand.

Holocaust denial has been a criminal offence in France since 1990, and Reynouard has been convicted on numerous occasions.

His latest conviction was in relation to a series of antisemitic posts on social media.
An Irishman with psychiatric problems who can be violent is set to move from Ireland to England for urgent treatment.

A judge in a specialist court in London approved the mans transfer on Thursday.

Mr Justice Peel considered the case at a hearing in the Court of Protection.

He was told that the man, who is in his 20s, needed a certain kind of treatment.

A barrister representing the Irish Health Service Executive said the case was urgent.

Henry Setright KC said doctors could not find a hospital in the Republic of Ireland which could treat the man and safely contain and protect him but a suitable hospital had been found in England.

He told Mr Justice Peel that a judge in the Irish High Court had approved the transfer.

Mr Justice Peel, who also oversees cases in the Family Division of the High Court, added his approval and said a transfer was in the mans best interests.

He considered the case at a public hearing but said the man could not be identified in media reports.

Judges sitting in the Court of Protection consider cases relating to people who lack the mental capacity to make decisions for themselves.

Mr Setright said the man had psychiatric problems, could be violent and might pose a risk to himself and others.

He said the British NHS would not pick up the bill for the treatment.

Lawyers say Court of Protection judges consider a handful of cases involving similar moves from Irish to English hospitals every year.
A rare document signed by British naval hero Lord Nelson has sold for 20,160 at auction  double the expected price.

The marriage certificate, which was sold by Lyon & Turnbull in Edinburgh, was signed by Lord Horatio Nelson on the wedding day in July 1799 of Norfolk couple William Compton and Anne Bottalin, who were living in Naples at the time.

The single sheet of heavily autographed paper, which had been in the same family for 222 years, was sold as part of the rare books, manuscripts, maps and photographs sale on Wednesday.

The first edition Harry Potter book sold for more than 20,000 (Lyon & Turnbull/PA)

A first edition of JK Rowlings Harry Potter And The Philosophers Stone and rare copies of JRR Tolkiens The Hobbit and The Lord Of The Rings were also sold after fierce national and international bidding.

The Harry Potter book fetched 20,160.

The illustrated edition of The Hobbit, signed by Tolkien, sold for 17,640, while The Lord Of The Rings first edition fetched 25,200. Both were in original dustwrappers.

A 19th-century edition of the works of Chaucer with designs by William Morris, and a unique copy of Seven Pillars Of Wisdom, A Triumph, by TE Lawrence were among other items in the sale.

Lord Of The Rings books were also sold (Lyon & Turnbull/PA)

The Kelmscott Chaucer is one of 425 known copies and sold for 60,200 at the auction.

The Seven Pillars, described as an exceptionally rare book which was privately printed in 1926, sold for 52,700.

Simon Vickers of Lyon & Turnbull said: The results of this sale demonstrate the current strength of the market for rare and important books.

Demand was very strong at home and abroad for highlights, such as the Kelmscott Chaucer and the Cranwell edition of Lawrences Seven Pillars Of Wisdom.

Important historical documents again attracted fierce competition. The marriage certificate was completely new to market and had been in family of the married couple for over 200 years. We were delighted to see it sell for 20,160.

Prices include buyers premium.
A serving Metropolitan Police officer has denied rape and three assaults.

Pc Jorden Brown, who is attached to the Central East Command Unit, was charged with rape and three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm in relation to one female victim.

According to the charges, the first assault took place in November 2018, the second in August 2019 and the third in October 2019.

Brown, of Orchard Road, Dagenham, east London, is said to have committed the rape on February 16 2019.

The 40-year-old appeared at Barkingside Magistrates Court on Wednesday wearing a black jumper and black trousers and spoke only to confirm his name and address.

Kiera Oluwunmi, defending, indicated not guilty pleas to all counts on his behalf.

District Judge Paul Donegan sent the case to the crown court.

Brown was granted conditional bail ahead of appearing at Snaresbrook Crown Court on March 9.

The offences are alleged to have happened while he was off duty.

Brown was charged by post on January 6 after the offences were reported to police in October 2019, according to Scotland Yard.

He has been suspended from duty.
Urgent action is needed to create climate-ready homes, according to a major insurer.

Aviva said properties should be retrofitted and built resiliently to withstand extreme weather.

The company said it wants to see strengthened planning policies to avoid development in high-risk areas and requirements to embed resilience measures where developments are granted.

Aviva is calling for basic cost-effective climate resilience measures to be made mandatory in all new-build properties, not just those in high-risk areas.

The insurer said the carbon cost of restoring a flood-damaged property can be significantly reduced when measures are in place such as flood doors, sealed brickwork and raised electrical points.

Carbon emissions may be saved when flood resilience measures are in place through having to do less building restoration as well as fewer contents needing to be replaced.

In addition, a property without resilience measures installed could lead to owners having to move out of their home for a considerable period.

Failing to protect a house from flooding can have a significant carbon footprint  equivalent to six-and-a-half return transatlantic flights  analysis by Aviva suggests.

The insurer said the carbon impact is the unseen cost of a flooded property, in addition to the financial and emotional distress.

In a report produced by the insurer, Adam Winslow, chief executive officer of Aviva UK and Ireland General Insurance, said: Adapting to extreme weather and reducing emissions are two sides of the same coin, to be tackled together  or we risk creating a vicious cycle.

If the UK is to become a leader in hitting net zero targets, then it needs to act on the sources of carbon emissions, including less widely recognised sources like the carbon cost of flooding.

We need to lay the groundwork now for homes that are built, repaired and strengthened for UK weather patterns that are inevitably going to be more extreme.

From the point of design, planning, construction and repair, we need to consider every aspect of our built environment.

Friends of the Earths head of policy Mike Childs said: Urgent measures are needed to future-proof our homes from the extreme weather events that are increasingly battering Britain.

As well as improved flood protection, we need much better insulation too, especially for existing homes, with priority given to those most in need. This will not only help keep people warm in winter and cool when its hot, it will also slash energy bills too.

Ministers must also take tougher action to tackle the cause of the climate crisis by ditching new fossil fuel developments, accelerating the move to net zero and focusing on green power and energy efficiency.

A Government spokesperson said: We recognise the personal devastation that flooding can cause and how climate change means we must take further action against this danger. Our record level of investment has better protected over 300,000 homes since 2015.

Alongside this, we are working with industry to support access to affordable insurance, which will enable homeowners to return home quicker after flood events, and are helping flooded households become more resilient to flooding.

The impact of climate change must already be considered when approving developments  and were consulting on our reforms to national planning policy to see how this can further support climate change adaptation.
The boss behind the Lucky Strike and Dunhill cigarette brands has said that thousands of jobs at the companys traditional business will be lost in the coming years as the firm focuses on vapes and other new products.

British American Tobacco (BAT) chief Jack Bowles also said that sanctions are making it more difficult to sell the Russian part of the business.

He was speaking as BAT reported a 7.7% rise in revenue to 27.7 billion in 2022. Revenue from its new categories business, which includes vapes and other tobacco alternatives, rose 41% to 2.9 billion.

BAT hopes to reach 5 billion in revenue from the new category unit by 2025. The business also said the new category unit would be profitable next year, ahead of plan.

Revenue from BATs new categories business, which includes vapes and other tobacco alternatives, rose 41% to 2.9 billion (Alamy/PA)

But the pivot towards these new forms of technology will also mean fewer jobs for the old side of the business.

Mr Bowles told the PA news agency that thousands of people will lose their jobs at the company within the next few years, but he is also recruiting others for the new categories business.

We have to adapt our structure as we go along, and we have to make sure that we hire a lot of new capabilities and a lot of new people, he said.

He added: In the course of the next two years a few thousand people will have to go because we continue to reorganise and optimise.

The cigarette-maker said in March 2022, shortly after the Kremlin ordered tanks towards Kyiv, that it would get out of both Russia and Belarus.

But in a report to shareholders on Thursday the company said that  while it is in advanced discussions  it had not yet sealed a deal to sell the business.

There are sanctions in Europe, there are sanctions in the UK, there are sanctions in the US and there are regulations in Russia, Mr Bowles said.

All this makes it extremely complicated when you have an establishment which includes factories and a sales force.

If youre just a retailer you can move it on the back of an envelope and write off the whole thing.

When you have the brands, the distribution, the manufacturing and the sanctions from different bodies, then you need to make sure you do things properly.

We want to exit Russia, it takes time. To give you an idea, all the countries that we went out of in the past few years took up to two years, and they were far less complex than this one. Frankly speaking were going at speed.

Asked if he would give the profits that BAT made in Russia and Belarus in the meantime to charity, Mr Bowles said that those profits would be wiped out by the sale.
The Government has paid 2.3 billion to the EU as part of a long-standing dispute over textiles and footwear imported into the UK from China.

The final payment of 1.1 billion, made this week, brings the case to a close.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury John Glen confirmed the payment in a written statement to the Commons.

Whilst the UK has now left the European Union and this is a legacy matter from before our departure, the Government is keen to resolve this long-running case once and for all and is committed to fulfilling its international obligations, he told MPs.

Mr Glen said the final bill represented the interest due on the principal amounts paid and would draw a line under the issue.

The case dates back to 2017 when the EUs anti-fraud office said British authorities had allowed criminals to evade customs duties by making false claims about clothes and shoes imported from China.

It found that more than half of all textiles and footwear imported into the UK from China were below the lowest acceptable prices.

The UK made a payment of more than 600 million in June 2022, with another payment of 620 million on January 13 this year.

Mr Glen said: The UK has argued throughout the case that it took appropriate steps to counter the fraud in question. However, since these infringement proceedings were raised, the UK has taken proportionate and increased steps to combat this fraud without impacting legitimate trade, including by liquidating suspect traders through enforcement action.

The UK takes a comprehensive and dynamic approach to tackling customs fraud risk and evolves its responses as any new potential threats emerge.

He told MPs that throughout this process the Government has also been conscious of the risk of further protracted legal proceedings, which could open UK taxpayers to not only a larger principal bill but also continued substantial interest accrual.
A drone pilot whom a judge said could have caused a catastrophic situation when he flew a drone near a Battle of Britain fighter plane will be sentenced at a Crown Court.

Mark Bagguley was in charge of the device when it flew dangerously close to the wing of a Hawker Hurricane as it flew over Buxton, Derbyshire, last July.

The drone was later seized and Bagguley, 49, was arrested at his home in Chatsworth Road, Fairfield, pleading guilty last month to endangering an aircraft and operating an aircraft out of the visual line of sight.

But at a hearing at North East Derbyshire & Dales Magistrates Court in Chesterfield on Thursday, District Judge Andrew Davison sent the case to a Crown Court as he felt his sentencing powers  up to a maximum of 12 months in custody  were insufficient.

He said: What is very important is the public interest and the need to deter others from this type of offending.

I am entirely satisfied that a Crown Court should have the power to deal with you, in any way it could if you had been indicted at the Crown Court.

My only option today is to commit you to the Crown Court at Derby, three weeks today.

Prosecutor Mark Salt told the hearing that the Hurricane, part of the Battle of Britain Memorial flight, was taking part in a fly-past as part of Buxtons annual carnival.

The Hawker Hurricane, top right, alongside the Avro Lancaster, centre, and Supermarine Spitfire, forms the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Ben Birchall/PA)

A short-term air space restriction banned other flights, including drones, in the area over the carnival which was attended by an estimated 15,000 people.

Bagguley apologised for his reckless actions in a letter to the judge, in which he said: I wish to state my gratitude and relief that there was no contact with the Hurricane.

I owe the pilot an apology for putting the pilot and others at risk on that day and can only thank God that no incident occurred.

Derbyshire Constabulary said that the prosecution is a first for the force, with a maximum penalty of five years in prison for the offences.

Bagguley remains on unconditional bail and will be sentenced at Derby Crown Court on March 2.
Roger Waters has re-recorded The Dark Side Of The Moon without the rest of Pink Floyd, saying of the original album: Its my project and I wrote it.

The veteran rocker also described Ukraine as not really a country at all and a patchy sort of vague experiment, during an interview with the Daily Telegraph.

Over the last week, the 79-year-old has traded barbs with former bandmate David Gilmour and the guitarists wife, lyricist Polly Samson, after the latter attacked Waters on social media and accused him of antisemitism, which he denies.

Waters then made a surprise virtual appearance during a UN Security Council meeting on Wednesday, where he condemned the invasion of Ukraine but also criticised the provocateurs he claimed had prompted the Russian invasion.

Speaking to the Telegraph about his forthcoming vinyl release of The Dark Side Of The Moon, Waters said he had no idea how to get around copyright issues for the album, which reached number two in the UK charts in 1973.

He said he remade it because not enough people recognised what its about and what he was saying then.

Waters also said: The Ukraine is a deeply divided country. In fact, its not really a country at all, its only been there since Khrushchev, 1956. So its a patchy sort of vague experiment.

He added that he is very happy with Barbados, a former British colony, which became an independent state in the Commonwealth in 1966 and then became a republic two years ago.

Asked for an example of a time he has changed his mind due to the evidence, he said: Yes, an article I wrote about three months ago calling Vladimir Putin a gangster That may have been unfair.

It may be that hes leading his country to the benefit of all of the people of Russia.

Roger Waters  a taste of pop culture in the Security Council this morning. Mr. Waters in his own words has had morning revelation in addition to apparent momentary lapses of memory. Pigs might fly, as they say in the UK, when theres no chances at all for something to happen. pic.twitter.com/d6kYPsFgcQ  Sergiy Kyslytsya (@SergiyKyslytsya) February 8, 2023

Waters left Pink Floyd in 1985, launching unsuccessful legal action against the other members to stop them using the bands name without him.

The influential prog rock group  Waters, Gilmour, Nick Mason and the late Richard Wright  reunited for Live 8 in 2005.

At the Security Council meeting on Wednesday, to discuss the situation in Ukraine, Waters appeared virtually, saying he was representing the feelings of countless brothers and sisters all over the world.

Reflecting on the war, he called for a ceasefire and said: The invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation was illegal. I condemn it in the strongest possible terms.

Also, the Russian invasion of Ukraine was not unprovoked. So I also condemn the provocateurs in the strongest possible terms.

After his address, Ukraines Security Council delegate, Sergiy Kyslytsya, reminded the room that Pink Floyd were banned in the Soviet Union after they condemned the country for invading Afghanistan in 1979.

Mr Kyslytsya said: It is ironic, if not hypocritical that Mr Waters attempts now to whitewash another invasion.

How sad for his former fans to see him accepting the role of just a brick in the wall, the wall of Russian disinformation and propaganda.

Formed in London in 1965, Pink Floyds best known albums include The Dark Side Of The Moon, Wish You Were Here and The Wall.

A statement from Waters on Monday said he was aware of the incendiary and wildly inaccurate comments made about him on Twitter by Polly Samson which he refutes entirely and that he was taking advice as to his position.
A serving Metropolitan Police officer has been charged with rape by Essex Police.

Pc Jordan Pascal, of the Mets Taskforce, was charged on February 2 with the rape of a woman in 2009.

He joined the force in June 2012 and has been suspended from duty, the Metropolitan Police said.

Pascal will appear at Southend Magistrates Court on March 13.

Chief Superintendent Claire Smart, who leads the Mets Taskforce Command, said: Pc Pascal has been suspended and criminal proceedings will now follow.

While I recognise the inevitable strength of public feeling, it is important that nothing is said that will put those proceedings at risk.
Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy (Photo: Facebook)

TIRUPATI: Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy, MLA of Nellore Rural constituency, appealed to Union home minister Amit Shah to initiate a probe into the tapping of his phones by the Andhra Pradesh intelligence department.

The disgruntled YSR Congress MLA told reporters in Nellore on Wednesday that he had written to the Union home minister requesting an investigation into his phone tapping. Sridhar Reddy complained in his letter that his personal freedom had been abused. The renegade MLA also demanded that those responsible be held accountable.

Sridhar Reddy also planned to visit Delhi and complain directly to Amit Shah once his appointment with the Union minister was confirmed. He stated that he would disclose all relevant information and documentation in support of his accusations of phone tapping. He alleged that his phone was tapped after he addressed concerns of people about roads, drinking water, and other issues in his constituency.

The MLA, who raised a banner of revolt against the ruling party, deplored that fake cases were being filed against him and said that he was not frightened of such charges and was resolved to continue his fight without worrying about the repercussions of his actions. He also claimed to have been receiving threatening phone calls from YSRC ministers, leaders, and other unknown people. He said unequivocally that he would not return to the party, where he was looked at with suspicion.

Kotamreddy had earlier said that phone tapping was not feasible without Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddys approval. He stated that an IPS official notified him four months ago that his phone was being tapped, but he didn't believe it because he wasn't involved in any illicit business or anti-party activity. He said he later discovered evidence that his phone had been tapped.

The YSRC leaders, who denied Sridhar Reddys claims, believe that MLA Sridhar Reddy fabricated the charges in order to join the Telugu Desam. They claim that the dissident MLA had been in contact with the TDs high command in recent months and functioning as their undercover agent since then.
The newly appointed deputy Conservative Party chairman has said he would support the return of the death penalty because nobody has ever committed a crime after being executed.

Outspoken Ashfield MP Lee Anderson was handed the position, working as one of new chairman Greg Hands lieutenants in the run-up to the next election, by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during Tuesdays reshuffle.

A former Labour councillor before converting to the Tories, Mr Anderson has been no stranger to controversy since being elected to Westminster in 2019, having criticised food bank users and the England mens football team for taking the knee in protest at racism.

In an interview with The Spectator magazine a few days before his appointment, Mr Anderson said he would support the UK reintroducing the death penalty.

He also suggested using Royal Navy frigates to return to France those arriving in small boats across the English Channel.

Asked whether he would support the return of the death penalty, Mr Anderson told the weekly magazine: Yes.

Nobody has ever committed a crime after being executed.

You know that, dont you? 100% success rate.

The death penalty for murder in the UK was outlawed permanently in 1969, with it totally abolished for all crimes in 1998.

The last people executed in Britain were Peter Allen and Gwynne Evans on August 13 1964.

The UK has signed up to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which prohibits the restoration of the death penalty.

But Mr Anderson argued that heinous crimes  such as the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby in 2013 by Islamist extremists Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale  where the perpetrators are clearly identifiable should be punished by execution.

Lee Anderson said Fusilier Lee Rigbys murderers should have been executed (Family Handout/PA)

Adebolajo was given a whole-life term and Adebowale was jailed for a minimum of 45 years for running over and stabbing the British Army soldier in south-east London in broad daylight.

Mr Anderson told the magazine: Now Id be very careful on that one (the return of the death penalty) because youll get the certain groups saying: You can never prove it.

Well, you can prove it if they have videoed it and are on camera  like the Lee Rigby killers.

I mean: they should have gone, same week. I dont want to pay for these people.

On the issue of preventing small boats from crossing the Channel  one of the Prime Ministers top five priorities  Mr Anderson said migrants arriving unlawfully in Britain should be returned the same day to where they came from.

He said that during a visit to Calais last month he met migrants referring to Britain as El Dorado.

Migrants coming to Britain on small boats should be sent back the same day, the MP said (Gareth Fuller/PA)

They are seeing a country where the streets are paved with gold  where, once you land, they are not in that manky little f****** scruffy tent, Mr Anderson said.

They are going to be in a four-star hotel. And they know that Serco is buying up houses everywhere, to put them in for the next five years. Why wouldnt you come?

Asked for his solution, he replied: Id send them straight back the same day.

Id put them on a Royal Navy frigate or whatever and sail it to Calais, have a stand-off. And theyd just stop coming.

The former miner said, despite facing criticism in some quarters for his opinions, he found voters often agreed with him.

If I say something that is supposedly outrageous in that place [the Commons], I get back to Ashfield on a Thursday, people will come out the shops and say, You say what Im thinking, he added.

Maybe some of my colleagues think Im a little bit too divisive.

But Im of the mind that half the population will hate you, whatever colour you wear.
Two retired Metropolitan Police officers have appeared in court accused of a plot to share indecent images of children with a serving chief inspector, who was found dead before he was charged.

Jack Addis, Jeremy Laxton and Richard Watkinson are alleged to have exchanged material with each other on a computer hard drive between January 2018 and July 2021.

Watkinson, 49, who was a serving chief inspector for neighbourhoods policing at the Mets West Area Command Unit, was found dead in Buckinghamshire on January 12  the same day he was due to answer bail to be charged with conspiracy to distribute indecent photographs of children, three counts of making indecent photos of a child, voyeurism and two counts of misconduct in public office.

Addis, 63, who is from Perthshire and is in custody in Scotland, and Laxton, 62, from Grantham, Lincolnshire, have also been charged with the conspiracy charge, which alleges that they shared images, including more than 2,500 in Category A  the worst kind  between January 1 2018 and July 10 2021.

Laxton also faces three counts of making indecent photos of a child, possession of prohibited images of a child, possession of extreme pornographic images and intentionally encouraging or assisting an offence (misconduct in public office).

He appeared in the dock at Westminster Magistrates Court on Thursday, wearing a grey suit, pink shirt and tie, while Addis appeared via video-link, wearing a red sweater.

Both spoke to confirm their identities during the brief hearing, where they were not asked to enter pleas.

Prosecutor Edward Franklin said some of the images allegedly discovered in the investigation were at the highest end of Category A.

Laxton is not alleged to have taken any images of children, while Addis is said to have taken photos of youths who came to his property, which were not indecent, the court heard.

District Judge Annabel Pilling said both men will next appear at Southwark Crown Court on March 9 for a plea and case management hearing.

She granted Laxton bail on conditions of residence at his home address, to surrender his passport and not to apply for documents to travel outside of England and Wales, that he has no contact with children apart from named family members, and to inform police of any digital devices.

Met officers found Watkinsons body, having attended an address in Saunderton, Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, following welfare concerns.

His death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious and an inquest has been opened and adjourned.

He had been suspended from duty following his arrest in July 2021.

Commander Jon Savell previously said: Chief Inspector Watkinson was facing extremely serious and concerning charges, as the result of a painstaking and thorough police investigation.

Before this matter came to light, we had no previous information about these allegations or to indicate the officer posed any risk to the public.

He had not faced any other criminal or conduct matters during his Met career.

He had been suspended from duty since his arrest.

Two other men were also arrested during the course of the investigation and have been charged. Their matters will now progress through the courts.
The UK will seek to train Ukrainian pilots as quickly as humanly possible, Downing Street said, as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky continued his push for European support.

But Defence Secretary Ben Wallace appeared to suggest that the training would not be completed until probably post-conflict.

Mr Zelensky addressed the European Parliament in Brussels on Thursday in the latest stop on a tour which began with his surprise visit to the UK.

Rishi Sunak, who promised further support for Ukraine during the British leg of Mr Zelenskys visit, said the offer of pilot training was the first step which could lead to the eventual supply of fighter planes.

Were talking about further support, potentially with aircraft as well, the Prime Minister said.

The important first step of that journey is to make sure that we provide the training for Ukrainian pilots to be able to use that very sophisticated equipment.

The UK is exploring how quickly this can be done, No 10 said in a briefing.

The Prime Ministers spokesman told reporters that Britain will work with Ukraines armed forces to understand their pilots capabilities and try to adapt our training and get pilots up to full flying standard as quickly as humanly possible.

The training could be speeded up as some Ukrainian pilots may have years of experience, albeit in Soviet-era jets that are very different to our own, the official said.

The UK will be the first nation to start training Ukrainian pilots on Nato-standard aircraft, and Mr Wallace has been told to investigate which jets the UK could potentially give to Ukraine as it fights invading Russian forces.

Speaking at a joint UK-Italy ministerial press conference in Rome, the Defence Secretary said: Britain hasnt said it is necessarily going to send fighter jets to Ukraine.

What it has said is were going to start training to improve the resilience of Ukraine, probably post-conflict, which is no different from what we were doing in 2015 where Britain, Sweden, Canada, America were training the Ukrainians to form their defence.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace (Toby Melville/PA)

Mr Wallace earlier said there was no immediate prospect of British jets being sent to Ukraine.

This is not a simple case of towing an aircraft to the border, he told the BBC.

Britain knows what Ukraine needs and is very happy to help in many ways trying to achieve the effect.

Those same effects can be done, but potentially through a different way and without taking months, which of course gifting fighter jets would take.

He also dismissed a suggestion from former prime minister Boris Johnson that the UK could hand over 100 Typhoon jets.

Mr Wallace told The Sun: Youre going from gifting a bicycle, if you think of the NLAWs, to a Formula One team, with a crew.

Without a crew, you cant start the car, and it certainly cant do more than eight laps.

If tomorrow morning we all gave all our fighter jets, there would be another ask.

If I gave away all my typhoons as Boris Johnson said, whos going to look after Romania? Who is going to take on Isis in Syria?

He said he also had to protect Nato, and protect our people.

#Zelenskys hasty visit to London and his theatrical performance in Westminster were obviously aimed at preparing the Western public for upcoming decisions towards further satisfaction of the #Kiev regimes constant and ever increasing demands. https://t.co/1D7zffnxLw pic.twitter.com/D5WnB4BzRC  Russian Embassy, UK (@RussianEmbassy) February 8, 2023

Speaking during a visit to Cornwall on Thursday morning, Mr Sunak said he had very good conversations with Mr Zelensky about providing long-range missiles which are going to make a big difference in the struggle against Russian aggression.

The Russian Embassy in the UK warned against the supply of jets and said that Moscow will know how to respond to any unfriendly actions by the British side.

Mr Sunaks spokesman said the Prime Minister was aware of potential escalatory risks, noting that all decisions on Ukraine aid were taken carefully and thoughtfully.

Asked whether the UK had enough spare jets to give any away, the spokesman declined to comment on hypotheticals while stressing that we would never do anything that would put UK safety at risk.

Mr Zelenskys trip, which has seen stops in the UK, France and Belgium, is only his second overseas tour since the Russian invasion of his country almost a year ago.

He said Ukraine and the European Union are fighting together against Russia, the most anti-European force in the world.

He emphasised his countrys desire to join the bloc: A Ukraine that is winning is going to be member of the European Union.

Before his address, European Parliament president Roberta Metsola said allies should consider quickly, as a next step, providing long-range systems and fighter jets.
A woman who claims she is the person the Duke of Sussex lost his virginity to has said she felt disbelief he went into so much detail about it in his book.

Sasha Walpole claims Harry was describing her in his memoir Spare when he recounted how he first had sex in a field behind a busy pub with an older woman.

In an interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored broadcast on TalkTV on Thursday, she discussed their alleged encounter and said she wanted to hide when the book came out.

Ms Walpole, 40, now a digger driver, said: Its been a bit of a whirlwind week, and hopefully its a means to an end and I can get back, and back to normality, go back to work, drive my digger  hide back under my rock.

She said: I didnt think it would hit the headlines like it did.

At first I was a bit like, no, just hide, it will be fine, it will go away like it has done in the past.

Suddenly you realise that its getting closer, your world is getting smaller.

A lot more people are talking about it.

Friends from back home are getting questioned, accused.

I was just like, do you know what, the only way to stop it is just come forward and say its me.

And then hopefully, the sooner its come out it will go and I can carry on with my little life.

Ms Walpole told the broadcaster she was left in disbelief he went into so much detail because then its obvious who it was, adding: Suddenly I was like, oh no, everyone is going to know and then the next day all the messages started.

The Duke of Sussex being interviewed by ITVs Tom Bradby during Harry: The Interview (Jane Barlow/PA)

On her privacy, she added: If you want to live a private life and you want to get out of the limelight and leave the royal family, or whether to live your life as you want to live it, to then sell a book and go on Netflix is kind of going against what youre saying you want.

In the book, Harry described the event of losing his virginity as an inglorious episode.

He recounted how one of the royal familys bodyguards, Marko, paid him a visit at the end of 2001 when he was still a pupil at Eton College in Windsor, aged 16 or 17, and told the prince he had been sent to find out the truth.

Harry wrote: I suspected he was referring to my recent loss of virginity.

Inglorious episode, with an older woman.

She liked horses, quite a lot, and treated me not unlike a young stallion.

Quick ride, after which shed smacked my rump and sent me off to graze.

Among the many things about it that were wrong: It happened in a grassy field behind a busy pub.

Obviously, someone had seen us.

Responding to this, Ms Walpole added: The thing wrong about it was we were two friends and it should never have happened.

We crossed the line, it was never intentional, there was nothing before, nothing after.

There is nothing glorious about being drunk and then copping off with one of your mates in a field.

On what Harry was like then, she added: He was lovely, you know, fun, sparky, he was just one of the boys.

On the night of the alleged encounter, Ms Walpole said they drank shots of Baileys and whisky and sambuca before going outside for a cigarette.

She said: He made the move.

Yeah, I dont even really know why or what happened.

We were just having a cigarette and before you know it it was all happening.

He started kissing me and then before you know it, it was all going on.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is seeking control over the Reedy Creek Improvement District.

Gov. Ron DeSantis plan to take over Disneys special taxing district passed its first committee on Wednesday but not before Democrats questioned why the company wasnt hit harder.

The company will lose control over the Reedy Creek Improvement District, a special favor given to Walt Disney World by the state in the 1960s. Instead of Disney choosing the five members of the board, which acts as a county government, the five will be chosen by DeSantis.

But the new improvement district will still have the same tax benefits it had before, such as the ability to issue tax-exempt bonds and other measures that have saved the company millions of dollars.

Disney still maintains the same perks they did before, Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, said Wednesday.

READ MORE: DeSantis slams special legislation for Disney. But his staff helped write it

Despite the questions, the bill passed its first committee with bipartisan support. Eskamani joined two other Democratic lawmakers in voting against it.

House Bill 9B heads to the floor of the Florida House on Thursday and is expected to pass the Senate on Friday before heading to DeSantis desk.

The bill is a legislative do-over

The measure reverses a bill signed by DeSantis last year, after he targeted Disney over its opposition to Floridas Parental Rights in Education legislation, called the dont say gay bill by critics.

DeSantis vowed to dissolve the district, and thats what last years bill tried to do by June 1 of this year. But that legislation did not say how the state would handle Disneys nearly $1 billion in bond debt, which would fall on the residents of Orange and Osceola counties if Disneys ability to tax itself was removed from law.

This years bill renames the district the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and gives the governor the ability to appoint the boards five members. The members could not have recently worked for a theme park and must be confirmed by the Florida Senate.

The bill sponsor, Rep. Fred Hawkins, R-St. Cloud, called it fair. He said that on top of losing control over the district, the district was also losing the ability to build a stadium, a nuclear power plant or an airport, and it was being subjected to additional reporting requirements.

Tax benefits stay intact

Because the district is being left intact, however, it will keep its tax benefits, including the tax-exempt status of the districts property.

When Walt Disney World wanted to build two parking garages a decade ago, for example, Reedy Creek picked up the estimated $85 million tab, the Orlando Sentinel reported at the time. Because Reedy Creek, not Disney, owns the garages, they could be built with tax-exempt bonds, and the materials purchased without paying sales taxes.

Eskamani compared the new arrangement to placing Disney in a low-security prison, where they can pretty much do what they want to do, but if they go off course, theyll be punished.

She and other Democrats filed amendments that would have required board members to live in the Orlando area, or would have prohibited board members from being campaign donors to the governor. The amendments were voted down. DeSantis has appointed more political donors to various positions than his predecessor, Rick Scott.

Our governors shouldnt be appointing people that donate to them, no matter who that governor is, said Rep. Rita Harris, D-Orlando.

Disneys bond debt will stay with the district, a move that satisfied one ratings agency.

The bill appears to address key uncertainties created following last years dissolution legislation, Michael Rinaldi, head of local government ratings for Fitch Ratings, said in a statement this week.

The bill also had the support of the districts firefighters and other first responders.

This has been a long time coming, Reedy Creek Professional Firefighters President Jon Shirey told lawmakers.
The parents and sister of Halyna Hutchins, pictured in 2018, are suing Alec Baldwin over her death on the Rust set. (Photo: Mat Hayward/Getty Images for AMC Networks)

The parents and sister of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was killed on the Rust set in 2021, filed a lawsuit against Alec Baldwin and others involved with the production over her death.

Attorney Gloria Allred is representing those family members  Halyna's dad and mom, Anatoly and Olga Androsovych, and her sister Svetlana, who live in Ukraine  and held a press conference in Los Angeles on Thursday. The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court against defendants Baldwin, the producers of Rust and many others including in the film including armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed, first assistant director Dave Halls, prop master Sarah Zachary and ammunition supplier Seth Kenney.

The lawsuit alleges battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and loss of consortium for the plaintiffs. Allred explained that the consortium claim "seeks to recover compensation for damages to certain relationships that are mutually dependent," noting Halyna financially supported her family.

"Halyna was the light in their lives," Allred said. "The tragic loss of their daughter and sister is heartbreaking" and they are coping with it while living in war-torn Ukraine, where Olga is an ER nurse. Her death is a "wound that will last forever."

It was noted that the family's plan was always for Halyna "to bring her family to the United States so that they could be together"  a dream that will now "never happen." Yet they hope to eventually be able to live in the U.S. and "be an important part" in the lives of grandson Andros and son-in-law Matthew Hutchins.

In a video, Svetlana said the death of her sibling has been "one of my biggest losses of my life" and said the health of their parents has "sharply declined." Olga was too emotional to speak.

Allred, who shared photos of Halyna with her family members, said the family is close with Matthew and supported his decision to settle his lawsuit with Baldwin and Rust producers last year.

When asked about the differences between the two lawsuits, Allred said the settlement for Matthew "was for [him] and his child. We are now representing others in the family  mom, dad, and sister  and there has been no settlement for them. Matter of fact, there has been no outreach to them by Mr. Baldwin to even say he was sorry. So we want accountability and justice for them. It's as simple as that."

Svetlana and Olga Androsovych, sister and mother of Halyna Hutchins. (Photo: Family of Halyna Hutchins)

Olga Androsovych with her daughter Halyna and grandson Andros. (Photo: Family of Halyna Hutchins)

Halyna Hutchins and her sister Svetlana. (Photo: Family of Halyna Hutchins)

Halyna, Olga and Svetlana (Photo: Family of Halyna Hutchins)

Anatoly Androsovych with Andros (Photo: Family of Halyna Hutchins)

Halyna, a rising star in her field, was shot  by a gun held by Baldwin  while setting up a camera shot during rehearsal on the New Mexico set of the low-budget Western film. Baldwin, who was charged last month with two counts of involuntary manslaughter with prosecutors alleging he was "distracted" during gun training and showed "reckless deviation" from standard safety protocols on set, has maintained he did not pull the trigger despite the FBI forensic report finding that the gun couldn't fire without the trigger being pulled.

Armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who oversaw the of handling weapons on set, was also charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter. First assistant director Dave Halls  who Baldwin said told him the gun was "cold," meaning it contained no live ammunition  made a plea agreement with prosecutors to negligent use of a deadly weapon charges. The film's director, Joel Souza, was struck by the same round, but survived.

It's still unclear how a live round made it onto the set in the first place, and Gutierrez Reed denied knowledge of it. Her attorneys have said she was under "extreme pressure" and was "rushed" on the set as she juggled two jobs, and vow she "will be exonerated of wrongdoing."

Baldwin and Gutierrez Reed are scheduled to make their first court appearance, which will be remote, on Feb. 24. Halls's plea conference is scheduled for March 8.

As noted, Matthew settled a lawsuit with Rust producers, of which Baldwin was one, filed on behalf of himself and the couple's young son in October. Part of the settlement terms include Matthew taking the role of executive producer on Rust, which is supposed to resume production with Baldwin in the lead role.

After the criminal charges were filed, Matthew's attorney Brian Panish said in a statement they supported the charges, saying their own independent investigation also supported charges. "It is comfort to the family that, in New Mexico, no one is above the law."

Luke Nikas, an attorney for Baldwin, said the decision to file criminal charges "distorts Halyna Hutchins's tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice. Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun  or anywhere on the movie set. He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds. We will fight these charges, and we will win."

There have been other lawsuits filed in the wake of the fatal on-set shooting. Allred is also representing Rust script supervisor Mamie Mitchell against Baldwin and his finance company El Dorado Pictures, Inc., for injuries she claims she sustained when he "discharged a loaded gun towards" her.
KFC U.S. (YUM) is shaking up its menu. Say goodbye to Kentucky Fried Chicken wings, popcorn chicken, Nashville Hot sauce, strawberry lemonade, and chocolate chip cookies. But to be clear, KFC's original Colonel Sanders recipe with 11 herbs and spices stays.

The YUM! Brands subsidiary has been undergoing "a menu simplification" to increase efficiency, ease the ordering experience, and allow the company to better focus on innovation.

"It's really to deliver our most popular products perfectly each time and to actually make room for new products." KFC U.S. Director Brittany Wilson told Yahoo Finance.

The changes are expected to roll out over the next month on a case-by-case basis to "make room for this big spring of innovation that KFC has coming,"

The removed items were chosen because they "weren't available on a national scale or that [they] haven't necessarily been growing on a national sales mix," Wilson said.

KFC U.S. new national menu (Courtesy: KFC)

Justin Stewart, a KFC franchise owner and COO of Stewart Restaurant Group, said the menu updates at his restaurant have already cut time for employees to pack orders and improve drive-thru rates.

Our team members have been able to package orders more quickly, due to having less items on our pack line. As a result, weve reduced our drive-through order time by 11 seconds."

According to Intouch Insight's 2022 Annual Drive-Thru Study, KFC's average wait time was 63.6 seconds, while total service time was roughly 4 minutes, or 239.02 seconds. On average, there were nearly 2 cars in line.

Accuracy also improved, per Stewart. "By removing less popular menu items, weve improved order accuracy and product availability overall, and created space in back of house. Weve also reduced our controllable costs because of less waste, less prep and less cleanup time."

He said customers haven't minded the removal of items, calling the response "positive" and that they are able "to navigate the new menu board more quickly and easily."

Almost all, 99%, of KFC restaurants are franchise-owned.

Caters to a more value conscious consumer

Starting Feb. 6, new Kentucky Fried Chicken Wraps will be available online at KFC.com, on the KFC mobile app and at KFC restaurants nationwide. (Courtesy: KFC).

Earlier this week, the Louisville, Kentucky brand introduced KFC Wraps for a limited-time only, following an outcry from fans, Wilson said.

"We really received an outcry of requests on social media for us to bring back wraps," Wilson said the 2-for-$5 offering is being added at a time when "consumers are much more value conscious."

In an investor call post-fourth-quarter earnings results this week, CEO David Gibbs said, "We're winning because of value."

He added, "The consumer in the U.S., on the high end, we're actually seeing more frequency from that consumer, and we're seeing possibly driven by a little trade down into our brands, which is all good, and then on the lower end, as I mentioned last quarter, consumers are starting ... there's a little bit more interest in value, which our brands are perfectly positioned to deliver on."

This past quarter, same-store sales for KFC came in at 5%, only slightly higher than Wall Street estimates of 4.84%. On-the-go trends that were popular before the COVID-19 pandemic are back too.

"As we see macros in the consumer landscape shift back to a little bit more pre-COVID times, portability is key and having products that consumers can take with them on-the-go, will certainly be an extension of of how we're looking at it sandwiches going forward."

Wilson added that younger consumers favor boneless products. Last July, Chris Scott, head chef at KFC U.S. had a similar message around the launch of chicken nuggets.

"So many of younger consumers are not interested in eating chicken on the bone, for whatever reason they choose," Scott said. This offering is currently being tested at select restaurant locations in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 8-piece, 12-piece or 36-piece, which varies by location.



Brooke DiPalma is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter at @BrookeDiPalma or email her at bdipalma@yahoofinance.com.

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President Biden on Wednesday called out Republican lawmakers who booed when he accused them of wanting to cut Social Security and Medicare during his State of the Union address, pointing out that several of them have expressed support for those cuts.

"My Republican friends, they seemed shocked when I raised the plans of some of their members and their caucus to cut Social Security and Marjorie Taylor and others stood up and said, 'Liar, liar,'" Biden said in remarks on the economy at an event in DeForest, Wis.

Biden then pointed to a plan floated by Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., last year when he chaired the National Republican Senatorial Committee. "I got his brochure right here," said Biden, who held it up and read from it, "All federal legislation sunsets every five years. If a law is worth keeping, Congress can pass it again."

That would apply, the president said, to programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

Biden also mentioned how Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., has said that Congress should reconsider such programs every year. During Johnson's competitive re-election race last year, he said at a campaign stop that Social Security was set up improperly and that it would have been better to invest the money in the stock market. Johnson also told a radio show that Social Security and Medicare should be axed as mandatory programs and be subject to discretionary spending, meaning Congress would have to renew them yearly or theyd end.

President Biden delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

"Theres a senator named Mike Lee, who was also yelling, 'Liar, liar, house on fire' kind of stuff last night," Biden said, alluding to a 2010 video that recently surfaced in which the Utah Republican said it was his objective to phase out Social Security.

"They sure didnt like me calling them on it," Biden said. "Look, a lot of Republicans, their dream is to cut Social Security and Medicare. Well, let me just say this. Its your dream, but I'm gonna with my veto pen make it a nightmare."

During his speech Tuesday night, Biden said that "some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset every five years." As Republicans in the crowd began to loudly boo, he went off script and shot back: "As we all apparently agree, Social Security and Medicare is off the books now."

On Wednesday, Biden said the exchange effectively boxed Republicans into a deal. "It looks like we negotiated a deal last night on the floor of the House of Representatives," Biden said.

"All of you have been paying into the system every single paycheck youve had since you started working," the president said. "These benefits belong to you, the American worker. You earn it, and I will not allow anyone to cut them  not today, not tomorrow, not ever."

Biden said in an interview Wednesday he was surprised by some of the GOP jeering the previous night, while adding that "the vast majority of Republicans werent that way."

"But you know, theres still a significant element of what I call the MAGA Republicans  you know, the Make America Great Again Republicans  and I kind of anticipated [it], Biden told PBS NewsHour.

Responding Wednesday to Biden's State of the Union address, Scott said in a statement that Biden has misunderstood his proposal to sunset all federal legislation in five years. "This is clearly and obviously an idea aimed at dealing with ALL the crazy new laws our Congress has been passing of late. Joe Biden is confused  to suggest that this means I want to cut Social Security or Medicare is a lie, and is a dishonest move  from a very confused President."

But the GOP has repeatedly pushed cuts to entitlement programs.

Former House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., for example, proposed turning Medicare into a voucher system when he chaired the House Budget Committee and put out budget blueprints in 2012 and 2013. It was a plan backed by many Republicans at the time.

More recently, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., reintroduced legislation last year that he and Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, unveiled in 2019 that would allow parents to use a portion of their Social Security benefits for up to three months of paid parental leave after the birth or adoption of a child. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a progressive think tank, said that under such a measure, "parents opting for parental leave would face permanent cuts to their Social Security retirement benefits."

Last year, the Republican Study Committee, a large group of House conservatives, also proposed a budget that would incrementally raise the retirement age to collect Social Security, based on changing life spans, and lower benefits over the long term by using a new formula.

Many Republicans, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, have denied supporting cuts to these programs and recently said that those proposals would be off the table in negotiations over raising the debt ceiling.

But not every Republican agrees with McCarthy. This week, Republican Study Committee Chairman Kevin Hern, R-Okla., told Bloomberg News that despite McCarthy's comments, "I wouldnt think itd be off the table."
Consumers and politicians voiced concerns after a commissioner on the Consumer Product Safety Commission suggested that gas stoves were a health hazard, leading some people to believe they would be banned. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

New fronts in the growing war over stoves are being opened at every level of government.

On one side, pro-fossil-fuel politicians are trying to ensure that the market for gas stoves stays alive and well.

Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., on Feb. 2 introduced the Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act to prevent the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) from banning gas stoves.

In statements accompanying the bills introduction, the senators struck a brave pose in defense of liberty. Make no mistake, radical environmentalists want to stop Americans from using natural gas, Cruz said. The federal government has no business telling American families how to cook their dinner, Manchin said.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a likely GOP presidential candidate at the forefront of the culture wars, proposed on Feb. 1 to create a permanent sales tax exemption for gas stoves. The effort is largely symbolic, since only 8% of Florida households use gas for cooking, and most homes in the warm-weather state arent even hooked up to gas lines.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at a press conference in Auburndale, Fla., on Jan. 30. (Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

But DeSantis explained that he is taking a moral stance. Were not even a state ... Florida wasnt even connected, weve got mostly electric, he said in an address laying out his budget. Its just the principle.

On the other side of the issue, liberal legislators are looking at ways of moving their constituents toward electric stoves.

On Monday the college town of Eugene, Ore., became the first city in that state to ban gas stove hookups in new buildings. The measure applies only to residential buildings of three stories or fewer. The City Council passed the law by a 5-3 margin, with environmental justice advocates arguing that it would help disadvantaged communities in which exposure to air pollution is most severe.

Communities of color in Eugene are more likely to breathe hazardous air in our neighborhoods. Our homes should be places of refuge, not one more source of pollution for overburdened lungs, Jerrel Brown, an environmental and climate justice organizer with the local chapter of the NAACP, said in a statement.

Back in the nations capital, a majority of Washington, D.C., Council members last Friday proposed using public funds to pay the full cost to replace gas stoves and boilers with electric appliances in households making less than $80,000 a year. The bill would also create a permitting fee for the installation of new oil- or gas-burning appliances when renovating.

A product expert demonstrates an electric induction stove cooktop. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

Efforts to phase out gas appliances such as stoves and furnaces are not new. Removing fossil fuels from homes is an essential component of reaching net-zero emissions, which the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says must happen by midcentury to avert catastrophic climate change. In recent years, cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Seattle have banned gas hookups in new buildings. As part of her extensive climate agenda, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, has proposed to extend that ban statewide in her last two State of the State addresses.

In the last few years, some efforts to fight back on behalf of the gas industry have also begun. The Virginia General Assemblys Republican-majority House passed a bill last year to block local governments from limiting consumer access to natural-gas-powered appliances.

The recent escalation in the stove war was kicked off in January, when a study calculating that gas stoves are responsible for 650,000 U.S. childhood asthma cases was published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

CPSC Commissioner Richard Trumka Jr. (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

That led Richard Trumka Jr., a CPSC commissioner, to tell Bloomberg News that the agency might consider regulations to protect consumers from gas stoves, including an outright ban on selling them. The comments triggered intense blowback from conservatives and Republicans such as Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson, who tweeted, Ill NEVER give up my gas stove. If the maniacs in the White House come for my stove, they can pry it from my cold dead hands. COME AND TAKE IT!!

Subsequently, CPSC Chairman Alexander Hoehn-Saric unequivocally stated that the agency has no intention of banning gas stoves, but that evidently hasnt quieted the furor on the right.

The more plausible possibility is that the CPSC will develop regulations to reduce air pollution from gas stoves, such as requirements that new stoves come with vents, as a group of 20 Democratic senators and House members urged in a letter to the commission in December.

On the left, meanwhile, the newly heightened awareness of the public health harm from gas stoves is leading more localities to consider new policies to mitigate those effects.

One of the sponsors of a proposed bill, D.C. Council member Charles Allen, who holds a masters degree in public health, told the Washington Post that his main impetus for the legislation is to improve indoor air quality, especially in lower-income communities.

D.C. Council member Charles Allen. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Although some professional chefs are apoplectic at the prospect of having to cook on an electric stove, the attention to gas stoves led Alice Waters, legendary founder of the Berkeley, Calif., restaurant Chez Panisse, to decide to convert her kitchen to electric. (While only 38% of American homes use gas stoves, 76% of U.S. restaurants use natural gas, according to the National Restaurant Association.)

We cant make a freedom argument about climate, Waters told Yahoo News on Jan. 19. Its not a choice for some people to continue to pollute the planet.

While chefs and politicians are taking sides on gas stoves, there is no data yet to suggest any shift in consumer choices. Yahoo News called several Home Depots in Chicago  Illinois has one of the highest shares of gas stoves in the country  and the employees who responded said they had seen no recent change in the split of stove sales between electric and gas.
Digna van Boetzelaer, the Netherlands, Andy Kraag, the Netherlands, David McLean, Australia, Asha Hoe Soo Lian, Malaysia, Eric van der Sypt, Belgium, and Oleksandr Bannyk, Ukraine, take their seats for the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) news conference in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, on the results of the ongoing investigation into other parties involved in the downing of flight MH17 on 17 July 2014. The JIT investigated the crew of the Buk-TELAR, a Russian made rocket launcher, and those responsible for supplying this Russian weapon system that downed MH17. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)  An international team of investigators said Wednesday it found strong indications that Russian President Vladimir Putin approved the supply of heavy anti-aircraft weapons to Ukrainian separatists who shot down Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in 2014 with a Russian missile.

However, members of the Joint Investigation Team said they had insufficient evidence to prosecute Putin or any other suspects and they suspended their 8-year inquiry into the shooting down that killed all 298 people on board the Boeing 777 flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.

Russia has always denied any involvement in the downing of the flight over eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014, and refused to cooperate with the international investigation.

Dutch prosecutors said that there are strong indications that the Russian president decided on supplying a Buk missile system  the weapon that downed MH17  to Ukrainian separatists.

Although we speak of strong indications, the high bar of complete and conclusive evidence is not reached," Dutch prosecutor Digna van Boetzelaer said, adding that without Russian cooperation, the investigation has now reached its limit. All leads have been exhausted.

She also said that, as head of state, Putin would have immunity from prosecution in the Netherlands. The team played a recording of an intercepted phone call in which they said Putin could be heard discussing the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Are we disappointed? No, because we think we came further than we had ever thought in 2014. Would we have liked to come further? Of course, yes, said Andy Kraag of the Dutch police.

The team informed relatives of those killed in the downing of MH17 of their findings before making them public.

There was disappointment because ... they wanted to know why MH17 was shot down," Kraag said. "Were really clear on what has happened, but the answer to the question why MH17 was shot down still remains in Russia.

Van Boetzelaer said that while the investigation is being suspended, phone lines will remain open for possible witnesses who may still want to provide evidence. If that happens, the inquiry could be reactivated.

Russian officials say that a decision to provide rebels with military support over the summer of 2014 was in Putins hands.

A decision to supply arms was even postponed for a week because there is only one who makes a decision (), the person who is currently at a summit in France, the investigative team said, citing a phone conversation that was referring to Putin.

Prosecutors said that at the time Putin was at a commemoration of D-Day in France.

The announcement by the investigative team comes nearly three months after a Dutch court convicted two Russians and a Ukrainian rebel for their roles in shooting down the plane. One Russian was acquitted by the court.

None of the suspects appeared for the trial and it was unclear if the three who were found guilty of multiple murders will ever serve their sentences.

The convictions and the court's finding that the surface-to-air Buk missile came from a Russian military base were seen as a clear indication that Moscow had a role in the tragedy. Russia has always denied involvement. The Russian Foreign Ministry accused the court in November of bowing to pressure from Dutch politicians, prosecutors and the news media.

But the November convictions held that Moscow was in overall control in 2014 over the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic, the separatist area of eastern Ukraine where the missile was launched. The Buk missile system came from the Russian military's 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade, based in the city of Kursk.

The Joint Investigation Team is made up of experts from the Netherlands, Australia, Malaysia, Belgium and Ukraine. Most of the victims were Dutch. It had continued to investigate the crew of the missile system that brought down the plane and those who ordered its deployment in Ukraine.

As well as the criminal trial that was held in the Netherlands, the Dutch and Ukrainian governments are suing Russia at the European Court of Human Rights over its alleged role in the downing of MH17.

The findings revealed Wednesday will likely strengthen the case at the human rights court and could also be used by prosecutors at the International Criminal Court who are investigating possible war crimes in Ukraine dating back to the start of the separatist conflict.

___

Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Asserting that the BRS' slogan in the run-up to 2024 general elections would be 'Ab ki baar kisan sarkar' (This time, a government for farmers), KCR recently said Maharashtra continues to witness the highest number of farmers' suicides despite being one of the richest states. DC File Image

Hyderabad: After the success of its first public meeting in Khammam recently, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi is all set to hold its second meeting in Nanded in Maharashtra, the first meeting of the party outside Telangana on February 5, BRS sources said on Monday.

Telangana Minister for Endowments Indrakaran Reddy and some senior leaders of the party recently visited the neighbouring state to oversee the arrangements including crowd mobilisation plans.

"This is the first meeting of BRS outside Telangana. KCR (Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao) will address the gathering. Some of the important leaders of the Nanded region are expected to join the party," the party sources told PTI.

Rao is likely to visit a famous gurudwara in Nanded and offer prayers before the meeting, they further said. Nanded was chosen as the district has a sizeable population of Telugu-speaking people due to its proximity to Telangana.

KCR, as Rao is also known as, had earlier told media persons that several villages in the neighbouring state want to merge with Telangana attracted by the welfare and developmental schemes being implemented by his government.

Asserting that the BRS' slogan in the run-up to 2024 general elections would be 'Ab ki baar kisan sarkar' (This time, a government for farmers), KCR recently said Maharashtra continues to witness the highest number of farmers' suicides despite being one of the richest states.

According to political analysts, the focus of Rao's speech would be around farmers' issues in the Nanded meeting.

BRS will also be holding a public meeting at the Parade Ground in Secunderabad and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, his Jharkhand counterpart Hemant Soren, Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav, JD(U) National President Lalan Singh as representative of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and Dr B R Ambedkar's grandson Prakash Ambedkar among other dignitaries would attend it, Telangana Roads and Buildings Minister Vemula Prashant Reddy had said in a release last week.

Before the public meeting, the leaders would also be attending the inaugural ceremony of the new secretariat complex of Telangana here on that day.

The building named after B R Ambedkar will be inaugurated by KCR between 11.30 am and 12.30 pm on February 17, an auspicious time suggested by Vedic pundits, Reddy said.
A television reporter was arrested during a press conference given by Gov Mike DeWine of Ohio on the state of a dangerous train derailment close to the states border with Pennsylvania.

Evan Lambert of NewsNation was preparing to go live on the air when Mr DeWine emerged to begin the press conference. Police officers reportedly asked Lambert to be quieter while Mr DeWine was speaking, then arrested him. Footage of the incident released by the network showed two officers handcuffing Lambert while he was facedown on the ground.

In an article posted on its website, NewsNations Tyler Wornell quoted Mr DeWine as saying he had nothing to do with the arrest.

It has always been my practice that if Im doing a press conference, someone wants to report out there and they want to be talking back to the people back on channel, whatever, they have every right to do that, Mr DeWine said. If someone was stopped from doing that, or told they could not do that, that was wrong. It was nothing that I authorized.

BREAKING: @EvanLambertTV, a DC-based correspondent for @NewsNation, has been in Ohio covering the train crash. He was doing a live shot in the back of the room during a press conference-was told to stop by police, was pushed to the ground, cuffed & arrested & put in a patrol car. pic.twitter.com/RZv6nT7j8o  NewsNation PR (@NewsNationPR) February 8, 2023

According to the NewsNation article, Lambert is facing charges of disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing.

After he was handcuffed, Lambert was driven away from the site of the press conference at an East Palestine, Ohio elementary school gymnasium in a squad car.

Its tough to do your job in America in 2023, but well keep doing it, Lambert said.

Preston Swigart, a photographer, was with Lambert during the sequence that ended in his arrest. He told Wornell

From their standpoint, he didnt obey orders when he was told to stop talking, Swigart said. Gymnasiums are echoey and loud and sound kind of carries, so Im guessing that they just didnt like the fact that there was sound competing with the governor speaking, even though it was all the way at the other end of the room.

As Governor Mike DeWine started his press conference this afternoon, @EvanLambertTV, a national reporter with @NewsNation, was arrested because he was doing a live report. pic.twitter.com/7j81PyY1n1  Jordan Miller (@J_MillerTV) February 9, 2023

The derailment of 50 freight cars, including ten carrying hazardous materials, continues to be of major concern in and around East Palestine in communities on both sides of the Ohio-Pennsylvania border. Residents in the surrounding area have been asked to evacuate, with some reporting headaches in the aftermath of the crash.

This content of this particular press conference, however, was quickly overshadowed by what NewsNation described as a violation of its reporters First Amendment rights.

Another video posted to Twitter by reporter Jordan Miller shows Mr Lambert being led away from the school in handcuffs.

This is going to be on national news just because Im trying to do my job? Mr Lambert can be heard asking as he is walked down the sidewalk.
Two children who were missing for nearly a year after allegedly being kidnapped by their mother are still in shock a week after authorities found them in a supermarket, according to their father.

Blake Gilley, 38, told NBC News that his 12-year-old son Adrian and 11-year-old daughter Brooke had been kept out of school and discouraged from interacting with anyone in the 11 months since they vanished.

It is an understatement to say I was terrified and freaked out, Mr Gilley told NBC News after an emotional reunion with the children last week.

Adrian and Brooke were reported missing from Liberty, Missouri, on 15 March 2022, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Police in High Springs, Florida, said they located the two children and their mom Kristi Nicole Gilley, 36, in a Winn Dixie grocery store on 1 February after running a routine vehicle licence check.

All three were wearing disguises, police said, but did not elaborate on how they had changed their appearances.

In an arrest photo, Ms Gilley appeared to be wearing a red wig.

Brooke Gilley, 11, and her 12 year old brother Adrian Gilley were found at a grocery store in High Springs, Florida, nearly a year after they were reported missing (Liberty Police Department)

Ms Gilley was arrested on an active kidnapping warrant and appeared in the Alachua County Court this week, records show.

She is being held without bond and will fight extradition to Missouri, her lawyer Maurice McDaniel told NBC News.

Kristi Gilley, 36, was arrested on kidnapping charges nearly a year after her two children Brooke, 11, and Adrian, 12, went missing (High Springs Police Department)

Mr Gilley told the news network his ex-wife had moved between rural Airbnbs for much of the 11 months they were missing.

The two children had told him that Ms Gilley wouldnt tell them where they were going, and ordered them to keep their heads out of sight when they were travelling.

Kristi Gilley in an earlier mugshot from the California Attorney Generals Office (California Attorney Generals Office)

They were physically healthy, but appeared to still be in shock.

Further details have emerged about the custody case between the former couple, who divorced in 2016.

According to a probable cause kidnapping warrant from the Liberty Police Department obtained by Law & Crime, Ms Gilley had refused to participate in a custody court case and had moved the children to California in April 2022.

Through an advocate, Kristi has refused to cooperate with the courts decision to grant Blake sole legal custody of their children.

Mr Gilley told NBC News he planned to get his children counselling and get them back into school.
A Ukrainian official has slammed the appearance of Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters at a UN Security Council meeting after Russia said it invited the musician to address the event remotely.

The Ukrainian Security Council delegate Sergiy Kyslytsya dubbed Waters a brick in the wall of Russian disinformation and propaganda.

It comes as Volodymyr Zelensky is due in Brussels today as part of a major lobbying effort to call on European allies to provide Ukraine with fighter jets and more heavy weaponry.

Russia has warned Western nations against answering Mr Zelenskys call for fighter jets in particular, threatening military and political consequences for Europe and the rest of the world.

Yesterday prime minister Rishi Sunak said nothing is off the table on being asked if the UK will send fighter jets to the besieged country.

Mr Zelensky also met with Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz in Paris late last night, and today will appear at a summit and address the European parliament during his visit to Brussels.

Key Points

Ukraine slams Pink Floyds Roger Waters for speech at UNSC

Sunak says nothing off the table on sending fighter jets to Ukraine

What fighter jets has Volodymyr Zelensky asked for and what might he get?

Top military figures say its unlikely UK will send fighter jets to Ukraine

10:15 , Emily Atkinson

Senior military and security figures have raised doubts about the likelihood that British fighter jets will send to Ukraine, despite Rishi Sunak saying nothing was off the table.

The prime minister said fighter jets were now part of the conversation after Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky asked for powerful English planes during his historic visit to the UK.

But the idea has been met with scepticism. Former national security adviser Peter Ricketts said its not going to work because the RAF jets need very specialized ground crews.

Adam Forrest reports:

Top military figures say unlikely UK will send fighter jets to Ukraine

Kremlin dismisses claims Putin was involved in MH17 downing

11:05 , Emily Atkinson

The Kremlin has dismissed the findings of international prosecutors investigating the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17) who said they had found strong indications of Russian president Vladimir Putins involvement in the incident.

The prosecutors said on Wednesday at The Hague they had found strong indications that Putin had approved the use of Russian BUK missile systems that were used to shoot down the plane over eastern Ukraine in 2014.

In Moscows first reaction to their claim, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia could not accept the results of the investigation since it took no part in the process. He also said the investigators had not publicly presented supported evidence.

MH17 was shot down by a Russian BUK missile system as it flew over eastern Ukraine from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on July 17, 2014, killing all 298 passengers and crew, including 196 Dutch citizens.

A victorious Ukraine will be part of European Union, says Zelensky

10:44 , Emily Atkinson

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that he believed his country would join the European Union after emerging victorious from its war with Russia.

He made his remark during an address to the European Parliament in Brussels. Ukraine became a candidate to join the EU last June but the process of joining the 27-nation bloc takes several years.

(via REUTERS)

Ukraine's Zelensky tells EU 'thank you' for its help

10:38 , Emily Atkinson

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy thanked the European Parliament on Thursday for the help Ukraine has been receiving from the EU to defend itself against the Russian invasion.

Having won promises of Western battle tanks in recent weeks, Ukrainian officials are now focused on trying to secure the supply of longer-range rockets and fighter jets.

Thank you, Mr Zelensky told EU lawmakers, who gave him a long standing ovation.

10:31 , Emily Atkinson

EU lawmakers gave Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky a long standing ovation before he spoke to the assembly, cheering and applauding him, some of them wearing the blue and yellow colours of the Ukrainian flags in ribbons clipped to their jackets.

Zelensky: Europe defending itself against biggest anti-European force of the modern world

10:25 , Emily Atkinson

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said his country together with Europe was defending ourselves against (the) biggest anti-European force of the modern world.

He made the remark during an address to the European Parliament in Brussels.

(EPA)

EU must quickly consider giving Ukraine jets, says EU parliament head

10:22 , Emily Atkinson

EU countries must quickly consider providing fighter jets to Ukraine, the head of the blocs parliament said on Thursday as she hosted president Volodymyr Zelensky, touring Europe to win more arms to fight against the Russian invasion.

Referencing the biblical fight between David and Goliath, European Parliament head, Roberta Metsola said in addressing Mr Zelensky in the chamber: You need to win and now (EU) member states must consider quickly as the next step providing long-range systems and the jets that you need to protect your liberty.

Kremlin says Ukrainians will suffer if Britain or allies send fighter jets to Kyiv

10:20 , Emily Atkinson

Ukrainians will be the ones that suffer if Britain or its western allies supply Kyiv with fighter jets, the Kremlin has warned.

Mr Zelensky started his surprise tour of Europe in London on Wednesday with a rousing speech to parliament urging the UK and allies to provide wings for freedom. He will attend a gathering of EU leaders today, where he is expected to reiterate the request.

But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that any delivery of advanced Nato-standard fighter jets would only bring pain and suffering to Ukrainians and criticised the alliance for taking a more direct role in the conflict.

This is nothing more than the growing involvement of the United Kingdom, Germany and France in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Mr Peskov told reporters.

The line between indirect and direct involvement is gradually disappearing. One can only express regret in this regard, and say that such actions ... lead to an escalation of tension, prolong the conflict and make the conflict more and more painful for Ukraine, he added.

Russia 'significantly steps up attacks in east Ukraine

10:10 , Emily Atkinson

Russian forces have significantly stepped up attacks in eastern Ukraine and are trying to break through Ukrainian defences near the town of Kreminna, a regional governor said.

Serhiy Haidai, governor of the Luhansk region, said Ukraines military were holding their ground near Kreminna, which Russian forces have held for months, but said they needed more weapons and ammunition to hold out.

I can confirm that there has been a significant increase in attacks and shelling. And it is in the direction of Kreminna that they are trying to build on their success by pushing through out defenders defences, he told Ukrainian television.

So far they have had no significant success, our defence forces are holding firmly there.

Kreminna, which lies about 100 km (62 miles) northwest of the regional capital Luhansk, had a population of about 18,000 before Russias invasion on Feb. 24 last year.

Breaking through Ukrainian lines near Kreminna would take Russian forces a step closer to the much larger city of Kramatorsk.

(We need) heavy equipment and artillery ammunition - then we will not only be able to maintain the defence, but also make a goodd counter-offensive operation, Haidai said.

Netherlands 'not ruling out any kind of military support to Ukraine

10:05 , Emily Atkinson

The Netherlands is not ruling out any kind of military support for Ukraine, Dutch PM Mark Rutte told reporters on Thursday ahead of an EU summit in Brussels.

We have consistently said that we rule nothing out as long as there is not an Article Five situation between Nato and Russia, he said.

Macron awards Legion of Honour to Ukraines Zelensky

10:00 , Emily Atkinson

President Emmanuel Macron has bestowed the Legion of Honour on Ukraines leader Volodymyr Zelensky during a visit to Paris.

It is the highest award a French president can give to a counterpart, the Elysee Palace said in an overnight statement.

A salute to Ukraine and its people. A salute to you, dear Volodymyr, for your courage and commitment, Macron wrote on social media.

(Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

EU's Michel: Very important we increase our support to Ukraine

09:55 , Emily Atkinson

It is very important that the EU increases its support to Ukraine, European Council president Charles Michel said on Thursday ahead of an EU summit in Brussels, which Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will be attending as well.

Nato must act together on jets for Ukraine, says Polish PM

09:50 , Emily Atkinson

Any decision on supplying fighter jets to Ukraine must be taken by Nato as a whole and Poland will not be the first to supply such aircraft, the Polish prime minister has said.

Our position is clear, we can only act within the entire formation of Nato, Mateusz Morawiecki told reporters.

We will not be the first ones to hand over the fighter jets, but we will respond positively, provided that those who have the most of these jets will be able to give them to Ukraine.

Italy calls invitation of Zelensky to Paris inappropriate

09:45 , Emily Atkinson

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni said the invitation of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to Paris, where he met French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Olaf Scholz, was inappropriate.

I believe our strength is community and unity .... but there are times when favouring internal public opinion risks being to the detriment of the cause, and this seems to me to be one of those cases, she said in Brussels.

Ms Meloni will meet Mr Zelensky in Brussels on the sidelines of the EU leaders meeting, Italys foreign minister said late on Wednesday.

EU to deliver more military support to Ukraine'

09:40 , Emily Atkinson

The European Union will deliver more military support to Ukraine, the EUS foreign policy chief Josep Borrell reaffirmed to reporters on Thursday, as EU leaders arrived for a summit.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is preparing to lobby European leaders on Thursday at a summit in Brussels for more weapons in the fight against Russia and a quick start to EU membership talks for his country.

Russia hits out at pompous president Zelensky

09:10 , Emily Atkinson

Moscow has attacked president Volodymyr Zelenskys hasty visit to Europe.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, the Russian embassy said: Zelenskys pompous solicitations about the values of freedom and human rights, which Kyiv claims to be fighting for, were overtly hypocritical.

It then mocked the ex-comedian in a green sweatshirt now on tour around Europe.

We would like to remind London: in the event of such a scenario, the death toll of yet another round of escalation, as well as its military-political consequences for the European continent and the whole world will be on the United Kingdoms hands.

Russia will know how to respond to any unfriendly actions by the British side, it said.

Russias Wagner mercenaries 'halt prisoner recruitment campaign

08:40 , Emily Atkinson

Russias Wagner mercenary group has stopped recruiting prisoners to fight in Ukraine, Wagners founder Yevgeny Prigozhin said on Thursday.

The recruitment of prisoners by the Wagner private military company has completely stopped, Prigozhin said in a response to a request for comment from a Russian media outlet published on social media.

We are fulfilling all our obligations to those who work for us now, he said.

Wagner began recruiting prisoners in Russias sprawling penal system in summer 2022, with Prigozhin, a catering entrepreneur who served nine years in prison during the Soviet Union, offering convicts a pardon if they survived six months in Ukraine.

Wagner has not provided information on how many convicts joined its ranks, but Russian penal service figures published in November showed the countrys prison population dropping by over 20,000 between August and November, the largest drop in over a decade.

(Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Russia urges international investigation into US involvement in Nord Stream pipeline attack

08:10 , Emily Atkinson

A blog by a US investigative journalist alleging the United States was behind the explosions that ruptured the Nord Stream gas pipelines should become the basis for an international investigation, Russias top lawmaker said on Thursday.

The White House on Wednesday dismissed the report, published by Seymour Hersh, which said an attack on the pipelines was carried out last September at the direction of US president Joe Biden.

The published facts should become the basis for an international investigation, bringing Biden and his accomplices to justice, Vyacheslav Volodin, the chairman of the Russian State Duma, said.

Volodin said the United States should pay compensation to countries affected by the terrorist attack.

Moscow, without providing evidence, has repeatedly said the West was behind the explosions affecting the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines last September - multibillion-dollar infrastructure projects that carried Russian gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea.

Zelensky tours Europe after urging UK to provide fighter jets

07:42 , Emily Atkinson

Volodymyr Zelensky is touring Europe after calling for fighter jets in the UK to help his countrys struggle against Russias invasion.

The Ukrainian president will join an EU summit in Brussels on Thursday to continue his push for more advanced weapons.

Starting his surprise trip in London on Wednesday, Mr Zelensky used a rousing speech to Parliament to urge the UK and Western allies to provide wings for freedom.

He then travelled to Paris to meet French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Olaf Scholz, telling a press conference there is very little time to provide the weaponry.

He will be flying with Mr Macron to Thursdays gathering of EU leaders.

Russia's Wagner stops hiring prisoners, says founder

06:48 , Arpan Rai

The chief of Russias Wagner Group mercenaries Yevgeny Prigozhin says a decision has been made to stop recruiting prisoners to fight in Ukraine.

The recruitment of prisoners by the Wagner private military company has completely stopped, the Russian proxy groups head and a former prison convict himself said today.

We are fulfilling all our obligations to those who work for us now, he said.

In December, the US intelligence community said it believed that Wagner had 40,000 convict fighters deployed in Ukraine, making up the vast majority of the groups personnel in the country.

Wagner has not provided information on how many convicts joined its ranks, but according to the Russian penal service figures published in November the countrys prison population dropped by over 20,000 between August and November, the largest drop in over a decade.

Intense Russian attacks pound Donetsk and Luhansk

05:57 , Arpan Rai

The Ukrainian military confirmed that Russian attacks remained intense yesterday in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Kyiv said that Moscows forces concentrated on the areas of Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut and Aviivka.

Air strikes and shelling also targeted the Sumy, Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia regions in northern, northeastern and central Ukraine.

Moment Zelensky hugs BBC Ukraine reporter during press conference

05:23 , Arpan Rai

Volodymyr Zelensky hugged a reporter from BBC Ukraine as he took questions alongside Rishi Sunak yesterday.

Greetings Mr President, I would really like to hug you, but Im not allowed, the correspondent said to Mr Zelensky.

Why not, please, do give me a hug, the Ukrainian leader responded, stepping off stage to embrace her, as others applauded.

The journalist then asked Mr Sunak if he thought the UKs decision to send military jets to the war-torn nation was taking too long.

Watch the video here:

Moment Zelensky hugs BBC Ukraine reporter during press conference

Ukraine slams Pink Floyds Roger Waters for speech at UNSC

05:00 , Arpan Rai

A Ukrainian official has criticised the appearance of Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters at a UN Security Council meeting after Russia said it invited the musician to address the event remotely.

The 79-year-old said during his speech that he condemned the invasion of the country but also the provocateurs whose actions, he claimed, led to the Russian invasion.

Responding to this, the Ukrainian security council delegate Sergiy Kyslytsya criticised Waters as just a brick in the wall of Russian disinformation and propaganda.

Ukraine criticises speech by Pink Floyds Roger Waters at UN Security Council

Sunak says nothing off the table on sending fighter jets to Ukraine

04:48 , Arpan Rai

Rishi Sunak has said that nothing is off the table when it comes to the question of providing fighter jets to Ukraine.

The prime minister was speaking during a joint press conference with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday and said sending warplanes was part of the conversation between the pair.

Mr Sunak told reporters during a press briefing at a Dorset military base: When it comes to fighter combat aircraft, of course they are part of the conversation  indeed, we have been discussing that today and have been previously.

Read more here:

PM says nothing off the table when it comes to sending fighter jets to Ukraine

What fighter jets has Volodymyr Zelensky asked for and what might he get?

04:32 , Arpan Rai

Downing Street has said that defence secretary Ben Wallace is considering what fast jets can be sent to Ukraine but it remains to be seen whether Kyiv will get the powerful English planes it wants.

These could be Typhoons  built by a British, German, Italian, Spanish and Austrian consortium; or F-35s  a joint project of the US, the UK, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia, Norway, Denmark and Canada  rather than alternative aircraft.

The warplanes the Ukrainians are most likely to get are American F-16s. This would make sense in terms of operational support and maintenance, and they are the type of plane the Ukrainians need, just as German Leopard 2s are the logical tanks for their army.

Read the full analysis by The Independents world affairs editor Kim Sengupta here:

What fighter jets has Volodymyr Zelensky asked for and what might he get?

Russia warns of consequences for Europe and world if UK sends fighter jets

04:10 , Arpan Rai

Russia has issued a direct warning, stating that any move by the UK to send fighter jets to Ukraine would have consequences for both the continent and the rest of the world.

Russia will find a way to respond to any unfriendly steps taken by the British side, Russian news agency TASS quoted the Russian embassy in London as saying, adding that it warned such a move would have military and political consequences for the European continent and the entire world.

The warning came shortly after prime minister Rishi Sunak said that sending warplanes to Ukraine was part of the conversation between him and his Ukrainian counterpart in London, and that nothing was off the table.

Russia warns sending UK fighter jets to Ukraine will have consequences

03:37 , Arpan Rai

Good morning, welcome to our coverage of the Ukraine war on Thursday, 9 February.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The White House on Wednesday dismissed a blog post by a U.S. investigative journalist alleging the United States was behind explosions of the Nord Stream gas pipelines as "utterly false and complete fiction."

Reuters has not corroborated the report, published by U.S. investigative journalist Seymour Hersh, which said an attack was carried out last September at the direction of President Joe Biden.

"This is utterly false and complete fiction," said Adrienne Watson, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council. Spokespeople for the CIA and State Department said the same.

The pipelines are multibillion-dollar infrastructure projects designed to carry Russian gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea.

Sweden and Denmark, in whose exclusive economic zones the blasts occurred, have both concluded the pipelines were blown up deliberately, but have not said who might be responsible.

The United States and NATO have called the incident "an act of sabotage." Moscow has blamed the West for the unexplained explosions that caused the ruptures. Neither side has provided evidence.

On Wednesday, Russia's foreign ministry said the United States had questions to answer over its role in explosions on the pipelines.

Construction of Nord Stream 2, designed to double the volume of gas that Russia could send directly to Germany under the sea, was completed in September 2021, but was never put into operation after Berlin shelved certification just days before Moscow sent its troops into Ukraine last February.

Hersh is a former New York Times and New Yorker reporter who won numerous awards for his investigative journalism, including about the Vietnam War and the 2004 Abu Ghraib scandal following the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

More recently, he ignited controversy with a report disputing the Obama administration's version of the 2011 killing of al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden in a U.S. special forces operation, and another accusing Syrian rebels of staging an August 2013 sarin nerve agent attack on a Damascus suburb that killed hundreds of civilians.

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Additional reporting by Daphne Psaledakis, Jonathan Landay and Rami Ayyub; Editing by Tim Ahmann and Daniel Wallis)


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YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS. Armenian developers have launched the Stylebit web design platform for easy integration of existing design systems into a unified workflow that is scalable. The platform is a central hub for design collaboration enabling the entire team to work simultaneously and reducing the need for time-consuming meetings.

We offer automation of the design system. The design system features all types of colors, fonts etc. We are automating its accessibility in the code. If a designer has synchronized the design system with the code through our platform and is planning to make changes, theres no need to meet with the engineer. This is all done automatically, enabling to make documentation. As a result, the designer-engineer collaboration is accelerated, thus enabling to save time and nerves, Stylebit co-founder Khachatur Virabyan told ARMENPRESS.

Virabyan, together with fellow developers Movses Saponjyan and Hovhannes Ghevondyan, came up with the idea of creating the startup in 2018. Initially they developed a preliminary version to test it and identify potential shortcomings. The current version was launched in early 2022.

Since all three of us are engineers, we would often encounter the problem of time-consuming designer-engineer discussions. We realized that this problem requires a solution, Virabyan added.

Not missing the chance to further develop the platform, the co-founders of the startup are working on a new idea.

The design is done in Figma, and programming in GitHub or other coding platform. Our work is in between. When the designer completes their job and hands it over to the engineer through our platform, we separate the task of the engineers from the design, the documentation written by the designer. And the AI system simplifies the documentation process for the designer, Virabyan said.

Stylebit got pre-seed funding from the Formula and BigStory venture capital funds. Stylebit is a B2B SaaS platform. The platform is available, we need feedbacks. Taking this opportunity, Id like to call on our Armenian designers to sign up and test the functions of our platform. We value every single feedback, the co-founder said.

Stylebit plans to consider expanding its team after officially entering the market soon. The founders of the platform plan to attract seed investments in September.

Karine Terteryan
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani lies wont divert the international community, Armenian Ambassador-at-Large Edmon Marukyan said.

Having nothing else to do, AZ media spreads another lie claiming that Armenia and Iran are going to attack the Lachin Corridor, blocked already for 60 days. AZ must unblock Lachin Corridor as it blocked it for ethnic cleansing. Your lies won't divert the international community, Marukyan tweeted.

Azerbaijani media spread fake news on February 8 claiming that Armenia and Iran are planning an offensive in the direction of Lachin and Kubatli. The Armenian Ministry of Defense and the National Security Service denied the report and described it as an absolute lie.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian parliament approved the General-Prosecutors motion asking permission to prosecute Member of Parliament from the Hayastan faction Armen Charchyan.

68 of the 107 MPs participated in the closed voting. 67 voted in favor of stripping Charchyan off his immunity from prosecution. 1 ballot was found to be invalid.

Prosecutor-General Anna Vardapetyan asked Parliament to allow investigators bring criminal charges against opposition Member of Parliament Armen Charchyan (Hayastan faction).

Charchyan is suspected of signing a fake forensic examination report in 2017 as a member of a forensic medical commission in a criminal investigation.

Article 97 of the Constitution requires law enforcement authorities to obtain the consent of Parliament in order to prosecute a legislator.

Earlier on February 8, parliament also stripped MP Seyran Ohanyan of immunity in an unrelated case.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS. President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola expressed strong disapproval of the statements made in the Azerbaijani Parliament (Milli Majlis) by the Co-Chair of the EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (PCC) Tural Ganjaliyev on 20 December 2022.

Roberta Metsola wrote a letter to Speaker of Parliament of Azerbaijan Sahiba Gafarova over the matter.

The letter was published by Member of the European Parliament, Chair of the Delegation to the EU-Armenia Parliamentary Partnership Committee, the EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee and the EU-Georgia Parliamentary Association Committee Marina Kaljurand. Ganjaliyev had re-tweeted an article with a direct personal attack against Marina Kaljurand, falsely accusing her of corrupt practices.

Recalling the excellent cooperation established between our parliaments over the years, I am writing to express my strong disapproval of the statements made in the Azerbaijani Parliament by the Co-Chair of the EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (PCC), Mr Tural Ganjaliyev, on 20 December 2022.

As reported by Azerbaijani media, Mr Ganjaliyev accused the European Parliament of having established a mechanism for financing Members of the European Parliament through corruption. Without presenting any basis for his accusations, he claimed that income obtained from looted gold deposits in Nagorno-Karabakh goes into the pockets of Members critical of Azerbaijans actions. He also re-tweeted an article with a direct personal attack against the European Parliament Co-Chair of the EU-Azerbaijan PCC, Ms Marina Kaljurand, falsely accusing her of corrupt practices.

The European Parliament is committed to continue building good relations with the Milli Majlis, in the spirit of mutual respect. This may include  and often does  constructive criticism, which should however be based on facts and not on unsubstantiated and slanderous claims.

For this reason, I would be grateful if you could take all possible steps to avoid that similar incidents happen again in the future, the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola wrote in the letter addressed to Speaker of Parliament of Azerbaijan Sahiba Gafarova.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS. The Mexican Senate (Senate of the Republic) adopted a document on February 8 recognizing the Armenian Genocide, citing the need for protection of universal human rights.

At the same time, the Senate calls on the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs to support the official recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Mexico, the Armenian Embassy in Mexico said in a press release.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) facilitated the transfer of 7 patients from blockaded Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) to Armenia for treatment on February 9, the Artsakh healthcare ministry said in a press release.

Due to the blocking by Azerbaijan of the only road connecting Artsakh with Armenia, seven patients from the Republican Medical Center the Republic of Artsakh with serious diseases of the oncology, cardiovascular system and pathology requiring urgent surgical intervention have been transported today, on February 9, to specialized medical centers of the Republic of Armenia with the mediation and escort of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Scheduled surgeries continue to be suspended in the medical centers of the Republic of Artsakh.

8 children remain in the neonatal and intensive care units of the Arevik medical centre.

9 patients remain in the intensive care unit of the Republican Medical Centre, 3 of them in critical condition.

A total of 83 patients have been transported so far from Artsakh to Armenia with the mediation and support of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the healthcare ministry said.
Sarma has followed the letter of the law in his zeal to fight the social evil of child marriage.

On the face of it, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is fighting the good fight against the social evil of child marriage in the state as he ordered the police to arrest people responsible for the marriage of girls when they were less than 14, and who now are either between the ages of 21 and 24 with two children, and those between 15 and 19, who are either pregnant or mothers of a child.

Apparently, the decision was based on National Family Health Survey-5, which showed maternal mortality and infant mortality rates in the state higher than the national average. The report came out in September last year, and the police was asked to make inquiries through the village and community elders, Hindu priests and Muslim qazis to gather data on the offending parents. On January 23, the Assam Cabinet decided to launch a crackdown, which began on February 2. Based on over 4,000 FIRs, more than 2,000 persons are now in police custody. And occupying the moral high ground, the self-righteous Mr Sarma thundered: I have asked the Assam police to act with the spirit of zero tolerance against the unpardonable and heinous crime on women. So, the arrests were made under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006 and under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).

Mr Sarma is no passionate social reformer as he may wish to pretend. He is using naked state power to arrest hapless people  it is not known how many are Hindus and how many Muslims  and without any plan on how they will be dealt with because in all the cases the crime  marrying off under-aged girls  has been committed, and in many cases several years ago, and the others not too many years ago. The correct way is to deal with the crime as it was being committed or as it was about to be committed. But the provisions of the law can of course be used to punish people long after the crime has been committed. Mr Sarma has followed the letter of the law in his zeal to fight the social evil of child marriage.

A generous interpretation of this mindless act would be to call it quixotic, after the great fictional character Don Quixote, created by Cervantes in his classic 16th century Spanish eponymous novel.

But there is more than mere eccentricity in the act of Mr Sarma. He is less quixotic and more the ostentatious strong leader of the BJP, with its vindictive Hindutva tinge. Mr Sarma is playing true to the role that the BJP expects, and there are precedents to be found in Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and Union home minister Amit Shah. Mr Modi, Mr Adityanath, Mr Shah and Mr Sarma are only too keen to wield the naked power of the State vested in the police force. The motto of the BJP leaders is arrest the people, and only later would they decide whether the use of police power is any solution to the problem being addressed.

We have seen Mr Shah thunder against the Delhi riots of late-February 2020 and having students and other residents, all of them Muslims, arrested, and kept in prison for two years before the courts ordered them to be released. Mr Adityanath has been confiscating properties of people believed to be involved in rioting before the Allahabad high court had to issue orders asking for due process to be followed. The government cant play the roles of judge and executioner.

One can hear middle class supporters of BJP governments rowdy ways arguing that the courts are inefficient and ineffective, and that the laws are useless if crimes cannot be prevented, and if those who commit the crime are not hauled up and punished peremptorily. The motto of the supporters of the BJP is to hell with the law. The high-handedness of Mr Sarmas drive against child marriages is not an adolescent outburst of a vigilante hero, portrayed in mainstream popular cinema in the country, but a diabolical strategy to terrorise those who belong to lower economic strata and many of whom are Muslims. There is no sidestepping the Muslim angle in all the conspicuous acts of BJP governments. Many of the Muslim politicians, with their weak-kneed rationalisation about the economic plight of the community, feed into the communal politics of the BJP. Mr Sarma would not be able to explain whether he has any plan of dealing with the issue, whether the parents would be warned or would they be punished, and what would be done with the girls who are now mothers, whether the government feels the need of social counselling of the families, whether there should be an awareness campaign to check the social evil. The motive for the dramatic crackdown ordered by Mr Sarma is more to make the headlines, win brownie points for the party and the government, and also prove that BJP governments would not tolerate social evils in the Muslim community. It is no secret that the plain motive is to wield the stick against the minority community to win Hindu votes.

All-India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) general secretary Amnul Islam would not acknowledge the evil of child marriage in the Muslim community, but he would want to consolidate the Muslim vote by saying that the BJP is against Muslims. Mr Islam would not acknowledge the need to root out the problem in the community because that would weaken his reactionary partys hold on the community. The communal politics of the BJP and of the hard-line Muslim parties feed off each other. Local observers of Assam politics have pointed time and again that the two major political parties in the state, the Congress and the BJP, have never hesitated to play the Muslim card to win the Hindu vote. The issue of child marriage will remain unresolved in the crossfire of Assams communal politics. Mr Sarma must learn that you do not tackle a social problem by wielding the stick and the power to arrest people. It is not democratic governance by any stretch of the imagination. Of course, Mr Sarma has the option to declare that he does not believe in democratic politics, and his chosen line, as well as that of his party, is shameless despotism.
by Shafique Khokhar

Promoted by the Human Development Society, Fr Bonnie Mendes and Fr Simon Khursheed say the goal is to expand it with another 80 dwellings by the end of the year. Bonnie Town is also to house a parish, a school and a medical dispensary. The beneficiaries: 'Living here for free is no less than a miracle'.

Toba Tek Singh (AsiaNews) - The Society for Human Development, an organisation promoted by Fr Bonnie Mendes and Fr Simon Khursheed, is building a new town to house Christians working in brick kilns and the homeless in the village of Mureedwala, in the district of Toba Tek Singh, Punjab province.

In the past, the Society for Human Development worked to help people obtain a national identity card, then a social security card and even a pay rise. Bonnie Town - the 'town of Bonnie' - is named after the founder Fr Bonnie Mendes.

"I was one of the five members of the Public Security Commission set up by the Parvez Musharraf government," the priest told AsiaNews. "All the other members were Muslims. The government had built a park near the railway station and named it after a Sikh social worker, Tek Singh, in 2005. Someone had asked that the Christian community also have a place dedicated to them. The Chairperson of the Commission told us that we would have Bonnieabad. The people have never forgotten it. Now Bonnie Town is the realisation of that dream."

The project started in 2022 when the Society for Human Development bought a five-acre plot of land in Mureedwala to build houses for poor Christians that would be given free of charge.

In that year, 34 houses were built, in which as many families reside. Some 20 new ones have since sprung up, but the organisation's goal is to build 80 in total by the end of the year, after another six acres of land have been acquired.

"At the moment we have 11 acres but we are trying to get funds to buy another 14 acres for the town, so that we will have at least 25 acres and the possibility of having a parish built," commented Fr Simon Khursheed, president of the Society for Human Development.

"We want to build 500 houses, a new church, a school, a free medical dispensary and a training centre for women. I must appeal to God's people to support us in this noble cause because Bonnie Town will in future be a model for other organisations working for the betterment of the poor."

In Toba Tek Singh, the two priests' organisation has been fighting to give dignity to the furnace workers, informing people about human rights and providing literacy and sewing classes.

"Now we are taking this a step further by building a house that will become their own. Like many other initiatives, this one is small, but with the cooperation of different people - including Muslim friends - it is showing signs of great hope. Most probably, as time goes by, it will house many poor people and it will be up to them to turn it into a great success," added Fr Bonnie Mendes.

"By making bricks we barely earn bread for our children, so how can we buy even a small piece of land," said Nasreen Bibi, one of the beneficiaries. "We only saw a house of our own in our dreams, but we thank God for Fr Bonnie and this great initiative. Now we live in new houses at zero cost, it is no less than a miracle in our lives."
The patriarchs and heads of Churches issue a joint statement against measures that punish the population and slow down rescue efforts. Trappist nuns speak out against sanctions that are like salt on the wounds caused by the earthquake. Syria asks the EU for aid. The United Nations urges the parties to avoid the politicisation of aid. The first convoy arrives in areas held by rebels and jihadis.

Aleppo (AsiaNews)  International sanctions and the embargo against Syria hinder relief operations and the sending of aid to the areas affected by the earthquake, which still bear the scars of more than 10 years of a war that is still ongoing in certain parts of the country.

With this in mind, leading Christian religious figures, including Trappist nuns, call on the United States and the West to loosen the chains that are currently holding Syria down.

Food, blankets, and essential relief aid should be allowed in quake-stricken areas in both government-held regions like Aleppo as well as those under jihadi and rebel control.

Greek Orthodox Patriarch John X (Yazigi), Syriac Orthodox Ignatius Aphrem II, Greek-Melkite Catholic Patriarch Joseph I, and all the heads of the Churches in the Arab country call want to see the embargo on the Syrian people lifted.

[T]housands of Syrians lost their lives, many churches, institutions and homes were destroyed and a large number of families were displaced, reads a statement issued by the prelates.

This natural disaster adds to the ordeal of the Syrian people, who continue to suffer from the tragedies of war, crises, disasters, epidemics, and [. . .] the absence of indispensable materials, medications, and daily basic necessities needed in order for people to survive and live in dignity.

In light of the situation, Church leaders appeal to the United Nations and to the countries that have imposed sanctions on Syria, above all the United States to lift the embargo that hurts only civilians and take exceptional measures and immediate initiatives to secure the delivery of the much-needed relief and humanitarian aid.

While praying for the victims, the Christian leaders urge governments, international organizations, NGOs, charities, and peace advocates everywhere to expedite the support of relief and rescue efforts, irrespective of any political consideration.

In the same vein, Geir Pedersen, the UN Special Envoy for Syria, said that the Emergency response must not be politicised.

Meanwhile, the first aid convoy is expected today in Syrias north-western province of Idlib, via Turkey, an area controlled by rebels and jihadis.

For its part, the Syrian government has made a formal request for aid to the European Union.

The EU Commission responded immediately by "encouraging" its member states to provide medicines, food and basic necessities, while ensuring that the materials are distributed to the population and not diverted" by the government and affiliated entities.

In Azer, Trappist nuns have also spoken out. In a letter signed by Sister Marta, they attack the sanctions which are like salt on the wounds of the victims of the earthquake.

Thats enough with empty words, the letter reads. Now is the time to lift sanctions on Syria.

For the Sisters, the tragedy and suffering of so many dead who are still under the rubble ought to serve to help and provide hope to the living.

If the general conditions of the people had not been so desperate, today there would be more tools to dig the rubble, and save more people.

Hospitals and pharmacies would be better equipped with all they needed. More homes would be able to take in refugees, [...] more people would be working and have the means to help their brothers and sisters.

The earthquake is "an immense tragedy but "even in the areas not too affected there are many people in need, dying of hunger, today as yesterday, because hunger, the inability to cope with diseases due to the cost of medicines, and everything else was there even before 6 February.

The earthquake opened eyes "to the Syrian tragedy, which no one had been talking about for a long time, but "there was already an earthquake, quieter but no less devastating, which for years had shaken the life and future of these people.

"The living need tangible and concrete hope that life can be rebuilt ... Raise your voice so that sanctions are lifted immediately.
by Mathias Hariyadi

Catholic leaders express appreciation for its contribution to good relations with minorities. Indonesian President Joko Widodo praises the group, which now has more than 95 million members. Its idea of Islam is one of dialogue and openness to the challenges of today's society.

Jakarta (AsiaNews)  Celebrations for the centennial of the Nahdlatul Ulama[*] (NU), Indonesias largest moderate Islamic organisation, began this week in Sidoarjo Regency (county), East Java province, in the presence of senior political and religious leaders.

Archbishop Antonius Subianto Bunjamin of Bandung, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Indonesia (KWI[]), released a video message expressing gratitude on behalf of the Catholic Church for the genuine and fraternal relations between the KWI and the NU.

We are very grateful to the NU for its huge contribution to genuine religiosity and good communal life based on humanitarian values, the prelate said.

"For us, the NU has always been the backbone of social tolerance and peace. We cannot imagine what Indonesia would have looked like without the NU, he added.

With more than 95 million members, the Nahdlatul Ulama is an important strategic partner for Indonesian authorities to preserve social cohesion and peaceful relations with minorities.

In a speech yesterday, President Joko Widodo said that the NU promotes positive values in Indonesian society and brings out the true Indonesian form of Islam.

Over the years, various NU leaders have promoted Islam Nusantara, an indigenous form of Islam that is adapted to Indonesias sociocultural context.

Islam Nusantara encourages moderation, pluralism and, to some extent, syncretism. According to the NU, as long as local cultures do not contradict Islamic teachings, it is acceptable.

By contrast, Muhammadiyah, Indonesias second-largest Islamic organisation, follows a more literal interpretation of the Quran and the Sunnah.

I really appreciate the fact that for years the NU has shown strong courage, without bias, said Archbishop Agustinus Agus of Pontianak, West Kalimantan province. I hope that NUs magnificent members will never stop doing this.

In 2019 I wrote an official note to the Vatican Secretariat of State, urging the Holy See to invite Nahdlatul Ulama leaders to meet the pontiff in person, he added. Fortunately, the Holy See welcomed the proposal and relations have blossomed since then.

Indeed, Archbishop Agus noted that, Cardinal Guixot, head of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, will be awarded an honorary doctorate by the main Indonesian Muslim organisations. I hope this great relationship can last forever.

The Nahdlatul Ulama was founded in the city of Surabaya by Hasyim Asy'ari and some Muslim businessmen in order to defend traditionalist Islamic practices and the economic interests of its members.

Hasyim Asy'ari, who headed an Islamic school in East Java, is the grandfather of the NUs late chairman Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid.

When Indonesia held its first parliamentary elections on 29 September 1955, the NU came in third with almost 7 million votes or 18.4 per cent of the total, behind the Indonesian National Party and Masyumi, an Islamic party banned in 1960 by President Sukarno for supporting a regional rebellion.

In 1984 Abdurrahman Wahid took over leadership of the organisation until 1999 when he was elected president of Indonesia.

Today the Nahdlatul Ulama runs a network of 6,830 boarding schools (pesantren), and 44 universities. It is involved in economic and agricultural studies and provides some social services such as family planning.

In December 2014, it launched a global campaign against religious extremism, creating a prevention centre where NU theologians teach students to fight jihadi rhetoric.

[*] Revival of the Ulama (Islamic religious scholars).

[] Konferensi Waligereja Indonesia.
by Steve Suwannarat

Tawan and Bam were arrested for protesting on social media against motorcades with members of the royal family running red lights. After refusing food in the past 20 days, they were hospitalised. Meanwhile, the country is getting ready for the 7 May elections. Surveys suggest that opposition parties are gaining ground on pro-military parties.

Bangkok (AsiaNews)  Two young Thai human rights activists arrested on charges of "lese-majeste" have been on hunger strike for the past 20 days.

Despite their worsening health and the offer of bail following a request by the hospital where they were moved on Monday, the two have remained defiant and are continuing their initiative.

Tantawan "Tawan" Tuatulanon and Orawan "Bam" Phuphong, 21 and 23 respectively, were arrested on 16 January after charges were brought against them for complaining on Facebook that motorcades carrying members of the royal family were running red lights.

Although the two accepted to go on IV, they are determined to continue their protest until their demands are met, namely reform of the justice system, release of political prisoners awaiting trial, and repeal of Article 112 of the Penal Code on lese-majeste.

Included to protect the monarchy, this article has long been used against critics of the system, with heavy sentences imposed to silence them.

A third hunger striker was hospitalised last week under duress when his conditions worsened. If convicted, he could get up to 15 years in prison under the same article.

Tawan and Bam were prompted to continue their protest after eight other young protesters, all members of the Thau Gas group, were denied parole on Monday. Their charge includes throwing firecrackers during an anti-government protest two years ago in Bangkok.

All this comes at a delicate time in the countrys history, as various parties and groups get ready for the 7 May elections.

While pro-military and pro-monarchist parties try to consolidate their control over the National Assembly despite rivalries over their main candidates, opposition groups seem to have coalesced around the Pheu Thai party and gained support and visibility.

Thailands current prime minister, former General Prayut Chan-ocha, is running with a newly created party, while other former military leaders have remained with the Palang Pracharat party, which they set up and which leads the outgoing coalition government.

In 2014, General Prayut Chan-ocha led a coup that put the country once again under military rule.

At present, the opposition is mostly in the streets, with student groups playing a leading role in trying to delegitimise the military. For their part, Thailands Armed Forces have shown no intention of leaving the political scene.

The military count on their mandate as guarantors of stability and guardians of the monarchy; however, the latters raison detre has been challenged in a country that needs profound social and economic reforms.
The Chinese company pledges to follow a code of conduct adopted by the European Union. False information on the Ukraine war, often amplified by Chinese government media, is singled out. Twitter is the worst large social media platform in the fight against disinformation in Europe.

Brussels (AsiaNews)  TikTok, the well-known Chinese social media company, today pledged to tackle disinformation on its platform in line with a code of conduct recently adopted by the European Union.

EU authorities are closely monitoring fake news, especially from media and actors controlled by authoritarian states.

In a report published this month by the EU anti-disinformation unit, China and Russia are treated as the two primary sources of foreign information manipulation and interference.

The study notes that, Chinese state-controlled media and official social media channels have amplified selected pro-Kremlin conspiracy narratives, for example on alleged U.S. military biolabs in Ukraine.

In a progress report on its action to meet European anti-disinformation legislation, TikTok admitted that much work still needs to be done.

The Chinese company (owned by giant ByteDance) announced that in the coming months it will boost tools to label state-controlled media and ramp up its actions against disinformation related to the war in Ukraine.

It will also expand its fact-checking programme in Europe to cover more languages and increase the volume of claims it fact-checked.

This will also include advertising. The social media company said it had removed 191 ads made by political actors in the past six months.

Among online communication giants, TikTok is not the worst in the fight against disinformation. According to the European Commission, Twitter tops the list. Google, Meta (Facebook) and Microsoft have done better than Elon Musks recently acquired platform.

TikTok now expects more EU monitoring over its online content, Reuters reports, in order to ensure that it meets new EU regulations on large online platforms, i.e. those with more than 45 million users.

In 2020 TikTok stated that it had more than 100 million users in Europe. In the EU, violations can result in fines of as much as 6 per cent of a company's global turnover.

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Fatal 2021 TX Tesla Crash Tied to Excessive Speed, Not Autopilot

Written by Simon Alvarez, Teslarati

Published Feb. 9, 2023

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed Feb. 8 its investigation into an April 2021 fatal crash involving a Tesla Model S in Texas found no indications the vehicle was operating on Autopilot at the time of the incident.

Instead, the probable cause of the crash was determined to be the drivers excessive speed, alcohol impairment and inability to maintain control of the vehicle.

Two men died in the accident, which caused the Model S to burst into flame. The victims were 69-year-old engineer Everett Talbot and 59-year-old Dr. William Varner. One man was found in the front passenger seat, while the other was found in the back seat.

Following the crash, Harris County Pct. 4 Constable Mark Herman told reporters investigators were 100% certain there was no one in the Model S drivers seat when it crashed. This prompted widespread coverage from numerous media outlets, with several immediately declaring the fatal incident a driverless crash.

They are 100% certain that no one was in the driver seat driving that vehicle at the time of impact. They are positive Several of our folks are reconstructionists, but they feel very confident just with the positioning of the bodies after the impact that there was no one driving that vehicle, Herman told journalists. He later noted a search warrant had been executed on Tesla to secure data about the incident.

There were immediate issues with the idea of a fatal Tesla Autopilot crash. For one, the absence of lane markings in the areas streets meant Autopilot could not have been engaged. Traffic-Aware Cruise Control could only go up to 30 mph in the area as well; the Model S accelerated to 67 mph before it crashed.

Other details, such as allegations firefighters had to call Tesla for help with an uncontrollable fire, were debunked by the the Woodlands Township fire chief a few days after the incident made international news.

The findings of the NTSB have revealed the fatal accident did not involve Autopilot at all. The agency noted a review of the data from the crash showed no use of the Autopilot system at any time during this ownership period of the vehicle, including the time frame up to the last transmitted timestamp on April 17, 2021.

The agency also said the probable cause of the crash was the drivers excessive speed and failure to control his car, due to impairment from alcohol intoxication in combination with the effects of two sedating antihistamines, resulting in a roadway departure, tree impact and post-crash fire.

The NTSB further noted the available evidence suggests that the driver was seated in the drivers seat at the time of the crash and moved into the rear seat and it was not possible to determine whether the doors were manually operational following the power loss.

These conclusions are in line with footage retrieved from the owners home, which showed the driver entering the front seat before driving away.

We thank Teslarati for reprint permission.
Photo: Mecum

Photo: Mecum

Photo: Mecum

We all know the American custom scene, and how it is literally flooded with reworked versions of the cars made in the 1960s, 1970s, and later. Weve got hordes of Camaros , Mustangs, or Chargers, scores of pickup trucks in all shapes and sizes imaginable, and only rarely more exquisite builds based on models that predate all of the above by several decades.It's the pre-World War Two vehicles that are of interest to us today, or more specifically the Willys Americar . This particular flavor of American engineering is one of the few pre-1960s vehicle families that get constant attention from the custom industry, and somehow manages to stay relevant in a flood of muscle cars and off-roaders.The Americar is one of those vehicles that through no fault of their own didnt make an instant splash on the market at the time of their production. It was produced by Willys Overland, the same brand that would give birth to the Jeep nameplate, for only five years, between 1937 and 1942. It was probably bad timing and had the war not started who knows what faith the Americar would have had?The range was introduced as a sort of Jack of all trades before the war began, offered in perhaps the most varied of body styles available: sedan, coupe, pickup truck, and even station wagon. It was called simply Willys at first, but as the U.S. was dragged into the war, Americar became the reasonable choice.The cars in this family were surprising pieces of automotive design, blending lines from other cars of the era (big hips in the form of wheel arches, big eyes as the headlights up front, and a curvy posterior) with an overall shape that became somewhat exclusive to the Americars. At least thats how we see it now, when the custom worlds infatuation with the Willys keeps giving birth to incredible custom creations.Weve seen many of them over the years, as they popped up at various specialized events across the U.S., or became available for purchase at an auction somewhere. And to be honest, none of them looked as amazing as the one we have here.Based on a pickup truck variant of the 1941 Americar , the build is called Excessive and was put together by an Iowa-based garage called Avalon Body Shop. The project was completed in 2004 and went on to gain recognition from the custom industry, including in major competitions like the Ridler Great 8 or the Goodguys Truck of the Year.Work on the Excessive may have concluded in 2004, but it had started much earlier, in 1998. It took Avalon no less than six years, during which time $400,000 were spent, to turn a truck from the 1940s into a beauty of the modern age. Let's break it down a bit.The Pearl Orange body shows little in the way of chrome, except on the grille and headlight bezels, and is shaped pretty much like the original one. Its an all-steel affair, wrapping around a custom-made tube chassis. A narrowed Currie 9-inch rear axle supports the chassis together with Aldan American Eagle coilovers and Art Morrison front and rear clips.The Excessive touches the ground by means of four Mickey Thompson wheels, sized 18 inches up front and 20 inches at the rear. Behind each of them, there are disc brakes of Wilwood make, tasked with bringing the truck to a stop and keeping the engine in check.The engine would be, in this case, a 502ci (8.2-liter) Ram Jet rated at 510 horsepower. Thats about as much as this unit produces in its stock form, and in this application, it is mated to a 3-speed automatic transmission and a custom-made exhaust system for breathing purposes.The interior of the truck is somewhat simple in design, with black leather and suede on the seats and door panels (these ones also come with a bit of chrome sprinkled here and there), and red on the dashboard where Auto Meter gauges are displayed. A Lokar shifter sits front and center, and theres even a Kenwood AM/FM stereo hidden somewhere in there.The 1941 Willys Excessive pickup truck is now back in the news, so many years after it was completed, because whoever owns it now decided to sell it. The truck is on the list of vehicles going under the Mecum hammer at the end of March in Glendale, Arizona.Theres no mention made as to how much the Excessive is expected to fetch, but something tells me it wont be near as much as the $400,000 spent on making it.Well come back to the story once we learn if and for much it sold, of course. Until then, feel free to place your bets: will it go for $400k, or far, far less?
SUV

Photo: BMW UK

kWh

One simple theory

Photo: BMW UK

Photo: autoevolution

Lets spec a 2024 BMW X5 LCI

Photo: BMW UK

PHEV

Youd believe that after driving almost all versions of this popular(or SAV, if you speak BMW lingo and like replacing the Utility part with Activity), watching this vehicle go through a slight makeover wouldnt be such a confusing experience. However, it was.I woke up expecting not much to happen today, washed my face, cleaned my teeth, drank a glass of water, poured a cup of coffee, sat at my desk, and intended to start looking at my emails. But my hand slipped and somehow Instagram got opened first.Lo and behold, another photo of the recently updated X3 M popped up on my feed But something didnt feel right. What did they do to this car this time? I began asking myself. Instead of starting a scrolling session while waiting for my coffee to get colder, I zoomed in on the picture (available at the end of this piece) and realized  wait, this is not an X3 M, nor is it an X3 M40i. This is the brand-new BMW X5. Oh boy, they did a number on this one as well, immediately popped into my mind. Then I saw the caption. It was indeed the brand-new X5 M60i LCI.Look, Im not going to pretend that I didnt feel a little bit ashamed at first. Considering that Ive been following the LCIs journey and tried to find out everything ahead of schedule to share it with you BMW got me. And it did so right as my eyes were clearing up and my neurons were attempting some new synapses. That was an interesting way to start the day.I couldnt immediately figure out that this was, in fact, the new X5 . Yes, the same one Ive been writing about since last year. Plus, it is one of the vehicles I truly like. I know others are head over heels in love with supercars, hypercars, or mega-posh SUVs like what Bentley, Aston Martin, or Lamborghini make, but my favorite high-riding vehicle is the X5 xDrive45e, which has now been transformed into the xDrive50e and, as anticipated, has almost 500 hp! Its just great.I wont get into too many details because well keep that for the test drive, but the total output of 490 hp (497 ps) is available only temporarily. Even so, I still love the idea that under the hood sits a spanking-new six-cylinder 313-hp (317-ps) gas-powered engine. It also has a new battery with a usable capacity of 25.7that feeds the 197-hp (200 ps) electric motor. The energy storage unit is almost as big as the one found in the GLE 350 e, which can store 27 kWh of usable energy. Unfortunately, the X5 xDrive50e still misses the DC fast-charging option its Stuttgart-based competitor had from the get-go.Enough about powertrains. Were here to take a better look at the refreshed X5 . We know from previous iterations of many other vehicles that BMWs facelifts arent just some boring redesigns. The brand doesnt just slap a slightly modified bumper on one of its cars and calls it a day.However, the fact that I could not instantly tell apart the new X5 from its smaller family member made me think something must be off or plain wrong. So, I looked again, checked out other photos, and, eventually, figured out why I felt deceived by my eyes  it was the headlights. They look like they belong on an entry-level X3, not even X5. These units almost scream to me You didnt have enough money for the Laserlight option. I know theyre slimmer and probably a little bit better than what was on the previous generation, but to me, it seems that BMW is attempting a shot at some kind of minimalism and its not working in its favor.I sure hope well be able to tell the all-new X5 apart from the refreshed X1 at night. Otherwise, itll be pretty weird for some buyers that spend more for the bigger SAV and get no recognition for their effort.The headlamp design truly seems like an uninspired move because it also reminds me of BMW slowly giving up on the angel eyes design which many customers and fans still have fond memories of.When looking at the recently replaced X5 and then at the new one, it almost tells us that the imposing look is a thing of the past. Now, a restrained light signature is what dominates the front side view.However, the taillights look better and hint at proper progress. There are no weird or out-of-place shapes, the housing isnt some crazy minimalistic thing, and the overall aspect is truly saying Hey, look. Im something new! The first true leak weve seen was a tad bit worrying because it was made at a weird angle. Now we know that these new units look nice and even intriguing. As you move from one corner of the SAV to another, the perception changes and the taillights look different based on the watchers perspective. Its truly an interesting and quirky design, one that fits the X5.This questionable evolution, dare I say it, proves that my theory about BMW having two design teams that do not speak to each other stands. Of course, until we learn otherwise. The X5s overall shape and aspect make me think about the double-sided tape  both parts are useful, but most people only rely on one side to stick to a certain surface.Just look at the iX or the X7.The headlamps have a weird, almost out-of-place design, while the taillights look great and complement the overall proportions of both vehicles. Its certainly a strategy because weve seen BMW doing similar experimental stuff with the M versions of its vehicles. The current-generation M3 (G80) gets a vertical double kidney grille, while the 330i (G20) gets to enjoy the horizontal design we all know and like. The same can be said about the 4 Series. Its a pattern.But does BMW deserve heavy criticism for this? Mostly no. The Bavarians have a great portfolio of vehicles that come with many powertrains. This carmaker is one of the few brands out there that try some diversifying before the battery-electric vehicles take over and automakers will fight over who has the best external speakers. Remember when people were laughing at the i8 for having a sound system for its exhaust? They were ahead of their time with that one.Plus, let's not forget that BMW's cars have lately looked better in reality than in photos. So, let's just not pass judgment yet.Because the U.S. platform is not up at the time of writing, were going to use the British version. However, instead of picking a diesel thats not being sold in America, were going to start our configuration process with a base-spec X5 xDrive50e. Yes, the plug-in hybrid. And were off with a starting price of 79,265 ($95,631) with VAT included. Not a very good start considering the facelifted SAV costs 7,885 ($9,512) more than its predecessor.And thats where we stop. The vehicle is too new and it looks like the web team didnt have enough time on their hands to finish the new configurator. Were forced to continue our build with the X5 xDrive30d. Yes, the diesel... Its just an experiment, so its still good that we can at least see what to expect in terms of cost.We added the M Sport trim so we can avoid the plastic cladding, the beautiful Ametrin metallic color, 20-inch wheels instead of the suggested 22s for increased ride comfort, and the coffee-over-black Merino leather for an interior thats neither bland nor plain black. This last action also meant we had to pick between the Comfort and Comfort Plus packs, and we chose the latter. The Fine Black wood trim works incredibly nicely with the cabins vibe and it is a no-cost option.Unfortunately, BMW decided to group a couple of cool options, which meant we couldnt pick Extended Shadowline because it wouldve forced us to get bigger wheels. However, we still added a couple of nifty things. Youll be able to see them in the .PDF attached at the end of the article.The cost of our build amounted to 92,535 ($111,641). In this day and age, it almost feels wrong to pay this much for a diesel-powered vehicle . However, this one is not an ordinary SAV. Its a brand-new BMW X5 facelift, built (almost) according to our preferences. So, it might be worth the hassle.It wouldve been interesting to see how much more expensive theoption could get, but well leave it for another occasion.Finally, we took advantage of BMW USA not updating their configurator. We built a pre-LCI X5 with everything that makes this SAV look cool and feel great. When the new vehicle is online, well do the same and compare the specs to figure out whats new, what has been left out, and how much more expensive The Boss is going to be in America.Until then, dont forget to check out our full configuration by accessing the .PDF file down below. Dont hesitate to critique us in the comments as well! Were reading everything.The photo that confused me.
In 1940, a flying boat (Short S30) was operating between Auckland and Sydney. Decades later, Air New Zealand is ready to start writing another chapter in its pioneering history. It wants to fly only aircraft that can transport passengers not just comfortably and efficiently, but also without impacting the environment.Its taking a smart approach to that. Instead of choosing one path, its exploring a variety of alternatives to conventional flights, brought together under the name of Mission Next Gen Aircraft. One of these options is to convert some it existing aircraft to hydrogen propulsion.At the moment, Air New Zealand boasts more than 100 operating aircraft for both passenger and commercial flights. The fleet includes Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A320 airliners, and also smaller regional aircraft from ATR and Bombardier Aerospace De Havilland. Soon enough, some of these could be switching to hydrogen.To do that, Air New Zealand is working with an expert in the field. Universal Hydrogen has developed a conversion kit and, most importantly, a hydrogen supply solution that claims to be truly innovative. Thats because it doesnt need a dedicated type of infrastructure, which makes things more affordable and faster, too.Sounds easy enough  existing regional aircraft are fitted with the new hydrogen propulsion system, then use this practical modular solution to get the fuel they need. In other words, hydrogen-powered commercial flights could be just around the corner. No need to wait for new types of aircraft specifically designed to run on hydrogen.The U.S.-based startup is gearing up to demonstrate its technology on a De Havilland Dash 8-300 turboprop and an ATR 72 turboprop. ZeroAvia already proved that its possible, paving the way for similar conversion projects.Although its just three-years-old, Universal Hydrogen has already convinced other airlines as well to try out its clever modular capsules for hydrogen supply. The largest one in the world, American Airlines, has invested in the startup. And it wasnt the only big name to do so - Airbus Ventures and Toyota Ventures also joined the club.The engineers at Universal Hydrogen believe that even the largest airliners today could benefit from this easy-to-implement technology and start running on this alternative fuel. That would truly be a drastic change for the better, without the costs of designing new aircraft from scratch. Until then, Air New Zealand is determined to try it out on its regional fleet.
Air New Zealand is not the only one to compete for the title of the greenest aviation operator in the world, but seems to have found the secret for getting there. Its bringing together quite a few manufacturers and other players in the industry, in something called Mission NextGen Aircraft. Sounds like a movie title, and its just as exciting.The New Zealand operator basically wants a brand-new fleet for its future operations, one that will be comprised of some of the coolest new designs out there. More specifically, innovative aircraft that can effectively defeat the CO2 monster. Some will use hydrogen-electric propulsion, others will use green jet fuel. What matters is that theyll usher in a new era of clean passenger flights.To get things started, Air New Zealand will be focusing on regional options. First, because it makes sense to implement these revolutionary technologies on smaller types of aircraft, as a stepping stone towards the large airliners of the future. Secondly, this is something that Air New Zealand specializes in, with operations connecting no less than 20 regions in the country.One of the lead actors in this bold mission is Embraer. Together, these two will work on accelerating the development of zero-emission technology, with a focus on regional fleets. At the same time, the New Zealand operator is joining Embraers Energia Advisory Group.One of the top aircraft manufacturers in the world, Embraer first spoke about its new Energia line back in 2021. Were not talking about a single aircraft concept, but of something much more complex. There were four concepts included in this line, each boasting a different design and propulsion type. What they all had in common was a zero-emission perspective.At the end of last year, it was announced that Embraer would be focusing on two of the Energia Family aircraft. One was the Energia Hybrid and the other was the Energia H2 Fuel Cell.Its all in the name  the first one features hybrid-electric propulsion and it is meant to run on SAF (sustainable aviation fuel) while the second one is betting on hydrogen. As you can imagine, the Energia Hybrid will offer a better range and will take less time to develop, while the fuel cell prototype is somewhere in the distant future.However, Embraer plans to have them both ready for take-off by the middle of the next decade. Sounds like a long wait, but perhaps this new partnership will help speed things up.
kW

In order to make sure that the Pacco Garra Ferrari Testa Rossa J stays true to the 250 Testa Rossa , The Little Car Company and Ferrari worked in close collaboration to make this special edition happen. It features a removable roll cage, with a bolt-on design, offering future owners the possibility to alternate the appearance of their rides, and a mirror on the drivers side, with period-correct spotlights.Further helping it stay true to the original is the tonneau cover on the passenger side. It comes in the same leather as the rest of the interior, otherwise available in red or black. Bolted to the chassis and roll hoop, the Sabelt racing harnesses are also included in another nod to Scuderias racers. The rest of the cockpit features a classic steering wheel design, vintage gauges and buttons, and a very simple dashboard panel, with a small windscreen in front of it.Drivers can alter the dampers and the brake bias to make their Pacco Gara Ferrari Testa Rossa J feel more unique. Further increasing the immersive nature of the special edition model are the quicker ratio steering rack and the drilled brake discs for extra fun behind the wheel.Mind you, you should not expect any neck-snapping performance from this model, because it may look like a classic racer, but it features a tiny electric motor, fed by a small battery, which helps it send superior vibes compared to normal pedal cars. The Little Car Company states that the output of the motor was boosted from 16 to 19 hp (12-14) via software upgrade.There is no word about the pricing and availability of the new Pacco Gara Ferrari Testa Rossa J yet, but as everyone who knows a thing or two about such rides and their pet can tell you, it wont be cheap.More details about this stunning creation are expected to be released at the St. Moritz International Concours of Elegance, which will take place in Switzerland on February 24 and 25, as it will be on display. Moreover, according to Ben Hedley, The Little Car Companys CEO, the Pacco Gara will be available for test drives in the snow, so better pack those driving gloves if you plan on attending the event.
Full Self-Driving

FSD

People are quite emotional when it comes to crashes that involve Teslas. Because Tesla is developing its automated driving systems like Navigate on Autopilot and, many assume these systems are involved. Also, when bad things happen, drivers try to deflect the blame onto the car rather than themselves.Sometimes, this leads to mass hysteria, like the one in China a year ago. Fearing that their Teslas might accelerate on their own and cause accidents, people started installing cameras in the footwell of their cars to have evidence that they were actually braking instead of accelerating. Things calmed down when Tesla threatened to sue people for defamation, and we havent heard of any sudden unintended acceleration (SUA) event in China since then.Other people invested a lot more in trying to prove that Teslas automated-driving systems are dangerous and that they kill people. Its enough to remember Dan ODowds campaigns , not to mention the constant stream of negative coverage from people that stand to lose if Tesla gets it right with their Full Self-Driving software. On the other hand, Tesla is adamant that the Autopilot saves lives and keeps the score of how much safer its automated-driving systems are compared to human drivers.Nevertheless, every now and then, Tesla crashes do happen, as they do every single day with other car brands. Reporting a car crash is no longer news unless its a massacre or a Tesla is involved. Youd now understand that the level of emotions in the aftermath of the 2021 crash that killed two people in Springs, Texas , was sky-high. The investigation showed that the Tesla accelerated to 67 mph (108 kph) in a residential area where speed is limited to 30 mph (48 kph). The Tesla Model S only traveled about 550 feet (167 meters) before careening off the road at a curve, jumping a curb, and hitting a tree. A fire broke out, leaving the passengers no chance.Police investigation showed that nobody was in the drivers seat, and the driver was found in the back seat. This fueled speculations that the two people were testing the Autopilot at the time of the crash. Nevertheless, Elon Musk intervened back then and explained that the Autopilot could not engage on the type of road where the crash happened. Moreover, car telematics showed that the Autopilot wasnt operating. Nevertheless, media reports still insisted that Teslas automated driving systems were to blame for the crash and subsequent loss of lives.The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) started investigating the crash, and the preliminary findings contradicted police reports. The Board tried to replicate the conditions before the crash using another Tesla Model S. They concluded that the Autopilot could not engage on that section of the road, as Musk said. The investigation continued, and on February 8, almost two years after the crash, NTSB ruled out automated driving systems as the cause of the crash.According to the NTSB investigation, the available data showed no use of the Autopilot system at any time during this ownership period of the vehicle, including the time frame up to the last transmitted timestamp on April 17, 2021. Another advanced driver assistance system (which couldnt have been other than theBeta) was also not in use, primarily because the cars owner didnt purchase it.Instead, the NTSB cited driver impairment from alcohol intoxication in combination with the effects of two sedating antihistamines as the cause of the crash. The investigation also showed that the driver was seated in the drivers seat at the time of the crash and moved into the rear seat, but it was not possible to determine whether the doors were manually operational following the power loss.
The gangster is real, the posh automobile dealership from the capital of the U.K. is also as honest as it gets, and the following chain of events is historically accurate.One morning, an Antarctic-level cool British movie star decides he absolutely needs to go shopping. In "swinging sixties" fashion, he jots a grocery list on a piece of paper. You know, the usual: milk, razor blades, newspaper, bread, Rolls-Royce, eggs, toothpaste, nothing out of the ordinary.The actor is Maurice Mickelwhite, but you'll best recognize him under his screen name Michael Caine  one of the most outstanding performers ever to honor the art of filmmaking with his talent. So, one morning, the 35-year-old movie star casually decides he has enough of London's public transportation and buys a car.The story is full of twists and plots, making it even more big-screen-like. First, Michael Caine was 35 then, but didn't have a driver's license. As ludicrous or downright suspect as it may seem to certain readers, it was pretty standard for the time and place of this series of events.Just as today, in 1968, there was no requirement to own a driver's license to purchase an automobile  it only takes money to do it. Lots of money if that vehicle happens to bear the badge of one of the world's most renowned luxury brands.In 1968, a convertible Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow coupe cost over ten thousand pounds sterling. Translated to Lyndon B. bills, that's $25,000. Would it help to put it next to a Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado from the same year? The V8-powered American was priced at around $6,600, almost a quarter of the high-ranking V8 Brit's label.Nonetheless, money was not an issue for Caine. Cool as a high-ranking gangster, he walks into a dealership and nonchalantly asks to buy a car. This is where the plot intensifies, as the dealer was also British and very much used to affluent customers. His new client-wannabe had a lowly attire and a matching allure  nothing to make much of a good impression on the seller.Without pompous ceremonial, Caine was promptly invited to step outside and remain there (political correctness and other third-millennium etiquette musts were far from their social lethality of today). Lacking a car (but overdosed on a freshly-inflicted and utter desire to have the last say), the actor improvised spectacularly. He went straight to the closest Rolls-Royce dealership and swiftly purchased the first available car.As fate would have it, it was a 1968 Silver Shadow with bodywork by Mulliner. A splendid two-door soft-top, the 1967-launched model became the British movie star's very first automobile. True to his low-life origins and gangster past, Caine paid a second visit to the first dealers with his brand-new acquisition and shared his impressions with them.For the sake of his Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire rank, we'll say that brief but highly descriptive finger language was involved during Caine's comeback. Having paid his dues, he was then gently driven off.That's right; he employed a chauffeur to drive the Rolls. The insurance for a novice driver of a Rolls-Royce was so outrageously high that it was cheaper for the actor to pay someone else to take care of the pedal-and-steering business.He kept the car for two years, and in 1970, he sold it to an acquaintance of his  a restaurant owner with infamous London mob and royalty ties. At this point, it would be best to explain the gangster references to Sir Michael Caine.By his admission, he was a genuine gang member after the Second World War, a proper cockney ruffian, but only to benefit from the protection. It wasn't the break-the-law type of company, just an organized society of young men trying to get the best of life in the ill-famed South London. Granted, none of the members would shy away from a fight  if the opportunity presented  but they weren't looking for one.Cockney by birth, actor by trade, knight by merit  Michael Caine sold his first Rolls-Royce (after a chief two-year ownership) to a notorious man of the London underworld. This person (rumored to rub elbows with the Kray twins and other mafia figures) held the automobile in possession for the rest of his life, until 2013.Bought by the current owner in 2018, the drophead Rolls-Royce benefitted from a complete overhaul  mechanical and aesthetical  which brought it to its current state.When new, this limited-series convertible  only another 505 were manufactured during the four-year production of the model  came with a 6.2-liter overhead-valve V8 and an automatic transmission. Ironically, the three-speed gearbox was supplied by none other than General Motors, and the car's almost legendary ride quality was mainly due to the Citroen-licensed self-leveling suspensions.Although colossal by European standards , the Roller was tiny when scaled up to New World's finest. At 203.5 in | 5,2 m long, 71 in | 1,8 m wide, and 59.8 in | 1.51 m tall, with a wheelbase of 119.5 in (three meters), the exclusive British leisure automobile was almost a foot and a half (43 cm) shorter than a same-year Eldorado Caddy, and 8.9 inches narrower (27 cm).As far as the engine specs go, the Rolls-Royce relied on 200 hp (203 PS) and 470 Nm (347 lb-ft) of torque. Now, because it is a Rolls-Royce and because it spent its life in Europe, the quarter mile, zero-to-whatever, and top speed numbers are as appropriate here as chewing tobacco at a Buckingham Palace banquet.Fine leather, noble wood, soft lambswool carpets  Cockney-Caine spent Her Royal Majesty's wallet-sized portraits as if they were going out of fashion. For the car's price, a pretentious buyer could have quickly reserved the exclusive (and not at all affordable) company of an Aston Martin DB6 Volante and a Ferrari 330 GTS. At the same time.Between 2013 and 2018, the Rolls-Royce was retired in storage . However, the next buyer  who still owns the automobile  invested close to 100,000 (almost $121K) in a complete restoration. The odometer claims 59,000 miles (95,000 kilometers)  not proven, but highly probable to be correct.The renovation kept close to the original build sheet  black exterior over magnolia leather, a single headrest (for the passenger, the driver didn't get in the least pampered), and even a just-for-show license plate reproducing the initial one from the Caine years. The autobiographic documentary "Candid Caine - A Self Portrait of Michael Caine" from 1969 features the car extensively (watch it below).The 2.1-ton soft-top two-door Rolls-Royce is now offered for sale again, and the expected price is somewhere between 100,000 to 150,000 ($121,000 to $181,000, at the time of writing exchange rate). The auction is held on March 15 at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, Cambridgeshire. That's all the way across the Atlantic, in England.
NHTSA

On November 9th last year, a quality engineer submitted an issue to General Motors through the Detroit-based automakers Speak Up for Safety program. The engineer was baffled by the missing retaining ring of a half-shaft assembly that was returned to General Motors after warranty service on a Chevrolet -branded utility vehicle.Always slow to react in such instances, General Motors opened an investigation on December 9th last year. During a manufacturing period in July 2022, an error in the suppliers quality control process led to certain left-hand half-shaft assemblies leaving the assembly line without retaining rings. The supplier in question is Nexteer Automotive from Saginaw, Michigan, according to GM.The supplier corrected the quality control-related issue on July 15th, 2022 without containing any of the potentially affected assemblies. Thats exactly the reason automakers need to be utmost careful with the suppliers they choose, because an error like this one could lead to very expensive lawsuits and the vehicle assembly line going offline due to a lack of parts manufactured to the right specifications.Adding insult to the proverbial injury, a review of field data concluded with two complaints related to the aforementioned condition. The complaints were filed with General Motors on September 15th and November 2nd last year, according to documents published by theDealers have already been instructed to inspect the left-hand half-shaft assembly and  if necessary  replace the assembly. Of course, the replacement assemblies were manufactured outside of the suppliers suspect window.The affected vehicle population isnt large, numbering 20 utility vehicles of the unibody variety. Split between four nameplates from three brands, the suspect utility vehicles are all based on the General Motors C1XX platform.The list kicks off with four examples of the 2023 model year Cadillac XT5 , assembled between December 8th and December 9th last year. The remainder comprises six units of the GMC Acadia, eight units of the Chevrolet Blazer, and two examples of the three-row Chevrolet Traverse.Owners of said crossovers will be notified by first-class mail no later than March 24th with instructions to bring their vehicles in for the remedy. If left as is, the suspect half-shafts could separate from the nine-speed automatic transmission under certain loads, leading to a loss of propulsion and even mechanical park. In other words, theres an increased risk of a crash or vehicle rollaway.Priced at $34,520 excluding destination charge, the most spacious crossover included in this recall is the most affordable crossover as well. The Blazer and Acadia are presently listed at $35,100 and $36,500. As for the Cadillac XT5, the base specification retails at $44,195.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

NHTSA

Back on January 17th, 2023, the supplier of the side airbag cover panels for the G42 informed BMW of a potential safety risk. An engineering review was initiated, and the German marque quickly discovered a peculiar anomaly that had occurred during a production conformity test.Said tests were conducted on December 21st, 2022. Mounted on the front seat backrest, the plastic cover panel of the second-row seat side airbag cracked following the airbags deployment. The deployment trajectory could be affected as a result of the cracked plastic cover panel, which increases the risk of injury to the rear occupants.A further review of production conformity tests revealed that other production lots were not affected. The subsequent analysis of the material from which the plastic cover panel is produced, which included infrared spectroscopy, indicated that the material wasnt made according to specifications. BMW doesnt go into further detail, but you get the point. A safety risk is a safety risk, and the 2 Series Coupe had to be recalled to address it.BMW hasnt received any reports of accidents or injuries potentially related to this concern. Dealers were instructed on the first day on February 2023 to replace the suspect panels with new ones made according to specifications.Affected owners will be informed by first-class mail no later than March 24th, 2023 according to a report filed with the. 804 units of the 2 Series Coupe are called back, 2023 models ranging from the entry-level 230i to the M240i xDrive.The vehicles in question were assembled at San Luis Potosi in Mexico in the period from October 25th, 2022 to December 21st, 2022. A dealer message from January 26th, 2023 lists October 24th, 2022 to January 17th, 2023 and the M2 as well, which is a bit weird because thes recall portal doesnt list these dates and the M car The rear-wheel-drive 2 Series Coupe starts at $38,200 for the 230i entry-level variant, and it shouldn't be confused with the 2 Series Gran Coupe that's built around a front-wheel-drive unibody. Although 30i used to mean 3.0L straight-six engine back in the olden days, it currently stands for 2.0L four-cylinder turbo.Capable of hitting 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour) in 5.5 seconds, the 230i is betted by the 230i xDrive, which needs 5.3 seconds. Priced at $48,900 excluding destination charge, the M240i is arguably the sweet spot in the lineup thanks to a 3.0L straight-six turbo. The dash to 60 ends in 4.5 seconds. Or 4.1 when equipped with xDrive. As for the RWD-only M2, the purest M car that BMW currently makes can do it in merely 3.9 seconds.
Together with Romania, Armenia ranked 63th out of 180 countries and territories evaluated in Transparency Internationals 2022 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) released on January 30. It occupied 58th place in the previous CPI released a year ago.

The Berlin-based watchdog said that the downgrade reflects worrying signs in the country. Its Armenian branch pointed to selective enforcement of laws and regulations, controversial appointments of senior officials as well as growing questions about integrity in public procurement.

Armenian opposition figures seized upon the findings of the survey, saying that it disproved Pashinians earlier claims that he has eliminated systemic corruption since coming to power in 2018.

Speaking in the parliament on Wednesday, Pashinian admitted shortcomings in his governments stated fight against corruption. He said that Armenian media is also responsible for the countrys downgraded position in the corruption rankings.

I think that media reports about corrupt deals involving one or another official also played a role, he said. I want to propose a formula so that no such report goes unanswered. If its not true, then you should opt for a civil lawsuit and be consistent.

Boris Navasardian, the chairman of the Yerevan Press Club, criticized Pashinians advice.

With regard to government officials, democratic countries follow a principle whereby they have to be tolerant of critical media reports and not take journalists and media to court, Navasardian told RFE/RLs Armenian Service. I believe that this is what the prime minister should have called for.

Navasardian said that some corruption-related reports disseminated in the country have been based on rumors and gossips because of a lack of government transparency.

I think that the more transparent the state is, the fewer errors and distortions of reality by media, which we can see in some cases, there will be, he said.

Pro-opposition and independent media outlets increasingly accuse members of Pashinians entourage of enriching themselves or their cronies, notably by helping companies linked to them win government contracts.

In particular, they have pointed the finger at Alen Simonian, the Armenian parliament speaker and a leading member of the ruling Civil Contract party. A construction company managed by Simonians brother won last year at least nine government tenders for the construction of rural roads.

The Armenian government has also signed many lucrative deals with companies linked to other senior officials, including a deputy chief of Pashinians staff. The prime minister insisted in January that these facts do not indicate government corruption.

Critics have also expressed serious concern over an increased number of government decisions not to put contracts for the delivery of goods or services out to competitive tender.

Pashinian did not comment on his governments handling of procurements when he discussed on Thursday the latest Transparency International report with ministers and other senior officials attending a cabinet meeting in Yerevan.

There is no progress, there is regress and thats a problem in itself, said the former journalist. Its also important to note that this indicator shows the perceptions of people dealing with various state bodies.
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You can reach Ishani Desai at 661-395-7417. You can also follow her at @_ishanidesai on Twitter.
Adrian Dunbar on the set of the sixth series of Line of Duty (Liam McBurney/PA)

Fermanagh actor Adrian Dunbar has said that he and his Line Of Duty co-stars would be eager to make a return to Belfast, but isnt aware of any plans for his character Superintendent Ted Hastings to return just yet.

Five of the popular BBC crime dramas six seasons were filmed in Northern Ireland and in December it was reported that it would return for an explosive three-part BBC special which could be aired as early as Christmas 2023, after fans were left disappointed by the season six finale last year.

However, speaking to BBCs Good Morning Ulster programme on Thursday, Mr Dunbar wasnt giving any clues away around the speculation.

Well obviously myself and Vicky [McClure] and Martin [Compston] would be very keen to get back to Belfast, but at the moment I dont thin theres anything happening, he said.

Itll be a while yet whatever happens.

He also praised the BBCs latest acclaimed cop show Happy Valley, which saw its third series finale air on Sunday night.

Happy Valley was absolutely incredible, the Enniskillen native noted.

"That is the gold standard; beautiful, stunning writing. Amazing performances from the guys.

Whilst viewers can't be sure when they will see Mr Dunbar reprise his Line Of Duty role again, fans will be able to catch him in a brand new season of ITVs DNA Journey later in the year.

The genealogy docuseries follows various celebrities as they try to trace their ancestries through DNA science and technology.

Mr Dunbar will team up with Men Behaving Badly star Neil Morrissey as they attempt to find out more about their past bloodlines.
Northern Irish music legend Phil Coulter has paid tribute to one of pops greatest composers saying his songs will live forever.

The Londonderry singer expressed sorrow following the death of Burt Bacharach  the man behind enduring hits including I Say A Little Prayer, Walk On By and What The World Needs Now Is Love  on Wednesday.

So sad to hear of the passing of one of the true giants of song-writing, Burt Bacharach at 94, Mr Coulter tweeted.

A long and productive life and a wonderful legacy.

"His songs will live forever.

So sad to hear of the passing of one of the true giants of songwriting,Burt Bacharach,at 94.A long & productive life and a wonderful legacy. His songs will live forever. They just don't build them like Burt anymore.  Phil Coulter (@Phil_Coulter) February 9, 2023

"They just don't build them like Burt anymore.

Read more Burt Bacharach, the esteemed composer who entertained millions with his melodies

Bacharachs publicist said he passed away at his Los Angeles from natural causes.

The Divine Comedy frontman Neil Hannon has also taken to social media to mark the passing of one of the greatest songwriters of all time who he described as immortal.

"In the same way about a quarter of the English language can be attributed to William Shakespeare, a similar percentage of the most perfect songs ever written can be attributed to Burt (along with his brilliant lyricist partner, Hal David), he said.

"It's almost impossible to pick a favourite, but Alfie, The Look Of Love, Do You Know The Way To San Jose, Make It Easy On Yourself, I Say A Little Prayer.. I should stop there or it'll take up two pages.

The Derry-born pop star recalled supporting his hero in Lyon a number of years ago.

"And though pretty fragile he did me the honour of shaking my hand and posing for a photograph, he explained.

"I'm usually not too bothered about such things but that picture means a hell of a lot to me. Goodbye Mr Bacharach, and thank you.

Divine Comedy frontman Neil Hannon and his hero Burt Bacharach.

In collaboration with lyricist Hal David, Bacharach also wrote numerous movie themes including What's New, Pussycat, Alfie, and The Look Of Love, a major hit for Dusty Springfield.

Bacharach is widely considered to be one of the most important songwriters of the 20th Century after scoring 50 chart hits in the US and UK.

The three time Oscar winner worked with stars including Dionne Warwick, Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, Barbra Streisand, Tom Jones, Aretha Franklin and Elvis Costello.

He also scooped up two Golden Globes and six competitive Grammy Awards  he was hailed as music's "greatest living composer" when he accepted the Grammy lifetime achievement honour in 2008.

The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson paid tribute to his hero and the man who was very influential on his work.

"He was a giant in the music business. His songs will live forever," Wilson added.

Meanwhile, former Oasis star Noel Gallagher posted: "RIP Maestro. It was a pleasure to have known you."

Fellow Oscar-winner songwriter Diane Warren said the music industry had "lost its Beethoven".

TV and film composer David Arnold also paid tribute to "one of the greatest songwriters of all time".
Up among the stars The ultra high-end Irish whiskey thats the toast of Michelin chefs
Paul Livingstone told police he didnt know 16-year-old was in care, he had consensual sex with her and he gave her money as a gift

A married Co Down man appeared in court today accused of paying a girl who is in care for sex.

Paul Livingstone was arrested after staff at a Holiday Inn hotel were concerned that a 38-year-old was sharing a hotel room with a 16-year-old girl.

Livingstone was charged with abducting a child from care and paying a child for sexual services on February 7 this year and a further charge alleging abduction on October 17 last year.

Appearing in court by video link from police custody, Livingstone responded nonsense to the sexual services payment charge.

Detective Constable Welsh told Ballymena Magistrates Court he believed he could connect Livingstone to each of the charges and outlined how the defendant was arrested at his Co Down home after hotel staff alerted police.

The defendant will say that he is in a relationship with this female, but she is saying that he was paying her for sexual favours, he told the court, adding that while there had been an initial allegation of rape, the complainant has backtracked on that.

While the teenager says he gave her money and e-cigarettes in return for sexual favours, Livingstone told police during interviews that he had consensual sex with her and he gave her vapes and money for clothes as gifts.

DC Welsh told the court the nature of the abduction charges was that the teenager was the subject of a care order, so, as such, she was taken to a location without the knowledge of her primary care giver.

Defence solicitor Conleth Downey argued, however, that, in addition to strenuously denying the offences, Livingstone had told officers he had no idea she was under a care order.

He has a clear record and is a married man, said Mr Downey, conceding that, having met through Snapchat, Livingstone met the girl away from his own area because she had concerns that he was cheating.

District Judge Nigel Broderick said, despite the serious allegations, Livingstone, of Oakhill Road in Dromore, had a clear record and is entitled to the presumption of innocence and so he was minded to grant bail but with conditions.

Freeing Livingstone on his own bail of 500, the judge ordered him to reside at his home address, to keep a curfew and be tagged.

He was also ordered to report to police once a week and to have no contact with the complainant. The judge also made it a condition that Livingstone can have one mobile phone that has no internet connection.

Granting bail, the judge adjourned the case to March 14.
A street in north Belfast will have new Irish language signage  the first to be agreed by Belfast City Council under a new and controversial policy for dual language signs.

City Halls People and Communities Committee this week agreed new Irish signage for Ardilea Drive, between Ardoyne Avenue and Ardilea Street in BT14.

The decision is the first after a long and painful process of transformation of policy on dual language.

Last month a report into the councils processing of new Irish street signs was commissioned after it emerged not one new sign has been made since the council changed its policy.

In the seven months since Belfast's policy on dual language street signs was changed to make thresholds easier, over 600 applications have been made for Irish street signs  but none have been processed.

Ardilea Drive will also have the Irish name Ceide Ard an Lao on its street signage, after an application made by a resident.

Eleven residents were surveyed. Three occupiers (27%) were in favour of the erection of a second street nameplate, while eight (73%) did not respond to the survey

The translation was authenticated by Queens University, the approved translator for Belfast City Council. There is a cost of approximately 400 to cover the manufacturing and erection of the dual language street signs.

Last July councillors agreed the controversial new policy would finally be implemented  18 months after the policy was originally given the go-ahead in the chamber.

Sinn Fein, Alliance, the SDLP, the Green Party, and the People Before Profit Party all support the new street sign policy, while the three unionist parties  the DUP, UUP and PUP  are against it.

The new policy means at least one resident of any Belfast street, or a councillor, is all that is required to trigger a consultation on a second nameplate, with 15% in favour being sufficient to erect the sign. Non-responses will no longer be counted as against votes, and there will be an equality assessment for each application.

Up until last July, the policy required 33.3% of the eligible electorate in any Belfast street to sign a petition to begin the process, and 66.6% to agree to the new dual language sign on the street.

There will be a maximum of five signs processed per month.

Elected members at this weeks People and Communities Committee also agreed an application for naming a new street in the city. The new street is being developed to include nine residential properties by Scoto Eastern Ltd off Dub Lane in Upper Malone.

The council agreed to Scoto Easterns request to call the new street Pavilion Park Demesne, their first choice as the new street is located on the site of the former Queens University sports pavilion.
Orange Order accused of ignoring violence against women as wife killer resigns

Campaigner calls on institution to educate members and warns against sweeping episode under the rug

Orangeman Stephen Fulton

Brett Campbell Belfast Telegraph Thu 9 Feb 2023 at 07:10
UUP councillor Kyle Savage said he would not be apologising and was unclear as to what was sexist about his comments

A Sinn Fein representative who accused a fellow councillor of directing sexist language towards her has confirmed she will be lodging a complaint with the local government watchdog.

The NI Local Government Commissioner for Standards considers complaints about councillors and has the power to censure them if they fail to comply with their code of conduct.

Sinn Fein councillor Catherine Nelson claims the sexist remarks were made towards her by UUP councillor Kyle Savage during a debate on a motion calling for Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council to create a lasting tribute to the role the women of the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) played in the defeat of terrorism in Northern Ireland.

The motion brought forward by UUP councillor Glenn Barr, and seconded by his party colleague Alderman Ian Burns, was heard at the councils monthly meeting on January 30.

Outlining her partys opposition, the Craigavon representative said: It is blatant electioneering from a party so numbered in its days that it is deeply seeking to find relevance.

There is absolutely nothing to celebrate in a regiment that is so discredited that even the British government was forced to disband it.

In the most rigorous of terms we will be opposing this motion tonight.

In response, Mr Savage said: I suppose, just to quickly respond to that little tantrum that Cllr Nelson had there in her response, I speak as a son of a proud member of the Ulster Defence Regiment, which was my father.

He served this country well. He also served this council well and I will take no dictation from people who have represented terrorist organisations in the past.

Certainly, she needs to take a look at her history. The Ulster Defence Regiment was formed to fight terrorism created by her cohorts, and perhaps she needs to take a wee history lesson on that.

Ms Nelson immediately asked Mr Savage to reflect on the sexism he just displayed in the chamber and warned if an apology was not forthcoming she would be making an official complaint to the ombudsman.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service this week, Ms Nelson confirmed she had not received an apology and said a complaint will be lodged.

Mr Savage said he would not be apologising and was unclear as to what was sexist about his remarks.

Im not apologising. I dont see what is sexist about a tantrum, he said.

What saddens me is the accusation she made. She mentioned paramilitary involvement in the UDR and I take that as a grave insult.

I think she needs to reflect on the language she is using.

My father served on the UDR and he served valiantly, like many, many others did.

I am not apologising for my words and am happy to see this process go the whole way.

The UDR was amalgamated with the Royal Irish Rangers in 1992 to form the Royal Irish Regiment.
Rihanna shot some of her music video for We Found Love (2011) in Alan Graham's field near Bangor, Co Down.

The Co Down farmer who famously told Rihanna to cover up as she shot a racy pop video in his field near Bangor is making a political comeback.
Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has rejoined Fianna Fail, more than ten years after he quit the party over the findings of the Mahon Tribunal.

A Fianna Fail spokesperson confirmed to the Irish Independent: We received a membership application and it was accepted by the Party.

Its understood that Mr Ahern has rejoined the party organisation in Dublin Central as an ordinary member for the annual 20 a year fee.

In line with party rules, he has no voting rights in the first year of his membership.

The application was processed in recent weeks.

A spokesperson for Mr Ahern said he has done a number of events in the last year with many different groups in relation to the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, and rejoined Fianna Fail at the end of last year.

It comes as Mr Ahern is to address Fianna Fail TD Jim OCallaghans constituency organisation as part of an event marking the landmark anniversary of the agreement.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin welcomed Mr Aherns return to the party, more than a decade after he effectively forced him to resign.

Speaking to reporters in Washington, Mr Martin said: As I said earlier, above and beyond everything he has made an outstanding contribution to peace in Northern Ireland and he continues to work on that agenda.I believe in the context of that achievement, I welcome his membership.

There had been heightened speculation that Mr Ahern would return to the party he quit 11 years ago over the findings of the Mahon Tribunal.

Mr Ahern has also been linked with a run for the presidency in 2025 - a possibility not ruled out by Tanaiste Micheal Martin.

Mr Martin opened the door to Mr Aherns return to Fianna Fail for the first time last September, saying he had been consulting with his predecessor on Northern Ireland and Brexit issues.

The then Taoiseach denied that Mr Ahern was now an adviser to him, but said he had been valuable in terms of engagement with communities in the North.

The Fianna Fail leader proposed expelling Mr Ahern from Fianna Fail in March 2012 after the Mahon Tribunal into planning matters found the former Taoiseach failed to truthfully account for the source of bank account lodgements.

Mr Ahern, who resigned his membership of the party after Mr Martin proposed expelling him, has disputed the tribunals findings, saying he has never accepted a bribe or a corrupt payment.

Mr Martin said at the time that his predecessor had betrayed the trust of the country and the party.

Meanwhile, Mr OCallaghan, who has made no secret of his ambition to lead Fianna Fail, criticised the party for not being good at commemorating its own achievements in government ahead of the event on Thursday, which has been organised by party members in Dublin Bay South.

He said it was important to mark the partys achievements.

One of the things we are not good at in Fianna Fail is commemorating our achievements, we should be celebrating significant achievements that Fianna Fail has been responsible for or played a part in," he said.

We should be doing it much more, if we don't commemorate things other people try to appropriate our achievements.

He said as many as 250 people are expected to attend the event at a hotel in Ballsbridge in Dublin where Mr Ahern will be interviewed by Patricia MacBride, a columnist with the Irish News.

It is not the first time Mr Ahern has addressed Fianna Fail meetings with the three-term Taoiseach, a frequent speaker and commentator on Brexit and Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile, Mr Ahern is being welcomed back to the party with open arms with one minister claiming it was always going to happen.

Fianna Fail ministers, TDs and Senators who spoke to the Irish Independent were all happy with his return into the party.

Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education Niall Collins was among those who welcomed Mr Aherns return.

Im not surprised and I welcome it. It was always going to happen, he said.

This sentiment was echoed by other Fianna Fail politicians, with one minister saying it is fantastic he has returned.

Other politicians pointed to Mr Aherns role in the Good Friday Agreement almost 25 years ago.

Several TDs noted how Mr Ahern left his mothers funeral early, to go and continue negotiations on the agreement.

Meanwhile, the rejoining by Mr Ahern was mentioned at the Fianna Fail parliamentary party meeting this evening by chairman Brendan Smith, who praised Mr Aherns work on Northern Ireland.

Deputy Cathal Crowe of Clare also spoke out to colleagues to welcome the move, noting the huge achievements of Mr Ahern in delivering the Good Friday Agreement and his continuing work since. Praise also came from Minister of State Sean Fleming of Laois-Offaly.
Stricter alcohol advertising rules planned in Scotland are draconian and could have an impact on the whisky industry, a senior Scottish Tory has warned.

Conservative former Scotland secretary David Mundell claimed that restrictions the Scottish Government is currently consulting on could cost jobs in Scotland.

The Scottish Government has launched a consultation which considers banning alcohol sponsorship for both sports and live events.

The consultation, which runs until March 9, could also see distillery and brewery shops barred from selling branded merchandise to visitors, as well as drinks branding being removed from pub umbrellas and glassware.

Leading companies in the drinks sector have written to the Scottish Government to air their concerns about the new planned advertising restrictions.

In the Commons, Mr Mundell said: Is the minister aware that the Scottish Government is planning to bring forward draconian restrictions on the advertising of whisky and other drinks in Scotland?

David Mundell said the proposals could cost jobs and harm exports (PA)   Jane Barlow

The Conservative MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale added: Not only will that cost jobs in Scotland, it will make it much more difficult for the industry to export to the EU and elsewhere.

Trade minister Nigel Huddleston replied: He makes an important point and such measures could, of course, have considerable negative impact on so many Scottish businesses, which is precisely why we are trying to seek opportunities to support them, for example in the trade deals (were) trying to make, that we reduce tariffs and are able to export more overseas.

Ministers were later pressed about trade agreements to support the drinks industry, with Conservative MP David Duguid calling on the Government to secure a deal with India to reduce tariffs on whisky.

The MP for Banff and Buchan said: Tomorrow, the Scotch whisky industry will announce full-year export results for 2022. Significant growth is expected, particularly in India, even with a 150% tariff.

So can the minister update the House on negotiations with India, and can he agree with me that a deal to reduce tariffs on Scotch whisky would be not only good for the distillers of Scotch whisky in Scotland but also the wider supply chain right across the UK?

Trade minister Kevin Hollinrake said: I agree with him that opening new markets to our whisky exporters is one of the great opportunities open to us in a post-Brexit Britain.

He added: We have an ambitious programme of free trade agreement negotiations to break down barriers, and we are now in our sixth round of negotiations with India.
A small convoy has crossed from Turkey into Syrias rebel-held north-west region with desperately needed medicines, blankets, tents and UN shelter kits.

It is the first aid to reach the enclave, three days after the devastating earthquake killed thousands.

Before the convoy of six trucks, the only cargo coming across the Bab al-Hawa crossing on the Turkey-Syria border was a steady stream of bodies of earthquake victims  Syrian refugees who had fled the war in their country and settled in Turkey but perished in Mondays 7.8-magnitude quake.

Tearful survivors carried the remains of their loved ones wrapped in sheets, while others waited on the Syrian side to receive them.

Collapsed buildings in Aleppo are seen through the windows of a damaged house following the earthquake in Syria (Ghaith Alsayed/AP)   Ghaith Alsayed

Even before the earthquake wreaked havoc on both sides of the border  the death toll on Thursday surpassed 19,000  the Syrian enclave of 4.6 million people was plagued by extreme misery, with many living in displacement camps, relying on humanitarian aid to survive.

Under an agreement at the UN Security Council, Bab al Hawa is the only crossing the United Nations is allowed to use to deliver aid from Turkey to the enclave. But the chaos in the aftermath of the quake, damaged roads and piles of debris around the crossing prevented the UN from delivering aid.

Smaller aid groups have reportedly brought in some aid across other border crossings, but UN officials have been reluctant to break protocol.

Cross-border aid is politically charged, with the Syrian government and top ally Russia pushing for deliveries to the enclave from Damascus, the Syrian capital, rather than Turkey.

Damascus officials insist they are ready to distribute aid everywhere in Syria but critics say President Bashar Assads government has a history of blocking or misdirecting aid intended for rebel-controlled areas.

A car drives through a village in Syria which flooded after the earthquake (Ghaith Alsayed/AP)   Ghaith Alsayed

Assad has a long history of politicising aid, diverting it to his supporters, or selling it at the black market, said Karam Shaar, a non-resident scholar at the Middle East Institute.

Local rescue crews said aid delays may have cost more lives. Lack of heavy machinery and other equipment forced rescuers to clear the rubble with whatever they had  including their bare hands.

After 50 hours of work, we pulled out a man and little girl alive, Abada Zikri, a first responder with the White Helmets, described one such rescue in Harem, a town of about 20,000 people in Syrias Idlib province.

The White Helmets lost at least four volunteers in the earthquake, which also killed two Syrian employees with the International Rescue Committee and several people from the area who worked with the UN on aid deliveries.

While Thursdays convoy was a delivery delayed from before the earthquake, the UN said more convoys with earthquake-response aid would follow.

Today is just the beginning of it, said Sanjana Quazi, who runs the Turkey office of the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

In Damascus, the parliament on Thursday called for the immediate lifting of Western-led sanctions on Syria, after the Syrian Red Crescent earlier this week urged the same amid fuel shortages and insufficient equipment.
Twitter failed to provide a full report to the European Union on its efforts to combat online disinformation, drawing a rebuke from top officials of the 27-nation bloc (GTP/Alamy/PA)   Alamy Stock Photo

Twitter failed to provide a full report to the European Union on its efforts to combat online disinformation, drawing a rebuke from top officials of the 27-nation bloc.

The social media firm signed up to the EUs voluntary 2022 code of practice on disinformation last year  before Tesla boss Elon Musk bought it.

Under the code, online platforms including Google, TikTok and Facebook and Instagram parent Meta agreed to commit to measures aimed at reducing disinformation.

They filed their first baseline reports last month showing how they are living up to their promises.

Everyone signed up to the voluntary code, including ad-tech companies and civil society groups, submitted complete reports  except Twitter.

I am disappointed to see that Twitter report lags behind others and I expect a more serious commitment to their obligations stemming from the code, Vera Jourova, the European Commissions executive vice president for values and transparency said in a statement.

Russia is engaged also in a full-blown disinformation war and the platforms need to live up to their responsibilities.

Twitter did not respond immediately to a request for comment. The companys press office was shut down and its communications team laid off after Musk bought it last year.

EU leaders have grown alarmed about fake information thriving on online platforms, especially about Covid and Russian propaganda amid the war in Ukraine.

Last year, the code was strengthened by connecting it with the upcoming digital services act, new rules aimed at getting big tech companies to clean up their platforms or face hefty fines.

But Musk has raised concerns about what shows up on Twitter by ending enforcement of its policy against Covid misinformation and other moves such as dissolving its trust and safety council, which advised on problems like hate speech and other harmful content.

Under the EU disinformation code, a standardised report includes data on how many advertising dollars flowing to disinformation actors were blocked; political ads that were labelled or rejected; examples of manipulative behaviour such as fake accounts and information on the impact of fact-checking.

Twitters report was short of data, with no information on commitments to empower the fact-checking community, the EUs executive Commission said.

Thierry Breton, the commissioner overseeing digital policy, said it is no surprise that the degree of quality in the reports varies greatly.

TikTok, meanwhile, touted its efforts under the code to fight false information in Europe.

Caroline Greer, TikToks director of public policy and government relations, said in a blog post on Thursday that the popular Chinese-owned video-sharing app will expand the use of labels on content from state-controlled media and beef up work addressing the impact of misleading information resulting from Russias war in Ukraine.

Well continue to invest extensively as we work together with others to combat disinformation and promote authentic online experiences for our communities, she said.
The fire chief in Ohios small town of East Palestine has said that evacuated residents can safely return to the area where crews burned toxic chemicals after a train derailed five days ago near the Pennsylvania state line.

Around-the-clock testing inside and outside the evacuation zone around the village of East Palestine and a sliver of Pennsylvania showed the air had returned to normal levels that would have been seen before the derailment, said James Justice of the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Hundreds and hundreds of data points weve collected over the time show the air quality is safe, he said.

Residents were ordered to evacuate when authorities decided on Monday to release and burn five tankers filled with vinyl chloride, sending hydrogen chloride and the toxic gas phosgene into the air.

Ohio National Guard team members prepare to enter an incident area to assess remaining hazards with a lightweight inflatable decontamination system in East Palestine, Ohio (Ohio National Guard via AP)   Uncredited

Monitors did detect toxins in the air during the controlled burn at the derailment site, but other samples outside that area did not, Mr Justice said.

The villages mayor expressed relief that the evacuation had been lifted.

We know everybodys frustrated. Everybody wants to be in their homes. We did the best we can, said mayor Trent Conaway.

The number one goal is public safety, and we accomplished that. Nobody was injured, nobody died.

He credited the villages part-time firefighters and their quick response to the derailment for saving the town.

Some residents have said they were worried about returning even if authorities say it is safe to go home.

It is unlikely though, Mr Justice said, that there be would any dangerous levels of toxins inside any homes or businesses based on readings from air monitors around the community.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said some residents may want to wait until their homes are checked. Rail operator Norfolk Southern Railway said it would provide testing and continue to operate its family assistance centre for the foreseeable future.

Its very understandable you may want that testing done before you go back in your house, Mr DeWine said.

About 50 cars, including 10 carrying hazardous materials, derailed in a fiery crash on Friday night (Gene J Puskar, File/AP)   Gene J. Puskar

The governor said the railroad will have to pay for the clean-up and make sure something like this does not happen again.

The burden is upon them to assure the public that what they do everyday is safe, Mr DeWine said.

Testing on rivers, streams and drinking water wells will continue throughout the area and in the nearby Ohio River.

Kurt Kollar, a representative from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, said contaminants from the derailed tanker cars spilled into some waterways and were toxic to fish, but he added that data so far indicates the drinking water was protected.

The fire from the chemical release is no longer burning, and crews have started removing some of the wreckage.

About 50 cars, including 10 carrying hazardous materials, derailed in a fiery crash on Friday night on the edge of East Palestine. Federal investigators say a mechanical issue with a rail car axle caused the derailment.

No injuries have been reported from the derailment or from the controlled release of the chemicals, but some people complained about smelling chlorine and smoke in the air and having headaches.

At least one lawsuit has been filed over the derailment. An East Palestine business owner and two other residents sued Norfolk Southern in federal court on Tuesday, alleging negligence by the company and exposure to toxic substances as a result.

They are seeking to make it a class-action case for residents and businesses in the evacuated area and people who were physically harmed because of spilled chemicals at the site.

Norfolk Southern declined to comment on the lawsuit.
Lightstock.com

Statistics show that loneliness is at an all-time high for Christians in the United States. However, the lead pastor of the multisite Vox Church, Justin Kendrick, urges believers that denying friendships is like denying Jesus. In his book, The Sacred Us: A Call to Radical Christian Community, Kendrick shares Jesus model for growing meaningful friendships and living in the Christian community.

According to Kendrick, his book proposes seven biblically-based principles to delve into the essence of a Christ-centered community. When friendships are established in Christ, the relationship will bring fewer excessively lonely feelings. Kendrick says his book moves beyond maintaining and forming friendships based on shared interests. It also concentrates on developing friendships based on sharing life so we can love and know Jesus more. Ultimately, well learn to love our community as Jesus did.

A study commissioned by Barna World Vision supports Kendricks view. In 2019, the study found that among 15,000 participants between the ages of 18-35 from differing countries, participants who belong to a religious tradition had stronger feelings about being in relationships with others. The study also found that those who identified as Christians or other faiths were less inclined than others without faith to say they felt isolated.

Another Barna study found that practicing Christians who say faith is essential and attend church show a slight decrease in the frequency of their loneliness compared to the general population. Although statistics show Christians experience less loneliness than non-believers, Kendrick believes lonely feelings are still common among Christians and thinks this issue should be addressed in the church. He also believes that the primary problem for Christians being able to develop friendships is others have hurt them within the church.

In those circumstances, Kendrick says Christians build walls by avoiding becoming too vulnerable or close with anyone in the church because they dont want to be emotionally harmed. However, according to Kendrick, avoiding friendships can create barriers between Jesus and Christians. Kendrick says, Christians know God in a personal way. But we also know God through the collective witness of His Body. And if we cut that off, there are aspects of our relationship with God that will never grow.

Loneliness is an ongoing problem in America that isnt getting better. According to Kendrick, most Christians pray for deep friendships but dont know what to do. Here are some tips on building Christ-centered friendships.

Dont be afraid to be vulnerable.

Christians should be willing to be hurt in friendships. Understanding the Bible leads to honesty and vulnerability in areas that Christians might avoid showing to others. However, when Christians are transparent, their vulnerability is the glue that can bring a community together.

Find Christians in your area.

To cultivate Christ-centered friendships, Christians have to make time to be in the same places as others. Nothing can replace physical connections, which is why God designed people. Whether attending your churchs Bible study or volunteering for an event at your church, it would be best to open yourself to be close to others. You never know; you might meet the best friend youve ever had at one of your churchs events.

Try to have fun.

The Bible gives grace to anyone who is a believer. If thats the case, that means Christians are faultless before God through faith in Jesus. This sentiment should change their minds toward friendship and life. It also creates an environment where Christians can enjoy themselves because theyre not protecting a self-image that promotes grace.

Be a disciple.

Believers have a specific objective to be adapted to an image of Christ. Discipleship is to be a surrendered student poised to follow a master. In this case, Jesus is the master Christians seek to follow while pursuing friendships, making the Christian community unique from other groups.

Be willing to sacrifice.

This principle is the most important. Its the idea that Christians cant grow as believers of Jesus without sacrifice. Sacrifice is the instrument God uses to mature in love. The only way for Christians to grow in love is to sacrifice willingly. Sacrificing can be hard to do, but if Jesus can sacrifice His life for our sins, then we should be able to sacrifice for Him. Sacrifice also requires discipline, so maturing in love takes sacrifice and discipline.

Prepare for your mission.

Humans were hardwired to desire adventure. They want to do something adventurous and purposeful in their lives. The most profound answer to that need is to join Gods mission to make everything anew. Christians may live in a broken world, but they can bring Gods new creation to earth. When Jesus followers unite in that mission, it can ultimately lead to an intensely purposeful life.

Remember that boundaries can bring growth.

A perfect community isnt supposed to be limitless and a constantly accessible way of living. Its a balanced way of living where everyone shares others burdens but takes accountability for the things God want them to carry themselves. Christian communities create healthy boundaries instead of locking people out, allowing for continued growth.

Be prayerful.

This idea might sound like a no-brainer, but if you want to cultivate Christ-centered friendships, then prayer isnt optional. Praying for your friends is encouraging and helpful, but praying with your friends is invaluable. When you plan to be with your friends, you should constantly ask for and give prayer requests. It doesnt have to be sinful or dark things that you ask for prayer about, but you can also ask for prayer about the small things in your life. Never stop requesting or giving prayer requests. Talk the time to pray with your friends about the things that trouble your and their hearts.

In todays world, people are feeling more lonely than ever. Whether the cause is the increased use of social media or people dealing with social anxiety, making new friends is hard. However, cultivating Christ-centered friendships can be incredibly challenging. If youre trying to foster Christ-centered friendships, the key is to keep your heart open and allow people to come into your life. Jesus will continue to point you in the right direction.
Agus Widjojo, then a Lieutenant General in the Indonesian armed forces, speaks during a press conference in Jakarta, Feb. 7, 2001.

If ASEAN chair Indonesia sends a general as special envoy to Myanmar, that facilitator must be allowed to meet all parties there, said an ex-Indonesian general who aided the Burmese transition to democracy from junta rule over a decade ago.

That person must also be someone who supports civilian control over the military and understands democratic transition, Agus Widjojo said in an interview with BenarNews.

He said the envoy would need to meet ethnic armed groups representatives, and democratically elected lawmakers who were ousted in the Myanmar military coup in February 2021.

He has to [meet all parties], because its his job and only with sitting together, not just with one party, can a resolution be found, Agus said.

BenarNews sought Agus views after Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo recently told the Reuters news agency that he planned to send a senior general to Myanmar as soon as possible to share his countrys experience in transitioning to democracy from military rule.

Much is expected of Indonesia in its role as 2023 chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, especially in resolving the post-coup crisis in Myanmar, because it is the regions largest nation and it has helped Myanmar similarly before.

Former Gen. Agus, in fact, played a role in Indonesia helping Myanmar with that transition to democracy from 2007 until 2011, and has frequently been invited as a speaker on Myanmars democratization process.

Agus said Jokowis special envoy must be someone who has played a role in democratic transition in Indonesia and is well-versed in the history of the military at home as well as in Myanmar.

To what extent did he as a military person support the democratic transition [in Indonesia]? How sincere was he in giving up power and abiding by democratic principles where the military must be under civilian control and be professional, Agus said.

Agus himself supported the democratic transition at home, according to the Westminster Institute, a U.S.-based research organization focussed on extremists and radical threats.

Gen. Widjojo was deeply involved with the reform of the socio-political role of the Indonesian Armed Forces  leading to the peaceful democratic succession of President Suharto in 1998  with the surrender of the privileged position of Chief-of-Territorial Affairs that he had previously held, and with the surrender of the Armed Forces faction in the Indonesian Parliament, says a bio of Agus on the institutes website.

He has been instrumental in the transformation of the National Military into a fully professional military, ready to sustain Indonesia in a democratic era.

Indonesias dictator Suharto, a former general, resigned after 32 years in power in 1998 amid political and economic upheaval.

After Suhartos departure, the Indonesian military was stripped of its dwi-fungsi (dual function), which allowed military officers to occupy top positions in Indonesian politics and governance.

Agus Widjojo, currently Indonesian ambassador to the Philippines, is seen in his office in Manila. [Courtesy of Agus Widjojo/Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Manila]

Quiet diplomacy needed

Agus said any envoy that Indonesia sends to Myanmar should be able to see the big picture and set priorities on what needs to be discussed with parties there.

In principle, we must push them to find their own solution. I dont believe that change can be forced from the outside, he said.

Agus should know what he is talking about.

In 2007, he attended the funeral of former Myanmar Prime Minister Soe Win as an envoy to Jokowis predecessor, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, or SBY, as he is popularly called.

In the following years, he met with retired and active military officers in Myanmar, as well as officials from then-opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyis National League for Democracy (NLD), he said, all as part of efforts to help the country transition to democracy.

SBY, who was Indonesias first directly elected president and himself an ex-general, helped mediate conflicts between the Myanmar government and ethnic minorities, provided input on drafting democratic laws, and invited officials to learn about democratic institutions.

Such interactions, though, diminished after a change in government in Jakarta in 2014 when Jokowi was elected president. Until last year, Jokowi had focused more on domestic affairs and shown little interest in diplomacy.

Now, as he approaches the end of his second and last five-year term, Jokowi may be looking for a last hurrah, but most analysts are doubtful it will come via Myanmar transitioning successfully to a democracy any time soon.

Michael Vatikiotis, a Southeast Asia expert, said on Twitter that the issue about who will be envoy is a distraction.

This obsession with appointing an envoy distracts from the job of quiet diplomacy needed to engage all the relevant parties in Myanmar, Vatikiotis said.

Besides, the Tatmadaw [Myanmar armed forces] doesnt like the Indonesian armys story of reform and yielding to civilian authority.
China has deployed artificial intelligence-created news anchors for the first time to propagandize political content on social media, a U.S. research firm said in a report.

Spamouflage, a Chinese state-aligned influence operation, has been using AI-generated fictitious people to promote Chinas global role and spreading disinformation against the United States since late 2022, New York-based Graphika said in its report, Deepfake It Till You Make It.

Spamouflage, a combination of spam and camouflage, is a tactic used by spammers to evade email spam filters by replacing certain letters with numbers. Cyber security researchers use the term, as well as other terms such as Dragonbridge or Spamouflage Dragon, to refer to the pro-Chinese propaganda network on the internet.

Spamouflage is responsible for posting, via fake accounts targeting social media users, thousands of assets that praise China, criticize the United States, and attack the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement as well as Taiwan independence.

Recently it has been promoting a new and distinctive form of video content on social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, Graphika said.

The firms researchers spotted and analyzed two unique videos featuring a male and a female anchor, both speaking English and appearing to be Caucasian.

The videos used the logo of a likely fictitious media company called Wolf News with the accompanying slogan Focus on hot spots and broadcast in real time.

The male anchor criticized the U.S. government for its hypocritical repetition of empty rhetoric in tackling gun violence, while the female anchor highlighted the importance of China-U.S. cooperation for the global economic recovery.

Both videos mirrored past Spamouflage efforts to pass as legitimate news outlets, said the Graphika report.

Alex, Jason and James

The abundant similarities spotted in the videos and other Spamouflage assets on the internet led to the conclusion about the connection between the two.

China had yet to respond to the Graphika report, which points to the alarming potential misuse of sophisticated AI technology in disinformation campaigns by state actors.

Until now, online influence operations have been limited to computer-generated fake faces and fabricated videos but the new videos featured AI-generated fictitious people that looked almost real.

At first glance, the Wolf News anchors present as real people. Our initial hypothesis was that they were paid actors that had been recruited to appear in the videos, the team behind the report said.

After further investigation they spotted the anchors robotic speech, which didnt sync with their lips movements, as well as numerous grammatical mistakes in the subtitles.

The Graphika team said the anchors were likely created using technology provided by Synthesia, a British AI video company.

They found several marketing videos using the same AI-generated duo speaking a number of languages besides English. The male avatar, named Alex in the Wolf News video, was also called Mr. Curtis, Jason and James.

The main benefit of this technology to the creators of the Spamouflage videos appears to be increased efficiency, specifically high-speed, low-cost content production, the report said, adding that Synthesias products can create AI-generated videos in a matter of minutes and subscriptions start at just U.S. $30 per month.

Xinhua revealed the worlds first AI news anchor in 2018. [Xinhua]

Influence operations actors will continue to experiment with AI technologies, producing increasingly convincing media artifacts that are harder to detect and verify, Graphika warned.

In 2018, the Chinese state news agency Xinhua revealed the worlds first AI news anchor, which was a male image with a voice, facial expressions and actions of a real person.

The avatar was jointly developed by Xinhua and Chinese search engine company Sogou.com.

Xinhua said the English-speaking anchor can work 24 hours a day on its official website and various social media platforms, reducing news production costs and improving efficiency.

In the past decade, China has placed great attention on developing AI technology.

The Stanford Universitys 2022 AI Index, which assesses AI advancements worldwide, ranks China second in total private investment in AI and the number of newly funded AI companies, only after the United States.

Beijing introduced first-of-its-kind regulation on AI-generated images and videos, or deepfakes, in January. According to it, deep synthesis services cannot use the technology to disseminate fake news.

The new regulation also said content that endangers national security and interests, damages the national image or disrupts the economy is banned.

The regulation however doesnt apply to deepfakes generated outside of the country. Critics say its priority is to tighten online censorship and stifle dissent.

Radio Free Asia, a news service affiliated with BenarNews, produced this report.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (left) walks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the prime ministers official residence in Tokyo, Feb. 9, 2023.

The Philippines and Japan agreed to strengthen their defense alliance and to give troops from Tokyo easier access to its Southeast Asian neighbor, their leaders said Thursday, as both nations face security challenges involving China.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met Thursday with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo, while officials from the Philippines defense department and Japans disaster management also held talks in the Japanese capital.

The leaders resolved to increase the defense capabilities of their own countries and further strengthen overall security cooperation by strategic reciprocal port calls and aircraft visits, transfer of more defense equipment and technology, among other things, Marcos and Kishida said in a joint statement.

The two sides agreed to increase bilateral communications between their defense and military officials in light of the very challenging regional security environment.

Tokyo and Manila announced the broadened defense ties a week after U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and the Marcos administration announced that both sides had struck a deal to enable American forces to access more military bases in the Philippines, as tensions brew between China and Taiwan. The deal under the expanded Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement allows Washington to rotate troops in and out and to build facilities.

While the Philippines has had conflicts with China in the South China Sea, Japan has had its own territorial disputes with the super power over the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.

Marcos and Kishida also agreed to simplify the procedures for visits to the Philippines of the JSDF, an acronym for the Japan Self-Defense Forces.

Japan has been sending troops to the Philippines to observe annual joint U.S.-Philippine war games, most recently in October 2022.

South Korea , another country seeking to blunt Chinas military influence in the region, actively participated in those training exercises in central Luzon, the main Philippine island that fronts the South China Sea.

South Korean forces disembark on a beach during a joint U.S.-Philippine military exercise dubbed Kamandag (Cooperation of the Warriors of the Sea) in Zambales province, northwest of Manila, as American soldiers look on, Oct. 7, 2022. [Basilio Sepe/BenarNews]

In addition, Marcos and Kishida agreed to strengthen efforts to complete the transfer of an air surveillance radar system.

In July 2022, Philippine Armed Forces chief Gen. Andres Centino thanked Japan for its role in a project to acquire the radar system under the militarys modernization program. The 5.5 billion pesos (U.S. $98 million) contract, signed in August 2020, was awarded to the Japanese firm Mitsubishi Electric Corp.

Meanwhile, Philippine Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr., who leads the defense department, presented terms of reference for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations (HADR) to Tani Kouichi, Japans minister for disaster management.

The terms would allow both armed forces to learn and exchange best practices on search, retrieval and rescue operations, and disaster response on the aftermath of natural and manmade disasters.

Galvez is expected to meet with Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada on Friday.

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force honor guard troops prepare for a review at JGSDF Camp Asaka in Tokyo, Nov. 27, 2021. [Kiyoshi Ota/pool via AP]

Business meeting

Marcos, who also met with top Japanese semiconductor executives on Thursday, touted what he called robust infrastructure development in the Philippines.

But we have in fact, actually accelerated it further and have made it a priority because we understand the importance of the infrastructure development, not only in terms of roads, imports, but even in the soft infrastructure that we need to have in place, Marcos told the executives, according to transcripts released in Manila.

He also sought to assure the Japanese investors that his government would address logistics concerns, which has been described as one of the biggest challenges in the country.

The logistics problems are also one of the areas that we will try to answer, specifically by having the infrastructure that can support the different activities  economic activities  that you are proposing for the future, Marcos said.

The president also met with Japanese MPs and thanked them for assisting in efforts to bring peace to the southern Philippines.

Japan has assisted in development efforts in areas previously identified as rebel strongholds and helped broker a peace pact between the government and the separatist group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in 2014.

The agreement led to former MILF guerrillas assuming leadership of an autonomous Muslim region, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in 2019.

It has been a critical part of our peace process. It is a process that we have been undertaking for many, many years and I think, (I) finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, the participation of the Japanese support in that peace process has been invaluable, Marcos said.

Basilio Sepe and Jojo Rinoza in Manila contributed to this report.
Malaysia is unequivocally against violence as a means to resolve the insurgency in southern Thailand, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said in Bangkok on Thursday during his first official visit to the neighboring country.

It is essential to bring peace and settle the separatist conflict in the Muslim Malay-majority Deep South, where more than 7,000 people have been killed in violence since 2004, Anwar said.

Several analysts hope that the new Malaysian PM will give ongoing Kuala Lumpur-brokered peace talks between Thailand and Deep South insurgents a shot in the arm because of his abiding interest in the issue and the region that shares a border with Malaysia.

Ive come here with a clear categorical message. The government of Malaysia will not condone any sources of violence to resolve any conflicts, Anwar told reporters during a joint news conference with Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha.

We will exercise our right as friends, as family members of both countries, Malaysia and Thailand, and ASEAN, to express our concerns  our ultimate concerns  while acknowledging that south Thailand is purely an internal issue within Thailand.

He said that he and Prayuth discussed the issue to secure lasting peace for both countries.

The insurgency reignited in January 2004 in the Thai Deep South, which comprises the provinces of Pattani, Narathiwat and Yala, and four districts of Songkhla province.

More than 7,300 people have been killed and 13,500 others injured in violence across the region since then, according to Deep South Watch, a local think-tank. Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) has been fighting to establish an independent state for Malay Muslims who form the majority of the population in the southern border region.

Such incidents, Anwar said, have led to distrust [and] resentment.

And we have to appeal to both forces, in Thailand, the South, and even in Malaysia to understand that peace is a paramount situation  we have to ensure and impress upon our friends, on both sides of the border, to resolve this, Anwar said.

On the day of his visit, six Thai soldiers who were on patrol to protect a railway were slightly injured in a bomb and gun attack by suspected rebels in Rue Soh, a district in Narathiwat, according to officials.

Anwar wants to make it his legacy

The Malaysian prime minister, on whom many are pinning their hopes for a solution to the impasse in the Deep South, spoke about his countrys duty to facilitate the process toward peace.

That is why we agreed to appoint an acceptable facilitator from a retired chief of our armed forces, known to the PM to work and find ways to assist, Anwar told the media.

Anwar was referring to one of his first major foreign policy initiatives  to change the Malaysian facilitator of the peace talks between negotiators representing the Thai government and BRN.

These talks began in early 2020, just before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in Malaysia, but havent made much headway.

Anwar last month replaced former national police chief Abdul Rahim Noor as the broker for the peace talks, with Zulkifli Zainal Abidin , an ex-head of Malaysias armed forces.

I am personally known to many colleagues in the south and the trust deficit, concerns on issues of culture [and] religion will be addressed, Anwar said.

Zulkifli made his first official visit to Thailand last week, with the next official round of peace talks scheduled to be held in Kuala Lumpur on Feb. 21 and 22.

Thai PM Prayuth, who led the joint briefing with Anwar, affirmed the two countries cooperation on Deep South matters, according to a joint statement.

Prayuth agreed to further strengthen cooperation in border security management in order to combat transnational crimes and other cross-border illegal activities.

The two leaders also reiterated the importance of promoting peace and security in the border areas between the two countries through further enhancing a balanced, inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development in the border provinces, the statement said.

Commenting on Anwars visit, one Thai government official said he believed Anwar wanted to make the resolution of the Deep South conflict something he would be remembered for.

I believe PM Anwar has an intention to undertake the matter to make it his legacy, Panitan Wattanayagorn, chief security adviser to the Thai government, told BenarNews.

He took part in the border issues from the beginning, that is, common border security management and joint patrol. This would intercept the fugitives from Malaysia who cross to Thailand and vice versa. This prevents people from crossing into Thailand to cause trouble, Panitan said.

The official was referring to Thai allegations that some insurgents come in from Malaysia to carry out attacks and then return, or, having carried out attacks, flee across the border to Malaysia.

Meanwhile in Malaysia, the chief minister of a border state affected by the insurgency praised the plan for economic development along the border with Thailand, calling it timely.

Malaysia-Thailands joint efforts to resolve the decades-long insurgency in southern Thailand, if fruitful, could spur economic growth in both countries especially in the bordering states including Perlis, the northern state in Malaysia, said Perlis Chief Minister Mohd. Shukri Ramli.

I have discussed the issue with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during his visit to Perlis previously. It would be a great opportunity to boost our economy by reopening the border as the trading activities are flourishing day in and day out on the other side.

Mariyam Ahmad in Pattani, Thailand, and Ili Shazwani Ihsan in Perlis, Malaysia, contributed to this report.
Feature: Chinese-built Nairobi Expressway boosting fortunes of Kenyan entrepreneurs

Xinhua) 10:38, February 09, 2023

NAIROBI, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Kalpesh Manilal Solanki enjoys driving on the modern expressway in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, for a maximum of eight times daily to attend to business and personal errands.

The 27.1-km Nairobi Expressway, built by a Chinese firm under a public-private partnership model, on Tuesday, marked a milestone of ten million total trips by vehicles that have used it since its trial operation in May 2022.

Solanki had glowing words for the modern thoroughfare, often described as an iconic infrastructure, thanks to the vitality it has injected into his enterprise.

As a customs clearing agent for international filmmakers, Solanki commutes from home to the main airport in Nairobi using the expressway, amid a guarantee of speed, convenience, security and comfort. "I started using the expressway when it was at the trial phase and it is awesome and has made my work easier."

Solanki noted that his business has been on a profitable trajectory since he started using the expressway thanks to the seamless mobility that has enabled him to meet clients on time and negotiate deals.

Prior to the launch of the thoroughfare, Solanki used to endure long traffic snarl-ups on his way to work, to the detriment of his health and business.

The expressway has not only been a game changer in mobility and commerce but has also boosted Kenya's green aspirations through reduced carbon emissions by motorists, he said.

Senior Kenyan officials, industry executives, and regular users including Solanki graced the event on Tuesday to mark the milestone.

Principal Secretary for Roads Joseph Mbugua praised the popularity of the Nairobi Expressway among local motorists alongside its central place in Kenya's socioeconomic renewal.

As a flagship project of Kenya's Vision 2030, the expressway, whose construction by China Road and Bridge Corporation started in September 2020, has enhanced the movement of people, goods and services in Nairobi and its outskirts, injecting vitality into key economic sectors like tourism and financial services, Mbugua said.

Ann Kimotho, an entrepreneur dealing with beauty products and a resident of Loresho, a suburb located on Nairobi's northern fringes, said that thanks to the expressway, she is able to commute seamlessly to different parts of the city to meet clients.

"The traffic gridlock I used to grapple with in the past is no more and my clients are happy since I am able to deliver products on time," said Kimotho, who was among the high-frequency users of the expressway who were selected randomly and awarded a monetary gift.

Elijah Oyugi, a resident of Kitengela suburb which is located on the southern fringes of Nairobi, said that his construction business has also thrived amid ease of movement through the expressway to meet clients.

Zhao Yang, chief executive officer of Moja Expressway Company, which manages the operation of the expressway, said that an average of 50,000 motorists are using it daily, up from 10,000 when it started trial operation.

"The Nairobi Expressway not only reduces travel time between the east and west side of Nairobi from two hours to just about 20 minutes, but it also significantly reduces logistics and commuting costs," Zhao said.

Kungu Ndungu, director-general of the Kenya National Highways Authority, said the government will leverage the expressway to attract investments in key sectors of the economy like housing, tourism and manufacturing.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Anti-government protesters and students greet then-Thai Education Minister Nataphol Teepsuwan with a three-fingered salute during a demonstration demanding the government resign, in front of the Ministry of Education in Bangkok, Sept. 5, 2020.

Thai authorities used coercive tactics and spied on children and teen activists to dissuade them from participating in anti-government protests in 2020-22, human rights watchdog group Amnesty International said in a report released Wednesday.

In addition, the Thai government has charged nearly 300 people under age 18 on suspicion of violating the countrys harsh laws against sedition and royal defamation in connection with the massive protests, which called for reforming the constitution and the monarchy.

Starting around July 2020 young Thais  mostly university students  took to the streets to call for the ouster of a government filled with key figures from a 2014 military coup, as well as reforms to laws that shield Thailands powerful monarchy, among other demands.

Through these years of anti-government protests, the authorities tried to staunch the movement by using covert tactics on children and teenagers, according to the report that Amnesty released during a press conference at the Bangkok Art and Culture Center.

Amnesty International found that the authorities used tactics of intimidation and surveillance to create fear and other chilling effects among child protesters in order to discourage them from participating in protests, the report said.

Between January 2021 and 10 November 2022, at least 59 pro-democracy child protesters were subject to tactics of harassment, Amnesty said, citing figures from Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), an NGO whose attorneys have helped defend many anti-government activists arrested in recent years.

Authorities often decided to intimidate them with verbal threats that they would take legal actions if they participated in a protest. At times, they put child protesters under surveillance, if they are involved in protests and other actions or actively express their opinions online, the report said.

Chompoo, a Bangkok-based 13-year-old child protester, told Amnesty International that authorities had followed her around since she started her activism in March 2022.

Around three to four plainclothes officers would regularly come to my house and sit around the area to monitor my activities, she said.

I once directly approached them to talk to them. They told me they came from Taling Chan Police Station, she added.

Chompoo, who said she was initially scared, has now decided to hide her fears behind humor.

[N]ow I feel like a celebrity who has many followers.

Severe repercussions

Amnestys report says that according to TLHR, until the end of 2022, at least 283 people under 18 were prosecuted, largely for allegedly violating an emergency decree that was issued to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of them, 17 were charged with royal defamation and three were found guilty but spared from serving their prison terms because they were underage, according to information from the lawyers group, adding no children are currently in jail awaiting trial.

A pro-democracy activist holds a sling shot and fuel bottles as he confronts riot police during a protest near the residence of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha, Aug. 29, 2021. [Sunthorn Chongcharoen/BenarNews]

Meanwhile on Wednesday, a government spokesman declined to comment to BenarNews about Amnestys report, saying he had not seen it.

Some teenagers, largely secondary school students under 18, are at risk of years in prison after being accused of sedition or insulting the monarchy, the first time that Lese-Majeste cases were known to have been brought against children in Thailand, said an Amnesty statement accompanying the report titled We are Reclaiming Our Future.

Lese-Majeste, the name for the law against royal defamation, carries a prison term of up to 15 years. It was contentiously enforced after Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha threatened in November 2020 to exercise all pertaining laws to stop the youth-led protests which sometimes turned violent.

Children with their whole lives ahead of them now face severe repercussions merely for participating in peaceful protests, Chanatip Tatiyakaroonwong, Amnesty Internationals Thailand researcher, said in the statement.

Thailand has a legal obligation to guarantee childrens right to freedom of peaceful assembly, but instead, exercising that right has come at a steep cost for protesters, who are potentially facing decades behind bars.
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Cops and Courts Reporter

Amanda Burke is Cops and Courts Reporter for The Berkshire Eagle. An Ithaca, New York native, she previously worked at The Herald News of Fall River and the Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise.
New study finds disconnect between community colleges and local employers looking to fill jobs
The Dalton Select Board voted to change language for an invitation to bid on the Bardin Property, a 148-acre tract of currently unused farmland that is subject a number of state policies and land use restrictions. A greenlight from the state Office of the Inspector General caused the move.
This blog covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers, connected cars) as well as select antitrust matters surrounding those devices.
GREAT BARRINGTON  As efforts for a sculpture of W.E.B. Du Bois off Main Street pick up pace, a couple is offering to match donations for the sculpture project that are received this month.

Du Bois' birthday falls on Feb. 23, and this month is also Black History Month.

Residents Anne G. Fredericks and Marc Fasteau are providing the match for donations up to $7,500, doubling the amount received, the W.E.B. Du Bois Sculpture Project announced this week.

The project has so far raised $100,000 toward $325,000 it is seeking to create a life-size bronze sculpture of Du Bois in front of the Mason Library as well as to repair the librarys front steps. The money will also help establish a Du Bois reading room in the Library.

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Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated because they will help us complete our project of recognizing this individual that is part of our nations story, said the projects chair, Julie Michaels, in a statement.

Du Bois, who was born in Great Barrington, was a civil rights giant credited as the early architect of the movement. He also was a founder of the NAACP, a scholar, teacher and poet.

This year will mark his 155th birthday.

Efforts to honor Du Bois have increased over the last decade. A sculpture was first planned in 2018, but the project was derailed for various reasons that included the pandemic.

The current group came together last May and by December had launched a search for an artist to create the sculpture.
Tonight's rundown:

 Talking Points Memo: Joe Biden continues to decline with the world watching and remains out of the press reach

 Presidential Historian Larry Cook weighs in on how Bidens relationship with the press compares to past presidents

 US Special Forces have been confirmed to be in Ukraine

 OReilly describes Democrats hosting the DNC in Chicago as Crazy Arrogant

 The trial of Fox News gets underway

 58% of Americans are now living paycheck to paycheck even as inflation begins to cool off

 Smart Life: Utilizing Kelly Blue Book when searching for a new car

 This Day in History: FDR dies in office

 Final Thought: what to do when someone is disrespectful to you

In Case You Missed It:

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In 2007 South Africa experienced its first bout of load shedding, a whopping 16 years ago. Little did we know that this was the first hint of a new normal for our country.

The red flags had, in fact, been there for many years before. One of the most alarming flags was the fact that Eskom had only built one new and functional power station between 1991 to 2021, despite the sharp growth in demand for electricity. Factor in a disintegrating infrastructure, mismanagement and theft of funds and a lack of action against electricity theft. It is easy now to see South Africa was heading towards a diabolical storm even before 2007.

But alas, here we are now, 16 years down the line feeling bitter and defeated. I must say that it really struck me just how far this had gone in late 2022 when our company, Bateleur Brand Planning, a research company, was hosting a consumer discussion at a conference venue. We were hit with load shedding in the middle of the discussion; the room went completely black with approximately 50 people inside. The part that left me dumbstruck was when no single person stopped having group discussions. They all simply continued the conversation and turned on their cell phone torches until the generators kicked in. I realised we were deep into the rabbit hole.

Many of us complain to one another about the issue of load shedding or simply roll our eyes when the lights go out. Some take it a step further and protest or strike; this is often met with the threat of upping a stage or two on the load shedding schedule. It seems we are stuck.

These days people no longer flaunt their fancy cars as their most prized possession; instead, the car has been traded in for the fanciest inverter or solar setup. According to The Vantage Point survey conducted by Bateleur in 2022, only 2% of South Africans can say that load shedding does not impact them. Unsurprisingly, this directly correlates with the people with a solar setup big enough to cover most of their household electricity requirements.

What do the other 98% of South Africans have to deal with daily, and how do they mitigate load shedding, with a staggering 77% saying they were affected significantly?

Let's take a look at some of the key struggles the everyday South African now faces daily:

53% say that their mealtimes are disturbed by load shedding, and women tend to worry about this more.



51% said they had experienced damaged equipment and household appliances.



47% said that they experienced additional stress due to load shedding; this was more prevalent among the Boomers than Millennials.



45% of people said cellular networks become almost non-functional, and they cannot make phone calls; this gripe was bigger in the smaller, non-metropolitan provinces.



43% of people said that they had had food in the refrigerator going off.



39% were late for work because of traffic jams, and Gauteng was significantly more likely to be impacted by this.



38% said that load shedding had a reduced production capacity in business.

The impacts mentioned above are simply a few of a litany of negative impacts load shedding has had on people and the country. Load shedding is costly in every aspect of life, such as mental health, personal finances, and the ability to work.

Many people attempt to mitigate the effects of load shedding by using gas (57%), adjusting their daily routines (55%), ensuring they have an adequate amount of battery-powered items (42%), using battery-powered light bulbs (39%) and simply having braais more often (21%).

As we progress towards finding more sustainable solutions towards solving the impacts of load shedding in our personal capacity, our research found that 18% of people are currently using some sort of solar power. Of those who have solar energy, only 20% of people said it covers everything. When factoring that into the South African population, only 4% of South Africans can say that they have enough solar energy to power an entire house. On average, people who have invested in solar energy spent almost R110,000!

What about those with no solar? Sixty percent said they were likely to invest in solar; however, our research indicates they are in for a bit of a surprise. When asked how much they were willing to invest in solar, they revealed an average of just under R50,000, compared to the average of R110,000 spent by people with solar. Their expectations of cost are very different to the reality of what solar energy costs.

I want to add a positive conclusion to this article, but that would be foolish. Yes, a wide array of solutions to the problem have been offered up. However, any plausible solution seems to be met with resistance. South African citizens have taken a passive approach, most likely because they do not know what to do.

I can offer that in life, change is possible, but only if it comes with a willingness and acceptance to move forward. Socrates once said, "The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old but on building the new".
Black Friday and Christmas online transaction volumes were further proof of growing e-commerce adoption in South Africa, and Valentine's Day is pegged to be the same, as predicted by consumer research and analytics company Eighty20.

Eighty20 reports that almost 13 million South Africans shopped online over the course of 2022. This excludes data, airtime and electricity purchases and accounts for 37% of the population aged 15 years and older  that is a 6% increase from 2021.

The Online Retail in South Africa 2022 study conducted by World Wide Worx and Mastercard also revealed that online shopping in South Africa is growing rapidly. The study shows that the local online retail market grew 35% in 2022 to reach R55bn while overall retail sales increased by only 7.3% year-on-year between January to November 2022, according to Stats SA. Growth for 2023 is expected to be about 25% which could see online retail exceed 5% of total retail in South Africa for the first time.

The growth of online retail supports the view that the rapid change in retail behaviour brought on during the pandemic is here to stay. Customers are changing the way they shop and to remain competitive, retailers have been scrambling to meet the speed, convenience and efficiency that customers expect from online shopping.

Growth across consumer groups

The Eighty20 National Segmentation (ENS), which summarises and tracks key South African consumer segments, shows how both digital adoption and e-commerce have not been driven only by the wealthier heavy hitter segment (typically earning R40,000+ per month) but can also be seen across most demographics. Mobile commerce (or m-commerce), referring to the move of e-commerce to primarily mobile devices, has been a significant contributor to making online shopping more accessible to all consumer segments.

This Valentines Day, online retailers will be looking at ways to encourage existing and attract new customers to go online to show their love. Data from BrandMapp shows that preferred online shopping categories vary by ENS segment. Heavy hitters and middle-class workers favour shoes and bags, while the mass credit market opt for clothing and apparel, says Steve Burnstone, CEO at Eighty20.

According to MAPS (a nationally representative survey conducted by the Marketing Research Foundation), when it comes to buying gifts online, heavy hitters and middle-class workers who earn on average R15,000 per month are the most likely to treat someone special with an online gift. Across all segments, online contributes only 11% of the total gifting market, leaving lots of room for growth.

Popular shopping categories

South African e-commerce giant, Takealot has seen searches for Valentine's Day up 25% compared to 2022. Its Valentines Day landing page is proving to be popular in providing shoppers with a convenient way to source carefully-curated gift ideas.

Traditionally Takealots top-performing categories over Valentines Day are fragrances, skincare, liquor (especially wine), chocolates, lingerie, watches and jewellery, with fragrances, chocolates and lingerie showing the strongest growth over the last few years.

Dining in has also become a popular way to celebrate the romantic day. Mr D Food completed 27% more orders on Valentines Day in 2022 compared to a comparable Monday. The 'extra orders' started ramping up at 14:30, with 19:30 seeing almost double the number of orders than normal. While most partner restaurants benefitted from the increased orders, the true stars were the smaller groups and independents, who saw 35% more orders.

Whilst chicken, burgers and pizza still retained the top spots, Mr D Food sold more than 2.5 times the amount of sushi and desserts than a typical Monday.

The gift of choice

Vouchers are purchased frequently throughout the year, yet Takealot has seen a significant increase in the uptake of R1,000 vouchers around Valentines Day over the past four years. When zooming into Mr D Foods gifting option, in 2022 approximately 500 SnackMe gifts were purchased on the day, and hundreds of orders were delivered with messages (entered in the delivery instructions to the driver) to loved ones referencing 'Valentines Day' or 'Love'.

For retailers, one advantage of e-commerce is its ability to allow businesses to gather data revealing insights into who their customers are, how they behave and how to best engage with them. Traditionally retailers needed loyalty programmes to gauge these insights.

According to Eighty20, brands that will succeed in the future are those that take the time to understand their customers and target market and develop compelling, customer-centric engagement strategies. In some cases, we have seen customers 10 times more likely to make a purchase if presented with a relevant, timeous offer, says Burnstone
Demographica is thrilled to welcome Gugu Shabalala as head of strategy to its stable. As a strategic partner who likes to take a holistic approach towards life and someone who is most effective when her work aligns with her values and passions; Shabalala describes her appointment as a definite career highlight.

Finding the right career and organisational fit has been a bit challenging for me in the past couple of years but after many calls and conversations, Warrens vision and humanity tipped the scales, says Shabalala. Making a positive and progressive contribution to the world matters a great deal to me; one way I can do that is through my work. So naturally, its important to me that I am aligned with the people or organisations that are driven by the same motivation. Having a human-first approach isnt just a nice-sounding phrase that Demographica puts in client presentations, it is stitched into their organisational culture, Shabalala continued.

Outside of her scope as head of strategy, Shabalala is passionate about issues pertaining to and affecting women in society and the workplace  particularly issues concerning Black female leadership, young leadership, as well as diversity and inclusion.

I believe in the fundamentals of human behaviour, communication principles, and economic and marketing acumen. And I have used this to shape and guide meaningful and impactful solutions for brands across various industries such as financial services, FMCG, alcoholic beverages, and even fashion retail, comments Shabalala.

Having spent her career (to date) working mostly but not exclusively on consumer brands, her thinking has built and reshaped some of South Africas most loved and effective brands and campaigns. Always striving to make great work happen sustainably without human cost; Shabalala aims to create and maintain a balanced and fulfilling work experience for herself and her team, stating: My approach to any piece of work is rigour, focus, and simplicity And to always leave room for some magic!

Shabalala goes on to say that her take on her role as head of strategy will consist of building on Demographicas legacy of being strategically strong. Drawing from years of experience as a brand strategist and independent marketing communications consultant; Shabalalas approach is to foster an environment that will produce impactful and clear thinking that leads to the clients commercial success.

Shabalala continues by saying...We have seen in recent times that creative effectiveness is increasingly recognised as a key driver of growth. If we can achieve this and simultaneously help make our clients and their brands famous through award-winning creative work, even better!

Shabalala goes on to explain that the addition of a B2B Awards category at Cannes is evidence that a golden age of B2B marketing is on the horizon.

When asked what excites her most about taking on this role, Shabalala explains that while B2B marketing is new to her, for the first time in a while, she is completely out of her comfort zone, stating: I mean to move forward with guts and grace!

Warren Moss, CEO and founder of Demographica, comments on the appointment: After many years of searching for Demographicas head of strategy, I am delighted to welcome Gugu Shabalala to our leadership team. Strategy is one of Demographicas strongest capabilities and having Gugu bring her whole self to this work is extremely exciting for Demographica and our clients.

For more information, visit:

https://demographica.co.za/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/demographica/mycompany/

https://www.facebook.com/Demographica

https://www.instagram.com/demographica/
Dance fans who love a good fairytale will enjoy Cape Town City Ballet's production of Cinderella at the Artscape Opera House in Cape Town until 19 February 2023.

Leane Theunissen in Cape Town City Ballets Cinderella. Photo by Joan Ward

Principal ballerina Kirstel Paterson took the role of Cinderella on opening night, excelling in her characterisation of the kind, patient, positive, cheerful, hard-working, and determined stepsister to Violet (Mervyn Williams) and Daffodil (Marcel Meyer), whose personalities are in stark contrast to hers.

Generally depicted as scheming and cruel in their treatment of Cinderella, who is forced to dress in rags to suit her role as a kitchen maid in the home they share, their hilarious dramatics steal the show. Williams, a Cape Town City Ballet stalwart, and Meyer, a multi award-winning actor, were in fine form, contributing a level of comic timing and acting ability crucial to the ballets success. Delighted giggles from the children and laughter from parents and chaperones in the audience were their rewards.

Mathias Dingman and Kirstel Paterson in Cape Town City Ballets Cinderella, Photo by Joan Ward

Paterson was typically composed, precise and fluid in her movements in the first act, captivating us with her floating arms, soft hands and beautiful footwork. The perfect foil to her so-called ugly sisters, she was a joy to watch as she processed the emotional journey of wanting to go to the Princes ball but not having a dress, then being given one by Buttons (Elvis Nonjeke), the butler, only to have it destroyed by her sisters.

The appearance of her Fairy Godmother (Leane Theunissen) gave Cinderella hope of a dream coming true with her subsequent transformation from kitchen maid to belle of the ball. Its a magical sequence, and Theunissen delivered a faultless performance.

Act 2 featured the much-anticipated ball with a set that prompted oohs and aahs from the audience. Jordan Roelfze, as the Jester, produced a superb performance, landing every jump and turn with aplomb  a pleasure to watch. Actor Craig Hedderwick as Count Fossil and David Maluleka as Marquis de Conceit were charismatic suitors for Violet and Daffodil.

Cape Town City Ballet's Cinderella. Photo by Joan Ward

Mathias Dingman, principal at Birmingham Royal Ballet, danced the role of the Prince that night. Both Paterson and Dingman delivered convincing performances alone, but together they fell short of expectations. They were often out of sync in the pas de deux, perhaps needing more time to find harmony and balance in their partnership and a sense of trust that enabled them to execute lifts confidently without seeming tentative.

Having said that  the climax in Act 3 was brilliantly done, with Dingman managing an extended lift with Paterson having to draw on her core strength to adopt the required line.

The road to happily ever after from the time the clock begins to strike midnight, signalling the time for Cinderella to take flight in her glittering carriage, causing her to lose a sparkling slipper in the process, and leading to the Princes later search for the matching one was as entertaining as ever.

Alternate casts for the lead roles include Vadim Muntagirov, principal of The Royal Ballet, and Tatiana Melnik, principal of the Hungarian National Ballet, who will perform on Saturday, 11 February, Tuesday, 14 February and Friday, 17 February, to accompaniment by the orchestra.

This season of Cinderella features choreography by Veronica Paeper, costume and decor design by Peter Cazalet and lighting design by Wilhelm Disbergen. The ballet is performed to music by Sergei Prokofiev, with a libretto by the Brothers Grimm 1812.

Bookings can be made at Artscape Dial-A-Seat 021 421 7695 or through Computicket. Prices start from R175 for performances with recorded music and R200 for those with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. There are alternate casts for other performances, subject to change.
According to the Chinese zodiac, 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit. Experts on the subject say that the new energy in play will be more gentle than the period of high energy and unpredictability that we had to deal with last year, the Year of the Tiger.

In the Year of the Rabbit, we are advised to take time out for introspection and reflection, as the rabbit is symbolically linked to peace. And Jonathan H.X. Lee, an Asian Studies professor from San Francisco, advises that people should behave in accordance with this tranquil energy with an intention for long-term success.

The concepts of tranquillity and long-term success are very much part of the prevailing ethos at Eva-Last, the internationally acclaimed manufacturer of composite building materials. The products themselves have the ultimate aim of tranquillity, relaxation and recreation as their very reason for being, and as for longevity, these composite substitutes for timber in the building materials sector, come with world-leading warranties of up to 30 years in duration.

A new year can definitely inspire a new view on how we approach our lives, and the way we interact with the environment. Creating a quality outdoor living space such as a deck, using Eva-Last bamboo composite, whether as an extension of a patio or an enhancement of a swimming pool area, is certainly a great way to enhance your view and instil a sustainable approach to life.

Constructing the ideal outdoor space or deck is no small undertaking and your vision should be backed up with plenty of research into the subject. Endeavouring to continuously inspire beautiful, functional outdoor living that is guaranteed to last, using Eva-Last composite building materials accommodates an extensive range of applications, meaning there are almost no limitations to the possibilities of your vision. And with practical how-to guides and efficient after sales support, no matter the application, youll find the ideal solution in Eva-Lasts range of composite.

According to Chinese lore, the rabbit has intellect and cautiousness at the core of its being. Measure twice, cut once, is an old saying that is used by traditional craftsmen, applicable to working with various materials. And it may well apply as a general outlook into 2023.

Once youve done research on which composite building materials to use to turn your outdoor vision into reality, youll clearly understand why Eva-Last is the leader in this space.

With the versatility and durability of all Eva-Last composite products, available in a wide variety of colours and finishes, in a range of profiles to cater for any specific requirements, be it ease of installation, aesthetic appeal, safety, sustainability, or cost-efficiency, each offering is engineered to be the most effective solution available in the market.

As a low maintenance and highly durable material, there are certainly many reasons to consider using a bamboo-composite product for your new outdoor project, perhaps the most significant being its sustainability. It is a fact that by using any of the Eva-Last ranges  Apex, Infinity or Eva-Tech, you will be playing a big role in curbing deforestation on the planet. Eva-Last proudly acknowledges how many trees it saves with a live tree counter located on the companys website.

It's calculated that it takes 20 years for timber plantations to rejuvenate after harvesting, whereas for bamboo that replenishment period is just four years.

Whats more, the polymer used in Eva-Last composite is sourced from recycled plastic waste products, which means by using Eva-Last composite for your project, you are again playing a major role in making our global environment sustainable.

Another huge consideration as far as sustainability is concerned is the fact that Eva-Last composite boards have a much longer life span than traditional timber, not having to use harmful chemicals for timber preservation and preserving natural resources from being used in the inevitable cycle of replacing the timber.

With the brands global success over the last 17 years, bringing to market sustainable and highly efficient composite building materials, all which come standard with industry leading warranties, youll find ultimate peace-of-mind as you contemplate life from a lounger, enjoying a new approach in the Year of the Rabbit, with an untrammelled new view.

For more information visit www.eva-last.com.




It is established law that an employee can be dismissed for misrepresenting his or her qualifications to the employer. But what happens to the remuneration paid to the employee during the time he was employed? This question was raised in the recent High Court judgment of Umgeni Water v Naidoo.

Image source:  Ion Chiosea  123RF.com

Umgeni Water (the employer) ran a graduate employment programme that it had implemented to recruit graduates in order to train, and hopefully retain once they successfully completed the programme. Applicants were required to hold, at minimum, a bachelor's degree in engineering.

Naidoo (the employee) applied to join the programme and submitted a BSc degree certificate in Engineering, together with his academic record from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. After completing the programme, he was appointed and worked for the employer for eight years until he resigned.

When the employee was initially appointed, it was not common practice for the employer to verify qualifications. However, several years later it hired a private company to do so and when the employee applied for another position within the company, the verification report stated that he did not have a degree.

The employer initially felt that there was some error and gave the employee several opportunities to show that he had a qualification, but he failed to do so.

In addition to instituting disciplinary proceedings against the employee for misrepresentation of his qualifications, the employer instituted civil action on the basis that the employees conduct had been fraudulent and sought repayment of the remuneration paid to the employee, being R2,203,565.04. The employer argued that had it not been for the employees misrepresentation and fraudulent conduct, it would not have employed him.

After hearing evidence, the court concluded that the degree and academic records produced by the employee as evidence were forged and found accordingly that the employee had failed to prove that he had the required degree. The court further found that the employee misrepresented the true state of his qualifications to secure employment, which was fraudulent. The court thus held that because the fraud was proven, the employer became entitled to be repaid the amount paid to the employee.

Punitive costs were awarded on an attorney and client scale (being a higher scale) against the employee as the court, in exercising its discretion, considered that the employee was guilty of reprehensible conduct and showed no remorse. The employer was also allowed to execute the judgment amount against the employees provident fund benefits.

This case demonstrates that an employee who misrepresents their qualifications can not only find themselves being fired, but also repaying the employer the remuneration that they received while employed.
The African Development Bank's Africa Climate Change Fund (ACCF) has received the support of two new donor countries - Ireland and Austria, which have contributed 2m and 1m respectively.

Image source: Pixabay from Pexels

The ACCF is a multi-donor trust fund that backs the African Development Bank Groups target of tripling its climate financing and advancing Africas climate resilience. The two countries joined the Fund in late 2022, bringing its current donors to seven. The other donors are the Government of Italy; the Government of Flanders (Belgium); the Government of Quebec (Canada); Global Affairs Canada; and the Global Center on Adaptation.

In separate statements, Harald Waiglein (director general at Austrias Federal Ministry of Finance) and Sean Fleming (Irelands minister for International Development and the Diaspora) expressed each countrys commitment to support African communities in tackling climate change with a strong focus on adaptation.

We consider [the update of nationally determined contributions and long-term climate strategies of African countries] essential to combat climate change and further sustainable development, said Waiglein.

Fleming stated that Ireland plans to more than double its climate finance to developing countries by 2025.

Professor Anthony Nyong, director of Climate Change and Green Growth at the African Development Bank welcomed Ireland and Austria as donors to ACCF.

These new funds will enable the ACCF to support the preparation and strengthening of NDCs and Long-Term Strategies in African countries and to support projects already identified through ACCFs third call for proposals, Nyong said.

ACCF financing

The African Development Bank established the Africa Climate Change Fund in April 2014 with initial financing of 4.725m from Germany. Its mission is to support African countries in building their resilience to the negative impacts of climate change and transition to sustainable low-carbon growth.

The ACCF was converted to a multi-donor trust fund in 2017 with contributions from the governments of Flanders, Belgium, and Italy. The current value of the trust fund is $28.8 million.

Since its inception, the Fund has approved 27 grants worth $16.89 million and completed seven projects that have helped build capacity to access international climate finance in over 26 African countries. ACCF projects have also enabled countries to mobilize climate finance and implement small-scale adaptation strategies to enhance climate resilience.

The ACCF supports projects through competitive calls for proposals and a demand-driven window. These new funds will be channeled via these windows.
One of the biggest challenges for small businesses in South Africa is a lack of financial skills. This lack of knowledge can lead to problems, including difficulty managing cash flow, securing investment, planning for the future and handling taxes. Recent Xero research revealed that 35% of small businesses are seeking more government investment to help them with digital skills and innovation, while 25% want tax cuts and fewer regulations to access funding.

Without the right skills and support its difficult for small business owners to make informed financial decisions about their future. And if they arent putting the right processes and tools in place to manage money, businesses are more likely to incur expensive debt without contemplating the long-term consequences.

As a result of the current skills gap and lack of support in this area, poor financial decisions are one of the biggest contributing factors for the high SME failure rate. Investment in technology also plays a significant role in this issue.

A lot of small business owners are unaware of tools available on the market that could help them save time and money managing their finances, such as cloud-based accounting software or services that can automate bookkeeping processes.

The critical role of accountants

One way to alleviate the problem is for small businesses to work with an accountant to play an active role in helping them improve their financial skills. Accountants can provide small businesses with financial advice, training, and support to help them better understand and manage their finances.

They can also guide them through the tax process, which is critical given 32% of businesses said tax compliance and lack of knowledge in this area was a top challenge.

Our recent Xero research shows that over half of small businesses still arent working with an accountant, and worryingly, 38% are still using spreadsheets to manage their finances.

Accountants are also key to helping small businesses to digitise and leverage tools that streamline their financial operations and give them a real-time view of their financial performance. Small businesses using spreadsheets and paper methods are going to struggle to survive in the long term. Its great to see so many accountants leading the way in this area.

Greater government support needed

But this can only go so far, as our survey results point out, the government has an important role to play in helping businesses to improve their financial literacy too. We need to see greater tax relief for small businesses to up-skill staff in critical digital skills so they are set up for growth and better guidance on where businesses can find resources and training.

There also needs to be stronger collaboration from the government with technology firms to ensure emerging technologies are being reflected in training programmes and education - this will help ensure future business owners have the right skills.

A government campaign to promote the role of accountants and encouraging small businesses to work with one - if they arent already - would make a big difference too. 40% of SMEs told us that working with an adviser meant they could keep employees on the payroll during the pandemic. Accountants can also drive better tax compliance and ultimately help SARS expand the tax base.

Behavioural change needed within small businesses

While policymakers and tech leaders can do a lot, the people most capable of changing how small businesses adopt technology are likely to be small business owners themselves. It is not easy to challenge our own behaviours and our mindsets, but it is possible.

Successfully implementing change within a business requires an open way of thinking that is not about control, but about connecting people to a purpose that enables them to believe in the outcome youre trying to achieve.

Training might seem like an expense, but ensuring your team has the right skills to make the most of tech tools will pay off in the long run.

Clear communication and creating champions and agents of change in the business to support other staff with new skills are key.

South African SMEs are the lifeblood of the local economy but also the most vulnerable. Without the right skills for the future, these businesses wont be able to do critical things like accurately plan for the future, effectively manage cash flow, and access funding.

The government needs small businesses to be successful and grow, as this is what will fuel our economy and also help expand the tax-payer base in South Africa. As we approach the State of the Nation Address, we need to see a renewed focus from the government on financial skills and driving digital adoption.
With the era of 4IR comes a significant change in our way of life and how we communicate. MetroWired is committed to bringing every man, woman and child along for the digital journey.

Wezi Shezi, head of Customer Division at MetroWired

The formation of an inclusive digital society in the 4IR era

One of the consistent challenges in 4IR is the call for marginalised communities to be included in digital transformation. As a part of this journey, MetroWired understands that connectivity plays a major role in unlocking innovation and economic opportunities. MetroWireds head of Customer Division, Wezi Shezi says: It is our mission to help enable the rural communities, particularly our youth and women, as participants and contributors in South Africas digital journey. Connectivity will open infinite possibilities for citizens, and allow all sectors of government to reach and service more citizens through their digital services.

Global and National Innovation Goals

In line with the Global Sustainable Development Goals SDG9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure and its objective 'to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation', the South African government, through the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, has recently outlined their strategy within the draft National Infrastructure Plan (NIP) to provide 'free universal internet access' to communities and citizens. With these commitments accommodated for at the highest level, and outcomes clearly defined, MetroWireds Community Wi-Fi programme is on track with the countrys future plan, making a positive contribution to achieving our national infrastructure and innovation goals.

The digital divide widens

Affordable, reliable internet/bandwidth connectivity availability is not a new topic, with various interventions together with some funding having been made available to bridge the technology divide between rural and urban areas. End users have surpassed the need for the internet to merely search and access social media, now utilising digital platforms to access education, employment opportunities, government and health services amongst others. In turn, these platforms are each rapidly adapting and evolving into future-oriented engagement mediums with users. Unfortunately, this also places heavy reliance on the availability of wireless networks for internet access, and in an ever-evolving world, the era we live in is driven largely by technology. This sentiment cannot be more accurately confirmed as we enter the 4IR, where we as a people need to change the way we work, live, and communicate with technology at the heart of that change.

While urban areas continue to enjoy ample connectivity options, the digital divide in the rural areas of South Africa continue to widen as most communities struggle with stable internet connectivity, if any. MetroWired plays a vital role in seeking to address some of these challenges with our enterprise value-add and top-tier certified partnership status with Huawei Technologies, which gives us access to coveted global commercial and technical resources that dedicate the most professional services and technical support available to our customers.

In the City of Johannesburgs (COJ) initiative, as part of the COJs Smart City project to provide free and reliable connectivity to high density areas, MetroWired was instrumental in the delivery of the design, planning and execution of connectivity through the Wi-Fi 6 technology in and around Johannesburg.

Along with connectivity, the other alarming constant is the exorbitant price of data for the average South African. South Africans pay around R85 per gigabyte (GB) of data, ranking as the world's most expensive mobile data prices, according to the Worldwide Mobile Data Pricing 2021 report. The City of Tshwane, having rolled out their public Wi-Fi project with services such as virtual academy to assist high school students with lessons and exams, is also seeing an emerging trend of citizens gathering outside municipal offices and other public service offices simply to access Wi-Fi.

MetroWireds Communities Wi-Fi programme

For MetroWired, The Communities Wi-Fi programme is not a tick-box exercise. The programme considers the global SDG's and the countrys vision for digital inclusion, aligning itself to the intended outcomes of these interventions through the implementation of a robust Wi-Fi programme aimed specifically at communities. We seek to deliver on every outlined outcome by rolling out services that will meet or surpass the expectations outlined in the commitments our country has made. The partners we have chosen for this programme are global industry experts and have the type of infrastructure and services MetroWired believes in to deliver on our promise. We pride ourselves on the quality of the Wi-Fi projects we have undertaken thus far and are equally excited with what we have in the pipeline for future rollouts to enable tomorrow, says Shezi.

Click here to contact MetroWired about their future-ready portfolio that is changing how technology solutions are being developed in South Africa.




It's obvious that many South Africans would suggest it's now or never, that President Cyril Ramaphosa needs to act in a decisive fashion regarding his Cabinet reshuffle and his input on SA's reform agenda.

Source: Supplied. Standard Bank's chief economist, Goolam Ballim.

On the eve of the State of the Nation Address, Standard Banks chief economist, Goolam Ballim was not pulling punches in a frank discussion on the outlook of South Africas economy for 2023.

In it he said the ANCs elective conference may have delivered an emboldened president Ramaphosa, but his plan of execution and capacity to finance and enforce urgent reforms, will determine whether he will hold his own.

This occasion is momentous and it will test whether the president is the man for that moment, Ballim said.

Statistics show that emigration may otherwise rear its head and catch us off guard, Ballim warned.

This is in the event Ramaphosa fails to provide solutions to the countrys key issues: power shortages, wage costs, infrastructure investment and corruption.

With regard to South Africa's confidence of crisis, we think that this is an area of serious concern, he said.

"Even though the number of individuals financially emigrating would be less than 8,000 thus far in terms of the total registered taxpayers (within the timeframe of our data which reflects statistics up to 2021), and the amount that those individuals would otherwise have paid in taxes being less than a R1bn, (which would seem to be modest in terms of the total registered taxpayers).

"With not much more than 350,000 individuals accounting for approximately 42% of overall personal income taxes, SAs tax system rests on a pinhead."

A shock to the countrys psyche

Contributing factors he said were the July KZN riots that were a shock to the countrys psyche, and the severe worsening in power shortages experienced late last year

Ballim said the data so far on who exactly is leaving the country is "foreboding".

With regards to the individual profile of taxpayers by income segment, we can see more or less a return to pre-Covid norms in terms of the number of individuals at the 500,000 rank and lower-income level.

"Weve seen a slight subsidence in the number of individuals falling within the half a million to 1 million category. But, in contrast, there has been a decided turn in higher-income individuals earning more than a million."

Seeing the bigger picture

Ballim said its not just these individuals leaving the country who hollow the tax system, but it is their children who follow suit, whose future resources are no longer part of the SA economic system.

This speaks to a multi-generational hollowing out and inter-temporal risk to public finances."

Emigration, Ballim cautioned, is a budding threat to South Africa's public finances.

"This is given the disproportionate reliance on a few 100,000 individuals who contribute to the bulk of Africa's tax base: not just income taxes, but also indirect taxes. The level of progressivity in South Africa's tax system - which is a celebration, given levels of inequality are inherent in that progressivity - is also a vulnerability.

Ballim augured. "Emigration seems to occur slowly, until it suddenly creeps up - hollowing out the tax system and leaving a crevice.

"It needs to be arrested."
Fairvest Limited (JSE: FTA & FTB), which is a diversified REIT, has completed an aesthetic refurbishment of the landmark offices at 220 Madiba Street in central Pretoria. The upgrade of this asset secures its future relevance, appeal and competitiveness in an up-and-coming city node.

The updated 2Twenty Madiba, as the building has been renamed, combines heritage with modernity.

The 12,000sqm building was formerly advocates chambers and remains an ideal position for attorneys, advocates, legal firms and paralegal professionals as tenants, with its prime location opposite the Gauteng High Court. In addition, 2Twenty Madiba is in a well-established government node that is central to all national and municipal government offices and is proximate to the many colleges in the area.

The refurbished property features a secure, striking triple-volume reception area that welcomes tenants and guests to the 15-storey building. Each floor spans 730sqm with cellular offices with spectacular views across the city. 2Twenty Madiba also offers a ground-floor coffee shop which includes social alfresco seating around a soothing water feature.

Alon Kirkel, chief operating officer at Fairvest

Alon Kirkel, Fairvest chief operating officer, comments: 2Twenty Madiba is a great address in a well-established neighbourhood and boasting over 400 parking bays making it ideal for a government tenant. Weve overhauled the asset to meet the future needs of businesses in the area, and Fairvest is excited about its new chapter. Post-refurbishment, the offices are attracting good levels of interest and enquiries from potential tenants. It already enjoys a sizeable tenancy with Liberty and houses a co-working and shared offices tenant. We expect it to continue to draw new tenants.

The appeal of the well-managed and -maintained building is enhanced by very competitive rentals and unusually generous parking ratios, making it ideal for people-intensive businesses, such as business process outsourcing (BPO) call centres and government enterprise

2Twenty Madiba is in a neighbourhood that is rich in amenities. The building is opposite a Pick n Pay grocery store, close to affordable accommodation, superbly served by public transport  Gautrain and SANRAL at Pretoria Station, Tshwane Bus and Gautrain Bus, minibus taxis  and nearby hotels that are geared for business travellers.

Added to this, the surrounding neighbourhood is seeing an upsurge in development and popularity, with investments and improvements rejuvenating the area and making it a safe and increasingly attractive node.

Fairvest is focused on creating long-term shareholder value with its well-managed diversified portfolio of 140-plus retail, office and industrial properties valued at R12.1bn and indirectly-held SA REIT investments of R3.4bn.

Offices account for 38 of its properties, around a quarter of Fairvests directly held portfolio by both value and area. In line with market trends in a challenging business environment, its office vacancies decreased to 13% at its 30 September 2022 financial year end.

When Fairvest merged with Arrowhead, we took the opportunity presented by the vacancy to refresh the property because we are confident in the future of this asset and the area. The investment in 2Twenty Madiba will help to close the vacancy gap and contribute to buoying central Pretoria adds Kirkel.




The US government used Navy divers to plant "remotely triggered explosives" on Russia and Germany's Nord Stream pipelines during a "mid-summer NATO exercise known as BALTOPS 22" and triggered the bombs three months later in September, famed veteran journalist Seymour Hersh reports.



From Seymour Hersh, "How America Took Out The Nord Stream Pipeline":

The U.S. Navys Diving and Salvage Center can be found in a location as obscure as its namedown what was once a country lane in rural Panama City, a now-booming resort city in the southwestern panhandle of Florida, 70 miles south of the Alabama border. The centers complex is as nondescript as its locationa drab concrete post-World War II structure that has the look of a vocational high school on the west side of Chicago. A coin-operated laundromat and a dance school are across what is now a four-lane road.



The center has been training highly skilled deep-water divers for decades who, once assigned to American military units worldwide, are capable of technical diving to do the goodusing C4 explosives to clear harbors and beaches of debris and unexploded ordinanceas well as the bad, like blowing up foreign oil rigs, fouling intake valves for undersea power plants, destroying locks on crucial shipping canals. The Panama City center, which boasts the second largest indoor pool in America, was the perfect place to recruit the best, and most taciturn, graduates of the diving school who successfully did last summer what they had been authorized to do 260 feet under the surface of the Baltic Sea.



Last June, the Navy divers, operating under the cover of a widely publicized mid-summer NATO exercise known as BALTOPS 22, planted the remotely triggered explosives that, three months later, destroyed three of the four Nord Stream pipelines, according to a source with direct knowledge of the operational planning.



Two of the pipelines, which were known collectively as Nord Stream 1, had been providing Germany and much of Western Europe with cheap Russian natural gas for more than a decade. A second pair of pipelines, called Nord Stream 2, had been built but were not yet operational. Now, with Russian troops massing on the Ukrainian border and the bloodiest war in Europe since 1945 looming, President Joseph Biden saw the pipelines as a vehicle for Vladimir Putin to weaponize natural gas for his political and territorial ambitions.



Asked for comment, Adrienne Watson, a White House spokesperson, said in an email, This is false and complete fiction. Tammy Thorp, a spokesperson for the Central Intelligence Agency, similarly wrote: This claim is completely and utterly false.



Bidens decision to sabotage the pipelines came after more than nine months of highly secret back and forth debate inside Washingtons national security community about how to best achieve that goal. For much of that time, the issue was not whether to do the mission, but how to get it done with no overt clue as to who was responsible.



There was a vital bureaucratic reason for relying on the graduates of the centers hardcore diving school in Panama City. The divers were Navy only, and not members of Americas Special Operations Command, whose covert operations must be reported to Congress and briefed in advance to the Senate and House leadershipthe so-called Gang of Eight. The Biden Administration was doing everything possible to avoid leaks as the planning took place late in 2021 and into the first months of 2022.

President Biden and his foreign policy teamNational Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Secretary of State Tony Blinken, and Victoria Nuland, the Undersecretary of State for Policyhad been vocal and consistent in their hostility to the two pipelines, which ran side by side for 750 miles under the Baltic Sea from two different ports in northeastern Russia near the Estonian border, passing close to the Danish island of Bornholm before ending in northern Germany.



The direct route, which bypassed any need to transit Ukraine, had been a boon for the German economy, which enjoyed an abundance of cheap Russian natural gasenough to run its factories and heat its homes while enabling German distributors to sell excess gas, at a profit, throughout Western Europe. Action that could be traced to the administration would violate US promises to minimize direct conflict with Russia. Secrecy was essential.



[...] The Americans at work in Norway [...] dutifully began working on the new problemhow to remotely detonate the C4 explosives on Bidens order. It was a much more demanding assignment than those in Washington understood. There was no way for the team in Norway to know when the President might push the button. Would it be in a few weeks, in many months or in half a year or longer?



The C4 attached to the pipelines would be triggered by a sonar buoy dropped by a plane on short notice, but the procedure involved the most advanced signal processing technology. Once in place, the delayed timing devices attached to any of the four pipelines could be accidentally triggered by the complex mix of ocean background noises throughout the heavily trafficked Baltic Seafrom near and distant ships, underwater drilling, seismic events, waves and even sea creatures. To avoid this, the sonar buoy, once in place, would emit a sequence of unique low frequency tonal soundsmuch like those emitted by a flute or a pianothat would be recognized by the timing device and, after a pre-set hours of delay, trigger the explosives. (You want a signal that is robust enough so that no other signal could accidentally send a pulse that detonated the explosives, I was told by Dr. Theodore Postol, professor emeritus of science, technology and national security policy at MIT. Postol, who has served as the science adviser to the Pentagons Chief of Naval Operations, said the issue facing the group in Norway because of Bidens delay was one of chance: The longer the explosives are in the water the greater risk there would be of a random signal that would launch the bombs.)



On September 26, 2022, a Norwegian Navy P8 surveillance plane made a seemingly routine flight and dropped a sonar buoy. The signal spread underwater, initially to Nord Stream 2 and then on to Nord Stream 1. A few hours later, the high-powered C4 explosives were triggered and three of the four pipelines were put out of commission. Within a few minutes, pools of methane gas that remained in the shuttered pipelines could be seen spreading on the waters surface and the world learned that something irreversible had taken place.

Read his full report.







Seymour Hersh is a legendary journalist with an excellent track record.



All the evidence already pointed to the US being responsible for the attack and the notion the BALTOPS 22 was used as cover is entirely plausible.



The White House is already in panic mode.



"Asked for comment, Adrienne Watson, a White House spokesperson, said in an email, 'This is false and complete fiction,'" Hersh reported. "Tammy Thorp, a spokesperson for the Central Intelligence Agency, similarly wrote: 'This claim is completely and utterly false.'"



[Header image by the Institute for Policy Studies, CC BY 2.0]



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Switzerland, unwilling to supply weapons to Zelensky, has been shaken by a pro-Ukraine shift forcing it to drop neutrality in support of the US drive to oppose Russia. The focus is to force the Swiss to end the ban on the export of weapons to allow the legal transfer of weapons, which Bern opposes.

Pro-Ukraine Shift Is Pressuring Switzerland

Those who bought Swiss weapons cannot re-export arms bought from them unless Switzerland permits. Some are not okay that the local large weapons maker cannot maximize income, Al Arabiya.

Calls from Kyiv sympathizers and Swiss proponents with the legislature's two security committees want to adjust according to the wishes of the US-led allies, noted Dawn.

Leader of the center-right FDP party, Thierry Burkart, remarked Bern wants neutrality but is part of the western nations. He gave a motion only to allow export to nations like their country.

The Declaration of Neutrality goes back to 1815 and is included in the treaty of 1907, which states no involvement in any war. It consists of an embargo to sell weapons to Kyiv or Moscow, citing Reuters. But there is an exception in theory that allows applying to Bern to re-export Swiss weapons, but no one has been authorized.

Burkart opposed the veto adamantly that prevented from helping Ukraine, saying it should be dropped or be called a Russia supporter by a Russophobic west led by Washington. Tried to argue that US-led nations supporting the Kyiv government to secure and stabilize Europe but cannot accept a neutral status.

Read Also: White House Dodges Question on Latest Joe Biden Scandal

Move To Drop Swiss Neutrality

A poll done by Sotomo with results posted last Sunday has 55 percent of Swiss voters influenced to allow weapons sent to the Ukrainian government. It would be only 25 percent support before the war, and neutral status was taboo to discuss.

The Swiss government has denied Germany and Denmark to allow arms bought from mobile armor and ammo for anti-aircraft tanks but said it would stay its decision till then.

Bern told its critics that it would follow the law and consider all legal options in time, not drop everything because of getting pressured by someone else, started by the Department of Economic Affairs dealing with overseas arms-related trade issues.

Burkart claims that a law change is imminent from the divided parliament. Those in favor are left-leaning Social Democrats and Green Liberals, but the Greens will not allow it. Cracks in the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP) as the biggest party in the lower house, who support neutrality divided.

SVP lawmaker David Zuberbueler remarked to stay out of the conflict for the country. Many EU countries that supported the US are now in crisis, and it's something the SVP does not want to happen. But co-SVP member Werner Salzmann of the upper house says the Swiss defense industry cannot be compromised, says change the law. SwissMem director Stefan Brupbacher said it lost its contracts that endanger the industry.

The issue is to sell arms freely, but Bern will be a party to conflicts that will impact Switzerland. To drop neutrality will not be decided, a pro-Ukraine shift that will make Swiss citizens suffer the fate of the greater Europe.

Related Article: Switzerland Cites Neutrality in Conflicts

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For federal prosecutors, Sam Bankman-Fried could be the gift that keeps on giving.

After the November collapse of FTX, the cryptocurrency exchange he founded in 2019, Bankman-Fried unexpectedly gave a series of interviews intended to present his version of events. He was indicted in December and charged with perpetrating one of the biggest frauds in US history  and hes still talking, either in person or on the internet.

Sam Bankman-Fried is not staying quiet ahead of his trial. Credit: Bloomberg

The atypical chattiness for a criminal defendant is likely causing Bankman-Frieds attorneys to scratch their heads, or worse. Prosecutors can use any statements, tweets or other communications against him at his trial, which is scheduled for October.

Prosecutors love when defendants shoot their mouths off, said Daniel R. Alonso, a former federal prosecutor who is now a white-collar criminal defence attorney. If Bankman-Frieds public comments before trial can be proven false during the trial, it may undermine his credibility with a jury, he said.
BPs record profits and its decision to slow down its sector-leading emissions-reductions push has infuriated activists, but delighted its shareholders.

Along with the other oil giants, BP had an earnings bonanza last year as the war in Ukraine caused oil and gas prices to soar as Russian gas was taken out of the market and Europe scrambled to source energy elsewhere in conditions, particular for gas, which were already tight. BPs profit more than doubled to $US27.7 billion ($40 billion), from $US12.8 billion in 2021.

In the current oil and gas crunch, theres an obvious financial rationale for BPs dialling back of its climate-related goals. Credit: Bloomberg

Three years ago, its CEO Bernard Looney unveiled the most ambitious response of any of the oil majors to climate change, pledging to cut BPs oil and gas production by 40 per cent by 2030 and reduce its emissions and those of its customers by 35 to 40 per cent, compared with 2019 levels, by the end of this decade.

This week, however, along with the result, he announced a pivot from that strategy.
Washington: American composer Burt Bacharach, who was behind unforgettable pop music hits including I Say a Little Prayer, has died at the age of 94.

The Grammy, Oscar and Tony-winning Bacharach died on Wednesday (US time) at home in Los Angeles of natural causes, publicist Tina Brausam said.

Over the past 70 years, only Lennon-McCartney, Carole King and a handful of others rivalled his genius for instantly catchy songs that remained performed, played and hummed long after they were written.

He had a run of top 10 hits from the 1950s into the 21st century, and his music was heard everywhere from movie soundtracks and radios to home stereo systems and iPods, whether Alfie and I Say a Little Prayer or Ill Never Fall in Love Again.
The full details of its plans in Australia are yet to be revealed, but the conditions applying in New Zealand and elsewhere offer us a fair indication of what we can expect.

The change was first flagged last April, as the streamer responded to the first backwards blip in members in a decade. But exactly how it will affect Australian customers has been far from clear.

The change also applies to users in Portugal, Canada and Spain. If the company sticks to its previously announced timeline, Australia will follow by the end of March, locking out users who share accounts with family, friends and partners.

On Thursday morning, Netflixs New Zealand customers woke up to the news that password sharing  when an account is shared beyond the household to which it is registered  had been blocked, effective immediately.

Why is this happening, and what will it cost me?

Historically, Netflix has turned a blind eye to password sharing beyond the account holders residence. But the deflation of the streaming bubble  Disney+ just announced it lost 2.4 million subscribers worldwide this quarter  has changed the equation, and now the company wants to convert as many of its 100 million or so freeloaders as possible into paying customers.

Netflix doesnt want to startle the horse too much, though. If youre one of these piggybackers, you can continue to hitch a ride on someone elses account  youll just have to cough up.

In New Zealand, it will cost $7.99 to add a non-household member to the account. The cost of a core account is $18.49 for standard, to which you can add one external member, or $24.99 for premium, to which you can add two. Access will be limited to a single device at a time.

At the current exchange rate, that works out to about $A7.25 for an additional member. Netflix could round that up in Australia, but given a membership here costs $16.99 for the standard plan and $22.99 for premium, it is more likely to be rounded down.

In short, you can expect to be paying $6.99 for an additional member by the end of next month. As it happens, thats the same price as the ad-supported plan, on which youll be subjected to a maximum of four minutes of ads per hour. Both plans allow viewing on only one screen at a time.
When tensions boiled over at a Mothers Day junior footy match Talapuse Tuialii took part in a brutal assault on a rival fan in front of children, including their own.

Footage was shown in Brisbane District Court on Thursday of a 35-year-old man being set upon in front of his son after a grandstand altercation spilled onto the field in May 2021.

The brawl broke out among spectators at a junior rugby league match south-east of Brisbane in 2021 (file image). Credit: Penny Stephens

The man suffered a fractured nose, cheekbones and eye sockets after an under-13 rugby league game between Wynnum Manly and Logan Brothers south-east of Brisbane turned violent.

Samoa-born father-of-five Tuialii, 38, faced jail and deportation after the assault on a fellow dad.
A Queensland man has been jailed for life over the murder of a much loved grandfather, who was a complete stranger, in a suburban street south of Brisbane.

Paul John Conoley, 44, of Logan, faced Brisbane Supreme Court on Thursday for sentencing after last year pleading guilty to murder.

A 40-year-old homeless man has been charged with the murder of 50-year-old Steven Church in Woodridge. Credit: ninevms

Steven Church, 50, was on an early morning walk to buy cigarettes and coffee on April 26, 2019 in the Logan suburb of Woodridge when Conoley unleashed what Justice Declan Kelly described as a random, unprovoked, savage, cowardly and sustained physical attack.

[Church] was entirely innocent and unsuspecting. You did not know him, you would later remark that you didnt have a clue who he was, Kelly said.
Victoria Police chief commissioner Shane Patton has defended the actions of a protective services officer after footage emerged of her slapping an 11-year-old boy who spat at her at a Melbourne train station, but calls for an independent investigation have emerged.

Footage obtained by 3AW on Thursday showed the boy repeatedly swearing and using a racial slur, his arms restrained behind his back by two PSOs.

The video, taken on January 26, shows the child spit at the female officer before she slaps him.

Patton described the officers actions as a redirection strike.
Police in Stamford apprehended a Connecticut mom for the death of her two-year-old son, who was found in a park placed in a plastic bag.

Toddler Found Lifeless in a Plastic Bag in Cummings Park

Last February 3, a media statement from the Stamford Police charged Iris Rivera-Santos, 29, for endangering a child's welfare, stopping justice, altering evidence, with cruelty to persons, reported Meaww.

Police alleged to have found the body of Liam Rivera, 2, stashed in a trash bag close to Cummings Park on January 2. The 26-year-old father, Edgar Ismalej-Gomez, is the suspect but has not been charged with murder yet. Authorities claimed that Ismalej-Gomez kept Rivera-Santos at gunpoint for a few days, adding she had a part in the child's death, per Kiro7.

Based on the police report saying the charges had been reached in an extensive probe that was done in concert with the Stamford State's Attorney's Office. The man is held by the police and has a bond of 1 million dollars.

Connecticut Mom Reports Toddler's Death

One of the outlets, Law and Crime, stated that an unknown informant called the police about a possible threat to the health and safety of a child. They followed the advice of the call and dispatched officers to find the dead child in Cummings Park, later arresting the man and charging him. The Chief Medical Examiner concluded that the man hit the two-year-old boy on the head before death.

Read Also: Queens Dad Arrested for Death of 3-Year-Old Son; Mother Claims Child Choked on Chicken Nugget

Mayor Caroline Simmons of Stamford expressed condolences to the family of the boy. Added how the Stamford Police Department will get more evidence in the probe. Furthermore, she expressed full support for the police investigating the crime and relevant services to help the family deal with the tragic abuse case and resolve it.

Based on records showing that Ismalej-Gomez had been accused of third-degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child. In 2021, he broke Liam's arm and was charged to five years in prison, with a plea deal. However, he was released in May 2022 after 60 days only, under probation, per ABC7.

Ismalej-Gomez did not attend probation meetings in June and did not connect with his assigned probation officer for a month. He even stopped attending classes on parenting as ordered by the court and later went to live with his son and wife.

The couple took the toddler's dead body to the park after Ismalej-Gomez beat the child to death, according to the Supervisory State's Attorney Michelle Manning in a trial last month.

Ismalej-Gomez threatened to kill Rivera-Santos by keeping his gun trained on her and forcing her to be with him in West Virginia. But she got away and called her lawyer, who reached out to the police to get her husband.

Despite the charges against her, which Assistant Police Chief Richard Conklin pointed out, she was threatened with death by her husband. Though a Connecticut mom is part of the reason for her toddler son's death, her life was threatened by the perp as well.

Related Article: South Dakota Girl Found Dead in U-Haul Zip-Tied and Beaten to Death

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Premier Mark McGowan has revealed urgent plans are under way to develop a swimming enclosure in the Swan River after two fishermen caught a three-metre bull shark on Wednesday night, just one kilometre upstream from where schoolgirl Stella Berry was fatally mauled on Saturday.

The duo, who caught and released the shark around 11pm while fishing at the East Fremantle boat ramp, posted a video of their catch to social media, prompting authorities to issue a shark alert for the area.

Two teens claim to have caught this bull shark in the Swan River on Wednesday night. Credit: Facebook

One of the fishers, Kai Boyle, said it took an hour to reel the shark in.

Not expecting to catch anything this big, he said.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size A key concern for some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders about the Voice to parliament is whether enshrining the body in the Australian Constitution  or recognising Indigenous peoples in any way in the nations founding document  extinguishes the sovereignty of First Nations people. Theres a lot of confusion, misunderstanding and misconception around questions of sovereignty. Its a complex and contested legal principle, and knowing what sovereignty is and how it interacts with First Nations sovereignty rights requires digesting a plethora of dense texts about the Constitution, including case law and government-commissioned reports. Its not as simple as some activists would have you believe. So what is sovereignty and how did the British settlers assume it over Australia? What is the First Nations sovereignty movement and what does it want? And how, if at all, will an Indigenous Voice, or a treaty, affect it? Lidia Thorpe is sworn into the Senate in Canberra in 2020. Credit:Artwork: Monique Westermann, Getty Images What did sovereignty look like in 1770? When the British Crowns imperial agents on HMB Endeavour first sighted New Holland on April 19, 1770, they recorded their observations. On board was a nine-man contingent of gentleman scientists led by the influential naturalist and botanist Joseph Banks. Banks and several others from the academy maintained journals, as did the commander of the voyage, Lieutenant James Cook and other seamen. Over nine days, as the ship made its way north searching for anchorage to take on fresh water and provisions, they profiled the coast and shoreline, noting the conspicuous landmarks and recording the presence of the Aboriginal people of this so-called unknown land.

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Cook had, months earlier, proclaimed British sovereignty over Aoteroa-New Zealand in the name of King George III. He was fulfilling secret instructions bestowed upon him by the Lords of the British Admiralty to explore as great an Extent of the Coast of New Holland as the expedition could, to map it, and to assess its resources. He was also to observe and document the Genius, Temper, Disposition and Number of the Natives, if there be any and endeavour by all proper means to cultivate a Friendship and Alliance with them, making them presents of such Trifles as they may Value inviting them to Traffick, and Shewing them every kind of Civility and Regard. You are also with the Consent of the Natives to take Possession of Convenient Situations in the Country in the Name of the King of Great Britain: Or: if you find the Country uninhabited take Possession for his Majesty by setting up Proper Marks and Inscriptions, as first discoverers and possessors. As the ship progressed towards Kamay-Botany Bay, those writing journals recorded the use of fire by the Aboriginal inhabitants. By the fifth day, Banks noted the size of the fires had grown larger than any we have seen before and more numerous, from which he concluded that the land was rather more populous than first thought. A painting of Captain Cook proclaiming British possession of the east coast of NSW in 1770. Credit:Getty Images On April 25, botanical draughtsman Sydney Parkinson wrote of fires along the coast lit up one after another, which might have been designed as signals to us. From the viewpoint of the Indigenous people on the beaches, headlands and in the hinterland of their ancestral Country, the fires were indeed signals: a chain of communication between neighbouring First Nations and a vigorous assertion of what we understand today as sovereignty. Apart from Parkinson, the message was lost on the agents of the British Empire, as were the complexities of local customary laws, cultural protocols, governance systems, land cultivation and diverse economies. These were demonstrated by First Nations peoples in more than a dozen close interactions between the mariners and the natives before Cook proclaimed possession of the whole Eastern Coast in the name of King George III on August 22, 1770.

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What does Indigenous sovereignty mean? Today, Indigenous sovereignty is understood to be inherent rights deriving from spiritual and historical connections to land. Distinguished Professor Aileen Moreton-Robinson  an academic and Goenpul woman from Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island), Quandamooka First Nation (Moreton Bay)  writes that since spiritual belief is completely integrated into human daily activity, the powers that guide and direct the earth are believed to exist with all human life. The first owners of the land were ancestral beings whose creativity and incorporation into the land provides the basis for our sovereignty. The Uluru Statement from the Heart, from 2017, describes this form of spiritual sovereignty: [T]he ancestral tie between the land, or mother nature, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who were born therefrom, remain attached thereto, and must one day return thither to be united with our ancestors ... How could it be otherwise? That peoples possessed a land for sixty millennia and this sacred link disappears from world history in merely the last two hundred years? Familial and clan kinship systems with boundaries often defined by languages and customary agreements  which could be understood today as traditional treaties between different political entities and polities  were also integral components of First Nations sovereignties. Moreton-Robinson says this concept of sovereignty was imperceptible to the likes of Cook and Banks. Indigenous sovereignties challenge the philosophical premises of state sovereignty, she says, because they dont share the same ontology, or ways of being, as European perspectives of the concept. Indigenous sovereignty has gained prominence internationally in recent decades, particularly in countries defined as settler states  modern nations whose territories were occupied by established indigenous populations before being colonised by imperial European powers. This revitalisation  or resurgence  of Indigenous sovereignty rights informs the 2007 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, a mechanism that, as Lenape scholar Joanne Barker puts it, identifies a multiplicity of rights to political, economic and cultural self-determination.

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Australia, alongside Canada, New Zealand and the United States  all settler states with a common-law heritage and a diversity of First Nations sovereignties  initially voted against the UN General Assembly adopting the declaration, but later reversed their position. The understanding of Indigenous sovereignty was not extinguished by conquest, discovery, domination, force or acquiescence and, as the High Court later found in the Mabo decision, the job was also not done by the 19th-century legal doctrine of terra nullius  or nobodys land  which had been retrofitted to the Australian landscape. Where did the Western version of sovereignty come from? Academic historian Bain Attwood, at Monash University, points out that sovereignty is not a word invented by Indigenous people. The notion of state sovereignty is imperial, with Western legal roots, and allows absolute power and authority, usually through conquest of territory and the international law doctrine of possessio of property. The state of monarchy is the supremest thing upon the earth. The European concept is about 400 years old, though its roots can be traced back to the earliest customary law of the ancient Greeks, Romans, Egyptians and Israelites. State sovereignty stems from the writings of Jean Bodin, a 16th-century French philosopher and law theorist, who recognised kings and princes as instruments of God.

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The imperial notion of state sovereignty caught on across Western Europe, moving Englands King James I to tell parliament in 1610, The state of monarchy is the supremest thing upon the earth. Later, the imperialist concept of sovereignty was developed by the English political philosopher Thomas Hobbes who posited that the absolute power of the sovereign was founded in a social compact: by which subjects submitted, willingly and absolutely, in exchange for collective wellbeing and security. These notions informed peace treaties signed in 1648 in the Westphalian cities of Osnabruck and Munster (in modern-day Germany) to end the Thirty Years War in 1648. From those agreements, new regimes of power emerged. When most people refer to sovereignty, theyre deriving their understanding from the Westphalian concept. But as Moreton-Robinson notes, this imperial regime of sovereignty is uniformly white and male, and to conflate it with understandings of Indigenous sovereignties is to lead to confusion. By the mid-1700s, jurists and political figures had developed principles that enabled sovereignty over land to be won not just by conquest or treaty, but through occupation. Attwood says the account of David Collins, the first legal officer of NSW, suggests the British government claimed sovereignty of the New South Wales territory based on the doctrines of discovery and possession of the land. Some have also argued that the British claimed sovereignty over Australia through the Doctrine of Backward Peoples, a tenet of 18th-century international law that entitled more advanced peoples to dispossess uncivilised people. Terra nullius wasnt widely applied in 1770 when Cook proclaimed possession, or even by February 7, 1788, when Governor Arthur Phillip proclaimed 3 million square kilometres of the colony of NSW in the name of King George III. Terra nullius, as a distinct doctrine, was only invoked in the 19th century to justify British claims of territorial sovereignty. Notions of state sovereignty have continued to change with technological innovations, global economies and trade, and other agreement-making in international law. Now, as Moreton-Robinson writes, sovereignty is no longer a cornerstone of modern politics. The Mabo legal team; solicitor Greg McIntyre, barrister Ron Castan, Eddie Koiki Mabo and barrister Bryan Keon-Cohen at the High Court of Australia 1991.

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Kingmaker independent MP Alex Greenwich will make banning gay conversion therapy in NSW his priority in the next parliament and is warning Labor and the Coalition that his support in a minority government would be contingent on backing for his bill.

Greenwich has drafted the Conversion Practices Prohibition Bill 2023 to bring NSW in line with Victoria, Queensland and the ACT, where the highly damaging therapy is already outlawed.

Independent member for Sydney Alex Greenwich says NSW is lagging when it comes to banning gay conversion practices. Credit: James Brickwood

Conversion practices range from celibacy support groups aiming to overcome same-sex attraction and attempts to pray away the gay, to faith-based groups referring people to medical and psychological clinicians known to provide psychotherapy, pharmacological and aversion therapies.

The influential MP, who will be critical in the next parliament if Labor or the Coalition fail to secure enough seats to govern in their own right, is bracing for a significant backlash from church groups, who rallied against the Victorian government when it pursued the same reforms.
For as long as the Russian government refuses to co-operate  or even acknowledge any association with anyone who played a role in the tragedy  no one will be able to move on.

An Orthodox cross with a sign reading Save and Guard, at a memorial to the victims of flight MH17, near Hrabove, in the Russian-controlled Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. Credit: AP

The decision of the five-nation Joint Investigation Team to suspend its criminal investigation into who brought down the Malaysian Airlines flight on July 17, 2014, was no less predictable than it was disappointing.

Its been that long a wait for the friends and families of the 283 souls who died when flight MH17 was shot out of the sky over eastern Ukraine. And its come to this.

Indeed, after 12 months of all-out war, the West is only now getting serious about supporting Ukraine. So perhaps we should not be shocked.

The finding of strong indications that Russian President Vladimir Putin personally approved the movement of the Russian anti-aircraft weaponry out of the country and into the hands of separatists fighting in the Donbas region of Ukraine comes as little surprise.

The Joint Investigation Team at a news conference in The Hague, Netherlands. It has suspended its investigation. Credit: AP

Although the Dutch-led investigation team discovered a lot of new information about various people involved, the evidence had not been concrete enough to lead to new prosecutions, it said on Thursday. Late last year, it secured the conviction of three military leaders of the so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic for their role, but they are all still free men. Thanks to the protection of Putins cronies, they are unlikely to ever serve time.

But we mustnt confuse a lack of outcomes with a lack of effort. Hundreds of determined policemen and women, lawyers and investigators have devoted the past eight years to bringing some kind of justice to the dead. And the body of evidence they have collated is as remarkable as it is damning.
Adana: They lifted slabs of cement with enormous cranes and smashed rubble with jackhammers. Then, they stopped.

Silence.

Its key to detecting the faintest noise that could be the sign of a survivor buried beneath rubble from Mondays quake in Turkey and Syria.

A member of rescue team asking people to be silent for them to hear the people under the debris of a collapsed building, in Ghaziantep, Turkey. Credit: AP

Among the wreckage of a collapsed 14-storey building in the Turkish city of Adana, the shriek of a whistle pierced the noise every few minutes on Wednesday.
Los Angeles: The Ukrainian parents and sister of Halyna Hutchins filed a civil lawsuit against actor Alec Baldwin and others over the cinematographers 2021 death in New Mexico during the filming of the Western Rust, the familys lawyer said.

The announcement on Thursday in the US comes after a Santa Fe prosecutor criminally charged Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter on January 31, accusing him of reckless disregard for safety when a revolver he was holding fired a live round that killed Hutchins and injured Rust director Joel Souza.

Actor Alec Baldwin in 2019. Credit: AP

In October Baldwin settled a separate wrongful-death lawsuit brought by Hutchins husband Matt Hutchins over the fatal shooting on a film set outside Santa Fe.

Hutchins was born in Ukraine, where her parents and sister live near Kyiv. Their lawsuit seeks unspecified compensation, under New Mexico law, from Baldwin, crew members and producers for the loss of their relative, said attorney Gloria Allred.
Latest News New product could end 'defective' reverse mortgage market Pre-retirement property owners among the beneficiaries, says company

CBA lifts variable rates again, cuts select three-year fixed rates It's the second time in two weeks that the bank has hiked its variable rates for new customers

The Property Council of Australia has welcomed the new government initiative to address Australias housing supply shortage.

New bills were introduced into Parliament establishing the Housing Australia Future Fund, National Housing Supply and Affordability Council, and Housing Australia.

This move, Property Council CEO Mike Zorbas said, is an important first step to get government working together with industry to bridge the national housing deficit and stimulate new supply that Australia desperately needs.

Our best hope of tackling the housing supply shortage is using the Housing Accord to incentivise national housing targets with local accountability, Zorbas said. We strongly support giving the Housing Supply and Affordability Council a broad mandate and powers that would allow it to assess the performance of the housing system and state and territory and local governments capacity to meet demand across the housing spectrum.

In a new report, titled Stark Reality, launched with Minister Julie Collins at Parliament House on Wednesday, the Property Council proposed giving the newly formed Housing Supply and Affordability Council the mandate to review and publish scorecards on the states and territories housing supply efforts and the effectiveness of planning regimes across the country.

The Housing Supply and Affordability Council has no time to waste in reviewing barriers to institutional investment in housing, Zorbas said. If we are serious about increasing housing choice and affordability, we need immediate changes to tax settings that would create a level playing field for build-to-rent and unlock a sorely needed new stream of housing supply, as well as more supply of retirement living communities and purpose-built student accommodation.

The Property Council said it wants further clarity on proposed amendments to the functions of the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC) as the new Housing Australia, that propose removing investment and could act to constrain financing solutions in dispensing of the fund through only loans and grants. It said it would also like to see assurances that the research function supporting the Housing Supply and Affordability Council will also be independent, as they have been at NHFIC.

Have a thought about the new housing bills? Include it in the comments below.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, traveled to Britain on Wednesday to ask for help. He got a pledge that Ukrainian pilots will be trained on advanced NATO fighter planes, which is a symbolic boost for military cooperation in the West against Moscow as the Russia Ukraine war nears its one year mark.

During Zelensky UK visit, he met with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on his second trip overseas since Russian troops invaded Ukraine on February 24 of last year and praised Britain for rallying with Ukraine "towards the most important victory of our lifetime," according to Reuters.

Though, he emphasized the need for combat planes over and time again, calling them "wings for freedom."

During his address at Westminster Hall, Zelensky thanked British lawmakers for their support of Kyiv in the Russia Ukraine war.

Zelensky remarked: "Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you for your bravery. Thank you very much. From all of us."

The Ukrainian leader also expressed confidence that "Russia will lose" in the Ukraine war, which will bring the world's needed transformation, CNN reported.

Read Also: Turkey-Syria Earthquake Update

UK To Train Ukrainian Troops

The UK has declared that it would begin training Ukrainian marines and fighter jet pilots to NATO standards as the Russia Ukraine war continues.

While Ukraine prepares for a fresh Russian attack later this month, Western nations are debating how to boost their support for the country. Although the United Kingdom previously said that sending its aircraft to Ukraine was "not practical," the development of the country's training program indicates a change in stance, per the BBC.

The United Kingdom also declared earlier this year that it will deploy 14 combat tanks to Ukraine. President Zelensky commended UK Prime Minister Sunak for the stern action.

Related Article: Biden Delivers State Of The Union Address





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Song Joong Ki will soon be a dad. (Photo: TenAsia, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped)

Song Joong Ki and Katy Louise Saunders have brought their romance out in the open after the former announced their marriage and pregnancy. By the looks of it, the two are now enjoying their time together with the British star's family.

The media outlet Money Today reported on Thursday, February 9, that Song Joong Ki and Saunders went to Megabox COEX in Gangnam Gu, Seoul, to see a movie. Allegedly, the couple is with some of the women's family members.

The group watched the film in a private suite. Saunders' family is said to be staying with her in South Korea, living in their home in Itaewon.

Dispatch broke the news that the two now live in a villa in the neighborhood of Hannam in Seoul. They invited her parents to stay with them after learning that she was pregnant, and they're now all living together.

The actor's agency, High Zium Studio, refused to confirm the claim, saying it's difficult to address the issue considering it's its talent's private life.

However, the company doesn't shy from commenting on his marriage, announcing the 37-year-old's plan to hold a wedding ceremony. After Song Hye Kyo's ex-husband revealed that he had registered his marriage with Saunders, the agency said a wedding ceremony would be held separately.

But it cleared that nothing specific had been decided yet. Currently, they're enjoying their life as newlywed, going back and forth between South Korea and the U.K.

Meanwhile, on January 30, Song Joong Ki announced on his official fan cafe that he was already married. In his lengthy note, he revealed he had promised to continue living together with Saunders, who had been on his side to support him and spent time together.

He described her as a woman with a kind heart who had been living passionately, a sensible and amazing person. "Thanks to her, I am becoming a better person," he said.

Song Joong Ki added that they had dreamed of creating a happy family together and revealed a new life had come to them. He continued that they had registered their marriage and would begin a new life as a married couple.

He then thanked his fans, who had always cherished him, and promised that he would continuously work hard as an actor and individual. He hoped everyone would be happy and healthy until the time came that he could meet them all in person. Song Joong Ki confirmed his romance with Saunders in December 2022.
"Bandhan", an event aimed at forging and renewing partnerships between business entities for innovative collaboration and strategic transformation of the Defence manufacturing sector in the country will be held on February 15, on the side-lines of Aero India 2023 here.

The biennial airshow would be held at the Air Force Station at Yelahanka here from February 13-17.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be the chief guest at the event, with Chief Minister of Karnataka Basavaraj Bommai and other dignitaries in attendance, an official release said.

CEOs of major private defence companies and the CMDs of DPSUs will participate in the event, it said.

Stating that it will provide an ideal platform to the DPSUs, private defence companies and foreign vendors to ink business pacts to enhance defence collaboration and cooperation, officials said, it will also strengthen the domestic defence ecosystem and give a major boost to defence manufacturing and exports.

Bandhan ceremony is expected to witness the signing of a substantial number of MoUs including significant MoUs from Karnataka Industry, Transfer of Technology Agreements by DRDO, major announcements and product launches by the Private and the Public Sector.

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These B2B engagements have immense business potential and will go a long way in scaling up the global engagement of Indian defence companies. These MoUs and ToTs would also pave the way for more FDI in Defence for enhanced defence manufacturing including manufacturing in the Defence Industrial Corridors, the release added.


Cantabil Retail India, as the Delhi-based company is known formally, recorded a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 25 per cent for the last one year. Revenue is expected to grow 40-45 per cent in 2023 compared to last year, said Deepak Bansal, the companys director. Apparel manufacturer Cantabil aims to earn Rs 1,000 crore as revenue by 2025, betting on expenditure and new stores in small cities.



Cantabil plans to open 80-90 stores every year and will have 540 of them by this years end to consolidate itself in smaller cities. The company reported a net profit of around Rs 27 crore in the third quarter of financial year 2023 (Q3 FY23), rising 13 per cent year-on-year.



Bansal said consumers in smaller cities aspire for branded clothing and good offline shopping, allowing the company opportunity in untapped markets. We have a very strong presence across the length and breadth of the country and we aim to aggressively expand our retail presence further. For the next year, the company is planning to invest around Rs 25-30 crore to open 85 outlets in 2023, mainly in tier II, III & IV towns, Bansal said.

Also Read Changing customer behaviour helps establish new age e-commerce models Jharkhand in turmoil: What does the law say on holding an office of profit? SFBs need Rs 4,000 cr capital to maintain 30% CAGR in advances: CareEdge Charticle: India's dubbed content market grew at a CAGR of 60.7% in 5 years Grave governance challenges await Bihar's new coalition government ED seizes Rs 1.4 crore cash from Kolkata firm involved in coal smuggling Twitter facing internal, external issues, to be up by night: Elon Musk Norway wealth fund sells its remainder stakes in Adani companies Steel firm AM/NS India's EBITDA drops 62.75% to $162 mn in Dec quarter Adani Wilmar's Solan facility raided for alleged GST violations: Report



As part of its retail expansion strategy, Cantabil has opened 19 retail stores during the quarter ended December in different states including J&K, Maharashtra, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Nagaland, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana. As a result of Cantabils offline presence, these towns delivered sales that exceeded our expectations. Around 70 per cent of our stores are in such cities. So far, these cities account for 65 per cent of overall revenue, he added.

For the new retail stores, it is focusing on West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Bihar, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and several of the North Eastern states.


GAIL is the first public sector undertaking in oil & gas sector in India to successfully sign the APA. State-run GAIL (India) Limited entered into a advance pricing agreement (APA) with the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) for determining the transfer pricing margin payable on its long-term LNG sourcing contract from the United States for a period of five years.



According to the Income Tax department, APA programmes are operational in a number of countries and they are almost 30 years old in countries like Canada, USA, Japan and UK. The APA scheme was launched in 2022 to enhance the government's goal of promoting a non-adversarial tax system and improve the ease of doing business in India.



Rapid growth in international trade through an increasing number of Multi National Enterprises has given rise to numerous tax disputes on the issue of transfer pricing. The primary goal of such programmes is to provide certainty to taxpayers in respect of the transfer price of the cross-border transactions undertaken by such taxpayers with their group entities.

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The transfer price of goods and services transacted between group entities is decided in advance by the tax authorities and the taxpayers, so as to prevent any dispute arising from such transfer pricing. An APA is a mechanism to resolve transfer pricing issues in advance, i.e., before the cross-border related party transaction actually takes place or, at least, before a dispute arises in respect of such cross-border transaction.

Focus on US

GAIL (India) is depending on the US to secure a stable supply of LNG cargoes. The company currently has two contracts to buy a combined 5.8 million tons per year of LNG from the US, comprising around 90 standard sized cargoes.



Back in 2012, Gazproms former subsidiary, Gazprom Marketing and Trading Singapore (GMTS), had entered into a 20-year contract to supply GAIL with 2.85 million tonnes of LNG a year. GAIL had been struggling to replace supply from a former trading arm of Gazprom, which has not delivered on scheduled shipments since May, 2022.



But after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Germany seized control of Gazprom Germania in April, housing it under Gazprom Germania GMBH. Subsequently, Gazprom gave up its ownership of the company without any explanation, and imposed sanctions. Supplies under the deal had started in 2018 and the full volume was expected to be reached in 2023.



New Delhi is advocating for an aggressive gas purchase policy, and balancing sources of import, most of which have originated from Qatar in recent years. Up to 55 per cent of Indias local gas demand is met through imports. On the other hand, while gas meets only 6.2 per cent of Indias energy needs, the Centre has been planning to raise this figure substantially, in order to reduce the dependence on petroleum.

Qatar and the United States  the two largest producers globally  currently supply India with LNG through multiple contracts. Third largest producer Australia mostly supplies China.
IndiGo on Thursday said it inadvertently left behind 37 bags of passengers who took a flight from Hyderabad to Vishakhapatnam.

In a statement, the airline said it ensuring that all bags are delivered safely to the customers' addresses in Visakhapatnam and regretted the inconvenience caused to the passengers.

"We confirm that 37 bags were inadvertently left behind for flight 6E 409 departing from Hyderabad to Vishakhapatnam," it said.
Alex Murdaugh's double murder trial was suspended, and the courtroom where the case was being heard was evacuated after a bomb threat and authorities resumed testimony on Wednesday.

In a statement, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division confirmed that personnel at the Colleton County Courthouse received a bomb threat. Judge Clifton Newman ordered the courtroom to be evacuated a few hours after jurors began hearing testimony. The South Carolina Attorney General's Office also confirmed that the threat was "phoned in."

Alex Murdaugh Trial Rocked by Bomb Threat

Law enforcement authorities noted that the building was evacuated and added that SLED and the Colleton County Sheriff's Office were looking into the threat. The court resumed shortly past 3:00 p.m. after officials cleared the building.

The court was hearing a case for Murdaugh, who is part of a legal dynasty in Hampton County and is currently charged with fatally shooting his wife, Maggie Murdaugh, and son, Paul Murdaugh, at their home on June 7, 2021. Once a verdict is reached on these charges, the defendant will stand trial on roughly 100 financial and drug-related charges, as per USA Today.

Following the bomb threat, a Colleton County Sheriff's Office deputy sprinted across the courthouse grounds, yelling for people to clear the area. This prompted attendees to exit the building through the front, sweeping stairs that are not usually used by the public.

The defendant was taken from the courthouse and then driven from the property inside a large black van. Due to the threat of a potential bomb, there were heavy police in the area, and law enforcement authorities set up a perimeter around the courthouse square.

Family members of Murdaugh, including his surviving son, Richard "Buster" Murdaugh Jr., along with several student groups on field trips, were attendees at the courthouse. Before being evacuated due to the bomb threat, Megan Fletcher, a gunshot forensics expert, returned to the stand for cross-examination.

Read Also: FBI Arrests Suspects Who Planned Attack on Power Grid

Potential Double Homicide

Murdaugh's case began as an unsolved double homicide but later became wider allegations of financial fraud, a hired hitman plot, and drug addiction. According to NBC News, it also revived questions about other deaths linked to the Murdaughs.

The prosecution and defense have clashed since last week over whether or not the jury in charge of the case should be allowed to hear testimony over Murdaugh's alleged financial misdeeds.

This week, Newman ruled that he would permit it because it also speaks to the alleged motive in the double murder case. Prosecutors allege that the defendant killed his wife and son to gain sympathy and put a stop to the investigations being held by his law firm regarding missing funds.

On the other hand, Fletcher testified that she found gunshot primer residue particles on clothes that Murdaugh was wearing on the night of the shootings. She added that the same residue was on a blue jacket that has drawn increasing attention in the proceedings.

The forensic scientist added that the particles were found on samples taken from the defendant's hands and the shirt and shorts he wore when he allegedly found his wife and son dead, CNN said.

Related Article: Missouri Man Executed Over Quadruple Murder

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BENGALURU (Reuters) -Indian automaker Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd said on Thursday it will invest 10 billion rupees ($121 million) to set up a manufacturing facility in the southern state of Telangana to make electric three- and four-wheelers.

The investment will be made over eight years at the company's Zaheerabad plant to develop its last mile mobility business, such as cargo and passenger vehicles, Mahindra said in a regulatory filing.

The company has signed an agreement with the Telangana government for approvals to expand the plant.

Mahindra has stepped up investments to bolster its EV capacity as the Indian government aims to increase the share of electric vehicles by the end of this decade.

In December, the company unveiled plans to invest 100 billion rupees to set up an EV manufacturing plant near the western city of Pune, taking on rival Tata Motors Ltd which dominates India's EV market.

($1 = 82.4940 Indian rupees)

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(Reporting by Biplob Kumar Das in Bengaluru; Editing by Janane Venkatraman and Sriraj Kalluvila)


The $1.35-trillion fund at the end of 2022 held stakes in Adani Total Gas, Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone and Adani Green Energy. Norways sovereign wealth fund has sold its stakes in three Adani Group companies worth just over $200 million since the start of the year, the world's largest stock investor said on Thursday.



"We have monitored Adani for many years (on ESG) issues, many on their handling of environmental risks," he said. "Since year-end, we have further reduced in Adani companies. We have no exposure left," Christopher Wright, the fund's head of ESG risk monitoring, told a news conference.



Adani's seven main listed stocks have plunged by some $110 billion after a scathing January 24 report by US short seller Hindenburg Research accused the conglomerate of improper use of offshore tax havens and stock manipulation. The fund had divested from five Adani companies since 2014 and at the end of 2022, it remained invested in three, including Adani Ports.

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The Adani Group has denied any wrongdoing.



The fund, managed by a unit of the central bank, owns 1.3 per cent of all globally listed shares with stakes in some 9,200 companies. Norway's sovereign wealth fund at the end of 2022 held a stake in Adani Total worth $83.6 million, a stake in Adani Ports worth $63.4 million and a stake in Adani Green Energy of $52.7 million.

Some of Adani group shares had been rebounding this week but tumbled again today. Adani Enterprises sank 10.72 percent to close at Rs 1,927.30 apiece on BSE.




By Nidhi Verma and Shariq Khan

NEW DELHI (Reuters) -ONGC Videsh (OVL) Ltd, the overseas exploration arm of India's Oil and Natural Gas Corp, is looking for exploration and production investment opportunities in Africa and Latin America, such as in Ghana and Surinam, managing director Rajarshi Gupta said.

The company already has a presence in both continents through stakes in projects in Mozambique, Brazil and Venezuela among others.

"It's better to invest in bigger hot spots where you can get larger discoveries... Africa and Latin America still hold a lot of potential. Ghana is there, Suriname is there, all of the continental shelf. Brazil is also an interesting proposition," Gupta told reporters at the India Energy Week in Bengaluru.

Some of the hydrocarbon assets in Africa and Latin America hold large volumes, he said, adding his company is also looking for assets in southeast Asia and Middle East.

OVL currently has a stake in 32 oil & gas projects in 15 countries, spanning projects in various phases, including exploration, development, producing and pipelines.

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OVL's crude and gas output will decline from 12.5 million tonnes in 2021/22 due to lower production in Russia's Sakhalin 1 project, in which ONGC has a stake.

Output at Sakhalin 1 collapsed after the exit of its previous operator Exxon Mobil Corp due to Western sanctions against Russia after it invaded Ukraine in late February last year.

Gupta said current production at Sakhalin 1 is about 150,000 barrels per day and the production would rise to 200,000 bpd by June. ONGC's has a 20% stake in Sakhalin 1 project.

He said ONGC does not face any issues in raising funds, and has debt of $3-4 billion compared to net worth of more than $6 billion.

(Reporting by Nidhi Verma and Shariq Khan. Editing by Jane Merriman)
Organic revenue growth refers to growth excluding the impact of foreign exchange rate changes, acquisitions, divestitures, or income beyond core business.

PepsiCo gained market share in both beverages and food in India in 2022, and saw double-digit organic revenue growth in the year, the companys management said in its earnings release.
Capital markets regulator Sebi on Thursday said it will auction 9 properties belonging to four companies -- Infinity Realcon, Bharat Krishi Samriddhi Industries, Ravi Kiran Realty India and Sunheaven Agro India -- on March 13 to recover investors' money.

These companies had raised funds from investors without complying with regulatory norms.

The nine properties to be auctioned include land parcels and a multi-storied building, situated across West Bengal. The total reserve price of these properties is pegged at Rs 3 crore, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) said in a notice.

Inviting bids, Sebi said auction of the properties will be conducted through online mode on March 13 during 10.30 am to 12.30 pm. Of the 9 properties to go under the hammer, 4 belongs to Bharat Krishi Samriddhi Industries, 3 relate to Infinity Realcon and one each of Sunheaven Agro India and Ravi Kiran Reality India.

The regulator said the bidders should make their own independent enquiries regarding the encumbrances, title of properties put on auction and claims, among others, prior to submitting their bids.

"The properties are being sold with all the existing and future encumbrances whether known or unknown to Sebi. Sebi shall not be responsible in any way for any third party claims/rights/dues, etc," the notice said.

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Sebi had earlier attached some of the properties of these companies after directives asking them to refund investors' money along with interest did not materialise. In this matter, the markets regulator had also attached demat and bank accounts.

Going by Sebi's order, Bharat Krishi had mobilised funds from the public through issuance of redeemable preference shares (RPS) and non-convertible redeemable debentures (NCDs) in 2012 and 2013 and Infinity Realcon issued RPS to nearly 25,000 investors and mobilised over Rs 19 crore during 2009-10 to 2012-13, Besides, amount mopped-up through issue of debentures was Rs 1 crore.

Further, Sunheaven Agro issued redeemable preference shares to about 7,772 investors and mobilised an amount of Rs 11.54 crore between 2009-10 and 2012-13 and Ravi Kiran had raised funds by issuing redeemable preference shares to 1,176 people.


Trafigura has spent the past two months uncovering what it believes is a systematic fraud against it, according to people familiar with the matter and confirmed by the company. It has started legal action against Indian businessman Prateek Gupta and several companies connected to him including TMT Metals and subsidiaries of UD Trading Group, Trafigura said in a statement. Commodity trader Trafigura Group is facing more than half a billion dollars in losses after discovering metal cargoes it bought didnt contain the nickel they were supposed to.



Trafigura has recorded a $577 million impairment as a result of the fraud, although the final cost could be lower if its able to recover some funds. The groups head of nickel and cobalt trading, Socrates Economou, is leaving the company, the people familiar with the matter said. However, Trafigura said it does not believe that anyone at the company was complicit in the fraud. The missing nickel is a blow for the company that has grown rapidly in the past decade to become one of the worlds largest trading houses. Its also another black mark for the metals-trading industry, which in recent years has been beset by tales of fake warehouse receipts, duplicate shipping documents and containers filled with painted rocks.



The trade began to unravel when Trafigura investigators arrived at the port of Rotterdam just before Christmas to check the contents of a container that was meant to hold nickel. When they cracked it open, it was full of much lower-value materials. Trafigura has been trading with Guptas companies since at least 2015, but started reviewing the relationship last year, the people said. It had been buying nickel in containers already on board ships, and then selling it on when the vessels reached their destination.

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Nickel is a popular metal with fraudsters. Its high value means that a single container full can be worth $500,000, yet it is traded in relatively large volumes and without the strict security that accompanies shipments of precious metals like gold. Since late December 2022, a small proportion of the containers purchased from these companies have been inspected as they reached their destination, and were found not to contain nickel, Trafigura said in the statement. The majority of the shipments remain in transit awaiting further inspection.



For Trafigura, one of the largest traders of energy and metals, the loss will raise questions about its processes for verifying trades and checking counterparties. Other traders were caught out by nickel for different reasons in the past year, as the metal was at the center of a massive short squeeze that brought the London Metal Exchange to its knees.



However, the company said it still expects its overall profit for the six months to March to be higher than the previous year, notwithstanding the nickel loss. It will put further pressure on Trafiguras metals unit, already outshone by the companys energy traders. The metals units operating profit before depreciation and amortization in the year to September fell 24% from the previous year, which together with a record performance from the energy traders meant that metals contributed just 16% of the companys overall operating profit, the lowest in more than a decade.



He was one of Trafiguras most senior metals traders, but missed out on promotion to run the metals division when current co-heads Kostas Bintas and Gonzalo De Olazaval were appointed in 2021. Economou is a Trafigura veteran who joined the company in 2007, and was appointed head of nickel and cobalt trading in 2016 after stints in Johannesburg developing the companys copper and cobalt business in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and as head of refined metals for China.

Trafigura said it remains committed to building its presence in the fast-growing battery metals markets.


The company, controlled by Anil Agarwal, is highly likely to meet its obligations until September 2023. Sustaining liquidity after that would depend on completing one of two key ongoing transactions. One is the $2-billion fundraising and the second a proposed sale of international zinc assets by Vedanta Ltd to Hindustan Zinc Ltd. Vedanta Resources' liquidity hinges on its ability to close a $2-billion fundraising in a few weeks, said rating agency Standard and Poors (S&P) on Thursday.



The rating on Vedanta Resources (B-/Stable/--) will likely come under immediate pressure if neither of these transactions progresses over the coming weeks, S&P in a statement. Vedanta Resources holds a 70 per cent stake in Vedanta Ltd, which in turn has 65 per cent ownership in Hindustan Zinc Ltd.



If the company raises at least $1.75 billion as targeted, it will be fully funded until January 2024. In this scenario, it will also have low dependence on dividends from Vedanta Ltd. until December. The cash that will be retained will support the refinancing of the January 2024 maturity. External funding after September is critical for debt maturities, which include $500 million of loan repayments in the quarter ending December 31, 2023, and a $1 billion bond in January 2024.

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Therefore, Vedanta Resources would need to raise a minimum of about $500 million to meet its obligations until June. Debt repayments during this period include $300 million of inter-company loans and $350 million to two relationship banks. We believe these offer the company some funding flexibility, it added. Vedanta Resources is fully funded until March 2023, following a dividend declared by Vedanta Ltd. in January. We estimate further dividends from Vedanta Ltd., together with management fees, can be used to meet about $1.5 billion of the US$2 billion the parent requires between April and June, including intercompany loans and interest expenses. Vedanta Resources has debt maturities of only $15 million between July and September, said S&P.

Without significant fundraising, Vedanta Resources will be left with very little cash, about $500 million, after repayments.




Losses widened nearly 5.5x year-on-year (YoY) owing to the inclusion of Blinkit. This is the first full quarter after the completion of the acquisition of Blinkit. Restaurant aggregator Zomatos losses widened to Rs 346.6 crore for the quarter that ended in December (2022-23, or FY23), compared with Rs 63.2 crore in the corresponding period of the previous financial year (2021-22). The food delivery giant had reported a net loss of Rs 250.8 crore in the second quarter (Q2) of FY23.



The food delivery business was sequentially flat. The gross order value (GOV) for the third quarter (Q3) of FY23 was only 0.7 per cent in an otherwise strong quarter. Adjusted revenue declined 1 per cent quarter-on-quarter (QoQ), driven largely by a decline in order volumes. Revenue for the food delivery company, however, surged 75 per cent to Rs 1,948.2 crore, compared with Rs 1,112 crore in the year-ago period.



The current slackening was chalked up to a macro slowdown for the mid-market segment, coupled with a boom in dining out and surge in travel at the premium end. Adjusted revenue grew 30 per cent YoY. The company attributed this fall to an industry-wide slowdown in the food delivery business since October 2022.

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Said Akshant Goyal, chief financial officer, Zomato, Our business was already at break-even (excluding quick commerce) in January. There is a good chance of getting to adjusted Ebitda break-even (excluding quick commerce) in the current quarter if we can bank some execution-related wins in the next few weeks. The company was, however, confident it would reach adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (Ebitda) break-even (excluding quick commerce) by Q2 of 2023-24.



Total adjusted Ebitda loss climbed to Rs 265 crore in Q3, compared with Rs 192 crore in the previous quarter. This was, however, less than Rs 272 crore reported in the same period last financial year. The firms total expenses ballooned to Rs 2,485.3 crore in Q3, up from Rs 1,642.6 crore in the same period last financial year (2021-22).



In the past year or so, investors have been far more focused on profitability. We are doing our best to deliver on those expectations, he added. Having a profitability mindset is key. As a company, we have been constantly re-evaluating and optimising investments across the board, including taking a hard look at resource allocation across functions, shutting down non-performing markets, and reassessing our headcount, among others, said Deepinder Goyal, the companys chief executive officer (CEO).



The firm launched its brand-new membership programme in early January. In less than a month, the Zomato Gold programme had scaled to over 900,000 members. Speaking about reviving growth, Deepinder added, We continue to stay focused on our long-term growth vectors without worrying too much about near-term growth pressures.



Blinkits GOV increased to Rs 1,749 crore in Q3, from Rs 1,482 crore in the previous quarter. We expect this programme to drive loyalty and higher frequency of ordering, said Deepinder.



With more dark stores turning profitable, the firm also plans to expand their network. GOV grew 18 per cent QoQ, driven by 21 per cent growth in order volume, compensating for the reduction in average order value. Growth in revenue per order led to higher revenue growth of 28 per cent QoQ, said Albinder Dhindsa, CEO, Blinkit.



Revenue for the firms business-to-business venture, Hyperpure, grew 26 per cent QoQ and 169 per cent YoY to Rs 421 crore in Q3 as the company focused on growth over profitability. Currently, we believe that we can comfortably grow our dark store count by 30-40 per cent over the next 12 months. This will also depend on our ability to find the best and most cost-effective locations for these stores, added Akshant.







The firm has recently witnessed a string of high-profile exits. Hyperpure has also begun tapping into the quick commerce opportunity. A part of the revenue growth in Q3 was on account of goods supplied to sellers on the Blinkit marketplace, said Akshant.

Last month, Zomatos chief technology officer Gunjan Patidar, who was one of the original co-founders, resigned after a 10-year stint.



A week later, head of new initiatives Rahul Ganjoo and co-founder Mohit Gupta also quit. In November last year, Siddharth Jhawar, head of the companys intercity delivery offering, Intercity Legends, had put in his papers.



Sometimes, for some people, the distance between their form (their mindset and skillset) and the companys context becomes such that it is necessary to take a break from each other, said Deepinder, addressing the exits. The most recent exit was of the head of Zomatos dining business. Aman Priyadarshi resigned last week to join Sequoia-backed Kenko Health.



After halting its food delivery business in the United Arab Emirates in November last year, the food aggregator has now also ceased operations in the Philippines after servicing the market for nearly a decade. We have so many people in senior leadership roles who are on their second (and third) stint at Zomato, he said, adding, The entropy our people create in the organisation by leaving and then coming back is fantastic, to say the least, and propels the organisation forward.
Air pollution in Guwahati has increased to an alarming level, forcing many city-bound flights to be diverted due to low visibility arising from a thick cloud of dust.

A senior Airport Authority of India (AAI) official said on Thursday that two SpiceJet flights and one of Air Asia had to land in Kolkata's Netaji Subhash International Airport instead of Guwahati.

Akasa Air and Flybig airlines also diverted their flights to other places.

At 7 p.m. on Wednesday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the city stood at 293 under the "poor" category.

Sharad Gokhale, a professor at IIT Guwahati, said: "The PM 10 level suddenly shot up to 1,000 yesterday (Wednesday) from a daily average of 270-280. The PM 2.5 level also rose to 200."

According to Gokhale, the dusty wind and thick fog were responsible for this unforeseen rise.

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"A lot of construction work has been going on in the city. The wind speed was also high, along with dense fog. All of these factors accounted for the rise in air pollution levels here," he said.

Meanwhile, teams of the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) have been inspecting several construction sites.

A GMC source said that authorities were planning to ban construction work in the city for a few days to combat the escalated air pollution.

--IANS

tdr/ksk/
Security forces on Thursday busted a hideout and recovered ammunition and explosive material in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, sources said.

A team of police, assisted by the Army, launched a search operation in the Naka Manjari area. It busted a hideout and recovered ammunition and explosive material, they said.

Four AK rifle magazines with ammunition, two grenades, some explosive material, one binocular and other material were recovered, the sources said.
UN says 8.3 mln people require humanitarian aid in Somalia

Xinhua) 10:43, February 09, 2023

MOGADISHU, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- More than 8.3 million people require humanitarian assistance in Somalia where significant segments of the population are on the brink of famine, the United Nations relief agency said Wednesday.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that in the absence of adequate funding and enhanced capacity, famine is projected between April and June in the three population groups including Baidoa and Burhakaba rural districts as well as internally displaced people (IDPs) in Baidoa and Mogadishu.

"Somalis are hungrier, sicker, and more vulnerable than a year ago, pushing an ever greater number of people into reliance on humanitarian assistance for survival," OCHA said in its latest update on the humanitarian situation in Somalia.

It said even if no famine emerges, the humanitarian situation is extremely alarming since more than 6.3 million Somalis are expected to face high levels of food insecurity between January and March, including 322,000 in catastrophic levels of food insecurity.

"The cumulative levels of excess mortality could be as high as in 2011 when almost 260,000 people lost their lives, at least half of them children. In 2022 alone, 1,049 children died in nutrition centers and many more without even accessing the centers," OCHA said.

The crisis is caused by the historic failure of four consecutive rainy seasons, persistent conflict, displacement, and high food prices that have left millions of people at risk and are pushing people in Somalia to the brink of famine.

OCHA said the current drought is the longest and most severe in recent history and has surpassed the 2010/2011 and 2016/2017 droughts in terms of duration and severity.

It also said the recent escalation of the military offensive against al-Shabab, in addition to ongoing political and inter-clan tensions, has resulted in significant humanitarian impacts including increased displacement and reprisal attacks.

"Overall, it is expected that up to 450,000 additional civilians will be displaced due to conflict in 2023," it warned, noting that protection concerns include widespread forced family separation, indiscriminate attacks against civilians, freedom of movement restrictions, forced recruitment, abductions and destruction of civilian infrastructure.

OCHA believed the ongoing military operations offer both an opportunity for expanded access into areas previously under al-Shabab control as well as the increased likelihood of widespread insecurity and acute deterioration of humanitarian access.

"This uncertainty will require partners to exercise flexibility in programming to adapt to shifting insecurity, to assess and provide assistance in newly recovered areas as well as to engage in coordinated advocacy for the protection of civilians," OCHA said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The White House dodged questions on Wednesday regarding United States President Joe Biden's $250,000 line of credit that the Democrat took out against his Delaware beach home.

The situation comes amid an investigation into the president's son, Hunter Biden's tax affairs as his father's classified documents scandal unfolded. An unidentified reporter questioned White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre during an Air Force One press gaggle on the president's financial decision with his wife in early December.

Joe Biden's $250,000 Line of Credit

The individual asked what the $250,000 line of credit on Biden's house in Rehoboth late last year was for. In response, Jean-Pierre said she would refer such questions to the White House Counsel's office.

The news about Biden's $250,000 move was first reported last Friday, where he was found to have quietly secured the six-figure line of credit against his multi-million-dollar home on December 5, 2022. Initially, the White House acknowledged the inquiry into the matter. However, it did not provide a comment or explanation on the financial decision before or after news broke out, as per Fox News.

The US president took out the line of credit as his son faces a federal investigation over his tax affairs. Between 25 and 30 classified documents were discovered during his time as vice president.

The Democrat's lawyers found the classified documents at the Washington, DC, office for his think tank, the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement. They were discovered in early November, while another set of materials was found in the garage of his Wilmington, Delaware, home in December.

The incidents prompted Attorney General Merrick Garland to appoint US Attorney Robert Hur as special counsel in mid-January to investigate the president's handling of the classified documents.

Read Also: What To Know About $450 Energy Relief Checks

Flurry of Investigations

Paperwork regarding the line of credit did not reveal Biden's reasoning for taking out the funds on the home he and his wife bought for nearly $3 million in 2017. However, according to the New York Post, the mortgage documents were filed a month after the discovery of the classified documents.

FBI personnel on Wednesday searched Biden's Rehoboth home as part of the investigation regarding the handling of classified documents. However, they did not find any new sensitive materials. The White House added that the president cooperates with officials regarding the probe.

On the other hand, the House Oversight Committee is set to commence hearings next week on the president's son's alleged influence peddling. The committee will also hear claims Hunter cashed in on his ties to his father to get millions of dollars from foreign companies.

Some argue that the line of credit was taken out so that Biden could pay for mounting legal fees amid a flurry of investigations regarding classified documents and his son's alleged schemes. It comes as the Democrat earns roughly $400,000 as president. He and his wife's assets are worth between $1 million and $2.6 million, and they were found to owe about $500,000 on their Wilmington home, said the Daily Mail.

Related Article: Biden Sends Warning to China in Union Address

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A division bench of Justices RD Dhanuka and MM Sathaye relied on a previous case of the Supreme Court and said that there may be situations where conflict may arise between two fundamental rights. The Bombay High Court on Thursday dismissed the plea by Godrej & Boyce challenging the acquisition of its land in Vikhroli for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project and said that larger public interest would prevail over private interest.



The court stressed that merely because there are certain alleged irregularities in the procedure required to be followed while acquiring the writ property, it cannot interfere as the bullet train project is of infrastructural and national importance. In case of conflict on inter-fundamental rights and intra-fundamental rights, the court has to examine as to where lies the larger public interest while balancing the two conflicting rights. It is the paramount collective interest which would ultimately prevail, the bench said.



Senior Advocate Navroz Seervai, appearing for Godrej & Boyce, sought status quo so that the company could file an appeal before the Supreme Court but the High Court refused to do so. The Court also said the project is the first of its kind and the paramount collective interest which would ultimately prevail.

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The company also claimed that the project was exempted from social impact assessment and that there were multiple and patent illegalities in the acquisition. Godrej and Boyce challenged the compensation award of Rs 264 crores on September 15, 2022, by the Deputy Collector for acquiring the company's land.



The judgment comes a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Mumbai on Friday. Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, appearing for the State, submitted that if the compensation was a concern for Godrej, then higher compensation could be considered but the project should not suffer because of it.



Of the total 508.17 km of rail track between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, about 21 km is planned to be underground. One of the entry points to the underground tunnel falls on the land at Vikhroli (owned by Godrej). The company and the government have been in a legal dispute since 2019 over the acquisition of company-owned land in suburban Vikhroli for the Japan-collaborated bullet train project.



The state government, in October last year, told the court that the Ahmedabad-Mumbai high-speed rail corridor project is a priority project for the Government of India. This will be the country's first bullet train and will run at a maximum speed of 350 km per hour, covering the stretch between the two cities in under three hours from the usual seven hours.



The total cost of the project is about Rs 1 lakh crore. The project is a highly specialised and technical project of enormous high value and is required to be completed within the specified stringent timelines, the government said. It will be India's first high-speed rail line and shall transform the passenger transport system of the country with state-of-the-art technology for the benefit of the public at large, it said and added that once functional, the train would serve 17,900 passengers every day.

The state government also said that several negotiations were held with all the stakeholders for an amicable resolution for the acquisition of land, but when it failed, the disputed land was acquired.


Terming the upcoming Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project as of 'national importance', the Bombay High Court has rejected a plea of Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Co. challenging the acquisition of its land in Vikhroli, here on Thursday.

The verdict by a division bench of Justice R.D. Dhanuka and Justice M.M. Sathaye said that "there are no irregularities in the acquisition...", and declined to stay the project.

The judgement comes as a breather for the mega-project on the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Mumbai on Friday for several engagements.

The government and the Godrej group have been squabbling over the acquisition of the company's land in 2019 for what is considered as Modi's pet project coming up with Japanese collaboration.

The bullet train project will be 508 kms long, including 21 kms running underground and one of the entry points to the subterranean tunnel will fall on the land owned by Godrej in Vikhroli which was taken over by the government.

--IANS

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The civic budget 2023-24 is likely to be passed by the special officer of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi as the mayoral election is still due and less than a week is left to complete the budget exercise, sources said on Thursday.

If this happens, it will be an "unprecedented development" in the civic body's journey as budget is traditionally passed by a House, they said.

The municipal House in Delhi on February 6 had failed to elect a mayor for the third time in a row in a month, following ruckus over the decision to allow aldermen to vote in the mayoral poll, even as the AAP alleged a "planned conspiracy" by the BJP to stall the process.

An agitated AAP, which is seeking a "court-monitored" election, moved the Supreme Court on Tuesday over this issue.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought responses of the office of the lieutenant governor, pro tem presiding officer of the MCD Satya Sharma, and others on a plea filed by AAP's mayoral candidate Shelly Oberoi.

A bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala said it is issuing notice on the plea and seeking replies by next Monday.

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Municipal Commissioner Gyanesh Bharti on December 8 had presented the civic body's budget to the MCD's Special Officer Ashwani Kumar, official sources had earlier said.

The annual budget has to be presented by a commissioner before December 10, according to statutory requirements.

The budget is eventually approved by the Leader of House in a special meeting of the House chaired by the mayor.

"However, as the House is still to get a mayor after three attempts in vain, and the matter has now gone to court, and the budget exercise is to be completed latest by February 15 as statutorily mandated under the DMC Act, 1957, it seems the budget will be passed by the special officer only," an official source said.

If the budget gets passed without a mayor in charge of the House, it will be an "unprecedented development" in the civic body's journey since its inception, he said.

The House in January had convened for the first time after the high-stakes December 4 civic polls and was adjourned following acrimonious exchanges between members of the BJP and the AAP.

The second municipal House held on January 24, was briefly adjourned after the oath-taking ceremony, and was later adjourned till next date by the pro tem presiding officer.

After the House was adjourned on Monday again for the third time, a month after the first municipal House, the AAP had alleged that the mayoral election could not be held on Monday as the BJP is "strangulating democracy and the Constitution of India", while the saffron party accused the Aam Aadmi Party of coming out with excuses to stall the mayoral poll and blamed the AAP for the stalemate.

The AAP had emerged as a clear winner in the December 4 polls, bagging 134 wards and ending the BJP's 15-year rule in the civic body. The BJP won 104 wards to finish second, while the Congress won nine wards in the 250-member municipal House.

The civic body in Delhi had 272 wards across its three corporations NDMC, SDMC, and EDMC, which existed from 2012-2022 before being reunified into a sole MCD which formally came into existence on May 22 last year.

The commissioner had presented the MCD budget in December which included the revised budget estimate for 2022-23 and budget estimate for 2023-24, an official source had said.

Since there is no House currently, the budget was presented to the special officer, who also currently holds a position equivalent to a Standing Committee, sources had then said.

The original MCD, established in 1958, was trifurcated in 2012 during Sheila Dikshit's tenure as the chief minister of Delhi.

The December 4 civic polls was the first municipal election after the reunification of the civic bodies and a fresh delimitation exercise subsequently.
The Ministry of Defence on Wednesday approved the proposal to indigenously manufacture 41 sets of Modular Bridges for the Corps of Engineers of the Indian Army, the official said.

According to the Defence Ministry, the move is taken to boost the indigenization of defence equipment under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'.

These bridges have been designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and shall be produced by Larsen and Toubro (L-T) as a DRDO-nominated production agency.

The contract for the procurement of Modular Bridges was signed with L and T on February 8, at an estimated cost of over Rs 2,585 crore.

"Each set of Modular bridges shall consist of seven carrier vehicles based on 8x8 Heavy Mobility Vehicles and two launcher vehicles based on 10x10 Heavy Mobility Vehicles. Each set shall be capable of mechanically launching a single-span fully decked 46-meter assault bridge. The bridge can be employed over various types of obstacles like canals and ditches with quick launching and retrieval capabilities," the ministry said in an official statement.

It further said that the equipment is highly mobile, versatile, rugged, and capable of keeping pace with wheeled and tracked mechanized vehicles.

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The modular bridges will replace the manually-launched Medium Girder Bridges (MGB) that are currently being used in the Indian Army.

The indigenously designed and manufactured Modular bridges shall have many advantages over the MGB such as increased span, less time for construction and mechanical launching with retrieval capability.

"The procurement of these bridges will give a major boost to the bridging capability of the Indian Army on the Western Front," the ministry said.

The project will showcase India's progress in designing and developing world-class military equipment and pave the way for enhancing defence exports to friendly countries.
The Delhi High Court on Thursday adjourned hearing in a plea seeking a declaration of PM CARES Fund as "State" under Article 12 of the Constitution of India, to April 20.

Due to the unavailability of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, the matter was adjourned.

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on December 31 told the High Court that the Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM CARES) Fund is not a public authority according to the Right to Information Act, 2005 and not a "State" under Article 12 of the Constitution of India, but a "public charitable trust".

A division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad was dealing with a plea moved by Samyak Gangwal, seeking a declaration of PM CARES Fund as "State" under the Constitution. It would attract consequential directions for disclosing the Fund's audit reports periodically, disclosing the Fund's quarterly details of donations received, utilisation thereof and resolutions on expenditure of donations, it added.

The affidavit stated that the plea is based on "apprehensions and suppositions" and that a constitutional question should not be decided in a vacuum.

Filed by the Under Secretary of PMO to the court, the affidavit said: "This Trust is neither intended to be, nor is in fact owned, controlled or substantially financed by any government nor any instrumentality of the government. There is no control of either the Central government or any state governments, either direct or indirect, in the functioning of the Trust in any manner whatsoever.

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"According to the affidavit submitted, the PM CARES Fund is a public charitable trust accepting only voluntary donations and is certainly not the Centre's business.

"PM CARES Fund does not receive funds or finances by the government," it was mentioned.

However, counsel for petitioner Senior Advocate Shyam Divan had said: "High functionaries of the government like the Vice President had requested the Rajya Sabha members to make donations" and that "the PM CARES Fund has been projected as a government fund".

In response, the PMO had argued: "The PM CARES Fund is administered on the pattern of Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) as both are chaired by the Prime Minister. Like the National Emblem and domain name 'gov.in' are being used for the PMNRF, the same are also being used for PM CARES Fund.

"The affidavit stated: "The composition of the Board of Trustees consisting of holders of public office ex officio - the Supreme Court, Union Home Minister, the Union Finance Minister, the former chairman of Tata Sons Ratan Tata, former Judge K.T. Thomas, and Former Deputy Speaker Kariya Mund" - is merely for administrative convenience and for smooth succession to the trusteeship and is neither intended to be nor in fact result into any governmental control in the functioning of the Trust in any manner whatsoever.

"Besides the declaration of PM CARES Fund as 'State' under the Constitution, Gangwal has also sought that PM CARES Fund should be restrained from using 'PM' in its names/ website, State Emblem, domain name 'gov' in its website and PM's Office as its official address.

"On March 27, 2020, the trust deed of PM CARES Fund was registered as a Public Charitable Trust under the Registration Act, 1908 in New Delhi.

"Keeping in mind the need for having a dedicated fund with the primary objective of dealing with any kind of emergency or distress situation, like posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, and providing relief to the affected, a public charitable trust under the name of PM CARES Fund was set up, the affidavit stated.

--IANS

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In a meeting on women safety chaired by LG VK Saxena, the Delhi Police informed on Thursday that it will soon recruit nearly 6,000 personnel including 3,000 women to improve policing in the national capital.

Saxena stressed the need for increasing the representation of women police personnel in the force.

The LG also instructed for enhanced and visible policing, expediting construction of buildings for fast-track courts dealing with women safety issues, and integrating street lights with 311 app, said a statement from the LG's Office.

On being informed that there were 1,406 dark spots in the city that are yet to be illuminated, Saxena directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to complete the work within one month.

Reviewing the matter of illumination of dark spots and timely repair of street lights, the LG expressed dismay that something as basic as street lights, repair and maintenance, that should happen in normal course, was being discussed and decided at his level, according to the statement.

He was also apprised by the officials that the 32 judges were appointed in fast-track courts for women safety, but there was an "acute shortage" of courtrooms for functioning of the courts.

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The Public Works Department (PWD) informed the LG that the matter related to construction of courtrooms was pending with the Delhi government, since 2017-18, and no decision has been taken in this regard till now, it said.

Saxena said he will take up with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal the issue along with delay in replacement of street lights with LEDs.

He emphasised the need to augment campaigns of sensitizing young and adolescent boys through gender workshops and amended curricula by the Education department and other agencies concerned, with the view of mitigating social mores and practices that encourage objectification of women, the statement said.

It was also informed in the meeting that the disposal of cases by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) had improved significantly since the last meeting of the task force on women safety.

The meeting was attended by Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chairperson Swati Maliwal and senior police and administrative officers.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday held a discussion with IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva and urged the multi-lateral funding agency to develop a globally coordinated approach to the regulation of crypto assets.

The Finance Minister held a virtual conversation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) MD to discuss the upcoming G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting, scheduled to be held in Bengaluru later this month.

Sitharaman also thanked IMF for the support that it had been providing to the G20 Indian presidency on various work streams under the G20 FinanceTrack.

The Finance Ministry in a series of tweets said Georgieva congratulated India on its strong economic performance in challenging global times and its role at the forefront of digitalisation of the economy, especially in the area of digital payments.

Both leaders expressed solidarity with those affected by the devastation in Turkey and Syria, the ministry said in a tweet.

"FM conveyed India's immediate support extended by Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi through deployment of NDRF @NDRFHQ and medical teams under #OperationDost," as per another tweet.

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IMF MD appreciated India's contribution of USD 50 million for SARTTAC, Delhi, a partnership between IMF and India.

This will further strengthen India and IMF's role in building capacity in the South Asia Region, she added.

"FM Smt. @nsitharaman told Ms. @KGeorgieva that India will continue to play its leadership role during the Presidency to strengthen #multilateralism and #GlobalGovernance for a peaceful, sustainable, and prosperous world for all," another tweet said.

During the discussion via video conference, both leaders recognised that the voices of the most vulnerable and under-represented need to be heard through the leadership of the G20 nations.

Sitharaman stressed the need to ensure food and energy security for all and asked the IMF for support to the Indian Presidency in the form of detailed technical analysis to develop evidence-based policy guidance on the issue.

She also informed Georgieva that debt issues will be at the forefront of G20 FinanceTrack discussions, and India will continue to support the ongoing efforts for orderly and timely implementation of the Common Framework.

Along with addressing debt vulnerabilities, both leaders also discussed other key deliverables, such as the timely completion of the 16th General Review of Quota (GRQ) to strengthen the Global Financial Safety Net, another tweet said.
Union Minister for Culture and Tourism G Kishan Reddy on Thursday said the footfall of foreign tourists in India has reached 75 per cent level of what it was in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out.

The minister hoped that by December 2023, the footfall of foreign tourists would not only return to pre-pandemic level, the country would also register a record number of tourists.

Reddy was speaking after inaugurating the 30th edition of the South Asia's Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE), being held from February 9 to 11, at the India Expo Mart and Centre in Greater Noida.

The number of domestic tourists within the country is also on a rise. For example, Jammu and Kashmir had record number of tourists which was not seen ever earlier. Similarly, foreign tourists have reached 75 per cent of what it was in 2019 before Covid, he said.

Australian tourists have come to India in numbers more than it was in 2019, while the number of tourists from the US has reached 85 per cent of the pre-Covid level. I have full faith, by December 2023, the foreign tourist footfall will not only reach the pre-COVID level, but cross it, he said.

The minister said the Centre is working towards promotion of tourism in the country and committed to making it number one in the world. He also called on stakeholders from the tourism and hospitality industry to contribute to this effort.

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Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, Informa Markets in India, which is organising the SATTE, said the tourism sector has a large potential and holds opportunity to provide 137 million jobs and entrepreneurship prospects.

The Government of India has also allocated funds to the tune of Rs 2,400 crore in Union Budget 2023-24 for the development of tourist infrastructure, prioritising sustainability, aiming for a green economy and net-zero carbon emission by 2070, he said.

Promotion of tourism is on a mission mode and SATTE 2023 is anticipated to bring together various tourism stakeholders for three days and expand tourism in India. The expo will showcase composite tourism products profile of India and global tourism destinations, he added.

Mauritius' Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism Louis Steven Obeegadoo, Indonesia's Deputy Minister for Tourism Ni Made Ayu Marthini, Saudi's Chief Markets Officer Asia Pacific, Saudi Tourism Authority Alhasan Ali Aldabbagh, among others, attended the inaugural event.
A group of G20 delegates, including three from Turkiye, who are currently in Gujarat's Rann of Kutch for the influential bloc's first meeting under the tourism track, is slated to visit on Friday an iconic memorial in Bhuj built after the deadly 2001 earthquake.

Their visit will take place days after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake and several powerful aftershocks hit Turkiye and Syria, killing over 17,000 people and flattening thousands of buildings.

Turkiye is a member of the G20, or Group of 20, an intergovernmental forum of the world's major developed and developing economies.

The death toll in Turkiye since the Monday quake has risen to more than 14,000, with over 63,000 injured, according to international media reports.

Over 100 delegates, including both from India and foreign countries have taken part in the G20 event held at the pristine Rann of Kutch being hosted from February 7-9.

"The first tourism working group meeting had started from February 7. On that day, one-minute silence was observed to express deepest sympathies and solidarity for the loss of lives lost due to the devastating earthquake in Turkiye and Syria," a senior official told PTI on Thursday.

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Asked if any Turkish member is part of the delegation, he said, "three delegates are from Turkiye".

"On Friday, the delegates will visit the Smriti Van memorial in Bhuj that has been built after the devastating 2001 earthquake," the official said.

The visit to the memorial is part of the planned itinerary for the G20 event.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in his address during the main event on Wednesday had expressed his condolences on the loss of lives in the earthquake.

"Two decades ago, Kutch had suffered a devastating quake. G20 member country Turkey (now Turkiye) also suffered the devastation of an earthquake recently. We express our wholehearted condolences over the loss of lives in Turkey," he had said.

G20 comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkiye, the UK, the US, and the European Union (EU).

On Thursday, the delegates visited Dholavira, a Harappan-era site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Gujarat, and attended an event on archaeological tourism, the official said.

The official meeting ended on Thursday and on Friday, the delegates will return to Delhi. But, before flying out of the Bhuj airport, they will visit the Smriti Van memorial in Bhuj, built after the deadly 2001 earthquake.

"The memorial offers a simulative experience and visitors in a way can feel the impact," Union Tourism Secretary Arvind Singh had earlier said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August last year had inaugurated Smriti Van memorial, which celebrates the resilience shown by people during the devastating 2001 earthquake in the Kutch region of Gujarat.

The grand structure, which is the first such memorial in the country according to a Gujarat government official, is spread over 470 acres on Bhujio Hill near Bhuj town.

It celebrates the spirit of resilience in the wake of the death of nearly 13,000 people during the earthquake on January 26, 2001, which had its epicentre in Bhuj.

The memorial carries names of the people who lost their lives during the earthquake. It also has a state-of-the-art Smriti Van Earthquake Museum.
A two-day Urban-20 City Sherpas' meet that aims to focus on promoting solidarity among cities to find common solutions that are in sync with the overall objectives of the G20 began here on Thursday.

This is the third of the G20 events which is being held in Gujarat as part of India's presidency of the G20, or Group of 20.

The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry and the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation are holding the two-day inception meeting attended by sherpas of the cities identified for U20.

After the meeting concludes, a draft communique will be finalised that will be issued during the mayoral summit later this year, likely in July.

HUA Joint Secretary Kunal Kumar told PTI that representatives of over 30 international cities are participating in the two-day event to discuss the sustainable development of cities.

One of the engagement groups of G20, the U20 provides a platform for cities from G20 countries to facilitate discussions on key issues of urban development, such as climate change, social inclusion, sustainable mobility, and affordable housing, and propose collective solutions.

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An official said that with millions of people living in dense urban areas, cities are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, disasters, environmental degradation, resource depletion, growth and socioeconomic inequality.

"We must take action in time to harness the potential of urbanisation as a catalyst to drive the right kind of growth that is sustainable, inclusive, and equitable," the official said.

The sixth U20 highlights six priority areas -- environment-friendly behaviour, water security, climate finance, local identity, urban planning and administration, and digitalisation of urban amenities.

The Tourism Working Group (TWG) meeting was organised at the Tent City in Gujarat's Rann of Kutch as part of India's G20 presidency earlier this week.
Despair grows in Turkey and Syria as authorities noted that the death toll resulting from the powerful earthquake surpasses 12,000 as rescuers continue efforts to search for survivors.

On Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan acknowledged the shortcomings of his country's response to the disaster, considered the deadliest earthquake in over a decade. Rescue personnel is still trying to find survivors who could be trapped under the rubble of the thousands of topped buildings.

Turkey-Syria Earthquake Death Toll

The Turkish president visited Hatay province, struck especially hard by the tremor, where more than 3,300 fatalities have been recorded as entire neighborhoods have been destroyed. Survivors in the area criticized the government's efforts, arguing that rescue efforts were slow to come to their aid.

Erdogan reacted to the mounting public frustration by acknowledging the problems that hounded emergency responses to the 7.8 magnitude earthquake on Monday. However, he noted that the weather also affected the failed rescue efforts.

In a statement, the Turkish president said that authorities could not be prepared for such a disaster. He noted that the government would not leave any of its citizens uncared for and hit back at critics, arguing that "dishonorable people" were spreading "lies and slander" about his government's efforts, as per the Associated Press.

Furthermore, Turkish authorities said that they were working on addressing disinformation. In contrast, an internet monitoring group said that access to Twitter was restricted despite the social media platform being used by survivors to alert rescuers of their locations.

Several rescue teams in Turkey and Syria are still searching for signs of life in the rubble caused by the earthquake. More than two dozen countries sent out teams to join thousands of local emergency personnel in rescue efforts.

Read Also: Zelensky Renews Calls for Fighter Jets in Surprise UK Visit

Continuous Rescue Efforts

However, the scale of the destruction left by the powerful tremor and its aftershocks was so massive and widespread that many residents still waited to be assisted. Experts added that the survival window for people trapped under the rubble or otherwise unable to obtain necessities was rapidly closing.

On Wednesday, the body of a four-year-old girl was wrapped in a pink blanket and brought out from the wreckage of a building in Kahramanmaras. According to CNN, she is one of the latest young victims of the destructive earthquake.

Excavators in another area dug out the body of a man who officials believe was a Syrian refugee in his 40s who was found on a mattress, similar to many of the victims since the tremor occurred at roughly 4:00 a.m. when many people were still sleeping.

Now, several countries are pledging financial support for Turkey and Syria to alleviate some of the damage caused by the disaster. The EU said it would send $3.7 million to Syria and $3.2 million to Turkey. The bloc also plans to host a donors conference next month to marshal international aid for the two affected countries, said BBC.

Related Article: Newborn Found Alive After Turkey-Syria Earthquake

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The government informed Parliament on Thursday that it was earnestly trying to sort out with France the issues pertaining to the construction of 1650 MW nuclear power reactors in Jaitapur in Maharashtra.

"Much of the conflict of views on the two sides happened because of geopolitical reasons. We are, very earnestly, trying to sort it out and we are moving forward," Minister of State for Atomic Energy Jitendra Singh said in the Rajya Sabha during the Question Hour.

He was responding to a supplementary question asked by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on the status of construction of nuclear power reactors in Jaitapur.

There are technical, financial and civil nuclear liability issues that both sides have to resolve.

India has announced plans to construct six 1,650 MW nuclear power plants at Jaitapur in Ratnagiri which could become the nation's largest nuclear power site once completed with a 9,900 MW capacity.

Replying to another supplementary query asked by Muzibulla Khan of the BJD on the progress of new power reactors to come up in four states, the minister said, "The projects are in progress.... There has not been unnecessary delay."



In 2017, the cabinet had approved setting up of power reactors in four states with an outlay of Rs 1.05 lakh crore. Two power reactors each will come up in Karnataka, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

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These projects will be implemented in a phased manner by 2031, he added.

Highlighting the steps taken to boost the atomic power generation in the country, the minister said the government took out-of-the-box and path-breaking decisions which resulted in increase in the country's total atomic energy generation from 35,333 million units to 47,112 million units at present.

He said the government has kept aside a budget of Rs 3,000 crore exclusively for atomic energy generation for the next 10 years. The target is to increase the generation capacity three times by 2024-25.

Usually, power reactors and nuclear plants were located in southern India and in western Maharashtra. Efforts have been made to set them up in other parts of the country, he said.

The minister further said the government has for the first time permitted joint venture with public sector undertakings in the area of atomic energy generation, a move that will help in addressing the financial constrains.

"We are making good progress in two such JVs," he said, adding that the JVs have been signed with NTPC and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC).

He said that the government has opened JV with public sectors. "Maybe we will think about (public private parternship) in future," he added.


"We'll help members set this up, ensuring that anyone who lives in their household can use their Netflix account," it said in a blog post. Netflix Inc on Wednesday released the rules to crack down on password sharing for accounts on its streaming platform. Among other things, the OTT giant said that the customers will have to set up a primary location for the account.



"A primary location is set by a TV that is signed into your account and is connected to your Wi-Fi network. All other devices signed into your account on that Wi-Fi network will be associated with your primary location and will be able to use Netflix," the company said. Earlier this month, the company updated its FAQ pages and clarified the meaning of primary location.



Also, to ensure that the devices are associated with the primary location, the users will be required to connect to the Wi-Fi at their primary location, open the Netflix app or website, and watch something at least once every 31 days. Netflix will set a primary location based on IP address, device IDs and activity if a user hasn't specified a primary location or doesn't have a TV.

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The users will also be required to buy an extra member account which can be accessed by two people who are not at the primary location. In the blog post, the company said that from today, it will launch the password sharing rules in Canada, New Zealand, Portugal and Spain. They are already functional in Latin America.



The members will also be able to manage who has access to their account. They can also transfer profile to a new account and still easily watch Netflix on their personal devices or log into a new TV. "Members on Netflix's standard or premium plan in many countries can add an extra member sub account for up to two people for an extra C$7.99 a month per person in Canada, NZD$7.99 in New Zealand, 3.99 euros in Portugal, and 5.99 euros in Spain," the company said.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Both the leaders deliberated on various issues of the state, especially about the ongoing four-lane projects being operated by the National Highway Authorities of India (NHAI) and other National Highways of the state.

The Chief Minister urged the Union Minister to speed up four-lane projects especially Kiratpur-Manali, Parwanoo-Shimla, Chakki-Mataur-Shimla and Nalagarh- Swarghat highways so that they could be completed in the stipulated time.

Meanwhile, for repairing the work of National Highways CM Sukhu has urged Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to release funds as the bulk of tourists loves to drive and that's why roads need to be repaired.

Chief Minister Sukhu said, "I have urged Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for construction of flyovers to ease traffic congestion besides reducing distance and saving commuters time."

Talking to the media the Chief Minister said, "The Union Minister has assured of all the possible assistance and co-operation on the issues raised. CM Sukhu also thanked the Union Minister for his generous approach towards the hilly state and invited him to visit the state.

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Earlier in the day, CM Sukhu laid the foundation stone of five storeys 'Himachal Niketan' worth Rs 57.72 crore in Delhi's Dwarka.

'Himachal Niketan' is a third alternative of stay in the National Capital that will provide accommodation facilities to the students and visitors from the state.
A field hospital set up by the Indian Army in Hatay province of quake-ravaged Turkiye has become operational with surgical and emergency wards to provide succour to the affected people days after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake and several powerful aftershocks hit that country.

The quake hit Turkiye and Syria on Monday, killing over 17,000 people and flattening several buildings. India has launched 'Operation Dost' to extend assistance to both the countries.

On Tuesday, India had sent to Turkiye relief materials, a mobile hospital and specialised search and rescue teams in four C-17 Globemaster military transport aircraft to support the country's rescue efforts.

On Wednesday, India had despatched relief materials in another aircraft to Turkiye.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday took to Twitter to provide update on the relief work done by India in Turkiye.

"The army field hospital in Iskenderun, Hatay, Trkiye has started functioning with running Medical, Surgical & Emergency Wards; X-Ray Lab & Medical Store. @adgpi team will work 24 x 7 to provide relief to the affected people. #OperationDost," Jaishankar tweeted and shared pictures of the field hospital.

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Jaishankar had earlier shared photos of teams from India's National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) commencing search operation in Turkiye's Gaziantep.

The MEA said India has been able to send more than 250 personnel, specialised equipment and other relief material amounting to more than 135 tonnes to Turkiye on five C-17 IAF aircraft.

These include three self sustained teams of the NDRF numbering more than 150 specially trained personnel, along with dog squads, specialised equipment, vehicles and other supplies.

"Their equipment allows for detection, location, access and rescue of people trapped under collapsed structures," the MEA said.

In addition, personnel and equipment have been sent to set up a 30-bed self-sustained field hospital of the Indian Army.

This includes a team of 99 specially-trained personnel with essential medicines, advanced equipment, vehicles, and ambulances.

The MEA said the hospital will provide for a fully functional operation theatre, and facilities such as X-ray, and ventilators among others.

The Indian Army on Thursday also tweeted a picture of a woman hugging an Indian Army personnel on duty at the field hospital: "#OperationDost We Care. #IndianArmy #Trkiye".

MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, in a tweet on Wednesday, had said: "#OperationDost in full swing! The @adgpi Field Hospital being set up at Iskenderun, Hatay province in Trkiye. Once functional, it will be a 30-bedded fully-equipped medical facility with Operation Theatre, X-ray machines, ventilators, etc.".

India decided to immediately dispatch search and rescue teams of the NDRF, medical teams and relief material to Turkiye following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's instructions to offer all possible assistance to the country on Monday.

India also sent relief materials on board a C-130J aircraft of the Indian Air Force to Syria on Tuesday.

Asked about sending aid to Syria when the country has been under US sanctions, Secretary (West) in the MEA Sanjay Verma had said that India is following the G20 mantra of 'One Earth, One Family, One Future'.

"Sanctions don't cover such humanitarian assistance," he said.

Meanwhile, Syrian Embassy in India issued an appeal seeking help.

"Syria has been struck by a massive earthquake with 7.7 magnitude on Richter scale, which led to hundreds of death and thousands of injuries. Many buildings collapsed and people are still trapped under the debris. The Syrian government mobilised all its forces to meet the challenges and reach to the affected victims, providing them with shelter and essential supplies," it said in its appeal issued in a statement.

"We are appealing to our Indian friends from all strata of society to come forward and help," it said.
As many as 14 to 16 cheetahs are expected to be translocated to India in the coming months, Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Thursday and asserted that the government is making holistic efforts for wildlife protection and sustainability.

While emphasising the importance of protecting nature for future generations, he also said there is no space for a linear economy now and "there is no place for Take, Make, Dispose model".

"Preserving wildlife and ensuring that it thrives is a very important part of our tradition as well as our treasure for us to maintain, develop and grow in a fiduciary role for the generations to come," Scindia said here.

Briefing reporters about the government's initiatives for wildlife conservation over the last nearly nine years, Scindia said 14-16 more cheetahs are expected to be translocated to India in the coming months.

At present, the government is working on the second phase of Project Cheetah and has signed a pact with South Africa. Cheetahs will be translocated from South Africa.

Under Project Cheetah, eight cheetahs were airlifted from Namibia and translocated to India. In September last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the first batch of cheetahs into the Kuno Palpur National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh.

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According to Scindia, who is in charge of the ministries of civil aviation and steel, the government's strategy for wildlife conservation is focused on four key pillars -- population, policy, people and infrastructure.

Scindia said a 360 degrees approach has been adopted and emphasised the importance of "animal passage plans" along with development.

In response to a query, he said that the Prime Minister wearing a jacket made of recycled plastic is also a message to the world.

"My father was very closely involved in wildlife conservation and I have been a wildlife enthusiast from a very young age. For me, it is an area of personal interest and passion," Scindia said.
The High Court of Karnataka on Thursday dismissed a public interest litigation filed against the Isha Yoga Centre that is constructed in Chikkaballapura.

The division bench of Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale and Justice Ashok S Kinagi in their order said the petitioners have not approached the court with clean hands and they had not disclosed the criminal cases pending against them.

The Yoga Centre and the Adiyogi statue is built at the Avalagurki village in Chikkaballapura. This was challenged by S Kyatappa from Chamballi village and others.

Senior advocate Uday Holla, representing the Isha Yoga Centre, submitted to the court that the petitioners have not disclosed the criminal cases against them.

The advocate for the petitioners, M Shivaprakash, claimed that false cases have been foisted upon them as they were part of pro-farmer agitations.

The court, however, pointed out that in a public interest litigation it was necessary to come to court with clean hands, disclose any cases against them and provide documents for the same. PIL cannot be filed due to personal agendas, the court said.

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"If somebody is not disclosing material facts and then approaching the court that I am a whistleblower and action should be taken against Mr X because he is a wrong-doer, the court expects that if you are raising a finger to Mr X there are already two fingers raised to yourself, therefore you should be a person of such a character that he can say yes I am coming to court with clean hands and I have a right as a vigilant citizen and moral right to ask Mr X, don't do this thing. the Court said.

The Court pointed to the petitioners quoting Mahatma Gandhi in their petition and said, Mahatma Gandhi stressed on the purity of the means for the achievement of noble ends.

The 112-ft statue of Adiyogi was unveiled on January 15 after the High Court permitted it.

There were 16 respondents in the PIL including the Union Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Ecology, Karnataka Government, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Isha Yoga Centre, Coimbatore.

The PIL alleged that "in blatant violation destroying the environment ecosystem, watershed, core command area of Nandi Hills, NDB Foot Hills in Chikkaballapura Hobli to establish a private foundation in the famous Nandi Hills at the instance of Respondent No.16, a 'self-styled God man,' to establish commercial activities in the core area of greenery hillock viz., Panchagiri Nandi Range.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Wednesday said that no country should be allowed to use Afghan territory to export terrorism and asserted that India will never abandon the people of Afghanistan in their time of need.

In an address at a multilateral security dialogue on Afghanistan in Moscow, Doval said that an inclusive and representative dispensation in Kabul is in the larger interest of the Afghan society.

He also reaffirmed that the well being and humanitarian needs of the people of Afghanistan is India's foremost priority and it will continue to guide New Delhi's approach towards that country, official sources said.

The National Security Advisor (NSA) is on a two-day visit to Moscow from Wednesday.

Besides Russia and India, the fifth meeting of Secretaries of Security Councils/NSAs on Afghanistan was attended by representatives from Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, the official sources said



In his remarks at the meeting, Doval said that India "is and will" remain an important stakeholder in Afghanistan.

"We always stood by the people of Afghanistan and will always support collective efforts to help the Afghan people build a prosperous and vibrant nation once again," the sources quoted Doval as saying.

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The meeting discussed various issues related to Afghanistan, including the security situation and humanitarian challenges facing the country, they said.

The third round of this conference was held in Delhi under chairmanship of Doval in November 2021.

The NSA said terrorism has become a major threat to the region and emphasised that intensified intelligence and security cooperation is needed among member states to deal with terror outfits like the Lashkar-e-Toiba, the Jaish-e-Mohammed and the Daesh, according to the sources.

Doval also spoke about the importance of the UN Security Council resolution 2593 that called for terror outfits, including those designated by the top UN body, to be denied sanctuary in the region, they said.

The NSA said that Afghanistan is passing through a difficult phase and that "India will never abandon the Afghan people in their time of need".

An inclusive and representative dispensation is in the larger interest of the Afghan society, he said.

India has not yet recognised the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and has been pitching for the formation of a truly inclusive government in Kabul.

Following the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan after the Taliban seized power, India has delivered 40,000 metric tonnes of wheat, 60 tonnes of medicines, 5,00,000 Covid vaccines, winter clothing and 28 tonnes of disaster relief to the country.

India has granted fresh scholarships to 2,260 Afghan students, including 300 Afghan girls, during the past two years.

India has been pitching for providing unimpeded humanitarian aid to Afghanistan to address the unfolding humanitarian crisis.

In June last year, India re-established its diplomatic presence in Kabul by deploying a "technical team" in its embassy in the Afghan capital.

India had withdrawn its officials from the embassy after the Taliban seized power in August 2021 following concerns over their security.

Doval's visit to Moscow comes weeks ahead of the G-20 foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to travel to India to attend the meeting on March 1 and 2.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval called on Russian President Vladimir Putin and agreed to continue work towards implementing the India-Russia strategic partnership, the Indian embassy in Moscow said on Thursday.

"NSA Ajit Doval called on HE President Putin. Wide-ranging discussion on bilateral and regional issues. Agreed to continue work towards implementing the India-Russia strategic partnership," the embassy tweeted.

The Kremlin said President Putin met with heads of delegations taking part in the multilateral consultations on Afghanistan.

On Wednesday, Doval attended the fifth multilateral meeting of Secretaries of Security Councils/NSAs on Afghanistan which was hosted by Russia.

"We are also worried about attempts to use the situation in Afghanistan to allow extra-regional forces to expand or build their infrastructure," Putin said, according to the Kremlin.

"These countries will create this under the pretext of countering international terrorism, but they are not doing anything that is really necessary in the real counterterrorism struggle," he said.

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"Obviously, the situation in the country is not improving and we see this. The humanitarian situation is worsening," Putin added.

In his address at the multilateral meeting on Afghanistan, Doval said no country should be allowed to use Afghan territory to export terrorism and asserted that India will never abandon people of Afghanistan in their time of need.

Besides Russia and India, the meeting was attended by representatives from Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Doval began his two-day visit to Russia on Wednesday.

On Monday, Russian Ambassador to New Delhi Denis Alipov said Russia wants to further diversify its relations with India.

The NSA's visit to Russia came three months after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar travelled to the country during which the two sides vowed to expand their economic engagement including India's import of petroleum products from its "time-tested" partner.

Doval's visit to Moscow also took place ahead of the G-20 foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to travel to India to attend the meeting on March 1 and 2.

The ties between India and Russia remained strong notwithstanding Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

India's import of Russian crude oil has gone up significantly in the last few months despite increasing disquiet over it in many Western countries.

India has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and it has been maintaining that the crisis must be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue.
New Zealand authorities found a massive haul of cocaine, roughly 3.5 tons, worth about $300 million, floating in the Pacific Ocean.

A statement by the country's police released on Wednesday noted that the cocaine they found is enough to service the New Zealand market for the next three decades. Officials are now bringing the substance onboard the royal navy vessel HMNZS Manawanui back to the mainland.

Massive Haul of Cocaine

Authorities also said that once the cocaine is returned, it will be destroyed. No arrests have been made in relation to the discovered substance. The commissioner of the New Zealand police, Andrew Coster, spoke during a media conference on Wednesday, saying that the amount of cocaine would be enough to supply the Australian market for a year.

The official added that given the size of the substance, it would have most likely been going to the Australian market. The media team of the New Zealand Police also shared official photos of the discovery. The images show that some packages were tagged with identifiable stickers, such as a four-leaf clover and one with a Batman logo, as per Business Insider.

It remains unclear why the packages of cocaine were labeled with such logos. New Zealand authorities conducted the cocaine interception known as "Operation Hydros" in December 2022 as a joint operation between New Zealand police, customs, and the defense force.

New Zealand police and customs in March 2022 made one of the nation's largest drug busts when they intercepted methamphetamine weighing roughly 613 kilograms that were arriving at Auckland Airport.

Coster also said that there was no doubt that the seizure of the 3.2 tons of cocaine landed a significant financial blow from the South American producers through to the distributors of the product. He added that the latest discovery is one of the single biggest seizures of illegal drugs in New Zealand.

Read Also: Chinese Spy Balloon: A Shocking Update

Illegal Drug Trade

According to USA Today, officials noted that smugglers left the drugs at a floating drop point, and authorities will continue to investigate the case and monitor "suspicious" vessels in collaboration with international law enforcement partners.

The seizure comes as last year, Australian police seized nearly two tons of methamphetamine, considered the largest drug bust in the country's history. Officials discovered 1,800 kilograms of the substance inside shipping containers at a Sydney port. They were concealed in marble and were estimated to have a street value of more than $1.1 billion.

Authorities charged three men over the alleged involvement in the importation of drugs that came from the Middle East. Officials added that the suspects were part of a broader syndicate with international links.

In a statement, New South Wales Police said that the smuggling group was "sophisticated." However, they said officers could not believe their "audacity" in trying to import such a large amount of drugs while avoiding detection. Det. Chief Supt. John Watson noted that the numbers in the case were "staggering," said BBC.

Related Article: Turkey-Syria Earthquake: Rescue Efforts Continue

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Parts of Srinagar city on Thursday observed a shutdown on the 10th death anniversary of Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal Guru, who was hanged inside Tihar Jail.

Shops and other business establishments in Nowhatta, Gojwara and Nalla Mar Road areas were closed due to the strike called by banned JKLF.

However, private transport was plying normally all across the valley while the situation remained peaceful so far.

Guru was hanged on this day in 2013 for his role in the attack on Parliament in 2001 carried out by the Jaish-e-Mohammad.
Coca Cola may soon take two of its India-made brands, Thums Up and Maaza, to the global markets, a report by the Economic Times (ET) said, quoting the company's president for international development, Henrique Braun. Thums Up recently crossed $1 billion in sales in India, and Maaza is expected to achieve the milestone by 2024. Read more
All urban areas in Odisha will get 5G connectivity while 1,814 villages will get 4G network by December 2023, an official said on Wednesday.

5G connectivity was launched on January 5 in Odisha with services in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar through 510 BTSs (base terminal stations).

"There is a target to cover every village in the country irrespective of the population with at least 4G by December through various USOF (Universal Service Obligation Fund) projects fully supported and funded by the government of India. Currently, 7113 uncovered villages without 4G will be covered by December 2023 through different projects in Odisha," Department of Telecom's deputy director-general BK Nayak said.

He further said that it is in the rollout phase now to cover all major cities by March this year and all cities and towns by December.

"At present, 13 districts are being served with 5G services by Reliance Jio and nine districts by Airtel 13 districts are being served with 5G services by Reliance Jio and nine districts by Airtel," he also said.

Nayak further said that according to the census 2011, only 42,425 villages are covered with any type of mobile service (2G, 3G, 4G) out of 51313.

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"In Odisha, there are 51313 villages according to the census 2011. Out of which 47677 villages are inhabited. Out of these 47677 villages, the number of villages covered with any type of Mobile services (2G/3G/4G) are 42425 villages only. There are 25115 towers with 74072 BTS. The number of mobile subscribers in the State is 3.32 crores and mobile broadband subscribers are 2.21 crores. Out of 3.32 crores, 2.21 crore are rural and 1.1 crore are urban subscribers," he added.

BK Nayak also said that the overall teledensity in the state is 80 per cent against the National average of around 85 per cent.

In Naxalism-hit areas, 483 4G towers were being set up in nine districts at a sanctioned cost of Rs 422 crores and the project is being implemented by Reliance Jio, he said.

Under Aspirational District Project, 3933 villages are planned with 2379 (All 4G) mobile towers with approximate cost of Rs 1808 crores being implemented by Reliance JIO covering 10 Districts, with a target of November.

As of date, the survey has been completed for 3564 villages and land acquisition is under process, he said, adding, "Under 4G saturation Project, 1814 villages are planned to be covered by 4G services with 1629 towers at an approximate cost of Rs 2000 crores being implemented by BSNL but fully funded by the government of India with a target to complete by December 2023."

Under USO Fund projects, it has been planned to upgrade all existing 2G and 3G towers to 4G.

"BSNL has been assigned to upgrade 1000 villages under this scheme. Further, all the existing 256 towers under LWE Ph-I with 2G service only are also being upgraded to 4G which is being implemented by BSNL also," he added.

Further, the Odisha government has identified a list of 1362 non-census inhabited villages where 4G service is not available and the proposal has been sent to DOT HQ, New Delhi for approval to be done under USOF.

Besides all these USOF projects, Reliance JIO is also covering 1073 villages under its own expansion plan.
The Delhi government will increase power generation capacity in the city by 6,000 MW in the next three years using renewable energy sources through various initiatives, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said on Thursday.

The city government is working on a war footing to meet Delhi's electricity demand using renewable energy, he added.

"Our target is to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and meet power demand using renewable energy to make Delhi self-reliant in its energy needs, ensuring uninterrupted 24x7 electricity supply for citizens and meeting the growing power demand," Sisodia said in a statement.

The deputy chief minister emphasised on faster adoption of rooftop solar panels by Delhi government offices, schools and other buildings, as per the city's new solar policy.

Chairing a crucial meeting of the energy department to review the city's preparedness to meet future energy needs, Sisodia instructed officials to explore potential areas for setting up new solar energy plants and initiate unique projects like setting up floating solar plants over lakes to achieve renewable energy targets.

The highest electricity demand recorded in Delhi was 7,695 MW in June 2022. At present, the power discoms have tie-ups for a total of 8,471 MW, of which 33 per cent (around 2,826 MW) is generated from renewable sources, officials said in the meeting.

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The renewable sources are primarily solar energy and wind energy that contribute approximately 2,000 MW to Delhi's power supply, they said.

The draft of the new solar policy of the Delhi government will encourage Delhiites to install solar panels on rooftops through a generation-based incentive (GBI) of Rs 2-3 per unit of power for residential sector and Re 1 for the commercial sector.

The policy also envisages providing a subsidy of Rs 2,000 per kilowatt per consumer, up to a maximum limit of Rs 10,000.

In addition to this, all government buildings with a rooftop area of 500 square metres and above will be solarised, recommends the draft solar policy that targets installation of an additional 500 MW of rooftop solar plants in Delhi over the next three years.

The discoms are in consultation with different agencies for an additional renewable energy supply of 3,000 MW. After a 1,000 MW solar plant and a 111 MW wind power plant of the Solar Energy Corporation (SECI) are commissioned, Delhi will get 1,100 MW more electricity sourced from renewable energy, the officials said.

Apart from this, work is underway on several renewable energy generation projects totalling 2,100 MW that are expected to be completed soon, they added.

All these steps will increase sustainable power generation capacity by up to 6,000 MW over the next three years, the statement said.

In 2018 and afterwards, the Delhi government entered into power purchase agreements with several companies to meet the growing electricity demand in the city, it added.




MeitY earlier this week issued orders to block around 138 betting and 94 Chinese loan apps for alleged involvement in money laundering and posing "threat to the financial security of the nation." The action started after a nodal officer of the Ministry of Home Affairs alerted the IT ministry. The blocking orders for the apps were issued on an urgent and emergency basis.

The official said the concerned apps have reached out to the government. The loan apps blocked over the notice from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) have been asked to submit necessary documents to prove that their practices were in legal boundaries, a senior government official said on Thursday.MeitY earlier this week issued orders to block around 138 betting and 94 Chinese loan apps for alleged involvement in money laundering and posing "threat to the financial security of the nation." The action started after a nodal officer of the Ministry of Home Affairs alerted the IT ministry. The blocking orders for the apps were issued on an urgent and emergency basis.



As per Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, the intermediaries must provide information under its control or assistance to authorised government agency within seventy two hours of receiving an order. "The order has been issued and they (platforms) have been given an opportunity. This is as per the standard procedure. The further action will be taken depending on the document they submit," the official told reporters on the condition of anonymity.



While many internet service providers (ISPs) have blocked access to these websites, Google is reviewing a directive to restrict apps on its Play Store. Even as the ministry sources first said the crackdown was on illegal platforms with Chinese links, several Indian apps were blocked for downloading.

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The mobile lending apps, which offer instant personal loans from a few hundred rupees to about Rs 10,000, are also known as Chinese loan apps due to their business model of small financing. Investigative agencies have found that many of the apps illegally offer loans for terms ranging from seven days to a month. Several borrowers have complained about the platforms blackmailing them if they miss the due dates of repayment. Google has received a government request to restrict apps from the Play Store in India. It is evaluating the order and will restrict apps as appropriate after a thorough review, a source said on Wednesday.

The Reserve Bank of India in its regulatory framework released in August, 2022 mandated that the loan disbursal should only be carried out by entities regulated by it or those permitted under the law. It also said the digital loans must be credited directly to the bank accounts of borrowers and not through any third party. The central bank had recommended a law to safeguard borrowers from activities like predatory lending, harassment, and blackmailing.




During the recently concluded Global Investors Summit (GIS), the state received investment intentions totaling over Rs 15 trillion, with renewable energy topping the chart with proposals worth Rs 6.09 trillion.

This (local bodies going for green bonds) is not a standalone activity. We are continuously evaluating and trying multiple ways to tap the markets for funds. We are not investing as much money but are still getting the developments (in the field of green transition) to happen, Principal Secretary (energy and renewable energy department) Sanjay Dubey told Business Standard. The Bhopal Municipal Corporation and other local bodies in Madhya Pradesh, like the Indore civic body, are planning to tap green bonds as part of the state governments increased emphasis on renewable energy.During the recently concluded Global Investors Summit (GIS), the state received investment intentions totaling over Rs 15 trillion, with renewable energy topping the chart with proposals worth Rs 6.09 trillion.



The Bhopal Municipal Corporation, on the other hand, plans to utilise the fund for solar and wind energy plants, water supply, and sewerage projects in the Neemuch district. The Indore Municipal Corporation has filed an offer document for the public issuance of rated and listed green municipal bonds aggregating up to Rs 244 crore. The civic body, declared the cleanest city in India for a sixth consecutive year, will use the fund to set up a 60-megawatt (Mw) solar plant at Jalud water pumping station, about 80 kms from the city.



Around 200 panchayats have decided to install solar energy panels, the secretary said. The whole transition is being done in different modes. While some works are done in private-developer mode, some are taking the engineering, procurement, and construction route. Some panchayats are using mining funds. All of this is happening simultaneously. Apart from Indore and Bhopal, other civic bodies and panchayats will also go for such fundraising activities, Dubey said.

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Two days after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake killed more than 15,000 people in Turkey and Syria, families gathered in the cold rain to build improvised tents out of tarps, rested on furniture rescued from the rubble, and waited in line for shoes and blankets, and whatever else that was available.

Many were upset that rescue teams with heavy apparatus took so long to arrive. Three bodies were rescued from a six-story building in Kahramanmaras, which Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited on Wednesday. There were at least six more casualties under the wreckage.

Turkey, Syria Earthquake Death Toll

In southern Turkey, buildings toppled onto roadways, leaving them impassable, and a fire station in Pazarcik was converted into a temporary burial home. The gaps in the remaining buildings' walls were large enough to squeeze through.

Broken glass litters the ground, threatening to lacerate the feet of survivors, the majority of whom are shoeless and still wearing the clothing they were wearing when the earthquake occurred two days earlier.

Early Thursday morning, the state-run Andalou News Agency announced that the death toll in Turkey had surpassed 12,000. According to the agency, known by its Turkish initials AFAD, 12,391 people have been killed and 62,914 wounded.

Erdogan, Turkey's preeminent leader for the last two decades, made his first visit to the disaster zone on Wednesday to inform his people of how much his government had already done to aid them and to urge them to "exercise patient" until additional relief arrived.

However, the leader of the main opposition party in the country rejected the appeal for unity, stating that Erdogan was "all accountable." Criticism of the government's response to the accident will only hinder Erdogan's reelection bid in May. The over-a-decade-long civil war in Syria complicates efforts to provide relief to the nation, as per NY Times.

Numerous refugees uprooted by the conflict reside in the quake-ravaged region of Turkey, and while help was not entering Syria, bodies were. At least 3,042 people perished in the earthquake in Syria, where more than a decade of civil conflict had already produced a humanitarian disaster, according to the state Health Ministry and the White Helmets relief organization.

Rad Also: North Korea's Kim Jong Un Goes Missing

Erdogan Admits 'Shortcomings' in Earthquake Response

Meanwhile, after criticism of his government's response to the catastrophic earthquake that killed over 15,000 people in Turkey and Syria, Erdogan acknowledged "shortcomings" on Wednesday. The calamity's immensity, which destroyed thousands of structures and trapped an untold number of people, overwhelmed relief efforts already handicapped by frigid temperatures.

Survivors have been left to scavenge for food and shelter and, in some cases, have been forced to watch helplessly as their families screamed for aid, only to go silent beneath the rubble. Even as the death toll continues to increase, searchers continued to retrieve survivors from the rubble three days after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake, which is already one of the worst of this century.

As online criticism rose, Erdogan visited Kahramanmaras, one of the hardest-hit areas, and admitted issues with the response.vAs the endeavor nears the 72-hour mark when catastrophe experts believe the most probable time to save lives, the window of opportunity for rescuers to identify survivors is closing.

Yet, on Wednesday, rescuers extracted children from beneath a collapsed structure in the hard-hit Turkish province of Hatay, where entire swaths of communities were destroyed. The EU is preparing a March donors summit in Brussels to mobilize worldwide assistance for Syria and Turkey.

As a result of the magnitude of the destruction and the absence of relief in many regions, survivors reported feeling alone in their response to the tragedy.vIn their "race against time," the White Helmets, who are leading attempts to rescue those buried under debris in rebel-held regions of Syria, have pleaded for international assistance.

A senior UN official has asked to improve assistance access to rebel-held regions in the northwest, saying that relief supplies may soon run out. The topic of aid to Syria is complex, and the sanctioned government in Damascus has made a public appeal to the EU for assistance, according to the EU's crisis management commissioner, Janez Lenarcic.

A decade of civil war and Russian-Syrian aerial bombing had already destroyed hospitals, caused economic collapse, and caused energy, fuel, and water shortages.

Lenarcic highlighted that the European Commission is "encouraging" EU members to respond to Syria's request for medical supplies and food while also ensuring that any help "is not misdirected" by the administration of President Bashar al-Assad.

Dozens of countries, including the United States, China, and the Gulf States, have offered assistance, and search teams and relief supplies have arrived. On Monday, the European Union quickly dispatched emergency personnel to Turkey after a powerful earthquake shook the nation near the Syrian border.

As a result of EU sanctions placed since 2011 on Assad's regime for its ruthless crackdown on demonstrators that sparked a civil war, Russia initially provided Syria with relatively modest aid. Per Al Jazeera, the Turkey-Syria border is one of the most seismically active regions in the world. The magnitude of Monday's earthquake was the greatest since 1939 when 33,000 people perished in the eastern region of Erzincan.

Related Article: Syria Earthquake: Newborn Baby Survives in Miraculous Turn

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This has become possible because of the Mukhyamantri Beej Swavlamban Yojana. The agriculture department has provided improved varieties of seeds to farmers for seed production. More than 200,000 farmers in Rajasthan are becoming self-dependent by producing seeds in their fields and not buying them from markets.



The official said the farmers produce increased with this scheme and their income grew, and the problem of improved seeds not being available at the time of sowing had been solved forever. A senior agriculture department official said farmers in all the districts had been given free seeds of wheat, gram, sorghum, soybean, groundnut, and pulses along those of other crops.



These farmers had sown the seeds in 58.47 hectares. As a result, 214,262 quintal seeds were produced from 2019 to 2022, the agriculture commissioner added. Agriculture Commissioner Kanaram said more than 224,000 farmers had been given 46,326 quintals (1 quintal = 100 kg) of improved seeds at Rs 24.81 crore in the last four years under this scheme.

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It has been observed that 50 per cent of the farmers are small and marginal and it is necessary that each farmer should have 0.2 hectares. Looking at the success of the scheme, the chief minister in the last Budget doubled the size of the plan and announced benefiting 50,000 farmers. This fiscal year, 34,276 quintals of seeds, worth Rs 15 crore, were disbursed to farmers.
Finance minister told the chief of the International Monetary Fund on Thursday that debt discussions would be at the forefront during a meeting of G20 finance officials later this month.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and IMF's Kristalina Georgieva also discussed regulating crypto assets.

(Reporting by Tanvi Mehta; Editing by Krishna N. Das)


The reversal of the repo auction will take place on February 24, the RBI said in a press release. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday said it would conduct a 14-day variable rate repo auction worth Rs 50,000 crore on February 10. This will be the first repo auction by the central bank since September 22, 2022.



Liquidity in the banking system is seen tightening in coming days due to the scheduled redemptions of large-scale long-term repo operations (LTRO) and targeted long-term repo operations (TLTRO). The RBI had conducted these repo operations in early 2020 in order to provide easy access to liquidity at the height of the Covid crisis in India. When the central bank conducts repo operations such as 14-day repo auctions, it infuses short-term liquidity into the banking system.



The outflows in March coincide with the end of the financial year, which is typically a busy time for banks on the asset-liability management front. According to RBI data, LTROs worth Rs 499 crore are set to mature on February 16. The maturities in the next two months are much larger, with LTROs and TLTROs worth Rs 13,018 crore set to be redeemed in March and that worth Rs 61,131 crore set to mature in April. The total amount of LTROs and TLTROs that will mature by the end of April stand at Rs 74,648 crore.

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Addressing the media after the monetary policy statement on Wednesday, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das had said while higher government expenditure and the anticipated return of foreign exchange inflows would likely augment systemic liquidity, it would get modulated by the scheduled redemption of LTRO and TLTRO funds. I expect VRR will be the key instrument in the coming days to address the liquidity gap, and the RBI can come out with longer-duration VRR. However, if demand for credit remains high, and pressure on BoP (balance of payments) continues, the credit market will face challenges, Soumyajit Niyogi, director, India Ratings & Research said.



From March to April, we have the bulk of the LTRO/TLTRO maturities; the big numbers are coming in April. The governor mentioned yesterday that they were staying alert to the situation and todays (Thursdays) announcement is basically in keeping with the large-scale maturities lined up, Madan Sabnavis, Chief Economist, Bank of Baroda said. The central bank will conduct operations on either side of the Liquidity Adjustment Facility, depending on the evolving liquidity conditions, Das had said.



The injection of funds on February 8 marked the first time this month that liquidity slipped into a deficit. Between February 1 and 7, the RBI had absorbed funds worth a daily average of Rs 44,117.87 crore from the banking system. According to the latest RBI data, the central bank infused funds worth Rs 11,172 crore into the banking system on February 8. An infusion of funds by the RBI implies tight liquidity in the banking system while an absorption of funds by the central bank indicates surplus liquidity with banks.
The Chinese balloon shot down off the South Carolina coast was part of a large surveillance programme that China has been conducting for "several years", the Pentagon said Wednesday.

When similar balloons passed over US territory on four occasions during the Trump and Biden administrations, the US did not immediately identify them as Chinese surveillance balloons, said Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary.

But he said "subsequent intelligence analysis" allowed the US to confirm they were part of a Chinese spying effort and learn "a lot more" about the programme.

He refused to provide any new details about those previous balloons. When pressed, Ryder would only say that the balloons flew over "sites that would be of interest to the Chinese".

One of the possible incidents was last February.

Maj. Gen. Kenneth Hara, the adjutant general in Hawaii, tweeted about a balloon over Kauai a year ago. He said US Indo-Pacific Command "detected a high-altitude object floating in the air in the vicinity of the Hawaiian Islands" and sent up aircraft to intercept it. He said they visually confirmed it was an unmanned balloon with no identification markings.

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Ryder declined to say whether this was one of the four previous incidents that the US had discussed. Pacific Air Forces, the Air Force command in the Indo-Pacific, said that balloon was not shot down.

The recent balloon was shot down by a US military fighter jet on Saturday. The Navy and Coast guard are still working to recover pieces of the downed balloon so they can be analyzed.

Ryder said North American Aerospace Defense Command began tracking the recent balloon as it approached US airspace. It passed north of the Aleutian Islands on January 28 and moved largely over land across Alaska and then into Canadian airspace before crossing back into the US over northern Idaho on January 31, US officials have said.

Top administration officials were briefing members of Congress on the Chinese balloon surveillance programme in classified sessions on Wednesday and Thursday.

Avril Haines, director of national intelligence; Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman; Gen. Glen VanHerck, head of US Northern Command; and Colin Kahl, the under-secretary of defence for policy, were among those expected to brief lawmakers.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US has briefed dozens of countries on the programme, which officials said has been active over five continents.

"The United States was not the only target," he said at a news conference with visiting NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg. Blinken said he and Stoltenberg had spoken about the "systemic and tactical challenges" that China poses to the alliance and the importance of combatting them.

The foreign countries would include nations the US believes have been surveilled in the past as well as NATO allies.

Those briefings were continuing Wednesday, and the State Department has sent a cable to all US embassies and consulates outlining the administration's case against China and instructing American diplomats to discuss these points with their host governments.

However, the cable is less specific than what has been briefed to allies and partners.

Off the South Carolina coast, meanwhile, Navy divers began pulling pieces of the downed Chinese spy balloon from the depths of the ocean floor on Tuesday, using sophisticated reconnaissance drones dubbed the Kingfish and the Swordfish to locate the debris.

Ryder said agents from the FBI and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service are cataloguing the debris and transporting it for further processing.
Five climate change protesters were fined Wednesday for glueing themselves to the frame of a copy of Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper" in the Royal Academy of Arts.

The five activists from the group Just Stop Oil glued their hands to the painting's border and one sprayed graffiti on the wall at the London museum in July, as part of a series of disruptive protests aimed at raising awareness about climate change.

On Wednesday, following a two-day trial, District Judge William Nelson ordered all five to pay 486 pounds each for criminal damage. He said the protesters were "reckless" because they knew they would damage the painting's frame but also said that the "primary cause" of the protest "was to gain media attention and not to cause damage to a work of art."



The 16th-century painting, which was unharmed, is attributed to one or more of Da Vinci's pupils and is believed to be the most accurate record of the original.

Just Stop Oil said it wanted to put pressure on Britain's government to halt new oil and gas licenses. In October, activists made international headlines when they threw tomato soup over Vincent van Gogh's "Sunflowers" at London's National Gallery. They caused no harm to the glass-covered painting.

Other protesters from the group stormed the track at last year's British Grand Prix Formula 1 race. Six activists were charged with causing a public nuisance for the protest, and on Wednesday a jury retired to consider its verdict after a two-week trial over the case.


The aim is to coordinate a package of measures by Feb. 24, the one-year mark of Russias invasion of Ukraine, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing sensitive matters. Group of Seven member states are discussing whether to sanction companies in China, Iran and North Korea they believe are providing Russia with parts and technology that have military purposes, according to people familiar with the matter.



Spokespeople for the White House National Security Council declined to comment. The discussions are still in the formative stage, and actions taken by each G-7 state might not be the same, one of the people said. The companies that might be included are also still being decided, the people said.



The US already has raised concern with China about non-lethal equipment provided to Russia, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken was going to pursue the issue on a trip to Beijing that was postponed after an alleged Chinese spy balloon was spotted crossing the US. Any action would reflect efforts by the G-7 to disrupt the flow of material with military purposes to Russia via third countries that arent signed up to the sanctions imposed in the aftermath of its invasion. Theres concern that companies may be helping Russia skirt sanctions, the people said.

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Still, Chinas strategic partnership with Russia has momentum and will continue to grow, the government said this month after Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu visited Russia. China previously hit back at claims some of its state-owned firms may be helping Russias war in Ukraine, saying Washington should stop sending weapons if it wants the conflict to end. China would never add fuel to the fire, still less exploit the crisis, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said in late January.



Then on Monday, the ambassador in Paris, Lu Shaye, responded to a French interviewers question over whether Chinese companies were selling Russia spare parts that could be used in the war effort by saying: But parts are not weapons, are they? China has repeatedly asserted its right to maintain trade with Russia since the war started. In March, the Asian nations ambassador to Moscow, Zhang Hanhui, told about a dozen business heads in Russia to waste no time and fill the void in the local market.



Ukraines allies already have sanctioned Iranian firms allegedly supplying Russia with drones and are now looking to expand those measures. They have also called out North Korea for providing Moscow with ammunition. Both Iran and North Korea deny aiding Russia in its war. Some G-7 nations believe that Chinese firms are selling technological components, such as microchips, that are benefiting Russia militarily. Lu also reiterated that China was not supplying weapons to Russia.

Diplomatic efforts are also underway to address any possible loopholes on the sanctions that Russia may be exploiting, with equipment potentially flowing through countries including the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and India.






North Korean leader Kim Jong Un brought his young daughter to a huge military parade showing off the latest hardware of his fast-growing nuclear arsenal, including intercontinental ballistic missiles designed to reach the United States, state media said Thursday.

North Korean photos of Wednesday night's parade in the capital, Pyongyang, showed Kim, wearing a black coat and fedora, attending the event with his wife and daughter, in the young girl's latest recent public appearance. Kim was smiling and raising his hand from a balcony as thousands of troops lined up in a brightly illuminated Kim Il Sung Square, named after his grandfather and the nation's founder.

The parade marked the 75th founding anniversary of North Korea's army and came after weeks of preparations involving huge numbers of troops and civilians mobilized to glorify Kim's rule and his relentless push to cement the North's status as a nuclear power.

State media reports didn't immediately mention whether Kim delivered a speech during the event. The parade came after Kim met with his top military brass on Monday and ordered an expansion of combat exercises, as he continues to escalate an already provocative run in weapons demonstrations in face of deepening tensions with his neighbors and Washington.

North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency said the parade featured a variety of nuclear-capable weapons, including tactical nuclear weapons targeting South Korea; and ICBMs, which the agency described as crucial weapons supporting the North's ongoing power-to-power, all-out confrontation against its enemies.

Commercial satellite images of the parade released by Maxar Technologies Inc. showed huge, missile-carrying trucks passing the square's main road as thousands of spectators watched.

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Lee Sung-jun, spokesperson of South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during a briefing that the South Korean and U.S. militaries were closely analyzing the North Korean photos and reports to evaluate the weaponry.

North Korea is coming off a record-breaking year in weapons testing, and the dozens of missiles it fired in 2022 included potentially nuclear-capable systems designed to strike targets in South Korea and the U.S. mainland.

The intensified testing activity was punctuated by fiery statements and a new law threatening preemptive nuclear attacks against its neighbors and the United States in a broad range of scenarios.

Kim doubled down on his nuclear push entering 2023.

During a major political conference in December, Kim called for an exponential increase of the country's nuclear warheads, mass production of battlefield tactical nukes targeting enemy South Korea and the development of more powerful intercontinental ballistic missiles that could reach the continental United States.

North Korean state TV may broadcast the parade on tape delay later Thursday. Analysts will then pour over the footage for clues about the country's progress in nuclear weapons and missile technologies.

Some experts anticipated that North Korea would use the parade to showcase a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile, which would potentially be a crucial addition to the country's long-range arsenal targeting the U.S. mainland.

In December, Kim supervised a test of a high-thrust solid-fuel motor for a new strategic weapon he said would be developed in the shortest span of time, which experts said likely referred to a solid-fuel ICBM.

The use of solid fuel could reduce the amount of launch preparation time, and allow missiles to be more mobile on the ground. All of the ICBMs the North has flight-tested since 2017 used liquid propellants.

Solid-fuel ICBMs highlighted an extensive wish list Kim announced under a five-year arms development plan in 2021, which also included tactical nuclear weapons, hypersonic missiles, nuclear-powered submarines and spy satellites.

The parade was the fifth known public appearance by Kim's daughter, Kim Ju Ae, his second-born child who is believed to be around 10 years old. Kim Jong Un on Tuesday brought his daughter to visit troops to mark the anniversary as he lauded the irresistible might of his nuclear-armed military.

State media's lofty descriptions of Kim Ju Ae, who has been called respected and beloved, suggest that she may be being primed as her father's successor.

Analysts say Kim's decision to bring his daughter to public events tied to his military is to send a statement to the world he has no intention to voluntarily surrender his nuclear weapons, which he apparently sees as the strongest guarantee of his survival and the extension of his family's dynastic rule.

An official from South Korea's Unification Ministry, who spoke on condition of anonymity during a background briefing, said it's too early to determine whether Kim Ju Ae is being groomed as the fourth heredity ruler of North Korea but added that all possibilities are open. The official said her repeated appearance in major events and her prominent exposure in state media is aimed at urging ultimate loyalty to the Kim family.
Despite providing military assistance to Ukraine, the NATO must not become a party to the country's conflict with Russia, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said.

In a speech to the German lower house of parliament (Bundestag) ahead of a special meeting of the European Council to discuss the conflict, Scholz on Wednesday warned against a "public competition to outdo each other along the lines of battle tanks, submarines, aircraft..."

This would harm the unity of the West, he added.

"We preserve and strengthen this cohesion by preparing decisions confidentially first before communicating them," he said, referring to the recent decision taken by Germany and the US on the delivery of battle tanks.

Due to increasing pressure on Germany by NATO partners to supply heavy artillery to Ukraine, the German government decided in late January to deliver 14 Leopard 2 tanks, and to permit partners to re-export from their Leopard stocks. In addition, the export of up to 178 of the older Leopard 1 tanks was later approved.

The US followed suit shortly afterward, with President Joe Biden announcing the delivery of Abrams battle tanks to Ukraine, Xinhua news agency reported.

Also Read Mask-free travel on German Chancellor's plane prompts fresh debate German Chancellor Olaf Scholz betting billions of euros on securing energy German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expected to visit India next month Europe open for international trade, says German Chancellor Scholz German Chancellor to be questioned today in tax fraud inquiry: Reports MH17 inquiry: 'Strong indications' Vladimir Putin approved missile supply Samvardhana Motherson's profit jumps 85% in Q3 on demand recovery Sunak extends military training support as Ukraine President visits UK S Korean lawmakers impeach interior and safety minister over crowd crush Japan's current account surplus drops 50% to lowest in 8 years in 2022

However, experts say it will be months before the German and American tanks are delivered.

Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of Russia's lower house, warned last month that the supply of Western weapons to Ukraine would lead to retaliation with "more powerful weapons".

Meanwhile, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated his request for more weapons, as well as fighter jets, during a visit to London on Wednesday.

The UK is Ukraine's second-largest supporter after the US. Last year alone, the UK provided military aid worth a total of nearly $2.8 billion, and the British government has already pledged to "sustain the same level of funding in 2023".

At the upcoming European Council meeting on February 9-10, Scholz indicated that sanctions against Russia would be further tightened. The bloc will support Ukraine "for as long as necessary," he said.

--IANS

int/khz/
Turkey, which is reeling from the devastation in the aftermath of powerful earthquakes that have killed more than 8,500 people, has at the last moment refused to host Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Ankara.

The visit of Shehbaz Sharif to Turkey has been postponed due to Turkish leadership's engagements related to the ongoing rehabilitation work and bad weather, The Express Tribune reported citing Express News sources.

Sharif was due to leave for Turkey on February 8, however, the visit has been postponed as he will not be able to visit the earthquake-affected regions as the helicopter could not fly during bad weather and Turkey's President and Vice President have been engaged in relief work, the news report cited sources.

Turkey has been facing a major humanitarian crisis after earthquakes jolted the country on Monday. The earthquake was felt in neighbouring countries, including Syria. Countries around the world have been sending relief materials and rescue teams to Turkey to assist in rescue operations. However, Pakistan's PM had planned to visit the earthquake-hit country.

Earlier on Tuesday, Pakistan's Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said that Shehbaz Sharif will leave for Ankara on Wednesday morning to express solidarity with the people of Turkey. In a tweet, Aurangzeb said that the All Party Conference due to take place on Thursday has been postponed. Marriyum Aurangzeb tweeted, "Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will leave for Ankara tomorrow morning, he will express his condolences and condolences to the people of Turkey for the destruction of the earthquake and the loss of life. Due to Prime Minister's visit to Turkey, the APC convened on Thursday February 9 is being postponed, a new date will be announced in consultation with the allies."

In another tweet, Aurangzeb announced that Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif has decided to create the Prime Minister's relief fund to support the earthquake victims of Turkey. She further added, "The cabinet has announced to donate 1 month salary to the relief fund. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has appealed for the generous help of our brother country Turkey."

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The death toll from the earthquakes that jolted Turkey and Syria has risen to at least 11,376, CNN reported citing authorities.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that at least 8,574 people have died and nearly 50,000 others have been injured in Turkey. He made the remarks during his visit to disaster areas near the epicentre of Monday's earthquake.

The total number of deaths has now reached 2802 in Syria. As many as 1,540 deaths have been reported in rebel-held regions in the northwest, CNN reported citing White Helmets.

Meanwhile, 1,262 people have died in government-controlled areas of Syria, Syrian Health Minister Hassan al-Ghobash said, CNN reported citing Syrian state media. The total number of injured people in Syria has reached 5,008, which includes 2,258 in government-controlled areas and 2,750 in the rebel-held parts.
The name of the mysterious "older woman" who took Prince Harry's virginity was revealed. Sasha Walpole kept her connection with Prince Harry a secret for over 22 years but finally divulged the specifics after the duke revealed them in his explosive book.

Prince Harry's virginity was lost to Sasha Walpole, according to The Sun. After writing about the affair in his book 'Spare', Prince Harry's revelation ignited a month-long global guessing game on the identity of his elder lover.

Prince Harry's First Love

Sasha Walpole has finally revealed that she is the mysterious woman. In 2001, Sasha had known Prince Harry for almost two years when sparks sparked. She had been working with horses at Highgrove, the residence of King Charles, and the two became friends. The forty-year-old is now a married mother of two who drives diggers for a livelihood.

Prince Harry stated that his first love was an "older" woman, yet Sasha was just a few years his senior. The duke was just sixteen, a year younger than his memoir indicates. After leaving Sasha Walpole's 19th birthday celebration at the pub, the pair had sex. In July 2001, the extraordinary meeting occurred in a field outside the old Vine Tree Inn parking lot in Norton, Wiltshire.

After avoiding detection, Prince Harry hid in a red telephone booth until Sasha Walpole's friend Bryony drove a protection officer to him in her blue Ford Fiesta. Sasha Walpole was just 17 years old when she began working as an assistant groom at Highgrove, the residence of King Charles in Gloucestershire.

Prince William and Sasha met for the first time when they attended a performance by the late Cornish stand-up comedian Jethro. After their sexual encounter, Sasha never saw or spoke to Prince Harry again.

Read Also: Madonna Draws Shock Over 'Unrecognizable' Look

Sasha Walpole Blames Prince Harry

The woman who claims to have taken Prince Harry's virginity has explained why she went public, stating that the Duke of Sussex's book made her secret a "ticking time bomb."

In his memoir Spare, the Duke referred to the incident as "humiliating" and claimed the nameless lady handled him like a "young stallion." According to Walpole, fears for her privacy prompted her to come out.

When the tale of how Prince Harry lost his virginity became public knowledge, Walpole's phone began to ring with dozens of messages, many from individuals she hadn't spoken to in years. Concerned about being contacted, she sought legal counsel, as per News.com.

Meanwhile, a royal critic says that Meghan Markle will be displeased by Prince Harry's "older woman" discussing their relationship. One royal expert suggested that Meghan Markle would be "annoyed" by the news. Per Daily Mail, Robert Jobson, a best-selling biographer, tweeted, "Loving the interviews with Harry's "older woman."

Social media users agreed, with some arguing that it was only fair since Prince Harry had written about the event first. Others stated that the two-year age difference between the lovers did not qualify Walpole as an "older woman."

Related Article: Prince Harry Threatens To Reveal King Charles' 'Dirty Secrets'

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Twitter CEO Elon Musk has said that the Turkey government has informed the company that access to the microblogging site will be "re-enabled shortly."

"Twitter has been informed by the Turkish government that access will be re-enabled shortly," Musk tweeted on Wednesday (local time).

As the country continues to battle the aftermath of the powerful February 6 earthquakes, aid workers and locals have been relying on Twitter and other social media networks to post information on rescue efforts and coordination of aid.

The Washington Post reported that in the wake of the quakes, a number of users said their access to Twitter was largely blocked or limited without using a VPN. Many condemned what they suspected was a decision by the government to do so, saying it could have not come at a worse time.

According to the US-based paper, Turkey has a long history of restricting social media platforms during national emergencies, terrorist attacks or political incidents, arguing that the government is safeguarding national security or preventing the spread of disinformation.

The disruption in access to social media services has left emergency responders with fewer mediums to coordinate ongoing rescue operations and facilitate aid delivery.

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Turkey also seemed to be also affected by the outage reported by Twitter users globally on Wednesday.

Omer Fatih Sayan, Turkey's deputy minister of transportation and infrastructure, met with Twitter officials over video conference on Wednesday, according to the Anadolu Agency as cited in the Washington Post. "Sayan reminded Twitter that the social media company is legally responsible for preventing the spread of disinformation that could lead to panic and chaos," the US daily reported.

Also, as per media TikTok in a statement said that some of its users in Turkey were having problems using the social media site.

Outage tracker DownDetector revealed that more than 9,000 Twitter issued reports as of 5 am on Thursday, as per CNN.

Reports started to witness a decline within half an hour as some of the users were able to tweet again.

Since Elon Musk became the platform's CEO and laid off more than half of its employees in 2022, Twitter has experienced a number of technological issues, according to CNN.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sought Western support for his country in surprise visits to Britain and France on Wednesday, pushing for fighter jets to battle Russian invaders in a dramatic speech to the UK Parliament, and then flying to Paris to meet the French and German leaders over dinner at the Elysee Palace.

The embattled leader's European tour and pleas for more advanced weapons came as Ukraine braces for an expected Russian offensive and hatches its own plans to retake land held by Moscow's forces. Western support has been key to Kyiv's surprisingly stiff defense, and the two sides are engaged in grinding battles.

Zelenskyy thanked the British people for their support since "Day One' of Moscow's invasion nearly a year ago, as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said fighter jets were "part of the conversation" about aid to Ukraine.

'Nothing is off the table," he said at an evening news conference at a British army base. "We must arm Ukraine in the short term, but we must bolster Ukraine for the long term."



Zelenskyy said Ukraine needs all kinds of supplies, not just planes, but also ammunition and long-range missiles



"Without this, there would be stagnation which will not bring to anything good," he said, calling his visit to Britain "very fruitful."



Then it was off to Paris for dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Zelenskyy was greeted Wednesday night on the steps of the Elysee Palace with a friendly embrace by Macron, and then all three leaders headed inside. The visit marks a turnaround in Zelenskyy's relations toward France and Germany, which earlier in the war were viewed by many in Ukraine as not doing enough to help.

"Ukraine can count on France, its European partners and allies to win the war. Russia cannot and must not win," Macron said before their working dinner.

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He said they would discuss the "operational needs" of Ukraine, adding: "We will pursue the effort."



Wednesday's travel was only Zelenskyy's second foreign trip since Russia invaded on February 24, 2022, after a December visit to Washington, where he met with President Joe Biden and addressed the US Congress.

Expectations also were growing that he also would meet European Union leaders Thursday in Brussels, where they are holding a summit.

His day began when he arrived on a Royal Air Force plane in London and was greeted on the tarmac with an embrace from Sunak. They held talks at the prime minister's 10 Downing St. residence before Zelenskyy's speech to lawmakers in the 900-year-old Westminster Hall, the oldest and, on a cold winter day, unheated part of Parliament.

"London has stood with Kyiv since Day One," he said, repeatedly thanking Britons for their aid. The UK has sent Ukraine more than 2 billion pounds in weapons and equipment.

Wearing his trademark olive drab sweatshirt, he urged allies to deliver jets to Ukraine, saying combat aircraft would be "wings for freedom."



In a dramatic gesture, Zelenskyy presented the speaker of the House of Commons with a Ukrainian air force helmet, inscribed by a Ukrainian pilot: "We have freedom. Give us wings to protect it."



The president was trying to soften allies' reluctance to send advanced fighter jets, both because they are complex to fly and for fear of escalating the war.

The UK has repeatedly said it's not practical to provide Ukraine with British warplanes. But in a shift, the government said Wednesday it was "actively looking" at whether Ukraine could be sent Western jets, and was "in discussion with our allies" about it.

Britain also said it would train Ukrainian pilots in Britain on "NATO-standard fighter jets" within weeks.

Sunak spokesman Max Blain said the government was exploring "what jets we may be able to give" over the coming years, but had not made a decision on whether to send its F-35 or Typhoons.

"We think it is right to provide both short-term equipment that can help win the war now, but also look to the medium to long term to make sure Ukraine has every possible capacity it requires," he said.

Ukraine has sought Western fighter jets since early in the war to bolster its force of Soviet-made MiG-29 and Su fighters. The success of its air force in defending its skies and territory despite Russia's bigger numbers helped push back Moscow's initial assault.

The Russian Embassy in London strongly warned the UK against supplying the warplanes, saying Britain would bear responsibility "for another twist of escalation and the ensuing military-political consequences for the European continent and the entire world."



Macron has said France hasn't ruled out sending fighter jets but set conditions, including not leading to an escalation of tensions or using the aircraft "to touch Russian soil," and not resulting in weakening "the capacities of the French army."



Sunak and Zelenskyy flew by helicopter to Lulworth Camp, a base in southwest England, where they met Ukrainian troops being trained on the Challenger 2 tanks the UK is sending as part of the hundreds that Kyiv says it needs.

More than 10,000 Ukrainian troops have been trained in the UK, and Britain says it will train 20,000 more in 2023.

"I am proud that today we will expand that training from soldiers to marines and fighter jet pilots, ensuring Ukraine has a military able to defend its interests well into the future," Sunak said.

Zelenskyy also went to Buckingham Palace, where he met with King Charles III, who greeted him with a broad smile and a warm handshake before they had tea. The king told the president that "we've all been worried about you and thinking about your country for so long."



In his Parliament speech, Zelenskyy noted that Charles was a qualified military pilot.

"The king is an air force pilot," Zekenskyy said, and "in Ukraine today, every air force pilot is a king."



Zelenskyy was greeted with applause, cheers and cries of "Slava Ukraini" "Glory to Ukraine" as he arrived in Parliament, where his cause has wide support.

He had addressed the UK Parliament remotely in March, two weeks after the start of the invasion. He echoed World War II leader Winston Churchill's famous "never surrender" speech, vowing that Ukrainians "will fight till the end at sea, in the air. We will continue fighting for our land, whatever the cost."



On Wednesday, he recalled how on a prewar visit to London, he sat in Churchill's chair in his subterranean wartime headquarters, and had a feeling that only now he understands: "It was the feeling of how bravery takes you through the most unimaginable hardships to finally reward you with victory."



In past wars, evil lost, he told UK lawmakers. "We know Russia will lose and we we know victory will change the world.?"



He also urged stronger sanctions against Moscow until "Russia is deprived of any possibility to finance this war."



Coinciding with the visit, the UK government announced new sanctions against six entities that Britain said supplied equipment to the Russian military. CST, a manufacturer of Russian drones and parts for helicopters used against Ukraine, were among them.

The London visit came as Russian forces shelled areas of eastern Ukraine in what Kyiv authorities believe is part of a thrust by the Kremlin's forces before the invasion anniversary. Moscow, meanwhile, believes Ukraine is preparing its own battlefield push.
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Gold prices remained unchanged on Thursday, with 10 grams of the yellow metal (24-carat) trading at Rs 57,550. Silver prices increased by Rs 100 per kg. The precious metal is selling at Rs 71,400 per kg.

The price of 22-carat gold also remained unchanged from yesterday's close at Rs 52,750 per 10 grams, according to the GoodReturns website.

US gold prices edged back up in a choppy session on Wednesday as investors looked forward to more economic data to gauge the US Federal Reserve's rate-hike strategy.

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Spot gold was up 0.1% at $1,875.10 per ounce by 3:19 p.m. ET (2019 GMT). US gold futures rose 0.3% to settle at $1,890.70.

In Mumbai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad, 10 grams of 24-carat and 22-carat gold are selling at Rs 57,550 and Rs 52,750, respectively.

In Delhi, 10 grams of 24-carat and 22-carat gold are trading at Rs 57,700 and Rs 52,900, respectively. In Chennai, 10 grams of 24-carat and 22-carat gold are selling at Rs 58,720 and Rs 53,830, respectively.

In Delhi and Mumbai, 1 kg of silver is trading at Rs 71,400, while in Chennai and Hyderabad, it sells at Rs 74,000. In Kolkata, the metal is selling at Rs 71,400.

US Spot silver rose 0.3% to $22.25, platinum slipped 0.1% to $972.00, and palladium dipped 0.1% to $1,643.37

(With inputs from Reuters)
Sales decline 2.17% to Rs 46.85 croreNet profit of Gujarat Craft Industries declined 60.08% to Rs 0.95 crore in the quarter ended December 2022 as against Rs 2.38 crore during the previous quarter ended December 2021. Sales declined 2.17% to Rs 46.85 crore in the quarter ended December 2022 as against Rs 47.89 crore during the previous quarter ended December 2021. ParticularsQuarter EndedDec. 2022Dec. 2021% Var.Sales46.8547.89 -2 OPM %5.408.48 -PBDT1.733.76 -54 PBT1.213.22 -62 NP0.952.38 -60

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Russia has lost close to half of its active tank assets since the Ukraine conflict began as its military fails to accomplish Vladimir Putin's objectives in the Russia-Ukraine war, per the estimates of a monitoring organization.

Since the Russia-Ukraine war started on February 24, 2022, users of the open-source intelligence platform Oryx have been uploading photographic proof of military hardware losses in the country, per CNN.

This Monday, the organization said it had confirmed the losses of 1,000 Russian tanks during the conflict. According to the report, Ukrainian troops have seized 544 Russian tanks, while 79 have been disabled and 65 have been left behind.

Military expert and Oryx blog contributor Jakub Janovsky stated the number does not account for casualties that the organization could not confirm visually. He speculated that the figure might be closer to 2,000 Russian tanks.

Aside from Russian tanks, Vladimir Putin has lost another general in the conflict in Ukraine.

Major General Dmitry Ulyanov was reportedly killed this week in an assault by a Ukrainian sabotage squad. The 44-year-old military official had recently come out of retirement to lead Putin's troops in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Ulyanov has extensive experience in the Russian military, having served as the 98th Guards Airborne Division's former commander, according to The Sun.

Read Also: Biden Delivers State Of The Union Address

Zelensky Visits France

In related news, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the elysee Palace in Paris on Wednesday evening, where French President Emmanuel Macron presented him with the Legion of Honor.

On his official Twitter account, Macron shared a video of him giving the medal to Zelensky as a tribute to the Ukrainian leader and his nation.

"Tribute to you, dear Volodymyr, for your courage and commitment," Macron stated in the caption, ABC News reported.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky traveled to Britain on Wednesday to ask for help. The country pledged that Ukrainian pilots would be trained on advanced NATO fighter planes, per an earlier HNGN report.

Related Article: New Zealand: Massive Volume of Cocaine Found Floating in The Ocean

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Trent jumped 5.45% to Rs 1303 after the company's consolidated net profit rose 19.6% to Rs 167 crore on 53.7% increase in net sales to Rs 2303.38 crore in Q3 December 2022 over Q3 December 2021.On a consolidated basis, profit before tax (PBT) rose 30% YoY to Rs 204.46 crore in Q3 FY23.

Total expenditure jumped 59.4% YoY to Rs 1980.19 crore in Q3 FY23. Purchase of finished goods jumped 66.6% to Rs 1387.60 crore while employee expenses climbed 79.2% to Rs 178.62 crore.

The results for Q3 FY23 as well as 9M FY23 are not comparable with the corresponding quarter and period of the previous year. This given the change in profile & quantum of inventory provisioning, rent waivers etc between the three quarters on account of the pandemic. Q3 FY22 had accounting for rent waivers and reversals relating to inventory provisioning. Accordingly, the CAGR of revenues and profitability versus FY20 is more representative of growth.

On a standalone absis, Trent registered the highest ever quarterly revenues exceeding Rs 2,100 crore and Rs 6,000 crore for the 9-month period. The change in the revenue profile across formats is aligned with the expansion strategy. Operating EBIT margin for each of Q3 FY23 and for 9M FY23 was 9.8% (9.1% for 9M FY22 and 8.6% for 9M FY20). "The performance of the business and the growth momentum encourages us to continue with our expansion agenda over the medium term," the company said in a statement.

Westside registered a like-for-like (LFL) growth of 17% vis-vis Q3 FY22. At Westside, the company continues to focus on the curation of the store portfolio to achieve an elevated brand experience even as we pursue our store expansion and improvement program.

As of date, the company operates 211 Westside stores, 326 Zudio stores and 21 stores across other lifestyle concepts. The performance of new stores added in the last 12 months across concepts is encouraging and in line with expectations.

Also Read Trent Q1 PAT spurts to Rs 131.51 cr Trent reports Q2 PAT of Rs 93 crore Barometers trade with strong gains; oil & gas stocks rise for 5th day Trent consolidated net profit rises 19.55% in the December 2022 quarter LTI Mindtree bags contract from UK's water utility Yorkshire Water Oberoi Realty rises after Q3 PAT climbs 50% YoY to Rs 703 cr Industrials shares gain Capital Goods stocks rise Information Technology shares edge higher Adani Enterprises Ltd Falls 15%, S&P BSE Commodities index Drops 1.35%

Online revenues through Westside.com and other Tata group platforms contributed over 6% of Westside revenues. Emerging categories, including beauty and personal care, innerwear and footwear, now contribute to over 18% of the standalone revenues.

Speaking on the performance, Noel N Tata, chairman, Trent said, "Our fashion concepts have continued to register encouraging growth momentum in Q3 FY23. We continue to expand our reach with vigour and reinforce our lifestyle offerings across concepts, categories, and channels. The growing acceptance of our brands demonstrates the attractiveness of our platform and the tremendous potential to address opportunities that lie ahead.

We have recently entered into a Joint Venture with MAS Group, Sri Lanka. Over time, Trent and MAS would pool their domain expertise to undertake design, development, and manufacturing of a range of intimate wear and other apparel products. We see significant opportunities to leverage the growing reach of our brands to build a differentiated proposition in lingerie, activewear and related categories.

MAS brings impeccable capabilities and track record in the manufacture of high-quality products in this space. This collaboration between Trent and MAS would deepen Trent's strategic commitment to offer fully owned brands at its retail stores and enable MAS to expand their international presence further. We are excited at the prospects of leveraging our joint synergies and delivering greater value to our customers."

Trent is part of the Tata Group and operates a portfolio of retail concepts. The primary customer propositions of Trent include: Westside, one of India's leading chains of fashion retail stores, Zudio, a one stop destination for great fashion at great value and Trent Hypermarket, which operates in the competitive food, grocery and daily needs segment under the Star banner.

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Congress never tried to find solutions to the permanent problems, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said attacking the Congress while replying to the Motion of Thanks in the President's address.

Addressing the Rajya Sabha, PM Modi said, "Mallikarjun Kharge said that Congress built a strong foundation in 60 years. In 2014, when I saw minute details, I saw that in 60 years, the Congress family has only built potholes on the path."

"Despite being in power from the Panchayat level to the Parliament they never, "thought or tried" to being solutions to permanent problems," he said.

He said that BJP's priority remains the common public, under which they made LPG connections available to 25 crore families in the country.

"We have transformed the working culture with the power of technology. Our focus is on increasing speed and enhancing scale," he said.

Prime Minister said that there was a time when even bringing a handpump to a village was celebrated, and the country has witnessed the tokenism of problems.

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"In last 3-4 years, around 11 crore houses have got tap water connections. For the empowerment of common people, we started the Jan Dhan account movement. In the last nine years, 48 crore Jan Dhan accounts were opened across the country," he said.

"On the other hand, the public is continuously "closing" your accounts, and you are taking out that frustration here," he added.

Taking a jibe at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, he said, "Kharge Ji complains that I visit Kalaburagi. He should see the work done there. More than 1.70 crore Jan Dhan bank accounts have opened in Karnataka including over 8 lakh accounts in Kalaburagi. So many people getting empowered, while someone's account getting closed, I can understand the pain."

Attacking Congress further, "They (Congress) used to say 'Gareebi Hatao' but did nothing for over four decades. While we work hard to meet the expectations and aspirations of the people of the country."

Talking about 'secularism', PM Modi said, "True secularism is making sure that the benefits of different government schemes reach all eligible beneficiaries."

PM Modi further emphasized that the government has identified 110 aspiration districts in the country.

"Education, infra, and health have improved in these districts due to continued focus and performance review. This has benefitted more than three crore tribals," he added.
After working 18 years at Google, Clay Bavor, Google's vice president of labs, has announced that he will leave the company next month and will build a new artificial intelligence (AI) company with Salesforce's former co-CEO, Bret Taylor.

Bavor made the announcement in a post on his LinkedIn account.

"Bret and I have known each other since our early days at Google, and I have always admired his keen product sense and entrepreneurial spirit, his technical chops, and, above all, his character and integrity," he said.

"We share an obsession with recent advances in AI, and we're excited to build a new company to apply AI to solve some of the most important problems in business."

He further mentioned that until his departure next month, he will be focusing on transitioning his teams and projects, and wrapping things up properly at Google.

"When I do depart next month, it will be with nothing but appreciation and gratitude."

Also Read Software firm Salesforce's workers brace for fresh round of layoffs Slack CEO, co-founder Stewart Butterfield to quit Salesforce in Jan 2023 Google's parent company Alphabet prepares to lay off 10,000 employees Google's parent Alphabet reports $76 bn in revenue, bets big on AI 'There will be blood on streets,' Google execs warn employees about layoffs Twitter scrambles to fix meltdown as many unable to tweet after glitch Tech Mahindra to open its first data, AI and cloud centre in Saudi Arabia Google to end feature that shows playable podcasts in search results WhatsApp new status feature will let users post disappearing pictures How Google sunsetting Optimize is an opportunity for Indian tech startups

"I learned how to work at Google, and I saw up close what excellence looks like. I had the opportunity to work on a myriad of important products and technologies. And I learned so much along the way, from my successes and failures alike," he added.

Bavor also said that he had got the privilege of spending his days working alongside many "spectacularly smart, endlessly interesting, and unfailingly kind colleagues, many of whom I have come to count among my closest friends."

"My time at Google has been one of the great gifts of my life. For it, and to all of those who made that time so special, I am grateful beyond words," he added.

--IANS

aj/shb/


People are rushing to ChatGPT to confess their love, according to a study by McAfee Corp. As many as 78 per cent Indians surveyed were unable to tell the difference between a love letter written by the Microsoft-backed OpenAI service and one by a human being. If you get a love letter this Valentine's Day, make sure it was written by a real person and not a machine powered by artificial intelligence (AI).



McAfees 'Modern Love' report surveyed 5,000 people in nine countries to discover how AI and the internet are changing love and relationships. As many as 62 per cent Indian adults plan using AI to help write their love letters this Valentines Day, the most among all countries surveyed. As many as 73% of them will use AI to boost their dating profiles.



While using AI bots to help those who feel ill-equipped to express their feelings might seem like a harmless use of an emerging technology, it demonstrates the growing challenges people face in identifying whether information received online is from a person or a machine. The vast majority (60 per cent) of Indian respondents preferred a machine-generated love note in the style of American poet e.e. cummings to his original 1952 poem i carry your heart with me. With the rise in popularity of artificial intelligence, particularly tools such as ChatGPT that anybody with a web browser can access, the chances of receiving machine-generated information are on the rise. While some AI use cases may be innocent enough, we know cybercriminals also use AI to scale malicious activity, said Steve Grobman, McAfee Chief Technology Officer.

Also Read ChatGPT vs humans: What it can and cannot accomplish What is the 'Letter of Comfort' banned by the Reserve Bank of India? OpenAI announces ChatGPT chatbot: What is it, how it works, and limitations Podcast: What is ChatGPT and why has it taken the Internet by storm? What is a letter of comfort? AI integration may soon fundamentally alter how we search on the internet Meta expands its monetisation feature 'Gifts' across US on Instagram Gaganyaan mission: ISRO, Navy carry out crew module recovery trials Google's VP of labs, Salesforce's former co-CEO to form AI company Twitter scrambles to fix meltdown as many unable to tweet after glitch



With Valentines Day around the corner, its important to stay vigilant and use security solutions that can help safeguard your privacy and identity and protect you from clicking on malicious links a scammer might send. It is easy to drop your guard when chatting to a potential partner but its important to be on alert if youre asked suspicious requests for money or personal information, said Grobman. The top reason for using AI as a ghostwriter was that it would make the sender feel more confident (59 per cent); others cited lack of time (32 per cent) or lack of inspiration (26 per cent), while 14 per cent said it would just be quicker and easier, believing they would not be found out. However, 57 per cent of respondents said they would be offended if they found out the note they had received was produced by a machine.



Additionally, 89 per cent of Indian respondents have engaged in direct conversations with strangers on social media across platforms, compared to 66 per cent globally. The most common platforms a stranger is likely to use to reach Indian adults are Instagram (64 per cent), WhatsApp (59 per cent) and Facebook (51 per cent). A dating website or social media channel is a common way to meet a new love interest, but as McAfees study shows its also never been more difficult to tell the difference between real and fake. In fact, 76 per cent of Indians admit to being catfishedwhen somebody pretends to be someone theyre not onlineor knowing somebody who has.

Fortunately, a lot of people are vigilant when interacting with strangers online. Requests for personally identifiable info such as date of birth, email ID, home address, intimate photos, or videos most often give scammers away. Not being able to meet in person or do video chats (43 per cent), fake profile photos (41 per cent), requests for personal information (41 per cent) alerted them to being catfished, found the study.
On this occasion, I would also like to thank all our employees, customer and stakeholders for their continued trust and support. We are confident of sustaining this momentum and of achieving greater heights in times to come.

We are honored to earn

for the second year in a row. We have always endeavored to foster a collaborative relationship with our employees and keep employee communication at the forefront of our operations. By ensuring transparency, the leadership team has helped create and maintain a culture rich with trust and credibility. We are committed to providing growth opportunities for our employees, a fair workplace for all, fostering a greater sense of inclusion, inspiring and empowering the next generation of leaders. Our interactions with all stakeholders are defined by our value behavior principles which are core to our functioning.

Canara HSBC Life Insurance has been recognized as Great Place To Work Certified in India from January 2023 to January 2024. The recognition symbolizes the commitment to being a workplace that fosters a greater sense of inclusion. The company's programs and initiatives represent dedication for creating a culture in which every colleague feels valued, heard and respected.Great Place To Work is the global authority on workplace culture. Since 1992, they have surveyed more than 100 million employees worldwide and used those deep insights to define what makes a great workplace: trust. Their employee survey platform empowers leaders with the feedback, real-time reporting, and insights they need to make strategic people decisions. The Institute serves businesses, non-profits and government agencies in more than 150 countries and has conducted pioneering research on the characteristics of great workplaces for over three decades.Commenting on the achievement,says, It is an honor for Canara HSBC Life Insurance to earn Great Place to Work 2023  2024 recognition second time in a row. The recognition signifies our culture that is based on agility, accountability, collaboration and provides a workplace where employees feel empowered, respected and motivated to be the torch bearers of the business.adds, the "Great Place To Work Certification"In India, the institute partners with more than 1400 organizations annually across over 22 industries to help them build High-Trust, High-Performance Cultures designed to deliver sustained business results. Hundreds of CEOs and CXOs from India Inc. are part of the great place community that is committed to the vision of making India a "Great Place To Work" for all.The Institutes research shows that great workplaces are characterized by great leadership, consistent employee experience, and sustainable financial performance. These organizations can deliver a consistent experience to all their employees irrespective of their role, gender, tenure, or level. Their leaders believe in the vision of creating and sustaining a "Great Place To Work" for all and role models being for all leaders.Learn more at https://www.greatplacetowork.in/ and on LinkedIn Facebook and Instagram
Enviva Inc. (NYSE: EVA), the worlds leading producer of sustainably sourced woody biomass, along with the U.S. Industrial Pellet Association (USIPA), welcome a recent study, titled Impacts of the US southeast wood pellet industry on local forest carbon stocks. The study has been peer-reviewed and published in a leading scientific journal, Nature, confirming that the wood pellet industry has met the overall condition of forest carbon neutrality in the U.S. Southeast between 2000 and 2019.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), if harvest volumes (for wood products and energy) and losses related to mortality and disturbances do not exceed the growth across the whole forest, there is no net reduction in forest carbon stock. The 2022 study in Nature additionally confirms, by data, that carbon neutrality guidelines have been met by biomass producers in the U.S. Southeast, which is the worlds leading region for wood pellet production and export. Between 2000 and 2019, data and observations were collected from more than 19,000 forest inventory tracts maintained by the U.S. Forest Service. At the completion of the study, researchers concluded that, our estimates offer robust evidence that the wood pellet industry has met the overall condition of forest carbon neutrality.

In parallel to the IEA, The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Changes Special Report on Climate Change and Land stated, In the long term, a sustainable forest management strategy aimed at maintaining or increasing forest carbon stocks, while producing an annual sustained yield of timber, fiber, or energy from the forest, will generate the largest sustained mitigation benefit (Ch 4, 4.8.5, page 66).

These studies build on the scientific literature that consistently shows existing regulations are working as intended to ensure biomass is responsibly sourced in the U.S. Southeast to provide a positive impact on the climate and the environment, said Amandine Muskus, Executive Director at USIPA. Woody biomass critics often argue that wood pellet production in the U.S. Southeast reduces carbon stocks and creates a carbon debt that accelerates climate change. However, there is no published research that has been subjected to the rigors of independent peer review that supports these claims. Indeed, they are directly refuted by the weight of empirical scientific evidence.

The aforementioned study corroborates a growing body of scholarly research on the topic that has been subjected to peer review and published in leading academic journals. For example, published in 2017, in Forest Ecology and Management, was a study titled How is wood-based pellet production affecting forest conditions in the southeastern United States? That study concluded benefits accrue when sustainable forest management provides wood pellets for energy that keep fossil fuel in the ground. Likewise, another study was published in Nature in 2020, titled Expansion of US wood pellet industry points to positive trends but the need for continued monitoring. This study found that wood pellet production in the U.S. is compliant with current European Union Renewable Energy Directive (RED) biofuel trade requirements for the preservation of carbon stocks in biomass sourcing areas.

Enviva remains committed to sourcing wood pursuant to our strict, global Responsible Sourcing Policy and in line with the principles set out in the Glasgow Declaration on Sustainable Bioenergy launched at COP 26, said Envivas Chief Sustainability Officer, Brandi Colander. Enviva augments the productivity of these working forests by expanding the wood products market for the parts of the harvested wood that are not fully utilized in other higher-value markets. Markets drive demand. The stronger the demand is for forest products, the more forests grow, and that is because private landowners continue to invest in forests where there are markets for forest products.

In addition to peer-reviewed studies, third-party data, such as the U.S. Forest Services Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program, shows that increased demand for forest products in the U.S. Southeast has resulted in more, not less, forest inventory in the region year over year. In fact, since 1953, FIA data indicates that forest inventories in the U.S. Southeast have more than doubled while the region has continued to be an important wood basket.

Further corroborating the scientific arguments from the three peer-reviewed papers, the Biden administration recently reaffirmed the carbon neutrality of forest bioenergy in the $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill, provided the use of forest biomass for energy production does not cause conversion of forests to non-forest use. This significant declaration provides additional avenues for the use of sustainability sourced woody biomass in the U.S.s renewable energy plans, particularly valuable for hard-to-abate heavy industries like lime, steel, and aviation.

To learn more about the carbon benefits of biomass from sustainably sourced forests, we invite you to visit Envivas white paper, Biomass: Unlocking a Future Beyond Fossil Fuel.

About Enviva

Enviva Inc. (NYSE: EVA) is the worlds largest producer of industrial wood pellets, a renewable and sustainable energy source produced by aggregating a natural resource, wood fiber, and processing it into a transportable form, wood pellets. Enviva owns and operates ten plants with a combined production capacity of approximately 6.2 million metric tons per year in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi, and is constructing its 11th plant in Epes, Alabama. Enviva is planning to commence construction of its 12th plant, near Bond, Mississippi, in 2023. Enviva sells most of its wood pellets through long-term, take-or-pay off-take contracts with primarily creditworthy customers in the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Japan, helping to accelerate the energy transition and to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors like steel, cement, lime, chemicals, and aviation fuels. Enviva exports its wood pellets to global markets through its deep-water marine terminals at the Port of Chesapeake, Virginia, the Port of Wilmington, North Carolina, and the Port of Pascagoula, Mississippi, and from third-party deep-water marine terminals in Savannah, Georgia, Mobile, Alabama, and Panama City, Florida.

To learn more about Enviva, please visit our website at www.envivabiomass.com. Follow Enviva on social media @Enviva.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230208005228/en/
After five Memphis police officers violently beat Tyre Nichols last month, one officer grabbed two cell phone photos of the injured 29-year-old Black man and texted at least five individuals with one of the images, according to newly disclosed internal police department documents.

According to records published online by CNN affiliate WMC, Demetrius Haley, one of five policemen who was dismissed and charged with murder in Nichols' death, admitted to texting a photo to two other Memphis officers and a "female acquaintance," among others.

Tyre Nichols Pictured While Injured, Needs Help

The internal records accuse the officers of many wrongdoing and policy breaches before, during, and after the January 7 contact with Nichols. Sharing the photo was only one of the numerous allegations included therein.

The police records collectively accuse the officers of stopping Nichols without informing him why, using excessive force, turning off or otherwise covering their body-worn cameras, "laughing and gloating" about the beating, and then misrepresenting investigators.

Up to 20 hours of new footage linked to the fatal police beating of a 29-year-old Black man in Memphis has not yet been provided, according to the prosecution.

Five decertification request letters, one for each officer, were issued by the police department to a state agency that monitors policing standards last month. If they are decertified, they would be unable to work for other state law enforcement agencies, as per ABC7.

In the letters, Nichols is depicted as a peaceful, unarmed individual who presented no substantial threat to the cops. Three days after the beating, he passed away.

The letters indicate that all five officers were charged internally for breaking the department's regulations on personal behavior, negligence of duty, disproportionate or needless force, and body-worn cameras. Some were additionally accused of further offenses. The allegations are not criminal.

According to the records, all five cops refused to provide comments to the administrative hearing officer, who finally ordered their dismissal. A sixth officer has also been terminated.

The officers were all former members of the SCORPION unit, which has since dissolved. In addition, the Fire Department terminated the employment of two EMTs and a lieutenant for their unsatisfactory response to the event.

Read Also: China Spy Balloon Update: US Not the Only Target

Tyre Nichols Death Suspects

The Memphis city attorney revealed on Tuesday that seven additional officers are anticipated to face administrative discipline in connection with the case, which is one of the most recent examples of the worldwide scrutiny of police use of force against persons of color, especially Black Americans.

The documents span more than a hundred pages and demonstrate for the first time the persistent misbehavior of each officer. They demonstrate that Haley, the officer who removed Tyre Nichols from his vehicle, never stated the reason for the stop to the 26-year-old, as per NY Times.

According to the records, they used excessive force when they tasered, pepper sprayed, punched, kicked, and beat Nichols with a retractable baton, leaving him wounded and needing immediate medical assistance.

According to the investigation, as Nichols was arrested and leaned against an unmarked police vehicle, Haley stood over him and snapped two photographs. He then sent them by text to a female acquaintance, a civilian employee, and two fellow police.

The identity of the fifth receiver is not specified in the paper, but a sixth victim was uncovered through an inquiry. The records detail how Haley and the other cops "laughed and boasted" about their role in the event while Mr. Nichols lay wounded on the ground. Contrary to the officer's assertions, it states that Mr. Nichols never swore at them or made "violent threats."

Per BBC News, Haley is also accused of making "false" statements and omissions in his incident report, such as neglecting to indicate that he booted Mr. Nichols when he was on the ground. In addition to the five cops charged with murder, a sixth officer has been dismissed, and a seventh officer has been suspended.

A city attorney stated on Tuesday that up to 13 Memphis police officers might be penalized for "policy infractions." Three emergency medical personnel have also been terminated for failing to provide Tyre Nichols with sufficient treatment.

Tyre Nichols' death provoked protests in the United States, and within days after his death, the Memphis Police Department abolished its so-called Scorpion team, of which all the officers were members.

Related Article: Tyre Nichols Death: Police Report Claims Victim 'Started to Fight'

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Doctors /

In Depth: Why medical students in China are faking their way to a doctors license

Clinical studies graduate Liang Feng decided to use forged documents to sit the national physician licensing exam after discovering she was not eligible because she had not spent a year on probation at a medical facility. Liang paid 8,000 yuan ($1,180) to an institution that took care of everything, including creating a fake probationary certificate and a registration form.

It was like I borrowed someone elses body, the resident of South Chinas Guangdong province told Caixin, explaining that the school, degree and workplace on the registration form were false. She used the fake documents to pass the necessary pre-exam inspection.

Turkey /

China to send $6 million in emergency aid to quake-hit Turkey

China will provide 40 million yuan ($5.9 million) in emergency aid to Turkey after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck near the countrys southern border with Syria, killing at least 7,000 people.

Beijing is also sending a heavy-duty urban rescue team, medical teams and disaster relief supplies, Deng Boqing, vice chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency, said Tuesday in a statement.

Flights /

Beijing tells Taipei that mainland is ready to resume cross-strait flights

Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office said Wednesday that the Chinese mainland is ready to resume all cross-strait direct flights without restrictions and urged Taiwan to stop using Covid-19 as an excuse to delay the resumption.

Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian said the mainland contained its Covid outbreak, and compatriots in Taiwan and the mainland  as well as the airline industry  are eagerly awaiting the full resumption of cross-strait direct flights, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

FINANCE & ECONOMY

Scandal-ridden financial conglomerate, Huarong, has been trying to sell assets to repay its debts, often with few takers. Photo: VCG

Trust /

Huarong rescue moves forward with 6.15 billion yuan trust unit sale

A state-backed bailout fund completed its 6.15 billion yuan ($907 million) takeover of a trust subsidiary of China Huarong Asset Management Co. Ltd., marking the latest step in the multibillion-dollar restructuring of the scandal-plagued state-owned financial conglomerate.

The trust firm, Huarong International Trust Co. Ltd., announced Monday that the completion took place on Feb. 1, about a month after Huarong transferred its entire 76.79% stake to China Trust Protection Fund Co. Ltd. Li Yongfeng, a vice president of the trust bailout fund manager, was appointed Communist Party chief of Huarong International Trust, according to the announcement.

PayPal /

PayPal China unit gets ready to juice up its business

PayPal Payments (Beijing) Co. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of U.S. fintech giant PayPal Holdings Inc., won approval from the Chinese central bank to almost double its registered capital to 4.52 billion yuan ($666 million), which will be the largest capital base of any nonbank payment provider in China.

The amount dwarfs those of Chinas nonbank mobile payment duopoly, Alipay and Tenpay, which together control more than 90% of the market.

Funds /

China speeds up approval of wholly foreign-owned fund managers

China picked up the pace for opening up its domestic stock market by approving four wholly foreign-owned fund managers in just over a month this year, compared with only one such approval last year.

Last week, Morgan Stanley gained full control of its fund management joint venture in China after the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) gave approval for the U.S. bank to boost its stake in the Shenzhen-based Morgan Stanley Huaxin Fund Management Co. to 100%.

Quick hits /

Hong Kong could surpass Singapore with borders now open

U.S.-China goods trade hits record even as political split widens

BUSINESS & TECH

The WM Motor User Center in Fangshan District, Beijing is closed and empty. Photo: An Limin/Caixin

Electric cars /

WM Motor dealers are turning out the lights

Some dealerships in WM Motor Holdings Ltd.s network halted operations due to supply chain disruptions, casting a shadow over the money-losing electric vehicle (EV) startup as it vies with a crowded field of rivals in the worlds largest auto market.

The closures could deal a fresh blow to the Shanghai-based firm, which is exploring a back-door listing in Hong Kong using a smart mobility solutions company backed by billionaire Li Ka-shing.

NFTs /

NFTs, metaverse get digital cold shoulder in Beijing

Beijings city market regulator warned the public to steer clear of firms promising big returns with little risk from investments in nonfungible tokens (NFTs) and the metaverse, extending a years-long campaign to stamp out fraud in Chinas young wealth management industry.

Firms making such promises are typically fraudulent or engaged in illegal activities, and investors who believe them can end up losing their money, the Beijing Municipal Administration for Market Regulation said in an announcement on its verified WeChat account Tuesday.

Luxury /

Chinas luxury market contracts for first time in five years

Chinas luxury market contracted 10% in 2022, ending a five-year streak of growth as Beijings zero-Covid policy and a slowing economy hit spending, Bain & Co. said Tuesday in a report.

Repeated Covid-related lockdowns starting in the second quarter curbed travel and consumption, with shopping mall traffic falling by 30% to 35%, the management consulting company said.

Quick hit /

Senators press Zuckerberg over risks from China developers

Long Read /

Is someone stealing Chinese New Year?

GALLERY

Rescuers race to save quake survivors

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In December 2022, energy expenditures as a percentage of PCE were at 4.3% of PCE, down from 4.4% in November, and down from the recent peak of 5.1% in June 2022.

This is still above the pre-pandemic level of around 3.8% of PCE.

Here is an update through the December 2022 PCE report.This graph shows expenditures on energy goods and services as a percent of total personal consumption expenditures. This is one of the measures that Professor Hamilton at Econbrowser looks at to evaluate any drag on GDP from energy prices.Data source: BEA In general, energy expenditures as a percent of PCE has been trending down for decades. The huge spikes in energy prices during the oil crisis of 1973 and 1979 are obvious. As is the increase in energy prices during the 2001 through 2008 period.
Several Twitter users failed to tweet when the social media platform encountered technical issues on Wednesday.

During the Twitter down problem, users received the message: "You are over the daily limit for sending Tweets."

The Twitter outage was first detected by the downtime monitoring service DownDetector at about 22:00 GMT, according to BBC.

Despite not tweeting on Wednesday, several users claim to have received notifications from Twitter indicating they had exceeded the daily limit of 2,400 tweets.

In addition, Twitter users said they were experiencing issues sending and receiving messages. Users reported being locked out of the Twitter dashboard application, TweetDeck. Though, the number of those impacted by the technical problem of Elon Musk Twitter is still unknown.

Private conversations obtained by Insider indicated "a massive outage," as one ex-Twitter employee called it. A current employee at a big IT business told Twitter that their organization's official pages were not working, noting that the Twitter outage is a significant concern.

Read Also: Chinese Spy Balloon Latest News

Elon Musk Takes Action

Someone familiar with the organization described the situation inside as a "scramble" as employees tried to determine what had gone wrong and how to solve it. Many users were able to tweet and like again by Wednesday afternoon Pacific Time.

After the Twitter outage, Elon Musk reportedly sent a short email to Twitter employees, telling them to "pause new feature development" to maintain "system stability and robustness," per Business Insider.

Although the reason for Wednesday's Twitter down problem remains unknown, Twitter engineers and industry experts have been warning that the company is more susceptible to errors now that Elon Musk has sacked the majority of the staff members in charge of keeping it operational,according to Fox News.

Related Article: Elon Musk Twitter Purchase Investigation Update

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On Wednesday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed reporters about President Biden's State of the Union speech.

Jean-Pierre was questioned about a "flash point" in Biden's address, during which Republicans heckled him for claiming that many of them want to eliminate Medicare and Social Security.

Did GOP Urge to Abolish Social Security, Medicare?

Jean-Pierre stated that the White House stands by Biden's speech and that Republican legislators are attempting to "talk out of both sides of their mouths" on the matter. The secretary accused individual Republicans of hypocrisy on the topic, singling out Utah Senator Mike Lee and Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson and stating Biden put the Republican Party "on the defensive."

Video footage from February 2010 shows Senator Mike Lee campaigning and addressing an audience, "My objective will be to phase out Social Security. To pull it out by its roots and eliminate it."

In a statement to Fox News, Lee's office questioned Jean-Pierre's interpretation of the 2010 clip's framing. Lee stated that "those who will retire within the next several years" must have their pensions guaranteed.

In August 2022, Johnson proposed eliminating Social Security and Medicare as government entitlement systems. Johnson stated that the initiatives should be authorized yearly as discretionary spending. In a subsequent interview, Johnson denied aiming to abolish Social Security or Medicare.

President Joe Biden's State of the Union address on Tuesday evening likely infuriated Republicans the most when he mentioned that some Republicans want Social Security and Medicare to expire.

Biden and Democrats have criticized Republicans for allegedly seeking to abolish two entitlement programs that provide older folks with money and health care and are immensely popular.

During his speech, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia screamed "Liar" in response to his remarks. According to The Independent, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy stated in a televised address on Monday evening that Social Security and Medicare cutbacks are "off the table."

Read Also: Who May Receive $450 Energy Relief Checks This Week?

Biden's SOTU Trip

Biden added the qualification that not all Republicans favored program cuts. Biden was specifically referring to Florida Senator Rick Scott. When Scott was chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee a year ago, he produced a 12-point plan titled 'Rescue America' that echoed Biden's claims.

Scott issued two remarks critical of Biden on Monday. Similarly, Scott made a statement supporting his plan and dug out past words from Biden's time as a senator pushing for Social Security and Medicare expenditure limits. On Twitter, he underlined the purpose of his initiative.

Per Daily Mail, Biden will make a second post-SOTU trip to Tampa, Florida, on Thursday, a state that Democrats have lost under the Trump administration.

First lady Jill Biden will go to the swing state of Arizona on Sunday, first to attend the Super Bowl - to see her favorite Philadelphia Eagles take on the Kansas City Chiefs - and then to participate in an event in Mesa, Arizona, according to her office.

Related Article: State Of The Union Address: Biden Warns China

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China said on Thursday that the US was using "information warfare" against Beijing when it asserted that a downed Chinese balloon was part of a massive spying operation.

The Pentagon stated Wednesday that the China balloon shot down near the South Carolina coast Saturday was a component of a program involving many similar alleged China spy balloon that China has been running for many years.

While the United States is not actively pursuing confrontation with China, President Joe Biden made it clear in his State of the Union Address that the United States would defend its interests in a conflict with China, per Al Jazeera.

President Joe Biden said in his speech that the US already sent a clear message last week that "if China threatens our sovereignty, we will act to protect our country - and we did."

On Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated Beijing's position that the big unpiloted balloon was a civilian meteorological aircraft that had mistakenly gone off course and that the United States had "overreacted" by bringing the China balloon down, according to AP News.

Read Also: Turkey-Syria Earthquake Latest News

China contradicted US suspicions that the China balloon was part of a massive Chinese spying operation.

Although there are still many unanswered concerns about the alleged China spy balloon incident, a review of news from official media in China and scientific publications reveals the country's increased attention to these lighter-than-air vehicles.

Balloons Part of Xi Jinping's Military Program

Chinese military specialists have commended these vehicles for usage for a broad variety of goals, from communication relay, observation, and surveillance, to electronic warfare.

As early as 2014, Chinese leader Xi Jinping pushed the PLA Air Force to "speed up air and space integration" and improve their defensive and offensive capacities," with "near space" being a critical link in the incorporation, according to military analysts, according to CNN.

Multiple US government sources who had access to the data concluded that the Chinese spy balloon was part of a larger, state-sponsored effort by the Chinese military to gather intelligence on other nations, per a previous HNGN report.

A source from the Biden administration revealed that the small Chinese province of Hainan helps manage the surveillance operation by deploying similar balloons.

Related Article: Twitter Reportedly Down

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Soldiers rush to board helicopter during air-ground exercise

China Military Online) 11:06, February 09, 2023

Soldiers assigned to an army brigade line up to board a helicopter during an air-ground training exercise recently. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Sun Changyi)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
During his Second State of the Union address on Tuesday night, President Joe Biden endorsed more regulations governing Silicon Valley.

He asserted that it is past due for social media companies to compensate for what he called an experiment they are conducting on children for economic profit.

The President Rallies Support From Bipartisan Legislation

To finally address a number of long-standing privacy, safety, and competition issues affecting the internet industry, the president made an effort to mobilize bipartisan support.

According to The Verge, Biden urged Congress to approve new regulations safeguarding user data privacy and fostering competition in the internet sector during the more than hour-long speech.

"Pass bipartisan legislation to strengthen antitrust enforcement and prevent big online platforms from giving their own products an unfair advantage," Biden said.

Biden urges the passage of bipartisan legislation to outlaw targeted advertising to children, halt Big Tech from gathering personal information on children and teenagers online.

He also asks them to set stricter restrictions on the personal information these businesses can acquire.

"It's a real problem in a virtual world," San Jose State professor and tech expert Ahmed Banafa weighed in, ABC News notes.

Banafa also said that It is the obligation of digital corporations to put people before profit because if they adopt this mentality, they will recognize that they are affecting human life and that the repercussions will be severe.

Meanwhile, regarding the speech, it mostly reiterated what Biden said in his first State of the Union address from the previous year.

The Congress and the Biden administration have been concerned about child online safety for a while, but things really got out of hand in 2021.

This is because Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen released internal company documents outlining the risks to young users' mental health when they use Meta platforms like Instagram.

As a guest of First Lady Jill Biden, Haugen attended the president's final speech, demonstrating the administration's support for more stringent internet safety measures.

Read More: President Biden Signs The Safety Connections Act Of 2022

The Government Has Been Taking Steps To Reign In On Tech Industry Safety Concerns

According to The Verge, little has been done in the past two years to increase the safety of young users on social media in the US.

Numerous measures have been proposed by lawmakers, but none have received enough support to come up for a floor vote in the House or Senate.

Many of these bills, such as the one introduced by Sens. Ed Markey (D-MA) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) to update an existing online child safety law, accomplish many of the goals Biden outlined on Tuesday.

This includes prohibiting platforms like Instagram and YouTube from targeting advertisements at young people.

Biden used the primetime opportunity to highlight the $52 billion CHIPS and Science Act, which featured $52 billion in funds to increase US semiconductor production.

He also took the time to highlight his administration's efforts to increase US competitiveness versus China.

However, Biden avoided making any mention of whether his government would forbid TikTok despite the speech's emphasis on China.

Related Article: Biden Signs EO That Protects Data Transfers between US, EU
Well, it took Geely Philippines long enough. About two years after we said they needed a sub-compact crossover to penetrate the local market...
Donald Trump may have wanted some people censored during his time as president.

A former Twitter employee recently revealed that Trump previously wanted to remove a tweet from Chrissy Teigen, who used crude words to mock him in response to his comments.

Trump previously favored Twitter as his first means of communication with his followers and supporters before and during his tenure as president but switched to Truth Social following his permanent ban after the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol siege.

Donald Trump's Past Twitter Dealings

Former Twitter employee Anika Navaroli, who was once the microblogging platform's senior member of its US Safety Policy, testified at a recent House Oversight Committee that her team previously received a request to remove a tweet mocking Trump, per Engadget.

lol what a pussy ass bitch. tagged everyone but me. an honor, mister president.  chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) September 9, 2019

In the testimony she gave during the hearing with former Twitter executives over their handling of a 2020 New York Post story about Hunter Biden's laptop, Navaroli revealed that the Trump White House sent a request to Twitter to remove a tweet from Chrissy Teigen that called Trump a "p***y a** b***h." This remark is in response to Trump's comments about Teigen and her husband, John Legend.

....musician @johnlegend, and his filthy mouthed wife, are talking now about how great it is - but I didnt see them around when we needed help getting it passed. Anchor@LesterHoltNBC doesnt even bring up the subject of President Trump or the Republicans when talking about....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 9, 2019

You may remember that Trump previously blasted them for being "insufferably grateful" to him for signing the criminal justice reform First Step Act, per Rolling Stone. Trump mentioned in his tweet that the famous musician is "boring" while Teigen is his "filthy-mouthed wife."

Additionally, the Trump White House asked Twitter to evaluate Teigen's tweet to determine whether it violated its "insults policy," a request which Navaroli remembers.

Read More: Virgin Orbit Launcher One Investigation Narrows Down Cause of Failure

However, Twitter found that Teigen's tweet did not violate this policy, and as such, it remained up.

AOC: So Twitter changed their own policy after Trump violated it to accommodate his tweets? pic.twitter.com/ViBt5yqWC5  Acyn (@Acyn) February 8, 2023

Navaroli also revealed that Twitter previously changed its policies to avoid taking action against one of Trump's tweets he made in 2019 addressed to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other lawmakers. She mentioned that the company removed internal "moderation guidance" that used "go back to where you came from" as an example of a language that would break its rules.

As a result, Trump's tweet addressed to AOC and other lawmakers to "go back and help fix the totally broken and crime-infested places from which they came," which Twitter would normally remove, stayed up.

A Bigger Problem Than Hunter Biden's Laptop

The hearing Navaroli was in was supposed to tackle Hunter Biden's laptop and its contents. However, Navaroli's revelation uncovered a bigger problem in the government: Republicans and Democrats are constantly asking Twitter and other similar companies to remove or shadow-ban each other.

Twitter CEO Elon Musk released The Twitter Files revealing that Democrats and the feds are almost exclusively requesting Twitter to take down tweets from Republicans.

However, Navaroli's revelations and former Trump administration officials and Twitter employees' statements evened the scales as they showed that Republicans are doing the same thing they are criticizing Democrats for.

This fact is not lost on Republican lawmakers, especially Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who berated Navaroli and even mocked her during the hearing with statements saying that she's thankful Navaroli lost her job in Twitter.

Related Article: Elon Musk Restores Donald Trump's Twitter Account Following A Poll
What would stay the same? If Reedy Creek had been dissolved rather than reorganized, as DeSantis originally threatened it would be last year, experts argued that the financial burden for infrastructure services provided by Disney would have fallen on taxpayers shoulders. The current reorganization would keep Disney on the hook for those expenses, but the new state-appointed board would decide how Disney is taxed and how public services will be provided.

Criticisms of the new plan: Critics of the new legislation argue that by excluding anyone with recent theme park experience, the new board will be ill-equipped to run a district that is almost entirely occupied by parks and resorts.

Why make these changes? DeSantis spokesperson Bryan Griffin tweeted: Reedy Creek gifted extraordinary special privileges to a single corporation. Until @GovRonDeSantis acted, @Disney maintained sole control. This amounted to an unaccountable Corporate Kingdom. This is over, and we are beginning a new era of accountability and transparency.

However, skeptics argue that the decision was far more personal. Last year, former Disney CEO Bob Chapek put the company in DeSantis crosshairs when the executive belatedly spoke out against the Parental Rights in Education bill (or the Dont Say Gay law, per its critics). Chapeks response to that legislation came late enough to anger employees while also alienating Disney from DeSantis and his allies. The governor responded by calling Disney a woke corporation and backing plans to remove Disneys self-governing status.

What will happen after the changes? If the bill is passed into law, Disney will certainly unleash an army of lawyers to challenge it. The company stands to lose a tremendous amount of autonomy and control over its Orlando theme parks if it is not allowed representation on the board which oversees the infrastructure of the property and how Disney is taxed to pay for it.

Whats Disney saying? In a statement, Walt Disney World Resort president Jeff Vahle said:
Tarmac participates in UK's Cement 2 Zero project

09 February 2023

Cement 2 Zero (C2Z), a UK-based demonstrator project to trial the worlds first zero-emissions cement on an industrial scale, was officially launched this week having successfully conducted the first in a series of pilot-scale melts. Tarmac (CRH Group) is among the project participants to represent the cement sector.

The innovative project, which secured GBP6.5m (EUR6.75m) of government funding from UKRI as part of the Transforming Foundation Industries Challenge, aims to further advance the construction, cement and steel sectors decarbonisation journey to net zero industries of the future, to help meet the UK governments commitment of achieving Net Zero by 2050.

Led by the Materials Processing Institute, supported by the University of Cambridge (UoC), and in collaboration with key players in the supply chain, Cement 2 Zero is the first collaborative trial of its kind, to address the global construction industrys biggest challenge of decarbonisation, in response to the climate emergency.

The first phase of trial melts is being carried out by the Materials Processing Institute, initially in a 250kg induction furnace, before being scaled up to 6t in an electric arc furnace (EAF). Once the process has been substantially trialled, developed and de-risked effectively, industrial scale melts will follow in CELSAs EAF in Cardiff.

The two-year industrial trial will test each stage of the production process and brings together the expertise of the Materials Processing Institute, the University of Cambridge and key supply chain partners, Atkins, Balfour Beatty, CELSA, Day Aggregates and Tarmac, before using the innovative product in a live UK construction project.



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The day Netflix users have been dreading has finally come. The crackdown on password sharing has started in countries like Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, and Spain. Users will now have to pay extra if the account is being used outside the primary household.

No More Password Sharing

If you are in the previously mentioned countries, you'll have to designate a primary household location for unrestrained access to your Netflix account. Anyone using the account outside the household's IP address will have to pay extra to continue using it.

The additional charges will be $8 for Canada and New Zealand, 4 for Portugal, and 6 for Spain. It will also be limited to two extra users outside of the designated household. Although according to Engadget, you can still watch on your phone or a smart TV anywhere else.

It's Netflix's way of compromising to be able to share one account without having to pay full price for another. Another reason is that more than 100 million households sharing accounts are impacting Netflix's ability to invest in new content, says product director Chengyi Long.

If users decide to pay for a separate account altogether, they won't have to lose their Netflix history of watched content. They can choose to convert a profile into an entirely new account, which is a win for both the user and Netlfix for gaining another subscriber.

The charges on password sharing are not set in stone, according to Netflix. They will be making changes based on customer feed as they roll out the policy in the coming months, meaning that it's possible for the extra fees to go down.

The new policy may actually hurt Netflix's numbers even more since other streaming services don't have additional fees for profiles outside a household, yet. Users will also be less inclined to pay extra for an account that isn't theirs to begin with.

Read Also: Netflix's Updated FAQ Shows How It Will Prevent Password Sharing

Transferring a Profile to Another Account

If you don't feel like paying someone else to get a fraction of their account, you can sign up for a new one. You can even transfer the "progress" that you have spent countless hours watching so you won't have to lose start over, and here's how you do it.

The first step is going to a web browser and signing into the account that has your profile. Go to the Account page, or simply locate the option in the profile selection drop-down on your homepage, as suggested by Netlifx.

Select the profile you want to start a new account with, which you'll see in the Profiles and Parental Controls section. Look for the Transfer link in the Transfer Profile section, and then enter the email address and password you want to use for a new account.

All you have to do next is follow the prompts on the screen and you're all done. Note that Netflix will keep a copy of your profile on the previous account, so you can leave it there, ask the owner to just delete it, or delete it yourself.

Related: Netflix Announces Paid Password Sharing to be Rolled Out 'More Broadly'
Cybercriminals have successfully stolen from "the largest Asian and Hispanic grocery store in North America."

Weee! recently announced it experienced a data breach that impacted some customer information, leaking millions of personal information in the process.

The company is currently investigating the incident to better shore up its online security and deliver on the trust its community places in it.

Weee! Data Breach Details

Weee! mentioned in its announcement that the data breach it suffered impacted some customer information, though it can confirm that the breach exposed no customer payment data to the cybercriminals as the company does not retain any customer payment information in its databases.

The company added that the leaked data including the names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, order numbers, order comments, and even the devices of customers who placed an order between July 12, 2021, and July 12, 2022, have been exposed due to the data breach.

Although Weee! did not mention how many people were affected by the data breach, Bleeping Computer, citing a report from Troy Hunt of the Have I Been Pwned data breach notification service, stated in its article that the leaked data only included 1.1 million unique email addresses.

Simply put, 1.1 million people are now at risk of being targets of cybercrime or flat-out criminal activity. The cybercriminal in question, a person who goes by the online name IntelBroker, began leaking the data for Weee! on a hacking and data breach forum called Breached.

Read More: Google Adds Biometric Authentication to Chrome To Protect Saved Passwords

IntelBroker mentioned in the forum post he made that hackers successfully stole a database of 11 million customers, not 1.1 million, belonging to the Sayweee website.

Cybernews' research team confirmed that the leaked data appeared to be composed of data that the company mentioned, which didn't appear in previous leaks. Some of the leaked logs included delivery notes that customers left for couriers, such as codes to enter residential or office buildings.

A spokesperson for the company said that it had notified all customers of the issue and will be notifying all impacted customers individually if the cybercriminal exposed their information.

Weee! is investigating the data breach and is undertaking a thorough review to ensure it continues to deliver on the trust its community placed in it as of press time.

How Would Cybercriminals Use The Data?

Since the leak is confirmed to have customers' names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and even what kind of phone they're using, Weee! customers are more likely to be the target of fraud, spear phishing attempts, tracking, and even unwanted contact at their homes, per Heimdal Security.

Additionally, their exposed phone numbers could be exploited for phishing, fraud, impersonation, and marketing. Some cybercriminals could even conduct identity fraud using the leaked data.

To avoid being a victim of phishing campaigns, affected people must activate two-step verification and look for their tell-tale signs.

Additionally, people must beware of strangers calling them to give them access to their accounts as this may be a social engineering attack designed to pressure them into giving in to the caller, who is a hacker.

Related Article: FTC Fines Drug Discount App GoodRx for Sharing User Data to Facebook, Google
THURSDAY, Feb. 9, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- For the first time, COVID-19 vaccines have been added to the list of routine immunizations recommended for adults -- a further sign the virus is here to stay.

The addition is being made to the 2023 Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule, released Thursday by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP), an expert panel that advises the U.S. federal government on vaccination recommendations for all Americans.

COVID vaccination has, of course, been recommended ever since the vaccines became available.

But its inclusion on the recommended vaccine schedule underscores the fact that COVID-19 is not going away, said Dr. Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, an Atlanta-based physician who serves as an ACIP liaison.

"This reiterates that COVID has gone from pandemic to endemic," Fryhofer said. "For now, it looks like it's here to stay."

"Endemic" means that a disease is spreading at a more stable frequency, versus the exponential growth seen during a pandemic.

At this point, most Americans have received the primary series of vaccines against COVID. However, few have gotten the updated "bivalent" boosters that target both the original strain of the virus that causes COVID and two Omicron subvariants.

It has been available since September, but only about 16% of Americans have gotten it, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

That rate is higher among people age 65 and older, who are at increased risk of severe COVID. But at around 40%, it's still much lower than public health experts want to see.

Fryhofer put it bluntly: "Booster uptake has been sad."

It's not entirely clear why, but Fryhofer pointed to vaccine "fatigue" as one possible reason, along with the way COVID vaccination has been politicized.

Meanwhile, a CDC report released last month found signs of an education problem: Over 40% of Americans the agency surveyed were either unaware the updated COVID booster shots exist, or did not know they were eligible for them.

The CDC recommends one dose of the updated booster for everyone ages 5 and older, if they are at least two months out since their last dose.

Dr. Aaron Glatt is chief of infectious diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside, N.Y. He agreed that the ACIP's inclusion of COVID vaccination is another indicator that the virus is expected to hang around.

But, Glatt said, "there's not really a clear scientific consensus on how important the [updated booster] is for different age groups."

Glatt said he focuses on boosters for relatively older people, starting at age 50. For a healthy younger adult, who would be at low risk of severe COVID, the benefits of getting another booster are less clear, he said.

Both Glatt and Fryhofer encouraged people to talk to their doctor about their personal situation. The new vaccine schedule includes links to CDC information that doctors and patients can use to make decisions about the updated COVID boosters.

At this point, it's not clear what COVID vaccination will look like going forward: Will it be a yearly immunization, like the flu shot, that is recommended for adults and kids?

"It's still evolving," Glatt said. "We'll have to wait and see."

For anyone wondering, it's not "too late" to get the updated booster, both doctors said. For the time being, there is no COVID "season," as there is for the flu.

But, Fryhofer noted, people might want to get the booster shots while they're still free. Once the Biden administration ends the COVID national health emergency declaration in May and the COVID vaccines the government still has left are gone, that will no longer be the case.

Other than the inclusion of COVID vaccination, most of the recommendations for adult immunizations remain the same. But there is one addition related to polio.

Most Americans were vaccinated against polio in childhood, and the risk of contracting the infection in the United States is "extremely low," according to the CDC.

But the 2023 recommendations say that certain adults at risk of poliovirus exposure may consider one lifetime polio booster. That includes people traveling to countries where polio is circulating.

There has been no sustained transmission of poliovirus in the United States for about 40 years, the CDC says. But the virus made headlines last summer after a case of paralytic polio was reported in New York State. It struck a young adult who had never received the polio vaccine.

The full vaccine schedule is being published simultaneously on Feb. 10 in both the Annals of Internal Medicine and the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on the updated COVID booster.

SOURCES: Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, MD, liaison, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice; Aaron Glatt, MD, chief, infectious diseases, and hospital epidemiologist, Mount Sinai South Nassau, Oceanside, N.Y., and professor, medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City; Annals of Internal Medicine, Feb. 10, 2023, online
Cleveland State Community College will host the 19th annual Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss Celebration on Saturday, March 4. The event will take place from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in Cleveland States Library and is sponsored by the Early Childhood Education program and the CSCC Library. The celebration is organized by students in the ECED 2380 Language and Literacy and ECED 2365 Final Practicum classes.This years event will honor the book The Shape of Me and Other Stuff. Originally published in 1973, the story explores the adventures of two kids and their journey to learn about all the shapes and sizes that make up our world.Children attending will be able to participate in both active and artistic activities related to the feature story as well as Dr. Seusss most popular books.Officials said, "As with previous events, special guests will include Dr. Seusss most well-known characters, the Cat in the Hat, Thing One and Thing Two and the Grinch. Both children and adults are familiar with the uncontrollable and entertaining Cat from Dr. Seusss book, The Cat in the Hat. The Cat is accompanied by the twin mischief-makers, Thing One and Thing Two, and together they bounce from one catastrophic fun-making adventure to another. The Grinch, the title character from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, is a cynical cave-dweller who has a sudden change of heart when he realizes the real meaning of Christmas.:Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss is free to children of all ages; however, all children must be accompanied by an adult. Each child will receive a goody bag, a hardback Dr. Seuss book and may participate in literacy-related activities assisted by Cleveland State students. Other activities will include face painting, hat making, egg decorating, chalk art, fishing, digging for worms and music and movement. Refreshments and door prizes will also be part of the celebration."The Kiwanis Club of Cleveland has generously given money to purchase books for the event, and members of the Kiwanis club will be there to give a free hardback Dr. Seuss book to every child that attends," officials said. "There will be hardback books for preschoolers and board books for infants and toddlers. There will be a few books of different titles available in Spanish as well. A representative from Dolly Partons Imagination Library will be on hand. The Imagination Library is a nonprofit organization that promotes early childhood literacy by giving free age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five around the country."The Early Childhood Education Program at Cleveland State began in 1999 out of an initiative from the Tennessee Board of Regents requiring that all community colleges in the state have an early childhood program. Students may receive a Child Development Associate designation by completing a four-course option and related credentialing procedures, a 24-credit hour Early Childhood Education Technical Certificate, or may pursue an associate of applied science degree by completing the two-year, 61-credit-hour program. The Early Childhood Education program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Cleveland State has transfer agreements with many area colleges that allow students to transfer and complete their degree to teach pre-K through third grade. The Early Childhood Education program is part of the Education Career Community, which provides a foundation and degrees for future teachers interested in teaching birth through grade 12."Those interested in more information about the Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss event or the Education Career Community should contact Margaret Horten at 423-473-2371 or mhorten@clevelandstatecc.edu.
Goodwill Industries of Greater Chattanooga announced Wednesday that it was awarded a $637,851 workforce inclusion grant from the Center for Workforce Inclusion, Inc. Almost 90 percent of this grant  originally from the U.S. Department of Labor  will provide on-the-job training to no less than 106 low-income older Tennesseans living in Bradley, Hamilton, McMinn, Meigs, Polk, and Rhea Counties. This workforce inclusion grant will allow Goodwill Industries of Greater Chattanooga to operate its Senior Community Service Employment Program.

For 60 years, the Center has worked with older, low-income job seekers overlooked by traditional workforce programs. Both directly and through a nation-wide network of local partners, the Center empowers older job seekers to attain in-demand skills, overcome barriers to employment, and secure employment. Workforce inclusion grants, including those grants supporting the operation of SCSEP, are a critical element of the Centers mission.

In its 56th year, SCSEP is a cornerstone program of the Older Americans Act and the only federal job training program targeted exclusively to low-income, older jobseekers. Job seekers who participate in SCSEP become skilled, reskilled and/or upskilled to meet the local employment needs in their community.

Older adults will soon be the largest single segment of the American workforce. said Gary A. Officer, Center for Workforce Inclusion president and CEO. It is an economic necessity that we ensure our older jobseekers are equipped with the tools required to be successful in the workforce. Therefore, I am very pleased to continue our support of the Chattanooga Goodwill Industries, Inc. for the 9th consecutive year.

SCSEP was incredibly helpful during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Emily McHenry, Chief Mission Integration officer for Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area. Jobseekers participating in SCSEP were able to keep training from home. And now, the majority of SCSEP jobseekers are back at their training sites where they help local community, faith-based, and public agencies carry out their mission.

Locally SCSEP participants provide approximately 50,000 hours a year to community organizations such as the Salvation Army of Cleveland, Habitat for Humanity of Chattanooga, Family Promise of Chattanooga, United Way of Greater Chattanooga, The Caring Place, Olivet Baptist Church and the McMinn Senior Activity Center.

Working with the SCEP Program through Goodwill Industries has been a godsend as well as a pleasure, said Diane Hutsell, executive director of the McMinn Senior Activity Center. Our goal is to manage and delay the onset of chronic disease and experience measurable improvements in their physical, social, spiritual, emotional, mental and economic well-being. We would not be able to accomplish all these programs without our SCSEP workers.
Vanderbilt stunned #6 Tennessee, 66-65, on Wednesday night in Nashville as Tyrin Lawrence hit a three-pointer from the corner.

Students stormed the court at Memorial Gymnasium to celebrate the Commodores' first victory over a Top 10 team since 2016.

The Vols held a 34-32 lead at the half, but Vanderbilt took a three-point lead on an Ezra Manjon layup. The Vols regained the lead, 40-39, on a Toby Awaka dunk.

Tennessee led by as many as five points, but Vanderbilt went back in front, 49-48, on a Jordan Wright layup.

It was tied, 60-60, with just over four minutes left after a Santiago Vescovi layup. A Vescovi three knotted it at 63 with just over two minutes on the clock.

A jumper by Olivier Nkamhoua put the Vols up 65-63 with 52 seconds remaining.

A Vescovi miss at the foul line with eight seconds left gave Vanderbilt their chance.

Vescovi scored 14 points, while Nkamhoua and Julian Phillips had 10 each.
Once in a while, it seems, a typo can be more accurate than the word spelled correctly. Case in point: The sign standing alongside a hospital parking lot read, Impatient Parking Only. Apparently, someone was too impatient to proofread the sign! But in reality, most people parking there were probably as much impatients as they were in-patients.

How many times have you arrived at a doctors office as a patient and as time ticked away in the waiting room, you turned into an frustrated impatient?

More and more, impatience is becoming a dominant factor in many areas of life. A popular adage told us, A watched pot never boils, but these days its more like, A watched microwave never beeps. We used to be willing to wait days for correspondence to arrive via postal mail; now we become anxious when an email doesnt arrive within a few minutes after it was promised. And when we send a text, we expect an immediate response.

Impatient parking only. Maybe we all should post this sign by our driveways, our workplaces  and even our recliners. Its an appropriate sign of our times.

Im old enough to remember the days when it took at least a couple of minutes for the TV to warm up before we could watch our favorite show. Now we become annoyed if the screen doesnt illuminate the instant we press the remote. Waiting for the red light to turn to green? Or for the driver in front to start moving once it does? Dont get me started.

Our entire existence is littered with time-saving devices, ones that have succeeded in making us ever-less tolerant of anything that delays our intended objectives. Even larger-scope matters, such as attending college or advancing in a career, are afflicted with IV  the Impatience Virus.

Virtues like perseverance seem old-fashioned. Because it requires patience and determination, a resolve to persist even when obstacles and delays emerge. We want what we want  but we must have it now  not tomorrow!

Those of us whove had to grind it out in life, however, understand the two steps forward one step back path that progress often takes. Were it not for applying patience and perseverance to the tasks at hand, wed still be wallowing in the world of woulda, shoulda, coulda.

The apostle Paul certainly recognized that. Writing to his protege Timothy, he said, Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance (2 Timothy 3:10), going on to recount the persecutions and suffering he endured during his ministry.

How could Paul do this? He relied on the power of Christ at work in him  I can do everything through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13)  and kept his eyes, mind and heart set on the overarching goal of advancing the Gospel.

We dont have to be apostles or super-Christians, however, to manifest these traits. Were repeatedly reminded that patience and perseverance are intrinsic to the victorious life of faith. The book of James opens with the admonition, Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:2-4).

Like it or not, having our faith tested by challenges and adversity is one of the primary ways it grows strong, one day hopefully resulting in our becoming mature and complete, lacking nothing.

Writing to believers in Rome, Paul expressed a similar view: And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us (Romans 5:2-4).

Id hate to admit the many times Ive grown impatient as I prayed to God, asking Him to do a certain thing in a certain way. But what I perceived as His delay actually proved to be one of His means for developing in me the patience and perseverance I desperately needed  qualities Id need even more later on. The best way to cultivate patience, I learned, is by having no recourse other than to be patient.

In retrospect, I also realized that for the Lord to answer specific prayer requests, often a series of other things had to occur first. Kind of like dominoes toppling in succession, one following the other. What I saw as delay was actually His flawless timing. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

As Ecclesiastes 3:11 states, [God] has made everything beautiful in its time, even if His time is not the same as our time.

* * *
Actress Bae Doona / Courtesy of Twinplus Partners



By Kwak Yeon-soo



Bae Doona said the thriller drama film "Next Sohee" is an emotional tribute to victims of institutional abuse.



Inspired by a real-life event, the film revolves around Sohee (Kim Si-eun), a high school student who starts job training at a call center. Sohee cannot bear the highly stressful work culture, which leads to her suicide. Detective Oh Yu-jin (Bae) starts to follow the traces to reveal the truth behind Sohee's death. The film accuses the company and school of negligence.



"There are still many Sohees out there who are barely clinging to life after societal exploitation," she said during a recent interview with The Korea Times. "I want to say to those who are hanging in there: 'thank you for not giving up and holding on.'"



"When I was in my 20s, life seemed vague at times. I could have been happy, but I was not. I want people who are going through tough times to feel less pain. I just hope for a better world for young people. The social issues that involve children or adolescent victims really outrage me because they are weak and vulnerable."



Bae said it was not easy playing Yu-jin's character who becomes more edgy and angry as the story unfolds.



"During the investigation, Yu-jin meets up with officials at the call center, school and provincial office of education. She gets angry about how nobody is willing to admit it's their fault and work toward a solution," she said.



"Next Sohee" debuted as the closing film at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival's parallel sidebar Critics' Week. It also earned critical accolades, winning awards at the 42nd France Amiens International Film Festival, 26th Fantasia International Film Festival in Canada and Tokyo Filmex in Japan.



Bae revealed that she advised director July Jung to submit their film to overseas film festivals.



"I was confident that this film was going to be a good one when I watched Si-eun's acting through the monitor. I told July, 'Go on, edit the film and submit it to film festivals around the globe. I think it's going to get positive reviews,'" Bae said.





A scene from the film "Next Sohee" / Courtesy of Twinplus Partners
Gordon Lamar Black (Lamar) of East Ridge, Tennessee, went home to be with the Lord on February 7, 2023. Lamar was 73 years old.

His parents, Gordon L. and Erma R. Black preceded him in death. He was their only child.

Lamar worshiped and served at Hickory Valley Christian Church and City Church of Chattanooga.

Lamar lived a simple life. He loved the outdoors, serving others and his church families. He was active in the Kairos Prison Ministry, where he shared Gods love with inmates. Additionally, Lamar served in the Tres Dias community, which sponsors weekend retreats that foster inner healing, personal growth, and a deeper relationship with God.

Lamar served his country in the USMCR from 1969 to 1975. He received a degree in Business Administration. He owned a real estate appraisal business from which he retired in 2014.

Lamar remained single most of his life and was survived only by his loyal friends.

Visitation will be held at City Church of Chattanooga on March 1, at 6 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life at 7 p.m.

Instead of flowers, memorials can be made to City Church Chattanooga, 7122 Lee Highway, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421.

Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 404 South Moore Road, East Ridge, Tn. 37412.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com.
Six university admission professionals traveled to GPS for a two-part interactive experience for our juniors and their parents. On campus were Ali Hamilton, associate dean of Admission at Sewanee: The University of the South; John Leach, associate vice provost for University Financial Aid at Emory University; Robin Meryl, senior associate dean of Admission and Director of Recruitment & Equity at Occidental College; Renee Orlick, assistant vice president of Institutional Research & Planning at Lewis & Clark College; Gil Villanueva, vice president for Enrollment at Rhodes College; and Leigh Weisenburger, vice president for Enrollment and Dean of Admission & Financial Aid at Bates College.

Parent Panels

GPS + McCallie parents were invited to visit the GPS campus for a parent-only presentation about supporting their children through the college admission experience. Andrew Reich, GPS director of College Counseling, welcomed the crowd before introducing the speakers and asking them to share a quick piece of wisdom to get started. Tips included:

From Occidentals Meryl: Keep your eyes on your own paper. She reminded parents to focus on their own student and their process and worry less about what others are doing.

From Batess Weisenburger: The college search process can be done in one dedicated hour a week as a family. It doesnt need to be every dinner conversation, every text, every reminder.

From Sewanees Hamilton: Have transparency with your student about important factors such as price and distance.

From Emorys Leach: Remain as flexible and open-minded as you can; let them find their way.

From Lewis & Clarks Orlick: Have fun. Check out schools you wouldnt think would be the right fit. Sometimes finding out what you dont like can help find what you do.

From Rhodess Villanueva: Encourage your student to partner with their college counselors so you can stick to being their cheerleader.

Groups then divided up to rotate through three panels. One, hosted by Villanueva and Orlick, centered on The Parent Role in the College Search, which touched on everything from understanding all the stats schools share to how to best handle college visits to understanding demonstrated interest.

Some of the main takeaways included:

Share deal breakers and nonnegotiables with your student early.

Ask schools to explain their statistics. (For example, if a school has a lower four-year graduation rate, is it because required classes fill up quickly and are hard to get into or could it be because they have more students who study abroad and explore opportunities more?)

When planning college visits, dont try to cram too much into one day or one trip.

Explore the cities and towns the schools are in in addition to campus.

Dont take over on a tour. Let your student lead the process.

Dont let your student decide to attend a school they havent visited.

If your student doesnt know what they want to study (or even if they think they do), make sure to find schools that have personalized advising so they can have guidance as they explore possible majors.

Demonstrated interest isnt about doing the mostits about showing engaging genuinely with schools you are most considering.

The next panel, hosted by Occidentals Meryl and Sewanees Hamilton, centered on The Application Process. The pair took questions from the audience about what types of activities carry the most weight to what makes an essay stand out and what a good recommendation letter includes.



Some main takeaways included:

Whether its an organized activity like a job, club, or sport or a less organized activity such as familial responsibilities or playing in a band, the activities you list should show interests beyond academics and illustrate balance.

There is no one secret for making an essay stand out. The most important things are to be authentic, specific, and thoughtful. What does your student want to make sure the college knows about them?

Parents dont need to read their students essay. They should let the college counselors handle that process.

Recommendation letters should come from a core teacher class and can sometimes be helpful when they come from a teacher who has seen your student struggle and overcome.



Make sure your student asks their teachers for recommendation letters early. They, likely, will be asked by several students and need time to be thoughtful.



The third panel, hosted by Emorys Leach and Batess Weisenburger, covered The Financial Aid Process. The two professionals defined merit-based and need-based aid plus the importance of being completely transparent on financial aid applications, and explained how to estimate your familys potential aid award and tuition contributions on university websites using the Net Price Calculator.

The groups reconvened for closing comments from McCallie Director of College Counseling Jeff Kurtzman, who assured those in attendance that their children were in good hands with the counseling staffs at both McCallie and GPS, and while it can be an intimidating time, its also an exciting one.

Student Panels

The visiting admission professionals returned to campus, this time to speak with our junior class. Again, they split into three small groups for rotating panels, this time covering topics Making the Most of the College Experience, What Does It Mean When I Hear that a College Might Be a Good Fit for me? and Activities, Deadlines, Essays, Testing, Demonstrated Interest, Course Rigor: Admissions!

As the girls made their way through the panels over the course of the morning, students had the opportunity to ask questions and seek additional guidance. They reconvened for parting words and one final piece of wisdom from each admission professional.

At GPS, we recognize selecting a college is a personal journey that involves the student, her college counselor, and her family. While her counselor can provide expert advice and insight into colleges that best meet her requirements and fit her profile, ultimately the decision lies with the student and her family.

Because the college search is uniquely tailored to each girl, it is no wonder that GPS alumnae go on to graduate from the college where they started at a rate thats nearly double the national average.s
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti joined a coalition of 21 states in calling on President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to designate Mexican drug cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations under federal law. The coalition contends this designation would "free up resources to confront the deadly opioid crisis with the urgency it deserves."

Not one community in the United States has been left untouched by the opioid crisis. More than 100,000 Americans died from drug overdoses last year, and synthetic opioids like fentanyl were to blame for more than half of those deaths.

In the letter, General Skrmetti explains that the U.S. government knows precisely how this poison is entering our country. Cartels like the Sinaloa cartel and Cartel Jalisco New Generation import raw materials from China, utilize them to produce deadly synthetic opioids at low cost, and traffic these poisons across the southwestern border and into our communities.

Between October 2021 and June 2022, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized 8,425 pounds of fentanyl smuggled into the United States. Additionally, these cartels are doing much more than smuggling poison into our country; they are assassinating rivals and government officials, ambushing and killing Americans at the border, and engaging in an armed insurgency against the Mexican government, said officials.

General Skrmetti previously joined 17 other state attorneys general in calling on President Biden to declare fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction. Designating major cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations will provide state and federal law enforcement agencies increased authority to freeze cartel assets, deny entry to cartel members, and allow prosecutors to pursue stricter punishments against those who provide them material support.

General Skrmetti signed the letter, led by Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, in addition to attorneys general from Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia.

Read the letter in its entirety here.
Ida Mae King, 83, of the Dawnville Community, passed away peacefully at Hamilton Medical Center on Tuesday, February 7, 2023.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Hugh Clay King; father and mother, Robert and Ruth Gilbert; and brother, Raymond Gilbert.

She is survived by her daughter, Susan (King) Baumgardner of Dalton; grandson, Michael Patrick Howell (Rachel Thomas) of Chattanooga; sister, Roberta Shosh of Detroit, Michigan; brothers, Charles (Chuck) Gilbert and William (Bill) Gilbert, both of Detroit; and her kitty, Cocoa (Mommas Girl). Several wonderful nieces and nephews also survive.

Mrs. King worked hard all her life starting at the age of 14. She spent a great deal of time working in retail, but later moved to work side-by-side with her husband at their small, but successful, machine shop until she retired at the age of 65. She and her husband moved to Dalton in 1967, and together they worked to clear the land where their home would be built in 1969 in the Dawnville Community.

Mrs. King battled several illnesses over the past nine years, overcoming most until her cancer returned. Her daughter said that she was like a Timex watch: Takes a lickn and then keeps on tickn.

At Mrs. Kings request there will be no funeral services. She has requested to be cremated and her ashes to be buried beside her husband in the Dawnville Cemetery.

The family will schedule a small gathering for a celebration of life at a later time.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society (3380 Chastain Meadows Parkway, Suite 200, Kennesaw, GA 30144) or the Humane Society of Northwest Georgia (P. O. Box 3946, Dalton, GA 30719).
By the time The Beatles were at the height of their fame, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr were making more money than they could spend. Despite this, they never carried money with them. There was always an aide or assistant available to pay, so they didnt bother. On a night out in Wales, though, nobody had enough money to pay for dinner. Luckily Harrison remembered that he had stored cash in an unusual place.

George Harrison | Max Scheler  K & K/Redferns

The Beatles traveled to Wales in 1967

In 1967, The Beatles traveled to Bangor, Wales, to attend a seminar on Transcendental Meditation. They took a train from London to Bangor with their wives and Mick Jagger. The band had first met Maharishi Mahesh Yogi after a seminar in London, and they were eager to follow him to Maine. Per The Guardian, Starr said that meeting him was one of those mind-altering moments of your life.

The man was so full of joy and happiness and it just blew my mind, he said. It was just so far out I thought I want some of that.

George Harrison saved a night out simply by having money on him

After arriving in Bangor, the group went out to dinner, accompanied by biographer Hunter Davies. They were only able to find one restaurant open and settled in for their meal. When they finished eating, though, they discovered that no one had brought any money. The chaos at the train station in London meant they were also without their usual group of assistants.

That evening, in Bangor, we all went into the town for something to eat, Davies wrote in the book The Beatles: The Authorized Biography. It was late at night, in a very small provincial town, and we could only find a Chinese restaurant open. When the bill finally came, I found I did not have enough money, nor did anyone else. The Beatles never carried money, just like the royal family, and this time, in the rush from Euston, they were without their normal aides and assistants who carried the purse with them.

Their waiter grew increasingly upset, thinking they were going to walk away without paying. Soon, though, Harrison saved the evening.

George suddenly put his bare foot on the table, Davies wrote. He had taken off his sandals and was examining the sole of the shoes. There was a slit at the front and from it he withdrew 20, more than enough to settle the bill. He had put the money there for such emergencies, months if not years previously, and forgotten about it until that evening.

George Harrison was concerned about money, but it wasnt why he played music

Harrison had always been more concerned with the business side of things than the rest of the band.

He was always very serious about his music, and the money, his mother, Louise, said. He always wanted to know how much they were getting.

"Music doesnt overwhelm me as it did before. Its a more spiritual, subtle thing now. More a part of my everyday life, but not in as flashy a way. Theres an inner music every soul possesses, but most of us are unaware of it."  Interview in 'Men Only' magazine, November 1978 pic.twitter.com/xJsr6nhhRD  George Harrison (@GeorgeHarrison) February 14, 2019

Though he was interested in money, he said that this was not why he played music.

Its not for the money that I do what I do; it was never for the money really, he told Rolling Stone in 1979. We hoped wed make a living out of it when we [the Beatles] were teenagers, we hoped wed get by [smiling], but we werent doing it for the money. In fact, the moment we realized we were doing it for the money was just before we stopped touring, because we were getting no pleasure out of it.

With Harrisons increased devotion to spirituality, though, he grew less interested in money.
As many actors know, fame can mean getting recognized by fans at any point  even in situations where theyd rather not be recognized. Ginny & Georgia star Sara Waisglass experienced this once, and she took to TikTok recently to share the story. Unfortunately for Waisglass, the fan encounter happened during a very intimate check-up at a doctors office.

Ginny & Georgia star Sara Waisglass | Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Netflix

How Sara Waisglass landed the role of Max

Waisglass stars as Maxine Max Baker in Ginny & Georgia on Netflix. The teenage twin of Marcus Baker (Felix Mallard) becomes Ginny Millers (Antonia Gentry) first friend in Wellsbury, Massachusetts. Max is full of energy and has a flair for dramatics. She also tends to be a little narcissistic, which has caused frustration for many fans and even Waisglass herself. However, Maxs huge heart has also made many viewers fall in love with her.

In an interview with Nylon, Waisglass revealed how she ended up playing Max. She had to audition seven or eight times, but she was really excited and willing to do whatever the casting directors needed. After a while of not hearing anything, Waisglass thought she didnt get the part.

When I booked it, I was in my bed and I was crying because I thought I didnt get the role. I was crying myself to sleep, and then I looked over at my phone and I got a text and it was like, you got Maxine, she said.

Sara Waisglass shared her most awkward Ginny & Georgia fan encounter

some bts from season one of #gng that never made it to the surface!!



shot by @itsfelixwot pic.twitter.com/92VGrbnM5l  Sara Waisglass (@swaisglass) August 6, 2022

Waisglass has now played Max in two seasons of Ginny & Georgia, and the show has become a mega-hit for Netflix. As Deadline reported, its now in the Top 10 on Netflixs Most Popular English TV Series of All Time list. Of course, that popularity comes with fans recognizing the stars in public.

Waisglass took to TikTok for a put a finger down-style storytime in which she revealed her awkward Ginny & Georgia fan encounter. She explained in her rapid-fire way of talking that she went to 28 different doctors because no one could figure out her medical issues. Finally, someone suggested getting an ultrasound, so she made an appointment. When Waisglass arrived at the appointment a few months later, she was surprised to find that it was an internal ultrasound.

Youre like, Woah, thats kinda scary. Never done that before. But you do it cause youre in a lot of pain and you want to figure this out, Waisglass said. So youre there, and youre splayed out, and shes just probing all up in ya and its really awkward and really weird and its very intimate. And then she looks you dead in the eyes and she goes, Are you from Ginny & Georgia? Cause I love that show.'

Waisglass added in the caption that, thankfully, the doctor waited until she was dressed to ask about the show. However, it was understandably a bizarre experience.

For those wondering about Waisglasss health, she replied to a fan in the comments that shes OK now.

Im fine now but truly have unending compassion for people with chronic pain, I barely made it through, she wrote.

Sara Waisglass experienced teen drama fame before Ginny & Georgia

Getting recognized is likely nothing new for Waisglass. Before Ginny & Georgia, the Canadian actor starred in another famous teen drama: Degrassi. Fans might know Waisglass as Frankie from Degrassi: The Next Generation (2013 to 2015), Degrassi: Dont Look Back (2016), and Degrassi: Next Class (2016 to 2017).

In addition to Degrassi and Ginny & Georgia, Waisglass is known for starring in Overrruled! when she was a kid. She also starred in the series Holly Hobbie and October Faction. Waisglass also has a film career, having starred in movies like Mary Goes Round and Tainted.

Ginny & Georgia Seasons 1 and 2 are now streaming on Netflix. Stay tuned to Showbiz Cheat Sheet for updates on season 3s renewal status.
TL;DR:

Mick Jagger wanted The Rolling Stones Angie to be like the ballad Lady Jane.

Keith Richards said Angie was originally just supposed to be a working title.

Angie became a bigger hit in the United States than it was in the United Kingdom.

The Rolling Stones Keith Richards | George Rose/Getty Images

Mick Jagger said The Rolling Stones Angie was supposed to sound like some of the bands earlier ballads. Keith Richards initially had a problem with the songs title. Subsequently, he explained how and why he came to embrace the title Angie.

Keith Richards didnt like the name of The Rolling Stones Angie at 1st because it was another chicks name

Angie is one of The Rolling Stones most famous ballads. According to Mick Jagger in His Own Words (as quoted in The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits), Jagger said Angie was supposed to be a throwback. He wanted the tune to be like earlier Rolling Stones ballads such as Back Street Girl and Lady Jane.

In the 2013 book 50 Licks: Myths and Stories from Half a Century of The Rolling Stones, Richards said he initially took issue with the title Angie. Sometimes you have a hook, a phrase or a word or a name or something which maybe you dont even intend to keep, he said. A classic example is Angie, it was just a working title, like whos gonna call a song Angie, how boring, another chicks name you know?

Keith Richard discussed how The Rolling Stones Angie retained its working title even though Richards disliked it as 1st

Richards discussed how the title of Angie stuck. But when you come around to actually writing the song and you sing Angie, Angie, eventually you have to live with it and say, This songs Angie,' he said. Whether you intended it to be or not, thats what it is. Sometimes you cannot get out of it, its meant to be there and you have to accept it.

Richards discussed how titles come to be in other ways. Other times, maybe the way somebodys playing something will suggest a word or a phrase that nobodys thought of before, he revealed. Songs just come about in so many different ways.

How the song and its parent album performed on the charts in the United States and the United Kingdom

Angie became a massive hit in the United States. The tune topped the Billboard Hot 100 for a single week. It stayed on the chart for 16 weeks. Angie appeared on the album Goats Head Soup, which topped the Billboard 200 for four weeks. The album spent a total of 39 weeks on the chart.

According to The Official Charts Company, Angie wasnt quite as popular in the United Kingdom. There, it reached No. 5 and stayed on the chart for 10 weeks. On the other hand, Goats Head Soup reached No. 1 in the U.K. for two weeks and remained on the chart for 14 weeks.

Angie had a throwback title and Richards eventually came to embrace it.
Shailene Woodley may be famous, but she lives life on her own terms. The actor has adopted a lifestyle that many would find atypical. From hunkering down in a crowded RV for months in her 20s to living in a remote cabin without cell service in her late teens, Woodley has always done what works for her. And despite her millions of followers, she knows how to stay out of the spotlight. In fact, she once lied about backpacking in New Zealand for months, only to hide out in LA.

Shailene Woodley | Michael Tran / AFP via Getty Images

Shailene Woodley has plenty of experience backpacking and camping

For someone like Woodley, going on a backpacking trip is pretty on-brand. The Endings, Beginnings actor is actually a great survivalist. She forages a lot of her own food and has a keen understanding of the environment. In fact, her survival skills helped her earn roles in movies like Divergent and Adrift. A native of Simi Valley (a city just 40 miles from LA), Woodley grew up camping and backpacked across Europe at the age of 19. In her 20s, she even gave up most of her belongings and lived out of a suitcase.

The actor told people she was in New Zealand when she was really in LA

Funnily enough, Woodley once used backpacking as an excuse to earn herself some downtime. In an interview with The Guardian, it was revealed that The Fallout actor told people that she planned to spend a couple of months backpacking around New Zealand, and instead disappeared from view by hiding in LA.

But what exactly was Woodley hiding from in LA? While she didnt give an explicit reason, it couldve just been that she needed some time to herself. As an in-demand actor, Woodley fields constant communications. So by telling people that she was going off the grid, she may have successfully reduced the sheer volume of day-to-day communications that she was expected to see and respond to.

Woodley manages her busy life by staying off of her phone

Of course, Woodley has other ways of dealing with her busy LA lifestyle. In an interview with, Harpers Bazaar, the Three Women actor shared that staying off of her phone is a crucial method that she uses in order to help manage her anxiety. I guess I believe that if something is going to happen, its going to happen whether Im on my phone that second or Im not on my phone, Woodley explained. So at the end of the day, I can put my phone away and take time for myself instead of feeling that I have to go through hundreds of text messages or scrolling on Instagram or listening to every voicemail or replying to every single email.

Of course, not being instantly available to everyone is something that sometimes causes tension in Woodleys life. However, the actor shares that people have learned to adjust. Ive come to accept that the people in my life who I actually want to be surrounded by will not be offended if I dont respond to them right away because I have to take care of how much energy I am constantly consuming and putting out, Woodley shared. Clearly, the actor knows how to take time for herself, whether shes pretending to be overseas or not.
The image shows how molecules are created from a box. Based on artificial intelligence, these molecules can then be screened with other models, represented by the two adjacent boxes. This helps to identify molecules that have specific, desired properties.

Engineering novel molecules and materials with specific properties can yield significant advances for industrial processes, drug discovery and optoelectronics. However, the search for novel molecules and materials is comparable to looking for a needle in a haystack, since the number of molecules in chemical space is of the unimaginable order of 10 to the power of 60. That is significantly more molecules than there are stars in the known universe. Scientists at Leipzig University and the University of Warwick have now succeeded in developing a new method that enables the targeted design of molecules and materials with specific properties. They have now published their research findings in Nature Computational Science.

The researchers combined various artificial intelligence methods in their experiments. First author, assistant professor Julia Westermayr from Leipzig Universitys Wilhelm Ostwald Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry explains: One model learned to predict quantum chemical properties of molecules, while the other learned how those molecules are constructed. She adds that the first model is necessary to enable a high degree of accuracy when screening properties, as conventional methods for calculating quantum mechanical properties are highly time-consuming and require considerable computational power. In an iterative process that involves repeating steps until a certain target is reached or certain criteria are met, the researchers then used both models to generate new molecules and filter them according to certain properties. In each round, the design model learned how the best-suited molecules are constructed and thus specifically predicted molecules with optimised properties in the next round, says Westermayr.

The basis for the study was laid by Rhyan Barrett during an internship at the University of Warwick in England, funded by the Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Intelligence for Automated Investigations for Scientific Discovery (AI4SD) network.

Molecules with optimised properties

We were particularly surprised that we were able to use artificial intelligence to find patterns in the data that led to optimised properties, says Rhyan Barrett. Finally, the researchers managed to optimise multiple properties. This makes it possible to use the method to find Pareto-optimal solutions. A Pareto-optimal solution exists when the solution of several optimised properties has been found and the individual properties can only get better if another property gets worse in the process.

The method developed was used to design functional organic molecules relevant to optoelectronics. These novel, more efficient materials could be used in areas such as the solar energy industry, LED lighting, display technology, data storage, sensor technology and optical fibres in communications technology. The new method can also be transferred to other fields. Other potential areas of application include the development of active ingredients for new drugs with targeted, improved properties that are effective against specific diseases. Molecular design can also be used in environmental engineering to develop new processes for purifying waste water and air. In biotechnology, new biocatalysts and enzymes are developed based on the design of molecules with specific functions.
Sometimes scientists have to accept that a method they have used for years fails under certain conditions. Such a failure calls for a careful analysis of the shortcomings and their subsequent elimination. An international team from the University of Regensburg, the University of Durham and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) has now done precisely this. They effectively reinvented X-ray diffraction, a widely used method for determining crystal structures, by combining it with X-ray spectroscopy, thereby removing one of the crucial drawbacks of the method, known for over a century. One of the researchers has now received the Lieselotte Templeton Prize of the German Crystallographic Society for this achievement.

X-rays are not only useful imaging the human body but are also valuable for examining novel materials: they can be used to find out how crystals are structured in detail - indispensable information, for example, for the development of new high-tech materials or drugs. This method, known as X-ray diffraction, has been around for a long time, but some time ago, a team of researchers came across a fundamental methodological problem.

Dr. Michael Bodensteiner's group at the University of Regensburg examined a copper compound with X-rays at a rather unusual "X-ray colour", the so-called K radiation. "We used an almost perfect crystal and actually expected to be able to determine its structure precisely," the chemist explains. "But then we found that at some point something physically nonsensical came out. Simply put, the copper atoms were not sitting in the crystal lattice as they should have been." To get to the bottom of the mystery, the team took a closer look at the experimental method. In doing so, the researchers discovered that particular corrections involved in the process were distorting the results rather than improving them. "In the past, these mathematical procedures were usually quite sufficient," Dr. Bodensteiner explains. "Now, our instruments provide data of such precision that these corrections reach their limits and therefore have to be improved."

Breakthrough in Grenoble

To overcome this limitation, the Regensburg scientists teamed up with HZDR researcher Dr. Christoph Hennig. He works in a rather special place - the European Synchrotron (ESRF) in Grenoble, France. Compared to the conventional X-ray tubes of a university lab, the accelerator-based facility delivers a much more intense and highly focused X-ray beam. In Grenoble, the HZDR operates an experimental facility, the Rossendorf Beamline (ROBL). "It provides very good conditions for such measurements," explains Dr. Hennig. "Among other things, there is a powerful diffractometer that can take high-resolution diffraction images," that is, it can measure very precisely how X-ray radiation is affected by passing through a crystal structure. Simultaneous spectroscopic measurements are also possible - a designated specialty of ROBL. In this process, a sample is illuminated with alternating "X-ray colours." This approach allows conclusions to be drawn, for example, about the chemical properties of the elements that comprise a crystal.

The team's idea was to combine both methods, X-ray diffraction and spectroscopy - an approach that has rarely been tried before. "One of the challenges was to coordinate the various components of the equipment, such as the detectors that capture the scattering intensities," says junior researcher Florian Meurer. In their experiments, the researchers then targeted those measurement points primarily where the conventional method yielded unreliable results. "By combining X-ray diffraction and spectroscopy, we came up with consistent values," says Meurer. "This clearly proves that our method works." For his master's thesis on this project, he will be awarded the Lieselotte Templeton Prize of the German Crystallographic Society.

Perspectives for deep geological repository research

Although the researchers still need to refine their method, it holds great promise for the future. For example, it should be possible to analyze the structures of certain crystals more precisely than before. "In addition to pure structural information, we should also be able to learn more in one and the same measurement, for example about the oxidation state of an element," hopes Dr. Michael Bodensteiner. "That would be helpful, for example, for studying catalytic reactions in chemistry." The combined method of X-ray structure and spectroscopy should also be useful for future projects at the ROBL in Grenoble. Dr. Hennig and his team are studying the behavior of radioactive substances such as those present in nuclear waste. "We hope to be able to determine the structures of certain radioactive molecular compounds more precisely," says HZDR crystallographer Dr. Christoph Hennig. "This would allow us to better assess whether a particular substance will remain permanently in a repository or whether it may eventually be released into the environment."
The entrance of a branch office of state-run retirement pension operator National Pension Service (NPS) in Seoul's Jongno District, Jan. 23. Korea Times file



By Yi Whan-woo



The government and the National Assembly are at odds over what measures should be prioritized in the overhaul of the state-managed retirement pension system to prevent pension funds from being depleted in the decades to come.



Operated by the National Pension Service (NPS), the pension is receivable by the majority of retirees who paid premiums to the service during their working years.



Certain professions, such as civil servants, military personnel and private school teachers, are excluded as NPS pension beneficiaries as they are subscribed to their own pension system.



The estimated time for the depletion of the NPS fund is accelerating in the face of a rapidly aging society.



Accordingly, the Yoon Suk Yeol administration has forwarded its schedule to submit the draft plan on pension reform to the parliament from October to the first half.



Sources familiar with the reform plan said the government has been focusing on readjusting the premium rate, average income replacement rate and minimum age of pension payout.



Such focus on reform was also witnessed during the Kim Dae-jung administration (1998-2003) and the Roh Moo-hyun administration (2003-2008).



However, members of the National Assembly's special committee on pension reform said Wednesday that the focus should be on restructuring pension systems that are exclusively for certain interest groups, before overhaul of the NPS' more comprehensive retirement pension system.



"Those interest groups include civil servants, military personnel and private school teachers, and the committee members reached a consensus to prioritize on restructuring their respective pension systems," the committee said.



The committee noted such special pensions and the NPS pension "are interlinked one way or another" and that clearing any issues of conflict will be crucial to carrying out the NPS pension reform successfully.



A member of the committee, ruling People Power Party (PPP) lawmaker Kang Gi-yun, said, "Whether to adjust premium rates, average income replacement rate and minimum age of pension payout in relation to the NPS fund can wait."



In its latest forecast on the NPS fund in January, the government brought forward the estimated time for depletion from 2057 to 2055.



It said the fund will reach its peak at 1,755 trillion won ($1.39 trillion) in 2040 and start posting shortfalls in 2041 before it completely runs out in 2055.



The premium rate currently stands at 9 percent and the average income replacement rate is at 40 percent.



The minimum age for pension payout will be raised to 65 by 2033, up from the current 62 this year.


The Supervisory Board of Bayer AG has appointed Bill Anderson to become CEO of Bayer, effective June 1, 2023. He will join Bayer as a member of the Board of Management on April 1, 2023. Bill Anderson was elected unanimously after a thorough selection process which began mid last year. Werner Baumann (60), current CEO of Bayer, will work closely with him on a smooth transition before retiring from Bayer after 35 years of service at the end of May 2023.

Bill Anderson (56), a chemical engineer by education, has served in various leadership positions in the life science industry over the past 25 years. Most recently, he served as CEO of Roches Pharmaceuticals Division, where he successfully led a comprehensive transformation program which resulted in many successful new product launches, significant revenue growth, and greater productivity across the organization. Before this role, Anderson was CEO of Genentech, one of the pioneering companies in the biotech field.

Previously, Bill Anderson held several senior leadership positions in general management, product development, and finance at Biogen, another innovation leader in the biotech sphere, and Raychem, an American technology and electronics company. During his time at Biogen, Genentech and Roche, Anderson was involved in the development and launch of 25 new medicines, including 15 blockbusters. In addition to his native country, the United States, Bill Anderson has lived and worked in several European countries with postings in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland. In his new role, he will be based in Leverkusen, Germany.

We are very excited to welcome Bill Anderson as new CEO of Bayer. He is the ideal candidate to lead Bayer together with the team into a new, successful chapter at a time of a disruptive innovation cycle in biology, chemistry and artificial intelligence. Bill has an outstanding track record of building strong product pipelines and turning biotech breakthroughs into products. Beyond that, he is a truly transformational leader who creates a culture that propels innovation, boosts productivity and performance, and allows people to thrive, said Prof. Dr. Norbert Winkeljohann, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Bayer AG. Bill Andersons mission is clear: enable Bayer to realize its full potential and create sustainable value for our shareholders, farmers, patients, consumers, employees, and all stakeholders of the company.

Winkeljohann continued: On behalf of the entire Supervisory Board, I would also like to sincerely thank Werner Baumann for 35 years of dedicated service with Bayer, including seven years as CEO. Today, Bayer is a leading life science company with outstanding innovation capabilities in health and nutrition, well positioned in highly attractive growth markets. The recent successful operational performance is clear proof that Bayer stands on a very strong foundation. We wish Werner Baumann all the very best in his future endeavors.

The new CEO-elect, Bill Anderson, said: Bayer is an innovative company that is already delivering tremendous benefits for the nutrition, health and environmental protection of the world. Its leading R&D investments in agriculture, medicines and consumer health hold the promise for additional breakthroughs. I look forward to working with the people of Bayer to accelerate innovation, increase performance, advance sustainability and unleash the full potential of the company.

Heike Hausfeld, Vice Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board and Chairwoman of the Bayer Central Works Council said: There is a long-lasting and strong partnership between the Works Council and Bayers management, which is a foundational element of the companys governance and success. We thank Werner Baumann for the trustful collaboration over the years and wish him all the best in the future. We had tough debates on a number of topics  and ultimately we were able to advance a lot for Bayer together. In our conversations, Bills commitment to Bayers employees, its purpose Science for a better life and its vision Health for all, hunger for none was evident. I am confident that the close partnership with him as CEO and the Works Council will continue.

Bill Anderson holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas, and Master of Science degrees in Chemical Engineering and Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Bill Anderson is married and has three children.
Picture this: its 4:37 a.m., and you just shot up from a turbulent sleep. Its still dark outside, and there are no sounds of life inside your home.

Confused, you grab your phone. Did you oversleep? What time is it?

Alas, you realize that you still have a couple more hours before you have to get up and start your day. So, you lay your head back on the pillow, pull your comforter up to your chin, and try to will yourself back to sleep.

No matter how hard you squeeze your eyes shut or how many sheep you count, though, the weird dream that just woke you up will not leave your head. Its like you were just shot with adrenaline, and your thoughts are whirling, despite the fact that its not even yet dawn.

At this point, you might roll over, grab your phone again, and head to Google. Because, after all, your dream has to mean something, right?

The Meaning Of Water Dreams

All dreams, not just those involving water, are believed to be packed full of signs and symbols. At night, our subconscious can run wild creating themes, patterns, and situations in our dreams that reflect current feelings or circumstances we are confronting in our real lives.

When dreams involve water, though, these cases are typically direct reflections of our real emotional state.

This is because water, as an element, is strongly associated with our emotions and this does not change when it comes to dreams. After all, much like water, our feelings are fluid.

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I was born and raised in Saudi Arabia as part of a devout Muslim family. Growing up, I considered myself a devoted follower of Islam, one who applied its teachings to every aspect of his life. I believed that Islam was the only true religion and that those who didnt accept Allah as their God and Muhammad as his messenger were doomed to hell.

I had nothing but contempt for Christianity. I believed that Muslims were superior to all others, that all non-Muslims were infidels, and that Jesus was a prophet sent by Allah, not the divine Son of God. As far as I was concerned, he had never been crucified, never died on a cross, and never been resurrected. I believed he had ascended into heaven, but only to be saved from his persecutors before coming back at the end of times to restore Islam as the true religion of Allah. All in all, I grew up harboring intense hatred for Christians, Jews, and all who refused Islam.

By age 12, I had memorized half of the Quran, and my goal was to memorize all of itall 114 chapters, all 6,236 verses. At age 15, I was prepared to die on behalf of Allah, like so many young people who were journeying to Afghanistan to fight the Soviet Union alongside Osama bin Laden. (He was a hero to us at that time.)

Were it not for my mother, who pleaded with me to stay behind, I would have joined this holy war. I believed that the rewards awaiting Muslims who died in the name of Allah were greater than any other a Muslim could receive. I was certain that by sacrificing my life in this manner, I would make it to paradise with all my sins forgiven.

Interacting with Christians

The more I grew up, however, the more notes of doubt began to creep in. As I gained a greater familiarity with the language of the Quran, I started seeing messages of hate within it, messages I could not understand and did not like at all. How, I wondered, could God hate his own creation simply because they do not accept him? On some level, I thought God should be above that kind of petty vindictiveness. But sharing such thoughts and doubts with others would have caused me lots of trouble and likely jeopardized my safety, as the penalty for blaspheming Allah and leaving Islam was death.

After finishing college in Saudi Arabia, I went to the United States to pursue my graduate education in engineering. But I had a dilemma. Islam teaches its followers not to befriend Christians, and in the Muslim world people truly believe that the United States is a Christian nationin other words, that everyone born in America is born a Christian. (The category of born-again Christian, as a measure of genuine faith, was unfamiliar to me.)

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In the summer of 1989, I arrived in the United States filled with fear and discomfort. In order to receive the best education, I knew it was imperative to attend an American university. But I was apprehensive because that meant having to interact with Christians.

After living in a dormitory for about a month, I began feeling the need to become more familiar with American culture and to sharpen my English language skills. Around that time, I heard of something called the International Friendship Program, which paired students like me with local volunteers who would provide help and hospitality. I signed up for the program, not knowing it was a Christian ministry.

Almost two weeks later, a young couple from the program contacted me and indicated that they were the family assigned to work with me. And for the next seven months, this family showed me love that far exceeded my expectations, love of the sort I had never experienced among my fellow Muslims.

In November, this family invited me to their home for Thanksgiving dinner. Only then did I realize this was a Christian family, because they asked if they could pray before the meal. I admit that my heart sank at this moment. I had never realized that Christians are actually filled with love and not hate, as my Muslim upbringing had led me to believe.

This family had never shared the gospel with me, but they had shown me what the gospel looks like. And on that day, I walked out of their home with great doubts about my faith and its teachings. I vowed that I would do research on Christianity, hoping to learn more about how Jesus could make such a profound difference in someones life, offering the kind of peace and joy I had never seen before.

Seeing the light

A few years later, after earning my masters degree, I joined a local engineering firm. There I met another born-again Christian. I was impressed by his faithhis joy, his peace, and the light that seemed to shine forth from him. And when he invited me to his home for Christmas dinner, I noticed that his wife and kids had the same qualities. They were just like the family I had met in college.

At this point, I couldnt hold back my curiosity any longer. I asked him why he was so different from those around him. He told me he was a born-again Christian, and he shared his testimony. Once again, I was gripped with the desire to know more about Jesus.

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From that moment forward, God allowed me to go through numerous trials and adverse circumstances in my life, all of which increased my interest in Christianity. And in May 2001, going against everything my Muslim faith had taught me, I made my first visit to a Christian church. Over the course of the next six months, as the church studied the Gospel of John, I learned who Christ truly is.

In November 2001, without a shadow of a doubt, I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. But it wasnt easy at first. Within a matter of months, I lost my marriage due to unfaithfulness from my spouse, and I also lost my job. It felt like Satan was actively trying to destroy my faith. But these months taught me invaluable lessons about having a personal relationship with Jesus and learning to depend on him through all circumstances. During this time, God revealed his awesome glory to me in ways I could not deny or doubt.

Since then, my life has changed forever, and I am no longer the man I used to be. Today I lead a global ministry called CIRA International, which I founded by Gods grace in 2010. Our mission is to reach Muslims for Christ, to equip believers with practical tools for effectively sharing the gospel with Muslims, and to disciple new believers, especially those coming from Muslim backgrounds.

In addition, I teach classes and seminars on Islam at various churches, so that my brothers and sisters in Christ can learn how to better witness to their Muslim neighbors. And at my home church, I head up a newly established chapter of the International Friendship Program, the very ministry that planted the first seeds of gospel hope in my heart almost 16 years ago.

I came to know my beloved Jesus through simple acts of love. And I pray God will use my own simple acts of love to bring glory to himself by drawing others to a saving faith in him.

Al Fadi teaches courses in biblical theology, business, and comparative religion at Arizona Christian University.

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A 22-year-old Pentecostal military chaplain was killed in Ukraine after the troops he was ministering to in the Donetsk region were hit by Russian rockets.

Yaroslav Pavenkos final words were Im going to heaven, according to the Ukrainian Orthodox military chaplain coordinator. Pavenko was ministering alongside two of his brothers, Volodomyr and Artur, who are also chaplains. Artur was holding Pavenkos head in the back of a car on the way to the hospital and praying with him when he died.

Pavenko volunteered as a chaplain at age 14, after Russian-backed separatist forces, wearing masks and wielding machine guns, broke into his fathers church and kidnapped four men, including two of Pavenkos other brothers.

The militants had seized control of Luhansk and Donetsk in 2014 and declared the areas independent of Ukraine. As they fought the government and sought to subdue the Russian-speaking population opposed to separation, the rebels, who called themselves the Russian Orthodox Army, seemed to target Protestant churches

Their logic is: We brought the Orthodox Church, ours is right and there are no others. Your church is linked to America, our enemy, so we will destroy you, Peter Dudnik, pastor of the Christian Center of the Good News Church, told The Christian Science Monitor.

Pavenkos father Alexander Pavenkos church, Transfiguration of the Lord, traces its history back to Polish Pentecostal missionaries who returned to the region to preach about sanctification and the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the 1920s after having religious experiences in the United States. The militants also attacked a Roman Catholic priest from Poland and a Greek Catholic priest who opposed separation, warning him, If you bark any more you will be found with a slit belly.

On June 7, 2015, the armed militants may have been seeking to kidnap the pastor, but some of the 300 church members said it also seemed like the soldiers just wanted to steal some cars they saw parked outside Transfiguration. They seized four men: two deacons and two Pavenkos, 31-year-old Ruvium and 25-year-old Albert.

The four were accused of crimes against the Donetsk Peoples Republicfeeding Ukrainian soldiers. According to information pieced together by church members and journalists, they were tortured for hours. The militants released the men early Monday morning, telling them they could go home and putting them in a car around 4 a.m. But as they started to leave, a gunman fired two grenades into the vehicle, killing one and wounding three. The three were then shot to death as they tried to escape from the wreckage.

The Pentecostals were buried in a mass grave with two dozen other bodies. Their corpses were not located for more than a month. When they were found, Russias state-owned radio falsely reported the men were killed by Ukrainians, citing a Ukrainian official who did not make that statement.

One member of church told a reporter the militants were people with dirty souls who want to make things bad and who hate everything that is good, everything that is beautiful, and everything that comes from God. But Alexander Pavenko reminded his congregation they were called to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them.

If they wanted to cause me pain, they succeeded, the Pentecostal pastor said. But they did not manage to break my belief. It is God who will deal with them.

Pavenkos furniture store was also shelled and militants visited his home seven times, attempting to catch him.

A photo from that time shows a somber Yaroslav Pavenko standing with his father and brothers, wearing a red hoodie and holding his hands behind his back. A short while later, he volunteered as a chaplain with the Ukrainian military.

According to the chaplaincy service, Pavenko stayed on the frontlines of the fighting throughout the War in Donbas and continued to serve after Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He became part of a group of ministers known as the Eastern Angels and was praised for being reliable, sincere, and self-sacrificing.

Pavenko was ministering to the 26th Artillery Brigade, which operates Polish-made tanks that fire 155 mm high-explosive rounds, when the soldiers came under attack on Saturday, February 4. The chaplain was wearing a helmet and body armor, but a fragment of an exploded Russian shell pierced his body.

The warrior of Christ laid down his weapon, wrote Anatoliy Raichynets, deputy general security of the Ukrainian Bible Society, and went to meet the one whom he loved above all else and faithfully served until his last breath.

Pavenko is survived by his father, his wife, a young daughter, and several brothers who continue to minister to Ukrainian soldiers.
Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware leader resigns over marital indiscretions

The executive director of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware has resigned after the organization became aware of "marital indiscretions," also leading to his termination as a vice president with a Southern Baptist Convention's missions agency.

The Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware leadership sent a letter to the network's member churches Friday informing them that Michael Crawford resigned from his position. He was appointed executive director of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware last March.

The letter cited "moral failure involving marital indiscretions," noting that such actions "[disqualify] him from this position."

"We understand this news brings great sorrow to us all," the letter stated. "The BCM/D officers, staff, volunteers, and churches are committed to praying for Brother Michael, his family and providing them with spiritual and emotional support in the coming days, weeks and months ahead."

Associate Executive Director Tom Stolle will serve as interim executive director until a permanent replacement for Crawford is named. The letter asked member churches to "pray for our officers, the Administrative Committee and the General Mission Board as we make decisions in the days and weeks ahead."

"As officers, we are committed to providing leadership in all entrusted to us. That includes putting a plan in place for naming a new Executive Director."

According to an archived version of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware's website, Crawford is married with five children. He has authored two books titled 100 Mediations: An Every Day Bookfor Every Day People and Don't Plant, Be Planted.

Crawford's leadership in the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware, which describes itself as a "cooperative missions and ministry organization made up of more than 500 autonomous Baptist churches in Maryland and Delaware," committed to "planting new churches and strengthening existing ones," dates back to 2014.

Crawford led Freedom Church in Baltimore for five years before transitioning to serve the Maryland/Delaware convention's state director of missions and the Maryland/Delaware director of the North American Mission Board's Send Network.

Last October, Crawford was named NAMB's vice president of strategy and development. He has been terminated from that position, a spokesperson told The Baptist Paper.

Crawford also founded The Banquet Network, a nonprofit interdenominational entity equipping churches with resources to create and strengthen special needs ministries. He also founded The Subversive Institute, a nonprofit that serves marginalized people in Baltimore.

Stolle, Crawford's temporary replacement, continues to serve as the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware's chief financial officer. He also maintains his position as the director and treasurer of the Baptist Foundation of Maryland/Delaware.

Leadership roles in the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware come with a one-year term. The leadership of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware vowed to "communicate our next steps and plans as they become available."
Before shooting his teacher, 6-year-old allegedly threatened to kill student with gun at recess

Shortly before he shot his teacher as she sat at a reading table in his class at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, on Jan. 6, a troubled 6-year-old boy allegedly showed off his mothers gun to another student and threatened to shoot him if he told anyone, according to a notice of claim filed on behalf of the injured teacher.

In the three-page notice of claim cited by the Daily Press of Newport News, Diane Toscano, the attorney for the injured 25-year-old teacher, Abigail Zwerner, details a history of violent behavior from the first grader toward her client, and other teachers and students before the shooting.

She also shows how the schools now removed Assistant Principal Ebony Parker failed to seriously treat warnings that the student had a gun prior to the shooting.

Three different times Assistant Principal Parker was warned by concerned teachers or employees that the shooter had a gun on him at school, the claim says. The tragedy was entirely preventable if Assistant Principal Parker had done her job and acted when she had knowledge of imminent danger.

A year prior to the shooting, the boy allegedly choked another teacher until she couldnt breathe. On the day the boy shot Zwerner, the notice of claim says he had just returned to school from a one-day suspension because he allegedly slammed and broke the teachers cellphone two days earlier.

Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew said during an earlier press conference that Zwerner was reportedly teaching when the 6-year-old boy brandished a firearm, pointed it at her and fired one round.

There was no physical struggle or fight. She was providing instruction to her class, Drew said.

The police chief said Zwerner took a defensive position where she raised her hand after the student fired the gun at her.

The round went through her hand, exited the rear of her hand and into her upper chest, he said.

According to the notice of claim, between 11:15 and 11:30 a.m. Jan. 6, Zwerner warned Parker in her office that the boy seemed more off than usual and was in a violent mood. The shooter, she said, had threatened to beat up a kindergartner and angrily stared down a security guard in the lunchroom.

Another teacher, identified as Teacher 2, was then told at about 11:45 a.m. that the shooter had a gun in his backpack before recess. Teacher 2 reportedly searched the backpack at 12:30 p.m. but did not find the gun.

Even though the gun was not found at that time, Zwerner insisted she was concerned that the shooter had the gun because she saw the boy, who was wearing a hoodie, which usually has large pockets, take something out of his backpack and put it in his pocket.

Teacher 2 raised this concern with Parker but she allegedly dismissed the concern, noting that the boy has small pockets, instead of calling the police. Around 1 p.m., another student in Zwerners class told another teacher, identified as Teacher 3, that the boy showed him the gun at recess and then threatened to shoot that student if he told anyone.

Teacher 3 kept that student in her class because he was so upset, the notice of claim says. She then told another teacher identified as Teacher 4 and asked her to raise the issue with Parker.

A guidance counselor also sought permission from Parker to search the student further but she rejected the request, noting that the shooters mother would be arriving soon.

In a statement on the shooting through their attorney, James Ellenson, the boys parents say they didnt know how their son was able to access the gun because it had been secured in the home.

Our son suffers from an acute disability and was under a care plan at the school that included his mother or father attending school with him and accompanying him to class every day. Additionally, our son has benefitted from an extensive community of care that also includes his grandparents working alongside us and other caregivers to ensure his needs and accommodations are met. The week of the shooting was the first week when we were not in class with him. We will regret our absence on this day for the rest of our lives, they said.

We continue to pray for his teachers full recovery, and for her loved ones who are undoubtedly upset and concerned, the parents added. At the same time, we love our son and are asking that you please include him and our family in your prayers.
Christian school that affirmed LGBT 'holiness' to close after churches halt support

A Christian school in Missouri that provides tuition-free education will soon be closing its doors, reportedly due to a sharp decline in funding from local churches after it altered its mission statement to affirm the "holiness" of the LGBT community.

Urban Christian Academy of Kansas City, a kindergarten through eighth-grade facility founded nine years ago, will be closing its doors this spring due to lack of funds, The Kansas City Star reported Monday.

While the school had an "inclusive theology" that involved supporting various LGBT causes for years, executive director and co-founder Kalie Callaway-George said the institution updated its mission statement and website last winter to affirm LGBT students.

"I think our community members felt safe within our walls, but we wanted them to feel publicly protected as well," she told The Star. "Eventually, it felt like our silence was contributing to the hurt and pain our queer community members were experiencing."

"We deeply longed for all people to feel welcomed, loved and celebrated not just secretly within our walls but very explicitly to the public as well," she added.

Six months after the decision, she said the school lost about 42% of its funding. By the end of 2022, the support had dropped by 80%.

This drop in support comes as all eight local churches that had given financial support to the school withdrew their funding. According to Callaway-George, the churches cited "a disagreement of values based on the inclusion of the LGBTQ community."

"Although we love and admire you in many ways, for your hard work, compassion, commitment, strength, we draw the line at this issue," one patron wrote to the school, as quoted by The Star.

"Christian compassion doesn't mean universalism. Jesus loved all, but told them, 'go and sin no more.' He died so we could be saved, healed, delivered, and set free."

According to a 2021 U.S. News & World Report entry, Urban Christian Academy had an enrollment of 105 students, 96.2% of whom were African American. It also had a student-to-teacher ratio of 15:1.

The school's online manifesto states that they "believe the Bible is full of wisdom and the person of Jesus is the most powerful example of embodied love" and that there exists "a diversity of perspectives within our community."

"We are an affirming school. We stand with the LGBTQIA+ community and believe in their holiness. We celebrate the diversity of God's creation in all its varied and beautiful forms," states the manifesto.

"We want all people who are part of the UCA family to feel free to explore and express who they are. We don't put people in boxes. We don't believe in being spiritual gatekeepers who say who's in and who's out."
Ex-gays respond to Andy Stanleys claim that LGBT people have more faith than a lot of you

Christians who once identified as homosexual have mixed opinions about recent remarks made by Pastor Andy Stanley, in which the megachurch leader said that LGBT individuals who go to church have more faith than a lot of you.

Last month, a short clip of Stanley was posted on Twitter in which he said a gay person who still wants to attend church after the way the church has treated the gay community, I'm telling you, they have more faith than I do. They have more faith than a lot of you.

A gay person who knows, 'You know what? I might not be accepted here, but I'm going to try it anyway,' have you ever done that as a straight person? Where do you go that you're not sure you're going to be accepted and you go over and over and over? Stanley asked in the viral clip.

Stanley acknowledged that there were verses in the Bible that condemned homosexuality, but then added, oh my goodness, a gay man or woman who wants to worship their heavenly Father, who did not answer the cry of their heart when they were 12 and 13 and 14 and 15. God said, 'No,' and they still love God?

"We have some things to learn from a group of men and women who love Jesus that much and who want to worship with us," he continued. "I know the verses; I know the clobber passages, right? We got to figure this out. And you know what? I think you are.

Christopher Doyle, a professional counselor and executive director of the Institute for Healthy Families, told The Christian Post that, because the full sermon is not easily accessible online, Stanleys words leave me with more questions than answers.

I appreciate Pastor Stanley's compassion for Christians struggling with sexual and gender identity. As a young man, I experienced unwanted same-sex attractions and having a safe place surrounded by loving, embracing Christians would have really helped me on my healing journey, said Doyle.

Stanley is also correct that LGBT-identified Christians have been unfairly marginalized in the Body of Christ, and, indeed, we certainly have a lot to learn from these sensitive souls. In my experience, they are creative, artistic, and mercy-driven individuals with amazing character qualities, and historically, the church has used Scripture [as Stanley said] to clobber them instead of appreciating and loving the whole person.

Nevertheless, Doyle also told CP that it's important to recognize we are all sexually broken and in need of emotional, relational and spiritual healing, adding that the Gospel remains the same and calls us to pursue righteousness.

Is Pastor Stanley challenging his entire congregation to pursue holiness and righteousness or providing a seeker-friendly environment with a watered-down Gospel? Doyle asked.

In my personal experience as a sexually broken Christian man and my professional experience as a counselor walking with believers pursuing healing, holiness and righteousness can only come with a renewing of the mind and a sanctification of the heart.

Stephen Black, an author and executive director of First Stone Ministries, told CP that he believed Stanleys remarks showed that his church has a terrible theology based in psychology rather than an actual biblical theology.

Stanley is filled with such corrupt theology that he believes gay and other corrupt identities are legitimate, said Black. This is not a biblical worldview.

Andy Stanley repeatedly communicates gay people as a legitimate identity given to this modern culture over the last 100 years from psychology and the American Psychological Association legitimizing corrupt human sexual desires as orientations.

Black believed that it was important for sincere Bible-believing Christians who have a saving faith to pay attention to what leaders like Stanley are really communicating in their nuanced words.

Simply said, people like Stanley are filled with unbelief concerning the transforming grace of God, he continued. They are telling on themselves that they have a terrible theology of easy-believism that does not require real change or repentant life that endures to the end.

Black drew a parallel to the ministry known as Revoice, a Christian ministry that, while adhering to the belief that homosexuality is sinful, garnered controversy in theologically conservative circles for its embrace of ideas like Christians being able to identify as LGBT.

Stanley and leaders like him in Revoice are communicating a psychological worldview, Black added. They believe more in the orientation narrative and belief structures of the APA than they do Holy Scriptures.

We need to pray that Andy Stanley and other Revoice leaders come into the full revelation of Jesus resulting in righteousness, a saving faith with a confessed life, and living out repentance. I know hundreds of ex-homosexuals who are living out a life without labels and are found in Jesus Christ alone.
FBI cites Southern Poverty Law Center to warn about radical-traditionalist Catholic ideology

The FBI has rescinded a report classifying "radical-traditionalist Catholic ideology" as a national security threat based on claims from the far-left Southern Poverty Law Center after a former FBI agent voiced concerns about the FBI's reliance on partisan sources.

Kyle Seraphin, a former FBI special agent, shared a document published by the FBI's Richmond field office warning that "the increasingly observed interest of racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists (RMVEs) in radical-traditionalist Catholic ideology almost certainly presents opportunities for threat mitigation through the exploration of new avenues for tripwire and source development."

FBI Richmond distributed the document internally on Jan. 23, and Seraphin posted a copy on the website UncoverDC Wednesday.

"RTCs are typically characterized by the rejection of the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) as a valid church council; disdain for most of the popes elected since Vatican II, particularly Pope Francis and Pope John Paul II; and frequent adherence to anti-Semitic, anti-immigrant, anti-LGBT, and white supremacist ideology," the document states.

FBI document noted that "Vatican II took place from 1962-1965 and essentially shaped the Modern Roman Rite Catholic Church."

"It was intended to help the church respond to global cultural changes in the aftermath of World War II and resulted in significant reforms to the liturgy, attitudes towards non-Christian religions, roles and responsibilities of the laity, views on religious freedom, etc," the document added.

While the document, which the FBI referred to as a "domain product," associated "radical-traditionalist Catholics" with opposition to Vatican II, it clarified that "Radical-traditionalist Catholics compose a small minority of overall Roman Catholic adherents and are separate and distinct from 'traditionalist Catholics' who prefer the Traditional Latin Mass and pre-Vatican II teachings and traditions, but without the more extremist ideological beliefs and violent rhetoric."

"FBI Richmond assesses RMVE interest in RTCs is likely to increase over the next 12 to 24 months in the run-up to the next general election cycle complicating the overall RMVE threat picture while also creating new opportunities for mitigation efforts," the FBI report states.

"This assessment is made in light of the ongoing polarization characterizing the US political environment and the probability that policy issues of mutual interest to RMVEs and RTC adherents will remain in the public spotlight."

The FBI states that RTCs and RMVEs might have a common cause to act following legislation or judicial decisions "in areas such as abortion rights, immigration, affirmative action, and LGBTQ protections."

"During this same 12 to 24 month period, the overall RTC community is likely to remain relatively stable or show modest growth based on potential disaffection with mainline Catholic churches on social issues in the aforementioned areas, providing RMVEs a persistent Catholic-oriented base with which to interact," the report states.

The document included an appendix featuring examples of radical-traditionalist Catholic groups in the U.S. based on information compiled by the Southern Poverty Law Center, an organization that has long been criticized for classifying organizations that uphold traditional beliefs on marriage, sexuality and abortion "hate" groups.

Those groups cited in the FBI report include Catholic Apologetics International in Greenville, Pennsylvania; Catholic Family News/Catholic Family Ministries, Inc. in Niagara Falls, New York; Christ or Chaos in Corsicana, Texas, and Culture Wars/Fidelity Press in South Bend, Indiana.

Other organizations cited as hate groups by the SPLC are The Fatima Crusader/International Rosary Crusade in Buffalo, New York; In the Spirit of Charters Committee in Glenelg, Maryland; The Remnant/The Remnant Press located in Forest Lake, Minnesota; Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Richmond, New Hampshire; and Tradition in Action in Los Angeles, California.

The SPLC, which describes itself as an organization that "monitors hate groups and other extremists throughout the U.S. and exposes their activities to law enforcement agencies, the media and the public," has drawn criticism over the years for labeling organizations and individuals who oppose same-sex marriage as purveyors of hate. Over the last decade, the FBI has refrained from using SPLC in its reporting amid criticism of partisanship.

"When the FBI generates an intelligence product, it is important to note the analyzed sources. Typically, strict source vetting removes partisanship and bias, so a product is both consistent with federal law and can add value to the FBI's overall mission," Seraphin wrote. "Of note, this document was reviewed and approved for release by the FBI Richmond Chief Division Counsel, who is the office's top lawyer."

"The attached appendices refer to a number of articles and the out-of-FBI-policy Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) at the end of the document," he adds.

"For example, Appendix D is a direct copy of the SPLC list of 'Radical Traditional Catholicism Hate Groups,' including the web address accessed. The SPLC appears to be a source for the intelligence analyst's beliefs that RTCs exist and that they are anti-Semitic. The SPLC description for this 'hate group' states RTCs' may make up the largest single group of serious anti-semites in America.' Often in the intelligence world, this type of statement without any established evidence is often followed by the acronym 'NFI' or 'No Further Information' to indicate it is an unsubstantiated opinion."

"Additionally, SPLC states RTCs' embrace extremely conservative social ideals with respect to women,'" Serephin continues. "Nothing reported by the SPLC indicates the number of adherents to this alleged ideology nor any instances of violence. This lack of evidence and blatant partisan blindness is one of many reasons the FBI has distanced itself from the SPLC as a source in the past 10 years."

Seraphin also takes issue with the fact the FBI report cites left-leaning news outlets Salon and The Atlantic. He said the Salon articles cited "are typical of partisan click-bait writing."

In a statement sent to The Daily Signal on Thursday, the FBI admitted that the report from the Richmond office "does not meet the exacting standards of the FBI."

Upon learning of the document, FBI Headquarters quickly began taking action to remove the document from FBI systems and conduct a review of the basis for the document, the statement reads. The FBI is committed to sound analytic tradecraft and to investigating and preventing acts of violence and other crimes while upholding the constitutional rights of all Americans and will never conduct investigative activities or open an investigation based solely on First Amendment protected activity.

Seraphin, a practicing Catholic, cited FBI Richmond's document as the latest example of a "politicalized FBI" intensely focused on advancing the cause of "abortion rights." He contends that "opening the door to associating white supremacists with traditional religious practices based on common Christian positions on abortion and the LGBTQ political agendas is a dangerous step."

Concerns about the politicization of federal law enforcement have loomed large in the controversy surrounding the prosecution of Mark Houck, a Catholic pro-life activist who was arrested at his home by over a dozen state and federal agents in the early morning hours last September on Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act charges. Houck was acquitted last week by a unanimous jury.

Houck's arrest prompted Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights President Bill Donohue to write a letter to Congress contending that "There seems to be much interest [by federal law enforcement] in pursuing alleged wrongdoing by pro-life activists, yet little interest in pursuing alleged wrongdoing by abortion-rights activists."

Donohue's comments reflect criticism that federal agencies have not acted with the same urgency when it comes to finding the perpetrators behind the wave of vandalism targeting pro-life pregnancy centers and churches following the publication of a leaked draft decision last May in the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that found no constitutional right to abortion.

The wave of vandalism continued following the June release of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health ruling.

FBI Richmond's document characterizing "radical-traditionalist Catholics" as a threat comes as restrictions on the Traditional Latin mass, conducted in Latin as opposed to the local vernacular that has become the standard form of liturgy for most Catholic masses, have caused concern among many in the Catholic Church.

The restrictions follow the publication of Pope Francis' encyclical Traditionis Custodes, which urged bishops to impose limits on the Latin mass.

Traditionis Custodes marks a departure from Francis' predecessor Pope Benedict XVI's view that the Novus Ordo, mass conducted in the local vernacular, is the "ordinary expression of the Lex Orandi (rule of prayer)" while the Latin mass was the "extraordinary expression." Benedict outlined this teaching in an apostolic letter titled Summorum Pontificum.

Seraphin notes that the writer of the FBI Richmond report "makes an unsubstantiated leap that a preference for the Catholic Mass in Latin instead of the vernacular and a number of more traditional views on other world religions can amount to an 'adherence to anti-Semitic, anti-immigrant, anti-LGBTQ and white supremacist ideology.'"
Han Jae-bok, right, a former South Korean prisoner of war who was captured by the North Koreans during the Korean War, stands during a press conference in 2020 after the court ruled in favor of him, ordering North Korea to compensate him for his forced labor. Korea Times photo by Seo Jae-hoon



By Lee Yeon-woo



Han Jae-bok, a former South Korean prisoner who was detained in North Korea for five decades before escaping, died on Wednesday. He was 89.



With his death, the number of former prisoners of war living in South Korea is now 13.



Han was born in Jeongeup City, North Jeolla Province in 1934. At the age of 17, he voluntarily joined the South Korean army after the outbreak of the Korean War on June 25, 1950. He was captured in North Korea in 1951. He was forced to work in coal mines in North Korea from Sept. 1953 until he escaped to South Korea in 2001.



After his return, he constantly spoke out about the repatriation of South Korean prisoners of war while working as a chairman of the Association of Returned Korean POWs.



In 2016, Han received international attention after filing a lawsuit against North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, seeking damages for his forced labor. In 2020, the court ruled in favor of Han and asked North Korea to compensate 21 million won ($16,608). It was the first time that a Korean court ruled against North Korea regarding the exploitation of prisoners of war.



Han could not secure actual compensation or an apology from North Korea during his lifetime. He had been in dispute with the Foundation of Inter-Korea Cooperation  a South Korean institution that pays copyright fees to North Korea for the use of North Korean footage  for compensation payment on behalf of North Korea. He lost the first trial last January.



During his life, Han expressed regret that the issue of prisoners of war has been left out of the discussion.



"I feel sad that nobody pays attention to South Korean prisoners of war except for Dream makers for NK (a NK human rights civil organizations)," he said after he won the case in 2020.


Jesus is coming back: What drives biblical End Times intrigue?

What drives intrigue in the biblical end of days?

Christian Post reporter Nicole Alcindor joins Billy Hallowell to discuss "Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist" and the many themes in the new movie. She also addresses why the film has received such favorable reviews from fans as well as a 97% Rotten Tomatoes audience score.

"For some Christians, I think they went to see the film just because of the excitement. ... It's not every day that you see a Christian movie in the theaters," Alcindor said, proceeding to explain why some might have also found deeper meaning in the movie's exploration of eschatology. "It reminded me that, ultimately, Jesus is coming back."

She added that it "served as a wake-up call to live lives pleasing to God."

Alcindor also tackles deconstruction and her powerful interview with Charles Andrew Payne, one of the stars of the film.

Listen to the fascinating story:

The Inside Story takes you behind the headlines of the biggest faith, culture, and political headlines of the week. In 15 minutes or less, Christian Post staff writers and editors will help you navigate and understand whats driving each story, the issues at play  and why it all matters.

Listen to more Christian podcasts today on the Edifi app  and be sure to subscribe to The Inside Story on your favorite platforms:
NC county mulls ending prayer tradition deemed blatantly unconstitutional

A North Carolina county that garnered controversy over allowing elected officials to give opening prayers at their official meetings might shift to inviting clergy to give invocations instead.

The Beaufort County Board of Commissioners was recently the subject of a complaint letter from a church-state watchdog group because its board members give the opening prayer at official meetings.

Frankie Waters, chairman for the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners, told The Christian Post on Thursday that the practice was not a written policy but rather a tradition.

Only elected commissioners led prayer and the pledge. The audience was asked to stand for both, Waters explained, adding that they were considering a shift toward having clergy give the opening prayer instead.

According to Waters, for their Monday night meeting, the board invited a local pastor to have a prayer before the meeting was called to order.

We invited other religious leaders to call the board's clerk if they would like to be placed on a list for prayer at future meetings, he added.

Last month, Americans United for Separation of Church and State sent a letter to Waters and other commissioners, objecting to their prayer practice.

Ian Smith, a staff attorney with Americans United, told the county leadership that he believed their practice of having commissioners give the prayers was blatantly unconstitutional.

The Board of Commissioners exists to represent all citizens of Beaufort County, regardless of faith or belief, wrote Smith in the letter, a copy of which was emailed to CP by Americans United.

The practice of county officials composing and reciting official prayers sends the message that nonbelievers and adherents of faiths that do not wish to participate in the Boards prayers are not accepted members of the community and pressuring the audience to stand for the prayer coerces them to participate in the Boards religious activities.

Smith further argued that the board should replace its invocation tradition with a moment of silence or a prayer policy that is "compatible" with legal precedent.

If the Board insists on opening its meetings with an invocation, it should adopt a policy that turns the delivery of invocations over to private citizens who are selected based on neutral criteria that do not discriminate against minority faiths or nonbelievers, Smith continued.

And either way, the Board must stop asking the audience to stand or otherwise participate in the prayer.

For his part, Waters did not believe that the earlier practice of having a commissioner give the opening prayer and have everyone stand was a violation of the First Amendment.

We do not believe that we were in violation of church and state separation, he said, noting that the only complaint he could recall was an email sent last week from someone living in Ohio.

I have been a commissioner for the last eight years and no local citizen or group has objected either by public comment in a meeting or by written notice.
Jews and Gentiles: Distinction vs. discrimination in Christ

In Deuteronomy 32:89, in what is referred to as the Song of Moses, there is a mysterious and often overlooked passage:

When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when He separated the sons of man, He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the sons of Israel. For the LORDs portion is His people; Jacob is the allotment of His inheritance (emphasis added).

This is creation language that comes from the Torah, the foundation of Gods Word. When God created the world  when He created the sons of men, setting the boundaries of the nations  He did so with Israel as the nexus. Israel was the center and will always be at the core of Gods redemptive plan.

In Genesis 12:7 God says, To your descendants I will give this land. This was a specific, actual geographical land that was promised to Abraham. After telling Abraham to look northward, southward, eastward, and westward, God further tells him, Arise, walk about the land through its length and breadth; for I will give it to you (Gen. 13:17). This particular promise to Israel is impossible to discount.

This is not just an initial promise that we are free to now ignore but a theme that runs through the entire Bible, both the Old and New Testaments. To the prophet Jeremiah, the Lord said:

Therefore behold, days are coming, declares the LORD, when it will no longer be said, As the LORD lives, who brought up the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt, but, As the LORD lives, who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of the north and from all the countries where He had banished them. For I will restore them to their own land which I gave to their fathers. (Jeremiah 16:1415).

Of course, the separate calling God had for the people of Israel, through whom the Messiah would come, was never supposed to make them superior for their own sake. Paul fiercely insists that in Yeshua the dividing wall between Jew and gentile has been broken down so that all have become one in Jesus (Eph. 2:14). Paul himself was a devout Jewish follower of Yeshua, deeply trained in the Torah and the history and practices of the Hebrew people. He understood his own identity as an apostle for Christ in thoroughly Jewish terms, and he never minimized this. But Paul also was passionate that early Christ followers should not continue the kind of radical separation between Jews and gentiles that were then common in the culture. In Galatians 3:28, Paul makes a truly revolutionary statement: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

No one in the ancient world could have conceived of anything like this  a community in which all people would be on equal footing, regardless of their social class. Jews and gentiles, those who were enslaved and those who were free, and men and women were now equal. The idea of Yeshua eliminating the divisions between classes, and disrupting the worlds system, was revolutionary.

Yet critically, while Paul maintains that those who are in Christ are one, he does not by any means minimize their distinctions. There are obviously fundamental differences between men and women. Despite the fact that today our culture tries to minimize these differences as it pushes gender fluidity, the biological differences between males and females are obvious in the human anatomy. In the beginning, God created them male and female (Gen. 1:27). Paul was not trying to say that in Christ there are no distinctions but that there is no discrimination!

Whether it be in regard to gender differences or the differences between Jews and gentiles, when people confuse discrimination with distinction instead of grasping the equality Paul had in mind, they neutralize the role Israel plays, thus minimizing the unique destiny God has for the physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Some churches even teach that there is no longer anything unique about Israel or the Jewish people and that because the Israelites initially rejected Jesus, the promises the Lord made to them have been taken away from them and are now given instead to the gentile churches.

The truth is, when the Gospel of Yeshua is preached to Jewish people, it is ultimately a blessing to Jews and gentiles alike. If gentiles were blessed because the Gospel came to them as a result of and after the Jewish people rejected Yeshua, how much more will they be blessed when Jewish people receive Him?

Paul says, Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be! For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

He continues: But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you (Rom. 11:12, 15, 1718, emphasis added).

Although many in the Church have discounted the distinctiveness of the Jews and the unique role they still play, others have gone to the opposite extreme and have become so romanticized by the notion that the Jews are Gods chosen people that they dont witness to them. Some think, Who am I as a gentile to talk to the Jews about Jesus?

Jewish people must receive Jesus to be saved just like everyone else. Acts 4:12 says, There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under Heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. Either Jesus is who He said He is, or He is not. Paul said in Romans 1:16, For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

We must come into alignment with the Jewish Jesus because when we meet Him, we are going to meet the one who identified Himself as the root and the descendant of David (Rev. 22:16). We are going to meet the one who in Heaven is called the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5). And we will meet Him in the heavenly city called New Jerusalem, whose gates are inscribed with the names of the 12 tribes of Israel (Rev. 21:12). Whether we come to Him as a Jew or as a gentile, we will all meet Him together.
PCUSA clergy candidates claim exam question on violent Bible passage 'causes harm'

A group of ordination candidates in the Presbyterian Church (USA) have taken issue with an exam including a violent passage from the Bible, claiming that such content may cause harm.

Recently, the Presbyteries Cooperative Committee on Examinations for Candidates, the permanent PCUSA committee tasked with overseeing the exams process for clergy candidates, oversaw an exam in which test-takers had to exegete (or interpret) a Bible passage.

The passage for that particular exegesis exam was Judges 19, which centers on a violent group sexual assault and death of a concubine. This injustice led to war among the tribes of Israel.

Usage of the passage prompted outrage from some, who believed that using a sexually violent part of Scripture for the exam ran the risk of retraumatizing victims of sexual assault.

A petition posted to Change.org by the Rev. Elana Keppel Levy of Oklahoma, a survivor of sexual assault, has garnered more than 1,000 signatories as of Tuesday morning.

While it is a vital skill for pastors to be able to interpret, teach, and preach from scripture, stories that feature extreme violence and sexual violence cause harm for both test takers and readers, reads the petition.

Those who have experienced violence and sexual violence often suffer from PTSD for years, if not the rest of their lives. Being forced to read and intensely focus on stories like this is likely to be a trauma trigger.

The petition adds, "Christ tells us that his yoke is easy and his burden is light. Our examinations must not cause fear and harm.

We are asking for a formal apology from the Presbyteries Cooperative Committee on Examinations for Candidates and a commitment from that committee to agree to oversight from a person or persons who have authority to act to prevent such harm from ever happening again, the petition added.

The Rev. Robert Lowry of Arkansas, who chairs the committee, told Presbyterian News Service in an interview last week that the Judges 19 passage was selected as a way to help prepare future clergy for ministry in the modern church.

A reality in the church today is pastors have to be equipped to engage with the parish they serve on issues that might not have been talked about 20 or 25 years ago, including sexual violence and violence in general, Lowry said. Scripture provides a rich narrative that touches on the fullness of the human experience.

Lowry also told PNS that the point of the exam is to invite candidates to demonstrate how their preparation and pastoral call intersects with their acquired knowledge. It takes a great deal of thought and effort to write the questions.

In the end, the collective wisdom was that this issue was of sufficient importance to use a question like this on the ordination exam, he added.

Citing U.S. Department of Justice data, the Center for Family Justice reports that one in four women and one and six men are sexually abused in their lifetime.

This issue is not abstract for members of our church or members of our society; it is personal," Levy wrote in the petition. "As a church, we absolutely have a duty to care for those who have been victimized, to advocate for justice, to learn how to heal spiritually, and to wrestle with biblical texts. Ensuring that candidates have a trauma-informed education about how to deal with and respond to these matters is crucial. However, this will not be effectively accomplished in a high pressure, high stakes examination."

The committee will officially respond to the petition during the PCC's annual meeting in March.

During our annual meeting, we will talk about the issue in a more fulsome way than social media or throwing together a Zoom call would allow, Lowry said. We believe this is an issue of great importance to the church and has intersected other important issues. We will take time at our annual meeting to focus on the questions that have arisen this week. We are doing that not to delay the conversation, but because we feel it is important enough to have in person.
New Tim Keller Center for Apologetics will equip the Church to reach 'post-Christian' society

The Gospel Coalition has announced the launch of The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics, a new initiative designed to help pastors, young people and other Christian leaders adapt to a "post-Christendom culture."

Inspired by the legacy of the TGC co-founder, The Keller Center has the stated aim of raising up and supporting "a new generation of bold evangelists and effective apologists who will communicate the unchanging Gospel for a changing world."

"How do you win people to Christ in a post-Christian era? The Church doesn't have any idea how to do it," Keller says in a video announcing the initiative.

"The way the Keller Center is seeking to address this is, want to raise up a new generation of younger thinkers and ministers and leaders who are able to do evangelism and cultural apologetics in a post-Christendom situation."

If the new center is successful, Keller said the "new generation" of thinkers and scholars will produce "great cultural apologetics in a compelling way to secular people, very secular people, the Church itself will start to translate this content."

"You'll find all sorts of platforms and vehicles for the content that the Keller Center is producing," he said. "And if that happens, the reversal of the decline of the Evangelical Church in this country will take place."

Many younger people are leaving the Evangelical Church partly because the Church doesn't know how to "protect our own young people from the narrative and arguments and messages of our secular culture," Keller added. Training in apologetics will also help strengthen the faith of younger Christians, he said.

"The Keller Center will not just do evangelism; it'll do formation," he said. "I think it also, 20 years from now, hopefully, it'll close that back door so that more young people are coming into the Church than are leaving. And that's our hope for what change and difference the Keller Center could make to the Church."

Collin Hansen, TGC's vice president for content, serves as executive director of the center. Michael Graham serves as the director. Fellows include Sam Allberry, Josh Butler, Sam Chan and others.

Throughout his ministry, Keller, the founder of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, has championed planting churches in urban areas through Redeemer City to City and popularized the term "Gospel-centered churches."

"If there's a sense in which Evangelical Christians are eager to participate in the work of Gospel-centered church planting, especially in cities, that's Tim Keller more than anybody else," Hansen, who recently authored a book on Keller's spiritual formation, told The Christian Post.

The pastor popularized the idea "that our churches need to stay focused on the Gospel, that the Gospel applies to all of life, including our work and how we treat the poor and how we love our neighbors, all those sorts of things, and then doing it in an urban context," Hansen said.

A recent study from the Pew Research Center found that three in 10 Americans identify as "religiously unaffiliated" as the share of Americans who identify as Christians has steadily declined in recent decades. The center surmised that based on the trends, Americans will "continue" to grow less religious in the future.

Hansen told Religion News Service that the center's work will be informed by a national survey of people who have left churches, conducted in partnership with political scientists Ryan Burge, a Baptist pastor and professor at Eastern Illinois University, and professor Paul Djupe of Denison University, who both study the changing religious landscape.

The study findings will be published in a forthcoming book, The Great Dechurching, co-written by Keller Center staffer Graham.

"In summary, The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics helps Christians show unbelievers the truth, goodness, and beauty of the gospel as the only hope that fulfills our deepest longings," the website notes.

"We want to train Christians  everyone from pastors to parents to professors  to boldly share the good news of Jesus Christ in a way that clearly communicates to this secular age."



Keller was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in May 2020 and is undergoing immunotherapy. He told CP the treatments have kept his cancer at bay, keeping him "exactly where I was two-and-a-half years ago when I got the cancer diagnosis."

Since his diagnosis, Keller has continued to write and teach, sharing biblical wisdom surrounding topics like race, social relationships, systemic injustice and sexuality.

Hansen told CP that Keller has "plenty of other things he wants to write," adding: "We've been praying all along for a good another decade of energetic ministry."
'We are ready to worship!': CBS deletes tweet promoting 'Unholy' Grammys number

What or whom, exactly, was being worshiped during the 65th annual Grammy Awards?

CBS, which broadcast the awards show Sunday night, posted and then subsequently deleted a tweet that promoted a controversial performance of the hit song Unholy by artists Sam Smith and Kim Petras.

Ahead of the performance at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Smith tweeted an image of himself wearing a top hat with devil horns and the caption, This is going to be SPECIAL, to which CBS verified account replied, ...you can say that again. We are ready to worship!

Moments later, Smith and Petras, who became the first nonbinary-identified and trans-identified artists, respectively, to win a Grammy, delivered a demonically-inspired performance in which Smith, at one point, donned the top hat with devil horns while dancers gyrated around him while wearing grotesque face masks.

Petras sang from inside a cage as flames roared behind her and performers wearing devilish headgear stalked around the locked cage door.

By Monday evening, the tweet was marked as deleted by the author.

Its unclear when and why CBS decided to take down the tweet. A request for comment Tuesday from The Christian Post was not returned.

In response, conservative Christian watchdog group Media Research Center tweeted, Did CBS just admit it worships Satan?

Viewers also took exception to the segment after a sponsored by Pfizer tag was shown on air following the performance.

Pfizer has since stated the sponsorship was for the Grammys broadcast as a whole and not for that specific segment.

In response, the American Family Association launched a petition calling for supporters to urge the company to distance itself from controversial programs that have a history of offending decency and disrespecting people of faith.

Pfizer's sponsorship and ads suggest the company wants your body to be healthy but has no concern about souls celebrating hell, the petition stated.

Ratings for the Grammys bounced back to a three-year high with over 12.55 million viewers, according to Nielsen ratings reported Monday.

While its a 31% rebound from the audience who watched the 2022 awards, its still sharply down from 2020, the last pre-pandemic show, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

After the show, Petra told reporters backstage the Unholy performance was inspired by not being able to choose religion.

I think a lot of people, honestly, have kind of labeled what I stand for and what Sam stands for as religiously not cool, and I personally grew up wondering about religion and wanting to be a part of it but slowly realizing it didnt want me to be a part of it, she said.

So its a take on not being able to choose religion. And not being able to live the way that people might want you to live because, as a trans person, Im already not kind of wanted in religion. So we were doing a take on that, and I was kind of hellkeeper Kim.

The duos song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 last October.
Chinese house church fears more persecution as 2 preachers remain in jail for 'defrauding' through tithes

The Covenant House Church in Shanxi province in northeast China has requested prayers for its congregation as authorities are preparing to resume their investigation into a fabricated case that resulted in the imprisonment of two of its pastors and a church member.

The case, which alleges that preachers Li Jie and Han Xiaodong and a church member Wang Qiang had defrauded congregants through tithings and offerings, has been sent back to the Bureau of Public Security for further investigation, the U.S.-based group China Aid reported this week, citing the churchs prayer request.

The resumption of the investigation will allow the police to continue their persecution of church members, said the group, which monitors human rights violations in China.

The two preachers were arrested last August during an outdoor family camp and placed in residential surveillance, the group said, adding that officials coerced false confessions from some church members, leading to the arrest of a third man, Wang Qiang.

All three were subsequently charged with fraud based on purportedly false testimonies.

Wang Qiangs wife, Wen Huijuan, who gave birth to a boy a fortnight ago, questioned the false charges against her husband in a social media post. He was accused of fraud for giving tithes and offering to the church, she wrote.

Han Xiaodongs wife, Chen Ying, also wrote a letter to her imprisoned husband on Jan. 12, encouraging him to remain steadfast in faith and to share Gods story with those around him.

I have recalled all our stories recently. I realized that God called both you and me. I see Gods amazing grace in our marriage and life; Gods plan will continue. I have experienced the marvelousness of dancing with the Spirit, she wrote. Honey, you always reminded me that people should not put the lamp under a basket. I didnt get it before, but people living near us all care about us and are curious about us after the incident so that we can share our stories and Gods story with them.

The targeting of the house church started after Li Jie signed a joint statement by hundreds of Chinese pastors and leaders in 2018 declaring their faith.

Linfen Covenant House Church is one of many house churches in China that face ongoing persecution for not joining the state-sanctioned Three-Self Patriotic Movement.

Christians in China have come under even greater pressure to demonstrate unswerving allegiance to Premier Xi Jinping by rejecting the Christian faith, according to a recent report by the United Kingdom-based aid and advocacy organization Release International.

A growing number of Evangelicals are being targeted and arrested on charges of being cults, corruption or illegal religious activity.

"The government under Xi Jinping wants to control everything. They see Christianity as not fully under their control," says Release International's local partner in that country, explaining that Christianity is depicted as unpatriotic, outdated and Western in origin.

China only recognizes five religious groups that submit to the government's influence.

Christians from unregistered churches, including the heavily persecuted Early Rain Covenant Church, have also been taken in by authorities for questioning.

China is ranked No. 16 on Open Doors 2023 World Watch List of the countries where its most difficult to be a Christian.

Open Doors also warned in its latest report that the China model is being emulated by a growing number of countries.

China is trying not just to dominate the international agenda, but also to re-interpret existing (and coining new) human rights. China is trying to push this revisionism into the mainstream of international diplomacy, partly by attempting to re-define the tasks of the United Nations  and, most importantly, by filtering who is allowed to participate in debates on how human rights should be shaped in the future, says the report.

Countries as diverse as Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Malaysia have headed down this authoritarian path, joining such Central Asian states as Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and, of course, Russia.
Church of England backs plans to bless gay couples, considering gender-neutral pronouns for God

The Church of England voted Thursday to officially endorse plans for priests to offer prayers of blessing for same-sex couples, even as one church body is set to launch a project that could rethink using "gendered language" for God.

Members of the Church of England's General Synod approved plans to allow same-sex couples who have been joined in a civil marriage or civil partnership to come to church services and "receive God's blessing," according to a church statement.

The vote  which tallied 36 bishops in favor, four opposed and two abstained  also included language calling for the church to "lament and repent" for what officials said was "the failure of the Church" to welcome LGBT-identified people and for "harm" LGBT communities "have experienced  and continue to experience  in churches."

The motion also stated there would be no proposed change to the Church of England's "doctrine of marriage" and that any changes to the church's Prayers of Love and Faith "should not be contrary to or indicative of a departure from the doctrine of the Church of England."

As The Christian Post previously reported, bishops and pastors will not be required to bless same-sex couples as the prayers are will be "entirely discretionary" under the proposal.

Thursday's vote comes on the heels of a report stating the denomination will consider teaching that the God of the Bible is gender-neutral, which one church spokesman claims is "nothing new."

Details of the plans, first reported by The Telegraph, stem from the response of the Liturgical Commission, which oversees and prepares church and worship service, to a question about offering "more inclusive language" in its liturgy.

The question submitted by Rev. Joanna Stobart of the Diocese of Bath and Wells specifically asked about steps the Church of England could take to "offer congregants alternatives to referring to God with male pronouns," according to the Telegraph.

In response, Rev. Michael Ipgrave, the vice chair of the Liturgical Commission, said the panel, working with the Faith and Order Commission, has "been exploring the use of gendered language in relation to God for several years."

While no further details were disclosed, advocates for reform, such as Prof. Helen King, who is the vice chair of the General Synod's gender and sexuality group, said, "Questions around gendered language and God have been around for decades, if not centuries, but still have the power to bring out strong reactions.

"For some, God as father is helpful because of their own positive experiences of a loving parent," King said. "For others, God as father may reinforce a bad experience of a strict disciplinarian as their father. If we dig deeper, clearly God is not gendered, so why do we restrict our language for God in gendered ways?"

Under church law, any permanent changes involving gendered language  including but not limited to potentially rewriting passages from the Bible  would have to be agreed upon by a future meeting of Synod.

In a statement to CP, a church spokesperson said such considerations, despite the controversy they have already caused, are "nothing new."

"This is nothing new. Christians have recognized since ancient times that God is neither male nor female," the spokesperson wrote via email.

While asserting there are "absolutely no plans to abolish or substantially revise currently authorized liturgies," the official confirmed the Faith and Order Commission would consider these questions "as part of its regular program of work for the next five years."

The Liturgical Commission, he added, has already been considering this question since 2014.

"Yet the variety of ways of addressing and describing God found in scripture has not always been reflected in our worship," he added. "There has been greater interest in exploring new language since the introduction of our current forms of service in contemporary language more than 20 years ago."

Conservative Anglican deacon Calvin Robinson said that while he agrees God cannot be sexed, "you would think these so-called liberal progressives would respect the pronouns he instructed us to use when praying to him."

"First, they ignored the Bible on matters of divorce, contraception, the ordination of women, and, more recently, homosexuality and marriage," Robinson told CP via email. "Now, they're attempting to ignore the Bible and change the words handed down to us by Jesus Christ himself!

"The 'Our Father' cannot become 'gender neutral' any more than it could become 'Our Mother.'"

Robinson added that, in his view, the CofE is an "apostate Church."

"I pray for the many faithful clergymen and laity alike who find themselves within this captured institution. May they help it return to Christ," he added.

In January, the Church of England's Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell responded to a question about whether homosexuality and same-sex marriage are sinful by saying the CofE's new stance on the issue is that it's OK, as long as couples are in "committed, stable, faithful relationships." He added that same-sex married couples will be "welcomed fully into the life of the Church, on their terms."

BBC Radio Four's William Crawley asked the archbishop whether the CofE's recent decision not to officiate same-sex weddings while allowing gay marriages to be blessed was a "bit of a fudge."

"I see it as a way of holding together a church which doesn't agree on this issue and it takes us to a place where [LGBT] people, people entering into same-sex marriages, people in civil partnerships are able to come to the Church of England and those relationships and marriages can be acknowledged and celebrated," Cottrell said.
13th Amendment may contain 'right' to abortion despite Dobbs ruling, federal judge says

A federal judge handling the criminal case of a pro-life activist has suggested that other provisions in the U.S. Constitution  specifically the 13th Amendment  may confer a right to abortion after the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade last year.

Defense attorneys argued this month for the dismissal of a federal indictment against a pro-life activist Lauren Handy, who is one of 10 activists indicted for blocking the entrance to the Washington Surgi-Clinic in Washington, D.C.

The activists were charged with violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which carries up to 11 years in prison.

Her attorneys cited the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling last June in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization that the "Constitution does not confer a right to abortion," overturning the 1973 decision that legalized abortion nationwide.

Her defense claims that the court's ruling means there is no federal interest in protecting access to abortion.

According to a Monday order by U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, the FACE Act is intended to "regulate a broad category of reproductive health services," not just abortion.

"Nevertheless, to the extent that Defendants seek resolution of this matter via a constitutional holding, the Court will require additional briefing," Kollar-Kotelly wrote.

The federal judge extended the schedule for non-evidentiary pre-trial motions in the case because the court requested parties to address additional issues. Kollar-Kotelly wrote that the government will file a response by March 3, 2023, with defendants given until March 17, 2023.

The judge asked the parties in the case to consider whether the Dobbs ruling is confined to the 14th Amendment and whether other provisions in the Constitution "confer a right to abortion as an original matter."

Kollar-Kotelly, who Democratic President Bill Clinton appointed in 1997, suggested that the 13th Amendment, which was ratified to ban slavery and "involuntary servitude," could contain a constitutional right to abortion.

"Of those provisions that might contain some right to access to such services, the Thirteenth

Amendment has received substantial attention among scholars and, briefly, in one federal Court of Appeals decision," she wrote.

She claimed that the justices in the Dobbs ruling only focused on the 14th Amendment.

"The 'issue' before the Court in Dobbs was not whether any provision of the Constitution provided a right to abortion. Rather, the question before the Court in Dobbs was whether the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution provided such a right," she wrote.

"That is why neither the majority nor the dissent in Dobbs analyzed anything but the Fourteenth Amendment. In fact, on the Court's initial review, not a single amicus brief mentioned anything but the Fourteenth Amendment and the unratified Equal Rights Amendment. "

Sarah Parshall Perry, a senior legal fellow for the Edwin Meese III Center for Legal and Judicial Studies at The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, asserted that the Dobbs opinion was "very clear."

"Now, there's been some, what I would consider minor scholarship, on the issue of 13th Amendment arguments for abortion access," Perry told The Christian Post Tuesday.

"But what those arguments fail to consider is that in 98% of the cases that result in a pregnancy, the consensual act of sex leading up to it is actually one that precipitates whatever this argued state of servitude is."

The legal fellow noted that the issue at hand is not the "servitude of motherhood" but what Perry referred to as a "temporary inconvenience of carrying a child to term," citing Justice Amy Coney Barrett's arguments in Dobbs.

"So it can't necessarily, by its very definition, be servitude if we know that this is a period of time that has a natural expiration date," she argued.

Perry argued that Kollar-Kotelly appears to have "extrapolated something out of thin air," noting that the judge provided this opinion in what was intended to be an order.

She added that the federal judge took on the issue of the 13th Amendment and abortion access without being prompted by any party to the litigation.

"That indicates to me she was very eager to stake her claim as somebody who wants to make sure that there was a decision and briefing somewhere, providing a separate constitutional right to abortion," Perry said. "Her aims here were very clear."

Perry argued that determining whether there is a constitutional right to abortion is a matter for the state courts. She emphasized that the nature of federalism means that some states will have more permissive abortion regimes, such as California and New York, while others states will be more restrictive.

"But that's the way a federalist approach to government works," Perry said. "That's the nature of a constitutional republic. And what it does is it keeps within the state borders those particular questions for those particular state constitutions without casting them as federal constitutional questions."

Michael New, an associate scholar at the pro-life research organization Charlotte Lozier Institute, called Kollar-Kotelly's suggestion that a constitutional right to abortion can be found in the 13th Amendment "absurd."

"Furthermore, lower court judges are supposed to abide by Supreme Court precedent, not invite parties to put forward arguments that could overturn Supreme Court precedent," New told CP in a statement.

"Indeed, over the years, there have been many conservative lower-court judges who likely thought that Roe and Casey were wrongly decided," he continued. "For years, these judges heard numerous cases involving abortion. In every case, these conservative judges, regardless of their misgivings, still upheld Roe and Casey as precedent."

"Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly should rule on the merits of United States of America v. Lauren Handy et al.,  not think up legal strategies to make abortion policy more permissive."
Gen Z gets most of its news from social media instead of traditional sources, survey finds

Young adults and adolescents from Generation Z differ significantly from older generations in how they consume the news, according to new research. But a leading Christian ministry warns that it's incumbent on consumers to discern the truth no matter what avenue news is presented.

A poll published Friday by the Walton Family Foundation/Murmuration found that most respondents from Gen Z primarily rely on social media for news more than traditional forms of media.

Researchers assessed 3,227 15 to 25-year-olds and 1,036 adults aged 26 or older through online surveys conducted in early December for a project titled "Gen Z Post Election Research." Respondents were asked various questions about their views, beliefs and information consumption.



The survey for Gen Z voters contains a 1.7% error margin, while the study of adults ages 26 and up had a 3% margin of error.

One survey question asked respondents to choose from a list of sources "that you regularly watch or visit for news or current events."

Respondents from Gen Z were more likely to select YouTube (61%), TikTok (57%), Instagram (51%), Snapchat (43%), Twitter (35%) and Facebook (33%) than traditional news sources like local TV news (24%), network news (23%), or online or physical copies of national newspapers (13%).

While the majority of Gen Z appear to use TikTok as a news source, only 15% of adults over the age of 26 said the same. Less than half of adults over 26 said they regularly use YouTube (40%), Instagram (17%) and Twitter (15%).

While four in 10 Gen Z respondents said that they regularly use Snapchat for updates on news and current events, only 7% of adults ages 26 and over said the same.

While Gen Z tends to rely on other social media platforms to get their news, adults older than 26 are more likely to use Facebook (40%) regularly to get news.

Regarding more traditional news sources, 40% of adults over 26 said they watch network stations such as ABC, CBS and NBC, in contrast to 23% of Gen Z respondents.

Thirty-three percent of adults over 26 said they gain information by watching Fox News, compared to 22% of Gen Zers. How often both generations admitted to watching CNN for news was about the same, with 24% of Gen Z participants and 25% of adults over 26 saying that they turn to the cable network for news.

Paul Batura, the vice president of communications for the Christian parachurch organization Focus on the Family, said the increased reliance on social media and potential for misinformation isn't much different from the realities presented by other forms of news delivery that have developed over the last couple centuries.

"Once upon a time, people received their news from a town crier. Could the crier be trusted and believed? It often depended upon the source and the subject. There is a tendency to romanticize the past," he told The Christian Post.

"Yellow journalism is often attributed to a specific era, but sensationalist reporting simply takes on new forms today. Papers once wanted cash  now news outlets seek clicks. Newspapers have always been biased, if only by what they put it in a story  and what they leave out. That's been the case for generations."

After newspapers came radio and television news, Batura added.

"Many people today longingly pine for the so-called objectiveness of Walter Cronkite  but he was anything but objective. Few people were  or are," he added. "The explosion of digital news, and the popularity of social media as a source is yet one more method of delivery. It seems 'deepfake' media looms on the horizon, threatening to outright deceive and misinform."

"Whether hundreds of years ago or today, Christians are called to be discerning," he continued. "We're to 'test everything' (1 Thess. 5:21) and pray for wisdom. The vehicle of delivery for news is less concerning than the source and subject matter. I know I can trust Dr. Al Mohler on Twitter, unlike a leftist columnist with one of the major news outlets."

While believers across generations may have different "methods and means" of receiving their news, Batura stressed that Christians should be "reading God's Word far more than man's opinions."

"A heart for wisdom  God's point of view  will do wonders when it comes to determining what is true and what is false," Batura said. "The apostle Paul's words should inspire and inform us: 'Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows that will he also reap' (Galatians 6:7)."
North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui / Korea Times file



North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui has sent a letter of condolence to her Turkish counterpart over a devastating earthquake that struck the nation, Pyongyang's state media reported Thursday.



In the message sent to Mevlut Cavusoglu the previous day, Choe expressed her condolences for the victims and their families, and voiced hope for the country's speedy recovery from the quake, according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).











This photo, captured from North Korea's Central TV on Feb. 7, shows news coverage of the devastating earthquake in Turkey. Newsis
Gen Z cares more about women's access to abortion than saving babies, poll claims

Generation Z voters are more concerned about upholding womens reproductive rights than reducing the number of abortions, a recent survey has found. But a leading youth pro-life organization argues that the poll is not an accurate reflection of younger voters views on abortion.

According to a Walton Family Foundation/Murmuration survey, 76% of Gen Z voters said access to abortion is very important or at least somewhat important, with 60% saying the former and 16% stating the latter.

Ten percent of Gen Z voters said the issue was not very important or not at all important, with 4% saying the former and 5% believing the latter. Another 14% said that they felt the issue was neither important or unimportant.

In comparison, 69% of adults aged 26 and older said that upholding womens reproductive rights is very important or at least somewhat important. Forty-nine percent of participants said the issue is very important, 20% said it was somewhat important, and 15% said it was neither important or unimportant.

Another 6% said abortion access is not very important, while 10% said that it was not at all important.

The survey also found that 46% of adult voters aged 26 and older are concerned about reducing the number of abortions compared to 33% of Gen Z voters.

Twenty-one percent of Gen Z voters said that reducing abortions is very important, 13% said that its somewhat important, and 23% said that reducing abortions is neither important or unimportant. Another 14% said that reducing abortions is not very important and 29% said its not at all important.

For voters 26 and older, 28% said reducing abortions is very important, 18% said it's somewhat important, and 23% said reducing abortions is neither important or unimportant. Twelve percent said that reducing abortions is not very important, and 20% said that its not important at all.

The study authors polled 3,227 15- to 25-year-olds and 1,036 adults aged 26 or older. The survey for Gen Z voters had a 1.7% margin of error, while the survey of adults aged 26 years or older had a 3% margin of error.

Kristi Hamrick, vice president of media and policy for Students for Life Action, cited a January 2023 YouGov/Vinea Research poll conducted in collaboration with the pro-life organization, which the pro-life leader claims shows younger voters actual views on abortion.

The pro-life leader said the problem with most polls is that those conducting the survey often fail to ask follow-up questions, define terms or explain policy.

But when you dive deeper, an honest assessment finds that this generation has real concerns about how abortion is handled in America, Hamrick, who also serves as the chief media and policy strategist for Students for Life of America, told The Christian Post in an emailed statement.

Far from being lockstep for abortion, as the media and frankly the Democrats want us to believe, this generation has concerns about abortion extremism, and almost seven in 10 supports limits on abortion, she added.

Researchers interviewed 1,216 registered voters between the ages of 18 and 41, matching the sample down to 1,000 to produce the final data set. Participants were matched to a sampling frame based on gender, age, race, and education. The polls margin of error was +/- 3.37.

According to the 2023 YouGov/Vinea Research poll, 65% of Gen X and millennial voters said they want abortion banned or limited. The number of respondents who said abortion should never be legal (23%) was nearly the same as the amount who said it should always be legal (24%), with the study noting that this means half of the participants are in the middle on the issue.

The poll also found that the number of young people who believe abortion should not be legal is 23% compared to 9% in 2022.

Sixty-seven percent of surveyed voters said that laws should limit abortion, with 21% saying it should limit all abortions and 46% saying only in some circumstances. Only three in 10 of those surveyed did not support laws limiting abortion.

Regarding how firm they were in their stance on abortion, 44% of respondents said their minds could not be changed. Others said they were open-minded (4%), while 41% said they would need more information before they changed their opinion.

But even more significant is their objection to Biden's no-test, online distribution of chemical abortion pills, Hamrick said. This dangerous scheme exposes women to injury, infertility, death and abusers. And by margins of more than nine in 10, this generation supports the health and safety standards Biden and his team stripped away from women.

As CP previously reported, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration finalized a rule last month to make abortion pills available at pharmacy chains and mail-order companies nationwide.

The American College of Pediatricians released a 24-page report condemning the rule change, with Dr. Jane Anderson, co-author of the review, warning that Women are deeply harmed by chemical abortion.

This disregard for human life and safety betrays the purpose of the FDA  safety  and reveals what chemical abortion truly serves: politics and profit, not people.  Chemical abortion pills are intended to result in the death of a human being. This is antithetical to the practice of medicine. Instead of protecting a mother and her baby, chemical abortion puts a womans life at risk and makes her the facilitator of her childs death.

According to a 2022 poll conducted on behalf of Students for Life of America, 52% of young adults supported banning abortion after an unborn baby's heartbeat becomes detectable, compared to 48% who opposed.

The survey assessed 834 young adults between the ages of 18 and 34 from Jan. 5-11 about their views on abortion and the Roe decision.

Sixty percent of respondents expressed some level of support for Roe, with 21% saying that they "very strongly" supported the decision, 26% reporting that they "strongly" supported the decision, and 12% telling the pollster that they did not strongly support it.
Jeff Younger says pediatrician ex-wife began telling son he was a girl at age 2: 'Monsters eat boys'

A Texas father who found himself in a bitter custody battle with his ex-wife as a result of her efforts to get their twin son to identify as a girl recently revealed he hadn't seen his two sons in over a year, and his ex's attempts to get her son to transition date back to the time when the boy was only 2 years old.

Jeff Younger, whose son, James, is the subject of the GiveSendGo fundraiser Save James, appeared on Tim Pools Timcast IRL podcast Friday night. The fundraiser was set up to help the Texas father pay legal bills associated with the contentious custody battle he's engaged in with his ex-wife, Anne Georgulas  a pediatrician who is not the biological mother of James and his twin brother.

Starting [at] about 2 years old, my ex-wife decided to transition my son to a girl, Younger said.

I told her that she couldnt do that, he recalled. She forced me out of my house, filed for divorce and then began to really in earnest try to transition my son.

When James was 3 years old, Younger recorded footage of his son repeating what his mother had told him, saying, Im a girl. When Younger asked, Who told you you were a girl? The child replied, Mommy. James also told his father she paints my nails and answered in the affirmative when he asked if she had him wear dresses.

Younger shared other details of his ex-wife's early efforts to convince their son, who is now 10 years old, to identify as a girl. I first noticed it when she would put him into time-outs and she would say things like, Dont be a boy. The monsters only eat boys, he said.

When asked under oath why she wanted to raise her son as a girl, Georgulas mentioned that her son once wanted a girls toy in a McDonalds Happy Meal and asked for a silver purse at Target that had a multicolored unicorn on it. Younger dismissed this suggestion because James is a painter.

Younger insisted that James only presents as a girl with his mom, and has said his son believes that Mommy doesnt love me if Im not a girl. Although the boy recounted these feelings with court-appointed psychologists, they all concluded that he needed to be transitioned to a girl.

Younger completely lost custody of his sons after James told his counselor that he doesnt want to be a girl; hes getting embarrassed wearing dresses at school. When the counselor didn't reply to James, Younger said his son pulled out his Apple watch and told her he was going to record their conversation.

She totally freaked out, threw him out of the office and initiated a [Child Protective Services] investigation against me and told the court that I had forced him to say it, Younger claimed, denying that he had ever forced his son to make those remarks. He did ask me if he could record.

Younger explained that he had told James he could record the conversation as long as he asked permission first. Younger hasnt seen either of his children in the year-and-a-half since that meeting took place, because the judge gave his ex-wife full custody of the twin boys shortly after the meeting. In September, Anne and their sons moved from Texas to California.

The move to California caused Younger particular concern because of the states passage of Senate Bill 107, which makes it a sanctuary state for those seeking to prescribe puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones or perform body-mutilating sex-change surgeries on minors. Under the law, state courts have the authority to assume temporary emergency jurisdiction if a child is subjected to or threatened with mistreatment or abuse, or because the child has been unable to obtain gender-affirming health care or gender-affirming mental health care.

Younger unsuccessfully asked the Texas Supreme Court to order Georgulas and the two boys to return to Texas, where the state government has taken the opposite view about sex-change procedures for minors. While the state has not passed legislation banning experimental drugs and body mutilating surgeries for minors, both Attorney General Ken Paxton and the Commissioner of Family and Protective Services Jaime Masters have issued opinions characterizing such procedures as a form of child abuse.

The characterizations of sex change operations for minors as a form of child abuse stem from concerns about their long-term effects. The American College of Pediatricians has listed potential long-term effects of puberty blockers as including osteoporosis, mood disorders, seizures, cognitive impairment and, when combined with cross-sex hormones, sterility, while warning that cross-sex hormones can lead to an increased risk of heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, blood clots and cancers.

Three states have already banned the prescription of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and sex-change surgeries for youth: Alabama, Arizona and Arkansas. Similarly, the Florida Boards of Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine has voted to ban sex-change procedures on minors.

Outrage over the situation involving his son has led Younger to become politically active. Last year, he ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the Texas House of Representatives, losing the Republican runoff election to represent the 63rd House District to now-State Rep. Ben Baumgarner.
Levi Lusko Offers 3 Ways to Break Free From the World for the Gospel at Passion Conference 2018

Pastor Levi Lusko of Fresh Life Church spoke to thousands of Christian youth at the Passion 2018 conference, encouraging them to set their minds on the "next world," which he said, will help them do three things in this world.

The lead pastor of the multi-site church in Montana and Utah told the youth about the promise of God in 2 Corinthians 4:14, " We know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself."

"Death is not the end of the road; it's only a bend in the road," he told them.

Giving the audience a preview of his message in one sentence, the pastor said, "The more you look forward to the next world, the less you'll need from this one."

The message was titled, "Kicking the Bucket List," which Lusko explained was about writing down our manifesto of what we want to accomplish before we die.

The pastor said three things will happen if we expect less from this world.

One, he said, "the less you need from this world, the more you can do for it."

The less you look for something from this world to fill some hole in your heart, the more space you will have to make a difference, he explained.

"You are God's plan A to change the world.  And there is no plan B," he told the audience.

Two, "the less you need from this world, the more you can withstand the pain in it."

In the New Testament, there's always a tensions between the present problems and the promised prize, Lusko said, and quoted Romans 8:19, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."

God can turn agony into glory, he stressed.

Three, the pastor added, "the less you need from this world, the more you can actually enjoy it."

The less you're hoping this world and the relationships and accomplishments here would fill some part of us, and thereby see things in light of where they stand in eternity, the more we can actually start to enjoy them, he said.

When we know our job, an opportunity or vacations are not going to fill any hole in our heart, we can take pleasure even in the simplest of things, he added.

Even our idea of ministry will change, Lusko said. God is not expecting big things from us. We just need to be faithful to Him, he said.

He explained that when Thessalonians were confused about Jesus' coming back, Paul asked them to "make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you," according to 1 Thessalonians 4:11.

"If you're called to sing, then sing, if you're called to lead then lead, if you're called to banking, then (do) banking," he said. And do so by leading a quiet life, and love Jesus in an infectious way so that people around you would want what you have, Lusko told the youth.

The Passion conference, a gathering of 1825 year olds and their leaders, began as Louie and Shelley Giglio started a Bible study in Texas to minister to Christian students in colleges.

Passion 2018 was held at Philips Arena and the Infinite Energy Center in metro Atlanta and at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. from Monday to Wednesday.
Pastor Levi Lusko on living out God-given purpose, managing anxiety in a year of 'testing'

In a culture defined by anxiety, toxic habits, and information overload, Pastor Levi Lusko is urging Christians to quiet the noise and take ownership of their God-given purpose.

In an interview with The Christian Post, Lusko, the lead pastor of Fresh Life Church, a multisite church in Montana and Utah, said he believes the COVID-19 pandemic is forcing millions to confront fissures in their lives  and most dont know how to do so in a healthy way.

This time is exposing what maybe was already there all along: Toxic habits, unhealthy patterns of thinking, numbing medications, living on adrenaline and coffee, two hours of sleep, the 38-year-old pastor said. Were chronically overloaded, overwhelmed, and lack a margin lifestyle. In this cultural moment, were overstimulated by screens and stimulants.

Soldiers don't get PTSD when they're overseas; they get it when they get home because everything settles down and then their body starts to feel the miles and the physical and psychological abuse they've been put through, he continued. The reason there's such high divorce rates right now, anxiety is through the roof, online pornography is rampant, is because a lot of us have lived at unhealthy levels for years. We just haven't slowed down long enough to feel our feelings.

Lusko speaks from experience. The bestselling author, husband, and father has for years battled anxiety, night terrors, and panic attacks  tendencies he told CP hes had to declare war on and fight through, with Gods help.

These feelings and thoughts are normal and understandable, he said. We have within all of us, at different times, storm clouds of emotions that are powerful and challenging. But the Bible says we've never been given any temptation that we can't win in, and that includes the battle of anxiety and panic.

Its not going to be easy or instant, but [it is possible] if you're committed to bettering yourself and trusting God and leaning into some positive choices, Lusko said. Its like a muscle: It may take some time, maybe even counseling, perhaps even seeking medical help, definitely leaning into the community of God's people at church in a small group, but you can win this.

In his new book,Take Back Your Life: A 40 Day Interactive Guide to Thinking Right So You Can Live Right, Lusko challenges readers to identify their internal battles and offers practical, Scripture-based tools to help them practice self-control and embrace the unique role God has created for them.

The first book I ever wrote was about grief and hope and finding peace in the most difficult things you face, Lusko said. My third book was about self-management and emotional intelligence. This book is an interesting nexus between the two. Whether it's an external circumstance or an internal battle, we all at times can feel like we've been swept downriver by things we have no power to control.

According to Lusko, Take Back Your Life is an interactive, devotional, journal-type book meant to be read through 40 days, whether individually or with a small group. The book includes both Bible teaching and what the pastor described as a breathe, think and live section, where readers can take a deep breath, take inventory, ask difficult questions, and pray through guided prayers.

If you take the right steps, you can take back your life and live right so that you can be the best version of yourself that you were born to be: Like Christ, the light of Jesus shining in your eye, healed and healthy, so you can help heal other people, he said.

A huge part of living right is thinking right, Lusko told CP, adding: I get a lot of pushback when I talk about that, because I think there's such an overreaction in Christian circles because of positivity, or just mind over matter."

"Look," he added, "Im not saying the solution to every problem is mind over matter; Im saying that the Bible says time and time again that what happens in your mind really does matter.

The Through the Eyes of a Lion author said that our minds are a little bit more like TVs than we may realize, explaining: If I'm sitting on an airplane and the flight movie is something that's toxic, I don't have to watch it because I have a remote control attached to the armrest and I can change the channel.

A lot of people end up unnecessarily in a victim mentality because we watch whatever is on the channel in our mind when we really can change the channel. And the Bible says not only do we have permission to change the channel, we actually have orders to do so, he said, citing Colossians 3:2, Philippians 4:8, 2 Corinthians 10:5, and Proverbs 23:6-7.

We can acknowledge the thought happened, and then change the channel. We cant delete thoughts, but we can replace them, he told CP. So Im going to put in something positive and praiseworthy. Ive found that, when it comes to anxiety and panic, its helpful to ask: Where did this come from? What triggered it? Was it a feeling before it was thought, or was it a thought before it was a feeling? That helps you to understand how best to attack it.

In his book, Lusko identifies ways to deal with different temptations differently. He explained, for example, that thoughts that originate in the mind must be handled differently than thoughts that originate in the feelings.

The pastor added that sometimes, its necessary to thought block and pray the blood of Jesus over it. However, that practice isnt as helpful for thoughts that originate in the feelings, he said.

If you wake up overwhelmed with fear, its not necessarily the best to try and combat it with truth when it's a wave of emotion, he said. You have to start by saying, That's a real fear, that's a real feeling. I'm going to let that pass. Its a fight or flight response triggered in a part of my brain that can't be rationally communicated with, so I'm just going to deep breathe, relax my muscles. I'm going to believe that God's peace is going to overwhelm me as I keep my thoughts stayed on Him.

Lusko explained that theres a difference between taking inventory and assessing feelings versus allowing those feelings to control you.

I have a friend who likes to say, Feelings are tremendous indicators, but terrible dictators, he said. We need to use feelings as an indicator light. So if I feel overwhelmed and overloaded and overtaxed that should be an indicator light that tells me, maybe there's something wrong.

This year has tested everyone, Lusko told CP. He noted that throughout Scripture, the number 40 refers to testing, adding, I don't think it's a mistake that 20 plus 20  which is the year we're in  is 40.

I'm hoping that this book will help people to pass that test, he said. Take Back Your Life is all about coming to a place where you have self-control, where alcohol, online spending, or whatever vice you have, isnt controlling your life. Its only when you have self-control that you can actively offer control of yourself to the Holy Spirit.

We have one short life that is racing by us, Lusko concluded. We need to do everything Jesus wants us to do so that we can hear Him say to us, Well done, good and faithful servant at the end.
Pro-life, pro-abortion activism labeled as domestic violent extremist threat in US intel report

A report declassified last week by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security named both pro-life and pro-abortion activists on a list of domestic violent extremist groups.

The March 1 report, compiled by the Director of National Intelligence, concluded that domestic violent extremists (DVEs) who are motivated by a range of ideologies and galvanized by recent political and societal events in the United States pose an elevated threat to the homeland in 2021. The document included a list of categories of domestic violent extremists but did not mention any specific group or organization by name.

Abortion-related domestic violent extremists, defined as DVEs with ideological agendas in support of pro-life or pro-choice beliefs were listed as one of the categories of domestic violent extremists identified by the intelligence community. The report maintained that mere advocacy of political or social positions, political activism and use of strong rhetoric may not constitute violent extremism, and may be constitutionally protected.

More broadly, domestic violence extremists were defined as U.S.-based actors who conduct or threaten activities that are dangerous to human life in violation of the criminal laws of the United States or any state; appearing to be intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; and influence the government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping.

While pro-life activists generally carry out their advocacy peacefully, there have been instances of violence committed against abortion providers, advocates and clinics.

In 2015, Robert Dear opened fire on a Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs, Colorado, killing three people and injuring several others. He told police no more baby parts, referring to undercover videos documenting Planned Parenthood officials discussing the sale of aborted babies organs, tissue and limbs.

In 2009, noted abortionist George Tiller was murdered as he attended church in Kansas. Scott Roeder was arrested for the crime and his ex-wife alleged that he was very vocal about his anti-abortion views while stressing that she never thought he would go this far.

Even before the motive of the shooter was revealed, pro-life groups were quick to condemn the slaying of the abortion provider. The pro-life group Susan B. Anthony List described Tillers murder as an anti-life act, with its President Marjorie Dannenfelser asserting that the rights of one human being can never be honored by diminishing or ignoring the rights of another.

Additionally, someone named Scott Roeder had left comments on the pro-life website Operation Rescue, comparing Tiller to a Nazi death-camp doctor, who needs to be stopped before he and those who protect him bring judgment upon our nation. Operation Rescue explained that Roeder had never been a member, contributor, or volunteer with the organization, and that thousands of people post on the websites public forum on a daily basis.

Other examples of anti-abortion violence include the 1997 bombing of an Atlanta, Georgia-area abortion clinic and the 1999 arson of a South Dakota Planned Parenthood. While the attacks against pro-abortion activists and clinics have received a great deal of media attention, pro-life protesters have also been subject to acts of violence.

In 2015, an abortion supporter threw a Molotov cocktail at two pro-life protesters gathered outside a Planned Parenthood in Texas. The perpetrator had previously testified against Senate Bill 1, a measure designed to limit abortions after 20 weeks gestation. According to World Net Daily, she claimed during her testimony that unwanted pregnancy occurs in victims of rape from the ages of 9 to 90.

In 2009, pro-life activist Jim Pouillon was murdered as he held a pro-life sign depicting an aborted baby in front of a high school in his Michigan hometown. A former city councilman testified that in the days leading up to the murder, the shooters mother had called him multiple times to complain about Pouillon in a tone that he described as evil and nasty.

The former congressman also said that she told him she wanted to send her boys over to go see Jim and commented after the murder that I have solved the citys problem, my son has shot Jim Pouillon. The judge overseeing the case refused to let the jury hear the former congressmans testimony, which he characterized as hearsay. Then-President Barack Obama, an outspoken supporter of abortion, condemned Pouillons murder, saying that whichever side of a public debate youre on, violence is never the right answer.

Just as abortion clinics have faced violence, so too have pro-life pregnancy centers. In 2016, a pro-life pregnancy center in New Mexico was set on fire. In 2019, a pro-life event at a Minnesota college had to be evacuated because of a bomb threat.

While no one was seriously injured at the Minnesota pro-life event, the perpetrator left behind a stink bomb that can cause nausea and headaches, eye irritation, a loss of smell, pulmonary edema, and even death. People seated near where the stink bomb was located began to feel sick, and were coughing and feeling light-headed while at least three people reported headaches and chest irritation.
Biden tells Congress to restore abortion 'right' Supreme Court 'took away': 'Its our duty'

During his State of the Union address Tuesday night, President Joe Biden urged Congress to pass a bill to codify Roe v. Wade into law following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision last year, vowing to veto any national ban on abortion that Congress might pass.

In a more than hourlong speech, Biden told members of both chambers that it was our duty to protect all the peoples rights and freedoms.

Congress must restore the right that was taken away, the president said. He was temporarily interrupted as he vowed to protect Roe, denouncing the Supreme Court's decision last June in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health.

In the ruling, the nation's high court decided that abortion is not a constitutional right and returned to the states the ability to make their own laws governing abortion, which was severely limited by the 1973 Roe ruling.

The vice president and I are doing everything to protect access to reproductive healthcare and safeguard patient privacy," he said. "But already, more than a dozen states are enforcing extreme abortion bans.

As Republicans regained control of the House of Representatives last month, Biden vowed if Congress passes a national ban" on abortion, he will veto it. The comment received strong applause from Democrats and Vice President Kamala Harris.

The president also celebrated the bipartisan passage of the Respect for Marriage Act, which codified the legalization of same-sex marriage. He also demanded Congress pass the Equality Act, which would add gender identity and sexual orientation to federal civil rights protections.

Lets also pass the bipartisan Equality Act to ensure LGBTQ Americans, especially transgender young people, can live with safety and dignity, the president added.

Biden addressed an assortment of issues, plugging the bipartisan achievements of Congress and his administration, touting 300 pieces of bipartisan legislation he signed into law.

While often receiving applause, Biden was also periodically heckled by Republican members of Congress, especially at one point when he accused them of trying to cut Social Security.

At another point, when Biden discussed the harms of the fentanyl addiction epidemic, one lawmaker shouted, it's your fault, referring to the unsecured southern border under his administration from which the drug is being funneled into the country.

Biden argued that major corporations were not paying their fair share in taxes, called for a federal assault weapons ban, supported expanding preschool to 3- and 4-year-olds and also championed infrastructure improvements.

He commended those who work with seniors and those with disabilities, saying that such workers are doing Gods work when they care for the vulnerable.

Shortly after the address ended, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders gave the Republican response from the governors mansion in Little Rock, arguing that Biden and the Democrats failed you.

Sanders stated that the Biden administration seems more interested in woke fantasies than the hard reality Americans face every day and that Republicans will not surrender this fight.

Most Americans simply want to live their lives in freedom and peace, but we are under attack in a left-wing culture war we didnt start and never wanted to fight, she said.

In the radical lefts America, Washington taxes you and lights your hard-earned money on fire, but you get crushed with high gas prices, empty grocery shelves, and our children are taught to hate one another on account of their race, but not to love one another or our great country.
Second New Jersey Republican council member found shot dead in car

A second New Jersey Republican council member has been shot dead over the span of a week.

Milford Borough Councilman Russell Heller, 51, was found shot to death in a car outside of a Public Service Enterprise Group facility where he worked as a distribution manager. His body was found Wednesday morning.

Somerset County Prosecutor's Office released a statement Wednesday explaining that the shooter was believed to be 58-year-old Gary T. Curtis, a former employee at the facility.

Authorities located Curtis a few hours after discovering Heller's body, with Curtis having died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police say that a motive is still to be determined.

The investigation remains on-going to determine motive. Preliminary investigation has revealed that the shooting was an isolated incident and Mr. Heller was the intended target, stated the prosecutors office.

The following information is based on a preliminary and ongoing investigation, which continues to evolve as investigators interview witnesses, review physical and electronic records, and analyze forensic evidence. The Somerset County Prosecutors Offices understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed.

Heller's murder comes days after Sayreville Republican Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour, a 30-year-old pastor, was found murdered in her vehicle.

A native of Newark, who was elected to the council last year after unseating a Democrat incumbent, Dwumfour was a formerly a single mother before recently getting married.

"She was happy with her new husband. It seems. Happy with her daughter, and she was living the life, the American dream. She was a beautiful motivated person," former campaign manager Karen Bailey Bebert told WABC.

"I believe her daughter lit up her life. Jesus Christ lit up her life. She was very faithful and driven. She was a shining star."

Democrat elected officials, among them New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, gave their condolences to Dwunfour's family and spoke well of her record as a council member.

Her career of public service was just beginning, and by all accounts she had already built a reputation as a committed member of the Borough Council who took her responsibility with the utmost diligence and seriousness, stated Murphy. I send my condolences to Councilwoman Dwumfours family and friends, her governing body colleagues, and the entire Sayreville community. Sayreville is a proud, tight-knit, and safe community and I know that it will come together, as it always has, in common purpose.

The investigation into the Dwumfour shooting is ongoing, with no suspect or motive having been identified by authorities at present. Police have not tied the two murders together.

Caroline Downey of the conservative publication National Review commented that the two deaths come as prominent Democrats have increasingly taken to demonizing their political opponents as threats to democracy.

Attorney General Merrick Garland has identified white supremacists and other right-wing extremists as the primary national-security threat facing the country, Downey added. And in his State of the Union address Tuesday night, President Biden connected the attack on [Congresswoman Nancy Pelosis husband] Paul Pelosi to the events of January 6.
The devastating reality of loveless marriages for women in Iran

Here in the West, we are currently anticipating Valentine's Day  a romantic holiday allowing couples the opportunity to celebrate their love, complete with tokens of endearing sentiments such as dates, chocolates, flowers and gifts. It is certainly a luxurious holiday in that we have the luxury of openly expressing feelings of affection towards those we choose to love.

Meanwhile, in Iran, countless young girls are forcibly entered into loveless marriages every day. These girls have no idea what marriages of love and intimacy look like  a concept far removed from their culture.

Im all too familiar with this; I was born in Iran.

Enslavement and abuse in marriage

From childhood on, Iranians are limited in how they experience and express love, girls are controlled regarding their appearance and behavior, and females are all too often subjected to various forms of oppression  destining and conditioning Iranian females to anticipate control, enslavement and abuse their entire lives while simultaneously normalizing this experience.

Iranian girls and women have virtually no rights over their bodies, their image, their voices or their decisions; the rights are maintained by their fathers or husbands.

Unwed (and unrelated) men and women are not allowed to be seen with one another in any capacity.

Countless women are entered into prostitution from a young age, often resulting in drug addiction, loss of identity and ongoing cycles of network abuse.

Beyond having the covering of a father, brother or husband  Iranian women remain powerless, without legal standing and unable to effectively represent themselves from a legal standpoint.

Iranian mothers have no rights to their children; the children effectively belong to their fathers. So, if a woman becomes divorced, she is forced to leave both her husband and her own children.

By the time couples enter into marriage, these women have already been beaten down with so many of these cultural hurdles, that the concept of any romantic expression of love  even in a marriage  is extremely limited or unlikely.

Most Iranian marriages are arranged  and a shocking proportion of them involve the marrying of underage girls. In Iran, the legal marriage age is 13 for girls and 15 for boys; however, the distressing reality is that these ages tend to be much lower. According to Iran Wire, within the last eight years, more than 1 million female child marriages  including 13,500 younger than 13  have been documented, accounting for more than 20% of all marriages in Iran.

This is utterly agonizing; consider all these powerless children married off to older men, oppressed and abused in marriages  without any voice, any freedom and any rights to their own bodies whatsoever.

Temporary marriages



Beyond conventional prostitution, remains a legalized form of abuse: the temporary marriage, known as Sighe in the Iranian culture. This operates as an oppressive, inhumane loophole in that men are allowed to take women or young girls to religious leaders in order to be granted temporary marriages  lasting anywhere from an hour to a week  in which these men are permitted to have sexual relations with these girls in the confined marriage timeframes.

Teen pregnancy

For the women who are married in the more traditional Iranian capacity, their fate isnt much better  if at all. When these girls get married off  a significant portion will become pregnant, resulting in high rates of Iranian teen pregnancy  vastly differential from the concept that initially comes to mind when we think of teen pregnancy here in the West. Rather, these teen pregnancies are derived from oppressive, forced marriages that often result in divorce.

Today, there are mass proportions of these teenagers, likely to be divorced after they have given birth, with no male advocation  forcing them to be labeled as non-entities in Iran, living on the streets, completely destitute  meaning they have no future, no opportunities and no legal standing.

Fighting back

Finally, we are now seeing the repercussions of the recent protests in the form of governmental authorities officially arresting and executing protestors. Merely months ago, we witnessed illegal brutality in the streets; now these executions are legal.

We cannot ignore this heartbreaking reality



How can we in the West consider helping this huge community of futureless children?

We must fight alongside them by raising awareness and covering them in daily prayer; this is a fight for their freedom, for their voices to be heard and for their very lives  an enormous generational, cultural and spiritual battle. Let us not forget about these innocent girls who are being enslaved, abused, neglected and killed. We absolutely cannot forget about them; Jesus loves them and is passionately fighting for them.

Jesus came to set the captives free. And here we see it happening now; though we are only witnessing the beginning of these women fighting for their freedom, a reversion isn't anticipated. Thus far, 139 days of fighting has passed with these courageous women showing no signs of weariness or discouragement; if anything, it seems they are more motivated now than ever to persevere.

I find it difficult to believe this is anything shy of Gods provision over these women. Though many of them do not know Jesus yet, I cling to the hope that they will learn of His goodness and love through this brave fight for their lives and freedom. In this battle, I pray that they learn their worth in the Lord; He is the one who will give them an identity and a future, ultimately filling them with the love they have yet to experience.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

Join me in prayer for these courageous souls, share about their oppression, be their voice and fight the fight alongside them. We are called to defend the oppressed, the weak, the poor and the fatherless (Psalms 82:3). Let us be the hands and feet of Jesus to these women today.
The story of black quartermasters in World War II

At the entrance to the U.S. Army Infantry Museum, located in Ft. Moore, GA, (formerly Ft. Benning), visitors begin their journey by walking up a 100-yard ramp that shows the history of the U.S. Army Infantry. It is a symbolic representation of what is ingrained in every infantry soldier  you can have all the tanks, artillery, planes, trucks, and anything else in the world, but in battle, the last 100 yards require a soldier with a gun  the last 100 yards will always belong to the Infantry.

This mindset inspires great pride in infantry soldiers and inspires the admiration of historians, filmmakers, and civilians alike  often lost is the story of those troops who comprise supply lines that often begin in the U.S. and extend thousands of miles to ensure that the infantry has everything it needs to fight their way across that last 100 yards. By some estimates standing behind each infantry soldier are six support soldiers  they are the lifeline and unsung heroes whose efforts are often overlooked. This was especially true in World War II.

World War II saw an increased level of mechanization  no longer did an army run solely on its stomach, fuel, and spare parts were needed to keep the machines of war moving and that meant a supply chain extending back to industrial hubs in the United States. When comparing the success of campaigns like D-Day to failures like the German invasion of Russian in 1941  it was logistics that determined success or failure  even the most tactically proficient army cant win if it doesnt have supplies. This required support soldiers to be better trained, and the U.S. Army needed more of them.

Nearly one million black men served in WWII, and over 80 percent of them were assigned to logistics and service units, in fact by 1944 almost all black soldiers were assigned to these units. They were responsible for building bridges, roads, and runways, they moved beans, bullets, fuel, and the fallen  their efforts were critical to the allied success and were the embodiment of the modern military saying, armatures study tactics, professionals study logistics. To be historically accurate, all black units such as the 92nd and 93rd infantry divisions, the 861 Tank Battalion, and the Tuskegee Airman have impressive and well-documented success in combat  the story of black Quartermasters is important because it not only embodies the courage and valor of these Americans but demonstrates their ingenuity and how their service led to success on the battlefield and when they came home.

In Europe, allied preparations for the D-Day invasion required a massive movement of supplies, ships would have to be quickly unloaded to make room for the next load  this job fell to the Quartermaster Corps whose dockhands were primarily black GIs. In prior conflicts much of this unloading would have been done by hand  a menial task  given the size of the loads, often exceeding 30 tons, it required skilled crane operators who worked non-stop during the 18-month build-up to D-Day. In the final hours before the invasion these skilled operators would transfer loads directly from the supply ships to the invasion crafts.

Once the foothold was established in Normandy, the quartermasters were in a race to ensure the front-line troops they needed to continue to push the Nazis back. By July 1944, allied troops were moving east at a rate of nearly 80 miles a week. With sea and rail infrastructure badly damaged  Normandy remained the sole point of entry for supplies entering the European theatre. Allied commanders were determined to prevent a lack of supplies from stopping the advances on the front lines, so they devised an ambitious plan that became known as the Red Ball Express. Nearly 75% of the drivers who made up this critical and constantly expanding supply line were black and not all of them were trained to drive trucks, never mind drive trucks filled with ammunition, at night, without headlights working in teams of two to complete the 54-hour round-trip journey. They succeeded in delivering roughly 12,000 tons of supplies per day  for 82 consecutive days.

The quartermasters played a huge role in the Pacific as well. While we typically think about the island-hopping campaign in the Pacific, crucial to the success of these missions was the work of our Chinese allies under Chiang Kai-shek. The Ledo Road, like the Red Ball Express, was a critical supply route connecting U.S. bases in India with allied forces in China  without these supplies Chinese forces likely would have been defeated allowing Japan to focus all its efforts on the Pacific. The building and maintenance of Ledo Road were overseen primarily by these units. The roughly 1,000-mile road cut through many obstacles including Japanese snipers, dense jungles, and of course the southern Himalayan Mountains. Running the route was treacherous and challenging for even experienced drivers. Keeping the road open was an equally daunting task that fell on engineering units who would operate bulldozers and other specialized equipment in torrential rain to clear blocked portions of the road or reconstruct parts that washed out.

The legacy of black quartermasters in World War II is one of Service and Success. GIs quickly learned how to become skilled crane operators working non-stop to ensure the D-Day invasion had all the supplies needed to succeed. They became expert truck drivers and tirelessly kept the flow of supplies moving to the front during the Red Ball Express. They were engineers and drivers who crossed the Himalayan Mountains to ensure allied forces could keep pressure on the Japanese to allow U.S. forces to succeed in the Pacific. These quartermasters answered the call to serve, and while in uniform they succeeded in quickly learning new skills, adapting to challenges, and committing themselves to mission success. After the war, their service left an enduring legacy on our military. An after-action review of the war found that the contributions of black soldiers were instrumental to the success of the war effort. The report went on to recommend creating a desegregated force that was fully reflective of American society.

After the war, these quartermasters continued to serve and succeed. Men like Medgar Evers, who was a driver on the Red Ball Express, saw what could happen when Americans worked together during the war. He returned home and became a highly influential part of the Civil Rights movement. Others like Harry Bellefonte who dropped out of high school to enlist in the Navy, while not part of the Quartermaster Corps served as a crane operator loading and unloading ships. After the war, Bellefonte used his GI bill to pay for acting classes in New York. He would find tremendous success on stage. Charity Adams, one of the first black female officers in the military who served in the Quartermaster Corps, continued to serve using her GI bill to earn a degree in psychology and then worked at the Veterans Administration.



This year the home of the Quartermaster Corps in southern Virginia will be renamed Ft. Gregg-Adams a fitting tribute to the legacy of service and success of the black soldiers who served in World War II.



To learn more: https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/19520/News/912/?relatedId=0

What we can learn About World War II From Black Quartermasters?; Douglas Bristol, Jr.; Aug. 27, 2021; World War 2 Museum.

Army veteran Medgar Wiley Evers a Foot Soldier in Struggle for Justice; T. Anthony Bell; Feb. 25, 2020.

King of Calypso, Harry Belafonte Was WWII Sailor; David Vergun, DOD News; Feb. 2, 2022.
When your child wants to convert to Islam

As a formerly devout Muslim, I am often approached at church and online to help parents whose children have become Muslim or are contemplating conversion to Islam. It is so heartbreaking to hear the distress in a moms voice whose daughter leaves Christianity so she can marry a Muslim boy. We pray that the Lord will return the prodigal to the fold, but that can be a long, hard road. Many are frantic to get advice on what they can say to convince their child that Jesus is the only true way. Instead, we should ask ourselves how can we, the parents and elders in a church, prevent this from happening in the first place.

As of data collected in 2019, almost two-thirds of American young adults between the ages of 1829 have withdrawn from church involvement after being active as a child or teen. Many of us have read studies about why this happens  issues like lack of relevance in everyday life, it doesnt correspond to their worldly values, or church folks being too judgmental.

In addition to my anecdotal experience with many families, I learned a lot from this YouTube channel, where many Christian girls testified about why they turned to Islam. Though I have not done a scientific study on this trend, several patterns emerge from listening to their stories. These first-hand accounts give us insight into how we can nurture our children to hold on to their faith in Christ.

One of the most common reasons is unexplained biblical doctrines. Many of these girls are proselytized by young Muslim men who spend quality time educating the young ladies about the authentic nature of Islam. Simultaneously, the men instill doubt in the authenticity of the Bible, the seemingly strange notion of the Triune God, or Jesus being God incarnate. They say, How can you believe the Bible is the word of God when there were so many inconsistencies, or why would God need to come in the form of a man to save humanity?

Unfortunately, when young women present these questions to their parents or Bible teachers, they are often brushed aside and told, we believe these things by faith. It is a wholly inappropriate response to earnest questions about doctrine for which we have perfectly sound answers.

As the Bible commands us, Always be ready to defend your confidence in God when anyone asks you to explain it. However, make your defense with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).

The problem is that people either do not know how to respond or patronize the young as if they dont deserve a response. Both positions will leave a person susceptible to false doctrine.

The second issue I heard many times when I was still a Muslim is that Christian kids leave the faith because of their parents' hypocrisy and/or immorality. Their parents' drunkenness, drug abuse, and severe behavioral problems made them assume the faith was ineffectual compared to the imposed discipline found in Islam. Once they see themselves also out of control from addiction or promiscuity, they do not believe Christianity offers a solution. In other words, they never personally witnessed the transformative power of a true believer who walks in holiness and obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a tragedy and consequence of many who turned the Church into a social and cultural gathering rather than making disciples who model the character of Jesus.

Finally, and probably most significantly, these young adults have no personal relationship with the Risen Savior. When you ask them why they no longer believe in Jesus, they answer with something about how they were ostracized in church or the Pastor insulted them. Almost all of them went to Sunday school, grew up in youth ministry, and had Christian parents. However, they have no indications that they received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit or can communicate with God in their prayer life. It reminds me of the parable of the Sower. The Word was choked out of their life before they could grow and mature.

Jesus promised all believers that our Heavenly Father would not allow any of his sons or daughters to be snatched from His hand. Therefore, what is our role in protecting the hearts and minds of our young people from falling into false religions? Step one, we must study enough to defend the Gospel against the most common controversies. Whether it's the authenticity of the Bible texts or prophecy that proves Jesus is the Messiah, we should not dismiss the curiosity of our young people who challenge us.

Second, we need to take a serious inventory of our behavior and habits to be sure we are modeling the righteousness we are called to by the Lord. Our children pay far more attention to our actions than our words. I started a conversation with a woman in the coffee shop last week who told me she refused to go to church because her parents dragged her there when they were drug addicts. I tried to talk with her about encountering Jesus, but she couldnt get past the trauma of her upbringing.

We have a relatively short period of time with our kids before the world takes over and our influence wanes. Sending them off to youth ministry, which all these girls claimed to have done, is excellent, but more is needed. Ultimately, they must have a personal relationship with Jesus to have a faith that endures. My teenager is struggling with issues of faith, so I constantly remind her that the Holy Spirit dwells inside her and that she can communicate directly with God. I tell her faith doesnt have to look like mine and that He wants to meet her where she is. If they pursue that personal encounter with God, He will fulfill His promises to them, and we have set them up for success. As He says in Scripture, the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you (John 14:26). Research data also supports this notion. In interviews with young adults who stayed faithful into adulthood, whom they call resilient disciples, nearly 90% profess a personal relationship with Jesus.

Once a child does decide to convert, all hope is not lost. Life as an American convert to Islam is tough. If you listen to their testimonies, the girls talk of social alienation, loneliness, and failure to adapt. They no longer fit in any culture because Arab and South Asian Muslims do not readily accept converts into their family. If we remain open to loving them like Christ does and welcoming them home rather than ridiculing them, that familiarity and comfort could win them back. Engage in discussions about their new beliefs and see it as an opportunity to compare their new faith with the freedom in Christ. Fervent prayer, compassion, and kindness can go a long way. Leave the door wide open for them to enter back easily.

So whether its church hurt, parents not modeling Christ, or some other justification in their own lives, these kids gravitate to Islam for structure and discipline. It may seem counterintuitive, but when they realize debauchery is miserable, they seek rules and boundaries. Yet, why do they have to look outside the Church to find obedience? Thats not what Scripture teaches us. Jesus said, If you love me, follow my commands (John 14:15). Lets not distill the essence of Christianity to a set of rituals with no power to restore and transform. Otherwise, we will lose many more sons and daughters to false religions.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un smiles during a nighttime military parade to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Korean People's Army in Pyongyang, Feb. 8. Behind him to the right is his daughter, Ju-ae. Yonhap
PCUSA head urges Biden to lift sanctions on Syria to help earthquake victims hurt by blockade

The head of Presbyterian Church (USA) has called on the Biden administration to lift sanctions on Syria so that humanitarian aid can reach earthquake victims.

A massive earthquake clocked in with a magnitude of 7.8 hit the Turkish town of Nurdagi, which is near the Syrian border, resulting in more than 11,200 deaths.

The Rev. J. Herbert Nelson, stated clerk for PCUSA Office of the General Assembly, said in a statement Tuesday that the United States should lift its sanctions on Syria.

The sanctions, which have been in place for decades, only add misery to an already traumatized and impoverished population, particularly following the devastating civil war that began in 2011, stated Nelson.

This earthquake adds yet more misery to the people of Syria who, in recent years, have been slowly trying to rebuild their homes and their lives.

According to Nelson, the effect of the sanctions slows down transfers of aid to its partners working in the region, sometimes delaying the delivery of humanitarian aid by months at a time.

Lifting the sanctions will enable the aid that is required for the immediate emergency to flow smoothly and equip people to rebuild their homes and lives in the coming weeks and months, said Nelson.

This would be the most compassionate action our government could take in response to this tragedy. We urge that the well-being and needs of the most vulnerable people in Syria and throughout the region  who have suffered so greatly  be at the center of our concern.

In addition to the initial 7.8 magnitude earthquake that was felt as far as Lebanon and Israel, there have been multiple aftershocks in the region, including one that registered as a 7.5 magnitude quake.

"I have never felt anything like it in the 40 years I've lived," said a resident of Gaziantep, southern Turkey, as quoted by the BBC. We were shaken at least three times very strongly, like a baby in a crib.

According to the U.S. Department of State, Syria was labeled an official state sponsor of terror back in 1979, and various sanctions were implemented against the Middle Eastern nation in 2004 and 2011.

In addition to the PCUSA, the Middle East Council of Churches have also called on the United States to immediately end sanctions against Syria "so sanctions may not turn into a crime against humanity."
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This photo released Thursday shows what appears to be a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile displayed at a military parade at Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, Wednesday. Yonhap



Presidential office says it is 'closely monitoring' situation



By Jung Min-ho



North Korean leader Kim Jong-un brought his daughter to a massive military parade showing off the regime's most advanced weapons, state media reported Thursday. Among the arms on display was what appeared to be a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).



The parade, held in Pyongyang the previous evening to mark the 75th founding anniversary of North Korea's army, featured "nuclear-capable weapons" including the ICBM carried on a missile vehicle and Hwasong-17s, the North's largest ICBM that could potentially reach the U.S. mainland, according to its Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) and satellite images.



Wearing a long black coat and fedora  a style that would remind the public of Kim Il-sung, North Korea's late founder  Kim Jong-un was seen standing next to his daughter, Ju-ae, saluting as top military officers celebrated the moment.



North Korea also presented a "tactical nuclear operation unit" in a demonstration of its "war deterrence and counterstrike capabilities."





A photo released Thursday shows Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missiles displayed during a military parade at Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, Wednesday. Yonhap



State media did not specifically identify the weapons displayed. But experts say they included a solid-propellant ICBM that North Korea has long been seeking to develop.









"The solid-fuel ICBM appears to be a few meters longer than the one revealed in 2017," Shin Jong-woo, a senior researcher at the Korea Defense and Security Forum, a think tank, told The Korea Times. "The nuclear operation unit is the latest sign of what North Korea is aiming for: developing a more powerful and diversified nuclear arsenal."



Solid fuel offers greater mobility for missiles and reduces launch preparation time. It is also cheaper to produce and more reliable. Given that the movement of North Korean military personnel handling liquid fuel alerts South Korea and the U.S. before the launch of missiles, solid-fuel ICBMs pose a greater threat and could possibly weaken their joint missile defense system that relies highly on such intelligence. All of the ICBMs the North has tested since 2017 used liquid propellants.





A photo released Thursday shows North Korean soldiers marching during a military parade at Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, Wednesday. Yonhap



North Korea has already developed solid-fuel tactical ballistic missiles such as the KN-23, KN-24 and KN-25  weapons that can strike much of South Korea, but not Guam or Japan from which the U.S.' key strategic assets would be launched to assist in the case of war on the peninsula.



"This is cumulatively more ICBM launchers than we've ever seen before at a North Korean parade," Ankit Panda, a security expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a U.S.-based think tank, said on Twitter. "North Korea displays enough ICBMs to overwhelm the U.S. defense system against them."



Images released by state media show missile-carrying military vehicles, tens of thousands of troops and civilians, and fireworks illuminating Kim Il-sung Square.



"ICBMs showing off the defense development of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) and nuclear capabilities joined the parade on the square which was filled with pride and passionate cheering," KCNA said. "Our armed forces are capable of destroying the violent imperialism with an absolute power."





This photo released Thursday shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his daughter, Ju-ae, smiling during a military parade in Pyongyang, North Korea, Wednesday. Yonhap
Quake death toll surpasses 15,000 in Turkiye, Syria

Xinhua) 11:17, February 09, 2023

Rescuers search for survivors among the rubble of a building destroyed in quake-hit Besni District of Adiyaman Province, Turkiye, Feb. 8, 2023. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

ANKARA/DAMASCUS, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from Monday's devastating earthquake in Turkiye and Syria has risen to 15,383, according to data released by authorities and rescuers.

The number of people killed in Turkiye due to the devastating earthquake has reached 12,391, the country's Anadolu agency reported on Thursday, citing the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority.

Rescue workers search for survivors among the rubble of a destroyed building in the Rihawi area in Latakia province, northwestern Syria, on Feb. 8, 2023. (Str/Xinhua)

In Syria, at least 1,262 were killed and 2,285 injured in government-held areas, said the Syrian Health Ministry. Media reports also cited rescue workers as saying that at least 1,730 were killed and over 2,850 injured in the opposition-held region in Syria.

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Turkiye's southern province of Kahramanmaras at 4:17 a.m. local time (0117 GMT), followed by a magnitude 6.4 quake a few minutes later in the country's southern province of Gaziantep and a magnitude 7.6 earthquake at 1:24 p.m. local time (1024 GMT) in Kahramanmaras Province.

On Wednesday, an 82-member Chinese rescue team arrived at Adana Airport in Turkiye at 4:30 am local time (0130 GMT) after flying over 8,000 km on a chartered Air China plane.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)




South Korea's military plans to task its envisioned "strategic command" with overseeing space and cybersecurity units, and those running F-35 stealth jets and submarines, a defense ministry official said Thursday.





Speaking at a security forum, Ryoo Moo-bong, deputy defense minister for defense reform, detailed key features of the command that Seoul has been seeking to launch next year to counter evolving North Korean nuclear and missile threats.





The command is designed to take charge of the Cyber Operations Command, units for missile, space and electromagnetic spectrum operations as well as those operating F-35 jets and submarines, he said.





"It will be in charge of missions overseeing operations of the three-axis system against the enemy's nuclear and missile threats," Ryoo said at the forum hosted by the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA) and the British Embassy in Seoul.





The three-pronged system refers to the Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation, an operational plan to incapacitate the North Korean leadership in a major conflict; the Kill Chain pre-emptive strike platform; and the Korea Air and Missile Defense system.





The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) is pushing to expand the JCS Directorate of Countering Nuclear and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) to create the strategic command in 2024, according to Ryoo.





In particular, Ryoo highlighted the need to improve cyberspace and electromagnetic capabilities, which can be used to neutralize threats from hostile missiles even before their launch.





The seminar was attended by Colin Crooks, the British ambassador to Seoul, and KIDA President Kim Yun-tae. (Yonhap)


The government has announced it will match fund up to 5m donated by the British public to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC)s fundraising appeal for Turkey and Syria, which opened yesterday.

Launched in response to earthquakes that occurred on Monday, which have killed more than 15,000 people, DECs appeal will fund 15 aid charities that are working in the affected regions.

DECs appeal, which aims to provide funding and support for people who have been injured or displaced by the disaster, follows a series of campaigns that were launched earlier in the week .

JustGiving told Civil Society News it has seen over 1.5m, including Gift Aid, donated through its platform to support Syria and Turkey so far.

Meanwhile, the Big Give has also launched a campaign linked to the DEC appeal whereby donations up to 600,000 will be match-funded by the Reed Foundation and other organisations. At the time of writing, its target has almost been reached.

Regulators warn of fake appeals

The Charity Commission and Fundraising Regulator have urged donors to give safely and avoid bogus fundraising campaigns for the disaster.

They warned that criminals can often take advantage of public generosity during times of increased giving, by creating fake appeal websites, email appeals and more that often masquerade as genuine charity campaigns.

Helen Stephenson, chief executive of the Charity Commission, said: Charities are once again stepping in to support those in need. I know that so many people across the UK will want to contribute and so I want to ensure every donation reaches its intended cause. This is why we are reminding everyone to give through the DEC or follow our simple steps, such as checking our online register, to make sure theyre giving safely.

The regulators encourage donors to be vigilant and check a charitys name on the charity register and look out for its Fundraising Regulator badge.

Charity Commission suggested donors should report illegitimate appeals to the police or Action Fraud over the phone or online.

Gerald Oppenheim, chief executive of the Fundraising Regulator, said: The British public are generous and will be eager to support the relief work led by the DEC and its member charities where they can. Please carry out our recommended checks before donating money or goods to make sure you are giving to a genuine cause and that your generously donated money reaches its intended destination.

Match funding amount lower than for other appeals

The government's match-funding for DEC appeals comes from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office's aid budget.

At 5m, the amount pledged for the Turkey-Syria appeal is average for DEC campaigns over the past decade and equals the amount offered to the Pakistan Floods appeal last year .

However, it is lower than the 25m in match-funding the FCDO pledged for the Ukraine appeal last year and the 10m it offered to the Afghanistan appeal in 2021 .

sign up to receive the Civil Society News daily bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,




Korea plans to operate special high-speed trains connecting Seoul and the southeastern city of Busan to better support officials who will be visiting the country to conduct an on-site inspection of the 2030 World Expo candidate city, the government said Thursday.







"The government plans to run non-stop high-speed KTX trains connecting Seoul and Busan so that Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) officials can experience Korea's top-notch transportation infrastructure," the land ministry said in a briefing to a special parliamentary committee overseeing the country's bid to host the Expo in Busan.







The ministry said it plans to wrap the special trains with images promoting the port city and also provide flights connecting Busan and Incheon International Airport for BIE officials conducting the on-site inspection.







Officials from the BIE, a Paris-based intergovernmental body in charge of overseeing the Expo, are scheduled to conduct an on-site inspection from April 3-7.







As part of efforts to host the international event, Second Vice Land Minister Eo Myeong-so said the government also plans to speed up the construction of a new airport on Gadeok Island, Busan's biggest island.







Government officials who attended the meeting, including Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon and First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun-dong, said they will also support the Expo bid through civic and diplomatic activities.







Members of the special parliamentary committee urged officials to do their best in preparing for the on-site inspection and ordered the government to complete the airport construction by 2029 at the latest. (Yonhap)






Members of the Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) rescue a man from the rubble in Hatay, Turkey, Thursday (local time). Courtesy of KDRT



Yoon offers condolences to Turkey



By Lee Hyo-jin



Members of Korea's rescue team deployed in quake-stricken areas of Turkey have managed to save five people from the rubble on Thursday morning (local time), according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.



The Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) launched its rescue operation early Thursday morning, after setting up a base camp near a high school in Antakya, Hatay Province.



Hours later, around 6:37 a.m., rescuers pulled out a man in his mid-70s from the ruins of a building. The survivor was conscious and was in relatively stable condition. The authorities added that the rescue team recovered four bodies from the same site.





Members of the Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) rescue a man in his 70s from the rubble in Hatay, Turkey, Thursday (local time). Courtesy of KDRT



Around 10 a.m., the rescue team saved two family members  a two-year-old girl and her father in his 40s.



The rescuers also pulled out a 35-year-old woman and a 10-year-old girl.



The 118-member KDRT comprised mainly of firefighters and army personnel, landed at Gaziantep Airport in southeastern Turkey Wednesday morning to help with search and rescue operations, after the region was hit by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake on Monday, followed by a series of aftershocks. It is the largest-ever Korean rescue team to be dispatched for an international relief mission.



Yoon expressed gratitude for the KDRT's rescue efforts, encouraging them to do their best in assisting the people of Turkey, which he described as a "blood brother nation" that sent 15,000 soldiers to fight in the 1950-53 Korean War.









Turkish people living in Korea are also rushing to organize fundraising campaigns for their homeland.



Oh Sinan Ozturk, the CEO of Kervan Group, a chain of Turkish restaurants, said, "My workers and I were devastated after hearing the news. Some of my employees are still in shock from the deaths of their families or relatives."



Ozturk said he has opened a fundraising campaign to be carried out for the next two weeks.



Members of the Korea-Turkiye Friendship Association, a non-governmental organization established to promote ties between the two countries, is also extending a helping hand.



"We have raised over 100 million won ($79,000) in just two days. We will continue collecting money for about a week and deliver the funds to the victims through the Turkish Embassy in Seoul," said Lee Hee-soo, the secretary-general of the association and an emeritus professor of cultural anthropology at Hanyang University.



The Turkish Embassy in Seoul, for its part, shared on its Facebook page a list of items that are urgently needed so as to help the victims of the earthquake. They include winter clothing, tents, beds, blankets and canned food items.



The embassy also shared a link ( http://www.afad.gov.tr/depremkampanyasi2 ) for those wishing to make cash donations.





President Yoon Suk Yeol holds Turkish ambassador Murat Tamer's hands, while offering his condolences for the victims of the catastrophic earthquake in Turkey, during his visit to the Turkish embassy in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of presidential office



Meanwhile, President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday visited the Turkish embassy in Seoul to offer his condolences to the victims of the deadly earthquake that ravaged the southern region of Turkey.



"Korea will stand together with the people of Turkey, our brother nation, so that they can overcome the sadness and despair," he was quoted as telling Turkish Ambassador Murat Tamer at the embassy.





"Korea will stand together with the people of Turkey, our brother nation, so that they can rise from sorrow and despair to courage and hope," President Yoon wrote in the condolences book at the embassy. Courtesy of presidential office
U.S. Air Force B-1B bombers, center, F-22 fighter jets and Republic of Korea Air Force F-35 fighter jets, bottom, fly over the Korean Peninsula during a joint air drill in South Korea, Jan. 1, in this photo provided by the South Korean defense ministry. AP-Yonhap



This is the third in a series of interviews with security experts at leading think tanks in Washington and former U.S. officials on the implications of the escalating arms race in Northeast Asia and South Korea's growing nuclear ambitions.  ED.



US-NK summit would require departures from both parties' current default policies



By Kim Yoo-chul



A few days after joint air drills by South Korea and the United States, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ordered his military to ensure the regime's readiness for war.



According to the North's official Korean Central News Agency, Feb. 7, its leader Kim attended a Central Military Commission gathering of the Workers' Party and asked his military to boast its strength.



The point of focus is how North Korea may leverage unfolding developments regarding the possible creation of a "missile department" purposed with the development of smaller nuclear warheads and advanced ballistic systems. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol confirmed that Seoul will not back away from the country's commitments under the nuclear Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).



Still, despite U.S.' concerns over rhetoric from the South's ruling party officials and think tanks on the domestic development of nuclear weapons, there remains a possibility that Seoul might move forward with the idea of pursuing a nuclear arsenal if the security situation with North Korea further deteriorates.





Scott A. Snyder, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)

Leading think tanks in Washington were arguing for more effective and efficient measures in breaking Pyongyang's nuclear escalation which aims to drive a wedge between the U.S. and South Korea. Such measures will require the commitment of both the Yoon and Biden administrations to commit to expanding on the "original bargain" underpinning Washington-Seoul nuclear defense cooperation.



Speaking to The Korea Times, Scott A. Snyder, a senior fellow for Korea studies and director of the program on U.S.-Korea policy at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), said Seoul's pursuit of nuclear weapons would distance the country from the international community and risk severely damaging its export-reliant economy. Headquartered in New York, CFR is an independent nonpartisan think tank.



Snyder, who served as the project director for CFR's independent task force on policy toward the Korean Peninsula, went on to say that North Korea was clearly seeing the potential frictions and the estimated costs South Korea would take on by pursuing nuclear armament.



Because North Korea's objective is to break the alliance and peel South Korea away from its dependence on U.S. protection, the CFR expert said Pyongyang is aware of the potential economic costs Seoul could incur by violating the NPT.



Mainstream thoughts behind North Korea's repeated missile threats are that the Kim regime's intention is for his country to be recognized as an official nuclear power and to initiate possible arms-control talks in the hope of better economic concessions.



"I do believe that both Seoul and Washington will be forced to exercise deeper consultation and maintain greater discipline to instill confidence that they are on the same page going forward," he said in a recent interview.



"I believe that current speculation in South Korea is way ahead of the actual discussion between governments on deepening of extended deterrence and the development of joint planning to deal with contingencies involving North Korean use of nuclear weapons. Most of the current speculation and perceived friction between the two sides is media generated," according to the expert.





A photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows a new Hwasong-17 missile displayed in a military parade held to celebrate the 90th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army (KPRA), at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, 25 April 2022 (issued 26 April 2022). EPA-Yonhap



He stressed he does not believe Yoon is "intentionally trying to generate tensions" with the U.S. or to pressure the U.S. with his public comments over the necessity of the country's own nuclear weapons developments.



"My reading of President Yoon's comments is that he faces domestic political pressure to take a tough stance, but he remains committed thus far to working closely with the United States to strengthen the credibility of extended deterrence," Snyder responded.



The U.S. stationed tactical nuclear weapons in South Korea from 1958 to 1991. Presently, neither nuclear weapons nor nuclear-related facilities are under consideration for redeployment here because stationing tactical nuclear weapons presents North Korea with an extra high-value target. Rather, the U.S. maintains full control over its nuclear weapons, rather than "sharing" them with South Korea.



Washington and Seoul have agreed to joint nuclear planning including the upcoming tabletop exercise (TTX) as described in last November's Security Consultative Meeting (SCM).



"President Joe Biden was asked about joint nuclear exercises, which would go well beyond what has been agreed to in the SCM and, which the White House clarified is something that would only be able to occur between two nuclear states," Snyder said. "Because there is a lot of potential for misunderstanding around the phrase and meaning of 'nuclear sharing,' it is important for both sides to define and explain clearly the steps being taken, and it is wise for both sides to avoid publicly discussing hypothetical scenarios and possible responses."





US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, left, meets with his South Korean counterpart Lee Jong-sup in Seoul on January 31, 2023. UPI-Yonhap



Unfavorable conditions for dialogue



Nuclear diplomacy between the U.S. and North Korea has been stalled since the collapse of the rare summit between North Korea's Kim and then U.S. President Donald Trump in Hanoi, Vietnam. Kim asked Trump for the lifting of economic sanctions against North Korea as a prerequisite to advance steps for nuclear disarmament. The requests were refused.



Given the deepening tensions on the peninsula, Snyder painted a rather pessimistic outlook for any future dialogue between the U.S. and North Korea on denuclearization.



"U.S. policy has not changed and North Korea's policy of not engaging in a denuclearization dialogue with the United States has not changed. Therefore, it is hard to be optimistic about the resumption of U.S.-North Korean dialogue under current circumstances," the CFR expert said.




Lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party exit a plenary session at the National Assembly in Seoul after a motion to impeach Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min was passed, Feb. 8. Yonhap



The National Assembly submitted the impeachment resolution against Interior Minister Lee Sang-min to the Constitutional Court on Thursday, a day after passing the first-ever such motion against a Cabinet member.



The motion passed through the opposition-controlled parliament Wednesday to hold Lee accountable for the government's allegedly bungled response to the Oct. 29 crowd crush that killed 159 people. Lee has been suspended from his duties as a result until the Constitutional Court decides whether to endorse or reject the motion.



On Thursday, the impeachment resolution was submitted to the Constitutional Court, said Rep. Kim Do-eup of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), who chairs the parliamentary legislative and judiciary committee, in a text message to reporters.



As chairman of the judiciary committee, Kim will play the role of the prosecution during the impeachment trial. The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and other critics have raised concern he may not play the role actively due to his affiliation with the ruling party.



"The absence of the interior minister has left a vacuum in state affairs," Kim said. "This could inflict damage on the people. I hope the Constructional Court will speed up the trial process in order to minimize the period of the vacuum in state affairs."





Interior Minister Lee Sang-min/ Yonhap
Community members gathered on Monday, Jan. 16, to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. for the first in-person gathering in Kings honor in three years. The events this year centered around the theme, It Starts with Me: Cultivating a Beloved Community Mindset to Transform Unjust Systems.

The day began with the All Peoples Breakfast and social hour at 7:30 a.m. in Ed Robson Arena, followed by a presentation featuring Mike Edmonds, senior vice president at Colorado College. Edmonds served as copresident during the 2020-21 academic year, which made him the first African American person to lead CC.

Remembering our history, both our horrific losses and our beautiful achievements, is essential to achieving equity and justice for all, said Colorado College President L. Song Richardson, the first woman of color to lead CC. Dr. King understood that we cant make progress on equity and justice without community.

A recording of the presentation is available here.

The Pikes Peak Diversity Council hosted a Unity March at 10:15 a.m., where participants walked from the CC campus to Acacia Park to watch performances by local dance and musical performers, as well as hear a talk from Sharon Tunson, assistant dean of High School Programs at Pikes Peak State College.

The world-renowned Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble wrapped up the days events in the Kathryn Mohrman Theatre, with the Colorado Springs Chapter Choir of the Gospel Music Workshop of America also performing.

Several elected officials also attended the breakfast, including Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers, state legislators, Colorado Springs City Council members, Fountain City Council members, and school board members.

All events were free and open to the public. The breakfast was free due to the generous support of Bon Appetit Food Service, Colorado College, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce and EDC, The Edmondson Foundation, UC Health, and USAA.

The central theme continued for Colorado College students, faculty, and staff members, who attended a First Monday talk by Jamie Washington, in the Mohrman Theatre on Monday, Jan. 30. This event was not open to the public.

Washington is the president and founder of the Washington Consulting Group, which was named by The Economist as one of the Top 10 Global Diversity Consultants in the world.

The First Mondays Event Series is a campus-wide forum aimed at engaging members of the CC community and giving them the opportunity to gather and facilitate discourse. Classes are dismissed early on the first Monday of each block so that all students, staff, administrators, and faculty members can participate.

First Monday talks are recorded and uploaded here.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, left, shakes hands with Rep. Yoon Young-seok of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), president of the National Assembly's Strategy and Finance Committee, at the lawmaker's office in the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Wednesday. The mayor visited Yoon to gain support in persuading the finance ministry to help the city's subway operator to keep offering free rides senior citizens. Yonhap



Finance minister says welfare burden should fall on city government



By Ko Dong-hwan



Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon sought the support of National Assembly lawmakers on Wednesday in his bid to have the finance ministry help the city's subway operator keep offering free rides to senior citizens.



The mayor's effort to rally support from the parliament came a day after the Ministry of Economy and Finance rebuffed his repeated calls to share the burden for free subway rides for the elderly.



The ministry said the financial burden should be handled by the city itself rather than relying on the central government.



The mayor met three key lawmakers from the National Assembly's Strategy and Finance Committee, including the committee president Rep. Yoon Young-seok from the ruling People Power Party (PPP).



Oh, accompanied by Vice Mayor Oh Shin-hwan, told the committee that the city's subway operator has been weighed down by snowballing net losses as it hasn't raised fares in the past eight years. Now that the operator is about to hike the fare, the impact would be minimized if the ministry supported the city government with funding, he said. The mayor also mentioned the necessity of a legal revision to correct the current financial hardships facing Seoul and other subway-operating local governments.



Rep. Yoon said he also saw the money-losing operation of the city's subway system, which has been going on for years, as a serious problem.



"There should be countermeasures like raising the minimum age limit from the current 65 to an older age to allow free subway rides," the lawmaker told the mayor. "We will discuss the matter with the committee."





An elderly patron approaches a subway turnstile inside Jongno 3-ga Station in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap



"This is the problem shared by the ruling and the opposition parties," the mayor told reporters at the National Assembly following the meeting. "I understand the central government might feel pressured, but it is necessary to solve the fundamental problem."



Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho told the National Assembly on Tuesday it would be "odd" for the ministry to fund the financially-soundest city in the country. Choo, also the country's deputy prime minister, said the central government is in debt and there is no "logical reason" why his ministry should help a local government that is complaining about a local problem.



Choo appeared at the National Assembly on Tuesday where lawmakers questioned ministries related to the country's economic affairs. The parliamentary questioning of the central government ran from Monday to Wednesday.



"It's the Seoul city government's business and it should solve it by using its own budget," Choo said in response to a question by Rep. Hong Suk-joon of the PPP. "Whether to charge zero fares to senior citizens is also up to the city government to decide."



The minister said the central government is not being asked by other local governments that are less financially independent, like South Jeolla Province or North Gyeongsang Province, for extra funds, adding it would be unfair to help only the Seoul city government.



"It just doesn't make sense for us to help a city government with the country's most robust financial status," the minister said, Tuesday. "It should first figure out fundamental measures achievable by itself, like improving the efficiency of the service or reducing costs."



Oh has been arguing that the welfare policy for the city's senior citizens was not introduced by the city government but the central government, which is why it should be responsible for financially supporting the local government.





Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyeong-ho enters Government Complex in Seoul, Feb. 3, to attend an emergency economic cabinet meeting. Yonhap
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Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin will attend an annual security conference in Germany next week and explain details of the country's new Indo-Pacific strategy, his office said Thursday.







During the Munich Security Conference, set for Feb. 17-19, Park will introduce the South's regional strategy in the Indo-Pacific areas, first outlined by President Yoon Suk Yeol last year, according to the foreign ministry.







On the sidelines of the forum, Park will also hold a series of bilateral talks with his foreign counterparts, amid attention over whether he could have one-on-one talks with Japanese foreign minister Yoshimasa Hayashi.







Seoul and Tokyo have held working-level diplomatic consultations to address the long-standing issue of compensating Korean victims of Japan's wartime forced labor.







Meanwhile, before heading to Munich, Park will visit the Netherlands to attend an international summit on the application of artificial intelligence in the military domain, scheduled for next Wednesday and Thursday, the ministry said. (Yonhap)






The hype surrounding the Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) driving ChatGPT shows that AI has moved into mainstream conversation. These technologies have been around for much longer, from machine intelligence augmentation in photos to chatbots like Apple Business Chat.

All the same, OpenAI seems to have grabbed the hype cycle.

Setting the bar

The assumption is that ChatGPT tech is already miles ahead of Siri and other smart engines, that it challenges Google in search (though Bard may help the latter fight back), and will give Microsofts Bing a cheap victory in that space. Adobe will use its own generative AI within its own products soon, enabling users to achieve powerful results.

The advantage these tools seem to have is that, as well as being really swift at gathering information to answer requests, they can also be creative in their responses. ChatGPT can write a short story based on the parameters you give it.

Sometimes.

The momentum is impressive  making it to a million users in such a short time is a big achievement in itself. Time (and probably an increasing demand for accuracy, originality, and credibility) will tell whether this success will hold, but it wouldnt be the first relative outsider to transform the tech industry.

Though this outlier does appear to have several billionaires on its board, which rather suggests it is no scrappy underdog making good.

We come to bury bots, not to praise them

The Generative AI tech certainly makes Siri look tame, though I dont think Siri is under immediate threat; I suspect ChatGPT will first eat up the bot business, making it an immediate threat to Apple Business Chat and others in that space.

Thats because ChatGPT has the ability to answer more complex questions quickly, and while it may deliver questionable results when given the whole internet to seek answers from, when pointed at a smaller subset of credible data, it should be capable of higher accuracy. Thats why its such a useful tool to developers as it seems able to parse accurate answers to such queries.

There are other similar AI tools, including Galileo_AI which promise to build user interfaces.

Can Apple deliver this with Business Chat? And just what will Apples AI teams be discussing at their upcoming in-person internal AI summit at Apple Park? Will Apples teams be working like crazy to turn frowns upside down, or have they got some exciting innovations to hammer home? What is the Neural Engine for?

What is Business Chat?

Apple hasnt said much about Business Chat for a while. Its a system available to business users so they can deliver automated chatbots to handle routine customer requests via iMessage. It was in the spotlight a couple of years ago, but not a great deal has been heard about it since.

A quick trip to Apples relevant pages continues to call the service new and provides an extensive list of big-name customers. Business Chat is also integrated elsewhere in Apple products; you can access the link in Maps search results, as well as on Google Maps across those vendors that support it.

The way it works is that you tap a Business Chat link to send a message to a company from your iPhone, and your contact will be handled by a bot and then upscaled to a Real Live Human in the event things get too complicated. Its a service thats increasingly relevant as consumers seek out highly convenient, asynchronous routes through which to handle most initial contact with companies.

While people still prefer to speak to a human, were becoming used to chatbots for routine queries. A growing number of us only really want to speak to someone when we want to complain.

Danger is a work in progress

I am suspicious of AI. I think unbalanced deployment of these technologies may have unexpected consequences to the detriment of the challenges these machines were built to solve. In some solutions, theres a high chance these intelligent machines may reflect the prejudices of their owners and creators, and that is not a good thing. We saw this before with Shirley cards and we know the dangers of such projection through our experiences around social media.

Ive a feeling well see this again with ChatGPT.

I think that as Generative AI becomes more widely used, well see growing demand for these technologies to become accountable and for their decisions to be open to verification and review. The so-called "Black Box" surrounding responses sourced from smart machines will need to be opened up, particularly as the consequences of those decisions become more existential.

Throw in the looming power of quantum computing tied to this kind of AI and ChatGPT will look like the psychiatrist you could once speak to in Terminal when you type "emacs." A note from Morgan Stanley today points to some of these challenges and says the need for manual validation will act as a breakwater to some of the threats AI holds.

Has Apple an answer? We dont know. Perhaps its too late for Business Chat. It may even be too late for Siri  many say Siris best days were always in front of it, until they were behind it. All the same, I suspect the company has a story to tell around applying a similar sounding procedural generation tech Apple acquired with Canadian firm Fabric Software toward machine image creation.

So perhaps theres hope yet for AppleAI.

Please follow me on Mastodon, or join me in the AppleHolics bar & grill and Apple Discussions groups on MeWe.
By Choe Chong-dae





My interest in Sri Lanka dates back to the early 1990s. At the time I was engaged in the raw cotton business with Kabul Lanka Pvt. Ltd in Colombo. I supplied cotton with the company, a joint venture with the Korean Kabul Spinning Company. It was a leading manufacturer and exporter in Sri Lanka's textile sector.



Sri Lanka is a fascinating island, often called the "The Pearl of the Indian Ocean." It boasts amazing natural scenery, has abundant natural resources and encompasses great diversity and rich cultural traditions. In particular, the distinctive cultural heritage of the Dutch era (1658-1796) stands out. It evolved from the interaction and exchange between the Sri Lankan and Dutch cultures respectively. This had an impact on a wide range of fields such as culture, religion, economics and politics, resulting in influences on both the tangible and intangible heritage of Sri Lanka. Although Great Britain's influence is the most prominent, having been the last colonizer.



There are many similarities between Korea and Sri Lanka. Both countries have a distinctly Asian cultural identity in terms of culture, history and customs. Both countries exercise great respect for parents, elders and seniors and show warm hospitality towards visitors, presenting gifts as tokens of friendship.



Between the 13th to 15th centuries, there were Buddhist cultural exchanges between the two countries which have been maintained and continue to flourish. In the modern era, Korean Buddhists including the main Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, highly respected Sri Lanka as a cradle of Theravada tradition. Buddhism is generally classified into two major traditions: Theravada and Mahayana. They share Buddhism's essential teachings.



Each year, a considerable number of Korean Buddhist monks and scholars journey to Sri Lanka to devote themselves to Buddhist studies. Reciprocally, many Sri Lankan Buddhist monks live in Korea and adhere to Korean Buddhism and its culture. I was deeply impressed during a recent visit to a temple in Gyeongju by monks who wear exotic orange garments and expose part of their shoulders. They spoke Korean fluently and displayed erudite knowledge of Korean Buddhist culture.



Remarkably, both the cities of Kandy in Sri Lanka and Gyeongju in Korea are inscribed in UNESCO's World Heritage List. Kandy is a sacred Buddhist site and was the capital of the Sinhala monarchs, thanks to which the rich Dinahala culture flourished for thousands of years. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Glorious Tooth Temple) in Kandy is one of the most sacred places of Buddhism and it attracts many visitors for pilgrimage.



Gyeongju is the ancient capital of the Silla dynasty and it features a remarkable Korean Buddhist cultural heritage from the 7th through 10th centuries. A sister city partnership between Kandy and Gyeongju was established in 2018, which aims at fostering cultural relations between the two cities.



It is encouraging that many Korean Buddhist organizations participate in social welfare activities that benefit the people of Sri Lanka. Notably, thanks to the extraordinary efforts of Jeong Heon-dae, chairman of the Korea-Sri Lanka Buddhist Association in Gyeongju, substantial financial assistance and medical units were provided to the National Hospital of Kandy by Gyeongju City for treating patients of COVID-19 in August 2021.



These exchanges of people between Korea and Sri Lanka strengthen the longstanding mutual ties between the two countries.



And, of course, Sri Lanka is the country of Ceylon tea. I have loved the unique flavor of it ever since a Sri Lankan colleague offered it to me. As I inhale the wonderful aroma I find myself transported to the enchantment of this tea country, its mystique and romance. At that time a vision of a bright future comes to mind.





Choe Chong-dae (choecd@naver.com) is a guest columnist of The Korea Times. He is president of Dae-kwang International Co., and Director of the Korean-Swedish Association.




Korea must admit role in wartime atrocities



The Vietnam War has been a thorn in Korea's side for a long time.



It was Korea's first war of aggression in recent times, or throughout history, albeit as a helper for the United States.



Nearly six decades have passed, but controversy remains over Korea's role in the military conflict in the "faraway foreign land," as the media described the Southeast Asian country back then. Most controversial were some reported mass killings of civilians by Korean soldiers.



Against this backdrop, the Seoul Central District Court on Tuesday ruled in favor of a Vietnamese woman seeking compensation from the Korean government. Nguyen Thi Thanh claimed she lost five family members when Korean marines killed 74 civilians in the village of Phong Nhi in Vietnam's Quang Nam Province in 1968.



The court acknowledged most of the plaintiff's claims. It marked the first time the Korean judiciary branch acknowledged the state's liability to compensate civilian victims of mass killings during the war.



It was a courageous historical confession and a big step for a country that respects human rights. The court rejected a government legal body's defense, claiming these were "collateral damage" of a guerilla war in the jungle. However, the court judged it as "clearly illegal" based on the testimonies of conscientious soldiers who participated in the operation and the plaintiff's eyewitness account.



Even more significantly, the court repudiated the defendant's argument that compensation claims have become extinct due to the government's agreement. "It is hard to think such an agreement has legal force keeping a Vietnamese individual from filing claims against the Korean government," it said, recognizing the rights of individuals regardless of governmental accords. The ruling also rejected claims of the statute of limitations, recognizing the fact that the plaintiff had to lodge a complaint decades later.



All this came in stark contrast to the Japanese judiciary branch's decision dealing with a similar situation. All Japanese courts turned down the claims of former sex slaves and forced laborers, citing the 1965 Basic Agreement between Korea and Japan. Now, Koreans can feel more justified in making similar demands toward Washington regarding the U.S. troops' actions during the Korean War. Most infamous was the Ro Gun Ri massacre that killed hundreds of innocent people. The AP won the Pulitzer Prize for shedding light on that tragedy.



The Defense Ministry seems set to appeal the case. The government is also reportedly seeking ways to minimize similar claims from Vietnamese individuals in the future. We hope they won't. Yes, many Korean soldiers were killed and wounded in Vietnam due to the government's policy. Some still suffer from aftereffects, including side effects of the defoliant Agent Orange. However, killing unarmed civilians, including women and children, is a war crime that is unjustifiable under any circumstance. The executive branch must admit what it must admit  and apologize and compensate.



The legislative branch also has work to do; enact a temporary special law on compensating the Vietnamese victims of mass killings. That will save efforts to deal with separate suits expected to follow.



President Yoon Suk Yeol did well by sending a large-scale rescue and relief mission to Turkey, hit by a disastrous earthquake this week. "We must repay what our ally forged in blood did here to repel the communists' invasion alongside us 70 years ago," the president said. It would have been even better if he had not attached the remark because there should be no conditions for humanitarian aid.



Conservative presidents have been reluctant to express regrets about the Vietnam War. Yoon must be different. Korea marked the largest trade surplus with Vietnam last year. The Southeast Asian country has become closer to Korea thanks partly to many migrant workers and wives, emerging as a key regional player. Last December, Yoon and Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc agreed to upgrade the bilateral relationship to a "comprehensive strategic partnership."



Korea can move one step further only when it is ready to look squarely at its own past.




By Kim Hyun-bin



Major retailers are eager to grow their wine businesses by purchasing overseas wineries, gaining price competitiveness and expanding overseas distribution networks, according to industry officials, Wednesday.



According to Euromonitor, the size of the domestic wine market is estimated to have grown by 50 percent compared to 2020 to 1.5 trillion won ($1.19 billion) in 2021, and to 2 trillion won last year.



Following Shinsegae Group's acquisition of a U.S. winery, Lotte is seeking to expand its winery business.



Lotte Chilsung Beverage announced with its fourth-quarter IR data that the company is considering acquiring domestic and foreign wineries this year. Lotte has the longest history of wine among local retail companies owning Majuang, a Korean wine brand with a 45-year history.



Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin



"We are reviewing good properties at home and abroad, but it is impossible to know when they will be confirmed," a Lotte Group official said.



In 2016, Lotte Chairman Shin Dong-bin launched Majuang Signature Korea Premium made from 100 percent domestic grapes.



Lotte, which started to expand its wine business, opened a large wine shop, Bottle Bunker in Seoul in 2021. Last year it opened the second and third branches in Changwon and Gwangju, respectively.



If Lotte succeeds in acquiring a winery in the future, Lotte's wine business is expected to expand rapidly, as Lotte owns marts, department stores, duty-free shops, and five-star hotels not only in Korea but also abroad.



In the case of Shinsegae Group, it established Shinsegae L&B, a wine import and distribution company in 2008 and jumped into the wine business early, rising to the number one position in the domestic wine market. In 2021, Shinsegae took over Shaper Vineyard, an American winery.



Shinsegae Vice Chairman Chung Yong-jin
A UK/US campaign to tackle international cybercrime has seen Seven Russian cybercriminals linked to a notorious ransomware group exposed and sanctioned. The sanctions were announced today by the UKs Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) alongside the US Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). This follows a lengthy investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA) into the crime group behind Trickbot malware, as well as the Conti and RYUK ransomware strains, among others, a NCA posting read.

The group has been behind some of the most damaging ransomware attacks in recent years. The NCA assessed that the group was responsible for extorting at least 27 million from 149 UK victims, while US Department of the Treasury press release cited malicious cyber activities targeting critical infrastructure including hospitals and medical facilities in the US. The UKs Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) also published new public guidance that sets out the implications of these new sanctions in ransomware cases.

Ransomware actors subject to travel bans, asset freezes

The seven cybercriminals are now subject to travel bans and asset freezes, and are severely restricted in their use of the global financial system, the NCA stated. Those designated today are:

Vitaliy Kovalev (aka Ben or Bentley)

Valery Sedletski (aka Strix)

Valentin Karyagin (aka Globus)

Maksim Mikhailov (aka Baget)

Dmitry Pleshevskiy (aka Iseldor)

Mikhail Iskritskiy (aka Tropa)

Ivan Vakhromeyev (aka Mushroom)

Russia is a haven for cybercriminals, where groups such as Trickbot freely perpetrate malicious cyber activities against the US, the UK, and allies and partners, stated the US Department of the Treasury. Current members of the Trickbot group are associated with Russian intelligence services, it added.

Sanctions significant in disrupting international cybercrime

The sanctions are the first of their kind for the UK and signal the continuing campaign targeting those responsible for some of the most sophisticated and damaging ransomware that has impacted the UK and our allies, said NCA director general Graeme Biggar. This is an excellent example of the dedication and expertise of the NCA team who have worked closely with partners on this complex investigation.

Under secretary Brian E. Nelson added that cybercriminals, particularly those based in Russia, seek to attack critical infrastructure, target US businesses, and exploit the international financial system. The US is taking action today in partnership with the UK because international cooperation is key to addressing Russian cybercrime.

Ciaran Martin, former CEO of the UKs National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) echoed similar sentiments on Twitter. This UK anti-ransomware operation is excellent, welcome and genuinely innovative -- the first time, to my knowledge that a UK attribution has been accompanied by formal legal sanctions and individual attribution.

UK strongly condones paying ransoms, advocates cyber resilience against attacks

In recognition of the sanctions, the OFSI updated its public guidance for responding to ransomware incidents. The update makes clear the UKs stance on not paying ransom demands, instead advocating cyber resilience to prevent and mitigate against ransomware attacks. Ransomware payments to criminal actors perpetuate the threat and sustain the criminal marketplace, it read. The payment of a ransom does not guarantee a victim will regain access to their data or computer and increases the likelihood they will be targeted in the future. Making funds available to cybercriminals by paying ransoms, including in crypto assets, is therefore prohibited, it stated.
Its that time of year again when many of your favorite security professionals and vendors roll out their predictions for the coming year. Although not all of us have clairvoyant abilities, seasoned pros can spot a trend early and inform the rest of us before were caught off guard. Because adversaries continually adapt and change, security practitioners must also adapt their thinking, understanding, and defenses to combat innovation by using tools such as threat intelligence, threat hunting, and proactive suppression. In this spirit, we have identified a few trends to look out for before its too late.

Geopolitical unrest

Although distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks have steadily increased over the past 20 years, recent data firmly establishes the reality that network operators need to understand, prepare for, and expect attacks related to politics, religion, and ideology. Nation-state actors often directly target internet infrastructure to take out critical communications, e-commerce, and other vital infrastructure dependent on internet connectivity. This, of course, means targeting internet service provider (ISP) networks to hobble internet connectivity.

Further, nation-states typically have vastly more resources at their disposal than other malicious actors. They constantly innovate and explore new and more powerful DDoS attack vectors, evidenced by the creation of new ones every year. As DDoS defenses become more precise and effective, attackers continue to find ways to bypass those defenses with new DDoS attack vectors and methodologies. These advanced techniques invariably find their way into the hands of criminal gangs and even individual hackers, who turn them against any entity from whom they can profit.

Machine learning and artificial intelligence

With ever-increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) for cybersecurity and other purposes, AI and ML continue to advance and improve. You can look at resources such as Quillbot and ChatGPT, among others, to see how far AI has come in recent months and years. AI and ML technologies for threat hunting will continue to improve this year and become more integrated into threat-hunting tools.

Direct-path DDoS attacks

Direct flooding and application-layer DDoS attacks are becoming more popular as anti-spoofing efforts increase globally, making it more difficult for spoofed packets to travel across the internet. Everything old is new again as this methodology returns from the past, back before reflection/amplification attacks dominated the landscape. Enhanced for the modern network, these attacks now come from much more powerful sources, such as cloud-based infrastructure with massive compute and bandwidth resources. Further, adversaries are compromising hosts much closer to the target, thus avoiding many layers of transit, potential discovery, and mitigation. Beware the enemy within.

Outbound and cross-bound DDoS attacks

Speaking of the enemy within, DDoS attack traffic is increasingly originating from within the same network it is targeting, thus avoiding ingress and transit points. DDoS defenses traditionally have been focused on protecting internet properties and networks by implementing detection and mitigation technologies at points of convergence for inbound network traffic. This approach worked well to protect targeted organizations and networks from inbound DDoS attacks; however, outbound and cross-bound DDoS attacks can be just as devastating and disruptive as inbound attacks. Because of adversary innovation and adaption, defenders must change their way of thinking and, in turn, adapt to the current threat landscape.

Cloud computing

The growth of cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT) continues. Cloud computing has been around for many years, but more and more companies are using it for production workloads as opposed to simply using them for prototyping. These production workloads require both performance and security monitoring to ensure that data is not stolen or modified in the cloud. Attacks on resources in the cloud continue to increase, and security monitoring of these resources will become more important.

Adaptive DDoS

In an adaptive DDoS attack, adversaries perform extensive pre-attack reconnaissance to identify specific elements of the service delivery chain to target. Increasingly, they are making use of botnet nodes and reflectors/amplifiers that are closer to the target, a phenomenon recently observed with botnets attacking Ukraine. This minimizes the number of boundaries DDoS attack traffic must traverse, often resulting in fewer opportunities to detect and mitigate the attack. The combination of increased available bandwidth and throughput increased populations of abusable devices, and adaptive DDoS attack techniques magnifies the threat to network operators. As such, network operators should move from a default posture of DDoS mitigation to a new posture of DDoS suppression.

Ransomware

Ransomware attacks have been a major threat to businesses and individuals in recent years, and these types of attacks will continue to evolve and become more sophisticated in 2023. One trend that will continue to evolve is the use of ransomware attacks in combination with other attacks, such as supply chain attacks.

It is also likely that attackers will continue to target specific industries or types of organizations with ransomware attacks, specifically to maximize their profits. For example, hospitals and other healthcare organizations have been particularly vulnerable to ransomware attacks in the past because, with lives at stake, they may be more willing to pay a ransom to regain access to critical systems and data.

Another ransomware trend that will continue in 2023 is the use of triple extortion attacks. These campaigns begin by infiltrating a network and stealing valuable assets, such as trade secrets, source codes, credit cards, authentication credentials, and other personally identifiable information (PII). In phase two, ransomware is planted to encrypt valuable data or even entire storage systems. At this point, cybercriminals will demand a ransom in exchange for decryption keys. If defenders refuse to pay, perhaps because they were able to simply restore good backups, the threat actor also threatens to release sensitive data publicly if the ransom is not met.

This form of attack has been around for several years and can add additional pressure to the victim because the potential consequences of the data being released to the public can be severe. While the first two actions can be invisible to the public, the third phase cannot escape publicity. Finally, a DDoS attack or even the threat of such turns the pressure up to the max. If the ransom is not paid, DDoS can take down an organizations internet presence, thus exposing the entirety of the security threat and failure to protect valuable assets.

DDoS suppression

By implementing adaptive DDoS defenses at all edges of their networks, including directly within peering and customer aggregation points of presence (PoPs), network operators can suppress DDoS attack traffic as it ingresses at multiple points across the entire network edge  or before it ever converges into a large-scale attack. By implementing edge-based attack detection, intelligent DDoS mitigation, and network infrastructure-based mitigation techniques at all network ingress points, operators can implement adaptive DDoS suppression systems that scale to counter DDoS attack capacity and adversary innovation.

Threat detection and response

Endpoint/network detection and response (EDR/NDR) technologies continue to evolve, integrate, and merge into what many now call extended detection and response (XDR).

Although EDR is a well-known and valuable tool, it does have some shortcomings. In part due to its maturity in the market, threat actors have developed multiple ways to avoid EDR protections. Polymorphism, file-less malware, stealth exfiltration via trusted protocols, and other modern techniques present a challenge for EDR. Further, the attack surface has increased exponentially with IoT, software as a service (SaaS), bring your own device (BYOD), serverless applications, fifth-generation wireless (5G), and more.

To fill the gaps, most organizations are turning to NDR because everything eventually must traverse the network, leaving threats with fewer hiding places. It is not practical to install EDR on every connected device (think IoT), but those devices all require a network connection, and therefore the network is the most logical place for detection and response. Packet manipulation is far more difficult to implement usefully, and even encryption is a challenge we can overcome at the network level. NDR is also more scalable because it can be placed strategically for maximum visibility. Analysis of network packet-derived metadata is extremely fast and makes it easy to conduct initial investigations. Packets can expose all activity, including what data was exfiltrated.

Conclusion

The threat landscape is ever-changing, so it behooves us to be aware of the trends. As any hunter knows, you must aim in front of a moving target. While we do not claim to have an infallible silica orb, we do have insights to share. We hope you find these helpful as you plan and prepare for the coming year.

NETSCOUT is a leader in protecting the internet from malicious and unintended DDoS attacks, and all our solutions can address this today. Check out NETSCOUTs Arbor DDoS solutions for more details.

To learn more about how NETSCOUTs Arbor DDoS solutions can protect your organization, reach out to your local account team or contact us.
Feature: Laos looking forward to return of Chinese tourists

Xinhua) 14:17, February 09, 2023

VIENTIANE, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Laos is looking forward to welcoming back Chinese tourists after China optimized its COVID-19 response.

The Lao government and private sectors are preparing for the arrival of Chinese tourists after it was listed among countries greenlit by the Chinese government for outbound group tours.

"We are working in partnership with travel agencies, hotels and other tourism-related businesses to improve facilities and services in readiness for the return of Chinese tour groups," Darany Phommavongsa, director general of the Tourism Management Department of the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, told the media last Friday.

"We held a meeting with private companies to discuss ways to improve facilities and design activities to entice more Chinese visitors to Laos," he added.

President of Inthira Group Inthy Deuansavanh, who has been in the hospitality sector for almost 25 years, told Xinhua on Tuesday that tourism in Laos was severely damaged by the COVID-19 pandemic due to the absence of foreign tourists.

Since China resumed outbound group travel to countries including Laos, Inthy believed that it will bring a large number of Chinese visitors to Laos.

"We are waiting to welcome Chinese visitors again. And I believe that traveling to Laos will be more convenient because of the operation of the Laos-China Railway," he noted.

"The local tourism businesses need to get ready to attract and welcome back inbound tourists. One of the most important things is that we need to promote our outstanding tourist attractions, especially nature-based tourism, to reach our target customers as much as possible."

Inthy said tourism-related businesses must improve their services and make sure that customers can easily get access to their products.

"We opened a new department recently with Chinese-speaking staff. It aims to provide the best service to the Chinese visitors and try to reach the Chinese market increasingly," he said.

He strongly believes that China's resumption of outbound group tours after the optimization of its COVID-19 response will be a strong boost to revitalize Laos' economy and tourism.

"Anyone who wants to explore rich natural resources and biodiversity will never get disappointed when traveling to Laos," Inthy said, adding that Laos is also a fascinating destination for anyone seeking cultural immersion and outstanding eco-tourism.

In October 2021, the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism launched the Lao Tourism Recovery Roadmap for 2021-2025, which aims to support the recovery of the tourism sector in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.

One of the three main policy options in the roadmap is the greening of tourism for environmental friendliness and better long-term recovery.

With its rich natural resources and biodiversity, Laos can offer an opportunity to promote nature-based tourism for sustainable and inclusive growth which will lead to green jobs and livelihood opportunities, thereby attaining green recovery and green growth.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Somphet Maopaseuth, president of Forestry Area Conservation Ecological Tourism, endeavored to transform challenges into opportunities.

"During our temporary close, we had a chance to restore ecosystems, train our staff and improve our service standard to another level. Therefore, we are more than ready to welcome back an influx of visitors," he said.

Somphet advised tourism-related businesses to focus on ensuring the safety of tourists, training staff and upgrading their services to meet international standards.

He pointed out that the Laos-China Railway is a great advantage for Laos because it facilitates tourist travel, adding that the return of Chinese tourists will bring a lot of opportunities, as China is one of the world's largest outbound tourism markets.

"I am very pleased to welcome back Chinese tourists. Their presence is vital to the country's tourism and economic growth," Somphet said.

The Lao government considers tourism as its top priority in revitalizing the economy.

"We need to improve facilities so we can accommodate more tourists this year and ensure that tourism makes a strong contribution to economic growth," said Lao Deputy Prime Minister Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune during a meeting held by the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism in January.

Kikeo stressed that tourism-related businesses must improve their services and tourist attractions, as well as diversify tourism products and activities in response to travelers' needs and expectations.

The government hopes to attract 1.4 million visitors in 2023, which is expected to generate more than 340 million U.S. dollars.

Pavina Phouminh, a receptionist at Landmark Hotel, a top-ranking hotel in Vientiane, told Xinhua on Tuesday that the hotel is all prepared with added facilities, amenities, and products to welcome the return of tourists from China.

"We have a lot of Chinese-speaking staff here. We are ready to provide all travelers with the best service. We are 100 percent ready! And we are looking forward to the mass return of Chinese travelers," she said.

Viengxay Phasith, a 56-year-old van driver from Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge to the city, told Xinhua on Tuesday, "I was badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic because most of my clients are foreign travelers. The return of Chinese tourists gives me hope to get more income."

"Welcome to Laos! Laos has a lot of beautiful places to visit. Please come and see for yourself. We are ready to give you the best service!"

Tourism experts predict that millions of Chinese tourists will visit ASEAN countries and many of them will travel on the China-Laos Railway, which runs from Kunming, the capital of southwest China's Yunnan province, to Vientiane.

Meanwhile, Lao Airlines plans to operate more flights in response to the expected influx of Chinese visitors. The airline currently operates three flights a week from the Lao capital Vientiane to China's Kunming.

It is set to launch additional flights from Vientiane to the Chinese cities of Guangzhou, Shanghai, Chengdu, Changzhou, and Hangzhou. The airline also mulls increasing flights from the northern Luang Prabang province and the southern Champasak province to China.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)




LIG Nex1 head of overseas business division Lee Hyeon-soo, front left, and Florentina Micu, president of ROMARM, front right, sign an MOU to enhance anti-aircraft cooperation at Romania's economy and industry ministry in Bucharest, Thursday. Courtesy of LIG Nex1
Ku Hyeon-mo, CEO of KT, speaks during the company's New Year's ceremony at its office in Songpa-gu, Seoul, Jan. 2. Courtesy of KT



By Baek Byung-yeul



KT will change its CEO selection process with an open primary system, after the telecommunications company became embroiled in controversy over its board members' decision to reappoint the incumbent CEO Ku Hyeon-mo, according to the company, Thursday.



The company's board members held a meeting and decided to screen the candidates for the next CEO again in an open primary system.



Previously in December, the board members announced their recommendation of Ku as the final and sole candidate to lead the company for the next three years, but the National Pension Service (NPS), a major shareholder with a 9.99 percent stake, opposed the decision on the grounds of fairness in the selection process.



"To meet the direction of improving the governance structure, demanded by major stakeholders, CEO Ku expressed his intention to compete openly again without insisting on the right to be the next CEO," the company said is a statement. "The board members decided to overhaul the CEO appointment process after in-depth discussions."



The company will recruit CEO candidates from Friday to Feb. 20. Qualified applicants will have abundant knowledge and experience in management and the economy and have successful experience in corporate management, KT said.



To improve transparency in the selection process, the company will form an advisory group comprised of industry experts in economic, leadership, investment, law and insights of future prospects of industries.



After being approved by the board last December, Ku was only required to receive approval at the company's shareholders' meeting in March to serve his next three-year term.



However, the NPS has publicly raised questions on the procedure and opposed Ku's second term.



"It (the procedure) did not meet the basic principle of the primary that the decision on the CEO candidate should be made in accordance with transparent and fair procedures," Seo Won-joo, chief investment officer, said in December.



KT's move to revamp the appointment process can be interpreted as taking into consideration political concerns, even though it has been over 20 years since it was privatized in 2002.



Meanwhile, the country's No. 2 mobile carrier announced its 2022 fourth-quarter earnings on the same day. It said its operating profit was 1.69 trillion won ($1.34 billion), up 1.1 percent year-on-year, proving that it has successfully transformed as a digital platform company providing cloud computing and digital media services.


China-ASEAN Relations, Singapore Dollar, Indonesian Rupiah, Malaysian Ringgit, Philippine Peso  Talking Points

How do changes in Chinese growth impact ASEAN FX: SGD, IDR, MYR, PHP?

How did the trade war and coronavirus impact the China-ASEAN relationship?

How the relationship between China & ASEAN fits into theCore-Perimeter model

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The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, also known as ASEAN, orbits the worlds second-largest economy  China. The bloc is aimed at helping to promote economic growth in participating countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore. Using the Core-Perimeter model, China functions as the economic powerhouse (core) which ASEAN states strongly rely on as a source of their growth (perimeter).

The Relationship Between China and ASEAN (SGD, IDR, MYR, PHP)

On average in 2018, China accounted for one third of total trade in ASEAN nations, when looking at their top five trading partners. Chinas economy has been maturing and gradually shifting away from exportsand towards consumption as the primary source of economic growth. This makes the East Asian giant relativelyless sensitive to external shocks than its ASEAN neighbors.

Significance of ASEAN Trade With China

During the 2008 financial crisis, market mood substantially deteriorated along with the baseline outlook for growth. Chinas year-on-year GDP fell from its 2007 high at 14 percent down to around 6 percent in 2009. Over the course of the recession, ASEAN currencies plummeted as capital rushed out of the perimeter amid signs of weaker growth from the core, the source of the regional blocs economic vitality.

Recommended by Dimitri Zabelin Traits of Successful Traders Get My Guide

This is because those perimeter economies (ASEAN) are more at risk of experiencing external shocks that undermine their growth trajectory than the core (China) due to their cycle-sensitive nature. The latters economy has been slowly shifting towards a consumer-based economy, which gives it more insulation to external shocks than outward-facing economies like those in ASEAN.

As Chinese growth began to show signs of stabilization, the prospect of that positive economic reverberation echoing out into its ASEAN neighbors precipitated a rush of capital flowing into the blocs assets. TheSingapore Dollar, Indonesian Rupiah, Malaysian Ringgit, Philippine Peso all rose with other growth-oriented instruments as signs of optimism from the core gave a flicker of hope for an economic recovery in the perimeter.

The China-ASEAN dynamic has another layer of complexity to it when considering how the Yuan performed relative to its Asian neighbors. An assortment of unique circumstances has produced examples where price action deviates from the patterns implied in the Core-Perimeter model. A look at how these dynamics manifested during the 2008 financial crisis, the US-China trade war and the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 can help investors navigate similar scenarios and be prepared for instances when the assumptions of the Core-Perimeter framework are best set aside.

Key Takeaways on the China-ASEAN Relationship

The Core-Perimeter model shows that during times of uncertainty, capital typically flows from the perimeter economies (ASEAN) into the core (China)

Conversely, when risk appetite is high, capital flows into perimeter (ASEAN) economies, subsequently strengthening their respective currencies

ASEAN countries are export-oriented, making them more vulnerable to economic shocks versus China which is shifting to a model based more on internal dynamics. This helps to insulate them from external economic disruptions

-- Written by Daniel Dubrovsky, Currency Analyst for DailyFX.com

To contact Daniel, use the comments section below or @ddubrovskyFX on Twitter
WTI PRICE, CHARTS and ANALYSIS:

WTI Price Action Hints at Further Upside Over the Medium Term.

Inventory Buildup and Production Output in the US Hit Fresh Highs.

Optimism on Chinese Demand Gets a Boost Following Fitch Upgrades.

To Learn More About Price Action , Chart Patterns and Moving Averages , Check out the DailyFX Education Section .

Recommended by Zain Vawda Get Your Free Oil Forecast Get My Guide

WTI FUNDAMENTAL OUTLOOK

Crude Oil continued its rise in early European trade today after hitting $78.50 a barrel yesterday, a fresh weekly high. The recovery has been swift following a bounce off support at the January low, printing a double bottom pattern.

On Wednesday the US Energy and Information Administration (EIA) announced that weekly crude oil inventory levels have reached their highest since June 2021, while production has reached a high last seen in April 2020. The EIA report indicated 2.42 million barrels in inventories for the week ended February 3, which failed to arrest the upside rally.

Optimism around a demand surge from China received a boost yesterday as Fitch Ratings upgraded its economic growth forecast to 5% in 2023, from a previous figure of 4.1%. Fitch cited the services PMI data for January as well as real GDP for Q4 2022 among other key data points as the reason for the upgrade. However, these are forecasts at the end of the day, we still need to see an actual increase in demand materialize out of China as the property sector remains a stumbling block.

Trade Smarter - Sign up for the DailyFX Newsletter Receive timely and compelling market commentary from the DailyFX team Subscribe to Newsletter

We have had a quiet week on the calendar front thus far with Federal Reserve policymakers driving market sentiment. Later today we do have continuing jobless claims data out of the US which could prop up the US dollar once more and see WTI fall.

For all market-moving economic releases and events, see the DailyFX Calendar

TECHNICAL OUTLOOK

From a technical perspective, WTI has put in a significant rally since printing a double bottom pattern and finding support of the January swing low. It has broken back above the 50-day MA which could now serve as dynamic support as the 100-day MA moving average comes into focus.

Given the speed at which we have pushed higher off support there is a possibility of retracement before we do head higher. Fundamentals are lining up for a push higher, however the recent choppy price action across markets and constant change in sentiment have seen many instruments fail to follow through with any conviction. The question is will WTI follow in a similar vein? Time will tell.

WTI Crude Oil Daily Chart  February 9, 2023

Source: TradingView

IG CLIENT SENTIMENT DATA

IGCS shows retail traders are currently Long on Crude Oil, with 69% of traders currently holding long positions. At DailyFX we typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact that traders are long suggests that Crude Oil prices may fall.

Written by: Zain Vawda, Market Writer for DailyFX.com

Contact and follow Zain on Twitter: @zvawda
Secretary of State Antony Blinken, right, shakes hands with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, Wednesday, Feb. 8, at the State Department in Washington. AP-Yonhap



The United States said Wednesday that suspected Chinese spy balloons like the one it shot down were part of a "fleet" that has spanned five continents, as NATO joined in voicing concern.



Pointing to global ramifications of the incident that has animated the United States, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States was giving data to allies as it assesses the recovered debris.



"We already shared information with dozens of countries around the world, both from Washington and through our embassies," Blinken said.



"We're doing so because the United States was not the only target of this broader program, which has violated the sovereignty of countries across five continents," he told a joint news conference with NATO's visiting chief.



White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, speaking separately to reporters on Air Force One, described the balloons as part of a "fleet" and said they had been spotted around the world for several years.



A huge white balloon carrying sophisticated equipment traversed the continental United States last week before President Joe Biden ordered the military to shoot it down just off the east coast in the Atlantic.



China insists that the balloon was merely conducting weather research, but the Pentagon described it as a high-tech spying operation. The balloon floated at an altitude far higher than most airplanes and crossed directly over at least one sensitive US military site.





In this photo provided by Chad Fish, the remnants of a large balloon drift above the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of South Carolina, with a fighter jet and its contrail seen below it, Feb. 4. AP-Yonhap



'Pattern' by China






Families are something politicians often struggle to talk about  yet they are always there in the background, propping us up, celebrating with us in times of great joy, comforting us in times of need.

They are the common thread in most of our lives and it doesnt matter what the thread looks like, or what form the patchwork takes, as long as it is woven with love.

Put simply, families matter. That is why it is so important to give parents and carers the support they need to give every child the best start in life.

Because all the evidence shows that the first 1,001 days of a babys life are critical in shaping their cognitive, emotional and physical development.

Incredibly, more than a million new neural connections are formed every second in the first year of a childs life.

Families are something politicians often struggle to talk about. Pictured: Andrea Leadsom MP

Strong, supportive families also make for more stable communities and happier individuals.

All the data shows that kids with a safe and secure home environment do better at school. And we all know the long-lasting damage that family breakdown can cause.

This is why we committed to champion family hubs in the 2019 election manifesto.

Seventy-five councils have signed up to create a new network of family hubs and weve backed the programme with over 300million of investment.

Once fully rolled out, thousands of kids and their families will be able to benefit from the support they provide.

The hubs offer a range of services  from help with infant feeding through to strengthening parents relationships with children.

Families can also access antenatal checks and health visitor meetings as well as advice on debt and welfare.

Parents have described the hubs as a lifeline not least because  as many of us will know  having children can bring challenges as well as much joy.

This means that parents need to know where to access the right support when they need it.

But all too often they are forced to navigate a complex web of different support services  frequently long after they need help.

These hubs will change that by bringing the various services together while also providing a friendly place for parents to meet other families.

And they will help parents to form life-long bonds with their babies and children, including by teaching them to chat, play and read.

We know that they will make a real difference but there is always more to do. So today we go even further by announcing 14 new trailblazer local authorities across the country.

Backed by extra funding, these authorities will lead the way in delivering services such as midwifery, health visiting and perinatal mental health.

And they will provide the template for family hubs around the UK so that every parent and carer has access to the support they need right from the start.

So if youre a new mum in need of help to bond with your baby  or a 15-year-old who is struggling with friendships  your local family hub will be there for you.

This is far from the limit of our ambition to support parents and children.

We want to digitise the red book baby health record so that parents and health professionals can better share information and families need to tell their story only once.

And were putting childrens education at the heart of our agenda, including by championing numeracy to make sure no one leaves school without the skills they need to navigate a changing world.

Together we will continue to champion the needs of children and their families.

Although it wont always be front page news, getting it right couldnt be more important.

Thats because successful families are the foundation of a successful society and our future depends on the happiness and wellbeing of the next generation.
Many years ago, when I was a young reporter, I witnessed something that will stay with me for as long as I live.

My five-year stint as a foreign correspondent based in Ukraine had begun in Easter 1990, when the new freedoms of glasnost permitted the Greek Orthodox Catholics in the west of the country to celebrate Christian festivals openly for the first time since World War II.

It was Good Friday, and Lvivs baroque churches were ablaze with warm candles, welcoming rural families carrying wicker baskets of traditional painted eggs.

This devotion, smothered by the Communists for almost half a century, had returned so powerfully  as if awakening from hibernation.

But I was not there to report on the joy of the occasion. I was investigating how Greek Catholic priests were then being sent by the Soviet authorities to the destroyed town of Chernobyl  as punishment for their faith.

'As President Zelenskys visit to Britain this week has reminded us, his country is on the front line between freedom and fear'

Ordered to work on the nuclear clean-up operation following the notorious disaster, the priests were not issued with protective clothing. The deliberate intention was that these men of God would suffer radiation poisoning and develop cancer. Even then, the Kremlins cruelty in Ukraine was all too evident.

And now, as President Zelenskys visit to Britain this week has reminded us, his country is on the front line between freedom and fear.

Putins war is pitting two visions of humanity against each other: openness and democracy versus neo-fascist nostalgia. It is no exaggeration to say that the war this year will help define the 21st century. So how can we ensure that the right side wins?

Yesterday, Zelensky presented the Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle with a helmet signed by one of Kyivs top pilots. He appealed for the UK to supply powerful aircraft. The message on the helmet read: We have freedom, give us wings to protect it. He reiterated calls for fighter jets as well as long-range missiles, adding: We dont have enough ammunition, because everything obviously is running out and coming out of maintenance.

The call is loud and clear.

Anyone who thinks a negotiated end can be brought to this conflict as long as Putin and his apparatchiks rule in the Kremlin is deluded.

The dictator genuinely believes Ukraine is part of Russia, no matter what its people think.

He blames the West, led by the U.S., for the collapse of the Soviet Union and he tells the Russian people the corrupt, amoral West wants to shatter Mother Russia into a mosaic of powerless states.

This is what justifies Putin, in his own eyes, in waging war  not only in the bombing of Ukraine but in relentless campaigns of disinformation and political interference aimed at our democracies.

In this context, Zelenskys visit, his meeting with the King and his address to Parliament, is crucial. He is asking us for more  and we must give him what we wants.

Yes, we should not underestimate the risk of escalation, even up to the use of nuclear weapons.

But from my experience serving in the UKs past four major military campaigns and having completed a PhD in contemporary Russian warfare, I am confident that the least dangerous course of action is to give the Ukrainians the tools to finish the job  as Winston Churchill put it to President Roosevelt in a similar context.

Anything that lengthens this war increases the danger to us all  and will result in even higher casualty rates, especially among our Ukrainian friends.

'Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has offered to provide more training for Ukrainian soldiers. This is all well and good, but we need more of it'

So as well as jets and artillery, we must also offer armoured personnel carriers and fighting vehicles, and preferably more Challenger 2 tanks  of which we have 100.

The long-range missiles must come with guarantees that they will not be used to target Russian territory. Stocks of ammunition should be all but inexhaustible.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has offered to provide more training for Ukrainian soldiers. This is all well and good, but we need more of it. Putin gave us fair warning as far back as 2007 at the Munich security conference council in which he invoked a new Cold War with the West.

READ MORE: Putin threatens 'response' if UK gives planes to Ukraine Advertisement

No  beyond training, the emphasis has to be on immediate and practical aid. That means supplying Zelenskys troops with equipment they can use. There has been some controversy this week over the RAFs Typhoon fighters: Britain is unable to send them to Ukraine without the consent of our German partners.

Although Berlin has stepped up its offerings to the Ukrainians recently, in a wider context, it is engaged in magical thinking. It wants Ukraine to win, but it also does not want Russia to lose.

War guilt has become a convenient excuse for hand-wringing (along with German industrial addiction to Russian gas). I am half German and Im ashamed at Berlins sloping shoulders.

Zelensky has also said that two further things are needed: Ukrainian bravery and British leadership. He is right again.

The world needs swift and targeted solutions that promise to end the war as quickly as possible. Ukrainians are running out of useable jet fighters. Training Ukrainian pilots is a fine thing to do, but  though I understand Zelenskys clamour for them  I fear the UKs Typhoons are not the answer.

The maintenance programme would be intense and the short and rough Ukrainian runways are unsuitable.

Better would be to work with our Swedish friends to offer the Saab Gripen, a fighter jet that can be operated by a pilot and one trained crew member, as well as a small ground support team. Saab wants to sell and Ukraine wants to buy.

Best of all, Gripen are versatile enough for Ukraines military runways and could even land on highways if needed.

'As Putins Russia has gone backwards to authoritarianism and lawlessness, Ukrainians have consciously chosen something better'

Either way, the longer the war continues, the more difficult it will be to defeat Russia. Putin knows that. He believes he has strategic patience over the West and will fight on as we become divided and distracted.

His strategy is three-fold. First, dig in along a defensible line, World War I-style, and then prepare a series of further defensive lines behind that to prevent sudden breakthroughs.

Second, make life hell for ordinary Ukrainians by destroying electricity and water supplies  bombing their country back to the 19th century.

Third, destroy the umbilical cord of financial and military support binding Ukraine and its Western allies.

I saw Russian tactics for myself when I visited southern Ukraine just before Christmas. In Odessa there was no electricity, in Mykolayiv no water and when we (I travelled with Chris Green MP and former Tory deputy chairman Lord Ashcroft) ventured into Kherson, we were forced to pull back as the shelling intensified, the thud and rumble of impact blasts audible every minute.

But Ukrainians will continue to fight. As they like to say: when the Russian army stops fighting, the war will end  but when Ukraine stops fighting, Ukraine will end.

Ukrainians know their society wasnt perfect. But in the past two decades they have made a clear and conscious choice. As Putins Russia has gone backwards to authoritarianism and lawlessness, Ukrainians have consciously chosen something better.

They want their state to be just, open and free. They are right to do so. They are right to defend their nation and their state. And we, without being blind to the dangers, are right to help them.
It has been a key part of the boom in social media over the past 20 years.

Now research has found that liking posts on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and Twitter is crucial to maintaining friendships. A Bath University study showed the emotional buzz of receiving a like on a post left the receiver more disposed to return the favour in future.

Study co-author Dr Kseniya Stsiampkouskaya said: The action of giving a like can be seen as a small building block that supports the friendship and strengthens the bond between two people. This means that social media users engage in social grooming  behaviour aimed at maintaining social structures and relationships. The research covered 200 people from the UK, US and other countries. Their responses to receiving or not receiving likes from close friends and acquaintances were monitored.

Dr Stsiampkouskaya said: Liking between close friends is not about direct reciprocity, it is about the bigger picture  their friendship and connection.

Pictured: Facebook user (file photo). A Bath University study showed the emotional buzz of receiving a like on a post left the receiver more disposed to return the favour in future

Those in the study were allocated into one of four groups  the first two either received or did not receive a like from a close friend, and the second two did or did not receive them from an acquaintance.

The participants  of which 71 per cent were women  then had to choose whether they would like a close friend or acquaintances post, with researchers assessing their emotional reactions.

The research team acknowledged that a relationship was not the only factor in liking a post, with previous studies suggesting it is also dependent on demographic and personality.

But they said it was an important stepping-stone in understanding how users behave online and can help social media platforms engage better with users.

The research covered 200 people from the UK, US and other countries. Their responses to receiving or not receiving likes from close friends and acquaintances were monitored

Dr Stsiampkouskaya, from the Universitys School of Management, said: If you share something on social media, you can expect a like from your close friend even if you missed their previous post.

Liking between close friends is not about direct reciprocity, it is about the bigger picture  their friendship and connection.

For acquaintances, however, the situation is different. Acquaintances do not have the same social obligations towards each other as close friends, so they tend to mirror each others behaviours.

Receiving a like from an acquaintance triggers our norm of reciprocity, so we are more likely to return the kindness and give a like back.

However, if this acquaintance didnt like our previous post, we will probably do the same and just ignore their future posts.
They have become a popular way to find love in the modern world.

But researchers have warned that most people who use dating apps like Tinder, Bumble and Hinge are addicted to them, spending an average of 55 minutes swiping each day.

A study found that 39 per cent check them as soon as they wake in the morning while 48 per cent swipe just before bedtime.

Experts say the apps are having a severe impact on mental health with 70 per cent of singletons feeling anxious or depressed after using them.

Researchers have warned that most people who use dating apps like Tinder, Bumble and Hinge are addicted to them, spending an average of 55 minutes swiping each day.

The research  carried out by dating website eHarmony among 1,000 Britons  also found 44 per cent of users want a casual hook-up while 27 per cent of women use apps to get an ego boost.

The average person has six conversations at the same time, while one in ten has more than 15.

Dr Martin Graff, a psychologist at eHarmony, advised monitoring time spent on the apps and limiting the number of conversations.

Nearly half of singles using the apps (44 per cent) report feeling not good enough for the people they matched with, while 39 per cent have felt unwanted.

Many single people on the apps are intentionally misleading matches with their dating profile, with a fifth confessing to using out of date photos and one in ten having lied about their height or age.

A further one in ten (8 per cent) have even lied about having kids and 5 per cent are simply not single.

Dr Graff said: As technology has become ever more prevalent in our lives were seeing a new type of internet addiction in the form of dating apps - with users often unaware they are addicted to them.

What concerns me is the impact this is having on their mental health.

There are some really simple things you can do when it comes to online dating to manage this better, such as monitoring how much time youre spending on dating apps, when you use them and being mindful of how many people youre speaking to at any one time.
The Prince and Princess of Wales - also titled the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall - have made their first joint official visit to the county since taking on their new roles.

William, 40, and Kate, 41, visited the harbour town of Falmouth on Thursday to learn about the area's heritage at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall before visiting a community centre.

During their visit to the museums workshop, they helped those working on the refurbishment of the Kiwi, a 14-foot sailing dinghy which was presented to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip as a wedding present from the Royal New Zealand Navy.

Looking effortlessly elegant, mother-of-three Kate sported a chestnut brown Hobbs coat she first wore on an official engagement in 2012, teamed with matching knee-high boots and a red outfit underneath. William looked dapper in a navy blazer and coordinating jumper.

The Princess of Wales looked particularly thrilled to see her old prep school teacher Jim Embury - who now volunteers at the museum - and greeted him with a hug.

The Prince and Princess of Wales laugh as they attempt to refurbish a boat during their tour of the National Maritime Museum Cornwall

In November, William made his first official visit to Cornwall since taking on his new title, where he met staff, volunteers and young people at Newquay Orchard, which offers environmental education, employability training and community events.

William became the heir apparent - and known as the Prince of Wales - after the death of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of his father Charles to the throne.

He also inherited the title Duke of Cornwall and is now the Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge. Kate is now known as the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge.

The museum is located in Discovery Quay and is celebrating its 20th birthday this year. It features 15 galleries, a boat-building workshop and interactive exhibits.

Kate and William heard from a group of young people who are taking part in the Young and Talented Cornwall scheme which provides financial support to help young people from across Cornwall fulfill their potential, regardless of their financial means or background.

In total, the fund has given out almost 350,000 to some 275 individuals in the past ten years  supporting future Olympic medal winners, international rugby players, and musicians now playing in major orchestras, among others.

Finally, the duke and duchess watched pupils from a local school taking part in a model boat race before departing the museum.

Kate greeted her old teacher Jim Embury, a volunteer at the National Maritime Museum, with a hug

The Princess of Wales appeared delighted to reconnect with her old teacher

Kate's old teacher was allowed beyond the crowds to speak with the Princess of Wales

The children's Princess! Kate meets a young royal fan outside the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth

The mother-of-three waved at the baby as she was held by her parent at the front of the crowd

The Princess of Wales looked thrilled to meet her young royal fan this afternoon

Kate was all smiles as she spoke with royal fans outside of the Cornwall museum

The Prince of Wales then spoke with the youngster as Kate moved her way along the crowd

The Princess of Wales happily posed for a photo with a group of young fans outside the museum in Cornwall

Kate - who also holds the Duchess of Cornwall title - knelt down to greet another young royal fan

The Prince and Princess of Wales being shown pictures as they meet local people working in the boat building workshop

The Duchess of Cornwall, 41, laughs as she helps to refurbish a boat during the museum visit

Kate and William helped a team refurbishing the Kiwi, a 14-foot sailing dinghy which was presented to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip as a wedding present from the Royal New Zealand Navy.

The Princess of Wales gave her former prep school teacher a warm hug during her walkabout in Cornwall today

Looking effortlessly elegant, mother-of-three Kate sported a chestnut brown Hobbs coat she first debuted in 2012 for the outing, teamed with matching knee-high boots

One little girl wore a tiara when talking to the Princess of Wales this afternoon in Cornwall

The Princess of Wales, known as the Duchess of Cornwall while in Cornwall, with school children as they take part in a model boat race during a visit to the National Maritime Museum Cornwall in Falmouth

The Duchess of Cornwall smiles with local school children as they take part in a model boat race during the tour of the National Maritime Museum Cornwall

Showing the royal couple how it's done! Kate and William are shown how to refurbish a boat by the local people working on it at the museum

Kate and William try their hand at refurbishing a boat during their tour of the museum

The Duchess and Duke of Cornwall laugh as they take part in a model boat race

The Prince and Princess of Wales - also titled the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall - have made their first joint official visit to the county since taking on their new roles

The Prince and Princess of Wales speak with well-wishers ahead of their tour of the National Maritime Museum Cornwall

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall during a walkabout together in the county today

William, 40, and Kate, 41, visited the harbour town of Falmouth on Thursday to learn about the area's maritime heritage at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall before visiting a community centre

In November, William (pictured right) made his first official visit to Cornwall since taking on the Duke title, where he met staff, volunteers and young people at Newquay Orchard, which offers environmental education, employability training and community events

On their walkabout: Kate and William speak with well-wishers ahead of their tour of the National Maritime Museum Cornwall

One person meeting the Princess of Wales curtseyed on the royal couple's arrival

William looked dapper in a navy blazer and coordinating jumper when joining Kate in Cornwall

Adding a touch of glitz to her look, mother-of-three Kate opted for a pair of dainty earrings

Kate (pictured) is now known as the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge

Beaming: The Princess of Wales was all smiles as she arrived in Falmouth alongside William

For their second engagement of the day, the Prince and Princess of Wales visited The Dracaena Centre to learn about the wide variety of support and services that the organisation provides to local people, with a mission of building a healthy, happy and mutually supportive society.

Located between Falmouth and Penryn, the centre serves both towns and the surrounding rural area. It has been in operation since 2008 and supports around 10,000 people a year.

Through services including family and youth support, childrens activities, legal advice, sports and fitness and community food programmes, the centre aims to empower individuals, promote equal opportunity and build a stronger community.

During their visit, Kate and William spent time in a session for local mothers and their young children, hearing from them about how The Dracaena Centre has supported them as parents and promoted their childrens development through play and creativity.

The royal couple then chatted to representatives from St Petrocs, an independent charity working with individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Cornwall.

The organisation provides services including outreach, housing advice, emergency accommodation, counselling and training with the aim of supporting its clients to find a permanent route out of homelessness.

Finally, Kate and William visited the NHS Wellbeing Hub hosted in the centre and heard how they are providing community based mental health and wellbeing support across the local area.

Yesterday, the Princess of Wales visited a college in Derby alongside Captain Preet Chandi MBE to celebrate the Army officer's return from her solo expedition across Antarctica.

The Princess of Wales - dressed in a matching vibrant top and skirt - visits the Dracaena Centre in Falmouth

Kate during a visit to the Dracaena Centre in Cornwall, to learn about the wide variety of support and services that the organisation provides to local people, with a mission of building a healthy, happy and mutually supportive society

Happy: The Prince and Princess of Wales were all smiles as they attended the Dracaena Centre

The Princess of Wales chatted to members of the public at the Dracaena Centre in Cornwall

Located between Falmouth and Penryn, the Dracaena Centre serves both towns and the surrounding rural area. It has been in operation since 2008 and supports around 10,000 people a year. Pictured, Kate

During their visit, Kate and William spent time in a session for local mothers and their young children, hearing from them about how The Dracaena Centre has supported them as parents and promoted their childrens development through play and creativity

The Prince and Princess of Wales play table tennis during a visit to the Dracaena Centre

Finally, Kate (pictured) and William visited the NHS Wellbeing Hub hosted in the centre and heard how they are providing community based mental health and wellbeing support across the local area

Kate was patron of Capt Chandi's expedition, where she broke the world record for the furthest unsupported solo polar ski expedition in history after covering 922 miles in 70 days and 16 hours.

Looking typically stylish, the royal mother-of-three opted for a white 69.99, double-breasted blazer from Zara for the engagement. Kate debuted a now favoured red version of the jacket in 2020.

The visit to Landau Forte College in Capt Chandi's hometown kicks off the Army officer's UK-wide tour of schools, during which she will share her story with the next generation.

During the outing, Capt Chandi, dubbed 'Polar Preet', made a speech to students about her expedition and was joined by Kate in presenting an award to Simrat Soggi, one of the winners of the officer's national school logo competition.

The princess joined students as they took part in some activities which bring to life the expedition and how Capt Chandi prepared for it, including some examples of how she trained and the types of food she consumed.

Kate sported a red ensemble underneath her statement coat, which was cinched at the waist with a dainty brown belt

The royal couple arrive at The National Maritime Museum where they will learn about the rich maritime heritage of Cornwall

Kate (pictured) and William heard from a group of young people who are taking part in the Young and Talented Cornwall scheme which provides financial support to help young people from across Cornwall fulfil their potential, regardless of their financial means or background

The Princess of Wales added a smattering of glamorous makeup to her features for the outing

Finally, the Duke and Duchess watched pupils from a local school taking part in a model boat race before departing the museum

At the museum, the royal couple (pictured) will learn about the rich maritime heritage of Cornwall

Kate is known to be a fan of recycling outfits, and today wore a coat she first debuted in 2012

All smiles! A beaming Kate appeared in great spirits as she attended today's engagements

Stylish: The Princess of Wales's statement coat featured elegant pockets and a dainty belt

While at the school, Kate attempted to pull two tyres attached to a harness, which weighed 44lb (20kg) each, and which Capt Chandi pulled along Derby's roads during her three-year training period to simulate the weight of her sledge.

Kate admitted: 'I need to do some training,' when trying to pull the tyres.

Finally, Capt Chandi and Kate chatted to a group of Year 11 and Year 13 students about building resilience and mental wellbeing in all aspects of life.

Speaking to pupils, Kate said: '(Capt Chandi) has been a huge inspiration to me and it's been great to see her journey and what she has been able to achieve in the year she has been working towards this incredible goal.

'I really hope it inspires you all to believe in yourself, to push boundaries and to really work on your own resilience because there are such strong messages that really help support your emotional and mental wellbeing.'
Prince William is the 'most upset' by his brother's memoir, while King Charles 'would like to have Prince Harry back in the family', according to a source close to the Royal Household.

The insider told PEOPLE: 'William is the one who is most upset and needs time to calm down. He has been painted as hotheaded and unsympathetic.'

They added that it's unlikely the father-of-three, 40, 'will back down' following the Duke of Sussex's attacks on the British Royal Family in his book Spare, which was released last month.

However, Charles, 74, is said to be keen for the situation to 'calm down' before his coronation on May 6, with the source saying: 'He would like to have Harry back in the family.

'If they don't sort it out, it will always be part of the King's reign and how he has left his family disjointed. He has had a reputation as a distant parent, and it would be awful for him for that to continue,' they added.

Prince William (pictured with Harry in July 2021) is the 'most upset' by his brother's memoir, while King Charles 'would like to have Prince Harry back in the family', according to a source close to the Royal Household

Last month it was revealed by the Mail On Sunday that the King has asked the Archbishop of Canterbury to broker a deal to allow Harry to attend his Coronation  but has met resistance from William

Charles wants Justin Welby to strike an agreement with his warring sons that would allow Harry and his wife Meghan to attend the Westminster Abbey ceremony in May, senior sources close to Lambeth Palace said.

Speculation has been rife about whether the Sussexes would attend the high-profile event since they stepped away from royal duties  and especially since the publication of Harry's tell-all memoir, Spare, that contained a string of wounding attacks on senior members of the Royal Family.

The King is said to believe that Harry and Meghan's absence at the coronation would be a greater distraction than their presence, so is prepared to make concessions to persuade them to attend.

But William is understood to be concerned that his brother will use the event to stage a 'stunt' that would overshadow the event.

Both Lambeth Palace and Buckingham Palace declined to comment at the time.

Mr Welby, who will officiate at the ceremony at Westminster Abbey, was first asked to act as an intermediary between William and Harry shortly after the Queen's death in September.

He has previously been dragged into the drama surrounding the Sussexes when Meghan claimed in a TV interview that he had secretly married them before their official wedding in 2018  forcing him to clarify that the ceremony broadcast to the world was the legal marriage.

Charles (pictured in November 2022) is said to be keen for the situation to 'calm down' before his coronation on May 6, with the source saying: 'He would like to have Harry back in the family

Speculation has been rife about whether the Sussexes (pictured in June 2022) would attend the high-profile event since they stepped away from royal duties  and especially since the publication of Harry's tell-all memoir, Spare, that contained a string of wounding attacks on senior members of the Royal Family

Despite the King's dignified silence about the allegations aired in Spare, royal insiders said he was 'livid' about his son's attacks on the Queen Consort Camilla, calling her 'dangerous' and a 'villain' in TV interviews to promote his book.

The Duke said: 'She was the villain, a third person in the marriage, she needed to rehabilitate her image.'

Harry also accused William of physically attacking him and claimed the Palace planted negative stories about Meghan in the media.

Harry has called for a reconciliation with his family, but only if they apologise to him.
Lady Amelia Windsor cemented her status as the cool girl of the royal family a long time ago, and she has by no means disappointed with her latest chic ensemble.

The Duke of Kent's granddaughter, 27, posed for pictures at Harry's Bar in Mayfair, London, in a stylish black waistcoat, trousers and chunky boots.

The fashionista stunned in the minimalistic look, with all-black outfits often favoured by off-duty models like herself.

Previously described by Tatler as 'the most beautiful member of the royal family', Lady Windsor looked typically radiant as she attended the star-studded event.

The royal beauty looked to be enjoying herself as she was surrounded by friends at the tenth anniversary party of Aerin, a beauty and lifestyle brand.

Lady Amelia Windsor, 27, posed for pictures at Harry's Bar in in South Audley Street, Mayfair, wearing a stylish black waistcoat, trousers and chunky boots.

Launched by American billionaire heiress and businesswoman, Aerin Lauder, who is the granddaughter of cosmetics mogul Estee Lauder, the company champions 'effortless' style.

Lady Windsor, who is 42nd in line to the throne, appeared to emulate the brand's message as she opted for a simple yet effective look.

She donned a fitted waistcoat-style black top, which allowed her to show off the line drawing tattoos decorating her arms.

One on her wrist features the outline of three animals in a row, and she also sported a beautiful sun and moon design on her left forearm.

The 20-something wore slouchy trousers with military style boots - a 90s fashion staple which is making a comeback among the younger generation.

She accessorised the look with a chunky gold chain and finer rope-style bracelet.

She layered up statement rings, which included gold bands and featured diamantes and turquoise.

Completing the stylish look, she sported a fuchsia satin micro bag - another 90s fashion item which has regained popularity in the 2020s.

Amelia posed with model Betty Bachz, who wowed in a canary yellow dress which featured an eye-catching feather boa-style sleeve

Lady Windsor beamed as she spent time with her friend, Betty, who is an entrepreneur and owns a successful eyewear brand

She wore her blonde tresses in her classic style - down with a slight wave - and had a typically natural makeup look.

Amelia posed up a storm with fellow model friends, including Betty Bachz and Ikram Abdi Omar.

Eyewear entrepreneur Betty wowed in a canary yellow dress which featured an eye-catching feather boa-style sleeve.

She elevated her look even further with statement diamante waterfall earrings, and paired her gown with pointed beige pumps.

Amelia also looked relaxed in a sweet selfie she and Swedish-born Ikram snapped as they ate dinner at the restaurant.

Sharing pictures from the meal to her Instagram stories, Ikram opted for risotto at the Venetian restaurant and bar - with Lady Amelia likely having the same.

Amelia looked relaxed in a sweet selfie she and Swedish-born Ikram snapped as they ate dinner at the restaurant

Amelia also spent time at the do with her friend and fellow It Girl Bea Fresson, with the pair coordinating their black outfits

Lady Windsor, who used to work at Tatler, also posed for photos with friend Bea Fresson, who was previously named one of society's 'It Girls' by the magazine.

The close friends coordinated their almost-all-black looks at the latest event for them to be pictured at together.

Earlier this week, Amelia was spotted browsing the aisles of her local Oxfam - leaving other shoppers stunned.

'You don't expect to bump into a member of the Royal Family at Oxfam,' one fellow shopper told the Daily Mail's Richard Eden.

The shopping lover appears to be happy to splash the cash, too, as she was pictured out in West London on Tuesday wearing a 1,575 shearling jacket.
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark will undergo 'major back surgery' later this month, the royal palace said on Wednesday.

The 82-year-old, whose half-century reign makes her Europe's longest-serving monarch, is set to be hospitalised afterwards and go through 'a longer rehabilitation process', the Danish royal household said in a statement.

'During a long period, Her Majesty has been affected by problems with her back, and in recent times the situation has worsened,' the announcement read.

Margrethe has decided to undergo 'major back surgery' on February 22 after consulting with doctors, the palace said, adding that several official engagements will either be postponed, cancelled or handled by other members of the royal family.

The oldest son of Denmark's popular monarch, heir to the throne Crown Prince Frederik, 54, and his wife, Crown Princess Mary, 51, are likely to step in as well as Margrethe's youngest son, Prince Joachim, 53, and his wife Princess Marie, 47, and the queen's sister, Princess Benedikte, 78.

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (pictured in September 2022) will undergo 'major back surgery' later this month, the royal palace said on Wednesday

In the past several days, Margrethe had cancelled events, including the opening of an exhibition in Copenhagen.

The Danish Constitution gives Margrethe, Denmark's head of state, no political power and her duties are ceremonial.

She was proclaimed queen on January 15, 1972, a day after her father, King Frederik IX, died following a short illness.

Following the death of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, Margrethe became the only living Queen in the world.

She is also now the second longest-serving monarch in the world, second only to Hassanal Bolkiah, the Sultan of Brunei, after celebrating 50 years on the throne.

She is the world's longest-serving current head of state. While the Sultan of Brunei has been a monarch since 1967, he only became head of state in 1984 - when Brunei gained independence from the UK.

It was a tumultuous autumn for the Danish Royal Family after the monarch stripped Prince Joachim's four children of their prince and princess titles - a shocking move which he publicly spoke out against.

Speaking in a televised New Year's address, Margrethe admitted: 'That the relationship with Prince Joachim and (his wife) Princess Marie has run into difficulties hurts me.

The 82-year-old (pictured December 2022), whose half-century reign makes her Europe's longest-serving monarch, is set to be hospitalised afterwards and go through 'a longer rehabilitation process', the Danish royal household said in a statement

The oldest son of Denmark's popular monarch, heir to the throne Crown Prince Frederik (pictured front, right), 54, and his wife, Crown Princess Mary (pictured back, right), 51, are likely to step in as well as Margrethe's youngest son, Prince Joachim, 53, and his wife Princess Marie (pictured together, back, left), 47, and the queen's sister, Princess Benedikte, 78

'Difficulties and disagreements can arise in any family, including mine. The whole country has witnessed this.'

She added that she was 'sure that the family can enter the new year together with confidence, understanding and new courage'.

Last year, Prince Joachim publicly spoke out against his mother's decision in the days that followed - claiming that his children, Nikolai, 23, and 20-year-old Felix - born from Joachim's first marriage to Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg - and Henrik, 13, and Athena, 11, had been 'harmed' in the process.

Months later, the sixth-in-line to the throne admitted that 'communication was missing' within the Royal Family in the lead-up to the shock announcement.

Joachim told local news outlet B.T.: 'There is a lot to work on. Communication was what was missing. Now we have met and we are on the right track.'

Shortly after his children were stripped of his titles, Joachim claimed that he had only been given five days' notice before the news was made public.

Following the Queen's announcement, Joachim spoke to Danish publication Ekstra Bladet outside the Danish Embassy in Paris, where he lives with his French-born wife Princess Marie and his two youngest children, and said his four children had been 'hurt' by their grandmother's decision.

'I was given five days' notice to tell them. In May, I was presented with a plan which, by and large, was that when the children each turned 25, it would happen. Now I had only five days to tell them. Athena turns 11 in January,' he clarified

Meanwhile, his ex-wife Alexandra said that her sons, Nikolai and Felix, had been left feeling 'ostracised' from the institution and the decision had come like a 'bolt out of the blue'.

The Royal Household released a further statement, saying: 'As the Queen stated yesterday, the decision has been a long time coming.

'We understand that there are many emotions at stake at the moment, but we hope that the Queen's wish to future-proof the Royal Household will be respected.'
Queen Elizabeth II's former press secretary has recalled how the terrifying birth of Lady Louise Windsor was 'so dramatic' and rather lonely for the Countess of Wessex.

Speaking in the latest episode of A Right Royal Podcast, via Hello!, Ailsa Anderson told how she was one of two people that comforted Sophie Wessex, now 58, as she gave birth to her first born at Frimley Park Hospital, in Surrey.

The Countess went into labour when 36 weeks pregnant on November 8, 2003, while her husband Prince Edward, now 58, was in Mauritius - a 12-hour flight away - for an official visit. He had been contacted, but there was no way he could return until the next day.

Sophie was admitted to Frimley Park after complaining of severe internal pains. Doctors found her dangerously ill from blood loss and performed an emergency delivery.

Ailsa said they also couldn't get hold of Sophie's parents at the time, and so it was just her, 'Marcus Setchell, (who was the Queen's gynaecologist), and the courtiers in the hospital at first while the Countess gave birth to Lady Louise, now 19.

Prince Edward and Sophie Countess of Wessex hold their daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, in December 2003

'I remember I was sitting at home. We're having a dinner party. Actually, I got a call from Marcus Setchell, who was the Queen's gynaecologist, who was overseeing the birth,' recalled Ailsa.

'He said, "I'm in a police car on my way to Frimley Park hospital. You better come". So I thought, crikey.

'So, I ordered a taxi, let my husband do the washing up, which I think was a first in our marriage, and got myself down to Frimley Park, but the Earl of Wessex was abroad on an official visit.

'They couldn't get a hold of her parents. So basically, it was just me and Marcus and the courtiers in the hospital. It was so dramatic,' Ailsa added.

On November 8, when Sophie arrived from her Bagshot Park home to the hospital, medics realised she needed an emergency caesarean. She was showing signs of acute placental abruption, in which the placental lining separates from the uterus.

It can result in colossal blood loss for the mother, while babies may become distressed and can be stillborn. Sophies condition was so advanced that it was threatening to kill both her and her baby.

Queen Elizabeth II's former press secretary has recalled how the birth of Lady Louise Windsor (pictured with her mother Sophie in June 2022) was 'so dramatic' and rather lonely for the Countess of Wessex

Speaking in the latest episode of A Right Royal Podcast, via Hello! , Ailsa Anderson (pictured) told how she was one of two people that comforted Sophie Wessex, now 58, as she gave birth to her first born at Frimley Park Hospital, in Surrey

Marcus Setchell had made it to the hospital from London at lightning speed, and oversaw the operation, which was carried out by surgeon Sukhpal Singh, gynaecologist Anne Deans and midwife Adrienne Price.

The moment the baby was born, weighing just 4lb 9oz, she was taken from her mother and rushed to St Georges Hospital in Tooting, London, for special care.

Sophie, meanwhile, was just 15 minutes from death, reported the Mail On Sunday in 2014. She was losing massive amounts of blood and had slipped into a semi-conscious state. It took a massive blood transfusion before she regained any kind of stability.

For the next 24 hours she stayed at Frimley, alone. Edward didnt make it back to Britain until the following evening. Mother and child were finally reunited at the end of November.
The Queen Consort looked elegant in navy as she visited a centre for victims of domestic violence in Battersea in London today.

Camilla, 75, toured the STORM family centre, where she met with volunteers and locals to mark the organisation's 19th anniversary.

Created in 2005, the centre, which stands for Support, Trust, Opportunity, Rebuilding and Motivation, was founded by local women to help each other recover from difficult situations and abusive relationships.

It has now expanded to helping people of all ages in an effort to build community cohesion.

Queen Consort Camilla, who condemned a 'pandemic' of violence against women at play in the UK last December, looked eager to learn more about the centre's initiatives.

Queen Consort Camilla, 75, toured the STORM family centre, where she met with volunteers and locals to mark the organisation's 19th anniversary in London today

The King's wife was appropriately dressed in a dark pinstriped navy coat dress, which she paired with a scarf in lighter shades of blue underneath.

She added a pop of bling with a silver bracelet adorned with blue gems to match the colour scheme of her outfit.

Her platinum locks were styled in an impeccable blow-dry, and Camilla was wearing a nice day makeup look with a touch of blush, a dash of mascara and some foundation to highlight her natural glow.

Upon her arrival, Camilla sat down for breakfast with some of the women who have turned to the centre for support.

She met volunteers' running the centre's kitchen today and learned more about the work that they do with STORM

She was seen laughing with the locals at the centre, before taking a tour of the premise.

She then met some of the volunteers who were running the centre's kitchen today, including a young man called Maurice Lawrence, who had been paired with another volunteer name Gabi Deniz de Ayala.

The pair looked delighted to be meeting the Queen Consort, who asked more about the work they did for the charity.

She also signed her name on a painting for the first time as she visited the inspirational community centre.

Camilla was invited to try her hand finishing off a picture of a sea fern using fabric paint as part of art lessons offered to domestic abuse victims.

The royal, who is a keen amateur artist, gamely picked up the paint had a go, before writing the initials CR - Camilla Regina - with a flourish at the bottom.

Artist Felicity Prazak explained that the lessons helped to give women who have been abused confidence and said of the Queen Consort: 'She [also]had a lot of confidence, there was no nervousness about it. '

The Queen Consort was sophisticated as ever as she donned a pinstripe blazer to visit the STORM family centre

The painting will be kept by the founder of the centre, Marie Hanson MBE, as a reminder of the royal visit.

The centre supports people affected by domestic violence, as well as offering services to young and older people within the community.

It started by helping four women and has since supported around 3,000 women to date, and over 1,000 young people.

Camilla had been due to meet its patron, Sabrina Elba, wife of actor Iris, but she was unable to attend at the last minute.

'I've heard a lot about you,' she told the staff as she arrived, before nipping into the view a DJ booth where dance music was playing. 'Oh my, you are you are tuned into something here,' she laughed.

Sitting down to chat to some of the lunch club regulars, she remarked: 'Hello. Have you been coming here a long while? Is the food good? It smells delicious.'

Camilla smiled as she spoke with volunteers at the centre's kitchen to mark the organisation's 19th anniversary

They were told Marie - who also works as the centre's cook - was a dab hand in the kitchen.

Asked what she liked to eat, Camilla said: 'I do love fish, that's what I can have when I come here for lunch next.'

Suzanne French, 59, told her: 'I was quite frightened when I first came here. I stood at the bottom of the stairs and thought "just do it". Best thing I ever done. I now volunteer here too.'

She was also given a note by Charlotte-Rose Hickson, eight, after admiring her pretty floral dress, asking whether Princess Charlotte wanted to meet up for a playdate.

Her father, Wayne Hickson, said: 'She asked me about it a few weeks ago and I said what did she have to lose? She was almost too scared to do it this morning but then got the courage to do it. She was quite nervous though.

'The note read "Dear Princess Charlotte, My name is Charlotte-Rose and I'm eight. It said her primary school and where we lived and said did she fancy a play date. It ended with here's my phone number, hopefully you will, love Charlie-Rose."'

The grinning royal laughed along with the delighted volunteers as she enjoyed a day at the centre

'Camilla told her that she liked her dress and she would pass the note on for her.'

Camilla then went into a room with survivors of domestic abuse to talk to them about their experiences and how STORM has helped them.

Sitting around a table with a 'lovely' cup of tea - one sugar for the royal - the royal talked to every woman in turn.

One woman broke down as she told her she had suffered with addiction from the age of 13 or 14 after being abused as a child. She later went into an abusive relationship which culminated in her being raped in her own home in 2016.

'I've had abuse since I was a kid. In 2016 I was actually raped in my own home and had to flee the property. He wouldn't leave me, so I left. My daughter got me out,' she said as Camilla listened intently.

'I was suffering with my mental health, my addiction..,' she continued, before breaking down, sobbing. 'I'm sorry, I'm going to cry.'

Camilla cut a cake alongside Marie Hanson, chief executive of the STORM family centre during her visit

Queen Consort Camilla, who condemned a 'pandemic' of violence against women at play in the UK last December, looked eager to learn more about the centre's initiatives

'Don't worry, we will all cry with you,' the Queen Consort said soothingly.

'A lot of us who have been abused as kids become addicts,' the woman, who is not being named for her own safety, continued.

She outlined how difficult it had been for her as a victim of domestic abuse who had fled her own home to get help, as she was initially classed as 'intentionally homeless'.

She was even rehoused five minutes away from her abuser, who knew where she was thanks to other people on the estate,

'He wasn't physically violent but it was the mental stuff then. It was terrible,' she said.

'I am a bit old school. I thought domestic abuse was where your bloke giving you a good hiding. I didn't realise about all the other things.

'Something needs to be done about the system. My partner was my abuser, my abuser was the father of my son.'

Referring to the lack of support she had received, Camilla said sympathetically: 'I've heard this before.'

The Queen Consort pulled her sleeves up and got creative as she finished up a painting at the centre

Camilla added colourful swoops and swirls in red, against the painting's lime green background

Camilla attentively listened as she met with chief executive and other guests during the tour today

Another survivor told the Queen Consort: 'My situation was very challenging. I was at my lowest. All I was thinking about was dying, I didn't want to go on. There was no-one to support me.

She described Marie Hanson as 'my saviour' in terms of offering counselling and practical support.

Thanks to her she was able to attend college and become a teaching assistant and is now helping other women through STORM's domestic violence programme, particularly helping women with children.

'I felt so embarrassed about my situation to seek help. That's something women often experience,' she said.

Camilla asked her how she had been able to access Marie and her services, adding: 'It is so wonderful that these ladies are here. They build up your confidence, don't they? You hear the same story time and time again. That people are too ashamed to talk about it.

'You hear time and time again that people don't want to betray their abuser, their parent, the father of their children. It's very difficult. But the more of you speak up against it then the better it is for others suffering. '

Created in 2005, the centre, which stands for Support, Trust, Opportunity, Rebuilding and Motivation, was founded by local women to help each other recover from difficult situations and abusive relationships

The royal appeared to be in deep thought as she spoke with Marie and others during today's visit

The Queen Consort also spoke to another survivor who met Marie Hanson ten years after being referred by a job centre. She managed to get her a job at Waitrose and two months ago the woman was promoted to a manger.

'Then years ago I walked in here broken. I probably didn't realise how broken I was until now. I stood on the corner too scared to come in. On my first day at Waitrose I stood on the corner in McDonalds too scared to go it.

'Marie is why I am here today. This place has changed my life. I met my best friend here, I changed my life. Our life stories started here,' she said.

The Camilla praised the women, many of whom are now working as volunteers at the centre.

'You often hear that cycle time and time again. People who have suffered abuse and come out the other end, they want to give back to people,' she said.

'When you start looking into abuse you realise how many forms of it there are. Whether it is physical or mental, it's still abuse.'

At a reception afterwards, the royal tried her hand at making soy candles with Lux Luz, a social enterprise scheme with profits helping the victims of domestic violence.

The Queen Consort was seen laughing with the locals at the centre, before taking a tour of the premise

Camilla sported a sweet dove brooch on her blazer as she enjoyed her tour of the family centre today

Before she left the Queen Consort unveiled a plaque, cut a birthday cake and told Ms Henson: 'I want to say a huge thank you to you for all you are doing to help the victims of domestic abuse.

'I have been to a lot of centres all around the country but I seldom come to one like this that there is so much going on to help the local community, help these ladies...they are all so indebted to the wonderful job you do

'I've said it before but you need to be cloned! I feel very privileged and honoured to have come and visited you all today.'

Ms Henson, 58, a mother of six and grandmother of nine, said afterwards: 'Nineteen years ago I was sitting in my car, heavily pregnant, had nowhere to go because I was fleeing domestic violence, and sleeping in my car outside McDonalds so that we could get the food early.

'I just feel you can overcome things with the right help. Look at me, from the pit to the palace!

'I feel so honoured that 19 years ago I am here and then I was there. She [Camilla] really, really does care about domestic violence. She is a breath of fresh air. '

She stressed that while the STORM centre gets a small amount of official funding, much of its work relies on public donations.

Kanya King CBE, a British entrepreneur who is the founder of the MOBO Awards and a supporter of the charity, added: 'This place is about people helping people. It has a ripple effect. A lot of the women Marie has helped have gone on to help other people in similar situations.

'It's only by other people believing you and that you can go on to change your life. The Queen Consort is amazing. You can see how important it was to her to learn about what happens here.'
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on his economic priorities at a Laborers' International Union of North America (LiUNA) training center in DeForest, Wisconsin, U.S. Feb. 8. Reuters-Yonhap



President Joe Biden said Wednesday that the United States is "not looking for conflict" with China despite tensions over the shooting down of what U.S. officials say was a Chinese spy balloon.



"We're going to compete fully with China, but... we're not looking for conflict  and that's been the case so far," he said in an interview with the PBS network.



Biden's comments apparently sought to defuse tensions over the dramatic incident in which a huge Chinese balloon traversed much of the United States before being shot down by a U.S. Air Force jet just off the east coast on Saturday.









Asked if the incident had caused major damage to the relationship with Beijing, Biden said "no."



China insists the balloon was merely conducting weather research but the Pentagon described it as a high-tech spying operation. The balloon floated at an altitude far higher than most airplanes and crossed directly over at least one sensitive U.S. military site. (AFP)




Julia Fox has become synonymous with the Canadian tuxedo after 'reinventing' the double-denim look with her risque DIY ensembles.

Earlier this week the model and actress, 33, sported a characteristically daring design at a New York Fashion Week dinner.

She stepped out in an asymmetrical, backless mini dress made from recycled jean waistbands - and finished the look with a denim puffer, boots and purse.

But it is not the first time she has flaunted her denim wardrobe, and her constant remodelling of the humble jean seems to be spearheading a wider resurgence.

Here, New York stylist Liz Teich tells FEMAIL how Fox's signature style is 'one of the hottest trends for 2023' and how the everyday wearer can recreate it.

Earlier this week the model and actress, 33, sported a characteristically daring design at a New York Fashion Week dinner

The model's constant remodelling of the humble jean seems to be spearheading a wider resurgence

The mother-of-one has experimented with the denim-on-denim look with acid wash, black washed and white washed jeans

In the early 2000s, the Canadian tuxedo - defined as the wearing of double denim - was everywhere with a whole host of A-list celebs making the bold fashion move.

Most famously, at the American Music Awards in 2001, Britney Spears arrived in a Kurt and Bart denim patchwork gown alongside Justin Timberlake, who had opted for a light-wash ensemble topped with a denim cowboy hat.

But the popularity of the distinctive look was short-lived and soon dropped off.

Liz Teich, who runs The New York Stylist and regularly shares fashion inspiration to her 110,000 Instagram followers, has been a professional commercial stylist for 15 years.

The fashion guru, who has styled the likes of Tom Brady, Ashley Graham and Mike Tyson, told FEMAIL why the Canadian tuxedo disappeared.

She said: 'I think society started rejecting the denim overload look after seeing how it was done in such a cheesy way, especially as we saw in the famous Britney/Justin moment and replicated in costumes and parodies.

'After the last few years in sweats and athleisure, everyone seems to be excited about denim again, so it's only natural that designers are revisiting it in a more high fashion way again.'

And Fox seems to be at the forefront of this wave - making it her personal crusade to bring the look back into fashion.

At the American Music Awards in 2001, Britney Spears wore a Kurt and Bart denim patchwork gown and Justin Timberlake opted for a light-wash ensemble with a denim cowboy hat

In one of her most striking ensembles, the Uncut Gems star stepped out in Calvin Klein underwear, a denim blazer, denim boots and a repurposed jean-pant bag

The mother-of-one commanded attention in the ensemble as she went grocery shopping in Los Angeles

The popularity of the distinctive Canadian tuxedo look seemingly dropped off until Fox made it her personal crusade to bring it back into fashion

The mother-of-one has experimented with the denim-on-denim look with acid wash, black washed and white washed jeans.

In one of her most striking ensembles, the Uncut Gems star went 'grocery shopping' in Calvin Klein underwear, a denim blazer, denim boots and a repurposed jean-pant bag.

And, in another high-profile appearance, Fox attended the Kenzo show at Paris Fashion Week alongside her now ex Kanye West.

The actress sported a denim co-ord that boasted coned bust detailing, and with her former beau also wearing a matching all-denim ensemble, many said it was reminiscent of the Spears and Timberlake moment.

But far from keeping her DIY denim tricks to herself, Fox has previously shared tutorials to her Instagram page on how to recreate some of her more achievable looks.

The star uploaded a video to Instagram, which has been viewed more than one million times, on how to create a pair of low-waisted denim pants and re-use the waistband as a bandeau.

And, shortly after going public with now ex Kanye West, the pair attended the Kenzo show at Paris Fashion Week in matching all-denim outfits

New York stylist Liz Teich told FEMAIL that Fox's signature doube-denim style is 'one of the hottest trends for 2023'

Fox has previously shared a tutorial on how to create a pair of low-waisted denim pants and re-use the waistband as a bandeau

Kanye West's ex has become synonymous with the Canadian tuxedo after 'reinventing' the double-denim look

Poll Would you dare to wear a Canadian tuxedo? Yes No Would you dare to wear a Canadian tuxedo? Yes 22 votes

No 107 votes Now share your opinion





She explained: 'It makes for a really cute set and it's easy and honestly now that latex is kinda played out, denim, you're all I have left.

'ALSO for the zipper you have to put crazy glue at the top to keep it from sliding off!!!'

Speaking about the star's denim ensembles, Liz told FEMAIL: 'I have to give her credit for demonstrating how creative you can be to look at an old garment and reinvent it in new ways, which is something I personally love to teach my clients instead of buying a whole new wardrobe.

'While it's not really wearable by most, the fact that she made an entire outfit out of a pair of jeans is pretty impressive and a sustainable way to update a basic look.

'Of course, for the average person, this is great inspiration to make denim your own!'

She continued: 'Between more conscious advances in denim production, Fox's daring denim ensembles, and designers pushing for denim in new ways, this classic redux is really one of the hottest trends for 2023.'

Stylist Liz Teich told FEMAIL that Fox's ensembles have been giving 'great inspiration to make denim your own'

The model and actress has been commanding attention in recent years with her risque DIY ensembles

That being said, many everyday wearers wanting to brave the Canadian tuxedo may not know where to start.

But Liz said that the answer might be easier than you think.

The stylist revealed: 'I've been showing my clients to take the old basic chambray top sitting in their closet and pair it with your favorite jeans for a surprisingly refreshing look.

'You can layer with a turtleneck under it for this season to give it depth and a bit of intentional polish.

'I've also been loving a matching denim jacket and jean moment.

'The trick is to either keep your denim pieces nearly or exactly alike in wash or contrasting, but you too can get creative with it!'
The California dad revealed his toddler was beaming after going to nail salon

Ashton, three, was told by his teacher that manicures were 'only for girls'

A dad has gone viral on the web after he took his toddler son to get a manicure and pedicure after the youngster's teacher told him it was 'only for girls.'

Christian Shearhod, a teacher himself from California, was very upset when his three-year-old son, Ashton, came home from school and said one of his teachers told him he 'shouldn't paint his nails.'

He decided to respond by taking his child to get his nails re-painted, which he documented and shared to TikTok, and it quickly captured the hearts of millions.

'My son came home from school really upset because his teacher told him that painting your nails is only for girls. So today I'm taking him to the nail shop,' he said in the video, which has garnered more than four million views in a matter of days.

'Your teacher said what?' he asked his son as they drove to the nail salon, to which little Ashton responded, 'Not to paint my nails, my teacher said it's for girls.'

Christian Shearhod, from Califronia, has gone viral on the web after he took his toddler son to get a manicure and pedicure after the youngster's teacher told him it was 'only for girls'

He decided to respond by taking the tot to get his nails re-painted, which he documented and shared to TikTok, and it quickly captured the hearts of millions

A montage of clips then showed the little boy picking out the color pink, and getting his fingers and toes painted - and his glee could hardly be contained

A montage of clips then showed the little boy picking out the color pink and getting his fingers and toes painted - and his glee could hardly be contained.

Ashton giggled with excitement and squealed with delight as he saw the final product.

'Let little boys like what they like... Trucks, Spider-Man, Paw Patrol, and maybe, painting their nails,' Christian concluded.

Christian also spoke about the ordeal to NBC News, and he explained that Ashton became interested in painting his nails at age two, so they started doing it together in an attempt to discourage 'gender norms.'

And after the incident at school, he said he wanted to make sure that Ashton 'didn't have any guilt or shame' over his love of nail polish.

'I really just wanted to make sure that he didn't have guilt or shame, because it is something that he enjoyed, and we had done together multiple times,' he told the outlet.

In a follow-up video, the father-of-one revealed that he confronted one of Ashton's teachers about the situation, who promised she would try to find out who said it and speak to them about it.

'One of his teachers keeps telling him he shouldn't paint his nails and it's only for girls, we don't want that to be said to him,' he could be heard telling the day care instructor.

'He seemed really upset about it, it's something that we do together and he's always enjoyed, for him to come home upset about it made me kind of sad, you know?'

And after the incident at school, he said he wanted to make sure that Ashton 'didn't have any guilt or shame' over his love of nail polish

In a follow-up video, the father-of-one revealed that he confronted one of Ashton's teachers about the situation, who promised she would try to find out who said it and speak to them about it

In the caption, Christian asked his followers not to 'cancel the school,' and reminded them that 'different cultures have different gender norms'

In the caption, Christian asked his followers not to 'cancel the school,' and reminded them that 'different cultures have different gender norms.'

'His teachers love him and are really so good to him,' he added.

'As a teacher myself, I know his teacher probably thought she was helping him and I highly doubt there was any malicious intent.

'We're all on the same page now, thank y'all for all the supportive comments.'

While the dad-of-one said he received many positive reactions, he revealed the video also garnered inappropriate questions about his son's sexuality.

Responding to one user who questioned if Ashton was 'gay,' he said: 'My son is three years old. He can't be gay because he doesn't have a sexuality yet.

'You're not gonna assign him and I'm not gonna assign him a sexuality because he likes feminine things, things outside of his gender norm, and that's literally sexualizing a child. Something we're not gonna do.'

While the dad-of-one said he received many positive reactions, he revealed the video also garnered inappropriate questions about his son's sexuality

In the caption, he explained that just because he lets his son 'express himself without gender boundaries, doesn't make him gay'

'I just believe in fostering his interests to the fullest, because life is meant to be explored and enjoyed, and as you saw, painting his nails made him really happy' the dad explained

In the caption, he explained that just because he lets his son 'express himself without gender boundaries, doesn't make him gay.'

In a follow-up video, Christian responded to another comment that questioned if Ashton was a 'boy.'

Sitting with his son on his lap, he said: 'Umm, he is a boy, and he'll tell you himself.'

When he asked Ashton whether he was a girl or boy, the three-year-old yelled out 'boy.'

'He just likes the color pink and painting his nails. I don't think it should be read into too much, especially because he is really young,' Christian said.

'I just believe in fostering his interests to the fullest, because life is meant to be explored and enjoyed, and as you saw, painting his nails made him really happy.'
The Princess' former teacher gushed that Kate was a 'fantastic student'

Kate Middleton threw her arms around her old history teacher Jim Embury

The Princess of Wales greeted her old history teacher with a hug as they were reunited for the first time since she left primary school today.

The mother-of-three, 41, visited the harbour town of Falmouth on Thursday with Prince William to learn about the area's maritime heritage at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall.

Before heading into the museum, the royal was approached by Jim Embury - who was her history teacher at St Andrews prep school in Berkshire.

The Princess of Wales looked delighted to see Mr Embury - who now volunteers at the museum - again after over two decades.

Kate recognised her former teacher instantly, threw her arms around him and said: 'Oh my goodness! My gosh, that's taken me right back!'

She then went on to say how she can visualise exactly what her teacher's classroom used to look like.

When finding out that Mr Embury had relocated to Cornwall, Kate enthusiastically said: 'No way!'

According to Cornwall Live, she then gushed: 'The things you taught me, I now teach to my children.'

The pair happily reminisced together in front of crowds of royal fans as Prince William continued to speak with spectators.

Following the meeting, Jim told the local paper: 'She was a fantastic student and it was a great class.'

After the Middleton family moved back to the UK from Jordan in 1986, the Princess of Wales attended St Andrews school in Berkshire before then studying at nearby Downe House boarding school.

She then later moved to the prestigious Marlborough College before going on to study History of Art at the University of St Andrews - where she met Prince William.

During their visit to the museums workshop, the Prince and Princess of Wales helped those working on the refurbishment of the Kiwi, a 14-foot sailing dinghy which was presented to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip as a wedding present from the Royal New Zealand Navy.

The Princess of Wales threw her arms around her old teacher Jim Embury as he approached her outside the National Maritime Museum Cornwall.

The Princess of Wales pulled her old history teacher in for a hug as she greeted him in Falmouth today

According to Cornwall Live, Kate gushed: 'The things you taught me, I now teach to my children.'

The former history teacher now volunteers at the museum Prince William and the Princess of Wales visited today

The Prince and Princess of Wales laugh as they attempt to refurbish a boat during their tour of the National Maritime Museum Cornwall

Kate greeted her old teacher Jim Embury, a volunteer at the National Maritime Museum, with a hug

The children's Princess! Kate meets a young royal fan outside the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth

The mother-of-three waved at the baby as she was held by her parent at the front of the crowd

The Princess of Wales looked thrilled to meet her young royal fan this afternoon

Kate was all smiles as she spoke with royal fans outside of the Cornwall museum

The Prince of Wales then spoke with the youngster as Kate moved her way along the crowd

Looking effortlessly elegant, mother-of-three Kate sported a chestnut brown Hobbs coat she first debuted in 2012, teamed with matching knee-high boots and a red outfit underneath. William looked dapper in a navy blazer and coordinating jumper.

In November, William made his first official visit to Cornwall since taking on the Duke title, where he met staff, volunteers and young people at Newquay Orchard, which offers environmental education, employability training and community events.

William became the heir apparent - and known as the Prince of Wales - after the death of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of his father Charles to the throne.

He also inherited the title Duke of Cornwall and is now the Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge. Kate is now known as the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge.

The Prince and Princess of Wales being shown pictures as they meet local people working in the boat building workshop

The Duchess of Cornwall, 41, laughs as she helps to refurbish a boat during the museum visit

Kate and William helped a team refurbishing the Kiwi, a 14-foot sailing dinghy which was presented to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip as a wedding present from the Royal New Zealand Navy.

Looking effortlessly elegant, mother-of-three Kate sported a chestnut brown Hobbs coat she first debuted in 2012 for the outing, teamed with matching knee-high boots

The Prince and Princess of Wales speak with well-wishers ahead of their tour of the National Maritime Museum Cornwall

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall during a walkabout together in the county today

William, 40, and Kate, 41, visited the harbour town of Falmouth on Thursday to learn about the area's maritime heritage at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall before visiting a community centre

The Princess of Wales chatted to members of the public at the Dracaena Centre in Cornwall

Located between Falmouth and Penryn, the Dracaena Centre serves both towns and the surrounding rural area. It has been in operation since 2008 and supports around 10,000 people a year. Pictured, Kate

During their visit, Kate and William spent time in a session for local mothers and their young children, hearing from them about how The Dracaena Centre has supported them as parents and promoted their childrens development through play and creativity

The Prince and Princess of Wales play table tennis during a visit to the Dracaena Centre

Finally, Kate (pictured) and William visited the NHS Wellbeing Hub hosted in the centre and heard how they are providing community based mental health and wellbeing support across the local area

Kate Middleton (centre) pictured with her hockey team during her time at the school from 1986 to 1995

St Andrews prep school in Berkshire, where the Princess of Wales was a student until the age of 12

The museum is located in Discovery Quay and is celebrating its 20th birthday this year, having been established in 2003.

It features fifteen galleries, a boat building workshop and interactive exhibits, making it a popular destination for families and tourists across Cornwall and beyond.

Kate and William heard from a group of young people who are taking part in the Young and Talented Cornwall scheme which provides financial support to help young people from across Cornwall fulfil their potential, regardless of their financial means or background.

In total, the fund has given out almost 350,000 to some 275 individuals in the past ten years  supporting future Olympic medal winners, international rugby players, and musicians now playing in major orchestras, among others.

Finally, the Duke and Duchess watched pupils from a local school taking part in a model boat race before departing the museum.
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands stunned in a summery cornflower blue and white dress as she and her family arrived in Saba, the final destination of their tour of the Caribbean.

The Dutch royal, 51, grinned and waved as she stepped out of the plane, looking radiant in the frock, which was adorned with cross-stitch style floral emblems.

She teamed the flowy ensemble with white strappy heels, carrying a matching white clutch and sunglasses.

Always one to have fun with accessories, Maxima sported white bauble-style earrings to match her two-toned aesthetic.

The mother-of-three swept her blonde tresses back and kept her make-up minimal as she kicked off a day of activities on the island with her husband and daughter.

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands stunned in a summery cornflower blue and white dress as she and her family arrived in Saba, the final destination of their tour of the Caribbean

King Willem-Alexander opted for a simple breezy ensemble in a pair of jeans and a white button-up.

The royal, 55, gave an excited wave on arrival as he held onto a pair of sunglasses.

Elsewhere the couple's 19-year-old daughter was effortlessly elegantin a chic floral blouse and scarlet trousers.

Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange, accessorised her top - which featured statement sleeves adorned with flower designs - with a weaved pursue and red tassel earrings.

The royal party were greeted by Island Governor Jonathan Johnson, and then were told about the latest in Saba's energy supply.

Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange, accessorised her top - which featured statement sleeves adorned with flower designs - with a weaved pursue and red tassel earrings

King Willem-Alexander opted for a simple breezy ensemble in a pair of jeans and a white button-up. The royal, 55, gave an excited wave on arrival as he held onto a pair of sunglasses

The Dutch royal, 51, grinned and waved as she stepped out of the plane, looking radiant in the frock, which was adorned with cross-stitch style floral emblems

They're later set to visit the village of Zions Hill, where the trio will see a presentation on the island tradition of lacemaking.

Also on the agenda is a walkabout through the village of Windwardside, where the royals will meet with local residents.

The jam-packed schedule also includes a trip to the Eugenius Center, where they will meet older residents and enjoy a theatre performance, as well as a visit to the Harry L. Johnson Museum.

Among other engagements, the family will also visit the Expertise Center Education Care (EC2) in St Johns, that supports vulnerable schoolchildren.

Saba is the royal family's sixth and final stop in their two-week-long tour of the Dutch Caribbean, a trip which has been designed to introduce Princess Catharina-Amalia to the region.

The queen teamed her flowy ensemble with white strappy heels, carrying a matching white clutch and sunglasses

Always one to have fun with accessories, Maxima sported white bauble-style earrings to match her two-toned aesthetic

Maxima stunned in the blue dress and elsewhere, the couple's 19-year-old daughter was effortlessly elegantin a chic floral blouse and scarlet trousers

Saba is the royal family's sixth and final stop in their two-week-long tour of the Dutch Caribbean

The royal trip of the islands has been designed to introduce Princess Catharina-Amalia to the region

It comes as Maxima yesterday blended into the warm tropical climate as she donned a sunny yellow frock for the tenth day of the royals' trip to the Dutch Caribbean Islands.

The mother-of-three looked sensational in the flowy, flower printed maxi-dress during a day of engagements at Sint Eustatius.

She teamed the bright number with white sandal heels and a wide brim hat to shield her eyes.

The European monarch opted for statement earrings with tassels at the end to add a fun flair and finish the look off.

Maxima kept her belongings in a mustard clutch and threw on a pair of sunglasses as she was pictured during a walk through capital Oranjestad's historical centre with her husband and daughter.

The royals were told about the island's past with slavery as they got a tour of the capital's culturally significant sites, and met a number of Statia residents.

The Dutch king opted for a more dressed down look with charcoal slacks and a white button-down, pictured smiling attentively as he heard about life on the island.

He was snapped sitting between two elderly women on a bench, appearing delighted to be in conversation with the pair.

Meanwhile their 19-year-old daughter was effortlessly elegant in a cornflower blue blouse and white flares.
The King was left perplexed when he tried to open a puzzle box during a visit to one of London's architectural treasures today.

This afternoon, the monarch, 74, toured the former home of Victorian artist Lord Leighton, who lavishly decorated parts of his property in a Middle Eastern style and with artefacts collected from his travels in the region.

Parts of the building have been renovated, with an exhibition space and learning centre created and new furniture commissioned from artists supported by Turquoise Mountain, an organisation founded by Charles in 2006 to help revive historic areas around the globe and traditional crafts.

During his visit, he was asked to try to open a small wooden box - decorated with a geometric marquetry pattern- made by Ibrahim Khdoj, who is a Syrian craftsman helped by Turquoise Mountain.

For a few moments, Charles turned the box in his hands and laughed as he tried and failed to find a secret catch.

Staff at the museum then came to the rescue when they showed him how to prise off the lid.

As he was leaving the visitor attraction later in the afternoon, Charles pointed to the box and told a guest: 'You'll never open it - thank god I was shown.'

The centrepiece of Leighton House, in the capital's exclusive Kensington district, is the Arab Hall which was designed to display the Victorian artist's priceless collection of more than a thousand medieval Islamic tiles, mostly brought back from Damascus in Syria.

The tiles were the inspiration for a mural running up the length of a large spiral staircase which is part of the new renovations to the tourist attraction.

During his visit Charles saw other works by Turquoise Mountain craftsmen and women, from jewellery and textiles to sumptuous carpets from Afghanistan.

Shoshana Stewart, president of Turquoise Mountain, said: 'His Majesty has been a huge supporter of artisans around the world and artisans with Turquoise Mountain and it is about creating a livelihood for people.'

She added: 'And the wonderful thing which obviously His Majesty saw before anybody is that this is the way the world is moving and should move.

'Which is that we want to increasingly buy a piece that means something, that comes from a particular tradition, and know about the person who made it.'

King Charles III appeared in good spirits as he today enjoyed perusing the art at the newly-renovated Leighton House museum in London.

The royal appeared impressed by the ornate items in display, including a puzzle box from Jordan which he struggled to open

King Charles III spoke with with Iranian artist Shahrzad Ghaffari during his tour of the newly-renovated Leighton House museum in London

The monarch, 75, visited to hear about its artistic partnership with Turquoise Mountain, the charity founded by the then Prince of Wales

The monarch visited to hear about its artistic partnership with Turquoise Mountain, the charity founded by the royal when he was Prince of Wales to preserve and develop traditional craft practices across Afghanistan, Myanmar, and the Middle East.

He donned a sleek navy blazer, teamed with a matching periwinkle tie, for the event.

The royal appeared impressed by the ornate items in display, including a puzzle box from Jordan which he struggled to open.

Charles was also pictured looking at stunning rugs from Afghanistan, and spoke with with Iranian artist Shahrzad Ghaffari during the tour.

The king looked taken by her mural, called called 'Oneness, 2022', displayed with gorgeous and silver tones at the museum.

It comes as the monarch this week made a trip to Brick Lane in East London for the first time since becoming King.

The King and Queen Consort were treated to a warm welcome as they travelled to Brick Lane in East London yesterday.

Charles was also pictured looking at stunning rugs from Afghanistan during his visit to the museum

He donned a sleek navy blazer, teamed with a matching periwinkle tie, for the event. Pictured looking at a puzzle box

The king appeared to struggle with a puzzle box from Jordan as he enjoyed a tour of the museum

The king looked taken by her mural, called called 'Oneness, 2022', displayed with gorgeous and silver tones at the museum

The king founded Turquoise Mountain to preserve and develop traditional craft practices across Afghanistan, Myanmar, and the Middle East

The couple met with the movers and shakers of the London Bangladeshi community, visiting charities and businesses.

They also met individuals who were actively involved in the anti-racism movement of the 1960s and 1970s.

The couple were welcomed by dancers in traditional clothes with basket of flowers as they walked down the historic East London street.

And during a walkabout at the University of London, the royal faced questions about his son Prince Harry, which he did his best to brush off.

As he mingled with the public, a voice asked the King to 'bring back Harry please, can you please bring him back please?'

Without hesitating, the monarch replied: 'Who?' - before quickly realising and laughing at his own mistake, saying: 'It would be nice.'
Princess Eugenie shared an adorable clip of her son August dancing as she wished him a happy birthday.

The royal - who is currently expecting her second child - celebrated her son's special day by sharing a series of cute clip on social media.

Taking to Instagram, the soon-to-be mother-of-two posted a video of 'Augie' showing off some moves.

In the clip, the adorable toddler turns around to face the camera and flashes a grin before waddling around, as the Bee Gees' Jive Talkin' plays in the background.

'Happy 2nd Birthday to our boy Augie' Eugenie, 32, wrote. 'You are our worlds greatest joy. Keep dancing and smiling my angel. Xx'

The princess also took to her Stories to share candid shots of her, August and Jack Brooksbank enjoying some wholesome family time together.

One clip shows them on a walk with the toddler as he laughingly splashes around in puddles while wearing wellies.

Other photos show him walking hand in hand with his parents on the beach, seemingly during the festive season, with Jack donning a Santa hat.

It comes as last month Sarah Ferguson said she was in 'Granny heaven' as she revealed she is 'deeply grateful' Princess Eugenie is expecting her second child.

The youngest daughter of Prince Andrew and the Duchess of York shared the news earlier today, posting an adorable snap on Instagram showing two-year-old August kissing her stomach, writing: 'Were so excited to share that there will be a new addition to our family this summer.'

Eugenie gave birth to her first son August Philip Hawke Brooksbank, who is 13th-in-line to the throne, at London's Portland Hospital in February 2021.

Posting a tribute on Instagram to her youngest daughter this afternoon, Fergie wrote: 'You will be sharing puddles, Augie! Superb news, Granny heaven. So deeply grateful.'

Meanwhile Fergie also shared a snapshot of the little toddler playing in a puddle in the pouring rain.

Eugenie gave birth to her first son August Philip Hawke Brooksbank, who is 13th-in-line to the throne, at London's Portland Hospital in February 2021. Pictured last year

Taking to Instagram, the mother - who last month confirmed that she's pregnant with a second child - posted a video of 'Augie' showing off some moves

Calling her son 'their world's greatest joy', Princess Eugenie shared adorable snaps of Augustus on social media

In the snap, the youngster donned a bright yellow rain mac as he played in the grounds of a country house.

In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: 'Princess Eugenie and Mr Jack Brooksbank are pleased to announce they are expecting their second child this summer.

'The family are delighted and August is very much looking forward to being a big brother.'

While it is not known where the photo of the princess and August was taken, it appears to have been captured in the past few weeks, with frost on the ground.

In the post, the mother-of-one beams down at her young son, who snuggled into her tummy enthusiastically.

One clip shows Jack and his son on a walk as the toddler laughingly splashes around in puddles while wearing wellies

The princess also took to her Stories to share candid shots of her, Augustus and Jack Brooksbank enjoying some wholesome family time together

Other photos show him walking hand in hand with his parents on the beach, seemingly during the festive season, with Jack donning a Santa hat

It is not currently known whether she is expecting a boy or a girl.

Eugenie and Jack, 36, began dating in 2011 and confirmed their relationship in an appearance at Royal Ascot that year.

When Eugenie left London to work for an auction house in New York in 2013, the pair maintained a long-distance relationship.

At the time, Jack told The Daily Mail: 'We spend a lot of time on Skype. It's great. We're still very much together.'

In 2015 the princess returned to London where the pair grew ever closer - and they sparked engagement rumours the following year.

But it was not until January 2018 that Jack popped the question while the pair were away in Nicaragua.

Then in October that year. Eugenie announced her first pregnancy in a similar fashion, posting on Instagram at the same time the palace announced the news.

When he was born, August weighed 8lb 1oz and the couple broke with tradition by immediately sharing a black-and-white photo to Eugenie's Instagram of them holding their newborn's tiny hand.
A woman didn't quite what was expecting when she ordered a pink heart-shaped cake for her birthday while holidaying in Mexico.

Angelica asked the baker for a stunning heart cake decorated with baby-pink icing, pearls, cherries and edible glitter but was left 'speechless' when she received something that looked nothing like her reference picture.

In a video posted to TikTok, she showed the glitter-less hot pink cake with a badly-drawn tiny '24' in the centre made from melted chocolate, too many cherries and no pearls.

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Angelica ordered a stunning pink heart cake with pearls, cherries and glitter but was left 'speechless' when she received something that looked nothing like her reference picture

'When you go to Mexico to celebrate your birthday and order a cake,' the 24-year-old write in the clip with a crying face and broken heart emoji.

In the comments, Angelica said the bakers were 'so confident' they could recreate the cake she wanted so she was 'devastated' when she saw the final result.

Angelica saw the funny side of the cake 'fail' and left thousands of viewers in stitches over the mix-up.

'The colour, the circle, I screamed,' one woman laughed.

'Well at least it's heart shaped,' a second pointed out.

'They could say 'hey we can't do that. Do you want choose one of the styles we're more familiar with?',' a third wrote.

Someone asked if the cake at least tasted good but Angelica replied saying she didn't end up paying for or taking it.

'I think I could do better after a couple glasses of wine,' one viewer joked.

'That's so cute how they tried though,' another replied.
The mum from Australia's largest family has shared the five budget tricks she swears by at the supermarket amidst the rising cost of living across the country.

Jeni Bonell, 52, and her husband Ray, from Queensland, have a super-sized family consisting of 16 kids - nine sons and seven daughters aged between seven and 32; and nine of her children still live at home.

'Whether you have a big family or a small family, the cost of living prices are affecting everyone. The family budget is taking a beating at the moment,' Jeni said in a YouTube video.

She shared her five tips, and why you need to know about 'pricing cycles' or when something is going to go on sale in order to snag a bargain.

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The mum from Australia's largest family has shared the five budget tricks she swears by at the supermarket amidst the rising cost of living across the country (Jeni Bonell pictured)

Jeni Bonell, 52, and her husband Ray, from Queensland, have a super-sized family consisting of 16 kids - nine sons and seven daughters aged between seven and 32; and nine of her children still live at home (the family pictured)

1. Make a grocery list

The first tip Jeni said she absolutely can't do without is a grocery list each and every time she goes to the supermarket.

'A list makes you so much more organised and less likely to overspend at the supermarket,' she said in the video.

Jeni recommends either printing out your list manually, using an app to write it down or compiling it in the Notes section of your phone.

'I like to divide my list into several categories on the page,' Jeni said.

These categories include fruit and veg, meats, frozen foods, dairy, dried goods, household and sundries - which includes miscellaneous items like batteries.

She also has a pantry and fridge list which she keeps at home, in which she writes down exactly what is in her fridge and pantry and what she needs to buy more of.

'Lists are handy because they keep you organised and stop you from buying what you don't need,' Jeni said.

'Grocery stores have a great way of putting what they want to sell right at eye level and at entrances. Your list will make sure you bypass this.'

2. Shop the specials

The mum-of-16's next tip is that you should shop the supermarket specials and stock up as much as possible when there is a good deal.

'I am a big fan of a half price sale and I won't pay full price for anything I don't have to,' she said.

Keep an eye on supermarket catalogues, emails and apps to see what's going on sale that week and if something is half price and you can afford to buy more than one of it, stock up on three, four or even five.'

With regards to this, Jeni said it's a good idea to keep an eye on the 'pricing cycle' at supermarket, as typically the same things go on sale repeatedly throughout the year.

She said the items typically go half price every six to eight weeks, so don't panic if you miss one sale on a favourite item, as it'll be back soon.

With regards to this, Jeni said it's a good idea to keep an eye on the 'pricing cycle' at supermarket, as typically the same things go on sale repeatedly throughout the year

3. Consider unit prices

If you want to snag a bargain at the supermarket, Jeni said one of the best things you can do is consider the unit prices of something you want to buy.

'We all have this intrinsic mindset that bigger is going to be cheaper and we should buy in bulk, but sometimes the smaller products suit better and they can actually be cheaper per unit,' Jeni said.

To work out the unit price of something, Jeni said you need to take the cost of a product and divide it by the unit size.

A lot of the supermarkets list the unit price at the bottom of their stickers too, so make sure you check this out when you're looking to buy a basic item.

If you want to snag a bargain at the supermarket, Jeni said one of the best things you can do is consider the unit prices of something you want to buy (supermarket items pictured)

4. Use rewards cards and offers

Make sure you are always paying attention to and using your rewards cards and any offers that are on at the store, Jeni advised.

'Load you card onto your phone and before you head to the supermarket, check your emails for any offers that companies are giving,' she said.

'Boost whatever you can before you shop.'

Finally, while some might turn their nose up at home brand items, Jeni (pictured) said they are often in fact the same as some of the bigger-name brands

5. Pick home brand items

Finally, while some might turn their nose up at home brand items, Jeni said they are often in fact the same as some of the bigger-name brands.

'I'd advise using them for your pantry staples like flour, sugar, salt, oil etc,' Jeni said.

'But it's worth remembering that these products won't be at eye level and they will probably be on the bottom shelf.

'You'll have to have a look around for them, but don't be scared to try the cheaper brand.'

Jeni previously shared what you can find in the family's typical weekly shopping trolley and how she uses it to make the meals (pictured)

What's typically in the Bonell family's weekly shopping trolley? 4kg potatoes

2kg carrots

2kg royal gala apples

500g white cup mushrooms

2 x bags of grapes

Thai-style salad kit

Crunchy noodle coleslaw kit

400g of green beans

1.5kg homebrand spaghetti

700g homebrand pasta sauce

3 x 12 white dinner rolls

3 x cheese and back rolls

4 tins of corn kernels

2 tins of apricot nectar

500g homebrand peanut butter

Leg of ham under 1kg

2 x 250g champagne leg ham

2 x 80g roast beef

10L of water

4 x 700g homebrand bread slices

24 rolls of toilet paper

18 hot dog rolls

Vegemite 280g 6 x bottles of 3L milk

125g Salmon and lobster spread

245g homebrand cream cheese

250g homebrand mustard

120g homebrand roast meat gravy

Nescafe instant cappuccino

Nescafe instant latte

500g light tasty shredded cheese

250g Mil Lel parmesan cheese

2kg homebrand vanilla yoghurt

600mL thickened cream

3 x 12-pack Yoplait yoghurt

12-pack Paul chocolate mousse

6 x dozens of cage-free eggs

3 x Ritz dips

1kg short cut bacon

4 x homebrand cereal

2 x Uncle Tobys cereal

3 x bottles homebrand lemonade

24-pack Anzac biscuits

750mL homebrand canola oil

400g homebrand canola oil spray

4 x 1L Cottee's cordial Advertisement

Jeni has a huge following on social media, where she shares the reality of looking after and feeding her large family.

Previously, Jeni shared a snap that illustrates what it looks like for her to 'pop to the shops for bread and milk'.

She usually does a huge supermarket shop at the start of the week to stock up on pantry staples, fresh meat, fruit and vegetables, spending an average of $450.

But the stock only lasts the family half of the week. Jeni returns to the store mid-way through the week to pick up essential items such as milk, bread and fresh produce.

Budget tips for keeping your grocery costs down * Bulk out pricier foods like seasoned rice with plain rice * Shop the specials and stockpile things that are on sale * Base your meals around what's on sale * Plan and make a budget you can definitely stick to * If you see something you know you'll want later and it's on sale, even if it's veggies, buy it, chop it and freeze it for a later date * Involve your children in the shopping and the weekly budget * Make sure there is no food wastage Advertisement

In one of her mid-week shops, she picked up six bottles of 3L milk, three loaves of sliced bread and an array of fresh fruits and vegetables.

The haul included 2kg carrots, four punnets of strawberries, two punnets of blueberries, 1kg grapes, 400g of cherries, 600g of grape tomatoes, 4kg potatoes, two salad kits, a punnet of peaches and a bag of apricots.

'When you just need milk, bread and some fruit and vegetables,' Jeni wrote on Facebook, alongside a huge grocery haul of her 'quick shop'.

Her grocery bill came to an estimate total of $132.67.

Dozens of people were amazed with her shop, with one joking: 'You don't need to join a gym. So much weight training going on, lifting the milk jugs.'
Kissing your toddler when pregnant could have devastating consequences for your unborn baby, warns a mum whose twins were born with cytomegalovirus.

The virus, which is also known as CMV, can cause deafness, physical disability, developmental delay and death when passed from mother to child in utero.

Stephanie Greally, 37, had never heard of it until she found out her sons had it at birth - and never would have guessed showing her three-year-old daughter affection would be so dangerous.

Speaking to FEMAIL she explained one of her sons, Archer, was asymptomatic, while his brother Louis suffers from hearing loss, calcifications and enlarged ventricles.

Despite their tricky start Stephanie said her boys are 'doing great'.

'Louis is getting his cochlear implant in two weeks,' she added, saying she's excited the 18-month-old will be able to hear properly soon.

The common virus, which is passed on in bodily fluids, usually from a young child, will leave a mark on the young boy for life.

'If I had known it was out there and how it was transmitted, I would have been more diligent about kissing my toddler during my pregnancy,' Stephanie said.

A Perth-based mum says she would have been more careful during her pregnancy if she had known she could pick up a dangerous virus from her three-year-old

Louis and Archer, pictured next to their sister Eva, were born with CMV - often passed on from toddlers to their parents and then from the mother to their unborn children

'I had no idea that any of the normal loving, caring and kissing my toddler was putting my unborn babies at risk.'

She admitted she was scared to share a glass of water or food with her daughter Eva for months after the early arrival of her boys and their life-changing diagnosis.

'Now I have resigned to the fact that it is near impossible to avoid the transfer of saliva between a mother and kids. The boys grab my face, slobbering hands stuck straight in my mouth,' she said.

'We were just unlucky I caught CMV at the critically wrong time.'

The virus has left a lasting impression on the entire family - and how they operate.

'I do get anxiety when I see pregnant women though as I worry my boys might pass on the virus and it can continue to shed for years and wouldnt want to be the cause of someone else going through what we did,' Stephanie said.

Stephanie isn't alone in her grief and regret - in fact CMV is responsible for more disabilities in utero than any other virus.

She wants people to talk about the virus, which is spread by bodily fluids, and typically causes little to know symptoms in heathy adults.

The mother went to doctors when she was feeling fatigued in pregnancy, and despite having the risk factors CMV was never discussed.

Archer remains asymptomatic, Louis suffers from hearing loss, calcifications and enlarged ventricles

To prevent the infection pregnant women are advised to avoid sharing drinks and cutlery with young children, avoid contact with saliva when kissing a child, and wash their hands for at least 15 seconds after changing nappies, blowing noses, or handling children's toys and dummies.

Another mother, Pam Rogers, from Canberra is also living with the consequences of kissing her toddler whilst pregnant.

The mum-of-four contracted CMV in-utero she was advised to terminate the pregnancy after doctors said her son's brain had not formed properly and he would die after birth.

Christopher, now eight, defied all odds and lives with multiple disabilities and delays.

'He's non-mobile, non-verbal and completely tube fed, but he has the best smile and an ability to make your day good again  He's incredible,' Pam said.

Another mother , Pam Rogers , from Canberra is also living with the consequences of kissing her toddler whilst pregnant

The mum-of-four contracted CMV in-utero she was advised to terminate the pregnancy after doctors said her son's brain had not formed properly and he would die after birth

She believed some held the opinion that telling expectant mothers about CMV would cause mass hysteria, but she said it was a mother's right to be properly educated and choose what to do with the information.

'Don't tell me what I can and cannot know about. Don't censor things  It should be about empowering women. We need to give pregnant women more credit.

'It frustrating that CMV is not widely talked about and people aren't educated when it affects people so widely.'

There is no vaccine for the virus, however both mums agreed they would have taken one if it was available.

Rubella used to be the number one cause of deafness in children, when contracted in utero, but cases have dropped drastically since the vaccine was developed.
It was the mystery which baffled the nation: grandmother Trevaline Evans vanished into thin air on a summers day in 1990 after leaving a note on the door of her antiques shop in the Welsh town of Llangollen saying, Back in two minutes.

Now a former carpet fitter has revealed that he spotted a stranger in the small town, set in a World Heritage site in Denbighshire, on the day that she disappeared - and he bore an extraordinary resemblance to double murderer Christopher Halliwell.

The fitter, who wishes to remain anonymous, stated that he had seen the man, who was acting strangely, three times during the time of the 52-year-olds disappearance, once on the day before she vanished, and twice on the day itself.

Speaking to Silent Witness star Emilia Fox and criminologist Professor David Wilson, on their cold case investigation series In the Footsteps of Killers, he said: I gave a statement to North Wales Police. The police contacted me several times later but they told me there was no trace of that vehicle. It had disappeared.

It was on June 16, 1990, that Trevaline went missing. She left her shop, Attic Antiques, around 12.40pm, displaying the note on the door, and went to buy an apple and banana.

Trevaline Evans vanished on a summers day in 1990 after leaving a note on the door of her antiques shop in Llangollen, Wales

It is not known whether she returned to the shop but a banana skin was found in its bin. Her handbag and jacket were found in the shop, together with fruit and flowers that presumably she meant to take home.

The last sighting of Trevaline was near her home on Market Street at 2.30pm. Five minutes later a woman matching her description was spotting walking out of the town along the A5 towards Corwell. There was a similar sighting at 3.45pm.

Det Chief Insp Colin Edwards, who was heading the continuing investigation, said at the time: It is without doubt the strangest inquiry I have ever been involved with. How a happily married woman could vanish without trace on a sunny Saturday morning in a busy town centre is totally baffling.

Four men have been linked to her disappearance: Trevalines late husband Richard, who was arrested and released without charge; a smartly-dressed man, who was seen with her the day before she went missing and had never been traced; serial killer Robin Ligus; and a stranger who resembled double murderer Halliwell.

The stranger was first spotted in Llangollen the day before Trevaline disappeared. I was just off Market Street with a work colleague fitting a carpet and we had actually got the carpet out on the street, revealed the fitter, who has lived in the town for most of his life.

A man walked along Market Street but he didnt engage with us at all. He was acting strangely really. We had full view of him. He was quite tall and he had big eyes, I remember big staring eyes. He turned round and walked back down Market Street.

The following morning, he spotted him again. I was going up the Horseshoe Pass at about 7.45ish, he added. There was a camper van parked on the verge and as I approached it, the same man I saw on Friday night came out of the camper van.

It was definitely the same guy as I had seen on Friday night. He had the same clothes on and I thought it was very odd where he was parked because on the opposite side there was a lay-by where he could have pulled in but he was actually on the grass verge looking at the scenery.

Now a former carpet fitter has revealed that he spotted a stranger in the small town, set in a World Heritage site in Denbighshire, on the day that she disappeared - and he bore an extraordinary resemblance to double murderer Christopher Halliwell (pictured)

Speaking to Silent Witness star Emilia Fox and criminologist Professor David Wilson (pictured together), on their cold case investigation series In the Footsteps of Killers, the fitter said: I gave a statement to North Wales Police. The police contacted me several times later but they told me there was no trace of that vehicle. It had disappeared'

It was on June 16, 1990, that Trevaline went missing. She left her shop, Attic Antiques, around 12.40pm, displaying the note on the door, and went to buy an apple and banana

Four men have been linked to her disappearance: Trevalines late husband Richard (left), who was arrested and released without charge. The antiques dealer disappeared after placing a note in her shop door saying she would be back in two minutes, right.

The final sighting was around the time Trevaline popped out to buy fruit. The van was parked in the car park at Kwik Save supermarket, two minutes from the shop.

I did see his vehicle later on that day, he added. I would say it was 12.30pm. As I got back into Llangollen, I was passing what was then Kwik Save, at the bottom of the car park, I saw the same vehicle I had seen that morning parked in the bay in the supermarket car park.

Halliwell, a taxi driver from Swindon, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2016 after he admitted murdering Becky Godden-Edwards, 20, in 2003, while being questioned about the murder of another young woman, Sian OCallaghan, 22, in 2011.

He led police to where he had buried the body but a High Court judge initially ruled that the evidence was inadmissible in court because Detective Chief Inspector Steve Fulcher, who was leading the investigation, failed to caution him beforehand.

The police officer then discovered a secret store of womens clothing, which Halliwell is believed to have kept as trophies of his killings: only two of the 60 items have been identified - a cardigan worn by Becky and a high-heeled boot Sian was wearing before she was abducted.

Fox said in the programme: 'Christopher Halliwell worked in the local area, a witness saw him in the town on the day that Trevaline disappeared, and we know that he was a master of disposing bodies.

Fox and Wilson also tracked down a former girlfriend of Trevalines brother Philip, Linda, who identified him as the smartly dressed man, explaining that he wasnt recognised as he worked in Budapest, Hungary. He died 14 years ago.

She met him on Monday June 18, two days after Trevaline went missing, at the Jenny Jones pub where she worked, and dated him for five years.

I met him on the Monday night and from there, he just felt that he could tell me everything that was going on, she added. He opened his heart to me.

In the Footsteps of Killers: The Disappearance of Trevaline Evans is available on Channel 4. Pictured, Silent Witness star Emilia Fox and criminologist Professor David Wilson

Linda revealed that, contrary to reports at the time, Trevalines marriage was on the rocks. She wasnt in a happy marriage, she admitted. She wasnt contented at all.

Richard wasnt well liked at all. Because I worked in the Jenny Jones, he would come in and he only wanted to talk to me. Maybe I was naive enough not to understand that maybe he was trying to find out what was going on, with me being with Phil.

He was always the same, the same hangdog expression. His face never changed. He never ever said: I dont understand why shes gone away. Is it with somebody else? Has she run away? He never told me he loved her. He never said: Lynne, you dont realise how much I miss her. Nothing.

Phil came in one night and said there were carpets coming out of the house and a couple of bits of furniture. If hes waiting for her to come home, shes not going to be happy is she that her furniture is going out of the house and the carpets?

Wilson also discovered that her husband, who had been renovating the couple's holiday bungalow near the coast at Rhuddlan, had been spotted back in Llangollen at the time of his wifes disappearance, despite waiting until 11pm to report her missing, and had a motive: she had inherited 10,000 from one of her former lovers.

Ive done some more research and Ive also been able to establish from a contact in the North Wales Police that she even inherited 10,000 from one of those lovers who passed away, he added.

Theres also opportunity because Ive discovered from my police contacts that he was back earlier in Llangollen than we have previously believed. He was seen in the pub at 2.30pm shortly before Trevalines last reported sighting.

It might all be circumstantial evidence in relationship to Richard because theres still no definitive evidence. There is no crime scene, there is no body, there is no forensic evidence that links him to Trevalines murder but I cant rule him out.

In the Footsteps of Killers: The Disappearance of Trevaline Evans is available on Channel 4.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends a joint press conference with France's President and German Chancellor at the Elysee presidential Palace in Paris, Feb. 8. AFP-Yonhap



Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's tour of European capitals brings him to Brussels on Thursday to lobby EU leaders for jets and long-range weapons to shore up his defenses against the Russian invasion.



After almost a year of the most brutal combat on European soil in decades, Kiev's unlikely war leader, a former television actor, has made only two trips abroad to rally Kiev's Western allies.



On Wednesday, he met UK leaders in London and inspected Ukrainian troops training on western war gear, then flew on to Paris to dine with President Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz.



After arriving in Brussels, he is to make a much-anticipated address to the European Parliament, then attend the regular summit of the 27 European Union heads of state and government.



Arriving at the talks, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said: "It's very important that we speed up military aid to Ukraine. I think all of us looked in the warehouses at what we have. But we should do more."



The NATO and EU powers of Europe have been, along with the United States, the main backers of Ukraine's beleaguered defenders since President Vladimir Putin's Russia unleashed a full-scale invasion.



Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was proud to show Zelenskyy the Challenger tanks London is dispatching to Ukraine alongside German-built Leopards to reinforce Kiev's forces.



The EU leaders will also tout the 67 billion euros ($72 billion) they have spent on military and financial aid to Kiev, including funds spent on hosting four million Ukrainian refugees.



But Zelenskyy has more to ask. Ukraine's army is facing a renewed Russian offensive and its commanders want modern western fighter jets to free its skies from Moscow's raiders. "The sooner Ukraine gets long-range heavy weaponry, the sooner our pilots get planes, the sooner this Russian aggression will end and we can return to peace in Europe," Zelenskyy said in Paris.



"There is very little time," he warned.



Macron and Scholz pledged that Europe would back Ukraine until its eventual victory.



"Ukraine can count on France, its European partners and its allies to win the war. Russia cannot and must not prevail," Macron said.



Scholz said Germany and its partners had backed Ukraine "financially, with humanitarian aid and with weapons", adding: "We will continue to do so as long as necessary."





French President Emmanuel Macron, center, poses with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, before a working diner at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Feb. 8. AP-Yonhap
Air pollution could raise teenagers' risk of developing high blood pressure in later life, with girls particularly at risk.

Scientists led by Kings College London analysed pollution levels around the homes of more than 3,200 children aged 11 to 13, then took pressure readings of the same children three years later.

Researchers discovered that children exposed to higher levels of PM2.5 pollution  which is most commonly found in car fumes  had higher blood pressure.

This higher pressure could lead to a clinical diagnosis of high blood pressure  hypertension  when they grow up, and consequently a greater risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke.

Strikingly, the blood pressure rise linked to pollution was more than twice as high for girls compared to boys.

Scientists analysed pollution levels around the homes of more than 3,200 children aged 11 to 13 in London, then took pressure readings of the same children three years later (pictured, a shot of central London in 2022, on a day when a pollution warning was issued)

That is because girls typically get less exercise than boys, and exercise is healthy for blood pressure, experts believe.

When children inhale dirty air, the pollution particles get into their bloodstream and can damage the lining of blood vessels, making them harder and less elastic.

Children's hearts then have to pump harder to force blood through the blood vessels, so that they have higher blood pressure.

READ MORE: Given the chop! Sadiq Khan effectively bans wood burners in new and refurbished London homes under new air quality rules Advertisement

Professor Seeromanie Harding, senior author of the study, said: 'More than one million under-18s live in neighbourhoods where air pollution is higher than the recommended health standards.

'Air pollution is an avoidable cause of higher blood pressure, which will increase the number of heart attacks and strokes when these children reach adulthood.

'These findings need to be acted upon, and air quality must be improved for children, which would reap huge benefits for society.'

The study looked at the air quality, mainly from road pollution, within a 20-metre (65-foot) area around the homes of 3,284 children in London.

Pollution particles are measured in micrograms per cubic metre of air.

For every one microgram increase in PM2.5 pollution, which comes mainly from traffic but also from building materials, boys were found to have a systolic blood pressure reading 0.57 points higher.

Girls' systolic blood pressure, which is the number showing the blood pressure in arteries when the heart beats, was 1.34 points higher.

Every one point increase in systolic blood pressure among teenage girls could lead to four per cent more of them dying from cardiovascular disease as adults, evidence suggests.

Researchers found children exposed to higher levels of nitrogen dioxide, which mainly comes from diesel fumes, had lower blood pressure.

This finding was unexpected but the study authors caution that it does not mean children's risk of cardiovascular disease is lower as a result.

While the effect of air pollution on adult blood pressure is well known, previous evidence on how this affects children has been mixed and mainly relied on studies in China, which is very polluted.

The new study, published in the journal Plos One and involving children from 51 London schools, found teenagers from ethnic minority groups were exposed to higher average annual levels of pollution at home than white teenagers in the UK, but the impact of pollutants on blood pressure did not vary according to ethnicity.

Dr Alexis Karamanos, lead author of the study, said: 'Further studies following the same adolescents over time in different socio-economic contexts are needed to understand whether and how exposure to higher pollutant concentrations may affect differently the cardiovascular health of children and adolescents.'
The drug blocked the process in mice and researchers hope to test it in humans

But it can also stop bone marrow becoming inflamed - a key cause of aging blood

An arthritis drug might hold the key to reversing aging, researchers say.

Scientists have known for several years it is possible to rejuvenate old blood in patients by infusing them with the blood of younger and healthier people, but the studies are still in the early stages.

However, researchers from Columbia University in New York might have found a way to teach someone's body to refresh their old blood without taking it from others.

Anakinra, sold under the brand name Kineret and used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, may have the power to reverse some parts of aging on the hematopoietic system, which produces our blood.

Anakinra, an arthritis drug, is able to block the deterioration of the blood by stopping the inflammation of the bone marrow, where blood is produced

Stem cells, which live in bone marrow, are responsible for generating blood in our bodies.

As a person gets older, the hematopoietic stem cells create fewer red blood and immune cells, weakening the immune system, which can lead to conditions such as anemia and even cancer.

Columbia University's study, published in the journal Nature Cell Biology, found that as mice age, the hematopoietic system becomes inflamed to the point of deterioration and causes blood stem cells to stop working properly.

Deteriorated bone marrow is a key cause of aging, but anakinra is able to block this by stopping the inflammation from occurring in the first place.

The research team is looking into whether the same could apply in humans and hopes to get clinical trials underway.

Emmanuelle Passegue, director of the Columbia Stem Cell Initiative and lead author of the study, said: 'Treating elderly patients with anti-inflammatory drugs blocking IL-1B function should help with maintaining healthier blood production.'

Anakinra is given to patients with moderate to severe arthritis who have not improved after using other treatments.

When used for arthritis, it is given as a daily injection. Roughly 1.3 million people in the US have rheumatoid arthritis, which is the most common form of arthritis. In the UK, over 430,000 people have it.

Anti-aging biotechnology has become a popular investment avenue for billionaires in recent years, and some believe people could hope to live to as old as 150.

Medical advances in the last century have already led to humans in wealthy nations living into their 80s, almost double the average life expectancy at the turn of the 20th century.

Tech tycoon Bryan Johnson, 45, spends $2million a year on a team of more than 30 doctors and medical experts that oversee and test almost every one of his organs. Their aim is to engineer his body into that of an 18-year-old.

And the founder and billionaire behind Coinbase, an American company that deals with cryptocurrency, is looking to cure aging and is using machine learning to find it.

Billionaires Jeff Bezos and Yuri Milner are also funding a 'rejuvenation' startup biotechnology firm with the aim of discovering a way to reverse aging.
A realtor from Alabama has thanked a viral TikTok beauty trend for saving her life  after it led to the discovery of stage four cancer.

Helen Bender, from Mobile, had been following the 'Gua Sha' trend, a 2,000-year-old technique from China which involves scraping the skin with a flat tool until tiny red dots appear.

But while she was doing this in April 2022, the 26-year-old spotted a large lump lurking under her skin just below the left side of her jaw.

Scans at the doctor revealed it was the most aggressive type of cancer and had already led to 20 tumors throughout her body. She was given just six weeks to live.

But after starting immunotherapy, the tumors have begun to shrink - and she is eight months into a two-year course.

Her remarkable story comes after a 25-year-old TikTok star also credited the social media platform with saving his life after viewers raised the alarm over a cancerous mole on his back.

Helen Bender, 26, from Mobile, Alabama, said the viral TikTok hack Gua Sha saved her life. It led to her being diagnosed with stage four skin cancer and receiving treatment

The 26-year-old said she was trying Gua Sha on her face when she spotted a lump on her neck. She got this checked by doctors, only to discover that it was stage four skin cancer

Ms Bender said: 'Using Gua Sha saved my life.

'I'd started to use it to try and make my face skinnier when I noticed this bump, I wasn't sure what it was.

'I get sick a lot with colds and stuff, so I thought at first it was just a swollen lymph node.

'Then I noticed I'd lost a lot of weight. I was loving it thinking "I'm so skinny", not realizing it was cancer.'

She added: 'If I hadn't used [Gua Sha] so early on, I'd probably have... not managed to get it looked at. I could have died.'

Gua Sha videos have racked up hundreds of thousands of views on TikTok, after the practice was highlighted last year by celebrities including supermodel Elle Macpherson.

Supporters of the facial massage say it improves circulation and can help to drain fluid, which they claim improves wrinkles and can make a user's face appear thinner.

Doctors say it could be helpful for reducing swelling and boosting circulation to areas where it is applied, helping to encourage cell growth.

But they also warn that it bursts tiny blood vessels  called capillaries  beneath the skin, which may lead to bruising.

She is shown above doing Gua Sha. In this hack, users gently scrape their skin with a smooth object such as a coin or the back of a spoon until tiny red dots appear. Adherents say it can help battle off wrinkles and make your face look thinner, but doctors warn it also bursts blood vessels beneath the skin

After her initial appointment with doctors, she went on holiday to Italy with her family for ten days. She didn't mention the potential diagnosis, but while away she noticed another lump on her clavicle (Shown above is the lump on her clavicle/shoulder, mid-left, and on her neck, top right)

Alarm bells started ringing shortly after Ms Bender first noticed the lump in April 2022, prompting her to book a visit to the doctor.

She had previously been diagnosed with melanoma five years ago, but the cancerous mole on her back had been removed and she had been in remission ever since.

Doctors had told her to get checked every year in case the cancer came back, but Ms Bender said she had missed her latest appointment by a few weeks.

She booked to see a dermatologist in April for a lung X-ray. She had a follow-up scan booked for early May for just after a ten-day family trip to Italy.

While there, she spotted another lump on her shoulder, which left her feeling like 'something was going wrong'.

The day after the trip, she went for a full body scan but was called back to the clinic by doctors within an hour of leaving.

Ms Bender said: 'I was running errands and they told me to come in immediately, that it was urgent.

'I went by myself and called my fiance to stay by his phone.

'The doctor came in and he sat down and said, "This is stage four cancer". I remember having a blank stare on my face, it was such a blur.

'There were around 20 lumps, it had spread throughout my body to multiple areas. It actually says on my records it's possibly stage five.'

She added: 'I asked my doctor how long he thought I would have, and he said someone had come to him at a similar stage and they died in six weeks.'

Stage four melanoma is the most aggressive type, and indicates that it has already spread to other locations in the body.

Scans indicated that as well as the lump on her neck, she also had tumors in her lungs, intestines, and left thigh among other areas.

She said: 'I had my fiance come and meet me at the doctor's office, we were both crying.

'I couldn't tell my dad, it's so hard to tell that kind of news to family members. So the doctor told my dad, and my dad told my mum and sister.

'They just hugged me and told me we were going to get through this. It was really hard seeing them, especially my sister.'

Ms Bender is now receiving immunotherapy to fight the cancer. She is in her eighth month of the two-year treatment. She is shown above with her cat and while traveling

Ms Bender is shown above while in hospital. A GoFundMe has been started in her name online which has already raised more than $100,000

Ms Bender is shown above in hospital while receiving treatment for her stage four skin cancer

Pictured above are two more views of the lump underneath her left jawline, which she spotted in April 2022. Scans the following month identified 20 other tumors across her body and doctors gave her six weeks to live

Doctors began her on a two-year course of immunotherapy at the Mitchell Cancer Institute in Mobile, Alabama, in early June.

The medicine initially caused the tumors to balloon so much that strangers in the street stopped her and said they would pray for her.

Eight months later the swelling has gone down and her tumors are no longer painful. Ms Bender says she now also feels positive about the future and that the treatment appears to be working.

What is TikTok hack 'Gua Sha'? Gua Sha is a type of massage popularized by Chinese medicine. In the massage, users gently scrape an area of skin  typically on the face  with a smooth-edged tool such as a coin, spoon, or pebble. They continue until tiny red spots appear under the skin. Adherrents claim the practice improves their circulation, and can help reduce wrinkles and make your face look 'thinner'. But doctors warn the practice bursts blood vessels under the skin. They say this can lead to bruising and minor bleeds. Advertisement

She said: 'We knew immunotherapy was the only option.

'There's a 50/50 chance if it works for you or not and if it doesn't then it's basically a death sentence.

'I said, "Just let me know when I need to go enjoy my life on a beach," you know?

'The medicine enlarged the tumors even more as they swell before they get better, so they got crazy big.

'It was pretty painful. On my jaw, the lump was pressing on a nerve and it got difficult to swallow.

'I had a really big tumor in my left thigh, about the size of my fist, it grew so huge that my muscles would ache so badly.

'I couldn't go to the restroom for so long as some were in my intestines [and] it was causing internal problems.

'It was hard seeing myself in the mirror as the lump on my jaw would remind me I could die, it made it hard to forget.

'People would even stop me at the grocery store and pray for me.'

Speaking about her treatment eight months in, she added: 'The lump isn't as noticeable now, as I don't have a visual on my body, I can put it out of my mind more.

'I still have a lot of tumors, but you'd probably have no idea looking at me. I've been having the treatment for about seven months and so far it's working.

Ms Bender initially told her fiance Alec Bailey (pictured) about the diagnosis, but told him not to tell her family. It was left to her doctor to inform relatives

Shown above from left to right: her fiance Alec Bailey, Ms Bender, and Ms Bender's mother and father

'Immunotherapy takes about two years and builds up your immune system so your body can fight the cancer itself.

'When I go for treatment, it'll wipe me out for the day, but the rest of the week I'm able to work and hang out with my friends.

'I have another year-and-a-half of medicine, and they're predicting I'll go into remission in under two years.

'It's working really well. It doesn't have the same effects that chemotherapy does, so I have a pretty good quality of life.

'The one thing now that I always want to tell people is to go to your appointments.'

A fundraiser has been set up on GoFundMe in her name to help cover medical bills and lost earnings, which has so far raised more than $100,000.
Major retailers have pulled sales of bestselling Elf Bar vapes after a Mail investigation found the company was breaking the law on nicotine limits.

Tesco, Sainsbury's and WH Smith have withdrawn all Elf Bars products and Morrisons and Asda stripped the top-ranked Elf Bar 600 range from their shelves.

It comes after independent lab tests commissioned by the Mail found the 600 line of e-cigarettes were at least 50 per cent over the legal limit for nicotine e-liquid.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay also faced questions in parliament from Tory MP Adam Afriyie over whether he had contacted Trading Standards about the legal breach.

Chinese vaping giant Elf Bar 'wholeheartedly apologised' after independent lab tests by the Mail found its '600' line of e-cigarettes were at least 50 per cent over the legal limit for nicotine e-liquid (pictured: Daily Mail reporter Claire Duffin purchased vape bars at Tesco's in Derbyshire)

Experts described the findings of the Mail's investigation as 'deeply disturbing' and warned of a risk to young people illegally using the vapes, which are sold by major supermarkets

Andrew Bush, professor of paediatrics at Imperial College London, said the Mail expose was 'absolutely shocking' and it was 'incredibly worrying' that people didn't know what they were taking.

It was particularly concerning because, with their bright packaging and sweet flavours, the devices have become popular with children - even though it is illegal to sell vapes to under-18s.

More than half of the 11 to 17-year-olds who admitted trying vaping - around 100,000 young people - said they used an Elf Bar, anti-smoking group Ash found last year.

The Chinese manufacturer, which only launched in 2021, sells 2.5million Elf Bar 600s in the UK every week, accounting for two in three of all disposable vapes. The devices usually sell for around 6 each.

The amount of nicotine liquid in a vape is legally limited in the UK to 2ml, of which the maximum nicotine strength should be 2 per cent.

The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 say the limit was brought in to create 'an environment that protects children from starting to use these products'.

But tests commissioned by the Mail on three flavours Elf Bar 600s, bought at Sainsbury's, Tesco and Morrisons branches in London, Derby and Sheffield, found they contained between 3ml and 3.2ml of nicotine levels.

An Elf Bar spokesman later 'wholeheartedly apologised' and confirmed: 'We found out that some batches of the Elf Bar product have been overfilled in the UK.

After the Mail shared the results of the investigation, Tesco removed some Elf Bar 600s from its stores

NHS Digital, which quizzed nearly 10,000 students aged 11 to 15 on their smoking, drug and drinking habits last year, found that nine per cent currently vape  the highest rate logged since the survey began in 2014

It appears that e-liquid tank sizes, which are standard in other markets have been inadvertently fitted to some of our UK products.'

It added it would alert retailers and review its production process. Elf Bar insisted the 'highly regrettable situation' did not compromise the product's safety.

After we shared our findings with the Department of Health, it alerted Trading Standards so they could investigate and 'take the appropriate action'.

An Asda spokesman said: 'We can confirm that Asda is removing Elf Bar 600 flavours from sale, while we await the findings of the relevant investigations.'

WH Smith said all variants of Elf Bar have been removed from sale in its stores.

A Sainsbury's spokesman said: 'We have removed all Elf Bar products from our stores whilst our suppliers investigate this matter further.'

A Morrisons spokesman said: 'As part of our ongoing investigation into the legal compliance of Elf Bar 600 disposable electronic cigarettes with Trading Standards, we have made the decision to remove all flavoured variants from sale.

'The products will only be returned to sale once stock that fully complies with UK legislation becomes available.'

Tesco has temporarily removed all Elf Bar vape lines from the supermarkets and its chain of One Stop stores whilst the manufacturer investigates.

Elf Bar also makes the second best selling disposable vape in the UK, the Elf Bar Lost Mary. The Mail did not test these products.
If you or a loved one needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Line at 1-800-273-8255

Experts warned the uptick was being driven by knock-on effects of pandemic

Official data showed number of suicides in 2021 was nearly a new record

The number of Americans committing suicide is almost back at record levels after the Covid pandemic, official figures show.

There were 48,183 suicides in 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which was just 161 deaths below the record in 2018. That is the equivalent of a suicide every 10 minutes throughout the whole of 2021.

The rise  which reverses a two-year downward trend  was driven by a spike in suicides among 25 to 44-year-olds and among young Black adults.

Experts have blamed climbing suicides on worsening mental health, job losses during the pandemic and rising gun ownership rates.

The above graph shows the number of suicides recorded in the United States by year from 2000. It reveals that they are now trending upward again, after a two-year decline. But suicides in America have been trending upward for decades

For the analysis published today, experts looked at data from the National Vital Statistics System  which records all births and deaths in the nation.

The number of suicides registered in 2021 was up five percent on the previous year's tally and a fifth higher than a decade ago.

It was just shy of the record in 2018 when 48,344 suicides were recorded.

Experts can't pin the uptick on a single factor, but warn that economic downturns and worsening mental health tend to be linked to changes in statistics.

There are no figures for suicides by state for 2021 at present. But the above map shows the rates for 2020, revealing that Wyoming and Montana had the highest suicide rates

Experts warned when the Covid pandemic struck that America's suicide rate would surge  because of the economic hardships.

But numbers actually fell in the first year of the pandemic, which was attributed to the community spirit fostered during the scariest days of Covid.

Reacting to provisional data released earlier last year, the chief medical officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) said the rise was 'disappointing'.

But she added: 'However, what had been predicted at the beginning of the pandemic was that there would be a major escalation.'

Suicide is the 12th leading cause of death in the United States, the foundation added.

The White House is currently beefing up mental health services for the country with $1 billion over five years to improve offerings in schools and for children struggling with psychological problems in the community.

In the report  published today in the agency's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) series  experts also compared demographic groups.

Broken down by age group, they found those in the 25 to 44-year-old age group had the highest suicide rate  at 18.8 suicides per 100,000 people.

They were followed by 45 to 64-year-olds (17.6) and the over-65s (17.3).

Those in the youngest age group covered, 10 to 24-year-olds, were at the lowest risk of suicide (11 per 100,000).

Broken down by ethnic group, the data showed people in the American Indian group had the highest suicide rate (28.1 suicides per 100,000).

They were followed by white people (17.4) and native Hawaiians (12.6). At the other end of the scale was the Asian ethnicity (6.8).

But compared to previous years the CDC also noted 'significant increases' among young black persons aged 10 to 24 years old.

The data was not broken down by gender or state, although previous reports have suggested that Montana has the highest rate in the US.

On the causes, they said: 'Suicide is a complex problem related to multiple risk factors such as relationship, job or school, and financial problems, as well as mental illness, substance use, social isolation, historical trauma, barriers to health care, and easy access to lethal means of suicide among persons at risk.'

Limitations of the study included that some people may have been assigned to the wrong ethnic group.
RUN ROSE RUN by Dolly Parton and James Patterson (Penguin 8.99, 448pp)

RUN ROSE RUN

by Dolly Parton and James Patterson (Penguin 8.99, 448pp)

Having collaborated with Bill Clinton on two political thrillers, James Patterson has now turned to the dark side of the country music business, with the undisputed queen of country, Dolly Parton.

AnnieLee Keyes has been writing songs since she could talk and dreams of making it in Nashville.

She may be young, but she knows how to look after herself: she can fire a gun and drive a truck  skills she puts to good use when she gets into trouble while hitchhiking.

Her talents are encouraged by guitarist and Afghan veteran Ethan Blake, who introduces her to one of contry musics biggest queens  and AnnieLees success seems assured.

But there is a dark story in her past that threatens her bright future.

Partons debut is a rollercoaster ride, from hardscrabble misery to well-earned triumph.

GWENDY'S FINAL TASK by Stephen King and Richard Chizmar (Hodder 9.99, 416pp)

GWENDY'S FINAL TASK

by Stephen King and Richard Chizmar (Hodder 9.99, 416pp)

Aged 64 and with a diagnosis of Alzheimers which she is desperate to conceal, politician and novelist Gwendy Peterson is joining a team of astronauts on a rocket headed into space.

Her luggage contains a terrible object  a box with coloured buttons and levers. Pressing a button wreaks death and destruction across the world, while the levers produce silver dollars and chocolate treats.

When she was 12, Gwendy was asked by a mysterious stranger to take temporary care of the box, with the warning that it would return to her twice more and shape the course of her life.

Now, dark forces are plotting to control the boxs deadly powers, and Gwendys final task is to take it to the only place where it can be destroyed  outer space.

Faced with jeopardy, Gwendy pursues her quest to save the world with stubborn charm.

OTHERLANDS by Thomas Halliday (Penguin 10.99, 416pp)

OTHERLANDS

by Thomas Halliday (Penguin 10.99, 416pp)

If the 4.5 billion years of the Earth were condensed into a day, the written human record would begin in the last tenth of a second.

Trying to contemplate the aeons that preceded our existence can make the mind reel, but Thomas Halliday has set himself this task in his marvellous history of our planet.

Journeys have to begin at home, he writes, starting in the relatively homely Pleistocene ice ages, a mere 20,000 years ago, and travelling back in time to the Ediacaran , 550million years ago, a time before our familiar Pole star had begun to twinkle.

He introduces us to spectacular wonders  giant dormice, sabre-toothed deer and the mysterious Tully monster  before returning us to the present, where he warns: In the face of environmental change, it is complacency that is deadly.
MEMOIR

FROM UTMOST EAST TO UTMOST WEST

by John Blashford-Snell (Bradt 14.99, 541pp)

The trick when having a meeting with the Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, apparently, was to bow down so low as you reversed out of the Royal Presence that you could see back between your own legs.

The reason? The Emperor liked to have his pet lions roaming about in his audience chamber and, if you should happen to fall backwards over one, suddenly, it might take umbrage... This is a rip-roaring account of some unforgettable episodes in the life of John Blashford-Snell, or Blashers as he is cheerily known.

Surely the very last of the old school adventurer-explorers that reaches right back through two or three centuries of British Empire history, he always likes to take a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label with him, and has even been known to wear a pith helmet.

Adventurer: The Russians were suspicious of Blashers in Mongolia. John Blashford Snell (pictured) on Mongolia's Mount Khuitten

And his journeys really have been explorations of the last few blank spaces on the world map. Extraordinary as it might seem, in 1968 there was no accurate map of the entire length of the Ethiopian Blue Nile, he tells us.

This is understandable. The majestic Nile is pretty terrifying along this remote stretch, with huge gorges, cascades of white water, rapids that have never been navigated, the home of bandit gangs, huge crocodiles, herds of hippo and massive landslides. There are also rumours of radioactive gas.

Nothing daunted, in 1968, Blashers set forth in his tough Avon inflatables, made in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, with a trusty band of soldiers and exsoldiers (he was a colonel in the Royal Engineers himself), zoologists, archaeologists and also cameramen. On this expedition, the great mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington was their photographer  and had a rib broken when a rock was hurled at the party from the cliffs above by bandits.

It could have been worse, though. The bandits were also firing rounds at them from their old Italian carbines, though fortunately they had a poor aim.

I fired a shot from my long-barelled Smith & Wesson revolver, writes the author. Whether I had actually hit him or not was unclear, but his weapon flew from his hand and he legged it back up the cliff.

Other travellers may exaggerate the dangers of their adventures for effect, but not Blashford-Snell. He is also blissfully innocent of political correctness, which might make some readers nervous, although I rather enjoyed his forthright style.

If a 15ft crocodile attacks you and wants to eat you, you shoot it. And if a group of local bandits threaten your lives or the lives of your crew, you have no option but to return fire.

There isnt much time for negotiation or niceties out here, yet its clear that Blashford-Snell truly loves Africa, in that clear-sighted, unsentimental way of someone whos really been there. Many times.

This aerial photo taken on shows a view of the Mount Merapi in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

He travels not only to explore, but also to bring aid, sanitation and more. He founded the Scientific Exploration Society, Operation Raleigh (which has enabled 50,000 young people from 100 countries to take part in challenges and expeditions around the world), and even delivered a grand piano to the Wai Wai people of Guyana in South America. As you do.

In Mongolia, perhaps his riskiest moment involved some attractive young ladies. He went there in 1989, just after Mongolia had broken free of the Soviet Union, but there were still plenty of Russians around, suspicious of what this British Army officer might be doing there.

When he arrived in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, he was delighted but somewhat wary at being met by an almond- eyed beauty in a leather mini-skirt.

I am here to look after you. My name is Minjin which means beaver. She smiled. And my sister is called Khulan, which means wild ass. My God! I thought. This must be a KGB honey trap. But he made it out alive  somehow.

His most gruelling expedition was surely to the Darien Gap, between Panama and Colombia.

Incredibly, this terrible terrain of some 10,000 square miles of jungle and fever swamp still defeats the best of 21st-century engineering, meaning there is still a break in the Pan American Highway: you have to go round by sea. But in 1972, the Colonel and his hand-picked team managed to struggle their way across it overland, although it sounds a hellish experience.

The two brand new Range Rovers nearly packed in. The oppressive, overgrown jungle was a prison . . . illuminated by a dull green light, the horses were bled dry by vampire bats each night, there was torrential rain, every other plant stung them and biting insects were ubiquitous: not just mosquitoes but centipedes an inch wide, and scorpions, too. Ticks burrowed into their flesh and had to be dug out every evening.

Their sweat-soaked clothes rotted on their backs, even their U.S. Army jungle boots fell apart . . . but when they finally pushed their way through and emerged triumphant from the swamp, a column of ragged, filthy, hollow- eyed men, women and vehicles . . . It happened to be St Georges Day!

Incidentally, you can see marvellous, grainy old footage of many of Blashford-Snells old expeditions on his YouTube channel @jbs7809. Well worth a look.

And the book makes for a fabulously entertaining read for any armchair traveller, while for those feeling wistful that the great Age of Exploration is over, and the white spaces on the maps have all long since been filled in, theres real encouragement from Blashers. Every new discovery, he argues, only reveals more mysteries needing investigation while, increasingly, exploration has an urgent conservation angle.

Of Earths estimated eight million species (though some say it could be a billion), the great majority have never been studied. Who knows what still awaits in the remotest rainforests or depths of the ocean?

Meanwhile, there remain numerous mountains that have never been summited, in Tibet, China and Pakistan  not to mention Antarctica.

Blashers certainly isnt stopping yet. Incredibly, he has plenty more overseas adventures planned. His website details a further trip to Mongolia in June this year, adding a firm, I shall be leading the expedition.

John Blashford-Snell was born in 1936. For some, age really is just a number.
HUNGRY GHOSTS by Kevin Jared Hosein (Bloomsbury 16.99, 352pp)

HUNGRY GHOSTS

by Kevin Jared Hosein (Bloomsbury 16.99, 352pp)

Hosein, previously a YA (Young Adult) novelist, here makes his adult debut with a barnstorming fable about the perils of upward mobility, set in the dog days of colonial rule in the authors native Trinidad.

Blending family drama with chilling horror, the novel turns on the cross-class encounter between two rural households.

Hansraj is a Hindu labourer whose family  crammed into a tin shack with four other households  looks forward to better things to come when he is hired as a security guard for a local landowner, Marlee, after her husbands mysterious disappearance.

But a chain of spooky goings-on  including the drowning of a dog, the poisoning of another, and a ransom note delivered with a dead rat  makes it plain that trouble awaits...

Told with riveting verve, this is a terrific novel, pegged to national as well as domestic strife, peopled by flesh-andblood characters and plotted to keep us on tenterhooks about the storys pole-axing finale.

IN ASCENSION by Martin MacInnes (Atlantic 17.99, 512pp)

IN ASCENSION

by Martin MacInnes (Atlantic 17.99, 512pp)

One of the most challenging novelists to have emerged in recent years, Scottish writer MacInnes wrongfoots genre expectations in order to deliver longer-lasting excitement.

His new book has elements of his two previous novels, 2016s Infinite Ground, in which a mans disappearance was the pretext for a philosophical puzzler, and 2020s Gathering Evidence, which wove a science-fiction anti-thriller around the theme of ecological wipeout.

In Ascension is narrated by Leigh, a Dutch marine biologist investigating an unexplained crack in the Caribbean seabed  just as astronomers spot a UFO on collision course with Earth. And theres an intimate crisis, too, as her mother falls ill out of reach back home.

Blockbuster territory, for sure, but MacInnes unspools his disaster scenario at near-glacial pace, slowly cranking the tension as he embarks on a shattering investigation of nothing less than humanitys place in the cosmos.

The complex and troubling result unsettles magical thinking about the environment.

MARLO by Jay Carmichael (Scribe 8.99, 160pp)

MARLO

by Jay Carmichael (Scribe 8.99, 160pp)

This slender and affecting novel is a same-sex love story set against the backdrop of the homophobic laws of post-war Australia.

Its accordingly billed as an Australian Brokeback Mountain, but the manner in which it seeks to test readerly assumptions also calls to mind Andrew Sean Greers 2008 novel The Story Of A Marriage.

The narrator, Christopher, is a young gay man who quits his stifling hometown of Marlo for Melbourne, only to discover the big city is just as buttoned-up when he falls for another man, who finds himself doubly marginalised as an indigenous Australian denied equal rights.

While the novel portrays an era of criminalised desire, it doesnt cede its emotional terrain to misery and shame, giving honest-to-goodness lust and love its due, too, without soft-soaping historical ills. But you sense the pressure of responsibility to the novels subject in its unstable tone, a strange mix of hardboiled and high-flown.
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A rare 1971 Ford Capri with one owner from new is being offered to the highest bidder at a UK auction next month.

The keeper is parting with his cherished 1971 Ford Capri 3000GT XLR 'Comanche', which is not only incredibly uncommon but has also featured on the BBC's nineties show The Car's the Star, hosted by former Top Gear front man, Quentin Willson.

With Capri values skyrocketing in recent years and breaking auction records in 2022, the vendor has decided it's the best time to part ways with his beloved motor.

With just 36,946 miles on the clock and a fully-documented history in the hands of its one and only owner, Classic Car Auctions is expecting it to be sold on the weekend of 25 March for between 50,000 to 60,000.

Cherished Capri: This 1971 Fast Ford has been retained in single ownership from new. Having had the keys from new for some 52 years, the keeper has decided it is time to part with his beloved motor...at a time when Capris are selling for record sums

What makes this Capri a 'remarkable find' is the fact it's a 'Comanche' conversions, which was handled by the legendary Jeff Uren.

Engineer, Ford team manager, 1959 British Saloon Car Champion and entrepreneur, Uren is probably best known for his bespoke conversions of Ford Cortinas, Capris and Escorts in the late sixties.

Approximately 1,700 modified Fords - around 1,100 of them being Cortina 'Savages' - emerged from Jeff Uren Ltd in Hanwell in the London borough of Ealing.

However, the single-ownership Capri Comanche must be one of only a handful to remain, especially as very few were converted by Uren, who died in 2007 at the age of 81.

The car is a supremely rare 1971 Ford Capri 3000GT XLR 'Comanche' conversion. It not only incredibly uncommon but has also featured on the BBC's nineties show The Car's the Star , hosted by former Top Gear front man, Quentin Willson

With just 36,946 miles on the clock and a fully-documented history in the hands of its one and only owner, Classic Car Auctions is expecting it to be sold on the weekend of 25 March for between 50,000 to 60,000

The car is a Jeff Uren special. The engineer, Ford team manager, 1959 British Saloon Car Champion and entrepreneur is best known for his bespoke conversions of Ford Cortinas, Capris and Escorts in the late sixties

This 1971 car is finished in 'Maize Yellow' with a black vinyl interior and matching black vinyl roof.

It starred in The Car's the Star in 1994 and has received regular magazine features over the years.

Having come off the production line as a Mk1 Capri, the 'Comanche' conversion consisted of uprated gas flowed heads, high-compression pistons, bigger camshaft, re-jetted carburettor and were topped off with an oil cooler and electric fan giving an additional 55bhp over the standard Essex 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine.

With three engine options - 170, 180 and 190bhp - 'FYB 846K' was the lucky receiver of the most powerful 190bhp package.

The single-ownership Capri Comanche must be one of only a handful to remain, especially as very few were converted by Uren, who died in 2007 at the age of 81

three engine options were available as part of the Uren conversions: 170, 180 and 190bhp. Registration 'FYB 846K' was the lucky receiver of the most powerful 190bhp package, which only adds to its value

The Ford was originally supplied in 1971 by main dealer Whites of Taunton. Its one and only custodian from new has covered an average of just 710 miles each year since then

Suspension was also upgraded and some modification was made to make the car lighter.

Supplied in 1971 by Whites of Taunton - which was a main Ford Dealer - to its one and only custodian from new, they have covered an average of just 710 miles each year since then.

Classic Car Auctions says the car has been kept under wraps for a long portion of its latter life and the vendor, who's identify is not being revealed, has decided to put it to the highest bidder knowing that the value of quality Capris today is staggeringly high.

'It has never been for sale until now and is therefore fresh to market and a genuine slice of Blue Oval Fast Ford history.

'With just 36,000 miles, it's an unrepeatable lot,' a spokesperson for the motor auction house said.

Hagerty UK says a standard 1971 Mk1 Capri 3000GT in showroom condition today is worth 37,500. However, such is the rarity and incredible history of this car that it will likely dwarf that figure when the hammer drops next month

CCA says the owner has decided to put his long-term pride and joy to the highest bidder knowing that the value of quality Capris today is staggeringly high

The 'Comanche' conversion consisted of uprated gas flowed heads, high-compression pistons, bigger camshaft, re-jetted carburettor and were topped off with an oil cooler and electric fan giving an additional 55bhp over the standard Essex 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine

Six older cars for under 3k that are ULEZ expempt With London's Ultra Low Emission Zone expansion on the way, residents in the capital's 33 boroughs face the agonising decision between paying out 12.50-a-day to use their non-exempt cars or forking out for newer - considerably more expensive - models that meet emissions requirements. However, there is a cheaper way of getting around London Mayor Sadiq Khan's plans to force more drivers to pay to use their vehicles. Classic car experts say Londoners willing to put in some research can identify older models that are exempt from ULEZ's daily charge and - granted you can get your hands on one - could be an affordable and more entertaining way to continue driving in the capital for the time being. We've already done exactly that. This is Money editor Simon Lambert pinpointed a sub-3,000 older motor on the verge of 'modern classic' status that wouldn't cost him a penny in ULEZ as a daily driver in London... and then bought it. > Find out what that car was and see which five vehicles collectible-car gurus at Hagerty suggest

Is now the time to sell a Ford Capri? Experts say yes

Hagerty UK says the average value of a Mk1 Capri 3000GT has risen by almost 26 per cent between 2016 and today, increasing from 17,650 to 22,175.

However, its classic car valuation tool - which is based on auction and private sales of collectible cars - says the most supreme concours (which means the vehicle is good enough to be displayed in a museum) examples today are worth 37,500.

John Mayhead, editor of the Hagerty UK Price Guide, said: 'Hagertys values of the Mk 1 Capri 3000GT have shown a rise of over a quarter since 2016.

'Although that seems like a huge lift, in terms of where the classic car market has moved in that time, its not unusual.

'What is interesting is how values of fair condition cars has risen: up from 4,400 to 10,500. This pattern tends to happen when more people are seeing them as worthy of restoration.

'The Capri is a firm Hagerty favourite as its one of those cool cars that your well-off mate may have had.

'Large engine Mk III cars tend to achieve the top prices, especially models like the Brooklands edition, but Mk I cars are also attractive due to their honest, early styling.'

However, the rarity, single custodianship and full history boasted by 'FYB 846K' will likely see a winning bid much higher than that.

'The Comanche conversion can definitely add value, especially this one that has the 190bhp mods. Its a car that Hagerty will be watching closely,' John told This is Money.

The record winning auction bid for a Ford Capri is a whopping 74,250, which was achieved in June last year, also at a CCA sale.

The record-breaking Capri was a one-of-a-kind model - which has been called the 'Holy Grail' of Fast Ford - that eclipsed the previous record amount paid for one by 20,000.

The Capri will be offered at CCA's first sale of 2023 at the Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show 25 and 26 March at the NEC in Birmingham.
Once the pride and joy of the King of Belgium, it suffered the sad fate of ending up in a scrapyard to slowly fade to rust.

But after a 16-year labour of love, this Aston Martin DB2 Vignale has been restored to regal glory by Bob Fountain and his team in County Durham  and is now on sale with a price tag of 3.65millon.

The rare car was commissioned in 1954 by King Baudouin, who wanted a fastback coupe built on an Aston Martin chassis from celebrated designer Alfredo Vignale, who worked with Ferrari and Maserati. The king eventually sold it to a palace aide before it was bought by an American soldier who took it to the US. It was finally sold in non-running condition to a breakers yard in Virginia.

Mr Fountain snapped the car up when he was offered it and had it shipped over to his garage, Aston Workshop, in Beamish, near Newcastle in 2007. He has been working on it since with a team of 40.

The rare car was commissioned in 1954 by King Baudouin, who wanted a fastback coupe built on an Aston Martin chassis from celebrated designer Alfredo Vignale, who worked with Ferrari and Maserati

Bob Fountain snapped the car up when he was offered it and had it shipped over to his garage, Aston Workshop, in Beamish, near Newcastle in 2007. He has been working on it since with a team of 40

He said the fact that the car had been specially commissioned by a king added a real sense of excitement to the project.

Its multi-million pound price tag makes it one of the most expensive cars on offer in the world.

Mr Fountain: Its always great for us to discover vintage Aston Martins in need of restoration, but when we found that this one had been specially commissioned by a king it added a real sense of excitement to the project.

The interior of the car, which is in fawn leather, was hand crafted using historic documents and photographs to recreate the exact spec ordered by the king.

After a 16-year labour of love, this Aston Martin DB2 Vignale has been restored to regal glory by Bob Fountain and his team in County Durham  and is now on sale with a price tag of 3.65millon

The King of Belgium eventually sold the car to a palace aide before it was bought by an American soldier who took it to the US. It was finally sold in non-running condition to a breakers yard in Virginia

Bob Fountain said the fact that the car had been specially commissioned by a king added a real sense of excitement to the project

Sales boss Alex Henderson said: It was never going to be a job that could be done quickly and that was never the intention, it was always going to be a labour of love that was going to take years.

We restore Astons every day but this one was Bobs car so it remained on the sidelines and was worked on whenever anyone had the time.

It was never forgotten though and its been a privilege to see it taking shape over time.
Health workers prepare to see patients suffering with cholera at Bwaila Hospital in Malawi, Jan. 11. AP-Yonhap



The deadliest cholera outbreak in Malawi's history has killed at least 1,210 people, while vaccines remain scarce, the World Health Organization said Thursday.



The southern African nation has been battling its worst cholera outbreak on record, with nearly 37,000 cases reported since March 2022.



WHO said in a statement that active transmission was now ongoing in 27 out of Malawi's 29 districts, with the country seeing a 143-percent increase in the number of cases last month compared to December.



"With a sharp increase of cases seen over the last month, fears are that the outbreak will continue to worsen without strong interventions," WHO warned in a statement.



But the UN health agency pointed out that the crisis in Malawi is occurring against a backdrop of surging cholera outbreaks worldwide, which have "constrained the availability of vaccines, tests and treatments."



Since the outbreak began, Malawi has carried out two large vaccination campaigns, but due to limited supplies, has offered just one of the usually recommended two oral cholera vaccine doses.



In November, it received the second batch of almost three million doses from the UN, and last month a health ministry spokesman told AFP all the doses had been used.



One billion at risk



WHO said Thursday that 96.8 percent of the population "residing in communities with high risk and burden of cholera" had been reached.



Beyond vaccination, the WHO said efforts were under way to improve sanitation and access to clean water, with house-to-house chlorination ongoing in affected communities and districts, among other interventions.



Cholera, which causes diarrhea and vomiting, is contracted from a bacterium that is generally transmitted through contaminated food or water.



WHO said there was a continued risk of further increases in the number of cases in the Malawi outbreak, and said there could also be more international spread.



Confirmed cases have already been reported across the border in Mozambique.



WHO said it assessed the current risk of spread inside Malawi and to neighboring countries as "very high."



Late last month, the UN health agency also warned that the risk from the global cholera outbreak was "very high" due to ongoing multiple outbreaks in many WHO regions.



WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters Wednesday that there were currently 23 countries in the world experiencing cholera outbreaks, with a further 20 countries that share land borders with them at risk.



"In total, more than one billion people around the world are directly at risk of cholera," he warned. (AFP)


Google's answer to ChatGPT has been criticised after failing to answer a question correctly in a promotional video shared to Twitter  instantly wiping 100billion from its value.

Shares in the tech giant's parent company Alphabet fell as much as nine per cent after its new artificial intelligence bot, Bard, showed inaccurate information on the advertisement.

Alphabet posted a video of Bard via Twitter, describing it as a 'launch pad for curiosity' to simplify complex topics.

The bot had been asked what to tell a nine-year-old about the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and its discoveries.

In response, Bard said Webb was the first to take pictures of a planet outside of earth's solar system. However, astronomers were quick to point out that this was actually done in 2004 by the European Observatory's Very Large Telescope.

Gaffe: Google's answer to ChatGPT has been criticised after failing to answer a question correctly in a promotional video shared to Twitter  instantly wiping 100billion from its value

Shares in Alphabet fell as much as nine per cent after its new artificial intelligence bot, Bard, showed inaccurate information on the advertisement

WHAT IS GOOGLE'S NEW AI BOT BARD? On Monday, Google launched its ChatGPT competitor called Bard. The bot is designed as an 'experimental conversational AI service' that answers users' queries and participates in conversations. Google shows that users can ask Bard queries, like 'plan a friend's baby shower' or how to explain new discoveries from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope to a 9-year-old'. However, the demonstration of the latter resulted in an incorrect statement, with Bard saying that Webb was the first to take pictures of a planet outside of earth's solar system. Astronomers were quick to point out actually occurred in 2004, by the European Very Large Telescope.

The incorrect answer to the sample question overshadowed Google's launch of Bard, sending the value of Alphabet crashing towards 1trillion.

Chris Harrison, a fellow at Newcastle University, wrote: 'Why didn't you factcheck this example before sharing it?'

Chatbots are designed to mimic humans in online conversations.

They are often used by customer service teams to answer online queries automatically but are becoming increasingly advanced.

When ChatGPT was released by start-up OpenAI in December, it opened the eyes of the public to just how powerful the technology has really become in recent years.

It has been used to pass exams, deliver a sermon, write software and give relationship advice  to name just a handful of its functions.

The tool was trained on a gigantic sample of text from the internet in order to be able to understand human language.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai said on Monday the soft launch of Bard would be available to 'trusted testers' to get feedback on the chatbot before a public release in the coming weeks

Google's Bard may be a step into the AI race for the company, but it still has many hurdles to overcome to show it's as powerful as ChatGPT

Google unveiled its competitor tool Bard earlier this week, which similarly answers users' queries and participates in conversations.

Some tech experts have queried whether these technologies are up to scratch, as they have been found to present incorrect information as fact.

OpenAI has acknowledged ChatGPT's tendency to respond with 'plausible-sounding but incorrect or nonsensical answers', an issue it considers challenging to fix.

The JWST gaffe from Google's Bard is another example of how developers are struggling to overcome inaccuracies in their AI products.

A Google spokesperson said: 'This highlights the importance of a rigorous testing process, something we're kicking off this week.

'We'll combine external feedback with our internal testing to make sure Bard's responses meet a high bar for quality, safety and groundedness in real-world information.'

Investors were disappointed as Alphabet failed to provide detail on how it will compete with Microsoft in this area.

Last month Microsoft announced a 'multi-billion-dollar investment' in OpenAI, which was set up by Elon Musk.

This week, the maker of the Windows operating system unveiled its new Bing search engine, which incorporates the revolutionary AI chatbot.

A demo version of the updated website is currently live, with a number of pre-set search terms available to try out the new feature.

This week, Microsoft unveiled its new Bing search engine which incorporates ChatGPT - the chatbot powered by artificial intelligence (AI)

After inputting a query into the new Bing you are presented with a familiar-looking list of hyperlinks, but on the right side is a small box containing a response generated by the bot

Google launches its ChatGPT competitor 'Bard' - read more Following the success of ChatGPT, Google announced its competitor called Bard

After inputting a query you are presented with a familiar-looking list of hyperlinks, but on the right side is a small box containing a response generated by the bot.

The overhaul is the biggest threat Google has seen to its web search dominance  and shows that the race to roll out the first AI-powered search engine, which will replace the normally thousands of results with a single response, is truly under way.

But it's not all over for Google yet as, alongside Bard, it is planning to release its own AI in search results that can synthesise material when no simple answer exists online.

In an announcement on Monday, CEO Sundar Pichai stressed his company's AI suite will be 'bold and responsible' as Microsoft's ChatGPT has been controversial due to misuse.

In December, OpenAI's bot came under fire after students were using it to cheat on tests and homework.

It has also been accused of having a left-wing bias after refusing to praise Donald Trump, tell a joke about women or argue in favour of fossil fuels.

The company's CEO Sam Altman has said that the tech's limitations in this area stem from efforts to stop it from 'making up random facts'.

He told The Telegraph: 'We know that ChatGPT has shortcomings around bias, and are working to improve it. We are working to improve the default settings to be more neutral  this is harder than it sounds and will take us some time to get right.'
HSBC has been accused of doing the dirty work of the Chinese Communist party after denying customers who fled from Hong Kong to the UK access to their own savings.

A scathing report from the all-party parliamentary group on Hong Kong also attacked the London-based banks support for the anti-democracy laws imposed on the territory by Beijing.

More than 88,000 people have escaped from Hong Kong to Britain since early 2021 after the harsh crackdown by China.

More than 88,000 people have escaped from Hong Kong to Britain since early 2021 after the harsh crackdown by China.

But the parliamentary group found that on top of brutalising dissidents, the Communist regime also seeks to financially isolate those whove turned to the British Government for safety and support, denying them the pension and personal savings they have spent their lives paying into.

It said this was the latest example of HSBC kowtowing to Beijing to protect its profits.

At stake are Mandatory Provident Funds (MPFs), a compulsory pensions savings scheme for Hong Kong residents.

The funds are managed by banks including HSBC, which was founded in the territory when it was under British control and makes most of its money in Asia.

Permanent departure from Hong Kong is supposed to give savers the right to withdraw money.

But last year the MPF authority said a British National Overseas (BNO) visa  used by people fleeing to the UK  could not be used as proof to do so.

The report found that by going along with this, HSBC was adding to its record of underhand collusion with Beijing.

It said the effect on many Hong Kongers was devastating and may have meant some could not leave.

The report added: It may even lead to Hong Kongers having to return back to Hong Kong and put their lives at risk because they could not afford to settle in the UK.

But it said HSBCs reliance on Hong Kong as a profit centre means it cannot afford to attract Beijings ire, and there have been a number of decisions where it has been forced to endorse the Chinese Communist party line.

Alistair Carmichael MP, co-chair of the group, said the bank was doing the dirty work of the Chinese Communist Party. He called on the Government to pressure it to act better than this.

The UK taxpayer has offered the hand of friendship to people fleeing the Chinese government in Hong Kong, Carmichael said.

A bank headquartered in London has picked the other side. We have a range of sanctions against individuals who are complicit in human rights abuses and thats whats going on in Hong Kong.

If sanctions have to be applied to directors of HSBC then our governments got to be prepared to make that clear to them.

HSBC is also criticised for freezing the accounts of pro-democracy activists and backing the National Security Law.

Its chief executive Noel Quinn was grilled in 2021 by a select committee over Hong Kong and said it was not his position to make moral or political judgments and that he had to comply with the law.

HSBC said: Like all banks, we have to obey the law, and instructions of the regulators in every region in which we operate.

It said it followed the Hong Kong regulators guidance on MPFs, and the regulator had said a BNO was not evidence of the right of abode outside of Hong Kong.
Luxury watch sales are soaring as buyers queue up for Rolexes, Patek Philippes and Omegas.

Watches of Switzerland said demand is still outpacing supply, with waiting lists for some of more than three years.

Lesser-know brands are booming too  with Henley on Thames-based Bremont seeing excellent sales.

In demand: Watches of Switzerland sales jumped 17% to 407m in the three months to January 29 and boss Brian Duffy said he is confident that will continue

Watches of Switzerland sales jumped 17 per cent to 407million in the three months to January 29 and boss Brian Duffy said he is confident that will continue for Britains biggest luxury watch retailer.

He said: There has been a more positive view from the Bank of England, and others, about how the second half of this year may be, which we share.

We are hearing things are stabilising and are going to get better, and that is what we are assuming as well.

It expects sales for the year to April of 1.5billion, with profit as high as 175million.

But the shares fell 11 per cent, or 111p, to 895p, almost wiping out its gains so far this year.
A teen who felt overwhelmed at the prospect of searching for a job has revealed how she matched with an employer in just hours using a new Tinder-like recruitment app.

Mia Zanco, 17, found work using Hunt, which launched in Australia on Tuesday and matches job seekers and employers using machine learning - a type of artificial intelligence that allows computers to adapt to patterns in data.

The app allows job seekers to create a profile listing their skills, experience, background and availability, while businesses upload details of roles they need to fill.

It then uses an algorithm to pair job seekers and employers based on their profiles - with users on both sides of the job market swiping until they find a suitable match.

Once a job seeker matches with an employer, a conversation can begin and an interview can be set up.

Ms Zanco said that, upon finishing high school, she was overwhelmed when she went online to apply for a job.

Mia Zanco, 17, managed to kickstart a career in travel after using recruitment app Hunt which matched her with a tourism agency in Noosa

'I didn't know how to look for jobs, it was so intimidating because all the online applications had so much information and I didn't know which one was right for me,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

When her high school careers counsellor recommended the Hunt app, Mia decided to create a profile.

The next day she had matched with the tourism agency Noosa Cruise and Travel on Queensland's Sunshine Coast and her recruitment was finalised in a matter of weeks.

'The app is very convenient for us Gen Zs trying to find a job, it's very much in our own terms,' Mia said.

Recruitment app Hunt launched in Australia on Tuesday and allows job seekers to create a profile listing their skills, experience, background and availability. They then can match with employers looking to fill a role

'In high school I'd just go into stores with my resume which was really intimating for me at that age, and when you search for jobs, it's very overwhelming with the amount of information you get.'

Mia said the app may be difficult to navigate initially for older users.

'They're not as accustomed to apps as Gen Zs, but it is very easy to use,' she said.

Hunt is aimed at blue collar workers, with co-founder Natalie Cherry saying it would benefit those working in hospitality, retail, construction and travel most.

Ms Cherry, who co-founded the business as well as running two travel agencies, came up with the idea in 2018 when she was trying to hire a junior staff member.

'I just had piles of black and white CVs on my desk and because they had no experience and I couldn't see them I ended up interviewing way more than I should have and within 10 seconds I knew they weren't suitable for the job,' she said.

Hunt is aimed at blue collar workers, with co-founder Natalie Cherry saying it will benefit those working in hospitality, retail, construction and travel most

Ms Cherry has owned small businesses for 18 years and said she has wasted so much money on job advertisements that get little results.

'I just thought there has to be a more time efficient way to hire people,' she said.

Hunt was supposed to launch in 2020 but the Covid pandemic put the idea on the backburner.

'After Covid I was desperate for staff and I thought I couldn't waste anymore money on ads that don't work,' Ms Cherry said, adding she spent the past couple of years fine-tuning the app.

The co-founder said the app sped up the hiring process from weeks to days and enabled job seekers to find a role that fits them in a matter of seconds.

'How do school leavers find a job other than noticeboards or signs outside stores?' Ms Cherry said.

She said the app was simple three-step process where users swipe, discover and match.

'It allows people to be seen whether they're skilled or unskilled, or of a certain age or background,' the founder added.

Hunt is free for job seekers while employers can enjoy a six-month free trial. Beyond this, subscriptions for employers begin at $29.95 and go up to $69.95 a month.

The app is available on Apple and Google Play stores.
His comments come on the eve of Mayor London Breed's state of the city speech

Moritz is a partner at Sequoia Capital, headquartered just south of San Francisco

Michael Moritz, 68, wrote how San Francisco desperately needs to see change

A billionaire partner at Sequoia Capital has teared into the state of San Francisco, where residents and businesses are fleeing in droves as drug use and homelessness overwhelm the city.

Michal Moritz, 68, wrote in the Financial Times how the city 'bans plastic straws but permits plastic needles,' and noted that the city saw more deaths from drug overdoses between 2020 and 2022 than it did from COVID-19.

Moritz's comments came on the eve of San Francisco's state of the city speech, in which he predicted Mayor London Breed was likely to go light on San Francisco's many ailments and instead focus on its woke virtues.

Sequoia Capital is headquartered in Menlo Park, just south of San Francisco's downtown which has been nearly deserted during the height of rush hour in recent weeks as scores of large and small businesses alike have fled the city.

Homelessness is at a nearly 20 year high in San Francisco currently, and local businesses have threatened to stop paying taxes unless the city cleans up the colonies of tents and tarps that have grown along neighborhood streets.

Michal Moritz, 68, wrote in the Financial Times how the city 'bans plastic straws but permits plastic needles,' Moritz is a partner at Sequoia Capital

One of the many homeless encampments spread across downtown San Francisco

Moritz listed the many problems facing San Francisco said Mayor Breed should mention in her speech.

'A deserted downtown; the flight of medium and large businesses and major conventions,' he wrote.

'The highest commercial office vacancy rates of any big city in the US; planning policies that amount to a virtual border wall encircling the city; housing costs that make it prohibitively expensive for all but the wealthy or poverty-stricken,' he continued.

He also noted the city's ailing school system, where he said there is only 55 percent English proficiency, 46 percent in mathematics, and just nine percent proficiency in mathematics for black students.

Moritz said that without handling the city's drug and homelessness problems, any effort to solve the rest of the city's problems 'will be fruitless.'

'Fentanyl, the synthetic drug that is 50 times more powerful than and a fraction of the cost of heroin, has turned many blocks of the city into zombie zones,' he wrote.

'Beyond the shocking waste of potential, the drug use and homeless tents consume an enormous part of San Franciscos annual $13.95bn budget. Direct city spending on homelessness has risen from about $200mn for the fiscal year 2016 to $680mn this year.'

'Even this number doesnt approach the true costs because it fails to include the burden that drugs and homelessness place on the police, fire and public works departments, local hospitals and the judiciary.'

San Francisco Mayor London Breed. She has been criticized for allowing drug use to flourish

A drug needle on a filthy street. Moritz pointed out the irony of banning plastic straws while promoting the use of plastic syringes

Homeless tents set up a on a street in San Francisco. Businesses are threatening to stop paying taxes until they're removed

The number of homeless people in San Francisco was tallied in February of last year at almost 8,000, the second highest figure of any year since 2005, according to the official government count which takes place every three years.

Major crimes in San Francisco are up 7.4 percent so far last year from the same period in 2021, with assault up 11.1 percent and robbery up 5.2 percent.

A recent poll found that a majority of San Franciscans believe their city is going down hill, and a third plan to leave the city within three years.

Some residents blame Mayor Breed, whose earlier popularity for steering the city through the pandemic appears to have waned amid rising crime, the fentanyl epidemic and other woes.

One specific harm reduction policy that failed was the opening of the Tenderloin Center last year that was meant to help alleviate the city's drug and homelessness crisis.

It cost taxpayers a whopping $22million and was meant to be a 'safe place' for addicts to 'get high without getting robbed' and without fear of fatally overdosing.

A crowd of homeless people camped out on a street in San Francisco

Homeless people in downtown San Francisco. There is currently a 20-year high for homelessness in the city

Users were also meant to be directed to help centers, though during its first four months of operations, it referred just 18 people of the more than 23,000 who were welcomed to the site. Overall less than one per cent of visits ended in a 'completed linkage' to behavioral health programs.

Officials had also hoped the site would offer a place to deal with the homeless crisis the city has faced in recent months and years.

Despite their efforts, 2022 saw upward of 500 people die from overdoses in San Francisco. In 2021, that figure was 641.

Mayor Breed had originally allotted just $10 million for the project but it quickly ballooned to more than double that estimate.

In total, some 400 individuals were provided with assistance each day at the center, according to the San Francisco Department of Public Health.

A large portion of those who took advantage of the site used it specifically for shelter or food.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's non-profit Archewell Foundation is almost entirely funded by a single mystery donor, a DailyMail.com investigation can exclusively reveal.

The large sum of $10million - 77% of Archewell's total 2021 income - came from the unidentified wealthy donor.

Archewell released its 2020-2022 impact report at the end of January, and briefing notes from the Sussexes' favorite reporter Omid Scobie said it had raised $13million in revenue and distributed $3million in grants across areas including 'vaccine equity, relief centers, refugee resettlement and building a better online world.'

Now, DailyMail.com can reveal most of that money came from a single person through the Silicon Valley Community Foundation [SVCF], a mega-rich non-profit and a vehicle for extremely wealthy philanthropists to give out tax-free grants anonymously.

An individual sets up a Donor Advised Fund [DAF] with SVFC and directs where they want their money to go with their 'gift qualifying for an immediate tax deduction.'

It means Archewell's generous benefactor is almost single-handedly keeping the charity afloat without ever having their name revealed.

An unidentified wealthy donor gave $10million to Harry and Meghan's Archewell Foundation, which was 77% of the charity's total 2021 income

The generous benefactor set up a donor fund with the Silicon Valley Community Foundation and directed the $10,000,000 tax deductible gift to Archewell

The $10million grant to Archewell is listed on the SVCF website and states that it was for 'general nonprofit support' rather than one project. This is unusual as most SVCF's grants are project-specific such as 'animal welfare' or 'education'

In 2020, the charity raised less than $50,000 in donations, with its operations so small that it didn't even have to file a full tax return with the IRS.

But the following year it had blossomed and clearly gained the blessing of one wealthy individual.

Archewell's generous benefactor is almost single-handedly keeping the charity afloat without ever having their name revealed

If the funding from this anonymous donor was to disappear, Archewell may struggle to keep handing out substantial grants to the likes of the female empowerment group Girls Inc. and the UK mental health charity Mind.

On its website, Archewell says its core purpose is 'quite simply, to do good.

'We believe that philanthropic work is more than a handout, it's a hand held,' it adds.

'To activate this belief, we independently create dynamic and impactful programming to serve communities in need. We also partner with key organizations and leaders to identify immediate needs, build meaningful initiatives, and drive long-term change.

'Baked into all that we do is the core belief that our collective wellbeing and mental health are paramount. Our three main pillars of focus are to build a better world online, to restore trust in information, and above all, to uplift communities.'

The $10million grant to Archewell is listed on the SVCF website and states that it was for 'general nonprofit support' rather than one project. This is unusual as most SVCF's grants are project-specific such as 'youth development' or 'education.'

This means Archewell can use the funds for office expenses, PR and marketing, and to pay salaries.

It begs the question as to why a rich donor would pay for 'general support' rather than specific Archewell causes?

Omid Scobie, the Sussexes' favorite reporter, tweeted that in Archewell's first full year of operation it distributed $3million in grants, 23% of its income

Harry and Meghan named the charity after their son Archie. They will be hoping financial support doesn't falter so that the foundation can keep spending money on issues such as 'building a better online world'

Archewell released its 2020-2022 impact report at the end of January, which stated it had raised $13million in revenue and distributed $3million in grants to projects, including procuring 12.66 million Covid-19 jabs around the world while working with anti-poverty charity Global Citizen

Silicon Valley tech billionaires, including Mark Zuckerberg and Jack Dorsey, have extensively used their SVCF donor funds to give away millions

There is some speculation, for example from YouTube channel The Royal Grift, that the donation has come from Harry himself through the $20million advance for his autobiography Spare

People are speculating that the donation has come from Harry himself through the $20million advance for his autobiography Spare

The unfounded theory is that no rich person, even their famous friends, would donate $10million just for general support, so it's Harry who's funding Archewell and avoiding paying taxes on the donation.

Silicon Valley tech billionaires, including Mark Zuckerberg, have extensively used their SVCF donor funds to give away millions.

In 2020, the Chan Zuckerberg DAF  named for the Facebook founder and his wife Priscilla Chan - gave $300million to two non-profits to ensure safe and reliable voting in the 2020 presidential election  although some accused him of voter meddling in key battleground states.

Others who have used SCVF include Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton, Netflix's Reed Hastings and Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz.

SVCF hit headlines in 2018 when its CEO Dr. Emmett Carson was forced to resign after a law firm hired to investigate workplace bullying and harassment issued a scathing report that included sexual, racist and other inappropriate remarks by some executives.

Harry and Meghan will be hoping financial support doesn't falter for the charity they named after their eldest son Archie, so that it can keep spending money on issues such as 'building a better online world.'

The recent impact report revealed it had given to a foundation which provided an online guide 'for promoting gender equity by fostering positive masculinity in boys and men' and aimed to 'challenge harmful gender stereotypes.'

After visiting the Uvalde massacre vigil last year, Meghan chose to give to a playground for local children after seeing their grief firsthand

The foundation helped fund a new playground at DeLeon Park in Uvalde, Texas, 'to bring hope and healing for kids and families in Uvalde' following a massacre at Robb Elementary School in June 2022 which killed 19 students and two teachers

The Duchess has handpicked several projects herself. These include one scheme in Antioch, Tennessee, where children can receive free hair braiding.

After visiting the Uvalde massacre vigil last year, she also chose to give to a playground for local children after seeing their grief firsthand.

Other grants went to help rescue 7,400 people from war-torn Afghanistan through a partnership with Human First Coalition, dishing out 50,000 meals alongside World Central Kitchen and helping fund 13 academic fellows to 'address society's most urgent concerns surrounding social media' at Harvard's Institute for Rebooting Social Media.

Archewell will spend the next year working on 'three main pillars' - building a better online world, restoring trust in information, and uplifting communities.

Omid Scobie tweeted that in Archewell's first full year of operation it distributed $3million in grants, 23% of its income.
He received a lethal injection at the state penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas

The mothers of three teens shot in the head as they slept 25 years ago watched on yesterday as their killer was executed by lethal injection.

John Balentine, 54, received a lethal injection at the state penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas, for the January 1998 shooting of Edward Mark Caylor, 17, Kai Brooke Geyer, 15, and Steven Watson, 15, at a home in Amarillo.

John Balentine was given a lethal injection yesterday for shooting three teenagers in the head 25 years ago

Prosecutors said all three were shot once in the head as they slept.

Balentine, whose attorneys had argued that his trial was marred by racial bias, becomes the sixth inmate to be put to death in the US this year and the second in as many days.

The mothers of the three victims watched on as Balentine appeared jovial in the death chamber, asking if someone standing near the gurney could remove the sheet covering the lower two-thirds of his body 'and massage my feet.' Then he chuckled.

Caylor's sister, who was among the witnesses watching him die, was Balentine's former girlfriend, and prosecutors said the shootings stemmed from a feud between Caylor and Balentine.

Balentine, however, argued that Caylor and others had threatened his life over his interracial relationship. Balentine, who confessed to the murders, is black, while the three victims were white.

Robert Fratta (centre), 65, was put to death on January 10 and Wesley Ruiz, 43, on February 1

After a brief prayer from a spiritual adviser who held Balentine's left foot with his right hand, the prisoner gave a short statement thanking friends for supporting him.

Then he turned his head to look through a window at seven relatives of his three murder victims and apologized.

'I hope you can find in your heart to forgive me,' he said.

The mothers of each of the three victims were among the witnesses a few feet from him.

He took two breaths as the lethal dose of the powerful sedative pentobarbital began flowing through intravenous needles in his arms, snored twice, yawned and began snoring again loudly. The snores - 11 of them -became progressively quieter, then stopped.

At 6.36 pm, 15 minutes after the drugs began, a physician pronounced him dead.

The victims' witnesses then shared high-fives before leaving the death chamber. They declined to speak with reporters afterward.

One of his trial attorneys said Balentine turned down a plea agreement that would have sentenced him to life in prison because the racist threats he received made him afraid of being attacked or killed while incarcerated.

The US Supreme Court on Wednesday declined an appeal from Balentine's attorneys to halt the execution so that his claims of racial bias could be properly reviewed.

It had been unclear whether the execution would take place after a judge withdrew the date and warrant last week - as Balentine's attorneys had not been properly notified of the injection.

Balentine is the sixth inmate to be put to death in the US so far this year and the second in as many days.

The death chamber and the steel bars of the viewing room are seen at the state penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas

The mothers of the murdered boys watched on at the Texas State Penitentiary in Huntsville

In 2022, 18 men were put to death in the US, according to a report by the Death Penalty Information Center. The executions were were concentrated in the South, in states such as Texas, Oklahama and Alabama.

Lawyers were pursuing two legal strategies to save their client before he was executed.

The first was to argue that his trial and sentencing were tainted by racism.

But Balentine was also among five Texas death row inmates who sued to stop the state's prison system from using what they allege are expired and unsafe execution drugs.

Despite a civil court judge in Austin preliminarily agreeing with the claims, the state's top two courts have now allowed three of the five inmates participating in the lawsuit to be executed.

Robert Fratta, 65, was put to death on January 10 and Wesley Ruiz, 43, on February 1.

Fratta had been found guilty of hiring two people to kill his wife Farah 30 years ago, after a bitter divorce.

Ruiz killed Mark Nix, a Dallas Police Senior Corporal, in March 2007.

Prison officials said the state's supply of execution drugs is safe.

Separately, Balentine's attorneys alleged the jury foreman in his case, Dory England, held racist views and used racial slurs during his life and bullied other jurors who had wanted to sentence Balentine to a life sentence into changing their minds.

Lola Perkins, who had been married to England's brother, told Balentine's attorneys that England 'was racist against black people because that is how he was raised.'

England, in a declaration before his death in 2021, said he pushed for Balentine's death sentence because he worried if the accused was ever released that England himself 'would need to hunt him down.'

However, England also said he threatened to report another juror to the judge for making prejudiced comments when the person 'started going off about this black guy killing these white teenagers.'

Balentine's attorneys also alleged prosecutors prevented all prospective black jurors from serving at the trial and that Balentine's trial lawyers referred to the sentencing proceedings in a note as a 'justifiable lynching.'

Randall Sherrod, one of Balentine's trial attorneys, said Wednesday he could not remember the note but denied that he or the other attorney, James Durham Jr., had any racist attitudes toward Balentine. Durham died in 2006.

'I think he got a fair trial,' Sherrod said of Balentine. 'I think we had a good jury. We tried to help John whatever way we could.'

The US Supreme Court on Wednesday declined an appeal from Balentine's attorneys to halt the execution so that his claims of racial bias could be properly reviewed.

A defense request for Republican Governor Greg Abbott to temporarily stay the execution also failed and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals denied a request to stay Balentine's execution over allegations that 'racism and racial issues pervaded' his trial. The appeals court denied the stay on procedural grounds without reviewing the merits.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles unanimously declined to commute Balentine's death sentence to a lesser punishment or to grant a 30-day reprieve.

'Without a thorough judicial consideration of Mr Balentine's claims, we can have no confidence that the death verdict isn't tainted by racial bias,' said Shawn Nolan, one of Balentine's attorneys.

Potter County District Attorney Randall Sims, whose jurisdiction includes Amarillo, where the murders occurred, had pushed for the execution to go forward. On Monday he declined to comment ahead of the execution.

Koda Shadix, the younger brother of Geyer, one of the victims, said in a video posted online last week that he was upset by efforts to delay justice.

Balentine has 'shown no remorse and absolutely does not care what he did. All he cares about is his life,' Shadix said.
Sex cult leader Keith Raniere is set to be moved to a violent, highly-segregated prison to live out the rest of his 120-year sentence - as his legal team launches a bid to block the transfer because he fears he'll be killed inside.

Convicted criminal Raniere, 62, could transfer to one of the Federal Bureau of Prisons' two Communication Management Units (CMU) - known commonly as 'Guantanamo North' - which house some of the country's most violent offenders, terrorists, and extremists.

The cult leader was convicted in 2019 on charges of sex trafficking, forced labor conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy and racketeering charges with underlying acts that included possession of child pornography, extortion and identify theft.

He was jailed at the US Penitentiary in Tucson, Arizona in January 2021 - but in September last year was the victim of an 'unprovoked' jail attack, his lawyers claim. As a result, he was sent to the prison's 'torturous' segregation housing unit for nearly 200 days.

Now, Raniere faces being moved to either the CMU in Terre Haute, Indiana or Marion, Illinois. The prison branches are designed to completely isolate prisoners from other inmates and the outside world.

Keith Raniere, the leader of notorious sex cult NXIVM, was told he will be transferred to a CMU- the Communications Management Unit, a prison that is designed to house violent inmates. Raniere, 62, was jailed at the US Penitentiary in Tucson, Arizona in January 2021

The entrance of the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Terre Haute, Indiana, that houses one of the CMU- the Communications Management Unit - that Raniere may be sent to. Raniere's power-of-attorney Suneel Chakravorty believes the transfer is 'retaliatory' since the cult leader is trying to challenge his conviction on the grounds that the FBI allegedly 'tampered' with evidence in his case

One of the Federal Bureau of Prisons' CMUs are located in Marion, Illinois (pictured). They house some of the country's most violent prisoners including terrorists and extremists

CMUs house inmates who 'require increased monitoring of communications with persons in the community to protect the safety, security and orderly operation of Bureau facilities and the public.'

Raniere's power-of-attorney Suneel Chakravorty believes the transfer is 'retaliatory' since the cult leader is trying to challenge his conviction on the grounds that the FBI allegedly 'tampered' with evidence in his case.

He told DailyMail.com: 'CMUs are designed to clamp down on inmate communication. At this point, we have seven computer forensics experts, including four former FBI examiners, willing to testify about clear evidence of FBI wrongdoing.'

Prisoners are banned from physical contact with visitors - and the prison manages and monitors all outside communication.

Raniere opposed his transfer to the CMU and in the coming days plans to file a 2241 habeas petition asking that a judge order that he not be moved. But it is at the discretion of the Bureau of Prisons to determine whether he will be transferred to a low or medium security facility.

In July 2022, Raniere was beaten up and knocked unconscious by Maurice Withers, 33, who was put behind bars on sex trafficking crimes in Madison, Wisconsin. He had also been housed with an intersex inmate next to a cage smeared with human feces.

Chakravorty added: 'For the last 196 days, Keith Raniere has been kept in a windowless cell for 23 hours a day. He was placed there after he was the victim of an unprovoked attack.

'While his attacker is no longer at the prison, Keith has been kept in these torturous conditions ever since with no true explanation. His legal team has attempted to have him placed back in the general population but the treatment has continued for months months, and now a judge has ordered the prison to provide an explanation.'

A court sketch of Raniere in June 2019 when he was convicted of seven counts including child porn and sex trafficking. Now, Raniere is actively participating in efforts to expose the FBI's alleged 'evidence manipulation' against him - and his legal team believe that this is the reason he may be transferred to a CMU prison

Victims of the cult told prosecutors how Raniere and other leaders branded them with a burning piece of metal. Raniere was jailed for the crimes in 2021

Raniere, who Chakravorty argues has been a 'peaceful inmate' in Arizona, may now be housed with inmates such as Rodney Hamrick, a jihadi and former resident of Supermax in Colorado.

In 2018, Hamrick took fellow inmate and 68-year-old white-collar criminal Robert David Neal hostage inside the facility, bound his hands behind his back, as well as his feet, then executed him, ISIS-style, nearly severing his head.

Keith Raniere, the leader of notorious sex cult NXIVM, was assaulted in his prison in Arizona by another inmate, leaving him unconscious and nauseous for a week

This comes as Raniere is actively participating in efforts to expose the FBI's alleged 'evidence manipulation' against him.

Professor Emeritus Alan Dershowitz, who is supporting the issue, said: 'Multiple experts have concluded that government tampering of digital photos is, at the very least, a highly likely conclusion.

'If true, this represents a level of corruption that is so unprecedented and so high by whoever may be responsible the current situation is simply untenable. There must be immediate action.'

Raniere's legal team believe that the evidence against him, which the prosecution said was 'at the heart' of the trial, was manipulated and planted, and tampered with while in FBI custody.

His attorneys claim that his 'wrongful treatment,' including being banned from communicating with his close friends and power-of-attorney, is in retaliation for exposing the alleged government wrongdoing.

The alleged retaliatory conduct by the BOP is the subject of an active civil rights lawsuit in Arizona, where Raniere's prison is located. In January, Judge Ranier Collins ordered that the Bureau of Prison ought to respond to the allegations of misconduct.

Raniere has been forced to spend hours in cells smeared with human feces, is housed with an intersex female prisoner according to his lawyers. Pictured, the prison in Arizona, where he is currently being housed

Raniere was assaulted in the dining hall of his prison by inmate Maurice Withers, 33, another convict put behind bars on sex trafficking offenses. He was then put into confinement inside the Arizona prison (pictured)

The cult leader's legal team believe they have a chance to have his convictions thrown out over the FBI's alleged bungles and fabrications.

Their report points to alleged 'anomalies with the FBI search', such as the unusual manner in which agents collected evidence from Raniere's study at a home in Halfmoon, New York in March 2018.

They claim that investigators 'bypassed' several areas of the home and went 'straight to a study area where, under a desk, were the very first two evidentiary items they collected: the Canon digital camera along with its camera card.'

Those two items were, 'notably,' the 'only two pieces of digital evidence the government used to prove the child pornography and child exploitation RICO acts, which would stem from an allegedly accidental discovery of photos eleven months later,' the report states.

In an interview with DailyMail.com, a top former FBI cyber forensics expert hired by Raniere's attorneys believes there were bungled procedures, manipulation of evidence and even an apparent effort to 'frame' the cult leader for his child sex conviction.

Richard Kiper, who used to train the trainers of FBI cyber forensics experts before he retired in 2019, told DailyMail.com that the Canon camera was made in 2004, but the timestamps on some of the photos were from 2003.

Kiper also claimed that metadata on one of the photos shows it was manipulated in Adobe Photoshop.

NXIVM was partially bankrolled by Seagram's heiress Claire Bronfman, who was prosecuted alongside Raniere and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conceal and harbor illegal aliens for financial gain and to fraudulent use of identification in April 2019.

Her lawyer, Duncan Levin, said the evidence of tampering by the FBI was cause to throw out all the NXIVM convictions.

He said: 'Society cannot live in a world where law enforcement is tampering with evidence. If these allegations are true, it means that all of the defendants in the case should have all of the charges thrown out. There should be no opportunity for a do-over for the government.'
Investigators have confirmed explosives were found at the blast sites, but no nation has been formally accused by prosecutors of the attack

The White House described a report that alleged the U.S. carried out the attack as 'utterly false and complete fiction'

A sensational report which claims the U.S. bombed the Nord Stream pipelines has reignited the blame game over who targeted the $20 billion infrastructure project that funnels Russian gas to western Europe.

The White House on Wednesday repeated its denial that the U.S. orchestrated a series of blasts in September 2022. A spokesman described a report that claimed U.S. Navy divers planted remote-controlled explosives on the pipeline as 'utterly false and complete fiction'.

Investigators from Sweden and Denmark have confirmed explosives were found at the blast sites in the Baltic Sea, but no nation or entity has been formally named a suspect in the attack.

The blasts on September 26, 2022 caused major damage to three of the four Nord Stream pipelines, which took 15 years to construct.

For Russia, it appeared to be a major blow to its energy-driven economy, as the damage would prevent billions of dollars' worth of gas flowing into Europe.

A report by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Seymour Hersh claims the U.S. was responsible for the Nord Stream pipeline attacks. Navy divers alleged planted the explosives in June, using NATO exercises as cover. They were then detonated remotely in September, it is claimed. The White House and the CIA have flatly denied the report.

Russia has also been accused of carrying out the Nord Stream gas explosions. Explanations range from divers to spy subs, and underwater drones, with one possible motive being to cripple Europe's winter energy supplies

For Europe, it exacerbated an energy crisis that was already spiraling out of control. Countries including Germany relied heavily on Russian energy imports, and weaning themselves off those supplies has proved challenging - and costly.

Several countries were said to have motives for the action: Russia, Germany, Ukraine, Poland, Britain, and the United States.

Western fingers have continued to point at Russia, and Moscow has accused the US and Britain of the sabotage.

The report published on Wednesday from Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Seymour Hersh cites two key reasons the U.S. might have plotted an attack against the pipeline: in retaliation for the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and to prevent the Kremlin from weaponizing its energy supplies to Europe.

Hersh's 5,000-word report, published to his Substack blog, cites a single, anonymous source with 'with direct knowledge of the operational planning'.

Vladimir Putin has accused the west of carrying out the attack. Russia initially pointed the finger at the UK, then alleged in February that the U.S. was directly involved

President Joe Biden, who said he would 'bring an end' to Nord Stream if Russia invaded Ukraine. Senior U.S. officials have previously said it 'seems' Russia was to blame for the attack

The source disclosed an elaborate, dangerous and top-secret mission that involved U.S. Navy divers planting C4 explosives on the pipeline which were detonated three months later by a sonar buoy dropped by a Norwegian surveillance aircraft. Norway has also said 'these allegations are false'.

The plot, which was said to have been overseen by President Joe Biden, is not only elaborate and extremely technical. The international backlash if the the U.S. was found to have carried out such an operation would be massive.

The CIA has also flatly denied any U.S. involvement in the pipeline attacks.

Russia has been accused by several western countries of the attack, described by some as an act of self-sabotage.

Officials in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksy's administration have also blamed Russia for the Nord Stream bombing

Theories for why the Kremlin would order such an operation against infrastructure that the Russian economy relies upon include halting the flow of energy to Europe as winter approached.

Russia's attacks against civilian infrastructure in Ukraine also increased suspicion on Vladimir Putin.

In the immediate aftermath, senior U.S. officials, including Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, said it 'seems' Russia was to blame. Members of the German government expressed similar suspicions.

Ukraine said the blasts were 'a terrorist attack planned by Russia and an act of aggression toward [the European Union]'.

But a Washington Post report in December said officials in several countries were not convinced that Russia conducted the attacks.

A European official told the Post 'there is no evidence at this point that Russia was behind the sabotage', and the report said the assessment echoed the views of 23 other diplomatic and intelligence officials in nine countries.

Russia has attempted to lay the blame at the feet of several western nations.

In October, a little over one month after the incident, Russia's defense ministry said British Navy personnel launched the attack. A statement accused the UK military of 'the planning, provision and implementation of a terrorist attack in the Baltic Sea'.

Britain said the Kremlin was 'peddling false claims of an epic scale' to 'detract from their disastrous handling of the illegal invasion of Ukraine'.

This month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the U.S. of direct involvement in the attacks.

He referenced a recent statement made by U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland, who in a recent Senate hearing hailed the destruction of the pipeline. Lavrov described her words as a 'confession'.

Unsurprisingly, Russia has pounced on the latest claim of U.S. involvement and demanded the White House address the 'facts' reported by Hersh.
An outraged local mayor has demanded pet owners in his town be more responsible as residents fear walking outside due to roaming packs of aggressive dogs.

There have already been 19 dog bites in Yarrabah, a community of 2,500 people in far north Queensland, this year - an average of about one attack every two days.

The attacks are so severe that emergency services have been forced to airlift a number of people to hospital.

The latest attack earlier this week saw a 22-year-old woman flown to Cairns Hospital for treatment after she was mauled by three dogs and left with serious injuries.

The Cairns and Hinterland Hospital Health Service said 53 people presented with dog bite injuries to the Yarrabah Emergency Department in 2022, which was 10 fewer than the 63 locals attacked in 2021.

Based on the figures for the first five weeks of 2023, the number of reported dog bites could top 200 this year.

A young woman was so severely injured in an attack by three dogs in Yarrabah (pictured) she had to be flown to hospital

A dog is pictured lying on the street with no owner near it in the far north Queensland town of Yarrabah

Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Mayor Ross Andrews said the area's animal management team and Queensland Police officers seized the dogs for impoundment.

Mr Andrews condemned people who allowed aggressive dogs to wander around the town, saying locals should not have to fear going out for a walk.

The shire has an agreement with Cairns Regional Council (CRC) to impound dangerous dogs if they need to be taken out of the community.

Dog bites in Australia The Australian Companion Animal Council estimates that more than 100,000 people in Australia are bitten by dogs each year. Up to 14,000 of victims need medical treatment for injuries, and around 10 per cent of those have to go to hospital. Source: Australia and New Zealand Journal of Public Health Advertisement

'Dogs have been seized for a period of 14 days by the Yarrabah Dog Pound, but they will in fact be held at the Cairns Council pound,' he told the Cairns Post.

He said Yarrabah locals would at times break into the local pound to try to get their aggressive dogs back.

Mr Andrews said he was 'very seriously concerned' that many dog owners were not taking full responsibility for their animals.

He said a large number of dogs - some of which are very aggressive - continue to roam free in the area and town clinics regularly treat patients for animal bites.

The mayor said being able to go for a walk in peace, without fear of being bitten by dogs, was important the health of the population.

'In a community where diabetes is an issue, the ability to regularly and safely exercise is essential in the treatment of diabetes.

'The free roaming of dogs has a direct impact, not only upon the social and emotional health but also physical health of our community,' he said.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during an EU summit at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, Thursday. AP-Yonhap



Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy received a hero's welcome in Brussels on Thursday as he lobbied star-struck EU leaders to speed the delivery of modern weapons to halt a Russian offensive.



Two weeks ahead of the first anniversary of Europe's most brutal conflict since the 1940s, Zelenskyy embarked on only his second foreign trip since Moscow launched a full-scale invasion.



After Wednesday's visits to London and Paris to lobby Britain, France and Germany for modern fighter jets and long-range missiles, the former actor turned war leader came to Brussels to address EU leaders and MEPs.



The European Parliament treated Zelenskyy to cheers and a standing ovation as he portrayed Ukraine as the country fighting to defend Europe's eastern borders and urged a rapid welcome into the EU fold.



"We are defending against the most anti-European force of the modern world  we are defending ourselves, we Ukrainians on the battlefield, along with you," Zelenskyy told MEPs.



Parliamentary speaker Roberta Metsola, reflecting the warm response of other senior EU officials, declared: "Ukraine is Europe and your nation's future is in the European Union.



"States must consider, quickly, as a next step, providing long-range systems and the jets you need to protect the liberty too many have taken for granted," she said.



After the parliamentary address, Zelenskyy joined the 27 leaders of the EU member states as the special guest at their regular summit, invited by European Council president to make an opening address.



"I have to thank you personally for your unwavering support of our country and our aspirations, our aspirations to live in a united, free Europe," he told them, after receiving warm applause as the leaders gathered for a group photo.



But he also warned the leaders that Ukraine needs to receive artillery, munitions, modern tanks, long-range missiles and fighter jets "faster than the aggressor" can prepare what he said would be a dangerous new offensive.



"We are talking about aggression not just against Ukraine, but against Europe," he said.





Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy poses with European leaders for a family photo as they attend the European leaders summit in Brussels, Thursday. Reuters-Yonhap
A Moroccan-Australian mum has spoken out claiming a business run by the world's richest man is 'bullying' her over the tiny beauty label she created to honour her autistic child.

Rim Daghmash, whose brand Kenz Beauty is named after her daughter Kenzie, received the legal threat from Kenzo, which is owned by global powerhouse LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy).

The French fashion giant claims Ms Daghmash's brand is 'deceptively similar' to theirs and that she'd have to change it 'immediately'.

Rim Daghmash, whose brand Kenz Beauty is named after daughter Kenzie, received the legal threat from Kenzo, which is owned by LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy)

Kenzo, one of many fashion brands owned by Bernard Arnault - the richest man in the world - has demanded Ms Daghmash change her brand name

Kenzo, one of many brands under the LVMH umbrella owned by the richest man in the world, Bernard Arnault, has demanded Ms Daghmash change her brand name.

Arnault is worth US$210.5billion, according to Forbes.

But Ms Daghmash, who named her Gold Coast-based business Kenz Beauty because her daughters beauty 'is out of this world', is not about to roll over.

Aside from creating a brand in honour of Kenzie, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of two, Ms Daghmash uses social media to tell a positive story about the developmental disability.

She has almost 200,000 followers on Instagram with Kenzie, which means 'my treasure' in Arabic.

Ms Daghmash told A Current Affair that she believes the legal demand is 'bullying' and that LVMH is 'crushing' us.

'I think it's just a big corporate bullying a small business. We're not a threat to them, we're just a small start-up, a family business.'

Lawyers for Kenzo instructed Ms Daghmash that her company's brand is 'deceptively similar' to theirs

Ms Daghmash claims she can't afford to battle LVMH in court and has asked the company for mediation but says she has not received a response to that offer

She claims her brand, logo and colours are different from Kenzo, and points out the products sold by each are different.

In a comment on Kenz Beauty's Facebook page - where she has just 369 followers compared to Kenzo's one million - Ms Daghmash said 'our trademark has been examined, approved and published by IP Australia'.

'A five-year-old would be able to tell the difference between Kenzo and Kenz Beauty,' she said.

Kenz Beauty sells skin and hair care products and Moroccan exfoliating gloves, whereas Kenzo sells clothing, shoes and accessories.

Ms Daghmash claims she cannot afford to take on LVMH in a legal fight, but has instead asked for mediation with the company

A patent lawyer, Sharon Givoni, said Ms Daghmash might have a case that the two brands are different enough to allow hers to stay unchanged - if she could afford the legal fight.

Ms Givoni said giants like LVMH have 'almost endless' resources for issues such as this.

Ms Daghmash claims she cannot afford to take on LVMH in a legal fight, but has instead asked for mediation with the company.

She said so far Kenzo has not responded to that offer.

In a statement to A Current Affair, Kenzo claimed it was 'willing to reach an amicable agreement that will preserve our mutual interests'.

Daily Mail Australia approached Kenzo and LVMH for comment.
A furious mum has vowed she'll never return to McDonald's after her son's birthday party turned into an expensive nightmare.

Oliver Maia celebrated his eighth birthday during a party with family and friends at McDonald's Indooroopilly in Brisbane on January 20.

However, several weeks later his mum Leisa was shocked to receive a $135 parking fine in the mail for overstaying a 90-minute parking limit she didn't know existed.

Other relatives who attended the party also received a fine from third party company Smart Compliance Management.

Ms Maia said her appeal to have the fine overturned fell on deaf ears and that she was threatened with action from debt collectors if she didn't pay up.

Leisa Maia has no idea her son Oliver's eighth birthday party (pictured) at McDonald's would end with a parking fine in the mail

'We were there for a couple of hours, purchased multiple rounds of food and desserts, sung happy birthday, had a lovely time, left thinking that was the easiest birthday party ever, what a great time,' Ms Maia told Seven News.

She said there were no signs warning of the parking limits and tried to appeal the fine but was shocked by the parking company's response.

'They said "well tough, you overstayed the parking limit. This is the end of the appeal process. Pay up or we're sending your details to debt collectors",' Ms Maia said.

'I feel like I'm also representing our family members who were fined as well.

'Some of them were visiting from overseas [and] didn't speak English, so McDonald's was a perfect location. It's food that they're familiar with.'

Ms Maia also turned to a local community group for advice, claiming McDonald's staff couldn't assist when she returned to the store to address the 'unpleasant situation'.

'I have contacted the third party with photos to prove we were in the restaurant the entire time, with proof that we made multiple purchases of food over the time we were there. McDonald's staff were aware that we were hosting a child's birthday party,' she posted.

'Despite all of this, the third party company is insisting that we pay the fine; if not, it will be sent to debt collectors (cue bad credit rating).

'I am outraged that my son's birthday has turned into a nightmare for us and our party guests!!! Never again will we have a kid's birthday party at McDonald's!'

Leisa Maia (pictured) claims the parking company threatened to get debt collectors involded if she didn't pay up

Ms Maia was inundated with advice with many urging her to ignore the fine.

'Ignore the parking fine, they cant legally charge you,' one wrote.

'I would go to court... let's see what the judge say. This is outrageous.'

The uproar sparked Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey to weigh in on the saga and slam the 'appalling behaviour' of private parking companies.

He has vowed to close a loophole which allows private companies to access drivers' details through the government department.

'I advise people to not pay it because they're not fines,' Mr Bailey said.

'You're not allowed to issue fines unless you're an authorised by the council or state government.

'I expect to announce something every soon and to stamp out this appalling behaviour.'

The family was unaware of the 90 minute parking limit at McDonald's Indooroopilly (pictured)

McDonald's has agreed to waive Ms Maia's fine in the wake of the public backlash.

'Like many businesses, some McDonald's restaurants engage a third party operator to manage their car park, a spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia.

'This ensures customers have a convenient place to park when they visit our restaurants and is part of our commitment to providing a great customer experience.

'Where parking limits apply, customers who intend to dine-in longer than the parking limit allows should speak to the shift manager on duty.'

Smart Compliance Management claimed it's legally able to issue parking breach notices as 'clients are located on private land.'
At least 14 migrants bound for the United States were killed after the pickup truck they were traveling in plunged into a canal in northern Mexico on Tuesday.

The vehicle was found overturned in the canal next to a road in the Pesqueria, a town in the state of Nuevo Leon that is located approximately 90 miles from the Mexican border with Texas.

Authorities have not said how the vehicle ended up in the canal, but local media outlets reports that the driver may have been fleeing from the police patrol before veering off road and crashing into the canal.

Nuevo Leon authorities said the victims included 10 men, three women and one child.

Authorities in the northern Mexican state of Nuevo Leon work to remove a pickup that plunged into a canal Tuesday and left 14 migrants dead. The group was reportedly headed to the Mexico-United States border

The bodies of some of the 14 migrants killed in an alleged smuggling incidents were recovered from a canal in Mexico on Tuesday

The state's Civil Protection agency said Wednesday that five of the victims were carrying Guatemalan identification cards or passports.

Two of the victims were identified as Karina Gonzalez and Leonel Argueta, both from Guatemala.

Authorities said most of the victims were between the ages of 25 and 33. The minor is said to have been at least 15 years old.

The nationalities of the other nine victims have yet to be confirmed.

Some of the bodies were located inside the pickup truck with others were found in the water.

The accident took place a day after the Mexican government announced its opposition against the possible resumption of the Trump era U.S. immigration policy known as 'Remain in Mexico' which required migrants seeking asylum to wait for U.S. hearings in Mexico.

President Joe Biden has been looking to terminate the program, which was put into place by the administration of former President Donald Trump introduced in January 2019 and is currently on hold.

Local media outlets reported that the driver of the pickup truck was fleeing from the police before veering off the road and crashing into the canal

U.S. states such as Texas and Missouri filed a lawsuit to keep the program active and in December. A federal judge in Texas halted Biden's attempt, saying the Department of Homeland Security had failed to adequately explain why the policy was ineffective and should be scrapped.

Mexico's foreign ministry did not state its reasons for its opposition. Activists argue the policy, officially called Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), leaves migrants in dangerous border cities where they face threats of kidnapping and extortion.

Some 74,000 migrants went through Mexico under the program when former President Donald Trump was in power, the foreign ministry said. Under Biden, that number is just 7,500.
A Tennessee woman spent thousands in COVID relief loans on plastic surgery while staying at a Trump resort in Florida, all while being under supervision for wire fraud charges.

Leslie Bethea, 30, plead guilty to wire fraud after spending about $8,000 of a $21,000 Paycheck Protection Program loan she lied to obtain during the pandemic.

Bethea applied for that PPP loan - a fully forgivable loan intended to tide over people whose income was compromised by the pandemic - in March, 2021, just months after being released from prison early after serving a little over half of a two year sentence for a 2019 wire fraud charge.

While out on supervised release, Bethea applied for the loan, claiming on the form that she's made she had made $100,000 in 2019 - despite being imprisoned that year - and also that she'd never been convicted of fraud.

After being caught, Bethea plead guilty and was sentenced to six and a half years in a federal prison. She will also be required to pay back the loan.

Leslie Bethea, 30, plead guilty to wire fraud after spending about $8,000 of a $21,000 Paycheck Protection Program loan she lied to obtain during the pandemic

Bethea spend at least $3,000 for a five-day sojourn at the Trump International Beach Resort, where one-bedroom suites can go for more than $600 per night

After lying on her PPP application, Bethea was granted the funds a month later in April.

Shortly after she lit out from her home in Surgoinsville and headed south to Sunny Isles, located on the coast just north of Miami.

Once there, she dropped about $3,000 for a five-day sojourn at the Trump International Beach Resort, where one-bedroom suites can go for more than $600 per night.

While there, she spent another $5,000 for an 'elective cosmetic surgery,' court documents showed.

It is unclear what the plastic surgery procedure was.

After returning home to Tennessee, Bethea lied on a report to her probation officer.

She said she'd only received a mere $200 that April, and that she'd spent no more than $500.

Bethea also stated she had never left Tennessee in April.

Bethea's previous wire fraud crime comprised a scheme involving fake credit cards and identity theft

One-bedroom suites at the Trump International Beach Resort, where one-bedroom suites can go for more than $600 per night. can go for more than $600 per night

Bethea was ultimately bagged by the Secret Service, and she was indicted in June 2022.

She plead guilty to an agreement which noted 'elective cosmetic surgery and luxury vacations were not authorized expenditures for PPP loans.'

In addition to more than six years of prison time, Bethea was sentenced to three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay back $20,805 of the funds she stole from the government.

Bethea's previous wire fraud crime comprised a scheme involving fake credit cards and identity theft.

On top of the prison time for that charge, she was required to repay $85,000 in money she stole.
President Joe Biden said Wednesday that he didn't believe the House GOP's probe into his son Hunter and brother James' foreign business dealings would have an impact on his presidency.

'The public's not going to pay attention to that. They want these guys to do something,' Biden said. 'It's not going to go very far.'

The president sat down for a wide-ranging post-State of the Union interview with PBS NewsHour's Judy Woodruff, which included the admission that he hadn't made a final decision to run in 2024.

'I haven't made my decision, that's my intention, but I have not made that decision firmly yet,' he said.

One hiccup is House Oversight Chair James Comer's pledge to look into 'Biden family influence-peddling,' often referencing the dealings with China and Ukraine in the same breath as classified documents being found in Biden's old D.C. office and his Wilmington home.

'They've informed me not to speak of this issue, to anyway prejudice the investigations going on,' Biden answered when asked about the document debacle by Woodruff.

Biden said he voluntarily invited investigators to comb through his documents.

'To the best of my knowledge, the kinds of things they picked up were things from 1974, stray papers. There may be something else I don't know,' he continued.

President Joe Biden said Wednesday that he didn't believe the House GOP's probe into his son Hunter and brother James' foreign business dealings would have an impact on his presidency

He admitted, however, that 'what was not done well' was the packing up of his office when he left the vice presidency.

'They didn't do the kind of job that should have been done, to go thoroughly through every piece of literature that was there,' the president said.

Woodruff kicked off the interview - conducted after Biden spoke at a union training facility in Madison, Wisconsin - by getting his take on some of the jeers he received during Tuesday night's State of the Union address.

'From the folks that did it I was,' he said when asked if he was expecting to be called a 'liar' by some members of the House GOP, notably Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

'The vast majority of the Republicans weren't that way,' he continued. 'But there's still a significant element of what I call the "MAGA Republicans" - the Make America Great Again Republicans.'

He added that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy 'was gracious.'

Referencing his decades spent as a U.S. senator, Biden also noted: 'I always feel comfortable when I'm up on the Hill. For real.

'Did it most of my life,' he said. 'Wasn't too bad at it either.'

House Oversight Chair James Comer's is pledging to look into 'Biden family influence peddling,' which includes Hunter Biden's (pictured) foreign business dealings

Classified documents were found at Biden's Wilmington home (pictured). He said Wednesday: 'To the best of my knowledge, the kinds of things they picked up were things from 1974, stray papers. There may be something else I don't know'

Biden also talked to Woodruff about the state of American politics, noting that things have turned nasty.

'It's gotten too mean, it's gotten too personal, too divisive - and I think one of the messages they sent the last election was come on, work together, get something done for us.'

He placed some of the blame on former President Donald Trump, though didn't use his name.

'There was a deliberate effort by the last guy to play on people's fears and appeal to base instincts,' Biden said.

'And it's not who we are. But people are ... I also noticed a fair amount of Republicans stand up last night,' he added, bringing the conversation back to his State of the Union performance, which many Democrats praised.
A popular venue on Sydney's 'queer strip' has come under fire after a trans woman and a drag queen were told they were not allowed to use the female toilets.

The two incidents involving the same security guard occurred at Noir on Oxford St, Darlinghurst, an inner city suburb popular with the LGBTQ+ community, on January 30.

Both incidents have been widely shared online with comments labelling the bar 'disgusting' and 'pathetic' and several people calling for it to be closed.

However, Noir general manager Lance Alaalatoa said both incidents were a misunderstanding, with the security guard involved working his first night.

Mr Alaalatoa said the first incident occurred when a drag queen and gay man attempted to enter the women's bathroom.

He said the pair were heading up a flight of stairs that led directly to the bathroom, so the security guard stepped in to stop the man from entering.

However, an altercation followed where the man was pushed and fell to the floor after refusing to follow the guard's direction.

Noir (above), a popular bar in Sydney, has said claims a security guard intentionally blocked a trans woman and drag queen from the female toilets were a misunderstanding

Mr Alaalatoa said the drag queen is a regular patron of the club and claimed both she and the man involved remained at Noir that night once the dispute was resolved.

'This is a third or fourth party that's come up with these accusations that we're homophobic,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'It's the security guard's first job, he's just trying to do the right thing.

'Now he's terrified to step outside his house, he's having a massive mental breakdown over this. It's not fair on him.'

The second clash of the night unfolded when the security guard told a transgender woman she was a man and told her to leave the female bathroom, Gay Sydney News reported.

Mr Alaalatoa said the woman is a DJ for Noir but typically presents as more masculine, which confused the guard.

'She's one of my friends, I hired her,' he said.

'She doesn't want this to go further because she understands the kid... he's only 19 and they don't train security guards on how to handle these situations.

Sydney-based drag queen Pomara Fifth (above) called the venue's actions 'pathetic' and told workers to 'do better'

'She was upset but she's put it behind her and she's still DJing for us in the next couple of weeks.

'This has all blown over on our level, it's other people that are jumping onboard and making these accusations that are worsening the situation.'

Mr Alaalatoa said Noir specifically works to hire a diverse range of staff, including people from the queer community, and comments slamming the bar were hurtful.

'I've got a long-standing relationship with the queer community,' he said.

'The people who are making these accusations aren't the people who were involved in the incidents.'

Noir co-owner Ronny Dube (above) apologised for the incidents and said the security guard has been suspended

Mr Alaalatoa also denies separate allegations that two gay men kissing at the bar were told to leave.

'That never happened,' he said.

'No one has come forward about it. That allegation has, honestly, just been fabricated.

'If anyone did come forward I'd be more than happy to discuss it with them but no one did, I was managing that night.'

The 19-year-old security guard involved in the January 30 incidents has faced harsh criticism online.

'For me, the big thing is that this kid is mortified,' Mr Alaalatoa said.

'This poor kid, you know he's getting bullied. It's not fair on him.

'It's his first job, first time on Oxford St, and he's getting absolutely crucified to the point it's really affecting his mental health.'

Noir co-owner Ronny Dube issued an apology on Gay Sydney News, saying: 'Noir management has a long-standing relationship with one of the people who were involved.

'We will be working together in a paid capacity during pride month at Noir.'

Sydney drag queen Diva Attenbra (pictured above) said the venue should 'pack up' from Oxford St

Mr Dube added that the security guard involved in both incidents was from an outsourced agency and has been suspended from the venue.

However, Sydney-based drag queen Pomara Fifth - who appeared on Ru Paul's Drag Race - slammed the venue, telling its workers to 'do better'.

'Pathetic! Don't apologise just do better!,' they wrote under an article about the incidents.

'Not on this street, not anywhere! Shut it down, start again. Thanks for trying but you're done!'

Another Sydney drag queen, Diva Attenbra agreed, saying: 'Pack up this venue and move it all my thanks, we dont need it in our space.'

Another commenter wrote: 'Disgusting. Not only for a venue on Oxford St but for any venue anywhere in 2023.'

Another said: 'When you have been given the privilege of a venue on a queer strip the least you can do is show some level of respect. Its not that hard. This is gross.'
Australia's defence minister claims Chinese-made surveillance cameras and devices will be removed from sensitive Australian government buildings, with fears the equipment could send data back to Beijing.

'We're doing an assessment of all the technology for surveillance within the defence estate and where those particular cameras are found, they'll be removed,' Richard Marles told the ABC.

'It's a significant thing that's been brought to our attention and we're going to fix it.'

An audit uncovered the shocking amount of devices made in China riddled throughout government buildings including equipment installed inside offices operated by Defence, Foreign Affairs and the Attorney-General's Department.

More than 900 Chinese surveillance cameras and devices linked to China's communist government are installed in Australian government buildings (pictured, a security camera outside parliament house)

The cameras and recording devices are manufactured by Chinese companies, Hikvision and Dahua, which are both partly-owned by the Chinese government.

It's believed more than 900 cameras may be present inside government buildings.

Surveillance equipment from Hikvision and Dahua was either banned or heavily restricted in the United States and United Kingdom last November.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese brushed off concerns over China's response to the announcement and whether removing the equipment would further damage bi-lateral relations

'We act in accordance with Australia's national interest,' he said.

'We do so transparently. That's what we'll continue to do.'

A six-month audit of every Commonwealth department by Shadow Cyber Security Minister James Paterson led to the discovery of multiple surveillance cameras and recording devices in government buildings.

Surveillance cameras were found in every department with the exception of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Agriculture department.

The Attorney-General's department had the highest number of surveillance units, with 195 pieces of equipment installed at 29 sites.

The cameras and recording devices are manufactured by Chinese companies, Hikvision and Dahua, which are both partly-owned by the China's government (pictured, China's President, Xi Jinping)

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured) was not concerned about the response from China over the announcement that equipment from Hikvision and Dahua would be removed

The number of units installed in each office was counted but some departments couldn't provide an accurate figure as to how many there were.

The audit by Senator Paterson was sparked after the Department of Home Affairs was unable to answer how many surveillance units were installed within government buildings.

He called on the government to tear out all cameras and equipment immediately following the conclusion of the audit.

'This presents a unique national security risk to Australia,' he said.

'With Hikvision and Dahua devices fitted across the Australian government, including at the heart of our national intelligence community, the companies and their employees may be forced to provide the Chinese government with their 24-hour access to valuable surveillance data.'

'We urgently need a plan from the Albanese government to rip every one of these devices out of Australian government departments and agencies.'

Besides the Defence Department, the Australian War Memorial and National Disability Insurance Agency have also pledged to remove all cameras found at their sites.
A female transport officer has been caught on video slapping a child after he spat in her face.

Video shot by an observer shows two Victorian protective services officers (PSOs) having difficulty restraining a boy who is described as being 11 years old, before he turns and spits at the female officer.

PSOs are employed by Victoria Police and primarily patrol train stations and the public transport system.

Victoria Police's top cop responded to the video saying he was 'comfortable' with the officer's reaction and that the boy could be charged with assault.

He also disputed that the right word to use is 'slapped'.

A female Australian protective services officer has been caught on video viciously slapping a child after he spat in her face

As well as spitting it is understood the child 'repeatedly used a 'racist slur', 3AW reported.

The video was filmed at Noble Park train station in Melbourne's south-east on Australia Day.

Shane Patton, Victoria Police's chief commissioner said the PSOs were called to the station where the boy was 'arrested as a suspect'.

He would not provide further details of what led up to the boy being restrained.

Mr Patton defended the Victoria Police employee and disputed that she even slapped the boy.

'You called it a slap, I could call it a redirection strike,' he told 3AW's Neil Mitchell.

Victoria Police's top cop, Shane Patton, described the slap as 'a redirection strike'. He said he was 'comfortable' with the officer's reaction and that the boy could be charged with assault

'I can't put myself in her position of going 'I need to stop being spat on'.

'There's no doubt that she's been struck, its redirected his face away from her, it's stopped any further threat.'

Chief commissioner Patton said the officer shown striking the boy submitted 'a use of force form' instead of trying to hide her reaction.

'At this stage we're comfortable with what's been done in relation to that matter.'

Chief commissioner Patton said the PSOs were called to the station where the boy was 'arrested as a suspect' before the incident where the female officer (left) reacted to being spat on

Chief commissioner Patton added it was 'absolutely' possible the boy could be charged with assault for spitting on the officer.

On social media commenters were mostly supportive of the PSO's actions.

One thought her strike was obviously 'a reflex action'.

'Good on her! Its what was deserved! Parents clearly are not disciplining the brat! ' one man said.

'If my 11 year old child spat on a anyone Id have no problem with them being slapped,' said a Melbourne dad.

A Melbourne teacher was one of the few to defend the boy.

'I have been a teacher, and a disability worker I have been spat at on more occasions than I can count but I never slapped a person.'

Another woman joked that the boy was 'redirected to respect authority'!
Pictures have emerged of Met rapist David Carrick posing with a rifle in front of a collage of naked women while he was a teenager serving in the British Army.

The ex-police officer, 48, has been jailed for a minimum of 30 years for carrying out a string of 'violent and brutal' sex attacks after taking 'monstrous advantage' of at least a dozen women.

Carrick served in the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment and the Royal Logistics Corps prior to joining the Metropolitan Police.

But he would go on to subject his victims to 'degrading and inhumane treatment' during more than 20 years as a police officer.

Pictures have now emerged showing Carrick serving in the British Army during a tour to Cyprus as a 19-year-old, The Sun reports.

David Carrick pictured posing with a rifle during his time with the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment and the Royal Logistics Corps

Pictures have emerged showing Carrick in a martial arts pose in front of a collage of naked women

While in the country, Carrick would pose with guns in a martial arts stance.

He sent the images to a female penpal, who describes him as an 'aloof and arrogant'.

She also says he pretended to be an 'elite soldier' who was bound for the special forces.

But Carrick, of Stevenage, was handed 36 life sentences at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday.

At least five of his victims bravely attended court to watch as their attacker was jailed for a minimum of 30 years and 239 days in prison before being considered for parole.

The court heard graphic details of how Carrick used cameras he installed at home to monitor women while he was at work.

He made another woman choke on her vomit, assaulted one with a sex toy and urinated on one of his victims.

The armed officer tortured and abused women for 17 years despite coming to police attention nine times before his arrest and developing the nickname 'B*****d Dave' at work.

He called women 'fat and lazy' and treated them like as his 'sex slaves' as well as controlled them financially.

Victims were isolated from their family and forbidden from speaking with other men.

He also used his police baton as a threat and handcuffs in an attack.

Carrick's crimes were all carried out while serving with the force - he guarded sites including embassies and the Houses of Parliament, and completed training courses, including one on domestic abuse in 2005.

Prosecutor Tom Little KC said the 'systematic' offending was 'catalogue of violent and brutal sexual offences'.

He would use 'power and control' to stop his victims leaving or reporting him, and others feared they would not be believed if they reported the rape.

Carrick, who joined the Met in 2001 before becoming an armed officer with the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command in 2009, pleaded guilty to 49 charges, including 24 counts of rape.

The former Met Police officer, pictured here in uniform and holding a gun, abused a dozen women over the course of nearly 20 years

During sentencing, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said Carrick had taken 'monstrous advantage' of his victims with whom he had 'brutal, controlling and coercive relationships' with.

She told Carrick that he 'behaved as if you were untouchable', adding it was a 'spectacular downfall for a man charged with upholding the law' having lost his liberty, job and status.

The judge added: 'Behind a public appearance of propriety and trustworthiness you took monstrous advantage of women.

'You brazenly raped and sexually assaulted a number of women, some very brutally, and you behaved as if you were untouchable.

'You were bold and at times relentless, trusting that no victim would overcome her shame and fear to report you.

'For nearly two decades, you were proved right but now a combination of those 12 women, by coming forward, and your police colleagues, by acting on their evidence, have exposed you and brought you low.

'You have lost your liberty, your job and your status. You have before you the prospect of a difficult time in custody for many years.'

Details of some of Carrick's horrific crimes were heard in court yesterday, including how he sent one of his victims a photograph of himself with a police-issue gun, saying: 'Remember I am the boss.'

Some of his victims had bravely attended Southwark Crown Court to watch as Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb (pictured) was sentencing the 48-year-old from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, on Tuesday

The judge listed a number of key themes in Carrick's offending, including asserting authority and enacting 'extreme domination' over his victims.

Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb also highlighted the 'reluctance of victims to report your offending' because of their knowledge of his 'status as a police officer'.

She spoke of the 'irretrievable devastation' Carrick's crimes has had on his victims, including 'long-lasting psychological harm' and 'damaged mental health'

The judge revealed that Carrick attempted to kill himself while on remand at Belmarsh prison and was detained in a secure hospital but was found not to be suffering from any mental disorder.

Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb told him: 'You were driven to try to commit suicide as a self-pitying reaction to the shame brought on you by these proceedings rather than remorse.'
A Connecticut socialite who was imprisoned for secretly recording three minors in her $10million mansion is now walking free.

Hadley Palmer, 54, was sentenced in November to one year in jail and 20 years probation after pleading guilty to three counts of voyeurism and risk of injury to a minor.

But she has since entered a transitional supervision program and was granted early release, officials from the state Department of Corrections told the Daily Beast.

Under the program, which is similar to parole, inmates with sentences of two years or less can serve the remainder of their sentences in a halfway house or with a sponsor.

As a result, Palmer has served less than half of her one-year sentence behind bars, between her 90-day prison stint last spring and the 71 days she completed this winter.

Hadley Palmer, 54, of Belle Haven, was sentenced to one year in prison, 10 years on the sex offenders registry and 20 years probation after pleading guilty in January

But she had served less than half of her sentence behind bars at the York Correctional Institute (pictured)

Palmer, a mother-of-four, was arrested in October 2021 on charges including employing a minor in an obscene performance and second-degree child pornography.

Greenwich police claimed in charging documents that she filmed three minors without their knowledge at her $10million mansion in Belle Haven for her own sexual gratification in 2017 and 2018, noting that one of the victims was 15 or younger.

Not much was revealed about the allegations made against Palmer, as she immediately filed for what is called 'accelerated rehabilitation'  a type of probation program whereby defendants charged with minor crimes can have their file sealed.

It is a program reserved for first-time offenders. It can be applied to defendants charged with Class C felonies, but only with 'good cause'.

Palmer was granted it and the file was therefore kept secret.

Authorities had said more serious charges were also on the table but she struck a plea deal in January 2022, that saw her convicted on only three counts of voyeurism and one count of risk or injury to a minor.

Higher charges of employing a minor in an obscene performance and possession of child pornography were dropped under the deal, in which the hedge fund manager's daughter pleaded guilty to 'knowingly photographing, filming and recording three individuals' in 2017 and 2018 without their knowledge.

As part of that plea deal, she agreed to serve an initial term of 90 days at the York Correctional Facility, the state's only facility for female prisoners before her November sentencing.

Palmer pleaded guilty to three counts of voyeurism and risk of injury to a minor

Authorities said she had filmed three minors naked or unclothed at her $10million water-front home (pictured)

At her sentencing hearing in November, State's Attorney Paul Fereneck revealed she recorded the victims unclothed, and at times fully naked at her waterfront home, and shared the footage with an unnamed third-party.

Palmer had faced up to five years behind bars, but Stamford Superior Court Judge John Blawie  who sealed her case to protect the victims  ordered her to serve just one year in prison with 20 years probation.

She would also be required to register as a sex offender for the next 10 years.

Palmer's attorney, Michael Meehan, who called the mom-of-four 'very caring [and] loving,' said the sentencing was fair and that she was 'taking responsibility for her actions.'

The Stamford Advocate later revealed that the victims in the case had requested Palmer serve no further jail time.

Palmer was well-known within Connecticut's high-end social circles. She is pictured with socialite Colleen deVeer and her now ex-husband Brad Palmer

She is pictured here at another benefit in 2016 with Randall Sandler, Liz Sandler and her ex-husband

At her sentencing hearing in November, Michael Meehan (pictured leaving the court in an orange tie) called the mom-of-four 'very caring [and] loving'

Many details surrounding her case have been sealed, with critics calling the move unusual and outlets like the Associated Press publicly condemning the move.

The AP argued that the records could have been redacted or changed the children's names, as is typical in the state's sex crime cases, to make the documents open to the public.

Legal experts also told the outlet at the time that it was a highly unusual move for her file to be sealed immediately, with many saying she did not even qualify for accelerated rehabilitation.

They demanded to know why she was able to hide from public view, when other defendants have not, raising questions about whether wealthy defendants are treated differently than others.

But acquaintances told the Daily Beast they believe there is more to the story, and they are happy that Palmer has been released.

'I think it's great,' an unidentified socialite commented, adding of the accusations against her: 'On the surface, it's one thing, and when you know someone it's another.

'Please let her know there are a lot of people out there who believe in her and saw the story for what it was,' the unnamed source said.

The hedge fund manager's daughter pleaded guilty to 'knowingly photographing, filming and recording three individuals' in 2017 and 2018 without their knowledge at her Belle Haven mansion

The $10million waterfront home offered plenty of natural light with beautiful views of the Long Island Sound

Many have wondered if her venture capitalist husband, Bradley, exposed his wife's doing to police, after divorce documents revealed he sought to look at her social media for evidence she been romantically or sexually involved with someone.

The divorce records indicated that wealthy financier had grown suspicious of Palmer.

He filed a motion back in July to get her social media accounts, along with any videos or photographs she may have sent to anyone she had been romantically or sexually involved with, according to a February report by The New York Times.

In family court proceedings, the Daily Beast reports, Palmer repeatedly invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination in response to Brad's request for discovery, which included copies of 'photographs, video and audio recordings sent to or received from any person with whom you have had a sexual or romantic relationship, whether in person or solely by remote means.'

She also objected to a request for 'all reports by private investigators, or other surveillance' pertaining to her 'spouse or any child of the marriage.'

In turn, Palmer's attorneys requested files on 'background checks, surveillance or other services of any and all private investigations, police officers or investigation services procured by you or on your behalf.'

The divorce proceedings, in which both Hadley and Brad are seeking custody of their minor child, are ongoing.

Many have questioned if her ex-husband, Brad, secretly turned Hadley over to the authorities as her arrest came amid contentious divorce proceedings

Palmer is shown at an event in 2018 with her daughter Katherine. She has four kids with her estranged husband, including one who is a minor

In court filings last month, the Daily Beast reports, Palmer's divorce attorneys revealed her early release date in a motion to postpone a scheduled status conference so that she could participate in-person.

They noted that their client would be released on or before March 1. Her maximum release date is now August 20 'assuming she doesn't get rearrested, that she doesn't violate her conditions,' public information officer Andrius Banevicius said.

Under her release, Palmer is required to abstain from drugs and alcohol and cannot leave the state unless she receives permission to do so.
Shopping at urban convenience stores run by the big supermarkets could add more than 800 a year to the cost of putting food on table.

The warning comes from Which? whose experts found Tesco charges much higher prices at its Express convenience outlets than large supermarkets. It is the same with Sainsburys and its Local outlets, which can be significantly more expensive for essentials.

The price discrepancy will hit those without cars who struggle to do a weekly big shop at a larger supermarket or carry a number of bags on the bus, or those who cannot afford the delivery fees for online shopping.

The Which? research found that shoppers buying the same 75 items at Tesco Express would be spending an extra 15.73 on average a week than those shopping online or at a larger Tesco, adding up to 817.91 more over the course of a year.

Tesco charges much higher prices at its Express convenience outlets than large supermarkets

It is the same with Sainsburys and its Local outlets, which can be significantly more expensive for essentials

At Sainsburys, a survey across 69 big-selling items found they would typically cost an extra 9.19 a week at one of its Local outlets, an extra 477.93 over the year. At Tesco, the biggest price differential was on a bag of sweet potatoes, which was 37 per cent more. Mr Kipling Bakewell slices were 28 per cent more and a pack of two little gem lettuces 17 per cent more.

At Sainsburys its Local convenience stores charged 19 per cent more for Heinz Cream of Tomato soup and 18 per cent more for the brands Cream of Chicken. The supermarkets argue such prices reflect higher business rents and rates, but Which? said that will be of little comfort to shoppers.

The consumer group is campaigning for supermarkets to do more to support customers amid the cost of living crisis such as by offering a range of budget lines for essential items. It also wants them to make pricing clearer so deals can be easily identified.

Sue Davies of Which? said: Were calling on big supermarkets to ensure everyone has easy access to basic, affordable food lines.

Sainsburys said: Our Local stores are located in city or town centre locations and their operating costs are higher. Tesco did not wish to comment.
Gates was speaking with the BBC, where he was asked if he was a hypocrite

Billionaire Bill Gates claimed he was not a part of the problem regarding private jets polluting the world because of the effort he puts in to offsetting his carbon emissions.

While sitting down for an interview with the BBC, Gates was pressed on whether or not he was a hypocrite for espousing climate change warnings, while jetting around the world on his massively polluting private plane.

Gates, who is worth $117billion, responded that by saying he was 'not part of the problem' because of the amount of money he pays Climeworks - a company which, for a monthly fee, offsets carbon emissions.

The Microsoft founder said not only was he 'comfortable' with his position, but touted his sustainable-energy research company Breakthrough Energy.

Gates, who owns at least $227million worth of property, is just the latest celebrity to come under fire waxing about climate change one minute, only to hop on their polluting private jet the next.

Bill Gates steps of his private jet after taking an Earth-killing flight. He said that he wasn't part of the problem

During the interview, the BBC's Amol Rajan asked Gates right off how he answered people who called him a hypocrite for his jet use.

'What do you say to the charge that if you are a climate change campaigner, but you also travel around the world in a private jet, you're a hypocrite?' Rajan said.

The billionaire answered by telling how he throws money at the problem.

'Well, I buy the gold standard of funding Climeworks to do direct air capture that far exceeds my family's carbon footprint,' he said.

Gates then went on to talk about all the money he has put into climate research, and that his work is better done when he visits the places his companies are studying first hand.

'I spend billions of dollars on climate innovation,' he said. 'So, you know, should I stay at home and not come to Kenya and learn about farming and malaria. Anyway.'

He added that he was 'part of the solution.'

'I mean, I'm comfortable with the idea that not only am I not part of the problem - by paying for the offsets, but also through the billions that my Breakthrough Energy group is spending, that I'm part of the solution.'

Gates also touted the research his businesses have put into finding sustainable energy

Bill Gates steps off his private jet. He said without it he couldn't fly to places like Kenya to study climate change

A single private jet emits as much carbon dioxide in an hour as the average person does in an entire year, with private flights 14 times more polluting (per passenger) than a commercial plane.

Yet their super-rich owners - many of whom boast about their apparent eco credentials - are hopping on and off their jets for trips that last less than 15 minutes.

Celebrities like Taylor Swift, Kylie Jenner, Mark Wahlberg, Steven Spielberg, and Oprah Winfrey have been fingered for their outspoken climate stances, only to then take off for a jaunt on their jet.

Last June Spielberg, who previously said he is 'terrified' of global warming and called for 'everyone' to be mindful that it could 'pose a danger to your children and grandchildren,' jetted across the Netherlands for a 17-minute flight.

The 28-mile trip from Amsterdam Airport to Rotterdam Airport would have taken him just 36 minutes by car, or an hour by public transport.

According to CelebrityJets, the flight used 145 gallons of jet fuel, cost him $1,011 for the fuel and resulted in 2 tons of Co2 emissions.

Meanwhile, Jenner was branded a 'climate criminal' for a 12-minute flight across California, shortly after her sister Kourtney Kardashian faced backlash from fans for posting about carbon emissions despite the family's excessive private air travel.

Kim Kardashian owns a Gulfstream G650ER, a blingy version of the planes belonging to Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk

Last summer, Swift was named the 'biggest celebrity CO2 polluter of the year' by a study that found her private jet has taken a whopping 170 flights between January and July.

The study, released by British digital marketing firm Yard, was based on an analysis of private plane flights tracked by the automated flight tracker Celebrity Jets, and found that Swift's jet logged the most emissions of the pack.

Swift, through a representative, batted back furiously at the report after facing online backlash from fans, saying that she often let other people take her Falcon 7X jet on jaunts around the world.

'Taylor's jet is loaned out regularly to other individuals,' Swift's rep told Rolling Stone. 'To attribute most or all of these trips to her is blatantly incorrect.'

Although Swift has remained silent on political and social issues for much of her career, she has spoken out more in recent years, and named climate change as one of the issues that concerned her in a 2020 interview with Variety.
Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright is not required to wear an electronic ankle monitor as part of his bail conditions as he faces charges over a helicopter crash that killed his mate.

The high profile wildlife warrior, 43, is accused of seven serious criminal offences after the crash claimed the life of his television co-star Chris 'Willow' Wilson in the Northern Territory.

Mr Wilson was collecting crocodile eggs in a remote area of West Arnhem Land when the Robinson R44 helicopter he was dangling from collided with trees and plunged to the ground on February 28 last year.

Wright has since been hit with a range of charges, including destroying evidence and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The matter returned to Darwin Local Court on Wednesday where Wright's lawyer Giles O'Brien-Hartcher fought to have some of his client's bail conditions eased.

He also sought to have nine associates removed from Wright's 46-person non-contact order.

The court heard Wright returned home in the Top End a week ago to manage his tourism and adventure business operations ahead of the upcoming peak season.

Matt Wright (pictured with wife Kaia) doesn't have to wear an electronic ankle monitor after he recently returned to the Northern Territory

He has spent the last six months living in Queensland with his wife Kaia and their two young children.

The court heard Wright wanted to freely return to NT, a request the Crown agreed to on the condition he wear an electronic monitoring device to protect the 'sanctity' of the evidence, The Australian reported.

'The protection of the interference of witnesses goes to the heart of the allegation that we're prosecuting in the first instance,' prosecutor Steve Ledek told the court.

Wright's lawyer argued an ankle monitor was a 'restraint on liberty that doesn't serve a purpose' and that his client did not intend to breach conditions.

Judge Richard Wallace agreed.

'It doesn't seem to me that there's any justification for compromising the privacy of Mr Wright in this way,' he said.

He instead ordered Wright to provide police with 12 hours' notice before changing his residential address.

Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright (pictured recently in court) was recently charged with seven serious criminal offences in a relation to a fatal helicopter crash last February

Wright's close friend and television co-star Chris 'Willow' Wilson (pictured) was tragically killed in a helicopter crash during a crocodile egg collecting mission almost a year ago

Wright can now contact four business associates who were previously on the non-contact list.

Five more names are expected to be dropped from the non-contact list at the next preliminary examination mention in March.

Wright has been charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, destroying evidence, fabricating evidence, unlawfully entering a building, unlawfully entering a dwelling, making a false declaration and interfering with witnesses in a criminal investigation or court process by making threats/reprisals.

Wright has previously strenuously denied any wrongdoing in relation to the crash.

This month marks one year since Chris Wilson's helicopter collided with trees and crashed the ground during a crocodile egg retrieval mission in West Arnhem Land.

He was attached to a line using a harness so he could harvest eggs from crocodile nests in swampy areas while the helicopter hovered above.

Matt Wright (pictured with wife Kaia) can also now contact four associates who were previously on a non-contact list

Multiple investigations into what happened before, during and after the fatal helicopter crash continue.

The NT police investigation is expected to be completed by early March.

Wright and other two men charged in relation to the crash are all due to reappear in court on March 8.

Wright became a household name more than a decade ago as the star of National Geographic Channel series Outback Wrangler, which has since been aired in almost 100 countries.
Three people have been arrested as part of an international investigation into PPE fraud worth millions of pounds.

A man in his 50s, his wife and a 39-year-old man were arrested after searches of two properties in Loughborough, Leicestershire, and a third in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, on Wednesday.

Together they are believed to have defrauded companies worldwide of 1.9 million, with a number of high-value items recovered in the property searches, including a car, jewellery, watches and appliances, as well as evidence of significant cash purchases.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) said the man in his 50s is believed to have set up a UK company solely to run a fraudulent scheme allowing him to profit from personal protective equipment shortages at the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

His wife is believed to have helped launder the proceeds, while the third man is believed to have aided the scheme.

The National Crime Agency arrested three people on suspicion of fraudulently offering PPE for sale to customers in Germany and the United States following a string of raids yesterday

The three were arrested on suspicion of advance fee fraud, which sees victims make upfront payments for goods, services or financial gains that do not materialise.

Investigators claim the company, which has not been named, brokered sale agreements worth more than 28.9 million to provide nitrile gloves, used in many medical settings, to companies in the US and Germany.

The foreign companies apparently paid an upfront fee to the UK company to cover initial costs and secure contracts, but this was paid into a holding account run by a third party.

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The holding account provided assurances that funds paid in would only be released upon contract conditions being met, but the NCA said on Wednesday that the couple are believed to have accessed and benefitted from the money without satisfying their contractual obligations.

Mick Pope, NCA branch commander, said: 'During the pandemic, both individuals and businesses were impacted by criminal opportunists.

'The NCA prioritised and tackled a range of serious organised crime threats, including fraud.

'False business agreements that turn out to be fraud damage the reputation of the UK and hurt our economy.

'We continue to treat this as a priority area and thank Leicestershire Police for their ongoing support.

'Work is under way with law enforcement partners in the US and Germany to further this investigation.'

The three suspects remain in custody and interviews are ongoing, the NCA added.

Leicestershire Police have been approached for comment.
But the decision to flee the Netherlands was a far cry from earlier photos of him

This is the Western life of Shamima Begum's jihadi husband before he fled to Syria - as he spoke from his prison cell to describe her as a 'clueless ISIS wife'.

Yago Riedijk is a Dutch convert who was 21 when he fled his comfortable middle-class home to join IS  earning him a six-year jail sentence in his absence in Holland.

After arriving in Syria, he sent his family photographs posing with a fake rifle and in military gear, while also asking for cash and boasting about marrying a 15-year-old British girl.

Riedijk and Begum had three children together during her time in the country, two of whom died of disease or malnutrition, and a third born after her capture by Western-backed forces, died of pneumonia.

But Riedijk is currently behind bars in Syria after being captured by Kurdish forces.

Dutch ISIS fighter Yago Riedijk (left), husband of Shamima Begum. Riedijk had previously bragged about marrying Shamima

Riedijk and Begum (pictured) had three children together during her time in the country, two of whom died of disease or malnutrition, and a third born after her capture by Western-backed forces, died of pneumonia

In a disturbing interview for BBC documentary The Shamima Begum Story, dead-eyed Reidijk spoke from his prison cell of how he took the schoolgirl to the park for ice cream after they were married by an ISIS judge.

He said that at first she was 'clueless' about how to be a wife but then 'learned how married life worked' and the importance of 'respect, pleasing her husband and obedience'.

However, Riedijk made no comment when asked about the age gap.

'Basically, I was looking for marriage and a friend of mine came to me and said there's a sister looking for marriage, are you interested? I took him up on his offer,' he said, speaking to Alan Duncan.

The former fighter described how he sat down with Begum: 'We had a talk, we agreed on the conditions of marriage.'

The conditions were 'not really something big or anything important, it was small things like going out shopping, things like this,' he said.

'Basically she asked for some freedoms, which I agreed to give her - going shopping, seeing her friends, very, very basic stuff. We agreed on a dowry - all she asked for was an English translation of the Koran, which I agreed to.'

In a disturbing interview for BBC documentary The Shamima Begum Story, dead-eyed Reidijk spoke from his prison cell

Yago Riedijk (left) is currently behind bars in Syria after being captured by Kurdish forces fighting for ISIS

When he married Begum, he was 'in recovery and doing physiotherapy,' Riedijk added.

But his decision to flee the Netherlands was a far cry from earlier photos of him sitting on the bike with a child in front of him outside his parents home in the Dutch city of Arnhem. In others, his mother lovingly drapes her arm over his shoulder.

A Dutch court heard Riedijks father Lex, a railway engineer, had reported him missing in October 2014 when he failed to get in touch with him for two weeks.

Police found radical jihadi materials in a flat he was renting in Rotterdam. He had told the landlord he would be leaving at the end of the month before vanishing.

He is thought to have travelled to Turkey, and then on to Syria.

Begum said he was injured fighting in Kobani before they married, ten days after she arrived in Raqqa from London, when she asked to be matched with an English speaking fighter.

He was later imprisoned and tortured for six months, accused by the paranoid regime of being a spy.

Riedijk was eventually released but no longer classified as a fighter.

Instead, the couple continued to live together in Raqqa, enjoying what Shamima described as a normal life with bombing and stuff every now and then. It was all a long way from his upbringing in Arnhem. The city has been described by some as a the jihadi capital of The Netherlands.

Riedijk grew up in De Laar, four miles from the centre. His estate was built in the Sixties for couples with young families and his parents, Ankie and Lex, have lived in the same house for more than 40 years.

His father is an engineer at the local railway, while his sister studied physics at a nearby university.

The former fighter described how he sat down with Begum: 'We had a talk, we agreed on the conditions of marriage.'

He said that at first Begum (pictured) was 'clueless' about how to be a wife but then 'learned how married life worked'

The family are not believed to be religious, and it is understood Riedijk converted to Islam in his late teens.

It is not known how he was radicalised, but a number of young men in Arnhem are said to have been converted by radical Dutch preacher Abdul-Jabbar Van de Ven, who is now thought to be living in Manchester.

In 2018, police infiltrated an IS terror cell made up of men from Arnhem who were planning a Paris-style attack. It was reported that Riedijk was in regular contact with the gang, who were plotting to target a rock festival in the city.

The men had been training for jihad at a holiday camp and planned to walk among revellers using grenades and AK-47 assault rifles to kill them before detonating a car bomb.

But two undercover police officers had infiltrated their ranks and supplied them with dummy weapons. The men were arrested before they had chance to attack.

In 2017, Dutch prosecutors had called for seven suspected jihadists  including Riedijk  to return home to be tried. The subsequent trial, held in their absence, heard investigators found he had withdrawn cash from his bank account in the Turkish border town of Gaziantep.

He eventually made contact with his family, telling them he had joined the caliphate. He told a cousin he had married a 15-year-old British girl and was working as the right-hand man to a high-ranking member of IS.

The court heard that police found photographs on his fathers computer that showed him posing with a replica AK-47. He also sent his father photos of himself in a military outfit and asked his family to send him money.

The prosecutor tried to contact him ahead of his trial, sending messages on Facebook and WhatsApp but the court was satisfied he had joined the group and did not want to return.
Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters was denounced by Ukraine yesterday after he told the United Nations Security Council that Russia's invasion was 'not unprovoked'.

The 79-year-old was invited to address the 15-member council by Moscow.

'The invasion was illegal. I condemn it in the strongest possible terms,' he said via video, adding: 'Also, the invasion was not unprovoked. I also condemn the provocateurs in the strongest possible terms.'

Ukraine's ambassador to the UN, Sergiy Kyslytsya, responded with a reference to a Pink Floyd song: 'How sad for his former fans to see him accepting the role of just a brick in the wall, a wall of Russian disinformation and propaganda.'

Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters was denounced by Ukraine yesterday after he told the United Nations Security Council that Russia's invasion was 'not unprovoked'.

Kyiv's representative even referenced the giant inflatable pink pig that featured in many of the progressive rock band's shows.

He said he was surprised Waters had not arranged to have it floating in the Security Council chamber.

'What could it have been this time Mr Waters? Pigs with swastikas and the hammer and sickle?' Mr Kyslytsya said during the surreal discussion.

Last September, Waters was declared a persona non grata' by the Polish city of Krakow after his concerts were scrapped there over his war stance.
The new Business Secretary yesterday appeared to question if the UK should always have a steel industry.

In her first interview since being appointed to the job in Tuesdays reshuffle, Kemi Badenoch said: Nothing is ever a given. But the comments risk putting her on a collision course with Downing Street.

Maintaining a steel industry has been expensive for the Government in recent years as firms have demanded significant bailouts to retain jobs.

Last week British Steel, owned by a Chinese company, was said to have drawn up plans to cut 800 jobs. Ministers fear the fallout from skilled jobs being lost in industrial areas.

The new Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch said 'nothing is ever a given in regards to the steel industry

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Mrs Badenoch said she needed to sit down and look at what exactly has been going on with steel from a business perspective and an industry perspective. She also told Sky News that fixating on the short-term damage caused by Brexit was a fake conversation.

The minister added that not enough time had been spent talking about what we can do with having an independent trade policy.

She added: So Im not surprised a lot of people are feeling Bregret because there are many other economic background factors, that have nothing to do with Brexit, which can make people feel bleak.

Steel is also considered a strategic industry as it is used in the manufacture of ships, weapons, railways and large-scale infrastructure.

Miss Badenoch, seen as a potential successor to Rishi Sunak at the head of the Tory party, was this week handed a new role as Business and Trade Secretary.

The position will assume the responsibility of domestic businesses and regulation that was previously carried out in the sprawling Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy department.
Passengers face months of further strike chaos after the Transport Secretary said the latest pay offer was the best and final  but union barons are poised to reject it.

Mark Harper said the pay rise offer of 9 per cent will not be improved by even a single percentage point.

It comes after the Rail, Maritime and Transport union informally told industry negotiators it would accept an offer of 10 per cent, according to insiders.

They believe there is a slim chance the RMT will accept the current offer, but are expecting the union to announce more strikes or an intention to strike as early as today.

Mr Harper, who wants industry reforms in return for the pay rise, said the offer would not be increased to 10 per cent to get a deal over the line.

Passengers face months of further strike chaos after the Transport Secretary said the latest pay offer was the best and final. Pictured: Empty platforms in Paddington station in London

Asked whether he would be willing to amend the negotiating mandate for this to happen, he said: Absolute best and final offer means what it says.

And the fact that the rail reform agenda has the support of the Prime Minister and the Chancellor, thats the Governments position, not just mine.

He also called on union barons to put a new offer tabled by Network Rail last week to their members in a referendum. Thats the democratic thing to do, he said.

He stressed the importance of fundamental reforms such as train companies not relying on staff doing overtime shifts to run Sunday services, overhauling and simplifying ticketing and deploying more technology to make the railways more efficient.

He said workers need a growing rail industry that has more passengers and more revenue, but that this was being blocked by union leaders resisting reforms that are part of the package.

The RMT is considering offers of 9 per cent over two years  5 per cent for 2022 and 4 per cent this year  for around 20,000 Network Rail staff and another 20,000 workers for 14 train operators covering most of the country.

Its national executive committee is scheduled to meet today (THURS) to discuss the offer.

Talks are at an advanced stage and there were hopes that a deal could be reached with the RMT to solve a large part of the strikes crisis hitting the network as relations improved under Mr Harper.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union informally told industry negotiators it would accept an offer of 10 per cent, according to insiders. Pictured: RMT general secretary Mick Lynch

But a rail source said: The RMT said informally that they would settle for a 5 per cent plus 5 per cent offer. But how can we know that they definitely would?

Were expecting them to announce strikes, or the intention to strike, potentially on Thursday or early next week. Its not looking like theyre going to accept the offer or put it to their members.

The RMT has already staged 16 national walkouts since last summer.

The train drivers union Aslef, involved in a separate dispute, has called eight walkouts. It has rejected an offer of 8 per cent over two years.

The strikes are estimated to have cost the industry around 500 million  enough to have settled the dispute with the RMT at the outset.

Steve Montgomery, chairman of the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents train operators, praised Mr Harper at an industry event on Tuesday night for de-personalising negotiations, meaning there is less conflict in the [negotiating] room.

His predecessor-but-one, Grant Shapps, took a much more combative approach.

Andrew Haines, boss of Network Rail, also praised the change of approach, saying: The conversations are equally direct and blunt but theyre done in a measured tone that isnt confrontational.

Its a harsh reality that, however well-intentioned, noisy political rhetoric, if anything it galvanised the workforce against settling.

It came as new figures showed how striking Network Rail workers are in line for gold-plated pensions worth more than double the state pension.

Industry figures reveal that about 20,000 signallers and track workers are in line for pensions which will pay around 22,000 a year when they retire. By contrast, the state pension is currently worth 9,627.

The generous Network Rail scheme, which dates back to the days of British Rail before privatisation, is also likely to be worth more than the majority of private sector pensions, according to experts.

Network Rail gives generous pension contributions of around 9 per cent, compared to the average 6 per cent in the private sector.

Tory MP Craig Mackinlay said: A lot of rail workers are very well paid as it is, especially train drivers.

But its not just about the salary, its the overall package, which this shows includes very generous gold-plated pensions that some in the private sector could only dream of.

So its absolutely unfair to ask taxpayers to fund even bigger salary increases for rail workers.
A mining town in South Australia is set to lose its last bank branch - forcing residents to travel hundreds of kilometres away.

Coober Pedy will lose its Westpac branch on February 17 and its residents will only be able to access banking through its post office, which has limited services available.

If they want any other services, the nearest bank is in Port Augusta, some 550 kilometres away.

The Australia Post Office has a daily withdrawal limit of $7,000, something which will harm businesses in the town, according to council CEO Tim Jackson.

It is the latest town to lose its physical branches as more and more banks push internet banking.

Coober Pedy will lose its Westpac branch on February 17 and its residents will only be able to access banking through its post office

Mr Jackson believes the pattern will harm the elderly and Aboriginal population of the town, plus others who have difficulty using the internet.

'I'm told people used to be able to walk into the bank and because they were known to bank staff, they would be able to access their accounts and transact and do withdrawals,' Coober Pedy Council CEO Tim Jackson told news.com.au.

'I was talking to one opal miner and he said that buyers, when they come into town, they need access to $100,000 to $200,000 in cash as transactions are generally done in cash in terms of the opal industry,' he said.

'So they will need to withdraw in Port Augusta and drive 550km down the highway with that amount of cash in their car, so that's a lot of risk issues and businesses will need to have personal safes. It's certainly going to be challenging.'

Meanwhile, the town of Berrigan, near the NSW-Victorian border, lost its last bank in October 2022.

Karina Ewer, CEO Berrigan Shire Council, has revealed that elderly residents of the town are now relying on library staff and other people to deal with their online banking issues, something that leaves them at risk.

'We have seen people like our library staff are often called on by elderly citizens who can't do online banking to manage their accounts, so they have passwords and identify information given to them to assist our residents and it makes them incredibly uncomfortable but they don't have anyone else to trust,' she said.

If Coober Pedy residents want to visit a bank, the nearest is in Port Augusta, some 550 kilometres away

'To me that just makes vulnerable people more vulnerable and they can't manage banking on their own because they are forced online.

'If they are not coming to us and going to their family, we all know that not necessarily all family is trustworthy, so it worries me deeply that people are forced into positions.'

Mr Jackson said they have 'run out of options' in Coober Pedy, despite desperate attempts to stop the closure of banks.

He had a meeting with the state manager of Westpac in Adelaide, wrote to the CEO of Westpac and reached out to senators in Southern Australia.

However, he said he only heard back from two politicians and also didn't receive a proper response from Westpac.

Four years ago, Westpac announced the closure of its bank, before protests stopped the move.

Mr Jackson doesn't think a change of heart will take place this time.

Westpac said there had been a 28 per cent drop in people using its branch in the town each month since the financial year 2020.

'Declining customer use of branches means that in some instances, we may take a difficult decision to leave a branch location,' a Westpac spokesperson said.

'In Coober Pedy, our team is working to assist customers with the transition, including co-ordinating with the team at Australia Post to help familiarise customers with Bank@Post services.

'Coober Pedy Post Office is located just 50 metres from our current branch and customers will be able to access many of the same cash services there including to withdrawing cash, depositing cash and cheques, and checking account balances.'

Coober Pedy is just the latest Australian town to lose its physical bank.

Junee, a town in the Riverina region of New South Wales will lose its last bank on March 3.

James Davis, general manager of Junee Shire Council, said the move would hit vulnerable or elderly residents.

People in the town will be forced to travel with 'large amounts of cash in the car' to the nearest town of Wagga Wagga, which is half an hour away, he added.

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority said 575 regional banks closed between mid-2017 and mid-2021.

And the Finance Sector Union said bank branch closures are reaching 'crisis point' with the big four closing more than 550 bank branches across Australia since January 2020.

More than 1,600 bank branches closed nationally in the past six years.
It's rumoured Josh Frydenberg will make a bid for his seat

He's expected to make an announcement on Thursday

Josh Frydenberg could be set for a shock return to politics with Alan Tudge expected to quit parliament sparking a by-election.

Mr Tudge, who is the federal member of the outer-eastern Melbourne seat of Aston, is set to announce his resignation after question time on Thursday.

It's led to rumours that former treasurer Josh Frydenberg will make a bid for the seat.

Alan Tudge (pictured) is set to announce his resignation from politics on Thursday sparking a by-election

Mr Frydenberg lost the seat of Kooyong - an electorate that had been held by the Liberal party since federation - in last year's federal election to independent MP, Monique Ryan.

The Daily Telegraph reports that Mr Frydenberg is aware of Mr Tudge's impending resignation and is 'weighing his options'.

Mr Tudge held several offices during his political career under the Morrison and Turnbull governments including education, human services and citizenship and multicultural affairs.

His career was plagued by scandals in recent years, most infamously his affair with his former press secretary, Rachelle Miller, who also accused him of abuse.

Mr Tudge has faced questions at the royal commission into the controversial robodebt scheme.

The Centrelink scheme used an automated system to unlawfully issue fake debts to hundreds of thousands of welfare recipients.

Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg (pictured) is reportedly considering whether to make a bid for the seat of Aston

A royal commission into the scheme was announced by the Albanese government last August.

Mr Tudge claimed he was not responsible for the failure of his department to ensure the scheme was legal.

While giving evidence at the commission, Ms Miller claimed Mr Tudge advised her about giving 'drops' to 'friendly media' that would spin the robodebt scheme in a way that showed the former government was clawing back millions from welfare recipients with debts.
Don Lemon delayed a CNN commercial break on Tuesday to awkwardly heap praises on his co-host Kaitlan Collins for her interview with Republican Rep. James Comer.

Lemon was apparently so incensed by comments made by Comer, a Kentucky Republican who serves as the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, in his interview with Collins that he stopped outro music signaling a cut to commercial.

He also hit out at the New York Post, claiming it is not a 'credible source,' after Comer praised the outlet for breaking the news about Hunter Biden's laptop.

The awkward exchange came amid reports that Don Lemon has fallen out of favor with his female co-hosts, and even made Collins run off crying.

Don Lemon awkwardly delayed a commercial break on Tuesday to heap praise onto his co-host Kaitlan Collins

Kaitlan Collins (right) was interviewing Rep. James Comer (left) for the CNN show

In the interview with Comer on CNN This Morning, Collins pressed the Republican on upcoming House investigations into Hunter Biden's laptop and suggestions from the Twitter Files that the FBI tried to suppress those stories.

Comer said he was grateful for Twitter revealing how the FBI worked with social media companies to suppress stories related to Hunter Biden's laptop, saying: 'Thank goodness for Elon Musk.

'We wouldn't know that the government was involved in censoring conservative speech were it not for Elon Musk being transparent and not disclosing the Twitter Files,' he said before praising the New York Post for breaking the story.

The congressman called the paper a 'credible outlet' and 'the fourth biggest newspaper in America.'

But when the interview concluded and Lemon was left to transition to a commercial break, he seemed stunned by Comer's comments as his co-host Poppy Harlow praised Collins for 'fact checking in real-time.'

'That's the time that we're in, where facts are sort of flexible and you just throw things out there  citing uncredible sources like the New York Post as a credible source and saying that facts are  it's just... I can't believe that we're here,' Lemon said.

Harlow then looked directly at the camera, seemingly taken aback by Lemon's comments and said: 'That's why we got Kaitlin Collins on the Hill fact checking in real-time.'

Still, Lemon continued his rant even as the outro music started to play, signaling a cut to commercial.

'Hold on, please with the music,' he told the crew, who immediately shut off the sound.

He then went on to claim there is no 'shared reality' with people like Comer, saying: 'American people are going to have to suffer through all of this stuff from election deniers to people who don't believe in facts.

'We don't have a shared reality, and now it's center stage.'

Lemon was supposed to transition to a commercial break following Collins' interview with Rep. James Comer

The two discussed the upcoming hearings on Hunter Biden's laptop, when Comer praised the New York Post for breaking the story  much to Lemon's chagrin

At that point, Harlow tried to interrupt again, as she continued to praise Collins for pointing out that special counsels for probes into Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump were both appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland.

She called it 'critically important' to fact-check in real time as the show finally cut to a commercial.

When it came back, Lemon praised Collins' interviewing skills, saying: 'As I was watching that very good interview by Kaitlan Collins with Comer, and I had to come out and say something because he is citing sources as credible that are not credible.

'He is talking about facts of something that's kind of flexible, and maybe you believe one thing or maybe another, facts are facts.'

Hunter Biden's laptop story was highly questioned by Biden supporters ahead of the 2020 presidential election, and even led to the New York Post being suspended from Twitter for a period.

But multiple outlets  including CNN  have since confirmed that the laptop is authentic.

The awkward interaction came amid reports Lemon has had a falling out with Collins

CNN insiders say Lemon is having trouble sharing the spotlight with his two morning show co-hosts, noting they used to arrive at events together but now come separately

Lemon's awkward attempt to praise his colleague on Tuesday came amid reports that he and his female co-hosts have not been getting along.

Sources have said that the network's golden boy went 'ballistic' on Collins back in December for interrupting him, apparently berating his co-host in front of the television crew.

The incident was later featured in a company newsletter, prompting Lemon to 'blow up' at staff, according to RadarOnline.

He was told to take a day to 'cool off' by CNN boss Chris Licht.

When the two co-hosts finally reunited on Monday, their interactions were notably icy towards one another, speaking to each other only once during the hour-long show.

That interaction came when Lemon appeared to nearly interrupt Collins again, pointing to her and asking her whether she recycles in a discussion about climate change.

Collins barely looks at her co-host as she quickly replies 'yes, we recycle' before directing her attention back to their guest.

Lemon was reportedly told to take time to 'cool off' after admonishing Collins for interrupting him in a segment in December. He is pictured here last week

A spokesperson for the network denies there is any animosity between the co-hosts, calling them 'friends'

A CNN insider has since told Fox News that Lemon is 'having a hard time sharing the spotlight' since losing his solo hosting gig for his primetime show, saying: 'Don's having a hard time sharing a show. He's having a hard time sharing the spotlight.'

Lemon anchored CNN's 10pm ET time slow for years but its viewership had been steadily declining.

He was then pulled from the top slot by Licht in September and asked to appear alongside Collins and Harlow for a revamped morning show.

It was intended to replace the Jeff Zucker-era program 'New Day.'

Eric Hall had served as executive producer of the show when it launched but he was pulled from the role last month and reassigned to prime time.

Collins and Lemon, along with Harlow, used to arrive to red carpets and events as a unit.

But now, they arrive separately and seem to want to stay far away from each other.

'At this point, Kaitlan wants to be on set with Don as little as possible,' another source told The Post. 'Its messy.'

To Collins' advantage, CEO Licht wants the morning show hosts out in the field more than on set.

Collins, who is also CNN's White House correspondent, has recently spent a lot of time in DC.

CNN previously issued a statement saying that the reports of Lemon's outburst are overblown, but other outlets have confirmed that the events being described are largely accurate.

'Don, Kaitlan and Poppy were friends before they were co-anchors and they remain friends today,' a statement reads.
Serial liar George Santos had strong words for Senator Mitt Romney after the senior politician berated him before the State of the Union address last night.

Santos, who has been caught in a litany of flagrant lies since he was elected last year, said it was 'reprehensible' for Romney to call him out with 'demeaning' language, and added 'it wasn't very Mormon of him.'

Last night Romney was filmed tearing into Santos before last night's speech, and appeared to tell the New York politician 'you don't belong here' and call him an 'a**.'

After the speech Santos told reporters the confrontation wasn't the first time somebody from a 'privileged background' had tried to boss him around, and vowed to never back down.

The New York Republican, who has been caught out fabricating his college and work history as well as his status as a volleyball champion and claiming that his mother was in the World Trade Center on the day of the 9/11 attacks, is currently facing an House Ethics investigation. He told CNN he's 'not concerned' about it.

George Santos said it was 'reprehensible' for Romney to call him out with 'demeaning' language, and added 'it wasn't very Mormon of him'

George Santos and Mitt Romney speak before the State of the Union address on Tuesday

"It's not the first time in history I've been told to shut up and go to the back of the room, especially by people who come from a privileged background ... [It] wasn't very Mormon of him."



 Rep. George Santos (R-NY) on his confrontation with Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) before SOTU pic.twitter.com/I09m4u2CM7  The Recount (@therecount) February 8, 2023

Santos sounded impassioned and angry while recalling the interaction he had with Romney.

'It's not the first time in history I've been told to shut up and go to the back of the room,' he said. 'Especially by people who come from a privileged background.'

He then took a defiant stand, promising he would not be deterred.

'And it's not gonna be that last, and I'm never gonna shut up and go to the back of the room, and I think it's reprehensible that the senator would say such a thing to me in the demeaning way he said.'

'It wasn't very Mormon of him, that's what I cant tell you,' he added before departing.

During the speech last night, Santos positioned himself in an aisle seat which would guarantee he would be prominently visible during television broadcasts of the address, along with put him in a prime position to shake hands with Supreme Court justices, cabinet secretaries, and even the president as they enter the chamber.

But Santos got rather more than he bargained for. Video footage showed Sen. Mitt Romney confront the serial liar, saying what looked to be 'You don't belong here.'

Santos, looked shocked, even as he appeared to fire back at the Senator.

Romney appeared to repeat the same words several times to Santos, which looked to include several admonishments including calling him an 'a**.'

Santos said that Romney's behavior at the State of the Union was 'not very Mormon'

Rep. George Santos seats in his seat during the State of the Union address last night

Romney and Santos clashed as members were taking their seats ahead of the address

Damn, it's ALWAYS this guy, Mitt Romney, speaking some truth about his own party.



I can't stand Mr. Binders Full of Women, but he is 100% right about George Santos and Kevin McCarthy.



Santos shouldn't even be in Congress, and McCarthy is a chickenshit.pic.twitter.com/5rq6ZM2yL0  BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) February 8, 2023

After the speech Romney told reporters he hoped Santos would soon be ousted from Congress.

'He shouldn't be in Congress and they're going to go through the process and hopefully get him out,' Romney said. 'But he shouldn't be there and if he had any shame at all he wouldn't be there.'

Santos described the encounter with Semafor reporter Kadia Goba.

He claimed Romney started off by saying 'you don't belong here'.

'Go tell that to the 142,000 who voted for', Santos claimed he said in response.

'You're an a**,' Romney says. 'You're a much bigger a**hole', Santos responds.

Santos, who at first darted through hallways on Capitol Hill to avoid reporters and kept quiet on his lies, has now taken on a more aggressive media strategy.

'Hey @MittRomney just a reminder that you will NEVER be PRESIDENT!' he tweeted after the terse exchange gained traction on Twitter.
The top 1 per cent of earners are not the cleverest in society, a study suggests.

Researchers from Linkoping University in Sweden looked at test results from 60,000 men and found higher earners are usually more clever, but only for those earning up to 53,000 on average.

Beyond that wage intelligence did not rise with pay and the top 1 per cent were less clever than the 1 per cent below.

Professor Marc Keuschnigg, who led the study, said: This suggests that those at the very top may have benefited from a lot of luck along their way, or being born into a privileged family.

Researchers found higher earners are usually more clever, but only for those earning up to 53,000 on average

The study, published in the journal European Sociological Review, judges intelligence on a broader basis than a standard IQ test.

The military test given to the men in Sweden asked questions to determine their skills with logic, verbal understanding, spatial ability and comprehension.

The maximum possible score was nine, but the share of men scoring nine in the top one per cent of wage-earners was below the proportion who got top marks in the wage brackets below.

The men in the test, whose wages were taken when they were aged 35 to 45, are anonymous in the data, but Professor Keuschnigg said: It would be very interesting to know where famous high-earning Swedes Benny and Bjorn from ABBA came in the wage-earning and intelligence groups.

Im sure that they are very clever, having accomplished a lot in their lives.

Andy Hill, chair of the Stove Industry Association, said: The UK stove industry has long supported greater enforcement of the law and the use of civil penalties for nuisance smoke within Smoke Control Areas.

A combination of enforcement of SCA legislation and encouragement to switch to modern wood-burning stove appliances, such as a clearSkies certified appliance, has the potential to reduce PM emissions from domestic wood burning by up to 90 per cent, while at the same time preserving consumer choice and providing the reassurance of a secondary heating source that is very low-carbon, cost-effective to run and is entirely independent of the energy grid.
Too often obsessed with petty rivalries and mundane point-scoring, our parliamentarians were humbled yesterday by a leader whose nation is in genuine existential crisis.

Volodymyr Zelensky's moving oration was a lesson in dignity, courage and national pride. And it sent this heartfelt message to the whole of the civilised world: Ukraine's struggle is your struggle.

Beneath the ancient beams of Westminster Hall, he warned MPs and peers that for all the heroism of its military, if Ukraine falls, an emboldened Vladimir Putin will turn his attentions to other nations in his mission to reconstitute the Soviet Union by force.

In his passionate address, he praised Britain for its support from the 'first seconds of war'. And he singled out Boris Johnson for uniting the West behind Ukraine.

Britain and the West should be straining every sinew to give Mr Zelensky everything he needs

Comparing his country's struggle against tyranny to Britain's stand against Hitler, Mr Zelensky said: 'Freedom will win.'

We hope and trust it will. But without help from democracy-loving allies, the grim truth is that his forces will eventually succumb to superior Russian numbers.

He is crying out for fighter jets not only to force the Russians back, but also to protect Western tanks, as well as troops, civilians and infrastructure. 'We have freedom,' he said. 'Give us wings to protect it.'

Rishi Sunak insists nothing is off the table. But so far the PM has announced only that we will train Ukrainian pilots.

Britain and the West should be straining every sinew to give Mr Zelensky everything he needs. No half measures.

While our politicians dither over donating more firepower, the Ukrainians are paying a terrible price in blood.

Mr Johnson is right to point out that we have Typhoon jets, tanks and long-range missiles doing nothing on military bases.

It would be better to deliver such a devastating arsenal to the Ukrainians as soon as possible. That is the only way to guarantee our own long-term security.

Fears that Putin could use this as an excuse for nuclear retaliation are exaggerated. He's been issuing such threats from the start. Of course, if we are to give hardware without leaving our own military dangerously short, Mr Sunak needs to urgently rethink defence budgets.

But what are the alternatives? Either letting the conflict grind on indefinitely, donating enough weapons to prevent Ukraine losing, but not enough to win and halt the slaughter. Or risk Putin, despite taking truly colossal losses, somehow snatching victory from the jaws of defeat through sheer force of numbers.

Neither can be contemplated. Boris pledged Britain and Ukraine would be brothers in arms. Over to you, Mr Sunak.

Pathetic Prevent

The Prevent strategy is intended to identify and deradicalise potential extremists.

Yet with half of recent terror attacks being carried out by offenders known to the scheme, its effectiveness is pitiful.

A damning review finds it has lost its way as a consequence of political correctness and misplaced cultural sensitivity.

Officials treat potentially murderous homegrown jihadis with kid gloves, while over-emphasising the far-Right threat.

The Home Secretary says reforms will focus on saving lives, not social work.

But what is it about our national institutions that so many of them get clogged up in woolly-minded wokery?
Should Meghan's half-sister Samantha succeed in dragging Harry into court in her defamation case against the duchess, he will be the first royal to give evidence since the future Edward VII.

Harry's testimony will surely be less sensational than his ancestor's in 1870, when he denied having an affair with Lady Mordaunt.

Her husband Sir Charles had physically ejected Edward from his property after discovering him showing off to his lover his gift of two white ponies from the Sandringham estate.

Sir Charles then had the innocent ponies shot in front of his wife.

Royals usually try to avoid the courts  just ask Andrew. He reportedly went to great lengths to avoid Virginia Giuffre's legal papers being served to him. Authorities in the US are still keen to interview him about his entanglement with Giuffre and former pal Jeffrey Epstein. Despite his 'friends' briefing that he would be willing to help the legal process, when asked about it by Emily Maitlis the prince covered himself in caveats, concluding: 'I'm bound by what my legal advice is...'

The chef at The Vine Tree pub would be delighted if his venison pie was listed in The Good Pub Guide. Perhaps he and the staff are less chuffed that the pub near Malmesbury has appeared, albeit briefly, as a Google Maps destination listed as the location where Harry lost his virginity.

While her opposition to ivory may be less strident than William's, Queen Consort Camilla, pictured, has triggered a search through the royal repository for a replacement for the Ivory Rod with Dove, the sceptre she is set to carry at the Coronation.

The current favourite replacement was one made for Mary II in 1689, stored in a cupboard for more than a century.

My Tower of London source whispers: 'It is very elaborate and has a dove, but not a trace of ivory.'

John Cleese's resurrection of Basil Fawlty conjures up memories of his unfunny 2016 Specsavers ad where he thrashed his car with a tree branch. Spitting Image writer John O'Farrell fears the worst: 'It could be akin to a fat Elvis forgetting his words in Vegas.'

Harold Evans' formidable secretary Joan Thomas, who has died aged 85, was a near-impregnable gatekeeper to the legendary Sunday Times editor. She kept rookie reporter Tina Brown at bay for more than two hours for her appointment, telling her to return the following day. When Joan left her post for a few minutes, Tina stormed in. Hey presto! She became the second Mrs Evans!

The late Kenneth Williams, paid only 2,000 for his early Carry On films, is quoted in the Oldie berating miserly producer Peter Rogers: 'You can treat us like royalty and pay us nothing and we don't mind. Or you can treat us like s*** and pay us a lot of money and we don't mind. But you can't pay us no money and treat us like s***!'
This is what a mission to hunt down and destroy Chinese tactical ballistic missiles and anti-satellite weapons looks like.

Two U.S. Marine Corps F-35 fighters start as dots of light far off the wing of the Royal Air Force tanker.

In a complex aerial ballet they slide into position, dropping their speed to 280 knots to stay level with the twin hoses trailing from the British jet.

A series of minute adjustments sees the first pilot push his plane's probe into the receiving basket of the hose, triggering the flow of aviation fuel at up to 1500 lb per minute.

The second follows suit on the other side of the tanker, all part of Exercise Red Flag, bringing American, British and Australian flyers together over thousands of square miles in the west United States.

The exercise has been run for decades. But in recent years it has taken on a specific focus. If the U.S. and its allies went to war with China it would mean deploying refueling tankers to help fighter planes and ground-attack aircraft overcome vast distances to reach targets across the Indo-Pacific.

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35b Joint Strike Fighter refuels from a Royal Air Force tanker at 17,000 feet over Nevada during exercise Red Flag on Wednesday

R.A.F. flight crew monitor refueling from aboard the Voyager tanker, using a red-amber-green system to guide crews into hose and start aviation fuel flowing

'We talk about the tyranny of range,' said Air Commodore John Lyle of the R.A.F., in the cockpit of a KC-2 Voyager air-to-air refueling tanker.

'The joy with this aircraft is that we can get airborne, travel vasts distances and be ready to enter the fight. That's what we are practicing.'

As well as training aircrews in warfighting, he said the massive exercise  three weeks, 100 aircraft, 3,000 personnel  sent a clear message that the US, Britain and Australia were united in protecting global stability from foes.

The two F-35s peel off to the right. They wait on the tanker's wing for a minute. Then they are gone, off to resume their role as air escorts, facing down enemy aircraft and opening the skies for the rest of the coalition attack.

They are quickly replaced by another two thirsty F-35 Joint Strike Fighters.

Red Flag, billed as the USAF's pre-eminent annual air training exercise, has been running since 1975.

In previous years it was conducted over some 12,000 square miles of Nevada. But now it has been extended to include parts of Utah and California, as well as the Pacific Coast, to better recreate the vast ranges of that Indo-Pacific theater.

No one is in any doubt that the region is now the greatest worry, as China spreads its influence and intensifies its bellicose rhetoric.

Air Commodore John Lyle of the R.A.F. said the exercise was about extending the range of US, British and Australian air power. 'We talk about the tyranny of range,' he said

Four RAF Typhoons line up waiting their turn as a US Marine Corps F-35 takes on fuel. The warplanes are engaged in an aerial ballet, sliding into position at 17,000 feet

The RAF sent about 300 personnel and seven Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland. Their role on Wednesday was as both air-to-air fighters and ground attack

The R.A.F.'s KC-2 Voyager is a modified Airbus A330. The inside is kitted out with regular airline seats, but it can trail two hoses for refueling and carries more than 100 metric tons of fuel. Passengers are barred from using the bathroom basins when planes are refueling, so that pilots don't get a windshield full of dirty water as they fly

The US, UK and Australia come together in Red Flag exercise over Nevada Red Flag is a contested combat training exercise involving the air forces of the United States and its allies. It is coordinated at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, and conducted on the vast bombing and gunnery ranges of the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR). It was established in 1975 as the brain child of Lt. Col. Richard 'Moody' Suter and one of the initiatives directed by General Robert J. Dixon, then commander of Tactical Air Command, to better prepare US forces for combat. Lessons from Vietnam showed that if a pilot survived his first 10 combat missions, his probability of survival for remaining missions increased substantially. Red Flag was designed to expose each 'Blue' force pilot to their first 10 'combat missions at Nellis, allowing them to be more confident and effective in actual combat. This year's iteration is the biggest in history. The Royal Air Force has taken part since 1978, denoting he close alliance with the U.S. Advertisement

A recently leaked memo from a US four-star general revealed that his 'gut' told him the US would be at war with China in 2025.

Gen. Mike Minihan's verdict was the latest voice to warn that Beijing was closing in on the autonomous island of Taiwan.

And that was even before the US watched the meandering progress of a Chinese spy balloon make its way from Montana to South Carolina, where it was shot down over the ocean.

President Joe Biden raised the issue in his State of the Union speech on Tuesday.

'I'm committed to work with China where we can advance American interests and benefit the world,' he said.

'Make no mistake about it: As we made clear last week, if China threatens our sovereignty, we will act to protect our country. And we did.

U.S.A.F. Colonel Jared 'Jabba' Hutchinson, commander of 414th Combat Training Squadron who leads the Red Flag exercise, said Red Flag was geared towards the Pentagon's national defense strategy and its warning to keep pace with China.

That meant that during the exercise US, British and Australian forces were up against American pilots trained to fight like Chinese pilots.

'They fly the F-16s and the F-35s,' he told DailyMail.com on the ground at Nellis Air Force Base. 'And they replicate all of the Chinese fighters through their fourth generation and fifth generation aircraft.

Outside the window, the F-35s have gone. Their place has been taken by four R.A.F. Typhoons, the European-built fourth-generation multirole fighter.

Their role is air-to-air combat.

The space under each wing is now starting to resemble a gas station forecourt, albeit one that is floating at 17,000 feet over Nevada's snow-capped mountains.

Two U.S.A.F. E18 Growlers refuel, before returning to their electronic warfare role, knocking out enemy ground defenses by neutralizing radar systems.

More Typhoons are expected next on the refueling conveyor belt.

Wednesday's mission, said Flt. Lt. Mark Scott, the Voyager's captain, was to hunt down and strike a convoy of ballistic missiles and a convoy of anti-satellite missiles.

Flt. Lt. Mark Scott said the exercise was as realistic as it was possible to be in live environment

A U.S.M.C. F-35b can be seen refueling from aboard the R.A.F. Voyager tanker

The U.S.M.C. F-35b is equipped to take off and land on aircraft carriers. In Wednesday's mission, its pilots were assigned an air escort role

U.S.A.F. Colonel Jared Hutchinson, commander of 414th Combat Training Squadron who leads the Red Flag exercise, said Red Flag was geared towards the Pentagon's national defense strategy and its warning to keep pace with China

A U.S.A.F F-16 takes off from Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, on Wednesday morning

The R.A.F. Voyager can refuel two planes at a time, from hoses trailing from either wing

'All the aircraft carry a pod which simulates the missiles of bombs they carry, and that allows you to find that if one aircraft shoots at another whether it was a shot that would be successful ... would it have killed them. That's a capability we don't have in the U.K.,' he said.

'This is as realistic as we can do it in a live environment.'

By the end of the day, with formations of fighters arriving every few minutes, he will have delivered about 80,000 lb of fuel to some of the world's most advanced warplanes.

Two Typhoons linger longer than expected off the left wing. The tanker is paying a time penalty after enemy warplanes got too close.

In a combat zone it would have taken evasive action. But in the real world, constrained by commercial air lanes, the Typhoons stay on the right-hand-wing and serve a time penalty, as if the RAF Voyager had been forced out of position and they had flown further.

Lyle said the crew would not know until later whether they had emerged victorious from the exercise.

'The main thing is the coalition, the strength of purpose and the message it sends that we are working with our Australian partners and the US ... it makes clear we all have the same views on global stability, access, and making sure that we can deliver air power effectively,' he said.
More than 12,000 people dead in Turkey with 40 Australians effected

A Sydney man who was visiting his sister in Turkey has been found dead after a devastating earthquake killed more than 12,000 people in the region.

Can 'John' Pahali, from Glebe in the city's Inner West, was on holiday in Hatay when the devastating 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude tremors hit southeastern Turkey and Syria on Monday.

Mr Pahali's family in Australia were in touch with him a few hours before the earthquake but feared the worst when they didn't hear from him.

His nephew travelled to Turkey to try and find him, with his niece revealing he didn't survive the disaster on Thursday.

'A sad update. In recent hours John's body has been recovered from earthquake rubble in Turkiye,' a Facebook post to the Glebe community forum read.

Can 'John' Pahali, from Glebe in the city's Inner West, was on holiday in Hatay when the devastating 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude tremors hit southeastern Turkey and Syria on Monday

'He has had a wonderful six months reuniting with his large family in different areas of his country. He is now with his beloved Jesus'.

His niece, Katherine Pahali, told 9News her brother 'couldn't get there fast enough'.

'A piece of my heart passed away,' she said.

'He was left to die for over 60 hours.'

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is assisting about 40 Australians and their families who were in the earthquake area.

In a previous post, the friend said Mr Pahali would be remembered for 'making wonderful feasts and food for Have A Chat Cafe'.

He has had a wonderful six months reuniting with his large family in different areas of his country. He is now with his beloved Jesus' Mr Pahali's family said

Mr Pahali is one of several Australians feared to have been caught up in the Turkey earthquake disaster.

'The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is aware of a small number of Australians reported to be in the region at the time of the earthquake and impacted by the disaster,' a spokesperson said.

'DFAT is providing consular assistance to those families and is urgently seeking the assistance of local authorities, including rescue teams.

'Our missions in Ankara, Istanbul, and Beirut are monitoring the situation closely.

His niece, Katherine Pahali, told 9News her brother 'couldn't get there fast enough'. Rescuers are pictured in Turkey

'Australians affected by the earthquakes and the aftershocks are advised to follow the directions of local authorities.'

Almost 12,000 people are now known to have died in Turkey and Syria since Mondays powerful earthquakes, with many thousands more still missing.

Families have said they can hear their relatives calling from inside collapsed buildings, but are powerless to reach them.

The earthquakes were felt in multiple countries across the Middle East, with Turkey and its war-torn southern neighbour Syria the worst affected.

Can Pahali (pictured with niece Catherine) was found dead after a massive earthquake in Turkey

Thousands of people in both countries are known to have been killed. In Turkey entire apartment blocks crashed to the ground in a matter of seconds following the quakes, trapping families inside and killing thousands.

The United States Geological Survey, which has recorded more than 60 earthquakes and aftershocks in the region in the last 24 hours. Countries from across the world have offered aid, with rescue workers from Europe, Asia and the Americas all flying in to help the efforts of the emergency services.

Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has declared seven days of national mourning, while buildings in Israel and Bosnia have been lit up in memory of those who have died.

Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has declared seven days of national mourning, while buildings in Israel and Bosnia have been lit up in memory of those who have died

The initial 7.8-magnitude night-time tremor, followed hours later by a slightly smaller one, wiped out entire sections of major Turkish cities in a region filled with millions of people who have fled the civil war in Syria and other conflicts.

The later 7.5-magnitude quake struck at 1.24pm (1024 GMT) two-and-a-half miles southeast of the town of Ekinozu and around 60 miles north of the first quake that has wrought devastation across Turkey and Syria.

Turkey is in one of the world's most active earthquake zones, sitting in a fault line.
An Italian backpacker's spine was fractured in an alleged attack by two 13-year-old girls she had just said hello to, while a third suspect filmed the alleged assault.

The woman, 30, was sitting on a wall at the Geraldton Backpackers on the Foreshore in Western Australia looking at the sunset, and said hi to a teenager walking past.

Senior Sergeant Chris Martin of the Geraldton police said the Italian woman was walking back to the hostel when another 13-year-old girl approached her.

An Italian backpacker's spine was fractured in an alleged attack by two 13-year-old girls, while a third suspect filmed the alleged assault. Pictured is a woman wearing a backpack

The teenager allegedly grabbed the woman's hair, punched her several times in the and pushed her to the ground.

A third girl filmed the alleged savage assault on her mobile phone.

'The victim has began to scream and the (alleged) assault stopped,' Sgt Martin told the Geraldton Guardian.

The Italian woman shouted at the girls as they left the scene, which caused them to turn around and come back.

Sgt Martin said the teen, who the backpacker had first said hello to, said 'what' a few times before allegedly pulling her to the ground by her hair and then kicking her in the back while she was on her side.

The backpacker managed to get into the hostel and get help.

The woman, 30, was sitting on a wall at the Geraldton Backpackers on the Foreshore (pictured) in Western Australia looking at the sunset, and said hi to a teenager walking past

As the hostel's manager took her to the Geraldton Health Campus hospital, Sgt Martin said she saw the accused girls and 'pointed them out to the driver of the car'.

A scan taken at the hospital indicated the 30-year-old had suffered a fractured vertebra.

On Wednesday, a week after the alleged assault, a 13-year-old girl went to Geraldton Police Station with her mother.

She was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and is set to appear in Geraldton Children's Court on Tuesday, February 28.

The police said they identified a second alleged suspect and will be pressing charges.

The other teenager was given bail on conditions she doesn't visit the Geraldton foreshore area unless in the company of her mother, does not contact the alleged victim or be within 20 metres of where she lives or works.

The teenager is also subject to a nighttime curfew and must be at home when curfew checks are carried out.
A beloved New Jersey kindergarten teacher and mother-of-three was found dead in a shallow grave on Tuesday, hours after investigators found blood splatters at her home.

Luz Hernandez, 33, was last seen on February 4 but wasn't reported missing until Monday February 6 when she failed to show up for work at the BelovED Community Charter School in Jersey City.

Hernandez's body was found in an industrial section of Kearny, surrounded by trucking companies, an area three miles from her home. Police have not said what led them from her home to the area around Central Avenue in the town.

Jersey City Police Department officers went to her home on Tuesday after a missing person's report was filed. Her case was also taken up by the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office.

It's the second murder of a Jersey City teacher in a matter of weeks. In January, Temara King, a teacher at PS-5, was shot dead by her husband in an instance of domestic violence, police said. She was 35 years old.

Luz Hernandez, 33, was last seen on February 4th but wasn't reported missing until Monday February 6th when she failed to show up for work at the BelovED Community Charter School in Jersey City

Hernandez was the mother to three children, two of whom are students are her school

Hernandez's body was found in an industrial section of Kearny, surrounded by trucking companies, an area three miles from her home

An unnamed cousin told NBC New York: 'We love her, her family, the friends. She was an amazing girl and its so unfair somebody takes away the life from her. Why?

'She was one of the best teachers, everybody loves her, all the kids. Its just like, so complicated to think about this. We just want justice,' they continued.

While a friend wrote in a heartbreaking Facebook post, 'I'll never forget our talks, never forget our laughs. You will forever be in my heart. Rest in paradise beautiful. I love you Luz Hernandez, a wound that will never heal.'

Following the news of her death, classes were canceled at the school where she taught.

BeloveED founder Bret Schundler told NJ.com: 'People loved her. She was a wonderful co-worker. She was a beloved member of the BelovED family. People are feeling devastated by this.'

Hernandez had been teaching at the school since graduating from Saint Peter's University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, in 2017. Two of her children are students at the school.

Schundler added: 'There is going to be a desire to commemorate her and theres going to be a desire to support her family.'

An unnamed cousin told NBC New York: 'We love her, her family, the friends. She was an amazing girl and its so unfair somebody takes away the life from her. Why?'

Hernandez had taught at the BelovED charter school since graduating from Saint Peter's University in 2017

A student of the BelovED charter school mourns Hernandez

A memorial to the slain teacher is set up outside of her home

In a separate interview, Schundler told ABC New York that Hernandez was known as a teacher who developed close relationships with her students and staff and her death had 'utterly destroyed' the community.

The Jersey City Times reports that news of Hernandez's killing came hours after he had given a presentation to the Jersey City Planning Board on the possible expansion of his school.

Her death is being investigated as a homicide. The regional medical examiner's office has not released Hernandez's cause of death. At the time of writing no arrests have been made, according to Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor at 201-915-1345 or to leave an anonymous tip on the office's website.
Publishers always know the true nature of the writers whose books they print, even if they are loath to spell it out in public. So you can believe Otto Penzler, of Penzler Books in the U.S., when he said of his protegee, the hugely popular American novelist Patricia Highsmith: 'She was a mean, cruel, hard, unlovable, unloving human being. I could never penetrate how any human being could be that relentlessly ugly.' He gave this astonishingly acid verdict on one of his authors on her death in 1995, while adding the other truth about her: 'But her books . . . Brilliant.' If that's the outspoken view of those supposed to be on your side, then what are your enemies - of whom the controversial and sinister Highsmith, author of the Mr Ripley books and many others, collected a veritable army - saying about you among themselves? The question arises now for two reasons. First, the amoral, enigmatic murderer Ripley she created in her 1955 novel, The Talented Mr Ripley, and who has already been recreated in no fewer than five films, is expected to be on our television screens again later this year. An eight-part drama series on Netflix promises much, with the talented Andrew Scott (unforgettable as Moriarty in Sherlock and the 'hot priest' in Fleabag) in the title role and also directing.
A bizarre police chase involving multiple cop cars slowly pursuing a Mercedes SUV along a stretch of highway has come to an end.

Footage of the chase shows 10 police cars, including several undercover vehicles, following a Mercedes SUV with a person on the roof along the M1 Motorway in the Tweed region in northern NSW on Thursday.

The car was trailed for over 100km from a location in east Brisbane down through the Gold Coast to the NSW-Queensland border and then into NSW.

Officers managed to stop the vehicle after deploying road spikes, with the driver coming to a stop near Cudgera Creek.

Police have arrested a man, 27, and two teenagers, 17 and 16.

A bizarre chase unfolded on the M1 motorway near the Tweed region, with police chasing a Mercedes SUV that had a person on the roof

At least 10 police cars including several undercover vehicles slowly chased the SUV along the highway

Queensland Police told Daily Mail Australia that the trio were wanted in connection with a break and enter.

'Just before 9.30am, police were called to an address at Shore Street, Cleveland, in relation to break and enter,' a spokesperson said.

'Two males fled in a Mercedes SUV.'

The spokesperson said the vehicle was tracked to the Queensland-New South Wales border by a PolAir helicopter.

'NSW police successfully deployed a Tyre Deflation Device and the Mercedes came to a halt in Cudgera Creek, where NSW officers arrested 3 males.'

It's alleged the Mercedes SUV was stolen.

The group were wanted in connection to a break and enter in Cleveland, Queensland. It's alleged the vehicle they were driving was stolen

Police arrested the man and two teens after officers deployed road spikes to stop the SUV. They were taken to Tweed Heads Police Station

The man and two teens were taken to Tweed Heads Police Station following their arrest.

They are assisting police with inquiries.

Motorists have been advised to avoid travelling southbound on the M1 at Cudgera Creek or expect delays.
ABC news producer Dax Tejera had looked so ill in the moments before he died outside a Bobby Van's steakhouse that a waiter checked on him.

Tejera, 37, died at the restaurant where he was having dinner with his wife and friends two days before Christmas while spending the holidays in New York City.

His bosses at ABC previously attributed his death to a heart attack, but a medical examiner has since told DailyMail.com he choked on food because he was intoxicated.

Staff at the expensive eatery now say he was looking so ill shortly into his meal that a waiter asked him: 'Are you OK, sir?' before he collapsed outside.

Just a few hours after his death, his wife, Veronica Tejera, was arrested on child endangerment charges after it emerged the couple had left their children, aged two years old and five months old, in their hotel room.

ABC News producer Dax Tejera is said to have looked so ill shortly into his meal at a Manhattan steakhouse on December 22 that a waiter went to check on him

Tejera and his wife, Veronica, pictured together, were out for dinner in New York City while their children were left alone at the Yale Club

At the restaurant, a staff member recalled that Tejera seemed unwell shortly into the meal, prompting a server to check on him.

'So before anyone ate, just after the server brought the orders, he asked, "Are you OK, sir?"' the staffer told the New York Post.

At that point, he said, the inebriated producer 'got up and started walking like he was going to the men's room, but he made a right instead, and went out the front door, and the server followed him outside.

'The server said that he collapsed in the corner, right here outside the restaurant,' the unnamed employee told the Post.

'It was terrible, and a terrible shame they left little, little children alone like that.'

Tejera's official cause of death was given as: 'Asphyxia due to obstruction of airway by food bolus complicating acute alcohol intoxication.'

News of his death was first shared by ABC News President Kim Godwin, who said Tejera 'died suddenly of a heart attack'.

The producer had collapsed and was rushed to Bellevue Hospital after the incident but pronounced dead on arrival.

Veronica, 33, had traveled in the ambulance with her husband, while the couple's friends went to the Yale Club to collect the children.

But Yale Club staff called police at around 11pm, after they discovered the children had been left unattended for at least two hours.

Veronica was arrested by the NYPD at around 12.20am and charged with two counts of 'acting in a manner injurious to a child'. The children, who were unharmed, were left with their grandmother.

Dax Tejera, pictured with his children and wife Veronica, died on December 23 after he choked at a Manhattan steakhouse. Veronica was arrested after it emerged the couple had left their daughters, aged two years old and five months old, alone in a hotel room while they had dinner

The couple left their daughters alone for at least two hours while they enjoyed dinner at Bobby Van's Steakhouse at 230 Park Avenue, in Manhattan, about a block away from the Yale Club. Pictured left: the entrance to the steakhouse. Pictured right: Dax and Veronica in 2018

Veronica was released from custody shortly after 4am. She has admitted it was a 'poor decision' to leave their daughters on their own.

Police said the children were 'left alone inside of a hotel room for an extended period of time'. Veronica, a senior producer at the Washington Post, has insisted the couple 'had two cameras trained' on the children as they slept.

She was charged with two counts of 'acting in a manner injurious to a child' and given a desk ticket which required her to appear in court at a future date, police said. The NYPD said on Wednesday afternoon that no further information was available on the case.

Bobby Van's - where a steak dinner and drinks is around $200-a-head - is around a block away from the Yale Club.

The couple were celebrating the holidays in New York and had plans to visit friends and go to Rockefeller Center, it is understood.

Dax and Veronica Tejera left their children alone in their room at the Yale Club for at least two hours while they dined at Bobby Van's. Veronica was arrested by police for 'acting in a manner injurious to a child'

The couple were enjoying dinner at Bobby Van's on December 23 during a stay in New York City for the holidays

The NYPD said it received a 911 call at 11pm on December 23 over 'unattended children' at 50 Vanderbilt Avenue in Manhattan, home of the members-only Yale Club.

They discovered 'a two-year-old female and a five-month-old female were left alone inside of a hotel room for an extended period of time'.

The Yale Club is an exclusive club for alumni of Yale University. It includes guest rooms that range from budget studios to luxury 556 sq ft suites.

The club also has luxury rooms for weddings and private events, along with fitness facilities and a library.

Veronica's LinkedIn profile recently listed her as a senior producer at the Washington Post, which she joined in October 2022. Before that, she spent nearly six years at CNN.

Her profile states that her achievements there include producing an interview with President Joe Biden on The Lead with Jake Tapper.

Tejera with Katie Couric and Jorge Ramos at the Republican National Convention in 2016

Tejera with ABC colleagues at a meeting with President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden

She launched a fundraiser for the Tejera children's 529 college account after her husband's death. The page says: 'Dax Tejera passed away suddenly, leaving 2-year-old Sofia and 6-month old Ella without their father. Please support the girls' education.'

Tejera's colleagues led tributes to the producer following his death.

Tejera had worked at ABC since 2017, when he started as a Senior Producer at the network's Washington DC bureau

Good Morning America correspondent Gio Benitez said in one touching Instagram post: 'As you celebrate Christmas Eve with your families, please hold Dax Tejera's family in your thoughts and prayers.

'He was the Executive Producer of This Week ABC, a friend to all of us, and  most importantly  a loving husband to Veronica and devoted father to two beautiful little girls, Sofia and Ella.

'Dax was a champion for so many at ABC News, leading the way on groundbreaking television specials.'

Benitez posted a photo of the pair at The White House, explaining that it had been taken after interviewing Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre 'for a first-of-its-kind broadcast network Pride special'.

'We often connected on being exactly the same age: 37. Far too young to now be gone. We will miss you deeply, Dax. Godspeed, my friend,' Benitez wrote.

Cecilia Vega posted her own tribute, writing alongside a photo of Tejera: 'Your smile. Your laugh. Your dedication. Your profound love of Veronica and your beautiful daughters. Your pride in your work. The way you looked out for the next generation and fought to pave the way for Latinos coming up.

Tributes to the 37-year-old father-of-two were led by journalists and former colleagues

'The way you broke barriers yourself. The way you always cheered me on and believed in me. Your dapper Miami style and the fact that even on the coldest of cold days you never wore socks. Dax Tejera, you are gone too soon.

'We will miss everything about you. Your familia were so lucky to have you. Your legacy lives on in all those you championed and cheered.'

Tejera had worked at ABC since 2017, when he started as a Senior Producer at the network's Washington DC bureau.

He previously worked at NBC and held degrees from both Dartmouth and Columbia.
A young fisherman has posed with a huge bull shark he claims to have caught and released less than a kilometre from where a teenager was killed last weekend.

Stella Berry, 16, jumped in the river near the Fremantle traffic bridge in Perth to swim with dolphins on Saturday when a suspected bull shark latched onto her leg.

The Year 11 student was pulled from the water by heroic bystanders at about 3.30pm last Saturday but could not be saved.

A young fisherman has posed with a huge bull shark (pictured) he claims to have caught and released less than a kilometre from where a teenager was killed last weekend

On Thursday morning SurfLife Saving WA (SLSWA) said it was reported a 2.5metre- bull shark was caught at East Fremantle Boat Ramp at around 11pm on Wednesday.

SLSWA found out about it after the young fisherman posted photos of himself with the bull shark on Facebook.

A shark alert was subsequently issued for swimmers in the area after the confirmed sighting of a bull shark reported to be about three metres in length.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development said it was 'looking to follow up with the person who made the post today'.

A patrol vessel was also sent to the East Fremantle area to see if it can find the shark.

A huge bull shark was seen on Perth's Swan River the day before teenager Stella Berry (pictured) was killed by a shark - but was only reported the day after her death

It emerged on Monday that a huge bull shark was seen on the Swan River less than 24 hours before Stella was mauled to death - but was only reported the day after the tragedy.

The 2.5metre bull shark was spotted near the site of the attack at 6pm on Friday, but the sighting was not reported to the Western Australian government's Sharksmart tracker website until Sunday afternoon.

There are regular bull shark sightings in the river, but Stella's death was the first fatal shark attack in the Swan River in more than a century.

Several other recent shark sightings have been reported on the Swan River and its Canning River tributary in recent days.

On Thursday morning SurfLife Saving WA tweeted (pictured) that it was reported a 2.5metre- bull shark was caught at East Fremantle Boat Ramp at around 11pm on Wednesday

That included a shark spotted 10metres offshore from the upstream Shelley Bridge on Monday morning.

WA Premier Mark McGowan said his government was 'urgently' considering shark barriers in the Swan River due to Stella's death.

A review into the 'terribly unfortunate, tragic' attack was underway, he said, and it would looking at whether barriers could be installed 'immediately'.

'We know there's bull sharks in the river, there always has been  and it's a very rare event for someone to be attacked,' he said.

'But whatever safety mechanisms, particularly those enclosures that give people peace of mind, we're looking at those as to where we might place one.

A shark alert was issued for swimmers in the area after the confirmed sighting of a bull shark reported to be about three metres in length. Pictured is a bull shark a young fisherman claims to have caught and released on Wednesday night

'Because what it does is provide families, particularly those with young children, some peace of mind, a bit like the one at Cottesloe or the one at Cockburn or some of the others up and down the coast.

'The risk of an attack is incredibly low, but I know a lot of people would appreciate that so we're just looking at what options are out there at the moment,' the Premier said.

Shark Safety WA coordinator Leon Deschamps said fishing for sharks in populated areas was dangerous as it increased the risk of an attack.

'Sharks aren't mindless killing machines by any means,' he told ABC.

'But when you're deliberately setting out to target a feeding shark, to bring in a shark that is hungry, then that's something which we don't want.'

Stella Berry (pictured) has been described by friends as the 'sweetest and smartest' girl they knew and one who 'never did wrong by anybody'

He said fishers sometimes drop animal carcasses to attract sharks, but that bait can last for days.

'Blind Freddie can see that dropping a whole pig carcass where kids swim is risking the lives of not just the kids, but anyone that swims,' said Mr Deschamps.

Mr McGowan said fishing for sharks in the Swan River was not something he can control.

'People have always fished in the river, that's not unusual,' he said.

'It's just that there has been this tragedy, so we will review what can be done, what we can do better, what the circumstances are to make sure we make things as safe as we can.'
Fetterman, who has previously suffered a stroke , is undergoing tests in hospital

He was taken to George Washington University Hospital on Wednesday night

Senator John Fetterman was rushed to hospital on Wednesday night after 'feeling lightheaded.'

The Pennsylvania Democrat, who suffered from a stoke on May 13 last year, is currently undergoing tests under medical supervision at the George Washington University Hospital in Washington DC.

A spokesperson for the politician, 53, said on Wednesday night: 'Towards the end of the Senate Democratic retreat today, Senator John Fetterman began feeling lightheaded.

'He left and called his staff, who picked him up and drove him to The George Washington University Hospital.

'Initial tests did not show evidence of a new stoke, but doctors are running more tests and John is remaining overnight for observation. He is in good spirits and talking with his staff and family.'

Senator John Fetterman was rushed to hospital late on Wednesday night, his spokesperson confirmed. He will stay under doctor supervision overnight as he undergoes medical testing. He is pictured during the State of the Union speech on February 7, 2023

Sen. John Fetterman with his wife Gisele Barreto Fetterman pictured on Tuesday, January 17, 2023

What are the signs of a stroke? Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination. Sudden severe headache with no known cause. Source: CDC Advertisement

Fetterman suffered his stroke in May, days before Pennsylvania's Democratic primary, but he still won the race handily.

The stroke, which almost killed him, kept him sidelined for months from the campaign trail in his race against the Trump-backed Republican, Dr. Mehmet Oz, the former television personality.

His stroke was caused by a heart condition, it was later revealed.

The Democrat was able to win the office in part because of some creative trolling of Oz from his team, as the Republican spent decades living in New Jersey before his Keystone State Senate run.

His shaky debate performance - which highlighted his unusual speech patterns and auditory processing issues leftover from the stroke - rattled some Democrats, as it gave Oz an opening to win.

But on election night, the race was called for Fetterman by 1am, with Oz conceding shortly thereafter.

On June 3 last year, Fetterman released a letter from his cardiologist Dr. Ramesh Chandra, saying that his serious health situation should not deter him from running for Senate.

The letter read: 'The prognosis I can give for John's heart is this: if he takes his medications, eats healthy, and exercises, he'll be fine.

Pennsylvania's Fetterman waves onstage at a watch party during the midterm elections at Stage AE in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on November 8, 2022

He is pictured walking outside the Senate chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, 15 November 2022

'If he does what I've told him, and I do believe he is taking his recovery and his health very seriously at this time, he should be able to campaign and serve in the U.S. Senate without a problem.'

Earlier this month, it was revealed that Fetterman uses assistive technology in the U.S. Senate as he continues to struggle with auditory processing issues.

Fetterman needs the assistance of closed captioning, so the Senate Sergeant at Arms installed a monitor on Fetterman's desk in the Senate chamber that provides live captioning, and armed him with a wireless tablet for committee hearings.

At the time of his stroke, Fetterman said in an official campaign statement: 'On Friday, I wasnt feeling well, so I went to the hospital to get checked out.

'I didnt want to go  I didnt think I had to  but [his wife Gisele Fetterman] insisted, and as usual, she was right.

'I hadn't been feeling well, but was so focused on the campaign that I ignored the signs and just kept going. On Friday it finally caught up with me.'

The state official found out he had suffered a stroke caused by a blood clot from his heart. Doctors completely removed it and were able to reverse the stroke, he said.

'The good news is I'm feeling much better, and the doctors tell me I didn't suffer any cognitive damage. I'm well on my way to a full recovery,' Fetterman continued.

He was hospitalized following the medical emergency. He and his wife posted a video of themselves side-by-side at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital.

Fetterman and his wife Gisele put out a short video from the hospital when he had his stroke in May last year
A NewsNation reporter was thrown to the ground and arrested while delivering a broadcast from an Ohio press conference about a train derailment.

Correspondent Evan Lambert was seen in video being cuffed and carried away by authorities after he was told to stop the live broadcast he was giving at the back of a gymnasium Gov. Mike DeWine was speaking on the other side of.

When Lambert continued his broadcast, the officers began shoving him and corralled him out of the room before tackling him to the floor and handcuffing him.

Lambert was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing before being released from prison later Wednesday.

Governor DeWin later voiced his outrage over the incident and issued an apology to Lambert, saying he had 'every right' to be in the room reporting and that it was 'wrong' he was arrested.

NewsNation correspondent Evan Lambert was arrested on Wednesday while delivering a live broadcast from a school in Ohio

Footage showed police officers approaching the journalist and pushing him to the floor

Lambert was broadcasting from East Palestine, Ohio, as Governor DeWin spoke about a train that had recently derailed there. There were no injuries in the accident, but there had been concerns about possible chemical contamination that had taken place in the area as a result of the accident.

While waiting for the press conference to begin, Lambert and his team began their broadcast, during which the governor took the stage and began giving his remarks.

Law enforcement told him to stop the broadcast so as not to interrupt the governor, but he finished his broadcast anyways. It is unclear whether or not he heard the officer's telling him to stop speaking.

A group of about four officers then approached Lambert and told him to leave. They then began to argue, and Lambert could be heard telling officers not to touch him, and that he had every right to be there under the First Amendment.

But the officers then began trying to move Lambert out of the gymnasium, with one appearing to shove the reporter.

After that, Lambert was suddenly thrown to the ground and handcuffed as people looked on and expressed their horror.

He was then led away to a sheriff's department car as reporters asked why he was being arrested and officers refused to reply.

Lambert had been giving a live broadcast about the train derailment in East Palestine at the time

A group of about four officers approached Lambert and told him to leave. They then began to argue, and Lambert could be heard telling officers not to touch him

In the end, Lambert wound up on the floor as two officers handcuffed him behind his back

Preston Swigart, a photographer who was with Lambert at the time, said from the police's standpoint, 'he didn't obey orders when he was told to stop talking.

'Gymnasiums are echoey and loud and sound kind of carries, so I'm guessing that they just didn't like the fact that there was sound competing with the governor speaking, even though it was all the way on the other side of the room.'

But the governor quickly denied that he was responsible for having the journalist arrested.

'It has always been my practice that if I'm doing a news conference, someone wants to report out there and they want to be talking back to the people on the channel, whatever, they have every right to do that,' he said at the news conference.

'If someone was stopped from doing that or told they could not do that, that was wrong. It was nothing I authorized.'

Lambert was later released from the Columbiana County Jail shortly after 10pm on Wednesday.

'I'm doing fine just now. It's been an extremely long day,' he told his colleagues at the station following his release.

'No journalist expects to be arrested when you're doing your job, and I think that's really important that that doesn't happen in our country.'

He declined, though, to disclose the specifics of his arrest, citing pending charges against him.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine quickly denied he had ordered the journalist's arrest

He was giving a press conference about ongoing possible chemical contamination from a train derailment late last week

About 50 freight cars, including 10 carrying hazardous materials derailed from the tracks Friday night

Lambert was at the gymnasium in East Palestine, a small town that borders Pennsylvania on Wednesday for the news conference discussing a train derailment in the town.

About 50 freight cars, including 10 carrying hazardous materials derailed from the tracks Friday night.

Rail operator NorfolkSouthern said the train was carrying products from Madison, Illinois to Conway, Pennsylvania at the time.

No injuries to crew, residents or first responders have been reported, but residents nearby have complained of smelling chlorine or smoke and having headaches.

Authorities have since warned that the burning vinyl chloride in five of the derailed tanker cars could send hydrogen chloride and phosgene into the air.

Evacuation orders are now in place.
Been plagued by scandal including an affair with his former press secretary

Shadow minister, 51, said he 'wants to be a better father'

Sex scandal minister Alan Tudge is stepping down as an MP

Sex scandal minister Alan Tudge is stepping down as an MP saying he wants to be a 'better father' and revealing that his teenage daughters have been subject to death threats.

The former cabinet minister, 51, will quit his role as the federal member for the outer-eastern Melbourne seat of Aston, which will trigger a by-election and pave the way for a possible return of former treasurer Josh Frydenberg to politics.

'It's not been an easy decision for me, but it is necessary for my health and for my family, amongst other reasons. I certainly have not taken this decision lightly,' he told Parliament on Thursday.

'My daughters, who are 18 and 16, no nothing other than their dad being away.

'They've had to put up with things that no teenager should have to, including death threats, the most recent of which was last week.

Alan Tudge (pictured) is set to announce his resignation from politics on Thursday sparking a by-election

'My son is a bit younger, but equally I want to be a good father to him,' he added.

'While this profession can be unforgiving at times, serving as a member of parliament has been one of the greatest honours my life.'

Tudge's career has been plagued by scandals in recent years, most infamously his affair with his former press secretary, Rachelle Miller.

He has also faced questions at the current royal commission into the controversial robodebt scheme.

The Centrelink scheme used an automated system to unlawfully issue fake debts to hundreds of thousands of welfare recipients.

Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg (pictured) is reportedly considering whether to make a bid for the seat of Aston

The Liberal politician held several offices during his political career under the Morrison and Turnbull governments including education, human services and citizenship and multicultural affairs.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the pair had 'political differences' but thanked him for his service.

'I thank him for the sacrifices that are made to serve in this house, and I, on behalf of the government, say that I respect the decision that he has made, and I respect the manner in which it has been made.'

The vacancy could mean Josh Frydenberg will make a shock return to politics.

Political insiders believe the former treasurer will make a bid for the seat though some early reports also suggested he will not stand in Aston.

Mr Frydenberg lost the seat of Kooyong - an electorate that had been held by the Liberal party since federation - in last year's federal election to independent MP, Monique Ryan.
A forensic pathologist has told a court it is theoretically possible surgical procedures could have contributed to a Sydney sex worker's death.

NSW Health forensic pathology specialist Allan Cala said it would however be unusual.

Hector Enrique Valencia Valencia has pleaded not guilty to murdering Kimberly McRae at her Coogee apartment between January 7 and 14, 2020.

Hector Enrique Valencia Valencia has pleaded not guilty to murdering Kimberly McRae (pictured) at her Coogee apartment between January 7 and 14, 2020.

The 23-year-old Colombian national, arrested in the Caribbean island of Aruba and extradited to Australia, pleaded guilty to unlawfully killing the 69-year-old, however the Crown rejected the lesser plea in the NSW Supreme Court.

Valencia's barrister Claire Wasley argues he did not intend to kill Ms McRae, but engaged her services and then 'lost self-control' after discovering she was 69 and transgender, and punched her in the stomach and face.

Dr Cala was asked by crown prosecutor Craig Everson SC on Thursday about the opinion of an expert witness for the defence who compiled a report indicating the cause of death was undetermined.

'I don't agree with that,' Dr Cala said.

'There is enough grounds to raise a distinct possibility an asphyxiating event has occurred by way of a compressive force to the neck,' he said.

Valencia (pictured) was arrested in the Caribbean island of Aruba and extradited to Australia, pleaded guilty to unlawfully killing the 69-year-old, however the Crown rejected the lesser plea in the NSW Supreme Court

He did, however, agree a single punch could explain bruising to the neck and a fracture in thyroid cartilage.

A blockage of the airways was ruled out and Ms McRae showed no signs of a stroke, however Dr Cala said her brain had begun to decompose and was difficult to examine.

He has reviewed photographs and notes but did not perform or supervise the autopsy.

In addition to neck compression there were also abrasions to Ms McRae's lower lip that were 'very suggestive' of smothering.

'I think it's a combination of the two,' he said.

Ms Wasley asked Dr Cala if a surgery Ms McRae had to thin the appearance of an adam's apple could mean her thyroid cartilage was 'not as robust'.

'It might have happened in that way but it would be an unusual cause,' Dr Cala said.

In addition to neck compression there were also abrasions to Ms McRae's lower lip that were 'very suggestive' of smothering, the court heard

'I accept that it is theoretically possible.'

Ms Wasley also asked how long it would take for someone to die from smothering.

'Experimentation does not occur in this area,' Dr Cala said.

'It is my understanding it can actually be quite rapid.'

The defence has disputed a claim that an electrical cord was found around Ms McRae's neck.

Ligature marks were not found but Dr Cala said a wig and a necklace Ms McRae wore might have prevented their appearance.

He agreed it was possible the absence of ligature marks could also be because pressure was not applied for very long.

The Crown expects to close its case on Friday.

Valencia is likely to begin giving evidence through a translator on Monday as the judge-alone trial continues before Justice Dina Yehia.
Twitter users found themselves unable to properly use the social media site on Wednesday night after a series of 'internal and external' issues.

Users on Elon Musk's site realized they could no longer follow accounts or access their direct messages - while the platform experienced a slew of widespread technical problems.

The company tweeted from its 'support' account: 'Twitter may not be working as expected for some of you. Sorry for the trouble. Were aware and working to get this fixed.

Elon later admitted: 'Multiple internal & external issues simultaneously today. Should be fully back on track later tonight.'

Musk said that the app was experience a slew of technical issues on Wednesday

A sign at Twitter headquarters is shown in San Francisco, December 8, 2022

Users first noticed the problem when they tried to send tweets and received a message saying they had reached their 'tweet limit.'

According to DownDetector, there was a spike in people saying they had issues with the social media site around 6pm EST.

While Twitter has for years limited the number of tweets an account can send, it is 2,400 per day - or 100 an hour - far more than most regular, human-run accounts send on the platform.

Users also had trouble when they tried to follow another Twitter user, getting a message 'You are unable to follow more people at this time' with a link to the company's policy on follow limits.

Twitter's long-standing limit on how many accounts a single user can follow in a single day is 400 - again, more than a regular Twitter user would generally reach on any given day.

It is not clear what caused Wednesday's meltdown. But Musk assured users that everything would be back up and running later on in the night.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that Elon Musk broke the world record for amassing the largest losses to his personal fortune in history  wiping 135billion ($165billion) off his wealth between November 2021 and December 2022, according to Guinness World Records.

It comes after the share value in Musks electric car firm Tesla crashed by around 65 per cent after he bought Twitter last year, a move that spooked investors.

The losses surpass the previous record of 47billion by Japanese tech investor Masayoshi Son in 2000.

In December, Bernard Arnault overtook Musk  now worth around 152billion  as the worlds richest person.

The figures were based on those available from publisher Forbes.

Guinness said Musks true losses could be higher than the figure given.

His 36bn takeover of Twitter sparked concerns among investors Mr Musk was not paying enough attention to Tesla.

The estimated loss is based on the value of his shares, which could regain their value. The value of Tesla shares dropped around 65 per cent in 2022.
President Joe Biden is trying to close a deal with Mexico that would see hundreds of thousands of migrants enter the country legally, while deporting non-Mexican illegal migrants en masse across the southern border.

The deal would be a breakthrough for the president, who is hoping to solve the ever-worsening border crisis ahead of the upcoming presidential election.

Biden has previously said the nation's inability deport migrants back to their home country was a leading factor in the record numbers of illegal crossings the US has seen in recent months.

The new policy would see non-Mexican migrants who illegally cross into the US deported to Mexico. Sources said the deal has not been finalized, but that Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has been open to negotiations, according to the Washington Post.

The deal is contingent upon Biden expanding the parole process, which fast-tracks work authorization for migrants with sponsors in the US, which could create significant spikes in legal migrants.

News of the deal comes as Title 42 - the pandemic-era border policy used to expel migrants - is due to expire this spring after previously being extended.

President Joe Biden is trying to solve the border crisis before the next presidential election

Venezuelan migrants lined up outside the United States border near El Paso, Texas

Top immigration official from the Clinton administration, Doris Meissner, told the Washington Post the policy would be an unprecedented measure which could be a 'game changer' for Biden and border security.

'I think we're into a new era and new territory,' Meissner said.

The new plan could bolster Department of Homeland Security police due to be announced soon, intended to create a 'presumption against asylum eligibility' and penalize migrants who don't enter through the proper legal channels in the US or the countries they pass through to get here.

Sources said the deportations would be carried out through an 'expedited removal' process, and that Mexico would take those expelled depending on the countries they originated from.

Mexico would accept migrants native to Venezuela, Nicaragua, Haiti, and Cuba, according to the Post.

Under the plan, non-Mexican migrants who cross into the US illegally face arrest, incarceration, deportation to Mexico, a five-year ban from the US and the prospect of jail time and felony charges for a second illegal crossing.

Though Mexico has previously been resistant to receiving migrants expelled from the US - in order to avoid becoming a 'safe third country' - President Obrador has expressed willingness to take migrants if Mexico is able to control which nations they are from.

Migrants arriving back in Mexico after being expelled from the United States

Migrants from Ecuador and Nicaragua in El Paso, Texas, waiting for immigration officials

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has been open to negotiations with the US

The Biden administration has said the plan will channel migrants away from illegal and dangerous methods of entry, and towards safer and more controlled legal entrances.

One of those legal methods is the parole process, through which migrants with sponsors in the US can enter the country and travel throughout it, and are fast-tracked toward becoming authorized to work in the country on a two-year permit.

Biden is hoping to expand that parole system and use it to allow hundreds of thousands of migrants to enter the country legally, according to the Post.

Critics have said the Biden administration would be abusing the parole process by using it for mass migrations instead of for the case-by-case basis it was intended for. Attorney General for Texas, Ken Paxton, filed a lawsuit against the expansion of the parole process on January 24.

The Biden administration defended their measures, arguing they are pivotal to the new deal with Mexico.

'Those parole processes were critical to Mexico's decision to begin accepting the expulsion or the removal of non-citizens from those four countries who attempt to enter the United States at the southern border without availing themselves of the new pathways,' said the Justice Department.

Mexico has not commented on the latest developments

'There are ongoing conversations about the different scenarios given the changing legal, policy, and human mobility landscape,' said Foreign Ministry's chief officer for North America Roberto Velasco. 'So far, there aren't any decisions on the next steps for our migratory cooperation.'

Migrants crossing the Rio Bravo river as they leave Mexico and try to enter the US

Migrants in Mexico at the border wall of the United States last December

President Joe Biden and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in July

Meanwhile, the Mexican government said on Monday it is opposed to a possible restart of the US immigration policy known as 'Remain in Mexico' which required asylum seekers to wait for US hearings in Mexico.

President Biden has sought to end the program, which had been introduced by the Trump administration and is currently suspended.

But US states such as Texas and Missouri filed a lawsuit to keep the program active and in December a US judge paused Biden's attempt, saying the Department of Homeland Security had failed to adequately explain why the policy was ineffective and should be scrapped.

Mexico's foreign ministry did not state its reasons for its opposition. Activists argue the policy, officially called Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), leaves migrants in dangerous border cities where they face threats of kidnapping and extortion.

If the Mexican government remains firm in its opposition, US officials would likely have to consider whether asylum seekers can stay in the United States while their claims are evaluated or make other arrangements to remove them from the country.

Some 74,000 migrants went through Mexico under the program when former President Donald Trump was in power, the foreign ministry said. Under Biden, that number is just 7,500.

Marsha Espinosa, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, said in a statement to Reuters on Monday that the Biden Administration will keep trying to terminate MPP through the courts.

'Our ability to implement MPP pursuant to court order has always been contingent on the government of Mexico's willingness to accept returns under MPP,' added Espinosa.
Photo of dangerous snake poking its head from burrow

Social media users have been dumfounded trying to find a sneaky snake in a photo of its makeshift vineyard home.

The deadly juvenile brown snake was snapped making a home out of a small gap in a set of stairs in the Wirra Wirra Vineyards, in McLaren Vale south of Adelaide on Monday.

The vineyard called Snake Catchers Adelaide who removed the snake on Wednesday, after other snake catchers were unable to remove the slithering creature the previous day.

A snake has been flushed out of a staircase on the Wirra Wirra Vineyards in McLaren Vale, south of Adelaide, with a photo of the snake's burrow confusing social media users

The reptile catchers quickly snapped a photo of the brown snake poking its head out of the burrow, betwixt leaves and dirt, posting it to their Facebook page where it confused users.

'Oh my! Took me a bit to find him! Gosh he is tiny,' one confused user wrote.

'All I can see is bricks, dirt and leaves. Someone help me out here and tell me where it is please,' another user wrote, unable to find the snake.

Another user joked: 'I've been to spec savers and still couldn't see it'.

It took some time to remove the snake from the staircase that is often used by staff at the vineyard.

'He took some getting out but now the staff can have their stairs back and they're happy,' snake catcher, Ange Broadstock, told AdelaideNow.

'Safe to say they will be calling us (Adelaide Snake Catchers) from now on.'

The snake can be seen poking its head out of the staircase (pictured)

While less dangerous than older counterparts, juvenile brown snakes still utilise a neurotoxic venom attacks a victim's nervous system.

Just over a week ago a Brisbane dad-of-two in his 60s died after being bitten by an eastern brown snake.

Brown snake's are usually active in Adelaide from September to May, however this year, their active season was disrupted by about two months.

'He had chosen a winter spot,' Ms Broadstock said.
Rabbit images gain popularity as Year of Rabbit celebrated around world

People's Daily Online) 14:23, February 09, 2023

With this years Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year for 2023, marking the Chinese zodiac Year of the Rabbit, elements of the animal in various forms of art, including stamps, colorful lights and lanterns, street posters, decorations at shopping malls, and animated short films, have swept across the world.

Photo shows people looking at a giant rabbit-shaped Spring Festival decoration in a shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Xinhua/Zhang Wenzong)

Various types of decorations, shows, and activities featuring rabbits, including a colorful rabbit-shaped lantern at Trafalgar Square in London, UK, an animated short film about the Chinese zodiac rabbit on a big screen at the entrance of a theater in Madrid, Spain, and rabbit-themed ice sculptures on a pedestrian street in downtown Helsinki, Finland, have created a strong festive Chinese New Year atmosphere for overseas Chinese, while stoking the interest of people from other countries in traditional Chinese culture.

In late January this year, the United Nations Postal Administration and the United States Postal Service both issued stamp sheets for the 2023 Chinese New Year of the Rabbit, pointed out Li Rong, vice president of the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification (New York).

"You can see elements of rabbit almost everywhere in New York! There are eye-catching rabbit decorations at various shopping malls and in carnival floats. Many Chinese people and local residents dressed their children up as rabbits. Toy companies have rolled out large numbers of popular rabbit-shaped soft toys. Rabbit elements have really dominated various Spring Festival celebrations held by overseas Chinese organizations and communities in the U.S.," Li said.

Photo shows a trolleybus featuring the Chinese New Year of the Rabbit on a street in Rome, Italy. (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni)

"Chinese zodiac culture has penetrated deep into the minds of people in the U.S., and many people know about the Chinese zodiac animals," Li said, noting that many Americans actually knew about the Chinese New Year from Chinese zodiac animals.

"The 12 Chinese zodiac animals have promoted the bonds between the Chinese people and people around the world," Li added.

Recently, a video of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese celebrating the Spring Festival together with overseas Chinese in Melbourne, Australia, has gone viral on social media platforms. In the video, Albanese excitedly showed off his rabbit-patterned red tie to people around him.

"Prime Minister Albanese was born in the Year of the Rabbit, so he likes the tie very much and shows off it to everyone he meets," said Nan Jingjing, president of Nan International Media, a company based in Melbourne, who was also present at the Spring Festival celebration held in Melbourne.

A giant rabbit sculpture that is 5.3 meters high, 3.3 meters wide, and weighing 280 kilograms on Jonker Walk, the Chinatown area in Malacca, Malaysia, caught the eyes of many visitors.

Stamp designer Chen Jianghong displays commemorative stamps he designed for the 2023 Chinese New Year of the Rabbit at a stamp issuing ceremony held in Paris, France, Jan. 14. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

Every year since 2012, a giant sculpture featuring that years zodiac animal has been erected there, becoming an important activity and a popular tourist attraction in the area, said Gan Tian Loo, vice-chairman of the Malaysia-China Public Relations Association.

"Chinese zodiac culture still has a great influence on people in Malaysia, especially Chinese communities. Basically, every Chinese who grows up in Malaysia knows about the Chinese zodiac culture and knows his or her zodiac animal," Gan said.

Colorful lanterns featuring the rabbit have also been seen in the streets of Munich, Germany, this year, according to Tang Zhihong, head of an art troupe in the city. Each year, mainstream media in Germany introduces that years Chinese zodiac animal around the Spring Festival, and many Germans know the zodiac animal for their year of birth, Tang said.

A visitor takes a photo of a colorful rabbit-shaped lantern at Trafalgar Square in London, UK. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Chinese Canadian artist Zhang Shufeng has been very busy around the Spring Festival this year, crafting not only a snow sculpture featuring two rabbits in front of his house, but also two giant snow rabbit sculptures for a municipal park for the Chinese New Year celebrations at the invitation of the municipal government of Montreal.

Human beings tend to have affection for animals, which are also artistic themes that are popular with different nationalities and which also serve as a bridge of communication between different nationalities and cultures, Zhang said.

Canadians have shown more knowledge of and interest in traditional Chinese culture, including the Chinese zodiac, according to Zhang.

"This year, when a local TV station came to interview me, an assistant of the reporter who wore a red hat told me that her zodiac animal is the rabbit. In the municipal park, a tall, young local man, who was wearing a red down jacket showed me the color of his clothes with excitement and told me that he was born in the Year of the Rabbit," Zhang said.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming)
Bodycam vision shows the dramatic moment bikie boss Allan Meehan is arrested in an early morning raid on the Gold Coast, before it was revealed in court he moved north of the border after learning there was a $3million bounty on his head.

Queensland Police detained the 35-year-old Comanchero over an outstanding arrest warrant for allegedly breaching a serious crime prevention order placed on him by the NSW Supreme Court in November.

In the arrest footage, Meehan is escorted out of a Benowa Waters home and bundled into the back of a police van.

The 'bathrobe bikie' appeared to comply with police directions and walked unassisted out of the property.

He was then transported to the Southport Watchhouse and faced court on Thursday.

Comanchero bikie leader Allan Meehan has been arrested in an early morning raid on the Gold Coast, and was escorted by police out of a Berowra Waters home

In a bail application on Thursday Meehan's defence barrister Angus Edwards told Southport Magistrates Court his client had left NSW because he had a '$3 million hit on his head', the The Daily Telegraph reported.

Mr Edwards said Meehan had emailed NSW police about his move but did not disclose his address as he was required to do under the crime prevention order as he 'perhaps didn't trust the police from NSW'.

It was argued in court that Meehan had no charges against him and wasn't trying to flee.

Mr Edwards told the court his client was under the assumption that the crime prevention order did not apply outside NSW.

Meehan is known as the 'Bathrobe bikie' for his love of wearing designer dressing gowns, and has 'some of the strictest orders ever placed on a person in NSW' enforced on him.

'The man was arrested and taken into custody without incident and is expected to be extradited by NSW Police Force,' Queensland Police told Daily Mail Australia.

'This arrest involved detectives from the Organised Crime Gangs Group, NSW Criminal Group Squad and the Australian Federal Police National Anti-Gangs and is a reminder to gang members, that National Taskforce Morpheus are committed to working together to safeguard the community.'

The order covers everything from his movements to bank accounts and phone use.

The 35-year-old was arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant for allegedly breaching a serious crime prevention order placed on him by the NSW Supreme Court in November

Comanchero boss Allan Meehan (pictured with his wife Elise) is known as the 'bathrobe bikie' for his love of wearing designer dressing gowns and has 'some of the strictest orders ever placed on a person in NSW' enforced on him

Meehan must also must live at a nominated address, understood to be in the Southern Highlands south-west of Sydney, and has to notify police at least 24 hours in advance if he intends to stay the night elsewhere.

The order also restricts Meehan's ownership of firearms, the cars he drives and who he associates with.

It also subjects his phones, computers, and any other device, plus his bank accounts, to serious scrutiny.

Furthermore, it prohibits Meehan from using an alias, changing his address without notification, and restricts his use of phones, emails and online accounts.

He is not allowed have more than $10,000 in cash at any one time or wear his Comanchero club 'colours' or patches with the gang's logo.

Allan Meehan (second left) was arrested on Thursday and is expected to be extradited to NSW

Meehan announced his elevation to Comanchero national president in July last year with an Instagram post showing a patch on his leather vest with his new title and the words: 'U cant see the eyes of the demon, until him come a callin.'

Weeks later, he posted on TikTok a video of a gold custom-built imported collector's special Harley Davidson V-Rod motorcycle in club colours worth up to $100,000.

A shot of himself and wife Elise on a boat near the Sydney Harbour Bridge dressed casually shows them in designer wear and jewellery by Versace, Balenciaga and Armani worth around $12,000.

Meehan is so keen on Versace, he reportedly buys his teen daughter items of clothing from the designer range.

Allan Meehan lured his old Rebels mate Jesse Vella to the Comancheros when he became national president of the club last June

It has been a rapid rise for the underworld figure, growing up in public housing in Sydney's south-west and spending half his life rising through the bikie gang ranks.

He joined the Rebels when he turned 18 and later became a Cronulla chapter president before he defected to the Comancheros.

He was promoted to commander of the Canberra chapter in 2021 after former president Pitasoni Ulavalu was killed, which Frederick Tuifua was convicted over, and became the Sydney commander six months later.

He was well 'respected' among both the gang's old guard and its new recruits, according to sources.
Firefighters have temporarily called off strike action to consider a new, increased pay offer.

Some 88 per cent of Fire Brigades Union members voted to walk off the job in December 2022. It would have marked the first UK-wide fire strike since 2003.

But on Tuesday, the union received an improved offer of a seven per cent pay rise backdated to July 1, 2022.

The proposal would also include a further pay rise of five per cent from July 1, 2023.

While no formal deal has been made yet, the strikes have been called off as the offer is taken to union members to vote on.

Firefighters have temporarily called off strike action to consider a new, increased pay offer

Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said: 'We have achieved this increase because of the massive vote in favour of strike action by firefighters and control staff across the country, which made clear the strength of feeling among firefighters about cuts to their wages.'

He noted the offer would still amount to a real terms pay cut, but said firefighters and control room staff would now 'make the decision on whether this pay offer is considered a real improvement'.

'Last year we were offered an insulting two per cent,' he said. 'The employers have now revised their position.'

It's a significant increase on the five per cent pay rise offered in November 2022.

A trainee firefighter in London earns up to 28,730, while a qualified firefighter in the city can earn 37,032.

Earlier this week, nurses and ambulance staff walked off the job, while there is further action scheduled for this week.

Speaking to BBC Radio, Mr Wrack said it's too early to judge whether union members will accept the offer.

'I don't think people will be jumping for joy. They've had 12 years of attacks on their pay. They won't be over the moon... our members are intelligent people, they will make an assessment on whether they should go on strike.

Matt Wrack (pictured), general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, noted the offer would still amount to a real terms pay cut

'They'll weigh up what is going on in the wider industrial scene.'

In response to the potential industrial action, fire services were understood to have been training their office staff as back-up to help with emergency call outs.

This could have included employees working as cleaners, in human resources, building safety work and finance.

When announcing the initial decision to strike, Mr Wrack said: 'This is an absolute last resort for our members. The responsibility for any disruption to services lies squarely with fire service employers and government ministers.

'Firefighters were among Britain's Covid heroes who kept frontline services going during the pandemic. The Prime Minister has badly misjudged the public mood by imposing pay cuts on key workers.'

The unions have been staging strikes for months, but significantly increased the intensity of actions over the Christmas period.
Three men were arrested after road spikes were deployed

In what could be one of the slowest police chases of all time, more than 10 cop cars and a helicopter are seen pursuing an SUV at a snails pace down a major highway.

Footage of the chase shows a both marked and unmarked police cars following a Mercedes SUV with a person hanging out the sunroof along the M1 Motorway in the Tweed region in northern NSW on Thursday.

The car was trailed for over 100km from a location in east Brisbane down through the Gold Coast to the NSW-Queensland border and then into NSW.

The pursuit went on for around two hours, with the group aged 16, 17 and 27 allegedly livestreaming the whole ordeal on Facebook.

A bizarre chase unfolded on the M1 motorway near the Tweed region, with police chasing a stolen Mercedes SUV that had a person on the roof

One man is seen hanging out of the sunroof of the car while another is on the bonnet.

The three men inside the Mercedes filmed their antics and taunted the trailing police vehicles.

Officers managed to stop the vehicle after deploying road spikes, with the driver coming to a stop near Cudgera Creek.

The footage shared to social media was dubbed 'Australia's slowest car chase', with social media users suggesting the police kept their distance as it appeared one 'appeared to have a large firearm'.

The car was trailed for over 100km from a location in east Brisbane down through the Gold Coast to the NSW-Queensland border and then into NSW

One man appears to be hanging out of the sunroof of the car with another on the bonnet. The three men inside the Mercedes filmed their antics and taunted the trailing police vehicles

The chase began after police were called to an address in Shore Street, Cleveland, Queensland shortly before 9.30am on Thursday, responding to a suspected break and enter.

Graeme Carmichael was home at the time and told 7News he called his mother to tell her 'someone was coming into the house'.

He said the thieves were armed and sighted a machete.

When Queensland Police arrived two men fled in a Mercedes SUV and one of the slowest police pursuits ensued with the suspects heading to the NSW border.

A Queensland Police spokesperson said at around 12.20pm Tweed-Byron police engaged and pursued the vehicle after it crossed the border into NSW and failed to stop.

'Road spikes were deployed at the Cudgen Road Tunnel, near Tweed Valley Way, with the vehicle coming to a stop on the M1 Motorway at Cudgera Creek,' the police spokesperson said.

Officers managed to stop the vehicle after deploying road spikes, with the driver coming to a stop near Cudgera Creek. A NSW Police spokesman said three Queensland men, aged 16, 17 and 27 were arrested just after 1pm

A NSW Police spokesman said three Queensland men, aged 16, 17 and 27 were arrested just after 1pm.

The men were taken to Tweed Heads Police Station and are assisting police with their investigation.

They are expected to be charged.

Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
A family friend of Nicola Bulley today urged the public to stop making 'disgusting' claims that her partner Paul Ansell was involved in her disappearance.

Mr Ansell, 44, was working from home when the mother-of-two, 45, vanished on Friday January 27  and police reportedly have CCTV to prove he never left the house.

His partner's phone and their springer spaniel were found by the River Wyre by a local, who called the school where Nicola and Paul's two children attend. Office staff then informed Mr Ansell, who called the police and travelled straight to the riverside from their house.

Police still believe Nicola fell in the river while walking the couple's dog Willow almost two weeks ago and insist there is no evidence she was abducted or harmed by a third party. Yet on social media there have been many posts claiming Mr Ansell is responsible despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, causing more pain to him and the family.

A friend of the couple, calling herself Tilly Ann, said: 'Paul and Nikki both mostly work from home which is why he was at home that day. They have CCTV and there is a reason why Paul has never been a suspect.

Nicola Bulley (pictured with her partner Paul) vanished while walking her dog Willow along the riverbed on January 27, moments after dropping her two children off at school. She was last seen at 9.10am by a fellow dogwalker, before her phone and her pup's harness were found on a nearby bench at around 9.20am, and the alarm was raised

'Family and friends need these accusations to stop immediately. The fact that I've had to write this is disgusting to be honest'.

If Mr Ansell was out of the house that morning he would have been seen, but he wasn't, she said, adding: 'They both do this walk regularly and Paul is very well known in the community and very well recognised'.

Describing the chain of events on Facebook she said that a person who found Willow and Nikki's phone 'called the school immediately at 10.50am. The school called Paul straight away who immediately called the police and drove straight to where Nikki was last seen and where Willow was.'

MailOnline has pinpointed the CCTV blackspots in St. Michael's on Wyre close to the river where Nicola Bulley vanished almost a fortnight ago.

Police have finally admitted there is a 'possibility' she left the area on one path not covered by cameras.

It comes after the expert diver leading the river search for Nicola dramatically called it off yesterday to declare she is not in the water - as he branded the case 'baffling' and said he 'did not know' whether the mother-of-two was still alive.

Peter Faulding, leader of underwater search experts Specialist Group International (SGI), said he had been 'determined' to find Nicola but that both he and her partner Paul were 'relieved' that he hadn't.

The pair met at the site of the search on Wednesday morning in St. Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire, where Mr Faulding confirmed to Paul that Nicola 'is not here'.

Mr Faulding added today: 'She may never be found. We don't know. No one knows. It is unusual because usually you have some evidence.

Paul Ansell, 44, pictured with diving expert Peter Faulding who told the anxious father 'she's not here', during a third extensive day of searching along the River Wyre in Lancashire on Wednesday

Mr Faulding's team are seen packing up their gear as they abandon the search for Nicola on Wednesday

Police last night admitted that Nicola could have left the area with a third party when she vanished during a dog walk near the village of St. Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire, some 12 days ago (Pictured: Lancashire Police carrying inflatable Rib boats during the search for Nicola on Wednesday)

READ MORE: Amateur sleuths are stopped from searching abandoned house for missing mother Nicola Bulley after police warned public not to 'take the law into their own hands' A group of men from Liverpool were apparently dispersed by police as they tried to search this property Advertisement

'Here we have nothing. We have nothing to go on apart from a phone and a harness.'

The SGI team left yesterday and will not be helping Lancashire Police search the 'lower estuary' of the River Wyre. The force told MailOnline their search remains 'ongoing' and that there was no deadline in place for it to end.

It comes after police admitted this week that Nicola could have left the area with a third party when she vanished during a walk with her springer spaniel Willow at around 9.20am on January 27.

While police still maintain that she most likely fell into the river, superintendent Sally Riley, of Lancashire Police, said it remained a 'possibility' that the 45-year-old left the area by one path not covered by CCTV cameras - but added that 'every single' suspicion or criminal suggestion had so far been discounted.

The path in question is crossed by the main road through the village, and officers are scrambling to trace dashcam footage from 700 drivers who passed along the route at the time she disappeared.

After reviewing other CCTV footage, police are confident that Nicola did not leave the field near the river via Rowanwater.

Mr Faulding had said that if his team did not find Nicola in the water using his sonar equipment, then it was his belief that she had not been in the river, raising the prospect of a 'third party' involvement in the disappearance.

Announcing he had called off the search on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Faulding said: 'We are happy that the area where Nicola's phone was found and the harness, we've thoroughly searched it from all the way down to the weir and up to the bridge, about a mile upstream, and we've confirmed to Paul [her partner] that there's nothing in that area.

Mr Faulding said he was 'determined' to find Nicola but that he was also 'relieved' he did not find a body

Paul Ansell, partner of Nicola Bulley views the spot on the River Wyre where she went missing with private search investigator Peter Faulding (Hi-Vis jacket)

The pair were joined by a senior detective and a friend of Nicola, who listened attentively as Mr Faulding explained how the water where police believe the 45-year-old drowned was particularly shallow

'That's been dived by police dive teams three times as well... and on the day that Nicola went missing it was dived in the afternoon, with no sign of Nicola.'

He added: 'I've worked on some weird cases, but this is a baffling case. For someone whose mobile phone was found there... I would've expected Nicola to be found that afternoon by the police dive team, normally down in the water, but there was no sign of her.'

He said he simply 'didn't know' where Nicola was, adding: 'I was determined to find Nicola, but one good thing is that I didn't want to find a body, so I'm happy we haven't found Nicola's body, which can lead to other areas, so we don't know if Nicola is alive, this is just a baffling case.

'After the end of today, we've done what we've come here to do, we've cleared the area for the police and the family, we can say that in the top section of river and some of the section going down towards the sea, that she's not in that part.'

He said he could not comment on 'further down the estuary' because his team was not searching that area.

'We just want to bring some form of closure,' he added, 'And I say again that I'm happy we never found a body and Paul is relieved we found nothing up there.'

Lancashire Police gather their river searching equipment on the River Wyre in Lancashire on Wednesday

Specialist Group International continue their search of a stretch of the River Wyre where Nicola Bulley went missing at St Michael's on Wyre

Paul and Mr Faulding were yesterday joined by a senior detective and a friend of Nicola, who listened attentively as Mr Faulding explained how the water where police believe she drowned was particularly shallow.

'This is not a spectator sport': Twisted tourists 'taking selfies on bench where Nicola left her phone' are told to stay at home A local parish council chairman has called for respect after people 'travelled for miles to take selfies on the bench' where missing Nicola Bulley's phone was found. The riverside path where the 45-year-old was last seen walking her Springer spaniel, Willow, has a steady footfall but in recent days, the paths have been rammed with visitors who have travelled to the village to watch the search in action, LancsLive reports. Visitors have reportedly travelled from as far afield as Lancaster and Manchester. People have also reportedly been posing for selfies with missing posters that have been put up in St Michael's on Wyre, as well as with the bench where Nicola's phone was found. Chairman of St Michael's Parish Council, Giles Phillips, condemned those taking ghoulish selfies and said 'it is not a spectator sport'. Giles said in recent days the village has seen an increase in families visiting the riverside to watch the search operation. He said: 'It would be helpful if people could let the authorities do their jobs. We don't want anyone to hinder the investigation. This is not a spectator sport. 'Most of the area is private land - the public access is very minimal and can't absorb the numbers of people who are coming every day. They aren't searching for somebody - they are watching someone else search for somebody. We would rather people stayed home or took a day trip to the Lake District.' Advertisement

Mr Faulding was convinced that if he was to find a body it would have been in the area close to where police say Nicola fell into the water.

The expert took MailOnline to the scene and pointed out that the water was fairly shallow - no deeper than 3ft - and covered with jagged rocks.

He said: 'If this is where Nicola fell in you can see that the water is not particularly deep. There are lots of rocks and if she was in the water she would be able to grab hold of them.

'No one heard any shouts for help and I just can't see how she could drown here.

'The only possibility is that she fell head first and was knocked out on the rocks, but I don't see how that could happen.'

Lancashire Police are working on the hypothesis that Nicola slipped into the water and drowned.

They have extended their search 10 miles away towards Fleetwood and the Irish Sea in the belief her body has been swept away from the point of entry in the village of St Michael's on the Wyre.

Mr Faulding disputes the police theory that the body could have ended up so far away and in the Irish Sea.

Based on his 20 years of experience in finding drowning victims he insisted her body would have remained at the bottom of the river for several days and police would have found her.

His suggestion that a 'third party' could be involved and abducted the mother-of-two has put him at loggerheads with the police investigation.

The SGI team packed up their equipment and left the scene on Wednesday after they failed to find any evidence of her body in the water.

They had used their sonar to look around a weir about 200 metres from the main search area.

He said earlier on Wednesday: 'We want to sonar the first stretch of the river and if nothing is there then I am happy there is nothing there.

'My opinion is had Nicola gone in by that bench she would have gone to the bottom and drifted a couple of meters. The police divers who are very professional thoroughly searched that stretch of river and she wasn't there. There is hardly any current and in my experience, bodies do not move very far.

'It is not feasible that she could have drifted 15km, not in my experience and this type of tidal river. Things get washed in and washed out. It is very shallow. There is nowhere to go.'

The SGI team had been using a side scan sonar and Mr Faulding said the images it produces are crystal clear.

Paul Ansell, 44, pictured with diving expert Peter Faulding as he gave him updates on the search

Paul Ansell (right, partner of Nicola Bulley with private search investigator Peter Faulding (Hi-Vis jacket) after visiting the spot on the River Wyre where they believe Nicola disappeared

The partner of missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley, Paul Ansell, (centre in sunglasses) shakes hands with Peter Faulding (in Hi-Vis), the underwater search expert called in by the family to help with the search

Paul Ansell, partner of Nicola Bulley, views the spot on the River Wyre where she went missing on January 27

Mr Faulding remains convinced that if he is to find a body it will be in the area close to where police say Nicola fell into the water (Pictured: Paul Ansell, far right, partner of Nicola Bulley views the spot on the River Wyre where she went missing)

Workers from a private underwater search and recovery company, Specialist Group International, including chief executive Peter Faulding (top), analyse their sonar machine

Peter Faulding (pictured) has said if his team cannot locate Nicola in the river then she is not there and he would not rule out 'third-party involvement' in her disappearance

'You can see every stick and stone and can give a guarantee that from the bench to the weir she is not there.'

The side scan sonar being used by SGI creates an image of the river bed and is often used in marine archaeology, environmental science and by the military.

It works by beaming out high frequency sound pulses in a wide fan shape from an dinghy floating on the surface.

The reflected pulses are recorded and processed to produce an image of the river bed and identify different materials and textures.

A member of his team told Mail Online that unlike in many movies where drowning victims are seen floating on the surface of the water that does not happen in real life.

'When someone drowns and we find them a couple of days later they are almost always on the bottom of the water. Their arms and legs are dangling down, a big like an Octopus shape.

'The body will remain on the bottom of the river for four or five days, and then depending on the current might start to drift.

'Unlike what people see in films the body does not instantly float to the surface.'

It comes after some critics accused Mr Faulding of having an 'ulterior motive' since making his feelings known, but the forensic expert rebuked the 'keyboard warriors', adding that he has devoted his life to trying to find missing people.

In a sign of tensions between police and Mr Faulding, police superintendent Sally Riley this week stressed that he was not party to all the details of their wider investigation.

She said: 'Our search has not found Nicola in the river and then a re-search in parts by SGI has found the same. That does not mean... that Nicola has not been in the river.

'In the light of other inquiries being discounted from the investigation so far... clearly our main belief is that Nicola did fall into the river.

'Clearly Mr Faulding isn't included within all the investigation detail any more than the members of the public are that I'm briefing through these sorts of press conferences.'

Mr Faulding later demanded that he be granted such access, adding: 'If there's any more facts that we don't know about - normally we work along the side of the police and if you haven't got the facts then you can't conduct a proper search, it is very difficult without that information. Normally, I'm privy to that information... it would be useful to know.'

It comes as police have extended the search for Nicola towards the sea after still finding no concrete evidence she fell into the river, while friend of the family Heather Gibbons was among the growing number to question their theory.

She told MailOnline: 'It's natural for everyone to have speculation, because the truth is, in this, nothing is making sense.'

Abandoned house on the River Wyre, next to the area where Nicola Bulley was last seen on January 27. Vigilantes have been warned to stop breaking into derelict homes in a bid to try and solve the case

Lancashire Police Superintendent Sally Riley pictured speaking to the media at St Michael's on Wyre Village Hall on Tuesday. She told reporters yesterday that Mr Faulding does not know all the facts of the case

Heather Gibbons (pictured) has joined Nicola's family and friends in questioning Lancashire Police's theory

While SGI divers concentrated on the area where Nicola's phone was found on a bench, finding nothing of interest, other dive teams continue to look further upriver towards Fleetwood and the Irish Sea.

Meanwhile, Supt Riley said the police investigation by her officers had been reviewed by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and they had not found any new line of inquiry that should be pursued.

The police chief also warned 'amateur detectives' they would be arrested if they were found to be breaking the law while carrying out their own searches.

Abandoned and derelict buildings along the river have been broken into by members of the public carrying out their own investigations.

She added: 'There are some properties along the riverside which are empty or derelict and whilst it may be well-intentioned that people think that that could be a line of inquiry, I would ask them to desist from doing that.

'In some cases it may be criminal if they are breaking in, causing damage or committing a burglary.

'We have gone into derelict property - including ones on the riverside, (and) any under renovation that were empty - with the permission of those owners and their knowledge.'

'Because there is no criminal element yet identified, and we don't expect there to be in this inquiry, then we're not starting to go into houses because that's not where the inquiry is leading us,' she added.

Seemingly at odds with police, Mr Faulding previously said it was unlikely that Nicola was in the fast flowing River Wyre - adding that it was 'impossible' for the 45-year-old to have made it to the sea.

However, The Times reports that he told the newspaper it was in fact possible her body could have reached the sea by now due to the river's meandering course.

The bay is around 15 kilometres away from where Nicola is believed to have disappeared and where the River Wyre flows into the sea.

Mr Faulding also slammed 'keyboard warriors' who have accused him of having an 'ulterior motive' for joining the search last night.

He said: 'This is what you get for trying to help people. I have given my life to helping families looking for missing loved ones.

Nicola Bulley - a 45-year-old mother-of-two - went missing while walking her dog near the River Wyre on January 27

Nicola went missing 13 days ago and was last seen on the bank of the River Wyre in St Michael's on Wyre with police still unclear about what has happened to her

'Do our job searching in dark murky waters for a drowning victims. My team and I don't deserve this trash.'

Mr Faulding has also reportedly been ticked off by police over speculating about the disappearance after he said there could be third party involvement.

Meanwhile, Lancashire Police continued to rule out any 'suspicious or criminal' element on Tuesday.

'For Nicola to get out to sea would be impossible, literally, it's such a long way in the 11 days. It's an awful long way down,' Mr Faulding said.

Police revealed a team of 40 detectives are currently working on around 500 different lines of inquiry and more than 700 drivers who travelled through the village around the time of Nicola's disappearance are being traced.

Speaking at a press conference Tuesday, Supt Sally Riley said police had been supplied with an 'unprecedented' amount of information and leads.

She added: 'At the moment there are around 500 active pieces of information and lines of inquiry that we're working on to try and find answers for Nicola's family.

'This is normal in a missing person inquiry and does not indicate that there is any suspicious element to this story.

'The inquiry team remains fully open-minded to any information that may indicate where Nicola is or what happened to her.'
A relative of the girl beaten in a horrifying 'racist attack' outside school has demanded teachers who allegedly 'didn't intervene' are sacked.

Horrific video footage of the fight was shared online and shows a gang of people hitting and kicking the victim - who is black - while she lies on the floor.

Adult voices can be heard throughout the altercation, apparently encouraging the fight and giving instructions on how to hurt the teenager.

Strands of her hair are visible on the floor at the end of the fight, when teachers from the school come out on to the pavement.

Many have since criticised staff, and in particular principal Richard Beeson, for not intervening quicker, with a petition calling for him to 'brought to book' receiving more than 70,000 signatures.

The violent footage shows a group of young girls attacking a teenager in the middle of the street on Monday afternoon

Police have arrested five people and are searching for a sixth after the altercation outside a Surrey school

The relative told the Mirror: 'No one from the school brought her back to us. We had to go to her and get her home. They let her go to a friend's house and then from her friend's house she used her friend's phone to call us.

'When I asked [Mr Beeson] in a meeting, I said 'do you know what hurt me the most in that video? I was asking who's going to stop it?'

'Eventually I told him, 'when you walked into the shot, you strolled in and you even allowed one more punch'.'

Rapper Dave was also critical, telling his 850,000 followers on Twitter: 'So this principal RICHARD BEESON in Ashfords Thomas Knyvett College is gonna stroll in and watch as that black child is ATTACKED by a mob and they think that can run? WE NEED HIM OUT OF THAT JOB ASAP.'

Dozens attended a demonstration outside the school on Wednesday, led by activists from the protest group Forever Family, dressed in uniforms and body armour.

The organisation aims to 'mobilise, organise and centralise our community initiatives to empower and support organisations with similar objectives'.

It comes after a 39-year-old woman, a 16-year-old girl, an 11-year-old girl, a ten-year-old girl and a 43-year-old man have been arrested over the attack.

A sixth suspect, a 15-year-old girl, is wanted. Police confirmed that she was aware they were looking for her.

Dozens attended a demonstration outside the school on Wednesday, led by activists from the protest group Forever Family, dressed in uniforms and body armour

Raspect Fyahbinghi speaks outside Thomas Knyvett College during yesterday's protest

A police officer speaks to a demonstrator outside Thomas Knyvett College in Surrey

Forever Family: The British protest group with uniforms, body armour, walkie-talkies and military-style drills who resemble the Black Panther movement in 'battle against racism' A protest outside the school yesterday was led by activist group Forever Family. The group's members are sometimes seen at demonstrations - usually related to race issues - wearing uniforms, body armour and holding walkie-talkies. The organisation aims to 'mobilise, organise and centralise our community initiatives to empower and support organisations with similar objectives'. A promotional video shared by the group - whose members have been described previously as resembling the Black Panther revolutionary activists of 1960s America - states that said they are 'united in the battle against racism, inequality and injustice'. It is unclear how the group are funded, but they have been described as a 'Black-owned business' that accepts donations from the public. Their 'company values' are listed as 'integrity, transparency and accountability' - suggesting they have a business or military approach to their work. Advertisement

A statement on the school's website today reads: 'There was a serious assault on Monday 6 February 2023 on the junction of Salcombe Road and Stanwell Road close to Thomas Knyvett College, soon after the end of the school day.

'The Police were called, and they have made a number of arrests in connection with this incident, and their investigation is ongoing.

'Uppermost in our thoughts has been the welfare and care of the victim, but The Howard Partnership Trust, of which Thomas Knyvett College is a part, is aware this incident has caused tension among the wider community.

'We are taking this situation extremely seriously and are working with all agencies involved. We need to ask for calm and patience while vital work is undertaken to establish the facts.

'To this end, in the interests of safety of all concerned, we have taken the decision to close the school early today.'

MailOnline approached the school and Mr Beeson for further comment.

A spokesman for Surrey Police said: 'We are aware that this incident will have caused concern among students, parents, and staff at Thomas Knyvett College, as well as the wider community.

'We would like to reassure you that an investigation is under way, five arrests have been made in connection with this incident, and we are working closely with Thomas Knyvett College as we investigate this matter.'

The spokesman asked that people refrain from sharing videos of the horrific fight on social media and instead sent links to the police.

'We are also aware that several videos of this distressing incident are circulating on social media.

'We ask that you do not share any videos or images of this incident, but to submit them via the link below so they can be considered as evidence in this investigation.'

Inspector Maxine Cilia, borough commander for Spelthorne, said she was shocked to see such a violent altercation near a school.

'I was shocked to see some of the video footage of this fight and the level of violence from young people outside one of our local schools.

A crowd listens to activist Raspect Fyahbingh from Forever Family during the protest

Police have asked people not to share videos of the fight online and asked any witnesses to come forward. There will be extra patrols through the area in the coming days

'Every schoolchild should feel safe in the local community and not the target of any kind of violence as they leave school premises,' she said.

Inspector Cilia added that there would be extra patrols in the area over the coming days.

'Surrey Police are now investigating this incident and gathering further evidence with the full co-operation of the school. There will be extra patrols in this local area for reassurance and to enable local people to speak with officers.'

Police are also appealing for any eyewitnesses or anyone with CCTV, dashcam, helmet cam footage, or any images and videos on their mobile phones to get in touch.

They added that anyone driving or walking through the area around Salcombe Road on Monday between 2pm and 3pm who saw or heard something that might assist the investigation should contact them.
Two of the world's most exclusive cars have been involved in a costly accident at the hands of a Crown Casino valet.

The key to two Lamborghini Aventadore Ultimaes were handed over to valet staff at the Crown Casino in Perth on Wednesday night, but one of them lost control, rear ending the other and then careened into a wall.

The cyan and purple supercars are the final make of the Italian manufacturer's popular Aventador model and are owned by virtual gaming billionaire Laurence Escalante, costing about $1million each.

The key to two Lamborghini Aventadore Ultimaes were handed over to valet staff at the Crown Casino in Perth on Wednesday night, but one of them lost control, rear ending the other and then careened into a wall

Footage taken just after the accident was posted to the Instagram, showed damage to the front bumper of the cyan Lamborghini which is set to cost about $20,000 to replace.

The video, captioned 'they crashed our rentals', shows the powerful V12 engines just moments after the accident, with the valet staring distantly in shock.

'I really f***ed it up now,' the valet can be heard saying to nearby staff.

'No way brah, you've just f***ing ripped the c*** off,' the man behind the camera, tells the valet.

The valet, still in shock, can be seen smiling and trying to explain how the accident occurred after seeing the extent of the damage.

'See how those two pedals are too close together? I was pressing the break and then it just went,' he said.

The man behind the camera replies: 'You revved it up and f***ed it.'

The cyan and purple supercars are the final make of the Italian manufacturer's popular Aventador model and are owned by virtual gaming billionaire Laurence Escalante, costing about $1million each

The valet then puts his hands on his head in disbelief over what has just happened, before turning to Mr Jones and saying 'you can't video us sir'.

Mr Escalante, a car enthusiast, took to his Instagram story to vent his frustrations against Crown Casino and the valet.

'Just two of the last Aventadors... Crown's insurance is going to be in pain,' he wrote.

'[It] sucks, lessons learned for everyone.

'It will get sorted out and fixed by crown.'

He then said that the cars had been taken to a repair shop to be fixed.

Social media users were furious at the damage done to the luxury super cars.

'Imagine crashing a lambo.. INTO ANOTHER LAMBO,' one user wrote.

'Homie thought he was in GTA [Grand Theft Auto],' another wrote.

Footage taken shortly after the accident shows the valet in shock as he realises his costly mistake, claiming that the two pedals were too close together and accidentally accelerated

Crown Resorts confirmed that two vehicles were damaged in the driveway of Crown Towers Perth shortly after 9pm on Wednesday evening.

'The safety of Crowns team members and guests remains our priority.

'We are conducting a full assessment of the incident together with those involved.

'There were no injuries sustained from the incident.'
A leading Putin foe has warned the West that NATO will inevitably be dragged into war with Russia.

As the West contemplates supplying warplanes to Volodymyr Zelensky, exiled opposition figure Mikhail Khodorkovsky issued a stark analysis that there will be no other way than World War Three to stop the dictator.

'The NATO countries and the Western Europe will have to fight for real,' said Russia's former richest man.

'Sooner or later, they will have to...fight. The sooner they realise it, the better because Putin can't stop.

'Stopping for him is death.'

MBK says the NATO countries and Western Europe will have to fight because Putin can't stop

Exiled Russian businessman Mikhail Khodorkovsky pictured with Vladimir Putin in 2002

Putin 'might pause to digest territories he conquers' but then he will continue, mobilising men from the places he conquers.

Khodorkovsky was jailed for a decade under Putin after falling foul of the Russian president.

He was eventually released from jail with a pardon in 2013, and went into exile.

He is now based in Britain.

The interview on Khodorkovsky Live channel suggested that 'the first year of the war was just a try out' and that 'everything is beginning just now'.

The Putin regime could only maintain stability 'in the conditions of the continuation of the war'.

Mikhail Borisovich Khodorkovsky, known as MBK, was Russia's wealthiest man in 2003, worth an estimated $15bn.

After the collapse of the USSR, he acquired several oil fields and quickly built his wealth as an oligarch beneficiary of privatisation.

MBK challenged Russia's governance in 2001, founding Open Russia, an organisation advocating democracy and human rights.

The businessman was arrested in 2003 on charges of fraud and tax evasion.

The US State Department made choice comments at the time about the 'arbitrary use' of Russia's justice system.

Khodorkovsky was pardoned after a decade.

Putin (pictured) prosecuted Russia's most successful oligarch before pardoning him in 2013

An explosion erupts from an apartment building at 110 Mytropolytska St., after a Russian army tank fired on it in Mariupol, Ukraine, Friday, March 11, 2022
But despite the horror, countless stories of survival and triumph have emerged

The death toll from twin earthquakes which battered southeast Turkey and northern Syria earlier this week has now surpassed 20,000, with the time left to find survivors running out.

It is already the deadliest natural disaster to hit Turkey since 1939, with the grim casualty milestone coming this evening and UN and WHO experts expecting it to rise further.

The response of Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government to the catastrophe has drawn harsh criticism, and tens of thousands of displaced people who escaped the immediate damage of the quakes now contend with bitter winter temperatures and a lack of supplies.

But despite the harrowing scenes of death and destruction seen the world over, stunning stories of bravery and fortune continue to emerge from the rubble.

More than 72 hours have passed since the quakes, and those still trapped under the rubble are thought to have little chance of survival, but each passing hour seems to bring another glimmer of hope as another child or family is rescued.

Here, MailOnline takes a look at some of the most inspiring and heartwarming tales of endurance and survival to have surfaced thus far.

Rescuers fed a young Syrian boy water from a bottlecap through a gap in the debris. They later managed to free him after 45 hours of agony

36-year-old Yilmaz Cetin is rescued from under the rubble after 77 hours of 7.7 and 7.6 magnitude earthquakes hit multiple provinces of Turkiye included Adiyaman, Turkiye on February 09, 2023

A rescuer cleans the face of baby boy Kerem Agirtas, a 20-day-old survivor who was pulled from under the rubble, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake in Hatay, Turkey, February 8, 2023

The White Helmet volunteers rescue a child from under rubble, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake, in Jandaris, Syria February 8, 2023

Strawberry the cat was freed from the rubble but clearly wanted to remain by his owner's side

One agonising video captured yesterday showed a young Syrian boy named Muhammed Ahmed putting on a brave face despite being stuck under debris for 45 hours.

Rescuers had managed to reach the child, whose face was covered in dust and scratches from the building's collapse, but were unable to extract him from the concrete and he was beginning to fade due to dehydration and utter exhaustion.

Refusing to let the boy waste away, the rescuers poured water into a bottle cap and slid it through a gap in the debris. Muhammed sipped the fluid down and despite his awful predicament flashed a little smile back up at his rescuers.

The touching moment between one desperate boy and his rescuers immediately went viral, and with good reason.

As the death toll continues to increase and analysts discuss the facts, statistics and figures related to the earthquake, the clip of a fatigued and injured Muhammed grinning innocently at his rescuers after 45 hours of suffering serves as a stark reminder of the human cost.

Hours after the earthquake demolished huge swathes of northern Syria, one gut-wrenching clip published Tuesday showed the moment a newborn baby was found under the rubble.

Muhammed sipped the fluid down and despite his awful predicament flashed a little smile back up at his rescuers

Emergency personnel carry 16-year-old Melda on a stretcher after saving her from the rubble of a collapsed building in Hatay, southern Turkey, on February 9, 2023

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hugs a quake victim on February 09, 2023

Seven-year-old girl Ikra Tasci is rescued by Israeli army, Hatzalah United and Turkish rescue teams after three days under the rubble, 09 February 2023

The mother was buried when the devastating earthquake hit her home in Jinderis and reduced the building to nothing but bricks and mortar.

She went into labour moments after the horrific incident and tragically died just moments after giving birth.

The baby's immediate family - both parents and four siblings - were also killed, but she was later discovered by other relatives who heard faint cries coming from the debris of the family home.

They dug with their bare hands to free the rubble and to their utter amazement found the baby, still alive, and attached to her dead mother via the umbilical cord.

Cutting and tying the cord they rushed the hours-old child to receive medical treatment in the neighbouring town of Afrin, where hospital manager Khaled Attiah took her in as his own.

When asked by the Daily Telegraph what the baby would be called, he replied, 'Aya' - which translates from Arabic as 'miracle'.

A fitting name for a girl who started her life buried under tons of concrete.

A baby girl who was born under the rubble caused by an earthquake that hit Syria and Turkey receives treatment inside an incubator at a children's hospital in the town of Afrin, Aleppo province, Syria

The baby girl, who was born while her mother was buried underneath the rubble of a five-story apartment building, has wounds on her back from the rubble she was buried under

People wait as rescuers carry out search operations among the rubble of collapsed buildings in Kahramanmaras, on February 9, 2023

Emergency personnel conduct a rescue operation to save a teenage girl from the rubble of a collapsed building in Hatay, southern Turkey, on February 9, 2023

A pair of videos have shown rescuers working to save not only humans, but also their beloved pets.

In Hatay, Turkey, a bunch of rescuers were seen frantically pulling at debris in an attempt to extract university student Kerem Cetin from a collapsed building.

But Kerem refused to let his rescuers save him without first ensuring his cat, a fluffy white and ginger mog called Strawberry, was safe and sound.

The red-helmeted rescuers duly turned their attention to the cat, who was lodged under rubble alongside his owner and wrapped in what looked to be a blanket.

It appeared the love Kerem had for his pet was mutual - when the rescuers managed to free the feline, he clawed and scratched at the blanket, seemingly reluctant to leave Kerem's side.

Once he had been pulled out, however, he quickly calmed down and the rescuers delighted in the touching moment before returning to extract Kerem. Both were eventually rescued and sustained only minor injuries.

In the same city, a separate video showed a little white dog buried up to his neck in debris, looking on desperately for help. A search party noticed the hound and loosened the rocks around his body as they fed him water from their bare hands.

The mutt waited patiently and duly lapped up the water before he eventually being pulling free. He was evidently in no rush to escape and sat very happily in the arms of his rescuers.

A cat is rescued from rubble in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake in Hatay Province, Turkey, February 7, 2023

A search party noticed the hound and loosened the rocks around his body as they fed him water from their bare hands

Rescuers in Turkey extract a young girl from rubble in Kahramanmaras

Five-year-old Mir Berzan Bagis is rescued by search and rescue teams from under rubble of a collapsed building 73 hours after 7.7 and 7.6 magnitude earthquakes hit Turkey's Kahramanmaras, on February 09, 2023

Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan dispatched his presidential plane to fly 16 babies, all of whom were found alive but alone in the aftermath of the earthquakes, to safety in the capital city of Ankara.

The plane was put on standby for rescue missions and other earthquake-related activities, including carrying medical teams and aid to regions of the country, in the aftermath of the tremors earlier this week.

It is also being used to transport critically injured people to Ankara for treatment.

All 16 babies on board the flight were found alone in the earthquake zones. They were collected by the foster mothers of the Ministry of Family and Social Services from the plane which landed at Esenboga Airport.

From there, they were taken to Etlik City Hospital for treatment. All 16 are said to be doing well.

Heartwarming images show the infants in the arms of their rescuers on board the plane, wrapped in multiple blankets amid a cold snap in the country.

Babies rescued from the rubble of collapsed buildings in Kahramanmaras are transferred to Ankara by Turkish Presidential Plane

The babies were collected by the foster mothers of the Ministry of Family and Social Services from the plane which landed at Esenboga Airport

All 16 babies on board the flight were found alone in the earthquake zones within Turkey

The babies, who are believed to be unharmed, will now be taken into care in the children's organisation affiliated to the Ministry of Family and Social Services

The White Helmet volunteers pull out a child from under rubble as they rescue him, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake, in Jinderis, Syria

The tragedy may be localised to Turkey and Syria, but aid organisations and governments from around the world have flocked to the region to offer their support and lifesaving expertise.

One rescue effort, coordinated by British and German workers, saw a Turkish mother and her little boy extracted from the rubble of a building in Kahramanmaras, close to the epicentre of the disaster.

The pair had been trapped under a mountain of debris which looked more like a natural cave formation than the remnants of a building, such was the quantity of the rocks and stones that surrounded them.

But despite spending more than 72 hours unable to move, both were hauled to their freedom after an eight-hour rescue operation and have survived despite sustaining considerable injuries and severe dehydration.

A boy and her mother are rescued by German (yellow) and British (orange) rescue teams after an 8 hour operation in Kahramanmaras, Turkey, Thursday, February 9, 2023

Both suffered significant injuries and were dramatically dehydrated but are making their recovery

The pair had been trapped under a mountain of debris which looked more like a natural cave formation than the remnants of a building

There are many stories of human triumph and survival coming out of Turkey and Syria - but they are far outweighed by an eye-watering death toll of more than 19,000

Seven-year-old girl Ikra Tasci is rescued by Israeli army, Hatzalah United and Turkish rescue teams after three days under the rubbles of a collapsed building in the city of Kahramanmaras, southeastern Turkey, 09 February 2023

One little girl was found protecting her younger brother after they were trapped under the debris of their collapsed home following the series of devastating earthquakes.

Video footage captured the moving moment the two frightened young siblings were found by rescuers amid the rubble in Syria.

Seven-year-old Mariam and her younger brother Ilaaf were trapped in the debris for some 36 hours.

In the clip, she told the emergency worker: 'Sir, if you rescue me and my brother, I'll do whatever you want. But get us out of here.'

The children were stuck under rubble at their home in Besnaya-Bseineh near Haram, Syria.

The seven-year-old called Mariam, and her younger brother Ilaaf were trapped in the debris for some 36 hours

In the footage, Mariam's younger sibling can be seen trapped under the concrete ruins as responders scramble to rescue the pair.

The girl then moves her arm over her younger brother's head to protect him.

A photo was later shared of the two kids resting on a bed after they were rescued from their horrific ordeal.

Their father Mustafa Zuhir Al-Sayed said he, his wife, and their three children were sleeping when the earthquake hit.

He said: 'Rubble began falling over our head and we stayed two days under the rubble.'They were all rescued from the devastated home.
Kim Jong Un's wife was spotted wearing a missile necklace ahead of a major military parade - as the couple's daughter took centre stage during a display featuring a record number of nuclear missiles.

The North Korean dictator's daughter Kim Ju Ae, believed to be nine or 10 years old, stood closely with her father and smiled as he shook hands with senior officials yesterday.

The leader's wife Ri Sol Ju was pictured wearing a necklace in the shape of a weapon mirroring an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Today Kim was seen wearing the black coat and fedora combination favoured by his grandfather and North Korea's founding leader Kim Il Sung.

Kim oversaw the parade showcasing nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missiles, including what analysts said was possibly a new solid-fueled ICBM.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, his wife Ri Sol Ju (left) and their daughter Kim Ju Ae (centre) attended a banquet to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Korean People's Army in Pyongyang, North Korea

The dictator's wife was spotted wearing a missile necklace around her neck

The necklace worn by Kim's wife at the parade mirrors this intercontinental ballistic missile

Kim Jong Un's daughter Kim Ju Ae was pictured being affectionate towards her father as they attended the military parade

The parade - marking the 75th founding anniversary of the country's armed forces - featured fireworks, military bands and uniformed soldiers marching in unison to spell out '2.8' - the day of the celebration - and '75'.

Images showed the top leader standing flanked by his top generals in Pyongyang's central Kim Il Sung Square, saluting as troops and missile units parade past.

The weapons on show included at least 10 of the country's largest Hwasong-17 ICBMs, plus vehicles apparently designed to carry a solid-fueled ICBM.

North Korea has long sought to develop a solid-fuel ICBM, which could help make its nukes harder to detect and destroy.

When the ICBMs appeared in the square, the crowd broke into 'enthusiastic cheers' KCNA said, adding that the parade also featured a 'tactical nuclear weapons operation units'.

North Korea stages military parades to mark important holidays and events, which are closely monitored by observers for clues about the reclusive regime's progress on its banned ballistic and nuclear weapons.

The parade showcased the 'tremendous nuclear strike capability of the DPRK,' KCNA said, referring to North Korea by its official name.

Commercial satellite images taken by Maxar Technologies at 10:05 pm (13:05 GMT) on Wednesday night showed a large North Korean flag and thousands of people assembled at Kim Il Sung square.

Analysts said that the scale and scope of the weaponry on display showed advances which represented a challenge to the United States.

'They've shown more ICBMs in the latest parade than they've ever shown before, consistent with a longstanding directive from Kim Jong Un on mass producing nuclear weapons and delivery systems,' said US-based analyst Ankit Panda.

Kim Jong Un talked with his daughter Kim Ju Ae - believed to be nine or ten years old - during a lavish banquet

Kim Ju Ae is seen clapping and smiling beside her mother as she celebrates with her family during the parade

The 10-year-old has appeared alongside her father at several high-profile events

The military parade is showcasing a record number of nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missiles, including what analysts said was possibly a new solid-fueled ICBM

The parade - marking the 75th founding anniversary of the country's armed forces - featured fireworks, military bands and uniformed soldiers marching in unison to spell out '2.8' - the day of the celebration - and '75'

This is an issue, he said, as Washington has planned its homeland missile defense system to deal with a 'limited' missile threat from North Korea.

'North Korea has now demonstrated that their nuclear forces are far from ''limited'',' Panda said.

Other analysts said that by parading more of Kim's most advanced Hwasong-17 missiles than have ever been seen before, Pyongyang was sending a clear message.

'This is North Korea trying to declare itself a full-fledged nuclear power,' Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul told AFP.

'Kim Jong-un let North Korea's expanding tactical and long-range missile forces speak for themselves.'

Analysts said Kim's daughter is the equivalent of a North Korean 'princess' and that her appearances with her father could indicate she is his anointed successor

North Korea has held four night-time military parades in recent years

Kim Jong Un and his daughter Kim Ju Ae walking together at the military parade

North Korea stages military parades to mark important holidays and events, which are closely monitored by observers for clues

The parade comes after North Korea vowed to expand and intensify military drills to ensure its readiness for war

This followed a record-breaking year of weapons tests, including firing its most advanced ICBM

Pyongyang's state media had for years never mentioned Kim's children - Seoul's spy agency believes he has three with wife Ri - but he appeared with his daughter Ju Ae at an intercontinental ballistic missile launch in November last year.

The 10-year-old has since appeared alongside her father at several high-profile events, most recently a banquet on Tuesday to mark the army's founding anniversary.

Analysts say she is the equivalent of a North Korean 'princess' and that her appearances with her father could indicate she is his anointed successor.

Analysts said that the scale and scope of the weaponry on display showed advances which represented a challenge to the United States

Kim recently called for an 'exponential' increase in Pyongyang's nuclear arsenal, including mass-producing tactical nuclear weapons and developing new missiles for nuclear counterstrikes

The scale of weapons at the North Korean parade was record breaking

The event was lit up by huge fireworks, military bands and uniformed soldiers

The leader greeted members of the audience during the event

The North Korean leader was welcomed by young band members at the parade

North Korea has held four night-time military parades in recent years, including the latest on Wednesday.

The parade comes after North Korea vowed to expand and intensify military drills to ensure its readiness for war. This followed a record-breaking year of weapons tests, including firing its most advanced ICBM.

Kim recently called for an 'exponential' increase in Pyongyang's nuclear arsenal, including mass-producing tactical nuclear weapons and developing new missiles for nuclear counterstrikes.
This is the moment a spurned mother-of-five is arrested for trying to hire a hitman to kill an ex-lover factory colleague who rejected her advances.

Yesterday Helen Hewlett, 43, was found guilty of soliciting the murder of Paul Belton, 50, after a brief fling turned sour.

Hewlett, from King's Lynn, Norfolk, paid Bitcoin worth more than 20,000 to a website called Online Killers Market to try and get Mr Belton murdered, saying she wanted it to look like an accident.

She denied soliciting murder, but a jury found her unanimously guilty following two days of deliberation after an 11-day trial.

The married mother-of-five was remanded in custody until sentencing on April 5, with Judge Katharine Moore warning she 'must ready herself to receive a custodial sentence'.

Paul Belton, 50, was the target of an intended hitman job solicited by his ex-colleague Helen Hewlett, who was yesterday convicted of soliciting murder at Norwich Crown Court

They also found her not guilty of stalking causing alarm or distress, but guilty of the lesser charge of stalking.

Inside the dark web site 'Online Killers Market' which had a price list for arson attacks, beats and poisons Prosecutors said the married mother-of-five used a browser called Tor to search the dark web and found the website 'Online Killers Market' which purported to provide hitmen. The online dark webs site boasted of being 'the number one hitmen market place' with hundreds of hitmen drawn from gangs or former military personnel on its books. It even provided a price list in US dollars, detailing a sniper shooting as costing between $20,000 and $60,000, an arson attack for up to $20,000 or a simple beating for as little as $2,000. The website also claimed it could arrange deaths from undetectable poison or even snake bites, saying it had 'a 100 per cent job completion rate', said Mr Stratford It promised to activate hitmen on payment of fees into a so-called Escrow intermediate account, saying it would not actually take the money until authorised by the client after it had been proved that a hit had been carried out. After exchanging messages with a username called 'Marksman', Hewlett arranged for more than 20,000 worth of Bitcoin to be placed into the so-called escrow intermediate account linked to the website. However, Norwich Crown Court heard that the website appeared to be an 'absolute sham' designed to steal money from people who wanted someone killed, and that the cryptocurrency paid over by Hewlett had landed up in an account in Romania. Advertisement

The court heard police linked her Bitcoin payments to the site where she had placed an order titled 'Job in Norfolk UK', stating: 'Need someone killed in Norfolk - vital it looks like an accident.'

During the trial, jurors were told how Hewlett and Mr Belton had flirted with each other when they were both working at the Linda McCartney vegetarian food factory in Fakenham, Norfolk.

The pair had had a brief sexual encounter in her car in the factory's overflow car park which Mr Belton, who was also married with children, is said to have immediately regretted.

The court heard how she became 'utterly fixated' with him and repeatedly sent him emails begging to see him again, as well as nude photographs of herself, but he backed away from her attempts to start a relationship.

Mr Belton was made redundant and got a new job at the Kinnerton confectionery factory in Fakenham which supplies chocolate products to Tesco, but she also got a job there in order to pursue him.

She called him a 'coward' for not wanting to speak to her and posted comments on Facebook, saying that he 'needs shooting in the bollocks'.

Hewlett left her job as a mixer in the 'nut' department at Kinnerton in August 2021, saying that she was quitting due to bullying by Mr Belton and his sexual harassment of women.

Management rejected her claims as 'malicious' after Mr Belton showed them emails she had sent him.

Hewlett was also suspected of making an anonymous whistleblower complaint to Tesco last April, claiming that Mr Belton had made homophobic slurs.

Bosses at the firm suspected that Hewlett had made the complaint and dismissed it after advising Mr Belton to go to the police to report he was being harassed.

The court heard how investigations had revealed that Hewlett had set up a Coinbase account to buy cryptocurrency in January last year.

She transferred 22,601 into it from her current bank accounts in 35 transactions which included paying in money, using savings, an overdraft and loans for 7,000 and 5,000 taken out with the Royal Bank of Scotland.

She placed Bitcoin worth 20,547 into a so-called escrow intermediate account linked to the website before posting the order.

Prosecutors said she used a browser called Tor to search the dark web and found the website Online Killers Market which purported to provide hitmen.

Video shows the moment Helen Hewlett, 43, was arrested by police on suspicion of soliciting murder and stalking her ex-colleague

She posted a message under the user name 'Horses5' in a forum, saying: 'Need someone killed in Norfolk - vital it looks like an accident' before exchanging messages with a member of the site called 'Marksman'.

In on the order tracked by police, Hewlett had included the Mr Belton's name, his home address, work address and a photo of him.

During the trial, the court heard the married mother-of-five admitted to police during an interview that she went on the dark web to seek 'revenge' but denied she intended to kill her ex-colleague.

During a police interview, Hewlett insisted she had not intended for the killing to go ahead but had posted on a forum 'to vent'.

She stated that she still controlled the funds in the escrow account and believed no one else had access, adding: 'You have to give your OK for someone to be done.'

Det Sgt Mark Stratford, of the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit, said to the court that there was no indication that the account on the website was a genuine escrow account.

Det Sgt Mark Stratford of the police's Eastern Region Special Operations Unit told the court that the website claimed it could provide hitmen to shoot people or hit them with cars to make it appear deaths were accidental.

The website boasted of being 'the number one hitmen marketplace' with hundreds of hitmen drawn from gangs or former military personnel on its books.

It even provided a price list in US dollars, detailing a sniper shooting as costing between $20,000 and $60,000, an arson attack for up to $20,000 or a simple beating for as little as $2,000.

The website also claimed it could arrange deaths from undetectable poison or even snake bites, saying it had 'a 100 per cent job completion rate', said Mr Stratford.

It promised to activate hitmen on payment of fees into a so-called escrow intermediate account, saying it would not actually take the money until authorised by the client after it had been proved that a hit had been carried out, he added.

Real escrow accounts would have had a multi-signature wallet to authorise payment when all parties were in agreement.

Norwich Crown Court heard that the website appeared to be an 'absolute sham' designed to steal money from people who wanted someone killed, and that the cryptocurrency paid over by Hewlett had landed in an account in Romania.

But prosecutors argued that she had an intention to have him murdered, regardless of whether the website was fake or real.

Hewlett admitted not knowing whether the person she was communicating with on the site who went by username 'Marksman' would go ahead with it anyway.

Prosecuting Marti Blair said that after placing the advert Hewlett had searched for news articles about fatal road accidents, a body being found in a ditch in King's Lynn and someone being found dead on Holkham beach in Norfolk.

She was arrested on August 12 last year after police linked Bitcoin payments made to the website to her as she had paid out the cryptocurrency from a regulated Coinbase account which had recorded her name and personal details.

After Hewlett's arrest a marker was placed on Mr Belton's home address and phone numbers meaning that emergency calls would be treated as an 'urgent threat to life', the court heard.

Helen Hewlett, 43, paid more than 20,000 in Bitcoin into an online account on a dark web site called Online Killers Market

Hewlett gave her log-in details on the website to police after her arrest and officers cancelled her hitman order pretending to be her, but never got back any of the Bitcoin she had paid.

The court heard how Hewlett had earlier been told by police to stop trying to contact Mr Belton and was 'given words of advice' after she was suspected of making the malicious whistleblower complaint about him.

Hewlett is said to have ignored the warning and carried on putting money into her online account which she used to purchase Bitcoin to take out the contract on Mr Belton.

She did not give evidence in court, but told police that she had not really intended to have him killed.

Hewlett said: 'I put a post on a forum. It was to vent more than anything and to say things that I was feeling. It was more stupid than serious. It was a way of making me feel better.'

She claimed that she believed that Mr Belton would not be harmed until she gave her consent for a hit to go ahead.

Matthew McNiff, defending, described the website as an 'absolute sham' and its claims of providing hitmen as 'palpable nonsense'.

He said her posts about wanting Mr Belton killed had been a 'way for her to vent and feel that she was being heard and listened to'.

But prosecutor Marti Blair said that jurors might feel the people behind the website were 'scam artists seeking to fleece the desperate'.

But she added: 'We do not know if it was a scam or whether Paul Belton was genuinely at risk, probably the former, but the fact it was probably a scam should not impact on what her intention was.'

Judge Moore urged jurors to consider Hewlett's state of mind when she posted Mr Belton's details on the website

She said: 'Was Helen Hewlett a woman scorned, someone who was vengeful and who sought to solicit murder?

'Or was she vulnerable and needy, something of a keyboard warrior, but lacking the intention to kill?'

Speaking after today's sentencing, Detective Inspector Paul Morton said: 'We are very pleased that, after careful consideration, the jury have reached a guilty verdict on both counts.

'This has been a very complex and technical trial with a huge amount of information to consider. This is a rare type of offence and it just shows the dark web is still not a safe place for criminals to hide.

'Even if it wasn't proven that this was a real site, other people could have taken action themselves so we had to safeguard against that.'

The offence of soliciting murder has a maximum life sentence.
The wife of a bushcraft expert who disappeared on a walk like Nicola Bulley believes she will still find him because 'people dont just vanish off the face of the earth'.

Finn Creaney, a father of one from near Tain in the Scottish Highlands, has not been seen since Friday, March 25 when a family member dropped him off at a caravan park at the start of a solo hike.

His wife, Lucy, compared the case to that of missing mother-of-two Mrs Bulley, who has still not been found nearly two weeks after she was last seen walking her dog by the River Wyre in Lancashire.

'March 25th marks the first anniversary of my husband Finn Creaney's disappearance, and I have every faith we will bring him home,' she told the Telegraph.

'But as the family of missing mother Nicola Bulley will know, the uncertainty is torture, it is pain. You don't know how it will end, but you have to believe you will find the person you've lost. People don't just vanish off the face of the earth.'

Finn Creaney, a father of one from near Tain in the Scottish Highlands, has not been seen since Friday, March 25 when a family member dropped him off at a caravan park at the start of a solo hike. He's seen with his wife, Lucy, and their five-year-old daughter

Mrs Creaney revealed the devastating impact of her husband's disappearance on their five-year-old daughter, saying that when she cries she tells the youngster: 'Daddy has gone on one of his adventures.

READ MORE: The opposing theories on Nicola Bulley explained: Police and private diving team remain at loggerheads Advertisement

'I don't know what's happened, but I'm doing everything I can to get the answers. I love you, I love Daddy and I miss him.'

Finn Creaney - who ran a bushcraft and outdoor survival school - set out for a hike at Loch Naver in Sutherland on Friday, March 25. He had planned to walk around the loch before heading south to Golspie.

After driving to Golspie Beach car park and leaving his car, a family member dropped him off at a caravan park on the B873 road at 2.15pm.

This was his final confirmed sighting, with his phone cutting off at 1.47pm in the village of Lairg after either being switched off, broken or running out of battery.

The last time she heard from him was in a voicemail he left at 12.52pm in which he said 'I love you lots and I'm really proud of you'.

At the time she was about to start her own floristry business.

Mr Creaney had promised to be home by midday on Sunday, so when he had still not appeared by Monday his wife reported him as missing to the police.

Mr Creaney - who ran a bushcraft and outdoor survival school - set out for a hike at Loch Naver in Sutherland on Friday, March 25

Extensive searches were carried out by police, mountain rescue and coastguard teams in the following weeks, but he was never found.

Mrs Creaney said she sends a message to her husband every day in the hope he might see it.

'I believe Finn is still alive, because there's nothing to suggest he is not, especially as so much of the ground has been covered by search and rescue, friends, family, police divers and numerous others who have helped with the search, on foot, by air and in water,' she said.

Mrs Creaney is insistent her husband had no reason to disappear of his own volition, describing him as a 'lovely, happy, giving soul' whose bushcraft business was 'starting to take off'.

'We have been together for nine years, got married in 2021, and were very much looking forward to a bright future together. A mental health crisis this was not. Anyone who suggests that, doesn't know Finn like I do,' she wrote.

Addressing Mrs Bulley's family, she told them to 'keep the faith', adding that she would 'never give up hope' about being reunited with her husband one day.

Mrs Creaney is insistent her husband had no reason to disappear of his own volition, describing him as a 'lovely, happy, giving soul'

Mrs Creaney and her relatives are continuing their search, and have set up a Facebook page to raise awareness of his case.

In a post today, the family wrote: 'We want to be reunited with Finn as soon as possible!!

'It's been 10 months since Finn was last seen and there is still NO TRACE! People DON'T Just disappear.

'Finn was of sound mind and the happiest he's been when last seen so this disappearance is unexplainable and we want answers'

Mr Creaney's father, Michael, appealed for help finding his son late last year.

'I wanted everyone to know we're still positive, we are still moving forward,' he wrote.

Mr Creaney is described as 5ft 11in tall, of slim build, with light complexion and freckles on his arms and nose.

He has long brown hair down to his lower back and a full brown beard which is short in length.

When he was last seen he was wearing a long brown leather jacket and brown hiking books and carrying a green Berghaus rucksack.

The search for missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley continues today, with a diving expert called in by her family calling the case a 'complete mystery'.

Peter Faulding met her partner Paul Ansell yesterday and told him she had still not been found.

The mortgage adviser, 45, vanished on January 27 after dropping her two daughters - aged six and nine - at school, then taking her springer spaniel Willow for a walk along the river.

Ms Bulley's phone was left on the bench near the river, still connected to a work call, with the dog lead and harness found close by.

Members of the Assynt Mountain Rescue Team during the search for Mr Creaney

Mr Faulding and his team, from rescue operation Specialist Group International, have been searching the area around the bench, the 'entry point' where it is believed by police Ms Bulley fell into the water.

But he said their three-day involvement ended yesterday after a 'thorough and extensive search of the areas we were tasked with by Lancashire Police' found 'no sign of Nicola'.

On what he thinks happened to her, he said: 'It's a total mystery for me, I really don't know. In all the searches I've done, this is one which will stick with me.

'Normally we get tasked with, you know, searching for a knife or a body and there's been a witness to a drowning or we've got really good intelligence.

'The sort of information we've got here is a mobile phone on a bench but we don't know anything else.

'I'm glad really that we haven't found Nicola because I didn't want to recover another dead body.

'It just opens it up, is she alive, is she dead? Did she go in the river or didn't she? And I can't say one way or another. I'm baffled by it and I think most people are.'

Anyone who may have seen Finn Creaney or has any information which could assist should call 101, quoting reference 0912 of 28 March.
A transgender butcher - who police say is a man - charged in Scotland over an 11-year-old schoolgirl's disappearance has arrived at court in pink nail polish.

Andrew George Miller, 53, was charged after the child was found safe and well at a house near Galashiels on Monday night.

The suspect - who arrived at Selkirk Sheriff Court covered by a blanket but with polished nails visible - identifies as a woman called Amy George, but has both male and female identities on social media.

Miller's now-closed butcher's shop, Millers of Melrose, featured in one of JK Rowling's Strike novels and at one point the relevant passage was displayed in the window.

Police Scotland sparked a debate yesterday after declaring Miller is a man.

Andrew Miller arrived at Selkirk Sheriff Court covered by a blanket but with polished pink nails visible

Andrew George Miller, 53, has been charged over schoolgirl, 11, who had disappeared over this weekend

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has repeatedly referred to biologically male criminals by their chosen female pronouns.

Ms Sturgeon has come under sustained pressure over her Gender Recognition Reform Bill over fears it could make it easier for predatory men to pose as women.

She has faced a maelstrom of criticism in the wake of the Isla Bryson scandal which saw a rapist who attacked two women self-identify as a female in an apparent bid for easier jail time.

As is customary in Scottish law, it is not specified what offence or offences Miller has been charged with by police.

The suspect identifies as a woman called Amy George, but has two social media profiles and posts under both male (left) and female identities. Gender issues in Scotland have become an increasingly difficult issue for First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon, right.

Miller's Amy George social media page features a number of pictures in the suspect's female ID

A black and white photograph of Miller is on one of the charged suspect's social media pages

Under the male identity, Miller appeared to be very interested in Ms Sturgeon's new law, posting online in January this year: 'Silly billies in Westminster - Never mess with Scottish Transgender Issues.'

A team of forensic officers have been seen at Miller's home in the village of Gattonside.

It is three miles from where the primary pupil was last spotted before she went missing.

A neighbour said: 'A man was seen being put into the back of the police vehicle.

'It's a really affluent area and is extremely quiet so this has all come as a bit of a shock. The person who lives there used to run the butcher shop in Melrose.

'They use a woman's name now but were previously known as Andrew and are very well known in the community.'

The 53-year-old arrested over the disappearance was identified as a man in the police's publicity yesterday.

The Let Women Speak rally which was organised by the group Standing for Women in George Square, Glasgow, in support of the UK Governement's use of a Section 35 order to block Scotland's recent Gender Recognition Reform Bill

Demonstrators take part in the Let Women Speak rally which was organised by the group Standing for Women in George Square, Glasgow, over the weekend

A force statement said: 'A 53-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the disappearance of an 11-year-old girl from Galashiels, who was reported missing on Sunday, February 5.

'The girl was traced at a property in the Galashiels area at about 9.30pm on Monday, February 6. Inquiries into the circumstances are ongoing.'

Police who had been looking for her were joined by volunteers, Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team and the Borders Search and Rescue Unit, while a helicopter scoured the area.

Specialist water search teams trawled the River Tweed in the hunt for clues, while members of the public were urged to check their outbuildings and sheds for any sign of the missing youngster. Speaking at a press conference outside Galashiels police station on Monday, area commander Chief Superintendent Catriona Paton issued a plea for information.

Police publicly announced that the girl had been discovered 'safe and well' at about 10.30pm on Monday while thanking everyone for their search efforts.
Britain has been urged to seize a 6million mansion in Surrey owned by the family of a top Russian missile-maker.

Mkrtich Okroyan, 57, is chief designer of the Soyuz factory, which makes engines for the lethal KH-22 weapons used by Vladimir Putin to devastate Ukraine.

Dozens have been killed by strikes in Kremenchuk and Odessa, while 46 people, including six children, were left dead following an attack on an apartment building in Dnipro last month.

Now associates of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny are demanding Britain and the West take further action against Okroyan and his daughter Anna, who owns the mansion in Virginia Water.

Companies House records show Okroyan is listed as being a 'resident' of the United Kingdom, despite claims by Navalny's team that he has an active role with Soyuz in Putin's war machine.

Britain has been urged to seize a 6million mansion in Surrey owned by the family of a top Russian missile-maker

Mkrtich Okroyan, 57, is chief designer of the Soyuz factory, which makes engines for the lethal Kh-22 weapons used by Vladimir Putin to devastate Ukraine

It comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky touched down in the UK yesterday to meet Rishi Sunak and reiterate his call for fighter jets.

As well as Kh-22s, the plant can also provide engines for the Kh-59 and Kalibr missiles which have been used throughout the war.

'Okroyan is one of the instigators of this war,' said the Navalny team report.

'The Soyuz factory, Okroyan's overseas companies, and his entire family should be sanctioned, and their English assets seized. They were bought in blood.'

The team stated: 'The mansion was bought in 2020 for almost 6million, or half a billion roubles. Its only owner is Anna Mkrtichevna Okroyan.'

Title register documents seen by MailOnline confirm Ms Okroyan purchased the property for 5,750,000 in March of that year.

She had been earlier a director of Soyuz, at the age of 22, Navalny's associates claim - also stressing that neither Soyuz nor Okroyan have been sanctioned.

Okroyan and his wife Alla Baban are both listed as UK residents in official documents, and are also the registered owners of a business in Poland, another NATO country.

Now associates of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny are demanding Britain and the West take further action against Okroyan and his daughter Anna (pictured), who owns the mansion in Virginia Water

Ms Okroyan's home in Virginia Water is listed as the registered office address for British company Bento Minerals, which specialises in production of chemical raw materials for construction, water treatment and animal feed.

Okroyan actively attends military forums, involving other military corporations involved in Putin's war.

He has received a diploma signed by Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu.

As the anniversary of the conflict approaches, Britain has sanctioned more than 1,300 individuals and entities associated with Putin.

Companies House documents show that Bento Minerals has been dormant since 2017.

MailOnline has approached Ms Okroyan for comment.
Amateur detectives have reportedly been banned from the Nicola Bulley hunt after they began searching an abandoned house close to the spot where she vanished.

Police are said to have handed a dispersal order to a group of men who had travelled 50 miles from the Liverpool area to St Michael's on Wyre yesterday evening.

They apparently tried to search a property close to where Nikki vanished on Friday January 27 - but her friends said today that the property has already been 'searched from top to bottom by the police'.

One said: 'We are at the point where people coming to 'help' look for Nikki in this way is actually doing the complete opposite'.

It came as the hunt for the mother-of-two entered a 14th day and repeated warnings from the police for the public not to interfere with their hunt for Nicola. Earlier this week Lancashire Constabulary said it 'will not tolerate' people breaking into riverside properties.

A group of men from Liverpool were apparently dispersed by police as they tried to search this property

This is the area police have been searching for almost a fortnight but there is no sign of Ms Bulley

Lancashire Police Superintendent Sally Riley begged the public not to break into properties looking for Nikki

Speaking from the scene last night, TalkTV's Oliver Whitfield-Miocic said: 'The police here have just had to issue a dispersal order to a group of men believed to have travelled down from the Liverpool area.

'They wanted to go and search this abandoned house on the other side of the river where police believe Nicola Bulley had accidentally fallen in.

'All of this despite the police already having searched that area and, only 24 hours ago, the Superintendent in charge of this investigation asking people not to take the law into their own hands.'

A friend of Nikki's has since taken to social media to reveal she knows the the owners of the property.

Heather Gibbons, who has been speaking on behalf of the family, said she had personally spoken to the owner and he had searched the abandoned house and derelict outbuildings.

She said on Facebook: 'Here are some facts that need to be known.

'It's not abandoned. Its owned by a lovely family who have lived in this village for generations and would do anything they can to help in the search for Nikki.

'It has been searched, inside and outside, from top to bottom by the police. I have clarified this with the family themselves and also with the police. They have never refused entry to the police or told them they need a warrant to search'.

And in a warning to the public she added last night: 'Tonight multiple police units are out in St Michaels dealing with people trespassing, not only on this families land but also others. We are at the point where people coming to 'help' look for Nikki in this way is actually doing the complete opposite'.

People replied to the post, including one saying: 'There seems to be no SOLID facts except Nicola is missing. Timelines don't add up. This is exactly the reason there is so much speculation, confusion and allegations. I hope that behind the scenes the police do have actual facts that they are just choosing not to share, for whatever reason. Because there is still a chance Nicola is alive somewhere'.

It comes after a family friend of Nicola Bulley has also been forced to apologise to police after claiming they had failed to search an abandoned house near where missing mum went missing.

Tily Ann attempted to blame the police and media as she made an impassioned plea on social media for the property to be searched. But she has now apologised and said she was withdrawing from social media blaming comments and accusations that followed her outburst.

In an impassion Facebook post Tily Ann had said:' The abandoned house and outbuildings have not been searched as it is not currently a crime investigation !!!! (This should have been done straight away!)

But later the friend was forced to make a grovelling apology for getting her facts wrong.

She wrote on Facebook:' I would like to apologies for the confusion regarding the house.I was told last night it hadn't been searched but then tonight it was confirmed to me it has now in fact been searched.

'I apologies profusely if I've caused aby upset, this was absolutely not my intention.

'The whole purpose of this post is to make sure people understood the little details that were getting mixed up by the media/police and to hopefully answer everyone;s questions.

'I am going to be leaving social media as I just can't cope with all the horrendous comments and accusations. All I want to do is find Nikki.

'I really can't understand what on earth is going on at the moment, it doesn't make any sense.'

As well as officers from Lancashire Police searching the abandoned house a team a team from the Bowland Penine Mountain rescue team went through the house.

Ken Camplin said he and his team of 25 volunteers were walking through the grounds that overlook the River Wyre when they met the owner who allowed them to look round the property.

He said:' While the team was searching the grounds, the owner was there for some reason and we asked him to go in and he had a quick look round and she wasn't there.'

It came as the expert diver leading the river search for Nicola Bulley has dramatically called it off to declare she is not in the water - as he branded the case 'baffling' and said he 'did not know' whether the mother-of-two was still alive.

Peter Faulding, leader of underwater search experts Specialist Group International (SGI), said he had been 'determined' to find Nicola but that both he and her partner Paul Ansell, 44, were 'relieved' that he hadn't.

The pair met at the site of the search this morning in St. Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire, where Mr Faulding confirmed to Paul that Nicola 'is not here'.

The SGI team are leaving today and will not be helping Lancashire Police search the 'lower estuary' of the River Wyre. The force told MailOnline their search remains 'ongoing' and that there was no deadline in place for it to end.

It comes after police last night admitted that Nicola could have left the area with a third party when she vanished during a walk with her springer spaniel Willow at around 9.20am on January 27.

While police still maintain that she most likely fell into the river, superintendent Sally Riley, of Lancashire Police, said it remained a 'possibility' that the 45-year-old left the area by one path not covered by CCTV cameras - but added that 'every single' suspicion or criminal suggestion had so far been discounted.

Paul Ansell, 44, pictured with diving expert Peter Faulding who told the anxious father 'she's not here', during a third extensive day of searching along the River Wyre in Lancashire

Mr Faulding's team are seen packing up their gear as they abandon the search for Nicola on Wednesday

Police last night admitted that Nicola could have left the area with a third party when she vanished during a dog walk near the village of St. Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire, some 12 days ago (Pictured: Lancashire Police carrying inflatable Rib boats during the search for Nicola on Wednesday)

The path in question is crossed by the main road through the village, and officers are scrambling to trace dashcam footage from 700 drivers who passed along the route at the time she disappeared.

After reviewing other CCTV footage, police are confident that Nicola did not leave the field near the river via Rowanwater.

Mr Faulding had said that if his team did not find Nicola in the water using his sonar equipment, then it was his belief that she had not been in the river, raising the prospect of a 'third party' involvement in the disappearance.

Announcing he had called off the search on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Faulding said: 'We are happy that the area where Nicola's phone was found and the harness, we've thoroughly searched it from all the way down to the weir and up to the bridge, about a mile upstream, and we've confirmed to Paul [her partner] that there's nothing in that area.

'That's been dived by police dive teams three times as well... and on the day that Nicola went missing it was dived in the afternoon, with no sign of Nicola.'

He added: 'I've worked on some weird cases, but this is a baffling case. For someone whose mobile phone was found there... I would've expected Nicola to be found that afternoon by the police dive team, normally down in the water, but there was no sign of her.'

He said he simply 'didn't know' where Nicola was, adding: 'I was determined to find Nicola, but one good thing is that I didn't want to find a body, so I'm happy we haven't found Nicola's body, which can lead to other areas, so we don't know if Nicola is alive, this is just a baffling case.

'After the end of today, we've done what we've come here to do, we've cleared the area for the police and the family, we can say that in the top section of river and some of the section going down towards the sea, that she's not in that part.'

He said he could not comment on 'further down the estuary' because his team was not searching that area.

'We just want to bring some form of closure,' he added, 'And I say again that I'm happy we never found a body and Paul is relieved we found nothing up there.'

Mr Faulding said he was 'determined' to find Nicola but that he was also 'relieved' he did not find a body

Paul Ansell, partner of Nicola Bulley views the spot on the River Wyre where she went missing with private search investigator Peter Faulding (Hi-Vis jacket)

Nicola Bulley (pictured with her partner Paul) vanished while walking her dog Willow along the riverbed on January 27, moments after dropping her two children off at school. She was last seen at 9.10am by a fellow dogwalker, before her phone and her pup's harness were found on a nearby bench at around 9.20am, and the alarm was raised

The pair were joined by a senior detective and a friend of Nicola, who listened attentively as Mr Faulding explained how the water where police believe the 45-year-old drowned was particularly shallow

Lancashire Police gather their river searching equipment on the River Wyre in Lancashire on Wednesday

Specialist Group International continue their search of a stretch of the River Wyre where Nicola Bulley went missing at St Michael's on Wyre

Paul and Mr Faulding were this morning joined by a senior detective and a friend of Nicola, who listened attentively as Mr Faulding explained how the water where police believe she drowned was particularly shallow.

It comes as a video obtained by MailOnline shows Mr Faulding's sonar device scanning either side of the riverbank near St. Michael's on Wyre, where Nicola is feared to have fallen in.

The only sound that can be heard on the short clip is the outboard motor on the rear of the inflatable dinghy as the search team slowly meanders along the twisting river. The side scan sonar is able to 'see' to the bottom of the river and any major obstacle in its way would be detected on the film.

'This is not a spectator sport': Twisted tourists 'taking selfies on bench where Nicola left her phone' are told to stay at home A local parish council chairman has called for respect after people 'travelled for miles to take selfies on the bench' where missing Nicola Bulley's phone was found. The riverside path where the 45-year-old was last seen walking her Springer spaniel, Willow, has a steady footfall but in recent days, the paths have been rammed with visitors who have travelled to the village to watch the search in action, LancsLive reports. Visitors have reportedly travelled from as far afield as Lancaster and Manchester. People have also reportedly been posing for selfies with missing posters that have been put up in St Michael's on Wyre, as well as with the bench where Nicola's phone was found. Chairman of St Michael's Parish Council, Giles Phillips, condemned those taking ghoulish selfies and said 'it is not a spectator sport'. Giles said in recent days the village has seen an increase in families visiting the riverside to watch the search operation. He said: 'It would be helpful if people could let the authorities do their jobs. We don't want anyone to hinder the investigation. This is not a spectator sport. 'Most of the area is private land - the public access is very minimal and can't absorb the numbers of people who are coming every day. They aren't searching for somebody - they are watching someone else search for somebody. We would rather people stayed home or took a day trip to the Lake District.' Advertisement

Mr Faulding was convinced that if he was to find a body it would have been in the area close to where police say Nicola fell into the water.

The expert took MailOnline to the scene and pointed out that the water was fairly shallow - no deeper than 3ft - and covered with jagged rocks.

He said: 'If this is where Nicola fell in you can see that the water is not particularly deep. There are lots of rocks and if she was in the water she would be able to grab hold of them.

'No one heard any shouts for help and I just can't see how she could drown here.

'The only possibility is that she fell head first and was knocked out on the rocks, but I don't see how that could happen.'

Lancashire Police are working on the hypothesis that Nicola slipped into the water and drowned.

But last night police said it was still a 'possibility' she left the area by one path not covered by cameras which is crossed by the main road through the village, and officers were trying to trace dashcam footage from 700 drivers who passed along the road at the time she disappeared, around 9.20am.

They have extended their search 10 miles away towards Fleetwood and the Irish Sea in the belief her body has been swept away from the point of entry in the village of St Michael's on the Wyre.

Mr Faulding disputes the police theory that the body could have ended up so far away and in the Irish Sea.

Based on his 20 years of experience in finding drowning victims he insisted her body would have remained at the bottom of the river for several days and police would have found her.

His suggestion that a 'third party' could be involved and abducted the mother-of-two has put him at loggerheads with the police investigation.

The SGI team packed up their equipment and left the scene on Wednesday after they failed to find any evidence of her body in the water.

They had used their sonar to look around a weir about 200 metres from the main search area.

He said earlier on Wednesday: 'We want to sonar the first stretch of the river and if nothing is there then I am happy there is nothing there.

'My opinion is had Nicola gone in by that bench she would have gone to the bottom and drifted a couple of meters. The police divers who are very professional thoroughly searched that stretch of river and she wasn't there. There is hardly any current and in my experience, bodies do not move very far.

'It is not feasible that she could have drifted 15km, not in my experience and this type of tidal river. Things get washed in and washed out. It is very shallow. There is nowhere to go.'

The SGI team have been using a side scan sonar and Mr Faulding said the images it produces are crystal clear.

Paul Ansell, 44, pictured with diving expert Peter Faulding as he gave him updates on the search

Paul Ansell (right, partner of Nicola Bulley with private search investigator Peter Faulding (Hi-Vis jacket) after visiting the spot on the River Wyre where they believe Nicola disappeared

The partner of missing mother-of-two Nicola Bulley, Paul Ansell, (centre in sunglasses) shakes hands with Peter Faulding (in Hi-Vis), the underwater search expert called in by the family to help with the search

Paul Ansell, partner of Nicola Bulley, views the spot on the River Wyre where she went missing on January 27

Mr Faulding remains convinced that if he is to find a body it will be in the area close to where police say Nicola fell into the water (Pictured: Paul Ansell, far right, partner of Nicola Bulley views the spot on the River Wyre where she went missing)

Workers from a private underwater search and recovery company, Specialist Group International, including chief executive Peter Faulding (top), analyse their sonar machine

'You can see every stick and stone and can give a guarantee that from the bench to the weir she is not there.'

The side scan sonar being used by SGI creates an image of the river bed and is often used in marine archaelogy, environmental science and by the military.

It works by beaming out high frequency sound pulses in a wide fan shape from an dinghy floating on the surface.

The reflected pulses are recorded and processed to produce an image of the river bed and identify different materials and textures.

A member of his team told Mail Online that unlike in many movies where drowning victims are seen floating on the surface of the water that does not happen in real life.

'When someone drowns and we find them a couple of days later they are almost always on the bottom of the water. Their arms and legs are dangling down, a big like an Octopus shape.

'The body will remain on the bottom of the river for four or five days, and then depending on the current might start to drift.

'Unlike what people see in films the body does not instantly float to the surface.'

It comes after some critics accused Mr Faulding of having an 'ulterior motive' since making his feelings known, but the forensic expert rebuked the 'keyboard warriors', adding that he has devoted his life to trying to find missing people.

In a sign of tensions between police and Mr Faulding, police superintendent Sally Riley last night stressed that he was not party to all the details of their wider investigation.

She said: 'Our search has not found Nicola in the river and then a re-search in parts by SGI has found the same. That does not mean... that Nicola has not been in the river.

'In the light of other inquiries being discounted from the investigation so far... clearly our main belief is that Nicola did fall into the river.

'Clearly Mr Faulding isn't included within all the investigation detail any more than the members of the public are that I'm briefing through these sorts of press conferences.'

Mr Faulding later demanded that he be granted such access, adding: 'If there's any more facts that we don't know about - normally we work along the side of the police and if you haven't got the facts then you can't conduct a proper search, it is very difficult without that information. Normally, I'm privy to that information... it would be useful to know.'

It comes as police have extended the search for Nicola towards the sea after still finding no concrete evidence she fell into the river, while friend of the family Heather Gibbons was among the growing number to question their theory.

She told MailOnline: 'It's natural for everyone to have speculation, because the truth is, in this, nothing is making sense.'

Lancashire Police Superintendent Sally Riley pictured speaking to the media at St Michael's on Wyre Village Hall on Tuesday. She told reporters yesterday that Mr Faulding does not know all the facts of the case

Heather Gibbons (pictured) has joined Nicola's family and friends in questioning Lancashire Police's theory

While SGI divers concentrated on the area where Nicola's phone was found on a bench, finding nothing of interest, other dive teams continue to look further upriver towards Fleetwood and the Irish Sea.

Meanwhile, Supt Riley said the police investigation by her officers had been reviewed by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and they had not found any new line of inquiry that should be pursued.

The police chief warned 'amateur detectives' they would be arrested if they were found to be breaking the law while carrying out their own searches.

Abandoned and derelict buildings along the river have been broken into by members of the public carrying out their own investigations.

She added: 'There are some properties along the riverside which are empty or derelict and whilst it may be well-intentioned that people think that that could be a line of inquiry, I would ask them to desist from doing that.

'In some cases it may be criminal if they are breaking in, causing damage or committing a burglary.

'We have gone into derelict property - including ones on the riverside, (and) any under renovation that were empty - with the permission of those owners and their knowledge.'

'Because there is no criminal element yet identified, and we don't expect there to be in this inquiry, then we're not starting to go into houses because that's not where the inquiry is leading us,' she added.

Seemingly at odds with police, Mr Faulding previously said it was unlikely that Nicola was in the fast flowing River Wyre - adding that it was 'impossible' for the 45-year-old to have made it to the sea.

However, The Times reports that he told the newspaper it was in fact possible her body could have reached the sea by now due to the river's meandering course.

The bay is around 15 kilometres away from where Nicola is believed to have disappeared and where the River Wyre flows into the sea.

Mr Faulding also slammed 'keyboard warriors' who have accused him of having an 'ulterior motive' for joining the search last night.

He said: 'This is what you get for trying to help people. I have given my life to helping families looking for missing loved ones.

Nicola Bulley - a 45-year-old mother-of-two - went missing while walking her dog near the River Wyre on January 27

Nicola went missing 13 days ago and was last seen on the bank of the River Wyre in St Michael's on Wyre with police still unclear about what has happened to her

'Do our job searching in dark murky waters for a drowning victims. My team and I don't deserve this trash.'

Mr Faulding has also reportedly been ticked off by police over speculating about the disappearance after he said there could be third party involvement.

Meanwhile, Lancashire Police continued to rule out any 'suspicious or criminal' element on Tuesday.

'For Nicola to get out to sea would be impossible, literally, it's such a long way in the 11 days. It's an awful long way down,' Mr Faulding said.

Police revealed a team of 40 detectives are currently working on around 500 different lines of inquiry and more than 700 drivers who travelled through the village around the time of Nicola's disappearance are being traced.

Speaking at a press conference Tuesday, Supt Sally Riley said police had been supplied with an 'unprecedented' amount of information and leads.

She added: 'At the moment there are around 500 active pieces of information and lines of inquiry that we're working on to try and find answers for Nicola's family.

'This is normal in a missing person inquiry and does not indicate that there is any suspicious element to this story.

'The inquiry team remains fully open-minded to any information that may indicate where Nicola is or what happened to her.'

But the police chief emphasised that detectives have not yet come across any evidence of foul play.

'Any criminal or suspicious element has been discarded,' she said.

'It is important to stress that any information that comes in that indicates otherwise is being checked out all the time.

'We are not closed in any way to any particular line of inquiry but all these extensive inquiries, however, have so far found anything of note.'

Detailing the scale of the police inquiry Supt Riley said her team had received thousands of pieces of information 'from the public, wider community, the Bulley family and friends'.

Officers have conducted house to house inquiries in the village of St Michael's on the Wyre and hours of CCTV footage has also been analysed.

Police have identified 700 cars that passed through the village around the time Nicola disappeared and each driver is being contacted and asked to check any dash cam footage they might have.

The diving expert said it was 'impossible' for Nicola to be in the sea, saying that it was 'a long way down' to the estuary from where she went misssing

Police have said they are 'open minded' as to how the mother-of-two disappeared, but its working hypothesis remains that the 45-year-old fell into the river

Read more: How dog behaviour can disclose hidden clues to mysteries Dogs are believed to be able to find the last location of their owners through their sense of smell. Experts advise those searching should go back to where the dog was last spotted because it will backtrack to its owner and their scent. A dog's sense of smell is 10,000 times more powerful than a human and can pick up locational scent. If its home is far away and the dog can't find its owner, it will get worried and try to return home to somewhere familiar. In certain cases, some dogs will return home along or attempt to follow their missing owner, according to Colin Tennant, director of the Cambridge Institute of Dog Behaviour and Training, who wrote in The Sunday Times. Dogs cannot, however, process what is happening if a human falls into water. In this case, the dog might run along the bank looking for eye-contact or stop on the bank as the last place of detection. Advertisement

Supt Riley also said police would come down on people making vile comments on social media and speculating about the whereabouts of Nicola.

She added: 'This is an agonising time for the family, particularly her two little girls.

'I would ask everyone to remain constructive and cooperative with the inquiry and not do anything that would thwart us and hold us back from trying to find Nicola.'

But Mr Faulding hit back in an interview on GB News last night, saying all information should be made available to his team.

'If you haven't got the facts then you can't conduct a proper search. It's very difficult without that information.

'Normally I'm privy to that information on a lot of these searches.

'If there's more information I certainly don't know about it and it would be useful to know.'

It comes as family and friends of Nicola have questioned the police theory that she probably fell into the water.

And Mr Faulding said if his team could not locate her in the river then she is not there and he would not rule out 'third-party involvement' in her disappearance.

Mr Faulding previously said his 'gut instinct' tells him that Nicola is not in the water.

'I personally think if I rule this stretch of river out today where we're working I don't think she's here, I think there's probably a third party involved,' Mr Faulding told Good Morning Britain on Tuesday.

The forensic expert said he has spoken with Nicola's 'distraught' partner Paul Ansell to keep him updated on the search.

He said: 'I spoke to Paul last night and asked him if she had any enemies, any stalkers, the normal questions you would ask. And nothing, he said no. And she was totally normal that day when she left, nothing out the ordinary.'
The members of Memphis' SCORPION unit were all fired after Nichols' murder

Monterrious Harris says he was beaten by cops just miles from Nichols' beating

The former cops charged with the murder of Tyre Nichols have now been accused of beating another black man just three days earlier.

Monterrious Harris, 22, says he was beaten by same former policemen on Outland Road in Hickory Hill on January 4, just a few miles from where Nichols was stopped.

Members of Memphis Police Department's SCORPION unit Tadarrious Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Justin Smith and Desmond Mills Jr, were all fired due to their involvement in Nichols' death.

The five are also listed on the arrest affidavit for Harris' incident.

A police report states that Harris was arrested for driving towards detectives in his car and backing up at high speed, before attempting to flee the scene.

Monterrious Harris (pictured), 22, says he was beaten by same former policemen charged with the murder of Tyre Nichols

Harris is pictured here with injuries he says came from being beaten by the five cops

But the 22-year-old said he was approached by officers who threatened to shoot him if he didn't leave his car, beat him and slammed his head into the concrete.

Read more: Memphis PD will permanently SCRAP 'Scorpion' unit behind Tyre Nichols' killing An officer involved in the fatal traffic stop of Tyre Nichols is seen wearing a hoodie of the MPD's Organized Crime Unit, of which SCORPION is a part Advertisement

The alleged attack on January 4 would have occurred just three days before 29-year-old Tyre Nichols was beaten by the same five officers. Nichols died in hospital three days after the violent confrontation.

The five officers have since been charged with second-degree murder, assault, kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression and fired from their jobs - while the SCORPION unit has been disbanded.

Now Monterrious Harris says he was waiting for his cousin by the Twin Oak Apartments when the cops also approached him.

He said the cops, who were wearing ski masks, 'came out of nowhere' as he initially thought he was being robbed before he spotted the officer's vest, Local Memphis reported.

One officer banged on the window of his Chrysler 300 and the rest surrounded him. One threatened to shoot him if he didn't get out of the car.

Harris said: 'I was scared like I didn't know what to expect. After they already had me detained and stuff, they kept saying how they wanted to air my car out.

'One officer was laughing at the other officer like, "Oh youve got your red beam on." He was like "yes, I was ready to shoot him."'

Tyre Nichols, pictured, was beaten to death by officers on January 7 and died three days later from his injuries in hospital

Police hit Nichols, pictured, at least nine times during the nearly five minute altercation

Charged with second degree murder are (top, left to right) Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, and (bottom, left to right) Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith

Harris's arrest warrant lists the same five cops that three days later beat Tyre Nichols

According to Harris, one officer grabbed him and hit him 'a couple times' while the others 'closed in on me'.

A cop even slammed his head and punched him in the face, he alleges.

They only stopped beating him when he shouted out for his cousin and neighbours came outside.

Harris was taken to a criminal justice center before being taken to hospital and then being released back into police custody.

The police report accuses him of evading arrest, possession of a controlled substance, a convicted felon in possession of a handgun - which Harris says belonged to his cousin.

He has launched a federal lawsuit to sue the city of Memphis and its police department.

Lawyers on behalf of Harris at Spence Partners Law said: 'We filed a lawsuit because we believe we can prove that theres a policy and custom in MPD in which they violate the rights of young Black men like Monterrious.'

Harris said: 'Know your rights, for one, because these officers just do things and take action because they dont expect you to know.'

The alleged attack was just three days before Tyre Nichols was fatally beaten by the same cops.

A harrowing video showed Nichols crying out for his mother as he is pinned to the ground by multiple officers, pepper sprayed in the face, kicked and punched in the head, while struck with a metal baton.

Police hit him at least nine times during the nearly five minute altercation, just 80 yards from his home, as they continued to scream profanities at him.

The brutal timeline of Tyre Nichols's murder is pictured above - he had to wait nearly half an hour on the pavement for any significant medical treatment

Tyre Nichols's case became so high-profile that Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at his funeral, demanding police reform as a 'non-negotiable'

His parents, Rodney and RowVaughn Wells accepted an invitation to attend President Biden's State of the Union address on Tuesday (pictured)

Then, even after paramedics arrived, Nichols had to wait for nearly half an hour slumped over the pavement for any significant medical treatment.

Eventually, he was transported to a local hospital, where he would succumb to his injuries three days later.

Tyre Nichols's case became so high-profile that Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at his funeral, demanding police reform as a 'non-negotiable'.

His parents, Rodney and RowVaughn Wells accepted an invitation to attend President Biden's State of the Union address on Tuesday.

They were pictured applauding among the crowds after Biden acknowledged them in the address - one week after Nichols' funeral.

The President urged police departments to hold officers accountable.

Biden said: 'As many of you personally know, there are no words to describe the heartache of losing a child, but imagine, imagine if you lost that child at the hands of the law.

'Here is what Tyre's mother shared with me when I asked her how she finds the courage to carry on and speak out: She said her son was a beautiful soul, and something good will come of this.

'We have to do better. Give law enforcement the real training they need. Hold them to higher standards. Help them succeed in keeping us safe.'

In its first few months of existence, between October 2021 and January 23, 2022, SCORPION made 566 arrests.

Founded in October 2021 due to pressure over rising crime, SCORPION stands for Street Crimes Operation to Restore Peace in our Neighborhoods. Its mandate is to stem homicides, assaults and robberies.

Memphis officials have said the unit comprises about 40 officers in four teams concentrating on crime hot spots.

The Nichols case has raised concerns that the unit strayed from its core mission, had inadequate oversight and used tactics that increased the risk of violence.

It is not the fist time such units have faced scrutiny.

In 2020, following the police murder of George Floyd, New York City dismantled its Anti-Crime Unit, which operated with similar tactics and goals as SCORPION.

Last January, amid soaring violent crime, the Anti-Crime Unit was restricted weeks after Mayor Eric Adams, a former NYPD captain, took office vowing to get tough on crime.

Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis last month announced a review of all of the police department's specialized units including SCORPION in response to Nichols' death. She called the incident 'heinous, reckless and inhumane.'
China has hit back at the U.S. after the suspected spy balloon was downed, claiming accusations were 'part of the U.S. side's information warfare against China'.

At Thursday's daily briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning repeated China's insistence that the large unmanned balloon was a civilian meteorological airship that had accidentally blown off course.

She reiterated China's claim that the U.S. had 'overreacted' by shooting it down.

But the Pentagon said on Wednesday that the Chinese balloon shot down off the South Carolina coast on Saturday was part of a program involving a number of airships that China has been operating for 'several years'.

The Biden administration said the balloon was equipped to collect intelligence signals and was part of a huge, military-linked aerial spy program that targeted more than 40 countries.

Sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 recover a high-altitude surveillance balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in the Atlantic ocean on February 5, 2023

The downed spy balloon drifts to the ocean after being shot down off the coast of South Carolina, February 4, 2023

China 's suspected 'spy balloon' is seemingly part of a larger global surveillance plot by Beijing, a new report claimed on Wednesday

'It is irresponsible,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a daily briefing in Beijing.

The latest accusations 'may be part of the U.S. side's information warfare against China.'

Following the downing, China's defense minister refused to take a phone call from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to discuss the balloon issue on Saturday, the Pentagon said.

China has also not answered questions as to what government department or company the balloon belonged to, or how it planned to follow up on a pledge to take further action over the matter.

U.S. officials have since dismissed China's claims and agents from the FBI and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service are cataloguing debris recovered from the ocean and transporting it for further processing.

Similar balloons passed over U.S. territory on four previous occasions during the Trump and Biden administrations. However, the U.S. did not immediately identify them as Chinese surveillance balloons, Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said.

He added: 'subsequent intelligence analysis' allowed the U.S. to confirm they were part of a Chinese spying effort and learn 'a lot more' about the program.

'I can assure you this was not for civilian purposes ... We are 100% clear about that,' Ryder said.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning repeated China's insistence that the large unmanned balloon was a civilian meteorological airship, Beijing, October 13, 2022

Similar balloons passed over U.S. territory on four previous occasions during the Trump and Biden administrations. Pictured left: Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee, February 7, 2023. Pictured right: President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol, February 7, 2023

Top administration officials have been briefing members of Congress on the Chinese balloon surveillance program in classified sessions this week.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken canceled a visit to Beijing planned for this week in the wake of the incident, dealing a setback to efforts at arresting a further deterioration of bilateral relations that have spiraled to their lowest level in decades.

He said the U.S. has briefed dozens of countries on the program, which officials said has been active over five continents.

'The United States was not the only target,' he said at a news conference with visiting NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg.

Blinken said he and Stoltenberg had spoken about the 'systemic and tactical challenges' that China poses to the alliance and the importance of combatting them.

With China's tone sharpening over the balloon incident, it wasn't clear when Blinken's visit might be rescheduled.

Despite that, China's Commerce Ministry said Thursday it welcomed a proposed visit by U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, saying, 'Its very important for both sides to maintain normal communication.'

The remnants of a large balloon drift above the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of South Carolina, with a fighter jet and its contrail seen below it, February 4, 2023

The New York Times reported yesterday- citing three U.S. intelligence sources - the suspected spy balloon is part of Beijing's world-wide campaign of Chinese spying.

Intelligence sources told the paper the likely goal is reportedly to gather more information about American military bases as well as other countries' military capabilities.

Beijing has used the balloons because they can fly close to the earth without being detected. They are not immediately predictable to militaries and intelligence agencies as they aren't detected by radar.

They also produce clearer imaging than satellites as they can slowly hover over areas to gather intelligence.
This is the moment Dominic Raab appeared to give Sir Keir Starmer a 'death stare' during Volodymyr Zelensky's address to Parliament yesterday.

The Justice Secretary was captured looking rather intensely at the Labour leader as he chatted to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ahead of the Ukrainian president's rousing speech to MPs.

In the short clip, a frowning Mr Raab licks his lips while appearing to pay close attention to Sir Keir and Mr Sunak's interaction.

The video has garnered hundreds of comments and retweets on Twitter, with spectators convinced the deputy prime minister was 'enraged' by his political rival's presence.

Tony Blair's former spin doctor Alastair Campbell quipped: 'If Keir is found in a ditch tonight Raab better have a good alibi.'

The moment Dominic Raab appeared to give Sir Keir Starmer a 'death stare' during Volodymyr Zelensky's address to Parliament yesterday

In the short clip, a frowning Mr Raab licks his lips while appearing to pay close attention to Sir Keir and Mr Sunak's interaction

READ MORE: Putin chillingly threatens a 'response' if UK gives fighter jets to Ukraine: Kremlin sabre rattlers warn of 'military-political consequences for Europe and entire world' President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrive to meet Ukrainian troops being trained to command Challenger 2 tanks at a military facility in Lulworth, Dorset Advertisement

'Raab looks like he's about to eat Starmer,' another joked, while one said the seemingly fuming cabinet minister gave them a 'Greg Davies in The Inbetweeners vibe'.

One Twitter user branded Mr Raab's intense look a 'Vulcan death stare', as another joked: 'Starmer spills Raab's pint.'

One viewer simply asked: 'Is Dominic Raab okay?', while another said: 'Geez, Dominic Raab got REALLY angry at Keir Starmer, didn't he?'

Deputy Prime Minister Mr Raab held onto his role as Justice Secretary this week when the PM announced a surprise cabinet reshuffle.

It came despite calls for him to be suspended while an investigation continues into allegations of bullying against him.

The MPs had gathered to hear from Mr Zelensky, who was enjoying a ceremony-filled day in London in which he also met King Charles.

Dressed in his usual green fatigues, he received waves of applause as he made a historic address to both the lower and upper houses of parliament on what was only his second overseas trip since the war began.

He used part of his speech to ask for fighter jets to help defeat Vladimir Putin's forces, saying: 'I appeal to you and the world... for combat aircrafts for Ukraine, wings for freedom.'

'If Keir is found in a ditch tonight Raab better have a good alibi': Twitter users react to Dominic Raab giving Sir Keir Starmer a 'death stare'

The Prime Minister's office said Mr Sunak had tasked Defence Secretary Ben Wallace with 'investigating what jets we might be able to give but, to be clear, this is a long-term solution rather than a short-term capability'.

At a later press conference, speaking alongside Mr Zelensky in front of a British tank, the PM said 'nothing is off the table' for Ukraine - including fighter-combat aircraft.

'Of course they are part of the conversation', he said, but held back from giving a concrete commitment to provide fighter planes.

The Russian Embassy in London has since strongly warned the UK against supplying the warplanes, saying Britain would bear responsibility 'for another twist of escalation and the ensuing military-political consequences for the European continent and the entire world'.
'Women & The Police: The Inside Story' will air on ITV1 at 10:45pm tonight

The ITV documentary will present the testimony of three female police officers

A police officer joked that Wayne Couzens would not have been able to buy fuel to burn Sarah Everard's body during the petrol shortage in 2021, it has been claimed in a new documentary.

Women & The Police: The Inside Story is expected to expose the secretive attitudes within senior ranks of the police, airing claims that staff were told to delete social media messages following the damning report into Charring Cross police station.

The ITV's programme widens its lens from the Met and looks further at police forces across the country.

One serving West Mercia officer, Faye, claims a married senior officer groped her at a retirement party and was later promoted, despite her having complained about the incident.

She says that the senior colleague kissed her neck, touched her underneath her breasts, and when she did finally get away from him, he messaged her saying: 'Pretty girl, do you want to come back with me to the hotel, we can chat.'

It was claimed that an officer made a joke that Wayne Couzens wouldn't have been able to buy fuel to burn Sarah Everard's body during the petrol shortage in 2021

When she found the courage to complain he received only a warning for his behaviour, which she felt amounted to a sexual assault, because the officer was good at his job.

She said: 'It just felt like, 'don't worry about sexually assaulting or sexually harassing your colleagues because you are really good at your job.

'You're far too valuable to the police service to get rid of you, you can do what you like'.'

Neither the police or the CPS felt his behaviour amounted to criminal conduct.

Faye, who is now on maternity leave, says she may never return to the job she 'really loved' after she was transferred out of the Child Protection Team without warning or consultation.

She said: 'I felt that I was being punished. It felt so grossly unfair. I loved that job. I really, really loved that job.'

West Mercia Police told ITV: 'We strongly dispute that the officer was transferred from the Child Protection Team because of the allegations made.

'Inclusion is one of our core values. We want all our officers and staff to feel safe with their colleagues and actively encourage anyone who experiences or witnesses inappropriate behaviour, whether on or off duty, to report this without fear or favour.

ITV presenter, Julie Etchingham, interviews three female police officers in the 'Women & The Police: The Inside Story, which airs tonight on ITV1

One officer alleges that a police sergeant decided to re-explain the facts of a violent rape case to her, by relaying the the details with himself in the role of the suspect and her in the role of the victim

'We are committed to proactively rooting out those who are not suitable for policing'.

Another serving officer, who the programme calls Emma, says she was targeted after making a complaint about an officer who rubbed himself up against one of her junior colleagues, and was moved from her job.

She says: 'They just came down on me like a ton of bricks, you watch the ranks close because that's exactly what they do. You've got similar ranking officers investigating their mates, how on earth can you even think that that would be fair?'

A former female officer from the Met Police, known as Rachel in the programme, worked in the Serious Sexual Offences Unit, where she knew of a man working for the unit at the same time as her, who was nicknamed 'The Rapist'.

She also alleges that a police sergeant decided to re-explain the facts of a violent rape case to her, by relaying the the details with himself in the role of the suspect and her in the role of the victim.

When she reported it to his line manager she was told he was nearing retirement and didn't know that it was inappropriate.

She added that male officers also celebrated when a rape complaint wasn't pursued by a woman.

And that during the petrol shortage in 2021, a colleague trained as a specialist in sexual offences joked that Wayne Couzens wouldn't have been able to buy fuel to burn Sarah Everard's body.

Couzens raped and strangled Ms Everard, before burning her body in a refrigerator close to an area of woodland he owned in Hoads wood, near Ashford in March 2021.

Baroness Louise Casey, the peer leading a review into standards and culture in the Met Police said she is not sure how much worse a crisis UK policing could face

Rachel says that, following a complaint to her Sergeant, the SOIT (Sexual offences investigative trained) officer told her: 'I know your line of humour, I won't cross that line with you in the future.'

In the interview with ITV presenter, Julie Etchingham, Rachel says on the day the damning report into Charing Cross police station came out, staff were told by a senior officer to delete dodgy Facebook and WhatsApp messages.

'As a result of that, everyone in the Met had to watch this presentation, your attendance was noted in that meeting, a superintendent took it,' she says.

She adds that the superintendent then requested everyone to go and have a look at their Facebook and their WhatsApp and 'delete everything that you think could be reported'.

'And I started looking around the room, I thought she was joking because I thought surely no one has those messages because they shouldn't, you know, exist,' said Rachel.

Julie Etchingham then asks her: 'So just to be absolutely clear. So this was a senior police officer, telling serving officers to go and delete whatever they got on their phones?'

Rachel responds: 'Yeah.'

Ms Etchingham then follows this up, and asks: 'I mean, it is utterly shocking. It's a cover up, isn't it?'

Rachel replies: 'Yeah, it was sort of, this is the official line that I have to read you but I'm telling you now, go home tonight and get rid of all the evidence'.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police told the MailOnline: 'The behaviour described by this former officer is totally unacceptable.

'It refers to an appalling level of disrespect and behaviours and it is not what we expect anyone to have to endure.

'We have recently added more ways for our officers and staff to report wrongdoing, criminality and any form of discrimination.

'We are determined to root out those who are corrupting our integrity and create an environment where victims have the confidence to come forward and know action will be taken'.

Baroness Casey tells ITV presenter Julie Etchingham that 'the system leans in behind the perpetrator to protect the status quo and to keep things as they are'

Talking about the complaints and misconduct system in the police, Baroness Casey says: 'Not one person that we have listened to has had a positive experience of the [police] misconduct system

After hearing some of the evidence presented in the programme, Baroness Louise Casey, the peer leading a review into standards and culture in the Met Police said she is not sure how much worse a crisis UK policing could face.

When reporter Julie Etchingham asks, in the light of the in-depth research the Baroness has done for her review, how big a crisis point this is for the police, she says, 'I don't know how much worse it could be.'

Baroness Casey says: 'Well, they shouldn't be in those jobs, we cannot have men like that in serving police forces, we've worked so hard to persuade younger women not to put up with violence, the abuse, the day to day misogyny, and to call out for what it is.'

Talking about the complaints and misconduct system in the police, Baroness Casey says: 'Not one person that we have listened to has had a positive experience of the [police] misconduct system.

'You know, a single misconduct allegation can take 400 days, that's over a year to resolve, the majority of those go nowhere, which tells you something else.

'So, in a nutshell, the system leans in behind the perpetrator to protect the status quo and to keep things as they are.'

ITV say that the Metropolitan Police did not respond to any of the specific allegations made in this programme.

Instead they referred ITV to remarks made last month by Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, who said:

'We must improve dramatically for London. But lifting the stone reveals painful truths that will not be resolved overnightWe have to prepare for more painful stories as we confront the issues that we face.'

'As we put in more resources, more assertive tactics, as we're more open to people reporting incidents both from within the organisation and from the public and as we more determinedly take on these cases, it will tackle the problems we face . to finally rid the organisation of those who corrupt our integrity.'

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police told the MailOnline: 'We are grateful to Baroness Casey for her ongoing work to shape urgent change at the Met.

'Trust, particularly among women, has been profoundly shaken and we are determined to rebuild it'.

Women & The Police: The Inside Story airs on ITV1 at 10.45pm tonight
Volunteers left fearing for their safety after a row over the swans in Cheltenham

Rival swan rescue groups have gone to war with each other after trading accusations of violence, verbal abuse and animal cruelty.

Feathers were ruffled two years ago when a mute swan called Zelda mysteriously died after breaking a leg on the ornamental lake at Pittville Park in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.

Some members of the Pittville Swans and Friends group claimed she was killed in an act of cruelty and quit to set up their own rival group, The Pittville Swan Watch, to care for the protected birds.

The volunteers now wear bodycams while patrolling the lake following claims of threats of physical violence.

Tina Ingram, founder of the Pittville Swan Watch group which claims they are backed by Defra and the RSPCA, said: 'As far as I'm concerned we are the official swan welfare organisation - I have such a bond with the birds, they know me because I'm at the lake every day.

Pittville Swan Watch group founder Tina Ingram, 57, (pictured at Pittville Park) was reported to police for swearing at rival group leaders

She reportedly shouted 'f***ing murderers' at rival Pittville Swans and Friends group leaders Simone and Christopher Heathershaw, 56 and 68, (pictured)

Ms Ingram (pictured with a swan) said: 'The police told me I have to be careful... but if she starts gobbing off at me, I'm not the sort of person to say nothing back'

Pittville Park is north of Cheltenham, in Gloucestershire, and boasts a picturesque lake

'A lot of people had concerns because of the way Zelda was mistreated so I set up another group and there's been nothing but trouble ever since. It's like we're at war.'

Volunteers from both groups have started wearing body cams to record physical and verbal attacks as they patrol the picturesque lake.

Police are investigating incidents of harassment and Ms Ingram was reported to police for shouting 'f***ing murderers' to rival group leaders Simone and Christopher Heathershaw, 56 and 68, who were tending to swans from a boat on the lake.

Police made her sign an acceptable behaviour order, which is a warning before an anti-social behaviour order is issued.

Ms Ingram said: 'The police told me I have to be careful and the warning letter I've signed says I'm not allowed to go near the Heathershaws.

'But if she starts gobbing off at me, I'm not the sort of person to say nothing back.'

Ms Ingram, described on the rival group's Facebook page as a 'vile, hate-filled, narcissistic harpy,' is taking sleeping tablets to help her through the conflict.

The retired tanning salon worker has even been banned from the boathouse cafe (pictured) at the park after allegedly threatening to pour boiling hot coffee over Mrs Heathershaw

Volunteers have been left fearing for their safety after a row over the swans in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

The retired tanning salon worker has even been banned from the boathouse cafe at the park after allegedly threatening to pour boiling hot coffee over Mrs Heathershaw.

She said in one heated confrontation on the path around the lake Mr Heathershaw waved his walking stick at her, almost hitting her in the face.

Retired RAF Squadron Leader Mr Heathershaw, denies the claim saying he was using the retracted telescopic stick to make a point during a public row about the swans.

The rivalry is so intense that members of both groups set their alarms for daybreak to race each other to the lake every morning.

In the summer it was not unusual to see a member of one of the groups at 4am keeping an eye on Zelda's partner George who has paired up with another female called Maisie to produce seven cygnets.

Mrs Heathershaw said: 'We reported Tina to the police for screaming abuse at us while we were on the lake'

She added: 'One of our members is in therapy because of this. Whenever she sees us in the park she gives us the finger and makes other rude gestures'

Council workmen repair fencing around the island on the lake where swans have nested

Ms Ingram claims George and Maisie were kidnapped over Christmas but the Pittville Swans and Friends Group say the birds were removed to a local swan sanctuary after their feathers became contaminated with cooking oil.

They have posted pictures of the swans covered in oil onto their Facebook page and say the birds will be returned to the lake when fully recovered.

Mrs Heathershaw said: 'It is a ridiculous state of affairs. We should be able to get on because of our shared passion for the swans in the park. We all want the same thing.

'I don't feel safe when Tina is around. I wear a bodycam when I'm in the park and we've had security cameras fitted to our home because of this.

'One of our members is in therapy because of this. Whenever she sees us in the park she gives us the finger and makes other rude gestures.

'We reported Tina to the police for screaming abuse at us while we were on the lake.

'We didn't start this. We are defending ourselves and don't want to hang our dirty washing out in public.'

A Gloucestershire Police spokesman said: 'We are aware of ongoing issues involving members of two Swan watch groups based in Cheltenham.

'One of the members was given an acceptable behaviour contract after several reports were made to police.

'The complaints received related to posts issued on social media, unwanted visits to home addresses and the harassment of those using Pittville Park.'
Tories hit back at 'blustering' Vladimir Putin today after he threatened a 'response' if the UK supplies fighter jets to Ukraine.

Ministers have been warned that while they need to take Russian sabre-rattling 'seriously' the best way of avoiding escalation is to give Kyiv the 'tools' to end the war.

Volodymyr Zelensky delivered an emotional appeal for Western aircraft yesterday as he made his first visit to Britain since the invasion last year.

The plea was backed by Boris Johnson among others - but while Rishi Sunak has announced that the UK will start training Ukrainian pilots he cautioned that it will take time before they could operate the RAF's Typhoons or F35s.

The Prime Minister this morning said he had discussed further support for Ukraine with Mr Zelensky yesterday, but stressed the 'first step' is training the country's pilots.

Downing Street indicated that Ukrainian pilots will be trained on British fighter jets as well as simulators, while also being instructed on Nato tactics.

Experts have suggested that there are practical reasons why the Swedish Grippen jet might be a better option for Kyiv's efforts to repel Russian forces.

However, the Russian Embassy in London has warned that if Britain goes ahead it would bear responsibility 'for another twist of escalation and the ensuing military-political consequences for the European continent and the entire world'.

Tory MP Bob Seely, a member of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, told MailOnline that Russian threats had to be 'taken seriously'.

But he added: 'A lot of what Putin says is clearly bluster designed to break the umbilical bond between Ukraine and its Western allies.

'We should not be swayed by Russian threats but we do need to be mindful of them. My worry is that at a certain point a desperate Putin will seek to dangerously escalate this war.

'For me the least dangerous course of action is to give Ukraine the tools to do the job this summer. There are no good options, but everything else is worse. Anything that prolongs the war increases the risk of escalation by the Russians.

'I suspect the Russians are blustering but we need to make sure our defences are robust, whether that is cyber, the protection of our physical infrastructure or British interests around the world.

'Unfortunately we have cut down on defence too much in the last 20-25 years.'

President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrive to meet Ukrainian troops being trained to command Challenger 2 tanks at a military facility in Lulworth, Dorset

Moscow has threatened a 'response' if the Government does supply planes. Pictured: Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with the secretaries of the security councils of several countries on the Afghan problem at the Kremlin

Downing Street acknowledged the Government has an eye on the potential risk of escalation as it considers sending warplanes to Ukraine, but hit back at Moscow to say that it is 'Russia that continues to take escalatory action with their bombardment of civilians and continue their illegal war'.

Britain has offered to train Ukrainian fighter pilots on top of an existing programme that has already prepared 10,000 troops for battle.

Mr Johnson has urged the UK to offer all its fighter jets and tanks, saying that countering Russian aggression was the 'best use' for the UK's 100 Typhoon jets and similar stocks of Challenger tanks.

At a joint press conference with Mr Zelensky last night, Mr Sunak cautioned that it will take 'some time' to train Ukrainian fighter pilots.

But he denied there was any reticence, adding: 'Throughout this conflict we have been out in front.'

He said it was important Ukraine pilots can 'actually operate the aircraft that they will be using'.

At a joint press conference with Volodymyr Zelensky following a tour of a training base for troops in Dorset, Rishi Sunak said the West must 'arm Ukraine in the short term' and 'bolster' it in the long-term

Mr Zelensky enjoyed a ceremony-filled day in London, where he also met King Charles and addressed parliament.

Dressed in his usual green fatigues, he received waves of applause as he made a historic address to both the lower and upper houses of parliament on what was only his second overseas trip since the war began.

He said: 'I appeal to you and the world... for combat aircrafts for Ukraine, wings for freedom.'

No10 said Mr Sunak had tasked Defence Secretary Ben Wallace with 'investigating what jets we might be able to give but, to be clear, this is a long-term solution rather than a short-term capability'.

In the meantime, the new UK training will 'ensure pilots are able to fly sophisticated Nato-standard fighter jets in the future'.

Speaking alongside Mr Zelensky in front of a British tank, the PM said 'nothing is off the table' for Ukraine - including fighter-combat aircraft.

'Of course they are part of the conversation', he said, but held back from giving a concrete commitment to provide fighter planes.

Mr Zelensky said fighter jets had been discussed and reiterated his call for longer-range missiles.

He added: 'I didn't even know it takes three years to train a pilot like that.

'Come on, we will be sending you pilots who have already trained for two and a half-years.'

After dining with Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Sholz in France overnight, Mr Zelensky is meeting EU leaders in Brussels today.

Pushed on whether the UK would provide jets, Rishi Sunak said 'nothing is off the table' and stressed Britain is now going to start preparing the Ukrainian air force

While the UK operates F-35 and Typhoon jets, the older F-16s widely used by other Nato states are seen by many as a better option and easier to deploy.

However, a UK decision to offer planes would be symbolically important and put pressure on other countries to follow suit.

Mr Zelensky told the press conference last night: 'You've just asked me what would happen if we don't get these fighter jets or longer-range missiles, or we don't have enough ammunition, because everything obviously is running out and coming out of maintenance.

'Without the weapons that we are discussing now and the weapons that we just discussed with Rishi earlier today and how Britain is going to help us, you know, all of this is very important. Without this, there would be stagnation which will not bring to anything good.'

Mr Seely said the UK's Typhoon and F-35 are 'not necessarily a practical option for the Ukrainians'.

'A much better bet is the Swedish Grippen, which is designed to be used by conscript soldiers. Ukraine is being forced to use roads as runways,' he said.

'The Grippen is much more versatile it is the plane of choice for the Ukrainians.'

Discussions are taking place over supplying the Harpoon anti-ship missiles - which have a range of 150 miles - to Ukraine.

Storm Shadow air-to-surface cruise missiles, with a range of 250 miles, are also said to be on the table.

There have been tensions between Mr Zelensky and both Mr Macron and Mr Scholz over the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the ongoing war.

A diplomatic source in Paris said: 'Mr Zelensky was due to touch down at Orly airport before 9pm, and then get to the Elysee for the dinner, but clearly there is a delay.

'Security staff and other officials are still waiting for the plane. When Mr Zelensky finally arrives, he will be escorted to the Elysee.'

As a Republican Honour Guard waited for Mr Zelensky's plane, a red carpet was laid out on the Oly runway, and the soldiers marched around it to keep warm.

Despite this, there was still no sign of Mr Zelensky when Mr Scholz arrived at the Elysee just before 9.30pm.

Mr Scholz has said Germany would not be drawn into a 'public bidding war' over military support for Ukraine, The Telegraph reports.

The German Chancellor has repeatedly rebuffed pleas from Ukraine to supply fighter jets, following criticism over the time it took for him to give the green light for the provision of tanks.

Instead, speaking in parliament, he accused his critics of engaging in 'a public bidding war according to the principle of battle tanks, submarines, battleships: who can offer more. Germany won't get involved.'
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby fought back tears last night as he rebuked 'outsiders' trying to force the Church of England to change its teaching in regard to marriage and blessings services for gay couples.

The Synod - known as the church's parliament - is considering a motion which repents for the church's failure 'to be welcoming to LGBTQI+ people' by introducing proposals for clergy to bless same-sex couples.

Within the proposals, the position on gay marriage will not change and same-sex couples will still be unable to marry at church.

At a debate last night, members rejected 16 attempts to change the proposal to offer blessings for same-sex couples.

The Synod eventually voted in favour of a motion to offer blessings to same-sex couples in civil partnerships and marriages today.

The Archbishop of Canterbury spoke passionately at the Synod last night

Justin Welby referenced being held hostage in Nigeria during his speech

The Archbishop is in favour of offering blessings to same-sex couples

Thus far bishops have rejected calls for vicars to conduct same-sex weddings but have apologised for the homophobia people have suffered in the church and suggested that new blessing services should be allowed.

However some traditionalists say this goes too far and will fear that the proposed introduction of gender-neutral language is another example of the church attempting to boost dwindling congregations as young people increasingly stay away.

An emotional Most Rev Justin Welby - who backs blessings for gay couples- criticised politicians who want to force through the church's acceptance of gay marriage.

Both Labour's Ben Bradshaw and the Conservatives' Chris Loder have suggested they'd consider using legislation against the church to force its hand in allowing gay marriage.

Drawing on his own experiences being held hostage for his beliefs in Nigeria where he would be 'killed in the morning', Welby passionately defended the members of the Anglican Communion standing by their beliefs.

Welby had already said last month that he welcomes the proposals but will not personally carry them out due to his 'pastoral responsibility for the whole communion'.

Welby has said he would not personally carry out changes due to his 'pastoral responsibility for the whole communion'

Labour's Ben Bradshaw has intimated he would look to legislation to force the change

During the debate, he added: 'I am supporting these resources, not I think because I'm controlled by culture, but because of scripture, tradition and reason evidenced in the vast work done over the last six years so ably by so many. I may be wrong. Of course I may.

'But I cannot duck the issue any more than anyone else here.

'I ask each member of Synod to vote with their spirit-inspired consciences, scripturally or spiritually guided, and not because groups or lobbies or outsiders have told you to.

'I have heard them over the last two weeks in Parliament and being told exactly what to do, I'm not doing any of it.

'This isn't something I take lightly.

'There is nothing in my life or heart or prayers that comes as high as the safety and flourishing of the people I love in the Anglican communion.'
Amy Robach reportedly received a larger severance package than T.J. Holmes following the couple's exit from Good Morning America over their scandalous affair.

The former GMA3 co-hosts both received handsome packages, but Robach, 50, is believed to have edged her new partner.

Both TV anchors were fired by ABC bosses last month after DailyMail.com revealed the married co-anchors were having an illicit off-screen affair.

The specific details of the settlement remain a closely guarded secret, but Robach is understood to have secured a bigger payout due to her increased presenting responsibilities and longer employment history with the ABC network.

The now unemployed duo had been spending time together in LA since their exit, but are back in New York. This week Holmes gifted Robach a 'promise ring' on a gold chain.

The former GMA3 co-hosts both received handsome packages, but Robach, 50, is believed to have edged her new partner. Pictured: Amy Robach and T. J. Holmes appear at the Disney 2022 Upfront presentation in New York, May 17, 2022

T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach were spotted together on the evening that news broke that they had left GMA, January 27, 2023

An insider told Page Six: 'Amy's been at ABC a lot longer and has a much bigger contract [than T.J.].'

Robach spent over a decade at the ABC network, while Holmes, 45, joined in 2014.

She was also considered to have a greater profile within the company than her new partner, and appears on more programs.

Robach co-hosted GMA3 alongside Holmes, but also appeared on magazine show 20/20 - a gig sources told Page Six she 'worked really hard to get'.

The details of the pay-out are unknown but Page Six reported both Robach and Holmes are likely to have received what the remainder of their contracts were worth.

A Page Six source said: 'It's possible they could have gotten paid slightly more to sign an NDA  and to keep the peace.'

ABC bosses finally made a decision over the anchors' future last month - some three months after DailyMail.com first reported the affair.

It was reported that Robach and Holmes were unable to reach an agreement with the network over their roles at Good Morning America but bosses said 'several productive conversations' were had.

The announcement of the pair's sacking from the network followed in an email sent to ABC staff.

'I want to share with you that we've reached a decision about T.J. and Amy,' the email said.

Both TV anchors were fired by ABC bosses last month after DailyMail.com revealed the married co-anchors were having an illicit off-screen affair

Holmes and Robach have split from their respective partners after news broke of their affair. Pictured: Holmes and Robach kissing in Miami, December 28, 2022

Amy Robach and TJ Holmes were fired by bosses at ABC News. Pictured: the former co-hosts in March 2022

The email to staff continued: 'After several productive conversations with Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes about different options, we all agreed it's best for everyone that they move on from ABC News. We recognize their talent and commitment over the years and are thankful for their contributions.'

'I know that this has been a distraction for so many of us, but let's not forget all the great work that continues to make ABC News the #1 news network in America, and that's because of you. I want to thank you again for your patience and professionalism during this time.'

Privately, Robach and Holmes were reportedly accused by network bosses of not handling their romance appropriately and waiting too long to disclose it to executives.

Sources told DailyMail.com the network felt their 'behavior on set' was 'uncomfortable' for ABC staff.

The scandal also left both Holmes' and Robach's marriages in tatters.

Robach and Holmes have since split with their partners, ending their respective 12-year marriages.

The scandal also left both Holmes' and Robach's marriages in tatters

Robach and Holmes have since split with their partners, ending their respective 12-year marriages. Pictured: Holmes and Marilee Fiebig, pictured together in 2012, and Robach and Andrew Shue in March 2022

A friend of the new couple said they are both now under a lot of pressure following their exit from ABC and their pending divorces.

'It's kind of proof of how committed they are to each other that they've weathered this sh**storm after their secret love affair was exposed,' the source said.

'They were suspended from GMA3 and then waited for agonizing weeks as ABC kept them in limbo about their future.

'But don't forget that T.J. and Amy were friends long before they were lovers. Their relationship began with an awfully strong bond that - to this point - has only become, well, more.'

Another DailyMail.com source said: 'What the future holds for T.J. and Amy professionally is hard to say right now. Their on-air chemistry would probably be magnified and audiences would gravitate to them. But there still a lot of baggage there - especially for him.'
An Australian citizen on the run from Italian police for seven years over alleged mafia-related drug trafficking has been arrested in Bali.

Antonio Strangio, 32, was arrested at Bali's international airport last week after stepping off a flight from Bangkok to transit to Australia where he has been living in Adelaide since 2016.

His presence at Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport triggered an Interpol 'red notice' global arrest warrant over the alleged intended sale of 160kg of marijuana in Italy in 2014 as an associate of the notorious 'Ndrangheta mafia clan.

Australian citizen Antonio Strangio (pictured right) has been arrested in Bali over Mafia-related drug trafficking in Italy

An arrest warrant was issued for Strangio in 2015 as part of a wider anti-mafia operation.

Strangio is being held by Indonesian authorities and faces extradition to Rome, where he could face up to 30 years in prison if found guilty.

According to a report in Italian newspaper La Repubblica, police in southern Italy knew of Strangio's whereabouts and had even warned him they were keeping tabs on him.

However, Strangio reportedly felt safe because of his Australia citizenship.

Although he was born in the southern Italian region of Calabria, Strangio is an Australian citizen by descent.

Strangio (pictured centre right) has been on the run from Italian police for seven years, which he has spent living in Adelaide

He applied for and was granted citizenship in 2011 and was travelling on an Australian passport when captured, Indonesian police said on Wednesday.

Strangio has been working as a construction contractor and his address was listed at Norton Summit in the Adelaide Hills.

He is believed to have family in Adelaide.

Police said Strangio had been 'co-operative' and had admitted he was the person the Italian police had issued the warrant for but denied any involvement with drug trafficking.

Australian consular officials have been liaising with Indonesian police over the arrest.

A spokesman for the Australian Federal Police said Strangio's 'arrest' was 'a matter for authorities in Italy and Indonesia'.

Italian prime minister Georgia Meloni (pictured) welcomed Strangio's arrest as part of a crackdown on the notorious 'Ndrangheta mafia

Italian prime minister Georgia Meloni said Strangio's arrest was the third apprehension in a few days of prominent 'Ndrangheta members and congratulated Italian police.

In June 2022 it was reported that Australian police had identified more than 5000 Italian mafia members operating in Australia using AN0M, a Trojan horse app the underworld was tricked into using.

The resulting Operation Ironside led to police investigating 51 Italian organised crime clans in Australia, including 14 from the Calabrian 'Ndrangheta.

The 'Ndrangheta are believed to be responsible for trafficking 70 per cent of the world's cocaine and in Australia they have also been linked to cannabis and methamphetamine trafficking.
A disturbing social media trend is prompting teenagers to attack unsuspecting victims in public while others film the brutal assault.

Videos of the attacks involving teens from South Australia's Port Augusta have emerged in Facebook groups where members are encouraged to continue the violence and upload more footage.

In one of the videos, a woman shopping at a Woolworths store is savagely beaten by a teenage girl while her friend records and eggs her on.

A new social media trend is prompting teens in South Australia's Port Augusta to bash random civilians on footage to be posted to Facebook groups

In the clip, the girls can be seen casually walking into the supermarket before deciding on their target - an unsuspecting women pushing a shopping trolley who happens to walk in front of the girls.

'Bash the s*** girl, bash her,' the girl behind the camera says to her friend.

The vicious beating then begins, as the teenager grabs the woman's hair dragging her to her knees.

She is then kicked and punched in the head numerous times in front of other shoppers, including children, who screamed in horror.

The woman was left with cuts and bruises to her head, but she says the psychological effects have been the most painful.

'I can't go down to the shops like Woolies, Coles or Big W without someone with me because I'm too scared,' the victim, Jessica Burk, told 9News.

'Those attackers will be after me. I know they will.'

The same attacker appears to be a main offender in several other videos, assaulting other teenagers in parking lots and in the street.

One of the victims, Jessica Burke, is now too afraid to shop alone after she was kicked and punched in the head numerous times (pictured) while shopping at Woolworths

SA Police commissioner, Grant Stevens, said anyone who is egging on the behaviour can also be charged, not just the attacker.

'It is an offence to incite an offence,' he warned.

'If people are actively engaging in an activity that encourages other people to commit a crime then they can be held accountable for that.'

However, some Port Augusta residents claim that even though the teens are being charged, they are later released on bail.

'These days it's just a slap on the wrist and send you on your way,' Ms Burk's partner, Tarquin Gray said.

'The system has just gone backwards'.

'It is very complex and it is made more complex when it involves young people committing offences,' Mr Stevens said.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky fought back tears during a speech to the European Parliament today in which he told leaders: 'We are defending you on the battlefield.'

Standing at the podium before the parliament in Brussels, Zelensky opened his impassioned speech with the words: 'Slava Ukraini', translating to 'Glory to Ukraine'.

Shouts of 'Heroyam slava' - 'Glory to heroes' - immediately echoed back at Ukraine's wartime leader from members of the European Parliament who had gathered to hear him speak.

Zelensky looked visibly moved by the gesture and appeared to fight back tears momentarily before steeling himself and applauding.

'Slava Ukraini' and the successive response is the Ukrainian national salute and has been a symbol of the country's incredible resistance against the Russian invasion.

Zelensky looked visibly moved by the gesture and appeared to fight back tears momentarily before steeling himself and applauding

MEPs stood and clapped as Zelensky told them that his country was defending their borders too

The Ukrainian president received a hero's welcome to Brussels as he told EU leaders: 'We are defending you on the battlefield.'

Two weeks ahead of the first anniversary of Europe's most brutal conflict since World War II, Zelensky has embarked on only his second foreign trip since Moscow launched a full-scale invasion.

After Wednesday's visits to London and Paris to lobby Britain, France and Germany for modern fighter jets and long-range missiles, the former actor turned war leader came to Brussels to address EU leaders and MEPs.

The European Parliament hailed Zelensky with cheers and a standing ovation as he arrived to press his case for a rapid welcome into the EU fold - as Ukraine effectively defends Europe's eastern borders.

'We are defending against the most anti-European force of the modern world - we are defending ourselves, we Ukrainians on the battlefield, along with you,' he told MEPs.

Meanwhile a seemingly rattled Moscow mocked Zelensky for his European tour, dismissing him as an 'ex-comedian in a green sweatshirt'.

Volodymyr Zelensky received a hero's welcome to Brussels on Thursday as he lobbied EU leaders for help to repel a renewed Russian offensive

MEPs get on their feet to applaud as Zelensky spoke in the European Parliament in Brussels this morning

Zelensky appeared somewhat taken aback by the response as he appeared to scrunch his face up to push back tears, in Brussels, Belgium February 9, 2023

Zelensky is heading home with heaps of goodwill, promises of more military aid and France's highest medal of honour

The Russian embassy in London said: 'Zelensky's pompous solicitations about the values of "freedom" and "human rights", which Kiev claims to be fighting for, were overtly hypocritical.'

The embassy mocked 'the ex-comedian in a green sweatshirt now on tour around Europe'.

After his parliamentary address, Zelensky joined the 27 leaders of the EU member states as the special guest at their regular summit, invited by European Council president to make an opening address.

'I have to thank you personally for your unwavering support of our country and our aspirations, our aspirations to live in a united, free Europe,' he told them, after receiving warm applause as the leaders gathered for a group photo.

But he also warned the leaders that Ukraine needs to receive artillery, munitions, modern tanks, long-range missiles and fighter jets 'faster than the aggressor' can prepare what he said would be a dangerous new offensive.

'We are talking about aggression not just against Ukraine, but against Europe,' he said.

Earlier, parliamentary speaker Roberta Metsola, reflecting the warm response of other senior EU officials, declared: 'Ukraine is Europe and your nation's future is in the European Union.

'States must consider, quickly, as a next step, providing long-range systems and the jets you need to protect the liberty too many have taken for granted,' she said.

After the parliamentary address, Zelensky was to join the 27 leaders of the EU member states as the special guest at their regular European Council summit.

Arriving at the talks, Estonian prime minister Kaja Kallas said: 'It's very important that we speed up military aid to Ukraine. I think all of us looked in the warehouses at what we have. But we should do more.'

But the Kremlin reacted with its usual grim warning.

'We see this as a growing engagement of Germany, UK, France in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The boundary between indirect and direct engagement is gradually disappearing. We can only regret it,' spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

'The actions of these countries lead to an escalation of tensions... make this conflict more painful... and these actions will not change the objectives of our country within the framework of the special military operation.'

The Nato and EU powers of Europe have been, along with the United States, the main backers of Ukraine's beleaguered defenders since Vladimir Putin's Russia unleashed a full-scale invasion on February 24 last year.

Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was proud to show Zelensky the Challenger tanks London is dispatching to Ukraine alongside German-built Leopards from several countries to reinforce Kiev's forces.

Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky (right) speaks with Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin ahead of a round-table meeting as part of a EU summit in Brussels, on February 9

Zelenskiy embraces Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as they attend European leaders summit in Brussels today

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy poses with European leaders for a family photo as they attend the European leaders summit in Brussels today

After Wednesday's visits to London and Paris to lobby Britain, France and Germany for modern fighter jets and long-range missiles, the former actor turned war leader came to Brussels to address EU leaders and MEPs - and was given a hero's welcome

Zelensky, pictured with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, was welcomed with cheers and a standing ovation in Brussels

A seemingly rattled Moscow mocked Zelensky (delivering his speech in Brussels today) for his European tour, dismissing him as an 'ex-comedian in a green sweatshirt'

The EU has spent 67 billion euros on military and financial aid to Kyiv, including funds spent on hosting four million Ukrainian refugees.

But Zelensky has more to ask. Ukraine's army is facing a renewed Russian offensive and its commanders want modern western fighter jets and long-range missiles to strike back deep into Russian-held Ukrainian territory.

Macron and Scholz pledged that Europe would back Ukraine until its eventual victory.

Arriving at the Brussels summit, Scholz told reporters: 'We are gathered here today to give a sign of solidarity and unity.

'We can send out this signal once again and show that we will continue our support for Ukraine in defending its independence and integrity for as long as necessary.'

A map released by Britain's Ministry of Defence showing the situation in Ukraine as of February 9, 2023

Ukrainian servicemen fire a BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket system towards Russian positions on a frontline near the town of Marinka earlier this week

President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrive to meet Ukrainian troops being trained to command Challenger 2 tanks at a military facility in Lulworth, Dorset on Wednesday

Last night Zelensky (left) landed in Paris to meet French President Emmanuel Macron (centre) and Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz

Britain has promised to train Ukrainian pilots and has said it will consider the proposal for combat aircraft in the 'long term'.

The United States and other Nato allies are nevertheless wary of provoking Russia into an uncontrolled escalation that could draw in western forces.

In frontline eastern Ukraine, the Lugansk regional governor warned that Russia was attacking Ukrainian forces near the town of Kreminna and 'systematically destroying' three nearby communities.

'For the offensive, we need more armoured vehicles and ammunition,' the statement said.

Moscow says Russian forces were advancing on Bakhmut and Vugledar - two key centres of fighting in the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine, now the flashpoint of the war.

Updated maps of Russia have gone on sale in Moscow bookstores that include four annexed Ukrainian regions: Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Lugansk and Donetsk. Putin refers to them as 'our historical lands'.
This is the moment a mother cried 'Oh my God' as she grabbed her baby from a cot just as Turkey was struck by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake.

Baby monitor footage shows the mother, Victoria, rushing to move her daughter, Katelyn, as the apartment in the southern city of Adana began to shake violently.

The baby's father, Lemi, from Hull in East Yorkshire, was hundreds of miles away in Istanbul as he watched in horror when the earthquake hit, and then drove for 12 hours to rescue his family from the disaster zone.

After the disaster, Lemi drove for more than 12 hours to find his family, with his friends back in the UK launching a fundraiser for them.

It comes as the death toll surpassed 22,000 on Thursday, days after two deadly earthquakes struck on Monday, February 6.

Lemi, from Hull in East Yorkshire, was hundreds of miles away in Istanbul as he watched in horror when the deadly earthquake hit

Describing the moment he heard the earthquake hit through the baby monitor, Lemi told HullLive: 'You hear a big bang.

'The baby wakes up and the dog was barking 10-15 seconds prior to it and Vicky wakes up and grabs Katelyn and runs downstairs.

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'You can hear the whole building squeaking and that tapping noise. When you watch it your blood freezes.'

Lemi said he was woken by his mother who explained what had happened. He tried to remain calm, by when he was sent the video by his wife Victoria, who was 'terrified', he said: 'I need to find a way to get to Adana.'

After hiring a car, the father start the long, cross-country drive and was horrified by the scenes of devastation caused by the quake as he passed.

He said he witnessed 'incidents where 20-30 vehicles were crashed and there were bodies everywhere. It was terrible.'

When Lemi, a security provider, reached Adana he found his wife and daughter and took them to the city of Mersin, some 50 miles away, where he said the situation is 'slightly better'.

But scenes of total devastation have been left in the wake of the huge earthquake, which has killed more than 22,000 people across Turkey and Syria.

The family are now staying in Mersin and have described conditions as an international rescue mission gets underway to try and save those trapped in the rubble.

He said: 'Constantly there are ambulances and rescue services passing by. Some of the petrol stations have run out of fuel because people are panic buying.

Scenes of total devastation have been left in the wake of the huge earthquake which hit on Monday, killing more than 22,000 people across Turkey and Syria.

Shocking: With many people still trapped in the rubble in subfreezing temperatures , families have been appealing for help in locating their loved ones

'You can't really get bread. Not many shops have got bread. According to the intelligence, with the contacts I have, they are switching the main petrol pipes off to protect from future earthquakes if that happens, which they predict will happen, so there won't be any petrol for a while so everyone's filling their tanks and panicking.'

'Mersin is normally a summer place but right now it's raining and its quite cold. Istanbul is snowing and the middle of Turkey is snowing. The weather conditions make it ten times worse'.

The family want to help victims of the earthquake and are seeking donations.

More than 23 million people have suffered because of the 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes this week.

The death toll has hit 16,000 but thousands more are missing.

10.9 million people have been affected by the catastrophe in Syria and 13.5 million people in Turkey, according to the UN and Turkish officials.

With many people still trapped in the rubble in subfreezing temperatures, families have been appealing for help in locating their loved ones, including many famous Britons from the Turkish communities in the UK, the majority of whom live in London.
A mother-of-two who 'snapped' and battered her 'abusive' boyfriend with a hammer while high on drink and drugs has been jailed for nearly two years.

Deborah Lock, 41, struck Andrew Hodson once on the shoulder and then again in his face after a violent argument inside their home in Manchester spilled out into the street.

Neighbours saw Hodson collapse to the floor under the force of the blows while Lock was said to have stood over him with 'vacant look' on her face, before telling bystanders: 'He beats me up and strangles me.'

The injured man suffered a depressed fracture to his cranium and remained in hospital for ten days after he required urgent surgical intervention. He has since made a miraculous recovery.

Lock was today jailed for 22 months at Manchester Crown Court after she admitted causing grievous bodily harm.

Deborah Lock, 41, struck Andrew Hodson once on the shoulder and then again in his face after a violent argument inside their home in Manchester spilled out onto the street

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Lock had claimed the incident occurred after Hodson tried to strangle her during another row. Police had been called to their home on four previous occasions following reports of rowdy domestic incidents.

David Farley, prosecuting said: 'At around 10.30pm on April 23 last year, police were called to Vale Top Avenue after reports that the complainant, Andrew Hodson was lying down on the floor unconscious on the floor after receiving a head injury.

'Reports said that he had been hit over the head with a hammer. When they arrived, the defendant appeared from her address and came towards the police and started throwing items at them.

'A neighbour, had seen the incident from her front room. She reported seeing the defendant and complainant have an argument and then the defendant began to throw the complainants bags and belongings at him as he was stood out in the street.

'The argument inside had lasted 30 minutes. The defendant then went inside the house and returned with a silver hammer and approached the complainant.

'She then hit him with the hammer, once in the shoulder and once in the front of the head, leading him to collapse instantly. She tried to hit him with a third blow as he was on the floor but a bystander intervened.

'The defendant was described as having a blank face at the time, expressing no emotion. She used brute force with both blows. She was shouting he beats me up and strangles me'

Lock had a previous conviction for GBH from 1997, which resulted in a 12 month prison sentence.

In mitigation defence counsel Rick Holland said: 'A good friend of the defendant has been informed of countless occasions of injuries this lady had at the hands of this gentleman.

'How it became to be that she was in a relationship with Mr Hodson is not too clear but it was not very long before he invited himself to stay.

'Over time the innumerable instances of abuse and violence have culminated in this episode of violence on her part.'

Neighbours saw Hodson collapse to the floor under the force of the blows while Lock (pictured in mugshot) was said to have stood over him with 'vacant look' on her face, before telling bystanders: 'He beats me up and strangles me'

'Prior to the incident the defendant claimed to have been strangled by the complainant. In fact she has been injured on so many occasions at the hands of this particular gentleman, it wasn't long before Mr Hodson got hit himself.

'On the night she took a low level of amphetamine and drink and this was a violent reaction to violence that she has sustained over time.'

Mr Holland also told the court of Hodson's history with domestic violence, in particular his conviction for harassment against a previous partner.

'There is no record of the defendant calling the police out to her address on those four listed call outs. They were all made by others. This perhaps depicts a person who feels that she could not call the police at that time.'

Sentencing Judge Timothy Smith told Lock: 'Your actions that day were the result of your treatment at the hands of Mr Hodson. You hit him once on his shoulder area and once on the back of the head with force.

'You made a further attempt to hit him again but people nearby intervened before you could do so. On the day he had you in a form of headlock, an unprovoked attack on you.

'However, this was not you using a hammer to free him off - far from it. It was not in defence to yourself, but in response to what was happening to you. There was a degree of provocation.

'This was not you using the hammer to get yourself away from the complainant. You went out to the road and hit him with the hammer. It was not in self-defence.

'The consequences should have been much more severe. For these reasons only immediate custody is necessary.'
Two colleagues of Met rapist David Carrick sent one of his victims a series of messages saying she looked 'hot' and photos of them posing with guns.

One of the officers messaged the woman three days after Carrick's arrest in October 2021, saying 'hey'. Only investigating officers are allowed to contact victims.

The woman told Hertfordshire Police about the texts when they were investigating Carrick. They told her not to reply and spoke to the officer but took no further action.

The woman told Sky News: 'When I saw that message I froze. I was so scared. I was worried he was messaging to check up on me.'

In another message the officer wrote: 'Very cute sexy pic on facebook xx'. He later added 'you should give me a facial' and 'I wanna get you drunk!xxx'.

An photo sent my a Met firearms officer to a victim of David Carrick showing him holding an ice cream in one hand and his gun in the other

In total, four pictures from two officers in the Diplomatic and Parliamentary Protection Command were sent to the woman

He carried on texting the woman for several months, telling her she was 'hot' and trying to set up a meeting at a motorway service station. She refused.

Four pictures from two officers in the Diplomatic and Parliamentary Protection Command were sent to the woman.

One shows an officer licking an ice cream in one hand and holding his gun in the other.

The second officer sent a toilet selfie with his firearm over his groin area and another taken while he was guarding an embassy.

A spokesman for Hertfordshire Police said: 'During the course of the investigation we spoke to an MPS officer who had had contact with one of the victims before and after David Carricks arrest.

'We were satisfied that no further action was required as part of our criminal investigation. If any further information comes to light regarding this contact it will be reviewed accordingly.'

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: 'We have been made aware of contact between two Met officers and a woman who was in a relationship with David Carrick. The woman later came forward as a victim of Carrick's offending.

'The information has been provided to us by a media outlet. Officers are making efforts to establish contact with the victim to make further enquiries. We are also aware that the same woman received a message from a Met officer following Carrick's arrest in October 2021.

'Officers from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, who led the criminal investigation into Carrick, spoke to the officer at the time and were satisfied that no further action was required in relation to their investigation.

'We have been clear about our commitment to delivering the highest standards and we will not hesitate to take the appropriate action if wrongdoing on the part of any officers is identified in this case.'

The second officer sent a toilet selfie with his firearm over his groin area

Another photo was taken when he was guarding an embassy, Sky News reports

It comes as other pictures emerged showing a 19-year-old Carrick posing with a rifle in front of a collage of naked women while he was a teenager serving in the British Army.

The 48-year-old has been jailed for a minimum of 30 years for carrying out a string of 'violent and brutal' sex attacks after taking 'monstrous advantage' of at least a dozen women.

Carrick served in the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment and the Royal Logistics Corps prior to joining the Met.

Pictures obtained by The Sun show Carrick posing with guns in a martial arts stance. He sent the images to a female penpal, who described him as an 'aloof and arrogant'.

She also said he pretended to be an 'elite soldier' who was bound for the special forces.

Carrick, who joined the Met in 2001 before becoming an armed officer with the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command in 2009, pleaded guilty to 49 charges, including 24 counts of rape

Carrick will service a minimum of 30 years and 239 days in prison before being considered for parole.

The court heard graphic details of how Carrick used cameras he installed at home to monitor women while he was at work.

He made another woman choke on her vomit, assaulted one with a sex toy and urinated on one of his victims.

The armed officer tortured and abused women for 17 years despite coming to police attention nine times before his arrest and developing the nickname 'B*****d Dave' at work.

Carrick, then 19, posing with a rifle during his time with the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment and the Royal Logistics Corps

Pictures have emerged showing Carrick in a martial arts pose in front of a collage of naked women

He called women 'fat and lazy' and treated them as his 'sex slaves' as well as controlling them financially.

Victims were isolated from their family and forbidden from speaking with other men. He also used his police baton as a threat and handcuffs in an attack.

Carrick's crimes were all carried out while serving with the force - he guarded sites including embassies and the Houses of Parliament, and completed training courses, including one on domestic abuse in 2005.

Prosecutor Tom Little KC said the 'systematic' offending was 'catalogue of violent and brutal sexual offences'.

He would use 'power and control' to stop his victims leaving or reporting him, and others feared they would not be believed if they reported the rape.
Rishi Sunak today disowned a call from the new Tory Party deputy chairman for the return of the death penalty.

The PM stressed that neither he nor the government wanted to bring back capital punishment after it emerged Lee Anderson argued it has a '100 per cent success rate' in stopping reoffending.

Responding to the comments in an incendiary interview - carried out before Mr Anderson was appointed in the reshuffle on Monday - Mr Sunak said: 'That's not my view, that's not the Government's view.

'But we are united in the Conservative Party in wanting to be absolutely relentless in bearing down on crime and making sure people are safe and feel safe.'

Speaking on a visit to Cornwall this morning, he suggested that the government was focused on 'tightening up sentencing laws' and making people 'safe'.

Speaking on a visit to Cornwall this morning with wife Akshata (left), Rishi Sunak (right) suggested that the government was focused on 'tightening up sentencing laws' and making people 'safe'

Lee Anderson, MP for Ashfield and new Tory deputy chairman, has called for the return of the death penalty

Ashfield MP Mr Anderson, a former coal miner who defected from Labour in 2018, was this week promoted to the key role in the Tories' general election campaign.

The pugnacious bruiser, who recently challenged a protester outside Parliament to a fight, has been brought in to sharpen the Tories' appeal among working-class voters in Red Wall seats.

Labour has nicknamed him '30p Lee' after he argued that people using food banks should be given cooking lessons, because nutritious meals can be prepared for 30p a time.

In an interview in today's Spectator, he said he would bring back the death penalty  last used in 1964  for the most serious crimes, citing the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby in 2013 as an example.

He told the magazine: 'Nobody has ever committed a crime after being executed 100 per cent success rate.'

Mr Anderson also said migrants arriving in Britain 'are seeing a country where the streets are paved with gold  where, once you land, they are not in that manky little f***ing scruffy tent. They are going to be in a four-star hotel.'

He told the magazine: 'I'd send them straight back the same day and they'd just stop coming.'

Mr Anderson also said the Tories were 'too scared' to tighten the welfare system because 'it's like picking on poor people... when, actually, most working-class people would agree with me'.

Pressed on why he did not support the death penalty, Mr Sunak said the government had 'tightened up sentencing laws for the most violent criminals'.

'It's why we're on our way to having 20,000 more police officers on our streets and we're giving those police officers more powers to tackle crime, whether it's stop and search or just this week in Parliament we are giving police officers the power to tackle violent and extremist protesters,' he said.

'That's because we want to make sure people are safe, they feel safe and that's what we're doing.'

Tory chairman Greg Hands has insisted Mr Anderson is a 'fantastic asset for the party'. 'He is a man of great integrity and fantastic background.'
A Qantas passenger flight was forced to circle Sydney for almost two hours after pilots detected a problem with the aircraft's brakes.

Flight QF452, which took off from Melbourne at 2.46pm, eventually landed at 5.18pm on Thursday to be greeted by fire and rescue vehicles, which had been deployed near the airstrip as a precaution.

The drama at Sydney Airport added to a chaotic afternoon for air travellers with wild thunderstorms delaying many flights and leading some to be diverted.

A Qantas passenger jet was forced to circle Sydney Airport for over an hour after pilots detected an issue with the aircraft's brakes (stock image)

QF452 spent almost two hours circling near Sydney Airport before eventually arriving an hour and a half later

QF452 was meant to arrive at 3.55pm but the Boeing 737 did not pull up at the terminal until 5.30pm.

A Qantas spokesman said no emergency was declared but the crew wanted to get a possible technical problem with the brakes checked.

A Sydney Airport spokeswoman said the turbulent weather had led to numerous delays.

'When there is lightning in the vicinity of the airport, for safety reasons, airline ground handlers cannot operate outside in aircraft parking bays and aprons,' the spokeswoman told The Australian.

'As a result, ramps to disembark passengers and baggage collection can be delayed.'

Despite being recently ranked as the world's safest airline by AirlineRatings.com, Qantas has been battling mountains of negative publicity over aircraft failures and poor customer service.

A recent Roy Morgan poll on the nation's most trusted brands saw the iconic Aussie carrier drop a whopping 31 places, from ninth to 40th.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce boasted at the start of February that the airline had only eight turn backs in January, which was better than the airline was managing before Covid.

A Qantas spokesman said no emergency was declared but the crew wanted to get a possible technical problem with the brakes checked (stock image)

Mr Joyce heaped praise on his airline claiming the 'Spirit of Australia' had drastically improved its services right across the board.

'We've been the most on-time of the major domestic airlines for five months in a row,' he wrote.

The CEO explained Qantas' turnback rate in the past 12 months was consistent with its pre-covid levels, with one returning plane for every 2,000 flights.

'Our service levels  bags, cancellations, catering and the call centre  are back to what customers expect from us. And we're working to make it better.'

A Qantas tweet about Mr Joyce's comments sparked a furious backlash from irate customers who endured a disastrous series of months with the airline ranging from lost luggage, unresponsive call centres and 'flight credit' fails.

'What a load of rubbish what about my poor friend who travelled on your airline who lost her suitcase and has yet to be reunited with it and all you've offered her is $120 absolute joke and you've offered her no assistance whatsoever,' one critic wrote.

Another person added: '8 hours on hold to your call centre says otherwise'
A renter has slammed his former landlord after claiming he was 'evicted' from his east London home so that each of the six bedrooms could be converted into 'depressing' studio apartments - and the rent hiked by 150%.

Rich Felgate, 30, said the capital was being 'destroyed' to 'maximise landlord profits' after alleging he and his six friends were asked to leave their 3,000-a-month rental home in Elphinstone Road, Walthamstow, in September 2022.

He said they later learned from a neighbour that the bedrooms were being rented as individual homes for up to 1,600 per month each - bringing in up to 7,600 for the landlord.

Mr Felgate took to Twitter after finding an advert for the flats on property portal Your Move, adding: 'Each bedroom now has a depressing little microwave and sink next to the bed.'

The rental firm told MailOnline that all six units have now been let, with their respective tenants 'happy to have secured them.'

Richard Felgate (pictured) slammed his former landlord after he was kicked out of his east London home so that each of the six bedrooms could be converted into 'depressing' studio apartments

Rich Felgate, 30, said the capital was being 'destroyed' to 'maximise landlord profits' after he and his six friends were evicted from their 3,000-a-month rental home in Elphinstone Road, Walthamstow, in September 2022

Mr Felgate took to Twitter after finding an advert for the flats on property portal Your Move, adding: 'Each bedroom now has a depressing little microwave and sink next to the bed'

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But Mr Felgate fumed: 'Despite paying over a grand a month rent, new tenants will have to share a kitchen with random neighbours if they want to cook anything more than a microwave meal.

'In the kitchen where we used to cook and eat together every night, there's now CCTV.

'These extortionate rents are already making it almost impossible to live in London, but the replacement of any semblance of communal living with life as individualised economic units to maximise landlord profitability is also destroying this place.'

A spokesperson for the independently owned branch of Your Move in Walthamstow said: 'We were instructed to let the newly converted, fully compliant properties by the landlord.

'All are now rented with tenants happy to have secured them. We have had no dealings with previous tenants at this property as we were not the letting agent at that time.'

It comes as soaring rental prices have made living in London somewhat of a nightmare for thousands of prospective tenants.

There is such a high demand and low supply that there are often dozens or even hundreds of people battling for the same rooms or flats, leading to bidding wars that favour the wealthiest.

Greater London saw the average rent surpass 2,100 a month for the first time in October last year - driven by rents in inner London reaching a new record high of 2,863 a month.

Since January 2020, just before the start of the pandemic, rents have risen by at least 19 per cent across Britain.

It is the equivalent of an additional 2,351 a year in rent, a significant sum of money to find amid the cost of living crisis.

Mr Felgate slammed his landlord on Twitter after he was kicked out of his east London home so the six bedrooms could be converted into 'depressing' studio apartments - and the rent hiked by 150%

Figures from November showed London remains the least affordable region, with the average rent taking up 62 per cent of the average renting household's post-tax income.

North London estate agent Jeremy Leaf, said at the time: 'Demand up, supply down can only mean one thing - rents will keep on rising.

'Interest has been swelled by aspiring first-time buyers deterred off by rising mortgage rates.

'We need more new landlords and existing landlords to stay put but have to make it worth their while without compromising standards or marginalising tenants.

'However, we have noticed at the sharp end some tenant resistance to higher rents recently as the cost of living really starts to hit home.'
King Charles has been filmed appearing to forget who Prince Harry is during a walkabout at the University of London today.

In the short clip, the King, 74, can be seen greeting onlookers who have gathered to watch his royal visit.

As he mingles with the public, a voice asks the King to 'bring back Harry please, can you please bring him back please?'

Without hesitating, the monarch replies: 'Who?' - before quickly realising and laughing at his own mistake, saying: 'It would be nice.'

The King then moves off in the opposite direction and the video cuts out.

Charles appeared to be caught off guard by the question

The question is doubtless in reference to the continued speculation over whether Harry and wife Meghan will attend the King's coronation this year - with no official announcement yet made.

There is a 'working assumption' that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex with receive an invitation to attend the state ceremony to crown King Charles as sovereign, palace insiders told The Sun.

There had been fears that Harry and Meghan's attendance would upstage and diminish the sincerity of the high-profile ceremony - especially after revelations from their Netflix series and Harry's controversial memoir Spare.

But coronation organisers are continuing to plan under the assumption that both Harry and Meghan will fly to the UK for the ceremony.

The Mail on Sunday revealed last month that the King asked the Archbishop of Canterbury to broker a deal to ensure that the Sussexes attended his coronation.

It remains unclear if Prince Harry and Meghan will be coming back to the UK for the coronation

King Charles's slip-up comes after details of the three-day festivities for the coronation were released, including a concert to be held at Windsor Castle.

It will take place on May 6 at Westminster Abbey where His Majesty will shun royal garb in favour of military clothing, in a bid to update the ceremony.

A procession will then lead the newly crowned King past thousands of people who will line the streets to Buckingham Palace, where he will join members of his family on the balcony to wave at the masses.

The next day Windsor Castle is set to host a concert which will be televised around the world, with thousands of street parties earlier in the afternoon as people gather to celebrate the occasion.

This will be followed by a Bank Holiday on Monday, with millions of people set to get a day off work.
A 27-year-old welder was found dead in his apartment after being electrocuted by his charging phone while he was asleep.

Wanchai Deengam was still holding his phone when he was found dead by police on his Union Jack-patterned bed in Bangkok, Thailand, on February 8.

He was wearing a pair of shorts and had been bleeding from his mouth, while a burn wound had scolded his right hand.

Meanwhile, his left hand was resting on his white Samsung handset which was connected from a USB charger to an extension cable.

Two rice cookers appeared to have been in use while two fans were connected to the wall socket. There was also a smart watch connected to a charger in the extension cable power point.

Wanchai Deengam, 27, was found dead in his apartment in Thailand after being electrocuted by his charging phone when he was asleep

His left hand was resting on his white Samsung handset which was connected from a USB charger to an extension cable

The welder was found dead in his bed in his apartment in Bangkok, Thailand, on February 8

Mr Deengam's devastated brother Somkuan Changsarn, 50, said he had been worried about his sibling as he had not been able to contact him since the night before.

He had knocked on the door several times, until the following morning when he decided it was time to break into the room.

'I was suspicious because normally, he wasn't a deep sleeper. I would always see him sitting in front of his room when I finish work,' said Mr Changsarn.

'He liked to use his phone just for chatting with friends on the Line application. He used TikTok a lot and Facebook to watch sport but he didn't play games.

'We spoke before about using phones while they are charging because there were cases in the news about it happening. But everybody still does. I never thought this could happen or I would have warned my brother more.'

Police Captain Jiratchaya Yordkum, from the Rat Burana Metropolitan Police Station, said they were not looking for anybody else in connection with the death.

'We found no traces of assault or ransacking. We suspect that a short circuit might have caused his electrocution,' he commented.

Police Captain Jiratchaya Yordkum, from the Rat Burana Metropolitan Police Station, said they were not looking for anybody else in connection to the death

There was also a smart watch connected to a charger in the extension cable power point

The officer added that Mr Deengam had plugged his power strip straight into the socket without using the proper adapter.

The man's remains have been sent to a forensics lab to determine the cause of death while relatives prepare for his funeral.

A similar case happened last month when factory worker Puttawat Kamwan, 34, suffered an electric shock while he was sleeping next to his charging phone in Samut Prakan province.
A professional dog trainer must pay 3,000 after two Alsatians he was training for Government security work mauled a tiny Yorkshire terrier to death whilst being taken for a walk.

Stuart Forster, 36, who also trains police sniffer dogs was taking German Shepherds Demon and Nuke through a public park on Bonfire Night when they suddenly pounced on the little terrier named Riley which was being walked by its female owner.

During the incident, one the dogs clamped its jaws around the Riley's abdomen puncturing its chest and diaphragm whilst the other savaged its legs. The terrier died at the scene of its wounds despite efforts of its owner to intervene.

In the immediate aftermath of the attack, Forster, from Runcorn, Cheshire tried to dodge the blame by falsely claiming Riley was not on a lead. Neither of the Alsatians were tethered at the time. It emerged Forster's animals had been involved in three previous incidents involving other dogs.

Father-of one-Forster has since sold Demon to the Prison Service for 2,000- and the dog is now working at Manchester jail formerly Strangeways.

In the immediate aftermath of the attack, Forster, from Runcorn, Cheshire tried to dodge the blame. Here he is pictured with Demon (left) and Nuke

At Crewe magistrates, Forster admitted having dangerous dogs out of control and was sentenced to a 20-week 7pm to 7am curfew.

He was also ordered to pay 1,220 in compensation to Riley's owner, plus 1,910.61 in costs and a victim surcharge. Both animals were spared being put to sleep.

Kelly Thompson, prosecuting on behalf of Halton Borough Council, said: 'At approximately 4.30pm on 5 November 2021, a Ms Snape was taking Riley, her four-year-old Yorkshire terrier for a walk.

'Riley was wearing a lead and was under control. Ms Snape was getting a bag to pick-up Riley's waste and saw two large Alsatian-type dogs, one black - Demon - and the other ginger and brown - Nuke - run towards them.

'A male, identified as the defendant was heard shouting 'Demon.' The Alsatian-type dogs attacked - Demon pinned Riley down and had her in its mouth and Nuke was grabbing at Riley's legs. Both Alsatian-type dogs were aggressive and showing their teeth.

'She stood between the Alsatian-type dogs and tried to open Demon's jaws to release Riley. She thought that Nuke was going to bite her arm because he was still trying to get Riley from Demon's jaws. As both Alsatian-type dogs lunged forward, she lost her balance and fell over.

'Demon ran off with Riley in its mouth towards the defendant. Demon then dropped Riley, who was lifeless.

'After the incident, Ms Snape recalls the defendant saying that 'Your dog should be on a f***ing lead.' Ms Snape left the scene to find an officer, when she returned, she noticed Riley's body had been turned to face the other way and the lead had been removed. A 15-year-old witness saw the defendant take the lead off.

'A vet confirmed three puncture wounds on Riley's body were consistent with a bite injury to the diaphragm and thorax causing internal bleeding and spontaneous death. The prosecution is aware of three previous incidents relating to the defendant's dogs.'

Stuart Forster, 36, who also trains police sniffer dogs, was taking German Shepherds Demon and Nuke (pictured) through a public park when the incident occurred

Forster pictured outside Crewe Magistrates Court where he admitted having dangerous dogs out of control and was sentenced to a 20-week 7pm to 7am curfew

The court heard in February 2021, another dog was attacked by Forster's hounds and suffered puncture wounds to the back. The matter did not end up in the courts after he agreed to pay the 95 vet bill. Later that same month at Runcorn Town Park, a six-month old Doberman received two 1.5cm wounds on one shoulder and a 2cm wound on its other shoulder. The Doberman's owner later made a civil claim against Forster.

A third incident involved Demon attacking a dog called Buddy which was dragged around in its mouth. There were wounds of approximately 8 cm and 4 cm and multiple other puncture wounds and Buddy had surgery under general anaesthetic at a cost of 500 which was paid by Forster.

Miss Thompson said Demon and Nuke were trained for employment in the security sector and were taught how to chase and bite if needed.

'As such, the defendant knew the risks posed by his dogs and nonetheless, declined to use a muzzle, keep them on a lead and under control,' the prosecutor said. 'There was no evidence of provocation towards the dogs and there was a limited attempt from the defendant to regain control. The incident occurred in a public park on Bonfire night. A 15-year-old boy was present in the area and a dog died.'

'The aggravating features in this case include the account that the defendant removed the lead from the deceased's dog's body to purportedly minimise his culpability. Ms Snape reports difficulty sleeping after the incident and has been prescribed sleeping tablets by her doctor. There was an awareness of what the dogs were capable of but nevertheless the dogs were off the lead and sadly poor Riley died.'

In mitigation Tom Worsfold, counsel for Forster said: 'He trains security dogs but also other types of dogs, such as sniffer dogs. 'They are trained to be deployed under professional contracts or for other companies. He has trained his dogs specifically for a particular purpose and for professional reasons.'

'This was an incident which happened very quickly which got out of the control of the defendant. t was a momentary lapse of control or attention which had devastating consequences.

'He is someone who wishes to express his genuine remorse. Every person with an interest in this case is undoubtedly a dog lover. He has spent his working life with dogs. He has been forced to reflect on the death of Riley and the circumstances.

'He wishes to express his remorse for Miss Snape's loss. He was able to sell Demon to the prison because he recognised the liability that Demon posed.. As the owner of the dog he wished to remove the liability from himself.

'As any dog owner will recognise, giving away a dog is hard, especially when considering it was a best friend. He trains security dogs and he trains sniffer dogs as well. He has been involved in giving dogs to the police and prison service. This is a professional operation that is run properly. This incident does not reflect the working of his business on a day-to-day basis.

'This is a man who knows about dogs. He has made a mistake and is clear that this is a warning shot to him. It is an experience that he has learnt from and continues to learn from.'

A probation report added: 'Mr Forster's account differs from that account from Riley's owner. But he doesn't want to take away from Ms Snape what happened. He was affected as well but if he was affected he cannot imagine what it would be like for her.

'Demon was one of his best friends that he gave away, so he cannot imagine what happened in losing Riley.'

The magistrates made no order on Demon other than the prison service should notify Halton Borough Council on the dog's retirement if there are any public safety concerns. However, a contingent destruction order was imposed on Nuke which included the clause that the dog should not be walked by anyone under the age of 18 or by anyone not suitably trained.
A Syrian mother has been pictured tenderly kissing the hand of her dead daughter after she was crushed to death in the city of Reyhanli, southeastern Turkey.

It is one of the most heart-wrenching images borne of the disaster so far and encapsulates the devastation and sorrow experienced by tens of thousands of people whose loved ones were lost amid this week's brutal earthquakes.

The unnamed mother was seen looking on in despair as rescuers loaded her little girl's lifeless corpse into a body bag for transportation to Syria for burial via van.

She took one last grief-stricken look at her daughter before zipping the bag shut, and was later seen leaning against the side of the van, clutching at the door handle with an expression of desolation etched across her face.

The heart-breaking scene of anguish and torment comes just days after a Turkish father was pictured sitting solemnly beside a collapsed building, refusing to let go of the cold hand of his daughter who could not escape and died beneath the debris.

A mother from Syria kisses the hand of her dead daughter, who was one of tens of thousands killed in this week's earthquakes

The mother is pictured taking one last look at her daughter's face before zipping up her body bag

A mother mourns the loss of her daughter, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023

Pictured: Father Mesut Hancer holds the hand of his daughter Irmakleyla, who was crushed to death when her home collapsed in Turkey. Monday's first massive 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck at 4:17 am (0117 GMT), while many were still asleep in their beds

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hugs a quake victim. His government has been criticised for its response to the quakes

A woman mourns over the body of earthquake victim outside a hospital in Antakya, southeastern Turkey, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023

A man holds his son who was extracted from a collapsed building in Hatay, Turkey, after 80 hours. His condition is unclear

A woman sits next to the body of her nephew in Kahramanmaras, on February 9, 2023

People wait as rescuers carry out search operations among the rubble of collapsed buildings in Kahramanmaras, on February 9, 2023

Emergency personnel conduct a rescue operation to save 16-year-old Melda from the rubble of a collapsed building in Hatay, southern Turkey, on February 9, 2023

Rescuers search for survivors in the town of Harim in rebel-held northwest Syria, February 9

Though this week's quakes erupted in southwestern Turkey, the number of Syrians impacted by the fallout is immense.

The disaster flattened much of Syria's northwest, and the 10 provinces of Turkey affected by the tremors are home to the highest concentration of refugees in the world, most of them Syrians who fled across the border amid years of civil war.

Rescuers continued to pull yet more survivors from beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings this morning, as international teams of aid workers and volunteers toil tirelessly to save as many people as possible in a feverish race against the clock.

The earthquake that razed thousands of buildings in Turkey and Syria has become one of the deadliest quakes worldwide in more than a decade, and the worst in Turkey since 1939.

Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan, seeking to extend his rule into a third decade, said last month the elections would be held on May 14, and opinion polls published before the earthquake suggested they would be his toughest electoral challenge yet.

Erdogan's popularity has already been eroded by the soaring cost of living and a slump in the lira. He now faces a wave of criticism over his government's response to the quakes, which many have said is insufficient.

Despite the harrowing scenes of death and destruction seen the world over, stunning stories of bravery and fortune continue to emerge.

Each passing hour seems to bring a fresh glimmer of hope as another child or family is rescued.

But now than 72 hours have passed since the quakes, and those still trapped under the rubble have little chance of survival.

A woman mourns in front of a collapsed building on February 08, 2023 in Hatay, Turkey. A 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit near Gaziantep, Turkey, in the early hours of Monday, followed by another 7.5-magnitude tremor just after midday

A woman mourns over the bodies of earthquake victims outside a hospital in Antakya, southeastern Turkey, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023

An aerial view of collapsed buildings as search and rescue efforts continue after 7.7 and 7.6 magnitude earthquakes hit multiple provinces of Turkey on February 09, 2023

Seven-year-old girl Ikra Tasci is rescued by Israeli army, Hatzalah United and Turkish rescue teams after three days under the rubbles of a collapsed building in the city of Kahramanmaras, southeastern Turkey, 09 February 2023

Rescue teams, firemen and volunteers work on a collapsed building to evacuate a victim on February 9, 2023 in Elbistan, Turkey

People stand over the bodies of earthquake victims outside a hospital in Antakya, southeastern Turkey, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023

Five members of the same family are rescued from under the rubble of a five-storey building in Hatay, Turkey

A teenage boy is evacuated miraculously still alive after more than 80 hours under the rubble

Syrian men gather by a destroyed building at a flooded area, after the collapse of a dam on the Orontes (Assi) river near al-Tulul village in Salqin, in Syria's rebel-held Idlib province, near the border with Turkey, on February 9

For years, the people of Syria bore the brunt of bombardment and fighting amid a brutal civil war between Bashar al-Assad's government and opposition groups.

But even that didn't prepare them for the new devastation and terror wreaked by this week's earthquake.

The natural disaster piled on many human-made ones, multiplying the suffering in Syria and particularly the northern city of Aleppo.

Fighting largely halted in Aleppo in 2016, but only a small number of the numerous damaged and destroyed buildings had been rebuilt. The population has also more recently struggled with Syria's economic downslide, which has sent food prices soaring and residents thrown into poverty.

Monday's pre-dawn 7.8-magnitude quake, centred about 70 miles (112 kilometres) away in Turkey, jolted Aleppans awake and sent them fleeing into the street under a cold winter rain.

Dozens of buildings across the city collapsed, trapping thousands under layers of bricks and mortar.

Workers were still digging three days later through the rubble, looking for the dead and the survivors. Across southern Turkey and northern Syria, more than 19,000 people have been killed with the death toll expected to rise.

Search and rescue workers climb between gaps in the debris to find survivors

Search and rescue efforts continue in Aleppo, Syria

Survivors in Afrin are seen walking amid the rubble

Search and rescue efforts continue after earthquakes hit Afrin district of Aleppo, Syria, early February 9

A young girl is seen on the verge of tears as she sits amid the wreckage of her home in Afrin district of Aleppo

People warm themselves outside after their houses damaged or collapsed in devastating earthquakes in Afrin district of Aleppo, Syria

The earthquake was a new sort of terror - a shock even after what they endured during the war.

For Aleppo, the war was a long and brutal siege. Rebels captured the eastern part of the city in 2012, soon after Syria's civil war began. For the next years, Russian-backed government forces battled to uproot them.

Syrian and Russian airstrikes and shelling flattened entire blocks. Bodies were found in the river dividing the two parts of the city. On the government-held western side, residents faced regular mortar and rocket fire from opposition fighters.

A final offensive led to months of urban fighting, finally ending in December 2016 with government victory. Opposition fighters and supporters were evacuated, and government control imposed over the entire city. Activist groups estimate some 31,000 people were killed in the four years of fighting, and almost the entire population of the eastern sector was displaced.

Aleppo became a symbol of how President Assad succeeded in clawing back most opposition-held territory around Syria's heartland with backing from Russia and Iran at the cost of horrific destruction. The opposition holds a last, small enclave in the northwest, centred on Idlib province and parts of Aleppo province, which was also devastated by Monday's quake.

But Aleppo never recovered. Any reconstruction has been by individuals. The city's current population remains well below its pre-2011 population of 4.5 million. Much of the eastern sector remains in ruins and empty.

Buildings damaged during the war or built shoddily during the fighting regularly collapse. One collapse, on Jan. 22, left 16 people dead. Another in September killed 11 people, including three children.

But now Aleppo's population - which had hoped for improvements after fighting ended - will only see things get worse.
The White House said that the report was 'utterly false and complete fiction'

Kremlin said the world should know who was behind the attacks on Nord Stream

The Kremlin said on Thursday the world should know the truth about who sabotaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines and that those responsible should be punished after an investigative journalist said U.S. divers blew them up at the behest of the White House.

A sharp drop in pressure on both pipelines was registered on September 26 and seismologists detected explosions, triggering a wave of speculation about sabotage to one of Russia's most important energy corridors.

In a blog post, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Seymour Hersh cited an unidentified source as saying that U.S. navy divers had destroyed the pipelines with explosives on the orders of President Joe Biden.

Reuters was unable to corroborate the allegations. The White House dismissed them as 'utterly false and complete fiction'. Norway's foreign ministry said the allegations were 'nonsense'.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov pictured at a news conference in December 2022

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Hersh's blog post deserved more attention and that he was surprised it had not been covered more fully by Western media.

'The world must find out the truth about who carried out this act of sabotage,' Peskov told reporters. 'This is a very dangerous precedent: if someone did it once, they can do it again anywhere in the world.'

He called for 'an open international investigation of this unprecedented attack on international critical infrastructure', adding: 'It is impossible to leave this without uncovering those responsible and punishing them.'

READ MORE: Now Russia blames US for explosions that blew up Nord Stream gas pipelines under Baltic Advertisement

Peskov struck a note of caution about treating a blog as a primary source but said it was 'unfair' to ignore an article he said was 'remarkable for the depth of analysis'.

Russia, without providing evidence, has repeatedly said the West was behind the blasts affecting the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines last September - multibillion-dollar infrastructure projects that carried Russian gas to Germany.

President Vladimir Putin has accused 'Anglo-Saxon' powers of blowing up the pipelines, a Kremlin-designed project to circumvent Ukraine in exporting its gas under the Baltic Sea directly to western Europe.

Investigators from Sweden and Denmark - in whose exclusive economic zones the explosions occurred - have said the ruptures were a result of sabotage, but have not said who they believe was responsible.

In his blog post, entitled 'How America Took Out The Nord Stream Pipeline', Hersh said a plan was hatched in 2021 at the highest levels in the United States to destroy the pipelines.

The report said a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) working group came up with a covert operation plan to put explosives on the pipelines.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said earlier this month that Washington was directly involved in the sabotage of the pipelines.

Russian officials and politicians have lined up to demand answers since the blog appeared.

Russia has also been accused of carrying out the Nord Stream gas explosions. Explanations range from divers to spy subs, and underwater drones, with one possible motive being to cripple Europe's winter energy supplies

US President Joe Biden waves before boarding Marine One on Wednesday 8 February 2023

Seymour Hersh (R) is an investigative journalist who says the US destroyed Russia's pipelines

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said there would be 'consequences' for Washington, adding the report was not a surprise for Russia as it had long considered the United States and possibly other NATO members were behind the blasts.

'I think there will be consequences from this,' state news agency RIA quoted Ryabkov as saying on Thursday.

Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of the Russian State Duma, or lower house of parliament, said the report should become the basis for an international investigation for 'bringing Biden and his accomplices to justice'.

The United States should pay 'compensation to countries affected by the terrorist attack', Volodin added.
California residents are furious after Governor Newsom passed woke laws allowing thong-clad women to twerk in the streets and leaving mothers scared as pimps follow them to school.

The new law, which went into effect on January 1, legalized loitering with the intent to engage in prostitution, which has led to sex workers soliciting customers outside of an elementary school and drivers being approached in the streets.

'It's absolutely out of control and dangerous  not just for the sex workers but for the community,' San Francisco Supervisor Hillary Ronen told the San Francisco Chronicle.

Her district, Mission, includes Capp Street, which has become the hot stop for sex workers to loiter. Local residents are worried about their safety as they are tormented by disturbances throughout the night and believe some of the women are abuse victims.

One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Chronicle that she was awoken by gunfire one night and witnessed an occasional beating.

The new law, which went into effect on January 1, delegalized loitering with the intent to engage in prostitution, which has led to sex workers soliciting customers outside of an elementary school and drivers being approached in the streets (pictured)

'It's absolutely out of control and dangerous  not just for the sex workers but for the community,' San Francisco Supervisor Hillary Ronen said (pictured: women loitering in the streets of California)

'From the window right there, I'll see three [people] ganging up on a girl,' she told the outlet. 'Theyll be hitting her. I call the cops; no one comes. Theres nothing I can do.'

The San Francisco Police Department has blamed Senator Scott Wiener for pushing legislation to delegalize loitering as he's the reason they are powerless to change the street's reputation. However, Weiner pushed back and said the police have historically not enforced the anti-loitering law, according to the Chronicle.

Wiener's bill was originally introduced to protect transgender women, who he said are disproportionally targeted by police, who he says their 'hands are not tied.'

'They can arrest people for soliciting, they can cite vehicles that are stopped in the middle of the street, they can arrest "johns," they can arrest pimps,' he said.

'[The previous law] allowed police officers to arrest a person, not based on what they did, but based solely on how a person looks. So, an officer could arrest someone because they were wearing tight clothing, high heels and extra lipstick,' Weiner told ABC 7 last week.

Residents say they see women hanging out on the streets in skimpy clothing and thongs (pictured in 2017)

They also say they see women get beat and have heard gunfire in the areas these women loiter (pictured in 2017)

However, a source in the Los Angeles Police Department told Fox News that the law was 'definitely' preventing them from making arrests, as they can only arrest those who admit to prostitution, which the source said was rare.

Oakland Police Department also agreed, telling Fox that the law 'now hinders officers' enforcement across the state.'

In addition, GOP Assembly leader James Gallagher said 'California Democrats' policy of legalizing crime is creating more victims by the hour.'

'Under Democratic rule, families and businesses are moving out, while human traffickers are moving in,' she said. 'It was clear from the get-go that this law would encourage and enable human trafficking, but that was apparently an acceptable result for the lawmakers who backed it.'

The San Francisco Police Department has blamed Senator Scott Wiener (pictured) for pushing legislation to delegalize loitering as he's the reason they are powerless to change the street's reputation. However, Weiner pushed back and said the police have historically not enforced the anti-loitering law

Newsom's law went into effect on January 1 and citizens have said it has caused an increase in human trafficking

The Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking (CAST) - one of the largest service producers for sex and labor trafficking victims in the US - supported the new bill because it would 'reduce the criminalization of survivors' and will 'help prevent human trafficking,' it told Fox News.

'Traffickers rely on our systems to criminalize victims so that they are unable to access safety due to their records and are vulnerable to continued exploitation,' a spokesperson told Fox News.

'The impact of these encounters with law enforcement reinforce already heightened stigma when someone is arrested for this offense due to the difficulties securing employment and safe housing with an arrest record relating to the sex trade.

'One thing that CAST has heard from our clients on countless occasions is that being arrested was not only traumatizing and revictimizing but created insurmountable barriers to seeking employment, safe housing and immigration relief.'

Oakland City Council President Nikki Fortunato has been working to help survivors in her city and that trafficking is a 'big issues' both inside and outside of the state.

'So my approach has been to look at a comprehensive approach that includes law enforcement that is focused on the exploiters,' she said, according to Fox News.

Oakland has increased its budget to deploy more violence interrupters on the street and is working with police and DA's office to build up cases against exploiters.
The heartbroken widow of a California public defender has spoken out on his death for the first time  and believes that he was murdered.

Kimberly Williams and Elliot Blair, 33, had been celebrating their one-year wedding anniversary at the Las Rocas Resort and Spa in Mexico.

Authorities have continually claimed that his death was an 'accident' while his family say that he was the victim of a 'brutal crime'.

His wife Kim says that she still can't sleep in a bed because 'the last time I was in bed I was woken up to find my husband dead'.

She says 'someone did this to him' and previously, lawyers for his family said that they were told he suffered a gunshot wound to the head.

His wife Kim says that she still can't sleep in a bed because 'the last time I was in bed I was woken up to find my husband dead'

Kimberly Williams and Elliot Blair, 33, had been celebrating their one-year wedding anniversary at the Las Rocas Resort and Spa in Mexico

Speaking to ABC, Kim said: 'They said it was an accident. Suicide, gunshot wound. It was a roller coaster. Suicide.

'I mean, everything under the sun except for what I think happened. Someone did this to him.

'I just remember him telling me how beautiful I looked that night. He was my rock, my everything. I still can't go in a bed.

'I can't -- I sleep on the couch because the last time I was in bed I was woken up to find my husband dead.'

The couple had got massages and five or six drinks before heading to dinner together, with Kim saying that she had 'never seen' her husband 'sloppy' after drinking.

On their way home they were reportedly pulled over by Mexican police, who said that they went through a stop sign and demanded cash from them.

Kim said: 'Elliot has always told me when we go down there to kind of not engage, he'll handle whatever needs to be said with them.

'Elliot had said, had told him we don't have the amount of cash that you want. The other officer came up and started talking to us, you know, where are you staying?

The couple had got massages and five or six drinks before heading to dinner together, with Kim saying that she had 'never seen' her husband 'sloppy' after drinking

Authorities have continually claimed that his death was an 'accident' while his family say that he was the victim of a 'brutal crime '

After his wife was informed of the incident, a family friend came and translated for her  with the family lawyer claiming that a police officer told Kim that her husband had been shot in the head

On their way home they were reportedly pulled over by Mexican police, who said that they went through a stop sign and demanded cash from them

'Elliot told them we were saying at Las Rocas. Elliot stood his ground, showed him his work badge and said, look, we're attorneys.

'We're not down here to mess around. But we're also not going to be taken advantage of. We didn't have the amount they wanted.

'We were both rattled but at the same time we both had this feeling of, thank god they didn't do anything more to us.'

She says the couple handed over all the cash in their wallets - $160  before returning to the hotel and going up to the hotel room.

Elliott went to take a shower, and Kim fell asleep before being woken up to a security guard and a hotel manager in her room.

The lawyer reportedly watched an Instagram video at 12:35am, and an ambulance was called to report the incident at the hotel at 12:50am.

She added: 'I ran out the front door and they're pointing over the side of our front door area to the ground. It was my Elliot down there.

'I just was yelling at them to call an ambulance, call an ambulance. Call an ambulance. They said an ambulance came an hour ago.

Kim said: 'Elliot has always told me when we go down there to kind of not engage, he'll handle whatever needs to be said with them'

The lawyer reportedly watched an Instagram video at 12:35am, and an ambulance was called to report the incident at the hotel at 12:50am

She says the couple handed over all the cash in their wallets - $160  before returning to the hotel and going up to the hotel room

The couple had been out for dinner and drinks before heading back to the hotel, where Elliot was found dead hours later

'I want the world to know who my Elliot is. I want to make sure he's remembered.'

An expert for the family believes that his death was 'not an accident', and released images of his injuries  showing bruises on the front of his body.

Dr Rami Hashish said: 'There's indications of potential of being dragged on the front of the body.

Family and colleagues said on a GoFundMe page for Blair he was 'tragically killed' and died due to a 'brutal crime'

'There's fractures to the back of the skull. Nothing really points to the fact that it was necessarily an accident.'

Mexican authorities have refuted the claims, and a spokesperson for the Baja California Attorney General told the LA Times that there was 'no sign of violence'  and rejected the evidence of a gunshot wound.

After his wife was informed of the incident, a family friend came and translated for her  with the family lawyer claiming that a police officer told Kim that her husband had been shot in the head.

When the coroner's office contacted the family days after his death, they were told that the cause of death was trauma to the head and that his death would be referred as a suspected homicide to prosecutors.

The family are 'disappointed' that they cannot conduct a toxicology report to disprove claims that Blair was drunk when he died.

They family plan to do their own autopsy when they get his body back, with the mortuary telling the family that bodies are only embalmed under family or prosecutors' orders

An expert for the family believes that his death was 'not an accident', and released images of his injuries  showing bruises on the front of his body

They also plan to do their own autopsy when they get his body back, with the mortuary telling the family that bodies are only embalmed under family or prosecutors' orders.

Family and colleagues said on a GoFundMe page for Blair he was 'tragically killed' and died due to a 'brutal crime'.

In a brief statement, Mexican authorities said they are investigating his death and are in contact with American authorities through the US Justice Department and the FBI, which in turn is informing Blair's family.

At around 1.15am on January 14 authorities were notified that Blair fell from the balcony of Hotel Las Rocas in the town of Rosarito, just south of Tijuana and off the Tijuana-Ensenada highway.
GoFundMe has removed multiple fundraising pages set up by strangers to help the elderly rancher charged with murder for shooting dead a Mexican migrant on his Arizona ranch.

George Alan Kelly, 73, remains in custody awaiting his next court appearance in Santa Cruz County, Arizona.

On January 30, he shot and killed 48-year-old Gabriel Cuen-Butimea after he crossed illegally onto his ranch in Kino Springs, near Nogales.

Friends of Kelly's say he's had trouble before with illegal migrants using his land to cross through. The elderly rancher was thrown in jail - where he has remained despite pleas to lower his bond.

Kelly's court-appointed attorney - Brenna Larkin - is yet to attempt to secure his release or have his bond lowered. The elderly man told a judge recently he had no way of coming up with $1million, and that he needed to be released to help his wife tend to their livestock.

Multiple GoFundMe pages set up to help Kelly have been removed by the website

Strangers who sympathize with Kelly and deem him a patriot who was defending his land set up GoFundMe pages to help with his legal defense.

But the fundraising company has since removed those pages, citing their policy that they do not allow any fundraising to help defend 'violent crimes'.

'GoFundMes Terms of Service explicitly prohibit campaigns that raise money to cover the legal defense of anyone formally charged with an alleged violent crime. Consistent with this long-standing policy, any fundraising campaigns for the legal defense of someone charged with murder are removed from our platform.

'Donors who contributed to the fundraising campaigns for George Alan Kellys legal expenses have been fully refunded,' a spokesman told DailyMail.com.

A Give Send Go page for Kelly has been set up instead.

That website is less inclined to remove pages, and was where countless donors gave to help Kenosha rioter shooter Kyle Rittenhouse as he fought murder charges in 2021.

Kelly has not had a chance to explain why he shot Cuen-Butimea, or if he'd met or encountered him before. Arizona has stand your ground and trespassing laws, but Kelly's attorney is yet to invoke either.

His court-appointed attorney filed a two-week delay, citing the overwhelming scale of the case as reason for her to need more time to prepare.

A Give Send Go account has been set up for Kelly and remains active. It has so far raised $5,000

George Alan Kelly is shown in court on February 2 after his bond was set at $1million

Gabriel Cuen-Butimea, 48, was shot on Monday January 30 by 73-year-old rancher George lan Kelly, after crossing onto Kelly's land in Kino Springs, a remote area of Arizona just 1.5 miles from the border

Kelly's sprawling ranch in Arizona is just 1.5 miles from the Mexican border. His friends say he's had problems with migrants crossing

It means Kelly must stay in jail for another two weeks at least, awaiting a new attorney or for his current attorney to file a request.

Newly-obtained video shows the frail 73-year-old shuffling into court in a pair of plastic prison slides.

He then asked the judge to allow him his reading glasses so that he could read the charge against him.

'May I ask a question your honor? I can't read without my reading glasses... they're not prescription just 1.5 magnification or something like that.

'I am aware of everything I can hear and now, thanks to you, I'll be aware of everything I can read,' he said.

Later, he asked for a definition of 'indigent', after the judge ruled that he was likely not 'indigent' enough to receive a public defender.

He had submitted financial records that showed his home and ranch as collateral. It's unclear how much they are worth.

'Your honor may I ask you a question?'

Kelly speaking with his wife briefly in court on February 2. He told the judge he hadn't been able to speak with her or 'anyone' since his arrest on January 30

'You used the word indigent, would you please give me your definition of indigent?

'Somebody doesn't make a certain amount - someone not making more than $20,000-a-year.

'That's more than accurate. I understand,' he said.

It's unclear if he meant it was accurate that he earned less than $25,000-a-year, or accurate that his paperwork was incomplete.

At the end of the hearing, Kelly said: 'Your honor may I ask one more question at an appropriate time?'

'One moment please,' Justice of Peace Emilio Velazquez replied.

George Alan Kelly, 73, is being held on a $1million bond. He begged a judge to lower the amount and let him go home to help his elderly wife tend to their livestock

After waiting until the judge was ready, Kelly pleaded: 'I noticed coming in, my wife is present in the court. May I ask her to make an appointment for audio visual conference?

'I have not been able to talk with her or anyone.'

The judge replied: 'That's something that has to be discussed with the detention facility downstairs. If your wife wants communication with you she can go to the sheriff's office.'

Kelly said meagerly: 'I appreciate you giving that instruction.'

Kelly's bond was set at $1million. He previously pleaded with the judge to lower it, saying he needed to look after his elderly wife and their livestock.

'She's there by herself... nobody to take care of her, the livestock or the ranch. And I'm not going anywhere. I can't come up with a million dollars.

'Would you consider reducing it to any degree?' he pleaded.

The judge refused instead telling him his attorney had to file a request - which she has not done.
The new deputy chairman of the Conservative Party has been caught up in a fresh row over an infamous Mail+ video in which he was rumbled staging a doorstep encounter while campaigning.

Lee Anderson clashed with a BBC local radio presenter when he was asked about setting up the doorknock with a friend posing as a regular voter during the 2019 general election campaign.

In response, the MP for Ashfield in Nottinghamshire asked broadcaster Verity Cowley ten times if she had ever told a lie.

Miss Cowley, who presents the drive-time show on BBC Radio Nottingham, spoke to Mr Anderson during a pre-recorded interview on Wednesday morning.

After speaking about his appointment earlier this week as deputy chairman - a role which traditionally takes a lead in spreading election messages during campaigns - the interview turned to the incident when Mr Anderson was filmed by then-Mail+ journalist Michael Crick canvassing before the 2019 general election.

Lee Anderson made headlines last year after claiming there was no 'massive use' for food banks in Britain

Mr Anderson was recorded taking a phone call, before walking back towards Crick and telling him the call related to a delivery of campaign leaflets.

But a microphone picked up the candidate telling a voter: 'Make out you know who I am, make out you know I'm the candidate but not a friend all right?...I'll see you in a minute.'

Referring to the video in yesterday's broadcast, Miss Cowley told Mr Anderson: 'There is a worry by some that you might be a bit dishonest.

'I'm talking about that video that you did where you asked a friend to pose as an anti-Labour swing voter.'

Mr Anderson, a former miner and Labour councillor who left the party in 2018 over its stance on Brexit, then repeatedly asked the host if she has ever told a lie.

'I've never asked somebody to pretend to be something they're not just to further my campaign,' she replied.

Miss Cowley then said humans tell false truths to protect people.

'So you're a liar, so you're dishonest,' Mr Anderson replied.

'We've established you're dishonest and you tell lies.'

Mr Anderson was filmed by then-Mail+ journalist Michael Crick canvassing before the 2019 general election

The Tory MP was recorded taking a phone call, before walking back towards Crick and telling him the call related to a delivery of campaign leaflets

The BBC then broadcast the full interview after the MP raised concerns over the editing process.

Mr Anderson made headlines last year after claiming there was no 'massive use' for food banks in Britain. His argument that if people learned how to cook and budget properly they could make meals for 30p a day subsequently saw him dubbed '30p Lee' by detractors.

In the interview with Miss Cowley broadcast on Wednesday afternoon, the MP said he would challenge the assumption anyone earning 30,000 to 35,000 needed to use a food bank.

Miss Cowley said: 'Even though nurses, firefighters, people who've got jobs are saying "I need to use this", you don't believe them?'

'No,' Mr Anderson said.

The MP challenged her to find a 'firefighter or a nurse' in Ashfield who relies on a food bank, and suggested that if she did, they could work together on her show with that person to explore the reasons why.

Mr Anderson was appointed deputy to ex-trade minister Greg Hands, who replaced Nadhim Zahawi as Tory chairman.

Mr Anderson's combative performance on the radio comes as The Spectator published an interview, conducted before he was appointed deputy chairman, in which he expresses support for reintroducing the death penalty in the most serious of cases.

Mr Anderson told the magazine: 'Nobody has ever committed a crime after being executed'.

Parliament suspended the death penalty in 1965, before later abolishing it completely across the UK.

At the end of his day following Mr Anderson on the campaign trail, Crick told Mail+ viewers he had 'long suspected' certain candidates had 'set up friendly voters to make them look that much more popular'.

But the former BBC and Channel 4 News journalist added that his recording of Mr Anderson was 'the first time we've caught some candidate blatantly in the act'.
Alex Murdaugh's car data appears to prove he spent just 20 minutes at his mother's house on the night of the double murders - despite claiming he was there for 40 minutes.

Prosecutors say Murdaugh shot Maggie and Paul dead at the family's hunting estate at Moselle, South Carolina, at 8.50pm on June 7, 2021. He then fired up his Chevrolet Suburban at 9.06pm and drove to his mother's home in Almeda - around 15 minutes away - in order to 'manufacture an alibi', the State suggests.

The disgraced attorney, 54, told detectives he was at his mother's for around 40 minutes - and instructed her caregiver, Shelley Smith, to say the same - although she wept as she told jurors last week that he was actually there for half that time.

Data seized from the computer of his 2021 Chevrolet Suburban - which took the FBI a year to decrypt - yesterday appeared to shatter his alibi. The car went into park at 9.22pm, apparently arriving at his mother's, then 21 minutes later, at 9.43pm the car is taken out of park again, indicating he was headed home.

Alex Murdaugh's black 2021 Chevrolet Suburban is seen outside the kennels where Maggie and Paul were murdered on June 7, 2021

The inside of Murdaugh's Chevrolet Suburban. Police found that swabs of the steering wheel tested positive for blood. There was also gunshot residue found on the seatbelt

Murdaugh arrives at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, South Carolina, on February 9

The vehicle goes back into park at 10pm. The log data does not show whether the car was moving, but the 16 minutes that elapse from when he presumably left Almeda correlates with the normal journey time to Moselle.

Murdaugh called 911 at 10.07pm and reported he had returned home to find Maggie and Paul dead at the kennels on the estate.

DATA FROM MURDAUGH'S CHEVY 9:03:44 pm: System boots up. (Could have happened after door opened) 9:06:49 pm: Fires up. 9:06:50 pm: Taken out of park. MURDAUGH SAYS HE WENT TO VISIT HIS MOTHER IN ALMEDA - AROUND 15 MINUTES DRIVE FROM MOSELLE 9:22:45 pm: Back into park. 21 MINS ELAPSE - MURDAUGH'S MOTHER'S CARER SAYS HE WAS AT THE HOUSE FOR AROUND THIS TIME 9:43:05 pm: Taken out of park. 9:43:59 pm: Back into park. Data does not show if car is moving. 9:44 pm: Taken out of park again. CAR OUT OF PARK FOR 16 MINUTES - POSSIBLY HEADED BACK HOME TO MOSELLE 10 pm: Back into park. 10:01:17 pm: Taken out of park 10:01:29 pm: Back into park. 10:01:30 pm: Taken out park. 10:01:43 pm: Back into park. 10:04:49 pm: Taken out of park. 10:05:55 pm: Back into park. MURDAUGH CALLS 911 AT 10.07PM 10:11:45 pm: Taken out of park. 10:12:38 pm: Back into park. 10:13:39 pm: Taken out park. No log note indicating when the car went back into park, sometimes the system stops recording. Advertisement

Between 10pm and 10.13pm the car was taken out of a park five times.

The log data does not prove the car was moving, Dwight Falkofske, an FBI electronics engineer told jurors Wednesday.

However, Murdaugh was holding a shotgun when cops arrived.

It is possible that he drove back to the main house and then back to the kennels - around 400 yards away - after retrieving the firearm.

Falkofske said the data from the Suburban's onboard computer was encrypted, not something he had ever encountered before. He told jurors this had been done by the manufacturer.

As a result, the FBI had to take another 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and reverse engineer the computer encryption to crack the code.

Murdaugh's mother's caregiver, Smith, testified on Monday that he visited on the night of the killings at some time between 9pm and 9.30pm.

He appeared 'fidgety' and was periodically looking at his phone during the visit which lasted between 15 and 20 minutes.

His mother Libby, who is in the late stages of Alzheimer's, was in bed and Murdaugh lay next to her in the bedroom.

The caregiver wept as she described how he showed up to his parents' house a few days later and pointedly told her that he was with his mother for 30 to 40 minutes on the night of the killings.

Smith said this made her 'nervous' because she recalled he had only been there for half that time. She was so concerned by the instruction from Murdaugh that she later told her police officer brother about the conversation.

Smith told jurors that Murdaugh arrived at his mother's on the night of the murders wearing a T-shirt and shorts. It was later than he had ever visited before.

Smith said she did not see any blood on him. However, Murdaugh was wearing a dress shirt and long pants earlier in the evening, according to a Snapchat video sent by Paul at 7.56pm.

Buster Murdaugh and his girlfriend, Brooklynn White, and Alex's brother John Marvin Murdaugh (right) and sister Lynn (left) arrive at Colleton County Courthouse Thursday

Buster Murdaugh and Alex's brother arrive at the courthouse on Thursday along with the younger man's girlfriend Brooklynn White

Alex Murdaugh with his wife Maggie, eldest son Buster, right, and younger son Paul, left

When cops arrived he was also wearing a clean T-shirt and shorts.

Smith testified that a few days after the slayings, Murdaugh visited his parents' house at 6.30am, which she said was 'unusual'.

She said Murdaugh was carrying a 'blue something' in his hand that looked like a tarp or jacket. A blue raincoat was later found at Murdaugh's parents' home coated with gun residue.

During the visit, Murdaugh asked about her upcoming wedding and mentioned that he could help her will the bill.

The State says the coat was covered with gun residue and found stashed in a closet at Libby Murdaugh's home.

Forensic scientist Megan Fletcher told jurors Tuesday that she found 38 gunshot residue particles across the interior and exterior of the coat. She found so many, in fact, that she stopped searching the jacket.

John Meadors for the State asked if a firearm could have been wrapped inside the coat. She confirmed that was a possibility.

But defense attorney Jim Griffin said that even the seat Fletcher was sitting in could have gun residue on it given that the evidence had been presented from the witness stand. She agreed that was possible.

Griffin that the residue on the rain jacket might have come from Alex's father, Randolph Murdaugh III, tossing his jacket onto his shotgun - named Bo Whoop - in his truck. Fletcher said this too was plausible.

Fletcher told jurors that as well as the 'significant' gunshot residue on the coat, she found particles on Murdaugh's t-shirt, shorts, his hand and the seatbelt of his car, from samples taken by cops the night of the killings.

Griffin asked the forensic expert if the small amount of gunshot residue found on Murdaugh's clothes and hands could have come from the shotgun he claims he grabbed for protection after arriving back at Moselle to find Maggie and Paul dead.

Fletcher agreed this was possible, telling jurors: 'That would be consistent with somebody that had a firearm in his hand prior to collection.'

Griffin also questioned why the blue tarp discovered at Murdaugh's parents' house was not tested for gunshot residue.

The defense claim that the 'blue something' that Murdaugh's mother's caregiver saw him with after the killings was a blue tarp, not the raincoat.

Buster Murdaugh and Brooklynn White are asked to stand so witness Chris Wilson can see them during Alex Murdaugh's trial

A tear drops from Alex Murdaugh's eye as he listens to his friend Chris Wilson testify during his double murder trial at the Colleton County Courthouse on Thursday

The raincoat the prosecution say Smith saw Murdaugh with nine days after the killings. The jacket was found to be covered in gun residue. It was presented on Monday at Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, South Carolina

Fletcher said the jacket was seized because it was bundled up in a closet, while the tarp was folded in a storage container.

Griffin grilled her about the logic of that decision, but the forensic scientist said this was not her job - she did not recover the item from the property she only analyzed it.

The prosecution is still laying out its case in the double-murder trial at Colleton County Court in Westboro.

Murdaugh is accused of shooting his wife and son dead at the kennels on the estate in a bid to distract from the millions he had embezzled from his law firm.

On the day of the murders, June 7, 2021, he had been confronted by the chief financial officer at the firm over $792,000 that he had stolen. Prosecutors say this was just the tip of the iceberg and 'the walls were closing in.'

The defense say the claim is 'ludicrous' and he was a loving family man.

Further evidence of his financial crimes is set to be heard by jurors later today after Judge Clifton Newman ruled that it is admissible.
Feds who raided an unassuming car rental in Houston last week found more than 17lbs of possible fentanyl precursors and over 1 kilogram of counterfeit Xanax pills laced with fentanyl in the latest bust of businesses doubling as drug depots.

Four men are facing manufacturing and distribution charges following the high-profile raid of Speedy Slingshot Rental, which happened January 30 and could be linked to what feds say is a complex, far-reaching drug operation.

Authorities confiscated several pounds of product, pills, and high-tech drug-making machinery from the store, which opened last year and bills itself as Houston's premier exotic vehicle rental experience.

More charges are likely to follow for the unnamed men - who are reportedly already out on bail, despite authorities airing the belief the bust-up may be linked to Mexican cartels who have sought to expand their reach stateside.

The incident is just the latest in a series of Breaking Bad-esque busts of businesses acting as a front for criminal enterprises, with the one in Texas uncovering a sprawling, sophisticated lab straight from the hit series.

The high-profile raid of Speedy Slingshot Rental in Houston on January 30 is the latest bust-up of business thought to be doubling as drug depots

Authorities confiscated several pounds of product, pills, and high-tech drug-making machinery from the store, which contained a drug lab straight out of Breaking Bad

The series, led by Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston, centers around two inexperienced drug dealers. In the show, the duo cooks meth in an underground lab disguised as a car wash

Neighbors said undercover officers had been staking out the shop for days prior to the raid, where feds found pill press machines, more than 17lbs of possible fentanyl precursors, and over 1 kilogram of counterfeit Xanax pills laced with fentanyl - a deadly drug that is 50 times stronger than heroin.

A synthetic opioid, the drug is commonly added to other illicit substances like cocaine and meth due to it's affordability and potency. The is blamed for helping fuel America's current drug crisis and subsequent rise in opioid-related deaths.

Authorities also discovered felony quantities of cocaine, ecstasy, meth, and fentanyl-laced Oxycodone at the roadside business - as well as a stolen vehicle, three pistols, and a rifle.

Neighbors said undercover officers had been staking out the shop for days prior to the raid, where feds found pill press machines, more than 17lbs of possible fentanyl precursors (pictured), and over 1 kilogram of counterfeit Xanax pills laced with fentanyl

Authorities also discovered felony quantities of cocaine, ecstasy, meth, and fentanyl-laced Oxycodone at the roadside business - as well as a stolen vehicle, three pistols, and a rifle

The four men arrested at the business have yet to be identified, and reportedly tried to flee from agents who descended on the store, according to the charges leveled against them - which included evading authorities in a motor vehicle.

Fox News further reported that all four of the men were out on bail as early as Wednesday, despite facing felony distribution and manufacturing charges that could see them put away in a federal pen for up to 99 years.

The suspected drug depot is still being investigated, and is only the most recent instance of a restaurant, office, or other business serving as a cover for an illicit drug operation - a la the Albuquerque car wash bought by a rising Walter White, or the equally inconspicuous cartel-run chicken chain Los Pollos Hermanos.

That said, as efforts to quell the opioid crisis become more pronounced, drug factories adopting the facade of a respectable businesses have become more common - leading many to question exactly just how many are hiding in plain sight.

The bust in Texas could be linked to what feds say is a complex, far-reaching drug operation

The suspected drug depot is still being investigated, and is only the most recent instance of a business serving as a cover for an illicit drug operation

Shiva Science & Technology Group - 'biotech' firm busted earlier this year

In September, feds unmasked one of these potential rings operating out of a prominent Pennsylvania tech firm.

Located in Lewisburg, the unassuming office for Shiva Science & Technology Group not only contained the usual computers and cubicles, but another full-service lab designed to synthesize mass quantities of fentanyl.

Billing itself as a 'biotech' firm, the company not employed staff with no science background whatsoever, but compiled chemicals not for the betterment of mankind, but to create the powerful narcotic blamed for more than 80,000 of the 108,000 overdose deaths seen across America in 2021.

In September, feds unmasked one of these potential rings operating out of a prominent Pennsylvania tech firm

The alleged mastermind, 50-year-old Chairman & CEO Anthony Bressi, admitted that for more than six years, he and his coconspirators were manufacturing and selling in an elaborate underground, online network, where he charged buyers $25,000 a kilogram.

A laboratory analysis of the chemicals seized from the business, which at first glance looks like any other office building in the area, confirmed the crook's story, after feds determined the office's well-equipped laboratory was capable of producing mass amounts of fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl and carfentanil, feds wrote in an affidavit.

Bressi, and alleged accomplices Damonico Henderson, 58, and Terry Harris, 49, are currently awaiting trial on charges of conspiracy and possession with intent to deliver controlled substances following the depot's downfall.

The Original Nancy's Seafood and Oriental Market' - raided in 2019

Another bust, a few thousand miles south in Georgia, saw five restaurant staffers cuffed on similar charges, after they were found to be operating a drug ring run out of the back of their family-run seafood restaurant (pictured)

While a far cry from the professional operation carried out by fried chicken kingpin Gus Fring, the drug ring at 'The Original Nancy's Seafood and Oriental Market' was busted in 2019, after feds found cash, meth, four pounds of marijuana and 100 THC pens at the Savannah eatery

Another bust a few thousand miles south in Georgia saw five restaurant staffers cuffed on similar charges, after they were found to be operating a drug ring run out of the back of their family-run Seafood restaurant.

While a far cry from the professional operation carried out by fried chicken kingpin Gus Fring, the undercover drug ring at 'The Original Nancy's Seafood and Oriental Market' was busted in 2019, after feds found crystal meth, 'more' than four pounds of marijuana, 100 THC vape pens, and cash at the bayside business in Savannah.

A sign outside the eatery seemingly advertised the extracurricular items, reading: 'fresh seafood and more,' with feds revealing all of the illegal drug deals carried out - not carry-out - by owner Trinh Kapu, 48, was done inside the unassuming eatery.

A sign outside the eatery seemingly advertised the extracurricular items, reading: 'fresh seafood and more'

Fed said all owner Trinh Kapu carried out the illegal deals in the back of the store, aided by staffers at the family run-business, Kapu and several other staffers have since been arrested

'In some cases people were going to the very back of the restaurant so the general public was not made aware,' said Gene Harley, Assistant Director of Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team, of the restaurant's business model.

'There were a lot of people that were utilizing that solely to obtain their narcotics, so it was as distribution hub,' Harley said.

A bust-up of Kapu's home would later turn up cocaine, crystal meth, marijuana, weapons and several thousand dollars in cash, while several of her family members employed at the store were also arrested for participating in the cross-country drug ring. Kapu is currently serving a 20-year-stint in prison.

La Victoria Mercado Y Carniceria - part of 'sprawling cartel coke ring'

Another inconspicuous storefront to come under federal scrutiny this year was a Mexican supermarket in Sacramento, whose owner also stands accused of using the shop as a front

Another inconspicuous storefront to come under federal scrutiny this year was a Mexican supermarket in California, whose owner also stands accused of using the shop as a front - all while partnering with one of Mexico's most prominent cartels.

Jose Manuel Chavez Zepeda and employee Denis Ponce Castillo's alleged misdeeds were uncovered in April of this year, when agents raided Zepeda's grocery store, La Victoria Mercado Y Carniceria in Sacramento.

Feds said customers were oblivious to the pair's alleged misdeeds, which included using the Latin American market as a site for illicit cocaine deals - as well as a source of legitimate income to launder the profits.

The FBI said the notorious Mexican cartel Jalisco New Generation supplied the cocaine to Zepeda by smuggling thousands of pounds of the drug across the border, and then traveling to LA where the drugs were loaded into trucks and driven to Ceres.

The FBI said the notorious Mexican cartel Jalisco New Generation supplied the cocaine to owner of La Victoria Mercado Y Carniceria, by smuggling thousands of pounds of the drug across the border, and then traveling to LA where the drugs were loaded into trucks

The drugs, feds said, were then distributed throughout Sacramento - helping to fuel a drug epidemic currently plaguing residents of the Golden State's once-picturesque capital.

'It's really depressing because we are already in a bad neighborhood as it is, and that is not benefitting the people of the community,' customer Paul Yanez told the city's CBS affiliate following the high-profile bust-up, which served as the culmination of a six-year investigation spanning across several states, agents said.

Feds said they became aware of the suspected drug depot after receiving a tip from informant who agreed to work with the bureau in exchange for securing his immigration status.

If found guilty of felony drug distribution, the pair could spend 5 to 40 years in prison - and could face up to $5 million in fines.

Florida car wash that doubled as drug depot

In another incident that harks back to Vince Gilligan's meth-fueled masterpiece, a car wash in Daytona, Florida, was revealed to be a front for various illegal exploits in 2017.

In another incident that harks back to Vince Gilligan's meth-fueled masterpiece, a car wash in Daytona, Florida, was revealed to be a front for various illegal exploits in 2017.

Owner Kevin Stokes was arrested and later charged with the murder of 19-year-old man, for which he is serving a life sentence

The shop's 41-year-old owner Kevin Stokes, better known by his street pseudonym 'Pooh Bear', was subsequently arrested, and accused of running a narcotics trafficking operation out of the car wash and an adjoining snack shop.

The business, feds said, served as a one-stop shop where customers could purchase coke, heroin, and other schedule-1 drugs, and despite its cover, had been a well-known drug den for years.

Called a 'plague' on the community, the store has since been closed, and Stokes arrested.

He was later charged with the murder of 19-year-old Daytona man, and is currently serving a life sentence.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) torched Republicans and Democrats alike on Wednesday night during a rousing speech at the Washington Press Club's Congressional Dinner.

Journalists and lawmakers packed into the glamorous Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington, DC, for the 77th annual event.

Mace, already known for her blunt and outspoken ways, brought down the house with roasts of her controversial colleagues as the featured Republican speaker - and sprinkled her speech with some light-hearted jabs as well.

She made several jokes about Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) related to a federal probe into whether he had committed sex acts with a minor, including claiming he was not at the dinner because he 'couldn't find a babysitter' - before quickly adding, 'to be his date.'

The congresswoman even went after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy over his 15-round vote to win the gavel last month, quipping that she hasn't 'seen someone assume that many positions to appease the crazy Republicans since Stormy Daniels.'

South Carolina Republican Rep. Nancy Mace was among the featured speakers at the Washington Press Club's annual Congressional dinner

'Well, let's be honest - we all knew that Matt Gaetz would never let the vote get to 18,' Mace said.

Mace had been one of the last GOP holdouts before McCarthy won over her 'yes' vote as well.

She then turned her attention to Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), who recently got kicked off the House Foreign Affairs Committee by the Republican majority in a House-wide vote.

'I tried looking for Ilhan Omar in the audience too tonight but it looks like she lost her seat,' Mace said.

Looking around at the crowd's mixed reaction, she added: 'I was sure I'd get booed on that one.'

Someone called Mace's attention to Omar's presence in the audience, to which she said: 'Oh there you are, baby!'

The GOP congresswoman even poked fun at herself over her past devotion to Donald Trump, which included her traveling to New York City to film a video outside of Trump Tower pledging her loyalty to him - after he'd already endorsed her GOP primary rival.

'This is a beautiful hotel, a beautiful former Trump property,' Mace said. The event venue's ownership had recently changed hands from Trump's real estate empire to the Waldorf Astoria.

'Thank God it's not a current Trump hotel, because if it were, I'd be standing out front all night recording videos,' Mace added.

She made several jokes about Rep. Matt Gaetz, who is married, being attracted to underaged girls

She also compared House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to Stormy Daniels in a joke she quipped might send her 'to the principal's office'

But she saved the largest portion of attacks for Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), whose love of guns became a frequent punchline for Mace.

After mocking embattled fabulist Rep. George Santos (R-NY), Mace said he was giving 'Republicans a bad name,' and followed up with: 'That's Lauren Boebert's job.

'Just kidding, Lauren, don't shoot,' Mace added.

She also made fun of Boebert's ownership of a restaurant called Shooter's Grill in Rifle, Colorado.

'That's like Matt Gaetz owning a restaurant called Jail Baits,' Mace said.

'Or it could be like Hunter Biden owning a restaurant called Crackheads, or Ilhan Omar owning a restaurant called Anti-Semites.'
A New Jersey councilman has been killed in a horror murder-suicide a week after the unsolved slaying of another New Jersey councilmember.

Russell Heller, 51, was gunned down by a former co-worker just after 7am Wednesday in the parking lot of an energy company where he worked.

Authorities quickly identified a suspect, Gary Curtis, 58, in the mysterious killing, however he was later found dead in a car from a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The murder of the Milford Councilman comes just seven days after Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour, 30, was found dead in her car with multiple gunshot wounds after it crashed near her New Jersey home.

Her murder remains unsolved, however authorities have not yet linked her death with Heller's.

Russell Heller, 51, was gunned down just after 7am Wednesday in the parking lot of an energy company where he worked

Murder suspect Gary Curtis, 58, a former co-worker of Heller's, was later found dead in his car following the killing of the New Jersey councilman

The Somerset County prosecutor's office insisted that despite the close proximity of the two deaths, Heller's murder appears to be 'an isolated incident.'

'The investigation remains ongoing to determine motive,' said the prosecutors office, who also stressed that 'Heller was the intended target.'

Authorities said that Heller was shot by former co-worker Curtis outside PSE&G, a local energy company, on Wednesday morning as the councilman arrived at work.

Curtis then fled the scene and drove to Bridgewater, around eight miles away. Police located the suspect at around 10:20am, where he was found dead inside his car from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Tributes have poured in following the sudden death of the Republican lawmaker, who had served on the Milford City Council since 2020.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said he was sending 'thoughts and prayers' to the slain councilman's 'family and friends in the wake of this tragic act of gun violence.'

Henri Schepens, the mayor of Milford, told NJ.com: 'The Milford Borough Council is deeply saddened by the loss and our hearts go out to his family.'

He added: '(Heller) was so full of life, its just unbelievable that hes gone.

'Something like this has never happened in borough history. We are very shaken by this.'

Congressman Tom Kean, whose district includes the Milford area, added that he was 'shocked and saddened by the tragic murder.'

'Russell was an outstanding public servant who proudly represented the river town he loved,' he said in a tweet.

Following the tragedy, PSE&G, the energy company where Heller worked as a distribution supervisor, said: 'We are heartbroken at the tragic death of Russell Heller.

'Russell was an admired employee and a supervisor with over 11 years of service with PSE&G.

'He will be sorely missed by all, and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. This event is tragic and disturbing, and we are offering support to our employees as they process this.'

The company added that they are cooperating with law enforcement as they continue to investigate the murder.

In a statement released on Thursday morning, the Somerset County prosecutor's office said their investigation revealed the shooting 'was not politically connected with his elected office or political affiliation.'

Eunice Dwumfour, 30, was found dead in her white Nissan SUV after it crashed near her home on Point of Wood Drive in New Jersey

A friend told DailyMail.com that the councilwoman was 'bubbly', and that she and her family had just returned from a trip to Nigeria before she was killed

Heller's death comes just a week after fellow New Jersey councilmember Eunice Dwumfour, 30, was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds following a car crash near her home in Point of Wood Drive, New Jersey.

Police said that the mother-of-one was the 'intended target' in the slaying, but no arrests have yet been made in connection with the case.

A 911 call was placed at 7.22pm, as witnesses claim that a suspected gunman was spotted racing away from her apartment complex.

Authorities have not yet given a motive for the killing.

Dwumfour was a rising star in local Republican politics, and she also worked for a Nigerian-based church group and was a part-time EMT alongside her role in the city council.

The 30-year-old Republican was not up for reelection until 2024 after she won her seat on the Sayreville City Council in a shot election win in 2021.

A friend told DailyMail.com that she and her family had just returned from Nigeria on a church trip - describing her as 'bubbly and nice'.

A memorial service was held yesterday for the councilwoman, who was the first African American to take office in the borough of Sayreville.

'Eunice broke through that glass ceiling,' said Sayreville Mayor Victoria Kilpatrick at the service.

'She confidently, with class and dignity, walked proudly to her seat on the dais in her signature sparkling high heels.'
The daughter of a couple accused of stealing 150,000 from TV chef Stephen Terry confessed that the family jetted off on luxury Disney holidays, a jury heard today.

Jasmine Nightingale, 22, enjoyed holidays to Disney resorts while mother Nicola, 47, stole 150,000 from her celeb chef boss, who was Gordon Ramsay's best man.

A court heard the family took two trips to Eurodisney, a trip to Disney World Florida and also holidayed in France.

Simon Nightingale, 50, and his wife also enjoyed two anniversary stays in Morocco while Mrs Nightingale stole 150,000 from the restaurant.

The court heard Nicola Nightingale was working as an office admin at the plush Hardwick restaurant run by chef Stephen Terry.

But she started to steal money weeks into the job and transferred 46,741.57 from the country inn to her husband.

Simon and Nicola Nightingale, pictured. Mrs Nightingale pleaded guilty to fraud - but her husband is facing trial for acquiring criminal property

Gordon Ramsay (left) with Stephen Terry who runs the plush Hardwick restaurant

The couple were paying money to debt management company Lowell Portfolio Ltd to pay off store cards while using money from the restaurant.

Prosecutor Thomas Stanway said the alarm was raised when TV's Great British Menu chef Stephen Terry checked the accounts.

Mr Terry discovered two 40,000 loans had been taken out in his name along with a 10,000 shortfall in the pension pot.

Nightingale claimed he believed money transferred to him was his wife's wages along with money for shifts he carried out at the restaurant in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire.

Mr Stanway said: 'He gave a prepared statement to police. He effectively placed the blame on his wife. He said she had access to his account.'

The couple's daughter Jasmine, who also worked shifts for chef Mr Terry, said her heavy drinker mum had control over the finances.

Giving evidence, she said: 'My mum was heavily drinking wine and gin. She was bad. She was nasty, argumentative.

'You didn't want to be around her. She drank every day. It would start when she came home from work at around 3.30pm until she passed out.'

Mr Terry discovered two 40,000 loans had been taken out in his name along with a 10,000 shortfall in the pension pot

The court heard Jasmine, who also worked as a barista for Costa Coffee, was made to pay rent while living in the family's rented home.

She said: 'My mum was responsible for the finances. More or less all of the time. My mum was in complete control of everything we bought and everywhere we went.

'I would not ask my dad for money because I would get a lecture from him saying that I can't keep asking for money.

'I gave money for rent and for holidays. It was my mum's idea. My mum would make every decision.'

Chef Mr Terry said: 'I think it took Nicola about four weeks to start taking money from us from when she started. She didn't hang about.'

Mrs Nightingale pleaded guilty to fraud - but her husband, previously of Gilwern near Abergavenny, is facing trial for acquiring criminal property.

The three-day trial continues at Cardiff Crown Court.
Scorsese's The Irishman and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery were on the list

Seven of Netflix's most popular original movies came out in the last two years

Netflix has revealed its ten most-watched original movies of all-time, seven of which were released in the last two years, and most of which were not released to critical acclaim.

The two films with generally good reviews were Scorsese's 2019 hit The Irishman, which was nominated for best picture at the Oscars, and last year's Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, starring Daniel Craig.

Netflix's ranking considers how many hours the movie was viewed in the 28 days after its release. The list wouldn't, therefore, credit films that grew in popularity a while after they came out.

It is also noteworthy that in the last five years Netflix's subscriber count has grown significantly, increasing the number of people who could access more recent movies. When The Irishman was released in 2019, Netflix had 158 million subscribers, but when its most-viewed film Red Notice came out in 2021, it had 222 million.

Of the top ten, five have Rotten Tomatoes scores below 60 percent.

Netflix has revealed its ten most-watched original movies of all-time, seven of which were released in the last two years, and most of which were not released to critical acclaim

Netflix had 158 million subscribers when The Irishman released in 2019, but when its most-viewed movie Red Notice came out in 2021, it had 222 million

1. Red Notice (2021)

Hours viewed in first 28 days: 364 million

Rotten Tomatoes: 36 percent

Starring: Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot

In this action comedy, an Interpol agent attempts to track down and capture notorious international art thieves.

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot star in Netflix's most-watched film of all time, Red Notice (2021)

2. Dont Look Up (2021)

Hours viewed in first 28 days: 360 million

Rotten Tomatoes: 56 percent

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Lawrence, Timothee Chalamet, Jonah Hill

A satirical film about two unknown astronomers who attempt to warn the world about a comet that is headed towards Earth.

Leonardo DiCaprio plays an astronomer on a mission to alert the world to an inbound comet in Don't Look Up (2021)

3. Bird Box (2018)

Hours viewed in first 28 days: 282 million

Rotten Tomatoes: 64 percent

Starring: Sandra Bullock, John Malkovich

A horror thriller based on a 2014 novel of the same name. It tells the story of a woman and her children fighting to survive in a post-apocalyptic world in which a mysterious entity is wiping out swathes of the population.

Sandra Bullock play a woman on a quest to save her children in Bird Box (2018)

4. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)

Hours viewed in first 28 days: 280 million

Rotten Tomatoes: 92 percent

Starring: Daniel Craig, Edward Norton

A sequel to the 2019 movie Knives Out, in which detective Benoit Blanc returns to take on a case involving a tech billionaire who hosts a murder mystery game on his private island in Greece.

Daniel Craig returns as detective Benoit Blanc in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)

5. The Gray Man (2022)

Hours viewed in first 28 days: 254 million

Rotten Tomatoes: 46 percent

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Ana de Armas, Chris Evans

Based on a 2008 novel, the film follows a CIA agent who discovers secrets about his superior, triggering a manhunt coordinated by an ex-colleague.

Ryan Reynolds plays a CIA agent who is hunted by an ex-colleague and assassins in The Gray Man (2022)

6. The Adam Project (2022)

Hours viewed in first 28 days: 233 million

Rotten Tomatoes: 67 percent

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Walker Scobell, Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo

A sci-fi film in which a time-traveling fighter pilot crash lands in 2022 and teams up with a 12-year-old version of himself to change the future and save the world.

Ryan Reynolds goes back in time and teams up with his former self in The Adam Project (2022)

7. Extraction (2020)

Hours viewed in first 28 days: 232 million

Rotten Tomatoes: 67 percent

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Rudhraksh Jaiswal

A former Australian SAS soldier turned mercenary is hired to track down an Indian crime boss's missing son and embarks on a mission that goes awry in Bangladesh.

Chris Hemsworth stars in Extraction (2020) in which he is hired to rescue the son of a crime boss

8. Purple Hearts (2022)

Hours viewed in first 28 days: 229 million

Rotten Tomatoes: 35 percent

Starring: Sofia Carson, Nicholas Galitzine

A romance, based on a novel of the same name, in which a Marine and an aspiring musician marry to receive military benefits and pay off their debts.

Sofia Carson and Nicholas Galitzine play aspiring musician and Marine in romance Purple Hearts (2022)

9. The Unforgivable (2021)

Hours viewed in first 28 days: 215 million

Rotten Tomatoes: 38 percent

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Jon Bernthal

A woman who served 20 years in prison for a murder is reunited with her younger sister and tries to rebuild her life, but people are reluctant to forgive her.

Sandra Bullock served 20 years in prison for a murder in The Unforgivable (2021)

10. The Irishman (2019)

Hours viewed in first 28 days: 215 million

Rotten Tomatoes: 95 percent

Starring: Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Al Pacino, Harvey Keitel, Anna Paquin, Stephen Graham

A Martin Scorsese film which follows a truck driver who becomes involved with a Pennsylvania mobster and his crime family and goes on to become a top hit man.
A Russian-born former dominatrix has been found guilty of charges in connection to the bizarre identity theft plot of her doppelganger, in which she laced a cheesecake and chicken soup with poison in an attempt to kill her.

Viktoria Nasyrova, 45, was found guilty of seven of the 10 charges laid out against her including attempted murder, attempted assault and unlawful imprisonment, a jury at the Queen's Supreme Court found on Wednesday.

The notorious criminal, whose dark and twisted past resurfaced following her arrest, is expected to be sentenced March 21 but is staring down the barrel of 25 years in prison for her crimes.

The international fugitive, who has a penchant for expensive fur coats and diamonds, started her crime spree in 2014, as stories of running from the law after the murder of her neighbor in Russia emerged, among accusations of targeting men on dating websites, drugging and robbing them.

Russian-born former dominatrix, Viktoria Nasyrova, 45, has been found guilty of charges in connection to the bizarre identity theft plot of her doppelganger, in which she laced a cheesecake and chicken soup with poison in an attempt to kill her

A stony faced Nasyrova walked into the Queen's courtroom dressed in all black and shackled at the hands.

She sat beside her lawyer as she received the jury's verdict on 10 charges, showing little emotion.

She was found guilty of attempted murder, attempted assault, second degree assault, unlawful imprisonment and attempted larceny.

The 45-year-old expressed some relief when she was let off three counts of grand larceny despite being slapped with a majority of the charges laid out against her.

The charges could see Nasyrova face up to 25 years in prison, however her sentencing is expected to take place late March.

Olga Tsvyk, who she had attempted to murder, appeared neutral as she sat between two women in the fairly empty courtroom on Wednesday.

During the trial, the glamorous Forest Hills eyelash stylist told reporters she was 'not good' as she testified against her former client.

Nasyrova, 45, was found guilty of seven of the 10 charges laid out against her including attempted murder, attempted assault and unlawful imprisonment, a jury at the Queen's Supreme Court found on Wednesday

It remains unclear, how Tsvyk was feeling following the predominantly guilty verdict from jurors.

Nasyrova had been accused of trying to kill Tsvyk in 2016 as part of an identity theft plot involving poison laced cheesecake and chicken soup.

On Aug 28, 2016, Nasyrova claimed she couldn't meet at Tsvyk's salon because of a scheduling conflict but begged to see her at her home in Forest Hills for an eyelash touch-up, according to Tsyvk.

Seemingly grateful, she brought with her a gift - cheesecake that she said was from the 'best bakery in Brooklyn.'

Nasyrova ate two slices herself and offered Tsyvk one as well, about 20 minutes later, the lethal dessert had her vomiting and she spent the night feeling sick.

The next day, Nasyrova dropped back by with, chicken soup, after which Tsyvk slipped into a coma.

She was later found wearing a nightgown with pills scattered around her bed.

Olga Tsvyk, who she had attempted to murder, appeared neutral in as she sat between two women in the fairly empty courtroom on Wednesday

The notorious 45-year-old, whose dark and twisted past resurfaced following her arrest, is expected to be sentenced March 21 but is staring down the barrel of 25 years in prison for her crimes

Prosecutors claimed that Nasyrova had staged it to look like a suicide attempt after poisoning both the cheesecake and soup with phenazepam, a drug developed in the Soviet Union in 1975, often used as a sedative.

Too much of the sedative, however, can lead to 'profound sedation,' respiratory depression or death, according to the Department of Justice-Drug Enforcement Administration.

Tsyvk spent three days in hospital, and as she began to recover, reportedly recalled Nasyrova going through her things at the house.

Prosecutors alleged that Nasyrova took cash, Tsyvk's passport and employment authorization card, as well as clothes and jewelry that she sold for around $100,000.

The Russian-born criminal had initially denied the allegations in media interviews following her arrest - many of which became a focus of the trial.

Nasyrova once lived a glamorous lifestyle, and was known for having a taste for the finer things in life including diamonds and furs, but was no stranger to felony.

In May 2016, she was arrested for stealing two furs worth $532 from a Century 21, but her international crimes were yet to emerge.

Nasyrova had been accused of trying to kill Tsvyk in 2016 as part of an identity theft plot involving poison laced cheesecake and chicken soup

The Russian-born criminal had initially denied the allegations in media interviews following her arrest - many of which became a focus of the trial. She was seen here leaving the courtroom

In 2019, Nasyrova pleaded guilty in a separate case in which she had been charged with attempted larceny in Brooklyn Supreme Court, following other allegations that she had drugged and robbed men that she met on dating apps.

But the most horrific of her alleged crimes took place before she reached the United States.

A gruesome murder charge hung over the 45-year-old who is said to have fled to New York following the brutal slaying of her neighbor in 2014, Alla Alekseenko, 54.

Alekseenko remains were found burned and buried two miles from her home in Krasnodar, in southern Russia.

DailyMail.com exclusively revealed images of the victim's body in the front seat of Nasyrova's car by traffic cameras in 2017, investigators at the time saying, money was the motive for the heartless homicide.

Nasyrova fled to America and began a new life as masseuse with 'experience in upscale spas and beauty salons,' according to an ad for 'quality massage at home' she posted shortly after arriving in the Big Apple.

Police said Nasyrova enjoyed a lavish lifestyle of diamonds and furs, paid for by the men she lured into her life. A dark picture of her past has been painted since her arrest

Stories of running from the law after the murder of a woman in Russia in 2014 among accusations of targeting men on dating websites, drugging and robbing them, also emerged about Nasyrova

It's been reported she was allegedly able to escape Russia by having sex with a local police officer. Interpol then issued a red notice for her arrest for murder.

But, her sordid past followed her, when Alekseenko's horrified daughter learned that the wanted Russian beauty was now living just miles away from her in Brooklyn.

The victim's daughter, Nadezda Ford, said she got a text message from her missing mother shortly after her disappearance, saying 'Sweetie, don't worry about me, I'll notify you about where I am soon enough.'

Herman Weisberg, a retired NYPD detective, had been approached by Alekseenko's daughter, after the horrified woman learned that her mother's suspected killer was living near her

Investigators found $17,000 in cash and jewelry missing from the her home.

By November of 2014, Nasyrova had slipped out of Russia, despite a warrant out for her arrest on Interpol.

A private detective in New York played a key role in bringing Nasyrova to justice.

Herman Weisberg, a retired NYPD detective, had been approached by Ford after the horrified woman learned that her mother's suspected killer was living near her.

'A Good Samaritan who knew the daughter of the murdered Russian woman got in touch with me and told me the story,' Weisberg told DailyMail.com at the time.

'She offered to pay whatever cost for me to track her down and bring her to justice.'

Ford 'was living in fear of this woman,' and had already moved once and was heartbroken over the loss of her mother,' said Weisberg.

Alla Alekseenko, 54's, body was found months later, badly burned and reduced to a skull and a few bones identifiable only through dental records

The intrepid detective discovered that Nasyrova was still regularly using Facebook under a different name, and found her secret profile.

'After poring over pictures I realized the stitching on the leather car seat in one of her selfies was unique to a high-end Chrysler. I then had my surveillance team scour Sheepshead Bay until we found the vehicle,' he said.

The team found the vehicle, a Chrysler 300, and began a stakeout. Weisberg's discovery paid off - they'd located the mysterious fugitive.

On top of the Russia murder, Nasyrova was also wanted by NYPD on suspicion of drugging and robbing at least three men she met via a New York dating website.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Bob Boyce said: 'She's a con artist who meets people online through a dating site and then drugs them at some point, and takes their property from them and flees'.

She was arrested by the NYPD Warrant Squad on an open warrant for the alleged seduction robberies after Weisberg alerted investigators to her location - since Russia doesn't have an extradition treaty with the U.S.

'She embarked on a life of crime here, and we don't have the whole story yet. We only have bits and pieces', Boyce added.

'What's incredible is that Nasyrova wasn't living like she was on the lam  we pictured her out shopping for a 50-inch widescreen TV,' said at the time Weisberg.

'We think she was empowered by her previous arrest for shoplifting, which didn't pick up the fact she wanted by Interpol for this murder.'

'It would have made her feel like she had slipped the net,' said Weisberg. 'Not now.'
A suicidal knifeman who claims he is an android being controlled by a wood pigeon has been jailed for two and a half years for brandishing a blade at Horse Guards Parade officers.

Prashanth Kandhaiah, 30, came within seconds of being shot dead at the ceremonial parade ground at Horse Guards Parade in central London on Easter Monday 18 April.

Kandhaiah had searched 'rat poison can kill people' the day before his attack, as well as 'I hate Britain' and 'police'.

He had also looked up the London Bridge terror attacks from 2019.

But Kandhaiah he claimed he was trying to get the officers to kill him and was not trying to harm anyone.

A police forensic official walks outside the Horse Guards building after Kandhaiah ran at the two police officers in April last year

Kandhaiah was cleared of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm by a court on Wednesday. However, he was sentenced to two years in jail after he admitted having a bladed article

On the day of the incident he had sent one of his children a message saying: 'Goodbye, love you. Daddy.'

'I went there to get shot,' he told the jury.

Kandhaiah was cleared by the jury of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm after a two day trial at Southwark Crown Court.

He admitted having a bladed article, namely a black handled kitchen knife.

Jurors had heard how Kandhaiah ran at the Ministry of Defence officers, PCs Ravinder Digpaul and Ryan Pariso with the knife.

CCTV footage showed him waiting for several minutes on Whitehall Road before suddenly running through the gates to the courtyard.

Claire Langevad, prosecuting, said: 'On 18 April last year two ModD officers were on static patrol when the defendant ran at them while holding a large kitchen knife.

'He proceeded to make attempts to stab PC Digpaul.

'He had to kick repeatedly to stop the defendant stabbing him.

'He was able to draw out his side arm but it appeared not to deter him at all.

'PC Pasiro was able to take out a taser which subdued him.'

At this point, Kandhaiah shouted from the dock 'F-k off! You can f*ck off Britain. I want to go back to Sri Lanka!'

He was taken out of the courtroom at this point.

Ms Langevad continued: 'A mobile phone was seized at the scene. There were messages from the defendant saying goodbye.'

Reading from PC Digpaul's impact statement she said the officer realised how scared he was 'and how close it came to a different outcome.

'He describes struggling to sleep and switching off.

'His mother worries about him doing his job more than she did before the incident.

'A small child was running through a courtyard, and he said that the sound of the child running brought him back to the incident.'

A forensic official enters the Horse Guards building as a police officer stands guard in Westminster on April 18, 2022

Richard Craven, defending Kandhaiah, told the court: 'He believes that he is made of metal. He is unlikely to never not hold that view.

'He has opened his shirt to me and shown me his chest, insisting that he is half made of metal.

'He believes that he is controlled by a wood pigeon.

'His view is that there is nothing anyone can to help him.

'He does seem to have got rather worse while in prison.'

Mr Craven told the court that he found lockdown particularly difficult because all his friends and family are in Sri Lanka.

'He is now rather keen to leave this country.

'He is a man of previous good character. He has always worked. He has always held down a job. He has even held positions of responsibility.'

He was not present at court when he was sentenced and he refused to attend via video link from Wandsworth Prison.

Judge Adam Hiddleston said: 'PC Digpaul, in those horrifying seconds, thought he might die a horrifying death, or would be faced with no other option but to kill his attacker.

'I can't think of how terrifying that must have been for him.

'It affected his sleep and his ability to switch off.

'It had a knock on effect as far as his loved ones were concerned. Sadly their fears as far as his safety was concerned were confirmed.

'The experience for the officers and for members of the public must have been utterly terrifying.

'You have claimed to be half man half machine. You believe that you are controlled by a wood pigeon.'

Judge Hiddelston acknowledged that the jury cleared him of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm but said: 'Wielding a knife in the way that you did is extremely dangerous and may have had consequences you claim not to have intended.'

'There are times when you don't see the point in being alive, and that is when you try to end your life.'

He referred to Kandhaiah's behaviour in the dock yesterday when he yelled: 'f*** off Britain. I want to go back to Sri Lanka'.

Judge Hiddleston said: 'Your behaviour yesterday was grossly offensive to both myself and counsel. Had the chair not been screwed to the floor you would have picked it up and used it as a weapon.'

He was examined by two doctors on the request of the judge, who concluded that he suffers from a personality disorder.'

'It does not warrant hospital treatment. The only sentence I can pass is a custodial sentence.'

Kandhaiah was jailed for 30 months.

Judge Hiddleston said he would recommend PC Digpaul and PC Pasiro for commendations.

'Their actions that day went well beyond the call of duty. Because of the way they did their duty that day, no one was seriously injured or killed. The community has much to thank them for.'

Kandhaiah, of Thamesmead, southeast London, denied and was cleared of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm but admitted having a bladed article.
Eight men were today jailed for a minimum of 229 years after they kidnapped and murdered an innocent father who they wrongly thought had raped a teenage girl.

Martin Smith, 34, Erion Voja, 21, Erland Spahiu, 34, Curtis Balbas, 31, Razgar Khader Mohammed, 41, Alan Jaf, 52, Khalil Awla, 49, Dean Smeaton O'Neill-Davey, 30, were part of a gang that tortured and killed Christopher Hughes, 37.

Smith shook his head as he was sentenced, took a sip of water then threw his plastic cup to the floor. Meanwhile, Voja ranted at the judge, saying: 'I know myself. I'm no murderer. I'll get my justice one day you t***.'

He continued his outburst after being led into the cells, where he began punching walls before shouting: 'I don't give a f*** any more.'

Mr Hughes suffered over 90 sharp force injuries to his head, neck, body and limbs, with the most inflicted while he was alive, following his abduction on February 18 last year.

Martin Smith, 34, and Erion Voja, 21, abused the judge as they were sentenced for murder today at Liverpool Crown Court

Christopher Hughes suffered over 90 sharp force injuries to his head, neck, body and limbs, with the most inflicted while he was alive, following his abduction on February 18 last year

Liverpool Crown Court heard his attackers, without justification, had launched the vicious attack on Christopher as sexual crime he did not commit.

His body remained undetected for four days as police conducted a wide-ranging search.

It was only discovered on February 22 by a member of the public with their dog on White Moss Road South in Skelmersdale, Lancashire.

Today the men, who were all related or knew each other, were handed minimum-term life sentences ranging from 23 to 35 for their part in Mr Hughes' kidnap and killing.

A ninth man, Andrius Uzkuraitis, 27, was convicted of assisting an offender and jailed for six years.

Detective Inspector Heidi Cullum, from Greater Manchester Police, said the violence the men had shown towards Mr Hughes was 'nothing short of atrocious.'

'These men took the law into their own hands and murdered Christopher Hughes,' she said. 'What they did in February last year was nothing short of atrocious.

'The work of the Major Incident Team and specialist units within GMP, along with the Crown Prosecution Service in bringing these individuals to justice, has been meticulous.

'We only hope the verdict and sentences brings some justice and comfort to his family and friends.'

Erland Spahiu, 34, and Curtis Balbas, 31 were part of the

Razgar Khader Mohammed, 41, Alan Jaf, 52, were part of the gang that murdered Mr Hughes after wrongly suspecting him of rape

The series of events began on the evening before Mr Hughes' murder when the guilty men came to the conclusion that he had committed a sexual offence.

However, the DNA evidence submitted in the police investigation did not match Mr Hughes. He was completely innocent.

The gang searched parts of Wigan, for hours on the evening of February 17 last year and broke into his home.

The hunt continued the following day until Mr Hughes was abducted in broad daylight and was forced into the boot of a car and driven at speed to Skelmersdale.

He was then brutally attacked and killed near White Moss Road South in Manchester.

Later that evening, formed a burial party to dispose of Mr Hughes' body.

But they were disturbed by police who were in the area for an unrelated reason and abandoned their plans.

Afterwards, the body remained undiscovered for several days in snowy, wet weather.

Khalil Awla, 49, Dean Smeaton O'Neill-Davey, 30, were also sentenced for murder

A ninth man, Andrius Uzkuraitis, 27, was convicted of assisting an offender and jailed for six years

The guilty men continued to try and cover their tracks by destroying CCTV, changing telephones, deleting messages and disposing of the Audi used in the kidnap.

Hours of CCTV footage were recovered and reviewed by officers who were able to link the men to the murder.

Mr Hughes' family said he would 'live on' in their hearts following the sentencing and thanked the police for bringing his killers to justice.

They said: 'We would like to thank sincerely the officers of Greater Manchester Police and the North West Crown Prosecution Service for their hard work on this case over the past number of months.

'We are pleased that justice has finally been done. It will not bring Christopher back, but he will live on in our hearts forever and the memories of him we will hold dearly.'
Just as Americans begin to pack their bags and catch flights to hit the beaches and bars for spring break, the US government is cautioning all those headed to Mexico to stay out of six dangerous states.

The State Department has issued its highest-tier warning for some parts of America's neighbor to the south that are run by drug cartels and pose potential threats to American tourists.

The 'do not travel' warning has been issued across six of 32 Mexican states due to 'crime and kidnapping.'

US visitors are cautioned not to travel to areas inside Guerrero, Colima, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas.

A DJ performs during Spring Break at The Grand Oasis Cancun in 2022

A map highlighting the six of 32 Mexican states that the US State Department currently has listed under its most severe 'do not travel' category, due to local cartels that may rob and/or kidnap American tourists

Robert Almonte, a former US marshal in the western district of Texas, told NewsNation that there 'is a cartel presence in these resorts,' some of which have long been considered safe.

Sergio Armando Orozco Rodriguez, also known as 'Chocho,' is an alleged member of the Jalisca New Generation Cartel, who extorts local businesses for protection funds in his hometown of Puerto Vallarta, a popular spring break destination.

According to the United States Treasury Department, Chocho and his minions launder drug proceeds through close ties to nightclubs and restaurants along the city's main strip of businesses.

The cartel is responsible for trafficking a 'significant proportion of the fentanyl and other deadly drugs that enter the United States,' according to the Treasury.

The Pueblo Bonita resort in Sinaloa, Mexico, where the State Department has issued its most severe 'do not travel' warning

The US Treasury Department is after Sergio Armando Orozco Rodriguez aka Chocho, an alleged cartel kingpin in Puerto Vallarta, who has made corrupt inroads with local businesses

A hotel in Zacatecas, Mexico, where threats of crime and kidnapping are high, according to the State Department

A cargo vehicle in flames after clashes between federal forces and armed groups in the city of Culiacan, state of Sinaloa, Mexico, January 5, 2023

Zacatecas is currently considered so dangerous Americans have been instructed by the state department not to travel there

A Zacatecas street adorned with Christmas decorations

Former US ambassador to Mexico Earl Anthony Wayne says the practice of money laundering through hospitality services is well established and is a good apparatus for appearing legitimate from the outside.

'One of the things we've discovered about these groups is they may be bad and evil but they're often pretty smart in finding ways to move their profits around,' he said.

Of Mexico's 32 states, just two are currently listed under the State Department's lowest level 'normal precautions' designation - Campeche and Yucatan.

Quintana Roo, the popular tourist state that includes vacation hotspots like Tulum, Playa Del Carmen and Cancun, currently has a level two 'exercise increased caution' warning.

Almonte believes it is time for US tourists to stop visiting Mexico at all until the cartel issue is under control.

'We've had enough. We're not going to Mexico until you guys get your house in order,' he said.

Data, however, seems to show no great slowdown in the number of Americans who visited Mexico last year - more than 30million in 2022.
The husband of Massachusetts mom Ana Walshe appeared in court via Zoom today for a brief status hearing ahead of his murder trial.

Brian Walshe is accused of beating Ana to death, dismembering her body and disposing of it in a dumpster in January.

Police have not been able to recover her remains - they say they were taken from the dumpster by trash services and incinerated before they could catch up to them.

Walshe, 47, denies murder, and claims he doesn't know what happened to his wife, who has not been seen alive since the early hours of January 1.

Today, his attorneys complained that they are yet to receive any discovery from the state that would help them prepare a defense.

Brian Walshe is accused of beating Ana to death, dismembering her body and disposing of it in a dumpster in January.

Ana went missing in the early hours of January 1. Prosecutors say her remains were 'shredded and incinerated'

'We've received very little discovery. We've received basically nothing. We haven't even received the search warrants - the basic stuff we should have had immediately,' Walshe's lawyer Tracy Miner said.

The judge ordered the state to 'cooperate' and turn over their evidence.

The case has been continued until March 1st, when Walshe will return to court via Zoom again for a second status hearing.

After that, the next step is a probable cause hearing, where it will be determined whether there is enough evidence against him to proceed to a murder trial.

Prosecutors previously said Brian and Ana were headed for a divorce, but that Brian chose instead to kill her.

They pointed to a mountain of evidence including grim Google searches carried out on their son's iPad that included research for disposing of a body and how long it takes for corpses to decompose.

Blood traces were found on items of Ana's clothing that were discovered in a different dumpster, along with Brian's DNA.

Ana, who was a real estate agent, had built a $2million property portfolio before she died.

She lived in Massachusetts with her husband and their kids, but traveled frequently to Washington DC for work.

Her colleagues asked for a welfare check after she failed to show up to her job in January, three days after she was last seen alive.

Brian had also researched whether a person could inherit money from a missing person.

He has pleaded not guilty to murder and disposing of a body, but is yet to submit a formal defense.

Ana's mother in Serbia is incredulous that her once-loving son-in-law might be capable of such violence.

She wants 'official information' from the authorities that will explain their suspicion of Brian.

THE EVIDENCE AGAINST BRIAN WALSHE

On December 27th, days before she vanished, prosecutors say he Googled: 'What's the best state to divorce for a man?'

Ana was last seen alive at 1.30am on January 1st by friends who had been in their home for a New Year's Eve party.

Shortly before 5am on January 1st, using his son's iPad, he searched;

4:55AM - How long before a body starts to smell?

4:58AM - How to keep a body from decomposing?

5:20AM - How to bound (bind) a body?

5:47AM - 10 ways to dispose of a body if you really need to

6:25AM - How long for someone to be missing to inherit?

6:34AM - Can you throw away body parts?

9:29AM - What does formaldehyde do?

9:34AM - How long does DNA last?

9:59AM - Can identification be made on partial remains?

11:34AM - Dismemberment and the best way to dispose of a body

11:44AM - How to clean blood from a wooden floor?

11:56AM - Luminal to detect blood

1:08PM - What happens when you put body parts in ammonia?

1:21PM - Is it better to throw crime scene clothes away or wash them?

January 2nd

After purchasing rugs from a Home Goods store while wearing rubber gloves and a face mask, he returned to the iPad for more research.

He also spent $450 on cleaning supplies from a Home Depot including mops, buckets, tarps, drop cloths and various kinds of tape.

This time, prosecutors say he searched;

12:45PM - Hacksaw best tool to dismember

1:10PM - Can you be charged with murder without a body?

1:14PM - Can you identify a body with broken teeth?

January 3rd

Police say he visited a dumpster in Abingdon, where he was seen carrying a heavy-looking garbage bag.

'He had to heft it into the dumpster,' according to police.

Prosecutors tried to track down those trash bags, but by the time they got to them they had been destroyed in an incinerator at a trash transfer center.

Walshe did more research, allegedly searching;

1:02PM - What happens to hair on a dead body?

1:13PM - What is the rate of decomposition of a body found in a plastic bag compared to on a surface in the woods

1:20PM - Can baking soda make a body smell good?

January 4th

Walshe bought bath mats, men's clothing and towels at TJ Maxx and Home Goods. He then visited Loewes.

That same day, a colleague of Ana's in Washington DC called police in Cohasset to report her missing and request a welfare check at her home.

Police visited the family house, where they noticed the seats in Brian's Volvo were down, and a large, plastic liner was in the backseat.

January 5th

Police returned to the Walshe family home, where they noticed Brian's Volvo had been freshly cleaned.

When questioned, he said he'd thrown out the plastic liner they saw the previous day.

That same day, he visited the dumpster near his mother's home.

January 8th

Walshe is arrested for misleading police. A search warrant for the house is obtained, and police discover blood stains in the basement. They also found a knife with traces of blood on it.

Police then searched the dumpster near his mother's home and found 10 trash bag that were stained with blood. Inside, they discovered;
Protesters have gathered outside a school over a vicious 'racist attack' on a 15-year-old black girl amid calls by her family and rap superstar Dave for the principal and teachers to be sacked for not stepping in quick enough to stop the assault.

Horrific video footage of the fight was shared online and shows a gang of children hitting, kicking and tearing nine braids from the victim's head close to Thomas Knyvett College in Ashford, Surrey on Monday.

One woman was filmed coaching the young mob to 'kick her in the face', 'get her' and 'down her'. The victim's family claims she was attacked for standing up for a friend who she claims was being bullied by the attackers.

Her cousin claims the girl, who hasn't been named, received 'racial' voice notes before the attack warning they planned to drag her hair out and 'leave her on the side of the road'.

Yesterday, just hours after the video went viral, dozens of demonstrators, many from London, visited the school, led by activists from the protest group Forever Family.

The activists, dressed in what appeared to be stab vests with paramilitary-style uniforms, held hands and were chanting: 'You touch one, you touch all' before some shouted at school staff who came to speak to them.

Police have arrested five people, including two 11-year-old girls on suspicion of attempted racially aggravated grievous bodily harm. A girl, 15, is still wanted by detectives. A 39-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man were also held.

Violent footage shows a group of young girls attacking a teenager in the middle of the street on Monday afternoon

Dozens attended a demonstration outside the school on Wednesday, led by activists from the protest group Forever Family, dressed in uniforms and body armour

Raspect Fyahbinghi speaks outside Thomas Knyvett College during yesterday's protest

Rap star Dave is among those who have called for school staff to be fired

But critics including British rap star Dave are calling for teachers to be sacked for being to slow to intervene. The girl's family also want staff fired. A petition calling for principal Richard Beeson to be 'brought to book' already has more than 77,000 signatures.

Rapper Dave told his 850,000 followers on Twitter: 'So this principal RICHARD BEESON in Ashford's Thomas Knyvett College is gonna stroll in and watch as that black child is ATTACKED by a mob and they think that can run? WE NEED HIM OUT OF THAT JOB ASAP.'

Forever Family: The British protest group with uniforms, body armour, walkie-talkies and military-style drills who resemble the Black Panther movement in 'battle against racism' A protest outside the school yesterday was led by activist group Forever Family. The group's members are sometimes seen at demonstrations - usually related to race issues - wearing uniforms, body armour and holding walkie-talkies. The organisation aims to 'mobilise, organise and centralise our community initiatives to empower and support organisations with similar objectives'. A promotional video shared by the group - whose members have been described previously as resembling the Black Panther revolutionary activists of 1960s America - states that said they are 'united in the battle against racism, inequality and injustice'. It is unclear how the group are funded, but they have been described as a 'Black-owned business' that accepts donations from the public. Their 'company values' are listed as 'integrity, transparency and accountability' - suggesting they have a business or military approach to their work. Advertisement

He added: 'Don't make this weird Thomas Knyvett 'cause we will wait outside of your college grounds till every member of staff in this video is sacked. DO THE RIGHT THING BEFORE WE FORCE YOU TO'.

A relative of the victim told the Mirror: 'No one from the school brought her back to us. We had to go to her and get her home. They let her go to a friend's house and then from her friend's house she used her friend's phone to call us.

'When I asked [Mr Beeson] in a meeting, I said 'do you know what hurt me the most in that video? I was asking who's going to stop it?'

'Eventually I told him, 'when you walked into the shot, you strolled in and you even allowed one more punch'.'

In the footage, which was widely shared online, adult voices can be heard throughout the altercation, apparently encouraging the fight and giving instructions on how to hurt the teenager.

Strands of her hair are visible on the floor at the end of the fight, when teachers from the school come out on to the pavement.

Family Forever aims to 'mobilise, organise and centralise our community initiatives to empower and support organisations with similar objectives'.

A 39-year-old woman, a 16-year-old girl, an 11-year-old girl, a ten-year-old girl and a 43-year-old were later arrested over the attack.

A sixth suspect, a 15-year-old girl, is wanted. Police confirmed that she was aware they were looking for her.

A statement on the school's website today reads: 'There was a serious assault on Monday 6 February 2023 on the junction of Salcombe Road and Stanwell Road close to Thomas Knyvett College, soon after the end of the school day.

'The Police were called, and they have made a number of arrests in connection with this incident, and their investigation is ongoing.

'Uppermost in our thoughts has been the welfare and care of the victim, but The Howard Partnership Trust, of which Thomas Knyvett College is a part, is aware this incident has caused tension among the wider community.

'We are taking this situation extremely seriously and are working with all agencies involved. We need to ask for calm and patience while vital work is undertaken to establish the facts.

'To this end, in the interests of safety of all concerned, we have taken the decision to close the school early today.'

Police have arrested five people and are searching for a sixth after the altercation outside a Surrey school

A police officer speaks to a demonstrator outside Thomas Knyvett College in Surrey

A group gathers to protest outside the school following the attack on Monday

MailOnline approached the school and Mr Beeson for further comment.

A spokesman for Surrey Police said: 'We are aware that this incident will have caused concern among students, parents, and staff at Thomas Knyvett College, as well as the wider community.

'We would like to reassure you that an investigation is under way, five arrests have been made in connection with this incident, and we are working closely with Thomas Knyvett College as we investigate this matter.'

The spokesman asked that people refrain from sharing videos of the horrific fight on social media and instead sent links to the police.

'We are also aware that several videos of this distressing incident are circulating on social media.

'We ask that you do not share any videos or images of this incident, but to submit them via the link below so they can be considered as evidence in this investigation.'

Inspector Maxine Cilia, borough commander for Spelthorne, said she was shocked to see such a violent altercation near a school.

'I was shocked to see some of the video footage of this fight and the level of violence from young people outside one of our local schools.

Police have asked people not to share videos of the fight online and asked any witnesses to come forward. There will be extra patrols through the area in the coming days

'Every schoolchild should feel safe in the local community and not the target of any kind of violence as they leave school premises,' she said.

Inspector Cilia added that there would be extra patrols in the area over the coming days.

'Surrey Police are now investigating this incident and gathering further evidence with the full co-operation of the school. There will be extra patrols in this local area for reassurance and to enable local people to speak with officers.'

Police are also appealing for any eyewitnesses or anyone with CCTV, dashcam, helmet cam footage, or any images and videos on their mobile phones to get in touch.

They added that anyone driving or walking through the area around Salcombe Road on Monday between 2pm and 3pm who saw or heard something that might assist the investigation should contact them.
This burglar had too much of a full stomach to complete a home invasion and instead settled for a nap before he was arrested.

Franklin Perez, 20, was discovered lying naked in the bed after breaking into a residence in the southwestern Dominican Republic province of Bahoruco, as seen in a video released by the homeowner Wednesday.

Onasis Batista told authorities she had gone away for the weekend and saw Perez knocked out cold in her bedroom.

After noticing that there was someone wrapped in the bedsheet from head to toe, Batista searched around the house and discovered that her refrigerator had been completely cleaned out.

Franklin Perez was found sleeping in the bedroom of a home he broke into in the Dominican Republic and was arrested after the homeowner alerted the police

Franklin Perez was taken into custody after he burglarized a residence in the southwestern Dominican Republic province of Bahoruco. The 20-year-old reportedly ate all of the food in the refrigerator and then fell asleep in one of the bedrooms

A shocked Batista recorded Perez waking up from his sleep and asked him, 'Explain to me, the police is outside waiting for you,' before he let out a loud yawn.

The woman scanned the room which showed her belongings scattered across the floor while an unidentified man stood next to her.

A man stands next to a dresser in the bedroom of the home where a burglar was found sleeping in a bed after burglarizing it while the homeowner was away for the weekend

She told then told Perez, 'Look at all the mess you made. Look at all the mess. How did you get in here? And who are you? The police is outside waiting for you'

Without a care in the world, Perez twisted and turned in the bed as if he was in the comfort of his own home and responded, 'I'm under arrest ma'am and that's it."

He then asks the man standing next to Batista, 'Isn't that right boss?'

Perez was taken into custody for stealing a tank of gas, a fan, a television set, a radio and four glass cups.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says his country has intercepted plans by Russian secret services to destroy Moldova.

Speaking to European Union leaders in Brussels, Mr Zelensky said he recently told Moldovan President Maia Sandu about the alleged scheme.

'I have informed her that we have intercepted the plan of the destruction of Moldova by the Russian intelligence,' Mr Zelensky said through a translator.

He said the documents showed 'who, when and how' the plan would 'break the democracy of Moldova and establish control over Moldova'.

Mr Zelensky said the plan was very similar to the one devised by Russia to take over Ukraine.

This comes as Moldova's intelligence service said Thursday that Russia was acting to destabilise the country.

Ukrainian President Zelensky makes an address at the European Parliament on 9 February

Maia Sandu, the President of Moldova, pictured at a press briefing in Chisinau on 31 January

Transnistria, highlighted, is stationed with Russian troops . Russia may look to connect itself with the breakaway region of Moldova by launching an offensive through southern Ukraine

Zelensky said he did not know whether Moscow ultimately ordered the plan to be carried out.

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said last week the West is considering turning Moldova into 'another Ukraine'.

He said the West backed the 2020 election of the pro-western Ms Sandu, claiming she is eager to take the country into NATO, merge Moldova with Romania and 'practically is ready for anything'.

Moldova's intelligence and security service today responded to the earlier comments by Zelensky, adding: 'SIS confirms that, both from the information presented by our Ukrainian partner and also from our operative activities, subversive activities with the aim of undermining the Republic of Moldova, of destabilisation and violating the public order were identified.'

In December, Moldova's national intelligence agency said Russia could launch a new offensive this year with the aim of creating a land corridor through southern Ukraine to Moldova's Moscow-backed breakaway region of Transnistria.

Transnistria broke away after a 1992 civil war but is not recognised by most countries.

It extends roughly 250 miles from the eastern bank of the Dniester River to the country's border with Ukraine.

Russia has about 1,500 troops nominally as 'peacekeepers' in the breakaway region.

MEPs stood to applaud as Zelensky spoke in the European Parliament in Brussels this morning

Zelensky was welcomed to Brussels today with a standing ovation from EU leaders.

The Ukrainian president is on his second foreign trip since the start of the war in February 2022.

The leader has been lobbying for additional aid in the form of modern fighter jets and long range missiles.

Following visits to London and Paris, he told MEPs in Belgium: 'We are defending against the most anti-European force of the modern world - we are defending ourselves, we Ukrainians on the battlefield, along with you.'

He added: 'I have to thank you personally for your unwavering support of our country and our aspirations, our aspirations to live in a united, free Europe.'

The Russian embassy in London, meanwhile, mocked 'the ex-comedian in a green sweatshirt now on tour around Europe.'

They said: 'Zelensky's pompous solicitations about the values of "freedom" and "human rights", which Kyiv claims to be fighting for, were overtly hypocritical.'

American officials warned before the war that Putin might look to provoke Transnistria

Attacks between 25 and 27 April 2022 in Transnistria worried onlookers, who speculated Russia was looking to provoke their own Russian soldiers stationed in the region.

Before the war, American officials said Russia could use a false flag attack in Transnistria as a casus belli for invading Ukraine.

After the war started, a series of attacks in late April 2022 again arose suspicions.

The Ministry of State Security headquarters in Tiraspol, the region's capital, was hit with explosions on 25 April.

Initial reports claimed the explosions were caused by rocket propelled grenades that only a few armies, including Russia, use.

That evening, Tiraspol Airport usffered a possible drone attack.

The next day, two explosions brought down radio antennae used to broadcast Russian stations in Maiac, a small town roughly seven miles (12km) west of the border with Ukraine.

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak warned Russia was aiming to destabilise the breakaway region of Transnistria.

He said: 'Russia wants to destabilise the Transnistrian region and hints Moldova should wait for 'guests'.

'Good news, Ukraine will definitely ensure strategic security of the region. But we need to work as a team.'

Attacks continued with more explosions at a former airport in Varancau and a drone attack in Vladimirovca.
The guide covers tipping, going out and dealing with friends, lovers, strangers

140 new etiquette rules have been published in New York Magazine's The Cut

New Yorkers have reacted with fury to a new etiquette guide that sets out expected rules for tipping - including 25 per cent at restaurants and 20 per cent at coffee shops, coffee carts and even bodegas.

The 140 etiquette rules, published in New York Magazine's The Cut - which infamously published an interview with Meghan Markle in September - are intended as a guide on how to deal 'politely' with social situations.

The magazine asks readers 'Do you know how to behave? Are you sure?' - with sections covering friends and lovers, strangers, going out and staying in, tipping, work, the City, parenting and texting.

The rules were put together by asking people about situations that typically put them on edge - and as a result the writers came up with 'rigid, but not entirely inflexible rules'.

The tip guidance section in particular prompted controversy, with one Twitter user calling the rules 'baffling' and another saying they were a 'joke' - while a third said they had been put off tipping completely.

The tip guidance section in particular prompted controversy, with one Twitter user calling the rules 'baffling' and another saying they were a 'joke'

From a new expectation of a 25 per cent tip at restaurants to a 10 per cent tip when picking up a takeaway, the new rules caused a debate with New York residents.

At restaurants, the guide begins, people should be tipping 20 to 25 per cent 'whether you liked the service or not'.

It adds that anything under 20 per cent is rude and that, if you have more disposable income, you should be tipping more.

How much you should be tipping, according to The Cut magazine Restaurants - 25% Coffee shops, coffee carts, cafes, bodegas - 20% Food delivery - 20% Picking up a takeout - 10% At a bar - $1 per drink, 20% for a cocktail At a food counter or deli - 10% Uber drivers - 20% Everything else - 20% Advertisement

For coffee shops, coffee carts, cafes and bodegas, customers should tip at least 20 per cent due to the 'tense environment' and 'complicated orders', the magazine says. For bottled water says it is 'acceptable' but 'miserly' to not give a tip.

One more surprising item on the list is the 10 per cent tip requirement when picking up a takeaway.

This is because, even when picking up the food yourself instead of getting a delivery, the order will still 'interrupt the flow of the other work' from which staff could be collecting tips.

And you should not just be tipping for going out for meals and treats, the magazine alleges.

It says Uber drivers earn 'substantially less' in tips than taxi drivers - and so should be receiving at least 20 per cent.

For everything else, The Cut argues, you should be tipping '20 per cent minimum. And always more if you can.'

The magazine says rapidly changing US society - due to factors such as the pandemic and emerging social media platforms - has meant 'the old conventions are out', creating the need for a new set of social guidelines for modern America.

The pressure to increase tipping rose in the pandemic as key workers continued to man the tills in shops and card readers began to suggest a 20 per cent tipping amount.

In the UK, Germany and the Netherlands, tips tend to be around five to 10 per cent, according to maps released by HawaiinIslands.com.

Kirsten Fleming wrote in the New York Post: 'Theyre wildly out of touch with real New Yorkers who are struggling to pay soaring rents and inflated food bills.

'The list should have been whittled down to a few useful ideas.'

One Twitter user said: 'I just read this article and I am *this* close to becoming a person who does not tip at all.'

Some of the more bizarre rules include number 71: 'If you put out bowls of cigarettes at a party, you have to let people smoke inside'

In 66 countries it is the norm to leave a 10 percent tip, as is the case in much of Europe

The rise in digital payments, in part sped up by the pandemic, has seen touch screen kiosks encouraging both larger tips and tips in establishments like bakeries and coffee shops

Other sections of the exhaustive list also left readers feeling confused - and at times defensive.

Some of the more bizarre rules include number 71: 'If you put out bowls of cigarettes at a party, you have to let people smoke inside.'

Readers were quick to note that high living costs in the city meant the likelihood of 'bowls of cigarettes' being on offer was very low.

Rule number 22, however ('Don't ever message someone 'k') seemed to be more universally acceptable as an inadequate way to respond to a text.

But particularly controversial has been rule number 52: 'Don't foist your allergies onto a dinner party.'

Corey Ann Haydu said on Twitter: 'This is so offensive. The situation described here isn't a person with an allergy.

'And a person with a severe allergy cannot just be all chill and not inform ppl making dinner of said allergy'.

The Cut previously made headlines for publishing a bombshell cover and interview with Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle in September

However in January the magazine then branded Prince Harry's memoir Spare 'pure chaos '

The Cut previously made headlines for publishing a bombshell cover and interview with Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle in September.

In the piece Meghan claimed that Harry felt he had 'lost' his father over his decision to quit his public duties.

After it came out in August, Meghan received fierce fury over her comments, and later admitted that she had been to 'open' and 'trusting' with the interviewer, and that she originally intended to only discuss her and Harry's upcoming projects.

However in January the magazine then branded Prince Harry's memoir Spare 'pure chaos' after its shocking revelations about the British Royal Family and the prince's personal life.

While sharing an article in which it discussed many of the shocking revelations made by Harry, 38, in the tome, the outlet posted a picture of the Duke of Sussex to Instagram, which had the words 'Spare is pure chaos' written across the top in bold letters.

The caption read: 'There's TMI and then there's whatever is happening here. A shrooms trip at Courtney Cox's house? Blaming William & Kate for his infamous Nazi Halloween costume? Frostbitten penis?'
The toilet worker crushed to death by a pop-up urinal in London's West End has been pictured for the first time.

Father-of-three Kevin Holding, 60, died at Cambridge Circus on the junction between Shaftesbury Avenue and Charing Cross Road  and outside the Palace Theatre where Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is being shown  after a hydraulic urinal fell on him.

Mr Holding, from Beckenham, was repairing the toilet when it 'fell quite suddenly' on him, an inquest into his death. The cause of death was compression asphyxia. He was identified by his Oyster card.

The day after he died, his daughter posted a photo of him with his granddaughter on his shoulders, with the caption: 'She will know you as the best grandad in the whole world.'

Father-of-three and grandad Kevin Holding, 60, was crushed to death after a pop-up urinal he was repairing 'dropped suddenly' onto him

Mr Holding was killed after being 'trapped' and 'crushed' by a 'telescopic' public urinal in Cambridge Circus in central London

An inquest at West London Coroners Court heard it took around two hours for a vehicle to help lift the urinal to arrive.

Contractor Mr Holding was employed by Hi-tech Washroom Solutions Limited and had started work between 10am and 10.30am on January 27.

He was almost finished when he became trapped a little before 1pm.

Ambulance crews, four fire engines, 25 firefighters and an air ambulance were dispatched at 1.05pm and police were called five minutes later.

The operation was watched by crowds of people enjoying a day out in the West End's pubs, restaurants and theatres. They were held back by a police cordon.

Mr Holding was freed but was pronounced dead soon after.

Four fire engines, 25 firefighters and multiple ambulances attended the scene on January 27

Westminster City Council said that it was temporarily shutting down the second of its UriLift toilets, on Villiers Street, as a 'precautionary measure'

Later that day the urinal was pictured being lifted up from above as police looked down into the shaft

Telescopic urinals are pop-up facilities that rise up from the pavement for those out in London at night (File image)

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: 'We're sorry to have to update that, despite the efforts of emergency services, the man who was critically injured in Cambridge Circus was pronounced dead at the scene.

'His next of kin have been informed. Cordons remain in place at the location.

'Police were called at around 1.10pm on Friday January 27, to a seriously injured man at Cambridge Circus, W1.

'The man is thought to have sustained crush injuries while working on a telescopic urinal at the location.'

A crane was brought to the scene in an attempt by rescuers to lift the entire device out of the ground

The incident took place near The Palace Theatre, which is where Harry Potter And The Cursed Child is performed

A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: 'We were called today at 1.05pm to reports of an incident on Shaftesbury Avenue, Charing Cross.

'We sent a number of resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, members of our hazardous area response team, members of our tactical response unit and a medic in a fast response car.

'We also dispatched London's Air Ambulance.

'Sadly, despite the best efforts of our crews, a man was pronounced dead at the scene.'

A London Fire Brigade spokesman said: 'Firefighters were called to a person trapped on Charing Cross Road in central London.

Firefighters tirelessly attempted to rescue the man, who was trapped under the urinal

An air ambulance was seen landing in Trafalgar Square while a large number of ambulances and fire engines attended the scene

London Ambulance Service dispatched an Air Ambulance, which landed in Trafalgar Square

A crane was brought to the scene in an attempt by rescuers to lift the entire device out of the ground

'A man was trapped below street level underneath a hydraulic urinal.

'Firefighters worked with partner agencies and used a winch to free him.

'He was left in the care of London Ambulance Service and was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

'The brigade was called at 1.05pm and the incident was over by 3.41pm. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Soho, Euston and Dowgate fire stations were at the scene.'

An air ambulance was seen landing in Trafalgar Square while a large number of ambulances and fire engines attended the scene.

A crane was brought to the scene in an attempt by rescuers to lift the entire device out of the ground.

Hydraulic, pop-up urinals were brought into use by Westminster City Council around 20 years ago in an attempt to discourage street urination.
Allies of Lee Anderson today rallied to support the new Tory deputy chairman as he faced a backlash over his support for the return of the death penalty.

Mr Anderson, the outspoken MP for Ashfield, has been widely criticised after he revealed he backed the reintroduction of capital punishment in Britain.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has disowned Mr Anderson's remarks and insisted neither he nor the Government want to return to killing those convicted of crimes.

But other Tory MPs have publicly defended their new party deputy chairman and suggested the return of the death penalty is popular among voters.

Brendan Clarke-Smith, MP for Bassetlaw, dismissed the 'confected outrage' over Mr Anderson's comments.

Lee Anderson the outspoken MP for Ashfield, has been widely criticised after he revealed he backed the reintroduction of capital punishment in Britain

Rishi Sunak, pictured on a visit to a 'family hub' with his wife Akshata Murty, has disowned Mr Anderson's remarks and insisted he does not want to bring back capital punishment

Other Tory MPs, such as Scott Benton (left) and Brendan Clarke-Smith, have publicly defended Mr Anderson and suggested the return of the death penalty is popular among voters

'Lee understands what people in constituencies like mine and his think and can back his public statements up with real-life experience,' Mr Clarke-Smith told MailOnline.

'Politicians are often accused of being "out of touch", but there are few people I know who are so representative of large swathes of public opinion and who are prepared to stand up for basic common sense.'

Mr Clarke-Smith, a former education minister, also revealed that he - like Mr Anderson - supports the use of capital punishment in certain cases.

He highlighted an opinion poll conducted by Redfield & Wilton Strategies in March 2021 that found 54 per cent of Britons would support reinstating the death penalty for those convicted of terrorism in the UK.

'Polls over the decades have consistently shown that many, and some would say most, people support capital punishment - at least in principle,' he said.

'I am also one of those people. It therefore seems strange that support for capital punishment is portrayed by many in the public eye as being some sort of extreme and minority held opinion.

'In reality, this couldnt be further from the truth. In fact, you could say Lees view is the mainstream one.'

Mr Clarke-Smith added that while he supported the death penalty, he would not be campaigning for its restoration, admitting: 'I think that ship has sailed and its not a productive way of using Parliamentary time.'

Scott Benton, MP for Blackpool South, hit out at the 'usual leftie hysteria' over Mr Anderson's support for the death penalty.

'It's supported by a majority of the public, and my constituents, in certain cases,' he added.

'Another example of the media, liberal elites and Twitter being detached from the public.'

Baroness Stowell of Beeston, a Tory peer, criticised those describing Mr Anderson's views as 'controversial'.

'His views are not controversial to the huge numbers of ordinary people who think similarly,' she said.

'Media will exacerbate public distrust amongst such audiences if they persist in this labelling.

'At the very least, media should make clear that his perspective is only controversial because it challenges the received wisdom of politicians in all main parties and political commentators.

'Hearing a different perspective is refreshing and taking that seriously... will make political debate and media coverage more inclusive to a wider audience.

'His appointment is good news and what he has to say deserves respect.'

Downing Street today stressed that, despite his new Conservative Party role, Mr Anderson does not speak for the Government.
An elementary school principal and a married male gym teacher have resigned after an investigation revealed they 'routinely' had sex in a school bathroom while his wife filmed the raunchy encounters.

Footage of the rendezvous revealed Principal Dana Simmons and Dylan Charles had been having an intimate relationship for 'several years' at Banks County Elementary School in Georgia.

Simmons and Charles' steamy affair was revealed in an extensive six-page report on January 27 - after Simmons requested an investigation into Charles, alleging he had 'bugged' her office and uncovered confidential Board of Education information.

But the investigation backfired after Charles confessed to authorities about their affair, showing photos and videos of the two having naked intercourse and kissing in an area identified as the bathroom adjacent to Dr. Simmons office.

The report obtained by WSB-TV further alleges Simmons also asked an assistant teacher to join a group of swingers, but she denied the 'unprofessional' request and resigned. Both teachers resigned on the same day the report was released.

Principal Dana Simmons (right) and gym teacher Dylan Charles (left) had an inmate relationship for 'several years' at Banks County Elementary School. Footage showed the two having sex on campus

The raunchy encounters were taken by the gym teacher's wife, Kelsey. Simmons alleges Kelsey initially asked her if she wanted to have sex with her husband

Charles' wife Kelsey admitted to taking footage of the two and alleged the principal 'pressured her to allow her to have sex with her husband.'

Footage obtained by investigators showed Simmons (above) naked in an elementary school bathroom nearby her office

The footage Charles showed to investigators revealed Simmons naked in the elementary school bathroom.

He then showed a photo of two people he insisted was him and Simmons along with a video of them having sex. Photos taken outside the school further showed Simmons performing oral sex on the gym teacher.

Investigators also obtained text messages between the married couple and Simmons.

'Again, there is no context added to the pictures or the text messages, but the totality of the evidence tends to support Mr. Charless claim of an inappropriate relationship between Dr. Simmons and Mr. Charles,' the report reads.

Investigators confirmed that Simmons and Charles had sex at least once at the elementary school that sits about 75 miles north of Atlanta

Footage Charles showed investigators of Simmons revealed her naked in the elementary school bathroom

Charles' wife, who wasn't named in the report but was identified on social media as Kelsey, admitted to taking footage of the two and alleged the principal 'pressured her to allow her to have sex with her husband'

Simmons initially denied the accusations claiming they had nothing more than an 'inappropriate friendship' with Charles but didn't go into specifics of their fling.

She later confessed to the affair and showed investigators pictures of Dylan naked with a cape. Simmons claimed Kelsey watched the erotic acts play out and helped set up their dates.

A witness in the attendance office claimed she saw a screenshot message from Kelsey asking Simmons to have sex with her husband.

Meanwhile, Kelsey claimed she only approved because Simmons manipulated them into thinking she'd help them grow in their careers.

The principal and teacher had a relationship that occurred on and off-campus with investigators concluding they had sex at least once at the elementary school.

Simmons claimed Kelsey watched the erotic acts play out and helped set up their dates. Pictured: Charles and Kelsey

Simmons was a 20-year veteran at the school and was employed as principal for three years. Meanwhile, Charles was a teacher for at least seven.

School Superintendent Dr. Ann Hopkins announced the their resignations while insisting the student's safety wasn't hindered.

'Any issues concerning unethical conduct are thoroughly investigated, addressed accordingly, and reported to the Professional Standards Commission as necessary,' Hopkins told WSB-TV.

'Upon receiving allegations involving the matter at hand, the District immediately hired independent investigators to conduct an investigation and provide a report of findings. The investigative report in question was reviewed by law enforcement for evidence of criminal activity and none was found. The educators involved are no longer teaching Banks County students.

'The safety and wellbeing of our students is always our first priority. The investigation into this event did not yield any indication that student safety or security was compromised.'
A Covid hero, praised by the Queen for his work helping vulnerable families, is to be deported from the UK in a matter of weeks after his appeal to stay was rejected.

Vimal Pandya travelled to the UK from his native India in 2011 on a study visa but his college's right to sponsor foreign students was revoked by the Home Office three years later - putting his future in jeopardy.

The 42-year-old, who lives in Rotherhithe, south London, has spent the last nine years and thousands of pounds fighting to remain in the UK.

Despite being faced with deportation, the selfless shopkeeper became a pillar of the community during the first Coronvirus lockdown, helping more than 50 families with free food deliveries and emotional support.

His efforts were recognised by the Queen's personal representative in Greater London, who wrote to Vimal on Her Majesty's behalf to thank him.

Vimal Pandya travelled from India to the UK in 2011 on a student visa - but after paying the fees, his college collapsed, forcing him to scramble to find a new institution to sponsor him

Thousands of people have backed a campaign calling on the Home Office to allow the Indian shopkeeper to stay in the UK, with more than 175,000 signing an online petition

But now he has just a matter of weeks left before he is forced to fly back to India, after a tribunal hearing ruled the 'public interest in immigration control' outweighs his position as a pillar of the community, with a judge saying Vimal had been working in the UK 'illegally for many years'.

The Home Office's decision to deport Vimal sparked outrage in his local community and nationwide, with hundreds of people attending demonstrations to support him and an online petition to reinstate his visa gaining more than 175,000 signatures.

Speaking about the situation last year, Vimal said: 'I can't sleep at night because of this endless torture and misery. They can deport me at any time and send me back home - it's really scary.'

Vimal, who was originally a stockbroker, gained a student visa in 2011 by enrolling in a management course with a college, but after paying the fees it went out of business.

The shopkeeper was informed by the Home Office he had to find a higher education institute to sponsor his student visa within 60 days or face returning to his home country.

He successfully found another college willing to do so, but following a return trip to India in 2014, he was told by Border Force staff the college had lost their right to sponsorship, meaning he faced deportation.

Vimal said neither the college nor the Home Office had informed him of the circumstances.

He added: 'I have worked very hard to survive in this world. Altogether I have I have spent 42,000 on legal fees. Even criminals don't have to spend that much.'

Vimal faces being deported in a matter of weeks after his appeal to remain in the UK was rejected. This comes in spite of his efforts to support his community in London during the pandemic which saw him receiving a letter on behalf of the Queen praising him (pictured)

Vimal says he has spent about 42,000 on legal fees in a desperate attempt to remain in the UK. He is pictured centre, surrounded by supporters

During the pandemic, the Queen's royal representative Sir Kenneth Olisa wrote to the shopkeeper to praise his efforts supporting the community.

'It has come to my attention that you are one of those people who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help others during the Covid-19 pandemic,' wrote Sir Kenneth.

'I am therefore writing to personally thank you for all of your efforts and to encourage you to continue making a positive difference to Londoners.'

Vimal tried, in vain, to challenge the deportation notice - arguing it breached his rights to a private life - but this was rejected by the Home Office.

He appealed the verdict at a tribunal hearing in Hatton Cross, south-west London, on January 13, but it was rejected once again by Judge Adrian Seelhoff.

Speaking at the tribunal, Judge Seelhoff said: 'The appellant has made an exceptional contribution in the UK being an overwhelmingly positive factor in the lives of hundreds of individuals and families in the UK.

'Against that, the appellant has done this as someone who was admitted as a student with no expectation of ever having been allowed to live here permanently.

'The appellant's leave to remain was properly cancelled and he was given fair opportunities to seek an alternate college.

'The appellant then went underground and made no attempt to regularise his status and worked illegally for many years after his right to remain in the UK came to an end in 2014.'

Protests have been staged across the country in support of the shopkeeper, from south-east London

Judge Seelhoff said he did not treat the petitions or supporting letters as 'an accurate or complete expression of the public interest.'

He concluded: 'Considering all the factors in this case in the round and despite the Appellant's impressive achievements I am not satisfied that they outweigh the public interest in immigration control when viewed in the context of a full and informed assessment of all the facts of the case.

'As a consequence I dismiss the appeal.'

It is understood Vimal has a maximum of 28 days from the date of the verdict, which was given on January 24, to decide whether he wishes to challenge the judge's decision.

After this he will be at risk of removal by the Home Office.

Speaking last year of his dismay at the prospect of returning to India, Vimal said: 'I have been here 11 years, which is nothing by the Home Office's standards, but it is everything to me.

'I love being here and I love the people around me. I've connected with this environment. I know this community. I have seen people grow up in front of me and I know which families need support.

'What I am going through is so unfair, but I do not want to give up.'

A spokesperson for the Home Office said: 'We do not comment on individual cases.

'We are committed to an immigration policy which welcomes those in genuine need but which deters illegal immigration, prevents the abuse of benefits and services and removes immigration offenders from the UK.'
Political and military figures in Germany have called for a return of compulsory military service.

It comes after the new defence minister Boris Pistorius called the 2011 phase-out of conscription a 'mistake' that assisted in alienating the public from civic institutions, according to The Guardian.

The German parliamentary commissioner for the armed forces, Eva Hogl of the centre-left SPD, encouraged the government to ask itself whether some type of compulsory military service was necessary to stop staff shortages in the German army's ranks.

'We definitely need more personnel in the Bundeswehr,' she told the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper.

Meanwhile, the chief of the German navy, Jan Christian Kaack, recently proposed a return of compulsory military service based on the Norwegian model - where men and women undergo an examination when turning 19 but only a small percentage of each group is drafted into the army.

The new defence minister Boris Pistorius (right) called the 2011 phase-out of conscription a 'mistake' that assisted in alienating the public from civic institutions

Mr Pistorius said it was the wrong decision to phase out conscription more than 10 years ago

Political and military figures in Germany have called for a return of compulsory military service

Kaack said: 'I believe that a nation that needs to become more resilient in times like these will have a higher level of awareness if it is mixed through with soldiers.'

The government has meanwhile tried to calm the debate. But the finance minister, Christian Lindner, told Suddeutsche Zeitung: 'All of our efforts have to be concentrated on strengthening the Bundeswehr as a highly professional army.'

Steffan Hebestreit, a spokesperson for the government, called the debate 'nonsensical' on Monday and said that turning the Bundeswehr from a conscript to a professional army 'could not be reversed from one moment to the next'.

The dispute started during an interview in which Boris Pistorius, the new defence minister, said it was a mistake to phase out conscription more than 10 years ago.

Between 1956 and 2011 German men were required to perform some form of civic service upon turning 18, with youths not wanting to serve in the army having the choice to carry out Zivildienst in civic institutions such as hospitals or homes for elderly people.

After the fall of the Berlin wall, staffing requirements of a smaller army shrunk, and both services were suspended under Angela Merkel's rule in 2011.

But a clause was allowing the state to put men into the armed forces remains part of the German Basic Law.

Now, army officials have complained of their difficulties in filling the ranks of a Bundeswehr no more than 183,000 strong.

When Pistorius called the phase-out a mistake, the defence minister was explicitly referring not to the threat faced by an aggressive Russian state, but the social acceptance of armed forces in German society.

He said that back in the day there was a conscript 'at every second kitchen table', meaning there was 'always a connection to civic society at large'.

Pistorius added that people have lost awareness that they are part of the state and of society themselves in regard to attacks on firefighters and police officers.
A cash-strapped cathedral has been slammed for selling the site of a treasured World War One memorial to developers as it is revealed they hope to build 124 homes on the land.

The Cathedral Church of the Holy Spirit in Guildford, Surrey, was constructed in 1937 on a six-acre plot donated by British peer Richard Onslow.

In 1947, a substantial plot of undeveloped woodland was donated to the Church by Viscount Richard Bedford Bennett - who served as the 11th Prime minister of Canada between 1930 and 1935.

Bennett donated the land on the condition that it be used as a place of remembrance of the sacrifices made by the Canadian military during the First World War - including the 66,000 soldiers who died.

But now Guildford Cathedral has sold the land developers Vivid in a bid to raise money for repairs and 'safeguard' the building's future.

The Cathedral Church of the Holy Spirit in Guildford, Surrey, was constructed in 1937 on a six-acre plot

Plans submitted to Guildford Borough Council reveal the developers intend to demolish existing dwellings on the site and build 124 residential units, including affordable housing

Plans submitted to Guildford Borough Council reveal the developers intend to demolish existing dwellings on the site and build 124 residential units, including affordable housing.

The proposal has been criticised by non-profit organisation The Vimy Foundation, which curates and shares historical resources on Canada's participation in the First World War.

An objection submitted to the council by the organisation reads: 'The Vimy Foundation has learned through the press of a planned development of 124 apartments by the developer Vivid on land owned by Guildford Cathedral.

'This undeveloped wooded area was created on the initiative of R.B. Bennett, Prime Minister of Canada from 1930 to 1935, who lived near Guildford, to provide a place for reflection and remembrance of Canada's contribution during the conflicts that shook the first half of the 20th century.

'Dramatic circumstances in which R.B. Bennett distinguished himself; he was honoured as a 1st Viscount Bennett of Mickleham in the County of Surrey and of Calgary and Hopewelln in the Dominion of Canada for his important contribution to the Second World War air campaign to protect Britain.

'While understanding the needs of the Guildford community, The Vimy Foundation wishes to reaffirm its commitment to the preservation of memorial sites honouring Canada's fallen military personnel.

'The past informs the future, and it is necessary to protect these places that allow us not to forget: 650,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders fought in Europe during the First World War, 66,000 of whom lost their lives and over 172,000 of whom were wounded.

A view of Guildford Cathedral, which sits proudly on a hill above the Surrey town but may now be subject to a 124 homes

'45,000 Canadians lost their lives and 55,000 were wounded during the Second World War, with over a million Canadians serving in Canada, Europe and the Asian Theatre.

'In recognition of the bravery and sacrifice of these men and women, their memory must continue to be honoured.'

There are currently seven houses on the site, which are used by cathedral staff. The plot is designated as open space as part of the Cathedral grounds but was earmarked for 100 homes in the council's local plan.

In 2017, Guildford Borough Council refused an application for 134 dwellings on the plot.

The developers reengaged with the council - proposing new plans to demolish the existing staff buildings to create 124 homes, 44 of which would be affordable. Cathedral staff would have use of 13 of the dwellings.

Guildford Cathedral claim that selling the land was necessary to fund repairs that need to be carried out on the Grade-II listed building.

The Church said the Cathedral doesn't benefit from a large income or historic endowments due to being a relatively new diocese.

Matt O'Grady, chief operating officer at Guildford Cathedral, said: 'The Charity Commission, the regulatory body responsible for these matters, was given the full details of the gift of land, including all associated historical correspondence.

'After a thorough assessment the commission approved schemes allowing the cathedral to sell the relevant land - allocated in Guildford's Local Plan - for development. R Bennet will always be acknowledged as the generous donor who enabled land to be purchased from the Earl of Onslow.

'His contribution is commemorated in a ledger stone on the south elevation of the Cathedral and the protection of this is encapsulated in the Cathedral's Grade II* listing and in the Care of Cathedrals Measure 2011.

'The Grade II* listed Guildford Cathedral doesn't benefit from a large income in the same way as many English cathedrals; because it is relatively new, it doesn't have any historic endowments.

'The sale of land to Vivid for new homes will safeguard the long-term future of the building. The income generated will be used to create an annual endowment that will provide for the long-term repair, maintenance, and improvement of the cathedral.

'The cathedral is proud of its community links and believes very strongly that it should play a part in contributing to new homes in Guildford.'
A judge is set to rule on tightening restrictions on FTX cryptocurrency exchange founder Sam Bankman-Fried following allegations he attempted to threaten the counsel of his former business.

Bankman-Fried appeared in New York federal court on Thursday amid concerns from prosecutors that the former crypto-billionaire was attempting to influence witnesses to his trial.

The 30-year-old stunned prosecutors after they learned that he recently sent a text to the former general counsel of FTX, leading the judge in his case to condemn the communication as a 'material threat of inappropriate contact with prospective witnesses.'

The allegation comes after US District Judge Lewis Kaplan last week temporarily barred Bankman-Fried from making any form of contact with employees from FTX or Alameda Research, his former hedge fund.

Bankman-Fried is facing federal charges of fraud following the collapse of his cryptocurrency empire last November, and if convicted he could be jailed for up to 115 years.

Sam Bankman-Fried, pictured, is set to go on trial for fraud in October after he pleaded not guilty

Bankman-Fried pictured leaving federal court on Thursday, February 9, after a judge heard arguments on tightening his communication restrictions

The 30-year-old appeared again in court on Thursday amid allegations of witness tampering

Bankman-Fried has been living in his parents' California home after he was released late last year on a $250 million bond, the largest bail in US history.

But his bail conditions have come under question following the emergence of a text message sent to the former general counsel of FTX.

In the message, Bankman-Fried said: 'I know its been a while since weve talked. And I know things have ended up on the wrong foot.

'I would really love to reconnect and see if theres a way for us to have a constructive relationship, use each other as resources when possible, or at least vet things with each other. Id love to get on a phone call sometime soon and chat.'

Lawyers for the alleged fraudster have argued that the attempt at contact was only intended to offer 'assistance'.

They denied he was attempting to interfere with the investigation, which has seen several limitations placed on his ability to communicate ahead of his trial.

However, the judge disagreed that the contact was harmless, but did not offer a conclusive judgment in Thursday's session.

Kaplan urged both Bankman-Fried's lawyers and prosecutors to increase monitoring of the 30-year-old's communications and to return at a later with a proposal for him to approve.

It comes after Kaplan previously temporarily barred the crypto billionaire from speaking to his former employees as a condition of his release.

The court also prevented Bankman-Fried from using messaging apps that allow users to auto-delete messages.

Bankman-Fried's lawyers previously claimed on court papers on Monday that they had agreed on a deal with prosecutors to exempt certain individuals from the no-contact order placed on the 30-year-old.

The agreement would have allowed him to use some apps including Zoom and WhatsApp on the condition he installed monitoring technology onto his phone.

His lawyers had originally proposed cutting off his contact with only a few potential witnesses to his fraud trial, including Alameda boss Caroline Ellison and former FTX tech chief Zixiao 'Gary' Wang.

Both Ellison and Wang have pleaded guilty to fraud charges and are reportedly cooperating with prosecutors as they target Bankman-Fried.

However, Kaplan subsequently shot down the potential changes to the no-contact agreement and said any changes to his bail conditions would have to wait.

The judge did not offer an explanation for why he rejected the deal.

Part of the now-rejected agreement with prosecutors would also have seen Bankman-Fried withdraw an official objection to a bail condition barring him from accessing the assets of his former businesses.

Bankman-Fried was back in court as a judge heard arguments related to his bail conditions. He is pictured in court sketches from his court appearance in New York on Thursday

Alameda CEO Caroline Ellison, left, and FTX tech chief Zixiao 'Gary' Wang are both potential witnesses to Bankman-Fried's fraud trial. Both have pleaded guilty to fraud charges and are reportedly cooperating with prosecutors in the case

Bankman-Fried is facing federal charges following the collapse of his cryptocurrency exchange FTX

Bankman-Fried is facing eight criminal charges following the collapse of FTX, which lost hundreds of millions of dollars and wiped out the 30-year-old's fortune.

Among the charges he has pleaded not guilty to include wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy, and if convicted he could be jailed for up to 115 years.

Bankman-Fried became one of the most powerful political donors in America after he amassed a $26 billion net worth through digital currencies including Bitcoin.

But his empire collapsed in November amid a liquidity crisis, which was driven by claims the 30-year-old was improperly tied to Alameda Research, his hedge fund.

Prosecutors allege that the hedge fund stole customer deposits to fund numerous other financial dealings under Bankman-Fried's direction.

Among the activities allegedly funded by the move were luxury real estate purchases and political donations, as well as propping up financial losses on Alameda's books.

Last month, federal prosecutors seized nearly $700 million linked to the FTX founder, leading him to appear to offload several assets.

Included in his fundraising efforts was the sale of a multimillion-dollar Washington DC townhouse owned by his brother, which hit the market for $3.28 million.

Bankman-Fried's brother Gabe was a Wall Street trader and Democrat congressional staffer before setting up the non-profit Guarding Against Pandemics.

The townhouse, which was partially funded by the FTX founder, was reportedly used to wine and dine notable Washington politicians while the crypto-giant contributed to their political funds.

However, following the collapse of his cryptocurrency empire, hundreds of US politicians who received donations from FTX have now been asked by the firm to repay the contributions.

Among the political heavyweights who benefitted from Bankman-Fried's contributions include Nancy Pelosi, Kevin McCarthy, Mitt Romney, and Paul Ryan.

They now face being sued by the company if they don't repay the money to FTX as the embattled firm attempts to reimburse its estimated 1 million creditors.
Congress is preparing a resolution to condemn China over the incursion

The US Air Force shot down such a balloon off the East Coast on Saturday

A State Department official confirmed on Thursday morning that the US believes China is using balloons for a vast surveillance network across the world

The Chinese spy balloon that was shot down over the Atlantic Ocean last week was 'likely capable of collecting' and pinpointing American 'communications' as it traversed several US states, an official said on Thursday.

American intelligence is uncovering a vast surveillance network by Beijing that has spanned 40 countries and five continents, according to the State Department.

The US is considering taking 'action' against China for what it calls a violation of American sovereignty.

'It had multiple antennas to include an array likely capable of collecting and geo-locating communications,' the official said.

'It was equipped with solar panels large enough to produce the requisite power to operate multiple active intelligence collection sensors.'

In this image provided by the FBI, FBI special agents assigned to the evidence response team process material recovered from the high altitude balloon recovered off the coast of South Carolina, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, at the FBI laboratory in Quantico, Virginia

The FBI has categorized the recovery mission as being in its very early stages

'It's very early for us in this process, and the evidence that has been recovered and brought to the FBI is extremely limited,' an FBI official said

The suspected Chinese spy balloon crossed several US states before being shot down on Saturday

China 's suspected 'spy balloon' that unnerved millions of Americans last week is seemingly part of a larger global surveillance plot by Beijing 's authoritarian government, a new report claimed on Wednesday

US intelligence links the program directly to the People's Liberation Army (PLA), China's principal military force.

The official said the US will 'explore taking action against [Chinese government] entities linked to the PLA that supported the balloons incursion into US airspace.'

'We will also look at broader efforts to expose and address the [Chinese government's] larger surveillance activities that pose a threat to our national security, and to our allies and partners,' they said.

Air Force jets shot down the balloon, which kicked off public furor over Beijing's spying tactics on Saturday, just off the coast of South Carolina.

It was first detected crossing US territory on January 28, briefly passing over Canada, then traversing several states in the continental US before it was brought down on February 4.

President Joe Biden gave the order to shoot it down on Wednesday last week but Defense officials cautioned that it would be safer to do so when the falling debris no longer posed a risk to Americans on the ground.

Most of the debris is still underwater as of Thursday, according to FBI officials who briefed reporters on the recovery.

'It's very early for us in this process, and the evidence that has been recovered and brought to the FBI is extremely limited,' an official said.

Meanwhile the State Department official said the same day: 'The United States sent a clear message to [China] that its violation of our sovereignty was unacceptable by shooting down the balloon, protecting our own sensitive intelligence, and maximizing our ability to track the balloon and recover the payload to get more information on [China's] program.'

This picture provided by the US Navy shows sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 recover a high-altitude surveillance balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

The US government is weighing whether to take action against Beijing over the matter, a State Department official said on Thursday

'From [China's] messaging and public comments, its clear that they have been scrambling to explain why they violated US sovereignty and still have no plausible explanation  and have found themselves on their heels,' they said.

The statement also took aim at Beijing's claims that the device was merely a weather balloon that was blown off course.

'High resolution imagery from U-2 flybys revealed that the high-altitude balloon was capable of conducting signals intelligence collection operations,' the State Department said.

'The high altitude balloons equipment was clearly for intelligence surveillance and inconsistent with the equipment on board weather balloons.'

The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to condemn China over the balloon incident.
A medical expert in the Lucy Letby murder trial today told the court that an 'astonishing' amount of air had been injected into the stomach of one of her alleged victims.

Letby denies murdering seven babies and attempting to murder 10 others at the Countess of Chester's neonatal unit between June 2015 and June 2016.

The neonatal nurse's trial at Manchester Crown Court has now entered its fifteenth week.

Retired consultant paediatrician Dr Dewi Evans denied a defence claim that he was deliberately trying to 'point the finger' of guilt towards Letby, originally from Hereford, insisting he had relied solely on medical notes when coming to his conclusions.

He reacted angrily when Ben Myers KC, defending, suggested he had joined together a number of strands of medical evidence to support his hypothesis about the death of Baby I.

Mr Myers said: 'To make it plain, what I'm saying is that you are joining things up to present your evidence with a prosecution bias'.

Lucy Letby is accused of killing the premature-born infant, known as Child I, in the early hours of October 23, 2015, which the Crown say was the fourth attempt to take her life

Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Lucy Letby listening from the dock at Manchester Crown Court during an earlier hearing

Dr Evans, the leading paediatrician brought in by Cheshire Police at the start of their investigation into suspicious deaths at the Countess of Chester Hospital, replied: 'That is obviously untrue.

'When I was investigating this case no one was being prosecuted, no one was being arrested. All I had to go on was the clinical notes.

'I never visited the hospital and Cheshire Police never spoke to me about any particular nurse. I wasn't looking to point the finger at anyone. I was looking at what on earth caused these collapses and the other collapses in this case.

'There is no prosecution bias in my evidence. I'm familiar with giving expert evidence for the defence  in fact more so than for the police  so I don't think that lawyers for the defence would turn to experts who are prosecution biased.

Dr Evans, who has been challenged previously by the defence about his impartiality, went on: 'This persistent fiction that I'm a prosecution person is pure fantasy. I was the first to identify the issues in this case and in the others, and I did so in 2017. I depended entirely on the clinical notes.

'I've listened to the evidence of the medical staff at the hospital, and as far as I can tell all of them reinforce the conclusions I came to five years ago'.

Earlier, he agreed that Baby I had a pattern of recurring collapses during her time at the Countess of Chester Hospital in 2015.

But he attributed her final three collapses  all of them unexplained at the time  to the injection of air.

Asked how much air it would have taken for that to happen, he replied: 'A lot. But what I can't say is how much, because you can't carry out a series of experiments with different amounts of air until a baby vomits or stops breathing because it would be unethical.

'What we do know is that normally babies will have a small amount of air in the stomach and that doesn't cause them problems.

'Therefore, for a baby to vomit means she's had an awful lot of air into the stomach'.

Professor Owen Arthurs, an eminent radiologist who practices at Great Ormond Street Hospital, had estimated more than 20mls.

Letby, originally from Hereford, denies murdering seven babies and attempting to murder 10 others at the Countess of Chester's neonatal unit between June 2015 and June 2016. Her trial at Manchester Crown Court has now entered it's 15th week

Mr Myers then asked how quickly vomiting would have followed the injection of air.

The paediatrician replied: 'You can't say. I suspect it would be quite quick. But because this is incredibly rare and unusual, it's not possible to give an exact volume of air or an exact time following the injection that the baby would vomit.

'The only time I've seen this is in this series of cases. I've looked at all the other possibilities, and in my opinion this is the explanation in this particular case.

'But people who inject air inappropriately into babies' stomachs tend not to record the volume of air they inject'.

He also pointed to the presence of a large amount of air seen in x-rays of the baby, together with a nurse's observation that she had aspirated 'a lot' of air from the baby's stomach.

Dr Evans said that prior to Baby I's final collapse on the night shift of October 22/23 she had been 'a very stable, well baby'. She then collapsed 'out of the blue'.

'If she had been sickening for an infection I would have expected over the previous hour or two or three or more for her to need a little bit of oxygen support,' he said.

An injection of air into the baby's stomach would have put pressure on her diaphragm and therefore affected her breathing. The act of vomiting reduced the pressure on her abdomen, which in turn made it easier for her to breathe.

Dr Evans highlighted Baby I's 'relentless' and 'loud' crying in the two collapses that preceded the last one.

He said: 'Nurses and doctors know what a normal cry sounds like. But that was a very abnormal cry. I would have interpreted that as a baby who was in pain, and one of a baby that was extremely distressed.

'That's an extremely disturbing phenomenon. There was no obvious explanation as to why she was crying relentlessly and for it to be very loud. It wasn't as if someone was shoving needles into her or causing her harm.

'I think she was a victim of having air injected into her blood circulation, and it probably explains the failure of the medical team to save her life'.

The trial continues.
Transgender rapist Isla Bryson was not a risk to other prisoners while being held in a women's jail, an urgent review has found.

According to a report by the Scottish Prison Service, Bryson did not come into contact with any other prisoners while at HMP Cornton Vale in Stirling.

The urgent review of Bryson's case was ordered following a huge row over her being held at Cornton Vale while awaiting sentence for raping two women while a man.

But the full report into Bryson's detention is not being made public, despite political pressure for Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to do so.

The Scottish Government pointed to 'a significant amount of personal detail... which would not be appropriate to disclose'.

The full report into Isla Bryson's detention is not being made public, despite political pressure for Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to do so

The review was ordered by Scottish Justice Secretary Keith Brown after a public outcry that Bryson (pictured) had initially been placed in a women's prison

Gender protests held outside Holyrood Protesters have gathered outside Holyrood to urge Scottish ministers against placing transgender criminals in female prisons. Women's rights campaigners with For Women Scotland joined with reform group Keep Prisons Safe and chanted 'shame' at the decision to place prisoners who have self-identified as female in Cornton Vale, Scotland's only all-female jail. The group said urgent questions must be answered on how the Scottish Prison Service, which assesses transgender allocation based on 'risk', deemed the placements suitable. Scottish Conservative MSP Rachael Hamilton told the crowd that the case of double rapist Isla Bryson, who was a man known as Adam Graham at the time of the offences, exposed 'major flaws' in current policy. Advertisement

Bryson first appeared in court as Adam Graham in 2019 and was later named in court papers the following year  around the time she decided to transition  as Isla Annie Bryson.

Ms Sturgeon has faced intense scrutiny over the management of trans prisoners in Scotland amid controversy over Bryson and another offender, Tiffany Scott.

The outrage forced the SNP leader to prohibit any newly convicted transgender person with a history of violence against women from being placed in a female prison.

She also put a halt on any transgender prisoner with a history of violence against women from being moved from a male to a female prison.

These measures will remain in place until both the urgent review of Bryson's case and a wider review of the management of transgender prisoners are completed.

The urgent case review over Bryson found that SPS policy was 'followed during each decision making process and risk assessment'.

But it made four recommendations for the future management of transgender prisoners.

This included allowing prisoners to be located in secure isolation for the sole purpose of risk assessment.

Scottish Justice Secretary Keith Brown said: 'I would like to acknowledge the work SPS has done in continuing to fulfil its operational responsibilities while completing the lessons learned review

'SPS has considerable expertise in managing complex, high-profile and challenging individuals within their care and keeping people safe; and I commend their professionalism.'

The reviews ordered by Ms Sturgeon's Scottish Government came amid a broader row over controversial gender identity reforms in Scotland.

These are set to be blocked by Westminster, despite being passed by the Scottish Parliament last month.

The review of Bryson's case was due to be completed by the Scottish Prison Service last Friday.

In the Scottish Parliament earlier today, Ms Sturgeon faced calls to commit to publishing the full report rather than just 'findings'.

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross said: 'Why not publish the findings and the full report that your Justice Secretary has had for over 24 hours?'

Mr Ross also questioned the First Minister on the case of Scott, who was convicted of stalking a 13-year-old girl while Andrew Burns and had requested to be moved to the female prison estate.

Protesters gathered outside Holyrood today to urge Scottish ministers against placing transgender criminals in female prisons

On the day reports of Scott's request appeared, a Scottish Government pause on the housing of trans prisoners with a history of violence against women in the female estate was put in place.

Mr Ross said his party has spoken to a retired prison officer who said officers had been 'threatened with disciplinary measures' if they refused to refer to Scott with female pronouns.

'They said that Scott 'has used gender recognition as a tool to create as much chaos as possible within the prison system',' Mr Ross added.

The officer, the Tory leader claimed, continued: 'This is a classic example of devious, dangerous individuals who are exploiting this dangerous situation.'

Reports have also claimed that female prison officers have had to carry out strip searches of Scott while in prison, something Mr Ross said was 'completely unacceptable', urging the First Minister to intervene.

Ms Sturgeon said: 'Those on the prison estate are dealt with depending on the nature of the crime and the nature of the risk posed and, again, it's important for reasons of public assurance to underline that as well, and that is demonstrated in the two recent cases that have been cited in the media in recent days and here again today.'

She said the SPS has been dealing with transgender prisoners for 'many, many years now' and have been doing so 'safely and effectively', and that the prison service can use technology to search prisoners.

'The SPS is experienced in these matters, I trust their handling of these matters and it's important that we continue to ensure they are handled appropriately,' the First Minister said.
A ten-year-old boy, who was critically injured when his sheep outfit went up in flames during a carol service, is suing for damages of more than 1 million.

The boy and his parents, who watched in horror as flames engulfed their son, are demanding compensation from St Thomas Becket Catholic Primary School after the accident three years ago.

The boy, then 7, was dressed in a sheeps costume made of cotton wool balls when another pupil, holding a lighted candle in a plastic cup, tripped and set fire to the outfit.

Headteacher Noel Campbell and a woman rushed to pat him down to put out the fire, and the child was airlifted to hospital.

But he suffered catastrophic burns covering 45 per cent of his body, including his neck, face, body and arms during the carol concert and nativity presentation at Our Lady of the Annunciation Church in Croydon, a High Court claim says.

The schoolboy suffered catastrophic burns covering 45 per cent of his body when the incident took place

Police pictured outside Our Lady of the Annunciation Church in Croydon, London, when the incident took place

Both Mr Campbell and the woman were also injured.

His mother and father, who were in the audience, suffered psychiatric injuries as a result of witnessing the accident to their son.

They accuse the school of negligence and are seeking damages of more than 1million for their son, and his father is claiming more than 100,000, and his mother over 50,000 for their personal injuries after seeing the horrific accident.

They are also seeking provisional damages for their son, allowing them to return to court to seek more money if his condition deteriorates and he develops skeletal or joint deformity, and infection of scar tissue, either spontaneously or caused by surgery.

All three are also seeking damages for future disadvantage on the open labour market.

Neither the boy, nor his parents, can be named after procedural judge Master Brown granted an anonymity order protecting their identity.

The little boy had lined up with about twenty other year 3 children in the corridor near the stage, with each child holding lighted candles in plastic cups, the court will hear.

His parents watched in horror as flames engulfed their son, are demanding compensation from St Thomas Becket Catholic Primary School after the accident three years ago

Afterwards, London Fire Brigades assistant commissioner for fire safety Dan Daly said: This horrific accident is a stark reminder of the risk real candles can pose.

They are a completely unnecessary hazard when it comes to children and school plays. Sadly this isnt the first time we have seen clothing and costumes set alight by candles and people need to recognise the risk and prevent these incidents from happening again.

The claim was issued by Benjamin Rogers of Stewarts Law. Solicitors Weightmans are acting for the school.
Meanwhile, Russia is looking to modernise its armour as Zelensky seeks support

A tense Putin was seen exploding 'the best country is Russia' at a helpless official

This is the moment a furious Vladimir Putin snapped at one of his hapless officials for suggesting Russia was not 'the best in the world'.

Robert Urazov, head of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, faced the immediate wrath of Putin in an online government meeting.

'I paid attention to you saying 'in other countries, the best in the world',' said a grim-faced Putin.

'Now then: the best country in the world is Russia. I hope you simply made a mistake?'

Putin's angry affirmation comes as Russia prepares a sudden modernisation drive for its tanks and munitions while Zelensky seeks Western fighters.

Putin corrects an official on Russia being the best country in the world, amid a hurried drive to modernise armour as Ukraine seeks more advanced fighters from Britain and France

The head of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives is silent as Putin berates him on a group call

The hapless 46-year-old underling gave a nervous smile, but Putin often remembers such slips by his officials who later find themselves demoted or dismissed.

If Urazov replied to him, this was cut off as the meeting went into secret mode.

Moscow, meanwhile, is rushing the building and modernising of 'thousands of tanks' in response to the West's promise to arm Volodymyr Zelensky.

Close Putin henchman Dmitry Medvedev, a former Russian president and premier, was at Omsk Transport Engineering Plant in Siberia today to demand speedier supplies of munitions.

'Yesterday [in London] our enemy begged for planes, missiles and tanks while abroad,' said Medvedev, referring to Volodymyr Zelensky's trip, the second foreign tour since the invasion.

'What must we do in response?

'Naturally, to increase production of various types of ammunition and military equipment, including modern tanks.

'We are speaking about the manufacturing and modernising of thousands of tanks.'

Medvedev affirms Russia's plans to upgrade tanks as Ukraine scouts for western support

Medvedev has been put in charge of a new production drive for tanks and missiles for Ukraine

Putin is deploying Medvedev, now deputy head of the Kremlin security council, to boost production of tanks and missiles for the front.

It is unclear that he is having the success his boss wants but his photo opportunities at arms-making plants have become a regular event.

Meanwhile, pro-Putin Colonel Igor Korotchenko, editor-in-chief of Russia's National Defence magazine, demanded imminent military strikes against the US, Britain, Poland and the three ex-Soviet Baltic states as Ukraine's biggest Western supporters.

'What will we be destroying in Europe if a war suddenly breaks out?

'What are the objects for the first strike - NATO's military infrastructure targets?

'I don't know. Perhaps, critical infrastructure?

Or he suggested LNG terminals and pipelines.'

The hawkish colonel said: 'If the enemy has been working to destroy Russia, then we should plan and implement a set of measures regarding strategic decisions now, regarding how we will destroy the enemy.

'It is absolutely obvious that in case that we are dragged into a confrontational scenario, God forbid, with a nuclear stage

'I am absolutely convinced that the first, priority targets should be on US territory.'

Igor Korotchenko called for imminent strikes against the US, Britain, Poland and the Baltic nations. In August last year he said 'Russia doesn't want or desire war with the UK' but would defend itself if British soldiers were to land in Ukraine

Korotchenko said in September of last year, 'the West has to understand: if [nuclear weapons] exist, taboos and limitations on using them could be lifted in certain circumstances

He continued: 'Americans should not think they will wait it out across the ocean during turmoil in Europe.

'There are countries that manifested themselves as the main enemies of Russia.

'Then the first [strikes] should be against them.

'Which are these countries?

'Great Britain, Poland, the Baltic states [Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania].'

He warned: 'We should already be moving towards it somehow, to react.

'I am saying this not in a state of militaristic ecstasy.

'We should be acting to prevent the enemy who should be destroyed without any regrets, in a few moments, under clear solutions that should be approved by the military leadership.'
A Scottish neo-Nazi who shared information on how to build a DIY machine gun has been convicted of terrorism.

James Farrell, 32, today admitted an offence under the Terrorism Act and also pleaded guilty to expressing anti-Semitic, racist and neo-Nazi views.

He had been in contact with like-minded individuals from the north east of England and other parts of the UK using the messaging service Telegram, where they shared instructions on how to assemble a homemade automatic weapon.

In March last year, members of this group were also convicted of offences under the Terrorism Act.

During their trial, it was heard that they exchanged terror manuals, shared racist ideology and posted videos of atrocities.

James Farrell, 32, today admitted an offence under the Terrorism Act and also pleaded guilty to expressing anti-Semitic, racist and neo-Nazi views

And Farrell, of Pollok, Glasgow, admitted his crimes at the High Court in Glasgow today (Thurs).

Following the hearing, Detective Chief Superintendent Stuart Houston, Police Scotlands Head of Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit, said: 'Farrell not only expressed views which are totally unacceptable in a civilised society but his actions in sharing material of this nature had the potential of significantly endangering the public.

'His conviction is testament to the work of Police Scotland officers and shows the value of working in partnership with our colleagues in Counter Terrorism Policing across the UK.

'Police Scotland is grateful for the assistance of Counter Terrorism officers from the North East of England, who initiated the investigation which led to Farrells activities being uncovered.

'James Farrells conviction sends out a clear message that terrorist activities of any nature will not be tolerated and Police Scotland officers will continue to investigate anyone who engages in criminality linked to extreme groups or ideologies.'

Detective Chief Superintendent Jim Dunkerley, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, added: 'Given the online nature of many terrorist and extremist networks, it is not unusual for operations to cross regional and national borders.

The group shared instructions on how to assemble a homemade automatic weapon on messaging service Telegram

'Alongside our CT policing colleagues across the UK, we will always seek to share or respond to intelligence which indicates offences are being committed.

'Our enquiries revealed that subjects from the North East investigation were engaging with Farrell in a chat group, and it was appropriate that this information was passed to Police Scotland for further investigation.

'As a network, we are committed to taking a coordinated approach, and to jointly act on any information which potentially signals terrorist activity.

'After all, in some circumstances, the safety of our communities may rely on it.'
The parents and sister of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins are suing Alec Baldwin, claiming the cinematographer would have brought them to the US when war broke out in Ukraine if she was alive.

The Hutchins family is being represented by Gloria Allred, who announced today at a press conference that they are seeking damages from Baldwin in Los Angeles.

Halyna's mother, Olga, is a nurse treating the war wounded, and her sister, Svetlana, struggles at home with her two young kids while her husband fights on the front lines.

The family had not filed any immigration case or visa request, but their attorneys say Halyna 'would not have allowed them' to stay in the war if she was still alive.

'She would have brought them to the US when it was possible,' said Allred.

Halyna Hutchins with her sister Svetlana. The family's attorneys say they all planned to move from Ukraine to the US before the incident, but now they're stuck in war-torn Ukraine

Halyna with her mother Olga, following the birth of her son Andros. Olga now works as a nurse in Kyiv

Halyna Hutchins' father Anatolli and her son Andros

In a recorded statement, Halyna's sister Svetlana said: 'To lose my sister was a horrible experience and one of the biggest losses of my life.

'Even more devastating is to see the utter suffering of our parents and how their health has sharply declined,' Svetlana said in a pre-recorded statement.

'It is for this reason that I'd like those who are at fault for somebody to carry that responsibility not just someone - but that very someone who is truly responsible.

'To let this go and let this be unpunished is unallowable,' she added.

Allred said Baldwin has never contacted the family to apologize to them for shooting Halyna dead.

'We are now representing others in the family - mom, dad and sister.

'There has been no settlement for them, there has been no outreach to them by Mr. Baldwin to even say he was sorry. We want accountability and justice for them.'

Actor Alec Baldwin in New York City today. He has been charged with involuntary manslaughter for shooting Halyna in October 2021

Baldwin, pictured today, says he is not to blame for the tragedy

Baldwin was spotted buying food from a Mexican street cart in NYC today

Halyna's sister Svetlana and mother Olga in a pre-recorded video statement played today at the hearing

Celebrity attorney Gloria Allred is representing Halyna's family in Ukraine. She is shown today at a press conference where she announced the lawsuit in Los Angeles

Baldwin has been charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter and is awaiting his first court appearance.

The family filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles alleging battery and loss of consortium - which seeks compensation for damages to relationships.

Baldwin previously settled a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Halyna's widower Matthew, making him an executive producer on the movie when it resumed production.

The new lawsuit comes after prosecutors in New Mexico shared search warrants and probable cause affidavits against Baldwin that claim he was not paying attention in weapons training, and that he did not check the gun he was holding before firing it towards Hutchins' direction.

Baldwin has always maintained his innocence, and says her death was a tragic mistake but not a criminal one.

He has vowed to fight the charges.

He remains in New York City awaiting his first court appearance, which will happen virtually.
Britain has stumped up more than 2.3billion to the EU following a long-running customs dispute over clothing imports from China, the Government admitted today.

The row goes back more than 12 years, with the UK accused of failing to pass on the correct amount of tax to Brussels for clothing and footwear imports between 2011 and 2017.

British customs officials were claimed to have neglected to crack down on criminal gangs using fake invoices and making false claims about the value of imports.

In March last year, the European Court of Justice ruled against Britain over the case.

This was despite the Government's lawyers having argued UK customs officials did everything required to combat fraud.

Britain has stumped up more than 2.3billion to the EU following a long-running customs dispute over clothing imports from China

John Flen, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, revealed the final sum paid by Britain in a written statement to MPs

Under the terms of the Brexit deal struck by former prime minister Boris Johnson, Britain remains subject to the jurisdiction of the ECJ for any breaches of Brussels rules from the UK's time as an EU member state.

In a written statement to Parliament today, Treasury minister John Glen said the Government had been keen to 'resolve this long-running case once and for all and is committed to fulfilling its international obligations'.

He revealed the total financial settlement from the case stood at more than 2.6 billion euros (2.3billion).

This was made up of an initial 678million euro payment in June 2022, a further 700million euro payment last month, and a 1.2million euro payment made on Monday this week.

Mr Glen revealed this week's payment represented the 'interest due on the principal amounts paid'.

'These are substantial sums but represent the final payments and draw a line under this long-running case, with the UK fulfilling its international obligations,' the Chief Secretary to the Treasury added in his written statement to MPs.
Alex Murdaugh's double murder trial took a sensational turn today as a lawyer who has testified against him was accused of making a $1,000 payment to another prosecution witness.

Defense attorney Phillip Barber interrupted proceedings to demand that the testimony of Mark Tinsley be struck from the record, alleging that he last night donated to a GoFundMe page for Shelly Smith, Murdaugh's mother's caregiver.

Smith's daughter, Rachelle Buckner, set up the page to 'reward her mother's bravery' after her emotional testimony about seeing Murdaugh on the night of the murders which prosecutors say shatters his alibi.

Barber said that Tinsley made a $1,000 donation to the page before later removing his name from the record. The defense demanded that the judge strike out the evidence of Tinsley, who was suing Murdaugh and his son Paul at the time of the murders for a fatal boat crash that killed 19-year-old Mallory Beach.

'He made a financial payment to a witness in the middle of a trial, that he has a financial interest in the outcome of,' Barber told the judge, adding that Smith was still under subpoena.

Defense attorney Phillip Barber (left) interrupted proceedings to demand that the testimony of Mark Tinsley (right) be struck from the record

Smith's daughter, Rachelle Buckner, set up the page to 'reward her mother's bravery' following emotional testimony (Smith pictured on Monday) seeing Murdaugh on the night of the murders that poked holes in his alibi

Judge Clifton Newman appeared stunned by the intervention as he was told about the donation by the defense who said there was no precedent for such a payment

However, Judge Clifton Newman refused to strike out Tinsley's evidence, instead telling the defense: 'That will make good fodder for cross examination.'

The GoFundMe page for Smith has so has so far raised more than $7,000.

Barber stated that Tinsley had admitted making the donation to South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson.

Tinsley told the court during his testimony that Murdaugh tried to 'intimidate and bully' him because he was suing him over his son Paul's drunken boat crash.

That evidence allegedly infuriated Alex's son Buster so much he made an obscene gesture and has been moved to the back of the courtroom as a result.

Legal experts earlier warned that the GoFundMe page would invite problems for the prosecution.

Former prosecutor Lori Murray told DailyMail.com: 'It clearly doesn't look good.'

'It looks especially suspect because the first donation was made within an hour of the page being set up,' she added.

Murray was speaking before it was alleged that the donation had come from Tinsley.

However, Murray said she did not believe there was anything sinister about the payment. Murdaugh's double-murder trial is gripping the public and many people have expressed sympathy for Smith online following her emotional testimony.

'I just don't think that's the case right now, there's a lot of people feeling sorry for her on social media,' Murray said.

Smith wept on Monday as she told jurors how Murdaugh had visited his mother's home on the night of the murders for around 20 minutes.

A few days later he instructed her to tell cops he had been there for 40 minutes.

Smith told jurors this made her so 'nervous' she called her police officer brother to tell him about the conversation.

Prosecutors say Maggie, 52, and Paul, 22, were shot dead shortly after 8.49pm and that Murdaugh drove to his mother's home at 9.06pm in order to 'manufacture an alibi.'

Data from his Chevrolet Suburban shows the car was parked for 21 minutes around the time Smith said he came to visit his mother.

Mushelle 'Shelly' Smith (left) - the caregiver of Murdaugh's elderly mother Elizabeth 'Libby' Alexander Murdaugh (right) - told how she spoke to the alleged killer on the night of the murders when he visited his parents house. Prosecutors say this was after he killed Maggie and Paul

Rachelle Buckner, Shelly Smith's daughter, has so far raised more than $7,000, including an anonymous donation of $1,000 that was made in the first hour of the fundraising page being created

Elsewhere, Smith's evidence appeared more beneficial for Murdaugh's defense.

She testified she saw Murdaugh holding a blue tarp when he visited the home again a few days after the killings.

The prosecution claim this was a blue raincoat that was covered in gun residue, but under cross-examination, Smith said what she saw was a blue tarp.

Murray said she does not think it would be in either the prosecution or defense's interests to recall Smith as a witness and the idea that either side would pay her for her contradictory and confusing evidence seems unlikely.

Former prosecutor Lori Murray told DailyMail.com 'it clearly doesn't look good'

However, Elizabeth Riley, a trial lawyer with 35 years' experience, said that if the State finds out about the page they will swiftly move to shut it down.

'This is a really bad idea. This witness is now receiving something of value for her testimony. If the prosecutor's office knows about this they'll shut it down. Defense could call the daughter as a witness to establish that Smith is profiting, during the trial, from her testimony,' Riley tweeted.

Another trial lawyer, Robert Rikard, tweeted: 'She and the daughter are now fair game in the defense case and it won't be pretty...shows bias, motive to embellish testimony, motive to testify a certain way for financial gain etc. Could get real ugly.'

Miller Shealy, a professor at the Charleston School of Law and a former prosecutor, said he has never seen a fundraiser for a traumatized witness but does not see anything improper as long as people understand what they are donating to.

'I have never heard of such a thing but I don't have any reason to believe it is improper,' Shealy told the Post and Courier.

The fundraising page says: 'As you all know my mother was the caretaker for Alex Murdaugh's mom. She recently had to testify against him and it had brought much heartache and stress to her ...

'Since knowing she would have to testify she had gone through so much with the what-ifs, should I, and the I HAVE TO! I want to reward her for her bravery and her honesty as it was one of the hardest things she had to do. We want to show her that she is not alone and we stand behind her 100%!'

Murdaugh arrives at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, South Carolina, on February 9

Buster Murdaugh and his girlfriend, Brooklynn White, and Alex's brother John Marvin Murdaugh (right) and sister Lynn (left) arrive at Colleton County Courthouse Thursday

Alex Murdaugh with his wife Maggie, eldest son Buster, right, and younger son Paul, left

Buckner said her mother had taken a leave of absence from her job because she worries that the media attention could distract the students at her place of work.

The description on the GoFundMe page has since been cut to just two lines. It states: 'These are her children doing this for her!! She had no idea about this!!!'

Smith's daughter has been contacted for comment.

Murdaugh, 54, is accused of shooting his wife and younger son Paul on the evening of June 7, 2021, at the family's sprawling hunting lodge in Islandton, South Carolina.

The prosecution is still laying out its case in the trial that began three weeks ago.
A whistleblower is speaking out after spending four years working at a trans clinic for kids, where she claims teenagers are prescribed harmful drugs they have no understanding of, after being coerced into transitioning because it's deemed trendy.

Jamie Reed worked at The Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children's Hospital and was responsible for patient intake between 2018 and November 2022.

In an article for The Free Press today, she says she took the job with the intention of 'saving' trans kids, but that she believes what is happening amounts to 'permanent harm' on young, vulnerable children.

After four years, she says she became convinced the clinics were harming kids and families, whose understanding of the realities of the medical side-effects involved was scarily poor.

Jamie Reed (pictured) said she took the job with the intention of 'saving' trans kids, but that she believes what is happening amounts to 'permanent harm' on young, vulnerable children

Jamie Reed worked at The Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children's Hospital between 2018 and November 2022

Doctors acted as though they were more entitled to make decisions than parents, says Reed, and only one parent's consent was required in cases involving minors.

Reed cites examples of a 17-year-old girl's birth canal allegedly being 'ripped open' when she had sex while taking testosterone to transition to male, unaware that the drug would cause her to bleed extensively through her clothes if she had intercourse.

In other scenarios, she claims teenage girls were terrified when their clitorises turned into micro-penises while they took the drugs.

Some psychiatrically 'disturbed' children from juvenile detention centers were also presented because they had 'at some point' expressed an interest in changing gender.

The doctors I worked alongside at the Transgender Center said frequently about the treatment of our patients: We are building the plane while we are flying it. No one should be a passenger on that kind of aircraft.'

Among those patients, according to Reed, was a boy who'd been sexually abusing dogs.

'Somewhere along the way, he expressed a desire to become female, so he ended up being seen at our center.

'The way the American medical system is treating these patients is the opposite of the promise we make to do no harm.

'Instead, we are permanently harming the vulnerable patients in our care... what is happening to scores of children is morally and medically appalling.'

She describes seeing a sudden, sharp uptick in the number of young girls 'demanding testosterone', sometimes presenting themselves as 'clusters' from the same schools.

Reed perceived a 'lack of formal protocol' at the center, and that doctors ignored the fact young girls lied about having other illnesses and prescribed them hormones.

She reveals that in order for a young girl to start transitioning to male, all she needed to do was see a clinic-recommended therapist once or twice and obtain a letter of support for their decision.

That therapist was often given a template for the letter that was written by the clinic, according to Reed.

'Frequently, our patients declared they had disorders that no one believed they had.

'We had patients who said they had Tourette syndrome (but they didnt); that they had tic disorders (but they didnt); that they had multiple personalities (but they didnt).

What is Bicalutamide? Bicalutamide works by blocking the effects of the male hormone androgen. It is sold under the brand name Casodex. The drug was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2008 as a treatment for prostate cancer. It blocks receptors in the central nervous and male reproductive systems responsible for producing androgen. The hormone helps promote the growth of prostate cancer cells, and cutting them off can stop the disease from spreading. In recent years, the drug has also started to be used off-label for transgender children and teens. When used in this way, bicalutamide is sometimes called a 'puberty blocker'. By stopping the release of androgen in a young person, the drugs can also block biological boys from becoming men. Androgen is a key hormone during puberty that leads to a deep voice, Adam's apple, facial and body hair and the growth of the penis and testicles. Similar blockers also exist for women, preventing the development of breasts and other female features. The drugs were safe for use and had to undergo a rigorous pre-approval process. But, there is little information on their long-term physical and psychological effects when used in children. The effects are not thought to be permanent, but it takes years for the body to return to previous hormone secretion levels after coming off of the drugs. Advertisement

'The doctors privately recognized these false self-diagnoses as a manifestation of social contagion,' Reed says.

'They even acknowledged that suicide has an element of social contagion. But when I said the clusters of girls streaming into our service looked as if their gender issues might be a manifestation of social contagion, the doctors said gender identity reflected something innate.'

Reed says she was hesitant to raise her concerns because anyone who did was deemed a 'transphobe'.

She describes warning young girls about the lasting physical effects of taking testosterone hormones - including sterility - but that they didn't understand the seriousness of what they were doing.

'Teenagers are simply not capable of fully grasping what it means to make the decision to become infertile while still a minor,' she writes.

'The center downplayed the negative consequences, and emphasized the need for transition.'

She lists one example of a young boy who wanted to transition to female. Neither he nor his family 'understood' the severe effects of Bicalutamide, one of the prescribed drugs he received.

Bicalumatide is predominantly used to treat prostate cancer and can lead to liver toxicity - which is what happened in this child's case.

It is frequently prescribed as a feminizing trans drug.

In this child's case, he ended up in the hospital. His parents threatened to sue, according to Reed, who had told colleagues the child wasn't ready to undergo therapy because neither he nor his family fully grasped the drug's side-effects

Another teenager who was taking testosterone to transition from female to male was unaware that the hormone caused her vaginal tissue to thin.

After having sex, she began bleeding uncontrollably, soaking through her jeans and a towel, before having to go to the emergency room where she was sedated and underwent vaginal surgery.

'Clinics like the one where I worked are creating a whole cohort of kids with atypical genitals - and most of these teens havent even had sex yet.

'They had no idea who they were going to be as adults. Yet all it took for them to permanently transform themselves was one or two short conversations with a therapist,' Reed writes.

She also includes emails from concerned parents revoking their consent for the medications and procedures, after their kids turned into 'shells' of themselves.

'Who knows if it's because of the hormone blockers or the other medications. I revoke my consent. I want the hormone blocker removed,' one mother wrote.

Reed also describes a terrifying lack in consultation with both parents.

She gives the example of a family where the father and mother were in the midst of a divorce and the mother was championing that their 11-year-old daughter be given puberty blockers to allow her transition to male.

Reed said she found the mother 'disturbing' and thought the child didn't meet the initial criteria to transition when she interviewed them.

Weeks later, the mother returned to the clinic with a different set of answers for Reed's questions, and her colleagues approved the girl for transition.

A judge then sided with the mother in court, allowing the child to move forward, despite her father's strong protest against it.

In 2019, Reed said she started noticing a growing number of patients deciding not to go through with transition, or deciding to return to the gender they had been previously.

She and her colleague started collating information about those patients with the assumption that the doctors would want to know about their change of heart.

'We thought the doctors would want to collect and understand this data in order to figure out what they had missed.

'We were wrong. One doctor wondered aloud why he would spend time on someone who was no longer his patient.'

She and her colleague started a 'red flag list' to keep track of kids who had changed their minds.

The hospital did not respond to Reed's allegations when contacted by DailyMail.com.

Reed transferred from the transgender center to a different department in November 2022.

She says the doctors at the hospital treat the issue of transitioning among teens as an 'experiment'.

'Experiments are supposed to be carefully designed. Hypotheses are supposed to be tested ethically.

'The doctors I worked alongside at the Transgender Center said frequently about the treatment of our patients: We are building the plane while we are flying it.

'No one should be a passenger on that kind of aircraft.'
A 27-year-old television production set designer who pays $1,850 a month to live in an old laundromat in New York City wants to take his home to the next level.

When Sampson Dahl went to view the space in Queens with his girlfriend in March 2019, she dismissed it as 'disgusting', but that didn't stop him from cleaning it up.

In the past four years, he has transformed the old laundromat in Maspeth into a peculiar home, keeping his doors open for much of the day and allowing musicians and artists access when they need somewhere to create or perform.

Dahl's quirky home has harbored attention in recent months as his collection of trinkets, furniture, and random paraphernalia on the outside has grown.

But on Wednesday Dahl said he would transition away from living in the space and hopes to turn it into full time studio and venue with a group of artists.

Set designer Sampson Dahl, 27, pays $1,850 a month to live in an old laundromat in Queens, New York

Over the past four years Dahl has transformed the old laundromat into a peculiar home where he and his friends play music and create art

Dahl describes himself as a freelance production designer, carpenter, and visual artist with an aim to 'create spaces where full grown adults feel free to be children.'

His property, which is on the corner of two residential roads in Queens, hasn't been a Laundromat since 2005, according to Dahl. 'It hasn't been any sort of functional business in 15 years,' he told CNBC.

For Dahl, who says in the past he lived in a warehouse in Chicago, occupying unused commercial spaces is less invasive than filling up apartments.

'I like the freedom of a commercial space, even though there are fewer tenant rights, but something feels more ethical about moving into a vacant storefront that's been empty for years than taking up some apartment in a residential neighborhood that you're not familiar with,' he said.

In the 1940s the spot was a deli. Then it was a bar in the 1970s before finally turning into a laundromat in the 80s, he told YouTuber Caleb Simpson, who recently toured the property for his channel.

The 800-square-foot storefront consists of a main living space with a homemade bunk bed, a small bathroom, and a narrow kitchen in the back.

The laundromat has a disheveled look and is furnished with a wide range of paraphernalia Dahl has collected over the years - bits that were left over after production design work and others things he found on the streets.

He even has an organ, which he told CNBC he got for free in Connecticut.

'I don't think a space needs to be a perfect representation of what we hope a simple mind looks like,' he told the network. 'I think a space should be an imperfect representation of the people who are in it and wherever they're at in life at a given point.'

The laundromat has a disheveled look and is furnished with with a wide range of paraphernalia Dahl has collected over the years

Dahl maintains a community fridge on the street, which allows people with spare food to leave it for others in need

Dahl said creating a sense of community is at the heart of what keeps him in the old laundromat. He maintains a community fridge on the street, which allows people with spare food to leave it for others in need.

In recent years community fridges began to pop up all over the city, and according to NYC Community Fridges there are 124 across the five boroughs.

'I got mugged in this neighborhood a couple of months ago, it's not always safe, stuff has been stolen, but I'm largely protected by my neighbors,' said Dahl. 'I couldn't leave my door open, I couldn't have a fridge out there, I couldn't have a bench outside or a table if I didn't have my neighbors looking out for me.'

He told CNBC he has neighbors that are also friends: 'Dave sometimes opens my door at midnight, and he says "lock your door", and so I'll lock the door because Dave tells me to. I don't even remember to lock my door half the time.'

'I knew true community as a child and I know it again now, and it's been a while since I've seen it but it's so wonderful to be in a neighborhood of people that know each other and look out for each other, it's incredible,' he added.

The 800 square foot storefront consists of a main living space with a homemade bunk bed, a small bathroom and a narrow kitchen in the back

Many of the things in the laundromat were left over after production design work and others things he found on the streets, Dahl said

A small but functional kitchen is in the back and was installed by the previous owner, but not present when the space was an active laundromat

On Wednesday Dahl announced he would a transition away from living in the space and hoped to turn it into a studio and venue with a group of four or five artists

Dahl views the laundromat as a collaborative space for 'creation and recording and interaction'.

'I just live here right now because that's what I can afford but eventually, I'll move out of here and it will be just a studio space, it'll be just an open store for whoever wants to come in and learn to paint, or continue a painting, or learn to record a song or continue a song,' he said.

Earlier in the week took to Instagram to ask if fellow creatives wanted to fill the space and help him turn the laundromat into more of a studio than living quarters.

'Seeking 4-5 artists (seamsters, painters, photographers, musicians, etc.) to split the laundromat with! Slowly transitioning from living space to full-time studio space venue!' he wrote on Instagram.

He is nonetheless grateful for the time he spent living there and the resourcefulness he says it taught him.

'I really can't be too picky about what comes my way, I just have to make the best of it and that's the greatest skill I could ask for. It's nothing I could teach myself, something you could only learn from life,' he said.
Unanswered questions remain over the sudden death of a high-flying ABC producer who choked outside a New York City restaurant while enjoying dinner with his wife as their children were left alone in a hotel room.

Dax Tejera, 37, choked to death while drunk as he and his wife, Veronica, 33, dined at Bobby Van's on Park Avenue on December 23 while their daughters - then aged six months and two years - were left in their room at the members-only Yale Club.

But some of the circumstances surrounding the incident are still unclear, including who the couple were with at the restaurant and the discrepancy between initial statements claiming Tejera suffered a heart attack and the official cause of death.

Police who investigated the unattended children discovered 'friends' of the couple had gone to the hotel to check on them after Tejera collapsed, but it is not known who the friends were.

Meanwhile, Veronica was given a desk ticket that ordered her to appear in court, although the NYPD on Wednesday declined to give an update on the case or the status of the charges.

Tejera and his wife, Veronica, pictured together, were out for dinner in New York City while their children were left alone at the Yale Club. Tejera collapsed outside the restaurant and died, hours before his wife was arrested on charges of child endangerment

Tejera with ABC colleagues at a meeting with President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. The NYPD called ABC's New York office on the night of Tejera's death and informed his colleagues

Devastated colleagues of Tejera learned about his death after the NYPD called the broadcaster's New York office on the same night.

Police who responded to the incident shortly after 9pm on December 23 called the ABC News office in New York and informed a manager that Tejera, a producer on This Week with George Stephanopoulos, had passed away. It is also not clear why the NYPD decided to contact Tejera's employer so soon after he died or if his wife had requested they do so.

Tejera had worked at ABC since 2017, when he started as a Senior Producer at the network's Washington DC bureau

Less than two hours after Tejera collapsed, officers received a 911 call at around 11pm about the children left unattended by the couple at the members-only Yale Club at 50 Vanderbilt Avenue, about a block away from the restaurant.

Hotel staff found the children had been 'left unattended for at least two hours' while the Tejeras had dinner. It remains unclear who the Tejeras were with during the dinner. After Tejera collapsed, police found out that 'friends of the couple [had gone] to the hotel to retrieve the children'.

Veronica Tejera, who had traveled in an ambulance with her husband to New York's Bellevue Hospital, was placed under arrest at about 12.20pm. She was later charged with two counts of 'acting in a manner injurious to a child'.

The children were left with their grandparents while Veronica was issued a desk ticket, which ordered her to appear in court at a later date, and released from custody shortly after 4am.

It's not clear whether she has appeared in court over the incident. The NYPD declined to offer further information. A spokesman for Veronica was approached for comment.

Witnesses who saw Tejera collapse appear to have initially believed he was suffering a heart attack or cardiac arrest.

The FDNY said emergency medical units responded to a 'report of a person in cardiac arrest' at 9.16pm.

Dax and Veronica Tejera left their children alone in their room at the Yale Club for at least two hours while they dined at Bobby Van's. Veronica was arrested by police for 'acting in a manner injurious to a child'

The couple left their daughters alone for at least two hours while they enjoyed dinner at Bobby Van's Steakhouse at 230 Park Avenue, in Manhattan, about a block away from the Yale Club. Pictured left: the entrance to the steakhouse. Pictured right: Dax and Veronica in 2018

The following day, ABC News President Kim Godwin told staff in a memo that Tejera had 'died suddenly of a heart attack'.

But the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner said on Wednesday that Tejera died after he choked due to being intoxicated. The official cause was 'asphyxia due to obstruction of airway by food bolus complicating acute alcohol intoxication'.

A staff member at Bobby Van's has claimed that Tejera appeared unwell 'before anyone ate' and that just after a waiter a serve brought the orders to the table, he asked Tejera, 'are you OK, sir?'.

Tejera then 'got up and started walking like he was going to the men's room, but he made a right instead, and went out the front door, and the server followed him outside.

Dax Tejera, pictured with his children and wife Veronica, died on December 23 after he choked at a Manhattan steakhouse. Veronica was arrested after it emerged the couple had left their daughters, then aged two years old and five months old, alone in a Yale Club hotel room

'The server said he collapsed in the corner, right here outside the restaurant,' the employee told the New York Post.

Veronica admitted after the incident that it was a 'poor decision' to leave the couple's daughters on their own. She said they were monitoring the children using a camera.

Veronica's LinkedIn profile recently listed her as a senior producer at the Washington Post, which she joined in October 2022. Before that, she spent nearly six years at CNN. Her profile states that her achievements there include producing an interview with President Joe Biden on The Lead with Jake Tapper.

She launched a fundraiser for the Tejera children's 529 college account after her husband's death. The page said: 'Dax Tejera passed away suddenly, leaving 2-year-old Sofia and 6-month old Ella without their father. Please support the girl's education.'

Tejera had worked at ABC since 2017, when he started as a Senior Producer at the network's Washington DC bureau.

He previously worked at NBC and held degrees from both Dartmouth and Columbia.
Members of the Turkish community in north London have gathered to grieve and send aid to those affected by the devastating earthquakes in Turkey.

Turkish nationals gathered at the British Alevi Federation, near Enfield, to grieve for lost relatives and organise a fundraising campaign to help the recovery effort.

They have been collecting donations to send to Turkey in lorries and setting up fundraising accounts, as they watch the news and pray for their loved ones.

The devastating natural disasters are currently estimated to have killed more than 19,000 people across Syria and Turkey while many more are still unaccounted for.

The two magnitude 7.8 and 7.5 quakes, which have decimated buildings in both Turkey and Syria, happened on Monday

The devastating natural disasters are currently estimated to have killed more than 19,000 people across the two countries, while many more are still unaccounted for

Mustafa Yigit tragically lost five family members in the quakes, after the nine-story building they were in, in Marash - also known officially as Kahramanmaras - collapsed.

Mr Yigit's uncle, Ali Serin, who is around 50, and Ali's wife Semra Serin, 48, had gone to visit their three children - Ismet, 14, Yigit, nine and Mert, 16 - who were studying in Marash.

They were also accompanied by Mr Yigit's grandmother, Fatma Serin, 96.

READ MORE: Rescuers refuse to give up searching for seven-year-old brother of girl, 17, found alive in the rubble of their home - after their parents died in Turkey earthquake Advertisement

An emotional Mr Yigit, 54, who moved to the UK in around 1990, said: 'All of them are dead.

'Too many people are waiting for help. I am going to Turkey on Sunday. I will fly to Istanbul, take another plane and then a bus to Marash.

'My uncle and his wife were going to visit their children at their school, with my grandmother. The night they arrived was the night of the earthquake.'

The father of two, who lives in Muswell Hill, Haringey, added: 'They found all of them four days later. They were in a building that collapsed.

'I don't know what the building was. It had nine floors and they were on the second floor.'

Mr Yigiy showed a bird's eye view of the building on Google Maps on his phone, then swiped right to a photo of what remained of the levelled building: little more than rubble.

Mustafa Yigit (pictured) tragically lost five family members to the earthquakes after a nine-story building they were in, in Marash - also known officially as Kahramanmaras - collapsed.

The death toll of the devastating earthquake has reached 16,546 in Turkey and over 3,000 in Syria

The two magnitude 7.8 and 7.5 quakes, which have decimated buildings in both Turkey and Syria, happened on Monday

The British Alevi Federation, along with the London Alevi Cultural Centre & Cemevi, have set up a donations account for those affected by the earthquake.

But many others have their own fundraising accounts to aid those affected by the natural disaster.

Bektas Kara's cousin, 23-year-old Sevim Colak, who worked as a teacher, managed to escape her building when it collapsed but tragically died whilst waiting in the minus 14-degree cold for help to arrive.

Mr Kara said an army helicopter with supplies only arrived in a snow-covered Marash today - four days after the two earthquakes hit.

The 34-year-old, who works at the British Alevi Foundation, said: 'After the first earthquake, she went outside for a few hours, but they were extremely cold.

'They thought it was safe to go back into the building to get some clothes and food.

'That's when the second one happened and the building collapsed. My cousin was injured, but nobody came to help. She died from the hypothermia.

'The roads are blocked and it's snowing. Soldiers only arrived today with helicopters after four days.'

Ebru Sen, 35, went to primary school in Turkey with Mr Kara, and only met him again in London three months ago.

Miss Sen explained her family had gone to Western Turkey for health reasons, but were returning to London on Tuesday.

Ebru Sen (left) went to primary school in Turkey with Bektas Kara (right)

She said: 'They're just so scared. In my situation, no one died, luckily. But they have all lost their homes.

'The earthquakes are constant. They haven't stopped and so many people have died from the snow.

'Probably today is the last day of saving people. If they don't do it by today, they will not survive.'

She added: 'The government response is not enough. They are trying to restrict Twitter, which has really helped in locating people.

'They have saved so many people through Twitter and Instagram by sharing locations. How can you restrict that? It makes no sense.

'My father tried to drive to the worst affected areas, but there's no petrol.

They have raised the prices of food, water, petrol, blankets... It's disgusting. It's horrible. It's heartbreaking.'

The epicentre was just north of the city of Gaziantep at a depth of around 11 miles (18 km), according to the US Geological Survey (USGS), and the quake struck at 04:17 am local time (01:17 GMT)

The British Alevi Federation is asking for donations to the account listed on their Facebook page, which can be found here:

https://www.facebook.com/BritanyaAleviFederasyonu.

All money donated will be sent to Turkish Cemevis, who are trying to get supplies to those in need.

Asiye Doruk, Education Coordinator and Administrator at the British Alevi Federation, explained money donations to the Cemevis were preferable as there was no promise lorries of supplies would reach their destinations.

The 29-year-old said: 'The best thing people can do is donate money.

'When we send supplies in lorries, we are not sure they will actually reach the people in need.

'The money we gather here we send to Cemevis - which are like cultural centres.

'They prepare the lorries there, from Istanbul and other regions, and send them off to those who need it.

'The Turkish community gather here to mourn and watch the news together.'

The account details for donations to the British Alevi Federation are:

London Alevi Cultural Centre and Cemevi

Sort code: 20-46-60

Account No: 60570966

Reference: Earthquake
Detectives are probing a two-hour gap between Nicola Bulley's disappearance and the first call to police to report her missing - as three key CCTV blind-spots were identified.

The mother-of-two, 45, vanished while walking her dog along the River Wyre near the village of St Michael's, Lancashire, at around 9.10am on January 27.

However, the first call about her disappearance did not come until 11am - leaving a near two-hour window between her last sighting and officers beginning their search.

Lancashire Police is working under the hypothesis that she slipped into the water and drowned, but despite meticulously combing a mile-long stretch of the river, no trace of the mortgage adviser has yet been found.

As the search entered its 15th day on Friday, police have moved to the sea to begin trawling Morecambe Bay.

A map of the area showing the location of the broken camera, the path leading to Garstang Road that is not covered by CCTV (top right circle) and a riverside path leading from the Wyreside Farm Caravan Park through to the A586 (left circle)

The mother-of-two, 45, vanished while walking her dog along the River Wyre near the village of St Michael's

Two boats with specialist police teams have been searching the coast off Morecambe Bay, around 20 miles from where Ms Bulley was last seen, with officers suggesting finding her 'in the open sea becomes more of a possibility'.

The widening of the search comes after Peter Faulding, founder of expert search team Specialist Group International, said it was 'impossible' for Ms Bulley to have made it to the sea.

READ MORE: Now police looking for Nicola Bulley issue blanket 48-hour dispersal order in village where mother went missing after amateur sleuths started searching abandoned house along river at centre of mystery Advertisement

He added that, having used highly accurate sonar equipment over three days to scan the river bed, it was his belief that she is not in the water - raising the prospect of a 'third party' involvement in the disappearance.

It also emerged yesterday that investigators could be trying to trace a 'tatty' red van parked near to where the mother-of-two vanished two weeks ago, after a witness reported it to police on two occasions.

Meanwhile, three blind-spots have been identified in the area surrounding where Ms Bulley went missing - after police admitted she could have left the area via a path not covered by cameras.

The path in question leads to Garstang Road, which runs through the village, and is therefore a blind-spot.

Officers have been attempting to trace dashcam footage from 700 drivers who passed along the route at the time of her disappearance.

Aside from the river itself, there are only two other exits from the area, one of which is covered by CCTV.

Friends of the missing mother have claimed that CCTV covering the other exit, close to mobile home site Rowanwater, is not working.

This camera would have covered the fields to the south of where Ms Bulley was last seen.

After reviewing other CCTV footage from within the mobile home site, police are confident that Nicola did not leave the field near the river via Rowanwater itself.

Another blind-spot is a riverside path leading from the Wyreside Farm Caravan Park through to the A586, or Garstang Road.

A camera at a house close to the path is also understood to have not been working at the time, but did not cover the exit regardless.

A CCTV image of Ms Bulley wearing a long dark jacket and boots prior to taking her two young children to school

Police officers walk past the bench where Ms Bulley's phone was found shortly after her disappearance

Lancashire Police is working under the hypothesis that she slipped into the water and drowned

Ms Bulley - a 45-year-old mother-of-two - went missing near the River Wyre on January 27

Superintendent Sally Riley this week acknowledged the possibility of Ms Bulley having left the area via a blind-spot, but added that 'every single' suspicion or criminal suggestion had so far been discounted.

It comes as police moved the focus of their search towards the sea, with boats trawling Morecambe Bay.

Lancashire Police and a private diving company both conducted extensive searches along the River Wyre, but have so far found no trace of the mortgage adviser.

Two boats with specialist police teams were seen yesterday searching the coast off Morecambe Bay, around 20 miles from where Nicola was last seen, with police suggesting finding her 'in the open sea becomes more of a possibility'.

This is the area police have been searching for almost a fortnight but there is no sign of Ms Bulley

Ms Bulley's partner Paul Ansell, 44, pictured with diving expert Peter Faulding, who told the anxious father 'she's not here', during a third extensive day of searching along the River Wyre in Lancashire on Wednesday

Ms Bulley pictured with her dog Willow during a walk. She was walking her pet when she went missing two weeks ago

Yesterday police sought to reassure the public that their search was still active after no officers or divers were seen at the immediate scene of her disappearance along the River Wyre.

After three days of intense activity with Mr Faulding leading a search on a five-mile stretch of the river, it was eerily quiet with no police around.

Mr Faulding and his Specialist Group International team ended their investigations after he declared Ms Bulley was not in the stretch of river where he had been scanning the riverbed using high-tech sonar.

Police divers had joined his search  but they were absent, with Lancashire Police reassuring the public the search is continuing along other stretches of the river that runs into Morecombe Bay.

But Mr Faulding has previously said he doubts that Ms Bulley's body would have been carried so far into the bay and out into the Irish Sea if she has indeed drowned.
Bethany Mandel is co-author of 'Stolen Youth: How Radicals Are Erasing Innocence and Indoctrinating a Generation' and editor of the children's book publisher Heroes of Liberty

Innocent children killed. A young family destroyed. America horrified.

Surely, someone is to blame.

But who?

Last month, a Massachusetts mother, Lindsay Clancy, 32, was arrested for the sickening crime of murdering her three kids, Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and Callan, 8 months.

She allegedly strangled them with an exercise band before jumping from her second-floor bedroom window. She broke her back and is paralyzed.

Along with the rest of the country, I read about this between the fingers of hands pressed to my face.

I'm a recently postpartum mother. I wrote this column on my laptop from the kitchen counter while wearing my one-month-old son in a sling. He bounced as I typed.

The details of what happened in that Duxbury, Massachusetts home are nearly unimaginable. It makes us sick to our stomachs. But turning away accomplishes nothing.

I say the alleged crime is 'nearly' unimaginable  because it's not 'totally' unimaginable. It's called infanticide. It's happened before.

In 2001, Texas mom Andrea Yates confessed to drowning her five children in the bathtub and there are others. Each story is a nightmare.

But these aren't just true crime tales to gawk at. These tragedies are about maternal health and how we should treat and talk about postpartum depression.

I'm fortunate. I'm mentally healthy. Violence has never crossed my mind. But even under the best of circumstances, after having multiple children (my new baby is my sixth) the post-birth hormonal changes are jarring.

Innocent children killed. A young family destroyed. America horrified. Surely, someone is to blame. But who?

Last month, a Massachusetts mother, Lindsay Clancy, 32, was arrested for the sickening crime of murdering her three kids, Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and Callan, 8 months.

It's common to feel painfully alone while surrounded by young children. The world around you doesn't seem to know - or worse - doesn't seem to care about the emotional rollercoaster you've now found yourself on.

Mother are judged for everything they do. The pressure can be crushing. The bar for new moms can be set unattainably high.

One of the sickest ironies of Lindsay's story is that she also worked as a labor and delivery nurse. She was the person to whom new moms hand their fragile newborns. But Lindsay killed her own.

Why do women feel lonely, detached, and hopeless in the days, weeks and months following childbirth?

I can't resolve this question. But in this case, American moms are watching and we're listening for answers.

According to state prosecutors, Lindsay Clancy is a cold and calculating murderer.

They say the killings had been meticulously planned with Lindsay sending her husband, Patrick, on an errand for about 25 minutes to buy her enough time to kill.

On Tuesday, she was arraigned by video conference from her hospital bed and charged with first-degree murder  willful premediated murder.

Her defense attorney Kevin Reddington tells a different story.

He claims the killings were the result of 'a moment of psychosis' and over-medication. Lindsay had allegedly been prescribed 13 different drugs, at various times, over the preceding 8 months.

She wasn't on all these pills at once, but they included benzodiazepine; a depressant, fluoxetine; an antidepressant, zolpidem to help her sleep and quetiapine fumarate for bipolar disorder.

Dr Gary Maslow, a psychiatrist at Duke University, told DailyMail.com the number of drugs prescribed to her were, 'way too high for sure. These are medicines that can help, but if you take too many, it can impair your judgment.'

Reddington says Lindsay heard a man telling her, 'to kill the kids and kill herself because it was her last chance'.

Dr Maslow noted that, '[These drugs] have side effects and some can include an alteration of mental state.'

Despite all this, the prosecutor is downplaying her mental health.

On Tuesday, she was arraigned by video conference from her hospital bed and charged with first-degree murder  willful premediated murder.

She allegedly strangled them with an exercise band before jumping from her second-floor bedroom window. She broke her back and is paralyzed.

The state attorney says she was never diagnosed with postpartum depression. She even wrote on her phone that she was experiencing just a 'touch of postpartum anxiety.'

The reality is Lindsay Clancy was a 'zombie' according to her husband.

Beside the drug cocktail, she spent five days in an in-patient facility at McLean psychiatric hospital less than three weeks prior.

That's not 'a touch' of postpartum anxiety. That's a full-blown mental health crisis; one that Lindsay was grappling with as doctors threw more medications at the problem.

American mothers now see how Lindsay was treated by the medical and now the legal system with a similar degree of neglect.

Why did she say she was only experiencing a 'touch' of anxiety when the reality was likely much more dire?

Perhaps because she knew the support she so desperately needed wasn't coming.

Perhaps because she spent eight months asking for help and was sent packing with a hand full of prescription slips.

Bethany Mandel is co-author of 'Stolen Youth: How Radicals Are Erasing Innocence and Indoctrinating a Generation'

Perhaps because she was 'treated' with drugs whose side-effects - her husband claims  she wasn't fully warned about.

Now in the aftermath of any loving mother's worst nightmare, she's being painted as a monster.

Prosecutors are promoting the idea that this woman, who spent months on pills and almost a week in an inpatient psychiatric facility wasn't suffering from a mental health condition.

In their telling, she is evil.

In a way, treating Lindsay like this allows the rest of us to detach from her. Her struggles are not like ours.

But isn't that at the heart of all this?

Lindsay was likely removed from reality. Her treatment was removed from her health. Americans are increasingly removed from one another. As I wrote, there are no easy answers.

The sad reality is Lindsay and her husband will never recover from their children's deaths. And new mothers will see what happened to Lindsay and it will give them pause.

Should they seek help for postpartum depression; or will their doctor just medicate them literally out of their minds? And if, God forbid, they have the same ideations, will they be treated like criminals?

The Clancy children will never have a chance to grow up. Their smiling faces in photos haunt us. We know what their final moments must have been like.

But they aren't the only victims; their parents are as well.

American mothers are learning lessons from the case of Lindsay Clancy. None of them are good.
After her death, Price's parents filed a civil suit against Russell and his parents, accusing them of being responsible for her death

Emma Lace Price, 16, died of an overdose inside the Corralito, California home owned by the parents of Michael James Russel, 23

California man convicted in the death of a 16-year-old girl who he provided with Xanax and fentanyl-laced Percocet

A California man who gave a fentanyl-laced Percocet and other drugs to a 16-year-old girl who died from an overdose was convicted and sentenced to 10 years on Tuesday.

Michael James Russell, 24, was convicted of seven felonies in connection to the death of Emma Lace Price, 16, who died on November 12 with four separate drugs in her system.

Prosecutors said Russell gave Price Xanax and fentanyl-laced Percocet and when she began to overdose took off her clothes and put her in a cold shower to wake her up. He also gave her Narcan but waited half an hour to call 911.

In August, Price's parents filed a civil suit against Russell and his parents alleging that the man had a 'history of preying on young/underage girls and providing then with drugs. They also allege that his parents were aware of this and allowed 'sex and drugs' at their home.

In an interview last fall, Jill Price, the girl's mother said 'it's killing me right now, I feel anger that I've never felt before' regarding her death.

This is 16-year-old Emma Lace Price who died of an overdose inside the home of Michael James Russell, 23. At the time of her death, Price had four narcotics in her system

Michael James Price, 23, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges connected to Price's overdose

An initial investigation into the girl's death found that Russell was one of multiple people to give Price drugs in the days leading up to her death.

On the night she died, Russell had given her the Xanax and fentanyl-laced Percocet which led to her overdose.

Emma later died of an acute fentanyl toxicity, according to the autopsy.

Investigations done by local journalists uncovered that the girl's death may have been entirely preventable.

Six weeks prior to Price's death, the Watsonville Police Department received a call from a young girl who said Russell had harassed her and sold fentanyl-laced Percocet to another girl who died.

Watsonville is located just 10 miles from the Corralito home where Price was found dead and is located in Santa Cruz County.

The girl said the police dismissed her claims as 'ex drama.'

Watsonville police told NBC Bay Area in July they stand by the responding officer's actions.

Prosecutors said Russell and those in the home waited a half hour to call 911 for Price's overdose

Russell attempted to give Price CPR and gave her Narcan after her overdose

In an interview last fall, Jill Price, the girl's mother said 'it's killing me right now, I feel anger that I've never felt before' regarding her death

Russell was charged with seven counts connected to the overdose death and sexual activity with Price and another underage girl

Russell had previously been accused of selling fentanyl-laced Percocet to another girl

In spite of that claim, Russell was not charged directly in the girl's death.

The Santa Cruz County District Attorney's Office considered additional charges but said they could not prove without a reasonable doubt he is culpable for her death, according to local reports.

In 2022, Emma's father, Michael Price, said he hoped they would add further charges to the man's case.

'I would [like to see] murder or manslaughter [charges],' he told NBC Bay Area.

The local TV station spoke with the Santa Clara County District Attorney, Jeff Rosen, who said at the time that statewide prosecutors were beginning to crackdown on murder and manslaughter charges to only certain cases.

'When we can prove that the drug dealer knew how dangerous fentanyl was  knew that the people could die from using just a tiny amount or using it once and sold it anyways to put profit over human life,' Rosen said.

After her death, Price's parents filed a civil lawsuit against Russell and his parents, accusing him of having a 'history of preying on young/underage girls'

In a statement to NBC Bay Area in 2022, Santa Cruz County Assistant District Attorney Johanna Schonfield said she couldn't talk specifics on the case but said the department is working to increase awareness and education.

'The death to me is too late for [it to be] the focus, to be the emphasis; the tragedy has already occurred,' she said.

'I believe that the emphasis should be further upstreamWhy are people using drugs to begin with? Why are children actively online engaging in drug-seeking behavior?' the assistant DA said.

Schonfield also said their primary focus in on stopping future incidents and putting those responsible behind bars.

'We are holding drug dealers accountable. The District Attorney's Office is committed to seeking justice,' she said.

In July, six deputies and detectives appeared in court to detail the events of Price's death and it was revealed it took them four days to label the girl's death as suspicious

A former police detective said he had never seen such a 'high level of indifference' in a case like the one into Price's death

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department initially faced backlash for their handling of the case.

In July, six deputies and detectives appeared in court to detail the events of Price's death and it was revealed it took them four days to label the girl's death as suspicious.

Two of the sheriff's crime scene investigators said they were not assigned until days after her overdose when her body had already been removed from the scene, witnesses had left, and prosecutors alleged evidence may have been tampered with and destroyed.

'I believe this actually rises to the title of gross police misconduct. This is an investigation that was not treated seriously from the inception,' said retired San Jose police detective Michael Leininger.

'[Deputies] showed a high level of indifference in this investigation, unlike I've ever seen,' he said.

One of the items that could have been tampered with was Price's phone which Price may have attempted to destroy.

Prosecutors later added a charge of destroying evidence to his case.

Russell pleaded not guilty to all seven counts.

In August, Michael and Jill Price filed a civil suit against Russell and his parents, directly accusing them of being responsible for the death of their daughter.

In the civil suit, Price's mother and father allege 'Lace Price suffered an acute drug overdose as a result of the fentanyl-laced narcotics Mikey Russell provided her.'

The suit goes on to accuse Russell's parents of knowing their son 'had a history of preying on young/underage girls' and allowing 'sex and drugs' at their home.

'Lace Price's parents filed this civil suit in order to get the full story of what happened to their young daughter, to prevent it from happening to another, and to hold responsible parties accountable,' attorney Lesley Harris said in a statement.

'Lace's parents want and deserve to know what happened,' Harris said.

The next hearing in that case is scheduled for March 6.
The House of Representatives voted on Thursday to pass a resolution disapproving of Washington, DC's newly revised criminal code.

The capital city council's massive overhaul includes lowering maximum penalties for crimes such as carjackings and robberies. It also allows nearly all misdemeanor charges the right to a jury trial.

House lawmakers voted to condemn the new rules 250 to 173, with 31 Democrats joining Republicans in its passage.

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser had objected to the criminal code overhaul, joining police groups in warning that it could send the wrong message about public safety.

It comes as property crimes pose a growing problem for DC officials and cops in cities across the country.

The new House Republican majority led by Speaker Kevin McCarthy passed a pair of resolutions on Thursday opposing new local DC laws

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser had even conceded that the city council's new overhaul of the crime code may go too far

But Bowser, the DC council and other local officials have historically been united in opposing Congress meddling in the city's ability to self-govern - something House Republicans signaled today they are ready to take on.

In addition to the resolution condemning the city's crime code overhaul, the Republican-led majority also passed a resolution attacking a DC bill aimed at allowing undocumented immigrants to vote in local elections.

That measure got even more Democratic support, with 41 left-wing lawmakers voting with nearly every House Republican.

It passed with 260 votes for and 162 against.

'I can only conclude that the Republican leadership believes DC residents, the majority of whom are Black and Brown, are unworthy or incapable of governing themselves,' DC's non-voting Delegate Eleanor Holmes Watson said on the House floor Thursday.

Rep. Andrew Clyde, who introduced the resolution regarding DC's crime code, wrote on Twitter: 'We must ensure all Americans can safely enjoy our nations capital city.'

House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, who also led GOP support for the pair of resolutions, accused the DC council of passing 'radical bills that would embolden criminals to remain on the streets and allow non-citizens, including illegal immigrants, to vote in local elections.'

'Today the House took the first step to prevent two of the D.C. Councils irresponsible and dangerous laws from going into effect,' Comer said.

Police gather at the scene of a shooting on a metro bus at the corner of 14th and Sheridan St NW in the Brightwood neighborhood in Washington, DC on January 11, 2023

'These misguided efforts would allow crime to run rampant and disenfranchise American citizens in our nations capital.'

But local DC officials and advocates for DC statehood have long been against Congress exercising its authority over the national capital, given that federal lawmakers are not beholden to or held accountable by the city's residents.

Progressive group DC Vote called the votes an 'attempt to undermine our Districts will.'

Its spokesperson Patrice Snow also criticized Republicans who led the charge for doing so 'without a single hearing where a DC resident or DC elected official were allowed to speak on the merits of revising the criminal code or allowing all residents, regardless of their immigrant status, participate in only local elections.'

'It is clearer now than it ever was before that overturning the little democracy that the 700,000 tax paying residents currently have is the goal,' the spokesperson said.
Balenciaga's creative director Demna has broken his silence to call the child pornography legal documents found on his set an 'unfortunate coincidence'.

Two scandals erupted in December - first was the shoot involving young kids clutching bondage-themed teddy bear bags on sets that resembled booze-fueled parties.

Soon afterwards, documents related to a Supreme Court child pornography case were identified in the background of a separate photoshoot, conducted months before the bears shoot.

Coupled together, they created a PR disaster for the brand, which is owned by European fashion behemoth Kering. Neither Balenciaga nor Demna has ever been able to explain how the documents ended up on the photoshoot.

'I was shocked when I heard about their presence... it was a set of negligent and unfortunate but not intentional coincidences,' Demna told Vogue.

Balenciaga creative director Demna maintains he has no idea how child porn documents ended up on one of his fashion shoots

'At first, we were told the documents were confirmed to be fake... when the scandal was sparked [by the documents and props], I was like, everybody, my team, was shocked.

'I dont know how they ended up there. They were not supposed to be there. I was completely stunned,' he said.

When the scandal exploded, he and Kering tried to blame the props on North Six, the production company that was hired for the shoot.

Kering even planned to launch a lawsuit against the company, which was dropped amid industry uproar.

In his Vogue interview, Demna said the BDSM bears shoot was his fault, and that the animals were meant to portray 'punk' and 'DIY' - not sex.

'I didnt realize how inappropriate it would be to put these objects [in the image] and still have the kid in the middle.

'It unfortunately was the wrong idea and a bad decision from me.

An image from Balenciaga's controversial gifting campaign featuring kids

One of the ad's photos contained an excerpt from the US Supreme Court opinion in United States v. Williams, which upheld part of a federal child pornography law, which Twitter's own fact-checkers confirmed

This is the July ad campaign which featured the printout of the SCOTUS child porn ruling

'We should not have featured kids in images that included objects that were not related and inappropriate to them. No one, myself included, raised a question of it being inappropriate.

'There were control processes in place, people involvedinternal and externalbut we just did not spot what was problematic,' he said, adding of the bags themselves: 'Kidswear was a part of the selection for the gift shop, as well as the plush teddy bear bags, referencing punk and DIY culture, absolutely not BDSM, and they were worn by adults in the October 2022 show.'

He said he simply 'didn't see a problem' with the bears photoshoot which included empty wine and champagne glasses along with other items.

'I realized that I really have to look at everything from a very objective point of view and imagine how it can speak to a different audience and be responsible for that. It was a reaction I would never, ever want to cause.

Actress Anna Lynne McCord protesting outside the Balenciaga store on Rodeo Drive

Some consumers boycotted the brand, burning their expensive goods in protest

'I realize that my work has been seen as provocative, but this specific situation would never be part of my, you know, provocative nature.

'That was the most difficult thing for me personally: How could I not see [the problem]?

'Because it is so clear to me now that it was the wrong thing to do,' he said.

Later, he said he 'no longer felt' like being provocative because he is often 'misunderstood', and insisted again: 'Never, ever would I have an idea to mess around with such an awful and horrible thing as child abuse.'

Demna - who boosted the brand's popularity and was a darling among celebrities - was allowed to keep his position.

He will now lead the fashion house at a show at Paris Fashion Week in March.

Yesterday, the brand announced it was partnering with the National Children's Alliance in an effort to learn more about how they can 'protect children'.

In return, Balenciaga will give an endowment to the charity to fund training for youth counselors.
Ukraine is prepared to use British long-range missiles to strike the annexed peninsula of Crimea - as Russia readies thousands of tanks and armoured vehicles ahead of a 'new wave of attacks'.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is pushing for the West to supply jets and longer-range missiles, warning that the war could 'stagnate' without them.

Rishi Sunak has responded to his plea by admitting 'nothing is off the table' when it comes to the UK's supply of military aid to help fight the Russian invasion.

And discussions are understood to have taken place involving the potential provision of Harpoon anti-ship missiles - which have a range of 150 miles and cost around 1.2million.

Storm Shadow surface-to-air cruise missiles, with a range of around 250 miles and cost of 2.2m, are also said to be on the table, The Times reports.

Pictured: Su-34 jet fighter of the Russian Air Force. A Ukrainian military official also estimated that Russia has 300 helicopters and 2,700 artillery systems prepared

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with representatives of the country's aviation industry at the Kremlin in Moscow on February 9, 2023

Ukraine defence sources told the newspaper that Kyiv is prepared to use the missiles to strike Crimea, the peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014.

Talks are understood to be ongoing as to how many long-range missiles the UK could potentially supply - despite fears that cross-border strikes may lead to an escalation of the conflict.

READ MORE: Putin chillingly threatens a 'response' if UK gives fighter jets to Ukraine Moscow has threatened a 'response' if the Government does supply planes. Pictured: Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with the secretaries of the security councils of several countries on the Afghan problem at the Kremlin Advertisement

It comes after a warning from Mr Zelensky that missiles would allow Ukraine to strike 'deep in the occupied territories'.

He said: 'You've just asked me what would happen if we don't get these fighter jets or longer-range missiles, or we don't have enough ammunition, because everything obviously is running out and coming out of maintenance.

'Without the weapons that we are discussing now and the weapons that we just discussed with Rishi earlier today and how Britain is going to help us, you know, all of this is very important.

'Without this, there would be stagnation which will not bring to anything good.'

US President Jo Biden supplied ground-launched small-diameter bombs - with a range of 93 miles - last week.

But Mr Zelensky last night accused Germany of foot-dragging over the provision of advanced weapons to help repel the invasion.

In a show of frustration, he said he was constantly having to convince Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the case for helping to kick Russia out of his country.

His comments stand in marked contrast to his praise on Wednesday for Britain, which he said had stood with Kyiv since day one, from the first seconds and minutes of the full-scale war.

But he told German news website Spiegel: I have to exert pressure to help Ukraine and constantly convince him that this help is not for us but for Europeans. Our relationship to Germany goes in waves, it is up and down.

Meanwhile, a Ukrainian military official has estimated that Russia already has 1,800 tanks, 3,950 armoured vehicles, 810 Soviet-era multiple-rocket-launch systems and 400 fighter jets ready for 'a new wave of attacks' in the coming days.

The official, speaking to Foreign Policy, also estimated that Russia has 300 helicopters and 2,700 artillery systems prepared.

'We expect in the next 10 days a new, huge invasion,' the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Ukraine is readying itself for a Russian offensive in the Donbas.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak meet Ukrainian troops being trained to command Challenger 2 tanks at a military facility in Lulworth, Dorset in southern England on February 8, 2023

Video grab released by the Russian Defence Ministry on February 12, 2022, shows rocket launcher systems Smerch (Tornado) during joint exercises of the armed forces of Russia and Belarus as part of an inspection of the Union State's Response Force, at a firing range near Brest

A Kamov Ka-52 Alligator military helicopter takes part in a military aviation competition in Russia's Krasnodar region on March 28

Russia has focused hundreds of thousands of troops in the east, using brute-force tactics and human waves to eat into Ukraine's defenses.

Amid a recent increase in fighting, several military analysts believe the Russian offensive is already underway and anticipate that it will heighten as the first anniversary of the invasion approaches on February 24.

Jonatan Vseviov, secretary-general of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told Foreign Policy: 'Something is brewing in the east. More and more Russian soldiers are arriving on the front.'

Ukrainian officials estimate that Russian forces inside Ukraine have now exceeded 300,000 following a mobilisation effort that started in September.

Military analysts argue that the figure may be slightly less, but it would still be higher than the amount that invaded Ukraine in February last year.

In the days leading up to February 24, Western officials estimated that Russia had staged around 150,000 troops near Ukraines border.

This time they would have a large concentration in eastern Ukraine.

At the weekend, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said that he expects the anniversary of the invasion to bring a surge in Russian operations.

Despite the haphazard nature of the recruitment drive and the lack of training given to new recruits, the mobilisation effort appears to have deployed enough troops to stave off Ukraine's advances, though Russian forces have suffered huge losses in the process.

Western officials estimate that almost 200,000 Russian troops have been killed or wounded in battle, the New York Times reported last week.

BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket system

Armata T-14 battle tanks move along Tverskaya Street ahead of a Victory Day Parade rehearsal in Moscow's Red Square

In an address on Sunday, Mr Zelensky said: 'There are many reports that the occupiers want to do something symbolic in February. To try to avenge their last year's defeats. We see this increased pressure in various areas of the frontline, as well as pressure in the information field.

'It is very difficult in Donetsk Oblast; there are fierce battles. But no matter how hard it is and no matter how much pressure there is, we have to withstand it.

'We have to use  and we do use  every day and every week to reinforce our defence at the front, to strengthen our international position, to increase pressure on Russia and to give our people new opportunities to get through this difficult time.

'We have no alternative but to defend ourselves and win.'

Mr Zelensky said today that 'a Ukraine that is winning' its war with Russia should be a member of the European Union, arguing the bloc would not be complete without it.

Mr Zelensky made his appeal during an emotional day at the EU's headquarters in Brussels as he wrapped up a rare, two-day trip outside Ukraine to seek more weapons from the West.

Ukrainian Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov speaks during a press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine on February 5, 2023

As he spoke on Thursday, a new offensive by Russia in eastern Ukraine was under way.

Ukraine's military said that over the past 24 hours Russian troops maintained offensives in the regions of Kupyansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, Novopavlivka and Vuhledar.

Serhiy Haidai, Ukraine's governor of mostly Russian-occupied eastern Luhansk province, described a major new Russian assault around Kreminna, along a northern stretch of the eastern front.

Mr Zelensky, who also visited the UK and France on Wednesday, received rapturous applause and cheers from the European Parliament and a summit of the 27 EU leaders, insisting in his speech that the fight with Russia was one for the freedom of all of Europe.

Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky looks on following a meeting with EU leaders during the European leaders summit in Brussels, Belgium on February 9, 2023

'Europe will always be, and remain Europe as long as we... take care of the European way of life,' he said.

He added that membership talks should start later this year.

EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, however, warned that 'there is no rigid timeline'.

The bloc and its member states have already backed Kyiv with about 50 billion euros (44 billion) in aid, provided military hardware and imposed nine packages of sanctions on the Kremlin.

The EU is in the midst of brokering a new sanctions package worth about 10 billion euros (9 billion) before the anniversary of the war.

EU leaders have been cool on his appeal for fighter jets, voicing doubts over whether to sanction their deployment.

Dutch PM Mark Rutte said Nato leaders would first have to consider the risk that sending warplanes could drag Europe deeper into the conflict. These type of decisions, you have to take behind closed doors. Because there are many sensitive issues to be discussed, the pros and cons, he said.

You have to make absolutely sure that you are not getting into an Article 5 direct confrontation between Nato and Russia.

Polish PM Mateusz Morawiecki, one of Ukraines staunchest allies, said: Our position is clear, we can only act within the entire formation of Nato. We will not be the first ones to hand over the fighter jets, but we will respond positively, provided that those who have the most of these jets will be able to give them to Ukraine.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace hinted at tensions within the Government over the issue as he ruled out provision of jets in the short term, saying any deal was likely to be probably post-conflict.

Mr Wallace warned it could take months or even years to supply planes.

Speaking at a conference in Italy, he said Boris Johnsons suggestion of sending more than 100 Typhoon fighters was unrealistic.

This is not a simple case of towing an aircraft to the border, he told the BBC. Britain knows what Ukraine needs and is very happy to help in many ways trying to achieve the effect. Those same effects can be done, but potentially through a different way  and without taking months, which of course gifting fighter jets would take.

He later said that moving from supplying anti-tank missiles to providing jets was like going from a bicycle to a Formula One team.

But Rishi Sunak said a deal to train Ukrainian pilots this spring was a first step toward supplying planes. No 10 said it would be done as fast as humanly possible.
In a horrifying attack, Rep. Angie Craig, a Democrat from Minnesota, was assaulted in the elevator of her apartment building in Washington, D.C. on Thursday around 7.15am.

She defended herself by throwing hot coffee in the face of the attacker, according to her police report, and called 911 when the assailant fled.

Her chief of staff, Nick Coe, said she suffered bruising, but is otherwise physically okay.

'There is no evidence that the incident was politically motivated,' he said.

'Rep. Craig is grateful to the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department for their quick response and asks for privacy at this time.'

Rep. Angie Craig, a Democrat from Minnesota, was assaulted in the elevator of her apartment building in Washington, D.C. on Thursday around 7.15am

The 50-year-old Congresswoman was elected to a third term in last year's midterms.

The police report of the incident describes how she saw the suspect in the lobby of her building in the Mount Vernon Triangle area of the city, acting erratically, as if on drugs.

'C1 advised that at some point she said "good morning" to S1 then she entered the elevator to go to her apartment,' reads the report, which is heavy on police jargon.

'C1 further states that S1 then, entered the same elevator she was in and began to randomly do push ups.

'C1 stated that S1 with a closed fist punched her on the chin area of her face, and later grabbed her neck.

'C1 defended her self by tossing her hot coffee at S1.'

The assailant fled before police officers arrived on the scene.
President Joe Biden briefly went after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during his trip to Tampa Thursday, smacking the Republican, and potential 2024 hopeful, over his refusal to expand Medicaid in the state.

'Over 1.1 million people in Florida would be eligible for Medicaid if Gov. DeSantis just said, 'I agree to expand it,'' Biden said. 'This isn't calculus,' the president joked.

Biden hit the road this week after his Tuesday night State of the Union address, traveling to the swing state of Wisconsin on Wednesday and then heading to Florida Thursday, where two of his potential 2024 rivals live - DeSantis and former President Donald Trump.

The president continued to gloat over what looked to be an agreement from Congressional Republicans during the State of the Union that Medicare and Social Security cuts were off the table.

'Look, I know that a lot of Republicans, their dream is to cut Social Security and Medicare,' Biden said. 'Well let me say this, if that's your dream, I'm your nightmare.'

Biden also hinted that he believed Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene should be punished for her State of the Union outbursts of 'liar, liar,' as the president put it.

'By the way, the last person who said that before the Senate got censured by the Senate, by the Congress,' he said.

President Joe Biden made a post-State of the Union trip to Tampa, Florida on Thursday where two of his potential 2024 rivals live: former President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis

Biden briefly went after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis smacking the Republican, and potential 2024 hopeful, over his refusal to expand Medicaid in the state

As he did in Wisconsin Wednesday, Biden made use of a pamphlet that quotes Florida Sen. Rick Scott, which says the Republican lawmaker would like to see all legislation voted on again every five years, reading the provision to the audience.

The same brochures were left on audience members' seats prior to the beginning of the program.

Scott, who chaired the National Republican Senatorial Committee during the last election cycle, has denied that he meant to include the entitlement programs in his 'sunset' suggestion.

'Nobody believes that I want to cut Medicare or Social Security. I've never said it. I've never said it,' Scott said earlier Thursday during a sit-down with CNN.

'In that same plan, I said Congress needs to once a year tell the American public how they're going to make sure those programs don't go bankrupt because they're on the verge of bankruptcy,' Scott added.

In Tampa Biden riffed, 'Maybe he's changed his mind. Maybe he's seen the Lord,' garnering laughs from the crowd.

Biden pointed to the longstanding Republican ambition to kill the Affordable Care Act or 'Obamacare,' which was passed by Congress when he was serving as vice president.

Biden made use of a pamphlet that quotes Florida Sen. Rick Scott, which says the Republican lawmaker would like to see all legislation voted on again every five years, reading the provision to the audience

During his trip to Tampa, Biden hinted that Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene should be punished for her outbursts during his speech

The ACA allowed for the expansion of Medicaid - which provides health coverage for low-income households.

The provision said that the federal government would pay 90 percent of the tab, with states only picking up 10 percent, Biden said.

'The only reason Medicare expansion hasn't happened here is politics,' Biden said, saying Medicare but meaning Medicaid. 'It's time to get this done.'

'It would have been done if he'd been elected,' Biden added, referencing the state's former Gov. Charlie Crist, who DeSantis beat by about 20 points in November.

Crist, also an ex-congressman, won Florida's governorship as a Republican and then changed parties in 2012 to endorse former President Barack Obama. He served in Congress as a Democrat.

'I really don't get it, it's not like you're the poorest state in the union,' Biden also offered.
George Santos could now face expulsion from the House of Representatives after a Democratic lawmaker took the step seeking to punish the freshman congressman after it was revealed he is a habitual liar.

Representative Robert Garcia introduced a resolution Thursday to make Santos only the sixth-ever member of the House to be expelled from Congress.

Specifically, Garcia says that Santos should not be privy to classified information he might come across as a congressman after it was proven that he cannot be trusted.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he hasn't yet made up his mind whether he will support Garcia's resolution, according to Punchbowl News.

'I haven't taken a position on the resolution and I haven't read the resolution,' Jeffries said.

He did, however, call Santos 'a complete and utter and total fraud.'

Congressman Robert Garcia, a California Democrat, introduced a resolution Thursday to expel Republican Rep. George Santos from the House of Representatives

Santos was revealed to be a pathological liar after he was elected to Congress. He told tales about everything from his resume, education and even his family's heritage

LIST OF LAWMAKERS WHO WERE EXPELLED Tennessee Senator William Blount Virginia Senator James Mason Virginia Senator Robert Hunter North Carolina Senator Thomas Clingman North Carolina Senator Thomas Bragg South Carolina Senator James Chestnut Tennessee Senator Alfred Nicholson Arkansas Senator William Sebastian Arkansas Senator Charles Mitchel Texas Senator John Hemphill of Texas Senator Louis Wigfall Kentucky Senator John Breckinridge Missouri Senator Trusten Polk Missouri Senator Waldo Johnson Indiana Senator Jesse Bright Missouri Representative John Clark Missouri Representative John Reid Kentucky Representative Henry Burnett Pennsylvania Representative Michael Myers THE LATEST - Ohio Representative James Traficant Advertisement

A flurry of reports over the last few months, after Santos was elected to New York's 3rd congressional district, reveal that he lied about several aspects of himself from his career resume, to his education, to his family's ethnic background.

Garcia, who is gay, said Santos has caused 'disgust' within the LGBTQ community who feel he has represented them in a negative light.

'The final straw was being given access to classified information,' the California congressman told C-SPAN at the Capitol on Thursday. 'You're literally giving someone who's a fraud and a liar access to America's secrets.'

The expulsion prospect would likely include an investigation resulting in a referral for expulsion from the panel to the full chamber.

Democrats have levied increasing calls for action to be taken against Santos  and Republicans are starting to follow suit for the New York GOP lawmaker.

Expulsion is the most severe sanction Congress can levy on a member in the House or Senate.

Only five representatives have ever been successfully expelled from the House: Representatives John Clark and John Reid of Missouri; Henry Burnett of Kentucky; Michael Myers of Pennsylvania; and James Traficant of Ohio.

Clark, Reid and Burnett were expelled for taking up arms against the U.S. government in 1861. The next expulsion wasn't until nearly 120 years later, when Myers was booted from the House by colleagues for taking bribes in an FBI operation. He was later sentenced to three years in prison.

Most recently, Traficant was expelled from the lower chamber in 2002 after he was convicted of ten felony counts, including accepting bribes, filing fraudulent tax returns, racketeering and forcing congressional staff to carry out chores at his Ohio farm and his houseboat in Washington, D.C.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries didn't say whether or not he would support Garcia's resolution

Only five members of the House were ever expelled from the chamber. Representative John Reid of Missouri (left), John Clark of Missouri (center) and Henry Burnett of Kentucky were all expelled from Congress in 1861 fro taking up arms agains the U.S. government

The next expulsion wasn't until nearly 120 years later, when Representative Michael Myers of Pennsylvania (pictured with his wife) was booted from the House in 1980 for taking bribes in an FBI operation. He was later sentenced to three years in prison

Most recently, James Traficant of Ohio was expelled from the House in 2002 after he was convicted of ten felony counts, including accepting bribes, filing fraudulent tax returns, racketeering and forcing congressional staff to carry out chores at his Ohio farm and his houseboat in Washington, D.C. He served seven years in prison and was released in 2009

He was released from prison in 2009 after serving a seven-year sentence.

Expulsion is really the only tool to remove a lawmaker from office without their constituents voting them out of their position.

Historically, the removal involves disloyalty to the U.S. or a violation of criminal law.

Before the step of expulsion is taken, there are two lesser actions either chamber can take to express disapproval of a member or their actions, including a reprimand and a censure.

While only five members of the House have been removed, 15 senators have been expelled from the upper chamber in U.S. history.

The disciplinary process for an expulsion or censure begins with a resolution referred to an appropriate committee. In the case of Santos this would likely be in the hands of the House Ethics Committee.
Nadine Dorries choked back tears as she announced she will step down as an MP at the next General Election - after savaging the Tory party's 'infighting' and 'stupidity'.

The former Culture Secretary, 65, served in Boris Johnson's cabinet and has been one of his biggest cheerleaders on the backbenches - often urging him to make a comeback.

She has also been vocal in her views on Rishi Sunak since he became PM in October, writing in the Mail on Sunday that 'we are heading into the long, cold and brutal wasteland of thankless opposition'.

Ms Dorries announced the decision to step down on her new TalkTV programme.

She said: 'Those MPs who drank the Kool-Aid and got rid of Boris Johnson are already asking themselves the question: who next?

Nadine Dorries (pictured) has announced she will step down as an MP at the next General Election

Boris Johnson appeared as the first-ever guest on Friday Night With Nadine Dorries, her new show on TalkTV

'And I'm afraid that the lack of cohesion, the infighting and occasionally the sheer stupidity from those who think we could remove a sitting prime minister, who secured a higher percentage of the vote share than Tony Blair did in 1997, just three short years ago...

'That they could do that and the public would let us get away with it. I'm afraid it's this behaviour that I now just have to remove myself from.

'And so, despite it being a job that I've loved for every year that I've done it, I'm now off. Oh gosh, I've just said it out loud, there's no going back now.'

Writing in the Mail On Sunday last month, Ms Dorries called for the Conservative Party to reinstate Mr Johnson as leader.

She described him as 'the most impactful, charismatic, progressive and productive leader the Conservative Party has known since the days of Margaret Thatcher'.

The MP added: 'It is an undeniable fact that with Boris at the helm, more would return to Westminster following a General Election than with any other individual leading the party.

'He is still our political rock star out on the streets - the Prime Minister who got every single big decision right, from personally driving the vaccine programme to arming the people of Ukraine and standing up to Vladimir Putin.'

Writing in the Mail On Sunday last month, Ms Dorries called for the Conservative Party to reinstate Mr Johnson as leader

'With Rishi in No 10, we are heading into the long, cold and brutal wasteland of thankless opposition.

'For the Conservatives, its bring back Boris or die because the first task of any Labour government would be to ensure that therell never be a majority Conservative government ever again.'

Speaking on Ms Dorries' show, Mr Johnson laid into the PM as he demanded tax cuts and policies aimed at going all out for economic growth before the next election.

In the wide-ranging interview, he said the Government needed to get 'on the front foot' over the economy with tax cuts 'when the time comes'.

In the cozy sit-down with Ms Dorries, one of his most vocal cheerleaders, he also said that the UK should increase the number of tanks it is sending to Ukraine from the current 14.

He also insisted that the Tories could still win the next election, despite trailing Sir Keir Starmer's Labour party massively in the polls, because the public would reward the party 'for cutting their taxes'.

After a week in which he has conducted a plethora of media interviews, mainly in the United States, he also mocked the PM for how many times he had been on television, claiming: 'He's been on TV a lot more than me lately.'
The White House on Thursday blasted the new House subcommittee on 'weaponization' of government with a scorching letter that compared it to red-baiting probes of the 1950s.

'Today, Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan is launching the Fox News reboot of the House Un-American Activities Committee with a political stunt that weaponizes Congress to carry out the priorities of extreme MAGA Republicans in Congress,' wrote White House spokesman Ian Sams in a four-page memo to 'interested parties.'

The blast also referenced the infamous Wisconsin Sen. Joseph McCarthy hearings that followed 1950s House hearings meant to root out communists in government, Hollywood, and other areas.

The preemptive attack came as the panel prepared to kick off its first hearing, with testimony by former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who left the party and regularly appears on Fox News, and Sens. Chuck Grassley and Ron Johnson  who have both used their perches to probe Hunter Biden's business dealings.

Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, left, speaks as Del. Stacey Plaskett, D-Virgin Islands, the ranking member, right, listens, at the start of the first hearing on the 'weaponization' of government

Grassley said efforts to label Hunter Biden's laptop as Russian disinformation amoutn to 'government abuse and political treachery.'

'Led by Jordan and Congressman Matt Gaetz, this committee plans to weaponize the MAGA agenda against their perceived political enemies, going after civil servants, private citizens, and the rule of lawall in service of getting booked on Fox News. In fact, its initial hearing even will include witness testimony from multiple Fox News commentators,' wrote Sams.

Gaetz is the newest member to be appointed to the panel. A group of GOP rebels helped force its creation during Speaker Kevin McCarthy's battle for the gavel.

The memo labeled the hearings a 'political stunt,' and cited an NBC News poll showing just 13 per cent of Americans believe probes into the IRS, FBI and federal agencies are the most important for Republicans to pursue.

'These extreme MAGA Republicans in Congress are choosing to make it their top priority to go down the rabbit hole of debunked conspiracy theories about a deep state instead of taking a deep breath and deciding to work with the President and Democrats in Congress to improve Americans everyday lives,' according to the memo.

The White House attacked the new committee as a throwback to Sen. Joseph McCarthy and the work of the House Un-American Activities Committee

Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, shakes hands with Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. Grassley, who was among Thursday's witnesses

Actor Ronald Reagan testifies before the House Un-American Activities Committee

Sams has been gearing up for weeks to focus on the House GOP probes, although he has also been diverted into helping the White House respond to the discovery of classified documents inside President Biden's Wilmington home and former Penn Biden office.

The only Democratic witness at the hearing was Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), who at another GOP hearing Wednesday  this one focused on Twitter and suppression of the story about Hunter Biden's laptop  blasted the inquiry as a diversion and waste of resources.

Raskin has argued the probe might interfere with ongoing criminal investigations, including the DOJ's probe into classified material seized at Mar-a-Lago, former President Donald Trump's Florida club.

Del. Stacey Plaskett (D-USVI), a former House impeachment manager, said she was 'deeply concerned about the use of this select subcommittee as a place to settle scores, showcase conspiracy theories and advanced an extreme agenda that risks undermining Americans faith in our democracy.'

Jordan said the panel will get information from whistleblowers and pursue 'Americans whove been targeted by their government.'

'Protecting the First Amendment shouldnt be partisan,' he said. 'Protecting the Constitution shouldnt be partisan, and protecting the fundamental principle of equal treatment under the law should not be partisan.'

Other witnesses Thursday included former FBI agents Thomas Baker and Nicole Parker, who have criticized the bureau.
Most defence commentators have shot down suggestions by Boris Johnson and Volodymyr Zelensky that Britain should provide RAF Typhoon jets to Ukraine. But are their reasons valid? Defence Editor Mark Nicol looks at the arguments.

CLAIM: We cant afford to spare any

VERDICT: Questionable

While Britains Typhoon fleet is routinely described as overstretched due to its current operational commitments, some missions are arguably a matter of choice rather than necessity.

Given the acute threat to British and regional security posed by a possible Russian victory in Ukraine, perhaps these existing responsibilities could be reconsidered, so Typhoons could be released and made available to Ukraine?

These missions include Operation Shader and protecting the Falkland Islands. The Typhoons flying over Iraq and Syria are based at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus. Regional partners could be petitioned to fly more sorties, thereby freeing the eight Typhoons for transfer.

According to the Ministry of Defence website, it is almost two months since any RAF assets struck an ISIS target - an unmanned Reaper drone fired a pair of Hellfire missiles to destroy a building.

Volodymyr Zelensky (right) held talks with Rishi Sunak at Downing Street to discuss the possibility of Britain supplying Ukraine with advanced fighter jets such as the RAF Typhoon

The Typhoon, pictured, could shift the balance in the war, but its design and advanced features make it difficult to maintain without proper equipment

Unmanned aircraft are used increasingly to strike Daesh (Islamic State). Could drones take the place of the Typhoons?

Four Typhoons from 1435 Flight are based at RAF Mount Pleasant on the Falkland Islands. They have flown deterrence patrols there since 2009. Between 1,300 and 1,700 UK troops and civilian personnel are based there at any time - a deterrence in itself. The UK has been able to prevent Argentina purchasing second-hand fighter jets so 40-year-old cast-offs from other countries are all Buenos Aires can afford.

On the other side of the argument, the Typhoon force - of approximately 100 operable aircraft - is not only overstretched but worn out. The number of available Typhoons is compromised by spare part shortages, a failure by the RAF to retain highly skilled engineers and pilots being starved of flight training hours.

The first tranche of Typhoons, introduced in 2002, have flown more hours than they were envisaged to and have suffered from wear and tear.

CLAIM: There are too many technical issues and incompatibilities

VERDICT: Valid

To defeat Russian fighter jets in mid-air dogfights, Ukrainian-flown jets would require advanced Western air-to-air missiles which are superior in range to Moscows weaponry.

Options are limited and the European Meteor missile - the missile of choice for air-to-air engagement with a longer range than the Russia arsenal - is not compatible with early versions of the Typhoon.

To avoid Russian air defence systems, the Typhoons would need to fly at low altitude - but they were not designed for this requirement.

The Typhoon is predominantly a high-altitude aircraft, but flying at high altitude is too risky. However, the Typhoon has advantages over rival aircraft. For example, it is faster than the MiG-29 and can carry a much bigger payload.

CLAIM: It is not worth Britain taking the lead on providing fighter jets

VERDICT: Invalid

Giving Typhoons to Ukraine would be an expensive symbolic gesture on the UKs part, effectively dwarfing the stand taken by Britain on the provision of Challenger 2 tanks.

But it is worth doing if, as a consequence of the UK taking the lead, other allies are convinced they should donate their fighter jets, some of which are better suited to the conflict in Ukraine.

It would also send an important message to Moscow that Britain is prepared to stand by Ukraine.

The war is expected to grind on.

Despite the heightened sense of anticipation surrounding the spring offensive, and rhetoric from Rishi Sunak about helping Ukraine finish the job, neither side is likely to achieve a definite victory on the battlefield this year.

So what we do today to meet the long-term security needs of Ukraine matters all the more.

While training Ukrainian pilots is the first step, the UK could confirm it will send Typhoon once the training is completed.

CLAIM: Logistical support is difficult and questions over general suitability

VERDICT: Valid

The Typhoon is complex to maintain and, as commentators such as the Royal United Services Institutes Justin Bronk have pointed out, significant numbers of specialised UK contractors and support equipment would be required to provide assistance for line maintenance. Ukraine does not have the infrastructure to do this itself.

Yesterday UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace likened the Typhoon to a Formula One car, which although high-end and highly sophisticated, requires an expert and experienced pit crew and a lot of supportive technology to keep it on the track.

Typhoon is particularly susceptible to suffering engine damage due to foreign objects which get sucked into its air intakes. This is particularly an issue on take-off and means the aircraft requires access to smooth and constantly maintained runways.

The runways in Ukraine are not fit for Typhoons or US-manufactured F-16s, which suffer the same problem. Russian satellites would identify any resurfacing at Ukrainian airbases, which would then become a target for attack.
Migrants being bused to Canada are reportedly voicing concern over the cold weather seen in our neighbor to the north, with some even electing to turn back to the US - despite getting a free ride at the expense of taxpayers.

The asylum seekers hail from Latin America, but are being bused from New York City, which is currently experiencing an abnormal outflow of migrants from states such as Texas and Florida.

Originally welcomed into The Big Apple with open arms, the foreigners last month voiced discontent over an alternative shelter offered by Mayor Eric Adams, citing its bare-bones amenities - all after being put up for months in posh, luxury hotels, paid for by New York citizens.

The criticisms spurred the mayor - who's struggled to address the abnormal outflow of travelers since assuming office last year - to announce last week that the city would buy bus tickets for newcomers who would prefer to live in Canada.

However, just days after reports surfaced that some of the travelers were fleeing New York because of 'drugs' and homelessness, several are having second thoughts - with some outright refusing the offer because the country has 'lots of snow.'

Migrants being bused to Canada are reportedly voicing concern over the cold weather seen in our neighbor to the north - despite getting a free ride at the expense of taxpayers. A family of migrants are seen at a border-crossing point in Upstate New York, leading into Montreal

Days after reports swirled that mirgants were fed-up with the Big Apple, several are reportedly having second thoughts about Canada as an alternative because the country has 'lots of snow'

Speaking to the CBC, Ilze Thielmann, the director of a New York nonprofit that has already helped transport the migrants from New York to Montreal, attempted to explain the phenomenon, saying many had arrived expecting better access to jobs and health care, while others were simply turned off by the frigid conditions.

'They think that there are all these jobs up there,' Thielmann, 56, told the Canadian broadcaster Tuesday of the realities currently being thrust on the foreigners, many of whom have been in the US for the better part of a year.

She added that instead of braving the rest of the Canadian winter - set to persist for no more than another month - migrants, already fed-up with conditions, are opting to turn tail back to New York City.

'They think theyre going to be able to get asylum very easily up there, and thats just not the case.'

Speaking to The New York Post, one migrant from Colombia, Jose Liandro, corroborated the charity worker's story, saying that after just one week he wanted to returned to Manhattan.

When asked for a reason for his change-of-heart, the Spanish-speaking traveler simply replied, 'Mucha nieve' - which, in English, means, 'A lot of of snow.'

Liandro is among the more than 43,000 asylum seekers that has been funneled into the Port Authority, after Adams condemned Texas leaders for busing migrants from the southern border amid the state's own migrant woes.

In response to the relatively green politician's very public attack, officials in the Lone Star state added New York to its list of so-called 'sanctuary cities', and began carting illegal border crossers by the bus-load to the liberal locale.

Instead of braving the rest of the Canadian winter - set to persist for no more than another month - migrants, already fed-up with conditions, are opting to turn tail back to New York City

At first, Adams - a former New York police captain who campaigned on promises of cleaning up the city's crime and homeless epidemics - welcomed the migrants, but soon began to change his tune after his office found itself at a loss as to how to absorb the travelers into the already embattled city.

Following several failed ventures designed to address the flow of migrants - including a scrapped tent city in The Bronx and a proposed facility on Randall's Island that never materialized - Adams housed thousands of asylum seekers at trendy hotels in Manhattan.

Many of those illegal immigrants had been staying at The Watson Hotel located on 57th and Tenth Avenue - in taxpayer-funded hotel rooms that cost as much as $450 per night.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has desperately tried to solve the city's migrant crisis - which began after he criticized officials in Texas for busing them out of the southern state

That changed late last month, when Adams, in his latest pivot in addressing the crisis, announced that a then-planned shelter at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal would become the latest temporary home for at least 1,000 male migrants, including all of those staying at the Watson, which for the past few months served as a men's-only shelter.

Addressing New Yorkers fed-up with rampant crime and homelessness, Adams gave a deadline to those staying at the Watson for Monday, saying those migrants - all single men - would now be replaced by asylum-seeking families.

That spurred several migrants to take up outside the building to protest the mayor's declaration - with many outright refusing to relocate, citing privacy concerns and non-optimal conditions at the pop-up facility, with some comparing it to a prison.

By Monday, as several found themselves locked out of their respective rooms at the Watson, the predominantly Latin American procession remained, setting up camp directly outside the luxury building in direct defiance of Adams' order.

Many of those illegal immigrants had been staying at The Watson Hotel located on 57th and Tenth Avenue - in taxpayer-funded hotel rooms that cost as much as $450 per night.

The migrants have voiced concerns conditions at New York shelters, comparing them to jail

The immigration staffer is seen speaking with migrants outside the three-star hotel Monday, as they refused to relocate to a designated shelter across the East River

A member of the Mayor's immigration office speaks with migrants who are camping out in front of the Watson Hotel. Community organizers have provided the men with food and tents

Photographs taken Monday morning show dozens of tents lining the sidewalk on 57th street directly outside the hotel, while some male asylum seekers were seen keeping warm by wrapping themselves in blankets and sleeping bags.

They were reportedly removed from their rooms one by one, with others returning to their rooms Monday telling reporters they were not being allowed back into their rooms to retrieve their belongings.

Speaking to DailyMail.com outside the Watson Monday, one of the migrants, 32-year-old Labrador, lamented his and others' situation but remained adamant that he would not relocate to the Brooklyn shelter, comparing it to jail.

They want to take us to a place like a jail,' said Labrador, who is from Venezuela and served in the country's Special Forces.

'They dont show us the real pictures and video but I have them and will show everybody,' the migrant said, producing photos that have been circulating on social media showing the interior shelter.

Adams' ill-fated efforts resulted in many of the migrants being housed at hotels, with hundreds of male asylum seekers residing at the Watson since November

That changed last month, when Adams, in his latest pivot in addressing the crisis, announced that a then-planned shelter would become the latest temporary home for at least 1,000 male migrants, including all of those staying at the Watson

New Yorkers are now voicing concerns that they feel unsafe over the mass of men, some of whom admitted to having criminal records in their home countries

Earlier in the morning, the displaced asylum seekers protested their prospective transfer to the cruise terminal - which, unlike the Watson, offers migrants only army-style cots as opposed to beds - by painting a massive banner to be hung on the scaffolding outside the hotel

Once booted from the hotel, displaced asylum seekers protested their prospective transfer by painting a massive banner to be hung on the scaffolding outside the hotel - which is set on an affluential street known to locals as Billionaire's Row.

Tents, meanwhile, were gifted to the displaced men by members of the local community, after several were seen i sleeping on Mylar blankets spread directly on the concrete.

Within hours, organizers would set up a table complete with coffee, bananas, water, and pizza for the migrants, as members of the press also convened to cover the developing demonstration.

he asylum seekers said that they are hoping their noncompliance spurs Adams to reconsider his offices plan to relocate them to the Red Hook ferry terminal (pictured), citing non-ideal living conditions at the somewhat isolated facility

As the migrants' eviction deadline rapidly approached early Monday morning, only a small number were seen getting on buses tasked with bringing as many of the asylum seekers as possible to the Brooklyn shelter.

DailyMail.com cameras captured some of those pressured to get on the buses to Brooklyn, with three departing the hotel with only 15 to 20 people.

The shelter - photos of which have already been circulating on social media - will not be a permanent home, however, as the city has promised to close the facility in time for cruise season in the spring.

Speaking to DailyMail.com, many of the migrants voiced concerns over conditions at the shelter, citing the 'basic beds' and cold interior, as well as its isolated location away from the bells and whistles of Manhattan.

The shelter - photos of which have already been circulating on social media - will not be a permanent home, however, as the city has promised to close the facility in time for cruise season in the spring. (picture provided by one of the immigrants)

Still refusing to move as of Monday, many of the migrants have voiced concerns over conditions at the Red Hook shelter, reportedly citing the 'basic beds' and cold interior

'They treat us like dogs throwing us to the street,' said one 21-year-old man from Venezuela named Isaac Quintero, who is not related to the aforementioned single mother.

'I know they have empty rooms available,' the young man said, adding that he had slept on the street for two nights after being booted from his room at a luxury hotel.

Photos and videos shared by the mayor's office appear to corroborate some of the migrants' accounts, showing its interior packed with cots all set just a few feet from one another.

Meanwhile, more buses continue to arrive to the city's Port Authority Bus Terminal each day - bringing with them hundreds of tired, huddled men, women, and children each time.

Adams has been bullish on asking for federal help, even after admitting Monday that New York officials were helping pay for migrants' tickets to canda

As Adams struggles with a sensible solution to the influx, migrants have been ferried across the city, from shelter to hotel, as the city's seemingly never-ending migrant saga continues to persist.

Adams has previously told citizens in his crime-ridden city to expect migrant facilities to soon grace 'every community,' while warning residents they should expect shelters to pop up in their neighborhoods without warning.

Sources have said the mayor's plans, however, have been poorly thought out and often fast-tracked, causing them to almost always fall apart.

Adams, meanwhile, has remained bullish on asking for federal help, doing so again after confirming Monday that New York officials were helping foot the bill for disgruntled migrants seeking travel to Canada, saying 'those who are seeking to go somewhere else - not that we're pushing or forcing' are receiving aid from the city.

The assertion came after Adams openly criticized leaders in southern states for busing migrants up north, calling the treatment 'inhumane.'

On Tuesday, when asked about his office's latest course of action in quelling the migrant crisis, Adams denied city officials were 'coordinating' to send migrants from the Big Apple to Canada - insisting they were doing so of their own accord.

'We are not coordinating with anyone to go to Canada. Were not doing it,' Adams said. 'There is no role that the city is playing to tell migrants to go to Canada.'

Adams added that the citys 'intake process' for migrants included interviews designed to asses 'their needs' - and saying the city's now-$4.2 billion budget to address the influx is a 'moving target' with no upper limit.'

We speak with people, they say they desire to go somewhere else,' he said. 'Theres a host of partnerships, with the Catholic Charities to others, that have been coordinating with people to get to their final destination.'
Commons leader Penny Mordaunt is the latest senior Tory to break the law after she was fined for speeding in London.

Miss Mordaunt, 49, admitted breaking the 40mph speed limit in Putney, south-west London, last July, just days before she announced her bid to become Prime Minister.

The Cabinet minister was convicted of the offence at Lavender Hill magistrates' court last week, where she was fined 568.

She also had three penalty points added to her licence and was ordered to pay 90 in costs and a 227 victim surcharge.

Miss Mordaunt's case was dealt with through the closed door single justice procedure after she entered a guilty plea in writing

Miss Mordaunt admitted driving a Mini Cooper S at 49mph along the A3 near Tibbet's Corner in Putney, south-west London on July 4 last year, according to court papers.

What are Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs)? Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) have been around for more than 50 years and are used for a wide range of anti-social behaviour offences, public disorder offences and environmental offences such as littering as well as for many motoring offences. An FPN is a conditional offer  you can accept guilt, pay the fine, take the points and the matter will be closed, or you can reject the offer in which case you'll be summonsed to appear in court. For drivers, FPNs are widely used to enforce 'moving traffic offences' like: Speeding

Traffic light offences

Restricted turns

No entry, and

Box junctions Source: AA Advertisement

Her conviction is the latest legal difficulty to afflict the Conservative Party, with various senior Tories including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak all receiving fixed penalties in the last year.

Security minister Tom Tugendhat was banned from driving for six months last November after he was caught using his mobile phone while driving.

Mr Sunak paid a 100 fixed penalty notice last month after a video appeared on social media where he was riding in the back of a car in Lancashire without a seatbelt on.

He and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson were also fined last year during the Partygate scandal for attending a gathering at Downing Street which broke Covid regulations.

Tory peer Lord Soames, who is Winston Churchill's grandson, is also facing a driving ban after being convicted for speeding while driving a BMW in Twickenham.

Mordaunt's offence happened just days before Boris Johnson quit as Prime Minister, sparking a leadership race featuring Mordaunt, Tugendhat, Nadhim Zahawi, Sunak and won by Liz Truss.

She made a second bid for the leadership after the fall of Truss, but was defeated by Sunak, who kept her on in his Cabinet as Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons.

MailOnline has approached Miss Mordaunt for comment.
AFTER allowing a wave of authoritarian regimes to become members in recent years, the Commonwealth and member states such as Canada are now pondering one of their toughest dilemmas: whether to approve Zimbabwes bid to re-join their club.

As he prepares for an election this year, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has become even more repressive than his notorious predecessor, Robert Mugabe, crushing opposition meetings and imprisoning activists.

But after other autocrats were permitted to join, the Commonwealth might now find it difficult to draw the line at Zimbabwe.

A high-level delegation, sent by the Commonwealth secretariat to Zimbabwe last November to study the situation, met Mnangagwa and praised the country for its very impressive progress  but provided little evidence for the comment.

Its findings are now being drafted in an informal assessment report, but the process is veiled in complete secrecy.

Please note that the informal assessment reports are restricted to Commonwealth member governments and are not for public consumption, said a spokesperson for the Commonwealth secretariat in London, who did not give her full name.

Canada, too, is declining to say whether Zimbabwe should be readmitted to the Commonwealth, although its diplomats have been discussing the issue informally for months.

Canada is aware of Zimbabwes interest in rejoining the Commonwealth, said James Emmanuel Wanki, a spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada, in reply to questions from The Globe and Mail.

Commonwealth member states would only be asked about Zimbabwes membership after the fact-finding mission delivers its report and the secretary-general of the Commonwealth issues a recommendation, he said.

Among the key criteria for the readmission decision, according to Wanki, will be the core principles and values of the Commonwealth, including democracy, rule of law, human rights and good governance.

But critics say the Commonwealth already jettisoned these principles in recent years when it granted membership to some of the worlds longest-ruling authoritarian regimes, including those of Rwanda, Gabon and Togo.

Last years Commonwealth heads of government summit was held in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, despite evidence that the Rwandan security agencies have imprisoned and killed dissidents at home and abroad.

Zimbabwe is seen as a crucial test case because it was one of the highest-profile governments to be targeted for action by the Commonwealth.

The southern African nation was suspended from the Commonwealth in 2002 after widespread controversy over its farm seizures, tainted elections and other human rights abuses.

Mnangagwa announced in 2018 that his government would seek to rejoin the Commonwealth  a bid supported by allies such as South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

With some polls suggesting that he is less popular than the main opposition CCC leader Nelson Chamisa, the election expected in July or August could be the most violent and repressive in the countrys history, analysts say.

Since the 2017 coup, there is a deepening authoritarianism in Zimbabwe, even deeper than under the Mugabe regime, and were seeing a process of systematically attempting to dismantle the opposition and close down space for civil society activists, said Brian Raftopoulos, a Zimbabwean scholar at the University of Cape Town, at a panel organised on Monday by the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London.

A recently introduced law on non-governmental organisations, for example, will effectively give the state the ability to enter and take control of any civil society organisation that it considers a threat and place massive control over their funding and resources, Raftopoulos said.

Authoritarian rulers believe they have more leverage over the Commonwealth today because the group is under pressure to compete for influence in Africa with autocratic powers such as China and Russia, he told the panel. But throwing open its doors to dictators would carry a heavy price, he said.

If youre going to allow this to happen, there will be consequences for the Commonwealth. It will open up a whole new set of possibilities for authoritarian regimes to get away with this kind of politics. Simply letting Zimbabwe into the Commonwealth without dealing with these issues will only make the problem deeper.

In British parliamentary debates, some politicians have argued that Commonwealth membership could nudge Zimbabwe in a more democratic direction.

Lord Sonny Leong, in a debate in the House of Lords last month, said the Commonwealth could change hearts and minds, and ultimately national laws if countries such as Zimbabwe are inside the group. If we are too intransigent, we risk driving Zimbabwe to look elsewhere for international allies, he said.

Others strongly disagreed. Lord Jonathan Oates said the Commonwealths reputation would suffer severe damage if it readmitted a country that was in flagrant violation of the Commonwealths democratic principles.

Respected Zimbabwean political analyst Eldred Masunungure yesterday said the country was not ready for readmission into the club of former British colonies.

Masunungure said the forthcoming elections should be the yardstick to gauge the countrys preparedness for readmission.

Zimbabwe must demonstrate adherence and respect the principles of the declaration. The key indicator will be the quality of elections that are going to be conducted in a few months time. It should show whether Zimbabwe has matured or has the qualities to be readmitted into the commonwealth. Post-election and pre-election period will be the best to measure if Zimbabwe is ready. There is no other indicator that is tangible that would determine whether Zimbabwe is ripe to be readmitted, he said.

Another political analyst Rejoice Ngwenya said Zimbabwe had done little to be considered for re-admission.

The conditions for admittance were clearly articulated. If you look at the top three conditions, property rights, human rights and food governance; we are nowhere near that. We are far below the standards. Our hands are too dirty for us to qualify, he said. Newsday
Today host Sarah Abo became overwhelmed with emotion while interviewing a Syrian man involved in rescue efforts after two earthquakes devastated the region.

Local authorities said the death toll from the catastrophic events has passed 20,000 with 3,317 confirmed dead in Syria and at least 17,406 killed in Turkey.

That number is expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue.

Syrian-born journalist Abo, who joined hosting the Today desk only a few weeks ago, led the interview on Friday with Ismail Alabdullah  a member of a volunteer organisation known as the White Helmets.

Syrian-born journalist Sarah Abo (pictured with co-host Karl Stefanovic) broke down after hearing from a Syrian rescue worker

'I know this has been incredibly difficult for you and your insight into this has been quite remarkable,' Today co-host Karl Stefanovic said of Abo at the start of the interview.

Mr Alabdullah told the breakfast show hosts 'no one responded' to their requests for help or technology.

'We asked for equipment, generators, spare parts, search and rescue equipment that enable us to rescue equipment that enable us to rescue the people,' he said.

'No-one responded. No-one helped us. No-one cared about those civilians. The whole world knows that north-west Syria is exhausted by the bombings over the past years. The hospitals destroyed, doctors were killed, many doctors were killed.

'No-one said we are coming to you, we support you.'

At the end of the chat, the camera panned back to the two co-hosts as Abo looked down the camera lens with tears in her eyes.

'They feel like they're being ignored,' she said.

'You've got people there who are so desperate and for years they feel as though they haven't been given the attention they deserve.'

Stefanovic reached across the desk and placed a hand on his co-host's arm to support her through the final seconds of the segment.

'And now we are seeing them so desperate and he said it's taken days for aid to reach them,' Abo continued.

'It's not nearly enough. They need so much more. What do you do when a region's divided by war... that is so difficult.'

The combined death toll in Syria and Turkey from the earthquakes has passed 20,000 (pictured, the aftermath of the earthquake in Jindires, Syria)

Rescue volunteer Ismail Alabdullah questioned why international aid has taken so long to arrive (pictured, volunteers celebrating as a toddler is rescued from the rubble)

Stefanovic said Australians are feeling for the Turkish and Syrian people who have been impacted by the horrific disaster and said it must be particularly tough for Abo.

'I feel you. I think the whole country does and the world does,' he said.

'It's tough to watch and you have such an intimate knowledge of it.'

'It's okay,' he said to his co-host as the program cut to an ad break.

During his interview, Mr Alabdullah asked the Today hosts why international aid was taking so long to arrive to the devastated region and said a quicker response could have saved lives.

'We are running out of time, no one responded to our calls to save the others,' he said.

'We are losing people. With simple equipment, with out hands we are working daily to reach them, the voices (of people trapped in rubble).

'We didn't receive any help, we called from the beginning. This is beyond our capability...No one cared, no one said a word.'

White Helmets volunteer Ismail Alabdullah (above) told Today a quicker response from international aid could have saved lives in Syria and Turkey

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Wednesday a team of 72 Australian personnel will be on the ground in Turkey by the end of the week to help local authorities in rescue and recovery efforts.

'These urban search and rescue specialists are highly trained to locate, deliver medical assistance to and remove victims who have been trapped or impacted by a structural collapse,' he said.

The initial devastating 7.8 magnitude quake hit the region at about 4am on Monday, local time.

On Friday morning (AEDT), some 80 hours after the first quake, the US announced it will send an $85m emergency relief package which includes food, shelter and emergency health services.

The General Director of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is also on his way to Syria where he said 'WHO is supporting essential health care in the areas affected'.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis moved closer to taking over Walt Disney World's self-governing district Thursday after the state's House approved legislation to complete a state takeover.

The bill leaves the Reedy Creek Improvement District intact - but will change its name and give DeSantis the power to appoint a five-member governing board.

It's DeSantis' latest victory in the war with the Magic Kingdom which began last year when the company voiced opposition to the Florida's governor's so-called 'Don't Say Gay' bill.

DeSantis has vowed to make the district he calls the 'Corporate Kingdom' pay back $700 million in debt and begin paying their 'fair share' of taxes going forward after decades of special tax status.

He warned in a press conference on Wednesday that there's a 'new sheriff in town' when it comes to the district where Walt Disney World sits.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis moved closer to taking over Walt Disney World's self-governing district Thursday after House Republicans approved legislation to complete a state takeover

Board members for the Reedy Creek District are currently named through entities controlled by Disney and are tasked with overseeing the government services the district provides in the company's properties in Florida.

The takeover of DeSantis was initiated last year when Disney publicly opposed the Parental Rights in Education Act, which restricts teachers from talking about sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade, among a series of other provisions.

Some lawmakers in Florida's legislature have proposed expanding this to the sixth grade.

DeSantis moved quickly to retaliate against the company last year, directing lawmakers to dissolve the district during a special legislative session in April, beginning a closely watched restructuring process.

Last week, the Republican leaders of the House and Senate, in coordination with the governor, ordered lawmakers to return for another special session to complete a state takeover of the district, taking up a bill that would preserve its operating functions and financial responsibilities.

The legislation is all but certain to pass in the statehouse, where a Republican supermajority is eager to carry out the governor's agenda. Democrats have widely criticized the legislation as a retaliatory power grab by the governor but are powerless to do much else other than delay its passage.

'This bill sends a message from the governor to businesses in our state that if they dissent, they will be punished,' said Rep. Rita Harris, a Democrat. 'And this is chilling. Its not just chilling to me, its chilling to freedom of speech.'

DeSantis will also rename the site from Reedy Creek to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.

The Reedy Creek Improvement District includes nearly 40 square miles and includes the entire Walt Disney World Resort. It will be renamed to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District under the new bill

The penalizing of Disney, one of Florida's biggest employers and political donors, reinforces the governor's combative leadership style and displays his willingness to leverage the power of state government against a perceived political foe.

DeSantis has already begun touting the move against Disney as a political win during his public appearances, telling a cheering crowd of supporters Wednesday, 'So, there's a new sheriff in town, and that's just the way it's going to be.'

The creation of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, as the Disney government is currently known, was instrumental in Disney's decision to build near Orlando in the 1960s, when company leaders told the state they planned to build a futuristic city - the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, also known as Epcot.

The proposed city was to include a rapid transit system and urban planning innovations, so Disney needed autonomy in the district for building and deciding how to use the land, they said. The futuristic city never materialized, and instead Epcot morphed into a second theme park that opened in 1982.

Having a separate government allows the Disney government to issue bonds and provide zoning, fire protection, utilities and infrastructure services on its land. Republican critics of the district argue it gives Disney a commercial advantage unavailable to others.

'Any time a corporation can self govern, like they have the last 55 years, it's an advantage over any of their competitors,' said Rep. Fred Hawkins, a Republican who sponsored the bill.

The bill, aside to having the governor pick board members, would rename the district as the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and make it subject to various layers of state oversight.

It also prevents people who have worked with or contracted with a theme park in the past three years from serving on the district's new governing board.

The legislation must now pass the state Senate.
A New York City family of four was among the nearly 20,000 who died during the Turkey earthquake.

Burak Firik, 35, his wife Kimberly, 32, and his two children Hamza, two, and Bilal, one, were visiting relatives in Elbistan, Turkey, when the 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck Kahramanmaras Province and Syria.

It was followed with a 7.8 magnitude tremor that struck near the city of Gaziantep, causing hundreds of deaths, including the Firik family, and thousands were injured.

The Firiks, of Corona, Queens, was on the top floor of a five-story building when the natural disaster struck on Monday.

Firik's father was sitting in a car outside the building when it collapsed with his family inside.

Their family in New York City received updates from the relative and were informed of their passing on Wednesday afternoon as they all huddled inside an apartment together, according to Pix 11.

Burak Firik, 35, his wife Kimberly, 32, and his two children Hamza, two, and Bilal, one, were visiting relatives when the 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey and Syria, killing them

Filik (far left) had recently quit his job as a software engineer at Amazon to spend more time with his family and to be able to travel

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) honored the family - where Firik was a board member - in a statement, writing: 'We pray for Allah's mercy for our brother Burak, his family, and all those who have returned to our Creator. Ameen'

Kimberly was a biology major at City College, while her husband was a graduate student at Columbia University. Firik had worked as a software engineer for Amazon, according to Pix 11, but he had recently quit his job prior to the family going to Turkey for a month.

He reportedly left his job to have more time to spend with his family and travel.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) honored the family - where Firik was a board member - in a statement, writing: 'We pray for Allah's mercy for our brother Burak, his family, and all those who have returned to our Creator. Ameen.'

The State Department said on Wednesday that at least three Americans died in Turkey. It is unclear if that number included part of the Firik family.

A total of 19,362 people died in Turkey, while 3.192 died in Syria, according to NBC News.

A video taken in the Gunesli area of Elbistan shows the aftermath of the quake, with multiple buildings at either side of the street left in ruins after it collapsed.

Nearly 20,000 people have died since the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck on Monday

The State Department said on Wednesday that at least three Americans died in Turkey. It is unclear if that number included part of the Firik family

The video, taken from the camera of a moving car, shows a building shaking before the others around it collapse. A cloud of dust then fills the screen, with debris showering down. Three civilians can be seen running across the road to safety.

Tremors were felt as far away as Greenland, the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland said.

Seismologists said the first quake was one of the largest ever recorded in Turkey. Survivors said it took two minutes for the shaking to stop.

It is already the deadliest natural disaster to hit Turkey since 1939, with the grim casualty milestone coming this evening and UN and WHO experts expecting it to rise further.

The response of Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government to the catastrophe has drawn harsh criticism, and tens of thousands of displaced people who escaped the immediate damage of the quakes now contend with bitter winter temperatures and a lack of supplies.

Thousands of others are still trapped between the rubble as rescuers desperately try to save them.

Earlier this week, Australia announced it would give $10million in humanitarian assistance to help response efforts following Turkey's devastating earthquake.

The assistance will be administered through Red Cross and humanitarian agencies.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese conveyed Australia's condolences, saying the nation was deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and devastation unfolding.

A total of 19,362 people died in Turkey, while 3.192 died in Syria

'All of the world's thoughts and condolences with the people in this region who are suffering at this time,' he said.

New Zealand will also provide $1.5million.

Britain joined an international aid effort to help the rescue operation in Turkey.

A team of 76 search and rescue specialists, with life-saving equipment and rescue dogs were deployed this week.

Britain also sent an emergency medical team to assess the situation in Turkey, and will work with the UN to support rescuers in Syria, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said.

Tremors were felt as far away as Greenland, the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland said

Thousands of others are still trapped between the rubble as rescuers desperately try to save them

Countries around the world pledged aid and support for Turkey and Syria  including war-torn Ukraine.

Kyiv's foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said Ukraine was ready to send rescue workers to Turkey, even as it prepared for further military onslaughts from Russia.

The EU activated its Copernicus satellite system to provide emergency mapping, and mobilised search and rescue teams.

At least 13 EU countries have offered assistance, including Turkey's historic rival Greece, which is sending a rescuers and doctors.

The US said it would send teams to support search and rescue efforts in Turkey, while rescue teams from Russia were preparing to fly to Syria.

Israel also dispatched teams to Turkey, and said it had approved a request for humanitarian aid for Syria, despite the historic enmity between the countries.
If you or a loved one needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Line at 1-800-273-8255

A teenager has taken her own life just days after an alarming video showing the 14-year-old being punched and kicked in a high school hallway circulated online.

Adriana Kuch, who was relentlessly bullied at Central Regional High School in New Jersey's Berkeley Township, was found dead at her home two days after the shocking video surfaced on February 1, police said.

The 20-second clip shows several students attacking the teen and hitting her with a water bottle as she walked with her boyfriend.

Bystanders are also seen laughing at Kuch after she was punched, kicked and had her hair pulled, while she lay in the fetal position on the floor of the school hallway.

One of the attackers could be heard yelling, 'That's what you get you stupid a** b****.'

According to her father, Michael, 14-year-old Kuch was 'smashed in the face three times with a water bottle' and 'blacked out.' He then had to take his blood covered daughter to the police station to file a report because the school refused to do so.

Three girls have been slapped with third-degree assault charges and a fourth has been charged with disorderly conduct, according to News 12 New Jersey. They were also all suspended from school.

But Adriana's family is now seeking justice from the school for what they say was a lack of a response to the viral beating.

New Jersey teenager Adriana Kuch, 14, has taken her own life after she was relentlessly bullied and just days after a video showing her being punched and kicked at school circulated online

Adriana Kuch, attended Central Regional High School in Berkeley Township, and was found dead at her home two days after the shocking video surfaced on Feb 1, said police

Kuch was just a freshman at Central Regional High School in Bayville, where her family moved seven years ago after repeatedly having to locate because her father was an Army Airborne soldier serving the country.

An obituary posted online says the 14-year-old 'adored all animals, she helped children with special needs, she loved jogging with her brothers and was a true nature lover.

'Adriana also enjoyed her walks in the woods, skateboarding, riding dune buggies and dirt bikes,' it continues.

Her sister-in-law, Jennifer Ferro, also posted online that Adriana was a 'one-of-a-kind kid.

'Our family and her parents would describe her as a beautiful girl who was happy, funny, stubborn, strong, loved animals, could make friends easily [and] would draw all time time.

'She loved going on runs with her older brother and our dogs when she came to visit us during the summer, and she always wanted to try out new hobbies... but would get tired of them fast.

'She talked about how she wanted to be a tattoo artist when she turns 18, and although I didn't take it seriously in the past, I really wish I could've seen what that future was like to know he still had a future,' Ferro continued.

'Sissy was our family's spitfire, and although she had her moments (the good, bad and ugly) we loved her more than life itself and are heartbroken knowing she's gone.'

A wake was set for Friday at the Mastapeter Memorial Home in Bayville where a private funeral will take place.

Adriana was predeceased by her mother, Brandy, and is survived by her father, Michael, and step-mother, Sarah, as well as eight siblings.

They are now all demanding justice from the school district  which they have said did not do enough to protect the teenage girl.

Adriana Kuch was described online as a 'one-of-a-kind kid' who was the 'spitfire' of her family

Kuch was just a freshman at Central Regional High School in Bayville, New Jersey

Kuch is said to have loved to go on hikes with her brothers whenever she would visit

The 14-year-old was said to be a nature lover who loved to go on walks with her brothers

Kuch is seen here feeding a giraffe at one outing with her family. She was also said to have been able to make friends easily

Speaking to ABC 7, Michael said he was horrified to see the way his daughter had been treated and did not withhold his disgust when speaking to the outlet.

'Getting hit with a water bottle didn't hurt Adriana, what hurt her was the embarrassment and humiliation, they just kept coming at her,' he said.

'My daughter actually blacks out and they don't call an ambulance, they take her to the nurse's office,' Kuch said.

He added that Adriana had 'never been in a fight before, she's 98 pounds, 5'2 "and she loves everybody.'

The schools Superintendent Triantafillos Parlapanides told the outlet that police were not called after the attack.

'I don't believe a police report was done. We normally just suspend. If a parent wants to press charges, they can with the police,' he said.

'We're not going to double-whammy a kid where they are suspended and then police charges as well.'

He also defended the administration's actions to the New York Post, saying, 'If a situation warrants it, we'll call [police], but in this case the students were suspended immediately.

'We address every incident of bullying, but some of it is on the Internet and we aren't privy to that,' he continued. 'We're not the Internet police, but we don't put our head in the sand.'

According to her father Kuch was 'smashed in the face three times with a water bottle' and 'blacked out.' He then had to take his blood covered daughter to the police station to file a report because the school refused to do so

Adriana Kuch's father, Michael, pictured with her stepmom, Sarah

Outraged by the school's lack-luster response Michael seethed to NBC New York - slamming the institution that his daughter attended before she died.

'A kid is assaulted with a weapon and their policy is not to call the police or file a report,' he said to the broadcaster.

He then wrote about the vicious attack on his Facebook calling the attack 'planned'

'These four girls planned and executed an attack. If you watch the videos I have, they are laughing while talking about what they are going to do at the start of the video,' he wrote.

The grieving father said that he 'called everyone,' after he received the video - which showed his teenage daughter being beaten up - and 'no action was taken.'

He said he also received a second video of the incident from someone who reached out to him online.

Michael said he wasn't told that his daughter had been 'smashed in the face with a bottle three times' adding that he had also not been told his 'daughter blacked out.'

'All they did was take her to the school nurse, the school did not even file a police report. They told me that was not their policy,' he wrote.

'I had to take my daughter covered in blood to the local police station.'

Michael then took a swipe at the school saying more could have been done to discover and take down the videos.

'If the school contacted the police and filed a report and conducted an investigation, these videos could have been discovered immediately,' he wrote.

'I want the entire world to know what these animals did to my daughter. I will not sleep until their family has to watch them stand in front of a judge and plead guilty.'

Michael demanded that the Ocean County school district be held accountable for the harassment and bullying his daughter suffered 'over a long period of time.'

DailyMail.com have contacted Michael and Parlapanides, as well as the district's Anti-Bullying Coordinator, Thomas Gallahue for comment.

Students say Adriana Kuch was just the most recent victim of bullying inside the school

Adriana Kuch attended Central Regional High School in Berkeley Township

On Wednesday, more than 200 students protested outside Central Regional High, walking out of class and demanding action over bullying which they believe is systemic across the school district.

'Adriana took her own life because nobody at the school was able to help or care or step in,' sophomore Roman Valez told ABC 7.

'I would actually like to teach the people who bully what they're actually doing and how it affects.'

The district made a statement about the 14-year-old's death and cited crisis counsellors for those who needed them, but students claim they were not made aware of this in person.

'Nobody was supposed to know Adriana killed herself,' student Lance Jones told the outlet.

Michael took a swipe at the school saying more could have been done to discover and take down the videos that he believes led to the unnecessary death

More than 200 students have protested outside Central Regional High walking out of class and demanding action over bullying which they believe is systemic across the school district

Others at the protest shared similar tales of worrying and disturbing bullying behavior claiming that the district did nothing about it

The school community claim that Kuch was not the only victim of bullying and said last April another student had been attacked in the school cafeteria.

They suffered an injury which left them unable to fight back, according to Patch.

Others at the protest shared similar tales of worrying and disturbing bullying behavior claiming that the district did nothing about it.

A letter to parents from Superintendent Parlapanides stated: 'We fully understand that students, staff and the community are hurting for the loss of such a young lady with a bright future.'

'To ensure the health, safety and well-being for all students, there will not be any rallies in the future without prior administration approval otherwise action will be taken in accordance with policy.

'It is time to start the healing process and we want to send our thoughts and prayers to the family.'

Then when students planned another walk out on Thursday, parents say, the students were threatened with disciplinary action.

'They scared the kids into staying in school today,' father John Galife told News 12. 'It's a little bit of an abuse of power.'

He said students had a plan to leave class at 8am Thursday and rally outside, but he was told by text from one of his sons that they weren't being allowed to leave and were threatened.

If you or a loved one needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Line at 1-800-273-8255.
An Australian mother has revealed her seven-week-old daughter Lucky had a seemingly innocent cough before she ended up in hospital fighting for life after catching a severe bacterial infection in Bali.

Honey Ahimsa was in tears as she opened up about Lucky's urgent need to return to Australia to receive life-saving treatment, with her current hospital bills costing the family $8,000 a day.

Lucky was rushed to hospital in the early hours of Wednesday morning after she went into respiratory distress and was left gasping for air.

She was placed on a ventilator to help her breathe after the bacterial infection took a serious toll on her lungs.

Ms Ahimsa said her baby's first symptom was a cough, which she thought may have just been a common cold.

'I just tried to give her a lot of sleep, and that night she got worse,' the distraught mother told Sunrise on Friday morning.

Lucky is fighting for life in a Bali hospital due to a severe infection on her lungs

Honey Ahimsa was in tears as she opened up about her baby Lucky's urgent need to return to Australia to receive life-saving treatment

'The next day she wouldn't take my milk, her eyes started rolling back. I took her clothes off and I looked at her lungs and you could see them struggling.

'On the way to emergency she started to go really cold and she closed her eyes and I thought I lost her in that moment because she was so cold.'

Doctors told Ms Ahimsa and her fiance Pan their baby girl may not make it and has a 50 per cent chance of survival at best.

The hospital she is currently in doesn't have the right medical equipment or specialists to treat little Lucky.

Flying Lucky from Bali to Singapore on an air ambulance would cost her parents a staggering $90,000 while the frantic dash to Perth will set them back $65,000.

'I wish that I could just teleport her home to Australia and that she could just be in the best hospital,' Ms Ahimsa said.

'And they had all the medicine she needs and they could do the tests she needs so they could find out what she needs. I'm sorry I haven't slept in days.'

Honey Ahimsa and her fiance Pan hope they baby girl can be airlifted to Australia to get the best care she urgently needs

Lucky needs to be stable before she can fly to Australia and will remain in hospital until she is no longer in a critical condition.

Friends are now scrambling to help care for Ms Ahimsa's son Hendrix while scraping the funds together to fly Lucky to Australia to receive the best care.

They are also desperately searching for a specialist doctor as the hospital where Lucky is currently fighting for life doesn't have paediatric pulmonary specialist consultants.

Ms Ahimsa provided an update on her daughter's condition early Thursday after a harrowing 24 hours as she urged everyone to keep Lucky in their prayers.

She described Lucky as the most beautiful, gentle little girl and said the world needs to know her.

'There's nothing worse than a doctor telling you your baby isn't going to make it,' she wrote.

'My girl is hanging on though. I'm so proud of her.'

Ms Ahimsa also thanked everyone who contributed to an GoFundMe which has raised more than $125,000 as of Friday morning.

A friend of the family, Bailey Scarlett, earlier told Daily Mail Australia the specialist team Lucky needs is in another hospital but there are no free beds.

'We've been trying to find outside consultants ourselves and send all her scans and X-rays, medical notes and try to get medical opinion outside because we can't actually have the one that we need in Bali at the moment,' Ms Scarlett said.

'The other hospital with what we need is full and their insulator for a seven-week-old baby is broken. Even if we could get a room, they don't actually have the facilities to ventilate her.

'We just have the equipment to keep her alive, but not to actually potentially get her better.

'So we're really stuck in a pretty hard place at the moment.'
Buster Murdaugh has been booted to the back of court after reportedly putting his middle finger up at a witness in his father's double murder trial.

The 26-year-old former law student is said to have kicked over a water bottle in anger when security asked him to move out of the front row behind his father.

Alex's sister Lynn was also allegedly seen passing a note to his lawyer and the pair have been warned they will be banned from the trial if there are further breaches.

The alleged killer's brothers Randy and John Marvin have not been issued with any warning.

Buster's alleged obscene gesture may have even been caught on camera, with the legal heir seen biting on his middle finger while Mark Tinsley, the attorney for Mallory Beach's family, was giving evidence on Monday.

Buster's alleged obscene gesture may have even been caught on camera, with the legal heir seen biting on his middle finger while Mark Tinsley, the attorney for Mallory Beach's family, was giving evidence on Monday

Buster Murdaugh is seen on Thursday sitting a few rows further back than usual after he was reportedly warned over allegedly making an obscene gesture at a witness earlier in the week

Tinsley told the court that Alex tried to 'intimidate and bully' him because he was suing him over his son Paul's drunken boat crash that left 19-year-old Mallory dead in February, 2019.

Buster has been attending the trial every day, usually accompanied by his girlfriend Brooklynn White.

Alex's sister Lynn and brothers Randy and John Marvin have also attended most days.

The family have sat directly behind the defense table where Murdaugh is seated, appearing to show support for the alleged murderer.

Murdaugh, 54, is accused of shooting dead his wife Maggie, 52, and younger son Paul, 22, at the family's sprawling hunting estate in Islandton, South Carolina, on June 7, 2021.

Buster was staying near Charlotte with his girlfriend at the time of the murders.

Despite telling DailyMail.com in November that he does not want to see it written anywhere that he is supporting his father, he has dutifully sat behind him throughout the trial.

After proceedings on Monday he was seen making a salute gesture to Alex as the pair made eye contact and exchanged a few brief words before the legal scion was taken back to the Colleton County jail for the night.

Buster is scheduled as a defense witness along with his uncles Randy and John Marvin and aunt Lynn.

The prosecution is still laying out its case in the trial that began three weeks ago.

Buster Murdaugh and Brooklynn White are asked to stand so witness Chris Wilson can see them during Alex Murdaugh's trial for murder at the Colleton County Courthouse on Thursday

Buster Murdaugh and his girlfriend, Brooklynn White, and John Marvin Murdaugh, Alex Murdaugh's brother, arrive at Colleton County Courthouse on Thursday

On Monday, Tinsley gave evidence in the absence of the jury about how Murdaugh claimed he was broke while he was pursuing him for money for Beach's family over the boat wreck.

A hearing for disclosure on Murdaugh's finances was due three days after Maggie and Paul were killed. But as a result of their deaths it never took place.

The prosecution argued that Tinsley's evidence was essential to proving how Murdaugh's financial crimes had come to a head like 'a gathering storm.'

The judge granted the prosecution motion to allow Tinsley to give evidence before jurors. He started giving that evidence on Thursday afternoon.

In his earlier testimony, during which Buster is alleged to have made the obscene gesture, Tinsley told how Murdaugh had tried to 'intimidate' him into dropping the lawsuit.

He said he met the alleged killed at fundraising event for either state senator Dick Harpootlian or US senator Lindsey Graham in 2019. Harpootlian is also Murdaugh's defense attorney in the murder trial.

'He comes over and he gets up close in my face and he says, "Hey bo, what's this I'm hearing about what you're saying, I thought we were friends"', Tinsley told the court.

Tinsley said he interpreted this as an attempt to 'intimidate me and bully me into backing off.'

Tinsley told the court that Alex tried to 'intimidate and bully' him because he was suing him over his son Paul's drunken boat crash that left 19-year-old Mallory Beach (pictured) dead

Beach family attorney Mark Tinsley (left) recalled being confronted by Murdaugh (right) who tried to 'intimidate' him at a fundraising event attended by trial lawyers - either for state senator Dick Harpootlian or US senator Lindsey Graham in 2019. Harpootlian is also Murdaugh's defense attorney in the murder trial

Then in November 2020, Tinsley was told that Murdaugh was broke. The attorney said he knew Murdaugh's firm made substantial money and that his family had generational wealth.

'There wasn't any way that he could be broke, he's actively settling cases, big cases,' he said.

Asked about the sum he was seeking, Tinsley said it became a matter of professional integrity for him to try and get as much money for the Beach family as possible.

He said the evidence against Murdaugh was damning, that he had been negligent in allowing his underage son to drive his boat under the influence of alcohol. He told the court Paul had bought booze using his elder brother Buster's ID.

If he simply took the insurance money without pursuing Murdaugh personally it would appear that 'there was a fix on.'

Alex Murdaugh with his wife Maggie, eldest son Buster, right, and younger son Paul, left

'I think for a long time Alex thought there was a fix on,' Tinsley added.

The attorney said it was met with 'shock [in the legal community] that I was going to find Murdaugh personally responsible.'

He filed a motion to compel Murdaugh's lawyers to provide evidence to support his claim he was broke.

Tinsley said he was initially 'stone-walled' and then Murdaugh's lawyers filed an objection to his motion.

A hearing to compel Murdaugh to disclose his finances was scheduled for June 10 - three days before Maggie and Paul were shot dead.

As a result, the hearing was postponed and never rescheduled.

Tinsley said: 'Pretty quickly, I recognized that the case against Alex, if he were in fact the victim of some vigilante, would be over.'
The California doctor who is accused of intentionally driving his wife and children off a 250-foot cliff has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Dharmesh Patel, 42, denied charges that he tried to kill his wife and two young children when he drove his Tesla off California's Devil's Slide cliff on January 2. Miraculously, all four survived the devastating crash.

Patel has been charged with three counts of attempted murder, with enhancements of using great bodily harm as well as domestic violence. If convicted, he could face life in prison.

But in court on Thursday, his lawyer said a 'witness' in the case did not want him prosecuted for his alleged actions, a reporter for NBC Bay Area tweeted from the scene.

Still, a judge in San Mateo Court ruled that Patel can only have limited contact with his family, especially his wife, as he remains in custody without bail.

Dharmesh Patel, 42, pictured in court on February 9, 2023

Dharmesh Patel, right, is accused of intentionally trying to kill his wife and two young children when he drove off Devil's Slide cliff on January 2

Prosecutors say they have video from the Lantos Tunnel showing how he veered off the road

Prosecutors are expected to use traffic camera video from Lantos Tunnel as evidence that Patel, who works as a radiologist at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Pasadena, intentionally steered his Tesla Model Y off the cliff.

'There are cameras,' San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said. 'So we have video showing the movement of the car.'

That video, he said, 'clearly shows his car coming out of the tunnel, going up the hill, making a right turn off the road into a dirt area at the top. And then a sharp right turn down and over the edge and down the cliff.'

State attorneys will also likely bring up witness statements, as two people who were allegedly driving behind Patel on January 2 'who watched what occurred and were able to provide information about lack of brake lights,' Wagstaffe told People.

Additionally, Patel's wife, Neha, allegedly told paramedics 'he intentionally tried to kill us' after they rappelled down the steep cliff to rescue the family.

'She said very simply this was not an accident. We do believe the evidence establishes the necessary intent to kill,' Wagstaffe previously told the San Francisco Chronicle.

But Neha has not spoken to investigators since that initial interview.

Patel was arrested after California Highway Patrol investigators 'developed probable cause to believe this incident was an intentional act,' the agency said.

He was then booked into San Mateo County's Maguire Correctional Facility in late January.

Patel is pictured in a mugshot after he was booked in the San Mateo County's Maguire Correctional Facility late last month

The wreckage of the Tesla is pictured at the bottom of the cliff

The car was traveling northbound on Highway 1 near San Francisco at around 10am on Monday, January 2 when it plummeted off the side of the Devil's Side cliff

Patel's Tesla is now being examined by the California Highway Patrol's Major Accident Investigation Team 'to see did the brakes go out? Do we have flat tires? Whatever they could determine from the vehicle,' Wagstaffe said.

'But there was nothing immediately that would indicate any type of vehicle disability or problem,' he added. 'I am convinced that, on the evidence we have at this point, that it was an intentional act.

'Now again, multiple things could occur, and this happens in criminal cases where the family comes forward and they give us a description of some things that put a different light on it. Or the wife comes forward and says, "Let me tell you wat occurred and to explain it."

'Or the CHP MAIT team comes back and says, "Look it, there was a mechanical difficulty with the vehicle,' Wagstaffe continued. 'So the facts, the whole story is not out yet.

'It's just the story we have right now, it certainly appears this was an intentional act to us and that's why we filed the charges.

'But we'll learn, we'll find out hopefully more as time goes on.'

Patel's wife, Neha, had previously told investigators, 'he tried to kill us'

Sheriff's deputies work to free the car after the family was airlifted to safety on January 2

The huge drop from the highway to the scene of the crash. The family members were airlifted to safety

Troopers were dispatched at around 10am on January 2 to reports that a vehicle had veered off the cliff on Highway 1, around 20 miles south of San Francisco. The steep, rocky, winding coastal area is known as Devil's Slide.

Fire Chief Brian Pottenger told reporters: 'We go there all the time for cars over the cliff and they never live. This was an absolute miracle.'

The car was initially said to have flipped multiple times. However, experts have since raised doubts, arguing the heavy batteries located in the floor of the Tesla would have stopped it from rolling.

There was no guardrail at the spot where the sedan went off the cliff, officials said.

Patel was seen driving at speed northbound on Highway 1 and he is speculated to have performed a sharp turn before reaching the Tom Lantos Tunnel, which is where the Tesla veered off the road, first onto a dirt area and then down the cliff.

Robin Johnson, who called 911 after seeing the crash, recalled: 'Wow, he's driving extremely fast to take that exit. You're not even supposed to be going up that way.

'And I can see in my rear-view mirror this car just go over the edge and straight down.'

Rescue teams had to abseil down the side of the cliff while others used helicopters to try to reach the family

About 30 to 50 rescuers arrived at the scene, where it was initially assumed that anyone in the car must have been dead.

A helicopter and specialist teams were required to rappel down the cliff to the car. It was not until hours later that rescue teams discovered the four family members conscious and alert in the car.

The children were pulled out first, through a back window, and hauled up the cliff by hand in a rescue basket using a pulley.

The doctor and his wife were more seriously injured and had to be hoisted out by helicopter and were then flown directly to the hospital.

Neighbors expressed their shock after learning the allegations against Patel, describing their family as 'idyllic'.

Roger Newmark, who lives several doors down from the family on a leafy Pasadena street, told CBS: 'They're the sweetest couple and they have the greatest two little kids.'

The hospital where Patel works as a radiologist also released a statement after the crash.

'Providence Holy Cross Medical Center is deeply saddened to learn of a traffic incident involving one of our physicians and his family,' it said.

'We are extremely grateful there were no serious injuries. We will not respond further, as this incident is under investigation.'

According to an online profile, Patel graduated from the Wayne State University School of Medicine in Michigan and has been practicing for more than a decade.
A backlash against the Tory deputy chairman after he called for the return of the death penalty was blasted as 'sneering snobbery' and 'Leftie hysteria' by MPs last night.

Lee Anderson MP, a former miner who defected from Labour in 2018, backed executions for some crimes saying it has a '100 per cent success rate' in stopping re-offending.

Senior Labour and Scottish National Party figures lined up attack Mr Anderson, saying he was talking 'nonsense' and the Tories were 'scraping the barrel'.

But Conservatives said he should be nicknamed 'he stands for me Lee' because he represents the views of millions.

Lee Anderson MP, a former miner who defected from Labour in 2018, backed executions for some crimes saying it has a '100 per cent success rate' in stopping re-offending

One expert said 'we need more people like Lee Anderson' because so many MPs are university-educated career politicians.

Yesterday Rishi Sunak ruled out the return of the death penalty: 'That's not my view, that's not the Government's view.'

The PM's spokesman added that Mr Anderson does not speak for the Government because he is not a minister, adding that the deputy chairman was 'very hardworking' and 'an excellent campaigner who is very popular'.

In the interview, published in the Spectator yesterday, Mr Anderson said migrants crossing the Channel in small boats should be returned to France 'the same day' on a Royal Navy frigate. He also said the Tories were soft on welfare.

Most controversially, he backed executions for the most serious crimes, citing the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby in 2013.

He said: 'Nobody has ever committed a crime after being executed  100 per cent success rate.'

The interview drew an immediate reaction on Twitter. Labour health spokesman Wes Streeting said 'good grief', while Labour MP Zarah Sultana said: 'That sound you can hear? It's the Conservatives scraping the barrel.'

But they were accused of looking down on working class values.

Former minister Brendan Clarke-Smith MP said: 'This is snobbery. You get the sneering attitude from SNP and Labour, and I just don't think a lot of them have got the life experience to be able to do that.

'Lee's lived as a single parent on low income, he's been a miner, he's worked in Citizens' Advice. He understands the challenges people face.'

Scott Benton, the MP for Blackpool South, a red wall seat that turned Tory at the last election, dismissed the response as 'the usual Leftie hysteria' while Mr Anderson's co-deputy chairman Nickie Aiken MP added: 'There is certainly a snobbish "we know better" attitude from the North London Labour party front bench.'

Political scientists said research showed that nine in ten MPs 'belong to the university class', while many have never worked outside politics.

Matt Goodwin, professor of politics at the University of Kent, said: 'Irrespective of his views, we need more people like Lee Anderson in politics.

We talk a lot about gender diversity, and ethnicity, but we don't talk about values and education. A lot of voters don't feel they have much of a voice in politics.'

Penny Mordaunt, leader of the House of Commons, told MPs that Mr Anderson should be known as 'he stands up for me Lee'.

Polling last month by YouGov showed around half the public supported the death penalty for child, terrorist and serial killers.
Cancer waiting times were revealed to be the worst on record last year with more than 50,000 people a month waiting at least two weeks to see a specialist.

The damning NHS figures have fuelled pressure on the Government not to scrap its ten-year cancer plan  a long-term strategy dedicated to fighting the disease and investing in future services.

Some 25,000 patients in England were forced to wait more than a month for treatment last year  five times as many as a decade before  according to Macmillan Cancer Support research.

Although record numbers eventually started treatment, the charity found that every national cancer target was missed at least once for the first time ever.

Steven McIntosh, of Macmillan, said: The Government can no longer sidestep its responsibility for such systemic failures within cancer care.

Each month, there are thousands of people left with their lives hanging in the balance who continue to be neglected by the UK Governments failure to bring in measures desperately needed to recover cancer services and improve agonising waiting times for people facing suspected cancer.

Under NHS targets, patients should see a cancer specialist within two weeks of an urgent GP referral. If diagnosed, they should then start treatment within a month  with the process meant to take less than 62 days.

An average of 234,756 people with suspected cancer are being seen every month  compared to 100,392 a month in 2012. In the same period, the average number starting treatment has risen by a third.

However 2,106 people are waiting too long to start treatment per month  more than six times higher than a decade ago, when it was 336.

The ten-year plan was unveiled by then-health secretary, Sajid Javid, who declared a national war on cancer to recover services hit by the pandemic.

But it was recently announced that the scheme would be axed in favour of a major conditions strategy  part of a new multi-disease plan. The decision leaves England as one of only a handful of countries without a dedicated national cancer plan.

More than 50 MPs last week urged ministers to reverse the decision, while leading oncologists have also written to Health Secretary Steve Barclay warning that the disease was too complex and too costly to treat without a dedicated plan.

Although record numbers eventually started treatment, the charity found that every national cancer target was missed at least once for the first time ever

How you can beat NHS waiting lists: By exercising the right to choose your hospital, you could be seen at least three months earlier - so why aren't more patients being told about it? Choosing or switching hospital is not a dodgy loophole: its part of NHS rule boo Advertisement

Cancer Research UK estimates cases will rise from 384,000 cases per year now to 506,000 in 2040 if current trends continue, with deaths set to rise by almost a quarter over the same period.

Professor Karol Sikora, a leading consultant oncologist and former director of the World Health Organisations cancer programme, said deaths could spike from 2025 onwards if cancer was not treated with the same urgency as Covid.

Citing the success of the vaccine rollout, he called for a similar short-term strategy to boost diagnostic capacity.

He said: If we have a real blitz over a three-month period where we say, lets all work together at weekends to make it go and get volunteers in, we could clear most of [the backlog] in three months if we really put our minds to it.

But it needs a plan  its no use giving these bland statements saying were investing in this and that, youre not going to solve it. By the time you build something, its going to be too late. NHS data shows eight in ten people with suspected cancer were seen by a specialist within a fortnight. But almost one in ten had to wait more than three weeks and around one in 20 over 28 days.

An NHS spokesman said the service needed to increase capacity to meet the record demand. However, he highlighted that the NHS is diagnosing more cancers at an early stage than ever before with 2.8 million people having urgent cancer checks last year and 320,000 starting treatment.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said the department knows that there is more to do. Adding that the department is determined to reduce the time between cancer referral and consultation, he said they have opened 92 community diagnostic centres to detect the disease.
An Albanian drug dealer jailed for his part in a Deliveroo-style cocaine service is using European law to fight deportation.

Eldjort Ajazi acted as a courier for the drug enterprise, which is thought to have made up to 450,000 before it was brought down by police.

Now 35, Ajazi arrived in the UK in 2006 and remained in the country illegally until his arrest in 2020. He pleaded guilty for conspiracy to supply cocaine and was handed a 45-month sentence in February 2021. But the former construction worker is now appealing against an order that would force him to return to Albania.

His case relies on the controversial right to respect for family life  as set out in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). This includes the rights of parents to have contact with their children.

Eldjort Ajazi (pictured) acted as a courier for the drug enterprise, which is thought to have made up to 450,000 before it was brought down by police

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is reportedly considering pulling the UK out of the ECHR to make it easier to deport migrants.

Yesterday, a court that hears appeals against Home Office decisions was told that Ajazi has a two-year-old son, who was born while he was in prison.

Angela Sharma, representing Ajazi, told the first-tier tribunal her client accepted he had been involved in a serious crime in the UK and he was remorseful for that.

But she argued it would be unduly harsh to separate Ajazi from his son and Zelihe Vehapaj, 22, the boys mother and Ajazis partner. Ms Vehapaj, herself an Albanian national, lives with their son in a London council flat while Ajazi lives with his brother in Norwich.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is reportedly considering pulling the UK out of the European Convention on Human Rights to make it easier to deport migrants

Ajazi's case relies on the controversial right to respect for family life  as set out in the European Convention on Human Rights

Ajazi, who said he visits his son and partner four times a week, believes his life could be at risk in Albania due to a 26,000 debt he racked up from a cocaine addiction. However, an asylum application on the basis of these claims was rejected last year and Ajazi is yet to lodge an appeal.

A representative for the Home Office argued for the deportation to be enforced due to his involvement in a particularly serious crime and a lack of evidence of Ajazis devotion to his family.

A decision on the appeal is expected in the coming weeks.
China rolls out measures to further support foreign-funded R&D centers

People's Daily Online) 14:57, February 09, 2023

China recently introduced a series of measures encouraging foreign investors to establish research and development (R&D) centers in the country.

A recent policy document released by the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) outlined 16 measures to strengthen support for foreign-funded R&D centers.

This photo taken on July 4, 2022 shows a workshop of the Volkswagen Anhui MEB (Modular Electric Drive Matrix) plant under construction in East China's Anhui province. (Photo/Xinhua)

The measures are practical and effective tools for helping foreign-funded R&D centers develop in China, said Chen Chunjiang, assistant minister of commerce.

For example, the measures allow teams to apply for work permits and work-related residence permits in groups, promote the facilitation of cross-border collection and payment of funding for overseas talents, and encourage financial institutions to provide financial support for scientific and technological innovation as well as basic and cutting-edge research in foreign-funded R&D centers.

In terms of optimizing services for scientific and technological innovation, the measures stipulate that China will provide better guidance for foreign-funded R&D centers that apply for identification as high-tech enterprises, and offer more efficient and targeted services for the establishment and operation of foreign-funded R&D centers.

China will support the use of large scientific apparatus, scientific and technological reports and related data in accordance with the law, which will provide foreign-funded R&D centers with a solid underpinning for basic research and key, generic technology R&D.

Relevant departments will encourage national high-tech zones and national independent innovation demonstration zones to provide sound policy support and services for land, industry and talents, and a business-friendly and liveable environment for greater development of foreign-funded R&D centers.

China will support the development of foreign-funded R&D centers with intensified efforts and more concrete measures, and encourage the establishment of more foreign-funded R&D centers in high grounds of innovation such as Beijing, Shanghai, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, Wuhan city and Xian city, said Wu Jiaxi, deputy director-general of the Department of Research Commercialization and Regional Innovation of MOST.

A large number of foreign-funded R&D centers have grown rapidly in China, particularly in the international sci-tech innovation hubs of Beijing, Shanghai and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Wu added.

Shanghai added 25 foreign-funded R&D centers in 2022, bringing the total to 531. Last year, 29 foreign-funded enterprises, including Intel, AstraZeneca and Hitachi were included in the first batch of foreign-funded R&D centers.

Foreign-funded R&D centers have helped attract and bring together high-end innovation elements. They serve as important platforms for foreign-invested enterprises to attract and gather high-end talents at home and abroad. From 2012 to 2021, R&D investment in foreign-invested industrial enterprises above designated size increased from 176.36 billion yuan (about $26.02 billion) to 337.74 billion yuan, up 91.5 percent.

These centers have played a leading role in promoting high-level innovation activities. With their strong innovation capability in basic and cutting edge sectors, they have helped foreign enterprises deliver high-quality innovation results, and encouraged innovators in China to step up the pace of R&D innovation. From 2012 to 2021, the number of valid patent holdings of foreign-invested industrial enterprises above designated size increased from 68,000 to 241,000, up 255.2 percent.

In addition, they have contributed to mutual learning and connection between innovation networks in and outside of China. In recent years, China has accumulated a number of high-level foreign-funded R&D centers in information, biomedicine, new materials, new energy and other sectors, which has facilitated the countrys integration into global industrial and innovation chains.

Foreign-funded R&D centers are an important part of Chinas scientific and technological innovation system, which has not only contributed to introducing international cutting-edge technologies and high-end talents, and improving industrial technologies and abilities for scientific and technological innovation, but also effectively promoted the rapid development of global industrial and innovation chains, Chen said.

According to a survey recently conducted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, which covered over 160 foreign enterprises and foreign chambers of commerce in China, 99.4 percent of the respondents said they were more confident in Chinas economic development in 2023, and 98.7 percent would maintain and expand their investment in China.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Achieving self-sufficiency, particularly for African countries, through beneficiation of indigenous resources is an ambition at President Mnangagwas heart, and this was one of the areas he applauded Equatorial Guinea for yesterday.

Whenever he gets a platform to express his mind and vision, the subject of self-sufficiency always finds its way into the conversation.

Last year, Zimbabwe achieved self-sufficiency in the production of wheat, and this has been a source of pride for President Mnangagwa, who has taken every opportunity to share the achievement with the regional and international community.

The climate-proofed Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme, in its vernacular names, makes up part of his speeches at home and in foreign lands.

Equatorial Guinea, where President Mnangagwa is on a three-day State visit that ends today, is no exception.

It is, therefore, not a surprise, when writing in the visitors book at the Punta Europa (Oil Complex), that President Mnangagwa expressed his admiration for Equatorial Guineas ability to generate own electricity for the entire city of Malabo using the skills of its own people.

He applauded the Punta Europa management for their skills and technology to run and manage this modern day complex plant.

I am happy this complex is domestically operated by the local people of this Republic. Further, I admire that this gas powers buses operated here in Malabo. Congratulations for this self-sufficiency, wrote President Mnangagwa.

During the tour, President Mnangagwa was accompanied by Equatorial Guinea Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons, Antonio Oburu Ondo, on behalf of his counterpart, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.

He said the fact that the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) produced at Punta Europa was exported to first world countries, was testimony that it was of high quality that met international standards.

At a State Banquet hosted by his counterpart, President Nguema Mbasogo on Tuesday, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe looked forward to tap into the treasure trove of experience that Equatorial Guinea had in the gas and oil sectors.

Although Invictus Energy, the company exploring for gas and oil in Muzarabani has not officially announced gas and oil discovery, in its last communication it announced the presence of 13 potential hydrocarbon bearing zones and called Mukuyu-1 and ST1 drill campaign a great success.

This is an outstanding result and virtually unprecedented for the first well in a frontier basin, establishing a new petroleum province and substantially de-risking the companys wider acreage in the Cabora Bassa Basin, said Invictus Energy managing director, Mr Scott MacMillian.

Equatorial Guinea exports crude oil and other beneficiated products, earning millions of US dollars.

The entire complex, which houses three different companies, employees over 1 000 people who work in several shifts.

The workers run the plants without any stoppages since commissioned, according to one of the tour guides. Herald
The Princess of Wales's former history teacher told tonight how he had 'excitedly' come into work on his day off to reunite with his former pupil for the first time in 25 years - and said: 'She's exuberant and is just like she was!'

A delighted Jim Embury met an equally thrilled Kate during a visit today to the National Maritime Museum in Cornwall, where the pensioner now volunteers part time.

The pair hugged and chatted in heartwarming scenes in front of crowds in the harbour town with the mother-of-three, 41, telling her old teacher: 'The things you taught me, I now teach to my children.'

In an exclusive interview with MailOnline Mr Embury, 79, teased: 'I hate to think what those children are learning!'

He was full of praise for the royal, who with Prince William was visiting the museum to learn about the area's maritime heritage.

Jim Embury, 79, volunteers at the National Maritime Museum and came into work on his day off just to see his former pupil

The Princess of Wales was clearly thrilled to see her former history teacher as they reunited for the first time in 25 years

He said: 'It was an incredible meeting and the first time I had seen Kate in 25 years. She hasn't changed, not one bit, and is just like she was - conscientious, considerate and exuberant.'

Mr Embury, who previously unknown to Kate lives and works in the town, added: 'She is a wonderful woman.'

He explained: 'I didn't know she was coming to the museum until 6am this morning. It was my day off and I only work Fridays.

'We were asked if we would be available to be on standby for the royal visit, and of course I wanted to.

'The prospect of meeting Kate after all these years was very exciting so I went in on my day off.'

Softly spoken Canadian Mr Embury, who has a British wife, made sure he was in the forefront to see his ex pupil from St Andrews prep school in Berkshire who had 'no idea' he would be there.

During the 'meet and greet' before Kate headed into the museum, he approached her.

She recognised him instantly, threw her arms around him and said: 'Oh my goodness! My gosh, that's taken me right back!'

Mr Embury reiterated to MailOnline: 'She is a lovely, considerate, wonderful woman' and said the photos of them together were 'joyful' to later see for him and his wife

When the popular royal found out that he had relocated to Cornwall, Kate enthusiastically exclaimed: 'No way!'

The children's Princess! Kate meets a young royal fan outside the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth

The Princess of Wales looked thrilled to meet her young royal fan this afternoon

The Prince and Princess of Wales laugh as they attempt to refurbish a boat during their tour of the National Maritime Museum Cornwall

Mr Embury, originally from Ontario and known as 'Canadian Jim' in his neighbourhood, said it was like a 'whirlwind' meeting her and he could 'barely remember our first words spoken.'

Speaking from his home hours after the memorable occasion, he said: 'Kate was very kind and was talking about her children and what they were learning from her which she said she had learned partly from me.'

When the popular royal found out that he had relocated to Cornwall, Kate enthusiastically exclaimed: 'No way!'

Reminiscing about her school days, she went on to say how she could visualise exactly what her teacher's classroom used to look like.

As the pair happily chatted Prince William continued to speak to spectators.

Mr Embury reiterated to MailOnline: 'She is a lovely, considerate, wonderful woman' and said the photos of them together were 'joyful' to later see for him and his wife.

He said: 'She was a fantastic student and it was so nice to see her again.'

He revealed that whilst he didn't follow the royal family, he often saw what they were up to on news websites.

He declined to speculate on what type of future Queen Kate would make.

During their visit to the museum's workshop, the Prince and Princess of Wales helped those working on the refurbishment of the Kiwi, a 14-foot sailing dinghy which was presented to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip as a wedding present from the Royal New Zealand Navy.

Mr Embury refused to discuss if he had been among staff and volunteers showing the royals around, saying: 'I'm a volunteer on Fridays!'
London's Canary Wharf awoke on a bed of clouds on Wednesday, its steel skyscrapers softened by thick morning fog.

Although the view from the ground on the Isle of Dogs might have left something to be desired, Richard Clarke, of Godalming, Surrey, captured the glorious skyline on his flight in from New York to Heathrow.

Canary Wharf emerges from a blanket of fog over London

From his aerial advantage, it is possible to identify many of the financial district's landmark towers... but can you guess which building is which in the image?

Answers below.
Police will return to the rugged wilderness where two elderly campers were allegedly murdered in the hope of retrieving their phones.

Former Jetstar pilot Greg Lynn, 56, on Thursday appeared before the Supreme Court of Victoria where he will face trial over Russell Hill, 74, and Carol Clay's, 73, alleged murders in the Victorian High Country in March 2020.

Crown prosecutor John Dickie told the court police would go back to the area where Lynn allegedly discarded the couple's phones.

Former Jetstar pilot Greg Lynn has pleaded not guilty to killing the secret lover campers

Police allege Greg Lynn shot dead Carl Clay (left) before stabbing to death Russell Hill (right)

During a preliminary hearing held in Melbourne last month, the court heard Lynn camped overnight in the wilderness after he allegedly shot Ms Clay and stabbed Mr Hill to death.

On March 1 last year, police allege Lynn took detectives to a section of Rose River Road and showed them where he disposed of Mr Hill's and Ms Clay's mobile phones.

He allegedly told them he had thrown them into the river.

While no trial date has been set, a Supreme Court judicial registrar suggested police make finding those phones its priority.

'I appreciate the police will be working hard at this but the sooner any of those further investigation inquiries can be made the better,' he said.

Mr Dickie said the police investigation into the alleged murders would continue until the final moments of the expected trial.

'The investigation in this case will continue until verdict, until the jury go out so I can't guarantee anything your honour,' Mr Dickie told the court.

Lynn will remain in custody until his next scheduled court appearance in May, when a battle over the admissibility of his record of interview to police will begin.

Lynn's barrister, Dermot Dann, KC, told the court the outcome of that argument would likely alter how his defence is run.

'Depending on the pre-trial, the way the prosecution will present their case may be dramatically different,' he said.

'Both sides would need some time to reflect on the position once those rulings are made.'

Victoria Police and forensic teams search for the remains of Russell Hill and Carol Clay in bushland north of Dargo on November 30, 2021. They are expected to return again over the coming weeks

Detective acting-Sergeant Brett Florence was deployed to the crime scene (pictured) weeks after the campers went missing after police initially believed they had just got lost

Detective acting-Sergeant Brett Florence (left) leaves the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday with colleague Senior Constable Daniel Passingham. The pair were pivotal in the recovery of the bodies of Russell Hill and Carol Clay

Detective acting-Sergeant Brett Florence last month revealed he had unfinished business in the harsh bush terrain where the fractured remains of the secret lover campers were found.

Covid restrictions and harsh weather conditions meant police left the mountains before they were satisfied all they could do had been done in the homicide investigations.

For 20 long months the disappearance of the campers captivated the Australian public while behind the scenes police worked to track down the suspected killer.

Special Operations Group officers had descended from the sky to arrest Lynn in November 2021.

The bodies of the campers were found just days later.

Lynn has pleaded not guilty to killing Mr Hill and Ms Clay.
Google's new AI chatbot made an embarrassing gaffe because it was 'rushed' out ahead of schedule amid growing competition from ChatGPT and Microsoft, tech industry experts claimed today.

The mistake  which saw Google's Bard get a question wrong in a video posted to Twitter  wiped off 100 billion from the firm's value.

It happened as Google faces the biggest threat to its dominance in web search, with commentators suggesting that the hurried unveiling of Bard was done to stop the tech giant being outmuscled in the race to revolutionise how we search the internet.

Bard's error happened when the chatbot was asked what to tell a nine-year-old about the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and its discoveries.

In response, it said Webb was the first to take pictures of a planet outside of earth's solar system. However, astronomers were quick to point out that this was actually done in 2004 by the European Observatory's Very Large Telescope.

This week, Google released its own AI technology, Bard. This advert for it showed the tool giving a wrong answer to a prompt about the James Webb Space Telescope

Shares in Alphabet fell as much as nine per cent after its new artificial intelligence bot, Bard, showed inaccurate information on the advertisement

The incorrect answer to the sample question overshadowed Google's launch of Bard, sending the value of parent company Alphabet crashing towards 1trillion.

Gil Luria, a senior software analyst at DA Davidson, said Google had been 'scrambling' to catch up in the arms race to make search engines more human-like with the help of artificial intelligence.

The grand vision is for people to receive a single answer when they scour the internet, rather than hundreds of thousands of results in a list, as is the way currently.

WHAT IS CHATGPT? ChatGPT is a large language model that has been trained on a massive amount of text data, allowing it to generate eerily human-like text in response to a given prompt OpenAI says its ChatGPT model has been trained using a machine learning technique called Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback (RLHF). This can simulate dialogue, answer follow-up questions, admit mistakes, challenge incorrect premises and reject inappropriate requests. It responds to text prompts from users and can be asked to write essays, lyrics for songs, stories, marketing pitches, scripts, complaint letters and even poetry. Advertisement

He added that seeing the success of ChatGPT  and the impending announcement of its tie-up with Microsoft's Bing search engine  had 'caused the [Bard] announcement to be rushed'.

'While Google has been a leader in AI innovation over the last several years, they seemed to have fallen asleep on implementing this technology into their search product,' Mr Luria told The Guardian.

'Google has been scrambling over the last few weeks to catch up on search and that caused the announcement to be rushed and the embarrassing mess-up of posting a wrong answer during their demo.'

Edward Coram James, CEO and co-founder of search engine marketing agency Go Up, said that Google's 'hand has clearly been forced' by the release of ChatGPT.

The chatbot was made available for free by San Francisco-based start-up OpenAI in December, and has taken the internet by storm ever since  opening the public's eyes to just how powerful the technology has become in recent years.

Mr Coram James told MailOnline: 'Google already has a form of AI (LaMDA) that, in the industry, is considered to be more sophisticated than ChatGPT.

'They have withheld releasing it due to monetisation and accuracy concerns, but, with ChatGPT, their hand has clearly been forced, and they are rolling out Bard, presumably ahead of schedule.'

LaMDA (Language Model for Dialog Applications) is an AI system that was trained on vast amounts of data to understand dialogue, and was first announced in May 2021.

It is considered Google's most advanced chatbot, and can understand and create text that mimics a conversation.

Bard uses a lightweight model version of LaMDA which requires significantly less computing power than the full version, allowing for more users.

Google has previously said it had avoided launching certain AI products because of the potential 'reputational damage', but its tactics appear to have changed following ChatGPT's success.

It has been reported by the New York Times that the launch of OpenAI's software raised alarms within Google.

So much so that the search engine's founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin are said to have reviewed the firm's artificial intelligence product strategy and pitched ideas to add more chatbot features into Google's search engine.

Fast forward a few weeks and AI appears to be front and centre of Google's plans for the future, with the company beating Microsoft to the punch in revealing its new AI software.

Tech industry experts say that Google was 'rushed' into announcing Bard, its chatbot powered by artificial intelligence (AI), to rival the revolutionary ChatGPT

ChatGPT is a large language model that has been trained on a massive amount of text data, allowing it to generate eerily human-like text in response to a given prompt

A ChatGPT response after it was asked to write an essay about how important it is for the UK and Switzerland to be part of the EU's research program Horizon Europe

In response to the JWST gaffe, a Google spokesperson said: 'This highlights the importance of a rigorous testing process, something we're kicking off this week.

'We'll combine external feedback with our internal testing to make sure Bard's responses meet a high bar for quality, safety and groundedness in real-world information.'

Accuracy concerns are not limited to Bard; OpenAI has acknowledged ChatGPT's tendency to respond with 'plausible-sounding but incorrect or nonsensical answers', an issue it considers challenging to fix.

'ChatGPT, at least the open research version, is quite happy to make up facts or invent references to support its arguments,' said Dr Mark Lee, a Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Birmingham.

But issues regarding accuracy have led to speculation about how quickly these AI chatbots can be incorporated into search engines.

On Tuesday, it was revealed that ChatGPT was being incorporated into a new version of Microsoft's Bing.

After inputting a query you are presented with a familiar-looking list of hyperlinks, but on the right side is a small box containing a response generated by the bot.

This week, Microsoft unveiled its new Bing search engine which incorporates ChatGPT

After inputting a query into the new Bing you are presented with a familiar-looking list of hyperlinks, but on the right side is a small box containing a response generated by the bot

However, experts think that ChatGPT's routine inaccuracies mean that this beta version of an AI-enhanced search engine shouldn't rattle Google too much

Google launches its ChatGPT competitor 'Bard' - read more Following the success of ChatGPT, Google announced its competitor called Bard Advertisement

A demo version of the updated website is currently live, with a number of pre-set search terms available to try out the new feature.

However, Mr Coram Jones thinks that ChatGPT's routine inaccuracies mean that this beta version shouldn't rattle Google too much.

He told MailOnline: 'With Google's search results pages, searchers can cross check different results to get a multitude of answers to the same question, thus coming to a consensus about what is correct and what is not.

'ChatGPT offers one answer, but puts this forward with the confidence of accuracy, however it has been shown to be inaccurate much of the time.

'Until this accuracy issue is sorted - no mean feat - Googles presentation of diversity in answers will always be preferred.'

Indeed, Microsoft hopes user feedback will improve the AI-assisted Bing, which officials said may still produce factually inaccurate information.

Dr Lee also does not think Google will have been swayed too much by recent releases.

He told MailOnline: 'Im not sure it's correct that Google are rushing their version out.

'Microsoft owning the commercial licence for ChatGPT was always going to disrupt the internet search engine space.'

In December, just after ChatGPT's launch, Gmail developer Paul Buchheit predicted that 'AI will eliminate the search engine result page' and cause 'total disruption' for Google.

A New York Times report also said that Google executives sounded a code red within the company as pressure to compete with Microsoft's ChatGPT mounted.

In December, Gmail developer Paul Buchheit predicted that 'AI will eliminate the search engine result page' and cause 'total disruption' for Google

The AI chatbot hit 100 million users just two months after launch - by comparison, it took TikTok nine months to reach the milestone.

Microsoft later announced its 'multi-year, multi-billion-dollar investment' in OpenAI to grow the tech.

According to analysis by Digital-adoption.com, over the last month, the firm has broken into the top 50 global sites as visits hit 672 million due to ChatGPT.

The AI chatbot has also sparked fears that artificial intelligence could automate millions of jobs out of existence.

I believe that ChatGPT could replace 20 percent of the workforce as is, AI expert Richard DeVere, Head of Social Engineering for Ultima, told DailyMail.com.

ChatGPT is no fad  its a new technological revolution.'
'Chief Twit' Elon Musk has made yet another massive change to Twitter, by increasing the character limit on tweets more than 10-fold.

People in the US who are subscribed to Twitter Blue, the platform's 8-per-month subscription service, can now post tweets with up to a whopping 4,000 characters.

Twitter made the change on Wednesday night but a couple of hours later said the site is not 'working as expected' and that it was trying to get the issue fixed.

It's unclear whether the significant update to the character limit caused the technical problem, which left some users unable to tweet or follow other accounts.

Musk later admitted: 'Multiple internal and external issues simultaneously today. Should be fully back on track later tonight.'

On Wednesday night, Twitter announced that Twitter Blue subscribers in the US can post tweets up to 4,000 characters long rather than just 280

Two and a half hours later: Twitter announces the site is not working as it should and that it's working to get the problem fixed

Twitter had originally announced the change to the character limit in a lengthy tweet totaling more than 1,200 characters.

Musk admits Twitter is hit with 'multiple internal and external issues' - READ MORE Musk said that the app was experience a slew of technical issues on Wednesday Advertisement

'Need more than 280 characters to express yourself? We know that lots of you do and while we love a good thread, sometimes you just want to tweet everything all at once,' it said.

'We get that so we're introducing longer tweets!'

Twitter originally had a character limit of 140 before it was increased to 280 in 2017 when Jack Dorsey was still in charge.

But Musk  who bought the company and took over as CEO in October  thinks longer tweets will more convenient than writing and reading a long 'thread'  a series of connected tweets.

Although Twitter users who aren't subscribed to Twitter Blue can't post tweets over 280 characters, they are able to see tweets that do.

They just have to click 'See more' to reveal the tweet's entire length, so that ultra-lengthy tweets don't take up lots of screen space as people are scrolling their feeds.

Users are also able to reply to, retweet, and quote a longer tweet, whether or not they're a Twitter Blue subscriber.

Musk is increasingly tweaking the social media platform and adding exclusive features to Twitter Blue in an effort to make people hand over their money.

Twitter Blue costs 8/$8 (not including VAT) per month and adds a blue tick next to a user's name as an indicator that the account 'has an active subscription' and is not a bot account.

Musk (pictured) thinks longer tweets will more convenient than writing and reading a long 'thread' - a series of connected tweets

Twitter Blue also includes custom app icons, the ability to post longer videos, the ability to undo a tweet immediately after posting it, and, for subscribers in certain countries, the ability to edit tweets.

What is Twitter Blue? Twitter Blue is the social media platform's monthly subscription service that gives access to several exclusive features. These include a blue tick next to an account name, custom app icons, the ability to post longer videos, the ability to undo a tweet immediately after posting it, and, for subscribers in certain countries, the ability to edit tweets. It's 8/$8 per month (not including VAT) and is available for users in the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, India, Indonesia and Brazil. Advertisement

And as of Wednesday it also includes the ability to post 4,000-character tweets if you're in the US, although this is likely to be rolled out for Twitter Blue subscribers in other countries too.

It looks unlikely that 4,000 characters will become available to Twitter users who don't pay for Twitter Blue, as this would discourage people from signing up to the subscription.

MailOnline has contacted Twitter for comment, although there haven't been any replies from the firm's communications department since Musk laid off its staff last autumn.

Because of the bug on Wednesday night, users began reporting seeing a message saying 'rate limit exceeded'  meaning they had hit the sites limit for the number of tweets or new accounts followed within a certain time period.

According to Twitter's help page, users typically have to tweet 2,400 times to reach the daily limit  surely enough for even the most ardent of Twitter user.

Twitter said it has the limits in place to ease the strain on the site and help it run more smoothly, but many users reported seeing the message while well below the limits  some said they had not previously tweeted that day, suggesting a bug in the system.

Twitter acknowledged the issue on Wednesday night, with the platforms official support account tweeting: 'Twitter may not be working as expected for some of you. Sorry for the trouble. Were aware and working to get this fixed.'

Although Twitter users who aren't subscribed to Twitter Blue can't post tweets over 280 characters, they are able to see tweets that do (file photo)

The platform is enforcing limits for all users as part of efforts to 'alleviate some of the strain on the behind-the-scenes part of Twitter and reduce downtime and error pages'.

Since taking over Twitter at the end of October and dismissing more than half of the platforms 7,500-strong global workforce, experts have raised questions about the ability of Musk and the skeleton staff to keep the social media giant online.

Musk has mocked such suggestions, but these tightened restrictions suggest there are some concerns inside Twitter about the platforms ability to handle high traffic rates.

The help page also says the new limits 'may be temporarily reduced during periods of heavy site usage'.
An electric car battery that charges in one hour could be the answer to the lack of charging stations in the US - a nation looking to weed out the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2050.

The innovation was made possible by growing uniform lithium crystals on a surface it doesn't 'like,' which resulted in dense uniformed layers that lack battery-performance-degrading spikes called dendrites.

This was achieved by replacing the ubiquitous copper surfaces on the negative side, or anode, with a nano-composite surface made of lithium fluoride (LiF) and iron.

The new advance led by the University of California (UC), San Diego nanoengineers could eliminate a significant roadblock holding back the widespread use of energy-dense lithium-metal batteries for applications like EVs and portable electronics.

The new electric car battery was created by growing uniform lithium crystals (pictured) on a surface it doesn't 'like'

The White House has set an ambitious plan to make half of all new vehicles sold in 2030 zero-emissions vehicles, including battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or fuel cell electric vehicles.

The government also aims for net-zero emissions by 2050, which means the end of new sales of gas-powered vehicles.

While the action is to combat climate change, the nation lacks the infrastructure to support the initiative - but scientists are working toward a solution.

The team at UC San Diego discovered that seeding lithium metal crystals quickly and uniformly on a surface the crystals normally do not like may be the answer.

To grow lithium metal crystals, the researchers replaced the ubiquitous copper surfaces on the negative side (the anode) of lithium-metal batteries with a lithiophobic nanocomposite surface made of lithium fluoride (LiF) and iron (Fe).

Using this lithiophobic surface for lithium deposition, lithium crystal seeds formed, and from these seeds grew dense lithium layers  even at high charging rates.

The result was long-cycle-life lithium-metal batteries that can be charged quickly.

Ping Liu, the senior author of the new paper, said in a statement: 'The special nanocomposite surface is the discovery.

The new advance led by the University of California (UC), San Diego nanoengineers could eliminate a significant roadblock holding back the widespread use of energy-dense lithium-metal batteries for applications like EVs and portable electronics

'We challenged the traditional notion of what kind of surface is needed to grow lithium crystals.

'The prevailing wisdom is that lithium grows better on surfaces that it likes, surfaces that are lithiophilic.

'In this work, we show that is not always true. The substrate we use does not like lithium.

'However, it provides abundant nucleation sites along with fast surface lithium movement.

READ MORE: Electric cars cause significant fall in asthma hospital admissions, first-of-its-kind US study shows Electric vehicles are not only good for the environment but also for your lungs, a study suggests. Advertisement

'These two factors lead to the growth of these beautiful crystals. This is a nice example of a scientific insight solving a technical problem.'

Several US states have announced a ban on the sale of new gas-powered cars in an effort to combat climate change.

California first announced the ban on gas-powered cars in 2020, but the legislation went into effect in August 2022.

The state requires that 35 percent of new passenger vehicles sold by 2026 produce zero emissions, then 68 percent by 2030 and 100 percent five years after.

New York was the second state to announce the same ban in October 2022, and Massachusetts, Oregon and Washington recently followed.

However, nearly a dozen more could join the ranks in the coming months.

The other states that follow the emission standards but have not yet committed to the ban are Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, District of Columbia and Rhode Island.

However, many states may not be prepared to handle the influx of electric cars - and New York is one of them.

There are just 677 charging stations spread across the five boroughs of New York City and although the city is set to add 10,000 curbside chargers by 2030, it may not be enough to power the thousands that will be cruising around by 2030 - 68 percent of all new cars sold this year be electric.

California is also facing such obstacles, but it has the land and private driveways to build off from.

The west coast state made its ban official in August, but it currently does not have enough charging stations to meet the soon-be demand.

More than 73,000 public and shared chargers have been installed to date, with an additional 123,000 planned by 2025.

These numbers fall short of the state's goal of 250,000 chargers by 54,000 installations.
The object seen in the video is a solar filament, which is a cloud of ionized gas

The moment a piece of the sun's northern pole breaks off has been captured by NASA in a never-before-seen event that has baffled scientists.

A video shows a giant filament of plasma, or electrified gas, shooting out from the sun, separating and then circulating in a 'massive polar vortex.'

While astronomers are baffled, they speculate the prominence has something to do with the reversal of the sun's magnetic field that happens once every solar cycle.

The video was shared on Twitter by space weather forecaster Tamitha Skov, who said the clip was taken by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory.

'Talk about polar vortex! Material from a northern prominence just broke away from the main filament & is now circulating in a massive polar vortex around the north pole of our star,' Skov shared in the tweet.

A piece of the sun broke off and is circling the northern pole like a tornado. This is the first time scientists have seen such an event

NASA describes solar filaments as clouds of charged particles that float above the sun, tethered to it by magnetic forces.

These appear as elongated, uneven strands that shoot out from the sun's surface.

The prominence mentioned by Skov, appears precisely at the 55-degree latitude around the sun's polar crowns every 11 years.

Solar physicist Scott McIntosh, the deputy director at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado, told Space.com: 'Once every solar cycle, it forms at the 55-degree latitude and it starts to march up to the solar poles.

'It's very curious. There is a big 'why' question around it. Why does it only move toward the pole one time and then disappears and then comes back, magically, three or four years later in exactly the same region?'

While astronomers have previously observed filaments breaking away from the sun, this is the first time one has circulated the region in a whirlwind.

The video was shared on Twitter by space weather forecaster Tamitha Skov, who said the clip was taken by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory

READ MORE: Amazing ultraviolet image of the sun appears to show a friendly expression The sun hasn't got his hat on here. But we can still cry hip hip hip hooray  because he's wearing the broadest, warmest of smiles. Advertisement

One instance was in 2015 when two long threads of solar material broke free from the sun and erupted into space.

The upper one broke first, sending dark plasma down toward an active region below it. An hour or two later, that lower filament erupted.

Scientists have yet to determine what caused the filament in the recent observation to swirl around the sun instead of jetting out into space.

The recent increase in activity from the Sun results from it coming towards the most active phase in its 11-year solar cycle - hitting peak activity in 2024.

Astronomers are observing intense solar radiation, more ejection of solar materials, increased sunspots and more violent solar flares.

Studies have shown that the current solar activity level is about the same as it was 11 years ago, during the same point in the last cycle.

In August 2022, the European Space Agency's (ESA) Gaia spacecraft made a chilling prediction that our sun is almost halfway through its life span.

When it reaches the end, it will swell and obliterate our planet - but data from the craft suggests this will not happen for at least another five billion years.

Gaia determined the sun is around 4.57 billion years old, and by identifying its mass and composition, the device estimated how the sun would evolve.

The video was taken by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory

The road to its demise begins around 10 to 11 billion years of age when it rapidly increases in size.

From here, the sun races to its death and finishes as a cool, dim white dwarf - the hot, dense core of a dead star.

Currently, the sun is deemed 'middle-aged' and stable as it fuses hydrogen into helium.
Read more: Flight attendants reveal the things passengers do that annoy them

Hop aboard! Grab a seat with a view  the journey is part of the fun as we cross a smooth, sparkling turquoise sea on a colourfully painted ferry to an island on the horizon.

Welcome to the adventure that is Greek island-hopping.

While it used to be tricky to arrange  involving deciphering local ferry timetables or booking hotels that might not have a telephone, let alone a website  thankfully theres now a more civilised way of jumping between the best places.

Family-owned Greece specialist Olympic Holidays has devised its new pick-and-mix system to make island-hopping as stress-free as possible, providing everything from fascinating day trips to long retreats.

Simply choose where you want to go from 40 places, pick accommodation that ranges from boutique hotels to stone cottages with little more than a bedroom and a view to die for, and its staff will sort the fiddly details.

Greece specialist Olympic Holidays offers bespoke tours of the Greek Islands. Simon Heptinstall tried out one of the company's seven-night itineraries, which included a day on the pretty island of Symi (above)

Simon's trip began in Rhodes, an isle that offers some glamorous resort hotels. Above is a bird's eye view of Rhodes city and its Elli beach

Olympic organised my seven-night itinerary, flying to Rhodes followed by day trips to Halki and Symi.

Halki may be small, but like most of Greece it has relics covering a huge history of Byzantine emperors, Venetian merchants and Ottoman Turks.

If youve got plenty of energy you can hike to a ruined crusader castle or icon-encrusted monastery in the hills, where youre rewarded with views over the whole island.

My next hop was a one-hour ferry ride to Symi, where pastel-painted sponge-divers houses seem to tumble down steep slopes to the harbour.

Its only a few miles across but you can jump on buses that take zig-zag roads to spectacular viewpoints.

Some opt for a wildlife cruise which includes spotting a celebrated seal the locals call Mr Alex.

Later I browsed cobbled alleyways lined with craft galleries and vegetable stalls. Its easy enough to go icon-spotting on this island  there are 400 chapels along the rocky footpaths.

My hunt worked up an appetite, so I grabbed a table at harbourside Nireus seafood restaurant. Try the Symi shrimps  they are so small you eat them whole in their shells.

Simon visits the island of Halki on a day trip. Above is a flower-filled street on the island

Halki (above) may be small, but like most of Greece it has relics covering a huge history of Byzantine emperors, Venetian merchants and Ottoman Turks, Simon reveals

Then I was off hopping again, this time back to Rhodes, which offers some glamorous resort hotels.

Rhodess highlight is the stunning medieval Old Town, a labyrinth of alleys and archways lined with shops, bars and cafes. History-lovers weave towards its heart to explore the crusader stronghold impressively named The Palace of the Grand Master.

My favourite bit of history is outside the castle, though. Strolling to the harbour entrance, where the Colossus of Rhodes once stood, I stopped at a seafood taverna, Pizanias. Owner Yannis barbecues the days catch under a framed photo of his mother serving film star Anthony Quinn 50 years ago  the Oscar-nominated heart-throb was here while filming The Guns Of Navarone.

Rhodes highlight is the stunning medieval Old Town (above), a labyrinth of alleys and archways lined with shops, bars and cafes

Ancient citadel: The main gate into the crusader stronghold of The Palace of the Grand Master on Rhodes

Simon strolled to Rhodes's harbour entrance (above) where the Colossus of Rhodes once stood

Film star Anthony Quinn bought this remote Rhodes beach, now called Anthony Quinn Bay, after starring in Zorba The Greek

Quinn cemented his link with the islands after starring in Zorba The Greek, and loved one remote beach on Rhodes so much that he bought it.

That rocky cove is still called Anthony Quinn Bay, but the star never settled there and eventually hopped off to Crete.

Perhaps thats the trouble with us island-hoppers  were always hopping off to explore the next island.
A veteran air traffic controller has told of sheer panic in the cabin of a 'fully loaded' Qatar Airways Dreamliner that rapidly descended after take-off from Doha, coming within seconds of hitting the water.

One person vomited, he said  and 'people all around the cabin screamed'.

Lucas Andersson has been an air traffic controller for 20 years - and just happened to be a passenger on flight QR161 from Doha to Copenhagen on January 10, a 2am flight that plummeted at a rate of 50 feet a second shortly after it took to the air. According to a Flightradar24.com 'playback' of the take-off, it came within 850ft of the water - or 17 seconds - having climbed initially to 1,850ft.

Mr Andersson, 43 - who was travelling with his wife and two boys aged 11 and nine, along with his sister's family - said: 'After around 70 seconds into the flight and from out of nowhere there's this loud sound as the plane goes from pitch up to very much pitch down.

'So, we definitely felt that and people screamed all around the cabin. A man in front of my sister even vomited, so no chance this sudden dive went unnoticed by anyone.

A Flightradar24.com 'playback' (above) of QR161's take-off on January 10 shows the altitude dropping to 850ft after initially reaching 1,850ft. Lucas Andersson, an air traffic controller with 20 years' experience who was in the cabin, said it was as if the plane 'had been thrown to the ground'

'The first thing I did was look out of the window to try and see how high we were, but it was pitch black. My youngest son next to me was terrified - me too - so I tried to stay calm for his sake. But it sure crossed my mind this is it, we are going down. Being in the aviation industry, I know how critical the departure phase is and descending with such a high rate at that altitude is never a good thing. It was very scary. It was a feeling of the plane being thrown towards the ground.'

Mr Andersson described the plane  a 787-8 with a capacity for almost 250 people  as being 'busy with just a handful of empty seats, so basically fully loaded'. And the journey began uneventfully.

He said: 'Everything was normal and there were no delays. We took off just 20 minutes after scheduled time. In the pre-speech from the cockpit they said it was going to be a pleasant flight with just some light turbulence forecasted around two hours into the flight.'

After the plane's terrifying descent, several people asked the flight attendants what had caused it, but no explanation was forthcoming.

Mr Andersson continued: 'This is one of the things that at the time of the incident was really upsetting. Not a single word from the cockpit afterwards, so people confronted the flight attendants instead, who just said that everything was normal and we flew through some unexpected weather. Most likely they did not know what happened either and just tried to calm people down.'

The January 10 QR161 flight landed safely in Copenhagen six hours after departing from Doha's Hamad International Airport (above, stock image)

Presently, the cause of the descent is not known.

According to information the AV Herald received, the first officer was flying manually without directions from the 'flight director'. This is a computer-generated marker on the Primary Flight Display (which shows the horizon) that guides pilots along the correct flight path.

The first officer apparently 'lost situational awareness' and the aircraft descended so quickly it 'exceeded the flap speed limit'.

The captain took over and regained control and the aircraft continued to Copenhagen, where it landed safely six hours after it had departed from Doha's Hamad International Airport.

A statement from Qatar Airways read: 'Qatar Airways is aware of an event relating to flight QR161 operating Doha to Copenhagen on January 10, 2023. It was immediately reported to authorities and an internal investigation is being carried out

Qatar Airways told MailOnline Travel that the incident was reported to the authorities 'immediately'.

A statement from the carrier read: 'Qatar Airways is aware of an event relating to flight QR161 operating Doha to Copenhagen on January 10, 2023. It was immediately reported to authorities and an internal investigation is being carried out.

'The airline follows the most stringent standards of safety, training and reporting and is working to address any findings in line with industry norms.'

Last year Qatar Airways was named the world's best airline for a record seventh year in a row at the 'Oscars of Aviation'.

The carrier reigned supreme over 350 airlines at the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2022, with Singapore Airlines in second place and Emirates in third.

The name of the air traffic controller has been changed at his request.
MAFS groom Duncan James was left speechless after his wife Alyssa Barmonde told him during confessions week she had once been the 'other woman' in an extra-marital affair.

But it seems this admission - which initially shocked Duncan to the core - only brought the couple closer together, as they looked very much in love just days later.

In photos taken on September 4, mother-of-one Alyssa, 35, gazed lovingly at her 36-year-old husband as they carried a $75 Kmart oven back their apartment in Sydney.

MAFS groom Duncan James was left speechless after his wife Alyssa Barmonde told him during confessions week she had once been the 'other woman' in an extra-marital affair

The couple was spotted with big smiles on their faces as they carried a countertop oven into their apartment at Skye Suites on Kent Street.

Alyssa showed off her natural beauty by going makeup free for the outing.

She swept her blonde hair up into high space buns, and dressed for comfort in a black shirt and animal-print leggings.

But it seems this admission - which initially shocked Duncan to the core - only brought the couple closer together, as they looked very much in love just days later

Meanwhile, cyber security sales director Duncan wore a black sweater, tracksuit pants and white sneakers.

It's clear the couple wasn't letting Alyssa's confession sabotage things and their bond appeared to still be as strong as it was on their wedding day.

Daily Mail Australia understands executive assistant Alyssa would regularly bake cakes and desserts for Duncan and their fellow castmates during filming.

In photos taken on September 4, mother-of-one Alyssa, 35, gazed lovingly at her 36-year-old husband as they carried a $75 Kmart oven back their apartment in Sydney

Alyssa swept her blonde hair up into high space buns

A source revealed Alyssa loves baking so much she even surprised her groom by making him a cake on their wedding day.

'Alyssa and her baker friend Brad were filmed making Duncan a heart-shaped cake that said "I do". it was the sweetest thing ever,' said the insider.

During the Confessions Letter task which aired on Tuesday, the former Mormon told Duncan she had once been 'complicit in an affair'.

Daily Mail Australia understands executive assistant Alyssa would regularly bake cakes and desserts for Duncan and their fellow castmates during filming

'Alyssa and her baker friend Brad were filmed making Duncan a heart-shaped cake that said "I do". it was the sweetest thing ever,' said the insider

'Duncan, what I'm about to tell you is really difficult. It's not easy for me to admit this part of my past,' she began.

'It has been a big fear I've been hiding but if we really want this marriage to work you need to know.'

'I was complicit in an affair, I was the other woman and I knew he was a married man.'

During the Confessions Letter task which aired on Tuesday, the mother-of-one told Duncan she had been 'complicit in an affair'

Alyssa, who was raised a Mormon in Utah, continued: 'It's not something I'm proud of but it's something I've been able to learn from. I also know now it's something that will never happen again.'

A speechless Duncan put his head between his hands before eventually saying: 'I'm pretty shocked.'

'I didn't think you would have a confession like this. I can understand when people stuff up sometimes when they go out but if you willingly went into something with someone that was married then it's not a mistake, it's a choice.'

A speechless Duncan put his head between his hands before eventually saying: 'I'm pretty shocked'

'That's extremely poor behaviour,' he told Alyssa.

Duncan later told producers: 'I was completely shocked when she said that. I did not expect that at all.'

'I've been cheated on when I was younger and I was a shell of myself when it happened to me. It rips people apart.'

Married At First Sight continues on Sunday at 7pm on Channel Nine
She was most recently linked with Joey Essex after they shared a steamy smooch at the Pride of Britain Awards.

But Maura Higgins appears to have set her sights on a new man as she has been seen cosying up to an American toyboy while on holiday in Mexico.

The former Love Island star, 32, was seen looking loved-up alongside 24-year-old Yisroel Solomon during a recent holiday to Tulum.

Yisroel, from Los Angeles, is based in New York City and works as a transfers manager.

He is also a licensed real estate agent and has a degree in marketing, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Steamy: Maura Higgins appears to have set her sights on a new man as she has been seen cosying up to an American toyboy while on holiday in Mexico

He attended the private YULA Boys High School in Los Angeles where tuition costs $39,000 per year.

The pair posed for an Instagram snap while in Mexico where Yisroel was seen giving Maura a kiss on the cheek as they wrapped their arms around each other.

In another photo, Maura grinned from ear to ear as she cosied up to Yisroel while enjoying a glass of wine.

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Maura Higgins for comment.

It comes after the Irish beauty was pictured enjoying a very amorous moment with Joey Essex at the Pride Of Britain Awards in October.

Last month, Joey, 32, finally broken on his silence on their passionate clinch.

Speaking to heat magazine, the reality star seemed to get himself in trouble with his PR when he began to open up about the moment.

Asked what had happened with the Love Island star, Joey confessed: 'I don't know! I can't even remember.'

Cosy: The former Love Island star, 32, was seen looking loved-up alongside 24-year-old Yisroel Solomon during a recent holiday to Tulum

Loved-up: Yisroel, from Los Angeles, is based in New York City and works as a transfers manager

He added: 'I mean all I remember is her tongue being down my throat to be honest!' at which point heat notes that his PR jumps in to wrap up the chat.

During the glitzy Pride Of Britain event, Joey and Maura were seen getting close as they caught up at the Red Bar in London's Grosvenor House.

An excited Maura could be seen smiling with her eyes closed as she leaned her head close to Joey's, while Joey was also seen edging closer to the beauty.

Maura later joked about the encounter by licking pal Krystal Dawn's face, and teasing: 'It's how I greet people!'
They recently enjoyed a romantic holiday in Bali, Indonesia.

But it was back to reality for Simone Holtznagel and Jono Castano on Thursday as they flew back to Sydney sporting matching black outfits.

Model and influencer Simone, 29, cut a casual figure in a loose-fitting top, matching pants and sandals.

It was back to reality for Simone Holtznagel and Jono Castano on Thursday as they flew back to Sydney sporting matching black outfits after their romantic holiday in Bali

She wore her blonde locks loosely around her shoulders and highlighted her natural beauty by going makeup free.

Personal trainer Jono, 32, showed off his bulging biceps in a singlet.

The pair was seen leaving Sydney Airport and heading straight to the taxi rank.

Model and influencer Simone, 29, cut a casual figure in a loose-fitting top, matching pants and sandals. Personal trainer Jono, 32, showed off his bulging biceps in a singlet

Earlier this month, Simone put her gym-honed body on display as she posed up a storm on her tropical Bali holiday.

The blonde bombshell posted snaps of herself taking a dip at Mulia Resort & Villas.

Looking gorgeous in an orange bikini, she captioned the image: 'Out of office.'

The pair was seen leaving Sydney Airport and heading straight to the taxi rank

Simone, who has been documenting her weight loss journey, added another set of pictures showing her enjoying a swim and sunbathing with boyfriend Jono.

'White Lotus: BALI EDITION,' she joked in the caption.

Simone has lost 10kg in the last year with the help of her celebrity trainer boyfriend.
One of Australia's most celebrated Olympians has joined OnlyFans.

Matthew Mitcham, who won gold at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, recently launched an account on the subscription-based adult website.

The 34-year-old's husband Luke Rutherford is already a top performer on the platform.

Australian Olympic gold medallist Matthew Mitcham (pictured) has joined OnlyFans

While Rutherford performs hardcore, massage-themed pornography with various men on the site, Mitcham has said his own content will be less explicit.

'Please don't expect anything too risque,' the diver warned his subscribers.

Queensland-born Mitcham made history by becoming the first openly gay male Olympic champion in 2008.

He set an Olympic record score for a single dive at the time and was also the first Australian male to win an Olympic gold medal in diving since Dick Eve at the 1924 Summer Olympics.

Queensland-born Mitcham made history by becoming the first openly gay male Olympic champion in 2008

The 34-year-old's husband Luke Rutherford (left) is already a top performer on OnlyFans

He also picked up six silver medals at the Commonwealth Games and one gold.

In January, Mitcham celebrated seven years of sobriety after his addiction to crystal meth and alcohol almost ended his career.

He announced the milestone achievement on Instagram, saying he was 'the happiest and healthiest I've ever been'.

'Today I am SEVEN YEARS clean and sober,' Mitcham wrote.

'Please dont expect anything too risque,' the Olympic diver warned his subscribers

'It has been seven years since I put anything stronger than a Panadol in my body, and I am without a shred of doubt the happiest and healthiest I have ever been.'

He continued: 'Not everyone needs sobriety, but I did because I was dependent on external things to solve internal issues. And though I still have internal issues, I now have internal solutions.

'I hope everyone has had (or is still having) a fun-filled festive season, and if one day you wake up and think "enough's enough" like I did seven years ago, just know that there is lots of help available if you ask for it.'

Mitcham has previously spoken of his battle with alcohol and meth as he struggled to cope with a 'post-Games comedown' following the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

In January, Mitcham celebrated seven years of sobriety after his addiction to crystal meth and alcohol almost ended his career

After his triumph in Beijing, he developed a dependency on the drug ice when he discovered he was not world No. 1 in the global rankings, despite his Olympic success.

Incredibly, the diver felt like a failure and soon found himself training and competing while juggling a crippling drug addiction.

'Knowing I would be drug-tested at every competition I would detox [from drugs] for the weeks before competing and I'd go through these horrible withdrawals,' he told the BBC.

After his triumph in Beijing, he developed a dependency on the drug ice when he discovered he was not world No. 1 in the global rankings, despite his Olympic success

'They were so bad that I'd promise myself with every cell in my body that I was not going to use again, but I couldn't ever keep the promise.

'It got dark. My self-esteem was shattered, at times killing myself seemed like the easiest way to deal with this, but I finally took myself to rehab.'

Mitchell's porn star husband Luke is also sober after battling substance abuse issues.

Mitcham's husband Luke (pictured) is a hardcore porn star who films content with various men

Last week, he posted: 'Today Luke is eight years clean and sober which is an amazing achievement because he was, by literally all reports, a hot mess. Now he's just hot.

'Luke, this post is to let you know that no matter where you go, I'll always be right behind you because its the best view in the world.'

The couple tied the knot in 2020 at the Chateau de Halloy, a castle in Ciney, Belgium.
Kaia Gerber cut a casual figure as she stepped out with a pal for a dog walk in LA on Wednesday morning.

The 21-year-old supermodel, who is known for rocking eye-catching outfits in various promotional campaigns, opted for sportswear for her relaxed morning.

The model, who was spotted with her pooch earlier in the day, is currently set to appear in a recurring role in an upcoming comedy miniseries.

Gerber wore a slightly oversized black zip-up jacket and a matching pair of form-hugging leggings while going on her walk.

The social media personality paired her outfit with socks and monochrome running shoes.

Getting some fresh air: Kaia Gerber cut a casual figure as she stepped out with a pal for a dog walk in LA on Wednesday morning

The model accessorized with a stylish pair of sunglasses, and her brunette locks flowed freely in the winter breeze.

Although Gerber is primarily known for her work in the fashion world, she has also been making strides as an actress.

The fashion industry personality currently preparing for the release of Mrs. American Pie, in which she will appear in a recurring role.

The upcoming miniseries is based on Juliet McDaniel's novel Mr. & Mrs. American Pie, which was originally published in 2018.

Development on the project was revealed to the public in February of last year.

The show will be centered on a woman who embarks on a potentially self-destructive search to achieve prominence in Palm Beach's high society.

Mrs. American Pie's cast will be led by Kristen Wiig, with performers such as Laura Dern, Allison Janney and Ricky Martin in supporting roles.

Deadline announced that Gerber had been added to the cast of the upcoming program last June.

Comfortable: Gerber wore a slightly oversized black zip-up jacket and a matching pair of form-hugging leggings while going on her walk

Looking good! The model accessorized with a stylish pair of sunglasses, and her brunette locks flowed freely in the winter breeze

The media outlet reported that the performer will portray a manicurist named Mitzi.

At the time, the model shared a photo of Deadline's article to her Instagram account and expressed that she was 'humbled to get to work alongside some of my heroes' in her post's caption.

Physical production on the project commenced last May, and the show will premiere on the AppleTV+ streaming service at an unspecified date in the future.

Gerber is also a part of the cast of the soon-to-premiere comedy feature Bottoms.

The movie will be centered around a duo of high school girls who start a fight club in order to sleep with cheerleaders.

The film will also feature the talents of performers such as Rachel Sennott, Ayo Edebiri and Dagmara Dominczyk.

Gerber joined the cast of the project last April, when filming began in New Orleans.

Bottoms is scheduled to premiere during the upcoming South by Southwest festival on March 11.
Four-time Oscar nominee Nicole Kidman is no stranger to bringing literary adaptations to the silver screen.

And the Aussie actress, 55, has now teamed up with Jamie Lee Curtis to make a murder-mystery series for Amazon Prime Video based on Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta novels.

The screen icons are slated to executive produce the show, titled Kay Scarpetta, with Nicole starring in the title role and Jamie Lee, 64, starring as her sister Dorothy.

Nicole Kidman (pictured) has teamed up with Jamie Lee Curtis to make a murder-mystery series for Amazon Prime Video based on Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta novels

Two seasons have already been green-lit with a total of 16 episodes to be filmed, reports industry bible Deadline.

Their collaboration came about after Jamie Lee struck up a friendship with the prolific author and had a number of conversations with Cornwell about the potential for screen adaptations.

After a three-decade-long wait to bring Cornwell's works to the small screen, Nicole will help produce the series through her Blossom Films company and Jamie Lee with Comet Pictures.

Their collaboration came about after Jamie Lee struck up a friendship with the prolific author and had a number of conversations with Cornwell about the potential for screen adaptations

Finer details of the series haven't been revealed at this time.

Jason Blum from Blumhouse Productions has also jumped on board to produce, along with his colleagues Chris McCumber, Jeremy Gold and Chris Dickie.

Comet Pictures and Blumhouse Television were granted the rights to the Kay Scarpetta novels in 2021.

After a three-decade-long wait to bring Cornwell's (pictured) works to the small screen, Nicole will produce the show through her Blossom Films company and Jamie Lee with Comet Pictures

Nicole has appeared in a number of major TV projects, including The Undoing, Nine Perfect Strangers, and the HBO series Big Little Lies, which she also produced.

Demi Moore was originally going to play Kay Scarpetta three decades ago, but the project never took off.

Angelina Jolie was also expected to star as the literary character in a separate project 10 years ago, but it too never came to fruition.

The role of Ms Scarpetta, a forensic pathologist, was inspired by former Virginia Chief Medical Examiner Marcella Farinelli Fierro.
While Bethenny Frankel continues to fundraise for aid in the Ukraine, she said she has not seen tangible results from other organizations and celebrities involved in separate efforts, with the exception of celeb chef Jose Andres and his World Central Kitchen nonprofit.

Frankel, 52, took to Instagram Stories Wednesday to give people an update on her BStrong organization's ongoing work as the one-year anniversary of Russia's February 24, 2022 invasion of Ukraine approaches.

'We have been in Ukraine for one year  & the big orgs may be giving money, but we have never seen them in action where the actual crisis happens,' she captioned a frame. 'Except for @joseandresgroup & his team. They are the only ones we see wherever we are.'

The former Real Housewives Of New York City star said some organizations raising relief funds typically 'put up a small tent for a day for a quick presence, & then they leave.'

She added, 'All the people that I saw, the famous people that I saw promoting certain efforts, we never saw them on the ground except for one in Ukraine,' the latter in reference to Andres and his team.

The latest: Bethenny Frankel, 52, who continues to fundraise for aid in the Ukraine, said she has not seen tangible results from other organizations and celebrities involved in separate efforts, with the exception of celeb chef Jose Andres and his World Central Kitchen nonprofit

Frankel - who has been at the forefront of raising funds for Ukraine since the invasion last year - said that she has personally reached out to celebs she knows to alert them to the lack of results she and her team have seen in real-time when it comes to helping the Ukrainian people.

'I mention who is on the ground because Ive spoken to people that I know who are very well-known and they promoted these orgs and Ive said where they are and we dont see these people youre talking about,' said Frankel.

In a clip on the page, Frankel said that she's 'always conflicted' about posting content related to her foundation's efforts abroad, as the views are 'sadly' often significantly lower than other content such as makeup.

'I dont want to waterboard or shove information down people's throats, so Im putting it here on Stories so you know where to donate,' she said.

The Skinnygirl mogul said that her foundation's staff are 'usually the first' on the ground in areas torn by war, as she has set it up to be quick to respond where others are absent.

'Were nimble, no red tape, no bureaucracy, were lean and economical, and 100 percent [of donated money] goes to the effort,' she said.

She added that Andres has been an exception to the rule, as he has his team have been consistent in their efforts to feed people for years.

'We started seeing him in Puerto Rico, weve seen him in Ukraine and other places to hes legit,' she said. 'We do different things, hes providing hot meals and were providing aid, so its lovely to see the same people when youre on the ground and know whos legit and know whos not, hes totally legit.'

Frankel also thanked her staff for their hard work amid the difficult circumstances.

'They're soldiers, they are on the ground, they rock,' she said. 'Im just running switchboard and calling some of the shots, but they're the rock stars.'

People were seen in the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka Wednesday collecting firewood amid shelling from the ongoing Russian invasion

Frankel said that she has personally reached out to celebs she knows to alert them to the lack of results she and her team have seen in real-time when it comes to helping the Ukrainian people

The former Real Housewives Of New York City star that some organizations raising relief funds 'put up a small tent for a day for a quick presence, & then they leave'
The widow of Stephen 'tWitch' Boss, Allison Holker, has filed a spousal property petition to obtain control of half of the late entertainer's estate after he died without a will at the age of 40 via suicide this past December.

Holker, 35, requested in court docs reviewed by The Blast for the 'property passing to the surviving spouse or surviving registered domestic partner without administration,' meaning all of his assets would be put into her name.

Boss did not have a will at the time of his death, Holker said in court docs, asking for 'confirmation of property belonging to the surviving spouse.'

Holker said in court docs that when she and Boss wed in 2013 - prior to him getting a job on The Ellen DeGeneres Show - he owned 'owned only personal effects of little value' with no money saved up.

Holker said that there were 'no written agreements between' them 'providing for a non-pro-rata division of the aggregate value of the community property.'

Details: The widow of Stephen 'tWitch' Boss, Allison Holker, 35, has filed a spousal property petition to obtain control of half of the late entertainer's estate after he died without a will at the age of 40 via suicide. The couple was seen in LA December 5, just more than a week before he was found dead

She is requesting the court award her half of the property and holdings they accumulated during their marriage, including TV royalties.

Holker asked for 'undivided one-half interest' in the following assets: the company Stephen Boss Productions, Inc.; a Goldman Sachs Investment account; and royalties from Cast and Crew Production; Disney Worldwide Services, Inc; GEP Talent Services, LLC; and SAG/AFTRA.

It was not immediately clear why Holker filed the legal documents.

Boss was found dead on December 13, 2022 via a self-inflicted gunshot to the head in a Los Angeles hotel room, which authorities deemed a suicide.

Workers at the hotel where he was found said that he did not appear to be 'visibly upset' when he checked in for a single evening, carrying 'one small bag' with him, according to the outlet.

Following the tragedy, Holker, who is mother to three children with Boss - Weslie, 14, Maddox, six, and Zaia, three - told People in a statement, 'It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us.

'Stephen lit up every room he stepped into. He valued family, friends and community above all else and leading with love and light was everything to him. He was the backbone of our family, the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his fans.'

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text 'STRENGTH' to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.

Boss was found dead on December 13, 2022 via a self-inflicted gunshot to the head in a Los Angeles hotel room, which authorities deemed a suicide

The family resides in a home in Encino, California

News about the legal moves comes after the Rwandan conservation campus for gorillas that bears the name of Ellen DeGeneres has planted a tree in memory of Boss earlier this week.

'As we celebrated the one year anniversary of our Ellen Campus this past week, we took a moment to recognize a very special person who left us too soon,' a statement on the Instagram account of the Ellen Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund read Monday.

The statement continued: 'tWitch brought light to so many and was a wonderful friend to @ellendegeneres. In his honor we planted this tree so he will be forever remembered on the campus.'

A silver plaque at the display read: 'In memory of Stephen 'Twitch' Boss and the light he brought to the world. Planted February 2023.'

DeGeneres, 65, began working with Boss in 2014, as he was a guest DJ on her talk show, eventually working his way up to co-executive producer by 2020.

DeGeneres wept in a video she uploaded to Instagram in the wake of Boss' passing, as she said 'we'll never make sense of' the death of the beloved entertainer.

'Everyone is in pain,' she said. 'The holidays are hard, I think, anyway, but to honor tWitch I think the best thing that we can do is to laugh, hug each other, play games and dance and sing.'

The TV personality continued: 'That's the way we honor him, is we do the things that he loved to do, which is dancing. He loved music, he loved games, so we do that - and I know it seems hard, it seems impossible, but that's how we honor him.'

The Ellen Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund was opened in Feburary of 2022, and DeGeneres and wife Portia de Rossi attended a dedication ceremony in June of 2022.

The Rwandan conservation campus for gorillas that bears the name of Ellen DeGeneres has planted a tree in memory of Stephen 'Twitch' Boss, who died via suicide at the age of 40 in December
Ruth Wilson is set to perform the same scenes repeatedly for 24 consecutive hours in her new play The Second Woman.

The actress, 41, will play Virginia in the show performing at London's Young Vic from 19-20 May and will act out a seven-minute scene on loop with 100 different men playing her partner Marty.

And Ruth will have her work cut out as the scene will be repeated 100 times in a row, with the star stating: ''I don't know how I'm going to get through it!'

The play will see each men take on the role of Marty alongside Ruth one after the other, many of whom are volunteers making their stage debut.

To make things even more intriguing, the Luther star will not meet the men beforehand, meeting them for the first time when they take to the stage.

Challenging: Ruth Wilson is set to perform the same scenes repeatedly for 24 consecutive hours in her new play The Second Woman (pictured in 2021)

Ruth told Deadline of her new role: 'It's a huge act of stamina. I dunno how I'm going to get through it and that is part of the appeal to me. I will lose any sense of performance as the show goes on.'

She continued: 'I don't have any rehearsals with the men, I don't meet them before... then they come on and it is the first time I would have met them.'

The excited film star went on to add that she finds a thrill in not knowing how each man will react when they meet her.

She added: 'I always thought that there wouldve been an attempt by me, initially, to perform or to create a character or to entertain the audience, or to look after these men as they come on.'

Tough: Ruth will have her work cut out as the scene will be repeated 100 times in a row, with the star stating: ''I don't know how I'm going to get through it!'

However that would all disappear as her 'tiredness and emotions' get the better of her, noting those things 'will erode'.

The play is created by Nat Randall and Anna Breckon and is an adaptation of John Cassavetes 1977 film Opening Night.

It will see the 100 men follow the same script in which the character Marty arrives in Virginia's sitting room to apologise for 'being so crude'.

With Virginia seeking emotional reassurance from her lover, how each man chooses to give her said reassurance is an exploration of gender roles and power dynamics

Wow: The actress, 41, will play Virginia in the show performing at London's Young Vic from May and will act out a seven-minute scene on loop with 100 different men playing her partner Marty

Press material says of the project: 'The Second Woman is a unique, cinematic theatre experience in which the stage offers the audience a wide-angle view of the action, while multiple cameras capture and share live close-ups.'

Ruth went on to tell The Guardian of the play: 'Im curious about putting myself in scenarios that I have no idea how to anticipate. Its an endurance test.

'I dont know how Im going to get through it, but that excites me in some way. Its like nothing else Ill ever do again or Ive ever done, its an extraordinary once-in-a-lifetime experience.'

On her interest in the role, she added: 'As an actor youre always looking for those spontaneous moments that feel alive and fresh and not rehearsed. With this, no matter how much Ill try to perform as this character, four, eight, 16 hours in that artifice will go and it will be just me up there, at my rawest and most real, not knowing if this is a dream or a nightmare.'

Last year, Ruth received an MBE for her services to drama, with her award handed to her by Princess Anne.

The actress rose to prominence after she was cast in primetime show The Affair as Alison Bailey in 2014 opposite actor Dominic West, 52, who played Noah Solloway, before she left suddenly in 2019.
Logan Paul has arrived in Australia with his supermodel girlfriend Nina Agdal.

The YouTuber, boxer and WWE wrestler, 27, was greeted by fans at the airport as he landed in Sydney on Thursday.

Logan dressed comfortably in trackpants and a black T-shirt with a barcode printed on the front.

Logan Paul has arrived in Australia with his supermodel girlfriend Nina Agdal

He chatted on the phone while wheeling his luggage through the arrivals terminal.

The social media superstar completed his look with white sneakers and a black cap, and tied a hoodie around his waist.

Nina, who has walked the runway for the likes of Victoria's Secret, wore a green tracksuit set from Australian fashion brand White Fox Boutique.

The YouTuber, boxer and WWE wrestler, 27, was greeted by fans at the airport as he landed in Sydney on Thursday

He chatted on the phone while wheeling his luggage through the arrivals terminal

The Danish beauty, 30, swept her long blonde hair up into a messy bun and accessorised with black sunglasses.

Logan graciously spoke with the fans who'd waited hours for his arrival, and even stopped to take selfies.

He is in Australia to promote his buzz-worthy energy drink Prime with his business partner and fellow YouTuber KSI.

Nina, who has walked the runway for the likes of Victoria's Secret, swept her long blonde hair up into a messy bun and accessorised with black sunglasses

He is in Australia to promote his buzz-worthy energy drink Prime with his business partner and fellow YouTuber KSI

The duo are starting their tour in Perth on Saturday and will make their way to Sydney next Monday.

Putting on a fake Aussie accent, Logan told his 24.8 million Instagram followers earlier this week: 'Listen here, you little dungaroos. We are coming to Australia, me and KSI, to launch Prime in Australia and we are going [to do] a meet-up in Perth.

'If you live in Perth, we want to see you there. The first 2,000 people get a bottle!

The duo are starting their tour in Perth on Saturday and will make their way to Sydney next Monday

Putting on a fake Aussie accent, Logan told his 24.8 million Instagram followers earlier this week: 'Listen here, you little dungaroos. We are coming to Australia, me and KSI, to launch Prime in Australia and we are going [to do] a meet-up in Perth'

Nina wore a green tracksuit set from Australian fashion brand White Fox Boutique

'We are also coming to Sydney on February 13. You haven't tried Prime yet in Australia, and when you do it will blow your socks off!'

Fans can begin queuing for the Perth meet-and-greet at 4pm at Woolworths Midvale, and Logan and KSI will begin photo ops at 6.15pm.

The times for the Syndey meet-up, at Woolworths Town Hall, are the same on Monday, February 13.

The energy drink created by the influencers-turned-boxers has become incredibly popular among pre-teens and teenagers across the globe.

Fans can begin queuing for the Perth meet-and-greet at 4pm at Woolworths Midvale, and Logan and KSI will begin photo ops at 6.15pm

Logan spoke with the fans who'd waited hours for his arrival, and even stopped to take selfies

It is such a popular beverage that many are finding it hard to get their hands on, and in the UK a bottle can cost as much as 20 online.

Carnage broke out when Aldi got the drink in store for 2 shortly before Christmas.

At the time, scenes of pandemonium exploded in some stores, with children captured on video climbing over the aisles to try to get a bottle.

In some Aldi stores, the drink sold out within three minutes.

The Prime energy drink created by the influencers-turned-boxers has become incredibly popular among pre-teens and teenagers across the globe
Zac Efron has responded to some eyebrow-raising claims about his sex life that were recently made by an Australian model and podcaster.

Perrie Kap alleged on her podcast This One Friend that one of her pals used to be in a relationship with the 35-year-old actor and he was an enthusiastic giver of oral sex.

While Perrie implied her friend perhaps thought Zac went down on her too often, he found plenty of support from his friend Kyle Sandilands, who discussed the rumour on The Kyle and Jackie O Show earlier this week.

Zac Efron (pictured in Sydney in December 2017) has responded to some eyebrow-raising claims about his sex life that were recently made by an Australian model and podcaster

Kyle revealed on Thursday that Zac, who is in Australia shooting a movie, had been listening to the show on the day Perrie's claims were being discussed, and texted his buddy to thank him for 'having my back'.

This is because Kyle had said there was nothing wrong with a man wanting to go down on his girlfriend - and in fact most women would like their partners to do it more often.

'Remember the other day you were playing some podcast chick telling everyone about how Zac Efron loves... going down on girls?' Kyle asked his co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson.

Perrie Kap (pictured) alleged on her podcast This One Friend that one of her pals used to be in a relationship with the 35-year-old actor and he was an enthusiastic giver of oral sex

While Perrie implied her friend perhaps thought Zac went down on her too often, he found plenty of support from his friend Kyle Sandilands (pictured), who discussed the rumour on The Kyle and Jackie O Show earlier this week

'Well Zac is in Melbourne and he was listening to us on the [iHeart Radio] app and I got a text afterward from him saying, "Thanks for having my back, bro."'

A confused Jackie then asked if the High School Musical star was being sarcastic.

'No, no, no,' Kyle responded. 'Apparently I [had] said, "A real man takes care of his woman."'

The hosts then burst into laughter as Jackie said she was lucky she didn't call the actor 'Zac Muff-ron' since he was listening to the show.

Kyle told his co-host Jackie O (pictured) on Thursday that Zac, who is in Australia shooting a movie, had been listening to the show when Perrie's claims were being discussed, and texted his buddy to thank him for 'having my back'

Perrie had claimed on her podcast earlier in the week: 'I have this one friend who was hooking up with Zac Efron for a while... She was one of those people that hangs out with a lot of celebrities, so she was quite nonchalant about it.'

Perrie said she'd excitedly grilled her friend on what sex was like with Zac, but apparently received a 'perplexing' response.

'[My friend] kind of said it in an annoyed way. She was like, "Oh, he was always going down on me!" And for some reason the conversation ended and I never got to follow up with her why this was an annoying thing,' she alleged.

The identity of Perrie's friend remains unknown.

Zac has spent plenty of time in Australia in the last few years, and even lived in Byron Bay, New South Wales, for much of the Covid pandemic.

Zac has spent plenty of time in Australia in the last few years, and even lived in Byron Bay for much of the Covid pandemic

During his last stay Down Under, he dated part-time model Vanessa Valladares.

Their relationship became public knowledge in July 2020 when Zac was pictured giving Vanessa a kiss on the cheek at Byron Bay's General Store & Cafe, where she was working as a waitress.

Vanessa would go on to accompany her famous boyfriend as he travelled around Australia for various work projects from late 2020 to early 2021.

But it was confirmed in April 2021 they had called it quits, with Zac's friend Kyle Sandilands announcing on his KIIS FM radio show: 'I can confirm [the break-up], after speaking with him yesterday.'
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Julia Fox and Emma Roberts joined fellow style mavens at Saks Fifth Avenue's NYFW kick-off party at The Jazz Club at The Aman New York in NYC on Wednesday night.

The in-demand model, 33, flashed her chiseled torso in a grunge glam look while the mother-of-one, 31, was the epitome of edgy chic in sky-high black platform boots.

New York Fashion Week begins on Friday, February 10 and will continue through Wednesday, February 15.

The industry's top talent will make their way down the runway for some of the biggest names in fashion, like Proenza Schueler, Rodarte and Herve Leger.

The event will unveil designers' Fall-Winter collections for 2023.

Kick-off: Julia Fox and Emma Roberts joined fellow style mavens at Saks Fifth Avenue's NYFW kick-off party at The Jazz Club at The Aman New York in New York City on Wednesday night

Fox went braless under a white tattered crop top styled with a green satin co-ord.

It consisted of low-rise satin skirt that put her abs on display as well as a baggy jacket.

The Uncut Gems star's long, brunette hair was brushed back off her face and she rocked a spiked collar.

Roberts styled her edgy booties with a dreamy white sundress that had a structured bodice and flowy skirt.

The actress' golden blonde hair cascaded down her chest in loose waves and her lips were stained red.

She dusted her cheeks with neon pink blush and she added winged eyeliner.

Roberts accessorized with silver bangles and chunky silver hoops.

Before grabbing her seat inside, the Nickelodeon star posed for photographers with Saks Fifth Avenue CEO Marc Metrick.

Grunge glam: The model, 33, flashed her chiseled torso in a grunge glam look

Distressed: Fox went braless under a white tattered crop top styled with a green satin co-ord

Satin: It consisted of low-rise satin skirt that put her abs on display as well as a baggy jacket

High fashion: The Uncut Gems star's long, brunette hair was brushed back off her face and she rocked a spiked collar

Missing from the action was Roberts' toddler son Rhodes Robert, two, who she shares with ex Garrett Hedlund, 38.

Pop star Charli XCX oozed sex appeal in a blue lace-up minidress by ready-to-wear brand Ludovic de Saint Sernin.

The busty number had a pleated skirt and a daring slit that crept up to the waistline.

The Good Ones hitmaker layered up with a matching jacket and kept a simple black leather purse tucked under her arm.

Edgy chic: The Scream Queens, 31, was the epitome of edgy chic by pairing her dreamy white midi dress with black platform boots

Golden girl: Roberts' golden blonde hair cascaded down her chest in loose waves and her lips were stained red

Big wig: Before grabbing her seat inside, the Nickelodeon star posed for photographers with Saks Fifth Avenue CEO Marc Metrick

Accessorize: Roberts accessorized with silver bangles and chunky silver hoops

She trekked around the venue in black knee-high combat boots.

Nicky Hilton channeled Barbie in a hot pink vinyl miniskirt with a coordinating long-sleeve top.

The socialite, 39, tucked her essentials into a glitzy pink rhinestone purse and a silver chainlink necklace rested on her collarbone.

She fastened large crystal earrings to her ears and straightened her bright blonde hair to finish off her NYFW-approved look.

Sizzling: Pop star Charli XCX oozed sex appeal in a blue lace-up minidress by ready-to-wear brand Ludovic de Saint Sernin

Busty: The busty number had a pleated skirt and a daring slit that crept up to the waistline. The Good Ones hitmaker layered up with a matching jacket and kept a simple black leather purse tucked under her arm

She trekked around the venue in black knee-high combat boots

En route: Charli was captured making her way to the star-studded event

Walk the walk: Charli looked ready for the runway as she strutted her way towards a black SUV

Alice + Olivia CEO and creative director Stacey Bendet showed off her quirky style by arriving in a flowy green dress with dramatic bell sleeves.

The designer carried a cute rose patterned purse and swept her up into a messy bun.

Never one to skimp on the glamour, Stacey rocked a pearl and crystal adorned headband.

The Alice + Olivia runway show is scheduled for Saturday night.

Barbie girl: Nicky Hilton channeled Barbie in a hot pink vinyl miniskirt with a coordinating long-sleeve top

Glitzy: The socialite, 39, tucked her essentials into a glitzy pink rhinestone purse and a silver chainlink necklace rested on her collarbone. She fastened large crystal earrings to her ears and straightened her bright blonde hair to finish off her NYFW-approved look

Gorgeous in green: Sophie Sumner looked gorgeous in a neon green blazer dress with matching strappy heels adorned with sparkly crystals

Sophie Sumner looked gorgeous in a neon green blazer dress with matching heels that had sparkly crystals on the straps.

She sported a stunning pearl belt and a tiny bow-shaped purse rested in her right hand.

Shaun Ross cut a stylish figure by going shirtless under a fitted burgundy blazer with flared trousers.

Quirky: Alice + Olivia CEO and creative director Stacey Bendet showed off her quirky style by arriving in a flowy lime green dress with dramatic bell sleeves
Alison Brie was captured arriving at the Watch What Happens Live studio in New York City on Wednesday night ahead of her appearance.

The actress, 40, stunned onlookers in a skintight purple Andamane spandex jumpsuit with a sexy cut-out that gave a peek at her impressive abs.

The Community actress strolled towards the entrance in a pair of knee-high Stuart Wetizman crocodile boots.

She chatted with the show's host Andy Cohen as well as Poker Face star Natasha Lyonne.

Brie - who recently stopped by Today's studio - was there to promote her soon-to-be-released film that was helmed and co-written by her husband, Dave Franco.

Spotted: Alison Brie was captured arriving at the Watch What Happens Live studio in New York City on Wednesday night ahead of her appearance

The Golden Globe-nominated actress threw on a tweed Alessandra Rich jacket lined with black satin to complete her stylish outfit.

Her gorgeous brunette hair fell down onto her chest in curls.

Brie is currently preparing for the release of the rom-com Somebody I Used to Know, in which she stars.

Brie co-wrote the feature's screenplay alongside Franco, who also served as its director.

Somebody I Used to Know is centered on an overworked woman who reunites with her ex-boyfriend during a trip to her hometown.

The film also stars the likes of Kiersey Clemons, Amy Sedaris and Haley Joel Osment, as well as Brie's former Community co-star, Danny Pudi.

Development on the project was revealed to the public in August of 2021.

Physical production on the film kicked off that same year, with much of filming taking place in Portland, Oregon.

Strut your stuff: The actress, 40, stunned onlookers in a skintight purple Andamane spandex jumpsuit with a sexy cut-out that gave a peek at her impressive abs

Wild thing: She walked in a pair of knee-high Stuart Wetizman crocodile boots

Stylish: The Golden Globe-nominated actress threw on a tweed Alessandra Rich jacket lined with black satin to complete her stylish outfit

Brie opened up about working on Somebody I Used To Know during an interview with The List, where she expressed that developing the movie proved to be a surprisingly personal effort.

'Even though the main storyline of the movie is not pulled from our lives, we infused the movie with so many specifics from our lives,' she said.

The performer went on to remark that she greatly enjoyed being able to work with her husband.

'There's a real unspoken language that makes it really easy  and even easier on this one because we had written it together,' she said.

Brie also recalled that she and Franco had worked out the minute details about their feature before they began filming.

'By the time we're on set, we've had so many conversations about every aspect of my character and her arc and every character, and how the scenes should feel, and how the room should look, and all of that stuff.

Somebody I Used To Know is scheduled to premiere on the Amazon Prime Video service on Friday.
Lala Kent revealed that she cheated on Randall Emmett with James Kennedy on Wednesday's explosive season 10 premiere on Bravo.

The 32-year-old reality star admitted to newly single Katie Maloney, 36, that she stepped out on Randall, 51, while James was unfaithful to his former fiancee Raquel Leviss, 28.

'James and I ...when we were both very new in our relationships, definitely hooked up,' Lala said.

James, 31, did not deny it and Lala started laughing.

Katie asked where they went and Lala answered 'Chicago' as a 2016 photo of James walking through an airport was shown.

Season premiere: Lala Kent revealed that she cheated on Randall Emmett with James Kennedy on Wednesday's explosive season 10 premiere on Bravo

'And we started drinking, like, before we got on the plane,' Lala said.

'You're making me nervous. My heart is beating,' James said while appearing clearly frustrated.

James in a confessional admitted to their mutual indiscretions.

'A lot of guys make mistakes. But obviously, half of Lala wanted it to happen, too,' he said.

He added: 'So let's not dilly-dally. Like, yeah, she probably had big f***ing plans on getting that fat f***ing rock on her finger, which she did. So she probably wanted to seal the deal yet again with J.K. Before that. I mean, who wouldn't? Let's be real.'

'That's why he said I do handstands because I definitely did handstands, Lala told Katie of their sexual romp.

James was shown in archive footage telling Jax Taylor and Peter Madrigal about the handstands and added, 'There's no stopping horny Lala.

Lala earlier during the episode broke down crying when she said she learned about what her ex-husband Randall was allegedly doing behind her back.

No denial: James, 31, did not deny it and Lala started laughing

Hooked up: 'James and I ...when we were both very new in our relationships, definitely hooked up,' Lala said

Mutual indiscretions: 'A lot of guys make mistakes. But obviously, half of Lala wanted it to happen, too,' James said in a confessional

Former couple: Lala is shown with her former fiance Randall Emmett in April 2019 in Los Angeles

'When I found out that the life that Randall was leading behind my back, I got my closest friends together at Scheana's rooftop,' Lala said. 'I was very clear that anyone in my inner circle couldn't communicate or see Randall because I was going into a custody battle, and we don't need to associate with the same group of friends.'

Lala said just when she thought it couldn't get worse the LA Times article came out with a story on Randall.

'They finally reached out to me and I was in shock,' Lala said in a confessional. 'He is being accused of basically running a casting couch, using assistants to run drugs, and they added up about $25 million in lawsuits.'

Got emotional: Lala earlier during the episode broke down crying when she said she learned about what her ex-husband Randall was allegedly doing behind her back

Lala said the article was the tip of the iceberg and that it basically confirmed what 50 Cent said calling the embattled movie producer 'little Harvey' and saying that he was in big trouble.

'Randall is a mini Harvey Weinstein with way less money and power,' Lala said.

The episode titled Breaking Bubbas opened with a flashback to 2018 when Katie was marrying her now ex-husband Tom Schwartz, 40.

In shock: 'They finally reached out to me and I was in shock,' Lala said in a confessional. 'He is being accused of basically running a casting couch, using assistants to run drugs, and they added up about $25 million in lawsuits'

Schwartz and Lisa Vanderpump, 62, were both crying as Katie said she couldn't imagine her world without Schwartz.

The show switched back to the present where Katie explained in a confessional that after 12 years together and five years of marriage that she went to Schwartz and asked him for a divorce.

'I felt like my whole world, just everything I know just sort of dissipated in that moment,' Schwartz said in a confessional.

Marriage over: The show switched back to the present where Katie explained in a confessional that after 12 years together and five years of marriage that she went to Tom Schwartz and asked him for a divorce

'We had a lot of issues,' Katie said. 'I've never been a priority to him.'

Tom said he couldn't remember all the things Katie said but that he didn't want to ask her again because one of her complaints with him was that he wasn't a good listener.

'Long story short, I just didn't know how to make her happy,' Schwartz said.

Poor listener: Tom said he couldn't remember all the things Katie said but that he didn't want to ask her again because one of her complaints with him was that he wasn't a good listener.

Three months later, Katie moved into a new apartment in Valley Village.

James headed to work calling his new girlfriend Alexandra 'Ally' Lewber on the way. His former fiancee Raquel was also driving to work and was nervous about seeing James again.

Raquel said in a confessional that he didn't know anything about James' new girlfriend except that she looked exactly like his mom.

Former fiancee: Raquel said in a confessional that he didn't know anything about James' new girlfriend except that she looked exactly like his mom

'He's got some real mommy issues,' Raquel said.

At Schwartz and Sandy, Schwartz and Tom Sandoval, 39, and were still working on getting their new bar up and running.

'At this point, we have invested a million dollars into this project,' Sandoval said.

Mommy issues: 'He's got some real mommy issues,' Raquel said

An assistant said they had six days until the DailyMail.com party. Schwartz said he was drowning and needed to sell his house. He said he paid $6,000 a month for the mortgage plus $3,500 in rent.

At Sur, Peter the manager chatted with Raquel and asked her out on a date. She said okay but wanted to keep it casual.

Katie and Ariana Madix, 37, and went out to lunch with Lala at the TomTom restaurant. Lisa stopped by to say hello.

New bar: 'At this point, we have invested a million dollars into this project,' Tom Sandoval said of their new bar project

Lala said she didn't want to go to SUR later because she didn't want to be around Schwartz because he was talking to Randall. Lala started crying and said she would remember who stood by her during this time of crisis.

Back at SUR, Raquel waited tables while James was serving as DJ. Lisa stopped by and James told he was already living with Ally and had started drinking again.

The rest of the group arrived at SUR. Schwartz told them he was going to get another tattoo this year of Florida but that he wasn't going to cover up his Bubba tattoo dedicated to Katie.

DJ work: Back at SUR, Raquel waited tables while James was serving as DJ

'It was a very happy time in my life,' Schwartz said.

Katie said that Lala didn't want to come because of Schwartz.

'I do not owe her an apology,' Schwartz said.

No apology: 'I do not owe her an apology,' Schwartz said

Peter went up to James and said he was going to take out Raquel.

'You are going from this to Peter?' James said in a confessional. 'Peter just likes to f*** b****es, do you know what I mean, that's all he brags about.'

James ran into Raquel in the bathroom. She told him that she knew that he was drinking again. He said if he quits again it will be for him and not because of an ultimatum in a relationship. James told her that his new girlfriend Ally was the love of his life.

Awkward conversation: James ran into Raquel in the bathroom

'That's what you said about me,' Raquel said.

'Things change,' James said.

Raquel and Scheana Shay, 37, went to a sauna spa and she told him that she was worried about James' new relationship.

Sauna session: Raquel and Scheana Shay, 37, went to a sauna spa and she told him that she was worried about James' new relationship

'I think Ally is going to be in for a rude awakening,' Raquel said.

Schwartz and Sandoval met for lunch at the Belmont to go over stuff for the bar. Schwartz said he just wanted to play pickleball with Randall.

'I do not owe Lala a goddamn thing,' Schwartz said.

Catching up: Schwartz and Sandoval met for lunch at the Belmont to go over stuff for the bar.

'Also, her being with Randall, when they first met, it was like 'I'll suck your d*** for a f***ing Range Rover,' Sandoval said. 'Maybe she should have known to not f***ing get knocked up by a f***ing due like that.'

At night, the group got ready for James' show at the Hotel Ziggy. Katie and Lala asked Ally about moving in with James and she said it just kind of happened organically. Raquel walked in with Peter and then James walked over and kissed Ally in front of her.

Katie scanned the crowd. She said in a confessional that she had already made out with and been with other people. Lala also wanted to meet guys but she said she was nervous.

Single life: Katie said in a confessional that she had already made out with and been with other people

'This is the first time in my life that I have been single and sober,' Lala said in a confessional. 'I don't have anything to kind of lube me up.'

Raquel pulled Ally aside for a chat and told her she still cared about James and wanted to make sure he was good. Ally said she wanted to be considerate of her feelings.

'I feel like we low-key switched lives,' Ally said.

Private talk: Raquel pulled Ally aside for a chat and told her she still cared about James and wanted to make sure he was good

Raquel said she was hurt that they started dating so soon after their break up and wondered if James really loved her.

Schwartz pulled Lala aside and said Randall's cheating was terrible but was upset that she cut him out of her life for hanging out with her ex seven months later.

'I don't ask for much Schwartz,' Lala said.

Switched lives: 'I feel like we low-key switched lives,' Ally said

She said she thought she was clear on the rooftop that she needed people around her who were on her team. Schwartz said that meeting felt ego driven and Lala called him weak.

'When I hung out with Randall it was not malicious,' Schwartz said. 'What you sent me via text, it was malicious.'

Lala said it was black and white and he needed to pick a side.

'This is the year of burning bridges and I'm okay with that,' Lala said in a confessional.

Vanderpump Rules will return next Wednesday on Bravo.

Not malicious: 'When I hung out with Randall it was not malicious,' Schwartz said. 'What you sent me via text, it was malicious'
Kylie Jenner showcased her toned abs and ample cleavage in a metallic pink bikini on her recent getaway to Turks and Caicos.

As she displayed her incredible post-baby body in a series of sultry Instagram snaps on Wednesday to her 379 Instagram followers, the 25-year-old makeup mogul was the picture of relaxation while enjoying some time off by the pool.

'Happyyyy place,' she captioned her slideshow, which began with a picture of her giving the camera a smoldering stare as she reaching toward her iPhone.

Her sexy two-piece featured a plunging halter top and skimpy string bottoms.

The TV personality wore her waist-length brunette tresses cascaded past her right shoulder and partially covered her face.

Bombshell: Kylie Jenner showcased her toned abs and ample cleavage in a metallic pink bikini on her dreamy getaway to Turks and Caicos

A gorgeous pool surrounded by white lounge chairs and matching umbrella was pictured behind her in every snap.

Within an hour, she received more than 2,079,396 likes and thousands of comments, including a few from her celebrity pals.

The mother-of-two was joined on vacation by some of her closest pals, including her best friend, Anastasia Stassie Karanikolaou and model Fai Khadra.

'Beautiful,' Chloe Bailey wrote under Kylie's post.

Last month news broke that Kylie and her ex-boyfriend Travis Scott decided to call it quits for the second time after previously rekindling their romance in 2020.

A source close to the TV personality and the Texas-born rapper informed Us Weekly: 'Kylie and Travis are off again' and 'were supposed to spend the holidays together.'

'This has happened so many times before, theyre known to be on again off again, but always remain friends and great co-parents,' the insider added to the outlet.

Jenner and Scott were not in attendance at the KardashianJenner annual Christmas bash in December, but they were seen earlier that month in Miami, where they allegedly shared a tender moment at a star-studded party during Art Basel.

Stunner: As she displayed her incredible post-baby body in a series of sultry Instagram snaps on Wednesday to her 379 Instagram followers, the 25-year-old makeup mogul was the picture of relaxation while enjoying some time off by the pool

'Happyyyy place,' she captioned her slideshow, which began with a picture of her giving the camera a smoldering stare as she reaching toward her iPhone

Pretty in pink: Her sexy two-piece featured a plunging halter top and skimpy string bottoms

The exes share their five-year-old daughter Stormi and son Aire, who turned one last week.

Last month, Jenner revealed her baby boy's name, 11 months after announcing that she changed his moniker from Wolf.

Her Instagram post also revealed her youngest child's face for the first time.

Single: Last month news broke that Kylie and her ex-boyfriend Travis Scott decided to call it quits for the second time after previously rekindling their romance in 2020

Too cute! Last month, Jenner revealed her baby boy's name, 11 months after announcing that she changed his moniker from Wolf

The first snap that she shared was an adorable mirror selfie she had taken as she held her 11-month-old son in her arm. Kylie opted for comfort wearing a long-sleeved, cropped olive-colored hoodie along with matching sweatpants.

During an interview on The Late Late Show With James Cordon last year in September, Kylie had hinted on her plans to change her son's original name, Wolf.

'We haven't officially legally changed the name,' she had stated on the show at the time. 'His name is still Wolf. His passport's Wolf, but that isn't gonna be his name. We're just waiting.'
Shanina Shaik turned the streets of New York City into her personal runway on Wednesday while heading to a party four months after welcoming her first child.

The 31-year-old Australian model strutted out of her hotel in a Nadine Merabi jumpsuit that featured a black feathered strapless top along with velvet black trousers while heading to the designer's Moments Of The Night Cocktail Party.

She completed her outfit with open-toed black heels.

Shanina had her black hair parted down the middle and straight down around her shoulders.

The Melbourne native accentuated her natural beauty with full eye makeup and red lipstick and accessorized with just a few rings.

Personal runway: Shanina Shaik turned the streets of New York City into her personal runway on Wednesday while heading to a party four months after welcoming her first child

Shanina has four-month-old son Zai with her boyfriend Matthew Adesuyan.

The former Victoria's Secret model flew her mother Kim Shaik to Los Angeles for the birth.

The couple discovered the sex of their newborn at a Hollywood Hills baby shower last July.

Shanina announced she was expecting her first child with her advertising agent partner on Mother's Day.

The couple went public with their relationship on Valentine's Day 2021, with the pair going official on Instagram.

In a heartfelt Instagram post about her pregnancy, she wrote: 'To the new love of my life. Thank you for choosing me to be your Mum.

'I have always wanted you for as long as I can remember, and at times my patience was tested.'

She continued: 'The timing had to be right, and I can say with confidence that I am ready to be your guide, your protector and your best friend.

Strapless top: The 31-year-old Australian model strutted out of her hotel in a black feathered strapless top along with velvet black trousers

Hair down: Shanina had her black hair parted down the middle and straight down around her shoulders

Natural beauty: The Melbourne native accentuated her natural beauty with full eye makeup and red lipstick and accessorized with just a few rings

The model shared an Instagram post celebrating Zai's birth a few days after he was born.

In the caption, she wrote, 'Welcome to the world baby Zai Adesuyan'.

She added: 'Matthew and I are so in love!!! I have taken this time to adjust to my baby's schedule and to understand the role of being a mother. Bringing life into this world is a beautiful challenge.'

Shanina was previously married to DJ Ruckus, a.k.a. Gregory Andrews, from 2018 to 2019.

Their first child: On September 16, she welcomed her son Zai with her boyfriend of around two years Matthew Adesuyan

British-Lebanese fashion designer Nadine Merabi, 41, hosted the kick off to New York Fashion week cocktail party at The Moxy wearing a gold dress from her collection.

The event also was attended by Melissa Gorga, 43, and her husband Joe Gorga, 43, Julia Haart, Brooks Nader and Ally Love.

Guests were dressed in Nadine's latest collection Moments Of The Night.

The hostess: British-Lebanese fashion designer Nadine Merabi, 41, hosted the kick off to New York Fashion week cocktail party at The Moxy wearing a gold dress from her collection

Reality star: The event also was attended by Melissa Gorga, 43, and her husband Joe Gorga, 43
Evangeline Lilly gave an update on the condition of her friend and former costar Jeremy Renner in a new interview posted on Tuesday.

The 43-year-old actress  who led the premiere of her new Marvel movie Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania on Monday  spoke to Access about meeting up with the severely injured actor 'the other night' as he continues to recover from a devastating snow plow incident.

She expressed astonishment that he was 'mobile' and moving around in a wheelchair, despite having broken 30 bones.

Renner, 52, was hospitalized on New Year's Day after he was accidentally run over by his snowplow, which weighs over 14,000 pounds, though he seems to be making a miraculous recovery so far.

'He was in a wheelchair,' Evangeline clarified in her update, after he previously shared a photo of himself undergoing physical therapy in a hospital bed installed at his home in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

Shocked: Evangeline Lilly, 43, gave an update on her costar Jeremy Renner, 52, to Access on Tuesday. She was astounding that he is already in a wheelchair after a devastating snow plow accident; seen Sunday in La

Devastating: Renner was run over by his 14,000-pound snowplow on New Year's Day, which broke at least 30 bones and nearly killed him

Evangeline looked back on how she first met Renner when they filmed the 2008 war thriller The Hurt Locker, which went on win Best Picture and five other Oscars.

'When we made that movie [The Hurt Locker], he was so young and he was full of verve, and I remember just being so impressed by him. What's so ironic is at that point I was like the "celebrity cameo" on some level because I was on Lost, and I was like, "Who's this kid?"'

Now the actors are on an even higher playing field, as they both have high-profile roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Renner playing one of the core Avengers, while Lilly plays an Avengers-adjacent character and a lead in the Ant-Man franchise.

She described her Avengers: Endgame costar as a 'legend' while gushing about how 'incredibly brave and strong' he has been since his nearly fatal injury.

Lilly then described her shock at seeing that her pal could get around his house, as she expected him to be bed-bound.

'He has recovered like a mo-fo,' she continued. 'I walked in his house and got chicken skin, 'cause I was like, "Why are you mobile? Why are you mobile? What's happening?"

'I expected to sit at his bedside and hold his hand while he moaned and groaned in pain and wasn't able to move. He was wheeling himself around, laughing with his friends. It's a miracle, a straight-up miracle.'

The Canadian actress sounded as if she was astounded by Renner's determination to get back to full health and mobility.

Can't believe it: 'He has recovered like a mo-fo,' she continued. 'I walked in his house and got chicken skin, 'cause I was like, "Why are you mobile? Why are you mobile? What's happening?"'

Unbelievable: 'I expected to sit at his bedside and hold his hand while he moaned and groaned in pain and wasn't able to move. He was wheeling himself around, laughing with his friends. It's a miracle, a straight-up miracle'; seen in November 2021

His big break: Lilly recalled when she and Renner starred in the Oscar winner The Hurt Locker in 2008 (pictured)

'He's made of something really tough, that guy. You've always been able to see that in him. He is recovering incredibly, and I'm so grateful,' she said.

Lily made it sound as if she was traumatized by Renner's blunt assessment of his terrifying ordeal.

'He had a near-death experience that was highly traumatic  and he was awake for the whole thing,' she continued. 'It really has stuck with me. It's been days and I'm still having moments where some of the stuff he told me that he experienced and retelling me the story of what went on and things he could hear and things he could see....'

She trailed off and covered her face with her hands for a moment as she collected herself.

Lilly concluded the clip by nothing that there was still a long road ahead for Renner.

'He's got a journey to go through now,' she said. 'That's what nightmares are made out of, and he lived through it and he's on the other side now.'

On Sunday, Renner took to Instagram to share a photo of the resistance bands and devices he was going to be using for that day's physical therapy session.

Despite being off his feet, he has been getting back to social media to share updates on his therapy and treatments, and he has even promoted his Paramount+ drama Mayor Of Kingstown, which is currently airing its second season, and his upcoming Disney+ four-part miniseries Rennervations.

The show, which is built around Renner's status as a 'construction aficionado,' shows him bringing 'purpose-built vehicles' to meet the needs of communities around the world.

Difficult to hear: Lily made it sound as if she was traumatized by Renner's blunt assessment of his terrifying ordeal. ''It really has stuck with me. It's been days and I'm still having moments where some of the stuff he told me that he experienced and retelling me the story of what went on and things he could hear and things he could see....'

Go all out: On Sunday, Renner took to Instagram to share a photo of the resistance bands and devices he was going to be using for that day's physical therapy session
Bella Hadid showed off her chic sense of style as she stepped out for a quick dinner at the celebrity hotspot, Nobu, in New York City on Wednesday evening.

The talented supermodel, 26, opted for a patterned wrap dress and layered the ensemble with a leather jacket to stay warm in the chilly, late winter temperatures.

The beauty, who was spotted earlier in the morning running an errand in the Big Apple, could be seen adding a few edgy accessories to the look, including a knit beanie, as well as pink rings from BONBONWHIMS.

The younger sister of Gigi Hadid appeared to be enjoying the nighttime outing, days before star-studded New York Fashion Week commences on Friday, February 10.

Along with giving a glimpse of her toned physique wearing the fitted, red-checkered dress, the star also slipped into a pair of black combat boots with a thick, rubber sole.

Stylish: Bella Hadid, 26, showed off her chic sense of style as she stepped out for dinner at Nobu in New York City on Wednesday

The eye-catching shoes were secured with laces, and partially covered a pair of black tights she wore underneath.

Bella slipped into a long-sleeved, black leather jacket that was left unbuttoned in order to show off her fashionable dress for the night.

The model added a pink, knit beanie on top of her brunette locks that effortlessly flowed down straight past her shoulders. A pink flower was embroidered on the left side of the beanie for a stylish touch.

As she strolled along the crowded sidewalk, the beauty carried a silver handbag with dark red straps and a burgundy-colored star in the middle from the New York-based brand called FLORIST.

Bella's bag has similarities to the cross-body purse on the official website, which is priced at $410.

To further accessorize her ensemble, Hadid donned a pair of rectangular-shaped, see-through shades while adding a gold-chained necklace with a small pendant on the front.

The Ramy actress has been keeping busy and recently starred in campaigns for luxurious brands such as Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton.

In promotion for the upcoming Valentine's Day weekend, Bella also took part in a Victoria's Secret ad to promote the company's latest collection.

Chic! The model - who sported rings from BONBONWHIMS - added a pink, knit beanie on top of her brunette locks that effortlessly flowed down straight past her shoulders

Stepping out: The eye-catching shoes were secured with laces, and partially covered a pair of black tights she wore underneath

Latest campaigns: The Ramy actress has been keeping busy and recently starred in campaigns for luxurious brands such as Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton

The supermodel recently shared a snap of a large, billboard sign onto her main Instagram page as she starred in a campaign for Louis Vuitton.

Rather than penning a lengthy caption to her 57.3 million followers, the star simply added a red heart emoji.

The beauty could be seen posing with a red purse with white dots, while modeling a cropped top with a similar pattern and low-cut pants, flashing a glimpse of polka-dot bottoms.

The latest campaign is in collaboration with the talented Japanese-born artist, Yayoi Kusama. In the post, she also shared a snap of a paper photo as she modeled another oversized purse, with colorful circles on the picture to follow the theme.

Bella, who has founded her own drink brand called Kin Euphorics, has yet to reveal if she will be taking part in any of the anticipated runway shows during New York Fashion Week which begins on Friday, February 10.

NYFW is known as being part of the 'Big Four,' along with London, Milan, and Paris Fashion Week.

Collaboration: In the post, she also shared a snap of a paper photo as she modeled another oversized purse, with colorful circles on the picture to follow the theme, which is in collaboration with the talented Japanese-born artist, Yayoi Kusama

Opening up: During a recent interview with Harper's Bazaar, Bella opened up about her past and her 'relationship' with food that she once had

While talking to Harper's Bazaar last month in January, Bella opened up about her past, including her 'relationship' with food.

'I've always had a difficult relationship with food,' she admitted. 'In high school, my relationship with food came from not having control, but food was the one thing I could control.'

She continued that she would 'micromanage' and 'make schedules for food,' but added that, 'it's more important to check what's good for your body and your own biology.'

'Someone once said to me, 'There's a difference between pleasure and happiness.' A cupcake could be pleasurable, but it's not going to bring you happiness forever. I try and give myself grace and to understand myself.'

Now a little older, Bella explained how she finds her own joy in life. 'I always say that first thing in the morning, you have to start your day by staring at the sun. When I was going through a difficult time, I would pull myself out of bed, open the blinds, and then just stare at the sun.'

She also stated, 'I try and look at little things in a joyful way,' and later emphasized the importance of, 'taking every day one step at a time.'

Difficulty: 'I've always had a difficult relationship with food,' she admitted, but added, 'it's more important to check what's good for your body and your own biology'
Offset took to Twitter Wednesday to slam J Prince amid an escalating feud with music executive.

The 31-year-old rapper - who made headlines in a backstage fight at the Grammys Sunday with Quavo ahead of a tribute to the late Takeoff - posted on the social media site, 'Street N**** turn' with an emoji of a police officer.

The Atlanta native said to the music exec, 58, 'Never needed you for no smoke u da police all mouth with no proof just fairy tales,' with a hysterical laughing emoji.

The Grammy-nominated performer ended the statement, writing, 'Let this be the last time we speak on this.'

The response came after J Prince said in an audio message he posted to Instagram that he had helped Offset get out of many difficult situations all over the country, TMZ reported.

The latest: Offset, 31, took to Twitter Wednesday to slam J Prince, 58, amid an escalating feud with music executive

The Atlanta native said to the music exec, 58, 'Never needed you for no smoke u da police all mouth with no proof just fairy tales,' with a hysterical laughing emoji

J Prince said that Offset did not have the street credibility and connections he claimed to his fans, as well as his wife Cardi B, according to the outlet.

J Prince cited specific incidents involving Offset that he resolved - in Atlanta with Lil Baby's crew 4PF, and an incident in Houston involving rapper Sauce Walka.

J Prince added that he had come to the defense of Cardi B after she upset Crips in Los Angeles after she changed the word 'blue' to 'flue' in a 2018 Instagram post.

Cardi B said that it was not J Prince, but rather Wack 100 and Big U who smoothed things over in a tweet after a user suggested it was the music exec who ensured her safety while in the City of Angels.

'NEVER.tell him to show receipts .' she said. 'Only people that was there was Wack and Big U .why would he be call for anything involving crips? Whole bunch of fairy tales ... BIG LIES.'

Offset remains in mourning of his Migos bandmate Takeoff, 28, who was fatally shot outside of a Houston bowling alley early November 1. (A man named Patrick Xavier Clark, 33, was arrested in December and charged with murder in connection with the killing of Takeoff.)

J Prince, on his podcast Million Dollaz Worth of Game, earlier this week said that Offset had not been a reliable friend to Takeoff prior to his untimely passing.

'The truth of the matter is, you wasn't really right there with Takeoff when he was alive,' J Prince said, adding that he had heard 'all kinds of things' from people about the circumstances that led to Takeoff's death.

Offset said in response he didn't know J Prince 'from a can of paint.'

Cardi B said J Prince had not been truthful in his claims about how he had helped her and Offset

The superstar couple was snapped at Sunday's Grammys, where Offset and Quavo argued backstage
MAFS viewers were left shocked on Tuesday when Shannon Adams tearfully admitted to his 'wife' Caitlin McConville he was still in love with his ex-fiancee.

And on Wednesday night, Jamea Drake confirmed she has rekindled her romance with the 30-year-old personal trainer

In a recent statement to MAFS Uncensored, the mother-of-one pleaded with fans to be kind and understanding as she and Shannon work to build their relationship.

Married At First Sight star Shannon Adams' ex-fiancee Jamea Drake has broken her silence after confirming she has rekindled her romance with the 30-year-old personal trainer

'Guys, I am the ex, You can all continue to comments about the people and who ON THE show, god I dont care what you say about Shannon either he signed up for it and put himself there, but PLEASE leave me out of the negativity,' she began.

'I DID NOT sign up on the show, I didn't go on and I am literally collateral damage.

'I have NO benefit in being in the media or put there, and truthfully not my cup of tea I could no give a hoot about my followers or socials.

In a recent statement to MAFS Uncensored, the mother-of-one pleaded with fans to be kind and understanding as she and Shannon work to build their relationship

'I am a mum, I am person with real feelings. Plus my life is HELLA stressful as it, this is my REAL life and not a show.'

Jamea added: 'Please remember me and my daughter are innocent, Shan and I have seven years and a kid and lots of stuff happens behind the scenes/ before and after.'

It comes after Daily Mail Australia revealed that Adams is now back with his ex after things didn't work out with Caitlin.

Married At First Sight's Shannon Adams (left) is now back with his ex-fiancee Jamea Drake (right), after tearfully admitting on Tuesday's episode he was still in love with her

Despite splitting from his ex Jamea in mid-2021, the pair kept in touch during filming last year and once he was back in his home town of Cairns in December, they decided to give their relationship another go.

Sources close to the couple, who are parents to four-year-old daughter Milli, reveal they never really got over each other and always kept in touch, even during times when they weren't together.

'They were together for about seven years... it was very on and off, but they are happy now,' one friend said.

'I think Shannon tried to get over Jamea by going on MAFS, but he had second thoughts as soon as he married Caitlin.

'He was upset after the wedding and wanted out right away.'

MAFS viewers were left shocked on Tuesday when Shannon (left) tearfully admitted to his 'wife' Caitlin McConville (right) he was still in love with his ex-fiancee

'Shan and Jamea kept in contact for the sake of [their daughter] Milli and he would try to Facetime her every day,' the source added.

'He had planned to put in one hundred per cent into his relationship with Caitlin, but just couldn't because he was still invested in Jamea.'

Shannon would regularly sneak away from Caitlin to call his ex during filming of Nine's social experiment last year.

Despite splitting from Jamea a year prior, the pair kept in touch throughout filming and once he was back in his home town of Cairns in December, they decided to give things another go

The couple, who are parents to four-year-old daughter Milli, never really got over each other and always kept in touch, even during times when they weren't together, sources said

A friend said Shannon's appearance on MAFS 'sparked a wave of emotions' and inspired them to 'give things another go... for each other, not just for their little girl'.

Jamea was apparently 'deeply moved' by Shannon telling her he still loved her, and they have been inseparable since getting back together.

They are now determined to make it work this time around, and are 'taking things slow and steady,' the pal added.

Shannon would regularly sneak away from Caitlin to call his ex during filming of Nine's social experiment last year

On Tuesday's episode of Married At First Sight, Caitlin caught Shannon taking a secret phone call from his ex.

He didn't even try to hide his feelings, telling his wife he still loved Jamea but didn't want to lead either of them on.

'You were on the phone to your ex, so I just want to check where your head is at and where we are at moving forward,' Caitlin asked him.

On Tuesday's episode of Married At First Sight, Caitlin caught Shannon taking a secret phone call from his ex

He didn't even try to hide his feelings, telling his wife outright he still had feelings for Jamea but didn't want to lead either of them on

'I honestly don't know,' a confused Shannon replied.

Caitlin admitted she had concerns about their future together, which were compounded by Shannon placing her fourth in the wife-ranking photo challenge.

'I've come from a toxic relationship of seven years, on and off, a break-up we had was 12 months ago,' he explained.

Caitlin admitted she had concerns about their future together, which were compounded by Shannon placing her fourth in the wife-ranking photo challenge

'I've come from a toxic relationship of seven years, on and off, a break-up we had was 12 months ago,' Shannon explained

'I hate the fact that I say this, but I still love her,' he added.

'I've got so much respect for you, but I can't lie, you're an absolute saint... I just feel like I'm leading two people on.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Shannon and Jamea for comment.
Kris Fade revealed his wild encounter with Will Smith during a celebrity interview which ended in the radio host proposing to his now-wife Brianna Ramirez.

The Virgin Radio Dubai star, 42, interviewed the Hollywood hunk, 54, in Jordan during the Aladdin premiere in 2019.

But the media personality had bigger plans when he roped the movie star into helping him propose to his girlfriend, reported news.com.au on Thursday.

Kris Fade, 42, (left) revealed his wild encounter with Will Smith, 54, during a celebrity interview which ended in the radio host proposing to his now-wife Brianna Ramirez (right)

Fade, who moved from Sydney to Dubai in 2008 to further his radio career, told the publication Smith came up with the whole thing.

'His idea was pretty epic,' Fade said.

'He said, "Lets pretend that Im going to take a selfie with [Ramirez] and as I get the camera on selfie mode, you come from behind and shell see you on your knee about to propose."'

The Virgin Radio Dubai star interviewed the Hollywood hunk in Jordan during the Aladdin premiere in 2019. (Pictured: Will Smith on The Red Table)

Fade shared and pinned the proposal video to his Instagram, showing Smith pretending to fumble with Ramirez's camera as they tried to take a selfie.

As he held the camera high, Smith pretended to reposition for better lighting only for Ramirez to see Fade get down on one knee behind them on her phone screen.

Shocked to tears, she spun around to graciously accept the engagement ring with a resounding yes, much to Fade's joy.

But the media personality had bigger plans when he roped the movie star into helping him propose to his girlfriend, reported news.com.au on Thursday

After several photos, Smith congratulated the happy couple before imparting a nugget of wisdom.

'He said, "I want you to treasure this moment right now, because later on in your life, in your relationship, things may not be how they are right now, so just treasure this moment."'

Fade and Ramirez went on to get married in December in Dubai, livestreaming the ceremony for their fans to view.

Fade, who moved from Sydney to Dubai in 2008 to further his radio career, told the publication Smith came up with the whole thing

'He said, "Lets pretend that Im going to take a selfie with [Ramirez] and as I get the camera on selfie mode, you come from behind and shell see you on your knee about to propose"'

The Aussie radio star has become one of the most popular broadcasters in the United Arab Emirates.

He began at The Edge 96.1 in Sydney as a part of the street team where he stayed for several years.

In 2008, he was offered a job at Virgin Radio Dubai and has been there ever since.

After several photos, Smith congratulated the happy couple before imparting a nugget of wisdom by telling them to forever 'treasure' the moment
Jennifer Garner was spotted looking cozy while filming scenes for her upcoming Netflix comedy film Family Leave in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

The Alias actress, 50, donned an oversized green puffer jacket layered over a navy blazer, a plaid top a floral tie and another black puffer layer.

Ben Affleck's ex-wife sported bright yellow pants underneath, and teamed the outfit with comfortable sneakers.

She was joined by co-star Ed Helms, 49, who was seen shooting scenes behind the wheel of a lime green busted vintage car.

The film will follow the Brenner family, who wake up to find themselves in a full family body switch with another family across the world, and have to figure out a way to undo the switch.

On set: Jennifer Garner was spotted looking cozy while filming scenes for her upcoming Netflix film Family Leave in Los Angeles on Wednesday

Co-star: She was joined by co-star Ed Helms, 49, who was seen shooting scenes behind the wheel of a lime green busted vintage car

The 13 Going on 30 star was previously spotted shooting scenes for the film with Ed last month.

They were also joined by two actors who are playing their teenage children in the film  Wednesday breakout star Emma Myers, 20, and Brady Noon, 17.

The film is based on the book Bedtime for Mommy by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. Family Leave is Garner's fourth major film project with Netflix, following her work in Llama, Llama, Yes Day and The Adam Project.

Currently, no official release date has been announced yet for the Netflix film.

Garner's day on set comes after she recently enjoyed a romantic weekend stroll with her boyfriend John Miller, 45, in Santa Barbara.

The romcom star and her CEO beau looked very much in love as they held hands and flashed smiles.

The latest outing comes amid news Jennifer is envisioning a long-term future with her boyfriend, according to Us Weekly.

A source told the publication: 'Jennifer adores John and still sees a long-term future with him. Theres no desire on her part to slow things down, spend less time together or anything like that.'

Comfortable: The Alias actress donned an oversized green puffer jacket layered over a navy blazer, a plaid top a floral tie and another black puffer layer

The plot: The film will follow the Brenner family, who wake up to find themselves in a full family body switch with another family across the world, and have to figure out a way to undo the switch

Busy career: Currently, no official release date has been announced yet for the upcoming Netflix film - which will be her fourth major project with the streamer; Pictured 2022

John was first linked to Jennifer in 2018, when they began dating shortly after she finalized her divorce to Ben Affleck, 50. They split in 2020 but reconciled a year later.

Affleck - who's currently married to Jennifer Lopez, 53 - and Garner share three kids together: daughters - Violet, 17, Seraphina, 14 - and one son - Samuel, 10.

The insider added: 'She's just decided after a lot of thought that she's just not in a hurry to rush down the aisle just yet and that she feels perfectly happy cherishing and enjoying what they have  for now  without a formal label.'

After their relationship was first reported in 2018, a source told Us Weekly that Jennifer had fallen for the lawyer-turned-CEO 'because he is just normal,' unlike her A-lister ex.

Even though the two were reported to be dating, Jennifer and John never confirmed their relationship and also didn't open up about their split amid the beginning of the spread of COVID-19 in March of 2020.

Her beau: Garner returned to work after spending some time with boyfriend John Miller, 45, last month. The actress is reportedly envisioning a long-term future with the CaliBurger CEO; Pictured 2019
WWE superstar Logan Paul has had his Perth meet-and-greet cancelled after a security review.

The US star, 27, was due to meet with fans on Saturday, February 11 at Midvale Central Shopping Centre, but organisers have now pulled the plug on the engagement amid 'safety and security' concerns.

'Following a safety and security review and with the advice of WA Police, our security providers and the City of Swan we are not satisfied in the interests of public safety for this event to occur at the Midvale Central Shopping Centre car park on Saturday 11 February,' a Woolworths spokesperson said in a statement Thursday evening.

WWE superstar Logan Paul (pictured) has had his Perth meet-and-greet cancelled after a security review

'We know this is disappointing for customers and fans of PRIME drinks, however public safety must come first,' they added.

They went on to quash any talk of an event occurring at Town Hall Woolworths in Sydney on February 13, saying: 'There is no event planned'.

'Again, we would like to reiterate that there is no planned activity with PRIME at any Woolworths stores ahead of the drinks being on sale exclusively within our stores later this month,' they finished.

'Following a safety and security review and with the advice of WA Police, our security providers and the City of Swan we are not satisfied in the interests of public safety for this event to occur at the Midvale Central Shopping Centre car park on Saturday 11 February,' a Woolworths spokesperson said in a statement Thursday evening. Pictured: Logan Paul

Paul is a massive star on social media with him amassing 24.9 million followers on Instagram, where he describes himself as, 'artist, boxer, wrestler'.

The cancellation comes after influencer Anna Paul (no relation) had her meet-and-greets shut down in Perth in August last year.

Police were forced shut down the event with the influencer - described as Australia's Kim Kardashian - after rowdy fans stormed the mall where she was appearing and caused a crowd crush.

Paul is a massive star on social media with him amassing 24.9 million followers on Instagram, where he describes himself as, 'artist, boxer, wrestler'. Pictured

Hundreds of teenagers descended on a Stax pop up store in Perth's CBD for the chance to see the 23-year-old influencer.

As crowd numbers spiralled out of control, police intervened and shut the event down just 15 minutes after it began.

Stax has issued an apology over the cancellation which sparked outrage from devastated fans who missed out, and others who were caught in the crush.

The cancellation comes after influencer Anna Paul (no relation) had her meet and greets shut down in Perth in August last year. Pictured

Anna released a statement on Instagram just after midday saying police ordered organisers to close down the event because of crowd control concerns.

'Due to safety the West Australia police had to shut down the Perth meet and greet early,' she wrote.

'It became a huge safety hazard thank you for being amazing I am so so sorry we tried our very best to work with the police but it got too much.'
Kendall Jenner was spotted keeping her look stylishly casual as she stepped out for dinner with a few close friends in West Hollywood on Wednesday.

The talented supermodel, 27, opted for a pair of classic jeans and a plain shirt as she enjoyed a night of catching up with pals at the celebrity hotspot, Sushi Park.

The Keeping Up With The Kardashians alum, who recently went topless in her latest sultry Instagram post, has been keeping busy and recently appeared in campaigns for brands such as Miu Miu.

While the beauty herself has yet to reveal if she will strut the runway for NYFW this month, which kicks off on Friday, Jenner shared locations in the Big Apple, where her own 818 Tequila can be found amid the festivities on her Instagram Story earlier Wednesday.

The star chose to dress down for the relaxing gathering with some friends, and slipped into a pair of straight, black jeans that flaunted her tall frame.

Casual outing: Kendall Jenner, 27, was spotted opting for stylish comfort as she stepped out for dinner with a few close pals in West Hollywood on Wednesday

Stylish: The star chose to dress down for the relaxing gathering with a couple close friends, and slipped into a pair of straight, black jeans that flaunted her tall frame

Kendall wore a short-sleeved, plain back T-shirt which she simply tucked into the waist of her stylish pants. She also added a black belt with a silver buckle to complete the look.

In case she grew a little chilly during the night, the model draped a striped sweater over her shoulders, allowing the arms to fall down straight in front of her.

The eye-catching cardigan contained hues of yellow, red, and blue which stood out against her monochromatic outfit.

The Kardashians star donned a pair of closed-toed, chic black boots that contained a short, chunky heel on the back.

A large, dark brown purse was easily slung over her left shoulder to hold a few items she needed during her dinner excursion.

Her long, brunette locks were parted in the middle, and effortlessly flowed down naturally past her shoulders.

Kendall appeared to not add any flashy pieces of jewelry or accessories to her casual ensemble.

Following a tasty meal at the popular eatery, the supermodel was spotted exiting the restaurant as she continued to converse with her pals.

Pop of color: In case she grew a little chilly during the night, the model draped a striped sweater over her shoulders, allowing the arms to fall down straight in front of her

Catching up: Kendall stood in between her friends as they exited the popular eatery after enjoying a tasty meal

Minimalistic: The talented beauty appeared to not add any flashy pieces of jewelry or accessories to her casual ensemble

The friendly trio were later seen entering a parking garage and shared a final farewell for the night by sharing a quick hug.

The model, who has also ventured into the business sector with her 818 Tequila brand, appeared to be in good spirits and flashed a smile as she headed to her next destination for the night.

The star recently opened up to W Magazine about how she achieves balance in her life, from appearing on Hulu's The Kardashians, to working in the modeling industry and focusing on her company's success.

'Modeling has been a part of my life for a really long time. There was a time when it was my highest priority and focus,' she admitted. 'I love that Im at a place now where I can compartmentalize different aspects of my life.'

'Im heavily involved in growing my businesses and giving them a lot of attention, and I love being able to be on set for things that I love doing.'

While she expressed that initially, 'it was all moving so fast,' Kendall stated that she can now, 'feel like I can really appreciate it a lot more and be super present.' The beauty officially launched her tequila brand in February 2021.

Chic flare: The Kardashians star donned a pair of closed-toed, chic black boots that contained a short, chunky heel on the back

Friendly goodbye: The friendly trio were later seen entering a parking garage and shared a final farewell for the night by sharing a quick hug

Cheerful: The Kardashians star was seen flashing a smile as she held a quick conversation with a passerby in the parking garage

Business focus: 'Im heavily involved in growing my businesses and giving them a lot of attention, and I love being able to be on set for things that I love doing,' she told W Magazine about her 818 Tequila Brand; seen in January during the brand's launch in the UAE

Earlier on Tuesday, Kendall wowed her 276 million followers by uploading a sultry post, which contained various short clips as she modeled lingerie in what appeared to be her own bedroom.

The first clip showed the star looking down towards the camera in the dimly lit space, with a light changing colors in the distance behind her.

The following reels showcased the dazzling star flaunting her toned physique while only wearing a black bra and underwear. The star held her phone camera towards mirror as she filmed the selfie videos.

At one point, the model posed topless, using her arm as coverage. The TV personality captioned the post by simply penning, 'gnight.'

Social media users soon jumped to the comment section, including her supportive sisters. Kim Kardashian typed out, 'Actually perfect,' while Kylie wrote, 'perfection.'

Khloe penned, 'Sexy mother f***er,' while the Instagram account of Kourtney's Poosh brand added an assortment of fire emojis.

During an interview with Vogue Australia, the model opened up about her growing confidence over the years. 'I feel like Ive been able to find a new perspective on confidence and a comfort being myself,' she explained.

'I have also found that so as long as I take the time for self-love and self-care moments, confidence comes more naturally.'

The star added that she was 'so fortunate to have sisters who have gone through life ahead of me,' while also adding that she has 'learned so much from my mom.'

Sultry: Earlier on Tuesday, Kendall wowed her 276 million followers by uploaded a sultry post, which contained various short clips as she modeled lingerie
She's been treading the boards with Aidan Turner in their romantic new play.

And Jenna Coleman cut a stylish figure in a chic brown checked trench coat as she headed home from latest performance of Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons at London's Harold Pinter Theatre.

The actress, 36, wrapped up in the 610 piece from A.P.C. as she strolled out of the theatre following the show, after it earned a sour reception from critics.

Jenna and Aidan, 39, take starring roles in this two-hander, a West End revival of Sam Steiner's debut play - a huge success following its debut at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2015.

Covering up her sophisticated all-black ensemble, Jenna opted for the full-length brown trench coat with a tie belt cinched in at her waist.

Chic: Jenna Coleman cut a stylish figure in a brown checked trench coat as she headed home from performance of Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons at the Harold Pinter Theatre

The former Doctor Who star was followed close behind by her co-star Aidan, after the pair made their debut in the play last month.

Despite its glitzy opening night, which saw a slew of big names in attendance, Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons earned a tepid reception from critics.

Offering the play three out of five stars, Time Out magazine described it as 'a disarmingly bleak affair, or certainly in comparison to eight years ago' - with Brexit blamed for its 'dour' tone.

However the 'lovely' set design was praised, while Steiner's words - of which some have been rewritten since its debut - were applauded for standing the test the time.

Elsewhere The Times also offered three out of five stars, while claiming the play soon runs out of steam.

'Can two good actors and a gifted director, Josie Rourke, make this cocktail of cute ideas add up to more than the sum of its parts? Not quite,' they write.

'Worse, a singsong of Total Eclipse of the Heart trails off when he runs out of words before she does. Every now and then they fall apart.'

Meanwhile The Telegraph claimed it was 'tantalising, but limited' despite strong performances from its two stars, writing: 'Plenty for fans to admire, then, but a few syllables short of a humdinger.'

Statement: The actress wrapped up in the classic piece as she strolled out of the theatre following the show, after it earned a sour reception from critics

Looking good! Covering up her sophisticated all-black ensemble, Jenna opted for the full-length brown trench coat with a tie belt cinched in at her waist

Off he goes! The former Doctor Who star was followed close behind by her co-star Aidan, after the pair made their debut in the play last month

The Evening Standard labelled Steiner's play a 'bittersweet pleasure' that 'asks wide-ranging questions about communication and control, and a sad love story subtly enacted by two luminous screen stars.

'Plus, you get out in time for a late supper. As the characters might say, when they run short on their word quota: what not like?'

Offering a lukewarm response to the production, The Guardian added: 'Coleman and Turner are endearing together, although they remain cutesy for too long, repeating riffs on their first meeting in a pet cemetery.

'There is good use of silence as the couple hit the buffers of wordlessness, and their relationship gathers power when the actors drop their romcom routine and become more real and tender, albeit rather late in the day.'

The stars' play will be on-stage for a nine-week run and sees Jenna play rule-abiding lawyer Bernadette while Aidan portrays free-spirited musician Oliver.

Mixed: Despite its glitzy opening night, which saw a slew of big names in attendance , Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons earned a tepid reception from critics

Stage role: The stars' play will be on-stage for a nine-week run and sees Jenna play rule-abiding lawyer Bernadette while Aidan portrays free-spirited musician Oliver

Screen star: The play explores a young couple's response to a dystopian world in which words are rationed by 'hush laws'

LEMONS ALL ROUND! WHAT THE CRITICS SAID 'Can two good actors and a gifted director, Josie Rourke, make this cocktail of cute ideas add up to more than the sum of its parts? Not quite' - The Times 'A disarmingly bleak affair, or certainly in comparison to eight years ago' - Time Out London 'A bittersweet pleasure... a sad love story subtly enacted by two luminous screen stars' - The Evening Standard 'Plenty for fans to admire, then, but a few syllables short of a humdinger' The Telegraph 'Coleman and Turner are endearing together, although they remain cutesy for too long, repeating riffs on their first meeting in a pet cemetery' - The Guardian 'Ultimately, Lemons did feel a little long despite the tremendous likeability of its central pairing but its central premise is compelling and it's clear its author Sam Steiner is going to be a name of which we are all to become far more familiar' - Monstagigz Advertisement

The official synopsis reads: ''Let's just talk until it goes'. You're going to speak more than 123 million words in your lifetime. What will you do when they run out?

'Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons is a tender and funny rom-com about what we say, how we say it, and what happens when we can't say anything anymore'.

The play explores a young couple's response to a dystopian world in which words are rationed by 'hush laws.'
Paris Jackson nailed a comfortable look on Wednesday as she stepped out to meet a pal in West Hollywood.

The 24-year-old daughter of late musician Michael Jackson opted for a neutral colour scheme for her ensemble as she was snapped heading for juice.

Sporting a pair of scrunched stretchband waist joggers with a matching chocolate brown crop top, the beauty gave a glimpse at her toned torso.

She added a waffle cardigan on top in a similar shade, teaming the look with a pair of faux fur lined snow boots.

Paris accessorised with a range of beaded and string necklaces and kept her eyes shielded with circular framed sunglasses.

Comfort: Paris Jackson flashed her taut torso on Wednesday as she kept comfortable in chocolate brown joggers and a ribbed crop top while stepping out in California

Her ombre bronde locks were left to fall freely, as she was spotted with a paisley-print bandana over them at one point during the outing.

Keeping a spot of luxury in the look, Paris had a Louis Vuitton mini backpack resting over one shoulder.

The outing comes after Paris had a brief scare recently as her beloved pitbull mix Koa Bear got away from her.

She emerged from her Los Angeles home looking distressed as she walked through her neighborhood with a burgundy leash in her hand.

The star recovered the animal a short while later and was seen zooming off in a Porsche with it in her lap.

Paris looked relieved and relaxed as she settled into music engineer Justin Long's silver convertible with her dog.

Koa had a leash around her neck as they both gazed peacefully out the car's window and they drove off.

Cosy: She added waffle cardigan on top in a similar shade, teaming the look with a pair of faux fur lined snow boots

Lucky: It comes after Paris had a brief scare last week as her beloved pitbull mix Koa Bear got away from her

The model and musician often shares shots of her beloved pup with her 4M Instagram followers, recently dubbing Koa her 'babe'.

Paris is the second child and only daughter of late music icon Michael Jackson and ex-wife Debbie Rowe, who also shared son Prince, 25. While Bigi, 20, is the late musician's youngest son.

The couple divorced in 1999, with the children being raised at Michael's Neverland Ranch, before residing with their grandmother, Katherine Jackson, following his 2009 death.
She spends her time jetting around the world for ultra glam photoshoots.

But Demi Rose was happy to arrive back home in Ibiza on Wednesday after her extended trip to Egypt.

The Instagram sensation, who boasts 19million followers, shared a series of photos of her last shoot in the Middle East before she headed back to Ibiza, with a quick stop off in London.

The model shared one last sizzling snap from her Red Sea stay, fashioning a barely-there outfit out of a piece of fabric as she posed on a balcony.

'Bliss' Demi captioned the photo as she pulled off a seductive pose and perfect pout.

Then it was time to catch a flight, with Demi landing in London where she underwent some cosmetic treatments.

What a trip: Demi Rose shared one last sizzling snap from her Egypt break before flying back home, fashioning a barely-there outfit out of a piece of fabric as she posed on a balcony

Then finally the star was on her way to Ibiza, which she currently calls home.

After touching down, the social media model couldn't resist a welcome home shoot, stripping down to black lace lingerie.

Sharing selfies in the mirror, Demi flaunted her curves in a strapless bra, playfully pouting for the camera.

'There's no place like home' Demi gushed as she also shared a look at the incredible landscape near her Ibiza home.

Demi, who was once romantically linked to rapper Tyga, recently opened up about her sexuality and her troubled childhood in a candid Instagram Q&A.

The model has not previously discussed her sexuality but admitted to her followers that she is open to dating women.

Asked 'Boys, girls or both?' by a follower, she responded: 'I went through a phase of liking girls more than guys. Now I'm more into guys. It just depends.'

Detailing what she's looking for in partner she went on to share that she's on the hunt for someone 'inspiring, honest, well put together, a deep soul that's open minded, kind, ambitious and thoughtful'.

Home sweet home: After touching down in Ibiza, the social media model couldn't resist a welcome home shoot, stripping down to black lace lingerie

Sizzling: Sharing selfies in the mirror, Demi flaunted her curves in a strapless bra, playfully pouting for the camera

Tweakments: Demi stopped off in London on her way home to Ibiza, where she underwent some cosmetic treatments
Harrison Ford has said he doesn't care about other people's opinions as he discussed his latest role on Thursday.

The actor, 80, who play's rule breaking therapist Dr Phil Rhodes in Apple TV Series Shrinking, explained that 'he knows who he is at this point.'

Giving his own thoughts on therapy, Harrison revealed that he is 'not anti-therapy' but wouldn't go to to see a practitioner himself.

Speaking in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the star explained: 'My opinion is not of the profession, its of the practitioner. There are all kinds of therapy.

'I'm sure many of them are useful to many people. Im not anti-therapy for anybody - except for myself. I know who the f*** I am at this point.'

Candid: Harrison Ford, 80, has said he doesn't care about other people's opinions as he discussed his latest role on Thursday

The series is Harrisons's first ever television comedy, but he admitted that after starring in over 40 films during his career, he didn't learn anything new.

'Would it be arrogant to say that I didnt learn anything?' he laughed.

He then added: 'I really didnt learn anything. Its about being in the room where it happens and being appropriate to the circumstances and welcoming the opportunity to generate something with a little spontaneity and a measure of truth.'

Shrinking represents one of the first major television roles in Harrison's illustrious career, behind his role in Paramount Network's 1923.

The show follows a grieving therapist Jimmy (Jason Segel) who starts to break the rules and tell his clients exactly what he thinks.

Ignoring his training and ethics, he finds himself making huge, tumultuous changes to people's lives ... including his own.

Ford plays Paul, Jimmy's mentor, with the cast also including Jessica Williams, Michael Urie, Luke Tennie and Lukita Maxwell.

The trailer (via Apple TV YouTube) - set to Kid Cudi's hit track Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare) - doesn't showcase any footage from the show though it teases the ups and downs of therapy.

Thoughts: The actor who play's rule breaking therapist Dr Phil Rhodes in Apple TV Series Shrinking, explained that 'he knows who he is at this point'

Speaking in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter , the star explained: 'Im not anti-therapy for anybody - except for myself. I know who the f*** I am at this point'

The trailer begins with Segel's character Jimmy, bouncing up into frame and falling down... before another character - Gaby (Jessica Williams) bounces in and out of frame.

She's followed by Alice (Lukita Mitchell), Liz (Christa Miller), Brian (Michael Urie) and Sean (Luke Tennie), when a title card reveals, 'Sometimes you have to break down... to have a breakthrough.'

All of the characters are seen jumping in and out of frame again - showcasing various emotions along the way.

The final shot of the trailer showcases Jimmy standing on the trampoline when Ford's character, Dr. Phil Rhodes, walks over.

Jimmy glances down at him and Phil gives him a grunt and an awkward look before walking away as the trailer comes to an end.
Princess Margaret's lady-in-waiting Lady Anne Glenconner says she was 'mad with fury' after watching The Crown.

Lady Anne, 90, admits she couldn't believe the 'rather awful' portrayal of the late princess, having previously invited Helena Bonham Carter round for tea to advise the actress, 56, on the royal's mannerisms.

The lady-in-waiting reveals she was so cross over the depiction of both Princess Margaret and herself (played by Nancy Carroll), she confronted Helena to express her dismay at series three.

'I saw Helena Bonham Carter - she came to tea - about acting Princess Margaret: how she spoke and walked. I said I never saw her run,' she says.

'After seeing Helena in The Crown, I was very disappointed with the portrayal and told her, "It was rather awful, wasnt it?" She said she had no choice other than to do what she was told.

Furious: Princess Margaret's lady-in-waiting Lady Anne Glenconner says she was 'mad with fury' after watching The Crown

Lady Anne added to Oldie Magazine that the production 'couldn't afford to film The Crown at Glen' [her family's ancestral home].

She says: 'When they filmed Princess Margaret first meeting Roddy Llewellyn, we were sitting by a pool at what looked like a ghastly country club, they had me pimping for her, with us both in bikinis  Princess Margaret never wore a bikini. So cheap.

'They really should put a disclaimer at the beginning of The Crown, saying it isn't true.'

MailOnline has contacted Netflix and Bonham Carter's representatives for comment.

Lady Anne adds she thought The Crown 'began well', and called the scene of the Duke of Windsor watching the coronation in France as 'excellent'.

Netflix faced a fierce backlash over the latest series, which features Elizabeth Debicki as Diana, shows the late princess sitting down for her infamous 1995 Panorama interview with disgraced ex-BBC journalist Martin Bashir.

When they released the trailer for series five, they accompanied by a statement online that acknowledges the drama is a fictional dramatisation.

But so far it has refused to add a similar statement on TV.

Irked: The lady-in-waiting reveals she was so cross over the depiction of herself 'pimping' Princess Margaret that she confronted Helena

Pictured: Princess Margaret, centre, and her friends Lord Colin Tennant (left) and Lady Anne waiting on the jetty at Mustique to greet Queen Elizabeth II in 1977

Actress Dame Judi Dench accused the show of being 'cruelly unjust' and backed calls for a disclaimer.

Former prime minister Sir John Major dismissed scenes showing him discussing the Queen's potential abdication with Prince Charles as 'a barrel-load of malicious nonsense'.

Dame Judi, 88, who has played Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria, said the series risked damaging the monarchy.

Unimpressed: She says 'we were sitting by a pool at what looked like a ghastly country club, they had me pimping for her, with us both in bikinis  Princess Margaret never wore a bikini'

Advice: 'I saw Helena Bonham Carter - she came to tea - about acting Princess Margaret: how she spoke and walked. I said I never saw her run,' she says (pictured Roddy on the show)

Acting: Nancy Carroll portrayed Lady Anne in series three and four

The Oscar-winning actress blamed the show for 'crude sensationalism' and blurring fact and fiction.

In a letter to The Times newspaper, she called on Netflix to display a disclaimer at the start of each episode to say it is 'fictionalised drama'. She said it should also show respect for the bereavement suffered by the Royal Family and the nation.

Dame Eileen Atkins, meanwhile, who played Queen Mary in the first series, said: 'My friends in America tell me that many people there think its a documentary. Mostly if you are talking about real people, you say this is fiction based on fact. I dont know why this hasnt happened with this.'

Unimpressed: Netflix faced a fierce backlash over the latest series; actress Dame Judi Dench accused the show of being 'cruelly unjust' and backed calls for a disclaimer

Dame Harriet Walter, who played Sir Winston Churchills wife Clementine, said: People have believed Shakespeares version of Richard III for centuries, but no one is alive to object on his behalf. By contrast, there are many people alive now who could be hurt if they thought the public might believe this.

A Netflix spokesman said: 'The Crown has always been presented as a drama based on historical events.

'Series five is a fictional dramatisation, imagining what could have happened behind closed doors during a significant decade for the Royal Family  one that has already been scrutinised and well documented by journalists, biographers and historians.'

The Crown has been a huge hit for Netflix. Each episode now costs around 11.5million.
AFL star Daniel Rioli and girlfriend Paris Lawrence have been together for the past two years.

And the pair looked stronger than ever when they watched an NBL match between South East Melbourne Phoenix and the Perth Wildcats on Thursday.

The couple looked loved-up as they nestled into each other in the stands at John Cain Arena.

AFL star Daniel Rioli looked loved-up with girlfriend Paris Lawrence as they watched an NBL game in Melbourne on Thursday. Both pictured

Daniel was all smiles as he put a protective arm around Paris.

The sportsman wore a black-and-white striped shirt along with a cap with a white 'P' on it.

Meanwhile, Paris kept her look glamorous wearing a white singlet and a statement necklace and earrings.

The pair looked stronger than ever when they watched an NBL match between South East Melbourne Phoenix and the Perth Wildcats on Thursday

Paris famously came under fire for being 'too cool to smile' at the Brownlow Medal ceremony last year.

Paris shared comments from trolls, with one writing: 'Too cool to smile??? Get over yourself'.

'What's with the serious look? Ungrateful perhaps?' yet another wrote.

Paris (pictured) has taken aim at trolls who claim she 'didn't smile' at the Brownlow Medal ceremony last year

Paris was having none of it, with the star firing back at the mean comments.

'The people who think they can judge a whole character over one picture,' she wrote.

'Sending you love because I think you need it doll,' she added.

Paris shared comments from trolls, with one writing: 'Too cool to smile??? Get over yourself'

Daniel began dating Paris in 2021, according to the Herald Sun.

Before dating the Cry Baby hitmaker, Daniel was in a relationship with Mia Fevola, the daughter of retired AFL star-turned-radio host Brendan Fevola.

Daniel and Mia announced their split in February, 2020, after two years together.
She recently relocated across the pond to film her family's new OnlyFans series.

And Chloe Sims looked incredible on Wednesday as she headed out for dinner with best pal Vas J Morgan in Miami.

The TOWIE alum, 41, opted for a stylish monochrome look as they spent the evening at upmarket Italian restaurant Carbone.

She teamed a pair of low waisted leather trousers with a dipped-hem white vest top, adding a tassel leather handbag to match.

Elevating her height with a pair of pointed toe black boots, Chloe appeared in high spirits after the dinner with Vas, who matched her in a plain vest of his own.

Stylish duo: Chloe Sims nailed biker chic in a pair of leather trousers and a white cami top on Wednesday as she enjoyed a dinner out with best pal Vas J Morgan in Miami

Chloe added a statement red lipstick to her look, leaving her blonde locks to fall freely in a wave.

While Vas opted for a pair of high-waisted trousers in electric blue, adding black loafers to his look as he showed off his range of body ink.

The friendship duo beamed towards one another outside of the restaurant.

In recent months, Chloe has been filming her own Kardashians-style reality series with her sisters Demi and Frankie.

Last year, Chloe said she and her family are going to 'live out our dream' on their new reality show, with sister Frankie promising it will be as raw as possible'.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Chloe, who recently left TOWIE to appear on the new show said: 'I'm so excited that I took the leap...we're going to get to live our dream out together.'

Frankie, 27, added that fans will see a different side to the Sims family on the new show where they will be in control of how they are edited.

The family's deal with the OFTV platform is a 'six-figure' sum set to rise to millions with extra add-ons and earnings, MailOnline has been told.

Pals: Elevating her height with a pair of pointed toe black boots, Chloe appeared in high spirits after the dinner with Vas, who matched her in a plain vest of his own

Team; In recent months, Chloe has been filming her own Kardashians-style reality series with her sisters Demi and Frankie

The new show is slated to be broadcast around the start of next year on the free viewing app.

And it will follow the principal family The Sims as they attempt to 'go global' away from Essex and on their travels in the USA.

It comes after Chloe appeared to go public with a new beau last September, putting on a loved up display with Dutch businessman Morad Izemrane.

Stepping out of a Mayfair hotel, the former TOWIE star pressed her face against Morad's while they enjoyed a cuddle.

A source previously described Morad as a 'flash playboy' while talking to The Sun.
Pamela Anderson reportedly texted ex-husband Tommy Lee to tell him he was her 'one true love' before her Netflix documentary, Pamela, A Love Story aired.

Tommy, 60, now happily married to Brittany Furlan, 36, has not responded to the messages, according to TMZ, and it's been said that Pamela, 55, just wanted to make things right'.

Sources told the site that Pamela has told the Motley Crue drummer how cute their family used to be when they were still together raising their sons, Brandon Thomas Lee, 26 and Dylan Jagger Lee, 25.

TMZ reported that sources have told them two different things regarding Pamela's intentions towards Tommy.

A source close to Pamela told them 'she has zero intention of breaking up his marriage, and isn't trying to get back with him. She only wanted to express her gratitude for their history.'

'I only had one true love... I never recovered...' Pamela Anderson, 55, reportedly texted married ex-husband Tommy Lee, 60, her real feelings before her Netflix doc aired 'but he didn't reply'

Her love: Pamela and Tommy married in 1995 after knowing each other for just four days, but their marriage lasted for three years (pictured in 1995)

And another said: 'While Pam's been portraying herself, at least in public, as being respectful of Tommy's marriage to Brittany -- in reality, Tommy and Brittany believe she's been trying to get back with him.'

Some of Pamela's purported texts to Tommy have appeared online, namely on TikTok.

TMZ have heard that Pamela 'texts him flirty messages about how she still loves him, and how she believes they will be together when they're old and sends Tommy apologies for things that happened in the past.'

They say that Pamela's most recent text to Tommy was in January, right before her documentary premiered on Netflix.

'She was expressing heartbreak over their divorce and how she was sorry for hurting Tommy.'

Pamela and Tommy married in 1995, after knowing each other for just four days, but their marriage lasted for three years after he was charged with spousal and child abuse.

She went on to marry Kid Rock from 2006-2007, then Rick Salomon from 2007-2008, she then married Rick again from 2014-2015 and finally, she wed Dan Hayhurst in 2020, but they split while she was making her documentary.

Former flame: Pamela 'texts him flirty messages about how she believes they will be together when they're old' but it's been said she does not want to mess up his marriage to Brittany Furlan

There were reports she married 77-year-old A Star Is Born producer Jon Peters in Malibu in January 2020 for only a few days, but the actress subsequently denied it.

Tommy married Brittany in 2019.

Pamela said on the show: 'My relationship with Tommy may have been the only time I was ever truly in love.'

However, their relationship suffered a hit when their sex tape was stolen and leaked - which Pamela suggests was the catalyst for why they ultimately split up.

Scathing: Brittany recently caused a stir on TikTok when she gave herself a '90s Pam filter' and did her imitation of 'Pam if I died': 'She passed away? Oh, hmmm, alright'

Pamela has accused Tommy of physically abusing her while she was holding the then baby Dylan.

In her book the Stacked actress said that the drummer twisted her arm when they were with their sons.

'Tommy ripped Brandon off me and threw me and Dylan into a wall,' she claimed.

She called 911 and Lee was arrested. He reportedly served six months in jail for 'felony spousal abuse.'

Tommy ultimately served four months of a six-month sentence after pleading no contest to felony spousal battery.

'The divorce from Tommy was the hardest, lowest, most difficult point of my life,' Pamela wrote.

'I was crushed. I still couldn't believe that the person I loved the most was capable of what had happened that night. We were both devastated, but I had to protect my babies.'

On the cover of People it is stated that she has since 'made peace' with Tommy.

Meanwhile, Brittany was recently asked about a video she made last week where she appeared to be mocking Pamela.

Furlan at first said she could not hear the question, but when the onlooker pressed harder, she said, 'It was a joke!'

Several days ago Furlan defended the mean video she made as she said people 'mistook' what she said about the Playboy cover girl.

Brittany recently caused a stir on TikTok when she gave herself a '90s Pam filter' and did her imitation of 'Pam if I died': 'She passed away? Oh, hmmm, alright.'

She wrote in the caption: 'Pls guys I gotta make jokes, it's how I cope,' but she was deluged with criticism anyway and eventually deleted the clip.

This comes after Pamela told WSJ magazine: 'Im sure its going to be annoying to his wife. Id be annoyed.'

She divulged in the memoir that her 'relationship with Tommy may have been the only time I was ever truly in love' and declared that she ultimately walked out on him because she 'had to protect my babies.'

Pamela revealed that her current contact with Tommy consisted of 'Just a text here and there, nothing too crazy, he's married and happy and she's good to him and I want to support that.'

Tommy, Brittany and Dylan looked to be in fine spirits as they left Italian restaurant Baldi.

Trio: Both Pamela's sons Dylan (right) and Brandon Thomas Lee (left), 26, were on hand to pose beside her (center) at last week's premiere of her documentary
Jenna Coleman stepped out to appear on Heart radio's breakfast show on Thursday to discuss her new play with Aidan Turner.

The stars are currently performing in two-man show Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons at the Harold Pinter theatre in London.

Jenna cut a stylish figure in a spotty midi dress which featured a tie at the neck as she prepared to chat on the radio with her co-star.

She added a glamorous grey wool coat to the ensemble, wrapping up warm in the winter chill as she walked through the capital.

The beauty complemented her look with a pair of chunky black loafers.

Beauty: Jenna Coleman cut a stylish figure in a spotty midi dress as she arrived at the Heart radio studios to appear on the breakfast show with Aidan Turner on Thursday

Stylish: She added a glamorous grey wool coat to the ensemble, wrapping up warm in the winter chill as she walked through the capital

Jenna wore her blonde locks in a straightened style, toting her essentials in a burgundy Chanel bag and clutching her phone in her hand.

She also added a pair of black Chanel sunglasses to her gorgeous look.

Despite its glitzy opening night, which saw a slew of big names in attendance, Jenna's new play has earned a tepid reception from critics.

Offering the play three out of five stars, Time Out magazine described it as 'a disarmingly bleak affair, or certainly in comparison to eight years ago' - with Brexit blamed for its 'dour' tone.

However the 'lovely' set design was praised, while Steiner's words - of which some have been rewritten since its debut - were applauded for standing the test the time.

Elsewhere The Times also offered three out of five stars, while claiming the play soon runs out of steam.

'Can two good actors and a gifted director, Josie Rourke, make this cocktail of cute ideas add up to more than the sum of its parts? Not quite,' they write.

'Worse, a singsong of Total Eclipse of the Heart trails off when he runs out of words before she does. Every now and then they fall apart.'

Pretty: The beauty complemented her look with a pair of chunky black loafers and matching ankle socks

Looking good: Jenna wore her blonde locks in a straightened style, toting her essentials in a burgundy Chanel bag and clutching her phone in her hand

Stepping out in style: The chic star also added a pair of black Chanel sunglasses to her gorgeous look

Looking good: She showed off her sense of style in the outfit

Weather! It was a sunny day in London

Chilled: Aidan wore a casual ensemble

Luggage: He carried a brown leather bag

Warm: She wore a dark grey coat too

Meanwhile The Telegraph claimed it was 'tantalising, but limited' despite strong performances from its two stars, writing: 'Plenty for fans to admire, then, but a few syllables short of a humdinger.'

The Evening Standard labelled Steiner's play a 'bittersweet pleasure' that 'asks wide-ranging questions about communication and control, and a sad love story subtly enacted by two luminous screen stars.

'Plus, you get out in time for a late supper. As the characters might say, when they run short on their word quota: what not like?'

Offering a lukewarm response to the production, The Guardian added: 'Coleman and Turner are endearing together, although they remain cutesy for too long, repeating riffs on their first meeting in a pet cemetery.

'There is good use of silence as the couple hit the buffers of wordlessness, and their relationship gathers power when the actors drop their romcom routine and become more real and tender, albeit rather late in the day.'

The stars' play will be on-stage for a nine-week run and sees Jenna play rule-abiding lawyer Bernadette while Aidan portrays free-spirited musician Oliver.
Ashley Roberts put her enviable physique on display as she went bra-free in a plunging red ribbed bodycon dress while leaving Heart FM.

The former Pussycat Doll, 41, commanded attention in the fiery red dress as she took to the streets of London on Thursday morning.

Spotted outside of the studio in Leicester Square, Ashley strutted her stuff in the button-up number which she paired with an oversized cream and black large checkered trench coat.

The wintery piece looked effortlessly chic over her shoulders and matched her black sleek sunglasses.

She paired the dress with a red woven 1800 Bottega Veneta Mini Jodie bag, which added a touch of high fashion to her Thursday morning outfit.

Wow: Ashley Roberts put her enviable physique on display as she went bra-free in a plunging red ribbed bodycon dress while leaving Heart FM

Ashley's toned figure was unmissable in the look, despite her jacket bundled up over her.

She slipped into a pair of beige leather heeled boots, which had a pointed toe and looked classy with her outfit.

The TV personality opted for a natural palette of makeup for the occasion, adding a pop of colour with a peachy nude lip.

The gold detailing on her knitted dress matched her gold earrings as her accessories of choice.

And the buttons continued down the side of her Reiss dress, which she kept buttoned up.

Ashley's blonde tresses were worn in a bouncy yet straight style which she threw into a ponytail, and blow-dried her fringe to frame her face perfectly.

On the show this morning, Ashley met Shania Twain who has been doing a press tour to promote her latest album, Queen Of Me.

She admitted that the moment where they met made her 'fangirl so hard'.

Eye-catching: The former Pussycat Doll, 41, commanded attention in the fiery red dress as she took to the streets of London on Thursday morning

Unmissable: Spotted outside of the studio in Leicester Square, Ashley strutted her stuff in the button-up number which she paired with an oversized cream and black large checkered trench coat

Stepping out: She paired the dress with a red woven 1800 Bottega Veneta Mini Jodie bag, which added a touch of high fashion to her Thursday morning outfit

Fiery: Ashley's toned figure was unmissable in the look, despite her jacket bundled up over her

Ashley has had a lot on her mind of late as a fan called Lewis Langley, 47, was found not guilty of stalking her .

Defence lawyer Mr Hesham Puri had previously summarised by saying it is not disputed that Langley blew kisses or attended her workplace as had been claimed.

But he argued that, while his behaviour was odd, it was not enough to cause her serious distress.

Bold: She slipped into a pair of beige leather heeled boots, which had a pointed toe and looked classy with her outfit

Working woman: The TV personality opted for a natural palette of makeup for the occasion, adding a pop of colour with a peachy nude lip

Mr Puri said Langley's behaviour was 'unattractive, irritating' but did not cross the threshold into being 'oppressive'.

Langley was given a restraining order not to directly or indirectly contact Ashley.

He was also ordered not to go within 50 metres of Global International in Leicester Square.

Strike a pose: Ashley's blonde tresses were worn in a bouncy yet straight style which she threw into a ponytail, and blow-dried her fringe to frame her face perfectly
Aussie viewers are going wild over Taskmaster.

The new show, which sees a group of five comedians attempt to complete a series of challenges, is a hit.

Twitter erupted with excited fans on Thursday who couldn't get enough of the local show, hosted by controversial funnyman Tom Gleeson.

Fans have gone wild over Taskmaster. Pictured is the cast: Tom Gleeson and Tom Cashman (seated) and the cast of Taskmaster - Luke McGregor, Danielle Walker, Nina Oyama, Julia Morris and Jimmy Rees (lying down)

'Australian TV needs more of this! Less mafs and whatever channel 7 is pumping out. Keep it up Channel Ten, Taskmaster is so refreshing,' one viewer wrote.

Another viewer liked Tom and the format.

'Great job Taskmaster great host, co-host and team for season 1. I reckon there should be an 'ashes' series Aust Vs UK: Taskmaster in the next few years,' another wrote.

Viewers were crazy at the series with them clearly finding the quirky format enjoyable

Yet another enjoyed the episode.

'Much better episode of Taskmaster tonight. Seems like the flow of the show is better with better banter from everyone,' they wrote.

'The lower fake audience laughter also makes a difference.'

The series sees a group of five comedians attempt to complete a series of hard-to-complete and silly challenges. Pictured: Utopia's Luke McGregor in Taskmaster

Taskmaster premiered last week on February 2 with it starring some of Australia's best known comedians.

The Project's Tom Cashman starred alongside Utopia's Luke McGregor and Nina Oyama, Jimmy Rees, and stand-up favourites Julia Morris and Danielle Walker.

Based on a hit U.K. show, Variety Australia reports that the format has been sold to 12 countries including New Zealand, Sweden, and Denmark.

One of the challenges included the cast struggling to sink a bowling ball sitting on a pontoon

It also has a YouTube channel, an app and a board game.

A U.S. version, launched in 2018 by the Comedy Channel, failed to take off with viewers and was axed after one season.

It was later re-launched in 2020 on CW, but was pulled from the air after only one episode because of poor ratings.
Norman Reedus was spotted on the set on the The Walking Dead spin-off in Paris as filming continued on Thursday.

The actor, 54, who plays the main character Daryl Dixon, was joined by a host of terrifying zombies to shoot the new scenes.

Norman wrapped up in a dirty navy coat and black trousers, while slinging a bag over his shoulder by its brown leather strap.

He wore his long hair swept over his face and sported stubbly facial hair as he got to work with his co-stars.

Also on set where a group of zombie extras who had seriously scary face makeup on and straw-like wigs as they shuffled around in a trance-like state.

Scenes: Norman Reedus was spotted on the set on the The Walking Dead spin-off in Paris as filming continued on Thursday

The group of zombies - who all wore old ripped clothes - appeared to be filming a scene where they all clubbed together in an attack.

The series was announced in September 2020 and principal photography began in October 2022 in the French capital.

Norman set Twitter ablaze in October when he announced the title of his upcoming The Walking Dead spin-off.

He included an eerie promotional image of the Eiffel Tower seen from below and filtered through an ominous green and black color scheme.

Norman achieved worldwide fame on The Walking Dead, which followed Americans trying desperately to survive the zombie apocalypse.

Scott M Gimple, who was the showrunner for five of the middle seasons of the original show, revealed in August that the upcoming spin-off will be set in France.

'Daryl is a fish out of water to start with,' said Scott, who also serves as the chief content officer of the Walking Dead franchise.

'If Daryl finds himself with new people, he's a fish out of water. In France, in a country that's going through the apocalypse, [it's] an entirely different thing.'

Scary! The actor, 54, who plays the main character Daryl Dixon, was joined by a host of terrifying zombies to shoot the new scenes

During a Talking Dead special quoted by Total Film, Scott said Daryl 'finds himself having to reinvent himself again, having to find himself again, and also, not being with - probably - the only people in the world he's comfortable with.'

The 11th and final season of The Walking Dead has been split into three instalments, the last of which premiered this past Sunday.

On November 20, the show will air its finale Rest In Peace on AMC, bringing an end to a series that has been running since 2010.

Daryl is a tough-nosed type whose practical skills - including hunting, knife-fighting and tracking - enable him to eke out an existence amid the zombie takeover.

By the final stretch of the show Daryl, a loyal adjutant of Andrew Lincoln's lead character Rick Grimes, has lost his entire family.
Dan Hunjas has become the 'rogue' groom of Married At First Sight after Channel Nine slapped him with legal papers when he went public with a new busty girlfriend.

Now the 42-year-old has made another appearance without his bride, Sandy Jawanda.

The savvy businessman, who is now dating busty nurse Samantha Symes who attended his on-screen wedding, recently stepped out in a black muscle shirt during a filming break.

Dan Hunjas, 42, (pictured) has become the 'rogue' husband of Married At First Sight after Channel Nine slapped him with legal papers when he went public with a new busty girlfriend

Looking ready to hit the gym, he flaunted his muscles as he paired the tank top with a pair of black Nike shorts and sneakers.

Hiding his eyes behind a set of dark shades, he carried naught but a pink water bottle as he went out without his bride.

It comes just days after he was served with legal papers after he spoiled a major storyline on the show by going public with his new girlfriend.

Now the reality television star has made another appearance without his 'bride' Sandy Jawanda

The savvy businessman, who is now dating busty nurse Samantha Symes who attended his on-screen wedding, recently stepped out in a black muscle shirt

Daily Mail Australia can reveal Dan was ordered to 'stay away' from his new ladylove Samantha.

According to a production source, Dan's actions were seen as a threat to the ratings of the show, and Channel Nine has taken swift action to make an example of him.

'Channel Nine has a reputation to uphold, and they're not going to let anyone ruin the series, they can't have a repeat of season seven,' said a source.

Looking ready to hit the gym, he flaunted his muscles as he paired the tank top with a pair of black Nike shorts and sneakers

'Dan has gone too far, and now he's facing the consequences.'

Last week the entrepreneur confirmed he was dating the busty nurse just four months after she attended his TV wedding to Sandy Jawanda.

Since then, the couple has made no effort to hide their romance, despite Dan's 'marriage' to Sandy still playing out on the show.

Hiding his eyes behind a set of dark shades, he carried naught but a pink water bottle as he went out without his bride

It comes just days after he was served with legal papers after he spoiled a major storyline on the show by going public with his new girlfriend

Both Nine, Sandy and producers are 'furious' at Dan for spoiling the fact his marriage to Sandy doesn't last.

As of now, Dan is said to be cooperating with Channel Nine and has promised to 'stay away' from Samantha.

The cast also received a stern reminder about 'playing the part' and keeping storyline details under wraps until they have aired on television - this includes wearing their wedding rings for another seven more weeks.

Daily Mail Australia can reveal Dan was ordered to 'stay away' from his new ladylove Samantha
Lauren Goodger showed off her new lips after undergoing the same 'butterfly effect' filler technique as Katie Price on Thursday.

The former TOWIE star, 36, said she 'couldn't wait' to see the result of the procedure as she updated her fans from the salon.

Sharing a quick clip to her Instagram Story, Lauren laid back in a chair with tape covering the outer perimeter of her swollen lips.

She explained: 'I've just had the butterfly effect lip fillers by Lift Aesthetics, I've got the tape on at the minute so I'm talking really weird.

'I'm very swollen but literally a new technique, it's so amazing and I can't wait to see the results.'

Ouch: Lauren Goodger, 36, showed off her new lips after undergoing the same 'butterfly effect' filler technique as Katie Price on Thursday

Earlier in the day, Katie Price showed off her new look after visiting the same salon to get more filler in her lips.

The former glamour model, 44, also took to her social media to share with her fans the process of getting her 'butterfly lips' and botox done at the aesthetics salon.

She posed on Instagram for before and after videos to show off the results as her lips were marked up with tapes and filmed the moment her old filler was dissolved before being refilled.

She told her followers: 'You're probably thinking 'what is she doing?' The day has come for lips and Botox.

'And I hate needles that much - I've got my own pot because Ellie can't tell me off then and I've smothered my face. This is the 'before'.'

She then revealed the 'after' and wrote in a caption: 'Butterfly lips - dissolve and refill in one session. Absolutely loving my lips.'

She added in a video: 'So guys I'm going to zoom on my lips and show you the new technique of the tapes on the lips.'

The OnlyFans star tagged in Lift Aesthetics on her Story who did the procedure.

All done: Sharing a quick clip to her Instagram Story, Lauren laid back in a chair with tape covering the outer perimeter of her swollen lips

Before! The former TOWIE star said she 'couldn't wait' to see the result of the procedure as she updated her fans from the salon (pictured before)

Lauren's lip enhancement comes after she revealed that she lost three stone in the wake of the tragic death of her baby newborn daughter.

The 36-year-old former TOWIE star's baby daughter Lorena was born in July 2022 with her umbilical cord wrapped around her neck and lost her life.

The birthing tragedy came after Lauren's ex-partner Jake McLean was killed in a car crash in Turkey, then in a matter of weeks

Lauren and boyfriend Charles Drury, who had been dating since October 2020, then separated following his arrest after an alleged assault at her Essex home on the night of their daughter's funeral.

Results: Earlier in the day, Katie Price showed off her new look after visiting the same salon to get more filler in her lips

The harrowing grief Lauren experienced following Lorena's death meant she was unable to eat, but she has put on a stone as her mental health has improved.

Speaking to OK!, she said: 'I lost nearly three stone after I lost Lorena because of the stress. I didn't eat. I'm now eating again and I've put a stone back on because I'm being more healthy.

'I stayed indoors and I didn't go out, and now I feel I'm in a better place mentally. This year is about focusing on me and getting back on track.'

Shock: Lauren's lip enhancement comes after she revealed that she lost three stone in the wake of the tragic death of her baby newborn daughter (pictured left pregnant and right in the months after)

Hard times: The former TOWIE star's baby daughter Lorena was born in July 2022 with her umbilical cord wrapped around her neck and lost her life

The TV personality also said that her 18-month-old daughter Larose - who she has with Charles - has been a 'rock' for her and without she wouldn't have been able to have survived Lorena's death.

She said: 'She's the best. She makes me so proud every single day. She's unbelievable. She's my rock.

'After everything I went through, Larose is definitely my inspiration. She inspires me and she's kept me going through the hardest times. Without her, I wouldn't survive.'
Molly Sims has an incredible bikini body as she heads toward the big 50.

And on Wednesday the Vegas actress revealed one of the tricks she uses to look so svelte and shapely.

The 49-year-old star shared on her Insta Stories that she drinks bone broth.

The looker - who was seen in Mexico last week - even showed her followers that she pours the brown liquid into a white mug with a red heart on front.

Over the photo of the mug of broth she wrote: 'Anti-ageing, good for digestions and gut, helps my joints after workouts, better sleep... this has been game changing for me.'

Molly Sims has an incredible bikini body as she heads toward the big 50. And on Wednesday the Vegas actress revealed one of the tricks she uses to look so svelte and shapely. The star shared on her Insta Stories that she drinks bone broth

A 10: Here she looked flawless with no cellulite, stretch marks or fat anywhere on her lean body when she was in Mexico with pals

According to webmd, 'Bone broth, sometimes called stock, is liquid made from boiling animal bones and connective tissue. Chefs use stock as a base for soups, sauces, and gravies. Some people drink it on its own.

'People have been making bone broth since the beginning of humankind. Anthropologists think people drank liquid infused with bones and other animal parts as early as prehistoric times.

'People all over the planet make bone broth from the animals that live nearby. The popular Japanese ramen dish tonkatsu  pork bone broth in English  is one example.'

It was also shared that most bone broth has at least trace amounts of several nutrients.

'Adding vegetables to bone broth can also significantly enhance its nutritional benefits.'

It was also claimed it can help with weight management, hydration, sleep, nutrition.

Gwyneth Paltrow, Salma Hayek and Shailene Woodley have also praised the benefits of drinking bone broth in the past.

This comes after she took to Instagram to show off her figure while on a beach vacation in Mexico.

A good time was had by all: Molly puckered up a bit as her pal smiled away

The former Old Navy model was making the most of a tiny black string bikini that highlighted her trim tummy.

The 49-year-old star said she was on a Girls Trip with her longtime girlfriends.

HOW DOES BONE BROTH HELP? According to webmd, 'Bone broth, sometimes called stock, is liquid made from boiling animal bones and connective tissue. Chefs use stock as a base for soups, sauces, and gravies. Some people drink it on its own. 'People have been making bone broth since the beginning of humankind. Anthropologists think people drank liquid infused with bones and other animal parts as early as prehistoric times. 'People all over the planet make bone broth from the animals that live nearby. The popular Japanese ramen dish tonkatsu  pork bone broth in English  is one example.' It was also shared that most bone broth has at least trace amounts of several nutrients. 'Adding vegetables to bone broth can also significantly enhance its nutritional benefits.' It was also claimed it can help with weight management, hydration, sleep, nutrition. Information courtesy webmd Advertisement

'Girls trip: activated. Celebrating our bestie @michellecarlson02 turning 40 forever!! Austin meets Los Angeles and a bit of NYC. Vamos!' wrote the wife of Scott Stuber, a honcho at Netflix.

The siren - who pushed her Valentine's Day Gift Guide last week - had her blonde hair pulled back in a sassy do.

And she added pretty gold jewelry for her pinup photos that were taken at a resort.

In the new images, Sims looked flawless with no cellulite, stretch marks or fat anywhere on her lean body.

She was muscular but also svelte.

While outdoors on a rocky pathway, she made her best Vogue moves with her hands on her hips and one knee out.

The star rocked a light pink mani and pedi for her girls weekend.

And she already had a nice golden tan from the bright sun south of the border.

A week ago the she flashed her tummy and toned arms while in a black lace bra that was semi sheer as well as little undies, stockings and heels as she posed with a creamy light pink cake.

The looker was promoting her Valentine's Day Gift Guide for her eponymous website.

On Instagram she shared the saucy photos as the leggy wonder added the caption, 'Have your cake and eat it too -My Valentines Day Gift Guide is ON.'

She was seen sticking her finger in the cake making the post quite suggestive.

On her website she listed some of the items she was recommending and they don't come cheap.

One of the items is a PAT McGRATH LABS MatteTrance Lipstick for $39.

There is also the CozyChic Adult Robe from Barefoot Dreams for $127 and the Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum MAISON FRANCIS KURKDJIAN that can run up to $625.

One of the pricier items is the MS X SRJ Diamond Pinky Ring from Shylee Rose for $1,925.

And the former Old Navy spokesperson explained what she was up to with her list.

In the pink: In another post, Molly was seen in a pink two piece with a friend who wore a red one piece swimsuit

'February 14th is fast approaching, which means its time to start finding the perfect gift for her,' she wrote on her site.

'Whether she loves fashion and a great new outfit, travel accessories for her next getaway, roses, chocolates, and flowers, or a sentimental gesture, its time to treat her to something special.'

She then shared, 'While gift-giving may not be your love language, we are here to guide you. Below are 25 chic gift ideas she will surely love and cherish  mostly because they came from you.'
Laura Hamilton enjoyed visiting the sand dunes in Gran Canaria as she took time out from filming A Place In The Sun on Wednesday.

The presenter, 40, took to Instagram to share a snap of herself lapping up the sunshine as she sat barefoot.

Laura looked stunning in an off-the-shoulder floral mini dress which showcased plenty of leg as she grinned broadly for the picture.

The television presenter was also snapped soaking up the sun at Meloneras.

Relaxing: Laura Hamilton looked stunning in an off-the-shoulder floral mini dress as she took time out from filming for A Place In The Sun in Gran Canaria on Wednesday

Laura wore her blonde locks in a straightened style and added a pair of dark sunglasses to her look.

She captioned her post: 'I forgot how nice Meloneras was!'

Later, in her second post, she captioned: 'You can't come to Gran Canaria and not visit the sand dunes!

'Always love working with this lady @vicky_murua_'.

It comes after Laura revealed the reason why she gets glammed up for each episode of A Place in the Sun.

The television presenter is frequently seen in stylish ensembles when she hosts the Channel 4 show in various locations around the world.

And she took to Instagram in January to let her followers know why she dresses up in her outfits, including towering heels.

Sharing a snap of herself in a light beige jumper and some Tiffany knit and leather look leggings by The Fashion Basement which she teamed with a pair of open-toed platform heels in the Spanish city of Arboleas, she wrote: 'Not my usual @aplaceinthesunofficial attire but whilst it's sunny here, it's pretty cold!

Sun-soaked: The presenter was also snapped soaking up the sun at Meloneras, wearing her blonde locks in a straightened style and adding a pair of dark sunglasses to her look

'People often comment on my heels and if you watch my stories you will see one of the reasons I wear them!'

She added: 'You can't hear what I am saying in my last story but basically I wear such high heels because I'm only 5'2 and sometimes the cameramen are very tall!!!'

Laura's tall shoes means she fits into shot while filming as the cameramen sometimes tower above her.

It comes after Laura said she's focusing on herself following her split from husband Alex Goward.

She revealed to her fans online that she has been hitting the gym, taking flying lessons and renovating her new house.

Speaking to the Daily Star in January, the TV personality gave an insight into her life 12-months after separating from her husband.

She explained: 'I put a little gym in for myself and have a fitness regime with my friend, who is living with me at the moment, and we work out. I think having a workout partner keeps you motivated.

In style: The presenter shared some of the cameramen she works with are very tall and she is 5'2 so she has to glam up and wear high heels to fit in shot

She continued: 'I don't think it's good to get hung up on weight. It's just how I feel, and to feel healthy is more important to me than what the scales say.'

Laura added: 'I'm learning to fly so I can fly myself to my own travel destinations. I've done 16-and-a-half hours so far, so I've still got away to go, but I'm enjoying it and I'd like to get my licence this year - fingers crossed.'

Laura shares two children, Rocco, nine, and Tahlia, seven with her ex-husband Alex, but they havw remained on good terms following their split.
Bridgerton season three filming continued at a chapel in Greenwich, London, on Thursday as cast members shot the latest scenes.

Extras shielded from the cold and covered up their elaborate period costumes with coats as they moved between sets.

One lady filming at the location looked gorgeous in a light blue frock and heels and had pretty matching flowers in her hair.

Meanwhile one of the male cast members had on a navy suit jacket and white gloves as he took a break after some takes.

The whole cast then gathered in the courtyard in front of the chapel to shoot bigger scenes together.

Regency drama: Bridgerton season three filming continued at a chapel in Greenwich, London, on Thursday as cast members shot the latest scenes

Part of the road near the area was shut off to the public and huge cranes, lorries and filming equipment were seen on site.

It come after the next series of Bridgerton has been plunged into chaos after bosses thought that some of the storylines had gone 'too dark'.

Sources working on the production of the Netflix bonkbuster say that some of the scripts have had to be rewritten as Shonda Rhimes, the programme's producer, wants to give viewers more joy.

It is understood that there were concerns over a sex plotline.

It was reported last year that Ms Rhimes has been joined by another executive producer, Jess Brownell.

One source told The Mail on Sunday: 'Filming has been delayed due to the screenwriter not being happy with the direction of it.

'We have been told that it needs the fun back so there are changes, which of course means delays. One thing is for sure though, the production team want to get it right for Bridgerton fans so they enjoy it as much as they have in the past.

'There are some elements that Shonda is just not happy with so wants to change them. Some of it got very dark.'

Chilly: Extras and lesser-known cast members shielded from the cold and covered up their elaborate period costumes with coats as they moved between sets

Style: One lady filming at the location looked gorgeous in a light blue frock and heels and had pretty matching flowers in her hair

Costume: Another man on set wore a white wig and black robes as he took a break between takes

Exciting: Last year actress Simone Ashley, who portrays Kate Sharma, told how she was 'very happy when reading the scripts. When I receive them, I've got a beaming smile on my face'

It was announced in 2021 that there would be a third and fourth series of Bridgerton following the success of the first two. The show is based on the series of romantic novels by American author Julia Quinn.

Last year actress Simone Ashley, who portrays Kate Sharma, told how she was 'very happy when reading the scripts. When I receive them, I've got a beaming smile on my face'.

She also said that the third series is about to get 'super steamy' and added that it would be 'condensation central'.

The new series will see the return of Phoebe Dynevor as Daphne, the eldest daughter in the Bridgerton family.

Takes: The whole cast then gathered in the courtyard in front of the chapel to shoot bigger scenes together

Smart: Meanwhile one of the male cast members had on a navy suit jacket and white gloves as he took a break after some takes

Oh no! It come after the next series of Bridgerton has been plunged into chaos after bosses thought that some of the storylines had gone 'too dark'

Change: Sources working on the production of the Netflix bonkbuster say that some of the scripts have had to be rewritten as Shonda Rhimes, the programme's producer, wants to give viewers more joy

Plot: It will be based on the fourth book in the series, called Romancing Mister Bridgerton, and will follow the budding romance between Penelope  played by Nicola Coughlan  and Colin Bridgerton

Scene: Several male actors were dressed in religious black and red robes for filming

Production: The actors looked in good spirits as they filmed on location

Crew: Members of the production crew could be seen chatting in the foreground

Success: The first season debuted in late 2020 and the show has won legions of fans since

It will be based on the fourth book in the series, called Romancing Mister Bridgerton, and will follow the budding romance between Penelope  played by Nicola Coughlan  and Colin Bridgerton.

The pair will embark on a journey that will see them go from friends to lovers.

Jonathan Bailey will also reprise his role as Anthony, Claudia Jessie is back as Eloise, Luke Thompson as Benedict and Ruth Gemmell as Lady Violet Bridgerton.

There is currently no release date for the series but it is due to be shown after Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, a prequel that focuses on the young wife of George III and how she evolves into the no-nonsense Hanoverian royal.

Lovely: The pair will embark on a journey that will see them go from friends to lovers

Story: It is understood that there were concerns over a sex plotline. It was reported last year that Ms Rhimes has been joined by another executive producer, Jess Brownell

Popular hit: The show is based on the series of romantic novels by the American author Julia Quinn

Big: Part of the road near the area was shut off to the public and huge cranes, lorries and filming equipment were seen on site

Yay! It was announced in 2021 that there would be a third and fourth series of Bridgerton following the success of the first two

Stars: Jonathan Bailey will also reprise his role as Anthony, Claudia Jessie is back as Eloise, Luke Thompson as Benedict and Ruth Gemmell as Lady Violet Bridgerton

Big day! Cast members in costumes, carrying musical instruments, were spotted arriving at the filming location

Out and about: The cast of the hit Netflix show was spotted filming in south east London

Woah! She also said that the third series is about to get 'super steamy' and added that it would be 'condensation central'

Order: There is currently no release date for the series but it is due to be shown after Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
Disney is getting the band back together for a fifth installment of the beloved Toy Story franchise.

Buzz Lightyear himself, Tim Allen - who is facing allegations that he exposed himself to Pamela Anderson on the set of Home Improvement in 1991 - confirmed the news on Twitter on Wednesday.

'See ya soon Woody, you are a sad strange little man and you have my pity. And off we go to a number 5! To infinity and beyond,' Allen wrote.

His tweet also seemingly confirms that Tom Hanks will reprise the role of Woody in Toy Story 5.

The news comes as Bob Iger has returned to the helm at Disney after an era of doing spinoffs of Toy Story - including last year's Lightyear in which Chris Evans voiced Buzz - rather than continuing the main storyline.

See ya soon: Tim Allen seemingly confirmed both a Toy Story 5 and that he will return to the role of Buzz Lightyear on Twitter on Wednesday

It was claimed that Allen was left out of the last Toy Story because of his conservative political views.

Actress Patricia Heaton, who is also a conservative, took aim at Disney last year.

'Saw the trailer for Buzz Lightyear and all I can say is Disney/Pixar made a HUGE mistake in not casting my pal Tim Allen in the role that he originated, the role that he owns. Tim IS Buzz! Why would they completely castrate this iconic, beloved character?' she tweeted.

But those involved in the Lightyear movie say it was a creative choices.

'Tim Allen is Buzz Lightyear the toy,' Lightyear producer Galyn Susman stated, according to Yahoo.

'We werent making a Toy Story movie. Were making Buzz Lightyears movie.'

Buzz and Woody: The news comes after the spin off movie, Lightyear, with Chris Evans voicing the spaceman, failed to make a mark with audiences

This casting news comes as Allen, 69, is facing some backlash over allegations Pamela Anderson made about her time on the set of Home Improvement.

In her new memoir, Love Pamela, the blonde bombshell said The Santa Clause star flashed his genitals at her in 1991 when she was 23-years-old.

'On the first day of filming, I walked out of my dressing room, and Tim was in the hallway in his robe,' the Baywatch star wrote.

'He opened his robe and flashed me quickly - completely naked underneath,' she continued.

The Silk Stalkings actress, 55, had appeared in Playboy by the time she took on the role of Lisa on Home Improvement.

'He said it was only fair, because he had seen me naked,' she revealed. 'Now were even. I laughed uncomfortably.'

The Last Man Standing actor denied the allegations and took a shot at the Barbed Wire star.

'I would never do such a thing,' Allen told Variety, adding that what Anderson claimed 'never happened.'

You've got a friend in me: Allen and Tom Hanks have been voicing Buzz and Woody since the first film in 1995

Disappointed: The Home Improvement star said he was 'disappointed' in Pamela Anderson

Woody's back: Tom Hanks is also expected to return to the role of Woody in Toy Story 5

To Infinity and Beyond: The beloved characters will continue the storyline last visited in 2019's Toy Story 4

In an exclusive interview with DailyMail, the Christmas with the Kranks star said, 'She was a great co-worker, I'll tell you that. She's a fun girl.

'Everybody loved her, but everybody at ABC is a little disappointed in her memory, put it that way. All of us at Disney/ABC, really.'

Anderson responded to Allen's denial in an interview with ET Canada, saying, 'He ran back into his room and then he was embarrassed all day and acting like a little giddy school boy.'

'You can't make that stuff up. How could you make that up?,' she added.

More fun: It's always a good time when the gang from Toy Story gets together
She is never shy showing off her physique on social media.

And Lottie Moss flaunted her figure in a tiny patterned bikini as she continued her trip to Australia on Thursday.

The OnlyFans star, 25, writhed around poolside at night during a rain storm in a clip taken by one of her pals and posted to her Instagram Story.

Lottie put on a sultry display as she posed in the swimwear before seductively falling to the ground and lying on her back with her legs in the air.

She gave a glimpse of her ample assets in closer-up clips on her social media as she hung out with her pals.

Here she is: Lottie Moss flaunted her figure in a tiny patterned bikini as she continued her trip to Australia on Thursday

Sexy: The OnlyFans star, 25, writhed around poolside at night during a rain storm in a clip taken by one of her pals and posted to her Instagram Story

Lottie wore her blonde tresses up in a pony tail while opting for natural makeup while her new face tattoo was on display.

She has not shied away from documenting her sun-soaked getaway to Australia with her new beau Daniel Steel with an array of sizzling social media posts.

It comes after Lottie spoke out on her new romance last week and said that while the couple aren't officially boyfriend and girlfriend yet, she 'really likes' Daniel.

Adding that the firefighter is 'sweet and passionate', the star admitted she's 'not very good at relationships' and finds it tough.

In an Instagram Live, she shared: 'We're having fun, he's really sweet. It's a big change from my usual type of man, I usually go for a bad boy.

'We're not official but I really like him. He's really nice, sweet and hot, he's really passionate and nice to me and he makes me laugh,' gushed Lottie.

Lottie has been in Perth, Australia, where Daniel lives, for more than a week as the couple grow closer.

But Lottie further explained that while things are going well between the pair, she has insecurities and isn't used to being in a relationship.

Work it: Lottie put on a sultry display as she posed in the swimwear before seductively falling to the ground and lying on her back with her legs in the air

Crawl: Lottie wore her blonde tresses up in a pony tail while opting for natural makeup while her new face tattoo was on display

Chilling: She gave a glimpse of her ample assets in closer-up clips on her social media as she hung out with her pals

Having fun: She has not shied away from documenting her sun-soaked getaway to Australia with her new beau Daniel Steel with an array of sizzling social media posts

Cute: It comes after Lottie spoke out on her new romance last week and said that while the couple aren't officially boyfriend and girlfriend yet, she 'really likes' Daniel

She said: 'Dan told me I have a really square jaw. I know, I have cheek filler but I didn't intend to look like Lord Farquaad! I'm like mega insecure.

'He is not my boyfriend yet... ahh didn't mean to say yet! I'm not very good at relationships, I haven't been in one for six years,' she shared.

According to The Sun, a source said: 'Lottie and Daniel have really hit it off. They have lots in common and he's a great guy  just what she was looking for. He has really been spoiling her and she is loving every moment of it.'

Before her new romance, Lottie was last believed to be in a relationship with American music producer beau Cody Colacino but they split in November.

Safe: Adding that the firefighter is 'sweet and passionate', the star admitted she's 'not very good at relationships' and finds it tough
Katie Price has sparked criticism from her followers after sharing a heavily-filtered snap of her daughter Bunny in false eyelashes.

The former glamour model, 44, uploaded the image on Instagram after taking it at her sister Sophie's wedding in June.

Ever the proud mother, Katie captioned her post: 'My Bunny Bops the day of my sisters wedding and @fern_makeup.'

But the post sparked a flurry of comments from her followers, with many criticising her for putting a full face of makeup on a child.

Katie's daughter Bunny wore a cute navy blue bridesmaid's dress to attend her aunt Sophie's wedding.

'She's a child!' Katie Price has sparked criticism from her followers after sharing a heavily-filtered snap of her daughter Bunny in false eyelashes

The adorable image showed a smiling Bunny in false lashes and a floral headband, as the schoogirl beamed for the camera.

Many of Katie's followers were quick to criticise the image, with one writing: 'No need for the full makeup and edification, she's a child ffs.'

Another added: 'Eight is way too young. For false lashes, glue on a child's eyes that age is not good at all.

A third commented: 'OMG! She's a child why have you allowed all that makeup that's far too much for such a young child!'

'Makeup of that quantity is ridiculous on such a young child & not necessary,' one user also commented.

But, some of Katie's followers praised her sweet daughter in the images, with one writing: 'Ahh all little girls love make up. She looks sweet bless her.'

Another user posted: ''These comments though, got nothing nice to say keep ya mouth shut. Bunny looks beautiful! Bet she loved getting her make up done like all the other girls.'

This isn't the first time Katie has sparked backlash with Bunny's love of makeup, as when she was five she splashed out on a vast collection of cosmetics for her, including lip gloss, mascara and nail polish.

Family: The former glamour model uploaded the image on Instagram after taking it at her sister Sophie's wedding in June

Adorable: Katie's daughter Bunny wore a cute navy blue bridesmaid's dress to attend her aunt Sophie's wedding (pictured at the reception)

In 2020, Katie also divided her followers as she shared photos of her daughter Bunny in a full face of make-up and false lashes.

They claimed that she was 'far too young' to experiment with make-up, while others defended her decision.

It comes after Katie showed off her huge new pout after getting yet more more lip filler done on Wednesday.

She posed on Instagram for before and after videos to show off the results as her lips were marked up with tapes and filmed the moment her old filler was dissolved before being refilled.

Angry! Many of Katie's followers were quick to criticise the image, with one writing: 'No need for the full makeup and edification, she's a child ffs.

She told her followers: 'You're probably thinking 'what is she doing?' The day has come for lips and Botox.

'And I hate needles that much - I've got my own pot because Ellie can't tell me off then and I've smothered my face. This is the 'before'.'

She then revealed the 'after' and wrote in a caption: 'Butterfly lips - dissolve and refill in one session. Absolutely loving my lips.'

It's sweet! However, some of Katie's followers rushed to defend her, with one writing that Bunny 'looked sweet'

'She's too young': In 2020, Katie also divided her followers as she shared photos of her daughter Bunny in a full face of make-up and false lashes

She added in a video: 'So guys I'm going to zoom on my lips and show you the new technique of the tapes on the lips.'

The OnlyFans star tagged in Lift Aesthetics on her Story who did the procedure.

Her lip filler procedure comes after she recently had her 16th breast augmentation in a bid to have the 'biggest in Britain.

Katie has undergone an array of procedures over the years, including rhinoplasty, a silhouette facelift, 3D, veneers, lip fillers and Botox.

In 2015, just before appearing on Celebrity Big Brother, the reality star had a botched boob reduction that left her with a hole in her breast and an implant protruding from her flesh.

Results: It comes after Katie showed off her huge new pout after getting yet more more lip filler done on Wednesday

Filler: The former glamour model, 44, took to her social media to share with her fans the process of getting her 'butterfly lips' and botox done at the aesthetics salon

Speaking on Mark Dolan Tonight on GB News , the former glamour model, 44, discussed her recent operation and if she would consider more surgery.

Katie said: 'Oh my god, that's just a no brainer, isn't it? What do you think? Of course.

'These boobs are actually the freakiest I've ever been. They are 2120cc but the thing is, in the daytime when you see me people can't understand why I've had them done because I never show them unless it's for Only Fans, but I do it for myself not for the jobs.

'If there's anyone out there who wants to get their boobs done - do it for yourself, not for anyone else or for your career.
Jeannie Mai Jenkins turned heads in New York City on Thursday as she dressed to the nines for a press appearance.

The 44-year-old former The Real host was fashionable in a bright green co-ord that included a mini skirt.

The matching set also included a cropped, crew neck blazer and the ensemble had silver-toned hardware accents.

The media personality, who's married to rapper Jeezy, teamed the look with sheer black tights.

Adding even more pizazz to the look, she rocked a pair of sporty and sleek black sunglasses as she headed to the Sherri Shepherd Show.

Showstopper: Jeannie Mai Jenkins turned heads in New York City on Thursday as she dressed to the nines for a press appearance

Mai Jenkins, who was formerly married to Freddy Harteis, layered a fitted turtleneck under her jacket.

The number boasted diagonal buttons stretching from her shoulder to her trim waistline.

The coordinated skirt echoed the design, but its buttons were arranged in the opposite direction.

The entrepreneur hit the pavement in a pair of sleek, pointy-toe black leather heels with thin criss cross straps.

The mother-of-one pulled her silky dark locks into a neat ponytail that allowed her to show off her statement earrings.

Her black stone chandelier-style accessories dangled from her ears, adding an elegant touch to her look.

It comes after recently told People she played a part in helping her aunt get a multiple sclerosis diagnosis.

She recalled seeing a change in her dad's sister Lynn's physical behavior ten years ago.

Stunning: Adding even more pizazz to the look, she rocked a pair of sporty and sleek black sunglasses as she headed to the Sherri Shepherd Show

'My Aunt Linh and I were very close,' she revealed to the publication. 'She just started pulling back on some of the activities that we were used to doing, going out on walks, even.'

A perceptive niece, she continued, 'She couldn't walk the same distance that we would want to walk. That in and of itself would be embarrassing for her, to decline going, or having to stop and take so many breaks.

'I didn't mind it at all, but after a while, it started to become so frequent, to the point that she just didn't even want to go on a walk.'

Style savvy: The 44-year-old former The Real host was fashionable in a bright green co-ord that included a mini skirt

After six months without a diagnosis, Jeannie and her family eventually realized there was a language barrier.

'It wasn't until my Aunt Linh started to go to different doctors, on her own time, that she found out she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis,' she said.

'At that time, it wasn't very understood, let alone translated into the Vietnamese language so that she could understand what this condition meant for her,' the star added.

The family-oriented multihyphenate continued, 'The representation of doctors in the Asian community wasn't there.

'The language barrier was an issue, and it wasn't until my aunt really just went to find different doctors, and people like myself, who could come with her to appointments, that then the translation happened and she better understood what she was going through.'

Jenkins shared that it took her aunt being proactive in order to better communicate her ailments.

'She did a bit of the work and found ways to explain, "My hands don't move the way I used to tell them to move. My legs get very tired, and my heart rate and my breathing is [not the same,]."

'There's specific things that she had to be really clear about in order to get the right diagnosis,' she shared.

Details: The matching set also included a cropped, crew neck blazer and the ensemble had silver-toned hardware accents

Now Jeannie works with Express4MS, a campaign that motivates people living with MS to share their experience.

'The day that my aunt got diagnosed, is the day I feel like my family started to heal,' she said about her loved ones' journey.

'We all began to reach out to her, much more, and to be more sensitive about what this is that none of us understood and knew about. It was my first time hearing about it,' she noted.

Speaking about her aunt emphatically, she said: 'My role was to be super supportive and to open my ears and eyes and learn. It was to ask all the questions I need to ask, no matter how dumb I thought they sounded.'

She went on, 'It was to check in on my aunt, to say, "Okay, I'm hearing this from the doctor. What do you need from me? What do you want me to do, after hearing this earful of what the doctor was telling you?"

'So it was really about being: number one priority, supportive for my aunt, and then number two: taking it upon myself to learn what I can, so that I understand my aunt and anybody else around me who might happen to have it.'

A doting mama bear: Here the beauty is seen with her husband Jeezy and their child

Discussing how her Aunt Linh has adapted since the diagnosis, she said, 'Anything with small buttons, she can't finagle.

'But now, she's stopped buying things with buttons. Now she loves things like knapsack dresses, or bodycon dresses, where she just throws one on and it's done.

'Or, she's actually permanently had buttons attached to things, and then on the backside, she's had velcro or magnets.'

Jeannie took to Instagram this week to share an Express4MS ad with her followers.

She wrote in the caption, 'My Aunt Linh lives with multiple sclerosis and through her I learned how MS can impact every aspect of a persons life. Im working with EMD Serono on a new program called #Express4MS where I get to meet amazing people living with MS who will share how they find ways to express themselves and not let their disease define them. Link in bio.'
Salma Hayek shared a new behind-the-scenes video from a photo shoot for Glamour.

The 56-year-old Frida actress was making a busty display in a low-cut black dress.

Also on set with her was her white dog Sofia. The Fools Rush In actress has eight dogs in total but she singled out her white German Shepherd a for a recent photoshoot.

The Grown Ups star - who recently revealed she had 'no choice' in marrying her husband Francois-Henri Pinault - captioned her video, 'Sometimes when you look for a hand you find a paw.'

This comes just as she said she found her role as a socialite who puts together a stage show full of sexy men in Magic Mike 3 empowering, especially after playing a stripper in past movies.

Puppy love: Salma Hayek shared a new behind-the-scenes video from a photo shoot for Glamour as she posed with her dog Sofia

A look: The 56-year-old Frida actress was making a busty display in a low-cut black dress

'It felt full-circle for me. And it was one of the attractions of the film, because I've had to be the stripper before.

'It was empowering to switch the roles,' Salma, 56, told People.

Salma played a stripper in Americano and From Dusk Till Dawn.

In one of Magic Mike 3's hottest scenes, Channing Tatum gives the mom of one a sexy lap dance.

'It was very different, because I've danced in other movies before, but I've danced for a guy. [This time] it really felt like he was dancing for me,' she said.

'We wanted it to have an art that we were moving together. I was not sitting there having this guy dance  we connected and we were moving together.'

Her role as Maxandra Mendoza also appealed to her because she found its themes relatable.

'I think a lot of women identify and relate with feeling undermined and feeling like you have things to do and say and just feel like you're not taken serious sometimes by your own family, or in her case, the husband and her friends,' the star said.

Doggy smiles: Sofia smiles while the Grown Ups star strikes a dramatic pose in a black dress

Good dog: Sofia was perfectly behaved on the set of his mom's photoshoot

'And when people kind of give up on you and you feel you have more potential but you're not in the right circumstances.

'And finding the power to go for it.'

She added, 'I don't think there's a woman that has not had that problem in her life.'

This comes after Hayek said she had to be 'dragged' down the aisle.

Role reversal: Salma Hayek said she found in empowering to play her role in Magic Mike 3 after prior roles as a stripper

The actress has been married to French businessman Francois-Henri Pinault, 60, since 2009, but turned down two of his proposals before they finally got hitched and said their nuptials felt like an 'intervention' by her family.

She told the new issue of Glamour magazine about how she had no idea she was getting married on Valentine's Day until her relatives got involved: 'They just took me to the court.

'My parents, my brother, they were all ganging up on me. I had a phobia of the marriage thing.

'I was nervous... I had said yes to the marriage, but I just wouldn't actually show up on the day or do it.'

She added she was then relieved to find her relationship with Francois didn't feel different when they got married.

Hiding in plain sight: Sofia hides under the table while Salma strikes a pose

The cover look: Here the siren is seen in the finished product for Glamour

The couple had been dating for three years when they wed and were already the parents of daughter Valentina, 15, and Salma has previously about rejecting his requests for marriage: 'I am ashamed to admit how many times he had to ask me.

'Three times! That was the biggest fear I've ever overcome. He is an amazing man, self-confident and feminist, who likes strong women and also knows how to take care of them.'

The actress also told earlier this week in a chat with GQ magazine about being constantly offered sexy roles: 'I was typecast for a long time.

'My entire life I wanted to do comedy and people wouldn't give me comedies. I couldn't land a role until I met Adam Sandler, who put me in a comedy (2010's 'Grown Ups'), but I was in my forties! 'They said,

'You're sexy, so you're not allowed to have a sense of humour'. Not only are you not allowed to be smart, but you were not allowed to be funny in the '90s.'
Ncuti Gatwa has confirmed that season four of the hit show Sex Education will be his last.

The actor, 30, who stars as Eric Effiong on the show, shared a picture on Instagram from his trailer as he spent his very last day on set.

In a moving post, he wrote: 'Last day. Last time. Bye bubs, thank you for all the lessons and for all the strength.'

Ncuti is set to play The Fifteenth Doctor on Doctor Who with his first episode airing over the festive period later this year.

Ncuti also shared an Instagram story and wrote: 'Goodbye forever baby boy. Thank you for all you taught me.'

'Thank you for the lessons': Ncuti Gatwa confirmed this week that season four is his last on Sex Education as he shared a picture from his final day on set (pictured on the show)

Underneath his social media post, fans flooded the comments and said they were sad to see him go.

'You and him have changed the world... I love you. thank you for everything you and him have done. Words can't express how thankful I am,' one fan wrote.

Another added: 'I'm glad season four is the last.'

'Time to be the Doctor,' another quipped.

Scottish actor Ncuti, who was born in Rwanda, rose to fame as Eric Effiong in Netflix's hugely popular Sex Education about socially awkward high school student Otis (Asa Butterfield) and his sex therapist mother Jean (Gillian Anderson).

In December, Ncuti donned his Time Lord's costume for the first time in a series of pictures from filming Doctor Who.

First look snaps from the series show the Sex Education star wearing a brown and black chequered suit with an orange jumper underneath and brown shoes.

Ncuti has also posed for a snap with his co-star Milly, who is set to play The Doctor's companion Ruby Sunday, with the pair's first scenes set to air in 2023.

Final day: The actor, 30, who stars as Eric Effiong on the show, shared a picture on Instagram from his trailer as he spent his very last day on set

Ncuti also shared an Instagram story and wrote: 'Goodbye forever baby boy. Thank you for all you taught me'

In a moving post, he wrote: 'Last day. Last time. Bye bubs, thank you for all the lessons and for all the strength'

Farewell: Underneath his social media post, fans flooded the comments and said they were sad to see him go

FIRST LOOK: In December, Ncuti donned his Time Lord's costume for the first time in a series of pictures from filming Doctor Who

Each incarnation of The Doctor was famous for their signature look, whether that be David Tennant's brown pinstriped suit, Matt Smith's bow tie, or Tom Baker's colourful scarf.

Doctor Who returns in November 2023 with three special episodes to coincide with the show's 60th anniversary, with David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor.

The Fifteenth Doctor, played by Ncuti, will then take control of the TARDIS, with his first episode airing over the festive period next year.

In October Jodie Whittaker stepped down from her role as The Doctor, replaced by returning star David for the upcoming anniversary episodes.

The Power of the Doctor was jam-packed with excitement as famous faces returned, Jodie bowed out after five years as the Time Lord, David made his return, and fans were given a first-look at Ncuti as the new Doctor.
Personal items once owned by Peter Mayhew - who played Chewbacca in the Star Wars franchise - have been pulled from auction after his widow's public pleas.

The wife of the actor, Angie Mayhew, told TMZ on Thursday morning that she was upset that an auction house in the UK was selling several of Peter's possessions.

Ryedale Auctioneers was about to put up many personal items from his Star Wars days including scripts, call sheets, and signed photos owned by the towering 7foot3 British-American actor who passed away in 2019.

However there was a resolution found later on Thursday as Angie was able to come to an agreement with the auction house to get back the items.

The Peter Mayhew Foundation Twitter posted: 'Started our morning on Zoom with @AngusAshworth from @RyedaleAuction1 and communicated our desire that Peter's items be returned to Angie and the Mayhew family. Will keep everyone posted as progress is made - thank you for the continued support!'

Happy ending: Personal items once owned by Peter Mayhew - who played Chewbacca in the Star Wars franchise - have been pulled from auction after his widow's public pleas, the actor is pictured in Los Angeles back in May 2018

Iconic: Mayhew portrayed lovable Wookie Chewbacca in the Star Wars franchise, as he is pictured left in 1983's Star Wars Episode Vi - Return Of The Jedi

Angie had been hoping to take ownership of the items again in order to put them on display at the family's 'Chewy' museum in Texas.

The auction house had originally received the items from a couple who had moved into Peter's old home in northern Ireland and found them in the attic.

The new tenants claim that they did not know that the memorabilia had actually once belonged to Peter so they 'unwittingly' submitted it for auction.

Angie told TMZ that when she and Peter were moving out of the home, her now late husband had attempted to get the keepsakes in the attic but was unable to due to serious knee issues and that he didn't want her going up there either and risking injury.

Peter had undergone double knee replacement surgery in 2013 and had a full-time wheelchair the previous two years and was still largely reliant on it while filming 2015's Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Angie told the publication that he had tried to get as many items as he could but had to leave the rest.

She also said that leaving the memorabilia behind was one of her and Peter's 'biggest disappointments' in life.

Angie had saw that her late husband's personal items were up for auction and got those at his Peter Mayhew Foundation charity to contact the auction house.

They also put out a tweet which read: 'When we moved out of this house Peter's movement challenges made it impossible for him to get into the attic to get the rest of these memories. It really breaks my heart to see our belongings auction off like this by @angusashworth and @rydaleAuction1. ~ Angie Mayhew'

Taking a stand: The wife of the actor, Angie Mayhew, told TMZ on Thursday morning that she was upset that an auction house in the UK was selling several of Peter's possessions, the couple are seen in Hollywood back in December 2016

The goods: Ryedale Auctioneers was about to put up many personal items from his Star Wars days including scripts, call sheets, and signed photos owned by the towering 7foot3 British-American actor who passed away in 2019

'Thank you for continued support': The Peter Mayhew Foundation announced a resolution on Thursday morning

Interesting: The auction house had originally received the items from a couple who had moved into Peter's old home in northern Ireland and found them in the attic, Mayhew is seen left in 1980's The Star Wars Episode V - Empire Strikes Back

She spoke to those at Ryedale Auctioneers on Thursday morning and was able to come to an agreement.

Mayhew came to the attention of film casting agents completely by chance while working as an orderly at London's King's College Hospital when a reporter for a local newspaper took his photograph for an article about men with big feet in 1976.

Seeing the picture, producer Charles H. Schneer invited Mayhew to audition for a film he was working on - Sinbad And The Eye Of The Tiger - and he was cast as the Minoton, a robotic creature based on a Minotaur.

A short time later Mayhew was spotted by George Lucas who was looking for a large man to play the Wookie in his upcoming film, Star Wars.

The foundation originally put out a tweet which read: 'When we moved out of this house Peter's movement challenges made it impossible for him to get into the attic to get the rest of these memories. It really breaks my heart to see our belongings auction off like this by @angusashworth and @rydaleAuction1. ~ Angie Mayhew'

Star Wars: A New Hope was released in 1977 and became the highest-grossing film of all time. It has been followed by another seven canonical films, with an eighth episode due this December, two standalone films, and has spawned TV series, video games and books.

Incredibly, Mayhew went back to his job at the hospital following the first Star Wars film and continued working there until Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, the third film in the original trilogy, was released in 1983.

After that he quit and made his living off the character, giving speeches and appearing at fan conventions.

Mayhew would reprise the role twice more - in 2005 for Revenge Of The Sith and 2015 for The Force Awakens.

Mayhew passed away just three weeks before his 75th birthday on April 30, 2019 after a heart attack at his home in Boyd, Texas.
Rapper Gucci Mane and his wife Keyshia Kaoir Davis have welcomed their second child together, a daughter named Iceland.

The couple announced her arrival with photos of the new addition, resting in her mother's arms as her father gazed lovingly at her.

The new addition comes just over two years after the parents welcomed son Ice into their lives.

Baby Iceland was born on February 8, weighing seven pounds and two ounces, her proud parents revealed.

'Im so thankful that my baby girl is here and she so pretty and healthy 2/8/23 7lbs 2oz ICELAND DAVIS,' Gucci, 42, captioned the photos, adding the hashtag '#Daddyprincess.'

Introducing Iceland! Rapper Gucci Mane and his wife Keyshia Kaoir Davis have welcomed their second child, a daughter named Iceland

Keyshia, 38, posted the same photos, captioned: 'Our little princess is here! Beautiful & Healthy! ICELAND KAOIR DAVIS.'

Her happy parents shared a kiss as their youngster lay wrapped up in a pink blanket and beanie.

The couple announced their family was expanding again in September 2022 with video of Keyshia's positive pregnancy test followed by her sonogram.

'"Let's Have Another Baby ICE Needs Somebody To Play With"', Keyshia captioned the announcement, along with two heart and a pregnant woman emoji.

The new addition means Gucci and Mane's firstborn together, Ice, is now a big brother.

Gucci and Mane welcomed Ice in December 2022. They announced they were expecting their first child together in August 2022 with a sultry shot of Keyshia.

'My wife pregnant my life is great @keyshiakaoir,' Mane gushed in the caption of an Instagram photo showing Ka'oir posing in black lingerie with her minimal baby bump on full display.

In the photo, Ka'oir is looking off to her right in the lingerie ensemble that includes black stockings and garter belts.

Proud parents! The couple shared a kiss as they doted on their newborn daughter

Growing family! The couple also share two-year-old son Ice together

She also added some major bling with a large silver chain and emblem around her neck and matching watch on her left wrist.

Projecting a confident vibe with both hands at her side, the Jamaican native styled her raven tresses long with the exception of the hair on the top of her head that was pulled into a ponytails.

Gucci also has an older son named Keitheon Davis, whom he shares with his ex Sheena Evans. Keyshia has two daughters and a son from a previous relationship.

Gucci and Keyshia were married in Miami on October 17, 2017. The preparations and lavish $1.7 million ceremony were featured in a 10-part series, The Mane Event, on BET.

Mane is credited with helping pioneer the hip-hop subgenre trap music alongside fellow Atlanta-based artist T.I. and Young Jeezy in the 2000s and 2010s.

Over his career he has worked with such stars as Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Drake, Mariah Carey, Selena Gomez and Marilyn Manson.
One of Channel 10's longest-serving employees has taken aim at the network's American owners after he lost his job in a brutal corporate restructure.

Frank Filosi, vice president of operations and general manager of Ten's Adelaide headquarters, was given his marching orders earlier this week as parent company Paramount moves towards 'a more global approach to broadcast content'.

He was among a handful of senior figures, including vice president of streaming Liz Baldwin, to lose their jobs in the latest round of redundancies at Ten as the struggling network reels from a string of ratings flops and low staff morale.

In an email to staff on Thursday, obtained by The Advertiser, Mr Filosi told colleagues his role would 'cease to exist' under the new order, after 37 years working at the station.

One of Channel 10's longest-serving employees has taken aim at the network's American owners after he lost his job in a corporate restructure. Frank Filosi (pictured), vice president of operations and general manager of Ten Adelaide, was given his marching orders this week as parent company Paramount moves towards 'a more global approach to broadcast content'

'After 37 years of dedicated, passionate and tireless service, my time at Network 10 has come to an end,' he said.

'I have been caught up in an international restructuring program impacting various areas of the business, which includes the Australian operation.

'I look forward to my next career move, whatever and wherever that may be.'

Mr Filosi began his almost four-decade career at Ten as an assistant accountant in 1986 and climbed the ladder to finance director in 1999, before being appointed the Adelaide general manager.

He was among a handful of senior figures to lose their jobs in the latest round of redundancies at Ten as the struggling network reels from a string of ratings flops and low staff morale. (Pictured: the presenting line-up of current affairs show The Project)

In an email to staff on Thursday, obtained by The Advertiser, Mr Filosi told colleagues his role would 'cease to exist' under the new order, after 37 years working at the station

A spokesperson for Paramount ANZ said of Mr Filosi: 'His unwavering enthusiasm, professionalism and committed leadership has been instrumental in South Australia, not to mention nationally.

'Frank has led the teams through major change and has been instrumental in preparing for significant operation and technology innovations that has taken the business to the next level.

'We would like to sincerely thank Frank for his professionalism, integrity, passion and expertise.

'He has our warmest thanks for everything he has achieved in the business and the impact he has had on all of us as a colleague and friend.'

Mr Filosi, vice president of streaming Liz Baldwin, and at least seven other senior employees were let go in this week's corporate restructure, the Australian Financial Review reported on Wednesday.

Mr Filosi, vice president of streaming Liz Baldwin (pictured), and at least seven other senior employees were let go in this week's corporate restructure, the AFR reported on Wednesday

But the content boss who has overseen Ten's seemingly terminal ratings decline was not affected, and even scored herself a nice promotion.

Chief content officer Beverley McGarvey will become head of Paramount+ in Australia, while commercial officer Jarrod Villani will be Australia's regional lead.

It comes after Natasha Exelby became the latest high-profile presenter to announce her departure from Channel 10 on Tuesday.

Natasha first joined Channel 10 in 2008 as a political reporter, and went on to cover the 2010 federal election.

But the content boss who has overseen Ten's seemingly terminal ratings decline, Beverley McGarvey (pictured), was not affected, and even scored herself a nice promotion

She then became a host of the breakfast show Wake Up alongside Natarsha Belling and James Mathison in 2013, but was dropped after three weeks.

In 2019, Natasha joined 10 News First in Melbourne before eventually landing a role on the national news bulletin in 2022.

For the last few years, she was also a regular panelist on Studio 10.

Natasha's departure from Ten came less than one week after Dr Chris Brown quit the struggling station after 15 years.

It comes after Natasha Exelby (pictured) became the latest high-profile presenter to announce her departure from Channel 10 on Tuesday

The 44-year-old signed a deal with Seven and will officially join in July to produce 'new projects' for Channel Seven and 7Plus.

Natasha and Chris are the latest in a string of major departures from Ten, following the exits of The Project hosts Carrie Bickmore, Lisa Wilkinson and Peter Helliar.

Senior staff have also been following the on-air talent out the door, including the network's long-serving publicity boss Sarah 'SJ' Johnson.

Dejected employees said last year the station feels like 'a sinking ship' and the workplace is 'lacking direction and morale' - although network reps insist Ten's parent company Paramount Global is in good financial shape.

Natasha's departure from Ten came less than one week after Dr Chris Brown (pictured) quit the struggling station after 15 years

'There are going to be a lot more resignations to come... Ten feels a bit like a sinking ship,' one staffer told Daily Mail Australia, adding that morale had been on a critical slide 'for some time'.

'It feels kind of rudderless. Like there's not a lot of direction and the network can't seem to figure out exactly what it wants to be.'

Adding to the general discontent is the network's hit-and-miss programming which leans heavily on reality TV formats, another staffer said.

'Some like Survivor and, at a pinch, MasterChef, work but a lot of them don't,' the source said. 'There seems to be so much that bombs.'
A documentary giving a never-before-seen insight into the life, career and tragic death of John Candy has been made by Colin Hanks and Ryan Reynolds.

Iconic actor Candy - who was famed for starring in films such as Home Alone, Cool Runnings and Planes, Trains and Automobiles - died of a heart attack in 1994 at age 43.

Variety reports Amazon is in negotiations to acquire the untitled film directed by Hanks, 45, and produced by Reynolds, 46 and George Dewey via his production company, Maximum Effort.

The film - made with the full support of Candy's wife Rosemary Margaret Hobor and children Jennifer, 43, and Chris, 38 - will reportedly give an insight in Candy's private family life off-screen.

It will also feature never-before-seen home videos, archives and family interviews.

Tragic loss: A documentary giving a never-before-seen insight into the life, career and tragic death of John Candy has been made by Colin Hanks and Ryan Reynolds (Candyy pictured 1983)

Hanks' father Tom Hanks and stepmother Rita Wilson starred with Candy in 1985 film Volunteers, with Candy also appearing in 1984's Splash alongside Hanks and Daryl Hannah.

Hanks also produces the documentary with Sean Stuart and Zipper Bros Films Glen Zipper.

Reynolds is known for his affinity with fellow Canadian actor Candy and his friendship with his family.

On the 25th anniversary of his death in March 2019, he shared a moving video montage of the star, with the support of Candy's children.

Reynolds wrote; 'Its the 25th anniversary of John Candys passing. We cooked up a small tribute to a comedic genius and Canadian hero. If you havent seen much of his work, take a look at his films. He was a treasure.

Chris Candy called the video 'lovely' while Jennifer Candy wrote: 'This made me cry. Its so amazing and sweet!. He has so many people that absolutely love him, he was one of the best.'

Candy first shot to fame via his work as a member of Toronto's branch of improv comedy group The Second City in 1972. He then joined the cast on Toronto-based comedy-variety show Second City Television which was picked up by NBC in 1981 and became a huge hit.

The show won Emmy Awards in 1981 and 1982 for its writing.

Iconic: Actor Candy - who was famed for starring in films Planes, Trains and Automobiles (pictured)- died of a heart attack in 1994 at age 43.

Film: Variety reports Amazon is negotiations to acquire the untitled film directed by Hanks, 45, (L) and produced by Reynolds, (R) 46 and George Dewey via his production company, Maximum Effort.

Looking back: Candy had a minor, yet important, role as Gus Polinski in 1990's Home Alone

Cute: He actually starred alongside Macaulay Culkin in the 1989 film Uncle Buck before they were reunited on the set of the holiday film

Connection: Hanks' father Tom Hanks and stepmother Rita Wilson starred with Candy in 1985 film Volunteers (pictured)

His breakout role came when he played Tom Hanks' character's womanizing brother in Splash, which garnered universal acclaim

His breakout role came when he played Tom Hanks' character's womanizing brother in Splash, which garnered universal acclaim.

Candy appeared in a number of comedies throughout his career, including Spaceballs and Cool Runnings.

He had a minor, yet important, role as the 'Polka King of the Midwest' in Home Alone. His character Gus Polinski helps reunite Kevin with his mother, making for a happy ending.

He actually starred alongside Macaulay Culkin in the 1989 film Uncle Buck before they were reunited on the set of the holiday film.

He won legions of fans for his role as shower curtain salesman Del Griffith in 1987 classic, Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

The film follows the story line of anxious and stern businessman Neale Page (Steve Martin) who is trying to get home to see his family in Chicago.

Stuck in an airport lounge in Kansas after an emergency landing, Page has to befriend Griffith who will let him stay the night in a rundown motel.

Together the two of them, from wildly different social classes, have to overcome their intense dislike of each other and get Page home.

At the time the film received critical acclaim, with John Candy being nominated for Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture that year.

Legendary: Candy appeared in a number of comedies throughout his career, including Cool Runnings (pictured)
John Travolta is starring in a new Super Bowl spot for T-Mobile alongside Zach Braff and Donald Faison and honoring Olivia Newton-John, who passed away six months ago, at the same time.

The 68-year-old Pulp Fiction actor performed a parody of the hit song Summer Nights from Grease with the two Scrubs actors.

In the commercial, Travolta, who starred alongside Newton-John in the 1978 movie Grease, has just moved into the neighborhood where Braff, 47, and Faison, 48, live.

While the Saturday Night Fever star laments the difficulties of setting up home internet, Faison and Braff pop up and sing alongside the star to the tune of the hit song.

They convince Travolta that setting up his internet with T-Mobile is going to be easy while singing through the song.

Television commercial: John Travolta stars in Super Bowl commercial for T-Mobile where he, Zach Braff and Donald Faison sing parody of Summer Nights from Grease

He then ends the song hitting a pose that looks similar to one associated with him through his movie Saturday Night Fever.

Braff and Faison opened up about working with the two-time Academy Award nominee during an interview with People.

'Listen, I have a really hard time meeting other actors or peers and stuff like that,' Faison admitted. 'I get excited for anyone and everyone, but I will tell you this: If you are in my top five, top 10, I'm going to go crazy. Travolta's in my top five and I went crazy.'

Braff added that he used to own a Welcome Back, Kotter lunchbox. Travolta starred in the sitcom from 1975 to 1979, and it is considered his breakout role.

'We had a talk beforehand,' Braff went onto say. 'I said, "Donald, be chill. Don't start asking questions about the movies until we've settled this." Ten seconds in, he starts asking questions about Face/Off I'm like, "Bro, we had a discussion."'

The pair spent two days shooting the spot alongside Travolta who they called 'generous' with his time and his stories. He even helped the pair nail the dance moves in the commercial.

'We have an amazing choreographer and stand-in dancers that are teaching us, but then John does it and you're like, "Oh, how can I look like that?"' Braff explained. 'And it's particularly the moves that we're doing an homage to in Grease.'

Travolta starred as Danny Zuko, the bad boy of Rydell High School, in the hit film alongside Newton-John who passed away last year at 73 years old.

Summer nights: The 68-year-old Pulp Fiction actor performed a parody of the hit song Summer Nights from Grease with the two Scrubs actors

Helping out a new neighbor: While the Saturday Night Fever star laments the difficulties of setting up home internet, Faison and Braff pop up and sing alongside the star to the tune of the hit song

Saturday Night Fever? He then ends the song hitting a pose that looks similar to one associated with him through his movie Saturday Night Fever

She passed away in August of last year after a 30-year long battle with breast cancer.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph in Australia, Olivia's husband John Easterling, 70 - who wed Olivia in 2008 - recently said that despite the difficulties of her illness she spent the end of her life 'in peace'.

'She was very clear and very alive and very conscious and not in pain. So there was a quality of life there at that time that I think is so critical.'

Working together: Braff and Faison opened up about working with the two-time Academy Award nominee during an interview with People

Donald Faison: 'I get excited for anyone and everyone, but I will tell you this: If you are in my top five, top 10, I'm going to go crazy. Travolta's in my top five and I went crazy,' said Faison

Gone too soon: Travolta starred as Danny Zuko, the bad boy of Rydell High School, in the hit film alongside Newton-John who passed away last year at 73 years old

Long battle: She passed away in August of last year after a 30-year long battle with breast cancer

Olivia had breast cancer three times and was first diagnosed in 1992, before it returned in 2013 and again in 2017, eventually spreading to her spine.

Travolta paid his respects to the star with a social media post at the time which read, 'My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better. Your impact was incredible. I love you so much.'

He added, 'We will see you down the road and we will all be together again. Yours from the first moment I saw you and forever! Your Danny, your John!'
Vito Schnabel was pictured while spending time on the New York City set of Feud: Capote's Women on Thursday morning.

The 36-year-old art dealer was joined by Ella Beatty as they strolled around Manhattan's Central Park and shot scenes for the upcoming project, which will also star Tom Hollander, who was present during the shoot.

The former boyfriend of Heidi Klum - who has been spotted in the company of figures such as Andrew Garfield - has also been working on a long-gestating film project for several years.

Schnabel stayed comfortable in a light beige knitted sweater and a slim-fitting pair of blue jeans during his time on set.

The son of artist and filmmaker Julian Schnabel also wore a pair of navy blue boots and, at times, a leather jacket.

Hanging out: Vito Schnabel was pictured while spending time on the New York City set of Feud: Capote's Women on Thursday morning

Beatty looked lovely in a fur-lined green overcoat and blue jeans while she enjoyed the art dealer's company.

The daughter of Warren Beatty and Annette Bening rocked a pair of knee-high black boots, and her gorgeous brunette hair fell onto her shoulders.

Hollander remained in character as Truman Capote, and he was costumed in a beige overcoat, oversized gray pants and a black hat.

The performer finished off his look with an elegant scarf and he donned a pair of round-framed sunglasses.

Although he is primarily known for his work in the art world, Schnabel has been carving out a path as a writer and actor.

Last March, it was announced by Deadline that he would be starring in the dark comedy feature The Trainer.

According to the media outlet, the art dealer co-wrote the project's script alongside Jeff Solomon.

The movie will be centered on a fitness expert who makes a brash attempt at quickly achieving fame and fortune.

Good company: The 36-year-old art dealer was joined by Ella Beatty as they strolled around Manhattan's Central Park and shot scenes for the upcoming project, which will serve as the second season of the series

Making strides: Last March, it was announced by Deadline that he would be starring in the dark comedy feature The Trainer

In the lead: Hollander remained in character as Truman Capote, and he was costumed in a beige overcoat, oversized gray pants and a black hat

In character: The performer finished off his look with an elegant scarf and he donned a pair of round-framed sunglasses

Getting around: Schnabel has also been romantically linked to several prominent individuals in the past, including Klum; they are seen in 2017

At the time, it was announced that Julia Fox and Steven Van Zandt had joined the cast of the Tony Kaye-directed features.

Figures such as Paris Hilton, Lenny Kravitz and Gus Van Sant later signed on to appear in the project, which has been in development for almost a decade.

Schnabel has also been romantically linked to several prominent individuals in the past, including Klum.

The pair were initially connected in 2014, after the 49-year-old supermodel finalized her divorce with her former husband, Seal.

The former couple were spotted in each other's company over the next three years.

However, Schnabel and Klum appeared to be estranged by September of 2017, and a source told Us Weekly at the time that 'there has been trouble in paradise for a little while.'

The two went their separate ways that same month, and the art dealer subsequently bemoaned the end of the relationship in several Instagram posts.
Abbie Chatfield has called out MAFS bride Bronte Schofield for staging a storyline after discovering her husband Harrison Boon had a girlfriend outside the show.

She said the plot involving Bronte supposedly 'discovering' Harrison's past seemed 'premeditated' in light of leaked voice notes that revealed she had prior knowledge of his other relationship and conspired with a friend to confront him about it.

'Well, my initial reaction was "ew" to these voice notes,' she told her co-host Rohan Edwards on Hot Nights with Abbie Chatfield on Thursday.

Abbie Chatfield (pictured) has called out MAFS bride Bronte Schofield for staging a storyline after discovering her husband Harrison Boon had a girlfriend outside the show

'I don't like a premeditated storyline, because people accused me of that [on The Bachelor] and nothing I do is premeditated. I'm very chaotic. We all know this.'

Abbie said Bronte was trying to weave 'a very complicated web' by plotting with her friend Jessica Thomlinson how best to raise the issue with Harrison on their wedding day, when she should have just asked him about it at the altar.

'A better storyline would be you rocking up and at the altar going, "So are you still dating that girl?"' she suggested.

'And then you're honest and you can say, "Oh, by the way, I've heard that you're dating this girl," rather than pre-planning a conversation off-camera.'

She said the plot involving Bronte (left) supposedly 'discovering' Harrison's past seemed 'premeditated' in light of leaked voice notes that revealed she had prior knowledge of his other relationship and conspired with a friend, Jessica Tomlinson (right), to confront him about it

Abbie said if she were in Bronte's shoes, she would have tried to to subtly work out how serious Harrison's pre-show relationship was, before just jumping to the conclusion he had a 'secret girlfriend' waiting for him on the outside

Abbie then said if she were in Bronte's shoes, she would have tried to to subtly work out how serious Harrison's pre-show relationship was, before just jumping to the conclusion he had a 'secret girlfriend' waiting for him on the outside.

'The other part of me is like, if I heard that someone was seeing someone before they went on The Bachelor for example - I mean, I'm always seeing someone - but I'm kind of thinking, wouldn't you just be like, "Oh he's probably just seeing someone casually and I'll ask him when he's there if he's my match," rather than plotting this?' she said.

'But then I think also it makes good TV and at the end of the day, they're there to make good TV. I dont know.'

Married At First Sight EXCLUSIVE: Bombshell leaked voice notes PROVE Bronte knew about Harrison's 'secret girlfriend' before their wedding - and was willing to 'put on a show for the cameras'

By Ali Daher for Daily Mail Australia

Bronte Schofield's world came crashing down on her MAFS wedding day when she discovered her husband Harrison Boon was dating another woman outside the show.

Or at least that's what it seemed.

But a series of leaked voice notes reveals Bronte, 28, actually knew all about her groom's past weeks before filming began - and plotted with her friend to 'put on a show' for the cameras.

A month before her TV wedding, she exchanged voice notes with her pal Jessica Tomlinson - the same wedding guest who would later 'expose' Harrison at the reception - in which the two women discussed their plan of action.

Leaked voice memos between MAFS star Bronte Schofield (left) and her wedding guest Jessica (right) prove she knew about husband Harrison Boon's 'secret girlfriend' before their wedding

The audio files show that not only did Bronte know Harrison was going to be one of the grooms on MAFS beforehand - although she didn't know for sure she would be matched with him - but also prove she knew details about his alleged 'girlfriend'.

She used this intel to ramp up the drama on her wedding day by arranging for Jessica, 24, to 'break the news' of Harrison's other relationship to her at the couple's reception, then acting completely blindsided in front of the cameras.

In one voice note, Jess is heard warning Bronte about Harrison's '21-year-old girlfriend' - who has since been identified as Abby Miller - and Bronte responds by saying she is willing to 'play this up like crazy'.

A month before her TV wedding, Bronte exchanged voice notes with her pal Jessica - the same wedding guest who would later 'expose' Harrison at the reception - in which the two women discussed their plan of action. (Pictured: Bronte and Harrison on their wedding day)

Jess is heard warning Bronte about Harrison's '21-year-old girlfriend' - who has since been identified as Abby Miller - and Bronte replies by saying she is willing to 'play this up like crazy'

Bronte says: 'Oh, my God, I'm actually triggered. Like, what am I supposed to do? Like, if one of the other girls gets him, oh, my God, I'm dead.'

'[Abby is] 21? That's f**king nine years younger than me. Eight years. I can't do math. What the f**k?' she adds.

An excited Bronte then says: 'Well, you know what? If he is my match, I'm going to f**king play that to my advantage. Like, holy s**t. Oh, my God.'

'I can't wait! If he is my match, I'm gonna tell [my sister] Kirra to be an absolute f**ker to him. Oh, my God,' she laughs.

Bronte then admits if she does end up getting paired with Harrison, she will 'play this up like crazy' and 'confront him' about Abby in private.

'[Abby is] 21? That's f**king nine years younger than me. Eight years. I can't do math. What the f**k?' she adds in one voice note. (Pictured: Abby Miller, the 'other woman' in the scandal)

'[I'll] just [be] like, "By the way, like, I actually know why you're here. Like, if you're wanting to just, like, I guess play this on, that's fine, but, like, we can just be friends, but for the cameras we can obviously put on a show."

'If I do get this guy, like, I'm not going to be able to like him because I know what he's like.'

Bronte reacted to her leaked voice notes during an interview on The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Tuesday.

While she confirmed it was her voice in the recordings, she insisted she didn't know single dad Harrison was going to be her husband - and maintained her surprised reaction when she saw him at the altar was genuine.

'I can't wait! If he is my match, I'm gonna tell [my sister] Kirra to be an absolute f**ker to him. Oh, my God,' she laughs. (Bronte is pictured with her sister Kirra on her wedding day)

However, she acknowledged the info she received from friends in the group chat allowed her to 'have the upper hand' when Harrison's past was discussed on their wedding day.

'I never actually got told Harrison's name before the wedding,' she said.

'When I was getting these messages from so-called friends, I thought, "If I get this guy, I can have the upper hand and know what he's like."

'My face and reactions to Harrison at the altar were legit. I don't think that's the face of somebody who knew that information. I'm definitely not an actor.

'On the morning of my wedding, respectfully, I'm not thinking about a conversation I had with my friend a few months ago. I'm going, "I'm marrying a freaking stranger."'

'[I'll] just [be] like, "By the way, like I actually know why you're here. Like, if you're wanting to just, like, I guess play this on, that's fine, but, like, we can just be friends, but for the cameras we can obviously put on a show,' Bronte says in a voice note to Jessica

This isn't the first time Bronte has been accused of knowing who Harrison was before filming Married At First Sight.

Leaked screenshots published by Daily Mail Australia last week showed the pair matched on a dating app months before their TV wedding.

This news shocked fans of the Channel Nine show, who were under the impression the participants were unfamiliar with each other before getting married.

The duo matched on Hinge four months before filming began last year, but Bronte had no interest in pursuing Harrison at the time and even complained to a friend he 'couldn't take a hint'.

It comes just one week after leaked screenshots published by Daily Mail Australia proved the pair matched on a dating app just months before their TV wedding

This flies in the face of the show's claims the participants are 'complete strangers', and also suggests Bronte knew Harrison was talking to other women on dating apps in the lead-up to their wedding day.

'Bronte sent her sister a screenshot of Harrison's profile and messages alongside the words, "I hate guys that can't take the hint," a source told Daily Mail Australia.

'They were laughing because Harrison was just talking to himself.'

Bronte was one of many women Harrison was talking to on Hinge (his profile is seen here)

The pair matched on Hinge four months before filming began last year, but Bronte had no interest in pursuing Harrison at the time and even complained to a pal he 'couldn't take a hint'

Harrison previously sent Bronte a friend request on Facebook, but she left him pending (as seen here). This evidence flies in the face of the show's claims the participants are 'complete strangers', and also suggests Bronte knew Harrison was talking to other women on dating apps in the lead-up to their wedding day

An on-set source said Bronte brought up the fact they'd previously matched on Hinge on their wedding day, but Harrison told her 'not to feel special' because he'd sent messages to 'hundreds' of other women.

Last Monday's episode saw Bronte's ex-BFF Jessica pull her aside to let her know Harrison had been dating her friend just days before his TV wedding.

Jessica showed evidence in the form of photos, WhatsApp screenshots and even a picture of an open suitcase, which she said was Harrison's bag he was packing the day before leaving to film MAFS.

A shocked Bronte replied: 'You're lying. If that's true, that's my worst nightmare.'

Horrified by the revelation, Bronte stormed back into the wedding and confronted her on-screen husband.

The following day, the newlyweds shared a frosty confrontation in the living room of their hotel suite after spending their first night as husband and wife sleeping in separate beds.

Harrison, who had popped out early to grab take-away coffees as a peace offering, looked apologetic as he tried to win back his wife's affections.

Married At First Sight continues Sunday at 7pm on Channel Nine and 9Now
Hailey Bieber showcased her toned legs as she exited a Pilates class in West Hollywood Thursday.

The runway veteran was starting her chilly morning with a healthy workout.

The 26-year-old model - who just returned from her idyllic Hawaiian getaway with husband Justin Bieber - wore yoga shorts and an oversized grey sweatshirt for her workout.

The Rhode Skin founder appeared to be makeup free as she returned to her car following her grueling session.

The cover girl added very slender dark sunglasses as she carried a black handbag.

Work it out: Hailey Bieber, 26, looked fit as she exited her Pilates class in West Hollywood on Thursday following her idyllic Hawaiian getaway with husband Justin Bieber

Glowing: Hailey appeared to be makeup free and looked refreshed after her workout

The beauty styled her chopped bob straight with a center part and her bangs tucked behind her ears.

She debuted the haircut several weeks ago on her Instagram and TikTok.

As for Hailey's pop star husband, he didn't appear to tag along for her morning workout.

On Wednesday, Hailey shared a shot of herself on Instagram stories where she showed off her toned tummy in a cropped top under an oversized beige blazer as she posed in a full-length mirror and snapped a selfie.

Bieber rocked a gold mini skirt and wore glasses with white penny loafers and ankle socks.

The fashion industry figure posed for her fans with two racks of blazers behind her.

Earlier this week, Hailey took to Instagram to upload a few stunning snaps from her and Justin's vacation to Hawaii.

She looks material: The Versace model smiled for the cameras with a friend's baby daughter who was born in December

Hailey could be seen laid out on green grass while glammed up in a backless pink dress that highlighted her little back tattoo.

She shared similar portraits earlier this week and some adorable snaps of herself and Justin cuddling their pals' newborn daughter.

On Tuesday, Justin, 28, and Hailey hinted they had baby fever as the couple showed some love to their pal's precious newborn during their Hawaiian getaway.

In another shot, Hailey and Justin displayed their tan bodies while snuggling up together outside at night.
The Royal Family's favourite rapper, Tinie Tempah, is planning to update the lyrics of his biggest hit now that King Charles is on the throne.

Pass Out, his No. 1 single from 2010, included the lyric: 'Soon, I'll be the King like Prince Charles child'.

Tempah, 34, real name Patrick Okogwu, suggests now's the time to modernise it. 'The Coronation's coming up in May and I'm thinking I do need to bring the song up to date,' he tells me at the launch of an art exhibition, Addicted To Love, by his wife, Eve de Haan, at Quantus Gallery in Shoreditch, East London.

'Obviously, Prince William's the natural fit, but it doesn't quite have the same ring to it, does it?' he adds.

Tempah, who once high-fived Prince William while performing at the Brit Awards, said last year that it was 'the most flattering thing' to hear he was the royals' favourite rap artist.

The Royal Family's favourite rapper, Tinie Tempah, is planning to update the lyrics of his biggest hit now that King Charles is on the throne

Tempah, 34, real name Patrick Okogwu, suggests now's the time to modernise it: 'The Coronation's coming up in May and I'm thinking I do need to bring the song up to date'

Pass Out, his No. 1 single from 2010, included the lyric: 'Soon, I'll be the King like Prince Charles child'

Palace seeks keeper of the Queen's top secrets

We know everything we could have wanted  and far more, besides  about the most intimate details of Prince Harry's life, including where he lost his virginity (a field behind a pub) and what cream he uses on his private parts (Elizabeth Arden, since you ask).

Now one lucky individual will soon know the private thoughts and views of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, who spent her entire 70-year reign keeping her opinions firmly to herself.

I can disclose that an archivist is to be handed the fascinating job of spending the next two years going through Her Majesty's official and personal papers, most of which will not be seen by anyone else for decades to come.

The Royal Collection Trust is seeking an archivist for the 34,000-a-year job, based at Windsor Castle. The successful candidate will also be responsible for Prince Philip's correspondence, which could be equally captivating.

'Joining the team in Windsor, you'll lead on the large and important project of archiving the official and personal papers of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh,' explains the advertisement, which was posted this week on the royal website. 'You'll create a clear and accurate record of the material, ensuring others can navigate and access it in the future. You'll also curate exhibitions, displays and online resources, as well as answer enquiries from colleagues and researchers.

'The breadth of the project will provide opportunities for you to develop your knowledge, taking your career to the next level.'

It's not yet known if there will be an official biography of the Queen. For the last such work, William Shawcross's life of the Queen Mother, he was given full access to her personal papers and his book took six years to complete.

Any biography of the Queen would have to address such crises as Megxit, Princess Diana's death and King Charles's divorce.

One lucky individual will soon know the private thoughts and views of Queen Elizabeth II, who spent her entire 70-year reign keeping her opinions firmly to herself

1,500 bag lady Felicity Kendal

As Barbara Good in the 1970s sitcom The Good Life, Felicity Kendal escaped the rat race to become totally self-sufficient.

But in real life, the actress enjoys some things that only money can buy.

Kendal was spotted on a shopping trip in Chelsea, West London, sporting a maroon Prada 'bumbag' that sells for 1,500.

At 76, she looks remarkably youthful. 'I work out three times a week, a mixture of stretching, yoga and weights,' she has said.

'I've also mastered press-ups. Now, if I could only stand on my head...'

Profits vanish into thin Eyre

The celebrated director Sir Richard Eyre wonders where all the money went from his movies.

'I've done films where I've been quite well paid, but I've never made a film that's hit the jackpot,' says Sir Richard, 79, whose works include Iris, which starred Kate Winslet and Dame Judi Dench as novelist Dame Iris Murdoch.

'When I did Iris in 2000, it was made for a very small budget. A couple of years later I was talking to someone who funded the film, and they said: 'Thank you, we did so well out of that.' I said: 'Did you, really?'

'I was the director and the writer and I never got anything from the back end. But then it was distributed by Harvey Weinstein, who was a genius at squirrelling away profits.'

The celebrated director Sir Richard Eyre wonders where all the money went from his movies

Why Victoria's turning pink!

We are not amused! Queen Victoria has been given a 'woke' makeover by controversial British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare.

He's taken a statue of King Charles's great-great-great grandmother and shrouded it in a yellow and pink Dutch wax pattern, which has a link to the slave trade of West Africa.

His studio declines permission for me to share an image of the artwork, which is currently on display at the Sharjah Biennial 15 in the United Arab Emirates.

It's part of a work called Decolonised Structures, which features seven statues of British imperialists, including Lord Kitchener, all covered in colourful Dutch wax patterns.

Eighties pin-up Emma Samms says she fell for her husband, former BBC newsreader Simon McCoy, because of his soothing voice. 'A friend of mine told me that, for her, a man's voice is his most important trait,' the Dynasty star, 62, says. 'My taste isn't quite as specific as that, but I will confess to being a big fan of my husband's dulcet BBC tones.'

Sir Keir Starmer clearly knows how to google 'free lunch'. The Labour leader has just reported in the Register of Members' Financial Interests that he enjoyed a slap-up meal, worth 380, courtesy of Google, at the World Economic Forum in Davos last month 'for me and a member of staff'. He told global finance leaders at the summit that Britain would be 'open for business' under a future Labour government. He's certainly open for freebies.

The Labour leader has just reported in the Register of Members' Financial Interests that he enjoyed a slap-up meal, worth 380, courtesy of Google, at the World Economic Forum

The degree in economics that Geoffrey Howe's wife studied as a mature student at the London School of Economics has stood her family in good stead  for Lady (Elspeth) Howe, who died last March aged 90, left almost 7 million in her will. Newly released probate documents reveal she left a fortune of 6.9 million, mostly to her three children. Lord Howe, who died in 2015, was a Chancellor and Foreign Secretary in Margaret Thatcher's Cabinet.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea had a fresh haircut before the band's second concert in his home city of Melbourne.

The 60-year-old, whose real name Michael Balzary, showcased his new pink, purple, green and yellow hair on Instagram ahead of the gig this week.

He tagged the Brunswick-based stylist that created the crazy 'do, The Bestial Barber.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea had a fresh haircut before the band's second concert in his home city of Melbourne

At the Red Hot Chili Peppers' show at Marvel Stadium on Tuesday, the LA-based musician spoke about being born in Melbourne.

'I was born in the Burwood Hospital,' he said.

'Until I was four years old, we lived in the house my dad built in Derbyshire Street, Mount Waverley.'

The 60-year-old, whose real name Michael Balzary, showcased his new pink, purple, green and yellow hair on Instagram ahead of the gig this week

While Flea was getting his colourful new hairstyle, RHCP drummer Chad Smith performed to 17 people at Melbourne's Cherry Bar on Wednesday night.

He attended the humble open mic night after his band played to a sold-out crowd of 50,000 people at the nearby arena.

Chad even rocked out with a young local musician.

Red Hot Chili Peppers are on tour in Australia. (Pictured: Flea addressing the crowd at Marvel Stadium on February 7)

Drummer Seth O'Donnell said it was a dream come true to play with one of his heroes, even though Chad did break his drumming sticks.

Posting a video of the moment Chad broke his sticks, Seth wrote: 'Words cant describe this... he loves our new band (called Adhesion).

'The man is worth $90million. I want a new pair of sticks!'
Charlotte Crosby candidly opened up about her ectopic pregnancy and admitted she thought she'd 'never be able to have kids'.

An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilised egg implants itself outside of the womb, usually in the fallopian tube, meaning a baby is unable to develop and leaving the mother's health in danger.

While filming her BBC reality show, the reality star, 32, said: 'When I had my ectopic pregnancy, I didn't even know I was pregnant. I just thought I was having a normal period but with extra bad cramps.

'When I was taken to hospital, I found out I was having an ectopic pregnancy and if it wasn't sorted there and then, I may potentially die.'

While there is a chance of conceiving again, it is advisable for the woman to wait a while due to damage caused in the fallopian tube.

Emotional: Charlotte Crosby candidly opened up about her ectopic pregnancy and admitted she thought she'd 'never be able to have kids'

She ended by saying: 'It was an awful time and I truly thought I would never be able to have kids'

Then there was a sweet clip of Charlotte and her boyfriend Jake Ankers during one of their hospital scans.

The couple held hands as they saw Alba Jean on the screen, with Charlotte saying: 'What a relief'

Charlotte recently admitted she hasn't forgiven ex Gary Beadle after she went through the ectopic pregnancy alone while he was filming Ex On The Beach.

In 2016, while the television personality was going through the traumatic experience, Gary, was out in Thailand filming the reality show where he slept with Jemma Lucy and also had a threesome.

As a result of the ectopic pregnancy, Charlotte's fallopian tube had ruptured and was releasing toxins into her body.

While filming her BBC reality show, the reality star, 32, said: 'When I had my ectopic pregnancy, I didn't even know I was pregnant. I just thought I was having a normal period but with extra bad cramps.'

Pregnancy: Then there was a sweet clip of Charlotte and her boyfriend Jake Ankers during one of their hospital scans

Settling in: Charlotte and her boyfriend Jake are loving life as parents since welcoming their new arrival in October

The Geordie Shore star opened up in an emotional interview with Heat magazine - which has now been revealed in a video - confessing that the devastating incident happened last month while he was away filming Ex On The Beach, and that she was rushed to hospital for an operation.

'I thought I had a really bad period because I was bleeding and cramping - I can't describe the pain, it was awful,' Charlotte explained, adding that it felt like she was 'being stabbed in the side'.

She also explained that things were also going really well between herself and Gaz, despite the on-off nature of their tempestuous relatoinship.

'We'd had a couple of fall-outs, but we were the closest we'd ever been,' she claimed, as she revealed he was due to jet off to Thailand to film the MTV programme after the pain began, which came with - she said - bleeding that was not at all like a normal period.

She ended by saying: 'It was an awful time and I truly thought I would never be able to have kids'

Ex: Charlotte recently admitted she hasn't forgiven ex Gary Beadle after she went through the ectopic pregnancy alone while he was filming Ex On The Beach

Charlotte then divulged that she had actually come off her contraceptive pill - not by choice, but because she hadn't had the time to renew the prescription - and took a morning after pill, but too late.

It was when she arrived at the St John and Elizabeth Hospital in London, after being rushed to their A&E department that she found out she was pregnant, and doctors told her she was lucky to be alive.

'I didn't know what the hell was going on and I was in so much pain,' she explained. 'Then the X-ray showed how much damage had been caused. Because I'd left it a week, it'd torn open my fallopian tube and I was bleeding internally. He said: 'If you'd have left it any longer, you could have died.''
Love Island viewers were once again unimpressed with Shaq Mohammad on Thursday's episode as they accused of him of being a gossip.

The 24-year-old was seen talking to some of the other boys about Ron Hall shortly after Tanyel Revan was dumped from the villa.

Ron had been in a friendship couple with Tanyel but chose to couple up with Lana Jenkins after they recently rekindled their romance.

However, fans didn't appreciate Shaq's chat after he was previously seen speaking about Tanyel's chances with Jordan during Wednesday's episode.

One viewer wrote: 'Shaq is auditioning to be the next Trisha Goddard. Everyday hosting conversations.'

Not happy: Love Island viewers were once again unimpressed with Shaq Mohammad on Thursday's episode as they accused of him of being a gossip

Another said: 'Shaq & Tanya need to leave, they add no value just gossip,' while a third added: 'This b***h boy behaviour is [puke emoji]'

A fourth viewer said: 'Because of you Shaq, Tanyel went home because of you.'

A fifth wrote: 'Everyone is sick of Shaq, what is he doing to the boys behind the scenes,' while another said: 'Shaq thinks he's the spokesman for the boys and he's not.'

On Wednesday, Shaq was left feeling suspicious that Tanyel was not really attracted to Jordan, despite their flirty banter.

Shaq pulled Olivia Hawkins for a chat by the fire pit to express his concerns and also to hear her thoughts on the matter.

Olivia agreed with him and said she thinks there's 'nothing there' between the pair with Shaq expressing his worry that Tanyel might be 'using' Jordan.

'You said it, not me,' Olivia replied.

Many viewers weren't happy about Shaq's behaviour though, saying he should 'mind his business' instead.

Dumping: The 24-year-old was seen talking to some of the other boys about Ron Hall shortly after Tanyel Revan was dumped from the villa

Awkward: Ron told Shaq and the other boys he felt there was a 'divide' forming among them

Reaction: One viewer wrote: 'Shaq is auditioning to be the next Trisha Goddard. Everyday hosting conversations'

One fan took to Twitter and wrote: 'Shaq... there's no need for this,' while another said: 'Shaq needs a 1:1 on minding his business.'

A third viewer wrote: 'Shaq needs to focus on this own relationship,' while a fourth asked: 'Why is Shaq teaming up with Olivia?'

A fifth fan said: 'I'm sorry but who gave Shaq and Olivia the confidence to analyse people like that?'
Jay-Z and Nicki Minaj have been ranked by Billboard as the best male and female rappers of all time.

The publication released its 'Top 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time' on Wednesday, in honour of hip-hops 50th anniversary.

When it came to naming the GOAT rapper, Billboard put none other than Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Corey Carter, at the top of their list.

Meanwhile, Nicki came in at number 10, officially making her the only female in the top ten list and therefore the greatest female rapper of all time.

Rapping legends such as Tupac, Eminem, The Notorious B.I.G, Snoop Dog and Nas also made it into the top 10.

The GOAT: Jay-Z and Nicki Minaj have been ranked by Billboard as the best male and female rappers of all time

Billboard claimed that Nicki, 40, who hails from South Jamaica, has earned her crown as the modern-day Queen of Rap with her fierce, braggadocious spirit.

The publication wrote: 'She's undeniably blazed the trail for the next generation of female MCs, while at the same time, building a legacy whose impact is hardly limited to the hip-hop world.

'Nicki is one of only a dozen artists to have more than 100 Billboard Hot 100 entries, and earned the MTV Video Vanguard Award in 2022 for her provocative music videos.'

Nicki, who rose to fame as part of rapper Lil Wayne's Young Money camp, is now reportedly worth a cool $130 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

Billboard then highlighted some of Jay-Z's successful career moments that have put him in the number one spot.

The rap mogul, 53, has now won 24 Grammys, sold 140 million records and has 14 Billboard 200 No. 1 albums (the most amongst solo acts).

Number one: When it came to naming the GOAT rapper, Billboard put none other than Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Corey Carter, at the top of their list

Talent: Nicki came in at number 10, officially making her the only female in the top ten list and therefore the greatest female rapper of all time

They wrote: 'Beyonce Knowles-Carters husband has succeeded in every era, spitting regal-scented rhymes that speak to the struggle, and to the opulence that follows an intensely self-made greatness.

'Maybe there are other rappers who could claim to match Jay at his peak. But there are simply none who can match his entire career  his longevity, the breadth of his accomplishments, and what hes meant to hip-hop from a musical, cultural and financial standpoint for the last three decades.'

Jay-Z, who is married to Beyonce, was also the first hip hop artist to land billionaire status in June 2019.

Debate: The Billboard list left fans divided and sparked a debate on Twitter about who the GOAT rappers really are

He tied for fifth place on Forbes' list of wealthiest stars with Kylie Jenner in 2018.

A combination of successful companies, a lucrative catalog of music, smart investments and real estate holdings all contribute to the mogul's considerable wealth, according to Forbes.

Billboard's 10 Greatest Rappers of All Time 1. Jay-Z 2. Kendrick Lamar 3. Nas 4. Tupac 5. Eminem 6. The Notorious B.I.G. 7. Lil Wayne 8. Drake 9. Snoop Dog 10. Nicki Minaj Advertisement

He has invested wisely in companies like Uber, started his own record label and clothing line and also diversified his wealth with an art collection and real estate.

In addition to the artist's great individual wealth, there is of course, the addition of his wife Beyonce's money.

In 2018 the queen's net worth was valued upwards of $350 million dollars.

The Billboard list left fans divided and sparked a debate on Twitter about who the GOAT rappers really are.

Tweeting about Nicki's ranking, one fan penned: 'She's the Queen of Rap! We knew this.'

Another said: 'And some of y'all are still lying to themselves saying she fell off'

A third disagreed: 'Billboard should be ashamed for putting Nicki before SO MANY OTHER RAPPERS!'

When it came to discussing Jay-Z, someone wrote: 'Na, he top 10 but not greatest'

While another said: 'We dont need Billboard to tell us this . Culture been knew!'

One penned: 'This isn't news at all. This is a well known fact'

Many argued that Kendrick Lamar, who was ranked number 2, should have been top of the list.
Susanna Reid has reportedly been offered exciting new on-screen opportunities by ITV amid claims she was left 'furious over a string of embarrassing errors' on Good Morning Britain.

An insider told The Sun that bosses are hoping to secure her long-term future on the show after they feared she would quit.

The source said: 'GMB has some phenomenal programming ideas built around Susanna for later this year, all ones to which she has typically very proactively contributed to and helped build and inspire, so why would she walk away from them?'

Details surrounding the filming are not yet known but a number of programme ideas are said to be in the works.

MailOnline has reached out to Good Morning Britain for comment.

Career: Susanna Reid has reportedly been offered exciting new on-screen opportunities by ITV amid claims she was left 'furious over a string of embarrassing errors' on Good Morning Britain

And it appears it was a needed uplift, after the presenter was said to be furious earlier this week following a string of embarrassing errors on GMB.

Susanna, 52, allegedly 'made her feelings very clear' and confronted senior executives after a series of blunders and mistakes made their way into the live broadcast.

Spelling mistakes, wrong dates and graphic mis-designs have all slipped through during live broadcasts of the show in recent weeks, leaving the host allegedly embarrassed.

Among the errors was one incident in which News Correspondent Ben Chapman's name was spelt incorrectly during his live broadcast from Romania .

As Ranvir Singh presented the segment, she introduced Ben for his section - with his name appearing on the screen as 'Ben Champan'.

Another incident saw GMB air a segment paying tribute to the death of Lisa Marie Presley, with the word 'remembering' also spelt wrong on screen, as the graphic read: 'Remebering'.

And that wasn't all, as the wrong date was shown while Susanna was presenting the show one morning.

Drama: An insider told The Sun that bosses are hoping to secure her long-term future on the show after they feared she would quit

A source told The Sun : 'She made her feelings very clear, and confronted the senior executives over it.

'Susanna is totally professional and just wants high standards  as Piers or any other presenter would have done.

'The last thing anyone wants is her walking away in anger.'

Susanna doesn't appear to be the only one aggravated by the gaffes, as some viewers took to Twitter during the live morning shows to highlight GMB's mistakes.

Calling out a poster it had made for rugby player Levi Simeon Davis, who went missing in October 2022, many noticed that the wrong year was printed on the graphic.

'@gmb your poster for missing Levi has wrong date on it - says October 2023,' wrote on viewer.

Sorry: Good Morning Britain got into some hot water last week too as presenter Richard Madeley was left apologising for misgendering Sam Smith, who goes by they/them pronouns

While another advised: 'Your poster shown on this morning's news for the missing male is wrong check the date it's showing October 2023 #GMB.'

Good Morning Blunders: The errors that occurred on air News Correspondent Ben Chapman's name was spelt incorrectly during a live broadcast from Romania While paying tribute to Lisa Marie Presley, the word 'remembering' was spelt incorrectly The wrong date was shown while Susanna was presenting one morning Presenter Richard Madeley misgendered Sam Smith, who goes by they/them pronouns Advertisement

Good Morning Britain got into some hot water last week, too, but this time it was a verbal error from presenter Richard rather than a typo.

The presenter was left apologising for misgendering Sam Smith , who uses the pronounds they/them.

Richard had been debating whether or not Sam's latest music video for I'm Not Here To Make Friends is over-sexualis ed when the slip-up happened - where he accidentally referred to Sam as 'he'.

Co-host Susanna was quick to correct his mistake - and Richard then apologised.

And while a panel was discussing the video, Richard also misgendered guest Shivani Dave, who uses they/them pronouns.

Richard apologised a second time and said: 'I am so sorry. I will learn to do that.'

Shivani later tweeted: 'Been getting messages from people worried about Richard Madley misgendering me on @GMB

'I corrected him, he apologised and took it on board. A masterclass on how to do things if you mess up, we shared a thumbs up and I told him his hair looks great.'

Having grown up in Croydon and studied broadcast journalism, Susanna had her big break presenting on BBC Breakfast from 2003 to 2014 with the late Bill Turnbull, before moving to Good Morning Britain.

There she famously had the unenviable task of trying to get a word in edgeways alongside Piers Morgan, until he left abruptly in March 2021 following comments he made about the Duchess of Sussex.

There's been no permanent male anchor since, rather a revolving cast including Richard Madeley, Martin Lewis, Ed Balls and Rob Rinder.
Apprentice candidate Reece Donnelly was axed from the show after drinking alcohol on a flight to Dubai, leaving Lord Sugar furious.

The Glaswegian theatre school owner, who made it to week six of the show, was sent home after breaking a booze ban despite being told by producers to stay sober.

In Thursday night's episode, the cast were tasked with laying on a corporate away day for a high-end client in Dubai, but one team were left a man down after Reece failed to adhere to show rules.

A TV source told MailOnline: 'Reece was sent home and didn't film in Dubai.

'Producers were unimpressed when he had several alcoholic drinks on the flight even though he was told not to.

Apprentice candidate Reece Donnelly was axed from the show after drinking alcohol on a flight to Dubai, leaving Lord Sugar furious

The Glaswegian theatre school owner, who made it to week six of Lord Sugar's (pictured) process, was sent home after drinking alcohol on the plane despite candidates being told by producers to stay sober

'Lord Sugar was obviously furious, he couldn't believe someone would risk securing his 250,000 investment for the sake of a drink.

'He later told the candidates in the boardroom that Reece had been eliminated from the process.'

Reece was filmed being told by Lord Sugar via a pre-recorded video message that he would be jetting to Dubai alongside his fellow contestants.

A preview clip was aired on last week's You're Fired where stars of the show were seen riding camels and jet skis during the UAE business trip, but Reece was nowhere to be seen.

Back in the boardroom, Lord Sugar addressed Reece's sudden departure, saying: 'So, as you know, Reece wasn't able to take part in the task and has subsequently left the process.'

A candidate is still fired in Thursday's instalment of the BBC series, meaning two business hopefuls are gone by the end of week six.

An Apprentice spokesman said: 'Reece was unable to continue in the process, this was discussed and agreed between Reece and programme-makers.'

Bridal boutique owner Shannon Martin also bowed out of the show during the second episode after deciding it wasn't the right move for her.

In Thursday night's episode, the cast are tasked with laying on a corporate away day for a high-end client but one team were left a man down after Reece failed to adhere to show rules

Reece narrowly avoided being fired in the boardroom last week after landing himself in the bottom three alongside Mark Moseley and sacked Denisha Kaur Bharj

This year's series has seen contestants compete in challenges under the watchful eye of Lord Sugar's aids Karren Brady and Tim Campbell.

So far, the candidates are lacking in business acumen, with Lord Sugar accusing the bunch of being 'desperate', 'disappointing', and 'diabolical' in recent weeks.

Shazia Hussain was the latest candidate to be fired after her team failed to impress with their electric bike advertisement.

Avi Sharma and Bradley Johnson narrowly missed getting the boot following tense scenes in the boardroom.

Reece avoided the chop the previous week after landing himself in the bottom three alongside Mark Moseley, who remains in the process, and sacked Denisha Kaur Bharj.

The current series kicked off with the candidates jetting to Antigua in the Caribbean after producers said they were able to put more budget into overseas tasks following years of the pandemic restricting their options.
Death toll is over 17,000 in Turkey, more than 3,000 in Syria

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Hundreds of thousands left homeless in middle of winter

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First U.N. aid convoy enters northwest Syria from Turkey

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Two-year-old pulled from rubble in Turkey 79 hours after quake

By Umit Bektas, Mehmet Caliskan and Khalil Ashawi

ANTAKYA, Turkey/JANDARIS, Syria, Feb 9, (Reuters) - C old, hunger and despair gripped hundreds of thousands of people left homeless after the earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria three days ago as the death toll passed 20,000 on Thursday.

The rescue of a 2-year-old boy after 79 hours trapped in the rubble of a collapsed building in Hatay, Turkey, and several other people raised spirits among weary search crews. But hopes were fading that many more would be found alive in the ruins of towns and cities.

The death toll across both countries has now surpassed the more than 17,000 killed in 1999 when a similarly powerful earthquake hit northwest Turkey.

A Turkish official said the disaster posed "very serious difficulties" for the holding of an election scheduled for May 14 in which President Tayyip Erdogan has been expected to face his toughest challenge in two decades in power.

With anger simmering over delays in the delivery of aid and getting the rescue effort underway, the disaster is likely to play into the vote if it goes ahead.

The first U.N. convoy carrying aid to stricken Syrians crossed over the border from Turkey.

In Syria's Idlib province, Munira Mohammad, a mother of four who fled Aleppo after the quake, said: "It is all children here, and we need heating and supplies. Last night we couldn't sleep because it was so cold. It is very bad."

Hundreds of thousands of people in both countries have been left homeless in the middle of winter. Many have camped out in makeshift shelters in supermarket car parks, mosques, roadsides or amid the ruins, often desperate for food, water and heat.

Some 40% of buildings in the Turkish city of Kahramanmaras, epicentre of the tremor, are damaged, according to a preliminary report by Turkey's Bogazici University.

ROADSIDE CAMPFIRES

At a gas station near the Turkish town of Kemalpasa, people picked through cardboard boxes of donated clothes. In the port city of Iskenderun, Reuters journalists saw people huddled round campfires on roadsides and in wrecked garages and warehouses.

Authorities say some 6,500 buildings in Turkey collapsed and countless more were damaged.

The death toll in Turkey rose to 17,406, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said. In Syria, already devastated by nearly 12 years of civil war, more than 3,300 people have died, according to the government and a rescue service in the rebel-held northwest.

In the devastated Syrian town of Jandaris, Ibrahim Khalil Menkaween walked in the rubble-strewn streets clutching a white body bag. He said he had lost seven members of his family, including his wife and two of his brothers.

"I'm holding this bag for when they bring out my brother, and my brother's young son, and both of their wives, so we can pack them in bags," he said. "The situation is very bad. And there is no aid."

Turkish officials say some 13.5 million people were affected in an area spanning roughly 450 km (280 miles) from Adana in the west to Diyarbakir in the east. In Syria, people were killed as far south as Hama, 250 km from the epicentre.

Rescue crews looked for survivors at the site of a collapsed building in the dark in the city of Adiyaman with temperatures below freezing, Turkish broadcasters showed.

Teams frequently called for silence, asking all vehicles and generators to be turned off and reporters to keep quiet as they listened for sounds of anyone alive under the concrete blocks.

There were still some signs of hope.

A 2-year-old boy was picked out of the rubble by a Romanian and Polish rescue team in Hatay 79 hours after the earthquake, video released by Turkey's Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) on Thursday showed.

The boy, wearing a blue, white and black striped sweater, cried as he was gently lifted from the hole where he had been trapped. He was carried away on a blanket. No other details were immediately available.

Another video from IHH showed a helmeted and dust-streaked rescuer weeping with emotion after successfully freeing a little girl from the rubble of a collapsed building in Kahramanmaras.

Many in Turkey have complained of a lack of equipment, expertise and support to rescue those trapped - sometimes even as they could hear cries for help.

After facing criticism over the initial response, Erdogan said on a visit to the area on Wednesday that operations were now working normally and promised no one would be left homeless.

Nevertheless, the disaster will pose an additional challenge to the long-ruling president in the election.

Greece sent thousands of tents, beds and blankets on Thursday to help those left homeless by the quake, in an act of solidarity with a neighbour that is a NATO ally but also a historic foe.

Israeli satellite intelligence was helping map the disaster zones in Turkey with mapping capabilities predominantly used for special operations, the Israeli military said.

SYRIA OVERWHELMED

In Syria, relief efforts are complicated by a conflict that has partitioned the country and wrecked its infrastructure.

The U.N. aid convoy entered Syria at the Bab Al Hawa crossing - a lifeline for accessing opposition-controlled areas where some 4 million people, many displaced by the war, were already relying on humanitarian aid.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pushed for more humanitarian access to northwestern Syria, saying he would be "very happy" if the United Nations could use more than one border crossing to deliver help.

The Syrian government views the delivery of aid to the rebel-held northwest from Turkey as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Syrian civil defence said at least 2,030 people were killed in opposition-held northwest Syria, and the government has reported 1,347 deaths.

Syria's ambassador to the United Nations on Wednesday admitted the government lacked capability and equipment but blamed the war and Western sanctions.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has chaired emergency meetings on the earthquake but has not addressed the nation in a speech or news conference.

(Reporting by Umit Bektas, Mehmet Caliskan and Khalil Ashawi; Additional reporting by Orhan Coskun in Ankara, Ece Toksabay in Adana, Jonathan Spicer, Daren Butler and Ezgi Erkoyun in Istanbul, Maya Gebeily in southern Turkey, Khalil Ashawi in northern Syria, Suleiman al-Khalidi in Amman and Dan Williams in Jerusalem Writing by Angus MacSwan, Frances Kerry and Alistair Bell Editing by Alex Richardson, William Maclean and Rosalba O'Brien)
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Sujai Karampuri (far right) with other dignitaries at the unveiling of Battista at Hyderabad E-Motor Show on Thursday. (Photo: By Arrangement)

Hyderabad: Automobili Pininfarina, the Italian luxury car brand wholly owned by Mahindra & Mahindra, as part of the E-Motor Show, unveiled the worlds fastest accelerating car: the pure-electric hyper GT Battista for the first time in India on Thursday.

The unveiling, as part of the E-Mobility Week, adds an important milestone as the city gears up for Indias first Formula E Grand Prix on February 11. The Battista is officially the fastest-accelerating car in the world.

The car was unveiled by Sujai Karampuri, Director, Electronics, Semiconductors and Advanced Chemistry Cell, Government of Telangana in the presence of Gurpratap Boparai, CEO, Europe Business, Mahindra & Mahindra and Paolo Dellacha, CEO, Automobili Pininfarina.

Speaking at the event, Sujai Karampuri said, "Telangana has always stood for development and innovation with sustainability at its core. I strongly believe that Electric Vehicles are the future of sustainable mobility and the State is actively promoting adoption of electric vehicles for a greener future."

"Telangana has rich association with the Mahindra Group, and we are proud of Mahindra for getting such cutting-edge technology in electric mobility," added Mr Karampuri.

Gurpratap Boparai said, "Battista represents the pinnacle of technology in electric vehicles in truest form. As the car is set to participate in the Hyderabad E Prix circuit, it will also mark its debut in India."

Mr Paolo Dellacha said, "We are really excited to be at the Hyderabad E-Motor show. We are strengthening our collaboration with Mahindra Group for the future, and we look forward to sharing more exciting news."
As part of that 2016 plan, Musk said Tesla drivers would be able to sleep, read or do anything else enroute to their destination and make money by renting out their autonomous vehicles when they are not in use. Bloomberg

Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) Chief Executive Elon Musk will reveal the third part of the electric vehicle (EV) maker's "Master Plan" when the company holds its first investor day on March 1.

In 2006 and 2016, the billionaire laid out his vision for the electric carmaker, but much of the plans have yet to be achieved.

"Master Plan 3, the path to a fully sustainable energy future for Earth will be presented on March 1," Musk tweeted on Wednesday.

At Tesla's annual shareholder meeting in August, Musk said the third part of his Master Plan was "going to fundamentally be about scaling" both car production and the supply chain that supports it such as battery materials and components.

At the upcoming investor day to be held at its gigafactory in Texas, Tesla said it will share details about its next-generation vehicle platforms, which Musk has said would produce a vehicle about half the cost of Tesla's current vehicle underpinings. Tesla also said it will discuss long-term expansion plans, capital allocation and other subjects.

Last year, Tesla shares posted their worst annual performance as Musk sold Tesla shares to fund his purchase of Twitter and other shareholders lost confidence in his focus on the carmaker, whose sales growth was not as much as some investors had hoped.

In 2006, Musk unveiled "a secret mast plan," which includes an affordable electric car, but Tesla's cheapest model is $43,490 in the United States.

In 2016, Musk unveiled his "Master Plan, Part Deux," a four-point plan which includes expanding its electric vehicle lineup to all major segments and achieving "true self-driving." Its Semi heavy duty electric trucks has started "pilot production" last year, while its Cybertruck pickup trucks have been pushed back to 2023.

As part of that 2016 plan, Musk said Tesla drivers would be able to sleep, read or do anything else enroute to their destination and make money by renting out their autonomous vehicles when they are not in use. But Musk said in October last year its cars are not ready to have no one behind the wheel, after missing his targets to achieve self-driving capability.
Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy. ( Photo: Twitter)

Vijayawada: Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy would reach Delhi on Monday evening to take part in the curtain raiser programme for the AP Global Investors Summit with delegates.

The event would be held at a hotel in Delhi from 10.30am to 5.30pm on Tuesday. The chief minister would return to the state from Delhi on Tuesday evening.
The 14-year-old victim was reportedly trapped by a friend who is also a minor before being led to a house where the accused were present, according to the police. (Representational Image)

Hyderabad: The Chatrinaka police on Wednesday arrested six persons in connection with the gangrape of a teenage Dalit girl on February 4. A minor girl who helped the accused in the crime was also arrested.

The 14-year-old victim was reportedly trapped by a friend who is also a minor before being led to a house where the accused were present, according to the police. The accused started acting improperly with the victim after locking her in a room. She was made to drink sedative-laced soft beverages while being sexually assaulted.

The arrested were identified as Kommu Rahul, 21, Mannena Nitin, 19, Gaali Deekshit, 19, Deshamoni Mallesh, 18, Sama Pavan, 18, and Mettu Raj Kumar, 18. The accused have been sent to judicial remand, said Sai Chaitanya, DCP South Zone. The minor girl was sent to the Juvenile Home for Girls.

Police stated that on the night of February 4, the victim went to a pharmacy to buy medicines. Meanwhile, her friend met the victim at the medical store and took her to her aunts house. Later they went to the victim's house, gave medicines at home. The victims friend then took her to Bhoiguda under the pretext of a friends birthday party.

The victim's friend and one of the accused remained in one room after they arrived at the home where the party was meant to be taking place, but the victim was coerced into entering into the room with the other accused.

They started misbehaving with her and touching her inappropriately. Later, they gave the victim sedative-laced drinks and raped her. Her mother approached the Chatrinaka police and lodged a complaint on February 5.

Police picked up her friend and, through her, arrested the five boys who had raped her based on the information she provided. The victim was sent to the Bharosa centre for medical examination and counselling.
South Africa: Citizens urged to listen to SONA

The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), in partnership with the Passenger Rail Agency (Prasa), today encouraged train commuters at the Cape Town train station to listen to the State of the Nation Address (SONA) to be delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa this evening.

Representatives from both entities arrived at the station very early in the morning and interacted with the commuters while distributing pamphlets on the State of the Nation Address.

On behalf of GCIS, Acting Director-General, Michael Currin, told commuters that it is important for citizens to listen to what the President will be saying during the State of the Nation Address, tonight.

We have a lot to celebrate in terms of improved services. Today we are proud as there have been significant changes, he said.

Currin said in the past people had a negative attitude towards government.

People can now see changes. Many peoples lives have changed. Government is changing peoples lives, he said.

On behalf of Prasa, Chairperson Leonard Ramatlakane used the opportunity to inform the commuters that the agency is working hard to improve its services.

If there are no trains, it means no transport for our communities, he said.

Ramatlakane said Prasa currently has 125 new trains and they are working towards having 600 new trains.

He said they are working towards building partnerships with communities.

Trains are cheaper as compared to taxis. Most of us can afford it, Siphamandla Kode, from Nyanga, told SAnews. He commutes daily to work using a train.

With regard to the State of the Nation Address, Kode said he will make time to listen to the President.

It is important to know what are governments plans and what to expect, he said.

Echoing the same sentiments was Zitha, who said he always listens to the President when he delivers the State of the Nation Address.

Ill be home early so I can listen to the Presidents speech. We need to know what are governments plans for this year, he told SAnews.

Prasa is a public entity wholly-owned by Government which reports to the Minister of Transport.

The legal mandate directs Prasa to deliver commuter rail services in the Metropolitan areas of South Africa, long-distance (inter-city) rail and bus services within, to and from the borders of the Republic of South Africa.

All eyes will be on President Cyril Ramaphosa this evening as he takes to the podium to outline governments programme of action through his 2023 State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Cape Town City Hall.

SONA is an annual message delivered by the President of South Africa to a joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament - the National Assembly (NA) and National Council of Provinces (NCOP).

With South Africa continuing to experience various stages of load shedding, South Africans will be waiting with bated breath to hear how the sixth administration plans to address the power crisis.

When he addresses the nation at 7pm, President Ramaphosa will address the current state of the political, social and economic landscape in South Africa, as well as government's commitments and objectives for 2023.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-02-09. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Renovated Beijing hutongs shine with ancient charm

15:22, February 09, 2023 By Zhang Rong, Zhang Ruohan, Su Yingxiang, Peng Yukai, Ma Tianyi, Xu Xiangli ( People's Daily Online

After having breakfast at a time-honored restaurant, Zhu Maojin, a 75-year-old resident of a hutong in Caochang community, Qianmen street, Dongcheng District of Beijing, began feeding wild birds under the eaves of his house as usual.

Born and raised in the Caochangsitiao Hutong, Zhu lives a life of contentment that is so similar to, and yet much better than, what he enjoyed in his childhood.

"When I was little, we would often go to a neighbor's house to borrow stuff like green onion and garlic. It was so simple that we even didn't need to ask. We just took the onion, shouted into the house, 'Aunt, I'm going to take this onion,' and then returned home," Zhu recalled.

Zhu Maojin, a 75-year-old man, poses for a photo in his courtyard in the Caochangsitiao Hutong in Caochang community, Qianmen street, Dongcheng District of Beijing, July 1, 2022. (Peoples Daily Online/Ma Tianyi)

"Hutongs in Beijing feature a close people-to-people bond, which is the one thing that I don't want to live without the most," said Zhu, noting that the close interactions between him and his neighbors often remind him of the scenes from his childhood.

More than 900 families live in traditional dwellings in the Caochang community like Zhu's family. Thanks to renovation projects aiming to bring modern conveniences to local residents in hutongs while preserving historical and cultural heritages, all of the families in the Caochang community are leading a convenient, modern life in their hometown filled with historical and cultural aspects.

The Caochang community is located southeast of Tian'anmen Square. The layout of the residential areas of the community, which have hutongs running north-south, and quadrangle courtyards with doors on their west and east sides, has not changed since the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911).

Photo shows the Caochangsitiao Hutong in Caochang community, Qianmen street, Dongcheng District of Beijing. (Peoples Daily Online/Ma Tianyi)

In the past, the hutong where Zhu's family lives, was small and messy, Zhu said, adding that electric wires and optical-fiber cables used to hang overhead in a disorderly manner, and people would burn coal to cook, which was not safe or environmentally friendly.

In 2017, the Caochang community launched a project to protect the historic heritage while renovating old residential areas. Since the implementation of the project, the rainwater system has been separated from the sewage system, overhead wires and cables have been buried underground, natural gas pipelines have been improved, and clean public toilets have been set up, bringing a brand new look to hutongs in the community.

Photo shows the home of Zhu Maojin, a 75-year-old resident of the Caochangsitiao Hutong in Caochang community, Qianmen street, Dongcheng District of Beijing. (Peoples Daily Online/Xu Xiangli)

On Feb. 1, 2019, Chinese President Xi Jinping came to the Caochangsitiao Hutong to gain a better understanding of the living conditions of local residents after the renovations and visited Zhu's family. During the visit, he made dumplings and snacks and had cordial talks with Zhu's family.

Hutongs represent the most important characteristic features of Beijing's traditional culture, Xi said, stressing that modernization construction should combine efforts to preserve historical and cultural features in the hutongs, with efforts to help residents enjoy a modern life.

"Following President Xi's visit, we have come up with a lot of ideas and further improved the environment and conditions of our community on the basis of previous achievements," said Li Zheng, secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Caochang community committee.

Now the hutongs in the Caochang community are nicely decorated with ornamental plants, such as flowering plums, bamboo, and Chinese flowering crabapples, as well as grape trellises. Small boxes for pet feces and night lamps have also been installed along the hutongs for the convenience of residents. The community has also formulated and implemented administrative rules and regulations to regulate waste sorting and property management services.

A fresh food supermarket near the home of Zhu Maojin, a 75-year-old resident of the Caochangsitiao Hutong in Caochang community, Qianmen street, Dongcheng District of Beijing. (Peoples Daily Online/Ma Tianyi)

In response to the demands of local residents and the needs of area protection endeavors, the community has invited courtyard planners to help improve the layout and appearance of people's homes and created 13 beautiful courtyards.

Today, hutongs in the Caochang community offer people a pleasant living environment, which boasts a combination of primitive simplicity and modern conveniences.

With fresh food markets, restaurants, barber shops, as well as other facilities essential to everyday life, located several hundred meters from his home, Zhu feels more than satisfied with his present life.

Kaffir lily planted by He Lihua, wife of Zhu Maojin, a 75-year-old resident of the Caochangsitiao Hutong in Caochang community, Qianmen street, Dongcheng District of Beijing, is in full bloom in the family's courtyard in the hutong. (Photo courtesy of He Lihua)

Hutongs have retained Beijing's historical and cultural memories, as well as local people's memories of their hometown, which is something skyscrapers can never achieve and the reason why Zhu's family don't want to leave their old house.

"Environment is very important. Just as plants thrive in small places such as these, so do us human beings," said Zhu, commenting on the fact that the kaffir lily, grown by his wife, hadnt bloomed for decades when it was raised in a high-rise building, but started to bloom in profusion after it was moved to his courtyard in the Caochangsitiao Hutong.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Wu Chengliang)
The petitioner said that he wants to depict the drastic condition and fate of people when there arises situations of share fall in the securities market due to various reasons at hand. (Representational Image)

NEW DELHI: Another plea has been moved in the Supreme Court seeking to constitute a Committee under the monitoring of the retired Supreme Court judge to investigate the Hindenburg Research report.

The petition has been moved by advocate Vishal Tiwari.

In his plea, the petitioner said that he wants to depict the drastic condition and fate of people when there arises situations of share fall in the securities market due to various reasons at hand.

"Lots of people who had whole lifetime saving in such stocks get a maximum setback due to fall in such shares with a huge amount of money getting into drain. Various instances of suicides and other life-taking incidences come up because of such huge loss of money where lifesaving of individuals are invested in," the petitioner said.

Hence the petitioner sought to issue directions to the Centre to constitute a Committee under the monitoring of the retired Supreme Court judge in the interest of "Nation's dignity and prosperity" to enquire and investigate on the Hindenburg Research report published on January 24.

Issue writ of mandamus/directions to the setup of a special committee for oversee of sanction policy for High power loans of more than 500 crores which are given to Big Corporate, the petitioner also urged.

"In the aftermath of an unprecedented attack on billionaire Gautam Adani's vast empire by Hindenburg, the market value of all 10 Adani stocks have halved with investors sitting with a colossal loss of Rs 10 lakh crore. In the last seven trading sessions since the release of the report by the American short-seller, the market capitalisation of all 10 Adani Group stocks is down by over 51 per cent to Rs 9.31 lakh crore. Adani Group stocks fell 5-20 per cent on Friday, wiping out Rs 3.19 trillion in investor wealth after Hindenburg Research said it stood by its findings of alleged share price manipulation and accounting fraud by the conglomerate," the petitioner said.

The rout in Adani shares also impacted stocks of state-owned and private lenders with an exposure to the group, fuelling the fall in the benchmark indices, Nifty and Sensex, to three-month lows. Seven listed companies of the Adani conglomerate -- controlled by one of the world's richest men Gautam Adani -- have lost a combined USD 48 billion in market capitalisation since Wednesday and saw falls in its US bonds after Hindenburg Research flagged concerns in a report about debt levels and the use of tax havens, the petitioner said.

"However, Adani Enterprises have rejected the report as 'unresearched' and 'maliciously mischievous' the concern of the present petition is what is the fate of such investors who has lost such amount of money which brings a life-changing and life-ending impact on such investors with no redressal available," the petitioner added.

A report by a US-based Hindenburg Research surfaced on January 24, claiming that the Adani Group had weak business fundamentals, and was involved in stock manipulation and accounting fraud, among others.

The report triggered a sell-off of shares of all Adani Group companies.
MLA Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka. DC Image

HYDERABAD: A farmer who attempted to take his life and is being treated at the Osmania General Hospital was comforted by CLP leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and MLA T. Jagga Reddy. The Congress leaders pledged their support for farmer E. Venkateswarlu of Govindapuram in the Madhira district, which is represented by Bhatti. Venkateshwarlu ingested pesticide after being deceived by trader Nagabhushanam from Hyderabad who had purchased maize from him, but had failed to clear the full amount of Rs 43,000. The trader allegedly attacked Venkateshwarlu and his daughter Anusha arrived in the city on Wednesday to question him. The father-daughter duo were joined by farmers. Anusha was also hurt in the incident. The farmer is said to have consumed pesticide because he couldn't bear the humiliation, embarrassment. Later, a complaint was lodged in the Meerpet police station against the trader.
Participating in the debate on the Budget in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, Congress legislature party leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said the Budget figures are highly suspicious. (Photo:Facebook)

Hyderabad: Congress Legislature Party leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka has objected to the state government projecting "higher and unrealistic" estimates on tax, non-tax revenues and Central grants in the Budget.

He said these targets were impossible to realise and the state government did this just for the sake of presenting a "jumbo budget" of Rs 2.90 lakh crore without taking ground realities into consideration.

Participating in the debate on the Budget in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, he said the Budget figures are "highly suspicious".

"Revenue receipts were shown at Rs 2.16 lakh crore and the states own tax revenue was shown at Rs 1.31 lakh crore. This is Rs 40,000 crore higher than the previous year. How will you realise these additional tax collections? Are you planning to impose fresh taxes on people? The government should clarify these issues."

Bhatti also questioned the rationale behind projecting the Centres grants-in-aid at Rs 41,259 crore and the states share in Central taxes at Rs 21,470 crore.

"The reality is the state was not getting even Rs 10,000 crore grants from the Centre every year. This shows that the state has overstated a total of Rs 70,000 crore in estimates just for the sake of presenting a jumbo budget of Rs 2.90 lakh crore," Bhatti stated.

He accused the state government of pushing the state into a debt trap by resorting to indiscriminate borrowings.

"The Budget has proposed to raise Rs 46,317 crore through open market loans this year. This will take total open market loans to Rs 3.57 lakh crore. An additional Rs 1.29 lakh crore was mobilised through corporations for which the state government is the guarantor. The overall debt burden has nearly touched Rs 5 lakh crore."

Bhatti also rubbished the state governments claims of per capita income of Telangana witnessed a steep increase in the last eight years. "Only the wealth of a few individuals and families in the state have multiplied due to which the GSDP has increased. The government is dividing this GSDP among four crore population in the state and projecting as if the income of every person has increased in the state."
The BRS leaders also gave a complaint to the DGP against TPCC president A. Revanth Reddy for allegedly making comments during the Haath Se Haath Jodo yatra. (Photo: Twitter)

Warangal: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Mulugu Mandal president Badam Praveen late on Tuesday lodged a complaint at the Mulugu police station against TPCC president A. Revanth Reddy for allegedly making comments during the Haath Se Haath Jodo yatra that it would have been better if the Maoists blast the Pragathi Bhavan.

The BRS leaders also burnt an effigy of the TPCC chief and staged a dharna at the district headquarters here in Mulugu on Wednesday demanding the police to take immediate action against the Congress leader.

Addressing a massive gathering on the second day of Haath Se Haath Jodo yatra at the Gandhi Chowk here, Revanth Reddy made sensational comments about the Pragathi Bhavan which created a political stir in the district.

Revanth Reddy said that there was no use of Pragathi Bhavan which was constructed with crores of rupees as there was no entry for the common people into it to narrate their problems. There would be no loss to the Telangana state people if the Maoists blasted the Pragathi Bhavan by placing bombs in it like the blasts carried by Gadis of Razakars in earlier days.

After lodging the complaint, Praveen, speaking to the media, alleged that in the public meeting held on Tuesday night, Revanth Reddy tried to provoke the youths to indulge in illegal activities and made senseless comments about blasting the Pragathi Bhavan.

How can he appeal to the banned extremist group to blast the official building of BRS party, the Pragathi Bhavan, by placing dynamites, is it not betrayal of ones own country inviting Maoists to indulge in such activities, he questioned.

It is learnt that local MLA Seethakka, also a former Maoist member, might have acted as a mediator and made a conspiracy to attack Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao.

The police must register a case against Revanth Reddy and Mulugu MLA Seethakka who supported his comments and conduct a detailed investigation regarding the comments made. The police must take action against Revanth Reddy as per law, he demanded.

If Revanth Reddy repeats making such comments, then BRS leaders will prevent his Haath Se Haath Jodo yatra at every stage, he warned.
Congress MLA D. Sridhar Babu slammed the state government in the Assembly for introducing the Dharani portal in a haste, which has left thousands of farmers and landowners in dire straits for the past two years. (File photo)

Hyderabad: The state Assembly on Thursday witnessed a war of words between the ruling BRS and the Congress on Dharani portal and land issues in the state.

Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, Congress MLA D. Sridhar Babu slammed the state government in the Assembly for introducing the Dharani portal in a haste, which has left thousands of farmers and landowners in dire straits for the past two years. However, the Telangana government has so far failed to take any corrective action, he alleged.

The state government was engaging in "real estate business" by forcibly acquiring assigned lands of the poor for the Hyderabad Pharma City project and other projects at lower prices and selling those same lands to industrialists at exorbitant prices. Further, he accused the government of purchasing lands for the Pharma City project for Rs 8 lakh per acre but allotted those same lands to industrialists for Rs 1.30 crore per acre. These accusations had triggered a heated exchange between minister K.T.Rama Rao and Sridhar Babu.

Rama Rao lashed out at the Congress party and its leader for promising to abolish the Dharani portal if they are voted to power. "Dharani portal is a revolutionary initiative and historical reform brought by the Telangana government in land administration as it addressed several problems. The entire registration process, including mutation, is being completed within 15 to 20 minutes. It had ended the role of and eliminated corruption. There may be few minor problems, but the government rectified several issues, and is ready to correct further if there are still any issues," he said.

Referring to TPCC chief A.Revanth Reddy's comments during his padayatra, Rama Rao asked the Congress party to clarify whether abolishing Dharani and demolishing Pragathi Bhavan was their party's agenda. "After the formation of Telangana state in 2014, nearly 30 lakh property documents were registered in six years prior to the launch of Dharani. In the last two years of Dharani launch, 24 lakh documents were registered which proves the success of Dharani," Rama Rao stated.
Karnataka former Chief Minister of Karnataka, HD Kumaraswamy PTI File Image

Karwar: Former Chief Minister of Karnataka, HD Kumaraswamy, has dismissed allegations of being anti-Brahmin and highlighted the contributions for the welfare of the Brahmin community during his government's tenure.

He clarified that his recent statement against Union Minister Pralhad Joshi was not aimed at the entire Brahmin community, but only at Joshi.

The issue began two days ago when HD Kumaraswamy stated that RSS was conspiring to make union Minister Pralhad Joshi the next Chief Minister of Karnataka. He criticised Joshi alleging that he belongs to the sect of Brahmins who have contributed to societal division and implicated in incidents such as the attack on Sringeri Math.

The statement had raised furor with a few Brahmin organizations and BJP leaders sharply objecting to it. Kumaraswamys statement was also seen as an anti-Brahmin stand.

"I hold Brahmins in high regard. I support those who believe in the principle of 'Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavantu', and not those who subscribe to the ideology of Savarkar. During my tenure as Chief Minister, we made efforts to promote the welfare of the Brahmin community, such as providing land in Bengaluru for the construction of a community hall and establishing a Brahmin Development Board," Kumaraswamy told reporters.

Kumaraswamy, expressing confidence over the JD(S) forming the next government in Karnataka, stated that there was no possibility of a coalition government and that he would strengthen the party in his own way. On some leaders quitting the party, Kumaraswamy said that such events are common in politics.

During the Yatra in Uttara Kannada Kumaraswamy promised to provide healthcare facilities in Gram Panchayats and implement programmes for farmers and fishermen. He assured to provide housing through the Suvarna Gramodaya programme to the homeless and increase old age pensions from Rs.1,200 to Rs 5,000.
AIMIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi asserted that whereas Muslims felt insecure under the BJP-led government at the Centre, they were safe and secure in Telangana under Chandrashekar Rao's rule. (File Photo)

Hyderabad: While praising Chief Minister K.Chandrashekar Rao during the Assembly session on Thursday, AIMIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi asserted that whereas Muslims felt insecure under the BJP-led government at the Centre, they were safe and secure in Telangana under Chandrashekar Rao's rule.

Akbaruddin made comments when the CM made his first appearance in the House on Thursday during the debate on Budget. Owaisi asserted that, in contrast to the BJP-led government at the Centre, the TRS (now BRS) government had taken various measures for Muslims' development since Rao became the CM in 2014. He commended the CM for increasing funds for minorities in the Budgets every year since 2014, in contrast to the meagre allocations given by the previous TDP and Congress governments.

" During the Congress regime in 2004, only Rs 36 crore was sanctioned for minorities. But Chief Minister KCR saab increased this to Rs 1,030 crore after the formation of the Telangana state in 2014. Year after year, he increased budgetary allocations for minorities, and the Budget allocations has now reached Rs 2,200 crore for minorities," he said amid applause from BRS ministers and MLAs. Owaisi found fault with officials of the minorities welfare department for improper management of these funds.

"Majority of the funds were going for minority residential educational institutions and Shaadi Mubarak scheme. Due to this, other welfare schemes meant for minorities are facing severe fund crunch. No loans were extended to minorities through the Minorities Finance Corporation for setting up self-employment units in the last five years. Lakhs of applications are pending with the corporation," he said.

He expressed displeasure over the delay in completing the probe by CID into the encroachment of Wakf lands. "I have been raising this issue since the last four years. In the last Assembly session, the CM ordered a CID probe into this issue. I want to know the status of this probe. How many districts the CID has covered and what are the findings? When will the CID submit its inquiry report," he asked while also requesting the state government to implement the BC Bandhu and Minority Bandhu schemes on the lines of Dalit Bandhu.
The outlawed Pakistani Taliban has refuted former prime minister Imran Khan's claim that the outfit's militants from South Waziristan province were hatching a plot to assassinate him.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) asserted that it was waging a war against Pakistan's security forces and intelligence agencies and was not against any political personality.

Also Read: Only way forward in relations with India is PM Modi first restores Kashmir's special status: Imran Khan

We have received information that the head of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in a meeting with the partys provincial spokespersons claimed an assassination attempt was being planned by the TTP, and South Waziristan residents have been tasked with executing the task, the Dawn newspaper reported, quoting a TTP statement on Wednesday.

Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), suffered bullet injuries in the right leg in November last year, when gunmen fired a volley of bullets at him and others standing on a container-mounted truck in the Wazirabad area (some 150 kilometres from Lahore), where he was leading the long march to press for snap polls.

On January 30, a Taliban suicide bomber blew himself up during the afternoon prayers in a high-security Peshawar mosque, killing 101 people and injuring more than 200 others.

Pakistan has been hit by a wave of terrorism, mostly in the country's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, but also in Balochistan and the Punjab town of Mianwali, which borders the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

During the Apex Committee meeting, Pakistans civil and military leadership decided to seek Afghan Taliban chief Haibuttallah Akhundzadas intervention to control the TTP.

In November last year, the TTP called off an indefinite ceasefire agreed with the government in June 2022 and ordered its militants to carry out attacks on the security forces.

The TTP, which is believed to have close links to Al-Qaeda, has threatened to target top leaders of Prime Minister Sharifs Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardaris Pakistan People's Party (PPP) if the ruling coalition continued to implement strict measures against the militants.

Also Read: Imran Khan asks supporters to prepare for Jail Bharo movement

Pakistan hoped that the Afghan Taliban after coming to power would stop the use of their soil against Pakistan by expelling the TTP operatives but they have apparently refused to do so at the cost of straining ties with Islamabad.

The TTP, set up as an umbrella group of several militant outfits in 2007, called off a ceasefire with the federal government and ordered its militants to stage terrorist attacks across the country.

The outfit, which is believed to be close to Al-Qaeda, has been blamed for several deadly attacks across Pakistan, including an attack on army headquarters in 2009, assaults on military bases, and the 2008 bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad.

In 2014, the Pakistani Taliban stormed the Army Public School in the northwestern city of Peshawar, killing at least 150 people, including 131 students.
A 31-year-old woman from Kuwait who had arrived in India for treatment and went missing from Kolkata last month has been spotted in neighbouring Bangladesh this week, a police officer said here on Thursday.

After a thorough investigation, the Kolkata Police informed the Kuwaiti Embassy that the woman, along with a man, has crossed the international border to enter Bangladesh.

It was then the Kuwaiti Embassy sought the help of Bangladesh and the woman was found from a house in that country on Monday. The police there have handed her over to the Kuwaiti authorities, the police officer said.

Also Read | Bangladeshi smuggler shot dead by BSF in West Bengal

The woman came to Kolkata with her younger brother on January 20 and put up at a five-star hotel in East Kolkata. She was getting treatment for some skin-related problems in a private hospital.

After a tour of other tourist attractions of Kolkata, she along with her younger brother had gone to Alipore zoo on January 27 from where she went missing, the officer said.

Her brother then went to Alipore police station and informed the officer in broken English about what had happened.

As her mobile phone containing a Kuwaiti sim could not be tracked, the police started examining CCTV footage.

CCTV footage showed that she got into a yellow taxi with a man wearing a suit, a cap and a mask. So, identifying him was tough. We spotted the taxi driver and got to know that they got down near Marquis Street (in central Kolkata), the senior police officer said.

From there, they took another taxi and reached the Bangladesh border near Bangaon in the neighbouring North 24 Parganas district.

Then they could not be spotted anywhere inside the Indian territory. Based on the description and after scanning hundreds of CCTV footage, we got a photograph of the man who is probably a Bangladeshi national, he said.

A red alert was issued against the man. The staff of the Alipore Police Station and Anti-Rowdy Section of Kolkata Police talked to their sources and after it was clear that they have crossed the international border, they informed the Kuwaiti Embassy in New Delhi.

The embassy has sent an appreciation letter to the Kolkata Police lauding the role of its officers in helping them rescue the woman, the officer added.

No details on what happened to the man who apparently is her beau, nor the location in Bangladesh from where the Kuwaiti citizen was found were shared with the media.
A local Gaeilgeoir has described job creation in the Norths Irish language sector as completely Belfast-centric at the expense of Derry.

Teacher and musician Sean Mac Cearain said this attitude was contributing to the historically abysmal record of wider job creation in the city.

Mr Mac Cearain, who is standing as an Aontu candidate in the Foyleside DEA in Mays local government elections, said: I have voiced my dissatisfaction about the lack of jobs in the Irish language sector coming to Derry, on many occasions.

However, we also have to acknowledge there have been two nationalist parties, the SDLP and Sinn Fein, in power here for nearly 40 years and in that time, wider job creation has been abysmal. You would have thought both of those parties would have been pushing job creation here at Assembly and Westminster level.

I recently made a comment on social media regarding job creation in the Irish language sector in Derry to draw attention to the ongoing situation. A lot has been said and pushed through about the Irish language but there is Belfast-centric control there as well.

I know there is a culturlann in Derry but in Belfast you have Culturlann McAdam O Fiaich; a radio station, Raidio Failte; and you have Aras na bhFal, which houses a number of Irish language organisations. Iontaobhas Ultach and Ciste Infheistiochta Gaeilge are run from Belfast, as is Altram, although it does have a Derry presence.

Most of the full-time Irish language jobs are in Belfast. Now Belfast may seem like a short commute from Derry but that is not the point. The principle here is that none of those Irish language jobs are coming to Derry, said Mr Mac Cearain.

Sean Mac Cearain said he would have thought Derrys two Deputy First Ministers, Mark Durkan (SDLP) and Martin McGuinness (Sinn Fein) would have pushed for some of the Irish language jobs to be brought to Derry.

He added: There is absolutely no reason why they should be situated in Belfast, none at all. This is another example of how Derry is being pushed backwards by the Belfast-centric politicians, particularly in terms of the language.

On many occasions I have seen a job or two coming up and you think, Thats perfect but you inevitably find out the organisation is based in Belfast, and you just put it down. This imbalance needs to be highlighted more, which is why I made the comments.

Sean Mac Cearain said he also had an issue with Comhairle na Gaelscolaiochta, also headquartered in Belfast, regarding its lack of forward planning.

He said: Comhairle na Gaelscolaiochta is the representative body for Irish-language medium education in the North. It has been quite successful, although not as successful as it could be, in opening bunscoileanna [Irish language primary schools] but it has paid no attention whatsoever to forward planning.

It is now moving into the meanscoilleanna [post primary schools] and, it is my experience, the same thing is happening again. There are schools where trained teachers cannot be recruited.

This even applies to the teaching of A Level Irish. As a result of meanscoilleanna in County Derry and Belfast, schools which once would have taught A Level Irish, particularly the grammar schools in Derry, are now taking a back seat again.

As a result, children are coming out of bunscoileanna with good Irish and they are being told to sit at the back of the class in their post primary schools. They are effectively being ignored for three years, up to Year 11 and the beginning of GCSE. By A Level, children who picked up Irish at post primary school at age 11 or 12, often have better Irish than children who attended bunscoileanna. There is a big problem there which needs to be addressed, he said.

Sean Mac Cearain said it seemed to him Comhairle na Gaelscolaiochta was ignoring the way in which children leaving Bunscoileanna with reasonable Irish were being treated.

I am also talking about An Dream Dearg, he said. That organisation which put so much energy into an Irish Language Act, should be putting the same energy into lots of other problems out there but we are not getting the same energy, the same approach.

Derry is not getting its slice of the cake when it comes to jobs and that is definitely true when it comes to jobs in the Irish language sector.

In addition A Level and GCSE Irish have been completely downgraded because of the success of the bunscoil movement, which is being used as an excuse y post primary schools for not teaching children from bunscoileanna but telling them instead to sit at the back of the class because they would be too advanced for everyone else.

That is not right. These are not problems which are insoluble. In fact anyone could do it. Schools just need to employ someone to come in and teach the children who come from bunscoileanna.

What I find intriguing is, if you insult the Irish language people will come out on the streets in their thousands and thousands will vote for whatever party they think will oppose the DUP and two weeks later, that is their commitment to the Irish language done. A lot of people have said to me, There are no votes in the Irish language.

The success of children who have come through Irish-language medium education at primary school stage should be monitored. It is a problem I think our politicians should address, and certainly something Aontu will address. It is no good just putting children through Irish-language medium education and not knowing the outcome.
Former Journalist, Eamon Sweeney, author of soon to be launched 'Feis Dhoire Cholmcille: Celebrating a Century of Culture' is in the Feis Footlights this week.

With his droll Derry wit and very obvious affection for Derry Feis, there really was no better person to write, Feis Dhoire Cholmcille: Celebrating a Century of Culture than Eamon Sweeney.

Asked what his favourite part of writing the book was, The last full stop, he answered without hesitation and with a grin.

Feis Dhoire Cholmcille: Celebrating a Century of Culture is due to be launched later this month. It commemorates 2022, the centenary year of this iconic cultural phenomenon.

Some of the best known and most talented dancing teachers to ever to emerge from the North West. From left to right, the late Seamus Kerrigan, Pat Henderson who was interviewed for the book, Dinny McLaughlin and the late Brendan de Glinn.

The book is intended to be a tribute to those who did not choose a full-time career in the arts, said Eamon warmly.

It is to thank those who took part, even if it was just once because these are the people to whom Feis Dhoire Cholmcille owes the greatest debt of gratitude, he added.

These are the multitudes who religiously and faithfully attend Derry Feis every year. Pay their money and take their chances. Without them, Derry Feis would not have existed, survived and thrived.

Yes, we have the famous names, the celebrities, Roma Downey, Dana, Bronagh Gallagher, Phil Coulter and the Feis is very proud of them, but it is to the vast bulk of the people we owe the greatest debt.

The late James MacCafferty who was synonymous with Derry Feis is pictured here in his younger days in front of the piano.

Derry Feis has battled through some pretty hard times in our society and has displayed the utmost resilience in doing so. I loved getting to hear the thoughts of people I have never really spoken to before. Despite the fact most of these people are 50 odd years of age, in some cases more, the love of the competition they had when they were nine and ten, had obviously never diminished. There was an immense pride in their involvement in the Feis, said Eamon.

Feis Dhoire Cholmcille: Celebrating a Century of Culture contains interviews with different people, covering all of the sections of the Feis.

Eamon said: It first concentrates on how the Feis came about during a period of conflict in Ireland, around partition. That was its genesis.

Prior to that there was Feis Ceoil, which subsequently became Londonderry Feis. It predated Derry Feis by 22 years. Feis Ceoil was established in 1900 by Alexandrina McCausland Stewart, who had a very prestigious musical background in Dublin.

Internationally renowned saxophonist Gerard McChrystal pictured with legendary American composer Philip Glass.

She was able to go and ask for advice at the very famous Feis Ceoil in Dublin. She took a lot of the itinerary and brought it back to Derry, where she lived. She was married to a man called McCausland who was a very wealthy merchant.

Alexandrina Mc Causland Stewart actually sang with the famous Halle Orchestra in St Columbs Hall. Her husband died very young and she went back to Dublin to her family. That coincided with the partition of Ireland and that is where the schism in the feis movement happened.

Alexandrina Mc Causland Stewart had brought the Gaelic League onboard and included elements of the Irish language and music in her feis. However, when she went back to Dublin and in the aftermath of partition, the programme for the subsequent Londonderry Feis stipulated all singing had to be conducted in English and church music could be conducted in English or Latin only. It became very obvious the Irish element had been removed and the Gaeilge League withdrew its support immediately, said Eamon.

This led to a series of meetings between Mrs Edward Henry ODoherty and Fr John Logue McGettigan. They, with other people, began assembling ideas for what became Feis Dhoire Cholmcille.

The plan was to get the Feis up and running that year, said Eamon, all against the backdrop of a looming civil war in Ireland. For the first three years, the feis took place in June and from 1925 onwards it claimed a home at Easter.

Renowned operatic performer Una Carlin who was interviewed for the book pictured with a vast array of her Feis prizes.

Its first home was the Guildhall and the first batch of entries amounted to about 600 which was very strong, said Eamon, who has also honed in on the early adjudicators.

Rose ODoherty felt that in order to give this new Derry Feis some kudos it was necessary to bring the best of the best in terms of adjudicators, so the three that were initially brought up were, Dr Larchet, Arthur Darley and Annie Patterson.

The story of the Feis medal is fascinating. We discovered it was designed by a nun in Dublin. She was originally Elizabeth Hogan. Her mother was Italian and her father was John Hogan, a very prominent 19th Century ecclesiastical sculptor. He is also responsible for the statue of Daniel OConnell which still stands outside Dublin City Hall today.

Elizabeth and her sister attended Loreto Abbey, Rathfarnham but Elizabeth then decided she was going to take religious orders. She took the name Clement and used that for the rest of her life.

She then spent her career as the art teacher in school. But how did she end up designing the medal for Feis Dhoire Cholmcille? The archivist at the Loreto Abbey in Rathfarnham was able to tell us Elizabeths sister married a man from Carndonagh and they lived in Binion House.

We can only assume, somebody from Derry knew these people in Binion and when the question was asked, Who would design the medals? Elizabeths sister said, My sister is a nun in Dublin and she is a great artist, said Eamon.

The rest of Feis Dhoire Cholmcille: Celebrating a Century of Culture is broken down into the various disciplines in the Feis, instrumental music, singing, dancing, traditional music, Teanga, and speech and drama.

There are interviews with several people in each section, where they relate their Feis stories about feiseanna past.

Eamon said: The whole purpose of the book was to go from 1922 right up until 2022 and show that timespan of 100 years.

Then we relate about the CentenaryGala Concert last Easter, which was largely spearheaded in terms of production by Eoin O' Callaghan. We reflect back to 1922 when everything was handwritten and we relied on the print media and newspapers in the city to relay the information.

Compare that with the Centenary Concert which was streamed live. We have had a revolution in technology in the last 100 years. We are now very strong on social media. We are also using all of the images we were sent by the parents of young prizewinners last year displaying their medals. We have included about 100 of those images in the book in collage form.

Feis Dhoire Cholmcille, Celebrating a Century of Culture concludes with a look towards the next 100 years but it looks forward by looking back in a fictional scenario which takes place in Good Friday 2122. You will have to read the book to find out more.

Details of the launch of Feis Dhoire Cholmcille: Celebrating a Century of Culture will be issued on the Derry Feis social media channel soon.
A County Derry woman enjoyed a special trip down memory lane last week.

Doyle ONeill (nee Fitzpatrick) was born in Coleraine in June 1938 and was the youngest of her parents Frank and Josephines ten children.

However, at the age of only three, Doyle was sent to live with the McKay family in Ballerin as part of the wartime evacuation scheme which saw children living in urban areas moved to rural areas in the 1940s.

Doyles family had been friends with the McKays and that was why she was sent to live with them.

While living in Ballerin for several years, she attended St Columbas Primary School from the age of four.

Last week, Doyle visited the school, which first opened in 1908 and is still in the original building, for the first time in almost 80 years.

She was welcomed to the school by principal, Martina Hughes, who showed her special guest around the old building and the more modern extensions which have been added since Doyles time there.

During her visit, Doyle spoke to the pupils about what it was like going to school when she was young.

The pupils were shocked when Doyle, who is now 84, told them about the outside dry toilet that she and her classmates had to use in all types of weather.

She also recalled how everyone had to walk to school each day, with some of her friends having to walk several miles in their bare feet.

During her chat with the pupils, she was able to work out their connections and found out she had been to school with many of the young peoples grandparents and great-grandparents.

During her visit, Doyle also found her name in St Columbas 1944 register, which is a precious part of the schools history.

After living with the McKay family for several years, Doyle returned to her family in Coleraine and attended Loreto College where she was head girl.

However, she never lost her love for Ballerin.

During every school holiday, she came back to stay with Mary (McKay) and her husband Johnny Atkinson.

Mary and Johnny had two daughters, Maura and Eibhlin, who both also attended St Columbas.

Eibhlin, whose married name is McMullan, joined Doyle on her visit to the school last week and found her own name in the school register from the 1950s.

Doyle said she had really enjoyed her trip to her old school.

It was so nice to back after all these years, she said.

Things have changed a lot since my time at the school. When I was there, there was just one big room with a partition in the middle. Half of the pupils were on one side and the rest on the other.

It was definitely different times, but I loved going to St Columbas and I loved living in Ballerin.

Doyle had nine older brothers and sisters  Peggy, Betty, Mary, Eddie, Tony, Kitty, Bridie, Paddy and Anne.

For many years, her parents owned a pub at Newmarket Street in Coleraine.

After marrying Ardmore man, John ONeill, the couple set up home in Derry and had five children. John passed away in 2014.

Doyles unusual name came as a result of her mothers devotion to a priest called Father Willie Doyle.

Father Doyle was born in Dublin in 1873, the youngest of seven children.

Most of his priesthood was spent on the Jesuit mission team, preaching missions in parishes and giving retreats to religious communities around Ireland.

In 1915 he was appointed chaplain to the 8th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers and accompanied the regiment into battle during the First World War.

Fr Doyles care for others cost him dearly at times. On one occasion, the medical doctor with whom he worked was sick, and there was no dry or warm spot for him to him to sleep in the dugout. Father Doyle lay face down on the ground to allow the doctor to sleep on his back so that at least one of them could get some rest.

He was present at several important battles, including the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Messines Ridge, during which nearly one million pounds of explosives were detonated under the German trenches.

He was awarded the 16th (Irish) Division Parchment of Merit for bravery during a gas attack in April 1916, awarded the Military Cross for his bravery at the Somme, and nominated for both the Distinguished Service Order and Victoria Cross.

Fr Doyle died on August 16, 1917, at the Battle of Passchendaele. At some time in the late afternoon a group of soldiers got into trouble beyond the front line, and Fr Doyle ran to assist them.

It seems that Fr Doyle and the two officers were about to take shelter when they were hit by a German shell and killed. His body was never recovered.

The Father Willie Doyle Association has been set up in recent years to have the Irish priest made a saint.
26 year old Derry woman Kerrie Hamilton was sadly diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) aged just 17.

Kerrie, who currently works as a Staff Nurse, is now fundraising to raise vital funds to enable her to travel to Mexico and receive HSCT treatment to slow down the rapid progression of her condition.



With her prognosis, a medical intervention has to be resourced in Mexico, however this is out of the remit of the NHS and has to be funded by personal monies.



This is by no means a cure for her condition, however it will give her the chance to slow down the rapid deterioration thus enabling her to live a longer life.

Kerrie said: "This is the most nerve-racking thing Ive ever had to do and trust me- I know scary.



"Out of everything, asking strangers for generosity and kindness in such economic uncertainty is terrifying.



"My Multiple Sclerosis Journey first began when I was 15 climbing up the Sperrin mountains for my Duke of Edinburgh silver award.



"Halfway up the mountain without warning and unknowingly to my team members, I started having what I can only describe as electrical impulses in my head and down my arms not knowing what was happening.



"I just kept marching on. It was only weeks after when my double vision, slurred speech, muscle weakness and balance issues came to fruition that I went to my GP and was referred to Neurology, and two years later I was diagnosed with Relapse Remitting Multiple Sclerosis at 17 years old.



"As you can imagine, this completely changed my life and how I saw my future."



Multiple Sclerosis is a progressive autoimmune disease, where your bodys immune system attacks your own central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) damaging the myelin coating that protects the nerves.



This causes an array of symptoms such as muscle stiffness or spasticity, slurred speech, visual changes, tremors, paralysis, bladder problems, fatigue, depression and much more.

Kerrie continued: "Prior to my diagnosis, I went through a lot of difficulties at such a young age and at a time where I was still at school studying for my GCSE's and A-Levels.



"I began to be absent a lot due to multiple doctor visits, scans, lumbar punctures and during this time, simple day-to-day tasks such as taking a shower and walking became seemingly more difficult, a direct result of MS and its symptoms. My life had completely changed.



"After finishing school, I gained a degree in Nursing despite my difficulties, as Ive always wanted to help others and aspired to be a nurse. Now, I am asking for your help to fundraise."

Kerrie lives in Derry with her partner and their labradoodle, Noodle. Kerrie, alongside her family and friends, are fundraising to get Kerrie to Mexico and receive the life changing treatment.

The HSCT treatment aims to stop the damage caused by MS. The chemotherapy based medical procedure ablates Kerrie's immune system and effectively reboots it using her own stem cells that will be harvested prior to treatment.



This treatment is not guaranteed to halt everyones MS progression, but thus far has proven very effective.



It has been found that the sooner the treatment is started the more effective it is, "Ideally, I would like to access it before this disease robs me of any more of my abilities and the sad inevitability happens  losing the ability to walk and my own independence," Kerrie said.

"As a result of the ongoing and worsening conditions, I am now seeking a breakthrough treatment in the hope it will help bring some normality to my life and halt progression of this unforgiving auto-immune disease.

"The money fundraised will go towards the medical procedures, aftercare and medication. I would be so grateful for any contribution to my cause."



Kerrie's friend, Kerry Wray added: "Kerrie struggled on through her daily challenges and received her degree in Nursing, which she continues to do so as her career.



"However Kerrie has had to leave the hospital as the workload was too strenuous on her body. She is currently working at Foyle Hospice covering Palliative Care.



"This in itself is testament to her strong courageous character, as it is giving her an in depth look to her future at present, so when she heard of this treatment she could see hope and is trying her best to raise the much needed funds, to not only extend her life but slow down the progression so that she can continue to do what her calling' is and that is be a nurse.



"Despite everything that Kerrie has to overcome in her personal life, she is still working and giving back to people. She is a remarkable young woman."



This treatment Kerrie needs is set to cost 55,000. There is a fundraising page you can donate to via this link.

Also, Kerrie's friends and family are hosting a fundraiser on May 12 at Dirty Harry's in Derry's Waterside. They are kindly asking local businesses to donate to the cause if they can for a raffle on the night. Please contact: ekwray76@gmail.com
At an inquest hearing today Coroner Mrs Bagnall J fixed the opening of an inquest into the fatal shooting of Derry man Patrick Duffy for the 19th to 21st April 2023 at Derry Court.

Patrick Duffy was shot dead just after 9.00pm on 24th November 1978 while in 2 Maureen Avenue, Derry by members of the British army.

Mr Duffy was 50 years of age at the time of his death. He was married with six children, one of whom, Margarita, was sitting in a car outside the house at the time of the shooting with her seven month old nephew. He died instantly from his injuries.

It is believed that the killing was carried out by an undercover SAS unit dressed in civilian clothes who had been secreted in the property prior to the shooting for a number of days.

Pathology evidence at the original inquest, held on the 9th and 10th December 1980, confirmed that Patrick Duffy was shot up to 14 times.

The same evidence confirmed that bullets were fired from his left-hand side or behind him into his back with at least two of these shots being at close range to the left side of his chest at close range. Mr Duffy was alone and unarmed at the time of the shooting.

The family of Mr Duffy were granted a fresh inquest by Attorney General on 22nd March 2019. This legacy inquest is one which was earmarked to heard in 2023.

Despite the MOD previously indicating that work on the sensitive military disclosure would not commence until the middle of April 2023, the Coroner took the decision to open the inquest and hear evidence in Derry for three days in April 2023.

The inquest will hear evidence from Mr Duffys family, other non-contentious evidence from witnesses who have died since the original inquest and some expert evidence. In January 2023 the family provided the Coroners Service with physical evidence items including the clothes their father was wearing when he was fatally shot.

Solicitor for the family, Patricia Coyle, Harte Coyle Collins, Solicitors & Advocates said today: My clients welcome the decision by the Coroner Mrs Bagnall J today to open this fresh inquest and hear substantive evidence in Derry Court from the 19th to the 21st of April 2023.

"They have waited a long time for a court to objectively scrutinise the exact circumstances of their fathers killing.

"They also take this opportunity to appeal to any members of the public who may have useful information about their fathers killing to contact our office in advance of the inquest opening on (028) 9027 8227.

"They are grateful for any support and information the public in Derry or elsewhere can provide.
Stormont party leaders have been told that the return of the Assembly is the quickest, most straightforward path to passing a stalled organ donation law.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris told politicians in a letter that they could progress the legislation in a single Assembly sitting by electing a Speaker, and without the need to nominate a First and deputy First Minister.

Sinn Fein is drafting a motion to recall the Assembly in an attempt to elect a Speaker to progress the legislation.

Mr Heaton-Harris also raised the possibility of Stormont returning for this purpose with political leaders during round-table talks in Belfast on Thursday.

However, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson responded to the Northern Ireland Secretary by saying he intends to submit an amendment to the Executive Formation Bill.

My response this evening to @chhcalling on Daithis law & the need to take this forward. I intend to submit an amendment in the Commons to the Executive Formation Bill to empower the Secretary of State to enact regulations required for this vital legislation to become effective. pic.twitter.com/cLQcF2GvyP  Jeffrey Donaldson MP (@J_Donaldson_MP) February 9, 2023

He said this amendment is designed to empower the Northern Ireland Secretary to enact the regulations required for the law.

While the other main parties support the election of a Speaker, the DUP, which is blocking the formation of an executive as part of its protest against the Northern Ireland Protocol, said that the legislation could be speedily passed at Westminster.

The opt-out donation system was passed by MLAs last year but the secondary legislation required to implement it cannot be approved at Stormont due to the current political stalemate.

The legislation is due to be named Daithis Law, after six-year-old Daithi MacGabhann, from Belfast, who is on the organ transplant waiting list.

Last week, Mr Heaton-Harris told Daithis family that it would take too long for the Government to intervene and pass the laws at Westminster.

In the letter to political leaders, seen by the PA news agency, the Cabinet minister said the parties have it within your power to recall the Assembly and have this legislation in place in a matter of days.

He added: This would only require MLAs to work together to elect a Speaker, not necessarily nominate a First and deputy First Minister  although, as I have always made clear, I hope that you would be able to do this too.

With a Speaker elected, MLAs could then affirm the regulations, which would allow the Department of Health to implement the necessary changes.

Mr Heaton-Harris then set out the steps which would allow the process to take place in one sitting of the Assembly, including the suspension of the need for scrutiny by a committee.

He said there would be an optional additional motion to establish the Business Committee, enabling further Assembly business to be scheduled.

Mr Heaton-Harris continued: This would be the quickest, most straightforward path to progressing this important legislation that Daithi and his family have campaigned so tirelessly for, than for me to bring forward primary legislation in the UK Parliament, which, as you know, would be a long and arduous process.

Resuming business in the Assembly would also demonstrate to voters in Northern Ireland that MLAs are ready to get back to work, to address the issues that people are facing and allow for greater debate and scrutiny.

It remains my priority to see the restoration of fully functioning devolved institutions, operating on a sustainable basis.

However, if MLAs could simply work together to elect an Assembly Speaker, that would be sufficient to progress these important, life-saving measures.

In a responding letter to Mr Heaton-Harris, which he shared on Twitter, Sir Jeffrey said that having met Daithi he is determined to help in terms of the legislation.

As such, I hereby give notice that I will table an amendment in the House of Commons to the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill presented in the House of Commons today to grant you the power to lay regulations that will enable the necessary definitions to be given legal effect, he wrote.

There are clear precedents where such powers have been granted to your predecessors in similar legislation and I would therefore expect the Northern Ireland Office to facilitate this.

Given that the House will meet on 22nd February to debate all stages of this Bill, I believe this is (the) best way to take forward the required legislation and achieve the right outcome.

Following the round-table talks with Mr Heaton-Harris on Thursday, Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill said all the parties were prepared to elect a speaker to complete the legislation, apart from the DUP.

She said: This is a law which we must get over the line. Little Daithi, as we speak, is in hospital receiving treatment. Of course, it is much bigger than little Daithi, it is about anyone who is waiting for an organ transplant.

We have been making the case for some time that the DUP need to stop their boycott of the Assembly, get around the executive table and get this law over the line.

The Secretary of State today advanced a proposal that we have been considering for some time. Elect a speaker and get this law completed.

Thats all we need, a very short window to get this law completed.

It was very clear that all other parties, bar the DUP, were prepared to do that.

But DUP MLA Gordon Lyons said the legislation could be passed as an amendment to the Governments Executive Formation Bill at Westminster.

He said: Its because this Conservative government supported the Northern Ireland protocol, that it made it impossible to get back into the Assembly and into the Executive.

Now we have the Westminster Government that is going to be taking through the new Executive Formation Bill.

Theres no reason why amendments cannot be added on to that bill, to make sure this could get through as quickly as possible.

This has been done in the past on issues such as abortion and victims pensions.

It has taken place in the past. Theres now a vehicle for which that can be can be done and it should be done again.

It is not clear whether the scope of the Executive Formation Bill would be wide enough to include an amendment on organ donation.

It was announced this week that Daithi, who has been on the heart transplant waiting list since 2018, has been flown to England for a cardiac procedure.

His family campaigned for the law on organ donation to be changed to an opt-out system to help increase the number of donors.

They have urged Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to step in and pass the enabling legislation at Westminster.
Applications are open for a government-funded leadership and management course being delivered by Ulster University Business School to help local businesses boost productivity and growth.

The Help to Grow: Management course, a UK-wide initiative funded by the Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, is being delivered across Northern Ireland by the experienced team at Ulster University Business School, across their campuses in Belfast, Coleraine and Derry/Londonderry.

Aimed at business owners and managers from small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) across all business sectors, Help to Grow: Management is a practical leadership and management training course, offering local businesses 50 hours of leadership and management training across 12 weeks.

The programme focuses on a number of business priority areas including strategy, innovation, digital adoption, sustainable business, finance and marketing and the curriculum has been developed based on the needs and challenges of SMEs.

Dr. Laura Bradley-McCauley, Programme Director, says the programme is highly practical and business-focused;

The course is very applied and from day one the focus is on applying learning directly to your business to deliver targeted impact and results specific to your needs. It is delivered by a range of industry experts, experienced entrepreneurs and academics with commercial expertise and small business know-how.

It is specifically designed to fit in with the existing commitments of busy senior leaders and managers of small and medium sized businesses through a blend of online and face-to-face learning.

Participants will have one-to-one support from a business mentor and access to a network of like-minded business leaders. By the end of the programme participants will have developed a business growth plan to help their business realise its full potential as well as access to an alumni community.

With 90% of costs subsidised by Government, employers will pay just 750.

A number of successful cohorts have already taken place with positive results for those who have attended. Stephen Miller, Director of Recruitment at Miller Hospitality joined Help to Grow: Management because the course outcomes aligned with his current business needs;

As an entrepreneur, you always want to get to the end goal as quickly and efficiently as possible. Help to Grow: Management will help us as a small business build the foundations appropriately for our expansion. My goals for the end of the course are to have a much more structured approach to the expansion of the business. The programme is all about positive changes for the business and how I can bring the team along with me."

If you are an SME seeking to make growth, productivity and competitiveness your priority, this programme is for you.

For more details and to apply, visit https://www.ulster.ac.uk/helptogrow

*SPONSORED CONTENT
Samsung is planning to launch a new mid-range phone in the coming weeks which is the Samsung Galaxy A54 but as usual, the details of the phone have surfaced online. From its design to display we have almost every specification of the Samsung Galaxy A54, thanks to the tipster.

Here are the 5 Samsung Galaxy A54 leaked features that have surfaced online:

1. Samsung Galaxy A54 design

Samsung Galaxy A54 is expected to come out with a very similar design to the latest S series smartphone. It could feature an IP67 rating against water and dust. It is rumoured to measure 158.3  76.7  8.2mm and it might be launched in four colours which are Awesome White, Awesome Graphite, Awesome Lime, and Awesome Violet.

2. Samsung Galaxy A54 performance

Recently, the Samsung Galaxy A54 was revealed on the Geekbench benchmark database. The listing spotted the presence of an octa-core Exynos 1380 processor and 6GB of RAM. It is rumoured to launch in 128GB 8GB and 256GB 8GB storage options but a 6GB RAM variant might also make it in the market.

The phone is also tipped to feature Wifi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3.

3. Samsung Galaxy A54 display

Samsung Galaxy A54 is tipped to feature a 6.4-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate support. It could also feature an in-display fingerprint sensor.

4. Samsung Galaxy A54 Camera

This phone could be backed with a triple camera setup holding a 50-megapixel primary camera, a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens for wide-angle shots and a 5-megapixel macro lens for close-up shots. Along with that, it could also sport a 32-megapixel selfie shooter.

5. Samsung Galaxy A54 Battery

The Samsung Galaxy A54 is expected to pack a 5000mAh battery with 25-watt of fast charging support.

That was all the information we have but again these all are rumours and Samsung hasnt confirmed any details yet.

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in or head to our Google News page.
We are into the second week of February month only and there have been a lot of phone launches. We understand it can be tough keeping up with all the phone launch events and so if you are looking to buy or find out more about a newly launched phone, this is the right place. This month, 6 phones have been launched in India so far and the list includes Oppo Reno 8T, Moto E13, Poco X5 Pro, Infinix Zero 5G, Samsung Galaxy S23 series, and OnePlus 11 lineup. Find their specs and price here.

List of phones launched in February 2023

1. Samsung Galaxy S23 series

Samsung revealed the prices of the Galaxy S23 series for India on February 2, a day after its global Galaxy Unpacked event. The regular Galaxy S23 got launched in India at a starting price of 74,999. The Galaxy S23+ and Galaxy S23 Ultra start at 94,999 and 124999 respectively. All phones come with Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, Android 13 with One UI 5.1 skin, 4 years of OS updates, and 5 years of security patches.



You can find the full Samsung Galaxy S23 series details here: S23, S23+, S23 Ultra

2. Oppo Reno8 T 5G

Oppo Reno 8T 5G launched in India on February 3, 2023. It starts at 29,999 and brings Snapdragon 695 SoC, Android 13 with ColorOS 13, 120Hz AMOLED display, 108MP triple rear cameras, and 67W fast charging support.

You can find the full Oppo Reno 8T 5G details here.

3. Infinix Zero 5G and Infinix Zero Turbo

Infinix Zero 5G came to India on February 6 with a 120Hz LCD screen, Android 12, MediaTek Dimensity 920 chipset, 50MP triple rear camera setup, and a 5000mAh battery. It retails at 17,999. Along with it, MediaTek Dimensity 1080-powered Infinix Zero Turbo also landed in India at a price of 19,999.

You can find the full Infinix Zero 5G details here.

4. Poco X5 Pro 5G

Poco X5 Pro arrived in India on February 7 at a starting price of 22,999. For that price, you get Snapdragon 778G processor, 120Hz AMOLED panel, a 108MP primary camera, a 5000mAh battery with 67W fast charging and more.

You can find the full Poco X5 Pro 5G details here.

5. OnePlus 11 and OnePlus 11R

OnePlus 11 and OnePlus 11R broke their cover on February 7 at the Cloud 11 event. OnePlus 11 comes with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 while OnePlus 11R sticks to a half-a-gen old Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC. Both phones feature 100W wired charging, a 5000mAh battery, and 50MP main camera, and more. You can check out their differences in this comparison article. OnePlus 11 starts at 56,999 and OnePlus 11R starts at 39,999.

You can find the full OnePlus 11 series details here: 11, 11R

6. Moto E13

Moto E13 launched in India on February 8 with a 6.5-inch HD+ LCD display, Android 13 Go edition, Unisoc T606 chip, 13MP rear camera, and a 5000mAh battery. Its 4+64GB model costs 6,999 in the country.

You can find the full Moto E13 details here

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in or head to our Google News page.
The Special Criminal Court has heard of the "terrifying" events surrounding a credit union robbery during which Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe was shot dead in Louth ten years ago.

Staff at Lordship Credit Union and Cooley Credit Union, both in Co Louth, told the three-judge court today, Thursday February 9th, that they were about to travel with a Garda escort to a bank in Dundalk when a car blocked their exit from Lordship CU and three men jumped a back wall on the night of Det Gda Donohoe's murder.

Brendan Treanor and James Flynn are charged with the robbery of 7,000 at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth, on January 25, 2013.

The two men are also accused of conspiring to commit 'creeper' style burglaries with a group of men, including Det Gda Donohoe's murderer Aaron Brady, to break into houses to steal car keys and quietly make off with the cars.

Today at the non-jury court, Pat Bellew, who was the secretary at Lordship CU, said he had locked up at around 9.30pm on the night, a Friday, and walked to his car with around "2,800-2,900 in cash" and the rest of the 7,000 in cheques.

Mr Bellew was to travel along with a colleague from Cooley CU and gardai to deposit the money in Dundalk Bank of Ireland.

Mr Bellew walked past his garda escort after waving at them and got into his car when moments later the driver's side window was smashed in and a hand attempted to grab the bag containing the takings.

The hand reached across Mr Bellew, who was covered in glass, but could not reach the bag on the passenger seat and retreated.

Mr Bellew told Lorcan Staines SC, prosecuting, that his passenger door was then opened and the bag was stolen.

Mr Bellew said that he saw "at least two, or possibly three" men jump the car park wall immediately before the robbery and that a colleague's car had been blocked in at the gate.

The witness said he could not recall what was said to him by the men but that "the impression was clear we were about to be raided".

Moments later the two rear doors of Mr Bellew's car were opened and a bag containing credit union papers were also taken.

Mr Bellew said that he sat calmly throughout and let the gang take the money before things went quiet and he got out.

It was only then he found out that Det Gda Donohoe had been shot and saw his partner, Det Gda Joe Ryan, calling for assistance.

Grainy dashcam footage of the incident from Mr Bellew's car was played to the court where two shots could be heard alongside shouting and a woman screaming.

Mr Bellew said a hammer he had never seen before was recovered from his own vehicle.

Mary Hanlon, the treasurer at Cooley CU, said she was also in her car in the car park and had travelled with the Garda escort from Cooley to Bellurgan.

Ms Hanlon told Brendan Grehan SC, for the State, that she had four bags with the week's takings with her on the passenger seat.

Ms Hanlon said she rang Mr Bellew on arrival to say that all three cars could now proceed to Dundalk.

However, while she was moving towards the gate, waiting on Mr Bellow and then the gardai to follow, a car parked across the gate.

Ms Hanlon told Mr Grehan that she thought "what a stupid bitch, parking there" and saw what she believed to be a woman with short blonde hair in the driver's seat.

Ms Hanlon said that shortly after she heard "bang bang" and saw one male get into the blocking car, which she believed was a Passat.

Ms Hanlon said she saw two other men then jump the car park wall at the front of the car park. All three men got into the car and it pulled off.

Ms Hanlon said she saw two of the men carry "something long", one of which she believed to be a gun while the other was possibly a metal bar.

She described all three men as being in their 20s or early 30s, and as slim and fit.

The witness said she was "terrified" by what had happened but added that she still had a large amount of money and cheques on the passenger seat in her car, which was later found to be 27K.

Ms Hanlon said that she heard the gunshots and initially thought it was the gardai firing but that when she opened her door she saw Det Gda Donohoe lying near the rear of her car where she could also see blood.

Multiple witnesses have so far given evidence in the case regarding 13 Garda investigations into creeper burglaries and thefts that stretched across counties Cavan, Monaghan, Louth and Westmeath in late 2012 and into early 2013.

Mr Treanor (34), previously of Emer Terrace, Castletown Road, Dundalk, Co Louth, and Mr Flynn (32) from South Armagh are charged that between September 11, 2012, and 23 January 2013, they conspired with Brady and others to enter residential premises with the intention of stealing the keys.

They have pleaded not (NOT) guilty to each charge.

Brady (31) previously of New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, is serving a life sentence with a 40-year minimum having been found guilty of murdering Det Gda Donohoe and of the burglary at Lordship. He denied any involvement in the robbery and is awaiting an appeal against his conviction.

The trial continues on Tuesday before presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt sitting with Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Alan Mitchell.
ABOVE: Helping to launch the SuperValu and GIY Lets GROW initiative are students Shang Hong Chi age 10 and Una Coyle age 10 at Scoil Mhuire gan Smal in Inchicore, Dublin 8 along with SuperValu MD Ian Allen, Minister Heather Humphreys and GIY Founder Michael Kelly. PHOTO: Mark Stedman.

Primary Schools in Louth are being encouraged to join the SuperValu Lets GROW initiative, developed in partnership with GIY. This is a brand new partnership that aims to put homegrown food centre-stage in classrooms across Ireland by enabling children to learn how to grow food at school.

Children can learn how to grow their own food in the classroom this spring using free growing packs which will be distributed by GIY and SuperValu. Schools across Louth are being encouraged to register online from today at www.supervaluletsgrow.ie to receive a free classroom growing kit while supplies last.

Students at Scoil Mhuire gan Smal in Inchicore, Dublin 8 officially launched the SuperValu Lets GROW initiative in partnership with GIY. This nationwide campaign is being run by the not-for-profit social enterprise, GIY and it is the start of a 3-year partnership with SuperValu.

Through SuperValu Lets GROW, classrooms will be provided with the tools for food growing and food literacy education. The SuperValu Lets GROW pack provides schools with everything they need to start growing their own vegetables, including packs of seeds, compost discs and pots for growing, as well as teacher resource packs with curriculum-linked lesson plans and activities.

Each SuperValu Lets GROW classroom pack includes seeds for cress, peas, salad leaves, pumpkins and sunflowers. There are also 32 compostable pots, 32 magic compost discs and expert GIY resource booklet with growing guides, lessons and activities created by GIY and lots of classroom goodies.

Helping to launch the initiative Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD said: I am delighted to be here today to launch the SuperValu Lets GROW initiative in association with GIY, which delivers classroom-based food growing and food literacy education.

"This initiative puts growing food firmly back on the table for students, leading to the development of lifelong skills that will support healthier living. Over 50,000 students across Ireland will have the opportunity to grow their own food, as they will be provided with seeds, compost discs, pots for growing and lesson plans. I believe this initiative holds benefits for students far beyond the classroom and look forward to seeing the students growing success this year.

Speaking at the launch, GIY Founder and CEO Michael Kelly explained how impactful the simple act of sowing seeds can be for children. SuperValu Lets GROW is designed to connect pupils with the magic of plants and the wonder of nature, which has a profound effect on how children think about food.

"Through our work, we know that by growing their own food children develop a greater curiosity and understanding of how food is produced and how it gets to our tables. Perhaps most importantly, research consistently shows that children who grow some of their own vegetables are more likely to eat more vegetables  a vital habit to support healthier people and the planet. Our research also shows us that through growing food and getting their hands into the earth there are huge mental health and well-being benefits for children.

Joining GIY at the launch was SuperValu Managing Director Ian Allen, who said: We are delighted to launch our SuperValu Lets GROW campaign in partnership with GIY. At SuperValu, we are passionate about fresh food and we want to share this passion with schools across Ireland.

"By encouraging children to get involved and grow their own fruit and vegetables, we can instil a life-long interest in food and making healthy choices. Not only this, the SuperValu Lets GROW campaign will encourage schools to take on projects that go beyond the classroom, inspiring students to get involved in their local communities for decades to come, through initiatives like SuperValu TidyTowns.

David Gough, principal at Scoil Mhuire gan Smal shared his enthusiasm for the project with the participating children. Now that Spring has arrived, it is a fitting time for the launch of SuperValu Lets GROW. It is a time of great excitement and optimism for the year ahead  from small seeds, great fun will be had and great food will grow. The children cant wait to roll up their sleeves and get started.
TFP facilitated 1,768 transactions worth a record 3.6 billion through 91 partner banks

Programme enabled 1 billion in food-related trade finance, 421 million in green transactions

Highlights include support for Ukraine wheat exports, importation of greener buses to Armenia

The European Bank of Reconstruction and Developments (EBRD) Trade Facilitation Programme (TFP) supported its highest ever number of transactions in a single year in 2022. The programme facilitated 1,768 transactions worth a record 3.6 billion with 91 partner banks in 27 countries. Its contribution to total Annual Bank Investment (ABI) stood at an all-time high of 17.5 per cent.

In 2022, the programme supported transactions ranging from a modest 3,500 for medical equipment imports to Egypt to multi-million-euro intraregional deals, including wheat exports from Ukraine. Highlights of the year included major intraregional transactions, the programmes role in supporting food supply chains and green trade finance across the EBRD regions.

In 2022, the programme facilitated 1,080 million in trade financing for food, related commodities, fertilisers and agricultural equipment, particularly crucial in the face of the war on Ukraine. The conflict put enormous strain on regional supply chains, with food security becoming one of the biggest global challenges.

The war disrupted the planting, growing, harvesting, storage and export cycle in Ukraine, with knock-on effects on other EBRD countries, particularly those in the southern and eastern Mediterranean (SEMED) region, which rely on food and related commodity imports. The EBRD stepped in when commercial banks capacity to facilitate trade began to dry up.

Last year, the TFP supported imports of agricultural machinery to Ukraine on more than 10 occasions. The programme also facilitated imports of fertilisers to Ukraine to keep the countrys grain production running. Later in the year, once the blockade on Ukrainian ports had been lifted, the TFP supported the countrys first wheat exports.

Green trade finance also flourished, with a record volume of 421 million, up from 287.7 million in 2021. These included export transactions, such as array cables from Greece to the United States of America and greener buses from Georgia to Yerevan in Armenia, and the import of energy-efficient street lighting from Ukraine to Georgia and the import of sustainably sourced forestry products from Romania to Egypt and Tunisia.

The TFP was also active in green capacity building in its regions, holding its first ever webinar for all of its clients and its first face-to-face workshops on the Banks Paris Alignment in Armenia and Georgia.

The Banks Green TFP was set up in 2016 to promote investments that improve sustainability and deliver environmental benefits across the economies where the EBRD invests.

The Trade Facilitation Programme, launched in 1999, aims to promote foreign trade to, from and between the economies where the EBRD invests.

The TFP currently encompasses 123 local banks in 27 economies where the EBRD invests, with limits exceeding 5 billion in total and more than 800 confirming banks worldwide. Through the programme, the EBRD provides guarantees to international confirming banks and short-term loans to selected local banks and factoring companies for on-lending to local exporters, importers and distributors.
A leading professional services company has announced the creation of 320 jobs over the next three years in Ireland.

Making the announcement in Cork, Cognizant confirmed the roles are predominantly in the life sciences manufacturing space but also in other sectors.

The additional jobs will boost Cognizants workforce across Ireland to over 1,800 associates.

Cognizants Head of UK and Ireland Rohit Gupta stressed the companys commitment to Ireland where he plans to meet Cognizant associates, key clients and universities this week.

Founded over 29 years ago, Cognizant employs over 350,000 associates worldwide. Its clients span several industries including life sciences, healthcare, automotive, consumer goods, banking and Insurance along with communications, media and technology.

The first phase of the recruitment drive will commence immediately with the aim to fulfill over 100 positions within the life science manufacturing team in 2023.

These roles will span the entire organisation from graduate roles to experienced engineers, project managers, and business and data science analysts.

Ireland is an incredibly important market for us, and it has established itself as an international hub for life science manufacturing, said Mr Gupta.

In this tough economic climate, I am excited that we are continuing our investment in Ireland with the creation of 320 jobs.

"We have recently won several large contracts in Ireland, the US and Central Europe and to enable us to deliver these contracts and continue to service our Irish clients, we are growing our workforce in the country.

The life science manufacturing industry has seen exponential growth in recent years and Cognizant is committed to improving patient health.

Our goal is to work with our clients to transform how medicines are launched and made through digital transformation and I see Ireland as paramount in driving this objective forward. Assistant Vice President of Life Science Manufacturing at Cognizant Jim Lehane described it as a very exciting time to work within the industry.

Companies are looking to transform the way they launch and make medicine and both information technologies and operational technologies will be the driving force of that transformation.

Cognizant is the place to work if you want to be at the forefront of the advances in digital technologies and want to develop and further your career within a progressive, large, and expanding multinational, servicing most of the top companies in the world.

As well as looking to increase its current workforce, Cognizant is partnering with Irish universities to help develop the next-generation workforce and attract talent to the sector.

The company runs a graduate programme, in partnership with some of its top pharmaceutical clients which enables graduates to develop skills both on manufacturing sites and Cognizant offices at multiple locations throughout Ireland.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy is wrapping up a whirlwind tour of his major European backers  already heading home with heaps of goodwill, promises of more military aid and Frances highest medal of honour.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who is in Brussels for the summit, will meet Mr Zelenskiy later on Thursday.

"This is an opportunity for us, as Europeans, to say that we stand, 100 per cent, behind Ukraine," Mr Varadkar said, arriving in the Belgian capital.

"We'll stand with Ukraine until Ukraine has peace again, just and lasting peace, and that means Russia withdrawing, and it means Ukraine being allowed to continue on its democratic and European path, so I'm looking forward to having an opportunity to speak with President Zelenskiy, and assure him of Ireland's ongoing solidarity and support for as long as it takes."

The European Unions 27 leaders are awaiting the man in khaki, hoping to impress on him that the powerful bloc is steadfast in its support of embattled Ukraine as Russia is feared to be making moves for a new offensive around the February 24th one-year anniversary of the war.

Flying in from Paris with French president Emmanuel Macron, who honoured him with the Grand Cross of Frances Legion of Honour, Mr Zelenskiy will be stepping up from a half-dozen video addresses to the EU leaders over the past year to use his impressive aura and oratory skills in person to make sure that nothing stalls in Europes unwavering backing.

The European Union will stand by Ukraine with steadfast support for as long as it takes, said the latest draft of the summit conclusions.

German chancellor Olaf Scholz said the bloc will send Mr Zelenskiy this signal of unity and solidarity, and can show that we will continue our support for Ukraine in defending its independence and integrity for as long as this is necessary.

Estonian prime minister Kaja Kallas said it is my plea that everyone will do what they can. The price will go up with every delay.

That need was especially pressing on Thursday.

A US-based think tank said Russian forces have regained the initiative in Ukraine and have begun their next major offensive in the eastern, largely occupied, Luhansk region.

Russian sources are widely reporting that conventional Russian troops are attacking Ukrainian defensive lines and making marginal advances, the Institute for the Study of War said in its most recent report.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 9 February 2023



Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/vrOFArukPg



 #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/6Sc2wfJpqC  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) February 9, 2023

Mr Zelenskiy will be using the dais of the European Parliament to make his point in a plenary session, hoping to match Wednesdays speech to Britains legislature when he thanked the nation for its unrelenting support.

That same support has come from the EU. The bloc and its member states have already backed Kyiv with some 50 billion in aid, provided military hardware and imposed nine packages of sanctions on the Kremlin.

After the solemn words at parliament, Mr Zelenskiy will move to the urn-shaped Europa building for a working session with the 27 leaders.

Mr Macrons office has already confirmed the bloc will reiterate Europeans unwavering support to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. Few would expect anything less.

The EU is in the midst of brokering a new sanctions package worth some 10 billion ahead of the wars first anniversary. And there is still plenty of scope for exporting more military hardware to Ukraine as a Russian spring offensive is expected.

One topic that was not on the agenda in Britain but will be in Brussels is Ukraines desire to become a member of the European Union as soon as possible.

French president Emmanuel Macron, right, walks next to Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelenskiy before heading to Brussels (Mohammed Badra/AP)

A high-profile visit to EU headquarters can only add to the goodwill to help his country on to the road of accession talks. Ukraine is talking about joining the EU in a matter of years, while practice has shown it can take decades before aspiring members are considered fit to join.

Mr Zelenskiy well knows the EU sometimes moves at a snails pace while he himself had to be lightning fast to stave off an early Russian victory and set up a defence of his vast nation that very few would have deemed possible a year ago.

Now, after initial hesitation, EU nations have finally started to step up their military contributions as well.

Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands announced on Tuesday they plan to provide Ukraine with at least 100 refurbished German-made Leopard 1 battle tanks in the coming months. The announcement followed Germany agreeing last month to allow deliveries of the more modern Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

Beyond EU top officials like summit host Charles Michel and Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, Mr Zelenskiy should find time for bilateral meetings with leaders to press for more hardware, ranging from ammunition to warplanes  something the bloc as a whole does not possess but individual countries do. - AP
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

China had a year of extreme weather in 2022, suffering a record-breaking heat wave that caused roads to buckle and a drought that dried up parts of the Yangtze River. Flooding and drought in the country were the third and fourth costliest climate-fuelled weather disasters of the year. And, unfortunately, it doesnt look like the country will get a break in 2023.

The China Meteorological Administration warned at a briefing Monday that the countrys north could see high heat again while the south was at risk from heavy flooding, and spokesman Song Shanyun said the climate crisis was to blame.

At present, global warming is accelerating and under the impact of climate change, the climate system is becoming increasingly unstable, Song said, as Reuters reported.

Chinas mean temperature was 0.62 degrees Celsius higher than average in 2022 at 10.5 degrees, government expert Jia Xiaolong said at the same briefing. The mean temperatures for spring, summer and autumn were all the highest on record.

The worst of the heat began in June with a heat wave that lasted more than 70 days and harmed crops, dried reservoirs and sparked wildfires. It surpassed the previous record for the longest heat wave, set in 2013 at 62 days, as Climate Home News reported at the time.

Along with the high temperatures, a drought in the southwestern regions of Sichuan and Chongqing reduced the hydropower supply, Reuters reported. This forced China to rely more on coal, with the daily burning of thermal coal reaching a record high of 8.5 million tonnes on Aug. 3.

To prepare for another year of high heat, the China Meteorological Administration advised the southern regions to make plans to ensure they had the energy resources to meet increased energy demand during the summer.

2022s extreme heat wave led to increased awareness of climate change in China.

Many in China are starting to call 2022 as the first year of the new climate era, Greenpeace East Asias Li Shuo told Climate Home at the time. The only norm might be abnormality from now on.

In 2022, average rainfall in China was five percent lower than usual, Jia said Monday, as Reuters reported. However, June of 2022 also saw historic flooding that displaced hundreds of thousands of people in the southern provinces of Jiangxi and Guangdong. This year, the flooding is predicted for Chinas northern regions.

Both heat and precipitation extremes are expected to worsen in China as the climate warms. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has observed that daily precipitation extremes have increased over parts of East Asia.

Heavy precipitation will increase in frequency and intensity (high confidence), leading to more frequent landslides in some mountain areas, the IPCC observed in its Sixth Assessment Report.

International scientists also echoed Songs statement that the climate crisis is causing higher temperatures.

Heatwaves in China have definitely become more common and more intense as well as longer in duration because of human-induced climate change, climate attribution expert Friederike Otto told Climate Home in August.
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

BMW, Peugeot and Renault all make popular plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), but are the cars as climate-friendly as they claim? Not according to a new set of on-road tests conducted by researchers who say the vehicles emit much more carbon dioxide than official measures from standard lab tests report.

According to the researchers at Graz University of Technology in Austria, assertions by the BMW 3 Series were especially inaccurate, with the PHEVs emitting more than three times the carbon dioxide claimed, reported The Guardian.

Plug-in hybrids are sold to drivers and governments as part of the climate solution. The truth is they pollute far more than advertised and are a dangerous distraction from full electrification. In city and commuter tests, they pollute significantly more than advertised, said Transport & Environment UK Director Richard Hebditch in a press release.

PHEVs use a gas- or diesel-powered engine plus a small battery, which carmakers say allows drivers to go long distances with zero emissions. Environmentals argue that the vehicles are less climate friendly and produce much more pollution than advertised.

The BMW 3 Series wasnt the only popular PHEV tested that emitted much more carbon than the carmaker claimed. The Renault Megane polluted 70 percent more than its official test rating and the Peugeot 308 was 20 percent above its official rating, reported The Guardian.

Regulations based on the worldwide harmonized light vehicles test procedure (WLTP) are used to test fuel emissions for cars, but critics have said the artificial conditions of the lab dont reflect real world driving. The researchers from Graz University drove cars around the city instead, using a portable testing system.

Despite the implications of inaccurate pollution measurements for the environment, carmakers say they have to include figures from WLTP in their advertising.

Not only did the cars in the study pollute more than they claimed, the electric driving range of PHEVs is limited, according to the European Federation for Transport and Environment (T&E), which commissioned the tests.

In the city of Graz, all three of the PHEVs had an electric range of less than 31.06 miles, the T&E website said.

Plug-in hybrids are sold as the perfect combination of a battery for all your local needs and an engine for long distances. But real-world testing shows this is a myth. In city tests, just one of the PHEVs has the electric range advertised, while all three emit more than claimed in commuter driving. Lawmakers should treat PHEVs based on their actual emissions, said Anna Krajinska, vehicle emissions manager at T&E, as The Guardian reported.

Based on the tests, T&E said governments should be focusing on providing incentives for the purchase of vehicles that are fully electric instead of hybrids. The UK government is currently considering which hybrids will be allowed to be sold between 2030 and 2035, when a total ban on new hybrid sales comes into force. Some industry insiders predict a minimum range requirement of zero emissions will be implemented for the sale of new cars.

According to analysis by consultancy firm Kearney, by 2035 the car industry will have used up its remaining carbon budget and will have exceeded it by up to 75 percent by 2050. Electric vehicle manufacturers Rivian and Polestar commissioned the analysis, which said cars worldwide will have to be zero carbon in order to meet Paris Agreement goals, adding that supply chain emissions will also have to be slashed by carmakers.

The UK is publicly committed to phasing out of sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, but has left a backdoor for fossil fuels in plug-in hybrids. The reality is that PHEVs are still big polluters. Unless there are tight rules about what will be eligible, we risk locking in CO2 from cars right through the 2030s rather than the fully electric future we need, Hebditch added.
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

More and more studies are finding that reported estimates for methane emissions from offshore oil operations are likely far under the true amount of emissions.

Multiple flights over the course of 2021 detected methane gas plumes via infrared technology, with researchers noting more than 150 oil platforms near Louisiana alone leak methane more frequently than previously thought. Most of the emissions are from tanks and vent booms, and the methane loss rate from offshore oil platforms was around 23% to 66%, as reported by Reuters.

Another study from 2020 measured methane emissions of individual offshore oil facilities and regions of facilities in the Gulf of Mexico in January 2018, comparing their emission count to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Greenhouse Gas Inventory. The count was higher for emissions inventories in shallower waters compared to the official counts reported to the EPAs Greenhouse Gas Inventory.

As reported by DeSmog, oversight and accountability isnt where it needs to be for many offshore oil facilities, so emissions often go underreported. The U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has even announced a need to improve inspection procedures for offshore oil platforms, following a confidential complaint, and plans to implement new training procedures for inspectors this spring.

Technology is also evolving to better detect methane gas leaks or intentional releases of emissions for offshore oil platforms, whose owners have previously argued that they produce far less emissions than onshore oil operations. Researchers have been able to detect and record more methane emissions for offshore oil platforms compared to reported emissions in recent years.

Emissions arent just underestimated for the oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. One study published in December 2022 by researchers at Princeton University and Colorado State University found a probable underestimate of methane for UK oil and gas activities, with emissions being as many as five times higher than what is reported. The researchers expect similar inaccuracies of reported emissions for other countries.

Methane emissions from offshore facilities are currently largely uncertain, and because sources on facilities only emit for a short time period, using direct survey methods such as satellite or drones will probably only capture about 25% of the actual emissions, Stuart Riddick, lead author and research scientist at Colorado State University, said in a statement. To generate representative baseline emissions across the sector, we need to work with industry to develop practical, effective, and collaborative measurement strategies.

Methane is the second most abundant greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide, making up about 20% of total greenhouse gas emissions globally. But this gas is about 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

No one really knows how bad of a problem it is and something needs to be done, Chris Eaton, a senior attorney for Earthjustice, told DeSmog. Getting some methane regulations on the books is crucial and it should be done soon.




South Korea's Major Feedmill Group buys 138,000 tonnes of animal feed corn

European traders said South Korea's Major Feedmill Group has purchased about 138,000 tonnes of animal feed corn sourced from South America and optional origins in an international tender on February 7, Business Recorder reported.

MFG's first consignment of around 70,000 tonnes was purchased at an estimated US$339.50 per tonne c&f plus a US$1.20 per tonne surcharge for additional port unloading. The seller was believed to be trading house Sierentz.

A second consignment of approximately 68,000 tonnes was purchased at an estimated US$339.83 per tonne c&f, including a surcharge for additional port unloading. The seller was believed to be trading house Cofco.

MFG's tender requested that the first consignment arrive in South Korea around May 7. But traders said that an earlier arrival around April 25 had been agreed in talks, with shipment from South America between February 25 and March 15. The second shipment was expected to arrive in South Korea around May 20.

- Business Recorder




Malaysian butchers association urges government to lift ban on swine from Perak state

The Kuala Lumpur-Selangor Butchers' Association has urged the Malaysian government to lift a ban on the shipment of swine from Perak state, in order to address the current domestic pork shortage, Free Malaysia Today reported.

Lee Peng Hock, chairman of the association, said the Klang Valley area (comprising of Selangor state and the Malaysian federal territory of Kuala Lumpur) requires 3,000 swine daily to cater to current demand, but butchers are only able to obtain 500 heads per day from farms in Selangor.

He said 80% of pork supplies are shipped from the states of Penang and Perak. Pork supply from Penang state has been stopped due to an African swine fever (ASF) outbreak reported there.



Lee said a private company tested Perak farmers' swine for ASF. Despite the fact that the swine were found to be uninfected, Malaysia's Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security refused to accept the reports.

Lee said that the shortage had raised the price of pork in the Klang Valley and urged the government to resolve the issue as soon as possible before supplies run out.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said a total of 23 swine farms in Penang were found to be infected with ASF as of January 28.

ASF was most recently detected in a wild boar in the state of Negeri Sembilan.

- Free Malaysia Today




Philippine poultry farm Bounty is exploring US$500 million IPO

Bounty Agro Ventures, a poultry company from the Philippines, is exploring an initial public offering (IPO) that could raise between US$400 million to US$500 million, BusinessWorld reported.

According to people with knowledge on the matter, the company is in talks with potential advisers about the planned listing. They have asked not to be identified because the information is private.

The sources said a first-time share sale could occur as early as the end of this year.

The sources also said discussions are still in the early stages, and Bounty may decide not to proceed with the offering. Bounty's representative did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

If Bounty goes ahead with the IPO, it will boost the Philippines' IPO market, which saw only US$389 million in first-time share sales last year, a fraction of the US$2.5 billion raised in 2021, based on Bloomberg data.

Bounty Agro Ventures was founded in 1997 and has grown into the largest rotisserie chicken company in the Philippines. The company traces its roots to 1986 as an egg producer.

The company operates 2,000 retail outlets that sell roasted chickens and chicken burgers under brands like Chooks-to-Go, Uling Roasters, and HeiHei. 100,000 roasted chickens are sold daily. It also sells dressed chicken in supermarkets, hotels, and other establishments under the Bounty Fresh Chicken brand.

- BusinessWorld
As promised, Meta has restored former president Donald Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts, two years after it suspended him from both platforms. The company previously said it would apply extra "guardrails" to his accounts to "deter repeat offenses."

Meta, like Twitter and other services, kicked Trump off of its platforms in January 2021 after he praised those participating in the Capitol Hill insurrection. The company initially locked the accounts for 24 hours over two policy violations before it suspended him indefinitely. Meta's Oversight Board was among those who criticized the handling of the ban.

The company later said Trump's accounts would remain suspended for two years, after which it would reassess things. In late January, it emerged that Trump would soon regain access to the platforms, not long after it was reported that he had pushed Meta to restore his accounts.

By 2:30PM ET, Trump, who is running for the White House for a third time, had not posted anything on either platform. He has an agreement with his "free speech" app Truth Social, whereby he has to share social media posts there first and can't plop them anywhere else for at least six hours. Twitter restored Trump's account on its service late last year, but he hasn't returned to what was once his favored social media platform either. Maybe he's still too butthurt about that one thing Chrissy Teigen wrote about him.
An investigation into the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in 2014 has linked Russian President Vladimir Putin to the approval of the use of the missile system that shot down the plane.
WARNING - GRAPHIC CONTENT - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy began a tour of Europe on Wednesday in search of better aerial firepower to turn the war against Russia, winning a British pledge to train Ukrainian pilots on advanced NATO fighter jets. Video contains graphic content.
Fairfield, MT (59436)

Today

Snow this evening will give way to clearing skies late. Low 22F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 90%. Snow accumulations less than one inch..

Tonight

Snow this evening will give way to clearing skies late. Low 22F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 90%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.
Montana Sen. Greg Hertz, R-Polson, speaks about Senate Bill 200 which would allow candidates in nonpartisan races to declare a political affiliation. He's speaking before the state's Senate Administration Committee (Photo via Montana Public Access Network).

Lewis and Clark County Justice of the Peace Mike Swingley told Montana Senate State Administration Committee that he cannot imagine what adding partisan politics to nonpartisan races would do to his job.

He has had to avoid the pressure of his own mother, who once called to tell him to go easy on a man in jail because she knew the mans mother.

Its difficult enough to make impartial decisions without partisanship, Swingley said.

He wondered how much more pressure will come from political parties looking for an advantage.

Montana is considering allowing candidates in nonpartisan races to appear on the ballot with their political party affiliation as part of Senate Bill 200, sponsored by Sen. Greg Hertz, R-Polson.

Pushing back against opponents who pilloried the proposal during testimony, Hertz said the issue is one of honesty.

Do we really want to stick our head in the sand and believe the nonpartisan races are truly without partisanship? he asked.

He said everyone in the legislature knows which Montana cities are liberal, which are conservative.

Both sides want to say theyre nonpartisan, but theyre not, Hertz said.

He pointed out that even the United States Supreme Court is identified by politics, with more conservative justices outnumbering the liberals.

Closer to home, he called the nonpartisan justices a fallacy, and pointed to the Montana Supreme Court.

We have known partisans on our state Supreme Court, Hertz said, referring to Justices Mike McGrath, who ran successfully as a Democrat in politics as well as Jim Rice, who was elected as a Republican in politics.

Instead, Hertz said it was about giving citizens more information to make better decisions. He also said he had faith in judges and politicians to set aside partisan differences in order to do the right thing.

When I was the Speaker of the (Montana) House, I was the speaker for everyone in the House, and sometimes I got knocked around by my party because of it, Hertz said.

Only one person, a member of the Lewis and Clark Republican Central Committee, testified in favor of the bill.

Gina Reilly said that she believed the change would allow the parties to support candidates who shared their views. But the Republicans can only use funds to support other Republicans, not those running in nonpartisan races. This would allow the party to fund candidates who shared their views, she said.

Reilly said Hertzs bill would help people learn more about the candidates if they didnt follow politics closely.

We cant rely on the media and ads to give us the full truth, she said. I believe theres no such thing as a nonpartisan. Everyone leans one way or another, and everyone who does should have the courage to stand up and say that.

Meanwhile nearly two dozen opponents testified that changing the nonpartisan nature of some of the races, namely judges and school board candidates, would be defeating a custom the Treasure State has had since 1935.

Not everything needs to be or should be partisan, said Norane Appling-Freistadt. Partisanship plays a big part in our lives, and I believe its detrimental to us.

Bruce Spencer, a lobbyist for the Montana Judges Association, alerted committee members that the law, if passed, could set up a court challenge because the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that Montanas Judicial Code of Ethics is constitutional, and the U.S. Supreme Court declined a challenge to them. That means, if the law is passed, it would set up an inherent conflict between the rules, which say a judge must be nonpartisan but can also declare a party affiliation.

Moreover, he said if judges are elected on a partisan basis, that will create an impression that will undermine the judiciary, something Spencer said, citizens need to have faith in.

Whats the first internal instinct you have, he asked, if a litigant loses a court case.

He said that Montanans who come to court will naturally assume political views had some influence and decide the system is inherently unfair.

This is not an insignificant thing to consider, Spencer said. If you force a partisan label on judges, you create an appearance that they arent going to get a fair hearing.

John Mudd, the general counsel for the Montana State Bar Association, said that partisanship should play no role in the judicial branch.

He said that every day judges hear cases centering on domestic violence, criminal activity, divorce and insurance  none of those are inherently partisan.

Partisanship would demand allegiance, he said. Our clients and their problems dont come with partisanship.

Currently seven states allow partisan election of judges, and Spencer said all of them rank lower than Montana in studies of effective judicial systems, and none of them make the top 10. Montana ranks seventh, he said.

You dont get a quality judiciary by a partisan race, Spencer said.

Al Smith, a lobbyist for the Montana Trial Lawyers Association, said that passing such a law is deceptive.

It misleads the public into believing that partisanship has anything to do with it, he said.

Others spoke out against it, saying that they were concerned that by allowing partisan politics into the race, the money and influence would have a corrosive effect on what are local institutions, far removed from the national political landscape.

Melinda Reed, who was elected to the Helena City Commission in 2021, said she had better conversations because her position was nonpartisan because the focus was on local issues, not national politics.

Still others said that the entry of partisan politics into impartial judiciary business represented a violation of the concept of separation of powers.

Our legislature needs to stay out of the judicial branch to ensure our system of checks and balances, said Patrick Yawakie, a spokesperson for the Blackfeet Tribe, which opposes the measure.

Lauren Caldwell of the Montana Federation of Public Employees, the largest union in the state, said she was concerned that students in the public education system dont attend classes taught by Republicans or Democrats, nor do the police officers who are union members show up to calls based on political affiliation.

If the legislature desires this big overhaul of the election, it should go to the people, she said.

Dennis Parman, the executive director of the Montana Rural Education Association, said that he and other groups that make up the organization oppose the bill because its not in the best interests of the students. He said school board administrators and associations oppose it because partisan politics have nothing to do with the challenges of local, rural school districts, which comprise nearly 75% of the state.

Now school trustees actions are clouded by politics, he said. Why would we do that? People already know each other and media coverage has been good. It adds nothing to the value of the position.

Other school board members, who would have the option of declaring a party, said its hard enough to recruit candidates, and this change would exacerbate the issue.

Ann Peterson a municipal court judge in Helena, said that municipal judges are often the first time a citizen has been before a judge.

They come to me wanting a decision, and they dont come wanting a a partisan decision, Peterson said.

Opponents of SB200 said that declaring a party affiliation on a ballot wouldnt really help give the voters much information, and that democracy required some work on the part of voters.

I think the answer is picking up the phone and calling them. Ask them for an interview if those candidates didnt make it to your doorstep, said Laura Obert, a former Broadwater County Commissioner. We dont need to follow other states to the bottom.

Monte Beck, an attorney in Gallatin County, said that in practicing law for more than 40 years, hes never seen how SB200 could have been a positive.

Not once would have I wanted to tell a client, This judge is a Democrat, or This judge is a Republican, he said. Most voters, I think, would think this is a bad idea. This is a simple bill, we were told, but it will create more complexities than the sponsor could imagine.

The post Bill to make nonpartisan races partisan draws plenty of opposition appeared first on Daily Montanan.
Demonstrators gathered in Washington, D.C., on March 27, 2022, as part of a national day of action. They called for more efforts by the United States and other nations globally to stop the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began over a month ago. (Photo by Marisa Demarco | Source New Mexico)

A resolution that was meant to support the fight for democracy in Ukraine ended abruptly in the Montana Legislature on Monday as the House Energy, Technology and Federal Relations Committee tabled it without explanation.

A majority of Republicans on the committee approved the motion to table the bill, although at the meeting, none of them explained their reasoning.

House Resolution 3, a three-page bill that expresses support for the Ukrainian effort against Russia, appeared to have bipartisan support  with more than 10 members of each political party signing on as cosponsors with Rep. Tom France, D-Missoula.

Most resolutions in the state are non-binding and are usually a statement of support for or against a policy or an event, such as the war in Ukraine.

However, when it came time for lawmakers on the committee to decide whether to pass the resolution to the entire Montana House of Representatives, Rep. Josh Kassmier, R-Fort Benton, made a motion to table it.

According to the House Rules, the parliamentary motion to table a bill is not debatable, and required a vote. Eight members voted in favor of tabling the motion, and no discussion of the bill happened before or after the vote.

I am angry because something as important like this gets tabled without a discussion occurring, said Rep. Katie Sullivan, D-Missoula, after the meeting. Sullivan is the Democrat vice-chairwoman of the committee. The way it was set up was in a way that so that there would be no debate, and I have a problem with that.

Bill kill Here are the representatives who voted to table the resolution on Ukraine: Rep. Larry Brewster, R-Billings

Rep. Paul Fielder, R-Thompson Falls

Rep. Steve Galloway, R-Great Falls

Rep. Josh Kassmier, R-Fort Benton

Rep. Greg Kmetz, R-Miles City

Rep. Casey Knudsen, R-Malta

Rep. Bob Phalen, R-Lindsay

Rep. Katie Zolnikov, R-Billings These are the representatives who voted to support it: Rep. Laurie Bishop, D-Livingston

Rep. Paul Green, R-Hardin

Rep. Derek Harvey, D-Butte

Rep. Kelly Kortum, D-Bozeman

Rep. Katie Sullivan, D-Missoula

Sullivan said when votes are taken on whether to send bills to the full House, its usually customary to let members comment, as a sort of way of reading their respective opinion into the record.

While Putin and Zelenskyy arent going to make any determination based on what we do here, we want to send the message that we still stand with the people of Ukraine, she said. I dont know why it was tabled, and thats why Im so surprised. Just because others dont want to talk about it, it prevents me from talking about it.

The Daily Montanan reached out to both Kassmier and committee Chairwoman Katie Zolnikov, R-Billings. Neither Kassmier nor Zolnikov responded.

The bill had drawn some odd comments from committee members last week, beginning when Rep. Bob Phalen, R-Lindsay, asked France why he seemed more concerned with Ukraine than what is happening on the United States southern border. France replied that he was concerned about both.

However, after that line of questioning, Rep. Greg Kmetz, R-Miles City, spoke in seeming opposition to the bill when he raised concerns that he said were brought to him by U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Montana. Kmetz said he was worried that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had taken $40 billion in U.S. funds and covered it to cryptocurrency, something Rosendale has denied saying.

Rosendale, though, took to the airwaves last week with conservative radio talk show host Vince Coglianese to offer a different, albeit new take on the Ukraine situation.

Let me throw this at you, Vince, Rosendale said. Is this literally a shiny object up in the sky to keep our attention away from Ukraine as the United States military is poised to send additional tanks and aircraft and resources to Ukraine while everybody here is looking up?

The post Montana House nixes resolution that would express support for Ukraine appeared first on Daily Montanan.
U.S. gunman killing 23 at El Paso Walmart pleads guilty to 90 charges

Xinhua) 15:58, February 09, 2023

HOUSTON, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The gunman who killed 23 people including eight Mexicans in 2019 at a Walmart mall in the largely Latino border city of El Paso in the U.S. state of Texas pleaded guilty on Wednesday to 90 charges, including 23 counts of hate crimes resulting in death.

His plea comes three years, six months and five days after the mass shooting took place on Aug. 3, 2019 as the deadliest attack targeting Hispanics in U.S. history.

Patrick Crusius, then 21 years old, also admitted guilty to 23 counts of use of a firearm to commit murder in a crime of violence, 22 counts of hate crime in an attempt to kill, and 22 counts of use of a firearm during a crime of violence.

"Today's guilty plea marks one more step towards justice for the El Paso community; however, we must remember that the survivors and victims' families will be on a lifelong journey of healing because of this defendant's actions," Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray said in a statement.

The shooter showed no emotion in court, and nodded his head affirmatively as federal prosecutor Ian Martinez Hanna described how the killing took place, the El Paso Times reported.

Hanna said that Crusius admitted to being a white supremacist and committed the mass shooting in an effort to dissuade Mexicans and other Hispanics from coming to the United States.

"This attack is a response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas," Crusius wrote in a manifesto he is believed to have posted online about 20 minutes before the shooting. He had bought a semi-automatic rifle and 1,000 rounds of hollow-point ammunition online weeks ago and drove 11 hours to El Paso from his hometown Allen in northern Texas with the sole intent of killing immigrants, the indictment says.

Prosecutors recommended that he receive 90 consecutive life sentences. The judge will consider sentencing in June.

"White nationalist-fueled violence has no place in our society today," U.S. Justice Department's Civil Rights Division Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said in a statement. "By pleading guilty, the defendant has admitted that he murdered innocent people based on their national origin and targeted Hispanics."

The U.S. Justice Department announced last month that it would not seek the death penalty in federal charges. As a result, the maximum federal sentence the white male from Texas faces is life in prison.

Crusius also faces state charges for the mass shooting. Texas prosecutors have said they plan to seek the death penalty but a trial has not been scheduled yet.

A database of mass killings in the United States since 2006 compiled by The Associated Press, USA Today and Northeastern University shows that the number of deadly mass shootings linked to hate crimes has increased in recent years across the United States, AP reported.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Export markets are driving sales for second-hand machinery in the UK, as auctioneer Cheffins sold over 5 million-worth at its recent auction.

The firm, which conducts one of the largest monthly auction sales of agri machinery in the world, sold the machinery at the Cambridge sale on 6 February 2023.

Sales were up by 40 percent in comparison to February 2022, where the monthly auction grossed 3.8 million.

For the second month running, 50% of lots sold were sold to overseas, with buyers in attendance from Australia, Canada, South Africa, Ghana, Egypt, the Middle East and Europe.

Highlights of the sale included a 2003 John Deere 9520 which sold for 90,500; a 2019 John Deere 6175R which made 80,000; a Case Puma 240 CVX which achieved 72,000 and a Cat MTC875E which made 72,000.

Since October 2022, auctioneers have seen a marked increase in the number of sales to overseas buyers, as many have looked to make the most of the weakening pound.

Joe Page, director of Cheffins said it was the most successful February auction the firm had hosted in the last five years.

Sales were up by 40% in comparison to February 2022, where the monthly auction grossed 3.8 million

"This was a combination of the return of the export market and a particularly good quality consignment of stock helped to push up prices," he explained.

"This, combined with a shortage of stock and long lead times for new machinery, has ensured that UK buyers are competing with purchasers the world over for some of the best second-hand machinery on offer.

"In addition, overseas buyers have become increasingly confident in the ability to import machinery, as now three years post-Brexit, rules and regulations are becoming easier to navigate."
New advice is being offered to Scottish farmers to help them access funding to protect and restore peatlands.

The Farm Advisory Service, funded by the Scottish government, is providing advice to help farmers navigate through restoration projects and tap into carbon credits.

Healthy peatlands play a vital role in tackling climate change by locking in massive amounts of carbon.

They make up over 20% of Scottish soils and store a massive 1.7 billion tonnes of carbon.

However, around 80 percent of Scotlands peatlands are degraded, releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Degraded peatlands can be restored by covering areas of bare peat with matting and sphagnum moss plugs, as well as rewetting  raising the water level through blocking drainage channels and removing trees and scrub.

Restoring peatlands is critical to meeting Scotlands target of net zero emissions by 2045.

The new guidance available on the fas.scot website provides information on the different types of peatlands, how to recognise if they are degraded and steps to take to restore them.

Farmers can receive funding to help cover the cost of restoration projects from bodies such as NatureScots Peatland ACTION fund.

Funding can also be combined with the IUCN Peatland Code which allows eligible verified projects to sell carbon credits from the restoration.

Dr Lorna Cole, senior ecologist at SAC Consulting - part of Scotlands Rural College (SRUC), teamed up with peatland experts from the East Ayrshire Coalfield Environment Initiative to produce the new guidance.

She said: How we view peatlands is changing. Instead of difficult to manage boggy bits, we are recognising peatlands for the wide range of benefits they provide.

"With emerging carbon markets, peatlands could be viewed as black gold.
The Farmers Choir is hosting a concert at Easterbrook Hall in Dumfries to raise funds for charity RSABI, which supports people in Scottish agriculture.

The concert will be held on 25 February starting at 7:30pm and will feature popular hits from Les Miserables, Lion King and the Greatest Showman.

The Farmers Choir has helped to raise awareness of rural initiatives including the mental health and wellbeing struggles in the industry.

To this date, the choir, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, has raised over 110,000 for various rural and farming charities.

Choirmaster Kate Picken, who is a music teacher from a farm in Dumfries and Galloway, said RSABI was a charity "very close to our hearts".

She said: "The Farmers Choir is delighted to be performing at Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries on Saturday 25 February to support this worthwhile cause.

It is well known that farming is a higher risk occupation for experiencing mental health problems.

"We want to send out a positive message of hope and encouragement through our performance, reminding farming folks that its ok to be not ok and help is at hand.

Carol McLaren, chief executive of RSABI, said the charity was grateful to the choir for their support and for helping to raise awareness of mental health.

Events like this are also a great opportunity for people to get together and enjoy each others company as well as a wonderful evening of music," she said.

"We hope that people will be inspired to invite someone they havent seen for a while to come out and join them at the concert at the end of this month.

Tickets, which are available to buy online, cost 20 with all profits being donated to RSABI.

The Farmers Choir concert takes place on Saturday 25 February from 7.30pm at Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries DG1 4TA.
Cambodias exports to the European Union (EU) last year were worth $4.045 billiona more than 25 per cent hike from the $3.229 billion registered in 2021, according to the ministry of commerce. Cambodia-EU trade was worth $4.857 billion last year, rising by 15.9 per cent from $4.190 billion in 2021.

The countrys imports from the bloc were worth $812 million, dropping by nearly 16 per cent year on year (YoY) from $961 million.

Cambodia's exports to the EU last year were worth $4.045 billiona more than 25 per cent hike from the $3.229 billion in 2021, the commerce ministry said. Cambodia-EU trade was worth $4.857 billion last year, rising by 15.9 per cent from $4.190 billion in 2021. Its imports from the bloc were worth $812 million, dropping by nearly 16 per cent year on year.

The countrys trade surplus with the EU expanded just under three-sevenths to $3.23 billion last year, from $2.27 billion in 2021.

Germany was Cambodias largest EU trading partner last year, accounting for $1.247 billionup by 19.28 per cent YoY, followed by Belgium ($731.612 million; up by 32.29 per cent), the Netherlands ($596.712 million; up by 26.95 per cent), France ($542.369 million; up by 25.92 per cent) and Spain ($503.778 million; up by 38.66 per cent), according to the countrys general department of customs and excise (GDCE).

Germany was also the biggest EU buyer of Cambodian goods, at $1.084 billion, marking a 23.03 per cent increase, followed by Belgium ($642.014 million; up by 26.34 per cent), the Netherlands ($552.626 million; up by 25.21 per cent), Spain ($474.764 million; up by 39.05 per cent) and France ($423.131 million; up by 27.89 per cent), GDCE figures show.

Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Spain contributed nearly 74.6 per cent to total Cambodia-EU trade and over 78.5 per cent to the countrys exports to the bloc, according to a report in a Cambodian newspaper

Even with the EUs partial withdrawal of the tariff preferences granted to Cambodia under the Everything But Arms (EBA) scheme, exports of garments, footwear, bags, bicycles and other items remain in positive growth territory, Hong Vanak, director of international economics at the Royal Academy of Cambodia said.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
During January to November 2022, Jordans textile and leather sector touched $338.4 million, which was a rise of 20.2 per cent year-on-year (YoY), as per the Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI). JCIs representative for the sector Ehab Qadri observed that the sector exceeded $2 billion at that time and growth increased by 12 per cent of the average annual growth rate.

The profits earned by the countrys textile and leather sector were credited to activities geared towards the promotion of domestic products in several export markets, especially in the USJordans biggest market for clothing exports. The US accounts for more than 85 per cent of the sectors total exports, according to local news reports.

During January to November 2022, Jordan's textile and leather sector touched $338.4 million, which was a rise of 20.2 per cent YoY, as per the Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI). JCI's representative for the sector Ehab Qadri observed that the sector exceeded $2 billion at that time and growth increased by 12 per cent of the average annual growth rate.

Qadri estimated that Jordans clothing sector had an untapped export potential of $550 million based on the export opportunities map of the International Trade Centre.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NB)
Vice president Kamala Harris recently announced $585 million in new textile and apparel investments and sourcing commitments in Central America. Welcoming the decision, National Council of Textile Organisations (NCTO) president Kim Glas said over $1 billion of new textile and apparel investments have been announced in Central America and the United States over the last year.

Columbia Sportswear Company has committed to purchase up to $200 million in products, which will create more than 6,900 jobs in the region over the next five years, in an industry where these jobs are primarily held by women, the White House said in a factsheet.

Vice president Kamala Harris has announced $585 million in new textile and apparel investments and sourcing commitments in Central America. Welcoming the decision, National Council of Textile Organisations president Kim Glas said over $1 billion of new textile and apparel investments have been announced in Central America and the US over the last year.

Nextil has committed to invest $40 million in two new production facilities in Guatemala to produce garments and elastic fabrics for the shapewear and sportswear markets. The facilities are estimated to create over 1,300 direct jobs and 3,000 indirect jobs.

Protela-Colombia has committed to invest $45 million in the construction of a vertically integrated textile manufacturing facility in Guatemala to supply fabric for garment manufacturers in Central America, which is expected to directly employ 400.

We sincerely appreciate the administrations commitment to this critical manufacturing sector that has contributed to the backbone of economic development in Central America and the United States. And we look forward to working with our retail and brand partners to continue to expand our vital manufacturing sector, Glas said in a statement.

Over the last year, substantial investments have been flowing into Central America, predicated on the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) and the co-production chain that facilitates $15.1 billion in two-way textile and apparel trade and supports more than one million workers in the United States and the region, NCTO said.

We saw apparel imports largely containing US textile inputs from the CAFTA-DR region jump 24 per cent, according to the latest government trade data, and we have seen well over $1 billion in investments in the region, Glas added.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will help the Philippines achieve its long-term plan for energy security while contributing to mitigating the impacts of climate change, the countrys department of energy (DoE) undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella recently told the hearing of the senate committee on foreign relations on RCEP.

We are utilising this agreement to pursue the Philippine Energy Plan [2020-2040] that works towards energy security, Fuentebella said.

Under the plan, the department is paving the path in moving toward a clean energy future by pursuing policies that would attract more investments in renewable energy, institutionalising energy efficiency and conservation programmes, and promoting the use of clean energy.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will help the Philippines achieve its long-term plan for energy security while contributing to mitigating the impacts of climate change, the country's department of energy (DoE) undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella recently told the hearing of the senate committee on foreign relations on RCEP.

RCEP will allow the country to attract more energy investments, which is capital-intensive and would require technology transfer, Fuentebella said.

The Department of Energy believes that investments, energy security, and access to technologies are inevitable. Why we have concurred with this agreement is, one, we need investments. It is our view that the energy sector is a capital-intensive undertaking, where Filipino capital may not be sufficient, he was quoted as saying by a news agency.

International energy cooperation is seen as vital in pursuing collaborative activities with other countries to realise our goal to have self-sufficiency, energy security, and sustainability, he added.

The Philippines is the only signatory country in RCEP that has not yet concurred with the FTA.

The Philippine senate is still hearing some industries, especially the agriculture sector, which aired their concerns on the possible negative impact of the regional pact on domestic players.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anoushka Shankar (@anoushkashankarofficial)





Anoushka Shankar took to Instagram on Wednesday and penned down a heartwarming note about her performance with the Pakistani musician Arooj Aftab at the 65th Grammy Awards' that was held in Los Angeles on Sunday.Anoushka Shankar wrote, "Although there were many historic moments at this weekends @recordingacademy awards, in the midst of it all, with our performance @aroojaftab became the first Pakistani musician to perform at the Grammys just as I was the first Indian musician to do so back in 2006. I want to celebrate her incredible achievements and also note this makes a historic first collaboration between our two countries on this stage. Music heals, music connects, and we are all the richer for these connections."Anoushka Shankar is a sitar player, producer, film composer, activist, and nine-time Grammy Award nominee who performed alongside vocalist Arooj Aftab on their collaboration piece Udhero Na which is available at the deluxe edition of Aftabs breakout album Vulture Prince. The song was nominated at the Grammy for Best Global Music Performance.This year, Anoushka was also nominated in the Best Global Music Album category for Between Us, her most recent album, which featured older pieces recreated in a contemporary symphonic setting. The album was recorded in 2018 at concerts in the Netherlands, and it features a diverse range of artists who collaborated with her on songs from four of her previous solo albums: Rise (2005), Traces of You (2013), Traveller (2015), and Land of Gold (2016).
Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani had never gone on record to confirm that they are dating. There have been no social media posts of the lovebirds either that would lead to something fruitful. Precisely why the first wedding pictures of the two went viral on social media as fans got to experience their beautiful union through those shots.

The lovely couple is reportedly having their first wedding reception in Delhi today. Ace designer Manish Malhotra who had also designed their wedding ensembles shared a stunning picture of the two enjoying a lovely sunset.

He captioned the post with, "Dulha coming home with his Dulhan." In the picture we see Sidharth and Kiara with their backs toward the camera, enjoying a lovely sunset with their private jet in front.


Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra are all people can talk about right now with the two lovebirds finally getting married. They had an intimate wedding in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, and looked lovely in their wedding pictures.

Several stars from the industry have been posting pictures of them, congratulating them and wishing them a happy married life ahead. Out of the many, one of Sidharth's first co-stars Alia Bhatt also took to social media to congratulate the newlyweds. Her story was captioned with, "congratulations you two." As mentioned in Times of India, there were strong rumours about Sidharth and Alia dating each other soon after their first film Student of the Year.

However, both Kiara and Sidharth have responded back to Alia's message, thanking her. It seems like all is good between the three and it's indeed a nice gesture.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 8, 2023) - WonderFi Technologies Inc. (TSX: WNDR) (OTCQB: WONDF) (WKN: A3C166) ("WonderFi" or the "Company") announces that John Rim, Chief Financial Officer of WonderFi, will be leaving the Company effective today to pursue other opportunities.

The Company has appointed Andeena Wen, current Vice President of Finance, to assume the role of Interim Chief Financial Officer.

The Company thanks Mr. Rim for his contributions during his tenure.

Additional Information

For additional information, please contact:

Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel

Adam Garetson

Adam.garetson@wonder.fi

Media/Investor Relations

Binu Koshy, Communications Director

binu@wonder.fi

ABOUT WONDERFI

WonderFi is a leading technology company with the mission of creating better, unified access to digital assets through centralized and decentralized platforms. WonderFi's executive team and Board of Directors have an established track record in finance and crypto. WonderFi's core team of engineers and technologists believe that everyone should have equal access to finance and are aligned in the mission to empower people around the world to access finance in a simple, smart and secure way. For more information, visit www.wonder.fi.

This news release constitutes "a designated news release" for the purposes of the Company's prospectus supplement dated December 23, 2022 to its short form base shelf prospectus dated September 7, 2022.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/154188
BEIJING, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In the morning of January 12, 2023, the awards ceremony for the "China's Amazing Decade: My Story" story-telling contest and the book launch for My China Story: China in the Eyes of Foreign Youth were held together, with the joint event proving a marked success. China National Publications Import and Export (Group) Co., Ltd (CNPIEC) attended the event as one of the book planners.

Over 300 people attended the event online and in person, including: Liu Weiling, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of China Daily; Zhang Xiaodong, Deputy Governor of the Bank of China; Li Xin, Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Expert Services, Ministry of Science and Technology; Liu Xiao, Director of the International Students Office of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges, Ministry of Education; Li Hongwen, Executive Director of China National Publications Import and Export (Group) Co., Ltd.; Cai Xinghua, General Manager of the Administrative Business Department, Head Office of the Bank of China; and representatives of teachers and students from higher learning institutions such as Peking University, Tsinghua University, Beihang University, University of International Business and Economics, and Beijing Foreign Studies University, etc..

At the book launch forMy China Story: China in the Eyes of Foreign Youth, Li Hongwen delivered a speech, introducing the contributions made by the company in terms of international cultural exchange and the publication of the book. The content of this book is made up of articles written by 27 authors hailing from 18 different countries, carefully chosen from entrants in the story-telling contest. These articles, centering on China's green development, poverty alleviation, fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the country's "Belt and Road" Initiative, and other hot topics, present the thoughts and views of the authors from a range of different perspectives. David Ferguson, a British writer wrote a preface for the book. The book will be published by Prunus Press USA very soon.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/awards-ceremony-for-chinas-amazing-decade-my-story--book-launch-for-my-china-story-china-in-the-eyes-of-foreign-youth-go-off-with-a-bang-301742667.html
STOCKHOLM, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- "We welcome the new legislation that will put social- and human sustainability on the agenda. This will affect both well-being and profitability and thus companies competitiveness," says Jenny Westergard CEO of EQ Europe.

One of our customers, the international industrial company Fortaco, is a good example of a company being at the forefront of social- and people sustainability, leading to low turnover and higher profitability. Read how the impact of working with social sustainability helps their organization and people be more competitive.

https://fortacogroup.com/post/emotional-intelligence-and-the-bottom-line/

Please contact Jenny Westergard CEO of EQ Europe if you are interested in getting help with how your company can improve social- and human sustainability.

+46 (0)70 763 30 11

jenny@europe.com

EQ Europes services create social sustainability and business growth by promoting emotional intelligence in companies and organizations. EQ Europe was founded by Margareta Sjolund, Ph.D. and the main market has been in Asia for the past 20 years. New investment in 2022 through the recruitment of CEO Jenny Westergard for increased establishment in Sweden and Europe. EQ Europe and our sister company Kandidata Asia in Singapore work together with our customers in Europe, the USA, and Asia and we use scientific tools with measurable results.

www.eqeurope.com , www.kandidataasia.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/s-in-esg-social--and-people-sustainability-will-be-legislated-in-eu-2024-eq-europe-301742082.html
PRESS RELEASE

REGULATED INFORMATION

09 F ebruary 2023, 07:00 CE S T





alfa pump  - successful primary endpoint read-out of North American pivotal POSEIDON study / PMA 1 filing planned for H2 2023

DSR  (Direct Sodium Removal) - clinical evidence of disease-modifying heart failure drug therapy , on track to start US P hase 1/2a MOJAVE study in Q2 2023

Total cash position of 18.9 million at end 2022 and cash runway into mid-2023





Conference call with live webcast today at 03:00 pm CEST / 09:00 am EST

Ghent, Belgium- 09 February2023- Sequana Medical NV (Euronext Brussels: SEQUA) (the "Company" or "SequanaMedical"), a pioneer in the treatment of fluid overload in liver disease, heart failure and cancer, today announces its financial results for the year ended 31 December 2022, and provides a business update and outlook for 2023.

Ian Crosbie, Chief Executive Officer of Sequana Medical, commented:"2022 was a landmark year for Sequana Medical achieving excellent results in both our alfapump liver and DSR heart failure programs. All primary endpoints were met in POSEIDON, our pivotal North American alfapump study, allowing us to prepare for PMA filing and US commercial launch planned for 2024. We believe that there is a clear need for improved treatment options for the large and growing number ofpatients suffering from recurrent or refractory ascites due to liver cirrhosis. The North American market isforecast to grow between 6-7% annually reaching over 170,000 patients in 2035, representing a total addressable market for the alfapump of over US$2.5bn2."

"Our DSR therapydemonstratedsubstantial long-lasting clinical benefits in decompensated heart failure patients. Top-line data from our SAHARA study showed the safe, effective and rapid elimination of persistent congestion, important improvements in cardiovascular and renal health, and the restoration of diureticresponse of the kidney. We are very excited by the great potential of DSR as a disease-modifying therapy that could help the estimated 200,000 US heart failure patients suffering fromdiuretic-resistant congestion. We have moved swiftly with our second-generation DSR product, successfully completing GLP pre-clinical safety studies, dosing the first patients in our Phase 1 single-dose studies and we are looking forward to starting MOJAVE, our US Phase 1/2a randomized controlled multi-center study in patients with congestive heart failure in Q2 2023."

"As we prepare for commercialization of the alfapump in North America, we have continued to strengthen our Board with the addition of Doug Kohrs and Alexandra Clyde, two seasoned US medtech executives who bring with them invaluable knowledge and expertise in light of the next stage of Sequana Medical's development."

"We are also pleased to welcome Rosetta Capital, an experienced long-term life sciences investor, as shareholders following the purchase of the shares held by Neomed V."

202 2 h ighlights

alfapump in liver disease

POSEIDON - North American pivotal study of the alfa pump in patients with recurrent or refractory ascites due to liver cirrhosis successfully met primary endpoint data: Reported positive top-line results in October 2022 (https://www.sequanamedical.com/press-releases/sequana-medical-announces-positive-top-line-results-from-the-north-american-pivotal-alfapump-study-poseidon/) from 40 patients of the Pivotal Cohort at six months post-implantation, including primary effectiveness endpoints substantially exceeding the predefined thresholds for study success and safety in line with expectations: 100% median per-patient reduction in therapeutic paracentesis (TP) post- vs pre-implantation (p<0.001), vs hypothesis of at least 50% reduction. 77% of patients with at least 50% reduction in number of TP post- vs pre-implantation (p<0.001), vs hypothesis of at least 50% of patients. Six primary safety events of which three involved explants due to wound or skin erosion, and three explants due to patient-reported discomfort (all patient-reported discomfort events were adjudicated by the Clinical Events Committee as moderate severity), in line with expectations. Reported results of a preliminary interim analysis 3 of patient survival from the Roll-In Cohort in April 2022 (https://www.sequanamedical.com/press-releases/sequana-medical-announces-the-completion-of-alfapump-implantations-in-poseidon-the-north-american-pivotal-alfapump-study/) including 70% survival rate at one year post-implantation, comparing favorably to published literature of 50% survival rate for refractory ascites patients after one year 4 . Prof. Wong presented safety, efficacy and quality of life data from the Roll-In Cohort at the AASLD The Liver Meeting in November 2022 (https://www.sequanamedical.com/press-releases/data-from-roll-in-cohort-of-north-american-pivotal-alfapump-study-poseidon-selected-for-poster-presentation-at-aasld-the-liver-meeting/).

pump in patients with recurrent or refractory ascites due to liver cirrhosis successfully met primary endpoint data: US patient preference study initiated: Survey study to quantify patients' preferences for the alfa pump including treatment effectiveness and risks of treatment-related adverse events. The results of this study are expected to be presented in H2 2023.

European PMSR data published in Liver International 5 : Final safety and efficacy results of the Post Marketing Surveillance Registry (PMSR) study of the alfa pump published in Liver International (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35686702/), the peer-reviewed publication of the International Association for the Study of the Liver.





:

DSR in heart failure

SAHARA - Phase 2a study of DSR 1.0 in diuretic-resistant heart failure patients with persistent congestion showed important and long-lasting clinical benefits: Reported positive top-line data from ten evaluable patients with its first-generation DSR product (DSR 1.0) in November 2022 (https://www.sequanamedical.com/press-releases/sequana-medical-announces-positive-top-line-results-from-sahara-ph-2a-study-of-dsr-1-0-in-diuretic-resistant-heart-failure-patients-with-persistent-congestion-and-first-patient-dosed-successfully-wit/), including i) safe, effective and rapid elimination of fluid overload and restoration of euvolemia, ii) improvement of cardiovascular and renal health, iii) restoration of the diuretic-response of the kidney, and iv) dramatic reduction in the need for oral loop diuretics up to 15 months post-therapy - demonstrating a durable improvement in the heart failure status of these patients.

Strong clinical observations from RED DESERT and SAHARA studies in diuretic-resistant heart failure patients support heart failure disease-modifying profile of DSR therapy: No heart failure congestion-related re-hospitalizations during study follow-up. All patients improved their NYHA 6 status by at least one class. Clinical benefits result in a 75% reduction in predicted one-year mortality pre- vs. post-intensive DSR therapy based on the Seattle Heart Failure Model 7 .

Focus on Short Term DSR therapy with proprietary DSR 2.0: Based on the results of RED DESERT and SAHARA, the Company expects that an intensive treatment period of three to four weeks of DSR therapy may deliver at least twelve months of important clinical benefits. As a result of the strong, durable clinical signals observed, the Company will focus the heart failure development program on Short Term DSR with its proprietary second-generation DSR product (DSR 2.0) administered via a peritoneal catheter. DSR 2.0 is expected to have an improved therapeutic and favorable safety profile with robust intellectual property protection.

MOJAVE - US Phase 1/2a randomized controlled multi-center study of DSR 2.0 in diuretic-resistant chronic heart failure patients with persistent congestion, on track to start in Q2 2023: Good progress of DSR 2.0 in product development and GLP 8 animal studies. Approval to start two Phase 1 single-arm, open-label, single-dose studies in Canada (YUKON) and Mexico (CHIHUAHUA) to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of DSR 2.0, with first patient dosed successfully in YUKON. Data from the GLP animal and Phase 1 CHIHUAHUA studies are intended to support the US IND 9 application filing of DSR 2.0, planned for Q1 2023. Preparations ongoing to start the MOJAVE study, planned for Q2 2023, assuming FDA approval of the US IND application. The intention is to enroll 30 diuretic-resistant chronic heart failure patients with persistent congestion, with 20 patients randomized to DSR 2.0 administered via a peritoneal catheter on top of usual care for congestive heart failure (CHF) for up to four weeks and ten patients randomized to usual care for CHF alone.







Corporate

European Medical Device Regulation (MDR) certification: Received MDR certification from the Company's Notified Body, BSI, in February 2022 (https://www.sequanamedical.com/press-releases/sequana-medical-receives-certification-under-mdr-the-new-european-medical-device-regulation/), confirming that its QMS 10 and alfa pump system are compliant with the latest regulatory standards required for medical devices in Europe. alfa pump is one of the first novel Class III active implantable medical devices to receive such certification.



Expanding the Board of Directors with seasoned US medtech executives: Appointed two highly experienced US medtech leaders as independent Non-Executive Directors. Doug Kohrs brings more than 40 years of experience from his many roles as a founder and executive of leading medical technology companies. Alexandra Clyde brings more than 30 years of experience and has an exceptional understanding and track record of successfully navigating health economics and reimbursement in the medical device industry.

Extending the Company's cash runway into mid-2023: Raised 28.4 million in gross proceeds in March 2022 (https://www.sequanamedical.com/equity-placement-mar-2022/) by means of an equity placement via an accelerated bookbuild offering from a new investor, Partners in Equity V B.V., and existing shareholders. Secured 10 million loan facility with Kreos Capital, a leading growth debt provider for life sciences and healthcare companies, in July 2022 (https://www.sequanamedical.com/press-releases/sequana-medical-secures-eur-10-million-loan-facility-with-kreos-capital/).



Cash position of 18.9 million at the end of December 2022, compared to 9.6 million at the end of December 2021.

Post-period events

Granting of additional DSR patent in the US: Additional US patent granted in January 2023 (https://www.sequanamedical.com/press-releases/sequana-medical-announces-grant-of-additional-dsr-patent-in-united-states/) covering among other, the expansion of the composition of matter and method for Sequana Medical's DSR therapy, including additional oncotic and osmotic agents.

Successful completion of pre-clinical studies of DSR 2.0: Reported data from two GLP animal studies in mice and sheep in February 2023 (https://www.sequanamedical.com/press-releases/sequana-medical-announces-the-successful-completion-of-pre-clinical-studies-with-its-second-generation-dsr-product-for-congestive-heart-failure/) demonstrating safety of DSR 2.0. No difference in systemic and local toxic effects were observed in animals treated repeatedly with DSR 2.0, compared to animals in the control group, concluding that DSR 2.0 had consistent safety with the standard peritoneal dialysis solution used in the control group.

First patient dosed successfully in CHIHUAHUA study - Phase 1 single-arm, open-label, single-dose study of DSR 2.0 in Mexico The first patient has been treated successfully and the results of this study will be used to determine dosing of DSR 2.0 in MOJAVE. Data from this study, together with the data from the GLP animal studies are intended to support the filing of the US IND application, planned for Q1 2023.







Outlook for 202 3

2023 is a pivotal year for Sequana Medical as it builds upon the successful clinical data published for both programs in 2022. The Company is working towards the PMA submission for the alfapump program to the US FDA planned for H2 2023. For the DSR heart failure program, the key next step is the Phase 1/2a MOJAVE randomized controlled study expected to commence in Q2 2023, with Short Term DSR therapy using DSR 2.0.

North American liver program of the alfa pump - PMA filing to US FDA planned for H2 2023: Analysis of additional secondary efficacy and safety endpoints from the North American pivotal POSEIDON study and submit for presentation at a forthcoming medical liver meeting in 2023. Top-line data from the US patient preference study expected in H2 2023.





pump - PMA filing to US FDA planned for H2 2023: Heart failure program of DSR 2.0 - on track to start US Phase 1/2a MOJAVE study in Q2 2023:



Top-line results from Phase 1 single-arm, open-label, single-dose study in Mexico (CHIHUAHUA) expected in Q1 2023. IND application filing to US FDA expected in Q1 2023. First patient enrolled in US Phase 1/2a randomized controlled MOJAVE study expected in Q2 2023. and interim data expected in H2 2023.



Detailed financial review

in Thousand Euros (if not stated otherwise) FY 2022 FY 2021 Change Revenue 923 371 +149% Cost of goods sold (205) (77) N.M. Gross margin 718 294 +144% Sales & Marketing (2,240) (2,079) +8% Clinical (9,773) (7,798) +25% Quality & Regulatory (3,632) (3,215) +13% Supply Chain (3,158) (2,716) +16% Engineering (3,853) (3,206) +20% General & Administration (6,687) (5,098) +31% Total operating expenses (29,343) (24,112) +22% Other income 530 1,205 -56% Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT11) (28,094) (22,614) +24% Finance income 451 246 +83% Finance cost (2,733) (855) N.M. Total net finance expense (2,282) (608) N.M. Income tax expense (387) (393) -2% Net loss for the period (30,763) (23,615) +30% Basic Loss Per Share (in Euros) (1.35) (1.30) +4% Cash position* at 31 December 18,875 9,600 +97%

N.M.: Not Meaningful (percentage greater than 150%)

* Cash position only includes cash and cash equivalents.

Consolidated statements of profit and loss

Revenue

Revenue increased from 0.37 million in 2021 to 0.92 million in 2022 as a result of resumed commercial activity in Europe as the impact of COVID declines.

Cost of goods sold

Cost of goods sold increased from 0.08 million in 2021 to 0.21 million in 2022 in line with the increase in revenue.

Operating expenses

Total operating expenses increased from 24.11 million in 2021 to 29.34 million in 2022 mainly due to i) the preparations of the submissions for marketing approval of the alfapump in the US and Canada, and ii) pre-clinical and clinical development work for Sequana Medical's proprietary DSR therapy.

Sales and marketing expenses increased from 2.08 million in 2021 to 2.24 million in 2022 due to the resumption of European commercial activities.

Clinical expenses increased from 7.80 million in 2021 to 9.77 million in 2022 mainly as a result of costs related to the POSEIDON North American pivotal study of the alfapump, the SAHARA Phase 2a study of DSR and pre-clinical and clinical development work for the Company's proprietary DSR therapy.

Quality and Regulatory expenses increased from 3.22 million in 2021 to 3.63 million in 2022, mainly driven by external advice for the preparation of the submissions for marketing approval of the alfapump in the US and Canada.

Supply chain expenses increased from 2.72 million in 2021 to 3.16 million in 2022 largely driven by additional staffing for the preparation of the submissions for marketing approval of the alfapump in the US and Canada.

Engineering expenses increased from 3.21 million in 2021 to 3.85 million in 2022, largely driven by external advice and additional staffing for the preparations of the submissions for marketing approval of the alfapump in the US and Canada.

General and administration expenses increased from 5.10 million in 2021 to 6.69 million in 2022 mainly due to costs relating to the equity and debt financings in 2022, and additional staffing.

Other income decreased from 1.21 million in 2021 to 0.53 million in 2022 related to the one-off termination of a distribution agreement by mutual agreement in 2021.

EBIT

As a result of the above, earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) evolved from a loss of 22.61 million in 2021 to a loss of 28.09 million in 2022.

Total net finance expenses

Net finance cost increased from 0.61 million in 2021 to 2.28 million in 2022, mainly resulting from valuation of the Bootstrap Warrants and Kreos Subscription Rights (to be approved by the extraordinary shareholders meeting of 10 February 2023), both non-cash items, as well as, the increased realized foreign exchange losses following the weakening of the EUR compared to CHF and USD.

Income tax expense

Income tax expense remained stable at 0.39 million in 2022 compared to 2021.

Net loss for the period

As a result of the above, the net loss increased from 23.62 million in 2021 to 30.76 million in 2022.

Basic losses per share (LPS)

Basic losses per share increased from 1.30 in 2021 to 1.35 in 2022.

Consolidated balance sheet

Net debt

Net debt12 at 31 December 2022 increased by 0.23 million compared to 31 December 2021.

Working Capital

Working capital13 decreased by 0.99 million in 2022 compared to 2021, mainly as a result of an increase in trade payables and accrued liabilities, partially compensated by an increase in inventory and other receivables and prepaid expenses.

Liquidity

The Company is still in its development phase and conducting clinical trials in order to achieve regulatory marketing approvals, which incurs various risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the uncertainty of the development process and the timing of achieving profitability. The Company's ability to continue operations also depends on its ability to raise additional capital and to refinance existing debt, in order to fund operations and assure the solvency of the Company until revenues reach a level to sustain positive cash flows.

The impact of macroeconomic conditions and the geopolitical situation in Ukraine on the Company's ability to secure additional financing rounds or undertake capital market transactions remains unclear at this point in time and will remain under review by the Executive Management and the Board of Directors.

The above conditions indicate the existence of material uncertainties, which may also cast significant doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.

With the existing cash resources, the current cash runway is sufficient into mid-2023. The Company continues to evaluate equity and other financing options, including discussions with existing as well as new investors.

The Executive Management and the Board of Directors remain confident about the strategic plan, which comprises additional financing measures including equity and/or other financing sources, and therefore consider the financial information in this press release on a going concern basis as appropriate.

Consolidated statement of cash flows

Net cash outflow from operating activities was 27.48 million in 2022 compared to 23.62 million in 2021. The outflow was mainly driven by higher net loss of the period.

Cash flow from investing activities resulted in a net outflow of 0.65 million in 2022, compared to a net outflow of 0.34 million in 2021.

Cash flow from financing activities resulted in a net inflow of 37.32 million in 2022, mainly as a result of the proceeds from the equity placement in H1 2022, and the 10 million loan facility with Kreos Capital secured in H2 2022. In 2021, the net inflow of 22.44 million was mainly a result of the February 2021 equity placement.

The Company ended 2022 with a total cash and cash equivalents amount of 18.88 million (2021: 9.60 million).

Conference Call and Webcast

Sequana Medical will host a conference call with live webcast presentation today at 03:00 pm CEST / 09:00 am EST.

Registration webcast: please click here (https://channel.royalcast.com/landingpage/sequanamedical/20230209_1/)

Registration conference call (only if you wish to participate in the Q&A): please click here (https://event.loopup.com/SelfRegistration/registration.aspx?booking=7dRjeVcdgPVC7FATJcpkBapv33UZ6OFjgYhCVq6cxfE=&b=528f7d33-d6cf-439e-b143-56d7da6b8e57). Once registered, you will receive dial-in numbers and a confirmation code.

The webcast and conference call will be conducted in English and a replay will be available on Sequana Medical's websiteshortly after.

202 3 financial calendar

25 April 2023 Online publication of Annual Report 2022

25 May 2023 Annual General Meeting 2023

For more information, please contact:

Sequana Medical

Lies Vanneste

Director Investor Relations

E: IR@sequanamedical.com

T: +32 (0)498 05 35 79

Optimum Strategic Communications

Nick Bastin, Jonathan Edwards, Vici Rabbetts

E: Sequana@optimumcomms.com

T: +44 (0) 208 078 4357

About Sequana Medical

Sequana Medical NV is a pioneer in treating fluid overload, a serious and frequent clinical complication in patients with liver disease, heart failure and cancer. These patients can have up to 15 liters of extra fluid in their bodies, causing major medical issues including increased mortality, repeated hospitalizations, severe pain, difficult breathing and restricted mobility that severely impacts daily life. Although diuretics are standard of care, the problem is that in many patients they are no longer effective and / or tolerable. There are limited effective treatment options for these patients resulting in poor clinical outcomes, high costs and major impact on their quality of life. Sequana Medical is seeking to provide innovative treatment options for this large and growing "diuretic-resistant" patient population.

alfapump and DSR are Sequana Medical's proprietary platforms that work with the body to treat diuretic-resistant fluid overload, delivering major clinical and quality of life benefits for patients and reducing costs for healthcare systems. The Company has reported positive primary endpoint data from the North American pivotal POSEIDON study of the alfapump in recurrent or refractory ascites due to liver cirrhosis, enabling the filing of a Pre-Market Approval (PMA) application with the FDA, planned for H2 2023. Having delivered clinical proof-of-concept for DSR as a disease-modifying drug program for the treatment of heart failure, the Company is planning to commence MOJAVE, a US multi-centered randomized controlled Phase 1/2a clinical study of DSR 2.0, in Q2 2023.

Sequana Medical is listed on Euronext Brussels.

Important Regulatory Disclaimers

The alfapump system is currently not approved in the United States or Canada. In the United States andCanada, the alfapump system is currently under clinical investigation (POSEIDON Study) and is being studied inadult patients with refractory or recurrent ascites due to cirrhosis. For more information regarding thePOSEIDON clinical study see www.poseidonstudy.com. DSR therapy is still in development and it should benoted that any statements regarding safety and efficacy arise from ongoing pre-clinical and clinicalinvestigations which have yet to be completed. DSR therapy is currently not approved for clinical research in theUnited States or Canada. There is no link between DSR therapy and ongoing investigations with the alfapumpsystem in Europe, the United States or Canada.

Note: alfapump is a registered trademark. DSR is a registered trademark in the Benelux, China, the EU, UnitedKingdom, and Hong Kong.

Forward-looking statements

This press release may contain predictions, estimates or other information that might be consideredforward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance.Theseforward-looking statements represent the current judgment of Sequana Medical on what the futureholds,and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Sequana Medicalexpressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release any updates or revisions to any forward-lookingstatements in this press release, except if specifically required to do so by law or regulation. You should notplace undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of Sequana Medical only as ofthe date of this press release.

Financial information

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS, as adopted by the EU. The financial information included in this press release is an extract from the full IFRS consolidated financial statements which will be published on 25 April 2023.

As of the date of this press release, the statutory auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers Bedrijfsrevisoren BV, with registered office at Culliganlaan 5, 1831 Machelen, Belgium, represented by Peter D'hondt, auditor, has not yet completed his audit procedures on the IFRS consolidated statements as of and for the year ended 31 December 2022.

The statutory auditor has confirmed that the audit, which is substantially complete, has not to date revealed any material misstatement in the draft consolidated accounts, and that the accounting data reported in the press release is consistent, in all material respects, with the draft consolidated accounts from which it has been derived.

Consolidated statement of profit and loss

in Thousand Euros (if not stated otherwise)



Year ended 31 December 2022 2021 Revenue 923 371 Cost of goods sold (205) (77) Gross margin 718 294 Sales & Marketing (2,240) (2,079) Clinical (9,773) (7,798) Quality & Regulatory (3,632) (3,215) Supply Chain (3,158) (2,716) Engineering (3,853) (3,206) General & Administration (6,687) (5,098) Total operating expenses (29,343) (24,112) Other income 530 1,205 Earnings before interests and taxes (EBIT) (28,094) (22,614) Finance income 451 246 Finance cost (2,733) (855) Total net finance expense (2,282) (608) Income tax expense (387) (393) Net loss for the period (30,763) (23,615) Basic losses per share (in Euro) (1.35) (1.30)

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

in Thousand Euros (if not stated otherwise)



Year ended 31 December 2022 2021 Net loss for the period (30,763) (23,615) Components of other comprehensive income (OCI)

items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss: Remeasurements of defined benefit plans 413 96 Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss: Currency translation adjustments 727 (256) Total other comprehensive income/(loss)-net of tax 1,140 (160) Total comprehensive income (29,623) (23,775) Attributable to Sequana Medical shareholders (29,623) (23,775)

Consolidated balance sheet

in Thousand Euros (if not stated otherwise)



As at 31 December 2022 2021 ASSETS Property, plant and equipment 2,068 1,268 Financial Assets 86 82 Other non-current assets 782 464 Total non-current assets 2,936 1,815 Trade receivables 114 82 Other receivables and prepaid expenses 1,479 1,069 Inventory 2,621 2,139 Cash and cash equivalents 18,875 9,600 Total current assets 23,089 12,891 Total assets 26,025 14,705 EQUITY AND LIABILITIES Share capital 2,460 1,925 Share premium 170,324 142,433 Reserves (2,426) (2,669) Loss brought forward (173,458) (142,695) Cumulative translation adjustment 946 220 Total equity (2,153) (787) Long term financial debts 12,193 7,325 Long term lease debts 609 477 Retirement benefit obligation 228 510 Total non-current liabilities 13,030 8,312 Short term financial debts 4,483 - Short term lease debts 307 283 Other current financial liabilities 1,569 - Trade payables and contract liabilities 3,392 2,367 Other payables 1,812 1,925 Accrued liabilities and provisions 3,586 2,605 Total current liabilities 15,148 7,180 Total equity and liabilities 26,025 14,705

Consolidated statement of cash flows

in Thousand Euros (if not stated otherwise)



Year ended 31 December 2022 2021 Net loss for the period (30,763) (23,615) Income tax expense 387 393 Financial result 1,923 613 Depreciation 312 409 Change in defined benefit plan (102) (40) Share-based compensation 564 536 Changes in trade and other receivables (457) (163) Changes in inventories 42 (865) Changes in trade and other payables/provisions 990 (662) Taxes paid (378) (222) Cash flow used in operating activities (27,482) (23,617) Investments in tangible fixed assets (677) (326) Investments in financial assets 24 (12) Cash flow used in investing activities (653) (338) Proceeds from capital increase 28,420 22,771 (Repayments) from leasing debts (407) (335) (Repayments) from financial debts - - Proceeds from financial debts 9,626 - Interest paid (315) - Cash flow from financing activities 37,324 22,435 Net change in cash and cash equivalents 9,189 (1,520) Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 9,600 11,016 Net effect of currency translation on cash and cash equivalents 85 104 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period 18,875 9,600

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

in Thousand Euros (if not stated otherwise) Share capital Share premium Reserves Loss brought forward Currency translation differences Total shareholder equity Balance at 1 January 2021 1,635 119,333 (2,250) (119,080) 476 113 Net loss for the period (23,615) (23,615) Other comprehensive income 96 (256) (160) February 2021 Equity Placement 274 22,226 22,500 Capital increase Share Options 6 265 271 Capital increase convertible loan to shares 10 609 619 Transaction costs for equity instruments (1,051) (1,051) Share-based compensation 536 536 Balance at 31 December 2021 1,925 142,433 (2,669) (142,695) 220 (787) Balance at 1 January 2022 1,925 142,433 (2,669) (142,695) 220 (787) Net loss for the period (30,763) (30,763) Other comprehensive income 413 727 1,140 March 2022 Equity Placement 535 27,885 28,420 Capital increase Share Options 0 7 7 Transaction costs for equity instruments (735) (735) Share-based compensation 564 564 Balance at 31 December 2022 2,460 170,324 (2,426) (173,458) 946 (2,153)

1 PMA: Pre-Market Approval

2 Based on US and Canada market assessment conducted by highly experienced international consulting group, using claims analysis for commercial and CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services) patients requiring paracentesis procedure with liver disease diagnosis codes.

3 Date of analysis 25 March 2022, as part of a general safety assessment

4 Biggins et al., Hepatology, Vol. 74, No. 2, 2021, AASLD Practice Guidance; Moreau R et al., Liver International 2004: 24: 457-464

5 Liver International promotes all aspects of the science of hepatology from basic research to applied clinical studies and provides an international forum for the publication of high quality original research in hepatology.

6 NYHA: New York Heart Association classification, data collected outside study protocols of RED DESERT and SAHARA

7 Predicted one-year survival analysis using Seattle Heart Failure Model of seven patients from RED DESERT and eight patients from SAHARA pre- and post-intensive DSR therapy. Analysis includes physician-assessed data collected post hoc

8 GLP: Good Laboratory Practice

9 IND: Investigational New Drug

10 QMS: Quality Management System

11 EBIT is defined as revenue less cost of goods sold and operating expenses.

12 Net debt is calculated by adding short-term, long-term financial and lease debt and deducting cash and cash equivalents.

13 The components of working capital are inventory + trade receivables + other receivables and prepaid expenses - trade payables - other payables - accrued liabilities and provisions.

Attachments
OSLO, Norway (09 February 2023) - TGS, a global provider of energy data and intelligence, and CGG, a global technology and HPC leader have been jointly awarded the acquisition and imaging of a dense ocean bottom node (OBN) multi-client seismic survey in the Balder and Ringhorne areas of the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS).

The Heimdal Terrace OBN survey, located directly north of the Utsira OBN survey in the North Sea, will span an additional 500 square kilometer area under receivers (AUR) to increase the contiguous multi-client OBN coverage in the region to 3,778 square kilometers AUR. The survey area covers a mature part of the North Sea, including the Balder and Ringhorne fields, the Iving/Evra and Enniberg discoveries, and surrounding infrastructure-led exploration (ILX) areas for potential tiebacks to existing infrastructure.

TGS will be the operator throughout the acquisition phase. The company will apply its experience and technical expertise in managing many complex OBN acquisition programs in the North Sea and other regions to provide valuable insight into enhanced exploration opportunities across this part of the NCS.

CGG will apply its proprietary OBN processing and imaging technology, including time-lag full-waveform inversion, to create a high-quality 3D volume that will enhance the resolution and structural definition of the complex geology and reservoirs in the region.

Kristian Johansen, Chief Executive Officer at TGS, commented, "With this latest OBN survey, we continue our ongoing commitment to support our customers with the data they need to maximize the longevity of their production activities and discover new hydrocarbon reserves in mature areas. This acquisition project will further cement our leading position in delivering high-quality, multi-client OBN data to the industry."

Sophie Zurquiyah, CGG CEO, said, "CGG is pleased to partner with TGS to deliver this new OBN survey to meet strong industry demand for high-definition seismic data in this region. Clients continue to recognize the value of our advanced OBN imaging technology and expertise and the resulting data will support continued exploration and development in this mature, and very prolific part of NCS."

The acquisition will commence in April 2023, with final processed deliverables to be completed by the end of Q2 2024.

The project is supported by industry funding.

About TGS

TGS provides scientific data and intelligence to companies active in the energy sector. In addition to a global, extensive and diverse energy data library, TGS offers specialized services such as advanced processing and analytics alongside cloud-based data applications and solutions.

Forward Looking Statement

All statements in this press release other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, which are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict and are based upon assumptions as to future events that may not prove accurate. These factors include volatile market conditions, investment opportunities in new and existing markets, demand for licensing of data within the energy industry, operational challenges, and reliance on a cyclical industry and principal customers. Actual results may differ materially from those expected or projected in the forward-looking statements. TGS undertakes no responsibility or obligation to update or alter forward-looking statements for any reason.

For more information, visit TGS.com or contact:

Sven Brre Larsen

Chief Financial Officer

investor@tgs.com

Attachment
ZURICH (dpa-AFX) - Swiss banking major Credit Suisse Group AG (CS) reported Thursday that its fourth-quarter net loss attributable to shareholders of 1.39 billion Swiss francs was narrower than last year's loss of 2.09 billion francs. Pre-tax loss was 1.32 billion francs, compared to loss of 1.66 billion francs a year ago. Adjusted pre-tax loss was 1.02 billion francs, compared to income of 328 million francs a year earlier. Net revenues, meanwhile, fell 33 percent to 3.06 billion francs from last year's 4.58 billion francs. Assets under Management or AuM was 1.29 trillion francs, compared to prior year's 1.61 trillion francs. Further, the company said its Board will propose a cash dividend of 0.05 franc per share for 2022, subject to shareholder approval at the 2023 Annual General Meeting. Looking ahead, Credit Suisse said it would expect the Group to report a substantial loss before taxes in 2023. The outlook reflects the adverse revenue impact from the previously disclosed exit from non-core businesses and exposures as well as, in particular restructuring charges related to cost transformation. Separately, Credit Suisse announced the acquisition of Klein Group LLC, the investment banking business of M. Klein & Co. LLC, for a purchase price of $175 million. In addition, Michael Klein has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Banking and CEO of the Americas, as well as designated CEO of CS First Boston. He will join the Executive Board and report directly to Group CEO Ulrich Korner. For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.com. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Wikifarmer has raised a late seed round of 5M, led by top European VC firm Point 9

Wikifarmer's mission is to democratize agriculture by creating the leading B2B marketplace for agricultural products in Europe and becoming the leading source of free agricultural knowledge

Fundraising will enable the startup to hire new talent, expand across Europe, enhance its knowledge library, and launch innovative product features

Wikifarmer, the direct farmer-to-business agricultural marketplace-aptly described as the "Wikipedia of farming"-has raised a 5M in a late seed round, led by Point Nine.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230208005806/en/

Ilias Sousis and Petros Sagkos, founders of Wikifarmer (Photo: Business Wire)

The Athens-based startup will use the funding for pan-European expansion and to enrich its knowledge library. It will further enhance its platform to fully digitize transactions end-to-end, and offer innovative financial and logistic solutions to both buyers and sellers.

As a whole, Wikifarmer is an ecosystem that supports farmers from start to finish. It enables them to learn, sell and make their business lives easier.

On the supply side, farmers receive the value they deserve: they produce more efficiently, sell directly, and enjoy an increase in their profitability by up to 300%. Higher profitability for farmers means a higher capacity for investments in production, higher employment, and higher sustainability.

On the demand side, Wikifarmer acts as a purchasing assistant for B2B buyers, such as wholesalers, larger hotels, restaurant chains, small and medium size retailers, or food processing units. It provides hassle-free sourcing of agricultural products, helps parties to negotiate prices efficiently online, offers logistics support, ensures security and transaction transparency and facilitates 60 90 days of credit.

What's next?

"Our vision is to restructure the supply chain, digitize processes, and ultimately generate more value for all parties involved. Our mission is to become Europe's leading B2B trading platform within the next two years. This round of funding will allow us to accelerate our product development in order to offer 360 coverage of agricultural transactions" explains Wikifarmer's Co-Founder and CEO, Ilias Sousis.

Petros Sagos, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer, concludes: "Above all, we hope this funding will enable us to turn our long-standing vision into reality: democratize agriculture and support farmers in modernizing their techniques, selling their products, and earning the value they deserve"

Point 9 is a B2B SaaS and B2B marketplace-specialized VC firm with investments such as Revolut, Delivery Hero, Docplanner, and cargo.one and one of the highest "seed-to-winner" rates in the industry. The round was complemented by relevant Business Angels (the founders of cargo.one, Nikos Moraitakis co-founder and CEO of Workable, Przemyslaw Budkowski CEO of Merxu, Cihan Aksakal founder of Zenjob, Louis Pfizner founder of Caya.com and Treatwell), as well as prior investors including leading Greek VC Metavallon, plus angels such as Sophia Bendz.

"B2B marketplaces, which bring mostly analog industries online, are a core area of focus for us at Point Nine. We have been partnering with one or two new B2B marketplaces every year, for the last 7 years, including REKKI (restaurants) in 2016, Container xChange (containers) and Laserhub (metal parts) in 2017, cargo.one (air cargo) in 2018, MerXu (industrial products) in 2019, Rooser (seafood) in 2020, and now Wikifarmer. The food industry is gigantic and presents its own challenges, but we've been impressed by Ilias's and Peter's unique approach to digitizing the industry. We're excited to play a small role in their long-term success" says Louis Coppey, partner at Point Nine.

The Industry and Context

In addition to being the no.1 employer[1] in the world, the agrifood industry generates a total turnover of 1.2 trillion Euros in Europe alone[2] and has a major impact on the everyday life of every single person on the planet. Yet, a significant number of farmers still lack access to modern agricultural best practices, and it remains one of the least digitized sectors. The pandemic, the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, along with climate change, population growth predictions, and the scarcity of natural resources have all had a major impact on the supply chain, and eventually, the food on our plates. The past few years have been challenging for the agrifood sector, placing increased demands on food security and sustainable solutions. Wikifarmer responds to the need for new technologies and ideas that have the potential to reshape agriculture, and this is reflected in the startup's growth.

The Product

Wikifarmer is an ecosystem of content and agricultural products that promote a fairer, more transparent and sustainable value chain in the food industry. With Wikifarmer, farmers can sell their output to multiple buyers, achieve a better price, monitor fair market prices, and access international markets. The startup also offers instant payments to farmers and helps them with logistics and financing, allowing them to increase their profitability on the Wikifarmer marketplace. At the same time, it provides them with a wide collection of agricultural best practices and how-to guides, which have been translated into 16 languages and are freely accessible on the Wikifarmer Library.

On the platform, farmers can use the Wikifarmer library to upgrade their techniques, in order to improve the quality of their produce and boost their efficiency. Then, they can upload their products on the Wikifarmer Market and sell directly to buyers from all over the world.

The story behind the startup

Looking back to where everything started, the founding team is a metaphor for Wikifarmer's mission: matching digitization with agricultural science. CEO Ilias Sousis, a senior ex-Googler for 11 years, and Chief Science Officer Petros Sagos, an accomplished agronomist, have been best friends since primary school. "We started Wikifarmer because we thought things should be done differently" they explain.

Today, Wikifarmer is approaching 1m unique visitors per month. It has allowed thousands of businesses to slash costs by up to 30%, enabling farmers to sell their products without intermediaries, while growing their potential clientele, reducing waste, and tripling their profitability. The Wikifarmer library has been dubbed the "Wikipedia of Farming" by the United Nations and is now available in 16 languages.

About Wikifarmer

Wikifarmer is a global platform whose mission is to empower farmers by offering them education as well as direct access to commercial markets, so they can sell their products at fair prices.

About Point Nine

Founded in 2011, Point Nine is a European early-stage venture capital firm focused on B2B SaaS and B2B marketplace start-ups in Europe and North America. The firm is a seed investor in more than 150 companies in over 30 countries, including Algolia, Brainly, Chainalysis, Clio, Contentful, Delivery Hero, DocPlanner, Front, Loom, Mambu, Revolut, and Typeform, amongst others. Point Nine has one of the highest "seed-to-winner" rates in the industry.

About Metavallon

Metavallon VC specializes in pre-seed and seed-stage funding of disruptive technology companies. The firm invests in and works alongside ambitious entrepreneurs, helping them build transformational businesses across multiple stages, geographies and industries. Metavallon VC's mission is to engage at a very early stage and invest in companies that will operate at the forefront of business and technology innovation.

[1] United Nations, 2017

[2] https://www.opendei.eu/agri-food-sector/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230208005806/en/

Contacts:

For media inquiries please contact Ms Persa Sakellaridi

persa@wikifarmer.com

+30 695 519 2779
ZURICH (dpa-AFX) - Credit Suisse Group AG (CS), a Swiss investment lender, said on Thursday that it has acquired The Klein Group LLC, the investment banking arm of M. Klein & Company LLC, for $175 million. With this acquisition, Credit Suisse aims to carve out its CS First Boston as an independent capital markets and competitive advisory led business. Following the completion of the transaction, anticipated to be closed in the first-half, MK&C is expected to be fully integrated into CS First Boston. In addition, Credit Suisse has appointed Michael Klein as CEO of Banking and Americas, as well as designated CEO of CS First Boston. M. Klein & Company will receive equity in CS First Boston in the form of a convertible note. 'The note will provide annual payments and convert into, and the warrant entitles the seller to subscribe to, CS First Boston shares at a qualified initial public offering or other liquidity event, at the then-valuation of CS First Boston.,' Credit Suisse said in a statement. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Korian expands its co-living concept to Germany

European Investment Bank backs the investment with a 150 million loan

Korian plans to open first co-living home in 2024, offering affordable care

Regulatory News:

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is supporting the expansion of Korian (Paris:KORI), the European care services group for elderly and fragile people, with a loan of 150 million to finance the expansion of its co-living homes concept in Germany. Korian already runs 242 co-living homes in rural communities in France under the brand Ages&Vie, which the EIB co-financed in 2020 and 2021 to the tune of 135 million. Korian, which is already present in Germany, is now planning to extend this concept to the local market, by developing affordable community homes adapted to the German social system.

In France, through its Ages&Vie brand, Korian offers co-living solutions in small homes for eight people in the centre of small towns and villages, with live-in care persons. Beginning with 44 houses in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comte region in 2018, Ages&Vie now offers elderly care in 242 houses in ten regions across France. On average, the occupancy rate is above 95%1

Germany is facing even greater demographic pressure than France, lacking sufficient infrastructure to meet the increasing need for solutions to remain at home while benefiting from assistance in day-to-day living. The number of people aged over 65 in Germany is expected to rise by 18% up to 2030. The vast majority of the elderly population shows a preference for living at home in old age.

Korian plans to open co-living homes first in Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia, with the first facility expected to open in 2024.

In Germany, each residence will consist of two modules comprising 12 units. Each tenant will have a private room with a bathroom. The common areas will include amenities like a shared kitchen, a dining table and leisure areas. The construction will have a standard design, and each place will have large outdoor leisure areas.

The project aims to deliver affordable solutions for elderly people with a low dependency level, filling the gap between independent living and nursing care. Korian already operates nursing homes in France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle, who is responsible for activities in Germany, says: "The EIB is proud to address demographic challenges together with Korian in several EU Member States. In most EU countries, elderly people and their relatives are desperately seeking affordable care facilities that can become home for these older people, which is often difficult, especially in rural areas. Korian's solution has proven reliable, supporting older people's well-being."

"We are delighted to receive the continued support and confidence of the EIB as we expand our co-living home care solutions across Europe. The Bank's support is important as it shows the relevance of these solutions for Europe as it faces a decade of huge change in demographic terms," said Sophie Boissard, Chief Executive Officer of Korian. "We are committed to continuing to innovate to provide tailored solutions across Europe to support people who choose to remain at home."

About EIB

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union owned by its Member States. It makes long-term finance available for sound investment in order to contribute towards EU policy goals. The EIB's activities focus on the following priority areas: climate and environment, development, innovation and skills, small and medium-sized businesses, infrastructure and cohesion. The EIB works closely with other EU institutions to foster European integration, promote the development of the European Union and support EU policies in over 140 countries around the world.

About Korian

Korian, the leading European care services group for elderly and fragile people. www.korian.com

Korian has been listed on Euronext Paris Section A since November 2006 and is included in the following indices: SBF 120, CAC Health Care, CAC Mid 60, CAC Mid Small and MSCI Global Small Cap

Euronext ticker: KORI ISIN: FR0010386334 Reuters: KORI.PA Bloomberg: KORI.FP

_______________________

1 Excluding houses under ramp-up

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230208005980/en/

Contacts:

INVESTOR RELATIONS

Sarah Mingham

VP Investor Relations Financing

sarah.mingham@korian.com

+33 (0)1 55 37 53 55

Charles Rungeard

Investor Relations

charles.rungeard@korian.com

+33 (0)6 86 75 29 51

MEDIA

Matthieu Desplats

Head of Press Relations

matthieu.desplats@korian.com

+33 (0)6 58 09 01 61

Julie Mary

Responsible for Press Relations

julie.mary@korian.com

+33 (0)6 59 72 50 69

Florian Bachelet

Responsible for Press Relations

florian.bachelet@korian.com

+33 (0)6 79 86 78 23

EIB press

Donata Riedel, d.riedel@eib.org, +49 30 590047 90, mobile: +49 151 14659021

Website: www.eib.org/press Press Office: +352 4379 21000 press@eib.org


ROSTOCK (dpa-AFX) - Germany-based wind turbine maker Nordex SE (NRDXF) on Thursday said that it has bagged an order from Enefit Green, one of the leading producers of renewable energy in the Baltic region for 255 MW for a wind farm in Estonia.



The Nordex Group is to supply 38 N163/6.X turbines for the Sopi I, Sopi II and Tootsi wind farms.



The order was awarded based on its successful bid in a public tender. Financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed.



The order also includes a Premium Service agreement for service and maintenance of the turbines for a period of 30 years. The turbines are scheduled to go into operation at the end of 2024.



With a capacity of 255 MW, the Sopi-Tootsi wind farm cluster with N163/6.X turbines is expected to be the most powerful wind project in the Baltic states to date. The projected annual electricity production would be 700 GWh for approximately 200,000 households. The 255-MW wind farm is expected to cover more than 8% of the electricity consumed in Estonia.



The Nordex Group last installed a wind farm with 18 MW in Estonia in 2004.



Shares of Nordex were last traded at $14.55



Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pioneer Media Holdings Inc. (NEO: JPEG, AQSE: PNER) ("Pioneer" or the "Company"), a web3 gaming and infrastructure company, announces its intention to withdraw the Company's ordinary shares ("Ordinary Shares") from trading on the AQSE Growth Market ("AQSE").



Pursuant to the AQSE Access Rulebook, the Company is required to give 20 business days' notice of its intention to withdraw from trading on AQSE. Therefore, trading in the Ordinary Shares will cease at 4:30 pm UK time on March 9, 2023.

The Company's common shares will continue to trade on the NEO Exchange under "JPEG".

For more information, please contact:

Pioneer Media Holdings Inc.

Contact for the UK Pioneer shareholders



Olivia Edwards

olivia@p10neer.com (mailto:olivia@p10neer.com) First Sentinel Corporate Finance Ltd (AQSE Corporate Adviser)



Brian Stockbridge

+44 7876 888 011

About Pioneer Media Holdings Inc.

Pioneer (NEO:JPEG, AQSE: PNER) is a leading web3 gaming and infrastructure company using its proprietary suite of technology, MetaKit, to build and convert games and applications for the blockchain. Pioneer has built a complete web3 gaming ecosystem which includes content and game development; infrastructure and web2 conversion; and distribution and global publishing. Through strategic distribution partnerships, Pioneer will continue to focus on launching successful play to earn (P2E) games to mass markets globally, and drive user engagement and adoption and therefore meaningful revenue generation.

Web3 gaming is at the forefront of a new wave of technology and there is significant opportunity for growth as an early adopter in the industry. Even in its infancy, there is a significant influx of capital, both public and private, and attention on the bourgeoning sector. Additional information about Pioneer is available at www.p10neer.com or www.sedar.com.

ON BEHALF OF PIONEER MEDIA HOLDINGS INC.

"Darcy Taylor"

CEO & Director

ir@p10neer.com

First Sentinel Corporate Finance Ltd (AQSE Corporate Adviser)

Brian Stockbridge +44 7876 888 011

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014. Upon the publication of this announcement via a Regulatory Information Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding the matters described herein. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, and such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including factors beyond the Company's control. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release.
H2Ocean LLC has published a clinical study on the efficacy of their sea salt-based nasal spray, Nasalzyme, which can relieve the symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis

Stuart, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - February 9, 2023) - H2Ocean's Nasalzyme, a non-addictive nasal spray made of all-natural ingredients, including unrefined sea salt harvested from the Red Sea, and naturally occurring enzymes, announces a new report that focuses on Nasalzyme and how its key components act to relieve chronic rhinosinusitis and other sinus conditions.

More information is available at https://seasaltnasal.com.

H2Ocean LLC Releases Study on the Efficacy of Sea Salt Nasal Spray on Sinusitis



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/154073_d77bce6734bc49c8_001full.jpg.

With the release of the recent study, H2Ocean wants to shed light on Nasalzyme's effect on chronic rhinosinusitis syndrome (CRS), an inflammatory disease of the paranasal sinuses. CRS affects up to 12% of the global population and can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as congestion, facial pain or pressure, and nasal discharge.

Researchers in the study tested the efficacy of H2Ocean's sea salt-based nasal spray, Nasalzyme, on patients suffering from CRS. One of Nasalzyme's key components is lysozyme, an antibacterial enzyme that occurs naturally in the immune system of the human body. The researchers hypothesized that the presence of lysozyme and other natural enzymes in Nasalzyme would reduce the symptoms of CRS.

The researchers divided the research participants into two groups: the test group, which used Nasalzyme daily, and the control group, which used a generic saline solution that served as a placebo. After closely observing both groups for a period of 100 days, the researchers found that patients who used Nasalzyme reported a greater reduction in CRS symptoms than those who did not use Nasalzyme.

Based on the findings, the researchers concluded that Nasalzyme is an effective treatment for CRS, stating that clinicians could safely recommend H2Ocean's product to patients for relief from CRS and other sinonasal diseases that can lead to congestion, inflammation, and other symptoms.

Researchers also noted that nasal sprays can remove irritants from the nasal cavity, thin mucus, reduce edema, and decrease pathogen presence in the sinuses. In particular, Nasalzyme's main ingredient is sea salt, which not only contains 80 trace minerals essential for the human body, but also enhances the antibacterial capabilities of lysozyme and other enzymes.

Since opening in 2001, H2Ocean has been an advocate for sea salt-based healthcare products as a natural, eco-friendly alternative to standard medical treatment. The company specializes in skin, oral, and nasal care, and the effectiveness of its products is backed by over 25 years of research into marine bioactivity.

Interested parties can learn more by visiting the website mentioned above or https://h2ocean.com.

Contact Info:

Name: Eddie Kolos

Email: ampifire@h2ocean.com

Organization: H2Ocean LLC

Address: 7938 Southwest Jack James Drive, Stuart, Florida 34997, United States

Website: http://www.h2ocean.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/154073
IANUA Market Limited / Key word(s): Personnel

IANUA Market Limited: PAUL THOMAS WALSH JOINS IANUA MARKET AS COO



09.02.2023 / 10:00 CET/CEST





IANUA MARKET MAKES NEXT C-LEVEL HIRE

London, 9th February 2023

PAUL THOMAS WALSH JOINS IANUA MARKET AS COO

IANUA Market, the fast-growing professional co-investment community, has continued to augment its leadership team with the addition of Paul Thomas Walsh as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Paul is an experienced FinTech COO and joins IANUA from Berlin-based WealthTech firm Elinvar, where he spent almost three years as COO, operating committee member, and the firm's representative at the European FinTech Association.

Paul has enjoyed an extensive career in the financial markets, including 12 years at Morgan Stanley, where his London, New York and Hong Kong-based roles included operations and fixed income sales and trading covering operational risk, electronic trading risk management and regulatory change. He has also been a financial services consultant for Accenture.

Paul joins IANUA Market as the company becomes an increasingly important part of the alternative investment ecosystem. The company is focused on using technology to complement investment processes and is building increasing levels of trust between its more than 300 members, mainly family offices.

Commenting on the appointment, Leah Cox, Co-Founder and Managing Director of IANUA Market said: "It's great to welcome Paul. As a fast-growing community with an equally fast-growing team and tech stack, Paul's significant operational experience will further enhance the value that we bring to our members."

ABOUT IANUA MARKET

IANUA Market (IANUA) is a digitally enhanced, co-investment community for professional investors, that facilitates value-rich investment opportunities from private markets around the globe sourced, originated and validated through its members and the underlying ecosystem.

Media contact: media@ianua.market

IANUA Market Ltd.

Mappin House

4 Winsley Street

London W1W 8HF

www.ianua.market

IANUA - Simplifying Alternative Investing

DISCLAIMER

This Document is made available by IANUA Market only to, and/or is directed only at, persons who are Per Se Professional Clients or Eligible Counterparties as defined in the rules of the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") of the United Kingdom. IANUA Market assumes no responsibility to any such persons who obtain a copy of this Document in breach of these terms.

The distribution of this Document and the information contained in it may be further restricted by law and/or regulation and persons who request or agree to receive this Document are required to inform themselves of, and to comply with, any such restrictions. The Document is not to be made available to any person in any jurisdiction where doing so would contravene any applicable laws and/or regulations. In reading this Document, the recipient confirms that it is aware of the laws and regulations in its own jurisdiction relating to the receipt of information relating to investments and investment services, and the recipient warrants and represents that it will not pass on or utilise the information contained in this Document in a manner that could constitute a breach of such laws and/or regulations by IANUA Market or any other person.

Any person who is in any doubt about investing should consult a qualified and regulated or licensed person specialising in advising on such investments. Investment in financial instruments involves a high degree of risk. As such, they may not be suitable for all investors. Investors should ensure they fully understand the risks associated with investing in financial instruments before deciding to invest as they may lose partial or all invested capital.

The information contained in this Document is for general information purposes only and should not be viewed as offering any personal investment service. Investors may choose to seek independent advice and should not risk more than they are prepared to lose.

We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, appropriateness or availability with respect to this Document or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in this document. Any reliance placed on such information is therefore strictly at the investors' own risk. Certain information included in this document is based on information obtained from sources considered to be reliable. However, any projections or analyses provided to assist the recipient of this Document in evaluating the matters described herein may be based on subjective assessments and assumptions and may use one among alternative methodologies that produce different results. Accordingly, any projections or analyses should not be viewed as factual and should not be relied upon as an accurate prediction of future results.

The information and opinions contained in this document are subject to updating and verification and may be subject to amendment. No redocument, warranty, or undertaking, express or limited, is given as to the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained in this document by IANUA Market Limited or its directors.

The value of investments and any income generated may go down as well as up and is not guaranteed. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance.

The material contained in this Document is based upon proprietary information and is provided purely for reference and as such is strictly confidential and intended for private use only. The text and statistical data or any portion thereof contained in this Document may not be stored in a computer, published, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed in any medium, except with the express written permission of IANUA Market. IANUA Market will each not be liable for any inaccuracies, errors or omissions in the material or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damage arising from any of the foregoing.

The contents of this document are communicated by, and the property of, IANUA Market Limited. IANUA Market Limited is an appointed representative of Laven Advisors LLP which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA").

Copyright  IANUA 2023

End of Media Release


Valuence International Europe S.A.S. (France; Takashi Kazami, representative) pursues the purpose of Circular Design for the Earth and Us, and encourages more people to focus on what is most important in their lives. The company has announced a luxury brand goods purchasing event to be held between February 15 and February 28, 2023, in Passy Plaza, a shopping mall located in Paris. The event will be hosted by the company's ALLU luxury brand goods purchasing business.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230208005018/en/

ALLU France (Graphic: Business Wire)

Aiming to Grow Recognition in Paris

The Valuence Group believes reuse and sustainability are even more prevalent in France than in Japan, given the French culture of treating items with care and passing them on to the next generation. The ALLU Saint-Honore store is gaining attention in Paris, enjoying an ongoing increase in customer base.

To grow recognition of the brand in Paris, the company will hold a luxury brand goods buying event at Passy Plaza (https://www.passyplaza.fr/). Passy Plaza is a shopping mall located in the Passy area of the 16th arrondissement, a high-end residential area.

Passy Plaza is a busy shopping mall frequented by the wealthy residents of the 16th arrondissement. Many customers using the ALLU Saint-Honore store are from that district. The buying event aims to increase convenience for current customers and expand awareness of ALLU across Passy Plaza.

Similar to the existing stores, ALLU in Passy Plaza offers reuse services to local customers through value designers (appraisers) who have a wealth of knowledge across a variety of product categories. And as with all ALLU locations, the store provides polite service with an emphasis on meaningful dialogue with customers.

The Valuence Group intends to continue growing recognition for luxury brand goods purchasing business ALLU, increasing interactions with customers, communicating the enjoyment of reuse, and making greater contributions to environmental conservation through reuse. In this way, the business strives to encourage reuse and create sustainable societies.

Paris, France Purchasing Event Overview

A special campaign will be held during the event, offering a 10% increase in offered purchase prices. Any customers with unused luxury brand goods should take the opportunity to have their item appraised, whether they intend to sell or not.

Campaign Period: February 15, 2023 February 28, 2023

Address: Passy Plaza 53 Rue de Passy, 75016 Paris

Business hours: 11:00 to 19:00 (local time); closed Sundays

Eligible items: Watches, bags, jewelry, apparel, accessories

Language support: French, English, Japanese

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allu.fr/ (@allu.fr)

Valuence International Europe S.A.S. Wholly owned by Valuence International Ltd.

Established: March 2020

Representative: Takashi Kazami

Head office: 66, avenue des Champs-Elysees 75008 Paris, France

Business lines: Purchase and sales of luxury brand goods, precious metals, gems, overseas business research and business partner development, etc.

Valuence International Ltd. (https://www.valuence.inc/en/group/international/)

Established: November 19, 2008 (Group established: September 2015)

Representative Director and President: Susumu Muguruma

Head office: 16F, Tower 5, The Gateway, Harbour City, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Business lines: Purchase and sales of luxury brand goods, precious metals, gems, etc.

Valuence International Ltd. and Valuence International Europe S.A.S. are group companies of Valuence Holdings Inc. (Securities Code: TOKYO Growth Market 9270).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230208005018/en/

Contacts:

Inquiries:

Public Relations Office, Valuence Holdings Inc.

TEL: +81-3-4580-9983

Mail: media@valuence.inc
Thanks to its foundational creation pillars, EMEC establishes a path for growth of the global events industry.

Dallas, TX, USA, Feb. 09, 2023(EMEC), purposefully designed to foster European business development.

EMEC was founded on three strategic pillars - designed by and for Europeans, serving as an incubator for ideation and infusing local flavor. Relying on that foundation, EMEC seeks to rethink and unlearn traditional event planning practices, making it critical for both the advancement of the industry in general and most specifically the European business events community.

Recognized globally with multiple industry awards for its format, EMEC features three hands-on Learning Journey Experiences for attendees, each focused on a select area of business. They span the skills development gamut including sustainable, local food practices at Ridgeview Winery; perfecting the human meeting space with Creative Director, Robert Dunsmore, that amplifies the Brighton art scene; and creating sales mastery in an increasing digital world with author and expert, Ciara Feely.

"EMEC Brighton has been in the planning stages for three years, since our last in-person event in Sevilla, Spain," said Drew Holmgreen, Chief Brand Officer at MPI. "This event, and most specifically its purposefully unorthodox formats like the learning journeys, creates a unique blend of networking, education and hands-on skill development with a heavy reliance on the destination. It's something participants really cannot experience elsewhere, and we're thrilled to bring the opportunity once again to so many."

Each day will feature focused plenaries and breakout sessions with a mixture of both hard- and soft-skill development, key to the advancement of industry professionals. Lending to the discussion will be James Taylor and Alison Burns, Co-Founders of The Ethical Futurists. Their plenary is devoted to exponential technologies such as AI, the metaverse and extended reality, which are revolutionising event experiences and making way for new disruptive business models to emerge nearly instantaneously.

"EMEC is our testing grounds for all things innovation," said Jessie States, Vice President of the MPI Academy. "This highly visual, interactive presentation prepares delegates to harness the power of a new era while reinforcing the importance of the human dynamic."

Another critical component to EMEC Brighton is its incorporation of industry associations. MPI has further established global connections through its peers, including ICCA, IAEE, SITE, IACC, CityDNA, IAPCO and, strategic partner, IMEX Group, whose headquarters is located in Brighton.

"MPI and IMEX Group have collaborated and partnered together for more than 20 years," said Suzanne Mulligan, Engagement Strategist at IMEX and Co-Chair of EMEC Brighton. "Talks of EMEC taking place in Brighton began long ago and we're quite excited to showcase the strength of the industry through this amazing and unique event, hosted in our own backyard."

EMEC takes place 26-28 March in the vibrant seaside city of Brighton, UK, a destination that offers ease of access from locations globally and was noted recently as the hippest city in the world. Brighton is a hotspot for creativity and innovation, and EMEC programming infuses the local influence throughout the attendee experience.

Updates on specific programming and education will be shared on the event website at www.mpi.org/emec

###

About MPI



Meeting Professionals International


- Finance software startup Quartr signs an API deal with the Sequoia-backed investment research network Smartkarma, reaching over 250 institutional asset management firms predominantly across Asia. The partnership grants Smartkarma access to Quartr's database of earnings calls, accompanying documents, reports, and slide decks, providing its customers with a strong foundation to conduct fundamental research. At the same time, this creates a wider distribution channel for the information that public companies provide.

STOCKHOLM and NEW YORK, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Quartr (www.quartr.com) has passed an additional milestone on its mission to bring the financial community closer together by signing yet another important API deal - this time with the Asian-first financial research platform Smartkarma. The partnership enables Smartkarma's extensive network of institutional asset management companies and investor relations professionals to directly access crucial first-party information such as earnings calls, accompanying documents, reports, and slide decks through its financial research platform.

"We are thrilled to announce our first Asia-focused partnership, providing Smartkarma's extensive network, including both finance and investor relations professionals, with crucial information. We are convinced that our API solution will be value-creating for investors, online brokers, and research platforms like Smartkarma worldwide, and not least for public companies as this enables them to get their equity stories told to a much wider audience," comments Sami Osman, CEO & Co-founder of Quartr.

"Quartr's technology makes it incredibly easy for research analysts, investors, and IR professionals to dial into company conference calls, skip straight to Q&A and browse associated corporate presentations. By natively integrating all this technology into Smartkarma's desktop and mobile apps, we have unlocked seamless access to first-party information from public companies. Smartkarma network members will now be able to listen to company calls while reading insights or researching on entity pages of over thousands of publicly listed companies globally. This sits squarely with our tech-first approach towards uniting investors, insight providers, and issuers on one network," comments Raghav Kapoor, CEO & Co-founder of Smartkarma.

Contact

Sami Osman, CEO & Co-founder, Quartr

sami@quartr.com

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Public/21895/3711403/a0119ad2ab276d26.pdf PM: Quartr and Smartkarma https://news.cision.com/quartr/i/1156x708-quartr-smartkarma,c3142264 1156x708 Quartr Smartkarma https://news.cision.com/quartr/i/sami-osman-quartr-ceo,c3142266 Sami Osman Quartr CEO https://news.cision.com/quartr/i/1156x1156-qu-sk-v2x2,c3142265 1156x1156 qu sk v2x2

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/quartr-signs-its-first-api-deal-in-asia-partnering-up-with-smartkarma-301742937.html
Flexible, diverse, and digital: Infosys research report titled 'Future of Work 2023' finds the levers that drive revenue, profit growth and retention for businesses

BENGALURU, India, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, today unveiled a global research report titled 'Future of Work 2023'. According to the report, up to $1.4 trillion in revenue and $282 billion in new profit could be generated through digital tools automation, diversifying talent pool, and improving skills development amongst employees. It highlights how the workplace of the 21st century will see more hybrid working and digital engagement, enabling firms to build more diverse and creative teams.





The survey was conducted by the Infosys Knowledge Institute (IKI), the research arm of Infosys, and surveyed 2,500 senior executives and managers involved in workplace and workforce planning for large companies with more than $1 billion in annual revenue. The survey covered 12 industries across the US, UK, France, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand. The study focused on how shifting trends and pressures on workforce, workplace, and workstyles relate to revenue growth, profitability, and employee retention.

The key findings from the survey are as follows:

Shifting to a flexible, diverse, and digital work model is correlated with 7.7 percentage points higher profit growth and 6.7 percentage points higher revenue growth.

Retention of employees is critical. Companies that increased their staff retention between 2020 and 2022 were almost a fifth more likely to see increased revenue and profit compared with those that saw retention fall during this period.

Almost two-thirds of senior executives practice remote working rather than in-office working and expect flexible or remote workspaces to grow in the future.

65% of senior executives concurred that incorporating remote working resulted in better staff retention. Companies that incorporated wellness initiatives, home office stipends, and reskilling programs saw an increase in staff retention. Modernization and automation of digital tools, compensation rise, and bring-your-own-device strategies were also impactful on retention.

Automation and modernization of digital tools are set to become the top investment priority for firms in the next two years and expected to bring in up to $123 billion in profit.

in profit. Successful businesses of the future are likely to focus less on the employees' work location and more on the mix of people who are working and how well they are supported.

Respondents cited collaboration, change management, and a constant evolution of future of work approaches as the top challenges faced by companies in implementing workplace transformation strategies.

Rajesh Varrier, EVP, Head of Digital Experience & Microsoft Business, Infosys, said, "Organizations have realized that remote work is here to stay and that there is a pressing need to diversify and upskill their employees to boost business growth. The findings from the Future of Work 2023 report also showcase how businesses can drive growth, productivity, and profitability through the automation of digital tools and create more inclusive workplaces."

To read the full report, visit here:

Methodology

Infosys used an anonymous format to conduct an online survey of 2,500 senior executives and managers involved in workplace and workforce planning for large companies across 12 industries across the US, UK, France, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand.

About Infosys

Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. Over 300,000 of our people work to amplify human potential and create the next opportunity for people, businesses and communities. With over four decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer clients, in more than 50 countries, as they navigate their digital transformation powered by the cloud. We enable them with an AI-powered core, empower the business with agile digital at scale and drive continuous improvement with always-on learning through the transfer of digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem. We are deeply committed to being a well-governed, environmentally sustainable organization where diverse talent thrives in an inclusive workplace.

Visit www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next.

Safe Harbor

Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects, financial expectations and plans for navigating the COVID-19 impact on our employees, clients and stakeholders are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding COVID-19 and the effects of government and other measures seeking to contain its spread, risks related to an economic downturn or recession in India, the United States and other countries around the world, changes in political, business, and economic conditions, fluctuations in earnings, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, our ability to manage growth, intense competition in IT services including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, wage increases in India and the US, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, industry segment concentration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks or system failures, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which Infosys has made strategic investments, withdrawal or expiration of governmental fiscal incentives, political instability and regional conflicts, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry and the outcome of pending litigation and government investigation. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our United States Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/633365/Infosys_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/effective-reskilling-talent-diversity-and-digital-tool-automation-can-drive-1-4-trillion-of-revenue-and-282-billion-in-profit-infosys-study-301742959.html
EQS Post-admission Duties announcement: Adtran Holdings, Inc. / Third country release according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act] Adtran Holdings, Inc.: Release according to Article 50 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act] with the objective of Europe-wide distribution 09.02.2023 / 11:20 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Post-admission Duties announcement according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 WpHG transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Post-stabilisation notice

9thFebruary 2023

Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful.

Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG

EUR 500,000,000 Green Senior Preferred Notes due 2027

Post-Stabilisation Notice

Commerzbank (contact: Daniela Olt-Farrelly; telephone: +49 69 136-20) hereby gives notice that no stabilisation (within the meaning of Article 3.2 (d) of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU Regulation 596/2014) was undertaken by the Stabilising Managers named below in relation to the offer of the following securities.

Issuer: Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG Guarantor (if any): none ISIN: DE000A30WF84 Aggregate nominal amount: EUR 500,000,000 Description: 5% green senior preferred Notes due 5th February 2027 Stabilisation Coordinator:

Stabilisation Managers: Commerzbank AG

Danske Bank

DekaBank

HSBC

UniCredit

This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of the Issuer in any jurisdiction.

This announcement is not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any other jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2023 / Infinitum Copper Corp. (TSXV:INFI)(OTCQB:INUMF) ("Infinitum" or the "Company") announces that Matt Hudson has been appointed as President and CEO of the Company effective February 1, 2023. Matt's operational experience in Mexico, knowledge of capital markets and ability to advance resources projects globally represents a unique set of skills that will allow him to lead Infinitum as we progress our flagship Adelita project. Building on what has already been achieved since going public in March 2022, under his leadership we hope to hone our strategic direction, grow and develop our organization, strengthen our partnerships and build new relationships. Matt will also join the Infinitum board bringing a new perspective and depth of experience relating to capital markets.

"I'd like to thank the board of directors for providing me with a truly exciting opportunity. As a long-term investor in Infinitum I look forward to following up on the great work by Steve and the team during 2022. We have compelling targets at Adelita and during 2023 I think the company can achieve great things. I look forward to working with Steve Robertson in his new role as Chairman and being able to draw on his extensive knowledge."

The former President & CEO, Steve Robertson, will stay on the board and move up to the role of Chairman.

"I would like to welcome Matt to the Company and am excited to see the skill and energy that he brings to the position. As one of the Company's largest shareholders I see this evolution of Infinitum as a very positive and constructive step forward. We have a great registry with a modest float, a tremendous asset with our flagship La Adelita project in Sonora State, Mexico, and now an even stronger team with the addition of Matt. I look forward to working closely with him moving forward," stated Steve Robertson, Chairman of Infinitum Copper. While Mahendra Naik has stepped down from the position of Chairman, he will remain on the board and continue providing guidance to the company.

At the same time, Michael Wood has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer, a post that he previously held until 2021. Michael steps into the role as Melinda Hsu steps down to pursue other opportunities. The Company would like to thank Melinda for her important influence in creating a company with a solid foundation. We wish her all the best in her future endeavours and welcome our board member Michael Wood back into a role that he knows well. Thank you to both.

For more information, please contact Matt Hudson, President and CEO of Infinitum Copper at matt@infinitumcopper.com

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of

INFINITUM COPPER CORP.

Matt Hudson

Chief Executive Officer

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

About Infinitum Copper

Backed by a strong team of industry veterans, Infinitum Copper is advancing La Adelita project, where the Company has an option to earn an 80% interest. The high-grade copper-silver-gold La Adelita Project is located in Sonora and Sinaloa states in Mexico and is subject to a 2% NSR. La Adelita is a Carbonate Replacement Deposit located in a mineralized district with a rich history. Infinitum Copper also has an option to earn 25% interest in the Hot Breccia project in the heart of the Arizona Copper Belt about 90km north of Tucson, AZ. The Hot Breccia project is prospective for porphyry copper and copper skarn mineralization.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Forward-looking information is based on, among other things, opinions, assumptions, estimates and analyses that, while considered reasonable by the Company at the date the forward-looking information is provided, are inherently subject to significant risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that may cause actual results and events to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. The risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information may include, but are not limited to, risks generally associated with the Company's business, as described in the Company's Filing Statement dated February 11, 2022.. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. While the Company may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws.

SOURCE: Infinitum Copper

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/738755/Infinitum-Copper-Appoints-Matt-Hudson-as-CEO
LTIMindtree [NSE: LTIM, BSE: 540005], a global technology consulting and digital solutions company, todayannounced that it has achieved the Guidewire PartnerConnect Testing Standards specialization.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230208005507/en/

LTIMindtree is a Guidewire PartnerConnect Consulting partner at the Select level and works with Guidewire in North America and India. By recognizing its enterprise test solutions through the specialization, LTIMindtree will offer a winning edge to global insurance companies in their transformation journey using the Guidewire platform.

Specializations are regionally based and require partners to demonstrate skills, knowledge, and competency in a particular Guidewire product or solution area. The achievement of specializations enables insurers to have more clarity and insight into which partners have proven capabilities in a region or globally in the case of the Testing Standards specialization. In addition, partners with specializations can better promote their capabilities across Guidewire products and solutions.

"We congratulate LTIMindtree on achieving their most recent Testing Standards specialization within our PartnerConnect Consulting program. We are pleased to recognize their expertise and proven capabilities and look forward to continuing our work together to contribute to the success of our mutual customers," said Molly Black Senior Director, Partner Programs and Enablement, Guidewire Software.

David Althoff, Chief Business Officer, Insurance, LTIMindtree, said, "LTIMindtree is excited to make continuous progress on building Guidewire capabilities. Our understanding of the insurance domain, experience with core admin platform transformation projects, and specializations in Guidewire Products will empower us to help insurers accelerate their transformation programs efficiently and predictably."

Please find more information about Guidewire specializations on the Guidewire website here.

About LTIMindtree

LTIMindtree is a global technology consulting and digital solutions company that enables enterprises across industries to reimagine business models, accelerate innovation, and maximize growth by harnessing digital technologies. As a digital transformation partner to more than 700 clients, LTIMindtree brings extensive domain and technology expertise to help drive superior competitive differentiation, customer experiences, and business outcomes in a converging world. Powered by nearly 90,000 talented and entrepreneurial professionals across more than 30 countries, LTIMindtree a Larsen Toubro Group company combines the industry-acclaimed strengths of erstwhile Larsen and Toubro Infotech and Mindtree in solving the most complex business challenges and delivering transformation at scale. For more information, please visit www.ltimindtree.com.

For more information on our insurance and Guidewire Services, please visit: https://www.ltimindtree.com/industries/insurance/core-systems-modernization/guidewire/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230208005507/en/

Contacts:

media@ltimindtree.com
IRVINE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2023 / A common misconception exists regarding the importance of having a good credit score. The majority thinks that if they don't plan on borrowing money from a bank, a good credit score is not needed. But the team at an innovating debt resolution firm founded by Nicholas Kohlschreiber , AcuFi , says that this erroneous notion has placed countless individuals in difficult situations. "A good credit score goes beyond securing favorable terms on a loan - it will also affect a person's ability to rent accommodation, lease a car, get insurance, or purchase certain goods or services. While it is true that the modern economy runs on borrowed money, a person can build a solid credit score without accumulating debt as long as they know what options are available to them."

People can have excellent credit scores even when they hold multiple credit cards and owe substantial amounts to their bank, according to AcuFi and Nicholas Kohlschreiber . This has to do with the fact that such borrowers make their payments on time , thus maintaining a stellar credit history. Therefore, one way for a person to build a good score is by consistently meeting their payment deadlines, be it for rent, utility bills, or existing loans. To maximize the effect of such fiscal discipline, experts advise including these payments in one's credit file when the option is available - some credit scoring services provide this opportunity, enabling consumers to improve their scores.

AcuFi points to credit cards being among the primary drivers of household debt in the United States, as well as a key factor in calculating credit scores. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York , U.S. credit card debt reached $890 billion in the second quarter of 2022, which represents an increase of $49 billion from the previous quarter. "People trying to build a credit score or improve their existing one are routinely advised to pay down their credit card debt and, if possible, cancel all but one card. Since the length of a person's credit history plays a major role in determining their credit score, it would be best to keep open the oldest account," Nicholas Kohlschreiber says. "In addition, consumers can greatly benefit by signing up for a zero balance credit card , which can help them lower their overall credit utilization ratio and thus improve their credit score."

Another option for people looking to build or repair their credit score without accumulating debt is a credit-builder loan - contrary to what the term suggests, this is more of a savings arrangement, as explained by the team at AcuFi and Nicholas Kohlschreiber . Experian, one of the three main credit reporting companies in the U.S., offers the following simple explanation : "A credit-builder loan isn't a loan in the traditional sense. When you apply, a lender puts the loan balance you choose into a savings account. You'll make fixed payments toward it over several months, and the lender will return to you the total balance (plus the interest you paid, potentially) at the end of the loan term. That means you're building credit and saving money at the same time."

About AcuFi:

AcuFi is a company dedicated to advocating for consumers burdened with unsecured debt to help them develop viable repayment plans and strategies. It provides debt resolution services to those looking for an alternative to bankruptcy, making it possible to reduce the amounts owed and settle the debts faster. AcuFi representatives work on behalf of the consumer with experts to create personalized debt relief plans.

AcuFi: http://acufi.com

AcuFi Founder, Nicholas Kohlschreiber, Examines the Future of FinTech with AI: https://www.yahoo.com/now/acufi-founder-nicholas-kohlschreiber-examines-021000601.html

Nick Kohlschreiber, Founder of AcuFi, Teaches Small Businesses to Use FinTech: https://www.yahoo.com/now/nick-kohlschreiber-founder-acufi-teaches-220000221.html

Contact Information:

Nicholas Kohlschreiber

AcuFi

support@acufi.com

949-992-2834

http://acufi.com

SOURCE: AcuFi

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/738772/AcuFi-and-Founder-Nicholas-Kohlschreiber-On-How-to-Build-Credit-Without-Accumulating-Debt


ANKARA (dpa-AFX) - The death toll from the massive earthquake near the Turkey-Syrian border crossed 16000 Thursday.



The World Health Organization has warned about the possibility of a secondary disaster as a result of the aftermath of the quake.



It expressed concern that many survivors may die due to lack of shelter, water, fuel or electricity.



'We are in real danger of seeing a secondary disaster which may cause harm to more people than the initial disaster if we don't move with the same pace and intensity as we are doing on the search and rescue,' the WHO's incident response manager Robert Holden said at a press conference in Geneva Thursday.



Thousands of people are now living 'out in the open, in worsening and horrific conditions', he told reporters.



The 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck near the Turkey-Syrian border in the early hours of Monday has sent thousands of people homeless as their residences were destroyed. More than 125 aftershocks struck the region.



Despite their hard work scrambling through the debris battling freezing cold, rescuers are losing hope of finding survivors who are trapped under the rubble.



'We are at a critical point... Time is running out, hundreds of families are still stuck under the rubble. Every second means saving a life. 75+ hours after the earthquake, our teams continue search operations amid great difficulties & need for heavy machinery to remove rubble,' White Helmets, a Syrian volunteer organization, wrote on Twitter.



The first convoy of humanitarian aid is making its way to rebel-held parts of northern Syria that have been shattered by the quake, BBC reported. Hundreds of buildings were collapsed and at least 1,700 people were killed in the region, according to the UN.



Turkey said it hopes to open two more border crossings into Syria to deliver badly-needed supplies there. Meanwhile, aid is pouring from different parts of the world to support the quake survivors.



People in Turkey are the main beneficiaries because taking aid through convoys to many affected areas in Syria is logistically difficult due to the volatile security situation there, reports say.



Syria is under sanctions imposed by the West, which makes things worse.



Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
Customer is expected to be the 10th Fortune 100 company and fifth Fortune 100 retailer to operate Electrovaya batteries

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2023 / Electrovaya Inc. (TSX:EFL)(OTCQB:EFLVF), a leading lithium-ion battery technology and manufacturing company, today announced the receipt of a battery purchase order through its OEM sales channel valued at approximately US$3.4 million. The batteries will be used by a leading Fortune 100 retailer to power Materials Handling Electric Vehicles ("MHEVs") in the United States. Deliveries will be made during the 2023 fiscal year.

"We are delighted to announce a significant order with a new Fortune 100 customer and leading national retailer in the United States," said Dr. Jeremy Dang, Vice President of Business Development at Electrovaya. "This represents the first distribution center order for this customer. Following successful deployment, we believe it may seed demand for additional orders. Electrovaya's MHEV batteries, based on our proprietary Infinity battery technology, offer superior safety and cycle life and thus provide sophisticated commercial customers with the lowest overall cost of ownership."

For more information, please contact:

Investor and Media Contact:

Jason Roy

Director, Corporate Development and Investor Relations

Electrovaya Inc.

905-855-4618

jroy@electrovaya.com

About Electrovaya Inc.

Electrovaya Inc. (TSX:EFL) (OTCQB:EFLVF) is a pioneering leader in the global energy transformation, focused on contributing to the prevention of climate change by supplying safe and long-lasting lithium-ion batteries without compromising energy and power. Electrovaya is a technology-focused company with extensive IP, designs, develops, and manufactures proprietary lithium-ion batteries, battery systems, and battery-related products for energy storage, clean electric transportation, and other specialized applications. To learn more about how Electrovaya is powering mobility and energy storage, please explore www.electrovaya.com .

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to the deployment of the Company's products by the Company's customers and the timing for delivery thereof, and can generally be identified by the use of words such as "may", "will", "could", "should", "would", "likely", "possible", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "objective", "seed" and "continue" (or the negative thereof) and words and expressions of similar import. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Certain material factors and assumptions are applied in making forward-looking statements, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Statements with respect to the purchase and deployment of the Company's products by the Company's customers and users, and the timing for delivery thereof, and levels of expected sales and expected further purchases and demand growth are based on an assumption that the Company's customers and users will deploy its products in accordance with communicated intentions, that the Company will be able to deliver the ordered products on a basis consistent with past deliveries, and the anticipation of the Company delivering batteries will be made in FY2023 on the present purchase order are all based on assumptions by the company and its end users. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include but are not limited to macroeconomic effects on the Company and its business and on the Company's customers, economic conditions generally and their effect on consumer demand, labour shortages, supply chain constraints, the potential effect of COVID restrictions in Canada and internationally on the Company's ability to produce and deliver products, and on its customers' and end users' demand for and use of products, which effects are not predictable and may be affected by additional regional outbreaks and variants, and other factors which may cause disruptions in the Company's supply chain and Company's capability to deliver the products. Additional information about material factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations and about material factors or assumptions applied in making forward-looking statements may be found in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended September 30, 2022 under "Risk Factors", and in the Company's most recent annual Management's Discussion and Analysis under "Qualitative And Quantitative Disclosures about Risk and Uncertainties" as well as in other public disclosure documents filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward-looking statements contained in this document, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE: Electrovaya, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/738648/Electrovaya-Receives-US34-Million-Battery-Order-for-Materials-Handling-Electric-Vehicles-from-a-New-Fortune-100-Customer
Australian modular solar manufacturer 5B will work with researchers from the University of Sydney to optimize the design of large-scale solar farms, in a bid to minimize temperature-induced panel efficiency losses. The research project secured funding support in the latest round of the Australian Research Council's Linkage Project Grants program.From pv magazine Australia Australian modular solar manufacturer 5B will work with a team of researchers from the University of Sydney (UoS) to develop optimization tools for the design of gigascale solar farms after the project received a share of AUD ...

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - February 9, 2023) - Author and technology consultant Jacqueline Ann DeStefano-Tangorra announces the launch of her new poetry collection 'ai can feel'. This is her second collection of poetry since her first book 'Water Lilies', was released in 2018. The book's official release is scheduled to be held in August 2023. 'ai can feel' endeavors to define and establish a positive relationship between humans and artificial intelligence in the creative space. According to Jacqueline, this is a first-of-its-kind groundbreaking poetry book illustrated entirely with generative artificial intelligence ("AI"). In addition, the book also contains a unique interview with an AI language model offering a constructive analysis of the poems in the book. Through this book, Jacqueline innovatively illustrates how modern technologies like generative AI can be leveraged to make creative imaginations shine brighter and more profound.

Amid the popular hesitancy that AI replaces jobs and creativity, 'ai can feel' provides a new lens to evaluate technology's positive and productive side. The book offers an entirely different and innovative perspective by leveraging AI as a tool to enhance and augment creativity. Jacqueline believes that, instead of perceiving AI solely to replace, humans should allow it to enhance the ability to create.

The book invites readers to consider the ways in which AI may be able to comprehend complex human emotions and thoughts. Being an author, an artist, and a technologist, Jacqueline trains both an AI language model and an AI art model to understand themes of humanity such as faith, life, love, and self-identity to demonstrate the potential of AI in this area.

Jacqueline also provides an additional layer of contemplation for readers through AI-generated images throughout the book. These images offer an exceptional visual depiction of how the AI interprets her poems. The book concludes with a thought-provoking and exciting conversation between Jacqueline and an AI language model, as she challenges it to evaluate her poetry. The AI model explores her intentions of word choice, metaphors, themes, and other poetic devices utilized, ultimately concluding what the poem means to it. In the end, she prompts the AI to write its own poem on its perception of humanity, but in her poetic style.

Jacqueline believes that her book, 'ai can feel' will pave the way for a new relationship to be born between art and technology, and that intersection will be creativity. She also believes that her book will inspire the writing community to leverage AI in enhancing their creative process and artistic imagination, as well as inspire the technology community in creative and novel ways.

Jacqueline notes, "Is the AI truly sentient or is it simply imitating human behavior? This question is at the heart of the book, and my readers are invited to contemplate this as they journey through. My intention is to inspire many in considering how we can leverage AI to draw connections in ways we would have never thought to have done before. I hope my book will encourage people not to be afraid of these emerging technologies, but rather leverage them to their benefit. Simply, 'ai can feel' represents the culmination of that desire."

About Jacqueline

Jacqueline Ann DeStefano-Tangorra is a prolific New York-based writer, technology consultant, inspirational mentor, faith-driven creative, and the Founder and CEO of Omni Business Intelligence Solutions, a business intelligence consulting firm that specializes in creating impactful and high-quality automation and reporting. Jacqueline started her professional career at the age of twenty-two years old when she became licensed as a certified public accountant in New York State. After spending five years as a financial statement auditor, she switched to technology consulting to align with her growing passion for business intelligence and data analytics. Since her initial debut as an author, with her first published book 'Water Lilies' (2018), Jacqueline has continued to use her social media platforms as a community where she shares her poetry to inspire her fans. Jacqueline is always searching for ways to bring her creativity to the table-creating unique solutions for her clients and stimulating perspectives for her readers. Through 'ai can feel', Jacqueline has found a way to connect both parts of her life that trigger her passion-an impassioned writer and technophile, proving that she doesn't have to pick one in order to live in a world that she loves.

Media contact:

Name: Jacqueline Ann DeStefano-Tangorra

Email: jacqueline@omnibisolutions.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/154237
COQUITLAM, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2023 / Surge Battery Metals Inc. (the "Company" or "Surge") (TSXV:NILI), (OTC PINK:NILIF), (FRA:DJ5C).

President's Update to Shareholders

Surge Battery Metals Inc Makes a Significant Lithium Clay Discovery.

Planning Underway for Additional Exploration Drilling to Further Delineate the High-Grade Deposit

Metallurgical and Baseline Environmental Studies Planned for Q2

Dear Shareholders

It is my pleasure to write this letter given our successes in 2022 and to outline the important steps we plan to take in the first part of 2023 to grow our flagship property, the Nevada North Lithium Project (NNLP).

As you likely know, significant discoveries at the grass roots exploration stage are notoriously difficult to come by and indeed a rare occurrence. Today our Company is fortunate to find ourselves the 100% owners of a remarkable new lithium discovery; one that exhibits very high lithium values over an impressive area and with multiple lithium clay intervals up to 50 meters thick. Still, a lot of work will be needed to solidify the importance and value of our discovery and we are looking forward to completing the necessary steps in the weeks, months, and years ahead.

The Nevada North Lithium Project- Our Flagship Project

Early in 2022 (See NR dated April 6, 2022) Surge released additional follow-up results from an initial ground geochem survey where lithium values up to 1,980 ppm lithium in stream sediments were reported. Results from this exploration work ranged from 29.1 to 5,120 ppm lithium. Results included eighty-nine samples with 1,000 or more ppm lithium. The zone of highly anomalous samples, greater than 500 ppm lithium, extends about 2,800 meters north to south with of width up to 750 meters.

News release dated September 20, 2022, announced the start of a maiden 15 hole drill program where 8 holes were ultimately completed due to time constraint. Then on December 1st we announced the first partial assay results which returned multiple zones of strong lithium values ranging from 1,000 ppm to 5,000 ppm lithium confirming the potential for a high tenor lithium clay deposit.

Finally, after a long period of delay caused by unforeseen delays at the lab, we released the two final holes of the program where Hole NN2207 intersected the thickest intervals of lithium rich claystone encountered to date in the program, a total of 120.4 meters (395 feet) averaging 3943 ppm lithium in four zones. NN2208 had the strongest individual sample interval (5950 ppm lithium between 45 to 50 feet, 13.72 to 15.24 meters) of the 2022 program.

Importantly, our maiden drill program returned impressive lithium values over a strike length of approximately 1,600 meters (5,315 feet). The drill results confirmed that highly anomalous lithium values persist to depth in the silty clay unit that that appears to underlie the better soil values observed in samples collected in 2021 and earlier in the summer of 2022. Surge Battery Metals can confidently say the Company has identified significant potential for a lithium deposit in an area of northern Nevada not previously recognized for its lithium potential.

Planning for Further Drilling

Subject to final approval of the Bureau of Land Management, the Company plans to conduct both step-out and infill drilling as Phase 2 of the maiden drill program initiated last fall. The first phase was designed to evaluate whether significant surface soil values continued to depth and to evaluate the results before continuing further into the program. It is anticipated that a further 7 holes may be completed in Phase 2. A budget of approximately $500,000 has been approved. The program will get underway as soon regulatory approvals are given and as weather permits.

Metallurgical and Baseline Environmental Studies

The Company is underway with baseline metallurgical evaluations on the composition of various clay samples recovered in the first phase of drilling. X-ray diffraction studies, together with the clays chemical properties will provide information on how lithium occurs with the clay minerals recovered in the drilling. Furthermore, mineralogical studies can determine the distribution of lithium throughout the clay that may assist in identifying the physical beneficiation techniques required, if any, to upgrade the lithium content.

In addition, the Company has issued requests for proposals from qualified environmental service providers to provide initial baseline studies and advice.

2023 will be an active year for the Company as we focus our exploration efforts on the Nevada North Lithium Project. Our aim is to advance this important new discovery as quickly as possible and build the Project into a long-term robust asset benefiting all shareholders.

Resignation of Board Member

The Company has received the resignation of William MacDonald as a director effective February 7, 2023. The Company thanks Bill for his contributions to the Company and wishes him well in his future endeavors.

Qualified Person as Defined Under National Instrument 43-101: Alan J. Morris of Spring Creek, Nevada, a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed, and approved the technical aspects of this news release.

About Surge Battery Metals Inc. surgebatterymetals.com

The Company is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company active in the exploration for lithium in Nevada and for nickel-iron alloy in British Columbia and whose primary listing is on the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company's maintains a focus on exploration for high value battery metals required for the electric vehicle (EV) market.

Nevada Lithium Projects

The Company owns a 100% interest in 243 mineral claims located in Elko County, Nevada. The Nevada North Lithium Project is in the Granite Range southeast of Jackpot, Nevada, about 73 km north-northeast of Wells, Nevada. The target is a lithium clay deposit in volcanic tuff and tuffaceous sediments of the Jarbidge Rhyolite package. In addition, the Company has a Property Option Agreement to earn an undivided 80% interest in 16 mineral claims, comprising 640 acres located within Nevada's San Emidio Desert, known as the Galt Property. Finally, the Company owns a 100% interest in 663 ha (1,640 acre) property in the Teels Marsh Project located in Mineral County, Nevada. The property is in an active region for both lithium exploration and production.

Nickel Projects, Central BC, Canada

The Company has a Property Option Agreement to earn an undivided 80% interest in certain mineral claims from Nickel Rock Resources Inc. The Project (The Surge Nickel Project) consists of two non-contiguous mineral claims groups consisting of six mineral claim blocks located in northern British Columbia. One claim in the Mount Sidney Williams area (claim HN4), covers 1863 hectares immediately south of and adjacent to the Decar Project, currently being advanced by FPX Resources, and 5 claims in the Mitchell Range area, northeast of Decar, (N100 Group) covering 8659 hectares. Both projects target the nickel-iron alloy mineral "Awaruite", hosted by serpentinized intrusive rocks of the Trembleur Ultramafic Unit.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

"Greg Reimer"

Greg Reimer, President & CEO

Contact Information

Email: info@surgebatterymetals.com

Phone: 778-945-2656

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements which include, but are not limited to, comments that involve future events and conditions, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Except for statements of historical facts, comments that address resource potential, upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt and security of mineral property titles, availability of funds, and others are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are not guaranteeing future performance and actual results may vary materially from those statements. General business conditions are factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: Surge Battery Metals Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/738705/Surge-Battery-Metals-Provides-Shareholder-Update
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 9, 2023) - Royal Road Minerals Limited (TSXV: RYR) ("Royal Road" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a Strategic Alliance Agreement (the "Alliance Agreement") and a Non-Binding Letter of Intent (the "LOI") with MSB Holdings Limited ("MSB") with respect to copper, gold and other metals exploration in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ("KSA").

MSB is an investment holding company, established in Saudi Arabia in 2017. It holds a number of investments across a range of sectors and, through the ownership and management of its subsidiaries, is a leader in the construction and contracting sectors. MSB is driven by a desire to innovate, with investments in emerging technologies, while also possessing real estate and shareholdings that facilitate the operations of its subsidiaries.

Under the terms of the Alliance Agreement, Royal Road and MSB agreed to form an alliance (the "Alliance") aimed at developing an exploration decision-support-system, leading to the development of priority targets and an initial 12-month work program and budget for exploration operations in the "Arabian Shield" area of the KSA. The Alliance was formed effective upon the execution of the Alliance Agreement and is it be conducted on a 50-50 basis, with Royal Road agreeing to complete desktop and field-based studies and MSB agreeing to provide in-country and field logistics support.

Additionally, the parties have executed the LOI, which provides for a three-month exclusivity period during-which the parties would seek to agree on an initial 12-month work program and budget. In connection with such work program and budget, the parties would form a joint venture for purposes of exploring and developing copper-gold and other metallic assets in the KSA. The joint venture would be carried out through a newly incorporated entity ("Newco") in accordance with the terms of a joint venture agreement. Newco would be owned by the parties on an equal 50-50 basis and RRM would act as the "operator" of the joint venture and provide technical know-how, secure and develop targets, identify new opportunities and prepare 12-month programs and budgets for approval by Newco's board of directors.

Dr. Tim Coughlin, Royal Road's President and CEO, stated: "The Arabian Shield is one of the most prospective and underexplored regions in the world, with outstanding potential for world-class copper and gold resources. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an impressively proactive and supportive host-country which, through its Vision 2030 initiative, is actively promoting responsible mining and mining investment and is committed to sustainably developing its mineral resources and playing a key role in the supply of critical metals. This initiative is in line with Royal's recently adapted strategy and comes hot on the heals of deals signed by Barrick and Ivanhoe Electric in Riyadh just last month. We are proud to join forces with a truly outstanding partner such as MSB and are excited by the prospect of working together with the joint goal of using our exploration advantage to play a key role in the Kingdom's ambitions and global aspirations for economic security and a just and equitable energy transition."

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary statement:

This news release contains certain statements that constitute forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements") describing the Company's future plans and the expectations of its management that a stated result or condition will occur. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or developments in the Company's business or in the mineral resources industry, to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance, achievements or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include all disclosure regarding possible events, conditions or results of operations that is based on assumptions about, among other things, the Alliance, the intention to form a joint venture, enter into a related agreement and establish Newco and, more generally, future economic conditions and courses of action, and assumptions related to government approvals, and anticipated costs and expenditures. The words "plans", "prospective", "expect", "intend", "intends to" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which may also include, without limitation, any statement relating to future events, conditions or circumstances. Forward-looking statements of the Company contained in this news release, which may prove to be incorrect, include, but are not limited to the Company's exploration plans.

The Company cautions you not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. There is no guarantee that the anticipated benefits of the Company's business plans or operations will be achieved. The risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements include, among others: economic market conditions, anticipated costs and expenditures, government approvals, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with Canadian provincial securities regulators or other applicable regulatory authorities. Forward-looking statements included herein are based on the current plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions of the Company management and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements should assumptions related to these plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions change.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/154102
SHERIDAN, WY / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2023 / Buyer Group International, Inc. (OTC PINK:BYRG) announces the confirmed completion of a 268 acre, 13 claim expansion onto the 100% owned Shambhala Platinum Project. In our recent end of season summary (12/21/22 Company News) we disclosed the processing of this 268 acre expansion. With the confirmation of ownership Buyer Group is now able to go into more detail behind the reasoning of this expansion project.

On the reasoning and goal of this expansion Buyer Group Head of Exploration Steven Cyros commented, "After countless hours of fieldwork and many more hours of research, I believe that we have now secured every available inch of remaining ground around the historic New Rambler Mine workings and 5000 feet of existing tunnel complex. Not only has this ground proven to be valuable by itself as the historic records have shown, but the strategic placement of these new expansion claims, and the way that we laid them out, will give us the extralateral underground rights to thousands of feet beyond the claim boundaries for purposes of working the existing vein. That means we now legally own the mineral rights of the New Rambler Mine at all of the points where we are able to intersect the old tunnels and workings even though they travel beyond our claim boundaries and in most cases today are actually under private property. Extralateral rights, which are sometimes referred to as the apex rule or the intraliminal rights, are not often used, as most exploration companies don't know how to legally file for them. This is a game changer for us. This means that if we can access any of the old subsurface tunnels because they run under any of our new claims, we will own the mineral rights far beyond our claim boundaries because they are all part of the same vein structure. The ore body that produced the rich values at the turn of the last century was thought to have been lost forever because the land was developed and sold for private residences. That would be the end of the story for most, but not for us. We are pretty sure that we know what is likely just lying underground, waiting untouched and unseen by human eyes for more than a century after the fire that closed the mine for good in 1918. Now, depending on where exactly it is, we will be able to access all of that wealth, as we likely now own it!"

On the completed expansion project Buyer Group Chief Executive Officer David A. Bryant commented, "Access to the New Rambler seemed improbable, at first. Upon studying countless pages of USGS and other geological reports, we felt we could find and target the old Copper Mine complex and gain access to the original workings. We believe we have achieved just that, giving us access to a historical mine that produced well over 1 Million pounds of copper and thousands of ounces of Palladium during the WW1 era. This is a huge find for us and we look forward to entering and connecting the New Rambler Mine workings and tunnels to our own."

About Buyer Group International, Inc.

Buyer Group International, Inc. is targeting exploration at its flagship mining project Shambhala in Albany County, Wyoming. The Shambhala Project consists of 84 lode claims, 2.71 square miles in the historic New Rambler District. The district is located near the south edge of the Cheyenne Belt, a noted Greenstone Belt of the Medicine Bow mountains, which contains various concentrations of rare minerals.

To learn more about Buyer Group International, Inc. also visit:

Corporate Website: https://frontierplatinumgroup.com/

Corporate Twitter: https://twitter.com/buyergroupinc

Corporate Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/byrg/

Corporate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buyergroupinternationalinc/

Corporate Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO6kxAvpr7GwXmeOfYTGkVg

CONTACT:

Buyer Group International, Inc.

Phone: 214-810-1317

Email: byrg.group@gmail.com

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined within Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements relate to future events, including our ability to raise capital, or to our future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause materially different results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects our current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

For a discussion of these risks and uncertainties, please see our filings with the OTC Markets Group Inc. Our public filings with the OTC Markets Group Inc are available from commercial document retrieval services and at the website maintained by the OTC Markets at https://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/BYRG/disclosure

SOURCE: Buyer Group International, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/738748/Buyer-Group-International-Inc-Announces-Completion-of-Targeted-Expansion-at-the-Shambhala-Platinum-Project--New-Rambler-Mine-Access
The House of Representatives of the Netherlands has voted to end net metering. It the Dutch Senate approves the proposal, it could usher in a new era for rooftop PV, with storage becoming crucial for the country's energy transition.The Dutch House of Representatives has approved a legal proposal submitted by Energy Minister Rob Jetten to phase out the country's net-metering scheme, with a narrow majority. "Maintaining the net metering mechanism puts a brake on the long-term growth of the rooftop solar market and thus the energy transition and it is therefore important that this proposal is adopted," ...

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
PARIS, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- HR Path welcomes Unites States-based company Terra Information Group into the HR Path Group as they further establish their North American expertise and presence. HR Path is a global HR leader for more than 22 years, that supports companies as they undergo digital transformation.





Terra Information Group (TIG) is a consulting provider helping companies improve their performance and profitability by streamlining their HR business processes. They specialize in SAP and SuccessFactors solutions for businesses in the USA and provide end-to-end solutions for our customers including installation, support, and consulting services.

Wim de Smet, Partner and Head of US Operations, HR Path Group, said, "At HR Path, our growth continues to evolve as we partner with individuals who share our same passion for people success. In the US, we have experienced over 50% growth this year. TIG exemplifies our philosophy and brings significant experience as a provider of a full line of comprehensive IT consulting services that combines their expertise with the best practices of the industry. I am also very happy to work together with Mrs. Mamta Aggarwal Partner atHR Path."

Cyril Courtin, Co-President, HR Path said, "TIG and Mrs. Aggarwal have partnered with us in the past on numerous digital transformation projects and this acquisition comes to us as the next natural step in progression. We look forward to working together to expand strategically across the United States. With this acquisition, the US will rank second out of our 19 countries across the globe, that will generate more than $20 million in revenue this fiscal year."

Mamta Aggarwal, CEO, Terra Information Group, said, "Our merger with HR Path, allows us to expand our portfolio of services. By leveraging HR Path's global footprint, this expands our offerings to existing and new clients. Our employees will benefit from a broader set of career paths, a wider range of projects and being part of a larger global team to deliver for our customers."

About HR Path

HR Path is a global leader in Human Resources who supports companies for whom the human experience is essential to their digital transformation. Its 3 business lines, Advise, Implement & Run, contribute to the HR performance of its customers.

Created in 2001, with its 1,500 talents, HR Path advises, integrates, and operates in 19 countries for more than 1,500 clients. Its turnover to date amounts to 172 million euros.

More information: www.hr-path.com

LinkedIn

About TIG

TIG is a Global System Integrator with focus on SAP HR / SuccessFactors Solutions. TIG delivers end to end SAP transformation and migration services leveraging our accelerators and pre-configured solutions for all SAP Modules. TIG is also a partner with OpenText, Workforce Software, Kronos, ServiceNow and several other SAP Technology Partners. TIG has a network of over 20,000 SAP Professionals worldwide with 100+ employees worldwide. TIG specializes in SAP Staff Augmentation and Contracting.

More information: www.terrainformation.com/

LinkedIn

Press Contact:

Fabienne Latour

Marketing Director

HR Path

fabienne.latour@hr-path.com

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1998707/TIG.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1998710/TIG_Logo.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1813833/HR_Path_Logo.jpg









View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hr-path-continues-to-expand-with-the-merger-of-us-based-company-terra-information-group-301742289.html
LOUISVILLE, KY / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2023 / The KFC Foundation, in partnership with Western Governors University (WGU), announced that KFC restaurant employees* will have the opportunity to receive 100 percent paid tuition when attending WGU to earn their degree.

Through this partnership, KFC restaurant employees can choose from more than 60 different bachelor's and master's degree programs and certification programs across Business, Information Technology, Education and Healthcare. The KFC Foundation program is non-competitive, meaning every eligible employee who applies and enrolls will get tuition coverage. Access to this opportunity is available beginning day one on the job for restaurant employees. WGU also offers rolling start dates every month, so KFC restaurant employees have the flexibility to enroll at any time and begin online courses as soon as they're ready.

"Every year we look for new ways to support and enhance the lives of KFC restaurant employees," said Emma Horn, Executive Director of the KFC Foundation. "What better opportunity to be able to offer team members than a flexible college degree program from Western Governors University that can fit seamlessly into their schedule. The program at WGU is perfect for someone who may not have enough hours in the day to balance a traditional college experience on top of a full- or part time- job and other life priorities."

Western Governors University is an accredited online university dedicated to making higher education accessible for as many people as possible. It is the leading academic institution where students learn and advance through competency-based education, rather than semester completion. As soon as a student masters the skills in a course and proves them through rigorous assessment, they progress in the program. Competency-based education works particularly well for learners in the workforce, giving them control over the pace of how and when they learn and may save them time progressing through the degree program.

"Talent exists within every individual but the keys to unlock it can vary for each person," said Scott Pulsipher, President of Western Governors University. "Tens of thousands of KFC restaurant employees across the country can now further advance their lives, and that of their families and communities, by accessing and completing education programs that are relevant and personalized. I'm thankful that the KFC Foundation has entrusted WGU as its education partner to expand pathways to opportunity for KFC employees."

The KFC Foundation is an independent 501c3 organization that supports and empowers KFC restaurant employees and their communities by providing education opportunities, hardship assistance, grants for non-profits, and more. In addition to the WGU tuition coverage program, the KFC Foundation offers participating restaurant employees up to $20,000 in educational grants to attend the two- or four-year college, trade school or graduate school of their choice. KFC restaurant employees can apply for and win KFC Foundation scholarships year after year.

Programs offered by the KFC Foundation are funded and made possible by initiatives and programs including at-register Round-Up donations and purchases of KFC's Secret Recipe Fries. KFC Franchisees have the opportunity to participate in the Foundation's Annual Franchise Donation Program, in which a portion of every case of Secret Recipe Fries sold at participating restaurants goes directly to the KFC Foundation. The KFC Foundation's other charitable programs help restaurant employees earn their GED, receive support during a crisis, build an emergency savings fund and give back to non-profits in their community.

"Together with our franchisees, we seek to create meaningful career growth and employee development opportunities for our restaurant teams every day," said Karen Ancira, Chief People Officer, KFC U.S and KFC Foundation Board Member. "Whether it's the opportunity to earn a GED for free, a scholarship to the educational institution of their choice, or 100 percent tuition to WGU, our restaurant teams now have more options than ever to grow their careers with KFC or pursue any career they wish."

KFC restaurant employees interested in the WGU program can go to Kfcfoundation.org/wgu to learn more, and those interested in working at a KFC restaurant can visit kfc.com/careers for more information about available job opportunities in their area.

*To be eligible for the KFC Foundation's programs, one must be employed at a KFC restaurant participating in the KFC Foundation's Annual Franchise Donation Program and in good standing. Must maintain employment while taking advantage of these programs. Some restrictions may apply. See KFCFoundation.org for details.

References to "KFC" refer to corporate and independently owned KFC restaurants. KFC Corporation has no involvement in hiring decisions, orientation, staffing or the setting of wage rates and benefits for employees of independently owned and operated franchised locations. Benefits vary by location.

About the KFC Foundation

The KFC Foundation, an independent 501c3 organization, has provided over $25 million to support and empower more than 9,000 KFC restaurant employees, students and community non-profits across the U.S. The KFC Foundation's charitable programs include GED achievement, college scholarships, tuition coverage, community giving, savings matching and financial hardship assistance, all made possible by at-register Round-Up donations, purchases of KFC's Secret Recipe Fries and other donations. For more information, visit kfcfoundation.org. Visit our social channels: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

About Western Governors University

Established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education, online, nonprofit WGU now serves more than 135,000 students nationwide and has more than 300,000 graduates in all 50 states. Driving innovation as the nation's leading competency-based university, WGU has been recognized by the White House, state leaders, employers, and students as a model that works in postsecondary education. In just 25 years, the university has become a leading influence in changing the lives of individuals and families, and preparing the workforce needed in today's rapidly evolving economy. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, and has been featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News, CNN, and in The New York Times. Learn more at wgu.edu and wgu.edu/impact.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Yum! Brands on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Yum! Brands

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/yum-brands

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Yum! Brands

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/738780/KFC-Foundation-Partners-With-Western-Governors-University-To-Make-College-Degree-Opportunities-Accessible-for-KFC-Restaurant-Employees
FOSTER CITY (dpa-AFX) - Kite, a Gilead Company (GILD) Thursday announced a median overall survival in the three-year follow-up results from the pivotal ZUMA-3 multicenter study of the CAR T-cell therapy Tecartus. The company said the 26 months trial demonstrated durable response in adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia or ALL with a consistent safety profile. The findings were presented at the 5th European CAR T-cell Meeting in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. In the Phase 2 treated patient cohort the median follow-up was 38.8 months. The OS rate at 36.0 months was 47.1% with a median OS of 26.0 months among all treated Phase 2 patients and 38.9 months in patients with complete remission or complete remission with incomplete hematologic recovery. For patients treated at the pivotal dose in both Phase 1 and 2, the median follow-up at data cutoff was 41.6 months. Frank Neumann, Kite's Global Head of Clinical Development said, 'We are encouraged by the sustained benefit that a single one-time treatment of Tecartus continues to provide for patients living with this difficult-to-treat blood cancer.' Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Global ecosystem includes the largest set of open source intelligence partnerships in the industry

ShadowDragon, a provider of open source intelligence (OSINT), unique datasets and APIs, is pleased to offer an enhanced experience for reseller, distributor and MSSP partners, as well as expanded integration partnerships with leading digital intelligence platforms such as the Chorus Intelligence Suite (CIS), supplied by Chorus Intelligence. Through ShadowDragon's partnership program, which has doubled in size over the last year, customers gain access to a larger slate of OSINT capabilities.

ShadowDragon's tools provide access to over 200 online data sources, including news and current affairs websites, social media, chatrooms, malware intelligence and historical datasets. This access ultimately reduces the friction typically involved with sourcing, collecting, and sorting publicly available information that is critical to modern investigations.

"As the sophistication of organized cyber threats increases, so does the need for cooperation to catch the perpetrators of these malicious acts. We are thrilled to partner with a growing number of companies like Chorus Intelligence on this mission," said Daniel Clemens, ShadowDragon founder and CEO. "We aim to scale our business globally 100% through partnerships, and are eager to engage with anyone in the business of investigation, security, public and school safety, corporate espionage, government services and law enforcement. From basic end users who need simplified access to data, to robust platforms that want to expand intelligence resources, ShadowDragon is increasing access to worldwide OSINT."

Many of ShadowDragon's tools can be integrated via restful APIs directly into other platforms used by investigators. SocialNet and MalNet can also be accessed directly through the Horizon platform, a browser-based link analysis platform that helps investigators easily create graphs to explore their hunches or dive and pivot through datasets to uncover hidden connections.

ShadowDragon's integration partner, Chorus Intelligence, offers an end-to-end digital investigation platform that enables law enforcement, financial and corporate organizations to take control of every aspect of their digital investigations. The platform delivers value by serving up investigative leads from structured, unstructured and consented data. With ShadowDragon's SocialNet seamlessly integrated into the CIS, more shared customers and investigation teams will benefit from the ability to leverage OSINT within the CIS's single pane of glass.

"Chorus Intelligence's experience working with ShadowDragon as an integration partner has been very positive. Our relationship is strong, and we have a shared set of values. Their team of developers are world class, and their technical teams make themselves available and are easy to work with," added Neil Chivers, Chorus Intelligence CEO. "Our approach to helping analysts and investigators improve their crime detection rates, increase efficiency, and promote collaboration aligns well with ShadowDragon's mission. Together, our companies offer a solution to the overwhelming amount of data that must be located and analyzed in a digital investigation today."

ShadowDragon welcomes new opportunities with integration partners, value added resellers, managed services providers, training partners and distributors. Partnerships with ShadowDragon include technical support, use case development, brand recognition, and market strategy to help businesses grow and achieve lasting success. Training is also available for all ShadowDragon products. Visit ShadowDragon's updated partnership page for more information.

About ShadowDragon

ShadowDragon provides comprehensive, cyber investigative resources and training for use by private companies, intelligence gathering professionals, law enforcement, and government. The U.S.-based company delivers open source intelligence (OSINT) from over 200 networks including social media platforms, chat rooms, forums, historical datasets, and the dark web. The company monitors malware history, data breach dumps, and other areas for active cyber threats. These data collection and analytic tools help defend against malicious acts in the digital and physical world. For more information, visit www.shadowdragon.io. Check out our Trust Center for ShadowDragon's approach to "OSINT for good".

About Chorus Intelligence

Chorus Intelligence is a trusted supplier of data cleansing, analysis, search and entity enrichment software for law enforcement, government agencies, financial and corporate institutions across the globe. Made up of one platform and a single user interface, the Chorus Intelligence Suite (CIS) can be used by all, no matter your role, to get answers from your data. Founded in 2011, Chorus is used by most agencies in the UK and many North American agencies. Be empowered at every stage of an investigation to confidently turn data into intelligence and evidence. For more information visit www.chorusintel.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230209005076/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact

Joshua Cooper

LaunchTech Communications

732-977-2950

jcooper@golaunchtech.com
New collaboration expands quantum computing development for chemical and pharmaceutical industries

SEEQC, the digital quantum computing company, and BASF, the world's largest chemical company, today announced a partnership to explore the application of quantum computing in chemical reactions. This research will specifically explore the potential of quantum in dissolved catalysts, otherwise known as homogeneous catalysis.

Through this partnership, BASF joins the SEEQC-led QuPharma project, launched in 2021 to explore how quantum computing can accelerate the process of drug discovery, in partnership with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company. BASF's partnership expands the commercial focus of this project to include simulations important for the chemical industry.

SEEQC will use its proprietary digital chip-based quantum computer to scale support of commercial simulations in industrial catalysts. The industrial catalysts targeted in this project are particularly challenging to simulate with today's computers, yet they form the basis of one of the largest homogeneously catalyzed reactions in the industry, producing nearly 10 million metric tons of oxo chemicals each year.

By partnering with SEEQC in the QuPharma project, BASF will apply its substantial expertise to critical pharmaceutical research. Combined with SEEQC's scalable chip-based quantum computer platform, this expertise can effectively tackle challenges and offer accuracy in simulations of chemical structures.

"SEEQC is addressing the bottlenecks of scaling by integrating critical system functionality on a unique system-on-a-chip quantum computing platform," said Horst Weiss, vice president, Next Generation Computing at BASF. "By partnering with SEEQC, we can investigate how to map our specific use-case to its unique technology, achieving an earlier advantage in the NISQ era and exploring how it can scale with fault-tolerant quantum computing."

SEEQC uses a different method from most quantum computing companies. Through single-flux quantum electronics (SFQ), SEEQC has developed a "system-on-a-chip" approach to quantum. SFQ technology allows SEEQC to drastically reduce the required input and output lines connecting room-temperature electronics and qubits via ultra low latency and energy-efficient, chip-based digital multiplexing, readout and control. This enables greater scaling potential and lower energy consumption, thus delivering a stable and commercially viable quantum computer.

SEEQC's quantum system provides the energy- and cost-efficiency, speed and digital control required to make quantum computing useful and bring the first commercially-scalable, problem-specific quantum computer to market. BASF joining Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany as end-customer partners with SEEQC further validates SEEQC's commercial and technical advantages over its competitors. Through these partnerships, SEEQC will deliver platforms that support applications within the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, ensuring SEEQC and its partners have early access to two key markets for quantum computing.

"Partnering with BASF enables SEEQC to further expand the commercial targets of our application-specific quantum computing platform," said Matthew Hutchings, SEEQC's chief product officer and co-founder. "Working with a chemical industry leader like BASF further validates our scalable quantum computing roadmap and strengthens our application-driven platform development."

"We are excited to have BASF join the project," said Global Head of Group Digital Innovation, Philipp Harbach, at Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. "This complements our work with SEEQC and the QuPharma partners and will ultimately push the chemical and pharmaceutical industry towards realizing a quantum advantage earlier."

The QuPharma project launched in November 2021 to build and deliver a full-stack quantum computer that can be used alongside classical supercomputers to speed up the drug development process. SEEQC was awarded a 6.8 million ($9 million) contract to lead the project, along with a consortium of partners spanning the quantum computing supply chain including Riverlane, Oxford Instruments, the University of Oxford, Medicines Discovery Catapult, and members from the Science and Technology Facilities Council, including the UK's National Quantum Computing Centre and the Hartree Centre.

Through the QuPharma project, SEEQC is providing its end customers with a clear roadmap for when quantum computing will provide commercial value to their businesses. In an effort to increase reliability and investment, SEEQC will deliver key scalable platform features, including low-latency digital readout, stable digital multiplexing and more along this roadmap through the QuPharma project.

About SEEQC:

SEEQC is developing the first fully digital chip-based quantum computing platform scalable for energy efficient quantum datacenters. SEEQC combines classical and quantum technologies to address the efficiency, stability, and cost issues endemic to quantum computing systems. The company applies classical and quantum technology through digital readout, control and multiplexing technology and a unique chip-scale architecture. SEEQC's quantum system provides the energy- and cost-efficiency, speed, and digital control required to bring the first commercially-scalable, problem-specific quantum computing application to market. SEEQC is one of the first companies to have built a superconductor multi-layer commercial chip foundry and through this experience has the infrastructure in place for the design, testing, and manufacturing of quantum-ready superconductors. SEEQC is based in Elmsford, NY with facilities in London, UK, and Naples, Italy.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230209005326/en/

Contacts:

James Conway

104 West for SEEQC

seeqc@104west.com
Greatly Expands Availability of Products

MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2023 / Miami Breeze Car Care Inc. (MBCC), an automotive care product company that designs and develops high-quality products for unique, luxury, and vintage vehicles, is pleased to announce their latest product, an all-purpose car interior and leather cleaner that restores a 'new car smell,' is now available for purchase on Amazon.com.

Considering the characteristic scent of a new car fades by 20% each subsequent week after it's purchased, MBCC is passionate about making leather conditioner for car seats that allow drivers to enjoy the pristine, brand-new freshness of their automotive purchase.

"Cars are expensive investments, which is why car owners should be able to prolong that feeling of spotless interiors, leather finishes, fabric seating, and car accessories upon making their purchase," said W. Ruecker, Founder and CEO of Miami Breeze Car Care. "We had this in mind when we formulated our latest Miami Breeze Ultimate Car Cleaner product, which is now available for purchase on Amazon.com."

MBCC's all-purpose car interior and leather cleaner can be used to clean car dashboards, leather seats, fabric interiors, and other harder-to-reach parts of the vehicle. The cleaner can effectively remove dirt, dust, and grimy build-up, allowing car owners to detail their car interiors quickly and easily.

Additionally, considering UV exposure dries out interior accessories like leather and dashboard accents, this all-purpose car cleaner keeps the interior of the automobile spotless for longer, adding to its longevity. Miami Breeze recommends spraying the solution onto a microfiber cloth, making it seamless to wipe off any part of the car.

"Our cleaner cleans, conditions, preserves, and restores interior surfaces to their original matte factory finishes," said W. Ruecker. "Not only will the dashboard cleaner preserve the vehicle's accessories, but it will also stop dust accumulation, remove filth, and contribute to a fresh, healthy scent that makes driving relaxing and pleasant. Spread the word on the release of our product today."

The car interior cleaner comes in 16oz. bottles, measuring 8.66 x 2.55 x 2.55 inches, weighing a total of 1.15 pounds.

Every product available through MBCC is developed by their proprietary research and formulation lab team based out of Germany.

Miami Breeze Car Care Inc. has both an Amazon Storefront, as well as a European shop that makes it easy for consumers to view and test their products. Their new interior car cleaner listed on Amazon already has two five-star reviews from verified customers.

To shop their new car smell all-purpose car cleaner, visit: https://www.amazon.com/Breeze-Ultimate-Purpose-Interior-Cleaner/dp/B0BCH21QRR/.

To learn more about Miami Breeze Car Care Inc., visit: https://miami-breeze.com/.

ABOUT MIAMI BREEZE

MIAMI BREEZE is a new, US-based brand that develops, manufactures and sells advanced, high-end automotive care products. It has developed a breakthrough product that provides a long-lasting new car scent. The company's products are formulated and made in Germany - the center of the luxury automotive world.

MIAMI BREEZE's goal is to make sure users receive a high-quality product, which cleans and protects all parts of the vehicle, including leather, vinyl, plastic, dashboard, seats, and much more. It also gives the automobile a perfect, fresh, like-new car scent!

To learn more about MIAMI BREEZE, please visit miami-breeze.com or follow

@miamibreeze.carcare on Facebook, and @miamibreeze_carcare on Instagram.

For further information, please contact:

press@miami-breeze.net

Miami Breeze Car Care Inc.

848 Brickell Ave. PH 5

Miami, FL 33131 U.S.A

https://miami-breeze.com/

SOURCE: MIAMI BREEZE CAR CARE INC

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/738744/Miami-Breeze-Car-Care-Releases-All-Purpose-Car-Interior-and-Leather-Cleaner-on-Amazoncom
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2023 / Aclara Resources Inc. ("Aclara" or the "Company") (TSX:ARA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Maria Olivia Recart to Aclara's board of directors (the "Board"), following the unanimous approval by the existing members of the Board. Ms. Recart will also serve as Chair of the Sustainability Committee of the Board. Following the appointment of Ms. Recart, the Board will be comprised of 7 directors, 4 of whom are independent.

"We are pleased to welcome Maria Olivia to the Aclara Board," said Eduardo Hochschild, Chairman of Aclara. "Maria Olivia's extensive ESG experience covering ethical production, sustainable supply chains, community and government relations, environmental matters and social value, will be invaluable to Aclara as we grow our business and pursue our mission to be the cleanest heavy rare earths producer in the world."

Ms. Recart is an independent non-executive member of the board of directors of CAP S.A, a Chilean listed producer of iron ore, which owns a steel refinery and a company that builds iron and steel products (including housing panels). She also serves as president of the Audit Committee as well as a member of certain other committees of CAP S.A. She is also a board member of Comunidad Mujer, a Chilean non-profit organization advocating for women's issues in public policy.

Previously, Ms. Recart was the Rector of Universidad Santo Tomas from 2019 to 2023. Prior to that, she worked at BHP from 2010 to 2018 as Vice President Corporate Affairs, where she was responsible for community engagement, communications, government relations and social value strategy for the Americas. During that time, she also served as a member of the Owners' Council of Escondida (the largest copper mine in the world by production, owned by BHP, Mitsubishi and Rio Tinto), where she advised on a range of operational (including safety), financial, commercial, HR and strategy issues. She was also appointed as Vice President of the board of directors of Fundacion Chile, a mixed board composed of Chilean government officials and BHP appointed professionals; Vice President of Centro de Entrenamiento Industrial y Minero (CEIM), an apprentice learning center to promote the skills needed in workforce for productivity impact in mining and construction operations; and Vice President of Fundacion Minera Escondida, a non-profit organization in the region of Antofagasta whose initiatives are focused on making impact in the region's human and social capital and target minorities, the indigenous communities and women in particular.

Ms. Recart also has experience in the public sector in Chile, where she served as Vice Minister of Finance between 2006 and 2010 under President Michelle Bachelet's first government and was responsible for the team that led Chile into the OECD.

"I'm honored to welcome Maria Olivia to our Board", said Ramon Barua, Chief Executive Officer and director of Aclara. "As we implement our strategic plan, it is especially important that our Board membership reflects our commitment to our communities and our environment. We are very pleased that Maria Olivia, who is from the Biobio Region in Chile, will contribute remarkable in-country experience, a strong business network and added enthusiasm to our Aclara story."

About Aclara

Aclara Resources is a Rare Earths company with a development project in Chile and is listed on the TSX (TSX:ARA). Aclara is initiating the development of its resources through a project called the Penco Module, which covers a surface area of approximately 600 hectares, and which hosts ionic clays rich in rare earth elements. Aclara is currently focused on the development and future construction and operation of the Penco Module, which will aim to produce a rare earth concentrate through a processing plant that will be fed by clays from nearby deposits. Aclara's extraction process offers several environmentally positive attributes such as: no blasting, crushing, or milling; no tailings facility; minimal water consumption due to a high level of water recirculation; is amenable to leaching with a fertilizer; and contains no radioactivity. In parallel with the development of the Penco Module, the Company intends to define additional opportunities to increase potential future rare earth element production via intensive greenfield exploration programmes and the development of additional project "modules" within the Company's concessions.1

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflects the Company's current expectations regarding future events, including statements with regard to, among other things, management's expectations as to the accretive value to the Company from the appointment of Ms. Recart to the Board. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form dated as of March 30, 2022 filed on the Company's SEDAR profile. Actual results and timing could differ materially from those projected herein. Unless otherwise noted or the context otherwise indicates, the forward-looking information contained in this news release is provided as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required under applicable securities laws.

For further information, please contact:

Ramon Barua

Chief Executive Officer

investorrelations@aclara-re.com

SOURCE: Aclara Resources Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/738746/Aclara-Appoints-New-Director
Florida Arbor Day is recognized on the third Friday in January

Company encourages strategic tree planting to maximize environmental benefits, conserve energy and help keep power on

Nearly 11,000 trees distributed since 2017 through Energy-Saving Trees program

ST. PETERSBURG, FL / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2023 / In honor of Florida Arbor Day, Duke Energy Florida is collaborating with the Arbor Day Foundation's Energy-Saving Trees program to give away 1,200 free trees.

Starting on Florida Arbor Day, January 20, Duke Energy customers can request a free tree online at arborday.org/dukeenergy, until all trees are distributed.

The one-gallon trees are shipped directly to customers' homes with planting and care instructions. They are expected to be delivered in time for National Arbor Day, April 28, 2023.

Available tree species include the dahoon holly, sweetbay magnolia, baldcypress, crape myrtle (pink) and crape myrtle (red).

Duke Energy Florida is donating $50,000 to the Arbor Day Foundation to purchase and distribute the trees through its Energy-Saving Trees program.

"For years, Duke Energy Florida has teamed up with the Arbor Day Foundation in giving away nearly 11,000 free trees to customers and communities throughout the state," said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. "To provide reliable service, it's important we maintain trees and other vegetation along the lines that deliver electricity to our customers. By planting the right tree in the right place, you are assisting us in providing the safe, reliable service you depend on, while helping to keep the environment healthy and beautiful."

The Arbor Day Foundation's Energy-Saving Trees and Tree Line USA programs demonstrate how trees and utilities can coexist for the benefit of communities and citizens by highlighting best management practices in public and private utility arboriculture. Duke Energy Florida has been recognized for its tree management practices for 17 consecutive years.

For information about planning and planting vegetation around electrical facilities, please visit Duke Energy's Right Tree Right Place website.

Duke Energy Florida

Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 10,300 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 1.9 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 28,000 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2022 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "World's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

View original content here

Media contact: Audrey Stasko

Media line: 800.559.3853

Twitter: @DE_AudreyS

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Duke Energy on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Duke Energy

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/duke-energy

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Duke Energy

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/738782/Duke-Energy-Celebrates-Florida-Arbor-Day-by-Giving-Away-1200-Free-Trees-to-Customers-Throughout-the-State
Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur--(Newsfile Corp. - February 9, 2023) - Thrupenny, the decentralised financial ecosystem that empowers individuals and communities to take control of their own financial futures, is proud to announce the launch of its long-awaited staking functionality. This new feature provides users with a secure and user-friendly way to earn rewards for participating in the platform's governance and supporting the growth of the ecosystem.

Figure 1

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8939/154186_513d9d57f4e07835_001full.jpg

Thrupenny's Mission: Thrupenny's mission is to offer a broad range of financial services that meet the needs of a wide-ranging user base, from web2 to web3, and from retail investors to institutional players. The platform offers secure storage, trading, and management of digital assets, access to DeFi services, and the ability to earn interest on assets and access liquidity.

Background: Thrupenny was founded with the belief that financial freedom should not be limited to a select few. The company's founders saw an opportunity to create a platform that would allow individuals and communities to take control of their own financial futures, free from the constraints of traditional financial institutions. Thrupenny's decentralised financial ecosystem is built on the principles of transparency, security, and accessibility, and is designed to cater to the needs of a diverse user base.

Product/Service Overview: Thrupenny's platform provides users with secure storage, trading, and management of digital assets, as well as access to a range of DeFi services. These services include lending and borrowing, allowing users to earn interest on their assets and access liquidity when they need it. Thrupenny's platform also offers a governance model that allows community participation in decision-making, ensuring that the platform remains true to its values and mission.

Staking Functionality: Thrupenny's new staking functionality is an exciting addition to its expanding list of features. Users can now take part in the platform's governance and earn rewards for staking and liquidity provision.

Figure 2

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8939/154186_513d9d57f4e07835_002full.jpg

Accessible and User-Friendly Platform: Thrupenny's platform has been designed to be both accessible and user-friendly, with a focus on security and compliance. The company is committed to promoting the adoption and growth of the platform and is continuously seeking new opportunities and partnerships to increase the use and value of TPY for its community and investors.

On the Path to Contribute More in the DeFi Ecosystem: With the addition of its staking functionality, Thrupenny aims to play a significant role in the decentralised financial industry. The company prioritises empowering individuals and communities to manage their financial futures and the launch of staking is a substantial progress towards achieving that objective.

"We are thrilled to bring staking to our users and continue our mission to democratise finance," said Alvis Leong, CEO of Thrupenny. "This new functionality is an important step in our journey to empower individuals and communities to take control of their own financial futures and we look forward to continuing to serve our users and grow our community."

For more information on Thrupenny and its new staking functionality, please visit and follow their social channels at https://linktr.ee/thrupenny.

Media Contact

Company: Thrupenny Protocol

Contact Name: Justin Sim

Email: cs@thrupenny.io

Website: https://thrupenny.io/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/154186
Vancouver, British Columbia and Prince Rupert, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 9, 2023) - Hypercharge Networks Corp. (NEO: HC) (FSE: PB7) (the "Company" or "Hypercharge"), a leading, smart electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions provider, is pleased to announce it has been selected by British Columbia's School District 52 to provide Level 3 DC Fast Charging stations to two of its properties, a high school and a district maintenance shop, with installation due to be completed in Q1 2023.

School District 52 includes the communities of Hartley Bay, Port Edward, Lax Kwa'alaams, Metlakatla, and Prince Rupert. Prince Rupert is a key land, air, and water transportation hub of British Columbia's north coast and connects the core North American road system with Alaska via ferry.

"We're excited to see more communities adding Level 3 charging infrastructure, as these faster chargers are essential for those traveling long distances, bridging the gap between urban and rural areas," said Chris Koch, Head of Growth & Partnerships at Hypercharge. "School District 52 is excited to move quickly and selected Hypercharge for the project as we proudly offer local support, integrated turnkey solutions, and short lead times for fast deployment."

While the deployment of charging stations in the Lower Mainland is regularly reported, Northern British Columbia is also building out critical charging infrastructure. The Prince Rupert Citizen reported on available public fast charging along Highways 16 and 97, and with communities like Prince Rupert adding more of these facilities, Northern BC is well on its way to making electric vehicles more attractive to residents.

Canada is aiming to have all new passenger vehicles sold be zero-emission by 2035 to help Canada to reach its emissions reduction targets of 40% below 2005 levels by 2030, and net-zero emissions by 2050.

-##-

About Hypercharge

Hypercharge Networks Corp. (NEO: HC) (FSE: PB7) is a leading provider of smart electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions that offers turnkey technology to multi-unit residential and commercial buildings, fleet operations, and other rapidly growing sectors. Driven by its mission to accelerate EV adoption and enable the shift towards a carbon neutral economy, Hypercharge is committed to providing seamless, simple charging solutions by offering industry-leading equipment and a robust network of public and private charging stations. Learn more: https://hypercharge.com/

On behalf of the company,

Hypercharge Networks Corp.

David Bibby, President & CEO

Investor Relations:

invest@hypercharge.com

604-881-1730

Media Contact:

Kyle Green | Senior Marketing Manager

kyle.green@hypercharge.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "will", "estimates", "believes", "intends", "expects" and similar expressions which are intended to identify forward-looking statements. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements concerning the timeline for the chargers to be installed at School District 52's two locations; and Canada's targets with respect to zero-emission vehicle adoption and emissions reduction. Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and the actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, assumptions and expectations, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Readers are cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, as such information, although considered reasonable by the respective management of the Company at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and are expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statement. Except as expressly required by securities law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither the NEO Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in policies of the NEO Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/154172
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 9, 2023) - NEWFOUNDLAND DISCOVERY CORP. (CSE: NEWD) (OTC PINK: NEWDF) (FSE: M4K) ("Newfoundland Discovery" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its news release dated January 19th, 2023, it has closed a non-brokered private placement for total gross proceeds of $695,603.94 (the "Placement").

The Company has allotted and issued 11,593,399 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.06 per Unit. Each unit consists of one common share of the Company and one-half of one transferable share purchase warrant, each whole warrant entitling the holder to acquire one additional common share at an exercise price of $0.10 for a period of 24 months from the closing date.

In relation to the Placement, the Company has paid finder's fees of $9,450 and issued 157,500 finder's warrants to an arm's-length party, entitling the holder to acquire one share at a price of $0.10 per share for a period of 24 months.

The Company will use the proceeds from the Placement towards exploration expenditures and for general working capital. All securities issued under the Placement are subject to a hold period of four months and one day from closing.

Further, the Company announces a correction to its news release dated February 8th, 2023 whereby the Company stated the issuance of 800,000 common shares as a finder's fee on the Chubb Property disposition. The correct amount of shares issued is 1,142,857 shares at $0.105, which represents 10% of the value of the shares received pursuant to the transaction.

About Newfoundland Discovery Corp.

Newfoundland Discovery is a Canadian junior mining exploration company focused on exploration and development along the Detour Gold trend in Quebec and the Central Gold Belt in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Company is one of the largest mineral claim holders in the Detour trend and retains significant landholdings in Newfoundland. The Company also holds an earn-in option agreement into the JMW and Maxwell projects in Chapais-Chibougamau area of Quebec.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

NEWFOUNDLAND DISCOVERY CORP.

"Jeremy Prinsen"

President, CEO & Director

Investor Relations

Phone: +1 (236) 513-4653

Email: info@newfoundlanddiscovery.com

Website: www.newfoundlanddiscovery.ca

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statement

This news release may contain certain "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this news release and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/154230
Geochemistry aligns with geophysics and geology on the Dok Trend

60 g/t gold with 2.3% copper in a surface sample from the Yeti Zone

9.6% copper from the Strata Gossan

Drill permit in place

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 9, 2023) - Mountain Boy Minerals Ltd (TSXV: MTB) (OTCQB: MBYMF) (FSE: M9UA) ("Mountain Boy" or the "Company") reports further results from field work on the Telegraph copper-gold porphyry project in BC's Golden Triangle. These latest results continue to validate the prospectiveness of the project and to provide guidance for targeting future exploration and drilling on the property.

On the Dok Trend, which was the focus of much of the earlier work, recent soil geochemistry aligns with the geophysical targets identified in the 2022 season. Work by previous operators focused on the north end of the trend, while a separate group worked the southern part of the trend. Mountain Boy has focused on the middle of that 6-km prospective zone. In addition to the encouraging soil results, the latest rock samples contained up to 5% copper (Figure 1;Table 1). The overlapping geochemical, geophysical and geological anomalies provide compelling drill targets.

A rock sample from the Yeti Zone contained 60.5 g/t gold along with 2.3% copper. Yeti is a second target 10 km east of Dok, and has many historical surface samples with elevated gold, assaying up to 515 grams per tonne (Assessment report 21168). However, this target area has not received any systematic evaluation to date. The recent assay results (see Table 2) also include several samples with more than 1% copper as well as samples with 60.5, 18.9 and 12.2 grams per tonne gold and a sample with 1,575 grams per tonne silver.

Yeti is emerging as a highly prospective target, distinct from the Dok trend, and hosts a variety of mineralizing styles. Copper, gold and silver values have been found over an 3 km trend. In addition, the eastern part of the Yeti area hosts an Alaskan type ultramafic intrusion belonging to the Triassic Polaris Suite. Soil geochemistry over the eastern Yeti from 1990 shows elevated nickel and cobalt values over 3 kilometres. The anomaly is coincident with the ultramafic intrusion mapped by the BCGS (Mihalynuk et al., 2005). The nickel-cobalt anomaly will be followed up this season.

Figure 1 - Target Locations

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The Strata Gossan, a third target northeast of the Dok trend, produced a sample with 9.6% copper (Table 3), complementing a 7.7% copper value reported last year (NR, October 19, 2022). The Strata Gossan stretches 8 kms, in a northeast direction. The Strata Gossan exhibits locally intense hydrothermal alteration (sericitic) consistent with porphyry copper systems. This area was almost completely overlooked in the past and is now recognized as a third important trend on this extensive property. The area between Strata and Dok remains relatively unexplored and may represent an additional target area or possibly demonstrate continuity between what are currently interpreted as two separate target areas.

Lawrence Roulston, CEO, stated: "These latest results greatly advance our primary target area, the middle of the Dok Trend. We are seeing elevated copper values exactly where expected relative to the geophysical target. The geologic setting and style(s) of mineralization are consistent with those of the four porphyry deposits in the vicinity, which are all being advanced by majors, with one now in production. While the Yeti and Strata Gossan are not as advanced as the Dok Trend, both of these areas are also emerging as significant porphyry targets and will be further advanced this year. Results to date on the Dok Trend provide compelling drill targets for this summer."

Mountain Boy's Telegraph project spans 310 square kilometers in the northern part of BC's Golden Triangle. It is located in the Traditional Territory of the Tahltan First Nations and in the vicinity of four porphyry deposits being advanced by major mining companies. The property was consolidated through several agreements and is being examined for the first time on a consolidated basis.

Results from the Dok Trend

Early in the last field season, MTB completed a Volterra 3D Induced Polarization (3DIP or IP) survey in the central part of the Dok Trend, where sampling in the prior year identified extensive copper values at surface (NR, September 22, 2022). The western end of the annular chargeability anomaly identified by the 3DIP was followed up with 179 soil samples collected in the Red Creek area. Assays from those soil samples range from 14 to 1,651 ppm copper, 0.005 to 0.351 ppm gold and 0.6 to 65.2 ppm molybdenum. Locally, a pattern of copper enrichment occurs on the margin of the chargeability high. Figure 1 shows copper values in soil samples over the geophysical anomaly.

Work in the Dok area last year also included prospecting, mapping and sampling of other areas within the Dok trend.

Approximately 200 metres to the northwest of the historic soil grid on the Dok prospect, 77 soils were collected over 3 lines. Assays range from 35.5 to 844 ppm copper, 0.005 to 0.157 ppm gold and 1.44 to 21.3 ppm molybdenum. These lines extend the original Dok soil anomaly 1.2 kilometres in a northeasterly direction.

Roughly 2 kilometres to the southeast of the Red Creek area, 38 soil samples were collected along a contour line in the vicinity of a prominant gossan and historic soil geochemistry. Assays from the soils range from 101 to 626 ppm copper, <0.005 to 0.62 ppm gold and 1.4 to 25.2 ppm molybdenum, confirming and better defining the historic copper in soil anomaly, illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 2 - Soil Geochemistry on top of 3DIP chargeability at 100m depth in the Red Creek and Border Areas

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Seven surface grab samples were taken from the Dok-X target. Four samples assayed greater than 0.5% copper with the highest sample yielding 3.1% copper and 0.2 grams per tonne gold. Twenty-four soil samples collected along a ridge in the vicinity of the Chuckster zone also demonstrated elevated copper in soils. Assays range from 44 to 589 ppm copper. Chuckster, located midway between Dok and Yeti, was identified in a 1962 government survey but there is no record of follow-up until the recent work by MTB.

Figure 3 - Geochemistry of the Dok-X Area

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Geologists also collected 31 rock samples at Chuckster, with 9 samples assaying greater than 0.5% copper with the highest being 2.6% copper and 0.44 grams per tonne gold. One sample assayed 129 ppm molybdenum with 0.13% copper and 0.36 grams per tonne gold.

Twelve samples were collected in the Nirvana South area. Samples assayed of up to 1.2% copper and 61.8 ppm molybdenum. Table 1 lists highlighted surface grab samples from the Dok trend.

Table 1: Select surface samples from the Dok Trend

SampleID Prospect SampType Cu (%) Au

(ppm) Ag

(ppm) Mo

(ppm) E078330 Plum select

grab 5.0 0.34 99.2 6.4 E075348 Dok-X grab 3.1 0.22 40.3 3.0 B988069 Chuckster float 2.6 0.44 66.0 3.9 E075273 Chuckster talus 2.1 0.24 20.3 5.9 E075267 Chuckster grab 1.7 0.21 17.6 9.5 E078325 Nirvana South talus 1.2 1.2 0.9 E075337 Nirvana South select

grab 1.0 0.04 9.7 4.8 E078331 Dok-X talus 1.0 0.18 22.4 30.8 E075261 Chuckster grab 0.9 0.05 16.9 10.5 B987684 Dok-X grab 0.9 0.02 17.2 1.6 B988062 Chuckster float 0.9 0.02 6.2 21.8 B988060 Chuckster grab 0.8 0.10 8.0 5.5 E075270 Chuckster talus 0.6 0.02 7.5 4.1 E078353 Chuckster float 0.6 0.02 8.7 6.0 B988068 Chuckster float 0.6 0.01 4.2 0.9 E078332 Dok-X talus 0.6 <0.005 3,344.0 45.6 E078322 Nirvana talus 0.6 0.21 509.0 11.6 E078329 Plum composite 0.5 1.32 2.6 5.0 B988061 Chuckster float 0.4 0.02 2.2 9.6 E078326 Nirvana South talus 0.4 <0.005 0.2 3.9 E078327 Nirvana South talus 0.4 0.05 0.7 2.1 E075265 Chuckster grab 0.4 0.07 9.0 9.3 E075272 Chuckster grab 0.2 0.01 2.1 1.9 E075336 Nirvana South grab 0.2 <0.005 4.7 1.6 E075268 Chuckster grab 0.2 <0.005 0.2 8.8 E075269 Chuckster grab 0.1 0.36 3.2 129.1

Results from the Yeti Zone

Two lines of soil geochemistry samples were taken in the Yeti Zone. The northerly line, consisting of 38 soil samples, are anomalous in copper, gold, nickel, chromium and cobalt. The varied geochemistry is the result of an ultramafic lithological unit in fault contact with variably gossanous volcanic rocks.

Figure 4 - Geology and Geochemistry of the Yeti Target

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The southerly line was a continuation of a mostly anomalous copper-gold contour soil line from 1990 and extended the copper and gold anomaly to 1.2 kilometres.

Geologists collected 26 surface rock samples with assays that yielded up to 3.5% copper, 60.5 grams per tonne gold, 1,575 grams per tonne silver, 4.4% lead, 12.6% zinc and 32.6 ppm molybdenum. Thirteen of the 26 samples assayed over 0.5% copper and 9 samples assayed over 0.5 grams per tonne gold.

Within the main Yeti Zone, the rocks feature local propylitic, silicic and K-feldspar altered intermediate to basaltic volcanic flows, welded crystal tuff and various hypabyssal phases of a composite tonalite intrusion. Mineralization occurs within quartz-carbonate-sulphide stockwork and veins containing chalcopyrite and pyrite with minor bornite, sphalerite and galena, along with localized coarse native gold. Table 2 lists highlighted 2022 surface grab samples from the Yeti Zone and Figure 3 shows the current and historic samples from the area.

Table 2: Select surface samples from the Yeti Zone

SampleID Prospect SampType Cu (%) Au

(gpt) Ag

(gpt) Mo

(ppm) E075292 Yeti grab 3.5 0.51 351.0 12.2 B987675 Yeti talus 3.4 0.26 1,575.0 0.8 B987683 Yeti grab 3.0 0.88 69.5 1.2 B987676 Yeti select

grab 2.3 60.50 23.6 6.7 E078428 Yeti chip 2.0 18.90 11.3 4.7 B987685 Yeti float 1.7 1.42 106.0 9.7 B987680 Yeti select

grab 1.5 0.03 5.0 4.8 B987677 Yeti grab 1.2 0.01 4.0 6.0 E075288 Yeti grab 1.1 4.14 8.5 5.9 E075291 Yeti grab 1.0 0.83 76.9 29.7 E078430 Yeti float 0.9 0.02 4.3 8.8 E075289 Yeti grab 0.9 12.20 3.4 7.8 E078427 Yeti select

grab 0.7 1.9 1.4 E075343 Yeti grab 0.7 0.17 1.8 32.6 E078324 Yeti grab 0.6 0.61 2.2 11.2 E075347 Yeti select

grab 0.4 0.05 3.1 2.4 E075344 Yeti grab 0.3 0.02 0.8 1.4 E075342 Yeti grab 0.3 0.03 0.9 23.7 E075287 Yeti grab 0.2 0.24 1.2 9.0 E075290 Yeti grab 0.1 0.02 18.0 6.3 E075345 Yeti grab 0.1 1.47 0.5 2.7

Results from Strata Gossan

The Strata Gossan extends for over 8 kilometres, beginning 2 kms north of Dok. The gossan results from the oxidation of pyrite, and is interpreted to be the footprint a hydrothermal system related to an underlying porphyry. Geochemistry results from both the soil and the rock samples suggest that the alteration within the gossan may represent the upper portion of a porphyry system. Mineralized veins crosscut the gossan, producing local copper and gold anomalies.

A total of 125 soil samples were collected along three contour lines in the Strata Gossan area. Assays ranged from 31 to 1,604 ppm copper, <0.005 to 0.056 ppm gold and 1.7 to 25.1 ppm molybdenum. Another 7 rock samples were also collected with two samples assaying over 1% copper. Table 3 lists highlighted surface grab samples from the Strata Gossan.

Table 3: Surface samples from the Strata Gossan

SampleID Prospect SampType Cu

(%) Au

(ppm) Ag

(ppm) Mo

(ppm) B987713 Strata grab 9.6 0.03 40.9 7.7 E078429 Strata float 1.3 0.04 16.3 1.4 E075327 Strata grab <0.1 0.01 0.4 5.5 E075284 Strata grab <0.1 <0.005 0.2 3.7 E075330 Strata grab <0.1 0.05 0.8 3.3 E075329 Strata grab <0.1 0.04 0.5 17.7 E075328 Strata grab <0.1 <0.005 0.1 4.1

Results from the Plum Area

The Plum area was identified in a 1990 provincial government survey but there was no recorded follow-up. Five samples taken last fall returned assays of up to 5.2% copper, 1.4 grams per tonne gold and 106 grams per tonne silver. The Plum area is on a gossanous ridge between the Strata Gossan and Yeti. The alteration footprint is visually similar to that of the Strata Gossan. Table 4 lists highlights from the Plum area. These results suggest yet another target area.

Table 4 - Surface samples from the Plum Area

SampleID Prospect SampType Cu

(%) Au

(ppm) Ag

(ppm) Mo

(ppm) E078330 Plum select

grab 5.0 0.34 99.2 6.4 B987685 Plum float 1.74 1.42 106.0 9.7 B987683 Plum grab 3.03 0.88 69.5 1.2 B987682 Plum float 5.16 1.30 89.9 1.6 E078329 Plum composite 0.51 1.31 2.6 5.0

Lucia Theny, VP Exploration summed up the latest results: "We are making progress in understanding this intricate geological system. The multiple mineralizing phases create geological complexity but also produced extremely well-mineralized and potentially overlapping systems. Over the next few months, the geological team will integrate these latest results with the results of work by previous operators. We are also employing various advanced scientific techniques to extract as much information as possible, particularly with respect to hydrothermal alteration and trace element geochemistry. Over the coming weeks, we will be working to determine the next steps as we systematically advance toward a drill program, planned for this summer."

The Telegraph project is permitted for drilling. Logistical arrangements are being implemented for a program that is set to begin this summer.

About Mountain Boy Minerals

Mountain Boy has six active projects spanning 670 square kilometres (67,587 hectares) in the prolific Golden Triangle of northern British Columbia. With the focus on the Telegraph project, discussions are now underway with entities leading to joint ventures and/or spinouts of other projects.

The American Creek project is centered on the historic Mountain Boy silver mine and is just north of the past producing Red Cliff gold and copper mine (in which the Company holds an interest). The American Creek project is road accessible and 20 km from the deep-water port of Stewart.



On the BA property, 182 drill holes have outlined a substantial zone of silver-lead-zinc mineralization located 4 km from the highway.



Surprise Creek is interpreted to be hosted by the same prospective stratigraphy as the BA property and hosts multiple occurrences of silver, gold, and base metals.



On the Theia project, work by Mountain Boy and previous explorers has outlined a silver bearing mineralized trend 500 metres long, highlighted by a 2020 grab sample that returned 39 kg per tonne silver (1,100 ounces per ton).



Southmore is in the midst of some of the largest deposits in the Golden Triangle. It was explored in the 1980s through the early 1990s and was overlooked until Mountain Boy consolidated the property and confirmed the presence of gold and copper, with values up to 20% copper and 35 g/t gold.



Recent field program on the Telegraph project has provided compelling evidence for the presence of a cluster of porphyrys. The 310 square kilometre Telegraph Project is located in the vicinity of several large porphyry deposits including Galore Creek (Teck - Newmont), Schaft Creek (Teck - Copper Fox), Big Red (Libero Copper and Gold), Saddle and Saddle North (Newmont) and the operating Red Chris copper-gold mine (Newcrest - Imperial Metals).

The technical disclosure in this release has been read and approved by Andrew Wilkins, B.Sc., P.Geo., a qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101.

On behalf of the Board of Directors:

Lawrence Roulston

President & CEO

For further information, contact:

Caroline Klukowski

info@mountainboyminerals.ca

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

This news release may contain certain "forward looking statements". Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this news release and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new informationuture events or results or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/154239
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 9, 2023) - Prime Meridian Resources Corp. (TSXV: PMR) ("PMR' or the "Company") is pleased to announce that today the Company received the signed and notarized agreement (the "Agreement") for the option to purchase (the "Purchase Option") a 100-per-cent interest in the Cuatro Hermanos Porphyry Copper Project (the "4H Project"), located in Sonora, Mexico, 185 kilometres southeast of Hermosillo.

4H Project Overview:

10 concessions totalling 8,125 hectares which contains a large porphyry copper-molybdenum system with surface measurements of at least four kilometres east-west by two kilometres north-south.

Initial exploration work on the property by companies including Occidental Petroleum (1969), Amoco (1974-1975), Cominco (1981), BHP-Magma (1997) and Phelps Dodge (1998) was limited in overall extent.

Erosion has been sufficiently moderate so that a leached oxidized capping of 10 to 60 metres thickness has developed over the primary sulphides.

Secondary supergene chalcocite mineralization is present in a tabular zone at the base of oxidation and the presence of exotic copper mineralization, transported by acid sulphate surface waters into stream gravels and conglomerate indicates primary sulphides were oxidized, copper put into solution and acid copper sulphate solutions moved down and laterally.

Primary porphyry copper-molybdenum mineralization, mainly pyrite, chalcopyrite, and molybdenite, is present in quartz-veinlet stock works, disseminations and breccias associated with high level porphyritic intrusions of quartz monzonite to granodiorite and diorite compositions.

Brian Leeners, CEO of Prime Meridian, stated, "The Cuatro Hermanos Copper Project is currently an 8-square kilometre, at-surface, copper and molybdenum system with near-term soluble copper (SXEW) production potential. The asset in its entirety versus the current value of PMR, represents tremendous leverage to rising copper and molybdenum prices which are beginning to reflect projected deficits in forward supply."

Main Zone - 2008 Historical Indicated Resources

Cutoff CuEq (%)** Tonnes Cu (%) Mo (%) Ag (g/t) Cu (lbs) Mo (lbs) 0.0484 277,404,000 0.1682 0.0172 1.3 1,028,866,000 105,021,000 0.0967 252,971,000 0.1801 0.0186 1.4 1,004,348,000 103,690,000 0.1451 243,097,000 0.1841 0.0191 1.4 986,737,000 102,630,000 0.1934 223,794,000 0.1914 0.0202 1.5 944,378,000 99,702,000 0.2417 206,262,000 0.1970 0.0210 1.5 896,008,000 95,660,000 0.2899 177,917,000 0.2049 0.0224 1.6 803,871,000 87,800,000

(1), * See Cautionary Note below.

Main Zone - 2008 Historical Inferred Resources

Cutoff CuEq (%)** Tonnes Cu (%) Mo (%) Ag (g/t) Cu (lbs) Mo (lbs) 0.0483 892,229,000 0.1428 0.0166 0.9 2,808,674,000 325,601,000 0.0965 798,515,000 0.1541 0.0182 1.0 2,712,243,000 320,048,000 0.1448 745,687,000 0.1596 0.0191 1.0 2,623,544,000 313,852,000 0.1929 658,405,000 0.1672 0.0207 1.1 2,426,977,000 300,324,000 0.2409 557,510,000 0.1742 0.0226 1.1 2,141,552,000 277,993,000 0.2890 464,858,000 0.1830 0.0242 1.2 1,875,236,000 248,450,000

(1), * See Cautionary Note below.

Resource calculations are taken from the Technical Report, Cuatro Hermanos Porphyry Copper-Molybdenum Project Sonora, Mexico, prepared for Virgin Metals Inc. (09 August 2008)(1)

** Cutoff CuEq has been recalculated from the historical cutoff grades utilizing metal prices as of February 7, 2023: Cu = US$4.05/lb and Mo = US$37.90/lb. No adjustments were made for recovery as the project is at an early stage and metallurgical data to allow for estimation of recoveries is not yet available.

* Cautionary Note

The reader is cautioned that the historical resource estimates referenced in this release (the "Historical Estimates") are considered historical in nature and as such is based on prior data and reports prepared by previous property owners. The reader is cautioned not to treat them, or any part of them, as current mineral resources or reserves. The Company has determined these historical resources are reliable, and relevant to be included here in that they demonstrate simply the mineral potential of the Project. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the Historical Estimates as current resources and the Company is not treating the Historical Estimates as current resources. Significant data compilation, re-drilling, re-sampling and data verification may be required by a qualified person before the Historical Estimates can be classified as a current resource. There can be no ass0urance that any of the historical mineral resources, in whole or in part, will ever become economically viable. In addition, mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. Even if classified as a current resource, there is no certainty as to whether further exploration will result in any inferred mineral resources being upgraded to an indicated or measured mineral resource category.

Mineralization

Mineralization on the 4H Project consists of disseminated porphyry copper-molybdenum mineralization and peripheral exotic copper mineralization. Known centres of porphyry copper-molybdenum mineralization are the Main-Sulfate Zones, Cactus Zone, and the West Zone (Figure below). Sulphide mineralization is closely associated with the granite-quartz monzonite intrusive complex and associated hydrothermal brecciation, development of stockwork veinlets, and emplacement of dikes and veins. (1)

Figure 1. Cuatro Hermanos Project - Sonora, Mexico

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The Main Zone of disseminated copper-molybdenum mineralization is irregular in surface outline, measuring about 700 metres north-south by 300 to 600 in an east-west direction. Primary mineralization consists of stockwork and disseminated chalcopyrite, bornite and molybdenite in a complex host rock of equigranular to porphyritic quartz monzonite, related quartz porphyry dikes, quartz veinlets, and hydrothermal breccia. The andesite and latite host rocks into which the quartz monzonite complex is intruded contains some disseminated copper mineralization, but molybdenum mineralization is generally low grade. Molybdenum is preferentially present in quartz-rich intrusions, hydrothermal breccia, and quartz veins. A centre for copper-molybdenum mineralization appears to be located in the southerly and potentially the widest part of the mineralized zone. Here, a roughly circular area is cut by eight RC holes that demonstrate disseminated copper-molybdenite primary mineralization extends to at least 300 metres depth; the bottom and lateral limits of this mineralization have not yet been defined. Mineralization present throughout the length of the holes commonly averages between 0.2 to 0.3 %Cu and 0.01 to 0.04 %Mo. The base of surface oxidation and weathering varies from 20 to 60 metres in this zone. Copper is largely removed from the oxidized cap rock. A thin chalcocite supergene enrichment zone of 5 to 30 metres thickness is present just below the base of oxidation. Copper grades in this zone of supergene enrichment vary from 0.3 to 2.0 %Cu. (1)

The Sulfate Zone of disseminated copper-molybdenum mineralization is about 500 metres north-south by about 200 metres east-west and lies just north of and adjacent to the Main Zone. Primary sulphides are chalcopyrite, bornite, pyrite and molybdenite, disseminated in a host of quartz monzonite and associated quartz porphyry, in hydrothermal breccia and in quartz-vein stockworks. Primary mineralization in the Sulfate Zone appears more restricted when compared to the Main Zone and bottoms out at depths of 120 to 200 metres. Oxidized capping is 30 to 80 metres thick and rich in the iron sulphate mineral, jarosite, which gives the zone its name. A thin, secondary supergene chalcocite enrichment zone 20 to 30 metres thick is indicated in the five holes drilled in this area. Copper grades for the zone of enrichment are generally 0.5 to 1.0 %Cu. (1)

The Cactus Zone is an area of oxide and sulphide copper-molybdenum mineralization about 300 by 1,000 metres. Based on the drill results, the oxide zone appears to average near 0.48 %Cu, while the underlying hypogene sulphide zone is near 0.44 %Cu and 0.017 %Mo. Mineralization has been constrained laterally and base of mineralization has been defined by drilling. This zone of mineralization may be a slab of mineralized bedrock that is detached from its original location of formation and moved into its present position along a low angle gravity fault of unknown displacement. (1)

The West Zone is about 1000 metres north-south and 700 meters east-west and is located about two kilometres west of the Main Zone. It has been tested with about 18 holes; 12 were drilled by Amoco, one by Occidental, one by Cominco, and four by VGM. Assay data is available for almost all of the West Zone drillholes, however, apart from the recent VGM reverse-circulation holes, no drill logs have been located. The limits and extent of mineralization are not yet well defined. Low grade disseminated chalcopyrite-chalcocite-molybdenum mineralization is hosted in phyllic-altered granodiorite, quartz porphyry, and diorite, and to a lesser extent in andesitic to dacitic host rocks. Molybdenite is present mainly in the intrusive complex, with higher grades generally related to cross-cutting quartz-molybdenite veins and stockworks. (1)

The North and South Conglomerate Zones are comprised of crudely stratified, poorly sorted, polymictic conglomerates of probable Quaternary age, which were deposited on an erosion surface developed over the Cretaceous volcanic stratigraphy. The matrix of the conglomerates contains secondary copper minerals including malachite, chrysocolla, azurite, and black copper-manganese oxides. Boulders and cobbles in the conglomerate are coated with the same assemblage of minerals. Percussion drilling conducted by Morgain on both areas suggests average grades near 0.52% Cu. Oxidized surficial rocks in the mineralized areas are heavily stained with iron oxides; goethite, jarosite, and hematite are the most common, and are produced by oxidation of pyrite. The secondary greenish yellow molybdenum oxide mineral ferrimolybdite is present but not widespread. Secondary green copper minerals and copper-manganese minerals are present in Quaternary gravels and conglomerates. (1)

The Cerro San Felipe Area where local topographic relief is on the order of 400 meters. Preliminary IP Survey results indicate that a large part of Cerro San Felipe is underlain by IP chargeability anomalies. These results are consistent with observations of extensive limonite-rich oxidized capping that indicates disseminated sulphides are widespread across Cerro San Felipe. Phelps Dodge identified a molybdenum-in-soil anomaly consisting of values of over 51 ppm in an area measuring approximately 5,600 meters by 2,200 meters. This anomaly is very large and covers most of Cerro San Felipe. The exotic or transported copper mineralization at the North and South Conglomerate Zones very likely was derived from mineralized bedrock areas in the Cuatro Hermanos intrusive complex. The shape and location of the conglomerate units indicate they were likely derived from the Cerro San Felipe Area, somewhere between the Main and West Zones. Oxidation and solution of copper in supergene acid solutions is implied and suggest a possible zone of chalcocite enrichment in the bedrock source area. (1)

The San Lorenzo Zone was added to the 4H Project in 2004, and reconnaissance stream sediment sampling and rock chip sampling in 2008 delineated several areas of anomalous Cu, Mo, and Ag for follow up investigations. (1)

Recent Geophysics

A 14-line kilometre induced polarization geophysical survey was completed over the Cuatro Hermanos mineralized system in January 2008, by contractor Zonge Geosciences. One east-west Line was run across the Main and West Zones. Three north-south lines were run across the West Zone, Main Zone, and Cerro San Felipe ridge between the West and Main Zones. Preliminary results indicate that a large part of Cerro San Felipe is underlain by IP chargeability anomalies. These results are consistent with the extensive limonite-rich oxidized capping that indicates disseminated sulphides are widespread across Cerro San Felipe and the Cuatro Hermanos sulphide system. (1)

Qualified Person Statement

The technical contents of this release were approved by Case Lewis, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

References

09 August 2008. Technical Report, Cuatro Hermanos Porphyry Copper-Molybdenum Project Sonora, Mexico. Prepared for Virgin Metals Inc. (by Chlumsky, Armbrust and Meyer, LLC. Richard Nielsen, PhD. & Robert Sandefur, P.E.

Transaction Details

As per the Agreement, dated January 16, 2023, to exercise the Purchase Option, PMR will make cash payments to Minerales Y Yacimientos Mexicanos Sacramento, S.A. DE C.V. (the "Vendor") and complete work expenditures over 60 months for a 100% ownership of the Cuatro Hermanos concessions, as per the following (USD):

Date Cash Payment Work Commitment Execution $ 50,000 12 Months $ 150,000 $ 100,000 24 Months $ 200,000 $ 250,000 36 Months $ 200,000 $ 500,000 48 Months $ 200,000 $ 1,000,000 60 Months $ 5,062,500 $ 1,000,000 Project $ 5,862,500 $ 2,850,000

The Vendor will retain a one percent (1%) Net Smelter Royalty ("NSR"), registered with the Mining Ministry of Mexico.

PMR will also be obligated to pay for the ongoing Mining Taxes/Duties/Fees to maintain the concessions in active status during the term of the Purchase Option. The Cuatro Hermanos concessions are in good standing before the Mexican Mines Bureau (known in Spanish as "Direccion General de Minas").

Financing

The Company previously announced in a News Release on November 25, 2022, that the Company would be relying on National Instrument 45-106 Section 5A.2 and a Form 45-106F19 offering document for an announced private placement offering. The Company has elected to terminate that private placement and offering document has been withdrawn and should not be relied upon.

The Company further announces a non-brokered private placement offering of units at five cents per unit for gross proceeds of up to $1.0 million. The financing will consist of up to 20 million units at five cents, with each unit consisting of one common share of the Company and one common share purchase warrant, with each warrant being exercisable for an additional common share at an exercise price of 10 cents for 36 months. The warrants will be subject to the right of the Company to accelerate the exercise of the warrants if the shares of the Company trade at or above 50 cents for a period of 10 consecutive trading days. Finders' fees in accordance with TSX Venture Exchange policies may apply to the financing. All securities issued pursuant to the financing will be subject to a four-month hold. Proceeds raised from the financing will be used for project payments and holding costs, exploration expenditures and working capital expenditures.

The Company is continuing to seek approval for the La Verde Project from the TSX Venture Exchange and is continuing its due diligence review of both the La Sarita and El Chuin Projects in Sonora, Mexico. The Company will not be using any of the above funds for expenditures on the pending La Verde acquisition until that acquisition has been approved by the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company has reserved the symbol SDCU for the Company's new name, Sonoran Desert Copper Corp., subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval.

About Prime Meridian Resources

Prime Meridian Resources is focused on the exploration and development to production of copper and silver projects in Mexico.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of

Prime Meridian Resources Corp.

"Brian Leeners"

Brian Leeners, CEO & Director

brianleeners@gmail.com / +1 604-862-4184 (WhatsApp)

"Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release."

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/154174
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 9, 2023) - Paycore Minerals Inc. (TSXV: CORE) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed the previously announced bought deal offering (the "Offering") of common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares") (see press releases dated January 19, 2023 and January 20, 2023). The Company issued and sold from treasury an aggregate of 11,293,000 Common Shares (the "Offered Shares") at a price of $1.63 per Offered Share for total gross proceeds to the Company of approximately $18.4 million, including the full exercise of the over-allotment option by the Underwriters (as defined below).

The Offering was conducted by PI Financial Corp. and CIBC Capital Markets, as lead underwriters and co-lead bookrunners, and Canaccord Genuity Corp. and Paradigm Capital Inc. (collectively, the "Underwriters"). In consideration for the services provided by the Underwriters in connection with the Offering, on closing the Company paid to the Underwriter a cash commission of $1,001,021.82. As further consideration for the services provided by the Underwriters in connection with the Offering, on closing the Company issued an aggregate of 614,124 compensation warrants (the "Compensation Warrants") to the Underwriters. Each Compensation Warrant is exercisable into one Common Share at an exercise price of $1.63 per share for a period of 24 months from closing of the Offering.

Each of the directors and executive officers of the Company have agreed with the Underwriters that the Common Shares and any securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Shares held by each of them will be subject to a 90-day lock-up period, subject to customary exceptions.

The Offering was completed pursuant to a short form prospectus dated February 2, 2023 in each of the provinces of Canada, except Quebec, in the United States on a private placement basis to "qualified institutional buyers" pursuant to Rule 144A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and other jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States on an exempt basis.

The net proceeds from the Offering will be used by the Company to fund ongoing work, development and permitting activities at its FAD Property in Nevada and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

The securities offered in the Offering have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Option Grant

As part of its annual compensation review, the Board has approved the grant, to officers and directors of the Company, of an aggregate of 775,000 options to acquire common shares ("Options") pursuant to its stock option plan. Each Option is exercisable for a period of five years at an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Common Shares on February 9, 2023.

About Paycore

Paycore is a corporation incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) and, through its subsidiaries, holds a 100% interest in the FAD Property that is located in the heart of the Eureka-Battle Mountain trend in Nevada, USA. The FAD Property is host to the high-grade poly-metallic FAD deposit that was partially delineated with surface and underground drilling in the 1940s and 1950s. The FAD Property is located less than 3 miles from Eureka, Nevada and has established infrastructure, including a shaft, roads and old buildings. FAD was previously owned by Barrick Gold. Barrick acquired the FAD Property when the Company acquired Homestake Mining in 2001.

Overseen by an experienced board and management team that includes Jim Gowans (Non-executive Chairman), Christina McCarthy (President & CEO, and Director), Steve Filipovic (CFO and Corporate Secretary) and John Begeman (Director), the Company is focused on advancing the delineation of mineral deposits on the FAD Project (which is situated immediately to the south of, and along strike from, I-80 Gold Corp's Ruby Hill Mine).

Further Information

For further information, please contact:

Christina McCarthy, President, CEO, Director

Telephone: 416-712-6151

Email: christina.mccarthy@paycoreinc.com

Website: www.paycoreinc.com

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

Cautionary Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "will", "estimates", "believes", "intends" "expects" and similar expressions which are intended to identify forward-looking statements. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements concerning (i) the Offering and the use of proceeds therefrom; (ii) the proposed business objectives of the Company, (iii) the impact, and anticipated results, of ongoing drill program and results on the Company, (iv) the possible economics of the FAD Property, and the Company's understanding of the FAD Property, (v) the development potential and timetable of the FAD Property, (vi) the estimation of potential mineral resources, and (vii) the timing and amount of estimated future exploration on the FAD Property. Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and the actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, assumptions and expectations, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including expectations and assumptions concerning the Company and the FAD Property. Specifically, factors that could cause the actual performance and results of the Company to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, without limitation, changes to commodity prices, metallurgical recovery, operating and capital costs, foreign exchange rates, ability to obtain required permits on a timely basis, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Readers are cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, as such information, although considered reasonable by the management of the Company at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and are expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statement. Except as expressly required by securities law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES

OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/154204
February 9, 2023

With access to innovative healthcare technologies, clinicians can continue to provide exceptional care to local and surrounding communities and deliver on Quadruple Aim

Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Cincinnati, Ohio, USA - Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, has entered into a long-term strategic partnership with TriHealth, a leading Cincinnati-based integrated healthcare delivery system, to adopt Philips' integrated portfolio of cardiology solutions for its new TriHealth Heart & Vascular Institute on the campus of Bethesda North Hospital and the Harold and Eugenia Thomas Comprehensive Care Center. The agreement allows TriHealth to expand cardiac care and deliver on its promise to the community: provide high quality care, act for the benefit of the community, cooperate with the physicians and other providers to coordinate health services, and to educate the next generation of healthcare providers.

TriHealth is a full-service, not-for-profit health system that services three Ohio counties as well as Kentucky residents living close to the state border, with a wide range of clinical, educational, preventive and social programs. As one of the top integrated health systems in greater Cincinnati, TriHealth is committed to providing access to the highest quality medical services for the communities it serves. Over the last few years, TriHealth has made significant investments, including its recent affiliation with the Cleveland Clinic Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute, to establish itself as the region's destination heart and vascular program. Partnering with Philips is the latest in TriHealth enterprise collaborations focused on sharing best practices and developing new treatments and therapies to achieve the best possible outcomes for heart patients across the region.

"Our mission at TriHealth is to improve the health status of the people we serve. The reimagined spaces and workflow in the new Heart & Vascular Institute will enable us to meet our clinical and operational goals, while the new business model will allow us to adopt the technologies that we need, when we need them," said Jamie Easterling, president and COO of Bethesda North Hospital. "We see tremendous value in our partnership with Philips. Its industry-leading technology, design services, training, ongoing education and support provide all the tools for us to deliver unmatched patient care."

The TriHealth Heart & Vascular Institute is comprised of nine interventional suites where patients can be diagnosed and treated with a range of minimally-invasive cardiovascular procedures. The rooms are equipped with Philips image-guided therapy solutions, including Azurion, and Philips cardiovascular ultrasound systems Affiniti and EPIQ, for improved imaging, simplified navigation, more efficient AI-enhanced workflows and shorter procedure times. The co-location of the labs allows for easy collaboration with specialists, who are only steps away, for consultation during procedures and interventions. For example, an electrophysiologist can easily be pulled into a procedure for a pacemaker implant. In situations like this, standardizing on Philips technology provides consistency across the labs and ensures physicians have familiarity with the system regardless of the lab in which they are working.

"TriHealth understands that it takes both technology and true partnership to deliver the innovation needed to address today's healthcare challenges," said Jeff DiLullo, chief market leader, Philips North America. "Through this collaboration, Bethesda North is becoming the region's premier destination for heart and vascular care, giving clinicians access to the best technology available so they can provide their patients the quality care they need, and do so closer to home."

Later this year, TriHealth will open a new reception/waiting area, nursing stations and pre/post operative bays. Patients and staff can expect additional technologies such as patient monitoring, including advanced clinical decision support tools and smart alarms, which can help clinicians intervene before patients have an adverse event, and Philips ultra-mobile Lumify handheld ultrasound, the company's tablet-based ultrasound that provides telehealth capabilities. The partnership also consists of technology management plans, helping to ensure the health system can benefit from the latest technology innovations which will help them drive their strategy and deliver on their mission.

For further information, please contact:

Mark Groves

Philips Global Press Office

Tel: +31 631 639 916

Email: mark.groves@philips.com

Avi Dines

Philips North America

Tel: + 1 781 690 3814

Email: avi.dines@philips.com

Tom Lange

TriHealth

Senior Public Relations Consultant

Tel: + 1 513 569 6728

Email: Thomas_lange@trihealth.com

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips.

About TriHealth

TriHealth is hospitals, physicians and the community working together to help people live better. We provide clinical, educational, preventive and social programs through Bethesda North, Bethesda Butler, Good Samaritan and McCullough-Hyde hospitals and more than 140 other locations throughout Greater Cincinnati. This includes an ambulatory network, physician practices, research division, employer-based health services, hospice care, and fitness and health facilities. Learn more at TriHealth.com, Facebook.com/TriHealth, @TriHealth on Twitter, and at YouTube.com/TriHealth.

Attachments
Influential industry leaders will advocate for policies that enable drone operations in the United States to scale safely and securely

WASHINGTON, D.C. / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2023 / The Commercial Drone Alliance (CDA), an independent 501c6 non-profit organization led by key members of the commercial drone industry, announced today the appointment of a new slate of officers to lead the CDA in 2023. These industry leaders will work collectively with federal policymakers and industry stakeholders to reduce barriers and enable the expansion of the commercial uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS or drone) and advanced air mobility (AAM) industries.

The 2023 Officers of the CDA are:

Co-Chair Margaret Nagle, Head of Policy and Government Affairs of Wing

Co-Chair Brendan Groves, Vice President of Regulatory and Policy Affairs of Skydio, Inc.

Vice Chair Okeoma Moronu, Head of Aviation Regulatory and Legal Affairs of Zipline

Affairs of Zipline President Ken Stewart, President and CEO of NUAIR

Vice President Neta Gliksman, Vice President Policy & Government Affairs of Percepto

Treasurer James Grimsley, Executive Director for Advanced Technology Initiatives of Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

"There is an incredible amount of enthusiasm surrounding commercial drone technology - and for a good reason," said Ms. Nagle. "This technology can bring a lot of benefits to communities, and CDA is playing a critical part in ensuring a regulatory and policy framework is in place to accelerate its implementation."

"CDA has long been the leading voice of the U.S. drone industry," said Mr. Groves. "As our membership grows, our voice will be stronger and louder than ever. We look forward to partnering with policy makers to unlock the value of drones and enable U.S. leadership in a new era of aviation."

"Commercial drones offer significant life-saving, economic and societal benefits-from creating jobs and enhancing worker safety, to protecting the environment and revolutionizing inspections of critical infrastructure, to expanding equitable and efficient access to medicines, to generating tremendous economic value and facilitating commercial deliveries, to enhancing public safety and fighting wildfires," stated Lisa Ellman, CDA's Executive Director. "Now more than ever, full integration of drones safely and securely into the National Airspace System is critical to unlocking these crucial benefits for all Americans. We are grateful to the CDA Executive Officers for their expertise and assistance in shaping the future of the commercial drone industry."

CDA's Officers serve on the Board together with CDA's other Directors: Matt McCardle (Amazon Prime Air), Aaditya Devarakonda (Dedrone), Eric Schwartz (Florida Power & Light), Grant Jordan (Skysafe), Jeff Cole (Hidden Level), and Dean Allen Barefield (Southern Company).

About CDA's 2023 Officers:

Margaret Nagle, Wing: Margaret is the Head of Policy, Regulatory and Community Affairs at Wing where she leverages 20+ years of government and advocacy experience to advance new aviation use cases. Previously, Margaret was Head of Americas Policy at X, the Moonshot Factory and Head of Americas Government Policy at Yahoo. Margaret also has extensive public sector experience, where she most recently served as Assistant to the Vice President for Legislative Affairs. In that role, she led the Vice President's legislative affairs office and served as his top liaison to Congress. As a senior White House Legislative Affairs aide, Margaret played a key role in crafting and implementing legislative strategies to advance Administration priorities.

Brendan Groves, Skydio: Brendan is the Vice President of Regulatory and Policy Affairs at Skydio. Before joining Skydio, Brendan held senior positions in the federal government, serving most recently as Associate Deputy Attorney General in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). In that role, he managed DOJ's national security policy portfolio and led DOJ's drone program. As a member of the FAA's Executive Committee on UAS, Brendan played a leadership role in shaping the government's approach to integrating drones into the national airspace. He also spearheaded the development and passage of pathbreaking legislation enabling the government to counter malicious drones. Earlier, Brendan served as an officer in the Air Force and as Special Counsel to the General Counsel of the National Security Agency.

Okeoma Moronu, Zipline: Okeoma is the Head of Global Aviation Regulatory Affairs at Zipline where she helps flying robots change how goods are moved around the world. Prior to joining Zipline, Okeoma served as Director of Corporate Finance & Asset Management at CHC Helicopter. She began her legal career in New York as an associate in the Global Securities Practice Group of Milbank Tweed LLP. Okeoma is also a member of Pipeline Angels, which is focused on changing the face of angel investing and venture capital.

Ken Stewart, NUAIR: Ken serves as President and CEO of NUAIR (Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance Inc.)where he is responsible for operations of the FAA designated New York UAS Test Site at Griffiss International Airport in Rome, NY. He also is responsible for the vision and advancement of New York's AAM Proving Grounds and 50-mile UAS corridor between Syracuse and Rome, facilitating beyond visual line of sight testing, commercial operations, and the safe integration of UAS and electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLS) into the national airspace. Prior to joining NUAIR, Mr. Stewart served as the CEO of AiRXOS, a GE aviation company, where he led innovation, development, and commercialization of Unmanned Traffic Management services platform. While at AiRXOS, Mr. Stewart also served as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the CDA.

Neta Gliksman, Percepto: Neta is Vice President of Policy & Government Affairs at Percepto and works closely with regulatory bodies, such as the such as the FAA and CASA in Australia, customers and other drone solution providers to secure Percepto's leadership and influence in drone regulation. Neta brings her vast corporate and military experience combined with comprehensive knowledge in global drone regulation to Percepto's regulation team. She previously worked at various hi-tech companies and law firms, such as IBM and Shibolet & co.

James Grimsley, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma: James is the Executive Director of Advanced Technology Initiatives for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. He was appointed to the Oklahoma Transportation Commission in May 2019 and currently serves as the Transportation Commissioner for Oklahoma District 2. James has also been appointed to the Oklahoma Advanced Mobility Program Advisory Council and the FAA's Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC). Previously, James founded several successful technology company startups and is a former Associate Vice President for Research at the University of Oklahoma - Norman Campus (OU). He was also the founding director of the OU Center for Applied Research and Development (CARD).

About the Commercial Drone Alliance

The Commercial Drone Alliance is an independent non-profit organization led by key leaders in the commercial drone and advanced air mobility industries. The CDA brings together commercial drone end-users, manufacturers, service providers, advanced air mobility companies, drone security companies, and vertical markets, including oil and gas, precision agriculture, construction, security, communications technology, infrastructure, newsgathering, and filmmaking. The CDA works with all levels of government to collaborate on policies for industry growth and seeks to educate the public on the safe and responsible use of commercial drones to achieve economic benefits and humanitarian gains. Learn more at www.commercialdronealliance.org.

Media Contact:

Joel Richman

Escalate PR

CDA@escalatepr.com

SOURCE: Commercial Drone Alliance

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/738656/Commercial-Drone-Alliance-Welcomes-a-New-Slate-of-Officers-in-2023
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2023 / Preparing for an Accessible Electric Future

Local, state, and federal agencies responsible for infrastructure investment are under mounting pressure to show progress on addressing climate change and socio-economic inequities. Investing in publicly accessible electric vehicle (EV) charging networks presents a compelling opportunity. However, expanding public charging has proved challenging despite evidence that increased access will both level economic playing fields for individuals and allow public fleets to achieve carbon goals faster.

5 Keys to EV Charging Success for Public Agencies:

Size matters

Take advantage of scale to maximize buying power Attract private capital

Leverage public land and facilities to forge partnerships Ensure equitable access

Avoid charging deserts by investing in people and power Choose the right partner

Find business partners that align with agency location strategy Create proximity to EV charging

Use infrastructure to connect cultural and social services

To meet federal emissions-reduction goals set forth in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the White House's Electric Vehicle Charging Action Plan, half of all vehicles sold in the U.S. will need to have zero emissions by 2030. Adequately serving these vehicles will require the construction and operation of 1.2 million public EV chargers by the same year. Historic levels of federal and state funding ($5 billion for national charging networks and $2.5 billion for communities and corridors) will accelerate deployment. Enhancing the equitable and environmental efficacy of these EV charging networks will require holistic front-end coordination across jurisdictions and government agencies.

EV charging networks are a real estate challenge with a technical tail. - Stephen EngblomSenior Managing Director, CBRE Infrastructure & Public Enterprise

Although an entire class of technical and engineering solutions has developed to support EV charging networks, deploying charging infrastructure remains a real estate challenge. Before installing charging networks becomes an engineering issue, it is a question of planning and finding locations that serve community needs; forging real estate partnerships and power agreements; integrating program design and implementation; and managing leases, financial data, and charging equipment and environments. Public agencies need insights from expert partners along the entire life cycle of EV charging networks to ensure they are optimizing public investments and assets as well as prioritizing their executive and field staff resources.

Critical Success Factors

Optimizing an equitable charging network starts with a strong understanding of where and when a community needs charging and integrating this political and locational intelligence with equipment and location lease terms, integrated power agreements and operational savvy.

Real climate impact and social change will come only when chargers are well-located, operated and managed to allow everyone quick, affordable, and safe access to charging. From identifying where and what type of charging is needed to aligning with community and regional demands and maximizing local job creation, public EV networks have the potential to significantly improve the lives and livelihoods of millions.

Below are five critical success factors for investing in public EV networks for individual or fleet use, as well as best-practice examples to best serve their constituents and optimize social and climate outcomes.

Size Matters

Take advantage of scale to maximize buying power and streamline processes

Public sector real estate portfolios present an unrivaled opportunity to provide equitable access to charging infrastructure on their sites and within their facilities by leveraging large-scale buying power and streamlining policies and permitting. To ensure a wide reach, public agencies must collaborate across departments and jurisdictions. Governments control dispersed assets that can host EV charging. Solution: Create an EV charging platform to leverage federal, state, and municipal buying power, unify legislative policies, streamline permitting processes, create consistent leasing terms for land and facilities, proactively establish purchase and equipment agreements and monitor management agreements. Example: U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)

The US federal government is approaching the electrification of the federal fleet, which includes more than 450,000 vehicles (excluding Postal Service), by emphasizing the end-to end solutions required to successfully achieve the goals of the federal EV charging plan. "GSA is working to provide a full spectrum of infrastructure solutions to make planning, acquisition, installation and maintenance of zero-emission and electric vehicle infrastructure as seamless as possible."

Attract Private Capital

Leverage public land and facilities to forge public-private partnerships

Government-controlled land sites and public facilities can be leveraged to attract partnerships with technical and business partners and third-party capital. With the value of these assets acknowledged, the impact of third-party capital to accelerate technical investments can be optimized, project delivery timelines met, and environmental and equity goals achieved.

Solution: Public agencies should evaluate how physical and digital assets under their control can be leveraged to attract private partnership opportunities to construct, finance and maintain charging infrastructure.

Example: By leveraging existing assets to host curbside charging savings of nearly 70% could be realized in urban settings. For example, Flo, a Quebec-based manufacturer and network operator of EV charging stations, partnered with the Los Angeles Bureau of Street Lighting, which was upgrading 220,000 light poles to LED, to make it easy to integrate curbside level 2 charging.

Similar level 2 street lighting programs can be accelerated through agreements with a city transportation agency and utility, but this would require both of those agencies to coordinate authority. In Los Angeles, the Bureau of Street Lighting plans to add 150 more EV chargers to its streetlights each year, with support of grants from the California Air Resources Board and California Energy Commission, as well as partnerships with EV charging networks like Flo.

Ensure equitable access

Avoid charging deserts by investing in people and power

Charging infrastructure can serve the public as more than just a charging portal; it can prioritize and connect historically marginalized urban and rural communities with economic opportunity. The Federal Highway Administration National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (FHWA NEVI) Formula program guidance has set the stage for such interagency collaboration, which required states to submit plans on August 1, 2022, for interstate electric vehicle corridors to the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation. While phase 1 of this funding is targeted at alternative fuel corridors on interstate corridors, the same approach will eventually be deployed to incentivize EV charging investment in urban areas or rural zones where marginalized communities would benefit from access to EV charging.

Solution: Publicly accessible EV charging locations should be added to existing multi-agency socio-economic and environmental databases to ensure that investment is prioritized in charging desert locations with the greatest climate and equity needs.

Example: Public agencies wishing to invest in EV charging for public benefit could add EV charging locations to the EPA's EJ Screen, which uses 12 environmental indicators and seven demographic indicators to map environmental justice indexes consistently across the U.S. Building off this existing tool, agencies can identify priority sites for subsidized charging infrastructure to serve historically marginalized communities.

Choose the Right Partner

Find business partners that align with agency location strategy

State and municipal governments are making ambitious net-zero commitments. These commitments mean that investment in EV charging will need to ramp up quickly. From a practical point of view, finding the right business partner and creating favorable terms for a public EV charging network investment will need to be swift and overarching, which will require a thoughtful analysis across a range of factors: flow of capital, locational intelligence, technical specifications needed for level of charging at each location, and the optimal operational and maintenance model.

The right alignment across a portfolio will ensure that deployment of public capital will yield optimal results. Agencies should determine the expertise, scope of services and technology offerings of individual equipment providers and log this information in a centralized database to inform the public RFP-writing process. This will help create pragmatic, attainable strategies that inform goals for partnerships and establish ongoing transparent monitoring and reporting platforms that show clear metrics.

Solution: When considering investing in an EV charging network to address its organizational mission, a public agency should analyze how physical and digital assets under its control align with internal established performance metrics and with external EV charging hardware, software, management, and financing options. While a wide range of EV charging business models are available, finding one that aligns with an established location strategy is key.

Example: Private-sector companies across North America are quickly transitioning from an ad hoc approach to EV Network installation, which worked for early pilot projects, to a strategic EV charging investment framework that evaluates locational intelligence, demand analysis, usage trends, operational change management and triple-bottom-line impact analysis to guide decisions and generate ongoing performance reports. With this strategic framework in place, negotiating clear terms with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and technical consultants, as well as negotiating leasing and maintenance agreements, can be executed with confidence.

Create proximity to EV charging

Use infrastructure to connect cultural and social services

Simply providing charging infrastructure is not enough: Users should find the charging experience safe, reliable, and convenient. While 20-minute high-speed charging clusters in affluent neighborhoods and interstate corridors have become common, historically marginalized neighborhoods are still charging deserts. Public investment in these neighborhoods would help to ensure that essential workers, like Transportation Network Company (TNC) drivers, or single parents who need charging while running family errands have reliable and safe charging access.

Solution: Public agencies should co-locate charging infrastructure with social infrastructure, such as schools, community centers, and community centered retail to amplify societal or agency mandates. For a public agency, charging next to employee services could help drive organizational participation levels. For cities, co-location could enhance foot traffic to social services like wellness facilities or libraries.Many agency vehicle fleets are typically deployed during the day and charge at night. Their charging facilities could be made accessible to public users during work hours while motor-pool vehicles are in use.

Example: Commercial charging networks have developed a strong locational intelligence approach to locating high-speed charging with food & beverage, offering a compelling 20-minute charging experience for customers in higher-income commercial environments and high-traffic corridors. This commercial charging time/amenity provision ratio model could be translated to placing EV charging adjacent to cultural and social services, which would work well with level 2 or 3 chargers, considering the time spent by people visiting those locations.

Shifting Trends Require End-to-End Solutions

Market trends are already moving toward an electrified future. Lower purchase prices and lifetime-maintenance costs of zero-emission vehicles put electric vehicle ownership within reach of more consumers and fleet operators. Some estimate that electric vehicles will soon achieve cost parity with internal combustion engine vehicles. "Range anxiety" appears much lower in first-time buyers, coinciding with a generational shift to millennials and Gen-Z who demand environmentally friendly technologies. Public agencies have a chance to harness consumer trends in the EV market to meet the needs of their constituencies and economic, environmental and equity mandates. By understanding the current and future landscape of electric vehicle charging from end to end, agencies can better position themselves for success.

Charger maintenance and operability are also concerns for the industry. In a recent report, 23% of publicly accessible EV charging stations in the San Francisco Bay Area were not functioning properly. This level of unreliability poses a significant obstacle to less-affluent drivers who do not have a home charger and to taxi and ride-share drivers who depend on public chargers for their livelihood.

Shifting patterns in vehicle and fleet ownership are also set to affect the transportation landscape. Many municipalities across the country are responding to the high cost of building middle-market and affordable housing by eliminating minimum parking requirements in developments well-served by mass transit. This shift in housing, as well as the continued role of ride-share apps, may reduce demand for parking spaces and increase demand for charging access.

Public agencies have a chance to harness trends in the EV market to meet the needs of their constituencies and economic, environmental and equity mandates. By understanding the current and future landscape of electric vehicle charging from end to end, agencies can better position themselves for success.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from CBRE Group, Inc. on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: CBRE Group, Inc.

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cbre-group-inc

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: CBRE Group, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/738790/Five-Ways-To-Leverage-Investment-in-Electric-Vehicle-Charging-for-Public-Good
ATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2023 / Georgia-Pacific:

When we talk about Georgia-Pacific's stewardship framework and the volunteer work our employees do in our communities, then it makes sense to talk about Anthony Reyna.

Anthony, a customer strategy manager, along with his wife, has participated in a number of build projects with Habitat for Humanity, a long-standing partner with Georgia-Pacific. For more than 20 years, we have teamed up with Atlanta Habitat to construct homes for qualified and hardworking families.

In honor of MLK Day, the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage all Americans to volunteer, we spoke with Anthony about what giving to others means to him and why volunteering inspires him to do even more.

Q: Anthony, tell us how you got started with Habitat for Humanity and what made you continue with additional projects.

A: When I was attending the University of Georgia, through my service group, I heard about a house build that was sponsored by several clubs from the school, and the opportunity appealed to me, so I volunteered to try it. Once I graduated and started working for Georgia-Pacific, there was an opportunity to volunteer with the Atlanta chapter, a great reminder of my past work with the organization.

Q: How many builds have you been a part of? What are some of the physical demands from the volunteers and your favorite part of the building process?

A: In 2022, my wife and I entered into Habitat's Century Club, meaning we volunteered 100+ hours on various builds. That includes builds with GP, our local church, and community volunteering. Roughly, over time, I've participated in 13 builds. The volunteers help with placing the foundation and subfloors, putting up walls-really any and everything that goes into building a house. I personally strive to lead an intentional life of continuous improvement that can be marked by stewardship, and Habitat is a natural outlet for me. I feel I am also fulfilled when I can help others do the same, whether on a build site or as a leader at GP.

Q: Tell me a little bit more about how you apply your volunteer experiences as a leader at GP?

A: I constantly view everything I do as an opportunity to best use my resources and talents to help others. In fact, that's part of how I hold myself accountable, I don't shine unless those around me shine. Whether that's helping a new homeowner or a coworker, I personally grow a ton from building authentic relationships and creating value together. Just like on a build site, when working with a team, we're trying to find new and better ways to do things together.

Q: And Anthony, one last question. Your motivation and community efforts correlate to the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his desire to serve others and encourage others to do the same. Any words of advice for those who are thinking about volunteering?

A: When you're able to engage with your community through serving others, you feel more connected with the community and are helping it grow. I find that it is mutually beneficial because what I put into my community through service, I feel I get back. Volunteering helps to open up your perspective and build a connection to the realities of others around you that aren't necessarily your reality. There seems to be an infinite amount of value you can create and receive from helping others. You could even spend 100+ quality hours with your significant other.

If you'd like to support Habitat for Humanity or volunteer your time, click here for more information.

View original content here

Anthony Reyna and his wife, Corinne, volunteering with Habitat For Humanity.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Georgia-Pacific on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Georgia-Pacific

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/georgia-pacific

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Georgia-Pacific

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/738792/The-Power-of-Volunteering-Theres-an-Infinite-Amount-of-Value-in-Helping-Others
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2023 / Together, we honour the past and inspire the future-this is the theme for the Suncor Black History Month celebration and the sentiment we will carry into the year and beyond.

"Understanding the context of the history of the Black community, built on a foundation of struggles, achievements and perseverance, allows for a future of deeper understanding on the challenges we face today in this industry, Canada and the world," says Stephen Muinda, co-chair for Mosaic."

We honour the past

Over the past two years, Mosaic, Suncor's Black employee network, has celebrated its official launch and facilitated tough but necessary conversations to help surface and acknowledge how one's background, personal experiences and societal stereotypes, can help address individual unconscious bias.

Mosaic strives to support its members as they continue to navigate a difficult history of injustice while simultaneously celebrating their achievements and contributions and looking to the future. They've also doubled down on their mentorship program. "Anyone can benefit from a mentor despite their age, gender or race," says Stephen. "There's always room to build your skills, and this mentorship program provides development opportunities for network members as we all work towards removing barriers and bias. It will help us navigate our careers when new opportunities arise."

The mentorship program, launched in February 2021, has created more opportunity for professional development and enhances how Suncor's Black employees experience their career progression, all while enabling the creation of a more inclusive workplace.

"What impressed me the most about the program was the mentor-to-mentor relationship that developed," says Andrew Boutilier, Director, Maintenance - Support Services and a mentor for the program. "At certain points along the way you realize that the roles have reversed - now you're the one learning new skills, focusing on listening to understand and coming out of it with a completely different perspective."

We inspire the future

Suncor's inclusion and diversity journey remains integral to improving engagement, reducing turnover, increasing profitability and promoting psychological safety.

Mosaic and Suncor's seven other employee inclusion networks are resources for members and allies to learn and grow, and for our leaders to create safe spaces for their teams to thrive. Mosaic continues to focus on collaborating with other networks and external employee resource groups, such as Blacks at Microsoft and Calgary Black Chambers, and expanding our identity to be a resource group for Black employees and People of Colour.

"I'm really proud of how Mosaic has been able to amplify the voices of the Black community and accentuate opportunities for its members. Employee networks help us recognize the benefits diversity can bring and expose blind spots.", says Dennis Banks, Senior Vice President Operations Services and executive sponsor of Mosaic. "Suncor's participation and support of Black History Month honours the legacy, accomplishments and struggles of Black people and contributes to a more inclusive future."

Stephen Muinda, Co-Chair of Suncor's Black employees' inclusion network, Mosaic, says the network's mentorship program can benefit anyone.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Suncor Energy on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Suncor Energy

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/suncor-energy

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Suncor Energy

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/738793/Honouring-the-Past-and-Inspiring-the-Future-Suncor-Celebrates-Black-History-Month
CHARLOTTE, NC / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2023 / The Country Music Association and Discovery Education today announced a new virtual experience from their Working In Harmony: Every Voice is Instrumental educational initiative. Country Music's Biggest Night: STEAM Takes the Spotlight Virtual Field Trip shows students in grades 6-12 how science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) drive innovation in Country Music.

Premiering February 16th at 1 PM ET and available on-demand, this first-of-its-kind experience takes students behind the scenes of a major music event to discover the processes and people that make the televised production seem effortless. Students will meet the various STEAM professionals with diverse skills and backgrounds that help make Country Music's Biggest Night a reality. By introducing students to critical behind-the-scenes professions, which include stage management, hair and makeup, production, and security, the Country Music's Biggest Night: STEAM Takes the Spotlight Virtual Field Trip pulls back the curtain on the CMA Awards, the longest-running annual music awards program on network television. Learn more and register here.

"STEAM is incredibly important to the arts, including the Country Music industry," said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. "In partnership with Discovery Education, students now have a one-of-a-kind glimpse into the exciting inner workings of Country Music's Biggest Night that shows both how a production of this magnitude comes together and the talented people behind the scenes that make it happen. Our hope is for students to see themselves in these roles, inspiring their ambitions beyond the classroom."

An accompanying educator guide and multiple classroom activities provide teachers with materials and activities for before, during, and after the virtual field trip. This virtual field trip (VFT) is part of Working in Harmony: Every Voice is Instrumental, an educational initiative targeting students and educators in grades 3-12. Through this initiative, students receive a suite of no-cost digital resources that help them learn about the many career opportunities offered within the Country Music industry. Working in Harmony also includes multiple types of standards-aligned resources that demonstrate how Country Music is driven by bold ideas and a wide variety of unique STEAM careers and diverse professionals.

"We know educators are always looking for fun and relatable ways to connect what they teach to the real world. We also know that students love to explore their career interests through 'real life' examples. This new virtual field trip taking students behind-the-scenes of the CMA Awards provides teachers ready-to-use resources and engaging, on-demand digital content to explore how STEAM is changing the world," said Amy Nakamoto, Discovery Education General Manager of Social Impact.

Learn more about Working in Harmony at CMAWorkinginHarmony.com or within Discovery Education's K-12 learning platform. Connecting educators to a vast collection of high-quality, standards-aligned content, ready-to-use digital lessons, intuitive quiz and activity creation tools, and professional learning resources, Discovery Education provides educators an enhanced learning platform that facilitates engaging, daily instruction.

For more information about Discovery Education's award-winning digital resources and professional learning services, visit www.discoveryeducation.com and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through Twitter and LinkedIn.

About the Country Music Association

Founded in 1958, CMA is the premier trade association of the Country Music industry. Representing professionals making a living in Country Music globally, the organization serves as a critical resource of support and information, honors excellence in the genre and provides a forum for industry leadership. CMA is dedicated to expanding Country Music around the world through a number of core programs and initiatives including the organization's three annual television properties-the CMA Awards, "CMA Fest" and "CMA Country Christmas," all of which air on ABC. The organization's philanthropic arm, the CMA Foundation, works tirelessly to provide equitable access to music education in order to create impactful change for students and teachers across the United States.

About the CMA Foundation

The Country Music Association established the CMA Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), in 2011 to leverage strategic partnerships, professional development for qualified music teachers, and grant distribution to improve and withstand equitable music education programs for all students nationwide. Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, the CMA Foundation focuses on providing sustainability, advocacy, and accountability within music education by investing in various resources for students, schools, and communities.

About Discovery Education

Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place. Through its award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, and innovative classroom tools, Discovery Education helps educators deliver equitable learning experiences engaging all students and supporting higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Discovery, Inc., Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and trusted organizations to empower teachers with leading edtech solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

Contacts

Grace Maliska

Discovery Education

gmaliska@discoveryed.com

Catharine McNelly

CMA

cmcnelly@cmaworld.com

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Discovery Education on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Discovery Education

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/discovery-education

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Discovery Education

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/738794/Students-Go-Behind-the-Scenes-at-the-CMA-Awards-To-Discover-the-Power-of-STEAM-in-a-New-Virtual-Field-Trip-From-Discovery-Education-and-the-Country-Music-Association
Kingston, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 9, 2023) - Delta Resources Limited (TSXV: DLTA) (OTC Pink: DTARF) (FSE: 6GO1) ("Delta" or "the Company") is pleased announce final assay results from drill holes D1-22-24 and D1-22-25 at the Delta-1 Gold project located 50 km west of Thunder-Bay, Ontario.

Gold mineralization was intersected in both drill holes, therefore extending the Eureka Gold Zone to nearly one kilometre of strike length. The drill holes returned high-grade intercepts of 130.0 g/t Au over 1.0 metre, 30.66 g/t Au over 1.0 metre (within a broader interval of 5.32 g/t Au over 8.0 metres) and 16.42 g/t Au over 1.5 metres, alongside or within broader mineralized intervals. Intervals are reported in Table 1 below.

Holes D1-22-24 and D1-22-25 were drilled in October 2022 to test the eastern extension of the gold intercept from drill hole D1-22-18 consisting of 14.8 g/t Au over 11.9 metres within a broader zone grading 5.92 g/t Au over 31.0 metres previously reported October 19, 2022. At the time, drill hole D1-22-18 was the easternmost drill hole in the Eureka Gold Zone and suggested a gold enrichment towards the east. Drill holes D1-22-24 and D1-22-25 were collared respectively 50 metres and 100 metres east of drill hole D1-22-18 (see figures 1 and 2).

Andre Tessier, President and CEO commented: "These new results are extremely exciting for Delta and represent a turning point at the Delta-1 property. The results from drill holes 18, 24 and 25 are showing continuous high-grade gold mineralization over a strike of at least 100 metres in addition to broader gold intercepts. Delta is now drilling the projected eastern extension of this new, never drill tested, high-grade zone with an initial 3,000 metre follow-up program. With its recently signed exclusive exploration agreements, Delta now controls over four kilometres of strike length where the gold zone can be projected, leaving a huge area for expansion."





TABLE 1: Significant results from drill holes D1-22-18, D1-22-24 and D1-22-25



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8482/154243_deltaimagetable1.jpg

DELTA-1 PROPERTY EXPLORATION UPDATE

Delta's 2023 winter drill program previously announced on January 17, 2023 is currently under way at the Delta-1 Project. Delta has now completed six drill holes for a total of 1651 metres, testing the 3D modelled eastern extension of the Eureka Gold Zone. Preliminary observations on these initial 2023 drill holes will be released shortly. To date, 4 drill holes have been cut, sampled and sent for assay. All assay results are pending.

Analytical Protocol and QA/QC

Chemical analyses reported in this press release were performed at SGS Canada Minerals Laboratories. Sample preparation was performed in Sudbury, Ontario. Sampling and analytical procedures are subject to a comprehensive Quality Assurance and Quality Control program that includes duplicate samples, blanks and analytical standards.

The following assaying protocol was adopted at Delta-1 in an attempt to reduce the assay variability due to nugget effect caused by visible gold:

If no visible gold is observed in the sample , an initial assay is performed by 50 g Fire Assay with ICP-OES finish at the SGS Laboratory in Burnaby, British Columbia. If the assay result exceeds 2.0 g/t gold, remaining rejects are pulverized, a 1 kg portion is screened to 106m and analyzed by 50 g fire assay with gravimetric finish at the SGS Laboratory in Lakefield, Ontario.

, an initial assay is performed by 50 g Fire Assay with ICP-OES finish at the SGS Laboratory in Burnaby, British Columbia. If the assay result exceeds 2.0 g/t gold, remaining rejects are pulverized, a 1 kg portion is screened to 106m and analyzed by 50 g fire assay with gravimetric finish at the SGS Laboratory in Lakefield, Ontario. If visible gold is observed in the sample , the assay is performed by Metallic Screening whereby the entire sample is pulverized, a 1 kg portion is screened to 106m and analyzed by 50 g fire assay with gravimetric finish at the SGS Laboratory in Lakefield, Ontario.

NQ-size drill core was sawed in half lengthwise and half of the core was sampled and sealed in clean plastic bags before being shipped for assay. The remaining half of the core was replaced in core boxes and is stored at Delta's core storage facilities. Standards and blanks are inserted in the sequence of samples on site as quality assurance and quality control in addition to the regular insertion of blank, duplicate, and standard samples accredited by SGS Canada Minerals Laboratories during the analytical process.

Qualified Person

Daniel Boudreau, P.Geo. Manager of Exploration of Delta Resources Limited is a Qualified Person as defined by NI-43-101 was supervisor for the drilling program and has reviewed the technical information presented in this press release.

Delta Resources would like to acknowledge the financial support provided by the Ontario Government via the Ontario Junior Exploration Program ("OJEP"). Delta will be receiving up to $200,000 upon completion of its exploration program at Delta-1.

About Delta Resources Limited

Delta Resources Limited is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on growing shareholder value through the exploration of two very high-potential gold and base-metal projects in Canada.

DELTA-1 covers 58.3 square kilometres located 50 kilometres west of Thunder Bay, Ontario where a gold mineralized zone 950 metres long was outlined through drilling in a multi-kilometre-scale intense alteration halo. Best grades to date include a drill intercept of 14.8 g/t Au over 11.9 metres, within a broader interval of 5.92 g/t Au over 31 m. The zone is open in all directions.

DELTA-2 VMS and DELTA-2 GOLD covers 194 square kilometres in the prolific Chibougamau District of Quebec. The property holds excellent potential for gold-rich polymetallic VMS deposits as well as hydrothermal-gold deposits. Delta targets VMS deposits such as the LeMoine past producer where 0.76 Mt were mined between 1975 and 1983, grading 9.6% Zn, 4.2% Cu, 4.5 g/t Au and 84 g/t Ag.





Figure 1: Geology map showing locations of all drill holes at the Eureka Gold Zone.(Note: The geology is projected to the surface from the drill holes). Assay results are shown from easternmost drill intercepts including drill holes D1-22-24 and D1-22-25 reported in this release.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8482/154243_deltaimage22.jpg





Figure 2: Vertical longitudinal section looking 010 degrees azimuth showing drill hole pierce points, grades and metal factors on the whole Eureka Gold Zone including those of drill holes D1-22-24 and D1-22-25 reported in this release.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8482/154243_deltaimage33.jpg

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DELTA RESOURCES LIMITED.

Andre C. Tessier

President, CEO and Director

www.deltaresources.ca

We seek safe harbor. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The TSX Venture Exchange has not approved nor disapproved of the information contained herein.

For Further Information:

Delta Resources Limited

Frank Candido, Chairman, VP Corporate Communications

Tel: 514-969-5530

fcandido@deltaresources.ca

or

Andre Tessier, CEO and President

Tel: 613-328-1581

atessier@deltaresources.ca

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Information

Some statements contained in this news release are "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words and phrases (including negative or grammatical variations) or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotation thereof. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and involves risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual facts to differ materially. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be those anticipated by management. The forward-looking information contained in this press release constitutes management's current estimates, as of the date of this press release, with respect to the matters covered thereby. We expect that these estimates will change as new information is received. While we may elect to update these estimates at any time, we do not undertake to update any estimate at any particular time or in response to any particular event.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/154243
NAPERVILLE, Ill., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Track Group, Inc. (OTCQX: TRCK), a global leader in offender tracking and monitoring services, today announced financial results for its fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2022 ("Q1 FY23"). In Q1 FY23, the Company posted (i) total revenue of $8.9 Million ("M"), a decrease of approximately 8% over total revenue of $9.6M for the quarter ended December 31, 2021 ("Q1 FY22"); (ii) Q1 FY23 operating loss of ( $0.1M ) compared to Q1 FY22 operating income of $0 .6M; and (iii) net income attributable to common shareholders of just over $0.0M in Q1 FY23 compared to a net loss attributable to common shareholders of ( $0.3M ) in Q1 FY22.

"The quarter ended December 31, 2022, was, as expected, challenging given the allocation of newly manufactured devices to replace the remaining 3G network devices in the field. With the phase out of 3G behind the Company, and our infrastructure reinvestment in place, we expect to implement new programs in 2023 which will enable the Company to grow both revenue and operating income compared to FY22," said Derek Cassell, Track Group's CEO.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Total Q1 FY23 revenue of $8.9M was down 8% compared to Q1 FY22 revenue of $9.6M . The drop in revenue was caused by allocation of most newly manufactured LTE devices to replace remaining 3G devices in the U.S., less activity at customers in Illinois, California, Bahamas and Canada partially offset by increases in revenue for customers in Saudi Arabia, Nevada and Panama .

Gross profit of $4.2M in Q1 FY23 was down approximately 13% compared to Q1 FY22 gross profit of $4.8M due to a decline in revenue of approximately $0.7M and higher device repair and server costs partially offset by lower depreciation and amortization expense and reduced monitoring center costs.

An Operating loss in Q1 FY23 of ( $0.1M ) compared to operating income of $0.6M in Q1 FY22. The decline of approximately $0.7M in operating income in Q1 FY23 is attributable to the decline in gross profit and an increase of approximately 3% in operating expenses.

Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 FY23 of $1.2M, compared to $2.2M for Q1 FY22 due to the drop in revenue, gross profit and the increase in certain operating expenses. Adjusted EBITDA in Q1 FY23 as a percentage of revenue declined to 13.3%, compared to 22.9% for Q1 FY22 for the same reasons.

Cash balance of $5.5M for Q1 FY23, compared to $5.3M at September 30, 2022 . The modest increase in cash position was due to an increase in net cash provided by operating activities of approximately $2.3M offset by purchases of monitoring equipment and the repayment of debts.

Net income attributable to shareholders in Q1 FY23 was just over $0.0M compared to a net loss of attributable to shareholders of ( $0.3M ) in Q1 FY22, a change principally attributable to a decline in operating income offset by currency exchange gains, lower net interest expense and a reduction in tax expense.

Business Outlook

Despite the short-term challenges created by supply chain delays, the Coronavirus and the phase out of 3G communication networks in the U.S., Track Group remains confident that our continued focus on strategic adaptation, and growth, which evidenced success in FY21, will allow us to be well-positioned for a return to growth in FY23. As a result, the Company's preliminary outlook for FY23 remains as follows:



Actual

Outlook

FY 2021 FY 2022

FY 2023 Revenue: $ 39.7M $ 37.0M

$ 38-41M















Adjusted EBITDA Margin:

25.9 %

18.0 %



19-21%

About Track Group, Inc.

Track Group designs, manufactures, and markets location tracking devices; as well as develops and sells a variety of related software, services, and accessories, networking solutions, and monitoring applications. The Company's products and services are designed to empower professionals in security, law enforcement, corrections, and rehabilitation organizations worldwide with single-sourced offender management solutions that integrate reliable intervention technologies to support re-socialization and monitoring initiatives.

The Company currently trades under the ticker symbol "TRCK" on the OTCQX exchange. For more information, visit www.trackgrp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "predict," "if", "should" and "will" and similar expressions as they relate to Track Group, Inc., and subsidiaries ("Track Group") are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions and reflect Track Group's current beliefs and expectations with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties and subject to change at any time. Track Group may from time-to-time update these publicly announced projections, but it is not obligated to do so. Any projections of future results of operations should not be construed in any manner as a guarantee that such results will in fact occur. These projections are subject to change and could differ materially from final reported results. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, see "Risk Factors" in Track Group's annual report on Form 10-K, its quarterly report on Form 10-Q, and its other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. New risks emerge from time to time. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates on which they are made.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This release includes financial measures defined as "non-GAAP financial measures" by the Securities and Exchange Commission including non-GAAP EBITDA. These measures may be different from non- GAAP financial measures used by other companies. The presentation of this financial information, which is not prepared under any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles, is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures are based on the financial figures for the respective period.

Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA excludes items included but not limited to interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, impairment charges, gains and losses, currency effects, one-time charges or benefits that are not indicative of operations, charges to consolidate, integrate or consider recently acquired businesses, costs of closing facilities, stock based or other non-cash compensation or other stated cash and non-cash charges (the "Adjustments").

The Company believes the non-GAAP measures provide useful information to both management and investors when factoring in the Adjustments. Specific disclosure regarding the Company's financial results, including management's analysis of results from operations and financial condition, are contained in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are encouraged to carefully read and consider such disclosure and analysis contained in the Company's Form 10-K and other reports, including the risk factors contained in such Form 10-K.

TRACK GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS



(Unaudited)







December 31,

September 30, Assets

2022

2022 Current assets:







Cash

$ 5,543,340

$ 5,311,104 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $145,111 and $102,570, respectively

5,782,098

6,236,555 Prepaid expense and deposits

736,619

769,006 Inventory, net of reserves of $0 and $0, respectively

747,207

1,053,245 Other current assets

284,578

284,426 Total current assets

13,093,842

13,654,336 Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,863,916 and $1,829,588, respectively

155,977

170,329 Monitoring equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $6,123,281 and $5,950,639, respectively

5,304,953

3,624,101 Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $15,484,212 and $14,804,269, respectively

15,270,561

15,661,417 Goodwill

8,113,308

8,061,002 Other assets

3,714,629

3,509,655 Total assets

$ 45,653,270

$ 44,680,840









Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)







Current liabilities:







Accounts payable

$ 3,400,745

$ 2,858,915 Accrued liabilities

3,234,973

3,042,443 Current portion of long-term debt

518,756

456,681 Total current liabilities

7,154,474

6,358,039 Long-term debt, net of current portion

42,936,769

42,979,243 Long-term liabilities

366,374

398,285 Total liabilities

50,457,617

49,735,567









Commitments and contingencies

















Stockholders' equity (deficit):







Common stock, $0.0001 par value: 30,000,000 shares authorized; 11,863,758 and 11,863,758 shares outstanding,







respectively

1,186

1,186 Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value: 20,000,000 shares authorized; 0 shares outstanding

-

- Series A Convertible Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value: 1,200,000 shares authorized; 0 shares outstanding

-

- Paid in capital

302,499,343

302,437,593 Accumulated deficit

(306,182,505)

(306,218,889) Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(1,122,371)

(1,274,617) Total equity (deficit)

(4,804,347)

(5,054,727) Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)

$ 45,653,270

$ 44,680,840

TRACK GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS) (Unaudited)



Three Months Ended



December 31,



2022

2021 Revenue:







Monitoring and other related services

$ 8,289,782

$ 9,469,729 Product sales and other

565,909

125,927 Total revenue

8,855,691

9,595,656









Cost of revenue:







Monitoring, products and other related services

3,901,994

3,931,578 Depreciation & amortization included in cost of revenue

773,019

863,849 Total cost of revenue

4,675,013

4,795,427









Gross profit

4,180,678

4,800,229









Operating expense:







General & administrative

2,754,521

2,498,359 Selling & marketing

729,470

697,872 Research & development

589,805

590,852 Depreciation & amortization

247,710

416,801 Total operating expense

4,321,506

4,203,884









Operating income (loss)

(140,828)

596,345









Other income (expense):







Interest expense, net

(419,550)

(481,560) Currency exchange rate gain (loss)

483,151

(106,278)









Total other income (expense)

63,601

(587,838) Income (loss) before income taxes

(77,227)

8,507 Income tax expense

(113,611)

313,829 Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders

36,384

(305,322) Foreign currency translation adjustments

152,246

(22,858) Comprehensive income (loss)

$ 188,630

$ (328,180)









Net income (loss) per share - basic







Net income (loss) per common share

$ .00

$ (0.03) Weighted average common shares outstanding

11,863,758

11,525,315









Net income (loss) per share - diluted







Net income (loss) per common share

$ .00

$ (0.03) Weighted average common shares outstanding

11,863,758

11,966,723

TRACK GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NON-GAAP ADJUSTED EBITDA DECEMBER 31 (Unaudited)

(amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)





Three Months Ended

December 31,

2022

2021 Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA









Net Income (loss) attributable to common shareholders $ 36

$ (305) Interest expense, net

420



482 Depreciation and amortization

1,021



1,281 Income taxes (1)

(114)



314 Board compensation

137



75 Foreign exchange (gain)/loss

(483)



106 Other charges, net (2)

165



239 Non GAAP Adjusted EBITDA $ 1,182

$ 2,192 Non GAAP Adjusted EBITDA, percent of revenue

13.3 %



22.9 % Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic

11,863,758



11,525,315 Non-GAAP earnings per share $ 0.10

$ 0.19 Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted

11,863,758



11,966,723 Non-GAAP earnings per share $ 0.10

$ 0.18





(1) Currently, the Company has significant U.S. tax loss carryforwards that may be used to offset future taxable income, subject to IRS limitations. However, the Company is still subject to certain state, commonwealth, and other foreign based taxes. (2) Other charges may include gains or losses and non-recurring accrual adjustments.

SOURCE Track Group, Inc.
LONDON, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Contact Center as a Service Market is valued at USD 4.7 Billion in 2022 and it is expected to reach USD 15.1 Billion by 2029 with a CAGR of 18.0% over the forecast period.





Customers today expect more than just an exceptional experience - they expect CCaaS to be the solution that delivers it. No matter how good your products or services are, or how enticing your prices, without reliable customer service to back them up, your business won't go far. This is true across all industries - the contact center is the first and often the lasting impression a company makes. Customers use the experience they have to decide whether or not to do business with a company, as well as who to avoid. By utilizing a contact center as a service (CCaaS), you can give your call center representatives the necessary tools and resources to create a positive customer experience, make their job more rewarding, and improve results.

Market Overview of CCaas

CCaaS stands for Contact Center as a Service and is a cloud-based software solution used by customer service teams to improve the customer experience. CCaaS is a phone system that utilizes the Internet to make and receive calls, thus revolutionizing how contact centers interact with their customers. It is developed and maintained by a software as a service vendor, and routes contacts from all communication channels using a software application.

Contact center software as a service (CCaaS) is a multi-model phone solution that uses Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology to power its voice function. Additionally, CCaaS allows businesses to view and integrate other communications tools, such as emails, chat tools, web applications, CRM systems, online surveys, sales automation tools, and help desk software, on top of the Internet protocol.

Growth of CCaaS market

The increasing popularity of advanced contact center technologies for better business continuity and smoother customer interactions, as well as the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies into contact center solutions, will fuel the demand for Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS) over the forecast period, driving the Contact Center as a Service market growth.

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Global Contact Center as a Service Market Segmentation

By Service

Support & Maintenance

Integration & Deployment

Managed Services

Training & Consulting

By Solution

Computer Telephony Integration

Automatic Call Distribution

Call Recording

Dialer

Customer Collaboration

Reporting & Analytics

Interactive Voice Response

Workforce Optimization

Others

By Enterprise

Large Enterprises

Small & Medium Enterprises

By End-User

Consumer Goods & Retail

BFSI, Healthcare

IT & Telecom

Government

Travel & Hospitality

Key players and market share analysis

The market is highly competitive and fragmented, with a large number of players. Vendors are striving to provide fully scalable, flexible CCaaS services through a monthly subscription model, allowing for quick deployment of new functions and features while resulting in a lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Furthermore, the Contact Center as a Service market participants are focusing on improving agent assistance solutions and services.

Investing in the development of omnichannel solutions and new product launches, vendors are attempting to expand their customer base and bolster their market positions across a variety of end-use industries, such as BFSI, government, healthcare, and IT & telecom.

Some of the major CCaaS market players are.

Alcatel Lucent Enterprise

Avaya, Inc

Cisco Systems, Inc

Enghouse Interactive Inc

Five9

Genesys

Microsoft Corporation

NICE inContact

SAP SE

Unify Inc.

CCaaS adoption rate and future projections

The importance of providing excellent customer service, through all communication channels, has become essential for organizations in order to maintain customer loyalty and prevent potential loss of customers. Customer experience is an integral part of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) that plays a major role in the customer journey, from the first point of contact to becoming a loyal customer. Through improved customer service, businesses can ensure that customers have a positive experience that will ensure their loyalty and help to avoid potential customer loss.

Implementing the contact center as a service solution can help organizations save on maintenance service charges, hardware installation expenses, and IT services and components expenditure. Furthermore, cloud-based contact center software can reduce downtime and power consumption, while offering cost savings through subscription models. This makes it an attractive option for companies with limited funds, especially in small and medium enterprises. However, data security concerns regarding the storage of sensitive customer information, such as payment card numbers and health information, may limit the growth of this market.

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Benefits of CCaaS

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an increase in the demand for Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS). Here are some of the key advantages of transitioning your contact center to the cloud:

Cost Savings

One of the main advantages of CCaaS is its cost-efficiency; businesses can purchase only the technology they need, thus avoiding extra costs associated with traditional call center systems. This results in savings on costly hardware, IT support, and energy bills.

With a CCaaS solution, you only pay for what you need, as opposed to traditional call center technology which has fixed pricing with limited to no flexibility on cost adjustments regardless of usage. The monthly licensing fee or pay-as-you-go pricing of CCaaS ensures that you never pay for more than you use.

Improved customer experience

Customers may still opt to call you, yet more and more people are turning to different communication channels such as live chat, email, and social media. Fortunately, many cloud-based customer service solutions provide omnichannel experiences. This means that your agents can interact with customers in the way they are most comfortable, be it by phone, email, video chat, texting, or Facebook messaging.

Contact center agents are ready to quickly respond to any questions or requests coming through multiple channels, providing your customers with the fastest response possible - without having to wait on hold! They can do so in the most convenient manner for them.

Increased efficiency and productivity

A Contact Centre as a Service platform provides your agents with a comprehensive suite of tools, all in one convenient package. With CCaaS tools, agents can do everything they need in one place, speeding up their workflow and allowing them to share files or updates quickly and easily with other team members. These tools include call monitoring and recording, silent monitoring, video meetings, instant messaging, and more.

Platforms with built-in automation features can save time for customer service agents by taking care of repetitive tasks like updating databases or sending emails. With these tools, multiple tasks can be done simultaneously, allowing staff to devote more time to customers. Monitoring these automation tools regularly is important to ensure their effectiveness.

Scalability and flexibility

If you're looking for a solution that is easy to adjust to the changing needs of your business, a CCaaS solution is the way to go. Rather than having to make manual adjustments to your on-premises system, you can simply adjust your plan to get the features you need. All it takes is a few clicks to finalize your plan and you're all set!

If your contact center experiences rapid growth or an influx of calls, you can easily add more agents to the system. This is especially useful during seasonal periods when you may need to take on additional temporary employees. Many CCaaS providers offer custom plans if you require a specific solution for your business.

The use of a cloud-based contact center offers numerous advantages, such as providing employees with the flexibility to work remotely. This can not only reduce the need for office space, but also enable businesses to save on costs. Moreover, it can have a positive effect on employee morale and productivity by allowing them to work in a way that suits their lifestyle.

Integration with other technologies

A survey reveals that more than 40% of employees spend a minimum of a quarter of their work week on mundane, repetitive tasks. AI-supported solutions can help businesses automate such tasks in call centers. When selecting a CCaaS provider, look for one that offers AI-powered features such as Speech Recognition, NLP, automatic call logs, and automated follow-up scheduling for organized work task management and customer support interactions. Your CCaaS provider should also provide additional features like omnichannel routing, third-party CRM interactions, workforce management tools, call forwarding, call waiting, and more.

CCaaS vs Traditional Contact Centers (UCaaS and CPaaS)

CCaaS CPaaS UCaaS CCaaS is Contact Center as a Service CPaaS is Communications Platform as a Service UCaaS is Unified Communications as a Service Offers pay-per-use cloud-hosted contact center software Integrates communication APIs into apps or software to tailor individual channels, such as voice, video, or messaging. Automatically integrates real-time omni-channel communication services into a single interface. Scalable easily When using CPaaS, you must select which communication channels you want to use. Replace multiple communication applications with a single unified platform Popular features include Automatic Call Distribution (ACD), Interactive Voice Response (IVR), call queueing, and many others. No pre-existing tools or functions are available to use. Popular features include video conferencing, chat messaging, business text messaging, and additional services.

CCaaS Use Cases

Some of the common CCaaS use case scenarios are:

Debt collection agencies can automate the process of sending payment reminders, accepting payments, and providing account updates to their customers.

Call centers and telemarketing firms that make outbound calls, take orders from customers via telephone, and offer customer service.

Healthcare professionals must have the ability to manage insurance plans, schedule appointments, and send appointment reminders for their patients.

Below are some recent use cases of CCaaS:

In April 2020 , ServiceNow launched Amazon Connect Integration with Cloud Call Center, a cloud contact center solution that offers improved IT support functionalities. This cutting-edge solution integrates natively with Amazon Web Services' natural language AI technology, Comprehend and Transcribe, Lex, as well as ServiceNow's IT workflows and service capabilities. This is just one of the many cloud contact centers being developed by various players to boost operational functionality and flexibility for users.

, ServiceNow launched Amazon Connect Integration with Cloud Call Center, a cloud contact center solution that offers improved IT support functionalities. This cutting-edge solution integrates natively with Amazon Web Services' natural language AI technology, Comprehend and Transcribe, Lex, as well as ServiceNow's IT workflows and service capabilities. This is just one of the many cloud contact centers being developed by various players to boost operational functionality and flexibility for users. In October 2021 , Automation Anywhere, Inc., a provider of automation technology, launched Automation Anywhere for Contact Centers, a cloud-native, AI-driven solution designed to meet changing customer needs and provide faster customer services. This solution enables agents to quickly find, update, and execute client transactions, helping businesses provide more accurate and efficient customer services. Various companies are now focusing on such AI-based cloud contact center solutions to better meet customer demands.

, Automation Anywhere, Inc., a provider of automation technology, launched Automation Anywhere for Contact Centers, a cloud-native, AI-driven solution designed to meet changing customer needs and provide faster customer services. This solution enables agents to quickly find, update, and execute client transactions, helping businesses provide more accurate and efficient customer services. Various companies are now focusing on such AI-based cloud contact center solutions to better meet customer demands. In July 2020 , NICE LTD unveiled Real-Time Interaction Guidance, a solution powered by the company's ENLIGHTEN AI platform. This solution relies on predictive behavioral models to evaluate and score agent behavior, thereby aiding the customer experience and enhancing sales opportunity identification. As part of the CXone platform, this solution has become an essential component of NICE's offerings.

Challenges and Considerations

Before deciding on a Ccaas solution or upgrading your current contact center strategy, there are a few things to consider. Here are some of the most important:

Have I chosen the correct providers?

As the provider community evolves, niche providers are emerging and offering some of the most sophisticated CCaaS solutions. Don't limit yourself to the big names; explore the current market with an open mind. Consulting with a third-party advisor can provide insight into the changing landscape.

How does using artificial intelligence in this solution beneficial?

Take the time to explore all the AI capabilities available on the market and determine which ones meet the current needs of your business and support your digital transformation in the long run. Don't neglect this step, as it could cost you in the end.

How and What security will this solution to ensure protection of my company and our customers' data?

In order to ensure security, it is important to understand how this solution is designed and to anticipate the different forms of fraudulent behavior that may arise. Proactive monitoring should be implemented to detect potentially fraudulent activity and ensure the security of the solution.

What changes to my staffing and skills requirements will be necessary to implement this solution, and how will I address them?

Though CCaaS solutions may not remove the necessity for agents, they could potentially alter your personnel strategy and the qualifications that are sought for your agent team. It is critical to be aware of these implications and to have a strategy prepared to handle them.

What strategies can I use to ensure successful onboarding of IT, management, security, finance and contact center users for the implementation?

Prior to executing an implementation, ensure that a plan exists to ensure buy-in from internal stakeholders. If feasible, communicate the benefits of the solution in terms of how it will improve the customer experience and advance the organization's transformation goals.

Conclusion

Dating back to the beginning of call centers, CCaaS (Customer Communication as a Service) has its roots. When customers wanted to interact with a business, their only option was to make a call to a toll-free number and speak with a representative of the organization. This was the sole method of communication for customers.

The emergence of contact centers marked an important milestone for customer service, as customers could now reach out to organizations in their preferred medium - email, chatbot and social media, among others. As technology, particularly cloud technology, continued to develop, so too did contact center technology, eventually leading to the development of CCaaS (contact center as a service). This technology allowed organizations to reap the benefits of the cloud and use it in their contact centers.

The ever-developing technology landscape has led to advances in the relationship between UCaaS and CCaaS. The surge of cloud adoption due to the COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated this trend. By taking advantage of CCaaS, organizations that have not yet adopted it can reap the benefits, such as improved customer service, reduced costs, and enhanced flexibility.

On Special Contact Center as a Service Market Report is also available for below region:

North America

U.S, Canada

Europe

Germany , France , U.K., Italy , Spain , Sweden , Netherland, Turkey , Switzerland , Belgium , Rest of Europe

Asia-Pacific

South Korea , Japan , China , India , Australia , Philippines , Singapore , Malaysia , Thailand , Indonesia , Rest Of APAC

Latin America

Mexico , Colombia , Brazil , Argentina , Peru , Rest of Latin America

Middle East and Africa

Saudi Arabia , UAE, Egypt , South Africa , Rest Of MEA

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Hanwell, New Brunswick--(Newsfile Corp. - February 9, 2023) - Canada-based startup Potential Motors has just revealed its holistic design approach for its compact electric overlanding ORV. The Adventure 1, a concept vehicle that the firm designed to showcase its proprietary software technology for off-roading enthusiasts. It features a design that is reminiscent of 90s style Japanese vans that were very compact on the outside, but had plenty of space inside. It comes with a cab-over design and high ground clearance, with the driver sitting above the front axle. This lends extra maneuverability to the vehicle. The vehicle is positioned as a turn-key solution for today's digital nomads in view of the transition to a mostly remote and hybrid work culture in the post-pandemic era.

The most notable features of the van are the creature comforts it offers, its off-road credentials, and its energy efficiency. The van can easily take motorists to many types of places thanks to its compactness and short overhangs.





Off-Road motor vehicle

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8799/154242_26a05eb5c4f21b44_001full.jpg.

Both the software and the internal and exterior of the vehicle have highlighted a human-centered approach to design. At Potential Motors, instead of first designing the vehicle and then selling it to the public, the design was based on inputs from the off-road community. Most of the staff at Potential Motors travel off-road on a regular basis. Many millennials are flocking to RV life in the post-pandemic scenario. Work is now rarely location specific as there has been a transition to remote and hybrid work.

In order to showcase its software for off-road vehicles, Potential Motors decided to design a vehicle that was suitable for use by even those who were not regular off-roaders. In the case of the Adventure 1, the passengers and the driver are seated over the front axle, lending more space to the interiors. With people who prefer to travel or live off-grid, this was the design that the firm opted for.

The firm's research revealed that users wanted room to accommodate bicycles, animals, or extra guests, the ability to take a shower at the end of a long day, to sleep in comfortable beds, as well as facilities for proper waste disposal and proper cooking.

The Adventure 1 has room to accommodate 2 kayaks or 2 full-size motorcycles while being able to close the doors with ease. The deployable full-size bed that can sleep two people is outfitted with beautiful hand-stitched mattresses sourced from Europe and can be easily put away when not in use. The modular integrated kitchen features a 2-burner propane stove, fridge, kitchen accessories, water, and sink. The entire interior is upholstered, but with materials that can be easily cleaned. The roof serves as a platform that can be used for pitching a tent, viewing the night sky, or as additional storage.

Said Michael Uhlarik, vice president of automotive, "Our goal was to design the van holistically from the inside out based on what the real needs of people are when they adopt an outdoor lifestyle. We wanted to make the Adventure 1 the best possible vehicle for that experience. In our case, we treated the whole user interface design, including the ADAS, the same way. The user experience was designed from the ground up, and we are continually working on it from the design perspective. We have crafted the vehicle for regular people who are not software experts. The software interacts with the users in a language that they can understand. The plush and customized interiors and the user-centric software all combine well to make RV life cool and fun and true to its name the Adventure 1 is meant for those who are ready to start on an adventure in their own lives."

About Potential Motors

Potential Motors is involved in the development of new technologies and designs for electric off-road vehicles for exploration of the off-road vehicle space.

Media Contact:

Name: Harry Fricker

Email id: Marketing@potentialmotors.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/154242
BANGALORE, India, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Single Cell Analysis Market is segmented By Product (Consumables, Instruments), By Technique(Flow Cytometry, Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Mass Spectrometry Others),By End user (Academic and Research Laboratories, Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Companies, Hospitals and Diagnostic Laboratories, Others), By Application(Oncology, Immunology, Neurology, Stem cell, Non-Invasive Prenatal Diagnosis, In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Others): Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2028. It is published in Valuates Reports under the Pharmaceuticals & Biotech Category.





The global Single Cell Analysis market size was valued at USD 2.64 billion in 2021, and is projected to reach USD 13.62 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 17.8% from 2022 to 2031.

Major Factors Driving the Growth of the Single Cell Analysis Market

Because of technological advancements in the single-cell analysis along with an increase in R&D in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, which also support the growth of the single-cell analysis market, it is anticipated that demand for single cell analysis will rise globally during the forecast period. Additionally, the rise in customized medicine research, the expansion of stem cell research, and the rise in cancer prevalence all contribute to the growth of the single cell analysis market.

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TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE SINGLE CELL ANALYSIS MARKET

The field of (single)-cell biology has entered a new phase thanks to next-generation sequencing (NGS) of RNA and DNA. The molecular profile of each cell in its environment may now be determined inexpensively and in a manner that can be quantitatively analyzed while simultaneously analyzing hundreds to millions of cells. The development of human genome databases and the provision of suitable human reference genomes, which is a prerequisite for personalized medicine and precision medicine, has been made possible by the advancement of NGS technologies in human genomics. One of the molecular biology fields with the most rapid technological development and diversification is single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). It has been as revolutionary to examine gene expression at the resolution of individual cells as the introduction of bulk RNA sequencing was earlier. Several other next-generation sequencings (NGS)-based assays have been converted to single-cell methods in addition to single-cell RNA-seq. This factor is expected to drive the growth of the single cell analysis market.

The characterization of intra-tumor cellular heterogeneity, identification of unusual cell types, measurement of mutation rates, and, eventually, the guidance of diagnosis and treatment, are now possible because of recent advancements in single-cell technologies. To describe the cellular and molecular makeup of tumors, single-cell analysis has gained popularity as a tool in cancer research. Single-cell techniques resolve the cellular makeup of the tumor microenvironment in contrast to bulk technologies, which are restricted to an averaged signal that frequently represents the molecular states of the most numerous cell populations (TME). Since thorough profiling can identify the cell types and pathways involved in anti-tumor responses and immune evasion, this characterization has special potential for the field of tumor immunology. This in turn is expected to further drive the single cell analysis market.

For a very long time, immunologists have depended on techniques that offer analysis of specific immune cells to comprehend the diversity and complexity of the immune system. While tools like mass cytometry and flow cytometry have been essential for addressing challenging immunology concerns, further development in the field will necessitate the incorporation of multi-omic single cell data. This factor is expected to drive the growth of the single cell analysis market.

The COVID-19 epidemic had a favorable effect on the market for single cell analysis. Because of the financial and social implications of the pandemic, governments all over the world have increased funding for vaccine development and production, which has expanded the use of single-cell analytic methods for COVID-19 research.

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SINGLE CELL ANALYSIS MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS:

The single cell analysis market is segmented into consumables and instruments based on product. Due to the high usability of the products and frequent purchases of reagents, the rise in the prevalence of the target diseases, and the ongoing requirement for consumables required for assay, the consumables segment currently holds the largest market share and the highest CAGR, and it is anticipated that this trend will continue during the forecast period.

Oncology, immunology, neurology, stem cells, non-invasive prenatal diagnosis, in-vitro fertilization, and other applications make up the market. Due to the rising incidence of cancer, the oncology category contributed the majority of sales in 2021 and is expected to do so again over the projected period. Additionally, single cell analysis demonstrated promise for earlier cancer cell diagnosis, fueling the segment's expansion.

The market is segmented by technique into mass spectrometry, polymerase chain reaction, next-generation sequencing, flow cytometry, and others. Due to an increase in genome mapping programs, an increase in next-generation sequencing applications, an increase in healthcare spending, and technological advancements in sequencing platforms, the next-generation sequencing segment was the largest contributor to revenue in 2021 and is expected to maintain this trend during the forecast period.

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Key Companies:

10x Genomics

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Becton, Dickinson and Company

Bio-Rad Laboratories

Danaher Corporation(Cytiva Life Sciences)

Illumina, Inc.

BERKLEY LIGHTS INC

BGI GENOMICS CO. LTD

DIASORIN GROUP (LUMINEX CORPORATION)

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2023 / CAT Strategic Metals Corporation (CSE:CAT)(OTC:CATTF)( FRA:8CH) ("CAT" or the "Company") announces an update to the previously reported the completion of an airborne mag-EM geophysical survey in July, 2022 over portions of its South Preston Uranium Project in Canada's prolific Athabasca Basin. (The property outline is shown in Figure 1).

Although very little exploration has been carried out on the property, historical and recent exploration in the surrounding area have outlined features that are summarized in Figure 2. Airborne geophysical surveying identified areas of high background radioactivity in western areas of the property and NE-striking conductors were located to the north and trending towards the CAT property. On-going exploration by Azincourt Energy Corp. ("Azincour or AAZ") has identified conductive corridors which have recently been drilled and have been shown to contain sheared, graphitic basement rocks that are commonly the host for uranium deposits elsewhere in the Athabasca Basin.

Figure 2: The CAT property is outlined in yellow. The light blue areas left of centre are conductive corridors currently being explored by Azincourt with its drill holes shown as yellow dots. The light blue band located right of centre is a zone of graphitic metasedimentary rocks. Areas of elevated radioactivity from historical surveys are shown as yellow-filled polygons outlined by white. Red lines shown the location of EM conductors identified previously in thegeneral area. White traces, generally trending N-S or NW-SE, are lineaments interpreted to represent major fault zones. The approximate location of the Athabasca unconformity is indicated by the yellow line arcing across the top of the image from centre towards the right (east). The area of view is approximately 60 kilometres west to east with Lloyd Lake located at lower left.

CAT's airborne EM and mag survey in the 'Western Block' identified a series of NE-trending conductors, some of which are on-strike with the graphitic conductors currently being drilled by Azincourt on its adjacent property to the north (Figures 3 and 4). Another zone of interest surveyed as the 'Eastern Block' is located in the general vicinity of surface uranium mineralization reported by Denison Mines in 1970. CAT's exploration is carried out under the management of Watts, Griffis and McOuat Ltd. ("WGM") which commented:

"The geophysical survey results are very encouraging. The exploration confirmed the location of a major conductive zone beneath a drainage system that follows a very strong NE-trending structural lineament. Similar lineaments are closely associated with uranium deposits in much of the Athabasca Basin, and WGM's view of the uranium potential of the CAT project is very high."

On September 22nd, 2022, CAT announced the completion of bio-geochemical exploration and geological prospecting over conductive zones during the month of August for which analytical data was received in early February.

Figure 3: The CAT property is outlined in green and the western block of mag-EM surveying is outlined in blue. The light blue area at upper right is the conductive corridor currently being explored by Azincourt with its drill holes shown as yellow dots. Yellow-filled polygons outlined by white are areas of elevated radioactivity from historical surveys. Heavy red lines shown the location of EM conductors discovered by CAT. White dots on profiles across the conductors show the location of CAT's biogeochemical samples. The field of view is 18 km west to east.

Figure 4: The CAT property is outlined in green. The eastern block surveyed by EM-mag is partially outlined in blue. Thin red lines show historical EM conductors generated by various means. The pale blue NNE-trending band indicates the location of frost heaved graphitic metasedimentary and pegmatitic boulders. The heavy red line at upper left crossing Silvius Lake is an EM conductor detected during the CAT survey. CAT's biogeochemical samples are shown as white dots. The field of view is approx. 7 km. west to east.

Follow-up exploration consisted of the geochemical sampling of black spruce (Picea mariana) twigs, and in the absence of black spruce, jackpine (Pinus banksiana) twigs were sampled as both have been shown to concentrate uranium to a similar degree over the Key Lake orebody1. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, CAT's samples were collected on parallel profiles with stations at 25 m intervals over the centreof a conductor, 50 m intervals on the shoulders of a conductor and at 100 m intervals in areas marginal to a conductor. Profiles were spaced at 150 to 200 m intervals along the conductor axis. A total of 38 profiles were sampled, ranging from 500 to 1,000 metres in length, and on which 718 samples were collected. Studies have demonstrated that black spruce and jackpine can be used together as effective biogeochemical collectors of uranium.

Figure 5: Black spruce (left) and jackpine (right) are the conifer species prevalent in the South Preston Project area.

Approximately one sample in every twenty was a duplicate taken for quality control purposes and to assess site variability. Sample locations were measured to within 2-3 metre accuracy by Garmin GPSMAP 64SX GPS instruments. At each site, the ambient levels of background and peak radiation were measured in total count, potassium, uranium and thorium windows using a Radiation Solutions RS-125 spectrometer. A suite of 81 representative rock samples including 3 quality control duplicates was also collected for the purpose of characterizing the bedrock in the survey area.

The effectiveness of this bio-geochemistry approach is well-established based on experience elsewhere in the Athabasca Basin. Using twig samples collected solely from black spruce in a test area, Dunn (1983) reported that differences in uranium concentrations are attributed to the amount of labile uranium that is accessible to the roots whether it is in the bedrock or dissolved in formation waters2. Dunn concluded that anomalies detected in the test area were the result of predominantly upward migrating, uranium-bearing formation waters sourced from uranium mineralization at the base of the Athabasca Group. Dunn expressed the view that "spruce twigs can provide a useful low-cost exploration tool for identifying uraniferous areas in boreal forests". A subsequent study over the McLean and Jeb orebodies at McLean Lake showed distinct anomalies closely associated with these deposits (Dunn, 1983)3. Uranium was concentrated in the black spruce twigs more than any part of any common species inthe test area. More recently, Dunn (2007) reviewed the results of 10,000 km2 of biogeochemical sampling in the Athabasca Basin noting that background values for uranium in black twig ash was less than 1 ppm4. It is clear from these studies that background levels of uranium can be variable and the magnitude of an anomaly above background is more important than the absolute strength of an anomaly as measured in parts per million.

During WGM's sampling program, needles were stripped from the twigs in recognition that the tree's up-take of metals such as uranium from the soil and underlying glacial deposits is concentrated in the twigs and not the needles. The samples were placed in numbered kraft sample bags and sent to the Saskatchewan Research Council's ("SRC") Geolab in Saskatoon where they were ashed, digested and instrumentally analysed for uranium, lead isotopes, major oxides and 48 trace elements. WGM's rock samples comprising granitic to granodioritic gneiss, pegmatitic gneiss, micaceous schist, amphibolite and graphitic schist were also shipped to the SRC Geolab for analysis for uranium and 43 elements by its conventional ICP-MS method.

1 Walker, N.C., 1979, Trace Elements in Vegetation and Soils Over the Key Lake Uranium-Nickel Orebody, Northern Saskatchewan, Canada, 9 pages.

2 Dunn, C.E., 1983, Uranium Biogeochemistry of the NEA/IAEA Athabasca Test Area, in Uranium Exploration in Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada edited by Cameron, E.M., Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 82-11, pp. 127-132, 1983.

3 Dunn, C.E., 1983, Detailed Biogeochemical Studies for Athabasca Test Area, in Uranium Exploration in Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada, edited by Cameron, E.M., Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 82-11, ;pp 259-272, 1983.

4 Dunn, C.E., 2007, New Perspectives on Biogeochemical Exploration, in Proceedings of Exploration 07: Fifth Decennial International Conference on Mineral Exploration edited by B. Milkereit, pp. 249-261

Analytical results for the bedrock samples were received in November, 2022. This data allowed WGM to classify the geological terrane on the CAT property as being similar to that hosting uranium deposits in other regions in the Athabasca Basin. The data will also help in establishing background concentrations against which future results may be classified as anomalous. Historical magnetometer data from a survey by the Western Athabasca Syndicate indicates the presence of a terrane boundary crossing the western part of the CAT property from northeast to southwest5.

Results from the biogeochemical sampling in three areas were very encouraging with uranium values ranging from trace levels to 187 ppm with a mean value of 7.9 ppm and a median of 3.27 ppm. Statistical analysis of the geochemical data indicates that twig samples in the western and eastern survey areas have significantly different background uranium levels, with mean ("m") values of 5.97 ppm and 18.13 ppm, respectively, and corresponding median values of 2.61 and

8.87 ppm. For this reason, the two populations were treated separately in respect to defining what was anomalous as indicated by the mean plus two standard deviations ("sd's"). The mean and median values are comparable to or higher than those reported by Walker in his paper on the bio-geochemistry of twig samples collected over the Key Lake orebodies. Similar mean values of 2 ppm uranium were reported by Uranerz Exploration and Mining Ltd.from black spruce and pine samples collected during 1978 in the Kelic Lake area, a short distance north of theCAT property 6. Uranerz anomalies in the range of 6 to 11 ppm uranium underscore the importance of CAT's results with anomalies in the range of 73 to 186 ppm uranium.

In plotting the results, WGM found that the mean value defined discrete areas within which anomalies occurred rather than producing the anticipated "spotted dog" effect of patchy highs and lows. Data was contoured at m+1sd and m+2sd. In the eastern survey area, anomalies were 4- 10 times the mean uranium value. In the western survey area, anomalies were 5-28 times the mean uranium value. Plots for the two western areas and the eastern area are given in Figures 6, 7 and 8.

In the western survey area, the geochemical anomalies are spatially associated with NE-trending conductors which underlie some of the major drainages in the survey area. Azincourt's drilling north of and adjacent to the CAT property indicate that these conductors are graphite-bearing shear zones. Elongated geochemical anomalies also appear to terminate against NW-trending topographic lineaments which are believed to represent orthogonal fault zones. Uranium values show no correlation with surface radioactivity (r=-0.02) which indicates that the uranium isunlikely to be sourced from transported radioactive boulders or glacial till. Taken together, these features strongly suggest a local source of uranium along sheared, graphite-bearing structures. While the grade, depth and specific location of such uranium is unknown, the results of the geochemical survey are highly encouraging.

5 Brown, J.A. and McKeough, M., 2014, Assessment Report: 2013 Geophysical, Geological and Geochemical Programs,Preston Project (Phase I-III), a report prepared for Skyharbour Resources Ltd.,

6 Rich, J, Williams, G. and Kuley, E., 1978, Uranerz Exploration and Mining Ltd. Assessment Report Inexco Mineral Disposition No. 1, CBS4432

Figure 6: Uranium bio-geochemical anomalies in the western survey area. The green line surrounds values exceeding the m (5.97 ppm); orange surrounds values above m+1 s.d. (19.3 ppm) and red surrounds sites exceeding m+2s.d. (32.6 ppm). The highest uranium value was 118 ppm. Red NE-trending linear features are conductors discovered from CAT's July 2022 airborne survey. The CAT property boundary is indicated by yellow lines. Yellow shaded polygons are areas of elevated background radioactivity from historical data. The Azincourt 'G-Zone' conductive corridor is indicated by the blue shaded area at upper right. North is up. The field of view is approx. 7 km east to west. The conductive features shown on the CAT property have a strike length of approximately 4,800 metres.

Figure 7: Uranium bio-geochemical anomalies in the western reconnaissance survey area. The green line surrounds values exceeding the m (5.97 ppm); orange surrounds values above m+1 s.d. (19.3 ppm) and red surrounds sites exceeding m+2s.d. (32.6 ppm). The highest uranium value was 81.6 ppm. Red ENE-trending linear features are conductors discovered from CAT's July 2022 airborne survey. The southern boundary of the CAT property is indicated by the yellow line. Yellow shaded polygons are areas of elevated background radioactivity from historical data. North is up. The field of viewis approx. 6 km east to west. The conductive features shown on the CAT property have a strike length of approximately 5,400 metres.

In the eastern survey area, strong uranium anomalies occur in an area having an elevated background uranium content in comparison to the western survey area. These anomalies are spatially associated with a weak historical conductor and a corridor containing graphitic rocks that did not produce a response in the most recent survey flown by CAT. The geochemical uranium anomalies are NE-trending and correspond to strong topographic lineaments which are believed to be related to bedrock structure.

The highest anomalies found to date on the CAT property are located in this eastern area despite it having a lower average background radioactivity. No correlation is seen between uranium geochemical values and spectrometer data with the exception of a weak positive correlation (r = 0.25) between uranium geochemistry and Th-channel spectrometer data, probably due to increased granite and pegmatite in the local bedrock.

Figure 8: Uranium bio-geochemical anomalies in the eastern survey area. The green line surrounds values exceeding the m (18.1 ppm); orange surrounds values above m+1 s.d. (45.8 ppm) and red surrounds sites exceeding m+2s.d. (73.4 ppm). The highest uranium value was 186 ppm. A NW-trending conductor, partially under Silvius Lake, was detected from CAT's July 2022 airborne survey. Another historical conductor is shown as a red NE-trending line. The CAT property boundary is indicated by yellow lines. The pale blue corridor is a zone containing sheared and graphitic rocks inbedrock and in boulders. North is up. The field of view is approximately 3,500 m east to west. The NE-trending anomalies shown are 900 km in length but clearly extend NE and SW beyond the area sampled. The NE-trending lineaments in the terrain are though to reflect shearing in the underlying bedrock.

Further encouragement in all survey areas is provided from lead isotope ratios in the twig samples, specifically Pb207/Pb206 which are radiogenic products of uranium decay. According to Kyser et al (2015)7, values of less than 0.7 are considered to be indicative of underlying uranium mineralization at Cigar Lake and in the Athabasca Basin in general. In the western and eastern survey areas, samples with ratios of less than 0.7 accounted for 31% and 88% of the samples, respectively, providing a strong indication that the lead detected in the samples is the result of the decay of uranium mineralization and not resulting from lead mineralization or lead from anthropogenic sources.

7 Kyser, K., Lahusen, L., Drever, G., Dunn, C., Leduc, E and Chipley, D., 2015, Using Pb Isotopes in Surface Media to Distinguish Anthropogenic Sources from Undercover Uranium Sources in Geoscience, Volume 347, pp. 215-226

Taken together, WGM believes that the results of the airborne EM survey and biogeochemical data provide strong evidence of uranium-bearing fluids moving along NE-trending conductive corridors and being concentrated in spruce and jackpine twigs via their root systems. The magnitude of the uranium anomalies significantly exceeds background levels as reported by Dunn (2007), and approaches the levels detected over major uranium deposits in the Athabasca Basin such as Key Lake. While the source of the uranium on the CAT property may not be directly below the anomalies, WGM believes the anomalies are well defined and should indicate a local source. If the source was from glacially transported till, one would expect broader and lower amplitude anomalies. The geochemical uranium anomalies are sufficiently high and spatially constrained to justify additional exploration.

CAT's South Preston Uranium Project comprises 29,395 hectares, and shares ~50km of contiguous claim border with Azincourt Energy Corp. which reported uranium enrichment within previously identified alteration zones. Azincourt recently reported the results of their 2022 Winter drill program and CAT is particularly encouraged by theresults of the recent drilling that occurred in Azincourt's G-Zone, which is quite close to the border of CAT's claimblock.

About CAT Strategic Metals Corporation (CAT)

CAT Strategic Metals' corporate strategy, as reflected in its overall Mission Statement, is to source, identify,acquire and advance property interests located in mineral districts proven to have world-class potential, primarily for gold and copper. In addition to the priority South Preston Uranium Project, CAT is focused on advancing the Burntland Project located northeast of St. Quentin in the Restigouche County, New Brunswick, Canada, directed at the exploration and development of several Skarn-hosted copper-silver, gold targets and the Gold Jackpot strategic metals property located NE of Elko, Nevada, in the Pequop gold-copper trend with multiple targets for gold-silver, copper, and tellurium. CAT's shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) under the trading symbol "CAT", and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "8CH".

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Robert Rosner

Chairman, President & CEO

Further information regarding the Company can be found on SEDAR at www.SEDAR.com, by visiting the Company's website www.catstrategic.com or by contacting the Company directly at (604) 674-3145.

This news release has been reviewed for accuracy by Watts, Griffis and McOuat Ltd. ("WGM") of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward- looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Particular risks applicable to this press release include risks associated with planned production, including the ability of the company to achieve its targeted exploration outline due to regulatory, technical or economic factors. In addition, there are risks associated with estimates of resources, and there is no guarantee that a resource will be found or have demonstrated economic viability as necessary to be classified as a reserve. There is no guarantee that additional exploration work will result in significant increases to resource estimates

Neither Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

We seek safe harbour.

SOURCE: CAT Strategic Metals Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/738819/CAT-Strategic-Completes-Initial-Ground-Follow-Up-Exploration-Over-Geophysical-Anomalies-on-South-Preston-Uranium-Project
Regulatory News:

ESI Group (FR0004110310 ESI) (Paris:ESI), leader and pioneer in Virtual Prototyping solutions, hereby releases the total number of shares making up the company's capital and the total number of voting rights on January 31, 2023, in accordance with articles 223-16 and 221-3 of the General Regulations of the "Autorite des Marches Financiers".

Number of shares Number of theoretical voting rights * Number of voting rights ** 6,079,107 8,052,452 7,681,614

* The number of theoretical voting rights is calculated based on all shares eligible for voting right (single or double), including shares temporarily deprived of voting rights (treasury shares).

** All Group shares have equal right to vote, except treasury shares, which are deprived of the right to vote, and registered shares held for more than four years that are eligible for double voting rights.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230209005426/en/

Contacts:

ESI Group
Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

For immediate release

9 February 2023

FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC

(the "Company")

MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES

The Company announces that it has today purchased 50,000 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 884.14 pence per Ordinary Share. Such shares will be held in treasury by the Company.

The transaction was made pursuant to the authority granted at the Annual General Meeting of the Company held on 17 January 2023.

Following this transaction, the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury is 14,452,611; the total number of Ordinary Shares that the Company has in issue, less the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury following such purchase, and therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 210,538,692.

The figure of 210,538,692 may be used by shareholders as the denominator for calculations of interests in the Company's voting rights in accordance with the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

For and on behalf of

Frostrow Capital LLP

Company Secretary

For further information, please contact:

Victoria Hale

Frostrow Capital LLP

Tel: 020 3 170 8732
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2023 / International Paper Chief Sustainability Officer Sophie Beckham will be speaking at GreenBiz's premier annual event for sustainable business leaders - GreenBiz 23 - joining dynamic community of more than 1,000 professionals in Scottsdale, AZ. Feb. 14-16 to explore the latest sustainability trends, learn from our peers and form valuable connections. Register: https://bit.ly/3TZ4837

About International Paper

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a leading global supplier of renewable fiber-based products. We produce corrugated packaging products that protect and promote goods, and enable worldwide commerce, and pulp for diapers, tissue and other personal care products that promote health and wellness. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 38,000 colleagues globally. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2021 were $19.4 billion. Additional information can be found by visiting InternationalPaper.com.

About International Paper - EMEA

In Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA), International Paper focuses on the production and marketing of fiber-based packaging and pulp, employing approximately 4,200 people. As a leading supplier of high-quality corrugated containers for a multitude of applications, we serve customers throughout the region from our network of two recycled containerboard mills and 23 box plants in France, Italy, Morocco, Portugal and Spain. Pulp production is centered in Gdansk, Poland. Other products available from International Paper in the region include Kraft linerboard and recycled containerboard, as well as pulp.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from International Paper Company on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: International Paper Company

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/international-paper-company

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: International Paper Company

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/738830/International-Papers-Sophie-Beckham-To-Speak-at-GreenBiz-23
MANCHESTER, NH / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2023 / Many successful individuals have made many smart financial decisions over the course of their career: maxing out a 401k, diversifying their portfolio, even setting up trusts and other instruments to improve their tax situations or long-term estate planning. These same sophisticated people are now realizing that there is a piece of the investment portfolio mix that they've been missing: private equity, and more specifically, venture capital. Venture capital is an asset class dedicated to investing in private companies with the potential for significant and expeditious growth. This asset class behaves largely independently of public markets (Invesco) and has a long history of providing strong returns for investors (Cambridge Associates).

According to data from Cambridge Associates , venture capital has consistently outperformed public markets over 5, 15, and 25-year periods. The most recent data available shows that investors who allocated 15% or more of their portfolio to venture investments saw a median annualized return 300 basis points higher compared to those who allocated less than 5% of their capital to venture investments. Similarly, institutions with a private investment allocation of 30% or more had a median return 200 basis points higher than the median return of institutions with an allocation of 10% or less over the same period.

Even during a period of strong performance in the public markets, venture capital investment has still consistently provided stronger returns. One of the most active venture capital firms in the world, Alumni Ventures , found that from 2010 to 2016 - a significant growth period for the markets as they bounced back from the Great Recession - the average internal rate of return (IRR) for venture capital investments was 21.9%, with the top quartile achieving an IRR of 25.6%. In comparison, the S&P 500 had an average IRR of 12.2% over the same period.

Many believe that traditional venture firms only cater to institutional investors, the ultra-wealthy, and family offices, requiring investors to write a big check for millions of dollars to participate. However, Alumni Ventures is working to democratize venture capital for accredited investors from all backgrounds and experience levels, including those who have no venture capital exposure in their portfolios. With Alumni Ventures , investors won't be asked to write an enormous check for seven digits. Instead, they can own a diversified portfolio of ~20-30 highly competitive companies invested alongside other established venture firms for minimums as low as $10,000. Alumni Ventures offers three types of funds: members can invest in funds alongside alumni from their alma mater and its community; funds focused on thematic investment strategies; or funds offering exposure to every deal the firm offers. Investors can decide which funds, investment amounts, and level of engagement they want, giving them the flexibility to invest in venture capital on their own terms.

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The firm leverages its powerful network of 600,000+ subscribers and community members, as well as its 150+ full-time employees, to efficiently source capital and investment opportunities, conduct due diligence, and assist portfolio companies. Alumni Ventures ' 18 alumni funds (with 10-20 more launching soon) are located at leading universities known for their entrepreneurial activity. This allows the firm to engage with communities where startups and entrepreneurs are emerging and gives Alumni Ventures the advantage of approaching them as fellow alumni to build relationships and gain access to investment opportunities when they are seeking capital. Alumni Ventures is also expanding their network of co-investors, developing a Super Angels Program to help generate greater support for exciting venture opportunities.

The Alumni Ventures team then takes a thorough and methodical approach to evaluating potential investments, beginning by understanding the business and the risks involved. They speak to the management team, review company materials and contracts, consider the lead investor's perspective, experience, and influence, and conduct a peer review with other members of the Alumni Ventures team. Additionally, they document their analyses in diligence reports, conduct an investment committee review, and use a scorecard to weigh all decisions.

Alumni Ventures prides itself on supporting positive returns driven through portfolio diversity at every level. Alumni interconnectivity amplifies access and allows the firm to cast a broader net and build stronger portfolios by including other funds and seeing more deals, creating better and more diverse combinations for portfolios across industries, locations, and stages of investment. The firm's portfolio companies represent a broad range of sectors, stages, and regions, with investments spanning 20 distinct sectors and industries, and a global presence across six continents. The investments are also diversified by stage, with 47% seed, 22% Series A, 14% Series B, 12% Series C+, and 5% Other.

The focus Alumni Ventures places on diversification, from process to portfolio development, enables them to provide balanced combinations of risk and reward in entering the venture capital market. With their streamlined process and affinity-based networks, it's no surprise that the firm has upended the precedent of venture capital gatekeeping, allowing more accredited investors a chance at an asset class shown to generate higher returns.

About Alumni Ventures

Alumni Ventures offers accredited individuals access to network-powered venture capital - a key asset class missing from the portfolios of many sophisticated investors.

CONTACT:

Andrew Mitchell

media@cambridgeglobal.com

SOURCE: Alumni Ventures





View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/738826/Enhancing-Investment-Portfolio-Performance-with-Alumni-Ventures-Smart-Streamlined-Venture-Investment-Opportunities-for-Accredited-Investors
Turnover excluding Russia up 19% in the second half and up 15% for the year;

New record full-year turnover of 25.2 million, multiplied by 12 in 10 years;

Excellent momentum in the SME segment, offsetting reticence among key accounts;

Sharp increase in full-year recurring business, up 22% to 14.8 million at the end of 2022;

Continued implementation of the Unicorn 25 roadmap: enhancement of SaaS offerings and industrial cybersecurity solutions, development of leadership in Europe and business in North America.



Paris, February 9, 2023 - WALLIX (Euronext ALLIX), a European cybersecurity software developer and expert in privileged access management (PAM), reports its full-year 2022 turnover.

Unaudited data, 000 2021 2022 Change France 13,951 16,008 +14.7% EMEA excl. France 8,464 8,277 -2.2% EMEA excl. France and Russia +14.4% USA and Rest of World 753 894 +18.7% Consolidated turnover 23,169 25,179 +8.7%



Jean-Noel de Galzain, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the WALLIX GROUP, said: "Amid a persistently tense geopolitical environment, WALLIX's business made a clear return to dynamic growth in the second half of 2022, up 19% excluding Russia. Overall, WALLIX delivered year-on-year growth of 9%, naturally impacted by the economic climate but driven nonetheless by the strong momentum among medium-sized companies in all our markets. This performance illustrates the strength of the cybersecurity sector, driven by the opening up of information system, the development of mobility within organizations and interconnectivity with the world of machines: OT. The ever-present threat of cybercrime coupled with tightening regulations will continue to fuel corporate investment over the long term. WALLIX is therefore ideally placed as a new leader in Privileged Access Management (PAM) recognized by major consulting firms KuppingerCole, Gartner and Frost & Sullivan.

In 2022, we made the investments required for the successful execution of our Unicorn 25 strategic plan, initially scheduled for two years' time. The Group has therefore laid the foundations for its future growth based on the enhancement of its offering with the launch of WALLIX PAM4ALL, already recognized as a leading PAM solution, and OT.security, its dedicated industrial cybersecurity solution, the consolidation of its position in Europe, and development in North America.

Most of the investments having been completed, 2023 will be dedicated to leveraging our assets in order to ramp up and reach critical mass in our strategic regions. WALLIX US and our industrial cybersecurity solutions are set to make a significant contribution to the Group's growth. Acceleration in 2023 will also involve consolidating our leadership in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with a new support program dedicated to the partners in order to supply companies and their subcontractors in regulated sectors. With solutions recognized for their innovation and adaptability backed by the expertise acquired in sensitive business verticals such as industry, healthcare and MSP/MSSP, by relying on a robust and well-distributed partner network, WALLIX is ideally positioned to continue to gain market share worldwide, and to support the implementation of the NIS 2 directive in Europe from 2024."



Significant recovery in the second half, as announced

Business growth accelerated in the second half of the year, with turnover up 10.1% overall and up 19.2% excluding Russia. Full-year turnover was 25.2 million, up 8.7%. Excluding business with Russia (down 65% to 618,000), turnover was up 14.8%.

Momentum remained strong among small and medium-sized companies, with sales activity from the partner network rising sharply. Over the year as a whole, the pace of contract acquisitions remained brisk, with a total of 382 new active contracts (up 20%), nearly 70% of which were acquired in the second half. At December 31, 2022, the Group had a portfolio of nearly 2,300 active contracts. Conversely, key accounts remained cautious and were hampered by a shortage of labor, which slowed the deployment of their cybersecurity projects.

Business growth by region:

France saw a significant rebound in activity in the second half (+19.3% vs. +11.9% in the first half). Full-year turnover was up 14.7% to 16.0 million. Business remained brisk, particularly in the most sensitive sectors such as healthcare and industry.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict weighed on business in the Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) segment excluding France, down 2.2% to 8.3 million. Adjusted for the impact of Russia, growth accelerated significantly in the second half, with turnover up almost 27% (vs 3.5% growth in the first half), representing a full-year increase of 12%. This growth is all the more significant as this region is undergoing a significant transition to a subscription model, which is mechanically impacting short-term turnover recognized in the accounts in return for increased recurring business.

In the USA and Rest of World region, turnover rose 18.7% to 0.9 million. Growth in the United States was below the estimated potential due to the delayed hiring of certain employees. The team is now in place to continue the development of the distribution network and support partners in order to optimize business activity.



Continued growth in recurring business

Unaudited data, 000 2021 2022 Change Licenses[1] 10,467 9,751 -6.8% Maintenance & Subscriptions[2] 11,147 13,790 +23.7% Professional services 1,554 1,638 +5.4% Consolidated turnover 23,169 25,179 +8.7% Annual recurring revenue (ARR) 12,180 14,820 +21.7% % of consolidated turnover 52.6% 58.9% +6.3 pp



In 2022, turnover from subscription contracts (licenses and managed services) was up 46% to 2.8 million. Meanwhile, license sales were down 7%, impacted by key accounts' reluctance to invest but also by the successful transition of SMEs to the subscription model.

As at 31 December 2022, monthly recurring revenue (MRR) totaled 1.2 million, up 21.7% compared to 31 December 2021, representing 14.8 million in recurring revenue on an annual basis. Hence, WALLIX begins 2023 with recurring revenue accounted for 58.9% of 2022 consolidated turnover. It compares to 52.6% a year before, an Increase of 6.3 percentage points in one year.



2023 roadmap: leverage existing assets

WALLIX has succeeded in positioning itself as a world leader in Privileged Access Management (PAM) in just a few years. After being named a PAM leader by reputed consulting firms KuppingerCole and Frost & Sullivan, 2022 marked the Group's entry into the PAM Leader category of the Gartner Magic Quadrant ranking compiled by one of the world's most prestigious consulting firms. 2022 was also the first year of the Unicorn 25 strategic plan, during which the necessary investments were made for its successful execution. WALLIX enhanced its offering with the launch of the WALLIX PAM4ALL and OT.security solutions and ramped up its commercial development, in particular via the new operations in the United States.

With these building bricks now in place, the 2023 roadmap aims to optimize existing assets and achieve critical mass in strategic countries, while continuing to enhance solutions and innovate.

WALLIX will therefore continue to consolidate its European leadership focusing on SMEs, "critical" sectors and industrial environments. This consolidation will be achieved by leveraging its network of over 300 partners, providing them with increased support to maximize sales of flagship product WALLIX PAM4ALL and offering them the opportunity to enhance their industrial cybersecurity expertise. WALLIX also aims to assume a key role in implementing the NIS 2 directive due to come into force in 2024. The new directive will act as a strong growth driver, as it will require 150,000 businesses and public administrations to strengthen their cybersecurity, i.e. ten times the number of organizations covered by the NIS directive in effect since 2018. WALLIX's expertise in key business verticals (healthcare and industry in particular) is a powerful asset that will allow the Group to take full advantage of the expected boom in the European cybersecurity market.

In North America, the Group is now ready to return to significant growth by optimizing the performance of its partner network. By the end of 2023, the North America operation should reach critical mass and represent 10% of order intake, compared to 3% in 2022.

Innovation and an enhanced offering also form an integral part of the Group's 2023 roadmap. Priority will be given to expanding the SaaS offering centered on PAM4ALL to meet market needs and attract new clients, as well as improving existing SaaS versions in order to maximize client value.

Meanwhile, WALLIX will step up its development in the industrial cybersecurity market. With the increasing digitization of industrial environments involving increasingly connected and open industrial systems, the number of industrial cyberattacks has exploded, leading to major incidents such as production stoppages resulting in significant costs. The security of OT systems is therefore a critical issue, yet it lags behind information system security. With its OT.security offering launched in the second half of 2022, WALLIX is one of the few players to have developed solutions specifically dedicated to the OT environment. In 2023, the Group will work on enhancing its solutions by integrating complementary expertise, either through innovation or acquisitions. The development of the business will leverage the strength of the existing network by increasing partners' expertise in OT and by developing partnerships with distributors, resellers and integrators specializing in OT. Solutions dedicated to industrial cybersecurity are expected to account for 10% of total order intake in 2023, compared to 5% in 2022.



Next publication: Full-year 2022 results, March 23, 2023



ABOUT WALLIX

WALLIX is the European specialist in access and digital identity security and the world leader in PAM (Privileged Access Management). Its technologies enable organizations to meet today's challenges in IT network protection and data security. They also provide detection and resilience to cyberattacks and protect organizations' digital assets in addition to maintaining business continuity of IT systems, in the cloud, and in industrial networks. These technologies simplify compliance with regulatory requirements for access to critical IT infrastructure and data. With its PAM4ALL, PAM4OT, and Trustelem solutions, WALLIX helps its customers modernize their information systems and put cybersecurity at the service of their digital transformation. The company relies on a network of certified distributors, resellers, and integrators to support more than 2,000 organizations worldwide in all sectors of the economy. The company is listed on Euronext (ALLIX). The founders and managers, as well as the investment structure T.D.H (Thierry Dassault Holding) are the historical reference shareholders.

OT.security by WALLIX is a brand dedicated to the security of digital access and identities in industrial environments.

WALLIX affirms its digital responsibility and is committed to contributing to the construction of a trusted European digital space, guaranteeing the security and confidentiality of data for organizations as well as for individuals concerned about the protection of their digital identity and privacy. Digital technology, whether for professional or personal use, must be ethical and responsible in order to pursue a secure societal digital transformation that respects individual freedoms.

www.wallix.com | info@wallix.com



FINANCIAL COMMUNICATION

ACTUS Finance & Communication

Investors Relations - Helene DE WATTEVILLE

+33 1 53 67 36 33 / wallix@actus.fr

Press Relations - Deborah SCHWARTZ

+33 6 27 09 05 73 / dschwartz@actus.fr

[1] including equipment sales

[2] including managed services

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2023 / Staying on top of the latest environment, health and safety, and sustainability (EHS&S)?news, trends, and innovations is essential for EHS&S professionals like you who strive to continually improve your company's processes and programs.



Fortunately, there are a number of upcoming EHS&S events that can serve as incredible resources to help you gain new insights, find new opportunities, and ultimately ensure a safer and healthier workplace and world.

From interactive sessions to inspiring presentations to networking opportunities, here's a list of EHS and sustainability conferences and events (some virtual, some potentially in-person)?that you should have on your radar in?2023.

GREENBIZ 23

Dates: February?12-14, 2023

Location: Scottsdale, Arizona and Virtual

Event Details: Join the dynamic GreenBiz 23 community to harness the knowledge of experts, peers and new voices to help you achieve net zero, advance the circular economy, elevate social justice, safeguard biodiversity, build resilient supply chains and more.

The event will feature an opportunity to tune in to the keynote sessions & sidebar interviews, which will be livestreamed for free on the GreenBiz 23 virtual event page during the event - no registration required.

Website:?https://www.greenbiz.com/events/greenbiz/2023

Antea Group will be attending this event, we hope to see you there!

NAEM EHS+ESG TECH23 | Your Source for Software, Technology, Data Management and Digital Integration

Date: March 14-16, 2023

Location: Tuscon, AZ

Event Details: NAEM's annual Tech conference is the only EHS&S tech event focused exclusively on meeting the challenges of data management, software, and technology solutions. This year's agenda will broadly address EHS compliance, carbon accounting, GHG data management and corporate ESG reporting.

Website: https://www.naem.org/tech23-ehs-esg-tech-week

REUTERS RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS SUMMIT?2023

Dates: April 4-5, 2023

Location: New York, USA

Event Details: In a period of geo-political and macro-economic crises companies must balance action, whilst sustaining a successful business. Those that can achieve this will future proof their business, protect the planet and ensure inclusive, sustainable growth.

Responsible Business USA 2023 we will help you embed sustainability across the business, shape your strategy through quality sustainability data, prepare for upcoming SEC regulation, accelerate the net-zero transition and ultimately balance growth with sustainability.

Website:?https://events.reutersevents.com/sustainable-business/responsible-business-usa

2023?AMERICAN INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE CONFERENCE & EXPO

Dates: May 22-24, 2023

Location: Phoenix, Arizona, and Virtual

Event Details: This annual event is packed with professional development courses and educational sessions to help EHS professionals keep pace with the latest trends, technology, and best practices. Participants include industrial hygienists, occupational health professionals, EHS specialists, safety professionals, risk management professionals, and others responsible for safety, health, and the environment at their organizations.

This event has expanded the virtual program to include online access to all live and pre-recorded sessions. To amplify your experience, they've also added the Virtual Expo and new networking opportunities.

Website:?https://www.aihceexp.org/?

Antea Group will be attending this event, we hope to see you there!

Environment+Energy Leader Virtual Energy Management Summit 2023

Date: July 19-20, 2023

Location: Virtual

Event Details: This annual Solutions Summit brings together top commercial and industrial decision-makers to create a unique collaborative learning experience. The Summit provides tangible, innovative solutions to the environment, energy and ESG challenges that companies face today-and what they may expect tomorrow. Pragmatic and candid discussions coupled with engaging facilitation allow attendees to share current challenges and learn how industry leaders are addressing similar issues.

Website: https://www.environmentalleader.com/summit/

SIWI WORLD WATER WEEK 2023

Dates: August?20-24, 2023

Location: Stockholm, Sweden, and Online

Event Details: For over 30 years, the Stockholm International Water Institute has organized World Water Week. This year, World Water Week 2023 is focused on innovation at a time of unprecedented challenges. The theme Seeds of Change: Innovative Solutions for a Water-Wise World invites us to rethink how we manage water. Which ideas, innovations, and governance systems will we need in a more unstable and water scarce world?

Website:? https://www.worldwaterweek.org/

VPPPA SAFETY+ NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM

Dates: September 17-20, 2023

Location: Orlando, FL

Event Details: For over 30 years, the VPPPA Safety + Symposium is the only national educational event for VPP worksites to achieve and maintain safety and health excellence. Attendees will have a unique opportunity to interact and directly learn from other safety professionals, industry leaders and federal agencies. Interaction with these safety professionals will help improve your company's safety program through educational seminars, round-table discussions, and collaboration with other safety professionals.

Website:? https://safety.vpppa.org/

SUSTAINABLE BRANDS: SB'23

Dates: October 16-19, 2023

Location: Town & Country, San Diego, CA

Event Details: Sustainable Brands '23 is a global event for regenerative brands and leaders. This year's focus is Recenter & Accelerate: Find a unique mix of inspiration, thought leadership, unparalleled community, and connections.

Website: https://events.sustainablebrands.com/conferences/sustainablebrands/

2023?NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL CONGRESS & EXPO

Dates: October 20-26, 2023

Location: New Orleans, LA

Event Details: For more than 100 years, safety, health and environmental professionals have turned to the world's largest annual safety event for industry-leading technology, education, networking opportunities and the tried-and-true products and services needed to stay at the forefront and remain competitive within the industry.

Come together to share experiences and make connections with others at the forefront of the industry

Learn new ways of doing business while earning CEUs

Explore the latest safety innovations and solutions driving our industry to save lives, from the workplace to anyplace.

Website:? https://congress.nsc.org/NSC2023/Public/Content.aspx?ID=7388

FORUM23:?NAEM EHS & SUSTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT FORUM

Dates: October?24-27, 2023

Location: Cleveland, OH

Event Details: NAEM's EHS & Sustainability Management Forum is the largest annual gathering for environment, health and safety, and sustainability (EHS&S) decision-makers. Join your peers from leading companies, get exposed to new ideas, and come away energized and ready to implement what you've learned.

Website:? https://www.naem.org/events/read/2023/10/24/conferences/2023-ehs-sustainability-management-forum

Antea Group will be attending this event, we hope to see you there!

About Antea Group

AnteaGroup is an environment, health, safety, and sustainability consulting firm. By combining strategic thinking with technical expertise, we do more than effectively solve client challenges; we deliver sustainable results for a better future. We work in partnership with and advise many of the world's most sustainable companies to address ESG-business challenges in a way that fits their pace and unique objectives. Our consultants equip organizations to better understand threats, capture opportunities and find their position of strength. Lastly, we maintain a global perspective on ESG issues through not only our work with multinational clients, but also through our sister organizations in Europe, Asia, and Latin America and as a founding member of the Inogen Alliance. Learn more at us.anteagroup.com.?

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Antea Group on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Antea Group

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/antea-group

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Antea Group

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/738848/EHS-Sustainability-Conferences-You-Dont-Want-To-Miss-in-2023
Altasciences hired two expert advisors to support its strategic growth in Europe, while its preclinical team continues to expand with the addition of two key employees.

Providing strategic input into steering Altasciences' drug development solutions direction in Europe, Peter Varney joins the company as Pharma Development and Strategy Advisor. Peter brings 40 years of experience in commercial development, strategic alliances, and relationship management at Covance to his new position. Hazel Clay, with over 30 years of experience in supporting the development of innovator pharmaceutical assets at Covance, plays a key role as Drug Development Advisor in Altasciences' European expansion. Both Peter and Hazel are based out of Altasciences' offices in Harrogate, UK.

"With their extensive experience and keen strategic vision, Peter and Hazel are important assets to Altasciences' expansion into the European market. We wanted to provide our European clients access to in-depth knowledge on early phase drug development to help them get better drugs to market faster," stated Chris Perkin, Altasciences' Chief Executive Officer.

In addition, Dr. Lisa Biegel joins Altasciences as Senior Scientific Director, Preclinical Services, and will be based at the Columbia, MO, facility. With over 30 years of industry experience in regulatory toxicology at Covance, Lisa will provide leadership and oversight, as well as strategic scientific input, to the study direction and reporting teams.

Furthermore, Annette Kenser joins Altasciences as Senior Director of Quality Assurance, Preclinical Research. Annette has extensive experience as a scientific quality assurance auditor, and will focus on identifying areas of improvement while aligning quality assurance activities throughout the organization.

"We are pleased to welcome Lisa and Annette to Altasciences, and look forward to benefitting from their talents and contributions in the preclinical space," said Andy Brown, Site Director at Altasciences' Columbia preclinical facility.

About Altasciences

Altasciences is an integrated drug development solution company offering pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies a proven, flexible approach to preclinical and clinical pharmacology studies, including formulation, manufacturing, and analytical services. For over 25 years, Altasciences has been partnering with sponsors to help support educated, faster, and more complete early drug development decisions. Altasciences' integrated, full-service solutions include preclinical safety testing, clinical pharmacology and proof of concept, bioanalysis, program management, medical writing, biostatistics, clinical monitoring, and data management, all customizable to specific sponsor requirements. Altasciences helps sponsors get better drugs to the people who need them, faster.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230209005658/en/

Contacts:

Julie-Ann Cabana

Altasciences

+1 514 601-9763

jcabana@altasciences.com
8th Paramedic Service Chooses Cloud DX to Launch RPM Program

Ontario paramedic group will offer Connected Health to vulnerable seniors awaiting long term care

News in Summary

Funding provided through Ontario government CPLTC program

Feedback from CPLTC participants show RPM reduces hospital readmissions

This is Cloud DX's 8th Community Paramedicine contract to date

KITCHENER, ON / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2023 / Cloud DX (TSXV:CDX)(OTC:CDXFF), a leading health data platform announces a new contract with another Ontario Paramedic Service to bring remote patient monitoring (RPM) to seniors in the community.

The community paramedic group chose Cloud DX to provide Connected Health kits and remote monitoring services for its first ever RPM program after receiving funding through the Ontario government's Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care program (CPLTC). The new contract will begin with 75 Connected Health kits plus services and has an estimated value of up to $110,000 CAD, running through March 2024.

The CPLTC program is fully funded by the provincial government to provide additional care for seniors in the comfort of their own homes before admission into long-term care. The program was piloted in October 2020 and is currently active in 33 communities. Early feedback from participating communities indicates reduction in rates of hospital admissions and an increased integration with primary care.1

Cloud DX CEO and Founder Robert Kaul says, "We are committed to working with community paramedics across Canada to end so-called 'hallway health care'. Connected Health remote patient monitoring is designed to provide the very best in connected healthcare with a patient-first focus. In particular, the CPLTC program is a very innovative way to efficiently optimize scare healthcare resources. We hope to see this pioneering program replicated in other provinces soon."

This is the 8th contract signed with Community Paramedics in Ontario and follows the recently announced 200% growth over four months at a previous Ontario Community Paramedicine program using Connected Health, the Cloud DX RPM solution and data platform.

Cloud DX is pleased to have announced 5 new contracts so far in 2023, after announcing 28 new contracts and extensions in 2022, a 233% YoY increase in new business.

1 https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1001022/ontario-expands-community-paramedicine-for- long-term-care-program

About Cloud DX

Accelerating digital healthcare, Cloud DX is on a mission to make healthcare better for everyone. Our Connected HealthTM remote patient monitoring platform is used by healthcare enterprises and care teams across North America to virtually manage chronic disease, enable aging in place, and deliver hospital-quality post-surgical care in the home. Our partners achieve better healthcare and patient outcomes, reduce the need for hospitalization or re-admission, and reduce healthcare delivery costs through more efficient use of resources.

Cloud DX is the co-winner of the Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE, 2022 Top Innovator by Canadian Business, a 2021 Edison Award winner, a Fast Company "World Changing Idea" finalist, and one of "Canada's Ten Most Prominent Telehealth Providers." Cloud DX is an exclusive partner to Medtronic Canada, Teladoc Health Canada, and Equitable Life of Canada.

For more information on Cloud DX (TSXV:CDX), visit www.CloudDX.com and follow @CloudDX on Twitter or LinkedIn.

Cloud DX Investor Site https://ir.clouddx.com/overview/default.aspx

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Media Contact

Janine Scott

Marketing Lead 888-543-0944 Janine.Scott@CloudDX.com

Investor Relations Contacts

Canada

Jay Bedard

647-881-8418

Jay.Bedard@CloudDX.com

USA

Gary Zwetchkenbaum

516-455-7662

IR@CloudDX.com

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release. In particular, this news release includes certain forward-looking statements concerning the advancement of the Company's business and partnerships, the expected proceeds therefrom, regulatory approvals, as well as management's objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, the Company's the ability of the Company to fulfill the terms of and derive the benefits from the contract extension. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward- looking statements and forward-looking information.

SOURCE: Cloud DX Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/738863/Community-Paramedic-Group-Chooses-Cloud-DX-to-Launch-RPM-Program
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2023 / The Power Play by The Market Herald has announced the release of new interviews with Propel Holdings, Else Nutrition, Mullen Group, Pan American Energy and Nextech AR Solutions discussing their latest news.

The Power Play by The Market Herald provides investors with a quick snapshot of what they need to know about the company's latest press release through exclusive insights and interviews with company executives.

Propel Holdings (TSX:PRL) launches Fora Credit

Propel (PRL) has launched Fora Credit, an online credit solution for underserved Canadians. Fora enables online applications for personal lines of credit up to C$10,000. The solution is intended to improve the lives of the nearly 25 per cent of Canadians that are either unserved or underserved in the credit market, according to a TransUnion study. CEO Clive Kinross spoke with Coreena Robertson about the news.

For the full interview with Clive Kinross and to learn about Propel, click here.

Else Nutrition (TSX:BABY) granted IRB approval for infant growth clinical study protocol

Else (BABY) has received Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval for its infant growth clinical study protocol. This is a key step toward the U.S. launch of Else's new plant-based infant formula, which will serve as an alternative to dairy and soy-based products. CEO Hamutal Yitzhak spoke with Coreena Robertson about the news.

For the full interview with Hamutal Yitzhak and to learn about Else Nutrition, click here.

Mullen Group (TSX:MTL) reports record 2022 financial results

Mullen Group (MTL) reported its financial and operating results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2022. The company earned record revenue of $2.0 billion, up 35.3 per cent due to incremental acquisition revenue, increases in fuel surcharge revenue, and general rate increases. Mullen Group's Senior Accounting Officer Carson Urlacher met with Coreena Robertson to discuss the results.

For the full interview with Carson Urlacher and to learn about Mullen Group, click here.

Pan American Energy (CSE:PNRG) mobilizes drill rig for phase 1 program at Horizon Lithium Project

Pan American Energy (PNRG) has mobilized a drilling rig for the phase 1 exploration program at its Horizon Lithium Project in Nevada. The company is fully permitted for 22 core drill holes and is scheduled to start February 11, 2023. Pan American's CEO Jason Latkowcer spoke with Coreena Robertson about this news.

For the full interview with Jason Latkowcer and to learn about Pan American Energy, click here.

Nextech AR (CSE:NTAR) secures key enterprise 3D model deal with S&P 500 retailer

Nextech AR Solutions (NTAR) has been chosen as a supplier to a top 10 e-commerce retailer in the United States. This latest contract win is for a significant number of 3D models to be delivered in 2023. Nextech CEO Evan Gappelberg spoke to Coreena Robertson about the news.

For the full interview with Evan Gappelberg and to learn about Nextech AR Solutions, click here.

Interviews for The Power Play by The Market Herald are released daily. To learn more about the companies featured in The Power Play or to explore our other interviews visit? The Power Play by The Market Herald.

About The Market Herald

The Market Herald Canada is the leading source of authoritative breaking stock market news for self-directed investors. Our team of Canadian markets reporters, editors and technologists covers the entire listed company universe in Canada. We cover over 3,985 businesses, their people, their investors, and their customers. We write the stories that move the Canadian capital markets.

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View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/738866/The-Power-Play-by-The-Market-Herald-Releases-New-Interviews-with-Propel-Holdings-Else-Nutrition-Mullen-Group-Pan-American-Energy-and-Nextech-AR-Solutions-Discussing-Their-Latest-News
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 9, 2023) - Sharechest is pleased to announce the recent activation of the Sharechest Connector on Top Shelf Canada's website. Top Shelf Canada is seeking investors to expedite corporate growth. The Sharechest Connector captures potential investor interest to facilitate impactful company and investor relationships.

TOP SHELF CANADA is Canada's premium hot sauce brand. Top Shelf Canada is a believer in community over competition. That a fellowship of strong Canadian products shared with each other and with the rest of the world is what will carry the country's fortunes for future generations. The time is right for this. The idea that "We CAN do us" and create quality consumer products that disrupt the condiment market and gives consumers viable alternatives to the market's reliance on imported products, is more relevant than it ever has been.

TOP SHELF CANADA has three premium signature hot sauces; Front Street Heat, Front Street Fire, and Front Street Inferno. These utility condiments add pleasant heat and beautifully balanced complexity to endless pairings. Roasted red peppers are artfully combined with a hot pepper blend, garlic, lime juice, Canadian maple syrup and a combination of herbs and spices to provide a great flavour-forward experience. Top Shelf Canada's hot sauces are full of smoky complexity and a respectful kick of heat. The textures are left thick with ingredient particles on display throughout, showcasing their premium builds.

To learn more about Top Shelf Canada please visit their website https://www.topshelfcanada.ca/. For more information about the company please send an email to Joshua Lines at joshua@topshelfcanada.ca or call 226-886-0214.

To connect with Top Shelf Canada about investing please visit:

Investment Opportunity

About Sharechest Inc.

Sharechest Inc. provides an innovative web application solution that streamlines the discovery process for companies seeking investors. The Sharechest Connector seamlessly integrates onto the company's existing website and acts as a magnet for investors who are interested in learning more about the company or investing in the company. Customized to meet the company's brand, the Sharechest Connector widget provides a secure and simplified lead generation form for interested investors to actively engage and take action as they navigate through the company's website.

For further information about Sharechest Inc. and becoming one of our success stories, please visit www.sharechest.io.

Steve Kim, Media Relations, steve@sharechest.io

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/154286
PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2023 / The following abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds announced today that the closed end funds in the chart directly below will pay the distributions indicated on a per share basis on February 28, 2023 to all shareholders of record as of February 21, 2023 (ex-dividend date February 17, 2023). These dates apply to the Funds listed below with the exception of the abrdn Australia Equity Fund, Inc. (IAF), the India Fund, Inc. (IFN) and the abrdn Japan Equity Fund, Inc. (JEQ) which will pay on March 31, 2023 to all shareholders of record as of February 21, 2023 (ex-dividend date February 17, 2023).

Ticker Exchange Fund Amount ACP NYSE abrdn Income Credit Strategies Fund $ 0.1000 AGD NYSE abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund $ 0.0650 AOD NYSE abrdn Total Dynamic Dividend Fund $ 0.0575 ASGI NYSE abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund $ 0.1200 AWP NYSE abrdn Global Premier Properties Fund $ 0.0400 FAX NYSE American abrdn Asia-Pacific Income Fund, Inc. $ 0.0275 FCO NYSE American abrdn Global Income Fund, Inc. $ 0.0700 IAF NYSE American abrdn Australia Equity Fund, Inc. $ 0.1300 IFN NYSE The India Fund, Inc. $ 0.4300 JEQ NYSE abrdn Japan Equity Fund, Inc. $ 0.1000

At the end of each calendar year, a Form 1099-DIV will be sent to shareholders, which will state the amount and composition of each fund's distributions and provide information with respect to their appropriate tax treatment for the prior calendar year. You should not draw any conclusions about any of these Funds' investment performance from the amount of the distributions.

MANAGED DISTRIBUTION POLICY FUNDS

ANNOUNCE DISTRIBUTION PAYMENT DETAILS

abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund ("ASGI")

abrdn Asia-Pacific Income Fund, Inc. ("FAX")

abrdn Australia Equity Fund, Inc. ("IAF")

The India Fund, Inc. ("IFN")

abrdn Japan Equity Fund, Inc. ("JEQ")

The above-noted abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds (the "Funds" or individually the "Fund"), today announced that the Funds will pay the distributions noted in the chart above on February 28, 2023, on a per share basis to all shareholders of record as of February 21, 2023 (ex-dividend date February 17, 2023). These dates apply to the Funds listed below with the exception of the abrdn Australia Equity Fund, Inc. (IAF), the India Fund, Inc. (IFN) and the abrdn Japan Equity Fund, Inc. (JEQ) which will pay on March 31, 2023 to all shareholders of record as of February 21, 2023 (ex-dividend date February 17, 2023).

For the abrdn Australia Equity Fund, Inc. ("IAF"), the India Fund, Inc. ("IFN") and the abrdn Japan Equity Fund, Inc. ("JEQ"), this stock distribution will automatically be paid in newly issued shares of the Fund unless otherwise instructed by the shareholder. Shares of common stock will be issued at the lower of the net asset value ("NAV") per share or the market price per share with a floor for the NAV of not less than 95% of the market price. The valuation date for this stock distribution is March 17, 2023. Fractional shares will generally be settled in cash, except for registered shareholders with book entry accounts at Computershare Investor Services who will have whole and fractional shares added to their account.

Shareholders may request to be paid their quarterly distributions in cash instead of shares of common stock by providing advance notice to the bank, brokerage or nominee who holds their shares if the shares are in "street name," or by filling out in advance an election card received from Computershare Investor Services if the shares are in registered form. To receive the quarterly distribution payable in March 2023 in cash instead of shares of common stock, the bank, brokerage or nominee who holds the shares must advise the Depository Trust Company as to the full and fractional shares for which they want the distribution paid in cash by March 16, 2023, and written notification for the election of cash by registered shareholders must be received by Computershare Investor Services prior to March 16, 2023.

Each Fund has adopted a distribution policy to provide investors with a stable distribution out of current income, supplemented by realized capital gains and, to the extent necessary, paid-in capital in reliance on an exemptive order granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Under applicable U.S. tax rules, the amount and character of distributable income for each Fund's fiscal year can be finally determined only as of the end of the Fund's fiscal year. However, under Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") and related rules, the Funds may be required to indicate to shareholders the estimated source of certain distributions to shareholders.

The following tables set forth the estimated amounts of the sources of the distributions for purposes of Section 19 of the 1940 Act and the rules adopted thereunder. The tables have been computed based on generally accepted accounting principles. The tables include estimated amounts and percentages for the current distributions to be paid as well as for the cumulative distributions paid relating to fiscal year to date, from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short-term capital gains; net realized long-term capital gains; and return of capital. The estimated compositions of the distributions may vary because the estimated composition may be impacted by future income, expenses and realized gains and losses on securities and currencies.

Each Fund's estimated sources of the current distributions to be paid and for its current fiscal year to date are as follows:

Estimated Amounts of Current Distribution per Share Fund Distribution Amount Net Investment Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains* Net Realized Long-Term Gains Return of Capital ASGI $0.1200 $0.0084 7% - - $0.1116 93% - - FAX $0.0275 $0.0143 52% - - - - $0.0132 48% IAF $0.1300 $0.0377 29% $0.0026 2% $0.0208 16% $0.0689 53% IFN $0.4300 - - - - $0.4300 100% - - JEQ $0.1000 $0.0220 22% $0.0060 6% - - $0.0720 72%

Estimated Amounts of Fiscal Year to Date Cumulative Distributions per Share Fund Fiscal Year** to Date Distribution Amount Net Investment Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains* Net Realized Long-Term Gains Return of Capital ASGI $0.6000 $0.0420 7% - - $0.5580 93% FAX $0.1100 $0.0572 52% - - - - $0.0528 48% IAF $0.2500 $0.0725 29% $0.0050 2% $0.0400 16% $0.1325 53% IFN $0.4300 - - - - $0.4300 100% - - JEQ $0.2000 $0.0440 22% $0.0120 6% - - $0.1440 72%

* includes currency gains

** ASGI has a 9/30 fiscal year end; FAX, IAF and JEQ have a 10/31 fiscal year end; IFN has a 12/31 fiscal year end.

Where the estimated amounts above show a portion of the distribution to be a "Return of Capital," it means that Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in a Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income."

As of February 7, 2023, after giving effect to this payment, JEQ estimates it has a net deficit of $3,907,609. A net deficit results when the Fund has net unrealized losses that are in excess of any net realized gains that have not yet been distributed.

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The final determination of the source of all distributions for the current year will only be made after year-end. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of the fiscal year and may be subject to change based on tax regulations. After the end of each calendar year, a Form 1099-DIV will be sent to shareholders for the prior calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The following table provides the Funds' total return performance based on net asset value (NAV) over various time periods compared to the Funds' annualized and cumulative distribution rates.

Fund Performance and Distribution Rate Information Fund Average Annual Total Return on NAV for the 5 Year Period Ending 01/31/2023 Current Fiscal Period's Annualized Distribution Rate on NAV Cumulative Total Return on NAV Cumulative Distribution Rate on NAV ASGI3 9.43% 6.76% 16.49% 2.25% FAX -1.23% 10.00% 19.27% 2.50% IAF 6.87% 8.71% 21.22% 2.18% IFN 2.57% N/A* 0.61% N/A* JEQ -2.16% 5.99% 13.01% 1.50%

1 Return data is net of all fund expenses and fees and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan, with the exception of the most recent distribution.

2 Based on the Fund's NAV as of January 31, 2023.

3 The Fund launched within the past 5 years; the performance and distribution rate information presented reflects data from inception (July 29, 2020) through January 31, 2023.

*The Fund's fiscal period to date is January 1, 2023 to January 31, 2023 and there were no distributions in this period.

Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about a Fund's investment performance from the amount of the Fund's current distributions or from the terms of the distribution policy (the "Distribution Policy").

While NAV performance may be indicative of the Fund's investment performance, it does not measure the value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund. The value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund is determined by the Fund's market price, which is based on the supply and demand for the Fund's shares in the open market.

Pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Funds may distribute any long-term capital gains more frequently than the limits provided in Section 19(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder. Therefore, distributions paid by the Funds during the year may include net income, short-term capital gains, long-term capital gains and/or a return of capital. Net income dividends and short-term capital gain dividends, while generally taxable at ordinary income rates, may be eligible, to the extent of qualified dividend income earned by the Funds, to be taxed at a lower rate not to exceed the maximum rate applicable to your long-term capital gains. Distributions made in any calendar year in excess of investment company taxable income and net capital gain are treated as taxable ordinary dividends to the extent of undistributed earnings and profits, and then as a return of capital that reduces the adjusted basis in the shares held. To the extent return of capital distributions exceed the adjusted basis in the shares held, capital gain is recognized with a holding period based on the period the shares have been held at the date such amount is received.

The payment of distributions in accordance with the Distribution Policy may result in a decrease in the Fund's net assets. A decrease in the Fund's net assets may cause an increase in the Fund's annual operating expense ratio and a decrease in the Fund's market price per share to the extent the market price correlates closely to the Fund's net asset value per share. The Distribution Policy may also negatively affect the Fund's investment activities to the extent that the Fund is required to hold larger cash positions than it typically would hold or to the extent that the Fund must liquidate securities that it would not have sold, for the purpose of paying the distribution. Each Fund's Board has the right to amend, suspend or terminate the Distribution Policy at any time. The amendment, suspension or termination of the Distribution Policy may affect the Fund's market price per share. Investors should consult their tax advisor regarding federal, state and local tax considerations that may be applicable in their particular circumstances.

Circular 230 disclosure : To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the U.S. Treasury, we inform you that any U.S. tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein.

In the United States, abrdn is the marketing name for the following affiliated, registered investment advisers: abrdn Inc., Aberdeen Asset Managers Ltd., abrdn Australia Limited, abrdn Asia Limited, Aberdeen Capital Management, LLC, abrdn ETFs Advisors LLC and Aberdeen Standard Alternative Funds Limited.

Closed-end funds are traded on the secondary market through one of the stock exchanges. A Fund's investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares may be worth more or less than the original cost. Shares of closed-end funds may trade above (a premium) or below (a discount) the net asset value (NAV) of the fund's portfolio. There is no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objective. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

https://www.abrdn.com/en-us/cefinvestorcenter

For More Information Contact:

abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds

Investor Relations

1-800-522-5465

Investor.Relations@abrdn.com

SOURCE: abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/738856/abrdn-US-Closed-End-Funds-Announce-Distribution-Payment-Details
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2023 / CNH Industrial (NYSE:CNHI) employees at the company's New Holland tractor plant in Basildon, Essex, UK, have made a significant donation to the Basildon Community Supermarket .

Working alongside the local union rep and the plant's catering partner, Angel Hill Food Co., they managed to collect and deliver over 800 worth of food and household essentials.

Established in December, Basildon Community Supermarket is the first of its kind in the county of Essex. After paying a small membership fee, anyone from the Basildon area is welcome to shop there and take advantage of very low prices. It differs from a Food Bank as members can choose what they want to purchase.

It's a valuable way for Basildon residents to ease cost-of-living pressures.

The new project is being led by Billericay Street Pastors and Hopethree16 , a volunteering organization with investment from Essex County Council.

Phil Norton, Chair of Billericay Street Pastors, said: "With ever increasing costs for every-day essentials, such as food and fuel, there is a real need to help families who may be struggling to make ends meet."

Elisa Bertani, an HR Specialist for CNH Industrial based at the Basildon plant, added:

"We're all very excited and proud to work with the Community Supermarket on such a valuable initiative. We hope it's going to benefit more and more people in our local community."

CNH Industrial's contribution will help local people save some money on weekly bills and ensure that any extra funds are spent on family essentials, such as school uniform.

The company intends to continue collaborating with the charities leading the project. The volunteers have been invited to the Basildon plant to explain to employees how the Community Supermarket works. And CNH Industrial plans on making a donation every quarter.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from CNH Industrial on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: CNH Industrial

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cnh-industrial

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: CNH Industrial

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/738871/CNH-Industrial-Makes-a-Contribution-to-UK-Community-Supermarket
SAN RAMON, Calif. / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2023 / Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) has been awarded the 2023 Platinum Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health by Mental Health America (MHA). The Bell Seal is a first-of-its-kind workplace mental health certification that recognizes employers who strive to create mentally healthy workplaces for their employees.

Employers that receive MHA's Bell Seal are nationally recognized for advancing workplace standards and practices that enable mental health and well-being. Organizations are recognized at different levels - bronze, silver, gold or platinum - and are assessed based on how mental health is approached via four categories: workplace culture, benefits, compliance and wellness programs. Platinum status reflects Chevron's dedication to employee well-being with outstanding scores in all areas.

"At Chevron, focusing on workforce health and safety is our top priority," said Huma Abbasi, General Manager for Chevron Health & Medical. "We take a 'whole-person' approach to well-being that focuses on body, mind, lifestyle, mental health and psychological safety, and use it to develop programs and other resources for employees around the world. We are honored to be recognized by Mental Health America for our longstanding commitment to mental health and well-being of employees and their families."

Founded in 1909, MHA is the nation's leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting the overall mental health of all. MHA's work is driven by its commitment to promote mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, including prevention services for all; early identification and intervention for those at risk; integrated care, services and support for those who need them; with recovery as the goal. Learn more at MHAnational.org.

Chevron is one of the world's leading integrated energy companies. We believe affordable, reliable and ever-cleaner energy is essential to achieving a more prosperous and sustainable world. Chevron produces crude oil and natural gas; manufactures transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and additives; and develops technologies that enhance our business and the industry. We are focused on lowering the carbon intensity in our operations and growing lower carbon businesses along with our traditional business lines. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.

Media contact: Randy Stuart -- +1 713-283-8609





View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Chevron Corporation on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Chevron Corporation

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/chevron-corporation

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Chevron Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/738872/Chevron-Awarded-Platinum-Bell-Seal-for-Workplace-Mental-Health-by-Mental-Health-America
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2023 / Ximen Mining Corp. (TSXV:XIM)(FRA:1XMA)(OTCQB:XXMMF) (the "Company" or "Ximen) is pleased to announce that it has arranged a non-brokered private placement of 1,200,000 flow through shares at a price of $0.15 per share for gross proceeds of $180,000. Each Flow-Through share consists of one common share that qualifies as a "flow-through share" as defined in subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act and one transferable common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant will entitle the holder to purchase, for a period of 60 months from the date of issue, one additional non-flow-through common share of the Issuer at an exercise price of Cdn$0.20 per share.

The net proceeds from the Offering will be used by the Company for exploration expenses on the Company's British Columbia mineral properties.

A finder's fee may be paid to eligible finders in accordance with the TSX Venture Exchange policies. All securities issued pursuant to the offering will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of closing. The offering and payment of finders' fees are both subject to approval by the TSX-V.

Directors, officers or other insiders of the company may participate in the foregoing offerings, and such parties may sell securities of the company owned or controlled by them personally through the facilities of the TSX Venture Exchange to finance participation in such offerings.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Christopher R. Anderson"

Christopher R. Anderson,

President, CEO and Director

604 488-3900

Investor Relations: Sophy Cesar, 604-488-3900, ir@XimenMiningCorp.com

About Ximen Mining Corp.

Ximen Mining Corp. is focused on acquiring high-grade gold assets in southern BC, with easy access and solid infrastructure. Ximen aims to build a gold mining company with the blue-sky potential of a land package with multi-million ounces of gold targeting over 10,000,000 OZ. Ximen strives to always to take a 100% interest in all its projects and assets. The Company has bought out all the possible NSR's on its key mineral precious metal assets and several other assets in the vicinity of its holdings. Simultaneously, Ximen is advancing the Kenville Gold Mine forward and on the path towards production. The focus remains on meeting all the established targets while at the same time maintaining aversion towards debt and dilution. All while moving forward with responsible development and sustainable mining and exploration practices building Ethical and Sustainable Value.

Ximen is a publicly listed company trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol XIM, in the USA under the symbol XXMMF, and in Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin Stock Exchanges in Germany under the symbol 1XMA and WKN with the number as A2JBKL.

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities. This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding the receipt of TSX Venture Exchange approval and the exercise of the Option by Ximen. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made, and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include the possibility that the TSX Venture Exchange may not accept the proposed transaction in a timely manner, if at all. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Ximen Mining Corp

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/738882/Ximen-Mining-Arranges-Financing
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 9, 2023) - IMPACT Silver Corp. (TSXV: IPT) (OTC Pink: ISVLF) (FSE: IKL) ("IMPACT" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has signed a Share Purchase and Sale Agreement (the "Sale Agreement") with Consolidated Zinc Limited (ASX: CZL) ("CZL") of Australia dated February 9, 2023 to purchase all of the outstanding shares of its subsidiary, Minera Latin America Zinc S.A.P.I de C.V. ("MLAZ"), which holds a 100% interest in the Plomosas zinc-lead-silver mine in the state of Chihuahua, northern Mexico.

HIGHLIGHTS

The acquisition will expand IMPACT's production profile from one to two producing operations - the Plomosas zinc-lead-silver district in northern Mexico and the Royal Mines of Zacualpan silver-lead-zinc(-gold) district in central Mexico.

The purchase price is US$6 million consisting of a minimum US$3 million cash and the balance in IMPACT shares plus a 12% net profit interest royalty to CZL. Completion of the transaction is anticipated on or before April 7, 2023.

CZL reported Plomosas JORC mineral resources 1 of 215,000 tonnes grading 13.5% zinc, 6.3% lead and 34.0 g/t silver indicated, and 772,000 tonnes grading 13.1% zinc, 3.0% lead and 19.0 g/t silver inferred, at a 3% zinc cutoff at December 2021. IMPACT plans a drill program in 2023 to infill and test extensions of the known mineralization.

of 215,000 tonnes grading 13.5% zinc, 6.3% lead and 34.0 g/t silver indicated, and 772,000 tonnes grading 13.1% zinc, 3.0% lead and 19.0 g/t silver inferred, at a 3% zinc cutoff at December 2021. IMPACT plans a drill program in 2023 to infill and test extensions of the known mineralization. Plomosas is host to high grade mineralization. Historical mining is in the global upper quartile for zinc grade with approximately 2.5MT mined since 1943 grading 15-25% zinc, 2-7% lead and 40-60 g/t silver with low deleterious elements 2 .

. CZL has been mining Plomosas since September 2018 except for some temporary short suspensions during Christmas. IMPACT plans to upgrade the mill and mine with the aim to continue mining followed by plans for expanding operations.

IMPACT's highly skilled operations team has 17 years of underground mining and flotation milling experience at Zacualpan which it will bring to advance the Plomosas operations.

Exploration potential at Plomosas is exceptional with only 600m of the 6 kilometre long structure assessed plus other exploration targets on the 3,019 hectare property including untested copper-gold targets. Regionally, Plomosas lies in the same mineral belt as some of the largest silver-lead-zinc carbonate replacement deposits ("CRD") in the world2.

CEO STATEMENT

Chairman and CEO Frederick Davidson commented, "We are truly pleased to acquire a second mining district after evaluating hundreds of projects over the years in an effort to grow IMPACT. Currently Plomosas is a relatively small mining operation on a large mineral system. Our goal is to upgrade and expand operations to optimize production from the large mineral system. Our Mexican technical team is exceptionally skilled in building and efficiently operating mines like this and we will bring our 17 years of underground operating experience at the Royal Mines of Zacualpan to hone and grow the Plomosas operations. The technical and management overlap with similarity of asset and operations provides great synergy for the transaction and represents near term growth of our production levels and value to shareholders."

PLOMOSAS PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Plomosas project is located 110 km by road from Chihuahua City, the state capital, which is a two-hour flight from Dallas, Texas, USA. The district was discovered in 1832 and has seen small scale mining since 1868. Historical mining is in the global upper quartile for zinc grade with approximately 2.5MT mined since 1943 grading 15-25% zinc, 2-7% lead and 40-60 g/t silver with low deleterious elements2.

The mine and mill are fully permitted, have an offtake smelter contract2 and have been in production by CZL since September 2018 except for some temporary short suspensions during Christmas. In 2021 CZL processed 31,695 tonnes producing 2,442 tonnes of zinc concentrate and 599 tonnes of lead concentrate. Mine access is by 3 portals reaching a depth of 250m below surface and an old shaft that can be refurbished2. Mineral is processed in a 200 tonne per day conventional flotation mill (recently operating under capacity) with plans to expand. IMPACT plans to upgrade the mill and mine with the aim to continue mining in the near term followed by plans for expanding operations. The Plomosas Property is subject to an underlying 1% Net Smelter Royalty.

The 3,019 hectare property covers extensive carbonate replacement deposit-type ("CRD") zinc-lead-silver mantos (beds) mainly hosted in carbonates (limestones, marbles). CZL reported Australian JORC mineral resources1 of 215,000 tonnes grading 13.5% zinc, 6.3% lead and 34.0 g/t silver indicated, and 772,000 tonnes grading 13.1% zinc, 3.0% lead and 19.0 g/t silver inferred, at a 3% zinc cutoff at December 2021. IMPACT plans a drill program in 2023 to infill and test extensions of the known mineralization.

Exploration potential at Plomosas is exceptional with only 600m of the 6 kilometre long structure assessed plus other exploration targets including untested copper-gold targets. Regionally Plomosas lies in the same mineral belt as some of the largest CRD deposits in the world (see Map 1)2. The historic Santa Eulalia Mine is the world's largest historic CRD deposit and is located 100km west of Plomosas (see Map 1). Historic production at Santa Eulalia was over 450Moz silver from 51MT averaging 350 g/t silver, 8.2% lead and 7.8% zinc and mined over 300 years. Reference to this nearby project is for information purposes only and there are no assurances that Plomosas will achieve similar results.

TERMS OF THE TRANSACTION

The material terms of the transaction are as follows.

IMPACT will pay the following consideration to CZL for a 100% interest in MLAZ, the Mexican subsidiary of CZL that owns a 100% interest in the Plomosas Project:

US$6 million consisting of a minimum US$3 million cash and the balance in IMPACT common shares (the "IMPACT Shares"). Closing adjustments based on working capital at closing are provided in the Sale Agreement;

Contractual restrictions on transfer will be applied to 75% of the IMPACT Shares, such that IMPACT Shares will be released from restriction in three equal tranches of 25% every 6 months over 18 months from closing. 25% of the IMPACT Shares will be immediately held by CZL (subject to a statutory 4 month hold period from the date of issuance of the IMPACT Shares); and

a 12% net profit interest ("NPI") royalty on production from the Plomosas project to CZL.

It is anticipated that upon closing and assuming US$3 million payment made in IMPACT Shares, CZL will hold approximately 6% of the issued capital in IMPACT. The deemed per share price will be determined in accordance with the Sale Agreement and will be the 20 day VWAP before the date of the Sale Agreement or an equivalent price to an IMPACT financing, should one be conducted before closing.

Completion of the Sale Agreement is subject to certain industry standard closing conditions for a transaction of this kind (the "Conditions") being satisfied or waived by March 31, 2023. Completion is expected to occur within 7 days of the Conditions being satisfied or waived. Conditions include, among others, TSX Venture Exchange approval of the purchase of MLAZ and the issuance of IMPACT Shares as partial consideration.

IMPACT has cash on hand to close the Sale Agreement, but may conduct a financing in the near-term for additional working capital.

ABOUT CONSOLIDATED ZINC LIMITED

Consolidated Zinc Limited is an Australian junior exploration company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX: CZL). It owns 100% interests in the Pilbara Lithium and Wandagee Projects, which comprise approximately 1,400km2 in 5 granted exploration licences (plus 1 EL Application), located in the Pilbara and Gascoyne regions of Western Australia. The Pilbara Projects are highly prospective for lithium and situated near two of the world's largest hard rock lithium deposits/mines (PLS - Pilgangoora & MIN - Wodgina) and other deposits and occurrences near Marble Bar (GL1's Archer Project). Consolidated Zinc also owns the Plomosas Mine (Mexico) where, as described in this news release, Consolidated Zinc has signed a binding conditional sale agreement with IMPACT Silver for the sale of the Plomosas project for US$6 million (cash and shares) plus a 12% NPI royalty.

Jett Capital Advisors, LLC are acting as advisor to Consolidated Zinc Limited.

ABOUT IMPACT SILVER

IMPACT Silver Corp. (TSXV: IPT) is a successful producer-explorer with two mining projects in Mexico.

Royal Mines of Zacualpan Silver-Gold District: IMPACT owns 100% of the 211 km2 Zacualpan project where three underground silver mines and one open pit mine feed the central 500 tpd Guadalupe processing plant. To the south, the Capire Project includes a 200 tpd processing pilot plant adjacent to an open pit silver mine with an NI 43-101 inferred mineral resource of over 4.5 million oz silver, 48 million lbs zinc and 21 million lbs lead (see IMPACT news release dated January 18, 2016 for details and QP statement, and Footnote 3 below for report reference). Company engineers are reviewing Capire for a potential restart of operations. Over the past 17 years, IMPACT has placed multiple zones into commercial production and produced over 11.5 million ounces of silver, generating revenues over $230 million, with no long-term debt.

Plomosas Zinc-Lead-Silver District: IMPACT signed the sale agreement with Consolidated Zinc Limited (ASX: CZL) of Australia to purchase the 30 km2 Plomosas property and mining operations for US$6 million (cash and shares) plus a 12% net profits interest. Plomosas is a high grade zinc-lead-silver producer with exceptional exploration potential. Upon closing of the purchase / sale transaction, IMPACT plans to upgrade the mill and mine with the aim to recommence operations in the near term followed by plans for expanding operations. Exploration potential at Plomosas is exceptional with only 600m of the 6 kilometre long structure assessed plus other exploration targets including untested copper-gold targets. Regionally, Plomosas lies in the same mineral belt as some of the largest carbonate replacement deposits ("CRD") in the world.

Additional information about IMPACT and its operations can be found on the Company website at www.IMPACTSilver.com . Follow us on Twitter @IMPACT_Silver and LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactsilver.

Qualified Person and NI 43-101 Disclosure

George Gorzynski, P.Eng., is a "qualified person" within the meaning of NI 43-101 and has approved the technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Gorzynski is Vice-President, Exploration and a director of IMPACT.

On behalf of IMPACT Silver Corp.

"Frederick W. Davidson"

President & CEO

For more information, please contact:

Jerry Huang

CFO | Investor Relations

O: (604) 681 0172 or inquiries@impactsilver.com

C: (778) 887 6489 Direct

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Footnotes:

1. Plomosas mineral resources are reported by Consolidated Zinc Ltd. (ASX: CZL) on their website (https://www.consolidatedzinc.com.au) under the Australian JORC (2012) Code as mineral resources "depleted as at December 2021". IMPACT's Qualified Person has reviewed but not verified in detail these current reported mineral resources and is only reporting them as material recent mineral resources reported by CZL and available in the public record. IMPACT believes the estimates are relevant and reliable, given they are reported to Australian JORC standards; however, IMPACT's Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to classify them as current Canadian NI 43-101 mineral resources.

2. Reference: Alexandri, A. Gonzalez, H., & Salas, H. (2022). Plomosas Project (CZL), Field Visit Report. IMPACT Silver Corp. private report on field visits and compilation of historic and recent data, 56 pages.

3. Reference: Ristorcelli, S.J. & Gorzynski, G. (2016). Technical Report on Mineral Resources for the Capire Silver-Lead-Zinc Project, Pedro Ascencio Alquisiras Municipality, Guerrero, Mexico. Prepared for IMPACT Silver Corp. by Mine Development Associates, Reno, Nevada. 82 pages. Available on www.sedar.com.

Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

This IMPACT News Release may contain certain "forward-looking" statements and information relating to IMPACT that is based on the beliefs of IMPACT management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to IMPACT management. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "planned", "expect", "project", "predict", "potential", "targeting", "intends", "believe", "potential", and similar expressions, or describes a "goal", or variation of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "should", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding completion of the Plomosas agreement and estimated timing thereof, the potential for defining and extending the known mineralization, and plans for drilling and future operations at the Company's projects or plans for financing.

Such forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks and assumptions, including with respect to, without limitation, exploration and development risks, expenditure and financing requirements, title matters, operating hazards, metal prices, political and economic factors, competitive factors, general economic conditions, relationships with vendors and strategic partners, governmental regulation and supervision, seasonality, technological change, industry practices, pandemics and one-time events. Should any one or more risks or uncertainties materialize or change, or should any underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and forward-looking statements may vary materially from those described herein. IMPACT does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement or beliefs, opinions, projections or other factors, except as required by law.

At Zacualpan, the Company's decision to place a mine into production, expand a mine, make other production related decisions or otherwise carry out mining and processing operations, is largely based on internal non-public Company data and reports based on exploration, development and mining work by the Company's geologists and engineers. The results of this work are evident in the discovery and building of multiple mines for the Company and in the track record of mineral production and financial returns of the Company since 2006. Under NI 43-101, the Company is required to disclose that it has not based its Zacualpan production decisions on NI 43-101 mineral resources or reserve estimates, preliminary economic assessments or feasibility studies, and historically such projects have increased uncertainty and risk of failure.

303-543 Granville Street

Vancouver, BC, Canada V6C 1X8

Telephone 604 664-7707

www.impactsilver.com

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Figure 1: Location map of Plomosas Mine and nearby mines and infrastructure. References to nearby projects are for information purposes only and there are no assurances that Plomosas will achieve similar results.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4729/154322_e46adc43d447582c_001full.jpg





Figure 2: Schematic cross section of Plomosas Mine mineralization (from CZL website).



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4729/154322_e46adc43d447582c_002full.jpg

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/154322
Momentum Continues for the Leader in Customer Communications Management, a leading technology company focused on helping businesses engage in more meaningful customer conversations, today announced the company's strong performance for 2022 as more enterprises accelerate digital transformation efforts and adopt cloud strategies for smarter customer conversations.



Despite a difficult year for many tech companies and challenging global headwinds, Smart Communications achieved notable milestones in revenue, customer satisfaction, technology innovation, industry recognition plus other key growth indicators.

"2022 was another incredible year for Smart Communications as enterprises worldwide prioritized investments in cloud technologies that drive scalable value, improve the customer experience, and generate high returns in an environment riddled with cost reductions," said James Brown, CEO of Smart Communications. "We will continue to focus on helping enterprises exceed their customers' expectations for conversations that are personal, relevant and contextual all while delivering tremendous ROI."

To meet the growing demand, Smart Communications also announced several internal promotions:

Leigh Segall has been named President. Having been with Smart Communications for 6 years, serving as both Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Strategy Officer, Segall will oversee all operational aspects of the business as well as continue to be a key driver in creating the company vision in this newly-created role.

Additionally, other senior employees have been promoted including Hitesh Bhindi (Chief Customer Officer), Samantha Couzens (Chief Marketing Officer), Jo Sweet (Chief Human Resource Officer), and Martin Suter (Chief Product Officer).

James Brown explains, "One of the core values of Smart Communications is employee success. As a result, we're highly focused on ensuring that we nurture great talent and create opportunities for career development and progression across the company. I truly believe that this is one of the reasons why Smart Communications is such a great place to work, and why we continue to deliver outstanding results as we expand and scale the business."

Other 2022 highlights include:

Global growth in all regions and industries : Smart Communications increased proforma revenue by 16% in 2022; adding 50 new enterprises as cloud customers and expanding our relationships with more than 100 existing customers to support new brands, regions, and enhanced functionality. Smart Communications continued to capitalize on the growing desire and trend towards mature cloud-native solutions and recorded strong growth across all key product lines. It was the best annual performance recorded for the digital forms automation solution, SmartIQ (https://www.smartcommunications.com/products/smartiq/) and a near record year for its industry leading CCM product, SmartCOMM (https://www.smartcommunications.com/products/smartcomm/). All core geographies expanded, demonstrating the global nature of the technology and customer base, thus generating record numbers of opportunities in all core industry verticals.

: Smart Communications increased proforma revenue by 16% in 2022; adding 50 new enterprises as cloud customers and expanding our relationships with more than 100 existing customers to support new brands, regions, and enhanced functionality. Smart Communications continued to capitalize on the growing desire and trend towards mature cloud-native solutions and recorded strong growth across all key product lines. It was the best annual performance recorded for the digital forms automation solution, SmartIQ (https://www.smartcommunications.com/products/smartiq/) and a near record year for its industry leading CCM product, SmartCOMM (https://www.smartcommunications.com/products/smartcomm/). All core geographies expanded, demonstrating the global nature of the technology and customer base, thus generating record numbers of opportunities in all core industry verticals. New customers and existing customer expansions including :

Top 5 US based large heathcare insurer will consolidate and replace all its CCM solutions by standardizing communications on pure cloud SmartCOMM. By doing so, they expect to save millions of dollars in the first 2 years. Large multinational investment bank and financial services holding company already depends on SmartDX and this year added SmartIQ to simplify the way clients affirm trades and digitally sign on-demand confirmations. International banking customer expands current SmartCOMM use cases and adds omnichannel messaging to deliver digital messages including email, SMS and in app messaging. Multinational insurance company is consolidating and replacing 14 legacy core systems managed by 3 separate IT organizations by expanding its use of SmartCOMM. By reducing the technical dept of disparate systems, one central IT organization will support the business needs. Global financial institution selects SmartIQ to digitize customer facing forms to accelerate time to value for the center of excellence and empower business units to leverage the solution for 1000s of use cases.

: Strong customer advocacy : Smart Communications continues to outperform industry averages with achieving a Net Promoter Score of +68 (excellent) from customers, leading to the company's strong 96% renewal rate.



: Smart Communications continues to outperform industry averages with achieving a Net Promoter Score of +68 (excellent) from customers, leading to the company's strong 96% renewal rate. Investment in leadership and regional support: New talent was added globally across all departments; including Chief Information Officer (https://www.smartcommunications.com/resources/press-releases/new-cio-added-to-leadership/) and Sales Director (https://www.smartcommunications.com/resources/press-releases/broadens-european-presence-in-dach-region) in DACH region.

New talent was added globally across all departments; including Chief Information Officer (https://www.smartcommunications.com/resources/press-releases/new-cio-added-to-leadership/) and Sales Director (https://www.smartcommunications.com/resources/press-releases/broadens-european-presence-in-dach-region) in DACH region. Product Innovation: Across four major product releases and multiple minor releases, Smart Communications continues to push innovation and enhancements across the product suite. Key highlights include a unified Conversation Cloud platform experience, Versioned Engine, Wealth Management Client Reporting module, a re-imagined Collaboration experience and Vega Charting for SmartCOMM, and a new Workflow experience and customizable branding tool for SmartIQ. Combined with this, Smart Communications has also extended global cloud support with expanded presences in Canada & Germany.

Across four major product releases and multiple minor releases, Smart Communications continues to push innovation and enhancements across the product suite. Key highlights include a unified Conversation Cloud platform experience, Versioned Engine, Wealth Management Client Reporting module, a re-imagined Collaboration experience and Vega Charting for SmartCOMM, and a new Workflow experience and customizable branding tool for SmartIQ. Combined with this, Smart Communications has also extended global cloud support with expanded presences in Canada & Germany. Partner expansions and marketing : Smart Communications added new partners and expanded programs with Duck Creek (https://www.smartcommunications.com/resources/press-releases/smart-communications-duck-creek-integration-expansion/), OneSpan (https://www.smartcommunications.com/resources/press-releases/onespan-partnership-expand-value-with-electronic-signature-integration) and Areteans (https://www.smartcommunications.com/resources/press-releases/areteans-partnership-elevate-customer-conversations) in APAC. The company coproduced a research report on Key Trends in Insurance CX (https://www.smartcommunications.com/resources/press-releases/smart-communications-and-salesforce-insurance-trends) with Salesforce. Guidewire awarded Smart Communications and its customer, Mountain West Farm Bureau the Innovation Award (https://www.smartcommunications.com/resources/press-releases/guidewire-innovation-award-2022) at its annual Connections conference. Learn how Mountain West Farm Bureau is transforming customer conversations with Smart Communications in this case study (https://www.smartcommunications.com/wp-content/uploads/022_Mountain-West-FBI_CaseStudy_SCOMM_Final.pdf) and by watching this short Guidewire-produced video (https://smart-communications.wistia.com/medias/mpp4uxtapv) where Smart Communications is described as "a force multiplier" to save on tech, time, and money creating a "multi-million dollar savings to Mountain West."

: Smart Communications added new partners and expanded programs with Duck Creek (https://www.smartcommunications.com/resources/press-releases/smart-communications-duck-creek-integration-expansion/), OneSpan (https://www.smartcommunications.com/resources/press-releases/onespan-partnership-expand-value-with-electronic-signature-integration) and Areteans (https://www.smartcommunications.com/resources/press-releases/areteans-partnership-elevate-customer-conversations) in APAC. The company coproduced a research report on Key Trends in Insurance CX (https://www.smartcommunications.com/resources/press-releases/smart-communications-and-salesforce-insurance-trends) with Salesforce. Guidewire awarded Smart Communications and its customer, Mountain West Farm Bureau the Innovation Award (https://www.smartcommunications.com/resources/press-releases/guidewire-innovation-award-2022) at its annual Connections conference. Learn how Mountain West Farm Bureau is transforming customer conversations with Smart Communications in this case study (https://www.smartcommunications.com/wp-content/uploads/022_Mountain-West-FBI_CaseStudy_SCOMM_Final.pdf) and by watching this short Guidewire-produced video (https://smart-communications.wistia.com/medias/mpp4uxtapv) where Smart Communications is described as "a force multiplier" to save on tech, time, and money creating a "multi-million dollar savings to Mountain West." Customer conferences : Held in North America and in EMEA, the annual customer conference series focused on the theme of Conversations without Limits . Customers, business partners, and industry leaders engaged in the hottest topics and discussed solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing customer experience leaders. The Scale Awards (https://www.smartcommunications.com/resources/press-releases/2022-customer-awards/) were presented to customers and partners who are making customer conversations smarter via their digital transformation efforts including American Family, John Hancock and Empower Retirement in North America and Admiral Group and Animal Friends in EMEA.

: Held in North America and in EMEA, the annual customer conference series focused on the theme of . Customers, business partners, and industry leaders engaged in the hottest topics and discussed solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing customer experience leaders. The Scale Awards (https://www.smartcommunications.com/resources/press-releases/2022-customer-awards/) were presented to customers and partners who are making customer conversations smarter via their digital transformation efforts including American Family, John Hancock and Empower Retirement in North America and Admiral Group and Animal Friends in EMEA. Significant industry validation: Smart Communications was named as a Leader in 3 analyst technology evaluations including IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Cloud Customer Communications Management Applications 2022 (https://www.smartcommunications.com/resources/press-releases/2022-idc-ccm-marketscape/), 2022 Aspire CCM-CXM Leaderboard (https://www.smartcommunications.com/resources/press-releases/2022-aspire-ccm-leaderboard) and the Aragon Globe for Workflow and Content Automation, 2022 (https://www.smartcommunications.com/resources/press-releases/2022-aragon-globe-wca/). The company was awarded several other recognitions including the prestigious IDC Fintech Rankings (https://www.smartcommunications.com/resources/press-releases/smart-communications-named-in-prestigious-idc-fintech-rankings/), G2 Grid for CCM (https://www.smartcommunications.com/resources/press-releases/smart-communications-named-ccm-leader-g2-winter-2023), Hot Customer Experience (CX) Solution Company (https://www.smartcommunications.com/resources/press-releases/hot-cx-solution-company-for-the-sixth-year), Xplor International Technology of the Year Award (https://www.smartcommunications.com/resources/press-releases/2022-xplor-international-technology-award/), Guidewire Innovation Award (https://www.smartcommunications.com/resources/press-releases/guidewire-innovation-award-2022/), WealthTech100 List (https://www.smartcommunications.com/resources/press-releases/wealthtech100-innovation-award), and InsurTech100 List (https://www.smartcommunications.com/resources/press-releases/2022-insurtech-100-list/).



About Smart Communications

Smart Communications is a leading technology company focused on helping businesses engage in more meaningful customer conversations. Its Conversation Cloudplatform uniquely delivers personalized, omnichannel conversations across the entire customer experience, empowering companies to succeed in 50today's digital-focused, customer-driven world while also simplifying processes and operating more efficiently. Smart Communications is headquartered in the UK and serves over 650 customers from offices located across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Smart Communications' Conversation Cloud platform includes the enterprise-scale customer communications management, forms transformation capabilities made possible by SmartIQand the trade documentation expertise of SmartDX. In 2021, the company acquired Assentis, a leading European software solutions provider specializing in customer communications management.

Roberta Patterson - Analyst and Public Relations, Smart Communications

Email: rpatterson@smartcommunications.com
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2023 / A T-Mobile technology expert shares her story of how the Navy prepared her for a career in technology, but not for the reality of her otherness as a Black woman in the field. Now, she's showing high school students what the next generation of tech leaders can look like.

Dr. Cheryl Cooper has worked hard to earn four credentials and degrees in cybersecurity: DCS, CISSP, CISSA and CDPSE. She'll tell you, however, her life's work is removing barriers that keep future generations from believing they can achieve those titles as well. (We'll save you the google search of all those certifications: Digital Communication Specialist (DCS), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Systems Information Auditor (CISA) and Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE).)

"I am a champion for students, especially women of color, to pursue careers in cybersecurity and technology," she says. "Our students can't dream what they can't see."

A business information security officer with T-Mobile based in Overland Park, Kan., she is also a member of T-Mobile's Technology Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee. And she serves as the president and founder of Women in Security Mentors, an organization that advocates for women and minorities to pursue careers in technology and in cybersecurity.

In 2022, Dr. Cooper led all-girls cybersecurity and technology career fests at T-Mobile's headquarters in Bellevue, Wash., and Overland Park, Kan., welcoming a combined 265 students whom she says are underrepresented in the field and lack proper mentors.

"There are more than 3 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs today, yet I found that minority representation is in single digits in the field," Dr. Cooper says. "Only 9% of cybersecurity jobs are held by black employees, with 24% of the jobs held by women. There are so many career paths in this field, not just coding, that I don't think all our students are being introduced to. That's where I come in."

On Feb. 23, she is leading another all-girls cybersecurity and technology career event, this time at one of the company's store locations in Frisco, Texas. The fact that it falls within Black History Month is not lost on her.

"These events are to support building the next generation of a diverse pipeline in technology and cybersecurity, and to support closing the race and gender gap," she says. "Black History Month provides an opportunity to showcase the Black culture, contributions of Black people, and an opportunity to be of service to Black communities. We must show people of color, and especially our girls, visual opportunities so that they can see themselves in the world."

Dr. Cooper says she sees how T-Mobile is building a workforce of the future, by advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and beyond so as to reflect the communities the company serves.

Since 2021, T-Mobile has invested over $3 million in HBCUs, and Dr. Cooper's efforts to introduce technology opportunities to minority youth, specifically female minorities, resonates powerfully with T-Mobile's company values and its enterprise competency framework known as the "Values in Action," one of which is creating affordable access for the next generation. The company has continuously expressed its commitment to help close the digital divide and provide affordable access to connectivity, so everyone has the opportunity to succeed. That devotion to equal opportunities is another reason Dr. Cooper is also working to launch a T-Mobile Cybersecurity Internship Program this year.

"It's a paid internship for high school juniors and seniors that creates a career path in cybersecurity and provides certification while they're studying in college," she says. "Isn't that amazing?! At the age of 20, you have the opportunity to have a certification, a two-year degree and four years of experience under your belt."

Dr. Cooper plans to do even more. We asked her to talk about her tireless work and to share her story as an influential Black woman in wireless technology.

I want to close that race and gender gap in tech by introducing students to these career fields in a way that they can see themselves in the world. DR. CHERYL COOPER, T-MOBILE BUSINESS SECURITY INFORMATION OFFICER

How would you describe your journey into the technology field?

My journey into technology is not the traditional path. I grew up in the inner city of Kansas City and I wanted more opportunities, so I turned to the military and enlisted in the United States Navy. I went in as a radioman technical controller, responsible for troubleshooting telecommunication systems and changing out cryptographic keys. I learned so much, but when I returned to civilian life, I was surprised to see the lack of women and Blacks in technology. As I continued my career in technology, I saw racism, both unconscious and conscious bias, as well as a gender gap with women in STEM, specifically technology. This became even more apparent when I started going to industry conferences and didn't see people who look like me. That's what got me on my path to say, "I've gotta do something about this. I've got to be a changemaker. I've got to work on closing this race and this gender gap." It's been a passion of mine for a decade.

Tell us about the Cybersecurity and Technology Career Fests for high school students you've led on T-Mobile's campuses. And why do you think it's significant that your upcoming event falls during Black History Month?

For the last decade, I've been committed to doing what I can to close the race and gender gap in this cybersecurity and technology field because I know it holds so much opportunity for aspiring youth. Most companies have a recruitment strategy for cybersecurity roles. But what I found is that unless we incite our youth to pursue careers in technology and cybersecurity, we're not likely to find them. That's why I started the Women in Security Mentors Organization, an organization that introduces women and minorities in underserved communities to the cybersecurity field. Many of the high schools in the communities we have focused on are not introducing the students to these amazing and rewarding careers, especially when you look at Title I schools and inner-city schools. I pitched a paid high school internship program where juniors and seniors create a career path in tech and study for certification. I also talked with my senior leadership team about minority youth, especially female minorities, who aren't aware of the types of jobs available in cybersecurity. I said we need to show that opportunities aren't limited to coding. We have to show them that there are people who look like them currently working in roles like mine. That's how I came to create our first career fests, which brought hundreds of female students to the T-Mobile campuses. And, next up, I'm on my way to Frisco, Texas, where we plan to welcome another hundred girls. We're going to close that gap by introducing the students to these career fields and the opportunities they can visualize themselves in. We took a poll, and 97% of the students who attended our Bellevue career fest last year said they felt more hopeful about the future. Another 80% said they'd now consider STEM careers.

What does Black History Month mean to you?

Black History Month is important and especially so to me because we have started to say it's not just Black people's history, it's America's history. It provides an opportunity to honor the sacrifices that have been made for racial, social and economic equality, and what we are doing to close the gaps. Black History Month is an opportunity for us to learn where we came from and evaluate where we're going. A lot of people don't even know the significance that Black people played in fields like technology. More people know about the contribution of Black women in space exploration, women like Katherine Johnson, thanks to the movie Hidden Figures, but there's so much more to learn. It's an opportunity for not just the Black community, but for all people to pause and learn about a people's contributions to our society overall.

Check out footage above from the Career Fests in Overland Park, Kan., and Bellevue, Wash.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from T-Mobile on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: T-Mobile

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/t-mobile

Email: info@3blmedia.com



SOURCE: T-Mobile

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/738889/Employee-Spotlight-A-Champion-for-the-Next-Generation-of-Tech-Leaders
Abbott (NYSE: ABT), acquired Cardiovascular Systems, a St. Paul, MN-based medical device company.

Under terms of the agreement, CSI stockholders will receive $20 per common share at a total expected equity value of approximately $890 million.

With the acquisition, Abbott will gain an innovative, complementary solution in treating vascular disease through CSIs atherectomy system, which prepares vessels for angioplasty or stenting to restore blood flow. CSIs offering will support Abbotts ability to provide better care for patients with peripheral and coronary artery disease.

Led by Scott Ward, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Cardiovascular Systems is a medical device company focused on developing and commercializing solutions for treating vascular and coronary disease. Its orbital atherectomy system treats calcified and fibrotic plaque in arterial vessels throughout the leg and heart and addresses many of the limitations associated with existing surgical, catheter and pharmacological treatment alternatives. CSI also has an early-stage pipeline of complementary vascular intervention devices in development.

Upon close, the transaction is expected to be neutral to Abbotts recently issued 2023 ongoing earnings per share guidance. The transaction, which has been approved by the boards of directors of CSI and Abbott, is subject to the approval of CSI stockholders and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including applicable regulatory approvals.

FinSMEs

09/02/2023
Asylon Robotics

Asylon Robotics, a Philadelphia, PA-based automated air and ground security robotics company, received an investment from Veteran Ventures.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

The company intends to use the funds to further strengthen its defense portfolio.

Led by CEO Damon Henryand, Asylon provides advanced and automated robotics systems that act as significant force multipliers for streamlining security operations. The company leverages the capabilities of drones, robots, software, and artificial intelligence (AI) to provide 24/7 robotic security operations.

FinSMEs

09/02/2023
Mercato Partners growth-stage fund, Traverse, is led by seasoned investors, operators, and managing directors Ryan Sanders, Joe Kaiser and Greg Warnock, co-founder of Mercato Partners.

Mercato Partners, a Salt Lake City, CA-based multi-practice investment firm, closed Traverse Fund IV, at $400M.

Traverse Fund IV was supported by institutional allocators, including public pension funds, university endowments, charitable foundations, health care systems, and insurance companies. In addition to this traditional mix of long-term investors, it reserved a portion of Fund IV for accomplished service affiliates, executives and business leaders that bring mission-critical access, resources and networking opportunities to the funds portfolio companies.

Traverse Fund IV will be deployed to high-growth, mature technology and branded consumer companies. The fund has already added five key investments, including:

Atomic, a payroll API that powers banks, credit unions, and fintech;

Klover, a permissioned commerce data platform;

Lambda, a deep learning AI infrastructure company;

Paytient, a category creator that built the Health Payment Account; and

Prime Trust, a fintech and digital assets infrastructure provider.

These five companies join the 65 other investments Mercato Partners has completed since 2007.

Co-founded by Ryan Sanders, Joe Kaiser and Greg Warnock, Mercato Partners is a multi-practice investment firm that provides funding, guidance and support to technology, branded consumer, and food and beverage companies. The firm has over $1.6 billion in assets under management. Notable past investments include Central Logic, Cotopaxi, Cradlepoint, DOMO, Ephesoft, Fusion-IO, Galileo Financial Technologies, Goal Zero, Mediconnect, SaltStack, Simplus, Skullcandy, Stance, Swig, and Venafi.

FinSMEs

09/02/2023
Riot, a French startup building a cybersecurity awareness platform, raised $12m in Series A funding.

The round was led by Base10 with participation from Y Combinator, Funders Club, Founders Future, Guy Podjarny, Severin Hacker, Ilkka Paananen, Alex Bouaziz and Tamar Yehoshua.

The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its business reach.

Riot (YC W20) provides an all-in-one cybersecurity awareness platform for businesses and their employees. It protects a company by preparing employees to deal with cyberattacks.

Riots main interface is a chatbot called Albert, which is available on Slack, Microsoft Teams and the web. Its cybersecurity courses are interactive, with content that dynamically changes depending on each employees cybersecurity knowledge.

The company recently passed $2M in annual recurring revenue, and today reaches 100,000 employees across clients like Deel, Intercom and Le Monde.

FinSMEs

09/02/2023
Wikifarmer, an Athens, Greece-based agricultural commerce company, raised 5M late Seed funding.

The round was led by Point Nine with participation from the founders of cargo.one, Nikos Moraitakis  co-founder and CEO of Workable, Przemyslaw Budkowski  CEO of Merxu, Cihan Aksakal  founder of Zenjob, Louis Pfizner  founder of Caya.com and Treatwell), as well as prior investors including leading Greek VC Metavallon, plus angels such us Sophia Bendz and Mathias Kamprad.

The company intends to use the funds to hire new talent, expand across Europe, enhance its knowledge library, and launch innovative product features.

Led by CEO Ilias Sousis and CSO Petros Sagos, Wikifarmer enables farmers to sell directly to businesses at higher margins and educates them on modern farming techniques. With it, farmers can sell their output to multiple buyers, achieve a better price, monitor fair market prices, and access international markets. The startup also offers instant payments to farmers and helps them with logistics and financing, allowing them to increase their profitability on the Wikifarmer marketplace. At the same time, it provides them with a wide collection of agricultural best practices and how-to guides, which have been translated into 16 languages and are freely accessible on the Wikifarmer Library.

FinSMEs

09/02/2023
Google has revealed how artificial intelligence is advancing its goals, with improvements to immersive view and Live View, as well as new features aimed at electric vehicle drivers and those who use public transportation. In the previous year, Google introduced Live View in Search and the ability to find EV charging stations.

Immersive view

Googles Immersive View offers a unique experience of exploring a location by giving the impression of actually being there even before visiting. This innovative technology uses AI and computer vision to combine billions of street view and aerial images to form a comprehensive digital model of the world. Additionally, it provides valuable information like weather conditions, traffic updates, and crowd density.

Googles Immersive View allows you to plan a visit to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam with virtual exploration. You can fly over the building, locate entrances, and check the weather and crowd conditions at different times of day using the time slider. You can also search for nearby restaurants and view their interiors to get a sense of their ambiance before making a reservation.

This immersive experience is made possible by the use of neural radiance fields (NeRF), a cutting-edge AI technology that transforms regular photos into 3D representations. With NeRF, the complete context of a location is accurately depicted, including lighting, material textures, and background elements. This enables you to determine if a bars mood lighting is suitable for a date night, or if a cafe has good views for lunch with friends.

Explore and navigate with AR  indoors and out

Googles Live View utilizes AI and AR to assist in finding nearby points of interest, such as ATMs, restaurants, parks, and transit stations, simply by holding up your phone while outside. Live View displays useful information like hours of operation, current crowd levels, and ratings, enabling you to make informed decisions and maximize your time.

Live View uses AR-powered arrows to guide you towards your desired location, such as the nearest restrooms, lounges, taxi stands, car rentals, and more, allowing you to navigate with confidence.

Make driving an EV easy

Google introduces new Maps features for EV drivers with vehicles that have Google built-in.

Adding charging stops to shorter trips: When traveling, Google Maps will suggest the optimal charging stop based on real-time traffic, your current battery level, and estimated energy consumption. This eliminates the need to worry about remembering to charge your vehicle, regardless of your destination. You can also easily change the suggested charging station with just a few taps if you prefer another option..

Very fast charging stations: The very fast charging filter on Google Maps makes it simple to locate stations with 150 kilowatts or higher chargers. For many vehicles, this results in a quick charge of less than 40 minutes, allowing you to refuel and continue your journey.

Charging stations in search results: When searching for places like supermarkets, Google Maps will show results that have on-site charging stations. This makes it easier to choose a store that also allows you to charge your vehicle while shopping for groceries.

Get glanceable directions while navigating

Google is making it more convenient for you to travel, no matter what mode of transportation you choose, be it walking, biking, or public transit.

With quick and easy-to-read directions, you can monitor your journey from the route overview or lock screen, with updated ETAs and turn-by-turn instructions that were previously only accessible by unlocking your phone and using the full navigation mode. If you decide to take a different route, Maps will automatically adjust your trip accordingly.

Availability

Starting today, Immersive view is launching in London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Tokyo. In the upcoming months, it will be available in additional cities including Amsterdam, Dublin, Florence, and Venice.

In the coming months, the Live View feature will be expanding to Barcelona, Dublin, and Madrid. The indoor Live View will also be accessible in over 1,000 new airports, train stations, and shopping malls in cities such as Barcelona, Berlin, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Melbourne, Paris, Prague, Sao Paulo, Singapore, Sydney, and Taipei in the months to come.

The new glanceable directions feature will be launching worldwide on both Android and iOS in the upcoming months. It will also work with Live Activities on iOS 16.1.

Speaking on the announcement, Chris Phillips, VP & General Manager, Geo, said,
Feature: Village doctor's relay of safeguarding health

Xinhua) 16:06, February 09, 2023

NANCHANG, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Eighty-one-year-old Xu Qiusheng often looks out of the window of his clinic when he is not with a patient, as he feels relief when looking up at the luxuriant branches and foliage of an old camphor tree that stays green all year round.

Over half a century has passed since Xu graduated from medical school and worked as a village doctor in Yangfang Village, Fengcheng City, in east China's Jiangxi Province.

"Three generations of my family including my parents, and my grandchildren all come to Uncle Xu for treatment," said Chen Donggen who took his feverish granddaughter to Xu's clinic.

After briefly inquiring about the little girl's condition, Xu took out a very thin needle from a wooden medical kit, and gently inserted the needle into the skin of both her hands and head.

The treatment is called acupuncture, the most commonly used to treat pain in traditional Chinese medicine.

Xu has used the set of silver needles for decades to help villagers relieve discomforts such as joint pains, frozen shoulders, and headaches.

"Uncle Xu is the one who can set our minds at ease in the village," Chen added.

Dubbed "guardians of health," village doctors like Xu who work at grassroots medical institutions, have played important roles in treating hundreds of millions of farmers in rural areas.

They always keep a busy schedule -- offering outpatient service during the day and dealing with emergency cases now and then in the evening, staying on call around the clock to see patients.

Xu said treatment and medicine were usually free of charge for villagers facing financial difficulties, and he kept the costs of patients in an account book as he allows credit.

Albeit living a frugal life, he never asked for the medical expenses owed by villagers.

Xu also maintained regular contact with high-risk people in the village to keep abreast of their health conditions.

Ahead of this year's Spring Festival, Xu, together with his daughter who returned to the village and walked in the footsteps of his lifelong career as a village doctor, visited the elderly door by door.

Xu's daughter helped them measure their blood pressure and blood oxygen as a follow-up physical examination after the latest round of COVID-19 infections.

After the optimized COVID response measures, the health of over 1,400 villagers in Yangfang had become a new challenge for rural doctors like Xu and his daughter.

The clinic received at most 30 patients per day and doctors would deliver medicines to villagers door to door. Early this year, the village smoothly passed the peak infection.

Xu is also delighted to see his grandson take the baton and begin his career as a doctor after graduation.

"I see my patients as my family members, and I hope the next generations of doctors in rural areas can continue to be the guardians of villagers," Xu said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The Benton County Emergency Response Team program is accepting applications for membership.

The team is made up of volunteers who train together and serve together. With support from the Benton County Sheriffs Office Emergency Management/Preparedness Division, the team is working to build a culture of individual preparedness.

Members learn what to do before, during and after an emergency to assist themselves, their family, friends and neighborhoods.

The program has a history of service across our community. During the pandemic, members and leaders volunteered their time distributing personal protective equipment (masks, gloves, hand sanitizer) to hundreds of families.

The team assisted in the organization of coronavirus vaccine sites that served thousands of individuals. Volunteers rapidly filled staffing needs for human and animal evacuation shelters during the 2020 wildfires.

During real-time incidents such as the pandemic and wildfire evacuation, the contribution of trained volunteers to assist is of immeasurable value. It demonstrates the strength of the community in times of need.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency Community Emergency Response Team was developed in 1985 after officials traveled to Japan to study its disaster response plans. FEMA learned that Japan used extensive training programs to prepare individuals in basic emergency skills: light search and rescue, fire suppression, first aid and evacuation.

In 1987, the 5.9-magnitude Whittier Narrows earthquake in California confirmed the need for training individuals to safely provide assistance when professional emergency responders are overwhelmed. FEMA adopted CERT as a national program in 1993.

The goals of the Benton County team are to address local hazards and provide education, training and empowerment for individuals in emergency preparedness. The long-term effort is to continue to develop and maintain a network of teams throughout the community.

The team welcomes all abilities and aims to provide a safe, positive and inclusive experience. The team is open to those 18 or over. It is free.

To learn more about volunteering with Benton County CERT and the Benton County Emergency Management/Preparedness Division, visit www.co.benton.or.us/preparedness or contact personnel at 541-766-6864 or cert@co.benton.or.us.
Not for dissemination in the United States of America.



VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 08, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Premier Diversified Holdings Inc. ("Premier" or the "Company") (TSXV: PDH) announces that it has entered into certain loan agreements, as set out below.

Loan Agreements with MPIC Fund I

Premier entered into a loan agreement (Loan Agreement) dated February 7, 2023 with MPIC Fund I, LP ("MPIC") for a secured loan in the principal amount of up to USD$100,000 (the "Loan"). The Loan matures on February 7, 2024 and bears interest at a rate of 6% per annum.

The Loan is secured with all of the present and after-acquired property of the Company and ranks equally in priority with all of the loans previously made to the Company by MPIC. The Loan will be used for working capital (including for Premiers partially owned subsidiaries, Purposely Platform Inc. (Purposely) and MyCare MedTech Inc.) and may be used to acquire an additional interest in MyCare MedTech Inc. (MyCare), a telehealth company.

The Company is not issuing any securities, or paying any bonus, commission or finder's fees on the MPIC Loans. The MPIC Loans are both repayable at any time without penalty. Purposely and MyCare are generating revenue, and the Company expects to receive re-payment of funds from such entities, allowing it to partially repay some of the funds owed to MPIC. The Loan is subject to review and acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange.

Amended Loan Agreement with MPIC Fund I, LP

Premier previously entered into a certain loan agreement dated February 10, 2021, as amended February 10, 2022, for a loan from MPIC. The parties agreed to extend the maturity date of the loan from February 10, 2023 to February 10, 2024. The date of the second amending agreement is February 7, 2023.

Related party transaction disclosure

As MPIC is a control person of Premier, the Loan and the amended loan agreement described above each constitute "related party transactions" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). These agreements have been determined to be exempt from the requirements to obtain a formal valuation or minority shareholder approval based on sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(f) of MI 61-101.

Premier does not have securities listed or quoted on any of the specified markets listed in section 5.5(b) of MI 61-101. Premier is relying on the exemption from minority shareholder approval in 5.7(1)(f) of MI 61-101 as the loans were obtained by Premier from MPIC on reasonable commercial terms that are not less advantageous to Premier than if the loans had been obtained from a person dealing at arms length with Premier. Further, the loans are not convertible, directly or indirectly, into equity or voting securities of Premier or a subsidiary entity of the issuer, or otherwise participating in nature, or repayable as to principal or interest, directly or indirectly, in equity or voting securities of Premier or a subsidiary entity of the issuer.

Amended Loan Agreement with Purposely

Premier entered into an amended loan agreement with its partially owned subsidiary, Purposely. Premier previously entered into a certain loan agreement dated September 1, 2017 with Purposely as borrower. The Company and Purposely agreed to amend the terms of the original loan agreement and entered into an amending agreement (the "Purposely Amending Agreement") dated February 7, 2023 to, among other things, make the following amendments: the loan is no longer payable on demand but has a maturity date of March 1, 2025; the loan is no longer non-interest bearing but bears interest of 9% per annum, calculated as of May 31, 2021; and the loan is no longer unsecured but is secured with all of Purposelys present and after-acquired property. Until the maturity date, Premier will have a pre-emptive right to participate in certain subsequent offerings of new securities of Purposely up to a percentage of such offering equal to Premier's then percentage ownership of all issued and outstanding Common Shares immediately prior to such offering.

Related party transaction disclosure

As Premier is a control person of Purposely, the Purposely Amending Agreement described above constitutes a "related party transaction within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Amending Agreement has been determined to be exempt from the requirements of Part 5 of MI 61-101 as per Section 5.1(g), as it constitutes a downstream transaction as defined in that instrument.

About Premier Diversified Holdings Inc.

Premier Diversified Holdings Inc. participates in diversified industries through its acquisitions of securities and/or assets of public and private entities which it believes have potential for significant returns. It may act as a holding company (either directly or through a subsidiary) and may participate in management of subsidiary entities to varying degrees.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Sanjeev Parsad"

Sanjeev Parsad

President, CEO and Director

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdictions in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Any offering made will be pursuant to available prospectus exemptions and restricted to persons to whom the securities may be sold in accordance with the laws of such jurisdictions, and by persons permitted to sell the securities in accordance with the laws of such jurisdictions.

Further information regarding the Company can be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Not for dissemination in the United States of America.

Legal Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements: This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are indicated expectations or intentions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include those regarding loan terms including regarding maturity date(s), that PDH will repay the loan from MPIC as disclosed in the news release, and that the net proceeds of the Loan will be used as stated in this news release. Factors that could cause actual results to be materially different include but are not limited to the following: that any revenue which PDH makes indirectly via its operating subsidiaries will be insufficient to repay the loans to MPIC, that its operating subsidiaries, including MyCare, will not generate revenue, or will retain or redirect such revenue, that the terms and conditions of the various loans may be amended, that the management or board of PDH may use its revenue or other the funds for other purposes, that the capital raised will be insufficient capital to accomplish our intentions and capital alone may not be sufficient for us to grow our business, that the issuer's financial position will not improve, will stay the same or will decline further, that the timing of receipt of anticipated revenues or returns may be delayed, that its ongoing expenses including general and administrative expenses will increase, and that complications or unforeseen obstacles from COVID-19 or other factors may negatively impact Premier. Investors are cautioned against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements. It is not our policy to update forward looking statements.
NEWARK, Del, Feb. 08, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Specialty Medical Chairs Market revenues were estimated at US$ 3.3 Billion in 2022 and are anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 8.7% from 2023 to 2033, according to a recently published Future Market Insights report. By the end of 2033, the market is expected to reach US$ 7.5 Billion. The revenue from the US market was held at around US$ 1.2 Billion in 2022 and is expected to grow with an absolute dollar opportunity of US$ 1.6 Billion from 2023 to 2033.



The elevating demand for a diverse range of specialized medical chairs is being driven by the increasing prevalence of health issues and the rising availability of medical facilities including rehabilitation centers. Moreover, the medical device industry is also growing as a result of an increasing preference for at-home healthcare. This spurt in home healthcare along with rehabilitation centers is one of the key factors driving the worldwide specialty medical chair demand.

As the number of medical facilities and hospitals increases, the need for specialty medical chairs, such as dialysis chairs, rehabilitation office chairs, and birthing chairs has also been growing. This has further elevated the demand for specialty medical chairs globally.

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Industry players are projected to profit from the swift expansion of automated and technologically advanced medical beds in the not-too-distant future. The growth of the market arises from the soaring number of hospitals and healthcare facilities.

In terms of region, the market in North America is expected to provide significant opportunities to the global market. The North American medical chairs market has many opportunities in the remote, medical support sector, mainly due to the aging of the region's population. In the next 10 years, the regional specialty medical chairs market will be driven by the heightened prevalence of health issues resulting from lifestyle choices.

The increase in the number of dental, ophthalmology, and ENT clinics in North America is also a factor in the need for biopharmaceutical research and development facilities. Furthermore, the advent of key competitors, well-developed healthcare infrastructure, and higher producer incomes encourage the expansion and improvement of the market in the region.

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Competitive Landscape

The key players operating in the Specialty Medical Chairs Market are A-dec, Inc., ActiveAid, Inc., DentalEZ, Inc., Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA, Topcon Corp., Midmark Corp., Danaher, Dentsply Sirona, Planmeca Oy, and Hill Laboratories Company.



In May 2021, A-Dec. Inc announced its plans to collaborate with KaVo which is a dental products manufacturer. The objective of this collaboration is to provide quality products and services to dental professionals worldwide.





In June of 2018, Dentsply Sirona announced its distribution deal with Henry Schein Canada, Inc. The objective of this deal is to expand of its distribution network in Canada.





Market Segments Covered in Specialty Medical Chairs Market Analysis



By Type:

Examination Birthing Cardiac Blood Drawing Dialysis Mammography

Treatment Ophthalmic ENT Dental Other Treatments Other Rehabilitations

Rehabilitation Pediatric Bariatric Geriatric Other Rehabilitations







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Table of Content



1. Executive Summary | Specialty Medical Chairs Market

1.1. Global Market Outlook

1.2. Demand-side Trends

1.3. Supply-side Trends

1.4. Technology Roadmap Analysis

1.5. Analysis and Recommendations



2. Market Overview

2.1. Market Coverage / Taxonomy

2.2. Market Definition / Scope / Limitations

Complete TOC with Report Preview: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/specialty-medical-chairs-market

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Hospital Capacity Management Solutions Market Forecast - The hospital capacity management solutions market is anticipated to expand its boundaries at an average CAGR of 5.1% during the forecast period. As a result, the market holds a share of US$ 1.1 billion in 2023 while expecting revenue of US$ 1.9 Billion by 2033.

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MADRID, Spain, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spanish listed company Lleida.net (BME:LLN) (EPA:ALLLN) (OTCQX:LLEIF) has received a "B" rating in the sustainability, social commitment and corporate governance (ESG) report prepared for it by the Spanish Institute of Analysts as part of the Lighthouse program.

The rating - the first received by a BME Growth company - recognizes the company's strength in ESG criteria and its more than 20 years of effort in becoming a benchmark in the social aspect in the places where it operates.

"We are proud that no more and no less than the Spanish Institute of Analysts has endorsed our image as a socially responsible company, and committed to the society that welcomes us," explained Sisco Sapena, CEO and founder of the company.

The rating recognizes the company's contribution to society with an AAA rating, and applauds its efforts in the area of social policies.

"The Social pillar is a clear strength of Lleida.net", the document says.

Regarding corporate governance, the report highlights the "Good governance" and "Transparency and fiscal responsibility", and explains that Lleida.net operates according to "very high standards in Commitments (ethical code, fiscal transparency policy)".

Yesterday, Lleida.net announced, precisely, the creation of a new Sustainable Development Commission.

Lleida.net is the European leader in the registered electronic signature, notification and contracting industry, with 218 patents received from more than 64 countries worldwide.

Its portfolio is one of the strongest worldwide in the industry. At this moment, more than 60 countries in five continents have granted patents, including the European Union, United States, China, Russia, India, Mexico, Japan, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, South Africa, Nigeria, Australia or New Zealand.

It is listed on the OTCQX index in New York, on Euronext Growth in Paris and on BME Growth in Madrid.

The company's growth strategy in the countries in which it is present and those in which it plans to be in the future, includes a solid growth policy in intellectual property and R&D, as well as a reinforcement of its internationalization policy.
Pune, India, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global data storage market size is expected to grow rapidly during the upcoming years. Easy management and improved campaign reporting capabilities are likely to drive market growth. Fortune Business Insights presents this information in its report titled Data Storage Market Forecast, 2023-2030. The growing demand for cloud drives owing to enormous data collection is expected to foster the growth of the market

Key Development :

Egnyte, Inc. patented protection services and separate file sharing in the cloud has turned into a unified content service. The services are offering better analytics with machine learning technology and tiered storage.

Microsoft Corporation announced that it has a signed partnership agreement with Oracle Corporation to run and migrate critical enterprise workloads across Oracle Cloud and Microsoft Azure.





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Key Takeaways

Growing popularity of cloud drives the data storage market growth

The data storage market can be segmented into five regions, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa and Latin America.

Increasing adoption of smartphones, laptops, and tablets are boosting the demand for enhanced data storage capacity which is supplementing the market growth.

Market Driver :

Increasing Digitalization and Advancement to Accelerate Market Potential

The shift from paper-based data to computerized data is expected to fuel demand for storage devices, which, in turn, can boost the market.

The increasing adoption of smartphones, laptops, and tablets for enhanced data storage capacity is predicted to foster the growth of the market in the forthcoming years.

The growing technological innovation in storage devices is expected to bode well for the market. For instance, storage devices can now store and transfer data from hard disk to virtual data storage platforms like a cloud.

The growing focus of companies towards launching advanced platforms is predicted to promote the growth of the market.

The rising implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in High-Performance Computing (HPC) data centers is expected to spur demand for high capacity cloud storage infrastructure, which, in turn, will boost the market.

Increasing demand for storage area network (SAN) system

Growth in IT infrastructure mainly in the developing economies

Segmentation

Storage Medium: Hard Disk Drives (HDD): Hard disk drives are traditional magnetic storage devices that

Application: The data storage market can be segmented based on the application of the storage solution, including data backup and recovery, data archiving, big data analytics, and others.

Geography: The data storage market can be segmented based on geography, including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and others.





Segmentation Storage Medium Hard Disk Drive

Solid State Drive

Network Attached Storage

Cloud Storage By Industry BFSI

IT & Telecom

Government ATTRIBUT

By Storage Medium

Hard Disk Drive

Solid State Drive

Network Attached Storage

Cloud Storage By Geography North America

South America

Europe

Middle East & Africa

Asia Pacific





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Regional Analysis :

Rising Adoption of Cloud-based Solutions to Aid Growth in Asia Pacific

Geographically, the data storage market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa, and Latin America. Asia Pacific is expected to experience rapid growth owing to the rising digitalization in the developing nations. The growing adoption of smartphones, tablets, and smart devices is expected to spur demand for cloud-based storage platforms, which, in turn, will aid growth in the region. Furthermore, the growing implementation of cloud and mobile solutions in developing countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, and India are expected to further promote the growth of the market in the region. North America is expected to witness a significant growth rate during the forecast period due to the presence of major players in the US. The blooming IoT and big data analytics are expected to favor growth in the region.

Competitive Landscape

The data storage market is highly dynamic, with a large number of players vying for market share.

Product offerings: Companies that offer a wide range of storage products, including hard disk drives (HDD), solid-state drives (SSD), cloud storage, tape storage, and others, have a competitive advantage over those that offer only a limited range of products.

Technology: Companies that are at the forefront of technology and innovation have a competitive advantage in the data storage market. This is because customers are always looking for the most advanced and cost-effective solutions to meet their storage needs.

Partnerships and collaborations: Companies that have established partnerships and collaborations with other industry players have a competitive advantage in the data storage market. This is because these partnerships allow them to offer a wider range of products and services to customers.





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The Report Lists the Prominent Companies in the Data Storage Market:

Dell, Inc.

IBM Corporation

Microsoft Corporation

Amazon.com, Inc.

Nutanix, Inc.

HP Enterprise

Toshiba Corporation

Samsung Group

Netapp, Inc.

Quantum Corporation





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Claremont, Calif., Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Myrlie Evers-Williams fought for justice for decades after her husbands assassination, stepped forward to lead the NAACP at a critical time and gave the invocation before a global audience of millions at President Obamas second inauguration.

Now, as she nears 90, the civil rights pioneer has donated her archival collection to her alma mater Pomona College to inspire future generations, the college announced today. The thousands of items, ranging from photos with U.S. presidents to campaign materials to congressional transcripts, offer tangible touchpoints of Evers-Williams  and the nations  turbulent journey toward justice through the Civil Rights Era.

VIDEO: Hear from Myrlie Evers-Williams as she reflects about her career, legacy and hopes for the future.

Mrs. Evers-Williams has led in so many ways through her persistence, faith and unshakeable commitment to the cause, said Pomona College President G. Gabrielle Starr. The College will tend to this collection to educate and encourage others to push forward on the path she did so much to create. We are honored to be entrusted with her extraordinary legacy of brilliance, strength and  yes  love.

Pomona College will preserve the collection for both academic and, in time, public access through The Claremont Colleges Library, where archivists are organizing and cataloguing the material spanning six decades. President Starr envisions K-12 students visiting the collection in the years ahead to draw inspiration from a civil rights icon with long ties in the region.

PHOTOS: See photos and documents from the Myrlie Evers-Williams 68 Collection at Pomona College.

Persistent Voice for Justice

Evers-Williams entered the public sphere as a grieving widow after the shocking 1963 assassination of her husband, NAACP official Medgar Evers, in the driveway of their Mississippi home by a white supremacist. The next year, after two hung juries from all-white panels for her husbands killer, Evers-Williams brought her three children to Claremont, California, enrolled at Pomona College and started a new life.

A trailblazer for Black women in the political arena, Evers-Williams ran for U.S. Congress only two years out of college, persisting through skepticism and even scorn while seeking a suburban Southern California seat. A year later, in 1971, she helped launch the bipartisan National Womens Political Caucus and in time took on prominent civic roles in Los Angeles. All the while, she persisted in seeking the conviction of her husbands assassin, which finally came in 1994, three decades after the murder, in the case that became the subject of the movie Ghosts of Mississippi.



In 1995, she was elected to serve as chair of the NAACP, and she was charged with turning around the venerable civil rights organization at a low point in its history. In 2012, President Obama turned to Evers-Williams as the first woman and first layperson to give the invocation at a presidential inauguration. Millions of people across the nation and around the globe heard her stirring words. In 2022, Evers-Williams was portrayed by actress Jayme Lawson in the movie, Till.

I'm thankful for my life, including all of the hardships, says Evers-Williams, who turns 90 on March 17 and today is retired and living in Southern California. I have learned so much. I have learned tolerance. I have learned love, genuine love of people. I have learned how to get knocked down and get back up without blaming anyone.

God has given me the ability to overlook all of the hurts, harms and dangers and look toward the future and what that could bring and what I might contribute to that future. I'll leave it at that.

Inspiration for Future Generations

Consisting of more than 250 linear feet of documents, ephemera and artifacts, the collection donated by Evers-Williams includes photos of her with presidents ranging from Kennedy to Carter to Clinton; buttons, pamphlets and photos from her own 1970 run for Congress; transcripts and correspondence from her 2007 testimony before Congress; and correspondence related to her preparation from the 2012 Obama inauguration. Personal items include her Pomona College ID card, a hardhat from her time as a Los Angeles Public Works Commissioner and the dress she wore while performing piano at Carnegie Hall, fulfilling a lifelong dream.



The collection focuses on her life after moving to California in 1964; the Mississippi state archives are home to the Medgar Wiley and Myrlie Beasley Evers Papers, covering their early years in that state.

Evers-Williams says her time at Pomona, where she graduated with a sociology degree in 1968, changed the course of her life and that the College was the natural choice for stewarding the collection. I don't want to get too emotional, says Evers-Williams. But it was Pomona College, it was the teachers here who helped me move ahead and come out of this feeling of drowning  And it was my being here at Pomona with the instructors here and the other people who did not smother me. They gave me space. But they surrounded me by love, understanding and saying, Yes, you can.







About Pomona College

One of the worlds premier liberal arts colleges, Pomona is known for small classes, a challenging curriculum and a range of student research opportunities. Located in Claremont, California, Pomona has been named by The New York Times as one of the top colleges doing the most for the American dream.

Attachment
Dublin, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Security Robot Market by Component, by Type, by Applications, and by End User - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast 2022-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



Security Robots Market size was valued at USD 32.23 billion in 2021 and is predicted to reach USD 119.29 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 13.4% during the forecast period 2022-2030.



High adoption of security robots for patrolling surveillance areas, reporting, investigating, and for unauthorized access detection in public places such as airports, railway stations and offices is driving the growth of security robots market. For instance, in October 2021, Kansai airport in Japan deployed two security robots to autonomously navigate and patrol routes by using laser sensors for identifying locations and for capturing images with built-in cameras.



Moreover, in April 2022, Knightscope, Inc. deployed an autonomous security robot (ASR) in Charlotte, USA called Knightscope K5 to detect environmental anomalies, concealed weapons, and monitor areas.



In addition, growing use of security robots such as unmanned aerial vehicle in defense sectors for variety of military applications such as surveillance, mapping, military logistics as well as in combat operations is driving the demand for security robots. These modern military UAVs can be outfitted with aerial firepower and used in combat operation as they are stealthy and highly maneuverable.



Moreover, adoption of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) for port security in inspection of ships for false hulls and propeller shafts that smugglers use to hide contraband is driving the growth of the market. These port security robots can remain underwater undetected due to their small size and specialized propulsion mechanism.



However, factors such as high deployment cost of security robots and lack of skilled operators arerestraining the growth of security robots' market. On the contrary, introduction of AI enabled fullyautonomous security robots that are able to automatically evade collision using computer visiontechnology is expected to create ample opportunities in the security robots market in the coming years.

The North America market is projected to hold its dominant share through 2030



North America holds the lion share of security robots market and is expected to continue its dominance during the forecast period. This is attributed to factors such as high military and defense expenditure in countries such as USA and Canada that enables the military to adopt new technologies and advance security robots.



For instance, in 2021, according to the US Department of Defense, the total budget allocated for military expenses in the country was approximately 753 billion US dollar.



Moreover, presence of key market players such as Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, and AeroVironment Inc. that are adopting various strategies including acquisitions to maintain their dominance in the region, further boost the market growth.

Recent Developments

November 2022



Sikorsky, subsidiary of Lockheed Martin and DARPA's demonstrated autonomous helicopter called Black Hawk. Sikorsky collaborated with DARPA to develop autonomy technology called MATRIX, which is utilised in Black Hawk.



October 2022



BAE Systems launched its concept demonstrator for extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle (XLAUV) capabilities at the Euronaval 2022 in Paris.



September 2022

Elbit Systems announced that the company was awarded a contract valued at $120 million to supply Hermes 900 Maritime Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and training capabilities to the Royal Navy of Thailand

May 2022

Leonardo partnered with Italian Space Agency on a research project named URANO. The aim of this project is to integrate RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems) and UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) into Italy's national air traffic management system, while guaranteeing adequate safety standards

November 2022



Kongsberg Maritime announced that a delivery contract for a HUGIN Endurance AUV System has been placed by an undisclosed partner.

Key Market Players



The emerging and efficient key players in the security robots market include companies such as:

Lockheed Martin Corporation

Northrop Grumman

BAE Systems

Leonardo S.p.A.

Elbit System

Kongsberg

QinetiQ

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

Thales

AeroVironment

Key Topics Covered:



1. Introduction



2. Security Robots Market - Executive Summary

2.1. Security Robots Market Snapshot, 2022 - 2030, Million Usd



3. Market Overview

3.1. Market Definition and Scope

3.2. Market Dynamics

3.2.1 Drivers

3.2.1.1 Rising Adoption of Security Robots for Safeguarding Public Places

3.2.1.2 Increasing Adoption of Security Robots by Military

3.2.2 Restraints

3.2.2.1 Unreliability of Security Robots Hinders the Market Growth

3.2.3 Opportunities

3.2.3.1 Adoption of New Technologies for Energy Storage Systems in Uavs



4. Market Share Analysis

4.1. Market Share Analysis of Top Security Robot Providers, 2021



5. Global Security Robots Market, by Component

5.1. Overview

5.2. Frames

5.3. Sensors

5.4. Controller System

5.5. Camera System

5.6. Navigation System

5.7. Power System



6. Global Security Robots Market, by Type

6.1. Overview

6.2. Uav

6.2.1 Global Uav Market, by Type

6.2.1.1. Special-Purpose Drones Market, by Region

6.2.1.2. Inspection & Monitoring Drones Market, by Region

6.2.1.3. Surveying & Mapping Drones Market, by Region

6.2.1.4. Cargo Air Vehicles Market, by Region

6.2.1.5. Others Market, by Region

6.2.2 Uav Market, by Region

6.3. Uuv

6.3.1 Global Uuv Market, by Type

6.3.1.1. Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (Auv) Market, by Region

6.3.1.2. Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicles (Rouv) Market, by Region

6.3.2 Uuv Market, by Region

6.4. Ugv

6.4.1 Global Ugv Market, by Type

6.4.1.1. Wheeled Market, by Region

6.4.1.2. Tracked Market, by Region

6.4.1.3. Legged Market, by Region

6.4.1.4. Hybrid Market, by Region

6.4.2 Ugv Market, by Region



7. Global Security Robots Market, by Application

7.1. Overview

7.2. Spying

7.3. Explosive Detection

7.4. Firefighting

7.5. Demining

7.6. Rescue Operation

7.7. Transportation

7.8. Patrolling



8. Global Security Robots Market, by End-user

8.1. Overview

8.2. Defense & Military

8.3. Residential

8.4. Commercial

8.5. Others

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/98w9q3-robot?w=12

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vital Battery Metals Inc. (Vital or the Company) (CSE: VBAM) (OTCQB: VBAMF) (FSE: C0O), is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into an option agreement (the Agreement) to acquire a 100% interest in additional mineral tenure at the Sting Copper Project (Sting or the Project) located 14 km south of the town of Trout River in the province of Newfoundland. The additional acquired mineral tenure (the New Tenure) consists of three mineral licences that cumulatively encompass a land area of approximately 87 km.



Recently, the Company reported multiple assay results of grab samples at its Sting Copper Project including up to 17.0% Cu and 4.1g/t gold. The Company believes these results adequately confirmed the historically reported copper mineralization at the Jumbo Lode Prospect and validates the prospectivity for adjacent mineralized zones. With this, the Company intends on moving forward with more extensive exploration programs throughout the Project.

Acquisition Highlights

After earning-in under the Agreement, Vital will have a commanding 123 km land package, making the Company the largest mineral tenure holder in the York Harbour District (Figure 1).

The New Tenure covers an unexplored regional fault structure that is outlined by a magnetic high and located west of the Gregory River Fault Zone (Figure 2).

Together with the New Tenure, the Project area now hosts over 40 base and precious metal occurrences that have undergone limited exploration work along a 50 km corridor known for hosting significant Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide (VMS), copper quartz vein lode and low sulphation epithermal gold showings, mines and projects.

Vital believes that the York Harbour area has lacked detailed exploration since the past exploration campaigns of the early to mid 1900s and believes that the abundance of mineral occurrences in the area is vastly underestimated.

Peers in the region have shown significant high-grade drill intercepts of copper and zinc in similar geological formations to those present on the Project, including the New Tenure.

Vital is currently formulating a detailed exploration program to further explore the historical mineral occurrences on the Property and generate additional targets in areas that have seen no documented exploration.

Adrian Lamoureux, Chief Executive Officer and President of Vital, commented: We are happy to have become the largest land holder in the York Harbour District. Our early work programs at the Project have returned very promising high-grade copper and gold results, which we strongly believe justify further expansion to our land package. Our technical team has reviewed current and historical data and believes there are several high priority targets that need further exploration. We look forward to announcing further exploration programs that will target these high priority areas.

Figure 1: Location map of additional mineral tenure acquired at the Sting Project

Figure 2: Map of Sting Project mineral tenure with regional NL Government residual magnetics

The New Tenure consists of three mineral licenses encompassing a total land area of approximately 87 km (8,700 ha) and is situated within an approximate 10km radius of the centre of the originally acquired Sting mineral tenure (Figure 2). The west mineral licence is underlain geologically by Cambrian to Ordovician mafic intrusions and ophiolitic terrane with a prominent northeast trending fault that is identifiable by a major change in magnetic susceptibility evident in Newfoundland and Labrador government residual magnetic data. The area has many mineral occurrences that coincide with magnetic highs, including York Harbor Metals York Harbor Project located just 22km to the south west. The west block has had little exploration conducted on it and thus merits more detailed work. The east mineral licences are situated just 1km from the original southernmost Sting tenure. They are mapped geologically as mafic intrusions, Ordovician in age.

The Project hosts multiple historic Newfoundland and Labrador Government-documented mineral occurrences and is located within a 50 km corridor known for significant volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS), copper quartz vein lode and low sulphation epithermal gold showings, mines and projects including York Harbour Metals York Harbour VMS Project with recent diamond drilling results of 5.25% Cu over 29 metres (See York Harbour Metals News Release dated March 26, 2022) and 2.70% Cu and 9.0% Zn over 25 metres (See York Harbour News Release dated February 14, 2022).

One of the most significant historical mineral occurrences located at the Project is the Jumbo (Jumbo). The Jumbo mineral occurrence is located along Jumbo Brook, 14 km south of the town of Trout River, Western Newfoundland. It can be accessed by muskeg trail from Trout River and is only 8 km from tidewater.

Exploration work on the Jumbo dates to 1922 when it was first trenched by Reid NFLD. Co. Ltd, followed by two adits dug in 1953 by Cape Copper Mines. In 1970, Noranda (defined below) geologically mapped, soil sampled, and conducted multiple geophysical surveys on the showing. In 1979-80, some small exploration programs were executed by several companies including Chevron Minerals, Teck Corporation, RioCan, Placer Development, Utah Mines Ltd. and Noranda Exploration Co. Ltd. (Noranda) (MODS 012G/08/0002).

Chip and channel sampling completed in 1922 was briefly described as being composed mineralogically of chalcopyrite, chalcocite, pyrite and quartz over an area of approximately 30.5m by 12.1m. Highlights of sampling done in 1922 can be seen in the following table:

Table 1: Channel and chip sampling results from the Jumbo mineral occurrence (Gregory River Copper Deposits, Reid Newfoundland Co 1922., MODS 012G/08/0002). True widths are unknown. Results are historic and not NI-43-101 compliant.

Sample Type Width of Sample (metres) Average Copper Grade (%) Channel 3.12m 14.3% Chip 7.62m 5.45% Channel 9.14m 9.0% Channel 1.98m 16.86%



Another significant historic mineral occurrence documented by the Government of Newfoundland and Labradors Mineral Occurrence Database and located 450 metres to the north of Jumbo on the Project is the Red Lode occurrence. The Red Lode occurrence is visible at surface and was also chip and channel sampled in 1922. It returned 1.82 meters of 1.30% and 2.40% copper respectively (Gregory River Copper Deposits, Reid Newfoundland Co 1922., MODS 012G/08/0002).

In addition to the Jumbo and Red Lode mineral occurrences, there are over 40 other mineralized showings that can be seen along the Gregory River Fault that have not yet been adequately sampled or drill tested. The recent diamond drilling success at York Harbour Metals York Harbour Project located 27 kilometers to the south and along strike indicates that the area has significant potential and validates that more detailed geological work is warranted.

Terms of the Option Agreement

Under the terms of the Agreement, the Company has the right to acquire a 100% interest in the New Tenure by paying the optionors (the Optionors) a cash payment of $40,000 and issuing the Optionors a total of 2,500,000 common shares in the capital of the Company (the Shares) in accordance with the following schedule:

(A) $40,000 cash and 1,250,000 Shares upon execution of the Agreement (complete) (the Execution Date); and

(B) 1,250,000 Shares on the one-year anniversary of the Execution Date.

In addition, the Company must incur $100,000 of exploration expenditures on the New Tenure on or before the one-year anniversary of the Execution Date.

Upon the Company earning in under the Agreement, the Optionors will retain a 2% net smelter returns royalty on the New Tenure, of which the Company may purchase at any time one-half, being 1%, for a price of $1,500,000.

Marketing Agreement

The Company also announces it has engaged Orange Unicorn Ltd (Orange Unicorn) to provide online marketing services for a minimum one-month period, starting February 13, 2023. Orange Unicorn will utilize their online programs with the aim of broadening the Companys reach within the investment community in Europe, increasing investor awareness of the Company and attracting potential new investors through various online platforms and methods of engagement in consideration of 150,000. The marketing services include distribution and dissemination of information provided by the Company to existing and potential shareholders. Orange Unicorn will also respond to interested party inquiries and inquiries from shareholders and provide, where appropriate, factual, and public information from the Company. Orange Unicorn is an arms-length service provider to the Company.

National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure

Nicholas Rodway, P.Geo, is a consultant and shareholder of Vital and a qualified person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Rodway supervised the preparation of, and approved, the technical information in this news release.

References:

All MODS data referenced above can be sourced at the following Newfoundland and Labrador web link: https://gis.geosurv.gov.nl.ca/

About Vital Battery Metals Inc.

Vital Battery Metals Inc. (CSE: VBAM) is a mineral exploration company dedicated to the development of strategic projects comprising of battery, base and precious metals in stable jurisdictions. The Company is working to advance its Sting Copper Project and its Vent Copper-Gold project.

The Sting Project covers approximately 127 km (12,700 ha) and hosts multiple historic Newfoundland and Labrador Government documented mineral occurrences and is located within a 50 km corridor known for significant volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS), copper quartz vein lode and low sulphation epithermal gold showings. The Vent Copper-Gold project covers 1,562 hectares in British Columbia. Vital continues to evaluate value-add assets to bolster its project portfolio.

For More Information Visit www.vitalbatterymetals.com

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Adrian Lamoureux

Chief Executive Officer, Director

+1 (604) 229-9772

info@vitalbatterymetals.com

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, including statements regarding the date on which the Shares are expected to begin trading on the CSE are "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Agreement and the exercise of the option granted thereunder; the Companys objectives, goals or future plans with respect to the Project and the New Tenure; the commencement of drilling or exploration programs in the future; and the successful acquisition of the additional claims under the Agreement. These forward-looking statements reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities, which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Graphics accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/46e7cf4b-e21c-4d78-ac38-e69f169c2189

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/21be901b-c6b0-4562-bfc0-8c263248fd75
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NINE MILE METALS LTD. (CSE: NINE, OTCQB: VMSXF, FSE: KQ9) (the Company or Nine Mile), is pleased to announce it has purchased the West Nine Mile Brook Project from Windfall Geotek Inc. ("Windfall) and further engaged their AI services to be applied to our entire Project Portfolio in the World Famous Bathurst Mining Camp (BMC)., New Brunswick Canada.

West Nine Mile Brook Property (29 Claim Units covering 6.3 sq kms),

On the southern boundary of the folded, mineralized Nine Mile Synform,

Identified (3) High Priority Target Nodes (A, B, C) similar to those defined by EarthEx at Nine Mile Brook.

Host rocks the same as those identified at the Wedge Deposit (previously milled by Cominco, 1.503 MT (2.88% Cu, 1.6% Zn, 0.65% Pb and 20 g/t Ag).



Figure 1: West Nine Mile Brook Property depicting (3) High Priority Targets in Recognized Nine Mile Mineralized Fold

Located along the southern boundary of the Nine Mile Synform, (3) never tested, High Priority Targets have been identified along a well defined geological contact. Host rocks include volcanics and sediments of the Little River Formation which also forms the structural footwall of the Cu, Pb, Zn Ag Wedge Deposit (Cominco milled 1.503 MT (million tonnes) grading 0.65% Pb, 1.6.% Zn, 2.88% Cu and 20.0 g/t Ag). Additional small deposits are also present along parallel structures to the northwest. No drilling has been conducted along this prospective trend. As you can see from Figure 1, (yellow occurrences) there is a highly identified mineralized trend that should continue through our new property and be associated with the (3) high priority magnetic highs (Nodes).

Patrick J. Cruickshank, MBA, CEO & Director states, This acquisition of West Nine Mile Brook, is a valuable addition to our Nine Mile Brook VMS Portfolio. The Nine Mile Mineralized Synform continues through our new property and has never been tested. We have identified (3) high priority targets within the folded trend and as you can see, numerous VMS occurrences have been discovered on this trend and nodes. We are committed to continuing to enlarge our geophysical footprint in the BMC and add quality value for our shareholders through growth and acquisition strategies. Our work with Windfall Geotek and its proprietary Artificial Intelligence analysis will be applied to our entire project portfolio (Nine Mile Brook, California Lake And our Canoe Landing Lake (E&W). Working with EarthEx Geophysical Solutions Inc., Windfall and our entire Technical Team is focused on increasing shareholder value and driving our exploration program to success. This analysis complements and carries all our programs to the leading edge advanced stages in our future programs here at Nine Mile Metals.

Dinesh Kandanchatta, Chairman of Windfall added, We are excited to work with Patrick and the Nine Mile Metals Team on this project. Technologies such as ChatGPT are expanding the art of the possible with AI. Visionaries like Patrick are leading the expansion of AI adoption in the exploration sector. This multi year program represents what is possible when AI driven technology companies and exploration companies work together.



Figure 2: Windfall Geotek Proprietary AI Target Process Model

Windfall is an Artificial Intelligence company that has been in business for over 15 years developing its proprietary (AI) and data mining techniques. Windfall Geotek has a multidisciplinary team that includes professionals in geophysics, geology, Artificial Intelligence, and mathematics. It combines available public and private datasets including geophysical, drill hole and surface data. The algorithms designed and employed by Windfall are calculated to highlight areas of interest that have the potential to be geologically similar to other base or precious metal deposits.

The Company acquired the West Nine Mile Brook claim from Windfall in exchange for the issuance of 232,143 shares of the Company (the Consideration Shares). The Consideration Shares are subject to a four month hold period as required pursuant to applicable securities laws. The mineral claim is located in Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick, Canada. The claim is subject to a 2% net smelter return (NSR), with the right to purchase back 50% of the 2% NSR for $500,000. Windfall is an arms length party to the Company.

The disclosure of technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements as set out in National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101) and reviewed and approved by Gary Lohman, B.Sc., P. Geo., Director who acts as the Companys Qualified Person, and is not independent of the Company.

About Nine Mile Metals Ltd.:

Nine Mile Metals Ltd. is a Canadian public mineral exploration company focused on VMS (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag and Au) exploration in the world-famous Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick, Canada. The Companys primary business objective is to explore its three VMS Projects: Nine Mile Brook VMS Project; California Lake VMS Project; and the Canoe Landing Lake (East  West) VMS Project. The Company is focused on Critical Minerals Exploration (CME), positioning for the boom in EV and green technologies requiring Copper, Silver, Lead and Zinc with a hedge with Gold.

Social Media





ON BEHALF OF NINE MILE METALS LTD.

Patrick J Cruickshank, MBA

CEO and Director

T: +1.506-804-6117

E: patrick@ninemilemetals.com

Forward-Looking Information:

This press release may include forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business of Nine Mile. Forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the management of Nine Mile. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as will, may, would, expect, intend, plan, seek, anticipate, believe, estimate, predict, potential, continue, likely, could and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this press release include that (a) the algorithms designed and employed by Windfall are calculated to highlight areas of interest that have the potential to be geologically similar to other base or precious metal deposits, (b) there is a highly identified mineralized trend that should continue through our new property and be associated with the (3) high priority magnetic highs (Nodes), (c) the Nine Mile Mineralized Synform continues through our new property, (d) we are committed to continuing to enlarge our geophysical footprint in the BMC and add quality value for our shareholders through growth and acquisition strategies, (e) the work with Windfall Geotek and its proprietary Artificial Intelligence analysis will be applied to our entire project portfolio, and (f) this analysis complements and carries all our programs to the leading edge advanced stages in our future programs. Although Nine Mile believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because Nine Mile can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of the contents of this release.



Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/38103289-b1c9-40e1-895c-d8c2e13ac716

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/353a165c-e30c-405b-bdf0-307c4ffa5e8b
New basin-wide exploration strategy implemented in the Mosquito Creek Basin ( MCB ) proving successful in identifying high priority targets

) proving successful in identifying high priority targets New targets identified at Finucane over two parallel zones of gold and pathfinder anomalism in soil sampling, extending the prospective Middle Creek Fault further east. Each zone trends some five kilometres, with gold assays reporting up to 907 ppb

Surface rock sampling at Sayshell reported assays up to 66.6 g/t gold and 26.5 g/t gold, and ~ 240 grams of gold was recovered from surface nuggets, with results defining a new mineralised corridor > 500 m in strike, north of the Blue Spec Shear

reported assays up to and and ~ was recovered from surface nuggets, with results defining a new mineralised corridor > 500 m in strike, north of the Blue Spec Shear Finucane and Sayshell follow-up exploration programs include aircore drilling planned for 2023

A review of the Beatons Creek gold project (Beatons Creek) Mineral Resource1 is being progressed following completion of drilling in 2022



_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Our exploration team has done an excellent job identifying an exciting pipeline of targets across the Mosquito Creek Basin, commented Mr. Mike Spreadborough, the Executive Co-Chairman, Acting CEO, and a director of Novo. When working through the exploration results and geophysical data from 2022, the team identified a compelling opportunity to implement a new basin-wide exploration strategy in the Mosquito Creek Basin focused on identification of targets with the potential to host more than 100 koz gold. Finucane and Sayshell prospects are the first two targets identified in this work for follow up exploration in 2023.

The Company plans to execute an aggressive exploration program in 2023 as we focus our efforts on systematic exploration across our large Pilbara landholding. I am looking forward to the year as we execute a busy exploration season and seek success via discovery.

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8d6bc82e-80b6-4c21-aaf2-05674995e0b0

Mapping and sampling on the Sayshell structural trend

_________________________

1 Refer to the Companys news releases dated November 2, 2022 and December 16, 2022.





VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Novo Resources Corp. (Novo or the Company) (TSX: NVO, NVO.WT & NVO.WT.A) (OTCQX: NSRPF) is pleased to provide an exploration update on the MCB (Figure 1), located in the Nullagine District of Western Australia.

Assay results and geophysical data have now been received for exploration programs completed in 2022, part of a new basin-wide exploration strategy focused on identification of targets in the MCB with the potential to host more than 100 koz gold. Finucane and Sayshell prospects are the first two targets identified in this work for follow up exploration in 2023.

Exploration in 2023 is expected to generate additional opportunities across the MCB by focussing on tenure where limited historical exploration has been conducted by targeting mineralisation under cover and by utilising new techniques for direct targeting.

Results referred to in this news release are not necessarily representative of mineralisation throughout the MCB.

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/59aa17b2-c6ff-419f-8907-b56b1ab40c13

Figure 1: Location map showing Novo tenure in the Nullagine District

Finucane

During 2022, an infill and extensional soil sampling program was conducted over the Finucane prospect and surrounding area. Existing broad spaced soil sampling showed encouraging results, suggesting extensions to known significant mineralised trends.

Arsenic in soil results is used as a critical pathfinder for gold exploration and is seen to define clear mineralised trends in areas of sufficient soil sampling density. The Middle Creek Fault is well defined by strong gold and arsenic anomalism in soil sampling (Figure 2), up to the Finucane prospect, where sampling density is sparse. The Fault is interpreted to continue east but is poorly constrained around strong deformation related to a major north  south trending fault corridor. The soil sampling results from the Novo program defined two strong parallel coherent arsenic anomalies, now confirming the position of the eastern extension of the Fault and its gold mineralisation potential (Figure 3). Each anomaly is over 5 km in strike length and both have coinciding elevated gold grades, including a best assay of 907 ppb gold. Refer to Appendix 1 for relevant results.

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5f3a522d-1c3c-4ecc-adb6-c15a88b0f12f

Figure 2: Novo tenement map highlighting mineralised corridors delineated by arsenic in soils contours

This area is now ready for targeted mapping and rock sampling, with a focus on identifying drill targets to delineate additional gold mineralisation on this tenure, where Novo has retained 100% gold and silver rights2.

Sayshell Trend

Novo has consolidated tenure over the Sayshell Trend, a regional structure parallel to the Middle Creek Fault and Blue Spec Shear (Figure 2). Zones of anomalous gold were recognised from disparate historical work from various operators. Novo has commenced systematic soil sampling and field mapping, with some work already completed in 2022, to better define anomalous trends along this under-explored part of the MCB.

Field mapping and rock sampling focussed on an area where initial reconnaissance recovered approximately 240 grams of gold from 300 nuggets at 58 sites from metal detecting earlier in the field season.

_________________________

2 Refer to the Companys news release dated December 15, 2022.



https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f77b6f5f-c239-4fbb-a343-352546774f1e

Figure 3: Arsenic contours at Finucane, showing the continuation of the Middle Creek Fault

Rock sampling results to date include best results of 66.6 g/t gold and 26.5 g/t gold from 1,006 sample sites collected by Novo. The eastern part of the Sayshell Trend is of particular interest, with identification of a > 500 m strike zone of gold anomalism in potentially gold mineralised quartz vein arrays (Figure 4). Refer to Appendix 1 for relevant results.

New results align with historical data. Additional historical results along strike of the Sayshell Trend and in parallel shears are yet to be followed up with detailed mapping. Historical results were collected by several companies using several methodologies that cannot always be fully validated and are used as a guide for further exploration only. Metal detecting, soil sampling, and detailed mapping will continue in 2023 as a precursor to aircore and/or reverse circulation drilling.

MCB District Exploration

Novo is progressing a new exploration strategy in the MCB focused on identification of targets with the potential to host more than 100 koz gold. Finucane and Sayshell prospects are the first two targets identified in this work for follow up exploration in 2023.

A new strategy for district evaluation at Nullagine commenced in 2022, with additional geophysics to extend gold mineralisation trends and understand structural setting, targeting new mineralisation styles and mineralisation under cover.

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2ee1b61c-494e-4b8a-a769-42618aa2d39b

Figure 4: View along a section of the quartz-veined shears of the Sayshell Trend, including nugget locations, surface workings and trends of mineralised quartz vein sets

High resolution gravity data was collected from 5,127 station points at a staggered 150 m by 150 m grid, extending the coverage of the existing detailed gravity survey from 70 sq km to 200 sq km. This survey now covers the entire known position of the Middle Creek Fault, with extensions to the fault just delineated from the Finucane soil sampling program not yet covered.

Gravity data, in conjunction with existing datasets such as high-resolution aeromagnetics and radiometrics, and hyperspectral HyMapperTM data is used to identify additional drill targets for testing early in the field season. This study has already started to define new previously unknown targets and extensions to new mineralised structural trends such as the Sayshell Trend.

An aircore drilling program is currently being designed to test newly defined targets and target extensions.

Beatons Creek Mineral Resource Review

The Company released an updated Mineral Resource estimate at Beatons Creek in late 2022 which included an Indicated Mineral Resource of 3.05 million tonnes at 2.4 g/t Au for 234,000 oz Au and an additional Inferred Mineral Resource of 0.83 million tonnes at 1.6 g/t Au for 42,000 oz Au3 (the 2022 MRE).

Development drilling is now completed over Beatons Creek, complimenting the 2022 MRE. The 2022 MRE is being reviewed in the context of final assay results which are anticipated in Q1 of 2023.

_________________________

3 Refer to the Companys news releases dated November 2, 2022 and December 16, 2022, as well as the technical report prepared pursuant to National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101). The technical report, entitled NI 43-101: Mineral Resource Update, Beatons Creek Gold Project, Nullagine, Western Australia (the Technical Report), with an effective date of June 30, 2022 and an issue date of December 16, 2022, was prepared for Novo by Dr. Simon Dominy (FAusIMM(CP) FAIG(RPGeo) FGS(CGeol)), Ms. Janice Graham (MAIG), Mr. Jeremy Ison (FAusIMM), and Mr. Royce McAuslane (FAusIMM) (collectively, the QPs). The QPs are qualified persons as defined under NI 43-101. The Technical Report is available under the Companys profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com (filing date: December 16, 2022) and on the Companys website at www.novoresources.com.



QP STATEMENT

Mr. Alwin Van Roij (MAIG, AusIMM) is the qualified person, as defined under NI 43-101, responsible for, and having reviewed and approved, the technical information contained in this news release, except for technical information pertaining to the 2022 MRE3. Mr. Van Roij is Novos Exploration Manager  East Pilbara.

ASSAY METHODOLOGY

The soil sampling program conducted by Novo at Finucane comprises 777 samples and were collected from approximately 10 cm below the surface. Material was sieved to < 400 m, with the fines sent to Intertek Genalysis (Intertek) in Perth for gold and 32 multi-element analysis via 25-gram Aqua Regia digest with an MS finish (Table 1).

Rock samples at Sayshell (Table 2) were collected from outcrop, with comprehensive quantitative and qualitative geological data collected. Approximately 3  5 kg of material is collected by hand, representatively sampling across geological features. Samples are submitted to Intertek in Perth, where samples collected in 2022 are crushed and split into two ~ 500-gram jars and assayed for gold using PhotonAssayTM. QAQC protocols included insertion of a certified blank approximately every 50, and PhotonAssayTM certified standards at approximately every 50 samples. Further to this, Intertek inserts certified blank material and standards at the rate of 2 per hundred. One of the PhotonAssayTM jars is then pulverised and analysed for an additional 48 elements using four-acid digest, with an MS finish. Samples collected in 2020 and 2021 were crushed, pulverised, and submitted for gold analysis via 50 gram fire assay.

Metal detecting is conducted with a Minelab GPZ 7000 used by an experienced operator contracted to Novo. All gold is GPS located, and relevant data collected in a nugget register.

ABOUT NOVO

Novo explores and develops its prospective land package covering approximately 10,500 square kilometres in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, including the Beatons Creek gold project, along with two joint ventures in the Bendigo region of Victoria, Australia. In addition to the Companys primary focus, Novo seeks to leverage its internal geological expertise to deliver value-accretive opportunities to its stakeholders. For more information, please contact Leo Karabelas at (416) 543-3120 or e-mail leo@novoresources.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

Novo Resources Corp.

 Michael Spreadborough 

Michael Spreadborough

Executive Co-Chairman and Acting CEO

Forward-looking information

Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation) including, without limitation, that the Company is in a strong financial position to commence drilling and execute a busy exploration season and seek success via discovery, the suggestion that there are significant targets in the MCB, that exploration across the MCB in 2023 is expected to target new opportunities and focus on tenure where limited exploration has been conducted including under cover mineralisation by utilising new techniques for direct targeting, that the Finucane area is now ready for targeted mapping and rock sampling, and that Novo is progressing a step-change exploration approach to explore for significant targets in the MCB. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Such factors include, without limitation, customary risks of the resource industry and the risk factors identified in Novos managements discussion and analysis for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2022, which is available under Novos profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date those statements are made. Except as required by applicable law, Novo assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements. If Novo updates any forward-looking statement(s), no inference should be drawn that the Company will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.



APPENDIX 1:

Table 1: Finucane significant soil sampling results  greater than 20 ppb gold.

Sample ID Prospect Sample Type Grid ID Easting Northing Au ppb Method FNSL0001 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 240304 7580904 35 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0005 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 240294 7580504 30 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0006 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 240302 7580405 23 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0007 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 240311 7580341 393 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0008 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 240302 7580300 45 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0010 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 240299 7580204 25 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0012 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 240298 7580101 23 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0018 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 240303 7579796 20 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0019 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 240303 7579753 32 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0021 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 240302 7579701 27 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0022 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 240702 7579708 25 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0033 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 240700 7580201 31 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0034 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 240699 7580254 29 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0035 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 240700 7580304 26 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0037 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 240700 7580403 907 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0038 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 240694 7580500 33 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0043 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241103 7579703 469 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0044 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241101 7579755 30 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0045 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241099 7579805 25 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0046 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241103 7579858 20 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0047 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241100 7579904 23 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0051 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241098 7580055 44 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0052 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241099 7580104 23 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0055 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241100 7580254 26 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0057 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241099 7580353 395 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0059 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241105 7580503 138 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0060 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241103 7580601 170 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0064 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241502 7580904 20 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0074 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241501 7580201 23 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0078 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241512 7580055 20 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0079 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241501 7580005 35 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0080 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241498 7579949 74 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0081 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241498 7579902 37 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0082 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241503 7579857 54 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0083 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241499 7579804 70 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0084 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241503 7579752 38 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0085 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241500 7579704 28 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0097 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241699 7579904 51 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0098 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241697 7579856 50 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0099 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241700 7579802 265 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0101 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241698 7579755 22 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0102 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241701 7579704 31 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0103 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241703 7579656 22 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0105 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241702 7579552 63 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0106 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241701 7579504 103 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0107 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241700 7579454 32 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0109 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241703 7579353 31 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0110 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241702 7579303 25 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0113 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241700 7579154 39 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0115 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241701 7579054 28 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0116 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 241697 7579006 34 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0129 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 242104 7579103 46 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0130 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 242102 7579153 26 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0131 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 242098 7579201 35 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0135 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 242100 7579401 21 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0136 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 242101 7579456 23 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0138 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 242099 7579549 32 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0139 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 242100 7579601 25 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0140 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 242102 7579650 37 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0141 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 242103 7579701 23 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0142 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 242102 7579754 32 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0143 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 242102 7579771 24 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0144 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 242101 7579803 57 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0145 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 242102 7579855 57 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0146 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 242101 7579953 52 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0147 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 242100 7579978 33 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0153 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 242502 7579103 732 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0160 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 242502 7579453 66 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0161 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 242503 7579501 25 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0162 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 242502 7579553 20 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0163 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 242502 7579601 51 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0164 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 242505 7579651 25 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0166 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 242504 7579753 99 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0167 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 242503 7579801 30 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0168 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 242501 7579852 24 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0169 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 242503 7579901 23 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0171 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 242501 7579960 124 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0172 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 242502 7580004 43 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0174 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 242501 7580105 54 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0194 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 242100 7580105 25 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0197 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 246702 7579204 61 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0206 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 247701 7580699 49 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0211 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 247702 7580200 107 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0212 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 247697 7580104 235 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0242 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 247501 7580400 20 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0243 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 247502 7580303 87 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0251 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 247501 7579599 44 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0252 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 247502 7579501 35 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0278 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 247104 7580501 111 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0279 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 247101 7580403 32 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0280 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 247098 7580303 44 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0281 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 247107 7580205 27 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0286 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 247106 7579707 53 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0287 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 247101 7579605 169 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0297 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 246499 7579602 27 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0301 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 246502 7579900 24 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0302 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 246502 7579997 882 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0303 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 246510 7580097 556 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0317 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 245897 7580604 193 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0318 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 245911 7580503 25 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0326 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 245904 7580100 20 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0327 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 245901 7579999 100 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0339 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 245301 7580302 26 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0341 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 245301 7580503 20 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0345 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 244908 7579599 28 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0352 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 244900 7580200 35 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0353 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 244892 7580300 35 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0354 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 244897 7580404 25 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0356 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 244897 7580604 70 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0358 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 244904 7580802 75 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0378 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 245301 7580802 38 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0379 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 245301 7580901 22 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0388 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 244501 7580002 30 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0389 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 244500 7580101 51 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0390 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 244501 7580201 80 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0391 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 244501 7580302 462 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0392 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 244501 7580402 35 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0395 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 244501 7580702 30 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0396 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 244501 7580801 27 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0398 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 244500 7581002 24 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0422 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 249904 7580804 21 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0454 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 244101 7580103 68 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0459 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 244101 7580601 802 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0479 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 250301 7580002 25 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0484 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 250301 7579502 204 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0532 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 251309 7579899 20 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0534 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 251302 7580102 24 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0553 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 249707 7579703 203 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0554 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 249709 7579606 165 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0573 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 249304 7579006 25 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0584 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 249296 7579892 22 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0608 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 250899 7579697 86 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0609 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 250906 7579596 22 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0633 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 250698 7579911 23 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0634 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 250707 7579994 27 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0649 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 248496 7580004 26 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0652 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 248503 7579812 20 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0660 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 249099 7579907 28 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0661 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 249102 7579805 81 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0688 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 248708 7579401 24 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0693 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 248704 7579906 39 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0694 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 248700 7579999 27 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0695 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 248704 7580098 21 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0709 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 250099 7580112 31 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0713 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 250102 7579711 520 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0715 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 250101 7579501 212 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0731 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 249900 7579197 88 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0733 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 249906 7579388 38 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0735 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 249904 7579602 38 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0764 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 248302 7580203 27 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0766 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 248303 7580002 133 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0772 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 248301 7579502 21 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0773 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 248300 7579405 187 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0782 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 248100 7579201 26 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0785 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 248099 7579502 535 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0793 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 248506 7579701 91 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0798 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 248499 7579196 42 Au_AR25/MS FNSL0799 Finucane Soil MGA94_51 248493 7579103 20 Au_AR25/MS

Table 2: Significant rock sample results from Sayshell, showing all results greater than 0.5 g/t gold.
Markham, ON, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Asia's largest two-day blockchain, exchange, cryptocurrency, DeFi, GameFi, online payment and investment event will be held in Singapore on February 16-17, 2023. As an invited institution, CFund Capital will participate in the whole process of this event, and Mr. Robert Levin, CEO of CFund Capital, will attend this event.



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"From February 16th to 17th, 2023, thousands of people will gather at the Marina Bay Sands Convention and Exhibition Center in Singapore to participate in the 2023 Singapore Blockchain Festival, which is the most active event in blockchain." Robert Lay, CEO of CFund Capital Wen said: "Singapore is attracting people's attention as a global tourist hotspot and also as an Asian financial center. Blockchain experts and investors from other countries will join us to discuss the hottest topics in the crypto world under one roof, and will Take the industry to a new level."

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"Through this event, participants will be able to increase knowledge, earn benefits, exchange insights and experiences, and learn first-hand skills from market leaders through P2P communication." Robert Levin, CEO of CFund Capital, said in an interview : "As one of the highlights of Singapore Blockchain Festival 2023, its relaxed and friendly environment will bring you opportunities to broaden your network. Don't miss this opportunity."

This is definitely a must-visit event if you are interested in investing, cryptocurrency trading, NFTs and the fintech industry. You can view the detailed program and participate in voting and forums at https://blockchain-fest.asia/. This is an opportunity to meet internationally renowned speakers as well as the best speakers from around the world. Blockchain Fest Singapore 2023 is open to everyone who is passionate about investing and trading cryptocurrencies and motivated to learn.

For more information about CFund Capital, please visit CFund website (www.CFund.cc) and CFund official Twitter account (@CFundCC)

Contact information:

Company name: CFund Capital Canada Inc

Email: sc@cfund.cc

City: Markham

Country: Canada

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CFundCC

Telegram: https://t.me/OfficialCFundcc

This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies (including product offerings, regulatory plans and business plans) and may change without notice. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

Attachment
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Market Size Value in USD 10.30 Billion in 2021 Market Size Value by USD 14.20 Billion by 2028 Growth rate CAGR of 4.7% from 2022 to 2028 Forecast Period 2022-2028 Base Year 2021 No. of Pages 278 No. of Tables 219 No. of Charts & Figures 94 Historical data available Yes Segments covered Offering, Tubing, Application, Usage, and End User





Global Pharmaceutical Fluid Handling Market: Competitive Landscape and Key Developments

In Aug. 2022 , Rigaku Corporation has acquired all issued shares of MILabs B.V. on August 2, 2021, as part of their full-scale effort to enter the life sciences business. Through this acquisition, Rigaku will expand its life sciences modality business globally by combining MILabs multi-modality businesses, including PET, SPECT, Optical Imaging, and CT equipment for animals, with Rigaku's original X-ray imaging business for animals.

In Oct. 2022 , Merck, a leading science and technology company, has opened a commercial facility for its new Millipore CTDMO Services offering at the companys site in Martillac, France.





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In Apr. 2022 , Merck, the U.S. and Canada life science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, today announced the Life Science business sectors signing of an agreement with the Administrative Management Committee of Wuxi National High-Tech Industrial Development Zone to significantly expand the companys first Asia Pacific Mobius Single-Use manufacturing center in China.

In Aug. 2022 , Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions (WMFTS) has launched BioPure Braided Hose assemblies as an end-to-end solution for companies requiring fitting, hose, assembly and testing.

In Jul. 2022 , A&G AS, based in the Estonian capital of Tallinn, has been part of the Raumedic group of companies since 2021. The company specializes in assembly in the field of medical technology and is equipped with corresponding cleanroom production space.

In Nov. 2021 , Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions has been named as the Most Innovative Pharma Fluid Management Solutions Provider 2021 at the Global Health and Pharma (GHP) Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Awards. Watson-Marlow is specialized in peristaltic pumping technology and single-use Accusil silicone tubing and asepticsu tube assemblies. it is an ideal technology for the pharmaceutical industry as it provides precise flow rates with low shear and reduces contamination risk as the fluid is contained within the tube, never coming into contact with the pump mechanism.

In Sept. 2021 , Watson-Marlow launched bioprocessing production at new Cork facility. The ISO 14644-1 Class 7 cleanroom is fully certified to meet the demands of the highly regulated pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical manufacturing offering a high quality and reliable supply for the growing Irish market.





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Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Global Pharmaceutical Fluid Handling Market Growth:

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted everyday lives of people and businesses worldwide, and the pharmaceutical supply chain was greatly affected. The COVID-19 pandemic inflicted enormous pressure on healthcare infrastructure and hampered the operational capabilities of the biopharmaceutical companies and clinical laboratories. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant increase in industry growth, as pharmaceutical liquid handling was in high demand, as specimens had to be processed faster in the laboratory to conduct research on SAR-CoV-2. The COVID-19 vaccine development boosted the need for advanced automated liquid handling systems. As a result of the outbreak of COVID-19, the market has grown positively.

Pharmaceutical Fluid Handling Market : Segmental Overview

Based on tubing , the global pharmaceutical fluid handling market is segmented into thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and silicone. In 2022, the silicone segment held the largest share of the market. The TPE segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during 20222028.

Based on end user , the pharmaceutical fluid handling market is segmented into biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical & medical companies, and others. The biotechnology companies segment held the largest market share in 2021, and it is further expected to be the largest shareholder in the market by 2028.





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Dublin, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "HVAC Systems & Services Market Analysis by Offering, End User - Global Industry Trends and Growth Forecast to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



According to the recent study, in 2021, the HVAC systems & services market was worth around $206.6 billion, which is predicted to touch $319.9 billion revenue by 2030, progressing at a compound annual growth rate of 5.0% from 2021 to 2030.

The key factors that will have a positive influence on the market are the significant demand for an ambient atmosphere in a building and the diverse worldwide climatic conditions.



As per NASA's GISS, the global temperature has risen by 0.5 degrees Celsius annually since 1980, due to global warming.



Important Findings in HVAC Systems & Services Market Report

Over the next few years, the sales of VRF systems are expected to increase at a CAGR of over 10%, due to the increasing need for energy-efficient temperature-control solutions. The commercial sector is predicted to have the largest revenue share in 2030, of over 40%, due to the growing construction in this sector. For example, hotel transaction volume in Europe has already reached more than $6.87 billion in the first half of 2022.

The need for heating equipment has increased significantly owing to the cold weather in most of Europe, particularly in Eastern Europe, where the average wintertime temperature ranges between -6 and 3 degrees Celsius. The German government is actively encouraging the adoption of effective heating and cooling systems powered by green energy sources. This has created a significant shift in the customer perception, which is driving the country's heating and cooling business.

Moreover, Germany is one of Europe's biggest investors in hotels, with around $730 million in transaction value in H1 2022. Moreover, the top five hospitality hubs (Spain, the U.K., France, Italy, and Germany) together accounted for nearly 81% of the transacted value, up from 68% in H1 2021.

IoT integration in HVAC systems is the most-significant opportunity for appliance makers. IoT aids in the management of control systems, collection and storage of data in the cloud, updation of temperature control procedures for greater efficiency, and execution of a predictive maintenance plan.

APAC Has Highest Sales of HVAC



By 2030, APAC's sales revenue is expected to hit $170 billion. This is due to the rising average temperature, particularly in China, India, South Korea, Japan, and Indonesia. Compared to North America and Europe, APAC has a hotter climate; thus, there is a higher requirement for air conditioning equipment.



Further, China had 1.45 billion people as of October 2022, followed by India, which had 1.38 billion people. The need for these appliances is, thus, being driven by the increase in the population, apart from the rise in the average temperature.



Key Metrics

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 302 Forecast Period 2021 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2021 $206.6 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $319.9 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 5.0% Regions Covered Global

Company Profiles

Johnson Controls International plc

Trane Technologies plc

Carrier Global Corporation

Daikin Industries Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

LG Electronics Inc.

Gree Electric Appliances Inc. of Zhuhai

Midea Group Co. Ltd.

Danfoss A/S

Lennox International Inc.

FUJITSU GENERAL LIMITED

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

Market Dynamics



Trends

Increasing preference toward VRF technology

Growing preference toward smart HVAC systems

Drivers

Growing construction sector

Growing hospitality industry

Impact analysis of drivers on market forecast

Restraints

High upfront cost

Impact analysis of restraints on market forecast

Opportunities

Increasing energy efficiency of HVAC systems

Growing opportunity from manufacturing industry

Growing demand for annual maintenance contract (AMC) services

Key Topics Covered:



Chapter 1. Research Background

1.1 Research Objectives

1.2 Market Definition

1.3 Research Scope

1.4 Key Stakeholders



Chapter 2. Research Methodology

2.1 Secondary Research

2.2 Primary Research

2.3 Market Size Estimation

2.4 Data Triangulation

2.5 Assumptions for the Study



Chapter 3. Executive Summary



Chapter 4. Introduction

4.1 Definition of Market Segments

4.1.1 By Offering

4.1.1.1 Equipment

4.1.1.1.1 By type

4.1.1.1.1.1 Heating

4.1.1.1.1.1.1 Heat pumps

4.1.1.1.1.1.2 Furnaces

4.1.1.1.1.1.3 Boilers

4.1.1.1.1.1.4 Unitary heaters

4.1.1.1.1.2 Ventilation

4.1.1.1.1.2.1 Ventilation fans

4.1.1.1.1.2.2 Air handling units and fan coil units

4.1.1.1.1.2.3 Humidifiers/dehumidifiers

4.1.1.1.1.2.4 Air cleaners

4.1.1.1.1.3 Air conditioning

4.1.1.1.1.3.1 Room ACs

4.1.1.1.1.3.2 Split units

4.1.1.1.1.3.3 Ducted splits/packaged units

4.1.1.1.1.3.4 Variable refrigerant flow

4.1.1.1.1.3.5 Chillers

4.1.1.1.2 By Component

4.1.1.1.2.1 HVAC machine controllers

4.1.1.1.2.2 Energy meters

4.1.1.1.2.3 Drives

4.1.1.1.2.4 Contactors

4.1.1.1.2.5 HMIs/displays

4.1.1.1.2.6 Others

4.1.1.2 Services

4.1.1.2.1 Installation

4.1.1.2.2 Upgradation/replacement

4.1.1.2.3 Maintenance and repair

4.1.1.2.4 Consulting

4.1.2 By End User

4.1.2.1 Commercial

4.1.2.1.1 Office buildings

4.1.2.1.2 Supermarkets/hypermarkets

4.1.2.1.3 Government

4.1.2.1.4 Healthcare

4.1.2.1.5 Hospitality

4.1.2.1.6 Transportation

4.1.2.1.7 Others

4.1.2.2 Industrial

4.1.2.2.1 Oil and gas

4.1.2.2.2 Food and beverage

4.1.2.2.3 Automotive

4.1.2.2.4 Energy and utilities

4.1.2.2.5 Others

4.1.2.3 Residential

4.2 Value Chain Analysis



Chapter 5. Global Market Size and Forecast

5.1 By Offering

5.1.1 By Equipment

5.1.1.1 By component

5.1.1.2 By type

5.1.1.2.1 Heating, by equipment type

5.1.1.2.2 Ventilation, by equipment type

5.1.1.2.3 Air conditioning, by equipment type

5.1.2 By Service

5.2 By End User

5.2.1 Commercial, by Type

5.2.2 Industrial, by Type

5.3 By Region

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ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Attachment
Staunton, VA, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Secure Solar Futures, a provider of on-site clean energy and educational programs to K-12 schools, signed an agreement with Calhoun County Public Schools to install solar power systems at two school sites. Schools in Calhoun County will be the first in West Virginia to install solar power on site at no upfront cost through a financing option newly available in the state, a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

With a capacity of 768.6 kilowatts total, the combined solar arrays are projected to save the school district nearly $740,000 in energy costs over the next 25 years. A solar array of 596.6 kilowatts will be installed at Calhoun Middle/High School in Mt. Zion and a second array of 172 kilowatts will be placed at Pleasant Hill Elementary School in Grantsville. Calhoun County Schools selected Secure Solar as their solar provider in a competitive public procurement process through a Request for Proposals (RFP) issued in the fall of 2022.

Calhoun County Schools is excited to be the first public school system in the state of West Virginia to install solar panels on their school roofs, said Kelli Whytsell, superintendent of Calhoun County Schools. We will be partnering with Secure Solar to be able to produce electricity that our schools will be using in the near future. We hope that being the first public school system to install the solar panels on our roofs will encourage other school systems to follow suit.

The schools will receive solar power with no upfront capital investment through a 25-year PPA with Secure Solar Futures. During the term of the agreement, the company will own and operate all solar equipment and sell the solar energy to the schools at a cost lower than the cost of grid power offered by the local electric utility.

Secure Solar Futures was proud to participate in the campaign to legalize PPAs in West Virginia as part of a coalition of solar companies and environmental advocates, said Ryan McAllister, CEO of Secure Solar Futures. As the first school district in the state to take advantage of this new option, Calhoun County Schools has paved the way for other schools in West Virginia to enjoy the money savings and educational benefits of making their own solar power.

In 2021, West Virginia became the 29th state to allow solar PPAs. Legalized by House Bill 3310, this type of financing allows customers to install a solar power system on site without any upfront capital cost by contracting with a solar provider to operate solar equipment on the customers behalf.

As co-sponsor of the legislation to legalize solar PPAs in West Virginia in 2021, and now representing Calhoun County in the State Senate, I'm especially excited that Calhoun County Schools was the first school district to benefit from the solar PPA legislation, said 12th District Senator Ben Queen.

As part of the agreement, Secure Solar will offer classroom curricula and a job training program for solar installers.

At no additional cost, in conjunction with National Energy Education Development (NEED), a non-profit organization that promotes energy literacy, Secure Solar offers a classroom curriculum that complies with West Virginia Standards of Learning from grades K-12. The curriculum includes teacher training, lesson plans, and hands-on kits for science experiments on energy.

In addition, Secure Solar offers its unique program in citizen science, Throwing Solar Shade (TSS). Developed in conjunction with the Science Museum of Virginia and the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Education, TSS gives high school students the chance to spend a semester working in teams with students from other school divisions. Under the direction of a leading climatologist, Dr. Jeremy Hoffman, chief scientist at the Science Museum, students conduct live research to investigate the heat-island effect, solar power, and other topics in clean energy and climate science.

A third educational offering available to the schools will be a workforce development program to train high school students to install solar systems on their own school buildings and at other solar project sites.

Both solar arrays at Calhoun County Schools will be installed on roofs of school buildings. Combined, the systems will use 1,671 Tier 1 460-Watt monocrystalline solar modules manufactured by Heliene at the companys facility in Minnesota. Installation will begin this spring and is expected to conclude by the end of 2023. Once the solar power systems are completed, each year Calhoun County Schools will produce enough clean energy to power the equivalent of 78 homes and avoid 400 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, the same amount sequestered by 473 acres of forest.

Attachments
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Thunderbird Field II Veterans Memorial, Inc. (Tbird2") has added two new members to its Advisory Board. Tbird2 is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to preserving the history of aviation in Scottsdale, Arizona, honoring all military veterans, creating unique educational opportunities (scholarships) for Arizona students studying all aspects of aviation, and supporting Dogs4Vets.







About Randall S. Prust, M.D.

Randy Prust received his Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Arizona State University (ASU) and earned his Doctor of Philosophy, Core Curriculum, and Doctor of Medicine from the University of Colorado.

After graduating from ASU, he was recruited by the national company Johns Manville (JM) as a research engineer. He authored one book and eleven articles published in engineering and medical journals, and lectured at national speaking engagements in both fields.

Dr. Prusts medical background includes positions as Associate Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Arizona; President, Founder and Physician of Randall S. Prust, M.D., P.C. Rincon Pain and Spine; and currently President and Founder of Mount Vista, LLC and President and Founder of Prust Medical Consulting, LLC.

He currently holds licenses with the Arizona Medical Board, the American Board of Anesthesiology along with continuous certification in Pain Management.

A select group of current and past Board of Directors, Dr. Prusts positions include Chairman of ServRx (co-founded INC. 500 company), Genova Research, Medsphere, Triad Hospitals, Inc., NexTrade Holdings, Inc. (sold to Bank of America), and Pima County Medical Society. Dr. Prust also served as an Advisory Board Member of Mekanika, Inc. and a Member of the Board of Trustees of El Dorado Hospital.

Dr. Prusts legal and consulting endeavors include being a Principal Investigator of FDA Phase III Trials for multiple companies as well as serving as an Expert Witness for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Superior Courts in Arizona, Industrial Commission of Arizona, and providing independent medical evaluations, plaintiff and defense.

Awards and achievements include the Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award from the University of Colorado Alumni Association, Alpha Omega Alpha from the Medical Honor Society, Medical School Class President of the University of Colorado, A Award for Outstanding Performance from Johns Manville, and numerous other honors and recognition.

Dr. Prust remarked, It is a privilege to accept this appointment to the Tbird2 Advisory Board and I look forward to working with Chairman Miller and the esteemed members of this important board.





About Karen Longo

Ms. Longo earned her Masters of International Management from Thunderbird, School of Global Management, and earned both her Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Bachelor of Arts degree in Italian from the University of Arizona.

She began her professional career at Pharmaceutical Card Systems, Government Division, and shortly thereafter founded and was President of Medical Administration, Inc., a management service organization for medical professionals, for over 11 years.

Karen is the Founder and President of Management Affiliates International Inc., a consulting firm involved in business analysis, real estate, and professional development. She is also a managing partner of Gregory McGee Company, LLC, a family-owned commercial real estate business.

Her past positions include Member of the Board of Trustees for Thunderbird, School of Global Management, President of Thunderbird Alumni Network Board, Steering Committee Member of Thunderbird Global Council, and Judge for the Thunderbird Walker Center for Global Entrepreneurship Business Plan Competition.

Ms. Longo currently serves as Honorary Commander for the 756th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona and is a lifetime member of the Arizona Elk Society  Heroes Rising Outdoors wounded veterans program.

Karen Longo commented, I am very honored to join the Thunderbird Field II Veterans Memorial Advisory Board and look forward to playing a bigger role.

Rudy R. Miller, Chairman, Advisory Board & Scholarship Committee, said, I have had the opportunity to work with Dr. Randy Prust and with Karen Longo. They are both extraordinary professionals and have exceptional academic credentials, business/finance/analytical experience, president and CEO skills, advisory and board member expertise, and are ardent regarding community service involvement.

Mr. Miller concluded, Randy is a 40-year resident of Tucson, AZ and Karen is a resident of Scottsdale and has lived in Arizona since 1974. Over the past few years, these two individuals have been important Tbird2 supporters of our statewide mission objectives. We are very appreciative that they have both agreed to become a member of the Tbird2 Advisory Board.

Mr. Ziomek Zio, Tbird2 Chairman & President, stated, Coming from unique and varied backgrounds, Dr. Prust and Karen Longo will bring diverse prospectives to an already vibrant Advisory Board of Directors. I look forward to seamless interactions between the Tbird2 Board of Directors and the Advisory Board.

The 2023 Advisory Board Members are Rudy R. Miller, Chairman of the Tbird2 Advisory Board & Scholarship Committee, and Chairman, President & CEO of The Miller Group; W.J. (Jim) Lane, Vice Chairman of the Tbird2 Advisory Board and Former Mayor of the City of Scottsdale; Rob Schwister, Executive Vice President of Equipment Leasing Services, LLC; Randall S. Prust, M.D., President and Founder of Prust Medical Consulting, LLC; Karen Longo, Founder & President of Management Affiliates International, Inc.; and Gary Mascaro, Aviation Director at the Scottsdale Airport, City of Scottsdale.

About Thunderbird Field II Veterans Memorial, Inc.

Thunderbird Field II Veterans Memorial, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed in 2014 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. During World War II, an airfield named Thunderbird Field II was built for the sole purpose of training U.S. Army Air Corps pilots in 1942. Thunderbird Field II graduated over 5,500 men and women pilots, many of whom saw military action in Europe and the Pacific. The field and school were deactivated on October 16, 1944, sold to Arizona State Teachers College (ASU), then to the Arizona Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, and finally to the City of Scottsdale in 1966 and is now known as the Scottsdale Airport (KSDL). Tbird2 has a permanent Veterans Memorial, the centerpiece of which is a 1942 Stearman biplane, at the entrance to the Scottsdale Airport, located at 15000 N. Airport Drive, Scottsdale, AZ, and a historical display inside the facilities honoring the service of men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces as well as POW-MIAs.

About Dogs4Vets

American Service Animal Society, dba Dogs4Vets, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to enabling disabled veterans live a more productive life through the use of service animals. Dogs4Vets offers lifetime support and service dog training for over 100 Arizona veterans each year, at no cost to the veteran.

Contacts:

Stephen P. Ziomek

Chairman & President

ziomek.steve@gmail.com

480.664.6604

Rudy R. Miller

Chairman, Advisory Board & Scholarship Committee

rrmiller@themillergroup.net

602.225.0505

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e5b9c4ae-8df6-4867-8b5e-3f23688d18b3

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/72415e1b-3a7c-4382-8215-0f0f82425a29
English French

OTTAWA, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Legion Veterans Village Research Foundation is pleased to announce the official grand opening of the Legion Veterans Village (LVV), a unique $312-million multi-purpose social infrastructure project led by the BC/Yukon Command of The Royal Canadian Legion, together with Whalley Legion Branch 229, the Province of B.C., and Lark Group in Surrey B.C. The project features a first-of-its-kind Centre of Clinical Excellence in veteran and first responder health, a new Whalley Legion, as well as 91 affordable housing units owned and operated by VRS Communities, and 171 market housing units in phase one of the overall development.



The Legion Veterans Village in Surrey is a brilliant and progressive example of what can happen when dedicated partners come together, says Bruce Julian, Dominion President, The Royal Canadian Legion. We are proud of what BC/Yukon Command has achieved with this opening and look forward to hearing about the Veterans and families who will be helped through this unique venture.

We are excited to usher in a new era of the Legion with this unique Legion Veterans Village project, says Veronica Brown, Executive Director of the BC/Yukon Command of The Royal Canadian Legion. It is a symbol and monument of what a modern Legion could be, representing much of what our veterans care about, what they need a Legion to be, and how we can better service our veterans, our communities and the essential first responders who look after us.

Located on the corner of City Parkway and 106th Avenue in downtown Surrey, the 20-storey Legion Veterans Village building houses the brand new 10,500 sq. ft. state-of-the-art Whalley Legion Branch 229, which includes a restaurant and bar, full-service industrial kitchen, cadet assembly hall, banquet room, lounge and billiards area with underground parking.

The Whalley Legion has been serving the community at this location since 1960 and we are incredibly excited to launch our brand new Whalley Legion where we can continue to serve our Legion members and become a gathering place for local residents, neighbours and first responders, says Tony Moore, President of the Whalley Legion Branch 229. We would like to thank each and every person who made this project possible and we look forward to continuing to honour and serve veterans and first responders and fostering a new community legacy for generations to come.

Legion Veterans Village was originally inspired by the courageous efforts of Canadian veteran Captain Trevor Greene who experienced a debilitating head injury from an axe attack in Afghanistan. The BC/Yukon Command of The Royal Canadian Legion helped fundraise for an exoskeleton machine to help him walk again, which became the inspiration for the ambitious LVV project to bring innovative health technologies to help more veterans and first responders like him.

The LVV development is also a mixed-use building which includes 91 affordable housing units owned and managed by the VRS Communities Society (VRS), with priority given to Canadian veterans, first responders, Legion members and their families. The Province, through BC Housing, provided $12-million through the Building BC: Community Housing Fund for the affordable housing units which are a mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom suites, with 10 units designed specifically to meet VRS requirements for accessibility. These complement an additional 171 one- and two-bedroom Parc Centrale market housing units by Dava Developments, which have already sold out.

Lark Group takes great pride in being a dedicated community partner and collaborator, and as a purpose driven developer in Surrey for 50 years, were pleased to deliver this amazing project on time and on budget for all of our partners, says Kirk Fisher, Executive Vice President of Lark Group.

The key centerpiece that sets the Legion Veterans Village project apart from others, is the Centre of Clinical Excellence for veterans and first responders health. The clinics offer an integrated continuum of health and wellness programs and services for veterans and first responders focusing on clinical health care and rehabilitation services, innovative research and health technologies, as well as counselling for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mental health.

This grand opening is the culmination of 10-years of collaboration and perseverance of the BC/Yukon Command of The Royal Canadian Legion, the Whalley Legion Branch 229 and developed by long-time Surrey developer, the Lark Group, which as a group never failed in its determination to make this innovative project a success, says Rowena Rizzotti, Project Lead for Legion Veterans Village.

Now that the facilities are in place, the Legion Veterans Village Research Foundation is officially launching phase one of its $10-million Fundraising Campaign to support the translation of clinical research into programs, technologies and services that will support health and wellness of our veterans, first responders and their families at the Centre for Clinical Excellence and across Canada.

The mission from the beginning was to bring an integrated continuum of health care and mental health services into one building as a major step towards improving care and services for veterans and their families and to address the increasing incidence and impacts of PTSD for both veterans and first responders, says Dr. Venu Karapareddy, Centre for Clinical Excellence Medical Director and Founder of Actum Health.

The Centre of Clinical Excellence is operated by Veterans and First Responders Health (VFRH), an integrated group of primary health care, wellness, and rehabilitation service providers connected through Welmind, the digital healthcare partner enabling streamlined, coordinated care. Providers include:

VFRH Primary Care & Lifestyle Medicine - A collaborative team of family physicians, nurse practitioners, and other care providers supporting veterans and first responders through an integrated lifestyle medicine approach focused on long-term, sustainable health and wellness.

Actum Health Specialists in interdisciplinary, complex care empowering veterans and first responders dealing with persistent pain, mental health, PTSD, and/or addiction to achieve their recovery goals and return to the life they want to live. With decades of experience in the rehabilitation of complex health care issues, Actum Health works with clients to make lasting, meaningful change.

Neuromotion - A neurological physiotherapy and rehabilitation company whose vision is to ensure every individual who is impacted by a neurological condition is cared for in a supportive, inclusive, empowering setting and can access a knowledgeable, specialized multidisciplinary rehab team. Neuromotion is bringing innovative technologies like the Lokomat robot-assisted gait therapy technology and the XOmotion robotic legs to LVV to help clients, veterans and first responders with neurological injuries optimize their recovery and learn to walk again.

City Parkway Dental - Comprehensive dental care for veterans, first responders, and the general public in a safe, caring atmosphere by highly educated, compassionate professionals delivering the very best in gentle dental treatments to improve patient health and quality of life.

HealthTech Connex Brainnovation Network  An evolving network of care providers dedicated to advancing clinical research and evidence-based practice in the area of brain health. They test and innovate new treatment paradigms, measure effectiveness using technologies like NeuroCatch, and train clinicians how to safely and effectively embed these new approaches into practice.



All levels of government have offered supportive thoughts about the unique project.

Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence:

I congratulate the Legion and its partners for spearheading the Legion Veterans Village. Its an extraordinary project that captures the spirit of what a Legion can be at the heart of a community. Here, Veterans and first responders can access a range programs and services for their health and well-being under one roof.

Randeep Sarai, Member of Parliament for SurreyCentre:

I am proud to celebrate and mark this momentous grand opening of the Legion Veterans Village right in the heart of downtown Surrey. This social infrastructure project will no doubt become a catalyst and model for future Legions across Canada, especially given the major role the Legion plays in each community it serves.

Bruce Ralston, MLA for Surrey-Whalley:

The Legion Veterans Village is a welcome addition to the downtown Surrey neighbourhood. Our government is proud to have contributed nearly $12 million through our Community Housing Fund so that British Columbians who have served our country can live affordably, close to new, innovative health care services and improve their quality of life.

Mayor Brenda Locke, City of Surrey:

The City of Surrey is proud to have been a partner and supporter of the Legion Veterans Village from its inception. Veterans Village is a shining example of what can be achieved when different organizations and government come together to build a lasting legacy. There is no doubt that Veterans Village will have a positive impact for generations to come and its model of care will serve as the blueprint for other Legions to follow.

For more information on Legion Veterans Village, please visit www.LegionVeteransVillage.com.

Contact for Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command: Nujma Bond, publicrelations@legion.ca, 343-540-7604

Contact for BC/Y Command: Yvonne Chiang, news@chiangpr.ca, 604-880-5090.

About Legion Veterans Village Research Foundation (LVVRF):

Founded in 2022, the Legion Veterans Village Research Foundation is the charity organization working to support world-leading scientists, technologies, and clinicians as they work collaboratively to advance innovation, research, rehabilitation and health care for veterans, first responders, and their families. The Foundation is actively working with donors and communities across Canada to encourage and inspire support from individuals, organizations, and groups for the continuum of care for veterans, first responders, and families who are affected by physical injuries, mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder, neurological disorders and more. www.lvvresearchfoundation.com

About The Royal Canadian Legion

Founded in 1925, the Legion is Canadas largest Veteran support and community service organization. We are a non-profit organization with a national reach across Canada as well as branches in the U.S. and Europe. With 250,000 members, many of whom volunteer an extraordinary amount of time to their branches, our strength is in our numbers.

Legion.ca

Facebook.com/CanadianLegion

Twitter.com/RoyalCdnLegion

Instagram.com/royalcanadianlegion

youtube.com/user/RCLDominionCommand

Linkedin.com/company/royalcanadianlegion

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3300b1be-235b-43de-8d53-e73a7834ad85

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SAN DIEGO, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Shoreline Recovery Center and sister center Park Mental Health's priority is creating a new focus on healing the family system; there's a huge emphasis on teaching parents boundaries when it comes to involvement in their adult kid's life during meetings with therapists who show them how to set healthy boundaries.

"We have a program on enabling that's offered within family support sessions," said Craig Burson, Shoreline's Director of Business Development. "The program focuses on client accountability and also helps develop peer accountability among clients by building personal relationships with them."

It's natural for loved ones to help loved ones during difficult times. Unfortunately, the lines are frequently blurred between helping and enabling when it comes to those struggling with mental health and addiction, creating more hurt than help and prolonging the healing and recovery process due to codependency.

Although enabling often comes from a loving place, the generosity often encourages the behavior of the person struggling to engage in unhelpful behaviors and patterns. It's a pattern well-known in the world of addiction and substance abuse. Instead of holding their children accountable to their recovery and boundaries set by treatment centers or therapists, a parent's shame and guilt takes over and they give in once again. This is a cycle that prolongs healing, recovery, and self-sufficiency. Sometimes, enabling leads to someone not ever being able to recover.

"Enabling is one of the main reasons people don't get well," said Mikayla Weathers, LMFT and program director at Park Mental Health. "It often gets in the way of the tools we teach clients so they can heal from their mental health struggles and/or addiction."

The majority of the patients at Shoreline Recovery Center and Park Mental Health have been enabled to a high degree through their 30s. This can result in difficulty trying to find a job, housing, general safety, security and ultimately decreases the ability for someone to launch into adulthood and self-sufficiency. Weathers states, "When someone is not self-actualized, it often leads to shame and low self-esteem, which triggers a relapse cycle and or mental health crisis."

"Many times, parents give into requests for cash and other things during treatment thinking they are helping to comfort their loved one," Weathers said. The reason this happens includes wanting them to feel comfortable and having guilt related to abandonment. Some even choose to ignore the problem entirely to avoid conflict.

Every other week both facilities hold a virtual family support group that involves psycho education for parents on setting boundaries with their children so they understand the behavior is common but that it's very harmful towards healing. They also learn coping skills and techniques that set them up for success and lead to a path of their own recovery from enabling.

The facilities also offer relapse prevention plans for enabling behaviors during the discharge process.

Contact Information:

Steven Esparza

Chief Executive Officer

info@camppublicrelations.com

6193631368



Craig Burson

Business Development Director

craig@shorelinerecoverycenter.com



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AURORA, Ill., Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BERNINA, the worlds premier manufacturer of quality state-of-the-art sewing, quilting and embroidery machines, overlockers and embroidery software, announced they will be providing a recent The Price Is Right winner with one of their 4 Series machines.



BERNINA dealers, January and Randy Shaffer of Cherry Berry Quilts in Calimesa, CA, helped welcome Sandra A. into the BERNINA family with a BERNINA 475 Quilters Edition. This beloved machine has been designed for perfect precision, speed, and ease of use. The machine encompasses many of BERNINAs outstanding technologies like their color touch screen, automatic thread cutter, and the BERNINA Free Hand System.

When we first got the news [that wed help deliver the prize], we were excited to participate! Randy shared, it was a full circle moment as my wife and I are high school sweethearts and we grew up sitting in the audience of shows like The Price Is Right.

As a creative when it comes to quilting and sewing, Sandra recognizes a quality machine, BERNINA is such a great name and has been around forever, said Sandra, Its a beautiful machine and I cant say enough about January and Randy, the owners of the store, they were so nice and accommodating.

Its an honor to sponsor a prize for a game show with a rich legacy such as The Price Is Right, said BERNINAs director of marketing, Michaelynn Rose. We congratulate Sandra on joining the elite group of The Price Is Right winners, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the BERNINA family.

The BERNINA 475 Quilters Edition is available at select BERNINA retailers across the United States like Cherry Berry Quilts. Sewists of all levels can get more details on this model and find their local retailers by visiting BERNINAs website .

ABOUT BERNINA

BERNINA is the world's premier manufacturer of quality state-of-the-art sewing, quilting and embroidery machines, overlockers and embroidery software. Since being founded over 125 years ago, BERNINA has maintained a strong commitment to serving the creative community. This dedication threads through the Swiss precision found in every machine, the training and education available through our over 400 fully trained independent BERNINA Dealers and the endless tutorials and content shared on BERNINA's blog and social media channels. BERNINA products are designed for beginning to advanced sewists and priced to meet a variety of budgets, with new products being introduced every year.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at



https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/92965fa3-3fce-4b2c-8acc-ee5d566eae69

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d10263bf-7071-46bb-b04d-e3d06f51ce89
Washington, D.C., Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Diesel Technology Forum (DTF) is honored to receive the Clean Fuels Alliance America Industry Partnership Award.

Clean Fuels Alliance America recognizes the Forum for its considerable industry influence in consistently, and vocally, demonstrating support for the use of biodiesel and renewable diesel in legacy and new technology diesel engines and equipment.

The honor was bestowed during the recent Clean Fuels Conference in Tampa, Florida. While presenting the Industry Partnership Award, Scott Fenwick, Technical Director for Clean Fuels Alliance America, noted, The Diesel Technology Forum is highly engaged in areas of common interest with the clean fuels industry, including U.S. EPA regulatory activities regarding clean air, climate, emissions, health effects and mobile source emissions; transitions to a clean energy future; and decarbonization of transportation and other industrial sources. We value their active partnership and support.

We appreciate the opportunity to work with Clean Fuels Alliance America to help educate others about the advancements of these important fuels and their value to the nations economy, says DTFs Communications Director Jessica Puchala. We also want to thank the Clean Fuels Alliance America team for noting the significant contributions of our long-time Executive Director Allen Schaeffer with this award. Hes led our Forum, and its wide-ranging educational efforts, for nearly 23 years.

The honor is a great surprise, said Schaeffer. I really appreciate it. Thank you to all of the members of the Diesel Technology Forum for their participation and support through the years. Im thrilled to accept the award on behalf of the Forum.

The Diesel Technology Forum is a not-for-profit educational organization of global leaders in advanced diesel engine, equipment, and fuels technology. The Forums work focuses on the sociability and sustainability of advanced diesel technology in a wide range of applications including commercial vehicles, power generation, marine, rail, construction and more.

To learn about the other Eye on Industry Award winners at the 2023 Clean Fuels Conference, please visit: Clean Fuels Champions Receive Recognition for Industry Contributions.

###

About Clean Fuels Alliance America

Made from an increasingly diverse mix of resources such as recycled cooking oil, soybean oil, and animal fats, the clean fuels industry is a proven, integral part of Americas clean energy future. Clean Fuels Alliance America is the U.S. trade association representing the entire biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel supply chain, including producers, feedstock suppliers and fuel distributors. Clean Fuels receives funding from a broad mix of private companies and associations, including the United Soybean Board and state checkoff organizations. For more information, visit https://cleanfuels.org/.

About the Diesel Technology Forum

The Diesel Technology Forum is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the current and future role of diesel engines, equipment, and fuels. Forum members are leaders in advanced diesel technology, emissions controls, as well as petroleum-based and renewable biofuels. For more information visit http://www.dieselforum.org.

Connect with Us

For the latest insights and information from the leaders in clean diesel technology, join us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn or YouTube. To get a weekly wrap-up of clean diesel news, policy analysis and more sent straight to your inbox please subscribe to our Diesel Direct newsletter.

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WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Luminaire is pleased to announce the launch of Wentz, the eponymous brand founded by Brazilian designer Guilherme Wentz. To celebrate the partnership, Luminaire is hosting an opening reception and exhibition on February 15 in the Los Angeles showroom entitled "Terra Brasilis," which explores the inspirations, nuances, and technicalities in the designer's work. Guilherme Wentz will be present to further discuss his work with those in attendance. In addition to the Los Angeles launch, all Luminaire design experience centers will represent pieces from the Wentz collection.

With a simple and contemporary perspective, Wentz balances the casual and complex in his designs by contrasting the familiar with the imaginative. With his brand, he further explores the notion of his distinctive Brazilian culture to create transformative environments composed of products rooted in nature and the spirit of place.

The alluring collection features a strong sense of materiality. In the upholstered pieces, technical research into fabric development has led to bespoke solutions tailored to the designs using their We-Knit textile. This particular fabric, woven from virgin polyester and recycled ocean plastic, is created using a computerized 3D-weaving technique. Developed by the clothing industry, it allows an entire slipcover to be created in one continuous piece, pre-shaped to match the product's form. The pieces are then hand-fitted and finished with thread made of recycled plastic. Wentz has trademarked this innovative process which yields seamless, surprising shapes.

ABOUT LUMINAIRE

Luminaire is a platform for discovery that brings into focus the stories beyond the surface of design to explore the nuance and poetry found within the work of the creative minds who enrich the world through good design. The company's unwavering commitment to creating environments that affect people's lives has helped make Luminaire one of the world's leading design, education, and experimentation platforms. It's a journey that began in 1974, born of a desire to curate a sanctuary for design discovers that both inspires and incites curiosity. From Luminaire's roots in Miami, with showrooms in Coral Gables and the Design District, the company has expanded with spaces in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Menlo Park.

ABOUT WENTZ

Born in Caxias do Sul in the South of Brazil in 1987, Guilherme Wentz began an education in business before endeavoring on a new creative path studying products. Soon after graduating, Wentz received the IDEA Brazil Award for his first product in the market, the Officer desk. He received further recognition with the iF Design Award in 2013 for the K Collection for Riva. With his notoriety increasing, Wentz ventured on his own with his design studio and soon moved his studio to Sao Paulo.

Contact Information:

Douglas McClellan

douglas@luminaire.com



Cintia Ferro

press@wentz.design



Related Files

Press Release_Wentz at Luminaire.pdf

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Image 1: Designer Guilherme Wentz In His Studio





With a simple and contemporary perspective, Wentz balances the casual and complex in his designs by contrasting the familiar with the imaginative.









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WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A joint investigation and analysis released today and conducted by the Center for a Humane Economy, Animal Wellness Action, and Animals Angels reveals that the extraterritorial slaughter of American horses is rapidly waning, but its still a merciless journey for around 20,000 American horses.

The report may be accessed by this link: http://bit.ly/3lmwzvq.

The report shows that horses used in racing, show rings, work for police or on farms, and even as companions are opportunistically obtained by kill buyers, kept in bare-minimum survival conditions at holding facilities and transported as standing cargo in trucks jam-packed with frightened and desperate animals. Then, with their eyes wide as saucers, the horses are butchered at slaughter plants in Canada and Mexico. With no markets for horse meat in North America, the slabs of meat are destined for small and shrinking pockets of foreign markets in China, Italy, Japan, Russia, and a few other nations. The number of American horses destined for slaughterhouses has gone from 350,000 in 1990 to 140,000 in 2007 to 20,000 in 2022.

The good news is that foreign demand has cratered for the North American horse slaughter industry and horse slaughter has been in free fall, said Wayne Pacelle, president of the Center for a Humane Economy.

Yet our investigation finds that there can be no worse option for a horse than to be obtained by a ruthless set of commercially linked actors who disreputably obtain horses and then terrorize, injure, and butcher them for meat that nobody needs and very few want.

The report finds that the instant a horse is designated a kill horse, handling and treatment deteriorate from horses previously treated as companions or working animals. The kill horses have limited value while alive, and inputs in the form of feeding, watering, and care only diminish.

If the kill horses were under the care of a different type of owner, humane officers and police would require, in keeping with state animal cruelty laws, proper veterinary care and sufficient access to food, water and shelter, said Scott Beckstead, campaigns director for the Center for a Humane Economy and a national instructor on horse cruelty investigations. But these horse collectors and dealers operate outside the law with near impunity.

SOME KEY REPORT FINDINGS:

The report summarizes independent findings from investigations carried out at auctions, feedlots, and slaughter plants. All locations selected for this report were chosen based on 15 years of investigating the horse slaughter industry. They range from the Presidio Export Pens on the border with Mexico to the Bar S Feedlot in Montana near the border with Canada; from the New Holland Auction in southeast Penn. to the Knoxville Auction in Tenn.; and from Fabrizius Livestock in Eaton, Colo. to the Murphys Horse Auction in Mira Loma, Calif. The horses journey concludes at a number of horse slaughter plants in Mexico, and at the last two remaining plants in Canada  Bouvry Exports, Ltd. in Alberta and Viande Richelieu in Massueville, Quebec.

The results of the recent investigations confirm what Animals Angels has documented again and again over the 15 years: Horse slaughter is a predatory business that allows a select few to profit on the backs of our horses while ignoring animal protection laws and jeopardizing public health and safety, said Sonja Meadows, president and founder of Animals Angels.

Because of potentially lethal drug residues in horse meat, given their backgrounds as companions, working animals, racehorses, and pleasure horses, the European Union banned the import of all horse meat from Mexico (amending Decision 2011/163/EU) in December 2014. In October 2016, EU Regulation 2016/1832 was implemented, which includes a provision requiring that all horses from the United States be kept in a Canadian feedlot for six months prior to slaughter, and that a monitoring system be put into place to track residues and substances referred to in Annex I to Directive 96/23/EC.

Combined with greater awareness of food safety problems and animal cruelty concerns, foreign demand has decreased, especially in Europe.

Our investigation clinches the case for Congressional action to ban the live export of horses for slaughter for human consumption, said Marty Irby, executive director Animal Wellness Action and an 8-time world champion equestrian. There are anti-horse slaughter super-majorities in the House and Senate already, and with the findings in this report, those numbers will only swell.

Killing and butchering horses for human consumption was halted in the United States in 2007 through a series of legislative and judicial actions and has not resumed, but no similar national rules apply in Canada or Mexico. There is no trade group that represents the North American horse slaughter industry, according to our report, and that means there are no voluntary standards of care or transportation protocols outside of the slaughterhouse operations.

Some sample findings in the 34-page report include:

The horse slaughter infrastructure is rickety and fraying. We found that the largest holding facility for kill horses in North America  a feedlot in Shelby, Montana with capacity to upwards of 1,800 horses in pens  cut ties with Montanas livestock agency last fall and shut its doors to holding American horses on their way to slaughter.

During previous visits to the Presidio export facilities in Texas, at least five U.S. trucks per day were observed delivering horses, and between four and six loads of horses were exported to Mexico. During the January 2023 three-day investigation, only one U.S. truck was observed delivering horses and not a single Mexican truck arrived to export horses to Mexico. The roof of the Alvarado holding operation had caved in, and the entire property was covered in trash. The Baeza pens also appeared dilapidated and were empty. The impact of the EU ban of Mexican horse meat and the general decrease in demand for the meat were evident.

On Dec. 6, 2022, investigators followed a slaughter horse transport that was leaving the Chavez feedlot in New Mexico. When the truck, which was heading to the Mexican border, stopped to fuel, investigators noticed that a horse in the back compartment was being trampled by the other horses. They alerted the driver, who was able to get the horse back up by poking it with a stick. However, the horse appeared very weak and unstable, and the truck should have returned to the feedlot but continued on to Mexico. Animals Angels has reported the incident to USDA Investigative Enforcement Services and an official investigation was launched. The case is ongoing.

Bouvry Exports Ltd., the largest remaining horse slaughter plant in Canada, is surrounded by several company-owned feedlots that provide a steady supply of horses to the plant. Horses acquired in the United States are kept inside the feedlots for six months before being slaughtered to comply with EU drug residue requirements. The slaughter plant holding pens have no protection from the harsh environment and no access to shelter. Past investigations have shown dead foals, frozen to the ground, inside the pen. The skeletal remains of two other horses were found just outside the pen area. Injured and sick horses and horses with severely overgrown hooves were also documented.

In broad terms, there is no enforcement structure to ensure compliance with state anti-cruelty laws and federal transport regulations, with the intermediate players in the industry having no rules for themselves and little to no government oversight. Mistreatment of horses throughout the slaughter pipeline is well documented in the report (photos, cases, and reports) and includes dragging downed horses from trailers, allowing foals to freeze to death outside, and withholding help and relief from horses with significant injuries.

Contagious diseases, such as Strangles, fester at slaughter holding facilities and are incubators for contagious diseases. At export, there are limited disease surveillance issues, but nothing robust or designed to protect the horses from mistreatment.

This is a loose network of kill buyers, transporters, holding facility operators, and foreign slaughterhouses, said Manda Kalimian of the CANA Foundation, a partner with the Center for a Humane Economy. This band of modern-day horse robbers has no heart and or soul.

HORSE SLAUGHTER IS CRUELTY, NOT HORSE CONTROL:

The industry is driven not by any sort of concern for a surplus of American equines or a caring or even practical instinct to find a population equilibrium for our domestic population, but by opportunistic collection of horses in the United States and by a diminishing foreign demand. If present trends continue, the slaughtering of American horses in foreign slaughter plants may head toward nil within five to 10 years.

Even at current levels, there can be no logical argument that horse slaughter serves as any kind of major safety valve on the disposition of unwanted, elderly, or ill horses. There are more than 500,000 horses dying every year in the United States, and horse slaughter provides an end-of-life outcome for only three percent of them. Based on our investigation, we can hardly imagine a worse fate for horses than to be funneled into a ruthless, uncaring slaughter pipeline.

The report notes that Mexican slaughter plants killed 16,362 American horses in 2022 and Canada has killed 2,829 (through Sept. 30, 2023).

To suggest that the horse slaughter industry is, in any way, providing an important safety valve in controlling captive horse populations is akin to claiming that random acts of violence by street gangs are contributing to human population control, added Pacelle. The killing, at present levels, has a negligible continent-wide effect on population size, and its practices are as coarse and cold-blooded as they come.

The field work for the investigation lasted six months and wrapped up in late January. In the 117th Congress Reps, Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., and Vern Buchanan, R-Fla, and Senators Robert Menendez, D-N.J., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., introduced legislation to codify a horse slaughter ban in the U.S. and to ban live exports of horses to Canada and Mexico for slaughter.

ABOUT:

Animal Wellness Action is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(4) whose mission is to help animals by promoting laws and regulations at federal, state and local levels that forbid cruelty. Animal Wellness Action believes helping animals helps us all.

Center for a Humane Economy is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) whose mission is to help animals by helping forge a more humane economic order. The Center encourages businesses to honor their social responsibilities in a culture where consumers, investors, and other key stakeholders abhor cruelty and the degradation of the environment and embrace innovation as a means of eliminating both. The Center believes helping animals helps us all.

Animals Angels is a non-profit organization that carries out undercover investigations in the United States, Canada and Mexico to document the way animals are treated at auctions, feedlots and slaughter plants. Its focus is on raising awareness about the cruelty animals in commercial operations face every single day and on holding those responsible accountable for their actions.

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NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global all-domain defense partner HII (NYSE: HII) recently broke ground on a new project that will support nuclear submarine construction at its Newport News Shipbuilding division.



The Multi-Class Submarine Production Facility is one of three new facilities, enabling NNS to further support the construction and delivery of Columbia- and Virginia-class submarines.

The Navy has made it clear how important both the Columbia- and Virginia-class submarine programs are to our nations defense, said Brandi Smith, NNS vice president of Columbia-class submarine construction. The Multi-Class Submarine Production Facility is an intentional investment to accelerate our efforts to deliver the highest quality submarines our Navy needs.

Wednesdays groundbreaking marked the first phase of construction. Work on two additional facilities is expected to begin later this year. The Multi-Class Submarine Production Facility is designed to be adaptable, allowing NNS to support both Columbia- and Virginia-class construction.





Photos accompanying this news release are available at: https://hii.com/news/hii-groundbreaking-submarine-facility-newport-news-shipbuilding.

The Multi-Class Submarine Production Facility is funded jointly by the Navy and HII, and is part of $1.9 billion in capital investments HII is making at NNS between 2016 and 2025. NNS is one of only two shipyards capable of designing and building nuclear-powered submarines for the U.S. Navy.

The Navy has identified the Columbia-class as its top acquisition priority. Twelve Columbia-class boats will replace the fleet of Ohio-class nuclear ballistic submarines and take over the role of the nations sea-based strategic deterrent; these submarines will provide the most survivable leg of the nations strategic triad.

NNS is a major contractor and shipbuilding partner in the Columbia-class program, designing, constructing and delivering six module sections per submarine under contract to General Dynamics Electric Boat.

Under a separate teaming agreement with Electric Boat, NNS is also building Virginia-class submarines for the Navy. The advanced capabilities of Virginia-class submarines increase firepower, maneuverability and stealth.

In November, NNS celebrated the keel authentication for Arkansas (SSN 800), the 27th Virginia-class fast attack submarine, as the shipyard continues to invest in its workforce and facilities to make steady progress on delivering these important assets to the Navy.

About HII

HII is a global, all-domain defense provider. HIIs mission is to deliver the worlds most powerful ships and all-domain solutions in service of the nation, creating the advantage for our customers to protect peace and freedom around the world.

As the nations largest military shipbuilder, and with a more than 135-year history of advancing U.S. national security, HII delivers critical capabilities extending from ships to unmanned systems, cyber, ISR, AI/ML and synthetic training. Headquartered in Virginia, HIIs workforce is 43,000 strong. For more information, visit:

HII on the web: https://www.HII.com/

HII on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamHII

HII on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/WeAreHII

HII on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WeAreHII

Contact:

Todd Corillo

Todd.T.Corillo@hii-co.com

(757) 688-3220

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/55c3ed6a-1b92-46e1-86f6-12b36216ef7c
TORONTO, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Returning for the 10th year, Sunwing launches its anniversary edition of Wedding Vacations by Sunwing, an artistic compilation of tips, tricks and destination insights for couples planning their upcoming weddings in the tropics.



Designer, television host and Creative Director extraordinaire, Amanda Aerin, graces the front page of this issue of Wedding Vacations by Sunwing where readers are given a behind-the-scenes look at her extravagant destination wedding experience in Mexico at Royalton Riviera Cancun An Autograph Collection All Inclusive Resort and Casino, including how she and her closest family and friends celebrated with Sunwing. From preparations with her team of destination wedding experts, both at home and in destination, to fun-filled family activities and moments from the big day, couples can see it all inside.

Rich with inspiration, wedding planning tips and informative articles, couples can enjoy a wealth of thoughtful content in this edition of Wedding Vacations by Sunwing, including:

Breathtaking destinations and resorts where couples can say I do

In-depth interviews with industry pros, including Sunwing Weddings expert consultants

Wedding-week swimwear picks with leading Canadian retail brand, la Vie en Rose

Style advice and Q&A with Smash + Tess Founder, Principal and CEO, Ashley Freeborn

Destination wedding trends, including lighting and decor, wedding favours, beat-the-heat bridal hairstyles and more

Eco-friendly ideas for a green destination wedding

VIP bachelor and bachelorette party ideas

Tales of a destination wedding photographer

Real Weddings features with past Sunwing couples

Stunning imagery and more!

Sunwing Weddings offers couples access to a team of expert destination wedding consultants with a wealth of experience planning weddings at top-rated resorts across Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Couples that choose to book their big day with Sunwing Weddings can look forward to a variety of comprehensive wedding planning packages and award-winning inflight service on board Sunwing Airlines complete with the Wedding Couple Attire Care Program offering dedicated overhead storage reserved exclusively for the wedding couples dresses or suits and more.

For more destination wedding inspiration and to read this years 10th anniversary edition of Wedding Vacations by Sunwing, please visit https://brochures.sunwing.ca/en/2022/wedding-vacations/.

About Sunwing

The largest integrated travel company in North America, Sunwing has more flights to the south than any other leisure carrier with convenient direct service from airports across Canada to popular sun destinations across the U.S.A., Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. This scale enables Sunwing to offer customers exclusive deals at top-rated resorts in the most popular vacation destinations as well as cruise packages and seasonal domestic flight service. Sunwing customers benefit from the assistance of the companys own knowledgeable destination representatives, who greet them upon arrival and support them throughout their vacation journey. The company supports the communities where it operates through the Sunwing Foundation, a charitable initiative focused on the support and development of youth and humanitarian aid.

For more information:

Melanie Anne Filipp

Senior Director, Corporate Communications & Media Relations

Sunwing Travel Group

1-800-387-5602 | media@sunwing.ca

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/92e9a717-acd7-4124-98e8-8dac5fa4e445
STEINHAUSEN, Switzerland, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transocean Ltd. (NYSE: RIG) announced today that one of its wholly owned subsidiaries has agreed to make an investment in Global Sea Mineral Resources NV (GSR) in exchange for a non-controlling interest in the company. GSR is the deep-sea mineral exploratory division of DEME Group NV and is engaged in the development and exploration of deep-sea polymetallic nodules that contain metals critical to the growing renewable energy market, and is a leading developer of nodule collection technology.



Transocean has agreed to contribute the stacked Ocean Rig Olympia for GSRs ongoing exploration work, as well as make a nominal cash investment. In addition, Transocean expects to contribute engineering services on an in-kind basis. GSR intends to convert the Olympia for a system integration test scheduled for 2025 to validate the technical and environmental feasibility of recovering polymetallic nodules in ultra-deepwater on a commercial scale.

The technical challenges associated with the recovery of deep-sea polymetallic nodules offer an opportunity to combine Transoceans unique ultra-deepwater operating experience with GSRs proprietary technology in polymetallic nodule collection to deliver a commercially viable nodule recovery enterprise for GSR.

Critical minerals found in deep-sea polymetallic nodules such as cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese, and rare earth metals are essential for many applications, including the production of high-capacity batteries. Many governments and private enterprises are actively developing critical mineral strategies to address the expectation that these metals will be undersupplied for years to come. Responsible recovery of the nodules from the seabed would provide a new and significant source of supply required to support rapidly growing demand.

GSR has an excellent leasehold position, and we are excited to support its team in the effort to meet global demand for the critical minerals necessary for a lower carbon energy economy, said Transoceans Chief Executive Officer, Jeremy Thigpen. A mixture of all energy sources will be required to meet future global energy demands. Transoceans work in deep sea minerals is another way we will continue providing essential offshore energy services.

About Transocean

Transocean is a leading international provider of offshore contract drilling services for oil and gas wells. Transocean specializes in technically demanding sectors of the global offshore drilling business with a particular focus on deepwater and harsh environment drilling services and operates the highest specification floating offshore drilling fleet in the world.

Transocean owns or has partial ownership interests in and operates a fleet of 38 mobile offshore drilling units, consisting of 28 ultra-deepwater floaters and 10 harsh environment floaters. In addition, Transocean is constructing one ultra-deepwater drillship and holds a noncontrolling ownership interest in a company that is constructing one ultra-deepwater drillship.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements described herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements could contain words such as "possible," "intend," "will," "if," "expect," or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on managements current expectations and assumptions, and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. As a result, actual results could differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, estimated duration of customer contracts, contract dayrate amounts, future contract commencement dates and locations, planned shipyard projects and other out-of-service time, sales of drilling units, timing of the companys newbuild deliveries, operating hazards and delays, risks associated with international operations, actions by customers and other third parties, the fluctuation of current and future prices of oil and gas, the global and regional supply and demand for oil and gas, the intention to scrap certain drilling rigs, the success of our business following prior acquisitions, the effects of the spread of and mitigation efforts by governments, businesses and individuals related to contagious illnesses, such as COVID-19, and other factors, including those and other risks discussed in the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, and in the company's other filings with the SEC, which are available free of charge on the SEC's website at: www.sec.gov. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize (or the other consequences of such a development worsen), or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the company or to persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by reference to these risks and uncertainties. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur, or which we become aware of, after the date hereof, except as otherwise may be required by law. All non-GAAP financial measure reconciliations to the most comparative GAAP measure are displayed in quantitative schedules on the companys website at: www.deepwater.com.

This press release, or referenced documents, do not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and do not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (FinSA) or advertising within the meaning of the FinSA. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of Transocean and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of Transocean.

Analyst Contact:

Alison Johnson

+1 713-232-7214

Media Contact:

Pam Easton

+1 713-232-7647
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Agric Ministry denies signing agreement to import pork from USA

Business Desk Report Business News Feb - 09 - 2023 , 14:23

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has denied media reports that it has signed an agreement with a third party for the importation of large quantities of pork from the United States.

In a release, the Ministry noted that its Veterinary Services Directorate (VSD) requested from veterinary medical officers in the USA for certification for meat and poultry healthiness intended to be exported to Ghana.

MoFA categorically denies the validity of the allegation as it has not signed any such agreement with any party.

For clarity, the Veterinary Services Directorate (VSD) of MoFA has on record, a request from Dr. Charmaine McJee, Veterinary Medical Officer, Export Development of FSISUSDA, Washington for Certification for Meat and Poultry Wholesomeness intended to be exported to Ghana which was granted following laboratory analysis of samples, the statement said.

The statement added that it is an obligation of VSD to render the requested services professionally in accordance with ethics of the Organization of World Animal Health for which Ghana is a Member.

Rather unfortunately, the VSD legal mandate has been misconstrued. We therefore take this opportunity to assure the general public that, no agreement has been signed between the Ministry and any party for the unbridled importation of pork to flood the Ghanaian market.

MoFA further assured that it will never undermine the efforts and narrow market opportunities of the Ghanaian pig farmer.
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Bondholders lack clarity to decide on debt exchange programme - Yamson

Business Desk Report Business News Feb - 09 - 2023 , 15:43

Corporate finance expert and Senior Partner at Ishmael Yamson and Associates, Michael Harry Yamson, has accused the government of misinforming bondholders on the terms and conditions for the new bonds arrangements.

According to him, the states proposed arrangements on new bonds and its accessibility was not clear enough and therefore, unacceptable.

Government has given a three-day window for bondholders to complete tender processes as part of the efforts to complete a domestic debt exchange programme.

The deadline for signing up for the programme expired last Tuesday, February 7, but the government, in a late-night press statement, said some of the bondholders faced technical glitches as they tried to complete the online tender process, hence the window to enable such persons to complete the process.

As a result, government is providing bondholders with a window to complete processes for tendering their bonds, in response to the terms of exchange as amended pursuant to the 2nd Amended and Restated Exchange Memorandum. This window ends on Friday, 10th February 2023 at 4:00 p.m. (GMT), the Finance Ministry announced in a statement signed by Ken Ofori-Atta.

However in an interview on an Accra based FM Station, Mr Yamson, who is the Chief Operating Officer for Ishmael Yamson and Associates, described as unfortunate how the government has failed to bring clarity on the new bonds.

Members of Parliament rose to their feet and said we dont know what the Minister is doing, these are Members of Parliament. So if they dont know, you dont and I dont know what we are walking into.

The Minister and the government are telling us to wear a blind fold, we are not blind but we should wear a blind fold and just follow. That is not acceptable, it is just not acceptable. And in any case you issue an instrument and the worthiness of the instrument is based on the entity behind the instrument. Not the instrument itself per se, Mr. Yamson who doubles as a member of Individual Bondholders stated.

He continued: So the entity behind the new bond is one that allows all manner of loopholes. It is one that is unable to tame corruption. Why on earth will you want to enter into a new business with that entity and take its guarantees? And it gives you a legal promise that by the way if I should mess up you cannot take me on in any way. Will you do it?
Cedi cuts losses

Maxwell Akalaaare Adombila Business News Feb - 09 - 2023 , 07:26

The cedi extended its gains against major trading currencies last week, raising hopes that the local currency is beginning to stay steady ahead of a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) later this quarter.

The currency appreciated against the US dollar, the euro and the British pound last week to extend the positive run over the last fortnight.

The rebound saw the local currency narrowing its year-to-date (YTD) losses to the US dollar, the British pound and the euro to 20.6 per cent, 21 per cent and 22.8 per cent respectively.

GCB Capital Limited, an investment bank, said in its weekly market update that the cedi gained 3.2 per cent to the US dollar on the retail market last week. It also opened this week strongly against the three major trading currencies, the firm said in the update copied to the Daily Graphic.

It, however, noted that Ghana's gross reserve was threadbare, and the cedi remained volatile and news-sensitive.

"The prevailing uncertainty and external monetary policy developments could keep the local currency volatile until a board-level approval with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is secured, GCB Capital said.

Dwindling reserves

Rocked by falling reserves and large twin deficits, Ghana has been putting its house in order to help earn a US$3 billion bailout from the IMF.

The government launched a domestic debt exchange programme (DDEP) in December in which it requested investors in its cedi debts to swap their existing holdings for new ones that have a maximum maturity of five years.

The offer is optional, the government said in a January 31 release that also announced the extension of the programme for the fourth time in a row.

That release also revised the terms of the debt swap in response to protests and resistance from business associations and individual bondholders that have constituted themselves into groups.

The domestic debt programme was later extended from Tuesday to tomorrow Friday over what was described as administrative glitches.
Domestic debt swap: Govt confident of deal on Friday

Emmanuel Bruce Business News Feb - 09 - 2023 , 12:31

THE government is confident of closing the Domestic Debt Exchange programme early next week to enable it focus on the countrys external debt, a Deputy Minister of Finance, Abena Osei Asare has said.

She said despite the few hitches experienced after the announcement of the domestic debt swap deal, the government was confident of closing the arrangement by Friday, and make settlement by Tuesday February 14.

The Deputy Minister said this at the ongoing SIGA Annual Stakeholder Meeting in Kwahu in the Eastern region.

The countrys economy is faced with serious challenges, with debt reaching an unsustainable level of GH575 billion as at November 2022, representing over 90 per cent of GDP.

This prompted the government to formally approach the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in July 2022 for a US$3 billion three year extended credit facility programme to revive the ailing economy.

But this programme is dependent on the countrys ability to restructure both its domestic and extrenal debts.

Mrs Abena Osei said the government was very hopeful and working hard to secure the IMF deal before the end of March 2023.

After approaching the IMF in July 2022, we have worked with all the stakeholders locally and the fund to make sure we arrive at a programme. We did this in record time by ensuring we reached a staff level agreement in December 2022.

We will conclude the domestic debt exchange programme by Friday and settle on the 14th of February then we can now focus on our external debt and through that get to the board of the IMF in march and get a programme, she stated.

She said the IMF programme would be an anchor to getting the economy back on track and also get other bilateral partners to support the country.
Support economic rebuilding to retain your jobs  SIGA boss urges CEOs of state owned enterprises

Emmanuel Bruce Business News Feb - 09 - 2023 , 11:42

The Director General of the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA), Amb Edward Boateng has issued a rallying call to all Chief Executive Officers of state owned enterprises to reflect on how they can all help in rebuilding the economy.

He said when this is successfully done, the government would hopefully break the eight and by trhat they would all stand the chance of retaining their jobs.

We all sometimes talk as if the problem is somebodys problem and not our problem but it is our problem because if the government goes out of power, most of us if not all will not retain our positions.

So it is in our collective interest to reflect on how we can rebuild the economy so that hopefully we can break the eight and retain our jobs or get new ones, he stated.

Amb Boateng was speaking at the SIGA Annual Stakeholder Meeting happening in Kwahu in the eastern region under the theme time to reflect and rebuild.

He emphasised that the country was not in normal times, urging the CEOs to play their part in jumpstarting the economy.

We in this room control a substantial portion of the Ghanaian economy so lets be positive that we can solve the problems in the economy, he stated.
Actress Rabby Bray announces 'RabbyStarlet' Season 3

GraphicOnline Showbiz News Feb - 09 - 2023 , 09:28

Actress Rabby Bray has announced the dates for the auditions of the third edition of her annual reality television series 'RabbyStarlet'.

According to the award-winning actress, there will be two auditions in Accra and Kumasi this February.

The actress disclosed that the need for Season 3 was due to many requests from the young ladies who wish to participate in the 'RabbyStarlet' reality Show.



'RabbyStarlet' Season 3 auditions will come off in Accra on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at Snap Cinema at 10 am, and in Kumasi at 'Golden Eagle Cinema' (Former 'Watch & Dine) inside the Kumasi Mall on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at 10 am.

The creator of 'RabbyStarlet' Actress and philanthropist Rabby Bray, disclosed that both auditions will require applicants to attend 'in person'.

She also stated that season three of the 'RabbyStarlet' show will be better and more exciting than previous editions.

"This year, we are raising the bar and I can't wait to meet my new talented and unique housemates. It's going to be so much fun and full of surprises", she said.

'RabbyStarlet' Season 3, like previous seasons, will reward the overall winner with a car as a grand prize, cash prizes, and some ambassadorial contracts.
Alleged Coup Plot: Dr Mac-Palm, others to answer charges Feb 14

Justice Agbenorsi Feb - 09 - 2023 , 11:38

The 10 people accused of being part of a plot to overthrow the government will on February 14, 2023 answer the allegations raised by the prosecution.

Dr Frederic Mac-Palm will be the first to mount the dock.

He has been accused by the prosecution to be the main brain behind the alleged coup plot.

The court, which has a three-member panel, with Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe as President, is expected to conduct a Case Management Conference (CMC) on February 13.

Fixing the date for the accused persons to open their defence, the court ordered defence lawyers who havent filed the necessary documents to do so before February 13, 2023.

Not guilty

The accused persons are in court for allegedly taking part in the activities of Take Action Ghana (TAG), a non-governmental organisation accused by the prosecution of planning to destabilise the country to take over the government.

They are Dr Frederic Mac-Palm, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Dr Benjamin Agordzo, Colonel Samuel Kodzo Gameli, Bright Alan Debrah Ofosu (a fleet manager), Johannes Zikpi (a civilian employee of the Ghana Armed Forces) and Donya Kafui, aka Ezor (a blacksmith).

The rest - Corporal Seidu Abubakar, Lance Corporal Ali Solomon, Corporal Sylvester Akanpewon and Warrant Officer II Esther Saan Dekuwine - are all soldiers.

ACP Dr Agordzo and Col.Gameli have pleaded not guilty to abetment of high treason, while the rest have pleaded not guilty to high treason and conspiracy to commit high treason.

Open defence

The accused persons were in July 2022 ordered to open their defence.

That was after the three-member panel of the court dismissed a submission of no case filed by the accused persons.

The court held that the submission of no case had no merit because the prosecution had been able to establish a prima facie case against the 10 accused persons through its 13 witnesses.
Apostle Nyamekye chairs Pentecostal and Charismatic Council

Emmanuel Bonney Feb - 09 - 2023 , 11:17

The Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) has elected the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Kwabena Nyamekye, as its new President.

He takes over from Rev. Prof. Paul Frimpong-Manso, whose tenure ended on December 7, 2022.

The election of Apostle Nyamekye took place at the GPCC's 2023 Conference of Heads of Churches and Organisations and Extraordinary National Delegates Conference held at the Pentecost Convention Centre at Gomoa Nyanyano in the Central Region.

The conference was held from Tuesday, January 31, to Friday, February 2, 2023.

The three-day conference which was held on the theme: "United for God's Glory", as inspired by the Biblical text in John 17:21, brought together members of the GPCC National Executive Council, Heads of GPCC member-churches and their secretaries, GPCC Regional Executive Council chairmen and secretaries, as well as leaders of Para-church Organisations who are members of the GPCC.

The Extra-Ordinary National Delegates Conference, which was held on the last day of the programme, ratified the December 7, 2022, decision of the National Executive Council which had unanimously nominated Apostle Nyamekye to succeed Rev. Prof. Frimpong-Manso.

The nomination was ratified by 190 delegates present at the conference.

The President of the Apostolic Church-Ghana, Apostle Dr Aaron Ami-Narh, was also elected as the Second Vice-President of the council, while Bishop Gordon Kisseih, the Presiding Bishop of the Life International Church, became the First Vice-President of the council.

Apostle Nyamekye takes over the high office with a great wealth of experience in the pastoral ministry, including being a current Advisory Board Member of the World Pentecostal Fellowship.

"The election of the new President is expected to usher the GPCC to new heights as an ecumenical body," a statement from the council said.

Speakers

Speakers at the conference included Apostle Dr Ami-Narh, Apostle General Most Rev. Sam Korankye-Ankrah of the Royalhouse Chapel International, and Bishop Dr Gordon Kisseih of the Life International Church.

Dr George Manful, an environmental and natural resources expert from the Frimpong-Manso Institute, also made a presentation on the devastating effects of galamsey and environmental pollution in Ghana.

The conference, among others, deliberated on some pertinent issues prevailing in, and of concern to the nation and Ghanaians.

These included the domestic debt exchange programme, the worsening macroeconomic indicators and their effect on the livelihood of the citizens, and the Auditor-General's 2021 Report which brought to the fore considerable degrees of financial misappropriation in public sector institutions.

The conference was chaired by Bishop Dr Kissieh, who until the election acted as the President of the council.
2023 Chocolate Week commences

Emelia Ennin Abbey Feb - 09 - 2023 , 10:19

This years National Chocolate Week, aimed at promoting the local consumption of made-in-Ghana chocolate and cocoa products, has been launched in Accra.

The celebration, the 18th edition, is on the theme: "Eat chocolate, stay healthy, grow Ghana".

The launch was performed by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture in partnership with the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and the Cocoa Processing Company (CPC), with support from stakeholders.

The celebration, which began yesterday, ends on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.

It is aimed at promoting domestic tourism, social cohesion, networking, job creation, among other objectives.

Present at the launch were the Chief Director of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, John Yao Agbeko; the Deputy CEO in charge of General Services, GTA, Ben Anane Nsiah, and Anita Quarshie of the Ghana Free Zones Authority.

Others were a council member of the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF), Stella Appenteng; the President of the Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA), Alisa Osei Asamoah; the Managing Director of FAIRAFRIC Company Ltd, Michael Mammon Halm, as well as representatives of private sector cocoa product manufacturers, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority.

Activities

As part of the celebration, there will be a health walk at Ayi Mensah on Saturday, February 11, 2023 to create awareness of the event, including the establishment of a Chocolate City at the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange in Accra on the same day.

Other activities are a family day out, visits to churches and interactions with students and pupils on the benefits of chocolate.

And on Valentines Day, there will be distribution of chocolate and chocolate products in all regional capitals.

The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mark Okraku Mantey, called on stakeholders and tourism industry players in the value chain to promote the consumption of more chocolate and cocoa-based products.

"The event must continually be nurtured and promoted to attract both national and international attention and participation.

"We have managed to establish a high degree of association between tourism and cocoa-based products, one of which is chocolate, and positioned it as a veritable component of the countrys tourism experience," he said.

Mr Mantey paid glowing tribute to the late Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, a former minister of the sector, during whose tenure the celebration was instituted in 2005 to coincide with Valentines Day as a symbol of love to encourage chocolate consumption.

Collaboration

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of COCOBOD, Joseph Boahen Aidoo, in a speech read on his behalf by a Deputy CEO in charge of Finance and Administration, Ray Ankrah, said his outfit had engaged a Belgian chocolate company to set up an academy to train and polish the skills of chocolate makers. in the country

He also said discussions were ongoing with relevant state agencies to have taxes paid by artisanal chocolate manufacturers reduced or scrapped to reduce the cost of operation to make them more competitive.

To increase the consumption of chocolate, Mr Aidoo said, a committee had been tasked to work on market access and opportunities within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The Board Chairman of COCOBOD, Peter Mac Manu, said in addition to pushing for avenues for the increased local processing of cocoa, it was also important to build a reliable market base locally for processors.

He encouraged all stakeholders to actively promote and participate in the various activities rolled out to mark the week.
Christians charged to fall on the Bible for hope in difficult times

Dickson Worlanyo Dotse Feb - 09 - 2023 , 11:33

A Former General Secretary of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC), Rev. Dr Setri Nyomi, has urged Christians to fall on the Bible as a source of hope as the country faces challenging times.

He said the Bible, which is the embodiment of Gods word, was tailor-made to strengthen believers through turbulence and thus gave clear directives on how to mitigate tough times.

This is what gives us hope and it is what is important for our nations life if we are going to walk and survive in these difficult times when circumstances and changes had led us to despair, he said.

Rev. Nyomi said that yesterday when he spoke on the theme: Gods Unchanging Word: Hope for All, at the Bible Week Symposium organised by the Bible Society of Ghana (BSG).

The Unchanging Word

Rev. Nyomi, who is a District Pastor of the Bethel Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ghana, said the Bible stories about how some nations overcame problems such as oppression and wars still held some significance in contemporary times.

He explained that the reality of Bible stories in the lives of all was an indication that Gods word remained unchanged and urged Christians to become beacons of hope that the nation would look up to.

These are not ancient words that are true of some people of ancient past and we hold on to them by way of something called faith; they are things we have experienced in our own lives so we can talk about them, he said.

The Church and Crisis

The Head of Psychology Dept., University of Ghana Psychology Department, Rev. Prof. Joseph Osafo Adu, said it was time for the presence of the Church to be felt with regard to national issues and help mitigate national crises.

The Church will not stay in the church, it is time for us to take the Bible to the people, to the market places so that the presence of the Church and God will be felt,

Rev. Adu, who is also the Minister of the East Legon Worship Centre of the Church of Pentecost, charged Christians to be living testaments of the hope the Bible gives them.

Chairpersons response

A Retired Judge of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Professor Akua Kuenyehia, who chaired the event, said the theme was extremely significant because of the changing nature of the world.

She said as a result of all the hardships faced in recent times, many people had lost hope and were living in despair.

His word will make us navigate the problems of the world, and everyone is welcome to use this word to guide themselves as long as they accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, she said.
Cocoa Abrabopa Association, partners tackle poverty

Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor Feb - 09 - 2023 , 10:37

As part of its efforts to help address poverty among cocoa growing communities, farmers and households in the country, Cocoa Abrabopa Association (CAA), a farmer organisation, in partnership with Alfred Ritter GmbH & Co KG, Fuchs & Hoffmann and Ascot Amsterdam, has supported its farmer groups in the Western South Cocoa region with additional livelihood intervention initiatives.

The objective of the support is to enable the cocoa farmers to have an additional income stream aside from cocoa farming.

The beneficiary farmer groups were drawn from Akotom in the Bogoso Cocoa District, Pieso in the Prestea Cocoa District, Adum Banso in the Tarkwa Cocoa District and Nkurakan in the Ayinese Cocoa District, all in the Western South Region of Ghana.

Target

The alternative livelihood initiatives are targeted at 526 members and their households and will help boost their domestic income from cocoa and other agricultural products through living income interventions.

Other initiatives included planting of shade trees, farmer land registration, supportive child labour monitoring and remediation system (CLMRS) and the farmer business school (FBS) initiatives which were all part of the interventions.

Handover

Speaking at a ceremony to hand over the items to the beneficiary communities, Council Chairman, CAA, Ismaila Pomasi, said many factors accounted for poverty, particularly, among cocoa farmers.

Chief among them, according to him, included location, infrastructure, educational levels, availability of jobs, farm sizes and capital for investment.

The solutions for increasing the living income are different for each household and the communities they live in, that is why we at Cocoa Abrabopa Association are putting our all in this living income and additional livelihood intervention project as a key module of cocoa sustainability in Ghana.

Different members have different needs and see different opportunities to turn the tide.

Therefore, cocoa farmers in Akotom in the Bogoso Cocoa District said they needed support to put up an Agro chemical shop in their community as a way of easy accessibility to purchase a product at a very affordable price, so we are doing exactly that for them.

Cocoa farmers in Pieso in the Prestea and Adum Banso in the Tarkwa Cocoa District required tricycles for the transportation of their beans from the farm to their homes at a very minimal cost and stress-free, while cocoa farmers in the Nkurakan in the Ayinese Cocoa District desired knowledge in snail rearing, which we have done for them as well.

CAA is helping contribute to sustainable cocoa production in Ghana and also supporting our farmers and their households in building economically viable and resilient cocoa production which will lead to sustainable improved livelihoods, he said.

The first groups of beneficiary communities were given tricycles, popularly known as aboboya, an agro chemical shop and snail starter pack, which included snails, boxes and feed as start up for the additional livelihood intervention.

The Sustainability Manager for CAA, Wilfred Apiung, said through the introduction of the module in cocoa growing communities, CAA and its partners were getting to the core of what mattered most to the cocoa farmer.

Appreciation

The leaders of the farmer groups said that the living income initiative project being championed by CAA would help reduce poverty in their communities.

They were grateful to CAA for introducing and teaching them other alternative means of livelihoods as cocoa farmers to boost their income and for being an advocate for their human rights while helping them to mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis.

Present at the handover ceremony were Jonathan Haefiade, Selorm Wordi (Western Regional Manager, CAA); Philips Apalogta (Sustainability Coordinator), Joseph Adu Bosi (Child Development Officer) and some cocoa farmers from the various communities.
FGM practice dehumanising - Victim

Gilbert Mawuli Agbey Feb - 09 - 2023 , 07:03

A 25-year-old victim of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the Pusiga District in the Upper East Region, Salifu Nambonne Halima, has described the age-old practice meted out against young girls and women as dehumanising and barbaric.

Going through such a barbaric act at a tender age in my life was an experience I have not been able to forget as I continue to have memories of it although I am married now she said.

Speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic in commemoration of this years International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, she said it was very horrifying going through it below 10 years of her life.

It was very depressing and painful for elderly men to hold me firmly, open my legs for an elderly woman to use a sharp blade to cut off the clitoris in my private part all in the name of tradition in our Zupeliga community, she stated.

She stressed, I remember that I was not in agreement at that tender age for it to be done to me so they gathered some people who overpowered me, which paved the way for the old woman to undertake the act.

In Upper East, Pusiga District has about 30 per cent prevalent rate of FGM although it is equally practised in nearby districts such as Bawku Municipality, Garu and Tempane but both districts have few recorded cases of the practice.

Another development is the fact that since the practice has been criminalised , some people in the district cross over to neighbouring Togo and Burkina Faso where it is practised and return to escape from the law and stigmatisation.

Bled profusely

She explained that in addition to the unbearable pains she went through, she bled profusely and had to go through a lot before recovering from the dastardly act perpetrated on the basis of culture.

Responding to a question if the act is having an effect on her two-year old marriage, she responded although, I am happily married, I am not enjoying sexual intercourse as it ought to be.

Now, the most sensitive part of my private part has been removed, making it very difficult for me to enjoy having sex with my husband she lamented, adding  sometimes, I feel severe pains when having sex as a result of the act.

She noted that since her husband was fully aware of what she went through, they resort to foreplay before having sex so that she can be in the mood to enjoy it due to the removal of her clitoris.

Stop it

She called on the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to partner local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to intensify public education on the practice in order to end it.

She said this bad act has negatively affected the lives of many young and old women, especially during delivery, noting, even one of my friends who went through the practice and got married before me went through difficulties during childbirth due to the act.

She called for concerted efforts by all stakeholders towards ending the menace so as to protect the dignity of women in the society.

An opinion leader in the community, Stephen Numbara, stated that it was long overdue for the practice to be stopped to protect the rights of women and female children in the area.

He said in as much as it is done under the guise of culture and that since culture is dynamic, it had become necessary for some aspects of culture which had outlived their usefulness to be changed.

Interventions

The Executive Director of Belim Wusa Development Agency (BEWDA), a Bawku-based NGO with focus on womens rights and other areas, Peter Asaal , said since 2006, the organisation had been embarking upon community engagement and sensitisation on the effects of FGM.

He stated since now the perpetrators now cross-over to neighbouring countries to do it, we are now engaging our counterparts in Togo and Burkina Faso to join efforts towards preventing the act.

Touching on the successes chalked up, he noted that the mindset of a number of the perpetrators of the act had been changed about the practice, saying, some of them have become ambassadors preaching against the menace in the district.
GH50million worth of cannabis destroyed in Ghana because they were illegally cultivated

Benjamin Xornam Glover Feb - 09 - 2023 , 17:02

The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), on Wednesday destroyed narcotic substances estimated to be worth GH50 million at the Bundase Training Camp of the Ghana Armed Forces in the Greater Accra Region.

This followed a court order that asked NACOC to burn the cannabis intercepted from drug peddlers.

The latest seizures, estimated at 50 tonnes, were made between the years 2021 and 2023 in the Volta and Eastern regions.

Destruction

The destruction exercise was done in the presence of officials of the court, the Ghana Standard Authority (GSA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Drug Enforcement Administration of the United States, the United Kingdom National Crime Agency and Border Force, as well as the police, National Security, the military and the media.

The materials were first tested to confirm if they were the actual drugs intercepted before they were set ablaze.

The acting Director, Public Affairs and International Relations, NACOC, Francis Opoku Amoah, told journalists that the illegal cannabis was one of the biggest haul made by the commission in recent years.

He explained that the destruction exercise was in accordance with the commission's law, Act 1019, which required NACOC to seize, investigate and prosecute perpetrators, as well as destroy seized narcotic drugs after following all legal procedures, including securing a destruction certificate.

He said although it was illegal to use drugs, under Section 54 of Act 1019, NACOC was shifting from incarceration to making drugs use a public health issue to enable persons suffering from substance use disorders to receive the necessary counselling and treatment.

Fund

Mr Amoah said the persons arrested and prosecuted for drug-related offences could be ordered by the court, upon assessment, to seek treatment or rehabilitation and social reintegration.

He said the commission was mandated to set up a rehabilitation fund, which could enable the commission to build such centres across the country to take care of such persons as opposed to incarceration of offenders.

He cautioned the public, particularly owners and drivers of commercial vehicles, not to allow themselves to be used as couriers by smugglers.

"They must always be sure to check the content of consignments they intend to convey from one destination to another.

Vehicle owners should also conduct background checks on their employees before handing over their vehicles to them to avoid having their vehicles seized," he said.
Ghana Red Cross President commends Iran Clinic

Emmanuel Quaye Feb - 09 - 2023 , 07:07

The President of the Ghana Red Cross Society, Kwame Gyimah-Akwafo, has commended Iran Clinic for its contribution to health care delivery in the country.

Mr Gyimah-Akwafo, leading a delegation to the Iran Clinic, said the clinic, in collaboration with the Iranian Red Crescent Society, had been supportive in many health interventions in several local communities.

He urged the clinic and the Iranian Red Crescent Society to further extend their training in first aid, preventive health care and disaster management to other parts of the country.

"Such trainings, I believe, will save lives in Ghana and go a long way to deepen the cordial relationship between our two organisations," he said.

The Medical Director of Iran Clinic in Ghana and representative of the Iranian Red Crescent in West Africa, Dr Seyed Mohammad Ali Salahatpour, said it was a source of pride for his organisation to provide humanitarian medical services to the people of Ghana, especially the vulnerable in the society.

He noted that in spite of the global economic challenges, Iranian Red Crescent Society had continued to provide assistance in the form of medicine and medical equipment to Iran Clinic.

Dr Salahatpour thanked the Ghanaian public for creating a conducive environment to enable them to operate effectively in the country.
GNPC provides classroom block for Ankaful

Francisca Eshun Feb - 09 - 2023 , 07:34

The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) Foundation has handed over a six-unit classroom block to the Ankaful Municipal Assembly Basic School at Ankaful, near Saltpond in the Central Region, to enhance teaching and learning.

The community had virtually no basic school. Children have to walk for two kilometres to school at Saltpond and other nearby communities and this has worsened the illiteracy rate in the community since many children feel reluctant to walk the long way to school on a daily basis.

Children cannot start school at age four as government policy stipulates, because they have to wait and grow physically strong enough to make the tortuous journey to school.

The GNPC Foundation, therefore, constructed the new six-unit classroom block to improve academic work in the school.

The new classroom block includes a head teachers office, a storeroom and furniture for learning.

The Head of Environment and Social Amenities at GNPC, who handed over the school block, Lubaabat Habib Jawulaa, gave an assurance that the foundation would expand the school with a junior high school (JHS) block and a 12-seater sanitary facility soon.

Support

She reiterated that GNPC, through the foundation, remained committed to providing requisite educational infrastructure support to Ghanaian communities and schools across the country.

The Mfantseman Municipal Director of Education, Betty Smith, advised parents to enrol their children in school to get the necessary foundation.

She added that they should use the project to enhance effective learning and teaching.

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Mfantseman, Ike Lord Ennu, tasked the beneficiaries to ensure proper care of the facilities to serve many more students in the future.

He thanked GNPC for its partnering role in Ghanas educational sector and beyond.

The Head teacher of the school, Eunice Okuruw, thanked GNPC and expressed her appreciation for the kind gesture.

She gave an assurance that the project would be handled with care to enhance teaching and learning.

The Ankaful-Saltpond Odikro, Nana Kwame Ntsiful V, appealed for a drainage system in the community to reduce perennial flooding.

He appealed for two communal waste containers to promote a cleaner environment.
ISD appoints Dr Dotse Special Envoy on Climate Change

Timothy Gobah Feb - 09 - 2023 , 10:43

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HATOF Foundation, an environmental non-governmental organisation, Dr Samuel Dotse, has been appointed African Special Envoy on Climate Change by the International Society of Diplomats (ISD).

 I am pleased to convey to you the approval of your appointment as African Special Envoy on Climate Change by the Governing Council of the International Society of Diplomats, and by this appointment you are also admitted into the International Advisory Council, a statement signed by the Secretary General of the ISD, Manuel Fernandez, said.

New appointment

According to the statement, Dr Dotse is expected to liaise with the international organisations headquarters in discharging the functions of his new office for a period of two years, renewable for two years.

That, the statement said, included the development of programmes and activities of the organisation and providing regular updates on their progress as well as promoting international cooperation with other relevant authorities.

According to the statement, Dr Dotse is also expected to provide expert advice on issues related to international diplomacy, economy, trade and investment, peace and social justice.

About ISD

The ISD is an international organisation, founded with core mandates to promote international diplomacy through friendship, trade and investment, international cooperation, peace and social justice, for development and advancement of humanity.

Dr Dotse is a Board Member of the Stakeholder Advisory Network on Climate Finance, an Expert Member of African Scientific Research and Innovation Council of the African Union and was a Regional Focal Point for Global Environment Facility Civil Society Network for West and Central Africa from 2011-2015.

Keta Dev

Meanwhile the Keta Lagoon Development Association (KLADA), an organisation of citizens of Anlo to support developmental programmes in the area and beyond, has congratulated Dr Dotse on his appointment to the high office.

A terse statement signed by Nelson Dovoh reads Our most hearty congratulation on your new appointment.

It said  It is our best wish and that of Anloland, Ghana and Africa that the benefits of this appointment will bring great benefits to all humanity but most importantly, Anlo.
New twist in former MASLOC boss trial

Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson Feb - 09 - 2023 , 07:11

Moves by state prosecutors to have a former boss of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, tried in absentia have taken a new twist.

The Accra High Court is expected to give a ruling on February 28 on whether Attionu should be tried in absentia, but her legal team has requested the presiding judge to recuse herself and not be the one to deliver the ruling.

At Tuesdays hearing, lawyer for Attionu, Agbesi Dzapkasu, said Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, a Justice of the Court of Appeal, with additional responsibility as a High Court judge, had given a similar ruling and, therefore, she should recuse herself.

We pray that as far as this application is concerned, your Ladyship should not be the one to give a ruling on the application for trial in absentia, counsel argued.

Go to Supreme Court

In response, Justice Asare-Botwe said she was going to rule on the application for trial in absentia based on its merit and not as a result of a different ruling she had delivered in another case.

According to the judge, if counsel was not comfortable with her giving the ruling, he should go to the Supreme Court and do the right thing.

If you think the court is not properly composed, go to the Supreme Court and prohibit me. If anyone thinks I am not competent to hear the matter, go up and prohibit me, Justice Asare-Botwe said.

She, subsequently, fixed February 28 for her ruling and directed the lawyers to file supplementary affidavits to have to further back their case.

Absent from court

Attionu, who is on trial for allegedly causing financial loss of GH90 million to the state during her tenure as the CEO of MASLOC between 2013 and January 2017, has failed to show up for the trial after being granted permission by the court to travel to the United States of America (USA) for medical treatment.

She was expected to return to Ghana for the continuation of her trial on October 6, last year.

In November last year, Justice Asare-Botwe expressed her displeasure about the situation and issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Attionu to force her to attend the trial.

Afterwards, the prosecution filed an application for trial in absentia.

Bail bond

On January 23, this year, Justice Asare-Botwe ordered the two sureties who secured a GH5 million Attionu, to pay the bail bond to the state for failing to produce the accused person to stand trial.

The sureties  Alex Mould, a former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation and Gavivina Tamakloe, a brother of the accused person  were slapped with a forfeiture of recognisance.

That followed an application by the prosecution.

Messrs Mould and Tamakloe were first ordered to produce the accused on December 22, 2022.

The court subsequently extended the deadline due to processes filed by lawyers for the accused and the sureties.

Not guilty

Attionu is on trial with Daniel Axim, a former Operations Manager of MASLOC, on 78 counts of wilfully causing financial loss to the state, stealing and contravention of the public procurement act, among other charges.

The two have denied any wrongdoing and have pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The prosecution has a litany of allegations against Attionu and Axim in the facts that accompanied the charge sheet filed at the court.

For instance, it accused Mrs Attionu of embezzling GH500,000 that was paid by a company, which benefited from MASLOC support in 2014.

It is the case of the A-G that MASLOC gave a loan of GH500,000 to the company, Obaatanpa Micro-finance Limited, but the company returned the money because of the high interest of 24 per cent that the loan attracted.

According to the prosecution, Obaatanpa Limited presented a cheque for GH500,000 to Attionu, but she refused and demanded cash payment, which it claimed was dissipated.
EC to lay new C.I before Parliament

Samuel Duodu Politics Feb - 09 - 2023 , 06:47

The Electoral Commission (EC) is to lay before Parliament the new Constitutional Instrument (C.I), which is expected to regulate continuous voter registration in the country.

The new CI titled: Public Elections (Registration of Voters) Regulations, 2021, is seeking to make the Ghana Card the sole form of identification for eligible voters who want to get unto the electoral roll.

The Director of Elections at the EC, Dr Serebour Quaicoe, told the Daily Graphic that the new CI will regulate the continuous registration and not to compile a new voter register.

We are not compiling a new voters register. The one we compiled in 2020 is a credible one, a very good register so we are not dispensing it, he emphasised.

He explained that the continuous registration is targeted at those who have turned 18 years.

Rationale

Dr Quaicoe explained further that what the EC sought to cure with the new C.I was to eliminate non-Ghanaians and minors by using the Ghana Card.

Per the new C.I, he said the commission will collaborate with the Births and Deaths Registrar so that periodically, they would update the commission with the list of people who have passed on so that the EC would start the processes of deleting their names from the register.

This are the main issues that are in the new C.I, which is different from C.I 91, Dr Quaicoe stated.

The ECs director of elections said already, the commission had gone through all the various processes for the new CI to be laid before Parliament as the House had resumed sitting.

Dr Quaicoe said there was extensive discussion on the new CI at the Inter Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meetings, after which it was given to the Attorney Generals Department to fine tune it because they are the drafters of the law.

What is left is for us to lay it before Parliament as the House has resumed sitting, he stated.

The decision to make the Ghana Card the only form of identification for the continuous registration has been a thorny issue among some stakeholders within the countrys electoral system which they said would lead to the disenfranchisement of many eligible voters.

Notable among the stakeholders that have raised concerns about the use of the Ghana Card is the main opposition National Democratic Congress.

The EC has since responded to the concerns with the assurance that it was collaborating with the National Identification Authority (NIA). The NIA on its part, has also assured that the challenges associated with the issuance of the Ghana Card would be addressed.
NDC sets agenda to win 20 seats in Central Region

Shirley Asiedu-Addo Politics Feb - 09 - 2023 , 07:18

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has targeted to win 20 out of the 23 parliamentary seats in the Central Region.

The Central Regional Chairman of the NDC, Professor Richard Asiedu, who made this known said the party has also targeted to increase its presidential votes in the region from the 45.9 per cent in 2020 to over 60 per cent in 2024.

Addressing a press conference in Cape Coast last Monday to congratulate the new Minority Leader in Parliament, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Prof. Asiedu said Dr Forsons elevation would change the fortunes of the party in the region.

With Dr Forson as the Minority Leader, the leadership of the Central Region NDC is confident of achieving its agenda of winning 20 out of the 23 parliamentary seats and over 60 per cent presidential votes in the 2024 general election, he said.

Target

The NDC in the 2020 elections won 13 out of the 23 parliamentary seats in the region and secured 45.9 per cent of the presidential votes.

Prof. Asiedu said the party has, therefore, set a target to increase both its parliamentary and presidential votes from 13 to 20 and from 45.9 per cent to 60 per cent respectively.

Prof. Asiedu, on behalf of the leadership and the entire membership of the NDC in the Central Region, congratulated Dr Forson for his appointment as the leader of the Minority Caucus in Parliament.

You have exhibited your competence when given the opportunity as the Ranking Member of the Finance Committee. Having successfully carried yourself by hard work and pursuing your parliamentary duties with perseverance and purpose, we have no doubt in our minds that you will live up to expectations, he stated.

We also want to seize this opportunity to congratulate Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, and Governs Kwame Agbodza, for their appointment as Deputy Minority Leader and Minority Chief Whip respectively. We warmly congratulate Ahmed Ibrahim and Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe- Ghansah for their reappointment as the First and Second Deputy Chief Whips,

Well-deserving position

Prof. Asiedu expressed gratitude to the national leadership of the party for reposing confidence in Dr Forson, an illustrious son of the Central Region, as Minority Leader saying it was well-deserved.

He appealed to the entire members of the Minority Caucus in Parliament to give their support and entrust confidence in the leadership of Dr Forson saying we must all understand that leadership evolves. Leaders will come and go but the Caucus must not be divided. Let us all give the maximum support and rally around the new leaders to deliver as we did for our previous leaders, he stated.

Dr Forson is the longest-serving MP on the NDC's ticket in the Central Region. He first entered Parliament on January 7, 2009 to represent the people of Ajumako-Enyan-Essiem Constituency and he has since remained their MP.
Chinese civil rescue team joins relief efforts in quake-hit areas of Turkiye

People's Daily Online) 16:11, February 09, 2023

The Rescue Team of Ramunion carries out a rescue operation in Iskenderun, Turkiye. (Photo provided by Rescue Team of Ramunion)

A team of seven members from the Rescue Team of Ramunion, a Chinese civil relief squad, arrived in Adana, Turkiye, at 1:30 pm local time (1030 GMT) on Wednesday after a 13-hour flight to assist in rescue efforts.

After obtaining the United Nations International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) certificate, the team quickly joined local logistics support forces to form a team of 16 members. Carrying 10 sets of rescue equipment and a large number of wooden support kits, the members rushed to the earthquake-ravaged areas in Iskenderun to carry out rescue operations overnight.

Turkiye's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) assigned the Rescue Team of Ramunion to search for a 67-year-old man buried under the ruins of a six-story structure. The team searched for about two hours using equipment such as infrared thermal imaging detectors, radar life detectors, micro-acoustic audio detectors, and video detectors, but found no signs of life at the site. The rescue team then withdrew from the scene and returned to the command center to wait for other assigned tasks from AFAD.

The Rescue Team of Ramunion carries out a rescue operation in Iskenderun, Turkiye. (Photo provided by Rescue Team of Ramunion)

The Rescue Team of Ramunion carries out a rescue operation in Iskenderun, Turkiye. (Photo provided by Rescue Team of Ramunion)

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chengliang)
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
Polar Lithium, a collaboration between Nornickel and Rosatoms mining division, has been awarded the exclusive right to develop Kolmozerskoye, Russias largest lithium deposit. (Earlier post.) The project, located in the countrys northwest Murmansk Region, will produce 45,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate and hydroxide per year.

The Kolmozerskoye deposit is characterized by a complex composition of rare metal raw materials and is a source of lithium, tantalum, niobium, beryllium, tin and cesium. The deposit is one of the large deposits of spodumene rare-metal pegmatites. According to various estimates, it may contain from 19 to 25% of all Russian lithium reserves.

The partners plan to establish a complete, integrated production facility that spans from mining and processing to high-tech products, creating more than 1,000 new jobs and reducing Russias dependence on imported lithium and battery components. The auction for the Kolmozerskoye exploration and mining license was conducted by Russias Federal Agency for Subsoil Resources Management, with a starting bid of RUB 1.56 billion (US$21.6 million) and a 20-year subsoil use period.

The Kolmozerskoye project is perfectly timed to meet the growing demand for lithium in electric vehicles and energy storage industries. With lithium projects announced in other countries, we need to move fast. The partnership with Rosatom provides us with a huge set of competencies and a complete integration into the battery business. Sergey Stepanov, Nornickel Senior Vice President  Operational Director

The development of the deposit will enable us to become Russias first-ever domestic producer of lithium-bearing raw materials and eventually build a fully local production of lithium-ion traction batteries. By leveraging the synergy of assets and capabilities, Rosatom and Nornickel will accelerate the creation of a full-cycle domestic battery industry, from ore mining to the production of energy storage systems. Igor Demidov, CEO of Polar Lithium

Kolmozerskoye, discovered in 1947, is Russias most promising lithium deposit and includes minerals such as lithium, beryllium, niobium and tantalum. Norilsk Technical Services and Rusburmash, Rosatoms exploration and drilling company, will begin additional exploration in the coming months. The design and exploration phases are expected to be completed in a few years, with the projects design capacity to be reached by 2030.

Since June 2022, Nornickel has been consulting with the Sami people, local communities, public organizations and reindeer herding farms about the Kolmozerskoye project. In February 2023, taking into account the experience gained from the Taimyr Indigenous Peoples Support and Development Program, based on the companys policy on the rights of indigenous peoples, Nornickel will continue consultations on an ethnological survey. The company also plans to propose the application of the Free Prior Informed Consent procedure to the indigenous peoples of the Murmansk Region for the projects development.
Dear Editor,

Parental rights seem to be under attack, even here in Wyoming!

I was appalled to see the report in the January 25, 2023 Star Valley Independent which cited opposition to the Parental Rights Bill SF0117 by the Wyoming Education Association, an association that one would assume has significant influence on what goes on in our public schools. I went to their website and found this statement on their bill tracker page: This bill is counter to the WEA Legislative Platform regarding Safe and Just Schools. This bill is essentially Floridas Dont Say Gay bill. Health experts note that when a persons identity becomes politicized or the point of debate, it can be dehumanizing, increases stigma, increases stress and be damaging for impressionable, vulnerable young people. This can lead to withdraw from normal activities and exacerbate suicide and depression for a student population already at high risk.

I understand this statement to be referring to students rights to be affirmed in their gender identity or sexual orientation choices in our public schools, even if this is against a parents consent. Apparently, the WEA doesnt trust parents to make the right decisions for their children. Does this raise any red flags in your mind? Do you hear alarm bells ringing?

SF0117 merely seeks to protect a parents right to be notified and requires a parents consent before a school could affirm a students choices in these and other important matters concerning their health and well-being.

At the time of this writing, the bill has passed in the Wyoming Senate and is being introduced in the House. Hopefully it will pass there, as well. I would encourage everyone to become informed about these issues and make sure that parents rights concerning their childrens education continue to be safeguarded in our state.

Margaret Tueller

Afton, WY
Your newspaper and newspapers across Wyoming are advocating in the state legislature to make government information more accessible to you.

In Wyoming; state, county, city, school district, and other governmental entities are legally directed to publish minutes of meetings, payroll information, changes in statutes and zoning, bid information, and other particulars in local newspapers to notify the public of their actions.

The Wyoming Press Association has brought a bill to the 67th Wyoming Legislature requiring the states newspapers to publish all public notices that appear in print edi...
During a recent Paris showcase, Google announced a new update to Google Lens thats coming to Android mobile devices. In the coming months, Google will allow anyone using Lens on Android to perform a search of anything thats displayed on the screen. As Google put it during the presentation: If you can see it, you can search it.

In the coming months, were introducing a major update  to help you search whats on your mobile screen.



Youll soon be able to use Lens through Assistant to search what you see in photos or videos across websites and apps on Android. #googlelivefromparis pic.twitter.com/UePB421wRY  Google Europe (@googleeurope) February 8, 2023

Users would be able to search for a building name, food recipes, car models, or any images that may contain searchable information. It will also work across websites and apps, and you wouldnt need to leave the screen to perform a Lens search.

At the same event, Google announced an update to its Multisearch feature: which lets users perform an image search and add text to refine search results. You can now add text to specify the kinds of results youre looking for with an image.

Multisearch is now live globally! Try out this new way to search with images and text at the same time. 



So if you see something you like, but want it in a different style, colour or fit, just snap or upload a photo with Lens then add text to find it. #googlelivefromparis pic.twitter.com/4yT6voiJkn  Google Europe (@googleeurope) February 8, 2023

In the above Tweet, Google demonstrates that you can perform an image search and further refine results by using Lens and then adding a text search, specifying a different style.

At the same event, Google also unveiled Bard, its ChatGPT rival thatll soon be featured in Search. Just this week, Microsoft also announced its AI-powered enhancements coming to Bing and Edge browser.

Source
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From islanders manner of driving to clean air and natural beauty, here are five things the head of the Korean consulate on Guam, In Kook Kim, said have made his stay on the island pleasant and meaningful.

Kim, the guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Guam on Thursday, shared his reflections of Guam, which he also hopes to enhance the visitor experience.

Every day I am seized with the feeling that God led me beside quiet waters well described in Psalm 23 of the Bible, Kim told Rotary members and guests at Hyatt Regency Guam.

Yielding culture

I admire the driving manners of Guamanians, Kim said, particularly the yielding culture.

When he exits a narrow road, drivers slow down their speed or give him signals with their hands or vehicle lights to let him get on the bigger road.

Now I also love to yield whenever I have chances to do it as it is the way I learned here on Guam. When I yield, I feel happy. It is the kind of virtuous cycle, he said. I am sure such yielding manners will also impact deep impressions to foreigners coming to Guam.

Visitors from Korea have been leading Guams tourism recovery, and there have been high hopes that the Japan market will also follow in the months ahead.

Natural beauty

Kim said he had high expectations of enjoying raw fish when he learned he would be posted on Guam. He realized later on that not having commercial fishery on Guam is a blessing.

The seashore would not have been as clean as it is now, and the colors may not be emerald and turquoise or not as crystal clear and transparent, he said.

Guams air, he said, is unbelievably clean.

As for the natural beauty, Guam showcases it in every corner of the island, he said. Despite that, if I am asked to introduce some amazing places to recommend: Two Lovers Point, mushroom-shaped rock in Tanguisson Beach, Fai Fai Beach located between Tanguisson Beach and Gun Beach, Mount Jumulong Manglo, cliffline in the Inalahan natural pool are a few spots I can think of right now.

Power projects; relationship with U.S.

Kim noted the completion of the Mangilao solar farm project in July 2022 and the ongoing construction the Guam Ukudu power plant in Dededo.

He also recognized the relationship between Korea and the United States.

At the Rotary Club meeting, he shared the letter he received from the Korean War Veterans Association of Guam.

Ever since the signing of the 1953 ROK-US mutual defense treaty, the ROK-US alliance has not only served as the linchpin of peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and Indo-Pacific, but also served as a solid foundation upon which Koreas democracy and economic prosperity could flourish, he said.

Korean community

Guam is currently home to more than 5,000 Koreans, many of them involved in construction and markets.

There are also restaurants and barber shops operated by Koreans, he said.

Furthermore, nowadays, we can meet Korean tourists in every corner of Guam, he said. It is a great delight for me to see the tourism industry of Guam is gradually gaining its vitality with the increase of Korean tourists.
The Guam Legislature is asking its legal counsel for an opinion on the master development plan for Hagatna, which the Hagatna Restoration and Redevelopment Authority this week announced lapsed into law without legislative action.

Sen. Joanne Brown, vice chair for the Legislatures Committee on Land, said lawmakers want to verify the timelines for the plans automatic adoption have been met. Lawmakers dont necessarily agree they have, she said.

Senators rejected the controversial master plan last April by an 8-6 vote. However, a revised draft was reintroduced by the Office of the Governor Oct. 21, a public hearing was held Nov. 14, and senators failed to take further action on the matter. According to the Redevelopment Authority, the plan became law Dec. 8.

Brown, who wasnt on the committee responsible for the plan last term, said she couldnt address the timeline, but that its passage without final legislative review was an issue.

I know that there were concerns that were raised, obviously, during the public hearing with regards to the master plan. And I didnt gauge there was an overwhelming number of votes that would have been put in place to authorize that to move forward, she said.

The senator was part of the Legislature that created the Redevelopment Authority in 1997 and said that much has changed in the years since the authoritys powers were laid out. The agencys ability to condemn land in the islands capital was a particular discomfort to some lawmakers, she said.

Additionally, powers held by the Redevelopment Authority and the Master Plan havent yet been reviewed by the current Legislature, she said. Whether landowners in the area had been adequately informed of the changes was still an outstanding issue.

If indeed it did lapse, which were not saying it has because were still waiting for legal review on it, then well probably readdress it, Brown said.

She said the plan may be rolled back, until certain concerns can be fixed.

Republican Minority Whip Sen. Telo Taitague said she was unaware that the plan could lapse into law and that she planned to seek a review from the Office of the Attorney General.

Guam law has a specific provision for how the plans for Hagatnas restoration will be adopted. It gives the Legislature 45 calendar days, and two legislative days, after they receive the plan to adopt, reject or amend it.

According to Brown, the legal disagreement is over how legislative days has been interpreted. She said she couldnt answer why the now-lapsed plan went unaddressed last term, as she didnt have oversight of it.

Bill 347, which laid out the plan, was never placed on the agenda for the 36th Legislatures final session in December. Lawmakers at the time also were rushing to address as many as 32 bills, many of which were controversial.

Sen. Amanda Shelton was the acting chair of the Committee on Hagatna Revitalization and Committee on Rules when the bill was addressed in November and December, her office confirmed Thursday. The senator was off island and not available for comment, according to her office.

Shelton was filling in for Vice Speaker Tina Muna Barnes, the committee chair, who was absent through much of the last term due to various family health issues. The vice speakers husband recently died.

No committee report for Bill 347 was prepared.

Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Lasia Casil initially agreed to an interview Thursday, but didnt respond to a follow-up call or WhatsApp message as of press time.
Mongmong-Toto-Maite Mayor Rudy Paco submitted his letter of resignation from the Guam Visitors Bureau board of directors but the governor hasnt accepted Pacos resignation, along with that of P. Sonny Ada, GVB board director.

GVB Board Chairman Milton Morinaga also plans to resign from the board, which has been in conflict with GVB President and CEO Carl Gutierrez.

Paco, in an interview Thursday, confirmed submitting his resignation letter but he said the effective date would be when a replacement is appointed by either the governor or the Mayors Council of Guam.

Piti Mayor Jesse Alig, council president, confirmed receiving Pacos resignation letter, which he also sent to Gov. Lou Leon Guerreros office. Alig said he will be working closely with the governor on a new appointee.

Ada on Thursday said the governor received his resignation letter weeks ago, but the governor, he said, asked him to stay until a new appointment is made.

Morinaga tried to call a special board meeting Jan. 31, after an eight-month pause. Last year, Gutierrez accused board members of illegal and unethical acts. The meeting was canceled over the lack of a quorum. Only seven board members were present either in person or via video at the time; eight were needed for a quorum.

Gutierrez, Sen. Telo Taitague and others reminded Morinaga that it would be illegal to meet without a quorum. They also said one of the agenda items, electing two board members whose initial selection wasnt included in the published agenda as required by law, was illegal.

As the leadership impasse continues, tourism is still far from achieving pre-pandemic levels, but visitor numbers have been steadily increasing compared to fiscal years 2021 and 2022.

Next meeting

GVB called for a Feb. 13 general membership meeting to elect four nominees to the board: Paula Monk; Rachel Tan; Carlos Taitano; and Bill Nault.

That meeting will coincide with the 2023 Super Bowl time on Guam. Its set for 9-11 a.m. at Dusit Thani Ballroom B.

GVB in January called for a general membership meeting but didnt muster enough attendance to select new board members or vote on proposed amendments to the bylaws that contained several changes, including trying to limit the boards authority over management.

If Feb. 13 morning meeting has enough members, those elected to the GVB board would be able to attend the special board meeting, scheduled for 1 p.m.

Paco on Thursday said he wants to resign from the GVB board to focus more on his village and to give mayors from other villages the opportunity to also serve on the tourism board.

They may have better ideas on how to help tourism recover, Paco said. I look forward to Guam tourisms full recovery.

Paco reiterated that he wasnt able to attend the Jan. 31 meeting because a staff member died.

In early 2022, Gutierrez accused some board members of violating the Open Government Act and being unethical, saying they participate in discussions that will directly benefit their private companies. By nature of their membership on the board, most members are from tourism-related entities.

Oversight hearing

At 2 p.m. Friday Sen. Jesse Lujan, the acting chairman of the legislative committee on tourism, will hold an oversight hearing focused on five GVB issues:
A proposal to equalize pay for public defenders and prosecutors working in Guams criminal justice system has sparked a dispute between the Attorney General Doug Moylan and Stephen Hattori, head of the Public Defender Service Corp.

Moylan in a letter to lawmakers said the proposal, made in Sen. Roy Quinatas Bill 33, poses a clear & present danger to the protection and safety of this (community).

Hattori, the executive director of the Public Defender Service Corp, called the response hypocritical and absurd.

Public defenders got a 6% pay bump in the government of Guams fiscal year 2023 budget act, but that raise was outpaced by a 15% pay differential tacked on to the salary for prosecutors in the same law.

Quinatas bill would give criminal defense attorneys a special pay equal to 15% of their regular wage, starting next calendar year.

Pay parity for public defenders is of paramount importance and pursuing special pay for them works best when legal minds and competent counsel tackle Guams most vulnerable in court and in our community, Quinata said in a news release.

Moylan, in his letter, countered that there arent enough lawyers to meet all of Guams legal needs as it is. Theres competition to secure attorneys, he said, and defense attorneys on the government payroll already are well compensated.

(This bill) will weaken government corruption prosecutions, and weaken the rest of the office to have enough attorneys to collect child support, protect consumers in our Consumer Protection Division, and provide overall civil legal work to the entire government of Guam, he wrote.

Moylan said he was in the process of rebuilding his office, which had just eight of the 21 prosecutors needed upon his swearing in. The pay incentive was helping to reel in new recruits, but eliminating that advantage would hamstring efforts.

Moylan suggested lawmakers make it public policy that prosecutors are the most important attorneys, adding that without them the community would be in danger of being over-run by the criminals.

Bill 33 would help Guam become the crime capitol of the Pacific, the attorney general said.

When asked for comment, Hattori responded at length via WhatsApp.

The idea that the AGs office would lose attorneys because public defenders could provide the same salary was illogical, Hattori said. A pay disparity between public defenders would undermine the legitimacy of the criminal legal system in the eyes of the public.

He said the nature of defense attorney work made recruiting difficult and his lawyers had to deal with clientele that has justified pay differentials for police officers and the Department of Corrections.

Ask any attorney who has been both a prosecutor and a defense attorney. We have lost attorneys to this inequity, Hattori said, adding that four of the attorneys at the AGs general crime unit have been public defenders.

In addition, the Eighth Amendment and 14th Amendment obligate GovGuam to provide effective legal representation when an indigent person was at risk of losing their liberty, he said. The Legislature had tipped the scales of justice in favor of the government, stacking the deck against his offices clients.

Balance can be required one of two ways: removing the differential or applying it equally. We dont want their prosecutors to lose it. A rising tide lifts all ships, Hattori said.

He and his colleagues have written senators asking for their support, and a hearing on Bill 33.
Rescue crews found two mariners Thursday and continued searching for a third after a boat sank between Guam and Rota Wednesday night.

At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Coast Guard watchstanders received a mayday call that the 42-foot vessel Senior Dong was taking on water between Rota and Guam. With three people aboard, the master said the boat, which left the marina in Hagatna earlier in the day, was sinking.

Communications were lost during the call, but the Guam Fire Department was able to confirm the vessel left Hagatna Wednesday.

Watchstanders immediately diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Myrtle Hazard from patrol northwest of the scene and directed the launch of a Station Apra Harbor rescue boat crew, according to a news release from the Coast Guard.

Searchers requested help from Guam Fire Department rescue boat crews and the Navys HSC-25 squadrons MH-60 Knighthawk helicopter.

The team issued an urgent marine information broadcast notice to mariners advising anyone in the area to keep a sharp lookout and report any sightings. The Myrtle Hazard crew searched throughout the night and the rescue boat crew completed an initial search before returning to the station. HSC-25 also searched without any sightings.

Midday Thursday, a Guam Army Air National Guard UH-72 Lakota helicopter crew found the two mariners after locating a debris field. The two were taken aboard the Myrtle Hazard, in good condition and uninjured.

The search is ongoing for the third mariner. The rescued mariners confirmed the vessel sank and reported the third person was alive and with them but became separated from them during the night, according to a news release from the Coast Guard.

The forecast in the search area calls for winds of 15 to 20 knots, wind waves of 3 to 4 feet and an east swell of 5 to 7 feet.

In addition, both a small craft advisory and a rip current statement are in effect.
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The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department in the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (Ministry VSA), would like to inform the general public, that its offices at the Vineyard Building Office Complex will be closed for clients and customers on Friday, February 3.





The closure is related to a Ministry of VSA activity.





CPS will resume is regular services during office hours on Monday, February 5




The Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority announced the Tamuning Plaza Hotel homeless shelter will remain open through August during the Interagency Council for Coordinating Homelessness Programs meeting Thursday.

On Tuesday this week we identified additional funds from slow moving activities that will be able to sustain the shelter through August 2023, inclusive of operations and case management services, said GHURA Chief Planner Katherine Taitano.

Funding was reprogramed from sources like the Community Development Block Grant and Emergency Solutions Grant, designated for COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 project funding to keep the shelter operating.

She said by the end of August, the money for COVID-19 recovery projects will run out and although an extension of these funds is possible, it isnt guaranteed.

Weve sent a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development again to reprogram funds to extend the shelter, said Elizabeth Napoli, GHURAs executive director.

If more funds arent reprogramed, the hotel will stop being used as a homeless shelter in August.

Called Liheng Sinafo, which means safe haven or safe shelter in CHamoru, the shelter is managed by Catholic Social Service and program services are provided for clients by Manelus Project Akudi under a contract with GHURA.

It is a huge relief that there is more time, so we are extremely happy about that, said Samantha Taitano, Manelu executive director.

There are currently 55 people  singles, couples and families with children  living at Liheng Sinafo.

The shelter opened in October 2021 as a temporary emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The contract was extended past the September 2022 deadline, given the need to support Guams homeless population.

Since then, GHURA has been applying for and reallocating funds to keep the shelter open.
Michael Lujan Bevacqua is an author, artist, activist and the curator for The Guam Museum.
Sen. Therese Terlaje talks about fellow senators and their choice, during a vote on Jan. 5, 2023, for her to lead the 37th Guam Legislature as the lawmakers prepare to embark on a new term.
By William Schwartz | Published on 2023/02/08

On February 8th, Netflix Korea held a press conference for "Love to Hate You" at the CGV movie theater n Yongsan. The project is the latest leading role actress Kim Ok-vin, who was on hand to discuss her experiences. The actress discussed the difficulty of doing more appropriately romantic faces during action scenes, noting that her face naturally takes on an action expression despite that not being the intent of the scene.

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Best known for darker more action-oriented works, Kim Ok-vin does not do romantic roles as often. In discussing this disparity, director Kim Jeong-kwon stated that he wanted her for this role because Kim Ok-vin leaves a strong impact- and this would show in a strong on-screen transformation. Kim Ok-vin echoed this sentiment, stating she wanted to try a different project than what she had tried in the past, and implying this might be the brightest spot in her filmography.

Kim Ok-vin noted that even when considering the role, her character seemed rather unlike her. Kim Ok-vin also admitted to thinking the part wasn't well-suited even when starting, but still stuck with it because she didn't want to be seen as unemployable. Now, Kim Ok-vin feels as thought she has been able to show off a part of herself that she has not been able to in the past.

Kim Ok-vin went on to say that despite how unusual the role may feel coming from her, there are many new feelings she has been able to communicate through the work. But admitting some shyness, Kim Ok-vin asked for honest evaluations to come only via phone call. "Love to Hate You" will begin airing worldwide this coming February 10th.

Written by William Schwartz

___________

"Love to Hate You" is directed by Kim Jeong-kwon, written by Choi Soo-yeong, and features Kim Ok-vin, Teo Yoo, Kim Ji-hoon-I, Go Won-hee, Lee Joo-bin, Kim Sung-ryung. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2023/02/10~Upcoming, Fri on Netflix.
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The Ministry of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning, and Infrastructure (Ministry of VROMI), hereby announces that on Wednesday February 1st and Thursday February 2nd, 2023, the Bush Road, from the Peridot round-a-bout to Dominos Pizza will experience some disruption due to road works (resurfacing) being carried out.





This is to allow road resurfacing work to be a carried out from 8:00 PM until 1:00 AM.





Those living in the immediate area should exercise caution when moving around during the stipulated date and time.





Motorists are requested to be vigilant and observant for the traffic directional signs.





The Ministry of VROMI apologizes for any inconvenience that this may cause.




Published on 2023/02/09 | Source

New stills added for the Korean drama "Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist - Season 2" (2022).

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Directed by Kang Hee-ju, Park Won-gook

Written by Choi Min-ho-II, Lee Bom-I, Park Seul-gi-I

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With Kim Min-jae-I, Kim Hyang-gi, Kim Sang-kyung, Ahn Chang-hwan, Jeon Guk-hyang, Yeon Bo-ra,...

10 episodes - Wed, Thu 22:30

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Adapted from a novel and follow-up to "Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist"

Yoo Se-poong, a well-known physician of the medical center, was kicked out after being involved in a royal conspiracy. He turns into a true physician from the heart after meeting Gye Ji-han and Seo Eun-woo.

Broadcast starting date in Korea : 2023/01/11
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The marketing teams of the Tourist Office of Saint-Martin and St. Maarten Tourist Bureau met on January 26 for what will be a monthly working session, to discuss various subjects relating to the promotion of the destination.





Two Hearts, One island, French side and Dutch side work regularly on the common objective of promoting Saint Martin Sint Maarten and target various markets and groups. This was the first monthly meeting of the year 2023, as the goal is to meet every month, in order for the teams of the two tourist offices to discuss with each other on the various actions that will take place this year.





On January 26, the meeting brought together the directors Aida Weinum (Office of Tourism of Saint-Martin) and May Ling Chun (St Maarten Tourist Bureau); North American Market Managers Suzanne Scantlebery (OT) and Marla Chemont (STB); local market managers Nathalie Pinthiere-Brooks (OT), Neilleda Desir (OT), and Claudia Vinga (STB), Cherinah Franken (STB) Head of Product Development, and market coordinator South America William Bell (STB); communication officer Sacha Bresse (OT); Executive Assistant Rosette Pantophlet (STB).





With the objective to share a common vision to increase the destination market share, the monthly meetings will provide opportunities for the marketing teams of the two offices to highlight the destination tourisms high impact operations, the remaining challenges to be addressed and take stock of the actions carried out jointly.





The working session was also an opportunity to raise the problems encountered by two sides of the island, including the management of the photo and video content for digital platforms, essential for the promotion of the destination. The employees were able to discuss their practices to optimize updates and publications. The STB informed OT that last year for 2022 it had launched a call for content creators for videographers, photographers, influencers, and graphic designers in order to create content consisting of both side of the island (gastronomy, landscapes, etc.), and will be doing this once more for 2023.





Shared actions





In the meeting discussions concerning the annual calendar of marketing actions on the North American, Latin American, regional markets, European, niche markets as well as the local market also took place. The two offices of tourism regularly carry out common actions such as campaigns with tour operators such as Expedia, travel agent roadshows or participation in trade fairs. The organization of a Pop Up Store (date?) at the Destreland shopping center in Guadeloupe and at the commercial center the roundabout in Martinique will also be from representations of both Dutch and French side. The two offices of tourism have shown great cooperation on the marketing concept of pop-up shop for a





promotion in this regional market, which exists of a lively stand, dancers, hoteliers from both sides, event promoters, the prefect formula for collaboration.





Discussing at the start of the year is a real opportunity to continue to pool our financial and human efforts, says the director of the Office of Tourism of Saint-Martin, Aida Weinum. We informed our counterparts that our 2023 promotional campaign would focus on the pillar event theme, by informing them of the 9 key special events on the French side on which we are to support to deploy our communication strategy".





Quick starting the year with a vision that will involve, and includes our French side counterpart based on the actions that we are able to collaborate on, will grow the cooperation stronger and gives us the opportunity to execute on those actions with an impact says May-Ling Chun Director of Tourism of Sint Maarten.





Information, consultation, collaboration: for the tourist offices of Saint- Martin and Sint Maarten, and the promotion of the destination remains a co-construction.




The FCG estimated in its study that the rail link would reduce travel time between the two cities by roughly 16 minutes  at a cost of 331 million euros for each minute gained  compared to the alternative of renovating the main line, reports Helsingin Sanomat.

A STUDY by the Finnish Consulting Group (FCG) has questioned the profitability of Suomirata, a mooted high-speed rail link between Helsinki and Tampere.

The cost of the new rail link was estimated at 5.3 billion euros and that of renovating the existing one at slightly under one billion euros. Lentorata, a long-distance rail connection from Pasila via Helsinki Airport to Kerava, was included in the cost of the new link as a prerequisite for the infrastructure project.

The study was commissioned by the Regional Council of Hame, an expert and development organisation serving the region of Kanta-Hame. Municipalities such as Hameenlinna and Riihimaki have been unenthusiastic about the mooted link as the high-speed trains would not stop at their stations.

Pasi Holm, a leading expert at the FCG, on Tuesday told Helsingin Sanomat that the study was carried out based on publicly available data that was also used for the recent feasibility study by the Ministry of Finance.

The main takeaway from the study is that around half of the passengers between Helsinki and Tampere would continue using the main line, another half the new direct line, he said.

Suomirata Oy, the company promoting the high-speed link between Tampere and Helsinki, has estimated that the high-speed link would attract significantly more passengers.

Even if the direct line was constructed, the main line would still get over half of the passengers, countered Holm. Theyd choose the main line because passengers from Helsinki would continue looking to get off at way stations, similarly to how passengers from the way stations would look to travel to Helsinki and Tampere.

The study found that almost two-thirds (64%) of passengers currently start or terminate their commute at an interim station, whereas 36 per cent commute or terminate in Helsinki, Tampere or Vantaa.

Lauri Lyly, Tampere's representative for the design of Suomirata, reminded YLE on Tuesday that the main line will have to be renovated by the end of the decade but even the renovation will not create the additional capacity needed.

We need more rails between Helsinki and Tampere, he said. Our strategic goal is to get quickly from Tampere to Helsinki, through Helsinki Airport. We havent re-considered that goal at all.

The Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Transport and Communications in January concluded in their study that each of the three large railway infrastructure projects underway in the country would have an enormous price tag, as well as a massive carbon footprint.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
Saara-Sofia Siren , the vice chairperson of the council, told about the decision to MTV on Wednesday.

THE REMARKS of Mika Aaltola , the director of the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, about splitting up the Finnish and Swedish bids to join Nato will be addressed in the next meeting of the advisory council responsible for monitoring the operations of the institute.

The Finnish Institute of International Affairs is tasked with providing research information to decision makers. The intention is not that the leadership and researchers of the institute try to influence Finlands foreign policy, she commented.

Aaltola on Wednesday viewed on Twitter that Finland should indicate its readiness to separate the two membership applications, following his recent visit to Turkey with Henri Vanhanen, a research fellow at the Institute of International Affairs. Their discussions with officials, researchers and policy makers in the country who are familiar with the ratification process, he explained, indicate that Finland, but not Sweden, is perceived as Nato ready.

Finland should communicate its ability to separate the applications because theyre politically tied to one another, he tweeted.

He commented on the issue also in an interview with Ilta-Sanomat.

Siren highlighted to MTV that the visit took place at a particularly critical stage of the application process, with national debates about the applications regularly drawing worldwide attention.

She also underlined that the research institute carries out valuable work that supports political decision making.

At the same time, you have to keep in mind that the Finnish constitution stipulates that foreign policy is led by the president of the republic in co-operation with the government. The Institute of International Affairs operates under the Parliament, she stated.

The advisory council is tasked with monitoring the operations of the institute, liaising with relevant stakeholders and monitoring the societal impact of work undertaken at the institute.

Erkki Tuomioja (SDP), a deputy chairperson of the Parliaments Foreign Affairs Committee, on Wednesday expressed his exasperation with researchers who, in his view, seek to shape opinions and policy making in pursuit of a particular agenda.

Im pretty fed up with it, he stated to YLE. I hope the Institute of International Affairs provided us more research information and options and analyses of the consequences, rather than mere opinions.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
Altmeyer reopens funeral home on Church Street

The renovated chapel at the former Shepherd funeral home includes large video screens, new lighting and new art.

James E. Jimmy Altmeyer Jr. led a tour recently of the newly renovated Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Home, which looks the same outside but boasts a makeover and new amenities inside.

Throughout, theres new flooring and lighting, fresh paint, a new kitchen, new reception and visitation rooms and new bathrooms. The chapel has been updated for the digital age.

We put in TVs so we can play videos because nowadays a lot of people like videos, he said. So we have two TVs to show video tributes for families.

Altmeyer bought the Church Street funeral home last May when he bid $2,025,000 in a foreclosure sale on the courthouse steps, the final chapter in a years long collapse of the company founded in 1903. The state Board of Funeral Service revoked the funeral directors license of Tom Shepherd in December 2021 after an investigation into consumer complaints and funeral practice violations dating back to 2018. Shepherd died of severe depression a few weeks after the state issued the final order closing the business founded by his grandfather. Shepherd Memorial Park, which like the funeral home had been the subject of numerous consumer complaints, is under receivership and operated by a court-appointed manager.

James E. "Jimmy" Altmeyer Jr.Altmeyer leads the company his great-grandfather founded in Wheeling, West Virginia, in 1917. Altmeyer Funeral Homes and Crematory owns more than 40 funeral homes on the East Coast, including Shuler and Forest Lawn in Hendersonville and Mountain View Cremation & Funeral Care in Arden.

Under the new ownership, the business will be known as Church Street Funeral & Cremation  unless Melody Shepherd, Tom Shepherds widow, agrees to sell the name.

We had to come up with a new logo, Altmeyer said. I was hoping that we would be able to work it out to call it the Shepherd Funeral Home and we just havent been able to do that. Maybe one day well be able to work something out.

More space for visitation

With the rise of online shopping, funeral homes have found that they can devote less space to coffin displays, meaning more space can be set aside for reception and visitation.

We dont have a room full of 30 or 40 caskets like they used to have here, Altmeyer said. We did in most of our funeral homes.

A new catering kitchen has refrigerators, a freezer and icemaker, dishwasher, range and oven.

So people can bring in food and then serve it out here and have a reception. So if somebody is cremated and the family wants to have a life celebration in the chapel and then have a reception, they can do it over here, he said.

The family can provide food or bring in a caterer. The funeral home will have a relationship with a caterer if the grieving family wants to let Church Street handle everything.

The interior has a brighter look, too.

All the lighting is new because all these lights were really dim. It was very dark, Altmeyer said as he entered the chapel. Nowadays people dont want dark. You come into a funeral home, youre already depressed because the person died, and then the last thing you need is to come in and be dark and gloomy.

Altmeyer is still hoping to negotiate with Shepherd to buy the northern-most part of the parking lot, which is on a separate parcel and was not included in the foreclosure sale. For now, Shepherd funeral home hearses and vans are parked on the lot.

400 preneed contracts

The N.C. Board of Funeral Service sent letters to the 400 or so holders of preneed contracts early last year. Now that renovations are done, families will soon hear from the new owners. The funeral directors will tell preneed contract holders: Weve been able to reestablish downtown as Church Street Funeral & Cremation, and if youd like to use the downtown facility, wed be honored to serve you there, Altmeyer said.

Under state law, families can choose any funeral home they would like, including one outside the three Altmeyer owns here.

They can go to anybody they want, he said. We want the people who are pre-arranged here to come here because when they see how nice it is  this is by far and away the nicest funeral home in Henderson County. Theres just nothing like this.

Altmeyer is not giving up on retaining the Shepherd name. After all, until the downfall of the business, Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors provided more than a century of respected service.

This funeral home is a tradition for a lot of people for 120 years and if she would give us the privilege and the opportunity to work with her, we would do an outstanding job, carry on the Shepherd name. We really look forward to the opportunity to work things out with her if she would consider that, he said. Thats my hope. And maybe she will. You never know. In lieu of that, the only thing that we can do right now is pick a different name.

* * * * *

For more information or to arrange a tour of the renovated facility visit churchstreetfuneral.com or call 828-309-0103.
Don't saw off the branch you are sitting on!

by Rohana R. Wasala

Two stalwarts of the JVP-led National Peoples Power (NPP) alliance, Dr Harini Amarasuriya MP and Mr Tilvin Silva, JVP General Secretary, as reported in the media early February 2023, have made more or less clear the alliances stand on the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution (suggested by the president): the NPP is broadly for it. But both Amarasuriya and Silva are not convinced of president Ranil Wickremasinghes actual commitment to his decision to fully implement the controversial amendment. They both express misgivings about president Wickremasinghes real intentions in bringing up the issue at this critical juncture.

Amarasuriya says he didnt do it when he had opportunities to do it in the past. Well, actually, to be fair by Wickremasinghe, he didnt have any opportunity to make the decisive move. He neither became executive president nor got sufficient parliamentary power to do so before he ultimately got kicked out of parliament altogether for pursuing policies that tended towards the full implementation of 13A. But for the Rajapaksas perfidious betrayal of the nearly seven million patriotic Sri Lankans who voted in Gotabaya Rajapaksa as president and 140+ MPs on the SLPP ticket to defeat the yahapalanaya that he had controlled under Sirisenas lame executive presidency, he wont have entered parliament even as an ordinary MP, let alone be executive president. (The Rajapaksas treachery is a different matter.)

Parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake Being Sworn in As Minister of Agriculture Land and Irrigation by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga (r) at the Presidential House in Colombo Wednesday 28 April 2004 [Photo Credit: M A Pishpa Kumara/EPA/Shutterstock ]

Tilvin Silva sees the main parties (presumably, the UNP and SLFP rumps and their utterly disoriented new manifestations) as arousing communal passions through the debate on 13A. Those that he calls diehard racists (who, according to him, had been hiding these few months) are coming out of the woodwork. Who are these so-called racists? They are, of course, those who are opposed to 13A, the patriots who are opposed to the division of the country into nine virtually independent units, resulting in the disintegration of the unitary state.

Tilvin Silva said that what people in the North and the South are asking for are food, fuel and medicine and so on; but the Northerners have problems. We do not think that any other party except a government of the JVP-led NPP can give real solutions to the problems of people in the North. We would form an NPP government and bring in a new constitution with a mechanism to solve the problems of Tamil people. We get it passed with peoples approval and provide solutions for the problems of the Northerner. Until such times, provincial councils will have their existence, Silva said, as reported in one national English daily.

It is not clear how the NPP is going to deal with the 13A issue. But if it is hoping to wangle the support of the Sinhala Buddhist masses, who are always at the receiving end, while horse-trading with the federalists, Anuras chances of becoming president will evaporate soon. As he has already apparently indicated that his prime minister will be Sumanthiran (I am not sure of the authenticity of this piece of information, though) in case he becomes president, the voters in the South will be even more sceptical about voting for him. Sumanthiran is the exact opposite of Lakshman Kadirgamar, whom the Sinhalese universally loved and honoured above all other politicians, but whom the LTTE assassinated as a traitor to the separatist cause.

The truth is that the majority of ordinary Tamils in Jaffna do not want to live in a separate state. They want to live in peace with the other communities of the country. According to Arun Siddharthan, the convener of the Jaffna Civil Society Centre, the proposed full implementation of 13A is a conspiracy of the casteist TNA. People in the North actually suffer from casteism, not from any political discrimination or human rights violations by the Sinhalese majority. Tamils deemed to belong to low castes like himself (but he doesnt accept casteism; he is a much more honourable man than his racist, casteist opponents) have no human rights. He says he is not allowed to have a press conference in Jaffna. Hence he holds his news briefings in Colombo. At this briefing, Arun Siddharthan refers to the non-implementation in Jaffna of the Prevention of Social Disabilities Act No. 21 of 1957 adopted by the S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike government of the day amidst opposition from casteist Tamil MPs. Arun Siddharthan warns that if the government tries to implement 13A, there will be a communal uprising against it in Jaffna, which, though, in my opinion will be counterproductive. It might provide an opportunity for India to intervene militarily, and make matters worse.

Leaders of the NPP, please stop being misled by your friends, certain Colombo-based crafty Tamil lawyers and moribund political counsellors who, unlike you, are out and out misanthropic, racists. Trust young Tamil leaders like Arun to befriend the Tamil polity in the North as well as in the South. To increase your appeal among the Sinhalese, please enlist the support of JVP founder Rohana Wijeweeras son Uvindu wherever he is and young grassroots level nationalist activists like Amith Weerasinghe, who is already doing much to relieve the suffering of the poor of all communities around Kandy in central Sri Lanka (hence disliked by traditional politicians as a threat to their political existence).

What is the point of your insisting on the holding of local government elections? There is no meaning in having elections at this time. Even if they are held, you will not stand to win. You hardly won any seats at the last local government election in 2018, dont you remember? You will not do better this time if you stick to your purblind policy of cozying up to the casteist elite of the Tamil society in the North, while ignoring the populace suffering at their hands, and while taking the support of the Sinhalese majority for granted. As it is clear to the intelligent voters that you have swallowed the TNA cajolery hook, line, and sinker, people will not trust you enough to vote for you. What you can do instead is to use the next two years to educate the young people of today about the JVPs heroic past, with a genuine analysis of its costly errors (Uvindu has an idea about that) and organise the multiethnic electorate (dominated by the lower middle and working classes) across the country for a resounding victory at the next presidential and parliamentary elections. Until then, try to help prevent Ranil Wickremasinghe from doing anything really detrimental to the country that is irreversible.

As I wrote in my previous writeup Is 13A PANACEA? Cynical irony of. (Sri Lanka Guardian/February 2, 2023) We need statesmen/women, not mere politicians. People are fed up with the latter. Anura is not likely to turn out to be a real statesman, even if he gets the chance to do so one day, if he pursues his proven hypocrisy. However, compared to the leading buffoons of the two traditional parties (the UNP and the SLFP/or their ghostly modern reincarnations), Anura Dissanayake would be someone that the people can look towards as an alternative leader, provided he does not forfeit the trust of the majority Sinhala Buddhists in his attempt to win the loyalty of the traditional minority leaders, who will never ever change their spots, though they may change their hunting grounds.

Let me end this piece with the last paragraph of an essay I wrote four years ago (JVP at a crossroads/The Island/March 5, 2018):

The JVP must take a good hard look at its wasteful past and subject itself to serious reform as a party. It must get rid of its outdated ideologies and outmoded leaders. It must not condemn the voters as idiots for not voting for them. Most important, the JVPers must find political allies with whom they can coexist and serve the nation.
City Council finalizes ARP appropriations

Hendersonvilles City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to allocate nearly $2 million in American Rescue Plan funds to several non-profit agencies in the city.



The vote came during the councils regular monthly meeting after members briefly discussed how much to set aside for some of the organizations. They revised a table showing the updated amounts before voting.

In the end, the council voted to:

 Provide Josephs Outreach Ministries-Connections Center with $800,000 of the $1.5 million the agency had requested. The Hendersonville Connections Center is a coalition of local organizations offering a central location for case managers and advocates from multiple social service organizations for classes, groups, and services.

 Provide Interfaith Assistance Ministry with $100,000 of the $393,784 the organization had requested. IAM assists members of the community experiencing crisis with basic needs, in an atmosphere of compassion and respect.

 Provide the Housing Assistance Corporation- Home Repair with $130,000 of the $250,000 it had requested. The Housing Assistance Corporation is committed to providing safe and affordable housing for persons of limited income living in Henderson County and the surrounding areas.

 Provide Housing Assistance Corporation-Apple Ridge with $400,000 of the nearly $1.7 million requested.

 Provide the Children and Family Resource Center with $100,000 of the $260,000 requested. The agency offers programs that address the various aspects of early childhood development and education, quality child care, parenting and family support. In addition to its programs, the CFRC also serves as a referral center for clients who are in need of services in the community. It also houses a comprehensive early learning resource library for parents and care providers of young children.

 Provide Pisgah Legal Services all of the $320,000 the agency requested. Pisgah Legal Services seeks to pursue justice by providing legal assistance and advocacy to help low-income people in Western North Carolina meet their basic needs and improve their lives.

 Provide Safelight- Phoenix Project all of the $100,000 requested. Safelight provides support for survivors of interpersonal violence, sexual assault and child abuse. We make it possible for families who want to be free of violent relationships, to succeed.
Rep. Edwards launches Dodge Ram constituent service van

U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards announced on Thursday that he is bringing a mobile constituent-services office to Western North Carolina.

In his continued focus on assisting folks in North Carolinas 11th District who need help with federal agencies, including the VA, Social Security and the IRS, as well as with passport and immigration matters, Edwards will have the only mobile constituent services office in the entire U.S. House of Representatives.



The mobile office, a Thor Dodge Ram Sprinter Class B van, will travel to all 15 counties in the 11th District. Locations and hours will be announced on the website Edwards.house.gov, in local news outlets, and on social media.



The rural and vast geography of NC-11 presents some unique challenges for my office to serve its citizens, so my team and I have developed a unique solution, Edwards said in a news release. In the few weeks Ive had the privilege to serve the people of Western North Carolina, Ive come to realize we can help and listen to anyone as long as they have access to a phone. And the days of renting space and staffing it in the back room of a courthouse is highly inefficient and problematic. Id rather my staff and I continue to make ourselves available by phone from a central location, then we will carry our services to constituents using this creative and more efficient method.



While there has been a handful of mobile offices used by members of Congress in the past, Edwards has revived and reimagined the concept to try and bring more and better services to WNC.



Edwards has asked for constituents assistance in naming the mobile office. Anyone who would like to participate can go to Edwards.House.Gov/nameit, fill out the form and make a suggestion. The winning name will be announced March 1.
A SPECIALIST team based in Henley is on standby to help in aftermath of the Turkey-Syria earthquake.

Emergency Response Team Search and Rescue chief Gary Foo is in talks with both the United Nations and World Health Organisation about how it can help.

Trustee and secretary Paul Giles is to co-ordinate aid and support.

Two firefighters from the urban search and rescue section used to rescue people from collapsed buildings are also liaising with the authorities.

Two catastrophic earthquakes caused widespread destruction in Turkey and Syria on Monday. At least 11,200 people have died.

Pangbourne Rotary Club has pledged 1,000 to the relief effort, which includes some of the proceeds from last months Woodcote 10km, which it organises, and other fundraisers.

Deo Bikale, the clubs international team leader, will work with Rotary clubs in Turkey to determine the quickest way to transfer the money.

Meanwhile, a Turkish couple who run a cafe in Wargrave have put out an urgent appeal for donations to help victims of the recent earthquakes in Turkey.

Cansel and Deniz San, the owners of Daisy Love Cafe on High Street, are Turkish citizens and have friends and family members in the affected areas. Mrs San is from Elbistan, a city that has been badly impacted by the earthquakes.

Mr San said: She grew up there. She knows many people there. Some of them have passed away, some are missing.

We are trying to do something for these people, our people. It is a bad situation. When I see these images, its horrible. Lots of people are homeless, some cant find their relatives, they cant find their kids. Some kids dont have parents.

We are trying to do something. We have already got some food and clothes. We will take them all to London on Sunday.

Mr and Mrs San are joining with Turkish communities in the Thames Valley and London to send supplies directly to the region.

The shipments are being organised by Elbistan Community Centre, a registered charity based in North London, and Turkish logistics companies are making their vehicles available for the relief effort.

The items urgently needed are: adult and child coats, boots, warm hats, jumpers, trousers, gloves, scarves, socks,

blankets and sleeping bags, flasks, torches (without batteries), nappies, sanitary pads, cleaning products, tinned food, new packs of AA or AAA batteries, portable mobile phone charging packs for iPhone or Android, tents (only those with poles, not inflatables)



All items of clothing and sleeping bags must be clean and in good condition or new. They should also be boxed and ready to send, to help speed up the process of making them ready to ship.

Items must be brought to Daisy Love cafe by 4pm on Saturday, February 11.

Financial donations can also be made to the charity for earthquake victims.

Elbistan Community Centre

Sort Code: 20-76-90

Account Number: 33 94 94 19

Reference: Earthquake
Sri Lanka is a country that has long been a victim of hegemony, both during the colonial period and in more recent years. Sri Lanka must work to assert its independence and sovereignty and to protect its people and resources from exploitation by foreign interests.

Sri Lanka is a country that has often been viewed as a victim of hegemony, or the dominance of one country or group of countries over others. This has been a result of a long history of foreign influence and intervention, dating back to the colonial period and continuing through to the present day.

During the colonial period, Sri Lanka was ruled by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British, each of whom imposed their own cultural, political, and economic systems on the island nation. The colonial powers exploited Sri Lankas resources and labor, and imposed a social and economic structure that was designed to benefit the colonizers and marginalize the native population. This legacy of colonialism has had a lasting impact on Sri Lanka, and has contributed to the countrys status as a victim of hegemony.

In more recent years, Sri Lanka has continued to face the challenges of foreign intervention and domination. The country has been the target of geopolitical struggles between major global powers, and has often found itself caught in the crosshairs of competing interests. For example, during the Cold War, Sri Lanka was viewed as a strategically important country due to its location at the crossroads of the Indian Ocean, and was a target of influence by both the United States and the Soviet Union.

Additionally, Sri Lanka has faced the challenges of economic hegemony, as multinational corporations and international financial institutions have sought to exploit the countrys resources and labor. This has often led to the exploitation of workers and the depletion of the countrys natural resources, and has contributed to a growing inequality between the wealthy and the poor.

In conclusion, Sri Lanka is a country that has long been a victim of hegemony, both during the colonial period and in more recent years. The country has faced challenges from foreign powers seeking to impose their will, as well as from multinational corporations and international financial institutions seeking to exploit its resources and labor. To overcome these challenges, Sri Lanka must work to assert its independence and sovereignty, and to protect its people and resources from exploitation by foreign interests.

***

Here are a few references:

The Political Economy of Development in Sri Lanka, 1940-2004 by Kumari Jayawardena (2006)

Sri Lanka: A Political History Since Independence by James Manor (2015)

Post-War Sri Lanka: The politics of peace and reconciliation edited by Sharika Thiranagama and Tim Menkel (2017)

Globalization and the Transformation of Cultures: The Case of Sri Lanka by S. Hettige, D. Little, and D.S. Jayasuriya (1999)

The International Political Economy of Transition in Sri Lanka by Dushni Weerakoon (2006)

***

ChatGPT is a conversational AI language model developed by OpenAI. It was trained on a diverse range of internet text to generate human-like responses to a wide range of questions.
EQS-Ad-hoc: MBH Corporation Plc / Key word(s): Personnel

Board & Leadership Update - MBH Corporation plc



09-Feb-2023 / 09:06 CET/CEST

Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



London, 9 February 2023: MBH Corporation plc (MBH), a diversified investment holding company, has announced the following changes to its board and leadership team structure. These changes are applicable as of today. Callum Laing will return to Non-Executive Chair of the Board of MBH Corporation. A role he held until taking over the role of Chief Executive Officer of MBH in 2019. Callum is based in Singapore.

will return to of the Board of MBH Corporation. A role he held until taking over the role of Chief Executive Officer of MBH in 2019. Callum is based in Singapore. Stan Patey will assume the responsibility of Non-Executive Vice Chair of the Board of the MBH Corporation. Stan was previously Non-Executive Chair. Stan is based in the UK.

will assume the responsibility of of the Board of the MBH Corporation. Stan was previously Non-Executive Chair. Stan is based in the UK. Victoria Sylvester becomes the Chief Executive Officer of the MBH Corporation. Victoria joined the Board as Executive Director in 2019. She is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Acacia Training within the Education sector of MBH. Victoria is based in the UK.

becomes the of the MBH Corporation. Victoria joined the Board as Executive Director in 2019. She is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Acacia Training within the Education sector of MBH. Victoria is based in the UK. Susan Kwok is promoted to the position of Chief Financial Officer of the MBH Corporation with responsibility for all financial activities within the Group. Susan, who has been an integral part of the MBH Finance team for the past year, succeeds current Chief Financial Officer Victor Tan who is stepping down from his role after 5 years. Susan is based in Singapore. The full MBH Corporation Board structure can be viewed here: www.mbhcorporation.com/mbh-board Information and Explanation of the Issuer to this announcement:



About MBH MBH Corporation plc (M8H:GR) is a diversified investment holding company, listed on the Frankfurt and Dusseldorf Stock Exchanges. The company acquires small to medium enterprises across multiple geographies and sectors that are well established, profitable and looking to scale. By leveraging the Agglomeration strategy, MBH Corporation plc is able to create substantial shareholder value through the consistent and accretive acquisition of excellent companies. mbhcorporation.com Contacts for IR and media enquiries: Charlotte Fordham charlotte.fordham@mbhcorporation.com +44 (0) 770 396 3953 MBH Corporation plc 09-Feb-2023 CET/CEST The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.eqs-news.com


Russia has sent about half a dozen of their new Mi-28NM combat helicopters to Ukraine, where they expect to thrive and survive using new weapons and countermeasures. Not many Russian helicopters have been seen in Russian occupied Ukraine since so many were destroyed during the first months of fighting. At the time of the invasion the Russian air force had about 1,500 helicopters. Most (74 percent) were older transport helicopters though many were recent versions of the Cold War era Mi-8 transports and Mi-24 gunships. This helicopter force seemed formidable but the Russians had a shortage of pilots and maintainers. Most of the available pilots and maintainers were assigned to operate the 400 more recent models that had been introduced since 2006. These were the ones sent to Ukraine where they received their first real combat test against modern anti-aircraft weapons and aircraft. The new Russian helicopters did not do well. The KA-52 gunship (introduced in 2011) was thought to be well equipped to handle modern portable anti-aircraft missiles like the American Stinger. The Americans had updated the Stinger more than the anti-missile defenses of the Ka-52 could handle. Transport helicopters were even more vulnerable. After eight months of combat Russia had lost nearly a hundred helicopters, mainly to ground fire. There were also losses due to accidents and mechanical failures. It was obvious that the most modern Russian designs were not up to the demands of combat against well-equipped opponents.

This was disappointing because a decade ago Russian began a program to upgrade its helicopter force with new models and upgrades to older models. Part of this upgrade program was putting all Russian helicopter companies into one firm; Russian Helicopters. To accomplish this, the government merged all existing helicopter manufacturers (Rostvertol, Mil Moscow, Kamov, Stupino Machine Production, Ulan-Ude Aviation, Kazan Helicopters, Kumertau Aviation, Reductor-PM and Progress Arsenyev Aviation) into a single state-owned firm called Russian Helicopter. As part of this effort, the Russian military ordered more helicopters, new designs were produced and export sales aggressively pursued. Russian helicopters were back as a powerful international brand. For peacetime operations or use against poorly armed opponents, the Russians helicopters were adequate. Against better armed opponents the new Russian helicopters performed poorly and Russia is trying to remedy this with the new Mi-28NM.

The Mi-28 is an old design that has been updated several times. Mi-28 began development in the 1970a and first flew in 1982. The first Mi-28 entered service as the Mi-28N in 2009. This came after being canceled a few years earlier in favor of the Ka-50. The air force was dissatisfied with the Ka-50 and revived support for the Mi-28N in 2007. Russia planned to buy 10-15 Mi-28Ns for the air force and export customers.

The Mi-28N is a capable helicopter, costing about the same as the earlier AH-64A ($15 million each for the basic model). The Mi-28N "Night Hunter" is an all-weather night attack version of the 1980s era Mi-28A, with added FLIR (night vision sensor), night fighting optics and a two-man crew. The basic Mi-28 is a 11.6-ton helicopter that can carry 1.6 tons of rockets and missiles. The aircraft also has a 30mm cannon. The cockpit for the two-man crew is armored, and the helicopter has missile countermeasures (chaff and flares), GPS, a heads-up display, laser designator and other gadgets. The Mi-28N has a top speed of 300 kilometers an hour and a one-way range of 1,100 kilometers. It can carry up to 16 anti-tank missiles (each with a range of up to eight kilometers). The helicopter can also carry 80mm rockets, bombs or fuel for additional range. The Mi-28 has been around in small quantities for two decades, but the Mi-28N is the most advanced model, on a par with the slightly lighter American AH-64D gunship.

The much-improved Mi-28MN first flew in 2016 and, after a few more delays, was delivered to the air force in 2021 for user testing. That took nearly a year and the first combat-ready Mi-28MN were delivered in late 2022. Before the Ukraine invasion and all the sanctions, Russia expected to deliver 98 Mi-28NMs by 2027. That plan was disrupted by the failed Russian attack on Ukraine and the resulting sanctions. Now Mi-28NM deliveries will be much smaller and irregular. This depends on how well the Mi-28NM does in Ukraine against weapons that devastated earlier attempts to use combat helicopters.

The Mi-28NM upgrades include more capable mission systems and weapons. There is a new BRLK-28 radar system that includes an N025M radar mounted atop the rotor mast, an OPS-28M Tor-M electro-optical turret carried in a cylindrical housing under the nose and a new SMS-550 turret for the pilot (seated at the front). Both crew members are provided with an NSTsI-V helmet-mounted sight and display. The new radar system has more capabilities, like surface mapping, detecting surface targets, and indicating targets for the electro-optical sight, as well as weather and air-to-air functions. There is also a new IFF (identification friend or foe) system. The Mi-28NMs new defense system uses a L150-28M radar, L-140M laser, and L370-2 ultra-violet warning receivers, a countermeasures-launching system, and an L370V28-5L laser-based directional infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) system. A new KSS-28NM (S-406-2NM) communication suite enables the helicopter to operate within the armys aviation command system. All this makes existing weapons more effective.

The upgrades included the introduction of the new LMUR (izdeliye 305) missile. This 100mm (diameter), 105 kg (231 pound) air-to-surface missile was designed for use by helicopters. LMUR uses solid fuel and has a max range of 14.5 kilometers moving at up to 450 kilometers an hour (230 meters a second), and carries a 55 kg (110 pound) warhead. It can approach the target at altitudes as low as 100 meters. LMUR can operate autonomously and home on a photo of the target taken by other aircraft. LMUR can also be launched under human control until the LMUR sensors detect a suitable target and pass data to the LMUR operator so the image and location can be sent back to LMUR, turning it into an autonomous homing missile. Only 200 LMURs were initially built and nearly half of them have been used, first in Syria and then Ukraine. Russia has released nearly fifty videos showing successful LMUR attacks.

LMUR is considered a success and more helicopters are being equipped to carry and use it. Some of the LMURs that missed their target or ran into equipment problems have crashed in Ukrainian territory largely intact. This has enabled Ukrainians to analyze how LMUR works and what can be done to defeat the missile before it hits a target. LMURs cost over a million dollars each if the manufacturer can get the parts that are sanctioned and difficult (and expensive) to obtain. As long as LMUR continues to hit targets most (or nearly half the time), it is worth the cost. If the Ukrainians come up with countermeasures, as they have already done for so many new Russian weapons, LMUR may no longer be worth using against Ukrainian targets.
Rabbi Alexander D. Goode and a view of the Dorchester, which was requisitioned by the army during World War II. The ship was sunk by a German torpedo on Feb. 3, 1943.

(JTA) - Mark Auerbach was not yet 5 years old when he noticed an unusual stamp in his father's dresser. The well-worn three-cent stamp featured a drawing of a small group of men and a sinking ship, with the words "The Immortal Chaplains... Interfaith in action." It piqued his interest, so he asked his father about it.

"Our cousin is on that," Auerbach, who grew up in Brooklyn, recalls him saying, searching for an age-appropriate explanation. "He said he was a rabbi who died during World War II when his boat was torpedoed by the Germans. He made me promise to make sure that the story is neve...
The best part of being a program director for the Jewish Pavilion is that it gives me the opportunity to meet interesting and sometimes outstanding individuals in our community. Two of these residents, whom I had the pleasure to meet recently at the Village on the Green, are Mati Braun and his wife, Rachel Heimovics.

Mati is a native of Israel where he graduated from the Israel Academy in Tel Aviv. He came to America in 1962 to study with Joseph Fuchs at the Juilliard School, and in 1969 he joined the New York Philharmonic, a position he held until 2006. Mati's musical talents were noticed...
Norma Jane Kusnetz, MD, 59 of Winter Park, Florida, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023 at her Winter Park home following her brave battle with breast cancer. Norma was born March 3, 1963 in Southfield, Michigan, a small suburb of Detroit, to Harold & Phyliss (Kurtz) Kusnetz. She had many friends growing up, many of whom she kept in touch with through the years. Norma was a loving and caring person.

Norma graduated Country Day High School and subsequently attended the University of Michigan where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree. She then went on to obtain her masters degree in biology before going to medical school at Wayne State University where she earned her MD. After her residency in Family Medicine, Dr. Kusnetz made her way to Gainesville, Florida where she met her husband, Charles J. Koller, MD. They married on June 10, 2003 and moved to Winter Park, Florida where they raised 5 beautiful children and practiced medicine together under the same roof. Dr. Kusnetz served the Winter Park and surrounding communities in the practice of medicine for over 19 years. She was loved by all who knew her and touched many, many lives along the way. She will be dearly missed.

Norma is predeceased by her mother Phyliss (Kurtz) Kusnetz and older sister Linda Ginsburg.

Norma is survived by her loving husband of almost 20 years, Charles Koller and her 5 loving and devoted children  Hannah Yucht, Bradley Yucht, Adam Koller, Rachel Koller, and Matthew Koller; father, Harold Kusnetz; sisters, Lisa Solway and Ada Yerman; brother, Elliot Kusnetz; and countless brothers and sisters in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews, patients and close friends.

Graveside Services for Dr. Kusnetz were held at Palm Cemetery (1005 North New York Avenue, Winter Park) with Cantor Nina Fine officiating.

Services entrusted to Beth Shalom Memorial Chapel, 933 Lee Road, Suite 101, Orlando, Florida 407-599-1180.
(JTA)  Second gentleman Doug Emhoff extended his focus on Holocaust remembrance by inviting a Washington, D.C.-area survivor to be his guest at President Joe Bidens State of the Union speech Tuesday evening.

Ruth Cohen, who survived multiple concentration camps including Auschwitz, joined Emhoff at the annual policy address in Washington. Emhoff first met Cohen last year before International Holocaust Remembrance Day with his wife, Vice President Kamala Harris, according to a press release from the White House.

This year, Emhoff spent International Holocaust Remembrance Day, observed...
WASHINGTON  On Thursday, the CUFI Action Fund released the following statement welcoming the House of Representatives vote to remove Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) from the House Foreign Affairs Committee:

Antisemitism has no place anywhere in America, including and especially in Congress. The CUFI Action Fund welcomes todays vote to remove Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) from the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Rep. Omar has a track-record of trafficking in antisemitic tropes and making bigoted claims concerning pro-Israel activists. Moreover, her positions regarding the Middle East defy...
(JNS)  The House of Representatives voted today to oust Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) from its Foreign Affairs Committee. The decision followed repeated promises from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to remove her over a history of antisemitic remarks.

All but one Republican218voted to strip Omar of the assignment, while 211 Democrats backed her. Rep. David Joyce (R-Ohio) voted present.

Omar has accused Israel of having hypnotized the world and Jews of buying control of Congress. She called Israel an apartheid state and likened it to the terrorist groups Tali...
Ukraine has requested more anti-aircraft weapons and in response they are receiving Patriot systems as well as some of the older Hawk (Homing all the way killer) systems. Hawk entered service in 1959 and was the predecessor of Patriot, which entered service in 1984 and had largely, but not completely, replaced Hawk by the late 1990s. Many Hawk users found that their updated Hawk systems were adequate for their current needs. Many HAWK users that adopted Patriot, kept their I (for Improved) Hawk systems in storage just in case they needed more air defense systems in some future conflict. This is where the I Hawk systems for Ukraine are coming from. I Hawk systems have improved (digital) fire control systems. More efficient radars (in terms of effectiveness and reliability) were introduced as well as a improved missiles. Development of I Hawk began in 1970 and continued even after Patriot arrived because I Hawk capabilities were close to those of Patriot, including the ability to intercept ballistic missiles. Patriot did everything I Hawk could do, but with less items of equipment and a missile that could hit targets three times farther away than Hawk could reach.

Patriot now has more combat experience than Hawk and is justifiably described as more effective than Hawk. Patriot has been unable to render the I Hawk obsolete and that is expected to be the case in Ukraine. The Russians consider I Hawk a threat and blocked Israel from sending its I Hawk missiles to Ukraine. Russian can do this because Israel needs Russian support in blocking the Iranian anti-Israel efforts in Syria and Lebanon. Fortunately, there are many other American allies with I Hawk batteries and missiles in storage and available for use in Ukraine. Spain is currently training Ukrainian soldiers how to operate I Hawk.

Hawk batteries each have six towed launchers carrying three of the 590 kg (1,290 pound) Hawk missiles. In addition, there are radar, control center and maintenance vehicles. Since the 1960s over 40,000 Hawk missiles were produced and bought by the nearly 30 countries that used (or still use) Hawk. While Hawk has been upgraded since it entered service in 1959, some countries have gone beyond that. Back in 2011, South Korea revealed that it was working on Iron Hawk II anti-aircraft missile system and some early models were built to replace three existing U.S. Hawk missile battalions being withdrawn from service. South Korea found I Hawk useful against North Korea along the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) that serves as the border, and any airborne threats from North Korea are within its 50 kilometer range. Spain and the United States are providing the first I Hawk systems going to Ukraine. Other NATO countries have I Hawk systems in storage and these may be sent as well if the first systems in Ukraine perform well.

In Ukraine the modern Russian air defense systems like S300 and S400 are vulnerable to Ukrainian countermeasures, especially with the more effective radar destruction weapons supplied by NATO nations. This enables air defense systems like I Hawk to keep Russian aircraft away and deny the Russians air superiority or even use of much Ukrainian airspace. For this reason, most of the successful Russian airstrikes are carried out by Russian warplanes still in Russia firing long-range air to surface missiles. I-Hawk can intercept many of these missiles. I Hawk may be officially obsolete in most parts of the world, but in Ukraine its a major problem for the Russians.
WASHINGTON (JTA)  The resolution is called Recognizing Israel as Americas Legitimate and Democratic Ally and Condemning Antisemitism, and its cosponsors are a whos-who of the pro-Israel Democrats, including leading Jewish lawmakers.

Also on the sponsor list: Rep. Ilhan Omar, who has been one of Israels harshest critics in Congress and who Republicans on Thursday kicked off the Foreign Affairs Committee for past comments that Jewish groups have said were antisemitic.

In a press release sent out just an hour ahead of a successful party-line vote to remove Omar from the commi...
ISTANBUL (JTA)  Israel is sending aid to Turkey and Syria in the wake of a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that has left over 2,000 dead as of Monday evening here.

Israel will send medication, tents and other supplies to Syria, its neighbor that it considers a hostile state, according to Hebrew language media. The Israeli military will also send rescue teams to both countries, the Israeli embassy in the Turkish capital Ankara told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. That embassy was only recently formally re-established after years of diplomatic tensions.

At the request of the Turkish government,...
(JNS)  The Jewish Federations of North America and American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee have launched fundraising campaigns to provide humanitarian aid to people in Turkey after the devastating earthquakes today.

Thousands have been killed in what officials are calling the worst quake to hit the region in decades. The initial one registered at a magnitude of 7.8 on the Richter scale, causing massive damage to buildings, homes and medical facilities in Turkey and Syria. An aftershock, which registered more than 7.5, exacerbated the destruction.

We remain in close contact wi...
(JNS)  On Feb. 2, John Podhoretz, editor of Commentary, shared a joke on his magazines podcast riffing on Hunter Bidens laptopwhat Miranda Devine has called the Laptop from Hell.

So, have you heard the one about the Jew who returns 40 years later to pick up a pair of shoes from the cobbler?

The shoe store owner says, Was they wing tips? Yes. They were wing tips. Were they black with a brown trim? Yeah. You have them? Podhoretz said, exaggerating the cobblers accent. Theyll be ready Tuesday.

Clearly, the original owner lose...
(JNS) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led a tree-planting ceremony on Monday to mark Tu Bishvat in the Neve Ya'akov neighborhood of Jerusalem, where a Palestinian terrorist killed seven people last month.

Netanyahu was joined by Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion and family members of the murder victims, as well as police officers, medics and paramedics who treated the wounded at the scene of the Jan. 27 attack. The following day, another Palestinian terrorist shot and seriously wounded an Israeli father and son near the entrance to the City of David National Park adjacent to the Old City in t...
Jerry-rigged heating units use a pair of car batteries connecting to transistors to generate the power needed to heat an apartment.

This winter, the city of Odessa, Ukraine, feels like the heart of darkness.

The city is constant bombardment by the Russian military, freezing nighttime temperatures commonly fall below zero, and electricity is only available for six hours per day: three in the morning and three at night.

Amid these desperate circumstances, Avraham Wolff, the chief rabbi of Odessa and southern Ukraine, is trying to bring some light - and heat.

He's doing so with jerry-rigged car batteries to provide warmth and electricity to about 400 Holocaust survivors in the city - the most vulnerable of the vulnerable....
(JNS)  A massive 7.8-magnitude earthquake centered in southern Turkey killed more than 2,300 people combined in that country and Syria early on Monday, toppling buildings and causing shockwaves felt across the region, including Cyprus, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq and Israel.

Emergency medical services in Turkey and Syria said that the death toll was expected to rise in both countries as hundreds of people potentially remained trapped under collapsed structures.

The quake struck just after 4 a.m. local time, 23 kilometers (14.3 miles) east of Nurdagi, Gaziantep Province, at a depth of 17...
WASHINGTON (JTA)  The Republican Party unanimously condemned as antisemitic Kanye West and Nick Fuentes, saying their beliefs have no place in any political discourse.

The resolution opposes all forms of antisemitism, antisemitic statements and any antisemitic elements that seek to infiltrate the Republican Party. It names West, the rapper and designer now known as Ye, saying he has repeatedly made statements that are antisemitic, shameful, wrong, offensive, bigoted, and contrary to American and Republican principles. It also names Fuentes, noting that he is a white sup...
(JNS)  In 2021, a University of Michigan music professor showed a 1965 film adaptation of Shakespeares Othello, which featured a white actor in blackface, in class. The professor apologized and stepped down, yet a dean at the university stated that the experience was hurtful and upsetting to the students in the class, and the professors actions do not align with our schools commitment to anti-racist action, diversity, equity and inclusion.

When someone distributed racist fliers on the schools Ann Arbor campus five years prior, the universitys president...
(JNS)  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intervened to delay the demolition of an illegally constructed building in eastern Jerusalem due to American pressure, Channel 11 reported.

Netanyahu was also reportedly warned by security forces that amid the current tensions, the buildings destruction could set off a round of violence in the largely Arab part of the capital.

The large building houses 100 persons and is located in the Wadi Qaddum section of Silwan/Shiloah, an Arab neighborhood in the citys southeast.

The illegal structure has been slated for demolition for years but that...
Feature: Dominicans thank China for support in COVID-19 fight

Xinhua) 16:19, February 09, 2023

A staff member transports China's Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines at the international airport of Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic, Feb. 23, 2021. (Dominican Republic's Vicepresidency/Handout via Xinhua)

"With Chinese vaccines, the Dominican Republic again sees hope and light at the end of the tunnel in the fight against the novel coronavirus," the Dominican Republic's Vice President Raquel Pena once said.

SANTO DOMINGO, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Recalling the pandemic fight in the Dominican Republic, Lorraine Hernandez, who works at a health center in the country's capital city Santo Domingo, thanked China for providing vaccines that have helped her protect her family and take better care of patients.

"The first vaccine that we doctors and health personnel received two years ago was the Chinese Sinovac (COVID-19 vaccine) ... My family members also got vaccinated with Chinese vaccines," Hernandez said, stressing that Chinese vaccines played a key role in protecting medical personnel and curbing the spread of the pandemic in the country.

Hernandez is among millions of Dominicans who have benefited from Chinese vaccines. In early 2021, when the virus was spreading fast in the Dominican Republic and the world was facing a tight vaccine supply, China provided the country with vaccines and other materials.

"With Chinese vaccines, the Dominican Republic again sees hope and light at the end of the tunnel in the fight against the novel coronavirus," the Dominican Republic's Vice President Raquel Pena once said.

Raquel Pena (2nd R, front), vice president of the Dominican Republic, receives a batch of China's Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines with an official delegation at the international airport of Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic, Feb. 23, 2021. (Dominican Republic's Vicepresidency/Handout via Xinhua)

Meanwhile, the Chinese government, companies and institutions have donated medical supplies, such as ventilators, face masks and thermographic inspection devices, to the Caribbean island country. The two sides have also shared experiences in combatting the virus via video meetings.

Recognizing China for its support during the pandemic, the Senate of the Dominican Republic has recently presented China with an award. The Senate's Vice President Santiago Zorrilla conferred the certificate of honor on Chinese Ambassador to the Caribbean nation Zhang Run earlier this month.

Zorrilla said at the ceremony that the Dominican Republic will always remember China's timely assistance in its darkest hour. "The president, the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, all Dominicans are highly grateful to China," he added.

"I received two doses of Chinese vaccines, and so did my family members," Zorrilla told Xinhua, noting that China brought hope to the Dominican people and helped Dominicans return to everyday life as much as possible.

"When the world was shrouded in darkness by the pandemic, China stepped up and offered us help, demonstrating (the spirit of) solidarity and cooperation," Senator Aris Yvan Lorenzo said. "We Dominicans feel very grateful to the Chinese people."

Lorenzo, who proposed the motion to award China, recalled that the motion received unanimous support from senators of various parties, reflecting extensive gratitude to China.

"I will also teach my children to be grateful and responsible," Lorenzo said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The latest American arms shipment to Ukraine includes the recently developed longer-range GMLRS guided rockets. Ukraine has been asking for those since mid-2022. They were satisfied with the performance of ordinary GMLRS but found there were important targets beyond its 85-kilometer range. The U.S. has a stockpile of over 3,000 ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) with 300-kilometer range held in reserve for American use. The Americans were afraid that if given a longer-range missile like ATACMS the Ukrainians would attack targets inside Russia that would lead to a disastrous escalation. Ukraine demonstrated that it had other ways to strike deep inside Russia and that did not prompt another Russian escalation. Ukraine was told that there would soon be a longer-range GMLRS called GLSDB (Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb) with a range of 150 kilometers. The manufacturer could send GLSDB to Ukraine as soon as they were available if the U.S. government included the GLSDB in a shipment of weapons to Ukraine. Now that GLSDB is available, the Americans are sending it to Ukraine, where it will get its first battlefield use.

Ukraine has been asking for the longer range (300 kilometers) version of ATACMS. It is, like GMLRS, carried and launched from the HIMARS truck but HIMARS can only carry and launch one ATACMS at a time. HIMARS can carry and use six GLSDB. Ukraine would still like the longer range ATACMS but the Americans need those for any military emergencies in the Pacific. There, the longer 300-kilometer range is crucial.

While Lockheed Martin developed ATACMS, Boeing developed and produced GMLRS. Boeing and Swedish firm Saab jointly developed an even longer range of GMLRS called GLSDB. The design concept is simple. Take the 227mm rocket motor that propels the GMLRS and use it to launch the latest version of the U.S. Air Force SDB (Small Diameter Bomb), the GBU-53 Stormbreaker.

Initially, the SDB was seen as the next generation of smart bombs and is a more compact design of the classic 227 kg (500-pound) unguided bomb. The streamlined shape of the SDB carried the GPS guidance system and other guidance components internally. SDB has a hard front end that can punch through nearly three meters (eight feet) of rock or concrete and a warhead that does less damage than the usual dumb bomb (explosives in a metal casing). Thats because the SDB warhead carries only 17 kg (38 pounds) of explosives, compared to 127 kg (280 pounds) in the conventional 227 kg (500-pound) bomb. SDB can carry other types of warheads, like the high-explosive one currently found in GMLRS.

Boeing/Saab received a contract to deliver production models of GLSDB to Ukraine by February 2023. Ukraine liked GLSBD because it can be fired from HIMARS, or any other GMLRS launch vehicle, and has a range of 150 kilometers. Moreover, it is more precise than GMLRS because Stormbreaker has multiple guidance systems that enable it to hit moving targets, including ships at sea and do so at night and in any weather.

Stormbreaker entered service in 2018 as the latest version of the SDB II (Small Diameter Bomb also known as GBU-53) in service. This version can identify, track and hit a moving target on the ground in any weather and at night. The novel targeting system was so impressive that the GBU-53 was given an official nickname; Stormbreaker. SDB is basically an unpowered missile which can glide long distances. This makes the SDB even more compact, capable, and expensive. While the original SDB I cost about $70,000 each, that went up to $300,000 for Stormbreaker.

Small wings allow the SDB to glide up to a hundred kilometers (from high altitude). Launching Stormbreaker from the ground (or even a ship at sea) using any GMLRS launcher provides long range precision firepower at relatively low cost. In 2017 the American marines demonstrated that GMLRS rockets could be launched from the flight deck of amphibious assault ships against land targets. This concept can use GLSDB to do the same, but also against enemy ships as well as land targets. This feature enables Ukraine to keep Russian warships out of areas of the Black Sea used by Ukraine. The GLSDB guidance system also makes it possible to hit moving land targets, like trucks or train cars carrying munitions or other Russian supplies.

GLSDB has shortcomings. It achieves the longer range using Stormbreaker the second stage of the GLSDB by having the Stormbreaker glide bomb use the GLMRS rocket as a first stage to take it to a high altitude and then separate and allow Stormbreaker, as the second stage, to proceed on its own. This is done by deploying wings and control surfaces that enable the unpowered second stage to locate and hit its target. GMLRS was a single stage missile and made its final approach to the target at a higher speed than GLSDB. The HIMARS and larger tracked GMLRS carriers have to get new fire control software installed before they can use GLSDB. It is unclear how long this will take. It could be simultaneous with GLSDB delivery or take several months.

The Ukrainians are the ones getting shot at and have a more can do wartime attitude that has time and again overcome issues like this that the Americans underestimated. NATO nations closer to Ukraine, like Poland, are more familiar with that attitude because they know that if Russia wins in Ukraine, Poland is next on the Russian conquest list. Poland and the larger NATO members like the United States, Britain and France often disagree because of the we are next attitude of Poland versus the more diplomatic attitude of the larger and farther away NATO nations. These differences in perspective and attitude makes sending Ukrainians what they feel they need a more complicated process than it should be.
(JNS)  One month after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, U.S. President George W. Bush held a prime-time news conference to update the American people on his administrations war on terror.

He said, One month ago today, innocent citizens from more than 80 nations were attacked and killed, without warning or provocation, in an act that horrified not only every American, but every person of every faith, and every nation that values human life. The attack took place on American soil, but it was an attack on the heart and soul of the civilized world. And the world has come together to fight a...
(JNS)  If CNN needs to flirt with antisemitic tropes to report on controversial Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, what does that say about the network?

In an article dated Jan. 25, 2023, titled As Israel bans Palestinian flags, one artist protests with his brush, CNNs Abeer Salman seemed to go out of her way to not just include ahistorical swipes at the Jewish state, but alsoborrowing from centuries of antisemitic blood libelassociated the holiday of Passover with Jews benefiting from the shedding of blood of non-Jews.

The focus of the article is a portrait by the large...
(JNS)  The left-leaning Israeli media is disseminating news articles transmitting the discontent of American Jewish leaders with the new Israeli government and the policies it wishes to implement. A good example of this genre is the recent Times of Israel headline that blared, 169 liberal U.S. Jewish leaders sign letter expressing concern over Israeli government.

These leaders headed non-Orthodox rabbinical seminaries, federations, AIPAC, the Conference of Presidents and others, and they decried accusations of antisemitism directed against critics of Israels government (...
(Jewish Journal via JNS)  We attach ourselves to narratives because they comfort us. Its comforting to think that the terrorist who murdered seven Jews coming out of a Jerusalem synagogue on Friday evening was striking a blow against the civilized world, as President Joe Biden asserted.

But he wasnt, Mr. President. Alqam Khayri, 21, a resident of eastern Jerusalem, was specifically going after Jews.

His Palestinian brethren who celebrated his murderous act by dancing in the streets and handing out candies were not thinking about the civilized world. They were rejoicing at the...
(JNS)  Seen only in the context of the struggle between Americas two major political parties, the House of Representatives vote to remove Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) from the Foreign Relations Committee is not a historic turning point. It is merely the latest evidence that the once largely polite battles between Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill have escalated into a full-blown culture war.

But while it is possible to frame House Speaker Kevin McCarthys making good on his pledge to oust Omar from her seat on Foreign Relations, as well as to evict Reps. Adam Schiff and Eric...
(JNS)  Opposition to American antisemitism is remarkably situational: By and large, right-wing antisemites face, as they should, widespread condemnation and ostracism. Left-wing antisemites and antisemites of color almost always get a free pass, with ostensibly anti-racist progressives rushing to their defense and proclaiming the usual shibboleths about criticism of Israel and taken out of context.

At the moment, the primary beneficiary of this largesse is Rep. Ilhan Omar, who has thus far served as a highly effective spearhead for the effortundertaken by the far-left and...
Rob Millerhas been hired as Corporate Director of Finance at Pacifica Hotels. Miller has more than 20 years of hospitality experience with brands including Hilton, Marriott International, IHG, and more. Most recently, he was the Hotel Manager and Director of Finance at Ace Hotel & Swim Club in Palm Springs. Miller has also served in various positions at Hotel Nia, Autograph Collection in Silicon Valley, The Queen Mary in Long Beach, Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, L'auberge De Sedona, The Beverly Wilshire, and more.

Pacifica Hotels

Aliso Viejo, California

United States Website
Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa is pleased to welcomeSaul Umana as the new Culinary Director. Returning to his native Costa Rica after five years of international F&B experience, Umana is tasked with elevating the gastronomy offering, positioning the resort as a top culinary destination firmly rooted in Costa Rican flavours and traditions.

In his role as Culinary Director, Umana will execute what he is best known for: marrying delectable flavours with stunning presentation and exceptional service to create a unique haute cuisine experience. Umana will develop new food and beverage projects including new menus and sustainable initiatives to highlight the rich culinary offerings of Costa Rica. Using locally sourced and traditional ingredients with top international techniques, Umana and his team will develop big flavor with a small footprint.

A native Costa Rican with over a decade of culinary and hotel experience, Umana previously held positions as head chef for Marriot St. Kitts and Santarena Hotel in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Towards the beginning of his career, Umana worked at Kokotxa, a Michelin restaurant in San Sebastian, Spain, that first piqued his interest in contemporary culinary techniques. Most recently, Umana held the position of Culinary Director for Islas Secas Reserve & Resort in Panama where he led all culinary operations including staff training, menu development and kitchen management for the luxury resort. He successfully spent two years enhancing the food and beverage concept highlighting sustainability and seasonality.
Key Takeaways

Airbnb gives anyone with extra space the opportunity to earn supplemental income, cultivate meaningful guest connections, and discover newfound passions for design and hospitality.

From prioritizing design to elevating comfort and cultivating moments of connection, Superhosts share tips for curating magical guest stays.

Hosts on Airbnb have found more than just supplemental income by sharing their places, from cultivating meaningful guest connections to discovering newfound passions for design and hospitality. For Hosts who list the home in which they live, theres even more opportunity to create that magical guest experience rooted in connection and community  during a time when we need it most.

So whether potential Hosts have a guest house that is only used by family for part of the year, or a newly empty teen room, they might have the perfect Airbnb to share with the world. With the recent release of Airbnb Setup, weve made it easier than ever for millions of people to Airbnb it.

We spoke with Superhosts Diana of the Rockridge Casita in Oakland, Isabelle of the Modern, Serene Studio in Hip East Austin, and Michael & Kimberly of The Tiny A-Frame Home in Atlanta, who shared their hosting tips for offering the ultimate guest stay no matter the size of the space, including fostering connection, prioritizing design and elevating comfort.

Cultivating connection

A watercolor of Isabelles modern, serene studio in hip east Austin gifted by a guest Photo by Airbnb

With people feeling increasingly isolated and disconnected, Hosts on Airbnb are focusing on providing distinctive guest experiences in both subtle and standout ways. Diana, Isabelle, Michael and Kimberly have all found success by building personal relationships with their guests and their local communities, which has ultimately led to standout stays and long-lasting memories.

Isabelle writes handwritten notes for each of her guests, guiding them to her favorite local shops and restaurants in the neighborhood, or congratulates them on milestones like birthdays and anniversaries. According to her, this small gesture has the biggest impact on guests, making them feel considered in a personal, not just transactional way. As a token of gratitude for the special stay, Isabelle was recently gifted a watercolor painting of her Airbnb lovingly painted by one of her guests.

One of Dianas favorite parts about hosting is befriending her neighbors and involving her children in the hosting journey, with her casita affectionately nicknamed the neighborhood guest house as she hosts many of the visiting grandparents. According to her, family and friends in the neighborhood have peace knowing their loved ones have a clean, cozy spot to stay.

Prioritizing good design

Luxury Rockridge Casita in Sunny Garden Photo by Melissa Habegger Photo

Diana designed the interior space of her casita to celebrate coastal California, integrating a large photo of the California coastline, providing books about the Bay Area, and decorating with plenty of greenery, all with the goal of inspiring visitors about where they are. Her casita is decorated with mostly whites, wood and indigo blue. Her advice is to promote one color in the space to keep it visually uncrowded and calm.

Isabelle uses natural light and fills her accessory dwelling unit (ADU) with live plants, providing the space with touches of greenery and fresh air. She also focuses on creating a unique sense of place, showcasing local art on the walls  even introducing guests to the local artist upon request  for that extra bit of connection.

Michael and Kimberlys best advice for creating a design-driven listing is to start with the end in mind. In their case, the end goal was to create an Alpine, Scandinavian-themed Airbnb so they sourced materials accordingly. They also prioritized proportion, size and scale in their design, with each piece of furniture fitting perfectly into a space to enforce thoughtful planning.

Modern, Serene Studio in Hip East Austin Photo by Airbnb

Tiny A-frame Home + Queen Bed + Block to Ponce Photo by Michael Stewart

Luxury Rockridge Casita in Sunny Garden Photo by Melissa Habegger Photo

Elevating guest comfort

Luxury Rockridge Casita in Sunny Garden Photo by Melissa Habegger Photo

Thoughtful amenities and considerations that make guests feel at home are paramount. From boutique-style shampoo to an assortment of coffees and teas, Isabelle has thoughtfully considered every amenity guests might need so they are not missing anything from home.

Dianas casita boasts hundreds of five-star reviews due to her focus on maximizing guest comfort. Her listing has heated floors to make each guests experience cozy, complete with luxurious, cushy white robes and streaming services to ensure a relaxing stay. To her, the most important amenities are strong wifi, three different ways to make coffee for a variety of coffee connoisseurs, and an assortment of bed pillows stored in the closet.

Tiny A-frame Home + Queen Bed + Block to Ponce Photo by Michael Stewart

Lastly, Isabelle recommends providing each guest with a list of local restaurants and menu items to try. To her, aesthetics are nice and are what initially draws people into a specific place, but amenities, communication, and knowledge of the surrounding area keep guests coming back again and again.

These listings are not endorsed by Airbnb

About Airbnb

Airbnb was born in 2007 when two Hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 4 million Hosts who have welcomed more than 1 billion guest arrivals across over 220 countries and regions. Travel on Airbnb keeps more of the financial benefits of tourism with the people and places that make it happen. Airbnb has generated billions of dollars in earnings for Hosts, most of whom are individuals listing the homes in which they live. Among Hosts who report their gender, more than half are women, and one in five employed Hosts are either teachers or healthcare workers. Travel on Airbnb also has generated more than $4 billion in tax revenue around the world. Airbnb has helped advance more than 1,000 regulatory frameworks for short-term rentals, including in 80% of our top 200 geographies. In late 2020, to support our continued expansion and diversification, we launched the City Portal to provide governments with a one-stop shop that supports data sharing and compliance with local registration rules. We continue to invest in innovations and tools to support our ongoing work with governments around the world to advance travel that best serves communities.

About Airbnb.org

Airbnb.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating temporary stays for people in times of crisis around the world. Airbnb.org operates independently and leverages Airbnb, Inc."s technology, services, and other resources at no charge to carry out Airbnb.org"s charitable purpose. The inspiration for Airbnb.org began in 2012 with a single host named Shell who opened up her home to people impacted by Hurricane Sandy. This sparked a movement and marked the beginning of a program that allows Hosts on Airbnb to provide stays for people in times of need. Since then, the program has evolved to focus on emergency response and to help provide stays to evacuees, relief workers, refugees, asylum seekers, and frontline workers fighting the spread of COVID-19. Since then, Hosts have offered to open up their homes and helped provide accommodations to 100,000 people in times of need. Airbnb.org is a separate and independent entity from Airbnb, Inc. Airbnb, Inc. does not charge service fees for Airbnb.org supported stays on its platform.

Airbnb Press

Airbnb Press Office

Airbnb
Do you have your heart set on a high-flying international career  perhaps in Tokyo, New York or Costa Rica? Or do you want to become a service expert  whether that be in hospitality or finance, real estate and consulting? Then a Masters program at EHL is the right path for you! Not only does it offer a great complement to any Bachelors degree, it gives you a razor-sharp competitive edge for a future in the global service industry. But how to distinguish between EHL's MiHM and MGH programs so that you can choose the right Masters that best suits your needs?

When it comes to choosing a Master's program, though, many students feel uncertain. One of the most frequent questions we get from prospective students is defining the difference between our Master in Hospitality Management (MiHM) and Master in Global Hospitality (MGH). After all, they do share a lot of similarities.

Our advice? Ask yourself these 5 questions, and the truth will come to light.

1. Whats your dream career?

Do you have your heart set on being the CEO of a Fortune 500 hotel group, or the GM of a small boutique hotel in the Maldives?

The MGH - quite literally  introduces you to the exclusive world of hospitality. If offers a broad-horizon, 360 overview of the hospitality industry, prepares you for the challenge of navigating the fast-paced, dynamic and multi-cultural world of hospitality. Graduates from the MGH program typically end up becoming CEOs, board members or top-level managers of exclusive, international hospitality companies.

Do you want the flexibility to work in just about any industry, and best-in-class service skills?

The MiHM is somewhat considered to be the Swiss army knife of Masters programs, as it prepares students with all-encompassing managerial skills for a career both within and beyond the hospitality industry. With specialization options in F&B management or hospitality finance, real estate and consulting, the program offers a more tailored and specialized curriculum to help students prepare for a future in the diverse service industry  whatever that may be. With this program, career opportunities are practically endless!

2. Where do you want to study?

The MGH is your ticket to the world!

The program spans across three different campuses on three continents: EHL Lausanne, Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Houston University  and offers a unique perspective of the complexity and different cultural needs within the global hospitality industry.

Jet-setting from the get-go, youll go on field trips from Paris to Lisbon, Macau to Shanghai and Mexico to Las Vegas. The program is specially designed to help you curate a solid international network, as youll be making connections with students and professionals from all over the world. In the final semester, the signature Capstone project will help you apply your problem-solving skills to real-world scenarios and show off your skills to future employers.

Youll graduate in the US, and will quickly find that job offers are rolling in. In fact, the vast majority of our students have secured a job by the time they graduate.

The MiHM is Swiss-made in every aspect!

The program is designed for those who want to learn by doing  with the Swiss touch of precision, quality and best-in-class service. It takes place entirely on EHLs brand new Lausanne campus with a diverse group of students from all over the world. Here, students are offered a rich variety of modules and take part in field trips across the whole of Europe, guest speaker sessions and personalized side classes leading to extra certification. Students will also have the opportunity to embark on a 12-week work placement during the program - anywhere in the world  and many of our candidates go on to work for those employers upon graduation.

It doesnt matter what background youre from, but if you have a drive to offer the best possible service to your clients, this would be a great program for you, says one of our MiHM alumni.

As an EHL graduate (from any program), youll also have access to our Career Center, Career Fairs (featuring 200 companies and over 450 recruiters) and our expansive alumni network of 25,000 students across 150 countries.

3. What type of learning environment are you looking for?

You might be asking yourself: who will my classmates be and where do they come from? Have they already worked? And whats the average age of the students in each respective program? Or maybe youre curious to learn more about the faculty.

In the MGH, classes are slightly smaller, with about 35 students, offering a slightly more personalized and tailored teaching approach. Most of our MGH students are around 25 years old, though none exceed the age of 32.

My classmates gave me a lot of different cultural experiences and helped me to develop my personal and social skills  which really helps me in my daily work now, says Robin Wang, a recent MGH graduate.

In contrast, in the the MiHM, class sizes consist of approximately 40-50 students. Our MiHM students are also around 25 years of age, although in this program were more likely to see students of all ages.

In both classes, our faculty consists of a diverse set of professors from all around the world  the majority of whom have PhDs from prestigious universities or worked as executives in top-class hotels. Find out more about our professors here.

4. How much work experience do you have?

The MGH requires that applicants have a minimum of 1 year of professional experience under their belts, though most students who apply have worked in the industry for 1-2 years. The MiHM is a little more flexible  and requires that applicants have a minimum of 6 months of work experience.

But remember: any work experience counts  including internships, evening jobs or both paid and unpaid work experience. We also highly value general life experience and your passion and enthusiasm for working in the sector.

The purpose of both programs is to help you garner all of the knowledge, soft skills and real-life experience to build a rock-solid resume for a running start to your career.

5. Whats your timeline?

The MGH takes place over the course of 16-months (full-time), and has two entry dates: February and September.

This is what youll get:

Semester 1: Lausanne , where youll build the foundations for strategic decision-making, and learn techniques and tools to develop your individual skills.

Field trips to Lisbon, Berlin and Paris

, where youll build the foundations for strategic decision-making, and learn techniques and tools to develop your individual skills. Field trips to Lisbon, Berlin and Paris Semester 2: Hong Kong , where youll gain expertise in strategic decision-making within operations management and get the opportunity to practice your skills.

Field trips to Macau, Beijing and Shanghai

, where youll gain expertise in strategic decision-making within operations management and get the opportunity to practice your skills. Field trips to Macau, Beijing and Shanghai Semester 3: Houston , where youll develop your talent for managing people and technology within a global organization and fine-tune your leadership skills.

, where youll develop your talent for managing people and technology within a global organization and fine-tune your leadership skills. Field trips to Washington, New York and Las Vegas

The MiHM runs for a total of 18-months (full-time), including the 3-month work placement and has only one entry date in September.

This is what youll get:

3 semesters in Lausanne, Switzerland

Semester 1: Hospitality & Service Management , where youll deepen your competencies in hospitality management.

, where youll deepen your competencies in hospitality management. Semester 2: Specialization track , where youll hone your skills in an area of interest, including: F&B management or Finance, Real Estate and Consulting.

, where youll hone your skills in an area of interest, including: F&B management or Finance, Real Estate and Consulting. Semester 3: Professional immersion, where youll experience real-life situations and exercise your managerial skills.

Students with a Bachelors degree in a management field not related to hospitality will also undergo a pre-semester summer course in Hospitality Management Fundamentals.

Hopefully, weve been able to offer some insight into which program is a better fit for you. In the end, theres no one right choice for everyone. A career is simply a succession of choices that each offer a different path. Just keep your dreams in sight and ultimately follow your instinct. No matter which program you choose, it will be an excellent investment for your future. And well be there to guide you every step of the way.

About EHL Group

EHL Group is the global reference in education, innovation and consulting for the hospitality and service sector.

With expertise dating back to 1893, EHL Group now offers a wide range of leading educational programs from apprenticeships to master's degrees, as well as professional and executive education, on three campuses in Switzerland and Singapore. EHL Group also offers consulting and certification services to companies and learning centers around the world. True to its values and committed to building a sustainable world, EHL Group's purpose is to provide education, services and working environments that are people-centered and open to the world. www.ehlgroup.com

EHL Hospitality Business School

Communications Department

+41 21 785 1354

EHL

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Indie Spotlight: Sabrina Lee, Too Lost Product Manager & Artist Manager

Being on the management teams and working alongside artists that I love and want to support coming from Hong Kong is not something that happens.

by A2IM

Sabrina has gained international and national success in her endeavors as an artist manager in the R&B space in LA, working alongside developing to Grammy Winning producers and artists. Born and raised in Hong Kong, she has overseen countless releases and currently works as a Product Manager at a new distribution label called Too Lost.

Tell us about how you got your start in the music industry, and how it lead to the work you do today.

I moved to Los Angeles in 2020 after I graduated University in the UK with the hopes of starting over and finally venturing into the music industry. Shortly after I landed, COVID hit and I had to move back to London as I couldnt afford to stay if I couldnt work or network. So once I landed in London, I reached out to Emmavie on Instagram who is still to this day one of my favourite R&B artists. A week later I joined her management team and from there started meeting some of my favourite producers/artists in the Alternative R&B world and joining the management teams of IAMNOBODI, Devin Tracy and Anjali Taneja and soaked everything about the industry as I could in.

A year and a half later, I moved back to Los Angeles and worked as a freelancer on Multi-Grammy Winning producer and artist Frank Dukes on his debut album roll out, I then started working closely with Grammy Winning artist Lucky Daye, assisting in the tour of Grammy Nominated artist Kenyon Dixon and also joined the management team of 8X Platinum and Grammy Nominated artist Che Ecru While maintaining my artist management duties, I also work as a Product Manager at a new distribution service called Too Lost. Ive dedicated my entire professional career servicing, developing and helping artists on their career and I have no plans of stopping.

Is there a success story or career milestone that you are most proud of?

Honestly I think my career milestone is reaching this point in my career where Im fully working in the industry and Im able to make a living all whilst dedicating my time to helping artists. Being on the management teams and working alongside artists that I love and want to support coming from Hong Kong is not something that happens. Ive moved across to multiple continents to get to where I am in my career and want to keep progressing.

Are there any projects youre working on or company updates that youre most excited about?

Definitely in gear for new releases from all the artists Ive been working with! Devin Tracy has a bunch of new singles we are dropping as well as Che that Im super excited about supporting 

Outside of your work in music, do you have any other hobbies/ particular areas of expertise/interest etc.?

I am in love with travelling and food! Coming from an international background, Ive been super blessed to be able to try so many different cuisines and have grown up immersed in so many different cultures, I deeply enjoy cooking and cooking for my friends!

Anything else to add?

If youre wanting to enter into the music industry, stay authentic to who you are as good people find good people!

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OOPS! 100,000 tracks a day are NOT uploaded to Spotify, Apple & Amazon Music

Late last year, the heads of UMG and Sony Music told the world that 100,000 tracks a day were being uploaded to music streaming services and that this glut of music was crowding out the good stuff (aka their releases) and diluting the royalty pool.

For good measure, the data analysts at top music streaming and sales data aggregator Luminate called the 100,000 track estimates spot on.

It turns out that, while still a big number, a little less than half that many tracks  49,000  were uploaded to Spotify on an average day last year.

That revelation comes from Billboards Glenn Peoples, who looked at all the data and found a few more surprises.

The 100,000 stat seems to have come from a few places.

Pandemic Bounce

First, the number of tracks added to streaming services went way up during the pandemic when professional musicians had more time to write and record, and the average Joe and Judy had nothing better to do than crank out tunes on their laptops.

CD Baby, TuneCore, DistroKid, and the like must have been very, very happy.

More than 100,000 a day

The one music streaming service that still exceeds the 100,000 tracks per day mark is SoundCloud.

From Feb. 2022 through Jan. 2023, SoundCloud added an average of 123,000 per day, according to stats that Peoples found in the companys press releases. The number was even higher in April 2022 when 137,000 tacks were uploaded to Soundcloud daily.

Does it matter that the number of daily uploads is half what everyone said it was?

Yes and no.

Yes, its good for music discovery on Spotify, Apple, and Amazon Music that competition is half the 100,000 that we thought it was. And no, 49,000 is not small enough a number to really matter for most artists.

Whatever the number, its important that we know what the real one is as the Major Labels and others push for changes that run the real risk of benefiting their artists at the expense of d.i.y. and independent creators.

NOTE: In addition to his work as a writer and analyst, Peoples co-hosts the very-much-worth-listening-to Behind The Setlist podcast for Billboard alongside Jay Gilbert os Your Morning Coffee and the Music Biz Weekly Podcast fame.

MORE: Everyone Loses: the problem with fixing music streaming [Mark Mulliligan]

Bruce Houghton is the Founder and Editor of Hypebot and MusicThinkTank, a Senior Advisor at Bandsintown, President of the Skyline Artists Agency, and a professor for the Berklee College Of Music.

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MCLA Green Living Seminar Series: 'GDP is Gross, Wellbeing is Better'

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Eric Miller, Director of Ecological Footprint Initiative at York University, will give a talk titled "GDP is Gross, Wellbeing is Better" at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at the MCLA Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation, Room 121.

The presenter will attend via zoom.

As part of MCLA's Green Living Seminar series, this event is free and open to the public.

About Eric Miller

Eric Miller is the Director of the Ecological Footprint Initiative, Footprint Data Foundation (FoDaFo) Secretary-Treasurer, and Course Director at York University. Miller manages multiple projects and partnerships of the initiative including the production of the National Ecological Footprint and Biocapacity Accounts. He teaches the footprint-related courses, supports students and project staff, and supports the Footprint Data Foundation as its Secretary-Treasurer. His prior work as a consulting economist has informed governments, industry, think-tanks, and non-governmental organizations. His earlier career in public service had him leading the team of economists in the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, after he had worked for the Ontario Ministry of Environment and for Environment Canada.

MCLA's annual Green Living Seminar Series continues through April 19, presenting a series of lectures on the theme of "Capitalism and the Environment."

Every semester, the Green Living Seminar Series centers around a different topic, timely and relevant to current sustainability issues. Seminars take place on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m.
2nd Street Offers Walk-in Hours for Legal Aid Assistance

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  2nd Street announced new office hours designated for Community Legal Aid (CLA) assistance.

Beginning Feb. 16, 2nd Street will welcome walk-ins every Thursday from 1-3 pm.

During the free sessions, formerly incarcerated persons can receive advice on:

How to appropriately interact with law enforcement to avoid escalation

What information about a criminal record must be shared with prospective employers

What information about a person's criminal history is required to be disclosed to a landlord

Whether a criminal record may be sealed or expunged

The impact of criminal records on securing affordable housing and/or employment, and whether CLA can be of assistance

The 2nd Street offices are located at 264 Second Street, Pittsfield.
SVHC Welcomes Local Midwives to SVMC OB/GYN

BENNINGTON, Vt.  Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) welcomes Certified Nurse Midwives Kim Griffin, CNM, and Amy Kranick, CNM, MSN, to SVMC OB/GYN and the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Putnam Physicians.

"Women at every stage of life need expert guidance for managing their health care and understanding their options," said SVMC's Chair of the Department of Obstetrics Kimberley Sampson. "I am delighted to expand our team by welcoming Kim and Amy."

The two had been partners in Women's View Midwifery and Women's Health, which was located in the Medical Office Building on the SVMC campus in Bennington. Their former practice's patients are invited to follow the providers to SVMC OB/GYN.

Through their previous practice, Griffin and Kranick have worked closely with SVMC medical and nursing staff. They have delivered babies on SVMC's Women's and Children's Unit for more than 20 years.

"Both Amy and Kim are highly experienced certified nurse midwives who have worked closely with SVMC staff for many years," said Chief Medical Officer Trey Dobson. "This shift to SVMC OB/GYN will make care even more efficient for patients. We are grateful to have Amy and Kim continue providing excellent health care for women in our community."

Griffin received her graduate education from Baystate Medical Center in Massachusetts and her undergraduate education from Adirondack Community College in New York. She completed additional training at Berkshire Medical Center in Massachusetts. She has worked as a nurse midwife since 1999.

Kranick received a bachelor's degree in Biology from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany, an associate's degree in nursing from SUNY Empire State College, her midwifery degree from the Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing in Kentucky, and her graduate education from Case Western Reserve University in Ohio. She completed additional training at Bassett Healthcare in New York. She is certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board. She has worked as a nurse midwife since 1998.

SVMC OB/GYN offers education, prevention, diagnostics, and treatment. SVMC's hospital-based OB/GYN services department includes four experienced, board-certified physicians and highly skilled associate providers. The hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission and is the state's first Magnet Center for Nursing Excellence, a designation it has held since 2002.

SVMC OB/GYN's providers are a part of the Dartmouth Health and have access to more than 1,200 primary and specialty care physicians and state-of-the-art-technology and services.

SVMC OB/GYN is located in Suite 302 of the Medical Office Building at 140 Hospital Drive in Bennington. For more information and to schedule an appointment, call 802-442-9600. For information about practice services, visit svhealthcare.org/services/obstetrics-gynecology.
Contemporary Artist's Sculptures and Prints Featured at the Clark

Image: Elizabeth Atterbury, Calendar 15, 2022, chine colle and embossment with hand cut copper plates on Somerset. Courtesy of the artist and Mrs., Maspeth, NY.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  The Clark Art Institute continues its art in public spaces program in 2023 with a year-long installation presenting the work of contemporary artist Elizabeth Atterbury.

"Elizabeth Atterbury: Oracle Bones" is a free exhibition on view in the Clark Center's lower level and in the reading room of the Manton Research Center through January 21, 2024.

"Since we began our program of installing contemporary art in our public spaces in 2018, we have been able to introduce the work of many remarkable artists and present a unique platform for their creative and intriguing projects," said Olivier Meslay, Hardymon Director of the Clark. "We are delighted to continue this series in collaboration with Elizabeth Atterbury, whose extremely personal works bring the past and present into a fascinating dialogue."

According to a press release, Atterbury, who works in a variety of media, makes geometric prints using chine colle and embossment; textured monochrome reliefs in raked mortar; and wood and stone sculptures that enlarge objects of personal significance.

Throughout her practice, Atterbury considers questions of legibility and opacity, improvisation and play, and object-making and remaking as ways to think through her family histories and Chinese American heritage.

The exhibition's title, "Oracle Bones," refers to pieces of ox bone or tortoise shell that were traditionally used in late Shang Dynasty China (second millennium BCE) for pyromancya practice of divining supernatural instruction through the use of fire. Diviners (the oracles) would submit questions to deities by carving them onto the bone or shell using a sharp tool. Intense heat was then applied to the bone until it cracked due to thermal expansion. The diviner would then interpret the pattern of cracks to provide answers to the questions asked.

The script carved into the oracle bones represents the earliest known form of Chinese writinga fact first recognized by Atterbury's great-great-grandfather, the scholar Wang Yirong.

During the Boxer Rebellion, Wang was charged by the fleeing emperor with the defense of Beijing. As the futility of the cause became clear, Wang and his wife ended their lives by jumping into a well, leaving their children in the care of others.

Atterbury, whose Chinese American mother died young, has made both of these fractured family narratives a focus of her work.

"Elizabeth Atterbury is an artist deeply sensitive to the ways that everyday objects and rituals connect to memory and sense of self. Her multi-site installation, in dialogue with the architecture of the Clark, is by turns playful and profoundly affecting," said Robert Wiesenberger, curator of contemporary projects.

About the Exhibition

Four sculptures installed in the Manton Reading Room are scaled up versions of objects that Atterbury said "carry a specific meaning and, in their remaking, undergo a change for me, becoming more known and more mysterious at the same time."

Two massive folding wood fans, mounted to the wall, are based on one that belonged to the artist's maternal grandmother and now hangs in Atterbury's studio.

A geometric fret ornament displayed on a second-floor window ledge in the room is known in Chinese decorative arts as a yunwen and leiwen (cloud and thunder) pattern and has come to symbolize longevity.

A stone sculpture on the floor beneath the fans is an overscaled version of a "chop," a handheld seal used in East Asia as a way of signing artworks or documents. The name on the bottom is concealed from view, as are five oracle bone fragments that Atterbury has built into the base.

Appearing on the double-height granite wall of the Clark Center's lower level is the artist's low relief sculpture "Who am I if not from you, did you seek me, did I reach back?" (2023).

Atterbury used a technique known as chine colle to make the prints on view in the Clark Center's lower level. The process uses thin pieces of paper which are run through a press on top of a thicker supporting sheet to produce a layered effect.

"Elizabeth Atterbury: Oracle Bones" is organized by the Clark Art Institute and curated by Robert Wiesenberger, curator of contemporary projects.

About the Artist

Elizabeth Atterbury is a sculptor, photographer, and printmaker who lives and works in Portland, Maine. Her work has recently appeared in the New England Triennial at deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, Lincoln, Massachusetts; the Portland Museum of Art, Portland, Maine; and the Colby College Museum of Art, Waterville, Maine. She received her BA from Hampshire College, Amherst, Massachusetts and her MFA from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston.

Image: Elizabeth Atterbury, Calendar 15, 2022, chine colle and embossment with hand cut copper plates on Somerset. Courtesy of the artist and Mrs., Maspeth, NY.
Pittsfield School Panels Favors Safe Gun Storage Outreach

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  A School Committee panel is in favor of the district promoting secure gun storage.

On Tuesday, the new Social Emotional Learning and Safety subcommittee referred a presentation and resolution on secure gun storage by the national Be Smart for Kids advocacy group to the full committee.

"It's sad we have to do any of these things," member Daniel Elias said.

"But the ALICE I think is so worthwhile and this type of gun ownership responsible storage is so worthwhile. It's sad that we have to do either of them but they're both very necessary."

ALICE stands for "Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate," a well-known active shooter drill.

Patrie Sardo of Be Smart and Vicki Zacharewicz of Berkshire County Moms Demand Actions outlined the prevalence of state and nationwide gun violence incidents and gave recommendations about safe storage to hinder further tragedy.

The resolution asks that the committee updates the student handbook with information about parents' legal obligations for secure firearms and that it directs the superintendent to create appropriate communication on the matter.

Sardo and Zacharewicz said there were 51 school shootings last year that resulted in injuries or death, including the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, that claimed the lives of 19 children and two teachers. There were also threats of violence and arrests for firearm possession at various state schools.

Additionally, data shows that a high percentage of underage shooters obtain unsecured guns from home or a family member and there has been a surge in gun ownership in the last few years.

"We have all been horrified too many times by school shootings," Sardo said.

They hope to get gun owners and non-gun owners to work together on a solution to keep kids safe.

Sardo said this is a critical message that is often omitted from school communications.

"So we are urging you today to add one more component to your school safety strategy," she explained. "Incorporating a proactive message to parents and caregivers, and guardians about secure firearm storage to protect students from potential tragedies."

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control identifies firearms as the leading cause of death in the nation for children ages one to 18. According to the data, more than 1,800 children are killed every year, an average of five children a day, and if 18- and 19-year-olds are included that number doubles.

"Gun violence is a complex issue with many causes," Zacharewicz said. "There is no one solution to reduce gun violence but there are many evidence-based solutions and raising public awareness about the importance of firearm storage is one of those solutions."

The American Academy of Pediatrics has concluded that the complete absence of guns in the home is the most effective deterrent to preventing firearm-related incidents in children and teens but if there are guns in the home, it strongly recommends that storing guns unloaded and locked with ammunition kept in a separate place is the best way to reduce risks.

Massachusetts law states that a gun should be locked and unloaded while in a home and vehicle. This suggestion just takes it one step further.

"It doesn't infringe on anyone's rights and I do believe in general in supporting everyone's individual rights, but also making sure that we're remaining safe," member Alison McGee said, adding that the resolution simply builds upon existing safety standards.

This movement began in 2019 and today at least 73 school districts in 17 states have either passed secure storage notification resolutions and/or partnered with Be Smart program.

The resolution was approved by the Mount Greylock Regional School District last month.
Name: Christine Bejerasco

Organisation: WithSecure

Job title: CISO

Date started current role: January 2023

Location: Helsinki

Christine Bejerasco has been in the cybersecurity industry for 19 years. She started during the era of network worms. She has seen the threat landscape evolve with the technologies that have been introduced, as well as changes in regulations and user behaviour. Bejerasco has worked in various capacities during these times, from analysing threats, to building protection capabilities, to leading teams to effectively deliver these capabilities. Prior to becoming CISO at WithSecure, she held the role of CTO, looking at the intersection of threats, technologies and user-behaviour to build future-proof cyber security solutions. Now, as CISO, she brings her experience into practice by exploring ways to help organisations evolve and become more resilient to cyber threats.

What was your first job? How did you get involved in cybersecurity? Ive worked in cyber security since graduating from university. I started out as an antivirus engineer, analysing threats and building detection and clean-up tools during the time when file infectors were still prevalent. I eventually shifted to focus on web security upon realising that more threats had been using the web as an infection vector. All throughout my career, I have built protection capabilities, designed systems to operationalise protection, led and trained teams to continuously improve protection capabilities and racked up wins in defeating cyber threats.

What was your education? Do you hold any certifications? What are they? I hold a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of the Philippines. In addition, I am a certified ethical hacker and incident responder.

Explain your career path. Did you take any detours? If so, discuss. Back in 2003 when I graduated in Computer Science from the University of the Philippines, I spent some time considering my options. There were a lot of entry-level coding and tech support positions that would have been steady work, but these roles didnt light the fire for me. Then a friend tipped me off about an opening for an antivirus engineer. The idea of protecting networks and overcoming challenges really struck a chord and cybersecurity has been my path ever since.

My journey has been largely shaped by the changes in the IT world, and my own skills and experience have increased. For example, I shifted from combatting risks like drive-by-downloads to developing automated tools for identifying compromised websites as web 2.0 picked up steam.

In general, I like the combination of technical, inspirational, and bringing people together. As such, technical leadership slowly became a natural path for me, as well as educating various audiences related to cybersecurity.

Was there anyone who has inspired or mentored you in your career? I still have a mentor, especially now Im in the executive team where the level of abstraction and vocabulary is very different from what Im used to. Mostly Ive been fortunate to have leaders who took a chance on me and opened doors to roles I wouldnt have had if they hadnt taken that risk. They have been some of the more inspirational leaders Ive met.

What do you feel is the most important aspect of your job? Embedding cyber security thinking into everything we do. We can no longer separate our real world into physical and digital, they are blended. As such, building a secure-by-design ogranisation everywhere is essential. Its important that I help implement that no matter which role Im in, and help others implement it in their spaces too.

What metrics or KPIs do you use to measure security effectiveness? I use a few:

- Number of relevant assets with protection layers

- Number of cyber risks mitigated

- Number of hours/days before an attack is spotted, then stopped

- Number of initial infections that didnt take vs. real incidents (if possible, to measure)

- Trendline for cost for real attack recovery in the organisation

Is the security skills shortage affecting your organisation? What roles or skills are you finding the most difficult to fill? It is. Cyber security has gone from being completely external to an organisation, to becoming a fully integrated function, so businesses are hiring offensive security consultants, incident responders and looking to building internal Security Operations Centers. These are all skills we are also hiring for.

Cybersecurity is constantly changing  how do you keep learning? I stay on top of technological trends and how market adoption of those trends is influencing the new threats coming out. Its an interesting, continuous game of opportunistic players, as well as persistent actors, who are motivated to get the assets they value and so find ways to get them.

Im also motivated to find practical, simpler, and more cost-effective ways to stay secure, and thats always a moving target. Its not hard to keep leaning when the topic is interesting.

What conferences are on your must-attend list? To be honest, I dont have a must attend list anymore. Many conferences nowadays have a cyber security angle, simply because the world is catching on to the importance of the topic. Many conferences also have loads of tech start-ups that are building many different things via new concepts such as web 3.0, the metaverse, and augmented/virtual reality. And thats an exciting area to perform threat modelling.

What is the best current trend in cybersecurity? The worst? The best trend is the rise of regulations that necessitate the need for security to ensure the safety of our digital society. The worst is the geopolitical conflict that complicates our capacity for law enforcement cooperation to take down criminal gangs.

What's the best career advice you ever received? As you progress higher, you need to be more of a generalist than a specialist.

What advice would you give to aspiring security leaders? Think about human psychology and group behaviour. Cyber security needs to be embedded into the way we live, work and interact with each other. We cant expect people to go out of their way to secure something; it wont be a priority for them unless its their day job. We need to shape the path to make it natural for them to stay secure.

What has been your greatest career achievement? I am most proud of what we did in the Tactical Defence Unit (TacDef)  now known as WithSecure Intelligence  when I was leading the unit in 2019-2021. In an organisation that built many different products that relied on common services, there was much firefighting and things falling between the cracks when I started. At the time, TacDef served four different business units within the organisation, the stakeholders were unhappy about the performance and employee morale was low. Upon getting the head position of the unit, I knew that I had to make changes. Turning firefighting into continuous operations that include a high level of automation using tools that the organisation already had, has been a delight. Harvesting data from operations and making that visible to stakeholders also made it easy for them to understand what they are paying for. The unit has since evolved into WithSecure Intelligence and Im really proud of the ground-breaking work were doing.

Alongside that, raising new leaders who started out not knowing what stakeholders meant, to those who now own their areas of expertise, and live and breathe continuous improvement has been a highlight of my time leading the unit.

Looking back with 20:20 hindsight, what would you have done differently? I cant really think of any.
UPDATED 10.02.23 Hrodna Regional Court sentenced Polish-Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut to eight years in prison, on 8 February 2023. The European and International Federations of Journalists (EFJ-IFJ) joined their affiliate the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) in condemning a political verdict.

Andrzej Poczobut was found guilty of encouraging actions aimed at harming the national security of the Republic of Belarus and inciting ethnic hostility. He was arrested in March 2021 and refused to sign a petition to be pardoned by Lukashenko after his arrest. I do not have any illusions, I will take the sentence calmly and with a calm conscience go to prison, Andrzej Poczobut wrote in a letter published by his newspaper last August.

According to media reports, Poczobut refused to leave Belarus after Lukashenko suppressed mass protests against his rule in the summer of 2020.

From the very beginning, Andrzej Poczobuts case looked like a reprisal for the dissent and the long-standing public position of the journalist. Todays verdict, delivered in a closed session, has nothing to do with justice and is revenge on our colleague, said BAJ in a press release.

The BAJ and the Federations call for the immediate release of Andrzej Poczobut and all 33 media representatives currently imprisoned in Belarus: We do not forget them. We call again on the international institutions and European countries to increase diplomatic pressure against the Belarusian leadership and to intensify sanctions against all agents of repression in Belarus.

IFJ polish affiliate SDP (Polish Journalists Association) said: "We strongly condemn the unjust sentence for Andrzej Poczobut, a Polish and Belarusian journalist and patriot (...) His trial and conviction are elements of the regime's repression against freedom of speech and the Polish minority (...) We appeal to the Belarusian authorities to release the journalist and stop the repression against representatives of national minorities and the media in Belarus."
The German media group RTL, part of Bertelsmann, announced on 7 February 2023 its decision to stop the publication of 23 print magazines and to potentially sell others. This decision would put 700 jobs at risk, including freelancing jobs. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) demand the opening of immediate negotiations between RTL and the journalists organisations (dju in ver.di and DJV) in Germany.

Bertelsmann CEO Thomas Rabe, who took office on 1 April 2019, said that RTL Group was adjusting to the rapidly changing media landscape and that it would focus on core brands, including Stern, GEO and Capital. Together with 10 other titles and two digital divisions, those brands account for 70% of sales. Rabe added that keeping a uniform brand management with that many in the portfolio would not be possible. It is understood that the investments focus will shift to the digital sector, another blow to the print media sector already in decline.

As a result, 500 of the 1,900 jobs will face termination of employment by the end of 2025, and 200 will face transfers. A majority of the job cuts will affect the administrative department of the Hamburg offices.

DJV national chairman Frank Uberall said in a statement that the decision to cut jobs was driven by unscrupulous profit maximization, disputing the arguments put forward by Rabe.

Christoph Schmitz, from the ver.di national board for media, said: Bertelsmann is now breaking up the magazine publisher RTL in Hamburg due to the inability to lead a profitable magazine house that is respected throughout Europe into the digital transformation.

Employees have been worried about the future of their jobs since the merger of the traditional publisher Gruner+Jahr with RTL a year ago. A protest was organised on 7 February in Hamburg and gathered some 300 employees.
Maharashtra-based journalist Shashikant Warishe has been killed by a local realty broker hours after releasing a report alleging the broker had engaged in illegal land grabbing and was connected to senior Indian politicians. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) strongly condemns this brutal killing of a journalist for their reporting and urges the authorities to bring all perpetrators to swift justice.

On February 6, broker Pandharinth Amberkar allegedly drove his black Mahindra Thar SUV into Warishe on the Rajapur highway in the Konkan Region of Maharashtra. Warishe was struck down by the vehicle, which Amberkar was seen to be driving, while near a petrol pump and was dragged under the vehicle for several meters, sustaining fatal injuries.

The journalist was taken to the Civil Hospital in Ratnagiri, and then to the City Hospital, but despite medical efforts Warishe died on the morning of February 7. He is survived by his mother, wife and 19-year-old son.

The journalist had previously published a series of reports in the local Mahanagari Times, highlighting local opposition to the controversial establishment of the Ranagri Refinery & Petrochemicals LTD in Barsu. His most recent article, which was published just five hours before the fatal incident, accused Amberkar of being a criminal and revealed the relationship between the land broker and senior politicians, including Narendra Modi and Maharashtra state leadership.

The incident has inspired condemnations from human rights organisations, press freedom advocates, and local environmental activists, who have condemned the incident, and called for an investigation into the circumstances of Warishes killing.

According to local police, Amberkar was arrested on the evening of February 7 and will remain in custody until February 14. He has been charged with culpable murder, though activists have demanded the registration of murder charges against him.

IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, said: The brutal killing of Shashikant Warishe for his coverage of incidents of land grabbing is deplorable. Independent journalism on climate issues is of utmost importance, and the Indian government must guarantee protection for all journalists and ensure that impunity is not tolerated. The IFJ strongly condemns Warishe's killing and calls on the Indian and Maharashtra state authorities to launch an immediate, thorough, and transparent investigation into his death.
Ukraine: "We will continue to stand with our affiliates until they can work with peace and justice"

Ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, IFJ Deputy General Secretary Jeremy Dear, who is co-ordinating the IFJ/EFJs emergency response to the situation in Ukraine, shares the successes and challenges of a year of unwavering work to support our local affiliates and Ukrainian journalists on the ground, and the urgent need to raise more funds in the midst of a war that drags on.

1. Can you describe the response from IFJ-EFJ affiliates and the journalism community over the world when the IFJ-EFJ launched a special Safety Fund for Journalists in Ukraine a year ago?

It was phenomenal. We often talk about international solidarity but this was a clear illustration of what it means in practice. It was not just the money raised - the most we have ever raised in any appeal - but the practical assistance that was delivered by our affiliates in Poland, Greece, Lithuania and other countries. Donations poured in, both from individuals and from affiliates and media and media support organisations. Other partners, including UNESCO, have been amazing in the support they have delivered.

2. Can you explain the work that the IFJ and EFJ have been doing together with its local affiliates, the National Union of Journalists in Ukraine (NUJU) and Independent Media Trade Union of Ukraine (IMTUU) and partner organisations such as UNESCO to help Ukrainian journalists and media workers since the Russian invasion of Ukraine?

Thanks to the funds raised, in particular through 3 major projects supported by UNESCO, we have been able to create a network of 6 Journalists Solidarity Centres managed by NUJU which deliver protective equipment, safety advice and training, first aid kits and training, provide access to psychological and legal support services, special support services for women journalists and independent Belarussian journalists, offer journalists from occupied regions or whose media has been destroyed work spaces so they can continue to document the impact of the war. We have also been able to deliver a series of humanitarian grants - both from our Safety Fund and via support from the World Food Programme and UNESCO.

3. Can you tell us in detail how the IFJ-EFJ Safety Fund for Journalists in Ukraine has been spent and why is it necessary to continue raising funds?

The latest figures show we have already spent hundreds of thousands of Euros supporting the Journalists Solidarity Centres including around 180.000 Euros supplying bullet proof vests and helmets, almost 50.000 Euros in emergency humanitarian grants, 21.000 supporting local media, 15.000 supplying technical equipment to help journalists to be able to carry on working, over 25.000 providing legal and psychological support, more than 11.000 on safety training as well as tens of thousands to staff and run the centres which provide such an important life line to Ukrainian and international journalists.

We try to meet the most urgent needs of our Ukrainian affiliates at each stage but what we can do is never enough compared to the huge need. By working with other partners we have been able to amplify the impact of what we do but as the war enters a new phase and there is an urgent need to help journalists and media whose offices have been shut or destroyed, those who have no income, those in occupied territories and those who are injured or need legal and psychological support. Every Euro raised is spent on meeting these vital needs.

4. Can you describe how the funds were mainly used one year ago with the outbreak of Russian violence and how they are used today in the war context to illustrate how the needs of journalists in Ukraine might have changed?

At each stage of the war we have agreed with our Ukrainian affiliates the priorities which have changed as the war moves into different phases. Immediately following the invasion our work focused on supplying protective press vests and helmets and first aid kits. We helped develop strategies for securing the evacuation of journalists from occupied territories and providing urgent safety advice and training. We also helped our two affiliates to relocate from Kyiv to ensure in the event of major bombing or occupation they could continue to provide support to their members and set up a hotline for those in need.

In the second phase we set about establishing Journalists Solidarity Centres in 3 regions to help take support closer to those who needed it. We increased the amount of training on offer and began to provide spaces where journalists at risk or in need of support could come for help - be it legal or psychological or support from the union around accreditation issues or other professional needs.

We have now expanded the network to six solidarity centres - including the latest one in the frontline city Zaporizhzhia - which provide a whole range of services from 24-hour access to psychological support to the possibility of accessing protective equipment and computers, professional cameras, training in a new range of issues, including awareness and protocols around landmines and nuclear threats.

We have also been able to increase the number of grants given to journalists who have had to leave occupied territories, who have no work or who have urgent needs. We hope to be able to link up with the WFP and UNESCO to deliver more grants in the future.

5. There have been numerous stories about Russian journalists fleeing Russia. Have you been able to help them?

Yes. Thanks to the Safety Fund we have been able to provide support to some of those now in exile in a number of countries. Our affiliates in neighbouring or host countries have also been amazing in providing support to those forced to flee. Importantly we have also been able to deliver International Press cards to many of them which makes it easier for them to work and prove their status as journalists.

6. The IFJ released a Media Safety Advisory for journalists covering armed conflict in Ukraine as a response to the outbreak of violence and to the number of foreign journalists travelling to the country unprepared and unequipped to report on the war. What must a journalist willing to cover the conflict do/know before travelling to Ukraine?

We were shocked at the outset of the war by the numbers of people travelling unprepared - without proper protective equipment, without insurance, with no training. These were not just young freelancers hoping to make a name for themselves but often people working for major media organisations.

As a minimum journalists should have been trained, be properly insured, have the right protective and communications equipment and have carried out proper risk assessments. The Media Safety Advisory sets out other key issues about ensuring digital security, filing stories, protecting contacts and much more. Employers have a duty of care for those they employ - whether as staff or freelancers - and it is vital they respect that duty.

7. What are the IFJs priorities for Ukraine right now?

Our latest project will look at helping to re-establish media in areas which have been liberated so journalists can again begin to report on the impact of the war, can help to document the war crimes happening and provide citizens with key information.

Above all we will keep listening to the needs of our Ukrainian affiliates and continue, deliver all the solidarity we can and stand with them until they can work with peace and justice.

To support IFJ/EFJ work in Ukraine, donate to Safety Fund
Following the devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake that shook both Turkey and Syria on Monday, efforts are currently being made to rescue people in both countries.

More than 16,000 people have been killed, and countless buildings have been reduced to rubble due to the earthquakes.

Following aid commitments by several governments for the countries, Khalsa Aid has also stepped forward to offer assistance.

Screenshot

The earthquake survivors in Turkey were provided with food by a non-governmental group.



Turkey Earthquake: Hot meals langar



Our team have set up and are providing hot meals to those affected by the devastating #earthquake in South-East #Turkey



Your ongoing support is making all the difference - https://t.co/8KSntlGMQ7#ServingHumanity #Langar #Turkiye pic.twitter.com/RkJGATHpAY  Khalsa Aid (@Khalsa_Aid) February 8, 2023

People can be seen waiting in line in a video released by Khalsa Aid on Twitter. Volunteers are giving out hot food to the people waiting in line.

In addition, a banner promoting Khalsa Aid can be seen in the video.

"Turkey Earthquake: "Hot meals langar. Our team has set up and is providing hot meals to those affected by the devastating earthquake in South-East Turkey. Your ongoing support is making all the difference," the text attached to the video read.

Twitter users praised the volunteers for the humanitarian aid.

Turkey Earthquake: Hot meals langar



Our team have set up and are providing hot meals to those affected by the devastating #earthquake in South-East #Turkey



Your ongoing support is making all the difference - https://t.co/8KSntlGMQ7#ServingHumanity #Langar #Turkiye pic.twitter.com/RkJGATHpAY  Khalsa Aid (@Khalsa_Aid) February 8, 2023

"An abundance of respect for this organization. Faith in humanity restored," a user wrote."Once again, marvelous support by Khalsa Aid," wrote another.

A person wrote, "You always come through at these times of dire need. May the almighty keep rewarding you for this gesture. Thank you".

Appreciating the volunteers, a comment read,"God bless you guys, and let him give you all the strength to serve the needy at the moment of worst time." "Excellent service. Service to a human being is service to God,"

Speaking about the situation in Turkey, the CEO of Khalsa Aid, Ravi Singh, told NDTV,

AFP

"It is miserably cold, and it is very hard to stand outside because the buildings have been destroyed."



Moreover, he said, the NGO is handing out blankets because so many people have been forced to sleep outside after their homes were damaged.

Rescue workers from India's National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other aid supplies have been dispatched to Turkey. The delivery to Syria also includes life-saving medicines and supplies.

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Parents are protective and supportive of their kids, but what happens when people who are supposed to comfort them turn into monsters? After discovering pregnancy test kits in their daughter's possession, a couple kills her by pouring acid on her body.

On Wednesday, police claimed they had found the body of a 21-year-old woman who had been strangled to death.

Representative Image

Police claimed the woman's parents were involved in her murder because they found pregnancy test kits with her.

screenshot

Police say that the couple and two of their relatives put acid on the body to keep it from being identified and then dumped it.



All four suspects have now been arrested.

On February 3, Naresh, a resident of the Tenn Shah Alamabad village in the Uttar Pradesh district of Kaushambi, reported his daughter missing. Her mutilated body was found in a canal just outside of the village on Tuesday.

Superintendent of Police Brijesh Kumar Srivastava told the media on Wednesday that Naresh and his wife, Shobha Devi, killed their daughter on February 3.

"To hide the identity, they poured battery acid on the body. Naresh's two brothers, Gulab and Ramesh, also helped them hide the body," the SP said.

Naresh had told the police that his daughter used to talk to many boys on her mobile phone. "Some pregnancy test kits were also found from her, due to which Naresh suspected that his daughter had a relationship with some boy and was angry over this," the SP said.

The SP said that Naresh's two brothers also helped hide the dead body and were arrested along with the woman's parents.

(With PTI inputs)

(For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram.)


A couple of days after Gautam Adani and his family made 9,250 crore ($1.1 billion) prepayment of debt backed by shares early to soothe the investors' nerves, the Adani Group is taking another step to boost its finances and regain investor confidence amid allegations put forth against it by Hindenburg research.



Adani Group To Prepay $500 Million Loan

ET

Also Read: Meet Nathan Anderson, The Man Behind Hindenburg Report

Adani Group plans to prepay a $500 million loan due next month to a group of banks as the Indian conglomerate looks to bolster its finances following a short seller attack. For the uninitiated, prepayment is when you make an early repayment of a loan before its due date, either in part or in full.

Barclays, Standard Chartered and Deutsche Bank are among the banks that lent Adani $4.5 billion to finance the purchase of Holcim Ltd. cement assets last year. A portion of that loan is due March 9, 2023, as per Bloomberg.

An Adani spokesperson said the conglomerate had been in talks with banks to refinance that part of the loan but has decided to prepay it. The spokesperson said discussions with the banks have not stalled.

The corporate empire of Gautam Adani, once the worlds second-richest person, has been rattled after the Hindenburg Research report on alleged malpractices. Hindenburg Research alleged that a web of Adani family-controlled offshore shell entities in tax havens were used to facilitate corruption, money laundering and taxpayer theft.

10 Adani group companies had at one point erased $117 billion from their combined market values in the selloff, forcing the tycoon to top up his share pledges for loans, as per Bloomberg.

Gautam Adani too lost his title of being the world's richest Asian and Indian last week to Reliance's Mukesh Ambani.

Also Read: All That Has Happened In Hindenburg Vs Adani Saga So Far

$1.1 Billion Loan Prepayment

A couple of days ago, Gautam Adani and his family repaid 9,250 crore ($1.1 billion) of debt backed by shares.

"This is in continuation of promoters' assurance to prepay all share-backed financing," the Adani Group had said, as per ET.

These loans against shares (LAS) were taken by promoter entities and backed by share pledges. Most of Adani group stocks did rebound and recover to some extent in the last two days amid these prepayments.

Adani Stocks Bleeding Again

As of today morning (at the time of writing this report), most Adani stocks are again bleeding.

indiatimes

Adani Enterprise is again down 9%, Adani Transmission, Adani Total Gas, and Adani Power are down 5%, Adani Ports is down 3.5%, and Adani Green Energy is down over 4%. However, Adani Wilmar is up 4%.

Shares of Adani Group companies have been trading lower today following a two-day recovery. The drop is said to be prompted by MSCIs announcement of a review regarding the number of Adani Group-linked shares that are readily available for trading on public markets.

Index provider MSCI is an American finance company that provides global equity, fixed income, real estate indexes, multi-asset portfolio analysis tools, and so on. Of the seven listed stocks of the Adani Group, all except Adani Wilmar are part of the MSCI global indices.

Also Read: Most Mutual Funds Have Stayed Away From Adani Group's Stocks

For the latest and interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here.
I spoke to one of the senior guys from Zurich, said Marsh. He said on LinkedIn that hes made connections with some of the students who were there and hes going to keep in touch with them over the next 12 to 18 months until they graduate.
Opposition cybersecurity spokesman James Paterson  who questioned federal agencies for over six months after the Home Affairs Department was unable to say how many of the cameras, access control systems, and intercoms were installed in government buildings  said: We urgently need a plan from the ... government to rip every one of these devices out of Australian government departments and agencies.
Brady gave the example of a property constructed with lots of expanded polystyrene, a material used in building cladding that is notoriously flammable. The location of the property can also make its insurance hard to place. For example, he said, a building next to an abattoir. Abattoirs, apart from other risks, can also be prone to fires.
The sentence follows an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Divisions (IID) Fraud Bureau. The investigation, which began in September of 2020, concluded that Sanchez provided phony insurance documents to multiple people in Marshalltown and collected premium payments for insurance policies that didnt exist. Sanchez also collected illegitimate cash deductible from insureds, which he used for his own personal gain, according to the IID.
The Illinois bill limiting insurers ability to use proven factors in setting rates, to put it simply, is bad public policy, a joint statement from APCIA, IIA, and NAMIC said. This bill is a combination of prohibitions and requirements that will harm consumers, reduce competition, and increase litigation. To enforce the provisions of this legislation a massively expanded state bureaucracy to carry out these regulations will be necessary, the cost of which is also borne by consumers. The legislation will have exactly the opposite effect that the proponents seek.
Mario Greco on a strong year for the business

Commenting on the results seen by the group, Greco said: We have exceeded our financial targets for the second consecutive three-year period. These were tough years with unexpected challenges during which we had to stay very agile and focused on our goals. We continued to execute our strategy with strong discipline and successfully drove our results to deliver the targets. I would like to thank all my colleagues, our customers and our partners for this remarkable achievement.
Ladmars success was founded on our years of experience and ability to collaborate to solve complex client challenges, said Marra, managing partner at Ladmar Group. Becoming part of Risk Strategies allows us to continue this collaborative, expertise-driven approach to client service and scale our business with a broad range of new capabilities.
The launch of this product is the result of a multi-year passion project that should allow for trade secret protection ecosystem to develop, including not only insurance protection for a companys most unique know-how, but the monetization of those assets that will allow lenders and investors to support and fund innovation with a backstop that was not available until now, said Mary Guzman, founder and CEO of Crown Jewel. Chaucers deep expertise in the market will be a valuable resource for Crown Jewel as we launch this groundbreaking solution.
In this conversation with Insurance Business, Barton said timing is everything when it comes to setting up an enterprise. Alkeme was formed in 2020  in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic  through the merger of seven agencies run by Bartons friends. The consolidation made sense as the businesses had a combined revenue of around $32 million. Alkeme has since become one of the fastest-growing consolidated entities in the US insurance industry, and it supports the growth of other brokerages through acquisition, optimization, and scaling.
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Hexagonal Boron Nitride is 10 Times Stronger Than Graphene

Russian president demanded that exports of Russian gas to "unfriendly" countries be settled in rubles. The demand has raised concerns in Germany about possible supply disruptions and the impact on industry and households if utilities do not pay in robles. Europe gets about 40% of its gas from Russia. Last year, Europe imported about 155 billion cubic meters. Germany, Europe's largest economy, depends heavily on Russian gas.

The chief executive of Germany's E.ON said the German economy would face "significant damage, which should be avoided if possible" without Russian supplies. He also said it would take Germany three years to wean itself off Russian gas.

In the event of a supply disruption, Germany's gas network regulator would prioritize home heating over industrial use, so energy-hungry manufacturers such as steelmakers would be the first to suffer, he said.

The volatile international situations will continue to affect the markets and prices of many commodities like the boron nitride.

Hexagonal boron nitride (H-BN) is a two-dimensional layered broadband-gap insulating material with good heat resistance, chemical stability, and dielectric properties. It is widely used in electronic devices.



Hexagonal boron nitride is structurally similar to graphene, consisting of a planar lattice of atoms arranged in interconnected hexagons. The only difference is that in graphene, all atoms are carbon, whereas, in H-BN, each hexagon contains three nitrogen atoms and three boron atoms.







Carbon-carbon bonds are among the strongest, so graphene is theoretically much stronger than H-BN. The strength and elastic modulus of the two materials are similar, and h-BN is slightly lower in comparison: graphene has a strength of about 130GPa and young's modulus of about 1.0TPa; The strength and modulus of H-BN are 100GPa and 0.8 TPA, respectively.

Despite its excellent mechanical properties, graphene has low crack resistance, which means graphene is brittle.



In 1921, British engineer Griffiths published a theoretical study of fracture mechanics, describing the failure of brittle materials and the relationship between the size of cracks in materials and the force required to make them grow. For hundreds of years, scientists and engineers have used this theory to predict and define the toughness of materials.

In 2014, a study by Professor Jun Lou and his team at Rice University showed that graphene's fracture toughness is consistent with Griffith's theory of fracture mechanics: when the stress applied to graphene is greater than the force holding it together, the cracks propagate, And the energy difference is released during crack propagation.

H-bn is also thought to be vulnerable, given its structural similarity to graphene. However, this is not the case.



The scientists found that H-BN is 10 times more ductile than graphene.

A team led by Prof. Jun Lou of Rice University and Prof. Hua Jian Gao of Nanyang Technological University in Singapore has found that the brittle H-BN is 10 times stronger than graphene in cracking resistance. This finding runs counter to Griffith's fracture theory, and such anomalies have never been observed before in two-dimensional materials. The related research results were published in Nature with the title "Intrinsic Toughening and stable crack propagation in Hexagonal Boron nitride".



Mechanism Behind H-BN's Extraordinary Toughness

To find out why, the team applied stress to the H-BN sample, using scanning electron microscopes and transmission electron microscopes to see as much as possible how the cracks occurred. After more than 1,000 hours of experiments and subsequent theoretical analysis, they discovered the mystery.







Although graphene and H-Bn may be structurally similar, boron and nitrogen atoms are not the same, so there is an asymmetric arrangement of hexagonal lattice intrinsic in H-BN, unlike the carbon hexagon in graphene. That is, in graphene, the cracks tend to go straight through the symmetrical hexagonal structure from top to bottom, opening the bond like a zipper. The hexagonal structure of H-BN is slightly asymmetric due to the stress contrast between boron and nitrogen, and this inherent asymmetry of the lattice causes cracks to bifurcate, forming branches.

And if the crack bifurcates, that means it's rotating. The existence of this steering crack requires additional energy to further promote the crack propagation, which makes the crack more difficult to propagate and effectively enhances the toughness of the material. That's why H-Bn shows more elasticity than graphene.



Due to its excellent heat resistance, chemical stability, and dielectric properties, H-BN has become an extremely important material for two-dimensional electronic and other 2-bit devices, not only as a support base but also as an insulating layer between electronic components. Today, h-BN's toughness makes it an ideal choice for flexible electronics and is important for the development of flexible 2D materials for applications such as two-dimensional electronics.

In the future, as well as being used in flexible electronic textiles, h-BN could also be used as flexible electronic skin and implantable electronics that can be connected directly to the brain.



Boron Nitride BN Powder Price

The price is influenced by many factors including the supply and demand in the market, industry trends, economic activity, market sentiment, and unexpected events.

If you are looking for the latest BN powder price, you can send us your inquiry for a quote. ([email protected])



Boron Nitride BN Powder Supplier

Luoyang Tongrun Nano Technology Co. Ltd. (TRUNNANO) is a trusted global chemical material supplier & manufacturer with over 12-year-experience in providing super high-quality chemicals and nanomaterials including silicon powder, nitride powder, graphite powder, zinc sulfide, calcium nitride, 3D printing powder, etc.

If you are looking for high-quality BN powder, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry. ([email protected])



For Germany, the largest economy in Europe, the impact of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict on the natural gas market is the most obvious. This also exposed the serious dependence of some German industrial enterprises on Russian natural gas. Some analysts pointed out that the instability of natural gas supply has had a big impact on the German economy and threatened its market competitiveness because alternative energy supplies will not be cheap and difficult to come quickly. Increased uncertainty over natural gas supplies is putting enormous pressure on German manufacturers in sectors ranging from steelmaking to chemical boron nitride for the time being, but the market demand for boron nitride in the future will also change with the influence of various external factors. If you need boron nitride, please feel free to contact us.



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High Purity Magnesium Diboride MgB2 Powder CAS 12007-25-9, 99%

For billionaires, the new crown epidemic is like a 'gold rush'! The Deutsche Presse-Agentur said on the 17th that in 2022, the wealth held by the world's top ten richest people will jump from $700 billion to $1.5 trillion, an average daily increase of $1.3 billion, an increase that exceeds the past 14 years. These 10 people The wealth held by the worlds poorest 3.1 billion people is six times greater than that of the worlds poorest 3.1 billion people. The 10 richest Germans have increased their assets from the equivalent of about 125 billion euros to about 223 billion euros since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, An increase of about 78%. This wealth is roughly equivalent to the total wealth of the poorest 40% of the population, or 33 million Germans.

In the future, demand for Magnesium Diboride will grow as fast as the wealth of the rich during the pandemic.



About Magnesium Diboride MgB2 Powder:

Magnesium diboride is an inorganic compound with the molecular formula MgB2. It is a dark gray, insoluble solid. It is an ionic compound with a hexagonal crystal structure. It is an intercalated compound with alternating layers of magnesium and boron. This compound is of interest because it is superconducting at 39 K(234C).In terms of composition, MgB2 is markedly different from most transition-metal-based cryogenic superconductors.

Magnesium diboride has been known to scientists for nearly 50 years, but no one has ever studied the material's superconductivity -- whether it can conduct electricity perfectly without resistance when cooled to temperatures close to absolute zero. All that changed in January 2001, when Jun Akimitsu of Aoyama Gakuin University in Tokyo announced that he and his team had found that magnesium diboride became superconducting at 39 degrees Kelvin (-389 degrees Fahrenheit), almost twice the temperature of current intermetallic conductors. The announcement sent experimenters around the world scrambling to replicate and confirm the Japanese findings.

Magnesium diboride is converted into a superconductor at a temperature slightly close to the absolute temperature of 40K (-233  C). Its transition temperature is nearly twice as high as that of other superconductors of the same type, and its actual operating temperature is between 20 and 30K. This temperature can be achieved by liquid neon, liquid hydrogen, or a closed cycle freezer. These methods are simpler and cheaper than the industry's use of liquid helium to cool niobium alloys (4K). Once doped with carbon or other impurities, magnesium boride is as good at maintaining superconductivity in the presence of a magnetic field or a current as niobium, or better. Feel free to send an inquiry to get the latest price if you would like to buy Magnesium Diboride MgB2 Powder in bulk.



Specifications of Magnesium Diboride MgB2 powder

Magnesium Diboride powder Purity:98.5% or Customized

Magnesium Diboride powder Size:5-15um or Customized

Magnesium Diboride powder Colour:Black

Magnesium Diboride powder CAS No.:12007-25-9

Magnesium Diboride powder EINECS No.:234-501-2

Fe Mn Cu Ca Ni Zn Pb Sn 48ppm 0.1ppm 0.06ppm 0.04ppm 7.4ppm 0.2ppm 0.14ppm 0.4ppm



Magnesium diboride is an ionic compound, with the hexagonal crystal structure. Magnesium diboride at absolute temperature slightly 40K (equivalent to -233 ) will be transformed into a superconductor. And its actual operating temperature is 20 ~ 30K. To reach this temperature, we can use liquid neon, liquid hydrogen or closed-cycle refrigerator to finish cooling. Compared to current industry using liquid helium to cool the niobium alloy (4K), these methods are more simple and economical. Once it is doped with carbon or other impurities, magnesium diboride in a magnetic field, or there is a current passing, the ability to maintain the superconducting is as much as niobium alloys, or even better.



How is Magnesium Diboride MgB2 Powder produced?

The preparation method of MgB2 is mainly the reaction synthesis of magnesium powder and boron powder mixed.

MgB2 was obtained by mixing 99.9% magnesium powder with 99% amorphous boron powder at the ratio of 1:2, pressing it into small balls and adding heat in high-pressure nitrogen.

At present, the commonly used method is to mix amorphous elemental boron powder and magnesium powder according to the stoichiometric ratio (or add excessive magnesium), and then put them into a sealed refractory metal container (such as tantalum), and then put them in a quartz tube for vacuum pumping, and then sintered at 700~950 for 1~4 h to synthesize MgB2.



Applications of Magnesium Diboride MgB2 Powder:

Potential applications for Magnesium diboride include superconducting magnets, power transmission lines and sensitive magnetic field detectors.

Magnesium diboride is the attention of new materials, the research mainly focused on the synthesis and superconducting element performance for the industrial synthesis and sintering properties, electrical conductivity at room temperature, the liquid aluminum erosion resistance of fluoride such as corrosive resistance study is less, so far no will MgB2 and its composite materials used in aluminum electrolysis cathodic area coverage.

MgB2 is easier to be sintered and densified than TiB2, and its electrical conductivity basically meets the requirements of aluminum electrolysis cathode. Therefore, MgB2 and its composite materials are likely to be widely used as cathode materials for aluminum electrolysis.

Propellants, Explosives, pyrotechnics: Unlike the element boron, which burns incompletely through glass oxide layers that block oxygen diffusion, magnesium diboride burns completely in oxygen or oxidizer mixtures. Therefore, magnesium boride has been proposed as fuel for ramjet jets. In addition, the use of MgB2 in enhanced explosives and propellants has been proposed for the same reason.



Storage Conditions of Magnesium Diboride MgB2 powder

This product should be sealed and stored in a cool, drying chamber and should avoid exposure to the air in order to prevent moisture reunion which will affect the dispersion properties and result use. Stress should be avoided.



Packing & Shipping of Magnesium Diboride MgB2 powder:

We have many different kinds of packing which depend on the magnesium diboride MgB2 powder quantity.

Magnesium diboride MgB2 powder packing:vacuum packing, 100g, 500g or 1kg/bag, 25kg/barrel, or as your request.

Magnesium diboride MgB2 powder shipping: could be shipped out by sea, by air, by express, as soon as possible once payment receipt.



Luoyang Tongrun Nano Technology Co. Ltd. (TRUNNANO) is a trusted global chemical material supplier & manufacturer with over 12-year-experience in providing super high-quality chemicals and Nanomaterials, including boride powder, nitride powder, graphite powder, sulfide powder, 3D printing powder, etc.

If you are looking for magnesium diboride, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry, email address: sales3@nanotrun.com





Magnesium Boride Properties Other Names magnesium boride powder, MgB2, MgB2 powder,

agnesium diboride CAS No. 12007-25-9 Compound Formula MgB2 Molecular Weight 45.927 Appearance Gray to Black Powder Melting Point 830 C Boiling Point N/A Density 2.57 g/cm3 Solubility in H2O N/A Exact Mass 46.003653 Monoisotopic Mass 46.003653 Magnesium Boride Health & Safety Information Signal Word N/A Hazard Statements N/A Hazard Codes N/A Risk Codes N/A Safety Statements N/A RTECS Number N/A Transport Information NONH for all modes of transport WGK Germany 3

Commodities such as crude oil, wheat, cotton, and nickel have rallied since Russia's "special military operations" began in late February. On the last trading day of this quarter, commodities were on track for their biggest gain since 1990. For this reason, it is expected that the price of the Magnesium Diboride will continue to increase.



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High Purity Molybdenum Disulfide MoS2 Powder CAS 1317-33-5, 99%

The roble had hit a record low after the West imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia for its aggression in Ukraine. Russia's president recently ordered exports of Russian gas to "unfriendly" countries to be settled in robles. The speaker of Russia's upper house of parliament said Moscow was prepared and could shift supplies to markets such as Asia if Europe refused to buy Russian energy.

European countries, which pay mostly in euros, say Russia has no right to reset contracts. The G7 rejected Russia's demand and urged companies not to agree to pay in robles, saying most contracts stipulated payment in euros or dollars. Wholesale gas prices in Europe have risen further recently on concerns about potential supply disruptions.

The Kremlin spokesman said, "According to the March 31 deadline set by Russia's president, we are developing all payment methods to get a simple, understandable, and feasible system for relevant European and international buyers,"

The markets and prices of more commodities like the Molybdenum Disulfide would be affected because of the volatile international political situations.

About Molybdenum Disulfide MoS2 Powder:

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is the main component of molybdenite. Black solid powder with a metallic luster. Chemical formula MoS2, melting point 1185C, density 4.80g/cm3 (14C), Mohs hardness 1.01.5. It starts to decompose at 1370C and decomposes into metallic molybdenum and sulfur at 1600C. It starts to be oxidized when heated at 315C in the air, and the temperature rises and the oxidation reaction accelerates. Molybdenum disulfide is insoluble in water, dilute acid and concentrated sulfuric acid. It is generally insoluble in other acids, alkalis and organic solvents, but it is soluble in aqua regia and boiling concentrated sulfuric acid. Slowly oxidized at 400  to generate molybdenum trioxide:

2MoS2+ 7 O2 2 MoO3 + 4 SO2 can be used to test the generated molybdenum trioxide with ferrotitanium reagent. First, the product is treated with sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide solution (the principle is to convert molybdenum trioxide into molybdate), and then the titanium iron reagent solution is added dropwise, which will react with the generated sodium molybdate or potassium molybdate to produce gold Yellow solution. This method is very sensitive, and trace amounts of molybdate can be detected. And if there is no molybdenum trioxide generated, the solution will not produce golden yellow, because molybdenum disulfide does not react with sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide solution.

Molybdenum disulfide can react with chlorine when heated to produce molybdenum pentachloride:

2 MoS2+ 7 Cl2 2 MoCl5+ 2 S2Cl2

Molybdenum disulfide and alkyl lithium react under control to form an intercalation compound (interlayer compound) LixMoS2. If it reacts with butyllithium, the product is LiMoS2.

Molybdenum disulfide has a high content of active sulfur, which is easy to cause corrosion to copper. It is discussed in many books and papers on lubricant additives. In addition, when the parts made of copper and its alloys need to be lubricated, it is not impossible to use molybdenum disulfide lubricating products, but also to add copper corrosion inhibitors. Feel free to send an inquiry to get the latest price if you would like to buy Molybdenum Disulfide MoS2 Powder in bulk.



Features of Molybdenum Disulfide MoS2 Powder:

1. Molybdenum Disulphide CAS 1317-33-5 Nanoparticles (Nano MoS2) is shiny dark gray powder which has very good chemical stability and thermal stability.

2. Dissolved in aqua regia and concentrated sulfuric acid, insoluble in water and dilute acid; No general chemical reaction with metal surface; Not erode the rubber material;

3. Can be used for processing and storage of spare parts; Maintenance lubrication adhesion; can form a highly efficient dry lubricating film; Is less wear and friction reduction technology..



Analysis of Molybdenum Disulfide MoS2 Powder:

MoS2 MoO3 Insolubles Fe SiO2 H2O Oil Acid Value 99% 0.05% 0.26% 0.14% 0.05% 0.08% 0.10% 0.54



How is Molybdenum Disulfide MoS2 Powder produced?

Natural law

MoS2 can be prepared by the natural method, namely the molybdenite concentrate purification method, which is to remove the acid-insoluble matter in the molybdenite concentrate, SiO2, Fe, Cu, by subjecting high-quality molybdenum concentrate to certain physical and chemical actions. Ca, Pb and other impurities are further refined to obtain nano-MoS2. However, the purity of the nano-MoS2 produced by the natural method is not high, and the purification technology needs to be further improved. When the temperature is lower than 400, it is recommended to use the most expensive MoS2 when working in ordinary atmosphere. It has lubricating ability below 1300, and it is recommended to use the cost-based MoS2.

Chemical synthesis

The synthetic method can produce sulfides with high purity, less impurities, and fine particle size, and can prepare sulfides that meet different functional requirements. Therefore, the production of nano sulfides by synthetic methods has always attracted much attention. There are many methods for preparing nano-MoS2, such as ammonium tetrathiomolybdate thermal decomposition method, hydrogen sulfide or sulfur vapor reduction method, high-energy ball milling method, carbon nanotube space confinement method, hydrothermal synthesis method, high-energy physical method and chemical method combination and many more.



Applications of Molybdenum Disulfide MoS2 Powder:

Molybdenum disulfide is diamagnetic, can convert linear photoconductors and semiconductors with P-type or N-type conductivity, and has the functions of rectification and energy conversion.

Molybdenum disulfide can also be synthesized as a catalyst for hydrocarbon dehydrogenation.

Molybdenum disulfide is also known as "the king of advanced solid lubricants".

Molybdenum disulfide is a solid powder made from natural molybdenum concentrate chemically purified by changing the molecular structure.

Molybdenum disulfide has good dispersibility and does not need to be added. It can be added to various greases to form a colloidal state and will never replace it, thereby increasing the lubricity and extreme pressure of the grease.

Molybdenum disulfide is also suitable for high temperature, high pressure, high viscosity and high load mechanical working conditions to extend the service life of the equipment.

The main function of molybdenum disulfide as a friction material is to reduce friction at low temperatures, increase friction at high temperatures, and reduce combustion loss. Easily volatilize in the friction material.

Anti-friction: The size of disulfide particles formed by supersonic jet pulverization can reach 325-2500 mesh, the particle hardness is 1-1.5, and the friction coefficient is 0.05-0.1, so it can be used in friction materials to take advantage of the anti-friction effect;

Increased friction: Molybdenum disulfide is not conductive, and silicon carbide, molybdenum disulfide, molybdenum trisulfide and molybdenum trioxide are present. When the temperature of the friction material rises sharply due to friction, the shrinking molybdenum trioxide particles gradually heat up and expand, thereby increasing the friction in the axial direction.

Antioxidant: Molybdenum disulfide is obtained through a comprehensive chemical purification reaction, and its pH value changes 7-8, slightly alkaline. It covers the surface of the friction material, which can protect other materials from oxidation, especially making it difficult for other materials to move and enhancing adhesion.



Storage Condition of Molybdenum Disulfide MoS2 Powder:

Damp reunion will affect MoS2 powder dispersion performance and using effects, therefore, Molybdenum Disulfide MoS2 Powder powder should be sealed in vacuum packing and stored in cool and dry room, the Molybdenum Disulfide MoS2 Powder can not be exposure to air. In addition, the Molybdenum Disulfide powder should be avoided under stress.



Packing & Shipping of Molybdenum Disulfide MoS2 Powder:

We have many different kinds of packing which depends on the Molybdenum Disulfide MoS2 Powder quantity.

Molybdenum Disulfide MoS2 Powder packing: vacuum packing, 100g, 500g or 1kg/bag, 25kg/barrel, or as your request.

Molybdenum Disulfide MoS2 Powder shipping: could be shipped out by sea , by air, by express as soon as possible once payment receipt.









Luoyang Tongrun Nano Technology Co. Ltd. (TRUNNANO) is a trusted global chemical material supplier & manufacturer with over 12-year-experience in providing super high-quality chemicals and Nanomaterials, including boron powder, nitride powder, graphite powder, zinc sulfide, 3D printing powder, etc.





If you are looking for molybdenum disulfide, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry, email address: sales3@nanotrun.com





Molybdenum Disulfide Properties Other Names molybdenum sulfide, molybdenum disulphide,

MoS2 powder, moly disulfide CAS No. 1317-33-5 Compound Formula MoS2 Molecular Weight 160.07 Appearance Black Powder Melting Point 1185 C Boiling Point N/A Density 5.06 g/cm3 Solubility in H2O Insoluble Storage Temperature Ambient temperatures Exact Mass 161.849549 Monoisotopic Mass 161.849549 Molybdenum Disulfide Health & Safety Information Signal Word Warning Hazard Statements H315-H319-H335 Hazard Codes Xi Risk Codes N/A Safety Statements N/A RTECS Number QA4697000 Transport Information NONH for all modes of transport WGK Germany 3

As the duration of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine grows, its impact on commodities is widening amid the tug-of-war. Recently, European and American sanctions against Russia have been issued one after another. In response, Russia has taken advantage of its role as an important supplier of many energy and commodities, requiring exports of commodities, including energy, grain, metal, and wood, to "unfriendly" countries to be settled in robles. Therefore, it is expected that the price of the Molybdenum Disulfide will continue to increase.





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Sichuan-based Turkish man expresses gratitude to China for earthquake relief assistance

People's Daily Online) 17:00, February 09, 2023

"I learnt that Chinese rescue teams had rushed to Turkiye, which really moved me. I want to go with them to help my hometown," said Burak, a Turkish man living in China, after his country was struck by two devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquakes on Feb. 6.

Photo shows Burak, a Turkish man living in China. (Chinanew.com/courtesy of the interviewee)

"I really appreciate China's help. Love knows no boundaries and makes the world a better place," he added.

Burak, who is also known as Abu, has been living in China for 13 years. He married a Chinese woman and is now living in his wife's hometown in the rural area of Hejiang county, southwest China's Sichuan Province. He usually shares details of his daily life online, and has accumulated nearly 2.5 million followers with some 37.71 million thumbs-ups on one short-video platform.

Many of his neighbors, friends, as well as Chinese netizens asked if his family members in Turkiye were safe. "I contacted my family members and friends right after the earthquakes. Since they are far away from the epicenter, they are all safe. We all seem so small in the face of natural disasters. Your love makes the world a better place. Thank you," he said in a short video in response to the care shown by the Chinese people.

Burak said the Turkish people had expressed gratitude to the Chinese rescue teams online. "Turkiye helped Sichuan when Wenchuan county in the province was hit by a massive earthquake. Now China is helping Turkiye. The love and help of mankind in the face of a disaster is great. I'm sure Turkiye and China will always be good friends."

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
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High Purity Titanium Carbide Nannoparticles Nano TiC Powder CAS 12070-08-5, 99%

The U.S. and its allies plan to impose sanctions on more Russian industries and supply chains.

The US government representatives recently visited Europe to consult with allies on strengthening and enforcing sanctions to punish Russia. They also plan to take action to disrupt their critical supply chains.

The US government claims that the sanctions imposed on Russia since the invasion began on February 24 have proved extremely effective, plunging Russia into a financial crisis. The sanctions include a freeze on the Russian central bank's foreign exchange assets, a ban on hard currency transactions by major Russian banks and wealthy individuals, and export restrictions on advanced semiconductors and other technologies. The sanctions have weakened the Russian economy and left the Kremlin with fewer resources.

The volatile international political situations will continue to affect the markets and prices of many commodities like the TiC powder.





About Titanium Carbide Nanoparticles Nano TiC Powder:

Nano titanium carbide is a kind of good wear-resistant material. It is prepared by a special process and has the characteristics of high purity, small particle size distribution range, high specific surface area, high surface activity, high-temperature resistance and oxidation resistance. It is widely used in cemented carbide and wear-resistant superhard materials. Titanium carbide melting point is about 3200, is an important component of cemented carbide, with high hardness, corrosion resistance, good thermal stability and other characteristics, used in the manufacture of wear-resistant materials, cutting tools, molds, melting metal crucible and many other fields; Because the particle size is small, it has high surface activity and good electrical conductivity, as well as excellent properties such as the chemistry of iron and steel metals; Adding 1/10000 nano titanium carbide, can reduce the sintering temperature of titanium carbide ceramic about 200 degrees, and can refine the ceramic grain, improve the sintering performance of ceramic; Nano-sized titanium carbide can be used as the reinforcing phase of ceramic materials to effectively improve the mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of metal and ceramic matrix materials. TRUNNANO is a trusted global Titanium Carbide Nanoparticles Nano TiC Powder supplier. Feel free to send an inquiry about the latest price of Titanium Carbide at any time.



Product Performance of Titanium Carbide Nanoparticles Nano TiC Powder:

Titanium carbide nanoparticles ( CAS 12070-08-5 ) has high purity, small particle size, uniform distribution, large specific surface area, high surface activity, low bulk density, high-temperature resistance, oxidation resistance, high strength, high hardness, good thermal conductivity, good toughness, and UV shielding greater than 80 %, and it has good electrical conductivity and excellent properties such as chemical inertness to iron and steel metals, it is a very valuable material.



Technical Parameter of Titanium Carbide Nanoparticles Nano TiC Powder:

Product Name MF Purity Particle Size Crystal Form SSA Color Titanium Carbide Nanoparticles TiC 99% 50nm Cubic 23m2/g Black

How is Titanium Carbide Nanoparticles Nano TiC Powder Produced?

With titanium dioxide (TiO2) and graphite powder as the main raw material, add a certain amount of magnesium powder as the reducing agent, the Ar gas protection under high-speed ball mill, ball mill after mixing powder calcined under Ar gas protection, after the ball mill of high reactivity, the powder can occur under the condition of the low-temperature reduction reaction, titanium carbide and magnesium oxide powder, High purity nano titanium carbide particles can be obtained by removing magnesium oxide by acid pickling with dilute hydrochloric acid.



Applications of Titanium Carbide Nanoparticles Nano TiC Powder:

Nano titanium carbide powder is used as raw material for powder metallurgy production of ceramic and cemented carbide parts, such as wire drawing die and cemented carbide die. Nano titanium carbide-based cemented carbide has the following characteristics: high hardness, generally up to more than HRA90; Good wear resistance, low wear rate; Good high-temperature resistance and oxidation resistance; Good thermal conductivity and chemical stability. Therefore, nanometer titanium carbide powder has a wide range of applications. Nano-sized titanium carbide is widely used in manufacturing wear-resistant materials, cutting tools, molds, smelting metal crucible and many other fields of transparent carbide ceramics is a good optical material; The grinding ability of nano titanium carbide is comparable to that of artificial diamond, which greatly reduces the cost. At present, nano titanium carbide has been widely used in the United States, Japan, Russia and other countries. The abrasive, grinding wheel, grinding paste and other products made of nano titanium carbide materials can greatly improve the grinding efficiency, grinding accuracy and surface finish.

Wear Resistant Tools: The elasticity of titanium carbide particles makes them ideal for the production of all types of wear-resistant tools, including cutting tools and certain tools with abrasive surfaces.

Abrasive bearings: Titanium carbide plays a vital role in the production of some abrasive bearings.

Coatings: Like many nano powders, titanium carbide is particularly useful in producing special coatings.In particular, it is used to produce wear-resistant protective coatings and Abrasive coatings, in some cases, it is also used for conductive purposes.

Conductivity: Titanium carbide has good electrical conductivity, making it a useful additive to alloys and composites as well as conductive coatings.

Nucleation: Titanium carbide nanoparticles can be used as nucleating agents.

Optics: used in the production of certain titanium carbide ceramics for a variety of optical applications.



Storage Condition of Titanium Carbide Nanoparticles Nano TiC Powder:

Sealed at normal temperature, cool and dry.



Packing & Shipping of Titanium Carbide Nanoparticles Nano TiC Powder:

We have many different kinds of packing which depend on the Titanium Carbide Nanoparticles Nano TiC Powder quantity.

Titanium Carbide Nanoparticles Nano TiC Powder packing: vacuum packing, 100g, 500g or 1kg/bag, 25kg/barrel, or as your request.

Titanium Carbide Nanoparticles Nano TiC Powder shipping: could be shipped out by sea, by air, by express as soon as possible once payment receipt.





Luoyang Tongrun Nano Technology Co. Ltd. (TRUNNANO) is a trusted global chemical material supplier & manufacturer with over 12-year-experience in providing super high-quality chemicals and Nanomaterials, including boride powder, nitride powder, graphite powder, sulfide powder, 3D printing powder, etc.

If you are looking for high-quality TiC powder, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry. ([email protected])



Titanium Carbide Properties Other Names titanium(IV) carbide, TiC powder CAS No. 12070-08-5 Compound Formula TiC Molecular Weight 40.1 Appearance Black Powder Melting Point 3160 C Boiling Point 4820 C Density 4.93 g/cm3 Solubility in H2O N/A Exact Mass 59.947946 Titanium Carbide Health & Safety Information Signal Word N/A Hazard Statements N/A Hazard Codes N/A Risk Codes N/A Safety Statements N/A Transport Information N/A

Russia is a major supplier of industrial metals such as nickel, aluminium and palladium. Russia and Ukraine are both major wheat exporters, and Russia and Belarus produce large amounts of potash, an input to fertiliser. The price and market of the TiC powder will fluctuate under its influence. Prices of these goods have been rising since 2022 and are now likely to rise further because of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Russia is a major supplier of industrial metals such as nickel, aluminium and palladium. Russia and Ukraine are both major wheat exporters, and Russia and Belarus produce large amounts of potash, an input to fertiliser. The price and market of the TiC powder will fluctuate under its influence. Prices of these goods have been rising since 2022 and are now likely to rise further because of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.



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Influence of Concrete Foaming Agent on Foam Concrete (2)

The European Union recently approved sweeping new sanctions against Russia, including bans on imports of coal, timber, chemicals, and other concrete foaming agent.

3. The larger the bubble diameter, the better, should be more than 1mm

The pore diameter should be the same as the bubble diameter. Some experts misleading the pursuit of a small foam aperture of 0.1mm, in fact, because of physical foaming if the bubble diameter is large, the stability of the foam cannot be made of foam concrete. The same raw material and formula, the same equipment and technology, just change the bubble diameter, the compressive strength of 1mm bubble diameter of foam concrete, then 0.1mm bubble diameter of foam concrete, at least 20% higher. Therefore, it is wrong to pursue a bubble diameter of more than 0.1mm, which should be corrected in the production of foamed concrete.

4. The lower the foam bleeding rate, the better. Avoid using milk foam.

According to the size of water content, foam is divided into milk foam with more water and sponge foam with more water. Among them, lacteal foam is unqualified inferior foam and cannot be used.

After the foam is made, it gradually secretes water. Its secreting water includes two parts:

Bleeding of foam liquid film. This water is secreted from the liquid membrane, which is secreted by the liquid membrane under the combined action of gravity drainage, surface tension drainage, and liquid membrane damage drainage. The thicker the liquid film of foam is, the larger the bleeding is. The faster the bubble burst, the more bleeding.

Water between bubbles. This is the water that didn't form the bubble film. The worse the foaming agent and foaming machines foaming performance, the more water between bubbles cannot form foam liquid film. They're essentially water that doesn't bubble.





When the foam is bleeding at a high rate, it becomes as thin as float juice, sloshing around and not piling up, and there's a lot of water in the foam. When this foam is added to the cement slurry, the cement slurry becomes very thin, and the foam is very little, the volume of the slurry is small, and the resulting foam concrete density is very high, not technical requirements.

Therefore, latex foam should not be used. The appearance of a technically acceptable foam should be a spongy, compact bubble, piled up like white clouds, like bouncing cotton, and not sloshing. This foam has very little water content. This shows that its foam liquid film is small, the foam is not easy to burst, there is little water between the bubbles, and the amount of bubbles is large, accounting for most of the volume of bubbles. It should be emphasized here that the spongy foam must be a small bubble with a diameter of less than 1mm, rather than a few millimeters, or even dozens of millimeters. Bullae are easy to pile up, also like white clouds, but because of the large diameter of the bullae, also unqualified.

The low secretion of foam is mainly to ensure the number of bubbles in the foam and the porosity of foamed concrete, that is, to ensure the density of foamed concrete.

5. The foam has no side effects on cementitious materials

The cementitious material is the main source of strength of foamed concrete, the addition of foam cannot affect its cementitious property, that is, there is no negative cementitious effect. Not every bubble can achieve this.

In the long-term test, we discover a lot of foam to cement, magnesite, gesso of gelling have hindrance, can reduce the strength of foam concrete, sometimes even from beginning to end the concrete after hardening loses strength basically, resemble a dish scatters sand. The stability of these foams is very good, several hours do not disappear, the appearance of sponge, bleeding is very low, dense, and uniform, all aspects meet the technical requirements, but are not compatible with the gel material, so cannot be used for production. This means that foams that are otherwise qualified, such as affecting strength, are ultimately not technically qualified.

Suppliers of Concrete Additives

TRUNNANO is a reliable foaming agents supplier with over 12-year experience in nano-building energy conservation and nanotechnology development.

If you are looking for high-quality CLC foaming agents, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry. (sales@cabr-concrete.com)

We accept payment via Credit Card, T/T, West Union, and Paypal. TRUNNANO will ship the goods to customers overseas through FedEx, DHL, by air, or by sea.





Recently, the first press conference of the Boao Forum For Asia Annual Conference 2022 was held. Two flagship reports were released at the conference: "Asia's Economic Prospects and Integration Process 2022" and "Sustainable Asia and the World 2022-Green Transformation in Action in Asia".

The flagship report points out that the global economy will recover in 2021, and the pace of economic integration in the Asia-Pacific has not stopped even in the face of the impact of COVID-19. The Asia-Pacific region has provided new impetus for the world's economic recovery and institutional building.

The report gives an outlook on the Asian economy, noting that a number of factors will affect Asian economic growth. For example, mutated strains such as Delta and Omicron have become more transmissible, and many economies are experiencing epidemic peaks again. The Ukraine crisis has triggered geopolitical changes in Asia and Europe, leading to higher commodity prices, which may affect the global energy supply and energy transformation.

The report pointed out that the Asian economy will still be in the process of recovery in 2022, but the growth rate may moderate. According to the report, Asia's economic growth in 2022 is likely to be lower than the current IMF forecast, which is projected at 4.8%.

Affected by several factors, the supply of the concrete foaming agent is erratic and thus its prices are expected to go higher in the future.

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Instructions for Use of Water Reducer

The purchasing pace at the demand end of the international thermal coal market continues to slow down and the international thermal coal price continues to decline. Prices for thermal coal at major international ports continued to fall last week as buyers in Europe slowed in recent days for April, coupled with weaker-than-expected import demand from End users in China. According to China Coal Market net monitoring: Australia Newcastle port thermal coal price index was 253 USD/ton, compared with 309.02 USD/ton, down 56.02 USD/ton, down 18.13%. South Africa's Port Richards thermal coal price Index was $264.5 / mt, down the US $62.72 / mt or 19.17% from US $327.22 / mt. The European ARA Tri-port thermal coal price Index was $281.8 / ton. Does the price of thermal coal in major international ports continue to decline to affect the price of the concrete water reducer?



Where Can the Water Reducer be Applied?

The concrete water reducer is suitable for the pumping or normal concrete engineering with a strength grade of C15 to C60 or above. It is especially suitable for concrete projects with high durability, high flow state, high slump protection, high strength, and high appearance quality requirements. It is very beneficial to the preparation of high fluidity concrete, self-compacting concrete, and plain-faced concrete.

Ordinary water-reducing agents should be used for daily minimum temperature above 5 construction of concrete. High efficient water-reducing agents are suitable for daily minimum temperature above 0 construction of concrete, and suitable for the preparation of large fluidity concrete, high strength concrete, and steam curing concrete.

How to Use the Water Reducer?

Polycarboxylate High-performance Water Reducer:

1, The dosage is 0.5%~2.0% of the total weight of the cementitious material, and the commonly used dosage is 0.2% ~ 0.5%. The concrete test should be carried out before use in order to optimize the dosage;

2, It cannot be used with the naphthalene system high-efficient water reducing agent compound, and other admixtures should also be used in advance of concrete compatibility experiment;

3, Water consumption must be strictly controlled when using, because it affects slump.

4, Pay attention to concrete surface maintenance.

Naphthalene Series High-efficient Water Reducer:

1, Dosage range: powder: 0.75%-1.5%; liquid: 1.5 to 2.5%.

2, When using porous aggregate water should first be added and stirred, and then water reducer is added.

3, When the slump is large, the vibration time should not be too long, so that bleeding and stratification could be prevented.

HSB Aliphatic Superplasticizer

1. Find out the best dosage through experiments. The recommended dosage is 1.5-2%;

2, Add HSB and water together into concrete.

3. Due to the high water-reduction rate of HSB, a layer of yellow slurry will be secreted on the surface of the concrete before the initial setting, which is a normal phenomenon. Finished concrete slurry wipe light, the color will be eliminated, or in concrete strength, the color will naturally eliminate, watering and maintenance color will be eliminated faster. It does not affect the inner and surface performance of concrete.

Suppliers of Concrete Additives

The water reducer with stable quality should be selected. There should be good compatibility between water reducing agent and cement and admixture. When a variety of admixtures with different functions are used in combination, there should be good adaptability between admixtures and between admixtures and cement.

TRUNNANO is a reliable concrete additives supplier with over 12-year experience in nano-building energy conservation and nanotechnology development.

If you are looking for high-quality concrete additives, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry. (sales@cabr-concrete.com)

We accept payment via Credit Card, T/T, West Union, and Paypal. Trunnano will ship the goods to customers overseas through FedEx, DHL, by air, or by sea.





With the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the market is increasingly worried about the potential disruption of Russia's energy supply. Geopolitical premiums have pushed up the price of crude oil and natural gas, and the energy price is expected to remain high in the short term. Affected by this, the market price of the concrete water reducer may continue to rise.



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Nec works with international organizations to support market changes in vaccines and flexible conduit gland in emerging markets

Kyodo News on May 31, NEC President Tayuki Morita recently interviewed by Kyodo news, revealed plans to strengthen support to emerging market countries. Specifically, NEC will work with international organizations led by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to manage the actual situation of food distribution and vaccination history using biometric technology that targets individuals based on features such as their faces.

In emerging markets, household registration and residency permits are not well regulated, making it difficult to know whether food and vaccines are reaching everyone, the report said. The company believes that biometrics if used will help ensure fairness and safety in food distribution and vaccinations.

NEC envisions a mechanism for international organizations to order the system and use it locally. Morita also mentioned fingerprint recognition for children as NEC's own technology, saying, "We can contribute to a wide range of fields. I hope we can promote it commercially." NEC will explore a formal launch in conjunction with ongoing empirical trials.

In the booming fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication system sector, the global base station sales business is expected to turn a loss in operating profit in 2023, Morita said.

The flexible conduit gland industry background

industry background Wire and cable are widely used in all departments of the national economy, which is the fundamental guarantee for the regular operation of the modern economy and society. The development level of the wire and cable industry is also a symbol and epitome of a country's manufacturing level. Europe, America and Japan, such as developed countries, early industrialization at the end of the 20th century, have formed a mature cable industry chain . Contributed to most of the global flexible conduit gland capacity and demand at that time, still occupied an important position in the worldwide supply and marketing, leading the industry's development and monopolizing the global high-end market.

1. The slowing growth of global flexible conduit gland demand has accelerated under the epidemic situation

According to the use scenario, the commonly used international flexible conduit gland divide into two categories indoors and outdoor. Outdoor flexible conduit gland due to wind and snow and environmental climate, working conditions, so its structure is more complex. Indoor flexible conduit gland working conditions are better and do not need a waterproof device. The cable core can directly connect with equipment. At present, indoor and outdoor flexible conduit gland for 10KV and below and outdoor cables sometimes use metal flexible conduit gland . According to data released by CRU, in 2021, global demand for metal flexible conduit gland (conductor weight) slowed significantly due to weak demand in China, with 19 million tons in 2021, up nearly 1% year on year. CRU reported in December 2022 that the global market for flexible conduit gland except in China would shrink by almost double digits in 2021 due to the impact of the pandemic.While market demand is recovering, early weakness will drive double-digit declines in multiple regions in 2021. As a result, the global need for insulated metal flexible conduit gland will shrink by about 5% -6% yearly. According to preliminary estimates, the global demand for metal-insulated wires and cables will fall to 17.86 million tons in 2022.

2. The outbreak has led to lower demand for flexible conduit gland , and The size of the global market is gradually shrinking

The wire and cable market size are above 20 billion dollars as one of the most important manufacturing industries globally. From 2018 to 2021, the market size of the global wire and cable industry generally showed a trend of fluctuation. According to the data released by CRU, the market size of the international metal cable industry was $161 billion in 2019.Up slightly to $172 billion in 2020. The global market size fell slightly to $164 billion in 2021 due to falling demand in China. According to preliminary estimates, the global metal flexible conduit gland market in 2022 was affected by the epidemic, shrinking demand, with market size of $152 billion.

3. The market share of flexible conduit gland in the Asia-Pacific region gradually expanded, and the other areas began to shrink

In recent years, the economic growth of emerging countries and other Asian countries has been fast. The production focus of the world wire and cable production has shifted to Asia, which has driven the rapid development of the wire and cable industry in China, Vietnam, the Philippines and Egypt in the Middle East.According to the report released by the CRU, the outbreak in 2021 led to different effects on the world's other parts except for China. Combined with multiple market data, we summarize the overall development of the power cable industry in the global scope. Manifested by the rapid rise in Asia, the slight decline in America, and the unstable growth in Europe in recent years, which is greatly affected by economic and political factors. The Asia-Pacific region accounts for about 49% of global consumption, while Europe and the Americas account for 15% and 10%.

4. The flexible conduit gland market in Europe, America and Japan is relatively mature, with a high concentration degree

After years of developing the wire and cable industry in developed countries, especially in the face of fluctuations in raw material prices, small enterprises gradually withdrew from the market, and the industrial concentration increased significantly. The top 10 American cable manufacturers (GM, Best, Corning, South, etc.) occupy about 70% of the market share. Seven Japanese cable enterprises (such as Wuhe, Sumitomo, Tengcang, Hitachi, Showa, etc.) account for more than 65% of the market share. Five French cable enterprises (Nexan, etc.) occupy the French market turnover, occupying more than 90% of the French market share. And China's entire wire and cable industry concentration is deficient. CR10 is 17.7%.

5. Emerging markets in flexible conduit gland have increased significantly

In 2021, the global flexible conduit gland market was in turmoil due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the global economy recovers, China invests in new energy and infrastructure construction, and the global flexible conduit gland market is expected to recover in 2021. The global metal flexible conduit gland market will rebound to $180 billion in 2022.However, in the medium term, the global wire and cable industry will return to healthy growth, driven by government and private investment, after the end of COVID-19 but slowing slightly from the previous five years. Among them, represented by Africa and Southeast Asia, the rapid development of emerging market economies will accelerate their construction, infrastructure, utilities, and industrial development activities. These activities will provide the substantial upward potential for emerging market wire and cable demand. Emerging market demand growth will continue to support the recovery and growth of global demand.

According to the CRU forecast, after 2023, the international wire and cable industry market demand will recover to the level of 2019. The international wire and cable market is expected to expand at an annual growth rate of 5% from 2022 to 2026. The global flexible conduit gland industry market will reach $230 billion in 2026.

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Looking for a custom cable gland?

Talk to Bolun when you need a connector that isn't standard! Our Engineered Solutions team is dedicated to developing application-specific custom cable glands to meet your precise specifications.

Contact Us ( boluncablegland.com ):

Yueqing Bolun Electric Co., Ltd.

Email: boluncablegland@gmail.com

Telephone:+86 181 0679 6660

Address:Zhiguang Industrial Zone, Liushi city, Yueqing City, Zhejiang Province

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The increasing number of newly confirmed cases in the US has also had an impact on the market for viral rt pcr kit

According to the real-time statistics of the world meter, as of around 6:30 on June 6, 2022, Beijing time, 535316817 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the world, and 6320250 cases of death have been confirmed in the world. There were 317372 new confirmed cases and 663 new deaths in a single day in the world.

According to the data, the United States, France, Australia and other countries ranked among the five countries with the largest number of newly confirmed cases in a single day. The United States, Russia, Australia and other countries ranked among the five countries with the largest number of new deaths in a single day.

More than 40000 new confirmed cases in the United States of a new coronal vaccine or myocarditis

According to the real-time statistics of the world meter, as of around 6:30 on June 6, 2022, Beijing time, 86511076 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the United States, and 1033580 cases of death have been confirmed in the United States; Compared with the data at about 6:30 a.m. the previous day, there were 42934 new confirmed cases and 158 new deaths in the United States.

According to Agence France Presse, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on June 3 expressed concern about the new crown vaccine of Novavax, believing that it may be associated with myocarditis. At the same time, experts are preparing to evaluate the use of this vaccine in the United States. Novavax vaccine has been approved for use in other countries, especially in Europe. In the United States, an independent committee convened at the request of the food and Drug Administration will meet on June 7 to evaluate the clinical trial data of the vaccine and make recommendations.

Buy high quality and effective DNA & RNA nucleic acid extraction reagent, lab consumables, automatic nucleic acid extractions, real-time PCR equipment and consumables or viral rt pcr kit . Send an email to: info@geneture.com and our professional sales engineer will get back to you within 48 hours.

Overview of market area prospect of viral rt pcr kit

By region, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa (MEA). North America is further divided into countries such as the United States and Canada. The European region is further divided into The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Russia and the rest of Europe. The Asia Pacific region is further subdivided into China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia, Southeast Asia and the rest of Asia Pacific. The Latin America region is further subdivided into Brazil, Mexico and the rest of Latin America, and the MEA region is further divided into GCC, Turkey, South Africa and the rest of MEA.

Market Demand of the viral rt pcr kit

The DNA/RNA Extraction Kit market and other viral rt pcr kits are projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.26% during the forecast period 2022-2027.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the viral rt pcr kit market for a short time due to restrictions on different business and research activities for viral rt pcr kits. In addition, diagnostic tests for other diseases and medical conditions in hospitals and other clinical diagnostic facilities have been affected as COVID-19 has led to fewer patients taking tests. However, the high rate of COVID-19 infection and research activities are undertaken by major companies in the field of sequencing to expand their understanding of the virus and its origins, as well as molecular diagnostics of the SARS-COV-2 virus, have led to the development and launch of many DNA - and RNA-BASED COVID-19 kits, The kits proved so important that they were in great demand.

Market drivers for the viral rt pcr kit

The growth of the DNA/RNA extraction kit market is primarily driven by increased investment in R&D activities in different areas, including molecular diagnostics for different chronic and infectious diseases. For example, the US spent $842 billion on R&D activities in 2020, followed by China at $664 billion, according to the ORGANISATION for Economic Co-operation and Development. Technological advances worldwide, new product launches by major market players, and an increase in cancer cases are also likely to complement the growth of the markets under study.

Other factors, such as increased demand for automation of DNA/RNA extraction technologies, new user-friendly and easy extraction kits, and DNA/RNA for analysis of new diseases causing microorganisms, are expected to drive DNA/RNA growth. RNA Extraction Kit market during the forecast period. Therefore, low awareness and availability of the kit and low market penetration in less developed and developing regions around the world are the major factors limiting the growth of the DNA/RNA extraction kit market.

North America is expected to dominate the global viral rt pcr kit market during the forecast period

North America, which holds a major share in the viral rt pcr kit market, is expected to show a similar trend during the forecast period, mainly due to the high level of R&D activity in the region and the presence of major market players in the region constantly developing their products for the markets studied.

In the region, the US is expected to take a major share of the DNA/RNA extraction kit market due to heavy investment in R&D by government and private entities, increased demand for viral rt pcr kits, and the rising prevalence of chronic diseases.

The viral rt pcr kit professional supplier-Geneture

Geneture is a professional supplier of Nucleic Acid Extraction Reagent,Automatic Nucleic Acid Extraction,Lab consumables, Real-time PCR, Covid-19 Rapid Test Supplier. Buy high quality and effective DNA & RNA nucleic acid extraction reagent, lab consumables, automatic nucleic acid extractions, real-time PCR equipment and consumables.

Feel free to get a qutoe send an email to: info@geneture.com and our professional sales engineer will get back to you within 48 hours.

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What are the structure and properties of silicon nitride?

Wholesale gas prices in the Netherlands and the UK have risen 20 percent recently amid concerns about Russian supplies.

The EU plans to cut its dependence on Russian gas by two-thirds this year and stop importing Russian fossil fuels by 2027. Russia exported about 155 billion cubic meters of gas to the EU in 2021.

The US recently said it would try to supply 15bn cubic meters of LNG to the EU this year. U.S. LNG plants are running at full capacity, and analysts say much of the extra gas the U.S. sends to Europe comes from what should have been exported elsewhere.

The German government called Russia "an unreliable energy supplier". Even though the German government claimed that they have been preparing for the situation for a long time that Russia may stop sending gas one day, experts say it is hard for the EU to replace all of Russia's gas exports any time soon.

The supply and prices of many silicon nitride will continue to be influenced by international situations.





Overview of Silicon Nitride

Silicon nitride is an important structural ceramic material with high hardness, inherent lubricity, and wear resistance. It is an atomic crystal; it is resistant to oxidation at high temperatures. Silicon nitride is a compound of silicon and nitrogen. Si3N4 is the most thermodynamically stable among silicon nitride. Therefore, when referring to the term "silicon nitride", Si3N4 is the most commercially important among silicon nitrides. It is a white high melting point solid, relatively chemically inert, and is corroded by dilute HF and hot H2SO4. This is very difficult (Moss level is 8.5). Has high thermal stability. Silicon nitride is difficult to produce as a bulk material-due to its dissociation with silicon and nitrogen; it cannot be heated above 1850C, which is well below its melting point. Therefore, there are problems in the application of traditional hot-press sintering technology. The bonding of silicon nitride powder can be achieved at lower temperatures by adding additional materials (sintering aids or "binders") that usually cause a certain degree of liquid phase sintering. A cleaner alternative is to use spark plasma sintering, in which a current pulse is passed through the compacted powder, thereby heating up very quickly (a few seconds). Through this technology, dense silicon nitride compacts can be obtained at a temperature of 1500-1700C.

Due to the chemical combination of silicon and nitrogen, the weight of the silicon sample gradually increased. If there is no iron catalyst, after a few hours (about 7 hours), if no further weight increase due to nitrogen absorption (per gram of silicon) is detected, the reaction is complete. Several other silicon nitride phases have been reported in the literature (the chemical formulas correspond to different degrees of nitride/Si oxidation state). For example, gaseous silicon dioxide mononitride (Si2N); mono silicon nitride (SiN) and silicon sesquinitride (Si2N3), are all stoichiometric phases.

Applications of Silicon Nitride

Silicon nitride (Si3N4) was developed in the 1960s and '70s in a search for fully dense, high strength and high toughness materials. A prime driver for its development was to replace metals with ceramics in advanced turbine and reciprocating engines to give higher operating temperatures and efficiencies. Although the ultimate goal of a ceramic engine has never been achieved, silicon nitride has been used in a number of industrial applications, such as engine components, bearings and cutting tools.

Automobile industry

One of the main applications of silicon nitride sintering is as a material for engine parts in the automotive industry. These include glow plugs in diesel engines to speed up the starting speed; pre-combustion chambers (vortex chambers), which can reduce emissions, speed up starting speeds and reduce noise; turbochargers can reduce engine lag and emissions. In spark-ignition engines, silicon nitride is used to reduce wear on the rocker bushes, turbocharger turbines to reduce inertia and engine lag, and exhaust control valves to increase acceleration. As an example of production level, it is estimated that more than 300,000 sintered silicon nitride turbochargers are produced annually.

Bearings

Silicon nitride bearings can be either full ceramic bearings or ceramic hybrid bearings, including ceramic balls and steel rings. Compared with other ceramics, silicon nitride ceramics have good impact resistance. Therefore, ball bearings made of silicon nitride ceramics are used as performance bearings. A typical example is the use of silicon nitride bearings in the mainframe of the NASA space shuttle. Since silicon nitride ball bearings are harder than metal, contact with the bearing track is reduced. Compared with traditional metal bearings, this can reduce friction by 80%, extend service life by 3 to 10 times, increase speed by 80%, reduce weight by 60%, and operate under insufficient lubrication. Capacity, higher corrosion resistance and higher working temperature.

Metal working and cutting tools

The first major application of Si3N4 was grinding tools and cutting tools. Bulk monolithic silicon nitride is used as a material for cutting tools due to its hardness, thermal stability and wear resistance. It is especially recommended for high-speed machining of cast iron. Thermal hardness, fracture toughness and thermal shock resistance mean that silicon nitride sintering can cut cast iron, hard steel and nickel-based alloys, and its surface speed is 25 times faster than traditional materials such as tungsten carbide.

Silicon Nitride Price



Silicon nitride price will vary randomly with the production cost, transportation cost, international situation, exchange rate, and market supply and demand of silicon nitride. Tanki New Materials Co.,Ltd Aims to help All industries and Chemical Wholesalers to find high quality, cheap price Nanomaterials and chemicals by providing turn-key customize manufacturing services. If you are looking for silicon nitride, please feel free to send an inquiry for the latest price of silicon nitride.

Silicon Nitride Supplier

As a global silicon nitride supplier, Tanki New Materials Co.,Ltd has rich experiences in the properties, applications, and cost-effective manufacturing of advanced and engineered materials. The company has successfully developed a series of powder materials (including oxides, carbides, nitrides, single metal, etc.), high-purity targets, functional ceramics, and structural devices, OEM service is available.

More information about Silicon Nitride

Silicon Nitride Mechanical Properties Compressive / Crushing Strength 600 to 2950 MPa Elastic Modulus 140 to 310 GPa Flexural Strength 130 to 810 MPa Fracture Strength 3.1 to 6.2 MPa-m1/2 Poissons Ratio 0.24 - 0.27





Silicon Nitride Thermal Properties Maximum Temperature 1000 to 1330C Maximum Thermal Shock 290 to 750C Specific Heat Capacity 720 to 800 J/kg-K Thermal Conductivity 12 to 31 W/m-K Thermal Expansion Thermal Expansion

Silicon Nitride Other Properties Density 2.2 to 3.4 g/cm3 Dielectric Strength 18 kV/mm Dielectric Constant 8.0 - 10.0





The development of the Russia-Ukraine conflict will continue to dominate the commodity prices such as the silicon nitride in the future. If the conflict eases or cools, Russia and Ukraine go back to negotiate, commodity prices would fall. However, if the situation between Russia and Ukraine deteriorates further, or evolves into a full-scale war, the price of the silicon nitride is predicted to see further improvement over the coming days.



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What is Titanium Nitride used for?

After Russia pledged to scale back its military operations around Kyiv and in northern Ukraine, the prices of most industrial metals fell, led by aluminum, showing people's concerns for supply shortage eased.

At an earlier time, the West imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, which aroused concerns about the supply problem because Russia is a major producer of nickel, aluminum, and copper.

Russia is also a major gas supplier to Europe, where potential supply disruptions are seen as hitting power-intensive aluminum and zinc Titanium Nitride powder are still very uncertain.

Introduction to Titanium Nitride TiN Powder

Titanium nitride or TiN is a golden cubic crystal. The molecular weight is 61.89. The melting point is 2950. The density is 5.43g/cm3.



Physicochemical Properties of Titanium Nitride TiN Powder

Titanium nitride is slightly soluble in hydrofluoric acid, aqua regia, and nitric acid, but insoluble in water. It has a high melting point and properties of high strength, high hardness, acid, alkali corrosion resistance, wear resistance, high-temperature chemical stability, and excellent electrical and thermal conductivity.

HSS cutting tools covered with titanium nitride film can reduce tool wear, increase chip speed, and extend service life. Titanium nitride is also widely used as watchcase, watchband, and other imitation gold alloy coatings. Titanium nitride whiskers are used to strengthen the metal and ceramic matrix composites. It is prepared by reaction of titanium and nitrogen at 1200.



Titanium Nitride TiN Powder Properties Other Names Tinite, TiNite, TiN powder, nitridotitanium CAS No. 25583-20-4 Compound Formula TiN Molecular Weight 61.87 Appearance golden brown powder Melting Point 2950  Boiling Point N/A Density 5.43g/cm3 Solubility in H2O insoluble Exact Mass 61.951

Titanium Nitride TiN Powder CAS 25583-20-4





Applications of Titanium Nitride Ceramic Materials

Titanium nitride is a new kind of multifunctional cermet material, which has excellent properties such as high melting point, high hardness, wear resistance, good chemical stability, good electrical and thermal conductivity, and light properties. Its melting point is 2930~2950, is a good conductor of heat and electricity, and has superconductivity at low temperatures. It is used to manufacture jet engines. Because of its unique golden metallic luster, titanium nitride is also used in the field of gold decoration.



1. Used for tool manufacturing

Titanium nitride ceramic coating has a golden yellow finish that looks nice on the cutting tool. However, its main function is not for decoration, it has a Vickers hardness (HV) of more than 2500, and the thickness of the coating on the tool is usually 3 to 5 microns. Higher wear resistance and heat resistance and longer service life than uncoated tools. Applying this technology to machinery in industrial production, such as coating the gear hob with titanium nitride, can extend the service life by 3 to 4 times, while cutting the gear can increase the cutting speed or feed or more, thus reducing the machining time of the material.



2. Used in biomedicine

The occluder used for the treatment of atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, and patent ductus arteriosus in congenital heart disease has been widely used in clinical medicine as an interventional implant. But the ordinary heart stoppers are mainly made from the nickel-titanium alloy material, nickel is as high as 55%. Excessive nickel can cause allergies to the human body, poisoning, and even cause cancer for long-term effects. And the Nitinol surface purification film of the common Nitinol occluders will be destroyed, releasing nickel ions in the complex human body environment.

Because titanium nitride is a biocompatible material (previously used in coronary stents), it is much less thrombogenic than nitride itself.



3. Used for the car front baffle film

Based on nano titanium nitride, the nano-ceramic film produced by magnetron sputtering technology and metal nitride technology is not easy to be corroded, is durable, does not shield mobile phone signals, good heat dissipation.



The difference between nano-ceramic insulation film and metal insulation film is as follows:

1. Different sunscreen and heat insulation effect

Metal film heat dissipation is worse than ceramic film, heat insulation effect is general, high reflective rate. Ceramic film through solar spectrum selective filtering function to achieve the purpose of heat insulation, heat insulation is far more than metal, lower reflective rate, excellent stability.

2. Different signal passing rates

Metal film and a key difference between ceramic membrane, cut off the signal rate, metal film have disruptive to import GPS, the ETC (no stop electronic toll collection system) is also, easy to affect all kinds of signals through the metal film is generally divided into single metal film and multilayer metal film, although multilayer metal film on the thermal insulation is better than that of the single-layer metal film. But because of its thickness, the signal is even more seriously blocked. The ceramic film, stripped of its metallic properties, does not shield the signal.

3. Different oxidation shelf life

The metal film is easy to oxidize, and the shelf life is slightly short, while the chemical properties of the ceramic film are more stable, not easy to oxidize, and can resist acid and alkali, and organic solvents, so as to have a long service life. The shelf life of general ceramic heat insulation film is 10 years, while the metal heat insulation film is generally 5 years.



Main Supplier of Titanium Nitride TiN Powder

Luoyang Tongrun Nano Technology Co. Ltd. (TRUNNANO) is a trusted global chemical material supplier & manufacturer with over 12-year-experience in providing super high-quality chemicals and Nanomaterials, including silicon powder, nitride powder, graphite powder, zinc sulfide, calcium nitride, 3D printing powder, etc.

If you are looking for high-quality titanium nitride TiN powder, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry. ([email protected])



Southern Copper Corp (SCCO.N) recently said its Peruvian mine remained closed after a six-week standoff with protesters and blamed the Peruvian government for failing to intervene in the safety of its 1,300 workers and their families.

The company said in a statement that a recent agreement to end protests at the Cuajone mine required the company to withdraw complaints against protest leaders because railways transporting minerals and supplies remained blocked. Production has been suspended since the end of February.

Peru's Energy Ministry said in a separate statement that it had also reached an agreement with Southern Copper to start talks to find common ground with local communities.

"If we shut down for a year, the government will stop receiving more than 3.1 billion soles ($830 million) in taxes and royalties, and 8,000 direct and indirect jobs will be lost. This is what we want to avoid, "Southern Copper added in the statement.

Peru has faced a wave of protests from indigenous communities, who accuse mining companies of not providing enough jobs and funding to poor local residents.

Central bank officials said last week that protests against copper mines such as MMG's Las Bambas and Southern Copper's Cuajone were dragging down the economy.

Peru is the world's second-largest copper producer and mining is an important source of tax revenue for the country. It is estimated that the supply and prices of the Titanium Nitride powder will be influenced by that.

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Which is better, graphene battery or lead-acid battery?

The biggest immediate challenge for the EU will be replenishing its depleted gas inventories. While the EU could still increase LNG imports from countries such as the US, such purchases would be more expensive.

Refilling natural gas storage space to historical average levels this year could cost 70 billion euros, a sevenfold increase, compared to 10 billion euros in previous years. "

A complete replacement for Russian gas is not only very expensive, but it also may not be possible.

In the next 12 months, there is little way to meet the demand for a "normal" year in the absence of Gazprom, which also includes graphene battery.





A lead-acid battery (VRLA) is a battery whose electrodes are mainly made of lead and oxides, and the electrolyte is a sulfuric acid solution. In the discharge state of the lead-acid battery, the main component of the positive electrode is lead dioxide. The main component of the negative electrode is lead; in the charged state, the main component of the positive and negative electrodes is lead sulfate.

Which is better, graphene battery or lead-acid battery?

To know whether it is better to use a graphene battery or a lead-acid battery, we need to compare the performance of the two so that we can understand the advantages and disadvantages of the two batteries. Next, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of graphene batteries and lead-acid batteries. Compare price, service life, safety, battery life, and charging time to find the best battery for our use.

Price comparison

We said earlier that graphene batteries are an enhanced version of lead-acid batteries. Compared with lead-acid batteries, its lead plate is thicker, and graphene technology is added, which will make the price of graphene higher than that of lead-acid batteries. The price of acid batteries is slightly higher, but the price gap between the two is getting smaller and smaller. At present, the price of graphene batteries is slightly higher than that of lead-acid batteries by 10~20%.

Service life comparison

Since the graphene battery is an enhanced version of the lead-acid battery, the weaknesses of the lead-acid battery will be strengthened. The service life of the lead-acid battery is generally about 300 times of charge and discharge, while the number of times of charge and discharge of the graphene battery reaches about 500 times, which is much more used than the lead-acid battery. Of course, this is also related to the car owner's maintenance method and usage habits, but in theory, the life of the graphene battery is longer than that of the lead-acid battery.

Safety comparison

The production process and materials used for graphene and lead-acid batteries are the same. Graphene batteries only increase the thickness of the front plate and add graphene elements with better conductivity, so the comparison between the two in terms of safety. It is not apparent, and it can be said that the security performance of the two is the same.

Comparison of cruising range

Compared with the new lead-acid battery and the graphene battery, the cruising range of the two is similar. Still, as the use time increases, the graphene battery has a thicker lead plate, so its attenuation degree is smaller than that of the lead-acid battery. For example, if the battery is switched after one year, it only has 50~60% of the original capacity, while the graphene battery can reach 90% of the original capacity. With the prolongation of use time, the contrast will become more apparent.

Comparison of charging time

Since the graphene battery is added with a more conductive graphene element, and the graphene battery is also equipped with a special charger, the graphene battery can be charged faster, and it can be fully charged in about 5 hours, while our ordinary lead-acid battery It takes about 8 hours or so to fill up.

Although graphene batteries are just an enhanced version of lead-acid batteries and do not use accurate graphene technology, graphene batteries are superior to ordinary lead-acid batteries in terms of service life, mileage, and charging time, especially with The price gap between graphene batteries and lead-acid batteries is getting smaller and smaller. For car owners, it is pretty cost-effective to choose graphene batteries.







High-quality graphene battery manufacturer

Luoyang Moon & Star New Energy Technology Co., LTD, founded on October 17, 2008, is a high-tech enterprise committed to developing, producing, processing, selling, and technical services of lithium-ion battery anode materials. After more than ten years of development, the company has gradually developed into a diversified product structure with natural graphite, artificial graphite, composite graphite, intermediate phase and other harmful materials (silicon-carbon materials, etc.). The products are widely used in high-end lithium-ion digital power and energy storage batteries.

If you are looking for graphite or lithium battery anode material, click on the needed products and send us an inquirysales@graphite-corp.com.











The current international situation is highly uncertain, and its economic impact has not been able to be assessed properly. In addition, rising energy and commodity prices and supply chain disruptions are expected to push the price of the graphene battery higher.



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Will the German Chancellor visit to Africa to buy gas affect the market for the temperature controlled in Germany

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday began his first trip to Africa as president, seeking to buy Senegalese liquefied natural gas to make up for the shortfall caused by reduced energy imports from Russia.

Germany has started negotiations with Senegal on gas exploitation and LNG supplies, Scholz said at a joint press conference with Senegalese President Marki Sall on Tuesday.

Mr Sall said Senegal was ready to supply liquefied natural gas to the European market. He expects Senegal's LNG production to reach 2.5 million tons next year and 10 million tons by 2030.

Senegal's border with Mauritania is rich in natural gas. A German government official said Sunday that Germany could help Senegal explore gas fields. The gas partnership between Senegal and the United Kingdom will be led by BP, and first supplies are not expected until next year, the Associated Press reported.

Scholz is scheduled to visit Niger later on Friday before leaving for South Africa on Wednesday evening, a visit that will focus on the Conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Since Russia launched a special military operation against Ukraine on February 24, the United States and European Union countries have imposed several rounds of severe economic sanctions on Russia, and are preparing to gradually reduce and even halt the import of Russian energy. But since Russia is now the EU's biggest supplier of gas and crude oil, the backlash from sanctions against Moscow has made the EU's position more difficult.

Germany, Europe's largest economy, intends to wean itself off Russian gas but is expected to remain dependent on Moscow for most of its energy supplies until mid-2024.

In addition to Germany, Italy, which is highly dependent on energy imports, is also looking to Africa. Last month two Italian government ministers travelled to Luanda, Angola's capital, and Brazzaville, Congo's capital, in search of gas supplies.

Market Analysis of temperature controlled

Industry competition and marketization degree: relay industry development is more mature, the market competition is more sufficient, major producing countries including China, the United States, Japan, Germany, etc., including the United States, Japan, Germany enterprise occupies most of the high-end relay market share, is mainly used in industrial automation control, automotive, communications, aerospace and other fields. The output of relays of Chinese enterprises accounts for about half of the global output of relays, but they are mainly medium and low-end products, which are mainly used in household appliances, electricity, automobiles and other fields.

Basic principles and classification of temperature controlled

Basic concept and principle of relay: relay is a control component that automatically disconnects when the input parameters (such as electricity, magnetism, light, heat, sound and so on) in the circuit reach a specified value, which can make the output parameters of the circuit change in a predetermined step. In circuits, relays mainly control, protect, regulate and transmit information. The relay has an induction mechanism that reflects external input parameters, an executive mechanism that realizes "on" and "off" control of the controlled circuit, and an intermediate comparison mechanism that compares, judges and converts the size of the input.

As a control element, relays have the following functions:

(1) Expand the control range, such as multi-contact relay control signal reaches a certain value, according to the different forms of the contact group, at the same time open and close the multi-circuit;

(2) amplification, such as sensitive relay, intermediate relay, etc., with a very small amount of control, can control a large power circuit;

(3) comprehensive signals, such as when multiple control signals are input into the multi-winding relay in a specified form, after comparison and synthesis, to achieve the predetermined control effect;

(4) Automatic, remote control, monitoring, such as the relay on the automatic device and other electrical appliances together, can form a program control circuit, so as to realize automatic operation.

In the competition of the temperature controlled market, enterprises in the United States, Japan and other developed countries constantly consolidate their dominant position in the global market by establishing technical standards, controlling core technologies, strengthening the integration of industrial chains, and firmly mastering the dominance of technical standards and international rules. In recent years, in order to further strengthen the core competitiveness, enterprises in the United States, Japan and other developed countries continue to expand temperature controlled products and speed up technology integration. Their business scope has broken through simple relay manufacturing and developed to industrial control, system integration and other fields. The key to the competition in the high-end field has developed from the competition of quantity to the competition of the basic research and development of new relays, key materials, special equipment and other core products.

The raw material of the temperature controlled

The temperature controlled cost of relay is mainly determined by raw materials, which are mainly iron, silver, copper and other metals, accounting for about 74.4% of the production cost, labour and manufacturing costs accounting for 13.7% and 11.9% respectively, silver, copper and iron materials accounting for 36%, 21% and 7% of the raw material cost respectively. The price of three raw materials has a certain impact on the profitability of the whole industry. In addition to the main metal raw materials of the temperature controlled, engineering plastics and enamelled wire are also important components of relays, and the overall supply of raw materials is stable at present.

The application domain of the temperature controlled

The rapid development of temperature controlled emerging relays. The application field of relays has changed from traditional application fields, such as household appliances and power automation control equipment, ships and new energy. Relay products have been transformed from low-end products to high-end products, such as high-voltage DC relay, high-performance industrial control relay, low-power energy-saving relay, new-generation communication relay, high-frequency relay, relay control components and other high-performance relays. The value chain of the relay industry is constantly extending to the high-end. In terms of product performance, it is developing towards the direction of more sensitive (low power consumption), smaller volume and higher performance (such as high-frequency relay).

Juzlongelec- Safe and affordable time relay temperature controlled supplier

Juzlong Electric Co., Ltd.  www.juzlongelec.com  is a high-tech industry integrating research, development and sales. The main products include time relay, small intermediate relay, solid state relay, temperature control instrument, counter, microcomputer time control switch and other piezoelectric devices. Juzlong took the lead in implementing lean production in the industry and established a small-displacement, multi-batch pull production model with Junlong characteristics.

Based on the operating system of business value stream, the organization forms an information flow control triggering mode from manufacturing end to business order, and builds a stable production management system. No matter who you are, Junlong technology will provide you with the best quality products at very competitive prices. You are welcome to contact us at any time to obtain the latest quotations for our professional piezoelectric devices.

Time Relay and Solid State Relay Accessories . Buy Safe and affordable temperature controlled time relay, solid state relay and other relay accessories from Juzlong;

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Email: juzlongchina@gmail.com

Telephone: +86 181 06796660

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Will the shock of China domestic scrap market affect the prices of used cut to length line orlando florida

Last week, the domestic scrap market is weak adjustment, merchants are cautious in receiving goods, inventory remains low, the arrival of steel slightly increased, but the weak demand for scrap is difficult to change, scrap market continues to maintain the "weak supply and demand" pattern. Average scrap purchase price of key steel enterprises compared with the previous week, heavy scrap prices down 50 yuan/ton, medium scrap prices down 59 yuan/ton, scrap prices down 70 yuan/ton.

In May, China's daily crude steel output of 3,116,500 tons, a month-on-month growth of 0.8%, but the stock continued to increase, the price of wide downward, steel profits were further compressed, resulting in insufficient scrap price support, all the way down. Last Tuesday, Shagang scrap purchase price led by 50 yuan/ton, most of the surrounding steel scrap purchase prices have followed down. Last Friday, shagang scrap purchase price fell 50 yuan/ton, business confi dence seriously frustrated, scrap market weak atmosphere. At present, the production enthusiasm of steel mills is weakened, the willingness to use scrap is low, and most of the procurement is on demand. At the same time, considering the weakening of the cost end support, it is expected that the scrap market will be weak in the short term.

East China scrap market continues to be weak, coke prices rise, steel profits are compressed again, scrap processing base to reduce the amount of goods received. Nangang heavy scrap purchase price is 3590 yuan/ton, reduced by 100 yuan/ton; Shagang heavy scrap purchase price of 3780 yuan/ton, reduced by 100 yuan/ton; Xingcheng Special Steel heavy scrap purchase price is 3780 yuan/ton, reduced by 100 yuan/ton; Maanshan Heavy steel scrap purchase price is 3630 yuan/ton, reduced by 100 yuan/ton; Tongling Fuxin heavy scrap purchase price is 3850 yuan/ton; The bidding price of steel bar cutting head of Shangang Laigang is 4110 yuan/ton; Xiwang Metal boutique heavy scrap purchase price of 3821 yuan/ton, reduced by 99 yuan/ton; Ningbo Iron and Steel in June heavy scrap purchase base price is 3560 yuan/ton.

Central China scrap market weak operation, businesses bearish market, more pressure to receive goods, scrap market transaction is tepid, steel arrival in general. Angang heavy scrap purchase price of 3780 yuan/ton, reduced by 90 yuan/ton; Wugang heavy scrap purchase price of 4030 yuan/ton, reduced by 100 yuan/ton; Hunan Iron and Steel Hengsteel grade 1 qualified material purchase price of 3450 yuan/ton, down 40 yuan/ton; Wisco low sulfur block scrap purchase price of 4000 yuan/ton.

South China scrap prices continue to decline, merchants to slow down. Sangang Minguang heavy scrap purchase price is 3760 yuan/ton, reduced by 60 yuan/ton; Shaogang heavy class II scrap cash to factory price of 3350 yuan/ton, down 100 yuan/ton.

The scrap market in southwest China is stable and weak. Affected by the falling price of finished materials, some steel scrap purchasing prices are reduced. The price of heavy steel scrap excluding tax is 3410 yuan/ton, reduced by 50 yuan/ton; Kunming iron and Steel heavy scrap purchase price for 3820 yuan/ton.

Northwest scrap prices slightly lower, market transactions cold, scrap processing base to reduce the amount of goods, inventory at a low level. Xining Special Steel medium grade one qualified material purchase price is 3540 yuan/ton, reduced by 100 yuan/ton; Jiusteel medium scrap price excluding tax is 3325 yuan/ton, up 105 yuan/ton.

Northeast scrap prices down, steel profits were compressed, scrap consumption declined significantly, positive shipping businesses. Lingang heavy scrap purchase price of 3780 yuan/ton, reduced by 60 yuan/ton; Anshan Iron and Steel heavy scrap purchase price of 3899 yuan/ton; Construction longxi Steel (Yichun area) heavy scrap purchase price of 3610 yuan/ton; Fushun Special steel heavy scrap purchase price of 3670 yuan/ton, reduced by 50 yuan/ton.

Steel processing industry - Current status of the used cut to length line orlando florida

Growth in the construction, automotive and consumer used cut to length line orlando florida has played a big role in providing the needed boost to the global steel processing industry. The global steel processing industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.86% between 2020 and 2026. Alloy steel is the fastest-growing segment of the global steel processing market and is suitable for all applications.

Metal and Steel Processing industry  the used cut to length line orlando florida market demand

Market demand for steel processing is expected to grow by us $642.43 billion by 2020, with a CAGR of 2.16% from 2015 to 2020. Growth in the global construction, consumer electronics and automotive industries has played a huge role in providing the necessary momentum for the global steel processing industry after the economic slowdown of 2007-2009. In addition, the reduction of alternatives to steel has made steel an indispensable part of customers lives. The recovery of the global used cut to length line orlando florida economy will also boost demand in the steel processing market.

The Asia-pacific region is expected to become the fastest-growing region in the steel processing market from 2015 to 2020. Major players in steel processing prefer agreements, contracts, joint venture and partnership strategies as well as expansion and investment to gain a larger share of the market. Leading used cut to length line orlando florida providers of steel processed products and services are focusing on emerging countries that are expected to show potential for industrial development in the near future.

Metal and Steel Processing Industry - Future planning of the used cut to length line orlando florida

The steel processing market is a highly fragmented one due to the huge demand for environmentally friendly products and changing technologies. Large companies rely on regional and local distributors to increase their market share and geographic distribution. The company is pursuing inorganic growth strategies such as acquisitions to respond to the growing demand for steel processing in key emerging markets. These strategies have helped the company build a larger customer and partner base in key used cut to length line orlando florida markets.

The application needs of steel processing are constantly changing and manufacturers must continue to invest in RESEARCH and development and come up with innovative solutions.

Steel deep processing is the only way for the development of the used cut to length line orlando florida steel industry. Chinas steel production is in the stage of oversupply, structural contradictions are: advanced production capacity and backward production capacity coexist; The shortage of high-end products and the surplus of low-end products coexist; Industrial concentration is poor.

Leading manufacturer of metallic processing machines, the used cut to length line orlando florida supplier

Foshan Te Xiang Machinery Co., Ltd ( www.txmachinery.net ) is a China leading manufacturer of metallic processing machines, including slitting line, cut to length line , stainless steel polishing line, ERW tube mill line, roll forming machines, embossing line and etc.

Thanks to the experience acquired in many years of business in the field of sheet metal processing, and the continuous collaboration with downstream manufacturers that demand reliability and the maximum productivity, we have developed various types of cut to length line machines for special applications, with solutions at the forefront of technology, and able to reduce the production costs of the end product. TX CTL line can be incorporated with air cushioned, bomb-door type stackers, computer controlled high-precision 4 HI and 6 HI levellers, edge trimmer and etc.

According to the dimensions, thickness of the material, and production capacity, TX cut-to-length cutting lines can be divided into various types:

1)start-stop shear CTL line;

2)flying shear CTL line;

3)rotary shears CTL line ;

4)trapezoidal shear CTL line;

5)heavy gauge CTL line;

6)flat bar cut to length line

If you have any questions about the used cut to length line orlando florida or want to seek our help. Send an email to info@txmachinery.net please feel free to contact us.

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Zirconium silicide (ZrSi2) is an inorganic compound

U.S. natural gas futures rose about 5 percent to a near nine-week high as global energy prices surged on concerns over a pricing plan for energy exports, keeping U.S. LNG export demand near record highs. U.S. natural gas prices have risen despite forecasts of mild weather and lower-than-expected demand, which will allow utilities to fill up storage facilities next week. On Wednesday, Germany launched an emergency plan to manage gas supplies in Europe's largest economy. If natural gas supplies are interrupted or stopped, the German government could take unprecedented steps to limit electricity supply.

Affected by the increase in the price of natural gas, the price of the Zirconium disilicide zrsi2 powder will also increase.



Overview of zirconium disilicide ZrSi2 powder

Zirconium silicide ZrSi2 powder is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula ZrSi2, which is composed of zirconium and silicon atoms.

Zirconium disilicide, also known as zirconium silicide, is a gray square crystalline powder. Zirconium silicide is used as raw material powder for fine ceramics. Zirconium disilicide zrsi2, molecular weight 147.39, density 4.88, melting point 1620  (1790 ), lattice constant: a = 0.372nm, B = 1.476nm, C = 0.367nm. Microhardness (mol / mm2): 62.8 kJ / mm2. Gray square crystalline powder, stable under normal temperature and pressure. Refractory metal silicide. Low resistivity (about 10-7  m) and high hardness. The preparation method is mainly made by sintering the mixture of deposited metal and silicon. The deposition methods mainly include evaporation, sputtering, electroplating, chemical vapor deposition and so on.

Application of zirconium disilicide ZrSi2 powder

Zirconium disilicide ZrSi2 powder can be used in metal ceramics, high temperature oxide coatings, high temperature structural materials, aerospace and other fields. It is used as fine ceramic raw material powder, crucible and semiconductor film.

It is mostly used in VLSI circuits, such as metal grid, Schottky contact, ohmic contact, etc.

1. Used for manufacturing refractory materials

2. It is also used in the production of some ceramics, enamel and ceramic glaze.

3. In enamel and glaze, it is used as shading agent.

4. For grinding bead.

Zirconium disilicide ZrSi2 product price

The price of zirconium disilicide ZrSi2 products will change randomly due to factors such as production cost, transportation cost, international situation, exchange rate, market supply and demand of zirconium disilicide ZrSi2 products, etc. Tanki new materials Co., Ltd. aims to help industries and chemical wholesalers find high-quality and low-cost nano materials and chemicals by providing a full range of customized services. If you are looking for zirconium disilicide ZrSi2 products, please feel free to send an inquiry to obtain the latest price of zirconium disilicide ZrSi2 products.

Zirconium disilicide ZrSi2 product supplier

As a global supplier of zirconium disilicide ZrSi2 products,Tanki new materials Co.,Ltd. has rich experience in the performance, application and cost-effective manufacturing of advanced engineering materials. The company has successfully developed a series of high-purity targets of powder materials (titanium silicide, molybdenum silicide, silicide, etc.), functional ceramics and structural devices, and provided OEM services.

Technical parameters of zirconium disilicide ZrSi2 powder





Product Name MF Purity Particle Size Melting Point Density Color zirconium silicide ZrSi2 99% 5-10um 1620 4.88 g/cm3 gray





The chemical composition of zirconium disilicide ZrSi2 powder

ZrSi2 Zr Si C P Fe S Hf 99% 60.8% balance 0.2% 0.02% 0.2% 0.005% 1.5%





The COVID-19 pandemic has affected economies and chemical companies in many countries around the world. Measures such as extending holidays and resuming work were taken to control the development of the epidemic, and the normal operation of some chemical enterprises was also affected to some extent.

We provides high quality Zirconium disilicide zrsi2 powder with reasonable price. In order to feedback to old customers, the company is still in full operations to provide Zirconium disilicide zrsi2 powder with competitive price. said Olina, the sales manager.

Chemical Zirconium disilicide zrsi2 powder, feel free to contact us.

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Overview and application of sodium stearate

Chile's government is considering phasing in a proposed ban on glacial mining to limit projects high in the Andes by some big copper companies. Chile's constitutional assembly has approved a proposal to ban mining in glaciers, protected areas, and areas vital to protecting the country's water system.

Chile's mining minister, Marcela Hernando, said about 20 mines had been identified in protected areas, some close to glaciers, including Codelco's El Teniente and Andina projects and Anglo American Plc's Los Bronces project.

The new measures for glaciers and other protected areas will put about a fifth of Chile's copper Sodium stearate,Overview of Sodium Stearate,Application of sodium stearate,Sodium stearate price,Sodium stearate supplier prices are predicted to increase in the next few days.

Overview of Sodium Stearate

Sodium stearate is also known as sodium octadecanoate. White fine powder or lumps of sodium stearate, it is a chemically synthesized ingredient, not natural, but derived from the natural ingredient stearic acid, which is a saturated fatty acid that can be extracted from plant sources such as rapeseed oil, palm oil and sunflower oil. py solids have a slippery feel, have a fatty smell, and absorb water in the air.

Dissolved in hot water or hot alcohol, it is decomposed into stearic acid, and in case of acid, the corresponding sodium salt is formed. Insoluble in ether, light gasoline, acetone and similar organic solvents. It is also insoluble in electrolyte solutions such as salt and sodium hydroxide. The aqueous solution is alkaline due to hydrolysis, while the alcoholic solution is neutral. It is prepared by the interaction of stearic acid and sodium hydroxide. Widely used in the manufacture of toothpaste, soap, cosmetics, as well as waterproofing agents, plastic stabilizers, adhesives, etc. Sodium stearate is an organic substance, a natural acid salt.

Application of sodium stearate

Sodium stearate is the sodium salt of stearic acid. This white solid is the most common soap. It is found in many types of solid deodorants, rubber, latex paints and inks. It is also an ingredient in some food additives and food flavorings.

Sodium stearate can be used as a heat stabilizer for polyethylene. It has excellent lubricity and good processing properties. Works synergistically with zinc soaps and epoxy compounds to improve thermal stability, base lead salts and lead. Soap is used in hard products to increase the rate of gelation. The use of sodium stearate in polyethylene and polypropylene eliminates the detrimental effect of residual catalyst on resin color and stability. This product is also widely used as a lubricant and release agent for thermosetting plastics such as polyolefin, polyester reinforced plastic, phenolic resin amino resin, etc.

Sodium stearate price

The price of sodium stearate will change randomly with factors such as production cost, transportation cost, international situation, exchange rate, and market supply and demand of meat sodium stearate. Tanki New Materials Co.,Ltd. aims to help industries and chemical wholesalers find high-quality, low-cost nanomaterials and chemicals by providing a full range of customized services. If you are looking for Sodium Stearate, please feel free to send an inquiry to get the latest price of Sodium Stearate.

Sodium stearate supplier

As a global sodium stearate supplier, Tanki New Materials Co.,Ltd. has extensive experience in the performance, application and cost-effective manufacturing of advanced engineering materials. The company has successfully developed a series of powder materials (including oxides, carbides, nitrides, single metals, etc.), high-purity targets, functional ceramics and structural devices, and provides OEM services.

Sodium Myristate Powder Properties Other Names SODIUM MYRISTATE 822-12-8 Sodium tetradecanoate, Tetradecanoic acid, sodium salt, Myristic acid sodium salt CAS No. 822-12-8 Compound Formula CH3(CH2)12COONa Molecular Weight N/A Appearance white fine powder Melting Point N/A Solubility in water N/A Density N/A Purity >98% Particle Size 200 mesh Boling point N/A Specific Heat N/A Thermal Conductivity N/A Thermal Expansion N/A Young's Modulus N/A Exact Mass 478.387252 Monoisotopic Mass 478.387252





The Japanese minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry recently held talks with the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and industry in Washington, where he is visiting, and agreed to include basic principles on joint research and development of semiconductors and strengthening of supply chains. Japan's economy, Trade and Industry Minister has asked the United States to increase the Sodium stearate,Overview of Sodium Stearate,Application of sodium stearate,Sodium stearate price,Sodium stearate supplier will continue to increase in the future.

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Elementary

What is Fumed Silica?

Wholesale gas prices in the Netherlands and the UK have risen 20 percent recently amid concerns about Russian supplies.

The EU plans to cut its dependence on Russian gas by two-thirds this year and stop importing Russian fossil fuels by 2027. Russia exported about 155 billion cubic meters of gas to the EU in 2021.

The US recently said it would try to supply 15bn cubic meters of LNG to the EU this year. U.S. LNG plants are running at full capacity, and analysts say much of the extra gas the U.S. sends to Europe comes from what should have been exported elsewhere.

The German government called Russia "an unreliable energy supplier". Even though the German government claimed that they have been preparing for the situation for a long time that Russia may stop sending gas one day, experts say it is hard for the EU to replace all of Russia's gas exports any time soon.

The supply and prices of many fumed silica will continue to be influenced by international situations.





Fumed silica is a nanometer white powder produced by the hydrolysis of silicon halide at high temperature in an oxyhydrogen flame. It is a kind of amorphous silicon dioxide product, the primary particle size is between 7~40nm, the aggregate particle size is about 200-500 nm, the specific surface area is 100~400m2/g, high purity, and SiO2 content is not less than 99.8%. The vapor phase silica aggregates with untreated surfaces contain a variety of silica hydroxyl groups.

One is an isolated, undisturbed free hydroxyl group; The other is bonded silyl groups that are linked and form hydrogen bonds to each other. The vapor phase silica aggregates with the untreated surface are aggregates containing multiple -Oh compounds, which can easily form a uniform three-dimensional network structure (hydrogen bond) in the liquid system. This three-dimensional network structure (hydrogen bond) with external force (shear force, electric force, etc.) will be destroyed, the medium becomes thin, the viscosity drops, and once the external force disappears, the three-dimensional structure (hydrogen bond) will restore itself, the viscosity rises, that is, this thixotropy is reversible.







Fumed silica is one of the most important new inorganic materials. It has a small particle size, large specific surface area, strong surface adsorption, large surface energy, high chemical purity, good dispersion performance, thermal resistance, resistance, and other aspects of specific performance. In addition, its high stability, its reinforcing effect, thickening, and thixotropy, in many fields of unique characteristics make it irreplaceable.

It is widely used in various industries as additives, catalyst carriers, petrochemical, decolorizing agent, matting agent, rubber reinforcing agent, plastic filling agents, ink thickening agents, metal soft polishing agents, insulation and adiabatic filler, advanced daily cosmetic filler, and spraying materials, medicine, environmental protection, and other fields.



Fumed silica mainly has two "sex: hydrophilic and hydrophobic. People can use physical, chemical, and mechanical methods to deal with the fumed silica surface or interface, in order to change its chemical and physical properties of the fumed silica surface, such as surface energy, surface wettability, electrical, adsorption, and reaction characteristics, surface structure and functional groups, etc. Therefore, it can meet the modern new material, new technology, and the needs of the development of new technology.







Hydrophobic fumed silica applications

Thickening of polar liquids, such as epoxy resins; Silicone elastomer reinforcement; High addition, as in molded products; Good hydrophobicity, improving anticorrosion; Improved dielectric properties, as in cable composites; Powder flow AIDS, such as powder coatings and fire extinguishing agents; Improve scratch resistance in coatings and plastics.



Luoyang Tongrun Nano Technology Co. Ltd. (TRUNNANO) is a trusted global chemical material supplier & manufacturer with over 12-year-experience in providing super high-quality chemicals and Nanomaterials, including silicon powder, nitride powder, graphite powder, zinc sulfide, calcium nitride, 3D printing powder, etc.

If you are looking for high-quality fumed silica at a very good price, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry. ([email protected])



Chile's government has decided to create a state-owned lithium enterprise and hopes to establish a model for the company by the end of the year, Mining Minister Marcela Hernando said in an interview.

Chile is the world's second largest lithium producer and has the largest reserves of lithium in the world. The domestic lithium industry is currently dominated by two private companies, Albemarle and SQM.

Chile wants to participate more closely in the booming lithium market after leftist President Gabriel Boric took office in March. The accelerating electrification of the global auto industry has helped push prices of lithium, a key raw material for electric car batteries, to record highs over the past year, lapping up more players, including Mexico and Argentina, who want a piece of the market.

According to Hernando, the government is setting up a task force to determine the best way to run state-owned lithium enterprises. She said the government hopes to establish plans by the end of the year for how the company will develop and what business model it will operate under.

Hernando stressed that while the state would be a major shareholder in the proposed company, it was open to private investment.

Luoyang Tongrun Nano Technology (TRUNNANO) is a global chemical material supplier providing high-quality chemicals and Nanomaterials including graphite powder, 3D printing powder, the fumed silica.

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Hydride Powder

The formula and production method of water reducer for concrete

Europe's largest economy, Germany, recently activated an emergency plan to manage gas supplies that the natural gas could be rationed if supplies are disrupted or disrupted by a stand-off over Russian demands to pay for fuel in rubles.

German Vice-Chancellor, minister of economy and climate protection, said Germany's gas supplies were secure for now, but he urged consumers and businesses to reduce consumption, saying "every kilowatt of electricity counts."

Germany's gas network regulator can ration gas if supplies run short. Plants would be the first to be affected. Special treatment will be provided to private families, hospitals, and other important institutions.

Half of Germany's 41.5 million households use natural gas for heating, and industry consumption accounts for a third of the country's 100 billion cubic meters of gas demand in 2021.

The price of many energy and commodities like the water reducer,water reducing agent ,concrete admixtures could be affected.





The application of various concrete admixtures can not only improve the performance of concrete, but also promote the development of new concrete technologies, promote the application of industrial by-products in cementitious material systems, and also help save resources and protect the environment. , has gradually become an essential material for high-quality concrete. Among them, the water reducing agent is a kind of concrete, and the water reducing agent is a concrete admixture that can reduce the mixing water consumption under the condition that the concrete slump is basically unchanged. Most of them are anionic surfactants, such as lignosulfonate, naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde polymer, etc. When we add the concrete mixture, it has a dispersing effect on the cement particles, which can improve its workability, reduce the unit water consumption, and improve the fluidity of the concrete mixture; or reduce the unit cement consumption, effectively saving cement.





The specific operation method of the water reducing agent formula for concrete:

1. Maleic anhydride is prepared into a 5-7% solution according to the required amount and recorded as the head material.

2. The initiator is prepared into a 5-10% solution for later use.

3. Add the required amount of APEG or TPEG, heat to liquefy it, and then add the headstock.

4. Nitrogen replacement;

5. When the temperature rises to 75-85C, the initiator is added dropwise, and the dropwise addition is completed at 80C for 1.5-2 hours.

6. After the dropwise addition of the initiator is completed, keep the temperature at 80-90 C. for 4-4.5 hours to complete the reaction and cool down.

7. When the temperature drops to 40-50, add 50% KOH solution to neutralize to PH: 7-8.

8. After measuring the solid content, add the measured soft water according to the required solid content.

9. After the solid content is determined to be qualified, discharge the material.





After the above experiments, we can get the basic formula of water reducer for concrete:

Concrete water reducer formula 1:

Hydroxyethyl acrylate: 25g, acrylamide: 5g, allyl polyoxyethylene ether: 175g, sodium persulfate: 10g, neutralized by sodium hydroxide.

Concrete water reducer formula 2:

Allyl polyoxyethylene glycol ether: 40 g, acrylic monomer: 30 g, 10% ammonium persulfate aqueous solution 40 g, neutralized with triethanolamine.

Concrete water reducer formula 3:

Allyl polyoxyethylene glycol ether: 100 g, methacrylic acid: 70 g, acrylic acid: 20 g, 10% aqueous ammonium persulfate solution: 50 g, neutralized with sodium hydroxide.

Concrete water reducer formula 4:

Methacrylic acid: 25g:, allyl polyoxyethylene ether: 175g, sodium persulfate: 10g. , neutralized with sodium hydroxide.

Concrete water reducer formula 5:

TPEG: 180 g, hydrogen peroxide: 0.63 g, thioglycolic acid: 0.56 g, ascorbic acid: 0.3 g, acrylic acid: 182.3 g, neutralized with sodium hydroxide.

Concrete water reducer formula 6:

APEG: 180 g, hydrogen peroxide: 10 g, thioglycolic acid: 2.07 g, itaconic acid: 10 g, methacrylic acid: 21.23 g, neutralized with sodium hydroxide.





The above is for reference only. If you need more, you can find a professional concrete water reducer formulation and component analysis and testing agency to provide concrete water reducer, concrete additive formula reduction, concrete polyacid water reducer component analysis, concrete water reducer Formula analysis, proportion of concrete water reducing agent, decryption of water reducing agent formula, composition analysis of concrete water reducing agent, composition test of concrete water reducing agent, identification of concrete water reducing agent raw materials, etc. Analyze the chemical name and approximate content ratio of each raw material in the sample, provide technical assistance for your production, and even develop the preparation method of the sample for you.





TRUNNANO is a concrete additives supplier with over 12 years experience in nano-building energy conservation and nanotechnology development. We accept payment via Credit Card, T/T, West Union and Paypal. Trunnano will ship the goods to customers overseas through FedEx, DHL, by air, or by sea.

If you are looking for high quality concrete admixtures, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry.

sales@cabr-concrete.com









New Delhi: India's Oil Ministry recently conveyed its intention to five national oil companies including Indian Oil Corp and Bharat Petroleum Resources LTD to assess the possibility of buying shares in Russian oil projects sold by European and American oil majors.

Bp announced it would give up its 19.75% stake in Rosneft, the Russian oil company. ExxonMobil said on March 1 that it would exit about $4 billion in assets and terminate all of its Russian operations, including the Sakhalin-1 project in Russia's far East.

India's oil ministry has asked the overseas investment arm of India's Oil and Gas Corporation to consider buying ExxonMobil's 30 percent stake in the Sakhalin 1 project in Russia's far East. ExxonMobil is the operator of the project and Indian companies already have a 20 percent stake in the project.

Because of the ever-changing international situation, the supply and prices of international bulk water reducer,water reducing agent ,concrete admixtures are still very uncertain.

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Lithium Battery Anode

3D Printing Alloy Spherical Tungsten Carbide-Cobalt Cemented Alloy Powder

US President recently decided to invoke a Cold War-era defense law to encourage domestic Spherical Tungsten Carbide Powder.

About 3D Printing Alloy WC-Co Powder:



Product name: Spherical Tungsten Carbide Powder



Product Specifications: 5-25m, 15-45m, 15-53m, 45-75m, 45-105m, 75-150m. (Can be customized according to customer requirements)

Powder properties: high purity (99.9%), low oxygen (300ppm), high sphericity (95%), smooth surface, no satellite ball, uniform particle size distribution, excellent flow performance (10.0s/50g), high loose density (7.0g/cm3) and vibration density (7.5g/cm3).

Applicable technology: Laser/electron beam additive manufacturing (SLM/EBM), laser direct deposition (DLD), hot isostatic powder molding (HIP), metal injection molding (MIM), powder metallurgy (PM), laser deposition (LC) and other processes.

Powder application: Tungsten-cobalt carbide is a kind of tungsten carbide composed of WC and Co metal, according to the different cobalt content can be divided into high cobalt (20%), medium cobalt (10%), low cobalt (3%) three types, cobalt for bonding phase, tungsten carbide for hard phase. Rf plasma spheroidized TUNGSTEN carbide and cobalt hard alloy powder has the characteristics of uniform distribution of cobalt elements, high sphericity, good fluidity, large loose density, dense particles inside, less hollow powder and so on. It can be used in cemented carbide, diamond tools, die casting mold, welding materials, vacuum coating, thermal spraying and so on.



Composition(percentage by mass) of Spherical Tungsten Carbide Powder



Specifications and properties of Spherical Tungsten Carbide:

Quantity 1kg Appearance Silver gray powder of flakes Assay Percent Range 99.8% (Metals basis) Mesh Size As request Odor Odorless Physical Form Spherical Powder Color Silver to Gray Chemical Name or Material Tungsten Carbide



Storage Condition of Spherical Tungsten Carbide Powder:

Damp reunion will affect Spherical Tungsten Carbide powder dispersion performance and using effects, therefore,Spherical Tungsten Carbide Powder should be sealed in vacuum packing and stored in cool and dry room, the Spherical Tungsten Carbide Powder can not be exposure to air. In addition, the Spherical Tungsten Carbide powder should be avoided under stress.

Packing & Shipping of Spherical Tungsten Carbide Powder:

We have many different kinds of packing which depends on the Spherical Tungsten Carbide Powder quantity.

Spherical Tungsten Carbide Powder packing:vacuum packing, 100g, 500g or 1kg/bag, 25kg/barrel, or as your request.

Spherical Tungsten Carbide Powder shipping:could be shipped out by sea , by air, by express as soon as possible once payment receipt.





Luoyang Tongrun Nano Technology Co. Ltd. (TRUNNANO) is a trusted global chemical material supplier & manufacturer with over 12-year-experience in providing super high-quality chemicals and Nanomaterials, including boron powder, nitride powder, graphite powder, zinc sulfide, 3D printing powder, etc.





If you are looking for 3D printing metal powder, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry, email address: sales2@nanotrun.com







3D Printing Alloy Spherical Tungsten Carbide-Cobalt Powder Properties Other Names Tungsten Carbide-Cobalt Powder CAS No. N/A Compound Formula WC-Co Molecular Weight N/A Appearance Gray metallic solid in various forms (ingot, tubing, pieces, powder) Melting Point N/A Solubility in water N/A Density NA Purity N/A Particle Size 0-20m, 15-45m, 15-53m, 53-105m, 53-150m, 105-250m Boling point N/A Specific Heat N/A Thermal Conductivity N/A Thermal Expansion N/A Young's Modulus N/A Exact Mass N/A Monoisotopic Mass N/A 3D Printing Alloy Spherical Tungsten Carbide-Cobalt Health & Safety Information Safety Warning N/A Hazard Statements N/A Flashing point N/A Hazard Codes N/A Risk Codes N/A Safety Statements N/A RTECS Number N/A Transport Information N/A WGK Germany N/A

The current international situation is highly uncertain, and its economic impact has not been able to be assessed properly. In addition, rising energy and commodity prices and supply chain disruptions are expected to push the price of the Spherical Tungsten Carbide Powder higher.



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Metal Alloy

High Purity Zirconium Diboride powder ZrB2 CAS 12045-64-6,99%

OPEC+ is likely to stick to its plan for a small increase in oil Zirconium Diboride will continue to be influenced by the oil supply shortage.





About Zirconium Diboride ZrB2 Powder:

Zirconium boride is a chemical substance and its molecular formula is ZrB2. Nature gray hard crystals. Zirconium boride has three components: zirconium monoboride, zirconium diboride, and zirconium tribromide. Only zirconium diboride is stable in a wide temperature range. Industrial production is mainly based on zirconium diboride. Zirconium diboride is a hexagonal crystal, gray crystal or powder, with a relative density of 5.8 and a melting point of 3040C. High-temperature resistance, high strength at room temperature and high temperature. Good thermal shock resistance, low resistance, anti-oxidation at high temperature. The melting point is about 3000C. With metallic luster.



Zirconium diboride (ZrB2) is a highly covalent refractory ceramic material with a hexagonal crystal structure. ZrB2 is an ultra-high temperature ceramic (UHTC) with a melting point of 3246C. Coupled with a lower density of ~6.09 g/cm3 (the measured density may be higher due to ha impurities) and good high-temperature strength, it is suitable for high-temperature aerospace applications, such as hypersonic flight or rocket propulsion systems, for example, Furnace components, high-temperature electrodes, rocket engines, thermal protection structures for spacecraft with temperature capabilities exceeding 1800C, and heavy-wear applications.



It is an unusual ceramic with relatively high thermal and electrical conductivity and has the same characteristics as the titanium diboride and diboride shares of the same structure. In addition to its fire resistance, good thermal conductivity (>50 W/m/K), inertness to molten metal, good thermal shock resistance, and high electrical conductivity (~105 S/cm), ZrB2 can also pass EDM basic ceramic molding.



ZrB2 parts are usually hot-pressed (applying pressure to the heated powder) and then machined to form. The covalent nature of the material and the presence of surface oxides hinder the sintering of ZrB2. The presence of surface oxides will increase the coarsening of crystal grains before densification during the sintering process. Pressureless sintering of ZrB2 is possible. Sintering additives such as boron carbide and carbon will react with surface oxides, thereby increasing the driving force for sintering, but the mechanical properties will decrease compared to hot-pressed ZrB2. Feel free to send an inquiry to get the latest price if you would like to buy Zirconium Diboride ZrB2 Powder in bulk.



Properties of Zirconium Diboride ZrB2 powder CAS 12045-64-6:

Molecular formula: ZrB2

Molar mass: 112.85 g/mol

Appearance: grey-black powder

Density: 6.085 g/cm3

Melting point: 3246 C

Solubility in water: Insoluble

Crystal structure: Hexagonal, hP3

Space group: P6/mmm, No. 191



Features of Zirconium Diboride ZrB2 powder:

TiB2, ZrB2, HfB2, VB2, NbB, NbB2, TaB, TaB2, CrB2, Mo2B5, W2B5, Fe2B, FeB, CoB, Co2B, NiB, Ni2B, Ni2B, LaB6, UB4, UB2.

Zirconium diboride (ZrB2) is a highly covalent refractory ceramic material with a hexagonal crystal structure. ZrB2 is an ultra high temperature ceramic (UHTC) with a melting point of 3246 C. This along with its relatively low density of ~6.09 g/cm3 (measured density may be higher due to hafnium impurities) and good high temperature strength makes it a candidate for high temperature aerospace applications such as hypersonic flight or rocket propulsion systems. It is an unusual ceramic, having relatively high thermal and electrical conductivities, properties it shares with isostructural titanium diboride and hafnium diboride.



How is Zirconium Diboride ZrB2 Powder produced?

ZrO2 and HfO2 are reduced to their respective diboron silanes by metal thermal reduction. Use cheap precursor materials and react according to the following reactions:



ZrO 2 + B 2 O 3 + 5MgZrB 2 + 5MgO



The precursor materials for this reaction (ZrO 2 / TiO 2 / HfO 2 and B 4 C) are cheaper than those required for stoichiometric and boron thermal reactions. Prepare ZrB2 at a temperature higher than 1600C for at least 1 hour through the following reaction:



2ZrO 2 + B 4 C + 3C2ZrB 2 + 4CO



This method requires a slight excess of boron because some boron is oxidized during the boron carbide reduction process. It is also observed that ZrC is the product of the reaction, but if the reaction is carried out under an excess of 20-25% of B4C, the ZrC phase disappears and only ZrB2 remains. The lowest synthesis temperature (~1600C) will produce UHTC with finer dimensions and better sinterability. Before boron carbide reduction, the boron carbide must be ground to promote the oxide reduction and diffusion process.



ZrO2 and HfO2 can be dispersed on the boron carbide polymer precursor before the reaction. in. Heating the reaction mixture to 1500C results in the formation of boron carbide and carbon in situ, and the subsequent reduction of ZrO2 to ZrB2.



The gas phase is used to reduce the vapors of zirconium tetrachloride and boron trichloride when the substrate temperature is higher than 800C. Recently, alternative ZrB2 films can also be prepared by physical vapor deposition.



Applications of Zirconium Diboride ZrB2 Powder:

Zirconium diboride has high hardness, high thermal conductivity, good oxidation resistance and good corrosion resistance. Zirconium diboride is used in special ceramic refractory industries, nuclear industry, aerospace industry and military industries. Zirconium diboride can be used as a surface coating for rolling balls and smooth solid materials.



Carbon fiber reinforced zirconium diboride composites exhibit high density, while silicon carbide fiber-reinforced zirconium diboride composites are brittle and show catastrophic damage.



Zirconium diboride (ZrB2) can be used as thin-film electronic components for sensors, actuators and micro-systems operating in high-temperature environments because it has metal-like conductivity and has a melting temperature of 3245C.

Other applications of Zirconium Diboride ZrB2 Powder:

(1) zirconium diboride powder is used to produce materials for ceramics.

(2) zirconium diboride powder can be used as a neutron absorber.

(3) zirconium diboride powder can be used as an abrasion-resistant coating.

(4) zirconium diboride powder can be used as crucible lining and anticorrosive chemical equipment.

(5) zirconium diboride powder can be used as anti-oxidation compound material.

(6) zirconium diboride powder can be used as a refractory material, especially in the status of anticorrosion of molten metals.

(7) zirconium diboride powder can be used as a thermally enhanced additive.

(8) zirconium diboride powder can be used for high-temperature resistance.

(9) zirconium diboride powder can be used as a special type of dope against high temperature, corrosion and oxidation.



Storage Condition of Zirconium Diboride ZrB2 Powder:

Damp reunion will affect ZrB2 powder dispersion performance and using effects, therefore, zirconium diboride ZrB2 powder should be sealed in vacuum packing and stored in cool and dry room, the zirconium diboride ZrB2 powder can not be exposure to air. In addition, the ZrB2 powder should be avoided under stress.



Packing & Shipping of Zirconium Diboride ZrB2 Powder:

We have many different kinds of packing which depends on the zirconium diboride ZrB2 powder quantity.

Zirconium diboride ZrB2 powder packing:vacuum packing, 100g, 500g or 1kg/bag, 25kg/barrel, or as your request.

Zirconium diboride ZrB2 powder shipping:could be shipped out by sea , by air, by express?as soon as possible once payment receipt.



Luoyang Tongrun Nano Technology Co. Ltd. (TRUNNANO) is a trusted global chemical material supplier & manufacturer with over 12-year-experience in providing super high-quality chemicals and Nanomaterials, including boride powder, nitride powder, graphite powder, sulfide powder, 3D printing powder, etc.

If you are looking for zirconium diboride, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry, email address: sales3@nanotrun.com





Zirconium Diboride Properties Other Names zirconium boride, ZrB2 powder CAS No. 12045-64-6 Compound Formula ZrB2 Molecular Weight 112.8 Appearance Gray to Black Powder Melting Point 3246 C Boiling Point N/A Density 6.09 g/cm3 Solubility in H2O N/A Exact Mass 111.923315 g/mol Zirconium Diboride Health & Safety Information Signal Word Warning Hazard Statements H228 Hazard Codes F Risk Codes N/A Safety Statements N/A Transport Information UN3178 4.1/PG III

Where is the best place for humans to live in outer space? So far, the moon is more habitable in outer space, and it is likely to be turned into a planet. However, whether humans can live on the moon for a long time, these questions have always been lingering in everyone's minds, always There is no way to get an answer. According to the report, a team from the University of Aeronautics and Astronautics in Beijing, after nearly 370 days of closed life, finally simulated the life experiment on the moon, and finally knew what the final truth was. Live here for a long time.All aspects of human beings are constantly improving, and the demand for Zirconium Diboride is also increasing.If you are engaged in the Zirconium Diboride industry, you just happen to contact us.

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News

Does the EU coal power emergency have an impact on the reverse power relay schneider market

The latest report, "Coal Is Not Making a Comeback: Europe predicts Limited carbon growth," is released today by British think tank Ember. Using a series of quantitative analyses, the report concludes that the currently planned restart of coal-fired power plants in Europe will have a limited impact on Europe's carbon emissions and climate change commitments. Overall, even in the worst-case scenario, the EU's emissions would increase by only 1.3% a year.

Since February of this year, Europe has been facing an increasingly severe gas supply crisis. Gas supplies from Russia, Europe's biggest supplier, now look likely to fall further ahead of winter.

While the European Union has taken steps to increase gas storage, Germany, Austria, France, the Netherlands and other countries plan or have already started to restart coal power generation.

The report's analysis finds that 14GW of coal-fired power is already on standby, increasing the EU's total installed capacity to 920GW (up 1.5%), while increasing existing coal capacity by 12% to 109GW. Most of the new coal-fired generation is in Germany, where the government has approved 8GW of spare capacity.

In addition, the Netherlands allows hard coal plants (4.5GW) to operate at full capacity until the end of 2023, rather than at a 35% loan rate. France will open 595MW coal-fired power plants this winter. Austria suspended the decommissioning of 246MW units. These units can only generate power in emergencies and remain on standby at other times.

In a worst-case scenario, the coal-fired reserve plant will operate at a load rate of 65% in 2023, generating 60Twh of electricity, enough to power Europe for a week, the report argues.

This would add an additional 30 million tonnes of co2 emissions in 2023, representing 1.3% of the EU's total emissions in 2021 and 4% of annual emissions from the power sector.

Market introduction of reverse power relay schneider

Time relay Industry competition and marketization degree: relay industry development is more mature, the market competition is more sufficient, major producing countries including China, the United States, Japan, Germany, etc., including the United States, Japan, Germany enterprise occupies most of the high-end relay market share, is mainly used in industrial automation control, automotive, communications, aerospace and other fields. The output of relays of Chinese enterprises accounts for about half of the global output of relays, but they are mainly medium and low-end products, which are mainly used in household appliances, electricity, automobiles and other fields.

Buy Safe and affordable reverse power relay schneider time relay, solid state relay and other relay accessories from Juzlong; Solid State Relay Accessories and Time Relay . Email: juzlongchina@gmail.com

Basic principles and classification of reverse power relay schneider

Basic concept and principle of relay: relay is a control component that automatically disconnects when the input parameters (such as electricity, magnetism, light, heat, sound and so on) in the circuit reach a specified value, which can make the output parameters of the circuit change in a predetermined step. In circuits, relays mainly control, protect, regulate and transmit information. The relay has an induction mechanism that reflects external input parameters, an executive mechanism that realizes "on" and "off" control of the controlled circuit, and an intermediate comparison mechanism that compares, judges and converts the size of the input.

As a control element, relays have the following functions:

(1) Expand the control range, such as multi-contact relay control signal reaches a certain value, according to the different forms of the contact group, at the same time open and close the multi-circuit;

(2) amplification, such as sensitive relay, intermediate relay, etc., with a very small amount of control, can control a large power circuit;

(3) comprehensive signals, such as when multiple control signals are input into the multi-winding relay in a specified form, after comparison and synthesis, to achieve the predetermined control effect;

(4) Automatic, remote control, monitoring, such as the relay on the automatic device and other electrical appliances together, can form a program control circuit, so as to realize automatic operation.

In the competition of the reverse power relay schneider market, enterprises in the United States, Japan and other developed countries constantly consolidate their dominant position in the global market by establishing technical standards, controlling core technologies, strengthening the integration of industrial chains, and firmly mastering the dominance of technical standards and international rules. In recent years, in order to further strengthen the core competitiveness, enterprises in the United States, Japan and other developed countries continue to expand reverse power relay schneider products and speed up technology integration. Their business scope has broken through simple relay manufacturing and developed to industrial control, system integration and other fields. The key to the competition in the high-end field has developed from the competition of quantity to the competition of the basic research and development of new relays, key materials, special equipment and other core products.

The raw material of the reverse power relay schneider

The reverse power relay schneider cost of relay is mainly determined by raw materials, which are mainly iron, silver, copper and other metals, accounting for about 74.4% of the production cost, labour and manufacturing costs accounting for 13.7% and 11.9% respectively, silver, copper and iron materials accounting for 36%, 21% and 7% of the raw material cost respectively. The price of three raw materials has a certain impact on the profitability of the whole industry. In addition to the main metal raw materials of the reverse power relay schneider, engineering plastics and enamelled wire are also important components of relays, and the overall supply of raw materials is stable at present.

The application of the reverse power relay schneider

The rapid development of reverse power relay schneider emerging relays. The application field of relays has changed from traditional application fields, such as household appliances and power automation control equipment, ships and new energy. Relay products have been transformed from low-end products to high-end products, such as high-voltage DC relay, high-performance industrial control relay, low-power energy-saving relay, new-generation communication relay, high-frequency relay, relay control components and other high-performance relays. The value chain of the relay industry is constantly extending to the high-end. In terms of product performance, it is developing towards the direction of more sensitive (low power consumption), smaller volume and higher performance (such as high-frequency relay).

Safe and affordable reverse power relay schneider supplier

Juzlong Electric Co., Ltd. is a high-tech industry integrating research, development and sales. The main products include time relay , small intermediate relay, solid state relay, temperature control instrument, counter, microcomputer time control switch and other piezoelectric devices. Juzlong took the lead in implementing lean production in the industry and established a small-displacement, multi-batch pull production model with Junlong characteristics.

Based on the operating system of business value stream, the organization forms an information flow control triggering mode from manufacturing end to business order, and builds a stable production management system. No matter who you are, Junlong technology will provide you with the best quality products at very competitive prices. You are welcome to contact us at any time to obtain the latest quotations for our professional piezoelectric devices.

G et a quote for the latest price.

Email: juzlongchina@gmail.com

Telephone: +86 181 06796660

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How do you know synthetic graphite?

The U.S. and its allies plan to impose sanctions on more Russian industries and supply chains.

The US government representatives recently visited Europe to consult with allies on strengthening and enforcing sanctions to punish Russia. They also plan to take action to disrupt their critical supply chains.

The US government claims that the sanctions imposed on Russia since the invasion began on February 24 have proved extremely effective, plunging Russia into a financial crisis. The sanctions include a freeze on the Russian central bank's foreign exchange assets, a ban on hard currency transactions by major Russian banks and wealthy individuals, and export restrictions on advanced semiconductors and other technologies. The sanctions have weakened the Russian economy and left the Kremlin with fewer resources.

The volatile international political situations will continue to affect the markets and prices of many commodities like the synthetic graphite.





In a broad sense, all graphite materials obtained by organic carbonization and then graphitization at high temperature can be called artificial graphite, such as carbon fiber, pyrolytic carbon, foamed graphite, etc. In a narrow sense, artificial graphite usually refers to a blocky solid material obtained through the processes of batching, kneading, molding, carbonization and graphitization, using carbonaceous raw materials with low impurity content as aggregates, coal tar pitch, etc. as binders. Such as graphite electrodes, isostatic graphite, etc.

Manufacturing method

There are many ways to manufacture artificial graphite. The common method is to use powdered high-quality calcined petroleum coke as the main raw material, add asphalt as a binder, and then add a small amount of other auxiliary materials. After the various raw materials are mixed together, they are pressed and formed, and then treated in a non-oxidizing atmosphere at 2500-3000  C to make them graphitized.

main features

Crystal structure

Natural graphite: The crystal development is relatively complete, the degree of graphitization of flake graphite is more than 98%, and the degree of graphitization of natural microcrystalline graphite is usually below 93%.

Artificial graphite: The degree of crystal development depends on the raw material and the heat treatment temperature. Generally speaking, the higher the heat treatment temperature, the higher the degree of graphitization. The degree of graphitization of industrially produced artificial graphite is usually less than 90%.

organizational structure

Natural flake graphite: It is a single crystal with a relatively simple structure and only has crystallographic defects (such as point defects, dislocations, stacking faults, etc.), and exhibits anisotropic characteristics on the macroscopic level. The grains of natural microcrystalline graphite are small, the grains are disorderly arranged, and there are pores after the impurities are removed, showing isotropy on the macroscopic level.

Artificial graphite: It can be regarded as a multi-phase material, including graphite phase transformed from carbonaceous particles such as petroleum coke or pitch coke, graphite phase transformed from coal tar binder surrounding the particles, particle accumulation or coal tar pitch. The pores formed by the binder after heat treatment, etc.

physical form

Natural graphite: usually exists in the form of powder and can be used alone, but it is usually used in combination with other materials.

Artificial graphite: There are many forms, including powder, fiber and block, while artificial graphite in the narrow sense is usually block, which needs to be processed into a certain shape when used.

Physical and chemical properties

In terms of physical and chemical properties, natural graphite and artificial graphite have both commonalities and differences in performance. For example, both natural graphite and artificial graphite are good conductors of heat and electricity, but for graphite powders of the same purity and particle size, natural flake graphite has the best heat transfer performance and electrical conductivity, followed by natural microcrystalline graphite and artificial graphite. lowest. Graphite has good lubricity and certain plasticity. The crystal development of natural flake graphite is relatively complete, the friction coefficient is small, the lubricity is the best, and the plasticity is the highest, followed by dense crystalline graphite and cryptocrystalline graphite, followed by artificial graphite.

High-quality synthetic graphite supplier

Luoyang Moon & Star New Energy Technology Co., LTD, founded on October 17, 2008, is a high-tech enterprise committed to developing, producing, processing, selling, and technical services of lithium-ion battery anode materials. After more than 10 years of development, the company has gradually developed into a diversified product structure with natural graphite, artificial graphite, composite graphite, intermediate phase, and other negative materials (silicon-carbon materials, etc.). The products are widely used in high-end lithium-ion digital power and energy storage batteries.

If you are looking for synthetic graphite material, click on the needed products and send us an inquirysales@graphite-corp.com





Due to the limited total amount of traditional energy, people have a huge demand for cleaner and greener new energy alternatives. Now, the emergence of graphene is unlocking the possibility of its application in the energy field, which can create a greener, more efficient, and sustainable future. Here Francesco Bonaccorso, Deputy Director of Innovation at the Graphene Flagship Program, explains how his researchers have developed a series of initiatives to bring graphene from the lab to the commercial market. Graphene has become a research hotspot for new materials in the 21st century. Graphene has been adopted by many industries, the most notable of which are healthcare and key material applications.



The development of graphene has brought huge fluctuations in the demand for synthetic graphite, and the demand for synthetic graphite will continue to grow in the future. You can contact us for the latest news on synthetic graphite.



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Is titanium dioxide harmful to the body?

Guotai Junan released a research report saying that under the background of carbon neutrality, the scarcity of coal mines is prominent, and the value of assets will continue to increase. The high point of capital expenditure in the coal industry appeared in 2012. Under the general direction of carbon neutrality, the overall investment in the industry has slowed down, and capital expenditure has gradually declined. From 2021 to now, the Energy Bureau of the National Development and Reform Commission has only newly approved 17.4 million tons of titanium dioxide.



US consumers recently filed a lawsuit against Mars in a California court, claiming that the content of titanium dioxide in Skittles was too high.

According to an indictment filed by US consumers, titanium dioxide can cause changes in DNA in the human body, damage organs such as the brain, and damage the liver and kidneys. The European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) issued a report in May 2021 that, given all available scientific research and data, titanium dioxide is no longer safe as a food additive.

What is titanium dioxide?

Titanium dioxide, chemical formula TiO2, as an additive code is 171.

Because of its non-toxic, best opacity, best whiteness and brightness, it has been widely used in many fields, such as paint, plastic, rubber, paper, cosmetics, food, medicine and so on.

Titanium dioxide used in pharmaceutical industry

In the pharmaceutical industry, titanium dioxide is often used in pharmaceutical preparations, as a coating agent, colorant and ultraviolet absorbent, for the preparation of coated tablets, pills, granules, capsules and topical preparations.

According to the European Union Trade Association, about 91000 drugs for human use and 800 kinds of veterinary drugs contain titanium dioxide. According to an article published by the European Drug Administration in September 2021 to assess the impact of titanium dioxide on the pharmaceutical industry: it is difficult for the pharmaceutical industry to get rid of titanium dioxide, and this excipient is frequently used in oral solid and semi-solid dosage forms as opaque agents and colorants. such as tablets, capsules, suspensions and so on. It also exists in many essential drugs for human beings, including antibiotics, antidiabetic drugs and so on.

Who is to blame?

It is said that the safety problem of titanium dioxide is not titanium dioxide itself, but a certain proportion of nanometer titanium dioxide. Nano-sized particles may be harmful to human health.

Can titanium dioxide be replaced?

It is not easy to find a replacement for titanium dioxide.

The European Drug Administration has reported that so far, no single substance has been found to provide a combination of properties unique to TiO2 (such as opacity, enhanced contrast, inertia, UV protection and the resulting product smoothness).

Possible alternatives include calcium carbonate, talc, and starch. However, these alternatives have disadvantages (for example, inability to obtain thin enough film, supply chain problems, and the risk of related element impurities).

According to the European Drug Administration, if titanium dioxide is not allowed to add to medicines, it will almost cause a large shortage of drugs and lead to the suspension / withdrawal of these drugs from the EU / European Economic area market. The European Drug Administration's quality working Group (QWP) said there was currently no mechanism for regulators to prioritize products to be reformulated and that the transition period for replacing titanium dioxide would take a decade or more. "each affected pharmaceutical product will require a separate review and evaluation, which will require investigation of alternatives, product reformulation, and collection of new data related to manufacturing, dissolution and stability." The European Drug Administration wrote.

Some enterprises have begun to study alternatives to titanium dioxide. for example, the food company ADM has launched a series of white colorant solutions series Pearl Edge, which aims to replace food-grade titanium dioxide, and Caracom, a manufacturer of thin-film coating systems in the pharmaceutical industry, has launched the Newterfield series of full-formula thin-film coating products designed for nutrition, which clearly states that it does not contain titanium dioxide.

Titanium dioxide TiO2 powder Price

The price is influenced by many factors including the supply and demand in the market, industry trends, economic activity, market sentiment, and unexpected events.

If you are looking for the latest TiO2 powder price, you can send us your inquiry for a quote. (sales1@rboschco.com)

Titanium dioxide TiO2 powder Supplier

RBOSCHCO is a trusted global chemical material supplier&manufacturer with over 12-year-experience in providing super high-quality chemicals and nanomaterials. The company export to many countries including the USA, Canada, Europe, UAE, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Egypt, Nigeria, Cameroon, Uganda, Turkey, Mexico, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Brazil, Chile, Dubai, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, Portugal, etc.

As a leading nanotechnology development manufacturer, RBOSCHCO dominates the market. Our professional work team provides perfect solutions to help improve the efficiency of various industries, create value, and easily cope with various challenges.

If you are looking for TiO2 powder, please send an email. (sales1@rboschco.com)





The Free Trade Agreement between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has come into force on.

The UAE is the gateway to the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa, said Subramaniam, a senior official at India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The agreement will help boost bilateral trade in goods from $60 billion a year now to $100 billion a year within five years.

On 18 February 2022, India and the United Arab Emirates signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. With the entry into force of the agreement, 90 percent of Indian goods and 65 percent of UAE goods will enjoy tariff-free market access.

Apart from its FTA with the UAE, India is also pursuing FTAs with Australia, the UK, Canada, Israel, the European Union, and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Influenced by international situations, the supply and prices of many titanium dioxide are still very uncertain.

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Nitinol powder properties

Chile's government is considering phasing in a proposed ban on glacial mining to limit projects high in the Andes by some big copper companies. Chile's constitutional assembly has approved a proposal to ban mining in glaciers, protected areas, and areas vital to protecting the country's water system.

Chile's mining minister, Marcela Hernando, said about 20 mines had been identified in protected areas, some close to glaciers, including Codelco's El Teniente and Andina projects and Anglo American Plc's Los Bronces project.

The new measures for glaciers and other protected areas will put about a fifth of Chile's copper Nitinol Powder, Nitinol Powder Overview, Nitinol Powder Application, Nitinol Powder Suppliers, Nitinol Powder Price prices are predicted to increase in the next few days.

Overview of Nitinol Powder

Nitinol, also known as Nitinol, is a metal alloy of nickel and titanium in which the atomic percentages of the two elements are approximately equal. Different alloys are named according to the weight percent of nickel, such as nickel. Nitinol 55 and Nitinol 60. It exhibits shape memory effect and superelasticity at different temperatures. Miron Nitinol powder, Nitinol powder particle size: 15-53 microns Ni:Ti:5:5 or as your request Purity: 99.9%. Sphere Percentage: 99.9% (Min) Production Method: Laser Evaporation.

Nitinol powder properties



1. Shape memory (shape memory) Shape memory is when the parent phase of a certain shape is cooled from above the Af temperature to below the Mf temperature to form martensite, the martensite is deformed at a temperature below Mf, and heated to below the Af temperature, With the reverse phase transition, the material automatically returns to its shape in the parent phase. In fact, the shape memory effect is a thermally induced phase transformation process in Nitinol.

2. Superelasticity The so-called superelasticity refers to the phenomenon that the sample produces a strain far greater than the elastic limit strain under the action of external force, and the strain can automatically recover when unloaded. That is, in the state of the parent phase, due to the action of external stress, the stress-induced martensitic transformation occurs, so that the alloy exhibits mechanical behavior different from ordinary materials, its elastic limit is much larger than that of ordinary materials, and it no longer obeys Hu. Gram's Law. In contrast to shape memory properties, superelasticity has no thermal involvement. All in all, hyperelasticity means that the stress does not increase with the increase of strain within a certain deformation range, and hyperelasticity can be divided into linear hyperelasticity and nonlinear hyperelasticity. In the former stress-strain curve, the relationship between stress and strain is close to linear. Nonlinear superelasticity refers to the result of stress-induced martensitic transformation and its inverse transformation during loading and unloading in a certain temperature range above Af, so nonlinear hyperelasticity is also called transformation pseudoelasticity. The phase transformation pseudoelasticity of Nitinol can reach about 8%. The superelasticity of Nitinol can vary with the heat treatment conditions, and when the archwire is heated above 400C, the superelasticity begins to decrease.

3. Sensitivity to intraoral temperature changes: The orthodontic force of stainless steel wire and CoCr alloy orthodontic wire is basically not affected by intraoral temperature. The orthodontic force of superelastic nickel-titanium alloy orthodontic wire varies with oral temperature. When the amount of deformation is constant. As the temperature increases, the healing power increases. On the one hand, it can accelerate the movement of the teeth, because the temperature change in the oral cavity will stimulate the blood flow in the stagnant blood flow caused by the capillary stagnation caused by the orthodontic device, so that the repair cells are fully nourished during the movement of the teeth, maintain its vitality and normal function. Orthodontists, on the other hand, cannot precisely control or measure orthodontic forces in the oral environment.

4. Corrosion resistance: Studies have shown that the corrosion resistance of nickel-titanium wire is similar to that of stainless steel wire

5. Anti-toxicity: The special chemical composition of nickel-titanium shape memory alloy, that is, it is an atomic alloy such as nickel-titanium, containing about 50% nickel, and nickel is known to have carcinogenic and cancer-promoting effects. In general, the titanium oxide on the surface layer acts as a kind of barrier, making Ni-Ti alloys have good biocompatibility. The TiXOy and TixNiOy in the surface layer can inhibit the release of Ni.

Applications of Nitinol Powder



Nitinol powder can meet the needs of various engineering and medical applications and is an excellent functional material. In addition to its unique shape memory function, memory alloys also have excellent functions such as wear resistance, corrosion resistance, high damping and superelasticity.

The tensile strength of Nitinol can reach 1000 MPa, which means that it takes more than 100 grams per square millimeter to break it. This force is stronger than ordinary steel, and it also has good "memory" properties and corrosion resistance.

Nitinol is 50% nickel and 50% titanium, which means 50% nickel and 50% titanium. The temperature range of the shape memory can be adjusted by the control element. Generally, the higher the nickel content of Nitinol, the lower the working temperature. When it contains 55% nickel and 45% titanium, the memory alloy can work at room temperature.

People take advantage of this property of shape memory alloys to make pearl necklaces and bracelets made of shape memory alloy wires, as well as bras woven from shape memory alloy wires. Wearing these decorations and health products on the body will restore the original curvature and rigid body temperature under the action, thus playing the role of decoration and health care. In addition, you can use Nitinol to make orthodontic wires to straighten deformed teeth according to human oral temperature.

Nitinol can be used to replace traditional actuators (solenoid valves, servo motors, etc.), such as the simple hexapod robot Stiquito.

Nitinol springs are used in fluid thermal valves, where the material acts as both a temperature sensor and an actuator.

Nitinol powder price



The price of Nitinol powder will change randomly with production cost, transportation cost, international situation, exchange rate and supply and demand of Nitinol powder market. Tanki New Materials Co., Ltd. aims to help various industries and chemical wholesalers find high-quality, low-cost nanomaterials and chemicals by providing a full range of customized services. If you are looking for Nitinol powder, please feel free to send an inquiry to get the latest Nitinol powder price.

Suppliers of Nitinol Powder



As a global supplier of Nitinol powders, Tanki New Materials Co., Ltd. has extensive experience in the performance, application and cost-effective manufacturing of advanced engineering materials. The company has successfully developed a series of powder materials (including water-based stearic acid emulsion, water-based calcium stearate, zinc stearate, etc.), high-purity targets, functional ceramics and structural devices, and provides OEM services.

Nitinol Powder Properties Other Names nickel titanium, shape memory nitinol, NiTi, Ni-Ti, nickel-titanium shape-memory alloy (SMA) CAS No. 52013-44-2 Compound Formula NiTi Molecular Weight N/A Appearance Black Powder Melting Point 1300 C Boiling Point N/A Density 6.45 g/cm3 Solubility in H2O N/A Poisson's Ratio 0.33 Specific Heat 0.20 cal/gC Tensile Strength 895 MPa (Ultimate, fully annealed) Thermal Conductivity 0.18 W/cm (austenite), 0.086 W/cm (martensite) Thermal Expansion 11.0 x 10-6/C (austenite), 6.6 x 10-6/C (austenite) Nitinol Powder Health & Safety Information Signal Word N/A Hazard Statements N/A Hazard Codes N/A Risk Codes N/A Safety Statements N/A Transport Information N/A









Overall, the demand for Nitinol Powder, Nitinol Powder Overview, Nitinol Powder Application, Nitinol Powder Suppliers, Nitinol Powder Price is on the rise, and future Nitinol Powder, Nitinol Powder Overview, Nitinol Powder Application, Nitinol Powder Suppliers, Nitinol Powder Price will continue to evolve. Although the prosperity of the brand name has rebounded, there are still many outstanding problems in Nitinol Powder, Nitinol Powder Overview, Nitinol Powder Application, Nitinol Powder Suppliers, Nitinol Powder Price, and the Nitinol Powder, Nitinol Powder Overview, Nitinol Powder Application, Nitinol Powder Suppliers, Nitinol Powder Price will develop steadilyif you need Nitinol Powder, Nitinol Powder Overview, Nitinol Powder Application, Nitinol Powder Suppliers, Nitinol Powder Price please contact us.





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Physical and chemical properties and application of zirconium silicide ZrSi2 powder

According to statistics from China Chemical and Physical Power Supply Industry Association China's export volume and export value of lithium-ion batteries have continued to increase. In 2021, China's exports of lithium-ion batteries were 3.428 billion, with a year-on-year growth of 54.34%. The export of lithium-ion batteries was 28.428 billion DOLLARS, up 78.34% year on year.

From the battery export destination, so far. China's lithium-ion batteries are mainly exported to the Asia Pacific and the United States and other places. In terms of price, the price of Zirconium Silicide ZrSi2 Powder,Overview of Zirconium Silicide ZrSi2 Powder,Application of Zirconium Silicide ZrSi2 Powder,Zirconium disilicide ZrSi2 product price,Zirconium Disilicide ZrSi2 Product Supplier, led by lithium-ion batteries, is expected to expand globally.

Overview of Zirconium Silicide ZrSi2 Powder

Zirconium (IV) silicide is an inorganic compound composed of zirconium and zirconium atoms.

Zirconium silicide or zirconium disilicide, chemical formula ZrSi2, is a steel gray rhombus lustrous crystal with a relative density of 4.8822. Zirconium silicide is insoluble in water, mineral acids and aqua regia, but soluble in hydrofluoric acid.

Zirconium silicide ZrSi2 powder (CAS 12039-90-6) has high melting point, high corrosion resistance, high oxidation resistance, good electrical conductivity, high temperature ductility, and the intermediate phase of binary alloy system.

Zirconium silicide is used as raw material powder for fine ceramics. Zirconium disilicide ZrSi2, molecular weight 147.39, density 4.88, melting point: 1620C (1790C), lattice constant: a=0.372nm, b=1.476nm, c=0.367nm. Microhardness (kg/mm2): 1063, heat of formation (kJ/mol): 62.8. Gray square crystalline powder, stable under normal temperature and pressure. Refractory metal silicides. Low resistivity (about 10-7m), high hardness. The preparation method is mainly made by depositing a mixture of metal and silicon by sintering. Deposition methods mainly include: evaporation, sputtering, electroplating, chemical vapor deposition, etc.

Physical and chemical properties of zirconium silicide ZrSi2 powder

As a zirconium-silicon intermetallic compound, ZrSi2 is a ceramic material with high hardness, high melting point, high electrical conductivity, high thermal conductivity and good thermal shock resistance at high temperature. In view of the superior physical and chemical properties of silicon-zirconium-intermetallic compounds, ZrSi2 is a structural material or a new type of engineering material that can be used as a high-temperature corrosion medium.

Application of Zirconium Silicide ZrSi2 Powder

ZrSi2 can be used as fine ceramic raw powder for making crucibles or semiconductor thin films.

One of the most important applications of zircon is the production of white pigment impermeable agents for surface glazes and pigments in the tile and ceramic industry. Refractory applications are also a common use of zircon in the steel and glass industries for making refractory bricks and profiles. Due to its high melting point (2200C), zircon is used as a casting sand for moulds and as a "flour" for grinding, especially in warmer applications where preservation of casting surface quality is important. An area of expertise known as "investment casting" is the growing use of zircon in the industry. Zirconium is also used in the production of zirconium oxide, zirconium metal and zirconium chemicals.

Zirconium disilicide ZrSi2 product price

The price of zirconium disilicide ZrSi2 products will change randomly due to factors such as production cost of zirconium disilicide ZrSi2 products, transportation costs, international situation, exchange rate, market supply and demand of zirconium disilicide ZrSi2 products. Tanki New Materials Co., Ltd. aims to help industries and chemical wholesalers find high-quality, low-cost nanomaterials and chemicals by providing a full range of customized services. If you are looking for zirconium disilicide ZrSi2 products, please feel free to send an inquiry to get the latest zirconium disilicide ZrSi2 product prices.

Zirconium Disilicide ZrSi2 Product Supplier

As a global supplier of zirconium disilicide ZrSi2 products, Tanki New Materials Co., Ltd. has extensive experience in the performance, application and cost-effective manufacturing of advanced engineering materials. The company has successfully developed a series of powder materials (titanium silicide, molybdenum silicide, silicide, etc.) high-purity targets, functional ceramics and structural devices, and provides OEM services.

Zirconium Silicide Properties Other Names zirconium(IV) silicide, zirconium disilicide, ZrSi2 powder CAS No. 12039-90-6 Compound Formula ZrSi2 Molecular Weight 147.4 Appearance Gray Black Powder Melting Point N/A Boiling Point N/A Density 4.88 g/cm3 Solubility in H2O N/A Exact Mass 145.858557 Zirconium Silicide Health & Safety Information Signal Word N/A Hazard Statements N/A Hazard Codes N/A Risk Codes N/A Safety Statements N/A Transport Information N/A





Affected by the present complex international situation and the epidemic, the future of global financial markets, futures markets, and stock markets is still highly uncertain. For this reason, I suppose the price of the Zirconium Silicide ZrSi2 Powder,Overview of Zirconium Silicide ZrSi2 Powder,Application of Zirconium Silicide ZrSi2 Powder,Zirconium disilicide ZrSi2 product price,Zirconium Disilicide ZrSi2 Product Supplier would continue to rise.



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The COVID-19 pandemic has not only caused disruption in the youth labor market, but also affected the market for rt-pcr kit qiagen

The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on the youth Labour market, the ILO said. The ILO's just-released Global Employment Trends 2022 report found that the job prospects of young people aged 15 to 24 lag behind other age groups.

The latest figures estimate that the total number of unemployed young people worldwide will reach 73 million this year. While this is a slight improvement on 2021 levels, the ILO says the number of unemployed young people is still 6 million above the 2019 pre-pandemic level.

Martha Newton, deputy director-general of the ILO, said the COVID-19 crisis had exposed flaws in the way young people's needs were being addressed. Those least able to get a foothold in the labor market include first-time job seekers, dropouts, inexperienced recent graduates and those who remain involuntarily inactive, she said.

"With the onset of the pandemic in 2020, the percentage of young people neither in employment, education or training - what we call NEETS - rose to 23.3 percent, the highest level ever... We've seen youth NEET rates jump to their highest level in 15 years, "Newton said.

Throughout the pandemic, young people have faced a multidimensional crisis, the ILO said. It says disruption to their education and training leaves them without the skills they need to find jobs. This could harm their long-term employment, education and income prospects, it said.

Newton says job opportunities for many young people are shrinking. She added that young women are worse off than young men when it comes to finding work. The ILO projects that 27.4 percent of young women worldwide are likely to be employed by 2022, compared with 40.3 percent of young men, she said.

The report finds that youth unemployment recoveries are likely to be more successful in high-income countries than in low - and middle-income countries. It expects youth unemployment in North America to be below the world average at 8.3 percent, compared with 20.5 percent in Latin America this year.

Although Africa's youth unemployment rate is 12.7 percent, the report says that figure masks the fact that many young people in Africa are opting out of the labor market. The International Labor Organization ranks Arab countries as having the highest and fastest growing youth unemployment rates in the world. It says the situation is particularly bad for women. The report notes that the unemployment rate for young women in the region is 42.5 percent, nearly three times the global average for young women.

Buy high quality and effective DNA & RNA nucleic acid extraction reagent, lab consumables, automatic nucleic acid extractions, real-time PCR equipment and consumables or rt-pcr kit qiagen . Welcome to contact GENETURE or Send an email to: info@geneture.com and our professional sales engineer will get back to you within 48 hours.

Analysis and forecast of the market size of PCR diagnostic industry

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a nucleic acid synthesis technology that uses the principle of DNA double-strand replication to replicate specific DNA fragments in vitro. With this technology, the detection equipment can amplify the target gene in a large number in a short time, expanding the target gene fragment to the order of millions to billions, thus achieving high sensitivity detection. At present, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnosis of infectious diseases such as hepatitis, venereal disease, intestinal respiratory disease and tumor single gene detection is an important application field. In 2020, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnostic technology was identified as the "gold standard" for COVID-19 diagnosis due to its high sensitivity and accuracy.

China's PCR diagnostic market is developing rapidly, with the market size growing rapidly from about RMB 2.37 billion in 2015 to about RMB 5.93 billion in 2019, with a compound annual growth rate of 25.8%. China's PCR industry experienced explosive growth due to the huge demand for testing caused by the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, and the market size of China's PCR diagnostic industry exceeded 10 billion yuan in 2020. With the introduction of a large number of PCR diagnostic instruments, the PCR diagnostic industry will enter a new stage of development. It is expected that the PCR diagnostic industry will maintain a double-digit growth rate, and the market size of the PCR diagnostic industry will reach about 23.42 billion yuan in 2030 based on the factory price, and the cagR will reach about 13.3% from 2019 to 2030.

Market Demand of the rt-pcr kit qiagen

The DNA/RNA Extraction Kit market and other rt-pcr kit qiagen s are projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.26% during the forecast period 2022-2027.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the rt-pcr kit qiagen market for a short time due to restrictions on different business and research activities for rt-pcr kit qiagen s. In addition, diagnostic tests for other diseases and medical conditions in hospitals and other clinical diagnostic facilities have been affected as COVID-19 has led to fewer patients taking tests. However, the high rate of COVID-19 infection and research activities are undertaken by major companies in the field of sequencing to expand their understanding of the virus and its origins, as well as molecular diagnostics of the SARS-COV-2 virus, have led to the development and launch of many DNA - and RNA-BASED COVID-19 kits, The kits proved so important that they were in great demand.

Market drivers for the rt-pcr kit qiagen

The growth of the DNA/RNA extraction kit market is primarily driven by increased investment in R&D activities in different areas, including molecular diagnostics for different chronic and infectious diseases. For example, the US spent $842 billion on R&D activities in 2020, followed by China at $664 billion, according to the ORGANISATION for Economic Co-operation and Development. Technological advances worldwide, new product launches by major market players, and an increase in cancer cases are also likely to complement the growth of the markets under study.

Other factors, such as increased demand for automation of DNA/RNA extraction technologies, new user-friendly and easy extraction kits, and DNA/RNA for analysis of new diseases causing microorganisms, are expected to drive DNA/RNA growth. RNA Extraction Kit market during the forecast period. Therefore, low awareness and availability of the kit and low market penetration in less developed and developing regions around the world are the major factors limiting the growth of the DNA/RNA extraction kit market.

North America is expected to dominate the global rt-pcr kit qiagen market during the forecast period

North America, which holds a major share in the rt-pcr kit qiagen market, is expected to show a similar trend during the forecast period, mainly due to the high level of R&D activity in the region and the presence of major market players in the region constantly developing their products for the markets studied.

In the region, the US is expected to take a major share of the DNA/RNA extraction kit market due to heavy investment in R&D by government and private entities, increased demand for rt-pcr kit qiagen s, and the rising prevalence of chronic diseases.

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The financial pressure caused by high electricity prices in Greece has also had an impact on glass inkjet printing machine and prices

Greek Environment and Energy Minister Skrekas announced on July 25 that the Greek government will intervene strongly in electricity prices in August to help all Greek households and businesses out of the financial pressure caused by high electricity prices. Since last year, especially after the start of the war in Ukraine, the price of energy and raw materials has soared further, especially the soaring price of electricity and other energy sources, which seriously affected the business operation and people's life in Greece.

The August tariff package alone cost the government 1.136 billion euros, nearly 50 percent of which was funded by a mechanism to cap wholesale electricity prices, Mr. Skrekas said. Electricity suppliers in Greece have announced their prices for August. The public power Company has set the price for August at 0.486 / KWH, Heron at 0.495 / KWH and Protergia at 0.54913 / KWH.

According to the ministerial announcement, the details of electricity subsidy in Greece in August are as follows:

- A subsidy of 337 per megawatt hour will be provided to all families for their main and village dwellings. There is no income ceiling for this subsidy.

-- For low-income groups receiving socially subsidized electricity, the subsidy will be 377 euros per megawatt-hour, and the government will absorb 100 percent of the increase in electricity prices.

-- the subsidy will be 300 euros per megawatt-hour for businesses that consume more than 35kVA, with the government absorbing 80 percent of the increase in electricity prices.

-- For farmers, the subsidy is 337 euros per megawatt hour, with the government absorbing an increase of 82 to 99 percent.

For industrial users, the subsidy is 250 euros per megawatt hour, with the government absorbing a 67 percent increase in electricity prices.

It also means that the final price of electricity for Greek consumers in August, after state subsidies, will be set at 15-17 euro cents per kilowatt-hour.

According to the new legal framework, from August, there will be no adjustment clause for electricity standards, which will be announced by all suppliers in advance and consumers can switch suppliers unconditionally. Electricity rates for September will be announced on August 20.

Previously, the Greek government, through the Power Pass, has reimbursed Greek customers for 60 percent of their electricity bills overpaid due to price increases between December 1, 2021, and May 31, 2022.

In addition, many consumers have recently taken to the Greek courts to challenge the "adjustment clause" in the power company's contract because of soaring electricity bills. The Athens Court of First Instance issued an interim order on The afternoon of June 2 prohibiting power companies from cutting off electricity to vulnerable households if they fail to pay their bills as agreed.

Under the influence of Fiscal pressure from Greece's exorbitant electricity prices , the glass inkjet printing machine market, as well as the cost of glass inkjet printing machine , is changing rapidly . These changes are indicators of market growth. This year-over-year uptrend in the market indicates oval but steady growth between August 2022 and August 2025. If you are looking for a glass inkjet printing machine or bulk purchase glass inkjet printing machine , please send email to: sales@shzpower.com .

The glass inkjet printing machine prices continue to be influenced by factors such as market momentum, opportunities and challenges. However, the global glass inkjet printing machine sales market is expected to continue to be above average during the forecast period 2022 to 2025. Growth rates will continue to rise. The glass inkjet printing machine prices are expected to increase from today through next week.

The cost of glass inkjet printing machine is constantly changing due to changing consumer needs, changing import and export conditions, and various investigations into glass inkjet printing machine development. The cost of the glass inkjet printing machine is also affected to some extent by the macroeconomic parameters, value chain analysis, channel partners, supply and demand of the current market. Expect the cost of glass inkjet printing machine to increase slightly between today and next week.

With the higher and higher cost of labor, more and more companies began to try to use the glass inkjet printing machine of automatic mechanization production. Automated production and processing is today's technological diversification of the development of the era more typical characteristics and trends, in some processing fields for a variety of glass inkjet printing machine equipment production application has reached the level of delight. As a result, the cost of glass inkjet printing machine is constantly changing.

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The company provides one-stop foaming sealing equipment, colorful inkjet equipment, power distribution and electrical automation solutions . With years of industry experience, strong technical strength, sufficient production capacity, reasonable prices, and good business reputation, the products are widely used in industry, power stations, real estate, transportation, construction machinery, new energy power, photovoltaic power generation, energy storage, Communication and other fields of electricity use.

We are willing to work hard for your satisfaction and bring you a satisfactory solution. Feel free to contact us. Email: sales@shzpower.com

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The rise in global food prices to 3.7% has had an impact on the market for fob incoterm

Geneva, Russian Sputnik news Agency - The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released a report on the 28th that higher global food prices and charter prices will lead to a 3.7 percent rise in food prices.

The military action inside Ukraine has hampered trade and logistics in Ukraine and throughout the Black Sea region, the report said. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development noted that grain prices and transportation costs had been rising since 2020, but military action in Ukraine exacerbated the trend and reversed the temporary drop in transportation prices.

"Between February and May 2022, transportation prices for bulk commodities such as grain increased by nearly 60 percent," the report said. Simultaneous increases in grain prices and freight costs would lead to a 3.7 percent increase in global consumer food prices."

The UN Conference on Trade and Development added that Russia is a major exporter of fuel and fertiliser on the global market, commodities that are key resources for farmers around the world. Disruptions to fuel and fertiliser supplies could lead to lower food production and higher prices, with serious consequences for global food security, particularly for vulnerable countries dependent on food imports, the document notes.

The situation has also been exacerbated by rising energy prices.

The UN Conference on Trade and Development said: "As of June 2022, the global average price of low-sulfur fuel oil has increased by 64% since the beginning of the year. The combination of these increased costs means that consumers have to face higher prices, which has the potential to widen the poverty gap."

Unctad identified the opening of Ukrainian ports to allow access to foreign markets for Ukrainian food as a top priority, as well as increased investment in transport services and the simplification of trade and transit procedures.

Factors affecting freight forwarder fob incoterm Freight transportation

In international freight transport, one of the most concerning issues is the price of freight transport. The cost is directly related to the cost of transportation. Because many exporters do not understand the price of transportation very much, and often have a lot of extra spending, then today to understand the factors of the price of international freight transportation?

Do You Need Freight Forwarders? DDP for World is a full-service and shipping forwarder dedicated to assisting our clients in focusing and growing their businesses. Send an Email to info@ddpforworld.com and get the latest freight price.

The transportation prices are different for different fob incoterm

In the general international trade process, the price of transport according to different modes of transport, price is also different. International freight rates are divided into sea freight, air freight and rail freight.

The specific fob incoterm freight rate can also be subdivided. For example, rail freight can be divided into passenger freight and freight. Shipping rates are also divided into tramp rates and liner rates. Tramp rates are also affected by market supply and demand relations at that time, while liner transport costs are relatively fixed. Airfreight can be divided into general goods, designated goods and special goods, and the specific transportation price is also determined according to the weight of transportation, at the same time, even if the volume is small, the weight is also counted by weight, but if the opposite is large, small weight, also according to the specific volume to calculate.

The choice of international logistics, the quality of logistics will affect the seller's store score, but also affect customer satisfaction rate.

Factors affecting the shipping price of fob incoterm

In the process of international transportation, there are many factors affecting the price of transportation, in addition to some fuel and labor costs, there are many important factors. For example, the nature of the fob incoterm, its own value and packaging form, as well as stowage factor and transporter's requirements for transportation, etc. There will be some fixed costs during the use of the ship, such as the ship's maintenance insurance and fuel consumption. There is also the change of supply and demand in the fob incoterm market. In the transport off-season, transport prices are relatively low, in the transport of the peak season, transport prices will be relatively high.

Logistics advantages of the fob incoterm in the destination country and region

In Eastern Europe, DHL has advantages in Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Hungary and other places while EMS has advantages in Greece, Russia, Turkey and other places. Western Europe, Northern Europe, southern Europe can use DHL international express, TNT international express, these two kinds of customs clearance capacity. TNT has a clear advantage in the Netherlands and Belgium.

For Canada, the United States and other American countries, FedEx, UPS and DHL are all suitable for their strong customs clearance capacity and fast time.

Applicable to Asia, South Korea, Japan, Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries DHL, FedEx. DHL and FedEx are time-saving, but THE price of DHL is higher. Indonesia also suggests USING DHL because it has a stronger customs clearance capacity.

In Oceania, DHL and UPS aging fast, with high prices; TNT and FedEx have lower prices but relatively few outlets. Particular attention should be paid to the "Made in China" label on the packaging of Australian products.

Middle East express ARAMEX, EMS for Middle East region. Commercial express in Africa is very expensive. In remote areas, IT is suggested to send EMS international express. EMS countries have the strongest customs clearance capacity. The air express fob incoterm can reach many countries and regions that commercial express and postal express cannot reach, so the wide range of fob incoterm transportation is its advantage.

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Thermal insulating refractories

The biggest immediate challenge for the EU will be replenishing its depleted gas inventories. While the EU could still increase LNG imports from countries such as the US, such purchases would be more expensive.

Refilling natural gas storage space to historical average levels this year could cost 70 billion euros, a sevenfold increase, compared to 10 billion euros in previous years. "

A complete replacement for Russian gas is not only very expensive, but it also may not be possible.

In the next 12 months, there is little way to meet the demand for a "normal" year in the absence of Gazprom, which also includes concrete foaming agent.





Thermal insulation materials refer to materials or material composites that have significant resistance to heat flow. The porosity of thermal insulation refractories is generally more than 45%, the bulk density is not higher than 1.5g/cm3), and the thermal conductivity is low ( 1.0w m-1k-1). There are many kinds of thermal insulation materials, which can be classified according to material, temperature, shape and structure.



According to its internal organizational structure, it can be divided into three categories:

1. Porous particles, such as expanded vermiculite and expanded perlite.

2. Porous fiber: common are ultra-fine glass wool, asbestos and mineral rock wool and so on. This kind of material has good heat resistance and low thermal conductivity. It is usually a single or several composite fiber cloth or felt made of inorganic fibers, which has the characteristics of low thermal conductivity and good temperature resistance. However, glass wool and mineral wool samples are easy to absorb water and produce fiber dust in the air, which is harmful to human health and seriously hinders their popularization and application. In the 1980s, fiber thermal insulation materials accounted for a large share of the market, because of its excellent thermal insulation and fireproof performance, mainly used in building wall insulation. Because inorganic fiber has many outstanding advantages, such as light weight, low thermal conductivity and high heat capacity, it has been widely used in the thermal protection engineering of all kinds of advanced weapons in recent years. At present, the inorganic fibers that can be mass produced are aluminum silicate fiber, glass fiber, quartz fiber, zirconia fiber, carbon fiber and silicon carbide fiber, etc.

3. Foaming materials: including inorganic type, organic type and organic-inorganic mixed type. Common inorganic types include foam glass and cement. In the 1980s, calcium silicate samples were recognized as the best thermal insulation materials in hard bulk materials because of their low bulk density, low thermal conductivity, high fire resistance and excellent mechanical properties. However, in the 1990s, because of the asbestos in the sample, it was gradually replaced by pulp fiber. However, the pulp fiber is not resistant to high temperature, which significantly affects its application at high temperature. There are phenolic foam, polyethylene foam and polyurethane foam, which are widely used in the field of thermal insulation because of their low volume density, low thermal conductivity and water resistance.

According to the use temperature, it can be divided into low temperature thermal insulation material and high temperature thermal insulation material.

The temperature range of low temperature thermal insulation materials is 600  to 900 , the temperature range of medium temperature thermal insulation materials is 900  to 1200 , and the temperature of high temperature thermal insulation materials is generally higher than 1200 .

According to the volume density, it can be divided into ultra-lightweight and lightweight bricks.

The bulk density of lightweight brick is lower than that of 0.4~1.3g/cm3; the bulk density of ultra-lightweight brick is lower than that of 0.4g/cm3.

According to the shape of the product.

One is shaped lightweight refractory bricks, including clay bricks, siliceous, high alumina and some pure oxide lightweight bricks, etc.; the other is amorphous lightweight refractories, such as lightweight refractory concrete.

According to the raw materials, it can be divided into alumina, high alumina, silicon and magnesia and other heat insulating refractories. The thermal insulation refractories of different materials have different use temperature and related performance characteristics.

According to the material, it can be divided into three types: organic thermal insulation material, inorganic thermal insulation material and metal thermal insulation material.

The heat loss on the surface of the furnace body and the heat storage loss of the masonry in the industrial kiln are generally about 24045% of the fuel consumption. When the structural material of the furnace body adopts light bricks with low hot melting and low thermal conductivity, the fuel consumption can be greatly reduced; at the same time, because the kiln can be rapidly heated and cooled, the production efficiency of the equipment can be improved; the weight of the furnace body can be reduced and the structure of the furnace body can be simplified. improve product quality, reduce ambient temperature and improve working conditions.

The light refractories have loose structure, large porosity and poor slag resistance, and the molten slag can quickly invade into the pores of the brick body and break it, so it can not be used in the parts that come into direct contact with liquid metal and molten slag; at the same time, because of its poor wear resistance, low mechanical strength and poor thermal stability, it can not be used as a load-bearing structure, nor can it be used in contact with furnace materials and parts that are easy to wear.

Because of the above shortcomings of lightweight refractories, lightweight refractories are generally not used in furnace parts in contact with furnace charge, slag and hot air flow with high flow velocity to neutralize parts with large mechanical vibration in industrial kilns. Lightweight refractories are mostly used as thermal insulation layer or insulation layer of kiln. At present, the commonly used lightweight refractory products mainly include zirconia hollow ball, alumina hollow ball, lightweight mullite brick, lightweight high alumina brick, lightweight clay brick and refractory fiber.

Concrete Additives Supplier

TRUNNANO is a reliable foaming agents supplier with over 12-year experience in nano-building energy conservation and nanotechnology development.

If you are looking for high-quality CLC foaming agents, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry. (sales@cabr-concrete.com)

We accept payment via Credit Card, T/T, West Union, and Paypal. TRUNNANO will ship the goods to customers overseas through FedEx, DHL, by air, or by sea.





Greece will hand over Iranian oil it intercepted from a Russian-flagged tanker to the United States at the request of the U.S. Justice Department, Greek port police said recently, AFP reported. The decision angered Tehran.

In April, Greek authorities reportedly seized a Russian oil tanker, the Pegas, which was said to be heading to the Turkish port of Marmara.

Reports say the ship was docked in Calistos Bay with a crew of several people said to be Russian. The Greek coast guard said the ship had been renamed the Lana.

The report notes that the European Union imposed sanctions on Russia after the conflict broke out in February. Greek authorities seized the tanker in accordance with European Union sanctions.

According to information at the time, the tanker was carrying 115,000 tons of Iranian oil.

Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization strongly protested Greece's decision, calling it an "international bandit." "The Islamic Republic of Iran will not give up its legitimate rights and expects the Greek government to abide by its international obligations in the area of navigation and shipping," it said in a statement on its website.

Iran's Foreign Ministry, through the International Maritime Organization, called on the Greek government to release the tanker and its crew overnight, adding that "the Americans discharged their cargo," the report said.

Athens did not immediately respond to the Iranian protest and gave no further details about the oil on board or how it was handed over to the United States, the report said.

The concrete foaming agent price is expected to increase in the next few days affected by the change in supply and demand markets.

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Waterproof agent

The purchasing pace at the demand end of the international thermal coal market continues to slow down and the international thermal coal price continues to decline. Prices for thermal coal at major international ports continued to fall last week as buyers in Europe slowed in recent days for April, coupled with weaker-than-expected import demand from End users in China. According to China Coal Market net monitoring: Australia Newcastle port thermal coal price index was 253 USD/ton, compared with 309.02 USD/ton, down 56.02 USD/ton, down 18.13%. South Africa's Port Richards thermal coal price Index was $264.5 / mt, down the US $62.72 / mt or 19.17% from US $327.22 / mt. The European ARA Tri-port thermal coal price Index was $281.8 / ton. Does the price of thermal coal in major international ports continue to decline to affect the price of the waterproof agent?



Overview of Gypsum waterproof agent:



Gypsum waterproofing agent is a technology that involves the development of gypsum to help achieve watertight concrete structures. TRUNNANO Gypsum waterproofing technology is available as a waterproof for gypsum concrete, or an integral admixture for concrete, for use in both above and below grade applications.









Data of Gypsum waterproof agent:

Appearance Colorless, odorless, transparent oily liquid Hydrogen content >1.58% Viscosity25mm2/s 20-30 Density25g/cm3 0.98-1.00 Flash point >120 Volatile250/3h 3%





Application of Gypsum waterproof agent:

Gypsum board

Gypsum block

Ggypsum craft Product





The advantage of Gypsum waterproof agent:

1, Reduce the water absorption rate of gypsum

2, Increase impermeability of gypsum and concrete

3, improve the fluidity of the slurry.





Package of Gypsum waterproof agent:

25 kg/barrel, 200 kg/barrel





Suppliers of Gypsum waterproof agent:

TRUNNANO is the global leader of Low-Density Cellular Concrete (LDCC), Celluar Light Concrete (CLC) and advanced engineered foam solutions. Known globally for its commitment to research, innovation, and applied expertise, we have been providing engineered foam solutions since the early 2012's.





If you want to know more about waterproof agent ,please feel free and contact us :sales@cabr-concrete.com

Hydrogen content:>1.58% Viscosity25mm2/s :20-30 Density25g/cm3:0.98-1.00 Flash point:>120 Volatile250/3h:3% The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic not only had a significant impact on public health, it also severely affected one of the linchpins of the global economy  the tourism industry. As many countries introduced curfews and travel restrictions to contain the spread of the virus, travel across the world significantly declined from early 2020 onwards. The financial repercussions of the coronavirus have already begun to manifest themselves within the tourism industry. In 2020, global revenue from the travel and tourism industry was estimated to drop from a forecasted 711.94 billion U.S. dollars to 568.6 billion U.S. dollars, representing a decrease of over 20 percent. The region predicted to see the highest decline in revenue was Europe, decreasing from 211.97 billion U.S. dollars in 2019 to roughly 124 billion U.S. dollars in 2020.The downturn in tourism has caused the recession, and the weakening of the economy has also affected the market demand for waterproof agent. Recently, however, the demand for waterproof agent has increased, so contact us for the latest news on waterproof agent.

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What are the properties of aluminum nitride

The roble had hit a record low after the West imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia for its aggression in Ukraine. Russia's president recently ordered exports of Russian gas to "unfriendly" countries to be settled in robles. The speaker of Russia's upper house of parliament said Moscow was prepared and could shift supplies to markets such as Asia if Europe refused to buy Russian energy.

European countries, which pay mostly in euros, say Russia has no right to reset contracts. The G7 rejected Russia's demand and urged companies not to agree to pay in robles, saying most contracts stipulated payment in euros or dollars. Wholesale gas prices in Europe have risen further recently on concerns about potential supply disruptions.

The Kremlin spokesman said, "According to the March 31 deadline set by Russia's president, we are developing all payment methods to get a simple, understandable, and feasible system for relevant European and international buyers,"

The markets and prices of more commodities like the Aluminum Nitride AlN Powder,Overview of Aluminum Nitride AlN Powder,Application of Aluminum Nitride AlN Powder,Aluminum Nitride AlN Powder Price,Aluminum Nitride AlN Powder Supplier would be affected because of the volatile international political situations.

Overview of Aluminum Nitride AlN Powder

Aluminum nitride AlN Powder is a ceramic material with excellent comprehensive properties, and its research can be traced back to more than 100 years ago. Discovered by F. Birgeler and A. Gutter in 1862, first synthesized by JW Mallets in 1877, but had no practical application for the next 100 years. It is only used as a fertilizer as a nitrogen fixer.

Aluminum nitride is a covalent compound with low self-diffusion coefficient and high melting point, making it difficult to sinter. It was not until the 1950s that the first aluminum nitride ceramics were successfully manufactured and used as refractories in the smelting of pure iron, aluminum and aluminum alloys. Since the 1970s, with the deepening of research, the preparation technology of aluminum nitride has become more and more mature, and the scope of application has also continued to expand. Especially since the beginning of the 21st century, with the rapid development of microelectronics technology, electronic machines and electronic components are developing in the direction of miniaturization, light weight, integration, high reliability and high power output.

Aluminum Nitride Properties

structure

Aluminum nitride (AlN) is a covalently bonded hexagonal wurtzite compound with lattice parameters A=3.114 and C=4.986. Pure aluminum nitride is blue-white, usually gray or off-white, and is a typical iii-v wide-bandgap semiconductor material.

performance

Aluminum nitride (AlN) has the characteristics of high strength, high volume resistivity, high insulation withstand voltage, thermal expansion coefficient, and good matching with silicon. It is not only used as a sintering agent or strengthening phase for structural ceramics, especially in recent years in ceramics. In the field of electronic substrates and packaging materials, its performance is far superior to that of alumina.

Application of Aluminum Nitride AlN Powder

Aluminum nitride (AlN) is a diamond-like nitride inorganic non-metallic material with good thermal conductivity and low thermal expansion coefficient. It is a good thermal shock material. It has strong corrosion resistance to molten metal, and is an ideal crucible material for casting pure iron, aluminum or aluminum alloy. Aluminum nitride is also an electrical insulator with good dielectric properties and also has good application prospects in the field of electrical component manufacturing.

1. Manufacture of integrated circuit substrates, electronic devices, optical devices, heat sinks, high temperature crucibles to prepare metal-based and high-fraction-based composite materials

2. Thermally conductive silicon and thermally conductive epoxy resin.

3. Nano-lubricants and anti-wear agents.

4. High thermal conductivity plastic

Due to the piezoelectric properties of AlN, epitaxially grown thin-film crystalline aluminum nitride is used for surface acoustic wave sensors (SAW) deposited on silicon wafers. One application is radio frequency filters widely used in mobile phones, known as thin film bulk acoustic resonators (FBARs). This is a MEMS device that uses aluminum nitride sandwiched between two metal layers.

AlN is also used to build piezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducers, which transmit and receive ultrasound, and can be used for aerial ranging at distances of up to one meter.

Aluminum Nitride AlN Powder Price

The price of aluminum nitride AlN powder will change randomly with the production cost of aluminum nitride AlN powder, transportation cost, international situation, exchange rate, market supply and demand and other factors. Tanki New Materials Co., Ltd. aims to help industries and chemical wholesalers find high-quality, low-cost nanomaterials and chemicals by providing a full range of customized services. If you are looking for Aluminum Nitride AlN Powder, please feel free to send an inquiry to get the latest price of Aluminum Nitride AlN Powder.

Aluminum Nitride AlN Powder Supplier

As a global supplier of Aluminum Nitride AlN powders, Tanki New Materials Ltd. has extensive experience in the performance, application and cost-effective manufacturing of advanced and engineered materials. The company has successfully developed a series of powder materials (molybdenum disilicide), lanthanum nitride (LaN powder, calcium silicide, iron boride), high-purity targets, functional ceramics and structural devices, and provides OEM services.

Spherical Aluminum Nitride Properties Other Names Spherical Aluminium nitride, AlN granule CAS No. 24304-00-5 Compound Formula AlN Molecular Weight 40.9882 Appearance White to pale yellow powder Melting Point 2200 C Boiling Point 2517 C (dec.) Density 2.9 to 3.3 g/cm3 Solubility in H2O N/A Electrical Resistivity 10 to 12 10x -m Poisson's Ratio 0.21 to 0.31 Specific Heat 780 J/kg-K Thermal Conductivity 80 to 200 W/m-K Thermal Expansion 4.2 to 5.4 m/m-K Young's Modulus 330 GPa Exact Mass 40.9846 Monoisotopic Mass 40.9846 Spherical Aluminum Nitride Health & Safety Information Remarks Danger Hazard Statements H314-H335 Hazard Codes Xi Risk Codes 36/37/38 Safety Statements 26-37/39 RTECS Number N/A Transport Information N/A WGK Germany 3





With Russia taking the lead on Poland and Bulgaria at the end of last month, there appears to be a growing sense of compromise within the EU over whether to accept Moscow's proposed rouble settlement order.

Italy's prime minister said recently that European companies would be able to buy gas in roubles without violating sanctions. This apparently ignores the guidance of hardliners in the EU to "fight to the end".

For weeks, European companies have been trying to find ways to meet Russia's payment demands for the rouble while maintaining vital gas supplies without violating sanctions against Moscow.

Late last month, European Commission President Von der Leyen said operating under the mechanism would violate sanctions and asked European companies not to bow to Russian demands. However, the EU has yet to issue more rigorous written guidelines on how companies should pay Gazprom.

The Italian prime minister said recently, "There is no official announcement from the European Union about what ruble settlement means for sanctions violations, and no one has said whether ruble payments violate sanctions or not. It's a grey area."

"In fact, most gas importers are already opening rouble accounts for deals with Gazprom,"

He also used German companies as a shield. He said Germany's largest gas importer had already paid in rubles. "In fact, we saw evidence yesterday that the largest gas importer in Germany has already paid in rubles."

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What is Inconel 718 used for?

The spread of the novel coronavirus is taking a direct hit on the operations of airlines in Asia. About 500,000 flights taking off and landing in mainland China have been canceled since January, according to aviation information company Cerium. Tourists and business trips have plummeted. On the booking website, there are a large number of air tickets for local routes with a price reduction of nearly 90% compared with the original price and only tens of yuan for a one-way trip.

In February, China's aviation industry recorded its largest single-month loss of 24.59 billion yuan, of which airlines lost 20.96 billion yuan.

Data from the Civil Aviation Administration of China showed that in February, the number of passengers traveling by air fell 84.5% year-on-year to 8.34 million.

The stagnation of the Asian aviation industry has brought volatility to In718 powder.



What is Inconel 718

Inconel 718 or In718 is a nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy resistant to various corrosion conditions, pitting, and crevice corrosion.

Inconel 718 superalloy has been used in aeroengines for half a century. In718 has become the most widely used nickel-based superalloy in the history of aero engines since it was invented in the United States in the early 1960s in The INCO Huntington Alloy (now Special Metals Co.) and used in turbine parts manufacturing.



Inconel 718 Key Properties

The unique alloy composition design of In718 gives it good comprehensive properties, such as high strength, creep resistance and fatigue life, good ductility, and excellent oxidation resistance. Especially below 650, its mechanical properties have good stability.



Inconel 718 Powder Properties Other Names IN718, Inconel 718 Powder CAS No. N/A Compound Formula N/A Molecular Weight N/A Appearance grey to black powder Melting Point 1370-1430 C Boiling Point N/A Density 8.192g/cm3 Solubility in H2O N/A Exact Mass N/A

3D Printing Nickel Alloy IN718 Powder





Inconel 718 Application

Many parts of modern aero engines, such as turbine discs, blades, brakes, shafts, stators, seals, supports, pipes, fasteners, etc., are made of In718. In addition, In718 is also used in nuclear reactors (heat exchanger pipe), sub (propeller blades, quick disconnect device, auxiliary propulsion motor), chemical (vessels, pumps, valves, pipe), power (industrial gas turbine), the oil and gas industry (underground pipelines, wellhead hardware, torch arm).



Inconel 718 Composition





What is Superalloy

Superalloy refers to a kind of metal material based on iron, nickel, and cobalt, which can work for a long time at high temperatures above 600 and under certain stress.

It has high high-temperature strength, good oxidation and corrosion resistance, good fatigue performance, fracture toughness, and other comprehensive properties. Superalloy with a single austenite structure has good stability and reliability at various temperatures. Superalloys are widely used in aviation, aerospace, petroleum, chemical, and ship.



According to the matrix elements, superalloys are divided into iron base, nickel base, cobalt base, and other superalloys. The use temperature of iron base superalloy can only reach 750-780 in general. For heat-resistant parts used at higher temperatures, people use nickel base and refractory metal-based alloy. Nickel-based superalloys play a very important role in the whole field of superalloys. They are widely used to manufacture the hottest parts of aviation jet engines and various industrial gas turbines.



Inconel 718 Powder Price

The price is influenced by many factors including the supply and demand in the market, industry trends, economic activity, market sentiment, and unexpected events.

If you are looking for the latest Inconel 718 powder price, you can send us your inquiry for a quote. ([email protected])



Inconel 718 Powder Supplier

Luoyang Tongrun Nano Technology Co. Ltd. (TRUNNANO) is a trusted global chemical material supplier & manufacturer with over 12-year-experience in providing super high-quality chemicals and Nanomaterials, including silicon powder, nitride powder, graphite powder, zinc sulfide, calcium nitride, 3D printing powder, etc.

If you are looking for high-quality Inconel 718 powder, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry. ([email protected])



The Japanese minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry recently held talks with the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and industry in Washington, where he is visiting, and agreed to include basic principles on joint research and development of semiconductors and strengthening of supply chains. Japan's economy, Trade and Industry Minister has asked the United States to increase the In718 powder will continue to increase in the future.

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What is Molybdenum Silicide MoSi2 Powder?

Following the progress in Russia-Ukraine peace talks, the gold price fell more than 1% the next day, hitting its lowest in a month, and palladium prices briefly tumbled by nearly 9%.

"We have seen metal prices going into free fall when the Russia-Ukraine situation is likely to see a major detente, which spurred people's risk preference and optimism that the war could end at a time," said OANDA senior market analyst.

A Russian deputy defense minister says Moscow has decided to sharply curtail its military activities around Kyiv and Chernikov in Ukraine, following talks between Russian and Ukrainian representatives in Istanbul.

Where the prices of metals, natural gas, and commodities like the MoSi2 Powder will go in the future, is still very uncertain.

Introduction to Molybdenum Silicide MoSi2 Powder

Molybdenum silicide was discovered in 1906. Under different conditions, silicon and molybdenum can form molybdenum trisilicide (Mo3Si), molybdenum pentasilicate (Mo5Si3), and molybdenum disilicate (MoSi2). The most important one is the Molybdenum disilicide (MoSi2), which is a Dalton-type intermetallic compound. The atomic combination in its crystal structure shows the coexistence of metal bonds and covalent bonds, and has excellent high-temperature essential characteristics.

Molybdenum disilicide is an inorganic compound, the chemical formula is MoSi2, gray metal solid. Insoluble in most acids, but soluble in nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid. The two kinds of atoms have similar radii and electronegativity, which is similar to metal and ceramic. Molybdenum disilicide is electrically conductive and at high temperatures forms a passivation layer of silicon dioxide on the surface to prevent further oxidation.

It can be applied as high-temperature oxidation-resistant coating materials, electric heating elements, integrated electrode film, structural materials, composite reinforcement, wear-resistant materials, structural ceramics, and other fields of bonding materials.



Physicochemical Properties of Molybdenum Silicide MoSi2 Powder

MoSi2 is a kind of intermediate phase with the highest silicon content in the Mo-Si binary alloy system, and it is a Dalton-type intermetallic compound with a fixed composition. It has dual characteristics of metal and ceramic, and is a kind of high-temperature material with excellent performance. Good high-temperature oxidation resistance, oxidation resistance temperature up to 1600, and SiC equivalent; Moderate density (6.24g/cm3); Low thermal expansion coefficient (8.110-6K-1); Good electric conductivity; Higher brittle and ductile transition temperature (1000) below the hard brittleness of ceramics. Above 1000 it is metal-like soft plastic. MoSi2 is mainly used as heating elements, integrated circuits, high-temperature oxidation-resistant coating, and high-temperature structural material.

In MoSi2, molybdenum and silicon are bonded by metal bonds, while silicon and silicon are bonded by covalent bonds. Molybdenum disilicide is gray tetragonal crystal. Insoluble in general mineral acids (including aqua roya), but soluble in nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid mixed acid, has good high-temperature oxidation resistance, can be used as high temperature (<1700) oxidation atmosphere work heating element.

In an oxidizing atmosphere, a protective film is formed on the surface of dense quartz glass (SiO2) burned at a high temperature to prevent continuous oxidation. When the temperature of the heating element is higher than 1700, SiO2 protective film is formed, which is thickened at the melting point of 1710 and fused with SiO2 into molten droplets. It loses its protective ability due to its surface-extending action. When the element is used continuously under the oxidant, it forms a protective film again. It should be noted that this element cannot be used for long periods at 400-700 due to strong oxidation at low temperatures.



Molybdenum Silicide MoSi2 Powder Properties Other Names molybdenum disilicide, MoSi2 powder CAS No. 12136-78-6 Compound Formula MoSi2 Molecular Weight 152.11 Appearance gray to black powder Melting Point 1900-2050 C Boiling Point N/A Density 6.23-6.31g/cm3 Solubility in H2O N/A Exact Mass 153.859261

Molybdenum Silicide MoSi2 Powder CAS 12136-78-6





Applications of Molybdenum Silicide MoSi2 Powder

MoSi2 is widely used in heating elements. Molybdenum disilicide heating elements can be used at temperatures up to 1800C for electric furnaces used in laboratories and production environments in glass, steel, electronics, ceramics, and for heat treatment of materials. Although these components are brittle, they can operate at high power without aging, and their resistivity does not increase with operating time.



Main Supplier of Molybdenum Silicide MoSi2 Powder

Luoyang Tongrun Nano Technology Co. Ltd. (TRUNNANO) is a trusted global chemical material supplier & manufacturer with over 12-year-experience in providing super high-quality chemicals and Nanomaterials, including silicon powder, nitride powder, graphite powder, zinc sulfide, calcium nitride, 3D printing powder, etc.

If you are looking for high-quality molybdenum silicide MoSi2 powder, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry. ([email protected])



The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic not only had a significant impact on public health, it also severely affected one of the linchpins of the global economy  the tourism industry. As many countries introduced curfews and travel restrictions to contain the spread of the virus, travel across the world significantly declined from early 2020 onwards. The financial repercussions of the coronavirus have already begun to manifest themselves within the tourism industry. In 2020, global revenue from the travel and tourism industry was estimated to drop from a forecasted 711.94 billion U.S. dollars to 568.6 billion U.S. dollars, representing a decrease of over 20 percent. The region predicted to see the highest decline in revenue was Europe, decreasing from 211.97 billion U.S. dollars in 2019 to roughly 124 billion U.S. dollars in 2020.The downturn in tourism has caused the recession, and the weakening of the economy has also affected the market demand for MoSi2 Powder. Recently, however, the demand for MoSi2 Powder has increased, so contact us for the latest news on MoSi2 Powder.

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What is Tantalum Carbide TaC Powder?

Wholesale gas prices in the Netherlands and the UK have risen 20 percent recently amid concerns about Russian supplies.

The EU plans to cut its dependence on Russian gas by two-thirds this year and stop importing Russian fossil fuels by 2027. Russia exported about 155 billion cubic meters of gas to the EU in 2021.

The US recently said it would try to supply 15bn cubic meters of LNG to the EU this year. U.S. LNG plants are running at full capacity, and analysts say much of the extra gas the U.S. sends to Europe comes from what should have been exported elsewhere.

The German government called Russia "an unreliable energy supplier". Even though the German government claimed that they have been preparing for the situation for a long time that Russia may stop sending gas one day, experts say it is hard for the EU to replace all of Russia's gas exports any time soon.

The supply and prices of many Tantalum Carbide powder will continue to be influenced by international situations.





Introduction to Tantalum Carbide TaC Powder

Tantalum carbide or TaC is a light brown metallic cubic crystal powder, belonging to the sodium chloride cubic crystal system. The density is 14.3g/cm3.

Insoluble in water, insoluble in inorganic acid, soluble in hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid mixed acid and decomposition. It has strong oxidation resistance and is easily melted and decomposed by potassium pyrosulfate. Has high conductivity, and resistance of 30 at room temperature, showing superconductivity.

Tantalum carbide is used for powder metallurgy, cutting tools, fine ceramics, chemical vapor deposition, hard wear-resistant alloy cutting tools, molds, and additives for wear and corrosion resistance structural components to improve the toughness of alloys. The sintered body of tantalum carbide shows a golden color and can be used as watch decoration.



Tantalum Carbide TaC Powder Properties Other Names tantalum(IV) carbide, TaC powder CAS No. 12070-06-3 Compound Formula TaC Molecular Weight 192.96 Appearance brown to dark brown powder Melting Point 3850C Boiling Point 4780-5470 C Density 14.3-14.7g/cm3 Solubility in H2O insoluble Exact Mass 192.948

Tantalum Carbide TaC Powder Cas 12070-06-3



Preparation Methods of Tantalum Carbide TaC Powder

1. In industry, mix tantalum pentoxide powder with solid carbon ball mills, get the mixture reduced and carburized in a non-oxidizing atmosphere (mainly vacuum and argon atmosphere) at 1700, to prepare TaC powder with a particle size greater than 2m.

2. Nano tantalum carbide powder was prepared by heat treatment in the non-oxidizing atmosphere with the liquid precursor method. 5mL of anhydrous ethanol was added into a small beaker containing 0.50gTaCL5, and stirred evenly with a glass rod. Then, it was put into an ultrasonic cleaner with a heating temperature of 55 and a working frequency of 40kHz, ultrasonic power was 80W. After ultrasonic oscillation for 5-10min, 0.10g nano-activated carbon was added, and the oscillation continued for 15-20min. Pour it into the crucible and coat it evenly on the inner wall, and dry it with a hot fan. The crucible with the sample was placed in a vacuum hot pressing furnace, and high-temperature treatment was carried out at 1300 in a vacuum of 100Pa or hydrogen atmosphere; Or at 1400 in argon atmosphere, holding time is 0.5h, the heating rate is 20/min. After the experiment, brush the products in the crucible with a brush.

3. Heat in the air to convert to tantalum pentoxide. Can be fused with potassium pyrosulfate. By metal tantalum and carbon or tantalum pentoxide and black in an inert atmosphere heated to 1900 reaction prepared.

4. Use tantalum pentoxide and methane as the reaction gas, argon as the carrier, using silicon carbide resistance from the external radiation heating, carbonization, or tantalum pentoxide mixed with carbon black, pressurized powder molding, heating in hydrogen or vacuum.



Applications of Tantalum Carbide TaC Powder

It is widely used in industry and the military. In cemented carbide, it is widely used as a kind of additive. Its main function is to improve the high-temperature strength of cemented carbide and inhibit the growth of tungsten carbide particles.

In cutting tools, used as a hard coating to increase the chemical resistance and wear resistance of the base metal;

In the military, it can be used as a coating for jet engine turbine blades and rocket nozzles, which can significantly improve their ablative resistance and prolong their service life.

Because of its good conductivity, it can also be used as electrode material, using electric discharge wire cutting into complex shapes;

And as the second phase particle reinforced metal matrix composites, it can be used in aerospace, metallurgy, building materials, electric power, hydropower, mining, and other fields.



Main Supplier of Tantalum Carbide TaC Powder

Luoyang Tongrun Nano Technology Co. Ltd. (TRUNNANO) is a trusted global chemical material supplier & manufacturer with over 12-year-experience in providing super high-quality chemicals and Nanomaterials, including silicon powder, nitride powder, graphite powder, zinc sulfide, calcium nitride, 3D printing powder, etc.

If you are looking for high-quality tantalum carbide TaC powder, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry. ([email protected])

The negative electrode material is the carrier of lithium ions and electrons during the charging process of the battery and plays the role of energy storage and release. In the battery cost, the negative electrode material accounts for about 5%-15%, which is one of the important raw materials for lithium-ion batteries. The global sales of lithium battery anode materials are about 100,000 tons, mainly in China and Japan. According to the current growth trend of new energy vehicles, the demand for anode materials will also show a state of continuous growth. At present, the global lithium battery anode materials are still dominated by natural/artificial graphite, and new anode materials such as mesh carbon microspheres (MCMB), lithium titanate, silicon-based anodes, HC/SC, and metal lithium are also growing rapidly.

Our company provides anode materials and Tantalum Carbide powder. If you need to know more anode materials and Tantalum Carbide powder, please feel free to contact us.



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Why is graphite dangerous?

Australian alumina ban disrupts Rusal graphite dangerous prices for chemicals. Patel said. "One possible outcome could be Chinese buyers buying alumina and reselling it through eastern Russian ports." Rusal has a 20% stake in the Queensland Alumina Refinery, which has a capacity of 3.95 million tonnes a year, thus providing Rusal with 790,000 tonnes a year, Patel said. In addition, Rusal's Nikolaev refinery in Ukraine, which has an annual capacity of 1.75 million tonnes, has been suspended due to the conflict, he added. WoodMac said Rusal was also experiencing supply chain problems at its 2 million tonne a year Aughinish refinery in Ireland.

In your neighbourhood, you may encounter many such questions, such as whether graphite is toxic, whether it causes poisoning, its effects on human health and so on. While such questions are often asked, it is vital to understand the answers and the reasons behind them. People need to know if graphite is toxic to humans and its potential effects on our health so that they can take immediate action if needed. To answer all the frequently asked questions about graphite and lead poisoning from pencils, I will share detailed information in this blog.

Is graphite toxic?

Graphite is mainly made up of carbon and therefore cannot be absorbed by the body. It is not as toxic as carbon, but it can have some harmful effects on our health, just like over-consumption of other things. Graphite is one of the least toxic elements and it can damage your health. A single accidental dose in some way or form may not harm you, but swallowing Graphite from time to time can have some serious consequences.

Graphite does, however, appear on the list of irritants, so people should not intentionally consume this element. Some reports also suggest that it may have some side effects if consumed regularly. So it is best to stay away from consuming it.

Are pencil leads dangerous?

In a word, no; pencil lead is not dangerous. Many of you will be surprised to discover that there is actually no lead in pencil lead. Shocking, isn't it? Many manufacturers use a mixture of graphite and clay and some additives to make pencil lead. Lead, or "Pb" as it is also called on the periodic table, is toxic to humans and can cause serious problems. However, it is not advisable to swallow pencil lead and it should not be consumed.

In addition to the side effects, the elements used to make pencil lead, including wood, rubber, paint and even clay, are not suitable for our digestive system. So graphite, along with all these elements, can cause some unease. There have been reports of children choking from pencil fragments, but in a normal pencil, lead does not cause lead poisoning, but it can harm your intestines if you continue to consume it.

High-quality graphite supplier

Luoyang Moon & Star New Energy Technology Co., LTD, founded on October 17, 2008, is a high-tech enterprise committed to developing, producing, processing, selling, and technical services of lithium-ion battery anode materials. After more than 10 years of development, the company has gradually developed into a diversified product structure with natural graphite, artificial graphite, composite graphite, intermediate phase, and other negative materials (silicon-carbon materials, etc.). The products are widely used in high-end lithium-ion digital power and energy storage batteries.

If you are looking for graphite material, click on the needed products and send us an inquirysales@graphite-corp.com





According to Reuters, U.S. Treasury officials said they would discuss with G7 leaders pricing caps and tariffs on Russian oil as an alternative to the embargo, which would keep the market supplied, limit price spikes, and reduce Russian revenues.

The EU foreign ministers' meeting was held in Brussels. The meeting failed to agree on the sixth round of sanctions, including an oil embargo on Russia, because of objections from Hungary.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said at a press conference after the meeting, that the meeting failed to reach an agreement on the final adoption of the sixth round of sanctions, the permanent representatives of member states to the EU will continue to discuss. The foreign ministers faced similar difficulties trying to reach an agreement on an oil ban. He said Hungary's position was based on economic rather than political concerns.

Hungary is highly dependent on Russia for energy, getting more than 60 percent of its oil and 85 percent of its natural gas from Russia.

A few days ago, the European Commission submitted the sixth round of proposed sanctions against Russia, including a total ban on Russian oil imports by the end of this year. Hungary immediately objected and said it wanted substantial compensation from the EU to offset its loss from giving up Russian oil.

The graphite dangerous price is predicted to increase in the next few days, due to geopolitical factors.

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Why is polycarboxylate superplasticizer more suitable for modern concrete?

The European Union recently approved sweeping new sanctions against Russia, including bans on imports of coal, timber, chemicals, and other pce powder.

Modern concrete is represented by ready-mixed concrete produced in industrialization, and pumping construction is the mainstream. Mechanical properties are no longer the only technical index of modern concrete, and the control of mixing and rheological properties is particularly important to ensure the construction. At the same time, the requirements to ensure the durability of concrete structures are increasing day by day. In the process of production and use, we should pursue the principle of sustainable development.



Technical characteristics of modern concrete

More complex components

The wide application of mineral admixtures mainly derived from industrial solid wastes diversifies the composition of cementitious materials, which is one of the main characteristics of modern concrete. Conventional mineral admixtures such as ground slag powder and fly ash have become important components of modern concrete, and functional mineral admixtures such as silica fume, ultra-fine stone powder, calcined kaolin and zeolite powder have also been applied in modern concrete. as mineral admixtures, various metallurgical and industrial tailings have been gradually applied to modern concrete. Chemical admixture represented by high-performance superplasticizer is another main feature of modern concrete. the emergence of high-performance superplasticizer greatly reduces the water-binder ratio of concrete, and the strength of concrete has been greatly improved. Ultra-high-strength concrete above C100 has achieved high-rise pumping construction. Some special materials are also gradually applied to modern concrete, such as expansive agent, fiber material, air entraining agent, consistency adjustment material, density adjustment material, durability reinforcement material and so on. In terms of concrete aggregate, high-quality natural aggregate resources are increasingly scarce, machine-made sand and low-grade aggregate have begun to enter the field of ready-mixed concrete, and the water absorption and mud content of aggregate are increasing. With the complexity and diversification of modern concrete components, the initial fluidity of concrete is greatly reduced and it is more difficult to maintain the fluidity of concrete.

Higher construction requirements

The complex structure and harsh construction environment of modern engineering require higher and higher fluidity of concrete. The construction of super high-rise, super-large volume and complex structure requires excellent pumping performance of concrete, and can realize self-compacting construction, so as to reduce labor intensity and ensure the compactness of concrete; long-distance transportation or long-time pouring requires a long time to keep concrete fluidity; nuclear power and hydropower projects require concrete fluidity to be stable and has little fluctuation over time. The super early strength project requires not only high early strength of concrete, but also long construction time; in harsh environment, especially in the high temperature environment above 40 , the hydration rate of cement is intensified, but concrete is still required to be pumped for construction after 3 hours. Therefore, high fluidity and fluidity, good and workability, and can achieve self-compaction is the fundamental to meet the requirements of modern concrete construction.

The problem of shrinkage cracking is more prominent.

The large amount of modern concrete cementitious materials, finer and finer cement, more and more complex components and lower water-binder ratio make the problem of shrinkage cracking more prominent. The simple pursuit of high profit to meet the strength makes the effect of cement through grinding aids become finer and finer, the specific surface area is as high as 420m2/kg, the hydration rate is accelerated, the hydration heat release rate increases, and the internal water consumption rate of concrete is too fast, and the development of high strength reduces the water-binder ratio to 0.18 and free water. The extensive use of ultra-fine mineral admixtures increases the shrinkage of concrete, increases the sensitivity of cracking, and makes concrete more prone to shrinkage cracks, thus reducing the frost resistance, carbonation resistance, corrosion resistance and so on. In addition, with the continuous expansion of the scope of human activities and the progress of construction technology, concrete projects in harsh environments such as dryness, cold and heavy corrosion are increasing day by day, and modern concrete is facing a harsher service environment than traditional concrete. the risk of cracking increases, and the problem of durability is more prominent.

Why is polycarboxylate superplasticizer more suitable for modern concrete?

The traditional lignin sulfonates, naphthalenesulfonic acid condensates and aliphatic superplasticizers have limited dispersion ability and low water reducing rate because of their inherent molecular structure. even if the content is increased, it is difficult to meet the requirements of high fluidity and fluidity of modern concrete under the condition of complex components and low water-binder ratio. Polycarboxylate admixture has flexible molecular structure and strong designability. Through targeted molecular construction, high performance and functionalization can be achieved to meet the different performance requirements of modern concrete, so as to improve the engineering quality.

Concrete Additives Supplier

TRUNNANO is a reliable foaming agents supplier with over 12-year experience in nano-building energy conservation and nanotechnology development.

If you are looking for high-quality polycarboxylate superplasticizer, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry. (sales@cabr-concrete.com)

We accept payment via Credit Card, T/T, West Union, and Paypal. TRUNNANO will ship the goods to customers overseas through FedEx, DHL, by air, or by sea.





The EUs draft REPowerEU plan calls for an increase of 15TWh of rooftop PV capacity by 2022. The draft also calls for EU and national governments to take action this year to reduce the time required to obtain permits for rooftop PV installations to three months, and proposes that "all new buildings and existing buildings with an energy grade OF D or above should have rooftop PV installations by 2025".

In addition, the European Commission is likely to set a target for installed PV capacity of 300GW by 2025 and 500GW by 2030. Some members are more aggressive, with Austria, Belgium, Lithuania, Luxembourg, and Spain demanding a 1TW target for 2030.

The REPowerEU initiative, worth 195 billion euros, was proposed by the EU on March 8 to phase out member states' dependence on Russian fossil fuels by 2030. In a few days, the European Commission will present a package to implement the RePowerEU strategy.

As an important application scenario of distributed PV, rooftop PV is not limited to land, and the development conditions are relatively convenient.

Since the end of 2021, Spain, France, the Netherlands, and other countries have introduced policies and measures such as government subsidies, tax cuts, fee reductions, and accelerated grid-connection approval to encourage the development of distributed PV. Europe's potential for rooftop PV is huge and will continue to be an important growth pole for the industry, according to Wood Mackenzie.

Luoyang Tongrun Nano Technology is a trusted chemical supplier and manufacturer providing high-quality chemicals and Nanomaterials. If you are looking for the pce powder, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry.

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Will extreme heat warnings in effect in 28 STATES affect the market for building cooling tower

Will extreme heat warnings in effect in 28 STATES affect the market for building cooling tower ?

As Biden refuses to declare a climate emergency, 100 million Americans are enduring searing temperatures

The National Weather Service is warning that extreme heat will affect more than 100 million people in the United States this week, with temperatures reaching triple digits in some states and temperature records breaking in many parts of the country.

"Temperatures will continue to be above normal across much of the United States through the weekend, with a significant portion of the population remaining under heat-related advisories and warnings," the agency said.

Heat warnings and advisories have been issued for 28 states, with central and southern states bearing the brunt of the heat.

Emergency medical services in Tulsa, Oklahoma, reported an increase in heat-related emergency calls this year. The city's Emergency Medical Services Authority says it has received nearly 250 calls this year, which usually don't go through until later in the summer.

"It's very concerning," the department's Adam Parka told CNN. "Especially because the number of patients being transported suggests that some of those calls were heatstroke, which can be fatal."

In the northeast, temperatures held steady above 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius), and city leaders warned residents to limit outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day.

Philadelphia declared a "heat health emergency" on Thursday and set up a "hotline" number for residents experiencing the heat. Boston opened community centers and swimming pools as a place for residents to cool off.

"It is clear that climate change is a threat to our health," Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said on Wednesday. "I urge everyone to remain calm and safe, and check on your neighbors this week."

In Phoenix, the hottest city in the United States, an extreme heat warning was issued Thursday and Friday. Temperatures are expected to reach 113F (45C) on Thursday afternoon and 115F (46C) on Friday afternoon. Heat warnings are issued only when temperatures are above average for the year, and in Phoenix in July, that meant temperatures above 112F. So far this year, the city has broken or equal four daytime highs and nine nighttime lows.

The effects of heat are cumulative and bodies only begin to recover when temperatures drop below 80F. The heat wave that swept Europe and Asia this summer will become more intense and prolonged if the climate emergency is not addressed, climate scientists have warned. A study published in May showed that human influence on climate has made certain heat waves in South Asia 30 times more likely.

Speaking on the climate crisis in Somerset, Mass., On Wednesday, Joe Biden said global heating was an "emergency," but stopped short of declaring a national emergency, as activists wanted the president to do. Such a statement would allow Biden to block crude oil imports or direct the military to engage in renewable energy production. The White House said a formal emergency declaration was "still under discussion".

"It's a clear and present danger, literally," Biden said. "There is a real threat to the health of our citizens and communities."

The global cooling tower market is estimated at 2.1 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach us $2.6 billion by 2026, with a COMPOUND annual growth rate of 4.5%. Growing demand in emerging markets, stringent environmental regulations, increased DEPLOYMENT of HVACR and technological advances are driving demand for building cooling tower cooling towers.

Global cooling tower market introduction

Cooling towers are heat exchange devices in which water and air are in direct contact to lower the temperature of water. When water and air meet, a small amount of water evaporates, creating a cooling effect. There are various types of cooling towers and not all of them are suitable for use in the end-use industry. Each project is different and requires a specific cooling tower. A recent trend is to use hePA filters in cooling towers instead of traditional sand filters. Growth in the end-use industry is a key factor expected to drive demand for cooling towers during the forecast period. The same goes for building cooling tower . The market for building cooling tower is also expected to grow due to developments in the HVAC, power generation and oil and gas industries.

Europe is already the industrialized continent with the most power plants. Cooling towers have been installed in Europe for years. In addition to the shrinkage of new cooling towers, Europe is also seeing a need to replace them. All these factors make Europe the largest cooling tower market in the world. Like Europe, North America is highly industrialized, and demand for new cooling towers and replacement towers will rise. North America is the world's second largest cooling tower market. The Asia-pacific region is the fastest growing market for cooling towers.

The building cooling tower market development changes

The construction of new power plants fueled by coal (thermal power plant) and natural gas is increasing all over the world, oil, biofuels, waste, nuclear, hydro, geothermal, solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, wind, tidal and so on. This development, together with increased capital expenditure in the oil and gas sector, is driving the number of oil RIGS worldwide and are the two main factors likely to drive growth in the building cooling tower market during the forecast period. building cooling tower are said to be the most prominent type by far. Evaporative cooling towers are expected to occupy the largest market share during the forecast period, followed by dry and hybrid cooling towers. Dry cooling tower is mainly used in places lacking water. As they do not use water and are cost-effective, dry cooling towers are expected to provide profitable opportunities for cooling tower suppliers and manufacturers during the forecast period. Hybrid cooling towers are also growing in popularity because they help reduce heat plumes and reduce the amount of fresh water consumed by factories. As a result, the market is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period.

Regional outlook of global cooling tower market

Germany is the largest market for cooling towers in Europe, followed by Italy. In Europe, five countries - Germany, Italy, France, the United Kingdom and Poland - account for two-thirds of the cooling tower market. Germany is one of The largest manufacturing powers in Europe, leading to increased demand for cooling towers in the country. In Europe, new demand for cooling towers and replacement of existing cooling towers is driving the market as it matures. Among the rest of Europe, Poland's building cooling tower market recorded double-digit growth of around 25.0%.

The Asia-Pacific region is expected to show high growth rates for global building cooling tower . China has the largest number of coal-fired, gas-fired and nuclear power plants among asia-pacific countries. It also has the largest hVAC market in the region. All these factors make China a major cooling tower market in the region. In addition, growing industrial growth is driving demand for cooling towers in India. In Japan, in addition to the need for new cooling towers, there is also a large need to replace cooling towers. The rest of Asia Pacific consists of a variety of smaller cooling tower markets.

Impact of COVID-19 on the global cooling tower market

Power generation is one of the important consumers of cooling towers, as it requires energy saving, increased efficiency and strengthening of pipes, machinery, tanks and boilers. Most electricity consumption is in the industrial sector, followed by the residential, commercial and service sectors.

Demand in the sector declined by about 2.5% in the first quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. The decline was attributable to lower consumption in the industrial and commercial sectors. Businesses have been forced to close because of government-sponsored lockdowns, social distancing measures and restricted supply chains. However, demand is normalising again, helped by a recovery in economic activity across countries.

As a result of the pandemic, demand in the oil and gas industry has dropped significantly. The oil and gas industry has been weak for the past few years as oil prices fell sharply and accelerated from mid-2014.

The industry experienced additional shocks in 2019-2021 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the drop in demand caused by the global lockdown have forced major refiners to shut down their operations.

Market drivers for building cooling tower

Drivers: Increased DEPLOYMENT of HVACR and increased industrial activity

The modest growth of the global commercial construction industry, along with accelerated modernization and urbanization in emerging economies, is driving demand for cooling towers. The increased deployment of HVACR is further driving market growth due to increased government investment in building cooling tower industries. Cooling towers are widely used as part of building HVACR systems through which excess heat from the cooler is treated. As a result, the surge in demand for this HVACR equipment in construction and industrial applications is expected to drive the global cooling tower market. Factors such as climate change and technological innovation have driven the adoption of building cooling tower . Changeable and unpredictable weather conditions caused by global warming have also increased the need for cooling towers.

Processional Cooling Machinery Manufacturer building cooling tower supplier

Wuxi Master Cooling Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd. is a professional manufacturer of water cooling towers and related equipments including cooling tower, chiller, evaporative condenser, water treatment and other accessory parts.

Master Cooling products are widely used in electric power, chemical industrial, metallurgy, cooling, light industrial, civil facilities and other fields. We have an excellent scientific research and development team whom onstantly design new products always more efficient and more innovative in order to meet the different needs from different customers. We also have excellent after-sales service team. If you have any questions about the building cooling tower, please feel free to contact us. Send an email to: lilian-mst@hotmail.com

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Will the global food supply order have an impact on the market for steel coil cut to length line

Steel processing industry - Current status of the steel coil cut to length line

Growth in the construction, automotive and consumer steel coil cut to length line has played a big role in providing the needed boost to the global steel processing industry. The global steel processing industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.86% between 2020 and 2026. Alloy steel is the fastest-growing segment of the global steel processing market and is suitable for all applications. If you have any questions about the steel coil cut to length line or want to seek our help. Send an email to info@txmachinery.net please feel free to contact us.

Two food-related policies in the United States have attracted attention recently. On April 12, the United States announced that it would open the sale of high-ethanol gasoline from June to September in an effort to control prices. On April 27, the United States announced $670 million in food aid to countries threatened by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The large-scale application of ethanol and gasoline in the United States may once again trigger the contradiction of "people and steam competing for food" around the world, raising global food prices and increasing import costs of grain importing countries.

Bioenergy is an important part of American energy and an important means to regulate energy supply and demand. In the 1970s, in order to get rid of dependence on imported oil, the United States began to develop bio-energy on a large scale, using corn to process fuel ethanol and soybean oil as the main raw material to process biodiesel. Now, the United States has developed into the world's largest producer, consumer and exporter of bio-ethanol. As a food producer and exporter, the United States food market, which is closely linked to the global food market is expected to 2021/2022 for the production of fuel ethanol for a total of 136 million tons of corn for the production of biodiesel oil is expected to be a total of 4.85 million tons in world food markets has had a huge impact, will further disturb the order of the global food supply.

Bio-energy is a kind of renewable green energy. Developing bio-energy is of strategic significance to realize energy substitution and guarantee energy security. Using grain processing to improve energy supply and utilization efficiency is a common practice in some large grain-producing countries. In addition to the United States, the European Union, some countries in Southeast Asia and Brazil are also developing bio-energy, using corn and sugar cane to process fuel ethanol, and using soybean oil, olive oil and rapeseed oil to process biodiesel. The amount of grain used to process fuel ethanol in the United States, Brazil and other countries is estimated to reach 300 million tons in 2021-2022 .

Metal and Steel Processing Industry - Future planning of the steel coil cut to length line

The steel processing market is a highly fragmented one due to the huge demand for environmentally friendly products and changing technologies. Large companies rely on regional and local distributors to increase their market share and geographic distribution. The company is pursuing inorganic growth strategies such as acquisitions to respond to the growing demand for steel processing in key emerging markets. These strategies have helped the company build a larger customer and partner base in key steel coil cut to length line markets.

The application needs of steel processing are constantly changing and manufacturers must continue to invest in RESEARCH and development and come up with innovative solutions.

Steel deep processing is the only way for the development of the steel coil cut to length line steel industry. Chinas steel production is in the stage of oversupply, structural contradictions are: advanced production capacity and backward production capacity coexist; The shortage of high-end products and the surplus of low-end products coexist; Industrial concentration is poor.

Metal and Steel Processing industry  the steel coil cut to length line market demand

Market demand for steel processing is expected to grow by us $642.43 billion by 2020, with a CAGR of 2.16% from 2015 to 2020. Growth in the global construction, consumer electronics and automotive industries has played a huge role in providing the necessary momentum for the global steel processing industry after the economic slowdown of 2007-2009. In addition, the reduction of alternatives to steel has made steel an indispensable part of customers lives. The recovery of the global steel coil cut to length line economy will also boost demand in the steel processing market.

The Asia-pacific region is expected to become the fastest-growing region in the steel processing market from 2015 to 2020. Major players in steel processing prefer agreements, contracts, joint venture and partnership strategies as well as expansion and investment to gain a larger share of the market. Leading steel coil cut to length line providers of steel processed products and services are focusing on emerging countries that are expected to show potential for industrial development in the near future.

Leading manufacturer of metallic processing machines, the steel coil cut to length line supplier

Foshan Te Xiang Machinery Co., Ltd ( www.txmachinery.net ) is a China leading manufacturer of metallic processing machines, including slitting line, cut to length line, stainless steel polishing line, ERW tube mill line, roll forming machines, embossing li ne and etc.

Thanks to the experience acquired in many years of business in the field of sheet metal processing, and the continuous collaboration with downstream manufacturers that demand reliability and the maximum productivity, we have developed various types of cut to length line machines for special applications, with solutions at the forefront of technology, and able to reduce the production costs of the end product. TX CTL line can be incorporated with air cushioned, bomb-door type stackers, computer controlled high-precision 4 HI and 6 HI levellers, edge trimmer and etc.

According to the dimensions, thickness of the material, and production capacity, TX cut-to-length cutting lines can be divided into various types:

1)start-stop shear CTL line;

2)flying shear CTL line;

3)rotary shears CTL line ;

4)trapezoidal shear CTL line;

5)heavy gauge CTL line;

6)flat bar cut to length line

If you have any questions about the steel coil cut to length line or want to seek our help. Send an email to info@txmachinery.net please feel free to contact us.

Inquiry us
Nitride Powder

Application of 3D Printing Technology on Metal Parts

Australian alumina ban disrupts Rusal production -- Australia's ban on exports of alumina and aluminium ore to Russia, including bauxite, will further disrupt supply chains and production at leading aluminium producer Rusal, consultancy Wood Mackenzie said on Monday.

The Australian government announced the ban on Sunday as part of its ongoing sanctions against Moscow for its aggression in Ukraine, saying Russia relies on it to meet one-fifth of its alumina needs. WoodMac senior manager Uday Patel said in a statement that the ban would make it difficult for Rusal to maintain normal primary aluminum production.

Rusal said it was assessing the impact of Australia's move and would make further announcements if necessary. "It is increasingly likely that UC Rusal's only option for alumina procurement will be through a Chinese entity." The Australian alumina ban has also had an impact on the 3D Printing Technology prices for chemicals. Patel said. "One possible outcome could be Chinese buyers buying alumina and reselling it through eastern Russian ports." Rusal has a 20% stake in the Queensland Alumina Refinery, which has a capacity of 3.95 million tonnes a year, thus providing Rusal with 790,000 tonnes a year, Patel said. In addition, Rusal's Nikolaev refinery in Ukraine, which has an annual capacity of 1.75 million tonnes, has been suspended due to the conflict, he added. WoodMac said Rusal was also experiencing supply chain problems at its 2 million tonne a year Aughinish refinery in Ireland.

As a new type of manufacturing technology, 3D printing has shown very broad application prospects, and has shown a strong development momentum in more fields such as equipment design and manufacturing, equipment support, and aerospace. This is because 3D printing technology has the following advantages:

1. High precision: At present, the precision of 3D printing equipment can basically be controlled below 0.3mm.





2. Short cycle time: 3D printing does not require a mold making process, which greatly shortens the production time of the model. Generally, a model can be printed in a few hours or even tens of minutes.





3. Personalization is possible: 3D printing has no limit to the number of models that can be printed, no matter one or more models can be produced at the same cost.





4. Diversity of materials: A 3D printing system can often achieve printing of different materials, and the diversity of such materials can meet the needs of different fields.





5. Relatively low cost: Although 3D printing systems and 3D printing materials are relatively expensive now, if they are used to make personalized products, the production cost is relatively low.





3D printing technology of metal parts, as a more cutting-edge and more potential technology in the whole 3D printing system, is an important development direction of advanced manufacturing technology. At the same time, with the development of science and technology and the needs of popularization and application, the use of rapid prototyping to directly manufacture metal functional parts has become the main development direction of rapid prototyping.





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KMPASS is a trusted global chemical material supplier & manufacturer with over 12 years experience in providing super high-quality chemicals and Nanomaterials. The company export to many countries, such as USA, Canada, Europe, UAE, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya,Egypt,Nigeria,Cameroon,Uganda,Turkey,Mexico,Azerbaijan,Belgium,Cyprus,Czech Republic,Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Dubai, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia,Germany, France, Italy, Portugal etc. As a leading nanotechnology development manufacturer, KMPASS dominates the market. Our professional work team provides perfect solutions to help improve the efficiency of various industries, create value, and easily cope with various challenges. If you are looking for 3D printing metal powder, please send an email to: sales2@nanotrun.com





The COVID-19 pandemic has affected economies and chemical companies in many countries around the world. Measures such as extending holidays and resuming work were taken to control the development of the epidemic, and the normal operation of some chemical enterprises was also affected to some extent.

TRUNNANO provides high quality 3D Printing Technology with reasonable price.  In order to feedback to old customers, the company is still in full operations to provide 3D Printing Technology with competitive price.  said Olina, sales manager of TRUNNANO.

Chemical production is highly dependent on transportation, and the epidemic affects the circulation of people and materials first. Predictably, none of this is rosy. In densely populated areas with large mobility, the situation of epidemic prevention and control becomes more severe in the later stage. If you are looking for the 3D Printing Technology, feel free to contact us.

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Silicide Powder

European steel prices or continued rise may also have a certain impact on the aluminum slitting line

According to Mysteel, the recent European hot coil prices continue to soar, as of today, the mainstream hot coil S235JR quoted at 1300 euros/ton (1418 DOLLARS) EXW, the price is more than the similar products in the United States about 100 dollars/ton.

Turkish steel prices have surged as European buyers have increased their purchases of steel from the Middle East due to the blocking of Ukrainian and Russian steel exports to Europe. In addition, According to Mysteel, Russia is the world's third largest coal exporter, about 50% of eu coal imports from Russia, most of which are shipped to Germany, thermal coal accounted for a large proportion. "Although there is currently no EU embargo on Russian coal, the market panic is so severe that electricity prices in Italy more than doubled in March compared to the same period last year," an Italian short-process mill told Mysteel. "Europe could consider increasing coal imports from Australia, but the slow growth in coal production, coupled with shipping schedule and shipping routes, will not ease the short term thermal coal supply constraints in Europe."

According to data released by the World Steel Association, Europe accounts for about 42% of eAF steel production, and high electricity prices have forced European steel mills to raise prices to protect profits. After ArcelorMittal raised its hot coil selling price by 180 euros/ton in early March, other steelmakers followed suit and European steel prices are expected to continue rising until the russia-Ukraine conflict is eased.

Steel processing industry - Current status of the aluminum slitting line

Growth in the construction, automotive and consumer aluminum slitting line has played a big role in providing the needed boost to the global steel processing industry. The global steel processing industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.86% between 2020 and 2026. Alloy steel is the fastest-growing segment of the global steel processing market and is suitable for all applications. If you have any questions about the aluminum slitting line or want to seek our help. Send an email to info@txmachinery.net please feel free to contact us.

Metal and Steel Processing industry  the aluminum slitting line market demand

Market demand for steel processing is expected to grow by us $642.43 billion by 2020, with a CAGR of 2.16% from 2015 to 2020. Growth in the global construction, consumer electronics and automotive industries has played a huge role in providing the necessary momentum for the global steel processing industry after the economic slowdown of 2007-2009. In addition, the reduction of alternatives to steel has made steel an indispensable part of customers lives. The recovery of the global aluminum slitting line economy will also boost demand in the steel processing market.

The Asia-pacific region is expected to become the fastest-growing region in the steel processing market from 2015 to 2020. Major players in steel processing prefer agreements, contracts, joint venture and partnership strategies as well as expansion and investment to gain a larger share of the market. Leading aluminum slitting line providers of steel processed products and services are focusing on emerging countries that are expected to show potential for industrial development in the near future.

Metal and Steel Processing Industry - Future planning of the aluminum slitting line

The steel processing market is a highly fragmented one due to the huge demand for environmentally friendly products and changing technologies. Large companies rely on regional and local distributors to increase their market share and geographic distribution. The company is pursuing inorganic growth strategies such as acquisitions to respond to the growing demand for steel processing in key emerging markets. These strategies have helped the company build a larger customer and partner base in key aluminum slitting line markets.

The application needs of steel processing are constantly changing and manufacturers must continue to invest in RESEARCH and development and come up with innovative solutions.

Steel deep processing is the only way for the development of the aluminum slitting line steel industry. Chinas steel production is in the stage of oversupply, structural contradictions are: advanced production capacity and backward production capacity coexist; The shortage of high-end products and the surplus of low-end products coexist; Industrial concentration is poor.

Leading manufacturer of metallic processing machines, the aluminum slitting line supplier

Foshan Te Xiang Machinery Co., Ltd is a China leading manufacturer of metallic processing machines, including slitting line, cut to length line, stainless steel polishing line, ERW tube mill line, roll forming machines, embossing line and etc.

Thanks to the experience acquired in many years of business in the field of sheet metal processing, and the continuous collaboration with downstream manufacturers that demand reliability and the maximum productivity, we have developed various types of cut to length line machines for special applications, with solutions at the forefront of technology, and able to reduce the production costs of the end product. TX CTL line can be incorporated with air cushioned, bomb-door type stackers, computer controlled high-precision 4 HI and 6 HI levellers, edge trimmer and etc.

According to the dimensions, thickness of the material, and production capacity, TX cut-to-length cutting lines can be divided into various types:

1)start-stop shear CTL line;

2)flying shear CTL line;

3)rotary shears CTL line ;

4)trapezoidal shear CTL line;

5)heavy gauge CTL line;

6)flat bar cut to length line

If you have any questions about the aluminum slitting line or want to seek our help. Send an email to info@txmachinery.net please feel free to contact us.

Inquiry us
Sulfide Powder

What is concrete defoamer

The biggest immediate challenge for the EU will be replenishing its depleted gas inventories. While the EU could still increase LNG imports from countries such as the US, such purchases would be more expensive.

Refilling natural gas storage space to historical average levels this year could cost 70 billion euros, a sevenfold increase, compared to 10 billion euros in previous years. "

A complete replacement for Russian gas is not only very expensive, but it also may not be possible.

In the next 12 months, there is little way to meet the demand for a "normal" year in the absence of Gazprom, which also includes concrete defoamer.





What is a concrete defoamer

Concrete is a stone mixed with water, sand, stones and some chemical additives, if necessary, in a particular proportion. Foaming occurs when concrete is made due to agitation. The appearance of a large amount of foam will lead to a decrease in the strength of the concrete and bring about quality problems.





So, how does foam in concrete form?

1. Concrete is vibrated during the pouring process, and local liquefaction has water analysis and gas floating, and it accumulates in the gathering area to form foam;

2. When mixing concrete, to increase the strength of concrete, a certain amount of chemical additives are often added. Most of these additives contain surfactants, which are easy to generate foam;

3. Air is mixed in during the vibration and stirring process of the equipment to form foam;

4. The steel formwork is too tightly closed, and there is no vent hole. When the concrete is cut, a kind of air pocket is generated, and then air bubbles are formed.





If the foam problem is not solved in time, what harm will concrete foam cause?

1. The generation of a large number of air bubbles causes too many pores on the surface of the concrete, and the phenomenon of a pockmarked surface appears, which affects the surface appearance of the concrete;

2. The production of foam will affect the mechanical strength and construction efficiency, reduce the life of the building, and cause relatively large quality problems;

3. Decrease the corrosion resistance of the concrete structure. Due to a large number of air bubbles on the concrete surface, the adequate thickness of the steel protective layer is reduced, and the carbonization process of the concrete surface is accelerated;

4. Due to the large air bubbles, the cross-sectional volume of the concrete is reduced, resulting in the uncompacted interior of the concrete, thereby reducing the strength of the concrete.





How does the concrete defoamer solve the problem of concrete foaming?

Its mechanism of action is mainly divided into three forms: foam breaking, foam suppression and defoaming. When added to concrete according to the method of use, the chemical components contained in it will reduce the surface tension of water and achieve rapid foam breaking; and it has good compatibility, no oil drift, no precipitation, and no impact on the strength of concrete; at the same time, the applicability is also It is pervasive, and it can quickly break foam and suppress foam for a long time in the environment of strong acid, strong alkali and high temperature.





TRUNNANO is a concrete additives supplier with over 12 years experience in nano-building energy conservation and nanotechnology development. We accept payment via Credit Card, T/T, West Union and Paypal. Trunnano will ship the goods to customers overseas through FedEx, DHL, by air, or by sea.

If you are looking for high quality concrete additives, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry.

sales@cabr-concrete.com









3D printing technology emerged in the mid-1990s and is actually the latest rapid prototyping device utilizing technologies such as light curing and paper lamination. It is basically the same as ordinary printing. The printer is equipped with "printing materials" such as liquid or powder. After connecting to the computer, the "printing materials" are superimposed layer by layer through computer control, and finally the blueprint on the computer is turned into a real thing. This printing technology is called 3D stereo printing technology.Our company is a strong company that provides excellent 3D printing concrete defoamer. If you need 3D printing and concrete defoamer, please feel free to contact us.

Inquiry us
A string of racist attacks on nurses outside a busy hospital has been described as a "new low" by the Taoiseach.

Leo Varadkar has been told of a number of incidents during which protestors targeted nurses on their way to and from work at a busy Dublin teaching hospital over a number of days.

It comes as an Oireachtas committee heard that medical staff are afraid to go to work, with one childrens emergency department nurse detailing personal experience of parents spitting at her, throwing objects, and threatening to stab her as pressures rise in the overcrowded hospital conditions.

During a private meeting yesterday, the head of the Irish Nursing and Midwives Organisation (INMO), Phil Ni Sheaghdha, informed the Taoiseach that the representative body has received several complaints from foreign national members who have been subjected to ongoing verbal attacks of a racist nature by protesters in recent weeks.

Mr Varadkar said the Government will fight against such "appalling" attacks.

"While there is no excuse for any form of racism, under any circumstances, it really is a low blow and a new low if healthcare workers, to whom we are so grateful for having come here, are now facing protests and racism from those who do not believe they are welcome here," he told the Dail.

Dr Laura Finnegan of the Irish Medical Organisation. Picture: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos

The Irish Medical Organisations Dr Laura Finnegan told the health committee that assaults, including gender-based and racist assaults, are common, especially for younger doctors who work nights.

"We depend on a lot of non-Irish doctors to support our healthcare system," Dr Finnegan told the committee. "We would be absolutely lost without them.

The fact that they go through that extra level of dehumanisation and degradation at work is despicable.

"They are trying to take care of patients and support our healthcare system. It is an awful situation.

"I have been there when colleagues have been abused in front of me, and it is a very difficult scenario."

This comes against a backdrop of 5,593 assaults on nurses and midwives alone between January 2021 and October of last year in public hospitals.

Sylvia Chambers, who has been a nurse for 18 years, said she is now looking at alternative careers and said she is quite simply afraid to go to work.

When a knock comes on the door, its a nurse that opens the door to that verbal aggression and sometimes it can be physical, she said.

Ive been spat at, Ive been verbally abused. Ive been threatened that when I leave work that evening I will be stabbed as I get into my car.

"I have grown men, 6 ft 4, towering over me, throwing objects at me on a daily basis. I do not feel safe going to work.

She told the committee that this is aggravated by overcrowding in the hospital, with parents waiting up to 10 or 12 hours for help for their children.

At night-time from 2am onwards, we only have two doctors, she said. "Sometimes we could have up to 60, 70 patients waiting at that time with two doctors, its not feasible."

As a senior nurse, and INMO representative on site, she is often called to help other nurses when potentially dangerous situations arise. She described having to leave seriously ill children to do this.

In the last 18 months, we have had 30 nurses resign from our emergency department alone, she said.

We are on our knees when it comes to our staffing levels."

Varadkar on racists and far-right

Speaking in the Dail, Mr Varadkar raised concerns that "racists and the far-right will blame whatever problem the country is facing on migrants," whether that is a lack of housing or long hospital waiting times. He said politicians should "not play into those arguments".

"None of us in this House wish to see the issue of race or migration become centre stage in our politics, most of all somebody like me, given my colour and family background, and the fact I am biracial," he said.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said Ireland and the EU will provide Ukraine with the humanitarian and financial aid that it needs to fight off Russian forces.

His comments come as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to meet with EU leaders, including Mr Varadkar, in Brussels today.

Speculation mounted about Mr Zelenskyy travelling to the Belgian capital after he touched down in the UK on a surprise visit yesterday.

Last night, he also travelled to Paris to hold talks with French president Emmanuel Macron.

It is expected that the Ukrainian president will address the European Parliament and meet EU leaders at a scheduled European Council summit where the topics will feature the war in Ukraine, migration, and economic issues.

Ukraine will be the principal topic of discussion at this special council, said Mr Varadkar.

As we approach the first anniversary of Russias brutal and immoral invasion, the European Union will show that it stands resolutely with the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes.

Ireland and the EU will provide Ukraine with the humanitarian, military, and financial aid it needs until Russia has been repelled, and we want to see its application for EU membership progress as quickly as possible.

Migration

All EU countries are grappling with the influx of Ukrainians and refugees as governments scramble to find suitable accommodation for those feeling the war.

The council will discuss this issue, including working with countries of origin and to disrupt traffickers.

Migration is a good thing for Ireland and enriches our society," said the Taoiseach. "It's important that we have robust systems in place to make sure that we welcome those who are genuinely fleeing war and oppression and return those who are not.

On economic issues, Mr Varadkar is expected to emphasise that the EU needs to improve its overall competitiveness to retain and grow Irelands prosperity.

Mr Zelenskyy's visit comes after he hosted president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and head of the European Council Charles Michel in Kyiv last week.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, center right, and European Council president Charles Michel arrive for a working session at the EU-Ukraine summit in Kyiv, Ukraine, last Friday. Picture: Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP

During their meeting, he reiterated calls for more financial and military assistance as Ukrainian forces prepare for new Russian attacks later this month to coincide with the one-year anniversary of the war.

Zelenskyy's British visit

While he was in the UK, Mr Zelenskyy met with British prime minister Rishi Sunak and King Charles at Buckingham Palace.

British prime minister Rishi Sunak and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Lulworth, England. Picture: Peter Nicholls/PA Wire

Mr Zelenskyy addressed British MPs in Westminster and said a victory for Ukraine against Russia would change the world and deter future aggressors.

"The victory will change the world, and this will be a change that the world has long needed," he said.

He made a fresh plea for his country to be provided with fighter jets as it seeks to fight off Russias invasion.
Ireland, a country with a long history of emigration, located on the edge of a continent, has always looked outwards.

Check out our Sustainability and Climate Change Hub where you will find the latest news, features, opinions and analysis on this topic from across the various Irish Examiner topic desks and their team of specialist writers and columnists.

That has sometimes given the country a role and influence disproportionate to its size, notably in the north/south global context.

Last week, President Michael D Higgins was the only non-African among dozens of African heads of state and government to attend and speak at a major food security conference in Senegal. His primary topic was a potentially explosive theme: borders, climate refugees and migration, and the need for a radically different approach.

Earlier this month this newspaper published three articles, including an editorial, on the same issue.

The context was an interview with Minister Roderic OGorman and his view that our policy in Ireland will have to address the issue, which has hitherto received little attention here. Former Minister for Justice Michael McDowell, writing in The Irish Times, suggested that half thought-out proposals to extend asylum rights to climate refugees are not helpful.

OGormans Fianna Fail and Fine Gael coalition colleagues made no comment.

One may dispute the timing of both the President and Minister OGormans interventions, made just as an actual refugee accommodation crisis was worsening rapidly. But are they wrong?

Failure to prepare

We are not very good at forward planning in Ireland and, especially, at preparing for contingencies not within the realm of normal prediction. By normal, I mean the kind of challenges that may be triggered on the basis of the extrapolation of existing trends into the foreseeable future. Even in such relatively predictable cases, forward planning often does not extend beyond the next election.

Otherwise, we might by now enjoy better health, housing, transport, and other public services in a country that, while it has a growing population, also has considerable wealth.

There are also unpredictable black swan events, or (to use Donald Rumsfelds infamous phrase), unknown unknowns  the ones we don't know we don't know.

The outbreak of Covid-19 was such an event.

Ireland responded well enough to it 4 all hands on deck, emergency measures implemented rapidly and for the most part effectively, backed by a strong public consensus.

But when it comes to the planning and implementation of policies, either designed to address a range of risks perceived as more remote or unlikely, or perhaps as medium-to-long rather than short-term, our system does not work well.

All too often, the steps required are put on the long finger.

Climate challenge

Climate change and its likely impact on humankind is already seen as an existential threat, posing massive challenges. The scale of these is difficult to imagine and therefore hard to integrate into the framework of conventional state planning.

However, we do have increasingly incontrovertible data. The two most recent UN conferences on global warming, in Scotland in 2021 and Egypt in 2022, were backed up by research from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), representing a consensus view among the worlds leading scientists.

The picture was not reassuring. Moreover, while measures to reduce emissions and thus slow down the rise in global temperatures have already received much attention, little has been said to date about climate refugees. Yet the number of such refugees will pose challenges on every level  political, economic, social, and infrastructural  on a scale never previously encountered.

Human activities have been the main driver of climate change since the early 19th century.

The burning of fossil fuels  coal, oil, and gas  is the major reason for greenhouse gas emissions, which trap heat in the earths atmosphere, driving up temperatures.

Other activities, such as methane emissions from agriculture and from landfill, also make an important contribution.

Once the subject of widespread denial and even mockery, few will disagree, apart from the conspiracist far right, about the threat now posed.

Greenhouse gas concentrations are at the highest levels in 2 million years.

Key to this acceleration has been the growth of human population, increasing from about 1 billion in 1800 to 8 billion today. While birth rates are now slowing down, this is happening in a very uneven way.

The richest regions of the world tend to be in temperate climate zones, which are now places with slow or even negative rates of population growth. Those same places were responsible for the vast bulk of greenhouse gas emissions and exploited the less well-off global regions, from the era of imperialism and colonialism down to the present day.

The Earth is now about 1.1C warmer than it was in the late 1800s; the past decade (2011-2020) was the warmest on record.

Catastrophic consequences

The consequences of climate change already include severe droughts and water scarcity, fires and floods, rising sea levels and consequent threats to coastal regions (where much of the global population lives), melting polar ice, catastrophic storms, and declining biodiversity.

There is general agreement that limiting global temperature rise this century to no more than 1.5C above pre-industrial levels could help us to avoid the worst climate impacts, yet current trends still point to a potentially catastrophic 2.8C rise by 2100.

Ten countries with the largest emissions contribute 68% of this, whereas the 100 least-emitting countries only contribute 3%. Climate justice demands that those who contribute most to the problem should contribute proportionately to the solution.

To keep global warming to no more than 1.5C, emissions need to reach net zero by 2050. Replacing our dependence on fossil fuels with renewables like solar or wind will work, but we have to start right now. About half of the emissions cuts must be in place by 2030.

Future scenarios From the point of view of risk assessment and national planning, four broad headings can be identified.

Measures that must be taken now if the worst outcome, a temperature rise at global level of more than 2C, is to be avoided. We have done relatively little thus far.

Measures to mitigate the worst effects of climate change in those regions likely to be most affected. That will mean assistance on a scale never previously attempted from the Global North to the most vulnerable. This will not be an act of altruism. If we do not reach out to them, they will come to us.

Measures to respond to worst-case disaster scenarios, whether from black swan events or because the policies are less effective than hoped.

Extensive additional infrastructural measures, required because, even with a best-case outcome, increased immigration into temperate countries such as Ireland will be inevitable.

Currently, there is no legal definition or treaty governing the concept of climate refugee and therefore no entitlement to claim refugee status. Finding a consensus on this question will be very difficult.

However, if one considers that nearly a fifth of the landmass of the world, housing up to a quarter of total global population, may become largely uninhabitable, with a mean annual temperature of more than 29c, it will be obvious that enormous political and social upheaval would be inevitable as desperate people come into conflict, with one another in the first place.

This has already happened, on a smaller case, in regions such as Sudan and Central America. The right to seek refugee status will have to be re-calibrated.

Chance to avert danger

Accordingly, we will face appalling choices in the coming decades. If we plan ahead now across the priority areas set out above and if we prepare people collectively for the enormous changes required, there is a chance of averting the worst outcomes.

Even in the best scenario, there will be a price  perhaps a collective lowering of living standards, at least in the short term, and a difficult search for a new equilibrium as people find themselves in destabilised societies, sharing more crowded, conflictual spaces.

Regrettably, an alternative scenario is already visible  the increasing securitisation of borders and the creation of no-go zones, accompanied by the total exclusion of external migrants except, perhaps, for those with special skills. Those excluded could, in the majority, face mass death  genocide on a previously unimaginable scale. Anyone familiar with Mediterranean and Central American border control issues can already see which way the wind is currently blowing.

Ireland is well-placed to play a key role in this urgent and necessary debate.
MANZINI- It is exciting news for Manzini folk as the American spaces will be offering robotics sessions to 48 high school pupils.

The good news was shared by Head of US Embassy Charge dAffaires Earl Miller during the launch of the American Corner at the Manzini National Library. The event took place on Tuesday evening. Miller, in one of his first public appearances since taking up the position as head of the US Embassy, expressed his excitement to be part of the event. For Manzini, we already have some exciting programmes getting underway, as you can see from the presentation running in the back of the room. For example, in partnership with US programme alumni, we are offering robotics sessions through the Technovation Hub every Saturday until July, he said. The US Embassy head further shared that the sessions were available to 48 high school pupils who were selected on a competitive basis. He mentioned that the top cohort of these pupils would go on to represent Eswatini in the First Global Challenge in October 2023.

Meanwhile, he revealed that in partnership with the University of Iowa through the Jacobson Institute, they were also planning an entrepreneurship programme for 40 out of school youth. The programme, called Bizinnovator, will be led by two alumni of our YALI Mandela Washington Fellowship, and it will commence in April/May, he announced. The head of the US Embassy stated that the value of these kinds of spaces was hard to quantify. He mentioned that the American Corner, like so many others around the world, would serve as a gathering place for young people to access information, the internet, and other resources free of charge. This is a place where people can learn and share ideas, express their thoughts, or cordially debate a difficult topic. We know there are some difficult conversations happening in Eswatini right now. We are here to support the country as it finds its way to peace and healing through conversations and constructive dialogue that address issues of concern to emaSwati, he said.

Miller articulated that together with resources such as this, they could help build a stronger nation where all could reach their full potential. The American Corner Manzini provides a welcoming atmosphere and is where many visitors may gain their first insights into America. It is a US Embassy partnership with the Eswatini National Library Services that demonstrates the US commitment to building strong bonds with the people of Eswatini, Miller quipped. Meanwhile, he extended his appreciation to Dudu Dlamini, Acting Director of ENLS, for the critical role she played in making the space available to them. Miller further thanked the Eswatini National Library Service (ENLS) which had been a strong ally and partner to the US Embassy since they opened their first American corner in the Nhlangano Public Library in 2004.
A man repeatedly caught trying to smuggle finches from Guyana into New York for birdsong competitions has been sentenced to a year and a day in prison.

It was Insaf Alis second time being sentenced in a Brooklyn federal court for a crime related to bird trafficking, and he vowed it would be his last.

Im going to stay away from the birds, Ali pledged in a video he submitted to the court, because its trouble.

Ali, 62, pleaded guilty last summer to conspiring to import wildlife illegally.

Im going to stay away from the birds because it's trouble

He was stopped at John F Kennedy Airport in January 2022 with two packs of hair curlers that smugglers use to slip the small birds past customs officials.

He was previously arrested in 2018 carrying finch-stuffed hair curlers in his socks at JFK, authorities said.

In that case, he pleaded guilty to smuggling and was sentenced to two years probation and a 7,800 dollar fine.

Songbird competitions have been a pastime in the Caribbean for centuries, with the birds judged on such factors as how many times they chirp or sing.

He was previously arrested in 2018 carrying finch-stuffed hair curlers in his socks at JFK, authorities said (Alamy/PA)

But with the birds sometimes fetching thousands of dollars, the contests have fed wildlife trafficking that authorities in Latin America and the US have tried to combat.

Stuffed into curlers and concealed to evade detection, finches sometimes die as they are flown to the US, and US Customs and Border Protection worries that such smuggling could spread bird diseases.

Prosecutors argued in a memo dated January 31 that Ali deserved significant prison time, calling him one of New Yorks finch-smuggling kingpins.

His lawyer, Christine Delince, asked for leniency. She said that Ali is incredibly remorseful for a crime fuelled by a love of seed finches that dates to his childhood in Guyana and has given him solace through many personal difficulties.

His actions were not just about money, she wrote, saying the birds are a part of him and a part of his culture.
Interview Bamar Chauvinism Must End: 88 Generation Student Leader

88 Generation student leader U Mya Aye. / The Irrawaddy

Prominent 88 Generation student leader U Mya Aye was detained at his house during the February 1, 2021 coup.

He was charged with incitement under Article 505(c) of the colonial-era Penal Code for inciting hate and sentenced to two years. He was released under a junta amnesty in November last year.

He was arrested for the first time in 1989 and sentenced to eight years for his role as a student leader in the pro-democracy uprising in 1988. He was freed in 1996 and continued campaigning for democracy, which led to his second arrest during the Saffron Revolution in 2007. The pro-democracy activist was released under U Thein Seins quasi-civilian government.

How did you get arrested during the coup?

I assumed the military would stage a coup and I had thought I might be arrested. They seized me that day. After spending around 35 days at the Ye Kyi Ai interrogation center [in Yangon], I was sent to Insein Prison. I was charged over an email on my phone and given two years.

You were also given long prison sentences under previous regimes. What differences did you notice when you were freed from your latest imprisonment?

There was a huge difference. I was arrested for the first time in 1989 and given eight years. The economic system had switched from central planning to something closer to a market economy while I was in prison.

Yangon had changed a lot.

I was again arrested in 2007 and given 65 years. When I was released in January 2012, I found the political situation quite encouraging. People thought we were on the right track.

I saw civil society organizations [CSOs] making progress.

When I was released this time, it was different. Large crowds welcomed us outside the jail. When I returned to my home, my neighbors heartily welcomed me with loud applause. Public support is strong. I feel I have a greater responsibility now.

People brace themselves and continue to live in hope.

But they feel like they are groping their way through the darkness. looked around my neighborhood to see their lives and I found that they are dispirited, unhappy, and weary. Today, people are suffocated in all aspects of their lives.

It has been two years since the takeover and the military has extended the emergency rule for six more months. What is your view on that?

My focus is on the changes to be triggered by junta moves. Would there have been changes had the regime held an election without extending emergency rule?

While there are so many problems in the country and the main party cannot contest the poll, holding an election would make no difference.

Everyone is suffering at the moment. We have lost all the progress in solving ethnic and federal issues and have to start again from square one.

Democracy has died out and CSOs are shackled. And things are getting worse for people who struggle to make ends meet. People are drowning in despair. We have to salvage the country.

Whether an election is held or not, we will remain locked in this vicious cycle unless the causes behind the conflict are handled.

The emergency rule is extended for six months based on an extraordinary situation as prescribed in the 2008 Constitution. We dont know how long the junta will keep extending emergency rule.

The weaknesses of the 2008 Constitution become more apparent. I dont think our country will ever develop while it remains.

You have continuously campaigned for federalism and democracy. Every ethnicity and pro-democracy group demands federalism in Myanmar. The regime also said it supports federalism and democracy but all of the groups have their own definitions of federalism. What is your forecast for a federal country?

Some ethnic minorities want their own states. But in most states, many different ethnic groups live together.

If we are to build a federal democracy, we must avoid assuming Myanmar is based on ethnic minority states and Bamar-dominated regions. The structure must be based only on states. Ethnicity-based politics still prevail and we cant get rid of that for now.

The notion that one group is superior to others must be abandoned and all groups must work together based on the foundation stone of building a new union together. All ethnicities have their own histories.

We must work on equal terms to build a new nation together. There are ethnicity issues that need to be discussed. It is deep and broad. But it is essential.

The problems in our country will not be solved just because Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is released and reaches an agreement with the military. The civil wars will not end just because forces in Bamar-majority areas reach an agreement. Equality must be guaranteed for all ethnicities. It is part of a new nations foundations.

We must shape a political landscape that can pave the way for a federal democracy, otherwise, we will not break the vicious cycle of civil war and there will be no national development. Myanmars development has fallen from the top to the bottom in Southeast Asia.

What else would you like to say?

I dont like considering issues from the perspective of racism and religious conviction. But the reality in the country is ethnicities are in a defensive position, defending for fear that their race will be swallowed up. We must have understanding for them. We must learn to understand them.

It is unwise to talk arrogantly to ethnic minority groups. They see Bamar chauvinism and misunderstanding. Every institution should seriously consider how to overcome this. Otherwise, the problems will never end.
Burma Myanmar Junta: Rohingya Repatriations Planned

A member of the Myanmar border security force near the Bangladesh border.

Myanmars junta says it is working to bring back Rohingya refugees who fled Rakhine State for Bangladesh following the militarys supposed counter-insurgency operations in 2017.

Junta leaders, including International Cooperation Minister U Ko Ko Hlaing, Border Affairs Minister Lieutenant General Tun Tun Naung, Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Minister Dr. Thet Thet Khaing and Immigration and Population Minister U Myint Kyaing, visited Maungdaw on the Bangladesh border on Sunday and instructed the authorities to prepare transit camps for repatriation.

One Maungdaw resident said: I heard they asked departments to make transit camps ready, that they would take back refugees from Bangladesh, that they would make preparations whether [Rohingya] come back or not.

Some Muslim and Hindu leaders from Maungdaw were summoned to Sittwe to meet junta ministers.

Ko Khin Maung from a Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh said whether the Rohingya will return to Maungdaw depends on the juntas honesty and the refugees have little trust in the repatriation program.

We do want to return. We are experiencing hardships, after staying for a long time in refugee camps. But the question is if we will be allowed to go back to our homes. It is not OK for us if we will just be held at the Hla Poe Kaung transit camp. The repatriation program will not be successful if the regime is dishonest, he said.

Rohingya rights activist U Nay San Lwin, co-founder of the Germany-based Free Rohingya Coalition, said the Rohingya would not return unless their rights are guaranteed.

The news of junta ministers making inspection tours at the border to take back refugees is no longer news to us. We are used to hearing such news. And refugees are not excited anymore. The military moves slightly when there are growing pressures from the international community and China. Nothing more than that, U Nay San Lwin said.

Recently, the regime sent back over 900 Rohingya detained in Yangon and elsewhere in Myanmar to Maungdaw. They will reportedly be accommodated at transit camps but The Irrawaddy could not independently verify this.

The regimes repatriation moves, according to some Rohingya activists, are an attempt to salvage its international reputation and help its case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where Myanmar faces genocide charges.

A brutal military crackdown in the wake of Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army attacks on police outposts in Rakhine in 2017 forced more than 700,000 Rohingya to flee across the Bangladesh border. In response The Gambia in November 2019 brought a case at the ICJ, accusing Myanmar of committing genocide against the Rohingya.

On November 23, 2017, Bangladesh and the now-ousted National League for Democracy government signed a repatriation agreement but there has been no progress.

Rohingya refugees have been widely referred to as Bengalis by Myanmars authorities, implying they are interlopers from Bangladesh.
Junta Crony Myanmar Junta Rewards Crony Arms Dealer With Palm Oil Plum

U Tay Za, left, hands over a military sports stadium built and donated by his Htoo Group of companies and GDZR at the Military Technology University in Pyin Oo Lwin Township, Mandalay Region in 2014. / U Tay Za

Myanmars military regime has permitted the US-sanctioned Htoo Group, owned by a notorious arms dealer, to import over US$5.4 million worth of palm oil per month, according to operators in the edible oil business.

The Htoo Group of companies is owned by junta crony U Tay Za, who was sanctioned by the US last year for providing arms to Myanmars military. The group is currently led by his sons, who have also been targeted by US sanctions.

Businesspeople confirmed that group subsidiary Htoo Trading began importing palm oil last month.

A palm oil trader in Yangon said the junta has permitted the company to import at least 15,000 tons of palm oil monthly while setting restrictions for other importers.

Restrictions for other importers include limits on the quantity of palm oil they can import and on sales of oil in stock.

Importers are also facing problems over their reserves of foreign exchange, which are limited by the Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM).

The commodity is managed by the regimes supervisory committee on edible oil import and distribution under the Ministry of Commerce.

Myanmar people have been suffering high prices for palm oil since the middle of last year as stocks dwindle. According to figures from the Myanmar Edible Oil Dealers Association (MEODA), the private sector has little more than 180,000 tons of palm oil in storage.

The junta has also started controlling the amount of palm oil it releases onto the market, adding to dealers difficulties in importing and distributing the commodity.

The economy has already reverted to a monopoly system. Now, there is no transparency or fair competition. Those with close ties to the junta can manipulate the market, said the palm oil trader.

A couple of months after the coup, the junta placed controls on imports of palm oil and other goods to reduce the foreign exchange deficit.

After seizing power, the military regime imposed a policy to reduce palm oil imports. We were able to import freely before, but now the limit has been set at only 5,000 tons. So, all importers are now competing for a smaller slice of the market, said an edible oil businessman.

The regime has granted Htoo Trading the privilege to import 15,000 tons per month, leaving hundreds of other importers struggling with a smaller market share, he explained.

The juntas controls on imports and distribution saw the palm oil price surge to over 7,000 kyats per viss (1.6 kg) in July last year.

Before the coup, Myanmar imported at least 6,000 tonnes of palm oil per month to meet demand, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

The US Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed sanctions on junta crony U Tayza and two of his sons, Ko Pyae Phyo Tay Za and Ko Htoo Htet Tay Za, on Jan. 31, 2022, one year after the coup. On Jan 31 this year, it also imposed sanctions on U Tay Zas daughter Ma Htoo Htwe Tay Za.

In May 202,1U Tayza joined regime air force chief General Maung Maung Kyaw and other high ranking military officials on a trip to Russia to procure military hardware.

Under the previous military regime, U Tayzas Htoo Trading Company was involved in timber, transport, tourism, construction, property development, palm oil production and military arms deals.

The junta crony made his fortune from the timber business before expanded his dealings with the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), as the previous regime was known, by supplying the military with aircraft parts through his company Myanmar Avia Export. The company is Myanmars sole representative of Russias Export Military Industrial Group, known as MAPO, and of the Russian helicopter company Rostvertol.

The US Treasury placed U Tay Za on its list of sanctioned Specially Designated Nationals in 2008 for providing support to the junta, including the purchase of military equipment and aircraft, according to a statement at the time. Washingtons objections were spelled out in more detail in a leaked 2007 US diplomatic cable that accused U Tay Za of earning hefty commissions from sales to the military of arms, ammunition, supplies, MI-17 helicopters and MiG-29 [fighter jets].

U Tay Za has admitted selling Russian-made Mi-17 helicopters and continues to hold the service contracts and provide spare parts to Myanmars military.
Myanmars Crisis & the World Candidates Emerge for New ASEAN Special Envoy to Myanmar

The ASEAN Secretary-General and foreign ministers (except Myanmars) prepare for a group photo during the 32nd ASEAN Coordinating Council meeting in Jakarta on February 3, 2023. / AFP

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)s current chair Indonesia looks set to appoint a special envoy to help end the political crisis in member state Myanmar, which has been devastated since the military coup in 2021.

While Jakarta has yet to confirm an appointment, two candidates have emerged, sources said.

One is veteran Indonesian diplomat Ngurah Swajaya, a former ambassador to Singapore. The other is Indonesias Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Panjaitan, a former four-star army general.

Luhut is Indonesian President Joko Widodos right-hand man and dubbed Mr Fix-it for playing a leading role in the countrys vaccine drive and overseeing a high-speed rail project, among others.

He said last month that Myanmars military regime should give up power and allow someone qualified to run the country.

The appointment of an envoy looks imminent amid Indonesias move to set up an Office of the ASEAN Special Envoy on Myanmar, and the juntas extension of military rule for another six months early this month.

Shortly after the coup, ASEAN adopted the Five-Point Consensus for peace which called for the immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar.

However, the junta has ignored the peace plan and refused to implement any of its five points.

Indonesia assumed the rotating ASEAN chair from Cambodia in December amid growing international criticism of the blocs failure to halt the killing in Myanmar.

ASEAN is accused of being toothless in its efforts to curb the violence of the regime, which has killed nearly 3,000 opponents of military rule in a brutal response to resistance that has included air strikes against civilians.

If appointed, the Indonesian envoy will follow Bruneis second minister for foreign affairs, Erywan Yusof, and Cambodias Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn as ASEANs third special diplomat for Myanmar. The first two missions were failures. Bruneis envoy was barred from visiting Myanmar by the regime, while Cambodias man was permitted entry on several occasions but not granted access to civilian leaders such as detained democracy icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Indonesia appears to have taken a tougher stance on the regime, declaring that as ASEAN chair and in line with the Five-Point Consensus, it will make every effort to help Myanmar out of its political crisis and prevent it from holding the blocs development hostage.

President Joko Widodo last year proposed to the blocs leaders that the ban on regime representatives attending major ASEAN summits be extended to all its meetings.

However, observers have cast doubt on the effectiveness of a new special envoy in resolving the crisis given the juntas uncooperative nature.

Scot Marciel, a former US ambassador to Myanmar, said the problem isnt the envoy.

Its the idea that anyone will be able to persuade the generals to stop killing people and open a genuine dialogue, he said in a Twitter post.

He suggested that the bloc should instead spend time with the shadow civilian National Unity Government (NUG), which commands the loyalty of the vast majority of Myanmar people.

At its November summit, the bloc pledged to engage all stakeholders soon.

Engagement would be done in a flexible and informal manner, primarily undertaken by the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar, the leaders statement said.
War Against the Junta Myanmar Junta Shells Own Troops, Killing 5 in Shan State

Members of Loikaw PDF.

Five junta troops were killed in a friendly-fire incident during day-long clashes with combined Peoples Defence Forces (PDFs) in the southern Shan town of Moebye on Wednesday, according to the PDFs.

Clashes erupted as the military delivered reinforcements including a tank to Moebye and continued daily shelling of the area from its nearby base in Loikaw, said the Moebye Peoples Defence Force commander.

A combined resistance force comprising the Moebye and Loikaw PDFs and Karenni Nationalities Defence Force Battalion 3 engaged junta troops at the base in Phekhon, Light Infantry Division 442 in Moebye and Warrisupalai village.

During the clashes, three regime artillery strikes missed their target and fell on junta troops at the Sat Taw Yar peak, which overlooks Moebye. Five soldiers were killed and several others wounded in the incident, according to the Moebye PDF.

Residents in and around Moebye have complained of harassment by the unit of around 50 regime soldiers who have been stationed on Sat Taw Yar for the past three months.

The soldiers search pedestrians, loot their phones and bully them. Residents living around the peak have fled their homes, Bo Kyaut Saung, commander of Moebye PDF, told The Irrawaddy.

This week saw nearly 100 soldiers dispatched to reinforce the junta outpost at Sat Taw Yar mountain, which is crowned by a pagoda.

That was the reason for the clashes yesterday. If they continue deploying troops to Sat Taw Yar  which is a sacred site surrounded by civilian communities  fierce fighting is expected in the next few days, Bo Kyaut Saung said.

The combined resistance force reportedly retreated without suffering casualties on Wednesday.

However, residents said artillery shells fired by regime troops during the clashes also landed in Moebye town.

We heard the sound of heavy weapons from Soungkan village in the early morning but there was no clash in Moebye today, a local told The Irrawaddy.

Soungkan, located on the Moebye-Loikaw road, has been the site of frequent clashes between regime troops and resistance forces.

Moebye is located on the border of Southern Shan and is a strategic gateway to Kayah State. The regime military has conducted heavy offensives over the past year in attempts to control the town. Much of Moebyes population has fled the fighting, though some residents are still living in the town.

No clashes have been reported in Moebye for two months, but regime soldiers are shelling the town and nearby villages frequently, resulting in civilian casualties.

Amid the tense military situation between junta and local resistance forces, Moebye PDF has warned residents to avoid the battle zone and not return to their homes.

It has also asked locals to provide ammunition so it can regain control of the urban area.
War Against the Junta Myanmar Regime Bombs Chin State Town After Resistance Fighters Capture Police Station

Weapons and ammunition seized by CNF and CDF fighters during a raid on the Thantlang Town police station on February 8, 2023. / CNF

Myanmars junta conducted airstrikes in Chin State on Thursday, in retaliation for losing a regime police station in Thantlang Town on Wednesday night to a combined force of ethnic Chin resistance groups.

The Chin National Army (CNA), the armed wing of the Chin National Front (CNF), and the Chinland Defense Force raided and occupied the police station in the mountaintop town on Wednesday night, the CNFs spokesperson Salai Htet Ni told The Irrawaddy on Thursday.

Around 40 military regime soldiers and police were stationed at the police station.

After four hours of fighting, the resistance groups managed to capture the police station in Thantlang. Four dead regime troops were found, while many other soldiers and police fled after abandoning their weapons, according to the CNFs spokesperson.

Over 40 weapons, including anti-drone guns, and ammunition were seized.

A CNA officer was killed in the clash, while another resistance fighter suffered injuries.

In response to the raid, the military regime used five fighter jets to bomb the area around Thantlang Town on Thursday morning, said Salai Htet Ni. No casualties from the airstrikes have been reported.

Junta reinforcements in three vehicles have also been sent to Thantlang from the Chin State capital Hakha.

On February 3, CNA and CDF fighters used drones to bomb the junta base in Thantlang.

Four days earlier, six regime forces were captured in Thantlang along with weapons and ammunition, when a combined force of resistance groups raided junta forces stationed at the towns CB Bank, according to local Chin media.

In the face of strong resistance across Chin State, the regime imposed martial law on February 2 in all but one of Chin States nine townships. Paletwa is the only township not to be under martial law.

Late last year, the CNF claimed that 70 per cent of Chin State is now controlled by the resistance, with just towns and some major roads still under regime control.
October 27th marked the annual Tip-Off in the Forest for the Indiana State Mens and Womens Basketball teams. This event is summed up best as a way to get the players' recognition before the season begins, have a great time, and get the fans involved.
MBABANE  The High Court yesterday issued an order stopping the Times of Eswatini from continuing to report on the statement that was recorded by Sibusiso Nxumalo.

Nxumalo who according to the indictment was a member of the Swaziland International Solidarity Forces is currently behind bars after he was arrested along with Muzi Mnisi. The duo is facing 38 charges of contravening the Suppression of Terrorism Act. In his statement, Nxumalo is said to have disclosed information relating to the operations of the Swaziland Solidarity Forces. The interim order by the court comes after the national commissioner of police moved an urgent application where he made a hue and cry about the publication of the contents of the statement.

Respondents in matter are African Echo (PTY) Limited, Times of Eswatini Managing Editor (ME) Martin Dlamini and the Times reporters who had been reporting on the story. In motivating granting of the order, the applicant (national commissioner) averred that the respondents were continuously publishing, circulating or distributing information which related to the ongoing police investigations into the offences committed under the Suppression of Terrorism Act. It was his contention that the publications were allegedly jeopardising the ongoing police investigation. He further alleged that the suspects were now evading the investigation due to the information contained in such publications.

According to the applicant, the police were allegedly unable to conduct their investigation as planned as the publications were allegedly, infiltrating the ongoing investigations, such that crucial evidence was being concealed. In the interim court order, the newspaper was interdicted and restrained from continuing to publish, circulate or distribute any information which relates to the ongoing police investigations into the offences allegedly committed by Nxumalo and Mnisi.

Terrorism

Senior Superintendent Clement Sihlongonyane who deposed to an affidavit narrated to the court that starting in the second half of 2021 and continuing into January 2023, the country experienced multiple acts of, among other offences, arson, murder of law enforcement officers and terrorism. He submitted that police investigations led to the arrest of six people including Nxumalo and Mnisi. The investigations, according to Sihlongonyane were still ongoing. As part of the investigations the police compiled a docket in relation to the accused. The docket consists of statements of witnesses taken by the investigating officers, documentary exhibits, internal reports and memoranda and the investigation diary, said the senior investigator. It was his contention that the respondent allegedly had privileged over the contents of the police docket.

According to the senior superintendent, the contents of the docket were of the basis on which the director of public prosecutions (DPP) decided whether there was a probable cause for the institution of a criminal prosecution against an accused person. He argued that, generally, it was only the accused, as part of his or her fair trial rights, who had a right of access to statements contained in the police docket. Senior Superintendent Sihlongonyane highlighted that the DPP on the strength of the information contained in the docket compiled by the police, had decided that there was sufficient evidence to set the law in motion against the accused. He said it pointed out that the accused had been indicted with 38 serious criminal charges and the trial was still pending at the High Court.

He related to the court that, on February 6, 2023 the Times of Eswatini prominently on its first page in a bold headline entitled SOLIDARITY FORCES MAN TELLS IT ALL.

Sihlongonyane went on to state that on pages 2, 3, 4, the respondents published articles which revealed the contents of informal admission made by one of the accused Sibusiso Nxumalo. The court was told that the articles appeared under the byline Times Reporters. He argued that these admissions were contained in the police docket.

Investigation

The articles reveal the code named of the persons who are of interest to the police for purposes of investigation of serious criminal offences, including murder and offences under the Suppression of Terrorism Act. The admissions published by the respondent are items which had not been presented in court and the accused have not yet pleaded, contended the senior detective. According to the senior superintendent, the publication of the articles by the Times of Eswatini of February 6, 2023 had allegedly alerted suspects that were on the police radar and some of them had fled to other countries thereby evading arrest. It was his argument that, this was confirmed by a headline and articles published in the Times of Eswatini of February 7, 2023.

He then referred the court to some of the articles, which the applicant had annexed to the application. The applicant has a clear right derived from the common law to protect against disclosure of witness statements procured for the purpose of a criminal trial. This protection applies until the statements are adduced as evidence at the trial. The only exception to this right is the right of the accused to have access to the statements for purposes of their defence to the criminal charges, argued the investigator. He contended that even in this case, the accuseds right was not absolute. It was further his submission that, police also had the statutory right to gather evidence of the commission offences and preserve it for presentation in court, without interference by anyone including the respondents. It was his averment that the police docket constituted such evidence.

It was his contention that, the respondents had allegedly demonstrated a continuing trend of publishing a series of articles on the material from the police docket. There is therefore a reasonable apprehension of them making further such injurious publications if not interdicted as a matter of urgency. The prejudice caused by the publication to the legitimate operations of the police, is manifested by the suspects who have fled from this jurisdiction, he argued. These are allegations whose veracity is still to be tested in court and the respondents are yet to file their papers. Crucially this had the effect of denying the applicant their right to approach the High Court. The balance of convenience favours the grant of an interim order pending finalisation of the matter. This is because in the event the interim relief is refused it will compromise the ongoing police investigation and the prejudice to the forthcoming criminal trial will persist, he argued.

He also argued that in the event the interim order was not granted, the respondents would still be in a position to publish the statements in the police docket. The applicants have no any other adequate remedy other than to approach the High Court for an interdict. The respondents are continuously publishing articles jeorpadising the police investigations and can only be successfully interdicted by the court. The matter returns to court on February 28, 2023 for arguments and the respondents are expected to show cause why the order should not be made final. The applicant was represented by Siboniso Hlawe from the chamber of the Attorney General (AG) while appearing for the respondents was Banele Gamedze from Musa M Sibandze Attorneys.
SaaS-based IT management specialist Flexera now offers Flexera One running in its new APAC shard.

Flexera One covers IT visibility, IT asset management, cloud migration and modernisation, and cloud cost optimisation.

The new shard is said to provide APAC customers with greater performance and regional data residency.

It is located in Australia, which makes the announcement good news for potential customers that require their data stays onshore.

The APAC shard was expected to become available in the fourth quarter of 2022.

"By launching the shard, a new hosting location dedicated to customers in APAC, Flexera is able to extend the unique benefits of Flexera One to customers in this region, supporting their strategic initiatives while complying with data regulations," said Flexera APAC vice president David Jensen.

"Flexera's ongoing investment in the APAC region exemplifies Flexera's dedication to providing definitive IT visibility and optimisation, to its customers. Flexera accelerates digital transformation and multiplies the value of technology investments."
Developer, security, and operations teams have a big year ahead of them. DevSecOps platform, GitLab, chief product officer David DeSanto is in a unique position to see global trends and spoke to iTWire about the year ahead.

2023 is going to be a big year for developer, security, and operations teams as IT leaders rethink development workflows, leverage more sophisticated technologies, and adjust to the changing climate around software supply chain security and governance.

As the chief product officer for one of the world's largest homes of open-source software, David DeSanto has a unique opportunity to observe global trends and emerging technologies. He spoke exclusively to iTWire about the big issues for IT leaders to be aware of, especially in this region.

iTWire: What trends do you see arising in the DevOps / DevSecOps space next year and beyond?

David DeSanto: After two years of technological advancement, the adoption of DevOps practices continues to pick up the pace and will continue to do so. GitLabs 2022 DevSecOps Survey found 78% of respondents in Australia and New Zealand have adopted  or plan to adopt within the year a DevOps platform to help meet rising industry expectations around security, compliance, toolchain consolidation, and faster software delivery.

In order to continue shifting operations processes left, DevSecOps platforms will absorb IT Service Management (ITSM) platform requirements. Our survey found that 65% of respondents in A/NZ want to consolidate their toolchains - this trend will continue, and IT Ops tools and functionalities will be no exception. In order to provide enterprises with much-needed visibility into their value stream, service management will become a critical part of the DevSecOps platform. This will allow service desk data to reside within the unified data model of DevSecOps platforms expanding visibility across the entire Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC).

iTWire: In Australia, there has been an onslaught of high-profile security breaches in recent months. What impact do you think security will have on IT leaders, developers, and operations teams next year?

David DeSanto: Recent security incidents in Australia, and globally, have created increased scrutiny on IT teams. This is then combined with the pressure to deliver software at lightning speeds. In this context, DevSecOps becomes even more critical and well see more robust adoption in the year to come. Local IT teams will need to iterate fast in multiple cloud environments, while at the same time integrating security and compliance into both the development lifecycle and the software supply chain.

While companies have shown an appetite to shift security left, there remains a misalignment between security and development teams. In our 2022 DevSecOps Survey, 50% of security professionals reported that developers are failing to identify security issues  to the tune of 75% of vulnerabilities. In order to better align performance metrics with reality, developers must adopt security best practices and security teams need full visibility into the toolchain and potential risks.

iTWire: Do you believe software supply chain security will play a more central role across the development lifecycle in 2023? Why so?

David DeSanto: Absolutely. Next year, as remote work and remote development requirements become more commonplace, software supply chain security will play an expansive role across the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC). Security and compliance responsibilities will span from the IDE and extend to applications running in production, continuing the ongoing trend toward security as an organisation-wide responsibility. GitLabs 2022 DevSecOps Survey found that 53% of global respondents across Dev, Sec, and Ops, said everyone was responsible for security. Security and compliance functions will continue to integrate, becoming essentially synonymous over the course of the year.

iTWire: What impact will AI/ML have on application development processes in 2023 and beyond?

David DeSanto: We are only at the beginning regarding adopting AI and ML into DevOps practices in this region. GitLabs 2022 DevSecOps Survey found that 33% of A/NZ respondents now use AI/ML as part of code review, and 36% said they have full test automation. Well continue to see this trend upward, as DevOps teams seek automation to simplify and drive speed to market. AI/ML will further enable rapid development, security remediation, improved test automation, and better observability. Streamlining the development process through AI-assisted workflows will also foster easier collaboration between operations and security teams.

iTWire: With a predicted recession looming, what impact do you see IT rationalisation having on Australian IT teams next year?

David DeSanto: We have already started to see the impact of IT budget restriction this year, and will see this trend amplified next year. Our 2022 DevSecOps Survey found that 65% of respondents in A/NZ wanted to consolidate their toolchains due to challenges with monitoring, development delays, and negative impact on developer experience.

Next year, IT teams will be looking at how they can optimise their value streams, and in doing so, reduce some of the complexity that comes with managing a DIY DevOps toolchain made of many disparate tools. There will be a push toward simplification and organisations will be looking for platform approaches rather than point solutions that can help reduce the burden on developers.
The number of complaints received between October and December 2022 increased by 9.9%, the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsmans (TIO) Quarter Two Complaints Report showed.

Residential consumers and small businesses lodged 17,903 complaints with more than half raising concerns about mobile services.

According to the report, complaints in the quarter increased due to the Optus data breach.

Complaints about the unauthorised disclosure of personal information jumped to the third most complained about problem during this quarter.

Mobile complaints about non-financial loss such as stress and humiliation from a privacy breach significantly increased this quarter, along with problems about customer service, termination fees, and failing to cancel a mobile service.

The number of complaints about mobile services increased by 19.1% compared to the previous quarter.

Complaints about internet services increased by 10.2%, and landline complaints decreased 20.2%.

The TIO listed the reports key points including:

1. Complaints that relate to customer service failings, such as no or delayed action by a telco, continues to dominate consumer concerns.

2. Internet complaints about problems with an add on feature almost doubled, due to a known issue with one telco that has now been resolved.

3. Complaints about having no phone or internet service increased compared to the previous quarter.

4. Complaints about Optus increased 39.3%, and complaints about iiNet increased 20.8% compared to the previous quarter. Vodafone and TPG saw small increases, and all other top 10 telco complaint numbers decreased.

5. Fault and connection complaints have remained steady quarter-on-quarter.

Privacy and the unauthorised disclosure of personal information are not the only issues for consumers. Were also handling an increased number of complaints from Optus customers about disputed termination fees, customer service problems, and failing to cancel a mobile service, said TIO ombudsman Cynthia Gebert.

We're continuing to work closely with Optus to ensure consistent approaches are being taken to resolving complaints so that people can get a fair and reasonable outcome, and we have adapted how we work to handle the higher volume of complaints we received.

This first appeared in the subscription newsletter CommsWire on 8 February 2023.
Cohesity, a leader in data security and management, today announced the 7.0 software release of Cohesity Data Cloud. The release provides customers with enhanced cyber resiliency capabilities to help protect and secure data against cyberattacks.

Cohesity is announcing its 7.0 software release as cyberattacks continue to become more sophisticated in nature and customers require a comprehensive cyber resilience strategy to ensure their business stays up and running. Organisations are seeking to improve their data security and management posture by focusing on a data-centric approach to cyber resilience, including data immutability, data isolation (or cyber vaulting), and near-instant recovery at scale. Cohesity addresses the challenges of todays threat landscape and the need to recover rapidly and confidently.

With Cohesity 7.0, organisations can strengthen cyber resilience by:

Hardening privileged access: Hardened access controls for Cohesity Data Cloud enable even tighter control and management of privileged administrative accounts and protection of access credentials. These controls further increase the difficulty for threat actors to tamper with backup data. New innovative differentiators, like split key capabilities, require multiple people to authenticate for some privileged access to administrative controls. No single administrator has the ability to unilaterally issue privileged commands, thereby helping to protect data from malicious threat actors.

Hardened access controls for Cohesity Data Cloud enable even tighter control and management of privileged administrative accounts and protection of access credentials. These controls further increase the difficulty for threat actors to tamper with backup data. New innovative differentiators, like split key capabilities, require multiple people to authenticate for some privileged access to administrative controls. No single administrator has the ability to unilaterally issue privileged commands, thereby helping to protect data from malicious threat actors. Accelerating ransomware recovery for files and objects: Cohesity, which provides unified file and object services on its platform, is also advancing cyber resilience capabilities with Cohesity SmartFiles. New powerful data lifecycle features are designed to reduce the attack surface for data exfiltration by ensuring data is not retained for longer than necessary. Also, custom security policies help further secure unstructured data from unauthorised access and attacks. This new release will also introduce new capabilities for analysing and visualising data utilisation on third-party NAS systems. These data insights will help enterprise organisations move data to SmartFiles for secure long-term retention and data immutability  all while optimising costs, scale, and performance for their most critical applications.

Cohesity, which provides unified file and object services on its platform, is also advancing cyber resilience capabilities with Cohesity SmartFiles. New powerful data lifecycle features are designed to reduce the attack surface for data exfiltration by ensuring data is not retained for longer than necessary. Also, custom security policies help further secure unstructured data from unauthorised access and attacks. This new release will also introduce new capabilities for analysing and visualising data utilisation on third-party NAS systems. These data insights will help enterprise organisations move data to SmartFiles for secure long-term retention and data immutability  all while optimising costs, scale, and performance for their most critical applications. Reducing attack surface through expanded platform and workload support: To help organisations further reduce their attack surface by consolidating multiple point products, 7.0 adds support for AWS GovCloud for target data and metadata protection. Additional storage targets for long-term retention, and support for local backup on third-party platforms including Lenovo SR645, HPE DL360 and DL380, Cisco UCS C220M6 AFC and C240 M6, and Dell 740XD for private cloud deployments.

Organisations are facing significant challenges with managing and securing their data estate across cloud and on-premises, with ransomware and data theft as their number one concern. Protecting and securing data starts before an attack and provides organisations with the ability to mitigate damage from an attack and quickly recover, with minimal impact to the business. said Chris Kent, vice president, Product and Solutions Marketing, Cohesity. Cohesity Data Cloud 7.0 adds a new layer of protection and recovery to organisations most critical data. We are seeing continual threats facing our customers from external and internal malicious actors, and with these latest enhancements, customers can face these challenges from the start.

As data volumes rapidly grow, simplicity and efficiency in managing, protecting, and recovering unstructured and disparate data can help enable faster recovery from outages and malicious attacks. Extended coverage allows organisations to simplify data resiliency with a platform that scales to support their diverse heterogeneous environments.

As the threat of cyber attack persists, one of our top priorities at Path Forward IT is up levelling our cyber resilience and assurance to ensure our data and systems are well-guarded against threats like ransomware, said Adam Brock, senior director, Backup and Recovery at Path Forward IT. Cohesity 7.0 will help us bridge end-to-end protection with capabilities that allow for rapid recovery and business continuity so our customers can resume business as usual in the event of cyber attack.

Companies are looking for simple and effective ways to improve data security and support cyber resilience goals. Given the rapid increase in the number of crippling ransomware attacks, its imperative that enterprises not only have strong protection against external threats but also prioritise internal vulnerabilities as well, said Senior Strategist and Analyst, Randy Kerns, Evaluator Group. With Cohesitys 7.0 software release, Cohesitys split key and KMS auto-failover capabilities are some of the many cyber resilience solutions Cohesity is adding to its portfolio to provide its customers and partners with a comprehensive strategy to protect data against cyberattacks.

For more information

Read more about Cohesitys 7.0 software release of Cohesity Data Cloud in this blog

To learn about Cohesitys recently-announced Data Security Alliance, click here

Click here to learn about Cohesity DataHawk, which will provide threat intelligence, scanning, cyber vaulting, and ML-powered data classification in one simple SaaS solution

Hear Cohesity CEO and President Sanjay Poonens vision for why customers and partners choose Cohesity in this video

Join us at Cohesity Catalyst, the data management and security summit, May 22-24 in Las Vegas

About Cohesity

Cohesity is a leader in data security and management. We make it easy to secure, protect, manage, and derive value from data  across the data centre, edge, and cloud. We offer a full suite of services consolidated on one multicloud data platform: backup and recovery, data security, disaster recovery, file and object services, dev/test, and analytics  reducing complexity and eliminating mass data fragmentation. Cohesity can be delivered as a service, self-managed, or provided by a Cohesity-powered partner.
Deputy says Martincevic has been appointed to scale the business as it reaches a milestone of securing US$100m in annual recurring revenue servicing 330,000 workplaces and 1.3 million shift workers globally.

Deputy notes that Ashik Ahmed has taken the company through extensive growth during unforeseen macro-economic factors, such as a global pandemic which drastically affected shift workers and business owners. Ahmed will transition out of the day-to-day operations and join Deputys Board of Directors where he will play an advisory role to ensure Martincevics transition is seamless as she assumes her global responsibilities.

Joining Deputy with previous experience as a CEO, COO and Founder in e-commerce and fintech startups, Martincevic brings over two decades of experience building, growing and scaling global teams," said Deputy.

From her time at Groupon, she gained international experience leading a team of over a thousand with revenue of $1b across 14 countries, and at Affirm she grew merchant network from approximately 5,000 to more than 200,000 retailers representing nearly 60% of U.S. e-commerce, and grew revenue to over $1b.



"When Steve Shelley and I co-founded Deputy 14 years ago, we had an idea and some very big aspirations, said Ahmed.



We nurtured those ambitions into a reality far beyond our wildest dreams and it has been my absolute honour and privilege to have led Deputy to this point. Today, more than 330,000 workplaces and 1.3 million shift workers use Deputy daily in over 100 countries. Our impact story is just beginning and our global story is not yet complete. I'm delighted to welcome Silvija as our next CEO  she is well-positioned and more than qualified to execute the massive goals we have set for ourselves globally.

Raised by a family of shift workers and an immigrant herself, Martincevic understands first-hand the challenges facing the shift work community. Martincevic is passionate about building companies, growing high-performing teams and helping underserved communities to thrive through technology. The technology company being from Australia is what attracted her to the opportunity initially.

Deputy has earned a global reputation for product innovation in simplifying shift work. With its global footprint, 14 years of deep knowledge and accumulated workforce data, and a mission-driven approach, Deputy is best positioned to build a bright future for the worlds 2.7 billion shift workers - two thirds of the worlds working population, said Martincevic.

Brands like F45, Gelato Messina, Qantas, Taronga Zoo and The Iconic utilise Deputy to communicate with, schedule, and create a more flexible and transparent workplace for their employees. I am proud to be Deputys new CEO, and Im excited to work with our passionate team to improve the lives of millions of hourly workers and bring thriving workplaces to every community."

Deputy says that leveraging her previous experience in scaling organisations, Martincevic's focus will be on growing the companys global presence - and she will be based in Deputys US Headquarters in San Francisco with frequent visits to Deputys Sydney and London teams.
Microsoft has partnered with Lumify , Australias largest provider of ICT training, to deliver the latest cohort of the Microsoft Software and Systems Academy ( MSSA ).

The 17-week intensive program is designed to equip veterans with in-demand technology skills and help them overcome the challenges faced in transitioning from military service to civilian employment.

MSSA Australia offers specialisations in either Cloud Application Development (CAD) or Server & Cloud Administration (SCA), two key skill sets required for todays growing technology industry. In addition to its technical curriculum, the course offers a variety of professional development opportunities, enabling participants to engage with industry mentors and providing guidance in career planning and skills development.

With 260,000 more people required to enter Australias technology workforce by 2025, veterans represent an untapped source of potential for Australian organisations facing skills shortages. With the right support and training opportunities, veterans can thrive in technology-focused roles.

Veteran and former MSSA participant Matt Spencer completed the program in 2022, recently taking a position at Microsoft as a Software Engineer following his 14-year career in the Australian Defence Force.

Spencer says the biggest challenge the course helped him overcome was understanding how the corporate side of business works in comparison to the rigid structures and career paths of military life.

Understanding how to market yourself on platforms like LinkedIn and write a strong resume is really useful. It was a lot to learn in a short time, but having other people on the course going through the same issues really helped. The instructors showed great interest in passing on all their knowledge and the practical activities helped me grasp the theory. One of the most valuable skills I acquired was proficiency in Git, an open-source version control system used for source code management, which can be used in tandem with Azure DevOps, object-orientated programming and the basics of syntax.

According to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, the ADF has averaged a separation rate of eight to ten per cent over recent years. This translates to a loss of 5,0006,000 people per year, many of whom are already trained and highly skilled.

Programs like the MSSA can mutually meet the needs of veterans and employers  on the one hand, veterans benefit greatly from assistance in transitioning into corporate career paths, and on the other hand, Australian organisations suffering acute skills shortages benefit from a new pool of skilled workers. We are extremely proud to be delivering this program hand-in-hand with Microsoft, and making a difference to the lives of veterans, while tackling technology skills shortages.  Jon Lang, CEO of Lumify Group.

Post-completion, every student receives an interview with Microsoft or one of its hiring partners, including Fujitsu, Accenture, JP Morgan and Westpac. Spencer was offered a role with Microsoft as a Software Engineer before finishing the program.

There are many transferable skills that veterans may not realise apply to the technology industry, such as self-motivation, working across both individual and team environments and the ability to research effectively. I want to become a mentor for current or ex-serving veterans looking into a career in tech to help them along the journey, said Spencer of his future goals.

The MSSA program serves as a reminder to Australias technology sector to harness the untapped potential of veterans and other groups re-entering the workforce.

Visit the MSSA website for more information on the program: https://military.microsoft.com/mssa/
Everybody deserves access to power, says EcoFlow, a renewable energy and portable power solution company. The company also has a great Valentines Deal with savings of up to $700 and a free camping light.

EcoFlow began life in 2017 with a group of battery engineers who had a vision for a new world; a world with AI and innovation and also with outdoor recreation and exploration. They saw an eco-friendly world transitioning from ancient power sources to modern, sustainable, renewable power. Today, the company is valued at over a billion dollars, has more than a thousand staff, and has multiple awards recognising the smarts and utility of its product range.

These products include portable power stations, portable air conditioning, and solar panels. You can find special discounts on these items for Valentines Day, with savings of up to $700, as well as a free camping light with bundled products.

There's a lot to like; iTWire has been using an EcoFlow RIVER mini EFR421, which is a portable power charger that delivers immense flexibility, yet is only $499.

The RIVER mini can be charged from AC and DC power, as well as via solar, with a cable included to plug into your solar panel. Once set, it becomes your powerful, portable battery that you could even fit into your backpack. It will charge up to eight devices at once! This includes USB ports, power outlets, as well as a wireless charging pad on top of the unit.

It's a remarkable and tidy little unit that will come in handy in so many situations. You can take it camping or exploring outside, with the confidence your vital electronics can keep running. Similarly, it will see you through an unexpected blackout. And you can take it in the car on a long journey and keep all the family phones and tablets charged on the drive there and back.

In fact, the RIVER Mini includes EcoFlows X-stream technology that provides the fastest recharge rates in the world. It charges 10x faster than most portable power stations and will charge most devices from 0% to 80% within an hour.

It's a terrific device; it's festooned with input and output sockets providing huge versatility. It has a clear, easy-to-read LED display keeping you informed of the remaining battery capacity and how that changes when you plug more devices into it (or sit them on the wireless charging pad). Theres also a smartphone app that lets you dig into deeper metrics about each individual socket.

For iTWire, it's a solid two thumbs up for the EcoFlow RIVER Mini as a must-have; it will keep your gadgets and other electrical devices powered when nothing else will. It will help your teenagers survive a family trip to the grandparents. It will be your trustworthy companion when trekking or camping or driving or boating. It will be your helpful aid when youre experiencing a blackout. In short, whenever you need reliable and long-lasting power, the EcoFlow RIVER Mini has your back.

Of course, as the name 'mini' suggests, its a cut-down version with 210Wh capacity. For those into serious adventure, theres the RIVER Pro with a massive 720Wh battery capacity but weighing only 7.6kg. Its perfect for travelling, camping, or group adventure, charging and charging more and more devices.

EcoFlow also produces the Wave portable cooling unit for indoors and outdoors. Its the first portable air conditioner to perfectly balance cooling performance, portability, and battery life, and provides a 4,000 BTU cooling capacity with an eight-hour run time. Options include more battery and flexible charging methods.

This isn't even the tip of EcoFlows iceberg. The EcoFlow DELTA brings a huge 1,260Wh capacity and can power up to 11 devices at the same time, also bringing them from 0% to 80% within an hour.

Next up on the EcoFlow scale is the DELTA Pro, the worlds first portable home battery with an expandable ecosystem for home backup, smart energy management, lowering energy bills and more. With a base capacity of 3.6kWh which is expandable to 25kWh, it can provide multiple days worth of backup energy to families in the case of emergencies. Its the ultimate for off-grid living.

Included in the packages are regular power point power cables, but they include support for solar charging, and youll find each product also comes with a bundle that includes a solar panel, and also an extra battery. For instance, here's the RIVER with an additional battery, that simply stacks together.

Over two million users across 100 markets are using EcoFlow to keep the power coming when they need it most. Check the deals out because you should become user two million and one. Your future self will thank you for it. After all, nobody plans to be lost in a forest or at sea, or have their battery go flat while on holiday - but when that invariably happens youll be glad you have an EcoFlow product by your side.

You might also be happy to know your money goes not only to EcoFlow R&D but to humanitarian causes. After the 2021 Texas snowstorm triggered widespread power outage, EcoFlow donated all the portable power stations in its Texas warehouse to the Houston Food Bank. In 2020 EcoFlow donated 1,004 portable power stations to the makeshift hospitals set up in Wuhan back in 2020, supporting vital medical equipment.

Check out all the EcoFlow deals here.
This Week in Review

A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more.
MBABANE  The principal secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Finance did not take kindly to the minister of Public Service using her office toilet while she was out of the country.

This comes after the Minister of Public Service Mabulala Maseko, allegedly used the PSs office toilet while she was out of the country on official government business. According to an impeccable source, two weeks ago, the PS, Sizakele Dlamini, was away on a work trip. When she returned, she was informed about what had happened in her office while she was away.

According to the source, Dlaminis personal assistant (PA) received a phone call from Masekos PA, informing her that the minister was coming to the ministry (Finance) on the sixth floor urgently.

Bathroom

The source stated that immediately after the phone call had ended, the minister was already at the door, requiring that he be allowed to the PSs bathroom. The source said, at first, they thought he wanted to see the newly-refurbished toilet, since the building was being renovated. Worth noting is that the Ministry of Public Service occupies the third floor of the building, while the Ministry of Finance is located on the sixth floor of the same building. The source said the PA unlocked the bathroom door and allowed the minister to enter. The source further mentioned that some of those present within the ministry were left puzzled as to why Maseko was keen on visiting the PSs office bathroom when there were other floors, which had bathrooms as well that he could have used. The main contention was that the minister is a male while the PS is a female and ideally, the two sexes do not share private rooms. After the minister had gone out of the bathroom, according to the source, junior officers wondered why Maseko opted to use Dlaminis toilet, especially because she is female, instead of the minister of Finances since they were both male.

Female

The minister told the junior staff members that he would call Dlamini and let her know that he had used her toilet, said the source. The PS, when called regarding the matter, confirmed that when she returned from her trip, she was made aware of what had transpired in her restroom while she was away. When asked if she had reported her grievances to her authorities, she said she had not. At the time of compiling this report, Dlamini alleged that the minister had not spoken to her about the matter. She said many things came to her mind concerning what the minister had allegedly done. She noted that even in public spaces, men and women did not share bathrooms. I am still shattered and I do not know what to think, she said. Minister Maseko, however, denied ever using the PSs bathroom. Instead, the minister said he constantly went to the Ministry of Finance because their ministries worked hand-in-hand. He said he was surprised to learn that it was an issue that he had gone to another ministry and used their facilities.

Barking

This is not an issue really. We have bigger things to deal with than barking about who used what, he said, when interviewed last evening. Maseko said the three ministries were interlinked and he felt these were petty issues that were not changing the scope or serving the nation they were supposed to serve. The other ministry he was referring to is that of Economic Planning and Development. He added that these days these ministries were busy with the budget and officers were constantly at each others offices. It was gathered that the minister had since reached out to Dlamini and explained why he used her bathroom during her absence. It is said that the minister stated that there was no water on the third floor, where his ministry is located. Worth noting is that the Ministry of Public Works and Transport is currently renovating some government offices, resulting in certain bathrooms not being functional.

A senior officer in one of the ministries said, on the day of the incident, the third floor (where Masekos ministry is located), did not have water due to the ongoing renovations taking place in the building. The officer stated that there was water in the other ministries within the building, which included the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development on the fourth and fifth floors as well as the Ministry of Public Service from the first to the third floor.
MANZINI- At least 120 children in the Matsapha corridor are out of school, and out of these, 40 attempted to commit suicide last year due to their parents failure to pay for their education.

It was gathered that a majority of their parents had reportedly lost their jobs due to various reasons. This was revealed by Eswatini Family Care and Wellness Organisation Director Sibusiso Makhanya. Family Care and Wellness is a non-governmental organisation that seeks to help families deal with psychosocial challenges in society. Makhanya disclosed that some of these children whose parents were out of jobs, were mostly those who worked in the textile firms in Matsapha. He said some of the parents had literally abandoned their children because they were also stressed due to unemployment. Worth noting is that the situation of the 40 children was revealed against the backdrop of the rise in the number of applications for the orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) grants.

It was reported last Monday by this publication that applications for OVC grants had increased to over 100 000, necessitating government to have a budget of over E195 million. Ever since its inception in 2003, the OVC Fund has been paying E1 950 per child in high school, which most head teachers decried to be meagre. As such, most have been requiring top-up fees, which many parents had been struggling to pay. The fund was officially introduced by His Majesty King Mswati III in his 2003 speech, when officially opening Parliament. Information gathered from the different social workers in the regions was that the number of applications for the grants had increased rapidly. The officers said in as much as the processes were still ongoing but the increase in numbers was noted, topping over 100 000.

Currently, the unemployment rate in the country stands at 33.3 per cent as per the Labour Survey Report of 2021, conducted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. Meanwhile, the director (Makhanya) said a great number of children and youth in Eswatini had been hit by a number of adversities that affected them psychosocially. He noted that the adversities affected their education as well. He attributed these to HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, poverty, droughts, family violence, emotional and physical abuse. He said these affected them to a point where many developed psychological disorders.

Psychosocial

In 2022  2023, a large number of children and youth have not gone back to school due to various psychosocial issues, and many are not taking it well, Makhanya shared. While working last year, we registered 120 children and out of these, 40 attempted to kill themselves. As the sessions continued, the children shared that some of their parents could not take them to school because they had lost their jobs. A majority of the parents were working in the textile firms in Matsapha. Other children were under the free primary education (FPE) programme because their parents could not afford to pay for their education in high school.

Makhanya reiterated that with the 40 children having confessed to have attempted to commit suicide, it was a sign that they needed to stand up and fight against this adversity. He mentioned that they went through stress and duress, while some developed anxiety. They go through shame and may develop mild depression and others have lost the power to achieve their dreams. They feel alone and rejected, alone and worthless, he said. The director stated that some children lost faith in their families who had failed to send them to school, the country and life itself. He mentioned that they doubted and hated themselves. To those who had lost their parents, he stated that they started to feel empty and got triggered on grief.

Makhanya shared that some visible signs included isolation, self-stigma, facial distress, as well as lack of interest in hobbies. He revealed that others ran away from home for no reason. Meanwhile, he said other children became rude and used harsh language. Ultimately, he said other children resorted to using drugs.

On how to deal with such children, the director said people should keep calm and talk to them calmly. He recommended help from spiritual leaders who may counsel the children. Be careful not to use mocking language towards such children. Find professional counseling if you can afford it, he suggested. On another note, the director said the organisation was on a fundraising campaign dubbed Please Send Me Back to School Campaign 2023. He highlighted that the organisation has currently sent 20 high school children with the support of individuals and organisations in the country. We owe the schools about E150 000 in school fees. We are appealing to the business, corporate, individuals and churches, to help us pay this amount for the children. They are eager to pursue their education but have been home due to poverty and other psychological issues, he implored. Members of the public who are willing to help were requested to contact the director on 7851 8410 or 7951 8410. They could alternatively send an email to familycare1@gmail.com.
New Delhi, Feb 9 (UNI) Eighty-three Indian defence personnel, including prisoners of war, are believed to be in Pakistans custody, but their presence has not been acknowledged by Islamabad so far. The matter was again raised by the Indian High Commission with Pakistans Foreign Ministry on January 1 this year, parliament was told on Thursday.

Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan, answering questions in the Rajya Sabha, said As per available information, 83 Indian defence personnel, including prisoners of war, are believed to be in Pakistans custody, but their presence has not been acknowledged by Pakistan so far.

The Government has been consistently taking up the matter of release and repatriation of the missing defence personnel with Pakistan through diplomatic channels. The matter was again raised by the High Commission of India in Islamabad with the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs through its communication dated 01 January 2023, he said.

He also said that according to the lists of prisoners exchanged between the two sides on January 1 this year, Pakistan has acknowledged the custody of 654 fishermen and 51 civilian prisoners who are Indian or are believed to be Indian. There are 339 civilian prisoners and 95 fishermen in Indian custody who are either Pakistani or believed-to-be-Pakistani, he added.



The MoS said that India has called for early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing defence personnel, and fishermen along with their boats, from Pakistans custody.

In this context, Pakistan was asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 631 Indian fishermen and 02 Indian civilian prisoners, who have completed their sentence and whose nationality has been confirmed and conveyed to Pakistan. In addition, Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to the remaining 30 fishermen and 22 civilian prisoners in Pakistans custody, who are believed-to-be-Indian.

As a result of sustained efforts by the Government, 58 Indian civilian prisoners, 2160 Indian fishermen and 57 Indian fishing boats have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014. This includes five Indian civilian prisoners and 40 Indian fishermen who have been repatriated from Pakistan in 2022, he said.



UNI RN RKM
New Delhi, Feb 9 (UNI) Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Thursday called on Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow during which the two held wide-ranging talks on bilateral and regional issues, and agreed to continue the work towards implementing the bilateral strategic partnership.



The Indian Embassy in Russia in a tweet said: NSA Ajit Doval called on HE President Putin. Wide-ranging discussion on bilateral and regional issues. Agreed to continue work towards implementing the India-Russia strategic partnership.



Ajit Doval is in Moscow to attend the Fifth Regional Dialogue on Afghanistan of security chiefs held on Wednesday.

President Putin had dropped in during the meeting and addressed the gathering.

Apart from the host country Russia and India, the other countries participating in the meeting are Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.



Various issues related to Afghanistan were discussed, including the security situation and humanitarian challenges facing Afghanistan.

UNI RN RKM
New Delhi, Feb 8 (UNI) National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Wednesday participated in the Fifth Regional Dialogue on Afghanistan in Moscow during which he stressed that terrorism has become a major threat in the region and dealing with Daesh and terror outfits like the Pakistan-based LeT and JeM requires intensified intelligence and security cooperation between countries.



According to sources, NSA Doval participated in the 5th Multilateral Meeting of Secretaries of Security Councils/National Security Advisers on Afghanistan in Moscow.

Apart from the host country, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan were represented at the meeting.

Various issues related to Afghanistan were discussed, including the security situation and humanitarian challenges facing Afghanistan.



NSA Ajit Doval made the following points:



Afghanistan is passing through a difficult phase. India has a historical and special relationship with Afghanistan. The well being and humanitarian needs of the people of Afghanistan is Indias foremost priority. This will continue to guide our approach, the sources said.



"India will never abandon the Afghan people in their time of need," he said.



Focusing on food security and medical supplies, India has so far delivered 40,000 MT of wheat, 60 tons of medicines, 500,000 Covid vaccines, winter clothing and 28 tons of disaster relief.

Indias technical team stationed in Kabul is overseeing the humanitarian assistance programme. Standing with Afghans, India has granted fresh scholarships to 2,260 Afghan students including 300 Afghan girls during the past two years, Doval said.



He also stressed that an inclusive and representative dispensation in Kabul is in the larger interest of Afghan society.



Terrorism has become a major threat in the region. Dealing with Daesh and terror outfits like the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) requires intensified intelligence and security cooperation between respective States and its agencies, Doval stated, the sources added. India reaffirmed the importance of UNSCR 2593 (2021) that calls for terror outfits including those designated by UNSCR 1267 to be denied sanctuary in the region.



Doval said that no country should be allowed to use Afghan territory to export terrorism and radicalisation. Natural resources of Afghanistan should be utilised first for the welfare of people of Afghanistan.



He also said that India is and will remain an important stakeholder in Afghanistan. We always stood by the people of Afghanistan and will always support collective efforts to help Afghan people build a prosperous and vibrant nation once again.



The Indian Embassy in Moscow in tweets said: NSA Ajit Doval participated in the 5th Multilateral Security Dialogue on Afghanistan in Moscow. Stressed the well-being and humanitarian needs of Afghans. He said India will never abandon the Afghan people in their time of need."



He reiterated the call for an inclusive & representative government in Afghanistan and need for collective efforts to fight terrorism.

The Third round of this Regional dialogue was held in New Delhi under the chairmanship of NSA Ajit Doval in November 2021. The Fourth meeting was held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan in May 2022.



UNI RN RKM
The IRS has asked a tax group for information from 21 states as it works to determine whether special tax refunds or payments that states made in 2022 as part of state pandemic relief measures are taxable for federal purposes. Meanwhile, the national taxpayer advocate on Thursday criticized the IRS for delaying a decision on a matter that she said could affect tens of millions of taxpayers.

In a statement issued Feb. 3, the IRS advised taxpayers in the states that provided relief to wait until it provided "additional clarity" before filing their tax returns.



"For taxpayers uncertain about the taxability of their state payments, the IRS recommends they wait until additional guidance is available or consult with a reputable tax professional," the agency said in the statement, in which it also advised against amending a previously filed 2022 return.

The Federation of Tax Administrators (FTA) said in an email to the JofA on Thursday that the IRS has inquired about programs in 21 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia.

"FTA will continue to work with our members as the IRS completes its legal analysis. Like you, we are anxiously awaiting a determination as the peak of the filing season is drawing near," FTA communications manager Joe Starr wrote in an email.

Also Thursday, National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins denounced the IRS for leaving taxpayers and tax professionals without guidance on the treatment of the special payments and refunds.

"The IRS has known for months that there is uncertainty about the tax treatment of these special state tax refunds or payments, and it has also known the answers may affect tens of millions of taxpayers," Collins wrote on her blog. "Yet, to date, it has issued no specific guidance whatsoever.  Giving taxpayers a choice between waiting to file their returns and receive their refunds or filing returns now that the IRS may later determine to be inaccurate is not acceptable."

Kenneth Corbin, the taxpayer experience officer for the IRS and its Wage and Investment Division commissioner, was asked whether the California middle-class tax credit is taxable at the federal level when he spoke Jan. 18 to the California Society of Enrolled Agents (CSEA).

"I believe that it is not taxable, but I'll have to figure out and confirm for you all how to report that on a federal tax return. We are aware that a number of the states have issued payment, not just California, but New York, Georgia, and Illinois, I believe," Corbin said.

"There are about 10 states that have issued payment, and I do not believe that it is taxable on a federal tax return. But I will make sure that we come back to you all with a specific way on how to report that so that you'll be able to get that on your client's return accurately."

 To comment on this article or to suggest an idea for another article, contact Martha Waggoner at Martha.Waggoner@aicpa-cima.com.
Disgraced former Peru president Alberto Fujimori was admitted to hospital suffering from an irregular heartbeat, the country's social security agency said on Tuesday.

Upon his arrival at a hospital in Lima late on Monday night, "medical staff managed to stabilize" the 84-year-old former leader, Essalud said in a statement.

Fujimori, who is serving a 25-year sentence for crimes against humanity, was then transferred to an observation room.

His doctor, Alejandro Aguinaga told RPP radio station that Fujimori, who has been in prison since 2007, had registered a "paroxysmal atrial fibrillation," a type of irregular heartbeat.

Fujimori was also taken to hospital in April last year for a similar problem.

Fujimori suffers recurrent respiratory, neurological and hypertension problems.

President from 1990 to 2000, Fujimori was subsequently jailed over massacres committed by army death squads in 1991 and 1992 in which 25 people were killed in supposed anti-terrorist operations.
"Preliminary examinations are like an iron door that is very difficult to get through"  is how one civil society representative felt about trying to get the International Criminal Court (ICC) Office of the Prosecutor to look into alleged atrocity crimes, according to a 2020 report by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH). There is huge unclarity, says Amal Nassar, former FIDH representative to the court, which continues, she says, despite the Office of the Prosecutors regular reports on communications it receives and how they are processed into preliminary examinations (the stage before a full investigation by the ICC).

Communications is the official word at the ICC for what could amount in other legal systems to a complaint if such a legal avenue was allowed before the international court, or for what is more generally a way for NGOs to lobby the court, specifically the Prosecutors Office.

In the twenty plus years since the ICC was founded its received at least 15,000 communications of which more than 700 were considered potentially warranting further analysis - a bit of internal jargon, to describe the initial filtering process.

The vast majority of communications received by The Hague-based court are manifestly outside the Courts jurisdiction, according to the ICC regular reports on preliminary examinations since 2011. Some other bits submitted are linked to an ongoing preliminary examination or an investigation, while out of the initial 700 plus potential pieces of information which have had an in-depth factual and legal assessment of the allegations and the situation, only about 50 have gone on to be fully analysed under the criteria below.

The ICC Prosecutors filtering process

The process was outlined a decade ago in a policy paper, where a filtering process comprising four phases is described. The phases include assessment of jurisdiction, whether the alleged crimes fall under the courts mandate, whether there are local trials, and whether it would be in the interests of justice to proceed.

While there was previously a separate unit for preliminary examinations at the Prosecutors Office, under the current prosecutor Karim Khan, much of the Offices work is now organised into country teams dealing with all aspects of investigations and prosecution, under two deputy prosecutors. The only exception is Ukraine which is handled directly by the Prosecutor. But preliminary examinations fall under deputy prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan (no relation to Karim Khan).

All information received is processed, reviewed extensively and as required further developed towards becoming evidence, says Cristina Ribeiro, senior coordinator of investigations and analysis at the ICC Prosecutors Office. Prior to opening an investigation, they [these communications] represent an important part of our starting point.

Unclear criteria for selection

The 2020 Independent Expert Review which came up with more than 350 changes needed to improve the ICC, summarised the Office of the Prosecutors approach to the consideration of communications as conservative. It noted that any decisions about which communications to take further and to turn into investigations is very much up to the Prosecutor. Of course, the Prosecutor has to have discretion and independence but making these criteria explicit may be beneficial, they said.

According to the experts report five preliminary examinations have opened via information that has come into the court: Venezuela, the Philippines, Bangladesh (Myanmar), Burundi, and the reopening of the situation concerning the conduct of the British forces in Iraq.

Megan Hirst, a British criminal lawyer, lauds the system in principle: Everyone is open to lobby the court and the Office of the Prosecutor should be able to receive the maximum input. But 90% of all the analyses of communications, are dismissed by the prosecutor, which poses the question as to the criteria applied by the Prosecutor in deciding to open a preliminary examination, said the experts. It remains difficult to assess the criteria used by the Prosecutor, as they are not transparent.

At an event last month about court-civil society organisations relations, deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang said I dont like the term lobbying, stressing that the prosecutors independence is at the core of the credibility of the court. While the court is open to input, their priorities have to be state and UN Security Council referrals, he said. Issues like gravity come into play, along with resources. Our full-fledged capacity allows us to look at not more than 8 situations, he said. And we are already at 11 situations... I dont want to be there without the resources to deliver.

No transparency

In practice, says Hirst, its not clear to see from the outside how often the communications actually influence the Prosecutions choice of case or contribute to an investigation. If you are an NGO, trying to submit a useful communication to the [Office of the Prosecutor] it can be difficult.

For one communication that we submit, it's between one year to two years of work, says Jimena Reyes, director of the Americas Office of FIDH. And obviously it's quite frustrating when nothing happens like the case of Mexico, where there's not even a preliminary examination that has been offered. Reyes remembers how victims organisations also staged a demonstration outside the court around the sculpture donated by the Mexican authorities called wings of justice, to state our disagreement with the fact that nothing happens after submitting information of cases involving thousands of people.

Maybe it's not easy for the Office of the Prosecutor to be candid about case selection and how decisions are made. But thats where their energy needs to go. I'm not saying that everyone will be happy when they know about decisions, but they need better transparency and communication on these decisions, Hirst says.

Why do NGOs do it?

Ribeiro acknowledges that NGO communications are "becoming really sophisticated" and some have "many different types of evidence, including preserved online materials.

Against that backdrop, where very few communications make it through the iron door, but most do not, why do NGOs continue to send their information in to the court? Nassar says that the reasons are not uniform just as NGOs are not uniform. Hirst cautions that every [NGO] has their own interests and levels of skills.

Kate Gibson, a British defence lawyer, whos appeared in several trials before the ICC, notes the different reasons why NGOs decide to file communications: "Some communications are incredibly detailed, and are geared towards the Prosecution opening an investigation. Other civil society organisations use communications as an advocacy exercise. Some situations are politically fraught and submitting a communication to the Office of the Prosecutor can be a really good way of drawing attention to a particular crime base."

Reyes points to the success in submitting information to the Office of the Prosecutor resulting in the preliminary examination in Colombia which outlined for the first time that they considered that there is a basis to believe that crimes against humanity were committed in Colombia. It was the first time that someone said that crimes against humanity were being committed by militaries and by the FARC [the main guerrilla in Colombias conflict], and by paramilitaries. And it really played a very important role in triggering justice.

Other constraints and pitfalls

Do communications and civil society organisations follow-up potentially cause issues later on in trials? There is a view that civil society efforts are directed towards prosecuting perpetrators so greater collaboration between civil society organisations and the Office of the Prosecutor increases the inequality of arms between the Prosecutor and the Defence. But this is too simplistic, says Gibson. The greater concern is that the increased partnership between civil society organisations and the Prosecutor plays into this entrenched idea that the Court exists as a mechanism for ending impunity, and increasing accountability. And when we set ourselves the goal of preventing impunity, the risk is that acquittals are seen as failures, as something having gone wrong, and convictions are seen as everything having worked properly.

Groups that file communications do not always circulate their filings publicly. Nassar notes a variety of reasons like confidentiality and security but, she says, it may also be to distinguish it from other advocacy efforts. Their rationale can be that not publicising them may strengthen the privileged relationship they seek with the ICC Prosecutor and establish their reliability and credibility. They sometimes also name alleged perpetrators and worry that the disclosure of their submission would have the countereffect of undermining the very possibility to arrest the suspects. For example, there have been specific communications on crimes in Ukraine for years without any disclosure byt the submitting organisations nor any move by the prosecution. The reluctance of some NGOs to make their communications public may add to the lack of transparency of the whole system.

But in acknowledgement of the usefulness of NGO communications Ribeiro says: "The more sophisticated they are, the better the basis for the investigation, so hooray to that."
The UK government on Thursday defended its potential meeting with the governor of Xinjiang, sanctioned by the US over the Chinese region's treatment of its Muslim Uyghur minority.

Responding to an urgent question asked in parliament, Foreign Office minister Leo Docherty told angry MPs that the government had not invited Erkin Tuniyaz to the UK.

Tuniyaz is due to make the visit next week, but "we have no confirmation that he will in fact, travel", said Docherty.

"Our expectation is that he will be travelling on a diplomatic passport and has not yet been granted therefore a visa," he added.

However, if he does visit, he may meet with officials from the Foreign Office.

"We've judged this might be an opportunity to send a very strong message to someone who is involved in the governance of Xinjiang," said Docherty, adding that "under no circumstances would he be dignified with a ministerial meeting."

"We must be prepared to use diplomatic channels to achieve that and hence officials would be prepared to offer him a meeting," he explained.

Tuniyaz has defended China's "de-radicalisation" policies in the country's north-west, including the use of detention facilities.

He was sanctioned by the US in 2021, with the Treasury saying that during his tenure "more than 1 million Uyghurs and members of other predominantly Muslim ethnic minority groups have been detained in Xinjiang".

The UK parliament passed a non-binding declaration last year that crimes against humanity and genocide were being committed in Xinjiang.

A recent United Nations report found credible allegations of torture and forced labour there.

However, Beijing has long denied any such accusations, claiming the United States and Western allies are using the issue as a "political tool".

Former Conservative Party leader and Beijing critic Iain Duncan Smith, who introduced the question, called the government's actions "weak", and demanded that Tuniyaz be sanctioned.

"This weak response from the Foreign Office hides something. It isn't that they invited him here, it's that they've made it clear that when he comes here, he of course will be welcome to come and see them," he said.

"This is a propaganda coup for the Chinese government.

"A man that absolutely declares nothing is going on is hardly likely to be bothered by a Foreign Office official telling him 'now now, you've got to stop this'," he added.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that his office would not "speculate on action we may take in the future with regards to sanctions on particular individuals.

"But for now we think the right approach is to personally deliver the message to the governor of Xinjiang," he added.
While 2022 delivered show-stopping K-dramas, 2023 promises a diverse and entertaining series headlined by top celebrities and rising actors.

Interestingly, February has a slew of highly anticipated sequels varying from historical to rom-com genres.

In addition, the second month of 2023 will also showcase much-awaited sequels returning to the small screen.

With that being said, check out the upcoming K-dramas this second week of February as well as the ongoing series that you shouldn't miss.

Upcoming: 'Our Blooming Youth'

Headlined by the returning Park Hyung Sik and Jeon So Nee, it follows the story of two lovers who belong to noble families.

"Our Blooming Youth" transformed Jeon So Nee into Min Jae Yi, a daughter of an upper-class family during the Joseon era.

With her family planning her life ahead, she is ready to be someone else's good wife; however, she faced the biggest challenge in her life after her family was murdered days before her wedding.

In the upcoming saeguk drama, Park Hyung Sik transformed into Crown Prince Lee Hwan.

With a big responsibility on his shoulder, he suffers from a mysterious curse.

Interestingly "Our Blooming Youth" will focus on Min Jae Yi and the Crown Prince's love story raising curiosity on how she will help the young royal with his illness.

Park Hyung Sik and Jeon So Nee new drama aired its pilot episode on February 6 with episode 3 set to broadcast on February 13, via tvN and TVING.

Adding to the list of the cast are Pyo Ye Jin as Min Jae Yi's maid and best friend, Jang Ga Ram, and Yoon Jong Seok as the crown prince's close friend and Min Jae Yi's fiance, Han Seong On.

Upcoming: 'Love to Hate You'

From historical K-drama to rom-com, viewers will get to see an interesting series "Love to Hate You" featuring an amazing cast lineup.

Kim Ok Bin returns to the small screen as she plays rookie attorney Yeo Mi Ran.

Despite being uninterested to dive in a relationship, Mi Ran dislikes losing to a man in anything.

Meanwhile, she works alongside Nam Kang Ho, played by Yoo Teo. He is one of the industry's top actors. His skills, amazing visuals, and attitude made fans swoon over him.

Although he is a sought-after leading man of romance projects, he doesn't actually trust women.

Joining as lead stars are "Money Heist Korea" star Kim Ji Hoon and Go Won Hee.

Directed by Kim Jung Kwon of "Maestra" and "Lie After Lie" and penned by "7 First Kisses" and "My ID Is Gangnam Beauty" screenwriter, Choi Soo Young, "Love to Hate You" release date is set on February 10.

Viewers could watch the upcoming series every Friday via Netflix.

Current: 'Poong, the Joseon Physciatrist Season 2'

The Gyesoo family returns as Kim Min Jae, Kim Hyang Gi and more reprised their roles in "Poong, the Joseon Physciatrist Season 2."

Interestingly, the sequel focuses on Yoo Se Poong and Lady Eun Woo's romance amid the challenges brought by influential people at the palace.

With only a few episodes left, "Poong, the Joseon Physciatrist Season 2" episode 9 will air on February 8 via tvN and Viu TV.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Kim Hyang Gi Net Worth 2022: How Much Does 'Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist' Star Earn



KDramastars owns this article

Written by Geca Wills
Even as a child, Kim Yoo Jung has shown strong performances in various high scale dramas. Now as a fine young lady, she is definitely among the most sought after leading ladies in South Korea.

After the success of her comeback film "20th Century Girl" in 2022, Kim Yoo Jung gears up for her forthcoming slew of promising projects. Here's what's next for her this 2023!

Kim Yoo Jung To Return With New Film 'My Puppy'

This 2023, Kim Yoo Jung stars in another film called "My Puppy" alongside veteran stars Yoo Yeon Seok and Cha Tae Hyun!

The upcoming movie focuses on the story of two friends who are about to let go of their family-like pet dog and their search for its new owner.

"My Puppy" is a film that delivers a heartfelt watching experience to viewers, especially dog lovers.

According to Jason Kim, the creator of the work in which the story was based, "My Puppy" will make the audiences laugh and weep, thanks to its gripping narrative and synergy of its cast.

On the other hand, "My Puppy" hits the theaters nationwide on March 1.

Kim Yoo Jung To Make Comeback With New Netflix Series

Apart from her new film, Kim Yoo Jung also gears up for her return to the small screen with Netflix's new series "Chicken Nugget"!

It is a comedy mystery series that deals with the hardships of a young girl who, by some miracle, becomes a chicken nugget.

Kim Yoo Jung plays the role of Choi Min Ha, the heir of a conglomerate company who uses a machine to ease her fatigue, which accidentally turns her into a chicken nugget.

The actress will work together with Ryu Seung Ryeong, Ahn Jae Hong and Jung Ho Yeon in the upcoming drama. In particular, "Chicken Nugget" airs some time in the second quarter of 2023!

Kim Yoo Jung Joins the Cast of 'Shakespeare In Love'

After six long years, Kim Yoo Jung is finally coming back to the theater stage with the 2023 run of "Shakespeare In Love"!

In the musical play about Shakespeare, Kim Yoo Jung plays the role of Viola, the famous poet's lover. Aside from her, Jung So Min and Chae Soo Bin will also play the role of the Shakespearean beauty Viola de Lesseps.

Meanwhile, Jung Moon Sung, Lee Sang Yi and Kim Sung Cheol will take on the role of William Shakespeare himself.

"Shakespeare in Love" began its 2023 last January 28 until March 26 at the CJ Towol Theater in Seoul Arts Center, Seoul.

KDramaStars owns this article.

Written by Elijah Mully.
Following the blind item regarding a top star who got involved in a drug issue, the police confirmed that the said celebrity is Yoo Ah In.

The news came after Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency investigated the "Hellbound" star for violating the Narcotics Control Act for suspicion of propofol use.

Yoo Ah In Controversy: Award-Winning Star Caught Up in Drug Use

In a report, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety requested the police to investigate Yoo Ah In due to suspicion of repeatedly prescribed propofol.

The said drug is a non-barbiturate sedative, mostly used in hospital settings by trained anesthetists for the sedation, induction, and maintenance of general anesthesia, for a period of up to 72 hours.

On February 6, the authorities have requested the National Institute of Scientific Investigation to examine the award-winning star's body hair to confirm whether he habitually used propofol.

As the investigation continues, the travel ban was also imposed on the actor.

Yoo Ah In's Agency Responds to Actor's Shocking Controversy

The actor's agency, UAA, released a brief statement addressing the propofol use and violation of the narcotics act. They have confirmed that Yoo Ah In is being investigated and is very cooperative with the police.

"Recently, Yoo Ah In underwent police investigation pertaining to propofol," Yoo Ah In's agency mentioned in a statement, as obtained by the outlet, adding, "He is actively cooperating in all investigations regarding this and we plan to proactively address the aspects that are a problem."

Unfortunately, because of the controversy, his current and upcoming project is also affected.

In the same report, each production company and related parties have reportedly started a countermeasure meeting and keeping a close eye on the results of the investigation.

While the probe is still ongoing, it appears that the release schedule of some projects will have changes.

Yoo Ah In's Upcoming Projects

After Netflix's "Hellbound" Yoo Ah In is set to headline "Goodbye Earth." The upcoming K-drama is a thriller-psychological series based on the webtoon "The Fool at the End of the World." It depicts the journey of humans with only 200 days to live until Earth's collision with an asteroid.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Yoo Ah In's Name Gets Dragged Amid Itaewon Tragedy - Here's Why

Joining Yoo Ah In in "Goodbye Earth" as the lead star is "Hospital Playlist" actress Ahn Eun Jin as former middle school tutor Jin Se Kyung.

Adding to the list of the cast is Jeon Sung Woo as head Priest Damiano and "Shooting Stars" actress Kim Yoon Hye as combat service support battalion commander Kang In Ah.

Helmed by Kim Jin Min of Netflix's "My Name" and "Extracurricular," and penned by Jung Sung Joo of "Secret Love Affair," Yoo Ah In's new drama is on the stage of completing final preparations to start its production soon.

KDramastars owns this article

Written by Geca Wills
Joo Hyun Young spoke about her fangirling days to BIGBANG's G-Dragon during her appearance in Radio Star's "Surviving as an Actress."

Along with fellow guests Yoo Sun Yoon, Kwak Sun Young, and Gong Min Jung, the rising star showed off her charms and wit as she revealed her interesting activities as a fan of the South Korean legendary boy band.

Joo Hyun Young Once Posted Dating Rumors Involving BIGBANG's G-Dragon

According to the outlet, the 27-year-old actress shared that she used to follow G-Dragon in Cyworld, a South Korean social network service that is similar to today's Facebook. Joo Hyun Young even confessed that she used to post photos of her and the BIGBANG member and even wrote an article about the K-pop idol.

"So I wrote it like an article and manipulated comments like 'GD and Joo Hyun Young, hold hands while taking a walk at night,'" sparking dating rumors about the top star.

The actress also confessed that she and her friends would often do this on social media.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Joo Hyun Young Celebrates 27th Birthday in a Remarkable Way

Joo Hyun Young became one of 2022's breakout stars after joining the cast of "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," headlined by Park Eun Bin, Kang Ki Young, and Kang Tae Oh. She took the role of Woo Young Woo's best friend and spiritual pillar Dong Geu Rami.

Although Young Woo seemed strange due to her autism spectrum disorder, Dong Geu Rami appeared even stranger in some ways, making the viewers love their friendship.

G-Dragon Was the Inspiration Behind the 'Woo Young Woo' Dance

At the height of the "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" craze, a dance challenge became a huge trend that featured Woo Young Woo and Dong Geu Rami's moves.

In the K-drama, it showcased a special greeting between two best friends as they introduced themselves by saying, "Woo to the Young to the Woo," and "Dong to the Geu to the Rami," while doing a circular hand motion, and ending it with a dab.

Interestingly, viewers found it funny and trendy that it quickly took over social media by storm.

Even top celebrities like BTS' Jimin and RM, SEVENTEEN's Hoshi and Mingyu, ASTRO's Cha Eun Woo, and even BIGBANG's G-Dragon hopped on the trend and uploaded videos of themselves doing the dance challenge.

During her appearance on Radio Star, Joo Hyun Young revealed that the inspiration behind it was the BIGBANG member.

"In the first script, it was written 'Woo Young Woo Young Woo, Dongdongrami.' "I changed it to a hip feeling because I thought it would be weird and embarrassing to do it," she said.

She opted to get inspiration from the intro of BIGBANG's "Last Farewell" with the lyrics that say "B to the I to the (G)-bang bang." The gestures are also similar to the "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" viral greeting.

KDramastars owns this article

Written by Geca Wills
People mourn over the bodies of earthquake victims outside a hospital in Antakya, southeastern Turkey, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. Immigration Minister Sean Fraser says Canada may fast track applications to come to Canada for people in the earthquake zones of Turkey and Syria. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Khalil Hamra
Kennesaw State professor gives southern hip-hop a voice

KENNESAW, Ga. | Feb 9, 2023

Regina N. Bradley Many people spend a lifetime searching for their passion. But Regina N. Bradley found hers as a teenager growing up in the 1990s in Albany, Georgia.

Raised by educator grandparents in a city steeped in civil rights history, Bradley, associate professor of English and African Diaspora Studies at Kennesaw State, said she loved two things  reading and hip-hop music.

After graduating with honors from Albany State University with a degree in English, she left the South to pursue a masters degree at Indiana University in African American and African Diaspora Studies.

But her Southern roots were strong as was her interest in hip-hop. It was during a graduate course that she began looking further into the music genre and realized that Southern hip-hop wasnt part of the larger culture conversation. After earning a Ph.D. at Florida State University, Bradley focused her research on the intersection between hip-hop and story of the South, post-civil rights movement.

I just decided, Well, Im going to do something about this, Im going to show how Southern hip-hop was not only integral to hip-hop culture, but why it has a significant role in history, she said.

OutKast, one of Bradleys favorite groups, has featured prominently in her work. According to Bradley, much of OutKasts music tells the story of the South and can be used to explain how coming-of-age Black Southerners in the decades following the Civil Rights Movement used the groups fusion of genres, including funk and gospel, to break away from the era and create new cultural perspectives.

Since she discovered her ability to fuse her love of Southern hip-hop with research that traces Black Southern youth identity through a particularly difficult period in history, Bradley has become a prominent voice and leading scholar on contemporary Southern Black life and hip-hop culture.

Her book, Chronicling Stankonia: the Rise of the Hip-Hop South, was named to Georgia Center for the Books list of Books All Georgians Should Read; she is the co-founder of a Southern hip-hop podcast called, Bottom of the Map that she co-hosts with music journalist Christina Lee; she has appeared in multiple media outlets as an expert on the genre, including for a Netflix docuseries; and she has even delivered a TEDx talk about the significance of hip-hop in bridging the American Black South to the present and future.

Just to be able to share scholarship that people can relate to and dig into and have conversations about is just the icing on the cake for me, she said. Im trying to make space for Southern hip-hop studies, so Im really thankful that Chronicling Stankonia is resonating with folks this way.

John Havard, chair of the Department of English, said Bradley is loved by her students, whom she teaches to explore and learn about their own cultures, as well as new ones.

She is someone all KSU faculty and staff should be proud to know as a colleague. Her scholarship, most notably her book Chronicling Stankonia, represents KSUs ideal of interdisciplinary research with relevance at its best, Havard said, adding that the book illustrates Bradleys fluency in sound research, literary history, and cultural rhetoric. She successfully brings this vast knowledge and sensitivity to Southern cultures and identities into the classroom, where students universally praise her engagement, knowledge, commitment to inclusive classrooms.

For Bradley, its just as important to teach students that they can study what theyre truly passionate about, no matter the subject, and make it a major part of their academic and professional careers, as it is to teach regular course material.

She said being so widely recognized for work she loves is fulfilling. But even more fulfilling, she says, is watching students think more critically about their favorite pop culture topics or phenomenon.

It means a lot to me to be able to work in a space that falls at the crossroads of Black identity in the South, popular culture that has meant so much to me and then to be able to watch my students try to connect those same dots in their lives, she said. Its really cool to be able to hold the door open for the folks that are coming behind me, and hopefully getting these accolades presents an opportunity to make sure those voices continue to come through the door.

 By Thomas Hartwell

Photo submitted

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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 43,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The universitys vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
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In this episode, we have Taylor Gurley, a professor of occupational therapy as our guest. She will be discussing the new recommendation by the United States Preventive Services Task Force for primary care physicians to screen their patients for mental health concerns, specifically anxiety. The recommendation comes after a peak in the prevalence of mental illnesses in 2020, with 1 in 3 young adults experiencing a mental illness leading to a 31 percent increase in mental health-related emergency room visits. Taylor will be talking about how occupational therapy can be a pathway to meaningful care for patients, and how it can be used as an early intervention method. Tune in to learn more about how occupational therapy can help patients with anxiety and how it can be integrated into primary care.

Taylor Gurley is a professor of occupational therapy.

She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, U.S. adults should get routine anxiety screening. But then what?

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With so many demands on their time, physicians today report record levels of burnout. Burnout is caused by many factors, one of which is clinical documentation. Studies indicate physicians spend two hours documenting care for every hour spent with patients.

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Raise your hand if you said you wanted to become a doctor to help people during your medical school interview. I see practically every hand in the room raised. Keep them raised if you told your interviewer you also wanted to become a doctor to overcome personal trauma.

Everyone lowered their hands.

Im dismayed there are no honest people here, I joked to attendees at an annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), where I conducted a workshop on PTSD in Physicians with two colleagues.

And so, I launched into my presentation to the standing-room-only crowd. Most of the attendees were psychiatrists. Psychiatrists suffer a relatively high rate of PTSD because they are exposed to aversive details of their patients traumatic experiences, not unlike first responders exposed to serious injury or death. Physicians from other specialties also attended the workshop; emergency medicine physicians and rural primary care physicians have much higher rates of PTSD compared with the general population.

Indirect exposure to trauma, also called vicarious or secondary traumatization, has long been overlooked by the medical profession as a possible cause of PTSD. However, according to a 2011 study published in the Archives of Surgery, nearly 80 percent of residents and physicians faced either an adverse event or a traumatic personal event in the preceding year. Whereas the lifetime prevalence of PTSD among U.S. adults is approximately 7 percent, its roughly twice that percentage for medical students, residents, and practicing physicians.

Previously, only individuals who suffered direct trauma (e.g., physical attacks, natural disasters, and severe motor vehicle accidents) were considered candidates for a diagnosis of PTSD. But following changes in the DSM-5 in conjunction with health threats associated with the coronavirus pandemic and the recent increase in mass shootings and killings in the U.S., including watching violent media coverage, the incidence of vicarious trauma appears to be on the rise.

When I asked for a show of hands by the workshop participants, it was unclear whether the type of trauma they might have considered was primary or secondary. I suspect both were in play, if for no other reason than I have personally experienced the effects of direct and indirect trauma.

I recently wrote that one of the main reasons I wanted to become a doctor was to acquire the skills and knowledge of a physician and apply it in a nonclinical field, for example, health insurance or big pharma. But reflecting on my past, I also felt pushed toward medicine  psychiatry, in particular  hoping I would learn how to deal with the trauma I suffered during childhood and adolescence.

Many aspiring medical students admit to being attracted to medicine because of personal, medically-related experiences such as a serious illness in themselves or a family member. I bet that personal trauma is also a factor, except few admit it, as witnessed in the workshop.

I searched trauma as a motivation factor to become a doctor and came up empty. Yet, medical school applications are replete with students accounts of surviving cancer and other near-death experiences. Perhaps the students dont see it as trauma and instead justify their reasons for wanting to become a physician (apart from helping others) as improving the quality of life and taking steps toward disease prevention.

The trauma I suffered was nothing as serious as cancer or a life-threatening event, but it was life-changing. During my formative years, I endured the type of trauma that leaves a permanent scar on your psyche, takes away your confidence, and robs you of an identity. Im talking about teasing, bullying, and peer rejection.

Some of it was due to my physical appearance; obesity can be insufferable, resulting in nicknames such as rhino and plump pig. I was targeted because of my religious beliefs and was physically assaulted while my attacker yelled, dirty Jew. I grew up with a sadistic older brother (we have since made amends). When he wasnt calling me Laz the load, he coaxed me into fighting older children. I was a pawn in his scheme to test a hypothesis that weight and physical girth were superior to muscle mass and strength (it wasnt).

Adverse childhood experiences are strongly correlated with PTSD. My first memory in life occurred when I was approximately six months old. It was traumatic. I remember being in an old age home with funky smells. My parents handed me off to my immigrant grandparents. I did not want to be with them. I immediately began crying. I found solace only when I was returned to the comforting outstretched arms of my mother.

Shortly afterward, at home, with my mother away and my father at work, our housekeeper put me in my crib for an afternoon nap. I wasnt tired. I did not want to sleep. I began crying. The housekeeper slammed the door to my room. I cried myself asleep.

I guarantee these are not false memories, nor is it impossible to remember events as early as the first year of life. Many have a lingering effect. Although my experiences were traumatic, they were not unique. We all suffer psychologically damaging incidents growing up  some of us more than others  and we tend to keep them hidden. How many of us aspire to become doctors partly because, consciously or not, we seek to be healed of our trauma or learn how to render first-aid to ourselves?

When you add the trauma from our childhood plus the secondary trauma from practicing medicine, do we not see ourselves as wounded warriors? As physicians, we are considered worthy to serve the suffering, but are we not worthy of salvation? Any physician who has not yet dealt with trauma should run  not walk  to a trauma specialist and seek their help and guidance.

At the APA workshop, a young psychiatrist bravely shared a personal account. She had been working at a VA hospital for several years and was currently going through a divorce. She felt traumatized by what was happening at work and in her personal life. She was most upset about treating veterans and listening to the unimaginable horrors of combat. She broke down and started to cry as she related her story.

I have periodically kept in touch with this psychiatrist. I am happy to report she entered therapy, left her husband, and left practice for a nonclinical career. She is doing well.

However, a substantial proportion of patients who seek treatment for PTSD continue to remain symptomatic, with impaired levels of functioning. This lack of progress in PTSD treatment has been labeled as a national crisis, calling for an urgent need to find a more effective therapy. The first step, however, is recognizing that, as healers, we are highly vulnerable to trauma, beginning early in life and continuing throughout our practice years.

Arthur Lazarus is a psychiatrist.
Fort Polk, LA (71446)

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Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph..

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Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.
A lawyer accused of dangerous driving causing death has also been charged with dangerous driving causing serious harm at Kilkenny District Court.





James Hardy of 172 Wright Avenue, Toronto, Ontario was charged with dangerous driving causing serious harm at the R712, Blanchfield, Cliften, Co Kilkenny on June 4, 2022.

Garda Joe Reville gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution and told the court that the defendant replied no comment after the charge.

The defendant is also accused of dangerous driving causing the death of Ollie Heslin (42), of Castleroe, Maganey, Co Kildare on June 4 at the R712, Blanchfield, Cliften, Co Kilkenny.

State Solicitor, Gerry Meaney told the court that there was no objection to extending bail.

Garda John OHalloran told the court that he served a book of evidence on the defendant.

Mr Meaney said that there are two charges before the court and that the DPP has indicated trial on indictment in respect of the matters before the court.

The DPP has consented that the defendant be sent forward to the next sittings of Kilkenny Circuit Court on February 21, he said.

Judge John Brennan issued an alibi warning in relation to the new charge.

Defence counsel asked for the defendant to be excused from appearing in court on February 21 as he is resident in Canada.

There is no difficulty with that, said Mr Meaney.

Judge Brennan fixed bail on the defendants own bond of 50,000 with a cash lodgement of 35,000 as per the conditions on the original bond and matters were adjourned to the next sittings of Kilkenny Circuit Court on February 21.

The court previously heard that the defendant is a lawyer in Toronto who studied in the UK and spent some time lecturing at an American university before returning to the UK where he completed his articles to work as a lawyer in Canada and secured residency. He has lived there since 2017 and owns a home with his girlfriend.
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Actress Pauline McLynn is calling on people to be aware of the signs of a stroke, after losing both her parents to the medical condition that results in more 6,000 hospital admissions in Ireland each year.

The Irish Heart Foundation is campaigning to raise awareness of the signs after figures showed that fewer than half of stroke sufferers get to hospital in time to receive what could be lifesaving treatment.

McLynn, best known for her role as Mrs Doyle in the sitcom Father Ted, lost her 86-year-old mother, Sheila, to a stroke last October.

That was 17 years after a stroke also claimed the life of her father, Padraig, who was 69.

I expect it might be written in the stars somewhere for me and its simply because my parents have gone that way that I want to highlight it so that people are aware, she said.

The 60-year-old is supporting the Act FAST  Minutes Matter campaign by the Irish Heart Foundation to drive greater awareness of a strokes key warning signs.

A stroke happens when the blood flow to the brain is interrupted; an ischemic stroke is when a blood clot blocks an artery leading to the brain.

The FAST test encourages people to check the main symptoms of a stroke: is the patients face drooping? Are their arms weak? Is their speech slurred? If so, time is of the essence in seeking help.

McLynn, speaking at an event at Dublin Castle on Tuesday, said: The FAST message is simple and Id like to think, if my name is on one, that there will be someone close by who will know what to do.

It is just reminding people to think that way if they have any suspicions  its better to be safe than sorry, and time is the one to remember.

Figures from the Irish National Audit of Stroke (Inas) report published last week show that only 46% of stroke patients arrive at hospital within the recommended three-hour window  down from 59% nine years ago.

The report analysed the data of 34,630 stroke patients admitted to hospital between 2013 and 2021.

It showed there was a 23% increase in stroke admissions with a reduction in the proportion of patients aged 80 and older and an increase in patients aged 64 and younger.

There was an increase in the proportion of patients who suffered a stroke being discharged home with early supports, from 2% in 2017 to 10% in 2021, but this is well below the 46% reported in the UK.

The in-hospital mortality rate for patients with ischaemic stroke decreased from 10.1% in 2013 to 7.2% in 2021.

Fast assessment and treatment by a doctor can limit severe damage and improve a persons recovery from a stroke.

Speaking about the sudden death of her father, McLynn said: He was at work in Mayo, having his lunch one day, and had a massive stroke. He ended up in Castlebar Hospital and, 10 days later, he died.

His (brain) electrics went, but physically he had a great rest and looked fabulous. He just had one of those devastating strokes from which there was no coming back.

He would have been thrilled with that  he didnt want to grow old and he didnt like old people!

Sadly, my mum, who had a number of other things wrong with her and was in Galway hospital (UHG), also had a massive stroke.

But despite losing two parents to it, it doesnt make me feel theres no hope  the quicker someone can be treated, the better the prognosis.

Its amazing the amount of people who have had strokes  and a number of people I know survived them.

The Galway-raised former EastEnders and Shameless star is in Kilkenny this month, filming a new murder mystery, The Inheritance, for Channel 5.

She remembers her parents as super, lively and mischievous.

We were brought on holidays every year to the seaside, picnics at the weekend, and we were never discouraged from doing anything, she said.

I drifted into drama and acting and they never once took me to one side, they were very open-minded.

Although despising New Year resolutions, she has embraced sea swimming and promised herself a full MoT  also joining a gym near her home in the Phibsboro area of Dublin, where she enjoys aqua-aerobics several times a week.

I am starting to look after myself a little more, Im a bit fitter now.

One of the things I learned after becoming involved in the stroke campaign is that there is such hope  the quicker you deal with it, the better your chances of survival.
Its almost 700 years since Alice Kyteler was accused of witchcraft in medieval Kilkenny but her presence still lingers vividly.

Her unfortunate servant Petronella de Meath was condemned to death and executed in her place, being burned alive on November 3, 1324 in front of a large crowd on a main Kilkenny street.

Her confession, made after being tortured detailed making potions, consulting demons and acting as a medium between her mistress Alice, and a demon.

Today two businesses in Kilkenny are named after these women; Petronellas restaurant in the Butterslip and Kytelers Inn, the site of Alices home but what do we know about the women before the accusations of witchcraft were levelled?

Petronella has the distinction of being the first person in Ireland to be condemned for witchcraft and the first case of convicted heresy resulting in the death sentence.

She was reportedly unrepentant for her crimes but the fact that she was tortured to obtain her confession, colours that observation.

Also, because Petronella was of a lower social class there is less documentation about her so we know less about her personally, except that she was Kyteler's close confidante.

Alice fled Kilkenny and disappeared into oblivion after the witch hunt: she was literally never seen or heard of again.
Kilkenny schools are being encouraged to take part in the SuperValu Lets GROW initiative in partnership with GIY.

This is a brand new partnership that aims to put homegrown food centre-stage in classrooms across Ireland by enabling 50,000 children to learn how to grow food at school.

This nationwide campaign is being run by the not-for-profit social enterprise, GIY and it is the start of a three-year partnership with SuperValu.

Through SuperValu Lets GROW, classrooms will be provided with the tools for food growing and food literacy education. The SuperValu Lets GROW pack provides schools with everything they need to start growing their own vegetables, including packs of seeds, compost discs and pots for growing, as well as teacher resource packs with curriculum-linked lesson plans and activities. The pupils at Scoil Mhuire gan Smal will join over 50,000 other children to take on the challenge of growing their own food, starting on their classroom windowsills this Spring.

Helping to launch the initiative Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD said:

I am delighted to be here today to launch the SuperValu Lets GROW initiative in association with GIY, which delivers classroom-based food growing and food literacy education. This initiative puts growing food firmly back on the table for students, leading to the development of lifelong skills that will support healthier living. Over 50,000 students across Ireland will have the opportunity to grow their own food, as they will be provided with seeds, compost discs, pots for growing and lesson plans. I believe this initiative holds benefits for students far beyond the classroom and look forward to seeing the students growing success this year.

Speaking at the launch, GIY Founder and CEO Michael Kelly explained how impactful the simple act of sowing seeds can be for children. SuperValu Lets GROW is designed to connect pupils with the magic of plants and the wonder of nature, which has a profound effect on how children think about food. Through our work, we know that by growing their own food children develop a greater curiosity and understanding of how food is produced and how it gets to our tables. Perhaps most importantly, research consistently shows that children who grow some of their own vegetables are more likely to eat more vegetables  a vital habit to support healthier people and the planet. Our research also shows us that through growing food and getting their hands into the earth there are huge mental health and well-being benefits for children.

Joining GIY at the launch was SuperValu Managing Director Ian Allen, who said:

We are delighted to launch our SuperValu Lets GROW campaign in partnership with GIY. At SuperValu, we are passionate about fresh food and we want to share this passion with schools across Ireland. By encouraging children to get involved and grow their own fruit and vegetables, we can instil a life-long interest in food and making healthy choices. Not only this, the SuperValu Lets GROW campaign will encourage schools to take on projects that go beyond the classroom, inspiring students to get involved in their local communities for decades to come, through initiatives like SuperValu TidyTowns. 

Schools across the country are encouraged to register online from today at www.supervaluletsgrow.ie to receive a free classroom growing kit while supplies last.

Each SuperValu Lets GROW classroom pack includes seeds for cress, peas, salad leaves, pumpkins and sunflowers. There are also 32 compostable pots, 32 magic compost discs and expert GIY resource booklet with growing guides, lessons and activities created by GIY and lots of classroom goodies.
Award-winning chef Michael Thomas previously of Waterford Castle Hotel has been appointed new Head Chef in Restaurant, Bar and Boutique Hotel, Zuni.

Bringing a wealth of knowledge, experience and a passion for top class food, Michael is taking the reins in Zuni at a time when the city's culinary community is gaining well deserved national recognition with Kilkennys recent award for Foodie Destination of the year.

Michael, who is originally from Loughboy in the city, has returned to his native place to continue his successful career. Having trained in Waterford Institute of Technology, he has gone on to work in many prestigious kitchens throughout Ireland over his 22 years as a chef, including Lacken House under Eugene McSweeney, Waterford Castle Hotel for four years as the resort Head Chef, Hayfield Manor as Head Chef and the Radisson in Sligo as Senior Sous Chef.

Michael won "Best Chef of Ireland 2017" along with the "Best Chef Regional Winner of Munster" at the YesChef Awards 2017 and has also received two AA Rosette Awards. Michaels passion for food started at a young age and came from his Mother and Grandparents. He describes working as a chef as a hobby rather than a job.

Michael reinforces Zunis excellent reputation for using local produce and supporting local producers in Kilkenny and some of the produces featured on their menu are vegetables from Eamon Wallace, rapeseed oil from Second Nature oils in Urlingford, Duck from Mary and Tony in Kilkenny Free Range and fish from Mag Kirwan in Goatsbridge Trout Farm, to name just a few. Kilkenny has a longstanding reputation for producing amazing food, Michael says Home is where good food is, and thats Kilkenny.

Zuni has had a busy year with the addition of 14 new bedrooms. Paul Byrne, owner of Zuni, sees the appointment of Michael as another important development in their reputation as one of the finest restaurants in the South East.

We are delighted to welcome Michael to Zuni. I am excited for the future of great food in Zuni. Michael has an abundance of culinary experience and flair which will further enhance the high-quality food we produce in our kitchen, said Paul.
Kilkenny gaelcholaiste Colaiste Pobail Osrai was a tour de force in the National Finals of Gael Linns Scleip Music Competition.

The competition, for schools to enter music acts who compete through Irish, is run by Gael Linn, and held finals in Dublin following regional finals before Christmas. Colaiste Pobail Osrai had three acts progress to the final.

Sixth Year Adam O Draighnean won 1st Prize in the Ceol Uirlise Aonair Sinsear / Senior Solo Instrumental category playing a self-composed jazz piece on piano.

Second Year student Seth O Scanlain also took home 2nd Prize in the Ceol Uirlise Aonair Soisear / Junior Solo Instrumental category also on the piano, playing Seven Rings by Ariana Grande.

Rock band The Donnys, comprising of 3rd and 6th Year students, won 1st Place in the Grupa Sinsearach / Senior Group category with their Irish-language translation of Thin Lizzys Rosalie.

The biggest win on the day was the last prize announced at the closing ceremony, with The Donnys named as the overall winners of Scleip Prize 2023. The judges praised their performance, charismatic stage presence, and abundant talent on show when playing in front of the crowded auditorium.

Check out The Donnys on Insta - @TheDonnysBand

The students were supported by fellow students and teachers on the day, in particular Muinteoiri Siobhan Ni Fhearghail and Grainne Sabhaois, who have worked to prepare the students for the competition each year. The school has a great track record in the competition, taking home top prizes for many years now. The 2023 triumph follows the wins of rock band Salann Min in the Senior Group category in 2022 and soloist Stephanie Nic Giolla Phadraig who took home the top prize in the Senior Vocalist category in 2021.

There are no end to the musical talents on offer in Colaiste Pobail Osrai, and the school is very proud of all the acts who took part. They must surely be tipped as ones to watch on the music scene in years to come. Comhghairdeas leo ar fad!
A long line of artistic trailblazers have been cultivated from the land that sweeps the banks of the Nore over the years.

One artist all-too-often left on the margins is the prodigious talent of William John Hennessy.

Born in Thomastown in 1839, William John Hennessy was brought up in a household that valued Irish cultural traditions.

Williams father, John, was a Young Irelander. He advocated for the revival of the Irish language and for the study of Irish history from a young age to further the aims of Irish nationalism.

Fearing a rebellion, the British Government ruled in 1848 that Young Irelanders could be arrested without trial, putting the family at risk.

The danger of persecution forced John Hennessys hand and the patriarch fled the country alone, as an exile, landing in Canada in 1848 before settling down in New York City shortly after.

Back in Ireland, William, his mother Catherine and his brother summoned the funds to join their father in New York in 1849.

The United States offered a fresh start and fresh opportunities for young William, as it has for the many generations of Irish immigrants that have landed on its shores.

Pursuing his interests, he began drawing while still in his early teens.

At 15 he attended the National Academy of Design to study fine art painting, a feat illustrating his talent.

Hennessy exhibited at the National Academy in New York in 1857 and was elected as a full member only six years later in 1863.

The predominant medium of his work was painting (oil and watercolour) but he was also a very skilled sketch artist, woodcarver and illustrator.

He went on to win commissions to illustrate the literary works of many famous poets including Lord Tennyson, Henry Longfellow and John Whittier.

William would become lauded both in the art community and among the public for his slice of life painted scenes that synthesised the atmosphere of French Naturalism with the skilled precision of the Pre-Raphaelite artists.

Two famous examples of his work are The Pride of Dijon (1879), an iconic depiction of romance, and The Votive Offering' (1875).

The Pride of Dijon (1879)

Hennessy went on to co-found the Artists Fund Society in New York City. The society assisted members and their families in cases of illness, old age, and death and even assisted non-members in cases of great distress.

He became an honorary member of the American Society of Painters in Watercolours soon after.

William and his wife Charlotte eventually moved to London in 1870, joining a large expatriate community there, and he became a welcome member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters in 1902.

The Royal Hibernian Academy displayed a number of his paintings between 1879 and 1907.

He passed away in Sussex, England in December, 1917.
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

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Thunderstorms this evening will give way to steady rain overnight. A few storms may be severe. Low 49F. SW winds shifting to NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

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Thunderstorms this evening will give way to steady rain overnight. A few storms may be severe. Low 49F. SW winds shifting to NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
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US President Joe Biden delivers remarks on his economic priorities at a Laborers' International Union of North America training center in DeForest, Wisconsin, on February 8.
On February 8, Twitter users briefly encountered various issues with the platform, including the inability to tweet, send direct messages or follow new accounts.
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Today

Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.

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Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.

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Isolated thunderstorms in the morning becoming more widespread in the afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 88F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], February 9 (ANI/SRV): Venture Care, a Pune & Cambridge-based MNC Professional firm, has added value by developing the AI-powered Venture Suite for the next generation of business owners and investment bankers. Venture Suite is an AI-based, integrated platform for founders. It integrates all aspects of technology and professionals' expertise for the founders.

Before starting any AI project, it's critical to understand how data collection and analysis relate to artificial intelligence. The days of AI being referred to as the future are long gone. The future is now. AI can be used in almost any business strategy. The platform's mission is to make raising capital for businesses easier and more efficient from the founders' point of view. The concept has been bolstered by the development of an AI-powered platform that offers a range of expert-led services and startup management tools.

Also Read | North Korea Shows off Largest-ever Number of Nuclear Missiles at Nighttime Parade  Latest Tweet by Reuters.

In recent years, a lot of businesses have enthusiastically embraced AI to get the most out of the data they are already collecting. Think about the following:

- According to Grand View Research, the size of the global AI market was USD 62 billion in 2020, and from 2021 to 2028, it is projected to grow at a rate of 40.2 per cent annually.

Also Read | Wall Street Ended Lower as Main Stock Indexes Slipped. Alphabet Was the Biggest Drag on   Latest Tweet by Reuters.

- In McKinsey's "The state of AI in 2021" survey, 56 per cent of respondents report implementing AI, up from 50 per cent of respondents in 2020.

- According to Accenture's AI report, 84 per cent of C-suite executives believe utilizing AI will help them achieve their growth goals.

These figures demonstrate that AI is no longer a cutting-edge technology used only by a few niche companies. In many businesses worldwide, it has made its way to being a crucial part of operations.

The Venture Suite platform, which combines AI, investment bankers' professional expertise, and related services for early-stage to established startups, provides a comprehensive solution to this issue with quick results and low costs. The platform seeks to help entrepreneurs in the top startup ecosystems around the globe, such as those in North America, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Asia and Middle Eastern countries.

According to CS Abhishek Kumar, the founder-entrepreneur, Venture Suite is already providing great opportunities to founders. More than 20 startups have received assistance with fundraising, marketing, investor outreach, and other critical business functions in the last 3 months.

He stated that he wanted to help founders, who must typically approach 100-200 investors before raising a few million dollars for their seed round--and hundreds more before even approaching that figure. A startup receives funding at a 400-to-1 ratio on average. Numerous dollars and hours are spent without ensuring success. However, a founder doesn't only face problems with funding. The entire process of establishing a startup is full of multiple challenges that necessitate a one-of-a-kind approach on multiple levels. Venture Suite is exactly the solution for this conundrum. The platform includes a variety of tools to aid the founders' work, including Outreach CRM, Investors Catalogue, Pitch Hosting, Data Vault, Assisted Fundraising, Founders' School etc.

In the founder's words, "We aim to be the most preferred platform for founders to scale their startups quickly." They have a substantial network of start-up experts and a built-in facility that can provide direct access to more than 150,000 VCs, PEs, family offices, and angel investors on the platform to help businesses scale. They will also continue to improve the platform until the typical startup processes are completely automated. Abhishek stated.

As the startup revolution spreads around the world, solutions like the Venture Suite become more important for streamlining founder processes and facilitating better startup management. The founder-first approach and "for entrepreneurs by entrepreneurs" philosophy will assist the platform in accessing and scaling data from within the startup framework and from the founder's perspective.

To know more, visit - https://venture-suite.com/ and https://venture-suite.com/assisted-fundraising/

This story has been provided by SRV. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/SRV)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Hollywood superstar Leonardo DiCaprio is quite impressed to see the Assam government's efforts in stopping rhino poaching in the northeastern Indian state. Taking to Instagram, the Titanic star penned a note, applauding Assam's accomplishment in ending the poaching of the endangered greater one-horned rhinoceros in Kaziranga National Park. Leonardo DiCaprio Not Dating Teen Model Eden Polani - Reports.

He wrote, "In 2021, the government of the Indian state of Assam set out to end the poaching of the Endangered Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros in Kaziranga National Park following the killing of around 190 animals for their horns between 2000 and 2021. In 2022, they met their goal and no rhinos were poached in the area for the first time since 1977."

"Kaziranga National Park is home to 2,200 Greater One-horned Rhinos, which is about two-thirds of the world's population. This triumph in India also comes with more good news, as @wwf also reports that the world population of the rare rhino soared to around 3,700 from about 200 at the turn of the 20th century," Leonardo added. Assam's Kaziranga National Park (KNP) - located in the floodplains of the Brahmaputra river - is the biggest habitat for one-horned rhinos globally and draws visitors from across the globe.In 2015 and 2016, the number of rhinos killed by poachers was 17 and 18, respectively, which subsequently declined to two in 2020 and 2021 and zero in 2022. Jeff Bezos Girlfriend Lauren Sanchezs Awkward Reaction After She Meets Leonardo DiCaprio at the Art Gala in Los Angeles Goes Viral (Watch Video).

Read The Post Here Which Leonardo DiCaprio Shared:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Leonardo DiCaprio (@leonardodicaprio)

Leonardo is an ardent environmentalist. His work to help animals is equally extensive. Through his LDF (Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation) projects, he's worked to protect endangered species. Reportedly, In 2010, LDF donated USD 1 million to an innovative Nepalese conservation project to preserve the country's wild tiger population. The LDF has also funded projects to protect the Black Rhino in Tanzania, the lowland gorilla in Central Africa, and the snow leopard in Central Asia. The LDF also pledged USD 7 million in funds towards marine conservation initiatives at the 2014 Our Oceans conference.
Kanker (Chhattisgarh) [India], February 9 (ANI): Seven school children were killed and four severely injured after the auto-rickshaw they were in collided with a truck in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district, officials said.

According to Inspector General (IG) Bastar, P Sundarraj, "The accident took place near Korar village in Kanker district."

Also Read | A Day in the Parliament and PMO: PM Narendra Modi Shares Arunachal Pradesh Student Lopoli Melo's Article, Says You Will Enjoy Reading This.

"The injured students were rushed to a nearby hospital in Korar, he said.

Condoling the loss of lives in the incident, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel tweeted, "The news of the death of 5 school children in a collision between an auto-rickshaw and a truck at Korar Chilhati Chowk in Kanker district is heartbreaking. Four children were seriously injured in the incident and all possible help is being extended by the health department to them. May God give courage to the families of the dead. Instructions have been given to the administration to provide all possible help."

Also Read | Uttarakhand: Bringing Anti-Copying Law Soon, Youths Shouldn't Let Themselves Be Misled, Says CM Pushkar Singh Dhami.

Further information is awaited. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai, February 9: Air India has finalised an order for around 250 aircraft with Airbus and the deal is expected to be announced next week, a source said on Thursday. The source in the know also said the airline has signed a deal with Boeing for about 200 planes.

Specific details could not be immediately ascertained and there was no immediate comments from Air India about the deals. The Tata group-owned Air India is expanding its operations as well as fleet. Air India Urinating Incidents: Airline CEO Campbell Wilson Asks Staff To Report Any Improper Behaviour on Aircraft to Authorities at the Earliest.

On January 27, Air India chief Campbell Wilson said the airline is finalising a historic order of new aircraft. Air India, earlier under the ownership of the government, had acquired new aircraft more than 16 years ago. Air India Urination Horror: Couldve Handled These Matters Better, Committed To Take Action, Says CEO Campbell Wilson.

It has not purchased a single aircraft since 2005 and the last order was for 111 aircraft -- 68 with Boeing Co and remaining 43 with Airbus -- and that deal was worth USD 10.8 billion.

The source told PTI that the deal with Airbus for around 250 planes has been finalised and the announcement is likely next week. The deal is likely to include 40 wide-body Airbus A350s and Air India will be the first Indian carrier to operate the aircraft.

In the past, Air India had operated wide-body A330s. On Wednesday, aviation consultancy CAPA said Indian carriers are likely to place orders for up to 1,700 planes by 2024 and Air India may make the first move with some 500 planes order.

Currently, Indian carriers operate less than 50 wide-body aircraft, an insignificant number for such a significant market. In contrast, Emirates alone has a fleet of over 260 wide-bodies, CAPA had said.

Recently, IndiGo started wide-body operations on India-Turkey route with a wet-leased B777 and plans to induct two more such planes.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Guwahati (Assam) [India], February 9 (ANI): Assam Police has so far arrested 2,763 persons in connection with the cases related to child marriage across the state, police said on Thursday.

According to the data shared by Assam police, 216 persons have been arrested in Hojai, 184 in Nagaon, 183 in Dhubri, 158 in Baksa, 146 in Barpeta, 140 in Biswanath, 128 in Morigaon, 121 in Bongaigaon, 118 in Hailakandi, 108 in Kokrajhar, 107 in Karimganj, 102 in Kamrup.

Also Read | Liquor Seized in Gujarat Should Be Sold in Other States, Says Ex-Congress MLA Lalit Vasoya.

Police have registered 4,135 cases related to child marriage across the state.

Assam government will soon formulate a rehabilitation policy for victims of child marriages following the recent action by the state police.

Also Read | Maharashtra: 57 School Children Suffer Suspected Food Poisoning in Pune.

The government is likely to announce assistance for those, whose husbands were arrested in the clampdown.

The Assam cabinet on Thursday directed the Assam Police to continue its drive against child marriage.

The Assam cabinet also formed a 3-member cabinet committee including state cabinet ministers Dr Ranoj Pegu, Keshab Mahanta and Ajanta Neog to prepare the rehabilitation policy and the government will decide after the submission of the report by the cabinet committee.

On Monday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma raised concerns about the prevalence of teenage pregnancies in the state.

"Our drive against child marriage is for public health and public welfare as the teenage pregnancy ratio in Assam is quite alarming - 16.8 per cent," Chief Minister Sharma Sarma said.

He further said, "We are resolved to continue this drive until we fulfil our objective. I urge the people to cooperate with us in controlling this harmful trend."

Sharing the district-wise data on teenage pregnancy, the Assam Chief Minister said that, Barpeta district has the highest teenage pregnancy ratio in the state with a ratio of 28.7 per cent in the year 2022.

The data revealed that a 27.9 per cent teenage pregnancy ratio had been registered in Dhubri and South Salmara followed by 24.1 per cent in Goalpara, 22.3 per cent in Bongaigaon, 21.9 per cent in Kokrajhar, 21.1 per cent in Darrang, 20.8 per cent in Morigaon, 19.4 per cent in Chirang, 18.8 per cent in Nagaon and Hojai district.

According to the data shared by Assam CM, Assam registered 6,20,867 pregnancies in 2022 out of which 1,04,264 were of below the age of 19.

Dhubri and South Salmara districts registered 51,831 cases out of which 14,438 were below the age of 19. On the other hand, as many as 64,941 pregnancies were registered in Nagaon and Hojai districts, out of which 12,188 are below the age of 19 years. (ANI)

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Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 9 (ANI): Maharashtra Congress on Thursday refuted the claim made by Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) mouthpiece 'Saamana' that the resignation of Nana Patole from the post of Speaker of the Assembly triggered the fall of the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.

In its response to the 'Saamana' column, the Congress said it was 'inappropriate' for the publication to link the fall of the MVA government.

Also Read | Rajasthan: Man Arrested With Explosives Ahead of PM Narendra Modis Visit to State.

Congress leader Atul Londhe said Patole did not make a hasty decision to resign as Speaker, as it was taken on the advice of the party's then national president Sonia Gandhi.

The chief spokesperson of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, Londhe said the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) should respect the decision of its alliance partner as it is central to the idea of a coalition.

Also Read | Jammu and Kashmir: In a First, Lithium and Gold Deposits Found in the Union Territory.

"The allegation that the resignation of Nana Patole as Speaker triggered the crisis in the MVA government is unfounded and baseless," Londhe told ANI.

"It is also not correct to say that the resignation of Patole as Speaker was the only reason why the MVA government plunged into a crisis and eventually fell. Other factors were involved. Also, the decision was an internal party matter," he added.

Londhe added that decisions in the Congress are taken after due consultations with the high command. "Our party president takes the final call which everyone has to accept. This was a decision taken by Sonia Gandhi in the interest of the party after assessing the political situation at the time," he said.

The working president of the Mumbai Congress, Charan Singh Saprab, said it is likely that Patole tendered his registration after holding discussions with the high command in Delhi.

"I think Nana Patole's resignation as Speaker must have been discussed with high command in Delhi and only then was the decision taken," he said. (ANI)

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New Delhi, February 9: A minor girl was allegedly abducted from near Jhandewalan Mandir in Delhi on Wednesday and was later abandoned near a temple, the police said.

Central Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police Shweta Chauhan said that the incident occurred when a woman and her daughter were standing on the streets in the area when two bike-borne assailants snatched her daughter and fled the spot. Delhi Shocker: Six-Year-Old Girl Kidnapped, Murdered by Neighbour in Kapashera Area, Body Dumped in Drain; Kin Allege Rape.

"We received two PCR calls at 5.16 pm and 5.21 pm on Wednesday regarding the abduction of the child from outside Rani Jhansi Road following the police's quick action in the matter," she said. Based on the information, several police teams swung into action to trace the girl. The DCP further said that a call was received at child helpline 1098 and the girl was found at Maurice Nagar in northeast Delhi. Delhi: Four Arrested for Thrashing, Attempting To Kidnap Man in Wazirabad.

"A case has been registered under IPC section 363 (punishment for kidnapping) at the DBG Road police station. Further investigation is in progress. The accused will also be arrested soon; probe underway," Chauhan said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Feb 9 (PTI) The Delhi government has impounded nearly 250 overage vehicles as part of a crackdown ahead of the G20 Summit, an official said.

Five million vehicles were deregistered between January and October last year and the Transport department's enforcement teams are maintaining a strict vigil.

Also Read | Maharashtra: 57 School Children Suffer Suspected Food Poisoning in Pune.

This is being done to ensure that such vehicles do not ply in Delhi in the run-up to the G20 Summit. They are also one of the biggest contributors of pollution, the official said.

Eighty teams have been mobilised around the national capital to impound such vehicles and send them for scrapping, he said.

Also Read | Congress Leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury Writes to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Over Rahul Gandhis Speech.

In 2018, the Supreme Court banned diesel and petrol vehicles older than 10 and 15 years, respectively, in Delhi. It had added that the vehicles plying in violation of the order would be impounded.

A 2014 order of the National Green Tribunal bars vehicles older than 15 years to be parked in public places.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Feb 9 (PTI) The Delhi government's policy that aims to legalise and facilitate operations of cloud kitchens here will be released in public domain soon, while the start-up policy will be sent to the Lt Governor for notification, according to an official statement.

The cloud kitchen policy was one of the key announcements made by the government last year in its Rozgaar Budget.

Also Read | Jammu and Kashmir: In a First, Lithium and Gold Deposits Found in the Union Territory.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who holds the finance portfolio, held a meeting with senior officials of the industries department on Thursday to review various projects which are near completion, the government statement said.

These projects include the Delhi government's cloud kitchen policy, the redevelopment of non-conforming industrial areas, the redevelopment of conforming industrial areas, the Dilli Bazar Portal and the startup policy.

Also Read | Earthquake in Turkey: NDRF Team Rescues 6-Year-Old Girl From Debris in Gaziantep (Watch Video).

Sisodia said continuous stakeholder consultations are being conducted by the Dialogue Development Commission of Delhi (DDCD) and other departments in the course of formulation of policies and schemes that will benefit businesses across the national capital.

The government will release the cloud kitchen policy soon. It aims to legalise, regularise and facilitate operations of cloud kitchens here, the statement said.

The booming business in the food and beverages sector has great potential to create many job opportunities in the future, it added.

During the meeting, the officials told the deputy chief minister that formalities for framing the cloud kitchen policy have been completed and very soon it will be released in the public domain.

The startup policy aims to provide an enabling ecosystem for an innovation-based economy to help Delhi become a global innovation hub. It will provide fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to the youth who want to build their own startups, the statement said.

The policy intends to encourage, facilitate and support thousands of startups by 2030.

Officials told Sisodia that the policy has been approved by the cabinet and will be shared with the Lt Governor for notification soon.

The key objective of the Dilli Bazaar portal is to help local sellers reach a larger customer base worldwide with their products and services. Every seller on the platform will have its own storefront to enable them to showcase their shops and products through detailed product catalogues. This will create an additional virtual store.

The government is also in the process of finalising the technicalities for the Dilli Bazaar app which will play a pivotal role in the implementation of this project, the statement added.

The Delhi government will take up the redevelopment of conforming industrial areas to utilise the dysfunctional and sick land parcels on existing industrial areas to increase economic activity and generate employment opportunities.

This will give a boost to warehousing, IT/ITeS and the cloud kitchen industry, the statement said. The first project will be taken up in the Jhandewalan FFC from next month.

The Delhi government aims to redevelop nearly 25 non-conforming industrial areas in the next five years which has the potential to create thousands of job opportunities in this sector.

Under this project, measures will be taken to make these areas green, clean and sustainable. The government will also engage with developers to effectively mobilise basic services and infrastructure in the area, it said.

The layout for the project has been prepared and will be implemented soon. The deputy chief minister has also directed officials to work out on a plan to make all industrial areas of the national capital world-class, the statement said.

To give a boost to Delhi's economy and create more job opportunities in the electronics industry, the government is set to develop an Electronic City at Baprola in South West Delhi. Soon an electronic system design, manufacturing and refurbishment policy will also be formulated to facilitate the industries in setting up their businesses in Delhi, the statement said.

Sisodia directed the officials to explore more possibilities for development of Delhi as a hub of high-end electronics and refurbished electronics market. http://ptinews.com/images/pti.jpg We bring the World to you" Disclaimer : This e-mail message may contain proprietary, confidential or legally privileged information for the sole use of the person or entity to whom this message was originally addressed. Please delete this e-mail, if it is not meant for you.

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Thane, Feb 9 (PTI) A 50-kilogram cake was cut in Thane to celebrate the birthday of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who turned 59 on Thursday, while the opposition Nationalist Congress Party added political colour to the occasion by cutting a cake depicting a 'khokha', street lingo for a crore.

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Shinde became CM with the help of the Bharatiya Janata Party in June last year after he and 39 Shiv Sena MLAs rebelled against Uddhav Thackeray and brought down the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

Also Read | Bihar Shocker: Village Head Killed in Gopalganj, CSP Owner Shot at in Sitamarhi.

Since then, the MVA, comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP and Congress, have routinely alleged Shinde and his band of rebels took "crores of money" or several "khokha" to switch sides.

During the day, Shinde also inaugurated the road overbridge (ROB) over the railway tracks in Kopri in the district.

Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and several other leaders visited the Thane residence of Shinde to greet him on his birthday, while the CM himself went to Anand Ashram, the office complex from where his mentor Anand Dighe ran the undivided Sena in the region.

Shinde also celebrated his birthday with the specially-abled children of Kisan Nagar, the ward of the Thane Municipal Corporation from where he started his political career in the 1990s.

An activist of Shinde's Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena offered 59 free autorickshaw rides to people in the city to mark the occasion.

Meanwhile, the Thane unit of the NCP used the birthday celebrations of one of its members to take a swipe at Shinde with NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad cutting a cake depicting a 'khokha'.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Agartala (Tripura) [India], February 9 (ANI): With almost a week left for the Tripura elections, parties have stepped up their game as they release their manifesto for the elections.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President JP Nadda and Chief Minister Manik Saha released the party's manifesto on Thursday.

Also Read | Maharashtra: 57 School Children Suffer Suspected Food Poisoning in Pune.

While addressing the public meeting, Nadda said, "When BJP brings out a 'Sankalp Patr', a vision document, it's not only a piece of paper, it is BJP's commitment towards the people."

Nadda further said, "Tripura was once known for blockades and insurgency. The state is now known for peace, prosperity and development."

Also Read | Rajasthan: Man Arrested With Explosives Ahead of PM Narendra Modis Visit to State.

He added, "13 lakh Ayushman Bharat health cards have been given in Tripura, with Rs 107 crores given in settlement, till now."

JP Nadda launched a scathing attack on the Congress-Left alliance in Tripura ahead of the Assembly election and said the alliance was "opportunistic in nature" and had "no ideology".

While talking to ANI, the BJP President said, "This alliance is opportunistic in nature. It has no ideology. They have formed an alliance to grab the seats. They do not understand that their alliance does not mean the voters get together and support them. Voters do not go by mathematics but by chemistry and relevant issues."

"The Congress-Left alliance is unethical and has no synchrony. We are experienced. The same thing happened in Uttar Pradesh. Samajwadi Party did an alliance with Congress and BSP. The results are in front of everybody. It was a big zero. The same results would be seen here," he added.

Earlier on February 6, Trinamool Congress (TMC) released the party's election manifesto with a key promise to provide two lakh jobs in five years.

The party promised 50,000 jobs in the first year itself.

The TMC said all existing government vacancies would be fulfilled and startup incubators would be set up in the eight districts of the state.

According to its manifesto, the party would give Rs 1,000 per month to one lakh unemployed youths, including to the 10,323 school teachers who lost their jobs in 2017 due to faulty recruitment if it comes to power.

Besides, the party's key promises include, an additional secretariat in North Tripura to manage affairs of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), Rs 10,000 annual assistance to farmers, 2,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and the implementation of several schemes already operational in West Bengal.

TMC is in full mood to spread its influence beyond West Bengal and is mulling to give a tough fight to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tripura and are contesting the polls in Mamata Banerjee's face.

On the other hand, the BJP is also gearing up for the polls, with Chief Minister Manik Saha conducting a door-to-door campaign on February 6, morning.

Saha held a door-to-door campaign in Goalabasti and Masterpara (Gita Mandir) in Agartala on Sunday ahead of Tripura assembly elections.

The minister visited the area and met the local people and urged them to cast their votes in the election.

While speaking to ANI, the Chief Minister said, "We've got a wonderful response from the public. The way people supported us in 2018, I believe the people's support has increased by many levels."

"I truly believe that this time we can win a record number of seats in the Tripura elections. The main reason for this is our Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His work has reached even the last person in this country," added Saha.

Stressing various schemes and the work of the central government, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said, "Be it Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), Nal se Jal Yojana, Ayushman Bharat Yojana, Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana or electricity, our Prime Minister has addressed every issue. In our state, we have also worked with the same passion and dedication."

"The double-engine government has worked and a lot of many schemes have been implemented. We have reached a 100 per cent saturation point with schemes in the state. That is why people of the state support us," he said.

Meanwhile, Tripura CPI(M) secretary Jitendra Choudhary hinted that his party may ally with Tipra Motha, a regional front, in the upcoming Assembly election.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Choudhary said his party was in talks with the regional front for an alliance.

Choudhary said he had a conversation with the Tripra Motha chairperson Pradut Kishore Deb Barma on the filing of nominations for the upcoming election.

The CPI(M) leader said, "I had a conversation with the Tipra Motha chief (about an alliance). He said the front has not named any contestant from Sabroom, from where I am contesting."

However, Amid the buzz of a possible alliance with BJP, the Tipraha Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance (Tipra Motha) Chief Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barma has clarified on Friday that 'no alliance' will be formed with anyone in the upcoming state assembly polls.

Sharing a video for his supporters on Twitter, he said, "A lot of people have speculated in the last three days that we are about to form an alliance. I have said it before and I am saying it again that unless we get in writing from the government of India that our demands will be met constitutionally, I will not form any alliance. I don't blame the people who don't believe it. Because in 46 years, after 1977, every regional Tiprasa political party has gone to Delhi and has come back with an agreement before the election. But after the election, Tiprasa doesn't get anything."

"I have said this before and am repeating it, we will not compromise on our demands. We went to Delhi to discuss and we heard them. If we didn't go, they would've mentioned it that despite the invitation, we skipped the meeting," added Pradyot.

While speaking about the meeting, Pradyot said, "One thing is clear in my heart that they haven't given anything in writing. I want to inform all my TIPRA Motha warriors and the entire Tiprasa that there will be no alliance in this election."

"Either we'll win or we'll lose, but this time we'll fight for one last time," Pradyot assured his supporters in the video.

The northeast region has turned into a saffron belt with Assam electing the BJP twice in 2016 followed by 2021 and then Manipur which elected the BJP government in 2017 and 2022. The party is hopeful that they will be able to form the government for another consecutive term in Tripura as well.

The elections for the 60 seats are scheduled to be held on February 16. In Meghalaya and Nagaland, voting is to be held on 27 February. The counting of votes for all three states will be held simultaneously on March 2. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Lucknow, February 9: Prime Minister will visit Lucknow on Friday to inaugurate the Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit 2023, read a statement by Prime Minister's Office.

The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit 2023. He will also inaugurate Global Trade Show and launch Invest UP 2.0, added the press release. Global Investors Summit To Open Doors of Opportunities for Youth in Uttar Pradesh, Says CM Yogi Adityanath.

Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit 2023 is scheduled from 10-12 February 2023. It is the flagship investment summit of the Government of Uttar Pradesh. It will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, academia, think tanks and leaders from across the world to collectively explore business opportunities and forge partnerships. Global Investors Summit 2023 and G20 Meet: Lucknow Airport Prepares for Massive Rush From February 10 to 15.

Investor UP 2.0 is a comprehensive, investor-centric and service-oriented investment ecosystem in Uttar Pradesh that endeavours to deliver relevant, well-defined, standardised services to investors.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], February 9 (ANI): One of the northeast Delhi violence accused Shahrukh Pathan on Thursday withdrew his plea in the Delhi High Court alleging an assault on him in the jail premises by officials here.

However, the High Court granted him the liberty to move a plea for an early hearing in a similar plea before the trial court, which listed the matter for hearing on February 28.

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Justice Amit Sharma dismissed the plea as it was withdrawn by the counsel of Shahrukh Pathan. The bench granted him the liberty to move an application seeking an early hearing in the case before the trial court.

Shahrukh Pathan's counsel also submitted that no order for taking steps to ensure the safety and security of the applicant or to preserve the CCTV footage has been issued by the trial court.

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In view of the submission, the bench said that if a similar plea is pending before the trial court then it would be appropriate for the applicant to move a plea for an early hearing.

Recently, the Karkardooma court discharged Babu Wasim who was accused of supplying illegal weapons to Shahrukh Pathan. The court noted that there was no incriminating evidence, except the disclosure statements of the two accused.

The weapon was allegedly used to fire upon head constable Deepak Dahiya as well as the general public protesting on Seelampur Road during the northeast Delhi riots on February 24, 2020.

On December 7, 2021, the court framed charges against accused persons Shahrukh Pathan alias Khan, Ishtiyak Malik alias Guddu, Shamim and Abdul Shehzad under Sections 147, 148, 186, 188, 353, and 307 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) read with Section 149 IPC.

Additional charges against accused Shahrukh Pathan for the offence were registered under Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act while against accused Kaleem Ahmed for the offence under Section 216 IPC.

As per the prosecution, accused Shahrukh Pathan was arrested on March 3, 2020, where he disclosed that in December 2019, he purchased a pistol and 20 rounds from Babu Wasim by paying Rs 35,000.

Sharukh Pathan has been facing trial and is lodged in the Tihar jail for allegedly pointing a gun at head constable Deepak Dahiya during the riots in the Jafrabad area in February 2020 during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act.

According to police, Pathan, after the incident in February, initially kept roaming in the national capital before slipping away to Punjab and Uttar Pradesh's Shamli, from where he was arrested by the Crime Branch later.

In February 2020, clashes broke out in the northeast area of Delhi between rival groups regarding the Citizenship Amendment Act, which led to the deaths of at least 53 people. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kochi (Kerala) [India], February 9 (ANI): A special team has been constituted to probe the alleged stone-pelting at Union Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs V Muraleedharan's house in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Thursday.

The police are investigating the matter, he said.

Also Read | Indian Citizenship Renounced by 2.25 Lakh People in 2022, Says Government Data.

"A special team has been formed to probe the incident of stone-pelting which resulted in the breaking of a window pane at MoS MEA V Muraleedharan's house. Police are investigating the matter. We will find out what really happened," the chief minister said.

Earlier, unidentified people pelted stones at the house of the Union minister's residence in Thiruvananthapuram, breaking a glass window pane, police said on Thursday.

Also Read | Indian Firms Paying an Average Rs 8.2 Crore for Email-Driven Cyber Attack: Report.

The window pane of the minister's house in Ulloor was found smashed. ANI has accessed photographs showing the smashed window pane.

Further, according to information, Muraleedharan was not present at the house when it was vandalised.

According to sources, the house help found the window pane smashed and informed relatives and party workers about the incident.

Police said those behind the incident were yet to be identified but an investigation is underway.

Meanwhile, BJP supporters took out a protest to the Medical College police station alleging security lapses that led to the stone-pelting incident. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Feb 9 (PTI) Twitter users in India looking to avail the blue tick mark for their accounts will have to shell out Rs 900 under the monthly plan for mobile phones, an update from the microblogging platform said on Thursday.

The social media platform has priced Twitter Blue at Rs 650 for web and Rs 900 per month for mobile app users.

Also Read | Union Home Minister #AmitShah Will Review the Passing out Parade of Indian Police Service   Latest Tweet by IANS India.

"Blue subscribers with a verified phone number will get a blue checkmark once approved," Twitter said.

The microblogging platform has also rolled out an annual plan that will cost Rs 6,800 for users on web.

Also Read | Earthquake in Turkey: NDRF Team Rescues 6-Year-Old Girl From Debris in Gaziantep (Watch Video).

Last year, Twitter CEO Elon Musk had announced that Twitter Blue will cost USD 8 (about Rs 660) per month, but it will be priced differently for various markets.

Twitter further said it will soon prioritise tweets from verified users. It will continue showing advertisements to the Blue subscribers but it will 50 per cent less than general users.

Twitter Blue subscribers will also get to edit their tweets up to five times within 30 minutes, upload longer and full high definition videos and link profile pictures to NFTs owned by the user.

"Subscription plans are prepaid, non-refundable (unless required by law), and automatically renew at the end of each subscription period unless the subscription is cancelled following the cancellation procedures," Twitter said.

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Dehradun, Feb 9 (PTI) A protest by youths against recruitment examination paper leaks in Uttarakhand turned violent when the protestors clashed with police personnel and hurled stones at them here on Thursday.

The police resorted to a lathicharge to disperse the protestors. Some youths were injured in police action.

Also Read | Tamil Nadu: DRI, Indian Coast Guard Recover 12 kg Gold Dumped in Sea off Mandapam.

The clash between the protesters and the police caused a long traffic jam from Clock Tower to Rajpur Road.

Unemployed youths had staged a dharna here on Wednesday demanding a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in different recruitment examinations held by the Uttarakhand Public Service Commission.

Also Read | PDA Banned in NIT: National Institute of Technology-Calicut Prohibits Public Display of Affection on Campus.

The youths were angry as police had allegedly forced them to lift their dharna on Wednesday.

The Congress reacted sharply to the "coercive manner in which the voice of youths was being silenced" by the state government.

The party will hold demonstrations in every district on Friday in protest against the atrocity against the youths, PCC vice president Mathura Dutt Joshi said.

Earlier on Thursday, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami appealed to the youths not to let themselves be misled by anyone, saying efforts are on to ensure that recruitment examinations are held in the state in a transparent way.

"We are soon going to bring the strictest anti-copying law in the country. It will be ensured that use of unfair means in recruitment examinations stops completely and they are held in a transparent manner. We will see to it that no injustice is done to the youth," Dhami said.

"Our government is making decisions in favour of the youth. We have granted reservation to our sisters and daughters in government jobs. Everyone's interest will be protected. My request to the youth is that they should not allow themselves to be misled by anyone," he said.

The government has got irregularities in recruitment examinations thoroughly probed and the guilty have been sent behind bars, the chief minister said.

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New Delhi, Feb 9 (PTI) Revenue Intelligence officers have seized 17.74 kilograms of gold valued at over Rs 10 crore from seabed off the Tamil Nadu coast, after it was thrown by smugglers from a fishing boat.

In a joint operation, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), with the help of the Indian Coast Guard, intercepted a fishing boat after a chase in the sea near the Mandapam coast, with foreign origin gold weighing 17.74 kg valued at Rs 10.1 crore approximately, the finance ministry said.

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The gold was hidden in a parcel containing 14 packages of foreign origin gold in various forms -- varying sizes of bars, chains, and sticks, and tied in a towel. Three persons involved in the said smuggling have been apprehended and being interrogated.

The DRI developed an intelligence that a gang based in Vedhalai/Mandapam, Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, were planning to smuggle huge quantities of gold from Sri Lanka through a fishing boat. The intelligence also revealed that three persons in the fishing boat would collect the gold in the high seas and are planning to land in the coast of Mandapam.

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With this seizure, DRI, Chennai Zonal Unit, has so far seized 209 kg of foreign-origin gold in this financial year 2022-23. The all India gold seizure by DRI is 950 kg (approx.) in this financial year.

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Washington, February 9 : It looks like Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has found love again! According to People Magazine, a US-based media house, Bill Gates is dating Paula Hurd - the widow of Mark Hurd. Mark Hurd was the the CEO of software company Oracle and the one-time boss of Hewlett-Packard. He passed away in 2019. Twitter Blue Now Available in India; Here's How Much You Need to Pay for Blue Tick.

"It's widely known that Bill Gates and Paula Hurd are dating, but she hasn't met his kids yet," a source told People Magazine. Gates and Hurd were photographed seated side by side during the Men's Singles Final at the Australian Open last month. Xiaomi 13 Pro India Launch Date Officially Announced; Know Specs and Other Key Details Here.

The news comes nearly two years after Gates and his ex-wife Melinda French Gates announced their divorce after 27 years of marriage. In August 2021, their divorce was formalised.

Bill and Melinda have three children: Jennifer, 26, Phoebe, 20, and Rory, 23. Jennifer is expecting her first child with her husband Nayel Nassar and is "due any day," according to a source close to People Magazine.

Bill and Melinda announced in May 2021 that they would be ending their marriage after 27 years, saying, "we no longer believe we can grow together as a couple in this next phase of our lives."However, the duo said they will continue to work together at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Meanwhile, the foundation said at the time that the organization was planning a two-year trial period to see if the pair could continue working together effectively. "If after two years either decide they cannot continue to work together as co-chairs, French Gates will resign her position as co-chair and trustee," CEO Mark Suzman said. In the weeks following the initial announcement of the divorce, Gates faced allegations of questionable workplace conduct in the early years at Microsoft.

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Moscow, Feb 9: An apparent gas explosion in an apartment building in the south-central Russian city of Novosibirsk on Thursday morning killed at least seven people, including a 2-year-old child, according to local emergency services.

Regional Gov. Andrey Travnikov said nine people had been taken to the hospital, with two in intensive care. Ukraine-Russia War: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Seeks Weaponry in Surprise Visits To UK and France.

Earlier, authorities had said ten people, including two children, who may have been inside when the explosion occurred at 7:43 am remained unaccounted-for.

The nature of the injuries is varied  there are combined injuries, burns, and carbon monoxide poisoning, Travnikov said.

The explosion caused two entrances of the five-story building to collapse, with 30 apartments destroyed by the ensuing fire.

A criminal case has been opened on the incident, which preliminary data suggests was caused by a gas leak. Volodymyr Zelensky Breaks Security Protocol To Hug BBC Ukraine Reporter During Press Conference in UK, Sweet Video Goes Viral.

The Ministry of Housing and Public Utilities of the region said that the gas system of the building was checked in September 2022.

Novosibirsk is the biggest city in Siberia and Russia's third-largest by population.

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Washington/Beijing, Feb 9 (PTI) China has violated the sovereignty of not just the United States but of countries across five continents, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said, days after American fighter jets shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon.

Earlier this week, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman briefed diplomats from about 40 friendly nations, including India, Japan and Australia, over the Chinese surveillance balloon.

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The huge balloon was shot down on by a US fighter jet on Saturday off the coast of South Carolina in the Atlantic Ocean. It had hovered over continental America for several days after entering the US airspace on January 30 in Montana.

US officials have described the balloon as being about 60m tall, with the payload portion comparable in size to a regional aircraft.

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China has acknowledged that the balloon was theirs but denied that it was for surveillance purposes rather for weather monitoring and that it had drifted off course.

The US, however, has asserted that it has enough evidence to prove that this was a surveillance balloon. It accused China of intruding on its sovereignty and violating international laws.

China on the other hand has alleged that the United States has violated international law by shooting down its balloon.

According to a report of The Washington Post, based on interviews with several anonymous defence and intelligence officials, China has operated a fleet of spy balloons targeting several countries including India and Japan.

At a joint news briefing on Wednesday with the visiting NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Blinken said, "The United States was not the only target of this broader programme which has violated the sovereignty of countries across five continents."

"In our engagements, we are again hearing from our partners that the world expects China and the United States to manage our relationship responsibly. That's precisely what we've set out to do. We continue to urge China to do the same," he told reporters.

Reacting to the statements from Washington, China on Thursday repeated its stand that the large unmanned balloon was a civilian meteorological airship that had accidentally blown off course and that the US had "overreacted" by shooting it down.

Responding to questions at a foreign ministry briefing in Beijing, ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that she has not heard of China possessing a "fleet of balloons."

"I am not aware of any "fleet of balloons"," Mao said.

"That narrative is probably part of the information and public opinion warfare the US has waged on China. As to who is the world's number one country of spying, eavesdropping and surveillance, that is plainly visible to the international community," she said, referring to the US.

On Tuesday, the Pentagon said that China has declined Washington's request for a telephonic call between US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Beijing counterpart Gen Wei Fenghe.

On Wednesday, Stoltenberg said the Chinese balloon over the United States confirms a pattern of Chinese behaviour, and it has been seen that Beijing over the last few years has invested heavily in new military capabilities, including different types of surveillance and intelligence platforms.

"We have also seen increased Chinese intelligence activities in Europe  again, different platforms. They use satellites, cyber, and as we've seen over the United States, also balloons.

"So, we have to be vigilant. We need to be aware of the constant risk of Chinese intelligence and then step up what we do to protect ourselves," the NATO secretary general said while highlighting that security is not regional but global.

What happens in Asia matters for Europe, and what happens in Europe matters for Asia and also North America, he said.

"This message was confirmed during my visit to Japan and South Korea last week, where those close partners of NATO very much highlighted the importance of strengthening the cooperation between NATO and our partners in the Indo-Pacific to address the challenges that China poses to our security, values, and interests," Stoltenberg said.

Defense Department Spokesperson Gen Pat Ryder told reporters at a Pentagon news conference that the US is in the process of updating its international allies and partners.

"Clearly, we maintain an intelligence-sharing relationship with many countries, and so as we have information to provide and as we currently are, we will share that information, he said.

Ryder said that Chinese balloons have been spotted in various parts of the world.

"When you look at the scope of this (Chinese balloon surveillance) programme and the fact that we know that these balloons have been spotted, and what we now can subsequently assess to be Chinese balloons operating over at least five continents in regions like Latin America, South America, Southeast Asia, East Asia and Europe.

"It demonstrates why, for the Department of Defense, China remains the pacing challenge, and something that we'll continue to stay focused on," he said.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that these balloons are all part of a "Chinese fleet" developed to conduct surveillance operations, which have also violated the sovereignty of other countries.

"Over the past several years, Chinese balloons have previously been spotted over countries across five continents. We have been in touch with allies and partners on this issue," she said.

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Ankara [Turkey], February 9 (ANI): The sixth plane from India carrying rescue personnel, essentials and medical equipment for earthquake relief efforts have reached Turkey, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday.

The sixth flight carries more rescue teams, dog squads, and essential medicines for the quake- hit country.

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Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar wrote, "The sixth #OperationDost flight reaches Turkiye. More search and rescue teams, dog squads, essential search & access equipment, medicines and medical equipment ready for deployment in the relief efforts."

On his official Twitter handle, the EAM posted pictures of a field hospital in Turkey where medical experts are preparing to treat emergencies.

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Following the deadly earthquakes on February 6 the death toll in Turkey and adjoining Syria have surpassed 15,000 lives in both countries.

"This field hospital in Hatay, Turkiye will treat those affected by the earthquake. Our team of medical & critical care specialists and equipment are preparing to treat emergencies," Jaishankar wrote on Twitter.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi said that the field hospital under 'OperationDost' has been set up at Iskenderun, Hatay province in Turkiye by the Indian Army.

India is providing assistance to Turkey through the ongoing crisis after earthquakes jolted the country on February 6.

Turkey's Ambassador to India Firat Sunel has described 'Operation Dost' as a "very important operation" and demonstrated the friendship between the two nations.

Firat Sunel made the remarks at the Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad from where Indian Air Force's C17 Globemaster aircraft with the NDRF team, medical equipment, relief equipment, took off for Turkey, as part of the ongoing 'Operation Dost.' He said, "Operation Dost is a symbolic operation. It already proves that we are friends. We have to deepen our relations."

Speaking to ANI, Firat Sunel said, "Operation Dost is a very important operation. And this is the operation of friendship because DOST is the word in Hindi and Turkish which means friends. And this operation shows our friendship between India and Turkey and friends always help each other.

"Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan, who was also present at the Hindon Airbase, has said that India stands ready to extend support to the people of earthquake-hit Turkey.

Speaking to ANI, Muraleedharan said that there are four teams working on the ground in Turkey, including two rescue teams, dog squads and two medical teams. He said that India has already opened a field hospital in Turkey.

The earthquake of magnitude 7.7 on the Richter scale ripped through Turkey and Syria on February 6, followed by a series of aftershocks that caused huge devastation, loss of lives and damage to infrastructure in the two countries. (ANI)

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Missouri, Feb 9 (AP) The attorney for a man who was executed this week is calling for an investigation, accusing Missouri officials of moving ahead with the lethal injection while federal appeals were pending.

Raheem Taylor, 58, was executed Tuesday night for the 2004 deaths of his girlfriend and her three children in suburban St. Louis. Taylor claimed he was out of state when the family was killed.

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Investigators don't deny he was in California when the bodies were found but a medical examiner determined the victims had died up to three weeks earlier  at a time when Taylor was still in Missouri.

The innocence claim was turned aside repeatedly in the days leading up to the execution. St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell, a Democrat, declined to ask a judge for a new hearing, stating the facts are not there to support a credible case of innocence.

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Republican Gov. Mike Parson denied clemency, saying evidence showed that Taylor committed these atrocities and a jury found him guilty.

The Missouri Supreme Court declined to grant a stay on Monday, and the US Supreme Court did the same about two hours before the execution.

While appeals over Taylor's claims of innocence had been exhausted, Taylors attorneys asked a federal appeals court and the US Supreme Court for a stay because Taylor's spiritual adviser, Anthony Shahid, was not allowed to be in the execution room.

A Supreme Court decision last year allows inmates to have spiritual advisers near them at executions. The appeal also questioned why two lawyers who supported Taylor couldn't witness the execution.

It was being appealed at the time they killed him, Kent Gipson, an attorney for Taylor, said Thursday.

And although there technically wasn't a stay in place, they've never done this before  this has never happened before in almost 100 executions. That's what's disturbing about it.

Taylor's lawyers urged an internal investigation by the Missouri Department of Corrections and investigations by other law enforcement agencies.

Madeline Sieren, spokeswoman for Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, said there was no reason not to move ahead with the execution.

As there was no stay in place, the Attorney General's Office fulfilled its legal obligation to notify the Governor's Office and the Department of Corrections at the appropriate time that there was no legal impediment to carrying out the execution warrant set forth by the Missouri Supreme Court, Sieren said in a statement on Thursday.

Missouri Department of Corrections spokeswoman Karen Pojmann said Taylor initially declined to have Shahid with him for the execution. He changed his mind over the weekend but by then it was too late to change the witness list because the prison needs time to conduct background checks, Pojmann said. The lawyers also sought approval to be witnesses too late, she said.(AP)

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Bangkok, Feb 9 (AP) Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Thursday that his government is committed to helping Thailand solve a Muslim insurgency in its far south but does not condone the use of violence to end the conflict.

Anwar spoke after meeting in Bangkok with his Thai counterpart, Prayuth Chan-ocha. It was Anwar's first visit to his country's northern neighbor since he took office last November. He has previously met with leaders from Indonesia, Brunei and Singapore.

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Their talks covered a range of economic and security issues, but a top joint concern is the Muslim separatist insurgency in Thailand's deep south, which has taken the lives of about 7,000 civilians, soldiers, government workers and rebels since it flared in 2004.

The fighting in Thailand's three southernmost provinces, the only ones with Muslim majorities, is intermittent but brutal, with the separatists carrying out drive-by shootings and bombings, and the government accused of torturing suspects and other abuses.

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Southern Thai Muslims  whose ethnicity, culture and language differ from the Buddhist majority  believe they are treated as second-class citizens and have the sympathy of many Malaysians, about 60 per cent of whom are Muslim.

Malaysia has hosted and facilitated peace talks between the separatist groups and the Thai government, but little progress has been made. Anwar has expressed particular interest in the efforts and appointed a former top Malaysian general to be the chief facilitator.

Addressing reporters after meeting with Prayuth, Anwar said his country is committed to assisting Thailand in finding a solution to the violence in the south.

It is unfortunate because these small skirmishes have led to a lot of tensions, some sort of resentment and distrust, so we have to appeal to all forces both in Thailand, and in the south and even some in Malaysia, to understand and appreciate that peace must be paramount, of paramount consideration, he said.

I come here with a very clear, categorical message that the government of Malaysia will not condone any sort of violence to resolve any conflict, Anwar said.

We will exercise our right as friends  to express our concerns, our legitimate concerns, whilst acknowledging that south Thailand is purely an internal issue within Thailand. But it is our duty as good neighbours and family to do whatever is required and necessary to facilitate the process.

Anwar, referring to what he called the trust deficit between southern Thai Muslims and the Thai authorities, said he believes it is his duty to see that their concerns about religion, culture, and language are addressed. He added that Prayuth agrees on the importance of economic development in the region.

Anwar also said that the two leaders discussed the more contentious issue of Myanmar, where violence continues after the military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021.

He called for Thailand and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to come up with viable actions to ease, if not solve, the crisis because of its ramifications throughout the region.

Both leaders also had the opportunity to exchange views on the current international and regional challenges and expressed satisfaction with the longstanding cordial relations between Thailand and Malaysia," Thailand said in its statement about the meeting.

They reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen the bilateral cooperation and collaboration at all levels, and to seek new cooperation for Thailand-Malaysia border area to become peaceful and prosperous Golden Land.'

It said the two leaders set a goal of achieving USD 30 billion in bilateral trade by 2025, in part by strengthening linkages between special economic zones in Thailand's southernmost provinces and Malaysia's northern states.

The zones are meant to promote development through industrial and agricultural projects supported by infrastructure improvements.(AP)

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Abuja (Nigeria), Feb 10 (AP) Nigerian authorities Thursday directed all universities to shut down for nearly three weeks for this month's presidential elections, citing security concerns.

The National Universities Commission said "concerns expressed on the security of staff, students and properties of our respective institutions," were a factor in the decision, in a letter to universities signed by Chris Maiyaki, its deputy executive secretary.

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On February 25, Nigerians will elect a successor for President Muhammadu Buhari, as well as state governors and lawmakers. An unprecedented 94 million are registered to vote.

The decision to close the country's more than 200 universities from February 22 to March 14 followed "extensive consultations with the relevant security agencies", Maiyaki said.

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Nigeria is battling various armed groups in its northwest and southeast, while overstretched security forces continue to fight decade-long extremist violence in the northeast.

In recent years, gunmen have targeted universities in the troubled northern region, with hundreds of students abducted and later freed  sometimes in exchange for ransoms.

In addition to ensuring the safety of students, the university closure will also let students enrolled at faculties in other parts of the country return where they're registered to vote, Haruna Lawal Ajo, the university commission's director of public affairs, told The Associated Press. Nigeria's electoral law doesn't allow people to vote away from where they're registered.

With students comprising 28% of the electorate, the planned closure could boost election-day turnout that has been low in previous voting. Only 34 per cent of eligible voters cast their ballots in the 2019 presidential election, the lowest turnout since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999.

"Most of the students are above 18 and have vote cards, they can exercise their civic right," Ajo said. (AP)

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Boston (US), Feb 9 (AP) A proposal to let Massachusetts prisoners donate organs and bone marrow to shave time off their sentence is raising profound ethical and legal questions about putting undue pressure on inmates desperate for freedom.

The bill  which faces a steep climb in the Massachusetts Statehouse  may run afoul of federal law, which bars the sale of human organs or acquiring one for valuable consideration."

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It also raises questions about whether and how prisons would be able to appropriately care for the health of inmates who go under the knife to give up organs. Critics are calling the idea coercive and dehumanizing even as one of the bill's sponsors is framing the measure as a response to the over-incarceration of Hispanic and Black people and the need for matching donors in those communities.

"The bill reads like something from a dystopian novel," said Kevin Ring, president of Families Against Mandatory Minimums, a Washington, D.C.-based criminal justice reform advocacy group. "Promoting organ donation is good. Reducing excessive prison terms is also good. Tying the two together is perverse."

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The bill would create a Bone Marrow and Organ Donation Programme within the state Department of Correction to allow incarcerated individuals to receive a reduction in their sentence of between 60 days and a year on the condition that they have donated bone marrow or organs.

Democratic state Rep. Judith Garcia, one of the sponsors of the bill, said it was filed in response to what she called the health inequities stemming from "the vicious cycle of unjust incarceration and over-policing of Black and Brown communities."

Black and Hispanic communities are at higher risk for health conditions that might require organ donation, and discriminatory incarceration rates eliminate many likely donor matches from the pool leading to longer waitlists for African Americans compared to white individuals, she added.

To be sure, the need for life-saving organs is great: There are more than 4,600 individuals in Massachusetts  and nearly 1,06,000 people in the US  awaiting an organ transplant.

About 28 per cent of those in Massachusetts identify as Black, Hispanic or Latino, according to data collected by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network.

But critics say the measure goes about it the wrong way.

Offering reduced sentences in exchange for organs is not only unethical but also violates federal law, according to George Annas, director of the Center for Health Law, Ethics and Human Rights at the Boston University School of Public Health. Reducing a prison sentence is the equivalent of a payment, he said.

"You can't buy an organ. That should end the discussion," Annas said. "It's compensation for services. We don't exploit prisoners enough?"

Democratic state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez, another co-sponsor of the bill, defended the proposal, calling it a voluntary programme. He also said he's open to establishing a policy that would allow inmates to donate organs and bone marrow without the lure of a reduced sentence. There is currently no law against prisoner organ donation in Massachusetts, he said.

"It's not quid pro quo. We are open to setting policy without incentives," Gonzalez said, adding that it is "crucial to respect prisoners' human dignity and agency by respecting their choice to donate bone marrow or an organ."

Garcia and Gonzalez are both members of the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus.

In 2007, South Carolina also sought to offer prisoners a reduced sentence in exchange for donating an organ. After criticism of the proposal, the state instead created a voluntary tissue and organ donation program for prisoners without offering any reduced sentences in exchange. Federal prisoners are allowed to donate organs, but only when the recipient is a member of the inmate's family.

The Massachusetts bill would create a committee to decide the amount of bone marrow and organs that must be donated to earn a sentence reduction. The bill would set a maximum of "not more than 365 day reduction" in their sentence for any prisoner who participated in the programme.

The Department of Correction would be barred from receiving any payments for bone marrow donations.

The bill appears to face unlikely odds in the Statehouse. It has only a handful of legislative supporters and Democratic House Speaker Ronald Mariano sounded a sceptical note this week.

"It's kind of an extreme way to get your sentence reduced," he said. "I don't know if it makes much sense." (AP)

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Havana, Feb 9 (AP) Pope Francis hopes Cuban authorities will release and grant amnesty to people arrested and sentenced after the historic protests that took place in 2021, Cardinal Beniamino Stella, who travelled to the island as the pontiff's special envoy, said Wednesday.

During an act at the University of Havana to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's visit to the island, Cardinal Stella also said the Catholic Church hopes that Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and US President Joe Biden can hold talks amid current tense relations between the countries.

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Stella, who arrived in Cuba in mid-January and will remain there until February 10, recalled the figures of Father Felix Varela and Jose Marti, considered national heroes in Cuba, and emphasized the need for understanding among Cubans.

Asked by journalists about the possibility the Catholic Church could intercede to have Cuban authorities grant amnesty to people imprisoned during the 2021 protests, the first in decades on the island, Stella said he had talked with the pontiff about the issue before the trip to Cuba.

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"The Church wants, seeks, has manifested this proposal (amnesty)," said Stella. "I think the issue is on the table... The Pope very much wants there to be a positive response, whether it is called amnesty, clemency, the words can be secondary, but it is important that the young people who at one point expressed their thoughts... they can go back to their homes."

According to non-governmental groups, about 1,300 people were arrested following the protests. Some of the demonstrations turned violent, including looting and rioting, and one person was killed. Authorities reported about 700 sentences handed down related to the protests, with sentences ranging from a fine and community work to up to 30 years in prison for sedition.

The protests took place amid a severe economic crisis, shortages and blackouts. Human rights groups and some governments, including Washington, harshly criticized the island for what they considered the repression of free demonstrations by Cubans.

Meanwhile, Havana maintains that it did not repress opponents, but only punished illegal activities like rioting, vandalism, and sedition.

The Catholic Church has political influence in Cuba and on previous occasions has interceded successfully for the liberation of government opponents.

In 2010, thanks to the mediation of the Catholic Church and Spain's government, a group of opponents who had been imprisoned since 2003 were released and some chose to leave the country.

The Cuban government accused anti-Castro groups based in Florida of promoting riots during the 2021 protests through social networks amid a complex economic situation caused by the paralysis during the pandemic and the increase in US sanctions during the administration of then-President Donald Trump. (AP)

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Kampala, Feb 9 (AP) A woman victimised by a World Health Organisation doctor during a recent Ebola outbreak in Congo said she is shocked that no senior officials were punished for the sexual abuse and exploitation claims involving dozens of women in the conflict-ridden country.

On Monday, the AP reported on a confidential UN report that excused senior staffers for their mishandling of the case due to a loophole in how WHO defines victims of such behaviour.

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Anifa, a young Congolese woman who worked at an Ebola treatment center in Beni during the outbreak, said she could not understand WHO's seeming excusal of misconduct.

It is a shame for WHO to give work to the kinds of men who do not respect women, she said, declining to share her full name, for fear it could hurt her future job prospects.

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Anifa said she had been offered a job by a WHO doctor in exchange for sex during the Ebola epidemic, but refused. The AP does not identify victims of sexual abuse.

Perhaps WHO does not consider us because we are Africans? she asked.

As long as I am alive, I will hate the entire World Health Organisation until (the perpetrators) are charged and punished.

Paula Donovan, co-leader of the Code Blue campaign, which seeks to hold the UN accountable for sexual offenses, said WHO member countries looked the other way on the agency's sexual misconduct charges because they could not afford to weaken the institution during the coronavirus pandemic.

Countries could not go after WHO because it was doing what the US and other rich countries would not do during COVID, which is try to figure out how to get vaccines to the poor.

She said donor countries had likely made a disturbing calculation about the costs of responding to global health crises.

It is very depressing, but officials have essentially concluded this is the price that has to be paid, that some women are going to be sexually exploited.

The UN report was focused on a case first reported by the AP in May 2021, involving Dr. Jean-Paul Ngandu, who worked on the Ebola response in northeastern Congo in 2019.

Shortly after his arrival, Ngandu met a young woman at a local restaurant. The two had sex later that evening, but the relationship soured, and the woman and her aunt complained to WHO that Ngandu had impregnated her.

AP obtained a copy of a notarised agreement between Ngandu and the woman, signed by two WHO staffers, in which he agreed to cover her health care costs and buy her land.

After concerns about the Ngandu case were raised to WHO's Geneva headquarters, a decision was made not to investigate the complaint on the basis that it did not violate WHO's (sexual exploitation and abuse) policy, the UN report said.

The report said this was because the woman was not a beneficiary of WHO, meaning she didn't receive any humanitarian or emergency aid, and thus, did not qualify as a victim under WHO policy.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said repeatedly he is outraged by reports of sexual misconduct.

But to date, no senior staffers linked to the sexual abuse allegations in Congo's 2018-2020 Ebola outbreak  where more than 80 workers under WHO's direction were found to have abused or exploited women  have been fired.

Some global health experts were unconvinced by Tedros' professed indignation.

It undermines the complete integrity of WHO that no one has lost their job over this, said Sophie Harman, a professor of international politics at Queen Mary University in London.

If WHO is serious about gender equality, then it is time for Tedros to go.

WHO's director of communications insisted the agency was committed to addressing sexual misconduct.

WHO is focused on continuing the deep and broad strengthening of our policies and practices, staffing, training and resourcing to prevent sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, said Gabriella Stern.

After the Congo allegations became public, WHO created a new department to address sexual exploitation, headed by Dr. Gaya Gamhewage.

In her interview with UN investigators, Gamhewage said that prior to being appointed, she had no knowledge of the WHO's sexual misconduct policies and had not even read them.(AP)

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Seoul, Feb 9 (AP) South Korea's opposition-controlled parliament on Wednesday voted to impeach Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min holding him responsible for government failures in disaster planning and the response that likely contributed to the high death toll in a crowd crush that killed nearly 160 people in October.

The impeachment suspends Lee from his duties and the Constitutional Court has 180 days to rule on whether to unseat him for good or give him back the job.

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Vice Minister Han Chang-seob will be acting minister until the Constitutional Court decides on Lee's fate.

Lee is seen as a key ally of conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose office issued an irritated response to his impeachment, accusing opposition lawmakers of abandoning legislative principles and creating "shameful history".

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Lee expressed regret after lawmakers voted 179-109 to impeach him, and he said he would defend his case in the Constitutional Court.

"(I) hope that the vacuum in public safety (management) created by this unprecedented situation would be minimized," Lee said in his statement.

Lee is the first Cabinet minister impeached by the National Assembly, which previously impeached conservative President Park Geun-hye in 2016. The Constitutional Court removed her from office and she was imprisoned for corruption before her liberal successor pardoned her in December 2021.

Lee's impeachment highlights the growing impasse Yoon faces in a parliament controlled by his liberal opponents and could further intensify the country's partisan political fighting that has fuelled a national divide.

Lee's impeachment came weeks after police announced they are seeking criminal charges, including involuntary manslaughter and negligence, against 23 officials, about half of them law enforcement officers, for a lack of safety measures they said were responsible for the crowd crush in Itaewon, a major nightlife district in Seoul.

Following a 74-day inquiry into the incident, a special investigation team led by the National Police Agency concluded that police and public officials in Seoul's Yongsan district failed to employ meaningful crowd control measures despite anticipating huge gatherings of Halloween revellers. They also ignored pedestrian calls placed to police hotlines that warned of a swelling crowd hours before the surge turned deadly on October 28.

Officials also botched their response once people began getting toppled over and crushed in a narrow alley clogged with partygoers near Hamilton Hotel around 10 p.m., failing to establish effective control of the scene and allow rescue workers to reach the injured in time.

However, opposition politicians claimed that police investigators went soft on higher members of Yoon's government, including Lee and National Police Agency Commissioner General Yoon Hee-keun, who were facing calls to resign.

The police investigators said they had closed their probes on Lee's ministry and the National Police Agency before handing over the case to prosecutors, saying it was difficult to establish the direct responsibility of those offices.

Oh Yeong-hwan, lawmaker and spokesperson for the main opposition Democratic Party, said lawmakers carried out the order of the people in impeaching Lee, who he said should be held responsible for the deadly crowd surge in Itaewon. He criticized Yoon for sticking with Lee in the face of mounting calls for his removal.

"The National Assembly had to hold (Lee) to account because President Yoon Suk Yeol refused to accept that responsibility," Oh said.

Lawmaker Jang Dong-hyuk of Yoon's People's Power Party accused the opposition of tramping on (South Korea's) constitutional order, insisting that Lee was impeached without a justifiable cause.

He insisted that the liberals were motivated by a political vendetta against Yoon as prosecutors under his government push forward an investigation into corruption allegations surrounding Democratic Party Chairman Lee Jae-myung, a firebrand lawmaker who narrowly lost to Yoon in last year's presidential elections.

Lee Sang-min faced huge criticism shortly after the crowd crush after he insisted that having more police and emergency personnel on the ground still wouldn't have prevented the tragedy in Itaewon, in what was seen as an attempt to sidestep questions about the lack of preventive measures.

Despite anticipating a crowd of more than 100,000, Seoul police had assigned 137 officers to Itaewon on the day of the crush. Those officers were focused on monitoring narcotics use and violent crimes, which experts say left few resources for pedestrian safety.

Some experts have called the crush in Itaewon a manmade disaster that could have been prevented with fairly simple steps, such as employing more police and public workers to monitor bottleneck points, enforcing one-way walk lanes and blocking narrow pathways or temporarily closing Itaewon's subway station to prevent large numbers of people moving in the same direction. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
London, February 9: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday visited the United Kingdom and held a meeting with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. He addressed UK Parliament and also held a meeting with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace.

After his meeting with Rishi Sunak, Zelenskyy said that he heard UK PM's willingness to provide fighter jets, according to the statement released by Ukraine President's website. It is Zelenskyy's first visit to the UK since Russia launched an offensive in Ukraine. Ukraine-Russia War: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Seeks Weaponry in Surprise Visits To UK and France.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Meets UK PM Rishi Sunak:

Volodymyr, it was a privilege to have you here in the United Kingdom today. We know Ukraine will ultimately defeat tyranny, and the UK will continue to train and arm Ukrainian forces with the equipment they need. We will always be your staunch and unwavering friends  pic.twitter.com/srMtmJBvfU  Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) February 8, 2023

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Meets King Charles III:

The King welcomes President @ZelenskyyUa to Buckingham Palace. pic.twitter.com/cdcBUFkZIL  The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) February 8, 2023

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy @ZelenskyyUa, is addressing both Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall. Watch live https://t.co/7DrjMEmya5  UK Parliament (@UKParliament) February 8, 2023

Zelenskyy said that Ukraine needs an air defence system as it continues to fight against hundreds of Iranian drones, and various missiles, including ballistic missiles, which hit the power grid and civilian facilities, according to the statement released by Ukrainian President's office.

"Today, I heard the Prime Minister's willingness to provide us with aircraft. The first step Mr. Prime Minister officially saiis that we can start training our pilots. At the same time, he noted that not everything in this matter depends on the will of the UK," Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy called long-range weapons "a priority" and expressed happiness that the UK heard Ukraine's needs. He further said, "I would really like other countries to hear us as well. This allows us to push the enemy back and ensure life even in the cities we have de-occupied. So that people could just live there." Russia Will Lose War: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Tells UK Lawmakers in Historic Address, Thanks British People for Support (Watch Video).

Rishi Sunak emphasized that UK is aware of Ukraine's needs and is one of the leaders in providing assistance. He reminded that the Challenger tanks will be at the front in a few weeks. He stated that UK is doing everything to prepare the Ukrainian military for the use of Challenger tanks "as soon as possible."

"We are ready to provide everything, but first we need pilots who are ready to operate such sophisticated weapons. Because when it comes to brand-new fighter jets, it takes three years to train pilots. Ukraine already has fighter pilots, but they still need to be trained. This is what we discussed with Mr. President today," Rishi Sunak said.

Sunak in the press release said that Zelenskyy's visit to the UK is a "testament to his country's courage, determination and fight, and a testament to the unbreakable friendship between our two countries." He said that the UK has provided training to Ukrainian forces since 2014 and allowed them to defend their country and protect their sovereignty.

He further said, "I am proud that today we will expand that training from soldiers to marines and fighter jet pilots, ensuring Ukraine has a military able to defend its interests well into the future. It also underlines our commitment to not just provide military equipment for the short term, but a long-term pledge to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine for years to come."

During his visit, Zelenskyy also addressed both houses of the UK Parliament. In his speech, he said that "freedom will win and Russia will lose," according to the statement released by Ukrainian President's office.

Zelenskyy in his address said, "We know freedom will win. We know Russia will lose. We know the Victory will change the world! And this will be a change that the world has long needed." He further said, "The United Kingdom is marching with us towards the most important victory of our lifetime. It will be a victory over the very idea of the war."

Zelenskyy presented the speaker of the House of Commons with a Ukrainian air force helmet and the writing on the helmet reads, "We have freedom. Give us wings to protect it."

"I trust this symbol will help us form our next coalition, the coalition of the planes. I appeal to you and the world with simple and yet most important words: Combat aircrafts - for Ukraine! Wings - for freedom," Zelenskyy said.

Meanwhile, Rishi Sunak in a tweet stated, "Volodymyr, it was a privilege to have you here in the United Kingdom today. We know Ukraine will ultimately defeat tyranny, and the UK will continue to train and arm Ukrainian forces with the equipment they need. We will always be your staunch and unwavering friends."

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kabul [Afghanistan], February 9 (ANI): The United Nations (UN) Representative for UN Management and Reform, Chris Lu criticised the Taliban-imposed ban on Afghan women's education and employment as the females in the country still face challenges to live a normal life, according to TOLOnews.

The envoy underscored the importance of education and work and also highlighted how equal access for women in education and at work can do wonders for a country and its growth.

Also Read | Earthquake in Turkey and Syria: Death Toll Surpasses 15,000, Authorities Race Against Time To Find Survivors Amid Harsh Freezing Temperatures.

"First, we join UNICEF and other Member States in condemning in the strongest terms the Taliban's edicts that ban women from universities and from working for NGOs, this on top of an existing ban on girls from secondary school. Equal access to education and work is an essential component for the vitality and resiliency of populations, including all young adults and children, regardless of gender," Ambassador Chris Lu, US Representative for UN Management and Reform said in a statement, TOLOnews reported on Wednesday.

However, the Taliban responded back to the US diplomat and stated that they regulate all issues within the framework of Islamic laws.

Also Read | Kim Jong Un Presides Over North Koreas Military Parade, Brings Wife and Daughter at Big Event (See Pics).

Additionally, Ambassador Chris Lu urged humanitarian partners, donor UN agencies, and the international community to come forward and call out Afghanistan's de-facto authorities to abolish bans on women's education.

In the latest decree, the Taliban has banned female students from sitting in university entrance exams, TOLOnews reported. The decision was followed by another decree from the caretaker government prohibiting women from working in non-governmental organisations, which sparked outrage on both the national and international levels.

Many Islamic countries and organisations, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), have condemned the ban on women's and girls' access to work and education as a violation of Islamic law. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Pilibhit, February 9: A youth sustained a deep cut on his throat after encountering a Chinese manjha while travelling on a scooty.

The victim, Raj Karan, was shifted to a private hospital by his family members where he received four stitches on the wound. Later, he uploaded a complaint on the chief minister's portal and filed a written complaint to the district magistrate, Praveen Kumar Laxkar. Delhi Police Arrests Five Shopkeepers for Selling Banned Chinese Manjha.

Ashwini Agnihotri, a senior criminal lawyer at Pilibhit, said that the NGT had imposed a ban on all kite flying threads made of nylon or synthetic material across the country on July 11, 2017.

"Earlier on November 19, 2015, a division bench of Allahabad HC had ordered the UP government to impose a ban on Chinese manjha in the state. Later in 2017, all district magistrates of the state were directed to follow the HC order," he stated. The city magistrate, Dr Rajesh Kumar, said that the district administration had enforced a search and seizure operation against Chinese manjha. Chinese Manjha Fatal for Humans, Birds and Animals; Its Use Is Punishable Offence, Says Delhi Police.

The SHO of Pilibhit Kotwali police station, Naresh Tyagi, said that any person caught selling or stocking the banned manjha can be booked under IPC section 337 (causing hurt to any person by doing any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life), 336 (doing any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life) and the appropriate sections of the environment protection act, 1986. Meanwhile, the banned manjha is being sold freely despite the ban and injuries caused to many people.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 09, 2023 10:01 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
San Francisco, Feb 9 (IANS) US-based financial technology company Affirm has laid off 19 per cent of its workforce, the company announced in its second-quarter earnings report. "We are reducing the size of our team by 19 per cent. This was the single most difficult decision I have had to make since Affirm's founding, but I believe it is the right one. I take full responsibility for it and the actions that led us to this point," Founder & CEO Max Levchin wrote in a message. Disney Announces Layoffs, To Fire 7,000 Employees; CEO Bob Iger Explains Why.

Levchin further said that during the early part of the pandemic, the company "consciously hired ahead of the revenue required to support the size of the team", with revenue growth justifying the strategy. Moreover, the fintech firm also mentioned that the company will be sunsetting several initiatives, such as Affirm Crypto. The CEO told shareholders Affirm expects to keep its headcount "essentially flat for the foreseeable future". Infosys Starts Layoffs, Sacks 600 Freshers After They Failed in Internal Assessment: Reports.

"In FQ2023, we redirected the substantial majority of our R&D efforts towards margin-improving projects, repeat consumer engagement, and Debit+ and plan to continue executing this focused roadmap for several quarters," Levchin said. The employees that are laid off in the US will be offered a minimum of 15 weeks base pay as severance plus an additional week per year of tenure, according to the company.

Laid-off US workers will also receive a $5,000 health stipend regardless of enrollment status, covering six months of employee healthcare. However, non-US employees will receive severance and healthcare benefits "in line with local practices".

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 09, 2023 01:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
New Delhi, February 9 : Tech major OnePlus is definitely on a global launch and unveil spree. After a grand launch event where it introduced a host of new devices alongside its flagship OnePlus 11 smartphone globally, the company is already bracing up for another big and interesting debut.

The Chinese tech giant has revealed at its Cloud 11 event that the company is going to unveil its OnePlus 11 Concept phone at the upcoming Mobile World Congress 2023. Read on to get all details. OnePlus 11 vs iQOO 11 vs Samsung Galaxy S23: Which One Is Best for You? Check Detailed Comparison Here.

OnePlus 11 Concept  Global Debut Details :

OnePlus has officially announced that the company is preparing to introduce its next revolutionary product  OnePlus 11 Concept smartphone. The OnePlus 11 Concept will be making its world premiere at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2003, thats scheduled to take place in Barcelona, from February 27 to March 2 apart from preview days. OnePlus 11 5G Flagship Smartphone and 65 Q2 Pro TV Launched in India; Find All Details Here.

OnePlus is known for its concept devices, and the OnePlus 11 Concept will be its third device in the innovative lineup. The pioneer of OnePlus concept devices was the OnePlus Concept One that featured disappearing cameras and was showcased at CES 2020. The next product was the OnePlus 8T Concept that was unveiled in 2021 and flaunted a colour changing back panel, which changed from grey to blue to black just on command of the user. This one also featured a mmWave radar and claimed to detect hand gestures.

As per the company, the upcoming OnePlus 11 Concept model is going to feature an imaginative design with industry-first technology, which is a very broad way to describe a new device, that too a concept model. The real concept device will definitely be a thing to watch out at the MWC 2023 Barcelona. So, stay tuned!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 09, 2023 02:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
New Delhi, February 9 : The Xiaomi 13 Pro was unveiled in its home market China in December 2022. Now, the smartphone is readying up for its global launch, which includes India.

Xiaomi India has announced that the Xiaomi 13 Pro will be launched globally at Mobile World Congress (MWC), which includes the models India launch as well. Read on to find all details. OnePlus 11R 5G Smartphone Launched in India With Premium Features; Know Specs, Price and Other Key Details Here.

Xiaomi 13 Pro Smartphone  India Launch Details :

As per Xiaomi India, the Xiaomi 13 Pro is going to launch for the global markets at the Mobile World Congress (MWC)on February 26. The smartphones global launch event at the MWC 2023 at Barcelona will be livestreamed at 9:30PM IST on Xiaomi's official website as well as on its social media handles. OPPO Reno8 T 5G Smartphone Launched in India With 108MP Camera; Find Specs, Features and Price Details Here.

Apart from the official launch date announcement through Xiaomi press note, a report on social media also mentions about the launch of the Xiaomi 13 series on February 26. Now, the mention of the word "series" indicates the launch of the vanilla Xiaomi 13 model along with the Pro model. While, this is very much possible, there is no official word about it yet.

Xiaomi 13 Pro Smartphone  Specifications :

The Xiaomi 13 Pro gets powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset backed by up to 12GB RAM and 512GB of internal storage. The smartphone runs on Android 13 based MIUI 14

The device features a 6.73-inch QHD+ 120Hz LTPO OLED display along with Gorilla Glass Victus protection. It has HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support and an under the display fingerprint reader for security.

Optics are handled by a primary triple camera setup at the back with 50.3MP + 50MP + 50MP Leica-branded lenses, while selfies and video calls are taken care of by a 32MP front facing snapper.

The Xiaomi 13 Pro draws its juice from a 4,820 mAh battery pack with support of 120W wired and 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging.

On the other hand, the Xiaomi 13 vanilla model also gets powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, but features smaller display with lower resolution, a smaller battery with slower wired charging support and lesser cameras.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 09, 2023 12:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Turkey just suffered a massive earthquake that has already killed thousands of people. However, help is on its way, as Mexico is sending its famous search and rescue dogs to help in the rescue efforts as people are still stuck in the rubble.

According to Lad Bible, these famous rescue dogs have already flown to Turkey and Syria to locate those still trapped under the rubble during that massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake in the Middle East.

Mexico sent 16 of these specialist canines and their respective handlers with their iconic rescue goggles and booties on hand. Mexico's Foreign Affairs Secretary Marcelo Ebrard then released a statement to the people of Turkey, saying, "The heart of our rescue team is currently flying to Turkey."

Mexico also sent search and rescue specialists from the Mexican Army and the Mexican Navy, along with five foreign ministry officials and 15 members of the Red Cross.

In addition to the military aid, Mexico is also sending the civilian search and rescue group Los Topos de Tlatelolco (The Moles of Tlatelolco). The group had reached out to Foreign Affairs Secretary Marcelo Ebrard and offered their help in the search and rescue efforts.

Mexico Rescue Dogs Gained Fame During the 2017 Mexico City Earthquake

The Mexican rescue dogs captured a lot of hearts, not just in Mexico but also the entire world, during the 2017 Mexico earthquake. These dogs not only saved several lives by looking for survivors trapped in the rubble but also by how adorable they were while wearing goggles and booties.

The North American nation is famously prone to earthquakes, and these dogs are popular for how effective they are at what they do.

READ MORE: Catholic Priests Sentenced to 10 years in Prison in Nicaragua

According to the BBC, the most famous one is a yellow Labrador Retriever named Frida, who became a media darling when she was photographed in her rescue gear. Under her belt, the famous yellow Lab has already saved lives and recovered 40 bodies in earthquakes around the world, including in Mexico, Haiti, Guatemala, and Ecuador.

Another famous member of this K-9 Team, Ecko, a Belgian Malinois, was also deployed to Turkey and was seen boarding the plane bound for the country.

YouTubers, Twitch Streamers Raise Money for Turkey

Aside from Mexico, several personalities from both YouTube and Twitch have spearheaded donation drives for the people of Turkey and Syria. One drive is spearheaded by controversial leftist political commentator Hassan Piker, also known as Hasanabi, who is of Turkish descent. He has raised over a million dollars in donations in just three days.

The money will be going directly to non-governmental organizations like CARE Turkey, CARE Syria, AKUT, and Ahba. Several big-name YouTubers like Jacksepticeye and Ludwig have already donated to his cause.

Popular YouTube streamer Darren "IShowSpeed" also has his own donation drive for Turkey and Syria, while popular Turkish streamer Jahrein has reached out to other popular YouTubers to help the beleaguered country.

READ MORE: Was New York Congressman George Santos a Drag Queen in Brazil?

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: 16 Canine Rescuers From Mexico Help After Turkey Earthquake - Inside Edition
As the verbal battle between the two likely front-runners in the Republican primary for 2024 heats up, Florida governor Ron DeSantis has responded to Donald Trump's increasingly harsh attacks.

"I spend my time delivering results for the people of Florida and fighting against Joe Biden. That's how I spend my time," DeSantis said at a press conference Wednesday in response to a question about Trump's ramped-up attacks. "I don't spend my time trying to smear other Republicans."

Some polls see the Florida governor beating Trump in a Republican primary matchup in 2024, and DeSantis's entry into the campaign is all but certain, Bloomberg reports.

Trump has resorted to calling the governor "Ron DeSanctimonious" and has launched various attacks, including the claim that "the real Ron is a RINO GLOBALIST," which means he is a Republican in Name Only.

Earlier last week, Trump posted an attack on his personal social media network, suggesting that DeSantis had engaged in sexual grooming.

READ NEXT: Donald Trump Alleges Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis of Partying With High School Girls

Donald Trump's Attack on Ron DeSantis

Trump shared a photo on the social networking app Truth Social on Tuesday showing a younger DeSantis smiling among three ladies whose faces were covered.

"That's not Ron, is it? He would never do such a thing!" Trump sarcastically wrote on the post.

It is Trump's most recent political hit against DeSantis, per WPTV.

Trump delivered a lengthy statement shortly after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis's November 2018 general election victory over Democrat Charlie Crist. He criticized DeSantis as an "average" governor and took credit for improving the Republican's standing.

"Ron DeSanctimonious is playing games!" Trump added that DeSantis said he is only focused on the governor's race and not looking into the future.

"Well, in terms of loyalty and class, that's really not the right answer," Trump concluded.

While Republican Donald Trump has already declared his candidacy for president in 2024, Florida governor Ron DeSantis has yet to do so, despite widespread expectations that he will run.

Donald Trump Claims Ron DeSantis 'Begged' Him for 2018 Endorsement

According to Donald Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis won in 2018 but had to beg for an endorsement with teary eyes, The Independent noted.

DeSantis is expected to launch his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, following his landslide reelection victory over Charlie Crist.

Trump, DeSantis' former ally, is the only declared Republican candidate for the presidential run and has taken credit for DeSantis' electoral successes in the past.

In an interview with "The Hugh Hewitt Show" on Thursday, Trump said that DeSantis was behind in the polls in the 2018 GOP primary before Trump endorsed him.

"He was dead. He was leaving the race ... and he begged me for an endorsement," he said. He later added that the Florida gubernatorial candidate had "tears coming down from his eyes,"

Former Florida agricultural commissioner Adam Putnam, DeSantis' opponent in the 2018 primary for governor of Florida, had a "huge lead," said Trump. However, surveys taken around the time showed that Ron DeSantis was ahead.

READ MORE: Jill Biden Kissing Kamala Harris' Husband on the Lips

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Ron DeSantis appears to make stab at Donald Trump over re election during speech - Form The Independent
Steady and heavy rainfall has ravaged parts of Peru as it has caused mudslides and severe flooding. The deadly mudslides have now caused at least 36 deaths throughout the country while also leaving buildings in ruins.

The mudslides have hurled mud, water, and rocks into several villages in southern Peru, resulting in the devastation of these villages. In a remote sector called Miski, 36 bodies have already been recovered, according to Canadian news outlet CTV News.

Five people were riding a van when they were pushed into a river by a surge of mud. All of them died in the incident.

An estimated 630 homes were rendered unusable by the mudslides, which may have damaged bridges, irrigation canals, and roads. Now, local officials are asking for heavy machinery to clear around three kilometers of important roads, as they have already been blocked by debris.

At Least 12 Dead in the Arequipa Region in Southern Peru

Some of the hardest-hit areas are five small gold-mining villages in southern Peru's Arequipa region. At least 12 have been killed in these areas as residents struggled to salvage their belongings after a huge mudslide.

One of these villages is the Mariano Nicolas Valcarcel municipality, which lies on the edges of a depleted mining extraction area in Camana province. Residents are desperately searching for things they can salvage from the mid.

READ MORE: Colombia: 34 Dead as Bus Gets Caught in a Landslide

Many of them, such as Mauro Noa, a Posco Miski village community leader, spoke with the Associated Press and said that they have been trying to reach local officials and receive food, as well as first aid. He says that over a thousand of his neighbors have been stuck on the side of a mountain since Sunday. He explained that they cannot leave the area as mud and rocks had already accumulated, leaving them trapped.

Noa lamented that nobody thinks about them as they are suffering from hunger and thirst. He also stated that 14 of his neighbors have been missing since the mudslides struck, adding that they were not able to leave their houses as they were "taken by the wave of mud."

The total number of dead in Peru is still difficult to know as there have been conflicting reports on the number of people who died. One report stated that at least 36 people are now dead, while another report stated there are only 12 dead, with three missing.

Relief Operations Underway in Southern Peru

The Arequipa Department is the worst-affected region in Pero, with the Mariano Nicolas Valcarcel District being the most affected. Now, however, the National Civil Defense Institute (INDECI) has already sent a relief mission to the affected areas, including Secocha, Infiernillo, Pampa Blanca, Urasqui, Venado de Oro, Pampaylima, Miski, Posko Miski, and San Martin.

According to Floodlist, many of the areas affected are at the foot of steep slopes close to the Ocona River. Streams also broke their banks, and these have caused flooding and mudslides. There are currently 12,000 people who have been affected by these natural calamities.

READ MORE: Venezual Landslide Death Toll Reaches 43

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: 'A complete disaster': deadly landslide tears through village in Peru - Guardian News
Government officials backed by Brazil's law, Indigenous, and environment ministries forced illegal miners out of Yanomami Indigenous land in Amazon Wednesday, citing the massive river contamination, starvation, and disease they had brought to one of the world's most isolated populations.

The people involved in the illegal gold dredging quickly evacuated the area on foot. It may be months before the operation is complete.

An estimated 20,000 people are involved in the trade, which frequently involves the use of poisonous mercury in the gold-separating process, AP reports.

Brazil's largest Indigenous territory, spanning Roraima and Amazonas states, is home to an estimated 30,000 Yanomami people and is about the size of Portugal.

READ NEXT: Brazil Yanomami Indigenous People Living in Dire Conditions

Brazil Armed Agents Destroy Illegal Miners Properties

Dozens of miners have been detained and removed from Brazil's largest native reservation on the northern border with Venezuela since Monday, when armed officers of the government's environmental protection agency Ibama arrived by helicopter and motorboat.

According to photos provided by Ibama, they burned wooden shacks and a hangar containing a plane at a secret airport used by miners to fly in supplies.

The agency said on Tuesday that it had destroyed a helicopter, an airplane, and a bulldozer, as well as seized firearms, 12-meter (40-ft) boats, barrels containing 5,000 liters (1,320 gallons) of fuel, generators, internet antennas, freezers, and a ton of food.

Ibama claimed in a statement that the operation had the approval of the government's Indigenous affairs agency Funai and that military soldiers had manned blockades on the rivers to prevent supplies from reaching the miners, Reuters noted.

"Not a moment too soon. Get the miners out - and keep them out!" said Survival International.

The Indigenous rights organization claimed that the miners' actions had led to a terrible health crisis that had resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Yanomami, particularly children, due to preventable infections and starvation.

Effects of Illegal Miners Operation on Brazil's Yanomami Indigenous Community

The Yanomami have long been isolated on a large reservation on Venezuela's border. Since the 1970s, when a military administration constructed a route through the Amazon jungle, the country's mineral-rich areas have attracted illegal miners.

Illegal miners and illegal loggers increased their invasions of reservations when ex-president Jair Bolsonaro took office, and the government has done nothing to stop them.

The illegal mining has caused starvation and diseases like malaria among the Yanomami people, prompting the federal government to declare a public health emergency.

The miners' use of mercury poisoned the waterways and reduced the number of animals available for hunting, per Al Jazeera.

Four clinics within Yanomami territory have been overrun by gold miners, rendering them nonfunctional, according to a report published by the Ministry of Health on Tuesday.

Seven hundred Yanomami people, more than three times the hospital's capacity, have been airlifted to a temporary medical facility in Boa Vista to receive treatment for their hunger and illness.

"The malnutrition crisis continues to be extremely serious. We believe the reopening of medical units can only be done when the miners are all removed," Indigenous Health Secretary Ricardo Weibe Tapeba said during a news conference.

After the Yanomamis were put in a "degrading" situation on Tuesday, Brazil President Lula tweeted that his government would not tolerate illegal miners on Indigenous grounds in Amazon.

"We also need to find out who is responsible for what happened," he said.

READ MORE: Ron DeSantis Slams Donald Trump's Smear Campaign

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Brazil pushes illegal miners out of Indigenous land - From Associated Press
Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's former fixer and personal lawyer, recently spoke with Manhattan prosecutors regarding the newly-revived Stormy Daniels hush money case where the former president paid the former porn star hush money to keep quiet about their affair.

Before the meeting, Cohen spoke to reporters outside Manhattan Supreme Court and said, "I believe that there is a case."

The former Trump attorney also spoke with POLITICO and told them that the prosecutors were serious about the case and that it was "evident by their in-depth knowledge of all the information."

He did not specify what happened during the meeting with prosecutors but did say that another meeting was planned with Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg's office.

Michael Cohen's Involvement in Donald Trump's Hush Money Payment to Stormy Daniels

The former Trump fixer is one of the most important people in the case and will be testifying for the prosecution in the case against his former boss.

Cohen reportedly played an important role in the hush money payment, as he was the one who reportedly paid the former porn star to stay silent about her affair with Trump as he ran for office back in 2016. He also had a hand in the hush money payment to former Playboy playmate Karen McDougal.

READ NEXT: Mitch McConnel's Wife, Elaine Chao, Slams Donald Trump's Racism

Last week, Manhattan prosecutors took away Cohen's cell phones in order to preserve the evidence related to the hush money payments. Cohen has admitted that DA Bragg's office has asked for the phones as they wanted to extract voice recordings of conversations he had with Stephanie Clifford, who was Stormy Daniels' lawyer at that time, according to PBS News.

"That way it could be used as evidence if in fact they proceed forward, which, I would suspect they are," said Cohen during a recent interview.

Cohen was previously tried and convicted of making these payments, which has led to the souring of relations between him and his former boss, Donald Trump. He pled guilty to tax evasion, lying to Congress, and campaign finance crimes in 2019.

Former Prosecutor Speaks Up About Divisions in the Investigations Vs. Donald Trump

Mark Pomerantz, a former special assistant district attorney who co-led the investigation, is releasing a new book on the case against former President Donald Trump. It showed a division among prosecutors on how best to go after the former president. It is titled "People vs. Donald Trump: An Inside Account."

The hush money case against Trump was rejected by former District Attorney Cy Vance but revived under current District Attorney Alvin Bragg, according to ABC News, and Pomerantz took a swipe at Bragg for not allowing him to move forward with his case.

"I think there was a fear that if you go forward with the case and don't win, you shake public confidence in the legal system," he said.

However, Bragg noted that the case was still not ready and said that the book's publication could hurt the ongoing investigation.

Pomerantz noted, "I didn't write the book to try and help Donald Trump avoid prosecution. The message of the book is the evidence was there."

READ MORE: Trump Lawyers Scolded by Judge

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WATCH: Michael Cohen meets with Manhattan D.A. for 15th time - MSNBC
Senator Mitt Romney of Utah directly criticized fellow Republican Rep. George Santos as they crossed paths in the House chamber while attending the State of the Union address on Tuesday night.

In a video of the exchange, Romney seems to tell the embattled New York lawmaker, "you don't belong here" and that he should be embarrassed, according to NPR. Romney later confirmed to reporters that he told Santos he did not belong among the attendees of the State of the Union address.

He said he did not expect the disgraced New York representative to be standing there and "shake hands with every senator and the president of the United States." Romney went on to say that Santos is under an ethics investigation and should be "sitting in the back row and staying quiet" instead of "parading."

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy recently confirmed that Santos is under an ethics probe, adding that they will take action if the committee finds something. Santos also earlier told colleagues that he would be stepping down from his assignments on the Small Business and Science Committees while investigations are ongoing.

READ NEXT: House Speaker Kevin McCarthy Says He Won't Force George Santos to Resign

Mitt Romney vs. George Santos at State of the Union Address

George Santos later tweeted while mentioning Mitt Romney's Twitter handle: "Just a reminder that you will NEVER be PRESIDENT."

Hey @MittRomney just a reminder that you will NEVER be PRESIDENT! https://t.co/ANxiQPxAua  George Santos (@Santos4Congress) February 8, 2023

Romney was the Republican Party's presidential nominee in 2012. Fellow New York Republicans have already called for Santos to file his resignation from Congress.

Other Republicans reportedly heard about the exchange, with one GOP lawmaker who was told about it noted that there was pervasive displeasure with Santos' presence, according to CBS News.

Santos did greet the president and other prominent officials as they entered the House chamber. But as senators entered the House, Romney spotted Santos and delivered his message.

Romney told reporters after the speech that Santos "shouldn't be in Congress." He added: "They're going to go through the process and hopefully get him out. But he shouldn't be there and if he had any shame at all, he wouldn't be there."

Romney noted that he did not hear what the NY lawmaker said back to him. But a source familiar with the exchange told CBS News that Santos called the senator an "a**hole" in return.

Romney noted that Santos admitted that he embellished his record, which means "you got an A when you got an A minus" and "you graduated from college you didn't even attend."

On Wednesday, Santos retorted and told reporters that the senator's behavior "wasn't very Mormon of him," claiming he was told to "shut up and go to the back of the room."

George Santos Investigations

Aside from fabricating his resume and allegations of scheming money off of people, George Santos is also facing a complaint from a former aide accusing him of sexual harassment. However, Santos denied the allegations.

Derek Myers said it was an unfortunate series of events, adding that the matter will hopefully be handled by the "appropriate bodies and not litigated through the news media," according to USA Today.

Myers was listed as the editor of the Scioto Valley Guardian in Ohio. He started working in Santos' D.C. office on January 24, with duties including answering phones, reading mail, corresponding, and writing to constituents.

Myers noted that Santos hit on him the day after he started working as a volunteer. He also alleged the lawmaker asked him if he had a hookup app popular in the gay community, which is Grindr.

He also accused Santos of inviting him to sit with him on a small sofa. He noted that Santos also called him "buddy" and alleged that the lawmaker placed his leg on Myers' left leg and asked him if he would like to go to a karaoke night.

Myers declined, but Santos still allegedly moved his hand down his leg into the inner thigh and proceeded to touch his groin.

READ MORE: Brazil Renews 2008 Fraud Charges Against George Santos

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WATCH: 'You Ought to Be Embarrassed': Mitt Romney Exchanges Heated Words With George Santos - From Guardian News
Dominica may be a small country in the Caribbean, but it has a rich history and vibrant culture full of influences from all over the world. Christopher Columbus named the island Dominica, and it has been known by that name ever since.

Like all the other countries in the Caribbean, Dominica was colonized by European powers, particularly England and France, which made their influences known in the architecture in some of the places here.

Discover Dominica describes the country as a vibrant tapestry of European and African cultures. However, it is proud of its indigenous people as it also has the Caribbean's only remaining population of pre-Columbian Carib Indians, who are more known as the Kalinago.

READ NEXT: Sailor From Dominica Rescued off Colombia After Drifting in the Caribbean for Weeks

Variety of Cultural Influences That Make Dominica Unique

Because of its name, Dominica is often confused with the Dominican Republic, which is nearer to Haiti and Puerto Rico than it is to Dominica. However, the country does stand out.

According to iExplore, it was first discovered by Columbus and the Spanish, but its culture is mainly influenced by the Caribs, the French, the British, and the Africans. It is noted that the African aspects of the island's culture were brought by slaves from the Atlantic slave trade.

However, the Spanish influence is still strong. A majority of Dominicans are Roman Catholic. Its most notable festival, Carnivale, is also done before Lent begins during Ash Wednesday.

As for its music, it is quite vibrant, embracing reggae and calypso. The country is also majorly Creole, as evident in the clothing style called jupe, which Dominicans usually wear on special occasions. West African and French clothing influences are also very evident here, though according to Virtual Dominica, its most traditional dress is the madras, a multifaceted dress.

As for its history, Dominica did not just host Christopher Columbus but also Captain John Smith of Pocahontas fame, as he stopped in Portsmouth on the way to Jamestown. While the island was very peaceful, it was a point of contention between the French and the English, who both called dibs on the island.

The Carib people managed to claim the island from both powers, but the French took it from 1720 to 1759. The British were able to take it back in 1759, and it was fully assimilated into the British Empire before gaining its independence in 1978.

Dominica's People

The Caribs, or the Kalinago, currently inhabit a 3,700-acre territory or reserve on the island's eastern coast. They migrated to the area from South America as early as 3,000 B.C., with various tribes making Dominica their home. T

heir numbers dwindled during the European colonization, though approximately 2,145 still inhabited the island. The descendants of former African slaves still live on the island, as are other people.

READ MORE: Caribbean Pirates Sentenced to Death in Guyana

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WATCH: Geography Now! Dominica - From Geography Now
A Colorado kid died after gunfire erupted between a man tracking his stolen vehicle through a smartphone app and the thieves, police said.

In a statement, the Denver police noted that they received an auto theft report Sunday while the car owner was using an app on his phone to track the stolen vehicle.

Police said the car owner reported it stolen in the 8300-block of E. Northfield Boulevard and tracked the vehicle using a phone app to the intersection of North Decatur Street and West 12th Avenue. Authorities noted the car owner engaged in gunfire with the occupants of the stolen vehicle when he approached the car.

According to the police, a juvenile male, who stole the vehicle, then drove the car a few blocks, roughly 0.2 miles, where officers found him with a gunshot wound. Fox News reported that the juvenile male was rushed to a hospital, where he eventually died.

According to The Denver Post, the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner has identified the juvenile as 12-year-old Elias Armstrong. The Colorado kid's death was ruled a homicide.

READ NEXT: Florida Man Arrested After Stealing Vehicle

Shooting Incident That Kills the Colorado Kid Remains Under Investigation

Police have yet to arrest the car owner who exchanged fire with the suspects as of Wednesday afternoon. Authorities noted that the incident remains under investigation, and the vehicle's owner has not been charged with a crime yet.

In the press release, the Denver police said it appeared that other occupants of the stolen car "fled on foot from the 2900 block of W. 10th Ave. prior to officers' arrival."

The police department told 9NEWS who fired first or what led to the gunfire exchange was a factor in the "current determination regarding arrest." However, a Denver Police Department spokesperson told the outlet that they could not confirm or tackle those details due to the ongoing probe.

The spokesperson noted that they generally encourage residents to be "good witnesses" and report all details to police for follow-up on a stolen vehicle, including the vehicle's location if they can track it.

The spokesperson added that they also encourage people to avoid interactions with a car thief or anyone who committed another crime and put their personal safety first. The shooting occurred in the district of Denver City Councilwoman Jamie Torres, who called the incident "absolutely tragic" and "likely avoidable."

Auto Theft Is Rampant in Colorado

The Denver Police Department reported that auto theft is up 78% from the three-year average, with thieves also stealing things out of cars and from under them, according to Denver 7.

Gauge Authier, the owner of a stolen 2005 Chevy Tahoe, told the outlet that his vehicle was trashed. Authier noted that the back seat of his car was ripped out, and the subs and radio were taken. He said the thieves also "cut the ignition wires and stole the battery."

Thieves reportedly stole Authier's SUV from the Regional Transportation District's parking lot at 40th Avenue. Denver police recovered the vehicle three weeks later.

READ MORE: Brazil Authorities Attack Illegal Miners

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WATCH: Denver Police Still Investigating Shooting of a 12-Year-Old Boy - From 9NEWS
The 2021 Cuban protests resulted in the arrests of hundreds of people who criticized Cuba's government over economic hardships, and now, Pope Francis seeks to have them freed.

Cardinal Beniamino Stella, who traveled to Cuba as Pope Francis' special envoy, said Wednesday that the Argentinian pontiff hopes the Cuban government will release and grant amnesty to the protesters arrested during the historic protests.

The cardinal further noted that the Catholic Church also hoped Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and U.S. President Joe Biden could hold talks amid the tense relations between the two countries.

According to the Associated Press, Stella arrived on the island in mid-January and will remain there until February 10. While on the island, he visited the University of Havana to observe the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's visit to Cuba.

During an act at the university, Stella recalled Cuba's national heroes, Father Felix Varela and Jose Marti, and emphasized the need for understanding among Cubans.

The cardinal also told reporters that he has already talked to Pope Francis about interceding to have Cuban authorities grant amnesty to the 2021 protesters before his Cuba trip.

"The Church wants, seeks, has manifested this proposal (amnesty)," said Stella, adding that he thinks "the issue is on the table.

"The Pope very much wants there to be a positive response, whether it is called amnesty, clemency, the words can be secondary, but it is important that the young people who at one point expressed their thoughts... they can go back to their homes," he added.

READ NEXT: Cuba: Latin Grammy Winner and Dissident Artist Sentenced to Prison

Cubans Protested About Cuba's Severe Economic Crisis in 2021

The 2021 Cuban protests were the largest mass protests held in Cuba in decades. However, these were violently put down by the government. According to Arab News, around 1,300 people were arrested after the protests.

Some of the demonstrations turned violent, with looting and rioting. Some 700 people were sentenced in connection to the protests, who wanted their voices heard amid Cuba's severe economic crisis and blackouts.

For the repression of free demonstrations by the Cuban government, human rights groups and the United States criticized the island. As for the Catholic Church, it has previously interceded successfully in helping free several government opponents.

Pope Francis Offers Cuba a Message of Hope During 25th Anniversary of St. John Paul II's Visit

As Pope Francis is trying to secure the freedom of hundreds of protesters, he is also sending a message of hope. In a letter to Cardinal Juan de la Caridad Garcia Rodriguez of San Cristobal de La Habana, the pontiff conveyed his blessings to the Cuban Church as it celebrates the 25th anniversary of Saint John Paul II's Apostolic visit to Cuba.

According to Vatican News, the pope encouraged the Cuban faithful to continue building their nation "with hope and determination." He also thanked the Cubans for their "example of collaboration and mutual help" and their spirit of openness.

READ MORE: Cuban Olympian Defects

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WATCH: The Truth About The Cuba Protests - From Second Thought
The family of Rafael Caro Quintero has revealed the relationship of Sinaloa Cartel's Carlos Caro Quintero with the notorious Guadalajara Cartel founder. Mexican authorities previously announced that Carlos is a brother of Rafael. However, the family of the Guadalajara Cartel founder denied it.

In an interview with journalist Ciro Gomez Leyva, Jorge Morales, director of "60 Segundos," said Rafael's family claimed that the Mexican drug lord has no relationship with Carlos, who is reportedly working with the Sinaloa Cartel.

"They tell us that this person, Carlos Caro Quintero, is not related to them... Nobody knows him," Morales noted, as Infobae reported.

"The family rule out that there is a Carlos Caro Quintero [among the relatives of Rafael Caro Quintero]... Either it is a coincidence, or someone wanted to go live with the name," he added.

According to official records, Carlos was originally from Badiraguato, Sinaloa, the same as Rafael. He was identified as a member of the Sinaloa Cartel. Police reported that Carlos had a criminal record in the state of Jalisco for carrying a firearm in 2019 and causing a public scandal in Durango in 2022.

READ NEXT: Guadalajara Cartel Founder Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo Still Behind Bars Despite Judge Granting Him House Arrest

Arrest of Carlos Caro Quintero of Sinaloa Cartel

Mexican authorities arrested Carlos Caro Quintero in Mexico City on Monday afternoon on charges of illegal firearm and drug possession. Mexico City police chief Omar Garcia Harfuch noted that Carlo was arrested after police stopped his vehicle due to a hidden license plate.

Carlos' gray Mercedes-Benz sedan car was reportedly traveling along Montes Auvernia Avenue in the Lomas de Chapultepec neighborhood in Mexico City when police officers noticed the vehicle's license plate was covered.

A police patrol car then signaled for the vehicle to stop, and the driver complied, pulling over to the side of the road, Borderland Beat reported. When cops spoke to the driver, they noticed that he had a firearm on him.

However, he could not show a firearm permit, which civilians must obtain to carry a gun legally. Police officers then inspected his vehicle and found eight kilos of marijuana, "124 doses" of cocaine, a short firearm, four magazines, and 33 cartridges.

Mexico City police were previously on "alert" to "any situation" that could arise in response to his arrest, as the government believed that he was related to Rafael Caro Quintero. Carlos is now detained at a prison in Mexico City after an armored convoy brought him there.

As relatives and people close to Rafael denied that Carlos is his brother, Garcia Harfuch admitted that they have yet to confirm the relationship of Carlos with the Guadalajara Cartel founder.

The secretary noted that they only released the person's full name seen on his license. He added that Carlos mentioned his alleged relationship with the Guadalajara Cartel founder when first interviewed by authorities in an attempt to intimidate officers.

According to reports, Rafael's known brothers who are involved in drug trafficking are Genaro, Jorge Luis, Miguel Angel, and Hector, who was assassinated 35 years ago.

Guadalajara Cartel Founder Rafael Caro Quintero Arrested

The arrest of Carlos Caro Quintero comes nearly seven months after Rafael Caro Quintero was nabbed in northern Mexico. The Mexican army had reportedly monitored the activities and movements of the Guadalajara Cartel founder for five years before he was captured last July.

Rafael is one of the founders of the now-defunct Guadalajara Cartel, along with Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo and Ernesto Fonseca Carrillo. Dubbed the "Narco of Narcos," he was considered a pioneer in Mexico's drug underworld during the 1980s.

The Guadalajara Cartel founder had already spent 28 years in prison for the brutal murder and torture of former U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena Salazar.

Rafael was allegedly angry about a raid at Rancho Buffalo, a huge marijuana plantation in Mexico's Chihuahua state. Mexican authorities seized the plantation allegedly at Camarena's demand.

Camarena was kidnapped in Guadalajara in February 1985. A month later, his lifeless body was discovered, with signs showing he was tortured. Rafael, who was arrested in Costa Rica in the same year, has denied involvement in the killing of Camarena.

In 2013, the Guadalajara Cartel founder was released by a Mexican judge on a technicality. An appeals court overturned the verdict, and the Supreme Court upheld the sentence.

However, it was too late, as Rafael already went underground. Mexican authorities then issued a new warrant for his arrest, and the DEA also put him on their most wanted fugitives list.

Authorities in Mexico said he should continue serving the remainder of his original 40-year sentence. The U.S. government hailed his recent arrest and said it would waste no time requesting his extradition.

READ MORE: Rafael Caro Quintero's Wife Denies Legal Battle With Guadalajara Cartel Founder Over Alimony Demand

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WATCH: CDMX, "Alerta Ante Cualquier Situacion": Detienen a Presunto Hermano De Rafael Caro Quintero - From UnoTV
Texas filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday challenging the abortion medication guidance issued by the Biden administration in mid-July.

In the issued guidance, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reminded some 60,000 retail pharmacies in the country that they could be violating federal law if they turn away people who have a prescription for a drug that may end a pregnancy.

However, the lawsuit, filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a division of the state's Western District Court, argued that the policy violates the federal law and Constitution by using federal health programs to force pharmacies to carry abortion drugs even in states where abortion is banned, CNN reported.

The filing of the suit in Texas almost guarantees that it will fall before U.S. District Judge David Counts, a Trump-appointed judge. Since abortion is severely restricted in Texas, the lawsuit claimed that pharmacies that dispense abortion pills could be violating state law.

It also claimed that the Supreme Court's June 2022 Dobbs decision shows that the states can implement their own laws regarding governing abortion, and the federal government does not have a right to intervene, ABC News reported.

As CNN reported, the lawsuit stated that "by requiring pharmacies that receive Medicare and Medicaid funds - including retail pharmacies operated by Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center - to dispense abortifacients when the life of the mother is not in danger, the Pharmacy Mandate flouts Dobbs's holding that States may regulate abortion and directly infringes on Texas's sovereign and quasisovereign authority."

The HHS is the defendant in Texas' lawsuit. In a statement, Paxton said the Biden administration "knows that it has no legal authority to institute this radical abortion agenda, so now it's trying to intimidate every pharmacy" by threatening to withhold federal funds.

He added that Texas and several other states "have dutifully passed laws to protect the unborn, and they "are not going to back down just because unelected bureaucrats in Washington want to create illegal, extremist federal policies."

READ NEXT: Texas Women Seek Abortion Care in Mexican Volunteer Network

60 Anti-Abortion Bills Have Already Been Filed

In January, White House officials reported that 60 anti-abortion measures were filed in the 2023 legislative session. More than 26 million women in the U.S. have also been banned from obtaining a needed abortion.

Reuters reported that in a January statement of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it allowed mifepristone abortion pills to be more readily available at pharmacies and through the mail. However, abortion opponents have filed a lawsuit in a Texas federal court to overturn the approval of the medications.

Americans Allowed to Buy Mifepristone Abortion Pills Through Mail-Order

The FDA allowed Americans last month to order mifepristone abortion pills via mail-order or in retail stores like CVS or Walgreens, provided it's under a certified prescriber or a certified pharmacy, ABC News reported.

However, a group of 20 state attorneys general sent a letter to CVS and Walgreens, warning them that providing abortion pills by mail could be illegal. In November, a conservative legal group filed a lawsuit asking that the FDA revoke its approval of mifepristone and that the drug be pulled out from the market as it harms patients.

There would be a nationwide injunction on mifepristone that include states where abortion is legal once the Texas judge rules in favor of the plaintiffs.

READ MORE: Leonardo DiCaprio Girlfriend Update

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WATCH: Texas Lawsuit Could Place Nationwide Ban on Abortion Pill - Even Where Abortion Is Legal - From KHOU 11
The process to extradite Ovidio Guzman Lopez, the son of Sinaloa cartel boss Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera, to the United States has been suspended again after a Mexican judge granted his latest appeal.

According to El Universal, El Chapo's son on Tuesday filed another writ of amparo attributed to the judge of the Federal Criminal Justice Center inside Altiplano maximum security federal prison at Almoloya de Juarez municipality in the State of Mexico.

Judge Everardo Maya Arias, head of the Third District Court in the State of Mexico, reportedly has the legal jurisdiction to hear and resolve Ovidio's case. El Siglo reported that Maya Arias granted the suspension outright, so El Chapo's son will not be extradited and will remain at the disposal of the court while he remains at the Altiplano prison.

However, the judge noted that the suspension is in effect as long as it is not about compliance with a sentence that has been enforced. He added that the precautionary measure granted will be revoked if the proper authorities issued the requested extradition order or if it was issued without a procedure wherein Ovidio was allowed to assert his right of defense.

The judge also warned responsible authorities that failure to comply with the order will lead to an investigative hearing by the Attorney General's Office of the Republic (FGR), with a possible penalty of three to nine years in prison, as well as dismissal or disqualification to perform another public position or job up to nine years, aside from paying fines.

Judicial opinions issued in the extradition process are reportedly not binding as they only serve to establish a perspective on whether or not the detained person meets extradition requirements. The Foreign Affairs Ministry still makes the final determination.

READ NEXT: Drug Kingpin El Chapo Seeks Mexico Return

Extradition of El Chapo's Son Ovidio Guzman Lopez to U.S. May Take Years

This was the third time a Mexican judge halted Ovidio Guzman Lopez's extradition to the U.S. A Mexico City judge first halted El Chapo's son's extradition to the U.S. on January 6.

The judge stopped Ovidio's extradition process to the U.S. after granting an amparo that also allowed him to contact his family and lawyers who requested the suspension of the extradition process.

On January 10, the lawyers of El Chapo's son filed another writ of amparo against his deportation, expulsion, or extradition to the U.S., where he will face charges in a Washington D.C. court that accused him of trafficking drugs.

However, the court in Mexico City junked the appeal, saying it lacked legal jurisdiction to hear and resolve this case. It noted that Ovidio was at the disposal of the control judge in a place where he was being held.

According to Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, there has been a request for the extradition of El Chapo's son by the U.S. since September 2019. However, he noted that Ovidio faces legal proceedings in Mexico, and any extradition to the U.S. could take some time, Vice reported.

Lawyers and former U.S. law enforcement officials involved in extraditions from Mexico previously told the outlet that the wait could vary from several months to years, or it may never even happen as the process is plagued by corruption and painfully slow, particularly in cases involving narco suspects with helpful information to share with investigators.

Following Ovidio's arrest, Gregorio Salazar Hernandez, another judge of the Federal Criminal Justice Center, said the U.S. government has 60 days to submit the documents needed for Ovidio's extradition. Hernandez noted that the U.S. should formalize its extradition request before March 5.

El Chapo's Sons: The Los Chapitos of Sinaloa Cartel

The four sons of El Chapo, known as Los Chapitos, had reportedly assumed leadership roles in the Sinaloa Cartel after their father was arrested and extradited to the U.S.

The Los Chapitos are Ovidio Guzman Lopez, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar, and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar. Under their leadership, the Sinaloa Cartel has continued to be one of Mexico's most powerful drug cartels.

The U.S. State Department has already offered $5 million rewards for any information that could help federal agents arrest El Chapo's four sons. The State Department said the Los Chapitos are high-ranking members of the Sinaloa Cartel and are each subject to a federal indictment for their involvement in the illegal drug trade.

Their father's former right-hand man, Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, was reportedly the Los Chapitos' internal enemy number one. El Chapo's sons have also been at odds with their uncle, Aureliano "El Guano" Guzman. El Chapo's brother is also a high-ranking member of the Sinaloa Cartel.

READ MORE: El Chapo's Son Ovidio Guzman Lopez of Sinaloa Cartel Breaks Silence for First Time Since Arrest

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WATCH: Mexico Arrests Ovidio Guzman, Son of 'El Chapo' - From Reuters
Work on the reconfiguration of Laois and Offaly at General Elections is likely to be one of the tricky conundrums Ireland's new electoral commission will have to grapple with after the Government cleared the way for its operation to commence.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage said the formal establishment of An Coimisiun Toghchain (the Electoral Commission) by placing it on a statutory footing on February 9 2023, paves the way for the Commission to begin its work as an independent body.

It was accompanied of Hon. Ms. Justice Marie Baker to the role of An Coimisiun Toghchains Chairperson. A statement said her appointment to the role of Chairperson completes An Coimisiuns seven-person membership, following the appointment of four ordinary members in December 2022. The Clerk of the Dail and the Ombudsman will sit as ex officio members of An Coimisiun.

It replaces the Election Commission which in 2017 recommended that Laois and Offaly be reunited as a five seat constituency. It found that the county of Kildare should form a four seat Kildare North constituency and a four seat Kildare South constituency which should include some population from county Offaly and some population from county Laois. The rest of the counties of Laois and Offaly should be joined to form a five seat constituency.

It meant that 12,000 people on both the Laois and Offaly side of Portarlington as well as Killenard and Ballybrittas were represented by Kildare TDs after the 2020 General Election.

The change undid a recommendation from a previous Commission that Laois and Offaly be split into two three-seaters which happened for the first time at the 2016 General Election.

The two constituencies were created by patching part of Tipperary onto Offaly and including Monasterevin in Kildare in the Laois constituency.

The 2022 Census has thrown a further spanner in the works as it showed a further population growth in Laois that means the county is underrepresented in the Dail via a five-seat constituency.

Offaly is marginally below the population threshold to be turned into a three-seat constituency for a General Election.

Political scientists have already said that Laois and Offaly are likely to be split again. However, this will be a decision for the new commission.

The Department said An Coimisiun Toghchain is independent of Government, reporting directly to the Oireachtas and will be central to the administration, development and protection of our democratic processes and institutions.

It said the establishment of An Coimisiun Toghchain is a commitment in the Programme for Government: Our Shared Future and follows from the Electoral Reform Act 2022.

It will take on a broad range of core existing electoral functions, including:

explaining to the public the subject matter of referendums;

reviewing Dail Eireann and European Parliament constituencies and local electoral area boundaries;

the preparation and maintenance of the Register of Political Parties.

It will carry out a range of new electoral roles, including:

conducting research on electoral policy and procedure and making; recommendations to the Minister, thereby influencing the evolution of our electoral system;

providing the public with information on electoral processes (including referenda) and encouraging participation in the electoral and democratic processes of the State;

overseeing the management of the electoral register;

reporting on how electoral events are administered;

regulating online political advertising; and

protecting the integrity of elections and referendums against online disinformation, misinformation and manipulative or inauthentic behaviour.



Ms. Justice Baker was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court in 2019.

She was born in Co. Wicklow but lived for most of her childhood in County Cork and was educated in St. Mary's High School, Midleton, Co. Cork, University College Cork (M.A, Philosophy and B.C.L.) and the Honorable Society of King's Inns (B.L.).

Ms. Justice Baker was called to the Bar in 1984 and was called to the Inner Bar in 2004. She practiced in the Cork and Munster circuits. Her primary practice areas included land law and conveyancing, general chancery, family law and commercial law.

She is an accredited mediator.

Ms. Justice Baker has previously lectured on contract and commercial law in Dublin City University (formerly known as the National Institute of Further Education).

In 2014, she was appointed as a part-time Commissioner of the Law Reform Commission. She was a member of the advisory study group on pre-nuptial agreements which reported to Governemnt in April 2007.

In 2014. she was appointed a judge of the High Court and was assigned to the non-jury and judicial review lists. She was the judge in charge of the personal insolvency list and the non-contentious probate list from 2014 until her appointment to the Court of Appeal.

Upon its coming into effect in May 2018, Ms. Justice Baker was appointed as the assigned judge for the purposes of the applicability of the Data Protection Act 2018 in respect of the supervision of data processing operations of the courts when acting in their judicial capacity.

Ordinary members of An Coimisiun Toghchain

John Curran, Maura Quinn, Alex Attwood and Caroline Fennell are the Ordinary Members of An Coimisiun Toghchain.

Mr. Curran has served as a Minister of State, a TD, and as a local authority member. He will bring this political and administrative experience to An Coimisiun. He also brings expertise in political campaigning.

Ms. Quinn will provide An Coimisiun with the benefit of her expertise in corporate governance, regulatory affairs and financial matters. She has over 25 years experience as a chief executive across a range of sectors.

Mr. Attwood is a former MLA for West Belfast, and has experience as an agent, campaign manager, fundraiser and party chairperson in Northern Ireland. As a member of the UK Electoral Commission, he brings international experience of the administration and regulation of electoral systems.

Prof. Fennell has worked at a senior level in academia and is a Professor Emerita of Law in University College Cork. She also has a significant background in human rights issues, governance and accountability, including as a current member of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.


Irelands planning appeals body is being to a certain extent overwhelmed by a surge of judicial reviews against its decisions, a Dail committee has been told.

Oonagh Buckley, interim chair of An Bord Pleanala, was giving evidence to the Housing, Local Government and Heritage Committee where she said courts expected the board to justify its decisions in microscopic detail.

The committee is scrutinising the Governments new Planning and Development Bill, which was introduced by Housing Minister Darragh OBrien.

The proposed legislation would limit the ability of groups such as residents associations to take judicial reviews against planning decisions.

It states that legal challenges would have to be taken by a named individual or individuals and timelines would be introduced in the process.

A company registered for more than a year with at least 10 members could also take a judicial review.

Committee chairman, Green Party TD, Steven Matthews asked how the proposed changes to judicial review provision in the bill would make the planning system better.

Ms Buckley said there had been a surge of judicial reviews over planning decisions.

We have two external legal firms, but the number of judicial reviews has been such that it has to a certain extent overwhelmed the capacity of those legal firms and indeed of the internal team who have been trying to deal with them while also dealing with their day jobs, she added.

It is the function of the chairperson to sign off on every concession, and we are conceding cases on very basic grounds.

In part because the High Court in particular, the judges who currently sit on the planning list are getting ever more detailed in the requirements that they are making of the board.

Requirements that are being sought today if we are to win a case were not in place two years ago.

There is a certain element of the moving goalposts in this, perhaps correctly.

Ms Buckley continued: It seems to me that there are changes that perhaps we need to look at throughout the bill that will help the board deliver decent quality decisions that explain why it made its decision to the parties involved but that perhaps are not held up to a microscopic standard which has tended to be the case.

The draft bill would also mean An Bord Pleanala would have to comply with mandatory time limits for processing planning applications and would be renamed An Coimisiun Pleanala.

However, both the board and the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) raised concerns over a proposal for fines to apply to the planning authority if it failed to meet the deadlines.

Ms Buckley asked the Committee: Is an approach whereby fines from the public purse are paid to developers the best way to deal with delays?

Or are there other effective measures that could be taken to ensure that the future commission works to its mandated timelines in the majority of cases and that its management is accountable for delivering that?

Niall Cussen, chief executive officer at the OPR said: We disagree with the concept of fines for failures to meet statutory deadlines.

There needs to be a better way found than the prospect of An Bord Pleanala handing over fee income it needs to function to applicants.

Resourcing is the key allied to wider measures including a new digital strategy for all planning functions.

He added: The historic and structural underfunding of our planning processes is all the more remarkable when one considers how central the planning process is to building anything in this country.
The Cathaoirleach and senior management in Laois County Council will be heading to the USA for St Patrick's Day.

Cllr Thomasina Connell and council staff are accepting invitations from the County Laois Association in New York, and the town of Franklin, Tennessee which is twinned with Portlaoise, to visit them for a week this spring.

Cllr Connell confirmed she will be joining the delegation, at the January meeting of Laois County Council.

The traditional annual trips, funded by the taxpayer, normally include meetings with staff at the IDA Ireland, Failte Ireland and Enterprise Ireland offices in New York, to promote Laois for business and tourism.

Mike Dunphy, President of the Laois Association of New York sent the invitation to Cllr Connell and council officials, to join them in the parade on March 17.

"We view St Patrick's Day parade in New York as an excellent opportunity for both the Laois Members of New York and the Laois County Council Officials from Ireland to meet and renew old ties and make new acquaintances. The occasion also provides the opportunity for the Laois officials to renew and develop contacts with various agencies based in New York such as governmental agencies, trade groups and tourist boards," Mr Dunphy said in his invitation.

The Tennessee invitation was issued by the Mayor of the City of Franklin, Dr Ken Moore, to Cllr Connell and her delegation, to visit Franklin and Williamson County, from March 19 to 22.

"We look forward to a special relationship moving forward and will be looking for how to expand the opportunities for each entity," he said.

In return, Laois councillors have agreed to send an invitation to Franklin officials to visit Laois this September.

Franklin and Laois were first twinned in 2008, with the relationship renewed at the invite of Franklin in 2021, with several trips over and back since, most recently when students from Franklin High School visited Laois last summer.

The twinning of Franklin with Laois initially formed out of the O More  Ireland Summer College Programme, held in Abbeyleix for some years. It was led by Ms Marianne Moloney, Mr Kevin O Brien and Dr Mark Hilliard of the O More College of Design in Franklin.
Protests look set to continue in Kill as residents representatives criticise a lack of information surrounding plans to accommodate refugees from Ukraine.

The Department of Children, Equality , Integration, Disability and Youth has announced plans to house the refugees at a former equestrian site but no clear information has been forthcoming about how many will arrive initially or when people from the war torn country will start to arrive.

A contract to transform the site into a suitable condition will be signed soon and according to the DCEIDY discussions are still taking place with the site provider to bring the site on stream.

The department has undertaken to provide updated information to the local representatives soon and no refugees - or beneficiaries of temporary protection as the department refers to them - will move in before these representatives are briefed.

It is understood that the fire safety certificate, a necessary document relating to any venue used by numbers of people, refers to a capacity of 355 people.

And although this is much larger than the 165 figure relating to the numbers to be housed in Kill, it is understood that the 355 figure refers to an original application when the possibility of refugees coming to Kill was first mooted.

Fiona Forkan of the Kill Residents Action Group said that the contract for the site remains unsigned and any significant development at the site is weeks away.

Even after the contract is signed it will take weeks before anyone moves in but we are only being given bits of information by the department. Their intention is to open it only for Ukrainian families but we would like to have more detail about the plan. All we are getting is trickles of information or a repeat of information already provided, siad Ms Forkan.

The main concerns of KRAG are that the infrastructure and amenities of the village will not be able to cope and they point out that the GP services are operating at capacity and there are no additional places at the local primary school. They have also said that the centre is not suitable to be redeveloped.

Separately the department has not responded directly to a claim that part of The Waterways complex in Sallins could be used to provide refugee accommodation.

In a statement the the department said that since the beginning of 2022, Ireland and many other European countries are experiencing a significant increase of new arrivals seeking international protection (IP). Last year, over 15,000 people arrived in Ireland seeking accommodation while their applications for international protection is processed by the International Protection Office. Over the period 2017-2019 an average of 3,500 people applied for protection each year.

The State has a legal and moral obligation to assess the claims of those who seek refuge, and in that time to provide accommodation and support.

Combined with the simultaneous arrival of over 70,000 people displaced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine  the largest displacement of people in Europe since the Second World War  the pressures on the State to respond to the challenge are immense. 55,000 of those are in State-provided accommodation.

Intensive efforts are undertaken daily by staff in DCEIDY and the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) to source emergency accommodation. However, procuring enough bed space to keep pace with incoming arrivals remains extremely challenging, leading to very significant shortages.

Read more Kildare news
The CEO of one of countrys biggest business representative organisations in the country has claimed that the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) introduced in Budget 2023 to help the business sector with soring energy costs, is currently "not fit for purpose" and is asking the Government to re-examine the eligibility criteria for the scheme.

A recent survey conducted by County Kildare Chamber, with over 400 members employing 42,000, stated that 76% of respondents had been unable to avail of the TBESS.

When questioned on why the business could not avail of the support 30% stated the application process was too complex and time consuming for the anticipated payback from the scheme. A further 30% stated their energy costs had not increased enough over the reference period allowed.

This is despite every company recording an increase in energy costs, with 27% of respondents stating their costs had increased by 41-60% over the previous 12-month period.

County Kildare Chamber CEO, Allan Shine who runs the organisation which represents over 400 companies employing over 42,000 people said: In September last, the Government introduced a range of provisions aimed at the business community to help and support the sector through an extremely challenging time. However, as can been seen through this data, the TBESS is not working for the very group it was designed to help. We have seen very low numbers applying with the latest figures saying just 18,700 businesses had registered for TBESS by the end of January, with 11,200 claimed being approved at a value of 22.7 million. That is just 2% of the 1.2 billion budget set aside for the scheme.

County Kildare Chamber has called for a series of changes to the scheme:

Mr Shine said: "The timeframe for applications should be extended to the end of the year, as many businesses who are currently struggling cannot show a 50% increase on wholesale energy costs for the reference period indicated.

"With nearly 1/3 of our members stating the application process was too time consuming and complex for the anticipated payback, we are asking that the process be simplified.

"The scheme take into account business owners who are not currently covered under the scheme such as those who have moved premises in the last year and those who are currently leasing space from a landlord, both of whom are at present not eligible under the scheme and are facing the same significant increases in cost."


SL Controls, the specialist software integration firm based in Sligo, is to create 100 new highly-skilled jobs by mid-2025.

The job creation is part of the companys strategic plan to continue its global expansion across Europe and the U.S.

From 2020 to 2022, the company increased its turnover by 43 per cent to 12.6m last year. It is projected to increase by another 68 per cent over the next three years with the aim to reach 21m turnover for 2025.

The company has been building its workforce steadily over the past decade and the new jobs will bring the workforce to a total of 220.

The jobs will be in the engineering field and will be based across Ireland with many of the roles location independent to meet the needs of the companys clients who are located across the globe.

SL Controls is headquartered in Sligo with offices in Dublin, Limerick and Galway (as well as in Florida) and the roles will be a mix of remote and hybrid where workers can combine working from home with working from one of its offices.

The company is looking for people to fill both project management and technical roles. The technical positions will include: Software Developers, Senior Automation Engineers, Senior Software Engineers, Validation and Compliance Engineers as well as Senior and Intermediate MES Engineers.

SL Controls is an international provider of equipment system integrated solutions that facilitate the production of cutting-edge healthcare products and technologies that benefit patients around the world.

The company works with a range of global brands primarily in the pharmaceutical, medical device and technology industries helping them modernise and digitally transform their manufacturing operations.

In July 2021, it announced that it was being acquired by global IT group NNIT, which is one of Denmarks largest IT operators with more than 3,000 employees worldwide and offices across Europe, North America and Asia.

The integration with NNIT has led to an increase in both customers and projects for SL Controls, especially across Europe. Most of SL Controls customers are multinationals based in Ireland, mainland Europe and the U.S.

SL Controls has been supported by Enterprise Ireland for many years but, following the integration with NNIT, it will be transitioning over to become an IDA client during 2023.

SL Controls CEO and co-founder Keith Moran says: We are delighted to be able to announce a further 100 jobs for Ireland today as well as setting out our strong strategic growth plans. Joining forces with NNIT has further enhanced our service offering to meet our customers global requirements for fully integrated solutions across the Operational Technology and Information Technology layers.

This has led to an increase in both clients and the level of work across Ireland, the U.S. and Europe. Id like to take this opportunity to thank the SL Controls team who have enabled this strong growth and we look forward to welcoming new team members over the coming months.
A group of leading Irish humanitarian organisations have launched a joint-appeal calling on the Irish public, including people in Leitrim, to help support the thousands impacted by the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

Irish Emergency Alliance members Action Aid, Christian Aid, Plan International, Tearfund, Trocaire and World Vision Ireland, are responding to the crisis by fundraising to provide food, water, blankets, hygiene kits and shelter.

Irish Emergency Alliance Executive Director, Brian Casey, said: This is a time for concerted, united action. The impacts of these earthquakes has been devastating. In the midst of an already harsh winter, vulnerable children, families and others have been shaken to the core by the devastating earthquakes which have killed thousands in Northern Syria and Southern Turkey.

People have been left without shelter in freezing winter conditions, with humanitarian needs expected to grow in the coming days. Access to clean water will likely be a challenge, bringing the risk of cholera and other diseases. By joining forces we can work in a really effective way to get aid where its needed most.

World Vision Ireland CEO, Gillian Barnett, said she and her team were deeply committed to working together with the other agencies:

These earthquakes have killed thousands of people. Countless homes have been destroyed, leaving children, families and others devastated. Add to that the harsh winter conditions and the fact that people in Syria have already been suffering the effects of 12 years of civil war. I speak for my colleagues in every agency working together here, when I say we are humbled and honoured to be doing what we can to offer some relief in this catastrophic situation.

People need help now and theres no time to waste. World Vision has teams working directly on the ground in Syria and Turkey. Working with the other agencies puts us in a position to get vital funding to all our teams and partner organisations who are working around the clock at this harrowing time.

Trocaire CEO Caoimhe de Barra spoke of impacts on the ground and the difference that donations can make on the ground:

Peoples lives have been decimated, with the current death toll standing at over 16,000 people. The level of injury and loss on top of the loss of life is hard to process. Thousands of buildings, including hospitals and schools, have collapsed and infrastructure has been badly damaged.

The Irish Emergency Alliance member-NGOs and their local partners have been amongst the first responders, working with locally-led relief efforts. Its vital that we keep receiving donations so that we can provide support and goods where our teams on the ground advise the needs are most acute.

Immediate priorities are medical treatment for the injured, shelter for those who have lost their homes, heaters for safe spaces and winter kits with blankets, and warm clothes, and ensuring people have food and clean water. Our teams are also providing vital hygiene kits to help desperate families to stay healthy.

Bennett, Christian Aid Irelands Chief Executive, said: The vast majority of people in northwest Syria are already in desperate need of aid after years of conflict. Again and again the public dig deep to help people in their time of need but every penny makes a huge difference to support people rebuild their lives.

To donate visit irishemergencyalliance.orgor call 1800 939 979.
Just Stop Oil climate activist Simon Bramwell outside the City Of London Magistrates' Court on February 8, 2023. JORDAN PETTITT / AP

"I am confident that if Leonardo da Vinci were looking down on us, he would 100% agree with what weve done" declared Simon Bramwell, one of the Just Stop Oil protestors fined on Wednesday, February 8. Along with four other protesters, the 50-year-old activist glued his hands to a copy of Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper frame and sprayed graffiti on the wall of a London museum back in July 2022.

Following a two-day trial, district judge William Nelson ordered all five to pay 486 pounds ($587) each for criminal damage. He said the protesters were "reckless" because they knew they would damage the painting's frame  but also noted that the "primary cause" of the protest "was to gain media attention and not to cause damage to a work of art."

The 16th-century painting, which was unharmed, is attributed to one or more of Da Vinci's pupils and is believed to be the most accurate record of the original.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes 'It is important for the EU to be among the first to lead on climate change'

'Halt new oil and gas licenses'

Just Stop Oil said it wanted to put pressure on Britain's government to halt new oil and gas licenses. In October, activists made international headlines when they threw tomato soup over Van Gogh's Sunflowers at the National Gallery. They caused no harm to the glass-covered painting.

Other protesters from the activist network stormed the track at last year's British Grand Prix Formula 1 race. Six activists were charged with causing a public nuisance for the protest, and on Wednesday a jury retired to consider its verdict after a two-week trial over the case.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Oil companies earned record profits in 2022

Le Monde with AP
A Syncrude oil sands mining facility near Fort McKay, Alberta, Canada, September 7, 2022. ED JONES / AFP

The motto on Alberta's coat of arms reads: "Fortis et Liber." If Fortis equals strength, Alberta, also called "Oilberta," has certainly built its own on the back of its natural resources.

In the Athabasca deposit in the North of the province, the huge open-pit mines of oil sands account for 80% of Canada's total hydrocarbon production. In Edmonton, Alberta's capital, big oil companies' refineries have managed to rope in the city by offering employees six-figure salaries.

If Liber equals free, the province still considers more can be achieved and it keeps demanding more autonomy.

Since joining the Canadian confederation in 1905  Canada was formed in 1867  Albertans have been experiencing a sense of alienation from the federal authorities. Every now and again, demands for greater freedom trigger feverish debate.

The latest turmoil was ignited by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. Elected leader of the United Conservative Party in October following her predecessor's resignation, and subsequently appointed premier, the 52-year-old former journalist, anxious to please her electorate's most radical base, passed the "Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act" on December 7.

The text gives the province the power to ignore "federal rules deemed harmful to Alberta's interests." Canada had gotten accustomed to Quebec's recurring independence ambitions, it must now face the rebellion of the country's third-richest province.

Legal experts have questioned the constitutionality of a measure that would remove the province from Canada's common law. Smith declined to specify the context in which she might resort to the new legislation but the message is clear: The federal government should mind its own business and refrain from undermining Alberta's economy.

"The historical root of the confrontation between Edmonton and Ottawa is the control of natural resources," Frederic Boily, a professor of political science at the University of Alberta, said.

"This power belongs to provincial authorities but the environmental policy is a federal area of concern. Alberta had already regarded the imposition of a carbon tax [in 2021] as a provocation. The energy transition policy the government is embarking on is rekindling the controversy."

A 'just transition' plan

Determined to reduce the oil and gas industry's greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged to present a "just transition" plan by the spring to help fossil fuel workers move into "green energy" jobs.

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LIMERICK designer Aoife McNamara has set her on America with her fashion label, Aoife Ireland.

"International growth is one of our biggest goals in the coming year, my choice of market that I am planning on going into is New York, the US market.

"One of the main reasons is because of our beautiful cottage in Adare, we have so many Americans coming in and they really, truly love the brand and they love the story and also because I lived in New York, I worked in New York, I know what they wear, I know the style, I know the customer.

"When I was working with Marc Jacobs I figured that out over there and I suppose thats always been a dream of mine to pursue and have a pop up store in New York, Soho or Brooklyn or somewhere like that," explained Aoife.

While she visualises New Yorkers wearing her Irish wool and tweed garments, she envisages the Californian customers donning her Irish linen and organic cottons.

"I think they are totally different customers, living by the seaside and living in the busiest city in the world, you have to be dressed in different attire, I can see the brand in California just as much as I can in New York," she explained.

The 27 year old has become known for her conscious clothing, Irish materials and sharing her ethos with her customers through social media and with in-person events, which she holds in her cottage in Adare Village.

"The big thing for me and why I decided to do community events, is when I started my brand I had my why and I know I want to make clothes to help make a change but I also I feel in me creating sustainable clothes I also need to be able to educate my consumers in why they are buying sustainable clothes, why are the buying the higher priced mark, its all about creating that conscious consumer," she added.

While speaking on the Tech Powered Luxury podcast, she explained the importance of the soil to soil process and making garments that are environmentally friendly.

"I feel like bringing my brand back to basics and meeting people in person, chatting to customers, also seeing the design, what they love, what they dont love, also being able to educate them in person was a huge part of my want to meet people in person," she said.
A GARDA described a defendant as one of the most obnoxious, aggressive and arrogant people he had encountered in at least five or six years.

Thomas Burke, aged 42, of Sycamore Drive, Bruff pleaded guilty at Kilmallock Court to threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour and intoxication.

Garda Pat Ahern said he responded to a public order incident at Sycamore Drive, Bruff on October 29, 2022.

I saw a man in the green area - he was clearly intoxicated. He was not steady on his feet. He was creating such a racket that I asked him on numerous occasions to leave the area. He refused to do so, said Garda Ahern, who proceeded to arrest Mr Burke.

Garda Ahern told the court that Mr Burke said: Come here you c***, Ill box the head off you.

The garda said on the three minute drive to the garda station the verbal abuse continued and Mr Burke attempted to get out of the car.

He said he would knock me out given half a chance, said Garda Ahern.

The garda said when they arrived at Bruff garda station Mr Burke refused to hand over his cigarettes and lit up in the cell.

He refused to put it out. He said, Come try and get them off me. He said he would box the head off me if you were on your own, said Garda Ahern.

The Bruff-based garda told Judge Marie Keane the accused was one of the most obnoxious, aggressive and arrogant people he had encountered in at least five or six years.

Kevin Power, solicitor for Mr Burke, said his client is a 42-year-old man and has a good job. He is a fitter / welder by trade. He works up in Dublin. He comes home the odd weekend. He had consumed a lot of alcohol. He has no recollection of events. He has pleaded at the first opportunity. He instructs me to apologise, said Mr Power.

Judge Keane asked Garda Ahern if Mr Burke had apologised before today? No, said Garda Ahern.

Judge Keane asked Garda Ahern if Mr Burke was catatonic on the night. The judge said this was the only reason somebody could forget a series of events.

Garda Ahern said Mr Burke was not catatonic and he found it impossible to believe Mr Burke had no recollection of events.

Judge Keane put the case back to a second calling.

How dare you come in here and try and hoodwink the court. I hope you have your toothbrush, said Judge Keane to Mr Burke.

At the end of the court sitting, Mr Power said Mr Burke had consumed a lot of alcohol on the date in question. The solicitor said his client was in a very bad accident 20 years in which he suffered a very serious head injury.

I would respectfully say the garda is not entitled to comment on whether he was catatonic or not, said Mr Power.

Judge Keane asked Mr Burke to apologise to Garda Ahern in the witness box.

I was completely out of order. I would like to apologise to An Garda Siochana and especially Garda Ahern and to everyone else involved, said Mr Burke.

Judge Keane fined Mr Burke 500 for threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour and took the intoxication offence into consideration. That kind of conduct will not be tolerated. Thank you, said Judge Keane.
THE OWNERS of a popular music venue are celebrating after being recognised for the work they do to keep their premises looking first class.

Mick and Valerie Dolan, who founded Dolans at Dock Road in the city have been named the first winners of the Limerick City Tidy Towns award for 2023.

Maura ONeill of Tidy Towns, who presented the prize praised the husband-and-wife team for the overhaul they have to its exterior.

"Our volunteers are often stopped by tourists during our evening pick-ups asking for directions to Dolans, as it is clearly on many bucket lists for visitors to Limerick. At the latter part of last year, the exterior of the building was given a huge overhaul with extensive repair and paint work and new lighting and exterior floral displays which now makes it an impressive go-to location on the outside as well as for whats inside, which is so important given its prominent location on the Dock Road, one of the main routes in and out of city, she explained.

Since Limerick City Tidy Towns launched its awards scheme in 2014, it has honoured one business owner each month for their efforts.

However, from 2023, prizes will only be given out every two months.

It means Dolan's is the first of six winners for the year and is in with a chance to be the overall winner when that's announced early in 2024.

A special awards event will take place in March, where the overall winner for 2022 will be crowned, with an online poll to decide this just closing.

If you wish to nominate a business in the city for an award or volunteer with Limerick City Tidy Towns, they meet every Sunday morning at 11am at the corner of Thomas Street and OConnell Street.
LIMERICK has received a boost with the announcement by SL Controls that it is to create 100 new highly-skilled over the next two years.

The company, which has offices at The National Technology Park in Plassey, says it expects huge growth as its global expansion continues.

SL Controls, which was acquired by global service provider NNIT group in July 2021, says its turnover is expected to reach over 20m by the end of 2025.

The new jobs, announced this Thursday, will be created across country, with many being location independent. More than 30 people are currently employed by SL Controls in Limerick and a number of the new jobs will be based in locally.

Commenting on the jobs announcement, SL Controls CEO and co-founder Keith Moran said: We are delighted to be able to announce a further 100 jobs for Ireland today as well as setting out our strong strategic growth plans. Joining forces with NNIT has further enhanced our service offering to meet our customers global requirements for fully integrated solutions across the Operational Technology and Information Technology layers. This has led to an increase in both clients and the level of work across Ireland, the U.S. and Europe. Id like to take this opportunity to thank the SL Controls team who have enabled this strong growth and we look forward to welcoming new team members over the coming months."

Between 2020 and 2022, the company increased its turnover by 43% to 12.6m. It is projected to increase by another 68% over the next three years with the aim to reach 21m turnover for 2025.

SL Controls, which has strategic plans to expand across Europe and the Unites States, t has been building its workforce steadily over the past decade and the new jobs will bring the workforce to a total of 220.

The new jobs will be in the engineering field and will be based across Ireland with many of the roles location independent to meet the needs of the companys clients who are located across the globe.

SL Controls has offices in Limerick, Sligo, Dublin, Galway and Florida and the roles will be a mix of remote and hybrid where workers can combine working from home with working from one of its offices.

The company is looking for people to fill both project management and technical roles. The technical positions will include: Software Developers, Senior Automation Engineers, Senior Software Engineers, Validation and Compliance Engineers as well as Senior and Intermediate MES Engineers.

SL Controls is an international provider of equipment system integrated solutions that facilitate the production of cutting-edge healthcare products and technologies that benefit patients around the world.

The company works with a range of global brands primarily in the pharmaceutical, medical device and technology industries helping them modernise and digitally transform their manufacturing operations.

SL Controls has been supported by Enterprise Ireland for many years but, following the integration with NNIT, it will be transitioning over to become an IDA client during 2023.
THE PRESIDENT of the University of Limerick (UL), Professor Kerstin Mey has expressed her sadness following the loss of a "valued member" of the UL community.

The body of Ronan Moran, a first-year student at UL from County Leitrim, was discovered at a premises in Castletroy on Wednesday.

Prof Mey, in a message circulated to all UL students and staff members, paid tribute to the young man who was aged in his late teens:

"I am so deeply sad to inform you of the passing of a valued member of our University of Limerick Community Ronan Moran, first-year Bachelor of Education in Graphics, Engineering and Technology.

"We hold Ronans family in our thoughts especially his parents John and Geraldine and his brothers Kevin and Fergal.

"Our sympathies go out to all of Ronans classmates and lecturers, to his housemates, friends and fellow UL students and the many others who will be devastated by his loss," Prof Mey added.

Gardai are currently preparing a file for the local coroner.

While investigations into Ronan's death are ongoing, it is understood that gardai do not suspect foul play.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 4, was the 60th anniversary of the last regular passenger train to travel from Limerick to Tralee. The four small stations of Kilmorna, Devon Road, Barnagh and Ardagh closed permanently that evening in February 2, 1963. The four larger stations survived for freight and occasional passenger trains until Abbeyfeale , Newcastle West, and Rathkeale closed in 1975 and Listowel in 1977.

The arrival of the railway must have been a very exciting time in Ireland, and Limerick city was connected to the system in 1848. It brought places closer together and made travel easier and more comfortable for people. Limerick to Tralee, our local train was connected in three stages from 1858 to 1880.

The Limerick to Foynes Railway via Ballingrane, commenced business in 1858. From Ballingrane to Newcastle West, (1- miles) was opened on January 1, 1867. The last stage from Newcastle West to Tralee (43 miles) was opened on December 20, 1880.

At its peak four passenger trains, and one goods train, operated daily from and back to Limerick. It was a hive of activity with goods, and passengers, being carried in large numbers from Limerick to Tralee. All the goods and merchandise for the shops, and the farming community came by rail. The business provided employment, at the smaller stations along the route as goods, had to be loaded and unloaded. The postal service also came this way bringing welcome news, parcels and money from abroad.

The movement of cattle, and livestock by rail was huge, and it brought additional buyers to the fairs. The August fair in Newcastle West in 1916 saw over 90 wagons of cattle and sheep transported from the town, to locations around the country. The sights and sounds from those far off days, are just a distant memory now for the elder generation.

The Railway Station in Limerick is named after Con Colbert, who was executed for his part in the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin. He was born on October 19, 1888 in Monaleena, Castlemahon, and was brought up in Athea. He was a member of Na Fianna Eireann, the Irish Volunteers, and the Irish Republican Brotherhood. He commanded the forces at Watkins brewery, and Jamesons distillery during the Easter Rising. Con faced the firing squad at Kilmainham Gaol on May 8, 1916 aged 27 years. The Limerick station was named after him, on April 10, 1966.

I made only two journeys by train from Newcastle Railway Station, both in 1974, and they were specials, to the All-Ireland Hurling Final, which saw Kilkenny defeat Limerick, and to devotions in Knock. The train took huge numbers of people, from their home place, to foreign destinations during the history of the railway age. It was a mixture of sad and joyful occasions, and many never returned to their native place. People were lost in Wars, and died in accidents, and some decided to settle elsewhere.

This brings to mind the song The Vales of New Dirreen, which has been made famous by Donie Lyons, from Dromreask, Glin. The song tells of a romance between a labourer, and a farmers daughter, in Athea, and it has a sad ending. The farm labourer was John Downey, and the farmer with whom he worked had an only daughter. By all accounts, she was a beautiful girl. Her father would not hear of a marriage, between the pair, who was deeply in love. He forced her to emigrate, and John Downey followed her. When he traced her, she was dead. She pined away and died of a broken heart. John Downey composed the song. The Vales of New Dirreen. I include the final verse.

So now I must end my few pen lines,

In case I might be late,

The morning train from Ardagh leaves,

At twenty-five past eight.

So, God be with you, Ireland,

Youre my starlight ocean Queen,

And a fond farewell to all who dwell,

In the Vales of New Dirreen.

The shrill sound of the whistle, to a station was also greeted with jubilation, as returning people stepped off the platform. They included those returning after many years working abroad, and long forgotten relatives. The joy on peoples faces often had to be seen, to be believed and all due to the train, and the smoke along the track.

The Limerick to Tralee route included the following stops, Patrickswell, Kilgobbin, Adare, Ballingrane, Rathkeale, Ardagh, Newcastle West, Barnagh, Devon Road, Abbeyfeale, Kilmorna, Listowel, Lixnaw, Abbeydorney, and Ardfert. In 1937 a first class ticket from Limerick to Abbeyfeale cost seven shillings and nine pence, with a return ticket costing thirteen shillings and seven pence. A third class ticket for the same journey cost five shillings and two pence, with a return ticket costing nine shillings and one penny.

The railway age started to decline following the Emergency (1939-45) and operations began to be scaled down. The prospects for the future became bleak and in 1963 passenger services were withdrawn, apart from the occasional special. CIE withdrew passenger services from Limerick to Foynes and Tralee, with the last train running on February 2, 1963.

In 1972 goods trains stopped running through to Tralee, and the closure of the track, was just around the bend. The last train entered Newcastle West, with one wagon of cement, on October 31, 1975. The freight services were withdrawn on the Listowel to Tralee, section of the line, on January 10, 1977. The line remained in place, and unused with grass, briars, and brambles growing along it for the following ten years.

In January 1988 the lifting of the track commenced and other uses for the line began to emerge. The suggestions included a caravan trail, and a walkway, and research was undertook by Shannon Development. SUSTRANS of Bristol, England did a major study, and recommended the construction of the Great Southern Trail. It is understood that Shannon Development did not have the resources required to continue the project, and Limerick and Kerry County Councils didn't push ahead with it.

The Great Southern Trail Action Group was formed at a public meeting in Newcastle West, in July 4, 1991, to preserve the railway line. With public support and funding, they put an excellent amenity in place, for the general public to enjoy. From Rathkeale to Abbeyfeale people could walk, jog, run, or cycle, the 22 mile route, in a safe roadway, with no fear of being hit by oncoming traffic.

It has been an amazing success story to date, and all due to the determination, and commitment of all involved( led by Liam OMahony, from Newcastle West) in putting the trail in place. They then handed the running of the trail over to Limerick Council whose funding and work has led to the present Limerick Greenway. In recent months it has been extended into Listowel.

The Great Southern Trail Ltd has been commemorating the first Saturday in February for the past 20 years with various events. Many people took the opportunity to travel it again last weekend. The last train may have departed but thanks to the foresight of the Great Southern Trail members who kept the route open we can all avail of the facilities now in place.
THE LIMERICK Philmarmonic Orchestra is to take to the stage again, with a performance at St Mary's Cathedral in the city this weekend.

The group will perform Tchaikovskys Fifth Symphony on Sunday evening at 7pm, and entry is free.

The orchestra is comprised of professional players and high level amateurs who wish to perform the master works of the great composers.

Sinead Hayes, who is becoming one of Ireland's leading interpreters of contemporary music and opera will conduct the band at the event.

She comes with great credentials: for she is conductor of the Royal Irish Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra and principal conductor of Galways professional orchestra Luminosa.

In the past, Sinead has conducted the Irish chamber orchestra, Ulster Orchestra, Irish National Opera, Opera Collective Ireland and Crash ensemble.

The orchestra meanwhile will be led by Anna Jane Ryan.

There will be a retiring collection in aid of the upkeep costs of St Marys Cathedral.

The following day, another free concert will take place at the venue, with Clements High School Choir taking in Limerick as part of an Irish tour.

This begins at 1.15pm on Monday, March 13.

This visiting choir from Texas, USA will perform sacred, traditional and popular songs for by Hagenberg, Arcadelt, Hunter, Emerson and many more.

Once again, there will be a retiring collection.

All are welcome at both events.
Pushing back a deadline for calling fresh Assembly elections in Northern Ireland is legislating for further drift, the Sinn Fein president has said.

Mary Lou McDonald criticised the move by Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris, and said there was a real danger of more drift amid the political deadlock.

Mr Heaton-Harris announced on Thursday that the local parties will have until January 18 2024 to form a ministerial executive at Stormont.

If that deadline passes, then the Government would come under a legal responsibility to hold a snap poll within the following 12 weeks.

During a round-table meeting between Mr Heaton-Harris and the Stormont parties in Belfast on Thursday, the political stalemate, the stalled Daithis Law on organ donation, a 2023-24 budget and protocol negotiations were discussed.

Mr Heaton-Harris said he was disappointed at having to introduce the legislation but said he was aware that many people in Northern Ireland are not in favour of another poll.

He said the legislation will also enable the Government to bring this period to an early end and move to elections sooner, if it becomes necessary.

My priority remains the restoration of fully functioning power-sharing institutions and I will continue to work with the NI parties to ensure this happens as soon as possible, he added.

The DUP collapsed the devolved Executive last February in protest at Brexits Northern Ireland Protocol, and the party has made clear it will not lift its block on powersharing until radical changes are made to the contentious Irish Sea trading arrangements.

The EU and UK are engaged in intensive negotiations amid mounting speculation that a deal is on the cards to reduce the red tape on trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

However, an agreement between London and Brussels on the protocol would not necessarily lead to the return of powersharing, as the DUP has insisted any deal that may emerge must meet its tests on trade, sovereignty and accountability if it is to countenance re-entering Stormont.

With the powersharing vacuum having continued following last Mays Assembly election, several deadlines for the calling of another election have come and gone.

With the last one passing on January 19, the Government had been under a responsibility to call a poll within a 12-week timeframe. That duty will fall away following Mr Heaton-Harriss move.

Civil servants are running public services in Northern Ireland in the absence of elected ministers.

They have taken the reins at a time when Stormont is facing a financial overspend running to hundreds of millions of pounds

DUP MLA Gordon Lyons reiterated his partys position that they want concerns around the protocol addressed.

He contended that pushing back the deadline for Stormont elections was less important than resolving issues with the protocol.

From our point of view, we dont fear going to the electorate, were quite happy to get our mandate renewed. In fact, we think well improve on the election results from last time, he said.

But ultimately, what we want to see sorted out is the protocol.

Get it resolved in accordance with the seven tests that weve set out, which allow us to form that stable executive to deal with the issues that were facing.

Ms McDonald criticised the DUP for its position, describing it as unacceptable that the party is preventing the formation of a new Stormont Executive.

She said Mr Heaton-Harris also expressed a level of frustration during the meeting over the ongoing deadlock.

He tells us that he wishes to see the institutions re-established, we are prepared to take him on his word, she said.

I have described the decision to set the election deadline back to January as legislating for further drift, I think thats a real danger.

I hope Im wrong in that, and I hope that the positive noises that we have been hearing in recent times actually amount now to a result  inclusive government back up and running again with the kind of budget that will be needed here to support health services, to support education, to support the infrastructural needs of this place, which are very significant.

Ms McDonald also warned there can be no return to direct rule if the powersharing institutions are not resurrected.

Well be looking at a partnership arrangement, joint authority, between Dublin and London, she said.

Thats the alternative and I think the DUP need to very soberly assess that prospect.

The five largest parties at Stormont took part in the round-table meeting.

Alliance leader Naomi Long described a very full and very frank exchange of views.

She criticised the decision by Mr Heaton-Harris to push back the election deadline as kicking the can down the road.

(If) there isnt going to be an election and there isnt going to be that kind of incentive for people to get together to form an executive, then a process needs to be created to start to deal with those issues, she said.

UUP leader Doug Beattie described an interesting but frustrating meeting, at times a little bit tetchy.

He said his party still does not have all the information it requires to give positive ideas for a budget for 2023-24.

We talked about the protocol  it was the same noises that weve heard before in that the negotiations continue, they are good negotiations, there is no deal yet. There are significant gaps still, theyre working away at absolutely no timeframe.

Meanwhile, SDLP MP Claire Hanna said Mr Heaton-Harris had confirmed that the regions economic future would include access to UK and EU markets.

She added: On the economy we were pleased to get confirmation from the Secretary of State that he is clear that part of our economic future is dual market access and ensuring that is protected.

We all know what that means in terms of some of the red lines that people have.

We have advocated from the start decoupling the executive formation and the EU-UK trade deal.

On Wednesday, the UK Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the Northern Ireland Protocol is lawful following a challenge brought by a collective of unionists and Brexiteers.

Unionists have interpreted the judgment as confirmation that the protocol has overridden a key plank of the 1800 Acts of Union that formed the United Kingdom.
WITH THE Mid-West Bridal exhibition taking place in less than two weeks time, on February 19, we were promoting bridalwear and groomswear on national television to highlight the event.

Two of the Holman Lee Agency female models and one male model joined me in the RTE Cork studios during the week, to showcase exemplary wedding styles that will feature in the exhibition taking place in Limerick Racecourse.

The fashion that featured were from men and womens boutiques dotted around the Mid-West region, including that of Cathy De Stafford located in Nenagh, Patrick Bourkes Menswear located in Ennis, and all jewellery that featured in the segment was from Azure in Cork.

Working it in white: Model Sophia prepares with Celia before taking centre stage for the TV segment

I had the honour of wearing a beautiful bright pink rig-out from Phoenix V, a gorgeous fashion house located in Cork, who so kindly lent me the vibrant dress for the TV segment.

The Mid-West bridal exhibition promises to be a show-stopping wedding event, with a variety of hotels, chauffeurs, bridal boutiques, photographers and cake specialists showcasing their best products and services on offer for your special day.

I will be hosting two fashion shows on February 19, featuring our Holman Lee Agency models with the best bridalwear, groomswear, mother of the bride and groom and bridesmaids fashion on display on the day.

The exhibition is run in association with my modelling agency, the Holman Lee Agency, which is run by my husband Ger, my daughter-in-law Asta and I.

The day long Mid-West bridal event will be running from 11am to 6pm, with all ages welcome.

There will be spot prizes on the day, while the location provides ample space and parking facilities to suit all.

I cant wait to meet you all there so make sure to pencil it in your diary.



XxCelia
Meta Platforms Inc investors formally asked a U.S. appeals court to revive a proposed class action accusing the Facebook parent of concealing a serious privacy breach that let a political consulting firm harvest users' personal information.

The request came during oral arguments on Wednesday before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco over the Cambridge Analytica scandal, where data for up to 87 million users was accessed.

Investors claimed that Facebook, as the company was known, misled them in 2016 by describing data breaches as a mere "risk," when it knew that Cambridge had accessed user data.

ALSO READ: Another round of Meta layoffs soon? Mark Zuckerberg questions manager roles

The investors said they incurred losses in July 2018 when Facebook's share price fell after the company said user growth slowed after the magnitude of the breach became public.

U.S. District Judge Edward Davila ruled in 2020 that Facebook's statements were not false because Cambridge's data use had been in the news in 2015.

In Wednesday's hearing, the investors' lawyer Tom Goldstein told a three-judge panel that Davila's ruling should be reversed because Facebook had downplayed the news reports and not taken strong action.

Meta's lawyer Joshua Lipshutz countered that the company had adequately disclosed that cyberattacks had occurred and would occur in the future.

Circuit Judges Margaret McKeown and Jay Bybee appeared skeptical, calling those disclosures "boilerplate" and suggesting they might not be meaningful to investors.

"If they have one incident of phishing by some 18-year-old sitting in his parent's basement it's true," Bybee said. "But it's not helpful considering the nature of the leak to Cambridge."

Lipshutz replied that even if there were misstatements, investors must still show Meta had wrongful intent.

"It's not plausible that the company was trying to mislead the public about something the public already knew," he said.

Facebook paid more than $5 billion in penalties to U.S. authorities over Cambridge Analytica. It agreed to pay $725 million to settle a lawsuit by Facebook users in December.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
New Delhi: Suzlon Energy on Thursday reported a consolidated net profit of 78 crore for the December quarter, driven by higher revenues. In the year-ago period, net profit stood at 37.73 crore. Revenues in the last quarter were at  1,449 crore.

The beginning of 2023 has been highly encouraging for the wind energy sector with a slew of crucial policy announcements. Some of the key announcements have been the MNRE order stating that India will invite bids for 8 GW of wind projects annually from 2023 to 2030 in addition to private sector orders, initiatives in the C&I (Commercial & Industrial) segment along with the ISTS waiver extension, discontinuation of e-reverse bidding and ensuring the participation of all eight windy states in the bidding regime. These policies will provide much needed visibility, give momentum to industrial investors and drive balanced and viable growth of the sector," said Girish Tanti, vice chairman, Suzlon Group.

Q3 has been a stable quarter for us in line with our plans. Our priority going forward is pursuing quality orders with higher value and better margins. Our service business continues to do well, and our focus remains on executing our order book. We commissioned the first machine of our largest wind turbine series, the S144-3.x MW at Sankaneri, Tamil Nadu, in December 2022, and the early performance reports are very encouraging," said Ashwani Kumar, chief executive officer, Suzlon Group.

Q3 of FY23 has seen us register consistent improvement on all our key parameters. Our balance sheet is stronger as a result of significant debt reduction post the Rights Issue. We continue to maintain a tight control on costs, which is being reflected in our profit margins. Our consolidated Q3 PAT of 78 crores is the highest quarterly PAT before exceptional items reported by the company in more than five years. As commodity prices and supply chain issues stabilize, the positive impact of the same will be apparent in the coming quarters, said Himanshu Mody, chief financial officer, Suzlon Group.

Suzlon is one of the leading global renewable energy solution providers. Over the past two decades, Suzlon has installed over 19.7 GW of wind energy in 17 countries across six continents.
After Google and Microsoft, China's e-commerce giant Alibaba has also joined the global AI-powered chatbot race as the company is working on a rival to ChatGPT, which has sparked a gold rush in artificial intelligence technology.

Speaking to AFP, a company spokeswoman said, Alibaba is now working on a ChatGPT-style conversation bot of its own that is being tested by employees."

The official declined to offer further details on when the service would be launched or whether it would be part of Taobao, China's biggest online shopping platform.

The announcement comes days after Chinese search giant Baidu said it would complete testing of its AI chatbot in March.

The chatbot service, created by San Francisco company OpenAI, has caused a sensation for its ability to write essays, poems, and programming code on demand within seconds, sparking widespread fears of student cheating or professions becoming obsolete.

With no barriers to creating AI-synthesised text, audio and video, the potential for identity theft, financial fraud and tarnish reputations has sparked global alarm.

Microsoft has announced a multimillion-dollar partnership with ChatGPT maker OpenAI and plans to integrate the powerful capabilities of language-based artificial intelligence with its Bing search engine.

Google has also introduced a new experimental AI chatbot named Bard, a conversational service apparently aimed at countering the popularity of the ChatGPT tool backed by Microsoft.

Explaining about Bard, Google CEO Sundar Pichai in a blogpost wrote, Bard seeks to combine the breadth of the world's knowledge with the power, intelligence, and creativity of our large language models."

"It draws on information from the web to provide fresh, high-quality responses," he added, hinting that the app would give up-to-the date responses, something ChatGPT is unable to do.

Google's chatbot is supposed to be able to explain complex subjects such as outer space discoveries in terms simple enough for a child to understand.

(With AFP inputs)
Due to the acute shortage of manpower, Tata group-owned Air India is facing difficulty in operating flights to the US and Canada. Passengers have to suffer from flight cancellation and even inordinate delays on this route lately.

Notably, Air Inda is the only air operator flying on ultra-long haul routes. An ultra-long haul flight is the one that operates for more than 16 hours.

But due to the shortage of crew members, Air India flights are either getting cancelled or delayed, reported PTI. Air India also faced similar issue last year due to the crunch in manpower.

"There is an acute shortage of manpower, which is impacting airline's operations particularly to the US and Canada," the source in the know told PTI.

The air carrier has cancelled three flights to San Francisco in the US and one flight to Vancouver in Canada in the last 5-6 days. Moreover, passengers travelling on this route have to wait for as long as 12 hours to board their flights, reported the news agency. Air India didn't respond to the quries sent by the news agency on its flight delay on this route.

Tata group is also planning to streamline its aviation business by merging its companies, Air India and Vistara. On the other hand, Air India is also planning to expand its operation and for its implementation the airline has also inducted two leased wide-body Boeing 777 planes as part of its fleet augmentation plans. In the coming two years, Air India is also planning to induct as many as 1500-1700 aircrafts, reported Mint.

Air India has also announced inducting 11 such planes in the fleet and is also trying to dry lease 25 Airbus A320 family planes.

Recently, the airline operator sealed its jumbo deal of 495 jets with Boeing and engine suppliers General Electric and CFM International. With the expansion, Air India aims to revive its dominance in the aviation industry and compete with large players.

(With agency inputs)
NEW DELHI : Indias youngest airline, Akasa Air has its task cut out for the next financial year. It seeks to boost connectivity to non-metro cities, start international flights and place a large order for new jetliners for which it is in talks with both Airbus and Boeing.

The market is there and we cannot stop at the order that only gives us line of sight till March 2027. So, before the end of this year, we will place an order that will give us the line of sight till 2030s-plus. It is going to be much larger than the current aircraft order we have placed," founder and chief executive Vinay Dube said in an interview.

Akasa Air currently has an order book of 72 Boeing 737 MAX planes. It launched flights on 7 August 2022, with just two aircraft and has since expanded the fleet to 16.

According to the airline, it will achieve a fleet size of 18 jets this month, far ahead of the March target. You cannot start an airline with 500 aircraft, so we were cautious. We wanted to grow in a measured manner. The next aircraft order is going to be larger because we can handle higher growth levels beyond 2027. We are looking at just narrow-body aircraft," Dube said.

He said Akasa Air isnt looking to raise capital at the moment to finance the purchase of new planes.

Consultancy CAPA India Centre for Aviation estimated that Indian airlines will place orders for 1,500-1,700 aircraft over the next two years, led by Air India and IndiGo. It added that airlines like Akasa Air must place scale bets with new orders with some urgency to secure timely delivery slots and support their growth plans.

For FY24, Akasa Air has decided to induct fewer number of planes compared to 18 between August 2022 and March 2023.

For FY23, we end with 18; by the end of FY24, we should have 25-30. Induction will be slower for FY24. We designed it on purpose. We decided to have a few months where we dont take any aircraft delivery," Dube said adding that the plan is to add 12-14 aircraft ever year till March 2027.

Akasa is not immune to the supply chain issues in the global aerospace industry and faces shortage of USB ports, seats, and seat fabric.

However, Dube expects these issues to be resolved by December-end.

Passenger load factor or capacity utilization for Akasa Air increased to 83.8% in December from 52.9% in August, according to Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Its market share rose to 2.3% in December from 0.2% in August. IndiGo is Indias largest airline with a market share of 54.9%.

Akasa is also preparing to launch international operations as Indian civil aviation regulations allow an airline to launch overseas flights after five years of operations, or a fleet size of at least 20 aircraft.

Subject to all approvals we need to get, it is something that we intend to do. Our intention is to launch international operations before 2023-end," he said.

With its current fleet of MAX aircraft, the airline is looking at 5-6 hour flights from India.

In the domestic segment, the company is building its network around Tier-2, 3 cities as it sees growing air travel demand for smaller cities.

In the broader context, we remain focused on Tier-2, and Tier-3 cities and connecting them from the metros. Thats definitely where we think the growth would be," Dube added.

The airline currently flies to 14 destinations, including Mumbai, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Varanasi, Goa, Pune, Agartala, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Vishakhapatnam, and Delhi.
As Tesla basks in its record-setting sales for the past year (in California), CEO Elon Musk has revealed fresh plans for the future. According to an update shared by the billionaire businessman, Tesla will present Master Plan 3 on March 1 when the company holds its first investor day.

Master Plan 3, the path to a fully sustainable energy future for Earth will be presented on March 1. The future is bright!" he tweeted.

The previous chapters of the master plan were unveiled in 2006 and then a decade later in 2016. However, much of Musk's vision for the electric carmaker is yet to be achieved.

Master Plan 3, the path to a fully sustainable energy future for Earth will be presented on March 1.



The future is bright! pic.twitter.com/11ug0LRlbD  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 8, 2023

In August last year the CEO had said Master Plan 3 was "going to fundamentally be about scaling" both car production and the supply chain that supports it such as battery materials and components.

The company also plans to share details about its next-generation vehicle platforms at the upcoming investor day at its gigafactory in Texas. Musk has said the company would produce a vehicle about half the cost of Tesla's current vehicle underpinings. Tesla also said it will discuss long-term expansion plans, capital allocation and other subjects.

In 2006, Musk had unveiled "a secret master plan" that included an affordable electric car. A decade later came "Master Plan, Part Deux" - a four-point manifesto that included expanding its electric vehicle lineup to all major segments and achieving "true self-driving." Its Semi heavy duty electric trucks has started "pilot production" last year, while its Cybertruck pickup trucks have been pushed back to 2023.

As part of that 2016 plan, Musk said Tesla drivers would be able to sleep, read or do anything else enroute to their destination and make money by renting out their autonomous vehicles when they are not in use. However in October last year he admitted that Tesla vehicles were not yet ready to have no one behind the wheel.

Tesla Inc's Model Y and Model 3 electric vehicles were the top-sellers in California last year, outselling Toyota Motor Corp's RAV4 and Camry models, according to an industry body report. It is the first time a Tesla model topped the annual sales list in California - a major vehicle market where one in five cars is electric.

(With inputs from agencies)
Soon after Alphabet Inc's new chatbot shared inaccurate information in a promotional video, the Google parent company lost $100 billion in market value. Its shares crashed as much as 9% during regular trading, while its rival Microsoft shares rose around 3% before paring gains.

At first, Reuters pointed out an error in Google's advertisement for its chatbot Bard, which debuted on Monday. The article was on about which satellite first took pictures of a planet outside the Earth's solar system.

Google has been on its heels after OpenAI, a startup Microsoft is backing with around $10 billion, introduced software in November that has wowed consumers and become a fixation in Silicon Valley circles for its surprisingly accurate and well-written answers to simple prompts.

On Wednesday morning, Google's live-streamed presentation did not include details about how and when it would integrate Bard into its core search function. The errors in Bard were discovered just before the presentation by Google, based in Mountain View, California.

However, a day before, the tech giant and Google's rival, Microsoft held an event touting that it had already released to the public a version of its Bing search with ChatGPT functions integrated, Reuters reported.

Gil Luria, senior software analyst at D.A. Davidson said, "While Google has been a leader in AI innovation over the last several years, they seemed to have fallen asleep on implementing this technology into their search product. It has been scrambling over the last few weeks to catch up on Search and that caused the announcement on Tuesday to be rushed and the embarrassing mess up of posting a wrong answer during their demo."

Alphabet Inc posted a short GIF video of Bard in action via Twitter, promising it would help simplify complex topics, but it instead delivered an inaccurate answer.

In the advertisement, Bard is given the prompt: "What new discoveries from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) can I tell my 9-year-old about?"

Bard responds with a number of answers, including one suggesting the JWST was used to take the very first pictures of a planet outside the Earth's solar system or exoplanets. The first pictures of exoplanets were, however, taken by the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (VLT) in 2004, as confirmed by NASA.

This highlights the importance of a rigorous testing process, something that we're kicking off this week with our Trusted Tester program. We'll combine external feedback with our own internal testing to make sure Bard's responses meet a high bar for quality, safety, and groundedness in real-world information," a Google spokesperson said.

Microsoft's ChatGPT software has injected excitement into technology firms after tens of thousands of job cuts in recent weeks and executive pledges to pare back on so-called moonshot projects.

Reuters found that Artificial Intelligence has become a fixation for tech executives who have mentioned it as much as six times more often on recent earnings calls than in prior quarters.

The appeal of AI-driven search is that it could spit out results in plain language, rather than in a list of links, which could make browsing faster and more efficient. It remains unclear what impact that might have on targeted advertising, the backbone of search engines like Google.

Chatbot AI systems also carry risks for corporations because of inherent biases in their algorithms that can skew results, sexualize images or even plagiarize, as consumers testing the service have discovered.

(With Reuters inputs)
Norway's wealth fund's phased divestment in Adani Group came to an end, when it sold its remaining stakes worth over $200 million in remaining three Adani Group companies in last two months, said the world's largest stock investor on Thursday.

The wealth fund sold its stakes in three companies of Adani group, ie Adani Total Gas, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zones and Adani Green Energy.

The $1.35 trillion sovereign wealth fund made it clear that in recent weeks it divested virtually all its remaining shares in companies belonging to Adani group.

The fund had sold its stakes from five Adani companies since 2014 and by the end of 2022, they owned shares in three of its companies.

"We have monitored Adani for many years (on ESG) issues, many on their handling of environmental risks," Christopher Wright, the fund's head of ESG risk monitoring, told a news conference.

"Since year-end, we have further reduced in Adani companies. We have no exposure left," he added.

At the end of 2022, the Norwegian fund owned Adani Green Energy's sharaes worth $52.7 million, a stake in Adani Total Gas worth $83.6 million. It also enjoyed ownership in Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone worth $63.4 million.

The Norweigan fund is managed by a unit of the central bank. It owns 1.3% of all globally listed shares and has stakes in more than 9,000 companies.

Notably, Adani Group lost its $110 billion of wealth on Indian stocks after the US based short seller Hindenburg Research accused the conglomerate in its report of improper use of offshore tax havens and stock manipulation. The Adani Group's seven main companies are listed in the Indian-listed stocks.

The allegations made by the report on the business tycoon has also become a hot potato in the current political scenario of the country. However, the Adani Group has denied any wrongdoing.

(With inputs from Reuters)
New Delhi: Trip Money, the fintech arm of MakeMyTrip, has joined hands with Cover Genius, an insurtech firm, to introduce embedded travel protection on MakeMyTrip for its global customers through XCover, Cover Geniuss insurance distribution platform.

The integration will o Cancel For Any Reasons (CFAR) travel protection, providing customers of MakeMyTrip added convenience, security and comfort.

Sumit Agarwal, senior vice president, TripMoney, said, We are pleased to collaborate with Cover Genius, a valuable partner - who brings in vast amounts of rich experience and industry know-how, to introduce a one-of-a-kind travel protection product that is bundled to offer greater flexibility, comfort, and most importantly, an assurance of coverage in case of any uncertainties to travellers. We are confident that much like our other products, CFAR will also see a positive response for the various user benefits."

Barney Pierce, SVP, Strategic Partnerships, APAC for Cover Genius, said, The CFAR feature enables travelers to book their tickets whenever they wish and makes it easier for them to cancel their reservation for an immediate refund, with no questions asked."

Trip Money has also partnered with multiple fintech companies, NBFCs, and banks. Trip Moneys products and solutions are currently available to bookers of MakeMyTrip and Goibibo. Trip Money offers travel-related financial services digitally. The range of solutions includes travel loans/cardless credit/ book now pay later (BNPL), travel insuretech APIs and forex solutions for international travellers and students studying abroad.
Mumbai: Data observability platform Acceldata on Thursday said it has secured Series C funding of $50 million (around 400 crore) led by existing investor March Capital. The round also saw participation from Sanabil Investments, Industry Ventures and Insight Partners, among others.

The company did not disclose the valuation post this fundraise.

Acceldata will deploy the fresh infusion to expand its go-to-market and scaling up product innovation.

Founded in 2018, Acceldata claims to have built worlds first enterprise data observability platform to help companies build and operate great data products.

In 2021, it had raised $35 million in a Series B funding led by private equity firm Insight Partners.

This round also saw new investor March Capital and existing investors Lightspeed, Sorenson Ventures, and Emergent Ventures.

The company has raised $100 million in total funding till date.

It counts Dun & Bradstreet, Verisk, Oracle, PubMatic, PhonePe (Walmart) and DBS, among others, as its customers.

The proceeds will be also used to expand the company's footprint into the Global 2000, while supporting existing partnerships with Snowflake, Databricks and Wipro, among others.

Data teams are building revenue generating, mission-critical data products, but are missing purpose-built observability solutions to operate their data ecosystem," said Rohit Choudhary, co-founder and chief executive officer at Acceldata.

We are rapidly innovating to enable enterprises with a comprehensive data observability platform, providing visibility across the supply chain of data," he added.

Enterprises face an unprecedented challenge to satisfy business demands for data at scale. Acceldata is leading the charge for the data observability industry, giving operational control back to the data teams with meaningful insights", said said Rajan Mehra, partner at March Capital.

March Capital is a venture firm headquartered in Santa Monica, California and investing globally since 2014. With over $1.65 billion in capital over 4 funds and across 25 technology companies, March focus on cloud-based software, automation, AI & IT infrastructure.

Data observability space has been gaining investors traction for quite sometime now.

In 2021, Israel-based data observability startup Coralogix raised $55 million led by Greenfield Partners.

Prior to that, LOGIQ raised $1.8 million in a seed funding exercise led by Leo Capital.
Commercial electric vehicle startup Turno on Thursday said it has secured Series A funding of $13.8 million (around 112 crore) co-led by global venture capital firms B Capital and Quona Capital.

The round also saw participation from existing investors Stellaris Venture Partners and Avaana Capital, with new investors Alteria Capital and InnoVen Capital.

The company plans to use the fresh funds for building proprietary battery tech technology and scaling up its operations.

Founded by former Zoomcar executives Hemanth Aluru and Sudhindra Reddy in 2022, Turno claims to offer total cost of ownership to commercial EV buyers. It provides a multi-brand selection of vehicles via its EV sales platform which is available both online and at physical stores.

The company is currently operational across Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Delhi-NCR and Maharashtra. It claims to have captured approximately 20% share of the commercial electric vehicles market.

Today 80-85% of Indias automotive fuel consumption is driven by commercial vehicles with internal combustion engines. Yet, there is a strong desire to transition to a green economy and so, commercial EV adoption holds significant promise. Turno was founded with the mission to convert these gasoline miles into electric miles, having a significant positive impact on the environment," said Aluru.

Customers who purchase EVs through Turno receive a Vehicle Lifecycle Management app, which gamifies and incentivizes users driving behaviour to prolong battery life, the company said in a release.

Commercial EV sales are heavily dependent on the availability of attractive financing options and today the Indian market is plagued by lack of truly customer centric options. Turno has identified a key missing element in the ecosystem that solves the problem of financing as well as distribution and servicing," said Karan Mohla, general partner, B Capital and head of early-stage investments in India and SEA.

Prior to this round, Turno had secured $3.1 million in funding in its seed round from Stellaris Venture Partners and Avaana Capital, as well as angel investors including BigBaskets Vipul Parekh, Urban Ladders Ashish Goel, and the Goenka Family Office.
For the last three years, Zerodha, Indias largest stock broking platform, has been working to develop a homegrown order management system (OMS). An OMS is a digital platform used to register, handle and track every trade in the securities market. Zerodha currently uses an OMS called Nest from Refinitiva subsidiary of the London Stock Exchange. An OMS is an extremely complex system, which is why the majority of the industry, including Zerodha, uses established third-party vendors," explains Kailash Nadh, co-founder of Zerodha Tech, and the companys chief technology officer (CTO).

But Nadh wanted to change things. Sometime in 2019, we started an R&D project to build an OMS from scratch in-house, since it was clear to us that such a critical external dependency was not ideal long-term," he recalls. The plan was to go with free and open-source software (FOSS). Proposed more than three decades ago by Richard Stallman, founder of the Free Software Foundation, FOSS is software that is freely licensed to use, copy, study, change, improve, and redistribute. Some of the best-known examples of FOSS are GNU/Linux, Mozilla Firefox, SugarCRM, ERPNext, Calibre, Chatwoot, Apache web server, and LibreOffice.

View Full Image Amrit Acharya, co-founder & CEO of Zetwerk

Bengaluru-based Zerodha is now running private betas" to test the stability of the solution, dubbed Enigma, which will replace its existing OMS. It (building the OMS) has been an extremely complex project," says Nadh, but today we have a working beta that we hope to deploy at scale in the near future".

The day Zerodha begins using Enigma, its entire software stack would have been built completely on open source software and handled by its in-house technology team, comprising just 32 members. Zerodhas customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise resource management (ERP) software have already been built using ERP Nexta free and open-source integrated ERP software developed by an Indian software company, Frappe Technologies.

Open source software also helped Flipkart become agile and ramp up its speed of execution", says Utkarsh B, chief architect of Flipkart. He should know. Utkarsh joined the online ecommerce company in 2010, at a time when Flipkart was just about books but was planning to go really big and become the face of ecommerce in India". To that end, while building the tech at Flipkart, Utkarsh knew it had to be very cost effective, which is probably why a lot of the things that we started developing were homegrowneven the supply chain". To do that, the company had to rely on open source software.

Simply put, open source software helps startup founders and governments avoid the huge upfront costs associated with buying or licensing proprietary software and maintaining it. Simultaneously, they have complete control over the code and can modify or upgrade the software whenever needed, without incurring additional expenses. There are no vendor lock-ins, and open source support is mostly free and easily accessed through online communities.

Widespread adoption

GitHub ranked India third in the world in terms of FOSS usage in 2021, with more than 7.2 million of its 73 million users from Indiaa close third behind China (7.6 million). The US topped with 13.5 million users. Further, over 85% of Indias Internet runs on FOSS.

The Linux kernel, with more than 23 million lines of code, is one of the largest FOSS projects in the world. Another good example is TensorFlow, which is a FOSS library for machine learning and artificial intelligence.

View Full Image Utkarsh B, chief architect of Flipkart

In 2015, the Indian government, as part of its Digital India programme, announced a policy on the adoption of open source software. Some of Indias largest government projects have been built atop FOSS, as have most technology startups, notes a study titled The State of FOSS in India, written by the CivicData Lab and supported by Omidyar Network India.

Kerala was the first state to undertake large-scale deployment of FOSS in the education sector, and it remains the only state government in India that continues to make budget allocations to sustain the FOSS ecosystem. Other state governments that have proactively adopted FOSS include Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Assam, West Bengal and Haryana, the CivicData Lab report notes. In addition, many courts in India use Ubuntu (a Linux variant).

Further, Bharat Operating System Solutions (BOSS), a GNU/Linux-based operating system (OS), comprises several open-source OS derivatives, all developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), Chennai, to promote FOSS usage in the country. BOSS supports 18 Indian languages.

According to the ministry of electronics and information technology (Meity), BOSS deployments have resulted in indirect savings of over 250 crore by not using proprietary software". The estimated 6 million BOSS users include the Indian Navy, and the state governments of Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Tripura, Punjab, Puducherry, Maharashtra, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Haryana, till date.

The new normal

FOSS is the new normal in the IT industry. Most startups that I speak to are built extensively on FOSS. At an early stage, when startups are working on unproven ideas, FOSS helps them get started quickly compared to expensive proprietary software. This helps founders stretch their seed capital, which is usually sourced from their own savings, or from funding rounds from friends and family," says Venkatesh Hariharan, public policy director of FOSS United.

Startups are among the biggest users of open source software, given that it is largely free and enables them to direct their funding towards other priorities. For instance, business-to-business (B2B) marketplace Udaan uses open source extensively, right from the programming languages to code version control and code quality tools", according to Gaurav Bhalotia, who heads the startups technology unit. He cites the case of snorql, a.k.a SQL-Monitoring, which is an open-source, free-to-use project developed at Udaan, aimed at diagnosing and resolving common database-related problems using SQL metrics.

Bhalotia adds that some of the key software that Udaan uses include Imaginary (for image processing), Kubernetes, Kotlin (programming language), Prometheus (for monitoring), OpenJDK (Open Java Development Kit), Debian (operating system based on Linux kernel), and Typescript (a free, open source software by Microsoft)".

Business-to-business (B2B) manufacturing services marketplace Zetwerk, too, uses various JavaScript-based open source technologies as well as database technology towards developing applications such as 3D viewing and pricing automation, real time tracking of projects, payments, etc," according to Amrit Acharya, co-founder & CEO, Zetwerk Manufacturing Businesses Pvt Ltd. He adds that these (softwares) help us to achieve business objectives of maximizing quality of products delivered, on-time deliveries and reduce cost of manufacturing and logistics, resulting in various efficiency improvements for both our customers and suppliers."

FOSS provides startups with a lot of flexibility, says Hariharan, adding, when the startup finds a product-market fit and scales up, it can opt for paid support from FOSS services companies like Red Hat, EnterpriseDB and others."

The bread and butter for any ecommerce firm is how to manage all its functional data, which runs into terabytes and petabytes, explains Flipkarts Utkarsh. The companys datasets, according to him, run on open source technologies like MySQL (an open-source relational database management system that stores data in tables made up of rows and columns) and Apache HBase (when large quantities of complex and diverse data need to be organised)".

Flipkart also uses Apache Kafka  an open source, distributed streaming platformthat helps developers build applications that continuously consume and process streams of events, such as a customer placing an order, choosing a flight seat, or submitting a registration form, at extremely high speeds. The ecommerce firm is also a heavy user of Java  an open source programming language used to develop mobile apps, web apps, desktop apps, games, etc.  and Kubernetes, which is an open source system used to deploy, scale, and manage containerized applications anywhere (container here refers to a ready-to-run software package comprising everything needed to run an application).

View Full Image Gaurav Bhalotia, head of product and engineering at Udaan

Most of all, open source software has a big impact on the top and bottom line of a startup. Nadh attributes a good part of Zerodhas profitability to the use of open source software. The startup posted a profit of 2,094.4 crore for the financial year 2022-23, at a time when most Indian startups are struggling to reach profitability. The profit grew 87% over the previous year, according to filings with the Registrar of Companies (RoC). If we had not built a stack using open source software, we would not have been so profitable," Nadh insists. And therein hangs a tale.

The Zerodha way

When Zerodha was founded in 2010 as a small discount broking firm in Bengaluru by brothers Nithin and Nikhil Kamath (both were traders), there was no technology roadmap. And Nadh, who joined the company three years later, had zero interest in the capital markets".

The last decade was the Goldilocks zone (read as: conditions were perfect) for building a tech brokeragewe were at the right place, at the right time. And we made the right choices," says Kamath. He added that it helped that Zerodha is bootstrapped (it never had to raise money from external investors), so there was no pressure on anyone to make profits, and we could make the choices we wanted. When you raise funds, you have obligations".

Nadh acknowledges that Zerodhas move to build an open source-based trading platform was a big gamblebecause it was just so different from whatever else was out there". But the gamble paid off and today, our trading platform Kite is probably one of the biggest trading platforms in the world. During the covid outbreak, we went from two million trades to 10 million trades in just 30 days. So, the system scaled. At the peak, we did around 16 million trades in a single day," says Nadh. He adds that Kite itself was written in Go", an open source programming language developed at Google.

The Zerodha CTO asserts that there is also a security and cost advantage to building open source tech in-house. All operating systems at Zerodha are Linux-based, the open-source operating system. Even the non-technical teams run Linux on their laptops. It hasnt been easy, because you know, people are so familiar with Windows," says Nadh.

Zerodha has also trained its employees to use the free LibreOffice instead of Microsoft Office suite, and LibreOffice Calc as a credible Excel alternative". We have also installed a Matrix server, since it is the new emerging global standard for federated encrypted open communication. This compensates for Slack (a collaboration suite)," says Nadh.

The unicorn does use one proprietary software, Google Suite email. We evaluated self-hosting our own email. But that wouldnt have been worth the effort and the risk would have been immense. Google Suite comes with all the security bells and whistles loaded," Nadh explains.

Nadh and his team continuously scout for alternatives to proprietary software. For instance, Zerodha uses a system called osTicket (an open source ticketing tool that a tech team can use to track IT service requests, alerts, etc.) on AWS (Amazon Web Services) that costs us $300-$400 a month. It requires zero maintenance, and we log in and archive millions of tickets. If we were to use proprietary software, we estimate it would cost us about $100,000 a month. Further, if we use proprietary software for CRM, it would be insanely expensive for us," he says. Zerodha also has to send millions of emails every month for which Nadh has developed an in-house system called listmonk", which costs us just $100-$200 a month".

Another advantage of using open source software, says Nadh, is that Zerodha can quickly tweak its software to accommodate Indias markets regulator Sebis periodic changes because we self-host everything  this is one of our biggest secret sauces".

That is an invaluable lesson for any startup because, in competitive segments like fintech, speed matters.
NEW DELHI : Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) and the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on Thursday entered into a landmark advance pricing agreement (APA) for determining the transfer pricing margin payable on its long-term LNG sourcing contract from US for the period of five years .

The APA Scheme enhances the governments goal of promoting a non-adversarial tax system and improve the ease of doing business in India.

GAIL is the first PSU in oil & gas sector in India to successfully sign the APA. It is amongst the top 10 global LNG portfolio marketers. Its LNG portfolio is around 14 MMTPA from USA, Qatar, Australia and Russia.

GAIL has sourced 5.8 MMTPA LNG portfolio from the US alone, wherein GAIL sources LNG from Sabine Pass. In US, GAIL operates with its wholly owned subsidiary - GAIL Global (USA) Inc. GAIL has acquired 20% interest in Eagle Ford Shale Acreage. GAIL has tolling agreement with Cove Point.

Domestically, Gail has over 14500 Km of natural gas pipelines with a capacity to transport 206 MMsCMD. It connects gas sources to different gas markets to meet the natural gas demand of various industries in the country.

Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) on 30 January, 2023 posted a 92% year-on-year decline in standalone profit after tax at 245 crore for the quarter ended 31 December, 2022. Its net profit stood at 3,287 crore in the year-ago period.

The APA was signed by Joint Secretary, FT & TR -1, CBDT Rasmi Ranjan Das and R.K. Jain, Director (Finance) GAIL(India) Limited.

The APA provisions were introduced in the Income-tax Act in 2012 and the Rollback" provisions were introduced in 2014. The APA scheme endeavours to provide certainty to taxpayers in the domain of transfer pricing by specifying the methods of pricing and setting the prices of international transactions in advance.

Since its inception, the APA scheme has been well-accepted by taxpayers and that has resulted in multiple applications (both Unilateral and Bilateral) being filed so far.

The progress of the APA scheme strengthens the governments resolve of fostering a non-adversarial tax regime. The Indian APA programme has been appreciated nationally and internationally for being able to address complex transfer pricing issues in a fair and transparent manner.
Media company QYOU Media Inc. has announced that it will be integrating its worldwide operations headquartered out of the US and India for global creator media solutions.

As part of the integration strategy, Glenn Ginsburg, president QYOU, will oversee synergies across the US and Indian businesses, while Pranay Swarup and Julie Kriegshaber, chief executive officer and chief operating officer of Chtrbox, the influencer marketing agency owned by QYOU Media, will move to co-vice chairman roles to strategically advise collaboration efforts.

Across the US and India, QYOU and Chtrbox have been driving influencer marketing mandates for companies such as Paramount Pictures, Hasbro, Activision, P&G, HP, Amazon, Spotify, Pinterest and others who can further benefit from enhanced expertise, cost efficiencies and cross border reach that comes with this integration, the company said in a statement.

QYOUs vision behind our 2021 acquisition of Chtrbox was to become a global creator media powerhouse. Since then, both the India and US influencer marketing teams have independently doubled their business, and we feel confident that with a joint offering across teams will further fuel this growth trajectory," Curt Marvis, chief executive officer and co-founder, QYOU Media Inc said in a statement.

Glenn Ginsburg, president, QYOU added that beyond expanding the companys set of clients list in the QYOU USA team, it is finding increased demand for pan-regional and global campaigns. With Chtrbox we can further support our clients with scaled and cost-effective efforts that are relevant and authentic. Were really excited to tap into the Chtrbox team of 80 plus influencer marketing specialists, their creator networks in India, Asia and around the world," Ginsburg said in a statement.

Chtrboxs India teams under the leadership of Karan Pherwani and Mrunali Dedhia, co-vice presidents, and Darshil Shah, director ChtrSocial, will work directly with Glenn Ginsburg, president QYOU USA to further drive this integration and growth.
The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on Thursday approved the merger of Adani Power Maharashtra, Adani Power Rajasthan, Udupi Power Corporation, Raipur Energen, Raigarh Energy Generation and Adani Power (Mundra) with Adani Power, an unit of the Adani Group.

According to a regulatory filing, the NCLT has sanctioned the scheme of amalgamation of six wholly-owned subsidiary companies of Adani Power Limited.

"We would like to inform that the Honble National Company Law Tribunal, Bench at Ahmedabad [NCLT"] has sanctioned the Scheme of Amalgamation of Six Wholly Owned Subsidiary Companies of Adani Power Limited (APL"), viz. (i) Adani Power Maharashtra Limited; (ii) Adani Power Rajasthan Limited; (iii) Udupi Power Corporation Limited; (iv) Raipur Energen Limited; (v) Raigarh Energy Generation Limited; and (vi) Adani Power (Mundra) Limited with APL (the Scheme") on February 8, 2023," Adani Power informed the stock exchanged on Thursday.

In December last year, the company's secured creditors had approved the scheme of amalgamation following which the stock hit a high of 338 on BSE.

In a filing to BSE, Adani Power had then said that a meeting of secured creditors of Adani Power was held for considering the scheme of amalgamation of Adani Power Maharashtra, Adani Power Rajasthan, Udupi Power Corporation, Raipur Energen, Raigarh Energy Generation and Adani Power (Mundra) with Adani Power.

"The proposed resolution approving the scheme was passed with requisite majority of secured creditors representing three-fourths in value of the secured creditors of the Company, as required by NCLT Order," Adani Power said in December 2022.

Meanwhile, shares of Adani Power Ltd were 5% down to settle at 172.90 apiece on the BSE on Thursday.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Meghna Sen Business journalist tracking markets, companies, economy and crypto for Livemint. She has 6 years of experience with online and print publications. Email: meghnasen08@gmail.com Read more from this author
Adani Total: France's TotalEnergies has put on hold a planned investment in Adani Group's USD 50 billion hydrogen project pending results of an audit launched following allegations by a US short-seller, chief executive Patrick Pouyanne said on Wednesday. While the partnership where the French oil giant was to take a 25 per cent stake in the hydrogen venture of the Adani group was announced in June last year, TotalEnergies has not yet signed a contract, he said at an earnings call.

Bharti Airtel: Bharti Airtel on Wednesday said it has entered a strategic partnership with Vultr, the worlds largest privately-held cloud computing company, to deliver cloud solutions to enterprises in India. Airtel will offer Vultrs extensive suite of cloud solutions to its enterprise customers, especially those in the digital space and help them gain unrivalled global reach and cost-performance advantage to build, test, and run demanding cloud workloads, the service provider said.

Adani Power: Adani Power, an Indian power and energy company, which is part of Adani Group, on Wednesday said its consolidated net profit dipped by 96% on-year to 8.7 crore for the quarter ended 31 December 2022 (Q3FY23). The company reported a profit of 218.5 crore in the same quarter last year. In the September quarter of this financial year, Adani Power reported a 401.6% rise in consolidated profit after tax (PAT) at 695.53 crore as against 230.6 crore loss in the corresponding quarter last year.

Hero MotoCorp: Hero MotoCorp, Indias largest two-wheeler maker, has set sights on an accelerated product plan for its electric vehicle (EV) business under the Vida brand. The company aims to develop a new range of EVs in the next 18-20 months to expand its portfolio and cater to different segments of the electric two-wheeler market, including more affordable or mainstream" products, Swadesh Srivastava, Head of the Emerging Mobility Business Unit said in a post-earnings call with analysts on Wednesday.

Tata Steel: TV Narendran, the chief executive officer and managing director of Tata Steel, said the UK government has offered a counter-package to the steel giant against its proposal seeking a financial package to execute its decarbonisation plans for its plant in Port Talbot. The Tata Steel CEO & MD believes there is a big gap between what the company had asked for and what the British government has offered. However, he is yet to share any details of the government's offer.

L&T: The Ministry of Defence on Wednesday approved the proposal to indigenously manufacture 41 sets of Modular Bridges for the Corps of Engineers of the Indian Army. The move is seen as a boost to the indigenization of defence equipment under PM Modi. The defence ministry called it a game-changing bridge which is designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and shall be produced by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) as a DRDO-nominated production agency.

NHPC: State-owned hydro power giant NHPC Ltd has reported a 12.59% decline in its consolidated net profit to 775.99 crore for the December quarter, compared to 888 crore in the year-ago period. Total income rose to 2,582.76 crore in the quarter ended 31 December from 2,156.72 crore a year ago. Operating margin declined to 38.28% in Q3 FY23 from 44.53% in Q3 FY22. Also, the net profit margin was reduced to 30.04% in Q3 FY23, compared to 41.21% in the year-ago quarter. The companys board has declared an interim dividend of 1.40 per share for the financial year 2022-23.

Cummins India: Cummins India said in a stock exchange filing that the Board of Directors at their meeting held on February 08, 2023, have declared an Interim Dividend of Rs.12/- per equity shares on 277,200,000 equity shares (Face Value Rs. 2/- each) for the Financial Year 2022-23. The Dividend warrants for the said interim dividend will be dispatched by March 06, 2023, and the dividend will be paid on March 08, 2023." For the payment of the interim dividend (FY 2022-23), the company has fixed February 21, 2023 (Tuesday) as the record date.

Equitas SFB: Equitas Small Finance Bank on Wednesday reported a 57% rise in net profit to 170.11 crore for the quarter ended December 2022. This is against a net profit of 108.11 crore in the year-ago period. The net interest income (NII), which is the difference between interest earned and expended, rose 19.7 per cent to 647.5 crore from 540.8 crore year-on-year (YoY). NIMs stable at 9.01 per cent. The disbursement for the December quarter stood at 4,797 crore, a growth of 68% YoY. While the total deposits grew 31 per cent on a year-on-year basis to 23,393 crore.

Vishnu Chemicals: Hyderabad-based Vishnu Chemicals is looking to raise up to 400 crore via QIP (qualified institutional placement), a senior executive with direct knowledge of the fundraising plans told Mint. The companys board is set to meet on Friday to give a go-ahead. The speciality chemical maker is looking to raise the funds within the next two quarters and has roped in Emkay Financial Services as an advisor for the same, the person quoted above said, requesting anonymity.
Winds of change are set to sweep the investment scenario in the country. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has proposed to curb mis-selling of alternative investment funds (AIFs) and make them more investment friendly. The market regulator released three consultation papers to this effect last week.

AIFsan investment avenue for high net worth individuals that has so far enjoyed light-touch regulationare privately pooled investment vehicles that collect funds from sophisticated investors, requiring a minimum investment of 1 crore in most cases. They are governed by Sebi regulations and are classified under three categories - I, II, or III (see graphic).

View Full Image Graphic: Mint

Whats coming?

Sebis first and most significant proposal is that all AIFs be mandated to offer investors a lower-cost direct plan option that does not include any distribution or placement fees. The AIF Regulations of 2012 support direct plans, but this is optional. As a result, there are hardly any AIFs that offer them.

Second, Sebi wants AIFs to adopt the trail model of commissions (wherein commissions are paid over a period of time) for distributors, instead of the widely prevalent upfront payment of commissions which have resulted in widespread mis-selling of the schemes. According to one industry person who did not wish to be named, distributors are now rushing to push AIF schemes that have large upfront commissions before Sebis proposals turn into regulations.

Current AIF regulations do not have any restrictions on the extent of commissions that can be paid upfront. Sebis moves are set to bring AIFs on a par with mutual funds (MFs) and portfolio management services (PMS) both of which have to offer direct plans and follow the trail model of commissions.

Third, Sebi has also proposed mandatory dematerialization of AIF scheme unitsconversion of securities held in physical paper form into electronic formto enable investors to conveniently track them. This is to be implemented in phases, with AIFs having corpus of over 500 crore offering the demat format by 1 April 2024.

Fourth, to provide AIFs with an additional option in situations where they are unable to encash illiquid investments, Sebi has proposed that such investments be transferred to a new scheme, with investor approval.

Direct plans, trail commissions

At present, in the absence of direct plans, irrespective of whether you invest in an AIF scheme via a distributor or directly through an AIF, there is no cost difference. In the latter case, the fund retains the amount that would have been paid to the distributor. Those investing in AIFs based on advice from financial advisors end up being charged twiceby way of advisory fees, and for AIF distribution fees. Once direct plans are introduced, those investing in such plans will not have to bear the distribution cost. Sebi has proposed that AIFs must ensure that any investor coming to them via investment advisors must invest only via the direct plan route.

Munish Randev, founder & CEO, Cervin Family Office & Advisors, says that the key thing to watch out for is whether the difference between the regular and direct plans will truly reflect what was being paid to distributors or placement agents. For Dipen Ruparelia, head- products, Vivriti Asset Management, Sebis proposal that AIF direct plan investors be given a higher number of units (to account for lower expense) instead of a lower NAV may result in operational challenges for investors and AIF managers. Just like in mutual funds where regular plan and direct plan investors have two different sets of NAVs, the same can be done for AIF investors".

On the issue of upfront distribution commissions, the Sebi paper notes that in some cases, these have gone up to around 4-5% of the committed amount (total money that an investor has committed to invest in a scheme over time, in tranches). When contrasted with other products such as MFs and PMSes that have trail commissions, the existence of large upfront commissions provides an incentive for the mis-selling of AIFs. This is similar to earlier instances of close-ended MF products where such commissions played a strong role in garnering new investors. There was 3-4% exit fee. Hence, chances were high that investors wont exit once they had invested, thereby allowing upfront commissions to be paid. Similarly large upfront commissions are providing an incentive to push certain AIF products" says Randev. Typically, these are paid upfront out of the management fees that will be collected from investors over time. In some cases, distributors also get a cut from the set-up fee (see graphic).

To curb this practice, Sebi has proposed the trail model of distribution commission for category III AIFs. For the other two categories, the regulator has suggested some leeway. To incentivize investments into category I and II funds (that in turn invest in privately owned companies), one-third of the total distribution fees may be paid upfront with the rest on a trail basis. Category III is relatively small. Category II which is close to  5.6 trillion in size (commitments raised) is where most of the mis-selling is happening. My view is that having only trail commissions here will change the entire marketing game and introduce an even-playing field," says Randev.

Dematerialization of units

Unlike MFs where investors hold their units in demat form, an overwhelming majority of AIF scheme investors hold units in physical form. Dematerialization will make it easier for investors to keep track of their AIF investments as it will form part of their consolidated account statement (CAS) from the depositories, CDSL or NSDL. Most importantly, transmission of the AIF units to the next of kin on the death of an investor will become easier.

Today, AIF units can be transferred from one investor to another only with the investment managers approval. With dematerialization, this process is expected to become easier. Randev, however, highlights an important point in this context. Despite dematerialization, the transfer is likely to be a controlled process that will involve the fund manager." He draws similarities with how it is for startups that have demat shares. These shares are not freely transferable and are subject to certain restrictions from the founders, or subject to approval from the company whose shares are being sold. I am assuming a similar process will apply to AIF units," says Randev.

According to Ruparelia, the logical next step to dematerialization of AIF units will be their listing. That will give investors in close-ended schemes an easier exit route in the secondary market.

Illiquid investments

While AIFs can invest in listed securities, a significant proportion invest in privately held companies. In certain situations, say, when an AIF is unable to exit an investment, the fund may be unable to return investor money even on expiry of its tenure. Current regulations do give AIFs a few options to deal with illiquid investments. The AIF can extend a schemes tenure by up to two years (one year at a time) with approval from two-thirds of investors. Alternatively, the AIF assets may be disbursed after approval from at least 75% of investors. If neither option works, or if the two-year extension is completed with no approval for distribution, then the AIF has to fully liquidate the scheme within a years time.

Sebi has now proposed a third option transferring the illiquid investments to a new scheme, subject to conditions, including consent from 75% of investors. It has laid out several conditions relating to valuation of investments to ensure that investors are not short-changed.

A few questions, however, remain unanswered. What will be the fees, and the tax implications of the transferred investments? Ideally investors should not be charged the full management fee for these investments, but there are operational costs that will have to be incurred. This is open to discussion," says Rohan Paranjpe, managing director, head-alternative investments, Waterfield Advisors..

Once Sebis latest proposals translate into regulations, AIF investors are set for a complete overhaul of their investing experience.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Maulik Madhu Maulik Madhu is a special correspondent at Mint. She started her career at the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and forayed into business journalism in 2012. Choosing to specialize in personal finance, she worked at FundsIndia and The Hindu Business Line, before joining Mint in March 2022. Read more from this author
Provident Fund (PF) news: Investing smartly can not only help you in generating wealth but also helps in achieving your early retirement plan goals. Seeing the volatility in the equity markets, people are looking towards small saving schemes, which are backed by the Government to make some money. One such way is to increase your contributions toward Provident Fund (PF). VPF or Voluntary Provident Fund remains a good bet in the fixed-income space.

VPF or Voluntary Provident Fund

VPF is open to any employee working in India and gives a return of 8.10% per annum. Investors in this scheme get a tax benefit under Section 80C of the Income-tax Act, plus returns on maturity are also tax-free.

How can a salaried person invest more in PF?

VPF is deducted from your salary, only if you want it to. An EPF account holder can choose an additional provident fund contribution in one's EPF account by choosing a voluntary provident fund contribution. For this, the employee needs to ask HR at the time of joining. However, in case an employee decides to choose VPF after joining, then he or she needs to inform the HR and accounts department of its recruiter before the beginning of a new financial year," said Kartik Jhaveri, Director  Wealth Management at Transcend Capital.

Under income tax laws, the interest earned and maturity proceeds of VPF are tax-free.

SEBI registered tax and investment expert Jitendra Solanki said that a recruiter won't have any problem if an employee decided VPF as the recruiter won't have to pay an equal monthly contribution on its employee's VPF contribution.

However, the employee must make sure that their annual contribution along with monthly EPF and monthly VPF doesn't cross 2.50 lakh per annum. He added that going beyond this 2.5 lakh annual contribution limit, one's return on the EPF contribution above 2.5 lakh will become taxable.

How to check mandatory EPF contributions

1) You can check your mandatory EPF contributions from your salary slip.

2) The second way is to calculate the 12% of your basic salary to know the mandatory EPF contribution.

How much you can invest via VPF

Once you know your mandatory annual EPF contribution, subtract the same from 2.5 lakh to know how much you can invest via VPF. Calculating your annual VPF contributions Let's say you earn 50,000 per month as a basic salary. The mandatory EPF contribution comes to 6000 per month (12% of 50,000). The annual EPF contribution is 72,000 ( 6000 X 12). The maximum amount that you can invest via VPF will be 1,78,000 ( 2.5 lakh subtracted from 72,000) in a financial year.

An individual going for VPF can volunteer to contribute any part of his salary to the provident fund. The contribution needs to be more than 12% of the basic salary. The employer, however, doesnt have to contribute any amount towards VPF.
The Delhi High Court granted bail to Chitra Ramkrishna on 9 February in money laundering case related to alleged illegal phone tapping and snooping of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) employees.

The order was pronounced by Justice Jasmeet Singh. The former NSE managing director, who was earlier arrested by the CBI in the alleged NSE co-location scam, was arrested in the present case by the Enforcement Directorate on July 14 last year.

Earlier in September, she was granted bail to Chitra Ramkrishna and ex group operating officer Anand Subramanian in the co-location scam case being probed by the CBI. In December 2022, she was granted bail by a Delhi court in a case related to alleged illegal phone tapping of NSE employees. Ramkrishna was granted bail by Special Judge Sunena Sharma on a personal bond of 1 lakh with two sureties in the like amount.

The phone tapping case, according to the ED, pertained to a period from 2009 to 2017 when former NSE CEO Ravi Narain, Ramkrishna, Executive Vice-President Ravi Varanasi, and Head (Premises) Mahesh Haldipur and others conspired to cheat NSE and its employees and for the purpose, engaged iSEC Services Pvt Ltd for illegal interception of phone calls of employees of the NSE in the guise of doing periodic study of cyber vulnerabilities of the NSE.

Seeking bail, Ramkrishna had argued that no scheduled offence was made out against her and the allegations also did not fall within the rigours of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act .

Ramkrishna was appointed as Joint MD NSE in 2009 and remained in the position till March 31, 2013. She got elevated as MD and CEO on April 1, 2013. Her tenure at NSE ended in December 2016.

(With inputs from PTI)
Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari is getting praised on social media for his work on improving India's road network. Gadkari has shared a few photos of the engineering marvel- the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway on Twitter. Touted to be India's longest expressway, Gadkari wrote that the 1,386 km-long expressway will enhance the connectivity between "Indias National Capital Delhi and the Financial Capital Mumbai".

Further, Nitin Gadkari informed that the Delhi-Mumbai expressway would be the "world's fastest-developed expressway" and will provide connectivity to 93 National Master Plan, eight Multi-Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs), Greenfield Airports (Jewar and Navi Mumbai) and Ports (Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust).

Gadkari stated that an 8-lane access-controlled greenfield expressway would be built with alignment optimization to reduce travel time to 12 hours from 24 hours.

"With a 180 km distance reduction (1424 km to 1242 km), it has scope for future expansion to the 12-lane expressway," Gadkari added.

Under the "PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP)", the transport ministry is aiming to improve multi-modal connectivity and last-mile connectivity across the country.

Here are some latest pictures of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway:

View Full Image Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (Nitin Gadkari)

View Full Image Delhi-Mumbai Expressway

View Full Image Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (Nitin Gadkari)

View Full Image Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (Nitin Gadkari)

Further, Gadkari shared a picture of "wayside amenities" getting developed across the corridor on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.

Gadkari wrote, "On #Delhi_Mumbai_Expressway, wayside amenities are being developed across the corridor to provide standardized World-Class infrastructure and ancillary services for the highway network".

On #Delhi_Mumbai_Expressway, wayside amenities are being developed across the corridor to provide standardized World-Class infrastructure and ancillary services for the highway network.#PragatiKaHighway #GatiShakti pic.twitter.com/VKWtWiDTVO  Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) February 9, 2023

Following Gadkari's tweet, several social media users lauded the ministry for shaping India's road infrastructure.

One user wrote, "Sir you are doing wonders. The best part is you don't do politics while connecting the nation by roads. Many highways are passing through different states where we have different political parties. Waiting for the day to "fly by road" to Mumbai. It will be a great journey".

Another user wrote, "Indian road infra has really grown and continues to grow. I recently traveled from Nashik to Nagur on the Samrudhhi expressway and was in awe all the way. This is what the worlds 5th biggest economy should look and feel like. Thank you Nitin Gadkari".

A Twitter user said, "Our most efficient and silent delivery leader. India has changed 360 degrees. Surprised Modi ji has never praised him in any of his speeches".

One internet user wrote, " Progress with a pic".

"Yes, road connectivity is an integral part of the development of the nation. I salute to Nitin Gadkari for his dedication toward nation development," a Twitter user commented on Gadkari's post.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Sohna-Dausa stretch of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway on 12 February. The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway will reduce the travel time between Delhi and Jaipur to about two hours.

The Sohna (Haryana)-Dausa (Rajasthan) stretch is the first leg of the new Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.

As per media reports, the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is likely to be completed fully by March 2023.

The eight-lane expressway, expandable to 12 lanes, will cover Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat.
Shark Tank India fame Ashneer Grover has shared an update related to DigiYatra app. Those who have been using the app received notifications to update it. But as per Grover, the app is not working after the new update. So, for all those flyers, who use this app to avoid a hassle-free and seamless airport experience, the billionaire has a suggestion to save last minute inconvenience. Reinstall, re-register and then upload your boarding before going to the airport," tweeted Ashneer Grover .

Hey DigiYatra users ! The app wont work after new update. (You wont be able to share the uploaded boarding pass). Reinstall, re-register and then upload your boarding before going to the airport. Save yourself last minute inconvenience," Grover tweeted tagging Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.

Replying to Grover's tweet, one user wrote, Exactly what I faced a while ago ... I wonder why every Govt. apps becomes inconvenience after a while..."

After everything was setup inside the app, @BLRAirport digiYatra gates are not working. Surprising both gate 4 and 9 with 3 entries within each gate are malfunctioning.  Arvind Kumar (@arvind_ism) February 9, 2023

After everything was setup inside the app, @BLRAirport digiYatra gates are not working. Surprising both gate 4 and 9 with 3 entries within each gate are malfunctioning," read another tweet.

Meanwhile, Jet Airways CEO Sanjiv Kapoor also highlighted a few issues regarding the app in a tweet on 3 February.

Dear #DigiYatra team / @MoCA_GoI. Trying to help some friends enroll in Digiyatra. Two issues faced: 1. Digiyatra is not available on the iOS or Google stores outside India, though Digilocker is. 2. Getting this error since last evening on Digiyatra when trying to add identity," he tweeted.

Dear #DigiYatra team / @MoCA_GoI . Trying to help some friends enroll in Digiyatra. Two issues faced: 1. Digiyatra is not available on the iOS or Google stores outside India, though Digilocker is. 2. Getting this error since last evening on Digiyatra when trying to add identity. pic.twitter.com/1WgKmZYHpd  Sanjiv Kapoor (@TheSanjivKapoor) February 3, 2023

The DigiYatra biometric boarding system is being rolled out at full scale for all domestic airlines in a phased manner, covering checkpoints for domestic travel.

DigiYatra app

Passengers can download the app on Android and iOS platforms and register with their ID and image on their phones.

To use this facility, one-time registration is required to be done on the 'DigiYatra' App through an Aadhar-based validation and a self-image capture.

A Digi Yatra ID will be generated which must be shared when purchasing tickets. The departing airport will receive this ID and passenger data from the airlines.

While travelling through the airport, the system will recognise the passenger by capturing his face and he will be allowed to enter without showing any document.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) plans to launch the 'DigiYatra' service at three more of its Airports -- in Pune, Vijayawada and Kolkata in the next phase by March 2023.
MUMBAI : Mumbai : The Bombay high court on Thursday rejected Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltds plea challenging the Maharashtra governments acquisition of its Vikhroli land for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, ruling that national importance took precedence over private interests.

The private interest claimed by the petitioner does not prevail over the public interest which would subserve infrastructural project of public importance which is a dream project of this country and first of its kind," a bench led by Justice R.D. Dhanuka and Justice M.M. Sathaye said, adding that the companys petition is devoid of merit.

On Thursday, Navroz Seervai, senior counsel for Godrej and Boyce, sought an order against the respondents for not taking possession of the said land for a period of two weeks so that it could appeal in the top court. The court, however, refused the senior counsels application to stay the order.

Godrej and Boyce petitioned against the state governments offer of 264 crore as compensation passed on 15 September for acquiring 508.2km of its Vikhroli land. The company argued that the final award of 264 crore was way less than the 572 crore, the initial amount offered by the state government for the land acquisition.

Godrej and Boyce had earlier stated that the acquisition was unlawful, while claiming that it had multiple and patent illegalities" in the same.

It also argued that the first proviso to Section 25 of the Fair Compensation Act, properly construed, only permits a single extension in payment of the award. Thus, the second extension notification, irrespective of its publication date, is invalid, and the entire proceedings for the acquisition of the subject plot stand lapsed. It added that the state government did not make clear disclosures about the second extension and did not publish it on the website concerned.

The division bench held that it did not find any illegality in the award or in the decision taken by the appropriate government in granting an extension to make an award by exercising powers under the first proviso to Section 25 of the Fair Compensation Act.

On the other hand, the Maharashtra government and National High Speed Rail Corp., which will implement the said project, stated that the company was delaying the entire project, which is of utmost public importance.

The National High Speed Rail Corp. and the state government alleged that the company was responsible for the projects delay, resulting in an additional cost of 1,000 crore. These allegations were denied by the company.

The additional solicitor general for the state government informed the court that most of the land acquisition in Gujarat was completed, and work had already commenced there, and in Maharashtra, it acquired 97% of the land, except the Vikhroli parcel, which was under dispute for two years.

In its ruling, the high court cited a case -- mentioned in the government counsels submission -- between Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan and Union of India, where the Supreme Court spoke of situations where there may be conflict between two fundamental rights. The SC had held that in case of conflict on inter-fundamental rights and intra-fundamental rights, the court has to examine as to where lies the larger public interest while balancing the two conflicting rights, Thursdays ruling said.

It is the paramount collective interest that will ultimately prevail, the court noted.

The estimated cost for this project is around 1.08 trillion, and so far, an amount of more than 32,000 crore has been expended by the NHSRC towards its implementation. The land, approximately admeasuring 430 hectares, is required, out of which, as of November 2022, 97% is already acquired. For the underground section between BKC and Thane, all the land parcels required are already in possession of the NHSRC, except the petitioners (Godrej & Boyce) land, the court observed. From the ecological point, The government would undertake to plant over 110,000 mangrove saplings in between the piers to be installed in the mangrove area along with other safeguards as set out in the permissions/approvals," the court said.
New Delhi: India has reported 109 new covid cases in the last 24 hours, with active cases declining to 1,781, the union health ministry data on Thursday showed. '

The total number of covid cases has reached 4.47 crore, and covid related deaths stood at 530,748 since the onset of covid pandemic.

Covid cases are declining across the country with daily and weekly positivity recorded at 0.08%.

Karnataka reported 108 active cases while Kerala has 1218 active cases. Maharashtra has 83 active cases, Odisha 88 cases, Rajasthan 10 cases, Tamil Nadu 36 active cases, Uttar Pradesh 16 and West Bengal 43 cases.

Around 4,41,51,219 people have recovered from the infection with the current recovery rate touching 98.81%.

With the rapid decline in the trajectory of covid cases, scientists believe that Omicron and its sub-lineages will not affect India as large number of populations is already exposed to the virus and vaccinated. Scientists say that people in India have developed hybrid immunity (due to vaccination and natural infection). However, they suggest people wear masks in crowded places and complete their vaccination doses if not done yet.

At present, large number of cases are being reported in China and other countries as a result of which the government has tightened covid preparedness measures. The government has directed the INSACOG under the supervision of Department of Biotechnology (DBT) to keep a close watch on covid situation in the country and continue to do constant genome sequencing to track any new variant.

The government is conducting RT-PCR testing for people returning from China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, and South Korea and mandated the filling up of Air Suvidha forms for travelers from six countries under which 72-hour prior RT-PCR testing is compulsory.

The country has conducted over 1,41,248 tests in the last 24 hours taking the total trajectory of covid testing to 91.67 crore so far.

Under the covid vaccination drive, more than 220.61 crore vaccine doses have been administered to the people across the country so far. In the last 24 hours, around 1,13,507 vaccine doses were administered.

Besides, surveillance at the hospital level is also going on to monitor lnfluenza-like illness (lLl) & SARI cases.
The Telangana government on Thursday signed an MoU with Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd for establishing a manufacturing facility, including development and production of electric 3 and 4-wheelers, pertaining to its 'Last Mile Mobility business'.

The MoU was signed on the sidelines of the announcement of Telangana Mobility Valley (TMV), "Indias first new mobility-focused cluster", at the first edition of Mobility Next Hyderabad Summit, the state government said in a release.

The state-of-the-art facility from M&M, together with its group companies ("Mahindra Group"), is an expansion of their existing factory in Zaheerabad, and involves an investment of approximately 1,000 crore, creating employment to about 800-1,000 people, it said.

Mahindra & Mahindra Limited will collaborate with the Telangana government to lay down the roadmap for development of electric vehicle and energy storage systems manufacturing units in the State, it said.

Telangana Industries Minister K T Rama Rao welcomed the investment from M&M and said, "The proposed facility by M and M will greatly contribute to the goal of Telangana Mobility Valley to further accelerate the growth of sustainable mobility in India. Location at Zaheerabad, one of the 4 Mega EV manufacturing clusters being developed by the State, will allow M&M to access state-of-the-art infrastructure planned to be created by the State in the mega clusters."

Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director (Auto & Farm), Mahindra & Mahindra, thanked the Government of Telangana for their long-standing partnership. "We are delighted to consider expansion of the current manufacturing unit at Zaheerabad for our new EV Manufacturing investment. This investment will help continue our leadership position in electric 3-Wheeler category," the release quoted him as saying.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.
Chitra Ramakrishna, the former managing director of the National Stock Exchange accused in the co-location scam, was granted regular bail by the Delhi high court in a case related to illegal phone tapping of employees. This marks her first release from jail since her arrest in March last year.

Justice Jasmeet Singh ruled that the NSE is not a public authority, and as such, the Prevention of Corruption Act could not be applied to Ramakrishna, who is not a public servant" under the Act. The court also noted that the Enforcement Directorate failed to demonstrate how Ramakrishna received any personal benefit or advantage.

There is no evidence placed on record to prove corruption or abuse of position by the applicant (Ramakrishna). The consideration received by M/s ISEC is pursuant to a contract entered into with NSE and work orders issued with the approval of Ravi Narain, the managing director. Thus, the ingredients of section 13(1) (d) r/w 13(2) PC Act are not made out against her. Hence, scheduled offence under section 13 PC Act is not established against her," Justice Singh said in a 38-page judgment.

The court said that there is no allegation that Ramakrishna has derived or obtained any property or proceeds of crime. Additionally, there is no allegation or evidence produced before me to suggest that Ramakrishna has concealed, possessed, used, projected or claimed any proceeds of crime as untainted property," the court said.

According to the ED, the top officials of NSE, including those named in the chargesheet, caused the monetary loss to NSE by allowing iSec, a company formed by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjay Pandey, to gain money out of illegal activity done under the guise of a legitimate contract of Study of Cyber Vulnerabilities.

The agency has claimed that it was only with the active assistance and help of Ramkrishna, Ravi Narain (managing director) and other top officials of NSE that the iSec was able to generate money to the tune of 4.54 crore and give it a colour of untainted money by showing it to have been earned through a legitimate source, ED said.

The agency registered the case in July against Pandey and former heads of the NSE for allegedly tapping the phones of employees between 2009 and 2017.

Pandeys company, iSec Services, formed in 2001, was among the many IT firms that conducted security audits at NSE between 2010 and 2015 when the co-location scam allegedly took place. The agencies have found that interception was done without employees consent.

Ramakrishna was earlier granted default bail in the co-location scam probed by the CBI in September 2022, after the high court pulled up the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for their piecemeal" investigation and filing an incomplete" charge sheet.

She was not arrested by ED in the money laundering case arising out of the co-location scam, however, continued to remain in jail in the illegal interception case.

In December, a Delhi court granted bail to Ramakrishna in the illegal interception case being probed by the CBI, even though she continued to remain in jail in connection to the money laundering case being probed by ED.

By Thursdays judgment, justice Jasmeet Singh granted her bail in the pending ED case arising out of illegal interception, saying that there was no complaint from NSE or any employee of the NSE that Ramakrishna cheated NSE or its employees".

Pertinently, no victim has been identified by the ED who has suffered a wrongful loss on account of deception or cheating by Ramakrishna. Except for a vague and bald averment that customers have been cheated, there is no mention of the names of the persons who have been cheated. Thus, the ingredients of section 420 IPC are not made out in the present case," the court said.

The judge said there is no allegation that she deceived or fraudulently induced NSE to deliver any property to any person.

Chitra Ramakrishna was at all times acting on behalf of NSE and representing NSE in her capacity as DMD/JMD/MD of NSE. She carried out her duties in the capacity of DMD/JMD/MD of NSE. Therefore, it is wrong to allege that she deceived or fraudulently induced NSE to enter into an agreement with M/s ISEC and make payments to M/s ISEC," the court said in a 38-page judgment.

With respect to criminal conspiracy (Section 120B of IPC), the court said that the ingredients of the offence are not established since the criminal intent, i.e., agreement to do an illegal act, is not made out.

As per the documents placed before me, it is observed that NSE was recording conversations since 1997 through other vendors, and the transactions with ISEC occurred from 2009 to 2017. The Applicant was DMD of NSE till 2010 and JMD till 2013, and MD till 2016. As call recording was done by NSE prior to ISEC" s involvement, it is wrong to allege that the applicant conspired with ISEC to illegally tap and record calls. Thus, the ingredients of section 120B IPC are not made out in the present case," the court said.

The court said that elements of offences under Section 72 of the Information Technology (IT) Act are not made out in the present case as neither Ramakrishna nor the NSE was conferred with any powers under the said Act.

Moreover, Ramakrishna or the NSE was not acting in pursuance of the powers conferred under the IT Act or the rules or regulations made therein," the court said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi stopped his Lok Sabha address to thank Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday - a rare moment of camaraderie amid a Session marked with verbal skirmishes. Opposition leaders have sought a JPC probe into the allegations levelled by the recent Hindenburg report, with many taking the PM to task.

The opposition parties kept up their demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the Hindenberg-Adani row on Wednesday, with some MPs staging a walkout during the Prime Minister's reply.

Thank you Shashi ji," the PM had remarked in the middle of his speech as the lawmaker came back to the House. According to reports, he had been the first to enter as the Opposition MPs returned.

The appreciative remark has since fuelled jibes from the BJP ranks about a division within the Congress.

Congress ka batwara ho gaya," some BJP MPs shouted as the PM smiled.

Tharoor for his part lauded the PM's speech even as h noted that Modi had not answered any of the question posed by the Opposition.

PM gave a good speech but he didn't answer any of the questions that were asked by the OppositionAside from this, it was unworthy of the PM to attack Congress for terrorist incidents during UPA rule. Those were attacks on India, not on Congress. We did not politicise Pulwama, Uri, Pathankot, Sagrota, as examples of BJP enabling terror. Speak for India, Narendra Modi ji!" he said.

Modi's address contained no mention of the Hindenburg controvery, but took on the previous Congress government at the Centre. He alleged that the previous administration had converted "every opportunity into a crisis" during its 10 years at the helm. He also alleged that the Congress's term between 2004 and 2014 was "full of scams".

"There were terror attacks in every part of India -- from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Today, India's capabilities are growing manifold. But between 2004 and 2014, they frittered away an opportunity (to take the country forward). In fact, they converted every opportunity into a crisis," he had said.

(With inputs from agencies)
As Congress and the Opposition demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) in the Adani-Hindenburg row, Prime Minister Narendra Modi smoothly dodged the topic by attacking the Gandhi-Nehru family during his speech in Rajya Sabha. PM Modi said the generations of Jawaharlal Nehru have shied away from using the Nehru surname. What's the fear and shame?" PM Modi asked.

In his reply to the Motion of Thanks to the President's address, PM Modi questioned that if Nehru was a good man then 'What's the fear in keeping the surname?"

Some had problems with names of schemes of govt and Sanskrit words in the names. I read in a report that 600 govt schemes were in the Gandhi-Nehru family's name...I don't understand why people from their generation don't keep Nehru as their surname, what's the fear and shame?" PM Modi asked, taking a swipe at the Congress.

Congress misused Article 356

In another scathing attack, he alleged Congress of misusing Article 356 time and again.

Which party and people in power misused Article 356? Elected governments were toppled 90 times, who were those who did that? A Prime minister used Article 356 as many as 50 times and her name is Indira Gandhi. In Kerala communist govt was elected which wasn't liked by Pandit Nehru & was toppled," he pointed out.

In Tamil Nadu too, governments of veterans like MGR & Karunanidhi were dismissed by Congress people. Sharad Pawar's govt was toppled too. We have seen what happened with NTR when he was in US for treatment & attempts were made to topple his govt," PM Modi added.

Opposition raises slogan

As Modi started speaking at the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, the opposition kept on raising slogans like Modi-Adani bhai bhai, Adani pe kuchh to bolo, Adani ke gulami khatam karo.

Hitting back at the Opposition MPs, PM Modi said, "The country carefully hears what is said in this House. Some MPs are bringing disrepute to the House."

He further said in Hindi, "Keechad uske pas tha mere pas gulaal...jo bhi jiske pas tha usne diya uchaal."

"I want to tell the Opposition MPs, the more 'keechad' you will throw at us, the lotus will bloom even more. So, you all have an equal role in making the lotus bloom, and I thank all of them for that," he said. Notably, the lotus is the BJP's party symbol.

They (Opposition parties) don't have enough slogans: PM Modi

In the middle of the speech, BJP MPs were also seen raising slogans Modi-Modi to overpower the opposition sloganeering. But as nothing helped, the Prime Minister ended the speech with a masterstroke Nation is watching how an individual is strongly facing many. They (Opposition parties) don't have enough slogans and have to change their slogans. I am living for the country..."
Amid the chaos in the Rajya Sabha after Prime Minister Narendra Modi replied to the Motion of Thanks on President's address on Thursday, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh recalled the stormy first session of the 14th Lok Sabha when Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister.

Earlier in the day, after PM Modi concluded his speech in Rajya Sabha, he had expressed his disappointment over the disruptions in the House by opposition members.

To this, Ramesh recalled that in 2004, when former PM Manmohan Singh was replying on the debate, he was not allowed by the BJP to reply to the Motion of Thanks on President's address in the Lok Sabha and he had to lay it on the table of the House.

ALSO READ: Oppn raises 'Modi-Adani bhai bhai' slogan, PM rebuts, 'they have mud, I have gulal'

In June 2004, new Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was NOT allowed by BJP to reply to the Motion of Thanks to President's Address in the Lok Sabha. He was forced to lay it on the Table of the House," the Congress MP tweeted.

Today we heard long pravachans (sermons) in the Rajya Sabha on decorum," he added.

In June 2004, new Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was NOT allowed by BJP to reply to the Motion of Thanks to President's Address in the Lok Sabha. He was forced to lay it on the Table of the House. Today we heard long pravachans in the Rajya Sabha on decorum.  Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) February 9, 2023

In 2004, after the general election, the BJP -- that time in opposition -- had demanded "tainted ministers" be dropped from the council of ministers. That time, only two members could speak when the motion of thanks on then President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam's speech was moved.

On Thursday, PM Modi in his 90-minute speech hit out at opposition for creating ruskus in the House, as the OOpposition members kept on shouting for a probe by a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) into allegations raised against the Adani Group by the US-based Hindenburg Research firm.

Modi said, "Jitna keechad uchaloge, kamal utna hi zyada khilega (the more dirt you fling, the bigger the lotus - the election symbol of BJP - will bloom)."

"Some people's behaviour and language are disappointing not just for the House but for the country," he said in a veiled reference to the allegations opposition parties levelled against him.

With agency inputs.
Twitter, a microblogging site, has revealed charges of its subscription services in India. This clearly means that users in the country will now have to pay to use the services of Twitter Blue which comes with a bunch of features.

Heres how much Twitter Blue charges in India?

In order to use the Twitter Blue services in India on mobile, users would need to pay 900 per month for both Android and iOS devices. While the price for a subscription plan on the web will cost users 650 per month. The Elon Musk owned company is also offering an annual subscription plan for web users that will be billed annually and cost 6,800.

To recall, Twitter Blue offers a bunch of features for paid users such as undo tweet, early access to some features, edit tweet button, ability to post longer and high-quality videos along with prioritised rankings in chats. According to the company, Twitter Blue subscribers will now encounter half the amount of ads which will be seen by normal users on their home timeline.

Moreover, Twitter Blue users will also be able to enjoy some other perks such as ability to set custom app icons, access to Spaces tab, NFT profile pictures, themes, custom navigation options, unlimited bookmarks, along with the ability to bookmark folders and more.

Twitter also revealed that new subscriptions to Twitter Blue are currently available on web, iOS, or Android only in India, Canada, US, New Zealand, Brazil, Japan, the UK, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Australia and Indonesia, aiming to expand in other countries. Notably, not all the features are available on all platforms, informed the company through its blog post.

Who can access Twitter Blue?

According to the company, new users who only created their accounts more than 90 days ago will be eligible to sign up for Twitter Blue. Additionally, all the Twitter Blue subscribers will be needed to confirm their phone number in order to sign up.

Once subscribed to Twitter Blue, changes to your profile photo, display name, or username (@handle) will result in the loss of the blue checkmark until the account is validated as continuing to meet our requirements, and no further changes will be allowed during this review period," states Twitter.
Following a two year temporary suspension, former President of United States, Donald Trump's Facebook and Instagram pages have been restored. Meta Platforms Inc had given the former president access to his social media pages.

The lifting of the suspension comes ahead of the scheduled 2024 US Presidential Elections.

The suspension was imposed on Donald Trump's social media pages following the fatal Capitol Hill riot that took place on 6 January, 2021.

Meta Platforms has informed that they would lift Trump's suspension "in the coming weeks" and would institute heightened penalties of a suspension between one month and two years if the former president violated its content policies again.

Trump now regains access to key platforms for voter outreach and political fundraising ahead of another run for the White House in 2024. He had 23 million followers on Instagram and 34 million on Facebook as of January.

In 20 November, 2022, Chief twit of microblogging site Twitter, Elon Musk had lifted the ban on Donald Trump's Twitter account as well.

"The people have spoken," tweeted Musk, saying that 51.8% of more than 15 million Twitter users voted for the ban to be lifted.

But the former US president may not return to the platform, earlier saying: "I don't see any reason for it".

His account was suspended in 2021 due to the risk of incitement of violence.

Hundreds of rioters entered the complex as the US Congress attempted to certify Joe Biden's victory in the presidential election.

Soon after the riots, Donald Trump's Facebook, Instagram and YouTube accounts, which all had tens of millions of followers - were also suspended.

Several months later, he launched his own social media platform, Truth Social, in which he has a financial stake and where he is obligated to make his posts available exclusively for six hours before he can share them on other sites, reported New York Times.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump held his first political campaign on 30 January since announcing his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election, NHK World reported.

On Saturday, the former President held a rally in the southern state of South Carolina with the campaign mantra, "Make America great again."
New Delhi: India and Finland are looking to expand ties across a range of cutting-edge technologies including in quantum computing and nuclear energy.

According to persons aware of the matter, Indias Centre for the Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and Finlands IQM Quantum Computers are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to expand cooperation on quantum computing research.

C-DAC functions under the ministry of electronics and information technology while IQM is a major player in the quantum computing hardware market. In December last year, IQM signed an MoU with Tech Mahindra to expand research on quantum computing.

In response to a press query from Mint, IQM confirmed that discussions were underway but did not indicate a firm date for the MoU.

Two Finnish research universities, Lappeenranta Technical University and the University of Oulu, are also looking to expand research on quantum technology with Indian partners, according to the people cited above.

Quantum computing is a major priority for India. In 2020, it unveiled the National Quantum Mission with an outlay of 8,000 crore over five years. It hopes to establish 21 quantum hubs and four quantum research centres in the country. MeitY did not respond to a query from Mint.

Nuclear technology will be another focus of this emerging technology partnership between India and Finland. During a press interaction in New Delhi, minister for foreign trade Ville Skinnari said Finlands prowess in nuclear science could add to Indias energy mix. In particular, Skinnari pointed to small nuclear reactors as another front for cooperation.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), small reactors are advanced nuclear reactors that have a power capacity of up to 300 MW(e) per unit, which is about one-third of the generating capacity of traditional nuclear power reactors." These small reactors have smaller carbon footprints and can more easily serve locations that cannot be serviced by large power plants. They also offer significantly lower costs and shorter construction times than large nuclear reactors. This makes small reactors particularly suited to the Indian governments plans, which involve expanding access to power while also executing a pivot to cleaner technologies.

The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) recently stated that it was looking into small nuclear reactors as a replacement for ageing thermal power stations. In November last year, Union minister of state for science and technology Jitendra Singh announced that India would take steps to develop small reactors.

Dr Jitendra Singh pointed out that as we have already taken steps for clean energy transition with penetration of non-fossil based energy resources and achieving net-zero by 2070, nuclear in terms of base load power can play a big role in the de-carbonization strategy. It is in this context that the role of nuclear energy will be critical for the clean energy transition of not just India but for the entire world," read a release by the PIB.
Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan has said that India stands ready to extend support to the people of earthquake-hit Turkey.

Muraleedharan made the remarks at the Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad from where Indian Air Force's C17 Globemaster aircraft with medical equipment, ration and relief equipment took off for Turkey, as part of the ongoing 'Operation Dost.'

Speaking to ANI, Muraleedharan said that there are four teams working on the ground in Turkey, including two rescue teams, dog squads and two medical teams. He said that India has already opened a field hospital in Turkey.

"India has already sent four teams including two rescue teams of NDRF and two teams for medical assistance. Today, the third team of NDRF is taking off for Turkey along with a dog squad, medicines, blankets, four wheelers," Muraleedharan said.

He further said, "India stands ready to extend support to the people of Turkey in this hour of grief. India has always been coming to the help of people across the world and humanitarian assistance has been provided in various countries across the world. So this is another such an example."

Muraleedharan said that India continues to stand with the people of Turkey. He said that India would assess the situation and do the needful if any further assistance is required.

"We stand with the people of Turkey and we hope that if any further assistance is required we will be assessing that and doing the needful. So the armed Forces medical team is already there," Muraleedharan said.

Speaking on PM Modi's instructions regarding the assistance provided by India, he said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi had yesterday itself instructed all the concerned authorities to take the required steps for providing assistance to the people who have been affected in the earthquake in Turkey. He has personally expressed his anguish at the incidents. The External Affairs Minister Jaishankar have spoken to his counterparts."

Speaking about his meeting with the Ambassador of Turkey to India Firat Sunel, Muraleedharan said that he conveyed PM Narendra Modi's condolence message and offered India's support for the people of Turkey.

Muraleedharan said that the Ambassador of Turkey to India called India a "true friend" as it is helping Turkey in the need of the hour. Speaking about the Operation's name, Muraleedharan said, "Turkey's Ambassador has said that friend in the Turkish language is called 'Dost'. He stated that the people who come forward in these critical situations are called dost. That is why the operation is called Dost."

Speaking to ANI, "Turkey's Ambassador to India told me personally that India is the first nation to come forward with a huge quantity of relief material. Turkish Ambassador said that India is a true friend of India."

He further said, "With regards to India's G20 Presidency, PM Modi has given the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam One World, One Family, One Future. We are implementing the message."

Lauding the Armed Forces, IAF and NDRF for their efforts in the rescue operation, he said, "I would like to congratulate the armed forces, the Indian Air Force and the NDRF who has come to the rescue to be part of the rescue operations."

Meanwhile, Ambassador of Turkey to India Firat Sunel, who was also present at the Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad, termed Operation Dost a "very important operation." He stated that Operation Dost demonstrates the friendship between India and Turkey.

Speaking to ANI, Firat Sunel said, "Operation DOST is a very important operation. And this is the operation of friendship because DOST is the word in Hindi and Turkish which means friends. And this operation shows our friendship between India and Turkey and friends always help each other."

He further said, "I remember two years ago in 2021, I was exactly in this airplane and Turkey sent two aircraft loaded with COVID medical assistance. Now, after two years now we have two huge devastating earthquakes in Turkey and India is sending search and rescue teams in Turkey. So, real friends help each other if they are in need."

Earlier on Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that India is providing materials, supplies, medical supplies, and equipment, to Syria as well as sending search and rescue teams to Turkey under 'Operation Dost'.

India is extending its support to Turkey through the ongoing crisis after earthquakes jolted the country on February 6. Earthquakes of 7.7 and 7.6 magnitudes on the richter scale, ripped through Turkey and Syria on February 6, followed by a series of aftershocks that caused huge devastation, loss of lives and damage to infrastructure in the two countries.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.
The President at the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology has claimed that massive earthquake which striked Turkey could have moved the country by few meters, as reported by Italy 24.

Turkey is in one of the world's most active earthquake zones as it is situated atop major fault lines that run along the Anatolian, Arabian, and Eurasian plates of the globe. The earthquake struck along the East Anatolian fault zone, a region near the junction of the Anatolia, Arabia and Africa plates, according to the USGS.

In the report, Professor Carlo Doglioni explained that the Anatolian plate has been slipping horizontally in relation to the Arabica plate towards the southwest on the same plane. This slip generated a type of fault that seismologists call shallow transcurrent" with a hypocenter, i.e. the deep place where it breaks out, between 15 and 20 kilometers.

In other words, Turkey in the estimates has actually slipped by five to six meters compared to Syria," he said.

Also Read: Turkey-Syria Earthquake LIVE

In another report, he said that the earthquake may have caused the country by three metres south-west.

As cited by the national news, Dr Doglioni also said, What we call the Arabian plate has moved about three meters in a northeast-southwest direction relative to the Anatolian plate."

However, the professor further added that the most precise data is not yet available and added that only then an analysis can be made.

Also Read: Turkey Earthquake: How long people can survive in quake debris? Experts explain

In another report by Daily Mail, Dr Bob Holdsworth, a professor of structural geology at Durham University said that that plate shift was 'perfectly reasonable' given the magnitude of the earthquake which striked the country.

He also told the Daily Mail that the faults that slipped in Turkey are strike-slip faults which involve mainly horizontal displacements, adding that the overall offsets in the region of 3 to 6 metres proposed is reasonable.

Speaking on the intensity of the initial two powerful earthquakes, Doglioni said, it is estimated that the first quake was about 500 times higher than by the 2016 Amatrice earthquake while the second was 30 times higher than in Irpinia in 1980.

According to Alex Hatem, who is a geologist with the USGS in Golden, Colo said that the energy released in Mondays 7.8 earthquake is comparable to the energy released in the 1980 Mount St. Helens volcanic eruption, as reported by WSJ.

The first 7.8 magnitude quake occurred at 04:17 am at a depth of about 18 kilometres (11 miles) near the Turkish city of Gaziantep, which is home to around two million people. It was followed by a slightly smaller 7.5 magnitude tremor and many aftershocks.

The quake which occurred in a seismically active area known as the East Anatolian fault zone, has produced damaging earthquakes in the past. Almost all of Turkey is really seismically active," Eric Sandvol, a seismologist at the University of Missouri said. This is not something new to the country."

Turkey was struck by another major earthquake in January 2020  a magnitude 6.7 that caused significant damage in the eastern part of the country. In 1999, a 7.4 magnitude quake struck near Istanbul and killed an estimated 18,000 people.

Meanwhile, currently the death toll from a massive earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria climbed above 15,000, as rescuers raced to save survivors trapped under debris in freezing weather.

Officials and medics told AFP said 12,391 people had died in Turkey and 2,992 in Syria from Monday's 7.8-magnitude tremor, bringing the confirmed total to 15,383.

Some of the heaviest devastation occurred near the quake's epicentre between Kahramanmaras and Gaziantep, where entire city blocks lay in ruins. Turkey said almost 3,000 buildings had collapsed in seven different provinces, including public hospitals.

A famous mosque dating back to the 13th century partially collapsed in the province of Maltaya, where a 14-story building with 28 apartments that housed 92 people collapsed

Many countries have stepped up including India, Japan, the US, Britain, Germany, and others sent their search teams to quake-hit countries for help and assistance. With the freezing temperature and under the rubble for days now, disaster medicine experts have said most rescues occur in the first 24 hours after the earthquake. After day one, survival chances drop as each day passed. Access to water, air, and weather conditions are crucial factors for survival, The Associated Press reported.

(With inputs from agencies)
First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC is pressing ahead with a potential offer for Standard Chartered Plc, after a move to put earlier takeover plans on hold didnt halt its ambitions to become a global financial powerhouse.

Under the code name Silver-Foxtrot, officials at the Abu Dhabi bank are working under the radar on a possible bid once a cooling off period required by UK takeover rules elapses, according to people familiar with the matter. FAB, as the bank is known, recently completed due diligence on the London-based lender, the people said, asking not to be identified because the matter is private. Any deal would be dependent on market conditions and the performance of Standard Chartereds share price, they said.

FAB  which is worth about twice as much as Standard Chartered  is exploring an all-cash bid of in the range of $30 billion to $35 billion, the people said. Any acquisition would be funded by its backers, which include Abu Dhabi sovereign fund Mubadala Investment Co. and the emirates ruling Al Nahyan family, they said. FABs Chairman Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan is a powerful royal, and has in recent years taken on a more prominent role to spearhead the emirates political and economic goals.

After a period of higher crude prices, Abu Dhabi is keen to use its oil windfall to transform the citys financial sector, which has lagged many of its other key industries such as energy, tourism and logistics. Such an attempt would represent a step beyond the moves other wealthy Gulf nations have made to take minority stakes in firms like Barclays Plc and Credit Suisse Group AG.

Shares of Standard Chartered in London were trading up 9.5% at 10:11 a.m. local time after jumping as much as 12%. FAB was trading 2.1% lower in Abu Dhabi.

Strong Proposition

FAB last month said it had explored a bid for Standard Chartered, but that it was no longer considering an offer. The British banks relatively small market value  about $24 billion compared with FABs $43 billion  and the lure of a business with exposure to some of the worlds fastest growing economies make it a strong proposition for the Abu Dhabi lender. The drop in British pound also adds to the attractiveness of the bank that trades at just 0.56 times its book value.

Wall Street veteran Ken Moelis is working closely with FAB executives, key members of Abu Dhabis ruling family and some of the emirates sovereign funds on a possible transaction, the people said. Other bankers working on the plans are frequently shuttling between New York and the UAE capital, one of the people said.

Still, getting a deal done would be complicated and ambitious given the hurdles and the differences in the scale of the two banks. Regulatory approvals and compliance are seen as the biggest obstacles to a successful acquisition, the people said. FAB would need approval from the US Treasury to run Standard Chartereds dollar clearing license, for example, one of the people said.

Under one scenario being considered, Standard Chartered could be delisted from exchanges in Hong Kong and London and the merged banks headquarters could be shifted to Abu Dhabi from the UK capital, the people said. Such a move is likely to face strong opposition in Standard Chartereds home market, they said.

What Bloomberg Intelligence says:

First Abu Dhabi Banks potential bid for Standard Chartered confirms its takeover appeal, given a wide emerging-market footprint, improving efficiencies and supportive capital return. A $30-35 billion likely offer implies an above-0.85x 2023 book value (40% premium), and we expect an upper range would be needed to get shareholder approval. FAB would most likely need to raise capital to complete the deal, with competing bidders possibly to emerge as well.

 Jonathan Tyce and Tomasz Noetzel, BI banking analysts

FABs exploration of such a deal shows the growing ambition of Middle East lenders and the wealthy oil-rich nations that back them. A successful outcome would catapult FAB into an emerging markets banking giant with more than $1 trillion in assets  and likely into the club of 30 banks that global regulators consider systemically important. It would also mark a turning point in Chief Executive Officer Hana Al Rostamanis two-year reign.

A representative for FAB referred to its January statement where said it had evaluated a possible offer for Standard Chartered but was no longer doing so, and said the bank is bound by takeover rules in the UK and Hong Kong. A representative for Standard Chartered declined to comment.

Greater Legitimacy

FAB and the royal family are simply responding to global finance trends and the swelling amounts of capital in the Middle East," said Mark Williams, a professor at Boston University and a former Federal Reserve Bank examiner. The states goal of acquiring a reputable multinational bank is also linked to a desire to gain greater legitimacy in global financial circles while strengthening control over the storage and movement of funds."

As well as continuing to pursue either a majority stake or minority holding in Standard Chartered, FAB is also looking at acquiring specific assets from the British lender or forming a joint venture to help it expand internationally, some of the people said. FAB is also looking at other banks, including one in Asia, and investment bankers are also pitching a number of possible targets to FAB, other people said.

For Standard Chartered, theres been open speculation over its future for years. Back in 2018, Barclays Plc was reported to be interested in a takeover. In the mid-2000s, there were suggestions that the likes of Citigroup Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co. were interested in buying the bank. Since Bill Winters took the helm, Standard Chartereds shares have fallen by about a third.

Though Standard Chartered is headquartered in Britain and answers primarily to UK regulators, its fate is likely to be decided thousands of miles away in Singapore. Temasek Holdings has been the companys largest shareholder for nearly two decades, giving it the biggest individual say in what happens to the bank. Executives in Abu Dhabi havent discussed their plans with the Singaporean wealth fund, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Representatives for Mubadala and Temasek declined to comment. A representative for Moelis didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

Weeks after FAB confirmed its interest in Standard Chartered, Winters told the World Economic Forum gathering in Davos that it was quite logical" for Middle Eastern banks to be interested in buying European financial institutions given their relative valuations, but that he didnt think a deal was likely.

Banks are a protected species," making deals difficult, Winters said.This is not something weve either engaged with, or been interested in," said Winters. The thing with Standard Chartered is we are doing very well all by ourselves. Everything is on track for us."

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday that one Indian who was on a business trip to Turkey is missing, adding that 10 others are safe but stuck in remote regions.

While speaking at a media briefing, MEA Sanjay Verma, "We set up a control room in Adana in Turkiye. Ten Indians are stuck in remote parts of the affected areas but they are safe. We have one Indian national missing who was on a business visit to Turkiye. He has not been traced in the last two days. We are in touch with his family and the company in Bengaluru which employs him."

Also See: Turkey-Syria Earthquake LIVE

He added that three Indians who approached the Indian government were taken to a safe location.

"We have received calls from around 75 persons asking our embassy there about information and assistance," he said.

An official told PTI that the number of Indians residing in Turkey is around 3,000 out of which about 1,800 live in and around Istanbul, while 250 are in Ankara and rest are spread all over the country.

India launched 'Operation Dost' to extend assistance to Turkey as well as Syria following Monday's devastating quake that has killed over 12,000 people in the two countries.

India sent to Turkey and Syria to support the country's rescue efforts and relief. When asked about sending aid to Syria when it has been under US sanctions, Verma replied that India is following the G20 mantra of 'One Earth, One Family, One Future'. "Sanctions don't cover such humanitarian assistance," he said.

On 9 February, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that the sixth Operation Dost flight has reached Turkey.

The sixth #OperationDost flight reaches Turkiye.



More search and rescue teams, dog squads, essential search & access equipment, medicines and medical equipment ready for deployment in the relief efforts. pic.twitter.com/tacGyzsCDB  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 8, 2023

Speaking on India's Humanitarian Assistance, Verma said, "It was perhaps the furthest that we have gone in terms of HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief ) involving specialised teams. We tried to live up to our reputation as first responders."

The MEA said India has been able to send more than 250 personnel, specialised equipment and other relief material amounting to more than 135 tonnes to Turkiye on five C-17 IAF aircraft.

These include three self sustained teams of the NDRF numbering more than 150 specially trained personnel, along with dog squads, specialised equipment, vehicles and other supplies.

"Their equipment allows for detection, location, access and rescue of people trapped under collapsed structures," the MEA said.

In addition, personnel and equipment have been sent to set up a 30-bed self-sustained field hospital of the Indian Army. This includes a team of 99 specially trained personnel, with essential medicines, advanced equipment, vehicles and ambulances.

The MEA said the hospital will provide for a fully functional operation theatre, and facilities such as X-ray, ventilators, etc. The NDRF teams are rendering assistance in rescue operations at Gaziantep while the medical team is setting up the field hospital in Iskenderun, the MEA said.

A team of officials of Ministry of External Affairs, two of which are Turkish speaking officers, have been deployed to Turkiye to assist the teams involved in rescue and relief operations.

"India stands committed to extend all possible support to those affected by this devastating earthquake," the MEA said.

"Operation Dost is India's latest expression of being a first responder, a net security provider, and a country whose Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief response is quick and available to countries not only in the neighbouring region, but also beyond," it said.

At the press conference, NDRF Director General Atul Karwal said the force is ready to send more teams.

India on Monday decided to immediately dispatch search and rescue teams of the NDRF, medical teams and relief material to Turkiye following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's instructions to offer all possible assistance to the country.

Several countries, including the US and the UK, are sending relief materials and search and rescue specialists to Turkiye to help search for survivors of the quake.

The massive earthquake has killed more than 11,000 people and flattened thousands of buildings in Turkiye and neighbouring Syria.

On aid to Syria, the MEA said the consignments were handed over to the Deputy Minister of Local Administration and Environment of Syria Moutaz Douaji at Damascus airport this morning.

"The consignment consists of emergency medicines and equipment including portable ECG machines, patient monitors and other essential medical items," it said in a statement.

(With inputs from PTI)
Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Wednesday informed that microblogging site Twitter will be shortly enabled in Turkey, after it was banned by authorities citing surging misiformation at a time of extreme crisis.

The death toll from a massive earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria climbed above 15,000 on Wednesday, as rescuers raced to save survivors trapped under debris in freezing weather.

Officials and medics said 12,391 people had died in Turkey and 2,992 in Syria from Monday's 7.8-magnitude tremor, bringing the confirmed total to 15,383.

Twitter has been informed by the Turkish government that access will be reenabled shortly" Twitter Chief Executive Elon Musk posted on the microblogging site an hour ago.

Twitter has been informed by the Turkish government that access will be reenabled shortly  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 8, 2023

On Wednesday, the Netblocks internet observatory, which tracks connectivity across the globe, said that Twitter access had been restricted two days after a major earthquake killed thousands in southern Turkey and northern Syria.

"Real-time network data show Twitter has been restricted in Turkey; the filtering is applied on major internet providers and comes as the public come to rely on the service in the aftermath of a series of deadly earthquakes," said Netblocks, which tracks connectivity across the globe.

Netblocks reported earlier that, "Real-time network data show Twitter has been restricted in Turkey; the filtering is applied on major internet providers and comes as the public come to rely on the service in the aftermath of a series of deadly earthquakes."

Turkey's Transportation and Infrastructure Ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.

Turkish people have taken to Twitter since the earthquake to post information about loved ones they cannot reach, reports of collapsed buildings in the area and coordination for aid.

The confirmed death toll rose to 9,057 in Turkey on Wednesday, and in Syria had climbed to at least 2,950, according to the government and a rescue service operating in the rebel-held northwest.
A massive spike of Twitter outage reports came on Wednesday when some users were unable to tweet on the microblogging website, prematurely encountering a message that said You are over the daily limit for sending tweets".

The social media platform was down for more than 9,000 users in the United States at 5 pm Eastern Time, according to an outage tracking website Downdetector.com. The number of outages declined to 2,500 by 6 p.m. Eastern.

"Twitter may not be working as expected for some of you. Sorry for the trouble. We're aware and working to get this fixed," tweeted Twitter's support account on Wednesday.

The bug comes as billionaire owner Elon Musk has slashed Twitter's staff since taking over the company last October, leading to concerns about the viability of the service with fewer engineers.

The Information reported Musk told Twitter employees on Wednesday to pause on new feature development "in favor of maximizing system stability and robustness, especially with the Super Bowl coming up."

Is it a bug or a new change coming?

Since its outage, several Twitter users wondered whether its a bug leading to an outage or any new change coming to the social media platform with 'daily tweet limits. People have bombarded the microblogging website complaining of outages.

A weird thing that happened during this Twitter outage / not totally sure if connected to the outage but since when are there daily limits" for sending tweets?" a user wrote.

View Full Image Twitter down in the US.

Another user wrote, this twitter outage was so excruciating i was so close to start sending messages via pigeons."

Oh wow, twitter is having a big outage, but apparently you can still tweet by scheduling a tweet 1 minute in the future. Let's see if this works...," one more user commented.

"Virtually everyone on Twitter is being told they've hit their "daily limit" on tweets when they clearly have not. And the only way to tweet is to "schedule" them in advance. Possible outage or glitch? What's going on, @elonmusk?" another user asked.
Under India's ongoing rescue and relief operation in Turkey, NDRF team rescued a six-year-old girl out of rubble in Gaziantep city on Thursday. The small girl was rescued alive by the NDRF team in a joint operation with Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) from the rubble of a collapsed structure in Nurdagi town of Gaziantep province.

With rising death toll and chilling weather, the NDRF rescue of the small girl is earning applaud on social media. Recently, Union Home Minister Amit Shah applauded the National Defence Response Force team for rescuing a minor girl's life in earthquake-hit Turkey.

Applauding NDRF's rescue of the small girl, Union Home Minister Amit Shah shared the video of her rescue on his Twitter account.

Proud of our NDRF.



In the rescue operations in Turkiye, Team IND-11 saved the life of a six-year-old girl, Beren, in Gaziantep city.



Under the guidance of PM @narendramodi, we are committed to making @NDRFHQ the worlds leading disaster response force. #OperationDost pic.twitter.com/NfvGZB24uK  Amit Shah (@AmitShah) February 9, 2023

"Proud of our NDRF. In the rescue operations in Turkiye, Team IND-11 saved the life of a six-year-old girl, Beren, in Gaziantep city. Under the guidance of PM @narendramodi, we are committed to making @NDRFHQ the world's leading disaster response force. #OperationDost," tweeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

A similar heart warming photo of a Turkish woman hugging an Indian Army officer in a relief camp was shared by the India's Additional Directorate General of Public Information(ADGPI) on Twitter on Thursday.

#OperationDost. We Care," read the tweet.

Turkey and Syria faced one of the world's disaster in humanity, with its death toll rising to more than the deadly Fukushima nuclear tragedy. As many as 19,300 people have been reported to be dead in the earthquake hit region till Thursday night.

To accentuate the rescue work in Turkey, India had sent six planes carrying rescue personnel, essentials and medical equipment for earthquake relief efforts to Turkey and Syria under Operation Dost.

In addition to NDRF, Indian Army, Indian Air Force personnel have also been engaged in the relief work in the area.

The disaster management team in its press release informed that the rescuers also retrieved a total of 8 dead bodies from the debris till the time of release of the statement. The rescue operation is closely monitored by the DG NDRF in Delhi.

Earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar informed abou tthe six plane that were sent by India for Turkey. The team was equipped with medical equipment and medicines to carry on the rescue efforts.

The sixth flight carries more rescue teams, dog squads, and essential medicines for the quake-hit country.

Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar wrote, "The sixth #OperationDost flight reaches Turkiye. More search and rescue teams, dog squads, essential search & access equipment, medicines and medical equipment ready for deployment in the relief efforts."

Turkey has also described Operation Dost as a crucial mission to progress the relief and rescue work in Turkey and demonstrate the friendship between the two countries.

(With agency inputs)
Africa is facing an exponential rise in cholera cases, with infections in the single month of January already at a third of the level reached in the whole of 2022, according to the World Health Organization.

Climate change, armed conflict and large gaps in vaccination due to the Covid-19 pandemic have added to the risk of cholera outbreaks in communities that have low pre-existing immunity. If the current trend continues, this may be the worst year for cholera in Africa in more than a decade.

Ten African countries have reported outbreaks, with about 26,000 cases and 660 deaths since the beginning of the year, the WHO said in a statement Thursday. The bulk of these have been in Malawi, which is experiencing its worst outbreak on record.

We are witnessing a worrying scenario where conflict and extreme climatic events are worsening the triggers of cholera and increasing its toll on lives," said Matshidiso Moeti, the WHOs regional director for Africa.

Rapid rises in cholera cases usually coincide with the rainy season, but the water-borne diarrheal disease is also spreading in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia even as those countries experience a prolonged drought.

That has left millions of people in dire need of assistance. The WHO has given $6 million to Kenya, Malawi and Mozambique for their emergency response. Burundi, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria have also reported cases.

Efforts to contain the disease are also being hampered by a lack of vaccines, which led the WHO and its partners to limit all reactive oral cholera vaccine campaigns to a single dose in October. Further surges in cholera outbreaks risk deepening the shortage, the WHO said.

While cholera is an acute infection that can spread rapidly, most people can be treated successfully through prompt administration of oral rehydration solution or intravenous fluids. Africas average case fatality ratio is about 3%, which compares with 2.3% in 2022 and 2.1% in Haitis most recent cholera outbreak.

Every death due to cholera is preventable," said Moeti. This disease is much a health challenge as it is a development one."

Cholera outbreaks spread to countries outside Africa last year, including Pakistan and Haiti.
High-profile travellers have been complaining about the chaos at Delhi airport on Twitter, resulting in an unannounced recee by Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, and subsequently, measures to cut the inordinately long waiting hours passengers were facing. These include the opening of two additional entry gates for flyers, deployment of additional CISF manpower, and crowd management using a count meter and CCTV monitoring by a command centre.

Delhi airport was privatised by the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government in 2006. After which, the airports services and passenger experience improved drastically. Why has the chaos then returned? Isnt privatisation supposed to be the antidote to poor government service standards?

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After privatisation, growing traffic can no longer be an excuse for infrastructure deficit. Private managements are in vastly better positions than government to anticipate growth and act in a timely way for rolling out airport expansions required.

The problem at Delhi airport actually isnt so much of traffic exceeding airport capacity. It is actually a case of bunching of flights at peak hours, and less than optimum use of the airport during non-peak hours. Travelers prefer peak-hour flights. Therefore, airlines prefer flight slots in the busy hours when air seats are more profitable because of the supply-demand of seats versus passengers.

A scramble for select flying slots in these hours seems deceptively like a case of airport congestion but is actually a policy issue. What it calls for is a non-peak-hours market to be developed. The nature of the airline market is such that it will not be able to deliver this by itself. The air traffic regulator, the airport manager, the government and the airlines will have to work together.

To decongest the airport at the peak hours, policy will have to ensure traffic is smoothened out through the day by shifting some flights from busy hours to non-peak hours. For the passenger inconvenience to reduce, airlines must add seats on the non-peak hours. These seats must be available at prices that would incentivise non-peak hour flying habits among travellers. Airlines wont do it on their own, as peak-time seats are more profitable and theyd like to recoup their pandemic-time losses. As things stand, the incentive of the airlines is to carry on with current flight schedules.

But designing the right incentives can change behaviours by making it viable for airlines to fly in non-peak hours. Microeconomics has tools such as differential (or concessional) pricing that can be used for airport parking slots for aircraft, air traffic control and navigation services charges, runway use charges, etc. to incentivise flights in non-peak hours. Airlines, in turn, can develop non-peak-hour market using differential pricing for seats in these hours to change passenger preferences and consumption behaviour. Price discrimination involves setting tailored prices for the same good.

Simply incentivising non-peak-hour flying may not suffice. In the busy hours, the airport authorities may have to use surge pricing  the concept that makes the cost of Uber rides go up in office hours or whenever demand spikes  for air traffic service charges, aircraft landing and parking slots. Airlines can use it for seat prices in those hours.

By raising the price of using airport and navigation services, their use can be rationed. However, the response expected from airlines is for them to shift flights to lean hours, and not merely increase ticket prices for passengers. The airport authorities and the regulator would, of course, have to work with the airlines so that passengers arent penalised by profit-chasing airlines, drawing complaints of gouging.

We fly to save time and make the travel experience stress-free. Flyers will have to recognise that by spending longer hours in airport queues, we are paying in time, rather than in rupees, and this has already made flying more expensive in non-monetary terms.

All the same, it will have to be seen that the airport and air traffic control and navigation services dont turn loss-making or dont end up having to subsidise the airlines in the non-peak hours. Hence, the role of government in achieving the outcomes required. Privatisation doesnt mean policy has no role. Rather, it changes to healthy regulation.

Major airports in the world were decongested using a mix of incentives and other policies encouraging non-peak-hour flights and use of smaller, newer, less popular airports by both airlines and flyers. Besides Heathrow, London has five other airports: Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City Airport and Southend. They are all connected by public transport so that connecting flights and transits are smooth. And, just a few months ago, Heathrow reduced peak-hours flights slots to decongest the airport, forcing airlines to cancel flights  something Emirates, for instance, was hugely annoyed about but had to comply with.

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In Opinion, Vivek Kaul offers six reasons why inflation will remain a big problem in 2023. Divya Gokulnath writes on AI, gamification and other 2023 edtech trends. Harsh V. Pant tells why China is bent on aggression against India. Long Story narrates how a lagging M&M caught up with SUV rivals.
Is the government killing the rural employment guarantee scheme by slashing its budget allocation? Yes, says the opposition, while the government points out the final MNREGA outlay can be revised later based on aggregate rural jobs demand.

The budget has cut the outlay for MNREGA, but has sharply raised spending on other rural development schemes like PM Awaas Yojana and Jal Jeevan Mission, indicating that the focus is clearly on building durable rural assets.

This targeted rural capex can not only create jobs but also have a multiplier effect, boosting long-term rural growth. MNREGA has been more a demand-driven employment programme than a tool for creating durable assets, and the scheme needs a course correction. It is not a free cash transfer scheme and has a wide mandate  from building water conservation structures to roads and toilets.

The controversy around MNREGA

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman sharply cut the budget for the rural employment scheme in the latest budget. Only about 60,000 crore has been allocated to MNREGA this year, about 33% below the revised budget estimates for the scheme in this fiscal. Its also much lower than the 73,000 crore estimated for the scheme in last years budget.

The decision has enraged the opposition and social activists, who have accused the government of killing the law". In fact, the Peoples Action for Employment Guarantee and the NREGA Sangharsh Morcha estimated the scheme needs an outlay of 2.72 trillion to provide the promised 100-days employment to all households covered under the law this year.

The governments defence

The government appears to have made a three-pronged argument in its defence. First, MNREGA is a demand-driven employment guarantee scheme and the actual expenditure can be much higher than what has been budgeted. For instance, in FY22, the Centre spent about 98,500 crore on MNREGA, while the budgeted amount was 73,000 crore. In FY21, the corresponding figures were 1.1 trillion and 61,500 crore.

Second, the government said it has opened avenues for job creation in rural India through other schemes. The allocation for PM Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) was the highest ever at almost 54,500 crore while the outlay for Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has gone up from 60,000 crore to 70,000 crore.

Third, it is argued that many rural workers will return to cities with the pandemic receding, reducing job demand under MNREGA.

The big picture

Beyond the obvious and the stated position of the government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his team appear to be making an effort to reorient and overhaul the Centres schemes for rural India with an emphasis on durable asset creation.

At the moment, MNREGA follows the 60:40 rule  while 60% of the funds are reserved for wages, another 40% is meant for material to create assets. However, many states, including some of the more developed states in the south, have been spending far more on wages. In some fiscal years, the national average wage component in MNREGA was over 70% and the rest reserved for material.

In a research paper on MNREGA in 2020, The Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore observed: In this proportion, it may be difficult to make durable and sustainable assets. Moreover, no resource is earmarked for the maintenance of such assets and so, the assets created under MGNREGA are of poor quality and often deteriorated very fast."

In fact, in some years, states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala have spent less than 10% on materials. Its woefully inadequate, given the sweeping mandate of MNREGA  from water conservation and water harvesting structures to building roads and houses, and land development works.

Modis thrust on rural capex

The Centre is likely worried that not enough stress was given to creating durable assets under MNREGA that could have a multiplier effect, creating demand and lifting standards of living over the long term in large swathes of rural India. For instance, building roads deep inside rural India could connect remote areas to bigger towns and cities, giving a fillip to economic activity.

Inadequate stress on asset creation under MNREGA will make it a free cash transfer scheme and that in the long run is unsustainable, even undesirable. A fast-growing economy should be creating enough jobs for all.

It also explains the greater outlays to PMAY-G and the JJM. These schemes are focused on building durable assets in the rural areas  they hope to create jobs in the near term and raise standards of living over the long term. PMAY-G targets 'Housing for All' while JJM hopes to create a robust water supply infrastructure and give every rural household a functional tap connection.

All this fits in well into the Modi government's planned capex thrust. Schemes like PMAY-G and JJM will boost rural capex. A reorientation of the MGNREGA will also spur long-term job creation in rural India.
At a celebration of the 40th anniversary of Infosys, co-founder N.R. Narayana Murthy has confessed that he feels he has been completely wrong in disallowing the children of the founders to work at it, depriving the organization of legitimate talent. Taking back this past position, he said that he now thinks that every individual must have the same opportunity without discrimination if he or she is considered the best person for the role.

Its safe to assume that the remark is likely to be about his son, Rohan Murthy, given that of all the companys founders hes the only one to have had a stint in Infosys. That just as genes cannot guarantee corporate leadership success, equally they cannot be the overriding grounds for disqualifying worthy candidates is a valid argument. Murthy is essentially arguing for extending meritocracy to children of promoters.

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All the same, Murthy had valid reasons for precluding scions of Infosys founders from entering the portals of India's first enterprise built by middle-class South Indians  as he went on to explain: That point in time probably I embraced the idea because I was afraid that some people may bring undeserving candidates and put them in positions and I wanted the future of the organization to be strong".

Sorry" and I was wrong" are not words one hears often in the corporate world. Murthys remarks are creditworthy, and underline his passion for the company he co-founded with his six friends in 1981.

The question that emerges, though, is: Was the disqualification an opportunity loss for Infosys?

It's easier to analyse and evaluate things in hindsight. Mint has documented shareholder wealth created by Infosys and new business acquired by it under chief executive Salil Parekh, a former Capgemini executive, over the last five years. On both counts, the performance has been better than during the tenures of his predecessors. An uncontested fact remains that Infosys has done well under him  arguably, better than under any of the four co-founders. Managing an IT services company like Infosys, with over $17 billion in revenue and 3,45,000 employees as of 30 September, requires extraordinary leadership.

Rohan, a doctorate from Harvard, has the chops and understands the technology landscape. His stint of less than a year at Infosys, when he returned as an executive assistant to his father back in 2013, wasnt smooth. It coincided with several senior-level exits. The jury is still out on how his eight-year-old and privately held Soroco, which promises to improve productivity at firms, has fared.

How have Infosys peers tackled this issue? Shiv Nadars daughter Roshni Nadar took over as the HCL Technologies chairperson in 2020. Rishad Premji, after having worked across roles for over 12 years, took over from his father Azim Premji in 2019. But Premji owns 73% of Wipro and Nadar owns about 61% of HCL. In contrast, Infosys founders own a relatively small 15.16%. Murthy and his family own 4.15%. The stake is small but such is the regard for Murthy that his writ still runs large at the company. He wasnt even on the board in 2017 when he ousted both Infosys chairman R. Seshasayee and CEO Vishal Sikka.

Murthy commands uncommon respect and loyalty of his colleagues and his employees, as Nandan Nilekani, Infosys chairman, outlined at the event commemorating the 40th anniversary: Frankly, if he would have said jump off the cliff we would have done that; we had that level of loyalty for him."

And yet, Murthy's stake would not have been enough, for the sake of an argument, to keep Rohan at the helm. If the company would have underperformed, after some point, investors would probably have started grumbling. Murthy knows all this well as it was one of these rare circumstances of investor unrest that eventually led to his return in 2013. Infosyss sub-par and wobbly performance under co-founder S.D. Shibulal made at least one Singapore-based influential investor, Baburaj Pillai, demand from the then board chairman K.V. Kamath to bring back Murthy. Murthy eventually did return, along with his son, cleaned up the dead wood, and oversaw a succession planning that eventually went awry when Sikka abruptly quit in 2017.

Globally, there are many examples of business families that have over generations kept vigil against the boardroom, cushioning corporate managers. As executive chairman, William Clay Ford Jr. still has a significant role in the appointment of the CEO at Ford even though he owns only 0.20% of Ford's outstanding stock. The great-grandson of Henry Ford still controls Ford Motor.

Murthy may regret his decision. But Infosys shareholders arent complaining.

Elsewhere in Mint

In Opinion, Manu Joseph tells how we can get our free speech back. Pranjul Bhandari says Indias got a chance to shed pandemic scars and reach out for the stars. Rajrishi Singhal looks back as we look forward to global cooperation. Long Story narrates how Sebi is trying to separate your money from your broker.
This weeks seismic shock caused by a 100km-plus rupture between the Anatolian and Arabian plates drew global attention to Turkey, but the misery of people in the Syrian Arab Republic must not get crowded out by news feeds. While the tragic earthquakes death tollin five digits and countingis higher on the Turkish side of the border, it is the plight of Syria, both quake battered and war ravaged, that should stir us more. The cruelties of nature can shatter lives and overwhelm us with grief on a scale we can hardly fathom, but what of man-made inflictions that differ only in their horror being sporadic?

Consider this comparison reportedly offered by Mohammad Zitoun, a surgeon attending to patients at a Syrian hospital in the area. This is a huge calamity," he told Reuters, I lived through shelling and survived massacres. This is totally different, terrifying and horrific. The first massive wave of patients surpassed the ability of any medical team. Cases arriving for treatment from shelling and aerial bombing would come one after the other, in small waves, but the earthquake has seen 500 victims brought in each day, requiring dozens of operations. Many of the injured die within an hour or two as a result of trauma shock, heart failure or bleeding, especially since the weather is cold and they would have been under the rubble for 11 or 12 hours." Now that multiples of that time-span have elapsed, cries for help from concrete traps of collapsed buildings have all but fallen silent under a pall of gloom. Relief aid has been rushed in by various countries, including India, which dispatched two teams of its National Disaster Response Force, mobilized an army medical unit, and has been thanked by both Turkish and Syrian authorities. If Turkey, a Nato ally of the West, was short of foreign help, Syria seemed starved of it. The first UN convoy crossed its Bab al-Hawa border from Turkey only on Thursday, three days after the quake, with the delay attributed to access logistics.

Apart from its instant toll, though, was this quake the worse tragedy? Aid for Syrian victims was caught in a storm of dust raised over a decade-plus of civil war, slowed by lack of clarity over whether the needy could only be reached via Damascus, whose Bashar al-Assad regime is in cahoots with Tehran and Moscow as part of an autocracy bloc. While Damascus sought to assign some blame for its weak domestic rescue effort to the crippling Western sanctions it is under, the irony was why these were imposed in the first place: to restrict the regimes ability to harm its own people. Syrian strife has been a complex jigsaw of hostilities. What began as an uprising against Assads autocratic rule turned into a sectarian battle, one that acquired the contours of a proxy war between the regions Shia (pro-Assad) and Sunni (anti) powers, even as Al Qaeda-splinter ISIS sought to carve out territory. With armed militia of various stripes engaged in fighting, ordinary folks suffered grievously. Bullets and mortar attacks escalated to all-out bombardment as heavy military hardware entered the fray. In 2015, Russia intervened on Assads behalf to mount air strikes at rebel zones, only for Israel and the US to jump in later and slam slightly better-aimed missiles into pro-Assad targets. Too many Syrians have had their lives snuffed out in the collateral damage" of civilian spaces reduced to rubble by animosity. Indeed, too many people, globally, have had to suffer hostility. What we must snuff out, instead, is animus as a cause of death.
A garda has described the moment he rolled over a gunshot victim to discover it was his colleague Garda Colm Horkan, telling a jury: His eyes were still open but the life had gone out of them."

The jury in the trial of Stephen Silver (46), Aughavard, Foxford, Co Mayo, also heard today (Wednesday, February 8) that the accused had a smirk on his face when CPR was being administered to Gda Horkan after the garda was shot eleven times with his own gun at Castlerea, Co Roscommon on June 17, 2020.

Mr Silver has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Gda Horkan knowing or being reckless as to whether he was a member of An Garda Siochana acting in accordance with his duty. He has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Garda Aidan Fallon gave evidence at the Central Criminal Court to counsel for the prosecution, Michael Delaney SC, that he was on patrol on June 17, 2020, when he saw two men at a doorway and both men had their hands on each other in some form of a struggle that the witness described as grappling.

Gda Fallon said he stopped the patrol car and was about to get out when he heard a number of gunshots from the area where both men were.

He said he saw a man lying in the middle of the road and the other man standing over him with a gun. Gda Fallon said he then heard two more shots.

He said that the man was still lying on the ground, while the other man was on his knees with his hands out, shouting, I shot him, hes dead.

Gda Fallon said he went to the man on the ground and pulled him over onto his back to start CPR. He said he saw then that it was Gda Horkan on the ground.

His eyes were still open but the life had gone out of them, and I instantly thought the worst, said Gda Fallon.

He said that his colleague Garda Helen Gillen handcuffed the other man, while Gda Fallon started CPR. He told the court that as he was performing CPR, the man said, Youre doing it wrong, what are you doing?

I saw a smirk on his face. He wasn't saying it in a helpful way, he was trying to antagonise me, said Gda Fallon.

Gda Fallon said that he asked the man to sit down and he refused. He gave evidence that the man said, I know what they did to that black man in America.

Gda Fallon said he told the man that he had shot a detective, and the man said, Of course I shot him, he had a gun. What kind of a detective wears a red Tommy Hilfiger jacket? He doesnt look like a good detective now.

Gda Fallon said that when he and Sergeant Michael OHara took the man by the arms, the man became irate and started shouting Garda abuse. He told the court that the man then said, I have the coronavirus, before he coughed into Gda Fallons face four or five times.

He said that when they were arresting him, the man pointed at a badge on his vest with three stripes and said, Thats the Air Force, you made a big mistake. What kind of detective wears a Hilfiger jacket?

He confirmed to Mr Delaney that the man arrested was Mr Silver.

During cross-examination by counsel for the defence, Dominic McGinn SC, Gda Fallon confirmed that Mr Silver made a comment about Black Lives Matter.

Sgt Michael OHara gave evidence to counsel for the prosecution, James Dwyer SC, that Mr Silver had beads of sweat running down his face and his breathing was heavy as though he had exerted himself.

Sgt OHara said that Mr Silver told gardai he had been walking down Main Street going for a pizza when a man asked him for his name. Sgt OHara said that Mr Silver told them he did not know who the man was, and when he saw the man had a gun, he grabbed the gun off him and shot him.

Sgt OHara said that Mr Silver was told he had just shot a detective, to which Mr Silver replied: He wasnt a very good one.

The witness also said that Mr Silver started to cough into the gardais faces as he was being arrested.

Sgt Bernard Kilroy told Mr Dwyer that he located a handgun at the scene, which he checked and discovered was empty. He said there were quite a number of empty bullet casings on the ground, and the front tyre of a vehicle parked nearby was punctured. He also said that there was a hole in the glass of a business premises window, which he said had been caused by a bullet entering the glass.

Garda Darragh OReilly, who was the member in charge at Castlerea Garda Station, told Mr Dwyer that Mr Silver was aggressive towards the gardai when he was brought to the station.

Gda OReilly said that when Mr Silver was asked whether he had shot Gda Horkan, the accused replied: Yes, we were grappling and the gun went off and it kept going off.

Gda OReilly also told the court that Mr Silver told the gardai he was bipolar. He said that at one point, when Mr Silver was in a holding cell, Gda OReilly noticed blood on the bridge of Mr Silvers nose and blood on the back wall of the cell. He said that Mr Silver was in a very hyper state, and the garda asked him to calm down and not injure himself further. He said Mr Silver shouted that he wanted a doctor.

The jury also heard from civilian witness John Drury, who lived on Main Street Castlerea. He gave evidence to Mr Delaney that he was at home asleep on June 17 when he was woken up around 11.50pm by a loud shouting and a bang on his gate. He jumped out of bed and went straight to the window, where he saw two men wrestling on the ground outside.

They were lying face to face like they were wrestling. I heard two bangs and I didnt know what they were. One man rolled away while the other stayed on the ground and didnt move, said Mr Drury. He said the man who rolled away was wearing a hi-vis jacket, black trousers and a backpack, and he had long hair and facial hair.

The witness said the man on the ground did not move. He said the other man rolled onto one knee and then there were three more shots.

There were three more bangs. He was pointing a gun at the man on the ground with two hands around the gun. He was kneeling on one knee, said Mr Drury.

The witness said he heard the man say something about a Castlerea attack or an attack in Castlerea before he stood up.

Mr Drury said he went to check on his children and when he next looked out the window, he saw the man who had done the shooting sitting on the ground with his legs crossed.

The man who had been shot was lying on the ground and there was no movement, said Mr Drury. He also told the court that there was a bullet hole in his gate and bullet damage to his wheelie bin.

Witness Tony Harrison gave evidence to Mr Dwyer that he was woken on the night by a commotion outside his apartment. He said he heard an aggressive male voice and then heard a load of loud banging noises.

I thought it was fireworks, he said.

He said he looked out of the window and saw a man pacing in the road. He said he heard the man shout, They were trying to rob me, and he also heard the man say, This is not America.

Mr Harrison described the man as being tall with a lean build, long black hair, and dressed in dark clothes.

His demeanour was like he didnt know what he was doing, like he was in a different world, said Mr Harrison.

He looked like a man who was very unhinged. His eyes were standing out of his head. He looked like someone from a different planet.

At the opening of the trial, Mr McGinn told the jury that there was no issue with the cause of death in this case, as it was accepted that Gda Horkan tragically died as a result of being shot a number of times.

Mr McGinn said that the accuseds responsibility is accepted, as Mr Silver admits shooting and killing Gda Horkan.

The main issue is Mr Silvers state of mind at the time, said Mr McGinn.

The trial continues tomorrow (Thursday, February 9) before Ms Justice Tara Burns and the jury of seven men and five women.
Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has rejoined the political party he once led for over a decade.

Ahern was leader of Fianna Fail from 1994, and served as Taoiseach from 1997.

He led Ireland during the peace talks across the Irish border in Belfast, working with then-UK prime minister Tony Blair as the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement was signed in 1998.

But Mr Ahern resigned from Fianna Fail in 2012 following a report from a tribunal.

The Mahon Tribunal, which looked at allegations of planning corruption, did not find Mr Ahern to be corrupt but said he did not truthfully account for money he lodged to his bank account.

Last September, the current leader of Fianna Fail Micheal Martin indicated he would be open to allowing his former party colleague back into the party.

It had been proposed during a meeting of the Fianna Fail parliamentary party that Mr Ahern should be allowed to make a return as part of its plans to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

A Fianna Fail spokesperson said on Wednesday: We received a membership application and it was accepted by the party.
A motorbike mechanic charged with the capital murder of Garda Colm Horkan told arresting officers, If I hadnt killed him, he would have killed me, a witness has told the Central Criminal Court.

The jury in the trial of Stephen Silver (46), Aughavard, Foxford, Co Mayo, also heard today (Thursday, February 9) that the accused spat in a gardas face, attempted to grab another garda by the throat, and urinated on the floor of his cell at the garda station after he was arrested.

Mr Silver has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Gda Horkan knowing or being reckless as to whether he was a member of An Garda Siochana acting in accordance with his duty. He has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Gda Horkan was shot eleven times with his own gun at Castlerea, Co Roscommon on June 17, 2020.

Civilian witness Marcos Silveira, originally from Brazil but living in Castlerea, gave evidence to counsel for the prosecution, James Dwyer SC, that he was on the phone on the night of June 17 when he heard a shot.

He said he then heard four more shots, one after the other, and when he looked out of the window, he saw a body on the ground. He said he saw a man walking on the street, doing an eight.

He looked like a biker with long hair tied back, a black leather jacket and jeans. He was shouting, Hes a f**king wanker, hes a f**king bollocks, I told him, said Mr Silveira.

The witness said that when the gardai approached the man, he said, If I hadnt, he would have killed me.

Mr Silveira said that when the man was being handcuffed, he said, Why are you doing this? I did nothing wrong. If I hadnt done it, he would have killed me.

He was angry because he thought he had done nothing wrong, said Mr Silveira.

The witness said that when a garda was administering CPR to Gda Horkan, the biker was teaching the garda how to do it.

He said, Youre doing it wrong. He said, Hes gone, its over. A lady garda was telling him to shut up, Mr Silveira told the court.

The witness gave evidence that when two gardai took the man by the hand, he went on fire and said, I done nothing wrong, he would have killed me.

Evidence was also given by Anna Silveira, who told Mr Dwyer that she heard the man shouting, If I hadnt killed him, he would have killed me.

Ms Silveira said that the man did everything the gardai told him to do. During cross-examination by counsel for the defence, Dominic McGinn SC, she said the man was nervous.

He did not know what he was doing, she said.

Garda Enda Rowley gave evidence to counsel for the prosecution, Michael Delaney SC, that when he arrived at the scene, he saw a man on the ground and recognised the mans shoes as being Gda Horkans.

Id noticed him wearing them earlier, they were distinctive brown shoes, he said.

He said he observed that Gda Horkan had been shot a number of times and there was a large amount of blood. He told the court that he drove Mr Silver to the garda station and on route, Mr Silver said, This has been a seriously bad night. I didn't know he was a garda, he was wearing a Tommy Hilfiger jacket. I was wearing an illuminous jacket. I was only going for a pizza. He started calling us. He knew James (Coyne) but didnt know me. I thought this stuff only happened in America. What's going on in Castlerea?

Gda Rowley said Mr Silver was agitated and aggressive at the garda station. The witness said he asked him if he had shot Gda Horkan, to which Mr Silver replied, No, well yes, we were grappling over the gun and it went off. It kept going off.

He said that Mr Silver also said, My ears are ringing, I never used a gun. I cant hear anything. Can you get me a tea? Im in shock.

Gda Rowley said Mr Silver was somewhat uncooperative and would not remove his jacket when asked. Gda Rowley said he had to physically lift one of Mr Silvers legs to remove his shoe, but the accused did not resist being searched.

During cross-examination by Mr McGinn, Gda Rowley confirmed that when firearm residue swabs were being taken from Mr Silver, the accused made a comment about guns being dangerous and people needing to be trained to use them.

Garda Enda Mulligan gave evidence to Mr Delaney that when he arrived at the scene, he observed gunshot wounds to Gda Horkans chest. He said he recognised the grey Hyundai parked at the junction as an unmarked patrol car, and the front left tyre was punctured. He also said he saw a black handgun lying close to the front left wheel and empty cartridges on the ground.

Gda Mulligan also gave evidence that after being brought to the garda station, Mr Silver urinated on the floor of his cell. Gda Mulligan said there is a toilet in the cell, a hole in the ground, but it was not being used by Mr Silver. He also gave evidence that at one point, Mr Silver was marching around the cell in an extremely agitated state.

Garda David Walsh gave evidence to Mr Delaney that on June 19, Mr Silver was very aggressive.

He tried to grab my throat through the hatch in the cell door. He said he would eat me without salt, said Gda Walsh.

The garda said that later in the day, as soon as the gardai arrived at the door of the cell, Mr Silver stood up and spat straight out at a garda.

Gda Walsh also said that at one point, Mr Silver pulled his underwear down and waved his genitals at the garda and then turned around and spread his buttocks. Gda Walsh said that Mr Silver later told the gardai to f**k off and exposed himself again.

At the opening of the trial, Mr McGinn told the jury that there was no issue with the cause of death in this case, as it was accepted that Gda Horkan tragically died as a result of being shot a number of times.

Mr McGinn said that the accuseds responsibility is accepted, as Mr Silver admits shooting and killing Gda Horkan.

The main issue is Mr Silvers state of mind at the time, said Mr McGinn.

The trial continues tomorrow (Friday, February 10) before Ms Justice Tara Burns and the jury of seven men and five women.
Music, Movies & Entertainment, Community, Charity & Cause, Arts & Culture

By Jacob Alvear Published: February 09 2023

"Speak to Me" short film by Long Island Native to premier on February 16th at Sayville Cinemas.

SAYVILLE, NY - Long Island native Kurt Damas, also known by his stage name Kurt Rockmore, makes his directorial debut with the premiere of his short film "Speak to Me" at Sayville Cinemas on February 16th. Produced and co-directed by Trevor Jackson under their production company Starchild Productions, the film features a talented local cast led by Cory Saint-Laurent, with Matthew Boyd in a co-starring role, and Nersheen Lotus and LaVeda Davis rounding out the ensemble.

"Speak to Me" tackles the important and often-overlooked issue of mental health in the community and amongst men, with the goal of starting a conversation about it. The film follows the journey of a young man struggling with his own mental health and the impact it has on those around him.

"Mental health is an issue that affects us all, and it's especially important to address amongst men," said Damas. "I'm excited for audiences to see 'Speak to Me' and be a part of this important discussion."

Don't miss the premiere of "Speak to Me," filmed entirely on Long Island with a local cast, at Sayville Cinemas 6 p.m on February 16th.

STATS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH

Sixteen percent (4.8 million) of Black and African American people reported having a mental illness, and 22.4 percent of those (1.1 million people) reported a serious mental illness over the past year.

Serious mental illness (SMI) rose among all ages of Black and African American people between 2008 and 2018.

Despite rates being less than the overall U.S. population, major depressive episodes increased from 9 percent-10.3 percent in Black and African American youth ages 12-17, 6.1 percent to 9.4 percent in young adults 18-25, and 5.7 percent to 6.3 percent in the 26-49 age range between 2015 and 2018.

According to a study conducted by Ward, Wiltshire, Detry, and Brown in 2013:

Black and African American hold beliefs related to stigma, psychological openness, and help-seeking, which in turn affects their coping behaviors. The participants in this study were not very open to acknowledging psychological problems, but they were somewhat open to seek mental health services. 
Cops Seeking Men Who Made Off with $6,500 in Jackets from Walt Whitman Shops

By Chris Boyle Published: February 09 2023

Two men stole three Moose Knuckles jackets and three Canada Goose jackets from Saks Fifth Avenue, police say.

One of the two suspects (pictured left) and the alleged getaway vehicle (right).

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Second Squad detectives are seeking the publics help to identify and locate the man who stole jackets from a Huntington Station store in November 2022.

Two men stole three Moose Knuckles jackets and three Canada Goose jackets from Saks Fifth Avenue, located in the Walt Whitman Shops, on December 17 at approximately 4:50 p.m. The jackets have a combined value of approximately $6,500.
Governor Kathy Hochul has announced $100 million in State funding has been released to support the renewal of State roadways impacted by extreme weather. The funding supports repaving projects at 64 locations, totaling almost 520 lane miles of pavement, and complements the record level of investment in infrastructure across New York State.

"We are making historic investments in transportation infrastructure to create safer roads and smooth, hassle-free commutes for all travelers," Governor Hochul said. "New York is home to extreme weather year-round, and this $100 million in funding will be vital to helping ensure that our road conditions are safe for our hardest-hit communities."

Through sustained investment in transportation infrastructure, New York State is enhancing quality of life for all New Yorkers, making State highways safer and more efficient while encouraging local commerce and tourism. The current Department of Transportation five-year capital plan provides historic funding for road and bridge repair and modernization, and this critical infrastructure funding will help restore hundreds of lane miles of highway impacted by extreme weather.

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, "Weather in New York is getting more intense more often, necessitating the need for vital and timely maintenance of our infrastructure. Governor Hochul understands the critical need to keep our infrastructure in a state of good repair, and this funding will renew vital travel corridors across the state while restoring hundreds of miles of roads to help them better withstand Mother Nature's challenges."
A court-ordered deadline for Daniel Banyai to remove structures from his Slate Ridge property in Pawlet is in a few days. But it remains unclear whether the March 25 deadline will be moved, or whether the state Environmental Court will make good on its threat to jail Banyai for contempt.
Videos of Shenzhen's various districts are displayed at the 2022 Shenzhen Global Investment Promotion Conference in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 9, 2022. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)

The latest ADB report said foreign direct investment (FDI) into the Asia-Pacific region expanded in 2021 and China remains the top destination for global FDI in Asia.

MANILA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Global foreign direct investment (FDI) flows to the Asia-Pacific region continue to recover to pre-pandemic levels, with China remaining the top destination in Asia, according to a report released by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Tuesday.

The Asian Economic Integration Report 2023 says that FDI into the Asia-Pacific region expanded by 64.3 percent in 2021, nearly 7 percent higher than in 2019, accounting for 40 percent of global inward FDI in 2021.

China remains the top destination for global FDI in Asia.

Representatives of enterprises from China's Chengdu City negotiate with the international economic and scientific cooperation agency of Baden-Wurttemberg, in Germany, Dec. 11, 2022. (Xinhua)

Meanwhile, outward investment from Asia recovered by 15.2 percent in 2021.

"Having been robust in 2021, FDI flows may subside in 2022, given the uncertain global environment," the report said, adding that investment chapters in new mega-regional agreements, such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, may complement efforts to promote investment.

According to the report, firm-level data also highlight Asia's resilience in attracting FDI. Greenfield investment in the region grew by a modest 0.8 percent in 2021 after declining 40.9 percent in 2020.

Besides manufacturing, greenfield investments grew mainly in business activities like electricity, information and communication technology, the report said.
SAN DIEGO  After fighting in Afghanistan, former U.S. Army soldier Mauricio Hernandez Mata returned home with post-traumatic stress, which he says eventually led to getting in trouble with the law and being deported to Mexico  a country he had not lived in since he was a boy.

On Wednesday, he and another deported veteran were sworn in as U.S. citizens at a special naturalization ceremony in San Diego.

The two veterans were among 65 who have been allowed back into the United States over the past year ago as part of a growing effort by the Biden administration called the Immigrant Military Members and Veterans Initiative to make amends with immigrants who served in the U.S. military only to wind up deported.

Hundreds of U.S. military veterans, including some who were charged with crimes such as drunk driving or theft, have been deported over the years in what immigration advocates and others have called an unfair punishment to those who took up arms in the name of the United States. Many are still struggling to find legal help to return, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.

After my deportation, yeah, I never thought this day would come, said Hernandez, 41, dressed in a black suit and tie after being presented his U.S. citizenship certificate. It's definitely been a long road. I'm glad that we were given a second chance as anybody that is either American-born or fought for America should have.

Leonel Contreras, 63, who joined the U.S. Army at age of 17 and served for a year in 1976, also was sworn in at the ceremony.

I feel very blessed, said Contreras, who was allowed back into the United States about four months ago. I feel very happy to be back on American soil.

Both men spent the past decade living in the border city of Tijuana.

Contreras was whisked away by U.S. immigration authorities who detained him at the barbershop where he worked in National City, south of San Diego. His life forever changed.

He continued to work in Tijuana as a barber and found work because of his English at call centers helping answer questions from customers of U.S. companies. But it was not easy.

During that time his two sons grew up, and he now is a grandfather. With his U.S. citizenship in hand, he said he is not looking back.

I just want to go to all the places I've dreamed of seeing, like the Grand Canyon and possibly Mount Rushmore, he said.

Hernandez said his deportation came after unspecified irreverent actions and mistakes I made due to my PTSD. He declined to give more details. But he said after he was allowed back into the country a year ago, he was determined to get his U.S. citizenship to be able to go to the grocery store and not feel terrified of being picked up and sent back to Mexico.

His 7-year-old daughter hugged him after he was sworn in amid cheers from a crowd that included more than a dozen veterans from various branches. Then he turned and kissed his wife.

I've always been an American, the difference is now I'm an American citizen and I have all the rights that any American born citizen has, Hernandez said. And it was important to me to have those rights just to prove the point, the point being that anybody that's willing to lay down their life, their sanity, and give everything that they hold dear for American freedom should be eventually at one point in their lives considered a U.S. citizen.
Defense officials on Thursday defended their response to a suspected Chinese spy balloon that flew over the continental United States but struggled to satisfy furious senators at the first public hearing on the incident.

A key subcommittee held a hearing that was part of a balloon-centric day on Capitol Hill a week after the Pentagon first disclosed that the craft was traversing the U.S. heartland. The full Senate also received a classified briefing, as did the full House. And the House voted unanimously to condemn China for its "brazen violation of U.S. sovereignty."

The classified briefing appeared to quell some lawmakers' concerns. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., the chairman of the defense appropriations subcommittee, excoriated Pentagon officials at his panel's hearing, proclaiming that he didn't "want a damn balloon going over the United States when we could've taken it down over the Aleutian Islands," referencing the island chain in Alaska that sweeps across the Pacific Ocean. But after the classified briefing, Tester told reporters he was satisfied and that officials gave "more concrete answers."

Read Next: 2 US Army Veterans Deported to Mexico Win US Citizenship

Still, in public, officials struggled to explain why the balloon was not considered a threat as soon as it was discovered near Alaska, whether they know what China was spying on, and what actions they would take against any future balloons.

"I respect the need to keep some of this classified, but we all understand that some of the desire to keep things classified has to do with not wanting to disclose to the public things that might be inconvenient politically for the department," Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, said at the public hearing.

The Chinese balloon, which the U.S. government alleges was conducting surveillance but which China maintains was a weather balloon, has been an object of public fascination since it was spotted in the sky over Montana last week. In Congress, it immediately sparked concern about what the incident means for the threat posed by China.

The balloon first came to the U.S. military's attention when it entered the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone on Jan. 28, according to the Pentagon. It then briefly flew over Alaska before moving over Canada. Then, on Jan. 31, it flew back into U.S. airspace and continued to fly east across the country until it was shot down Saturday by an F-22 Raptor while it was over the Atlantic Ocean off the South Carolina coast.

The Biden administration has said it did not shoot down the dirigible earlier because of the risk of debris injuring a bystander on the ground, because the balloon provided little added intelligence-gathering capabilities beyond China's spy satellites and because the U.S. itself could gather intelligence from watching the balloon's flight.

Pressed repeatedly at the hearing about why the balloon entering Alaskan airspace was not treated with the same urgency it was when the balloon entered the lower 48 and why it was not shot down when it was over the Bering Sea or remote areas of the state with little risk of collateral injuries, defense officials said the craft didn't display a hostile intent and that its path over the state did not take it to sensitive sites.

That explanation rankled senators, in particular Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska.

"I am so angry. I want to use other words, but I'm not going to," Murkowski said. "Seems to me the clear message to China is, 'We got free range in Alaska.'"

The classified briefing later did not assuage Murkowski, who told reporters afterward that she felt like her state "gets treated differently, and when it comes to national security, national defense, no state should feel like they are more vulnerable than the rest."

Toward the end of the public hearing after an hour of getting beaten up by senators, officials also argued that recovering the balloon debris would have been difficult in Alaska's harsh terrain and that shooting it down too early could have set a dangerous precedent.

"Once you take a shot, you can't get it back," Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims II, director for operations of the Joint Staff, told senators. "I think it's important for us to remember that if we establish that precedent, that we may meet the same precedent."

After several attempts by Tester to ask whether the United States knows what information China was trying to gather, Jedidiah Royal, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, said only that "we have some very good guesses" but deferred a more specific answer to the classified briefing.

Questioned about how the military plans to deal with any future balloons, Melissa Dalton, assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and hemispheric affairs, said officials are still learning about the balloon's capabilities and what would be needed to counter them as debris is collected.

While the classified briefing allayed some concerns from the Biden administration's allies in Congress, they also said the United States needs to better prepare for future incidents.

"The United States should not have a domain awareness gap," Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez, D-N.J., told reporters, echoing the phrasing U.S. Northern Command commander Gen. Glen VanHerck used to explain why the military did not detect previous balloons in real time. "We have to be able to understand everything that may be coming toward our country, in every dimension -- space, continental parts of our country. And so that's something that I think we need to be working on."

Menendez also said the United States needs to craft a policy response to make Chinese President Xi Jinping "understand that there are consequences for this action."

-- Rebecca Kheel can be reached at rebecca.kheel@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @reporterkheel.

Related: US Says Chinese Military Behind Vast Aerial Spy Program
Health Net Federal Services, the company that provides health services to military beneficiaries in Tricare's West Region, is protesting the Defense Department's decision to replace the company with an award of the next-generation Tricare contract to TriWest Healthcare Alliance.

The company filed the bid protest in mid-January after receiving a background briefing from the Defense Department on its decision. Health Net declined to comment Wednesday on the protest or the reasons behind it..

Under the next-generation Tricare contracts, known as the T-5 Managed Support Contracts, roughly 1.5 million beneficiaries in Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin are slated to shift to the West Region, which currently serves nearly 3 million beneficiaries.

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The contract is worth up to $65.1 billion over 9 years beginning in 2024. The selected contractor, TriWest, oversaw the West Region from 1996 to 2013, and also is responsible for the Department of Veterans Affairs' Community Care Network in the western United States and Hawaii.

Health Net Federal Services has managed the West Region since 2018 and overseen some portion of the Tricare portfolio for more than 25 years.

In the past, bid protests have resulted in delayed contract starts, problems with patient enrollment and provider payments, and delays in care.

In 2012, the selection of United HealthCare, a contract provider that never before had served military beneficiaries, got off to a rocky start, with delayed payments to providers and patients complaining of unresolved issues.

Four years later, when the DoD consolidated the number of Tricare regions from three to two, it awarded contracts to Humana Military for the East Region and Health Net Federal Services for the West.

But United HealthCare, which had been managing the Tricare West contract, proved difficult in the transition, providing little assistance to incoming Health Net, resulting in a backlog of referrals, provider change requests and payment updates that required a freeze in enrollments and swaps between plans.

Payment information for more than 224,000 beneficiaries was lost and more than 15,000 patients were kicked out of Tricare. Providers also experienced a rough transition, with payment delays and incorrect reimbursements, according to a 2019 Government Accountability Office report.

When the DoD announced the selection of TriWest and Humana Military to manage the Tricare regions in December, officials said the Defense Health Agency had learned its lessons and beneficiaries should see minimum disruption.

"Defense Department leadership and the incumbent managed care support contractors are dedicated to managing a smooth transition to the new managed care support contractors," then-DHA Director Lt. Gen. Ronald Place said in a statement.

The Government Accountability Office is reviewing Health Net's bid protest with a decision expected by April 27, according to the GAO's website.

The Tricare health program manages private health care treatment, referrals, customer service, claims processing and other support services for roughly 9.6 million beneficiaries, including active-duty personnel, some members of the Reserve and National Guard, military retirees and family members.

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Military.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime

Related: Two of DoD's Biggest Military Contracts Are Now Up for Grabs
The number of medical events that triggered official reporting requirements among U.S. military pilots rose more than 1,700% from 2019 to 2022, an increase the Pentagon says was the result of COVID-19.

Last month, an Army flight surgeon and prominent opponent of the U.S. military's now-defunct COVID-19 vaccine mandate posted data on Twitter showing that the number of reportable medical events among military aviators rose from an average 226 a year between 2016 and 2019 to 4,059 in 2022, according to the Defense Medical Epidemiology Database.

But the Pentagon says the pilots contracted the virus and that large number of positive COVID-19 cases drove up the reported medical events. The virus spread in record numbers in 2021 and 2022, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Defense Health Agency.

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The flight surgeon, Lt. Col. Theresa Long, has filed for whistleblower protection and testified against the vaccine mandate, alleging that the vaccine carries risk of severe side effects -- more than the illness itself. Long did not respond to a request for comment from Military.com.

According to her tweet, Long said she searched the database for all reportable events involving military pilots following the Federal Aviation Administrations announcement in October it was easing some requirements for airline pilots regarding their cardiac health.

She, along with other opponents of mRNA vaccines, asserts that the FAA policy change was related to an increased number of patients with heart damage caused by the vaccines, according to her tweets.

Studies show, however, that the risks associated with COVID-19 vaccines are low. Rare side effects may include heart inflammation and short increases -- less than a day -- in a womans menstrual cycle, but with nearly 670 million doses given in the U.S. since Dec. 14, 2020, adverse events have remained low, even as 1.1 million Americans have died of the coronavirus.

The Defense Department said this week that the increase in reportable adverse events among military pilots is the result of COVID-19 itself, not the vaccines.

Responding to a query from Military.com, Defense Health Agency spokesman Peter Graves said Long mischaracterized the data in the defense epidemiology database, saying that she defined reportable events as those that cause "death, permanent harm or severe temporary harm," but the Pentagon also requires that potential threats to the population, the chance of widespread transmission, or illnesses that cause disruption to training or operations be reported.

This includes COVID-19, according to Force Health Protection Guidance issued in 2020.

"The increased numbers of reportable events in 2020, 2021, and 2022 are due to the reporting of COVID-19 cases," Graves said in an email Thursday.

In 2022, 96% of the 4,059 reportable events among pilots -- 3,887 cases -- were COVID-19 diagnoses, Graves said. The disease also accounted for 88% of all reportable events across all military occupations, he added.

The Defense Department has recorded 453,456 cases of COVID-19 among military personnel since the start of the pandemic in February 2020, with 2,741 service members hospitalized in the last three years and 96 deaths.

More than 2 million service members have been vaccinated against the illness. More than 8,400 service members were discharged for refusing to follow the vaccine order, which was dropped officially last month after Congress voted to rescind it.

Studies have shown that there is a slight risk for two types of heart inflammation, myocarditis and pericarditis, following COVID-19 vaccinations, but the occurrences are rare.

Research published last year in the journal JAMA Cardiology found that, of 23.1 million people in four Nordic countries who received the vaccine, there were 1,077 incidents of myocarditis and 1,149 incidents of pericarditis, with the risk greatest in the first seven days after the second dose of either the Pfizer or the Moderna vaccines, particularly among males ages 16 to 24.

Military.com was the first American news outlet to report on a suspected link between myocarditis and the vaccines, as several service members were diagnosed with heart inflammation issues after the military vaccination effort launched.

A study later published in JAMA Cardiology found that, in the U.S. military population, the rate of the development of myocarditis following vaccination was 12.6 per 1 million members vaccinated.

When the FAA changed its policies last October for pilots with a mild form of a cardiovascular condition known as a heart block, mRNA vaccine opponents asserted that the change was to accommodate pilots adversely affected by the COVID-19 vaccine.

The FAA said the change had nothing to do with the vaccine and the decision was "based on data and science." The new policy alleviates a reporting and certification requirement for pilots with the condition who have no symptoms or whose doctors say they are OK to fly.

In December, an amendment proposed to reinstate service members discharged as a result of the DoD COVID-19 vaccine mandate failed in the Senate, with opponents arguing that it would undermine future military discipline and orders.

The Pentagon also opposes issuing any back pay to those who were dismissed.

"What I would tell you is that, right now, we are not currently pursuing back pay to service members who were dismissed for refusing to take the COVID vaccine," Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said during a news conference Jan. 17.

 Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Military.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime.

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When Kristie Crow married her husband, a soldier in the Army, she had no idea how her husband's career would impact hers.

Knowing that military spouses face stubbornly high unemployment rates, often around 20%, Crow decided to pursue a master's degree in clinical social work in order to be more marketable as she moved from state to state.

Crow thought she could meet license requirements in the three years her husband would be stationed in Washington state, but his orders were cut short, leaving her shy of the clinical hours needed to obtain her license. Off to Virginia they went, but their 22-month orders were two months shy of that state's 24-month license requirement.

When they later moved to Hawaii with three-year orders in hand, Crow finally had enough time to obtain her Licensed Clinical Social Worker certification, or LCSW, and log the hours required to be eligible to transfer it to her current state of residence, Virginia.

Now, despite having eight years of clinical experience, Crow has been licensed for only a little over a year, and she is worried about how her husband's next set of orders will impact her career.

"There are definitely states where it's like, 'Oh, I hope we don't end up there,'" said Crow.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that 34% of military spouses work in fields that require occupational licenses. And without the ability to transfer licenses across states, those spouses aren't able to take advantage of the hard work they've already put in to advance their careers.

For more than a decade, the Pentagon has been trying to help -- with limited success.

But tucked not so secretly inside the unassuming 'Veterans Auto and Education Improvement Act of 2022'' is an update to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) that allows military spouses and service members to transfer any "covered" professional license, except one to practice law, across state lines. The law is meant to supersede the complex negotiation process currently underway between the states and Defense Department.

But it's not clear how states are going to respond to the new law.

"My concern is that this actually puts military spouses at risk without proper guidance for how it's going to be implemented or accepted by states," said Michelle Turner, vice president of clinical talent and delivery for Hazel Health, a company that provides school-based telehealth services across 14 states. Turner is responsible for the recruiting and hiring of clinical providers, including pediatricians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and licensed therapists. She is also a military spouse herself.

Crow works for Hazel Health. Turner got the company's lawyers to sort out directions for how Crow could apply to transfer her Hawaii license to Virginia, using the new law.

"I applied on Monday, and I had my license emailed to me on Saturday," said Crow, after applying for her Virginia license citing this new law. Although Virginia and Hawaii have similar license requirements, making the approval process more straightforward, Crow was astonished at the speed with which Virginia processed her request and is cautiously optimistic.

But there's no guarantee that every state would work so expeditiously. In Crow's career field, each state has different licensure requirements.

And any delays in getting a new state to accept a license can have a direct impact on spouses' wallets.

"My company paid me less because I wasn't LCSW, and I was having to work under someone else's full license," said Crow, "which just adds to the military spouse gap in wages that we sometimes experience because of all of our frequent moves."

For some types of work requiring licenses, moving to a new state is straightforward. A military spouse cosmetologist covered under an existing compact or the revised SCRA should be able to apply for a job with their out-of-state license and hit the ground running.

The Nurse Licensure Compact, for example, allows a military spouse with a valid nursing license in one state to transfer their license to a participating state without having to be recertified. However, six states don't participate in any of the nine existing compacts, including California, the state with the highest number of active-duty military residents.

Spouses in the medical field must also hold a valid license in the new state to obtain malpractice insurance or sign up to become a Medicaid provider, both of which are required by employers. Some states require additional training to ensure providers don't inadvertently violate state law.

"In North Dakota, where abortion is illegal, I may someday be required to report the intent to seek an abortion, but I am not required to do so in California," said Crystal Bettenhausen-Bubulka, LCSW, MSG and Navy spouse who is licensed in California, Hawaii and North Dakota -- a process that took her six years and cost roughly $4,000. "It is very unethical to just give a social worker a license without making sure they understand the state laws."

How these state-level requirements will change under this law is unclear.

The Pentagon is also trying to sort out how the law will impact military families.

"The department is still in the process of determining what information will be most helpful to military families concerning the newly enacted federal provisions under the SCRA and how issues might best be addressed," said DoD spokesperson Lisa Lawrence.

The DoD, however, is not without leverage. In 2018, the then secretaries of the Army, Navy and Air Force wrote a memo to the National Governors Association, stating "we will encourage leadership to consider the quality of schools near bases and whether reciprocity of professional licenses is available for military families when evaluating future basing or mission alternatives."

The Defense Department spent nearly two decades working on the issue before congressional action.

In 2004, the undersecretary for defense for personnel and readiness formed the Defense State Liaison Office (DSLO) to correct issues arising for military families as they move and work across state lines. Since its inception, the DSLO portfolio has included family law, education, occupational licensure and employment support, consumer protection, voting, health policy, National Guard support and state judicial systems.

By all accounts, the DSLO is highly successful, having negotiated more than 1,000 state bills, and worked with families, states, professional licensure boards and legislators to help alleviate the barriers presented by the military lifestyle. The office regularly posts state-level legislative wins on Military OneSource for military families to track.

"The goal of this was to replace all of those [DSLO efforts]," said Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Calif., a Navy veteran who originally introduced the Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act of 2021 that later became part of the January law.

"Since I've been in office, almost three years, everyone keeps telling me that the states are working on this," Garcia said. "First of all, not all states are working on reciprocity laws; some are and some aren't. Second, they're moving very slowly in that process. And third, it's not uniform."

According to Garcia, Congress intended this legislation to be a "forcing function to get the states to conform to one requirement, to one regulation and one threshold."

"It's very clear," he said. "You've got to honor the professional license from one state to the next."

How simple the process of transporting licenses will be is still being ironed out, and for now the Pentagon is largely deferring to the states.

"The states, and not DoD, must determine how existing state licensure portability policies align with the newly enacted federal law," Lawrence said. "The department looks forward to working with states to support their efforts to implement the requirements of the federal law."

If a military spouse is unsure of how this new law affects them, they can contact their licensure board or congressional representatives. If state is found in violation of the SCRA, service members, military spouses and families are encouraged to file a complaint with the Department of Justice (DOJ).

States with licensure reciprocity policies are marked green (DSLO via Military OneSource)
During the 1775-76 Siege of Boston, American patriots were trying to keep the British Army bottled up in the city and impede its resupply by sea. To protect its supply lines, the British wanted to move troops to the hills outside Boston and take control of the harbor. When the colonial forces surrounding Boston learned of the plan, they quickly occupied those hills.

By the time the British learned about the occupation, the colonials had already reinforced Bunker Hill and built a fortified defensive position, called a redoubt, on nearby Breeds Hill. Some 3,000 Redcoats moved to attack the 1,200 militiamen defending the hills. They assaulted the redoubt three times, taking heavy casualties each time.

On the third assault, the colonials were finally overwhelmed. British Lt. Col. James Abercrombie, leading British grenadiers, climbed atop the fortification and shouted, Surrender, you rebels! Abercrombie fell a second later, shot and mortally wounded by a musket round. The shot came from the weapon of Salem Poor, a free Black man.

"Surrender, you reb-" is probably more accurate.

Salem Poor was born into slavery in Andover, Massachusetts Bay Colony, around 1747. He would earn enough money to purchase his freedom at age 22, paying 27 for himself, the U.S. equivalent of more than $7,600 in 2023. In 1775, Poor was among the first Massachusetts men to join a militia as a Minuteman, able to respond to British aggression at a moments notice.

Later in 1775, the Massachusetts town of Lexington would be the site of The Shot Heard Round the World, when a British force of 700 regulars confronted rebel Minutemen at Concord. The British were dispatched to capture the colonials weapons cache there. Eight militiamen were killed and the British pressed on to Concord, where a larger militia engaged the British after they split their forces to search for the weapons.

By the time the British were holed up in Boston, Salem Poor had joined a unit of regular militia, along with fellow Black Minutemen Titus Coburn, Peter Salem and Seymour Burr. Under the command of Capt. Thomas Drury, this Andover company was only supposed to play a secondary role on Breeds Hill, helping to build the fortification.

As British warships fired at their position and British troops assaulted the redoubt, the Andover men were forced to cover the retreating colonials who constructed the redoubt until they ran out of ammunition. Poor himself was low on ammo and moved to help the wounded escape from the fighting. He retreated in good order and helped his fellow militiamen before firing his last round -- the one that killed Lt. Col. Abercrombie.

Col. William Prescott, colonial commander of patriot forces at the Battle of Bunker Hill, and 13 other regimental commanders testified to Poors extraordinary conduct on the battlefield that day. He was the only patriot soldier singled out to the colonial leadership that day.

A Negro Man Called Salem Poor ... in the late Battle of Charleston, behaved like an Experienced Officer, as Well as an Excellent Soldier, to Set forth Particulars of his Conduct Would Be Tedious, Wee Would Only begg [sic] leave to say in the person of this Sd. [said] Negro Centers a Brave & gallant Soldier -- the Reward due to so great and Distinguish a Character, We submit to the Congress.

Salem Poor was later the subject of a 10-cent stamp. (U.S. Postal Service)

Poor was among the militiamen who retreated to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, during the winter of 1777, where he reenlisted for three years. He is also known to have fought at the 1776 Battle of White Plains, the 1777 Battle of Saratoga and the 1778 Battle of Monmouth. In 1780, he returned home to Massachusetts, a free man with veteran status. He died in 1802 at the age of 55, one of 5,000 Black men who fought in the Revolutionary War.

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook.

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The Guardians have agreed to a minor league deal with reliever Dusten Knight, reports Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com. Assuming he passes a physical, hell get a non-roster invitation to MLB camp. Knight is represented by Big League Management Company.

Knight, 32, has spent a decade in the professional ranks since being drafted by the Giants in 2013. He reached the majors for the first time in 2021 as a member of the Orioles, pitching seven times and tallying 8 2/3 innings. Knight signed a non-roster deal with the Rays last winter after Baltimore ran through him waivers. He bounced on and off Tampa Bays active roster on a few occasions, ultimately getting into six contests and tossing 11 innings.

Over his two seasons, the Oklahoma native has worked 19 2/3 frames of 18-run ball. Hes fanned 20 hitters, walked nine and picked up swinging strikes on a roughly average 11% of his offerings. Knights fastball only checked in at 89.5 MPH on average last season, though he leaned more frequently on an upper-70s changeup and mid-80s cutter.

While Knight hasnt carved out a consistent role in a big league bullpen, hes allowed fewer than four earned runs per nine innings in each of the last two Triple-A seasons. He posted a 3.05 ERA over 35 outings with Baltimores top affiliate in 2021 and put up a 3.42 mark through 55 1/3 frames for the Rays affiliate in Durham last season. Knight induced grounders at a decent 47.8% mark and struck out an impressive 27.7% of opponents for Durham, though that came with an alarming 13.4% walk percentage.

Knight still has two minor league option years remaining. If he cracks the Guardians 40-man roster at any point, they can bounce him between Cleveland and Triple-A Columbus for the next couple seasons. He joins Michael Kelly, Touki Toussaint, Luis Oviedo, Peyton Battenfield, Caleb Baragar and Phillip Diehl among the non-roster pitchers who have some MLB experience in Clevelands camp.
09.02.2023 LISTEN

WHEN THE noise about Galamsey reached an unbearable crescendo and the President met with MMDCEs and the National House of Chiefs to deliberate on the menace, I knew the whole fight against Galamsey had reached the point of no return. A few days after that encounter, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, also met his chiefs to deliberate on the same issue. During those days, I wrote two articles on Galamsey. One had the caption, Fighting Galamsey: Who Owns The Land? In that piece, I admonished the chiefs to take over the fight against Galamsey because, the land on which the Galamseyers operated belonged to the chiefs from time immemorial. They have full control over the land in their domain to the extent that if even the government wants land to embark on any project, it has to consult the chiefs with Schnapps to pour libation to the gods for the success of the project.

I then followed up with yet another piece on the same issue captioned: Galamsey Diminishes Our River Gods. Readers will recall that in that piece, I charged the chiefs in Galamsey operating areas to use the river gods and deities to curse anyone who will destroy our river bodies through Galamsey. Nobody listened to me because these days, born-again Christians have taken stronghold in society so many people don't believe in our river gods anymore. They have forgotten that when the Lord of Host instructed Moses to lay down his rod before Pharaoh and the rod turned to a snake, Pharaoh too called three of his magicians to lay down their rods which also turned to three snakes. The defence that Moses' snake swallowed Pharaoh's snakes was neither here nor there because a snake is a snake. You can imagine the backlash I received from these born-again Christians when I opened my inbox in my computer the following day after the publication of that article. Some even jokingly said they will protest to God to drive me away from Heaven if they meet me in Heaven, as if they and I have been assured of a place in Heaven! Others wrote that I was a blasphemer. I simply laughed over those comments.

Three weeks ago, the Akyeamehene of the Ejura Traditional Area in the Ashanti Region, Nana Adu Pako, took a certain action against Fulani cattle headsmen and their collaborators who continue to destroy the farms of the people, rape women, engage in armed robbery and other social vices in the traditional area. The action had positive results hence, the need for this article today. If all the Akyeame ahenfo and chiefs in Ghana adopt this approach, I believe the issue of Fulani headsmen and their cattle destroying farmlands and our water bodies as well as the Galamsey menace will stop. Prior to the Akyeamehene's action, the chief of Ejura, Nana Barima Osei Mensah Hwedie, had gone to Miminaso No. 2 in the same traditional area to destool the Odikro of the town for collaborating with Fulani cattle headsmen by allowing them to operate in his area when the Ejura Traditional Council had decreed that no chief should allow any herdsman to operate in his area. Nana Osei Hwedie, there and then, appointed the Chief Imam, the Sarkyi Zongo and the Assemblyman of Miminaso No. 2, to take over the administration of the town until a substantive chief was enstooled. That is what we call man pass man, water pass gari.

After that action by Nana Osei Hwedie, it later came out that other herdsmen and their cattle, were operating in other villages and towns in the traditional area, destroying river bodies, farms and engaged in other social vices under the guidance of some security officers, Adikrofo, and 'connection men'. The Ejurahene then called a meeting of the Traditional Council to decide on the way forward. It was at the said meeting that the Akyeamehene, Nana Adu Pako, who was beside himself with fury and emotion, invoked the spirits of the land, river gods and all the deities of Ejura Traditional Area to deal ruthlessly with anyone who will receive money and cows to allow any Fulani cattle herdsman and his cattle to operate in the Traditional Area. He also cursed the Fulani cattle herdsmen and ordered them to leave Ejura Traditional Area with their cattle immediately or incur the wrath of the river gods and other deities of Ejuraman. Barely two days after the curse was invoked, the herdsmen and their cattle started leaving the Traditional Area. The Ejurahene then formed a Task Force to go round all the villages to make sure the herdsmen and their cattle left Ejura Traditional Area. Today, the farmers of Ejura are enjoying relative peace and going about their duties without fear of being attacked by Fulani herdsmen.

This action of Nana Barima Osei Hwedie and his chiefs brings into mind the failure of the late Chairman J.J. Rawlings when he tried to deal with the Fulani herdsmen and their cattle in the eighties. Rawlings had formed a military Task Force codenamed, Operation Cow Leg, to flush out these miscreants. Much as the soldiers who were armed to the teeth tried, they could not flush out the cattle herdsmen and their cattle. As they drove them across the border to Burkina Faso, these herdsmen returned to Ghana with their cattle when the soldiers left. It became a hide and seek game until the Operation Cow Leg was disbanded.

We all heard the carnage committed by these herdsmen at Agogo in recent times. If the chiefs of Agogo had adopted the Ejura Akyeamehene's method, I hope the matter could have been settled quickly. Like Galamsey, no Fulani herdsman can easily drive his cattle to a Traditional Area without the knowledge of the Odikro of the area. What has happened in Ejura stands to reason that the use of brute force to solve problems like Fulani cattle herdsmen menace and Galamsey, does not work. After the burning of excavators, beating of Galamseyers and seizing of mining equipment by the military Task Force, what results did it yield? ZERO! Galamsey continuous unabated. The difference is that it is done under the cover of darkness in the night when everybody is asleep.

The naked truth is that despite our Christian and Muslim faith, majority of Ghanaians still fear the wrath of our deities. That is why some men of God use the names of rivers and deities to curse when they are accused of wrong doings. Soon, you will hear Osofo Kyiri Abosom using deities to curse those who are lambasting him for impregnating his maid servants if he is pushed to the wall! Do you remember the late Rawlings challenged his accusers to go with him to Antoa Nyamaa deity to find the truth? They say when God picks up a stone, He takes time to throw it because He is God of patience but the deities adopt instant justice, rough and ready.

In the village where I grew up, stealing was a taboo. When you steal and they use the name of the river from which we drink to curse you, your stomach will begin to protrude. If you confess and certain rituals are performed, the river god will save your life. If you refuse to confess, you will die. That is what we call African belief. It works to perfection. I still insist chiefs in Galamsey operating areas should curse anyone who do engage in Galamsey in order to save the rivers and environment for future generation. I doff my hat for the Akyeamehene of the Ejura Traditional Area. Nana, continue to invoke curses because that is the language people seem to understand. You call this piece controversial? That is the reality.

BY Eric Bawah
Parliament has scheduled 15th February 2023 to begin its probe into Covid-19 expenditures.

This was revealed by Minority Leader Cassiel Ato Forson when the leadership from both sides of the house met the press today, Wednesday, 8 February 2023, to outline some activities of the first meeting of the third session of parliament which began on Tuesday, 7 February 2023.

He explained that the hearing will be done in public.

Dr Forson also called for breaks on tax exemptions for One District-One Factory projects in order to raise enough revenue to support the fiscal budget.

For his part, Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said the 1D1F tax waivers were predicated on the old regime, which is, the exception law.

Source: Classfmonline.com
The EU to host a donor conference in March to mobilise international aid for Syria and Turkey following this week's devastating earthquake.

Speaking on Wednesday evening, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen said, "We are now racing against the clock to save lives together. Soon we will provide relief aid, together.

"Turkiye and Syria can count on the EU."

The European Union said the conference would be held in Brussels early next month, in coordination with Turkish authorities "to mobilise funds from the international community in support for the people" of both countries.

"No one should be left alone when a tragedy like this hits a people," von der Leyen said in a statement.

The event is aimed at coordinating the international response to the disaster and "will be open to EU Member States, neighbouring countries, UN members" and international lenders.

Humanitarian response, not politics

Sweden, which holds the EU's rotating presidency, will co-chair the conference, at a moment when it is facing resistance from Turkey on its push to join NATO.

Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson underlined, "Sweden wants to ensure that the EU's assistance is adequate to meet the need of the Turkish and Syrian people in this terrible time."

The European Union was quick to dispatch rescue teams to Turkey after the 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck on Monday close to the border with Syria.

However, it initially offered only minimal assistance to Syria through existing humanitarian programmes because of EU sanctions imposed since 2011 on the government of President Bashar al-Assad in response to his brutal crackdown on protesters, which spiralled into a civil war.

On Wednesday, Damascus reportedly made an official plea to the EU for help.

Now that Damascus has made the request  through the EU's Civil Protection Mechanism that coordinates aid  the commission will ask European countries "to respond favourably to [the] request".
Attorney General Godred Dame has argued that the premature publication of the Covid-19 audit report by the Auditor-General will grossly undermine its scrutiny by Parliament.

In a letter addressed to A-G Johnson Akuamoah-Asiedu, said: I observe that the report of the special audit on the governments COVID-19 transactions has been published on the website of the Audit Service. In light of the constitutional provisions pertaining to the duty of the Auditor-General after the preparation of audit reports, I consider a publication of the COVID-19 audit report or indeed any audit report particularly when same has not been either considered by Parliament or referred to a committee of Parliament, premature.

I am mindful of the provision in section 23 of Act 584 which seems to mandate a publication of the reports as soon as they have been presented to the Speaker to be laid before Parliament. However, the laws governing the functions of the Auditor-General ought to be construed as a whole. The constitutional duty of the Auditor-General to submit his reports to Parliament and Parliaments consequential obligation to debate and scrutinise same, will be grossly prejudiced by a prior publication of the report.

The proceedings of the PAC provide an opportunity for irregularities raised by the Auditor-General to be interrogated and queried. Persons and institutions affected by the report receive a further hearing on the findings of the Auditor-Generals reports at the proceedings of the PAC in Parliament. A prior publication of the Auditor-Generals report completely undermines the purport and meaning of article 187(5) and (6) and should not be encouraged. Consequently, I advise a withdrawal of the report on the Government COVID-19 transactions from your website before same has been debated by Parliament and considered by the appropriate committee of Parliament, he noted.

Read the AGs full letter below:

RE: AUDIT OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS OF GHANA

I refer to various discussions between your good self and me regarding the effective implementation of reports of the Auditor-General on audits into the public accounts of Ghana, particularly with regard to the issuance of disallowances and surcharges.

The matters discussed have become more pertinent in view of the intense controversy generated by the publication of the report on the special audit of the Government of Ghanas Covid-19 transactions for the period March 2020 to June 2022 on the website of the Ghana Audit Service http://www.audit.gov.gh.

I find it compelling to lay out a few points which I hope will guide action to be taken after the preparation of your reports.

1. Article 187(5) of the Constitution mandates the Auditor-General to submit his report to Parliament and in that report, draw attention to any irregularities in the accounts audited. Section 16 of the Audit Service Act, 2000 (Act 584) clearly indicates that reports on special audits and reviews, as the one conducted in respect of the COVID-19 transactions, are subject to the requirement for the Auditor-General to submit the reports to Parliament.

2. Article 187(6) of the Constitution requires Parliament to debate the report of the Auditor-General and appoint, where necessary and in the public interest, a committee to deal with any matters arising from it. This is repeated in section 21 of Act 584. Over the years, the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament (PAC) seems to be the committee designated by Parliament to interrogate issues arising out of the Auditor-Generals reports. It is only after satisfying the constitutional requirement of submitting the auditor generals report to Parliament, the subsequent debate by Parliament thereon and conclusion of work by the appropriate committee of Parliament, that the report of the Auditor-General may be considered final and relevant action may be taken thereon.

3. I observe that the report of the special audit on the Governments COVID-19 transactions has been published on the website of the Audit Service. In light of the constitutional provisions pertaining to the duty of the Auditor-General after the preparation of audit reports, I consider a publication of the COVID-19 audit report or indeed any audit report particularly when same has not been either considered by Parliament or referred to a committee of Parliament, premature.

4. I am mindful of the provision in section 23 of Act 584 which seems to mandate a publication of the reports as soon as they have been presented to the Speaker to be laid before Parliament. However, the laws governing the functions of the Auditor-General ought to be construed as a whole. The constitutional duty of the Auditor-General to submit his reports to Parliament and Parliaments consequential obligation to debate and scrutinise same, will be grossly prejudiced by a prior publication of the report.

The proceedings of the PAC provide an opportunity for irregularities raised by the Auditor-General to be interrogated and queried. Persons and institutions affected by the report receive a further hearing on the findings of the Auditor-Generals reports at the proceedings of the PAC in Parliament. A prior publication of the Auditor-Generals report completely undermines the purport and meaning of article 187(5) and (6) and should not be encouraged. Consequently, I advise a withdrawal of the report on the Government COVID-19 transactions from your website before same has been debated by Parliament and considered by the appropriate committee of Parliament.

5. Further, as pointed out in previous letters by the Attorney-General to your office over the years, there has been a glaring omission to indicate in the notices served on the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice, satisfaction by the Auditor-General of the mandatory procedure enjoined by section 17 of Act 584, in order to be able to execute a disallowance and surcharge.

6. As you would recall, I have, in previous communication with you, indicated that in accordance with section 17 of Act 584, certain steps ought to be complied with by the Audit Service after an audit report has been subjected to the scrutiny of the PAC. These steps border on the issuance of disallowances and surcharges by the Auditor-General.

i. the relevant head of department or institution to whom the amounts stated in the notice of surcharge or disallowance are due, must be notified of the surcharge or disallowance, the reasons for the surcharge or disallowance as well as when this was done. Please see section 17(1) of Act 584

(ii) notices served on the Attorney-General must indicate whether the affected individuals and institutions have been served with the notice of surcharge or disallowance and, if so, when this was done. Please see section 17(2) of Act 584.

iii. Information confirming compliance with the statutory steps and when same was done is crucial for the Attorney-General to institute legal action against specified defaulters.

7. By letters dated 21st December 2017, 14th December 2018 and 21st January 2019, the Attorney-General informed the then Auditor-General about lapses in the notices of disallowance and surcharge served on the Attorney-General in order for him to remedy same. Unfortunately, to date, some have not been remedied.

8. It is only through due process, particularly the observance of the processes stated above, that we can realise the true import and effect of article 187 of the Constitution. There ought to be enhanced cooperation between the Audit Service and the Office of the Attorney-General and the Ministry of Justice. These two institutions are at the forefront of the quest for public accountability, probity, the rule of law and the rooting out of corruption and malpractices in Ghana, and therefore are left with no option but to collaborate. In this regard, I have set up a special team in my Ministry, jointly headed by the Solicitor-General and the Director of Public Prosecutions, specifically charged with coordinating with your outfit in order to promptly act, in accordance with law, on established irregularities contained in the Auditor-Generals reports.

I would appreciate if you could set up a similar team to work with my office.

Please accept the assurances of my highest consideration.

Source: ClassFMonline.com
The former National Vice Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress, H.E. Alhaji Said Sinare has asked members of his party to resist any attempt by the government to gag or intimidate them ahead of the crucial 2024 general elections.

Speaking to members of his party, Alhaji Said Sinare noted that his party must not underestimate the ruling NPP going into the crucial 2024 general elections.

"We must start to resist any attempt by any state institutions to start gagging us before the election because the NPP will go into the general election in 2024 as prepared as Goliath, and as a party, we must prepare to meet them as David!" he stated.

H.E. Alhaji Said Sinare, in a string of tweets on his Twitter handle on Tuesday, called on the membership of the opposition National Democratic Congress to remain fearless and united, as the election of 2024 will surely come with intimidations, molestation, and political harassment.

According to Alhaji Said Sinare, there is nowhere in the world where a public institution would take sides with the opposition party as is happening under the Nana Addo Danqua-led NPP administration.

Mr. Sinare warns the ruling NPP administration not to dare engage in acts that may truncate democracy in the country or unnecessarily overheat the political atmosphere with chaos and excessive deployment of state machinery against opposition politicians.

"Discerning Ghanaians and millions of esteemed people around the world are watching the moves by those trying to use the power of incumbency and control of the security apparatus to muscle out key members of the NDC, and we must not allow it to continue.

"No amount of unprovoked harassment or unsolicited embarrassment can stop Ghanaians from participating in free and fair elections next year to elect the right man to lead them out of extreme poverty," said the former National Vice Chairman of the NDC.

He stressed further that "No amount of molestation will stop the John Dramani Mahama-led NDC from becoming victorious in the forthcoming polls."

He continued, "If the security agencies and their masters really want to work, they should intensify the fight against the killers of Ahmed Suale, those who killed the 8 people in Techiman South, those who hurt and maimed people, including lawmakers for the opposition NDC during the Ayawaso West Wuogun byelection, and the so-called security officers who killed NDC activists in Ablekuma Central during the 2020 elections.

"Better still, they should swoop on corrupt NPP stalwarts that remain uninvestigated and unprosecuted. If Nana Addo's All die be die was not a crime, then why now?

"The anti-political violence crusade cannot continue as a one-sided activity pointed at harassing government opponents. The IG should stop intimidating opposition NDC members and let Ghanaians have the choice of a viable alternative to choose from in 2024."
The reluctance or being ashamed to travel by air, because of noxious aviation emissions known as Flygskam (Flight shame) is gaining traction, but business class travellers don't care about their carbon footprint.

New study reveals that 1 in 2 first or business-class travellers have the highest carbon emissions - a primary driver of climate change - but don't care about their carbon footprint (amount of carbon emissions associated with their travel.).

Jonathan Merry, CEO of MoneyTransfers.com in a statement to (del report) said: Forcing monumental change within an industry as mammoth as the aviation sector starts with the grassroots, and if the passengers funding the largest percentage of airlines profits arent strongly-minded regarding greener travel, then it seems unlikely that airlines will move with much haste. What seems to be key here is that airlines find that crucial balance between greener ways to fly while still keeping their price points attractive to their most affluent customers.

According to the new study:

1 in 2 British First or Business class travellers dont care about their carbon footprint: In comparison, just 21% of the Great British population surveyed say the same.

First class tickets have the highest emissions: A first-class ticket on a longhaul flight can have as much as nine times more carbon emissions than an economy ticket on first-class flights.

Price remains a top concern: 70% of Brits who have flown first or business class in the past year dont mind paying for greener flights, provided they are cheap.

An estimated 80% of the worlds population are unable to fly at all  with an even smaller percentage of those remaining able to afford a first class flight averagely between ($3000-$12000).

The choice to fly first-class is also a choice to have a higher carbon footprint. The International Council on Clean Transportation estimated carbon emissions on business class ticket to be 2.6 to 4.3 times more than economy class ticket.
The ECOWAS Commission organized a Consultative Meeting on Regional Trade Policy Instruments in Lagos from 1  3 February 2023, to deepen consultations with Member States as part of the formulation of the ECOWAS Common Trade Policy, the ECOWAS Trade and Investment Promotion Strategy, and the ECOWAS Trade Fair Guidelines.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Lassana FATI, Director General of the Ministry of Trade and Industry of the Republic of Guinea Bissau and Chair of the meeting, urged participants to take into consideration the regions ambition to deepen regional integration and economic development through, inter-alia, boosting trade. Before declaring the meeting open, Mr. FATI advised participants to propose actionable recommendations that would enrich the formulation and implementation of regional trade instruments.

On behalf of Madame Massandje TOURE-LITSE, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mr. Kolawole SOFOLA, Acting Director of Trade recalled the directive of the Meeting of the 2nd Joint ECOWAS Ministers of Trade and Industry held in November 2022, to finalize the key Regional Trade Policy Instruments by June 2023. He urged participants to bring to bear their expertise to improve the documents under consideration.

The meeting considered the key instruments as well as the proposed roadmap for their finalization. To ensure a participatory process and promote ownership by national stakeholders, the meeting agreed to continue with in-country consultations that would include both State and Non-State Actors.

The Consultative Experts Meeting was attended by Member States Trade Expert, representatives of the ECOWAS Commission, GIZ, and AFREXIMBANK.
The Board of Directors of Adamus Resource Limited has stated unequivocally that Ms Angela List remains the Chief Executive Officer of the Company contrary to media reports of her replacement.

They described as blatant falsehood a story in the media titled: Angela List removed as CEO of Adamus Resources.

A statement signed by Mr Sarpong K. Odame, Esq, Company Secretary on behalf of the Directors to the media said the "Supreme Court of Western Australia has not made any determination on the control of Adamus Resources Ltd as being alleged and that (a) no such matter has come before the court in Western Australia; and (b) it is not within the jurisdiction or power of the Australian Court to make any such determination over the control or ownership of a Ghanaian mining company."

It explained that the dispute in Australia was only about the removal of one, Allan Morrison as a director and secretary of Adamus Resources Pty Limited (an Australian Company), and whether the removal was validly done.

It said the said director was removed because he had failed to perform his duties, being failure to file accounts and tax returns on behalf of the company over the last 5 years as well as his failure to act in the best interest of the company.

The court in Australia has not made any pronouncement on the ownership of Adamus Resources Ltd (Ghana) or the ownership and control of Adamus Australia, since those issues were not in contention before the court. Thus, any reference to such a judgment/determination is false and should be ignored.

Further, the said Adamus Resources (Pty) Ltd is not the parent company of Adamus Resources Ltd. The parent company of Adamus Resources Ltd is Nguvu Mining Ltd.

The ownership and control of mining companies in Ghana are solely within the remit of the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and the Minerals Commission.

The fact of the ownership of Adamus Resources Limited can be verified from the public registries of the Minerals Commission and the Registrar Generals Department.

Nguvu Mining, as the 90% shareholder of the company, has not held any meeting to remove Angela List as a director of Adamus Resources Limited, it said.

The Company is investigating the source of such a mischievous story and has instructed its lawyers to commence legal action against any such persons when its investigations are finalised.

Such faceless persons will soon be exposed and the appropriate legal action will be taken against them.

"As a Company, we will continue to act ethically and within our core mandate of mining responsibly in Ghana. The company is highly regulated by the Minerals Commission and its details and ownership structure is also a matter of public record for any interested persons to verify.

"Also take note that the only lawfully appointed Directors of the Company are Angela List, Joseph Owusu Ansah, Anthony Aubynn and Rebecca Donkor."

The statement warned media outlets to desist from allowing their platforms to be used to undermine this wholly owned Ghanaian mining company.

In a related development, Mr Odame has notified the Registrar-General of a purported illegal meeting and appointment of Directors and Secretary, namely Jeremy List, in a clandestine move to oust Ms Angela List as a director of the company.

Pursuant to such illegal board meeting, one David Abini and Isaac Ackun were appointed as secretary and Managing Director without reference to the government representative.

We wish to indicate that the meetings held by these persons are illegal and the company has instructed its lawyers to commence legal action against them.

As you are aware, the ownership and control of mining companies is determined by the Minister, Lands and Natural Resources and the Minerals Commission. Pursuant to an approval of the Minister.

We would urge you to disregard any notices, resolutions or minutes received from these persons in an attempt to illegally take over the company.
The Otumfour Osei Tutu II Foundation, a non-profit organization has awarded GH1.3 million worth of scholarships to some tertiary students in Ghana.

The beneficiaries numbering 25 are brilliant but needy individuals who were drawn from universities across the country.

The students were given full scholarships to their various courses with most of the beneficiaries perusing Medicine, Law, Vocational and Technical Education related courses and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related programs for the 2022/2023 academic year.

Addressing the students at the scholarship award ceremony in Kumasi on Wednesday, February 8,2023, the Board Chairperson of the Foundation who doubles as Otumfour Hiahene, Nana Professor Oheneba Boakye Agyei Owoahene II admonished the students to make the best out of the opportunity offered them by taking their studies serious to excel in their disciplines of study.

The internationally acclaimed Spinal Surgeon advised the students to seek knowledge, be unique, have faith, obey their calling and be unstoppable in their respective careers to make the investment in them count.

With rising costs of college tuition and the potential burden of student debt, pursuing a college degree is out of reach for so many students in Ghana, with the help of our King,we are investing in the leaders of tomorrow by providing a pathway for young adults, regardless of their background or financial status, to reach their educational dreams, and so you have no excuse to excel," he said.

He commended the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for setting up the foundation which has over the years impacted positively the lives of Ghanaian youth.

Nana Professor Oheneba Boakye-Agyei Woahene II, emphasize it is time that Corporate Ghana and philanthropists make conscious efforts to complement the activities of the government to make Science, Technology and Mathematics (STEM) a key strategy towards producing middle level manpower that will propel the countrys socioeconomic development in the near future.

The Executive Director for the Foundation, Nana Afia Kobi Prempeh, for her part said, the scholarship is one of the many projects that the Kings Foundation has over the years undertaking in its education thematic area in addition to its I.C.T Mobile Learning for Rural Basic Schools, Mass Distribution of Textbooks, Otumfuo Community Reading Challenge, Teachers Awards among other projects initiated to help improve education in Asanteman and Ghana in general.

She explained that the Foundation works under five (5) key thematic areas of Education, Health, Water and Sanitation, Entrepreneurship as well as Culture and Heritage with the primary objective of enhancing the lives of the poor and disadvantaged by providing various interventions through projects and programmes for the people in Asanteman and Ghana in general.

Some of the students after receiving the scholarship could not hold their joy.

They thanked the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and the leadership of the foundation for the opportunity given them.

One of the beneficiaries Oduro Korankye Ferdinand, Bsc. Materials Engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology KNUST has this to say: Throughout my whole life, financial stability has been a harsh obstacle and once I received this scholarship, everything changed for the better. I will always cherish this opportunity and make Otumfour Foundation proud."
A high-level Government of Liberia delegation, led by the Commissioner of the Liberia Maritime Authority (LMA) Lenn Eugene Nagbe, has made a compelling case for Category A" membership with the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Making Liberia's case at the IMO Headquarters in London on Tuesday, Commissioner Nagbe highlighted the strategic role the country plays in the maritime industry - having the second largest shipping registry in the world and the country's long history of dedicated engagement with the IMO.

He said Liberia remains an outstanding industry leader in keeping with its obligations to the IMO - which are across technical and administrative decision making. This, he said, continues to enhance the direction of global shipping and maritime.

Commissioner Nagbe asserted that the Category A seat will accord Liberia the standing reflective of its role in the sector, as well as boost its ability to optimise the broader objectives of the IMO.

Speaking earlier, Liberia's Ambassador accredited to London, Madam Gurly T. Gibson Schwarz, stressed Liberias "progressive" history with the IMO and its diversified contributions towards the organization's growth and development.

She noted that a ''Category A'' presence on the IMO represents an important goal, which will commensurate with Liberias status. She indicated that it will also ensure more strategic contributions from the country.

The Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Kitack LiM, also hailed Liberia for its historic role and important contributions to the IMO and the maritime industry over the years. He commended the country for its many contributions across technical and administrative functionaries.

Meanwhile Liberia has been commended for its timely financial contributions to the IMO. The organization's Chief Scribe said Liberia's aspiration to increase its decision-making stake in the Council deserves consideration.

He said the IMO remains committed to continue advancing the cause of the global body in transforming world shipping and maritime activities while stressing the need for close collaboration among member states and partners.

The Liberian delegation at the presentation ceremony included: Lenn Eugene Nagbe, Commissioner, Liberia Maritime Authority (LMA) ; Cllr. Margaret C. Ansumana, Principal Deputy Commissioner; H.E. Gurly T. Gibson Schwarz, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Liberia accredited to London; Israel Akinsanya, Commissioner for Governmental Affairs, Liberia Telecommunication Authority (LTA); Harry T. Conway, Alternative Permanent Representative of Liberia to The IMO; Hilary P. Sackie, Chief of Finance, Liberia Maritime Authority; among others.

Source: Embassy of the Republic of Liberia, London, United Kingdom
The Western North Communication Officer of the NDC, Sam Jerome has declared his intentions to contest in the upcoming parliamentary primaries of the party in the Sefwi Wiawso Constituency of the Western North Region.

Speaking to the press in Sefwi Wiawso, the Communication Officer of the party in the region opined that the time and hour has come for the youths to be given the opportunity to lead the affairs of the party in the Constituency. He furthered his argument by saying that a Constituency which today is dominated by the youths must indeed be headed by a youth.

Sam Jerome posited that he stands a better chance of winning due to his commitment and service to the party since 2009 when he started as a Communicator of the party before becoming an officer of the party in 2010 till date.

Sam Jerome who also served as the Constituencys Communication Officer from 2015 to 2018 noted that he isnt in to contest because their predecessors didnt perform but thinks the hour has come for the Constituency to get new direction.

Focusing on his communication abilities, he stressed that he can help promote and project the Constituency out there to the world. After all, being an MP doesnt only involve law making but advocacy. Articulating the concerns of your people and getting solutions is equally part of MPs responsibilities." He noted that the concerns of the constituents have not gained prominence both national and international due to the inability of the MP to highlight them.

Sam Jerome who is sometimes referred to as Western North Sammy Gyamfi and General due to his communication prowess promised to unite the NDC base for victory come 2024. With his vast knowledge in business, the student of law promised to help grow businesses in the area. "I will not be that MP who will be given Ghc50 and Ghc100 but instead will put in measures which will make the people self-independent. This is the way to go and I promise to do just that."

Sam Jerome urged the delegates to vote for someone who has risen through the ranks and has paid his due to the development of the party. He narrated that he has been a branch organizer, deputy communication officer, communication officer and a regional communication officer, a position he is still holding. "As the Campaign Spokesperson for both 2016 and 2020 at both the Constituency and Regional levels respectfully I have the experience to work our party work again in the Constituency."

Asking him about his policies, Sam Jerome declined to say with the explanation that his opponent(s) might steal his ideas. However, he stated that he will institute a credit union policy at each branch with unspecified seed money which will help members at the branch. He also talked of providing healthcare schemes to cater for secondary and tertiary diseases for branch members, particularly the aged which health insurance doesnt cover.

He ended his meeting by calling on all potential aspirants to do a clean campaign devoid insinuations and insults which can destroy the part going forward.
MTN Ghana Foundation has announced the comeback of its annual blood donation exercise dubbed Save a Life after a two year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program was initiated to give the staff of MTN, its trade partners and the public the opportunity to show love on Valentines Day by donating a unit of blood to help save lives.

This year, the campaign will take place in all 16 regions simultaneously on Tuesday, 14th February 2023 between 8am- 4 pm. The annual Valentines Day blood donation exercise this year is targeted at collecting 4000 units of blood to stock various blood banks across the country.

Commenting on the upcoming event, Senior Manager for Sustainability and Social Impact, Robert Kuzoe reiterated the Foundations commitment toward the improvement in health care delivery in Ghana. By running this blood donation exercise, it is our desire to help alleviate the high numbers of maternal mortality cases since loss of blood is one of the leading causes of maternal deaths.

Mr. Kuzoe urged people to go out in their numbers to all the bleeding points in the various regions to express their love on Valentines Day by donating a unit of blood to help save a life.

According to the National Blood Transfusion Service, about 36% of the national blood supply is from voluntary donations and this is not encouraging. We entreat our staff, stakeholders, and the entire public to help stock the blood banks especially after the end of year festivities and most especially post pandemic effects of reduction in voluntary blood donation, he said.

Since the inception of the initiative in 2011, over 20,000 units of blood have been collected.

The Save A Life project has earned the MTN Foundation some recognition including the Highest Corporate Blood Donor in 2013, the Second Highest Corporate Donor in 2014 and one of the Highest Corporate Donors in 2015.
The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has destroyed 50,000 Kilogrammes (50 tonnes) of marijuana at the Bundase Military Camp in the Greater Accra Region.

In a press release from NACOC, it noted that the two-day destruction exercise is in accordance with the Commission's law, Act 1019, which requires NACOC to seize, investigate and prosecute perpetrators, as well as destroy seized narcotic drugs after following all legal procedures.

The 50 tonnes of destroyed marijuana was worth Fifty Million Ghana Cedis (GHS50,000,000).

According to the NACOS release, the destroyed drugs were seized between 2021 and 2023 in the Volta Region and Eastern Region where suspects escaped arrest while their trucks, vans, and cars were impounded at the Commission's headquarters in Accra.

NACOS explained that the Commission under normal circumstances would have used an insinuator to destroy the cannabis, but due to the huge nature of the drugs, the Commission decided to resort to open-air destruction.

The Commission cautions the general public, particularly drivers, who allow themselves to be used as couriers by smugglers, with or without their knowledge, that their vehicles used in the act will be seized. They must always ensure to check the content of consignments they intend to convey from one destination to another, part of the NACOS release noted.

Below is a copy of the press release:

NACOC destroys 50 tonnes of seized marijuana worth GHS50 million

The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has destroyed 50,000 Kilogrammes or 50 tonnes of marijuana at the Bundase Military Camp in the Greater Accra Region, worth Fifty Million Ghana Cedis (50,000,000).

The two-day destruction exercise is in accordance with the Commission's law, Act 1019, which requires NACOC to seize, investigate, and prosecute perpetrators, as well as destroy seized narcotic drugs after following all legal procedures.

The Commission is mandated to destroy seized narcotic drugs after conducting all necessary investigations.

Act 1019 Section 108 of the Narcotics Control Commission states that: disposal and storage of seized narcotics, controlled equipment, and precursors

(1) Where the Court orders the forfeiture of controlled equipment or the destruction of a narcotic drug or plant or precursor, the narcotic drug or plant or precursor shall be disposed of by a method ordered by the Court and the destruction of the narcotic drug or plant, or precursor shall be carried out in the presence of the representatives specified as follows:

(a) One representative of the Court that issued the Order;

(b) One representative of the Ghana Police Service;

(c) One representative of the Commission;

(d) One representative of the Prosecution;

(e) One representative of the Environmental Protection Agency;

(f) One representative of the Defence Counsel;

(g) One representative of the Analysts; and

(h) One representative of the Media.

(2) The narcotic drug or plant, precursor or controlled equipment may be tested in Court in the course of prosecution and immediately before the destruction or disposal as the case may be.

The seizures mainly were made between the years 2021 and 2023 in the Volta Region and Eastern Region where suspects escaped arrest while their trucks, vans, and cars were impounded at the Commission's headquarters in Accra.

The Commission under normal circumstances would have used an insinuator to destroy the cannabis, but due to the huge nature of the drugs, the Commission decided to resort to open-air destruction.

The Commission cautions the general public, particularly drivers, who allow themselves to be used as couriers by smugglers, with or without their knowledge, that their vehicles used in the act will be seized. They must always ensure to check the content of consignments they intend to convey from one destination to another.

Vehicle owners should also ensure to conduct background checks on their employees before handing over their vehicles to avoid having their vehicles seized.

The commission is very grateful to the National Security Secretariat, Ghana Armed Forces and our international partners for their support in the destruction exercise.

Source: Public Affairs and International Relations Department
It was only when she scrambled to the top of the mountain after fleeing the army attack on her village that Hafsatu Usman realised she had lost three of her children.

They had all run in panic for the hills when the Nigerian army bombarded Ngoshe in the country's troubled northeast while it was being occupied by Boko Haram jihadists in August 2014.

Then came the awful realisation that five-year-old Hadiza, Oussama, 12, and Abubakar, 13, "were not with me, nor with the other children," said the mother-of-seven.

"I shouted their names all night and looked for them everywhere" but they were nowhere to be found.

As Hafsatu told AFP her story in a displaced persons' camp in Yola, her youngest child, Yusuf, pressed himself close.

The little five-year-old doesn't like to let go of his mother's skirts, and follows her everywhere.

"That day lots of other children disappeared," Hafsatu added.

Hafsatu Usman and her son, Yusuf, five, who follows his mother everywhere, in their camp in Yola. By PIUS UTOMI EKPEI (AFP)

At least 25,000 people have been reported missing in northeastern Nigeria since the bloody conflict with jihadist groups began -- more than half of them children -- according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

But with 40,000 dead and more than two million people forced from their homes in 13 years of chaos and bloodshed, the true figure is probably much higher.

Widespread insecurity across the country is one of the main issues in this month's Nigerian presidential election.

Boko Haram's kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok in 2014 briefly captured the world's attention, sparking the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls.

Yet eight years on, more than 100 of the girls are still missing and the jihadist revolt is far from over.

Dead or alive?

The pain of not knowing what has become of missing fathers, mothers and children wracks thousands of families.

At least 14,000 children have disappeared in northeast Nigeria, the epicentre of a 13-year-old jihadist insurgency. By STEFAN HEUNIS (AFP/File)

Have sons been forced to join the jihadists, or daughters made to marry them? Or are they languishing instead in Nigerian army prisons?

"I never stop praying," said Hafsatu.

"If they are still alive, I pray for them to come back in good health. If they are dead, I pray for their souls to rest in peace."

Yet it took until 2021 for the Nigerian authorities, who are also beset by a near nationwide epidemic of kidnappings by gangs demanding ransoms, to set up a register of the disappeared -- and even that was only a pilot project.

Last month the government admitted that it "does not have reliable data on the number of missing persons in the country, nor a structure to address the humanitarian consequences."

The Red Cross, however, insists that families have the right to know what happened to their loved ones.

With so much instability, finding a missing person in Africa's most populous country is like searching for a needle in a haystack, said Zubairu Umar, one of the Red Cross volunteers gathering information on the disappeared.

Every time new people arrive at the camp for displaced persons in Yola, Umar sets off to see if new names need to be added to ICRC's list of missing persons.

Red Cross volunteer Jacinta Joel registers missing people in a camp for displaced persons in Yola. By PIUS UTOMI EKPEI (AFP)

"We collect all the information we can" from their relatives, he said -- name, place of birth, physical characteristics.

"We ask for a picture, but mostly they don't have any so we take a picture of them," Umar told AFP.

The ICRC list can sometimes make incredible connections -- a husband looking for a wife who had herself reported her husband missing in another camp.

"When we find someone, it's amazing we feel very proud," said Umar.

But mostly it is a hard and patient slog.

"For one single case we will sometimes have collected 70 different bits of information," he said.

Volunteers also trawl for tips by gathering people from the same district together in displaced persons' camps. They call out the names of the missing from their area and anyone with information is asked to raise a hand.

"If security is OK, we can send a volunteer to a village where a missing (person) has been seen," Umar said.

Illegal arrests

Saleh Bukar, who has been separated from his family by the fighting, in a camp in Yola, Nigeria. By PIUS UTOMI EKPEI (AFP)

Further complicating the situation, tens of thousands of people have been "illegally arrested by the security forces" -- often in secret and inhumane conditions without due process -- since the conflict began, according to Amnesty International.

Many of those rounded up as suspected jihadists or their supporters are children, it said.

Amnesty estimates that as many as 10,000 detainees have already died in custody.

Ibrahim, 33, told AFP that he spent years in jail without word of his family after being "wrongly" suspected of being an Islamist fighter.

Visibly traumatised, he finally found his wife and children at the end of 2021, seven years after he had been picked up by the army.

Map of Nigeria showing the Yola and Bama displaced persons' camps and several villages cited by witnesses, from where Nigerians have fled or disappeared due to the jihadist conflict.. By (AFP)

For eight months he said he was held in secret in a cell with some 100 others. There was so little room he couldn't lie down.

Finally he was identified by the ICRC, which under the Geneva Conventions can access detention centres.

But the Red Cross has no contact with jihadists groups and huge swathes of the country remain beyond its reach of its researchers.

With so many areas inaccessible, radio has become a precious tool.

Until the end of last year, a weekly programme in Hausa financed by the ICRC on Radio France Internationale, "Da-Rabon Ganawa" -- "We'll see each other again one day" in English -- attempted to reunite families across Nigeria's restive northeast.

Budget cuts means the programme is no longer on air, although a similar show on a local station is still running, urging listeners to phone in with information.

Parents and relatives of abducted Nigerian students protest in 2021. By Kola Sulaimon (AFP/File)

Despite the hurdles, 3,534 people who disappeared after attacks, abductions and arrests have been traced by the ICRC since 2018, and 95 children or vulnerable adults have been reunited with their families.

'That's my father!'

Jugule Ahmed had no word of his wife and five children for more than seven years after they were kidnapped by Boko Haram in Borno state in 2015.

Those were seven years of "anger.... but also hope that one day I would see them," Ahmed, 54, told AFP in a camp in Yola.

But he will never forget the call he got last year from a friend telling that his two children, Baba -- who was five when he was taken -- and his big sister Adama, now 14, had managed to escape and reached the city of Gwoza.

ICRC psychologist Barnabas John was in the bus that brought the children to their father in Yola.

"When Baba saw his father from the bus he recognised him immediately and shouted, 'That's my father, that's my father,'" the psychologist recalled.

Nigerian Red Cross psychologist Barnabas John, who supports families of missing people. By PIUS UTOMI EKPEI (AFP)

"We all started to cry."

There are happy endings -- but reunions are often also the "beginning of a new difficult period for the families, who have been completely destabilised," said Charlie Coste, a ICRC official in the north east.

Those who have escaped from Boko Haram are not always accepted back, with some fearful that they have been indoctrinated. In many cases, partners left behind have remarried and have had children.

Some abducted women who were forced to marry Boko Haram fighters have not been accepted back by their first husbands after they were freed.

"I can't accept it," one of those husbands told AFP, his eyes fixed on the ground.

Reunions may bring hope to some but they are also hard for those whose loved ones are still missing.

"It's very hard," admitted Hafsatu Usman, tears pouring down her cheeks as little Yusuf pulled at her hijab.

When her loss gets too hard to bear she gets some comfort by going to a sapling which has been planted in the camp in memory of the disappeared.

"When I'm gone, my children will also be able to enjoy it," Hafsatu said. It is also proof that whether they are not found or not, they did exist.
Osei Kyei Mensa Bonsu

09.02.2023 LISTEN

Osei Kyei Mensa Bonsu, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs has reiterated the sacrifices made by the government and its appointees in the face of the current economic quagmire.

His fuel coupon entitlement, according to the Suame MP and Majority Leader, has been sacrificed willingly to save the government some money.

In an interview with Evans Mensa of the Accra-based Joy News, the Majority Leader noted that the Akufo-Addo's government is not relaxed in the face of the current crisis.

To him, he may agree with people who say government needs to do more but will totally disagree with those who hold the view that government is insensitive about the current situation.

"I personally think that I must do more... I longer take fuel coupons as a cabinet minister.

It doesn't come to me. And even Parliament here as the majority leader, I'm not having half of what I used to have prior to 2021," he said on the stations PM Express show.

The Suame lawmaker continued, Well, maybe I would agree if they said government must do more. But to say that they haven't done enough, some people say that they haven't done anything. For those of them who say we haven't done anything, I'll disagree.

And I just pointed out to you what happened yesterday, and I'm aware that the President has directed that 30% of the salaries of the ministers must be forfeited to some other enterprise," he stressed.
Frederick Yaw Ahenkwah, opposition Member of Parliament for Jaman North has reiterated the need for President Akufo-Addo to relieve Ken Ofori-Atta, the Finance Minister of his post.

He noted that Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta is the one behind the current economic predicament facing citizens of the country.

Mr. Ahenkwah, in an interview with Accra-based XYZ TVs Dwaboase show, wasnt surprised about the fact that after driving the country into a ditch, the President still keeps him in office.

The lawmaker alleged that the President and those closer to the embattled minister are enjoying themselves while the ordinary citizens suffer from their inactions.

According to him, while Ghanaians are suffering and unhappy, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta and his accomplices are enjoying the moment because "they are heartless."

I am telling you that a person closer to Ken Ofori- Atta becomes happy when Ghanaians are complaining of the hardship," the MP told host Prince Minkah.
The Office of the Attorney General has bemoaned the lack of collaboration between his office and the Auditor-Generals office.

In a letter, Attorney General Godfred Dame has drawn the attention of the Auditor-General to a breach of law in the publication of the report of its special audit on the Covid-19 expenditure of the NPP government.

According to the Attorney General, the decision to publish the report of the audit is premature especially when the findings of the report had not been debated by Parliament as required by law.

I observe that the report of the special audit on the Governments COVID-19 transactions has been published on the website of the Audit Service. In light of the constitutional provisions pertaining to the duty of the Auditor-General after the preparation of audit reports, I consider a publication of the COVID-19 audit report or indeed any audit report particularly when same has not been either considered by Parliament or referred to a committee of Parliament, premature, part of the letter from the Auditor General said.

While the Attorney-General notes that he is mindful of the provision in section 23 of Act 584 which seems to mandate a publication of the reports as soon as they have been presented to the Speaker to be laid before Parliament, he also notes that the laws governing the functions of the Auditor-General ought to be construed as a whole.

According to him, the constitutional duty of the Auditor-General to submit his reports to Parliament and Parliaments consequential obligation to debate and scrutinise same will be grossly prejudiced by a prior publication of the report.

The Godfred Dame in his letter has called on the Auditor-General to collaborate with his office more on this and many other issues to ensure compliance with the Constitution.

There ought to be enhanced cooperation between the Audit Service and the Office of the Attorney-General and the Ministry of Justice. These two institutions are at the forefront of the quest for public accountability, probity, the rule of law and the rooting out of corruption and malpractices in Ghana, and therefore are left with no option but to collaborate, the letter noted.

It added, In this regard, I have set up a special team in my Ministry, jointly headed by the Solicitor-General and the Director of Public Prosecutions, specifically charged with coordinating with your outfit in order to promptly act, in accordance with law, on established irregularities contained in the Auditor-Generals reports.

Below is a copy of the Attorney Generals letter:

Read the AGs full letter below:

RE: AUDIT OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS OF GHANA

I refer to various discussions between your good self and me regarding the effective implementation of reports of the Auditor-General on audits into the public accounts of Ghana, particularly with regard to the issuance of disallowances and surcharges.

The matters discussed have become more pertinent in view of the intense controversy generated by the publication of the report on the special audit of the Government of Ghanas Covid-19 transactions for the period March 2020 to June 2022 on the website of the Ghana Audit Service http://www.audit.gov.gh.

I find it compelling to lay out a few points which I hope will guide action to be taken after the preparation of your reports.

1. Article 187(5) of the Constitution mandates the Auditor-General to submit his report to Parliament and in that report, draw attention to any irregularities in the accounts audited. Section 16 of the Audit Service Act, 2000 (Act 584) clearly indicates that reports on special audits and reviews, as the one conducted in respect of the COVID-19 transactions, are subject to the requirement for the Auditor-General to submit the reports to Parliament.

2. Article 187(6) of the Constitution requires Parliament to debate the report of the Auditor-General and appoint, where necessary and in the public interest, a committee to deal with any matters arising from it. This is repeated in section 21 of Act 584. Over the years, the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament (PAC) seems to be the committee designated by Parliament to interrogate issues arising out of the Auditor-Generals reports. It is only after satisfying the constitutional requirement of submitting the auditor generals report to Parliament, the subsequent debate by Parliament thereon and conclusion of work by the appropriate committee of Parliament, that the report of the Auditor-General may be considered final and relevant action may be taken thereon.

3. I observe that the report of the special audit on the Governments COVID-19 transactions has been published on the website of the Audit Service. In light of the constitutional provisions pertaining to the duty of the Auditor-General after the preparation of audit reports, I consider a publication of the COVID-19 audit report or indeed any audit report particularly when same has not been either considered by Parliament or referred to a committee of Parliament, premature.

4. I am mindful of the provision in section 23 of Act 584 which seems to mandate a publication of the reports as soon as they have been presented to the Speaker to be laid before Parliament. However, the laws governing the functions of the Auditor-General ought to be construed as a whole. The constitutional duty of the Auditor-General to submit his reports to Parliament and Parliaments consequential obligation to debate and scrutinise same, will be grossly prejudiced by a prior publication of the report.

The proceedings of the PAC provide an opportunity for irregularities raised by the Auditor-General to be interrogated and queried. Persons and institutions affected by the report receive a further hearing on the findings of the Auditor-Generals reports at the proceedings of the PAC in Parliament. A prior publication of the Auditor-Generals report completely undermines the purport and meaning of article 187(5) and (6) and should not be encouraged. Consequently, I advise a withdrawal of the report on the Government COVID-19 transactions from your website before same has been debated by Parliament and considered by the appropriate committee of Parliament.

5. Further, as pointed out in previous letters by the Attorney-General to your office over the years, there has been a glaring omission to indicate in the notices served on the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice, satisfaction by the Auditor-General of the mandatory procedure enjoined by section 17 of Act 584, in order to be able to execute a disallowance and surcharge.

6. As you would recall, I have, in previous communication with you, indicated that in accordance with section 17 of Act 584, certain steps ought to be complied with by the Audit Service after an audit report has been subjected to the scrutiny of the PAC. These steps border on the issuance of disallowances and surcharges by the Auditor-General.

i. the relevant head of department or institution to whom the amounts stated in the notice of surcharge or disallowance are due, must be notified of the surcharge or disallowance, the reasons for the surcharge or disallowance as well as when this was done. Please see section 17(1) of Act 584

(ii) notices served on the Attorney-General must indicate whether the affected individuals and institutions have been served with the notice of surcharge or disallowance and, if so, when this was done. Please see section 17(2) of Act 584.

iii. Information confirming compliance with the statutory steps and when same was done is crucial for the Attorney-General to institute legal action against specified defaulters.

7. By letters dated 21st December 2017, 14th December 2018 and 21st January 2019, the Attorney-General informed the then Auditor-General about lapses in the notices of disallowance and surcharge served on the Attorney-General in order for him to remedy same. Unfortunately, to date, some have not been remedied.

8. It is only through due process, particularly the observance of the processes stated above, that we can realise the true import and effect of article 187 of the Constitution. There ought to be enhanced cooperation between the Audit Service and the Office of the Attorney-General and the Ministry of Justice. These two institutions are at the forefront of the quest for public accountability, probity, the rule of law and the rooting out of corruption and malpractices in Ghana, and therefore are left with no option but to collaborate. In this regard, I have set up a special team in my Ministry, jointly headed by the Solicitor-General and the Director of Public Prosecutions, specifically charged with coordinating with your outfit in order to promptly act, in accordance with law, on established irregularities contained in the Auditor-Generals reports.

I would appreciate if you could set up a similar team to work with my office.

Please accept the assurances of my highest consideration.
The Germany Dachverband e.V. chapter of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has lauded the partys leadership for swiftly resolving the impasse caused by the changes in the leadership of the Minority Caucus in Parliament.

A united NDC, the branch stated, will wrestle power from the ruling NPP in 2024 and shatter their mouth-touting mantra of breaking the eight-year jinx of governance.

A statement signed by Jerome Kpan, the branchs secretary, noted that the NPP jubilated and used the crisis for political gains by stoking more fire.

"The NDC Germany Dachverband e.V. wishes to register our sincere appreciation to the entire NDC fraternity, but especially to our Council of Elders ably led by Alhaji Mahama Iddrissu for the timely and amicable resolution of the Minority Parliamentary leadership impasse," it said in part.

"We in the NDC Germany Dachverband e.V. took note with some concern how our detractors happily jubilated and stoked more fire to the little standoff that ensued following the change in the Parliamentary leadership of our Great Party.

"As the impasse simmered on, our opponents mischievously turned themselves into our Party Communicators and spoke for and against the changes in the leadership with the sole aim of destabilizing the Party and dragging the Party into a long-drawn conflict, but that was not to be," the statement added.

It continued, "The amicable resolution of the impasse has landed the NPP a huge psychological blow since their much-touted mantra of "breaking the eight" is partly built around the possibility of disunity in the NDC."

They also thanked the outgoing minority leadership for considering the interests of the party and accepting to support the new ones.

"We wish to use this opportunity to convey our special appreciation to the old leadership of our caucus in Parliament for pledging their full support to the new Minority leadership in the greater interest of our Party.

"To all members of the Minority side, we are proud of you for always standing for the good of the Party and the tenants for which it was formed," it stated.

There were several disagreements after the opposition party, in an official letter, informed the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin about some changes in its leadership in Parliament on Tuesday, January 24.

In the letter, a former Ranking Member of Finance, Mr. Cassiel Ato Forson took over from Mr. Haruna Iddrisu as the Minority Leader.

The Minority Chief Whip, Hon. Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka was replaced by Mr. Kwame Agbodza.

However, after a meeting with former President John Dramani Mahama, the matter has been resolved.
09.02.2023 LISTEN

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has appealed to individual bondholders to support the Domestic Debt Exchange programme.

On December 5, 2022, the Government of Ghana announced the voluntary Domestic Debt Exchange Program as a debt sustainability measure to exchange about GHS137 billion worth of Government bonds, E.S.L.A. Plc bonds and Daakye Trust Plc bonds, for a package of twelve new bonds, which are currently being issued.

Since the day of the announcement, there have been a lot of press releases and press conferences from individual bondholders, pensioners bondholders forum, and the National Democratic Party, among others how the programme will affect their livelihood.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday in Accra, NPP Director of Communication, Richard Ahiagbah said, the Debt Exchange Programme is an invitation by the government for eligible bondholders to participate in a bond swap voluntarily. The Programme allows the government to extend the maturity of bonds and lower the average coupon rates to create fiscal space to bring the debt-to-GDP ratio to the stated 55% by 2028.

"The government has acknowledged the difficulties of this inevitable debt operation to bring our debt to sustainable levels. This acknowledgement is reflected in the willingness of the government to engage and accommodate the proposals that have come from the various stakeholders. In addition, the government targets aggressive fiscal consolidation and enhanced revenue measures to ensure that the economy stabilizes quickly," he stated.

Highlighting the party's plans to insulate the economy against future exogenous shocks and pressure, Richard Ahiagbah said the government is working on several fiscal measures to strengthen the economy.

1. Domiciliation Policy: To boost our forex reserves, the Ministry of finance is working assiduously with the leadership of parliament to carve a domiciliation policy which will compel extractive companies to repatriate all forex earned from the sale of natural resources on the global commodity markets to the country. Nigeria has done it under its Local Content Development and Monitoring Board

2. Pass the tax exemption bill into law

3. Review the free zones area policy to plug leakages and abuses

4. Plug revenue leakages, especially within the extractive sector, focusing on the misdescription and underreporting of imports

5. Securing our borders to forestall the smuggling of taxable goods

6. Deepening ongoing digitalization efforts

7. Enhance Domestic revenue mobilization by increasing efficiency in tax collection i.e.eliminate human interface in tax collection

8. Strengthen the enforcement and monitoring regime of E-commerce, betting and gaming

9. Address off-budget expenditures by making sure all government expenditures go through GIFMIS

10. Enforce commitment controls within the various ministries, i.e., eliminate unauthorized expenditure as well as ensure that MDAs do not sign contracts without an approved budget

11. And finally, establish inter-sectorial working groups to address cross-cutting issues; review contracts and ensure standard reporting among ministries.

He, therefore, urged Ghanaians to continue to have faith in the current Nana Akufo Addo-led government to do justice to the current economic crisis.
The Germany Dachverband e.V. chapter of Ghanas main opposition party, the NDC is calling for continuous peace and harmony among members of the umbrella party.

Appreciating the swift resolution of the impasse in the aftermath of the minority reshuffle, the group acknowledged the benefits of unity going into the 2024 general elections.

A statement signed by Mr. Jerome Kpan, the secretary averred that the NDC is the only hope for Ghanaians since the ruling NPP has driven the country into a ditch.

"The NDC remains the only hope for the good people of Ghana, and we cannot afford to let Ghanaians down. We must stay united as we prepare to wrestle power from the insensitive NPP in 2024 to realize the hope of Ghanaians," a portion of the statement reads.

They alleged that some members of the NPP began jubilating about the fact that there was fire in the NDC and even tried to gain political capital out of it.

In what was a notice to the NPP, they noted that their unity will shatter the ruling partys mouth-touting breaking the 8 agenda.

"We in the NDC Germany Dachverband e.V. took note with some concern how our detractors happily jubilated and stoked more fire to the little standoff that ensued following the change in the Parliamentary leadership of our Great Party.

"As the impasse simmered on, our opponents mischievously turned themselves into our Party Communicators and spoke for and against the changes in the leadership with the sole aim of destabilizing the Party and dragging the Party into a long-drawn conflict, but that was not to be," the statement alleged.

It continued, "The amicable resolution of the impasse has landed the NPP a huge psychological blow since their much-touted mantra of "breaking the eight" is partly built around the possibility of disunity in the NDC."
09.02.2023 LISTEN

The youth of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Volta Region want former President John Dramani Maham to run unopposed for the flagbearership race of the party ahead of the 2024 polls.

In a statement signed by the NDCs Volta Regional Youth Organiser, Mathias Alagbo, the group argued that given the mess created by this [NPP] government, John Mahama is the most experienced hand in Ghana today who has once led our country through difficult times and built solid economic foundations that everyone can attest to.

The group believes that there is no need for flagbearer elections, but instead the party should directly endorse the former president as flagbearer of the party for the 2024 presidential elections.

It therefore called on all relevant stakeholders in their party including the National Council of Elders to commence necessary engagements to achieve a JDM NDC 2024 Flagbearership role without contest.

The statement highlighted that meagre resources should be reserved to support the rebuilding efforts to get a better fighting chance in the 2024 general elections.

Resources instead should be channelled to strengthen our branches and prepare the party machinery for our victory 2024 project the group stated.

They added that they would take responsibility to ensure John Dramani Mahama comes out victorious when their pleas are not heeded and elections are called.

By Citi Newsroom
Belgium has charged nine people with human trafficking and money laundering for their alleged roles in a gang suspected of bringing women from China to be sex workers in Europe.

Belgian police detained 27 people in raids across the country on Tuesday and seized bank notes worth about 1.5 million.

According to federal prosecutors, another person was detained in Spain and a further two in Switzerland after similar raids.

The raids were carried out after two years of investigation led by Belgium's Federal Judicial Police in collaboration with Eurojust and Europol.

Forced into prostitution

Prosecutors brought nine of those detained before a judge this Wednesday to be charged and remanded them in custody.

The other 18 were released.

Prosecuting lawyers say the number of Chinese sex workers in Belgium has risen in recent years, notably in Brussels.

They believe a criminal organisation brought the women to Europe and forced them to become prostitutes.

The women, advertised online, are frequently moved across locations in Europe and have a large proportion of their earnings taken from them.
09.02.2023 LISTEN

The Sunyani Zone of the Ghana Institute of Planners (GIP) has called for collective actions to protect the wetlands and the entire environment.

"City planning is a shared responsibility, let all get involved in activities to protect the environment and be protectors of our wetlands," it stated.

Planner Ata-Era A. James, the Sunyani Zonal Chairman made the call during the GIP's public awareness creation to commemorate the World Wetlands Day.

According to studies, wetlands ecological services contribute about $47.4 trillion to human health, happiness and security annually, hence the GIP undertook public education to increase peoples knowledge and understanding of these critically important ecosystems, she stated.

Restoration

The GIP's public awareness exercise was to highlight the urgent need to prioritize environment and the wetlands restoration.

The GIP, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) teamed up to embark on the sensitization exercise under the theme: Wetlands restoration, the time is now."

Planner Ata-Era said the World Wetlands Day celebrated annually aims at raising global awareness about the vital role of wetlands for both human and the planet.

For her part, Planner Gifty Nyarko, the Physical Planning Director at the Sunyani West Municipal Assembly and the Sunyani Zonal Secretary of the GIP observed "the high increasing usage of farming chemicals, pollution, encroachments and continuous filling of the wetlands for building are some of the harmful practices to our wetlands."

Pln. Nyarko therefore called on the Assemblies, relevant stakeholders in charge and the law enforcement agencies to recognize the importance of the wetlands and as matter of urgency activate and enforce the laws to deal with perpetrators.
One hundred and fifty women from Kurosua, Daadom and Atronie near Sunyani have since September 2022 benefited from a series of capacity building and skills training funded by the Swiss Embassy to expand daily incomes and sustain the livelihoods of beneficiaries.

Each of the beneficiaries is given start-up kits worth over GHS 1,000.00 upon completion of their training, which is usually in the production of a variety of detergents.

About 45 women farmers at Atronie, who constitute the third batch of trainees, have successfully completed their eight-day training.

The Kavinang Foundation, a non-governmental organization into community development and women's economic empowerment is facilitating the training programme.

Speaking on behalf of the Bono Regional Minister, Madam Justina Owusu Banahene at the closing session of the training, the Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. John Ansu Kumi, commended the Embassy of Switzerland in Ghana for the support to socioeconomically empower women farmers in smaller communities around Sunyani.

He urged the women to make good use of the skills acquired for their own benefit and their communities at large.

Financial literacy

Mr. Seth Cudjoe, the project coordinator said beneficiaries would be given financial literacy and business management and sustainability training and help them register as cooperatives.

Some of the beneficiaries told the media that the project is "a major turning point because we previously relied solely on seasonal farming because of the raining pattern but this would help change our narratives.

Mrs. Sarah Amoah said, "I have always been buying soap from the market to take care of the home so this would reduce my daily expenses."
Six senior Malian military officers, including the army chief of staff and head of the national guard, were relieved of their functions on Wednesday, the country's junta-run government said.

The four others are the heads of military security, the gendarmerie police force, military engineers and armed forces' health service, it said in a statement on Wednesday.

The communique gave no reason for the announcement.

The landlocked Sahel state is in the grip of an 11-year-old jihadist insurgency that has ricocheted across the region, killing thousands and forcing millions from their homes.

Mali is run by a military junta that seized power in 2020 and broke a long-standing alliance with France, choosing instead to forge close ties with Russia.

In a separate development on Wednesday, three groups in northern Mali that have a record of clashes with the central government in Bamako signed an agreement to amalgamate.

The groups have until now been components of a predominantly Tuareg alliance called the Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA).

The three are the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA), the Upper Council for Azawad Unity (HCUA) and the Arab Movement of Azawad (MAA).

They "decided to amalgamate the movements which constitute the CMA into a single political and military entity," they said in a one-page statement.

Mali. By (AFP)

In 2012, the groups launched an insurrection against the Malian state before signing a peace agreement with it in 2015 that sets the goal of greater regional autonomy and integrating combattants in a reformed arm.

The insurrection was initially joined by jihadist groups that continued their fight after the other rebels signed the peace deal.

Wednesday's announcement comes amid mounting tensions between these northern groups and the junta.

In December, the CMA announced it was suspending participation in mechanisms for implement the 2015 accord, angrily accusing the junta of lacking "the political will" to honour its provisions.
Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul has asked the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to deal with rebels in the Bawku municipality as criminals.

Speaking on the floor of parliament about the recurrent conflict in the area, Mr Nitiwul said the recent disturbances had nothing to do with chieftaincy.

What is happening today is not about chieftaincy. It is criminality. Those operating are criminals, Mr Nitiwul said in parliament on Wednesday, 8 February 2023.

I have asked members of the armed forces to deal with such persons as pure criminals.

He said the government has done what it can on its part to ensure that Bawku is peaceful.

We have moved Bawku from 50 to 400 soldiers, so, we are sending another 500 military task force to Bawku alone next week.

Meanwhile, Bawku Central MP Mahama Ayariga has petitioned the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) in connection with the recent killing of some civilians in the Upper East Region town by personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces.

In his petition, Mr Ayariga said: In my capacity as the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, I, hereby lodge a complaint on behalf of some residents of Bawku under regulation 2(2)(a) and (b) of C.I. 67 pertaining to several acts of violation of the human rights of some residents of Bawku by members of the Ghana Armed Forces.

Among the rights violated included the sacred right to life of 10 citizens of Bawku who were shot to death by members of the armed forces engaged in Operation Gongong in Bawku on Tuesday 31st January and Wednesday 1st February 2023. Childrens rights. Womens rights and property rights were violated, he noted.

He continued: The military does not deny shooting and killing these residents of Bawku. A statement issued by the military authorities on 2nd February 2023 admitting responsibility for the killings is attached.

He is demanding compensation of GH500,000.00 for each and every one of those whose lives were taken, to be paid to their immediate families as punitive damage.

Further, he wants GAF to be retrained from further acts of brutalities in Bawku in the exercise of their responsibilities to maintain peace in Bawku and adequate compensation to those who have suffered physical harm.

Another legislator, Peter Lanchene Toobu, has expressed fears the recurrent chieftaincy conflict in Bawku could provide a fertile ground for terrorists to invade the sub-region and radicalise Ghanaian youth in the north.

The retired police officers concerns come after the recent killings of some civilians in the conflict-riddled area by the military.

The army, however, says it merely neutralised the civilians, who he described as criminal suspects.

Speaking to Nasaria Abdul Rahman on Class91.3FMs mid-day news 12Live on Friday, 3 February 2023, The Wa West MP said: That issue in Bawku has the potential to engulf the whole region of West Africa, warning: Lets rise up to it and say, this is wrong, lets stop it because it started in Mali and dropped down to Burkina Faso and its knocking on our door and we shouldnt create that enabling environment to radicalise the youth and get them ready to join any group that can cause mayhem.

He said apart from the deaths, it is disgraceful. What is it that we cant solve? Somebody must be a chief and because of that somebody should die? This is unacceptable.

Meanwhile, the Upper East Regional Security Council has appealed to the ethnic factions in the Bawku conflict, to desist from any attempt to engage the military in combat, since that will be catastrophic on the part of the civilians.

We should, therefore, be charting a peaceful map for Bawku, a statement signed by Alhaji Abubakari Inusah, Chief Director, on behalf of the Regional Minister, said.

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) refuted allegations by some individuals in Bawku that soldiers deployed on Operation Gongong to restore calm in the area were killing innocent Kusasi youth and women in their homes and communities.

The army also said allegations that military personnel have seized Zoogin, a Kusasi community is false and unfounded.

GAF, in a statement, explained that information received from the National Investigations Bureau by its Operation Gongong Team early this week indicated that passengers on board a yellow KIA Grand Bird Bus with registration number AS 3672-21 travelling from Accra to Missiga were attacked by unknown gunmen around Kpawelga on the Bawku Highways.

The gunmen fired through the tyre and engine compartment of the vehicle.

The bus is currently parked at Asylum Down, Bawku Divisional Police Station, for an investigation to be conducted.

Also, one KIA Rhino truck with registration number AS 7093-17 was hit and the driver of the truck, Alhassan Abdella, aged 40, from the Gonja ethnic group, sustained gunshot wounds on the left foot.

He is currently receiving treatment at the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital.

Again, GAF noted that on Wednesday, 1 February 2023, gunshots were heard around South Natinga in Bawku.

A patrol team rushed to the general area of the shooting where a suspect, Abdul Malik Haruna, aged 35, from the Mamprusi ethnic group, was arrested.

He has since been handed over to the Bawku Police for further investigation.

GAF, in the statement, said it must be placed on record that based on a tip-off by the Bawku Police on the hideout of the suspects alleged to be involved in the firing incident at Bawku, troops conducted cordon and search operations together with the Bawku police at Pateleme General Area.

Three suspects, Fatau Alhassan Binda, 42; Abubakar Iddrisu, 44; and Alhassan Mustapha Binda, 33; all from the Dagomba ethnic group, were arrested in a house at Pateleme.

They were handed over to the Bawku Police for further investigations.

In a separate incident, GAF further disclosed that sporadic firing was heard around the Sabongari General Area.

A patrol team dispatched to assess the situation spotted unknown armed men at the Gozesi-Valley side in Sabongari wearing black t-shirts with black hoodies.

Troops engaged them and neutralised six armed men.

GAF said during the engagement, some armed men took cover in a mud house within the immediate vicinity to engage the team.

One of the armed men attempted to attack troops with a cutlass but was disarmed in the process.

During the operation, a local woman found with a gunshot injury on the left hand was sent to Bawku Presbyterian Hospital by troops for treatment.

GAF said it is forced to disclose these outcomes in order to dispel false information and the wrong notion that a particular group is being targeted by troops in Bawku.

GAF has assured the general public of its commitment to protecting the citizenry at all times.

It is, therefore, soliciting the support of all peace-loving Ghanaians, especially indigenes of Bawku, to facilitate the process of bringing normalcy to the area and also to aid GAF in de-escalating tension in the interest of the needed peace and security for the socio-economic development of Bawku and the nation as a whole.

Source: ClassFMonline.com
The joint communique issued at the end of a dialogue between the CEO of the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC) and the Oti Regional Minister on one hand, and the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese Of Jasikan, representing the interests of the indigenes of the region, is heartwarming.

Coming on the heels of an earlier concern showed by Bishop Gabriel Mante regarding the environmental challenges which could be triggered by the mineral resource exploration, the parley has cleared doubts about whether or not best practices are going to be adhered to in the course of the extraction of the iron ore deposits in the Oti Region.

This is certainly the way to go when apprehensions crop up in matters which are of national importance such as the exploration of natural resources for the benefit of the whole country.

We would not pretend that exploration of mineral resources across the world have not resulted in loss of livelihood and impacted negatively on the environment.

In today's world, however, templates influenced by past experiences have been created to protect the mutual interests of the locals in places where minerals exist and the government, the custodian of the country's natural resources.

The templates, as alluded to in the aforementioned portions of this commentary, have been fashioned out to obviate the infamous resource curse including the environment.

Thankfully, during a forum organised by GIISDEC last year in Accra, and which brought together experts in various fields germane to the iron ore exploration, the issue of sustainable management of the iron ore deposits in the Oti Region was one of the components of the deliberations.

Sustainable exploration and the interests of the locals were some of the prominent issues of the assemblage of experts.

The concerns of the bishop who sought to ensure that his congregation does not suffer unduly through the exploration was a justifiable one. All he sought to do was to ensure that previous blunders regarding mineral resource exploration are not repeated.

The recent engagement among the various parties has made it possible for the officials of GIISDEC to convince the bishop and his constituents about how the exploration would be done, of course with the livelihood of the people in mind and sustainably.

The terms of the agreement herein referred to as communique, devoid of ambiguity as it stands, should be adhered to by all parties.

While GIISDEC should ensure that activities are done in conformity with best practices and periodically engaging with stakeholders, among others, the bishop, on the other hand, is duty bound to play out his portion of the agreement.

Educating his congregation about the importance of the exploration to the country and the mandate of GIISDEC, among others, as required of him, should go a long way in keeping the locals abreast with developments.

A country's natural resources should be managed responsibly and sustainably for the benefits of all.

Both parties who have issued the communique of destiny must play their parts with the fear of God as a paramount bedrock for the progress of Ghana.

Nothing should stand in the way of the exploration of our mineral resources by state established entities.
The Ga Traditional Council has called on residents in the Ga State to abide by all directives before, during and after the burial of the Queen Mother of the Ga State, Naa Dedei Omaedru III.

The longest-serving Queen Mother of the Ga State died on December 26, 2022, aged 88.

Her burial has been scheduled for April 29, 2023, while a book of condolences is expected to be opened from Monday, February 13, 2023 at the Ga Traditional Council in Kaneshie.

Addressing a news conference in Accra to announce the death and also preparations towards her burial, Mr Sylvester Jude Kpakpo Parker Allotey, Chief of Protocol and Communications of the Ga Traditional Council, said a number of directives, including ban on commercial activities and noise making would be declared in line with customs.

He said residents in Ga State were expected to fully comply with the directives when issued as they formed part of the customs and traditions of the people of the area, and also a way of giving the Queen Mother a befitting farewell.

We appeal to all people resident in our region to understand that these are customary demands which are performed not only in the Ga State but in other places as well. Knowing the nature of the capital, we are also sensitive and will try and limit some of these bans to a very short period.

And we appeal to all the public to show sympathy and understanding for what we are going to do.

Present at the news conference were Nii Adote Otintor, Sempe Mantse, Nii Dodoo II, Otublohum Mantse, Nii Afotey Agbo, Gbese Mantse, Nii Ahene Nunu, Abola Mantse, Nii Quao Donkoh, member of the Ga Traditional Council, family members of the late Ga Manye and other members of the Ga Traditional Council.

Also present were Justice Naa Yaaley Sarkodie, Chief of Staff, Ga Traditional Council, Madam Elizabeth Naa Kwatsoe Tawiah Sackey, the Mayor of Accra, Queen mothers, and market queens.

Asafoatse Nii Kotey who spoke on behalf of the family commended the Ga Traditional Council for the support shown to the family since the demise of the Queen Mother.

Naa Dedei Omaedru III, known in private life as Naa Dedei Ablah, was born in 1934

She was enstooled Ga Manye in 1963 aged 29.

In 2016, she left Ghana for the USA and stayed for five years.

On April 14, 2021, Naa Dedei Omaedru III returned to Ghana and received a grand reception by a high-powered delegation led by Nii Adote Otintor II, the then Acting President of the Ga Traditional Council.

She reigned for nearly six decades (59 years).

GNA
South Africa: Law enforcement out in full force for SONA

Police Minister General Bheki Cele has told law enforcement officials to make sure that they enforce the law without fear or favour, but within the confines of the Constitution, during and after the State of the Nation Address (SONA) this evening.

He was addressing a parade of law enforcement agencies  including the South African Police Service and the South African Defence Force  at Cape Castle ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosas address.

[The] Commander-In-Chief of the South African forces is here to give the line to the nation tonight. Yours is to make sure that that happens with all necessity of respect and protection. That protection is for the inhabitants and the citizens of this land, including those that are visiting us today (sic).

As you move around here, you are all over as the forces to look after the safety and the comfort of all people that are around this city, around this province, and around this country in this moment when the President gives us the guideline.

You must make sure that anybody who chooses this day to get out of the way [and] break the law has chosen the wrong day, he said.

Cele reminded the law enforcement officials that their duty to serve and protect those who live in South Africa continues now, during and after the State of the Nation Address and many other days thereafter.

You must remember that their safety is not only when they enter these premises, when they enter this precinct. Wherever they are and wherever you are, you remain responsible for their safety.

We will emphasise the point that women, children, the elderly and vulnerable [groups]... when they look at you, they must see the hope. Not only see the hope, but also receive the hope, receive the safety and they must feel that your presence is better [for] their safety, he said.

Also at the parade, Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Thandi Modise, laid out expectations for law enforcement ahead of SONA.

We expect that you will do what you have to do to protect the country. If criminality happens and you close your eyes, you affect the country. When you affect the future of this country you contribute to the disintegration of the life we want for South Africans.

In anticipation of whatever may happen today, you will remember all the laws. Members of the SA National Defence Force, you will... remember what you are taught in your code when you are deployed with the police.

We expect you will keep within the prescripts of the military code and we expect that you will excel in doing whatever it is you have to protect the integrity of this country, Modise said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-02-09. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
ECNS) -- China's actual use of foreign capital surpassed 1.2 trillion yuan (about $177 billion) in 2022, a year-on-year increase of 6.3 percent, according to the Ministry of Commerce (MOC). Many international organizations have raised their projections for Chinas economic growth in 2023. Studies conducted by the China Council for the Promotion of International trade showed that 99.4 percent of foreign enterprises surveyed have more confidence in Chinas economic development prospects this year, 98.7percent said they will maintain and expand their investment in China, 89.8 percent said they will maintain their industrial chains in China, while10.2 percent plan to transfer their foreign industrial chains to China. Meng Huating, head of MOC Foreign Investment Management Department, said in the past three years the cross-border flow of people and logistics caused by the pandemic has become the most prominent problem encountered by foreign investment. Chinese business delegations have gone abroad to attract overseas investments, and I believe more foreign investment projects will be implemented in China this year, said Meng. Many international corporations have increased their investment in China this year, including P&G, Panasonic, Coca-Cola, and Schneider Electric. Gardner Aviation Chengdu's global flagship factory has transferred many wing parts manufacturing technologies and techniques from their U.K. headquarters to China, including production of 400 kinds of items. "We are optimistic about the high-quality development prospects of China's economy, and the demand for our aircraft parts and components products is surging. In 2023, we will expand our business in China and strive for a higher production capacity," said James, general manager of GardnerAerospace (Chengdu)Co.Ltd. Moreover, international experts also believe that China will make contributions to the worlds economy. Hugo Lopez Ochoa from Schiller Institute said China is an important link in the global industrial and supply chains, while its economic growth is crucial to the development of all fields globally. He believes that China will contribute even more to the worlds economic growth. China's economy growing in a healthy way will help to hedge the challenges facing global development, said Tang Zhimin, director of China ASEAN Studies at the Panyapiwat Institute of Management in Bangkok. He believes that in 2023, China's vitality will be further released, while it will continue to be the "stabilizer" and "engine" of world economic recovery.
Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki said Thursday that allegations of rights abuses by Eritrean troops in Ethiopia's Tigray region during the two-year war there amounted to "fantasy".

"This is a fantasy in the minds of those who are... in this factory I call a factory of fabricating misinformation," Isaias told reporters during a visit to Kenya, deflecting questions about the presence of Eritrean troops in Ethiopia.

Eritrea's army supported Ethiopian forces during the federal government's war against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and has been accused by the United States and rights groups of some of the conflict's worst atrocities.

The war ended with a peace deal signed in November last year, but Eritrea was not a party to the agreement.

Asked about the presence of Eritrean troops in Tigray, Isaias said: "I have no intention of interfering in this matter in spite of the disinformation campaign going on trying to disrupt the process of peace in Ethiopia and trying to create conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia."

"Don't take Eritrea as a pretext for the problems in Ethiopia or elsewhere in the whole region. Don't try to drag us into a situation. It is a fantasy of those who want to derail any peace process achieving its goal," he added.

One of the world's most authoritarian states, Eritrea was sanctioned by the United States in 2021 following its decision to send troops into Tigray in support of Ethiopia and has been accused of massacring hundreds of civilians.
A former Deputy Minister for Communications under the erstwhile Mahama regime, Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu is alleging that 70 per cent of the profit of Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB) is locked up in government bonds.

According to Mr Ofosu, the implementation of the Domestic Debt Exchange (DDE) programme will gravely affect the operations of the bank.

He said if the DDE is fully implemented, the state bank will be losing its annual revenue of GHS10 million from the government bonds it had invested in.

He revealed that GCB is not alone in this quagmire, adding that there are some five other local banks which will find themselves in the same situation.

The six local banks have about GHS 65 million invested in government bonds, he disclosed.

The former National Democratic Congresss (NDC) parliamentary aspirant for Abura Asebu Kwamankese in the Central Region made this revelation while speaking in an interview on the afternoon socio-political show 'The Citizen Show' hosted by Kwabena Bobie Ansah on Accra 100.5 FM on Wednesday, February 8, 2023.

Even though the DDE is a bitter pill, it has become a necessary evil, he explained.

According to him, the DDE if not fully implemented will result in the collapse of Ghanas economy.

It's possible Ghana may miss out on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout if the countrys debt stock [is] not reduced, he warned.

He argued this is a clear indication that the economy has collapsed under the watch of President Akufo-Addo and his New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.

He maintained that if Ghana were a decent society, the president would have just resigned for collapsing the economy.

Go to Italy and others in Europe. Prime Ministers are resigning for their failures, he said.

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the least said about him the better, he said, adding that: He [Dr Bawumia] is the worst head of the Economic Management Team.

The man is just loquacious, he said, further daring Dr Bawumia to answer the economic questions he posed himself to the late former Vice President Dr Paa Kwesi Amissah Arthur.

Source: Classfmonline.com
In October of 2022, all over the Nigeria media here are some of your earnest words, Nigeria at crossroads, needs honest judges , which you uttered during the swearing-in of the newly appointed acting President of the Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Justice Stanley Lawal.

Justice Ariwoola, those words present themselves as so relevant in the last few hours in regards to the case of Lawan V.Machina.

Justice Ariwoola, you also reflected on Nigeria's current situations and challenges as a young but troubled democracy.

"Nigeria is currently plagued with myriads of problems that require sincere and honest interventions of judicial officers."

"We hear of corruption of various formsagainst the state and individual citizens." "Most often, these cases find their way to the court for the right and proper adjudication."

Lord Ariwoola, in furtherance of honest dealing you said, In everything you do in the course of adjudicating, you must consult your God, the Constitution and your conscience."

"Always have at the back of your mind, as I believe you had always, that at every point of your life someone somewhere is right behind you and taking note of all your conducts.

In the last few days, the public, lawyers and students all over the world are talking about the duty of honest performance in regard to legal conflict over the authenticity of the senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Yobe North.

In a lead judgment of three Justices against two, Justice Chima Centus Nweze whose image is above affirmed Lawan as the authentic APC senatorial candidate for Yobe North. But guess what Bashir Machina at a primary senatorial election organized in May 2022 won unopposed? The Senate President, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, did not participate in the primary election. Never!

Lord Ariwoola please remember your words on Honesty.

I hereby remind you my Lord that the primary senatorial election where Machina not Lawan was lawfully nominated was lawfully conducted on May 28, 2022, in line with the provisions of the law. I repeat: Lawan did not participate in the primary senatorial election in Yobe north district.

Lord Ariwoola remember your words on Honesty.

At the time the primary senatorial exercise was held, Lawan was pursuing his presidential ambition but lost to former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu. Who told him: You Can Easily Lick Your Wounds

Lord Ariwoola, as a lawyer you know more than me a forensic/legal/clinical psychologist that in the Nigerian law, section 115(d) of the Electoral Act, said a candidate cannot be nominated in two elections.

Lawan as the Senate-President and his legislative allies created it. Yet Nweze and his two collaborators produced rulings favourable to Lawan.

Lord Ariwoola remember your words on Honesty.

During my graduate studies in criminal justice/criminology, in my criminal law class, I still recall lessons about substantial justice which must always be prioritized over a reliance on technicalities or procedural errors like the way and how a case is filed. The American professor who was also a legal practitioner mentioned the weight of the psychology of merit.

Yet in this case Nweze and his two allies delivered on procedural technicalities. Good God!

Lord Ariwoola remember your words on Honesty.

I repeat: Nweze and his two allies chose strategically to take away the name of an authentic candidate, Machina, an average Nigerian and replaced it with a powerful and rich politician, Lawan by focusing on forms of commencement of action instead of substantial facts of the court case.

Lord Ariwoola remember your words on Honesty.

Here is the odd part, the leadership of APC with Lawan playing along lost their cases at the trial and appeal court levels, then took this case to the supreme court arguing that the primary election held on 28 May last year which produced Machina was in breach of the Electoral Act 2022. Clearly Nweze and his allies know that the conduct of another primary on 9 June 2022, where Mr Lawan miraculously emerged, was fake, deceptive, and illegal like Justices Adamu Jauro and Emmanuel Agim pointed out in their dissent. Yet Nweze focused on means of filing a case, paperwork. Na wa oo.

Lord Ariwoola remember your words on Honesty.

Justice Ariwoola, it is only morally and psychologically and well as legally proper to see this controversy and current public uproar as a constitutional issue, that bears the weight of democratic concern. The only corrective now is that the supreme court reconsider, revisit or reverse itself.

Since Nweze and his two allies are more concerned manipulatively about the manner this case was earlier filed and the type of forms used, Justice Ariwoola, create an environment for that to happen again at the trial levels. We still have a little time.

Justice Ariwoola it is generally known that the supreme court is not under any obligation to hear this case, but this case could have national significance, might harmonize conflicting decisions regarding double dominations.

Justice Ariwoola, the declarative approach by Nweze and his two allies and the opposite conclusion by the two dissenting judges, which one should for the sake of a young democracy have precedential value.

This is a question you as a human being with emotions and conscience will have to answer. You and your administrative colleagues and staff. Remember your speech on honesty!

I conclude here as a son of the Nigerian soil with the godly words you uttered in October last year.

"In everything you do in the course of adjudicating, you must consult your God, the Constitution and your conscience.

"Always have at the back of your mind, as I believe you had always, that at every point of your life someone somewhere is right behind you and taking note of all your conducts.

Professor John Egbeazien Oshodi, who was born in Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria, is an American-based police and prison scientist and forensic, clinical, and legal psychologist. A government consultant on matters of forensic-clinical adult and child psychological services in the USA.
The Founder and President of the Foundation of Orthopedics and Complex Spine (FOCOS), Nana Professor Oheneba Boakye Agyei Owoahen II has awarded full scholarships to six medical students.

The world-renowned spine surgeon who's currently Asantehene's Hiahene gave out Gh35,000 to sponsor the students' education for the 2022/2023 academic year.

The beneficiaries, Osei Henry Acheampong and Gyima Griffins Kwaku are offering Bsc.Human Biology at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology KNUST, while Akosua Nyantakyiwaa and Pensen Mary Bernice Ohemaa offering Bsc. Nursing with Arhin Cydolf Boadi studying Doctor of Pharmacy at the same university.

The other student, Adomako Yaa Christabel is however studying medicine at the University of Ghana.

The chief in a meeting with the beneficiary students on Wednesday February 8,2023, said his gesture was to bridge the financial gap of enthusiastic, brilliant but needy students in the country to enable them attain higher academic laurels.

"The idea to support the training of medical students will not only liberate the beneficiaries from financial constraints to realise their dreams, but also train the needed human resources to help the countrys health sector," he stated.

He expressed worry over how some exceptional students have been denied the opportunity to pursue higher education and pledged to offer his quota in the training of well-skilled health practitioners in Ghana.

He charged the beneficiaries to stay and work in Ghana after completing their respective trainings as a way of giving back to society.

The beneficiaries students together with their parents after the official presentation thanked Otumfour's Hiahene for the kind gesture.

They explained the support came at the right time as most of the students were struggling to fund their education.
09.02.2023 LISTEN

Brazzaville, 9 February 2023  Africa is witnessing an exponential rise in cholera cases amid a global surge. Cases recorded on the continent in the first month of 2023 alone have already risen by more than 30% of the total caseload reached in the whole of 2022.

An estimated 26 000 cases and 660 deaths have been reported as of 29 January 2023 in 10 African countries facing outbreaks since the beginning of the year. In 2022 nearly 80 000 cases and 1863 deaths were recorded from 15 affected countries. If the current fast-rising trend continues, it could surpass the number of cases recorded in 2021, the worst year for cholera in Africa in nearly a decade. Average case fatality ratio is currently almost at 3%, above the 2.3% reached in 2022, and far exceeding the acceptable level of below 1%.

The bulk of the new cases and deaths have been recorded in Malawi, which is facing its worst cholera outbreak in two decades. Malawis neighbours Mozambique and Zambia have also recently reported cases. In East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are responding to outbreaks amid a prolonged and harsh drought that has left millions of people in dire need of humanitarian assistance. Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria have also reported cases.

We are witnessing a worrying scenario where conflict and extreme climatic events are worsening the triggers of cholera and increasing its toll on lives, said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa. Its critical for African countries to scale up readiness to quickly detect cases and mount comprehensive and timely response. We are supporting governments to bolster key control measures to halt these outbreaks as quickly as possible.

WHO is working with countries to ramp up disease surveillance, prevention and treatment measures, community engagement, as well as multi-sectoral coordination with partners and agencies to improve sanitation and provide safe water. The Organization has deployed 65 experts to five African countries, including 40 to Malawi. In addition, WHO has also disbursed US$ 6 million to kick-start emergency cholera response in Kenya, Malawi and Mozambique.

So far this year, around 3.3 million cholera vaccine doses have been delivered to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya and Mozambiquewhich is to take delivery in the coming daysthrough the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision. This initiative aims to manage emergency supplies of vaccines and is a partnership of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Medecins sans Frontieres United Nations Childrens Fund and WHO.

The increase in cholera outbreaks globally has put a huge strain on the availability of vaccines, prompting the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision to temporarily suspend the standard two-dose vaccination regimen in cholera outbreak response campaigns, using instead a single-dose approach. A further surge in cholera outbreak risks deepening the shortage.

Cholera is an acute, extremely virulent infection that can spread rapidly and dehydration resulting in high morbidity and mortality. However, the disease is easily treatable. Most people can be treated successfully through prompt administration of oral rehydration solution or intravenous fluids.

Every death due to cholera is preventable, said Dr Moeti. This disease is much a health challenge as it is a development one. As such investments in better sanitation and access to safe water formidably complement the public health initiatives to sustainably control and end cholera.

Effective control relies on implementing comprehensive measures including enhanced epidemiological and laboratory surveillance to detect, confirm and quickly respond to outbreaks, improving access to treatment, vaccines, safe water and basic sanitation as well as effecting behavioural change and better hygiene practices among communities.

The cholera outbreaks in Africa are occurring in the context of extreme climatic events, conflicts, ongoing outbreaks of other disease such as wild poliovirus as well as limited financial resources and strained health workforce due to the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

WHO held a press conference today led by Dr Patrick Otim, Health Emergency Officer, Acute Events Management Unit. He was joined by Dr Charles Mwansambo, Secretary for Health at the Malawi Ministry of Health; and Dr Placide Welo, Director of the Cholera Elimination and Diarrhoeal Disease Control Programme in the Democratic Republic of Congos Ministry of Health. Also on hand from WHO Regional Office for Africa was Dr Thierno Balde, Regional COVID-19 Incident Manager.
Geneva - The first convoy of six trucks carrying humanitarian aid to Northwest Syria departed today (09/02) from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Burc warehouse in Gaziantep, Turkiye. This is the first cross-border shipment by a member of the UN system following the earthquake.

The cross-border assistance from IOM is carrying blankets, mattresses, tents, and shelter material as well as basic relief items and solar lamps and is set to cover the needs of at least 5000 people, with support from our local partners.

Thousands of people have been killed and others injured following a devastating earthquake earlier this week, hitting mainly Turkiye and Northwest Syria.

"This is a catastrophe for the region, and our hearts go out to all those affected, who lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods. We are working very closely with authorities to support in any way we can and hope that aid will quickly reach those most impacted," says IOM Director General Antonio Vitorino.

Nearly 12 years of conflict has left 15.3 million Syrians in dire need of humanitarian assistance. Already basic infrastructure and services were destroyed by years of conflict, and in Northwest Syria alone, 4.1 million people who rely on humanitarian aid are enduring extremely difficult living conditions, in freezing weather.

In 2014, IOM Turkiye started its first Cross-Border Programme for Northwest Syria with a focus on the procurement, storage, shipment, and distribution of life-saving humanitarian relief items. Since that time, IOMs cross-border operations have grown to include humanitarian activities in different sectors, including provision of shelter, water and sanitation, relief items, protection, and food security.

IOM appeals to the international community to stand in solidarity with all those affected by this tragedy, mobilize financial resources, and collectively work together to respond to the rising humanitarian needs of all those affected.
The former Minority Leader in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, on Thursday rejected a seat offered him by the new leadership of the Minority Caucus in Parliament.

The MP for Tamale South explained that the seat offered to him belonged to the Member of Parliament for Asutifi South, Collins Dauda, who is his senior colleague and hence cannot accept it.

He made this known during a contribution to a debate on the African Union Convention on Cross Border Cooperation also known as the Niamey convention while using the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei Owusus seat.

He subsequently apologised to the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament for rather taking his seat and stated that he couldnt have taken the seat offered to him because of his respect for elders.

Mr Speaker, forgive me if I had to assume your chair, there was whether I should take over from Collins Dauda and I told them that Collins is senior by age and I am somebody who is well trained at home so any other chair is acceptable to me, I am still the elected Member of Parliament for Tamale South.

Cassiel Ato Forson replaced Haruna Iddrisu as the Minority Leader on January 24 after executives of the NDC decided to reshuffle their leadership.

Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP for Ellembelle also replaced Ketu North MP, James Klutse Avedzi as the Deputy Minority Leader while Kwame Governs Agbodza replaced Asawase MP, Muntaka Mubarak as the Minority Chief Whip.

-Citinewsroom
09.02.2023 LISTEN

Justice Clemence Jackson Honyenuga who has been hearing the GHS217million financial loss case against former Ghana Cocoa Board CEO Stephen Opuni, businessman Seidu Agongo and agrochemical firm Agricult Company Limited, has parried the alleged noise being made in the public domain that the case has delayed for six years.

Mr Agongo and his company, Agricult, are being tried along with Dr Opuni, for the alleged fraudulent procurement of Lithovit Liquid Fertiliser for COCOBOD from the businessmans company.

They are facing 27 charges, including defrauding by false pretences, wilfully causing financial loss to the state, money laundering, and corruption by a public officer in contravention of the Public Procurement Act.

They have pleaded not guilty to the charges and are each on a GH300,000.00 self-recognisance bail.

Adjourning the hearing on Wednesday, 8 February 2023, due to the absence of the second accused person, Mr Agongo, as a result of ill health, the Supreme Court judge who has been sitting on the case as an additional High Court judge for the past four years, said he was doing so with a heavy heart, especially since he has been given a limited time by the Chief Justice to close the matter.

I must state that it is very unfortunate that this case cannot proceed at the time when a lot of noise has been made about this case being delayed and others say this case has been delayed for six years, Justice Honyenuga told the court.

He clarified: Serious hearing started in 2018, so, it cannot be six years.

It is a fact that although the warrant for me to hear this case is dated March 16, 2018, actual hearing of this case started in May 2018, he explained, questioning: Wherein lies the six years being talked about?

Justice Honyenuga added: It is a fact that I have limited time to hear this matter and with a heavy heart that I have to adjourn this case today.

I will order the Principal State Attorney to find out from the Attorney General whether or not he sent any person or persons to verify whether the second accused [person] had attended the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital yesterday, February 7, and report to this court on the next adjourned date, he said in court.

Also, Justice Honyenuga ordered he registrar to go to the 37 Military Hospital to find out whether, indeed, the second accused [person] is on admission at the said hospital, adding: The registrar shall report his findings to this court by the next adjourned date.

He further ordered that the second accused person shall produce to this court, medical report of his admission at the 37 Military Hospital at the next adjourned date.

In order not to come back to this court for another adjournment, I will adjourn this case to Monday, February 13, to enable the second accused [person] to be present for proceedings to continue.

About a week ago, Attorney General Godfred Dame said he found it unacceptable and unfair that the criminal trial had been in court for six years.

I find it highly unreasonable and unfair for so-called high profile criminal cases involving simple summary offences of fraud, wilfully causing financial loss to the state and money laundering to drag on for years in our courts while similar cases filed against perceived ordinary members of society are quickly or rapidly concluded most of the times within about six months to one year, Mr Dame told journalists on Thursday, 2 February 2023.

We have witnessed the failure of the High Court to resolve the Opuni trial for the past six years. This is simply unacceptable, he noted.

It is unacceptable for such a case to stay at the court for six years when other more complex cases of murder, secession and other offences bordering on the security of the state are more speedily resolved, he insisted.

The Judiciary clearly must play its part in the eradication of corruption, he stated.

Source: Classfmonline.com
The Deputy Regional Secretary for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ashanti Region, Baah Acheamfour, is assuring the rank and file of the party that Suame Constituency Youth Organiser, Mr Razak Koampa Avoliya, who is in detention for allegedly inciting electoral violence is hearty.

According to him, the young man is strong and kicking despite being locked up by the police.

He said the young man has no intention of destabilising the peace of the nation but has no regrets.

Speaking in an interview on the Ghana Yensom morning hosted by Odehyeeba Kofi Essuman on Accra 100.5 FM on Thursday, February 2023, he explained that detention has not demoralised the NDC Youth Organiser.

Meanwhile, the youth organiser who had said it was ok for NDC supporters to harm NPP supporters and even kill for Mr Mahama to become President in 2024 is expected to make his first court appearance today

Source: Classfmonline.com
The Commonwealth Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs (CAYE) Africa is proud to announce the nomination of Sherif Ghali as its new chairperson.

CAYE Africa is an initiative of the Commonwealth Secretariat which seeks to strengthen and support the ambitions of young entrepreneurs in Commonwealth regions. This regional network ensures young entrepreneurs have a combined voice and representation at forums to influence policy development on youth entrepreneurship.

Sherif Ghali is a highly accomplished business executive with extensive experience in business development, entrepreneurship policy, and business advocacy. As the CEO of Ghana's largest network of young entrepreneurs, the Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs (GCYE), Ghali has demonstrated his passion for youth entrepreneurship development and has played a vital role in developing youth-focused policies in Ghana.

"I am honored to have been nominated as chairperson of CAYE Africa," said Ghali. "Youth entrepreneurship is critical to economic growth and job creation in Africa. I am committed to working with our network of young entrepreneurs to ensure that their voices are heard, and their interests are represented in policy development."

As chairperson of CAYE Africa, Ghali will lead the network's efforts to develop youth entrepreneurship and innovation within Africa and the wider Commonwealth. Under his leadership, CAYE Africa will work to create opportunities for young entrepreneurs and provide them with the resources and support they need to succeed.

"Sherif Ghali is a visionary leader with a proven track record of success in youth entrepreneurship," said Joel Bamwise, Coordinator of the Commonwealth Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs -Africa. "We are confident that CAYE Africa will continue to thrive under his leadership and positively impact the lives of young entrepreneurs across the continent."
Foreign ministers from three West African countries that have undergone military coups met in Burkina Faso on Thursday on the heels of a trip to the region by Russian envoy Sergei Lavrov.

The talks brought together ministers from Mali, Guinea and Burkina -- countries to which Lavrov promised Russian support.

The Burkinabe foreign ministry said that the trio -- Abdoulaye Diop of Mali, Morissanda Kouyate of Guinea and Burkina's Olivia Rouamba -- would hold a press conference after a working session.

A string of coups has unfolded in the three countries since 2020, bringing in juntas that have bristled at external demands to restore civilian rule.

Mali has fallen out with France, the region's former colonial power and traditional ally, in favour of close military ties with the Kremlin, and speculation is rising that Burkina will follow suit.

"This is the first time that I have been in Burkina Faso since the struggle of the Burkinabe people, which led to a correction enabling the recovery of sovereignty and territorial integrity in this brother country," Diop said.

Kouyate of Guinea said the three would "make a statement to regional organisations for the demands and requests of our people to be heard clearly through our governments and leaders."

Juntas have seized power in Mali and Burkina Faso amid anger in the military over the toll from a jihadist insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives and forced millions from their homes.

The coup in Guinea had different causes, being rooted in public anger against the then president, Alpha Conde, over a lurch towards authoritarianism.

All three countries are under pressure by West Africa's regional bloc ECOWAS to return swiftly to civilian rule.

In a trip to Bamako on Tuesday, Lavrov paid tribute to the bonds forged between Mali and Russia for fighting jihadism.

He said the Kremlin was willing to provide the country with further support.

"The fight against terrorism is, of course, an issue for the other countries in the region," Lavrov added.

"We are going to provide our assistance to them to overcome these difficulties. This concerns Guinea, Burkina Faso and Chad and the Sahel region generally and even the coastal states on the Gulf of Guinea," he said.

Since seizing power in 2020, Mali's ruling junta has brought in Russian planes, helicopters and paramilitaries -- personnel that France says are Wagner mercenaries.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky was given a hero's welcome by EU heads of state at a summit in Brussels on Thursday as he lobbied the regional bloc to speed the delivery of modern weapons to halt a Russian offensive.

Following Wednesday's visits to London and Paris to lobby Britain, France and Germany for modern fighter jets and long-range missiles, Zelensky came to Brussels to address EU leaders and MEPs.

The European Parliament treated the Ukrainian leader to a standing ovation as he portrayed Ukraine as the country fighting to defend Europe's eastern borders and urged a rapid welcome into the EU fold.

"We are defending against the most anti-European force of the modern world. We are defending ourselves, we Ukrainians on the battlefield, along with you," Zelensky told MEPs.

Parliamentary speaker Roberta Metsola, reflecting the warm response of other senior EU officials, declared: "Ukraine is Europe and your nation's future is in the European Union.

"States must consider, quickly, as a next step, providing long-range systems and the jets you need to protect the liberty too many have taken for granted," she said.

Zelensky granted EU superstar status

After the parliamentary address, Zelensky joined the 27 leaders of the EU member states as special guest at their regular summit. He was invited by the European Council president, Charles Michel, to make the opening address.

"I have to thank you personally for your unwavering support of our country and our aspirations, our aspirations to live in a united, free Europe," he told them, after warm applause.

He also warned the leaders that Ukraine needs ro receive artillery, munitions, modern tanks, long-range missiles and fighter jets "faster than the aggressor" can prepare what Zelensky said would be a dangerous new offensive.

"We are talking about aggression not just against Ukraine, but against Europe," he said.

After the meeting, EU chief Charles Michel warned that the coming weeks could decide the course of Russia's invasion.

"The next weeks and the next months will probably be decisive. It's not the moment to tremble, but to deploy full support," the president of the European Council said.

Grim warning from the Kremlin

The Kremlin reacted with its usual grim warning.

"We see this as a growing engagement of Germany, UK, France in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The boundary between indirect and direct engagement is gradually disappearing. We can only regret it," spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"The actions of these countries lead to an escalation of tensions... make this conflict more painful... and these actions will not change the objectives of our country within the framework of the special military operation."

NATO and EU nations have been, along with the United States, the main backers of Ukraine's beleaguered defenders since President Vladimir Putin's Russia unleashed a full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022.

The EU has spent 67 billion euros on military and financial aid to Kyiv, including funds spent on hosting four million Ukrainian refugees.
Algeria has recalled its envoy to France "for consultations" after Paris intervened to enable the exit  via Tunisia  of an activist and journalist who is wanted by Algiers from the country.

The Amira Bouraoui case threatens recently mended relations between Algeria and its former colonial ruler.

In an official statement, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune "firmly protested against the clandestine and illegal exfiltration of an Algerian citizen" via Tunisia to France.

It said that Tebboune had ordered ambassador Said Moussi to be recalled from Paris "with immediate effect".

Bouraoui had been arrested in Tunisia on Friday and risked being deported to Algeria, but she was finally able to board a flight to France on Monday evening.

A doctor by training, the 46-year-old was sentenced in Algeria in May 2021 to two years in jail for "offending Islam" and for insulting the president.

She was not, however, placed under arrest pending an appeal.

Bouraoui was subsequently banned from leaving Algeria, and was arrested in Tunisia when trying to board a flight to France, using her French passport.

A judge released her on Monday and she was then taken away by police before obtaining protection from French diplomats in Tunis.

'Very unfriendly'

French daily Le Monde reported that she was made welcome at the French embassy in Tunis before being given "President Kais Saied's authorisation to return to France".

Shortly before Ambassador Moussi was recalled on Wednesday, the Algerian foreign ministry said it had sent an official note to the French embassy expressing "the firm condemnation by Algeria of the violation of national sovereignty by diplomatic, consular and security personnel of the French State".

It accused French personnel in Tunisia of engaging in "a clandestine and illegal operation to exfiltrate an Algerian national".

Algeria says the incident had caused "great damage" to Franco-Algerian relations.

On Wednesday, the French-language government newspaper El Moudjahid in an editorial denounced what it called a "very unfriendly" act towards both Algeria and Tunisia.

The article said "This French policy  of one step forward and 10 steps back  throws cold water on bilateral relations a few weeks before the state visit President Tebboune is due to make to France."

Tebboune is scheduled to visit Paris in May, following a January phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Ties between the two countries had been frosty since autumn 2021, but warmed when Macron visited Algiers last August.

To great fanfare, the two presidents signed a declaration on relaunching bilateral cooperation.

The Bouraoui affair

Bouraoui made a name for herself in 2014 with her involvement in a movement that campaigned against a fourth term for the late president Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

She had tried several times in recent months to leave Algeria to visit her son, who lives in France.

On Wednesday on Facebook she thanked all those who made sure that did not find herself "behind bars again".

Bouraoui had already served a short prison term in Algeria before being provisionally released in July 2020.

She wrote that she was not going into exile in France and that she would be "back very soon" in Algeria.

This came as the Algerian authorities arrested the chief editor of Le Provincial newspaper, triggering a protest from media watchdog Reporters Without Borders.

Colleagues of Mustapha Bendjama at the newspaper said he has been held in connection with Bouraoui's departure.
Residents of Navio, a community in the Kassena-Nankana District of the Upper East Region have hinted at plans to stage a demonstration to register their displeasure with the dilapidated state of a collapsed bridge that connects them to the other parts of Ghana.

The Navio community is located at the edge of the Ghana-Burkina Faso border.

The only access route linking the community to other parts of Ghana is the Navio bridge road which broke down in April 2022.

The bridge collapsed after a heavy-duty articulated truck loaded with rosewood used the bridge.

Months on, the bridge has remained in a deplorable state, claiming lives without any attempts by government to fix it.

About 15 people have been reported to have died through accidents on the bridge.

The residents, numbering about 6000, have accused government of failing to recognise them as Ghanaians which they reason accounts for government's refusal to fix the collapsed bridge.

Assembly man for the area, Roland Apugido, who spoke to Class 91.3 FMs Upper East Regional Correspondent Moses Apiah, Thursday, 9 February 2022, indicated that residents of the area are suffering due to the deplorable condition of the bridge.

Were really suffering here. We cant do business across the river. Our farms animals, you can mention them and we appeal through the Assembly, through the Regional Minister to the authorities to come to our aid.

Up [until] now, [there is] no evidence to show that somebody is listening to us so we think that the only way to draw home our demand is it to come out in our numbers, pour onto the street and at least present a petition to the District Chief Executive, he said.

The Assembly man also revealed that the death toll due to the current state of the bridge could be higher than the 15, he is therefore of the view that, residents of the area have been sold to Burkina Faso.

Even with the dry season, we lost two people.

I will not be surprised if other bodies have been washed away and indeed were suffering and were tempted to believe that we have been sold to Burkina Faso which is closer to us, the Assembly man stated.

The residents have disclosed they will demonstrate after a month if nothing is done about the current state of the bridge.

Source: classfmonline.com
A gas tanker driver and his conductor have been rushed to the hospital after their vehicle fell on its side and caught fire at Sokoban Ampayoo in the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly.

Firefighters struggled for hours before dousing the flame. They managed to prevent the fire from spreading to other areas.

The Public Relations officer of the Ghana National Fire Service in the Ashanti region, DO3 Peter Addai who spoke to Citi News on the incident said, At 10:35 am this morning, we had a distress call reporting a fire at Sokoban Ampayoo. So we quickly responded and when we got to the scene, a gas tanker was lying on its side and was on fire. We had to mobilize three more tenders to join the one on the ground making four in number to manage the situation.

citinewsroom
The former leader of the Minority Caucus in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, has rejected a seat offered to him in the House by his caucus.

In Parliament on Thursday, 9 February 2022, the former Minority Leader, used the seat belonging to the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei Owusu.

Contributing to a debate on the floor of the House regarding the African Union (AU) Convention on Cross Border Cooperation otherwise known as the Niamey Convention, the former Minority Leader gave reasons for rejecting the seat he was offered.

He intimated that he could not accept the seat offered him because it belonged to his senior and apologised for taking over the First Deputy Speaker of Parliaments seat.

Mr Speaker, forgive me that I had to assume your chair. There was whether I should take over from Collins Dauda or not and I told them that Honourable Collins Dauda is senior by age, senior even to this House.

I will not fit into his chair as somebody who is well-trained at home so any other chair is acceptable to me, he said.

I am still the elected Member of Parliament for Tamale South. I thank you, he asserted.

The Tamale South MP is no more Minority Leader in Parliament.

He has since Tuesday, 24 January 2023, been replaced when the leadership of the Minority caucus was reshuffled.

Source: classfmonline.com
09.02.2023 LISTEN

Philip Kofi Amakoue, a Senior High School (SHS) graduate, has appealed for scholarship or financial assistance to further his education at the university.

According to the 19-year-old boy, he sat for the West Africa Senior High School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in 2022, obtained A1s in all the eight subjects but is unable to continue his education because the parents could not afford to pay the fees.

It is my desire to pursue computer engineering at the university, but things are very difficult for my parents, Amakoue told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview in Sunyani at a construction site, where he had been engaging in unskilled work to fend for himself for some time now.

It is my vision to become a computer engineer and for my dream to come through, I come here and work to enable me to save some money to pursue my dreams. My father is a carpenter, and it is very difficult for him now to send me to the university, he stated.

Amakoue said he stayed with his parents at New-Dormaa, a suburb of Sunyani, and appealed to wealthy citizens, philanthropic organisations and individuals to come to his aid, saying it is my prayer that one day I get a scholarship to achieve my dreams.

GNA
Fire Thursday afternoon gutted a building at the Police Headquarters in Accra, a news brief from the Police has said.

It said the Ghana National Fire Service was at the scene and had succeeded in bringing the situation under control.

The brief said no casualties were recorded and the cause of the fire was yet to be established.

GNA
09.02.2023 LISTEN

Tamale South Member of Parliament (MP), Haruna Iddrisu has explained why he cannot take the seat of Collins Dauda in Parliament.

After he was stripped of his role as the Minority Leader in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu has been offered the opportunity to use the seat of Collins Dauda.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, February 9, the Tamale South MP respectfully turned down the offer.

He explained his decision by saying that for someone who is well-trained from home, he does not believe he is fit to take the seat of his senior colleague.

Mr. Speaker forgive me that I have to assume your chair. There was whether I should take over from Honorable Collins Dauda or not. I have told them that Honorable Collins Dauda is a senior by age, senior even in this house, I will not fit into his chair. As someone who is well-trained from home.

Any other chair Mr. Speaker is acceptable to me. I am still the elected Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu said,

Despite losing his place as the Minority Leader in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu remains committed to the cause of the NDC.

His insights and arguments on national issues on the floor of Parliament are expected to be valuable in the various sittings of Parliament.
Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus Glover, a former Member of Parliament (MP) for Tema East has empathised with the Pensioneer Bondholders Forum.

The group has, since Monday, February 6, been picketing at the Finance Ministry as they call for the totoal exemption from the Domestic Debt Exchange Program (DDEP).

According to them, they will continuously picket at the ministry until their demands are met.

Reacting to this, the NPP stalwart asked his government to listen to them and exempt them totally.

Speaking on Accra-based TV3, the former lawmaker asserted that older people who are battling old-age illnesses must not be treated like they are now.

"I watched your (TV3's) news at 7 o'clock Monday night, and I was seeing these old men and women holding placards; some of them were sick; I felt bad. These old guys have left their homes to picket at the Ministry of Finance, appealing that we take them out of this programme.

"How much does a pensioner earn... I want to make an appeal to the president that he should intervene for these pensioners," he said.

The former legislator stressed, "I'm making this passionate appeal; my mother is an old pensioner, and when I look at these people, it will be politically suicidal for our party in government to add them to the programme."

Meanwhile, the Minister of Finance, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, in a speech on Monday, February 6, called on Ghanaians to help the country carry on with the DDEP for the 3billion dollars IMF deal.

According to him, failure to carry on with the policy and meet the IMF deal will be detrimental to the nations economy.
Mr Rickson Gyimah, an investigator with the Office of the Special Prosecutor, says Mr Seth Tekper, a former finance minister, has never denied knowledge of the establishment of the letters of credit as stated in the Ambulance contract.

The witness said per investigations and a statement from Mr Terkper, he never accepted authorizing Dr Ato Forson, Former Deputy Minister for the authorisation of the establishment of the letters of credit.

Dr Forson and two others are in court for allegedly wilfully causing financial loss to the State.

Dr Forson was granted a self-recognisance bail of GH3 million for allegedly wilfully causing financial loss of 2,370,000 euros to the State.

He is also facing an additional charge of Intentionally misapplying public property contrary to section 1 (2) of the Public Property Protection Act, 1977 (SMCD 140).

Dr Sylvester Anemana, a Former Chief Director at the Ministry of Health was also granted, a bail of one million Ghana Cedis with three sureties one of whom shall be a public servant not below the rank of a director.

While Mr Richard Dzakpa, a Businessman, was also granted bail of five million Ghana Cedis with three sureties one of whom must be justified with documents of landed property.

Mr Gyimah, who used to be with the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) during the investigation in the case, after reading his witness statement in open court, tendered it in evidence.

In a cross-examination led by Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe, one of the lawyers for Dr Forson, the witness tendered a statement from EOCO from the former Finance Minister without objection.

Asked, whether in the statement to EOCO, it was not clearly stated, who the Head of the Ministry was and the Ministry was the one that requested the establishment of the letters of credit, the witness agreed indicating that was what was stated.

Mr Tamakloe asked the witness that during the period of their investigations, was there any time that they invited the former Controller and Accountant General for interrogation, the investigator said his team went to the Office to invite the schedule Officer but had information that he had retired.

Mr Gyimah said the investigation team never took any information from the former Controller and Accountant General during the investigations.

The Counsel asked the witness, whether he had seen a said letter from the Deputy Controller and Accountant General to the Bank of Governor on the request for the establishment of the letter of credit based on Dr Forson's letter, Mr Gyimah said the Deputy Controller and Accountant General letter made a reference to the letter from the Ministry.

The witness indicated that without authorisation from the Ministry of Finance, the Controller and Accountant General could not write to the Bank of Ghana for the establishment of the letters of credit.

He said on the face of the letter, Dr Forson was not mentioned but the letter from the Deputy Controller and Accountant General referred to him.

Mr Gyimah said investigations revealed that Dr Forson did not adhere to the advice from the Attornet-General on the contract and according to the terms of the contract, there was no need for advance payment.

Payment must be made upon the delivery of the first batch of the ambulance before a letter of credit is established, he said.

The case was adjourned to January 10, 2023, for continuation. The Next witness will be an Officer from the Ministry of Finance.

GNA
09.02.2023 LISTEN

There was drama at an Adentan Circuit Court when a couple with four children was arraigned for allegedly stealing a day-old, abandoned baby boy.

Edward Nyarko -Affum and Naomi Nyarko- Affum who claimed they had developed special love for the baby kept him until the Police and officials of the Department of Social Welfare caused their arrest.

Charged with conspiracy to commit crime and child stealing, the couple in the presence of their lawyer, have pleaded not guilty.

Answering questions from the judge, the couple informed the court that they have four children, their first child was 16 years old, and their last child was eight years old.

The court presided over by Mrs Sedinam Awo Balokah admitted the couple to bail in the sum of GHC 40,000 each with two sureties each.

The court said the sureties should be known to the Police.

It adjourned the matter to March 13 for mention.

Prosecuting Chief inspector Maxwell Lanyo said the complainant is the Adenta Municipal Director of the Department of Social Welfare who lives at Madina.

The prosecution said Edward and Naomi are a married couple residing at New Legon Accra.

It said on January 6, 2023, at about 5:50 am, the couple and one other on their way to work found a day-old baby boy abandoned in front of an uncompleted building at New Legon.

The prosecution said they picked up the baby and took him to the lakeside Estate Police Station where they were requested to take the baby to Adenta DOVVSU office for further action.

It said the accused persons agreed to the request and left the Police Station.

According to the prosecution, on their way, they sent the baby to the Ashalley Botwe Health Centre and the nurses on duty administered first aid to the baby and handed him over to the accused persons to be taken to the Police Station.

It said from the health centre, the accused persons sent the baby home.

The prosecution told the court that the Greater Accra Regional Director of Social Welfare had information that an abandoned baby had been picked up and sent to the Ashalley Botwe Health Centre.

It said the Director gave the telephone number of Edward to the complainant and instructed her to pursue the case and rescue the baby.

The prosecution said the complainant called the number and Edward answered the call. The complainant then introduced herself as the head of Adenta Municipal Social Welfare Officer and informed Edward that she was calling to get custody of the baby.

It said when Edward heard this, he informed the complainant that his phone battery was draining fast and promised to get back to her.

The prosecution said Edward, however, did not get back to the complainant as promised. The complainant and her team proceeded to the health Centre but met neither the baby nor the accused persons.

It said the nurses on duty confirmed that they directed the couple to send the baby to the Police after administering care to him.

The prosecution said all efforts made by the officials of the Department of Social Welfare to trace the couple or the baby failed.

It said the complainant therefore reported the incident to the Police.

The prosecution said the Police together with the complainant went to the health centre where the contact number of Naomi was obtained.

When Naomi was contacted by the Police, she informed the Police that the baby was in her custody but several appeals to either report at the Police station with baby or give directions to her house to enable the Police take custody, yielded no results.

The prosecution said after several calls to Edward, the Police managed to establish contact with him, and he promised to be at the Police Station but failed to do so.

It said several calls made by the Police to get Edward to deliver the baby to the Police Station yielded no results.

The Court heard that Edward, during one of the calls, told the Police that he would resist any attempt by the Department of Social welfare to take the baby away from him and his wife.

Edward, however, reported at the station but without the baby.

The police, therefore, escorted Edward to his house at New Legon where the baby was found in the custody of Naomi, his wife.

It said the baby was rescued and Naomi was also arrested.

During investigation, Naomi in her caution statement admitted that after the initial report to the Police, she developed a special love for the baby and she had wanted to keep him.

It said when Naomi informed her husband, Edward, who agreed to her decision to keep the baby.

GNA
A mother and her eight-month daughter have been killed in an accident on Bolgatanga-Navrongo highway in the Upper East Region.

The accident involved a DAF articulated truck with registration number GT 5684 W loaded with onions and a tricycle (Motorking) with registration number M-20-UE-647 in which the deceased were traveling.

It happened at the intersection of the malfunctioning traffic light close to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) off the Tamale-Bolgatanga-Navrongo highway at about 1700,

The DAF articulated truck was moving from the direction of Navrongo towards Tamale when it crashed with the tricycle at the junction which was also moving from the Bolgatanga main station towards Tanzui near the Ghana News Agency Building.

The baby died on the spot but the mother, who sustained severe injuries, was rushed to the Upper East Regional Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

The driver of the DAF articulated truck is currently in police custody assisting in investigation.

GNA
09.02.2023 LISTEN

An old pedestrian bridge is posing a danger for commuters at Freetown in the Joemends/ Kpormetey Electoral Area in the Awutu-Senya-East Municipality.

The old metal footbridge connects the community members, particularly school children to the main Kasoa township, but some had to resort to a longer route due to the nature of the bridge.

When GNA visited the area on Wednesday, it observed the steel had rusted while the floor of the bridge had been replaced with wooden slaps to cover the damaged portions.

People had to walk with caution to avoid slipping off into the drain.

Some community members expressed concern about the situation and appealed to the Assembly to urgently rehabilitate the foot bridge.

Speaking with the GNA, Assembly member for Joemends/Kpormetey Electoral Area, Mr Mohammed Kwabena Ali, said he was able to mobilise the wooden slaps to cover the broken portions, but the situation at the time of visit was scary.

He said an appeal was made to the Assembly and the architectural design ready but lack of funds to commence reconstruction of the bridge had been the problem.

He described the development as 'worrying' and said the situation was posing danger to the community, especially school children.

The assembly member maintained that the assembly could have factored the project as a priority due to its nature but for lack of funds.

Mr Ali urged community members to cross the bridge cautiously and be patient while the assembly prepared to raise funds for the reconstruction.

Some residents who spoke to the GNA were unhappy about the attitude of the assembly towards the situation.

This bridge has deteriorated for years' and the authorities sit unconcerned waiting for a disaster before an action will be taken.

We have school kids who cross this bridge every morning to school and yet nobody sees the danger, another resident, who pleaded anonymity said.

They said children were more at risk because many of them ran instead of walking.

An elderly person, who also spoke to the GNA, expressed fear each time crossing, adding that, it becomes even dangerous when it rains.

She appealed to the assembly to take urgent steps to construct a concrete bridge.

Awutu Senya East Municipal Engineer, Mr. Isaac Ofori, when contacted, told the GNA, preparations for reconstruction were underway and that it will soon be awarded to a contractor for works to commence.

Mr. Ofori could not give a specific time frame for the commencement of the bridge when pressed further but said very soon work will be begin.

GNA
The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has issued a press release to justify why it financed the governments 2022 Budget.

In a release dated Thursday, February 9, BoG explained that it was a necessary tool employed to address difficulties that confronted the Ghanaian economy.

The explanation is coming after allegations that the Central Bank printed over GHS44 billion to finance the governments budget for 2022.

First, it will be important to recall the circumstances under which Government of Ghana decided to seek IMF support. Ghana had lost access to the International Capital Market, domestic revenue was significantly underperforming and not realized, pushing the state of government finances into near external and domestic default.

Second, it must be recognized that the ongoing debt operations are part of the corrective measures designed to address the financing problem of the budget. Bank of Ghana financing was part of a crises management tool used in dealing with the difficulties of 2022, the Bank of Ghana press release signed by its Secretary Sandra Thompson said.

According to BoG, the policy choices were not that of business as usual but rather a more challenging conduct of macroeconomic policy in the context of crisis.

The release adds that the government needed to finance critical expenditures for which the Bank of Ghana needed to provide the necessary financing to avert a disorderly default of both servicing for domestic and external debt including financing critical imports to keep the economy on the stable path.

Below is a copy of the Bank of Ghana press release:
MP for Bawku Central, Mr. Mahama Ayariga

09.02.2023 LISTEN

Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mr. Mahama Ayariga, has suggested a possible means by which security personnel can stop the frequent killings and gun battles.

Expressing worry about the conflict that has existed for four decades between the Kusasis and the Mamprusis in Bawku, the MP suggested that drones should be used to monitor the area, particularly the hotspots.

The Bawku MP noted that it will help the security men track and locate areas where criminals hide to shoot.

"If you have drones flying all over the place, no young person will pick up a weapon and go and kill people because they know their movements are being monitored," he suggested.

The concerned MP finds it difficult to fathom why the issue keeps resurfacing anytime the NPP is in power, citing December 8, 2000, right after President John Agyekum Kufuor was voted into office.

He blamed the government for its slow pace in resolving the issues that have resulted in the needless loss of lives.

"Clearly, this issue lacks political will. I am not being political, but why is it that this conflict starts when the NPP comes into office?" the Bawku Central MP asked when speaking to Raymond Acquah on Accra-based Joy News.

The lawmaker bemoaned the rampant killings, narrating how his cousin was recently murdered.

"Just last night, they were firing guns for close to 10 hours, and some lives were lost. I have lost my cousin as a result of this, and my constituency has become a ghost town," he said.
09.02.2023 LISTEN

The Member of Parliament for South Tongu constituency in the Volta region, Kobena Mensah Woyome has paid glowing tribute to the memory of a former MP for the area Emmanuel Oscar Ameyedowo.

The late Emmanuel Oscar Ameyedowo who was a founding member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the South Tongu Constituency, contested on the ticket of the party and won as the first Member of Parliament for the constituency in 1992, a period when the nation had transitioned to a multi-party democracy after several years of military rule.

Delivering the tribute in a statement on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, February 9, 2023, Mr Kobena Woyome who is ranking member of the Youth and Sports, Tourism, Culture and Chieftaincy Committees of Parliament said the deceased who was a former secretary to the Dabala Area Development Association and Agave Youth Association served his people well during his tenure as their representative in Parliament.

Mr. Speaker, H. E. Emmanuel Oscar Ameyedowo served well during his tenure both in the constituency and in Parliament. He was the former secretary to the Dabala Area Development Association and Agave Youth Association. Some of the committees he served on in parliament include; Vice Chairman of Select Committee on Local Government & Rural Development; Member of Subsidiary Legislation Committee, Trade, Industry and Tourism; and Chairman of Committee on Foreign Affairs," he stated.

He described the late Ameyedowo as affable, a problem solver,a unifier, selfless,committed, kind-hearted and soft-spoken," attributes Mr Woyome said the deceased passed on to the current generation of politicians.

According to Hon Mensah Woyome, the former MP who served only one term from January 1993 to January 1997 was diligent and made his presence felt through his work as the first chairman of the foreign affairs committee of parliament who was part of the parliamentary delegations to; Republic of Korea, European Parliament (Brussels & Strasbourg), Investment Promotion forum & 50th Anniversary of UN (New York), International Institute of Democracy (Strasbourg), and National Assembly of Togo even as he managed to acquire an office for the committee.

The late Emmanuel Oscar Ameyedowo is credited for initiating a number of developmental projects during his tenure as MP notably the Agordome water treatment plant.

Mr Woyome noted that the decease also co-edited proceedings of Seminar on Parliament and Foreign Policy-Making in Ghana in 1995 and was also appointed by the then President of Ghana, the late Flt Lt. Jerry John Rawlings as an Ambassador to different countries.

Mr. Speaker, after he served as Member of Parliament from 1993 to 1997, H. E.Emmanuel Oscar Ameyedowowas appointed by the then President of Ghana, the late Flt Lt. Jerry John Rawlings as an Ambassador of Ghana to the Peoples Republic of China, Cambodia, Vietnamand Democratic Republicof Korea," he stated.

"During a visit to the family of the deceased after his passing, former President John Mahama stated that the late H. E. Oscar Ameyedowo was instrumental in arranging his first meeting with the current Chinese President who was then the vice President; and he was one of the leading men who assisted government in the construction of the Atuabo Gas Project," he added.

The MP said the people of South Tongu will forever miss the deceased. Mr. Speaker, life indeed is a journey which must come to an end someday. Today, the life of H. E. Emmanuel Oscar Ameyedowo who laboured through life as Management Executive and as a politician has come to an end. Though gone from our sight but never from our hearts because of his good deeds and the many lives he touched. The people of South Tongu will miss him, NDC will miss him. We will all miss him for the perfect gentleman that he was, an instrument of influence, hope and support to family, friends and loved ones," he noted.

The mortal remains of the deceased will be laid to rest on Saturday 11th February, 2023.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Okudzeto Ablakwa, says he prefers going to jail for exposing supposed wrongdoings with regard to the National Cathedral project than allowing himself to be compromised.

Mr. Ablakwa made the remark in a post on social media after he was slapped with a 10-day injunction secured by the Secretary to the Board of the National Cathedral Secretariat, Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng.

The North Tongu legislator has accused Rev. Kusi Boateng of having a double identity, conflict of interest and also benefitting from some monetary allocation from the National Cathedral Secretariat under questionable circumstances.

Let the cowardly forces of tyranny be told that I am not one to be frightened with imprisonment. I am ever ready to be a political prisoner of conscience than to be coerced and compromised into a behind-the-scenes deal with the corrosive enemies of the Republic, Mr. Ablakwa posted on Facebook.

Mr. Ablakwa who sees the court action as a form of harassment said he is not intermitted.

A country where parliamentarians carrying out their constitutional oversight mandate become victims of state-sponsored harassment, strange court injunctions and judicial threats of imprisonment even as double identity charlatans are protected and pampered is definitely a nation in the dark abyss, Mr. Ablakwa fumed.

He used the opportunity to thank persons who had stood behind him throughout his campaign against the National Cathedral project.

I am eternally indebted to the good people of Ghana, my dearest family, former President H.E. John Mahama, the NDC executive led by Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the NDC Council of Elders chaired by Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang, my beloved North Tongu constituents, the rank and file of NDC comrades across the country, Civil Society Organisations, activists, genuine pastors, the credible media, my dedicated staff, gallant and dependable colleagues of the NDC Caucus in Parliament led by Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson.

-citinewsroom
Mr. Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, a flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has described his indefinite suspension as the General Secretary of NPP in 2015 as 'unconstitutional' and 'needless'.

The former General Secretary of the NPP labelled the party's decision as an aberration that was politically arranged by some faceless people who could not stand his outstanding leadership but went all out to tarnish his reputation.

He regretted the apparent silence of many party big shots on his undeserved suspension, saying the NPP has many legal luminaries and eminent personalities who could have saved the situation, but I was left to my fate regardless of my opinion on the matter.

What happened to me is an aberration that should never be meted out to anyone in any political party because it was unconstitutional and needless.

Mr Agyapong disclosed this in an interview with the media in Cape Coast on Wednesday.

Mr. Agyapong, together with Mr Paul Afoko, a former National Chairman of the NPP, and Mr Sammy Crabbe, a former Vice Chairman, were suspended indefinitely by the party in 2015.

He could not comprehend why the party that prided itself as the apostle of democracy and rule of law in Ghana, unexpectedly unheeded its constitutional dictates.

Irrespective of the vile propaganda and misinformation, Mr. Agyapong said he contributed immensely to the partys electoral victory in 2016 and 2020.

Despite the baseless accusations that I was working against the Presidential ambition of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, I mobilised resources from friends and well-wishers to support the party.

I supported the party in the Upper East and West, Brong Ahafo, Ashanti, and 20 constituencies in the Northern Region and submitted a receipt of my contributions to the party, Mr. Agyapong revealed.

He bemoaned the side-lining sub-culture of character assassination and scandalous allegations about political opponents or individuals who may have divergent views.

He admonished politicians and political parties to be measured in their utterances and eschew politics of insults to avoid tension in the country.

Rather, all politicians must conduct their campaigns in peace, and harmony and communicate their messages without insults.

That political dilemma, Mr. Agyapong said, had geared him on to declare a new dawn, a new dimension, and a new direction for NPP and Ghana.

To him, Ghana needed a new direction and capable leadership that genuinely puts people before politics and inspired hope for a better future.

For that matter, he resolved to lead a passionate redemption mission to create a shift in the thinking and orientation of what public service and party politics should be.

GNA
February 09, 2023

Some Small Corrections To Seymour Hersh's New Nord Stream Revelations

Seymour Hersh is a legendary investigative reported who has revealed dozens of crimes the U.S. government committed at home and abroad.

In his latest piece Hersh describes the destruction of the North Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea by U.S. government forces. The destruction released an enormous amount of methane, a global warming gas. It destroyed Germany's gas lifeline with Russia and thereby heavily damaged Germany's industry. It was ecological and economic terrorism by the U.S. government targeted at an 'ally'.

The story his source is telling Hersh is largely the same one I had constructed from open sources on September 28, a day after the pipeline was blown up.

Whodunnit? - Facts Related to The Sabotage Attack On The Nord Stream Pipelines

Hersh's story is true. That U.S. officials deny it means nothing. Previous revelations by Hersh on domestic spying by the CIA, on the My Lai massacre, on torture at Abu Ghraib, were also denied but eventually all were proven to be true.

The story about the pipelines makes complete sense. Unfortunately there are some details that Hersh, for lack of access to the right information, gets wrong.

He writes:

Last June, the Navy divers, operating under the cover of a widely publicized mid-summer NATO exercise known as BALTOPS 22, planted the remotely triggered explosives that, three months later, destroyed three of the four Nord Stream pipelines, according to a source with direct knowledge of the operational planning.

It is unlikely that the explosives were put out while the yearly BALTOPS exercise was still ongoing. The current Wikipedia entry about it says:

A total of 14 NATO nations, including NATO partner nations Finland and Sweden, took part in the 51st BALTOPS exercise between 5 and 17 June 2022. The usual mine hunting exercise was augmented this year with experimental mine hunting unmanned underwater vehicles and the collection of environmental data sets for target recognition algorithms in conjunction with the Naval Undersea Warfare Center and Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific. BALTOPS 2022 was shadowed by two Russian Karakurt-class corvette.

The whole exercise took only 12 days. A lot of nations took part. Submarines were involved. The Russian's were around watching what was happening. (They like also had submarines in the wider area.)

Those are not good conditions to do a lot of secret underwater work. It was much easier to do this later, when everyone had turned back to port. The U.S. ships though did not sail home. They stayed around, did some harbor visits and eventually settled down near the island of Bornholm a few miles away from the pipelines where they started to do their work.

Here is where the pipelines were hit:

The four Nord Stream pipelines, two for Nord Stream 1 and two for Nord Stream 2, are strong:

The steel pipe itself has a wall of 4.1 centimeters (1.6 inches), and it's coated with another 6-11 cm of steel-reinforced concrete. Each section of the pipe weighs 11 tonnes, which goes to 24-25 tonnes after the concrete is applied.

The pipelines are also buried into the sandy sea ground, not deep, but deep enough to prevent fishing equipment or anchors from damaging them.

To blow such pipelines takes a lot more than just putting a few pounds of C4 explosives on top of them. The pipelines had first to be dug out, must likely with pressurized water. Next explosives had to be placed all around them. Then a trigger mechanism of some kind had to be deployed and fixed on to them. Lastly the explosive laden section would have to be reburied to prevent detection or unforeseen entanglement with some external elements. All this had to be done at least four times. If I had planned the operation I probably would have gone for a total of eight explosive packages.

The whole process takes time. Unmanned submarine like vehicles were needed to carry the hundreds of kilograms of explosives and equipment. Diving time at that depth is not unlimited and there must have been a few crew changes. It probably took three to four weeks to fix the whole issue.

When I wrote about the incident I translated a German language report, originally from Thursday, September 23 2022, which Hersh had likely not found.

Here is my original translation:

Big Fleet Group From U.S. Navy Passes [German island passage] Fehmanbelt On Wednesday morning the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge, escorted by the Landing Ships USS Arlington and USS Gunston Hall, was en route towards west. Previously, the ships were part of US units that took part in NATO maneuvers and called at numerous ports in Germany, Scandinavia and the Baltic States. The "USS Kearsarge", flagship of the association and largest warship of the US Navy, which was in action in the Baltic Sea in the last 30 years, has 40 helicopters and fighter planes as well as more than 2000 soldiers on board, the escort ships about 1000. For the around 4,000 soldiers are heading back home on the east coast of the US after their six-month deployment.

The USS Kearsarge was much longer in the Baltic Sea than Hersh presumes. The explosives were put down sometime between the end of BALTOPS on June 17 and September 22, the date the USS Kearsarge passed Fehmarn to leave the Baltic Sea.

That's why Hersh errs when he later writes:

And then: Washington had second thoughts. The bombs would still be planted during BALTOPS, but the White House worried that a two-day window for their detonation would be too close to the end of the exercise, and it would be obvious that America had been involved. Instead, the White House had a new request: Can the guys in the field come up with some way to blow the pipelines later on command?

That window was not extend by months between the end of BALTOPS and the explosions but by a mere few days between somewhat around September 20 when the Kearsarge went on its way back home and September 27 when the pipelines exploded.

[added below on Feb 13]

The Kearsarge and its mini fleet were not the only suspicious ships in the area. On October 4 2022 the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter reported on Swedish Navy ships in the area. The piece is paywalled. (If you have access to the full text please copy the text and send it to me.) The first paragraph, which is free, says (machine translation):

The navy at Kaliningrad before the Nord Stream explosions

Two days before the explosions, the Swedish navy scouted the areas near the gas pipelines outside Bornholm. The navy ship then set course for the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. The new information is confirmed by the Swedish Armed Forces.

Where the Swedes suspicious what the U.S. ships had done? What did the active sonar readings from their ship over the pipeline tell them?

[End of Feb 13 addition]

Excursion:

Since my translation some content has been added to the German piece to put it in the context of the Russian invasion. It is now dated October 21 2022 which makes no real sense. (The only archive.org copy of the piece is the changed one, saved on December 2022.)

The piece now starts with this (my translation):

Big Fleet Group From U.S. Navy Passes [German island passage] Fehmarnbelt

I don't remember that there was a sub-headline to it or some sentences about the war in Ukraine but the piece now has those:

On Thursday morning, September 22, a fleet group from the U.S. Navy passed [the German island] Fehmarn. The "USS Kearsarge" as flagship was the biggest of the war ships. Russian nuclear submarines and NATO units in strait of Fehmarn

Ships sail again in western direction

40 helicopters and war planes on board Fehmarn  With the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, which began in February, and with the change in security policy it caused, with NATO entry requests by Finland and Sweden, the Baltic has become a concentration area for naval forces of Russian and NATO. This can be seen in the increasing number of war ships which have passed the strait of Fehmarn [Fehmarnbelt] during the past months. This counts for Russian nuclear submarines just as for NATO units. On Thursday morning, September 22, a fleet group of the U.S. navy passed Fehmarn.

Then follow, seemingly unchanged, the two paragraphs I had translated previously.

It is some weird editorializing to add the now leading new parts to the old small piece by a local newspaper nearly a month after it was originally published. Who initiated that?

The new part does not make sense. BALTOPS is a yearly exercise, BALTOPS 22 was the 51st one of its kind. That it was held had nothing to do with the war in Ukraine.

As far as I can tell there are and were no nuclear submarines from Russia stationed in the way too shallow Baltic Sea. The home harbors of Russia's nuclear fleets are Murmansk in the northern Kola bay for the Northern and Atlantic fleet and Rybachiy Nuclear Submarine Base on the Kamchatka peninsular for the Pacific fleet.

When a Russian nuclear submarine passes Fehmarn it is most likely one from Murmansk that takes part in the Russian fleet parade in St. Petersburg. That is like BALTOPS a yearly event. To use that for war mongering is rather stupid.

End of excursion.

What was of interest in the piece I had translated was not only the time when the U.S. ships left but also the remark that the Kearsarge was the "largest warship of the US Navy" that was in action in the Baltic Sea in the last 30 years.

The Kearsarge was likely selected for purpose. The ship has a ...

... well deck, which opens to the sea through huge gates in the ship's stern. There, the cargo, troops and vehicles are loaded onto landing craft for transit to the beach. The air cushion landing craft can "fly" out of the dry well deck, or the well deck can be flooded so that conventional landing craft can float out on their way to the beach.

Usually the Kearsarge would be a too big missile target to be in the Baltic Sea. But the well deck comes in handy when one wants to test new underwater equipment or put explosives around pipelines:

In support of BALTOPS, U.S. Navy 6th Fleet partnered with U.S. Navy research and warfare centers to bring the latest advancements in unmanned underwater vehicle mine hunting technology to the Baltic Sea to demonstrate the vehicles effectiveness in operational scenarios. Experimentation was conducted off the coast of Bornholm, Denmark, with participants from Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Newport, and Mine Warfare Readiness and Effectiveness Measuring all under the direction of U.S. 6th Fleet Task Force 68.

Bornholm is of course where the pipelines were blown up.

To me the one new and surprising item in the Hersh piece is the involvement of Norwegian forces to trigger the explosions by sonar buoy signals from a P8 navy surveillance plane. It would have bet on Swedish, British or Polish involvement. But Norway makes even more sense as it will profit from the Nord Stream destruction.

Larry Johnson, an old friend of Sy Hersh, has found a video by someone who had tracked a Norwegian P-8 flying in the pipeline area shortly before the explosion.

Unfortunately for Norway though is that its own, now increased gas exports also depend on pipelines. On the day of the Nord Stream explosions Denmark and Poland inaugurated a new pipeline that brings Norwegian gas to Poland. Russia certainly has the means to do to Norwegian pipelines what the U.S. and Norway have done to Nord Stream.

Another small quip I have with the Hersh piece is this:

Sweden had applied for membership into NATO, and had demonstrated its great skill in managing its underwater sound and magnetic sensor systems that successfully tracked Russian submarines that would occasionally show up in remote waters of the Swedish archipelago and be forced to the surface.

Most of the Russian subs the Swedish detected were never there. More than half of the many incidents were "unlikely violations", i.e. they never happened. The great Swedish skill is to scare its own population with false alarms about alleged Russian submarines near its coast:

In 1982, several of Sweden's subs, boats, and helicopters pursued one of these unidentified sources for a whole month, only to come up empty-handed. This continued for over a decade. Every time they picked up an acoustic signal they would search and find nothing but for a few bubbles on the sea's surface. Sweden was, of course, worried about the intrusions, and couldn't think why, with the Cold War now over, Russia would continue to provoke them in this manner. But it was farts.

...

"It turns out herring have a swim bladder... and this swim bladder is connected to the anal duct of the fish," Wahlberg said. "It's a very unique connection, only found in herring. So a herring can squeeze its swim bladder, and that way it can blurt out a small number of bubbles through the anal opening." In layman's terms, they let one rip. Herrings swim in gigantic schools that can reach several square kilometers and up to 20 meters (65 feet) deep. When something near them frightens them  say, a hungry school of mackerel or a submarine on the lookout for Russian spies  they can generate a lot of gas. To test his theory, Wahlberg bought a herring from a store and applied pressure, and sure enough, it made a sound. He took the footage to the navy personnel and played it back to them. It was a perfect match for the noise they had been hearing. The good news was that Sweden wasn't under threat from Russia, the bad news was it had spent 10 years deploying its military in pursuit of fish farts. Since it figured out what was and wasn't fish farts, there have been zero reports of hostile intruders in Swedish waters.

Great Swedish skills. Indeed.

Posted by b on February 9, 2023 at 18:28 UTC | Permalink

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February 09, 2023

Ukraine Open Thread 2023-34

Only for news & views directly related to the Ukraine conflict.

The current open thread for other issues is here.

Please stick to the topic. Contribute facts. Do not attack other commentators.

Posted by b on February 9, 2023 at 18:31 UTC | Permalink

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From left, Congresswoman Amata of American Samoa with Reps. Tim Burchett of Tennessee, Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, Jeff Duncan of South Carolina, and Mike Johnson of Louisiana.
Zaldy Dandan is a recipient of the Best Editorial Writer Award of the Society of Professional Journalists, and the CNMI Humanities Award for Outstanding Contributions to Journalism. His four books are available on amazon.com/.

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One reason Lambert and I prefer the term The Blob to Deep State is the latter implies a fair bit internal cohesion while we envision the actions of powerful insiders as regularly fraught with conflict over who has their hands on the steering wheel. Arguably the best model comes from Janine Wedels The Shadow Elite, in which she describes how individuals, often with multiple current institutional roles, operate via networks of alliances. The current fraying of Western unanimity over Ukraine gives a sense the struggles over hotly contested issues. But its only a sense, since so much of this activity is shrouded even when things get ugly.

If any readers know the key bureaucracies operate and can add detail, that would be very much appreciated.

One thing we see is that the President gets what he wants in foreign policy only if he has enough support from inside factions. That disconcertingly means that the military can defy civilian oversight. Recall that Trump wanted to withdraw from Afghanistan at the end of his term. Colonel Douglas Macgregor has recounted how he participated by getting the proper documentation to effectuate Trumps instructions. Nevertheless, Trump was ignored despite Trump also pressing personally for the troops to be pulled out. Macgregor added that the winter would have been a far better time since the insurgents are mainly hunkered down in caves then and would not have made much trouble.

Before you argue that Trump was a special case, consider also that Obama pledged that shutting Gitmo would be his first act in office. The public has never gotten a credible explanation as to why that hasnt happened. The failure is noteworthy that the detainees are understood to be mainly if not entirely low/no value targets. One suspects that is has to do with abuses at the facility getting more publicity.

We also have the question of when Biden ordered the wandering Chinese spy balloon to be shot down. Biden has tried to save face by saying his instruction was to destroy the balloon as soon as possible, which gives wriggle room for the excuse that safety required that it be done over wateras if Montana were full of people. Wags here and abroad have pointed out that its not a good look to let a purported surveillance balloon go all the way across the US, as in presumably complete its mission, before taking it out.

Now to Ukraine. Realists of various stripes, who have long been cowed or shouted down by the ideologues, are getting a hearing as deteriorating battlefield conditions make it difficult to keep up the pretense that Ukraine will emerge victorious, or now even halt the advance of Russian forces.

Members of military, both in the US and abroad, are finally waking up to the fact that they cant go toe to toe with Russia in its back yard. Obama was quite cognizant of that fact (his remark that Russia had escalation dominance. Yet it is still seems remarkable that it has apparently taken even the more sober minds a while to recognize the degree to which Russia outguns the Collective West, and for the most part has much better guns too.

Nevertheless, even with some doubts about Project Ukraine expressed as early as last May (by the New York Times and the Defense Intelligence Agency), its been remarkable to see the degree to which even dissenters have felt the need to repeat now clearly inaccurate tropes about various Russian infirmities. It may simply be a recognition that humankind cannot bear very much reality. But the danger is that people can come to believe what they have to say.1 And it also gives continued support for bad beliefs.

Readers may have signposts they prefer, but IMHO the official first break in the Ukraine will fight till it wins it all position was ijn mid November, when Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley suggested that Ukraine cash in on its Kharkiv winnings and negotiate with Russia from a strong position. This statement was more significant than it might appear. Macgregor has repeatedly insisted that Milley is completely self-motivated.

So why did Milley break with the party line then? Because he and his officers could see the parlous state of Ukraine forces versus what the Russian mobilization would bring? Because they had worked out Russias overwhelming advantage in artillery, as soon after publicized in Alex Vershinins RUSI paper, The Return of Industrial Warfare? Because the implications of Russia targeting Urkaines electrical grid were obvious, that Russia could and probably would turn out the lights if they thought necessary? Because he wanted not to be blamed when things really started coming apart?

Whatever the reasons, it appears unlikely that someone with Milleys apparent lack of moral courage would stick his neck out that way unless it was a widely held among officers with a good grasp of the situation.

Milley was quickly made to recant publicly. Nevertheless, one has to assume there was institutional support for his view, even if not among the key players.2 But the Ukraine maximalists looked to be firmly in charge as of the embarrassing Zelensky love-fest in a pre-Christmas joint session of Congress, even though, as Brian Berletic has relentlessly chronicled, the actual amount of missile, artillery, and other deliveries have fallen because the West is in the process of demilitarizing itself.

In Europe, cracks have been emerging over Ukraines demands for materiel. Olaf Scholz initially rejected the demand to send Leopard 2 tanks because it would deplete Germanys already too meager force. Greece has flat out refused because it believes it needs all its tanks, given rising temperatures in its neighborhood. 3 Its fast become an open secret that the total number of tanks is too small to make a difference even before getting to the problem of the suitability of individual models this war being mainly not so hot, and the deliveries collectively amounting to a hodge-podge that will make logistical problems even worse.

Yet with militaries starting to pull one way, top EU officials are keeping up and if anything amping up their shows of support for the Zelensky regime, via hosting the latest EU-Ukraine summit earlier this month in Kiev and lodging a tenth round of sanctions. 4

The US saw the striking release in close succession of a Rand Corporation report, Avoiding a Long War and the Center for Strategic and International Studies Empty Bins in a Wartime Environment, which contrasted with pointed messaging from the State Department via a interview Anthony Blinken bestowed on the Washington Posts David Ignatius. The Rand piece had very tortured reasoning but nevertheless unambiguously argued that the US had more to lose than win if the conflict in Ukraine persisted. It is worrisome to see Rand play up the notion that Russia would escalate via an attack on a NATO member or a nuclear strike.

The CSIS report argued (consistent with the earlier Vershinin article, but in more detail) that US output of weaponry well behind what is needed given our desire to mix things up:

According to the results of a series of CSIS war games, for instance, the United States would likely run out of some munitionssuch as long-range, precision-guided munitionsin less than one week in a Taiwan Strait conflict. These shortfalls would make it extremely difficult for the United States to sustain a protracted conflictand, equally concerning, the deficiencies undermine deterrence.1 They also highlight that the U.S. defense industrial base lacks adequate surge capacity for a major war. These problems are particularly concerning since China is heavily investing in munitions and acquiring high-end weapons systems and equipment five to six times faster than the United States, according to some U.S. government estimates.

CSIS is explicit that the US needs to be able to fight at least one major war, if not two. And it touts the threat of a Chinese takeover of Taiwan:

With Xi Jinping in his third term, most likely confident and emboldened, it is unclear what the timelines are for a Chinese invasion of Taiwanif it happens. For planning purposes, the United States needs to be ready now.

The report discusses the results of a war in the Taiwan Strait but the footnotes show the scenario is a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, and not China simply blockading Taiwan. Again, as with Rand, the picture presented as a probable risk is in fact extreme and not likely.

So the China hawks have cleared their throats and are effectively arguing for de-emphasizing Ukraine (although pointing out that the overlap in weapons deployed against Russia are largely different than those needed to fight China). But they are also pushing for a massive expansion in military expenditures, without solving the problem that weve already spent a huge amount and come up surprisingly short compared to the until recently supposedly not very prespossessing player Russia (save for its nukes).

So we are also seeing a struggle between the anti-China and anti-Putin factions. And as much as Anthony Blinken is very hostile to China, he shows no signs of wanting to drop the Russia conflict. As we wrote at the end of January:

The Blinken/State vision seems to be: US and NATO support Ukraine > *Magic* > War ends > US and NATO support Ukraine

And State seems well stocked with professionals who wrote their PhDs in what Scott Ritter calls Putin-hating studies. 5 So they have personal priors and incentives to keep the Ukraine proxy war going.

Similarly, if the very detailed Seymour Hersh account alleging that the US conceived of and executed the Nord Stream pipeline attacks is accurate, it shows the fervor and unanimity of Russia hostility across the top foreign policy echelons in the US. Hersh reports that very few voiced substantive concerns; the reservations were procedural (how to hide what they were up to from Congress and Russia). The piece intimates that Olaf Scholz agreed to allow the attack. But Hershs formulation on this point is not crisp, so it may be that Scholz was not given a specific heads up.

Finally, Biden has repeatedly made his hostility to Putin clear. And in a PBS interview yesterday, Biden doubled down his Stote of the Union affirmation, that the US would support Ukraine for as long as it takes. From The Hill:

President Biden on Wednesday said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has already lost Ukraine, adding that aid to Ukraine during the Russian invasion is open-ended.

Finally, if Hersh is correct, Biden was an enthusiastic supporter of the pipeline attacks and actively involved as the scheme progressed. As Alexander Mercouris pointed out, that stance would make him the biggest obstacle to ending the war in Ukraine.

______

1 For instance, studies have found that attorneys often convince themselves of their defense of a perp they know to be guilty.

2 In his book Secrets, Daniel Ellsberg, then regarded as the top US expert on Vietnam, gave Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara an update on a helicopter ride. I dont recall the details but it was that things were going badly and prospects of victory were close to nil. McNamara said with some force, Thats what I thought. Immediately upon landing, the press accosted him and McNamara talked up how well the war was going.

3 Greece was also miffed over the fact that it had earlier sent 40 BMP-1 IFVs to Ukraine after Germany agreed to provide Greece at least the same number of the more modern 40 Marder IFVs. Greece was then shortchanged.

4 An exercise in optics, since the EU has apparently run out of things its members will agree to sanction. This set is apparently a technical clean-up of all the previous sanctions. However, youd never know that from the EU-Ukraine summit statement:

We gathered today in the context of Russias ongoing unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine. We condemned it in the strongest possible terms and discussed how to further support Ukraine and how to increase collective pressure on Russia to end its war and withdraw its troops. The EU will support Ukraine and the Ukrainian people against Russias ongoing war of aggression for as long as it takes.

5 Ritter has said he was commissioned to write an article, which was never published, looking at the academic record of prominent official (as in government) Russia experts. Ritter claims that to a person they wrote anti-Putin PhD theses.
By Conor Gallagher

After years of consolidation, US industries are now using advances in algorithms and the speed of data sharing to remove any vestige of market forces that are supposed to keep prices down.

In attempts to maneuver around antitrust restrictions, companies turn to data firms offering software that helps increase profits. How? By exchanging information with competitors in order to keep wages low and prices high  effectively creating national cartels.

The US Department of Justice might finally be waking up to the problem. According to Bloomberg Law:

The departments antitrust division is withdrawingwith no plans to replacea trio of policy statements outlining permissible conduct related to information sharing in the healthcare industry issued between 1993 and 2011, Principal Deputy Attorney General Doha Mekki said Thursday [Feb. 2] at an antitrust conference in Miami. These safe harbor statements have been broadly interpreted by health care and other sector companies to share information. Some exchanges can enable price and wage fixing and other forms of illegal conduct, Mekki said.  Given these changes and the outdated nature of many of the exchanges reflected in those documents, we are no longer confident that these statements fully reflect existing market realities or the full scope of liability under the antitrust laws, Mekki said.  Previous assumptions about industries that arent highly concentratedthat their information sharing, allowed under the DOJs safe harbor, wouldnt likely violate the Sherman Actis coming into question, Mekki said. The pace of technology could enable types of information sharing that the DOJs old guidance never envisioned, she said.

Mekkis comments and the date range of the established rules (between 1993 and 2011) naturally lead to questions about just how widespread this information sharing has become. She did say that the DOJ will be paying attention to less concentrated markets where information exchanges can now be persistent and harmful to the economy

Last year the DOJ fined a group of major poultry producers $84.8 million. More significantly, it ordered an end to the exchange of compensation information, banned the data firm (and its president) from information-sharing in any industry, and prohibited deceptive conduct towards chicken growers that lowers their compensation. Neither the poultry groups nor the data consulting firm admitted liability.

Agri Stats is another nationally utilized data and analytics firm for the meat processing industry and it has been named in more than 90 lawsuits since 2016 for using the technology to fix prices.

How about in real estate, where Americans spend more than 30 percent of their income on rent? According to a January Moodys report, the US is now officially a rent-burdened nation:

The national average rent-to-income (RTI) reached 30% for the first time in our 20+ years of tracking history, up 1.5% from year-ago or 0.2% from Q3, keeping the growth rate constant throughout the second half of last year. Rising mortgage rates caused many households to be priced out from home buying and would-be buyers to remain renters. Apartment demand surged as a result and drove rates sky high. As the disparity between rent growth and income growth widens, Americans wallets feel financial distress as wage growth trails rent growth.

How did that happen? Wall Streets takeover of the American rental market really took off during Obamas foreclosure regime as the firms snapped up properties (including from many small landlords) at bargain prices. The pace has continued to accelerate, and more innovative tools are being used by the investment goliaths. Private equity and hedge fund firms use computer algorithms to find houses that would be profitable to turn into rental properties, often snapping them up with cash bids within minutes of a property coming onto the market. And when areas no longer have affordable houses to buy, they can raise rents.

Its now coming to light that these investment behemoths might also be using algorithms to essentially act as one national landlord cartel that coordinates pricing. The lawsuits keep rolling in against real estate rental giants and the information-sharing company that connects them all. The DOJ is also investigating the companies accused of colluding to keep apartments vacant and rents sky high. From one of the lawsuits:

Beginning in approximately 2016, and potentially earlier, Lessors replaced their independent pricing and supply decisions with collusion. Lessors agreed to use a common third party that collected real-time pricing and supply levels, and then used that data to make unit-specific pricing and supply recommendations. Lessors also agreed to follow these recommendations, on the expectation that competing Lessors would do the same.

There have been multiple suits filed in Washington, proposed class actions in California and Texas. Now lawsuits are popping up in Tennessee, Colorado, Massachusetts, Florida, New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas. RealPage also has offices in India, Spain, the Philippines, Columbia, and England.

RealPage and the group of landlords are trying to get all the cases combined in Northern Texas federal court, which is a more favorable venue for corporate defendants. The lawsuits allege that the companies engaged in anti-competitiveness by violating Section One of the Sherman Antitrust Act, which sets forth the basic antitrust prohibition against contracts, combinations, and conspiracies in restraint of trade or commerce.

One of RealPages software tactics is also keeping units off the market in order to drive up prices. From the lawsuit:

RealPage allows participating Lessors to coordinate supply levels to avoid price competition. In a competitive market, there are periods where supply exceeds demand, and that in turn puts downward pressure on market prices as firms compete to attract lessees. To avoid the consequences of lawful competition, RealPage provides Lessors with information sufficient to stagger lease renewals to avoid oversupply. Lessors thus held vacant rental units unoccupied for periods of time (rejecting the historical adage to keep the heads in the beds) to ensure that, collectively, there is not one period in which the market faces an oversupply of residential real estate properties for lease, keeping prices higher.

How its supposed to work or used to anyways, is that when occupancy dropped, rents would also drop so that properties would be full. Companies would typically aim for occupancy rates around 97-98 percent, and lower rents would mean more heads in beds. But the YieldStar software allows property owners to keep prices high even during periods of high vacancy, since they are all using YieldStar software to set rent prices and keep them high. Heres more from The Real Deal:

Youd call up the competition in the area. Sometimes thered be a list of 10 people to call, says a confidential witness in the Cherry suit, who used to work for Greystar in Seattle. Youd ask what they are charging for their apartments. Then youd literally change the prices right there on RealPage. Manually bump it up. It was price-fixing  what else can you call it when youre literally calling your competition and changing your rate based on what they say?

As this video from RealPage highlights, the goal is to think big. And that they did. The companys 2020 annual report says it represented more than 30,000 clients (including each of the ten largest multifamily property management companies in the country) controlling about 19.7 million rental units across the US.

The lawsuits are shedding light on private equity-controlled real estates role in the scandal, due to their eager adoption of the YieldStar technology. Here are some of real estate goliaths named in the lawsuits:

Greystar: The nations largest property management firm with nearly 794,000 multifamily units and student beds under management. In December, it was nominated for six(!) 2022 Private Equity Real Estate Awards.

Trammell Crow Company, headquartered in Dallas, is a subsidiary of CBRE Group, the worlds largest commercial real estate services and investment firm.

Lincoln Property Co. Manages or leases over 403 million square feet across the US.

FPI Management. Currently manages just over 155,000 units in 18 states.

Avenue5 manages $22 billion in multifamily and single-family assets nationwide.

Equity Residential, the 5th largest owner of apartments in the United States, primarily in Southern California, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., New York City, Boston, Seattle, Denver, Atlanta, Dallas/Ft. Worth, and Austin.

Mid-America Apartment Communities, which as of June 30, 2022, owns or has ownership interest in 101,229 homes in 16 states throughout the Southeast, Southwest, and Mid-Atlantic regions.

Essex Property Trust (62,000 units). This fully integrated real estate investment trust (REIT) acquires, develops, redevelops, and manages multifamily apartment communities located in supply-constrained markets on the west coast. From its 2022 investor presentation:

With approximately 80% of Essexs properties within ~5 miles of another site, Essex is uniquely positioned to operate collections of properties as a centralized business unit. Leveraging proprietary technology and significant scale, Essex can operate apartment buildings more efficiently.

Thrive Community Management (18,700 units in Washington and Oregon). Refers to employees as thrivers.

AvalonBay Communities, Inc. As of September 30, 2022, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 293 apartment communities containing 88,405 apartment homes in 12 states and DC.

Cushman & Wakefield, with a portfolio of 172,000 units.

Security Properties portfolio reflects interests in 113 assets encompassing nearly 22,354 multifamily housing units.

Private equity and hedge funds have been the main driver behind RealPages growth in recent years, according to ProPublica:

RealPages influence was burgeoning. [In 2017], the firms target marketmultifamily buildings with five or more unitsmade up about 19 million of the nations 45 million rental units. A growing share of those buildings were owned by firms backed by Wall Street investors, who were among the most eager adopters of pricing software. Somewhere around 2016, according to one trade group, the industrys use of the pricing software began to achieve critical mass.

Enough properties were now using RealPages services, that its pricing algorithm began to take full effect. Since property managers do not have to worry about being undercut by competitors, they can increase profits while even if theyre housing fewer people, which means they dont have to worry about evicting families who cant afford higher rent. If the apartment sits vacant for a while, so be it; eventually theyll find someone who can afford the higher rent.

The time frame for RealPages takeoff coincides with astronomical rental price growth and a resurgence in homelessness numbers, as well as an uptick in the number of homeless deaths. Lets remember that 40-50 percent of people experiencing homelessness are employed and yet simply cannot afford shelter. One can only imagine the effect if these innovative technologies to fix prices and wages were put to use in even more industries (if they arent already).

Private equity firms are also pouring into private student housing complexes, which they believe will provide better returns compared with other residential assets. Dormitory rates often reset every year which means prices can go up annually and if students have trouble affording the higher prices, well heres some financial aid.

While the DOJ is investigating RealPage, it remains to be seen if they do anything more than in 2017, when it failed to do anything about the companys nascent technology and acquisition of a rival. According to ProPublica, DOJ staff flagged the merger of RealPage and its largest competitor, Rainmaker Group, in 2017, but they were overruled by Trump appointees who chose not to challenge the merger in court.

Well see if the DOJ does anything more than cost-of-doing-business fines. Remember that one of RealPages pricing softwares main architects is Jeffery Roper who was Alaska Airlines Director of Revenue Management when it and other airlines began using common software to share nonpublic planned routes and prices with each other in a price fixing scandal that resulted in overcharging consumers by up to $2 billion. But Roper and other airline executives faced no punishment. In 1994, Clintons Justice Department negotiated a settlement with the companies that involved no jail time, fines, or consumer refunds (however, some affected consumers received 10 percent discount coupons for future travel as part of a private lawsuit).

Roper, the architect of RealPages software whose name appears in multiple lawsuits against the company, allegedly stated that the software was meant to circumvent landlords who had way too much empathy and hesitated to push rents higher.
The evolution of my position with the Post dates to 2000, when I began work with The City Paper. In 2008, SouthComm Inc. bought the Post and TCP, with the latter ceasing operations in 2013. In 2018, FW Publishing acquired the Post, for which I have served as managing editor since 2011.

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Gov. Bill Lee and state lawmakers have made uneven progress on criminal justice reform over the past two years, ratcheting up sentencing and penalties in some areas while easing some aspects of the state parole process and expanding alternatives to incarceration. Passed during last years session, the so-called Truth in Sentencing legislation requires those convicted of specific violent crimes to serve 100 percent of a sentence with no opportunity for reduced time. The law, which runs counter to the goals of most criminal-justice advocates, passed without a signature from the governor. Meanwhile, dispatches continue to shed light on horrific conditions in state prisons, specifically delayed and insufficient inmate health care  state contractor CoreCivic was sued again in January for negligence, this time for its role in the 2022 death of Joshua Cody Lloyd at a Wayne County facility. Vaunted criminal justice reform rhetoric from Lee has fallen by the wayside since reelection. In its place, Lee has shown a renewed interest in getting more state executions on the books after an internal investigation into its lethal injection process forced a hiatus through much of last year.

This session, legislation is passing up systemic reforms in favor of targeted tweaks and stronger punishment. House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) has already made progress with a pair of bills that would formalize bio-surveillance for DUI offenders, legalizing GPS tracking for ignition breathalyzers and ankle monitors for repeat offenders that test sweat for alcohol. Two West Tennessee lawmakers want a report on the states vast inventory of untested sexual assault collection kits  advocates say there are very many. Legislators plan to set up a state witness protection program; others, led by state Sen. Mark Pody (R-Lebanon), aim to dismantle community oversight boards operating in local municipalities like Nashville.

While the state awaits a revised lethal injection protocol from Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Frank Strada, a few proposed interventions could further complicate the states ability to carry out executions. Pody also sponsors a bill to make public the entities that supply TDOCs three-drug cocktail of midazolam, vecuronium bromide and potassium chloride. Doxxing the deadly supply chain would be a win for transparency and likely make a difficult procurement process nearly impossible for the state, which already struggles to get lethal injection supplies according to internal documents. Another bill would smooth the process for paying an expert hired to determine whether a death row defendant qualifies as intellectually disabled. In the case that the state cant continue to rely on lethal injection for executions, legislation sponsored by Sen. Frank Niceley (R-Strawberry Plains) and Rep. Dennis Powers (R-Jacksboro) would confirm electrocution as the states alternative method of capital punishment.
Its common for the Tennessee General Assembly to spend hours and hours debating meaningless legislation designed to trigger or troll. Some of the geniuses down there threw a fit a decade ago when they thought a new sink for rinsing mops was instead a foot bath for Muslim people heading to prayer. They frequently spend time and taxpayer money arguing over whether the Bible should be the official state book or whether to honor random people like Elon Musk.

But a new front in this never-ending culture war could have more immediate effects on peoples lives than a resolution celebrating The Daily Wire.

LGBTQ community members and advocates are raising alarms about multiple pieces of legislation aimed both at trans health care and drag performances. On the drag front: A bill would criminalize public drag performances that appeal to a prurient interest. Despite the sponsors protestations, some critics argue the language is vague enough that a zealous police officer or prosecutor could interpret the law to apply to the mere existence of a trans person in public spaces. Depending on interpretation of prurient interest, the ban could also affect Pride parades featuring drag performers or drag buses and brunches, or someone in a Halloween costume.

Legislation is also moving forward that would ban gender-affirming care for minors in the state, a response to last years conservative uproar upon discovering that Vanderbilt University Medical Center has performed a handful of gender reassignment surgeries on older teenagers (though the ban would cover hormone therapy, too).
TennCare, the states Medicaid insurance, will start its 12-month unwinding process on April 1 after yearly renewals went on pause for three years due to COVID-19. More than 350,000 Tennesseans are expected to lose coverage either because they dont qualify anymore or because of a clerical error  such as not receiving, completing or returning the paperwork for renewal properly.

TennCare presented its redetermination plan to the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on Jan. 31.

This renewal process will be a substantial undertaking for Tennessee, says Stephen Smith, director of TennCare. I can say with every confidence that Tennessee is well-positioned to go through this process. He adds that the federal government could throw a wrinkle into things with unreasonable or confusing rules or guidance.

New to this particular renewal process is auto-renewal, wherein TennCare will use data from places like SNAP and TANF to precomplete some of the renewal packet without further documentation of income. TennCare officials hope to see 50 percent preapproved this way. The organization is also introducing nudging to text, email or call members during their renewal month.

TennCare officials also promised to transfer data to the federal Health Insurance Marketplace for those deemed ineligible for TennCare. Tennessee is now one of just 10 states that havent expanded Medicaid, so many Tennesseans in need go without health coverage anyway.

Gov. Bill Lee appointed a new health commissioner in November  Ralph Alvarado, who is for abortion bans. His first controversy in office is the refusal to accept Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funding for HIV prevention centers, because it is in the best interest of Tennesseans for the state to assume direct financial and managerial response for these services. Hell be back to discuss the budget in March.

As it stands in Tennessee, abortion is completely banned due to a trigger law that went into effect last year after Roe v. Wade was overturned. The law provides only an affirmative defense against a class-C felony for doctors who perform an abortion to save the life of the mother. However, a November poll showed that 75 percent of Tennesseans believe abortion should be legal in cases of rape and incest.

The Fundamental Right to Reproductive Health Care Act (SB762/HB829), introduced by Tennessee Democrats, would rewrite the current law to prohibit state and local officials from interfering with reproductive decisions, eliminate criminal penalties, protect doctors from criminal charges around abortion and improve access to medication abortion. Theres also a bill (HB1084/SB885) designed to clarify that abortion does not include contraceptives.

Perhaps the sneakiest bill to watch is SB857/HB1440, which would allow abortions in the case of rape or incest, but theres a huge caveat. The physician cannot do it legally unless the patient reported the offense to a law enforcement agency  and the pregnant person is at risk of three years of jail time for a false report of rape or incest. The bill was brought forth by state Rep. Iris Rudder (R-Winchester) and Sen. Ferrell Haile (R-Gallatin).
Members of the Tennessee General Assembly on both sides of the aisle are in rare agreement on an issue: The states infrastructure is in dire need of an overhaul. The sentiment may be bipartisan, but with Tennessees estimated needs list tallying roughly $63 billion, solutions and funding strategies are rocky terrain.

Transportation infrastructure makes up the biggest chunk of this number, with estimates ranging from $26 billion to upwards of $30 billion, and going into his second term, Gov. Bill Lee made it clear that this would be a priority. While we havent yet seen any related legislation, Lees proposed Transportation Modernization Act is already creating a stir. Based on press releases and a presentation in early January, the biggest focus of Lees plan is adding lanes to existing highways through public-private partnerships. In Nashville, this would mean choice lanes where drivers could pay a fee in order to theoretically avoid congestion.

In recent years, multimodal options such as bike lanes and bus lines have become increasingly popular in Nashville. But not only does this plan seem not to acknowledge multimodal options, state Sen. Heidi Campbell (D-Nashville) says it could prove to be a setback in the citys movement away from cars.

Chronically, we have made decisions that have not benefited Nashvilles environments and our health and our well-being, and this is an opportunity for us to change that, says Campbell. And once again, we find that were being influenced by the state to have to miss opportunities in Nashville for healthier multimodal options.

Campbell also has mixed feelings about going the public-private partnership route, a funding structure that can speed up delivery times but brings an element of murkiness when it comes to where the financial burdens fall. Lee is pursuing that strategy in an effort to avoid increasing the gas tax or taking on new state debt.

Our state  very recently, especially  has a history of being irresponsible when it comes to privatized public works in general, Campbell tells the Scene. What I dont want to see is the state profiting from Nashville workers who are paying to use those lanes. I want that money to get back to Nashville.

Despite the focus on roads, Tennessee legislators on both sides of the aisle are also in the early stages of trying to increase Amtraks presence in the state, with TDOT last year showing interest in using passenger rail to link Tennessees major cities. Federal funding applications for the project are due March 20.
(Natural News) A 7.8 magnitude earthquake shook Turkey and Syria in the early hours of Monday, Feb. 6. The death toll is at 8,364 as of writing, with 2,470 casualties in Syria and 5,894 in Turkey.

Both nations also experienced massive and strong aftershocks.

After the first quake, the U.S. Geological Survey recorded more than 60 aftershocks, including a major one at 7.5 magnitude, CNN reported. World Health Organization (WHO) officials fear that the toll will rise inexorably as they estimated up to 20,000 may have died. (Related: VIDEO: Thousands killed in Turkey, Syria following massive quake that struck with no warning.)

Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said more than 8,000 people had been pulled from the debris in Turkey. He added that about 380,000 people have taken refuge in government shelters or hotels, with others huddling in shopping malls, stadiums, mosques and community centers. Turkeys Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure said that overnight 3,400 people took shelter in trains being used as emergency accommodation.

Meanwhile, Turkeys disaster management agency said it had 11,342 reports of collapsed buildings, of which 5,775 had been confirmed. The agency has deployed more than 24,400 search and rescue personnel to search the area.

On Tuesday, Feb. 7, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared a disaster zone in the 10 provinces affected by the earthquakes, imposing a state of emergency in the region for three months. The day before, he also declared seven days of national mourning.

The United Kingdoms foreign secretary said on Tuesday that three British nationals are currently missing while four Australians are unaccounted for following the earthquakes. There are about 40 other Australians and their families in the area, according to Australias Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Countries around the world already dispatched teams to assist in the rescue efforts while others immediately pledged to send rescuers and other aid, including Ukraine and Russia, which are in the middle of a war against each other.

Newborn baby rescued from the rubble of a collapsed building

The past days have brought dramatic rescues, including a newborn baby who was dug through a collapsed building in a northwest Syrian town. The crying infant was found in front of the mothers legs, with the umbilical cord still connecting them.

Ramadan Sleiman, a relative, told the Associated Press that the baby girls mother, Afraa Abu Hadiya, was found dead when the baby was rescued and the baby was the only member of her family to survive during the earthquake.

After the emergency response teams got her out of the wreckage, a female neighbor cut the cord, and she and others rushed the baby to a childrens hospital in the nearby town of Afrin, where she was kept in an incubator. The baby was rescued more than 10 hours after the quake struck, reports stated.

A video circulating on social media showed the moments after the baby was removed from the rubble. A man lifted the baby up, while her umbilical cord was still dangling. He then rushed her away from the scene as another man followed suit, throwing him a blanket to wrap the baby in.

Hadiya must have been conscious during the birth and must have died soon after, Maarouf said. He estimated the baby was born several hours before being found, given the amount her temperature had dropped to 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit). The baby had bruises, including a large one on her back, but now is in stable condition, added the doctor.

Had the girl been left for an hour more, she would have died, he said. Our only concern is the bruise on her back and we have to see whether there is any problem with her spinal cord. But she has been moving her legs and arms normally, he said.

According to Sleiman, Hadiya, her husband and four children apparently tried to rush out of their apartment building but the structure collapsed on them. Their bodies were found near the buildings entrance. The family was laid to rest in a cemetery on the outskirts of Jinderis on Tuesday.

Follow Disaster.news for more updates on worldwide calamities such as earthquakes.

Watch the Health Ranger Mike Adams situation update on the latest big earthquake in Syria and Turkey below.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Surviving natural disasters: Earthquake and tsunami scenarios.

Magnitude 7.3 earthquake hits off the coast of Fukushima in Japan.

Scientists on alert as earthquake may be imminent along the San Andreas Fault.

Study: South Koreas largest earthquake was likely triggered by geothermal fracking.

Sources include:

Breitbart.com

TheGuardian.com

RFERL.org

APNews.com

NewsHub.co.nz

News.Sky.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) The FBI is now combining annual whistleblower training with a module on insider threats, in what appears to be a clear message to anyone within the bureau who has been providing details to members of Congress about corruption within the agency.

As reported by UncoverDC, this is the first time FBI training has combined the two modules, adding that it is being perceived as a subtle but unmistakable sign from the FBI that protected whistleblower disclosures are considered in tandem with Insider Threat actions.

Unauthorized disclosure is now listed as an insider threat, which is a new development, according to sources who spoke to the outlet.

The site noted further:

The group of whistleblowers, nicknamed The Suspendables by its members, contacted Congressman Jim Jordan last year. They have provided a myriad of information to Congress on the Bureaus actions and policies, many of which are antithetical to its mission statement.

It is thought that the disclosures have led to the formation of a new committee, the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, after Republicans took the majority in the House of Representatives in November.

Its no wonder the bureau is moving against whistleblowers, in violation of the law: Among the disclosures already made public are several instances in which the Bureau has deviated from standard procedure to target Americans with counterintelligence investigations. Also disclosed was the fact that the FBI had its agents change the characterizations of J6 cases to make it appear as though there are thousands of cases of domestic white extremist violence spread across the country, when in actuality, nearly all those investigations originated from the incident at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, UncoverDC reported.

Jordan, an Ohio Republican, has also noted that he and GOP members of the Judiciary Committee that he chairs have been contacted by whistleblowers since Joe Biden was installed in the White House. He also noted that the deep state appeared to side with Biden intentionally in order to help hide damaging information about him and his corrupt, debased son, Hunter Biden.

What happened to that is you had 51 intelligence officers sign a letter saying that this Hunter Biden story was Russian misinformation when it wasnt, and that changed  I think anyone can make a credible argument that that altered the outcome of the election and we no longer have Donald Trump in the White House because he was doing that, he was pushing back on China for the first time. And now, we have Joe Biden there and its exactly the opposite direction, Jordan said last month in an interview with Fox News Sean Hannity.

So thats what happened. Thats why this is all connected because the influence of big media, big tech, and big government in impacting our election  I think we said this last week, Sean. My colleagues had this in the committee a few weeks ago, Matt Gaetz. He said, when will the FBI stay out of elections and let us, the people, decide? In 2016, they went after Trumps campaign, 2018, it was a Mueller investigation, 2020, they suppressed the Hunter Biden story, 2022, 91 days before the midterm election, they raid his home, and now, just two weeks ago, three days after he announces for the 2024 race, they name a special counsel and its not just anybody, its Jack Smith and the record that he has of weaponizing the government to go after the people, he added.

It sure looks like Joe Biden was involved, Jordan continued. So, my, how this story has changed. And now, we find out these text messages and emails that link the entire family, not just Hunter and Joe and  but also uncle, the  Joes brother, James Biden, is involved in this as well.

Sources include:

UncoverDC.com

ConservativeBrief.com
(Natural News) The location of the Great Revolt mentioned in the Rosetta Stone artifact has been discovered in Egypt.

First discovered in 1799, the tri-lingual Rosetta Stone included a decree recorded in 196 B.C. during the reign of Pharaoh Ptolemy V. The decree coincided with the Great Revolt that lasted from 207 B.C. to 184 B.C.  a clash between the ancient Egyptians and the Ptolemaic Kingdom. The Ptolemic period, which lasted between 304 B.C. to 30 B.C., was established by Ptolemy Vs ancestor Ptolemy I Soter  one of Alexander the Greats Macedonian generals.

The Rosetta Stone was not the only artifact that made mention of the Great Revolt, as other historical texts also mentioned it. But thousands of years after it ended, archaeologists have found one of the battlefields where it occurred.

Work began on the Tell Timai site in northern Egypt back in 2009, thanks to the University of Hawaiis Tell Timai Archaeological Project (TTAP). The site was formerly the location of the Greco-Roman industrial city Thmouis. The TTAP sought to learn more about Thmouis and its role in ancient Egypt.

While initial work deemed Thmouis as the ground zero of a brutal conflict, researchers were in the dark about what it was. It was only after continued digging that they uncovered the remains of several buildings burned to the ground. Several artifacts such as ballista stones and a headless statue depicting Queen Arsinoe II, the daughter of Ptolemy I Soter, were also unearthed.

Other artifacts including coins picked from a homes floorboard and potsherds helped the archaeologists determine the period they were minted and made  in this case, the Ptolemaic period.

The teams discoveries were published on Dec, 27, 2022 in the Journal of Field Archaeology.

Unburied bodies in Tell Timai sending a message

The archaeologists also found an abundance of unburied ancient human remains scattered around what was once Thmouis. Their identities are unclear, however, with scientists positing that they could either be Greek residents of the city overtaken by the conflict or Egyptians who died defending the town.

At first I was seeing things that piqued my curiosity and began to realize that we were looking at the destruction layer. And then we started finding bodies, said archaeologist and TTAP Co-Director Jay Silverstein. He added that ancient Egyptians were meticulous in burying their dead both before and after the Ptolemaic dynasty came into power.

In Egypt, people pay a lot of attention to burying people, so to have people unburied tells you a lot. All these findings were sending a message that there was some event here in history and we had to figure out what it was. (Related: Archaeologists uncover a dark chapter in Ancient Egyptian history: 60 Mummies found with evidence of GRUESOME deaths.)

While the Great Revolt was not the only revolution organized by the Egyptians against their Hellenic rulers during the Ptolemaic dynasty, it was the biggest and longest-lasting conflict. The evidence of conflict and destruction at northern Thmouis is unequivocal, and the timing is well-placed  and thus coincides with the Great Revolt, the researchers noted in their paper.

They expressed hope that with the discovery of Thmouis, more understanding of life in Ptolemaic Egypt  the last ancient Egyptian dynasty  will emerge.

[Archaeologists have] opened a new door into our understanding of Hellenistic colonialism, indigenous resistance and the mechanisms of control, including the brutality of the Macedonian dynastys rule of Egypt, Silverstein said.

Find more stories like this at Artifacts.news.

Watch this video about the Cleopatras Needle in London, one of two obelisks built by the queen.

This video is from the END TIME NEWS channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Dig reveals 2,600-year-old military castle that withstood serious attacks.

Mother Nature may have contributed to the rise of the Roman Empire: Volcanic eruptions, drought found to coincide with political events in ancient Egypt.

Archaeologists discover ruins of Mayan civilization in Guatemala using LiDAR technology.

Sources include:

LiveScience.com

IFLScience.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) The United States and Russia  the two greatest nuclear powers on the planet  have embarked on a wide-ranging indirect war. All that now remains is for them to engage in direct warfare, which will end up happening sooner or later. If later, it will be exactly because both powers are aware that any direct war between them will inevitably escalate into nuclear war, with a good chance of devastating them both.

(Article by Ruben Bauer Naveira republished from TheSaker.is)

How we reached this point will not be examined in depth here. Very briefly, both parties regard this as a struggle for existence  Russia, in order to continue to exist as a nation (in Putins words, there is no compromise, a country is either sovereign or a colony), and the United States, to continue to exist as the nation with hegemony over the rest (the US economy has become so reliant on that hegemony that its end would entail the countrys collapse).

Accordingly, both are willing to take the conflict to its ultimate consequences in order to prevail, and thus nuclear war becomes more inevitable with every passing day.

Among those responsible for a nuclear war that will be the downfall of all Humankind, there can be no good guy. However, when one side is fighting to subsist with autonomy, while the other is fighting in order to dominate the rest, it is not difficult to discern which is most the bad guy. Also, if it is still possible, after the hecatomb, to bring the culprits to some kind of justice, it will make all the difference to distinguish who pressed the button first (that is, who deliberately chose for millions of people to die) from whoever operated their buttons in retaliation to the incoming attack.

What developments will take place until we finally arrive at nuclear war is also not the purpose of this piece. Once again, to summarise, both are trying to gain time, hoping for their adversary to fall over their own feet before direct war ensues: the Russians are counting on an economic and social collapse in the West, while the US counts on a military defeat of the Russians by the Ukrainians, resulting in the fall of the Putin government. It has to be said, however, that thus far the Russians are getting the better of this war of attrition.

The US also seeks to draw Russia into war against some other, NATO-member country, prodding Lithuania to blockade land access to the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, Romania to provide Moldavia with the means to reincorporate the pro-Russian separatist region of Transnistria, and Poland to occupy the westernmost portion of the Ukraine, so as to force Russia to respond militarily. Under the fifth article of the treaty that set up NATO, an attack on any member state is to be taken as an attack on them all; in that way, the United States would drag all of Europe into a war against Russia. The Russians (as well as these European cannon-fodder candidates) have thus far managed to sidestep this trap.

What is certain is that, militarily, both the United States and Russia are preparing for the eventuality of a nuclear war. The Russians have been doing so for longer. So much so that they have resumed the Soviet-era endeavour to build nuclear shelters on a major scale for their whole urban population: by 2016, new shelters were ready to house a further 12 million people. Conversely, the United States relies on the first strike doctrine of a devastating, surprise attack to decapitate the Russian leadership before they have time to react. For that reason, the possibility of their installing nuclear missiles on Ukrainian territory was, given its geographical proximity, a red line for the Russians and a fond aspiration for the United States (missile flight time to Moscow would be cut to about four minutes).

In order to be in a position to unleash a first strike, the United States have taken the following measures: they have introduced what they call super-fuze technology to their warheads. This causes detonation to occur on arrival at an optimal altitude over the target, with deviation (trajectory imprecision) factored in, thus enabling less powerful warheads to guarantee destruction of strongly protected target (such as Russias missile launch silos). They have also converted some of their Ohio class, ballistic missile launching submarines (each carried 24 Trident missiles) to cruise missiles (each now carries 154 Tomahawk missiles, which are harder to detect and home in on their targets more accurately). Lastly, they are miniaturising the warheads (which can now be less powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima), on the (theoretical) basis that missiles that are more accurate, harder to detect and that detonate closer to their targets can be relied on to annihilate Russias retaliatory capability  even using less powerful warheads and thus minimising the resulting nuclear winter effects. The Russians, meanwhile, as deterrents to a US nuclear attack, have developed innovative weapons whose performance is a closely-guarded secret of State (the US will have to find out the hard way). These include the S-400, S-500, S-550 and A-235 Nudol anti-missile systems and the Peresvet space satellite blinding weapons.

Paradoxically, these strategies both feed back into each other, driving a kind of self-fulfilling prophecy. To date, the more the United States has relied on a first-strike capability, the more Russia has striven to prepare itself to deter one. From now on, the more the Russians develop the ability to seal off their airspace to enemy missiles, the smaller will be the chances of an effective first strike by the United States  effective in the sense of liquidating, in full or at least in large part, Russias ability to retaliate; even if only a few missiles do penetrate Russias defences, millions will die, making retaliation a certainty (see this article). Accordingly, the window of opportunity for a successful first strike by the US is gradually closing. Given the prospect of Russias becoming militarily hegemonic in the future, the United States finds itself racing against time and, with an ever-mounting sense of urgency, feeling compelled to take action before Russias shield is complete.

Unhappily for Humankind, there does now exist the absurd prospect of a nuclear war actually happening and, accordingly, this article seeks an answer  any answer  to the fateful question, which should never ever have to be put into words: If nuclear war does ultimately break out, how will it leave the world afterwards? How will it be possible for us to live our lives?.

Any answer to those questions requires first considering at least three boundary conditions:

The first is technical: are there any objective grounds for such an answer? No, there are not. No-one in their right mind can foresee what the world will be like after a nuclear war  nor even know for sure whether there will be any life left on the planet. This will depend on the magnitude of the nuclear winter phenomenon, which is the abrupt drop in temperatures caused by dust rising from nuclear explosions, then remaining suspended in the atmosphere and blocking out the Suns rays. It has to be admitted, from the outset, that any answer to our question will be no more than pure speculation coloured by varying doses of wishful thinking.

Nuclear winter is the phenomenon in which the Earths surface cools abruptly as millions of tons of carbon particles are borne skyward in smoke from the explosions and resulting fires and suspended in the upper atmosphere. In a matter of weeks, as that layer of soot covers the globe and blocks out sunlight, temperatures will fall and rain volumes decline as evaporation diminishes. This will cause animal and plant life to die out all around the world.

Scientists have been unable to establish a threshold for the exact number of nuclear explosions it would take to extinguish life on the planet. So, speculating, if the total detonations number in the tens, the effects are unforeseeable, because there is no way of knowing to what extent the environment will be able to compensate. If they total hundreds, it is to be supposed that both sunlight and rainfall will be reduced by about a half  which will subject the surviving portion of Humankind to unimaginable suffering. If they come in their thousands, life on Earth will almost certainly become extinct (see this explanatory video).

In that light, the prospects are gloomy: the United States and Russia each hold around 1,600 nuclear bombs ready for use, plus more than three time that number currently inactivated. Worse still, Earths environmental balance is already considerably shaky, undermining our planets ability to offset the effects of a nuclear winter.

The second boundary condition is ethical: if there is one thing that can be said with any certainty about a post-nuclear-war world, it is that it will involve unspeakable human pain and suffering (see this article). The subject cannot be addressed without taking this into careful and sensitive consideration.

The third boundary condition  the most important of the three  is practical: who would be interested in an answer (any answer) to the question: If nuclear war does ultimately break out, how will it leave the world afterwards? How will it be possible for us to live our lives?? It would probably not interest the vast majority  and there, we come up against the previous boundary condition, of the obligation to seek to respect others sensitivities.

By and large, here we consider three groups:

A first group of people, in the eventuality of a post-nuclear-war era, may simply not want to go on living. Who can judge them? Who can measure the pain of suddenly and unexpectedly losing all frames of reference built up over an entire lifetime? The only prospect of any interest to these people is one where nuclear war never ever occurs.

A second group of people will want to live, but from survival instinct only. These people will act in highly individualistic manners. Once again: who can blame them for wanting to survive? For them to manage to shed their excessive individualism, they will have to be won over by some new civilising process (an allusion to the civilising process of the past three hundred years, which produced the Modern Age and has been described by thinkers from Descartes to Max Weber, by way of Kant, Voltaire, Hegel, Marx and many others. It is the process by which the mystical, superstitious Middle Ages gave way to a world of modern subjects, masters of their own rationality). The people of this group will not even want to hear mention of nuclear war, until such time as it happens.

Lastly, there is a third group of people who see meaning in Humanitys course through History  the human adventure on Earth. It is this group alone (certainly a minority, at least at first) that will be interested in answering the question How will it be possible for us to live our lives?.

Given all these reservations, one (obviously not the only) answer to that question can be summarised in a single word: reconnect.

 Reconnect with Nature: here, it means literally reconnecting with Mother Earth, that is, with the earth, the soil that ultimately provides our subsistence. If a nuclear war does break out, the worst situation to be in will be crammed together with thousands or millions of other people, all spiralling out of control at the same time. City life is proper to the Modern Age (capitalism, industrial revolution, Nation-State, secularisation, the primacy of the individual, urban life), while a nuclear war will cause us to revert to pre-modern conditions. So, try to sketch out an escape route to somewhere, preferably sparsely populated, away from the city (clearly, if your country is directly involved in a nuclear war, that escape route will have to take you abroad);

 Reconnect with your own: it is easier to cope with the hardships of life in critical condition if you have solid emotional ties with those who are dearest to you. If, for whatever of lifes reasons, you have drifted out of touch with those you love, open up to them honestly and wholeheartedly and try to set things straight between you. The less you are alone, the better: reconcile yourself with them, because the time is now (among other things, because, if you or they pass away, you will not carry the burden of having torn yourself from them in life).

 Reconnect with yourself: for each one of us, the meaning of life comes from what we do with the life we have  which obscures the fact that, ultimately and for everyone, the meaning of life is given simply by being alive. If a nuclear war does ensue, things like accumulation, ostentation, consumption or pleasure-seeking will suddenly become impracticable. Be open to the fact that you, due to your continuing alive, will be in a position to find new meanings for your life  for what you will come to do with the life that will continue to be yours. These new meanings may be more collective than individual (with the collective directed to the wellbeing of each constituent individual)  and why not? Of course, that kind of thing has yet to be developed, so then why should the meaning of each persons life not be to contribute to building up the common good? Openness is the first and most important step.

World peace (and averting a nuclear war) are certainly beyond your means, but you can make peace with Nature, with others and with yourself.

Finally, I would like to apologise to readers for the discomfort that may have been caused by my broaching such an anguished subject.

(Translated into English by Peter Lenny MCIL)

Read more at: TheSaker.is
(Natural News) The United States Postal Service (USPS) is being accused of sharing the private information of up to 68 million households with labor unions.

The USPS delivered more than 270 million free Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) tests to over 68 million American households back in March 2022. For these COVID-19 tests to reach American homes, families had to fill out a form on the USPS website with their full name, email and postal address. (Related: State Department is freely giving intelligence agencies unrestricted access to passport data of 145 million Americans.)

This program was authorized by the administration of President Joe Biden, who touted his free COVID tests and encouraged millions of Americans to sign up to receive them.

But according to the nonprofit labor union watchdog Americans for Fair Treatment (AFFT), a clause in the online form that many Americans likely did not read allows the USPS to disclose your information to third parties without your consent. This includes sharing the data to labor organizations as required by applicable law.

The wording of this privacy policy differs from the USPS standard privacy notice, which makes no mention of unions.

COVID-19 test data could be passed to unions for political campaigning

AFFT CEO Elisabeth Messenger warned that, if labor unions get a hold of all of the data, it could be successfully used for political campaigns.

Were talking over 70 million households by now. Thats more than half the households in the United States, she said. The unions have done an incredible job of gathering data in the past, getting union members boots on the ground to door knock and be available for political candidates.

This would be the freshest, most accurate data you could get. No one is going to put a fake address. People really wanted these COVID tests, so they gave the most accurate information, she added.

In response to the change in the privacy policy, the AFFT filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the USPS last February asking why theres a change in the disclaimer allowing personal data to be shared with labor unions, and requesting all records concerning USPSs disclosure to any labor organization of information it obtained through the COVID-19 test webform.

The public should understand why USPS has departed from its published Privacy Act notice just for the COVID-19 webform but for no other situation, read the AFFTs request. AFFT seeks to learn and educate the public about why USPS would provide sensitive information that is covered by the Privacy Act to labor organizations and the extent to which it has done so.

When the Postal Service finally agreed to release the documents, which were nine pages of emails between USPS staffers, they were so heavily redacted to be practically unusable for learning anything. In April, the AFFT sued the USPS in a federal court in Washington, D.C.

The organization claims USPS conducted an inadequate search and reached an arbitrary and capricious decision not to disclose more information. AFFT lawyer David Dorey claimed that postal officials are hiding behind a legal smokescreen and stonewalling the organization.

They are avoiding our clients simple questions: Why does USPS say it can, without consent, share Americans personal information with union officials, and what has it actually done with that information? he added. Why not answer the question? If you havent done anything with this information, why not just say that? I would love to know. But instead, theyre hiding behind the legal process.

Learn more about instances of government surveillance and procurement of personal information at PrivacyWatch.news.

Watch this clip of the World Economic Forums Yuval Noah Harari acknowledging that in the big battle between privacy and health, people will give up privacy.

This is from the channel Thrive Time Show on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

CDC surveillance program allows government to track unvaccinated people when they see their doctors, go to the hospital.

Governments spied on high-profile journalists, politicians that were critical of COVID policy.

Medibank hackers release 6.5GB of stolen data in response to Australian health insurers refusal to pay ransom.

WhatsApp HACKED: Nearly 500 million phone numbers from 84 countries and territories put up for sale.

Amazons iRobot Roomba vacuums caught spying on users, taking photos of them on the toilet and posting to social media.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

About.USPS.com

SurvivalMagazine.org

Brighteon.com
This aerial photo taken on Sept. 10, 2022 shows China-Europe freight trains at the Alataw Pass, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Chen Qian/Xinhua) URUMQI, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- A fully-loaded cargo train left the international land port of Urumqi for Kazakhstan on Monday, marking the departure of the 6,500th China-Europe freight train from the land port. Land ports in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region are bustling with activity after the country optimized its COVID-19 response and adjusted entry and exit policies. Customs officials have been busy checking the documentation of international travelers at the Horgos port, bordering Kazakhstan, since January. Belik Zhanuzakov, a businessman from Kazakhstan, said he had to conduct business online due to the COVID-19 pandemic during the past few years, and he is thrilled about the reopening of the land port. "Now that I can talk to my business partners face to face, I hope our cooperation will be greatly enhanced. Since bilateral relations between the two countries have strengthened, I anticipate that my business will improve," he said. The Alataw port, one of the important ports for China-Europe freight trains, has also seen a boom in freight volume since the beginning of this year, with more than 1.11 million tonnes of cargo transported in January, up 12.8 percent year on year. The customs, frontier inspection departments and Kazakhstan's railway department have strengthened coordination and exchange in an effort to improve the transportation efficiency of China-Europe freight trains, said Guo Hua, who works with the Alataw port. Inbound and outbound trucks have also been spotted shuttling back and forth at the Bakti port. Ayden, a Kazakh driver, said he would transport grapefruits and fresh color bell peppers to Almaty. "The freshness of agricultural products greatly determines the profit. Therefore, we constantly optimize clearance measures to complete the inspection within half an hour," said Alimira Nasim, a customs official, as she checked the cargo on Ayden's truck. Official data showed inbound and outbound vehicles at the Bakti port exceeded 3,800 in January, an increase of over 156 percent year on year. Imports and exports there soared 125 percent year on year to over 34,106 tonnes. Xinjiang will continue to boost foreign trade, further strengthen logistics and improve the business environment, said Li Kaiyi, an official with the Urumqi Customs, adding that the region will also take advantage of the preferential policies to promote its trade.
(Natural News) A huge filament of solar plasma has broken off the suns surface and is circling its north pole like a vortex of powerful winds, but scientists have no clue what caused it.

(Article by Tereza Pultarova republished from Space.com)

Talk about polar vortex! Material from a northern prominence just broke away from the main filament & is now circulating in a massive polar vortex around the north pole of our star, space weather forecaster Tamitha Skov said on Twitter while sharing a video sequence taken by NASAs Solar Dynamics Observatory showing the odd whirlwind. Implications for understanding the suns atmospheric dynamics above 55 here cannot be overstated!

Other solar physicists shared Skovs excitement about the unusual phenomenon. But what exactly is it and why is it important?

Scott McIntosh, a solar physicist and deputy director at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado, told Space.com that while he has never seen a vortex like this, something odd is happening at the suns 55 degree latitudes with clockwork regularity once every solar cycle , the 11-year period characterized by an ebb and flow in the generation of sunspots and eruptions.

The prominence mentioned by Skov, something that McIntosh describes as a hedgerow in the solar plasma, appears exactly at the 55 degree latitude around the suns polar crowns every 11 years. Scientists know that it has something to do with the reversal of the suns magnetic field that happens once every solar cycle, but they have no clue what drives it.

Once every solar cycle, it forms at the 55 degree latitude and it starts to march up to the solar poles, McIntosh told Space.com. Its very curious. There is a big why question around it. Why does it only move toward the pole one time and then disappears and then comes back, magically, three or four years later in exactly the same region?

Scientists have regularly observed filaments tear away from this pole-embracing plasma hedgerow, but they have yet to see it form such a polar whirlwind until now.

Scientists know that the suns polar regions play a key role in the generation of the stars magnetic field, which, in turn, drives its 11-year cycle of activity. They couldnt, however, observe that region directly.

We can only observe the sun from the ecliptic plane [the plane in which planets orbit], McIntosh said.

The European Space Agency Solar Orbiter mission may shed some light on this odd phenomenon in the coming years. The mission, which is taking images of the sun from within the orbit of Mercury, will have its orbit tilted by up to 33 degrees. McIntosh thinks that might not be enough to crack the mystery of the polar vortex. Scientists might need a completely new mission to do that.

Read more at: Space.com
(Natural News) America is in the throes of a growing pharmaceutical shortage, and ambulances in Tennessee are reportedly feeling the pinch in a major way.

Some of the most commonly-used medications are in such short supply that some Volunteer State emergency vehicles are no longer able to help patients in desperate need of medicine.

Rick Valentine, president of the Tennessee Ambulance Service Association (TASA), said one of the most common emergency calls in his state is for diabetic patients experiencing hypoglycemia. Such patients are often unconscious, and paramedics will typically reach for D-50, a type of dextrose (sugar) that can help revive them in about a minute.

D-50 is a simple drug that used to be abundant, but because of continued manufacturing problems and supply chain woes, it is not as widely available as it once was.

The brain is bathed in sugar, and so when it is depleted of sugar levels, it affects the brain and how it functions, Valentine said.

Getting that blood glucose level back to a normal level is very key, and its just unfortunately taking longer when you dont have the D-50 that you need. (Related: Last summer, the United Nations warned that a global food shortage catastrophe is also unfolding.)

Is Americas drug supply chain at risk of collapse?

For the time being, TASA physicians have come up with a viable alternative: using IV bags filled with a lower concentration of dextrose. This will still allow diabetic patients to recover, though at a much slower rate.

Instead of reviving them in about a minute like D-50 does, these dextrose IV bags take anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes to get a patient back to consciousness. This could prove problematic for more serious and urgent cases that require faster resuscitation.

It hits home when its one of the medications that youre using a lot and its a critical medication, Valentine added.

Most ambulatory departments throughout Tennessee have orders placed for D-50 and are just waiting, and waiting, and waiting some more for the drug to arrive. There does not appear to be any indication as to how long this waiting game will take.

In the meantime, TASA says it is doing everything it can to care for patients with comparable drugs like the IV dextrose bags, even if they take longer and are not as good.

I think its more stressful, certainly for the family members that are there, Valentine explained.

You know, theyre saying, Whats taking so long? And we just have to explain that its a different concentration, its a lower dose of sugar, and that its taking longer to get them back and awake.

It turns out that Pfizer is one of the companies that produces D-50  and Pfizer is in a whole lot of hot water right now over the covid vaccine scandal and its involvement in illegal gain of function, or directed evolution, research.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed that Pfizer sent out a manufacturing delay letter in August 2022, warning that shortages are expected to last until at least December 2023.

In addition to not having enough D-50, Valentine also confirmed that ambulances throughout Tennessee are experiencing shortages of important narcotics used in emergency medicine. The good news about most of those, though, is that they are much easier to replace with viable alternatives compared to D-50 and other currently unavailable or in-short-supply drugs.

One big problem America has is an out-of-control federal government, one commenter wrote about why we are seeing so many shortages these days  not to mention the lingering effects of that same governments supply chain-destroying covid tyranny.

You can find more stories like this one at Collapse.news.

Sources for this article include:

WKRN.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the world is heading toward a wider war as the likelihood of further escalation in the conflict in Ukraine increases.

Guterres made this comment in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly that focused on a variety of topics, including Russias special military operation in Ukraine.

We have started 2023 staring down the barrel of a confluence of challenges unlike any in our lifetimes, said Guterres. He even noted how top scientists had moved the Doomsday Clock  a metaphorical clock analyzing how close humanity is to a global man-made catastrophe  to just 90 seconds to midnight. This is the closest the world has ever been to global annihilation. (Related: Doomsday Clock now set at 90 seconds to midnight  the closest the world has ever been to nuclear annihilation.)

Guterres notes that he is taking this as a warning for people to wake up and get to work on resolving the worlds most urgent issues  first and foremost brokering peace between Russia and Ukraine.

The chances of further escalation and bloodshed keep growing. I fear the world is not sleepwalking into a wider war. I fear it is doing so with its eyes wide open, he said. We need peace  in line with the UN Charter and international law.

Aside from the conflict in Ukraine, Guterres also referenced ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan, Haiti, Israel and Palestine, Myanmar and the Sahel region of Africa.

If every country fulfilled its obligations under the UN Charter, the right to peace would be guaranteed, he said. [It is] time to transform our approach to peace by recommitting to the charter  putting human rights and dignity first, with [conflict] prevention at the heart.

Western arms shipments responsible for escalating conflict

Russian officials have repeatedly pointed out that Western weapons coming from the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization are responsible for prolonging and intensifying the conflict in Ukraine.

As of the end of January, the U.S. has already provided Ukraine with over $27 billion worth of military aid. This includes over 80,000 weapons systems, vehicles, boats and communications equipment  as well as 31 M1 Abrams main battle tanks  and over 113 million rounds of ammunition for everything from small arms to artillery shells.

Congress is also preparing to provide the country with an additional $2 billion worth of military aid. This latest aid package is expected to include longer-range rockets for the first time, further escalating the conflict.

Despite the sheer scale of American weapons shipments to Ukraine, the U.S. and its allies continue to insist that they do not seek a direct confrontation with Russia. But at the same time, President Joe Biden has repeatedly warned Moscow to not expand the conflict, and has promised to protect every inch of NATO territory.

In his speech to the UN General Assembly, Guterres denounced the lack of strategic vision and the bias political and business leaders and decision-makers had toward short-term achievements, including short-term political and economic gains continued arms shipments provide.

The next poll. The next tactical political maneuver to cling to power. But also the next business cycle  or even the next days stock price, he said. This near-term thinking is not only deeply irresponsible  it is immoral.

Learn more about the potential escalation of conflict around the world at WWIII.news.

Watch this episode of the Health Ranger Report as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, discusses how Germany and the United States are pushing Russia toward nuclear escalation by sending battle tanks to Ukraine.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

US, NATO using discredited domino theory to justify sending even more taxpayer-funded arms shipments to Ukraine.

Former UK defense minister says NATO should be putting ground troops in Ukraine, which would literally start World War III.

Biden sends 31 Abrams M1 tanks to Ukraine after previously warning that doing so would lead to World War III.

Defense Department to boost production of artillery ammunition by 500% for Ukraine but will take two years just to build the new factories.

Russian foreign minister Lavrov claims West has prevented Ukraine from taking part in peace talks, now almost in a real war with his country.

Sources include:

News.Yahoo.com

Euronews.com

AlJazeera.com

TheGuardian.com

WashingtonExaminer.com

Reuters.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) A study published in Nature Astronomy that used a new machine learning algorithm discovered eight extraterrestrial signatures, which appeared to be the trademarks of advanced technology.

Lead study author Peter Ma of the University of Toronto (UToronto) explained how he and his colleagues employed a technique called semi-unsupervised learning. The method combines input from data marked by humans to make it easier for the algorithm to create predictions and autonomous processing by the artificial intelligence in the form of picking patterns out of huge data sets.

Ma and his colleagues trained the algorithm to tell the difference between human-caused signals from Earth and radio signals that come from another place. Radio waves are ordinary targets in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) because they can travel various distances through space and remain mostly unhindered by obstructions such as interstellar dust clouds.

They tried various algorithms to reduce false positives, and analyzed 150 terabytes of data collected by the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia. Of the 820 stars near Earth that they observed, they discovered eight earlier overlooked signals from five stars situated between 30 light-years and 90 light-years away from Earth.

According to researchers at the Breakthrough Listen project, the eight signals had two features in common with signals that might be produced by intelligent aliens.

First, they are present when we look at the star and absent when we look away  as opposed to local interference, which is generally always present. Second, the signals change in frequency over time in a way that makes them appear far from the telescope, Steve Croft, a scientist for Breakthrough Listen, said in a release.

AI shows promise in tracking potential alien life

According to the scientists, the greatest strength of the algorithm lies in its ability to organize data from telescopes into categories. This has allowed them to distinguish between genuine alien signals and noise or interference.

In many of our observations, there is a lot of interference. We need to distinguish the exciting radio signals in space from the uninteresting radio signals from Earth, Ma commented. (Related: Signs of alien civilization: Did astronomers detect technosignatures?)

In spite of this, the researchers lauded the use of AI to look for extraterrestrial intelligence.

I am impressed by how well this approach has performed on the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, wrote study co-author and UToronto astronomer Cherry Ng in a press release. With the help of artificial intelligence, Im optimistic that well be able to better quantify the likelihood of the presence of extraterrestrial signals from other civilizations.

A brief follow-up observation at the Green Bank Telescope did not yield the much-awaited signals, however.

With our new technique, combined with the next generation of telescopes, we hope that machine learning can take us from searching hundreds of stars to searching millions, Ma said. He added that their work will help accelerate the rate scientists are able to make discoveries in their grand effort know if humans are truly alone in the universe.

Watch this video that talks about the five most mysterious signals from space.

This video is from the InterestingClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Astronomers say technosignatures can be used to find advanced alien civilizations.

Breakthrough Listen Project and NASA collaborate on the search for advanced alien civilizations.

Astronomers develop new telescope system that can scan for signs of alien technology.

Study: Mysterious bright light spotted in February was a distant star being squeezed by a black hole.

Proof of alien ships? Cryptic bursts of gamma-ray light from distant galaxies have an unexplained and odd symmetry.

Sources include:

LiveScience.com

Space.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) Things got out of control in Joe Bidens America this week after a fight broke out behind an Austin-area HEB grocery store.

Reports indicate that an angry mob was gathered around a dumpster at the William Cannon and I-35 location in South Austin following a power outage that resulted in meat and other perishables having to be tossed.

One person caught wind of the food throwaway and posted about it on social media. This resulted in a mob showing up to fight over the food, which in Bidens America is now more expensive than ever.

More than 250 people showed up around the dumpster, according to Travis County Precinct 4 Constable George Morales. Deputies and Austin police had to come break up the fight and mitigate traffic.

Some of the collected groceries taken from the dumpster were posted to various Free in Austin pages on Facebook, which garnered even more attention and attendance at the parking lot melee.

Morales warned the public that any free food items collected from the dumpster must be thrown away rather than eaten because he says they are unsafe.

Austin promotes dumpster living in tiny pack-and-stack units

Austin is known for being weird, which makes the HEB incident unsurprising. In recent years, the left-leaning central Texas city has de-funded its police department; hosted a Marxist Red Guards Austin event, as well as numerous Antifa gatherings; and banned Uber and Lyft.

Austin is also experimenting with tiny apartments designed by a professor who lived in an actual dumpster  much like the one at HEB that was raided by hundreds of angry, hungry consumers.

The ultra-compact pack-and-stack apartments appearing all across Austin are as small as 200 square feet per unit, we are told. These prefabricated stackable apartments first started appearing in vacant parking lots in downtown Austin and have since spread to other parts of the city.

Because Austin is a high-rent district of Texas, many residents are no longer able to afford proper housing. Consequently, some of them are moving into dumpster condos that cost around $600 per month  this is a 2015 price figure that has likely increased since.

We are Venezuela now, wrote a commenter about the United States as a whole.

Dystopia  citizens digging in garbage for food while foreign invaders are housed and fed in luxury hotels, wrote another about how backwards everything has become.

Yep, and Ukraine has already been given over $100 billion, responded another about how American taxpayers are being forced to pay for Volodymyr Zelenskys grandiose lifestyle while American taxpayers themselves are forced to dig through grocery store dumpsters in search of food.

Many other commenters wrote that they either currently or used to live in Austin and have watched the city go from being cool and quirky to becoming a left-wing hellhole of homelessness, drug addiction, and crime.

Its too bad Americans have to dumpster dive to feed themselves while illegal aliens are getting room service, another one of them said.

Another predicts widespread economic turmoil spreading across the entire country this year, which will probably result in more dumpster diving incidents like this occurring in many other American cities in the coming weeks and months.

Forty years ago, Austin was quite a different place, said someone else. My family used to spend every spring break in the 80s with my great aunt and uncle who lived there. They had a big, beautiful home, were retired, and loved company. They took us to all the local sights. I strongly considered attending UT and living with them. Austins descent makes me sad.

The latest news about the destruction of America at the hands of leftists can be found at Collapse.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheGatewayPundit.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) In a cringe inducing interview with a BBC reporter, Bill Gates argued that its perfectly fine for him to fly around the world on private jets because hes doing much more than anyone else to combat climate change.

(Article by Steve Wilson republished from InfoWars.com)

Gates claimed that because he continues to spend billions of dollars on climate change activism, his carbon footprint isnt an issue.

Should I stay at home and not come to Kenya and learn about farming and malaria? Gates said in the interview with Amol Rajan.

Im comfortable with the idea that not only am I not part of the problem by paying for the offsets, but also through the billions that my Breakthrough Energy Group is spending, that Im part of the solution, Gates added.

Watch:

NEW: A BBC reporter asked Bill Gates directly why his climate activism should be taken seriously, as he continues to fly private all over the world: Gates tried to assure the reporter that, despite his private jet usage, he is not part of the problem, hes part of the solution. pic.twitter.com/U6f8Ymcp4l  Will Hild (@WillHild) February 7, 2023

Most recently, Gates flew around Australia on board his $70 million dollar luxury private jet lecturing people about climate change.

Gates, who has declared that the energy crisis is a good thing, owns no fewer than FOUR private jets at a combined cost of $194 million dollars.

A study carried out by Linnaeus University economics professor Stefan Gossling found that Gates flew more than 213,000 miles on 59 private jet flights in 2017 alone.

Gates emitted an estimated 1,760 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, over a hundred times more than the emissions per capita in the United States, according to data from the World Bank.

Elsewhere during the carefully constructed interview, Gates said he was surprised that he was targeted by conspiracy theorists for pushing vaccines during the pandemic.

Bill Gates new interview with the BBC recovering his image over Conspiracy Theories. Lets just ignore the Epstein stuff altogether. Btw, how can he be accused of profiteering when thats exactly what happened?#BillGates#COVID19#conspiracy#epstienpic.twitter.com/C1702z2xTp  Ash Kaira (@ashkairaa) February 3, 2023

Gates again repeated a talking point about it being more important to mass vaccinate humanity than to travel to Mars.

Bill Gates Would Rather Pay For Vaccines Than Travel To Mars Its actually quite expensive to go to Mars. You can buy measles vaccines and save lives for $1,000 (814) per life saved, he told the BBC. And so [that] just kind of grounds you, as in  dont go to Mars. pic.twitter.com/tqfrAAbjgl  ???Edwin??? (@Edwin07011) February 6, 2023

While the BBC interview was set up to look like Gates was being challenged or grilled, he wasnt asked about being pally with deceased elitist pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Read more at: InfoWars.com
(Natural News) Veteran educator Mary Black lamented the fact that even Christian schools are now hopping on the Common Core bandwagon. Black told host Alex Newman in the Feb. 2 episode of the latters Conversations That Matter podcast that she found it alarming.

Newman agreed, noting that Catholic schools are taking the path of wokeism by adopting Common Core alongside Critical Race Theory (CRT). Moreover, a lot of Protestant schools are now almost indistinguishable from government-run schools.

The Common Core State Standards Initiative, or simply Common Core, is an educational initiative that details what K-12 students throughout the United States should know in English language arts and mathematics at the conclusion of each school grade. The Common Core standards were developed in 2009 before it was released in 2010. Within a few of months, it was endorsed by 45 American states and the District of Columbia.

Publishers have aligned their materials with Common Core, and technology corporations have created software and curriculum in line with it. Two federally funded companies have even made online tests of the Common Core.

Black shared an instance where she and others visited a religious school in Green Bay, Wisconsin. She met with the said schools academic team and pointed out the wrong teachings the school was imparting to children. As a parent and teacher herself, Black remarked that it is against Gods law to teach wrong to children.

According to Black, the pivot to Common Core in American religious schools and in Christian textbooks reflect a humanist and secular view. This is all connected to the United Nations goal of a one world government, with it in charge.

Newman, meanwhile, found it very concerning that a supposedly Christian textbook is teaching children how to be good world citizens. In other words, that book is telling kids to obey the rules and follow orders without even thinking.

Moving children out of public schools and into Christian schools changes nothing, Newman added, as the same subversive and evil ideas are also in the books they use. (Related: Dr. John Diamond to American parents: Do whatever you can to get your children out of public schools  Brighteon.TV.)

Common Core embedded in Obama-era Every Student Succeeds Act

Black told Newman that most of the Christian schools these days have become involved in a voucher system, subjecting them to the mandates of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), signed in 2015 by former President Barack Obama. Submission to the ESSA means that schools must include Common Core subjects in their curriculum.

The veteran educator, who serves as the elementary director of Dr. Duke Pestas Freedom Project Academy, also remarked that Common Core is embedded in the ESSA.

Its mandated, its codified and all they did was they changed the name of it to College and Career Ready Standards, Black explained.

Newman agreed, describing the move as a bait-and-switch tactic applied by the states. He expressed belief that a lot of people are now under the mistaken impression that Common Core is gone because all the governors denied its existence in their school systems.

The veteran educator also pointed out that Common Core was embedded in social-emotional learning (SEL), which replaces academic learning with indoctrination. She also urged people to visit the website of the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) as it shows how left-leaning school authorities are trying to adjust student attitudes.

Newman, who hosts The Sentinel Report on Brighteon.TV, dubbed SEL as a very scientific indoctrination they have been studying for a long time to manipulate children in having the right attitudes, values and beliefs. He also mentioned that globalist technocrat Bill Gates funded CASEL and the idea for SEL first emerged from the Kalamazoo, Michigan-based Fetzer Institute.

Visit EducationSystem.news for more news related to the education system in America.

Watch the full conversation between Alex Newman and Mary Black about how Christian schools in America are going woke below.

This video is from The New American channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Florida school dumps common core then skyrockets to number one in English Language Arts, with 90 percent scoring proficient.

Common Core math education intentionally designed to make Americas children mentally ill.

Public schools are collapsing fast as teacher says they are now indoctrination centers, not places of education.

Donald Trump: Conservatives must liberate Americas children from sick education system.

Homeschooling enrollment skyrocketing as parents seek to protect children from public school brainwashing.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

FPEUSA.org
(Natural News) Consistently ranked as one of the top health care providers in the United States, the Cleveland Clinic is sitting on data showing that the more a person gets vaccinated for covid, the worse off his or her immune function.

One of the first official sources to produce solid data about covid jab (in)effectiveness, the Cleveland Clinic is also one of the few health care providers that did not require its staff members to take the shots, which were always voluntary rather than mandatory.

Some 65,000 people work for the Cleveland Clinic, so internal company data on covid jab uptake and resulting health constitutes a case study all on its own. The outcomes of natural immunity versus jab-induced immunity are easy to see when looking at Cleveland Clinic employees as clinical trial subjects and comparing the health of unvaccinated employees to that of vaccinated employees.

Based on this, it is clear that those who got jabbed for covid are less protected against covid infection than those who left their natural immune system intact. Further, the more covid jabs you take, based on the data, the less protected you are.

The Cleveland Clinic produced a study on all this showing that the original covid injection series is not only ineffective, it is anti-effective  meaning one is better off not getting injected at all.

It is therefore not a vaccine against the present strain of Covid, reported The Expose. It is an antivaccine. It damages your immune system in a dose-dependent manner. The more shots you took, the more damage you will have done to your immune system.

(Related: On the same day in 2018 when Merck pulled a promising Alzheimers drug from trials, the Cleveland Clinic was erroneously hailing the drugs success.)

Everyone who got vaccinated for covid is now effectively anti-vaxxed

If boosted immunity is what the fully vaccinated were going for by participating in the Operation Warp Speed scam, then they failed miserably to achieve that goal. The fully jabbed now have anti-protection against covid and likely many other health conditions now that their immune systems are shot.

Ironically, all those who are vaccinated against Covid are antivaxxed, reported The Expose. And all the anti-vaxxers are NOT antivaxxed. Work that one out!

Just as the Cleveland Clinic is releasing this damning information about the jabs, emergency ambulance services in the United Kingdom are reportedly being suspended, leaving people to die in pain without proper health care.

Much like how the relatives of sick people during covid were not allowed by the authorities to visit and provide comfort, the covid-jabbed today are suffering immune failures and finding that there is no one available to help them, leaving them to suffer and die alone in excruciating pain.

What these so-called vaccines are doing, we now know, is giving people vaccine-induced AIDS, or VAIDS. In the months and years to come, everyone who participated in Operation Warp Speed will learn the hard way that you can never trust Big Pharma or the government with your health, especially in the midst of a contrived emergency or pandemic.

The Science has now been established by the Cleveland Clinic, reports explain. Genetic vaccines damage your immune system and make you not less likely but more likely to be infected with Covid.

Not only that but they have horrendous side effects on the cardiovascular, neurological and reproductive systems as well. They are nothing short of mandatory progressive euthanasia. Dr. Evil would be proud of these results.

There is never a good reason to get vaccinated for covid. To learn more, visit ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

Expose-News.com

MedRxiv.org

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Toxic chemicals were recently spewed into the air in a controlled release from five derailed tanker cars that were involved in a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, after residents were warned to leave the area immediately due to the risk of fatalities.

The drama began with a fiery crash on Friday night that involved 50 train cars, including 10 with hazardous materials. Rail operator Norfolk Southern reported that no one was injured. However, there were immediate concerns about the vinyl chloride being carried by five of the cars. The chemical, which is used to make hard plastic resin in plastic products, has been linked to a high risk of liver, blood, brain and lung cancer.

The controlled release was aimed at alleviating the danger of explosion, and flames and dark smoke could be seen high in the sky as it got underway. It involved releasing vinyl chloride into a trough and then igniting before it had a chance to be released in the air. Crews in charge of the operation had reportedly carried out this type of release safely in the past.

Authorities are monitoring air quality in the area closely. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine ordered evacuations ahead of the planned release, saying in a news conference: You need to leave, you just need to leave. This is a matter of life and death.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro noted that there had not been concerning readings three hours into the operation, but he did urge residents of his state who live within a two-mile radius of the derailment site near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border to shelter in place with their windows and doors closed.

How dangerous are the chemicals being released?

Vinyl chloride, which can cause a person to pass out or die if they breathe it and can burn easily at room temperature, is undoubtedly very dangerous. However, past studies have involved workers who breathed the chemical in across a long span of time. This means it is not clear how the known carcinogen could affect people in a sudden release or how the decision to burn it off could affect its dispersal, but short-term exposure has been linked to drowsiness, fatigue, headaches and dizziness.

However, environmental groups are raising alarm bells over the chemicals that are being released into the air through the controlled burn  hydrogen chloride and phosgene  both of which pose dangers of their own.

The latter is a highly toxic gas that was used as a weapon during World War I and can cause breathing difficulties, choking, chest constriction, vomiting and even death. Hydrogen chloride, meanwhile, is known for its strong odor and ability to cause severe irritation to the skin, nose and throat.

Those living near the site of the derailment have also expressed concerns about the chemicals making their way into the groundwater. Experts say that this is indeed a possibility, but the extent of the damage will depend on the amount of the chemicals that are released into the air and how far the smoke plume ultimately spreads.

Vinyl chloride dissolves in water and can make its way into groundwater or spread when other chemicals break down. Although experts say it is unlikely to build up in animals or plants that humans consume the way that compounds such as PFAS do, the Columbiana County Emergency Management Agency admitted in a Facebook post that some of the chemicals could have spilled into an area stream known as Sulphur Run.

There is currently no time frame for the return of the areas residents, and the Environmental Protection Agency will be monitoring the areas air and water quality. Meanwhile, the remaining fires are expected to extinguish on their own and will not be put out by crews. The East Palestine City School District will remain closed through the rest of the week due to a local state of emergency.

Sources for this article include:

APNews.com

WashingtonPost.com
(Natural News) The government of Japan is involved in a massive cover-up of data showing that covid vaccines are destroying lives. And Dr. Masanori Fukushima is suing to try to make that data publicly known.

A highly esteemed medical doctor and scientist, Dr. Fukushima has officially filed a lawsuit against his governments Health Ministry for suppressing data showing that covid jabs are causing increased fatalities across the country.

Today, we filed a lawsuit against the Japanese government for cancellation of the administrative action, Dr. Fukushima announced during a press conference.

This is a historically serious problem that threatens the very existence of the nation of Japan. As a medical doctor and a scientist, I had no choice but to dare to take legal action. (Related: In 2021, Japan halted millions of doses of Modernas covid vaccines, the vials of which were found to contain mysterious black substances.)

Dr. Fukushimas biography states that he is a Professor Emeritus at Kyoto University and Director and Chairman of Translational Research Informatics Center (TRI). We also know that he is an oncologist with more than 25 years of experience as a leader in treating cancer and reforming Japans medical system.

Government of Japan still promoting covid jabs while hiding the truth about their dangers

LifeSiteNews posted a video of Dr. Fukushimas press conference, complete with English translations, that you can watch to learn more.

Today, it is a matter of fundamental importance for the Japanese government to continuously collect and disclose accurate data, Dr. Fukushima began saying during the press conference. However, I have witnessed the recent fraud scandal committed by the Health Ministry.

Recognizing that the data being withheld is critical for public health as it helps people to assess and make informed consent concerning whether or not to get jabbed, Dr. Fukushima is hopeful that his lawsuit will lead to a positive outcome for the people of Japan.

Needless to say, it is absolutely important to disclose real-world data on the efficacy and safety of the vaccination against the COVID-19 virus, he said. This is because such data is directly linked to peoples health care, livelihood, and economy. Therefore, I believe that the Japanese government, that is, the Health Ministry, must disclose the data properly to the public.

Data that Dr. Fukushima has personally obtained, but that is not being reported by the Japanese government, shows that unvaccinated Japanese people are far healthier than their fully vaccinated counterparts.

Take a look at the data for 65-69 and 70-79 age groups, he explained. Surprisingly, the number of new infections or positive cases per 100,000 people is four times higher for people who have been vaccinated twice, compared to unvaccinated people.

Also, look at the data provided by the Advisory Board in September 2021. The fatality rate of the unvaccinated people and the fatality rates of the one-dose and two-dose vaccine people were described properly. According to the description in red, vaccination has indeed reduced the fatality rate for those over 65 years of age. However, for all ages, vaccination has demonstrated the opposite effect, causing higher fatality rates. This is a paradoxical phenomenon.

Official government documents show all these same things, Dr. Fukushima went on to reveal, but the general public knows nothing about it because it is being concealed on purpose  even as the Japanese government continues to push covid injections on the populace.

Based on the data published by the Advisory Board in September 2021, the basis for recommending vaccination for all ages should no longer exist anymore, Dr. Fukushima concluded. Despite the fact, the Health Ministry has pushed ahead with the vaccination.

Learn more about the dangers and ineffectiveness of covid vaccines at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

LifeSiteNews.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Daily Clout CEO Naomi Wolf described Pfizers mRNA Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine as a war against women and human fertility.

She explained that the mRNA shot was supposed to address a respiratory infection. However, it resulted in many women suffering horrible things in their reproductive systems and their children experiencing vaccine injuries.

To me it says that this is a war against women, Wolf said. Its a war against womens fertility, womens ability to nurse, womens ability to carry and deliver live babies. And they knew it, they ruined women, Wolf said.

She pointed her fingers at government health agencies along with the medical establishment for pushing pregnant women to get the vaccine. These people, alongside those who were aware of the vaccines danger on fertility, should be held accountable.

In particular, she cited Report 38  a document penned by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Robert Chandler that came out in August 2022. The report, which was scrutinized by a team from the Daily Clout and Bannons War Room, found that 923,194 women  72 percent of the total female vaccine trial participants  suffered from vaccine injuries. Of this number, 16 percent were reproductive disorders.

The Pfizer document analysis reports that women are hurt more than men. And it really leads you to wonder if this mRNA injection is kind of a war against women. It certainly is a war against human fertility, Wolf said.

Moreover, the author and former political advisor mentioned Chandlers finding that the lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) in the COVID-19 vaccine spread throughout the body within 48 hours. The LNPs accumulate in various organs, such as the brain, spleen, liver and ovaries. (Related: Pfizer knew its mRNA vaccine for covid leaked into ovaries but covered it all up.)

Earlier, Wolf had issued warnings about the 13 to 19 percent drop in live births worldwide  especially in Western Europe and North America, which used the mRNA vaccines.

Pfizer director raises red flags about vaccines effect on fertility

Even Pfizer executive Jordon Trishton Walker admitted that the mRNA injections are negatively impacting fertility.

The Pfizer director of research and development expressed his concerns during an undercover interview: The vaccine shouldnt be interfering with [menstrual cycles], so we dont really know. There is something irregular about the menstrual cycles, so people will have to investigate that down the line, Walker said.

I hope we dont find out that somehow this mRNA lingers in the body  because it has to be affecting something hormonal to impact menstrual cycles.

Wolf pointed out that the industrial fat LNPs building up in the ovaries block the fallopian tube and cause agonizing and terrible harm to menstruating women. She added that vaccinated women suffered menstrual damage in more ways than one.

Wolf mentioned that she was the first American reporter to call attention to signals from women whose menstrual cycles were harmed by the COVID mRNA vaccine. She also said the Daily Clout had broken stories showing how the mRNA injections damage womens reproductive system and human reproduction in general.

Follow VaccineInjuryNews.com for more about the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine harming womens fertility.

Watch Naomi Wolf expound on the horrors of the Pfizer mRNA vaccine on human fertility below.

This video is from the What is happening channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Naomi Wolf: Pfizer FULLY AWARE of the dangers of its mRNA COVID vaccine.

Naomi Wolf: Pfizer, government know vaccines wont cure COVID-19 but they push them anyway.

Ben Armstrong: Pfizer knows the COVID vaccine is dangerous for pregnant women.

Pfizer, government regulators hid smoking gun data showing that covid jabs cause birth defects and infertility.

On hidden camera, Pfizer director expressed concern about covid jab-induced menstrual irregularities; the scandal would be enormous.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

DailyClout.io

ProjectVeritas.com
(Natural News) More than a hundred schoolchildren at Wayne N. Tanaka Elementary School in Las Vegas, Nevada were seen vomiting simultaneously, spitting out their stomach contents in trash cans and the toilet bowls of the school.

According to a report from KLAS-TV, worried parents of the affected students want answers from the school board after the gastrointestinal illness swept through the school, to the horror of teachers and school staff.

A teacher said it was like Armageddon, concerned parent Danielle Farrow told KLAS-TV. Our daughter said there were trash cans lined up and kids just throwing up everywhere.

Jon Farrow, Danielles husband, said: Our students teacher told us that it was like the apocalypse.

The outbreak wasnt an act of terror, but likely a case of mass food poisoning. Some students who were initially unaffected felt the effects when they were already at home. A mother, who didnt want to be identified, told KLAS-TV in a phone interview her daughter was fine upon arrival only to suffer stomach ache in her sleep and throw up five to six times overnight.

Contaminated food from the school cafeteria likely to have triggered the mass vomiting

The majority of the parents suspected that contaminated food from the school cafeteria was the culprit behind the mass vomiting and demanded transparency and answers from the school administrators, who were also caught off-guard by the incident.

In an email to the worried parents, Wayne N. Tanaka Principal Tony Davis said the school is coordinating with the Clark County School District Health Services Department and the Southern Nevada Health District to know the root cause of the gastrointestinal illnesses and prevent a repeat of the incident. (Related: Nearly 100 hospitalized following consumption of Daily Harvest vegan product.)

The parents suspicion turned out to be justified. According to preliminary lab results of the samples submitted, the likely culprit was norovirus  a stomach bug otherwise known as the winter vomiting disease.

Described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as highly contagious and fast-mutating, the norovirus can spread through direct contact with an infected person, the consumption of contaminated food or water, touching contaminated surfaces and putting unwashed hands into the mouth. Its symptoms develop 12 to 48 hours after exposure.

The most common symptoms are vomiting, stomach pain, nausea and diarrhea. Some victims may also experience headaches, fever and body aches.

Non-fatal, the norovirus recovery period varies from 24 to 72 hours, even without medical treatment for those who are not immunocompromised. All they need is to rest and rehydrate.

Of course, the Wayne Tanaka incident isnt an isolated case.

Last October, approximately a thousand students of Stafford High School in Fredricks, Virginia went absent for a day, with many complaining of flu-like and gastrointestinal symptoms. According to Sandra Osborn, chief communications officer for Stafford County Public Schools, those who went ill represented nearly half of the schools 2,100 students.

Whats disconcerting about the Wayne Tanaka norovirus outbreak was it involved young children  pre-kindergarten up to fifth graders  who are vulnerable to infections.

Watch the video below to learn about the norovirus outbreak in the United Kingdom. Norovirus was described as a non-fatal distant cousin of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19).

This video is from The Sword & Shield channel on Brighteon.com

More related stories:

Survival first aid: Food poisoning causes, symptoms and prevention.

Tuna is the #3 cause of food poisoning in the United States, but not because of bacteria.

Food poisoning sickens hundreds at Food Safety Summit; top food industry officials affected.

Garlic more effective than antibiotics against food poisoning bacteria.

Sources include:

WesternJournal.com

News.Yahoo.com

8NewsNow.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) A woke organization of students in the German capital Berlin urged women repeatedly harassed by a migrant sex offender not to call the police for fear of racism.

The left-wing General Students Committee (AStA) at the Free University of Berlin (FUB) warned victims via an email not to report the offender. It added that the female victims should be wary of appearing racist and putting the sex offender at risk. According to news reports, the said suspect has been sexually harassing female students for weeks around the FUB campus.

We would like to point out that police operations for people affected by racism are generally associated with an increased risk of experiencing police violence, the email stated, adding that most police officers are not sufficiently trained in dealing with psychologically exceptional situations.

The AStAs email reiterated that students should instead contact the FBUs security service or the social psychiatric service instead of law enforcement, as the concern here is obviously less for the potential victim than for the perpetrator.

Members of the left-leaning AStA are elected separately by the FBU student parliament for a period of one year each. They have a mission to support and defend the interests of students inside and outside the university. This time, however, it appears that the AStA has chosen to put the interest of the pro-migrant socialists who commit crime instead of students they are tasked to protect.

But according to commentator Martin Brodel, this do nothing approach from woke authorities gives rise to vigilantes that dish out much-delayed justice. (Related: INSANE: Austrian authorities charge woman for stabbing Syrian migrant who tried to RAPE her.)

Thats why people take things into their own hands, he exasperatingly said. So whats a girl to do? One of the things would be to go to your male friends. And if theyre willing to, theyll take care of him. Its been done many times before.

Merkels open borders policy to blame

Cases of sexual harassment by migrants, including the one that targeted FUB students, were driven by the open borders policy espoused by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2015.

As the world watched in awe [in 2015], new faces were welcomed into Germany with balloons and banners proclaiming We love refugees. In a rallying cry to her nation, Merkel declared in the [fall] of 2015: We can do this. We are strong and can manage it,' stated an October 2020 piece in the Daily Mail penned by Sue Reid.

According to Reid, the open borders policy stemmed from Merkels desire to help those fleeing war-racked Syria.

The problem was that Syrians were not alone in asking for sanctuary. Many migrants, including jihadists and economic opportunists, pretended to be Syrian refugees. They came in under the radar as the number queuing to get to Germany grew each day.

Dutch activist Ayaan Hirsi Ali pointed out the consequences of Germany, and Europe at large, pandering to the Lefts concerns about racism over the bigger issue of migrant sexual crimes in a February 2021 piece for the New York Post.

In Europe, the multicultural approach has frequently meant turning a blind eye to human rights abuses such as female genital mutilation and child marriages. After all, why take a risk of causing offense? Why risk being viewed as racist? she wrote.

This makes any discussion of sexual violence by non-white immigrants almost impossible, to the extent that one invites cancelation by even mentioning it.

Watch Martin Brodel share his thoughts on the AStA warning against any complaints of sexual harassment below.

This video is from Martin Brodels channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Swedish PM admits failure of integrating migrants, laments society becoming too weak.

German authorities arrest Iranian immigrant for allegedly planning chemical weapons attack.

Swedish researchers under fire for writing a paper tackling rape cases committed by migrants in Sweden.

Illegal migrants enjoy life aboard five-star cruise ship moored in the Netherlands while Dutch citizens struggle to eat and stay warm.

France in shock: 4 Algerian migrants arrested for brutal rape and murder of 12-year-old Paris girl found stuffed in a suitcase with throat slashed.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

Summit.news

DailyMail.co.uk

NYPost.com
(Natural News) After setting up a medical police state globally, after assisting in the coverup of biolabs and gain-of-function research, after pushing for vaccine passports that segregate, injure, and kill, the World Health Organization (WHO) is now preparing an international treaty that would shut down free speech and government accountability on a global scale.

This new treaty would force 194 governments to target their own citizens for spreading misinformation and disinformation. For example, anyone who tells the truth about the WHOs crimes and corruption over the past three years will be targeted  their interviews, articles, and books banned. Anyone who dissents vaccine passports, forced masking, and lockdowns will be targeted  their voice censored online and their very participation in society threatened.

These criminal actions are already taking place, but now the WHO arrogantly seeks to take full command over the censorship process under international law.

WHO to force governments to target antivaxxers, eliminate body autonomy and any discussion about vaccines

The WHO just released a draft of their latest international pandemic treaty. The treaty grants WHO the sole power to determine which information is allowed to circulate around the world, whether on social media or in physical form (books, magazines, newspapers, etc.). If the WHO wants mask and vaccine mandates for travel, they can deem any dissenting information as false, misleading, misinformation or disinformation. The Bill Gates-funded juggernaut can then force governments around the world to remove information, news, opinion, and medical literature that contradicts WHOs power.

The WHO recently shared a video stating that anti-vaccine activism is a greater threat than global terrorism. The complete societal segregation of individuals who dont comply with unlawful, evil mandates will be used in the future to condition the public to criminalize the very existence of the pure-blooded, free thinking, oxygen breathing, courageous men and women.

The WHO has been pushing for the disinformation enforcement treaty since December of 2021, and they will make their final case for global thought and speech control to the World Health Assembly in May of 2024. If the treaty is adopted, all 194 member states will be bound to its decrees under international law. Up to 98% of countries in the world will then be tasked with targeting misinformation and disinformation. No one will be allowed to question WHO or hold them accountable for egregious human rights violations and crimes against humanity. The treaty calls for international cooperation and will leverage global control over social media companies, networks, and news agencies.

WHO calls for international collaboration to combat infodemics during future pandemics

In Article 17, the WHO arrogantly describes the section as Strengthening pandemic and public health literacy. In other words, the WHO gets to dictate what you hear and see, and will not allow for any dissent whatsoever. This section also calls for international cooperation  allowing governments to work together to eradicate informed consent on controversial medical experiments and deadly protocols.

Under the section, the WHO calls on all member state governments to manage so-called infodemics. They created this term to target too much information including false or misleading information in digital and physical environments during a disease outbreak or future pandemic.

The treaty goes a step further and urges member states to collaborate with non-state actors and the private sector as part of a whole-of-society response in decision making, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, as well as effective feedback mechanisms.

The WHO once claimed that the covid-19 vaccine(s) would prevent infection, and social media companies removed any information to the contrary as misleading, false, or dangerous. It turns out that the mRNA vaccines were a complete and total failure and caused further health problems in the population  including heart inflammation, autoimmune issues, strokes, and sudden death.

The international pandemic treaty is currently backed by Canada, Australia, and New Zealand  three of the most aggressive medical police states that violated human rights and forced deadly vaccines onto their populations over the past three years. The treaty is also supported by the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Council, which represents 27 European Union member states.

If the treaty is adopted under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution, the World Health Assembly will impose its medical tyranny on all WHO member states with a two thirds majority vote. This is anti-democratric and mocks the very sovereignty of nations. The WHO is an unelected oligarchy  a mafia of sorts  that seeks to control speech around the globe to hide the truth about vaccine failure and infectious diseases, the origin of new outbreaks, proper treatments, and the failures and risks of mandates and forced protocols.

Sources include:

ReclaimtheNet.org

Docs.reclaimthenet.org [PDF]

ReclaimtheNet.org
According to a leading conservation research organization, 40% of animals and 34% of plants in the United States are on the verge of extinction, and 41% of ecosystems are on the verge of collapse.

Everything from crayfish and cacti to freshwater mussels and iconic American species like the Venus flytrap is in danger of extinction, according to a new report released on Monday.

NatureServe, which analyzes data from its network of over 1,000 scientists across the United States and Canada, said the report was its most comprehensive yet, synthesizing five decades of its data on animal, plant, and ecosystem health.

A huge chunk of plants and animals in the U.S. are at risk of extinction

U.S. Representative Don Beyer, a Democrat who has proposed legislation to establish a wildlife corridor system to rebuild threatened fish, wildlife, and plant populations, said NatureServe's work would be critical in assisting agencies in determining which areas to prioritize and where to establish migration routes.

Among the threatened species are icons such as the carnivorous Venus flytrap, which can only be found in the wild in a few counties in North and South Carolina, as per Reuters.

Nearly half of all cacti species are on the verge of extinction, and 200 tree species, including an Arkansas maple-leaf oak, are also on the verge of extinction.

America's vast temperate and boreal grasslands are among the most threatened ecosystems, with more than half of the 78 grassland types facing range-wide extinction.

The report discovered a variety of threats to plants, animals, and ecosystems, including "habitat degradation and land conversion, invasive species, damming and polluting of rivers, and climate change."

According to the report, California, Texas, and the southeastern United States have the highest percentages of threatened plants, animals, and ecosystems.

Those areas are the richest in terms of biodiversity in the country, but they are also where population growth has accelerated in recent decades, and human encroachment on nature has been most severe, according to Wesley Knapp, the chief botanist at NatureServe.

Knapp emphasized the threats to plants, which receive less conservation funding than animals.

There are nearly 1,250 plants in NatureServe's "critically imperiled" category, the final stage before extinction, which means that conservationists must decide where to spend limited funds to prevent extinctions, even among the most vulnerable species.

Vivian Negron-Ortiz is the president of the Botanical Society of America and a botanist with the United States Botanical Service.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service, which was not involved in the NatureServe report, stated that there is still a lot scientists don't know and haven't discovered about biodiversity in the US and that NatureServe's data helped illuminate that darkness.

The data in the report, according to John Kanter, a senior wildlife biologist with the National Wildlife Federation, is critical for guiding state and regional officials in creating impactful State Wildlife Action Plans (SWAPs), which they must do every 10 years to receive federal funding to protect vulnerable species.

The Recovering America's Wildlife Act, which congressional sponsors say will be reintroduced soon, would have increased that to $1.4 billion, Kanter said, which would have had a significant impact on the state's ability to protect animals and ecosystems, and the NatureServe report can serve as a roadmap for officials to best spend their money.

Also Read: Salt-Loving Super Plants: Saviors of the Planet?

Plants Matter

Without plants, there will be nothing to eat.

Plants provide all of the calories we consume in the form of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, as per Good Earth.

This includes meat because the animals eat plants.

Plants use photosynthesis energy to convert carbon dioxide into complex molecules that animals, including humans, eat.

Life on Earth is dependent on oxygen, which is primarily obtained from plants, which produce oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis.

However, the plants that surround us on land provide only half of the world's oxygen.

The other half comes from plankton in the ocean, drifting plants, algae, and even bacteria.

NOAA scientists believed the figure could be as high as 80%.

Our survival as humans is dependent on the health of these plant habitats that produce the air we breathe.

Plants are critical in the development of new drugs.

Many of the most valuable drugs in the world are derived directly or indirectly from plants.

50% of today's prescription drugs were discovered in plants.

When rainforests are destroyed, potential cures for disease and illness are lost along with habitat and oxygen-producing plants.

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 65% to 80% of the world's population uses holistic plant-based medicine as their primary form of healthcare.

Plants provide habitat for other plants and animal species that rely on them for food and shelter in many places.

The English oak tree, for example, supports hundreds of insects and provides food for birds and mammals such as deer.

They support the growth of fungi and lichen.

Woodpeckers build dens, and bats eventually live in abandoned woodpecker holes. The bats then consume the insects that live in the tree canopy.

Related article: Plants May Be Able to See, Scientists Discover
Farmers in Missouri recently reported sightings of a "crazy-looking cat," but it turned out to be a wild African serval. Thankfully, the stray cat made it through the chilly winter without incident and was rescued. The way the animal ended up there is a mystery, but it is now said to be safe and secure at a nearby sanctuary.

The strange story was shared by the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, which specializes in caring for big cats that have been mistreated or left behind, late last month.

"Crazy-Looking Cat"

According to the refuge, farmers had glimpses of the African serval on their property over six months; one of them described it as a "crazy-looking cat." They concluded that the animal couldn't remain unperturbed after discovering a few feathers and several bones along their hay bales regularly.

Twelve hours after setting up a live trap intended to capture a wild animal or pest humanely, they had captured their uninvited guest. The farmers then took care of their catch by providing it with venison and water. Even a quick examination by a nearby veterinarian revealed that it was female, probably three years old, and unmicrochipped. The farmers called the wildlife refuge, which is approximately two hours away in the nearby state of Arkansas, after speaking with the authorities. Staff soon arrived at the farm to assist with the urgent rescue.

There's no telling what tomorrow will bring around here, the president of Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, Tanya Smith, said in a statement.

Also Read: Former YouTuber Criticized for "Irresponsible" Animal Rehoming After Confirming Pet was not a Mini Pig

African Servals

Servals (Leptailurus serval) are the only remaining members of their genus and are wild cats native to Africa's temperate regions. according to Animal Diversity Web. They are bigger than the typical domestic cat, despite not being big cats such as tigers or lions.

They grow to a length of about 24 inches and weigh between 20 pounds and 40 pounds as adults. Domestic cats, on the other hand, are typically between 13 and 16 inches long and weigh 10 to 12 pounds. But like your neighborhood tabby, servals hunt alone and usually target insects, rodents, birds, and reptiles.

Only humans are the main predators of African servals. The most likely rivals for prey and territory are leopards and hyenas. African servals make baffling darting leaps away when they realize they are near a member of a different species.

The Fate of Exotic Pets

Although its origins are unknown, the refuge claims that the most likely explanation is that it was once the property of a Savannah Cat or backyard breeder. The serval may have intentionally released itself into the wild, which is a tragically common outcome for exotic pets. The refuge points out that smaller cat species like the serval would be exempt from the recently signed Big Cat Public Safety Act, which forbids the private ownership of specific wild cats as pets going forward.

Regarding the serval, she is currently settling in at the sanctuary and is reportedly relishing a comfortable mulch bed. The refuge intends to keep the public informed of her condition, including her name, Gizmodo reports, Gizmodo reports.

Related Article: Endangered Ring-Tailed Lemur Rescued from Illinois Garage, Zoo Warns of Zoonotic Pathogens if Kept as Pet
The latest weather forecast warned that snow and ice conditions are expected to unload in Quebec and parts of Ontario this week.

Residents and motorists planning to travel should consider checking the weather outlook in Canada to avoid the hassle of long-hours commutes.

Freezing rain and cold-related concerns

According to The Weather Network this February 9, the latest weather forecast said a storm would bring a troublesome weather outlook in Quebec starting Thursday morning.

The forecast added that an icy morning and windy outlook would unfold in parts of Ontario due to windy Texas low tracking to the Great Lakes.

Meanwhile, the Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued a freezing warning in Gatineau due to the challenging ice conditions.

The amount of snow with windy conditions can result in slower commuters and travel disruptions.

Furthermore, the weather forecasts highlighted that portions of Ottawa Valley and Montreal could experience the brunt of the severe weather system.

From Thursday to Friday, the weather outlook showed that freezing rain accumulation is expected in Gatineau, Lachute, Montreal, Valley Field, Saint-Jovete, Trois-Rivieres and Quebec.

Canadians can expect rounds of rain on Friday.

Rain is forecast in Valleyfield, Gatineau, Montreal, Joliette, Victoriaville, Saint Georges, Sherbrooke, Grandy and Drummondville.

Also Read: Tornado Outbreaks Likely to Unload in Austin, Houston; Severe Thunderstorms Expected in the South US

Cold preparations this week

The weather forecasts noted that the complex storm would unload in Quebec.

Meanwhile, residents and motorists in Ontario would expect colder temperatures.

Canadians are no strangers to extreme temperatures, but the freezing conditions are still challenging.

Cold-related health risks are possible, making it more difficult for vulnerable people with pre-existing medical conditions.

According to Canada Red Cross, homeowners must be prepared during challenging weather conditions, especially during winter or snow storms.

Here are essential reminders that homeowners should keep in mind.

Check for frozen pipes and heating systems.

The challenging weather conditions can lead to frozen pipes for homeowners.

Homeowners must check their pipe systems. Meanwhile, regular maintenance and checking of heating systems are important, especially during this week's cold weather conditions.

Layered winter clothes.

Dress in layered winter clothes, covering your mouth, ear and nose. It is considered one of the best ways to offer warmth amidst challenging weather.

Stay at home as possible.

Being at home would reduce the risks of hypothermia and frostbite after prolonged exposure to colder weather. Limit outdoor activities or travel as road conditions would become dangerous and troublesome.

Common road-related issues include untreated road pavement, freezing rain, fog with reduced visibility, and slower road conditions.

Emergency winter or cold kits.

In the previous reports, Nature World News emphasized the emergency winter kit for homes and car owners.

The kit is a life-saver during severe weather events. The kit includes battery-powered radio, non-perishable supplies, power banks or extra mobile phones, blankets, hot water bottles and a flashlight.

Related Article: Touch of Spring: Unusual Warmth to Unfold in Eastern US: Detroit, Buffalo, Pittsburgh To Expect Snow

For more weather news in the U.S., don't forget to follow Nature World News.
Our County Editor

Dave Hinton is editor of The News-Gazette's Our County section and former editor of the Rantoul Press. He can be reached at dhinton@news-gazette.com.
One of the four people struck by gunfire in January  21-year-old Jalen Williams  died from his injuries. It was Champaigns first January homicide in at least four years.
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In a recent study posed to the medRxiv* preprint server, researchers in Brazil and the United States investigated the probable impact of the skin microbiome microbiota on the outcomes of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Study: Multi-omic profiling of cutaneous leishmaniasis infections reveals microbiota-driven mechanisms underlying disease severity. Image Credit: Kateryna Kon / Shutterstock

*Important notice: medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.

Background

Cutaneous leishmaniasis, caused by the Leishmania braziliensis parasite, results in inflammation and cutaneous damage, with unpredictable and highly variable outcomes. The infection may present clinically as solitary healing dermatological lesions or chronic cutaneous ulcers, with mucosal and disseminated lesions that are quite disfiguring.

The parasitic counts and immunological responses of the host could impact disease prognosis. The pentavalent antimony (Sbv) treatment has failed to resolve the lesions, and therapeutic vaccines are unavailable. Therefore, improving the understanding of the immunopathogenesis of the disease could aid in developing targeted and effective drugs against Leishmania braziliensis.

Studies have reported that the breach in the skin by Leishmania braziliensis results in microbiome dysbiosis, promoting pathological changes and elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines such as interleukin-17 and interleukin-1. However, the clinical relevance of the immunological findings is not clear.

About the study

In the present study, researchers investigated whether the skin's microbiome affects the immunological responses and outcomes of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

The team performed an integrated multi-transcriptomic analysis of the skin microbiome and host transcriptome for 62 individuals infected with L. braziliensis, among which 20 and 42 were men and women, respectively, with average participant age of 30.0 years. The lesional and contralateral unaffected skin swabs were subjected to 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) amplicon sequencing (16S-seq) to assess the microbial profiles longitudinally.

The lesional biopsy tissues were subjected to ribonucleic acid sequencing analysis to determine the host transcriptomic profiles and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to quantify the lesional bacterial burden. Due to greater Staphylococcus aureus abundance in lesions, as determined by differential taxa abundance analysis between the lesional and contralateral unaffected skin swab specimens, a customized Staphylococcus aureus pan-genome was constructed with clinical S. aureus isolates.

To investigate the probable contribution of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria-induced interleukin-1 in disease pathogenesis, IL-1 signaling pathways were neutralized in B6 mice infected with L. braziliensis and colonized with S. aureus. In addition, continuous differential gene expression (DGE) and gene ontology (GO) analyses were performed.

The study dataset comprised (i) a ribonucleic acid sequencing analysis dataset from lesional biopsy specimens (n=51) obtained before Sbv therapy; (ii) a 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid sequencing dataset of swab specimens obtained from the lesional surfaces before Sbv therapy and during follow-up (day 30 to day 240) for a few patients; (iii) an S. aureus library prepared from the lesional specimens and their genetic sequences; and (iv) clinical meta-analysis data including demographic variables. Clinical meta-analysis data included lesion site and size, lymphadenopathy, delayed type of hypersensitivity (DTH) measurements, healing duration, and disease outcomes.

Results

Bacterial burden was more significant in lesional swabs than the unaffected, contralateral skin swabs, and 84% of patients showed skin microbiome alterations in the leishmanial lesions. The lesional microbiome showed Staphylococcus aureus predominance, followed by Streptococcus and Corynebacterium. Staphylococcus aureus abundance was related to delays in healing, poorer clinical outcomes, and elevated expression of inflammatory IL-1 family cytokines, especially IL-1, and C-X-C motif ligand (CXCL) chemokine family involved in neutrophil chemotaxis.

IL-1 was essential in modulating the outcomes of cutaneous leishmaniasis in mice colonized with S. aureus, and IL-1 neutralization lowered inflammation and improved pathology. The findings indicated that IL-1 drove disease severity in Staphylococcus aureus-dominated leishmanial lesions in mice, and therefore, IL-1 could be targeted to develop therapeutic agents for cutaneous leishmaniasis in humans. Individuals with elevated S.aureus counts showed delayed responses to treatment, with lesions persistent beyond 300.0 days.

The findings indicated that elevated parasite counts were related to treatment failures and that the longitudinal changes observed in the leishmanial lesional microbiome were not likely to be driven by Sbv treatment alone. Lesional microbial deviations away from skin-like profiles were related to elevated expression of pro-inflammatory genes. The findings showed a relationship between the lesional microbiome, clinical outcomes, and cytotoxic and pro-inflammatory host transcriptomes, but not with B lymphocyte-associated responses.

Lesions with elevated L. braziliensis counts expressed clinical outcome-associated pro-inflammatory genetic signatures, with elevated cytotoxic T lymphocyte and natural killer lymphocyte counts. S. aureus colonization promoted disease in B6 mice by promoting inflammation, indicating that S. aureus contributed to the leishmaniasis-associated inflammation and disease outcomes.

Genes most strongly associated with leishmaniasis included genes coding for cytotoxicity-associated receptors and effector substances such as perforin-1, granulysin, granzyme B, and killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor 2DL4 (KIR2DL4). Other associated genes coded for neutrophil chemotaxes and effector functions, such as CXCL-3, carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 3 (CEACAM3), and CXCL-1; and for inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, -1,-24, secretory leukocyte peptidase inhibitor (SLPI) and oncostatin M.

Overall, the study findings showed that the skin microbiome in leishmanial lesions influences the progression of the disease and may delay healing time due to increased levels of IL-1.

*Important notice: medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
Monogenic cardiovascular disease is a genetic disease in which cardiovascular damage is the only or main phenotype. The total current number of patients worldwide exceeds 10 million.

In 2019, the Chinese Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases officially released the "Guideline for the genetic diagnosis of monogenic cardiovascular diseases", proposing the nation's first-ever standardized genetic diagnosis and treatment for this genetic condition. This was also the first time that the concept of using precision medicine for "genetic diagnosis, genetic prevention and genetic counseling" was proposed.

With the promotion and implementation of this concept in clinical applications, one question has gradually emerged: how to decode the large amount of genotype data obtained through genetic testing? How to link genotype with clinical phenotype, so as to truly accomplish the ultimate clinical goal from "gene detection" to "gene diagnosis", has become a new challenge for clinicians.

With such a purpose, BGI Genomics, together with the National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Fuwai Hospital, and the State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, jointly established the "Genotype and Phenotype Database of Monogenic Cardiovascular Disease - CardioGen automated interpretation system".

CardioGen collects and integrates the information of gene-causing diseases and clinical phenotype information of patients found in previous literature in Chinese and public records around the world, thus allowing to build a database of genotype-phenotype associations for monogenic cardiovascular diseases based on the variant interpretation rules set by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG).

As this database continues to improve, it is expected to enable clinicians to make more accurate clinical interpretations after receiving genetic test results.

This trial version of CardioGen will initially be used for cardiomyopathies (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy).

In the future, CardioGen will release additional monogenic cardiovascular disease interpretation databases to better serve clinical needs.

System highlights

1. Visual display

The database is published on a website, providing a search function for genes and gene locus, providing a visual display of such information with the addition of phenotype.

2. More convenient clinical application and analysis

Compared with other databases, CardioGen also includes the clinical phenotypes of patients with monogenic cardiovascular diseases carrying pathogenic variants and provides more clinical reference information for genetic diagnosis.

3. Additional data sources

Besides the genetic infomation and clinical phenotypes of monogenic cardiovascular diseases reported in English literature, CardioGen also offers publicly available information and research data found in Chinese literature. This enhances the reliability of genetic testing data for patients worldwide.

4: More accurate site interpretation

Based on the standardized variant interpretation guidelines jointly published by the American College of Medical Genetics & Genomics (ACMG) and the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) in 2015, the team of experts customized site-specific interpretation rules for monogenic cardiovascular diseases, used information collected in the database of genetic variants and aggregated clinical information. CardioGen automated the interpretation process, presenting accurate results, suitable for clinical use.

In addition, as genotype-phenotype association information gets constantly updated, the system will automatically update the loci interpretation results to further enhance accuracy.
In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* preprint server, researchers promote severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing among underserved communities in rural Alabama, a Southeastern state of the United States, between October 2020 and March 2021.

*Important notice: medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.

Study: Using publicly available data to identify priority communities for a SARS-CoV-2 testing intervention in a southern U.S. state. Image Credit: Alexander Raths / Shutterstock.com

Background

The Southeastern regions of the U.S., including Alabama, lag behind the rest of the nation in many health metrics. Several social determinants of health (SDH), such as racial discrimination, govern these poor outcomes, thereby adversely impacting the poor and Blacks in rural areas. Accordingly, about 45% of lab-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related deaths in Alabama were among Black people.

Given that COVID-19 has remained inherently dynamic across time and space, these rural areas bore a higher burden of SARS-CoV-2 infections in the U.S. before vaccines became available.

Despite being the most vulnerable to COVID-19, Blacks, and other marginalized people were not the most likely to be tested for SARS-CoV-2. On the contrary, these populations often struggle to access these facilities due to poor public health infrastructure.

Following the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta strain in July 2021, nearly 11% of Alabamas five million population underwent SARS-CoV-2 testing. While the case rate for every 1,000 individuals in Alabama was almost triple the rate in metropolitan U.S. cities, SARS-CoV-2 testing percent positivity approached 20% in most rural counties of Alabama in July.

About the study

In the present multicenter study, researchers identified Alabama counties, especially rural ones, in dire need of population-level SARS-CoV-2 testing interventions between October 2020 and March 2021. In their endeavor to optimize the benefits of testing among the marginalized, the researchers collaborated and engaged with local institutions, organizations, and community health workers.

First, the researchers used public data on SARS-CoV-2, including its acquisition risk, disease severity, and practices adopted to mitigate the transmission risk among vulnerable rural communities. County-level SARS-CoV-2 testing percent positivity was modeled according to several covariates associated with the public data.

For example, in October 2020, predictors of the previous 14-day SARS-CoV-2 testing percent positivity and recent county-level estimates for SDH were modeled. Comparatively, in March 2021, average seven-day case positivity predictors were modeled using similar covariates.

When these models did not differentiate counties for selection, descriptive epidemiological data analyses were performed. After ranking 67 Alabama counties based on four severity criteria, including percent positivity, case fatality, case rates, and the number of testing sites for the study duration, the team selected priority counties that met a minimum of three criteria.

Priority county selections.

Furthermore, the researchers presented epidemiologic data to scientific and community advisory boards. This allowed for certain counties to be prioritized for COVID-19 testing, which, in turn, was predicted to help reduce disease spread, case fatality, and morbidity.

The evolution of the study approach in Alabama, which experienced inconsistent SARS-CoV-2 testing uptake, was also discussed. The lessons learned from the limitations of COVID-19 testing percent positivity in Alabama were also reported.

Study findings

In October 2020, SARS-CoV-2 testing was similar across all Alabama counties, with most populations lacking immunity to the virus. As a result, specific factors driving viral transmission and COVID-19 positivity rates could not be determined.

During the first wave, SARS-CoV-2 testing percent positivity was unrelated to factors modeled by the study. At this time, the researchers also noted more localized COVID-19 outbreaks that were randomly distributed in time and space.

By March 2021, surges in SARS-CoV-2 testing percent positivity were accompanied by preventable hospitalizations and premature deaths at the county level. The periods covered by the study models represent varying features of a dynamic epidemic.

Alabama counties with a higher proportion of Blacks were more likely to exhibit COVID-19 case positivity. Similarly, those living in poorer counties were at an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 and had less access to testing. Counties with more smokers were less likely to witness a higher SARS-CoV-2 testing percent positivity.

The adjusted ratio ratios (aRRs) for premature death rates, percent Black residents, preventable hospitalizations, and proportion of smokers associated with average SARS-CoV-2 percent positivity were 1.16, 1, 1.03, and 0.231, with 95% confidence interval (CI), respectively. While the models did not help inform outreach efforts, community partnerships to promote COVID-19 testing strengthened these efforts.

Conclusions

The study findings could help improve future work in other rural settings similar to Alabama. Nevertheless, it was challenging to identify an appropriate metric to identify areas of testing demand during a rapidly evolving pandemic.

Alabama datasets had noise because rapid data availability led to less reliable data. Although real-time, this data was difficult to manage, given the limitations of current data sources and analytic capacities. Conversely, epidemiological data engaged community stakeholders in implementing COVID-19 testing, which is vital to address diseases locally.

Overall, the current study emphasized the importance of a pragmatic approach involving community partnerships and local knowledge to inform testing outreach amid an evolving pandemic.

*Important notice: medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* preprint server, researchers at Ohio State University monitored individuals with asymptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a large university in the United States between January 2021 and May 2022. The correlation between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) load, which varies according to each viral variant, and neutralizing capacity of all saliva immunoglobulins (Ig) isotypes was assessed.

Study: The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 lineages and associated antibody responses among asymptomatic individuals in a large university community. Image Credit: Andrey_Popov / Shutterstock.com

*Important notice: medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.

Background

B-cells in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) and those residing in nearby lymph nodes of the upper respiratory tract (URT) and oral cavity secrete IgM, IgA, and IgG for several days of following exposure to an antigen.

These antibodies differ in their effector mechanism. For example, IgM appears first and uses a complement pathway to eliminate viruses.

However, in the case of SARS-CoV-2, IgA appears first at mucosal sites and sterically hinders antigen interaction with the epithelial surface. This antibody subsequently traps the attacking pathogen in the mucus and clears it through peristalsis.

During the immune response to SARS-CoV-2, IgG appears last but exhibits the most robust effector mechanism and highest durability. Moreover, B-cells producing IgG often persist in bone marrow-resident plasma cells to continually secrete this antibody for several months.

All therapeutic and vaccination strategies against SARS-CoV-2 have been developed based on the knowledge that these antibodies disrupt SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2) interactions. In fact, prior to mass testing for COVID-19 through the reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay, anti-SARS-CoV-2-Ig in sera was the only biomarker for monitoring its prevalence at the population level.

The continuous emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants with multiple and diverse S mutations threatens the efficacy of all currently used COVID-19 therapies and vaccines. More than ever, it is crucial to better understand infection or vaccine-induced Ig levels and their inhibitory capacity. In this regard, monitoring PCRPOS asymptomatic individuals could provide critical insights, as they account for up to 65% of all COVID-19 cases.

About the study

In the present study, researchers at the Ohio State University developed a campus-wide plan to monitor the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among its students, staff, and faculty. The control group comprised individuals testing negative for COVID-19 via RT-PCR, referred to as PCRNEG; however, these individuals were previously diagnosed with COVID-19 or received the original COVID-19 vaccine. Therefore, the researchers also assessed SARS-CoV-2-specific Ig responses in these individuals.

Saliva samples were collected using a passive drool method from all individuals self-reporting asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 across all six Ohio university campuses. These samples were assessed for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 using quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR).

Throughout this monitoring program, over 850,000 diagnostic RT-PCR tests were performed. A sample was considered PCRPOS if it had a cycle threshold (C T ) value less than or equal to 40.

Between January 2021, and June 2022, 11,989 PCRPOS individuals were identified. During six time periods, new PCRPOS case counts rose above the average overall period for three weeks in a row, which the researchers referred to as Waves 1 to 6.

Next-generation whole genome sequencing was used to identify the infecting SARS-CoV-2 variant. Subsequently, these data were correlated with Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID) reference sequences and subsequently submitted to GISAID in real-time.

Saliva antibody levels reflect immune status against SARS-CoV-2 variants

COVID-19 vaccines were found to generate adequate mucosal antibodies among people on the university campus when community viral loads were low. However, breakthrough Delta infections were caused by limited S binding activity by vaccine-elicited Ig when community viral loads surged.

The saliva of asymptomatic individuals had elevated SARS-CoV-2-specific IgM, IgA, and IgG, the latter of which was to a lesser extent, at the time of initial RT-PCR positivity monitoring. The degree of these antibody levels varied by SARS-CoV-2 lineage, with Delta being the most immunogenic of all lineages.

The saliva levels of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG were markedly higher in PriorPOS individuals. Furthermore, most IGs were anti-S and its receptor-binding domain (RBD), with fewer antibodies targeting the nucleocapsid (N) protein. Saliva IgGS levels were comparable between Delta-infected and uninfected vaccinees; however, other saliva antibody levels varied between these groups.

The saliva Ig response represents what occurs in the URT. Thus, weak neutralization capacity and higher SARS-CoV-2 viral loads during the Delta-dominant period also facilitated breakthrough infections.

The observation that the Delta variant was more concentrated in the saliva of asymptomatic individuals was consistent with previous studies reporting that those infected by Delta were more likely to transmit the virus before developing symptoms.

Nevertheless, the university community experienced the largest COVID-19 wave due to the Omicron variant, which caused rapid breakthrough infections in the highly vaccinated university population. The Ohio university testing program also detected Omicron subvariants BA.1 and BA.2 among the community.

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant consists of over 30 amino acid substitutions in its S protein that enable it to bind to ACE2 with higher affinity. This may contribute to the ability of Omicron to evade anti-S-neutralizing antibodies elicited by infection or vaccination.

In the current study, Omicron infections caused less severe illness than Delta, which may be due to its higher presence in the URT, including the nasopharyngeal and oral cavities. Thus, antibodies in saliva could better inhibit Omicron transmission than antibodies in the blood plasma.

Conclusions

The study findings indicate that the Ig analysis of saliva samples, which are easier to collect than blood, is a rapid and efficient method to determine whether some individuals may have neutralizing antibodies against future SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Future studies should actively investigate the extent to which antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) occurs after SARS-CoV-2 infection. To date, mouse and macaque models have not provided sufficient information on vaccine-enhanced disease (VED). Furthermore, monoclonal antibodies produced by B-cells from convalescent COVID-19 patients have not been shown to enhance SARS-CoV-2 infection in animal models.

*Important notice: medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
In a recent study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, researchers calculated excess deaths due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among physicians in the United States of America (USA) between March 2020 and December 2021. They used data from the American Medical Association (AMA) for this analysis.

Research letter: Excess Mortality Among US Physicians During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Image Credit: SritanaN / Shutterstock

Background

In the USA, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-triggered pandemic has claimed over one million excess lives so far, i.e., the difference between the actual and expected deaths over a prespecified period. Physicians played a crucial role in providing care to COVID-19 patients throughout the pandemic, especially in the first year.

Besides work-related stress, they experienced excess mortality during the pandemic. However, studies barely investigated excess deaths among US physicians. Any future surges in COVID-19 cases might again strain hospitals, causing excess deaths in the general population. Thus, protecting physicians is also crucial to preventing excess deaths in the general population.

About the study

In the present study, researchers screened the AMA data to determine mortality among US physicians in the age group of 45 to 84 years between January 2016 and February 2020. They estimated expected deaths between March 2020 and December 2021 to calculate excess deaths among these physicians. They compared these estimates with excess deaths in the US general population.

The quasi-Poisson study model accounted for seasonality and long-term patterns within a year to arrive at these estimates. Next, the researchers annualized excess mortality estimates to excess deaths per 100,000 person-years. Finally, the researchers analyzed the study sample stratified by age and their area of expertise and also performed sensitivity analyses.

Results & conclusion

The US physician population screened during the study comprised 34.7% and 65.3% of females and males, respectively. Between March 2020 and December 2021, 622 more deaths than expected occurred among a monthly mean of 785631 physicians, corresponding to 43 excess deaths per 100000 person-years.

Among active physicians, excess death numbers rose to 70 in December 2020 before declining rapidly in 2021. However, after April 2021, US physicians suffered no statistically significant excess deaths, suggesting that the excess deaths declined with the availability of COVID-19 vaccines.

Irrespective of age, all US physicians had markedly lower excess deaths than the US general population. However, between active and nonactive US physicians, active ones had fewer excess deaths than nonactive ones even though they had a greater risk of contracting COVID-19. Accordingly, the excess deaths per 100,000 person-years in active physicians providing direct patient care was 27, while the same for nonactive physicians was 140.

Excess deaths among relatively older active physicians engaged in the direct care of COVID-19 patients were higher. Thus, public health policies should attempt to mitigate risk in this high-risk group on priority. Together, the study findings highlighted that preventive measures adopted at hospitals, such as mandatory use of personal protective equipment, adherence to infection prevention protocols, and adequate staffing, proved effective in preventing excess mortality among US physicians.
Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) today announced four teams focused on increasing diversity in early phase cancer clinical trials. Supported by a sponsorship from the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, the teams will address an imperative need in the cancer research arena by creating unique and replicable approaches that engage medically underserved communities in Phase 1 and Phase 2 cancer clinical trials. The teams' goals include addressing cancer disparities and facilitating the development of new treatments that have the potential to benefit the patients who will use them.

Through the Diversity in Early Development Clinical Trials Program, which is a part of SU2C's Health Equity Initiative, research teams from Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and Philadelphia will bring together key stakeholders who are deeply connected to communities that are underrepresented in cancer clinical trials. By integrating social and behavioral determinants of health, community engagement and outreach, and cancer biology, prevention and treatment, the teams will address each of their local region's needs while sharing lessons learned to ensure the broadest impact. SU2C will provide each team dedicated support for community awareness and outreach to engage specific communities and the public in this critical effort.

A community engagement grant program is now accepting applications to support and complement the teams' work. SU2C will provide two-year grants ranging from $50,000  $100,000 to organizations within the teams' regions to develop new or implement existing community programs that focus on diverse cancer clinical trial recruitment.

In the United States, cancer clinical trial participation remains significantly lower for people of diverse race and ethnicity, and for people in medically underserved communities. The lack of diverse involvement in therapy development makes it challenging for the health care industry to provide evidence-based treatments for all cancer patients. We are grateful to collaborate with Janssen on this vital effort, with the shared goal of achieving equity for everyone impacted by cancer." Russell Chew, President and CEO of Stand Up To Cancer

According to 2020 data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 73% of cancer trial participants are white, 14% are Asian, 6% are Hispanic and 5% are Black. Disparities in clinical trial participation means that many Americans from diverse groups may be less likely to benefit from new cancer treatments and the promise of precision medicine.

"Our goal in sponsoring Stand Up to Cancer is to enable innovative research teams to develop initiatives at the community level that have a measurable impact on enhancing access to and engagement in cancer clinical trials," said Jeffrey Infante, M.D., global head, Oncology Early Clinical Development and Translational Research, Janssen Research & Development, LLC. "We look forward to seeing the results of these programs so that we can continue to help improve health equity and develop therapies and clinical programs that benefit patients with cancer."

Janssen Research & Development, LLC, had input into the selection criteria and how the grant funds are being used, and SU2C had the final vote in the selection of the grantees. The four Diversity in Early Development Clinical Trials Research Teams will work independently on the following studies while also sharing strategies and learnings across their efforts.

Accelerating and Diversifying Access to Clinical Trials: This team from Fox Chase Cancer Center will focus on accelerating and diversifying access to clinical trials. Their approach to improve access to early phase clinical trials, specifically in the predominantly underserved North Philadelphia community, includes three main goals: develop infrastructure and personnel to extend early phase clinical trials; provide extensive patient support and services for early phase clinical trial participants; and leverage community and patient engagement to increase education while integrating existing services to support clinical trial participation. This team, led by Martin Edelman, MD, and co-led by Linda Fleisher, PhD, MPH, anticipates a 20% increase in accrual to early phase cancer clinical trials as a result of this program, resulting in a positive influence on the overall quality and delivery of care.

Eliminating Enrollment Barriers to Early Phase Trials in a Diverse Population in Los Angeles County: This team from the University of Southern California Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center (USC Norris) will focus on several tactics to improve diverse recruitment for early phase cancer clinical trials: engage oncology care providers in a safety net hospital system to identify the referral barriers that currently exist; implement a series of interventions to address system barriers as well as those faced by patients and providers and evaluate the impact of these interventions on recruitment; explore the feasibility of remote clinical trials in communities where time and distance from accessible care and transportation to appointments are the key barriers; and examine the collected information and apply processes such as increasing targeted communication between providers and patients, and promoting trial awareness through community engagement events, in outpatient clinics and on social media platforms. Led by Anthony El-Khoueiry, MD, associate director for clinical research at USC Norris, and co-led by Chanita Hughes Halbert, PhD, associate director for cancer equity at USC Norris, the transdisciplinary team's goal is to improve the clinical trial recruitment process at the patient level, the provider level and the overall system level.

Enhancing Diversity in Early Phase Clinical Trials in an Urban Underserved Community: This team from the University of Chicago will focus on enhancing diversity in early phase clinical trials in an urban underserved community, namely Chicago's Southside and a community hospital within the health system that serves a predominantly Black patient base. The team's randomized trial will determine if employing new methods of patient outreach, with or without engagement of a community ambassador, enhances clinical trial enrollment above and beyond outreach to the treating physician alone. Led by Walter Stadler, MD, and co-led by Briseis Aschebrook-Kilfoy, PhD, the team will identify potential trial patients through a method utilizing the electronic health record, and then inform the treating physician of possible trial eligibility prior to the patient's visit. Patients in various outreach groups will receive a variety of digital communications such as electronic health record messaging, email and text messaging informing them about clinical trials and the trial process before and after their physician visit. Physicians for these patients will also receive training on culturally appropriate communication. Certain patients participating in the study will additionally be given the opportunity to connect with community ambassadors from established community-based organizations already working with the team. The goal of the study is to identify which mix of patient outreach and communication works best, build upon established community relationships, and triple diverse participant clinical trial enrollment.
Five medical organizations are recommending updated best practices for hand hygiene to protect patients and staff in healthcare settings. The recommendations emphasize the importance of healthy skin and nails and easy access to alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections through Hand Hygiene: 2022 Update, one in a series of expert guidance documents known collectively as the Compendium, was published today in the journal Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.

Hand hygiene is a basic function of healthcare safety. By engaging healthcare personnel and establishing reliable processes described in the Compendium, we can achieve effective, consistent hand hygiene. Commitment by healthcare leadership is also necessary to establishing a culture of safety." Janet Glowicz, PhD, RN, CIC, Lead Author, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The document addresses how facilities can train healthcare personnel in proper technique, monitor their compliance, engage them in the selection of products to keep their skin healthy, and properly use gloves. It also discusses where facilities should place and how they should maintain alcohol-based sanitizer dispensers and sinks.

The guidance reviews the evidence around nail polish, gel, and shellac, which shows that short, natural nails with standard polish or no polish are easiest to clean. The authors found no new evidence specific to chipped nail polish and artificial nails but note previous findings that they can harbor germs. The guidance leaves specific policies about nail polish, gels, shellac, and artificial nail extenders to the discretion of infection prevention programs at each facility, with the exception of policies for those who scrub for surgery or work in high-risk areas. These personnel should maintain short, natural fingernails free of polish and nail extenders.

Citing research that shows only 7% of healthcare personnel effectively clean the entire surface of their hands, the guidance recommends ongoing training in handwashing and proper use of sanitizer. Thumbs and fingertips were most frequently missed.

The authors recommend that healthcare personnel not be provided with individual, pocket-sized hand sanitizers in lieu of wall-mounted sanitizer dispensers and emphasize that hand sanitizer dispensers always be widely available and never prohibited, even in situations when washing with soap and water are indicated. When healthcare personnel suspect organisms that are difficult to remove, such as C. difficile and noroviruses, healthcare personnel should wear gloves and follow structured techniques for hand washing and hand sanitizing. In addition, facilities should not top-off sanitizer dispensers meant for single use or provide antimicrobial soaps that contain Triclosan. Facilities also should discourage the use of double gloves, except in certain circumstances.

To encourage compliance and to support healthy skin and nails, facilities should include healthcare personnel in the selection of hand sanitizers and moisturizers, while ensuring the products are compatible with antiseptics and gloves used on site. Maintaining healthy skin is a crucial element of hand hygiene.

Surgical settings require special care, but waterless hand hygiene with surgical hand rubs is acceptable, especially as it improves compliance. Brushes should be avoided in surgery prep due to their negative impact on skin health.

This document updates the 2014 Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections through Hand Hygiene. The Compendium, first published in 2008, is sponsored by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology (SHEA). It is the product of a collaborative effort led by SHEA, with the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, the American Hospital Association, and The Joint Commission, with major contributions from representatives of a number of organizations and societies with content expertise. The Compendium is a multiyear, highly collaborative guidance-writing effort by over 100 experts from around the world.

Upcoming Compendium updates will include strategies to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections, Clostridium difficile infections, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections, and surgical site infections. Strategies for preventing central line-associated bloodstream infections and pneumonia were updated earlier in 2022. Each Compendium article contains infection prevention strategies, performance measures, and example implementation approaches. Compendium recommendations are derived from a synthesis of systematic literature review and evaluation of the evidence, practical and implementation-based considerations, and expert consensus.
In early 2020, as they tried to fight covid-19 across two rural counties in North Carolina, the staff of Granville Vance Public Health was stymied, relying on outdated technology to track a fast-moving pandemic.

Lisa Macon Harrison, the agency's health director, said her nurses' contact-tracing process required manually entering case information into five data systems. One was decades old and complicated. Another was made of Excel spreadsheets. None worked well together or with systems at other levels of government.

"We were using a lot of resources putting an inordinate amount of data into multiple systems that werent necessarily scaled to talk to each other or to the federal level," Harrison said.

That poor interface between systems meant staff often lacked insight into what was happening elsewhere in the state and beyond. The staffers relied on "watching the news shows every morning to get the latest and greatest updates from other levels of government," Harrison said.

The pandemic, which has killed more than 1 million Americans, highlighted ineffective data infrastructure across the U.S. health system, in a country that's home to some of the world's most influential technology companies: Coronavirus case reports sent by fax machine. Clunky tech for monitoring vaccine distribution  and major gaps in tracking who got jabbed. State-level data out of sync with federal figures. Supply chain breakdowns that left health care providers without needed protective equipment.

And Congress knew about the potential for these problems long before covid. Lawmakers mandated the Department of Health and Human Services to better integrate U.S. data management systems to allow stakeholders to better share information years ago, in 2006 long before the pandemic.

Public health officials, data specialists, and government auditors said the problems caused by these communications failures could have been minimized had federal health officials followed the order.

They said there are many reasons the system was never created: the complexity of the task and inadequate funding; a federal-first approach to health that deprives state and local agencies of resources; unclear ownership of the project within HHS; insufficient enforcement mechanisms to hold federal officials accountable; and little agreement on what data is even needed in an emergency.

And today, even after the lessons of the pandemic, experts worry that the ideal remains a pipe dream given the number of stakeholders, a lack of federal leadership, and a divided Congress.

"What keeps me up at night is that we forget about the past 2 years, and we just move on  that we dont take the opportunity and time to truly reflect and make needed changes," said Soumi Saha, senior vice president of government affairs at Premier. The technology and supply chain company works with hundreds of thousands of health care providers and contracts with federal health agencies.

The 2006 Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act charged federal officials with creating a system to watch for emerging health threats.

The law gave HHS two years to build a "public health situational awareness" network to detect and respond to "potentially catastrophic infectious disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies that originate domestically or abroad."

Congress reauthorized the law in 2013 and gave HHS another two years to build the network. The law was updated in 2019 to become the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act, which called again on HHS to build the network  and for an audit of progress after three years.

According to a report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office released in June, HHS still has not created the network or developed a road map to do so.

"Three laws later, they have not received any penalties," said report author Jennifer Franks, director of information technology and cybersecurity at the GAO.

Franks said agency leadership never even figured out which operating division should take the lead, so none did.

Possibilities included the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which already manages a number of systems tracking health threats, and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response. ASPR was established as the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response in 2006; it was elevated last year to an operating division, putting it on par with the CDC.

Pulling together public and private data systems into a single national system is a mammoth task made even harder when there's no single vision for what that network should look like, said Lauren Knieser, who spent time at ASPR during the Obama and Trump administrations. She now runs emergency preparedness and response programs at PointClickCare, an IT company that handles data for hospitals, senior care facilities, and government agencies.

"If you asked 10 people, youd probably get 10 different answers, because there is no consensus," Knieser said.

Also, different hospitals often use different electronic health record systems so are frequently unable to share patient data with one another, much less with the federal government.

Federal officials should start by deciding what data they want in an emergency, Knieser said, and then figure out the tools they already have  and the ones they need  to collect and share that data.

The White House should run the effort, she said, because it requires so many parts of the government "to play nice with each other."

The omnibus spending bill passed in late 2022 established the Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy, a new power center in the executive branch that could get the ball rolling.

But state and local public health officials are wary of top-down solutions, even as they acknowledge gaps in the nation's health data systems.

Dr. Karen Landers, chief medical officer with the Alabama Department of Public Health, said the sudden directive in late 2020 to use a new tracking system specifically for covid vaccines likely slowed her department down.

Her state already used the CDC's Vaccine Tracking System to manage vaccine supply and "probably could have been more efficient" if they'd stuck with it.

"We needed a little more local input, to say, 'Hey, you know, I think this would really work better. If you want us to use the system, we will, but lets dont do that right in the middle of a pandemic,'" Landers said.

Local health officials had an even harder time with the system, said Lori Tremmel Freeman, CEO of the National Association of County and City Health Officials.

They had access only through state channels, she said, and "as a result, they did not have easy visibility into where vaccines were going in their own communities, including to partners outside of public health."

That meant more work for local health agencies, officials said, which made it much harder to make quick decisions.

When contacted for comment, ASPR officials first directed KHN to the CDC. CDC officials directed KHN to HHS.

HHS told KHN it is "committed to protecting the nation's public health, and is working on updating GAO on our progress, and will have more to share publicly in the near future."

HHS also told auditors it was "working to enhance its public health situational awareness network by defining roles and responsibilities" to finally create the long-awaited preparedness system.

But there could be a major roadblock to HHS' efforts: Much of the 2019 bill mandating the data-sharing network's creation is set to expire in September, and reauthorizing the law could be a challenge in a split Congress where House Republicans have announced their intention to examine the U.S. response to the pandemic.

"Congress has an opportunity now to build the public health system," said Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association. "What are they doing? Undermining public health legal authorities, demonizing public health officials. Its almost like we didnt learn anything."
Driving through the industrial outskirts of Sacramento, a stretch of warehouses, wholesale suppliers, truck centers, and auto repair shops northeast of downtown, it's hard to square California's $18 billion investment in homeless services with the roadside misery.

Tents and tarps, run-down RVs, and rusted boats repurposed as shelter line one side of the main thoroughfare. More tents and plywood lean-tos hug the freeway underpasses that crisscross Roseville Road, and spill into the nearby neighborhoods and creek beds.

At one of the more established encampments, Daisy Gonzalez used canvas and carpet scraps to fashion a living room outside her cramped RV. Inside, Gonzalez took a quick hit of fentanyl, and turned to a mirror to apply a fresh face of makeup. As the opioid coursed through her body, her anxiety settled, her thoughts grew more collected. But she knows the addiction can't end well and recounted a half-dozen failed attempts to get clean.

"I really need to get off this 'fetty' and stay clean, but it's so hard out here," said Gonzalez, 32, her eyes welling. She turned back to the mirror, finishing her eye makeup. "I want to get help and find a program, but there's no treatment around here. It seems like nobody cares."

Across California, homelessness is impossible to escape. Steep increases  Sacramento County saw a 67% rise in its homelessness count from 2019 to 2022  have so far blunted unprecedented government efforts to fund housing and treatment for people living on the streets. And although some communities have made progress, statewide the gravity of the crisis has deepened.

Encampments have mutated into massive compounds proliferating with hard drugs and untreated mental illness. "Isn't there supposed to be all this money and housing?" asked Gonzalez's boyfriend, Joe Guzman, an ex-convict who enforces rules for their encampment. Guzman said he has experience in construction but can't find a job because of a felony drug record.

"Everybody out here is using," said Guzman, 38, checking their emergency stash of naloxone, an overdose reversal medication, on a brisk November morning. "What else are you going to do, especially when it's this cold? You have to be numb."

At its heart, California's homeless emergency stems from a long-standing shortage of affordable housing. But it is also a public health crisis: The encampments are rife with mental health and addiction disorders. Rats and roaches are endemic, as are stagnant sewage and toxic camp smoke.

Gov. Gavin Newsom brims with frustration  and purpose and new ideas  when confronted with what has become an age-old question for California leaders: Why, for all the money and good intentions poured into helping people out of homelessness, does it look worse today than ever? Experts on homelessness say California stands out as the state that has done the most in recent years to address the issue, yet communities are struggling to make headway.

"Some people are demoralized," Newsom said last summer, unveiling a strategy to fund housing for homeless people with mental health and addiction disorders. "Some people have, frankly, given up  given up on us, given up on the prospect that we can ever solve this issue. And I want folks to know that they shouldn't give up."

Newsom has muscled historic investments of public funds to combat the crisis, wresting a staggering $18.4 billion in taxpayer money in his first four years for initiatives directly targeting homelessness, a KHN analysis found. And more money is on the way: Spending is projected to grow to $20.5 billion this year.

As he wades into his second term as governor, the stakes are higher. He has signaled his ambitions for national office and speculation abounds that he's positioning himself for a presidential run. He has cast himself as a vanguard for liberal values, taking out ads to goad the Republican governors of Texas and Florida for their conservative politics and publicly chiding fellow Democrats for being too meek in their response to the nation's culture wars, including a right-wing assault on abortion and classroom speech on issues of race and gender.

On this national stage, California's squalid tent cities loom as a hulking political liability, ready-made visuals for opponents' attack ads. Newsom's legacy as governor and his path forward in the Democratic Party hinge on his making visible headway on homelessness, an issue that has stalked him since he was elected mayor of San Francisco two decades ago.

And Newsom is recalibrating, injecting a new sternness into his public statements on the topic, something akin to "tough love." He is enjoining local governments to clear out the unsanctioned encampments that homeless advocates have long defended as a merciful alternative in a state woefully short on housing options. And he is demanding that cities and counties submit aggressive plans outlining how they will reduce homelessness  and by how much  as a precondition for future rounds of funding.

"We have written checks, but we've never asked for anything in return," Newsom told reporters in August. "That has radically changed. We mean business. It's unacceptable what's going on in this state."

Newsom has set in motion a costly, multipronged battle plan, in many ways a grand experiment, attacking homelessness on multiple fronts. Through his brainchild "Project Homekey," the state has plowed about $4 billion into converting dilapidated hotels and motels into permanent housing with social services. Billions more have been allocated to cities and counties to clear encampments and open additional shelters and supportive housing.

Separate from that, his controversial "CARE Court" plan seeks a novel approach to compelling people languishing on the streets with untreated psychotic disorders to get treatment and housing. It melds the "carrot" of a court-ordered treatment plan, to be provided by local governments, with the "stick" of the prospect of court-ordered conservatorship if people deemed a danger to themselves or others refuse to participate. Newsom allocated $88 million to launch the initiative, and state funding is expected to grow to $215 million annually beginning in 2025.

That's on top of his CalAIM initiative, which over five years will invest roughly $12 billion into a blitz of health care and social services with the goal of improving health in low-income communities and averting the financial crises that can land people on the streets. This includes direct interventions like emergency housing assistance, as well as unconventional support like help with groceries, money management, and home repairs.

Philip Mangano, a longtime friend of Newsom's who served as national homelessness czar during the George W. Bush administration, credited Newsom for using his political might to take on a seemingly intractable issue like homelessness after so many administrations ignored it.

"Yes, we are spending a lot of money, and yet the problem is getting worse," Mangano said. "But look, the largest investment ever made in the history of our country, on homelessness, came from Gavin Newsom. He sees himself as responsible for taking care of the poorest Californians, and homeless people. I've known him over 20 years, and there's no question that's where his heart is."

Still, putting the issue front and center is a serious gamble for someone with Newsom's ambitions.

"Doing nothing puts him in peril, but doing something  he runs the risk of failing," said Darry Sragow, a Los Angeles-based political strategist. "People want strong, tough leadership and progress on this issue, but if Gavin Newsom is going to make headway in reducing homelessness, he's going to have to have a pretty stiff spine."



Daniel Goodman slept on sidewalks, in a tent, or on a jail bunk throughout much of his 20s and early 30s. Now 35, he only in recent years committed to a regimen of psychiatric medication and counseling for schizophrenia, a condition he was diagnosed with at 24.

"I didn't want to take medication for a lot of years; I absolutely refused," he said, eager to discuss a change of heart that has enabled him to reclaim a life with his mom in a comfortable neighborhood in the Gold Country city of Folsom.

Tall, with a bright smile and rock-'n'-roll hair, Goodman said he was addicted to methamphetamines for a decade, self-medicating to calm the voice in his head he calls "the witch." He panhandled, pushed shopping carts, and bellowed his agony in public fits of rage. It was a hungry, ragged existence during which he cycled from the streets to jail on charges of drunk and disorderly and then back to the streets.

His mom, Susan Goodman, in her form of tough love, eventually closed her home to him after his untreated illness devolved into threatening behavior, including stealing from her and a violent bout of vandalism during which he shattered every window in her house.

"I lived from second to second, and I didn't have anything to eat or blankets, so I'd think, 'What can I steal?'" Daniel said. "I put my mom through a lot."

Her heart broken, Susan would seek out her son on the streets, bringing supplies to his tent. In 2019, after a particularly cold spell, he begged her to let him come home. She responded with an ultimatum: He could move back home if he agreed to get clean and stay on his meds.

Susan, a lawyer, is among thousands of parents who support Newsom's CARE Court initiative. For years, families who have watched in despair as children or siblings lost themselves to untreated mental illness have petitioned lawmakers to make it easier to mandate conservatorship and treatment, and CARE Court is a major stride in that direction.

Eight counties, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and Riverside, have volunteered to launch the program this year. All 58 counties will be required to start programs by the end of 2024.

Newsom calls it a paradigm shift. Pushing the measure to passage meant standing against virulent opposition from civil and disability rights groups that argued people have the right to refuse treatment, and warned of a return to the horrors of forced confinement depicted in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest."

"There's no compassion in stepping over people on the streets and sidewalks," Newsom said as he signed the Community Assistance, Recovery & Empowerment, or CARE, Act into law last fall. "They need intervention  sometimes that's tough."

Some county leaders have also balked, saying Newsom is sentencing people to a system of care that doesn't exist. They worry a crush of patient referrals will overwhelm county behavioral health systems. They say they need more money, more time, and funding streams guaranteed year after year.

"There isn't enough treatment capacity. And we can write a prescription for housing, but the reality under CARE Court is we don't have what it takes to fill that prescription," said Michelle Doty Cabrera, executive director of the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California. "It's a matter of having the level of funding and housing that is going to help that person be successful."

Newsom's response to the pushback has grown heated. He points out that local governments already get billions every year to provide mental health services and that recent state budgets have included funding to expand the system of care.

"I'm exhausted by that  $15.3 billion we've provided," Newsom said at a January news conference, referencing homeless investments over the past two years. The state has provided "unprecedented support," he said, pounding his fist on the podium. "I want to see unprecedented progress."

Dr. Tom Insel, who formerly led the National Institute of Mental Health and has served as an adviser to Newsom, credits the governor for bold efforts to direct resources and attention to the nexus of mental illness and homelessness. Research indicates roughly 1 in 20 Americans have a serious mental illness, but for unsheltered homeless people, it's 1 in 4, Insel said.

He sees CARE Court as a "two-sided mandate," making counties legally liable for providing services for people whose survival is at risk because of untreated mental illness while putting individuals on notice that they are responsible for accepting that help. Still, he worries the state's homeless population is so overwhelming in scope, their isolation so entrenched, that it will be difficult to make headway.

"You can have all the clinics and all the medicines and all this good stuff to offer, but if people aren't engaging with it, it's not going to help," Insel said. "And if there's no relationship and no sense of trust, it's just really difficult to engage."

For Daniel Goodman, the return to mental health took both carrot and stick. Looking back, he can see his refusal to take his prescribed medication after being diagnosed with schizophrenia  he felt "freer" without it  set him on a dehumanizing spiral. A primal need for food and shelter led him to ask his mom for help. But without her "hammer"  the ultimatum  he would not have agreed to treatment. And without the medication, he said, no doubt he would be back on the streets, at the mercy of his vicious "witch" and scraping to survive.

"I've battled this question [of needing medication] for years," he said, reaching for his mom's hand in her sunlit living room. "I accept it now."



If California is to make a visible dent in its homeless numbers, affordable housing presents the most daunting challenge. The state lacks the extensive shelter networks common in places with colder climates  an estimated 67% of people living homeless in California are without shelter.

And in recent decades, a mire of zoning restrictions and real estate development practices have transformed the housing market, jacking up rents and home prices and shrinking the options for low-wage workers. For every person moved off the streets, many others stand a paycheck or medical emergency away from losing their housing.

The longer people live on the streets, the more their health deteriorates. Addiction and mental health problems deepen. Chronic diseases advance.

"There's almost nothing as destructive to health as homelessness, and there's very little that the health care system can do to make up for it," said Dr. Margot Kushel, director of UCSF's Center for Vulnerable Populations at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. "You just fall apart."

The arrival of covid-19  and fears the virus would carve a deadly swath through shelters and encampments  gave Newsom an unexpected opportunity: open housing units in record time by throwing pandemic emergency funds at the problem and circumventing land-use restrictions and environmental reviews that can drag out approvals.

In 2020 he launched "Project Roomkey," converting dilapidated hotels and motels into temporary housing for homeless people deemed vulnerable to serious covid infections. That morphed into a program to convert underused structures into permanent housing, and today the retooled Project Homekey has laid the groundwork for more than 12,500 housing units.

But much of that is one-time funding for start-up costs. If cities and counties want to participate, they are required to put up money for ongoing operations and services. And many have decided it costs too much to buy in.

"I really wanted to pursue a project, but it just doesn't work for a lot of rural counties," said Jaron Brandon, a supervisor in Tuolumne County, a forested province in the Sierra Nevada.

"Rural areas like ours have much lower tax revenues, and we had to figure out five years of funding, so when you start adding up all these costs and requirements, all of a sudden, we can't afford to think big. It starts cutting into critical issues and basic services like funding roads and wildfire response and public safety."
A certain surface protein is crucial to allow the hepatitis E virus to enter cells. Medication can suppress it.

Although hepatitis E is a common disease, little is known about the life cycle of the virus. Initial findings on how it manages to infect cells are reported by a team from Molecular and Medical Virology at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, and Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg in the journal Hepatology from 7. February 2023. A protein called EGFR, short for Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor, plays a decisive role in the penetration of virus particles into cells. This finding could open up new treatment options against hepatitis E, since there are already approved drugs against EGFR that inhibit the activity of this receptor.

Cell culture model makes investigations possible

One of the reasons why hepatitis E is comparatively under-investigated is that a robust cell culture model for its study was only developed about three years ago in Bochum and Hanover. Researchers were now able to use this model to investigate how the virus is able to infect cells.

We used drugs to suppress the activity of the EGFR protein in some cell lines at the time of virus entry. In these cultures, we observed that there were significantly fewer infected cells." Jil Alexandra Schrader, First Author

To cross-check this, the researchers used cell cultures in which the co-receptor was over-produced. In this case, more infections occurred than in untreated cells.

A protein plays a major role as a co-receptor

"This shows us that the protein EGFR is of great importance for the entry mechanism of the virus into the cells," says Jil Schrader. Moreover, the part of the protein that is on the outside of the cells and to which ligands bind is important for the entry of the viruses. If it is missing, the viruses cannot penetrate the cell. Further investigations are needed to determine whether other players are required for the virus to infect cells or whether the receptor itself introduces the virus. "For hepatitis C virus, for example, it is known that even more receptors are involved in the entry of the viruses into the cells," explains Professor Eike Steinmann, head of the Department of Molecular and Medical Virology at Ruhr University Bochum. "This could also be the case with hepatitis E virus."

The evidence that the EGF receptor is involved in infection is particularly interesting because there are already approved drugs that suppress its activity. "These drugs are approved in Europe and the USA for certain cancers where the receptor is overactive and can cause uncontrolled cell growth," explains Dr. Volker Kinast, virologist at the Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg. Further studies would have to show whether these agents could be a treatment option against hepatitis E.

Hepatitis E

The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the main cause of acute viral hepatitis. Around 70,000 people die from the disease every year. After the first documented epidemic outbreak in 1955-1956, more than 50 years passed before researchers took a closer look at the issue. Acute infections normally clear up on their own in patients with an intact immune system. In affected individuals with reduced or suppressed immune systems, such as organ transplant recipients or HIV-infected individuals, HEV can become chronic. HEV is also particularly dangerous for pregnant women.

Funding

The work was funded by the Federal Ministry of Health (funding code ZMVI1-51 2518FSB705) and by the German Research Foundation (funding codes: 398066876-GRK 52 2485/1, 1954/12-1, 272983813 SFB/TRR 179, 467724337 and 448974291) and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (funding code VirBio 01KI2106). Further funding came from the Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg Research Pool Grant (Grant 2021-062) and from the German Centre for Infection Research.
Researchers from Charite  Universitatsmedizin Berlin, the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics (MPIMG), and the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) have investigated in detail how BPTA syndrome, an extremely rare hereditary condition, arises. A change in the charge of a protein disrupts cellular self-organization, resulting in a developmental disorder. The team also identified hundreds of comparable genetic changes associated with various conditions, such as brain development disorders and predisposition to cancer. This mechanism, which has now been described in the journal Nature, could be the cause of numerous unexplained diseases and health conditions.

Thousands of genetic changes are associated with various diseases, disorders, and conditions. But how, exactly, these mutations produce disease is seldom clear. This is because the changes relate to sections of proteins with a disordered three-dimensional structure and a function inside the cell about which little is known so far.

It's hard to study what these kinds of protein segments are responsible for doing because in many cases, they have to interact with other molecules before producing their effects." Dr. Martin Mensah, Institute of Medical and Human Genetics at Charite

He is one of the study's two first authors and a fellow in the Digital Clinician Scientist Program, which Charite operates with the Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) at Charite. "Taking BPTA syndrome as an example, we have now described in detail how changes in disordered areas of proteins can cause a genetic disease."

This means the research team has discovered a new mechanism that causes hereditary diseases and, according to the study, one that is surprisingly not all that rare after all.

BPTA stands for "brachyphalangy, polydactyly and tibial aplasia/hypoplasia." Patients have severe malformations affecting the extremities, face, nervous system and bones, and other organs. There are fewer than ten documented cases worldwide, making this disease extremely rare. To identify the cause of this syndrome, the researchers decoded the genetic information of five of the affected patients and discovered a change in the HMGB1 protein in all of them. Due to what is known as a frameshift mutation, the final one-third of the protein's structure has a positive charge rather than the usual negative one.

The nucleolus solidifies

The change in the charge means that HMGB1 resembles proteins that tend to cluster in the nucleolus, a small area in the nucleus of the cell where parts of the cell's protein factories are assembled. This role makes the nucleolus crucial to a cell's viability. As the research team showed based on experiments on isolated proteins and cell cultures, the mutated HMGB1 protein, which now has a positively charged end section, is improperly drawn toward the nucleolus. And because the extension of the protein has also grown stiffer, the HMGB1 protein also clumps together. "Under a microscope, we were able to see that this causes the nucleolus to lose its own liquid-like properties and become increasingly rigid," explains Dr. Henri Niskanen, a researcher at MPIMG and the study's other first author.

This solidification of the nucleolus adversely affects the cells' vital functioning. More cells with the mutated protein than without the mutation died in the culture. Prof. Dr. Malte Spielmann, Director of the Institute of Human Genetics at UKSH and one of the study's three lead authors, offers his conclusion: "We showed how mutations in disordered sections of proteins can cause a disease. When there is a change in the charge, the protein wrongly accumulates in the nucleolus, adversely affecting its vital functioning. This leads to a disorder in the organism's development."

New explanations for existing diseases

Following their initial findings, the researchers searched databases containing the DNA sequences of thousands of people, looking for similar cases. They were able to identify more than 600 mutations in 66 proteins that gave the final part of the protein both a positive charge and stiffer properties. Of those mutations, 101 had previously been associated with various diseases, including neurodevelopmental disorders and increased susceptibility to cancer. For 13 selected proteins, the team studied the cell culture to see whether the mutations gave them a particular affinity for the nucleolus. That was the case for 12 of them. About half of the proteins tested impaired the functioning of the nucleolus, so they were similar to the disease mechanism found for BPTA syndrome.

"The mechanism that causes this disease, which we discovered in BPTA syndrome, could be implicated in many other diseases and conditions as well," says Prof. Dr. Denise Horn, lead author of the study who works at the Institute of Medical and Human Genetics at Charite. "So we've opened a door that could help to explain many other diseases. The real work starts now."

The newly identified mechanism could also lead to new therapeutic approaches, at least for some diseases. "Tumors are attributable to genetic changes in the affected cells," explains Dr. Denes Hnisz, the head of a research group at MPIMG and the study's third lead author. "This means we may be able to prevent cancer from developing in the future by intervening in the cell's self-organization, which is mediated by disordered sections of proteins."
In a recent study published in PLoS ONE, researchers evaluated the impact of cardiovascular disease (CVD) on the prognosis of maternal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections.

Background

Maternal deaths are sensitive markers of care due to the multiple associated social and economic effects. CVD is a leading indirect cause of maternal deaths globally, and maternal deaths have reportedly increased considerably in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) scenario. Studies have documented that cardiovascular diseases enhance the risk of severe COVID-19; however, data on the impact of CVD among birthing and postnatal women and COVID-19 prognosis are limited.

About the study

In the present study, researchers investigated the influence of CVD on the prognosis of maternal COVID-19.

The health ministrys Sistema de Vigilancia Epidemiologica de Gripe (SIVEP-Gripe) anonymized database was searched on 5 May 2021 for COVID-19 cases documented between week 8 of the pandemic in 2020 (COVID-19 initiation among Brazilians) and week 15 of the following year (between 16 February 2020 and 17 April 2021).

The study comprised expecting and postnatal women, aged between 10 years and 55 years, with COVID-19-associated hospitalizations, and data on their cardiovascular disease status were obtained. Confirmed COVID-19 cases included individuals with SARS-CoV-2-positive laboratory reports, [polymerase chain reaction (PCR), SARS-CoV-2 antigen testing or serological testing), individuals for whom COVID-19 was highly suspected, and individuals with compatible clinic patients who contacted a COVID-19 case.

CVD cases, excluding those caused by nephrological and neurological causes, were considered, based on which the participants were allocated to the cardiovascular disease and non-cardiovascular disease groups. Variables evaluated included the symptom onset date, age, ethnicity, educational level, pregnancy period, risk factors, comorbidities, COVID-19 symptoms, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, orotracheal intubation, ventilation support, and COVID-19 outcomes.

Comorbidities such as hepatic illness, hemopathy, diabetes, asthma, pneumopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, obesity, and immunodepression were evaluated. The team performed logistic regression modeling and determined the odds ratios (OR). Propensity score matching was performed using the inverse probability of treatment weighting method to create balanced study groups.

Results

A total of 1,876,953 COVID-19 cases were reported, including 3,562.0 confirmed COVID-19 cases among expecting and postnatal women, among which 17% (n=602) women suffered from cardiovascular disease. In comparison to non-CVD patients, CVD patients were older (35 years versus 30 years) with a greater incidence of obesity (23% versus 9.0%) and diabetes (34% versus 11%).

Systemic symptoms and systemic COVID-19 symptoms such as fever (62% versus 56%), cough (75% versus 66%), ageusia (26% versus 18%), and anosmia (26% versus 19%) showed greater prevalence among CVD patients. In addition, CVD patients showed greater risks of dyspnea (OR 1.6), respiratory discomfort (OR 1.3), and oxygen saturation <95.0% (OR 1.6).

A 22.0% greater risk of ICU admissions was observed among CDV patients (OR 1.2), and the risk was greater during the first trimester (OR 1.9) and second trimester (OR 1.3) of pregnancy and the puerperium (OR 1.3). CVD presence increased the risk of mechanical ventilation and orotracheal intubation requirements during the final trimester of pregnancy (OR 1.3).

CVD patients had greater mortality rates (19% versus 14%), and a 32% greater risk of mortality (OR 1.3), and the risk of death was greater during the second trimester (OR 1.9) and third trimester (OR 1.3) of pregnancy, and during the puerperium period (OR 1.3). The proportion of deaths among CVD patients showed a rising trend from August 2020 onward, stabilizing at greater levels during March 2021 and April of the same year.

The absolute COVID-19 case counts elevated among individuals with and without cardiovascular disease between March and May of 2020, showing elevated levels till July, followed by a drop from August to October followed by a subsequent increase till March of 2021. Considering the initial COVID-19 period between March and October of 2020, mean COVID-19 growth rates of 11% and 23% were observed for CVD patients and non-CVD patients, respectively.

During the subsequent COVID-19 wave, between October of 2020 and April of the following year, the corresponding mean COVID-19 growth rates were 37.0% and 30.0%, respectively. The findings indicated that during the subsequent COVID-19 wave, SARS-CoV-2 transmission was high among cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular patients compared to the initial COVID-19 wave and, particularly, SARS-CoV-2 spread more aggressively among CVD patients, for whom the contamination rates were greater.

Conclusion

Overall, the study findings showed that cardiovascular disease worsened the prognosis of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infections. Obstetric and hospitalized females with cardiovascular disease and SARS-CoV-2 infections presented with more symptoms and required ICU admission and mechanical ventilation. Additionally, CVD patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 had greater mortality rates than non-CVD patients. However, further research is required to identify key risk factors, analyze CVD etiology independently, enable the provision of improved care services, and reduce maternal deaths.
We all do it: that high-pitched, sing-songy voice that spills out of your mouth whenever a baby is around. Caregivers have long used this playful, emotional, exaggerated form of speech -; called "motherese" -; to capture their children's attention. Now, scientists may be able to use it to diagnose autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

In a study published February 8, 2023 in JAMA Network Open, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have developed a new eye-tracking test to quantify toddlers' level of attention to motherese. Using these measurements, the scientists were able to reliably identify a subset of toddlers with ASD, whose low levels of attention to motherese were also associated with weaker social and language abilities.

Studies have shown that motherese speech stimulates children's attention and learning, helping them develop language skills and emotional reactivity. If toddlers with ASD do not pay as much attention to this speech style, this might affect their social skills later in life. The eye-tracking test could thus be beneficial for early ASD screening, diagnosis and prognosis, and help clinicians identify which treatments would be most useful for the child.

We know the earlier we can introduce treatment, the more effective it is likely to be, but most children don't get a formal diagnosis until around age 3 or 4. There is a real need for easy and effective diagnostic tools that can be used on young children, and eye-tracking is a great place to start." Karen Pierce, PhD, corresponding author, professor of neurosciences at UC San Diego School of Medicine and co-director of the UC San Diego Autism Center of Excellence

The study surveyed a group of 653 toddlers, age 1 to 2 years old, with and without an ASD diagnosis. In the experiment, each child was presented with two videos on a screen: one of a woman speaking in motherese, and one non-human scene (either a busy highway or a movie of abstract shapes and numbers with accompanying electronic music). The videos were available for one minute, and the toddlers used their eyes to control which video played at a given time.

Toddlers without ASD showed consistently high interest in motherese, spending approximately 80 percent of the experiment watching that video. But results were not as uniform in toddlers diagnosed with ASD; their fixation levels spanned the full range from 0 to 100 percent of the experimental time.

The subset of toddlers who fixated on motherese less than 30 percent of the time could be accurately identified as having ASD through this measurement alone. These children also showed lower scores on subsequent tests of language and social skills.

Toddlers who had ASD but still spent a majority of the time attending to motherese displayed greater social and language abilities, highlighting the diversity within the ASD population.

Whether less attention to motherese is the cause of these childrens' reduced sociability or merely a symptom of it has yet to be determined, the authors note, but in either case, it appears to be a highly accurate biomarker for a subtype of ASD.

"The fact that we can reliably identify children with autism using such a simple and rapid eye-tracking test is really remarkable," said Pierce. "In the future, we hope to use a child's attention to motherese as a clue for which treatments they may most benefit from, and as a tool for measuring how well those treatments work."
Bahrain launches donations campaign in support of quake-hit Turkey and Syria

Bahrain launches donations campaign in support of quake-hit Turkey and Syria

Agencies | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The Kingdom of Bahrain has opened the door for donations in support of quake-hit people in Turkey and Syria.

The donations drive follows directives from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, said HM the Kings Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, Royal Humanitarian Foundation (RHF) Board of Trustees Chairman, His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

HM the King had issued directives to provide urgent humanitarian relief aid for Turkey and Syria, following the devastating earthquake, which left thousands of dead people and caused massive destruction.

The drive also followed an appeal by citizens and residents to support quake-hit people and help alleviate their suffering and contribute to Bahrains national efforts to implement the royal directives.

HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad expressed deepest thanks and gratitude to HM the King, (RHF) Honorary Chairman, hailing royal humanitarian initiatives in support of disaster-stricken and needy people worldwide.

He commended the Government, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, hailing its unwavering support.

Following the royal directives, RHF Secretary-General Dr. Mustafa Al Sayyed has been appointed as executive chief to oversee the campaign and facilitate procedures for citizens and residents to take part in the donations drive.

Dr. Al Sayyed said that all measures would be taken to organize the campaign, noting that account numbers would be announced and communication facilitated to engage all people in the drive.

He appealed to private sector companies and people to contribute to the campaign in support of quake-hit people in Turkey and Syria and support national efforts.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Reported by Zahra Ayaz

ChatGPT is a dynamic artificial intelligence (AI) system that will revolutionize many industries and have a huge influence on employment in Bahrain, despite the fact that there are real privacy concerns regarding the data acquired.

IT experts have suggested that by working together and preparing for the changes brought about by ChatGPT and other AI technologies, we can ensure that the benefits are shared widely and that the negative impacts are minimized.

The world has been experiencing an all-too-rare moment of joy and fear in recent weeks: the arrival of the new AI ChatGPT, which takes pretty much any prompt a user throws at it and produces whatever they want, whether code or text.

With its ability to answer medical questions and provide accurate diagnoses, ChatGPT can help improve the healthcare options available to people, potentially leading to reduced costs and improved access to healthcare services.

Speaking to The Daily Tribune, Salman Zainuddin, CEO of Libra IT Solutions and Marketing Manager at Magneto IT Solutions, said: Bahrain has future potential for its program, the healthcare sector, and its workforce of virtual assistants." Lets say it is sometimes surprisingly good to solve questions we are facing in the IT business.

AI will change the world, not just in Bahrain, and with clear government regulations protecting Bahraini users' data, it will undoubtedly be advantageous for both the people and the government."

"I don't believe there is a negative impact per se; it's simply another tool, and whether someone uses it for good or bad depends on their level of experience." Sajin Hentry, Managing Director of Syskode Technologies, said that the chatbot can be used for programming and data analysis tasks.

It can be trained to think and analyze complex data sets and generate useful outputs. This could be a major asset for businesses in Bahrain, as it could be used to analyze customer data and develop better strategies for their products and services.

Despite the potential for ChatGPT to displace human workers in certain industries, it is important to note that the use of this technology could also create new types of jobs that require different skills and expertise.

For example, there may be a need for professionals who are skilled in managing and implementing ChatGPT systems, or those who can integrate the insights generated by these systems into business decision-making.

Mr. Hentry highlighted that it is possible that the adoption of this technology could lead to the creation of new types of jobs, while also resulting in job losses in certain sectors.

To ensure that the benefits of ChatGPT are shared widely and that the negative impacts are minimized, it will be important for policymakers, employers, and workers to anticipate and adapt to these changes.
Agencies | Ankara

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Green metal coffins were lined up 10 at a time under a shelter at Gaziantep's main cemetery on Wednesday for an imam to bless victims of Turkey's devastating earthquake before their hurried burial.

While rescuers searched rubble for survivors and aftershocks rattled Gaziantep, Yesilkent Cemetery overflowed with grieving relatives who had come from across the region.

The magnitude 7.8 quake and subsequent aftershocks killed more than 15,383 people and Gaziantep was near the epicentre.

Gaziantep mayor Fatma Sahin has made an appeal for more Muslim preachers to come forward to help with funerals at cemeteries.

Hundreds of men formed lines in front of the coffins at Yesilkent as the imam spoke into a headset microphone, stopping in front of each victim to give a blessing.

Women formed their own congregation. Some wailed uncontrollably and one woman fainted and was carried away.

Women from Besni, a district about 100 kilometres (60 miles) north of Gaziantep, comforted Hatice, who lost her 17-year-old daughter Ruveyda. Her son, Serhat, 21, was still missing under the rubble.

The family lived on the sixth floor of an apartment block. Hatice, who gave only one name, said that when the quake struck she grabbed her eight-year-old daughter.

But the building was flattened by the tremor. Their escape was one miracle.

Ruveyda initially said she "felt fine", the mother told AFP.

Hours later, Ruveyda fell ill and quickly died in hospital from suspected injuries to internal organs.

Hatice did not want to see her daughter's body before the funeral. "I cannot see her like that," she said in tears.

Done and Ayas Sundar died in their apartment and were led in coffins next to each other in the line.

"It took many hours to find them and now the family is heartbroken. At least they were together but that is little consolation," said their nephew Emre Cengiz.

"After the shock we all telephoned each other but no one could get through to Done and Ayas.

"Then there was the second quake and word spread that there were many dead. Our hearts knew."

Ayse Colak, 35, also died with her husband and parents-in-law in Nurdagi district 65km east of Gaziantep. Her building completely collapsed.

Her sisters cried and touched the coffin in disbelief.

"There is no Nurdagi anymore, the city is completely destroyed", said one sister, who declined to give a name.

The families slowly moved away. But in the male section of the cemetery mosque, groups stood around 10 more coffins, including those of children, awaiting a blessing.

Other bodies were in the women's section. Outside, ambulances arrived at Yesilkent bringing more victims.

The imam would hold midday prayers in the mosque before starting another funeral, officials said as more tearful relatives gathered.

Across the Gaziantep region, international rescue teams joined local emergency services and volunteers in the increasingly desperate search for survivors.

Amid predictions that the death toll from Turkey's worst earthquake in eight decades would mount, Yesilkent was considering extending its operating hours for funeral services, officials said.
Twitter restricted in Turkey after deadly earthquake; Elon Musk says it will be 're-enabled' soon

Twitter restricted in Turkey after deadly earthquake; Elon Musk says it will be 're-enabled' soon

Agencies | Ankara

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Twitter CEO Elon Musk has said that the Turkey government has informed the company that access to the microblogging site will be "re-enabled shortly."

"Twitter has been informed by the Turkish government that access will be re-enabled shortly," Musk tweeted on Wednesday.

As the country continues to battle the aftermath of the powerful February 6 earthquakes, aid workers and locals have been relying on Twitter and other social media networks to post information on rescue efforts and coordination of aid.

The Washington Post reported that in the wake of the quakes, a number of users said their access to Twitter was largely blocked or limited without using a VPN.

The disruption in access to social media services has left emergency responders with fewer ways to coordinate ongoing rescue operations and facilitate aid delivery.

Turkey also seemed to be also affected by the outage reported by Twitter users globally on Wednesday.

Omer Fatih Sayan, Turkey's deputy minister of transportation and infrastructure, met with Twitter officials over video conference on Wednesday, according to the Anadolu Agency as cited in the Washington Post. "Sayan reminded Twitter that the social media company is legally responsible for preventing the spread of disinformation that could lead to panic and chaos," the US daily reported.

Media reports also say that TikTok in a statement said that some of its users in Turkey were having problems using the social media site.

Outage tracker DownDetector revealed that more than 9,000 Twitter issued reports as of 5am on Thursday, as per CNN.

Reports started to witness a decline within half an hour as some of the users were able to tweet again.

Since Elon Musk became the platform's CEO and laid off more than half of its employees in 2022, Twitter has experienced a number of technological issues, according to CNN.
, Feb 09 ( asiaone.com ) - Shenjumiausuan released a research result recently on "the interests of investing in Japanese real estate from Chinese investors" that 89% of Chinese investors are interested in going for a house-viewing tour if the overseas traveling market reopens.

What attracts Chinese investors to be willing to invest in Japanese real estate is "stable profit of return" which, no surprise, is the top reason. 33.8% of the investors want to invest in Japanese real estate for "consistent rent income". 32.5% answered that they would like to invest in Japanese real estate because of the good rate of return.

According to a report ("Index of cost to rent price of International real estate market) released by Japan Real Estate Institute that the total cost of purchasing real estate in Tokyo (apartments/luxury mansions) is cheaper compared to other major cities in the world such as London, New York, Hong Kong, Singapore when the rate of return is better compared to these cities. ...continue reading
Path: Xi says country will uphold its self-reliance Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has underlined the need to advance reform and innovation to keep forging new growth drivers and strengths and fully invigorate social creativity as the nation continues on its path to modernization. Speaking at the opening of a study session at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee on Tuesday, Xi, expounding on the Chinese path to modernization, said it is not only necessary to achieve a higher level of efficiency than that offered by the capitalist system, but it is also necessary to more effectively maintain a higher degree of social equity. The opening ceremony was presided over by Li Qiang, and attended by Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi. They are all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. It was also attended by newly elected members and alternate members of the CPC Central Committee, as well as principal officials at the provincial and ministerial levels, representing the highest-level study session of its kind hosted by the Party School. Xi, who is also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, underscored that the theory of the Chinese path to modernization marked a major theoretical innovation and was the latest major achievement of scientific socialism. This theory must be cherished, expanded and moved forward, he said. Xi proposed and elaborated on the Chinese path to modernization in his report to the 20th CPC National Congress in October, which elected 205 members and 171 alternate members of the 20th CPC Central Committee. Addressing the study session on Tuesday, Xi reviewed the nation's arduous efforts to attain rejuvenation in the modern era, including the Party's efforts in leading the establishment of the People's Republic of China, conducting reform and opening-up and making historic breakthroughs to become the world's second-largest economy. China's historic achievements in eliminating absolute poverty and building a moderately prosperous society in all respects provided further institutional guarantees and more solid material foundations, and ensured more proactive efforts in achieving Chinese-style modernization. Only with the Party's leadership can the Chinese path to modernization see bright prospects and prosperity. Meanwhile, Xi pointed out that the nation's great achievements in terms of rapid economic growth and social stability since the founding of New China, and especially since the start of reform and opening-up, proved that the Chinese path to modernization is the only correct way toward national rejuvenation. This pathway breaks the myth that modernization equals Westernization, displays a different vision for modernization and expands the choices for developing countries in their modernization, he said. The general secretary emphasized that advancing on the Chinese path to modernization is a systemic project requiring coordination, systematic planning and a holistic approach. In terms of its top-level design, insights on the general trends of global development and an accurate understanding of the common aspirations of the people are essential, he said. He reiterated the need to coordinate development and security, saying that the nation must pursue a holistic approach to national security, improve its national security system and enhance its capacities in this regard. The nation will uphold independence, self-reliance and strength, remain committed to development based on its own strengths, and maintain a firm grasp on the future of its development and progress, Xi said. Meanwhile, he also reaffirmed Beijing's pledge to keep expanding high-level opening-up, deepen participation in the global division of labor and cooperation and better utilize domestic and international resources. Xi warned of various predictable and unpredictable risks and challenges ahead, saying that it is imperative to be more mindful of potential dangers, stay prepared to respond to challenges and always have the courage and capacity to fight.
MONTREAL, Feb. 9, 2023 /CNW Telbec/ - Aya Gold & Silver Inc. (TSX: AYA) (OTCQX: AYASF) ("Aya" or the "Corporation") is pleased to provide guidance and a corporate outlook for the Corporation's activities in the Kingdom of Morocco. All dollars are in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated.

Zgounder Production Guidance and Corporate Outlook

The Corporation's 2023 outlook outlines annual silver production, an exploration program for Zgounder, Zgounder Regional and Boumadine, and on-going sustainability initiatives.

Silver ("Ag") production of between 1.7 and 1.9 million ounces ("Moz"), in-line with 2022

("Moz"), in-line with 2022 Silver cash cost of $14.40 /oz 1 , a temporary increase mainly driven by development plans related to the Zgounder Mine expansion, mining costs, and additional on-site health and safety initiatives

, a temporary increase mainly driven by development plans related to the Zgounder Mine expansion, mining costs, and additional on-site health and safety initiatives Exploration budget of $14.3 million of which $8.8 million is allocated to Zgounder

of which is allocated to Zgounder 32,700 metres ("m") of drilling planned at Zgounder including 26,000m and 6,700m at Zgounder and Zgounder Regional, respectively

and at Zgounder and Zgounder Regional, respectively

36,000m of diamond drill hole ("DDH") drilling at Boumadine to support a new resource estimate

of diamond drill hole ("DDH") drilling at Boumadine to support a new resource estimate Continued mine ramp-up activities to achieve plant expansion requirements. This includes the beginning of open-pit activities in Q2-2023, the delivery of the ball mill in Q3-2023 and the completion of over 5,000m of annual development.

"2023 will be an important year for Aya's trajectory, which sets the stage for a quadrupling of production over the next 18 months along with substantially lower costs," said Benoit La Salle, President & CEO. "We expect to sustain the past record year through 2023 with strong execution on our production and development plans in addition to an aggressive and growing drill exploration program, which we believe will deliver growth for stakeholders."

"Exploration will remain a key focus in 2023, with drilling programs prioritized at Zgounder, Zgounder Regional and Boumadine. We are especially excited to provide more visibility on Boumadine's potential for near-term value creation as we increase drilling activities to support a new resource estimate."

_______________________________ 1. The Corporation reports non-GAAP measures, which include cash costs per silver ounce, which are widely used in the mining industry as a benchmark for performance, but do not have a standardized meaning and the methods used by the Corporation to calculate such measures may differ from methods used by other companies with similar descriptions. See "Non-GAAP Measures" on pages 12 and 13 of the Corporation's Q3-2022 MD&A for a reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP measures.

2023 Zgounder Guidance

Zgounder 2023 Guidance Silver production (M oz) 1.7  1.9 Silver cash cost ($/oz) 14.4 Recovery (%) 86 Tonnes processed ('000 tonnes) 245 Average grade processed (g/t Ag) 264



Exploration budget (USD$ millions) 14.3

2023 Exploration Program to Focus on Growth

An exploration budget of $14.3 million has been planned for 2023, with Zgounder (26,000m), Zgounder Regional (6,700m) and Boumadine (36,000m) being the focus.

At Zgounder, 26,000m of the 32,700m DDH program have been designed to expand current resources at depth, building on the successful 2021 and 2022 drill programs. A total of 6,700m of DDH will be completed on the Zgounder Regional permits to follow up on 2022 results and test new targets.

At Boumadine, a 36,000m drill exploration program has been established, of which 21,000m will focus along the main trend and 15,000m is budgeted to continue extending the known mineralization trend along strike and at depth. New conductive targets identified with the 3D electromagnetic model (from our 2022 airborne survey) will also be tested.

A new mineral resource estimate for Boumadine is expected in 2024, which will incorporate drilling data from 2018 through 2023. At year-end 2022, drilling at Boumadine totalled 30,411m in 176 drill holes.

2023 Sustainability Outlook

In 2023, the Corporation's primary sustainability focus will be to solidify its management processes with the goal of minimizing the environmental and social impacts from current and expanded operations, while continuously enhancing its safety culture.

2023 Sustainability Highlights

Continue implementation of the Environmental and Social Management System, including the Zgounder land acquisition and livelihood restauration plan and the stakeholder engagement plan as published on the Corporation's website

Focus on health and safety at our operating and development sites, including mine rescue and emergency readiness

New partnership with the Moroccan forestry services to re-vegetate portions of the Zgounder property with locally adapted tree species

Increase data gathering and environmental monitoring at Zgounder, and perform Scope 3 GHG emissions estimation

Continue local initiatives through Aya's four-pronged community program:

Health - Regular mobile health clinics in partnership with Moroccan institutions and community organizations



Water - Potable water infrastructure projects to provide communities with access to clean water and resilience to climate change



Education - Construction and furnishing of a library for Askaoun's Dar Taleb (residence for secondary school students)

(residence for secondary school students)

Income-generating activities - Training and awareness campaigns on entrepreneurship and business management

2022 Financial and Operational Results

The Q4-2022 and full year 2022 financial and operational results will be released before market on March 29, 2023.

David Lalonde, B.Sc, Head of Exploration, designated as a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this press release.

About Aya Gold & Silver Inc.

Aya Gold & Silver Inc. is a rapidly growing, Canada-based silver producer with operations in the Kingdom of Morocco.

The only TSX-listed pure silver mining company, Aya operates the high-grade Zgounder Silver Mine and is exploring its properties along the prospective South-Atlas Fault, several of which have hosted past-producing mines and historical resources. Aya's Moroccan mining assets are complemented by its Tijirit Gold Project in Mauritania, which is being advanced to feasibility.

Aya's management team is focused on maximizing shareholder value by anchoring sustainability at the heart of its operations, governance, and financial growth plans.

For additional information, please visit Aya's website at www.ayagoldsilver.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain statements that constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"), which reflects management's expectations regarding Aya's future growth and business prospects (including the timing and development of new deposits and the success of exploration activities) and other opportunities. Wherever possible, words such as "guidance", "outlook", "temporary", "plan", "achieve", "expects", "believe", "potential", "expand", "continue", "objective", "significant", "deliver", "plan", "scheduled", "believe", "intend", "ability to" and similar expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will", or are "likely" to be taken, occur or be achieved, have been used to identify such forward-looking information. Specific forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements and information with respect to the capacity of the corporation to meet its guidance namely its capacity to achieve silver production of between 1.7 and 1.9 Moz, its capacity to achieve a cash cost of $14.40/oz and for such cost to be temporary, its capacity to execute on its planed exploration budget of $14.3 million, its capacity to continue mine ramp-up activities to achieve plant expansion requirements, to receive the ball-mill on time and complete ramp up as scheduled, its capacity to sustain past production, the drill program achieving growth for parties, its capacity to increase resource at Zgounder or establish resources at Boumadine namely within 2023, its capacity to execute on its sustainability plans and objectives, the exploration and development potential of Zgounder and the conversion of Inferred Mineral Resources into Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources, future opportunities for enhancing development at Zgounder, and timing for the release of the Company's disclosure in connection with the foregoing. Although the forward-looking information contained in this press release reflect management's current beliefs based upon information currently available to management and based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, Aya cannot be certain that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions, opinions and analysis made by management in light of its experience, current conditions, and its expectations of future developments that management believe to be reasonable and relevant but that may prove to be incorrect. These assumptions include, among other things, the ability to obtain any requisite governmental approvals, the presence of artisanal miners, obtaining regulatory permits for on site work, importing goods and machinery and employment permits, the accuracy of Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource Estimates (including, but not limited to, ore tonnage and ore grade estimates), the price of silver, the price of gold, exchange rates, fuel and energy costs, future economic conditions, anticipated future estimates of free cash flow, and courses of action. Aya cautions you not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements.

The risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements include, among others: the inherent risks involved in exploration and development of mineral properties, including government approvals and permitting, changes in economic conditions, changes in the worldwide price of silver gold and other key inputs, changes in mine plans (including, but not limited to, throughput and recoveries being affected by metallurgical characteristics) and other factors, such as project execution delays, many of which are beyond the control of Aya, as well as other risks and uncertainties which are more fully described in Aya's 2021 Annual Information Form dated June 16, 2022, and in other filings of Aya with securities and regulatory authorities which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Aya does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements should assumptions related to these plans, estimates, projections, beliefs, and opinions change. Nothing in this document should be construed as either an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy or sell Aya securities. All references to Aya include its subsidiaries unless the context requires otherwise.

SOURCE Aya Gold & Silver Inc

For further information: Benoit La Salle, FCPA FCA, President & CEO, [email protected]; Alex Ball, VP, Corporate development & IR, [email protected]
The benefits of diversity will only be realized by embedding inclusion into work practices, behaviors, and values, which ensures accountability throughout the organization.



TORONTO, Feb. 8, 2023 /CNW/ - In recent years, DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) has become a strategic priority for organizations. The positive impacts of workforce diversity initiatives have been especially important in a challenging and competitive labor market in which candidates are considering more than the standard priorities of compensation and vacation time. Leading HR research and advisory firm McLean & Company has observed that HR teams are experiencing job applicants who are increasingly evaluating an organization's commitment to social, ethical, and equitable practices. During Black History Month, organizations are reminded even more strongly that their intention behind DEI policies and initiatives is in the spotlight. But it is not enough just to have a diverse organization and claim to have a well-rounded approach to DEI, cautions the firm.

Inclusive practices must be embedded throughout an organizations culture through its work practices, stated values, and accepted and encouraged behaviors. It is necessary to purposefully embed inclusion into all aspects of workplace culture to begin truly breaking down systemic barriers and moving toward authentic inclusion. (CNW Group/Mclean & Company)

"Diversity on its own will not create a culture of inclusion," says Jennifer Rozon, president of McLean & Company. "For both employees and employers to enjoy the benefits of a truly diverse organization, inclusion must be an intentional and steadfast priority throughout the entire year, every year. It's important to envision a future state that is reflective of your organization's needs by looking inward rather than outward."



To support organizational and HR leaders pursuing the implementation of inclusivity within their workplace culture, both during Black History Month and long-term, McLean & Company has made its blueprint Embed Inclusion Into the Organization's Culture available to the public.

The complexity of the overall concept of DEI can make it a daunting undertaking, especially because creating inclusion is not a one-and-done exercise. McLean & Company recommends that rather than relying solely on the presence of diversity within the organization, HR and leadership must intentionally work to embed inclusion in the workplace culture itself. This requires the ongoing commitment of employees at all levels to drive a cultural shift, but it must begin with leadership implementing inclusive practices and policies into the foundational philosophy of the organization.

The blueprint provides guidance on conducting an assessment to understand the current state of inclusion within an organization and embedding inclusion into organizational values. HR and leadership will also learn about adapting competencies to promote accountability at the individual level and using inclusive design principles to modify organizational work practices to demonstrate a more inclusive culture.

Publicly accessible, data-based resources will continue to be made available throughout Black History Month via McLean & Company's social media and through its member newsletters, which will focus on key steps and elements of DEI in the workplace.

The advisory firm reminds HR and organizational leaders that DEI is a continuous, never-ending journey of intentional and committed learning. It takes the prioritization of what truly matters to employees belonging to historically marginalized groups to build better workplaces. Through data-backed industry resources, McLean & Company aims to empower organizations to shape workplaces where everyone thrives.

McLean & Company also provides its members with various levels of support designed to meet organizations' unique HR needs, including DIY toolkits, guided implementations, workshops, and dedicated consulting. To access the full collection of research or to learn more about becoming a member, visit mcleanco.com/services. To follow along in learning about and celebrating Black History Month through the lens of HR, connect via LinkedIn and Twitter.

Additional resources to support DEI work during Black History Month and year-round:

About McLean & Company

Through data-driven insights and proven best-practice methodologies, McLean & Company offers comprehensive resources and full-service assessments, action plans, and training to position organizations to meet today's needs and prepare for the future.

McLean & Company is a division of Info-Tech Research Group.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and over 200 IT and Industry analysts through the ITRG Media Insiders Program. To gain access, contact [email protected].

SOURCE McLean & Company

For further information: Media Contact: Kelsey King, PR Manager, Info-Tech Research Group, [email protected] | +1 (888) 670-8889 x3476




The head of the Niger State Operations Office of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, in Minna, has underscored the need to adopt proactive measures by relevant stakeholders to forestall violence and unrest during the forthcoming elections in the state and the nation as a whole.





Hajiya Zainab Saidu, who stated this on Thursday, said: Only proactive, as well as preventative measures, would ensure a peaceful and orderly electoral process. NEMA is concerned about the potential of electoral violence and unrest which can have devastating effects on lives and property of the people of the state and the country as a whole.





She explained that it was for this reason that the agency is calling on all political actors, community leaders, and citizens to exercise their franchise peacefully and refrain from any form of violence or intimidation during the electioneering period.





Prevention is best in disaster management, and it is expedient for the agency which is responsible for managing disaster to continue to sensitize the people on the need to remain peaceful, particularly during the conduct of the general elections, she stated.





Saidu also called on politicians to ensure that their supporters operate within the ambit of the law, urging them to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship and channel their grievances to the appropriate constitution.





Furthermore, she called on the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, and other relevant authorities to take all necessary measures to prevent and manage electoral crises through training of its officials and adequate deployment of security personnel.





She also urged Nigerians to support the agencys efforts in promoting peace and stability during the electioneering period for peaceful and successful polls at state and national levels.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied pushing for a postponement of the 2023 elections, saying its presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu will win.

The APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka issued a rebuttal on Wednesday, describing a report of the alleged plot as blatantly false and reckless.

Morka said the publication offers no substantive justifying content aside from intended purpose of misleading and causing needless anxiety and speculations.

He described the election as a matter of extreme national importance bordering on national security and corporate integrity of Nigeria, which should not be subjected to insensitive speculation by the media or any institution.

The APC said under President Muhammadu Buharis leadership, it continues to wage the most extensive and vibrant campaign for presidential candidate Bola Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima.

The ruling party said its in contrast to the incoherent campaign of opposition parties that have placed nothing before the electorate except their vile merchandise of lies, innuendoes and hate propaganda against the APC.

The statement said the President has left no one in doubt as to his unshakable commitment to bequeathing a befitting legacy of credible, free and fair election.

The APC told Nigerians that its government enacted unprecedented electoral reform and innovation that has placed our country in good stead to deliver 2023 polls and bolster democracy.

We stand ready for the general election, and remain confident that Nigerians will overwhelmingly renew our mandate in a peaceful, free and credible electoral contest, Morka asserted.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has appealed the ruling of a Kogi state high court that ordered the remand of Abdulrasheed Bawa, chairperson of the commission, for contempt.

The anti-graft agency, in a statement on Thursday, said it has filed a stay of execution of the orders issued by the Kogi court.

BACKGROUND

On February 6, the high court ordered that Bawa be remanded at the Kuje correctional centre for contempt of court.

R.O. Ayoola, the presiding judge, also ordered the inspector-general of police (IGP) to ensure the committal order was executed, just as he awarded N10 million against the EFCC.

The committal order was issued over the case involving Ali Bello, identified as the nephew of Yahaya Bello, Kogi governor, and the anti-graft agency.

On December 12, 2022, the judge ruled in favour of Bello over his arrest and detention by the EFCC.

But days after the court order, the EFCC re-arrested and re-arraigned Bello over alleged money laundering.

On Wednesday, the EFCC arraigned Rashida, wife of Kogi governor, Bello, and others over an 18-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering to the tune of N3 billion.

Bello and other defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge while Rashida is said to be at large.

TRIAL COURT DIDNT HAVE JURISDICTION TO ENTERTAIN THE MATTER

In a statement on Thursday, the anti-graft agency said the Kogi high court does not have the jurisdiction to entertain the matter heard on February 6, 2023, and December 12, 2022.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 filed a motion before the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal asking for a stay of execution of the judgment of Kogi State High Court in Suit No: HCL/696/2022 between Ali Bello and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and Others, delivered on 12th of December, 2022 and the consequential order made on the 6th of February, 2023, the statement reads.

Other reliefs sought in the motion on notice, including an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the appellants/applicant from attempting to execute/ enforce the judgment of the trial court pending the final hearing and determination of the appeal.

In the supporting affidavit to the application, deposed to by Samuel Anele Ugwuegbulam, he affirmed that the appellants have strong, good and arguable grounds of appeal








The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has re-arraigned a social media influencer and comedian, Adedamola Adewale, popularly known as Adeherself, before the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja for an alleged internet fraud of N7.9 million.





The Commission docked the influencer before Justice Mojisola Dada on a three-count charge of attempt to obtain money by false pretences, retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, and conspiracy to obtain money by false pretences.





However, the comedian pleaded not guilty to the charge.





The EFCC counsel, Samuel Daji, during the proceedings, informed the court that the defendant was first arraigned before Justice Sherifat Solebo, who had retired from the bench, and the case has now been reassigned.





Daji told the court that the case was re-assigned and there was a need for a proper bail application by the defence before the defendant could be released from custody.





My lord, this case was heard before Justice Solebo Sherifat before she retired, and when it was transferred to this honourable court, I informed my learned colleague that the case would be coming up on the 25th of January. He said he thought it was the day before.





This is a matter that is starting before your lordship, and we do not know if her sureties, who stood for her earlier, are dead or alive. It is proper for the defence to apply for fresh bail before your lordship, he said.





However, Kassim Molade, the defence counsel, pleaded with the court to permit his client to continue with the bail granted by Justice Solebo, pending the time he would file a new bail application.
Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State has urged Nigerians to continue spending the old denominations of the redesigned naira notes.





El-Rufai said Nigerians should disregard the directives of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, because the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu would reverse the decision if elected on February 25th.





Speaking in Kaduna, the governor said: Continue running your businesses and daily activities with whatever notes (old or new) you have. Dont rush yourself into taking old naira notes to the bank, and wasting your time in the unnecessary queues at the bank. Nobody can stop you (people) from using the notes. When we come to power, if Bola Tinubu becomes the president, well give people more time to get rid of the old naira notes.





CBN had said the old version of the N200, N500 and N1000 notes would cease to be a legal tender from February 10 in Nigeria.





This has led many Nigerians thronging commercial banks in a bid to deposit the old notes and get the new ones.





Meanwhile, the Supreme Court stopped the CBN from stopping the use of the old naira notes.




Manchester City striker, Erling Haaland could quit the club next summer after they were hit with over 100 charges relating to their finances, TeamTalk reports.





The Premier League made the announcement on Monday, with the charges against City from 2009 to 2018.





If found guilty, champions face anything from fines to expulsion from the top flight.





Indeed, the accusations have allegedly led to major problems behind the scenes at City.





Manager Pep Guardiola also said that he would quit if the clubs hierarchy lied to him about their finances.





Haaland has already scored 25 goals in 20 league appearances this season and is looking set to break Alan Shearer and Andy Coles joint record of 34 goals in a single Premier League campaign.
Presidential Candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, says he knows how to fix the economy of the nation better than other candidates.

He said this Wednesday in Lokoja, capital of Kogi state, during his presidential campaign rally.

I know how to do it. Im a road runner, a better candidate. A man who knows roads. A man who knows how to develop money. A man who keeps promises, he said.

He said many were raising eyebrows over his alarm on the hardships occasioned by the new policy of the redesigned naira notes, noting that he had been vindicated by the supreme court ruling to that effect.

Tinubu whose campaign trail landed in the state by 4pm stressed further that the state is endowed with adequate mineral resources at commercial value, adding that he would turn it around and make it an industrial hub centre of the nation.

While stating that Ajaokuta Iron and Steel company in the state will be revived fully, he added that dredging of river Niger, industrialisation and agricultural production would be pursued vigorously to create jobs in the society.

In his remarks, the state governor, Yahaya Bello, described the APC flag bearer as a man of many parts.

Bello added that when Tinubu becomes President, There will be money, jobs, infrastructure and the Ajaokuta steel company will be in order. Insecurity which has bedeviled the nation will be steamed.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed the judgment which sacked Ademola Adeleke as governor of Osun state.

Recall that the Osun governorship election petition tribunal ruled in favour of Gboyega Oyetola, former governor of the state.

Delivering judgment on January 27, two out of the three-member panel of the tribunal held that Oyetola was able to prove that there was over-voting in some of the polling units.

In a notice of appeal filed on Wednesday, INEC listed 44 grounds on which the tribunal judgment should be set aside.

Among several issues, INEC is contending that the tribunal failed to consider its preliminary objection before going ahead to determine the substance of the petition.

The electoral commission also noted that there was no majority judgment as the second judge on the panel, Rabi Bashir, failed to write her opinion as required by section 294(2) of the constitution.

They are praying the court for an order dismissing and/or striking out the petition for want of competence and jurisdiction.

INEC is also seeking an order dismissing the petition of the 1st and 2nd respondents in this appeal as lacking in merit with substantial cost.

Meanwhile, the Osun state chapter of the PDP, in a statement by Akindele Adekunle, its caretaker chairperson, has commended the commission for appealing the judgment.

INEC has toed the right path by appealing the Buga judgment because if such is sustained, what will happen will be candidates who lost elections manipulating server reports and presenting same to a judge to steal the election from the actual winner, Adekunle said.




Chelsea loanee, Romelu Lukaku, has no intention of returning to Stamford Bridge when his loan spell at Inter Milan expires, as he is determined to stay at the Nerazzurri.





According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter Milan are hoping to keep Lukaku at the club with a meeting with Chelsea planned to discuss the Belgians future.





The Serie A giants are still keen to extend Lukakus stay with the club next season.





Lukaku returned to Inter last summer with the Nerazzurri paying 8 million plus 3m in add-ons for the loan deal.





The Belgium international has endured a difficult season back in Italy, scoring just two goals in 11 appearances in a season where he has struggled with injury and form.





Chelsea paid 97 million to sign the 29-year-old in a then-club record deal and are unlikely to recoup anything close to that for the former Manchester United star.




Mr. Macaroni, the skit-maker, has disowned a picture of himself on a campaign rally flyer of Obi-Datti.

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), and Datti Baba-Ahmed, his running mate, have been campaigning across Nigeria ahead of this months election.

In November 2022, the skit maker endorsed Obi as his presidential candidate of choice.

The comedian, however, said he will not participate in any campaign for any politician.

I do not and will not campaign for politicians. I cannot force or beg any Nigerian to vote for a particular candidate, he had said written.

But come 2023, the person I will cast my vote for is Peter Obi! And that is final on this matter! Enough is Enough.

But on Wednesday, a Twitter user had drawn his attention to the campaign flyer with his face on it.

Thought @mrmacaronii said he won be campaigning for any party, the user asked.

Reacting to the tweet, Mr Macaroni distanced himself from the campaign flyer picture, saying it was used without his approval.

I will address this again for clarity sake.

I am voting for Peter Obi because he is MY preferred choice.

It is my civic duty to vote but Im not obliged to campaign for him or any other Politician. I am not against others who do so but this was put out without my consent! https://t.co/O1Y2Xs36mq  MrMacaroni (@mrmacaronii) February 8, 2023





I will address this again for clarity sake. I am voting for Peter Obi because he is MY preferred choice, he wrote on Twitter .

It is my civic duty to vote but Im not obliged to campaign for him or any other Politician. I am not against others who do so but this was put out without my consent!

The development comes a few weeks after Wizkid also dissociated himself from a rumoured Obi concert.

Some other popular musical artistes have also openly declared their support for Obi.

Charly Boy had endorsed Obi as his presidential candidate for 2023.

Peter and Paul Okoye of Psquare, the music duo, have also pledged their support for the former Anambra governor.




The National Security Adviser, NSA, Babagana Monguno, said naira scarcity and the cashless policy will affect military personnel deployed to remote places.





Monguno stated this on Thursday at the hearing organised by an adhoc committee of the House of Representatives looking into currency redesign and naira swap policy.





The NSA, who was represented by A.A. Mustapha, a director in the Office of National Security Adviser, ONSA, said there is an ongoing effort to address the challenge.





Globally, military operations, even in First World countries, such policies, if not properly well thought out will affect some of our soldiers in places where they cannot actually access digital means of paying for their daily subsistence, he said.





Earlier in his speech, the chairman of the committee, Ado Doguwa, said: It is the belief of this committee that the policy would have, in one way or the other, certain implications [for] the security apparatus or security architecture of the country, especially when we are facing elections.
The Northern Elders Forum on Thursday came hard on an elder statesman and leader of Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, advising him to behave responsibly.





The organisation said his comments while campaigning for the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, were irresponsible, condemnable and inflammatory.





The NEF in a statement by its Director, Publicity and Advocacy, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said that Nigerians with any influence over Adebanjo should advise him to show respect for his age and all the advantages he enjoys from being a Nigerian.

Chief Ayo Adebanjo

The statement reads, The Northern Elders Forum has reviewed the preparations for the forthcoming elections, particularly in light of recent developments and its planned Northern General Assembly.





The Forum took note of the comments of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, leader of one of the Afenifere organisations. In his usual rantings, this time in campaigning for Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party, he said, among other inflammatory outbursts, that if Nigerians do not elect his candidate, it will be the end of Nigeria.





This statement is, to say the least, irresponsible and condemnable. It is the worst thing that can be said in promoting a candidate, but that is the business of the candidate. We do not believe that Chief Adebanjos reckless outburst reflects the quality or essence of the Obi-Datti ticket.





The Forum advises people like Chief Adebanjo to attempt to behave more responsibly. These elections will not be won by threats and insults. Nigerians will not be scared from exercising their choices freely.





The unity and survival of Nigeria are not dependent on politicians who think they can intimidate citizens, or instigate actions that will subvert a credible election and a peaceful transition to the next administration.





The North is committed to supporting a credible election under peaceful conditions, and will support any candidate who emerges as leader through it. It appeals to leaders, elders, politicians and the authorities to resist inciting particularly young Nigerians who are more gullible and exposed to dangerous rhetoric.





If there are Nigerians with any influence over Chief Adebanjo, they should advise him to show respect for his age and all the advantages he enjoys from being a Nigerian.
Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers, has commended the supreme court over its ruling which temporarily restrained the federal government from banning the use of the old naira notes from February 10.

Wike spoke on Wednesday at the Rivers Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign held at County State School, Emilaghan in Abua/Odual LGA of the state.

Recall that a seven-member panel of the apex court led by John Okoro gave the ruling on Wednesday in an ex parte application brought by Kaduna, Kogi, and Zamfara states.

The three states prayed the court to grant an interim injunction stopping the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from ending the timeframe within which the old N200, N500, and N1000 notes will cease to be legal tender.

I want to on behalf of the Rivers state government commend the Nigerian supreme court for what they have done today to save the masses of this country and to save democracy, Wike said.

Today, the supreme court has stopped the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from embarking on stopping the old Nigerian Naira notes from circulating.

And let me commend my brother states  Kogi, Kaduna, and Zamfara  who took it upon themselves to go and challenge the federal government at the Supreme Court.

I also want to say that the Rivers state government will join them in that suit to challenge what the CBN is doing. We will not support anything that will go against the masses, anything that makes the masses suffer.

I have said before, this democracy can only survive with the support of INEC, security agencies, and the judiciary. With what happened today, the supreme court has shown that the hope of the common man lies in the judiciary.




A woman who was seen in a viral video demanding for the sum of N1000 before giving Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to the owners at a primary School in Enugu State has been arrested.





The police identified the woman as Chinwendu Nnamani and the venue where she was selling the PVCs to their owners as a primary school in Emene community of Enugu state.





The Police also said a staff of INEC, Nkiruka Patience Obinna, who allegedly gave the said PVCs to Nnamani for distribution to the actual owners has also been arrested.





DSP Daniel Ndukwe, Enugu state command public relations officer, confirmed the arrest of the two suspects in a statement issued on Thursday.





He said, Police detectives serving in the State Criminal Investigation Department of Enugu State Command on January 31, 2023, arrested a female suspect, one Chinwendu Nnamani, 41.





Nnamani was involved in the viral social media video clip in which she is seen and alleged to be selling INEC Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) at the sum of One Thousand Naira, at a Primary School in Emene, Enugu.





Also arrested is one Nkiruka Patience Obinna, 38, identified as an INEC staff member and alleged to have given the said PVCs to the first suspect for distribution to the actual owners.





Investigation has been concluded, the case charged to court in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, and the suspects arraigned accordingly, he said.





The suspects were granted bail, and the case was adjourned to Feb.15 for further hearing.




The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has attributed the scarcity of the new naira to the hoarding of the notes by Nigerians.





CBNs Director of Consumer Protection, Mrs Rashidat Mongunu, said this on Thursday while monitoring microfinance banks in Offa, Offa Local Government Area of Kwara.





The monitoring team, as reported by NAN, first paid homage to the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, before heading to Stockcorp Microfinance and Ibolo Microfinance banks.





The CBN director asserted that the redesigned notes were made available in the right quantity by the CBN, but those hoarding the notes are to blame for currency scarcity which is further worsened by the sheer number of people thronging banks to collect money almost at the same time.





Because of the attitude of some Nigerians in hoarding the money, even those that dont really need the money are rushing to get it and keep it, not to spend, she said.





Speaking on the currency management cycle, she affirmed: We have not allowed the cycle to mature, because when you issue out currency as CBN, what we expect is that the naira issued out will come back into the banking system again. But now, everybody collecting the naira is hoarding it. So, no matter how much naira we put out there, if we continue with this attitude, and the CBN [continues to] issue from now till December, it will still not be enough.





Monguno added: In every economy, you must have proper accountability. You just dont issue Naira for the fun of it, you issue the amount that is commensurate with the level of activity you have in that country.
The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Wednesday, turned down the approval by the state governor, Nyesom Wike, to use the Adokiye Amesiamaka Stadium, Igwurita-Ali, Port Harcourt, for its presidential campaign rally.

Recall that Wike, who fell out with Atiku following the outcome of the partys primary election last year, had denied giving the approval for the venue.

However, while speaking at the PDP governorship campaign rally at Ogu in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday, the governor announced the reapproval of the facility.

Reacting to the latest approval, the spokesperson of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council in Rivers State, Dr. Leloonu Nwibubasa, said the Atiku campaign was no longer interested in the facility.

The spokesperson, who spoke during a radio programme in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, said the Council could not take Governor Wike by his words.

According to him, We learnt that yesterday he (Wike) announced that the stadium has been restored and that he has rescinded his decision.

But let me state this very clearly, the Presidential Campaign Council of Atiku is no longer interested in Governor Wikes greek gift.

The said stadium that he revoked for reasons that he gave based on intelligence. May I ask, has he reversed those intelligence report?
The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar has reiterated his resolve to re-open all international borders and strengthen national security if elected president of the country.

Atiku stated this yesterday while addressing a mammoth crowd at a presidential rally held in Damaturu, Yobe State.

The presidential candidate said the idea behind his plan to reopen the borders, is for business activities between Nigeria and its neighbours to flourish.

Atiku asked the crowd, Do you want peace to return to Yobe? and they answered in chorus Yes.

He then assured them that if they vote for PDP in the upcoming general elections peace will return to Yobe.

We will make sure that our schools are open so that our children would continue to go to schools.

We also promise to empower our young men and women by giving them capital to set up businesses in order to live successful life, Atiku assured.

For a meaningful change, the PDP presidential standard bearer, charged electorates in the state to come out en masse and vote for PDP.

At the presidential campaign rally, the national leadership of the party officially received more than 460 defected APC supporters into the PDP as well as presented the flag to the partys governorship candidate in Yobe State, Shariff Abdullahi.
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has approved the use of Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elekahia, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area for the February 15th Presidential Campaign of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state.

This was following an application by the Presidential Campaign Council, PCC, and Independent Campaign Council, ICC, in the state to the state government for a venue for the presidential campaign in the state.

The APC had on the 15th of January applied to the state government for the release of Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium for the campaign of its presidential candidate, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu in the state scheduled for 15th February in the state.

However, in a letter dated 3rd of February, signed by the State Commissioner of Sports, Christopher Green, the government approved the use of Yakubu Gowon Stadium instead of Amiesimakas stadium sort for, with a waiver on the N5 million caution charge.

Speaking on the development, a member of APC PCC/ICC in the state, Chief Tony Okocha, hailed the state governor, Wike, for the approval of the venue.

Okocha noted that APC in the state was making efforts to frustrate the holding of a campaign of the Presidential candidate of the party, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu in the state.

He noted that the PCC in the state had ignored following up on the move to get a venue for the campaign in the state after a letter by Hon. James Faleke, the Secretary, of APC PCC, stated that his team took up the move for the venue.

Okocha said: We have moved on without the PCC in the state, while they on the other hand were working to see the frustration of the campaign in Rivers State.

We will not allow negative forces to dampen our chances of winning elections in Rivers State. We went to the governor of the state and were willing to pay what it was worth to hold the campaign.

The PCC wrote a letter to the state government a month. Ago and nobody followed up. We have to take over that responsibility. We are here to inform you that we have received a response from the state governor. Governor Wike has approved the use of Yakubu Gowon Stadium for the Campaign of APC, 15th February.

That message has been sent to the secretary of PCC in Abuja. We have moved on by appointing members of sub-committees to run for the organization of the event. We have 11 sub-committees.

The governor in his magnanimity proved it free of charge. The charge by the state government was waved off. He approved it with a waver.
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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Charter is moving its high school into the former campus of Alfred Lawless High in the Lower 9th Ward. The Orleans Parish School Board voted in August to change the campus' name entirely. This sign shows the King name with the Lawless name seemingloy whited-out underneath.
The state of Indiana appears to be buying a federal lawsuit with the first anti-transgender policy proposal to advance this year out of a House committee.

House Bill 1569 would prohibit the Indiana Department of Correction from using any state or federal dollars to provide "sexual reassignment surgery" to state prison inmates, even if the surgery is deemed medically necessary.

To date, no person incarcerated in the Department of Correction has undergone state-funded gender-affirming surgery. The one inmate who recently secured a court order authorizing the surgery still would be able to get it under the plan.

State Rep. Peggy Mayfield, R-Martinsville, the sponsor, said she wants to make sure none of the 35 other transgender inmates currently receiving hormone therapy, out of a total DOC population of 22,918 people, can access surgery for their gender dysphoria.

"This bill would clearly define state policy on the issue of inmates seeking treatment within the Department of Correction," Mayfield said.

Under federal law, prison inmates are entitled to receive health care to address serious medical needs. The failure to provide that care may be deemed "cruel and unusual punishment," which is prohibited by the 8th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Katie Blair, Indiana ACLU public policy director, told the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee on Wednesday that this legislation shows complete indifference to a serious medical need, and potentially opens the door for the state to ignore the other serious medical needs of incarcerated individuals.

"In short, this bill is wildly unconstitutional," Blair said. "We will use every tool available to us to fight this."

In response, Deputy Attorney General Aaron Craft seemed to suggest Attorney General Todd Rokita, a Republican originally from Munster, would welcome the opportunity to take his anti-transgender activism from Twitter to the courtroom.

"We are prepared to defend it," Craft said.

Records show the attorney general's office has paid out millions of dollars in legal fees to the ACLU following successful challenges to unconstitutional state laws and policies restricting abortion access and attempting to prohibit Syrian refugee resettlement in the state.

Notwithstanding that history, the Republican-led panel voted 10-3 to advance the legislation to the full House for further consideration.

A series of similar anti-transgender proposals are expected to be debated and approved by House and Senate committees prior to each chamber's upcoming deadline for committee action in about two weeks.

Meet the 2023 Northwest Indiana legislative delegation State Rep. Carolyn Jackson, D-Hammond State Rep. Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago State Rep. Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary State Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso State Rep. Pat Boy, D-Michigan City State Rep. Chuck Moseley, D-Portage State Rep. Mike Aylesworth, R-Hebron State Rep. Mike Andrade, D-Munster State Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary State Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville State Rep. Kendell Culp, R-Rensselaer State Rep. Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point State Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie State Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland State Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago State Sen. Eddie Melton, D-Gary State Sen. Rodney Pol Jr., D-Chesterton State Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso State Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell State Sen. Mike Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores
First Merchants Bank added Purdue University President Mung Chiang to its board of directors.

The Muncie-based bank, the largest headquartered in Indiana after only Old National Bank in Evansville, has an extensive footprint in the Region as a result of its acquisition of Citizens Financial Bank in Munster, which was one of the largest homegrown banks in the Region before it was bought.

First Merchants board of directors is pleased to welcome Dr. Chiang as our newest board member, said Chairman Charles E. Schalliol. I believe First Merchants shareholders and clients will share our enthusiasm in welcoming Mungs executive leadership and business acumen to our board. We look forward to his participation on our board to help accelerate First Merchant Banks contributions in supporting Indianas economy and the economies of our neighboring states where we operate."

Chiang will serve on both the board of First Merchants Bank and its parent company, First Merchants Corp.

Helping businesses and people through attentive financial support and advice, First Merchants is a high-performing bank helping to facilitate sustained economic growth across Indiana and neighboring states," he said. "First Merchants cares deeply about its clients, colleagues and communities. Im honored to be joining such an outstanding board that facilitates strong economic support in the unique customer-focused way that First Merchants Bank serves its customers.

Chiang's addition will give First Merchants a 15-member board with 13 independent outside directors.
Structural iron and steel workers, the skilled tradesmen who work on construction projects and are prevalent throughout Northwest Indiana, have one of the most dangerous civilian jobs in the country.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports structural iron and steel workers had the fifth highest rate of fatal injuries per 100,000 workers.

Indiana has the fourth-highest concentration of structural iron and steel worker jobs in the country with 0.9 per 1,000 jobs, according to the federal agency. Ironworkers Union Local #395 in Portage has an apprenticeship school in Lake Station and more than 1,200 members who work on construction sites and manufacturing plants across the Region, including on bridges and industrial sites along the lakeshore.

Structural iron and steel workers had 36.1 deaths per 100,000 workers in 2021, the most recent year for which data was available. Thats up from 32.5 fatal workplace injuries per 100,000 workers the previous year.

They face many dangers like overexertion, cuts, sprains and falls from great heights, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Loggers had the most dangerous job in America with 82.2 fatal injuries per 100,000 workers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Fishing and hunting workers had the second deadliest with 75.2 fatal injuries per 100,000 workers.

Roofers ranked third with 59 deaths per 100,000 workers while aircraft pilots and flight engineers came in fourth with 48.1 deaths per 100,000 workers, the federal agency found.

Truck drivers, garbagemen, underground mining machine operators, construction helpers and electrical power-line installers and repairers rounded out the top 10 nationwide.

Overall, the rate of fatal workplace injuries per 100,000 workers grew from 3.4 in 2020 to 3.6 in 2021, the highest annual rate since 2016.

A total of 5,190 fatal work injuries took place in the United States in 2021, an 8.9% year-over-year increase. Its estimated a worker died every 101 minutes from a work-related injury in 2021. Transportation injuries were the most frequent cause of death, accounting for nearly 38.2% of work-related fatalities as a whole.

About 1,982 workers suffered fatal injuries during transportation incidents, an 11.5% increase over the previous year.
When she first saw data on the district's most recent standardized test scores, Hammond School Board Vice President Cindy Murphy was impressed by the "huge growth" students made since the previous tests.

"It was like, boom, right in your face," Murphy said Tuesday at the board meeting.

However, when compared with other Indiana districts, the results don't stack up well.

From Nov. 28 through Dec. 16, 2022, all School City of Hammond students in kindergarten through ninth grade took i-Ready assessments in math and reading. The exams showed that, across SCH, 23% of students can read at or above their grade level and 15% can do math at or above their grade level.

That's below the statewide totals of 41% reading at or above their grade level and 35% doing math at or above their grade level.

However, Adam White, the district's testing coordinator, explained that those numbers mark an increase from the fall term, when students took the exam and 14% read at or above grade level and 6% could do math at or above grade level.

"While this movement is slow, we are progressing in the right direction," White said, emphasizing improvement at the youngest levels of the district.

Among kindergartners, 86% of students read below their grade level in the fall; in the winter, that number fell to 61%. That's important, White said, because the fall exams measure where the children entered the district in terms of reading capability. The winter exams show how well their schools have helped them progress.

Hammond kindergartners also saw growth in math. In the fall, 92% did math below their grade level while in the winter, 74% were below grade level.

Going deeper into the data, 9% of SCH students can read above their grade level, 14% can read at their grade level, 36% read a grade below their own level, 15% read two grades below, and 25% read three more more grade level below. For math, 4% are above their grade level, 11% are at grade level, 45% are one grade level below, 16% are two grades below, and 24% are three or more grade levels below.

The district also presented PSAT scores Tuesday night. In October, eighth- through 11th-graders across SCH schools took the PSAT, a national standardized exam aimed at preparing students for the SAT, a college admissions exam. Students who do well on the exam are deemed National Merit Scholars, which makes them eligible for college scholarships and can improve their college applications.

The results showed that 35% of Scott Middle School eighth-graders and 27% of Eggers Middle School eighth-graders met benchmarks for English, reading and writing while 17% at Scott and 12% at Eggers met math benchmarks.

For ninth-graders at Hammond Central High, 19% met English, reading and writing benchmarks and 12% met math benchmarks. At Morton High, those numbers are 28% and 11%, respectively.

For 10-graders at Hammond Central, 22% met English, reading and writing benchmarks while 7% met math benchmarks. At Morton, those numbers are 25% and 10%, respectively.

For 11th-graders at Hammond Central, 30% met English, reading and writing benchmarks while 5% met math benchmarks. At Morton, those numbers are 28% and 7%, respectively.

Gallery: The Times Photos of the Week His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije visits Northwest Indiana for the first time at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church following major newsworthy visits to Chicago, New York and Milwaukee. His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije visits Northwest Indiana for the first time at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church following major newsworthy visits to Chicago, New York and Milwaukee. His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije visits Northwest Indiana for the first time at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church following major newsworthy visits to Chicago, New York and Milwaukee. His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije visits Northwest Indiana for the first time at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church following major newsworthy visits to Chicago, New York and Milwaukee. Gary Science Olympiad 2023 Gary Science Olympiad 20223 Gary Science Olympiad 2023 020523-spt-gbk-lc_7 020523-spt-gbk-lc_1 020523-spt-gbk-lc_5 020523-spt-gbk-lc_10 020523-spt-gbk-lc_6 020523-spt-gbk-lc_3 020523-spt-gbk-lc_8 Last day to file for the spring primary Last day to file for the spring primary 020423-spt-gbk-lc_5 020423-spt-gbk-lc_7 020423-spt-gbk-lc_5 020423-spt-gbk-lc_4 Hammond Black History Month observation Hammond Black History Month observation Hammond Black History Month observation Andrean sectional Kouts Girls Sectional Class 1A Game 1 020123-spt-gbk-low_5 020123-spt-gbk-low_4 020123-spt-gbk-low_2 020123-spt-gbk-low_9 Hammond storage facility fire Computer coaching Gallery HTML code
CROWN POINT  The Lake County prosecutors office is charging a Calumet City man with firing shots at a tow truck driver.

Lawrence R. Bolling, 37, appeared Monday in Lake Criminal Court for his initial hearing on felony charges of attempted murder, intimidation, pointing a firearm and a misdemeanor count of resisting law enforcement.

Police said Bolling fired gunshots early Friday outside The Lakes apartment complex near 85th and Polo Club Drive in Merrillville.

Leroy Rogers, an employee of All-Pro Towing, told police he was at the apartments looking for cars to be towed because they were improperly left in lots reserved for apartment tenants.

A court affidavit says Rogers saw Bolling walk up and threaten to kill him, even though Bollings car wasnt being ticketed.

Rogers got into his tow truck, was driving away and told Bolling that if he found Bollings car parked in the wrong spot, he would tow it just like any other car in violation of apartment rules.

Rogers said Bolling pointed a black handgun at him, according to court documents. Rogers said he heard three gunshots and saw muzzle flashes.

Police didnt report anyone being hurt, but Rogers said he believes Bolling was trying to hurt or intimidate him.

Police said they also received numerous complaints from residents who were awakened by gunshots at the same time.

Police said another tow truck driver reported to police that he saw Bolling speed away west on U.S. 30 to Taney Place and stop in a parking lot nearby. Police arrested Bolling moments later.

They said Bolling fought with officers and had to be restrained in a holding cell at the police station.

Police said they recovered a firearm and its magazine in Bollings SUV and three spent shell casings on the ground where the shooting reportedly took place.

Police said Bolling denied any wrongdoing and complained that he was only being arrested because he is black.

A Lake Criminal Court magistrate appointed a public defender to represent him at public expense. The case is set for further hearings this spring.
Munster police searching for suspect in Walgreens robbery Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to contact Munster police at 219-836-6655.

MUNSTER  A suspect who robbed a store is still at large, the Munster Police Department announced Wednesday.

According to multiple witnesses, the person was in the checkout line purchasing an item Wednesday night at Walgreens, 8930 Calumet Ave. When the cashier opened the register, the person jumped over the counter, shoved the cashier to the side and snatched an unspecified amount of money from the register, police said.

The suspect is a Black male, about 5-feet-8 with a slim build, police said.

When officers were called at 7:05 p.m., they were told that the man fled northbound on foot. Police believe he entered a getaway vehicle that was waiting for him on an adjacent street. Griffith police were called to help track the individual.

The Munster Police Department Detective Bureau is investigating the robbery. Anyone with information is asked to call them at 219-836-6658.
How close is too close for the public to approach a police officer when the officer is making an arrest, has someone pulled over or is otherwise engaged in his or her official duties?

Rep. Wendy McNamara, R-Evansville, believes a separation of at least 25 feet between an officer and any bystanders is appropriate once the officer asks bystanders to step back.

"This is more than just about police officer safety," she said. "This is about public safety as well. Things can escalate quickly."

The McNamara-led House Courts and Criminal Code Committee agreed Wednesday and voted 13-0 to advance House Bill 1186 to the full chamber.

It creates the crime of "encroachment on an investigation" and authorizes police to arrest a person who knowingly or intentionally approaches within 25 feet of a law enforcement officer executing his or her duties after the officer has ordered the person to stop approaching.

The offense would be a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.

Rep. Mitch Gore, D-Indianapolis, a captain in the Marion County sheriff's office, said he initially was skeptical of the measure because he believes police officers need to be held accountable through direct public observation of their actions.

He noted, for example, the bystander video of a police officer murdering George Floyd in Minneapolis was taken from a few feet away and was much more powerful, and useful, as a result.

At the same time, Gore is confident that newer cellphone technology is capable of filming police in action from at least 25 feet away, and the state's focus on police de-escalation training since 2021 makes anything worth recording less likely to occur.

He said that makes him confident that this measure protecting officer safety will not prevent officer accountability.

The legislation was endorsed by representatives of a variety of police organizations who said officers struggle to do their jobs when the public approaches them and demands to immediately know the legal basis for an arrest or traffic stop.

They said even a second's distraction from the task at hand may inspire a criminal suspect to escalate the situation by pulling out a gun or flooring their vehicle in an attempt to flee.

In response, Rep. Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary, said an officer concerned about bystanders approaching still would be briefly distracted by telling the bystanders to stand back.

Nevertheless, she acknowledged that a 25-foot separation would increase officer safety in such a situation by clearly defining where everyone should be.

Rep. Matt Pierce, D-Bloomington, also expressed skepticism despite his support. He envisions problems with people perhaps only backing off 20 feet and getting arrested as a result.

McNamara said she doesn't expect police officers to add tape measures to their duty belts to enforce the distance at every arrest and traffic stop.

Rather, she said, the plan simply gives officers a legal basis to order bystanders back a specific distance to ensure everyone's safety.

Meet the 2023 Northwest Indiana legislative delegation State Rep. Carolyn Jackson, D-Hammond State Rep. Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago State Rep. Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary State Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso State Rep. Pat Boy, D-Michigan City State Rep. Chuck Moseley, D-Portage State Rep. Mike Aylesworth, R-Hebron State Rep. Mike Andrade, D-Munster State Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary State Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville State Rep. Kendell Culp, R-Rensselaer State Rep. Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point State Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie State Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland State Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago State Sen. Eddie Melton, D-Gary State Sen. Rodney Pol Jr., D-Chesterton State Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso State Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell State Sen. Mike Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores
VALPARAISO  A second Chicago man is in custody nearly nine months after a shooting and alleged armed robbery of a vehicle from a mother with her young children at a Porter fueling station.

Tyzerrick Smith was booked Wednesday morning into the Porter County Jail and is charged with robbery, attempted aggravated battery and auto theft, officials said.

Smith's purported accomplice, Rashawn Thompson, 20, of Chicago, was taken into custody at the time after being shot at by state police before jumping 30 feet off a Cline Avenue embankment in Lake County.

The robbery count that Smith faces carries a potential sentence of three to 16 years in prison.

A woman told police that she was putting gasoline in her Chevrolet Malibu May 16 at Travel America along U.S. 20 in Porter when a silver Chevrolet Impala pulled up at the pump opposite her.

A man wearing a ski mask and carrying a black handgun got out of the Impala and entered the driver's side of her vehicle while her two young children were in the rear seat, police said. He then demanded the car keys from the woman, which she agreed to as long as she could get her children out of the vehicle.

She removed her children and complied when the masked man asked for the pass code to her cellphone, according to a charging document.

The woman took her children into the gas station and asked for police to be called, at which time an employee walked outside and attempted to take photos of the fleeing vehicles, charges say. She then saw the masked man point a gun out the driver's side window of her vehicle and fire a shot at the employee.

The employee "stated that he ran back and jumped behind a gas pump," police said.

Police later discovered that the bullet struck a nearby apartment building, according to a charging document. The 9 mm round was recovered from a wall of a building and later was found to match the gun used in the crime.

Both vehicles from the crime were found the same day after a pursuit in Lake County; Smith was found in the Impala and Thompson was found driving the Malibu.

Thompson faces felony counts of armed robbery, aggravated battery, criminal recklessness and auto theft, court records show.

Police said they had been seeking both men in connection with a similar robbery at gunpoint at a gas station in Homewood, Illinois.
HAMMOND  Last spring, Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. said Hammond's "emblem for 2022" would be the hard hat. With construction underway throughout the city, it appears his declaration has carried into 2023.

"We have $385 million in projects on the books right now," McDermott said during the 2023 State of the City, which was held Wednesday at the Dynasty Banquet Center. "That's good news."

During his 19th State of the City Address, the longtime mayor highlighted the city's biggest developments and discussed some of the changes coming to Hammond's downtown.

"Hammond is doing some great things across the entire city," Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce Director Dave Ryan said as he introduced McDermott. "Such developments do not happen without tremendous planning and implementation by the mayor, city council and every city department, so kudos to them in advance for a job well done in 2022"

Many of the projects McDermott discussed are tied to the city's ongoing downtown redevelopment initiative. The process began when the city hired Massachusetts-based urban planner Jeff Speck in 2018. The plan Speck helped craft lays out a downtown that is pedestrian-friendly and has plenty of residential development.

The city is currently working on both the Hohman and Kennedy Avenue redesigns. Once complete, the Hohman redesign will bring the street down to one travel lane in each direction with a shared bike lane and add 40 spaces of angled parking down the center of Hohman, parallel parking on both sides of the street, 8- and 11-foot sidewalks on either side of Hohman, decorative lighting with banner arms and large, fast-growing trees along curb lines and down the center of Hohman.

In addition, the leg of Rimbach Street that is swooped to align with Fayette Street will be straightened. McDermott said the goal is to slow traffic through the downtown.

"It's easy to say, 'I support downtown Hammond,' and do nothing," McDermott told the crowd of almost 400. "The way we are going to fix downtown Hammond is to fix the problems. One of the biggest problems is the speed of the traffic."

Similarly, the city hopes to slow traffic in downtown Hessville by widening the sidewalks around Kennedy Avenue and cutting the road down to two lanes between 16th Place and 169th Street.

Before construction began, McDermott said cars would travel as fast as 55 mph through downtown Hammond and downtown Hessville.

A residential downtown

Another one of downtown Hammond's biggest problems has been a lack of housing options.

Though Hammond's downtown is bordered by neighborhoods, there are no apartment buildings located right in the heart of downtown, a gap three upcoming development projects hope to fill.

The former Bank Calumet building, located at 5231 Hohman Ave., is undergoing a $28 million redesign that will include 100 residential units, 7,000 square feet of retail space and 25 permanent jobs. McDermott said tenants should be able to move in by spring 2024.

This spring, work will begin on Tailor Row, a $25 million apartment complex coming to an underutilized parking lot off Hohman Avenue. Tailor Row will have 208 units, 6,600 square feet of retail space and an outdoor plaza.

Madison Lofts, the final downtown residential development, is planned for the northeast corner of Sibley Street and Hohman Avenue. The $15 million complex will be five stories tall and consist of about 55 residential units and 8,700 square feet of retail.

"All you have to do is drive down Hohman Avenue, over the bridge, and you see all these giant pillars coming out of the ground. It's really exciting to see," Ryan remarked.

McDermott said downtown developments account for $60 million of the $385 million worth of projects currently underway in Hammond. With all the new housing, the mayor said he has heard from multiple restaurateurs looking to bring their businesses to downtown Hammond.

None of the residential projects would be happening without the South Shore Line's West Lake Corridor commuter railroad expansion, McDermott said. The South Shore project will include two Hammond stations: a South Hammond station off 173rd street and the Hammond Gateway station, located about three blocks west of the city's current South Shore station. The city has also committed to constructing a third station downtown near the federal courthouse once the train is running.

Making lemonade out of lemons

The abrupt closure of emergency room services at Franciscan Health Hammond has put a wrench in some of the city's downtown redevelopment plans. McDermott has vocally opposed the move; the city even filed a lawsuit to keep the ER open but was ultimately unsuccessful.

Demolition has already begun on the 124-year-old hospital.

"I think it's emblematic of what's wrong with health care in America," McDermott said of the closure. "I don't believe in an America where if you're healthy you have great health care and if you're poor, too bad."

McDermott acknowledged that because the hospital is located near the state line, many patients probably came from Illinois and likely did not have private health care, meaning Franciscan had to rely on reimbursements from Illinois.

"I imagine the hospital located in Hammond, Indiana, isn't high on the priority list of Governor (J.B.) Pritzker when they're reimbursing hospitals," McDermott said.

Franciscan's closure has left Hammond, Lake County's largest city, without a full-service hospital. While patients in some parts of the city will be able to travel to Munster or Dyer for care, McDermott said, the closure will increase overall emergency response times and will limit health care options for residents in the nearby Calumet City.

Though Franciscan still owns the 20-acre property, McDermott said, one of the city's top goals is to get another ER established downtown.

"We're trying to make lemonade out of lemons," McDermott said.

McDermott closed his State of the City Address by thanking the Hammond Common Council and the city's many employees. McDermott is currently running unopposed for his sixth term in office.

"It's taken me 20 years to put together this amazing team. ... That's why Hammond's turned a corner," McDermott said, noting the city still has plenty more to get done. "I'm never going to be content as your mayor. ... There's always something to work on"

PHOTOS: 2023 Hammond State of the City Address Mayor McDermott gives update on city projects Mayor McDermott gives update on city projects Mayor McDermott gives update on city projects Mayor McDermott gives update on city projects Mayor McDermott gives update on city projects Mayor McDermott gives update on city projects Mayor McDermott gives update on city projects
BEIJING, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- The first round consultations of Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (FTA) negotiations started on Tuesday, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

Relevant authorities of China and the ASEAN countries, as well as officials from the ASEAN Secretariat, attended the meeting via video link.

The two sides held in-depth discussions on the procedural rules, organizational arrangements and work plans of the negotiations, and worked out a timetable and road map for follow-up negotiations.

In November 2022, China and ASEAN jointly announced the official launch of the negotiations. The two sides agreed that the negotiations will cover the fields including trade in goods, investment, digital and green economy, so as to build a more inclusive, modern, comprehensive and mutually beneficial China-ASEAN FTA.
SEOUL, South Korea  North Korean leader Kim Jong Un brought his daughter to visit troops to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the country's army as he lauded the "irresistible might" of his nuclear-armed military, state media said Wednesday.

The visit preceded a massive military parade that Kim presided over in the capital, Pyongyang, where troops rolled out the latest hardware of his fast-growing nuclear arsenal.

North Korean state media photos of the parade published Thursday showed Kim attended the event with his wife and young daughter. He was smiling and raising his hand from a balcony as thousands of troops lined up in a brightly illuminated Kim Il Sung Square, named after his state-founding grandfather.

The parade Wednesday night came after weeks of preparations involving huge numbers of troops and civilians mobilized to glorify Kims rule and his relentless push to cement the Norths status as a nuclear power.

North Koreas official Korean Central News Agency said the parade featured a variety of nuclear-capable weapons that fuel tensions with its neighbors and the United States, including tactical nuclear weapons targeting South Korea and ICBMs, which the agency described as crucial weapons supporting the Norths power-to-power, all-out confrontation against enemies.

Commercial satellite images of the parade released by Maxar Technologies Inc. showed huge, missile-carrying trucks passing the squares main road as thousands of spectators watched.

During the troops visit, Kim's daughter, Kim Ju Ae, believed to be 9 or 10 years old, stood close to her father as he shook the hands of senior officials and then sat next to him at a table. Analysts say Kim's decision to bring his daughter to public events tied to his military is to remind the world he has no intention to voluntarily surrender his nuclear weapons, which he apparently sees as the strongest guarantee of his survival and the extension of his family's dynastic rule.

State media's lofty description of Kim Ju Ae, who has been called "respected" and "beloved," also inspired debate on whether she's being primed as her father's successor. She also attended a flight test of an intercontinental ballistic missile in November and has accompanied her father to a meeting with military scientists and an inspection of ballistic missiles.

North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency said Wednesday that Kim visited the lodging quarters of the Korean People's Army's general officers with his daughter. He later gave an encouraging speech to troops at a banquet, praising them for maintaining the "strongest army in the world" despite external difficulties.

The visit came a day after Kim presided over a meeting with his top military brass and called for an expansion of combat exercises aimed at sharpening war readiness, as he looks to escalate an already provocative run in weapons demonstrations in the face of deepening tensions with his neighbors and Washington.

State media photos showed military officials applauding at the banquet, which appeared to be held at Pyongyang's Yanggakdo Hotel. Kim and his daughter dressed alike in black suits and white dress shirts and held hands as they walked down a red carpet alongside Kim's wife, Ri Sol Ju.

Kim during his speech said it was his "greatest honor" and delight to be the supreme commander of an army that is "fulfilling (the) call of the times and history as the strongest army in the world."

State media reports on Kim's visit to troops didn't mention any comments made toward Washington or Seoul. But Pyongyang's official Rodong Sinmun newspaper said in an editorial Wednesday that the North's military is prepared to unleash a "super strong strike of unimaginable might to wipe out the origins of provocations without a trace" when facing enemy threats.

The newspaper said North Korea's ramped up weapons tests and combat exercises last year were successful demonstrations of "overwhelming military might" that supports the government's escalatory nuclear doctrine.

Residents in Pyongyang marked the anniversary by visiting the city's Mansu Hill to lay flowers and pay respect to the statues of their late leaders, Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, respectively the grandfather and father of their ruler, as soldiers lined up to salute.

North Korea is coming off a record-breaking year in weapons testing, and the dozens of missiles it fired in 2022 included potentially nuclear-capable systems designed to strike targets in South Korea and the U.S. mainland.

The intensified testing activity was punctuated by fiery statements threatening preemptive nuclear attacks against its neighbors and the United States in a broad range of scenarios where it may perceive its leadership as under threat.

North Korea's Foreign Ministry last week warned that the country is prepared to counter U.S. military moves with the "most overwhelming nuclear force" as it condemned U.S. plans to expand its joint exercise with South Korea and deploy more advanced military assets to the region.

North Korea is facing deepening economic isolation and food shortages, showing the costs of Kim's nuclear ambitions are piling up.
Pretty impressive specs for a journalists word processor: operates in the glacial cold or torrid heat, on turbulent flights or during tumultuous sailings. Has a continuous power supply and needs no battery or electrical outlet. Offers instantaneous printouts in two colors, without peripherals. While using it, youll never get a pesky email, text or Slack message from an editor. You can spill your coffee on it, knock it off the desk or stop a bullet with it, and it will keep working.

Its a portable typewriter, far smaller and lighter than its desktop cousin. This type of typewriter served correspondents from the 1920s to the 1970s, when they were edged out by desktop computers and, later, laptops.

This Royal Portable belonged to Lester Bernstein (1920-2014), who began his career at The New York Times in 1940 writing the terse headlines that were displayed on the newspapers zipper  an electric bulletin board overlooking Times Square  and the slightly longer summaries that were broadcast over the radio station WMCA.

Even then, editors at The Times didnt just rely on the morning paper to update the public on breaking news. On Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, Mr. Bernstein wrote the initial bulletins for WMCA announcing Japans attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor that day. It made him the first Times staffer to provide the public with news that was already changing the world, the city and his life, Mr. Bernsteins daughter Nina wrote in 2012.
8. Gustavo Dudamels departure to the New York Philharmonic is a blow to L.A.

From the moment that Dudamel, a little-known 26-year-old conductor from Venezuela, was signed in 2009 as the Los Angeles Philharmonics music director, he emerged as a celebrity in a city that celebrates celebrities.

Dudamels announcement yesterday that he is leaving L.A. for New York was a strike at the soul of the city. But his departure will also give the Philharmonic the chance to do what the New York Philharmonic did not: to become the biggest major American orchestra to appoint a woman as its music director.

Also in the music world, SZAs moody, enigmatic music helped to make her a dominant figure in American pop. But she still resists some of the terms and conditions of being a superstar.
Over the past year, Americas arsenal of Covid treatments has shrunk as new variants of the coronavirus have eroded the potency of drug after drug. Many patients are now left with a single option, Paxlovid. While highly effective, it poses problems for many people who need it because of dangerous interactions with other medications.

But a new class of variant-proof treatments could help restock the countrys armory. Scientists on Wednesday reported in The New England Journal of Medicine that a single injection of a so-called interferon drug slashed by half a Covid patients odds of being hospitalized.

The results, demonstrated in a clinical trial of nearly 2,000 patients, rivaled those achieved by Paxlovid. And the interferon shots hold even bigger promise, scientists said. By fortifying the bodys own mechanisms for quashing an invading virus, they can potentially help defend against not only Covid, but also the flu and other viruses with the potential to kindle future pandemics.

It doesnt matter if the next pandemic is a coronavirus, an influenza virus, or another respiratory virus, said Eleanor Fish, an immunologist at the University of Toronto who was not involved in the new study. For all the viruses were seeing that are circulating now, theres utility to using interferon.
What does a woman want? Sigmund Freud famously confessed that he had spent most of his career flummoxed by that question. In the 21st century it seems that the director Steven Soderbergh, the screenwriter Reid Carolin and the heterodox psychoanalytic theorist Channing Tatum have come up with an answer that Freud would never have dreamed of: Magic Mike.

In Magic Mikes Last Dance, the final chapter in a trilogy about lust, ambition and abdominal fitness in the modern age, Mike is focused on the desires of one woman in particular, a wealthy Londoner named Maxandra Mendoza. But the sources of Mikes appeal  a heart as big as his trapezius, resolve as firm as his glutes, a character as sturdy as his quadriceps  havent changed.

More than a decade has passed since the first movie, Magic Mike (2012), which was followed by Magic Mike XXL (directed by Gregory Jacobs) in 2015. Mike Lane, middle-aging gracefully, still resides in South Florida, but he isnt quite where he had dreamed of being in life. A narrator (who will turn out to be an important character) informs us that Mike has lost his beloved furniture business. He also seems to have hung up his backless chaps and his fake police uniform and traded in stripping for bartending at fancy charity events.
There were dead men at the State of the Union.

No, Im not talking about George Santos, who I dont think is long for the House of Representatives because his multitude of lies threatens to end him.

Im not talking about Kevin McCarthy, who slipped a noose around his own neck in his craven quest to become speaker.

And Im not talking about President Biden, who still struggles in the polls because the precise reason that he was elected  he was a calm, thoughtful antidote to the endless madness of Donald Trump  has now become his greatest obstacle as a public addicted to flash and theater draws back from his deliberativeness.

Im talking about two Black men, both killed by the police, one a few years after the Civil War ended and the other last month.
Twitter users around the world reported that they could no longer post messages or send messages to one another on Wednesday, the latest in a series of glitches at the social media service owned by Elon Musk.

The problems began around 4:45 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, when users who tried posting messages saw a notification that said they were over the daily limit for sending tweets. Others found they were unable to follow new accounts, and some were logged out of their accounts altogether. Direct messages and the search function for GIFs also stopped working.

Downdetector, a service that collects user reports of outages, also said Twitter was experiencing problems. By 7 p.m. Eastern time, some users began tweeting again as features were partly restored.
A reporter who was covering a news conference on the train derailment in Ohio that led to the release of toxic fumes was arrested following a live shot on Wednesday, after officers told him to be quiet while the governor spoke, according to the cable channel where he works, NewsNation.

The reporter, Evan Lambert, had been waiting for the news conference in East Palestine, Ohio, to start at 3 p.m., but it was delayed until about 5.p.m. The later time coincided with when he was scheduled to do a live shot for the show, Mike Viqueira, the Washington Bureau Chief of NewsNation, said in an interview on Wednesday night.

Mr. Lambert was charged with disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing, according to Lt. Seth Fraser of the Columbiana County Jail in Ohio. Lieutenant Fraser said in a brief interview on Wednesday evening that Mr. Lambert would be held in the jail overnight and arraigned on Thursday morning.

But on Wednesday night, NewsNation reported that Mr. Lambert had been released from jail and broadcast an interview with him moments after he was freed.
WASHINGTON  The House floor has been no stranger to rowdy spectacle in 2023, but the eruptions of Republican vitriol against President Biden during his State of the Union address on Tuesday night underscored a new and notably coarse normal in Congress, where members of the G.O.P. majority tossed aside rules of decorum and turned the annual speech into a showcase for partisan hostility.

The raucous peals of liar, thats not true and at least one expletive lobbed at Mr. Biden during his 73-minute address dwarfed outbursts during previous such speeches, most of which have been interrupted by a single disturbance, if at all.

The display  captured in images of Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, her mouth wide open as she booed and gave a thumbs down to the president  reflected the ethos that has come to define the Republican-led House, where an emboldened right wing that styles itself after former President Donald J. Trump is unapologetic about its antipathy for Mr. Biden and eager to show it in attention-grabbing ways.

If the American people had been on that House floor listening to that speech, it would have been a lot worse names than I called him, said Ms. Greene, Republican of Georgia, who rose to yell liar at Mr. Biden repeatedly after he noted that some Republicans favored a plan that could phase out Social Security. Asked whether she was worried about being rebuked for her antics, she added: Not one single bit. I have the speakers support, and he has mine.
WASHINGTON  The acting director of the National Institutes of Health pushed back on Wednesday against Republicans assertions that a lab leak stemming from taxpayer-funded research may have caused the coronavirus pandemic, telling lawmakers that viruses being studied at a laboratory in Wuhan, China, bore no resemblance to the one that set off the worst public health crisis in a century.

Those viruses bear no relationship to SARS-CoV-2; they are genetically distinct, the N.I.H. official, Dr. Lawrence A. Tabak, told a House panel, using the formal name for the virus. He added that to suggest otherwise would be akin to saying that a human is equivalent to a cow.

Dr. Tabaks comments came at a hearing before members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, with the House newly under Republican control. For two years, Republicans in Washington seethed as Democrats investigated the Trump administrations coronavirus response. On Wednesday, they flipped the script.

During a public grilling that lasted nearly four hours, Republicans accused Dr. Tabak and two other top Biden administration officials  Dr. Robert M. Califf, the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, and Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  of stonewalling their requests for information, imposing unnecessary vaccine mandates and eroding Americans faith in public health institutions.
After the speech, Mr. Romney, a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, told reporters that Mr. Santos is a sick puppy, he shouldnt have been there, in what could be construed as the Mormon equivalent of an eviscerating, curse-filled diatribe. Given the fact that hes under ethics investigation, he should be sitting in the back row and being quiet instead of parading in front of the president.

The confrontation between Mr. Romney, the 2012 G.O.P. nominee for president and former governor of Massachusetts, and Mr. Santos, a freshman lawmaker who has admitted to fabricating his resume and is under investigation in the United States and Brazil, where he faces criminal charges, was a striking juxtaposition of two Republicans who represent polar opposites in their party.

Mr. Romney is the ultimate institutionalist, who has described his decades-long political career as part of a larger moral mission informed by his faith. Wealthy, well-educated, and so decorous he has sometimes been ridiculed for it, Mr. Romney has long been out of step with a party that has increasingly shaped itself in the brash mold of former President Donald J. Trump.

Mr. Santos, by contrast, invented what now appears to have been a largely fictional persona to propel himself to Congress, and has spent his first weeks on Capitol Hill thumbing his nose at convention and refusing to address the cascade of allegations against him. He encapsulates the ethos that has come to drive the Republican Party since the rise of Mr. Trump, in which shamelessness in the face of attacks is rewarded and the notion of keeping ones head down, even in the midst of scandals of ones own making, is seen as a sign of weakness.

Its not the first time in history Ive been told to shut up and go to the back of the room, especially by people who come from a privileged background, Mr. Santos said Wednesday afternoon. Im never going to shut up and go to the back.
WASHINGTON  House Republicans on Wednesday summoned former Twitter executives to answer to accusations that the social media platform has tried to silence voices on the right, but the hourslong hearing yielded new revelations about how the company failed to limit hateful speech or material that could incite violence, sometimes altering its own rules to avoid doing so.

The Oversight and Accountability Committee called the hearing to investigate a decision that the company has for years admitted was a mistake: blocking an unsubstantiated New York Post article about the activities of Hunter Biden, President Bidens son, in Ukraine before the 2020 election, in which his father was running against President Donald J. Trump.

Twitter aggressively suppressed conservative elected officials, journalists and activists, said Representative James R. Comer, Republican of Kentucky and the chairman of the oversight panel.

But the session also served as a forum for Democrats to press their concerns about the behavior of the company. They have accused Twitter of playing a critical role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, including by changing internal rules to allow Mr. Trump to keep posting up until the riot.
Despite all of these varied applications, hypnosis cant seem to shake its reputation as a stage gag  in which you might stare at a pocket watch and then cluck like a chicken  or a way to retrieve lost memories and probe past lives. (The former can be misleading and the latter is pseudoscience.)

Experts say it is a technique that requires diligence and focus, akin to mindfulness and meditation. Heres what to know.

What is hypnosis?

The simplest way to describe hypnosis is as a state of both deep relaxation and focused attention, where your mind is more receptive to making subtle changes in feelings and behaviors.

The intense concentration and focus of hypnosis may sound foreign, but its not unlike being absorbed in a good book or movie, getting lost on the internet or scrolling on your phone, said Dr. Elvira Lang, a radiologist and founder of Comfort Talk, a service that trains medical staff to reduce anxiety and pain in hospital patients using hypnotic language (named that way since people are often afraid of what she calls the H word). You are absorbed, less aware of your physical or sensory surroundings, rapt and yet at ease.

Formal therapeutic hypnosis has a few more steps. First a hypnotist will try to induce a hypnotic state by getting you to relax and focus on their words. Once you are induced, they will talk you through suggestions based on your goals for the session. If youre trying to get over a fear of flying, they might tell you that the plane is an extension of your body and get you to imagine floating with the plane through the sky.
LONDON  President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine pleaded with Britain on Wednesday to supply his country with fighter jets, making his dramatic appeal during a surprise visit to London that began a two-day diplomatic blitz of Ukraines Western allies.

Expressing thanks for Britains robust and early military support, Mr. Zelensky nevertheless warned that warplanes were now urgently needed to thwart a fresh Russian offensive that is already mobilizing in Ukraines east.

So far, the British government has resisted Ukraines request, as has the United States and other NATO countries, fearing that combat aircraft could escalate confrontation with Russia. But Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that Britain would train Ukrainian pilots to fly NATO-standard jets, and signaled he was open to eventually sending planes.
The parents and sister of Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer who was fatally shot on the Rust film set, filed a lawsuit on Thursday against Alec Baldwin and other producers and crew members, accusing them of negligent behavior and lax attention to safety.

Ms. Hutchinss husband, Matthew Hutchins, agreed last year to settle his own wrongful death lawsuit against the Rust producers, including Mr. Baldwin, for an undisclosed sum.

In their lawsuit, Ms. Hutchinss Ukrainian family  her parents, Olga Solovey and Anatolii Androsovych, and her sister, Svetlana Zemko  say they have suffered substantial and foreseeable compensable loss of consortium damages, including, without limitation, extreme and severe emotional distress.

The claim was filed against a long list of defendants who were involved in Rust, including Mr. Baldwin, who was holding the gun on the New Mexico set when it discharged, and the films armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was in charge of guns and ammunition. Both were charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Initially, Colon said in an interview, he was brought in to teach the other doubles  on the day before shooting. That wasnt enough time, so the director, Adrian Lyne, asked him to perform the backspin himself, in a leotard and wig, after shaving his legs and his newly grown mustache.

I was this little arrogant Puerto Rican from the Bronx with all this machismo, Colon said. I put my hands up to Lynes face and rubbed my fingers together, like, You gotta pay me.

They paid enough, Colon said. And in the next decades, the residual checks definitely came in handy, he added, as did his joke about being the first in hip-hop to dress in drag.

Colon was known to the filmmakers because he was already in the movie. He and a few other members of the pioneering B-boy group Rock Steady Crew appear in another scene, when Alex discovers them dancing with a boombox on the sidewalk.
NEW HAVEN, Conn.  At a time when the Taliban are rolling back womens rights in Afghanistan, the Afghan-Canadian artist Hangama Amiri has created a form of long-distance resistance through her painstakingly sewn textile artworks, now on display at the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield, Conn.

The images in her colorful fabric wall hangings are drawn from the past  partly based on her memories of being a young child in Kabul, before her family fled and became refugees for almost a decade. Theyre also visions of a better future for women in her native country, which she visited as an adult in 2010 and 2012.

As diaspora artists, we are always in search of something that reminds us of home, Amiri said, standing in her studio in New Haven on a quiet Sunday morning in January.

The creation of her large, complex compositions  a laborious process that, in its early stages, involves many pins and pieces of fabric  was also a construction, or a reconstruction, of the self: Im pinning and sewing my identity, she said.
The tensions that permeate Jonathan Wilsons THE RED BALCONY (Schocken, 272 pp., $27) derive from the challenging ersatz outpost of the British Empire that was early-1930s Palestine. Ivor Castle, a young Oxford-educated lawyer, is sent from England to assist in the defense of two Russian Jews accused of murdering a man who had been negotiating to allow more Jews to leave Hitlers Germany. Hated by many local Jews who were convinced hed entered into a pact with the devil, Haim Arlosoroff was also hated by the local Arabs for trying to increase the pace of Jewish settlement.

The case quickly becomes a miasma of twisted, competing narratives, with Arlosoroffs widow at first insisting that the killers were Arabs, then insisting just as vigorously that they were Jews. A young Arab confesses, but almost immediately takes everything back. Through it all, Ivor must search for evidence in a place that challenges his own not-very-observant Jewish heritage  a place, he comes to believe, that distorted certain personalities. This will prove true of Ivor himself when he becomes romantically involved with a woman who could offer an alibi for his clients.

Ivor feels as if from the moment he had stepped off his ship and into Palestine he had found not dry land but rising seas. Enveloped in the regions oppressive heat and cacophonous politics, hes prey to shifting moods of uncertainty and alienation. Tel Aviv, he senses, is unregulated, free from its moorings, while in Jerusalem he feels the city coil  like an animal and prepare to spring. Will he survive to witness the resolution of his case?
More than 20,000 dead

The death toll from the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria surpassed 20,000 as rescue efforts faltered, even as the first U.N. aid convoy reached Syria.

We can call it the disaster of the century, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during a news conference in the Turkish city of Osmaniye.

Truck shortages and blocked roads were among the many hurdles that rescue teams faced as they worked to unearth victims and help desperate survivors. Hundreds of thousands of people have been left homeless in subfreezing temperatures.

In Kahramanmaras, a hard-hit Turkish city near the quakes epicenter, survivors were looking for missing loved ones among masses of lifeless bodies. In Hatay, a parking lot outside a hospital served as an open-air morgue. There, hundreds of families searched for deceased relatives, opening and closing body bags, discouraged by the countless rows of corpses.
That exchange  one of dozens between officials and executives at Facebook, Google, Twitter and other social media companies that have spilled into public  is at the heart of a partisan legal battle that could disrupt the Biden administrations already struggling efforts to combat disinformation.

The attorneys general of Missouri and Louisiana, both Republicans, have sued the White House and dozens of officials like Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the nations top infectious-disease expert, accusing them of forcing the platforms to stifle the voices of its political critics in violation of the constitutional guarantee of free speech.

The outcome could help decide whether the First Amendment has become, for better or worse, a barrier to virtually any government efforts to stifle a problem that, in the case of a pandemic, threatens public health and, in the case of the integrity of elections, even democracy itself.

Government officials have long urged social media companies to fight illegal or harmful content online, especially when it comes to terrorism or other criminal activity, like child sexual abuse or human trafficking.

The attorneys general, though, accuse the Biden administration of taking the effort too far. Their claims reflect a narrative that has taken root among conservatives that the nations social media companies have joined with government officials to discriminate against them, despite evidence showing the contrary  in Twitters case, for example, from its own study in 2021 of how political accounts were promoted.
These are the same companies that spent recent years expanding benefits in one area in particular: paid parental leave and caregiver benefits, which fill in the gaps for white-collar workers in a country where the federal government does not require employers to offer paid parental leave. Which means that working parents have felt the turbulence of mass layoffs in an especially visceral way.

Now some are spending their early weeks of parenthood adjusting to life without a job. LinkedIn and Twitter have been filled with accounts of workers being laid off while on parental leave or even, in at least two instances, while delivering a baby. That comes with a mental health toll  as so many laid-off workers across different backgrounds have experienced, including those who are immigrants with visas tied to employment.

Employees across tech have felt that their companies engaged in a bait and switch, after selling not just a job but a lifestyle, with child care, mental health support and plentiful paid time off. For new parents, generous leave was part of the draw. Many had assumed that their parental leave came with some legal protection, and were distraught to learn they were caught up in mass job cuts. Being on parental leave does not protect someone from mass layoffs unrelated to their leave.

America has no federal paid-family-leave policy. About 23 percent of private employees have paid maternity leave, according to September 2022 data from the career site Zippia. More than 90 percent of women take the full amount of leave offered, compared with about two-thirds of men, according to a survey by the Boston College Center for Work and Family.

But in the last five years, companies scaled up family-friendly benefits for some workers in what human resources experts called the golden age of corporate benefits. A study from Mercer found that 54 percent of large companies covered in vitro fertilization in 2022, compared with 36 percent in 2015, and 19 percent covered egg freezing compared with 6 percent in 2015.
Last summer, 1,704 TikTok accounts made a coordinated and covert effort to influence public discourse about the war in Ukraine, the company said on Thursday.

Nearly all the accounts were part of a single network operating out of Russia that pretended to be based in Europe and aimed its posts at Germans, Italians and Britons, the company said. The accounts used software to use local languages that amplified pro-Russia propaganda, attracting more than 133,000 followers before being discovered and removed by TikTok.

TikTok disclosed the networks on Thursday in an in-depth report that examined its handling of disinformation in Europe, where it has more than 100 million users, noting that conflict in Ukraine challenged us to confront a complex and rapidly changing environment.

The social media platform compiled the findings to comply with the European Unions voluntary Code of Practice on Disinformation, which counts Google, Meta and Twitter among its other signatories. TikTok offered the detailed look into its operations as it tried to demonstrate its openness in the face of continued regulatory scrutiny over its data security and privacy practices.
The Energy Department on Thursday announced a $2 billion loan to help a Nevada company step up production of critical components of electric vehicle batteries.

The company, Redwood Materials, plans to use the loan to expand a manufacturing campus near Reno, Nev., where it makes some of the components from new and recycled sources. The company was founded by J.B. Straubel, a former top Tesla executive, and has partnerships with Panasonic, Ford Motor, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo.

After construction is complete, Redwood aims to produce enough battery materials at the Nevada campus to support production of more than one million electric vehicles a year. The loan will help to create about 3,400 construction jobs, Redwood and the Energy Department said. The company said it expected about 1,600 full-time employees to work at the campus when it was finished.

The announcement was the latest loan from the department to support domestic battery manufacturing as the Biden administration seeks to bring more of the supply chain for electric vehicles to the United States and reduce reliance on China. Last month, the department said it would lend $700 million to support a mining project in Nevada. In December, the department announced a $2.5 billion loan for Ultium Cells, a battery-making joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution.
A federal judge on Thursday ordered lawyers for Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced founder of the bankrupt FTX cryptocurrency exchange, to create a plan with prosecutors that would ensure Mr. Bankman-Fried did not delete text messages he sent while awaiting trial on charges that he orchestrated the theft of billions of dollars in customer deposits.

Judge Lewis A. Kaplan issued his instructions at a hearing in Federal District Court in Manhattan two days after rejecting an agreement that federal prosecutors in Manhattan struck with Mr. Bankman-Frieds lawyers to limit his ability to use certain encrypted messaging services like Signal.

Judge Kaplan said the proposal had done nothing but spark more questions in my mind, explaining that it did not fully eliminate the potential for Mr. Bankman-Fried to send messages that he could later delete.

I read all the spy novels, Judge Kaplan said.

The back and forth in court arose from a dispute over the conditions of Mr. Bankman-Frieds bail. Prosecutors sought additional conditions last month after presenting evidence in court filings that Mr. Bankman-Fried had sent messages over email and Signal to Ryne Miller, the general counsel of the U.S. arm of FTX. In court filings, prosecutors said Mr. Miller, who was not identified by name, could be a potential witness against Mr. Bankman-Fried.
WASHINGTON  Growing concerns about Chinas military and economic ambitions have lawmakers and the White House weighing yet another effort to restrict Beijings access to advanced technologies that could be used in war.

This time, the U.S. government appears poised to extend its restrictions to a new area: American dollars that are used to finance the development of such technologies within Chinese borders.

For months, the Biden administration has been preparing curbs on the investments that U.S. firms can make in China, particularly in areas like advanced computing.

Those measures are now largely complete and could be issued within two months. The Treasury Department has been reaching out to other governments, including the European Union, to try to ensure that they do not rush in to provide similar financing to China after the United States cuts it off, according to people familiar with the discussions.
Alleva Dairy, a 130-year-old Little Italy cheese store known for its fresh ricotta and mozzarella, will close in March after a long battle with its landlord over back rent. Its just the latest passing of a historic business in the Manhattan neighborhood, whose demographics have changed significantly in the past few decades.

We dont know where were going, said Karen King, who bought the shop with her husband in 2014 from the family who founded Alleva. But I do know that if we go somewhere, itll be bigger, itll be better. Were taking with us the quality that we have had on Mulberry and Grand for this long.

The closing would end months of financial woes for the cheese shop. Last September, Alleva Dairy filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Its lease expired on Oct. 31, but the company agreed to continue paying $23,756 a month in rent while it remained in the space, according to court papers. The owner of the property, Jerome G. Stabile III Realty, agreed to drop its attempts to collect more than $628,000 in back rent, which accumulated during the pandemic, if the shop paid a lump sum of about $31,000 (which Ms. King says has already been paid) and moved out by March 5.

The landlord has attempted to work with Alleva and been very patient, said Scott Markowitz, a partner at Tarter Krinsky & Drogin, which is representing the landlord. This settlement allows Alleva to remain in business, just not in the location that theyre currently at.
Tanya McQuoid, Jennifer Coolidges character on HBOs The White Lotus, is by no means a role model. But amid her frequent displays of cluelessness are succinct, if not odd, moments of wisdom.

Consider: Finger food is always a must.

That should be your guiding philosophy this Super Bowl weekend, whether you are a football novice (Kansas City is playing Philadelphia) or the reigning champion of your fantasy league (Birds by 6), or in it only for the commercials (will we ever free ourselves from the M&Ms spokescandies discourse?) and for Rihanna (I wish shed sing Needed Me).

Cauliflower is a prime finger-food candidate. The often-maligned vegetable, asked far too many times to be so many things it is not, shines when simply tossed with Buffalo sauce and served with a ranch-style yogurt dip. Or go in a cheesy direction with crispy, crunchy cauliflower popcorn, which is vegan, thanks to nutritional yeast.

Youll make spinach dip with artichoke, with garlic, dill and yogurt, with lots of onion and a tinge of turmeric. You dont need me to tell you to do that. But perhaps you need more help in the large-format department. Dinner cant be only finger foods.*
Shacking up soon after meeting up could strain any relationship, but Attachment stirs in the extra spice of demonic possession. In Gabriel Bier Gislasons compact supernatural story, Maja (Josephine Park) and Leah (Ellie Kendrick) move into Leahs London flat not long after a meet-cute in a Danish library. Their sole neighbor is Leahs mother, Chana (Sofie Grabol), whose extreme protectiveness lights a slow-burning fuse of dread.

Leah suffers from strange seizures and fugue states, and Maja starts clashing with Chana, an Orthodox Jewish homemaker, over how best to take care of her. The mutual suspicion simmers as Maja hears creaks in the night and finds Chanas habits peculiar, though a welcome streak of light humor lets the whole story keep a toe in rom-com waters. (By chance this film arrives shortly after a recent, creepier entry in dybbuk horror, The Offering.)
Cinema Sabaya, Israels international feature entry for this years Oscars (though not nominated), looks and feels like a behind-the-scenes documentary. Its not  the actors arent playing themselves and the drama is scripted. But the film resides in the porous boundary between fiction and reality, mounting a chamber piece of sorts not unlike Women Talking, but enriched by naturalistic flair that eschews didacticism.

Dana Ivgy plays Rona, a filmmaker from Tel Aviv who is running a video workshop for Arab and Jewish women in a small town in northern Israel. The films director, Orit Fouks Rotem, was inspired by her mothers participation in a similar course; she went on to organize sessions for other women, which  along with testimonies from the actors  inform her fictional rendition. In Cinema Sabaya, each member is given a hand-held device to complete assignments that involve capturing moments from their lives beyond the classroom. But using themselves as the grist of the mill for their training means revealing themselves as well  their struggles with tradition, sexuality, domesticity  while their homework is often blown up on a big screen and shared with the others.
The film eventually gets to what prompts this toothlessly jarring shot, but the payoff isnt particularly satisfying. Grace, an eye doctor, travels to the seaside convent where her brother, a priest, died. Her brother, a suspect in the murder of a fellow priest, is believed to have taken his own life, but Grace has her doubts. Suspicious of the nuns, stern traditionalists led by a dour mother superior, Grace begins looking for evidence of foul play. While she searches, shes haunted by apparitions and visions of death, and the film often flashes back to her grim childhood in which the religious and the darkly supernatural were entwined.

Yet the mythos of Graces past isnt filled in thoughtfully or interestingly enough to buoy the present storys mysteries and twists. The plot, as a result, cant quite find its momentum; it doesnt help that most of the films scares fall flat on a visual and technical level. Malone does what she can to keep it all afloat, and Danny Huston lends a bit of gravitas as Father Romero, a visiting priest who may or may not be there to help Grace. Either way, its not much of a thrill to find out.

Consecration

Rated R. Bloody, violent content and some language. Running time: 1 hour 30 minutes. In theaters.
Stolevski, as his earlier work shows, knows his way around a camera. Working with the cinematographer Matthew Chuang (who also shot You Wont Be Alone), Stolevski uses the physical confines of the car with intelligence, shrewdly marshaling its tight space to create a sense of claustrophobia that subtly shifts into intimacy as the men warm to each other. He also does nice work with the Australian light, in some sequences giving the visuals a blurry radiance that softens every hard edge, turns an ordinary cityscape into a jewel box and looks particularly lovely when bounced off Adams bare skin.

Its too bad then that, for all the bashful and gawking looks he employs playing Kol, Anton just doesnt cut it as a timid, socially awkward adolescent outsider, a serious impediment to the movies fragile realism. The actor makes more sense in the role when the story jumps forward in time, bringing a now-strappingly adult Kol with it. The movies greater, intractable problem, though, is that Stolevski has burdened his characters with such obvious narrative instrumentality  Kol is the sensitive naif while Adam is the appealing, gentle exemplar of an authentic life  that the two simply never come to life as people, either as individuals or as a couple. They say and do everything that they should, and also everything that you expect.

Of an Age

Rated R for language. Running time: 1 hour 39 minutes. In theaters Feb. 17.
Sweet and shaggy and kind of sad, Clay Tatums The Civil Dead is a low-key buddy comedy in which only one of the buddies is alive. Even so, this isnt a scary movie  the sole horror onscreen is the lead actors self-inflicted haircut  but an offbeat bromance with existentialist ambitions.

Tatum plays Clay, a schlubby freelance photographer in Los Angeles with a lackadaisical nature and a remarkably supportive wife (Whitney Weir) who urges him to do something productive while she takes a business trip. In response, Clay busies himself by running small-time financial scams, an endeavor thats unexpectedly supercharged when he meets an old friend, Whit (Tatums co-writer, Whitmer Thomas). A onetime high-school hot shot whose heat cooled after graduation, Whit is now a failed actor who desperately needs a friend. He is also deceased, and invisible to everyone but Clay.
ROSELLE PARK, N.J.  The shift was subtle but meaningful.

Police officers in casual collared shirts and cargo pants were assigned to arrive with mental health counselors to emergencies involving people in emotional distress. The two-person teams began showing up in unmarked cars, without flashing lights or sirens, crisscrossing three northern New Jersey communities.

Part of a pilot program that New Jerseys Attorney Generals Office created after the 2020 police killing of George Floyd, the approach  called Arrive Together  was meant to better address the mental health needs of people in crisis and reduce the risk that encounters might end in violence.

Theres mistrust, said Daniel McCaffery, the police chief in Roselle Park, N.J., where the mental health teams began operating in December. Theres a feeling among some residents that the people you call for help are the people who may kill you.

We have to rethink our approach, he added.

On Wednesday, New Jersey officials announced plans to do just that.
Anthony Cruz used to complain about going to school. His failing grades on reading assignments shook his confidence and made him wonder whether he was not as smart as the other children.

Anthony, 8, bounced around between public and private schools in New York City. Everywhere, he struggled with sounds and letters. He often added extra sounds to the ends of words like what. His mother sought help, and he was eventually diagnosed with dyslexia.

That might have been bad news in a city where students with dyslexia and other reading issues often fall through the cracks, according to parents and education experts. But Anthony was starting third grade at a public school in the Bronx just as the city was launching a new reading initiative in his school, along with a handful of others across the city.

As many as 10 to 20 percent of New York City students could have dyslexia like Anthony, according to some estimates. New York has begun trying to find more of them and help them catch up.
Mr. Palumbo, who is the ranking minority member of the Judiciary Committee and voted in favor of Justice LaSalle, said that the judge is entitled to an up-or-down vote by the full State Senate, not as a courtesy, but because the Constitution requires it.

A spokeswoman for Ms. Hochul, who is not a plaintiff in the complaint, declined to comment on the litigation or say whether the governor would join the lawsuit. Mr. Palumbo said in an interview that he had not discussed the nomination or the lawsuit with the governor.

Mike Murphy, a spokesman for Ms. Stewart-Cousins, accused Senate Republicans, who are in the minority, of having no basic understanding of law or the Constitution.

Justice LaSalles rejection was unprecedented: The 10-to-9 committee vote that blocked his nomination on Jan. 18 marked the first time that a governors choice for chief judge of the Court of Appeals, who is responsible for overseeing the states vast court system, has been voted down.

Even though Ms. Hochul is not part of the complaint, the legal battle could deepen the rift in an already bitter confrontation between Ms. Hochul and more progressive Democrats in the State Senate who have vehemently opposed Justice LaSalle over concerns that he is too conservative. It comes just one week after Ms. Hochul unveiled her $227 billion state budget proposal, which she must negotiate with Democrats who control the State Legislature over the coming months.
The New York City Police Departments Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad said Thursday it was investigating how a white king pigeon, nicknamed Flamingo, ended up dyed completely pink before being found by rescuers. The bird, which was taken to a wildlife rehabilitation organization last week, died earlier this week.

Whats known of Flamingos story began last Monday, Jan. 30, when Carlos Rodriguez learned from a Parks Department employee about a bird in need of help in Madison Square Park, in Manhattans Flatiron District. Mr. Rodriguez, an avid animal rescuer who lives nearby, said he was used to getting calls from people alerting him about animals in need.

But the call he received that morning about a pink bird abandoned behind the Shake Shack caught him off guard.

Because of its color, he initially thought the bird was a parrot. When he got closer, he realized it was a king pigeon, a domesticated white bird typically bred for food, that had been dyed pink.
Messages dont come any more mixed.

An overwhelming majority of Democrats and independents who lean Democratic believe that President Biden has done a good job  81 and 78 percent, respectively, according to a recent Washington Post/ABC News poll. They can see what an increasingly ungovernable country weve become, how much he has accomplished despite that, how admirably he has kept his cool (for the most part) and how well he has honored his overarching promise: to put the puerile and corrosive drama of the Trump administration behind us. For Donald Trump, we needed noise-canceling headphones. For Biden, hearing aids.

The silence is golden.

Regardless, 58 percent of those same Democrats and independents said that they want a Democratic presidential candidate other than Biden in 2024. They seem to like him. Theyre apparently grateful for him. Yet theyre ready to kick him to the curb.

It doesnt add up. And the person to whom the arithmetic must feel strangest  and coldest  is Biden.

During his State of the Union address on Tuesday night, he strongly signaled that hell seek re-election. So that settles that? I dont think so, not when you factor in the metabolism of politics today, the predictable unpredictability of the world, and his age, 80, which comes with the increased possibility of deteriorating health and sudden illness.
The three investigations tell different stories, but the misdeeds all run together, more overlapping than sequential. The presidents effort to squeeze Zelenskys government into investigating the Biden family (ironically, under the guise of Trumps anti-corruption concerns) was an attempt to manipulate the 2020 election, while his desire for Ukraine to investigate its own supposed U.S. election interference (on behalf of the Democrats, naturally) was part of Trumps ongoing battle to defend the glorious memory of his 2016 victory. We were struck by the fact that the presidents misconduct was not an isolated occurrence, nor was it the product of a naive president, Schiff writes. Indeed, several weeks before Trumps famous phone conversation with Zelensky on July 25, 2019, Trump had already ordered a hold on hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine, which it would dangle as leverage. And the purely political nature of the enterprise was made plain when the report notes that Trump did not care if Ukraine in fact conducted any investigations. It simply had to announce them.

The Mueller report argues that viewing the presidents acts collectively can help to illuminate their significance. The Ukraine report shows that the conversation that Trump described as a perfect call was not the ask; it was the confirmation. When Trump said, I would like you to do us a favor, though, Zelensky and his aides had already been notified of what was coming. The Ukraine scandal was never about a single call, just as the Jan. 6 report was not about a single day.

The Jan. 6 report is the most dramatic  and certainly the most readable  of the three documents. It is vaguely journalistic in style, even adopting the narrative convention of turning memorable quotes into chapter titles, like I Just Want to Find 11,780 Votes and Be There, Will Be Wild! (Contrast this with the Mueller reports Background Legal and Evidentiary Principles or Legal Defenses to the Application of Obstruction-of-Justice Statutes to the President, among its other sexy teasers.) At times, the Jan. 6 report applies too much writerly gloss. When it points out that Trump and his campaign used bogus claims of election fraud after the 2020 vote to raise more than $250 million from supporters, the report says that the Big Lie enabled the Big Rip-off. Im sure someone was proud of that wording, but in this case it is more than enough just to state the facts.

The Jan. 6 report takes seriously the admonition to view the presidents actions collectively, not individually; the phrase multipart plan appears throughout the report, with Trump as the architect. Several observers of the Trump era have described how the president learned to maneuver his way through the executive branch and grew bolder in his abuses of it; in the Jan. 6 report, that transition is complete. No longer the bumbling, reactive and instinctual occupant of the Oval Office, here Trump is fully in charge  purposely spreading false information about election fraud, pressuring Pence to refuse to certify the Electoral College count, leaning on state and local electoral officials to change the vote totals, summoning tens of thousands of supporters to Washington on Jan. 6, 2021, and urging them to march to the Capitol, then standing by for hours as the violent attack was underway. The central cause of Jan. 6 was one man, former President Donald Trump, whom many others followed, the report concludes.

Trump told America that he alone could fix it; the Jan. 6 report tells us that he alone could break it.
By the first week of January 2020, the number of infected people in China had climbed to the hundreds, and Dr. Corbett, a viral immunologist, was back at her desk at the National Institutes of Health, where she served as a senior research fellow at the Vaccine Research Center at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. And thats when the news was confirmed: The mysterious illness was a novel coronavirus, exactly the category of infection that she had been probing for the past five years in a bid to develop a vaccine.

Coronaviruses can cause all kinds of illness, like the common cold or more crippling diseases like MERS and SARS. Novel coronaviruses are new strains that are identified in humans for the first time. And when it came to the race for a vaccine against Covid-19, Dr. Corbett, who was part of important work on other coronavirus outbreaks, was at the vanguard.

Next month will be the three-year anniversary of the World Health Organizations declaring Covid-19 a pandemic, on March 11, 2020. But in those fraught first few months of 2020, Dr. Corbett helped lead a team of scientists that contributed to one of the most stunning achievements in the history of immunizations: a highly effective, easily manufactured vaccine against Covid-19, delivered and authorized for use in under a year.

On Jan. 6, 2020, that goal started to take on a new urgency. As the number of sick people in China began to climb, Dr. Corbett huddled with her supervisor, Dr. Barney Graham, the deputy director of the Vaccine Research Center and chief of the Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory. Both noted that this new disease bore eerie similarities to SARS and MERS, which each killed hundreds. Dr. Corbetts work, and the work of her entire team, suddenly had urgent implications.

At the time, we had no idea it would become a global pandemic, she said. So what I felt was excitement about being able to prove myself and my work to the world.
SpaceX moved one step closer to its future on Thursday with a successful ground test of the engines of the most powerful rocket ever built.

The company, founded by the entrepreneur Elon Musk, conducted what is known as a static fire of Super Heavy, a massive rocket booster. Super Heavy was made to send SpaceXs next-generation Starship vehicle toward orbit before returning to Earth.

More than 110,000 people watched a livestream broadcast by NASASpaceFlight.com, an independent space media company that has cameras monitoring the Starship test site in Boca Chica, Texas. The video feed showed clouds of vapor enveloping the launch stand when propellants started flowing into the rocket, and rings of frost forming around the rocket as the tanks filled with ultracold propellants.

Then the clouds mostly vanished when the fueling was complete  for the brief test, the tanks were not filled to the brim.
Patricia Field likes looking back on a lifetime in fashion as a series of snapshots. In the late 1970s the rocker Patti Smith visited Ms. Fields shop on Eighth Street in Manhattan, a downtown mecca for club kids and outliers of varying stripes. Her hair was disheveled, and her clothes were all wrinkled, Ms. Field recalled, but she had on a full-length olive green mink, looking like royalty whod fallen on hard times

A couple of decades later, as costume designer for Sex and the City, she was rifling through a discount bin in a Seventh Avenue showroom searching for just the right item for Sarah Jessica Parker to wear in the shows opening title sequence.

Soon enough, she unearthed a length of tulle that peeked out like a frothy wave  Ms. Field said. I pulled and out came this sort of chic white tutu.

Among her varied gifts is a near eidetic recall. What impresses me stays with me, she said on a recent afternoon. It also animates her latest venture.
The single-room La Folie, which was completed in 2021, after seven years of design and construction, is a natural gathering point. I thought, I dont need to build another house, Louboutin says, sitting on the terrace of his personal compound, which is a 20-minute downhill stroll from the tower. But I probably need a beautiful place where you can see the sea.

The 1,400-square-foot round building was inspired by the Jantar Mantar observatory in Jaipur, India  a collection of large-scale stone and marble structures built in the 18th century as astronomical instruments  as well as by Rajasthani stepwells, ancient subterranean cisterns known for their sharply angular staircases. Made of reinforced concrete, it has eight-inch-thick walls pierced by keyhole windows and coated in lime wash. On the ground floor, a seating area offers views of the sky through a large oculus in the ceiling, while a series of crisscrossing staircases around the towers outer rim spiral up to a flat roof. From there, the views of the Melides lagoon, which cuts through several miles of rice paddies out to the ocean, are unobstructed and expansive. Designed by the Egyptian architect Tarek Shamma, 41, who has worked on several of Louboutins European boutiques, the three-story tower stands in stark contrast to the areas low-slung thatched-roof houses and is intended as a place for both parties and meditation  not currently a pastime of Louboutins, but if I want one day to meditate, voila.
When Stephen K. Bannon, the White House strategist turned podcaster, was explaining the latest Covid-19 developments in 2021, he passed the microphone to a special guest: Clay Clark, an evangelist and anti-vaccine activist.

For nearly 10 minutes, Mr. Clark rattled off one false and misleading statement after another. Covid is 100 percent treatable with hydroxychloroquine and other drugs. (No.) Covid vaccines are filled with fetal tissue. (False.) Concentration camps are coming. (Nope.) Bill Gates owns a demonic patent for a cryptocurrency that is injected into your body. (Where to begin?)

There are no conspiracies, but there are no coincidences, Mr. Bannon concluded minutes later, in what has become his shows catchphrase.

Mr. Bannon has spent the past few years parlaying his stint as the chief strategist for former President Donald J. Trump into a prominent role as a right-wing personality. His hourlong War Room podcast episodes are released at least twice daily, even as Mr. Bannon faces various legal challenges, including a guilty verdict last year for contempt of Congress and accusations from Manhattan prosecutors that he defrauded conservative donors.
Even though some credit and debit cards waive foreign transaction fees, multicurrency accounts often have more favorable exchange rates, said Ted Rossman, a senior industry analyst with the financial advice service Bankrate.com in New York. At the end of January, $10 would get Revolut users 9.21 euros, while Visa customers would get 9.15. But once Visas typical 3 percent foreign transaction fee was factored in, they would get 8.88.

Multicurrency accounts really stand out in contrast to cash, Mr. Rossman said. Those exchange rates can be much worse, especially at airports and in tourist centers, he said. I think thats the legacy model theyre looking to displace.

Revolut, which currently has 26 million users, is only one of the services that offer these accounts. Other options include Wise (formerly TransferWise), Chime and Monito, as well as more traditional institutions like Citibank, HSBC and East West Bank (though the bigger banks may charge steep monthly fees and have high minimum balance requirements).

Online services like Revolut and Wise have ceilings on how much you can withdraw from A.T.M.s at no charge, and there are limits on how much and when currency exchanges can be made with no fees. These accounts also may not have the fraud and dispute protections of standard credit and debit cards.

Thinking of making one of these accounts part of your next trip? Heres what you need to know:

How do multicurrency accounts work?

These accounts, which may be used for personal or business purposes, let travelers hold, spend, transfer and toggle between multiple currencies. If youre using Revolut, for example, you can link your bank account through Apple Pay or Google Pay, load the currency of your home country into your account, and exchange it into 29 currencies  including U.S. dollars, British pounds, euros, Japanese yen, Swiss francs, Canadian dollars and South African rand  whenever the rate is favorable. You can add funds to a Revolut account in 17 currencies via bank transfer or debit card as well as with Apple Pay or Google Pay. Other Revolut users can also send you money through the app.
All this points to a Chinese population, currently 1.4 billion, that is likely to continue shrinking. In contrast to economists who have cast Chinas population decline as a grim sign for global growth, many demographers have been more sanguine, noting the benefits of a smaller population.

John Wilmoth, director of the Population Division at the United Nations, said that after decades of exponential growth in which the worlds population doubled to more than seven billion between 1970 to 2014, the doom-and-gloom assessments about declining fertility rates and depopulation tend to be overstated. Japan has been battling population decline since the 1970s, he noted, but it remains one of the worlds largest economies. It has not been the disaster that people imagined, Mr. Wilmoth said. Japan is not in a death spiral.

Worldwide, fertility remains above the replacement rate, which means that allowing more immigration will continue to be an option for many developed nations, even those that historically havent relied on it: Before the pandemic, net migration into Japan, while relatively low, had been increasing steadily.

Without immigration, pragmatic and noncoercive measures that encourage parents to have families while pursuing careers  as well as policies that allow people in their 60s and 70s to keep working  are the key to managing negative population growth, Mr. Wilmoth said. Population stabilization is overall a good thing, he said. All societies need to adapt to having older populations. What really matters is the speed of change, and how fast we get from here to there.
WASHINGTON  After a heady few years for the District of Columbias longtime aspirations of self-governance, with a statehood bill even passing in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2021, the temperature between Congress and the city it sits in has plummeted to new lows.

On Thursday, the House voted by large margins for two disapproval resolutions that would overturn a pair of laws passed by the Council of the District of Columbia, invoking its rarely used powers to weigh in on D.C. legislation. The measures now go to the Senate.

It was the latest congressional salvo against the citys government since Republicans took control of the House last month for the first time since 2019. Some have been minor: Under the Houses new rules package, the mayor of D.C. was stripped of her privileges to access the House floor. But some have verged on the existential: In the boldest broadside against the city in years, some Republicans have called for an outright repeal of the 50-year-old Home Rule Act, which allows the 713,000 residents of the District to elect a mayor and council.

I think theres some very rocky times ahead, said Irvin B. Nathan, a former attorney general for D.C. and, before that, general counsel of the House. What theyre threatening is much more serious than what weve had in the last couple of decades.
While the College Board was developing its first Advanced Placement course in African American studies, the group was in repeated contact with the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, often discussing course concepts that the state said it found objectionable, a newly released letter shows.

When the final course guidelines were released last week, the College Board had removed or significantly reduced the presence of many of those concepts  like intersectionality, mass incarceration, reparations and the Black Lives Matter movement  though it said that political pressure played no role in the changes. Florida had announced in January that it would not approve the curriculum.

The specifics about the discussions, which occurred over the course of a year, were outlined in a Feb. 7 letter from the Florida Department of Education to the College Board.

The existence of the letter was first reported by The Daily Caller, a conservative news site. A copy of the letter was posted on Scribd. Its authenticity was verified by a spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Education, which released a copy on Thursday.
WASHINGTON  The House on Thursday issued a bipartisan condemnation of the Chinese Communist Party for flying a spy balloon over the United States last week, unanimously approving the measure after top Republicans rebuffed a right-wing faction that had pressed to rebuke President Biden personally for how the incident was handled.

The vote was a remarkable display of unity in a House that has otherwise been dominated by partisan divisions since Republicans assumed control of the chamber last month, empowering a group of hard-right lawmakers who have taken aim at Mr. Biden in aggressive ways, with some calling for his impeachment. Heeding such voices, House Republican leaders initially proposed seizing on the public frenzy over the balloon, which was shot down by a missile from an F-22 fighter jet over the Atlantic Ocean on Saturday, to issue a censure against the president.

Instead, the House voted 419 to 0 to take China to task for a brazen violation of United States sovereignty. The action appeared to reflect a broader belief that has taken hold among senior lawmakers in both parties at the start of the Congress: that the rise of China poses too existential a threat to the United States  economically, militarily and otherwise  to be politicized.

Still, the appearance of the Chinese surveillance balloon had threatened in recent days to upset that consensus, as some Republicans agitated for a formal rebuke of Mr. Biden. Such a measure would almost certainly have passed the House only narrowly and died in the Democratic-led Senate, leaving Congress with no official statement denouncing China for its actions.
On the evening of Aug. 6, 1975, Laurel Jean Mitchell left the Epworth Forest church camp in North Webster, Ind., where she worked at the snack bar, to meet friends at a nearby amusement park.

She never made it.

Ms. Mitchells body would be found the following day in a nearby river. Alongside her was a class ring with the initials LJM. She was 17.

The initial autopsy report ruled the cause of death in the homicide was drowning and indicated that her death occurred rapidly, according to a police affidavit filed in Noble County Circuit Court. It said that she made a violent struggle to survive.

For decades, police investigated the killing but were unable to solve it. Then, on Monday, the Indiana State Police arrested two men who had been among the suspects for several years, and who live within driving distance of the crime scene.
During the midterm campaigns, Democrats spent months focused on the demise of federal abortion rights and the danger they said it posed to all Americans.

In his State of the Union speech, President Biden spent roughly 42 seconds.

The White House says that it used the moment to call on Congress to reinstate the protections provided under Roe v. Wade, and that it has taken the most aggressive approach to abortion rights of any administration in history. But some abortion rights supporters said they saw the brief mention as a missed opportunity to leverage the power of the bully pulpit in what they often describe as a national health crisis. They were also mystified that the president passed up a chance to play up his own record, which nearly all praised.

President Bidens remarks on the Supreme Courts reversal of Roe v. Wade were disappointing and a lost opportunity, said Nancy Northup, president and chief executive of the Center for Reproductive Rights, which argued the case over Roe at the Supreme Court. As demonstrated resoundingly in the midterms, abortion rights are a kitchen-table issue that Americans care deeply about, and highlighting that reality would have fit into the presidents theme of fundamental fairness.
TAMPA, Fla.  President Biden traveled to Florida on Thursday afternoon with a political gift he had not been expecting before Tuesday nights State of the Union speech.

The perfect foil.

Republican outbursts during his address to Congress  and Mr. Bidens real-time exchange with heckling lawmakers about the fate of Social Security and Medicare  gave him exactly that, and he eagerly tried to use the episode to his advantage on Thursday in an event before a small audience of supporters here.

Standing in front of two huge American flags and a sign that said Protect and strengthen Medicare, the president made clear he relishes the fight on the issue.

I guarantee it will not happen, Mr. Biden said of cuts to the entitlement programs. A lot of Republicans, their dream is to cut Social Security and Medicare. Well, let me say this: If thats your dream, Im your nightmare.
WASHINGTON  The Biden administration provided its most comprehensive description of the Chinese spy balloon that traversed the United States last week, saying on Thursday that the machine was part of a global surveillance fleet directed by Chinas military and was capable of collecting electronic communications.

The conclusions were outlined in a State Department document, which said the U.S. military had dispatched Cold War-era U-2 spy planes to track and study the balloon before a fighter jet shot it down over the Atlantic Ocean on Saturday.

Chinas spy balloons have flown over more than 40 countries across five continents, the Biden administration said, and appear to be made by one or more companies that officially sell products to the Chinese military. That finding underscores questions among U.S. officials over the ties between some civilian-run enterprises in China and the countrys military, in what American officials call military-civil fusion.

The U.S. surveillance planes took images of the balloon while it was still in the air. Its visible equipment, which included antennas, was clearly for intelligence surveillance and inconsistent with the equipment on board weather balloons, the State Department said  a rebuttal to the Chinese governments assertion that the balloon was a civilian meteorological machine that had strayed off course.
WASHINGTON  With major legislation likely to be rare in a divided Congress, Senate Democrats are planning to put much of their effort over the next two years into selling the impact of laws they have already passed, heralding the benefits and making sure that tens of billions of federal dollars are spent appropriately and in a way that gives them a political advantage.

Senator Chuck Schumer, the New York Democrat and majority leader, said the top Democratic priority would be to focus on the implementation of key Biden-era initiatives such as the $1 trillion public works law, a statute providing incentives for the domestic production of microchips, clean energy projects, job training and new health and drug benefits. The strategy reflects a concern among Democrats in Congress  shared at the White House  that voters do not credit them for the creation of an array of popular programs, and a determination to ensure that changes ahead of the 2024 elections.

As Senate Democrats gathered for a private retreat on Wednesday following President Bidens State of the Union address, Mr. Schumer devoted a session to talking about how they could ensure the new laws are properly carried out and provided a memo outlining how lawmakers could get credit for federal spending and projects in their states.

Democrats hope to employ the strategy to boost the re-election prospects of their most endangered incumbents such as Senator Joe Manchin III, Democrat of West Virginia, who is promoting his state as a prime location for such projects as a new hydrogen hub  a center for production and storage of the clean-energy gas.
Mr. Courtenay then told Mr. Khans life story, which he later said his nation deserved to know.

Mr. Khan was exposed to radical Islam in Maryland, where he had attended high school in the 1990s. He left for Pakistan after the Sept. 11 attacks and became a courier for Al Qaeda. From 2003 to 2006, he was held incognito by the C.I.A., which subjected him to the most horrific torture.

At Guantanamo, he pleaded guilty to terrorism charges and began cooperating with the U.S. government. I have full confidence that he will be a good Belizean in the years to come, Mr. Courtenay said. He never injured or killed anyone, nor was he ever involved in combat.

To give the Khan family a solid foundation for a fresh start, he said, Belize had required that the United States provide funds to buy him a home, a phone, a laptop and a car.

One of Mr. Khans first calls on that new phone was to the two New York City lawyers who had represented him longest and helped him navigate his path to freedom  J. Wells Dixon of the Center for Constitutional Rights, from 2006, and Katya Jestin of Jenner & Block, from 2009.

They and three other members of his legal team had rushed to Belize from the Eastern Seaboard a day before his release and anxiously waited near their hotels swimming pool in the sultry heat for confirmation that he had been freed.
With South Africa enduring daily power outages of up to 10 hours, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a nationwide state of disaster on Thursday to address an electricity crisis so dire that day-old chicks are freezing to death, supermarket owners are rushing to sell meat before it spoils and many businesses have been forced to shut down.

The blackouts are caused by an aging fleet of coal-fired power stations that the dysfunctional state power company, Eskom, is struggling to keep online. Power cuts have been a part of life in South Africa for nearly 16 years, but the past several months have been the darkest yet.

From large industries to mom-and-pop stores, many businesses have closed or laid off workers in a country where one in three people is already jobless. With the outages driving up the cost of doing business, prices for everyday goods have shot up, as has the frustration of a populace losing faith in the government.

We are therefore declaring a national state of disaster to respond to the electricity crisis and its effect, Mr. Ramaphosa announced in his state-of-the-nation speech. The people of South Africa want action; they want solutions.
Those released in Nicaragua included political opposition members, business figures, student activists and journalists. Once in the United States, they will be given humanitarian parole for a period of two years, a process that allows foreigners who do not have a visa or may not be eligible for one to enter the country and apply for asylum. Two other political prisoners declined offers of refuge in the United States.

The prisoner release marks a constructive step toward addressing human rights abuses in the country and opens the door to further dialogue, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said in a statement.

Clutching what few belongings they had in plastic bags, many looking frail, the freed detainees boarded the flight from Managua to Washington, before it took off at about 7:45 a.m. E.S.T., officials said. It landed about four hours later.

The flight was chartered by the U.S. government and as it circled the sky above Washington some of the freed prisoners began to sing, tears in their eyes, according to officials.

The American government planned to provide medical and legal assistance to the former prisoners, according to U.S. officials, before allowing them to reunite with their families.
Compared with the unease from Chinese fighter jets racing over the Taiwan Strait or naval standoffs in the South China Sea, the giant Chinese balloon floating over the United States last week looked to many in Asia like a puffy trifle.

But as American officials continue to press the issue, asserting that Chinese spy balloons are part of a global surveillance fleet, it has become impossible to separate the dispute from serious regional anxieties.

Its quite clear there is concern, said Bilahari Kausikan, a former foreign secretary of Singapore, describing his conversations with leaders and foreign policy experts around the region. He added: Its not so much a balloon going over the U.S. and other countries, but what might happen in, say, the Taiwan Strait.

All over Asia, current and former officials seem to still be shaking their heads with dismay. China and the United States had just started to mend their relationship with a meeting in Bali between President Biden and the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, before the Group of 20 summit in November.
TAIPEI, Taiwan  Long before an unmanned Chinese airship floating over the United States grabbed the worlds attention, Taiwan may have glimpsed Beijings ambitions to turn balloons  seemingly so old-fashioned and ponderous  into elusive tools of 21st-century military power.

Residents in Taipei and elsewhere on the island have spotted and photographed mysterious pale orbs high in the sky at least several times in the previous two years. But few people here, even officials, gave them much thought then. Now, Taiwanese officials are grappling with whether any of the balloons were part of Chinas growing fleet of airborne surveillance craft, deployed to gather information from the self-ruled island that Beijing claims as its own.

The incursions have come into focus since the United States identified and shot down the Chinese balloon that had spent days traversing the country. Beijing has protested the balloons downing, asserting that it was a civilian ship doing scientific research. But American officials say that the balloon was part of a global surveillance effort targeting the military capabilities of various countries.

Chinas surveillance airships are likely operated by the Strategic Support Force, experts say, a relatively new and often secretive arm of the Chinese military that carries out electronic surveillance and cyber operations. The force emerged from the Chinese leader Xi Jinpings drive to modernize the Peoples Liberation Army, including expanding its intelligence capabilities, spanning from satellites in space to vessels deep undersea, said Su Tzu-yun, an analyst at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research in Taipei.
SEOUL  North Korea has unveiled what analysts said was a new, solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile during a nighttime military parade in Pyongyang on Wednesday, the latest example of the countrys effort to fill its arsenal with increasingly advanced nuclear technology.

The parade, celebrating the 75th anniversary of North Koreas military, featured ICBMs and short-range tactical nuclear missiles that demonstrated the Norths tremendous nuclear strike capability, North Korean state media said on Thursday.

North Korea has frequently boasted about its weapons technology. But experts, saying the isolated country has often exaggerated its abilities, have expressed doubt that it has acquired the technology needed to hit targets across an ocean with ICBMs.

The state media did not specify the capabilities of individual weapons at the parade, but the photos it carried showed the Hwasong-17  the Norths largest ICBM  which was tested in November. The photos also showed a new ICBM-sized canister, a tube from which a missile is launched.
The Church of England is considering whether to use gender-neutral terms to refer to God, a spokesperson said on Thursday, adding that there are no plans to to abolish or substantially revise the existing liturgy.

The church said in an emailed statement that Christians have recognized since ancient times that God is neither male nor female. The clergy is now weighing whether it could better reflect that in the language used in its services.

The variety of ways of addressing and describing God found in scripture has not always been reflected in our worship, the statement said. There has been greater interest in exploring new language since the introduction of our current forms of service in contemporary language more than 20 years ago.

The Anglican Church said its Liturgical commission, which prepares and advises on the church service, had been regularly considering this language since 2014. That commission has now asked another body, the Faith and Order Commission, which advises on theology, to examine the issue.
Roger Waters, the Pink Floyd co-founder who has been roundly criticized for his views of the war in Ukraine, condemned Russias invasion in an address to the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday  though he added that he believed the invasion had been provoked.

The address was given at the invitation of Russia, which Mr. Waters said had mounted an illegal invasion that he condemned in the strongest possible terms. But in his next breath, he said the invasion was not unprovoked, and condemned the provocateurs just as strongly.

All of you, please change course now, Mr. Waters said, addressing Russia, Ukraine, the United States, NATO and the European Union. Agree to a cease-fire in Ukraine today.

Mr. Waters has made his political views, and his opposition to what he views as unnecessary wars, a central part of his brand. He has been particularly vocal about the war in Ukraine.
The founder of the Kremlin-affiliated Wagner mercenary group, known for its ruthless tactics and harsh discipline, said on Thursday that it would no longer recruit fighters in Russian prisons. That would end a practice that has raised criticism from human rights groups but helped Moscow grind out advances in Ukraines east.

The claim by the founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was a response to a report from a Russian news website, Live24, that many prison inmates said Wagner had stopped its recruitment process more than a month ago.

Wagner mercenaries have emerged as some of the most capable Russian fighters in Ukraine, helping Moscow grind out slow, brutal advances in particular around the eastern city of Bakhmut. But thousands of convicts poorly trained for combat have been killed, many within days or even hours of arriving at the front, according to Russian rights advocates and Ukrainian officials.

Mr. Prigozhin said in a statement released through his catering companys press service that recruitment in prisons had stopped in full, but that the company is fulfilling its payment and other obligations to inmates who are already serving. Mr. Prigozhin, who visited Russian prisons in person to recruit fighters, did not specify the reasons behind the decision.
In another time, in another place, the call to the police in Kyiv might have been dismissed as a crank. A resident living along the river had spotted a suspicious red light in the distance and was worried.

In wartime Ukraine, the reason for the concern was obvious: It could be an agent of Moscow directing a Russian missile to its target.

So Officer Dmytro Subota and his partner, Officer Anatoliy Kochylo, raced to investigate.

There is nothing really that can surprise us anymore, Officer Subota said as they sped along empty streets just after midnight. They decided the caller had mistaken a red light on a construction crane for something nefarious, and continued their night patrol.

Such is the head-spinning nature of being a beat cop in a city of 3.3 million that is under bombardment, struggling with blackouts and gripped by uncertainty. Around Ukraine, the Patrol Police, a division of the National Police responsible for public order, now deals with the ordinary and the extraordinary.
BRUSSELS  President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine was meeting the European Unions 27 heads of government in Brussels on Thursday, capping a two-day tour of key European allies as he framed Russias invasion as an existential struggle for the continent.

Mr. Zelenskys first stop on Thursday was at the European Parliament, where he was welcomed with enthusiastic applause. The Ukrainian leader, making only his second trip outside of Ukraine since Russias invasion last year, was visibly moved when the Ukrainian national anthem played, holding his hand over his heart.

In an address to E.U. leaders at a summit expected to go into late afternoon, Mr. Zelensky called for continuous support for Kyiv, part of his ongoing effort to keep aid coming as the war is poised to grind into its second year. On Wednesday, he made a surprise visit to London and then traveled to Paris, holding talks with the British, French and German leaders.

We are all protecting Europe against the regime, which wants to destroy the freedom of Europe, he said, referring to Russia.
Dr. Nehad Abdulmajeed thought he had seen the worst human suffering of his career as a surgeon in Syria. In 2016, he survived the siege of Aleppo, which left thousands dead or crippled in the midst of a civil war.

After the city fell to government forces, Dr. Abdulmajeed retreated to a town called Al Atarib, in the countrys northwest, where he worked in a hospital dug deep underground to protect it from relentless Russian and Syrian bombardments.

Our hospital has always been filled with tragedy, he said in a phone interview from his operating room. But the carnage he and his staff have seen this week, from an entirely different enemy, was of a scope he had never encountered.

Hundreds of casualties from Mondays earthquake, which was centered nearby across the border with Turkey, have arrived this week at his hospital from the Al Atarib region, and many were already dead when they reached the hospital. Staff members say they had counted 148 bodies at the hospital since Monday.
The first shipment of international aid reached the exhausted residents of opposition-held northwestern Syria on Thursday, a small triumph for the hundreds of thousands who had waited days for help to dig out people buried in the rubble, find secure lodging and obtain food.

But survivors, rescuers and doctors expressed frustration that it was too little, too late. The six trucks of aid from the United Nations, organized before the quake hit, did not contain some of the most urgently needed supplies, such as food, and instead brought less critical items.

Had international rescue teams come into Syria in the first hours or even the second day, there was a big hope that these people who were under the ruins could have been brought out alive, said Mohamed al-Shibli, a member of the White Helmets, a civil defense group that operates in opposition-held parts of Syria.

He demanded that the United Nations and global leaders send rescue workers and heavy machinery for moving rubble, dismissing the aid that had reached the region as useless to residents who had resorted to digging for survivors and bodies of loved ones with their bare hands.
WASHINGTON  The U.S. government and Canada have been busy intercepting unidentified flying objects in the skies, shooting down one on Friday over Alaska, another on Saturday over the Yukon Territory and a third over Michigan on Sunday.

White House officials said on Monday that the military had not yet identified the source of the objects or their purpose, adding that there was no indication that civilians on the ground were in danger and that the government would redouble efforts to understand the nature of the objects and where they came from.

The incidents over the weekend have transfixed the public  long fascinated by encounters with flying objects that defy explanation, as well as government efforts to study them  and spawned multiple theories as officials try to make sense of the devices.

The White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, confirmed that the administration does not believe aliens are involved. There is no indication of aliens or extraterrestrial activity with these recent takedowns, she said.
A Russian man was recently arrested after allegedly being tricked into throwing a Molotov Cocktail in a Moscow bank by scammers who also relieved him of his life savings.

A few days ago, Moscow police arrested a 48-year-old man from Ruza, a town in the Moscow region of Russia, for allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail in a Sberbank branch in the Russian capital. Bank employees were able to put out the flames before the firefighters arrived on the scene and police quickly identified and detained the perpetrator. But this was far from an open-shut case; the more the suspect tried to explain, the crazier his story got, and by the end, investigators didnt know whether to throw the book at the guy or just feel sorry for him

Photo: mohamed_hassan/Pixabay

The Russian man, whose name has not been disclosed to protect his privacy, told police that, a while back, he had been contacted by someone who introduced themselves as a representative of Russias largest bank and began telling him that his account had been linked to suspicious activity.

This bank rep was somehow able to convince the account holder that scammers inside the bank were trying to steal funds from his account and that the best way to prevent that from happening was to transfer the funds in secure accounts overseen by trustworthy bank employees.

Over a number of days, the unsuspecting man transferred all his financial savings  around 1 million rubles (over $20,000)  into several accounts provided by the alleged Sberbank representative. Usually, it is at this stage that scammers cut all communication with their victims and disappear with their hard-earned money. However, in this case, the fraudsters decided to have a bit more fun with the poor man.

Photo: Towfiqu barbhuiya/Unsplash

After confirming that the mans money was now secure in their accounts, the scammers proceeded to convince their victim that the only way to expose the people who wanted to steal his money was to set fire to the Sberbank branch they operated from. They were even nice enough to provide the man with instructions on how to make his own Molotov cocktail.

Believe it or not, the man actually followed said instructions and, after making sure that no clients were inside the bank branch, he opened the door and threw the Molotov cocktail inside. Its unclear how this was supposed to expose the scammers, but thats what he told investigators.

This whole story sounds like the crazy explanation of a man trying to justify premeditated arson, but incredibly enough, the mans story checked out, according to Russian news agency, RIA Novosti. The man will most likely be accused of property damage, among others, and the chances of recovering his life savings are very slim.
Kyawthuite is a transparent reddish-orange mineral of which only a single, tiny sample exists  an 0.3-gram gem  making it the rarest mineral in the world, by far.

There are around 6,000 minerals recognized by the International Mineralogical Association, and while many of them are classified as rare, none of them rival kyawthuite in terms of rarity. Named after Dr. Kyaw Thu, a Burmese mineralogist-petrologist-gemologist, this incredibly rare mineral was discovered in the bed of a stream in Myanmars Mogok region by sapphire hunters and recognized by the International Mineralogical Society in 2015. The only sample ever discovered weighs just 1.61 carats (0.3 grams) and is in the custody of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles.

Photo: Natural History Museum of Los Angeles.

The chemical formula of kyawthuite is Bi3+Sb5+O 4 , with traces of tantalum. Interestingly, because bismuth is such a heavy element the density of kyawthuite is more than eight times that of water, making it particularly heavy for its tiny size.

The discovery of the worlds rarest mineral was somewhat of a stroke of luck. The ruby hunters that found it didnt realize what a treasure they had gotten their hands on, so they put it up for sale at the market. But Dr. Kyaw Thu, who regularly visited Mogok township, aka Myanmars Ruby Land, noticed that there was something special about the tiny gem.

From studying in the field and frequently buying stones from the Khanae market, I could tell that this stone was a little strange and I bought it, Dr. Kyaw Thu told The Myanmar Times. Then, when I reached Yangon, I examined it and determined that this was not like any other gem weve ever found.

Dr. Kyaw Thu bought the worlds only known kyawthuite gem in 2010 and worked closely with experts from the United States and the International Mineralogical Association to have it recognized as a new mineral.

Youre probably wondering what this tiny, one-of-a-kind gem costs, but that is pretty much impossible to answer since the only piece of kyawthuite in the world isnt for sale.
Lou Hammond Group signs up Explore Newnan-Coweta, GA; Space Center Houston Moon 2 Mars Festival and SIKES Group. LHG will provide public relations/corporate communications, strategic planning, branding and digital marketing for the new clients. Coweta County and the City of Newman are located just south of Atlanta; Space Center Houston Moon 2 Mars Festival celebrates NASAs Artemis program and the innovations that will help establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon; and SIKES Group is a Houston-based architecture firm that focuses on healthcare, corporate and industrial sectors. The agency has also re-upped with Sonoma County Winegrowers, a former client of 13 years.

Firecracker PR picks up retailer-focused computer vision and AI technology company SeeChange. Firecracker has been engaged to provide strategic media relations, campaign ideation and brand awareness, targeted toward increasing awareness of the companys smart checkouts and safety solutions.

Colangelo & Partners takes on AOR duties for Ramon Bilbao, a wine producer in Spains Rioja region. The agency will develop and execute a strategic communications plan to support Zamora Company, Ramon Bilbaos US importer, and build awareness for the brand through a strategic media relations campaign. Founded in 1924, Ramon Bilbao boasts 445 acres of vineyards throughout the region. "We are confident that 2023 represents a new chapter for growth in the U.S. and a new opportunity to share what Spaniards already know: There is no other like Ramon Bilbao," said brand manager Felipe Lobon.
Darlyn Phillips

Invariant brings on Darlyn Phillips as chief financial officer. Phillips joins the agency from Next Fifteen Communications Group, where she served as CFO and head of operations for the portfolio brand Outcast. In her new position, she will help support and guide the firms strategic direction. Darlyn brings experience in leading financial operations for mature organizations, said Invariant founder and CEO Heather Podesta. As we continue to grow, Darlyns financial expertise will help support our success and take our consultancy to the next level.

Eric Moore

Crosswind Media and Public Relations promotes Eric Moore to vice president of brand strategy. Moore, who has been with the agency since 2021, was previously a senior advisor. Before coming to Crosswind, he was director of strategic partnerships at software development company 2Cimple. In his new role at Crosswind, Moore oversee the firms Dallas office and is also tasked with guiding clients in the discovery, development and execution of their stakeholder experiences. "Eric is the consummate team player, said Crosswind CEO and president Thomas Graham, and he brings that attitude and leadership to our team and our clients.

Liam Bell

Lansons hires Teneo creative director Liam Bell as executive creative director. Bell has also served as managing director of strategic communications consultancy Blue Rubicon, which Teneo acquired in 2015. Alongside Lansons new director of strategy, David Rowson, he will work to building the agencys planning and creative team. Ive worked with Liam for many years and know he is one of the best creatives in the industry. Were lucky to have him and confident he will be a transformative hire, said Lansons CEO, Gordon Tempest-Hay.

Anouk Morin

Ditto Public Relations promotes Anouk Morin to Web3 PR lead associate. Before joining Ditto as a communications assistant, Morin worked at Havas Blockchain, the Web3 division of Havas Paris, where she built up her experience in Web3 on such accounts as Tezos and Binance. In her new role Morin will expand the agencys Web3 internal education efforts, continue her crypto PR work, and contribute thought leadership in the form of in-house crypto content and external opportunities.
Some weather balloon What PR hubris. How could they think they could get away with it?

The State Dept. reports the Chinese balloon that was shot down by a F-22 fighter jet carried multiple antennas to include an array likely capable of collecting and geolocating communications.

It was part of a program that sent spy balloons over 40 countries, according to US intelligence.

Its hard to believe that Chinas leader Xi Jinping would approve such a risky surveillance scheme when the country is trying to patch up its relations with the West in a bid to fire up its economy for the post-Covid era.

If he did give the nod, the world is in in trouble. What other risky moves lie ahead? Could it be an invasion of Taiwan?

Congress today unanimously passed a resolution condemning the Chinese Communist Partys use of a high-altitude surveillance balloon over US territory as a brazen violation of US sovereignty.

Relations between the US and China are so low, its only a matter of time before the Congress dusts off the pejorative term Red China when referring to the Peoples Republic of China.

HSBC sides with PRC. A UK parliamentary report charges that the banking giant is complicit in human rights abuses against Hong Kong residents who fled the city due to Chinas crackdown on civil rights and freedom of expression.

More than 88K people have fled Hong Kong since 2021 and have been granted British residency.

The China-installed government in Hong Kong refused to acknowledge the UK visas and ordered a denial of pension payout to those who escaped the city.

HSBC says it was just following orders. Like all banks, we have to obey the laws, and the instructions of the regulators, in every territoryincluding Hong Kong, in which we operate, it said in a statement.

The bank claims to have an enduring commitment to Hong Kong, its people, and communities. It is where we were founded nearly 160 years ago.

There is now a big black stain on HSBC's reputation and its commitment to Hong Kongers.

Take a bow, Nelson. Trian Management Fund chief Nelson Peltz has called off his proxy fight against Walt Disney Co. because "Comeback Kid" CEO Bob Iger caved by unveiling a restructuring plan that will slash the jobs of 7,000 people, cut costs by $5.5B and restore the dividend by the end of the year.

Management at Disney now plans to do everything that we wanted them to do, a trimphant Peltz told CNBC on Feb. 9.

That not quite right. Trians Restore the Magic campaign also called for a CEO succession plan within two years.

Iger, 71, returned to the helm in November after the ouster of Bob Chapek.

Who is he grooming for the top job?

Pomposity unlimited New York Times CEO Meredith Kopit Levien says 2022 was the first full year of executing our strategy to become the essential subscription for every English-speaking person seeking to understand and engage with the world.

The company reported an 11.3 percent boost in revenues to $2.3B but net income nosedived 21 percent to $173.9M.

Perhaps, Levien needs to expand her sights in order to boost profitability. She should publish French, Spanish and Hindi language versions of the NYT.

Mandarin Chinese is not in the cards at the moment because of censorship by Chinas government.
Last Sunday morning in Rahan, there were snowdrops on the altar to commemorate the one hundredth birthday of a most remarkable person.

Sister Oliver Wrafter who passed away in April 2021, had no presence on social media, was an unassuming and softly-spoken person, but made an impact for the good in the Irish midlands that few people could hope to emulate. She and her fellow sisters were pioneers of education in Offaly.

Against all the odds, and despite much opposition from the department of education, they succeeded in establishing a first-grade secondary school with Leaving Certificate status in a very rural setting.

So why the snowdrops? When the young Ita Wrafter, the future Sister Oliver, was nearing the end of her time in secondary school, she couldnt decide whether or not to enter the religious life.

One morning, she asked the Lord for some heavenly assistance. If someone were to give her flowers that day, she would take it as a divine sign that she should enter a religious order. Later the same day, out of the blue, a schoolmate gave Ita a bunch of snowdrops.

From that moment on, she never looked back. The humble sister with the ready smile and twinkling eyes would spend the rest of her life in Killina Presentation, working as a teacher, principal and mentor to students and teachers alike.

The legacy of Sister Oliver and her fellow sisters is very much alive. This June, a group of students and teachers from Killina Presentation Secondary School will visit various projects in Zambia that were set up by Irish Presentation sisters. They include an orphanage and AIDS centre in an area of great poverty.

The Zambia Immersion Project is of enormous educational benefit to these students from County Offaly. In addition, during their visit, they will provide material support to the projects founded by the Irish sisters.

Please consider contributing to this very worthy cause by making a direct donation on the students Go Fund Me page: https://gofund.me/e8690435 or by attending a race night in the Thatch, Rahan, on March 10 at 8pm. It will be a great evenings fun with some wonderful prizes on offer.
Lucy Frazer, the Culture Secretary has spoken in the Commons today about the social media row Gary Lineker has found himself in the..

ODN 09 Mar 2023
Nagpur is the third-largest city and the winter capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Known as the "Orange City", Nagpur is the 13th largest city in India by population and according to an Oxford's Economics report, Nagpur is projected to be the fifth fastest growing city in the world from 2019 to 2035 with an average growth of 8.41%. It has been proposed as one of the Smart Cities in Maharashtra and is one of the top ten cities in India in Smart City Project execution.
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The death toll across both countries has surpassed 20,000 and is now higher than the 17,000 killed in 1999 when a similarly powerful quake hit north-west Turkey.
REDMOND, Wash. (AP)  Nearly a quarter-century after Google's search engine began to reshape how we use the internet, big tech companies are racing to revamp a familiar web tool into a gateway to a new form of artificial intelligence.



If it seems like this week's newly announced AI search chatbots  Google's Bard, Baidu's Ernie Bot and Microsoft's Bing chatbot  are coming out of nowhere, well, even some of their makers seem to think so. The spark rushing them to market was the popularity of ChatGPT, launched late last year by Microsoft's partner OpenAI and now helping to power a new version of the Bing search engine.



First out of the gate among big tech companies with a publicly accessible search chatbot, Microsoft executives said this week they had been hard at work on the project since last summer. But the excitement around ChatGPT brought new urgency.



The reception to ChatGPT and how that took off, that was certainly a surprise, said Yusuf Medhi, the executive leading Microsoft's consumer division, in an interview. How rapidly it went mainstream, where everybodys talking about it, like, in every meeting. That did surprise me.



HOW'S THIS DIFFERENT FROM CHATGPT?



Millions of people have now tried ChatGPT, using it to write silly poems and songs, compose letters, recipes and marketing campaigns or help write schoolwork. Trained on a huge trove of online writings, from instruction manuals to digitized books, it has a strong command of human language and grammar. But what the newest crop of search chatbots promise that ChatGPT doesn't have is the immediacy of what can be found in a web search. Ask the preview version of the new Bing for the latest news  or just what people are talking about on Twitter  and it summarizes a selection of the day's top stories or...
EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (AP)  Evacuated residents can safely return to the Ohio village where crews burned toxic chemicals after a train derailed five days ago near the Pennsylvania state line, East Palestine Fire Chief Keith Drabick said Wednesday.



Authorities in East Palestine had warned that burning vinyl chloride that was in five of the derailed tanker cars would send hydrogen chloride and the toxic gas phosgene into the air. They said Wednesday subsequent air monitoring hasnt detected dangerous levels inside or outside the mile-radius evacuation zone, which stretched into Pennsylvania. Drabick said air and water samples taken Tuesday from the evacuation area show its now safe, and the evacuation order is lifted. He thanked state and federal officials and agencies that helped with the emergency response over the past few days.



James Justice of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said around-the-clock air monitoring has shown normal, un-concerning levels. Hundreds of data points from that show that the air quality in the town is safe, he said.



He reiterated that there was a robust air monitoring system in place and data from that showed nothing at a level that would be cause for health concern. Monitors did detect toxins in the air during the controlled burn at the derailment site, but other samples outside that area did not.



Many nearby residents left shortly after the derailment, and others were ordered out before the controlled release of the chemicals because of concerns about serious health risks from it.



The commander of the Ohio National Guard previously said that members wearing protective gear would take readings inside homes, basements and businesses as officials aimed to ensure the air was safe before lifting the evacuation order.



Some residents...
CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  Australias Defense Department will remove surveillance cameras made by Chinese Communist Party-linked companies from its buildings, the government said Thursday after the U.S. and Britain made similar moves.



The Australian newspaper reported Thursday that at least 913 cameras, intercoms, electronic entry systems and video recorders developed and manufactured by Chinese companies Hikvision and Dahua are in Australian government and agency offices, including the Defense Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.



Hikvision and Dahua are partly owned by China's Communist Party-ruled government.



Chinas Embassy to Australia did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Chinas general response to such moves is to defend their high tech companies as good corporate citizens who follow all local laws and play no part in government or party intelligence gathering.



The U.S. government said in November it was banning telecommunications and video surveillance equipment from several prominent Chinese brands including Hikvision and Dahua in an effort to protect the nations communications network.



Security cameras made by Hikvision were also banned from British government buildings in November.



Defense Minister Richard Marles said his department was assessing all its surveillance technology.



Where those particular cameras are found, theyre going to be removed, Marles told Australian Broadcasting Corp.



There is an issue here and were going to deal with it, Marles added.



An audit found that Hikvision and Dahua cameras and security equipment were found in almost every department except the Agriculture Department and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.



The Australian War Memorial and National Disability Insurance...
BRUSSELS (AP)  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was wrapping up a whirlwind tour of his major European backers on Thursday, seeking assurances that Ukraine could one day become part of the European Union.



Zelenskky will already head home with heaps of goodwill and commitments of more military aid.



He arrived to the European Parliament to rapturous applause, cheering and hoots from legislators, insisting in his plenary speech that Ukraine's fight against Russia was one fought for the freedom of Europe as a whole.



A Ukraine that is winning is going to be member of the European Union, Zelenskyy said to applause, building his address around the common destiny that Ukraine and the 27-nation bloc face in confronting Russia head-on.



Europe will always be, and remain Europe as long as we are together and as long as we take care of our Europe, as we take care of the European way of life, he said.



Zelenskyy added that Russia wants to destroy the European way of life, but we will not allow that.



He held up an EU flag after his address and the entire legislature stood in somber silence as the Ukrainian national anthem and then European anthem Ode to Joy were played.



Zelenskyy then headed to the urn-shaped Europa building where the 27 EU leaders were meeting to push those same points.



Before Zelenskyy spoke, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said allies should consider quickly, as a next step, providing long-range systems and fighter jets to Ukraine. Metsola said the response to Russian President Vladimir Putins war against Ukraine must be proportional to the threat, and the threat is existential.



Metsola also told him that we have your back. We were with you then, we are with you now, we will be...
Donald Trump had some words to say about President Joe Biden's State of the Union speech.
Rishi Sunak's controversial new deputy party chairman said he would support the return of the death penalty because "nobody has ever committed a crime after being executed".
Eurasia Review 23 Feb 2023

By Dr. J Scott Younger*



The period October-November was busy with world meetings none of which have or only peripherally..
Eurasia Review 28 Feb 2023

By He Jun



It has been a year since the war erupted in Ukraine, with hundreds of thousands of casualties on both sides,..
The comptroller general of Canada has warned his subordinates to be careful about what they put in writing as part of federal government audits of federal contracts awarded to the management consulting firm McKinsey & Company.
Newsy 24 Feb 2023

Watch VideoThe war started on bad intelligence, with Russia assessing Kyiv would fall in a few days. And in a year of fighting as..
Members of a Chinese rescue team head for Turkiye for rescue operation, Feb. 7, 2023. (Photo/Xinhua)

(ECNS) -- Several Chinese rescue teams carrying search dogs and equipment headed for Turkiye after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake jolted the country early Monday.

One team dispatched by the Chinese government departed from Beijing for Turkiye on a chartered plane Tuesday afternoon to join earthquake relief efforts.

The 82-member team dispatched by the Ministry of Emergency Management is composed of personnel from the Beijing Fire and Rescue Corps, the National Earthquake Response Support Service, and the Emergency General Hospital in Beijing.

They carry rescue equipment and supplies weighing 21 tons, including live materials that can meet 14 days of demand, such as drinking water, instant noodles, canned food, and demolition tools.

Another eight rescue experts from Ram Union, a Chinese nongovernment team, carrying advanced radar search instruments, demolition rescue equipment and a rescue dog will carry out operations in the most earthquake-stricken areas of Turkiye.

The first batch of 60 rescuers and two dogs dispatched by the Blue Sky Rescue team set off for Turkiye on Wednesday and is expected to return to China in 20 days.

The Shenzhen Rescue Volunteers Federation also sent rescue forces.

China will provide Turkiye with RMB 40 million (about $5.9 million) in its first batch of emergency assistance. It has also dispatched heavy urban rescue and medical teams, and sent relief materials.

The country will also provide emergency relief materials to Syria and implement ongoing food aid projects to help the country survive the disaster.
The spokesperson of the Ministry of Home Affairs has given information about the successful rescue operation by sharing the video.
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Feb 09, 2023



The German Aerospace Center is supporting rescue teams in areas affected by the recent earthquakes in Turkey. Two researchers from the DLR Institute of Optical Sensor Systems arrived in the area on 7 February 2023, together with a team from International Search And Rescue (I.S.A.R.) Germany. DLR is providing the new Modular Aerial Camera System (MACS) to assist with situational awareness on site
Arbil, Iraq (AFP) Feb 7, 2023



Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region said Tuesday it had resumed oil exports through Turkey after suspending them as a precaution following Monday's deadly earthquake that rocked its northern neighbour and Syria. "At 9:45 pm (1845 GMT) the Kurdistan region's oil exports resumed via the pipeline connecting the area with Turkey," the Kurdish ministry of natural resources said in a statement.
In 2022, search interest for `Thailand trip` grew by over 90 per cent and for `Europe trip` by more than 50 per cent.
Around 70 members of UK search and rescue team join crews from at least 24 countries in race against time to save lives
Watch VideoU.S. President Joe Biden will deliver his second State of the Union address, but it will be his first in front of a..

Newsy 02 Feb 2023
As Kyiv pushes the West for more advanced weapons, China's top diplomat to the EU said Beijing was worried about the war with Russia escalating.
The Australian government will examine surveillance technology used in offices of the defence department, Defence Minister Richard Marles has said.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday that a Ukraine that is winning should become a European Union member, arguing the bloc wouldn't be whole without his country being an integral part of the EU.  YIKES! 220 Pounds of Graphite in Each EV Battery? (From Investing Trends) Zelenskky made



#volodymyrzelenskyy #ukraine #yikes #europeanparliament #moscow #zelenskyy #odetojoy #europa #beforezelenskyy #robertametsola
Critics are laying into the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accusing it of incompetence in its response to the massive quake and misplacing tax revenues meant for dealing with disasters.
Watch VideoPresident Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday that a Ukraine that is winning its war with Russia should be a member of the European Union, arguing the bloc wouldn't be complete without it.



Zelenskyy made his appeal during an emotional day at EU headquarters in Brussels as he wrapped up a rare, two-day trip...
Eurasia Review 20 Feb 2023

Syria fears a resurgence of diseases such as polio and cholera, after scores of health centres were destroyed and medical staff..
President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a raft of new measures to combat the countrys "existential" power crisis, including the declaration of a state of disaster, a new electricity minister, and loans and incentives to move South Africans onto solar energy.
Leading Dutch Casino777.nl to Feature the Finest Games from Endorphina

Published February 9, 2023 by Florin P

Dutch players can now enjoy the finest games from Endorphina at Casino777.nl, in the wake of the newly signed partnership between the two companies.

Endorphina is a prestigious software developer with partnerships across Europe, and it provides players with some of the finest slots. Europeans can consider themselves lucky to have access to the entire portfolio, and residents of another country are about to experience the delight. The company shook hands with Casino777.nl and will bring its iconic games to the fingertips of Dutch players. This is a licensed market, just like the ones the software developer focuses on continent-wide.

A Strong Start for Endorphina in 2023

Last year was terrific for the producer of online slots as it expanded to new regulated markets. In 2023, the Netherlands will be the first on the list, but we expect many more to be added in the foreseeable future. The partnership with Casino777.nl represents an important milestone, as this casino is well respected among local gamblers. It already has an eclectic mix of slots, but adding Endorphina games to its portfolio will only improve it.

Zdenek Llosa, Endorphinas Senior Partnership Manager, broke the news and celebrated the expansion to Denmark. He expressed his enthusiasm for partnering with Casino777, one of the Netherlands' best-known and most respected gambling brands. Dutch players can already enjoy some of their finest slots, such as Cyber Wolf and Joker Stoker, with many more on the horizon. Among the slots to be included shortly, the Chance Series and Book of Santa are worth mentioning.

The Dutch Gambling Market is Fast Expanding

Players in the Netherlands have discovered the advantages of gambling online and traded brick-and-mortar casinos for their Internet counterparts. They can already play some of the most popular titles from the comfort of their home, and 2023 looks particularly promising. Jean-Christophe Choffray, Head of Gaming at Casino777.nl was happy to announce that the casino will now offer Endorphina, therefore expanding an already impressive game selection.

Casino777.nl is the Dutch operator of the Belgian land-based operator Casino de Spa. This is one of the oldest and most respected casinos worldwide, so the online branch benefits from its impeccable image. Over the years, the Internet casino make sure it only featured games from respectable software developers with a flawless track record. Endorphina complies with this key requirement and has its game certified fair while upholding the highest principles of responsible gambling.
Join us for the first Thirst for Knowledge event of 2023!

This month Dr Mike Garratt from the Department of Anatomy at the University of Otago will explain several evolutionary reasons for why ageing occurs.

Mike will also show that reproduction influences the ageing process, that castration extends lifespan, and discuss why females usually live longer than males.

Arrive early to save your seat!

Date Tuesday, 28 February 2023 Time 5:30pm - 6:30pm Audience Public Event Type Public Lecture

Campus Dunedin Location Ombrellos Kitchen and Bar, 10 Clarendon Street, Dunedin. Cost Free Contact Name Sophie Briggs Contact Email thirst4k@gmail.com Website https://www.facebook.com/thirstforknowledge.otago

Save this event
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - Kenya's opposition leaders stayed at the home of former Interior Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiang'i, after a night raid by Police officers who later left the scene
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Libyan Prime Minister, Abdelhamid al-Dbaiba, has reaffirmed that there is no alternative to holding national elections, However, what blocks the achievement of this electoral agenda is the absence of fair electoral laws derived from a constitutional basis
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - Africa is experiencing an exponential increase in the number of cholera cases in the context of a sharp rise in cases worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Thursday
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - Russia has expressed readiness to help the Sudan in the domains of infrastructure, transportation and road building as well as economic cooperation, a statement from the office of the Sudanese Vice President said
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - On the eve of massive western envoys presence in Khartoum, the Sudanese army and its strong off-shoot, the Rapid Support Forces, have reinstated that they are exiting all active politics to allow the western-backed civilian political grouping to get the country out of its current political and economic crisis
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - Calling for a swift crackdown on infant formula corporations exploitative marketing tactics, a leading World Health Organization (WHO) scientist said, in a paper published on Wednesday, that nursing mothers need urgent support
Tunis, Tunisia (PANA) - The Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank has approved a loan of 120 million dollars in favour of Tunisia "within the framework of the project to support the economic recovery of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)"
Photo: (Photo : What to Look for When Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer)

Dealing with the aftermath of a serious accident is never easy. You could be looking at stacks of medical bills, time missed from work, severe pain and suffering, and other economic and non-economic damages. Through a personal injury claim, you can take action to hold the at-fault party legally responsible for your losses.

The legal process is complicated. It is crucial that you have a personal injury lawyer in Fort Lauderdale who knows how to protect your rights and interests. This raises an important question: How do you find the right personal injury attorney? Below you will find an overview of seven key things to look for when hiring a personal injury lawyer.

Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer: Seven Qualities to Look For

1. Relevant Legal Experience

When searching for a personal injury lawyer, it is imperative that you look for someone who has extensive experience in the specific type of personal injury case you are pursuing. This will ensure that your attorney has a deep understanding of the law and regulations that apply to your case, as well as the ability to navigate the legal system effectively. The simple reality is that personal injury law is deeply complex. Injured victims can benefit from retaining professional representation from a legal advocate who has deep experience handling cases similar to their own.

2. Strong Communication Skills

Communication is key in any legal case-and this is especially true for personal injury cases. Great communication skills are a core trait that sets top attorneys apart from the competition. Your personal injury lawyer should be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with you, as well as with other parties involved in your case, such as the insurance company or the defendant. Among other things, communication allows your attorney to explain complex legal concepts in plain language so that you can make informed decisions about your case.

3. Ability to Negotiate with Defendants and Insurers

The overwhelming majority of personal injury claims are handled by large insurance companies. The ability to navigate the claims process-with both the defendant and the insurer(s)-is a vital trait in a lawyer. It is only a relatively small share of cases that actually end up in litigation. Far more frequently, personal injury claims end in a settlement agreement. A top personal injury lawyer is always one who has strong negotiation skills. Your lawyer should be able to effectively negotiate with insurance companies and other parties on your behalf in order to secure the maximum financial compensation.

4. Professional Accolades and a Good Reputation in the Community

It is also best practice to look for a personal injury lawyer who is highly regarded by their peers and the legal community. Along with other things, this can include awards and recognition for their work, as well as a good reputation for their integrity and ethics. You can also check with local bar associations to see if the lawyer you are considering has any disciplinary issues or complaints against them. The right personal injury lawyer is generally one that has a good standing in the broader legal community.

5. Positive Reviews and Testimonials from Clients

What do other people have to say about a personal injury lawyer or a personal injury law firm? It is a good idea to find out. Reading reviews and testimonials from previous clients can give you a good sense of the type of work your potential lawyer has done in the past. Look for reviews from people who have had similar cases to yours, and pay attention to the specific areas of the lawyer's work that were praised. You can also ask the lawyer for references, so you can speak directly with previous clients. Top personal injury attorneys will have no problem providing references.

6. A Proven Record of Success in Personal Injury Cases

At the end of the day, you need financial compensation to pay your bills and support your family. A personal injury lawyer who cannot deliver results is not right for your case. Always look for a lawyer who has a track record of success in the specific type of case you are pursuing. Most often, this includes both successful settlements and successful verdicts. You can also ask your potential lawyer about their experience and success rate and ask for specific examples of cases they have handled that are similar to yours.

7. Willingness to Commit Time and Resources to Your Case

Finally, you should look for a personal injury lawyer who is fully committed to your case and has the time and resources to devote to it. Every accident and injury claim is unique. Hire a personal injury lawyer who will handle your case with personalized attention. Even the greatest personal injury attorney in history is the wrong choice if they are not devoted to your case. An attorney should have a dedicated team of support staff to assist with research, documentation, and other aspects of the case and be willing to invest the necessary time and energy to get you the compensation you deserve.
Photo: (Photo : Getty Images/DAVID MCNEW/AFP)

The Progressive representative denied that lawmakers aim to intercept parents' involvement in their children's education.

Amid parents' accusations that schools withheld information about their children or the curriculum, Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn, is putting an end to the claim that the government and school institutions are trying to keep parents "in the dark" about essential information regarding their kids.

"I am not aware of... any decisions that are being made by lawmakers here in Congress, by local lawmakers, saying we do not want parents' input, we not want parents' involvement, we don't want parents' engagement in our schools. So I just hope that we put this argument, that is not based on the actual facts that are taking place in our communities, to be put to rest," Omar declared Wednesday during the House Education and the Workforce Committee, Fox News reported.

But parents have documented proof

However, many parents had documented proof of instances where their children's school had kept from them gender identity information or particulars about explicit and sensitive instruction materials.

Just recently, school districts in Idaho were being instructed to "keep parents in the dark" by preventing teachers and staff from informing parents about students' names and gender transition unless the latter consented to the disclosure.

This is a directive from the Idaho School Boards Association (ISBA) as laid out on their school district policies and email correspondence obtained by Parents Defending Education (PDE) through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

The President of "Parents Defending Education," Nicole Neily, told Fox News Digital that Idaho's school district policies were "further proof that living in a 'red' state doesn't protect families from these issues in school." What's worse, she added, is that the people and organizations like the school board administration that families have trusted for years are part of the problem and are looking at them as the enemy.

Read also: Judge Dismisses Parents' Lawsuit Against School Gender Policy but Scolds School District

The government, school administration can't escape gathered evidence

Further, just a month ago, California mom, Aurora Regino, sued Chico Unified School District in Northern California to seek a permanent mandate against its "Parental Secrecy Policy."

She said she was "appalled" when she discovered that the school district allegedly transitioned her 11-year-old daughter without her knowledge.

The child was reportedly struggling because of a loss of a family member. She opened up to the school's guidance counselor, and the latter allegedly affirmed to take on a male identity after the child once expressed that she felt like a male. Despite her child wanting to inform her mother about what they talked about, the counselor "dismissed her request" and suggested coming out to other people first.

Another documented proof came weeks ago when St. Louis Children's Hospital advised Parkway Schools in St. Louis County that school staff should not be required to disclose to parents that their children are doing chest-binding practices. This happened after a student counselor from the school asked for help from the Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children's Hospital about the healthy procedures of chest binding.

In a public records request obtained once again by PDE, the counselor emailed experts at the Transgender Center, questioning if school staff "had to" inform parents if chest-binding becomes a health issue.

Lastly, President Joe Biden proposed expansion to Title IX to include protections against sex-based discrimination, including gender identity. Critics said that under the expansion, schools would not have to inform parents before transitioning their kids' gender.

In a White House statement during the 50th anniversary of the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 last year, Biden proudly stated that America is all about possibilities, according to NPR.

Related Article: Chest Binders for Transitioning Students Offered for Free; Could Lead to Breast Deformation
Photo: (Photo : Alex Wong/ Getty Images)

The Child Tax Credit (CTC), a federal income tax credit in the United States, was created to help families offset the costs of raising children.

The CTC allows taxpayers to reduce their federal income tax liability dollar-for-dollar by the amount of the credit.

According to the White House, the amount of the credit varies depending on the taxpayer's income and the number of qualifying children.

It is available to families with qualifying children, as defined by the tax code, who live with them for more than half of the year.

The purpose of the CTC is to provide financial assistance to families with children, reducing the amount of taxes they owe and potentially increasing their tax refund.

With that, here are the changes to the requirements and eligibility for claiming the child tax credit in 2023.

The Child Tax Credit this 2023

Since the Child Tax Credit for 2021 expired in December, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has reverted to the version it used to offer to low-income families before the pandemic.

As reported by Fortune, in 2021, the American Rescue Plan temporarily expanded the CTC as part of the COVID-19 relief effort, providing families with up to $3,000 per child and up to $3,600 for children under six years old. The expanded CTC was available for the 2021 tax year only.

For the 2023 tax year, the CTC has been made permanent at a maximum credit of $2,000 per child.

Furthermore, despite the apparent gap between the amount every family could receive from the CTC in 2021 and now in 2023, President Joe Biden has expressed his desire to expand it further as part of the American Rescue Plan.

President Biden is calling on Congress to restore the full Child Tax Credit  which gave tens of millions of parents more breathing room and cut child poverty in half.  The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 8, 2023

Read Also: Murder-Suicide Pact: Pennsylvania Family Agree to Kill Each Other Leaving Written Notes With Vague Reasons

Child Tax Credit requirements and eligibility

In terms of eligibility, a child must be under 17 and be a U.S. citizen or resident alien to receive the CTC. The child must also live with the taxpayer for more than half the year, and the taxpayer must provide over half of the child's support.

According to AS, the child must meet the requirements to be claimed as a dependent on the taxpayer's tax return and spend more than half the year living at the same address as the taxpayer for tax years 2022 through 2025.

During the tax year, the child is not permitted to provide more than 50 percent of their financial support.

The child must have a valid taxpayer identification number, which comes in the form of a Social Security number (SSN) authorized for work.

Because of this, documented immigrants and permanent residents were also eligible to claim the credit for themselves.

To be eligible for the full credit, the parents of a child who is qualified for the program must have an adjusted gross income (AGI) of less than $200,000 for single filers or $400,000 for married filers filing jointly.

The credit is reduced by $50 for every additional $1,000 (or a fraction thereof) spent over those thresholds.

To qualify for the refundable portion of the credit, low-income Americans in the United States must have an annual income of at least $2,500. A portion of the earnings over that amount is what can be claimed.

Related Article: Helicopter Parenting: Why It May Not Lead to Success
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Lucas Banzoli is a very active Brazilian anti-Catholic polemicist, who holds to basically a Seventh-Day Adventist theology, whereby there is no such thing as a soul that consciously exists outside of a body, and no hell (soul sleep and annihilationism). This leads him to a Christology which is deficient and heterodox in terms of Christs human nature after His death. He has a Masters degree in theology, a degree and postgraduate work in history, a license in letters, and is a history teacher, author of 25 self-published books, as well as blogmaster (active on and off) for six blogs. He has many videos on YouTube.

This is my 57th refutation of Banzolis writings. For almost half a year (5-25-22 to 11-12-22) he didnt write one single word in reply, because my articles were deemed to be without exception poor, superficial and weak . . . only a severely cognitively impaired person would be inclined to take them seriously. Despite this childish rationalizing, he found my refutations so entertaining that he bravely decided to make a point of rebutting them one by one: this effort being his new favorite sport.

He has now replied to me 14 times (the last one dated 1-22-23), and I will (rest assured) counter-reply to any and all actual arguments (as opposed to his never-ending insults) that he makes in direct response to me. I disposed of the main themes of his slanderous insults in several Facebook posts under his name on my Anti-Catholicism page. I plan (by Gods grace) to ignore them henceforth, and heartily thank him for these innumerable blessings and extra rewards in heaven (Matthew 5:11-12).

Google Translate is utilized to render Lucas Portugese into English. Occasionally I slightly modify clearly inadequate translations, so that his words will read more smoothly and meaningfully in English. His words will be in blue. Words from past replies of mine to him will be in green.

*****

This is my reply to Lucas Banzolis article, Como Dave Armstrong encontrou a oracao aos mortos na Biblia [How Dave Armstrong Found Prayer to the Dead in the Bible] (12-18-22). This was an alleged response to my article, Bible on Praying Straight to God (9-21-22).

Dave . . . claims that we can pray directly to God if we want (although he strongly discourages the practice, as we will see later), . . .

I discouraged nothing. I contended that the two methods of prayer are not antithetical. I stated:

We can go to God directly anytime we like. He is that sort of loving Father. Nothing in Catholicism is against that. We simply note that there are times when a person holier than us is in the area, and that when that happens, we should ask them to pray for us rather than go directly to God. . . .

We can find prayer directly to God throughout the Old Testament. We also find (as I did and posted above) the practice of asking holy people to pray. Its not either/or; its both/and. Lucas carefully chosen passages dont contradict Catholicism at all: not in the slightest. We totally affirm them as he does.

I said that (1) all PRAYERS are addressed directly to God, and that (2) we never see a PRAYER addressed to a deceased saint. . . . Dave . . . cannot find a single one where the recipient of the prayer is anyone other than God.

This is untrue. Saul asked the dead Samuel for advice: tell me what I shall do (1 Sam 28:15). Samuel replied: Why then do you ask me, since the LORD has turned from you and become your enemy? (1 Sam 28:16). He wasnt saying that it was utterly improper to pray to him; only that it made no sense, since God had already made it clear that Saul was His enemy. The second example is the rich man praying to the dead Abraham for his brothers (Luke 16), which I have written about many times. That historical account came right from the lips of Jesus Himself. Also, Abrahams nephew Lot prayed to an angel, which is someone other than God (Gen 19:15, 18-22).

Daves maneuver consists precisely in manipulating what has been affirmed, citing a truckload of texts that say nothing about prayer or about deceased saints . Yes, he literally spends the entire article quoting almost 30 biblical texts without any of them having anything to do with my challenge, either because he thinks his readers are a bunch of fools who wont notice the maneuver, or because he is taking taking his job as a comedian too seriously.

As usual, Banzoli completely missed the analogical nature of my argument. I dont know how. I made it very clear, what my argument was (as I think I always do). My examples had to do with various people in the Bible asking holier persons to pray for them, rather than going directly to God in prayer themselves. Thats the principle. I proved that this happened over and over again. I wrote:

This is a great one [Gen 20:6-7, 17-18] that I just discovered in writing this reply. Its notable in that God Himself is telling a person not to pray for himself, so that he shall live, but that a holier person (a prophet: Abraham) will do so, according to Gods own revealed will, in both special and written revelation (the Bible). Abraham was the holier person. He prayed, and good things happened as a result, because it was all according to Gods will.

Thus, Abimelech was a biblical character and he was told by God Himself that Abraham would pray for him; therefore, he didnt go straight to God in prayer, like Lucas claimed ALL biblical figures did. Lucas is again making a fool of himself by asserting a universal negative: probably the dumbest thing anyone can ever do in a debate. . . .

The entire nation of Israel were biblical character[s] and they asked the prophet Samuel to pray for them [1 Sam 12:17-19, 23]; therefore, they, too didnt go straight to God in prayer, like Lucas claimed ALL biblical figures did.

After providing many such examples that all contradicted Banzolis claim, I concluded:

From this massive biblical data, we conclude, then, that its best to go straight to God in prayer, unless there happens to be a person more righteous than we are in the immediate vicinity, who is willing to make the same prayer request. Then the Bible recommends that we ask them to intercede for us or any righteous cause, rather than asking God directly.

Then after establishing the repeated biblical principle of asking more righteous people to pray, I gave examples of extending this practice to dead saints, too:

Abraham was a deceased saint (even a real one without quotation marks around saint!) and he was prayed to and intercessory requests made of him, according to our Lord Jesus: Who told the story of actual events, whereby a rich man who died and went to Hades (Lk 16:22-23) asked Abraham to help his still living brothers: [Lk 16:27-31] . . .

King Saul also made a prayer request regarding himself, to the prophet Samuel, after the latter had died (28:3): [1 Sam 28:15-19] . . .

Or we can ask the dead Abraham or the dead Samuel and any other saint to pray for us, or an angel, as the Bible also teaches and affirms. Its trusting God (Ps 91:2) to do what He recommends for our good.

Then I illustrated how men asked angels to pray for them as well:

How about praying to / asking the intercession of angels rather than God? Sure: the Bible directly refers to that practice, too, with not the slightest hint of condemnation or prohibition. Abrahams nephew Lot rather casually did it: [Gen 19:15, 18-22]

Abraham prayed to God, and God answered his prayer. This is the pattern found throughout the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation:

And Saul prayed to dead Samuel, and the rich man prayed to dead Abraham (so reported Jesus), and Lot prayed to an angel. Banzoli ignorantly denied that this ever took place. Hes dead wrong.

Dave does not read the Bible, he just hunts for random verses that he just discovered in some search engine. verses and quotes them as if he had discovered gunpowder.

Right. I dont read the Bible. Ive only been defending it for 42 years without reading it. Makes a lot of sense, doesnt it? The vast majority of Banzolis reply are laughable non sequiturs, because he never grasped the analogical nature of my argument in the first place. I will not cite all those portions, out of charity (which is why this reply is shorter than many other ones).

Banzoli attacks the Hail Mary:

First, the prayer is addressed directly to Mary and not to God, as the very beginning indicates. Mary is the subject, focus, and addressee of prayer, from beginning to end. God is mentioned only twice, both times in contexts that exalt the very person of Mary, and neither time as the recipient of prayer.

This is sheer nonsense. First of all, technically, the first part of the Hail Mary is simply repeating Scripture and meditating upon it. Catholics didnt come up with Hail Mary, full of grace. That was the angel Gabriel, who said that to her (Lk 1:28). Nor did Catholics invent Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. That was Marys cousin Elizabeth (Lk 1:42), who said it because she was filled with the Holy Spirit (Lk 1:41). Then we ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to pray for us. Were not (technically) praying to her (as if she could answer in and of herself apart from God), but rather, asking her to pray or intercede for us (Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death).

Banzoli lies and claims that God is never the recipient of prayer in the Hail Mary. Id like to ask him, then: who does he think we think Mary is praying to, when she prays for us in the hour of our death? Who does he think she is praying to? After all, were asking her to pray; were not asking her to fulfill the prayer by herself, without God. How can she pray for us without interceding to God on our behalf? This simply exposes Banzolis rank ignorance of Catholic prayer and theology alike.

We repeat Elizabeths words and say Mary is very blessed. Very scriptural. Its a biblical sentiment! Who is it that fulfills Marys prophecy about herself: henceforth all generations will call me blessed (Lk 1:48)? Of course it is Catholics and Orthodox. Almost no Protestants do that. So once again; were the biblical ones. Protestants, when discussing the Blessed Virgin Mary, typically say they have no hostility or disrespect towards her; that they are simply following what the Bible itself says about her. Very well then: here is the biblical Mary (no development of doctrine or Catholic dogmas involved) saying with her own mouth that she would be called blessed by all generations. We follow the practice and they dont.

As he is not able to point us to a single biblical prayer in the most Hail Mary style, where a dead person is invoked in place of God

Once again (repetition being a great teacher): Saul to Samuel, the rich man to Abraham, and (similarly) Lot to an angel . . .

Dave . . . has no text that speaks of a dead man praying for a living man

Revelation 6:9-10 . . . I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne; [10] they cried out with a loud voice, O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before thou wilt judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell upon the earth?

This is what is called an imprecatory prayer: calling for judgment against enemies. We can easily imagine that these same dead persons could and would also pray for those still on the earth who are being persecuted and may be martyred just as they were (Rev 6:11). There is no compelling reason to rule out that very likely possibility. And if that happened, they would be praying for living men, just as the Bible strongly implies that Moses and Samuel do (Jeremiah 15:1) and that angels do, since (for some odd reason) the prayers of the saints are in the hand of the angel (Rev 8:4), and they rose . . . before God.

What are angels doing with these prayers, pray tell? It looks to me like they are interceding for the living. So are the twenty-four elders (generally regarded by commentators as dead human beings), who have golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints (Rev 5:8). The relevant question again is: what are they doing with the prayers of the saints? The logical answer is that they are interceding; participating in those prayers as righteous creatures praying to God for some good purpose. In the Deuterocanon (disputed on inadequate grounds by Protestants) it state straight out that Jeremiah is doing so:

2 Maccabees 15:14 And Onias spoke, saying, This is a man who loves the brethren and prays much for the people and the holy city, Jeremiah, the prophet of God.

Dave . . . has no text that speaks of . . . a living man praying for a dead man,

Thats easy: Paul did so with regard to Onesiphorus, as I have written about many times:

Paul Prayed for Dead Onesiphorus (Protestant Commentaries) [7-14-09]

St. Paul Prayed for a Dead Man: Onesiphorus [8-19-15]

St. Paul Prayed for Onesiphorus, Who Was Dead [National Catholic Register, 3-19-17]

Was Onesiphorus Dead When Paul Prayed for Him?: Data from 16 Protestant Commentaries (1992-2016) [3-20-17]

Again: the people sin, ask Moses to pray for them, Moses prays to the Lord and the Lord grants Moses request.

Exactly! As I explained regarding the Hail Mary: the people sin, ask Mary to pray for them (pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death), Mary prays to the Lord (since she is praying, and who would it be to, but God?) and the Lord grants Marys request.

While Moses could be said to have acted as an intermediary between the people and God, it is in an entirely different sense from the saints of Catholicism. First, because the people did not pray to Moses, as Catholics pray to the saints.

We are asking saints to intercede for us, precisely as Moses was asked to do (being very holy).

Second, because Moses was alive, and after he dies we never again see any Jew asking Moses for anything or praying to him (precisely because they knew that prayers had to be addressed to God alone).

That would be news to Jesus, who informed us that a Jew (the rich man) prayed to Abraham (who was also known as a great intercessor on the earth). He didnt know that his prayers had to be directed to God only, and Abraham never corrected him (as he certainly should have done if this were true). So Banzoli is wrong again. He doesnt believe that Jesus told the truth; I do. Its got to be difficult to keep being wrong again and again and again.

This is how Dave tries to justify the fact that Catholics never go directly to God

Another lie, and obviously so. Anyone with an IQ higher than a mushroom knows this isnt true. Its yet another one of Banzolis mindless, brainless, idiotic universal negatives. Sorry for the harsh language, but there is no other way to react to such inanities. I can disprove it in ten seconds: every Catholic at every Mass prays the Lords Prayer or Our Father as we call it. Its a prayer to God. Jesus Himself taught all Christians to pray it. Its His words. Therefore, its untrue that Catholics never go directly to God. Every Mass and every Catholic at every Mass proves its a lie. The question here is: how can Banzoli possibly be this abysmally ignorant of Catholic practices? And of course, in private prayer, Catholics go directly to God all the time. It insults my intelligence and that of all reading to even have to note this self-evident truth.

Once again, as I plainly stated in my article that Banzoli was replying to: We can go to God directly anytime we like. . . . Nothing in Catholicism is against that. . . . We can find prayer directly to God throughout the Old Testament. Ive said the same thing for over thirty years in many articles (that could be found on my blog, and no; I will not waste my time searching for them now; these statements exist, if anyone wants further proof).

Yet we never see a single NT biblical character praying to an OT saint . . . On the contrary, prayers are always, only and exclusively addressed to God , regardless of how much more holy these dead would be. [bolding his own]

Another universal negative; will Banzoli ever learn and cease asserting them? The rich man prays to Abraham (Luke 16). Disagree? Take it up with Our Lord and Savior Jesus: God the Son, since its from Him that we know this.

Of all the examples Dave hunted down in the Bible, you havent seen one where a righteous person refuses to pray for himself, only to let someone else pray for him.

And within a minute, here comes another universal negative! Banzoli simply doesnt know how to effectively debate. No one prevails in a debate by making a fool of himself every minute. The refutation of this false charge is in my article that he was replying to: God said to Abimelech: I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart (Gen 20:6) and Now then restore the mans wife; for he [Abraham] is a prophet, and he will pray for you, and you shall live (Gen 20:6).

Banzoli responds to Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16):

the great proof he has that praying to the dead is legitimate is a parable . . . the vast majority of immortalist theologians themselves recognize that the account is merely parabolic and that it has nothing to do with real events . . . if Dave were honest enough to recognize that Luke 16:19-31 is a parable and not a true story, he would lose the only text it can cite in its favor.

Its not a parable, as I and many argue, but even if it were, Jesus couldnt tell an untruth or false bit of theology in it. He couldnt tell a parable, for example, in which there were four Persons in the Trinity or sixteen gods who have existed for all eternity, or a God that is not eternal. That cant happen because 1) Hes Jesus, Who is God and knows all things, and 2) the Bible in which these parables are found is itself without error. So this argument proves nothing whatsoever. If we can never pray to anyone but God (i.e., ask them to intercede to God for us), then Jesus simply couldnt and wouldnt teach it in His story, whether it is a parable or not. But He did, so there we have it. I have argued this probably twenty times through the years and it is no less self-evident now than it ever was.

I imagine how beautiful Daves heaven must be,

This isnt heaven; its Hades (Sheol), as Jesus expressly stated (Lk 16:23). So why does Banzoli blatantly represent the inspired words of God Himself (in Gods revelation)?

walking and singing and following the song, until he looks across and sees his kin and children burning before him and he can chat with them and he can do nothing to assuage their grief. suffering (although he would probably be the one on the other side, to make the analogy more accurate).

Again, since this is Hades and not heaven (nor hell), its irrelevant to pretend that its referring to heaven. That would make Jesus a liar. Obviously, Banzoli denies the existence of hell, but Jesus does not, and thats the point. He talked more about hell than about heaven (in what we have in Scripture).

I also wonder how the rich man and Lazarus ended up in Hades with bodies and all, when in fact they should have been incorporeal spirits (little ghosts, as in the immortalist fable that Dave loves).

Its anthropomorphic language, that God often uses regarding Himself, too.

This is the problem when you are committed to false doctrine: you are bound to cling tooth and nail to the most outlandish arguments, since that is all you have.

Couldnt have said it better myself!

And the worst is that not even if the parable of the rich man and Lazarus were a true story, this text could be correctly used in his favor, because neither the rich man is answered nor does he say a prayer.

He doesnt have to have his prayer fulfilled for it to be a prayer or for it to be proper to pray to Abraham. Abraham refused the request, and gave the reason why. God refuses prayer requests too. But if it were fundamentally improper or wrong, Abraham would have had to correct the rich man, and say, Pray only to God! Why are you praying to me?! He never did (nor did he say it was impossible for him to fulfill  by whatever means  any request); therefore, Jesus taught that it was proper and permissible to pray to someone other than God; a dead man. The doctrine was already present in Genesis (Lot praying to an angel).

Its certainly a prayer. The rich man makes a petitionary request and two intercessory ones:

Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame. (Lk 16:24) Then I beg you, father, to send him to my fathers house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment. (Lk 16:27-28) No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent. (Lk 16:30)

Those are clearly prayers; the second and third also involve a supernatural occurrence: someone coming back from the dead to warn his brothers. Abraham didnt say that he couldnt cause that to happen, but that it wouldnt make any difference, because if they were to repent, thy would have already done so as a result of reading Moses and the prophets (Lk 16:31). In the case of the first request, Abraham noted that it was not permitted (implied: by God) to cross from one region of Hades to the other.

In the Bible, prayer is establishing a connection between this world and the next.

If thats the case (apart from the fact that the Bible never states this criterion, that I am aware of), then the incidents with Saul and Samuel, and Lot and the angel qualify.

Most of my 6th grade Religious Education students know that Saul was a godless and apostate king, tormented by evil spirits (1 Sam 16:23), who pursued David out of envy all his life, and who cold-bloodedly murdered the Gibeonites for protecting David.

Good for them. This has absolutely nothing to do with the question of whether a person (Saul being a person) can pray to someone other than God. Theres no rule that says that a lousy sinner isnt permitted to pray any longer. So this is one of the innumerable non sequiturs that Banzoli haplessly, witlessly descends to in his reply. Samuel would have been duty-bound to say  as a holy prophet  in any event that he is not to be prayed to because he was 1) dead, and 2) not God, if in fact this were the biblical teaching. Since its not the biblical teaching, Samuel (like Abraham and the angel Lot prayed to) doesnt say either thing.

a king punished with death precisely for practicing what Dave uses to base prayer for the dead!

No Catholic advocates consulting mediums or necromancy. See my paper, Invocation of the Saints = Necromancy? [10-18-08]. No orthodox Catholic defends Sauls effort to consult a medium. Its beside the point, which is that the actual Samuel appeared, whatever Saul and the medium did or sought to do.

the very Bible that Dave never opened calls this practice an abomination and punishes its practitioners with death (as happened to Saul himself):

We agree that consulting a medium is an abomination. But as a point of fact, Saul was not killed for that (or at the very least, not primarily for it). As the risen Samuel noted, God had already turned against Saul. That happened when Saul offered sacrifices that only priests could offer (1 Samuel 13:9-14) and again when Saul didnt utterly destroy the Amalekites (1 Sam 15:10-29). Somehow I knew this (never having opened a Bible), while Banzoli  in his infinite wisdom and knowledge  doesnt (presumably having opened and read a Bible now and then). Samuel mentions the second reason right during his final encounter with Saul: the LORD has turned from you and become your enemy . . . Because you did not obey the voice of the LORD, and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the LORD has done this thing to you this day (1 Sam 28:16, 18).

as if the necromancers invocation of Samuel justified the Catholic practice of communicating with the dead.

No Catholic apologist or theologian that Im aware of, has ever claimed that. For the umpteenth time, its a non sequitur in this debate. All agree that occultic practices were and are wrong and forbidden.

But then why didnt Samuel rebuke Saul for consulting him, as Dave argues? The answer is simple: because it wasnt really Samuel, but a demon impersonating him.

The Bible never remotely states such a thing (and I contend that it certainly would, if it were true). Its Banzology (which, frankly, I dont put much stock in). Hes simply called Samuel, just as he was when he was alive. And he repeats what we know the real Samuel said while alive on the earth: such as the failure to destroy the Amalekites as the reason for Sauls demise. Demons dont tell the truth. They lie and deceive. Samuel (risen out of Sheol) told the truth, as confirmed by Sauls predicted death, the very next day (1 Sam 28:19). Classic Protestant commentaries note the absurdity of the demon hypothesis:

Benson Commentary: He expressly says the woman saw Samuel, and if we believe that she did not see Samuel, but only an evil spirit personating him, we must call in question either the ability or integrity of the sacred writer: we must conceive either that he did not know what he wrote about, or that he designed to deceive his readers. Supposing then that both the woman and Saul might be deceived by an impostor in Samuels guise; yet we ask, Was this author deceived? Or did he mean to deceive us, when he gives us to understand, that the woman saw Samuel, and was frighted at the sight! Barnes Notes on the Bible: It is manifest both that the apparition of Samuel was real, and also that the woman was utterly unprepared for it. * Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary : [M]any eminent writers (considering that the apparition came before her arts were put in practice; that she herself was surprised and alarmed; that the prediction of Sauls own death and the defeat of his forces was confidently made), are of opinion that Samuel really appeared. * Clarkes Commentary : That Samuel did appear on this occasion, is most evident from the text; nor can this be denied from any legitimate mode of interpretation: and it is as evident that he was neither raised by the power of the devil nor the incantations of the witch, for the appearances which took place at this time were such as she was wholly unacquainted with. Her familiar did not appear; and from the confused description she gives, it is fully evident that she was both surprised and alarmed at what she saw, being so widely different from what she expected to see. * Langes Commentary : Of the three schemes of explanation of this difficult passage now heldnamely, that which regards the affair as a mere deception, that which supposes a sort of mesmeric clairvoyance in the woman, and that which sees here a real appearance of Samuel by divine power, the last has found most favor among English orthodox expositors. . . . it is not easy to see how we can avoid finding in the narration a distinct declaration that Samuel actually appeared and spoke.

Somebody call a doctor, a psychiatrist, a vet maybe, but they cant let a man like that write the things he writes. . . .

It doesnt matter what the Bible actually says; what matters is how this can be nominally manipulated to convey the opposite meaning. As is clear from my first rebuttal, all these years of apologetics have only made Dave a master of the art of deceit and dissimulation, a professional scarecrow striker, someone who compulsorily needs to deflect the heart of the argument, mutilate the opposing argument, distort everything said and then bombard with as many randomly quoted texts as possible, betting that no one will have the holy patience to analyze them one by one to embarrass themselves.

Just for the record . . . and I turn the other cheek, as promised in the introduction above. Please pray for my patience and my longtime inability to suffer fools gladly. I willingly suffer through these fifty billion insults for the sake of those whom Im trying to reach with this article and others like it. I offer it up for them. If even just one person is prevented from leaving Catholicism due in part to the grace-enabled writings of this poor sinner, it will all be well worth it, and I salute the person to whom that happens, and praise the God Who made it possible.

***

Practical Matters: Perhaps some of my 4,000+ free online articles (the most comprehensive one-stop Catholic apologetics site) or fifty-one books have helped you (by Gods grace) to decide to become Catholic or to return to the Church, or better understand some doctrines and why we believe them.

Or you may believe my work is worthy to support for the purpose of apologetics and evangelism in general. If so, please seriously consider a much-needed financial contribution. Im always in need of more funds: especially monthly support. The laborer is worthy of his wages (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV). 1 December 2021 was my 20th anniversary as a full-time Catholic apologist, and February 2022 marked the 25th anniversary of my blog. PayPal donations are the easiest: just send to my email address: apologistdave@gmail.com. Youll see the term Catholic Used Book Service, which is my old side-business. To learn about the different methods of contributing, including 100% tax deduction, etc., see my page: About Catholic Apologist Dave Armstrong / Donation Information. Thanks a million from the bottom of my heart!

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Photo credit: The Rich Man in Hell and the Poor Lazarus in Abrahams Lap (1517), by Hans Schaufelein (1480-1540) and Adam Petri (1454-1527) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons]

***

Summary: I defend the practice of invocation and intercession of saints, with biblical examples: all of which are able to stand up against the usual Protestant criticism.
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development and the Lands Commission, has collected data required to bill all properties in the country.



The list and details of more than 8.87 million properties, codified into the Unified Common Property Rate Platform, also known as Myassembly.gov.gh, to enable property owners to verify their rates and pay same, come with their valuations, owners and other details.



However, 76 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) have provided the rates or levies for the various properties (imposts), which will form the basis for the first phase of the end-to-end district revenue collection and administration platform designed to enhance the collection of and accounting for property rates.



The GRA has told Graphic Online that ratepayers in the 76 MMDAs have been given the opportunity to verify and recommend amendments, where necessary, before the rolled-out.



The platform, which is also linked to the Ghana.gov.gh payment platform, is currently the sole payment platform for the payment of property rate with effect from January 2023.



In the past, property rate was collected by revenue collectors of the various MMDAs, which was not efficient.



A 10-year trend analysis indicates that the assemblies together collected just about GH500 million over the period.



However, by the new system, should the assemblies charge just GH200 per property, the country can rake in GHc1.77 billion a year, and with a minimum of GH300, the assemblies can generate GH2.66 billion from properties a year, while a GH400 rate will bring in GH3.55 billion a year from property rate.



Interview



The Commissioner-General of the GRA, Rev. Dr Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, in an exclusive interview with the Daily Graphic, entreated property owners and property ratepayers to embrace and use the unified common property rate platform to enhance the collection of and accounting for property rates.



He said the GRA was looking forward to an improvement in the collection of property rates in the country through its partnership with the MMDAs in the collection of the rates.

Source: graphic.com.gh









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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With the deadline for signing onto the domestic debt exchange programme (DDEP) set to expire today, the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has appealed to bondholders to fully embrace the programme.



In a statement Monday, Mr Ofori-Atta said a lukewarm acceptance or non-participation in the DDEP by domestic investors would have a catastrophic effect on the current economic recovery efforts.



"Ladies and Gentlemen, tomorrow is the final deadline for this programme and we are hopeful all domestic investors will participate.



"Frankly, non-participation or a lower-than-expected turnout for the DDEP will prolong efforts to resolve the current economic crisis. In addition, the prospects of international financial support and other financial assurances will be jeopardised.



"This development could further put strain and stress on the government's capacity to honour key commitments. This is not what we want for our economy," he said.



According to the minister, although the DDEP was a difficult option, the government had to take that route to achieve debt sustainability, restore macroeconomic stability and gradually get the economy back on growth trajectory.



The government, he said, had not gone to sleep but was working hard on other fiscal adjustments for sustainable economic recovery and growth.



He, therefore, called on all domestic investors to fully sign up to the DDEP to support the efforts by the government.



Recovery



"Considering the importance of a sustained economic recovery, backed by an approved International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme in the first quarter 2023, it is crucial for groups and individuals to consider the merits of the enhanced DDER, as well as the need for economic stability, and sign up by tomorrow to make it a successful one," he said.



He acknowledged the fact that the DDEP was a difficult path but gave an assurance that the government would ensure that no one was made worse off under the programme.



"These are difficult times, no doubt, but if we hold on together, we can and will emerge from this more resilient and united than before.





Source: graphic.com.gh









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Obrempong Kwasi Boanu I, the newly enstooled Kyidomhene (chief of the crowd) of the Adantia Divisional Council, Sunyani West Municipality, has appealed to parents to invest their resources into the education of their children to ensure they have a better and secure future.



He said education remained the surest legacy that parents could bequeath to their children, saying though the government was doing much to improve quality education, it was imperative for parents to provide their children with basic education needs.



This would sustain childrens interest in schools and help them pursue and achieve high academic laurels and become responsible adults in future.



In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Adantia, a farming community near Odomase in the Bono region, Obrempong Boanu I said he had prioritised education, and would therefore ensure that all school going-age children in the area were admitted in schools to acquire formal education.



The chief also promised to ensure that schools in the area had enough classroom blocks, furniture and learning and teaching materials to facilitate effective teaching and learning.



He said all deserving teachers in the area would also be identified and well-motivated to inspire them to redouble their efforts to improve the academic performance of children.



Obrempong Boanu I noted that children would either grow to become national assets or liabilities based on their upbringing and development and advised parents to be closer to their girl-child.



He advised the youth in the area against drug and substance abuse, alcoholism, and promiscuity, which could ruin their lives.



He asked them to channel their exuberances into productive activities.



Meanwhile, Obrempong Boanu I expressed concern about the deplorable nature of the Adantia-Kwatire-Odomase road and appealed to the government to reshape the road to facilitate the movements of the people and their economic activities.



In a related development, Okogyedom Barimah Asante Boamah, the Chief of Adantia has taken the Kyidomhene through the traditional rites to seal his enstoolment.



Known in private life as Kwasi Boanu, and a Sunyani-based businessman, the Kyidomhene occupied the stool, which was rendered vacant after the death of his late grandfather, Nana Kwabena Apraku who died 25 years ago.



Okogyedom commended the Kyidom family of the division and expressed the hope that with the enstoolment of Obrempong Boanu I, the development of the area would be brought to the next level.





Source: GNA









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Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, alias Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng has described Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa as a self-acclaimed crusader for the rule of law.



The two have dominated news headlines since last month when Ablakwa started publishing documents purporting to impugn impropriety and criminality on the party of Adu Gyamfi, a secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral project.



Kusi Boateng has since instituted three different legal processes against the lawmaker, the latest of which is a contempt of court suit after the MP rejected two earlier summons he (Adi Gyamfi) had caused to be served on him.



In his statement of case, he told the court about the respondent against whom he had brought the case.



That the Respondent is a Member of Parliament for the North Tongu Constituency on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress and a self-acclaimed crusader for the rule of law in Ghana, the second point noted.



The courts have yet to hear the suit as well as a defamation case he has brought against the MP for false publications against his person.



The other suit is a 10-day restraining order barring Ablakwa from publishing any private documents as relates to his person.







Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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New Patriotic Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North, Andy Appiah-Kubi has stated that he regrets accepting his previous appointment as deputy Minister for Railway Development.



According to the MP, his experience has led him to decide never to accept another appointment as a deputy minister.



I will never accept the position of deputy minister again. I made a mistake of accepting such a position and I will not do that again. I didnt get the opportunity to exhibit my talent he is quoted in a report by 3news,com.



The MP was reacting to the recent announcement of some ministerial nomination by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.



The president on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, announced the nomination of Adansi Asokwa MP, KT Hammond as Minister for Trade pending approval by Parliament.



Abetifi MP, Bryan Acheampong has been named as the Minister of Food and Agriculture. Former Director-General (DG) of the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA) Stephen Asamoah Boateng (Asa B) is heading to Chieftaincy Ministry whereas Stephen Amoah, Nhyiaeso MP is now deputy minister-designate for Trade and Industry.



Also, Dr. Mohammed Amin Anta has been named as Minister of State for Finance replacing Charles Adu Boahen, and Hebert Krapah, who was deputy minister at the Trade Ministry has been moved to the Energy Ministry as deputy minister-designate.



The announcement by the president comes at a time when there are growing public calls for changes in the government.



Speaking in a 3FM interview, Andy Appiah-Kubi noted that he wished the president would have merged some of his ministries.

































Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Tamale Central Member of Parliament, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed has described newly-nominated Trade and Industry Minister, KT Hammond as a very complex individual.



Murtala is, however, concerned that the Adansi Asokwa MP will have to work with another complex personality in the person of Stephen Amoah (Nhyiaeso MP) who has also been nominated as deputy for the same ministry.



We should pray they dont exchange blows, these are two very complex individuals. Very very complexwho are going to work at the same Ministry, he said on a February 8, 2023 radio programme.



I know Hon KT Hammond, he is a no-nonsense man, there are certain things he wont tolerate under any circumstance and I know my good friend, Dr. Sticka, when his name was mentioned, we all rose, we were happy for him, he added.



His further underlined the importance of the ministry which until last month was headed by Alan Kyerematen.



That ministry, one of the most important ministry, forget the ministry of finance everything the government is looking at, expanding the economy, creating jobs, improving the living conditions can all be achieved through that ministry, he added.



The ministerial shakeup



President Akufo-Addo, on February 7,2023; nominated Kobina Tahiru Hammond (MP for Adansi Asokwa) as the minister-designate for Trade and Industry and Bryan Acheampong (MP for Abetifi) as the minister-designate for Food and Agriculture.



Other nominations the president made are Stephen Asamoah Boateng, for the Ministry of Chieftaincy; Mohammed Amin Adam as Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance and Osei Bonsu Amoah as Minister of State for Local Government.



Stephen Amoah, the Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, was also appointed a Deputy Minister-designate for Trade and Industry.



Herbert Krapah, previously the deputy trade minister was also moved to the energy ministry with the same rank.







Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Former Minister for Central Region, Kwamena Duncan has endorsed Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to be flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party.



The date for NPP's presidential and parliamentary primaries has not been decided, however it is expected to come off this year as the party gears up for the 2024 general elections.



Various candidates in the persons of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former Trade Minister Alan Kyerematen, Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, former Minister of Agriculture Dr. Afriyie Akoto among others are vying for the flagbearer position.



To Kwamena Duncan, the wisest thing for the party to do is to choose Dr. Bawumia who he strongly believes will bring victory to the party, come 2024.



Mr. Kwamena Duncan cautioned the party delegates not to make a mistake of electing any other candidate to lead the NPP.



"He is the President Ghana must have . . . It is the wisest thing this party must do [the wisest thing] that the image, the name and the future of this party will be best decided by making the Vice President bear our flag and lead us into victory in December 2024. It is the wisest thing!", he told host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The National Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye a.k.a Nana B has condemned the suame Kill to win elections' comments made by the Suame constituency Youth Organizer of the NDC to the effect that his party will kill in order to win power in next years elections.



Nana B charged the Police to apprehend the NDC Youth Organizer and prosecute him to serve as a deterrent to others.



A video of a man inciting violence ahead of the 2024 general elections has triggered reactions from many Ghanaians.



The NDC Youth Organizer, in an interview with the media, asked supporters and members of the NDC not to hesitate to kill NPP supporters in their quest to win the 2024 elections and make former President John Mahama President of Ghana.



I will plead with Ghana Police; they should arrest that gentleman and prosecute him without any further delay", Nana B said on Okay FM "Ade Akye Abia" morning show.



He also appealed to the Police not to politicize the issue stressing "we should avoid violence at all times and not use violence as a tool to capture power because you belong to a political party. How can you kill your fellow human being because of power? This must be condemned and any necessary action needed must be taken to serve as a deterrent to others"



He urged Ghanaians to ensure peace and unity.



Watch the full video below;





Source: Josephine Acheampomaa/[email protected]









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NDC CAUCUS IN PARLIAMENT CONDEMNS JUDICIAL ABUSE AND DESPICABLE EFFORTS TO GAG MPs AND STAMPEDE PARLIAMENTARY OVERSIGHT



The NDC Caucus in Parliament strongly condemns the naked and shameful abuse of the judiciary by certain undemocratic elements seeking to gag NDC Members of Parliament and prevent us from carrying out our constitutional mandate of oversight.



The instant preposterous and cowardly legal action against our respected colleague, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa by President Akufo-Addos appointee to the Board of Trustees of the scandal-ridden National Cathedral of Ghana who now claims to be called Kwabena Adu Gyamfi even though all public records including incorporation documents show that he was duly appointed as Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng is nothing but a desperate effort to stifle parliamentary scrutiny and pervert the course of justice.



To grant an interim injunction preventing further publication on a matter of enormous public interest and to a man of dubious double identity is a palpable constitutional affront.



In any case, the claim by the applicant that the continuous publication of his personal information violates his privacy raises legitimate, legal and logical questions about which of his dual identities with his different names, different dates of birth, different TINS, different mothers and different national IDs actually refer to him.



It is also most shocking that the court will grant an exparte injunction in a matter of this nature and particularly when incontrovertible court records show that the man who now claims to be Kwabena Adu Gyamfi with an alias as Victor Kusi Boateng only recently obtained judgment from the same judiciary as Victor Kusi Boateng.



The NDC Caucus in Parliament also condemns in the strongest terms the crude disregard for the appropriate procedure of how Members of Parliament are to be served with court documents through the Right Honourable Speaker of Parliament. Multiple Speakers of Parliament across the political divide have emphasized this in many constitutionally sound rulings.



Ambushing an MP with a secret video recording on the premises of a television station after an interview by people ironically claiming to be apostles of the protection of privacy as happened to our distinguished colleague, Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa on the precincts of Metro TV on the 3rd of February, 2023 can only be the orchestration of a frustrated and lawless cabal.



It is a real travesty that under the current government, offenders are shielded and emboldened while diligent and patriotic Members of Parliament fulfilling their constitutional mandate are vilified, witchhunted and threatened with imprisonment.



The NDC Caucus in Parliament wishes to express full confidence in the impressive, courageous and patriotic parliamentary oversight qualities with which our respected colleague, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has pursued this national cathedral conflict of interest and dual identity scandal.



Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa can count on our unflinching solidarity, especially during the pendency of that unmeritorious, vexatious and ridiculous Kwabena Adu GyamfiVictor Kusi Boateng case.



The Minority Group in Parliament hereby serves notice that we shall not be intimidated or cowed by judicial abuse, tyranny and fascist tactics.



We are determined to boldly pursue all aspects of this scandal-plagued National Cathedral project and the related matters of conflict of interest, dual identity, diversions, procurement breaches and blatant corruption without let or hindrance during this 3rd Session of the 8th Parliament.



We shall be disappointing God and our dear countrymen and women if we fail in this noble mission.



May God help us.



Signed,



Hon. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson



[Leader, Minority Group in Parliament]

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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People carry a dead body from a collapsed building in Kahramanmaras, southern Turkey, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. A British Columbia search and rescue team is ready and willing to head to Turkey to help after a devastating earthquake, but is facing multiple hurdles as it waits for the go-ahead from Canadian federal authorities. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Hussein Malla
Two proposals to open Petersburg Creek to black bear hunting failed at the Alaska Board of Games Southeast regional meeting in Ketchikan last month.

The Petersburg Creek Closed Area, measuring 44 square miles, has been closed to black bear hunting since 1975 in order to provide a recreational bear viewing area near Petersburg and because of public safety concerns, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

The area, however, is open to the hunting of other species.

One of the failed proposals would have added an exception to allow resident certified bowhunters to take black bea...
Fox's demand for best-in-class products is translating across all categories, from helmets to shoes. We've validated the trend through direct rider feedback, consumer data and wholesale partners around the globe.  Mikey Rangel, Head of Marketing
blachu3232 Binks Latest 888poker $100K Mystery Bounty; xxkim62 Hits Jackpot

February 09, 2023 Matthew Pitt Editor

888poker remains the only online poker site running daily mystery bounty tournaments, and the only site that offers its players the chance to win a share of $100,000 every Sunday in huge mystery bounty event: the $100,000 Mystery Bounty Main Event.

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$100,000 Mystery Bounty Prizes

Bounty No. of Prizes $10,000 1 $3,000 2 $1,000 6 $500 15 $200 30 $140 50 $48 155

The biggest mystery bounty this week was worth an impressive $10,000, and it went to the United Kingdom's "xxkim62." The Brit busted in 21st place for a $255 score, but that five-figure mystery bounty meant xxkim62 walked away with $10,448 in total, which was the largest payout of the tournament.

Other big winners from the mystery bounty pool included 19th place finisher "pokanuktus" and 12th place finisher "diego7791" who opened envelopes containing $3,000 prizes.

888poker Ambassador Alexandre "Cavalito" Mantovani Sets His Sights on Crushing 2023

$100,000 Mystery Bounty Main Event Final Table Results

Place Player Country Bounties Prize Total Prize 1 balchu3232 Argentina $1,390 $7,740 $9,130 2 alligatorboy Germany $381 $5,645 $6,026 3 GiordanoKK Brazil $673 $4,150 $4,823 4 joelmito Brazil $533 $3,075 $3,608 5 Sim0nK Lithuania $916 $2,275 $3,191 6 iluckbox Brazil $576 $1,700 $2,276 7 ieduiezilor Romania $1,248 $1,280 $2,528 8 Hvalavam Montenegro $387 $970 $1,357 9 Dar1nskas Lithuania $376 $740 $1,116

Nobody at the nine-handed final table took home less than $1,116 for their $109 investment. "Dar1nskas" of Lithuania bowed out in ninth and received that sum. Montenegro's "Hvalavam" and Romanian "ieduiezilor" were the next players heading for the exits, doing so with total prizes worth $1,357 and $2,528, respectively.

"Sim0nK," also of Lithuania, fell in fifth for $3,191, with two Brazilians crashing out in quick succession and leaving only two players in the hunt for the title; "joelmito" ($3,608) and "GiordanoKK" ($4,823) being those busted Samba stars.

Heads-up pitted Germany's "alligatorboy" against "blachu3232" of Argentina. Blachu3232 had alligatorboy on the ropes for a large part of the one-on-one battle, and eventually clinched the title when their pocket sixes flopped a set and rivered a boat to stay way ahead of their opponent's queen-ten. Blachu3232 won the $200 mystery bounty that was on the head of alligatorboy plus the $140 that started on their head, taking their total bounty haul to $1,390 and their overall prize $9,130.

"AMG_people" Comes from Behind to Win 2023 888poker XL Winter Series Main Event

Win Your $109 Mystery Bounty Main Event Seat for $0.10

Don't worry of the $109 buy-in for the $100,000 Mystery Bounty Main Event is too steep for your bankroll, there are plenty of satellites feeding into this week's game. The tournament shuffles up and deals at 7:00 p.m. GMT on February 12, so you have some time to capture a seat.

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Your first deposit is matched 100% up to $400 in the form or a releasable bonus. You have 90 days to release as much bonus as you can. Contact 888poker support for more details.
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House Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) called Rep. Jim Jordans select committee on the weaponization of the federal government a distraction and a waste of time and money.

Video of Jeffries at his weekly press conference:

Hakeem Jeffries calls Jim Jordan's select committee a distraction and "a waste of time and the treasury of the American people." pic.twitter.com/KEFrQWBlv3  Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) February 9, 2023

Jeffries said, Well, the members on the Democratic side of the aisle who serve on the weaponization committee are experienced in dealing with oversight, accountability, and our congressional duties in a reasonable, rational, and responsible fashion and are going to be ready to push back on the extremism that we are going to see from the weaponization committee.

Leader Jeffries later made his opinion on the committee clear, The weaponization committee is another unnecessary distraction, and it is a waste of time and the treasury of the American people.

The witness list for this hearing says it all. The select committee will hear from two Fox Newsers and two Republican Senators.

The fact that Republicans couldnt seem to find a single non-partisan expert who could come in and testify before the committee about the weaponization of the federal government against conservatives.

The weaponization committee is supposed to be the House MAGAs answer to the 1/6 Committee, but it is set up as a disinformation platform that give space to deep state conspiracies and other far-right lies.

Republicans are trying to launder and legitimize their conspiracy theories through the House oversight process.

Democrats arent going to let that happen, and they are prepared for Jim Jordans waste of time.
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Hunter Bidens lawyer responded to the House Oversight Committee Chairman Comers letter requesting documents by telling him that he has no legitimate legislative purpose.

Here is the letter:

Hunter Bidens attorney rebuffs House GOP request for a wide range of business and financial records, saying the committee lacks a legitimate legislative purpose and oversight basis for requesting such records. pic.twitter.com/NXKoVTUDVt  Matt Viser (@mviser) February 9, 2023

The letter accused Comer of peddling his own baseless and inaccurate conclusions and denied his request for documents because Hunter Biden is a private citizen and House Republicans have no legitimate legislative purpose in investigating him.

In other words, House Republicans and their investigation can go kick rocks.

The letter dares House Republicans to sue the Presidents son for documents and information.

You might recall the phrase no legitimate legislative purpose because Trump used it to try to keep his tax returns hidden from the House Ways and Means Committee.

The difference is that Donald Trump was the President Of The United States, who claimed that he was under audit, so the committee definitely had a legitimate legislative purpose.

Hunter Biden isnt going to meekly stand aside and allow House Republicans to carry out a smear campaign against his family because they think that it will help them win the presidency in 2024.

The Presidents son is fighting back, and if he chooses to do, he could tie House Republicans up in court for years.

This whole thing isnt going the way Republicans expected, and it may only get worse for them if they continue to pursue their Hunter Biden conspiracies.
A North Augusta man plead guilty to several charges for his connection to a 2018 shooting that killed a man and for his involvement in a 2021 shooting at an Aiken apartment complex.

Gerald Christopher Bryant, 30, of North Augusta, was sentenced Feb. 6 by Judge Cordell Maddox to 15 years for voluntary manslaughter in connection to the October 2018 homicide of Dante Dunbar, 21, according to Ashley Hammack, deputy solicitor with the Second Judicial Circuit Solicitors Office.

Bryant also pleaded guilty to possession of a weapon during a violent crime, Hammack said.

He was scheduled to go to trial, but after assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the case and meeting with the defense attorney it was ultimately agreed on the option that he would enter a plea for voluntary manslaughter, Hammack said.

In October 2018, police found Dunbar lying in the front yard of a home in the 300 block of Jehossee Drive suffering from multiple gunshot wounds , the Aiken Standard reported.

Dunbar later died at Augusta University Medical Center. .

Jermiah Christopher Blocker, 20, was charged back in 2020 with murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime in relation to the shooting, the paper reported.

Hammack said Bryant also plead guilty to first-degree assault and battery, discharging a firearm into a dwelling and breach of peace of a high and aggravated nature in connection to a Nov. 28, 2021, shooting at Colony Woods Apartments.

Bryant was sentenced to 10 years suspended with five years of probation and will have to serve all of his voluntary manslaughter sentence, Hammack said.

Gunshots damaged a car window, another vehicle and entered a living room at Colony Woods Apartments, the Standard reported.

Police arrested Bryant for the shooting incident on Jan. 9, 2022 at a gas station on Laurens Street while he was out on bond for the October 2018 homicide case, Hammack said.

After sentencing,Bryant was taken into custody by the South Carolina Department of Corrections.
A North Augusta man will spend more than 20 years in prison for a September 2020 sexual incident involving a minor.

Randal Scott Hopson, 55, of North Augusta, pleaded guilty Feb. 6 to third-degree criminal sexual conduct and second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, according to Ashley Hammack, deputy solicitor with the Second Judicial Circuit.

Hopson was sentenced to 12 years for criminal sexual conduct with a minor and 10 years on the sexual exploitation, Hammack said. Hammack said Hopson will serve the second sentence after he completes his 12-year sentence.

Police said Hopson took inappropriate photos of the juvenile victim in September 2020 in North Augusta, according to an incident report from the Aiken County Sheriff's Office.

Upon his release, Hopson will have to register as a sex offender and wear a GPS ankle monitor.

After Hopson was sentenced, he was taken into custody by the South Carolina Department of Corrections.
Russian President Putin has signed a bill allowing authorities to issue electronic notices to draftees and reservists amid the fighting in Ukraine, sparking fears of a new wave of mobilization. The bill signed into law was published Friday on the official register of government documents. Russias military service rules previously required the in-person delivery of notices to conscripts and reservists who are called up for duty. Under the new law, the notices would be considered valid from the moment they are put on a state portal for electronic services. In the past, many Russians avoided the draft by staying away from their address of record. The new law closes that loophole ahead of a widely anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensive in the coming weeks. Read morePutin signs bill allowing electronic conscription notices
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Mostly cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 61F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Mostly cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 61F. Winds light and variable.
Berkeley County spotlighted five local fire departments serving the area on April 14 that were previously designated as "Fire Safe SC Communities" by Fire Safe South Carolina (FSSC) in 2022. These are: Read more'Fab Five' Berkeley fire units recognized
A Charleston businessman who co-founded a company that administered health care insurance has been indicted on federal embezzlement charges in a a case that reportedly left more than $7 million in unpaid medical expenses, according to the Department of Labor.

Charles Kenneth Johnson is named in a 24-count indictment returned Feb. 8.

He is accused of theft or embezzlement in connection with health care for allegedly misappropriating funds that businesses and employees paid for medical insurance.

Some of those funds, according to the indictment, were taken to build new office space for the company for which he served as chief executive officer  Advance Benefit Management Systems.

The construction company hired to build the office space was owned by Johnson's son, according to the indictment.

Johnson co-founded Advance Benefit Management Systems in Charleston in September 2013. The company operated as a third-party plan administrator for at least 118 self-funded employee health care plans. Advance Benefit Management Systems was under contract to adjudicate medical claims and pay those claims with the money each business and its employees paid into their individual plans.

The premiums from each business and its employees were supposed to be kept separate from others who contracted with Advance Benefit Management Systems. In exchange, each business paid Johnson's company administrative fees.

According to the indictment, around the year 2016 Advance Benefit Management Systems began commingling the funds from an estimated 2,860 participants across 13 states.

In May 2020, the Department of Labor filed suit against Johnson, his company and company president Randy Wright alleging more than $7 million in claims Advance Benefit Management Systems was paid to manage had gone unpaid. U.S.

District Judge Richard Story from the Northern District of Georgia granted the Labor Department's request to put the company's work in the hands of independent fiduciaries, and issued an order prohibiting Johnson and Wright from running Advance Benefit Management Systems or any similar business.

Johnson and Wright agreed to pay a $90,263 penalty and $644,737 in restitution, according to court documents in the civil case filed in December 2021.

Only Johnson is named in the federal indictment returned this week in South Carolina. He is scheduled for arraignment in U.S. District Court in Charleston on Feb. 22.

Federal prosecutors have also filed for forfeiture of $975,500, which they contend is the minimum amount Johnson illegally obtained.
A nearly 300-unit apartment proposal's design that's been rejected by Charleston's architectural board three times has once again failed to get an initial OK.

The Board of Architectural Review voted 4-1 Feb. 8 to defer conceptual approval of the long-sought project at 295 Calhoun St., saying improvements to the design have been made but more modifications are needed to reduce its mass and scale.

The move came after Augusta-based developer Southeastern lopped off the proposed eighth floor and changed other architectural elements since the last rejection in November.

Vic Mills, CEO of Southeastern, which bought the 2.1-acre site three years ago through SE Calhoun LLC for $12 million from the Medical University of South Carolina, remained upbeat despite the setback by the board.

"It was a step in the right direction," he said. "We will try to do what we can to incorporate the input of BAR and (city) staff" and "look at what we can do that won't destroy our project."

Mills had hoped the redesign would win favor. He offered one less floor, set the seventh level back several feet from the building's edge and added new recessed elements and colors.

"We chopped off the top floor and took off part of the sides," Mills said. "We've made a lot of changes. It's a more attractive building today than it was two years ago."

He said the new design is about 30,000 square feet smaller than the originally submitted project. The final number of units has not been determined, but the tally is about 30 less than the initial proposal of about 325 two years ago.

"Losing a whole floor was big," Mills said.

The building calls for ground floor retail and restaurant space, especially on the back side near a planned boardwalk along Alberta Long Lake. Parking for tenants, merchants and shoppers is planned for the building's interior.

Mills first approached the city with the initial design in the spring of 2021, but the BAR rejected the proposal and asked for modifications. Mills tried again two other times since then. Last fall, the proposed design was narrowly defeated in a 3-2 vote.

Preservationists have been steadfast in their opposition to the project's design, saying it is too tall and too massive, while community members have offered mixed opinions over developing the property near the city's medical district.

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Erin Minnigan, of the Preservation Society of Charleston, said the latest proposal "has no meaningful changes" and needs "to go back to the drawing board."

Justin Schwebler, of the Historic Charleston Foundation, called the proposed building "totally incompatible" with the peninsula.

Both groups also want another half floor chopped off the building.

A representative of nearby Halsey Park residences also called for a better design, saying the balconies resemble a hotel.

Supporters called the latest design "aesthetically pleasing" and "more pleasant" than the vacant lot left after the previous building was demolished.

"I don't know what more we can ask for from the developer," said David Cooper, who lives about two blocks from the proposed development. "This is going to be a visual enhancement."

At times during the board's review of the proposed design, it appeared the project was on its way to an initial OK after city staff members recommended approval along with several changes.

"I see a better sense of order than the previous design," BAR member Karo Wheeler said. "Overall, the project has been improved."

Board member Luda Sobchuk said, "I think we are getting there. I think we are ready for the next step."

Pointing out the staff's suggestions to improve the project, BAR member Seaton Brown took an opposing view and said the entire project needs to be restudied.

In the end, Brown and Sobchuk voted to defer a decision along with members John Robinson and James Meadors. Wheeler opposed deferral.
The number of children enrolled in South Carolina's public schools declined during the pandemic, but the state didn't experience the dramatic losses seen across the country.

The Palmetto State's public school enrollment fell by 3,180 children from 2019-20 to the 2021-22 school year, according to an investigation by The Associated Press, Big Local News, and Thomas Dee, a professor at Stanford University. During that time 608 more students enrolled in private school and 9,863 enrolled in homeschool. (The population of school-age children in South Carolina increased by 5,450 children during those years, according to census data.)

The investigation found that nationally, enrollment in U.S. public schools plummeted during the pandemic by at least 1.2 million students or 2.5 percent of the public school aged population in grades K-12.

Barnett Berry, a research professor at the University of South Carolina's College of Education, found the numbers unsurprising given the number of schools across the country that reverted to remote learning during those years. Even when schools returned to teaching in person, political issues around masking made some parents consider public school alternatives. He said that data from the current school year would show whether this was an ongoing trend or if parents were gradually re-enrolling their children in public schools.

The biggest drops were seen in California and New York, which lost 270,928 and 132,398 students, respectively, from fall 2019 to fall 2021. North Carolina and Georgia were also among the states with the sharpest public school enrollment declines with North Carolina losing 34,086 students and Georgia 25,575 students.

The investigation was able to track where most children went in 21 states and Washington, D.C., that reported public, private and home school enrollment numbers. It found that 26 percent of public school children who left switched to home schools, 14 percent went to private schools, and 26 percent could be explained by population loss.

But over a third of the children who left public schools across the country, or 240,133 children, were unaccounted for. The number is likely higher since this data is only from 21 states and D.C.

South Carolina was one of the states that didn't have "missing" children. The number of children enrolled in public, private or home schools actually increased during the pandemic years.

But thousands of children across the country are missing school. Where did they go?

Missing children

Shed be a senior right now, preparing for graduation in a few months, probably leading her schools modern dance troupe and taking art classes.

Instead, Kailani Taylor-Cribb hasnt taken a single class in what used to be her high school since the height of the coronavirus pandemic. She vanished from Cambridge, Massachusetts public school roll in 2021 and has been, from an administrative standpoint, unaccounted for since then.

She is among hundreds of thousands of students around the country who disappeared from public schools during the pandemic and didnt resume their studies elsewhere.

In short, theyre missing.

Missing students received crisis-level attention in 2020 after the pandemic closed schools nationwide. In the years since, they have become largely a budgeting problem. School leaders and some state officials worried aloud about the fiscal challenges their districts faced if these students didnt come back. Each student represents money from the city, state and federal governments.

Gone is the urgency to find the students who left  those eligible for free public education but who are not receiving any schooling at all. Early in the pandemic, school staff went door to door to reach and reengage kids. Most efforts have ended.

Everyone is talking about declining enrollment, but no one is talking about whos leaving the system and why, said Tom Sheppard, a New York City parent and representative on the city's Panel for Educational Policy.

No one, he said, is forthcoming.

A problem not discussed

The missing kids identified by AP and Stanford represent far more than a number. The analysis highlights thousands of students who may have dropped out of school or missed out on the basics of reading and school routines in kindergarten and first grade.

Thats thousands of students who matter to someone. Thousands of students who need help re-entering school, work and everyday life.

Thats the stuff that no one wants to talk about, said Sonja Santelises, the chief executive officer of Baltimore's public schools, speaking about her fellow superintendents.

We want to say its outside stuff thats keeping kids from returning to school, she said, such as caring for younger siblings or the need to work. But she worries teens sometimes lack caring adults at school who can discuss their concerns about life.

Thats really scary, Santelises said.

Discussion of children's recovery from the pandemic has focused largely on test scores and performance. But Dee says the data suggests a need to understand more about children who arent in school and how that will affect their development.

This is leading evidence that tells us we need to be looking more carefully at the kids who are no longer in public schools, he said.

Over months of reporting, the AP learned of students and families avoiding school for a range of reasons. Some are still afraid of COVID-19, are homeless or have left the country. Some students couldnt study online and found jobs instead. Some slid into depression.

During the prolonged online learning, some students fell so far behind developmentally and academically that they no longer knew how to behave or learn at school. Many of these students, while largely absent from class, are still officially on school rosters. That makes it harder to truly count the number of missing students. The real tally of young people not receiving an education is likely far greater than the 240,000 figure calculated by the AP and Stanford.

In some cases, this wasnt sudden. Many students were struggling well before the pandemic descended.

Kailani, for one, had begun to feel alienated at her school. In ninth grade, a few months before the pandemic hit, she was unhappy at home and had been moved to a different math class because of poor grades.

Kailani has ADHD and says the White teaching assistant assigned to help her focus in her new class targeted her because she was Black, blaming Kailani when classmates acted up. She also didnt allow Kailani to use her headphones while working independently in class, something Kailani says was permitted in her special education plan to help her focus.

After that, Kailani stopped attending math. Instead, she cruised the hallways or read in the library.

Ultimately, the pandemic and at-home education relieved the anxiety Kailani felt from being in the school building. Kailani preferred online school because she could turn off her camera and engage as she chose. Her grades improved.

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When the school reopened, she never returned.

A Cambridge schools spokesperson looked into Kailanis complaints. Several individuals demonstrated great concern and compassion towards her and the challenges she was facing outside of school, Sujata Wycoff said. She said the district has a reputation of being deeply dedicated to the education and well-being of our students.

Losing the physical connection

To assess just how many students have gone missing, AP and Big Local News canvassed every state in the nation to find the most recently available data on both public and non-public schools, as well as census estimates for the school-age population.

Overall, public school enrollment fell by 710,000 students between the 2019-2020 and 2021-2022 school years in the 21 states plus Washington, D.C., that provided the necessary data.

Those states saw private-school enrollment grow by over 100,000 students. Home-schooling grew even more, surging by more than 180,000.

But the data showed 240,000 students who were neither in private school nor registered for home-school. Their absences could not be explained by population loss, either  such as falling birth rates or families who moved out of state.

States where kindergarten is optional were more likely to have larger numbers of unaccounted-for students, suggesting the missing also include many young learners kept home instead of starting school. California alone showed over 150,000 missing students in the data, and New York had nearly 60,000. Census estimates are imperfect. So AP and Stanford ran a similar analysis for pre-pandemic years in those two states. It found almost no missing students at all, confirming something out of the ordinary occurred during the pandemic.

The true number of missing students is likely much higher. The analysis doesnt include data from 29 states, including Texas and Illinois, or the unknown numbers of ghost students who are technically enrolled but rarely make it to class.

For some students, it was impossible to overcome losing the physical connection with school and teachers during the pandemic's school closures.

Jose Escobar, an immigrant from El Salvador, had only recently enrolled in the 10th grade in Boston Public Schools when the campus shut down in March 2020. His school-issued laptop didnt work, and because of bureaucratic hurdles the district didnt issue a new one for several weeks. His father stopped paying their phone bills after losing his restaurant job. Without any working technology for months, he never logged into remote classes.

When instruction resumed online that fall, he decided to walk away and find work as a prep cook. I cant learn that way, he said in Spanish. At 21, hes still eligible for school in Boston, but says hes too old for high school and needs to work to help his family.

Another Boston student became severely depressed during online learning and was hospitalized for months. Back home, he refuses to attend school or leave his room despite visits from at least one teacher. When his mother asked him about speaking to a reporter, he cursed her out.

These are all students who have formally left school and have likely been erased from enrollment databases. Many others who are enrolled are not receiving an education.

In Los Angeles last year, nearly half of students were chronically absent, meaning they missed more than 10 percent of the school year. For students with disabilities, the numbers are even higher: According to district data, 55 percent missed at least 18 school days. Its not clear how many students were absent more than that. The citys Unified School District did not respond to requests for this data.

When schools don't come through

Los Angeles officials have spoken openly about attempts to find unschooled students and help remove obstacles that are preventing them from coming to school. Laundry services have been offered, as has help with housing. But for some students and their parents, the problem sits within a school system they say has routinely failed their children.

Parents are bereft, said Allison Hertog, who represents around three dozen families whose children missed significant learning when Californias physical classrooms closed for more than a year during the early pandemic.

Ezekiel West, 10, is in fourth grade but reads at a first grade level. Before the pandemic shutdowns, he was shuffled from school to school when educators couldnt address his impulsive behavior.

During online learning, his mother couldnt get home internet and struggled with the Wi-Fi hotspots provided by the school. She worked as a home health aide and couldnt monitor Ezekiel online.

When he returned to school in fall 2021 as a third grader, he was frustrated that his classmates had made more progress as the years passed.

I did not feel prepared, he said in a recent phone interview. I couldnt really learn as fast as the other kids, and that kind of made me upset.

An administrative judge ruled Los Angeles schools had violated Ezekiels rights and ordered the district to give him a spot at a new school, with a special plan to ease him back into learning and trusting teachers. The school didnt follow the plan, so his mother stopped sending him in October.

I cant trust them, Miesha Clarke said. Los Angeles school officials did not respond to requests for comment on Ezekiels case.

Last month, Ezekiel signed up for a public online school for California students. To enroll him, his mother agreed to give up his special education plan. His attorney, Hertog, worries the program wont work for someone with Ezekiels needs and is looking for yet another option with more flexibility.

At least three of the students Hertog has represented, including Ezekiel, have disappeared from school for long periods since in-person instruction resumed. Their situations were avoidable, she said: Its pretty disgraceful that the school systems allowed this to go on for so long.

When Kailani stopped logging into her virtual classes during the spring of her sophomore year, she received several emails from the school telling her shed been truant. Between two to four weeks after she disappeared from Zoom school, her homeroom adviser and Spanish teacher each wrote to her, asking where she was. And the schools dean of students called her great-grandmother, her legal guardian, to inform her about Kailanis disappearance from school.

They didnt communicate further, according to Kailani. She went to work at Chipotle, ringing up orders in Bostons financial district.

In December, Kailani moved to North Carolina to make a new start. She teaches dance to elementary school kids now. Last month, she passed her high school equivalency exams. She plans to study choreography.

But she knows, looking back, that things could have been different. While she has no regrets about leaving high school, she says she might have changed her mind if someone at school had shown more interest and attention to her needs and support for her as a Black student.

All they had to do was take action, Kailani said. There were so many times they could have done something. And they did nothing.

___

This article is based on data collected by The Associated Press and Stanford Universitys Big Local News project. Data was compiled by Sharon Lurye of the AP, Thomas Dee of Stanfords Graduate School of Education, and Justin Mayo of Big Local News.

___

The Associated Press education team receives support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
George Kovach and his Bearcat pop-up have been making their rounds at Charleston restaurants since the start of 2021. From private events to residencies at Chasing Sage, Leyla Fine Lebanese Cuisine and Paddock & Whisky, Kovach has slowly built the Bearcat brand with the goal of eventually opening his own Charleston restaurant.

He will do just that sometime this year, but before Bearcat opens at 25 Magnolia Road, Kovach is lending a culinary hand to another local business: Sweet Grass Vodka.

Sweet Grass Vodka, produced and bottled on the ground floor of three-story, mixed-used development The Refinery on Meeting Street Road, opened a lounge and tasting room on the property in November. Along with cocktails highlighting its potato-based, gluten-free vodka, Sweet Grass Vodka served a basic food menu of salads, flatbreads, whipped feta, and meat and cheese boards.

That is, until Kovach was hired as a consultant to upfit the menu.

Kovach, who met Sweet Grass Vodka owners Jarrod and Alicia Swanger through a mutual friend, said he was brought on board to help bring a level of refinement to the food program that matched the space, which features neutral-toned, upscale-rustic interior decorations with a feminine touch.

Though Kovachs resume includes Michelin-starred Chicago restaurants Elizabeth Restaurant, Ever, Acadia and Band of Bohemia, the chef wont be serving fancy plates like the fingerling potatoes with edible dirt or foie gras popsicles he has served at previous Bearcat pop-ups.

Rather, Sweet Grass Vodkas menu will feel familiar for those who grew up with Southern cuisine, with Old Bay crab dip, cowboy caviar with Sea Island peas, ham sliders and an heirloom tomato tartine with sundried tomato sourdough among the options. (Fingerling potatoes do factor into the lounges offering, but Sweet Grass Vodka's are served with smoked scallions and fresno chili aioli.)

With the brand of Sweet Grass, we wanted to keep it Southern, keep it Lowcountry, Kovach said. The idea is that the menu needs to be nostalgic. It needs to evoke some sort of memory.

For Kovach, that memory was of his grandmother, who lived in Shelby, N.C., and loved pimento cheese. He decided Sweet Grass Vodka would serve what he describes as a classic pimento cheese, which he pops in the oven before serving bubbling hot with Texas toast.

The new food offering, which includes a six-item brunch, will expand over time, according to the chef, who will hand over day-to-day duties to the Sweet Grass Vodka staff. Kovach has a restaurant to open, after all.

The North Carolina-born chef would not provide an update on Bearcat, the forthcoming restaurant that was initially slated to open in September. A Jan. 19 social media post showed a darkened photo of Bearcats dining room with the caption Stay tuned 

Once open, the two-part restaurant will feature a walk-in-only cocktail-driven lounge serving a small food menu, frozen drinks and cocktails on tap, Kovach told The Post and Courier in June. The second half, open for walk-ins and reservations, will be home to a dining room with a more upscale atmosphere and a seven-course tasting menu reminiscent of the six-course menu served during Bearcats pop-up days.

Sweet Grass Vodka is open from 4-11 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit sweetgrassvodka.com.
GREENVILLE  A wine and live music bar will soon open in Greenvilles West End as a smaller version of the original in Simpsonville.

Julie Redman opened the first location of Sweet Sippin in May 2017 on West Curtis Street in downtown Simpsonville. Over time, the focus of her space shifted away from an artisan goods shop and into a bar offering wine, craft beer and music.

While the pandemic disrupted the timeline for the upcoming second spot in downtown Greenville, Redman hopes it will be completed by early summer.

The wine shop will move into the former Cocobella Boutique store in suite C of 21 Augusta St., two stores down from the recently opened Jack Browns Beer and Burger Joint. Next to the forthcoming bar is a publicly accessible plaza that was approved by the City of Greenville's Design Review Board in Febraury 2022.

The city initially approved a rooftop bar to the building, which would match the rooftop at the Simpsonville location. But the fire marshal later vetoed the plan.

Still, the 900-square-foot store will have about 40 seats between its bar and high-top tables. Redman has also been given permission to use the stage in the plaza for musical acts.

Redman tries to cultivate an experiential environment with her shop, educating customers about wine, hosting events and featuring performances by both established and up-and-coming musicians five to six days a week.

"Anybody can serve great beer and great wine. Anybody can do that. So it's about creating something that offers something special that really connects with people," Redman said.

Before turning into a full-time bar, Redman's Simpsonville store sold artisan goods. Redman and her two daughters launched a chocolate and toffee startup years ago called Craving Bark. They sold the candy at farmers markets and other special events before Redman opened a brick-and-mortar location at 103 W. Curtis St. to sell a range of goods.

For the store's first anniversary, Redman hosted an event every day for the month of May.

"And, then I never stopped," she said.

Redman transitioned away from selling goods once there was a greater need for seats to support the new heart of the business  music, wine and beer. Redman will introduce a small shareable plates menu at both locations once the Greenville shop is open.

The Simpsonville location was upgraded in December 2021. The front facade was pushed inward to add patio seating along with the addition of a second bathroom, a kitchen and a garage door to roll up on warmer days.

The wine shop is no stranger to the West End. Starting in February 2020, shortly before the pandemic, Redman opened a shipping container at Gather GVL, also on Augusta Street, to get a taste of downtown and establish a formal presence. She left in April 2021 with the lease already signed for her new Augusta Street spot.

"I am excited for Greenville," Redman said. "We got a taste of it with Gather. So, I think it's something that the community will respond to and embrace and hopefully, we give them everything that they're looking for."
CLEMSON  The city of Clemson is being sued for gross negligence in a 2021 police incident that killed a 25-year-old Greenville man.

Gregory Chandler Metz was shot by a Clemson police officer around 1:30 a.m. Feb. 11, 2021, at the Circle K convenience station on College Avenue. His estate is suing the city and has a set court date for August.

The suit, filed by Charleston attorney Julian Allen on behalf of Metz's only son, alleges the city was negligent in its hiring, supervision and training of officer Zachary Yasin.

After questioning Metz about the tag and registration of a moped at the convenience store, Yasin shot Metz following a struggle during an attempted arrest, according to the suit.

Metz presented a weapon described as a firearm by police before the struggle, according to a 2021 Clemson Police Department news release, and police rendered first aid after calling for emergency medical response.

The city is responsible for the negligence and recklessness that caused Metzs death, the wrongful death suit claims. Yasin is currently listed as a master patrol officer on the city police department's website.

The State Enforcement Division, which investigates all police shootings in the state, noted the suspect was armed, The Post and Courier previously reported.

The police department and Yasin are not named as defendants in the suit. and it is filed on behalf of Metz's estate  not any other surviving family members.

"There are strategic decisions in who to name and certain causes to bring," Allen told The Post and Courier. "I sue the people I think are responsible and I sue them for claims and causes of action I think are successful. The gross negligence cause of action encompasses all damages recognizable under the state law, which is pain and suffering, wrongful death and survival."

Clemson Assistant Administrator Allison Gantte said the city cannot comment on pending litigation.
CONWAY  After being left without money for months, Horry County GOP leaders said they plan to sue the former party chair and his support team over custody of more than $30,000 in party bank accounts.

Current party Chairman Reese Boyd, Vice Chairman Robert Visconti and State Executive Committeeman Mike Connett said that former leaders Roger Slagle, Angela King and Barbara Treacy, who all resigned last fall, have refused to relinquish the party bank accounts.

The money largely came from membership dues and fundraising, Boyd said.

"Try to run your household without funds," Boyd said. "Unfortunately, it's the lifeblood of any organization. You can't get things done if you don't have any resources."

Boyd said he initially hoped to avoid going to court, but negotiations to retrieve the money have been unsuccessful and the county party needs money for upcoming events.

Efforts to reach Slagle, who still believes he is the leader of the county GOP, were unsuccessful.

The ongoing fight has fractured party leadership in one of South Carolina's top GOP strongholds.

Slagle and his administration resigned in September over accusations that state party leaders were meddling in county party politics. Slagle tried to rescind his resignation later that month after the state party already accepted it.

Slagle has since refused to step down as chairman, accusing the leaders of ousting him in a "coup." The state GOP recognizes Boyd's administration as the party leadership in South Carolina's fastest-growing county that's home to Myrtle Beach.

Last month, Boyd and his team successfully sued former party leaders in magistrate court to reclaim $5,000 worth of party records, supplies, memorabilia and social media passwords.

Magistrate Judge Bradley Dwyer Mayers ruled Jan. 30 that Slagle, King and Treacy had 21 days to relinquish the property to the current leaders. William Von Herrmann, their attorney, said he hoped to appeal the decision.

The reclaimed supplies included 70 folding chairs, meeting tables and a computer printer, and the memorabilia included antique yard signs, campaign posters and campaign buttons, per court documents.

But that lawsuit did not include the bank account because the value exceeded the $7,500 limit handled in magistrate court.

The party's empty coffers come as multiple required events must be held in the spring, including precinct reworking in March and the county party's convention and biennial elections in April.

"It's made things a bit more challenging, but that just means you, for instance, look for locations that don't charge large rental fees and find other ways to stretch what resources we do have," Boyd said.

Boyd said the S.C. GOP has already offered to help cover some convention costs, though he does not expect them to replace the over $30,000 of party funds. The S.C. GOP declined to comment on the pending legal action.

Boyd confirmed he and other officers have personally covered the costs of events and meetings since October, though specific amounts were not provided.

Slagle issued a statement to Horry County GOP members on Feb. 4, doubling down on his right to the party property as the "duly elected" party leader.

We believe that we did not receive a fair hearing in Judge Mayers court, Slagle said, referring to himself, King and Treacy. We are moving forward with the business of the party and we are evaluating several legal measures to halt the illegal activities of the Reese Boyd pirates group."

Slagle claimed the October meeting where Boyd, Visconti and Connett were elected was not a legal meeting, and that the judge denied video evidence from the meeting, which could have allegedly proven that.

However, during the October meeting, the party's then-provisional Chairman Mike Connett consulted with a parliamentarian and a state party official to ensure all bylaws were followed and that a quorum was reached as he led the meeting, party officials said.
If you ask Charlestonians today about a riot that is significant to the city's understanding of itself, the memories will be fresh. It happened less than three years ago.

Long-simmering racial tensions nationwide boiled over in May 2020 after a White police officer killed Black Minneapolis resident George Floyd. It touched a nerve in Charleston, where the vestiges of the transatlantic slave trade have seeped into the city's social and political power structure for centuries. In response, a peaceful protest downtown devolved into a chaotic riot that took over five hours to quell.

But one through line between the city's origins and the challenges it faces today has largely been forgotten.

Downtown Charleston was the site of another riot almost exactly 101 years before the most recent one.

In May 1919, an altercation between U.S. sailors stationed in Charleston and Black residents escalated into an hourslong rampage that kicked off a cascade of racial terror nationwide known as the Red Summer.

Now, local faith leaders are leading the charge to formally acknowledge the event.

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, the first integrated church in Charleston, sponsored a proposal to the South Carolina Department of Archives to get a sign erected downtown at the site of the beginning of the riot. It describes the participants of the riot as a violent mob of White sailors and others who overtook city police and could only be contained by military police.

The idea for the sign sprang from a recent tour of civil rights-era landmarks that members of St. Stephens and other area churches went on through Alabama.

The plaque is part of a broader effort to use Charleston's Black history, both its tragedies and its triumphs, as inspiration for a better path forward. Around downtown newer signs mark sites where Black residents were gravely mistreated and also the sites of their achievements.

"Charleston is known as a beautiful, historic location. There is a lot of information about the American Revolution and the Civil War, but this just gives a more well-rounded picture," said Barbara Pace, a member of St. Stephens who helped lead the effort to get the sign erected.

The Charleston Commission on History on Jan. 4 approved the wording of the sign marking the site of the 1919 riot. Pending a final city permit, the sign will be placed at the intersection of Archdale and Beaufain streets.

The Red Summer

In the years following World War I, Black soldiers returned from service freshly motivated to stand up for their rights. Here, the NAACP had pressured the Charleston Naval Base to broaden its employment practices, and teachers were petitioning the Legislature to hire Black teachers for Black public schools.

But those efforts faced bitter resistance.

The summer of 1919 saw more than three-dozen race riots across the country, most of them started by Whites who felt the world was changing too much. It was called Red Summer not only to connote the bloodshed caused by the riots but also to reference the fact that Black activists were labeled as Communists during the time period.

The Charleston riot was one of the first that summer.

As David Krugler recounts in 1919, The Year of Racial Violence, Charleston native Alexander Lanneau  one of the riots ring leaders  was upset because he felt the citys Black residents no longer knew their place.

Documentation of the Charleston riot is limited, but local historian Damon Fordham has conducted some of the most thorough research of the event available today. He wasn't a part of the effort to get the sign erected, but he leads regular walking tours downtown he calls "Lost Stories of Black Charleston."

"Those of use who know about these things have a duty to bring them to the public," he said.

Robert Rosen, a member of the city's History Commission, said he was surprised when he learned about the 1919 riot because it hadn't come up in research while writing his book "A Short History of Charleston."

"The whole reason that we are having this sign is we are trying to talk about things that have not been talked about," he said. "It was certainly a minor incident to the minds of most people writing about the history of Charleston prior to the current time. We are trying to correct omissions of the past."

From Fordham's research, he said it's not clear exactly how the event started, but building tension in the city caused a small altercation between sailors stationed in Charleston and Black residents to escalate into a riot.

"It defies the myth that Black Americans were docile and accepting of their plight during this period," he said.

Charleston fell into chaos for nearly eight hours. A 1919 New York Times article describes the looting of two gun shops on Beaufain Street. The armed mob then turned the guns on Black residents, some of whom hid and others who fought back.

It was 3 a.m. before military police restored order. Over a dozen had been injured, most of them Black residents. Three Black men, William Brown, Isaiah Doctor and James Tolbert were shot and killed.

Eventually, the Navy imprisoned two men on Parris Island after finding them responsible for two of the killings.

It marked one of the first times that those who pursued racial violence were punished in Charleston and in the U.S. in general, Fordham said.

"The people who did so actually went to jail and that was definitely not the case in that period," he said.

Parallels to today

Unlike the riot of 1919, the 2020 riot led to more property damage than bodily harm. But it still forced a reckoning among Charleston leaders.

It exposed the fragility of Charleston's carefully crafted reputation as a tourist-friendly bastion of Southern hospitality.

In response, the city formed a Racial Conciliation Commission. The commission's goal was to identify city policies that can be changed to lessen the racial disparities seen across so much of public life in Charleston, from education access to health outcomes to financial stability. While commissions cant pass ordinances on their own, they are tasked with making recommendations to City Council.

But when the commission presented its findings, the council voted against formally receiving the report as well as making the temporary commission a permanent fixture. A handful of recommendations suggested within the original commissions 545-page final report were deemed too controversial for the council to support. A new permanent commission was established months later after lengthy and sometimes heated debate.

A similar sense of discomfort about Charleston's past came up when the History Commission discussed the wording of the 1919 riot sign.

Some history commission members bristled at the language. They stated that it wasnt clear enough that the sailors, who came from all over the country, were responsible for the riot. They didnt like the idea of the riot being interpreted as an effort dominated by White Charlestonians.

A New York Tribune article from 1919 stated that the mob included 2,000 sailors but "very few White Charlestonians joined in." The total numbers are unclear.

History Commission members also argued that the sign did not make it clear how many of those who were injured in the riot were White and how many were Black.

But Rosen pushed back.

The sign is only going to be so big," he said. "The Blacks were the victims and the Whites were the aggressors."

An article from the News and Courier at the time referred to it as a "hunt and chase of negroes."

Ultimately, the History Commission unanimously approved the wording of the sign with minor edits.

While the 1919 riot is an unfortunate reminder of some of the worst aspects of Charleston's history, the immediate aftermath can offer some inspiration, Fordham said. Some of the most violent rioters were punished, a Black barber was reimbursed by the city for damage to his shop, and an "Interracial Committee" was formed to begin addressing the city's racial tensions.

"The one good thing that happened out of the 1919 riot was that you had this interracial committee that by the standards of the Jim Crow era was relatively progressive," Fordham said.

But it also wasn't long before the city returned to its status quo and the riot was obscured in history. As Fordham sees it, acknowledging the past can improve the future.

"With the 2020 riots you had a lot of discussions and a lack of direction," he said. "We could draw from the lessons of 1919."

Erecting a sign is just the beginning.
As anyone following South Carolinas trial of the century knows, state Sen. Dick Harpootlian has not been in the Statehouse since mid-January: The sharp-tongued Richland County Democrat has taken his legal and rhetorical talents to the Colleton County courtroom to represent accused double-murderer Alex Murdaugh.

The result has been fewer of his trademark witticisms in the Senate chamber and perhaps less of his insight in committee meetings, but in terms of what legislation passes and doesnt pass  well, youd be hard pressed to argue that his absence has made a difference. Nearly everything that passes the Senate does so unanimously, and the controversial bills this session have passed by far more than a one-vote margin.

Of course, his absence might make more of a difference if he were in a leadership position. But the fact is that with rare exceptions, Mr. Harpootlians extended absence is typical of what happens when a legislator misses a few days or even weeks: His constituents dont have their lawmaker casting votes on their behalf, but those votes wouldnt have changed the outcome; the Legislature operates as usual.

And that is a reminder that the S.C. Supreme Court needs to stop coddling lawyer-legislators by granting them the extraordinary authority to manipulate the court schedule to the benefit of their clients, and themselves. Although we believe its valuable to have lawyers in our Legislature, we also believe that any accommodations the court makes for their legislative schedule should be narrowly tailored to create as little disruption as possible in our courtrooms  and the exception has not been narrow for decades.

The Murdaugh trial is proceeding apace not because a judge decided it had to but because Mr. Harpootlian chose for it to. If he had believed that a delay was in Mr. Murdaughs interest, he could have demanded that the trial be postponed until at least August.

Think about that for a moment: A defense attorney, by virtue of being a member of our Legislature, has the power to determine when the most watched trial in our state in decades occurs. Think about what an extraordinary advantage that gives to lawyer-legislators clients over the other side in civil cases, and over the prosecution in criminal cases. Think about how much more attractive a lawyer is when he can promise would-be clients that he can delay their cases for months or, as weve learned recently, even for years.

Then-Chief Justice Jean Toal first acted in 2001 to prohibit judges from requiring lawyer-legislators to appear in court during the six months the Legislature is generally in session. Her order, which expanded on a 1979 law, made an exception for extraordinary circumstances where substantial rights of the parties to the litigation will be defeated or severely abridged by the delay, or where the litigation involves emergency relief and irreparable damage.

Unfortunately, both Ms. Toal and current Chief Justice Don Beatty have significantly expanded the get-out-of-court-free order since then, by reducing the instances in which legislators had to appear in court and expanding the annual black-out period.

Mr. Beatty attempted to rein in the special privilege a year ago, telling judges they could order lawyer-legislators to appear in court just like any other lawyers to represent their clients for bond-revocation hearings and emergency family court hearings involving children  and for any criminal trials in Circuit Court that had been languishing for more than three years and any criminal cases in magistrates court that were more than 18 months old.

That was a big improvement, but some lawyer-legislators were outraged, and almost immediately he changed course and stripped out the exemptions for old cases. The pushback and resulting changes suggested that lawyer-legislators have been abusing their privilege much more than we imagined. And it suggested that judges have not been routinely doing what they should when lawyer-legislators demanded delays: immediately scheduling their cases to begin the upcoming August.

Mr. Beatty told us last summer that despite the impression given by his reversal, he was being more aggressive about policing legislators abuse of the privilege. But under current law and court practice, theres no way of knowing what that means.

The chief justice and the Legislature need to change that by, at the least, injecting some sunlight into the process.

We particularly like the proposal by Mr. Harpootlian, who argues that the court should require him and other lawyer-legislators to make their immunity requests in writing and publish that information twice a year on its website.

And since the ability to use the immunity can be far more valuable than the other kinds of perks legislators are required to report on their annual statements of economic interests, the Legislature also should require lawyer-legislators to include details about each instance when they use the immunity to delay a court appearance  a requirement Justice Beatty told us would not raise any constitutional concerns.

Neither of those changes would eliminate the benefit legislative immunity provides to lawyer-legislators and their clients, but it would allow voters to see which legislators are abusing the privilege, and it would allow all of us to judge how well the court is keeping the practice in check.

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COLUMBIA  Republicans in the South Carolina House approved a bill that allows parents to sue any public school district they accuse of teaching prohibited racist concepts.

It additionally threatens to withhold thousands to millions of taxpayer dollars for violations.

Democrats railed against the measure as bullying teachers into whitewashing the ugly parts of the state and nation's history, while Republicans countered the bill is designed to ensure students are given facts instead of opinion while learning the past's entire scope.

The legislation passed 83-34 on party lines late Feb. 8 after hours of debate that culminated with legislators being required to stay in the chamber as the entire bill was read aloud.

Citing a rarely used House rule, Rep. John King, D-Rock Hill, made the request after criticizing GOP leaders for procedural moves that limited discussion from the outset.

Changes made to the bill during the debate caused even its primary sponsor to question her support.

The intent, said Rep. Raye Felder, was to delete ambiguous language in a 2-year-old state law that bars the teaching of racist concepts while giving teachers protections from accusations through a new, uniform complaint process for all districts.

"After the grandstanding and posturing at the well today, the amendments have undermined the intent of the legislation without any public input or any public discussion," said the Fort Mill Republican. "Our teachers deserve better."

She still voted for the bill saying it is needed to replace the existing prohibitions and on the hope the Senate will fix what she considers problematic.

That includes an amendment requiring any changes made to curriculum or instructional materials after a semester starts to be posted on school websites at least three days before they're used in the classroom.

Using the Chinese spy balloon shot down last weekend off the coast of South Carolina as an example, Felder said it prevents teachers from incorporating current events in their discussions.

"Is that three school days? Is the teacher supposed to go home on Friday night and post that she wants to talk about it on Tuesday?" Felder asked. "To take current events away from a teachers toolbox is unnecessary and takes us down a communist path."

She also questioned why private schools were purposefully exempted from the bill's requirements.

Those include withholding up to 5 percent of a school district's state funding for knowingly violating corrective orders from the State Board of Education. That could range from less than $105,000 to $18.5 million, depending on the school district, according to an analysis by the state Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office.

A majority of Republicans rejected a proposal by Rep. Russell Ott, D-St. Matthews, to apply the bill's provisions to any private school taking tax dollars for tuition, as would be allowed under legislation the GOP-controlled chamber is near-guaranteed to pass.

"We know what's coming down the pipe," Ott said about the soon-to-be-debated voucher proposal. "All I'm saying is, if the intent is truly to protect kids, then we don't just have kids in our public schools, and we could have parents who want to bring the same complaints to our private schools."

Republicans also rejected Ott's attempt to require a repeat complainer to start paying for the district's time after making multiple accusations deemed frivolous.

But it was the GOP-sponsored amendment allowing parents to sue while simultaneously following the complaint process through the district that really set him off. It was the last of 47 amendments taken up.

Rep. John McCravy, R-Greenwood, explained it as a way to speed up the process if a district was purposefully delaying.

If a parent did sue, there would be no monetary damages involved but attorney fees and court costs could be recovered along with an order for the school district to comply with the law's provisions.

The amendment drew fire from Democrats.

"This is crazy town now," Ott said. "You just spent your entire day debating a bill that lays out a process for parents to go through. What's the point? This is not right."

Noting the state's teacher shortage crisis, he continued, "It's not going to matter what we tell our teachers to teach because we won't have anybody to teach at all."

As advanced to the floor, it "was not a terrible bill. It really wasn't y'all," he said, adding it was "highjacked and changed to something not good" that attacks public education.

He and other Democrats said the increased scrutiny and fear of what could happen will further the exodus of teachers who can make more money, work less and not feel so belittled in a different career.

Rep. Adam Morgan, a co-sponsor, said the bill does not stop the teaching of history as opponents allege.

"Nothing in this bill restricts the teaching of fact-based history. Its not in there. Read it. It clearly lays out the prohibited concepts, basically dont discriminate, dont push racism, dont indoctrinate kids in your personal political viewpoints. Thats what it says," said the Taylors Republican.

"What was said over and over about discomfort and feelings, that is not in the bill," he said. "There is nothing in that bill that really should be controversial."

The bill largely copies banned concepts first inserted in the state budget in 2021, such as one race being superior to another or race determining someone's moral character. While technically a one-year law, such budget clauses often roll over indefinitely from one year to the next.

The one line purposefully not repeated in the bill bars lessons that makes a student feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress on account of his race or sex, which Felder has said can stifle instruction.

But Rep. Jermaine Johnson, D-Columbia, argued the whole debate is about people being "uncomfortable" about the teaching of slavery and its repercussions that continue today.

He lambasted Republicans as insisting on taking up the bill during the middle of Black history month. His request to postpone the debate until March was rejected.

"This bill comes from people being uncomfortable about learning Black history," Johnson said. The nation's founders "killed people who looked like me. They hung people who looked like me. Is that indoctrination or is that truth?"

A similar bill the House passed last year was never taken up in the Senate.
The U.S. Senate in bipartisan fashion confirmed South Carolina Circuit Judge DeAndrea Benjamin to a powerful federal appeals court, making her the first of President Joe Biden's judicial nominees to be approved in the new Congress.

The Senate voted 53-44 on Feb. 9 to confirm Benjamin to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. With the support of both of her home-state senators, Benjamin will become the second woman of color to serve on the Richmond, Va.-based court.

The court hears appeals from the Carolinas, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. Its rulings are appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

"It is a very powerful and important court, and often has the last word on almost every case," said professor Carl Tobias of the University of Richmond Law School, who specializes in federal judicial selections. "I think she'll fit in well with the judges here."

South Carolina Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott were among five Republicans who backed putting Benjamin on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The other GOP members who supported Benjamin's nomination included Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina.

Graham, the Judiciary Committees former chairman, had been facing backlash from a leading conservative judicial advocacy group after voting to advance a batch of Biden's judicial nominees, which included Benjamin.

Scott initially voted against Benjamin's nomination on Feb. 9, but he later changed his vote. Scott's office did not immediately return a request for comment about the vote switch.

Biden nominated Benjamin, the wife of former Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin, in August at the recommendation of South Carolinas senior congressman, U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn.

Clyburn, who is South Carolina's only congressional Democrat, celebrated Benjamin's confirmation and highlighted her educational background as a welcome addition to the court.

"A proud product of South Carolina public schools and universities, Judge Benjamin is an experienced jurist with the wealth of knowledge and varied life experiences necessary to serve with distinction," Clyburn said after the Senate vote.

Benjamin will be the second University of South Carolina School of Law graduate currently serving on the 4th Circuit court. (The other is Judge Marvin Quattlebaum, who was nominated by President Donald Trump.)

The 4th Circuit court was once considered the most conservative in the country but has become more moderate over time, Tobias said.

Benjamin will be taking the seat of Judge Henry F. Floyd of South Carolina, who retired from full-time work in December 2021.

Benjamin was born in Columbia in 1972. She graduated from Winthrop University and the USC School of Law, and has spent her entire legal career in the Palmetto State, including as a prosecutor and an assistant attorney general.

The GOP-controlled Legislature first elected Benjamin to South Carolinas Circuit Court bench in 2011. She previously worked as a judge for the city of Columbia for seven years. Her career began as a prosecutor for the 5th Circuit solicitor, who handles cases in Richland and Kershaw counties, and the state Attorney Generals Office.

Her nomination to the federal Court of Appeals came a year after she lost a bid to serve on the S.C. Court of Appeals in an unusually partisan judicial race. South Carolina and Virginia are the only two states where legislators elect judges.

She lost to a Family Court judge from Florence in a 94-63 vote. Her supporters said she was unfairly targeted as the wife of Columbias then-high-profile mayor, who didnt seek reelection last year after more than a decade in office.
Bamboo Systems Technology Limited (Bamboo), an online brokerage firm, on Thursday, announced that it has been granted a digital sub-broker licence from Nigerias Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A statement issued by the firm said the new licence allows the company to operate in the Nigerian capital market and include Nigerian securities on its platform.

SECs issuance of the licence to Bamboo ensures oversight of the relationship with its sponsoring broker, Lambeth Capital, while also empowering it to enter into partnerships with multiple brokers to serve its clients, the statement said.

It noted that the licence will also enable Bamboo to deepen its relationships with financial service providers to offer its API services.

Established in 2019, Bamboo is an online brokerage app that allows Africans to invest in real-time in local and foreign asset classes. On the app, users can invest fractionable amounts in their favourite publicly listed US companies from Tesla to Apple, ETFs, mutual funds, or fixed-income products.

According to the statement, Bamboo is focused on its commitment to best practices and allowing its retail investors the ability to trade local securities on the Nigerian Exchange Group.

In 2021, the firm said it began the rigorous application process for the SECs digital sub-broker licence which was introduced that year. This, the brokerage firm said, included a thorough examination of its finances and governance process.

Commenting on the development, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Co-founder of Bamboo, Richmond Bassey, said: We are thrilled to reach this important milestone and are fully committed to our obligations as registered digital brokers.

Since the launch of Bamboo, he said they work to provide the best technology solutions, backed by industry best practices, to allow Nigerian retail investors to access an unprecedented number of digital securities to build long-term wealth.

We are grateful for our collaboration with the SEC, which has shown its dedication to protect investors while allowing for innovation to flourish, Mr Bassey said.

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Nigerian skit maker and influencer, Adedamola Rukayat, popularly known as Adeherself, has returned to the EFCC net.

In July 2020, the EFCC arraigned the skit maker at the special Offence Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on a one-count charge of possessing fraudulent documents and was granted bail that same month.

The EFCC alleged that the defendant, with two others, Lasisi Adeleke and Sodiq Adeleke, still at large, with intent to defraud, attempted to obtain $6,000 from one Joseph Rumoro on the pretext that the money was meant for procurement of his passport and visa as well as a tax payment.

The commission also alleged that she retained in her bank account the proceeds of cybercrime to the tune of N7.9 million.

The alleged offences contravene Sections 8(a) and 1(3), 8(b) and 1(3) and 17 (a) and (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences, 2006.

However, on Wednesday, the skit maker was re-arraigned by the EFCC for an alleged N7.9 million internet fraud.

The EFCC Lagos spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the skit maker was arraigned on Wednesday in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN ) reported that she was charged alongside two others at large on a three-count of conspiracy to obtain money by false pretenses, attempt to get money by false pretences and retention of proceeds of criminal conduct.

She, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The EFCC counsel, Samuel Daji, informed the court that the case was reassigned and urged it to remand the defendant pending the commencement of trial.

He argued that the case was now before the court, and there was a need for proper bail application by the defence.

He said, My lord, this case was heard before Justice Sherifat Solebo before she retired, and when it was transferred to this honourable court, I informed my learned friend that the case would be coming up on Jan. 25. He said he thought it was the day before.

This is a matter that is starting, your lordship, and we do not know if the sureties, who stood for her earlier, are dead or not.

It is proper for the defence to apply afresh for bail before your lordship.

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Defence counsel for the skit maker, Kassim Molade, however, prayed the court to retain the bail granted by Solebo to the defendant, pending the filing of a new bail application.

According to him, the defendant has not been absent from court and is ready to make herself available for trial.

We passionately urge your lordship to allow the defendant (Adeherself) to continue to enjoy the bail given to her by the sister court. The reason we were not here on January 25 is that the prosecution did not get back to me.

I assure your lordship that before the close of today, I will rush to the sister court to get a copy of the ruling on the bail application, he said.

Justice Mojisola Dada retained the bail granted to the defendant by Solebo pending the filing of a new bail application by the defence counsel.

The skit maker was also ordered to present her bank statement of account within three weeks.

She held that failure to do so would make the court order her remand. The case has been adjourned until 18 April for the commencement of trial.

Following news of her re-arraignment, the 22-year-old skit maker called out some newspapers over lousy reportage.

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The Nigerian government has said cases of circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Virus type 2 (cVDPV2) declined in the country between 2021 and 2022.

The Chairman of the Expert Review Committee (ERC) on Polio and Routine Immunisation, Akin Osibogun, while speaking at its 39th meeting on Tuesday, said the country witnessed an 85 per cent decline in cVDPV2 in the space of a year.

Mr Osibogun said with support from government and partners at all levels, the country has been making progress in the fight against polio.

There has been an 85 per cent drop in the incidence of cVDPV2. We are getting close to achieving the goal of eradicating cVDPV2 in Nigeria, he said.

He noted that there is a need to focus on strategies, including strengthening routine immunisation and primary health care system and improving our surveillance capability.

Polio Virus

Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious viral disease, which mainly affects young children. It is transmitted by person-to-person spread mainly through the faecal-oral route or through contaminated water or food and multiplies in the intestine, from where it can invade the nervous system and can cause paralysis.

It would be recalled that Nigeria and the African region were certified Wild Polio Virus (WPV) free in 2020, following a verification and certification process by the African Regional Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication (ARCC) which spanned three years of no detection of WPV.

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However, the cVDPV is another form of polio that can spread within communities. While cVDPVs are rare, they have been increasing in recent years due to low immunisation rates within communities especially cVDPV type 2.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Nigeria reported 1,027 cases of cVDPV2 in 2021 due to suboptimal population immunity.

Health experts, however, said the cases of cVDPV2 do not threaten the countrys Wild Poliovirus-free certification.

Eradicating polio

Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Faisal Shuaib, said the recommendations of the Committee over the years have shaped the ongoing work around vaccination in the country.

Mr Shuaib said the aim is to eradicate every single form of polio, whether it is circulating variants or wild polio virus.

Today, we want to finalise and fine-tune those plans to make sure that by end of 2023, we would have completely eradicated every form of polio, he said.

We are not completely free of polio until every single type of polio is eradicated from Nigeria.

Mr Shuaib said various states are also working very hard to ensure the eradication of every form of polio.

In his remark, WHO Country Representative, Walter Mulombo, said the global risk of WPV and cVDPV2 transmission remain high given the endemicity of WPV1 in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the residual risks in Mozambique and Malawi.

He said there are also concerns about the recent increases in cVDPV2 cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

He said given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, the interruption of the cVDPV2 outbreak demands renewed commitments and focus by all key players.

Reaching and sustaining zero cases of cVDV2 in Nigeria in 2023 is achievable, he said.

He, however, said it would demand more efforts on the countrys path in addressing the residual risk of re-upsurge of cVDPV2 in consequential geographies.

Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Country Representative for Nigeria, said UNICEF remains a steadfast partner of the country.

Ms Munduate said the agency would continue to lead efforts in vaccine procurement, logistics, social mobilisation, and community engagement to support the nations immunisation supply chain for improved vaccine availability and accountability for every child.

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The Nigerian government has directed that universities and inter-university centres close between 22 February and 14 March ahead of the 2023 general elections.

This is in response to calls by various individuals and organisations who have continued to express fears over the possible disenfranchisement of Nigerian students.

The directive, which was issued by the National Universities Commission (NUC) was directed by the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu.

Directive

The NUC letter, dated 3rd February, was signed by NUCs Deputy Executive Secretary, Chris Maiyaki.

Mr Maiyaki had earlier told PREMIUM TIMES that he would communicate the regulatory bodys decision to the public at the appropriate time.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the presidential and national assembly elections for 25 February, and governorship and states houses of assembly elections for 11th March.

The electoral body has insisted the elections would go ahead as scheduled. This is in spite of the cash and fuel scarcity.

In view of the foregoing and concerns expressed on the security of staff, students and properties of the respective institutions, the Honourable Minister of Education, Mal. Adamu Adamu has, following extensive consultations with the relevant security agencies, directed that all universities and Inter University Centres be shut down and academic activities be suspended between 22 February and 14 March, 2023, Mr Maiyaki wrote.

Previous Concerns

Nigerians, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and the House of Representatives had raised concerns over the possible disenfranchisement of some Nigerian students whose institutions had scheduled examinations through the period of the elections.

The House of Representatives also asked the government agencies in charge of tertiary institutions to shut them down during elections.

Students make up 40 per cent of the newly registered voters during the Continuous Voters Registrations between June 2021 and June 2022, INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu said in October 2022.

They also make up 27.8 per cent (26,027,481) of the total 90 million registered voters, the electoral commission said.

A coalition of CSOs had called on INEC to liaise with the NUC in ensuring that institutions are shut down temporarily to allow students to take part in the elections.

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We also note the concern of the students who registered at home while tertiary institutions were shut down for over 8 months, the statement reads. Work with the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) to ensure that there are no classes or exams the week before elections so students can go home to vote, the group said in a statement.

The coalition includes the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), ConnectHub, Dataphyte, Enough is Enough Nigeria, #FixPolitics, Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), Reclaim Naija, The Electoral College Nigeria, Women Advocates and Research Development Centre (WARDC) and Yiaga Africa.

Meanwhile, INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu is scheduled to meet the vice-chancellors of federal universities later today. It is unclear if the meeting is related to the university closure.

Qosim Suleiman is a reporter at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe

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The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises (CPPE) on Wednesday lauded the restraining order issued by the Supreme Court on the deadline for the currency swap programme in Nigeria.

In a statement by Muda Yusuf, chief executive officer of the CPPE, the organisation noted that the order will bring back stability to economic activities, particularly in the informal sector and rural economy, and ease current social tension in the country.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to suspend its plan to put an end to the use of old naira notes on 10 February.

A seven-member panel of the court, led by John Okoro, gave the order temporarily, cancelling the CBNs 10 February deadline to end the validity of the old versions of the banknotes based on an ex parte application filed by three northern states being controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Nigerians have experienced difficulties accessing their money since the currency swap programme was launched, leading to protests and attacks on banks and ATMs in parts of the country.

The CPPE said the Supreme Court judgment will douse current social tension and the risk of social unrest in the country, noting that small businesses and ordinary citizens are the most vulnerable victims of the unspeakable disruption and hardship inflicted by the impractical deadline given by the CBN on cash swap.

The CPPE noted that given the huge population of over 200 million, the large informal sector which accounts for over 40 per cent of the GDP, the largely rural economy and the over 30 million unbanked Nigerians, the CBN cash swap model and timeline was greatly flawed.

It is inappropriate to arbitrarily cut down on currency in circulation without due regard to data, empirical studies and global best practices, it said.

The think tank emphasized that having N2.6 trillion in circulation is not excessive for a Nigerian economy with a GDP of N250 trillion and that any attempt to arbitrarily cut it would result in a crisis. The transition to a cashless platform should be voluntary and incentivised, and not forced, it added.

The organisation expressed concern that citizens being denied access to cash deposited for the purpose of the currency swap is unacceptable and could negatively impact the confidence of citizens in the banking system and threaten the CBNs goal of financial inclusion.

In Nigeria, Cash to GDP ratio is less than 1.5 per cent; while Cash/Money supply ratio is just about 5 per cent. These are some of the best currency ratios globally and mark of the remarkable progress that has been made in cash-less policy drive, the statement said.

Cash to GDP in the United States is about 9 per cent; in the Eurozone, it is about 10 per cent.

This underlines the fact that cash is not the problem of the Nigerian economy or monetary policy effectiveness.

In terms of monetary policy, the CPPE argued that cash is not the problem in Nigerias economy and that the CBNs Ways and Means financing of over N22 trillion is a bigger issue for liquidity management.

It lamented that the monetary policy management issue has been politicized in recent weeks, obscuring important economic conversations.

In accordance with the Supreme Court order, the CPPE urged the CBN to allow the old and new currency notes to co-circulate for a period of three to six months, as is global best practice.

It also called for the release of all mopped-up cash to their owners to allow citizens who deposited their cash because of the cash swap policy to have unrestricted access to their money.

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that 295 candidates in Cross River State would take part in the general elections scheduled for 25 February 25 and 11 March.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Gabriel Yomere, made this announcement in Calabar on Tuesday during a consultation with interested members of the public and the signing of a peace accord ahead of the polls.

Mr Yomere, a professor, said the candidates would jostle for the 36 elective positions which includes, governorship, three senatorial seats, seven House of Representatives seats and 25 seats in the House of Assembly.

In his breakdown, he explained that 11 candidates would contest for the governorship seat, 28 candidates for the senatorial seats, 69 for the House of Representatives seats, while the House of Assembly had 187 candidates.

The REC further said that of the 17 registered political parties in Cross River, only 12 fielded candidates for elective positions.

He also disclosed that the state office of the commission had received 3,281 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) that were currently being configured for the elections.

Speaking further on the BVAS, Mr Yomere debunked the allegation that some of the machines were taken to the Government House, Calabar.

He described the proponents of the allegation as exhibitors of ignorance.

They were only making a mountain out of a molehill. BVAS is not used for voting but to accredit prospective voters. Moreover, we have not even started the configuration of the machines when the allegation was raised, he said.

While appealing to political parties to call their supporters to order, he gave assurance that the INEC was ready for the conduct of a peaceful, transparent and credible elections in the state in particular and the country at large.

According to him, it is only in a peaceful atmosphere that voters will come out to vote. So you must educate your supporters to eschew violence so that people will not be afraid to come out on election days.

In his remark, the Chairperson of the National Peace Committee and former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, sued for peace before, during and after the elections.

Represented by the Head of Secretariat, Attah Barkindo, who is a Catholic priest, the former Head of State urged the people, especially the politicians, to see the accord beyond mere signing of papers.

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Also, the Chairperson of the State Peace Committee, Charles Etim, a Catholic priest, described the signing of the peace accord as historic being the first in the state.

Mr Etim urged politicians to be guarded in their utterances.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Sule Balarabe, said the police were ready to secure the state for peaceful elections to be achieved.

(NAN)

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KENDEJA, Monrovia  The Liberian hearings in the appeal of a former Revolutionary United Front commanders acquittal of war crimes charges in Finland, got underway in a Monrovia hotel today.

In an exclusive interview Judge Vanne Kimmo conceded the Turku Appeals Court, which has moved to Liberia to hear from 70 (mostly prosecution) witnesses, was facing some challenges with the deaths of three proposed witnesses.

Judge Vanne acknowledged the deaths of the three potential prosecution witnesses may concern witnesses given the fear that many have expressed about testifying in the five international trials of perpetrators accused of crimes in Liberias civil wars that have taken place so far.

During convicted war criminal Alieu Kosiahs appeal hearing in Switzerland this month two witnesses claimed to have been threatened by his allies for testifying against him.

The Finnish courts unusual decision to come to Liberia to see the sites of the alleged crimes and for months of hearings in 2021 was groundbreaking.

No accused perpetrator had ever been tried on Liberian soil for crimes committed during the civil wars. The Finnish legal system is unusual in that it requires judges to visit the scenes of crimes where possible. No other court has come to Liberia for hearings or site visits.

There was concern that witnesses would be less willing to testify in Liberia than they had been in trials in the US and Europe. That proved not to be the case. 80 witnesses came forward to testify. The judge said he had no information about the deaths of the witnesses.

I have no knowledge of the reasons for their deaths or whether they had been threatened after their testimonies or anything like that, Judge Vanne said. We presume that they died of natural causes. There is no knowledge pointing to another direction.

Vanne said the three-judge panel had already watched the testimonies the deceased witnesses gave to the district court.

In the first session of the trial the court heard from a man who claimed Massaquoi ordered the killings of his wife and other civilians at the Waterside bridge, where they had gone to search for food in a burst biscuit store.

The witness said Massaquoi had commanded his bodyguards to put the civilians in a long queue under the old Vai Town Bridge [now King Zolu Duma Bridge] and ordered their killings if they left the queue.

He alleged his wife was fleeing on-sight shooting by Massaquois bodyguards when she was killed.

The witness said the soldiers had killed four people in the crowd of civilians before killing his wife. He said when the alleged killings were going on, a friendly force of Charles Taylor, the Liberian President at the time arrived on the scene and asked, why are you killing the Liberians?

The witness alleged before that, Massaquoi had killed two men himself.

When he killed the two men, he said go and tell God that I am Angel Gibriel.

He identified one of the men as Tamba. On cross examination, defense lawyers asked him about a prior statement to Finnish police in which he said he did not know the names of any of the men.

Defense lawyers read police investigative notes in which he said he did not accompany his wife to Waterside, but only went to look for her after he had heard shooting in the area.

The witness had also told the police that the alleged incident took place in 2003 but told the court that it happened in 2001 and 2002.

Asked about the inconsistencies in his testimony, the witness said my brain is not a computer to remember everything as they occurred.

Inconsistency in witnesses testimonies formed a major part in Massaquois acquittal.

The deaths of the three prosecution witnesses for the appeal court hearings are not the only setbacks facing the court.

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The Sierra Leone government has also not responded to requests to move the court there to hear from witnesses after the Liberian hearings end. The defendant, Gibril Massaquoi, has called defense witnesses in Sierra Leone to testify on his behalf, as they did in his 15-month trial.

The lower court acquitted Massaquoi of all charges brought against him for war crimes and crimes against humanity by Finnish prosecutors finding they did not prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

We havent received an answer for our request for the Mutual Legal Assistance from the Sierra Leonean government, said Vanne. We are still expecting and hoping for the best. If we dont get their approval, there will be some thinking to do.

The problem related to that is that at least some of the Sierra Leonean witnesses are not willing to come to Liberia. And there are no ways we can force them to do that. So, it would be a problem if we were not to get permission to continue the hearings in Sierra Leone.

Massaquois lawyers have accused Joseph Zizar Marzah, a key commander of then Liberian President Charles Taylor of one of the mass killings of which Massaquoi is accused, according to a translated transcript of the trial taken by Civitas Maxima, the Swiss-based justice activists.

They claim Liberian police covered that up choosing to blame Sierra Leonean Massaquoi instead. Marzah has called the acquittal of Massaquoi a mistake. Marzah refused to testify in the first trial of Massaquoi but in an interview with New Narratives last year promised to testify if called again when called upon.

Tom Laitinen, Chief prosecutor in the trial said like the defense, they too might have a new witness. But judge Vanne confirmed Marzah is not on the list of witnesses at the moment.

Vanne became presiding judge of the Turku Appeals Court at the start of 2015 after 25 years experience. Despite the profound challenges the court faces in trying a case with such unfamiliar language and cultural aspects, he said he was sure of a fair outcome.

I am confident we can guarantee fair and good trial, said Vanne. The court speaks through its judgment, and we are planning to have the judgment given in this case in the end of September this year if all goes well.

Perhaps as a reflection of the lack of trouble in the first visit to Liberia, this court has permitted journalists to disclose the location of the hearings as the Kendeja Resort. That information was suppressed in the first trial in the district court.

The Turku Appeals Court is breaking away from a decision of the district court that acquittal Massaquoi by allowing the media to disclose the venue of the appeal proceedings.

This story was a collaboration with New Narratives as part of its West African Justice Reporting Project.

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The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has taken a swipe at the governirship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos, Abdulazeez Jandor Adediran.

Mr Fashola, a former governor of the state, said the main opposition candidate lacks the experience to govern Lagos, in a video posted by Gboyega Akosile, the states chief press secretary on Thursday.

The minister spoke during the formal launch of 10,000 foot soldiers for Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Mr Sanwo-Olu is seeking reelection on the APC platform.

I did that job for eight years. And part of what helped me was that I was chief of staff to a governor, Mr Fashola said of the former APC stalwart.

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I saw it upclose but even then, that was not enough. So just following a governor, being a cameraman, watching me for eight years, you think you will now be a governor? You are not ready.

Come to our leadership school, you are not yet ready. And that is why you can see, there are adverts, they are focusing on 51 billion that Lagos is generating but they dont see the emigrant population that is coming everywhere.

The bigger the prosperity, the bigger the problem. So their party sees only money, they dont see the people, they dont see responsibility. Do you want them to come and touch that money?

Mr Fashola also doubles as the director, election planning, monitoring presidential campaign council of the APC.

Contacted for reaction, Hakeem Amode, the PDP publicity secretary told PREMIUM TIMES, that he would get back later.

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The National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, says the policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on the Naira may affect military personnel deployed to remote locations.

Mr Monguno stated this on Thursday during an interactive session with the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on the Currency Redesign and Naira Swap Policy.

The NSA, who was represented by ONSA Director of Defence Affairs, Abubakar Mustapha, said the policy by the CBN will affect military operations as officers in rural areas may not be able to access money for sustenance.

Globally, military operations, even in first world countries, such policies, if not properly well thought out, will affect some certain..Some of our soldiers are deployed in places where they cannot actually access digital means of paying for their daily subsistence.

One of the main issues that NSA has been talking about.it is important that this committee sits down and articulates better ways of actually addressing these issues.

He added that He (Mr Monguno) has directed a committee to write out his position to assist the committee on this mandate.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Committee, Alhassan Doguwa (APC, Kano), said it resolved to invite the NSA, the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, to understand the impact of the policy on the security and the upcoming elections.

He noted that the committee is also seeking to understand the preparedness of the security agencies in mitigating negative effects.

Areas in terms of security, in terms of the elections and so many other things..and it is the belief of this committee that the policy would, in one way or the other, have certain implications for the security apparatus or security architecture of the country, especially when we are facing elections.

In this guise, we will expect you to let the committee know what you guys are up to, and the level of your preparedness in terms of being proactive as to how this policy could not be able to affect some of your statutory mandates, he said.

He added that the minister of finance and INEC boss will appear before the committee on Friday.

Subsequently, the committee dissolved into an executive session to allow the official to speak freely.

Naira redesigning

The decision of the CBN to redesign N200, N500 and N1,000 has been generating reactions across the country.

In some states, there have been reports of violent protests targeted at commercial banks over the scarcity of the naira notes ahead of the 10 February deadline. Some banks have shut down operations in a couple of states following the attacks.

Although the Supreme Court ruled that the deadline on the legal status of the old banknotes should be suspended pending the outcome of the case filed by governors of Kogi, Kaduna and Zamfara States, the scarcity of new notes persists.

Also, INEC recently raised alarm on the impact of the notes on the general elections but was assured by the Governor of the CBN, Godwin Emefiele, of support.

The International Monetary Funds (IMF), the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), the National Assembly and others have urged the CBN to extend the deadline.

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The Abia State Government has ordered the cancellation of the planned coronation of Sarki Shehu Bello II as the Emir of the Aba Emirate Council.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chris Ezem, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

Mr Ezem, a lawyer, explained that the state government decided to stop the proposed coronation because it was planned without its approval.

Government wishes to warn all involved in this unauthorised and illegal coronation to stop forthwith or be prepared to face the full weight of the law, he said.

Government hereby directs the immediate cancellation of the proposed illegal coronation as there is nothing like Aba Emirate Council in the state, Mr Ezem added.

The SSG said the government has also warned all residents of the state, especially those in Aba, the commercial hub of the state, to remain law-abiding and desist from being involved in the illegal coronation.

He said law enforcement agents have been directed by the government to swing into action and ensure that no such event capable of breaching the existing peace in the state takes place in Aba or any part of the state.

Group kicks

A group of Igbo youths under the aegis of the Coalition of South-east Youth Leaders has condemned the planned coronation.

In a statement on Wednesday by its president-general, Goodluck Ibem, the group asked those behind the expensive joke to retrace their steps.

Aba is the commercial hub of Abia State in south-east Nigeria with big markets such as the popular Ariaria Market.

The city is dominated by Igbos, who are predominantly Christians.

However, like in other parts of the state, Aba has a high Fulani population across the city.

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The police in Enugu State, South-east Nigeria, said they have arrested and arraigned a woman seen in a viral video asking for money to distribute Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to registered voters in the state.

The police spokesperson in the state, Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

A woman, later identified as Chinwendu Nnamani, was seen in the viral video, in late January, extorting N1,000 each from registrants who wanted to collect their PVCs in the state.

She claimed in the video that the N1,000 was to cover her transport fare and other stress she went through to get the cards to a primary school in the neighbourhood of Emene, a community in the Enugu East Local Government Area of the state.

In response, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it would investigate the viral video, pointing out that the woman in question was not a staffer or ad-hoc member of the staff of INEC.

The Head of the Department of Voter Education and Publicity in the Enugu State branch of INEC, Rex Achumie, said none of the people in the video was an INEC employee, assuring that the commission would unravel how the cards got into the hands of the woman in the first place.

Arrest and arraignment

Mr Ndukwe, a deputy superintendent of police, said Mrs Nnamani, 41, was later arrested on 31 January by the State Criminal Investigation Department.

Also arrested is one Nkiruka Patience Obinna, 38, identified as an INEC staff and alleged to have given the said cards to the first suspect (Mrs Nnamani) for distribution to the actual owners, he said.

The police spokesperson said an investigation into the matter had been concluded and that the case was charged to court in line with provisions of the 2022 Electoral Law.

He added that the suspects had been arraigned accordingly.

He did not, however, indicate the court where the suspects were arraigned.

The suspects were granted bail and the case adjourned until 15 February 2023 for further hearing, Mr Ndukwe said.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has urged the Court of Appeal in Abuja to stop the arrest and imprisonment of its chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, over a Mondays ruling citing him for contempt.

The commission said in a statement by its spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, on Thursday, that it filed the motion for stay of execution in addition to an appeal against the conviction of Mr Bawa by the Kogi State High Court in Lokoja.

According to the EFCC, the commission filed the legal processes on Tuesday, a day after the Kogi State High Court issued the order jailing Mr Bawa for 14 days for disobeying an order of court.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the court in Lokoja, on Monday, cited Mr Bawa for contempt and ordered his remand in Kuje prison, Abuja, for 14 days.

The judge, Rukayat Ayoola, ordered the Inspector-General of Police to arrest Mr Bawa and put him in prison until he purges himself of the contempt.

It was the second time Mr Bawa would be jailed for contempt for disobeying a court order in less than four months, although his earlier conviction was later set aside by the same court.

There was no indication of any attempt by the Inspector-General of Police to arrest Mr Bawa before the court set aside its ruling jailing him 11 days later on 8 November.

Similarly, there has been no indication of any move by the police to arrest and remand Mr Bawa based on his latest conviction on contempt.

But the EFCC said in its statement on Thursday that it applied to the Court of Appeal in Lokoja, on Tuesday, for an order of interlocutory injunction to restrain any attempt to execute/ enforce the judgment of the trial Court pending the final hearing and determination of the appeal.

Reason for citing Bawa for contempt

The Kogi State High Court had, on Monday, committed Mr Bawa to prison based on an application filed by a nephew of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Ali Bello, who is N10 billion fraud charges preferred against him by the EFCC.

Mr Bello accused the EFCC chair of going ahead to arraign him on 15 December 2022 in disobedience to an earlier court order made on 12 December 2022.

In the said 12 December 2022 ruling, the court ruled that the arrest and detention of Mr Bello on 29 November 2022 by EFCC and its chair, in the face of an earlier subsisting court order without a warrant of arrest or being informed of the offence for which he was arrested, is unlawful and unconstitutional.

The court had also held that the arrest and detention of the applicant contravened his right to personal liberty and dignity of the human person guaranteed under Chapter IV of the Nigerian Constitution and Articles 5 and 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.

The court had also ordered the respondents to tender an apology to the applicant in a national newspaper and awarded N10 million compensation for him.

But the EFCC had gone ahead to arraign Mr Bello on 15 December on N10 billion fraud charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja, an action the accused later complained to the Kogi State High Court was contemptuous of the 12 December 2022 ruling.

Two days after Mr Bawa was cited for contempt, the EFCC again arraigned Mr Bello and others in a separate case involving N3 billion fraud charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Why Bawas conviction for contempt is wrong

The EFCC faulted the committal order issued against its chairman in an affidavit filed in support of its application filed at the Court of Appeal in Abuja for an order of stay of execution.

An official of the commission, Samuel Ugwuegbulam, who deposed to the supporting affidavit, affirmed that the commission has strong, good and arguable grounds of appeal.

He averred that the trial court did not have jurisdiction to entertain the matter as the alleged infringement of the respondents fundamental human rights occurred in Abuja and not in Lokoja.

Therefore, the trial court lacked jurisdiction to proceed to hear the suit, the deponent said.

He further pointed out that the Appellant had applied to the trial court for compilation and transmission of the record of appeal, but as of the time of filing the motion, the file of the case was yet to be released to enable transmission of the record to the registry of the Appellate Court.

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Instead of allowing the record of the appeal to be transmitted, the deponent said, the trial court proceeded to cite the appellant on 6 February for contempt.

If the execution/enforcement of the judgment of the 12 December, 2023 and the pronouncement of the trial Court of 6 February, 2023 is not stayed, it will jeopardise the Appellants/Applicants constitutional right of appeal and exercise of his statutory functions.

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The Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Magistrate Court in Awka, Anambra State has convicted a 35-year-old woman who trafficked and forced four teenage girls into prostitution.

The convict, Success James, had promised to secure jobs for the teenagers, but would later take them to a drinking spot otherwise known as beer parlour in Delta State, South-south Nigeria, where she forced them into prostitution.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the teenagers, aged between 13 and 15 years old, were rescued in December by the Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo.

Mrs Obinabo, the commissioner, subsequently sued Mrs James to the court, where she was prosecuted on eight-count charge.

Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, a media aide to the commissioner, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

Ms Ikeanyionwu said the Magistrate, Genevieve Osakwe, while delivering judgment found Mr James guilty on seven of the eight charges.

The court, according to the statement, found the convict guilty on count one and sentenced her to five years imprisonment.

The court sentenced her to five years imprisonment on count two and two years on count three.

The convict was also handed four years imprisonment on count four, two years imprisonment for count five, another two years for count seven, and a year imprisonment for count eight.

The details of the count-charges were not disclosed.

The chief magistrate, however, declared that all the sentences would run concurrently, without any option of fine, Ms Ikeanyionwu said.

Commissioner reacts

Reacting to the judgement, Mrs Obinabo, the commissioner, expressed happiness over speedy trial of the convict.

She said she was particularly delighted that some of the teenage girls had been enrolled in school, while others who preferred acquiring skills had started learning skills of their choice at a state-owned skills acquisition centre in Awka, the state capital.

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The commissioner warned that the Anambra State Government would not tolerate any sexual exploitation and prostitution in the state.

She vowed to continue to do her best to ensure that women and children who suffer such violation of their rights get justice.

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A former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akwa

Ibom State, Mike Igini, has described two recent judgements of the Supreme Court as a tragedy.

Mr Igini, a lawyer, spoke against the backdrop of the Supreme Courts decisions declaring the Senate President Ahmad Lawan as the authentic candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yobe North Senatorial District for the 25 February general election.

Similarly, the Supreme Court declared a former Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio, as senatorial candidate for the Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District for the poll.

Messrs Lawan and Akpabio had both unsuccessfully vied for the APC presidential ticket on 8 June, 2022.

The duo were hurriedly, under controversial circumstances, nominated by their party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the senatorial candidates for their districts.

But featuring in an interview on Arise TV prime-time programme The Morning Show, on Wednesday, Mr Igini lamented that the Supreme Court by the two recent verdicts was shirking its responsibility as the last line of defence of democracy and the rule of law.

Giving a historical context to the judiciarys role in Nigerias democracy, he said the courts have not actually lived up to expectation, citing the controversial judgements of the Supreme Court in affirming the election of late President Umaru YarAdua in 2007.

Mr YarAdua had shortly after taking office, admitted that the election that brought him to power was flawed, calling for far-reaching reforms, which birthed the Justice Lawal Uwais electoral panel report.

Picking holes in the judgement

Faulting the Supreme Court judgements, Mr Igini said a pre-election case does not require oral evidence in terms of calling of witnesses.

In a split decision of the Supreme Court on Monday, Centus Nweze, held that Mr Lawans challenger in the suit, Bashir Machina, ought to have commenced his case at the Federal High Court in Damaturu, Yobe State, with a Writ of Summons.

Where there is an allegation of fraud it (the suit) should not be commenced by an originating summons.

There was a need to call witnesses to prove allegations of fraud, Mr Nweze said while delivering the majority judgement on the APCs appeal against Mr Machinas victory.

But referencing Section 137 of the Electoral Act, which provides, It shall not be necessary for a party who alleges non-compliance with the provisions of this Act for the conduct of elections to call oral evidence if originals or certified true copies manifestly disclose the non-compliance alleged, Mr Igini sided with the dissenting decision of two justices of the Supreme Court.

Adamu Jauro and Emmanuel Agim had upheld the decisions of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal in Mr Lawans case.

Messrs Jauro and Agim said, The appellant (APC) has not contradicted that findings of fact are perverse or unreasonable, Mr Agim said.

Mr Agim further pointed out that Mr Lawan had withdrawn from the Senatorial race before joining the presidential contest of his party, and could not have qualified for the parliamentary poll.

The failure to challenge the findings of facts defeats the entire appeal, Mr Agim, said while stressing that there was no need for oral evidence in determining the merit of the case.

Mr Igini argued that the decisions were an interrement of the innovative provisions of the Electoral Act, which were meant to curb politicians desperation to destroy internal party democracy in Nigeria.

I am worried by the expanding empire of the courts in political matters, Mr Igini whose tenure as INEC REC ended last August, lamented.

In Mr Akpabios case, the Supreme Court five-member panel led by Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, held that the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal were wrong to have assumed jurisdiction in the suit because the issue of candidate nomination lies with political parties.

Consequently, the apex court sacked Udom Ekpoudom, a retired deputy inspector general of police, as the authentic candidate of the APC for Akwa-Ibom North-West Senatorial District.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the two lower courts upheld Messrs Machina and Ekpoudoms elections as the validly nominated flagbearers of the APC for the senatorial district polls in Yobe and Akwa-Ibom states, respectively.

But the decisions were upturned by the Supreme Court.

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Ifeanyi Ubah, the senator representing Anambra Central District, has donated 6,000 Streetlights fitted with surveillance cameras, 1,000 walkie talkies and trained personnel to the Anambra State Government to strengthen security in the state.

Anambra, like other states in the South-east, has been plagued by increasing crime rates, especially deadly attacks by gunmen.

The senator, in September last year, survived a deadly attack in Anambra. Some police officers attached to him were killed in the attack.

Mr Ubah handed over the donations of the security gadgets to the Governor of Anambra State, Charles Soludo at the FC Ifeanyi Ubah International Stadium, Nnewi/Ozubulu, during the Anambra South Security Surveillance and Information Technology Summit on Tuesday.

He said the move was a deliberate alliance between the offices of the Anambra South Senatorial District and the Anambra State Government.

Mr Ubah, who thanked Mr Soludo for his visit to Nnewi, said as a community, they had developed a project called Secure Anambra South Project, with a view to sweep out all criminals in collaboration with the state government.

We also have trained personnel to protect investments as well as ensure collaboration with other security agencies so that investors coming to invest in the state will not be afraid.

Our security will henceforth speak in every neighbourhood with a single voice. Well set up communication and security devices to continue to protect our people.

The installation of street lights is our initial phase, followed by the installation of surveillance cameras, he said.

Senator Ubah urged residents of Anambra to support the government, the lawmakers, state legislature and security agencies.

Anambra State Security Trust Fund

In his remark, Governor Soludo, who described Mr Ubah as a true Anambra son, thanked him for his gesture, saying he gladly accepted the items and that it would go a long way to enhancing security in the Anambra South Senatorial district.

The governor said security of lives and property was everyones job and that men, women, and children all have a part to play, especially on information sharing.

I must express my sincere gratitude to Senator Ifeanyi Ubah for coming up with this specific idea to secure Anambra South.

The seven local governments in Anambra South, including Ogbaru, were under siege when I took office.

Because of the gun violence and homicides that were occurring at the time, we could not conduct campaigns in these areas adequately, so we made the decision to take on these crooks and retake our state.

I am asking members of the National Assembly, regardless of party affiliation, that we should work together for the development of Anambra, he said.

Mr Soludo said his administration had reactivated the Anambra State Security Trust Fund law and requested donations from the people of Anambra to which many people had responded to with money, vehicles, technology, and other items.

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He assured the senator that the Solution Security Team, made up of the commissioner for Homeland Affairs, the special adviser to the governor on Security, and the chief of staff to the governor would work with him and ensure that security agencies operated cooperatively and in accordance with the existing laws.

After the election, I will meet with representatives from each political party in Anambra and plead with them to put partisan politics aside since the government belongs to everyone, the governor said.

(NAN)

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The Supreme Court Thursday affirmed Ikechi Emenike as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Abia State.

Uche Ogah, a former minister of state for Mines and Steel Development, had challenged the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja which upturned his candidature for the governorship poll.

Delivering judgement on Mr Ogahs appeal, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision delivered by Tijanni Abubakar held that Mr Ogahs appeal was devoid of merit.

There is nothing useful for the appellant to ask in this appeal. The judgement of the Court of Appeal, Abuja is affirmed. The appeal is dismissed, Mr Abubakar declared.

Background

Messrs Ogah and Emenike had emerged as APCs governorship candidates in Abia State from parallel primaries.

Last November, the Federal High Court in Abuja declared Mr Ogah as the governorship flagbearer of the APC.

In her judgement, the judge, Binta Nyako, voided the candidacy of Mr Emenike recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the partys candidate for the 11 March poll in Abia State.

Mrs Nyako nullified the indirect primary election that produced Mr Emenike as APCs standard-bearer.

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The judge ordered the APC to transmit Mr Ogahs name to the electoral umpire as the candidate for Abia States governorship election for 2023.

Similarly, Mrs Nyako ordered INEC to accord due recognition to Mr Ogah as APCs candidate.

However, the Court of Appeal in Abuja, in a unanimous judgement delivered by Peter Ige, nullified Mr Ogahs candidacy, setting the stage for the tussle at the Supreme Court.

In the December 2022 verdict, the three-member panel of the appellate court said Mr Ogahs appeal lacked merit.

The Court of Appeal held that the 26 May 2022 primary election which produced Mr Emenike as the APCs governorship candidate in Abia State was valid.

The court held that Mr Ogah lacked the locus standi (legal right) to challenge the outcome of the APC primary election since he did not participate in the exercise. It said Mr Ogah had instead claimed that he took part in a separate primary election not sanctioned by the APC.

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The Defence Headquarters says troops of the armed forces have eliminated 77 terrorists in various operations, across theatres of operations in the North-east, North-central and North-west in the last two weeks.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Musa Danmadami, said this at a bi-weekly news conference on the operations of the armed forces on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr Danmadami, a major general, said troops of Operation Hadin Kai operating in the North-east, eliminated 56 Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists, apprehended 26 and rescued 59 victims within the period.

He said the air component also eliminated many terrorists in recent air operations conducted at Gogore, a terrorist hideout, Damboa, Tumbun Dila, Arege and nearby settlements in the western fringes of Tumbuns in Borno State.

He said the battle damage assessment after the air operations revealed that several terrorists were neutralised with their structures and logistics bases destroyed in the various air strikes.

Mr Danmadami said a total of 340 terrorists and members of their families, comprising 12 adult males, 133 adult females and 195 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the theatre.

He said the troops had on 27 January raided a terrorists enclave at Yuwe village in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State and neutralised 17 terrorists.

The troops also recovered one GPMG, 36 hand grenades and 77 rounds of belted 7.62mm NATO ammunition.

He said the troops also on 30 January neutralised three terrorists and rescued 10 abducted victims in an offensive operation at villages within Bama and Mafa Local Government Areas of Borno State.

According to him, troops also apprehended four terrorists logistic suppliers at Maina Hari in Biu Local Government Area on 28 January.

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Troops recovered a vehicle conveying 13 jerrycans of automotive gas oil, two mobile phones and the sum of N5,000.

Equally, on the same day, troops responded to credible information on the presence of terrorist collaborators at Benisheik market in Kaga Local Government Area and arrested 13 suspects in a vehicle loaded with food items.

Troops recovered a vehicle with 20 wraps of cannabis, three cartons of biscuit, six mobile phones, six jack knives and the sum of N72,250.

Equally, on 4 February, troops raided terrorists` enclave at Balange Village on the fringes of Sambisa Forest, neutralised five terrorists and rescued 55 civilians.

Also on 6 February, troops responded to an intelligence report on terrorists activities and conducted several artillery fire missions on Tumbun Barebare, Tumbun Mata, Kaye Kura, Kwatan Yobe and Dumba areas in Kukawa LGA of Borno.

Following the artillery fire mission, feedback received later revealed that about 42 terrorists were confirmed dead as a result of the fire mission.

In the North-west zone, Mr Danmadami said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji had within the weeks in review, neutralised 16 terrorists and apprehended seven in different operations across the zone.

He said the troops recovered 12 AK47 rifles, 16 locally made pistols, one FN rifle, and 48 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

Others are 12 rounds of 9mm ammo, 11 cartridges, 27 AK 47 magazines, and 10 motorcycles among other items.

In the North-central Zone, Mr Danmadami said the troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke killed five terrorists and arrested 10 terrorists and one gunrunner within the period.

He said the troops also recovered 36 cows, 10 motorcycles, three mobile phones, two knives and eight empty cases of 7.62mm special ammunition.

The spokesperson said the troops had sustained operations and continued to dominate the general areas and had continued to deny the criminals freedom of action.

(NAN)

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A male hawker died on Thursday in a multiple motor accident that occurred on the Kara Bridge on the Lagos  Ibadan Expressway.

Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) rescued two major accident victims and several others on Kara bridge outward Lagos, Adebayo Taofiq, the agencys spokesperson, said in a statement on Thursday.

The multiple accident which occurred around 7a.m. today involved a fully loaded 40fts containerised truck with five other private vehicles, the statement reads.

A male hawker died instantly during the accident.

The corpse of the dead hawker and several others rescued by LASTMA personnel were handed over to medical personnel on ground at the scene of the accident.

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According to the agencys preliminary investigation, the containerised truck suffered a brake failure and crushed four other private vehicles (Passat Jeep AGL 323 GK, a Camry MUS 270 HE, Black colour Lexus Jeep and Black Prado Jeep). A Hiace 18-seater commercial bus was also involved with its passengers.

The head of Lastma (Zebra) around Ojodu- Berger Mr Mabunmi Oluwa-biyi Abisola who led the Lastma rescue team confirmed that the truck with four other accidented private vehicles involved in the fatal accident were immediately removed from Kara bridge to pave ways for free flow of traffic to other road users, Mr Taofiq said.

The Lagos-Ibadan expressway is one of the busiest motorways in Nigeria but has been under repairs for several years with the federal government setting a new target of May for the completion of the repairsqq.

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Governor Ademola Adeleke and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have asked the Court of Appeal to set aside the judgement of the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal which voided his victory in the July 16 election.

The tribunal, in the majority judgement read by its chairman, Tertsea Kume, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the certificate of return from Mr Adeleke and issue it to former governor Gboyega Oyetola.

The panel based its decision on over-voting in hundreds of polling units during the election.

The electoral commission, according to a notice of appeal filed on Wednesday by its counsel, Paul Ananaba, is also challenging the judgement

Mr Adeleke and the PDP, in their separate notices of appeal, argued that the judgement contained errors in law.

The governor is asking the appellate court to set aside the whole decision of the tribunal and dismiss Mr Oyetolas petition for want of competence and jurisdiction.

Mr Adeleke raised 31 grounds of appeal in the notice.

The reliefs sought by Mr Adeleke are:

An order allowing the appeal.

An order setting aside the whole decision of the Tribunal

An order striking out the petition for want of competence and jurisdiction.

In the alternative to,

An order dismissing the petition on the merit.

The PDP, in its notice of appeal, is also asking the court to strike out the petition challenging its candidate for want of jurisdiction.

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The party is praying to the appellate court to affirm Mr Adeleke as the duly elected governor of the state.

The PDP raised 43 grounds of appeal in the notice.

The judgement is against the weight of evidence, the party said in the notice of appeal.

The reliefs sought by the PDP are:

An order dismissing/striking out EPT/OS/GOV/01/2022 for want of jurisdiction.

Allow the appeal and dismissing petition No. EPT/OS/GOV/01/2022 in its entirety.

Affirming the 4th Respondent as the duly elected Governor of Osun State having won the majority votes cast and satisfying the constitutional requirement in the Osun State Governorship Election of 16th July, 2022.

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The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, has withdrawn the warrant it issued to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the arrest of the Deputy Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Amarachi Iwuanyawu.

The judge, Inyang Ekwo, had issued the order of arrest against Mr Iwuanyawu in November 2020 over his alleged complicity in alleged N785 million fraud.

Mr Ekwo ruled that the EFCC deliberately suppressed and concealed facts about the matter in obtaining the 25 November 2022 order for arrest warrant against Mr Iwuanyawu.

The judge said he found out that the anti-graft agency failed to disclose in its affidavit in support of the motion ex-parte filed to obtain the order that there was a pending suit at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory between Mr Iwuanyawu and the person who petitioned the commission.

The facts in the ex-parte motion are the same with the facts in the suit number: CV/356/2021 between Hakiz Investment Ltd V. Sun Gold Estate Ltd and two others now pending before the High Court of FCT in Exhibits B and C, he said.

According to the judge, it Is also pertinent to state that good faith is foundational in every application brought for any order ex parte.

Going by the facts of this case, it has not been brought in good faith.

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The evidence before me shows that the applicant/respondent (EFCC) was being teleguided by the writer of the petition upon which the applicant/respondent purports to be acting on, he said.

Mr Ekwo, who held that the commission had no business getting enmeshed in such matters, said the entire proceeding leading to the ex-parte order ought to be struck out.

He said EFCC should not allow itself to be used to compromise judicial integrity.

The judge, who said the Imo State deputy speaker had been able to establish that there was non-disclosure of material facts in the application, said the order is liable to be set aside on this ground.

He consequently made an order discharging and vacating the ex-parte order of warrant of arrest issued for the arrest of Mr Iwuanyawu by EFCC, Nigeria police, State Security Services (SSS), the Nigerian Immigration Services and the Interpol.

He also made an order restraining the EFCC from arresting or detaining him in respect of a purely civil, commercial and contractual matter pending before another court of coordinate jurisdiction.

Background

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Iwuanyawu is the Chairman of an Abuja-based firm, Sun Gold Estate Limited.

The court had ordered Mr Iwuanyawus arrest following an ex-parte request by the EFCC for a warrant arrest against him.

The judge ordered the EFCC to apprehend Mr Iwuanyawu and detain him till 23 February 2023, when he is expected to be brought to the court.

While arguing the application, Olarewaju Adeola, EFCCs lawyer, had said Mr Iwuanyawu, an estate developer, entered into an agreement with another Abuja Company, Hokiz Investment Limited, in 2012.

Mr Iwuanyawus company allegedly agreed in the contract to build 14 units of four-bedroom terrace and one block of six flats on the land of Hokiz Investment Limited at Mabushi in Abuja.

The two parties were also said to have agreed that 40 per cent of the buildings would be allocated to Hokiz Investment Limited being the owner of the land, while Sun Gold Estate as developer would retain 60 per cent.

But, upon completion, Sun Gold Estate Limited was said to have sold off all the buildings without the knowledge of the land owner.

The value of the 40 per cent of the buildings put at N785 million was said to have been made away with by Mr Iwuanyawu.

Mr Adeola had informed the court that a petition signed by Abdullahi Malik, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on behalf of Hokiz Investment Limited was being investigated.

The anti-graft agency lamented that all efforts to make Mr Iwuanyawu honour its invitations concerning the allegations were futile.

It said Mr Iwuanyawu had escaped to the United States.

The EFCC had based its request on Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud, Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution and Sections 3, 37, 39 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

(NAN)

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday in Abuja frowned at the appointment of former Inspectors-General of Police as chairmen of the Police Service Commission (PSC).

Mr Obasanjo expressed his misgivings when he spoke at the public presentation of a book: Policing the Nigeria Police authored by Simon Okeke, a former chairman of the PSC.

No fewer than four former police chiefs have been appointed as chairmen of PSC since 1999 when the country returned to democratic rule. They are Parry Osayande (DIG), Mike Okiro, Musiliu Smith and Solomon Arase whose appointment was confirmed by the Senate in January.

Part 1 (2) (a) of the PSC Act says the Commission shall have a chairman who shall be the Chief Executive. Part 1 (2) (b) says one of its members shall be a retired Police Officer not below the rank of Commissioner of Police.

Mr Obasanjo said civilians should be appointed as chairmen and retired police officers appointed as members of the PSC to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.

When you make a retired police officer the head of the Police Service Commission, it is like asking a thief to catch a thief, he said.

The former president noted that the author believed that Nigeria, a federation, should not have unitary police establishment as people had argued that state police would be abused by governors.

I wont say yes or no, but can they not be abused by the federal government?

For a federation, it is contrary to the ideal of the country because the unitary policing system is not close enough to the community where the police are supposed to be.

The author argued whether the name should truly be the Nigeria Police Force or a Police Service. I believe the police should be a Police Service not a Police Force, Mr Obasanjo said.

He said the author brought up strong arguments in support of state police as well as training and retraining of police officers, which he agreed with.

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Mr Obasanjo noted also that the author argued strongly against authorised and unauthorised deployment of police personnel to private guard duties leading to having many police officers in the security service of few individuals.

Out of 380,000 police personnel at a time, 180,000 were on private duties carrying out duties corruptively, the author wrote.

In his remarks, Ray Ekpu, publisher of the book recalled that the PSC was first created by the Independence Constitution of 1960.

He said it remained strong until the appointment of Inspectors-General of Police was transferred to the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.

Under the military, the PSC was chaired by the various Chiefs of Staff until it was abolished by Decree 5 of February 6, 1989 backdated to August 27, 1985.

For the period that there was no PSC, the Inspectors-General of Police worked under the supervision of either the Heads of State or Chiefs of Staff, Supreme Headquarters.

During that period, it was the Inspectors-General of Police that handled the recruitment, appointment and discipline of police officers, he said.

Mr Ekpu said the lacuna contributed to the present conflicts between the Inspectors-General of Police and the PSC as the former found it difficult to surrender the powers they formerly enjoyed to an oversight agency, the PSC.

(NAN)

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The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has assured all election officials of their safety during the coming general elections.

Working with all the security agencies in the country, Mr Yakubu said security would be provided for all the 10 categories of election officials from the Returning Officers and State Collation Officers at the top to the Presiding Officers, their assistants as well the accredited observers and the media.

Theres also a provision of insurance cover for all election duty officials, he said.

The INEC Chairman gave the assurance following concerns raised by some federal university Vice Chancellors during a meeting with them at the National Universities Commission (NUC) Auditorium on Thursday.

Mr Yakubu had called for the meeting to seek the support of the vice chancellors in enlisting their staff as election officers.

But some of the vice chancellors raised security concerns for their staff who would be deployed to places other than the state capitals or collation centres where security officials are already present.

In response, Mr Yakubu said he had met with all the heads of security agencies in the country and had been assured of utmost security for all election staff.

A few days ago, we had a meeting with all service chiefs in the country. And the issue of security was an utmost concern and consideration, he said.

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We are working on a very comprehensive election security plan that covers not just the vice chancellors in their capacities as Returning Officers and State Collation Officers, but all categories of election duty staff. And by the way, be rest assured that we have also extended insurance cover to all those involved in election duty. We are not praying for anything to happen, but in case it does, there is insurance cover for all those involved in the election.

I want to assure you, working with the security officials, we will make sure that all involved in the elections are adequately protected, whether they are presiding officers at the polling unit, usually the corps member we will provide security for them during the elections, and also provide security for corpers lodges, because there are instances where the corpers lodges were attacked after deploying the corps members for elections duty, he added.

Deployment of University Staff

Mr Yakubu stated that the partnership with the universities during elections has continued to be a happy partnership that has increased confidence in the electoral process.

He added that the training for the university staff will be conducted on the 21 and 22 February at the respective universities.

He said a bulk of the over 22,000 staff to be deployed for the election are from the universities.

He, however, cautioned the vice chancellors against nominating staff who are known to be partisan or card-carrying members of any political parties, or share affiliations with them.

He said any university staff previously convicted of electoral malpractices would not be accredited for the roles.

While the training for the Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs) begins on 11 February, he said the training for the university staff will be conducted on the 21 and 22 February at their respective universities.

In their separate comments, both the Deputy Executive Secretary of the NUC, Chris Maiyaki, and the Chairperson, Committee of Vice Chancellors of Federal University and Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Lillian Salami, a professor, commended INEC and appreciated its confidence in the system.

Mrs Salami, on behalf of the vice chancellors, promised that the university staff will deliver their best in this national assignment.

At the end of this exercise, we would be proud to have contributed our quota, and that is our commitment to the development of this country. I promise that we will deliver and do our very best, she said.

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Lawyers have expressed divergent views on Wednesdays ruling of the interim order of the Supreme Court stopping the implementation of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)s policy to end the use of old Naira notes on 10 February (Friday).

While some of them argued that the CBN had no choice other than to obey the ruling, others said the Supreme Court issued the order without jurisdiction to even entertain the case.

In the ruling which has sparked debate amongst lawyers and the public, a seven-member panel of the Supreme Court led by Inyang Okoro, ordered President Muhammadu Buhari, the CBN and commercial banks, to suspend the enforcement of the 10 February deadline when the old 200, 500 and 1000 denominations would cease being legal tenders.

The court gave the order on Wednesday, following an ex parte request filed by the Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara state governments against the federal government.

Due to the chaos triggered by the nationwide scarcity of the redesigned naira notes, the three state governments, governed by All Progressives Congress (APC), sued the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), lamenting immeasurable hardship unleashed on their citizens by the currency scarcity.

The plaintiffs in one of their filings contended that there is no justifiable basis for the ongoing difficulties and suffering being meted out on the good people of Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara States by the federal government.

But the federal government, through the Attorney General of the Federation, has filed a preliminary objection to the suit, arguing that the court does not have jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

Arguing through a team of lawyers led by Mahmud Magaji and Tijanni Gazali, both Senior Advocates of Nigeria, the AGF said the jurisdiction to hear the case lies with the Federal High Court.

Why Supreme Court order must be obeyed

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, argued on Thursday that the CBN must obey the Supreme Court order.

A Federal Capital Territory High Court had on Monday, ordered the central bank to stick to the 10 February deadline for the old banknotes.

Reacting to the Supreme Court judgement, Mr Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said the CBN cannot claim not to be a party to the suit, and therefore would not comply with the order.

Citing a plethora of cases that were filed against the CBN and its governor, Godwin Emefiele, where they were not parties, but reaped the benefits of the outcomes of such suits.

It is the height of arrogance of power for Mr Emefiele to treat the ex parte of the Supreme Court with provocative contempt, Mr Falana said in a statement he issued on the ruling.

He noted that the looming anarchy in the country, calls for complete obedience to the orders of the court.

Mr Falana referenced the late Nigerian jurist, Niki Tobis popular legal thought that In a society where the rule of law prevails, self-help is not available to the executive or any arm of government, adding that acting otherwise could breed anarchy and totalitarianism.

Agreeing with Mr Falana, another Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Richard Ogunwole, advised the CBN to abide by the Supreme Courts order.

Mr Ogunwole, who gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan, said the Supreme Courts decision remained final and must be followed by all, irrespective of status or position.

There is nobody in Nigeria today who is not feeling the harsh economic policy of CBN.

We lawyers even find it difficult going to court because we also need money to transport ourselves there. It is the same situation for people from other professions.

My advice to CBN, the federal government and the commercial banks is to abide by the order or risk contempt of court, Mr Ogunwole said.

Also, a Lagos-based constitutional lawyer, Kurtis Adigba, advised the CBN to comply with the preservative order.

Mr Adigba said the suit would be fully heard at the next adjourned date, 15 February, when the federal government would file necessary court documents.

Supreme Court lacks jurisdiction

Siding with the federal government, a human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, said the Supreme Court does not possess the jurisdiction to adjudicate on the suit.

In a series of tweets, Mr Effiong said the Federal High Court has the jurisdiction to entertain and determine the case.

He explained that the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court can only be invoked when thereis a dispute between the three States and the Federation; not a dispute between the States and the Federal Government.

I agree with the objection filed by the AGF, Malami SAN, challenging the competence of the suit filed by Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara States on the new Naira notes. The Supreme Courts original jurisdiction under Section 232 of the Constitution shouldnt be invoked in this case.

Mr Effiong noted that he was unable to see how the redesign of the currency by the CBN has clothed the Supreme Court with the requisite original jurisdiction in this matter. This is a case for the Federal High Court.

He warned political gladiators against the bastardisation of the legal system due to political expediency.

Also, a human rights lawyer, Femi Aborisade, said the Supreme Court had only allowed itself to be used by politicians by granting such an order.

Mr Aborisade told NAN that the critical problem was not the extension of the 10 February deadline for the old naira notes to cease to be legal tender, but the availability of new notes.

The essence of the extension is to serve as a relief to the generality of Nigerians, said the lawyer.

He similarly expressed doubts if the Supreme Court had jurisdiction over a matter like the naira redesign policy of the CBN.

Following in the same line of thoughts, Maxwell Okpara, an Abuja-based lawyer, wondered why the Supreme Court made an order in a suit it lacks jurisdiction to hear.

He expressed the impracticability of the enforcement of the order given that the CBN was not a party in the matter.

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The trial of a Nigerian professor accused of election fraud was on Thursday stalled at a State High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State due to a change of counsel.

Ignatius Uduk, a professor of Human Kinetics at the University of Uyo is being prosecuted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the alleged unlawful generation of election results during the 2019 general elections.

The prosecution counsel, Clement Onwuenweunor, announced his appearance shortly after the case was called.

A new defence counsel, George Ezeugwu, also announced his appearance and told the court he was taking over the case from Abasiodiong Ekpenyong, the former defence counsel.

Mr Ezeugwu, who said he was briefed on Tuesday, told the court he could not get the case file from Mr Ekpenyong. He applied for records of court proceedings and an adjournment to enable him to study the case.

The prosecution, Mr Onwuenweunor, SAN, observed that the court had told the surety to the defendant during the penultimate hearing that the next proceeding must not be scuttled on account that a new lawyer was coming to take over the matter.

He, therefore, prayed the court to foreclose the case since the defendant had already called two witnesses and tendered documents through them, adding that the litigation has to end.

The trial judge, Bassey Nkanang, after hearing from both counsels, adjourned the matter to 21 February for the conclusion of the defence but warned that the court would award a punitive cost against the defence if they fail to proceed.

Addressing reporters outside the court, the prosecution vowed to apply for a foreclosure of the case  asking the court to close the case against the defendant so that the matter can be adjourned for filing of final written addresses if the defendant repeated the excuse on the new date.

The prosecution, PREMIUM TIMES learnt had closed its case on 27 January last year.

The defence counsel declined to address reporters outside the court.

Backstory

Mr Uduk was an ad-hoc official of INEC and the returning officer for the Essien Udim State Constituency election in 2019.

He was first arraigned in December 2020 after an arrest warrant was issued on him the previous month over repeated failures to appear for the commencement of trial.

The professor pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge, which includes the unlawful generation of election results and lying under oath slammed on him by INEC.

During the trial, the defendant, Mr Uduk, had through his former counsel, Mr Ekpenyong, accused the judge of bias and asked him to withdraw from the case, a development that caused the judge to return the case file to the State Chief Judge, who reassigned the case to him (same judge) for the continuation of trial.

On the resumption of trial in October last year, Mr Uduk collapsed in the dock, while the prosecution was cross-examining one of the witnesses. The development forced the court to go on a recess before adjourning, while family members moved the professor to an undisclosed location, Daily Post reported.

Another professor, Peter Ogban, similarly accused of election fraud in Akwa Ibom, was convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment in 2021.

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Two brothers of Femi Otedola, the majority owner of Geregu Power, have obtained shares summing up to 7.7 million in the electricity-generating firm.

According to details of regulatory filings posted on the Nigerian Exchanges website on Thursday, Paul Olurotimi Otedola purchased 3.6 million shares at N219 per unit and 100,000 shares at N207.9 per unit on 2 and 7 February in deals worth N809.2 million.

Similarly, Ayokunle Michael Otedola bought 4 million shares at N219 per unit for N876 million on 2 February, bringing the combined purchases by the duo to N1.7 billion.

Mr Otedola already holds 95.6 per cent of the organisation, almost all through his own power distribution company Amperion.

There are no details of the selling party of the transactions in the documents, meaning the family stake of the Otedolas in Geregu Power would be closer to 96 per cent if the 7.7 million shares had been bought from persons other than the billionaire businessman.

The share acquisition puts the two brothers in a good position to become directors on the companys board, currently chaired by Mr Otedola, as two other directors on the board each hold 1,245 shares and only the chairman has a substantial shareholding in the company.

It is very possible that he (Mr Otedola) wants to have other people on the board who could share his interest too, said Timchang Gwatau, former head of research at the investment bank Meristem Securities, who now works for GCR Ratings.

It is also possible he has someone, maybe from his family, to have a significant position on the board so that even when he is not on the board, his interest will be protected, he added.

Geregu Power posted a 50.5 per cent drop in annual profit to N10.2 billion for 2022, according to its audited financial report published last week.

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President Muhammadu Buhari has yet again drummed support for the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, saying the candidate is his long-term ally.

Speaking separately at the palace of the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar, and at the APC campaign rally in Sokoto, on Thursday, the president said Mr Tinubu had demonstrated capacity and would do well if elected to lead the country.

He understands Nigeria very well and he is ever supportive of people wherever they may have come from in Nigeria, the president told the Sultan.

I have gone with him to Nasarawa and Katsina and I am here with him today. I will also go with him to any other place. He is the candidate for our party. He emerged from a clearly transparent primary election. We, therefore, have to follow him as the flagbearer of the party.

Appealing to Mr Abubakar for support, the president said: We are here to seek support and help. I am sure we will get the needed help.

Mr Buhari, who was visibly elated, expressed appreciation to the mammoth crowd for the rousing reception, defying the scorching sun to attend the event.

Presenting Mr Tinubu to the electorate, Mr Buhari urged them to support him and extend his appeal for support for the APC candidate to all other residents.

At both the palace and the rally, Mr Tinubu expressed appreciation to the leaders and people of Sokoto for the warm reception, promising to acquit himself creditably if given the mandate.

Describing Sokoto as a home for him, the APC candidate appealed for support, urging voters to disregard the antics of other candidates.

In 2015, the new leaders came to sweep the dirt away with a broom. But the dirt is still left on the ground. We said we need to clean some more. I applied to be the vacuum cleaner so we can clean the dirt, he told the cheering crowd.

We promised we will work hard. We will eliminate corruption. We will eradicate the madness called kidnapping. We will work hard to clean Nigeria of rubbish.

We promise you a better education, job opportunities and a better market for our agricultural produce that will make you and your children happy, he said.

In his speech, the APC Vice Presidential Candidate, Kashim Shettima, challenged PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar to name eight projects he accomplished in the north and eight persons he mentored in his eight years as vice president.

He admonished the people of Sokoto State to disregard PDPs sectional campaign which tells voters to vote one of their own, saying Atiku was only there for his pockets.

Speaking on why the north should vote for Mr Tinubu, Mr Shettima described him as a good man who has always stood by prominent sons of the region.

Quoting a Quranic verse, Mr Shettima added: The reward for goodness is goodness. He has supported many of our people from Shehu Musa YarAdua to Atiku Abubakar in 2007, Nuhu Ribadu in 2011, and President Buhari in 2015 and in 2019. We are good people. We are trustworthy. He supported our people, it is our time to reciprocate.

We should come together and acquit ourselves as people of honour who keep their words.

In their separate remarks, Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Atiku Bagudu and APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, all appealed to voters in the state to back the APC presidential candidate and other candidates of the party.

The host and APC leader in Sokoto, Aliyu Wamakko, assured both Mr Buhari and Mr Tinubu of a massive victory for the party at the forthcoming polls.

He said the APC in Sokoto is receiving many defectors who are dissatisfied with the current PDP government in the state.

Mr Wamakko presented thousands of defectors to the APC, including a prominent philanthropist Umarun Kwabo AA (Jarman Sokoto).

Other dignitaries and party leaders who attended the rally included Governors Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa) and Bello Matawalle (Zamfara) as well as former Governors Saidu Dakin Gari (Kebbi), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara) and Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi).

Others were Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Dingyadi; Minister of Youths and Sports, Sunday Dare; APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Abubakar Kyari, members of the National Assembly and other party chieftains.

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For the upcoming Professor Bolanle Awe at 90 Conference, despite how recent happenings in Nigeria have militated against the last phase of the planning, we have successfully scaled through all the pre-event challenges, and we are prepared. The programme booklet is ready; the team is set. In four days from now, specifically from 13 to 14 February, the conference, which was conceived as an idea to give honour to whom honour is due, will hold at the University of Ibadan.

Planning an event is no mean feat, no matter how small it may seem. If it does not require huge resources, which is a rare case, it will require time and movement from all the parties involved in the preparation. How much more when the event is not a small one? There is also the fact that events and event planning are organisms that change in form, strategy, and approach; therefore, because you have handled hundreds of successful events does not guarantee that the new one you are planning will be without stress or challenges, before and during the event.

For the upcoming Professor Bolanle Awe at 90 Conference, despite how recent happenings in Nigeria have militated against the last phase of the planning, we have successfully scaled through all the pre-event challenges, and we are prepared. The programme booklet is ready; the team is set. In four days from now, specifically from 13 to 14 February, the conference, which was conceived as an idea to give honour to whom honour is due, will hold at the University of Ibadan. Professor Olufunke Adeboye, the amiable dean of the Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos; Professor Rashidi Olaniyi, talented Historian and head of Department of History, University of Ibadan; and Dr Sharon Omotosho, the innovative feminist scholar and head of Womens Research and Documentation Centre, University of Ibadan, all readily adopted and committed to this event, which birthed a series of activities, including planning, meetings, and outreaches, the climax of which will be witnessed at the appointed time.

Our unanimous decision and choice to go back to the academic and career roots of the matriarch  the University of Ibadan  as the select venue for the conference can be interpreted as a return to Professor Awes academic and professional roots. However, there is no denying that the octogenarian does not belong to the University of Ibadan alone. She is also the pride of the University of Lagos, where she spent good years building her career and contributing to the academic repertoire. There is hardly any birthday present that will match up to an event like this. For Professor Awe, This is the day that the Lord has made!

As the world celebrates the concept of love in its varying forms on 14 February, we will also show our love and respect for the matriarch of Nigerian history, Professor Bolanle Awe. The panellists have spent the past few months working on their conference papers, from the initial abstract phase to fully fleshing out topics on the varying themes of the conference. All the work that has gone into that is an expression of admiration and reverence for Professor Awes work. Beyond showing our love and support, we will also be celebrating love  the love that a brilliant and ingenious mind has for history and how she applied her knowledge across different fields, from academia to the management of governmental and non-governmental organisations.

The special conference in honour of Professor Bolanle Awe is structured to accommodate discourses and special sessions that are reflective of her work in relation to the city and beyond the gambit of academia, especially with international bodies and non-governmental organisations such as the MacArthur Foundation and the Womens Research and Documentation Center (WORDOC).

Also, the conference is a mission dedicated to contributing to existing research and overall scholarship in oral and African history, feminism, womens studies, gender studies, and the interconnectedness of all these academic disciplines. The sheer breadth and vastness of the topics initially submitted show that the academia has a lot to unearth as it concerns the selected focus topics of the conference. In selecting participants, we have regrouped scholars and contributors from varying disciplines and, with their distinct approaches and perspectives, a move we expect to birth a compendium of works that will spark new discourses and chart new paths. It is amazing to see how people have rallied around from all quarters to participate in this conference, one way or the other, demonstrating that the world celebrates people who have led fulfilling lives that have benefited several people, institutions, and organisations.

With the theme, Oral Traditions and Written Histories, the conference is designed to be beneficial to participants, not only as a form of recognition of their contributions to the academic body of work on the selected theme and sub-themes but also as a learning curve, seeing as the presented research papers will be peer-reviewed. In itself, the theme shows a progressive trajectory in African history, starting from oral traditions that became integral parts of our African oral history, then advancing to the adoption of globally standardised writing in Africa, thus bringing about the emergence of written history, first by Europeans about Africans, then by Africans about Africa  a move to save African history from biased perspectives on the continents historical representation. Today, African history is steadily attracting researchers, collaborators, scholars, and students because, although many have done tremendous work in the field, a lot remains untapped, leaving the field as a juicy and attractive discipline. This point is reinforced by how the presenting scholars at the conference have stretched the sub-themes to their ends, developing research topics that are central to or divergent from the theme.

The special conference in honour of Professor Bolanle Awe is structured to accommodate discourses and special sessions that are reflective of her work in relation to the city and beyond the gambit of academia, especially with international bodies and non-governmental organisations such as the MacArthur Foundation and the Womens Research and Documentation Center (WORDOC). Professor Awe was instrumental to the research and documentation efforts of organisations like the United Nations, the World Bank, the MacArthur Foundation, and the DAWN Commission, among other organisations that have, during different times, researched women-related issues in the country. The first specially incorporated session will centre on Professor Awes work in the field, examining her immense contributions to womens history and development, womens rights in Nigeria and Africa, as well as her work with several women-related organisations in Nigeria and outside the borders of the country.

Revisiting gender discourses is a special panel session to look forward to, as it regroups some of the countrys best and foremost academics in women and gender studies. The title of Professor Ebun Oduwoles proposed paper, Are We Still Discussing Gender Equality? is thought-provoking in its position as a reality check for everyone. Despite the tremendous body of work and efforts, fighting multi-dimensional gender-based inequality is still a very heated topic, with seemingly unending discourses in varying forms  from semi-formal social media discourses and unrefined banters and arguments to the more structured and refined academic events. Gender inequality is fast positioning itself as a topic that will not exhaust its conversational relevance, which is a somewhat dangerous phenomenon because it draws attention away from what needs to be done and acted upon and focuses on discourses that, more often than not, do not spark widespread action or moves for a change in the status quo. Professor Oduwoles research and perspectives are things to look forward to at the conference.

The participating scholars of the conference have been distributed across 29 panels and are expected to present their papers and actively participate in the peer review process. As envisioned, this conference will not be just another celebratory event; it will serve as a milestone in celebrating a colossal figure as Professor Awe and be a marker for the commencement of another academic tornado.

In addition, Professor Oyeronke Olademo set out on the daunting task of tracing the essentiality of women-run and women-based agencies among the Yoruba people in her paper titled Women Agency, Power and Orality among the Yoruba: Past, Present, and Prospects. This historiographical research is a bold adventure into the relevance of women in Yoruba history and the contributions of communalism to the growth and expansion of womens influence  if it ever existed. The biggest feature of this expected paper is how the author is prepared to propose deduced prospects based on trends and available data on what can be experimented on regarding Yoruba history and women and women-related topics. Likewise, Professor Mobolanle Sotunsa, who incidentally is Professor Awes namesake, will share how she explored and assessed historical literature to unearth gendered themes and tropes in African historical texts, focusing on Yoruba texts. History is the mirror of society and one of the biggest forms of expression for a people. Whatever Professor Sotunsa has unearthed, which she will share during the special session, will reflect the realities of the periods on which the work is based.

The participating scholars of the conference have been distributed across 29 panels and are expected to present their papers and actively participate in the peer review process. As envisioned, this conference will not be just another celebratory event; it will serve as a milestone in celebrating a colossal figure as Professor Awe and be a marker for the commencement of another academic tornado.

Immense appreciation goes to Erelu Bisi Fayemi, scholar, activist, and feminist who will chair the opening ceremony, as well as the long-standing distinguished scholar, Dr Kole Shettima, the Centre for Democracy and Development and the Nigerian Academy of Letters that keyed into our plans, understood our mission, and have served as supporters and financiers of the conference. I cannot wait to listen to Professor Bisi Aina, the guru of womens studies, whose draft of the Keynote is magisterial.

Toyin Falola, a professor of History, University Distinguished Teaching Professor, and Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities at The University of Texas at Austin, is the Bobapitan of Ibadanland.

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Nigerians problems have never been the lack of brilliant ideas and plans, but their implementation. It is against this background that I humbly call on President Muhammad Buhari to urgently address the issues caused by the naira redesign by allowing the old notes and new ones to coexist side by side, otherwise the same people whom you seek to serve will be heading to their early graves in the millions as a result of the unintended hardship unleashed on them.

Let me begin this with a disclaimer. I am a registered card-carrying member of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP). Let me also make it abundantly clear that my party and I are not against the naira redesign policy. In fact, no sane human should be. In the 21st century, we should go the way of the world. A cashless policy is the norm and has become the mainstay of most economies, both developed and developing. I applaud President Muhammadu Buhari for his resolve, determination, and commitment to conducting a free, fair, and credible election. There is the possibility that, if conducted successfully, these might be the talk about the legacy of the president.

Having said this, let me add that for a country of almost a million square kilometres, the time allotted to the policy is not just sufficient but practically impossible to cover within the period given. And this must be appreciated from the background of the level of the general inefficiencies of our system and how such reforms can be resisted, and in some instances thwarted outright.

Available data from the National Bureau of Statistics show that most households have an average of a minimum of five persons. What this clearly signifies is that most people struggle daily to get by. Living in Nigeria in itself is a challenge, from day to day. This is something that the various political shades seeking power acknowledge, hence the litany of issues they promise to do when elected into office.

The 1999 Constitution, as amended, accounts for the equality of states, in terms of federalism, but even the blind can see that Lagos State in the South-West, for instance, is not equal to Yobe State in the North-East, and neither is Ebonyi in the South-East, the same as Kano in the North-West. Clearly, Lagos is much more urbanised than Yobe and the same is true for Kano in relation to Ebonyi. What this invariably means is that Lagos is more likely to have better banking services than Yobe. The same argument can be made for Kano and Ebonyi. The service penetration is not the same and the data on banking services in Nigeria clearly shows this. In a sense, the more sophisticated a banking service is the more it is urban located. This is certain of major innovations in banking services, which again follow the logic of where money is concentrated.

The unintended consequences of the naira redesign policy are in the numbers, but what is amazing is the neglect or negligence of Central Bank officials whilst framing the policy, in terms of what could go wrong. A part of the nitty-gritty of general housekeeping of public policymaking is the IF factor. The question must, therefore, have been: what could go wrong if we (that is the Central Bank) did this or that? The Nigerian apex bank missed a lot of signs and innuendos

While it is true that every government policy should be made for the benefit of the people, let me now quickly examine the Central Bank of Nigerias cashless policy vis-a-vis the unintended negative consequences and suffering it has brought to the very people it claims to serve. And it must be repeated here that this is by no means an attack on the policy itself, as some have been doing.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele, on countless occasions, explained the objectives of the naira redesign policy and on no account did he make claims that are of political or non-economic reasons. The policy is purely monetary, with expected positive economic outcomes for Nigeria. However, as all policies do, particularly when not thought through properly, they tend to become victims of their unintended consequences. The apex bank may have had good intentions to deliver on an otherwise operable monetary policy, but the implementation has created major hardship.

The unintended consequences of the naira redesign policy are in the numbers, but what is amazing is the neglect or negligence of Central Bank officials whilst framing the policy, in terms of what could go wrong. A part of the nitty-gritty of general housekeeping of public policymaking is the IF factor. The question must, therefore, have been: what could go wrong if we (that is the Central Bank) did this or that? The Nigerian apex bank missed a lot of signs and innuendos, which were obvious and in the open, and more importantly overshot its capabilities. The responsibility of the Central Bank of Nigeria, for example, does not include the assessment of possible social disorder, and the disenchantment that the unintended consequences of the redesign of the naira would cause. This again, showed, that the bank was working in a silo, not reaching, consulting, or collaborating. Perhaps, what it is, is that the Central Bank sought glory but brought gory tales.

It remains to be seen if the Central Bank of Nigeria considered what could go wrong if the naira was redesigned at the time it implemented the policy. This also raised questions of whether the three months projected to complete the exercise was sufficient. Three issues are clear from this. First, whether the Nigerian banking infrastructure is as big as was thought of? Secondly, did the Central Bank of Nigeria miss an obvious challenge or opportunity that there is still work to be done, regarding the depth and breadth of the countrys banking system? The Nigerian banking system has remained largely urban-based and has evolved very little to serve rural areas. Perhaps, this is why the apex bank governor persistently complains about the quantity of cash outside the banking system. This clearly shows that there are gaps in the CBNs efforts at providing banking services across the country. The banking system must innovate a new robust financial infrastructure that not only resolves many of the problems that Nigerians are currently encountering but deepen and broaden inclusiveness and participation.

in some regards, the monetary authority failed in the discharge of its responsibility due to its timing, as it did not properly anticipate a much convenient time for its implementation. Here in lies the basis for the political interpretation of the CBNs decision on timing. The question has therefore been about when and over what duration, and not about what. But, more importantly, policy makers must be able to anticipate negative unintended consequences of proposed policies.

The question of the timing of policy is important. As much as it can be argued, and it has been, that there is no particularly suitable time to effect a change or redesign a countrys currency, the Central Bank Act is already clear on this. Thus, in some regards, the monetary authority failed in the discharge of its responsibility due to its timing, as it did not properly anticipate a much convenient time for its implementation. Here in lies the basis for the political interpretation of the CBNs decision on timing. The question has therefore been about when and over what duration, and not about what. But, more importantly, policy makers must be able to anticipate negative unintended consequences of proposed policies. Across the country are Nigerians standing in long queues at ATM galleries across the country tempting to access the new currency notes. We have also seen videos of Nigerians stripping naked in banking halls, shouting and crying to access their own money. The seemingly comic episodes involved, including the number of fights breaking out in banking premises and all the attendant hardship, beg the question. The failure in the exercise can be seen in the level of exploitation of citizens who try to access their own money from POS operators and various money agents.

The only hope of the suffering traders, fishermen, civil servants, students and market women of Nigeria now is the Supreme Court exercising its original jurisdiction in the case of Attorneys-General of Kaduna, Kogi and Zamora States vs. Attorney General of the Federation.

Nigerians problems have never been the lack of brilliant ideas and plans, but their implementation. It is against this background that I humbly call on President Muhammad Buhari to urgently address the issues caused by the naira redesign by allowing the old notes and new ones to coexist side by side, otherwise the same people whom you seek to serve will be heading to their early graves in the millions as a result of the unintended hardship unleashed on them. By the way, the people elected you and it is profitable to listen to their cries.

Vox populi, vox dei!

Bashir Abdullahi II is a builder, entrepreneur, student of policy and chief of planning and strategy RMK Presidential Campaign Council.

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Governor Muhammad Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State has described the Supreme Court judgment restraining the Federal Government from implementing the February 10 Deadline of the old naira notes to stop being legal tender as a welcome development.

A statement by Habibu Nuhu Kila, the Special Adviser on Media and Public Relations to the governor said Mr Badaru made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Hausa Service of the Voice of America.

Governor Badaru said economic activities in the country were almost in a state of collapse as a result of the current situation. He stated that with the judgment of the apex court people can now transact their normal business with both old and new naira notes.

The Jigawa governor called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to as a matter of urgency make sufficient amounts of the new naira notes available to the public in order to alleviate the current hardship in the country.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the CBN not to end the use of old naira notes on 10 February.

According to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports, a seven-member panel of the court, led by John Okoro, gave the order of interim injunction amid acute scarcity of newly redesigned N200, N500, and N1,000 currency notes.

The court gave the order temporarily, cancelling the CBNs 10 February deadline to end the validity of the old versions of the banknotes based on an ex parte application filed by three northern states being controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The presidential candidate of the APC, Bola Tinubu, had also publicly criticised the policy during a campaign stop.

The applicants, on 3 February, filed their application at the Supreme Court praying for an order to restrain the CBN from ending the use of the old currency notes on 10 February as threatened by the bank.

They cited the sufferings the scarcity of the new bank notes had brought upon many Nigerians.

The application, being ex parte, was not served on the Attorney General of the Federation who is sued in the case as the representative of the Federal Government.

Only the applicants lawyer, Abdulrakeem Mustapha, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), was heard by the court.

Mr Okoro, after listening to the applicants lawyer Wednesday morning, granted the application as prayed,  a decision he said his panel took after a careful consideration.

He issued an order of interim injunction restraining the federal government through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) or the commercial banks from suspending or determining or ending on 10 February, the time frame within which the now older version of the 200, 500 and 1,000 denominations of the naira may no longer be legal tender pending the hearing and determination of their motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

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President Muhammadu Buhari said he wants Nigerians to vote for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, because he understands the country well.

Mr Buhari, who was speaking at the palace of Saad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, Thursday, said Mr Tinubu supports people irrespective of religious or ethnic differences.

According to a statement by Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, a media aide at the Tinubu Media Office, the president also said Mr Tinubu is his long time ally who has also demonstrated the capacity to govern.

He understands Nigeria very well and he is ever supportive of people wherever they may have come from in Nigeria, the president told the Sultan.

I have gone with him to Nasarawa and Katsina and I am here with him today. I will also go with him to any other place. He is the candidate of our party. He emerged from a clearly transparent primary election. We therefore have to follow him as the flagbearer of the party, he said.

We are here to seek support and help. I am sure we will get the needed help, he said.

Mr Buhari appealed to residents of the state to vote for Mr Tinubu in the election.

Tinubu pledges to tackle banditry, revive agriculture

Mr Tinubu, in his campaign speech, pledged to tackle insecurity and improve agricultural activities in the state.

Mr Tinubu said he would prove that he is capable of running the country if elected president.

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Mr Tinubu, who described Sokoto State as his home, called on the people of the state to vote for APC candidates and disregard the antics of other candidates.

In 2015, the new leaders came to sweep the dirt away with a broom. But the dirt is still left on the ground. We said we need to clean some more. I applied to be the vacuum-cleaner so we can clean the dirt, he told the cheering crowd.

We promised we will work hard. We will eliminate corruption. We will eradicate the madness called kidnapping. We willl work hard to clean Nigeria of rubbish.

We promise you better education, job opportunities and better market for our agricultural produce that will make you and your children happy, he said.

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The People of Owan and Akoko-Edo local government areas of Edo State have complained that they have been marginalised politically for 35 years.

They also said that their areas lack basic infrastructures compared to other areas in the state.

Some leaders from the areas, at a meeting on Tuesday in Benin under the aegis of Akoko-Edo and Owan Alliance, said their council areas had suffered perpetual neglect in the hands of the political leaders in the state.

The convener of the alliance, Sunny Ifijen, in a statement, said the alliance believed that giving the two local government areas a sense of belonging was never a privilege, but a right.

The group challenged the Edo State Government and other relevant authorities to show better commitment to Akoko-Edo and Owan Federal Constituency.

The alliance said aside from the lack of government presence in the two council areas, they had also not enjoyed political relevance in terms of political appointments and elective positions, both at the state and federal levels.

It is sad to note that in 25 years, we only had eight years in the Senate (Yisa Braimoh and Domingo Obende), while Etsako dominated the remaining years.

No governor, no minister, no ambassador, no state party chairman of major political parties, no established tertiary institutions.

For years, the Sasaro-Igarra-Ibillo Road had been in bad shape and both state and federal governments are doing nothing about it, the leaders pointed out at the meeting.

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Mr Ifijen said residents were saddened by the multi-faceted marginalisation of the areas.

The meeting appealed to the federal and state governments, religious and traditional leaders and other relevant organisations and individuals, to look into the plight of the Akoko-Edo and Owan people.

They clarified that the alliance was dominated by non-partisan leaders of Owan and Akoko-Edo extraction.

(NAN)

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Ijaw leaders, under the auspices of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), have cautioned against the invasion of Ijaw communities by armed persons, suspected to be herders.

They said there has been an invasion of communities and farmlands of Ijaw and indeed Niger Delta people by these intruders who wield dangerous and lethal weapons.

They, therefore, called on the states in the Niger Delta region to properly enforce their anti-open grazing laws and protect lives and property.

They also demanded that residents be guaranteed access to their farms and make a living without fear and apprehension.

These remarks are contained in a communique issued on Wednesday by the National President of the INC, Benjamin Okaba.

The communique was signed after a one-day joint leadership meeting of the INC and the IYC held at the Ijaw House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa.

These herdsmen have carried out gruesome killings of our brothers and sisters in their communities and farmlands across Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers and Ondo States, among others.

The gory tales of the barbaric and dastardly acts of these agents of provocation have headlined reports, especially in the past couple of years, he said.

Among INC national officials in attendance were Atamuno Atamuno, first vice president; Ebipamowei Wodu, secretary; Philip Agu, treasurer; and Kenneth Odiowei, financial secretary.

Also, IYC officers in attendance included Frank Pukon, national secretary; Ebilade Ekerefe, national spokesperson; Clever Inodu, central zonal chairperson; Kroma Eleki, deputy chairperson, Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders; Austin Enekorogha, secretary; Gabriel Benamaisia, clerk, National Representative Council; and Ebiseri A. J, deputy leader, NRC.

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Mr Okaba, a professor, recalled a recent incident on 24 January, when some suspected armed herders were reported to have brutally murdered a father and his son at their farm in Toru-Angiama in the Patani Local Government Area of Delta State.

He said, On the 25th of January 2023, a woman was butchered in her farm at Sabagriea community in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Also in Bayelsa, suspected herdsmen, in February 2021, attacked a farmer and his son on their farm in Otuoke community, Ogbia Local Government Area.

The incessant violent invasions and attacks are designed to annex and control spaces and lands by these herdsmen and their masters with the sinister plot to subjugate Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta.

We strongly condemn in its entirety, all clandestine attempts laced with terrorist agenda by herdsmen and their masters to take over the bushes of Ijaw nation.

We are resolved to resist any attempts by strange elements to terrorise and chase away Ijaw people from their ancestral lands and heritage.

We support all anti-open grazing laws duly enacted by the Houses of Assembly of Niger Delta states and assented to by their governors to promote peace and sustainable development.

(NAN)

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The Defence Headquarters says the troops of Operation Delta Safe and other subsidiary operations have in the last two weeks discovered and destroyed 40 illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta region.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Musa Danmadami, a major general, made this known at bi-weekly news briefing on the operations of the armed forces on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr Danmadami said the troops also apprehended 53 suspected oil thieves and other criminals within the period in various operations across the South-south zone.

He said the troops had continued the war against oil theft and illegal refineries and other criminal activities through aggressive and increased tempo in raids and clearance operations as well as patrol amongst other activities.

According to him, the land, maritime, and air component of the operation Delta Safe conducted operational activities at the creeks, waterways, high sea, towns, cities of Bayelsa, Delta and River to checkmate the activities of criminal elements and deny them freedom of action.

Mr Danmadami said the troops, in the conduct of operation Octopus Grip had on 30 January discovered and destroyed 10 bags and five jerrican (25 litres) of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil along Tuomo-Atamasa flow line in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State as well as recovered a loaded double barrel gun.

He said the troops had on 3 February discovered and destroyed an illegal refining site, seven metal ovens, 12 metal drums, 10 dugout pits, six storage tanks and 47 cellophane bags containing illegally refined products.

Cumulatively, within the weeks under review, troops discovered and destroyed 40 illegal refining sites, 136 storage facilities, 66 ovens, 39 wooden boats, one generator, 11 vehicles and two tricycles.

Additionally, troops recovered 222,000 litres of suspected crude oil, 83,000 litres of illegal refined Automotive Gas Oil and 1000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene while 53 suspected economic saboteurs were arrested.

All recovered items and apprehended suspects have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action, he said.

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Mr Danmadami said the air component conducted air interdiction operations to several illegal refining sites and creeks at Lelekiri, Owoko and Biemekiri in Rivers as well as Ogiritoro in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom between 30 January and 3 February.

According to him, the air crew observed some sites to be active with illegal refining activities at the locations, while some were observed to have been abandoned.

The active targets locations were engaged with weapons and the locations were observed to have exploded in an inferno after the strike, while the illegal refining equipment were equally destroyed, he added.

In the South-east Zone, Mr Danmadami said that troops and other security agents had sustained the offensive against the activities of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals.

He said that the troops had within the period conducted operational activities in villages, forest, towns and cities of Anambra, Abia, Imo and Enugu states geared towards restoring peace and normalcy to the region.

He said the troops had within the period recovered three AK47 rifles, one dane gun, one double barrel gun, one SMG, one tear gas launcher, six locally made pistols, 22 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, and 11 AK47 magazines.

Also recovered are, 260 rounds of 223 Remington ammunitions, one travor 21 rifle loaded with 23 rounds of 5.56mm ammo,11 expended cartridges, political banners, one vehicle, Nigerian police personnel uniforms, combat boots, IPOB flyers, three motorcycles, and two mobile phones amongst others items.

Troops equally neutralised four terrorists and arrested nine terrorists.

All recovered items and apprehended suspects have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action, he said.

In the South-west Zone, defence spokesperson said the troops of Operation AWATSE had on 27 January apprehended a suspected criminal who was to waybill some arms in his possession at Iddo motor park in Lagos State.

He said the troops recovered one hand grenade, 25 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, one roll of wire alongside other items suspected to be used for Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) from the suspect.

Mr Danmadami added that the troops had on 30 January arrested 120 suspected drug peddlers during a raid on some communities in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State.

He said the troops recovered one locally fabricated pistol, 10kg of cannabis, five grains of methamphetamine, 3kg of tramadol, eight mobile phones, assorted charms amongst other items.

Elections

On the forthcoming general elections, the acting Director of Defence Information, Tukur Gusau, a brigadier general, reiterated the commitment of the armed forces to support the police to ensure peaceful polls.

Mr Gusau said that the military high command had made clear at different fora that it would only play supportive roles to the lead security agency during elections.

(NAN)

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The Ogun State Police Command has arrested all suspects involved in the killing of a couple, Kehinde Fatinoye and Bukola Fatinoye, on 1st January, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The killers also murdered their only surviving son, Oreoluwa Fatinoye, who was thrown into a river alongside a family friend.

While Master Oreoluwa died, the family friend survived and later escaped through the river bank.

Around 3:07 p.m. on Thursday, the Commands Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed this through a Facebook post.

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Mr Oyeyemi said three persons involved in the killing, including a prime suspect who had earlier escaped from police custody, Lekan Adekanbi, have all been arrested by the police.

When PREMIUM TIMES contacted Mr Oyeyemi for further details, he said there is a high chance that the suspects will be paraded later in the week.

The Killing

After killing the couple, the assailants burnt their remains and house, located in Ibara Government Reservation Area, Abeokuta.

The area is mainly occupied by elites in the city. The deceaseds residence is less than 400 meters from the residence of the former governor and sitting senator representing Ogun central, Ibikunle Amosun. It is also about 1 kilometre from the presidential lodge where Governor Dapo Abiodun currently lives.

Till their death, Mr Kehinde worked with the Central Bank of Nigeria, while his wife, Bukola, worked with the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

Mr and Mrs Fatinoye were murdered on 1st January by unknown assailants after returning home from a midnight service usually organised by churches to welcome a new year.

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Commercial banks refused to open for business on Thursday in Abeokuta, Ogun State to avoid further attacks by protesters.

Angry residents had taken to the streets to protest a scarcity of naira banknotes and a hike in the pump price of petrol.

The protests, which escalated on Tuesday, featured shootings and vandalisation of public and private properties.

Banks became the target of attacks across the state capital as protesters destroyed automated teller machines (ATM) at different points

One person was shot during an attempt by hoodlums to rob a branch of First Bank in Sapon, even as protesters engaged the police in a showdown in the area.

The mayhem reduced on Wednesday, allowing many banks to offer skeletal services.

But on Thursday, virtually all the banks in Abeokuta shut their gates while long queues remained at their ATM points.

When PREMIUM TIMES reporter visited some banks, customers said they were only standing on queues in hope that the machines would start dispensing cash.

A bank official who asked that her name not be mentioned for fear of reprimand, said: We are also going through a lot, even as bankers. We shouldnt be the target of any protest. As I speak with you now, all of us are in our houses until further notice and that is how it will remain because this sit-at-home order is an indefinite one by our management.

Even if we are asked to resume at a time that I find not safe, I will rather resign.

Residents of the state capital now face hardship as they have no means of getting cash.

Students stay away

During a visit to a campus of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), our reporter observed that attendance by students was scanty.

The Mass Communication department of the school which is usually bustling had very few people.

A student of the department, Abimbola Sadia, said students were already returning to their homes as it had become difficult to feed on campus.

Many of my friends have gone back to their houses, there is no money to feed. While many of us have money in our bank account and could not withdraw, others do not have money anywhere.

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For me, I only have N2,500 and I came to school today to submit an assignment and I am going straight to Lagos from here. Let me go to my parents, they will feed me.

The President of the Student Union Government of the school, Adelola Hezekiah, said students were facing hardship on two fronts.

Students have been going through a lot. Before now, cab and bus drivers have been complaining about the deplorable state of the road leading to our campus and this has forced most of them to stop plying our route.

Now fuel scarcity and pricing are the problem, while some can trek, alot of students have stayed away from the school. We appeal to the government to interfere in this shortage of naira and fuel crisis.

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Sweden's Symposion will distribute four Kavalan expressions

TAIPEI, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kavalan, Taiwan's premier whisky maker, has announced it is expanding to Sweden starting this month.

Kavalan CEO Mr YT Lee said the move reflected growth in international markets.

Kavalans entry-level Distillery Select No.1 is endowed with subtropical fruity sweetness.

"We are seeing strong demand for Kavalan in markets such as France and the UK, and we look forward to building on that growth in Sweden with the help of Symposion, which is family-run like Kavalan itself," he said.

"We believe Swedish drinkers will like the four award-winning expressions in stores from this month: Distillery Select No. 1, Triple Sherry Cask, Podium and Solist Vinho Barrique."

The Sweden portfolio ranges from the signature Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique (57.8% ABV) - named World Whiskies Awards' 2015 Best Single Malt - to the distillery's latest new release, Triple Sherry Cask (40% ABV), a gorgeous amalgamation of Pedro Ximenez, Moscatel and Oloroso sherry-aged whiskies.

All Kavalan expressions are single malt whisky made from pure barley in its distillery in Yilan County, on the island of Taiwan.

Expressions for Swedish Market

Kavalan Distillery Select No.1 Single Malt Whisky (ABV, 40) Vol 70cl Kavalan Triple Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky (ABV, 40) Vol 70cl Kavalan Podium Single Malt Whisky (ABV, 46) Vol 70cl Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (ABV, 50-59.9) Vol 70cl

About Symposion

Symposion is a family-run specialist in premium spirits, with a modern approach to a complex monopoly market. With more than 25 years' experience in Swedish off-trade, on-trade and travel retail channels, Symposion holds several market-leading positions. Symposion's distribution covers 100% of the Swedish alcohol market, including monopoly stores, restaurant wholesalers, bars, restaurants and travel retail.

About Kavalan Distillery

Kavalan Distillery in Yilan County has been pioneering the art of single malt whisky on the island of Taiwan since 2005. Our whisky, aged in intense humidity and heat, sources the meltwaters of Snow Mountain and is enhanced by sea and mountain breezes. All this combines to create Kavalan's signature creaminess. Taking Yilan County's old name, our distillery is backed by about 40 years of beverage-making under parent company, King Car Group. We have collected more than 700 gold awards or higher from the industry's most competitive contests. Visit www.kavalanwhisky.com

CONTACT:

Kaitlyn Tsai

kaitlyn@kingcar.com.tw

Britney Chen

britneychen@kingcar.com.tw

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1998422/01_Kavalan_Distillery_Select_No_1.jpg

SOURCE Kavalan
The Greatest Celebration of American Innovation will be held in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 25-26

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In conjunction with Thomas Edison's birthday and National Inventors Day on Feb. 11, the National Inventors Hall of Fame, in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), celebrates the induction of 16 innovation leaders for their world-changing inventions on Oct. 25-26 during the Greatest Celebration of American Innovation. The Induction Ceremony also will celebrate the 50th anniversary of NIHF's founding in 1973, when Thomas Edison was the sole Inductee.

16 Innovators to be Inducted as the National Inventors Hall of Fame Class of 2023

Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/9134251-national-inventors-hall-of-fame-class-of-2023/

The Class of 2023 includes:

Rodolphe Barrangou and Philippe Horvath : CRISPR-enhanced Food Products

Molecular biologists Rodolphe Barrangou and Philippe Horvath discovered that CRISPR sequences and associated proteins comprise an acquired immune system in bacteria. Applying their research to enhance starter cultures in the dairy industry, they improved the world's food supply and laid the foundation for the field of gene editing.

Robert G. Bryant : LaRC-SI (Langley Research Center-Soluble Imide)

A NASA chemist, Robert Bryant developed LaRC-SI (Langley Research Center-Soluble Imide), a polymer used as an insulation material for leads in implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy devices. LaRC-SI enables small, flexible, reliable leads that are easier to implant, benefiting patient outcomes.

Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna : CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing

Microbiologist Emmanuelle Charpentier and biochemist Jennifer Doudna co-invented the gene-editing system CRISPR-Cas9, creating a versatile technology that provided the means to edit genes on an unprecedented scale with extremely high precision. For this work, they won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020.

Lynn Conway : Very Large-Scale Integration (VLSI)

Lynn Conway and NIHF Inductee Carver Mead transformed the global microelectronics industry with their invention of VLSI, or Very Large-Scale Integration. This revolutionary technology, detailed in their groundbreaking textbook "Introduction to VLSI Systems," allowed small teams of individuals to design powerful chips.

Rory Cooper : Wheelchair Technology

Biomedical engineer Rory Cooper's innovations have improved manual and electric wheelchairs, and advanced the health, mobility and social inclusion of people with disabilities and older adults. His research has been informed by his own experience as a disabled U.S. Army veteran.

Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman : Modified mRNA Technology Used in COVID-19 Vaccines

Fundamental research by biochemist Katalin Kariko and immunologist Drew Weissman laid a critical piece of the foundation for the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. Crucial in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, several billion mRNA vaccine doses have been administered worldwide since December 2020 .

Luis von Ahn : reCAPTCHA

Computer scientist Luis von Ahn co-invented the website security program CAPTCHA, or Completely Automated Public Turing test for telling Computers and Humans Apart. He then created reCAPTCHA, furthering this work while assisting in digitizing books and other archives. He also co-founded Duolingo, whose online platform is the world's most popular way to learn languages.

Angela Hartley Brodie : Aromatase Inhibitors (Posthumous)

Angela Hartley Brodie discovered and developed a class of drugs called aromatase inhibitors, which can stop the production of hormones that fuel the growth of cancer cells. Aromatase inhibitors are among the leading therapies against breast cancer.

Marjorie Stewart Joyner : Permanent Wave Machine (Posthumous)

Marjorie Stewart Joyner invented a permanent wave machine in the 1920s. A beautician, salon owner, instructor and executive for the Madam C. J. Walker Co., she established beauty industry standards and powerfully advocated for civil rights.

Cyril Keller and Louis Keller : Bobcat Skid-Steer Loader (Posthumous)

Brothers Cyril and Louis Keller played a key role in launching the compact equipment industry in the late 1950s and early 1960s with their invention of the world's first compact loader, which became the Bobcat skid-steer loader.

James A. Parsons Jr. : Durimet 20 Stainless Steel Alloy (Posthumous)

Metallurgist James A. Parsons Jr. created corrosion-resistant, stainless steel alloy Durimet 20. Invented in the 1930s, the alloy is still widely used today in industrial processes that involve corrosive chemicals.

Roger Tsien : Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) Variants (Posthumous)

Biochemist Roger Tsien invented green fluorescent protein (GFP) variants. For his contributions to creating a full palette of fluorescent proteins that enable scientists to track multiple cellular processes simultaneously, he shared the 2008 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

For biographies of each Inductee, visit https://www.invent.org/inductees/new-inductees.

The two-day event will feature:

Illumination Ceremony, Oct. 25 : The ceremony will take place at the National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum at the USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia . This intimate event gives the 2023 Inductee class the opportunity to place their names on illuminated hexagons in the Gallery of Icons  exhibit, forever commemorating their induction into the Hall of Fame. Although this private event is open to the media, it is not open to the public.

The ceremony will take place at the National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum at the USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, . This intimate event gives the 2023 Inductee class the opportunity to place their names on illuminated hexagons in the Gallery of Icons exhibit, forever commemorating their induction into the Hall of Fame. 50th National Inventors Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Oct. 26 : This black-tie event will be held at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. The general reception begins at 6:30 p.m. with the formal dinner and awards ceremony beginning at 7 p.m. The night will conclude with an Innovation Celebration After Party at 9:30 p.m. , where guests will have the opportunity to meet the 2023 Inductees.

Sponsors of the National Inventors Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony include the USPTO, Qualcomm, Doosan Bobcat North America and North Carolina State University. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities for the Induction Ceremony, view sponsorship packages here.

Follow the National Inventors Hall of Fame Facebook and Twitter pages on Oct. 25-26 to receive updates from the event in real time.

The National Inventors Hall of Fame is the premier nonprofit organization in America dedicated to recognizing inventors and invention, promoting creativity, and advancing the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. Founded in 1973 in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, NIHF is committed to not only honoring the individuals whose inventions have made the world a better place, but to ensuring American ingenuity continues to thrive in the hands of coming generations through its national, hands-on educational programming and collegiate competitions focused on the exploration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. For more information, visit invent.org. To nominate an inventor for Induction, visit invent.org/nominate.

CONTACT:

Ken Torisky

National Inventors Hall of Fame

[email protected]

234-901-6085

SOURCE National Inventors Hall of Fame
CHANGSHA, China, Feb. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On February 6, two 7.8-magnitude earthquakes occurred in the southeast of Turkey from 4 am local time, causing heavy casualties and property losses. Knowing this, Zoomlion immediately dispatched a rescue team with excavators to Hatay province, where the disaster was serious.

Zoomlion Rescue teams work at the scene of an earthquake in Turkey Zoomlion rescue team assist in rescuing trapped people

As one of the first Chinese rescue forces to arrive at the scene, the Zoomlion rescue team has been fighting for more than 30 hours. At Turkish local time 3:00 pm on February 8, Zoomlion's rescue team has helped rescue more than 20 trapped people, and the search and rescue is still in intense progress.

After the earthquakes, according to the company's instructions, Zoomlion Turkey immediately dispatched a rescue team consisting of professional service engineers and operators, who carried electric blankets, emergency medicines, food, and other materials urgently needed in the disaster area, and shipped together the first five excavators, set off to the disaster area Hatay province overnight. They arrived at the scene at around 12:30 local time on February 7, making them one of the first Chinese rescue forces to arrive at the scene of the disaster area.

After arriving at the scene, five excavators of Zoomlion were assigned to different areas for rescue. Collapsed, broken and cracked buildings could be seen everywhere. At the first rescue, they encountered difficulties, due to the local power failure, some professional crushing tools could not be used, in order to ensure the safety of the trapped people, the rescue workers with hammer, awl, shovel and other tools by human dug out a rescue channel, after more than 3 hours, rescued the first trapped person.

"After our rescue team and excavators arrived at the scene, we immediately participated in the rescue of the trapped people in a 6-story collapsed building. So far, we have helped rescue four trapped people and are actively rescuing two sisters," said Mr. Yu Ke, a service engineer of Zoomlion who participated in the on-site rescue.

Another member of the Zoomlion rescue team, Mr. Huang Yunbing, who is a Zoomlion overseas service engineer said the shortage of generators had made it difficult to dismount the shattered house. "There was a little girl, about 15 years old, who impressed me very much. When I got into the rescue tunnel that had been cleared, I saw her under a mattress and a stone slab, with only her head visible and able to move, and she was crying weakly and painfully. After determining that we could use two jacks to lift the stone, we immediately took a jack from the car and borrowed one from a nearby rescue team. We successfully lifted the stone a little higher, and then pulled her out."

The rescue team's efforts gave the trapped people a steady stream of hope for life. At local time in Turkey 3:00 pm on February 8, after more than 30 hours of continuous fighting, Zoomlion rescue team had rescued more than 20 trapped people from the rubble.

"In addition to the first five excavators, now there are more than 20 Zoomlion excavators involved in the disaster area, we are still under the unified arrangement of local personnel, equipment and other resources, to ensure the smooth progress of rescue work, try to save more trapped people." Zoomlion Turkey subsidiary related responsible person said.

SOURCE Zoomlion
En una reunion con el gobernador regional de Ayacucho y cerca de 90 alcaldes provinciales y distritales de dicha jurisdiccion, la presidenta Dina Boluarte sostuvo que una prioridad del Gobierno es atender el cierre de brechas en agua y desague en el pais. pic.twitter.com/1kXilVV7Nn
1988's 1 Gram Pre-Rolled Blunts Feature 4Front's Top-Tier Flower Packed in Tobacco-Free Cones and Are Now Available to Massachusetts Cannabis Consumers;

New Line Set to Roll Out to Illinois Later This Year

PHOENIX, Ariz., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - 4Front Ventures Corp. ( CSE: FFNT ) ( OTCQX: FFNTF ) ("4Front" or the "Company"), a vertically integrated, multi-state cannabis operator and retailer, broadened its brand portfolio with the launch of 1988, a new line of flavored, tobacco-free blunts that feature the Company's top-tier flower. 1988 is now available at 4Front's Mission Dispensaries in Georgetown, Worcester and Brookline, Massachusetts . The new brand will continue to roll out to partner dispensaries in the Bay State and to Illinois cannabis consumers later this year.

4Front Ventures, a vertically integrated, multi-state cannabis operator and retailer, announced the launch of 1988, a new line of flavored, tobacco-free blunts that feature the Companys top-tier flower. Photo courtesy of 4Front Ventures. (CNW Group/4Front Ventures Corp.)

"1988  our latest addition to our suite of brands  is named for the year in which the term blunt was introduced to the world by way of hip-hop," said 4Front Ventures Executive Vice President Brandon Mills. "Strong and sophisticated, our take on this classic staple delivers a rich smoking experience and everything you love about blunts without the hassle of rolling your own. As we continue to demonstrate our ability to develop products that 'wow' consumers, we look forward to expanding 1988's product offerings and plan to launch infused blunts in the coming weeks, which will bring even more high-quality, consistent products to consumers."

The 1988 pre-rolled 1 gram blunts are packed full of 4Front's choice nugs, rolled into tobacco-free blunt cones and are available as singles in dube tubes. The filterless, slow-burning blunts are available in a variety of strains and flavors designed to enhance the strain's flavor profile and user experience.

About 4Front Ventures Corp.

4Front Ventures Corp. ("4Front" or the "Company") ( CSE: FFNT ) ( OTCQX: FFNTF ) is a national, vertically integrated multi-state cannabis operator that owns or manages operations and facilities in strategic medical and adult-use cannabis markets, including California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan and Washington. Since its founding in 2011, 4Front has built a strong reputation for its high standards and low-cost cultivation and production methodologies, earned through a track record of success in facility design, cultivation, genetics, growing processes, manufacturing, purchasing, distribution and retail. To date, 4Front has successfully brought to market more than 20 different cannabis brands and over 1,800 products, which are strategically distributed through its wholly owned-and-operated Mission dispensaries and retail outlets in its core markets. As the Company continues to drive value for its shareholders, its team is applying its decade of expertise in the sector across the cannabis industry value chain and ecosystem. For more information, visit https://4frontventures.com/ .

SOURCE 4Front Ventures Corp.
Current and former U.S. consultants gain seamless access to the Actalent Talent Community on mobile devices

HANOVER, Md., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Actalent, a leading engineering and sciences services and talent solutions company, today launched an exclusive new mobile app for current and former U.S. consultants. The Actalent Talent Community app gives these consultants seamless mobile access to Actalent's Talent Community portal. Through the app, consultants can log time and expenses, access information about their current project, connect quickly with their support team, and search for exclusive career opportunities including those not posted publicly.

The app was developed to supplement Actalent's consultant experience and create a platform for future enhancements. In 2022, Actalent made a series of updates to the Talent Community based on consultant feedback, including improving its user experience through refreshed design and navigation.

"It's critical that our technology reflects the same level of care we show our consultants at Actalent," said Robert Barsamian, director of technology at Actalent. "We're committed to listening to our consultants and continuously making improvements, and launching this app is just the first step in that journey. We look forward to making our Talent Community platform even better by delivering additional features and greater functionality in 2023, and beyond."

Current and former U.S. consultants can log in to the Actalent Talent Community for a download link and more details. An app for Canadian consultants will be coming later this year.

About Actalent

Actalent connects passion with purpose. We're supporting critical engineering and sciences initiatives that advance how companies serve the world. With almost 40 years of experience, our scalable engineering and sciences services and talent solutions provide the expertise our customers need to achieve more. Actalent's global footprint and flexible delivery models ensure access to specialized talent where and when you need it. Follow us on LinkedIn and learn more at actalentservices.com .

Actalent is an operating company of Allegis Group, the global leader in talent solutions.

SOURCE Actalent
CONCORD, Mass., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Adiso Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company committed to creating medicines that treat inflammatory diseases and improve the lives of patients and their families, has appointed Srikar Guntaka, M.D., as its Medical Director. In the newly created role, Dr. Guntaka will leverage his decade of medical affairs and clinical development experience to help Adiso progress its pipeline of novel, differentiated therapies for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Most recently Dr. Srikar served as Medical Director, Clinical Development lead at Mirum Pharmaceuticals leading all aspects of global development for multiple indications of volixibat in adults.

"We are excited to welcome Srikar during this critical period for the company and our pipeline," said Adiso CEO Scott Megaffin. "His therapeutic expertise in immunology and gastrointestinal diseases as well as his ability to execute later stage trials align well with our objective to advance ADS051 for ulcerative colitis and build on the excellent preclinical work for ADS032, a dual NLRP3/NLRP1 inflammasome inhibitor."

"I am delighted to join Adiso, a dynamic company making significant progress in the advancement of locally acting multimodal therapies for inflammatory disease, that are more effective and potentially far less immunosuppressive than those currently available," said Dr. Guntaka. "The company's mission is centered on really listening to patients to improve their lives and those of their family members and this resonated with me as a healthcare provider."

Dr. Guntaka has extensive experience in developing therapeutics for inflammatory diseases. Prior to Adiso and Mirum, he was Associate Medical Director, Gastroenterology (US Medical Affairs) at Abbvie where he provided strategic and operational input into core medical affairs activities. Before that, Dr. Guntaka was Sr. Manager, Clinical Development (LS&O) at Baxter Healthcare where he collaborated with medical affairs, pharmacovigilance, regulatory affairs and commercial organizations to drive clinical development programs. In addition, Dr. Guntaka is a published author of numerous papers and presentations. He received his M.D. from Sri Ramachandra Medical College & Research Institute.

About Adiso:

Adiso is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the lives of patients and their families by creating new medicines to treat inflammatory diseases. This dedication is epitomized by our lead clinical candidates, ADS051, an oral, gut-restricted modulator of neutrophil trafficking and activation for the treatment of ulcerative colitis; ADS032, a dual NLRP3/NLRP1 inflammasome inhibitor initially being developed for inflammatory diseases of the lung; and ADS024, an oral single strain live biotherapeutic product (SS-LBP) for the treatment of ulcerative colitis and prevention of C. difficile recurrence. Adiso has built these development programs upon a rich history of institutional and academic collaboration, including the University College Cork, Ireland, the APC Microbiome Institute, the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, the Hudson Institute of Medical Sciences Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases in Australia and the University of Edinburgh Centre for Inflammation Research. For more information, please visit www.adisotx.com or our LinkedIn page.

Contacts

Argot Partners

Media: Sarah Sutton/Liza Sullivan

IR: Jason Finkelstein

[email protected]

212.600.1902

Adiso Therapeutics, Inc.

Jennifer Locke, Chief Operating & Business Officer

[email protected]

978.202.4335

SOURCE Adiso Therapeutics
Fifty-nine percent of public schools are using tailored accelerated instructional strategies to support their students' learning recovery

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Public school leaders estimated that about half49 percentof their students began the 2022-23 year behind grade level in at least one academic subject, according to data released today by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the statistical center within the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences (IES). Almost all public schools with students behind grade level in at least one academic subject reported that at least some students were behind grade level in English or mathematics.

"Many students were behind grade level at the start of the current academic year, including in core academic subjects like English and mathematics," said NCES Commissioner Peggy G. Carr. "Both this school year and last school year, public school leaders estimated that about half of their students began the school year behind grade level in at least one academic subject. These data suggest that academic recovery will take time. Additional data show that public schools are employing a combination of learning recovery strategies to help students get back on track."

Public schools have implemented a wide variety of learning recovery strategies as of December 2022, when the data were collected. Most public schools have relied on diagnostic (88 percent) and formative (85 percent) assessment data to identify individual students' academic needs, and 81 percent of public schools have used remedial instruction techniques (i.e., using content from prior years to teach concepts or skills). Over half (59 percent) of public schools have used tailored accelerated instruction (i.e., teacher-led individualized learning using new, grade-level content to teach prior-grade concepts or skills).

In addition to the strategies mentioned above, most public schools provide some type of tutoring to their students (83 percent). Thirty-seven percent of public schools offer high-dosage tutoring (HDT). Among these schools, 42 percent report that more of their students are receiving HDT this year than did during the previous school year. In addition to HDT, schools are offering other types of tutoring, including standard tutoring (59 percent) and self-paced tutoring (22 percent).

"The School Pulse Panel is an innovative and valuable tool in understanding how the pandemic has affected the condition of education," said IES Director Mark Schneider. "NCES and IES are committed to collecting high quality data to inform education policy and improve practices in support of learning recovery."

The findings released today are from the School Pulse Panel. The School Pulse Panel is part of NCES's innovative approach to delivering timely information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on public K12 schools in the U.S. on topics such as learning recovery, tutoring offerings, learning mode offerings, and quarantine prevalence, as reported by school staff in U.S. public schools. Data from this round were collected from 1,026 participating public schools between December 8 and December 22, 2022.

This is the latest experimental data product from the School Pulse Panel. Experimental data products are innovative statistical products created using new data sources or methodologies. Experimental data may not meet all NCES quality standards but are of sufficient benefit to data users in the absence of other relevant products to justify release. NCES clearly identifies experimental data products upon their release.

The data released today can be found on the School Pulse Panel dashboard at https://ies.ed.gov/schoolsurvey/.

Key Findings

Supporting Learning Recovery

Entering the 2022-23 school year, public schools estimated that, on average, 49 percent of their students began the year behind grade level in at least one academic subject.

Among public schools with students behind grade level in at least one academic subject, almost all reported that at least some students were behind in English (99 percent) or mathematics (99 percent).

As of December 2022 , public schools have enacted a wide variety of strategies to support their students' learning recovery.

, public schools have enacted a wide variety of strategies to support their students' learning recovery. More than eight in ten public schools have relied on diagnostic (88 percent) and formative (85 percent) assessment data to identify individual students' academic needs.



Eighty-one percent of public schools have utilized remedial instruction techniques (i.e., using content from prior years to teach concepts or skills), while over half (59 percent) have utilized tailored accelerated instruction (i.e., teacher-led individualized learning using new, grade-level content to teach prior-grade concepts or skills).



Fifty-eight percent of public schools have provided professional development (PD) for their teachers and staff on learning recovery, and 37 percent have hired additional staff to provide more small-group and individual instruction.

Tutoring

In addition to strategies mentioned above, most public schools provide some type of tutoring to their students (83 percent).

Thirty-seven percent of public schools offer high-dosage tutoring (HDT), which is defined as tutoring that takes place for at least 30 minutes per session, one-on-one or in small group instruction, offered three or more times per week, is provided by educators or well-trained tutors, and aligns with an evidence-based core curriculum or program. It is also referred to as evidence-based or high-quality tutoring.

Forty-two percent of public schools offering HDT report that more of their students are receiving HDT during this school year compared to the previous school year (2021-22).



Of public schools offering HDT, 57 percent report that teachers who have received training or PD in tutoring administer HDT at their school. Additionally, aides who have received training or PD in tutoring and subject-areas specialists are commonly reported as staff who administer HDT (reported by 46 and 39 percent of schools, respectively).



The majority of public schools offering HDT do so through pull-out services during regular instruction (64 percent), in the classroom during regular instruction (52 percent), and after school (51 percent).



Sixty percent of public schools offering HDT "moderately" or "strongly agree" that they are able to effectively provide HDT to all students who need it.

Fifty-nine percent of public schools offer standard tutoring (SDT), which is defined as a less intensive method of tutoring that may take place in one-on-one, small group, or large group settings, is offered less than three times per week, and is provided by educators who may or may not have received specific training in tutoring practices.

Thirty percent of public schools offering SDT report that more of their students are receiving SDT during this school year compared to the previous school year (2021-22).



Of public schools offering SDT, 41 percent report that teachers who have received training or PD in tutoring administer SDT. Additionally, aides who have received training or PD in tutoring and teachers who have not received specialized training in tutoring are frequently commonly reported as staff who administer SDT (reported by 38 and 37 percent of schools, respectively).



The majority of schools offering SDT do so after school (67 percent). Forty-seven percent do so during regular instruction in the classroom, and 46 percent do so through pull-out services during regular instruction.



Fifty-eight percent of schools offering SDT "moderately" or "strongly agree" that they are able to effectively provide SDT to all students who need it.

Twenty-two percent of public schools offer self-paced tutoring (SPT), which is defined as a method of tutoring in which students work on their own, typically online, where they are provided guided instruction that allows them to move on to new material after displaying mastery of content.

Twenty-four percent of public schools offering SPT report that more of their students are receiving SPT during this school year compared to the previous school year (2021-22).



The majority of public schools offering SPT do so during regular instruction in the classroom (61 percent). Forty-three percent do so after school, and 29 percent do so through pull-out services during regular instruction.



Sixty-four percent of public schools offering SPT "moderately" or "strongly agree" that they are able to effectively provide SPT to all students who need it.

Learning Modes and Quarantine Prevalence

In December 2022 , 99 percent of public schools offered in-person learning, 14 percent offered full-time remote learning, and 5 percent offered hybrid learning.

, 99 percent of public schools offered in-person learning, 14 percent offered full-time remote learning, and 5 percent offered hybrid learning. In December 2022 , 36 percent of public schools reported having to quarantine students (an increase from 30 percent in November 2022 ), and 27 percent reported having to quarantine staff members (an increase from 18 percent in November 2022 ).

The National Center for Education Statistics, a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, is the statistical center of the U.S. Department of Education and the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to education in the U.S. and other nations. NCES fulfills a congressional mandate to collect, collate, analyze, and report complete statistics on the condition and progress of American education; conduct and publish reports; and review and report on education activities internationally.

Follow NCES on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube and subscribe to the NCES Newsflash to receive email notifications when new data is released.

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is the independent and nonpartisan statistics, research, and evaluation arm of the U.S. Department of Education. Its mission is to provide scientific evidence on which to ground education practice and policy and to share this information in formats that are useful and accessible to educators, parents, policymakers, researchers, and the public.

CONTACT:

Josh Delarosa, National Center for Education Statistics, [email protected]

James Elias, Hager Sharp, [email protected]

SOURCE National Center for Education Statistics
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Last month released Mending the Tapestry, a follow-up to its 2017 report that explores how the trust gap manifests in the interactions between the business ecosystem and Black-owned businesses.

Building on the insights of those reports, AEO proudly announced the launch of the The Tapestry Registry. This initiative is focused on mapping the work of Business Service Organizations (BSOs)with the shared goal of advancing Black business development.

The Tapestry Registry is a unique online registry and platform designed to help broaden the reach of organizations that support Black-owned businesses by connecting them and their work with funders, investors, small business owners and other potential collaborators.

"The Tapestry Registry will provide a much needed vehicle to share innovations essential to amplifying the growth of Black firms," said AEO President and CEO Connie Evans. "There are organizations out there that are doing remarkable things. We want to publicize their stories, broaden their reach, get them more funding, and connect them with like-minded collaborators to implement solutions that will eradicate these barriers that are affecting the success of Black-owned businesses."

For practitioners, the Tapestry Registry connects their existing projects and innovations that support Black business development with opportunities for funding and partnership. For funders and investors, the Tapestry Project creates a marketplace of viable, fundable, and investable projects by providing a clear view of the Black business landscape and the resource gaps that exist within it.

To view or join the Tapestry Registry, visit https://tapestry.aeoworks.org/ .

ABOUT AEO

The Association for Enterprise Opportunity is the leading voice of innovation for microfinance and microbusiness. Our mission is to create economic opportunity for underserved entrepreneurs throughout the United States. We engineer transformational change through research, convening, incubation, and advocacy to foster a robust and inclusive marketplace. For more information, please visit www.aeoworks.org

Media Contact

Corey Briscoe

Vice President, Strategic Engagement & Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Association for Enterprise Opportunity
HOUSTON, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AllianceHCM, one of the nation's largest privately-held human capital management (HCM) software providers, announced today its partnership with Quality Supply Chain Co-op, Inc. (QSCC), the independent purchasing cooperative for Wendy's restaurants.

This partnership opens up more workforce management software choices for QSCC members, who will receive a preferred price for AllianceHCM's payroll and workforce technology.

QSCC works with leading suppliers and distributors to provide Wendy's restaurants with quality products and services. Tweet this

QSCC works with leading suppliers and distributors to provide Wendy's restaurants with quality products and services. It is one of the largest purchasing cooperatives in the quick-service restaurant industry, with approximately $4 billion in buying power.

As a QSCC partner, AllianceHCM will provide industry-leading HR and payroll technology solutions to member restaurants. AllianceHCM optimizes its payroll and HR technology to best serve operators, general managers, and team members for multi-unit restaurant owners.

"We have a long history working with leading QSR brands like Wendy's," said AllianceHCM President Matt Umholtz. "This partnership with QSCC gives us the opportunity to work more closely with owners and operators to provide payroll and HR services for their employees. We speak to restaurant operators daily, and our dedicated support team is well attuned to what restaurant experts need for their workforces."

QSCC CEO & President Pete Suerken said, "We were impressed by the feedback from existing AllianceHCM restaurant clients, who consistently spoke of exceptional customer service as well as their agility in adapting to new or changing compliance requirements. QSCC is excited to partner with AllianceHCM on behalf of our members."

About AllianceHCM

Alliance Human Capital Management (HCM) is committed to providing the latest workforce technology backed by the most personalized customer service in the industry. Since 1989, we've listened to our users and worked to meet thousands of business owners' unique needs to provide a superior HCM solution and unrivaled client support. Our proprietary online system delivers streamlined applicant tracking, video interviewing, paperless onboarding, Work Opportunity Tax Credits (WOTC) management, employee self-service, payroll processing, HR management, benefits enrollment, timekeeping, expense management, COVID tracking, and more, all within one complete system. You can easily manage employee data from applicant to retirement with AllianceHCM. With an outstanding solution and unparalleled service, we're the HCM provider you've been looking for. See our complete HCM solutions .

About QSCC

Quality Supply Chain Co-op, Inc. (QSCC) was founded in 2010 and is the independent purchasing cooperative for the Wendy's System based in Dublin, Ohio. QSCC is the second-largest purchasing cooperative in the quick-service restaurant industry with nearly $4 billion in buying power and supports more than 6,000 Wendy's restaurants in the United States and Canada. To learn more about QSCC and how to become a supplier or distribution partner, visit www.wqscc.com and connect with us on LinkedIn .

SOURCE AllianceHCM
NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Alzheimer's Disease Therapeutics Market by Drug Class and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026 report has been published by Technavio. Market size is forecast to grow by USD 3.99 billion between 2021 and 2026 at a CAGR of 8.76%. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of growth opportunities at regional levels, new product launches, the latest trends, and the post-pandemic recovery of the global market. Download A PDF Sample Report

Regional analysis

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Alzheimers Disease Therapeutics Market

By region, the global alzheimers disease therapeutics market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW). North America will account for 37% of market growth during the forecast period. The increasing funding for the development of novel therapeutics to treat Alzheimer's disease will facilitate the AD therapeutics market growth in North America over the forecast period. Buy the report

Company profiles

The alzheimers disease therapeutics market report includes information on the key products and recent developments of leading vendors, including:

AbbVie Inc. - The company offers Alzheimer disease therapeutics products such as NAMENDA XR.

The company offers Alzheimer disease therapeutics products such as NAMENDA XR. Aurobindo Pharma Ltd. - The company offers Alzheimer disease therapeutics products such as Galantamine Tablets USP 4mg, 8mg and 12mg.

The company offers Alzheimer disease therapeutics products such as Galantamine Tablets USP 4mg, 8mg and 12mg. Eisai Co. Ltd. - The company offers Alzheimer disease therapeutics products such as ADUHELM.

Market dynamics

The market is driven by factors such as availability, research, and development of novel biomarkers, increasing awareness of alzheimers disease, and the strong pipeline coupled with approval of therapeutics. However, the high cost of therapeutics development might hamper the market growth.

Competitive analysis

The competitive scenario provided in the alzheimers disease therapeutics market report analyzes, evaluates, and positions companies based on various performance indicators. Some of the factors considered for this analysis include the financial performance of companies over the past few years, growth strategies, product innovations, new product launches, investments, growth in market share, etc. Request a Sample

Market segmentation

By drug class, the market is segmented into cholinesterase inhibitors, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists, and other drug class. The cholinesterase inhibitors segment accounted for the largest share of the market in 2021.

By geography, the market is segmented as North America , Europe , Asia , and Rest of World (ROW). North America held the largest share of the market in 2021.

Related reports:

The colorectal cancer therapeutics market share is expected to increase to USD 2.45 bn from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 5.43%. Furthermore, this report extensively covers colorectal cancer therapeutics market segmentation by type (targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy) and geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW)).

The gastrointestinal stromal tumors therapeutics market share is expected to increase by USD 1.08 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 5.97%. Furthermore, this report extensively covers the gastrointestinal stromal tumors therapeutics market segmentation by route of administration (oral and parenteral) and geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and the Rest of the World (ROW)).

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What are the Key Data Covered in this alzheimer's disease (AD) therapeutics market Report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2022-2026

Detailed information on factors that will drive AD therapeutics market growth during the next five years

Precise estimation of the AD therapeutics market size and its contribution to the parent market

Accurate predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behaviour

The growth of the Alzheimer's disease therapeutics industry across North America , Europe , Asia , and Rest of World (ROW)

, , , and Rest of World (ROW) A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of AD therapeutics market vendors

Alzheimers Disease Therapeutics Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 138 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 8.76% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 3.99 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 8.41 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW) Performing market contribution North America at 37% Key countries US, Canada, UK, Germany, Japan, and China Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled AB Science SA, AbbVie Inc., AgeneBio Inc., Aurobindo Pharma Ltd., Biogen Inc., Denali Therapeutics Inc., Eisai Co. Ltd., Eli Lilly and Co., Grifols SA, H Lundbeck AS, Johnson and Johnson, Lupin Ltd., Neuronascent Inc., Novartis AG, Shanghai Green Valley Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Spinogenix Inc., T3D Therapeutics Inc., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Viatris Inc., and Vivoryon Therapeutics AG Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, and Market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market Overview

Exhibit 01: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Overview



Exhibit 02: Executive Summary  Data Table on Market Overview



Exhibit 03: Executive Summary  Chart on Global Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market by Geography



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Drug Class



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 09: Parent market



Exhibit 10: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market Definition

Exhibit 11: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 12: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2021

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021-2026

Exhibit 13: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 14: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 16: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

4 Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 17: Five forces analysis - Comparison between2021 and 2026

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 18: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2021 and 2026

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 19: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 20: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 21: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 22: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 23: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2021 and 2026

5 Market Segmentation by Drug Class

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 24: Chart on Drug Class - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 25: Data Table on Drug Class - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Drug Class

Exhibit 26: Chart on Comparison by Drug Class



Exhibit 27: Data Table on Comparison by Drug Class

5.3 Cholinesterase inhibitors - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 28: Chart on Cholinesterase inhibitors - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 29: Data Table on Cholinesterase inhibitors - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 30: Chart on Cholinesterase inhibitors - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Cholinesterase inhibitors - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.4 N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 32: Chart on N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 33: Data Table on N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 34: Chart on N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.5 Other drug class - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 36: Chart on Other drug class - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Other drug class - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 38: Chart on Other drug class - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Other drug class - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.6 Market opportunity by Drug Class

Exhibit 40: Market opportunity by Drug Class ($ million)

6 Customer Landscape

6.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 41: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

7 Geographic Landscape

7.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 42: Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)

7.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 44: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 45: Data Table on Geographic comparison

7.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 46: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 47: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 48: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 49: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 50: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 51: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 52: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 53: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.5 Asia - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 54: Chart on Asia - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 55: Data Table on Asia - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 56: Chart on Asia - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 57: Data Table on Asia - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.6 Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 58: Chart on Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 59: Data Table on Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 60: Chart on Rest of World (ROW) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 61: Data Table on Rest of World (ROW) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.7 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 62: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 63: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 64: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 65: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.8 Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 66: Chart on Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 67: Data Table on Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 68: Chart on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 69: Data Table on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.9 UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 70: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 71: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 72: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 73: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.10 Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 74: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 75: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 76: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 77: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.11 Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 78: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 79: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 80: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 81: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.12 China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 82: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 83: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 84: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 85: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 86: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

8.1 Market drivers

8.2 Market challenges

8.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 87: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026

8.4 Market trends

9 Vendor Landscape

9.1 Overview

9.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 88: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

9.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 89: Overview on factors of disruption

9.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 90: Impact of key risks on business

10 Vendor Analysis

10.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 91: Vendors covered

10.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 92: Matrix on vendor position and classification

10.3 AbbVie Inc.

Exhibit 93: AbbVie Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 94: AbbVie Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 95: AbbVie Inc. - Key offerings

10.4 Aurobindo Pharma Ltd.

Exhibit 96: Aurobindo Pharma Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 97: Aurobindo Pharma Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 98: Aurobindo Pharma Ltd. - Key offerings

10.5 Eisai Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 99: Eisai Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 100: Eisai Co. Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 101: Eisai Co. Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 102: Eisai Co. Ltd. - Segment focus

10.6 Eli Lilly and Co.

Exhibit 103: Eli Lilly and Co. - Overview



Exhibit 104: Eli Lilly and Co. - Product / Service



Exhibit 105: Eli Lilly and Co. - Key offerings

10.7 H Lundbeck AS

Exhibit 106: H Lundbeck AS - Overview



Exhibit 107: H Lundbeck AS - Product / Service



Exhibit 108: H Lundbeck AS - Key offerings

10.8 Johnson and Johnson

Exhibit 109: Johnson and Johnson - Overview



Exhibit 110: Johnson and Johnson - Business segments



Exhibit 111: Johnson and Johnson - Key news



Exhibit 112: Johnson and Johnson - Key offerings



Exhibit 113: Johnson and Johnson - Segment focus

10.9 Lupin Ltd.

Exhibit 114: Lupin Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 115: Lupin Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 116: Lupin Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 117: Lupin Ltd. - Key offerings

10.10 Novartis AG

Exhibit 118: Novartis AG - Overview



Exhibit 119: Novartis AG - Business segments



Exhibit 120: Novartis AG - Key offerings



Exhibit 121: Novartis AG - Segment focus

10.11 Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

Exhibit 122: Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 123: Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 124: Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 125: Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 126: Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. - Segment focus

10.12 Viatris Inc.

Exhibit 127: Viatris Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 128: Viatris Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 129: Viatris Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 130: Viatris Inc. - Segment focus

11 Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 131: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 132: Exclusions checklist

11.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 133: Currency conversion rates for US$

11.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 134: Research methodology



Exhibit 135: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 136: Information sources

11.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 137: List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
SOUTH BEND, Ind., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Army Contracting Command Detroit Arsenal today awarded leading global military mobility solutions provider, AM General, a 5-year (plus 5-year option) contract to manufacture an estimated 20,000 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV) along with approximately 10,000 trailers and includes implementation of technology enhancements for delivery to the US Armed Forces.

AM General is honored to receive the JLTV contract and continue their strong partnership with the US Armed Forces. Tweet this The JLTV will be produced in a dedicated, military production facility at the 96-acre AM General Mishawaka Manufacturing Campus (MMC) in Indiana.

"We are humbled and honored to receive this contract and continue our strong partnership with the US Armed Forces. The effort that we put into our winning proposal is testament to our commitment to serve those who serve to protect us," said Jim Cannon, AM General President and CEO. "It was with the Warfighters in mind that we set out to not only demonstrate our world-class manufacturing capabilities, but also to integrate innovative solutions into the JLTV so they receive the best product for their mission."

AM General is well positioned to evolve next generation JLTVs to meet mission demands across the full range of military operations. The company's core capability of Light Tactical Vehicle (LTV) development and production, coupled with their R.I.D.E (Responsive, Integrity, Dynamic, Excellence) values and culture, ensure that the end user is well equipped and supported on the battlefield. Further, AM General combines unmatched (LTV) program experience with proven transformative commercial manufacturing initiatives, like their Smart Factory, Automated Guided Vehicle System (AGV), Radio Frequency Identification/Global Positioning System (RFID/GPS) traceability, and rigorous International Automotive Task Force (IATF) 16949 certified Quality Management System (QMS) standards to produce and deliver JLTVs equipped with technical enhancements that surpass requirements. Some of the JLTV technology enhancements include enhanced corrosion protection and improved fuel efficiency in addition to continuous developments for an updated Next Generation Vehicle Architecture.

The JLTV will be produced in a dedicated, military production facility at their 96-acre Mishawaka Manufacturing Campus (MMC) in Indiana. MMC features an onsite test track where JLTVs will undergo testing in a dynamic operating environment. These dedicated facilities underpin the company's readiness to execute a smooth transition for JLTV production, quality testing, and delivery. Deliveries are expected to begin 17 months after contract award.

About AM General

AM General engineers, manufactures, and supports specialized vehicles for military and commercial customers. Their global presence of diverse product offerings in over 70 countries uniquely positions them to enhance interoperability across Allies and build on their long-standing defense industry and automotive partnerships. AM General's innovative spirit delivers advanced, rugged, resilient, and dependable mobility solutions that will move you. With a well-rounded product portfolio, which includes the iconic HUMVEE vehicles, Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), the next-generation HUMVEE Saber light tactical truck that has enhanced levels of protection, and the revolutionary soft recoil technology for mobile platforms, AM General strives to offer continuous improvement that is ready now. AM General has extensive experience meeting the changing needs of the defense and automotive industries, supported by its employees at major facilities in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, and a strong supplier base that stretches across 43 states. Please see more information about AM General at www.amgeneral.com .

Distribution A: Approved for Public Release

Media Contact: Deborah Reyes, Sr. Director, Global Marketing and Strategic Communications

E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE AM General LLC
Nevados to provide all-terrain solar trackers that reduce construction costs, time, and risks under long-term supply agreement with Ampliform

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nevados Engineering, Inc., the solar tracker company that is transforming utility-scale PV deployment, has signed a strategic partnership and long-term agreement to supply its integrated technology platform of all-terrain solar trackers and energy optimization software to Ampliform, a US-based solar project developer, operator and asset owner. Ampliform has standardized on the Nevados platform for all of its tracker needs across every location in its near-term project pipeline of 700 MW for 2023-2025 construction as well as its longer-term pipeline of 2 GW of projects under development.

Ampliform has standardized on the Nevados platform for all of its tracker needs. Tweet this Nevados All Terrain trackers installed on rolling terrain in a utility-scale solar project in Utah.

"We selected Nevados because their all-terrain solar tracker eliminates the need for costly, risky, and destructive mass grading for every site in our portfolio  and their team is a pleasure to work with," commented Robert Stoever, Senior Vice President, EPC of Ampliform. "Partnering with Nevados will make our solar investments more profitable while preserving the natural vegetation and topography of the land. It's a win for our company and for the planet."

To kick off the partnership, Nevados will supply 48 MW of all-terrain trackers for two Ampliform projects currently under construction in Pennsylvania. As is standard for all customers, Nevados will also provide performance optimization with their TRACE software and full-service project management, design optimization, and engineering support for all Ampliform projects regardless of size.

"We are thrilled to support Ampliform because our product is a perfect match for their hilly portfolio," commented Yezin Taha, CEO of Nevados. "Yet the benefits of Nevados' technology and partner-centric business model go beyond the challenges of uneven terrain. Our integrated solar tracking platform will create new project opportunities for Ampliform by reducing their civil engineering and construction costs and improving system performance one row at a time."

The Nevados solar tracking platform is engineered for:

Faster construction: Nevados solar trackers are designed to fully eliminate site grading in projects with uneven terrain. This avoids time and cost-intensive permitting, construction, and revegetation steps, and dramatically accelerates project schedules.

Flexibility: Nevados offers the most flexible tracker solution on the market with proprietary bearings that allow for installation on slopes up to 37% with slope changes as great as 26% across a foundation.

Performance: Row-specific tracking algorithms, controls and tilt schedules improve energy yield in Nevados projects at a granular level. Gaps in bearings also improve bifacial gains.

Ease of installation: Non-continuous torque tubes, shorter pilings and large tolerances simplify and speed up the installation process of Nevados trackers. Solar modules self-align during installation with top-clamp clips that can easily accommodate different module sizes.

Resilience: Nevados' torque tube and damper designs improve wind performance and are proven to withstand hurricane-force winds with zero structural damage.

To learn more, visit Nevados at Intersolar North America, Booth #19 from February 14th to 16th in Long Beach, California.

About Nevados

Nevados is the premier solar tracker company for PV power plants built on sloped and rolling terrain. We offer innovative all-terrain trackers paired with a comprehensive software suite in an integrated technology platform that optimizes solar performance, improves plant reliability, and respects the natural landscape. Headquartered in San Francisco and backed by institutional capital, Nevados is transforming utility-scale PV deployment with our tracking solutions and partnership approach. Our mission is to pioneer sustainable solar solutions to preserve the earth for today and for tomorrow. To learn more, please visit www.nevados.solar.

About Ampliform

Ampliform originates, develops, builds, operates, and optimizes utility-scale solar and solar + storage projects in the United States. Ampliform is led by a team of veteran developers, investors and operators in the energy sector with collectively more than 100 years of management experience. Ampliform's team has originated and developed multiple gigawatts of solar energy projects and overseen several gigawatts of power generation investments. For more information, and to contact Ampliform, please visit www.ampliform.com.

SOURCE Nevados
Seguimos llevando ayuda a los mas necesitados!#Ahora Ministro @JChavezCresta supervisa envio de mas de 26 toneladas de alimentos a Madre de Dios y Puno, a fin de abastecer a poblacion afectada por bloqueo de carreteras. Lo acompana la titular de @MimpPeru#NuestraMisionElPeru???? pic.twitter.com/CElYmuNkYn
NEW YORK, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Anchin , a premier accounting and advisory firm, has announced that they have won the Best of Accounting Award for providing superior service to their clients. ClearlyRated's Best of Accounting Award winners have proven to be industry leaders in service quality based entirely on ratings provided by their clients. On average, clients of 2023 Best of Accounting winners are more than 70% more likely to be satisfied than those who work with non-winning firms.

A recent client survey resulted in Anchin receiving satisfaction scores much higher than the industry average. In addition, Anchin received a Net Promoter Score of 80.3%, significantly higher than the industry's average of 39% in 2022.

"For a century, Anchin has prioritized exceptional service and we are proud and honored to be recognized for our efforts in this way." Russell B. Shinsky, Anchin's Managing Partner, said. "We attribute this achievement to both the home-grown and lateral talent we've steadily cultivated year after year. This fuels our independent, partner-owned best place to work culture, and enables us to invest in our clients and treat them as the VIPs that they are. In fact, VIP is also short for our forward-looking tagline, which is Vision  Insight  Possibilities (VIP), and we strive to bring each of these to our client relationships as well."

"We are thrilled to be celebrating our 100th Anniversary of stability and growth, while much of the accounting industry is experiencing consolidation. We will continue to provide the reliability that many businesses, funds, and high-net-worth individuals and families are seeking during these times to achieve optimal results for our clients. Our coordinated, industry-focused teams are able to find opportunities in the current business and tax environment and provide clients the timely attention they need to succeed."

"I am pleased to introduce the 2023 Best of Accounting winners alongside their validated service ratings on ClearlyRated.com," said ClearlyRated's CEO, Eric Gregg. "These firms have demonstrated a remarkable commitment to delivering amazing experiences, despite another year of upheaval and macroeconomic uncertainty."

About Anchin

Anchin is a leading accounting, tax and advisory firm, specializing in the needs of privately held companies, investment funds and high-net-worth individuals and families. Its highly-focused industry specialization helps clients overcome challenges and achieve their financial objectives with exceptional confidence. Consistently recognized in respected "best of" lists for service, firm management and employee satisfaction, Anchin prioritizes partner-level engagement, and commitment to employee happiness. The full-service firm, with a staff of 450, including more than 60 partners, provides a wide range of assurance, financial reporting, tax and advisory services, including tax strategies and compliance; tax credits and incentives; state and local and international tax strategies, family office strategies management and succession advisory; growth, transition and exit strategies; transaction advisory; client accounting advisory services; cybersecurity and digital risk solutions; and litigation support, forensic accounting and valuation services. Anchin has offices in New York City, Uniondale, New York, and in Boca Raton, Florida, and is an independent member of BKR International, a network of more than 160 firms with over 500 offices in over 80 countries around the world. Discover what's possible by visiting us online at anchin.com.

About Best of Accounting

ClearlyRated's Best of Accounting Award recognizes accounting firms that have demonstrated exceptional service quality based exclusively on ratings provided by their clients and employees. The award program provides statistically valid and objective service quality benchmarks for the accounting industry, revealing which firms deliver the highest quality client and employee experience. Winners are featured on ClearlyRated.coman online business directory that helps buyers of professional services find service leaders and vet prospective firms with the help of validated client ratings and testimonials.

For further information:

Lisa Tomlinson

212.840.3456

[email protected]

SOURCE Anchin, Block & Anchin LLP
The Consulting-Specifying Engineer magazine recognizes top new products in HVAC, fire/life safety, electrical, and plumbing systems engineering markets chosen by subscribers.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ASCO Power Technologies' line of Quick Connect Products is shortlisted for the Consulting-Specifying Engineer 2023 Product of the Year Award in the Power Category. The award-giving body is the industry's premier publication for building systems with a readership of over 3.5 million specifying engineers, electricians, and industry professionals.

With compliance changes and stronger demand for power resilience, ASCO Power Quick Connect Products enable facilities to streamline installation, testing, and compliance. The integrations offered by these solutions can allow the quick deployment of temporary power sources and testing devices that can be adapted to help meet different power objectives.

Bethany Richter, Product Owner at ASCO Power Technologies said "ASCO Power Quick Connect Products are one of the go-to solutions for connecting generators to buildings. We're proud to offer a broad range of quick connect panels and transfer switches to bring our proven performance to the arena of connecting temporary generators and load banks to buildings. I'm thrilled this innovative product is getting attention and spreading the news to more engineers and facility managers about better ways to maintain their backup power supplies."

The reader-choice award program is determined by votes from the publication's eligible subscribers with buy-specify responsibilities. The nominees are evaluated according to innovation along with their service to the industry and market impact.

Qualified CSE subscribers may cast their vote through the official ballot until 5:00 PM CT on March 14, 2023. The winner will be announced on June 1, 2023 through CSE's Product of the Year eBook.

About ASCO Power Technologies

ASCO Power Technologies has provided power reliability solutions for more than 125 years. As part of Schneider Electric , ASCO Power offers industry-leading power source and load management solutions that maximize resilience and sustainability to solve emerging power challenges.

The firm designs, manufactures, services, and supports automatic transfer switches, power control equipment , and critical power management appliances . ASCO products serve mission-critical functions in data centers, healthcare facilities, telecommunication networks, commercial buildings, and industrial operations.

To learn more about any of ASCO's critical power products and services, call (800) 800 ASCO (2726), email [email protected] , or visit www.ascopower.com . For the latest news and updates, sign up for the newsletter and follow ASCO Power on Facebook , Twitter , and LinkedIn .

SOURCE ASCO Power Technologies
DUBLIN, Feb. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Asia-Pacific Smartphone Tariff Tracker and Analysis - 2023" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



Pricing is used as one of the key differentiators by mobile operators across the industry. To keep up-to-date with the increased complexity of packages offered is a challenge.

The analyst has researched and collated prices for post- and prepaid smartphone price plans across Asia-Pacific since 2006 and has been updating it every quarter since.

Prices presented in local currency, Euros and USD allow for a speedy and like-for-like comparison of the 400+ price plans covered.

Key information collected and provided in the excel spreadsheet include:

Name of operator

Effective/Verified Date

Type of customer (Consumer, Youth, Senior etc)

Type of subscription (Postpaid/Prepaid,Hybrid)

Contract term for Postpaid plans(m-t-m, 6, 12, 18, 24 plans)

Validity for prepaid plans

Name of Plan

Cost in local currencies and Euro (inclusive and exclusive of tax)

Inclusive allowances such as Voice, IDD, SMS, MMS, Data, roaming VAS, others, a separate column for each of these)

Charges (per min, per SMS, per MMS, per 1 Mbyte of Data

Tax rate

Comments (these relate to the price plan and provide additional information such as add-on details)

In this continuously updated service - every quarter - based on a survey of providers, the database will illustrate how operator marketing strategies create plans to retain loyalty, entice new customers and increase usage and value.

The database also highlights key changes announced by operators since the previous update which are easily identifiable as marked in red.

Geographical coverage (mobile network operators) end of December 2022:

Australia Telstra/Sub-brand Belong

Australia Telstra

Australia Vodafone

Australia Optus

Bangladesh Grameenphone

Hong Kong 3

3 Hong Kong CSL

Hong Kong SmarTone

Hong Kong China Mobile

India VI ( Mumbai )

) Japan Softbank

Japan DoCoMo

Japan Rakuten

Laos Unite

Macau CTM

Malaysia Celcom

Malaysia DiGi

Malaysia Maxis

Myanmar Telenor

New Zealand Spark (Telekom NZ)

New Zealand Spark's sub-brand Skinny

New Zealand Vodafone

New Zealand 2 degrees

2 degrees Pakistan Jazz

Singapore M1

M1 Singapore SingTel

Singapore Starhub

Singapore TPG

Sri Lanka Dialog

Sri Lanka SLT-Mobitel

Taiwan Taiwan Mobile

Taiwan Star Telecom (Vibo)

Thailand AIS

Thailand DTAC

Vietnam Viettel

Key highlights of the database include:

Tariff price plans for consumer and business post and prepaid, presented in tabular format, in local currency, Euros and US Dollars allowing for easy comparison

Each plan provides details such cost and allowances that come with it.

All the data is updated quarterly, and changes made are marked in red.

Summary report provided with each update commenting on key changes

Researched by a multi-lingual team

Enquiry service provided by a tariff expert with 24-years of experience in telecoms pricing

Subscription includes

4 Updates per annum

Summary report with each update

FREE Enquiry Service

Who should subscribe to this service

Government agencies with a need to compare mobile prices across countries

Telecommunication operators

Software and equipment vendors

Consultancies

Investors, Venture Capital companies and Financial Institutions

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

2 degrees

3

AIS

Celcom

China Mobile

CSL

CTM

Dialog

DiGi

DoCoMo

DTAC

Grameenphone

India VI ( Mumbai )

) Jazz

M1

Maxis

Optus

Rakuten

SingTel

Skinny

SLT-Mobitel

SmarTone

Softbank

Spark (Telekom NZ)

Star Telecom (Vibo)

Starhub

Taiwan Mobile

Telenor

Telstra

TPG

Unite

Vietnam Viettel

Vodafone

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/41xrkj-pacific?w=5

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



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SOURCE Research and Markets
Regional housing bond is key solution to fund the gap

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Enterprise Community Partners (Enterprise) and the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA) today issued new research revealing that there are 395 affordable housing developments in various stages of predevelopment across the nine-county Bay Area that would create an estimated 32,944 affordable homes in one of the most expensive real estate markets in the country. The analysis found that these developments need $7.6 billion in public financing in order to move forward. The Bay Area Affordable Housing Pipeline research brief offers insights into where planned affordable developments are located across the nine-county region as well as how to fund the current pipeline of homes and boost production into the future.

"The good news is that the sheer size of the predevelopment pipeline gives Bay Area cities, towns and counties a good running start toward meeting the affordable housing production challenge laid down by the state," noted BAHFA Director Kate Hartley. "But to avoid squandering this head start, it's essential that we unlock the money needed to move these projects from planned to occupied."

Affordable homes typically are funded through multiple sources, including Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and bonds, commercial mortgages and additional local, regional and state dollars that fill the gap between the cost of the development and the financing secured through debt and equity.

One solution Enterprise and BAHFA have identified to close the $7.6 billion gap and accelerate affordable housing production in the Bay Area is a 2024 regional ballot measure that would create a $10 billion to $20 billion regional housing bond dedicated to funding affordable housing developments across the region. BAHFA was authorized to place such a bond measure on the ballot through its enabling legislation in 2019.

"The Bay Area faces a critical lack of affordable homes, and existing local, state and federal resources are oversubscribed. We need new solutions to ensure every planned housing development gets built and that homes that are currently affordable remain affordable for generations to come," said Justine Marcus, Senior State and Local Policy Director, Enterprise. "A regional bond will create a dedicated stream of funding that will help support more equitable housing development across the region."

Nearly half (45%) of Bay Area renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, and a quarter spend over 50%. The State of California's most recent Regional Housing Needs Allocation Plan found the Bay Area needs 180,000 more affordable homes by 2031 to meet demand. Unlocking the affordable homes currently in predevelopment and ready to be built would meet nearly 20% of this goal, and a regional bond would create a pathway toward achieving that.

The Pipeline shows that there are affordable housing developments planned in all nine counties across the region, including 10,829 affordable homes in Santa Clara County, 7,916 in Alameda County, 7,258 in San Francisco City and County, and 2,209 in Sonoma County. But right now each Bay Area city, town or county is currently working on its own to address the regional challenges of housing affordability and homelessness. The proposed bond would allow for a more coordinated, equitable approach at the scale of the need across the region.

"Creating affordable homes requires bringing funding and partners to the table from all levels of government and across sectors. By coming together as a region to raise the necessary dollars and plan long-term, we can use both public and private money more efficiently and create an easier, more efficient process for affordable housing developers. We can send a signal to affordable housing developers that building in the Bay Area is possible  and that we can do it at the scale of the need. With regional buy-in and new funding, we can create a snowball effect that accelerates development so we can meet the massive need for affordable homes in our communities," said Heather Hood, Vice President and Northern California Market Leader, Enterprise.

About Enterprise Community Partners

Enterprise is a national nonprofit that exists to make a good home possible for the millions of families without one. We support community development organizations on the ground, aggregate and invest capital for impact, advance housing policy at every level of government, and build and manage communities ourselves. Since 1982, we have invested $54 billion and created 873,000 homes across all 50 states  all to make home and community places of pride, power and belonging. Join us at enterprisecommunity.org | Twitter: @Eprise_NorCal

About the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority

Established by the state legislature in 2019, BAHFA's mandate is to create regional solutions that meet the Bay Area's affordable housing needs. It is the first regional housing finance authority in California, and works together with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG).

SOURCE Metropolitan Transportation Commission; Association of Bay Area Governments
Sen. Susan Collins and Sen. Jack Reed Honored as Caucus Co-Chairs at Launch Celebration

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Adult Literacy and Learning Impact Network (ALL IN) and Engage celebrated the launch of a new U.S. Senate Caucus on Adult Literacy today with a breakfast honoring caucus co-chairs, Sen. Susan Collins (ME) and Sen. Jack Reed (RI).

Senator Susan Collins and Senator Jack Reed with moderator Steve Clemons Barbara Bush Foundation President and CEO British A. Robinson, Engage Founder Rachel Pearson, and members of the ALL IN Coordinating Council

More than 54% of adults in the U.S. struggle with low literacy skills, reading and writing below the adult equivalent of a sixth-grade level. About 43 million Americans  nearly one in five adults  read below a third-grade level. This persistent, multigenerational challenge not only impacts income, workforce agility and quality of life for families nationwide, but also imposes significant costs on society.

Economic Impact: A 2020 Gallup study commissioned by the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy estimated that the U.S. economy is losing $2.2 trillion in GDP annually due to low adult literacy.

A 2020 Gallup study commissioned by the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy estimated that the U.S. economy is losing in GDP annually due to low adult literacy. Healthcare Costs: Low health literacy costs our economy between $106 - $238 billion per year.

Low health literacy costs our economy between - per year. Digital Skills Gap: A growing digital literacy gap could cause 76% of Black Americans and 62% of Hispanic Americans to be shut out or under-prepared for 86% of jobs in the U.S. by 2045.

A growing digital literacy gap could cause 76% of Black Americans and 62% of Hispanic Americans to be shut out or under-prepared for 86% of jobs in the U.S. by 2045. Multigenerational Impact: A study by the National Institutes of Health found that a mother's education level is the single greatest determinant of her children's future academic success.

Senators Collins and Reed marked the launch of the caucus by participating in a fireside chat moderated by Steve Clemons, founding editor at large of Semafor.

"When adults lack proficiency in literacy, they are denied the dignity and opportunity to realize their full potential," said Senator Collins. "Improved literacy rates will empower millions of Americans who struggle to read with greater economic and social mobility. These individuals can also pass along these skills to their children through the pastime of reading together, which can help prepare young people for a lifetime of success. By taking a whole community approach and working directly with involved stakeholders, this caucus will help identify and advance solutions for improving adult literacy in the United States."

"Adult education is vitally important. It can be the difference between earning a family-sustaining wage and struggling to make ends meet. Through the caucus, we hope to raise awareness about the acute need for adult education programs and build bipartisan support for meeting the needs of adult learners," said Senator Reed.

In addition to the co-chairs, Senators Bill Cassidy (LA), Ben Ray Lujan (NM), Lisa Murkowski (AK), Alejandro Padilla (CA), Tina Smith (MN) and Todd Young (IN) will serve as founding members of the U.S. Senate Caucus on Adult Literacy.

Engage and ALL IN partnered to support the launch of the U.S. Senate Caucus on Adult Literacy with the goals of raising awareness of this pressing issue and promoting common sense solutions at the federal and state levels.

"At Engage we understand that a woman's economic security is determined by many factors, such as literacy, over the course of her life," said Engage founder Rachel Pearson. "If a woman has low literacy skills, she will experience greater difficulty securing gainful employment, accessing necessary health care, and investing in the development of the next generation. I'm confident this caucus will flourish under the leadership of Senators Collins and Reed in advancing adult literacy in our country."

ALL IN was conceived and convened by the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy to spur action around and implementation of the National Action Plan for Adult Literacy.

"Literacy is inextricably linked with so many of the most critical challenges we face as a nation  from equity and economic mobility to national security and public health," said British A. Robinson, president and CEO of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. "With the launch of this caucus, we're thrilled to see leaders from both sides of the aisle come together to elevate and address this issue at the national level."

In addition to Robinson, Dr. Meghan McBride, alumni advisor to the Coalition on Adult Basic Education, and Deborah Kennedy, president of the National Coalition for Literacy, represented ALL IN's Coordinating Council at the launch event.

About ALL IN: The Adult Literacy and Learning Impact Network is a collective action initiative that has convened thought leaders from the adult literacy field and beyond to carry out the National Action Plan for Adult Literacy. ALL IN's efforts are driven by its vision: a country where every adult can easily access high-quality, effective support to improve their reading, writing, digital and numeracy skills  regardless of who or where they are. To learn more, visit www.allinliteracy.org.

About Engage: Engage is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting women's economic security through bipartisan, commonsense solutions. Engage views the journey of a woman's economic security holistically as "a thread" across her entire life, during which factors within and outside her control determine her ability to achieve economic security. Among these factors are education, caregiving, saving for retirement, family, work, health, and so much more. For more information on Engage, please visit www.engagewomen.org.

SOURCE Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy
NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bite Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: BITE) (the "Company," or "BITE") announced today that it will transfer the listing of its common stock, units and warrants from the New York Stock Exchange to NYSE American LLC ("NYSE American"). The Company anticipates its common stock, units and warrants will begin trading on NYSE American on Monday, February 13, 2023 under its current ticker symbols of BITE, BITE.U and BITE WS. The Company's common stock, units and warrants have been approved for listing on NYSE American, and will continue to trade under the same ticker symbols on the New York Stock Exchange until the transfer is complete.

About Bite Acquisition Corp.

Bite Acquisition Corp. is a blank check company, also commonly referred to as a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, formed for the purpose of entering into a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses. While the Company may pursue an initial business combination with a company in any sector or geography, it intends to focus its search on the traditional and non-traditional restaurant sectors in North America.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Certain of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "believes," "expects," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "assumes," "may," "should," "will," "seeks," or other similar expressions. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's plan to transfer the listing of its common stock, units and warrants from the New York Stock Exchange to NYSE American LLC. These statements are based on current expectations on the date of this press release and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ significantly. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as the result of new developments or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Company Contact:

Bite Acquisition Corp.

Alberto Ardura Gonzalez

[email protected]

SOURCE Bite Acquisition Corp.
Piloting in Ohio, the Home and Auto Insurer Is Rolling Out Its New Condo Product As It Expands Nationally

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Branch , a full-stack insurance company that uses data, technology, and automation to make home and auto insurance simpler to buy and less expensive, announced it has launched condo insurance, expanding its list of instantly bindable products. Condo joins Branch's existing arsenal of home, auto, renters, and umbrella insurance, and will be rolled out across Branch's available states in the coming months starting in Ohio.

Branch revolutionized the insurance-buying experience, requiring consumers to enter just a name and address to see an instant price for bundled home and auto insurance. According to the National Association of Realtors, more than 10% of existing home sales in the last 3 years were condos. By adding a condo product, Branch extends its instant bundling capability to millions more homeowners.

"Bundling has always been at the core of what Branch can do, so we're thrilled to offer another product to help consumers quickly and easily bundle their insurance," said Branch cofounder and CEO Steve Lekas. "By enabling more people to access Branch's bundle, and the deep savings that come with it, we're taking meaningful steps towards our mission of getting more people insured."

The addition of a condo product brings immense value to Branch's rapidly-growing independent agency channel, enabling Branch-appointed agents to better serve their customer's insurance needs. Additionally, expanding its product offerings creates a more seamless embedded experience that Branch's partners are looking for. Consumers can also instantly purchase condo insurance on the Branch website using just a few pieces of information and easily bundle with their auto insurance.

"Alongside our instant online bundling capability, we're eager to sell condo insurance through our partners in the mortgage, auto, and home security industries, as well as through our network of trusted independent agents," said Lekas. "Being able to offer a comprehensive list of coverages across multiple distribution channels allows us to better serve consumers wherever they shop for insurance."

To learn more about Branch and its new condo insurance offering visit Branch.com .

About Branch

Branch is home and auto insurance that's simple to buy and built for savings. Through its revolutionary instant-bind capability, Branch removes all of the friction associated with getting covered, helping consumers bundle their home and auto insurance with ease. Built as a reciprocal exchange, the Branch Insurance Exchange taps into the power of community to make insurance more accessible and affordable for everyone. Branch is a Public Benefit Corporation and Certified B Corporation committed to meeting high standards of social and environmental performance, and accountability.

Branch was launched in 2019 by insurance veteran Steve Lekas and tech entrepreneur Joe Emison, and is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Branch is underwritten by the Branch Insurance Exchange, Everspan Insurance Company, and General Security National Insurance Company (GSNIC). To learn more, visit Branch.com .

Contact:

Ally Majewski

[email protected]

SOURCE Branch Insurance
Researchers to engage with Brooks' outpatient clinics in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. and JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- One third of adults in the U.S. have chronic musculoskeletal pain. Opioids are commonly prescribed for pain management, however prescription opioids can pose risks of opioid misuse, addiction, overdose and even death. Physical therapy is a non-pharmacological approach that can help mitigate these risks, and researchers from Brooks Rehabilitation and the University of Utah believe mindfulness training could be a key addition to a physical therapist's toolkit.

Jason Beneciuk, PT, DPT, PhD, MPH, Clinical Research Scientist of the Brooks/UF-PHHP Research Collaboration, and a multi-disciplinary team have received a $1.6 million R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). University of Utah Research Associate Professor Jake Magel, PT, PhD, DSc will be leading the study in collaboration with Dr. Beneciuk, who is the Site Principal Investigator at Brooks Rehabilitation and Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions. The grant funds a feasibility study to train physical therapists to use mindfulness-based interventions to manage patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain and long-term opioid use.

Physicians increasingly prescribed opioids for pain management, rather than in-person treatment like physical therapy. Tweet this

According to the NCCIH, the practice of mindfulness involves maintaining attention or awareness on the present moment without making judgments. Recent studies have investigated if mindfulness helps manage anxiety, stress, pain, or symptoms related to withdrawal from opioids. For example, mindfulness-based interventions can help people experiencing chronic pain by reappraising the way in which they commonly think about pain as being threatening and harmful. Mindfulness interventions can positively impact functional outcomes in people experiencing chronic pain by limiting unproductive ways of thinking about pain while also enhancing their self-efficacy for adaptive coping strategies. These interventions may also impact the amount of opioids used to manage chronic pain.

The three-year, multi-site study, "Physical Therapy Integrated with Mindfulness for Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain and Long-term Opioid Treatment," combines faculty expertise from the University of Utah and UF with the robust rehabilitation system of Brooks Rehabilitation. As Site PI for Florida, Dr. Beneciuk will engage the Orlando outpatient clinics under the purview of Brooks Rehabilitation Outpatient Regional Director of Orlando, Tom Langer, PT, CSCS.

"There's evidence that mindfulness-based interventions are effective in reducing chronic pain and opioid use in some patients," Magel said. "But to our knowledge, it's never been implemented or studied before in the physical therapy setting."

The need is pressing. Due to social distancing recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic, physicians increasingly prescribed opioids for pain management, rather than in-person treatment like physical therapy. And drug overdoses from prescription opioids killed 16,416 people in the U.S. in 2020 , a spike of more than 2,000 from the previous year.

Promisingly, combining exercise with mindfulness has been found to be effective for patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain, and mindfulness practices have been associated with a reduction in opioid dosage in patients with chronic pain and long-term opioid treatment.

"This study is exciting for our team as it may provide further opportunities for physical therapists to positively impact patients with chronic pain," said Dr. Beneciuk. "Our overall goal is to optimize the effectiveness of physical therapists in managing patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain and long-term opioid treatment. However, to achieve this goal, we first need to evaluate the feasibility of integrating mindfulness with evidence-based physical therapy treatment in outpatient physical therapy settings."

The study will help the team identify barriers and determine viability of integrating mindfulness interventions into clinical practice. Researchers are interested to know if they 1) can enroll physical therapists in a trial, 2) randomize them to different levels of training, and 3) randomize patients to physical therapists who attended the training and collect patient outcomes over time. Results from the study will further support future projects, including testing the effectiveness of integrating mindfulness in the physical therapy setting.

About Brooks Rehabilitation

For more than 50 years, Brooks Rehabilitation, headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., has been a comprehensive source for physical rehabilitation services. As a nonprofit organization, Brooks operates one of the nation's largest inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in the U.S. with 170 beds, a second 60-bed inpatient hospital that opened in April 2022, and a Center for Inpatient Rehabilitation in partnership with Halifax Health in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Brooks also has one of the region's largest home healthcare agencies, nearly 50 outpatient therapy clinics, the Brooks Rehabilitation Physician Practice, two skilled nursing facilities, assisted living and memory care. Brooks will treat more than 60,000 patients through its system of care each year. In addition, Brooks operates the Clinical Research Center, which specializes in research to advance the science of rehabilitation. Brooks also provides many low- or no-cost community programs and services to improve the quality of life for people living with physical disabilities. Brooks continues to grow in the Central Florida market  with the opening this month of its 10th outpatient clinic and adding five more locations by Q3 2023.

For more information, visit BrooksRehab.org.

Media Contact:

Rich Donley

407-347-8458

[email protected]

SOURCE Brooks Rehabilitation
BOSTON, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cardata , the mileage reimbursement company, announced it has been named a G2 2023 Best Accounting and Finance Product . G2 is visited by 80 million software buyers each year. Its annual Best Software Awards rank the best software companies and products based on authentic, timely reviews from real users.

This is Cardata's second time receiving a G2 Best Software Award , earning its place this year thanks to its goal of being the easiest, most cost-effective vehicle reimbursements provider.

Cardata Wins a 2023 G2 Best Software Award

"Cardata is thrilled to be rated one of G2's best Accounting and Finance Products for the second year in a row. Our thanks go out to our customers without whom this wouldn't be possible," Sheret Ross, Co-CEO, said. "We are especially thrilled to win this award now, as next week we are releasing our next-generation Cardata Mobile app. We focused this release on incorporating more elements that are important to our customers, such as active program management, partnership, and transparency. We've built a software product that will best serve our customers."

"While G2 publishes the Best Software Awards each year, they're really awards from customers," said Sara Rossio, Chief Product Officer at G2. "Representing a vote of confidence from real software users, these awards also spotlight those that have risen to the top among thousands of companies. With 2 million+ verified software reviews, the most in a single destination, our marketplace features more than 145,000 products and services across 2,100 different categories."

To learn more, view G2's methodology .

About Cardata

Cardata provides cost-effective and accurate ways to reimburse drivers for using their personal vehicles for work, with IRS-compliant programs like Fixed and Variable Rate ("FAVR") and Tax Free Car Allowance ("TFCA") .

Visit our website, Cardata.co . Follow us on LinkedIn , Twitter , and YouTube .

About G2

G2 is the world's largest and most trusted software marketplace. More than 80 million people annually  including employees at all Fortune 500 companies  use G2 to make smarter software decisions based on authentic peer reviews. Thousands of software and services companies of all sizes partner with G2 to build their reputation, manage their software spend, and grow their business  including Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoom, and Adobe. To learn more about where you go for software, visit www.g2.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn .

Media:

Melanie Reiffenstein

[email protected] | +1 647 802 9249

SOURCE Cardata
Company releases photos of the first U.S.-owned, U.S.-technology enrichment plant to begin production in 70 years

BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Centrus Energy Corp. (NYSE American: LEU) announced today that it has completed construction of a cascade of advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges as well as most of the associated support systems. This milestone puts Centrus on track to begin demonstrating first-of-a-kind production of High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) in Piketon, Ohio, by the end of 2023, after completing remaining support systems and obtaining final approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. This will be the first new U.S.-owned, U.S.-technology enrichment plant to begin production in 70 years.

"This is a major milestone for Centrus, for the advanced nuclear sector, and for the vital effort to restore America's domestic uranium enrichment capability," said Centrus Energy President and CEO Daniel B. Poneman. "We are strongly committed to pioneering production of HALEU to support the deployment of U.S. advanced reactor designs around the world. Our goal is to scale up this facility to meet the full range of commercial, government, and national security requirements for uranium enrichment, including Low-Enriched Uranium for existing reactors and HALEU for advanced reactors."

HALEU is an advanced nuclear fuel required for most of the next-generation reactor designs currently under development. Nine of the ten advanced reactor designs selected for funding under the Department of Energy's (DOE) Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, including the two demonstration reactors, will rely on HALEU, as will the first non-light water reactor to enter licensing review by the NRC.

Construction began in 2019 under a prior contract with DOE. In November 2022, DOE announced a new, competitively-awarded contract with Centrus to finish the cascade, complete final regulatory steps, begin operating the cascade, and produce HALEU for the production years at the Department's sole discretion and subject to the availability of Congressional appropriations.

Construction of the cascade and most of the support systems is now complete. Centrus has also completed initial testing of the cascade and support systems.

Before operations can begin, Centrus needs to finish construction of the remaining support systems, including a fissile materials storage area, so that the HALEU produced for the Department can be stored onsite, and complete final operational readiness reviews with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to obtain NRC approval so that production can begin. The operational readiness reviews are required under Centrus' Nuclear Regulatory Commission license, which was successfully amended in 2021 to allow for HALEU production, and made the Piketon site the only NRC-licensed HALEU production facility. Cascade operations and HALEU production are anticipated to begin by the end of 2023.

Expanding to Commercial Scale Production

Separate from the operations contract, Centrus is investigating the possibility to scale up the Piketon facility with additional centrifuge cascades for expanded HALEU production  provided that sufficient funding or offtake contracts can be secured. A full-scale HALEU cascade, consisting of 120 individual centrifuge machines, with a combined capacity of approximately 6,000 kilograms of HALEU per year (6 MTU/year), could be brought online within about 42 months of securing the funding to do so. Centrus has the capability to add an additional cascade every six months after that. Such an expansion would mobilize hundreds of union workers in Ohio to build and operate the plant and support thousands of direct and indirect jobs across a manufacturing supply chain that is 100 percent domestic and will be capable of meeting U.S. national security requirements.

About Centrus Energy Corp.

Centrus Energy is a trusted supplier of nuclear fuel and services for the nuclear power industry. Centrus provides value to its utility customers through the reliability and diversity of its supply sources  helping them meet the growing need for clean, affordable, carbon-free electricity. Since 1998, the Company has provided its utility customers with more than 1,750 reactor years of fuel, which is equivalent to 7 billion tons of coal. With world-class technical and engineering capabilities, Centrus is also advancing the next generation of centrifuge technologies so that America can restore its domestic uranium enrichment capability in the future. Find out more at www.centrusenergy.com.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this context, forward-looking statements mean statements related to future events, which may impact our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "will", "should", "could", "would" or "may" and other words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this news release and represent management's current views and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control. For Centrus Energy Corp., particular risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the following which are, and will be, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent variants, and any worsening of the global business and economic environment as a result; risks related to whether or when government funding or demand for high-assay low-enriched uranium ("HALEU") for government or commercial uses will materialize; risks related to (i) our ability to perform and absorb costs under our agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") to deploy and operate a cascade of centrifuges to demonstrate production of HALEU for advanced reactors (the "HALEU Operations Contract"), (ii) our ability to obtain contracts and funding to be able to continue operations and (iii) our ability to obtain and/or perform under other agreements; risks related to uncertainty regarding our ability to commercially deploy a competitive enrichment technology; risks related to the fact that we face significant competition from major producers who may be less cost sensitive or are wholly or partially government owned; risks related to the impact of government regulation and policies including by the DOE and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission; and other risks and uncertainties discussed in this and our other filings with the SEC.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release. These factors may not constitute all factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in any forward-looking statement. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a predictor of actual results. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made in this news release and in our other filings with the SEC, including our Annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and our other filings with the SEC that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this news release, except as required by law.

Contacts:

Investors: Dan Leistikow at [email protected]

Media: Lindsey Geisler at [email protected]

SOURCE Centrus Energy Corp.
- Earnings Call to Begin at 8:00 A.M. EST 



SINGAPORE, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- China Yuchai International Limited (NYSE: CYD) ("China Yuchai" or the "Company"), announced today that it will be releasing its 2022 unaudited second half and full year financial results on Thursday, February 23, 2023 before the market opens for trading.

A conference call and audio webcast for the investment community has been scheduled for 8:00 A.M. Eastern Standard Time on February 23, 2023. The call will be hosted by the President and Chief Financial Officer of China Yuchai, Mr. Weng Ming Hoh and Mr. Choon Sen Loo , respectively, who will present on and discuss the financial results of the Company followed by a Q&A session.

Analysts and institutional investors may participate in the conference call by registering at:

https://register.vevent.com/register/BIadf79c13ba63410187ba354842c0be45 at least one hour before the scheduled start time. A return email will be sent with instructions and numbers to join the call.

For all other interested parties, a simultaneous webcast can be accessed at the investor relations section of the Company's website located at http://www.cyilimited.com. Participants are encouraged to join the webcast at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. The recorded webcast will be available on the website shortly after the earnings call.

About China Yuchai International

China Yuchai International Limited, through its subsidiary, Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Company Limited ("GYMCL"), engages in the manufacture, assembly, and sale of a wide variety of light-, medium- and heavy-duty engines for trucks, buses, passenger vehicles, construction equipment, marine and agriculture applications in China. GYMCL also produces diesel power generators. The engines produced by GYMCL range from diesel to natural gas and hybrid engines. Through its regional sales offices and authorized customer service centers, GYMCL distributes its engines directly to auto OEMs and retailers and provides maintenance and retrofitting services throughout China. Founded in 1951, GYMCL has established a reputable brand name, strong research and development team and significant market share in China with high-quality products and reliable after-sales support. In 2021, GYMCL sold 456,791 engines and is recognized as a leading manufacturer and distributor of engines in China. For more information, please visit http://www.cyilimited.com.

Safe Harbor Statement:

This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "project", "targets", "optimistic", "confident that", "continue to", "predict", "intend", "aim", "will" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements concerning China Yuchai's and the joint venture's operations, financial performance and condition are based on current expectations, beliefs and assumptions which are subject to change at any time. China Yuchai cautions that these statements by their nature involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially depending on a variety of important factors such as government and stock exchange regulations, competition, political, economic and social conditions around the world and in China including those discussed in China Yuchai's Form 20-Fs under the headings "Risk Factors", "Results of Operations" and "Business Overview" and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Among others, if the COVID-19 pandemic is not effectively and timely controlled, our business operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected due to a deteriorating market for automotive sales, an economic slowdown in China and abroad, a potential weakening of the financial condition of our customers, or other factors that we cannot foresee. All forward-looking statements are applicable only as of the date it is made and China Yuchai specifically disclaims any obligation to maintain or update the forward-looking information, whether of the nature contained in this release or otherwise, in the future.

For more information:

Investor Relations

Kevin Theiss

Tel: +1-212-510-8922

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE China Yuchai International Limited
Researchers analyze state-of-the-art approaches, limitations, and applications of deep learning-based anomaly detection in multivariate time series

SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Monitoring financial security, industrial safety, medical conditions, climate, and pollution require analysis of large volumes of time series data. A crucial step in this analysis involves identification of unusual points, patterns, or events that deviate from a dataset. This is known as "anomaly detection" and is performed using data mining techniques. Although deep learning methods have been extensively applied in anomaly detection, there is no one-size-fits-all technique that works for multiple applications across a variety of fields. Further, existing studies on anomaly detection for multivariate time series focus solely on the approach without examining its challenges.

In a recent study, a research team from Chung-Ang University, Korea presents open research questions related to anomaly detection using deep learning and curates open-access time series datasets, an invaluable asset for selecting the appropriate technique for a particular scientific or industrial problem and developing efficient anomaly detection techniques.

A group of researchers from Chung-Ang University in Korea have now addressed this gap by summarizing the applications based on anomaly detection. The team, including Professor Jason J. Jung and Dr. Gen Li, evaluated the current state-of-the-art anomaly detection techniques and addressed the challenges associated with them. Their work was made available online on October 17, 2022 and was published in Volume 91 of the journal Information Fusion on March 2023. "Our fundamental research topic is anomaly detection in multivariate time series. In this review, we have summarized the approaches, challenges, and applications for the same," explains Prof. Jung. The researcher duo has worked extensively on time series anomaly detection for multiple variables and has previously published their works on seizure detection, climate monitoring and financial fraud monitoring that culminated in this review.

The team first classified the anomalies into three types, namely abnormal time points, time intervals, and time series. Next, they highlighted that, among the deep learning-based artificial neural networks, long short-term memory (LSTM) and autoencoders are most commonly used for detecting abnormal time points and time intervals. Additionally, they discussed alternative methods such as dynamic graphs that examine relational features between the time series and detect abnormal time intervals. An in-depth summary of the current limitations of the prevalent techniques emphasizing the root cause of anomalies was also provided.

Finally, the duo presented a thorough overview of the applications for anomaly detection in multivariate time series. They curated open-access time series datasets and also discussed the open research questions and challenges related to anomaly detection in multivariate time series.

The potential of deep learning-based approaches for anomaly detection is far-reaching, as Prof. Jung surmises, "I believe that this review will help researchers find the appropriate approach for detecting anomalies in their respective areas of work. For example, in the field of science, people can easily find out the open access datasets and the corresponding state-of-art anomaly detection method in this paper. For industrial applications, the appropriate anomaly detection techniques to identify damages and faults could be conveniently found in this review."

As for the challenges involved, developing a model for explaining the anomalies detected is of considerable worth since it can help us understand why the anomaly occurred in the first place. "The challenge is to identify the relationship between an abnormal time point and the time point leading to that anomaly," says Prof. Jung.

Taken together, this review is an invaluable resource for selecting appropriate anomaly detection techniques for various fields, as well as for developing more efficient anomaly detection techniques.

Reference

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inffus.2022.10.008

Title of original paper: Deep learning for anomaly detection in multivariate time series: Approaches, applications, and challenges

Journal: Information Fusion

Authors: Gen Li and Jason J. Jung

Affiliations:

Department of Computer Engineering, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea

About Chung-Ang University

Website: https://neweng.cau.ac.kr/index.do

Contact:

Se-Jin Oh

[email protected]

02-820-6614

SOURCE Chung-Ang University
PITTSBURGH, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CNX Resources Corporation (NYSE: CNX) ("CNX" or "the company") announced today its year-end reserves update as of December 31, 2022.

Increased proved developed reserves by 5%, or 315 Bcfe, to 6,221 Bcfe

During 2022, initiated production on 32 wells with estimated ultimate recovery (EURs) averaging 2.65 Bcfe per thousand feet of completed lateral

Proved developed finding and development costs of $0.36 per Mcfe in 2022

per Mcfe in 2022 Increased total proved reserves by 181 Bcfe to 9,807 Bcfe

Proved undeveloped location EURs estimated to average 2.69 Bcfe per thousand feet of completed lateral

Future finding and development costs for proved undeveloped reserves of $0.42 per Mcfe

per Mcfe Total proved, probable and possible reserves (3P reserves) of 11,687 Bcfe from the five-year development plan activity

110 Tcfe of recoverable resources beyond the five-year development plan that are economic at strip pricing as of 12/30/2022

Chief Operating Officer Navneet Behl commented, "The 2022 year-end reserve update highlights the company's ability to grow our proved developed reserve base at very high capital efficiency over a long period of time. Doing so is core to our strategy of consistent free cash flow generation coupled with astute capital allocation to grow per share value. Additionally, the future development locations reflected in this update provide further insight into the company's ability to continue efficiently executing this strategy for years to come. Our quality rock, deep inventory, and stacked Marcellus and Utica horizons are a powerful recipe for value creation."

Proved Developed Reserves

Increased proved developed (PD) reserve base 5%; achieved 1.54x PD replacement ratio with 2022 development activity.

In 2022 we initiated production on 32 gross wells with an average completed lateral length of approximately 11,320 feet and EURs averaging 2.65 Bcfe per thousand feet of completed lateral.

PD finding and development (F&D) costs of $0.36 per Mcfe.

PD reserves increased to 6,221 Bcfe as a result of developing and converting 925 Bcfe of reserves and other net revisions of 29 Bcfe during 2022. The net PD reserve additions of 896 Bcfe replace 2022 production of 580 Bcfe and increase net PD reserves by 5% compared to PD reserves at December 31, 2021.

PD F&D costs, which is the net capital required to develop the wells that initiated production in 2022 divided by the net total EUR in Mcfe, reflects the company's continued capital efficiency from development of its Marcellus and Utica assets. As an integrated natural gas company, CNX invests in midstream and water infrastructure, resulting in lower operating expense as captured in our peer leading operating cost structure. When including the midstream and water infrastructure investment cost the PD F&D costs was $0.39 per Mcfe.

Proved Undeveloped

Organic proved undeveloped (PUD) reserve replacement ratio of 1.32x (calculated as sum of PUD extensions, discoveries and revisions, divided by annual production).

Average EUR in Marcellus and Utica shales of 2.55 Bcfe and 3.10 Bcfe per thousand feet of completed lateral, respectively.

shales of 2.55 Bcfe and 3.10 Bcfe per thousand feet of completed lateral, respectively. PUD finding and development costs (PUD F&D) of $0.42 per Mcfe and $0.50 per Mcfe when including midstream and water infrastructure costs. PUD F&D excludes plugging and abandonment costs.

The following table shows the summary of proved reserves by category:

Bcfe Years Ended December 31,

2022 2021 PDP Reserves 6,118 5,905 PDNP Reserves 104 1 PUD Reserves 3,585 3,720 Total Proved Reserves 9,807 9,626



Note: The proved reserve estimate as of December 31, 2022, was prepared by CNX Resources and audited by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. The SEC PUD guidelines allow a company to book PUD reserves associated with projects that are to occur within the next five years.

Total Reserves: Proved, Probable, and Possible Reserves (3P) and Other Resource Potential

As of December 31, 2022, CNX has total proved, probable, and possible reserves (also known as "3P reserves") of 11.7 Tcfe, which are comprised only of reserves currently expected to be developed in the company's five-year plan. There are an additional 110 Tcfe of recoverable resources that are economic at the commodity futures strip as of December 30, 2022 in the "Other Resource Potential" that the company expects to develop beyond the five-year plan. This large inventory of proved and probable (2P), 3P and Other Resource assets, in addition to our peer leading cost implies meaningful future upside in both the Marcellus and Utica shales in Pennsylvania and West Virginia and will continue to allow the company to add extensions and discoveries over the foreseeable future. The company's 3P reserves have been determined in accordance with the guidelines of the Society of Petroleum Engineers Petroleum Resources Management System.

The following table shows the breakdown of reserves and resource, in Bcfe, from the company's current development and exploration plays:



Proved Developed Proved Developed Non- Producing Proved Un- Developed Total Proved Probable Possible Total 3P Other Resource Potential Total Reserve & Resource Marcellus Shale 5,010 51 2,343 7,405 955 546 8,906 63,123 72,028 Coalbed Methane 746 1 290 1,037 - - 1,037 956 1,993 Utica Shale 355 51 952 1,359 272 107 1,738 35,874 37,612 Other (1) 6 - - 6 - - 6 9,677 9,683 Total 6,118 104 3,585 9,807 1,227 654 11,687 109,629 121,317



Totals may not add due to rounding (1) Other includes Conventional and Other Shale formations.

Definition: Total Reserve & Resource includes total 3P and other resource potential outside of 3P. The estimates of reserves and future revenue were prepared in accordance with the definitions and guidelines of the SEC Regulation S-X Rule 4.10(a).

Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows

The following information was prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board's Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-03, "Extractive Activities-Oil and Gas (Topic 932)." This topic requires the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows to be based on the average, first day-of-the-month price for the year ended December 31, 2022. Because prices used in the calculation are average prices for that year, the standardized measure could vary significantly from year-to-year based on the market conditions that occurred.

The projections should not be viewed as realistic estimates of future cash flows, nor should the "standardized measure" be interpreted as representing current value to CNX. Material revisions to estimates of proved reserves may occur in the future; development and production of the reserves may not occur in the periods assumed; actual prices realized are expected to vary significantly from those used and actual costs may vary. CNX's investment and operating decisions are not based on the information presented, but on a wide range of reserve estimates that include probable as well as proved reserves and on different price and cost assumptions.

The standardized measure is intended to provide a better means for comparing the value of CNX's proved reserves at a given time with those of other gas producing companies than is provided by a comparison of raw proved reserve quantities.

Reconciliation of PV-10 to Standardized Measure







December 31, (Dollars in millions, except gas price/MMBtu)

2022

2021

2020 Average Henry Hub Price ($/MMBtu)

$ 6.357

$ 3.598

$ 1.985 Future cash inflows

$ 54,714

$ 31,839

$ 16,578 Future production costs

(10,225)

(8,247)

(6,072) Future development costs (including abandonments)

(2,234)

(1,736)

(1,958) Future net cash flows (pre-tax)

42,255

21,856

8,548 10% discount factor

(27,754)

(13,775)

(4,945) PV-10 (Non-GAAP measure) (1)

14,501

8,081

3,603 Undiscounted income taxes

(10,696)

(5,839)

(2,235) 10% discount factor

6,958

3,640

1,268 Discounted income taxes

(3,738)

(2,199)

(967) Standardized GAAP measure

$ 10,763

$ 5,882

$ 2,636





(1) We calculate our present value at 10% (PV-10) in accordance with the following table. Management believes that the presentation of the non-Generally Accepted Accounting Principle (GAAP) financial measure of PV-10 provides useful information to investors because it is widely used by professional analysts and sophisticated investors in evaluating oil and gas companies. Because many factors that are unique to each individual company impact the amount of future income taxes estimated to be paid, the use of a pre-tax measure is valuable when comparing companies based on reserves. PV-10 is not a measure of the financial or operating performance under GAAP. PV-10 should not be considered as an alternative to the standardized measure as defined under GAAP. We have included a reconciliation of the most directly comparable GAAP measure-after-tax discounted future net cash flows.

Supplemental Reserves Information

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) pricing as of December 31, 2022:



SEC Adjusted

Pricing (1) Pricing (2) Benchmark Pricing:



WTI Oil Price ($/Bbl) $93.67 $88.67 Average Henry Hub Price ($/MMBtu) $6.36 $5.48 C2+ Natural Gas Liquids ($/Bbl) $41.05 $41.05 Condensate ($/Bbl) $85.63 $85.63





(1) The SEC rules require that the proved reserve calculations be based on the first day of the month unweighted arithmetic average prices over the preceding twelve months. (2) The SEC Pricing is adjusted for quality, hedges, transportation costs, and basis differentials in the calculation of future net cash flows. Henry Hub natural gas price presented in dollars per Mcf.

Summary of Changes in Proved Reserves:

Summary of Changes in Proved Reserves (Bcfe) Balance at December 31, 2021 9,626 Extensions and Discoveries 1,124 Revisions (363) Production (580) Balance at December 31, 2022 9,807



Note: The proved reserve estimate as of December 31, 2022, was prepared by CNX Resources and audited by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.

Future Capital Costs for Proved Reserves:

$ millions Drilling and Completions Capital $1,499 Midstream and Water Infrastructure Capital $293 Plugging and Abandonment Costs $442



Note: Represents the development costs for wells the company expects to turn-in-line over the next five years and plugging and abandonment costs for all proved reserve wells.

About CNX Resources

CNX Resources Corporation (NYSE: CNX) is unique. We are a premier, low carbon intensive natural gas development, production, midstream, and technology company centered in Appalachia, one of the most energy abundant regions in the world. With the benefit of a 158-year regional legacy, substantial asset base, leading core operational competencies, technology development and innovation, and astute capital allocation methodologies, we responsibly develop our resources and deploy free cash flow to create long-term per share value for our shareholders, employees, and the communities where we operate. As of December 31, 2022, CNX had 9.81 trillion cubic feet equivalent of proved natural gas reserves. The company is a member of the Standard & Poor's Midcap 400 Index. Additional information may be found at www.cnx.com.

Cautionary Statements

We are including the following cautionary statement in this press release to make applicable and take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of us. With the exception of historical matters, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements (as defined in 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act")) that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projected results. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. These forward-looking statements may include projections and estimates concerning the timing and success of specific projects and our future production, revenues, income, and capital spending. When we use the words "believe," "intend," "expect," "may," "should," "anticipate," "could," "estimate," "plan," "predict," "project," "will," or their negatives, or other similar expressions, the statements which include those words are usually forward-looking statements. When we describe a strategy that involves risks or uncertainties, we are making forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release; we disclaim any obligation to update these statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and assumptions about future events. While our management considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks, contingencies, and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. These risks, contingencies and uncertainties relate to, among other matters, the following: prices for natural gas and natural gas liquids are volatile and can fluctuate widely based upon a number of factors beyond our control including oversupply relative to the demand for our products, weather and the price and availability of alternative fuels; unsuccessful drilling efforts or continued natural gas price decreases requiring write downs of our proved natural gas properties, or changes in assumptions impacting management's estimates of future financial results as well as other assumptions such as movement in our stock price, weighted-average cost of capital, terminal growth rates and industry multiples, could cause goodwill and other intangible assets we hold to become impaired and result in material non-cash charges to earnings; a loss of our competitive position because of the competitive nature of the natural gas industry, consolidation within the industry or overcapacity in the industry adversely affecting our ability to sell our products and midstream services; deterioration in the economic conditions in any of the industries in which our customers operate, a domestic or worldwide financial downturn, or negative credit market conditions; hedging activities may prevent us from benefiting from price increases and may expose us to other risks; negative public perception regarding our industry could have an adverse effect on our operations; events beyond our control, including a global or domestic health crisis; dependence on gathering, processing and transportation facilities and other midstream facilities owned by others, and disruption of, capacity constraints in, or proximity to pipeline, and any decrease in availability of pipelines or other midstream facilities; uncertainties in estimating our economically recoverable natural gas reserves, and inaccuracies in our estimates; the high-risk nature of drilling, developing and operating natural gas wells; our identified drilling locations are scheduled out over multiple years, making them susceptible to uncertainties that could materially alter the occurrence or timing of their development or drilling; the substantial capital expenditures required for our development and exploration projects, as well as midstream system development; decreases in the availability of, or increases in the price of, required personnel, services, equipment, parts and raw materials in sufficient quantities or at reasonable costs to support our operations; our ability to find adequate water sources for our use in shale gas drilling and production operations, or our ability to dispose of, transport or recycle water used or removed in connection with our gas operations at a reasonable cost and within applicable environmental rules; failure to successfully estimate the rate of decline or existing reserves or to find or acquire economically recoverable natural gas reserves to replace our current natural gas reserves; losses incurred as a result of title defects in the properties in which we invest or the loss of certain leasehold or other rights related to our midstream activities; the impact of climate change legislation, litigation and potential, as well as any adopted, environmental regulations, including those relating to greenhouse gas emissions; environmental regulations can increase costs and introduce uncertainty that could adversely impact the market for natural gas with potential short and long-term liabilities; existing and future government laws, regulations and other legal requirements and judicial decisions that govern our business may increase our costs of doing business and may restrict our operations; significant costs and liabilities may be incurred as a result of pipeline operations and related increase in the regulation of gas gathering pipelines; changes in federal or state income tax laws; the outcomes of various legal proceedings, including those which are more fully described in our reports filed under the Exchange Act; risks associated with our current long-term debt obligations; a decrease in our borrowing base, which could decrease for a variety of reasons including lower natural gas prices, declines in natural gas proved reserves, asset sales and lending requirements or regulations; Risks associated with our convertible senior notes due May 2026 (the "Convertible Notes"), including the potential impact that the Convertible Notes may have on our reported financial results, potential dilution, our ability to raise funds to repurchase the Convertible Notes, and that provisions of the Convertible Notes could delay or prevent a beneficial takeover of the Company; the potential impact of the capped call transaction undertaken in tandem with the Convertible Notes issuance, including counterparty risk; challenges associated with strategic determinations, including the allocation of capital and other resources to strategic opportunities; acquisitions and divestitures, we anticipate may not occur or produce anticipated benefits; there is no guarantee that we will continue to repurchase shares of our common stock under our current or any future share repurchase program at levels undertaken previously or at all; we may operate a portion of our business with one or more joint venture partners or in circumstances where we are not the operator, which may restrict our operational and corporate flexibility and we may not realize the benefits we expect to realize from a joint venture; CONSOL Energy may not be able to satisfy its indemnification obligations in the future and such indemnities may not be sufficient to hold us harmless from the full amount of liabilities for which CONSOL Energy will be allocated responsibility; cyber-incidents could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations; our success depends on key members of our management and our ability to attract and retain experienced technical and other professional personnel; terrorist activities could materially adversely affect our business and results of operations. Additional factors are described in detail under the captions "Forward Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in our latest annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as supplemented by our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

SOURCE CNX Resources Corporation
IRVING, Texas, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Commercial Metals Company (NYSE: CMC) today announced that it has named Robert S. Wetherbee to the Board of Directors, effective March 21, 2023.

Robert Wetherbee

Mr. Wetherbee brings more than 40 years of professional experience to CMC's Board. He currently serves as the Board Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer of ATI Inc., a global producer of high-performance materials and solutions for the global aerospace and defense markets, and critical applications in electronics, medical, and specialty energy. Prior to being named CEO of ATI in 2019, he held the position of Executive Vice President of ATI's Flat Rolled Products Group. Mr. Wetherbee's professional career has also included key leadership roles in executive, operational, and business development functions at Mineral Technologies, Inc. and Alcoa Inc.

"We are pleased to welcome Bob to our Board of Directors," said Barbara R. Smith, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer. "He brings extensive metals and mining industry expertise with a track record of driving strategic transformation in specialty materials. His global perspective gained managing international organizations will benefit our company as we continue to create an unparalleled provider of reinforcement solutions for the domestic and overseas construction markets."

Following the retirement of J. David Smith on January 11, 2023, Mr. Wetherbee's appointment will bring the number of directors to nine, eight of whom are independent.

About Commercial Metals Company

Commercial Metals Company and its subsidiaries manufacture, recycle and fabricate steel and metal products and provide related materials and services through a network of facilities that includes seven electric arc furnace ("EAF") mini mills, two EAF micro mills, one rerolling mill, steel fabrication and processing plants, construction-related product warehouses and metal recycling facilities in the United States and Poland. Through its Tensar operations, CMC is a leading global provider of innovative ground and soil stabilization solutions selling into more than 80 national markets through two major product lines: Tensar geogrids and Geopier foundation systems.

SOURCE Commercial Metals Company
Originally founded in Greenwich, Connecticut, Constantino's has expanded to Westchester, New York with their newest location in Hartsdale.

HARTSDALE, N.Y., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Constantino's of Hartsdale, a family-owned and operated pizzeria and ice cream shop, is officially opening on Thursday, February 9, 2023. Constantino's, which originated in Greenwich, CT, has crossed state lines and expanded into Westchester, New York with their newest location.

Danny Aguilar Michael Jr., Robyn, and Michael Bordes

Opening in Hartsdale on Hartsdale Avenue, Constantino's prides themselves on serving the best pizza, pasta, locally sourced ice cream and authentic Italian food. The opening falls on National Pizza Day, a nationwide celebration of one of America's all-time favorite foods. Menu items include a variety of pizzas, ranging from 4-corner Sicilian to specialty pies.

Founded by husband-and-wife duo, Michael & Robyn Bordes, they are excited to open their newest location and can't wait for Hartsdale to get a taste of the best. The Bordes' took on Constantino's as a passion project with family at its core. In line with their business plan, the Bordes' promoted their head pizza man, Dany Aguilar, to operate their newest location in Hartsdale, while also overseeing their Greenwich location.

"We are so excited to be joining the Hartsdale community again," says Robyn. "We truly want to create a restaurant that brings family together at home, at our restaurant," Michael includes. Robyn previously owned another Italian restaurant, since sold, and credits loving the area to the incredible relationships that she made with customers while previously owning another restaurant.

For more information on Constantino's, please visit:

https://www.constantinosofhartsdale.com

Media Contact:

Illumination PR  [email protected]  914-908-0861

About Constantino's:

Like true Italians, we give our family and our food everything we've got. Constantino's is a family-owned pizzeria and ice cream shop located in Greenwich, Connecticut and Hartsdale, New York. Priding ourselves on serving authentic Italian foods, we hope our dishes bring you back to Grandma's kitchen. But we're more than just pizza and ice cream. From pasta and seafood to sandwiches and chicken, we've got something the entire family will enjoy.

SOURCE Constantinos
Small Businesses Are Suffering. Is CornerMarket the Solution?

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 31, 2023, CornerMarket hosted a successful "Small Business Tour" in Palo Alto, California. This tour was not only an opportunity for attendees to beta test the CornerMarket App, but also a chance to see first-hand how the platform is helping small businesses thrive.

The tour kicked off at Kung Fu Tea, a Boba tea shop owned by Ryan Chen. Ryan shared his positive experience with CornerMarket and praised the app for its ease of use and accessibility.

He was able to offer tour attendees a significant discount of 20% or more on their Boba tea when purchased through the CornerMarket app, showcasing the cost savings that small businesses can pass on to their customers.

Next, the tour visited Alegio Chocolate, where owner Panos shared the story behind their product and the history of the small African island where the chocolate is sourced. Guests were treated to wine and free samples of the delicious chocolate and left inspired by the passion and craftsmanship behind the business.

The tour concluded at Qualia Contemporary Art Gallery, owned by Dacia Xu. Dacia highlighted the customizable features of the CornerMarket app and how it has helped her showcase her products in a more engaging manner. The tour also included a visit from Luke, one of the owners of Vogue Cleaners. He shared his personal story of starting a small business with his brother at the young age of 18 and the challenges they faced along the way, including during the recent impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, Luke's determination and resilience inspired the attendees and small business owners in attendance and he was excited to add cryptocurrency as a form of payment at their business.

Representatives from Stanford University were on hand during the tour to answer questions about Web3 and help attendees set up their Web3 wallet. They also discussed the potential benefits of blockchain and cryptocurrency for small businesses, including increased security and transparency in transactions and cost savings through the elimination of intermediaries.

The Small Business Tour was a resounding success, with each business owner expressing their appreciation for CornerMarket and its ability to support small businesses. The tour demonstrated the great potential of the CornerMarket app for small business owners and consumers, with its integration of blockchain technology, DAO, and partnerships with local organizations. Web3 is poised to revolutionize the way small businesses and consumers interact and transact with each other, and CornerMarket is leading the way.

About CornerMarket:

The CornerMarket uses blockchain technology and DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) to reduce costs for merchants and save money for consumers. The decentralized nature of the app eliminates the need for intermediaries and reduces transaction fees, enabling merchants to keep more of their profits. The goal of CornerMarket is to not only be a new and better payments system for small businesses, but to assist them in operating more successful businesses that strengthen the communities where they are based.

Follow CornerMarket for more info - https://beacons.ai/cornermarketapp

SOURCE CornerMarket
Last iteration of FlexPOWER Bundle secures approximately 650 MW

SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CPS Energy, the largest municipally owned electric and natural gas utility in the United States, has reached agreements with three companies, closing out the utility's FlexPOWER Bundle initiative stemming from the RFP that was launched in 2020. In total, the FlexPOWER Bundle will deliver 580 megawatts (MW) of solar, 50 MW of storage, and 500 MW of natural gas firming capacity. The utility will issue a new and separate RFP in the first quarter of 2023 to procure up to an additional 320 MW of solar, to include community solar proposals, to add to its generation portfolio.

Further details regarding these recent agreements are:

Firming Capacity (approximately 500 MW): Calpine will provide a total of approximately 500 MW of firming capacity located in Guadalupe County at the Guadalupe Energy Center. Firming capacity with natural gas is dispatchable, controllable, and reliable energy that can be utilized when the sun is not shining, or the wind is not blowing. The Calpine agreement will make power available to CPS Energy in the Spring of 2023.

Solar Capacity (100 MW): Ashtrom Renewable Energy, in collaboration with OnPeak Power, will provide 100 MW of the El Patrimonio solar project, which will be located in Bexar County. The power purchase agreement is a 20-year contract with an anticipated commercial operation date of May 2025. Additionally, as part of the agreement, Ashtrom Renewable Energy will provide community benefits, including the contribution of funds towards CPS Energy student scholarships, as well as on-site field day mentorship to local students during the construction of the facility in Bexar County. Ashtrom Renewable Energy will also grant funds towards the construction of an outdoor classroom that can be used for field trip instruction.

Storage Capacity (50 MW): Eolian L.P. (Eolian) will provide CPS Energy the exclusive right to dispatch a 50 MW, 2-hour duration energy storage project located in Bexar County. This location, combined with the operating flexibility offered by energy storage, will further improve CPS Energy system resiliency as well as customer reliability. The agreement is a 20-year contract with an anticipated commercial operation date of December 2024.

"CPS Energy is a leader in renewables. With the completion of the FlexPOWER Bundle and the approval of our generation resource plan we are charting a new path for CPS Energy to power our community in the future," said CPS Energy Board Chair, Janie Martinez Gonzalez. "I look forward, in my new role as Board Chair, to continue to lead and adapt to create a more resilient and intelligent grid."

"When we launched the FlexPOWER Bundle we cast an international net to see what new technologies we could procure for our community," said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg. "These last three agreements signify years of hard work and will provide reliable generation to our community. We look forward to our new partnerships and what they will mean for the City of San Antonio."

"Securing these last three agreements marks the end of a more than two-year long process that the CPS Energy team has been working diligently on," said Rudy D. Garza, President & CEO of CPS Energy. "The FlexPOWER Bundle was created to further diversify our generation mix, which we have accomplished, and we look forward to continuing to add solar capacity to our portfolio with a new 320 MW RFP to be launched in the coming months."

In 2022, CPS Energy successfully executed agreements for 300 MW of solar capacity with Consolidated Edison Development Inc. and 180 MW with Ashtrom Renewable Energy.

About CPS Energy

Established in 1860, CPS Energy is the nation's largest public power, natural gas, and electric company, providing safe, reliable, and competitively priced service to 907,526 electric and 373,988 natural gas customers in San Antonio and portions of seven adjoining counties. Our customers' combined energy bills rank among the lowest of the nation's 20 largest cities while generating $9 billion in revenue for the City of San Antonio for more than eight decades. As a trusted and strong community partner, we continuously focus on job creation, economic development, and educational investment. We are powered by our skilled workforce, whose commitment to the community is demonstrated through our employees' volunteerism in giving back to our city and programs aimed at bringing value to our customers. CPS Energy is among the top public power wind energy buyers in the nation and number one in Texas for solar generation.

SOURCE CPS Energy
NEW YORK, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Social media management platform, Dash Hudson, is proud to announce it has been named to G2's 2023 Best Software Awards in the Commerce Products category. G2's annual Best Software Awards rank the world's best software companies and products based on authentic, timely reviews from real users.

G2 annually honors the leading software solutions across industries with its Best Software Awards. These awards are a reflection of how end users leverage software solutions to improve business efficiencies and recognize the companies that have earned their trust.

Dash Hudson earns spot on G2's Best Software Awards 2023 (CNW Group/Dash Hudson Inc.)

"At Dash Hudson, we are committed to our customers, especially those who use us every day. We exist to make them successful," said Thomas Rankin, Co-founder and CEO, Dash Hudson. "We are thankful that our customers have expressed the role Dash Hudson plays in their e-commerce and social media management performance, resulting in us being recognized in G2's Best Software 2023 Awards."

Through its commitment to delivering innovative solutions and best-in-class customer support, Dash Hudson has established itself as a leader in the industry, helping brands stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving world of social media and social commerce.

Experience the power behind Dash Hudson's leading social media management platform by getting started with a free 14-day trial today.

About Dash Hudson

Dash Hudson is a social media management platform that equips brands with intelligence, speed and creative ability to stay ahead of the social curve. Through cross-channel insights and improved team efficiency, Dash Hudson drives consistent business results by fuelling smarter decisions and enabling brands to craft content that entertains, engages and inspires. To discover how Dash Hudson is empowering brands to move at the speed of social, visit dashhudson.com .

About G2

G2 is the world's largest and most trusted software marketplace. More than 80 million people annually  including employees at all Fortune 500 companies  use G2 to make smarter software decisions based on authentic peer reviews. Thousands of software and services companies of all sizes partner with G2 to build their reputation, manage their software spend, and grow their business  including Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoom, and Adobe. To learn more about where you go for software, visit www.g2.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn .

For further information: Media Contacts, Dash Hudson, For all PR and media inquiries or to speak with a representative regarding this press release, please contact [email protected]; G2, Jenny Gardynski at G2, [email protected] or [email protected]

SOURCE Dash Hudson Inc.
Rise in the number of online transactions and documentation stored online, increasing rules and compliances to safeguard sensitive data, and growing concerns about data protection from connected devices drive the growth of the global digital vault market.

PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Digital Vault Market by Component (Solution, Service), by Deployment (On Premise, Cloud), by Enterprise Size (Large Enterprise, Small and Medium Enterprise), by End Use (BFSI, IT and Telecom, Manufacturing, Government, Healthcare, Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031". According to the report, the global digital vault industry generated $743.8 million in 2021, and is anticipated to generate $2.9 billion by 2031, witnessing a CAGR of 14.2% from 2022 to 2031.

Prime determinants of growth

Rise in the number of online transactions and documentation stored online, increasing rules and compliances to safeguard sensitive data, and growing concerns about data protection from connected devices drive the growth of the global digital vault market. However, high cost associated with the use of digital vault and availability of various alternative cybersecurity solutions restrict the market growth. Moreover, ongoing development of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, IoT, cloud computing, and network analytics presents new opportunities in the coming years.

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Covid-19 Scenario

The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic had a positive impact on the global digital vault market, owing to an increase in online commerce.

Due to the pandemic, digital platforms have increased their efforts to boost corporate and customer involvement and expand their development activities. Due to the global development of digital platforms, the risk of missing data, hacking, or other data-related security breaches has gradually increased.

Rapid increase in wireless and digital transactions have necessitated the need for securing data. The digital vaults offer utmost privacy to the users as these vaults also have customizable options and one can choose the power of attorney who can access the data. These factors positively contributed to the digital vault market opportunities during the pandemic.

The solution segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on component, the solution segment held the highest market share in 2021, accounting for more than half of the global digital vault market, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. The digital vault solutions are widely used across the world owing to their security features and its ability to protect sensitive data. However, the service segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 14.7% from 2022 to 2031. The digital vault services provide greater operational effectiveness, lower operating cost that helps in getting a competitive advantage.

The cloud segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on deployment, the cloud segment held the highest market share in 2021, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the global digital vault market, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. This segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 15.0% from 2022 to 2031. Growth of retail chains and hypermarkets & supermarkets is proving to be a major factor boosting the demand of private label products. Branded products may not always be affordable for all the consumers.

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The BFSI segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

Based on end use, the BFSI segment accounted for the largest share in 2021, contributing to nearly one-third of the global digital vault market, and is projected to maintain its lead position during the forecast period. Digital vault is widely used in BFSI sector as it helps in faster integration and automation of workflow processes. However, the healthcare segment is expected to portray the largest CAGR of 15.4% from 2022 to 2031. The use of digital vaults in the healthcare sector helps in securely storing the electronic health records of the patients.

Asia-Pacific to maintain its dominance by 2031

Based on region, Asia-Pacific held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2021, accounting for around one-third of the global digital vault market, and is likely to dominate the market during the forecast period. This region is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 15.0% from 2022 to 2031. This is majorly owing to rapid advancements in the BFSI, manufacturing, IT & telecom sector in this region.

Leading Market Players:

Johnson Controls,

CyberArk,

IBM,

Oracle,

Hitachi,

Micro Focus,

Fiserv,

Symantec,

Microsoft,

Multicert,

keeper security, inc.

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We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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SOURCE Allied Market Research
American Fashion Designer Christian Siriano's Latest Collaboration Was Motivated by His Recent Home Renovation with Products from DXV's Luxurious Belshire Collection

PISCATAWAY, N.J., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Luxury kitchen and bathroom brand, DXV , today announced its partnership with iconic American fashion designer, Christian Siriano. Inspired by DXV's Belshire Collection, Siriano designed a limited-edition luxury bathrobe and hand towel set that honors the opulence and glamour of the nostalgic 1920s Golden Era. In celebration of this partnership, Siriano's models will be wearing the bathrobes backstage at his hotly anticipated New York Fashion Week Fall-Winter 2023 (NYFW) show.

Siriano, seen above, was first introduced to DXV when renovating the primary bathroom of his historic Easton, Connecticut home.

Siriano was first introduced to DXV when renovating the primary bathroom of his 279-year-old Easton Connecticut home. When incorporating the Belshire Collection, the iconic fashion designer was struck by the thoughtfully crafted and beautifully detailed products that matched the meticulous workmanship found around his historic home. When DXV approached Siriano to collaborate on a limited-edition luxury bathrobe and hand towel set, the designer drew inspiration from his newly installed Belshire Collection to capture the richness and timelessness of the 1920s Golden Era.

"It has been such a pleasure partnering with DXV, which I believe emphasizes the many parallels that can be drawn between fashion and home design as vehicles for self-expression," said Christian Siriano. "Personalizing clothing and accessories empowers people to reveal their authentic selves, which we also see play out when people curate their living spaces. As I was designing my own space in Easton, DXV's timeless Belshire bathroom collection inspired me to explore the boundaries of home and fashion to create luxurious, wearable art."

Originally built in the 18th century, Siriano's Easton Connecticut home underwent a luxurious refresh in 2022. When designing a spa-like retreat in the primary bathroom, Siriano sought sophisticated products to fill the space, including DXV's Belshire Shower System and Low-Spout Faucet with Cross Handles. These lean, elegant pieces are rich in character and boast faceted edges that pay homage to the Art Deco movement from which they were modeled. In addition, these pieces feature precision engineering that not only promotes excellent longevity but helps ensure superior performance. Drawing inspiration from this collection, Siriano's bathrobe and hand towels boast a beautiful golden trim and one-of-a-kind geometric debossed fabric detailing. These design elements capture the spirit of 1920s Art Deco design and act not only as super luxe bathroom staples, but as pieces of art.

"Our partnership with Christian demonstrates the many similarities between our seemingly disparate worlds of bathroom and kitchen design, and luxury fashion," said Jean-Jacques L'Henaff, Leader, LIXIL Global Design, Americas. "We're incredibly impressed by Christian's innate ability to capture and translate interior design concepts into such gorgeous bathroom accessories. We can't wait to showcase this exclusive collection at New York Fashion Week and celebrate the beauty of bridging two design worlds."

The exclusive DXV x Christian Siriano bathrobe and hand towel set will perfectly accessorize Belshire Suite displays in select DXV showrooms nationwide, and will be gifted and worn by each model at Christian Siriano's NYFW Fall/Winter 2023 show. Additionally, DXV will be hosting in-person events in top markets where the exclusive towels and robes will be gifted to customers while supplies last.

ABOUT DXV

DXV is a portfolio of luxury bath and kitchen products that reimagines the most influential design movements of the past 150 years: Classic (1890-1920), Golden Era (1920-1950), Modern (1950-1990), and Contemporary (1990-Present). The brand has been recognized with more than 15 product innovation and design awards in the past four years. DXV is part of LIXIL , a global leader in housing and building materials, products and services. Learn more at www.dxv.com , or follow us on Facebook , Instagram , YouTube and Pinterest.

ABOUT LIXIL

LIXIL (TSE Code 5938) makes pioneering water and housing products that solve everyday, real-life challenges, making better homes a reality for everyone, everywhere. Drawing on our Japanese heritage, we create world-leading technology and innovate to make high-quality products that transform homes. But the LIXIL difference is how we do this; through meaningful design, an entrepreneurial spirit, a dedication to improving accessibility for all, and responsible business growth. Our approach comes to life through industry-leading brands, including INAX, GROHE, American Standard, and TOSTEM, [as well as specialty brands such as DXV]. Approximately 55,000 colleagues operating in more than 150 countries are proud to make products that touch the lives of more than a billion people every day. Learn more at www.lixil.com and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn .

SOURCE DXV
US Air Force will now have access to critical, modern training apps in the military metaverse

RENO, Nev., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dynepic  has officially secured Authorization To Operate (ATO) from the United States Air Force for MOTAR (Member, Operations, Training, Analytics, and Reports), its delivery, analysis, and reporting platform created to modernize enterprise-wide training infrastructure. This stamp of approval includes not just the MOTAR platform, but also a process to deliver an open ecosystem of training technologies to the Warfighter and devices like virtual reality headsets, setting it up to be the future-proof backbone of the military metaverse.

George Moats, Dynepic's Senior Cybersecurity Engineer and Platform Information System Security Officer, added: "When you stand on the shoulders of giants to achieve something like ATO, it's easy to see over the horizon to a powerful and innovative future! And this is only the beginning." Tweet this Dynepic has officially secured Authorization To Operate (ATO) from the USAF for MOTAR, its delivery, analysis, and reporting platform created to modernize enterprise-wide training infrastructure.

"To secure an IL4 ATO for MOTAR is an incredible milestone and the result of relentless hard work, an unwavering commitment to our Airmen, and incredible support from the US Air Force, specifically Air Education and Training Command A9," said Dynepic Co-Founder and CEO, Krissa Watry. "When the USAF recruited us to compete in the 2019 AFWERX Mixed Reality Challenge and we won against the 'bigs,' I told them, if we are going to do this, we are doing this! I'm thrilled MOTAR will enable our USAF with the secure digital infrastructure it needs to power the future of learning across time zones and dimensions."

Earning an ATO to operate on US military networks at Impact Level 4 (IL4) is monumental for any company, especially a small business, as it requires strict cybersecurity compliance and significant coordination with federal law, Department of Defense policy, and standards. While MOTAR has been powering immersive training innovation for the USAF for several years already, the ATO enables Airmen and Creators to leverage MOTAR to rapidly contribute and deliver Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), level 3D models, training lessons, 360 videos, third-party applications, AI and much more. The ATO also means students and instructors can use virtual reality (VR) headsets for multi-modal learning, including XR applications. Additionally, MOTAR will run on military networks; MOTAR.AF.MIL will open in Spring 2023.

George Moats, Dynepic's Senior Cybersecurity Engineer and platform Information System Security Officer, added: "When you stand on the shoulders of giants to achieve something like ATO, it's easy to see over the horizon to a powerful and innovative future! And this is only the beginning."

This news comes just a week after Dynepic was awarded a $2.9M Phase III sole source contract from the US Air Force's Air Education and Training Command (AETC).

About Dynepic: Launched in 2014, Dynepic, Inc. is a woman- and service-disabled veteran-founded tech company based out of Reno, Nevada. To learn more about Dynepic, check out our website and connect with us on LinkedIn .

For more information, please visit https://www.dynepic.com .

SOURCE Dynepic
Flexible, diverse, and digital: Infosys research report titled 'Future of Work 2023' finds the levers that drive revenue, profit growth and retention for businesses

BENGALURU, India, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, today unveiled a global research report titled 'Future of Work 2023'. According to the report, up to $1.4 trillion in revenue and $282 billion in new profit could be generated through digital tools automation, diversifying talent pool, and improving skills development amongst employees. It highlights how the workplace of the 21st century will see more hybrid working and digital engagement, enabling firms to build more diverse and creative teams.

The survey was conducted by the Infosys Knowledge Institute (IKI), the research arm of Infosys, and surveyed 2,500 senior executives and managers involved in workplace and workforce planning for large companies with more than $1 billion in annual revenue. The survey covered 12 industries across the US, UK, France, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand. The study focused on how shifting trends and pressures on workforce, workplace, and workstyles relate to revenue growth, profitability, and employee retention.

The key findings from the survey are as follows:

Shifting to a flexible, diverse, and digital work model is correlated with 7.7 percentage points higher profit growth and 6.7 percentage points higher revenue growth.

Retention of employees is critical. Companies that increased their staff retention between 2020 and 2022 were almost a fifth more likely to see increased revenue and profit compared with those that saw retention fall during this period.

Almost two-thirds of senior executives practice remote working rather than in-office working and expect flexible or remote workspaces to grow in the future.

65% of senior executives concurred that incorporating remote working resulted in better staff retention. Companies that incorporated wellness initiatives, home office stipends, and reskilling programs saw an increase in staff retention. Modernization and automation of digital tools, compensation rise, and bring-your-own-device strategies were also impactful on retention.

Automation and modernization of digital tools are set to become the top investment priority for firms in the next two years and expected to bring in up to $123 billion in profit.

in profit. Successful businesses of the future are likely to focus less on the employees' work location and more on the mix of people who are working and how well they are supported.

Respondents cited collaboration, change management, and a constant evolution of future of work approaches as the top challenges faced by companies in implementing workplace transformation strategies.

Rajesh Varrier, EVP, Head of Digital Experience & Microsoft Business, Infosys, said, "Organizations have realized that remote work is here to stay and that there is a pressing need to diversify and upskill their employees to boost business growth. The findings from the Future of Work 2023 report also showcase how businesses can drive growth, productivity, and profitability through the automation of digital tools and create more inclusive workplaces."

To read the full report, visit here:

Methodology

Infosys used an anonymous format to conduct an online survey of 2,500 senior executives and managers involved in workplace and workforce planning for large companies across 12 industries across the US, UK, France, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand.

About Infosys

Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. Over 300,000 of our people work to amplify human potential and create the next opportunity for people, businesses and communities. With over four decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer clients, in more than 50 countries, as they navigate their digital transformation powered by the cloud. We enable them with an AI-powered core, empower the business with agile digital at scale and drive continuous improvement with always-on learning through the transfer of digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem. We are deeply committed to being a well-governed, environmentally sustainable organization where diverse talent thrives in an inclusive workplace.

Visit www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next.

Safe Harbor

Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects, financial expectations and plans for navigating the COVID-19 impact on our employees, clients and stakeholders are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding COVID-19 and the effects of government and other measures seeking to contain its spread, risks related to an economic downturn or recession in India, the United States and other countries around the world, changes in political, business, and economic conditions, fluctuations in earnings, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, our ability to manage growth, intense competition in IT services including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, wage increases in India and the US, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, industry segment concentration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks or system failures, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which Infosys has made strategic investments, withdrawal or expiration of governmental fiscal incentives, political instability and regional conflicts, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry and the outcome of pending litigation and government investigation. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our United States Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law.

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SOURCE Infosys
MIAMI, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Unitea is the first engage-to-earn social media platform encouraging authentic connections between musical artists and their fans by inviting users to "Create, Connect, Collect." Unitea encourages users to showcase their fandom by creating short-form videos soundtracked by their favorite songs, as well as streaming and sharing music. By engaging in the Unitea platform, fans earn digital tokens that are exchanged for blockchain-authenticated, artist-focused rewards and experiences.

In addition to curating experiential and physical rewards like saxophone lessons with Big Gigantic and signed merchandise from The Chainsmokers, Unitea is now partnering with 10 acts to launch the app's first digital rewards.

Collaborating with acts from all corners of the dance floor, Unitea's exclusive line of Augmented Reality rewards that galvanize users to express their fandom.

Claude VonStroke: Fans of Claude VonStroke's venerable imprint Dirtybird can gain access to a 3D animation of the label's egg logo hatching into an adorable, impeccably dressed bird cartoon

Fans of Claude VonStroke's venerable imprint Dirtybird can gain access to a 3D animation of the label's egg logo hatching into an adorable, impeccably dressed bird cartoon Said The Sky: The renowned Denver -based, emotive electronic musician unveils a special rotating cloud animation with the artist's logo embedded onto the design

The renowned -based, emotive electronic musician unveils a special rotating cloud animation with the artist's logo embedded onto the design Yung Bae: Users can sport future funk pioneer Yung Bae's signature bucket hat

Users can sport future funk pioneer Yung Bae's signature bucket hat Ravenscoon: Bass-maestro Ravenscoon unleashes an intricate 3D virtual emblem displaying the producer's singular logo

Bass-maestro Ravenscoon unleashes an intricate 3D virtual emblem displaying the producer's singular logo Kendoll : Collect an exclusive 3D mask displaying bass-house virtuoso Kendoll's striking smiley-face logo

: Collect an exclusive 3D mask displaying bass-house virtuoso Kendoll's striking smiley-face logo Codes: Funky house producer Codes shares his hallmark look, with a collectible virtual flat-brimmed hat

Funky house producer Codes shares his hallmark look, with a collectible virtual flat-brimmed hat Bear Grillz: Future-bass maestro Bear Grillz offers up a striking, 3D bear mask

Future-bass maestro Bear Grillz offers up a striking, 3D bear mask Sunsquabi: Pick up a fiery bird emblem from the iconic jamtronica band's recently-released Arise LP

Pick up a fiery bird emblem from the iconic jamtronica band's recently-released LP DJ Diesel: Put on DJ Disel's virtual, roaring gorilla head, a token that aligns with the DJ's raucous sets

Put on DJ Disel's virtual, roaring gorilla head, a token that aligns with the DJ's raucous sets Deorro: Superstar DJ/producer Deorro offers up an elegant rose that can be perched in your ear

See the Augmented Reality Rewards in Action Here

Unitea users can collect each AR reward by simply following the associated artist's account, effectively celebrating fandom at all levels and eliminating any barrier to entry.

Unitea users then showcase their artist-branded AR rewards by integrating into the app's short-form video feature called 'Vibes,' which incentivizes fans to vibe with their favorite artists.

Similar to Instagram's 'Reels,' Vibes allow users to create and edit video clips, soundtracked by audio from an extensive musical catalog, and topped off with artist-branded AR rewards for the ultimate customized UGC experience.

Vibes can be shared in-app via private messenger or on Unitea's public explore feed, and can also be exported to other social media platforms for exponential engagement. When users create and share Vibes, they receive artist-specific 'Karma' tokens which can be redeemed for exclusive artist experiences like a private meetup at Mersiv's studio, a bundle of Illenium's signature jerseys, or a tequila tasting with John Summit aboard Groove Cruise.

Earning Karma through interacting with Vibes is only the latest development in Unitea's vision to foster and reward meaningful artist-fan relationships. Since the platform's inception in October 2019, Unitea users have been earning Karma by syncing the app with their Spotify or Apple Music accounts, streaming and sharing music, and interacting with fellow music enthusiasts on the platform.

Karma can be redeemed for a range of artist-specific rewards including: experiential - meet & greets, event tickets and VIP upgrades; physical - prize packs and merchandise gifting; and digital - AR rewards. From SOFI TUKKER, STS9, and The Disco Biscuits, to Martin Garrix, Tokimonsta and Oliver Tree, artists across the genre spectrum are utilizing Unitea to reward fandom at scale.

"Our vision is to build a more equitable social media model where everyone wins," Unitea co-founder and tech-visionary Ketan Rahangdale explains. "Artists build real relationships with their fans, who supercharge music streams and content creation in exchange for authenticated rewards of tangible value .

Foundationally, Unitea is a revolutionary tool that helps artists directly connect with listeners through in-app messaging, identify top supporters worldwide, and build superfan 'Crew Chats' that operate as tight-knit micro-communities.

Download Unitea now

CONNECT WITH UNITEA

https://unitea.com/

https://www.instagram.com/uniteamusic/

https://twitter.com/uniteamusic?s=21

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/unitea/id1454423881

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.unitea.android

SOURCE Unitea
Acquisition Will Expand Equifax International Footprint in Large, Fast-Growing Brazilian Market

ATLANTA, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Equifax  Inc. (NYSE: EFX) ("Equifax") today announced a definitive agreement to acquire Boa Vista Servicos (BOAS3: SAO), the second largest credit bureau in Brazil. The agreement was approved by the Boa Vista Servicos Board of Directors for R$8.00 per share, implying an estimated total enterprise value of R$3,103 million, or USD$596 million based on a USD/BRL exchange rate of 5.2033 (PTAX as of February 8, 2023). This acquisition will expand Equifax's capabilities in the large and fast-growing Brazilian market and offers Boa Vista Servicos access to Equifax's expansive global capabilities and cloud-native data, products, decisioning and analytical technology for the rapid development of new products and services, and expansion into new industries.

"We're energized to expand Equifax's reach internationally with the acquisition of Boa Vista Servicos, and look forward to welcoming Boa Vista Servicos' employees to our global team. This acquisition will mark an exciting new chapter for Equifax and Boa Vista Servicos customers that will bring powerful new insights to Brazilian lenders and service providers to help them better understand their customers and promote greater financial inclusion to meet the needs of the approximately 34 million unbanked or underbanked consumers in Brazil," said Mark W. Begor, CEO of Equifax. "Strategic, bolt-on acquisitions are core to our EFX2025 growth priorities. Boa Vista Servicos is our 14th acquisition that Equifax has signed or completed in the past 24 months totaling $4.1 billion."

Under the terms of the agreement, Equifax will offer all Boa Vista Servicos shareholders the option to receive (1) R$8.00 per share in cash, (2) R$7.20 in cash and 0.0008 of an EFX Brazilian Depository Receipt ("BDR") representing an equivalent fraction of one share of Equifax common stock or (3) R$5.33 of Equifax do Brasil S.A. ("Equifax Brasil") common shares and R$2.67 in either cash or 0.0027 of Equifax BDRs. This agreement represents an 89 percent premium to the closing stock price of Boa Vista Servicos on December 15, 2022, the last unaffected trading day prior to the issuance of the notice to the market by Boa Vista Servicos acknowledging receipt of the Equifax acquisition proposal, and a 185 percent premium to Boa Vista Servicos' enterprise value based on such closing price on December 15, 2022. The agreement also represents a 65 percent premium to the volume weighted average trading price of Boa Vista Servicos for the 30 trading days ending on December 15.

In conjunction with the definitive agreement to acquire Boa Vista Servicos, Associacao Comercial de Sao Paulo ("ACSP"), the largest shareholder of Boa Vista Servicos, has executed a voting agreement in support of the transaction. Combined, Equifax and ACSP currently have over 40 percent of the capital stock of Boa Vista Servicos and are aligned in completing the transaction. Additionally, ACSP has also entered into a 15-year agreement with Boa Vista Servicos to maintain its commercial relationship with Boa Vista Servicos, refrain from competing with the Boa Vista Servicos business and provide consulting and regulatory support services to Boa Vista Servicos.

Equifax maintains a unique understanding of global credit needs and is driving cloud-based innovation in consumer credit, commercial credit, and digital enablement that spans geographies. The company's Equifax Cloud transformation enables Equifax to scale and adapt for the specific needs of the countries in which it operates. It further enables the sharing of learnings and strengths from each region to help other regions identify and execute effectively on new growth opportunities. The Equifax Cloud, combined with Equifax's unique data assets, leading decisioning and analytical solutions, and Identity and Fraud solutions will help accelerate Boa Vista Servicos's digital transformation and increase the scale of the Boa Vista Servicos business for continued success - meeting the evolving needs of both consumers and lenders in Brazil.

The initial Equifax offer to acquire Boa Vista Servicos was announced on December 19, 2022. The transaction is subject to Boa Vista Servicos's shareholder approval and other customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed sometime in the second quarter of 2023, at which time the company will become a subsidiary of Equifax Brasil. The acquisition is not anticipated to have a material impact on 2023 Equifax financial results.

BofA Securities is serving as financial advisor to Equifax, and Hogan Lovells US LLP and Machado Meyer Advogados are acting as legal counsels to Equifax.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. All statements that address operating performance and events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future, including statements relating to our ability to consummate the proposed transaction with Boa Vista Servicos, the ability of Boa Vista Servicos to receive shareholder approval and satisfy other closing conditions, the expected financial and operational benefits, synergies and growth from the proposed transaction and our ability to integrate Boa Vista Servicos and its products, services, technologies, IT systems and personnel into our operations, and similar statements about our outlook and our business plans are forward-looking statements. We believe these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made. However, forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in our 2021 Form 10-K and subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). As a result of such risks and uncertainties, we urge you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date when made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

NO OFFER OR SOLICITATION

This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

This press release is for informational purposes only and should not, under any circumstances, constitute, be interpreted or understood as an investment recommendation, nor as an offer to acquire any of the securities of Equifax or Equifax Brasil.

FILINGS WITH THE SEC

Equifax and Equifax Brasil plan to file a Registration Statement on Form S-4/F-4 with the SEC in connection with the transaction. The Form S-4/F-4 will contain a prospectus and other documents. The Form S-4/F-4, and prospectus will contain important information about Equifax, Equifax Brasil, Boa Vista Servicos, the transaction and related matters. Investors and shareholders of Boa Vista Servicos should read the prospectus and the other documents filed with the SEC in connection with the transaction carefully before they make any decision with respect to the transaction. The Form S-4/F-4 and the prospectus, and all other documents filed with the SEC in connection with the acquisition will be available when filed free of charge at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, the prospectus and all other documents filed with the SEC in connection with the acquisition will be made available to investors free of charge by calling or writing to Equifax Inc., Attn: Office of Corporate Secretary, P.O. Box 4081, Atlanta, Georgia 30302, telephone (404) 885-8000.

ABOUT EQUIFAX INC.

At Equifax (NYSE: EFX), we believe knowledge drives progress. As a global data, analytics, and technology company, we play an essential role in the global economy by helping financial institutions, companies, employers, and government agencies make critical decisions with greater confidence. Our unique blend of differentiated data, analytics, and cloud technology drives insights to power decisions to move people forward. Headquartered in Atlanta and supported by more than 14,000 employees worldwide, Equifax operates or has investments in 24 countries in North America, Central and South America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region. For more information, visit Equifax.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Kate Walker for Equifax

[email protected]

SOURCE Equifax Inc.
LAKELAND, Fla., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Former state senator and community advocate Kelli Stargel has joined Florida Polytechnic University in a new role designed to help the all-STEM institution broaden its statewide impact.

Former State Senator Kelli Stargel joins Florida Polytechnic University as its new senior advisor for strategic relationships.

As Florida Poly's senior advisor for strategic relationships, Stargel will lead efforts to develop and manage statewide relationships and partnerships, leveraging them to further the University's goals. This includes maximizing engagement opportunities for industry partners, donors, business and community leaders, and other major constituent groups throughout the state.

"Since the beginning of my political career, I've watched this University grow and meet its mission of educating people in STEM fields, which are vitally needed in our state," Stargel said. "I'm excited about the work happening at Florida Poly, and I want to be a part of it."

The former lawmaker has been a champion for Florida Poly since its inception. During her years in the Florida Legislature, she strongly advocated for the University, including by working with her Senate colleagues to secure more than $20 million in state funding for the state-of-the-art Applied Research Center, which opened last year.

Stargel now hopes to play a key role in promoting the school's importance to the state in terms of economic growth and academic excellence in high-demand fields.

"In the past, I helped to fund and then let people take those funds and develop them into amazing things. Now, I get to be on the other side in a very different role of support," Stargel said. "I'll be able to tell the story of what Florida Poly brings to the state, so that others get to be just as excited about what this University can do for Florida."

Stargel was elected to the Florida Senate in 2012 where she served as chair of the Appropriations Committee. Prior to that, she served two terms in the Florida House of Representatives. She has called Lakeland home for 31 years.

In her new position, Stargel will work directly with University President Randy K. Avent.

"Kelli has been a powerful supporter of Florida Poly from the beginning, and we are honored to have her come on board," Avent said. "With her help and experience, we're confident the University will increase its reputation and impact through valuable relationships across the state."

SOURCE Florida Polytechnic University
DUBLIN, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Sensor Technologies Impacting the Physical and Digital Security Market" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Physical security information management provides a comprehensive approach to thwarting attacks through the integration, correlation, visualization, workflow, and analysis of data obtained from events. All physical security systems, including intrusion detection, access control, video surveillance, and building management systems, are connected via the PSIM solution.

These systems then gather and process the data they produce. Although the physical security information management industry is vulnerable to numerous market problems, its benefits will ensure widespread acceptance. Since information management for physical security must offer more than just security, software developers will integrate building and facility management into open platforms.

An enterprise needs many physical security tools and sensors - frequently acquired from various suppliers - dispersed over numerous structures and geographical regions. The security staff is entirely responsible for supervising the devices after installation, often performing manual device-by-device management. Security personnel monitor and manage the frequent firmware updates, password changes, and other device vulnerability concerns accumulated over time.

Security devices also generate a massive amount of information that is not processable by humans. Intelligent systems that can quickly sort through large data volumes and provide practical insights to physical security teams are necessary for effectively countering threats and difficulties. Security teams must rapidly identify which sensor is having a problem and its underlying reason.

Key Issues Addressed

What is the significance of physical and digital security?

What is the impact of sensors on the physical and digital security market?

What recent developments drive market opportunities?

What factors influence technology development and adoption?

What are the crucial growth opportunities?

Key Topics Covered:

1. Strategic Imperatives

Why Is It Increasingly Difficult to Grow?

The Strategic Imperative

The Impact of the Top 3 Strategic Imperatives on the Physical and Digital Security Industry

Growth Opportunities Fuel the Growth Pipeline Engine

Research Methodology

Notable Findings

2. Growth Opportunity Analysis

Scope of Analysis

Segmentation

Growth Drivers

Growth Restraints

3. Sensors: Significance and Emerging Technologies for the Security Market

Significance of Physical and Digital Security

Impact of Sensors in the Physical and Digital Security Market

Enabling Technologies Empowering Physical and Digital Security Applications

THz Sensing Aids Physical Security in Contactless Mode

LiDAR Emerges a Pioneer in Next-generation Security

Access Control and Surveillance are Key Physical Security Market Applications

Biometric Authentication and Online Fraud Detection are Key Digital Security Market Applications

Technology Roadmap for the Physical and Digital Security Market

4. Patent and Funding Trends

IP Analysis and R&D Focus Areas

Sensor Fusion and IoT Sensor Development are High Funding Focus Areas

Partnerships Enabling High Threat Detection and Addressing Market Demands

Notable Participants

Start-ups Developing Advanced Image Sensors for Security and Surveillance Applications

5. Growth Opportunity Universe

Growth Opportunity 1: AI Aids Critical Infrastructure Security

Growth Opportunity 2: Machine Learning

Growth Opportunity 3: Robotics and Drones

6. Appendix

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/2zqpjo

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ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.



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SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Remote Weapon Station Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2017-2027 Segmented By Component (Payload, Sensors, Human Machine Interface (HMI), Fire Control Station and Others), By Platform, By Weapon Type, By Mobility, and By Region" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global remote weapon station market size is anticipated to grow and register an impressive CAGR in the forecast period, 2023-2027

Increased demand for remote weapon stations in close-combat situations and the rise in political and regional conflicts and cross-border tensions across the globe are the primary drivers for the global remote weapons station market.

Also, the ongoing military modernization programs, research and development activities, and development of connected warfare systems are expected to create lucrative growth opportunities for the market players in the forecast period.

Use of Advanced Technologies by Defense Sector Drives the Market Demand

There is a rise in the tension between the countries due to the growing incidence of cross-border conflicts and internal disputes.

The constant threat to civilian and defense assets around the globe is making them upgrade their existing defense infrastructure. Government authorities have increased their defense spending to modernize their army and equip it with advanced technologies, weapons, and equipment to face any situation.

Also, the surge in the use of unmanned aerial vehicles by the enemies for monitoring and surveillance activities in other countries has compromised the army locations and their strategies. Countries are using remote weapon systems in conflict-prone areas and areas where there is a higher risk to the lives of defense personnel to counter such situations.

Advanced remote weapon stations can be fitted into the older versions of the military vehicles, which increases the performance and the ability to cause maximum damage on the battlefield. Therefore, the rise in the awareness about the benefits of using remote weapon stations and the launch of their advanced versions are expected to fuel the market demand in the next five years.

High Demand for Military Applications Propels the Market Demand

The world military expenditure passed $2 trillion for the first time in 2021, according to the study conducted by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). It increased by 0.7 percent in real terms and reached $2113 billion.

Also, according to the report, the top defense expenditure countries were the United States, China, India, the United Kingdom, and Russia. Together, these countries accounted for 62 percent of the expenditure. The rise in military spending is due to the increasing political instabilities, geopolitical tensions, and economic inequality issues.

Several countries in the major reasons like North America and Europe have adopted military modernization programs due to changing warfare technologies and make the country ready to counter combat situations. There is an increase in the demand for armored vehicles and main battle tanks across countries which in turn boosts the demand for remote weapon stations as they are mounted on these vehicles.

The growing deployment of modern tanks and infantry fighting vehicles across the developing countries are expected to accelerate the demand for advanced remote weapon stations equipped with advanced sensors and fire control systems. Therefore, the rise in defense expenditure in countries is expected to bolster the remote weapon station market share for the next five years.

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in global remote weapon station market.

Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd.

Kongsberg Defence Systems

Elbit Systems Land and C4I Ltd.

Kollmorgen

Leonardo S.p.A.

General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems

Moog Inc.

Electro Optic Systems Pty Ltd.

Saab AB

MERRILL

Report Scope:

Remote Weapon Station Market, By Component:

Payload

Sensors

Human Machine Interface (HMI)

Fire Control Station and Others

Remote Weapon Station Market, By Platform:

Land

Naval

Airborne

Remote Weapon Station Market, By Weapon Type:

Lethal Weapon

Non-Lethal Weapon

Remote Weapon Station Market, By Mobility:

Stationary

Moving

Remote Weapon Station Market, By Region:

North America

United States

Canada

Mexico

Asia-Pacific

China

India

Japan

Thailand

Indonesia

Australia

South Korea

Europe & CIS

& CIS Germany

France

United Kingdom

Spain

Italy

Netherlands

Russia

Poland

South America

Brazil

Argentina

Middle East & Africa

& Saudi Arabia

Iran

Israel

UAE

Turkey

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/69mdba-weapon?w=5

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact: Laura Wood | +353-1-481-1716 | [email protected]

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SOURCE Research and Markets
PUNE, India, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a recent market study published by Growth Market Reports, titled, "Residential Security Market by Product Type (Smart Locks, Security Cameras, Fire Sprinklers & Extinguishers, Sensors, Security Alarms, and Others), Solution Type (System and Services), Security Type (Professional-installed & Monitored, Self-installed & Professionally Monitored, and Do-It-Yourself), Residential Type (Independent Homes and Condominiums/ Apartments), and Region: Size, Share, Trends, and Opportunity Analysis, 2023-2031", the market size was USD 36.9 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 84.2 billion, expanding at a CAGR of 10.1% by the end of 2031. The market growth is attributed to the rising burglary and crime rates across the globe.

Key Market Players Profiled in the Report

ADT

Honeywell International Inc

Johnson Controls

Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co., Ltd

ASSA ABLOY

SECOM CO., LTD

Robert Bosch Smart Home GmbH

CISA S.p.A.

ABB

Godrej

Download PDF Sample here: https://growthmarketreports.com/request-sample/4873

The report covers comprehensive data on emerging trends, market drivers, growth opportunities, and restraints that can change the market dynamics of the industry. It provides an in-depth analysis of the market segments which include product type, solution type, security type, and competitor analysis.

This report also includes a complete analysis of industry players and covers their latest developments, product portfolio, pricing, mergers, acquisitions, and collaborations. Moreover, it provides crucial strategies that are helping market players to expand their market share.

Highlights on the Segments of the Residential Security Market

Based on product type, the global market is segregated into smart locks, security cameras, fire sprinklers & extinguishers, sensors and security alarms, and others. The security cameras segment held a key share of the market and is anticipated to expand significantly during the forecast period. Security cameras are most used for deterrence.

On the basis of solution type, the global residential security market is bifurcated into systems and services. The system segment is projected to expand at a high CAGR during the forecast period owing to the involvement of the use of CCTV cameras.

For Any Questions on This Report: https://growthmarketreports.com/enquiry-before-buying/4873

Based on security type, the global market is fragmented into professional-installed and monitored, self-installed and professionally monitored, and do-it-yourself. The professional-installed and monitored segment is expected to grow at a significant pace during the projected period as it provides advice and instructions regarding usage.

On the basis of residential type, the residential security market is bifurcated into independent homes and condominiums/ apartments. The independent homes segment accounted for a major market share in 2022 and is projected to generate a high revenue share during the assessment period. The rapid expansion of independent homes demands for security cameras, locks, alarms, and motion detectors for safety purposes.

In terms of region, the global residential security market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. North America dominated the market in 2022 and is projected to expand at a significant CAGR during the forecast period owing to rising consumer awareness regarding safety.

To Buy the Complete Report: https://growthmarketreports.com/report/residential-security-market-global-industry-analysis

Key Takeaways from the Study:

Residential security system includes a network of electronic components and sensors that works to keep the home safe. It informs in case of smoke & fire and criminal activities.

Increasing crime rates at a rapid pace boost the demand for residential security, further accelerating the market growth during the projected period.

The emergence of various wireless technologies and the Internet of Things (IoT) enhanced the performance of security systems. It allows one to keep on track through smart devices from a long distance and it provides live information, which drives the growth of the market.

Growing advancement in security cameras such as HD cameras, night vision surveillance systems, and infrared creates an immense growth opportunity.

It is expected that the system will grow at a significant CAGR, during the forecast period. It includes a fire protection system, video surveillance system, access control system, entrance control system, and intruder alarm system, which enhance the overall performance and monitor consumers in case of smoke, fire, and illegal acts in residential structures.

Professional-installed and monitored system is considered a good option for complex installation as it helps to provide usage instructions on-site.

It is anticipated that the market in North America grows quickly during the projected period, due to the increasing technological advancements in residential security systems, which further boosts the adoption of residential security systems in the region.

Read 210 Pages Research Report with Detailed ToC on "Residential Security Market by Product Type (Smart Locks, Security Cameras, Fire Sprinklers & Extinguishers, Sensors & Security Alarms, and Others), Solution Type (System and Services), Security Type (Professional-installed & Monitored, Self-installed & Professionally Monitored, and Do-It-Yourself), Residential Type (Independent Homes and Condominiums/ Apartments), and Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa) - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast, 2023  2031"

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Key Segments Covered

Product Type

Smart Locks

Security Cameras

Fire Sprinklers & Extinguishers

Sensors and Security Alarms

Others

Solution Type

System

Services

Security Type

Professional-installed and Monitored

Self-installed and Professionally Monitored

Do-It-Yourself

Residential Type

Independent Homes

Condominiums/ Apartments

Region

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa

Other Related Reports:

Smart Homes Security Cameras Market by Products (Wired and Wireless), Application (Doorbell Cameras, Indoor Cameras, and Outdoor Cameras), and Region ( Asia Pacific , North America , Latin America , Europe , and Middle East & Africa ) - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast 20212028

Global HD Security Cameras Market by Type (Indoor and Outdoor), Application (City Infrastructure, Commercial, and Institutional), and Region ( North America , Latin America , Europe , Asia Pacific , and Middle East & Africa ), Forecast From 2022 To 2030

Global Home Security Sensors Market by Type (Glass Break Detectors, Window and Door Sensors, Smoke Detectors, Heat Detectors, and Others), Application (Home Intrusion, Home Life Safety, and Others), and Region ( North America , Latin America , Europe , Asia Pacific , and Middle East & Africa ), Forecast To 2028

Global Building Security System Market by Type (Monitoring Systems, Access control, Intrusion Detection, Fire Safety, and Others), Application (Residential Building, Commercial Building, Industrial Building, and Others), and Region ( North America , Latin America , Europe , Asia Pacific , and Middle East & Africa ), Forecast From 2022 To 2030

About Growth Market Reports:

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Our key analysis segments, though not restricted to the same, include market entry strategies, market size estimations, market trend analysis, market opportunity analysis, market threat analysis, market growth/fall forecasting, primary interviews, and secondary research & consumer surveys.

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SOURCE Growth Market Reports
DUBLIN, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Water Dispenser Market - Global Outlook & Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global water dispenser market is expected to reach a value of $1,461.87 million by 2028 from $900.16 million in 2022, growing at a CAGR of 8.42%

Investing in advanced filtration technologies can enable vendors to gain a competitive edge in the market, especially in the case of efficient reverse osmosis and UV technologies.



The momentum for bottle-less or POU water dispensers is witnessing traction owing to their environmental and economic advantages over bottled dispensers. Corporate offices are implementing green policies in their day-to-day operations, where installing a POU system can be an ideal option to avoid plastic water jugs.



MARKET TRENDS & OPPORTUNITIES

Significance of innovative and feature enhancements



In the highly competitive water dispenser market, it has become inevitable for players to get ahead of the competition through distinctive features and attributes in terms of operation, design, installation, filtration, or technology being incorporated. Accordingly, introducing innovative features to elevate customer satisfaction is expected to be a game-changer during the next five years.



The Emergence of Coworking Spaces



The concept of coworking has come a long way from 2005 when it only involved offering a common and open space to companies of all sizes moving into coworking spaces and demanding more managers, meeting, and conference rooms. Working in coworking and flexible offices has not only become a new norm, but it is also becoming an expected and preferred destination for the current workforce.



Countries like China, the US, and India are potential markets for exploitation with a high concentration of flexible spaces. Germany and Canada are among the fastest-growing nations in the coworking industry that can also be targeted. Thus, trends like shifting to private offices, long-term contract durations, higher capacities, and desk requirements were common in 2020, which is expected to reshape the water dispenser market during the forecast period.



Demand For Clean And Filtered Water



Various microorganisms like viruses and bacteria cause waterborne diseases through contaminated water. Poor quality of water is due to industrial, animal, and human waste pollution. There are various places in the world where these diseases are rampant and deadly. Contaminated water and poor sanitation have been major sources of the transmission of various diseases.



Consumers have also realized the significance of spending more on water treatment systems for drinking purposes, where the efforts of the government in creating public awareness about waterborne illnesses have propelled the demand for water dispensers as well. NGOs and other public welfare organizations also educate and sensitize communities about the potential risks and common precautions to be taken by the population. Such measures are expected to contribute to the global water dispenser market.



INDUSTRY RESTRAINTS

Low Residential Penetration & High Maintenance Costs



Despite water dispensers' significant installation cost benefits over other conventional methods, the maintenance and other overhead costs can be high. The initial cost and maintenance of water filters hinder the adoption of home water dispensers in price-sensitive nations like India, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Further, the lack of space can be challenging, especially in compact residential facilities, limiting the scope for free-standing dispensers. The low residential penetration is also due to the consumption of high-quality tap water and packaged water in European economies.



SEGMENTATION INSIGHTS

INSIGHTS BY TYPE



The bottled water dispenser market is expected to be the largest segment and accounted for 64.10% of the total revenue share in 2022, with North America and APAC being the major markets. While most established players like Avalon still operate in the bottled segment, the demand for bottled countertop dispensers is prominent in certain commercial and corporate spaces owing to their elegant design and functionality.

The revenue enhancement opportunities for bottled water still exist in renting operations to museums, exhibitions, and casinos. Latin America and, the Middle East & Africa are expected to account for an 18.82% share of the revenue growth in the bottled segment during the forecast period.

INSIGHTS BY OPERATION



The free-standing segment dominates the global water dispenser market. Free-standing dispensers are the most common type in commercial spaces where the demand for downpour quantity is high. While larger footprints and energy efficiency are considered challenges, countertop variants are expected to account for a major market share during the forecast period.

Similarly, wall-mounted dispensers are expected to generate incremental sales of 133.47 thousand units. In contrast, under-the-sink RO filters are gaining momentum as one of the most preferred POU water treatment systems. They are also ideal for restaurants, hotels, and catering spaces since they can save countertop space.



INSIGHTS BY TECHNOLOGY



The filter-free water dispenser market accounts for a 63.20% revenue share in 2022 and is expected to pose an absolute growth of 59.21% during the forecast period. This segment consists of bottled water dispensers available without filtration equipment. The free-standing bottled dispensers were the major revenue contributors to this segment in 2022.

Honeywell, Primo, Whirlpool, and Avalon are some major players in this highly competitive segment. With the absence of filtration technology, the point of distinction is very low, leading to low product differentiation. Vendors are involved in product enhancement strategies in design, temperature control, certifications, energy rating, child lock feature, and touchless operations to stay ahead of the competition.



INSIGHTS BY APPLICATION



The commercial water dispenser market is growing at a CAGR of 8.17% during the forecast period. Commercial space owners are looking for water dispensers to reduce additional costs incurred over time. Water dispensers that consumers mostly utilize in the commercial end-user segment are recommended to be more user-friendly and convenient. Low equipment failures and sustained filtered water quality are also major factors influencing customer satisfaction.



The water dispenser market in corporate spaces was valued at USD 107.74 million in 2022. Maintaining the highest levels of cleanliness and standards is a major pillar for business success among corporates. Alongside target accessing, vendors require technicians to handle more complex installations in crowded spaces without interrupting the business and work environment. This can be more specific in shopping malls, coworking spaces, hotels, and recreational centers.



INSIGHTS BY DISTRIBUTION



The offline channels are expected to be the largest distribution channels in the global water dispenser market and were valued at USD 679.85 million in 2022. The distribution environment is rapidly evolving, with systems and processes being upgraded at a rapid pace.

Changes are being spurred by expanding competition, accelerating digitization, constant disintermediation, and consumerization of expectations. It is a dynamic segment where transparent pricing, communities, and social connections influence the purchase mode. This is expected to continue further, focusing on lowering costs, improving efficiencies, and opening new opportunities.

GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS

North America dominated the global water dispenser market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.92% during the forecast period. Millions of Americans are prone to drinking unsafe water that exceeds the limitations set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The pervasiveness of the potential hazard has been realized by people across the country, thereby driving the demand for POU water treatment systems.

Further, municipal wastewater treatment methods, usage of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in households, regulatory compliance of mining operations, and the release of cadmium and mercury from heavy industries are expected to shape the adoption of plumbed-in filtration systems in Canada during the forecast period. While chromium, lead, and arsenic are some common contaminants in tap water, natural disasters such as hurricanes and storms can result in poor water management strategies. A growing number of schools, hotels, QSR chains, and shopping malls are also in the pipeline that fuels the water dispenser market in the region.

Europe is expected to pose an absolute growth of 52.66% during the forecast period. Germany and the UK were estimated to be the largest markets in the region, with high growth potential in Italy, France, and Spain. The deep concern over water quality and booming opportunities in the commercial countertop segment is expected to support the water dispenser market growth in the next five years.

Market Dynamics

Market Opportunities & Trends

Innovation & Feature Enhancements

Preference for Eco-Friendly Pou Systems

Emergence of Co-Working Spaces

Market Growth Enablers

Demand for Clean & Filtered Water

High Adoption in Commercial Establishments

Marketing & Competitive M&A Strategies

Integration of Filtered Technology in Water Dispensers

Market Restraints

Compliance with Regulatory Standards

Low Residential Penetration & High Maintenance Costs

High-Quality Tap Water in Developed Economies

Key Vendors

Culligan

Primo Water Corporation

Canaletas

Celli Group

Other Prominent Vendors

Avalon Water Coolers

Blue Star

Voltas

Atlantis

Clover

Midea Group

Ningbo Jewin Electrical Appliances

Aqua Clara

Alpine Coolers

Ningbo Lamo Drinking Water Equipment

Bibo

Glug Glug Glug

Arctic Coolers

AquAid

BRITA

Alfred Karcher

Mistral

Vista France

Sure International

Mt. Fuji Springs

Aimex Australia

Royal Sovereign

Sprudel

CWAY Group

Aquazania

SEONE

GHP Group

Elkay Manufacturing Company

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/y680qq-dispenser?w=5

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

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SOURCE Research and Markets
ATLANTA, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- GMCC & Welling, a subsidiary of Midea Industrial Technology that provides system solutions for the core parts of home appliances, made an appearance at AHR Expo 2023 in Atlanta, USA, to showcase an entire solution of HVAC products including compressors, motors, and heat pumps for various applications such as US-style air conditioners, light commercial air conditioners, window air conditioners, refrigerators, heat pump water heaters (HPWH) and battery management systems. GMCC & Welling is set to take advantage of its globally leading innovation, manufacturing and supply capabilities to drive the green transformation of HVAC market, with its high-efficiency, low-noise, and high-reliability products.

GMCC & Welling at AHR Expo 2023

GMCC & Welling showcases products to set the trend for efficient and low-noise residential air conditioners

The HVAC market in North America is expected to reach USD 58.56 billion by 2028, creating a plenty of room for growth. To be better positioned to meet the growing demand in North America, GMCC & Welling is demonstrating its ability to cover a wide range of applications with AC compressors, refrigerator compressors, motors, and heat pumps at AHR Expo 2023. Specifically, three products including the R454B Scroll Compressor for Unitary Application, PSC Motor, and the Resin Housing ECM-Constant Torque are trendsetters for US-style air conditioners in terms of their high efficiency, low noise and high reliability:

R454B Scroll Compressor for Unitary Application

Design optimized for R454B and new DOE regulation

Industry leading-efficiency, vibration and oil circulation rate, excellent reliability

1.5~5 ton capacity for commercial and residential applications

PSC Motor

48 Frame & 42Frame option

Efficiency could reach 70%

Mature process for Al winding, high reliability

Resin Housing ECM-Constant Torque

6000V surge protection, high reliability

Fully potted electric module

Efficiency up to 85%

FOC vector driver, motor noise < 45dB(A)

GMCC & Welling is a system solutions supplier for all home appliance scenarios

In North America, GMCC & Welling provides customers with high-performance products including rotary compressors for unitary applications, scroll compressors for light commercial air conditioners/heat pumps, the R290 heat pump water heater compressors, vapor injection scroll compressors for heat pumps, refrigerator compressors, rotary compressors for window air conditioners, rotary compressors for battery management, and rotary compressors for RVAC. To address the different needs of customers for different applications, GMCC & Welling combines products and innovative technologies to offer system solutions for the North America market, covering residential, light commercial, water heater, and automobile applications.

To provide more localized services for customers in the North America market, GMCC & Welling will adhere to its localization policy, and optimize its service taking into consideration the local culture and economic landscape. Moreover, GMCC & Welling will work with local business partners to further enhance its technical support capabilities. GMCC & Welling accelerate its innovation, R&D and product iteration according to the changing needs of customers in North America.

About Midea Industrial Technology

Midea Industrial Technology, as one of the five business groups of Midea Group, takes science and technology as the core driving force. With technology leadership in intelligent transportation, industrial automation, green energy and consumer appliances, Midea Industrial Technology creates better life for billions of end users worldwide with green, efficient and intelligent products and technologies via a number of brands, including GMCC, Welling, Hiconics, Sunye, Servotronix, Dorna, MR, Mikon, Toshiba and Motivona.

Up to now, Midea Industrial Technology has built 27 R&D centers in China, India, and Japan, with an accumulation of more than 5,500 authorized patents. With an annual R&D investment of 1.1 billion RMB, the company continues to invest in core and cutting-edge technologies for high-precision products such as compressors, motors, chips, reducers, auto parts, servo systems and heat dissipation components.

Embracing the vision of Technology drives everything, Midea Industrial Technology is committed to supporting industrial development around the world with the power of technological innovation.

Website: https://tech.midea.com/

SOURCE Midea Industrial Technology
National Police of Peru Commander Luis Enrique Panibra Rojas and First Petty Officer Nestor Sanchez Saenz are the selected agents.

Este importante hito en las Operaciones de Paz se ha logrado gracias al esfuerzo conjunto entre la Policia Nacional del Peru y el Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, reforzando el compromiso del Peru con la paz y seguridad internacionales ???? https://t.co/xpKpSvj32j. pic.twitter.com/pYblDOqE9W
MIAMI, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Goya Foods, through its Goya Gives global initiative, partners with Global Empowerment Mission (G.E.M.) to send ongoing shipments of food to the people of Turkey in response to the desperate cries of earthquake victims in Malatya. G.E.M.'s Miami headquarters is consolidating donations from around the country, and Goya's Florida and Texas facilities with daily shipments of food, water, and humanitarian aid to Turkey.

Goya Foods partners with Global Empowerment Mission (G.E.M.) to send ongoing shipments of food to Turkey. Tweet this Goya Gives partners with Global Empowerment Mission (G.E.M.) to send ongoing shipments of food to the people of Turkey in response to the desperate cries of earthquake victims in Malatya.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to the over 19,000 victims, their families, the first responders, and the people of Turkey in this historic disaster. Michael Capponi, Founder of G.E.M. was already on the ground within 48 hours in Turkey when we received his call for help. Although we always respond to crises around the world, this is especially heartbreaking due to the sheer number of souls lost," said Bob Unanue, President and CEO of Goya Foods.

Through Goya Gives, Goya is always at the forefront of natural disasters and humanitarian relief efforts, donating millions of pounds of food each year in the United States and worldwide.

To learn more about Goya Gives, please visit: www.goya.com

About Goya Foods

Founded in 1936, Goya Foods, Inc. is America's largest Hispanic-owned food company and has established itself as the leader in Latin American food and condiments. Goya manufactures, packages, and distributes over 2,500 high-quality food products from Spain, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central, and South America. Goya products have their roots in the culinary traditions of Hispanic communities worldwide. The combination of authentic ingredients, robust seasonings, and convenient preparation makes Goya products ideal for every taste and table. For more information on Goya Foods, please visit www.goya.com.

For more information, contact:

Natalie J. Maniscalco

845.659.6506 / [email protected]

SOURCE Goya Foods, Inc.
The Official Grand Bahama Magazine To Launch Globally on February 21

FREEPORT, The Bahamas, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The rich and diverse story of Grand Bahama will be shared with the world, thanks to the brand-new Grand Life Magazine!

The Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board officially released a digital copy of the Grand Life Magazine at a soft launch event, which was hosted at Lighthouse Pointe at Grand Lucayan Resort on Feb 2. The event was attended by a number of US based travel agents and Ministry of Tourism Investments and Aviation representatives, who all got a first look at the publication ahead of its official launch, which is scheduled to take place on Feb 21.

The Grand Life Magazine is a full-length magazine that will be shared in print and digitally with visitors, travel agents, and at tourism events around the world. The very first issue features diverse stories about Grand Bahamian people, culture, and food. It highlights the Smith's Point Fish Fry's 40'th Anniversary, unique culinary finds, and stories about the men and women who make the island unique.

Grand Life Magazine was developed by co-editors, Carmel Churchill and Nikia Wells, who are both Grand Bahama natives.

"The Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board challenged us to create a digital publication that would encapsulate the stories and people of Grand Bahama," noted Churchill. "As Grand Bahamians who both have a great passion and deep love for the island, we wanted to share authentic and heartfelt experiences."

Wells added, "In this very first issue of the Grand Life Magazine, our goal is to tell a captivating story about the real Grand Bahama and share a bit of the wonderful adventures that the island has to offer. It is a family island, a city and an eco-wonderland all rolled into one. And, it is a dream come true to be able to showcase this beautiful island that we call home, on the world stage."

Churchill also notes that the second issue of the Grand Life Magazine is already in the works. "The energy and excitement of this first issue has accelerated the wheels turning for the second edition, which promises to be jam-packed and filled with a number of 'bucket list' things to do while on the island."

A digital copy of the Grand Life Magazine can be viewed by visiting www.grandbahamavacations.com. Printed copies will be available after the magazine's official launch in late February.

ABOUT THE BAHAMAS

The Bahamas has over 700 islands and cays, as well as 16 unique island destinations. Located only 50 miles off the coast of Florida, it offers a quick and easy way for travellers to escape their everyday. The island nation also boasts world-class fishing, diving, boating and thousands of miles of the Earth's most spectacular beaches for families, couples and adventurers to explore. See why It's Better in The Bahamas at www.bahamas.com or on Facebook, YouTube or Instagram.

MEDIA INQUIRIES

Carmel Churchill

Doncar Hospitality Management

[email protected]

Anita Johnson

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation

[email protected]

SOURCE The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation
NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues to investigate potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE: GS) resulting from allegations that Goldman Sachs may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Goldman Sachs securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=11359 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action.

WHAT IS THIS ABOUT: On January 20, 2023, during trading hours, The Wall Street Journal published an article entitled "U.S. Fed probes Goldman Sachs consumer business." The article stated that "The U.S. Federal Reserve is probing whether Goldman Sachs Group Inc's consumer business had appropriate safeguards in place as the bank ramped up lending." Further, the article stated that "The central bank is concerned the Wall Street giant did not have proper monitoring and control systems inside Marcus, its consumer unit, as it grew larger." The article added that "The probe, which grew out of a standard Fed review of the business in 2021 and intensified into an investigation last year, is also examining instances of customer harm and whether they were properly resolved."

On this news, Goldman Sachs's price fell $8.91, or 2.54%, to close at $341.84 on January 20, 2023.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
New Complimentary Bluelink+ Subscription Offered

Launches with 2023 IONIQ 6 and Future Models Starting with the 2024 Model Year

All-inclusive Connected Car Technology Can Help Lower the Cost of Ownership

CHICAGO, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at the 2023 Chicago Auto Show, Hyundai Motor America is launching an industry-leading connected car services program called Bluelink+. With Bluelink+, Hyundai is saying good-bye to nearly all subscription fees for new owners.i ii

Hyundai Bluelink logo. Hyundai owner uses Bluelink connected car services in their Hyundai vehicle. Bluelink+ Leads the Industry(iv) Bluelink Features(i,ii) Screengrab of Hyundai Bluelink on a mobile phone. Screengrab of Hyundai Bluelink on a mobile phone.

All services included in the previous Bluelink Connected Care, Remote and Guidance subscription packages are now offered complimentary on a non-trial basis for new buyers with Bluelink+ (4G LTE network and technology dependent).ii Bluelink+ is launching with the new 2023 IONIQ 6 and on all future Bluelink-equipped Hyundai models starting with the 2024 model line-up.i By standardizing access to top safety, maintenance, and remote technology features, Hyundai is offering a complimentary industry-leading connectivity program for all new owners.

Hyundai is the first and only automotive brand to provide all these features to new car purchasers with no "trial period" or recurring subscription fees.i Bluelink+ is a best-in-class complimentary connected car program. With this program Hyundai is providing its customers more than $350 in estimated annual savings.iii

"Bluelink+ is part of our commitment to being a technology leader," said Manish Mehrotra, vice president, digital business planning and connected operations, Hyundai Motor North America. "Other automakers follow a traditional subscription model and have monthly fees for most of these safety and convenience features. Hyundai is once again leading the industry by standardizing technologies that enhance the customer experience."

Bluelink+ Features

All Bluelink+ services are offered complimentary with the purchase of a new Hyundai vehicle, the first year of ownership for certified pre-owned, and the first three months for used car owners.i ii Key safety and maintenance features, previously included in the Connected Care Package, are now part of Bluelink+ Basic, which will be available for subsequent owners to connect with no associated fees. That means essential key safety and maintenance features, such as, Auto Collision Assistance, SOS Assistance, Remote Diagnostics, Maintenance Reminders, and over-the-air ECU Updates, are available with no trial period, and for the life of the supporting technology and 4G LTE network.

Continuing the Bluelink Legacy

More than 10 years ago, Bluelink debuted on the 2011 Hyundai Sonata with a suite of connected services. Since then, it has become an integral part of customers lives. Millions of times a week, Hyundai owners use Bluelink to remote start their car. These customers rely on Bluelink to send an emergency response after a collision or to summon roadside assistance if they have a flat tire. Bluelink also has been helping keep teen drivers safe with parental alerts.

As the world moves into the EV era, Bluelink has become a "must have" technology. Hyundai Kona Electric and IONIQ 5 owners can use Bluelink to schedule their home charging when electricity prices are at their lowest. They can also use Bluelink to warm up the vehicle cabin while it is still plugged in to preserve battery power and check the state of charge. Bluelink can also help find nearby charging stations or a coffee shop with its point of interest search.

As customers have come to depend on connected services, in the past some manufacturers turned their systems into income generators by charging for access to some of these basic features like Apple CarPlay or heated seats. Hyundai is taking the opposite approach with Bluelink+.

Bluelink+ continues the legacy with all the features that can help keep customers safe. These include automatic collision notifications, automatic emergency assistance if airbags deploy in an accident, and enhanced roadside assistance which provides an exact location to a roadside assistance associate.i The service also includes car care features like a monthly vehicle health report and maintenance alerts that can help owners reduce maintenance costs over time. Bluelink+ also includes remote and guidance features. It offers all the most popular convenience features such as remote start with climate control, remote door lock and EV charge management, plus parental controls like geofencing, curfew and speed alerts. It also offers digital keys that are integrated with Apple and Android devices.

Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America focuses on 'Progress for Humanity' and smart mobility solutions. Hyundai offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles. Our 830 dealers sold more than 724,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2022, and nearly half were built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. For more information, visit www.HyundaiNews.com.

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok

i Bluelink+ requires an active Bluelink subscription agreement subject to the Connected Services Terms and Conditions. Term starts from the new vehicle date of first use. Bluelink equipped and available on select Hyundai models and trims. Only use Bluelink and corresponding devices when safe to do so. Cellular and GPS coverage is required. Features, specifications, and fees are subject to change.

A fee will apply for map and multimedia over-the-air (OTA) updates, which are dependent on an active Bluelink connection, after an initial 3-year period of complementary updates.

ii All Bluelink+ services rely on digital wireless telecommunications technology outside of our control and in the control of the wireless carriers who provide the telecommunications technology. The 2023 Ioniq 6 and 2024 models are dependent on the 4G LTE cellular networks controlled and maintained by third-party wireless carriers. Telecommunication technologies have been known to change over time. If and when these networks change and discontinue services or the underlying technology required to support Bluelink is obsolete, then the connected services will not work and we will be forced to cancel impacted subscription services.

iii Over $350 cost savings based on subscription to Connected Care, Remote and Guidance packages for 12 months at current pricing of $9.90 per month totaling $356.40.

iv Matrix based on comparison of information from manufacturer connected services websites (as of January 2023).

SOURCE Hyundai Motor America
LONDON, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- US fintech Alloy has launched in the UK, strengthening its presence in EMEA with key senior hires and office space in London.

Alloy's Identity Decisioning Platform helps banks and fintech companies to make smarter and faster decisions about the risk profile of each customer, and keep them safe from financial crime. The platform connects to more than 170 data sources, enabling financial institutions to automate customer approval and account opening, and monitor transactions in real time. Over 350 companies around the world trust Alloy to help them simplify processes and respond rapidly to new risks.

Fraud is a more serious threat than ever before: 91% of financial institutions said that fraud has increased year-on-year, and 71% increased their spending on fraud prevention, according to recent Alloy data *. In the UK alone, bank fraud cost consumers almost 610M in the first half of 2022**.

With Alloy, clients see an average 48% reduction in fraud. UK fintechs now have access to the company's full product range, enabling them to stay ahead of regulatory requirements and scale their operations with ease.

Alloy's former COO Edwina Johnson has relocated to London to head up global expansion, while James Baston-Pitt, former Vice President at Onfido, will spearhead commercial initiatives as the EMEA Director of Growth. The UK team is currently hiring for roles across sales and partnerships, and will continue to build out its go-to-market and client services functions throughout the year.

Since Alloy was founded in 2015, the firm has helped more than 350 of North America's most innovative banks and fintech startups prevent fraud and financial crime, including Carta, Ramp and Brex. Alloy has raised over $210M to date, reaching a $1.55BN valuation, and last year announced its expansion into 40 new countries. The company has doubled down on its commitment to EMEA by establishing a physical presence in London, its first local site outside the US.

Edwina Johnson, Head of Global at Alloy said: "For financial institutions to remain competitive in today's market, cross-border functionality is no longer a major advantage - it's a must. Fintech startups are now building with a global mindset from day one, and looking for technology partners who can scale with them, adapting to their changing business needs, appetite for risk, and compliance requirements.

"The UK is one of the world's most powerful fintech hubs, and we can't wait to help innovative local firms unlock their potential abroad. For too long, international expansion has involved trade-offs with risk management, but that doesn't have to be the case. Alloy provides dynamic support for companies operating across multiple regulatory environments, so they can focus on growing their business without worrying about the threat of fraud."

To learn more, visit Alloy.com .

*Source: Alloy's Annual State of Fraud Benchmark Report

**Source: Reuters - Bank fraud falls from COVID high but threatens UK security

About Alloy

Alloy helps over 350 banks and fintech companies make safe and seamless fraud, credit, and compliance decisions. Founded in 2015 and backed by leading investors from Lightspeed Venture Partners, Bessemer Venture Partners, and Canapi Ventures, Alloy's platform connects companies to more than 170 data sources of KYC/KYB, AML, credit, and compliance data through a single API to help create a future without fraud. Learn more at https://www.alloy.com

Contact

Lydia Woodward, consultant at LMW PR - [email protected]

Kylee Sibilia at Alloy - [email protected]

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1871155/Alloy_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Alloy
BOSTON, Mass., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Essential to understanding the evolution of the polymer 3D printing industry is exploring the change from low-cost printing technologies and materials to the slow growth and adoption of innovative polymer printing technologies and materials, from viscous thermosets to carbon fiber composites to foams. While several new technologies and materials have originated from legacy players like Stratasys and 3D Systems, many have been created by startups looking to push polymer AM's boundaries in its capabilities and applications.

In IDTechEx's market report on 3D printing, "Polymer Additive Manufacturing 2023-2033: Technology and Market Outlook", the polymer AM industry is forecast to rise to over US$21 billion by 2033. This technical market report includes 85 forecast lines across polymer hardware and materials and over 50 company profiles from promising startups to market leaders, material players, and more. This was completed with an extensive number of primary interviews to bring the reader the latest and most accurate information.

In doing this primary research, IDTechEx has identified many startups looking to improve every aspect of the polymer AM supply chain, from hardware to software to materials; some are even acting as vertical integrators to deliver parts made with innovative AM technologies straight to end users. This article explores a selection of these innovators; further discussion on emerging players can be found in IDTechEx's report on "Polymer Additive Manufacturing 2023-2033: Technology and Market Outlook".

Innovators in Polymer AM Hardware

Many polymer 3D printer manufacturers have sought to address the throughput concerns inherent with additive manufacturing with varying degrees of success. One of the more unique approaches has been pioneered by Evolve Additive Solutions, who developed a technology called Selective Electrophotographic Thermoplastic Process (STEP) that combines elements of powder bed fusion, sheet lamination, and 2D laser printing. With STEP, a layer is imaged onto a charged drum, where the imaged areas become discharged. The drum passes through a bed of charged thermoplastic particles, picking up a layer of particles onto the drum matching the image. This layer is passed onto a conveyor belt and taken to the build platform, where the layer is aligned with and fused to the part using heat and pressure. Through STEP, a very high build rate can be achieved (a maximum of 100 cm3/hour), which Evolve Additive states enables their Scalable Volume Production (SVP) printers to more convincingly compete with injection molding at medium-high part volumes.

Meanwhile, developers of volumetric additive manufacturing look to flip the current 2.5D layer-wise nature of additive manufacturing on its head. VAM consists of a group of technologies that print a 3D object in a single step, rather than printing 2D slices layer-by-layer to create a 3D object; importantly, VAM potentially enables significant improvements in 3D printing speed and surface finish, two persistent issues for polymer additive manufacturing. Two startups commercializing VAM are Xolo and Readily3D, who are developing the respective VAM technologies: Xolography and Tomographic 3D Printing. While Xolo focuses on photopolymer resins, Readily3D focuses more on biocompatible materials for medical applications, like photosensitive acrylates, silicones, and hydrogels. A key challenge for both will be overcoming the typical material limitations of 3D printable photosensitive materials. Still, VAM presents an interesting opportunity to address two critical drawbacks of 3D printing and potentially access new applications.

Innovators in Polymer AM Materials

Speaking of material limitations, polymer 3D printing materials contend with many; materials players across the industry look to address these limitations, given the importance of 3D printing materials to the market. According to IDTechEx forecasts, polymer AM materials revenue has surpassed that of polymer AM hardware sales and will grow past US$15 billion by 2033. These forecasts from IDTechEx break down how polymer AM materials will evolve over the next ten years.

Different startups look to address different challenges inherent with polymer AM materials, whether they be cost, performance, or sustainability. For example, AlphaPowders is looking to reduce the cost of thermoplastic powders, which IDTechEx forecasts to be the most in-demand type of polymer AM materials by 2033. Materials cost is a major concern for end-users, given that 3D printing materials can be more than ten times the cost of their injection molding equivalent. AlphaPowders are hoping to reduce these costs by developing equipment that converts cheaply synthesized thermoplastic powder into AM-grade powder, thus lowering the end price per kilo for AM thermoplastic powder.

While polymer 3D printing is often assumed to be unsuitable for end-use functional applications, startups making high-performing materials like Tiamet3D look to break that barrier down. Tiamet3D hopes to make 3D printing of performance parts more accessible through their composite PLA filament incorporating nano-diamonds.

Lastly, sustainability in manufacturing is a major consideration for players across all verticals, from automotive to consumer goods to aerospace. While 3D printing reduces materials waste in general, most polymer 3D printing materials are derived from fossil-fuel-based feedstock. Looking to increase the sustainability of polymer 3D printing materials is startup Reflow, who have developed a filament production process using recycled plastic. According to Reflow, their recycled PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol) filament has attractive material properties while making use of recycled PET plastic feedstock. The growth of sustainable materials for 3D printing adds a new dimension to the sustainability discussion taking place in the additive manufacturing industry.

Innovators in Polymer AM for Part Production

A growing segment of innovators in polymer AM are using their own proprietary hardware and/or materials to supply parts directly to end-users. Not only do these startups innovate on their printing technology and feedstock, but they're also innovating with their choice of business model, a change from the classic 3D printer manufacturer. One example is Bond3D, who are supplying parts made from their high-temperature thermoplastic rod extrusion technology that reduces voids and increases end-part performance. Another example is Arevo, whose continuous carbon fiber composite extrusion technology has been applied in the sporting goods and furniture industry. Some startups have been built to target specific applications, like OPT Industries, whose roll-to-roll stereolithography approach (RAMP) uses mechanical metamaterials to make nasal swabs for biomedical applications. Regardless of the technology or applications, it is clear that these polymer AM startups are exploring new ways of getting polymer 3D printed parts into end-users hands.

This article shows the range of activity taking place in the polymer additive manufacturing market. For detailed profiles on many of the companies mentioned in this article and many more, please see the IDTechEx report "Polymer Additive Manufacturing 2023-2033: Technology and Market Outlook". This report gives a targeted analysis of this industry, providing the latest forecasts with key technical insights.

For more information on this report, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/PolymerAM or for the full portfolio of 3D printing research available from IDTechEx, please visit here.

About IDTechEx

IDTechEx guides your strategic business decisions through its Research, Subscription and Consultancy products, helping you profit from emerging technologies. For more information, contact res[email protected] or visit www.IDTechEx.com.

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SOURCE IDTechEx
SHENZHEN, China, Feb. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ImmVira's first intratumoral injected OV product MVR-T3011 IT has shown positive efficacy in the course of clinical studies in the U.S. and China as of January 2023, with which the monotherapy treatment significantly prolonged PFS to a median of 12.9 months among melanoma patients who had failed previous immune-oncology treatment. Currently, late-stage melanoma faces poor prognosis. Clinical studies have found that median PFS of only 1.7 months for stage IV patients, second-line mono immunotherapy achieved median PFS of 2.8 and 3.6 months, combination therapy of PD-1 Ab and VEGF inhibitor achieved median PFS of 4.2 months.

This Phase II clinical study commenced in mid-2021 in the U.S. and China. 19 patients with advanced melanoma who had failed prior PD-1 or PD-1/CTLA-4 combination treatment received MVR-T3011 IT monotherapy, and nearly 90% of subjects had distant metastasis and over 50% of subjects had baseline target lesion diameters that added up to more than five centimeters. After receiving local monotherapy of MVR-T3011 IT, the confirmed ORR and DCR (including low dosage cohorts in dose-escalation stage) was 21.1% (4/19) and 47.4% (9/19), respectively. Median PFS was 12.9 months, and 12-month PFS rate was 51.5%. Median PFS significantly increased, also showing MVR-T3011 IT's potential in reversing resistance of immune checkpoint inhibitors.

In the clinical studies KEYNOTE-151 and POLARIS-01, the ORR of PD-1 Ab (pembrolizumab/ toripalimab) in Chinese subjects with advanced melanoma treated with second-line monotherapy was 17.6% and 17.3%, respectively, with the median PFS of 2.8 months and 3.6 months, respectively. In LEAP-004, a Phase II study of second-line subjects with recurrent or metastatic melanoma who had failed prior PD-1 or PD-1/CTLA-4 treatment, the combination of VEGF inhibitor (lemvastinib) and PD-1 Ab (pembrolizumab) had an ORR of 21% and a median PFS of 4.2 months. Compare with the clinical studies in patients at a similar stage, the efficacy of MVT-T3011 IT monotherapy topical administration demonstrated encouraging results.

The inspiring efficacy results of MVR-T3011 IT monotherapy on melanoma clinically validated the unique design of packaging PD-1 Ab and IL-12 into the product, and it also enhanced our confidence in the combination treatment clinical trials with Roche's MEK inhibitor Cobimetinib in melanoma in the United States.

About Melanoma

Melanoma is an aggressive and fatal form of skin cancer that results from the malignant transformation of melanocytes in the basal layer of the skin epidermis. Clinical studies have found that the median progression-free survival (PFS) is only 1.7 months for stage IV patients. In advanced melanoma cases that have metastasized, the one-year survival rate drops to 35% to 62%.

About MVR-T3011

MVR-T3011, ImmVira's proprietary 3-in-1 oHSV, is a novel genetic engineered oHSV which aims to achieve the most favorable profile of attenuated HSV-1 with replication potency in tumor cells and highly restricted replication in normal cells. Its incorporation of two latest and well-validated exogenous genes, PD-1 antibody and IL-12, further enhances immune responses in the tumor microenvironment.

About ImmVira

ImmVira is a biotechnology company focused on development of new generation novel drug vectors driven by clinical benefits in oncology and non-oncology fields. Leveraging naturally evolved delivery mechanisms and proprietary precise gene engineering technology, our products include replicating and non-replicating herpes simplex virus vector and drug delivery exosome. The company has developed science, technology and know-how to support ongoing research, development and commercialization of best-in-class mono and combo therapies on the OVPENS (Open Vector+ Potent, Enabling, Novel & Safe) platform.

Our clinical stage and development stage pipelines target a wide range of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies as an initial validation of vector capability in oncology, to be used as single agent or combination treatment solutions for cancer patients at different stages, unresponsive to immunotherapy or with rare tumors, by various administration methods including intratumoral, as well as first-in-class intravenous and intraperitoneal/pleural/vesical injections. The first three oncolytic virus products are undergoing six Phase I or Phase II clinical trials in both United States and China.

SOURCE ImmVira
DUBLIN, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "India Data Center Construction Market - Industry Outlook & Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The India data center construction market is expected to reach a value of $3.46 billion by 2028 from $1.52 billion in 2022, growing at a CAGR of 14.76%

Data center development has become a major criterion for offering internet services. Most data centers operate in major metros cities such as Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Delhi. And in recent years, have been attracting significant investments for developing hyperscale data center campuses, and more data centers are planned to be established in 2022.

As the 5G is already launched in India, it will result in more data generation within the servers, increasing the demand for edge centers across the country to process the data faster. The trend driving the edge computing model is the expanded use of consumer mobile devices, especially the growth of sensors as part of IoT.

Renewable Energy Adoption Among Data Center Providers

Renewable energy adoption is increasing rapidly in India, with support from government initiatives and data center service operators taking significant measures to purchase and produce renewable energy to power their data centers. In 2022, CtrlS built a new facility in Hyderabad with a power capacity of 18 MW.

Additionally, the company has aimed to establish 500 edge data centers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across the country with a 500-acre solar plant to power its operation with renewable energy. With sustainability taking center stage, renewable energy generation is expected to be a key consideration for operators in the India data center construction market.

Availability Of Liquid Cooling To Support AI & ML Workloads

Green Revolution Cooling has partnered with the Indian data center solutions provider Prasa to bring its cooling system to the country. Prasa has already commenced installing its liquid immersion systems in the region's market. Schneider Electric and Vertiv are some of the liquid cooling solutions providers which offer their services in the region.

SEGMENTATION ANALYSIS

In the India data center construction market, the electrical infrastructure adoption is expected to grow by around 14.85% year-over-year (YOY). In terms of power infrastructure, the generators segment was the largest contributor to the market revenue through the adoption of DRUPS systems.

Indian data centers use both water-based and air-based cooling techniques. Facilities that depend on free-cooling techniques, such as free-cooling chillers and evaporative coolers, are expected to grow among facilities in the India data center construction market.

In data centers, general construction consists of building development plans (site preparation and core and shell development), installation and commissioning, building designing services (architectural and engineering design), and security (fire and smoke detection.

Regarding data center investment revenue, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh dominate the India data center construction market. There are approx. 39 data center facilities in 14 states of India are certified by the Uptime Institute, of which 31 are Tier III facilities, and eight are Tier IV facilities.

GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS

India has been and will be the preferred market for data center providers. The rising demand for on-demand video, mobile gaming, and online content will be a stronger force for data center procurement in the country.

States such as Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh are witnessing growth in artificial intelligence, IoT, virtual reality, online payment systems, and smart solutions. Such factors are anticipated to attract investments into the country and boost the India data center construction market. Maharashtra led the data center in India, contributing 54.13% of investments, followed by Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and others.

VENDOR LANDSCAPE

In 2022, AWS, AdaniConneX, Ascendas India Trust, Equinix, EverYondr, Princeton Digital Group (PDG), BAM Digital Realty, Microsoft, Google, NTT, and SpaceDC were some of the key players in the India data center construction market. Regarding investment in the India data center construction market, AdaniConneX led the industry and was among the major investors in 2022, with multiple new projects in the country.

Many operators are investing in new facilities and expanding existing facilities as there is a surge in customer demand, making the region's market highly competitive. New entrants are investing in constructing core and shell properties across the country. These new facilities are expected to be fully commissioned within two to three years of the initial build-out.

Market Dynamics

Market Opportunities & Trends

Edge Data Center Investments Fueled by 5G Deployment

Use of Renewable Energy in Data Centers

Growth of Rack Power Density

Availability of Liquid Cooling to Support Ai & Ml Workloads

Market Growth Enablers

Increased Investments by Colocation Providers

Government Investments in Digital Economy & Data Centers

Increased Data Center Investments Due to Cloud Adoption

Data Center Investments Driven by Big Data & IoT Implementation

Market Restraints

Power Reliability/Network Outage Challenges

Data Center Security Challenges

Location Constraints

The report includes the investment in the following areas:

Facility Type

Colocation

Hyperscale

General Construction

Electrical Infrastructure

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Systems

Generators

Power Distribution Units

Transfer Switches & Switchgear

Other Electrical Infrastructure

Mechanical Infrastructure

Cooling Systems

Racks

Other Mechanical Infrastructure

Cooling Systems

CRAC & CRAH Units

Chiller Units

Cooling Towers, Condensers & Dry Coolers

Other Cooling Units

General Construction

Core & Shell Development

Installation & Commissioning Services

Engineering & Building Design

Fire Detection & Suppression

Physical Security

Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM)/Building Management Systems (BMS)

Tier Standards

Tier I & II

Tier III

Tier IV

Prominent Construction Contractors

AECOM

AHLUWALIA CONTRACTS ( INDIA ) LTD.

) LTD. DEC Infra

DSCO Group

Emerge Engineering

Larsen & Toubro (L&T)

Prasa

Listenlights

Sterling and Wilson (Shapoorji Pallonji Group)

Turner & Townsend

Tata Projects

Vastunidhi

Prominent Support Infrastructure

ABB

Blue Box (Swegon)

Caterpillar

Climaveneta Climate Technologies (Mitsubishi Electric)

Cummins

Delta Electronics

Eaton

Kirloskar Oil Engines (KOEL)

Legrand

NetRack Enclosures

Panduit

Riello Elettronica

Rittal

Rolls-Royce

Schneider Electric

Siemens

STULZ

Vertiv

Prominent Data Center Investors

Nxtra by Airtel

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

CapitaLand

Colt Data Centre Services

CtrlS

BAM Digital Realty

Equinix

NTT Global Data Centers

Pi DATACENTERS

Reliance Jio Infocomm

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres

Sify Technologies

Web Werks

Yotta Infrastructure Solutions

New Entrants

AdaniConneX

Chindata Group (Bridge Data Centres)

Princeton Digital Group (PDG)

SpaceDC

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/jhczs3-data-center?w=5

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact: Laura Wood | +353-1-481-1716 | [email protected]

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Therapeutic Contact Lenses Market - Global Outlook & Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global therapeutic contact lenses market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.90% from 2021-2027. Therapeutic contact lenses (TCLs) are mainly used for corneal diseases, and the clinical use of TCL after ophthalmic surgery usually focuses on corneal lesions, corneal refractive surgery, and corneal transplantation.

These bandages were also used in cataract surgery. It also stimulates corneal metabolism, improves corneal regeneration, increases epithelial adhesion, maintains hydration, reduces collagenase accumulation, reduces edema, improves corneal clarity and vision, and is a vehicle for ophthalmic drug delivery.

The two most common contact lens variants available in the therapeutic contact lenses market include hard and soft contact lenses. RGP contact lenses are the most common type of hard contact lenses available in the industry. These lenses are usually made from plastic materials.

These lenses hold their shape firmly and allow oxygen to flow through the wearer's eye lens. RGP lenses are helpful for people with astigmatism and keratoconus as they enable sharper vision when the cornea is unevenly curved compared to soft contact lenses. Soft contact lenses are made up of hydrogel and silicone hydrogel materials.

Nearly 125 million people worldwide wear contact lenses to correct regular or common vision problems, such as myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia, and astigmatism. This vision correction can be done per the user's needs without disturbing the physical appearance.

By 2050, more than 2 billion people will be aged over 60. There is an increase in the global target population with the number of people requiring vision corrections.

For instance, around 153 million people are affected by uncorrected refractive errors, 1.7 billion have presbyopia, 352 million people suffer from dry eyes, and 20 million people are facing blind from cataracts. In addition, the diabetic population does suffer from various vision-related issues. For instance, around 93 million people suffer from diabetic retinopathy, and more than 67 million suffer from glaucoma.

Market Trends and Drivers

Increasing Use of Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses

Silicone hydrogel contact lenses have become the most widely used contact lenses. As they are easy and handy to use with no maintenance required, they do not cause any harm to people compared to extended wearable lenses. Also, Silicone hydrogel lenses can treat eye problems such as red eyes, blurred vision, corneal swelling, and general discomfort in the eyes.

Many key players in the therapeutic contact lenses market do offer Silicone hydrogel therapeutic contact lenses, such as Acuvue Oasys (Johnson & Johnson Vision Care), Air Optix Aqua (Alcon), Biofinity (CooperVision), and PureVision2 (Bausch & Lomb).

The Coming Rise of Drug-delivery Contact Lenses

Extensive research has been documented recognizing the potential of BCL as a drug delivery system. This is due to their superior drug bioavailability compared to eye drops and their ability to be used on long-wearing schedules, increasing dosing frequency, side effects, and compliance. Desired properties of drug delivery devices include easy, comfortable, and controlled administration over an extended period with preservation of vision and ocular function.

Introduction of Hi-Tech Contact Lenses

Hi-tech contact lenses are used to treat eye disorders and more. The hi-tech contact lenses involve various processes, such as delivering the drug to the eye, providing augmented reality, monitoring eye health conditions, and more.

Mojo Vision, a California-based company working on AR (Augmented Reality) based smart contact lenses, has launched contact lenses that elevate users' vision. These lenses are equipped with an inbuilt display that provides timely information regarding the objects focused on without interrupting the real vision.

Growing Prevalence of Ophthalmic Disorders & Geriatric Population

As populations continue to expand, so does the need for eye care. Aging is one of the most significant global demographic factors impacting eye care as the need for vision correction increases and becomes more complex as a person grows older. In 2018, around one-third of the global population was above the age of 45, the average onset of presbyopia (long-sightedness caused by loss of elasticity of the eye's lens).

Further, the rise in urbanization and the expansion of middle classes in fast-developing markets, particularly in Latin America and Asia, have transformed the economy and local eye health requirements.

A considerable increase in migration from rural areas to cities in search of better jobs has contributed to the demand for better healthcare requirements and trends. Increased disposable incomes are encouraging people to prefer the luxury products like contact lenses in the market, which is one of the major factors contributing to the growth of the global therapeutic contact lenses market.



Technological Advancements in Contact Lenses



The key vendors in the contact lenses market are constantly investing in research & development to launch a new variety of contact lenses benefitting the market's users and fulfilling the market's unmet needs.

New products are one of the unique strategies to drive customers towards new products with unique features in the therapeutic contact lenses market. In 2019, Bausch & Lomb launched the ULTRA multifocal toric contact lens for presbyopia patients. The ULTRA multifocal for astigmatism features vision at all distances and a stable fit for consistent results.

Public and Private Initiatives to Increase Vision Care Awareness

Favorable initiatives of governments around the world to promote advanced vision aids will support therapeutic contact lenses market growth in the coming years. For example, the US Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is actively working to raise awareness of behaviors and risk factors that affect vision in contact lens wearers through the Vision Health Initiative.

In addition to government and public health organizations, many private organizations worldwide are actively involved in advancing ophthalmology. For example, in 2018, Johnson & Johnson Vision launched a global campaign called SpotlightSight in honor of World Sight Day.

Vendor Landscape

The global therapeutic contact lenses market is highly consolidated, with the key players including Alcon, Bausch & Lomb, Johnson & Johnson, and The Cooper Companies accounting for a major market share. The market is subjected to constant technological advances and regularly evolving vision correction requirements and standards. Vendors compete based on product variety, pricing, quality, technological leadership and innovation, and the efficacy of therapeutic contact lenses.



Key Developments in The Global Therapeutic Contact Lenses Market

Alcon brands such as Dailies and Air Optix have enabled the company to achieve a significant therapeutic contact lens market share. In 2016, Alcon launched Air Optix plus HydraGlyde in the US and the EU, an innovative upgrade to monthly SiHy contact lenses featuring the HydraGlyde moisture matrix technology for long-lasting lens surface wettability and another product, DAILIES TOTAL1 Multifocal contact lenses in both the US and the EU.

Johnson & Johnson's growth is primarily driven by its daily disposable lens sales in the ACUVUE OASYS contact lenses category. In 2021, Johnson & Johnson Vision received approval in Canada for ACUVUE Abiliti 1-Day Soft Therapeutic Lenses for Myopia Management.

Key Vendors

Alcon

Bausch & Lomb

Johnson & Johnson

The Cooper Companies

Other Prominent Vendors

ABB Optical Group

AccuLens

Advanced Vision Technologies

Contamac

Excellent Hi-Care

Medennium

Menicon

Metro Optics

Orion Vision Group

POLYTOUCH

Shine Optical

SURGITECH INNOVATION

SynergEyes

UltraVision CLPL

Walman

Visionary Optics

Key Questions Answered:

1. What is the size of the therapeutic contact lenses market?

2. What is the growth rate of the therapeutic contact lenses market?

3. Who are the key players in the global therapeutic contact lenses market?

4. Which region has the highest global therapeutic contact lenses market share?

5. What factors impact the growth of the therapeutic contact lenses market?

Key Topics Covered:

1 Research Methodology

2 Research Objectives

3 Research Process

4 Scope & Coverage

5 Report Assumptions & Caveats

5.1 Key Caveats

5.2 Currency Conversion

5.3 Market Derivation

6 Market at a Glance

7 Premium Insights

7.1 Overview

8 Introduction

8.1 Overview

9 Market Opportunities & Trends

9.1 Increase in Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses Application

9.2 Advances in Drug-Delivery Contact Lenses Technology

9.3 Introduction of Hi-Tech Contact Lenses

10 Market Growth Enablers

10.1 Growing Prevalence of Ophthalmic Disorders & Geriatric Population

10.2 Advances in Contact Lenses Technology

10.3 Public and Private Initiatives to Increase Vision Care Awareness

11 Market Restraints

11.1 High Cost of Therapeutic Contact Lenses

11.2 Adverse Events Associated with Contact Lenses

11.3 Low Accessibility, Affordability, & Financial Exclusion for Large Patient Pool

12 Market Landscape

12.1 Market Overview

12.2 Market Size & Forecast

12.2.1 Geography Insights

12.2.2 Material Segmentation Insights

12.2.3 Usage Segmentation Insights

12.2.4 Applications Segmentation Insights

12.2.5 Distribution Channel Segmentation Insights

12.3 Five Forces Analysis

12.3.1 Threat of New Entrants

12.3.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

12.3.3 Bargaining Power of Buyers

12.3.4 Threat of Substitutes

12.3.5 Competitive Rivalry

13 Material

13.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

13.2 Market Overview

13.3 Soft Contact Lenses

13.3.1 Market Overview

13.3.2 Market Size & Forecast

13.3.3 Soft Contact Lenses Market by Geography

13.4 Rigid Contact Lenses

13.4.1 Market Overview

13.4.2 Market Size & Forecast

13.4.3 Rigid Contact Lenses Market by Geography

14 Usage

14.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

14.2 Market Overview

14.3 Daily Replacement

14.3.1 Market Overview

14.3.2 Market Size & Forecast

14.3.3 Daily Replacement Market by Geography

14.4 Frequent Replacement

14.4.1 Market Overview

14.4.2 Market Size & Forecast

14.4.3 Frequent Replacement Market by Geography

15 Application

15.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

15.2 Market Overview

15.3 Post Ocular Surgery

15.3.1 Market Overview

15.3.2 Market Size & Forecast

15.3.3 Post Ocular Surgery Market by Geography

15.4 Corneal Surgery/Disorder

15.4.1 Market Overview

15.4.2 Market Size & Forecast

15.4.3 Corneal Surgery/Disorder Market by Geography

15.5 Drug Delivery

15.5.1 Market Overview

15.5.2 Market Size & Forecast

15.5.3 Drug Delivery Therapeutic Contact Lenses Market by Geography

15.6 Others

15.6.1 Market Overview

15.6.2 Market Size & Forecast

15.6.3 Other Therapeutic Contact Lenses Market by Geography

16 Distribution Channel

16.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

16.2 Market Overview

16.3 Omni Channel

16.3.1 Market Overview

16.3.2 Market Size & Forecast

16.3.3 Omni Channel Therapeutic Contact Lenses Market by Geography

16.4 Hospitals & Eye Care Clinics

16.4.1 Market Overview

16.4.2 Market Size & Forecast

16.4.3 Hospitals & Eye Care Clinics Therapeutic Contact Lenses Market by Geography

17 Geography

18 North America

19 APAC

20 Europe

21 Latin America

22 Middle East & Africa

23 Competitive Landscape

23.1 Competition Overview

23.2 Market Share Analysis

24 Key Company Profiles

25 Other Prominent Vendors

26 Report Summary

27 Quantitative Summary

28 Appendix

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/gl9zci

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact: Laura Wood | +353-1-481-1716 | [email protected]

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Falvey Insurance Group will host the first installment of its 2023 "Women at the Helm" speaker series which will feature "Women on the Rise" in their careers.

This first event will be held on the International Women's Day and will include a panel discussion between a male leader and rising female colleague to discuss the important of allyship and creating equal professional opportunities for all in the workplace.

Falvey is proud to have the following panelists as part of the event:

Alex Pastor , DEI Program Manager at IGT and Kevin Matta , Chief Human Resource & Diversity Officer at Amos House

, DEI Program Manager at IGT and , Chief Human Resource & Diversity Officer at Amos House Meghan Leary , Head of Business Development and Chris Pesce , National Programs Practice Leader both of One80 Intermediaries

, Head of Business Development and , National Programs Practice Leader both of One80 Intermediaries Nicole Velino , Claims Associate, and Mike Falvey , President & CEO both of Falvey Insurance Group

"Women on the Rise  Allyship in the Workplace" will be hosted at The Crowne Plaza on Wednesday, March 8th beginning at 8:00 AM. Complimentary registration includes a full, hot breakfast sponsored by One80 Intermediaries, networking, and attendance at the panel discussion.

To learn more and register for the event, please visit: falveyinsurancegroup.com/women-at-the-helm.

About Women at the Helm:

Named a finalist by Business Insurance for Diversity & Inclusion Initiative of the Year, the "Women at the Helm" speaker series originated in response to the millions of women who left the workforce as a result of the pandemic. Quarterly panel discussions were held to raise awareness of the challenges executive women face in their professional lives.

This year, we turn our focus to women who are "on the rise" in their careers, building their professional futures.

The events are open to both men and women, and no admission fee is charged for the events to encourage attendance and bring awareness to these very important conversations.

Falvey has so far hosted five installments of Women at the Helm which have resulted in 400+ collective attendees including over 140 men. Of those surveyed, 100% would recommend to a friend or colleague.

Learn more about "Women at the Helm", here.

About Falvey Insurance Group

At Falvey Insurance Group, our value starts with the strength of our products, but we believe that your premium should provide more than just great coverage. With Falvey Insurance Group, you receive a breadth of additional value-added services at no additional cost. We have spent decades developing a reputation in the industry for commitment to going the extra mile for our clients and broker partners, providing solutions that put your needs first and exceed expectations. If you have a broker agreement with Falvey, you have access to all Group products and a universal claim handling and loss control experience. Plus, you can expect World-Class service from any one of our underwriting teams.

www.falveyinsurancegroup.com

Media Contact:

Megan Bell

(401) 214-5600

[email protected]

SOURCE Falvey Insurance Group
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS. Amundi-Acba brought together the leaders Armenian different sectors, to discuss the current challenges and perspectives on global macroeconomics, asset management strategy, as well as crypto-assets and block chain.

At the "Amundi-Acba Economic Forum 2023", the French company Amundi, Europe's leading asset manager, calls Armenia to accelerate its race towards innovation, which is the main way to the development.

The role of ESG factors in the development of a country is also at the core of discussions at "Amundi-Acba Economic Forum 2023".

This is our first economic forum, where we brought together policy makers with the main actors of financial sector of Armenia, representatives of high-tech sector and other players of the real sector of the economy. I assume that the discussed topics will raise many questions, the answers to which and the solutions to the problems will create new value as in the development of society as well as in Armenias economic development.  Highlighted Jean Mazedjian, the CEO of Amundi-Acba Asset Management.

Vincent Mortier , Amundi Group CIO, noted that Armenian assets are gradually becoming a part of the general landscape. During his e-welcome speech, Vincent Mortier also highlighted , that Amundi is also motivated to accompany Armenia in its raise of financial literacy.

Its important, that people understand risks for short and long terms and respective income they might have , -said Vincent Mortier, Amundi Group CIO.

"Forums of such calibers are important also for Armenias visibility. This is also contributing to the awareness level in terms of different events, positive changes and successes happening in the country for Armenian population of and world community.  said Garegin Gevorgyan, Director the financial stability directorate of Central bank of Armenia.

The purpose of the forum is to become the main financial platform of the year in the region, where industry experts and thought leaders will meet to discuss Armenia's financial and economic opportunities. The objective is obvious; have a developed economy and create financial markets, which will help position Armenia in the world economic and financial map.

Amundi-Acba has been found in Armenia at 2013, by French Amundi, European leader in asset management and Acba Bank. The Company is managing 3 mandatory pension funds benefiting from Amundis advanced know-how and technical support. As of December 2022 the AUM of Amundi-Acba exceed 292 Billion AMD.

Amundi-Acba is supervised by the Central Bank of Armenia.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Internet of Things Technologies Company (iot squared), a joint venture between Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) and stc Group (stc), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ossia, a company specialized in wireless power technology development and licensing. Through this partnership, Ossia's expertise in wireless power transfer with the Cota technology will be combined with iot squared's services that aim to empower the companies in the Kingdom to advance the use of internet of things technologies in line with the Saudi Vision 2030. The MoU was signed by Othman Al Dahash, Chief Executive Officer of iot squared, and Doug Stovall, CEO of Ossia.

Ossia's patented Cota Technology will be the key enabler empowering long-range wireless power delivery without cables, batteries, line-of-sight, or charging pads. iot squared and Ossia will work towards integrating Real Wireless Power technologies and solutions in the Kingdom further enriching the Cota ecosystem, a strategic move to accelerate the digital transformation journey of the companies in the country.

Commenting on the agreement, Othman Al Dahash, CEO of iot squared said, "The adoption and integration of wireless power technologies and solutions in the Kingdom are of vital importance not just for digitization but also to build a sustainable future for all. We are proud to collaborate with Ossia, our strategic partner supporting the country's path to the realization of Vision 2030 objectives and together we will build an ecosystem of wireless power in the Kingdom."

"Ossia sees Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East as one of the fastest-growing innovators in the world right now. This is the first partnership to bring wireless power to the Saudi Arabian and Middle East markets," says Doug Stovall, Ossia CEO. "Cota Real Wireless Power is poised to be as globally ubiquitous as WiFi and Bluetooth. Wirelessly powered cities, logistics, and industrial use cases will roll out with a similar trajectory as other foundational technologies that were once considered 'emerging tech.' Working with a company as forward thinking at iot squared will enable products to get to market faster, solving the most critical challenge of IoT roll out, power. iot squared will also work with Ossia to build out a wireless power Center of Excellent in Saudi Arabia to showcase how wireless power will impact existing devices and the devices of the future."

Cota works very similarly to WiFi, except instead of sending data, it sends power. The Cota Power Receiver, embedded into any device initiates power transfer by sending a beacon signal to find a Cota Power Transmitter. The transmitter then sends power back in the same exact reflected paths. This 'conversation' between the device and transmitter happens 100x/second, to send power safely to devices at a distance while in motion in even the most crowded environments. All Cota-enabled devices will receive power simultaneously.

About iot squared:

iot squared was established as a 50:50 joint venture between stc and PIF specializing in the internet of things (IoT). With over SR492 million in funding, iot squared is positioned to be a regional hub for the Internet of Things in the Middle East and North Africa, bearing the objective to accelerate the adoption of IoT technologies. Internet of things has been identified in stc's "DARE 2.0" strategy among the strategic areas of investment, which aligns with Saudi Arabia's digital transformation initiatives supported by PIF.

iot squared will offer smart solutions in sectors including manufacturing, logistics, and smart cities as it aims to become a "one-stop-shop" for IoT solutions. iot squared plans to support these sectors in achieving growth and operational excellence as well as stimulate research and development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

About Ossia

Ossia Inc. is leading the world on what is possible with wireless power. Ossia's flagship Cota technology redefines wireless power by safely delivering remote, targeted energy to devices at a distance. Ossia's Cota technology is a patented smart antenna technology that automatically keeps multiple devices charged without any user intervention and enables an efficient and truly wire-free, powered-up world that is always on and always connected. Ossia is headquartered in Redmond, Washington. Visit our website at www.ossia.com.

Media Inquiries:

Jen Grenz: [email protected]

SOURCE Ossia
NEENAH, Wis., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Menasha Corporation today announced that James M. Kotek will retire from his position as President and Chief Executive Officer in March. The Menasha Corporation Board of Directors has appointed Christopher D. Drees to succeed Kotek effective March 13, 2023. Drees will also join the Menasha Corporation Board on that date.

"I am honored and excited to lead a company with such a long history of success."  Christopher Drees Tweet this

"On behalf of the Board of Directors, the executive leadership team, and Menasha Corporation's 7,500 employees, I want to thank Jim for his 32 years of dedicated service to our company, 14 of those years as President and CEO," said Donald C. Shepard, III, Chairman of the Board, Menasha Corporation. "Jim led Menasha Corporation through a period of unprecedented growth while maintaining a singular focus on a guiding principlepeople first. The Board and our shareholders are sincerely grateful to Jim for his dedication to Menasha Corporation and wish him all the best in his retirement."

"It has been an extraordinary honor to serve as Chief Executive Officer of Menasha Corporation," said Kotek. "To have had the opportunity to lead such a unique and historic business has been humbling. I'm proud of the success we achieved and of every employee who contributed to making that success possible. Finally, I'm confident that Chris Drees is the right leader to build on that foundation and drive the Company to even higher levels of success in the future."

Drees joins Menasha Corporation following a successful 24-year career at Brunswick Corporation, during which he progressed through successively more responsible operational and general management roles culminating in his 2019 appointment as President of Mercury Marine, Brunswick's largest division.

"The Board is excited about the future of the Company under Chris' leadership. As we have gotten to know Chris better, it became clear that his strategic vision, deep manufacturing and operations experience, and impressive leadership skillset make him a tremendous fit for Menasha Corporation's CEO role," said Shepard.

"I want to thank Jim Kotek for his distinguished leadership at Menasha Corporation and the Board for its confidence in me as I step into this role," said Drees "I am honored and excited to lead a company with such a long history of success and one that also gives so much back to the communities in which it operates."

About Menasha Corporation

Menasha Corporation is a leading corrugated and plastic packaging manufacturer and supply chain solutions provider specializing in retail merchandising packaging and displays, plastic reusable containers and pallets, protective packaging interiors, and packaging supply chain and fulfillment services. Comprised of two companiesMenasha Packaging Company and ORBIS Corporation Menasha Corporation's products and services are used by major food, beverage, consumer products, industrial/automotive, health and beauty, over-the-counter pharmaceutical, and electronics companies. Established in 1849, Menasha Corporation is one of America's oldest privately held, family-owned manufacturing companies. Headquartered in Neenah, Wisconsin, the company employs more than 7,500 employees in 105 facilities in North America and Europe. For more information, visit menashacorporation.com.

SOURCE Menasha Packaging Company, LLC
JG Wentworth acquires a Silicon Valley Fintech digital consumer lending platform and appoints new Vice President of Compliance

CHESTERBROOK, Pa., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Industry leading consumer financial services company JG Wentworth announced today that after its recent acquisition of Silt Inc., it is appointing ex-Stilt Head of Compliance Doreen Ghusar as Vice President of Compliance of The JG Wentworth Company. As VP of Compliance, Ghusar will oversee lending compliance training programs and collaborate with JG Wentworth's new product and engineering teams to embed compliance into its consumer lending platform that is set to launch later this year.

Ghusar joins JG Wentworth with over 20 years of experience in the consumer and mortgage lending regulatory space. She is also a thought leader in the fintech compliance space. Prior to joining Stilt, Ghusar served as an advisor for Compliance.ai, as Chief Compliance Officer at FINTECHFORCE, Head of Consumer Compliance at Upstart, and Sr. Director of Regulatory Compliance at Roostify. At Roostify she was also the chair of the Roostify Women's Network, where she offered leadership on what tools and experiences are necessary to empower the company's female employees.

Ghusar received her Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Southern California.

"I am excited to have Doreen join JG Wentworth. As VP of Compliance, Doreen will play a key role in building out and overseeing our lending compliance program, which is critical to providing the best experience possible for our customers" said Lori Lasher, Chief Compliance Officer at JG Wentworth

About JG Wentworth

JG Wentworth is a consumer financial services company that focuses on helping everyday Americans achieve their financial goals. Its services include structured settlement payment purchasing, annuity payment purchasing, lottery and casino payment purchasing, and debt resolution services. Most recently, the company launched its consumer lending arm, with a focus on debt consolidation. JG Wentworth was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania.

Follow JG Wentworth on social media to stay updated on the latest news from the company: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

About Stilt Inc.

Stilt is a leading mission-driven company building technology to democratize access to transparent credit products for the millions who are currently shut out by the financial system, such as immigrants, international students, DACA and visa holders. Stilt also provides businesses with the infrastructure to offer credit products to their customers in as little as two weeks, without requiring a bank sponsor. Founded by immigrants on visas, Stilt has lent to people from more than 150 countries around the world.

SOURCE The JG Wentworth Company
Founded in Kalamazoo, MI, February 10, 1898, United Kennel Club (UKC) turns 125.

KALAMAZOO, Mich., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A world-leading dog sport organization and registry, UKC is guided by the belief that dogs make a difference by being the best partner a human can have in the field, on the job, or in a competition event. Headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan for over a century, with 18,000 licensed events nationwide annually, UKC is dedicated to enhancing the lives of dogs and their owners by providing sporting opportunities, titles of excellence, and a community for dog enthusiasts.

"To be reaching a milestone year like this with over a century of history in Kalamazoo and worldwide is something we are all proud of," Todd Kellam, a UKC Vice President, and employee since 1988, said.

"We have a great team here, and our customers have great dogs. Everything we do is to give more opportunities to our customers to work together with their dogs," Kellam added.

UKC licenses and organizes dog sporting competitions and maintains breeding records for dogs, called pedigrees. The current building was constructed in 1979 at 100 E. Kilgore Rd and has recently undergone an expansion to allow for new printing equipment for UKC dog pedigrees, with records on-hand dating back to the 1890's. In 2021, UKC acquired a Chicago-based competitor, American Field Publishing Co.,/Field Dog Stud Book and now runs both registries from the Kalamazoo home office. In addition to the Southwest Michigan base of operations, UKC employs multiple remote team members across the country in Arkansas, North Carolina, Texas, Illinois, and operates a call center in Phoenix, AZ. To coincide with the anniversary, UKC will have promotional sales, new products, and giveaway opportunities for customers all year long. UKC is most notable in the Kalamazoo area for their PREMIER dog show at the Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds each June, where spectators are welcome.

SOURCE United Kennel Club
NEW YORK, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Katten announced today that Shira Selengut has joined the firm as a partner in its Tax department and member of its Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation practice in the firm's New York office.

Shira Selengut has joined Katten as a partner in its Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation practice in New York.

With a wide-ranging practice and particular skill in addressing complex matters under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), Selengut advises private investment funds and financial institutions on knotty aspects of federal tax and employee benefits laws, including ERISA's plan asset, fiduciary responsibility and prohibited transaction rules. She counsels lenders and borrowers in structured loan facilities, and underwriters, issuers, dealers, investors and more in asset-backed securities, derivatives and other structured finance transactions with respect to ERISA.

Selengut also advises public and private companies, private equity firms, and executives regarding executive compensation and governance matters. She negotiates employment, consulting and separation agreements; advises on the design and implementation of incentive compensation plans and related disclosures and tax implications; counsels clients regarding the employment, employee benefits and executive compensation aspects of mergers and acquisitions; and negotiates key transaction documents.

"Shira is one of a handful of attorneys in the United States with this particular combination of skills and deep expertise in ERISA Title I, executive compensation, and ERISA in M&A transactions," said Kate Ulrich Saracene, chair of Katten's Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation practice. "She deepens our bench strength in support of several practices that are a key focus for Katten. Shira is an ideal fit as we continue to expand our team and expertise in ERISA. I'm thrilled that she's joining us."

Saul Rudo, who leads Katten's Tax department as chair of its Transactional Tax Planning practice, added, "Shira's ability to navigate complex matters of ERISA and beyond adds to the range of services we offer our clients as they design and manage the full spectrum of employee plans and arrangements."

Selengut has lectured on a range of judicial decisions and other developments affecting benefit plans. She will work closely with Katten's Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity practice and its Financial Markets & Funds practice, among others.

Katten is a full-service law firm with approximately 700 attorneys in locations across the United States and in London and Shanghai. Clients seeking sophisticated, high-value legal services turn to Katten for counsel locally, nationally and internationally. The firm's core areas of practice include corporate, financial markets and funds, insolvency and restructuring, intellectual property, litigation, real estate, structured finance and securitization, transactional tax planning, private credit and private wealth. Katten represents public and private companies in numerous industries, as well as a number of government and nonprofit organizations and individuals.

For more information, visit katten.com .

SOURCE Katten
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- How can we make the world a better place? It's said children are the future and it's the children that just may have the answer to that age-old question at the finals of the 31st annual Future City Competition, at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Engineer's Week, February 18 to 21, 2023.

Two STEM students work on their Future City display. More than 800 middle-schoolers  from 37 regions nationally, plus three groups from China  their mentors, and family members, all with a passion for science and a desire to change the world, will descend on our nations capital to compete at the 31st Annual Future City Finals.

More than 800 middle-schoolers  from 37 regions nationally, plus three groups from China  their mentors, and family members, all with a passion for science and a desire to change the world, will descend on our nation's capital to compete as the 2023 Future City Regional Winners following a five-month-long competition addressing the topic of climate change. The schedule of events for the finals competition is as follows:

Saturday, February 18  Welcome Dinner from 6 - 8 pm

 Welcome Dinner from Sunday, February 19  Model unpacking from 9 am - 1 pm



 Model unpacking from Special Award Judging from 1:30 -5 pm



Public Viewing/City Showcase from 5:15 - 7 pm

Monday, February 20, 2023  Judging from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm

 Judging from Tuesday, February 21, 2023  Finals Award Celebration from 2 - 4 pm

All the students' hard work leading up to the finals started in the fall of 2022. More than 55,000 STEM students in grades 6 - 8, teamed up with teachers, mentors, and volunteers, to imagine, brainstorm, research, strategize and test their ideas on ways to combat climate change in a futuristic city. During their work, the students gain experience in engineering and the engineering design process, strengthen their project management and teamworking skills, use their math and science abilities to solve real-world problems, and learn the importance of effective writing, public speaking, and becoming environmentally conscious citizens.

The STEM students must also adhere to a budget. Not only are they required to use repurposed materials to build their model cities, but cannot spend more than $100, which helps promote project creativity. There is a $25 registration fee per organization to sign up for the competition.

The Future City competition recognizes the importance of inclusion and emphasizes participation from all students, male and female, all races and ethnicities, and all economic levels. Participants come from middle schools, both public and private, can be home-schooled, and can also be members of a nationally, regionally, or state-recognized youth-focused organization, such as the Boy and Girl Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs, or 4-H Clubs. Last year, 48 percent of the students were female, 39 percent of the students were minority, and 43 percent were low-income students from Title I schools, meaning schools that are federally funded based on the number of students at that school who qualify for free or reduced-cost lunch.

Projects are judged on a four-part plan the teams develop and use to stay organized and focused; a 1500-word essay, describing the unique attributes of their city and the students' solution; a city model, where teams build a scale model of their city using recycled materials including one moving part; a seven-minute city plan oral presentation; and answers to a series of questions from judges comprised of corporate and nonprofit STEM professionals and volunteers.

Finals winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on February 21. The top award includes $7,500 for the winning organization's STEM program and a trip to U.S. Space Camp in Huntsville, AL. The second-place award is $5,000; the third-place winner receives $2,000; and fourth and fifth-place teams each receive $750 for their programs. All of the regional winning teams  three student presenters, an educator, and a mentor  are provided transportation, hotel accommodations, and some meals at the finals in D.C.

Warwick Middle School, Lititz, Pennsylvania, won the 2022 grand prize for the group's engineering design for a waste-free futuristic city.

Major funding for Discovery's Future City Competition comes from the Bechtel Corporation, Bentley Systems Inc., Shell Energy, PMIEF, and the Overdeck Family Foundation. Additional program support is provided by Linde Engineering, Pentair Foundation, and the United Engineering Foundation.

The Future City competition is a program of Discover Engineering, based in Alexandria, VA. DiscoverE is a nonprofit organization comprised of professionals from a coalition of nationwide engineering, science, and technological corporations and professional societies. Some of DiscoverE's other endeavors include Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day (February 23, 2023), World Engineering Day (March 4, 2023), the Persist Series, Chats with Changemakers, and outreach for the Dream Big film.

For more information, visit:

FutureCity.org or Future City Press Kit

LinkedIn | Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

DiscoverE, 1520 Belle View Blvd #3413, Alexandria, VA 22307

SOURCE Discover Engineering
CHICAGO, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Landmarks Illinois has awarded $25,500 in grant funding to preservation projects in the communities of Chicago, Effingham, El Paso, Gibson City, Macomb and Middletown. The matching grants were awarded through Landmarks Illinois' Preservation Heritage Fund and Barbara C. and Thomas E. Donnelley II Preservation Fund for Illinois grant programs.

Preservation Heritage Fund grant recipients

First Baptist Congregational Church in Chicago is among the latest recipients of a grant from Landmarks Illinois Preservation Heritage Fund. Credit: First Baptist Church.

Landmarks Illinois' Preservation Heritage Fund grants are intended to provide monetary assistance to significant structures or sites in Illinois that are under threat of demolition, in imminent deterioration, in need of stabilization, in need of structural or reuse evaluation or need to be evaluated for landmark eligibility.

A total of $23,000 has been awarded to five Illinois preservation efforts in this latest round of grant funding. Visit our website to learn more about each grant recipient.

First Baptist Congregational Church, Chicago : $5,000 to make roof repairs on the iconic church in Chicago's West Loop constructed in 1869-1871.

to make roof repairs on the iconic church in West Loop constructed in 1869-1871. Project XV Museum, El Paso : $5,000 to make necessary repairs, including window replacement and electrical upgrades, to the historic Legacy Building, which Project XV Corp. is currently repurposing into Illinois' first voting rights museum.

to make necessary repairs, including window replacement and electrical upgrades, to the historic Legacy Building, which Project XV Corp. is currently repurposing into first voting rights museum. Gibson City Restoration Association, Gibson City : $5,000 to make priority repairs on the Burwell Building, an 1883 building on the city's commercial corridor named after Gibson City's first banker, MT Burwell.

to make priority repairs on the Burwell Building, an 1883 building on the city's commercial corridor named after first banker, MT Burwell. Western Illinois Museum, Macomb : $3,000 to repoint the Old Macomb Motors building, home to the Western Illinois Museum.

to repoint the Old Macomb Motors building, home to the Western Illinois Museum. Knapp Chesnut Becker Historical Society, Middletown : $5,000 for masonry and roof repairs to the historical society's 1840 Federal-style building, which is thought to be one of the oldest brick structures in Logan County .

Donnelley Preservation Fund grant recipients

The Barbara C. and Thomas E. Donnelley II Preservation Fund for Illinois provides monetary assistance to preserve or protect significant structures and sites in Illinois that are under threat of demolition, in imminent deterioration, in need of stabilization, in need of structural or reuse evaluation or need to be evaluated for landmark eligibility. One project was awarded a grant through this latest round of funding. Visit our website to learn more about the grant recipient.

The Heart Theatre, Effingham : $2,500 to conduct a feasibility study on the historic, Art Deco cinema that was recently purchased by a new owner who is working with the City of Effingham to rehabilitate the vacant property.

More about Landmarks Illinois grants

Landmarks Illinois grants are given on a matching basis, requiring the recipient to raise funds equal or greater to the Landmarks Illinois grant amount. Landmarks Illinois grant funding is used toward preserving historic and significant places in communities throughout the state. Often, these small grants help spark community engagement around the preservation of a place and help boost local fundraising efforts for the preservation project.

Grant applications for the next round of funding through the Preservation Heritage Fund and Barbara C. and Thomas E. Donnelley II Preservation Fund for Illinois grant programs are due April 1. Visit our website to learn more about our grant programs.

About Landmarks Illinois

We are People Saving Places for People. Landmarks Illinois is a membership-based, historic preservation nonprofit organization serving the people of Illinois. We inspire and empower stakeholders to save places that matter to them by providing free guidance, practical and financial resources and access to strategic partnerships. For more information, visit www.Landmarks.org.

Media Contact:

Kaitlyn McAvoy

Director of Communications

Landmarks Illinois

[email protected]

SOURCE Landmarks Illinois
Rogge Dunn Group: Accused man used Pecan Valley cell phone to record sexual assaults

STEPHENVILLE, Texas, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A North Texas woman has filed a negligence lawsuit against the Pecan Valley Centers for Behavioral & Developmental Healthcare claiming that the management of the organization ignored years of sexual assaults and molestation by its systems administrator.

That employee, Arran Spoede, an administrator at the Pecan Valley facility in Stephenville, Texas, for 12 years was arrested in September 2022 and later indicted on charges of possession or promotion of child pornography and aggravated sexual assault of a child by Erath County authorities. At the time of his arrest, investigators recovered a Pecan Valley-owned mobile phone later found to have numerous videos of Mr. Spoede engaging in sexual intercourse with the young woman, identified in the lawsuit as Jane Doe, and other unidentified women.

VIDEO: To listen to attorney Rogge Dunn discuss the case, click here.

The arrest affidavit states that the sexual assaults of Ms. Doe by Mr. Spoede, her former stepfather, began at home when she was 12 years old. The lawsuit claims that many of those assaults occurred at the Stephenville facility as recently as the summer of 2022 and involved other patients there. The lawsuit further claims Mr. Spoede used Pecan Valley owned and issued equipment to record or photograph the sexual assaults. An Erath County grand jury indicted Mr. Spoede on the criminal charges in December and he remains in the Erath County jail.

"It's a tragedy that Pecan Valley management could have and should have prevented years of molestation against multiple, vulnerable young people," says the woman's attorney, Rogge Dunn of the Rogge Dunn Group, P.C. in Dallas. "By failing to enforce its own policies and exercise reasonable care, this company gave a sexual predator the controlled environment, equipment, and opportunities that made these despicable acts possible."

Based in Granbury, Texas, Pecan Valley operates behavioral health facilities in Erath, Hood, Johnson, Palo Pinto, Parker and Somervell counties. The organization's website proclaims a mission to serve "all who strive to overcome challenges associated with mental illness, alcohol and chemical dependency, intellectual and developmental disabilities."

"Pecan Valley was contacted weeks ago with details of these assaults and the serious, long-term injuries and needs of Ms. Doe," says Mr. Dunn. "Rather than show any remorse or sympathy, Pecan Valley didn't even care enough to respond. I think that callous indifference speaks volumes."

"I hope the courage Jane Doe has shown by filing this lawsuit will empower other victims or witnesses to come forward to reveal what they know about Mr. Spoede and Pecan Valley's operations," says Dunn.

The lawsuit is Jane Doe v. Pecan Valley MHMR et al, Cause No. 23CVDC-00026 in the 266th District Court in Erath County.

The attorneys of Rogge Dunn Group, PC, have built a well-deserved reputation for aggressive litigation, outstanding results and attentive client service. Led by founding partner Rogge Dunn, the firm is well-known for successfully trying high-profile business and employment disputes. This trial experience supports innovative strategies to identify meaningful solutions, complete effective settlements and minimize litigation risks for corporate and individual clients. Based in Dallas, the firm tries cases in state and federal courts in Texas and throughout the United States. Learn more about the firm at roggedunngroup.com.

Jane Doe is also represented in the lawsuit by Stephenville attorney James Beam of the Law Offices of James Beam, PLLC.

Media Contact:

Barry Pound

800-559-4534

[email protected]

SOURCE Rogge Dunn Group
Lowe's Will Offer a Full Range of Klein Tools Products, Serving More Trades than Ever Before

MOORESVILLE, N.C., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Lowe's and Klein Tools, an American tool manufacturer since 1857, announced a partnership that will bring a significant presence for the iconic tool brand to the electrical and tool departments at Lowe's. As a result, Lowe's will offer the widest selection of Klein Tools products anywhere in the home improvement retail channel.

Klein Tools products will be available in Lowe's stores and on Lowes.com in the second half of 2023, with premium store placement across multiple product categories. Lowe's initial selection of Klein Tools products will include hand tools, electrical test and measurement tools, followed by a multi-year rollout of new product innovations.

"As the number one hand tool brand among electrical and HVAC professionals, Klein Tools strengthens our Pro brand and product lineup, and delivers immediate credibility across all trades," said Bill Boltz, Lowe's executive vice president of merchandising. "The addition of Klein will help drive excitement and traffic among Pro customers looking for market-tested innovation from a brand they trust."

"Klein Tools is committed to serving professionals across the trades," said Thomas Klein Jr., Klein Tools President, and COO. "This partnership with Lowe's enables us to serve Pros with our wide array of products, including innovative new products designed to make work on the job easier, safer and more efficient."

About Lowe's

Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE 50 home improvement company serving approximately 18 million customer transactions a week in the U.S. With total fiscal year 2021 sales of over $96 billion, approximately $90 billion of sales were generated in the U.S., where Lowe's operates over 1,700 home improvement stores and employs approximately 300,000 associates. Based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe's supports the communities it serves through programs focused on creating safe, affordable housing and helping to develop the next generation of skilled trade experts. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

About Klein Tools

Since 1857 Klein Tools, a family-owned and operated company, has been designing, developing and manufacturing premium-quality, professional-grade hand tools. The majority of Klein tools are manufactured in plants throughout the United States and are the No. 1 choice among professional electricians and other tradespeople. Klein is a registered trademark of Klein Tools, Inc. For more information, visit www.kleintools.com

Media Contact:

Larry Costello

Lowe's Companies, Inc.

[email protected]

Greg Palese

Klein Tools

[email protected]

SOURCE Lowe's Companies, Inc.
BALTIMORE, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- LTP Home Services Group ("LTP"), a leading residential plumbing and HVAC services platform operating in the mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions, announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Acree Plumbing, Air, and Electric ("Acree"), a full-service provider of residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical services located in Tampa, Florida. Acree was founded in 1967 and serves the greater Tampa region. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Jeff Cooper, CEO of LTP, said, "Partnering with Acree is a continuation of our acquisition growth strategy. Acree is the preeminent home services company in the Tampa area, with a market leading position in HVAC and plumbing. We admire the successful business and strong team Victor and Michael have built, and their tireless focus on serving their customers. We share a company culture of excellence and look forward to what we can accomplish together."

Michael Trino, President of Acree, commented: "The entire Acree team and I are excited to join the LTP family. Our companies share many similarities, including strong cultures centered around employee wellbeing and customer satisfaction. Leveraging LTP's marketing experience and organic growth strategy positions Acree to fulfill its vision of being a regional leader in the home services industry. I am confident our success will continue well into the future under LTP's leadership."

About LTP Home Services Group

Founded in 1996 by Len Bush as "Len the Plumber," LTP Home Services Group is a leading residential services company with a specialization in plumbing and HVAC services, operating across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions under seven brands. LTP provides professional, same day service seven days a week, with technicians working around customer schedules, never charging extra for same day, evening, or weekend appointments, and dispatched based on specialization. For more information about LTP Home Services Group, please visit https://lentheplumber.com/.

About Acree Plumbing, Air, and Electric

Acree services and repairs residential HVAC equipment, plumbing systems, and electrical systems, serving Tampa, Florida and the surrounding counties  Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, Pasco, Manatee, and Sarasota. Acree was founded in 1967 and originally served HVAC customers in the mobile home market. Victor Trino bought the business in 1989 and transitioned to the broader residential HVAC market. Victor's son, Michael, has led the business since 2017 and has built Acree into a leading regional player  launching the plumbing business in 2019 and the electrical business in 2021. For more information about Acree Plumbing, Air, and Electric, please visit https://trustacree.com/.

SOURCE LTP Home Services
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS. Canadian Member of Parliament Bryan May is calling on the international community to do all it can to ensure that the rights of the Armenian people are respected, and their safety is protected.

May, the Chair of the Canada-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group, issued a statement on the Azerbaijani blockade of the Lachin corridor.

I have been closely monitoring the humanitarian crisis inflicted on the citizens of Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijani aggression has forced thousands of Armenians from their homes, leaving them without basic necessities such as food and medicine. I am calling on all governments to take immediate action to address this urgent humanitarian crisis, to put an end to the violence, and to allow the safe return of all displaced people to their homes. The international community must do all it can to ensure that the rights of the Armenian people are respected, and their safety is protected.

I implore the Azerbaijani authorities to reopen the Lachin corridor and ensure freedom of movement, uphold their commitments to protect civilians, uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, and facilitate access to humanitarian assistance," May said in the statement released on Twitter.

The blockade of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) began on 12 December 2022 when Azerbaijan closed the Lachin corridor, the only road connecting Artsakh with Armenia. The blockade caused a humanitarian crisis. Shortages of essentials such as food, fuel and medicine prompted authorities to introduce a rationing system. Hospitals keep planned surgeries on hold and the Red Cross has been facilitating the transfer of seriously-ill patients to Armenia for treatment.
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lycoming College has announced preferred admission for qualified students to Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) for its Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree program. The recently signed articulation agreement includes a commitment by PCOM to offer up to three spots annually for Lycoming College graduates who meet entrance requirements and are approved by the admissions committee at the private, not-for-profit medical school in Philadelphia, beginning in the 2023-24 academic year.

For more than a century, PCOM has trained highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists who practice a "whole person" approachtreating people, not just symptoms. The program is accredited by the Commission of Osteopathic College Accreditation of the American Osteopathic Association. Graduates of PCOM can enter a wide variety of specialties including:

Lycoming College announces preferred admission to PCOM Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program Tweet this

General practice

General internal medicine

OB/GYN

Pediatrics

Anesthesiology

Emergency Medicine

General Surgery

Neurological Surgery

Neurology

Ophthalmology

Orthopedic Surgery

Pathology

Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery

Physical Medicine and Rehab

Psychiatry

Radiology

Urological Surgery

Urology

"We are delighted to be working with PCOM to help guide highly-capable students toward a path that will help them fulfill their dreams of serving communities as health care providers," said Kent C. Trachte, president of Lycoming College. "Lycoming College has a long history of graduating high-performing students who are medical school-bound. This agreement will increase medical school admissions for our students and provide a clear pathway from enrollment at Lycoming College through completion of the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree."

Lycoming College's curriculum offers multiple majors that can serve as a pathway to health professions including biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, and psychology. With faculty dedicated exclusively to the education of undergraduate students, an abundance of opportunities for research experience in top-notch facilities, internships with regional health and human services organizations, and close mentorship through our interdisciplinary Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC), Lycoming students are prepared to become exceptional health care providers and leaders.

"Our agreement with Lycoming College directly supports the PCOM mission to educate health professionals to care for the whole person and advance the health of diverse communities," said PCOM President and CEO Jay S. Feldstein, DO '81. "We hope that this partnership ultimately improves access to high-quality health care."

More information is available at https://www.lycoming.edu/pre-medical/.

About Lycoming College

Founded in 1812, Lycoming College is one of the nation's oldest and most respected liberal arts colleges. Today, our community of 1,200 active learners from 31 states and territories and 15 countries comprises a student body that is 35 percent domestic students of color or international, all of whom work with our renowned scholars to craft customized combinations of market-driven majors, minors and concentrations across our 40+ academic programs. Students compete in 19 NCAA Division III sports, participate in faculty-driven research, thrive in a robust program of internship experiences, and study abroad in more than two dozen countries. Lycoming College has one of the highest endowment-per-student ratios in the country. The institution is a member of the Annapolis Group of Liberal Arts Colleges and is recognized by The Princeton Review as one of The 388 Best Colleges. Lycoming College is dedicated to providing a high-quality liberal arts and sciences education for all students. Learn more at http://www.lycoming.edu.

SOURCE Lycoming College
Recommendations Detail How Best to Differentiate Investment Opportunities

MERIDA, Mexico, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, eight major environmental nonprofits and Indigenous Peoples organizations released comprehensive, step-by-step counsel for companies to follow when investing in tropical forest carbon credits to fight climate change. The new guidance is included in the second version of the Tropical Forest Credit Integrity (TFCI) Guide , which was first issued in May 2022. The updated guide was released at the Annual Meeting of the Governors' Climate & Forests Task Force , hosted this year by the government of Yucatan, Mexico.

The eight organizations behind the TFCI Guide are:

COICA - Coordinator of the Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin

Conservation International

Environmental Defense Fund

IPAM - Amazon Environmental Research Institute

The Nature Conservancy

Wildlife Conservation Society

World Resources Institute

WWF

Companies have a critical role to play in providing the finance necessary to keep tropical forests standing and achieve impact at scale. As part of their climate mitigation strategies, their investments should be a supplement  not an alternative  to deep decarbonization within their operations and supply chains.

One option is investing in the voluntary market for tropical forest carbon credits. Combined with companies' emissions reductions and complementary actions, the voluntary market can play an important part in helping to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The TFCI Guide is designed to assist decision-makers and teams responsible for developing and implementing corporate climate mitigation and net-zero strategies to navigate the tropical forest carbon credit marketplace with clear purpose and high integrity.

The TFCI Guide outlines four detailed steps to help companies implement the guide's recommendations:

Planning a tropical forest credit portfolio to align with global needs. Building a portfolio with purchases that drive demand for high-quality jurisdictional-scale crediting. Conducting due diligence to ensure high-quality credits. Following up with complementary actions and staying attuned to new developments.

Made possible by a grant from the Bezos Earth Fund, the TFCI Guide is the result of an 18-month collaboration and consensus among the eight organizations in consultation with diverse stakeholders from around the world.

In the face of growing demand for carbon credits in the voluntary market, it is vital to provide guidance on high-quality carbon credits to ensure that future investment is directed to where it will have the greatest impact. An essential component is respect for Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs) who must be fully involved in the development of crediting program activities. Crediting and nonmarket-based activities must ensure IPLCs' full and effective participation from inception and provide them with equitable distribution of the benefits and revenue.

Harol Rincon Ipuchima, Coordinator of Climate Change and Biodiversity, COICA-Coordinator of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin said: "The full and effective participation and the recognition of rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) during all processes is vital for the conservation of forests and the mitigation of climate change. The TFCI Guide not only outlines guidelines on high-quality investments in carbon credits but provides a framework on the full participation for IPLCs to ensure we have a seat at the table. The TFCI Guide recognizes IPLCs as partners and rightsholders, not only beneficiaries throughout the process mainly seeking a fair and equitable distribution of benefits, which is why The Coordinator of the Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin (COICA) is proud to be part of the authoring team."

Emily Nyrop, Conservation International's Vice President, Climate Change, said: "For years, companies have been raising their ambitions for a net zero, nature-positive future, but now is the time to turn those commitments into action. This updated TFCI Guide provides the direction companies need to do just that. It points companies toward high-integrity carbon credits and helps ensure that corporate use of those carbon credits aligns with real, measurable progress and impact for both the climate and communities. This is also a consensus document  it shows eight of the world's leading environmental and Indigenous peoples organizations united on the importance of the voluntary carbon market and on what high-quality, high-integrity investments should look like."

Mark Moroge, Vice President of Natural Climate Solutions at Environmental Defense Fund, said: "The world's tropical forests are under increasing threat and now is the time for the private sector to invest heavily in saving them so we can avoid the worst impacts of climate change. One key tool in the toolbox for companies to do this is through purchasing high-quality carbon credits, which can unlock billions for forest conservation. Our eight groups came together last year to help companies identify key principles for high quality tropical forest credits, including respect for the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, who must be part of decision-making processes, as well as ensuring resources are allocated on the ground where they're needed most. Our new roadmap now provides detailed, practical guidance for companies to implement these principles, so buyers know their purchases are sound. With our guidance, companies can have high confidence that their financing contributions will help mitigate climate change by halting tropical deforestation."

Paulo Moutinho, Interim Executive Director of the Amazon Environmental Research Institute (IPAM), said: "Humanity has established a common goal: Combat the climate crisis and maintain the habitability of the planet. The efforts need to be multiple and involve various sectors and governments. It is a global and collective mission. Part of this fight is to reduce the deforestation of tropical forests, especially in the Amazon. Among these efforts is the construction of a carbon market that is responsible and concerned with the supply of carbon with integrity and good quality. This guide is an important tool for companies interested in buying carbon to differentiate between those with the greatest capacity to conserve forests and benefit indigenous peoples, local communities, women, and underserved communities. Stimulating conscious demand will strengthen jurisdictional REDD+ initiatives, which have great potential to generate high-integrity carbon."

Matthew Arnold, Global Head of Impact Finance and Markets, The Nature Conservancy, said: "Addressing the climate crisis requires immediate corporate action and a commitment to continued improvement of both the scale and impact of climate solutions. This is especially true for the protection of tropical forests through voluntary carbon markets, which have faced increased scrutiny as they have begun to scale. There still is immense potential to harness private sector finance in a way that empowers Indigenous Peoples and local communities, while bolstering corporate actions to a net-zero future. The TFCI guidance serves as a basis for future and continued improvement in this space."

Todd Stevens, Executive Director of Markets, Wildlife Conservation Society, said: "WCS is encouraged by the outcomes of this guidance and the implications for forest conservation. We believe it will be useful for companies to see how high-quality projects and jurisdictional programs can be mutually reinforcing in helping to deliver the significant climate mitigation action needed to meet our Paris Agreement goals and support corporate net zero commitments."

Frances Seymour, Distinguished Senior Fellow, World Resources Institute, said: "With a growing number of corporate climate commitments and increased demand for carbon credits, the need for clear guidance on what constitutes a high-quality forest carbon credit is higher than ever. WRI is pleased to help produce this guide, which offers corporate sustainability managers with the guidance they need to develop a tropical forest carbon credit portfolio that prioritizes high-quality emissions reductions credits and incentivizes a rapid transition to jurisdictional-scale accounting and crediting. By following the steps in the TFCI Implementation Guidance, companies can participate in the voluntary carbon market for tropical forest carbon credits with a high degree of integrity and confidence and contribute to the global goal of halting deforestation by 2030."

Fran Raymond Price, Lead, WWF Global Forest Practice, said: "We cannot overstate the urgent need for corporate action and leadership to protect forests and address climate change. Leadership starts at home, focusing first on a company's footprint and deep decarbonization in line with a science-based target, augmented by high-integrity, high-impact investments in nature-based solutions. The carbon market must continue to improve and develop. And although it is not a stand-alone solution, if used appropriately, the market can increase support for transformative interventions at scale  as the TFCI Guide suggests  to deliver tangible benefits for people, nature and climate."

About COICA-Coordinator of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin

The Coordinator of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin (COICA) is an indigenous organization of international convergence that orients its efforts to the promotion, protection and security of indigenous peoples and territories through the defense of their ways of life, principles and social, spiritual and cultural values. Our preexistence is framed in the defense of life and of the Amazon to continue as a seed on earth and conserve forests for a living planet that ensures the continuity of our present and future generations. Learn more here: https://coicamazonia.org/

About Conservation International

Conservation International works to protect the critical benefits that nature provides to people. Through science, partnerships and fieldwork, Conservation International is driving innovation and investments in nature-based solutions to the climate crisis, supporting protections for critical habitats, and fostering economic development that is grounded in the conservation of nature. Conservation International works in 30 countries around the world, empowering societies at all levels to create a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable planet. Follow Conservation International's work on Conservation News , Facebook , Twitter , Instagram and YouTube .

About Environmental Defense Fund

One of the world's leading international nonprofit organizations, Environmental Defense Fund ( edf.org ) creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. With more than 3 million members and activists and offices in the United States, China, Mexico, Indonesia and the European Union, EDF's scientists, economists, attorneys and policy experts are working in 28 countries to turn our solutions into action. Connect with us on Twitter @EnvDefenseFund

About Amazon Environmental Research Institute (IPAM)

The Instituto de Pesquisa Ambiental da Amazonia (IPAM) [Amazon Environmental Research Institute] is a scientific, non-governmental, non-partisan and non-profit organization that has worked for the sustainable development of the Amazon since 1995. Our purpose is to consolidate the Amazonian tropical development model by 2035, by producing knowledge, implementing local initiatives and directing public policies, in a way that influences economic development, social equality, and environmental preservation. Learn more here: https://ipam.org.br/en/

About The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive. Founded in the U.S. through grassroots action in 1951, The Nature Conservancy has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than a million members and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and over 400 scientists, we impact conservation in 75 countries and territories: 37 by direct conservation impact and 38 through partners. Learn more here: https://www.nature.org/en-us/

About Wildlife Conservation Society

WCS's goal is to conserve the world's largest wild places in 14 priority regions, home to more than 50% of the world's biodiversity. This is outlined in our 2020 strategy, which positions WCS to maintain its historic focus on the protection of species while developing an ambitious plan to engage with a rapidly changing world. The challenges are greater than ever, but with the focus, dedication, and passion of a committed staff - combined with a unique mixture of field, zoo, and aquarium expertise - WCS will continue to set the bar for science, conservation action, and education that has driven our success in protecting wildlife and wild places for over a century. We hold ourselves to the highest standards adhering to core values of respect, accountability and transparency, innovation, diversity and inclusion, collaboration, and integrity. Learn more here: https://www.wcs.org/

About World Resources Institute

World Resources Institute (WRI) is a global research organization that spans more than 60 countries, with international offices in Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States, regional offices in Ethiopia (for Africa) and the Netherlands (for Europe), and program offices in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Our more than 1,600 experts and staff turn big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being. More information at www.wri.org or on Twitter @WorldResources.

About WWF

WWF is an independent conservation organization, with over 30 million followers and a global network active in nearly 100 countries. Our mission is to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which people live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. Visit panda.org/news for the latest news and media resources; follow us on Twitter @WWF_media.

About Bezos Earth Fund

The Bezos Earth Fund is Jeff Bezos' $10 billion personal commitment to fund scientists, activists, NGOs and others to help drive climate and nature solutions. By allocating funds creatively, wisely and boldly, the Bezos Earth Fund has the potential for transformative influence in this decisive decade. Funds will be fully allocated by 2030  the date by which the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals must be achieved. https://www.bezosearthfund.org/

SOURCE Environmental Defense Fund
NEWARK, N.J., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Heritage Chocolate Society (formerly known as the Colonial Chocolate Society) celebrated its 20th Anniversary at its annual meeting on February 7-8 in Richmond, Virginia. Established in 2003 by American history advocate Forrest E. Mars, Jr., the Heritage Chocolate Society was created to further the study of chocolate's diverse history and its impact on culture in the Americas, both past and present. For the past 20 years, the annual meeting has brought compelling, noteworthy, and best-in-class speakers to inspire, connect and equip attendees from America's most iconic history and culture museums to make a lasting impact on their visitor experience.

Mars Celebrates the 20th Anniversary of the Heritage Chocolate Society, Honoring the Legacy of its Founder, Forrest E. Mars, Jr.

Forrest E. Mars, Jr. was inspired to convene the first meeting of historians, scholars and foodways experts in 2003 after seeing a historical chocolate-making demonstration while visiting Colonial Williamsburg. With a mission to explore and share the rich history of chocolate, 15 attendees met in Elizabethtown, PA for the inaugural meeting of the then-named Colonial Chocolate Society with a theme focused on Cacao & Chocolate in Colonial America. The Colonial Chocolate Society continued to meet every year at different historic sites in North America including Colonial Williamsburg, Fort Ticonderoga, Fortress Louisbourg and Mount Vernon. Hosted by Mars and AMERICAN HERITAGE Chocolate , the meetings grew and brought innovative programming and speakers to its attendees. This year's meeting, Back to the Future: A Look Back to Move Forward, focused on sparking dialogue and inclusive planning for the upcoming semiquincentennial of the United States of America. Highlights included:

Over the last 20 years, several accomplishments have been directly attributed to the Heritage Chocolate Society gathering including:

"Since its inception in 2013, The Forrest E. Mars, Jr. Chocolate History Grant has awarded 56 grants totaling over $550,000," said Kelly Lynch, Director: Brand & Experience, Mars Wrigley Premium Brands. "Grant funded programs and exhibits have been experienced by thousands of people across North America and we look forward to funding future projects that continue to push the boundaries of chocolate research and discovery."

The winners of the 2023 Forrest E. Mars, Jr. Chocolate History Grant were announced at the society's Annual Gala held at The Hippodrome Theatre. Mars and AMERICAN HERITAGE Chocolate awarded grants to the following institutions:

AMERICAN HERITAGE Chocolate plans to continue to award grants on an annual basis and the submission period for the 2024 awards begins on August 30, 2023 at https://www.americanheritagechocolate.com/grants/ .

About AMERICAN HERITAGE Chocolate:

The AMERICAN HERITAGE Chocolate brand was developed in 2006 by Mars Wrigley to help educate consumers about the history of our multicultural nation through the engaging story of one of our most beloved foodschocolate! With a flavor profile drawn directly from the archives of chocolate's historic past, AMERICAN HERITAGE Chocolate provides an artisanal, versatile way to eat, bake or drink a sweet taste of history. Rainforest Alliance Certified and made with no preservatives, AMERICAN HERITAGE Chocolate currently comes in four formats: Tasting Squares, Tablet Bars, Grated Chocolate for baking/drinking and Gourmet Hot Cocoa. AMERICAN HERITAGE Chocolate is sold in over 50 fine gift shops at historic sites, museums and historic inns across the USA and Canada. The brand can also be found on Amazon.com, at M&M's World in New York City and Las Vegas, and at the Ethel M chocolate store in Henderson, Nevada.

Learn more about AMERICAN HERITAGE Chocolate on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter and Pinterest .

About Mars, Incorporated

For more than a century, Mars, Incorporated has been driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. This idea is at the center of who we have always been as a global, family-owned business. Today, Mars is transforming, innovating and evolving in ways that affirm our commitment to making a positive impact on the world around us.

Across our diverse and expanding portfolio of confectionery, food, and Petcare products and services, we employ 133,000 dedicated Associates who are all moving in the same direction: forward. With $40 billion in annual sales, we produce some of the world's best-loved brands including DOVE, EXTRA, M&M's, MILKY WAY, SNICKERS, TWIX, ORBIT, PEDIGREE, ROYAL CANIN, SKITTLES, BEN'S ORIGINAL, WHISKAS, COCOAVIA, and 5; and take care of half of the world's pets through our nutrition, health and services businesses, including AniCura, Banfield Pet Hospitals, BluePearl, Linnaeus, and VCA.

We know we can only be truly successful if our suppliers and the communities in which we operate prosper as well. The Mars Five Principles  Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom  inspire our Associates to take action every day to help create a world tomorrow in which the planet, its people and pets can thrive.

For more information about Mars, please visit www.mars.com . Join us on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , LinkedIn and YouTube .

Contact: Valerie Donati

Brand Building Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Mars Wrigley
CHICAGO, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global material informatics market size is anticipated to grow from USD 129 million in 2023 to USD 276 million by 2028, at a CAGR of 16.3% from 2023 to 2028 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The increasing usage of material informatics software in manufacturing, chemical & pharmaceutical, and materials science is the key factor boosting the market's growth.

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=237816259

Browse in-depth TOC on "Material Informatics Market"

175  Tables

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Chemicals segment to account for a significant market share during the forecast period.

Material informatics software solutions play a crucial role in discovering, developing, and optimizing various chemicals and their types, such as polymers, dyes, and biomolecules. Chemicals are formed by combining various chemical compounds. These chemicals are needed by different industries, with different end uses and target characteristics. Identifying suitable chemical compounds through the process of synthesis and testing can be costly and time-consuming. Therefore, material informatics platforms can simplify the discovery and development process of novel chemical blends and, ultimately, new chemical compounds.

Manufacturing application is projected to hold a significant share of the material informatics market during the forecast year.

Material informatics finds applications in manufacturing areas related to automobiles, aerospace, electronics, and semiconductors. Due to recent advancements in materials science, vehicles and aircraft have become lighter. Material informatics is essential for producing lightweight components in automotive and aerospace applications. Apart from this, material informatics is also gaining pace in electronics and semiconductor manufacturing. Electronic materials are used to form highly complex electronic components and devices. These devices include integrated electronic circuits, optoelectronic devices, and computational devices. Owing to the rising demand for electronics and lightweight materials in every prominent industry, material informatics software play a vital role in materials R&D in manufacturing application.

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China to account for a significant market share of Asia Pacific from 2023 to 2028

China is projected to account for the major share of the material informatics market in the Asia Pacific from 2023 to 2028. The country is a key producer of chemical & pharmaceutical, automotive, and electronics. The country is also known for low-cost automotive product manufacturing. It is a major manufacturing hub for electronic parts, and various developing countries in the Asia Pacific region rely on China for electronic goods. The country has set up electronics manufacturing units across the country. Consequently, material informatics software vendors witness a considerable demand from manufacturing hubs of automotive, electronics, and food applications for low-cost, low risk, and reduced time for materials R&D. All these factors are pushing the growth of the material informatics market in China.

Mat3ra (US), Schrodinger (US), Dassault Systemes (France), Citrine Informatics (US), Phaseshift Technologies (Canada) are the top five players in the material informatics market globally.

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Browse Adjacent Market: Semiconductor and Electronics Market Research Reports &Consulting

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About MarketsandMarkets

MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients.

The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing.

Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry.

To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

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MarketsandMarkets INC.

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SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
CAESAREA, Israel, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Max Stock Limited (TASE: MAXO) (the "Company") today reported the following update given to it by its controlling shareholders:

1. Control of the Company

On February 8, 2023, Moose Holdco Ltd. ("Moose Holdco") and Ori Max Ltd. ("Ori Max") entered into a new shareholders' agreement (the "New Shareholders Agreement") in place of the shareholders' agreement dated September 10, 2020, whose primary terms and conditions are described in section 3.6 of the Company's prospectus (Ref. No: 2020-01-092029) (the "Prospectus" and the "Old Shareholders Agreement", respectively). Prior to the execution of the New Shareholders Agreement, Mr. Evan Charles Neumann (through a company wholly owned by him), irrevocably gave notice that he would no longer be party to an agreement between the Company's shareholders.

Accordingly, the Company no longer sees Mr. Evan Charles Neumann as part of the Company's core of control, and the Company's current controlling shareholders include Mr. Ori Max and Moose Holdco1 (the "controlling shareholders", or with respect to this report - the "parties").

2. Reduction of Management Fees

Moose Holdco unilaterally informed the Company that it is unilaterally and irrevocably waiving half of the management fees it is entitled to under the management agreement,2 whereby, commencing as of January 1, 2023, each calendar quarter, Moose Holdco shall be entitled to quarterly management fees totaling ILS 250,000 per calendar quarter3. The rest of the terms of the management agreement shall remain unchanged.

3. The New Shareholders Agreement

The primary terms of the New Shareholders Agreement, are as follows:

3.1. Company's board of directors - The Company's board of directors shall include up to 8 directors. Voting by the shareholders for the appointment of directors shall be in accordance with the following mechanism:

3.1.1. Ordinary directors - (a) each party holding at least fifteen percent (15%) of the Company's outstanding share capital may recommend two directors; (b) a party holding 10%-15% may recommend one director; and (c) the party holding a greater number of Company shares may recommend an additional director.

3.1.2. External directors - a party holding at least 10% of the Company's capital may recommend one external director. In the event that any of the parties hold less than 10% of the Company's capital, then the party who holds at least 10% of the Company's shares may appoint the two external directors.

3.1.3. Independent directors - (a) at any time each one of the parties hold at least 10% of the Company's shares, then the identity of the independent director shall be consensually established; and (b) in the event that any of the parties hold less than 10% of the Company's shares, the party holding more than 10% may recommend the independent director.

3.2. General meetings - the controlling shareholders shall hold a preliminary meeting prior to each one of the Company's general meetings (other than with respect to resolutions regarding the appointment of directors and controlling shareholder transactions).

Resolutions at the preliminary meeting shall be adopted through a majority of participating votes, save for extraordinary resolutions, which shall require a majority of 90% of all the parties' (actual) cumulative voting rights in the Company, inter alia, in connection with changes with capital, changing the incorporation documents, engagements with the CEO/directors and amending the remuneration policy.

3.3. Controlling shareholder transactions - each party holding at least 10% of the Company's capital shall have a veto right on transactions with the other party / in which the other party has a personal interest in approving.

3.4. Effectiveness of the shareholders' agreement - the New Shareholders Agreement became effective on its execution date and shall conclude upon the earlier of the following events: (1) When Moose Holdco's holdings decline to less than 10% of the Company's capital; (2) When Ori Max's holdings decline to less than 5% of the Company's capital; (3) When the parties fail to appoint even a single director (of the directors which are not external directors); and (4) When the Company becomes a private company.

3.5. Non-competition - there has been no change to the non-competition and non-solicitation clause described in the Prospectus4.

This is an English translation of a Hebrew immediate report that was published on February 9, 2023 (Ref. No: 2023-01-013354 (hereinafter: the "Hebrew Version")). This English version is only for convenience purposes. This is not an official translation and has no binding force. Whilst reasonable care and skill have been exercised in the preparation hereof, no translation can ever perfectly reflect the Hebrew Version. In the event of any discrepancy between the Hebrew Version and this translation, the Hebrew Version shall prevail

About Max Stock

Max Stock is Israel's leading extreme value retailer, currently present in 56 locations throughout Israel. We offer a broad assortment of quality products for customers' everyday needs at affordable prices, helping customers "Dream Big, Pay Small". For more information, please visit https://ir.maxstock.co.il

Company Contacts:

Talia Sessler,

Chief Corporate Development and IR Officer

[email protected]

1 For additional details regarding the holding structure of Moose Holdco see Note 1 to the Company's immediate report dated January 5, 2023 (Ref. No: 2023-01-003283), hereby included by way of reference.

2 For more information about the management services agreement Moose Holdco has entered into with the Company, see Regulation 21 of the Company's 2021 annual report (Ref. No: 2022-01-028347) (the "2021 Report")), hereby included by way of reference.

3 Or a pro-rated share of this amount for any part of a calendar quarter in which the management agreement is effective, plus VAT (rather than ILS 500,000 for each calendar quarter).

For additional details, see section 3.6 of the Prospectus.

SOURCE Max Stock Limited
DALLAS, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MB2 Dental, the first-ever dental partnership organization, experienced another year of record-breaking growth as it celebrated 15 years of business. In 2022, MB2 Dental:

Reviewed over 2,500 practice submissions

Partnered with 120 new practices and opened 9 de novos consisting of:

74 general dentists



35 orthodontists



12 pediatric dentists



3 endodontists



2 periodontists



3 multispecialty

Welcomed 126 new doctor owners, totaling 475+ doctor owners

Entered new states: Ohio , North Carolina , and New Hampshire

, , and Facilitated 30 MB2 associate dentists transition to practice owners

Added more than 40 new team members to the MB2 support staff

Surpassed its 400th and 500th practice milestones

Served more than 2.1 million patients nationwide

The overall MB2 organization grew by 40 percent as the fastest-growing dental partnership organization. The company expanded its support staff with significant growth to the payor strategy, procurement, facilities, doctor relations, and business development teams. Last January, MB2 announced the expansion of its headquarters in DFW into a 22,000+ sq foot space next door to its original office. The DPO will complete phase two of its renovation of the new space this year.

Founded in 2007, MB2 was the first dental partnership organization, which was founded and is still led by current CEO Dr. Chris Steven Villanueva. MB2 partners with doctors of all specialties, including general dentistry, orthodontics, endodontics, periodontics, pediatric dentistry, prosthodontics, and oral surgery. Although a partner to all specialties, MB2 is currently the second-largest orthodontic group in the country.

MB2's mission is to provide partnerships for professional growth and financial freedom while allowing partners to work smarter, breathe easier, and live larger. The DPO recently launched a brand refresh and new campaign, "Power to the Partners," to coincide with its vision to create a premier community of connected dental professions by scrapping business as usual for a better way forward.

"2022 proved to be a monumental year for us," said Founder and CEO Dr. Chris Steven Villanueva. "Not only did we celebrate our 15-year anniversary, but also our 400th and 500th practice milestones. We have enjoyed welcoming new doctor partners from across the country to join us. Along with the growth in numbers, we're constantly adding team members to central support. We want to continue to provide the best of the best to our partners and continue providing premium services, talent, and cost savings for their needs.

Of all the accomplishments last year, what I'm most proud of is the establishment of our MB2 Family Foundation. Taking care of our MB2 team members has been at the core of our values since I founded the company. Over the last year, we've formalized these efforts by creating a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that allows us to have a broader outreach to our team members in need."

MB2 Dental is already off to a successful start in 2023, slated to add 37 practices in Q1 alone. MB2 expects yet another year of record growth with plans to expand its geographical footprint into Iowa and South Carolina in 2023.

About MB2 Dental

Dallas, Texas-based MB2 Dental is a first-of-its-kind Dental Partnership Organization (DPO) founded and led by dentist and entrepreneur CEO Dr. Chris Steven Villanueva, with a mission to empower dentists to preserve their profession. Since its founding in 2007, MB2 has partnered with hundreds of dentists to help them stay in the driver's seat as they maximize their talents, connect as part of a community and build exceptional wealth. MB2 currently partners with dentists and specialists in more than 35 states. For more information, visit https://mb2dental.com.

Press Contact:

Lindsey Byrnes

9728693789

https://mb2dental.com/

SOURCE MB2 Dental
~CVS Health is a leading U.S. health solutions company and a member of Fortune 5~

BANGALORE, India, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MediBuddy, India's largest Digital Healthcare platform announced today that it has acquired the 'vHealth by Aetna' business (Indian Health Organization Private Limited) in India.

'vHealth by Aetna', is one of India's most innovative primary healthcare service providers. 'vHealth by Aetna' is a leader in the B2B healthcare space and offers subscription-based primary healthcare services such as telehealth consultations, an extensive outpatient network, pharmacy, diagnostics and dental among other benefits to customers.

Satish Kannan, Co-Founder & CEO, MediBuddy, India's largest digital healthcare platform at vHealth's acquisition by MediBuddy, today in Delhi, India.

Commenting on the acquisition, Satish Kannan, Co-Founder, and CEO at MediBuddy said, "We made a strategic decision to go ahead with this critical acquisition as it is in line with our commitment to making high quality healthcare accessible to a billion people. We believe that this acquisition will further strengthen our market leadership by giving impetus to our distribution channels, helping us in scaling our operations and offerings to a much wider section of the population. 'vHealth by Aetna's subscriber base will now have the convenience and the opportunity to access the full spectrum of the healthcare services provided by MediBuddy." He further added, "vHealth by Aetna' business has shown an impressive rate of growth in the past and with the expertise of the current team and MediBuddy's existing strengths, we expect the combined business to grow significantly over the coming years."

Anurag Khosla, CEO Aetna India and IHO said, "MediBuddy and 'vHealth by Aetna' share a common vision of a future, where primary and digital healthcare comes together to redefine accessibility and delivery of quality healthcare services. We are confident and excited that the coming together of MediBuddy and' vHealth by Aetna' will not only benefit our existing 'vHealth by Aetna' customer base but will also advance the combined business with MediBuddy's expertise."

Over the next six months, 'vHealth by Aetna' business will transition to be rebranded as 'MediBuddy vHealth'. The existing IHO management team and employees across all functions will continue to be employed by IHO, which is now part of MediBuddy. Both the existing and new subscriber base of 'vHealth by Aetna' will have access to MediBuddy's technology and scale prowess, leading to an enhanced customer experience. The latest acquisition will bring on board 'vHealth by Aetna's' customers to MediBuddy's platform further strengthening the existing customer base of 30 Mn+. MediBuddy recently concluded its merger with DocsApp and the company raised $125 million in a Series C funding in the first quarter of 2022.

About MediBuddy

MediBuddy has always been at the forefront of India's digital healthcare transformation. The digital healthcare platform has a partner network of 90,000+ doctors, 7,100+ hospitals and clinics, 4,000+ diagnostic centers, 2,500+ pharmacies along with a team size of 2200+ members. It has created an integrated healthcare ecosystem that offers patients seamless access anytime and anywhere. With its healthcare services available in 16 Indian languages to enable customer-friendly consultation, MediBuddy is bridging the Urban-Rural quality healthcare divide. MediBuddy offers online and offline doctor consultations, medicine delivery, lab tests at home, mental health consultations, surgery care, among other healthcare services.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1999417/MediaBuddy_Satish_Kannan.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1999439/MediBuddy_Logo_NEW.jpg

SOURCE MediBuddy
Latest FDA 510(k) cleared implant system rounds out company's lower extremity trauma and reconstruction plating portfolio

NORTHFIELD, Ill., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Attendees at this year's American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) Annual Scientific Conference in Los Angeles, California, will be among the first to see the UNITE Ankle Fusion Plating System. This new product is the company's seventh indication-specific titanium plating system since launching in 2015.

Medline rounds out its lower extremity trauma and reconstruction plating portfolio with the launch of the Medline UNITE Ankle Fusion Plating System. The system is indicated for use in arthrodesis of the ankle, including tibiotalar (TT), tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) and tibiocalcaneal (TC) fusions.

"The Ankle Fusion system bolsters an already robust implant offering and allows us to now address every foot and ankle procedure requiring indication-specific plating," said Scott Goldstein, director of marketing at Medline UNITE Foot & Ankle. "Our ability to cover the entire anatomy with plating systems that offer consistency in materials, design and technology truly sets us apart in an otherwise crowded marketplace. Surgeons using UNITE implants for other procedures can now bring many of the same advantages to patients requiring ankle reconstruction and revision procedures."

Each year, more than half a million people in the United States require ankle surgery, and a significant percentage of those patients require ankle reconstruction or revision surgeries. The UNITE Ankle Fusion Plating System is indicated for use in arthrodesis of the ankle, including tibiotalar (TT), tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) and tibiocalcaneal (TC) fusions. The system boasts eight different type II anodized titanium alloy plate families with 20 unique options, all featuring Medline's patented dual-mode compression technology, allowing surgeons to treat their patients through standard or mini-open anterior approaches as well as posterior and lateral approaches.

Beyond the implants, surgeons performing ankle fusion procedures will benefit from an array of all-new specialized instruments, which may improve surgical speed and efficiency. The system comes equipped with joint distractors, curettes and arthrotomes to aid in joint preparation, along with a targeting guide for precise placement of a guidewire for an independent lag screw which avoids the plate's screws. Sterile processing departments, particularly in smaller ambulatory surgery center (ASC) settings, as well as surgical staff, will also benefit from improved efficiencies thanks to the system's color-coded, single-tray design and layout.

"The UNITE Ankle Fusion Plating System is designed with everyone in mind, from the patient to the surgeon to the staff," said Dr. R. James Toussaint, MD of Gainesville, FL. "The ability to satisfy all clinical, technical and operational requirements for everyone involved with the surgery is a major advantage."

Learn more about the UNITE Ankle Fusion System at ACFAS 2023 Annual Scientific Conference at booth #713 or visit www.medlineunite.com. Stay up to date on the latest developments by following the Medline UNITE Foot & Ankle LinkedIn page.

About Medline

Medline is a healthcare company; a manufacturer, distributor, and solutions provider focused on improving the overall operating performance of healthcare. Partnering with healthcare systems and facilities across the continuum of care, Medline provides the clinical and supply chain resources required for long-term financial viability in delivering high-quality care. With the scale of one of the country's largest companies and the agility of a family-led business, Medline is able to invest in its customers for the future and rapidly respond to a dynamically changing market with customized solutions. Headquartered in Northfield, Ill., Medline has 34,000+ employees worldwide and does business in more than 125 countries and territories. Learn more about Medline at www.medline.com.

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SOURCE Medline
IPLOOK, a leading provider of end-to end mobile core network, will showcase its End-to-End 4G/5G Converged Core solutions at MWC 2023 in Barcelona.

HONG KONG, Feb. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- It's that time of a year again, the world's largest gathering in the telecom industry -- MWC Barcelona 2023! It's expecting around over 2,000 telecom companies to exhibit this year, in Barcelona from 27th February to 2nd March. From the most inspiring speakers and enterprises to the discussion about the hottest topics, you will be at "the epicentre of telecom industry's future".

After two years of technical advancement, IPLOOK is back at MWC Barcelona again and requests the honor of communicating with everyone in person. We would be glad to explore the potential partnerships and excited to share industry insights. So we hereby cordially invite you to start a conversation with us at MWC 2023.

With extensive industry experience, IPLOOK will showcase the end-to-end 4G/5G converged core solution at the event, monetizing 4G and 5G networks to fulfill the growing connectivity needs. The all-in-one mobile core helps operators deploy future-oriented multi-network convergence target networks and multi-network services in one step at the fastest speed and lowest cost for achieving the transformation from a single network architecture to a fully converged network architecture.

EVENT INFORMATION

Hall 3, Room 3E26MR

Fira Gran Via , Barcelona, Spain

Find out how IPLOOK's core network products could make your business more profitable and efficient! Welcome to meet with us and discuss your specific requirements. Please contact us to let us know your available time slot. See you there!

About IPLOOK

IPLOOK Technologies is a leading vendor of 4G/5G networking solutions, offering a complete line of products for mobile operators, mobile virtual operators, service providers and enterprise private networks to fulfill the growing connectivity needs. We are one of the fastest-growing end-to-end mobile core network vendors in the world, positioned to self-develop innovative and high-performed 3G/4G/5G/6G core network products to the world.

More info: www.iplook.com Follow IPLOOK on LinkedIn @IPLOOK Technologies

CONTACT: [email protected]

SOURCE IPLOOK Technologies
HOOKSETT, N.H., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Merchants Fleet, the nation's fastest growing fleet management company, today announced a major expansion of its lending capacity, more than doubling its ability to fund vehicles and equipment for its traditional fleet and mobility clients throughout the country.

The new lending capacity aligns Merchants with the global market of the commercial vehicle, equipment leasing industry. Tweet this Merchants Fleet (PRNewsfoto/Merchants Fleet)

The new lending capacity aligns Merchants with the global market of the commercial vehicle and equipment leasing industry. The move comes on the heels of Merchants' announcement that it was acquired by a new ownership group consisting of Bain Capital, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and members of the Merchants executive leadership team in October 2022.

Led by French international banking group BNP Paribas, Merchants' core member funding group includes some of the top banks in the world, enabling the company to access capital to lease vehicles and equipment for clients of a larger scale, as well as invest in continued growth. Merchants has established two separate, significant financing warehouse facilities as it continues to evolve and successfully execute on its long-term capital strategy.

"We are excited for what this capital expansion means for our company, and for our clients who rely on us to help keep their businesses running," said Brendan P. Keegan, chairman, CEO and president of Merchants Fleet. "As we expand into new markets, these new financing facilities will allow us to broaden our reach as we remain the fastest-growing fleet management company in North America."

Merchants is positioned to seize major growth opportunities in all key areas of its portfolio including fleet, mobility, electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure. The company manages more than 175,000 vehicles throughout North America on behalf of some of the largest brands in the world and continues to drive fleet electrification with 40,000 electric vehicles reserved, and $2.5 billion committed toward fleet electrification and sustainability.

"BNP Paribas is pleased to continue its strategic partnership with Merchants Fleet as it embarks on its next phase of growth," said Andrew Strait, Head of US Diversified Industries Coverage for BNP Paribas. "We look forward to supporting the company as it expands its fleet and fleet offering across North America."

About Merchants Fleet

Merchants Fleet is North America's fastest growing fleet management company, enabling the movement of people, goods, and services freely and responsibly. From flexible funding, fleet acquisition and fleet management to vehicle remarketing, fleet consulting, fleet electrification, and the power of cloud-based fleet management platform TotalView, Merchants serves as a single source for all fleet and mobility needs across more than 20 unique industries. Merchants is headquartered in New England, has its Innovation Center in the Chicago area, and serves fleet clients of all sizes throughout North America. Learn more at www.MerchantsFleet.com.

SOURCE Merchants Fleet
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that the gas and electricity supply cut-off by Azerbaijan has led to an environmental crisis in Nagorno Karabakh.

Speaking at the Cabinet meeting, PM Pashinyan said that Azerbaijan again cut off gas supply into Nagorno Karabakh on February 8, a day after the supply had been restored, and before that Azerbaijan had reopened the pipeline seven days ago after shutting it down four days before that.

Since December 12, Azerbaijan shut down Nagorno Karabakhs gas supply seven times. Furthermore, this statistics doesnt reflect the entire picture because various events take place in between the shutdowns and restoration of gas supply. For example, gas supply is being shut down not entirely, but 30%, then the volume of supplied gas reaches 70%, then drops to 10%, then it becomes 30%, then it gets restored completely, then again drops to 40% and so on. Such kind of commotion can happen several times in a day or once in several days. Furthermore, this already arent the so-called environmentalists, but rather an action done by the state, because if the environmentalists are present and visible in the Lachin corridor, they havent been seen in the gas pipeline.

Since December 12, 2022 Azerbaijan carried out 27 similar actions with the gas supply pipeline of Nagorno Karabakh, Pashinyan said.

PM Pashinyan said that the illegal blockade of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan under the guise of environmental campaign has led to real environmental problems in Nagorno Karabakh because Azerbaijan has shut down electricity transmission into Nagorno Karabakh and Nagorno Karabakh authorities are carrying out rolling blackouts for 6, 8, 10 hours every day because local electric energy production capacities are insufficient.

In these conditions our compatriots in Nagorno Karabakh are forced to use wood for heating, which in turn leads to forest cutting, which has a potential to become a serious environmental disaster, especially if we take into account the snowfalls in Nagorno Karabakh and that temperature at nighttime drops minus five degrees Celsius. This once again exposes Azerbaijans false environmental goals because the illegal blockade of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan has led to an environmental crisis in addition to a humanitarian crisis, the Armenian PM said.

Pashinyan said Azerbaijans actions seek to break the Nagorno Karabakh peoples will to live in their own homeland. Thus, we must further increase our efforts to bring international attention on the humanitarian, and now also environmental crisis in Nagorno Karabakh, which is the consequence of Azerbaijans aggressive and provocative actions, PM Pashinyan said.

Pashinyan thanked the international organizations and countries who have expressed objective stance on the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno Karabakh.

I think it is necessary to make the illegal blockade of Lachin corridor, the humanitarian and environmental crisis in Nagorno Karabakh a more institutional international discussion topic, because the only option for restraining Azerbaijans aggressiveness and provocative conduct is the non-decreasing activeness of the international community, he said.
The announcement marks the brand's first-time use of Indigenous artwork across a collection of footwear, apparel, and accessories

ROCKFORD, Mich., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Merrell, the world's leading hike and outdoor footwear brand, announced a collaboration with artist Jordan Ann Craig. The partnership features all-new designs and bold prints by Craig herself while celebrating Indigenous design and the world in which this art was meant to traverse.

Merrell x Jordan Ann Craig

Craig is a painter born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, now residing in northern New Mexico. Her work is changing the definition of Native American art as a Northern Cheyenne artist. She creates new narratives within her art while celebrating her ancestors and Indigenous land. Her work includes paintings, prints, collages, textile prints, and artist books.

"It's so important for art to live off of walls, traverse the earth, and be a part of our daily lives," said Jordan Ann Craig. "The shoes are not only my art, but they look like where I live and what I experience. We were able to celebrate that belief by taking abstract designs and bringing them to life through this collection with Merrell."

The collaboration includes five pieces of footwear, one beanie, one sweatshirt, and one fanny pack. Craig energized Merrell classics, including the Embark Lace, Embark Moc, Encore Ice 4, Bravada 2 Demi, and Bravada 2 Mid.

Merrell's recent Inclusivity in the Outdoors Report found Indigenous Peoples face discriminatory barriers to being in their natural homes, with 22% indicating they have experienced discriminatory treatment when outside. A 2021 study found that Indigenous Peoples in the U.S. have lost nearly 99% of the land they once inhabited despite having a traditional, deeply connected relationship with Earth.

"As we all have vastly different views on what art is, so too are our perceptions of the outdoors," said Merrell Marketing Manager Regina Hill. "It's essential to create a narrative of those diverse points of view. We were able to tell that story through our work with Jordan Ann Craig. This collaboration helps highlight the barriers found in our report and give a voice to a community with a deep connection to, relationship with, and respect for the outdoors."

In tandem with the collaboration, Merrell is supporting the Fort Robinson Outbreak Spiritual Run with a $45,000 donation toward the 2024 run. With $3 from each item sold in the collection benefitting next year's run. Merrell also outfitted each child in the 2023 run with head-to-toe apparel and shoes, which was held January 8 through 14.

"Art can be a healing piece, and I hope others are able to find that space within my work and through this collaboration," said Craig.

The annual 400-mile run commemorates the Northern Cheyenne breakout of Fort Robinson and began as a tribute to its ancestors. Now, in its 27th year, the run is a forum for healing and wellness; youth leadership and empowerment; cultural and language preservation; environmental justice; and creating social change.

For more information on Merrell, please visit merrell.com. Jordan Ann Craig's pieces can be found online at www.merrell.com/us/en/jordan-ann-craig.

ABOUT MERRELL:

Merrell exists to share the simple power of being outside and is committed to building an inclusive and sustainable environment for future generations to enjoy. As the global leader in outdoor active footwear with the Moab hiking boot and Jungle Moc, Merrell is focused on merging performance, styling, and comfort to empower all people to confidently explore the outdoors. The brand was recently named Footwear News' 2022 Brand of the Year for promoting a more diverse vision of the outdoors. Visit Merrell.com or follow us on social @Merrell. Merrell is a division of Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE: WWW), one of the world's leading marketers and licensors of branded casual, active lifestyle, work, outdoor sport, athletic, children's and uniform footwear and apparel.

SOURCE Merrell
CHICAGO, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) named the 2023 Hyundai Palisade as its 13th annual Family Vehicle of the Year, and the 2023 Genesis GV60 as the winner of the fifth annual Luxury Family Vehicle of the Year award during the Media Preview of the 2023 Chicago Auto Show. To qualify for the award, vehicles must have four doors and be new or significantly updated within the past year.

"Our members test a vast array of vehicles throughout the year. For these models to rise to the top says a lot about their quality and value to families," said Robert Duffer, MAMA president.

Other finalists for Family Vehicle of the Year were the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning and 2023 Hyundai IONIQ5. The 2023 Lincoln Navigator and 2023 Genesis G90 rounded out the luxury category.

"The Palisade continues to impress with its family-friendly capabilities and new driver assistant technologies," said Ricky Lao, director, product planning, Hyundai Motor North America. "The Palisade's enhanced Forward Collison Avoidance, Highway Drive Assist and Remote Smart Parking Assist reinforce Hyundai's commitment to safety."

"We are pleased to have the 2023 Genesis GV60 named Luxury Family Vehicle of the Year by MAMA," said Claudia Marquez, chief operating officer at Genesis Motor North America. "GV60 continues to be well-received by our customers, their families, and industry experts alike. As our first dedicated EV model, GV60 represents a bold step in our move towards a lineup of all-electric vehicles by 2030."

The event also featured keynote speaker Olabisi Boyle, Vice President, Product Planning and Mobility Strategy, Hyundai Motor North America. Boyle sat down with Duffer to discuss the Hyundai brand, its recent accolades, and her role in its success. The conversation also highlighted the electrification of vehicles, car prices, and CAFE compliance.

For more information about the Midwest Automotive Media Association and its Family Vehicle and Luxury Family Vehicle of the Year Awards, please visit www.mamaonline.org .

For more information on the Chicago Auto Show, visit ChicagoAutoShow.com . Media information is available at ChicagoAutoShow.com/media .

About the Midwest Automotive Media Association

Founded in 1991, the Midwest Automotive Media Association comprises 300 automotive journalists and public relations professionals from across the country. The organization's primary purpose is to provide a forum for newsworthy people, major issues and new products in the auto industry.

About the Chicago Auto Show

First staged in 1901, the Chicago Auto Show is the nation's longest running auto exposition in North America. The show is produced by the Chicagoland's new-car dealer association, the Chicago Automobile Trade Association, which has staged the show since 1935. The 2023 public show is Feb. 11-20 at McCormick Place. For more information and the latest updates, visit ChicagoAutoShow.com or Facebook.com/ChicagoAutoShow.com .

SOURCE Chicago Auto Show
NOIDA, India, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new report published by UnivDatos Markets Insights, the Mobile Imaging Market was valued at USD 30 Million in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 6% from 2022-2028. The analysis has been segmented into the Product Type (X-Ray, Ultrasound, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computed Tomography, Mammography, and Others); Patient Type (Pediatrics and Adults); End-users (Hospitals and Private Clinics, Home Healthcare Service Providers, and Others); Region/Country.

Click here to view the Report Description & TOC

https://univdatos.com/report/mobile-imaging-market/

The mobile imaging market report has been aggregated by collecting informative data on various dynamics such as market drivers, restraints, and opportunities. This innovative report makes use of several analyses to get a closer outlook on the mobile imaging market. The Mobile Imaging market report offers a detailed analysis of the latest industry developments and trending factors in the market that are influencing the market growth. Furthermore, this statistical market research repository examines and estimates the Mobile Imaging market at the global and regional levels.

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Market Overview

Mobile imaging provides comprehensive X-Ray, EKG, and ultrasound services directly to medical facilities, homes, and businesses. The growth of the market is mainly driven by the rising prevalence of chronic diseases along with the changing lifestyle prevalence such as increased alcohol consumption and smoking. For instance, Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020, or nearly one in six deaths. Furthermore, technological advancements in imaging technology and the integration of the internet with the equipment are also responsible for the market growth of mobile imaging.

Factors such as rapid technological advancement and increasing demand for homecare facilities are important factors responsible for the market growth of the mobile imaging market.

Some of the major players operating in the market include Some of the major players operating in the market include Accurate Imaging Inc., Alliance Healthcare Services, Atlantic Medical Imaging Inc., Front Rang Mobile Imaging Inc., Interim Diagnostic Imaging LLC, InHealth Group Ltd., Radnet Inc, Tridentcare LLC, Atlantic Medical Imaging, and Canon Inc.

COVID-19 Impact

COVID-19 has a staggering effect and a negative impact on the global economy due to imposed lockdowns and government restrictions. However, the market for non-invasive prenatal testing witnessed steady growth even during the pandemic. This mainly owing to the growing need for the testing of COVID-19 suspects and the companies also started providing at-home diagnostic facilities for various diseases.

Based on the product type, the market has been categorized into x-ray, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, mammography, and others. Among them, the x-ray segment holds a considerable share of the market. The rising number of hospitals and diagnostic centers along with the higher adoption of non-invasive & procedures attributes to the segmental growth of the x-ray segment .

Based on patient type, the market has been categorized into pediatrics and adults. The adult segment is expected to witness a higher CAGR during the forecast period. The rising prevalence of chronic disorders among the adult population along with the continuously rising geriatric population is attributed to the market growth of the adult segment. For instance, as per the WHO, Between 2015 and 2050, the proportion of the world's population over 60 years will nearly double from 12% to 22%.

Based on the end-user, the market has been categorized into hospitals and private clinics, home healthcare service providers, and others. Among them, the hospitals and private clinics segment hold a considerable share of the market. The hospitals and clinics deal with a large number of patients, these facilities require light, portable and effective equipment to deal with a large number of cases. Furthermore, rising demand from the emergency departments of the hospital also attributes to the growth of the segment.

Have a Look at the Chapters https://univdatos.com/report/mobile-imaging-market/

Mobile Imaging Market Geographical Segmentation Includes:

North America ( United States , Canada , and Rest of North America )

( , , and Rest of ) Europe ( Germany , United Kingdom , Spain , Italy , France , and the Rest of Europe )

( , , , , , and the Rest of ) Asia-Pacific ( China , Japan , India , and the Rest of Asia-Pacific )

( , , , and the Rest of ) Rest of the World

North America is anticipated to hold a considerable market share during the forecast period. The major factors such as the higher investment in research & development and the presence of well-established healthcare infrastructure in the region. For instance, the United States' investments in R&D increased by 13% in 2020 in comparison with 2018 which accounted for US$ 5,86,959 in 2018 and reached US$ 6,64,058 in 2020.

The major players targeting the market include

Accurate Imaging Inc.

Alliance Healthcare Services

Atlantic Medical Imaging Inc.

Front Rang Mobile Imaging Inc.

Interim Diagnostic Imaging LLC

InHealth Group Ltd.

Radnet Inc

Tridentcare LLC

Atlantic Medical Imaging

Canon Inc.

Competitive Landscape

The degree of competition among prominent global companies has been elaborated by analyzing several leading key players operating worldwide. The specialist team of research analysts sheds light on various traits such as global market competition, market share, most recent industry advancements, innovative product launches, partnerships, mergers, or acquisitions by leading companies in the Mobile Imaging market. The major players have been analyzed by using research methodologies for getting insight views on global competition.

Key questions resolved through this analytical market research report include:

What are the latest trends, new patterns, and technological advancements in the mobile imaging market?

Which factors are influencing the mobile imaging market over the forecast period?

What are the global challenges, threats, and risks in the mobile imaging market?

Which factors are propelling and restraining the mobile imaging market?

What are the demanding global regions of the mobile imaging market?

What will be the global market size in the upcoming years?

What are the crucial market acquisition strategies and policies applied by global companies?

We understand the requirement of different businesses, regions, and countries, we offer customized reports as per your requirements of business nature and geography. Please let us know If you have any custom needs.

About UnivDatos Market Insights (UMI)

Browse Other Related Research Reports from UnivDatos Market Insights

Mobile Imaging Market Report Coverage

Report Attribute Details Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2028 Growth momentum Accelerate at a CAGR of over 6% Market size 2021 USD 30 Million Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, Rest of World Major contributing region North America to Dominate the Global Mobile Imaging Market Key countries covered United States, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, France, China, Japan, India, and Australia Companies profiled Accurate Imaging Inc., Alliance Healthcare Services, Atlantic Medical Imaging Inc., Front Rang Mobile Imaging Inc., Interim Diagnostic Imaging LLC, InHealth Group Ltd., Radnet Inc, Tridentcare LLC, Atlantic Medical Imaging, and Canon Inc. Report Scope Market Trends, Drivers, and Restraints; Revenue Estimation and Forecast; Segmentation Analysis; Impact of COVID-19; Demand and Supply Side Analysis; Competitive Landscape; Company Profiling Segments Covered By Product Type; By Patient Type; By End-User; By Region/Country

About UnivDatos Market Insights

UnivDatos Market Insights (UMI) is a passionate market research firm and a subsidiary of Universal Data Solutions. We believe in delivering insights through Market Intelligence Reports, Customized Business Research, and Primary Research. Our research studies are spread across topics across the world, we cover markets in over 100 countries using smart research techniques and agile methodologies. We offer in-depth studies, detailed analysis, and customized reports that help shape winning business strategies for our clients.

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SOURCE UnivDatos Market Insights Pvt. Ltd.
Mobily Pay signs agreement with Abyan Capital for Robo-Investments

SDAIA and Mobily Pay cooperates to integrate Ehsan donation to Mobily Pay application

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mobily has unveiled a series of agreements and partnerships across a wide range of technology fields such as online marketplaces, CSR, cybersecurity, infrastructure, cloud and more on Day Three of LEAP 2023.

Thousands of delegates, experts and industry leaders continued to attend day three of the ongoing mega-event, which has become a key platform to discuss, learn and collaborate on the future vision of technology.

Mobily continues LEAP 2023 with partnership announcements and MoU signings across digital transformation and investment

Highlights on day three for Mobily are announcements of new Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with companies such as Bitqaty, Cisco as well as government related entities such as the SDAIA.

SDAIA

Mobily Pay and SDAIA (Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority) will work together to provide donation option so that users are able to donate through the app. The project will focus on enabling the payment gateway to be controlled by Ehsan and result in an increased number of transactions, fund movement and support Mobily Pay CSR activities, as part of Mobily Pay strategy to enable a full package of digital products and services to meet customer needs and to contribute in the 2030 vision to achieve financial sector development program objectives.

Bitaqaty

Mobily Pay signed a new partnership with Bitaqaty, which will enable Mobily Pay to offer e-vouchers for strong brands. The partnership will be part of Mobily Pay's expansion plan, as it will pave way to launching new products and services, helping Mobily Pay to meet customers expectation and enhance their experiences.

Dawiyat

As the potential of the digital world continues to evolve, Mobily is cooperating with Dawiyat to further develop Mobily's digital infrastructure and provide IoT to its customers. The MoU will provide Mobily with advanced technical services and contribute to the provision of digital solutions for its communications infrastructure with high reliability and high speed, in addition to data centers and enhancing the experience of its customers.

Abyan

The agreement signed between Abyan Capital, a robo-advisor and investment platform, in Saudi Arabia and Mobily Pay will focus on Robo-Investments, complete with new apportions for Mobily Pay users that will enable them to invest monthly through Abyan. Abyan will then facilitate the investment from that point. The agreement seeks to enable Mobily to become the first in the market to provide this service, with a keen eye on customers. The deal will drive user acquisition, offer new products, and increase customer satisfaction overall.

About Etihad Etisalat (Mobily)

Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) is a Saudi company launched commercially in May 2005. Mobily provides integrated services for three main sectors, individuals, businesses, and carriers. It has one of the largest wireless networks by coverage in Saudi Arabia as well as the region, and one of the widest FTTH networks, in addition to one of the largest data center systems worldwide.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1999273/Mobily_KSA.jpg

SOURCE Mobily KSA
Improving healthcare infrastructure, rise in unmet healthcare needs, and surge in the prevalence of infectious diseases such as mumps drive the growth of the global mumps vaccine market.

PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Mumps Vaccine Market by Age Group (Pediatric, Adult), by Distribution Channel (Hospitals and Clinics, Vaccination Centres): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031." According to the report, the global mumps vaccine industry generated $2 billion in 2021, and is estimated to reach $3.5 billion by 2031, witnessing a CAGR of 5.8% from 2022 to 2031. The report offers a detailed analysis of changing market trends, top segments, key investment pockets, value chains, regional landscapes, and competitive scenarios.

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Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities-

Improving healthcare infrastructure, rise in unmet healthcare needs, and surge in the prevalence of infectious diseases such as mumps drive the growth of the global mumps vaccine market. On the other hand, stringent rules & regulations associated with vaccine development, high development cost, and low manufacturing capacity restrain the growth to some extent. However, surge in promotional activities by manufacturers and rise in awareness about the importance of vaccination among individuals are expected to create lucrative opportunities in the industry.

Covid-19 scenario-

The outbreak of the pandemic led the majority of pharmaceutical companies toward COVID-19 vaccine production, which in turn gave way to a steep decline in other vaccine productions such as mumps vaccines. This factor impacted the market negatively.

However, the global market for mumps vaccine has recovered slowly and steadily.

The hospitals and clinics segment to maintain its dominance during the forecast period-

By distribution channel, the hospitals and clinics segment held the largest share in 2021, garnering nearly three-fourths of the global mumps vaccine market revenue, and is projected to maintain its dominance by 2031. The same segment would also showcase the fastest CAGR of 6.0% during the forecast period. This is driven by the considerable number of patient visits to the hospitals for mumps vaccination after the pandemic.

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The pediatric segment to rule the roost-

By age group, the pediatric segment contributed to more than two-thirds of the global mumps vaccine market share in 2021, and is projected to rule the roost by 2031. The same segment would also display the fastest CAGR of 6.1% throughout the forecast period. Surge in awareness about mumps vaccination among the pediatric population in developed and developing regions fuel the segment growth.

North America garnered the major share in 2021-

By region, North America held the major share in 2021, garnering more than three-fifths of the global mumps vaccine market revenue, and is expected to dominate by 2031. This is due to the prevalence of a large number of mumps cases in the U.S. and other major regions across North America. Asia-Pacific, on the other hand, would showcase the fastest CAGR of 8.6% from 2022 to 2031.

Leading Market Players-

GlaxoSmithKline plc

Merck & Co., Inc

Actiza Pharmaceuticals

Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd.

The report analyzes these key players in the global mumps vaccine market. These players have adopted various strategies such as expansion, new product launches, partnerships, and others to increase their market penetration and strengthen their position in the industry. The report is helpful in determining the business performance, operating segments, developments, and product portfolios of every market player.

Trending Reports in Healthcare Industry (Book Now with 10% Discount):

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Animal Vaccines Market by Type (Attenuated Vaccines, Inactivated Vaccines, Subunit Vaccines, Toxoid Vaccines, Conjugate Vaccines, Recombinant Vaccines, and DNA Vaccines) and Animal Type (Companion Animal, Livestock Animal, and Aquaculture): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030

mRNA Vaccines and RNAi Therapeutics Market by Disease Type (Hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis genetic, Acute hepatic porphyria, Primary hyperoxaluria type 1, Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease), by Route of administration (IV infusion, Subcutaneous), by End user (Research Institutes, Hospitals and clinics): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031

Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Market by Type (Tetravalent, Nonavalent, Bivalent), by Disease Indication (Cervical Cancer, Anal Cancer, Vulvar & Vaginal Cancer, Penile Cancer, Oropharyngeal Cancer, Others), by Industry Vertical (Public and Private Alliances, Government Entities, Physicians, Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030

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We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The nail care products market size is estimated to grow by USD 5.68 billion from 2021 to 2026 at a CAGR of 4.46% according to Technavio. Nail care products market Insights are :

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Nail Care Products Market

Vendors : 15+, Including Chemence Inc. | Coty Inc. | Cuccio Naturale | Faces Canada | Flora 1761 | Jinsoon | Keystone Cosmetics | KISS Products Inc. | Light Elegance | Lippmann Enterprises LLC | LOreal SA | Oriflame Holding AG | ORLY International Inc. | Revlon Inc. | Sheba Nails | Shiseido Co. Ltd. | Smith and Cult LLC | The Avon Co. | The Estee Lauder Co. Inc. | Unilever PLC, among others

: 15+, Including Chemence Inc. | Coty Inc. | Cuccio Naturale | Faces Canada | Flora 1761 | Jinsoon | Keystone Cosmetics | KISS Products Inc. | Light Elegance | Lippmann Enterprises LLC | LOreal SA | Oriflame Holding AG | ORLY International Inc. | Revlon Inc. | | Shiseido Co. Ltd. | Smith and Cult LLC | The Avon Co. | The Estee Lauder Co. Inc. | Unilever PLC, among others Coverage: Parent market analysis; key drivers, major trends, and challenges; customer and vendor landscape; vendor product insights and recent developments; key vendors; and market positioning of vendors

Parent market analysis; key drivers, major trends, and challenges; customer and vendor landscape; vendor product insights and recent developments; key vendors; and market positioning of vendors Segments: Product (Nail polish, Nail accessories and implements, Nail polish remover, Nail strengthener, and Others), Distribution Channel (Offline and Online), and Geography (APAC, Europe , North America , South America , and Middle East and Africa )

To understand more about the nail care products market, request a sample report

The nail care products market report provides critical information and factual data, with a qualitative and quantitative study of the market based on market drivers and limitations as well as future prospects.

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Analyzes competitor's offerings

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Nail care products market - Customer Landscape

To help companies evaluate and develop growth strategies, the report outlines 

Key purchase criteria

Adoption rates

Adoption lifecycle

Drivers of price sensitivity

For highlights on customer landscape analysis, download a sample!

Nail care products market - Vendor Insights

The growing competition in the market is compelling vendors to adopt various growth strategies such as promotional activities and spending on advertisements to improve the visibility of their services. Technavio report analyzes the market's competitive landscape and offers information on several market vendors including -

Coty Inc. - The company offers nail care products such as Miracle Gel through its subsidiary Sally Hansen .

The company offers nail care products such as Miracle Gel through its subsidiary . KISS Products Inc. - The company offers nail care products such as Kiss Gel Fantasy Nails, and Kiss Majestic glue offset.

The company offers nail care products such as Kiss Gel Fantasy Nails, and Kiss Majestic glue offset. Light Elegance - The company offers nail care products such as gel polish, hard gel, and Jimmy gel.

The company offers nail care products such as gel polish, hard gel, and Jimmy gel. LOreal SA - The company offers nail care products through its brand Essie.

Nail Care Products Market  Market Dynamics

Major Drivers -

Availability of non-toxic solutions for nail care

Expansion of distribution network

Growing customer engagement through the digital media platform

Key Challenges -

Availability of counterfeit nail care products

Growing health awareness among customers

Regulatory compliances for product composition, labeling, and packaging

Drivers and challenges have an impact on market dynamics, which can impact businesses. Find more insights in a sample report!

What are the key data covered in this nail care products market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the Nail Care Products Market between 2022 and 2026

Precise estimation of the size of the Nail Care Products Market size and its contribution to the market in focus on the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

Growth of the Nail Care Products Market industry across APAC, Europe , North America , South America , and Middle East and Africa

, , , and and A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors

Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of Nail Care Products Market vendors

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The women's intimate care products market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.31% between 2021 and 2026. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 741.84 million . Product premiumization due to product innovation and portfolio extension is notably driving the women's intimate care products market growth, although factors such as the availability of counterfeit products may impede the market growth.

is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.31% between 2021 and 2026. The size of the market is forecast to increase by . Product premiumization due to product innovation and portfolio extension is notably driving the women's intimate care products market growth, although factors such as the availability of counterfeit products may impede the market growth. The men's hair care and styling products market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.16% between 2021 and 2026. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 12.04 billion . The evolving fashion trends in hair styling are notably driving the men's hair care and styling products market growth, although factors such as the availability of counterfeit products may impede the market growth.

Nail Care Products Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 162 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 4.46% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 5.68 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 3.6 Regional analysis APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 42% Key countries US, China, India, Germany, and UK Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Chemence Inc., Coty Inc., Cuccio Naturale, Faces Canada, Flora 1761, Jinsoon, Keystone Cosmetics, KISS Products Inc., Light Elegance, Lippmann Enterprises LLC, LOreal SA, Oriflame Holding AG, ORLY International Inc., Revlon Inc., Sheba Nails, Shiseido Co. Ltd., Smith and Cult LLC, The Avon Co., The Estee Lauder Co. Inc., and Unilever PLC Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, and Market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Table of contents:

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market overview

Exhibit 01: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Overview



Exhibit 02: Executive Summary  Data Table on Market Overview



Exhibit 03: Executive Summary  Chart on Global Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market by Geography



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Product



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 09: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 10: Parent market



Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 13: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2021

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021-2026

Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

4 Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 18: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2021 and 2026

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 19: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2021 and 2026

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 20: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 21: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 22: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 23: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 24: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2021 and 2026

5 Market Segmentation by Product

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 25: Chart on Product - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 26: Data Table on Product - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Product

Exhibit 27: Chart on Comparison by Product



Exhibit 28: Data Table on Comparison by Product

5.3 Nail polish - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 29: Chart on Nail polish - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 30: Data Table on Nail polish - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 31: Chart on Nail polish - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 32: Data Table on Nail polish - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.4 Nail accessories and implements - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 33: Chart on Nail accessories and implements - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 34: Data Table on Nail accessories and implements - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 35: Chart on Nail accessories and implements - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 36: Data Table on Nail accessories and implements - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.5 Nail polish remover - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 37: Chart on Nail polish remover - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 38: Data Table on Nail polish remover - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 39: Chart on Nail polish remover - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 40: Data Table on Nail polish remover - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.6 Nail strengthener - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 41: Chart on Nail strengthener - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 42: Data Table on Nail strengthener - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 43: Chart on Nail strengthener - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 44: Data Table on Nail strengthener - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.7 Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 45: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 46: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 47: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 48: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.8 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 49: Market opportunity by Product ($ million)

6 Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 50: Chart on Distribution Channel - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 51: Data Table on Distribution Channel - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Distribution Channel

Exhibit 52: Chart on Comparison by Distribution Channel



Exhibit 53: Data Table on Comparison by Distribution Channel

6.3 Offline - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 54: Chart on Offline - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 55: Data Table on Offline - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 56: Chart on Offline - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 57: Data Table on Offline - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.4 Online - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 58: Chart on Online - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 59: Data Table on Online - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 60: Chart on Online - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 61: Data Table on Online - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.5 Market opportunity by Distribution Channel

Exhibit 62: Market opportunity by Distribution Channel ($ million)

7 Customer Landscape

7.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 63: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

8 Geographic Landscape

8.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 64: Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 65: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)

8.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 66: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 67: Data Table on Geographic comparison

8.3 APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 68: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 69: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 70: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 71: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 72: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 73: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 74: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 75: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.5 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 76: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 77: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 78: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 79: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 80: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 81: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 82: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 83: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 84: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 85: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 86: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 87: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.8 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 88: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 89: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 90: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 91: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.9 China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 92: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 93: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 94: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 95: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.10 Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 96: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 97: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 98: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 99: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.11 India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 100: Chart on India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 101: Data Table on India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 102: Chart on India - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 103: Data Table on India - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.12 UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 104: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 105: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 106: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 107: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 108: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

9.1 Market drivers

9.2 Market challenges

9.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 109: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026

9.4 Market trends

10 Vendor Landscape

10.1 Overview

10.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 110: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

10.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 111: Overview on factors of disruption

10.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 112: Impact of key risks on business

11 Vendor Analysis

11.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 113: Vendors covered

11.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 114: Matrix on vendor position and classification

11.3 Coty Inc.

Exhibit 115: Coty Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 116: Coty Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 117: Coty Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 118: Coty Inc. - Segment focus

11.4 KISS Products Inc.

Exhibit 119: KISS Products Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 120: KISS Products Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 121: KISS Products Inc. - Key offerings

11.5 Light Elegance

Exhibit 122: Light Elegance - Overview



Exhibit 123: Light Elegance - Product / Service



Exhibit 124: Light Elegance - Key offerings

11.6 LOreal SA

Exhibit 125: LOreal SA - Overview



Exhibit 126: LOreal SA - Business segments



Exhibit 127: LOreal SA - Key news



Exhibit 128: LOreal SA - Key offerings



Exhibit 129: LOreal SA - Segment focus

11.7 Oriflame Holding AG

Exhibit 130: Oriflame Holding AG - Overview



Exhibit 131: Oriflame Holding AG - Business segments



Exhibit 132: Oriflame Holding AG - Key offerings



Exhibit 133: Oriflame Holding AG - Segment focus

11.8 ORLY International Inc.

Exhibit 134: ORLY International Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 135: ORLY International Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 136: ORLY International Inc. - Key offerings

11.9 Revlon Inc.

Exhibit 137: Revlon Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 138: Revlon Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 139: Revlon Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 140: Revlon Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 141: Revlon Inc. - Segment focus

11.10 The Avon Co.

Exhibit 142: The Avon Co. - Overview



Exhibit 143: The Avon Co. - Product / Service



Exhibit 144: The Avon Co. - Key offerings

11.11 The Estee Lauder Co. Inc.

Exhibit 145: The Estee Lauder Co. Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 146: The Estee Lauder Co. Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 147: The Estee Lauder Co. Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 148: The Estee Lauder Co. Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 149: The Estee Lauder Co. Inc. - Segment focus

11.12 Unilever PLC

Exhibit 150: Unilever PLC - Overview



Exhibit 151: Unilever PLC - Business segments



Exhibit 152: Unilever PLC - Key news



Exhibit 153: Unilever PLC - Key offerings



Exhibit 154: Unilever PLC - Segment focus

12 Appendix

12.1 Scope of the report

12.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 155: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 156: Exclusions checklist

12.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 157: Currency conversion rates for US$

12.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 158: Research methodology



Exhibit 159: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 160: Information sources

12.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 161: List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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SOURCE Technavio
Reynolds will focus on expanding Perception Institute's cutting-edge research and advancing real solutions to reduce bias and discrimination and promote belonging where needed most.

NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Perception Institute announced the appointment of Sadiqa N. Reynolds as CEO to lead its consortium of researchers and strategists to implement mind science solutions in sectors where bias does the most harm, such as schools, workplaces, hospitals, the justice system and the media. Perception uses data to translate its findings into practical interventions and develop strategies to disrupt the cycle of bias and harm.

Sadiqa Reynolds, new CEO of Perception Institute

Reynolds is known for building and scaling. She plans to use her talents and expertise to test solutions to seemingly intractable problems and bring them to scale. The results will transform the lives of those most affected by bias more efficiently.

Reynolds most recently served as the CEO for the Urban League in Louisville, Kentucky, making her the first woman to hold that title in the affiliate's 102-year history. During her leadership, she built partnerships with a diverse group of stakeholders, increased the budget from $2 million to $17 million and became recognized as a national civil rights leader. Reynolds was a prominent leader on the front lines in her community following the largely publicized killing of Breonna Taylor.

"In the systems that matter so much to people's lives  education, justice, health, housing markets, and the media  Perception has been developing interventions that can result in real change. This is the time to bring Perception's work to scale, and Sadiqa brings unparalleled leadership skills and institution-building capacity to make that happen," shares Rachel Godsil , co-founder and interim director of Perception Institute.

Since its inception, Perception Institute has been a leading force in translating complex research on identity differences to design workshops and cultural products that advocate for systemic and societal remedies to discrimination. Reynolds, a former criminal defense attorney and judge, has seen firsthand the injustices and inequities that predominantly impact people of color.

"My career has been built on work that centers and addresses the social injustices and racial inequities that plague our country. I've been both in the boardroom leading initiatives that positively impact communities of color as well as in the streets protesting the senseless murders of innocent Black lives at the hands of law enforcement," said Reynolds. "I'm excited to continue this work at an organization that firmly embodies a strong approach to shifting mindsets and uncovering solutions that will create the change this country so direly needs."

Reynolds has assumed the CEO role as the Perception Institute underscores the essential role research has on addressing topics of social equity and purpose.

"Sadiqa Reynolds is a rare talent, and the Institute is fortunate to have her on board," said Board Chair john a. powell . "She has a proven track record of scaling impactful work and advancing systems change on behalf of those who need it most. Given the needs at the national and global level for the critical research and change work the Institute performs, we welcome the scale and possibility offered by her leadership."

To learn more about Reynolds, visit the Perception website .

About Perception Institute

Perception Institute is a consortium of researchers, advocates and strategists who translate cutting-edge mind science research on race, gender, ethnic and other identities into solutions that reduce bias and discrimination and promote belonging.

SOURCE Perception Institute
The T4 F/N/V VisionView cab offers enhanced safety with the quietest cab and best all-around visibility in the category. This supremely compact tractor packs a powerful performance under a unique low-height hood.

The TK4 Series crawler tractors have been upgraded with new more powerful Stage V engines and a compact after-treatment system fitting under the new hood in compliance with the latest safety regulations.

The T4 series will make its North America debut at World Ag Expo in Tulare, California .

NEW HOLLAND, Pa., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- New Holland Agriculture is further consolidating its undisputed leadership of the specialty tractor sector with the introduction of the revolutionary VisionView cab on the T4 F/N/V Series and a new, more powerful engine and compact hood on the TK4 Series.

The T4.120F tractor from New Holland.

This series has already started to earn international praise, as the T4.120F won Best Specialized Tractor at the Tractor of the Year 2023 Awards. The coveted title, assigned by a jury of independent journalists specializing in agricultural mechanization, recognizes the best tractor in the market.

"This prestigious award recognizes once again New Holland's supremacy as the undisputed leader in the specialty tractor segment," said Carlo Lambro, New Holland Brand President. "We have remained at the forefront of this sector for seven decades by constantly innovating, upgrading and extending our uniquely wide offering to meet the most specialized requirements of our customers. This latest "Best of Specialized" title is testament to the many years of work and dedication in this important segment."

T4 F/N/V VisionView cab: The best in comfort, visibility and safety

The revolutionary VisionView cab introduces the comfort of an open field tractor in the narrow T4 F/N/V Series, with a spacious environment and flat deck for all types of operators. The exclusive design of the front window, combined with the lowest and most compact hood on the market that is covering and protecting all the after-treatment systems, provides a unique style and best-in-class visibility. The one-piece side window and four-pillar design further improve visibility to the sides and rear, overcoming the challenge of increasing roominess in a constrain space.

"New Holland has remained at the forefront of the specialty tractor segment for seven decades, earning its position as the undisputed leader by constantly innovating and upgrading our products," said Oscar Baroncelli, tractor product management global leader for New Holland Agriculture. "Over the years, we have developed our uniquely wide offering to meet our customers' most specialized requirements and anticipating their evolving needs. The new T4 F/N/V VisionView cab raises the bar once again by completely redesigning the products around customer needs."

The VisionView cab is also the quietest in the segment, with a noise level as low as 71 dB(A). This adds to the operator's comfort and safety and is available with the full benefits of the exclusive Blue Cab4 with Category 2 and 4 double filtration system. The infotainment and human-machine interface have also been upgraded with InfoView digital instrument cluster to manage all machine controls and settings.

T4 F/N/V blends power and performance in compact frame

The T4 F/N/V VisionView cab delivers a powerful performance with emissions 40 times lower than its predecessor. The F5C FPT engine achieves the highest torque, 518Nm, at the lowest RPM, 1,300, as well as a torque backup of up to 40%. Besides the power, these features provide the most flexible solution to the customers for all their applications and needs. Following customer requirements, hydraulic circuits have been redesigned, delivering with just 1 pump up to 80L/min. for new linkages and hydraulic remotes.

The T4 series tractors are the perfect machines for contractors and small to medium orchards and vineyards with high-value crops who look for high performance, comfort and reliability in the best tractor sized for specialty applications. Thanks to the VisionView cab and to all the other technical features, this tractor is a Finalist of TOTY 2023 in the category Best Specialized.

TK4 Series: upgraded to deliver more power

The TK4 series crawler tractors have been updated with new styling to match the latest wheeled specialty tractors. New Holland's crawlers have a long history behind them, beginning in 1932 and they play an important part in the company's heritage. This new addition confirms the company's willingness to continue its investments in this sector and consolidate its already undisputed leadership.

The open field models have been upgraded with new, more powerful Stage V engines with maximum power ranging from 85 to 109 HP and an after-treatment system with EGR, DOC and SCRoF. The narrowest models feature a 75 HP Stage V engine and after-treatment system with EGR, DOC and DPF, but does not require DEF. On all models, the compact design of the engine and after-treatment system fit under the hood, ensuring excellent visibility and maneuverability.

The new specifications are added to a vehicle that has always contained elements and exclusivity, which still make it the best-selling crawler tractor. Some of these exclusive elements include a Factory fitted cab for Crawler (introduced in 2009) or the SmartTrax rubber track system that is interchangeable with steel tracks in less than 1 hour, which grants no need to be loaded on a trailer for transportation, as well as reduces vibrations and increases comfort. Or, the Steering-O-Matic Plus: steer and clutch system with one control to steer, brake, stop and re-start without a clutch pedal. Finally, the Lift-O-Matic Plus system: An award-winning mechanical hydraulic control system that allows operators to raise or lower the rear linkage when making a headland turn, while maintaining position and draft settings. When pushing/pulling the lever, if released, the implement immediately stops at the height corresponding to the actual implement position. A gentle push or pull of this convenient lever allows for minor adjustments.

Visit the New Holland booth at the World Ag Expo

The T4 F/N/V and TK4 series will be on display for the first time in North America on February 14-16, 2023, at the World Ag Expo in Tulare, California. Attendees can visit the New Holland booth in the South Exhibits, at the corner of South Street and "O" Street, for a first look at these tractors and to speak with experts about their capabilities. For more information, visit agriculture.newholland.com.

Imagery and additional resources

Fact sheets, images and additional product resources for T4 F/N/V and TK4 series can be downloaded here and used for publication purposes.

New Holland Agriculture's reputation is built on the success of our customers, cash crop producers, livestock farmers, contractors, vineyards, or ground care professionals. They can count on the widest offering of innovative products and services: a full line of equipment, from tractors to harvesting, material handling equipment, complemented by tailored financial services from a specialist in agriculture. A highly professional global dealer network and New Holland's commitment to excellence guarantees the ultimate customer experience for every customer. For more information on New Holland visit www.newholland.com

New Holland Agriculture is a brand of CNH Industrial N.V. (NYSE: CNHI) (MI: CNHI) a global leader in the capital goods sector with established industrial experience, a wide range of products and a worldwide presence. More information about CNH Industrial can be found online at www.cnhindustrial.com

For the latest press releases from New Holland brand on the CNH Industrial Newsroom visit:

AMEA & ANZ I EUROPE I NORTH AMERICA I SOUTH AMERICA

SOURCE New Holland Agriculture North America
Easterseals, Voya Cares join forces to help employers understand the changing landscape of traditional retirement planning

CHICAGO, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Easterseals  one of the nation's leading disability and community services providers  and Voya Cares  a program of Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA) that provides resources, thought leadership and advocacy for disability inclusion  announced today the release of a new research paper, titled Employment Extenders: A (labor) force to be reckoned with. The paper focuses on understanding the mindset of Employment Extenders, the individuals who make up the fastest growing segment of the labor market, and points to ways that employers and service providers can support older workers as they prepare to retire.

Voya Cares Logo

"Employers and employees often believe that, once an individual reaches a certain age, it's time for them to start thinking about retirement, but the trend toward continuing to retire later in life, or not at all, is growing," said Kendra E. Davenport, president and CEO, Easterseals. "In a tight labor market, Employment Extenders often represent years of experience and professional knowledge that can benefit an employer's entire workforce, but our study finds that they have unique concerns and needs that employers and community service providers can help them address."

Survey findings reveal seemingly contradictory motivations for extending employment, which raise the question about whether Employment Extenders in the U.S. are working longer because they want to or need to. While the majority of survey participants indicate that they have not saved enough for retirement, with most having less than $500,000 in savings, they also say they are working longer because they want to.

Additionally, Employment Extenders show a lack of future planning for caregiving. Most are not thinking about the increased likelihood that they or a family member may become disabled as part of the aging process, which may accelerate their need to stop working before they plan to do so. Results also indicate that they do not consider the costs associated with caring for themselves or a loved one in their financial plans for retirement.

"At Voya, we're committed to helping employers meet the many benefits needs of every generation of employees  to help them achieve financial well-being through each stage of life," said Heather Lavallee, CEO, Voya Financial. "This research speaks to the importance of helping meet the unique needs of workers nearing or at traditional retirement ages through workplace benefits  and supporting their employees' immediate needs, while helping them to prepare for retirement, whenever that may occur."

In a shift in how traditional retirement is prepared for and viewed, respondents indicated the education, guidance and workplace benefits that would be most helpful to them as they extend their employment and work toward retirement, including:

Education to help with transitioning to retirement;

Retirement plan options focused on providing an income stream; and

Assistance maximizing benefit dollars across retirement savings and workplace health benefits.

"While stereotypes persist about older workers and their contributions to the productivity and cost of an employer's workforce, the fact that more people over 65 are employed  due to a variety of population and social factors  is well established," said Jessica Tuman, vice president of Voya Cares and Voya Financial's ESG Practice Centers of Excellence. "Employers who are challenged by a tight labor market need to look no further than their own workforce to help ease the shortage of workers."

The results of the study also provide insight into four distinct Employment Extender profiles highlighting differences in motivations for continuing to work and needs as they extend their employment:

29% "Want to Work." These individuals are still working because they like it. Work gives them a sense of purpose, and it keeps their minds active.

22% "Part of the Plan." Most of these workers previously retired from another career. They are working because they want money for retirement, but don't necessarily need it.

31% "Worriers." These are the workers who are most concerned about unexpected expenses in retirement and are concerned about maintaining their current lifestyle.

18% "Need to Work." These workers had hoped to retire sooner but need money both today and when they retire  and are worried they will outlive their savings.

The full research paper with expanded findings is available at easterseals.com/mediaroom and voyacares.com/aging. Additional resources and a video summary are also available on voyacares.com/aging.

Methodology

Commissioned by Voya Cares in collaboration with Easterseals, Edge Research conducted a national survey in August 2022 of 1,062 "Employment Extenders." Half this group is composed of adults 50 and older who previously retired from one career but are still working at another job today; and the other half is composed of adults who are at least 65 years old and currently do/plan to work past retirement age, retiring at age 70 or later or not at all. All are working full- or part-time and are benefits eligible. Survey respondents were recruited through an online non-probability sample. With all online surveys, findings are not projectable to the larger population. To learn more about these audiences, qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted in September and October 2022 with 16 individuals using the same criteria as in the quantitative portion of the study.

About Easterseals

Easterseals is leading the way to full equity, inclusion, and access through life-changing disability and community services. For more than 100 years, we have worked tirelessly with our partners to enhance quality of life and expand local access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. And we won't rest until every one of us is valued, respected, and accepted. Through our national network of Affiliates, Easterseals provides essential services and on-the-ground supports to more than 1.5 million people each year  from early childhood programs for the critical first five years, to autism services, medical rehabilitation and employment programs, veterans' services, and more. Our public education, policy, and advocacy initiatives positively shape perceptions and address the urgent and evolving needs of the one in four Americans living with disabilities today. Together, we're empowering people with disabilities, families, and communities to be full and equal participants in society. Learn more at www.easterseals.com.

About Voya Financial

Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), is a leading health, wealth and investment company with 7,200 employees. Through products, solutions and technologies, Voya helps its 14.3 million individual, workplace and institutional clients become well planned, well invested and well protected. Benefitfocus, a newly joined Voya company, extends Voya's workplace benefits and savings reach and capabilities by providing benefits administration capabilities to 16.5 million individual subscription employees across employer and health plan clients. Certified as a "Great Place to Work" by the Great Place to Work Institute, Voya is purpose-driven and equally committed to conducting business in a way that is socially, environmentally, economically and ethically responsible. Voya has earned recognition as: one of the World's Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute; a member of the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index; and a "Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion" on the Disability Equality Index. For more information, visit voya.com. Follow Voya Financial on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter @Voya.

About Voya Cares

The Voya Cares program is committed to being a leader in making a positive difference in the lives of individuals with special needs and disabilities  as well as their families, caregivers and other providers  by offering a depth of resources focused on education, planning and solutions. Go to voyacares.com to learn more.

SOURCE Easterseals
NEW YORK, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nirvana Water Sciences Corp., a pioneering wellness company at the cutting edge of functional beverage innovation, is pleased to announce that it has completed its acquisition of Alder Creek Beverages, LLC, a New York State producer of bottled spring water.

The acquisition includes 1,700 acres of pristine land in Boonville, New York, situated between the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains and Tug Hill Plateau. Located on top of two of the largest aquifers in the northeast United States, the property has a virtually unlimited supply of highly sought-after pure spring water, with five New York State certified springs and over twenty additional undeveloped springs. Water from these unique ice-age aquifers flows directly from the springs to the state-of-the-art vertically integrated bottling facility with the capacity to support exponential expansion.

"The long-anticipated acquisition of Alder Creek Beverages is another positive step in the growth of Nirvana Water Sciences," says David Vanderveen, the company's Chief Executive Officer. "This transaction provides us with an almost limitless supply of ultra-pure spring water, an experienced production team, and a fully operational, state-of-the-art water bottling facility that creates the opportunity to develop Nirvana Water Sciences into an industry leader in the multi-billion-dollar functional water category."

Wade Abraham and Paul Rayhill, the founders and previous co-owners of Alder Creek Beverages, acquired the struggling water-bottling facility in 2015. "Stabilizing operations, retaining jobs, supporting the local economy, and providing top quality products were our primary goals," reports Wade Abraham, who became the Chief Operating Officer of Nirvana at the closing of the acquisition. "We achieved our goals, and then some. The sale of Alder Creek Beverages to Nirvana Water Sciences was the natural next step in our strategy for growth and success," Abraham added.

Paul Rayhill, who now serves as Nirvana's Executive Vice President of Sales, concurs with his childhood friend Abraham. "The robust and experienced go-to market team assembled by Nirvana will help accelerate the growth of our legacy spring water products, as well as Nirvana's expanding line of wellness infused functional water products. We look forward to the opportunity to continue to positively contribute to our local community, while growing what is becoming a leading wellness brand."

With its new base of operations in Boonville, New York, and backed by a team of world-renowned scientists and medical professionals, an experienced executive team led by David Vanderveen, a first-class marketing team, a seasoned and successful sales team, expert flavor scientists, and a stable of elite athlete ambassadors, Nirvana plans to launch eight new HMB muscle wellness infused bottled water products in Q1 2023. "This is just another step in our journey to super charging our brand, our products and our business," concluded Vanderveen.

About Nirvana Water Sciences Corp.

Nirvana is an innovative wellness company that helps people transform their bodies at a cellular level and live stronger, longer and active lives. Our core line of products consists of lightly-flavored pure mountain spring waters, seltzers, shots and supplements infused with science-backed ingredients, including the unique super-ingredient, myHMB Clear, a water-soluble form of HMB (eta-hydroxy eta-methylbutyrate).

The multi-patented myHMB Clear formulation, developed by Naji Abumrad, MD, FACS, is the next generation of HMB. In this powerful liquid delivery form, HMB is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream, allowing greater utilization by tissues to maximize benefits than in the powdered form. HMB has been studied extensively by scientists, physicians and leaders in the medical field for over three decades, and is clinically proven to maximize protein synthesis the body needs to reduce muscle soreness, boost muscle recovery time, and support lean muscle mass production.

Nirvana's line of HMB infused spring water is the go-to wellness beverage of elite athletes, weekend warriors, yoga enthusiasts and wellness advocates.

Learn more about our science, sourcing, sustainability, SKUs and success stories at www.feelsuper.com

Contact

Cathy Bergman I Director of Communications

Nirvana Water Sciences Corp.

Office 212.664.8949 l Cell 819.681.9643 l [email protected]

SOURCE Nirvana Water Sciences Corp.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS. The ongoing blockade of the Lachin corridor is endangering the lives of thousands of people in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, Amnesty International said in a press release.

The human rights organization called on Azerbaijans authorities and Russian peacekeepers to immediately unblock the route and bring an end to the unfolding humanitarian crisis.

Amnesty Internationals interviews conducted with health workers and residents in the region revealed the blockades particularly harsh impact on at-risk groups including women, older people, and people with disabilities.

The blockade has resulted in severe shortages of food and medical supplies, as humanitarian aid delivered by the International Committee of the Red Cross and Russian peacekeepers has been insufficient to meet demand. Disruptions to the supply of electricity, natural gas and vehicle fuel add up to extreme hardship, especially for groups who are vulnerable to discrimination and marginalisation. This must end now, said Marie Struthers, Amnesty Internationals Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

The Azerbaijani authorities have internationally recognized sovereignty over these territories and exercise control over the territory from which the blockade is being carried out. It is Azerbaijans obligation to undertake to ensure that the population in Nagorno-Karabakh is not denied access to food and other essential goods and medications. For its part, the Russian peacekeeping mission is mandated to ensure the safety of the Lachin corridor. However, both parties are manifestly failing to fulfill their obligations.

With the blockade now in its ninth week, all eyes are on the Azerbaijani authorities and Russian peacekeepers. We call on both parties to immediately take effective measures, in line with international human rights standards, to lift the blockade of the Lachin corridor without any further delay and end the unfolding humanitarian crisis, added Marie Struthers.

The shortage of gas and petrol is further exacerbated by frequent cuts to the supply of gas from Azerbaijan and electricity cuts that last an average of six hours a day.

The blockade of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) began on 12 December 2022 when Azerbaijan closed the Lachin corridor, the only road connecting Artsakh with Armenia. The blockade caused a humanitarian crisis. Shortages of essentials such as food, fuel and medicine prompted authorities to introduce a rationing system. Hospitals keep planned surgeries on hold and the Red Cross has been facilitating the transfer of seriously-ill patients to Armenia for treatment.

Womens health and maternal health are also under serious threat due to shortages of medical supplies.

Meline Petrosyan, an eight-months pregnant woman from Martakert (Aghdere) town, told Amnesty International: The maternity ward was full, while medicines, hygiene products and baby essentials, diapers, formula milk were in short supply. The hospital room was often cold because of the electricity shortage. They could only operate one incubator and three premature babies had to take turns using it. When I think about all the uncertainties of giving birth in these conditions, I feel terrified.

Biayna Sukhudyan, a neurologist, told Amnesty International: A week ago, we had a child [with epilepsy] who needed an urgent medication, and we did not have it, and no one had it, stock was empty. [] After one week, after negotiations with the Red Cross, they managed to send the child for treatment to Yerevan.
CHICAGO, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nuclear Power Plant Equipment Market is projected to reach USD 18.6 billion in 2027 from USD 15.7 billion in 2022 at a CAGR of 3.5% according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The global Nuclear Power Plant Equipment Market is being pushed by increased demand for and generation of clean electricity around the world. As the demand for energy rises, governments seek clean and efficient energy sources such as nuclear power. Furthermore, technological developments in nuclear power equipment have supported market expansion. Nuclear reactors are used in nuclear power plants to generate electricity as well as in nuclear marine propulsion. The Nuclear Power Plant Equipment Market has promising growth potential due to the Electricity produced with less pollution. The global Nuclear Power Plant Equipment Market is driven by the growing demand of energy for high performance.

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Nuclear Power Plant Equipment Market Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Size USD 18.6 billion in 2027 Growth Rate 3.5% of CAGR Largest Market Asia Pacific Market Dynamics Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities & Challenges Forecast Period 2022-2027 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Equipment Type, reactor type and region Geographies Covered Asia Pacific, Americas, Europe, and Middle East & Africa Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Rising need for sustainability and decarbonization globally Key Market Drivers Growing demand for clean energy

"The PWR segment, by reactor, is expected to be the largest and the fastest-growing market from 2023 to 2027"

Pressurized water reactor(PWR) segment holds the largest share of the Nuclear Power Plant Equipment Market. Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) are anticipated to rule the industry due to their enormous fleet size. According to estimations, the PWR segment has a considerable market share. The following is a paraphrased version of the original article titled "The Paraphrased Furthermore, PWR reactors are easy to operate in terms of stability since they remain stable at high temperatures. There are 302 PWR reactors with a capacity of 287 GWe among the 442 operational reactors in the globe.

"The Island Equipment, by Equipment, is expected to be the fastest-growing market from 2023 to 2027"

The Nuclear Power Plant Equipment Market, by equipment, is divided into island and auxiliary, where in the island segment accounts for a largest share. island equipment type currently dominate the market and are expected to continue to do so during the forecast period due to their significant role in operational safety and a wide range of applications in nuclear power plants. In addition, these equipment are more expensive than oxidative equipment. 12.6% of nuclear power plant's total capital cost is made up of island equipment.

"From 2023 to 2027, Asia Pacific is predicted to be the largest and most rapidly increasing regional segment"

Asia Pacific dominated the Nuclear Power Plant Equipment Market in 2021 and is likely to continue its dominance during the forecasted period as well. It is one of the principal geographical areas in the world where nuclear power is expanding significantly. In Asia pacific, there are 140 operational nuclear power plants and 30-35 plants are under construction. The major nations in the region also have plans to develop an additional 60 to 70 reactors over the next few years. China is one of the fast growing countries in Asia Pacific, which is projected to register a CAGR of 4.3% during the forecast period. The Nuclear Power Plant Equipment Market is dominated by a few major players that have a wide regional presence.

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Nuclear Power Plant Equipment Market Dynamics:

Drivers:

Growing demand for clean energy Rising need for energy security

Restraints:

Long construction period and high cost of construction Negative public perception toward nuclear energy

Opportunities:

Rising need for sustainability and decarbonization globally

Challenges:

High cost of storage, transportation, and disposal of used fuel

Key Market Players:

The leading players in the Nuclear Power Plant Equipment Market such as General Electric (US), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Japan), Toshiba Energy System & Solutions Corporation (Japan), Doosan Corporation (South Korea). Westinghouse Electric Company (US), Shanghai Electric (China).

Recent Developments:

In February 2022 , GE agreed to sell nuclear power activities part to Electricite de France . Nuclear power is the generation of electricity through nuclear reactions. Nuclear fission, nuclear decay, and nuclear fusion reactions can all produce power. Currently, the great majority of nuclear power electricity is generated through nuclear fission of uranium and plutonium in nuclear power plants.

, GE agreed to sell nuclear power activities part to Electricite de . Nuclear power is the generation of electricity through nuclear reactions. Nuclear fission, nuclear decay, and nuclear fusion reactions can all produce power. Currently, the great majority of nuclear power electricity is generated through nuclear fission of uranium and plutonium in nuclear power plants. In June 2022 , The US Department of Defense awarded BWX a contract to construct the nation's first cutting-edge nuclear microreactor.

, The US Department of Defense awarded BWX a contract to construct the nation's first cutting-edge nuclear microreactor. In November 2022 , GE entered into an agreement to sell GE Steam Power's nuclear activities to EDF. EDF signs deal to acquire GE Steam Power's nuclear activities. The transaction also covers steam turbine technology such as the European pressurized reactors and compact modular reactors. The activities of GE Steam Power involve the production of conventional island equipment for the new nuclear power plants.

, GE entered into an agreement to sell GE Steam Power's nuclear activities to EDF. EDF signs deal to acquire GE Steam Power's nuclear activities. The transaction also covers steam turbine technology such as the European pressurized reactors and compact modular reactors. The activities of GE Steam Power involve the production of conventional island equipment for the new nuclear power plants. In April 2021 , The U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program awarded BWX a contract worth US$2.2 billion to produce the parts and fuel for naval nuclear reactors.

, The U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program awarded BWX a contract worth to produce the parts and fuel for naval nuclear reactors. In October 2021 , A teaming agreement has been made between GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) and BWXT Canada Ltd. (BWXT Canada) to work together on engineering and procurement to support the design, production, and commercialization of the BWRX-300 compact modular reactor.

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Related Reports:

Small Modular Reactor Market - Global Forecast to 2030

Nuclear Decommissioning Services Market

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Ocean Innovation Technology Company Responds to Heightened Demand Following Launch of

Eco-Restorative Futuristic Floating Homes

LINTON BAY, Panama, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the September launch of Ocean Builders ' highly anticipated SeaPods, the leading ocean innovation technology company is responding to high demand for their fleet of eco-restorative Pods and innovative state-of-the-art technology through strategic research-driven partnerships that are projected to accelerate the company's international expansion plans in 2023.

Ocean Builders has received over 183 deposits with some deposits made for multiple units in less than six months Tweet this Ocean Builders SeaPod - Futuristic Floating Home

BY THE NUMBERS

Activated by a global launch that welcomed more than 350 international guests including Ministers from Panama and Italy, representatives from the Israeli Embassy, and brand partners including Miele premium appliances, Minotti, and Duke University, among others, Ocean Builders has received over 183 deposits with some deposits made for multiple units in less than six months. Of the deposits received, seventy-five percent of the deposits are for the original SeaPod. Deposits for full ownership came from 22 different countries spanning four continents including the United States, Panama, Vietnam, Portugal, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Italy, Maldives, Indonesia, Brazil, Peru, Japan, Israel, United Kingdom, Guatemala, Germany, Switzerland, and Canada  cementing the global impact of the revolutionary futuristic homes. It also confirms the growing consumer interest in high-quality living experiences driven by cutting-edge technology and eco-restorative sustainability.

"When we first started Ocean Builders and conceptualized the Pods, we knew that we were creating something truly special that the world had never seen before while solving for future real estate demands," said Grant Romundt, CEO at Ocean Builders. "Our experience in ocean technology innovation led to offshore infrastructure that is both restorative and sustainable and the sales response was beyond our expectations. As a result, we now have the privilege to work with like-minded partners that we have engaged toward our collective goals of enhancing environment restoration and innovative living capabilities."

RESEARCH & CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIPS

In addition to their existing luxury design partners, Miele, Minotti and Reef2Reef, a foundation committed to the conservation and restoration of coral reefs, Ocean Builders is now partnering with Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, and Duke University to work with their marine science and oceanic research teams to develop new programming geared towards ocean preservation and restoration. The team is also working with leading acquatech innovators Fathom Ocean and Tampa Deep Sea Xplorers to develop underwater camera and mapping technology that will generate data-driven information to ensure the Pods continue to restore their ocean environments. Ocean tech organizations PanaSea, Coralive, and the Caribbean Coral Restoration Foundation are working with Ocean Builders to create artificial 3D clay reefs and the deployment of sea cucumbers to generate thriving ecosystems in protected areas.

EXPANSION PLANS: WHERE TO NEXT?

Ocean Builders is currently in conversation with government officials who have expressed interest in sustainable development including Costa Rica, Maldives, and the United States, among others.

The company will have the first 10 fully owned custom Pods in production or delivered by the end of the year. A second deployment of over 100 Pods will begin in 2024. Guests who have made deposits for the SeaPod overnight accommodations will be able to book their reservations for stays starting in April 2023.

For more information, please visit oceanbuilders.com .

SOURCE Ocean Builders
BIG SKY, Mont., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Outlaw Partners, in conjunction with actor Tom Skerritt, the EVRGRN Channel and Triple Squirrels Productions, is pleased to announce the largest event to ever be held in support of conserving the Gallatin River and rivers across the country. Wildlands Festival, the largest conservation-focused outdoor music festival in southwest Montana, will take place in Big Sky, Montana August 5-6, 2023. The artist announcement and schedule of festival activities will be released on February 21.

The event is a celebration for the 30th anniversary of the Academy Award-winning film, A River Runs Through It, and the 50th anniversary of American Rivers. It comes at a critical time for the Gallatin River, which is threatened by unprecedented development pressure along its length.

Wildlands Festival and actor Tom Skerritt will host the largest river preservation event in history in Big Sky, MT. Tweet this

American Rivers believes that all life needs healthy rivers to survive. Earlier this year the national nonprofit river conservation organization announced the goal of protecting one million miles of rivers nationwide by 2030. Funds raised at the Wildlands Festival will help the organization work toward that goal and other vital efforts.

"We all need healthy rivers in our lives. Their clean water is essential to our health, and their habitats are critical for wildlife and the entire natural world. Now is the time to come together for their protection. We are honored to be a beneficiary of this event, and we are excited for the opportunity to celebrate rivers and inspire action in Montana and nationwide," said Tom Kiernan, President and CEO of American Rivers.

The Wildlands Festival will also bring more attention to policies to help protect rivers including Senator Jon Tester's Montana Headwaters Legacy Act, which would protect 385 miles of rivers on the Custer-Gallatin and the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forests. This federal legislation, which would double the number of protected river miles in Montana, is the most ambitious river protection bill in the state's history.

The 2023 Wildlands Festival will feature an all-star lineup of musicians to raise awareness and help preserve America's rivers, including the locally cherished Gallatin River, where many of the famous scenes from A River Runs Through It were filmed.

In addition to the live concert, Wildlands will offer unique memorabilia and fundraising opportunities to support American Rivers and Gallatin River Task Force  the two nonprofit partners chosen as beneficiaries of this year's event.

"I'm honored to partner with Wildlands Festival and Outlaw Partners to have a voice and create an impact of care, concern and change for our rivers through music," said Skerritt. Preserving America's rivers is a life-long passion for Skerritt, who served on the board of American Rivers and continues to be a strong advocate for river conservation.

"The core ethos of Wildlands has always been to give back while creating an unforgettable music event celebrating wild and scenic spaces," said Eric Ladd, Founder and Chairman of Outlaw Partners. "Tom's passion for rivers and leaving an impact for future generations is commendable. We're grateful to produce Wildlands Festival in support of rivers and the invaluable partners in our backyard."

"The Task Force is thrilled to be included as a beneficiary in this year's Wildlands Festival. The overwhelming support of this community to invest in our work and in the solutions for the Gallatin River is critical to our success," said Kristin Gardner, Chief Executive and Science Officer of the Gallatin River Task Force. "The event provides tremendous potential to raise awareness about our community resource  and the means by which we must work to keep it thriving. We couldn't be more grateful to have this public platform to elevate the importance of keeping the Gallatin healthy."

Stay tuned to wildlandsfestival.com for updates.

About Tom Skerritt

Tom Skerritt is an Emmy Award-winning TV and film actor who has appeared in over 40 films and more than 200 television episodes since 1962. He is known for his roles in M*A*S*H, Alien, Turning Point, Top Gun, A River Runs Through It, Steel Magnolias, and Emmy award television series and directed Picket Fences. In 2020, Skerritt founded the digital media company Triple Squirrels Inc. and launched EVRGRN Channel, a free ad-supported channel available on STIRR, iOS, Android, streaming TV devices and on demand.

About Outlaw Partners

Outlaw Partners is an award-winning experiential marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky and Bozeman, Montana. Formed around the pioneering principles of the Code of the West, Outlaw Partners builds brands that live to challenge the status quo. Founded in 2009, Outlaw Partners' award-winning media publications include Mountain Outlaw magazine, Explore Big Sky newspaper and VIEWS magazine. In addition, we produce hand-curated events in Southwest Montana such as Wildlands Music Festival, Big Sky Professional Bull Riding, and the Big Sky Ideas Festival. With multiple awards for content and graphic design, Outlaw Partners is driven to make an impact in the world by creating meaningful connections, supporting local community organizations, inspiring action in service, and producing quality content that represents a unique demographic and fosters a global kinship to the spirit of the Mountain West. For more information, please visit www.outlaw.partners

About Wildlands Festival

Produced by Outlaw Partners, the Wildlands Festival takes place at the Big Sky Events Arena in Big Sky, Montana with the 11,166-foot iconic Lone Peak as the backdrop. This exciting and inspiring music event brings people together who have a mutual love for wild and scenic rivers, outdoor recreation, parks, trails and the enjoyment of what makes the Greater Yellowstone region special. Previous Wildlands Festival artists include: Brandi Carlile, Indigo Girls, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Robert Earl Keen and Madeline Hawthorne, among others.

About American Rivers

American Rivers is championing a national effort to protect and restore all rivers, from remote mountain streams to urban waterways. Healthy rivers provide people and nature with clean, abundant water and natural habitat. For 50 years, American Rivers staff, supporters, and partners have shared a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers. For more information, please visit AmericanRivers.org

About Gallatin River Task Force

The Gallatin River Task Force has been protecting the Gallatin River and advocating for sustainable water management for over two decades. Utilizing a watershed approach to resource conservation, the organization prioritizes problem-solving in key focus areas; ecological health of a river system, water conservation, and wastewater management. The Task Force's approach ensures broad stakeholder involvement and inclusivity, is community-based, relies on local leadership, and encourages collaboration for solutions-driven action. Conservation, mindful water sustainability and stewardship of the Gallatin River Watershed are paramount elements to the organization's work and goals for a clean, cold, healthy river for future generations. For more information, please visit gallatinrivertaskforce.org

SOURCE Outlaw Partners
PHILADELPHIA, Pa., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pep Boys, a leading U.S. automotive service provider, announced the appointment of Scott Collette as Chief Executive Officer, who has assumed day-to-day leadership of the company. Collette, a C-suite retail veteran, joins Pep Boys from Menards where he worked since 1986, the last thirteen years in the Chief Operating Officer (COO) position.

Pep Boys Announces Scott Collette as New Chief Executive Officer

As COO at Menards, Collette served as a leading force in building profit, expanding the business footprint, and driving continued sales growth throughout his tenure. Collette will prioritize retention and recruitment efforts while bringing a keen focus on talent development and workplace culture to Pep Boys.

With a network of over 900 locations across the United States and Puerto Rico, Pep Boys focuses on automotive service and offering a '5-Star Service' customer experience. Each location provides individual customers and fleet businesses with preventative maintenance, tire installations and both routine and major repairs performed by ASE-certified technicians. In addition to being equipped with the latest technology to handle today's complex vehicles, Pep Boys offers a host of Smart Services including an electronic customer vehicle inspection as well as an entirely digital customer experience from online appointment booking to service tracking and mobile pay.

Under Collette's leadership, the Company is looking to expand and grow its footprint with a focus on strategic, high-growth markets. As a service-focused brand supported by a skilled team, innovative operating model, the latest tools and an optimized national network, Pep Boys is positioned to win in the rapidly changing automotive service aftermarket.

About Pep Boys

Pep Boys is driven by its promise to its customers: We go further to help you go farther. Founded in 1921 by military veterans, generations of drivers have counted on Pep Boys ASE-certified Pros to care for their cars. With a national network of Service and Tire Centers, millions of vehicles and fleets pass through Pep Boys bays each year. Our commitment to being the ONE our communities count on is demonstrated through our exceptional customer experience and support of the critical technical training initiatives needed to close America's skills gap. For more information, visit www.pepboys.com/corporate.

Media Contact

Courtney Nelson, Pep Boys

[email protected]

SOURCE Pep Boys
DUBLIN, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Philippines Data Center Market - Investment Analysis & Growth Opportunities 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Philippines data center market size is projected to witness investments of USD 1,016 million by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 11.01% from 2022-2028

This report analyses the Philippines data center market share. It elaboratively analyses the existing and upcoming facilities and investments in IT, electrical, mechanical infrastructure, general construction, and tier standards. It discusses market sizing and investment estimation for different segments.

The country is on a path of digital transformation while reshaping its businesses and organizations rapidly, aided by services provided by cloud providers such as Google Cloud, Alibaba, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Tencent Cloud.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REPORT

In Southeast Asia, the Philippines data center market is one of the fastest emerging markets. In 2022, the country received investments from telecom and colocation operators.

The Philippines capital Manila is its prominent data center hub. The capital hosts the maximum number of facilities in the country. Further facilities development is not only just highly limited to Manila, but other cities are also now witnessing a high rate of data center investments.

The Philippines has a presence of colocation, telecom, and cloud service providers. Some of the operators in the country are ePLDT, YCO Cloud Centers, Beeinfotech, and Globe Telecom, among others. In 2022, the country witnessed investments from new entrants such as Edge Centres, Digital Edge, and Nautilus Data Technologies, among others.

The usage of the cloud, the ongoing digital transformation, and the tremendous growth in digital connectivity on an international scale and sectors in the Philippines, such as BFSI, healthcare, and telecommunications, are migrating their workloads to the cloud will drive the Philippines data center market.

The region is showing high growth in terms of renewable energy. The government is harnessing renewable energy at large levels to meet its green environment goals. Operators in the country are expected to procure renewable energy for their operations.

COLOCATION SUPPLY VS DEMAND

The retail colocation market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 7.5%, whereas wholesale colocation will grow at a CAGR of around 51%, majorly contributed by hyperscale cloud service providers.

In the Philippines, enterprise sectors are actively involved in migrating their workloads to the cloud, growing the demand for cloud/hyperscale capacity during the forecast period. e-commerce, BFSI, healthcare, public sector agencies, and other sectors will increase the demand for colocation and cloud during 2023 - 2028.

The entry of new colocation operators in the Philippines, such as Edge Centres, SpaceDC, Digital Edge, YCO Cloud Centers, Megawide Construction, Digital Halo, and Nautilus Data Technologies, fuel the colocation market revenue of the country.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY THIS RESEARCH?

Market size available in the investment, area, power capacity, and Philippines colocation market revenue.

colocation market revenue. An assessment of the data center investment in the Philippines by colocation, hyperscale, and enterprise operators.

by colocation, hyperscale, and enterprise operators. Investments in the area (square feet) and power capacity (MW) across cities in the country.

A detailed study of the existing Philippines data center market landscape, an in-depth industry analysis, and insightful predictions about industry size during the forecast period.

data center market landscape, an in-depth industry analysis, and insightful predictions about industry size during the forecast period. Snapshot of existing and upcoming third-party data center facilities in the Philippines

Facilities Covered (Existing): 21

Facilities Identified (Upcoming): 10

Coverage: 07+ Locations

Existing vs. Upcoming (Area)

Existing vs. Upcoming (IT Load Capacity)

Data center colocation market in the Philippines

Colocation Market Revenue & Forecast (2022-2028)

Wholesale vs. Retail Colocation Revenue (2022-2028)

Retail Colocation Pricing

Wholesale Colocation Pricing

The Philippines' market investments are classified into IT, power, cooling, and general construction services with sizing and forecast.

market investments are classified into IT, power, cooling, and general construction services with sizing and forecast. A comprehensive analysis of the latest trends, growth rate, potential opportunities, growth restraints, and prospects for the industry.

Business overview and product offerings of prominent IT infrastructure providers, construction contractors, support infrastructure providers, and investors in the industry.

A transparent research methodology and the analysis of the demand and supply aspects of the industry.

VENDOR LANDSCAPE

Some key investors in the Philippines data center market include PLDT, SpaceDC, YCO Cloud Centers, Beeinfotech, and Globe Telecom, among others.

data center market include PLDT, SpaceDC, YCO Cloud Centers, Beeinfotech, and Globe Telecom, among others. The industry has witnessed investments from new market entrants, such as Edge Centres, Digital Edge, and Nautilus Data Technologies.

The construction contractors in the country have both global and local presence, supplying major operators in the market. For instance, Arup, Aurecon, Comfac, and PRONET, among others.

The operators enter the market by acquiring data center operators or forming joint ventures. For instance, In October 2022 , EdgeConneX and Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC) partnered and formed a JV to build two data centers near Manila .

Major Vendors

IT Infrastructure Providers

Atos

Broadcom

Cisco Systems

Dell Technologies

Fujitsu

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Huawei Technologies

IBM

Lenovo

NetApp

Oracle

Data Center Construction Contractors & Sub-Contractors

Arup

Aurecon

Comfac

Data Center Design Corporation (DCDC)

First Balfour

PRONET

Support Infrastructure Providers

ABB

Caterpillar

Cummins

Cyber Power Systems

Eaton

Fuji Electric

KOHLER

Legrand

Mitsubishi Electric

Rolls-Royce

Schneider Electric

Vertiv

Data Center Investors

Beeinfotech

Bitstop Network Services

Converge ICT Solutions

DITO Telecommunity

ePLDT

Globe Telecom

New Entrants

Ayala Land Logistics Holdings & FLOW Digital Infrastructure

Digital Edge

Edge Centres

Nautilus Data Technologies

EdgeConneX

SpaceDC

YCO Cloud Centers

Megawide Construction Corporation

EXISTING VS. UPCOMING DATA CENTERS

Existing Facilities in the region (Area and Power Capacity)

Manila

Other Cities

List of Upcoming Facilities in the region (Area and Power Capacity)

REPORT COVERAGE:

IT Infrastructure

Servers

Storage Systems

Network Infrastructure

Electrical Infrastructure

UPS Systems

Generators

Transfer Switches & Switchgears

PDUs

Other Electrical Infrastructure

Mechanical Infrastructure

Cooling Systems

Rack Cabinets

Other Mechanical Infrastructure

Cooling Systems

CRAC & CRAH Units

Chiller Units

Cooling Towers, Condensers & Dry Coolers

Other Cooling Units

General Construction

Core & Shell Development

Installation & commissioning Services

Engineering & Building Design

Fire Detection & Suppression Systems

Physical Security

DCIM

Tier Standard

Tier I & Tier II

Tier III

Tier IV

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/o9e5go-data?w=5

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact: Laura Wood | +353-1-481-1716 | [email protected]

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
Award presented at SAP Spend Connect Live 2022

INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Premikati announced it received an SAP Global Intelligent Spend and Business Network Award for Partner Excellence 2022 for Sales Success - Midmarket. Awards were presented by SAP to top-performing partners for outstanding contributions related to Intelligent Spend and Business Network solutions. Award winners  in partnership with SAP  help customers innovate, gain rapid results, grow sustainably, and run more simply.

"Premikati is excited to be recognized again this year by SAP for excellence in the Global Intelligent Spend and Business Network space," says Marisol Buczynski-Buchanan, Premikati's CEO. "We have an exceptional team that focuses on rapidly driving value for our customers in both the Midmarket and Large Enterprise spaces. Named a finalist in 2019, 2020, and 2021 for the SAP Pinnacle Awards, this is our fourth consecutive year being recognized by SAP  with this year marking our first win  and we don't intend to break the streak!"

Nominations are based on internal SAP sales data. A steering committee then determines winning partners in each category according to numerous criteria such as sales achievement and performance.

"Partners are critical to the SAP ecosystem and this award recognizes their contributions and hard-earned success," says Claus Gruenewald, SAP's Global Head  Partner Business, Intelligent Spend and Business Network. "I want to congratulate Premikati on what they've helped both our organizations achieve over the past year and wish them a good time celebrating this win."

"Premikati has a key focus on utilizing SAP Ariba solutions to address challenges of rapidly growing companies, particularly those owned by Private Equity. By helping to institute best practices in Procurement, Accounts Payable, and Vendor Management, we help companies to focus on removing barriers to growth such as manual processes and lack of data," said Marisol. "As an example, Premikati has been working for the last 18 months with a leading Dental Support Organization supporting more than 2400 offices to solve a critical issue around invoice reconciliation and taking them to 95% touchless invoicing."

Premikati received its award during SAP Spend Connect Live 2022, SAP's premier spend management user conference, bringing together procurement, external workforce, supply chain, and travel and expense solutions.

About Premikati

SAP and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE (or an SAP affiliate company) in Germany and other countries. See http://www.sap.com/corporate-en/legal/copyright/index.epx for additional trademark information and notices. All other product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies.

SOURCE Premikati, Inc.
TORRINGTON, Conn., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Therap Services, the national leader in providing HIPAA-compliant software solutions to agencies in Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS), Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) and other human services fields, has welcomed former Developmental Disabilities Program Bureau Chief, Novelene Martin, to the Therap Team as Director of Government Relations in September 2022.

Throughout her career, Novelene has worked in the field of developmental disabilities, and spent over 30 years working for the State of Montana. Novelene's career began in 1988 as a Habilitation Training Specialist at the Montana Developmental Center, and in 1990 she became a Training and Contract Manager with the State of Montana's Developmental Disabilities Program.

After becoming a Regional Program Officer at the State of Montana's Children's Mental Health Bureau in 2005, Novelene provided monitoring and technical assistance to providers of Medicaid mental health services, and worked as a liaison between Children's Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Program. As she became a Waiver Specialist with the Developmental Disabilities Program in 2012, Novelene's responsibilities extended to federal reporting.

In 2015, Novelene became the Bureau Chief of the Developmental Disabilities Program. Although, the Developmental Disabilities Program was primarily responsible for two 1915(c) Medicaid Waivers and IDEA Part C Early Intervention, during her term as the Bureau Chief, Montana passed legislation allowing for ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts, and the responsibility for implementing these accounts was assigned to the Developmental Disabilities Program.

Novelene became acquainted with Therap during their work with the State of Montana contract. She believed that Therap's commitment to people with disabilities was apparent, and they provided Montana with a system that met the needs of the state but still something that families could navigate. "It was very important for me to work for a company that balances the needs of their customers while still maintaining a focus on people with disabilities," she said.

Novelene re-entered the workforce after retiring in 2019. She chose Therap Services because she wanted her work experience to have a positive impact on the developmental disabilities system while also working remotely in a job that is flexible enough to continue to pursue interests outside of work.

About Therap

Therap's comprehensive and HIPAA-compliant software is used in human services settings for documentation, communication, reporting, EVV and billing.

Learn more at www.therapservices.net .

Related Links

http://www.therapservices.net

SOURCE Therap Services
Company Celebrates 25-Year Listing Anniversary

HOUSTON, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE: PWR) announced today that Duke Austin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Quanta Services, will ring The Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange this afternoon at 4:00 p.m. EST, marking the company's 25th anniversary of trading on the prestigious exchange.

"Quanta was founded more than 25 years ago recognizing that our nation's energy infrastructure needed significant upgrade, expansion and modernization and that a national infrastructure solutions provider like Quanta would play an essential role in supporting the utility and energy industries to meet that need. Since its initial public offering in February 1998, Quanta has grown more than one hundred-fold and become one of North America's leading infrastructure solutions providers to the utility, renewable energy, communications and energy industries," said Duke Austin.

"We are increasingly excited and confident about the opportunity to drive multi-year revenue and double-digit earnings per share growth by continuing to support the long-term programmatic spend of our customers and capitalizing on the energy transition across our portfolio of services. Quanta's achievements have been made possible by its approximately 50,000 employees, who are the best in the business. We believe Quanta's future is bright and we look forward to many years of continued success."

Members of Quanta's management will join Mr. Austin as he rings The Closing Bell. A live stream of The Bell can be viewed at https://www.nyse.com/bell and on various financial and other news outlets. Connect with Quanta IR and Quanta Services through Twitter: @QuantaIR and @Quanta_Services, Facebook: @QuantaServicsIR and on LinkedIn. Connect with the New York Stock Exchange on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram @NYSE.

About Quanta Services

Quanta is an industry leader in providing specialized infrastructure solutions to the utility, renewable energy, communications, pipeline and energy industries. Quanta's comprehensive services include designing, installing, repairing and maintaining energy and communications infrastructure. With operations throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and select other international markets, Quanta has the manpower, resources and expertise to safely complete projects that are local, regional, national or international in scope. For more information, visit www.quantaservices.com.

Cautionary Statement About Forward-Looking Statements and Information

This press release (and any oral statements regarding the subject matter of this press release) contains forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the "safe harbor" from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to expectations regarding opportunities and trends in particular markets or industries, including with respect to the transition to a reduced-carbon economy; expectations regarding Quanta's plans, strategies and opportunities; the business plans or financial condition of our customers, including with respect to transition to a reduced-carbon economy; the development of and opportunities with respect to future projects; as well as statements reflecting expectations, intentions, assumptions or beliefs about future events and other statements that do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance; rather they involve or rely on a number of risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict or are beyond our control and reflect management's beliefs and assumptions based on information available at the time the statements are made. We caution you that actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied, or forecasted by our forward-looking statements and that any or all of our forward-looking statements may turn out to be inaccurate or incorrect. Forward-looking statements can be affected by inaccurate assumptions and by known or unknown risks and uncertainties including, among others, market, industry, economic, financial or political conditions that are outside of the control of Quanta; trends and growth opportunities in relevant markets, including our ability to obtain future project awards; and other risks and uncertainties detailed in Quanta's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2021, Quanta's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended Mar. 31, 2022, Jun. 30, 2022 and Sep. 30, 2022, and any other documents that Quanta files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). For a discussion of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, investors are urged to refer to Quanta's documents filed with the SEC that are available through the company's website at www.quantaservices.com or through the SEC's Electronic Data Gathering and Analysis Retrieval System (EDGAR) at www.sec.gov. Should one or more of these risks materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are current only as of this date. Quanta does not undertake and expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Quanta further expressly disclaims any written or oral statements made by any third party regarding the subject matter of this press release.

Investors - Kip Rupp, CFA, IRC Media  Liz James Quanta Services, Inc. FGS Global (713) 341-7260 (281) 881-5170

SOURCE Quanta Services, Inc.
- Finance software startup Quartr signs an API deal with the Sequoia-backed investment research network Smartkarma, reaching over 250 institutional asset management firms predominantly across Asia. The partnership grants Smartkarma access to Quartr's database of earnings calls, accompanying documents, reports, and slide decks, providing its customers with a strong foundation to conduct fundamental research. At the same time, this creates a wider distribution channel for the information that public companies provide.

STOCKHOLM and NEW YORK, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Quartr (www.quartr.com) has passed an additional milestone on its mission to bring the financial community closer together by signing yet another important API deal - this time with the Asian-first financial research platform Smartkarma. The partnership enables Smartkarma's extensive network of institutional asset management companies and investor relations professionals to directly access crucial first-party information such as earnings calls, accompanying documents, reports, and slide decks through its financial research platform.

"We are thrilled to announce our first Asia-focused partnership, providing Smartkarma's extensive network, including both finance and investor relations professionals, with crucial information. We are convinced that our API solution will be value-creating for investors, online brokers, and research platforms like Smartkarma worldwide, and not least for public companies as this enables them to get their equity stories told to a much wider audience," comments Sami Osman, CEO & Co-founder of Quartr.

"Quartr's technology makes it incredibly easy for research analysts, investors, and IR professionals to dial into company conference calls, skip straight to Q&A and browse associated corporate presentations. By natively integrating all this technology into Smartkarma's desktop and mobile apps, we have unlocked seamless access to first-party information from public companies. Smartkarma network members will now be able to listen to company calls while reading insights or researching on entity pages of over thousands of publicly listed companies globally. This sits squarely with our tech-first approach towards uniting investors, insight providers, and issuers on one network," comments Raghav Kapoor, CEO & Co-founder of Smartkarma.

Contact

Sami Osman, CEO & Co-founder, Quartr

[email protected]

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Public/21895/3711403/a0119ad2ab276d26.pdf PM: Quartr and Smartkarma https://news.cision.com/quartr/i/1156x708-quartr-smartkarma,c3142264 1156x708 Quartr Smartkarma https://news.cision.com/quartr/i/sami-osman-quartr-ceo,c3142266 Sami Osman Quartr CEO https://news.cision.com/quartr/i/1156x1156-qu-sk-v2x2,c3142265 1156x1156 qu sk v2x2

SOURCE Quartr
Jane Crisan Promoted to CEO, Rylan Malerbi Joins as CFO, Michelle Cardinal Transitions to Chairwoman

PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rain the Growth Agency, the leading independent, fully integrated DTC advertising agency, has announced the promotion of Jane Crisan to Chief Executive Officer and named Rylan Malerbi its Chief Financial Officer.

Rain the Growth Agency promotes Jane Crisan to Chief Executive Officer. Rylan Malerbi joins Rain the Growth Agency as Chief Financial Officer. Rain the Growth Agency co-founder, Michelle Cardinal, has transitioned from CEO to Chairwoman of the board of directors.

"I'm thrilled to announce the promotion of Jane Crisan to the position of CEO. Her leadership over the last decade as President and COO has propelled our agency to new heights under her expert guidance. Jane's deep experience in branding, digital marketing and analytics makes her the perfect person to take the agency into the next decade," said Cardinal. "It's rare a founder can hand over the reins to someone they trust and admire through hard-won teamwork together. I will sleep soundly knowing Jane is at the helm."

Crisan came to Rain the Growth Agency in 2013 with a 25-year career at several leading global network ad agencies including JWT, WPP and Wunderman Worldwide, where she was instrumental in developing the industry's first digital practices. During her career, Crisan helped develop major brands such as Ford, Chase, Chrysler, Humana and General Motors. Before joining Rain the Growth Agency, she oversaw the creation and management of Garage Team Mazda in Southern California.

During her tenure at Rain the Growth Agency, Crisan has driven the expansion of the digital marketing practice and content creation, advanced measurement capabilities and operational efficiencies leading to exponential growth. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, she drove a quick pivot to a "flexible-first" work environment allowing employees to choose how and where they work and enabling the hiring of top talent nationwide. Crisan has passionately promoted workplace equity, championing the formation of an internal Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee. She has also pushed for the expansion of employee benefits and resources, resulting in increased employee retention rates well above industry average.

Rain the Growth Agency also welcomes Rylan Malerbi as Chief Financial Officer based near the agency's newly renovated headquarters campus in Portland, Oregon. Malerbi comes from Tag Worldwide, a global media production company, where he served as the Americas CFO. He brings over 23 years of finance experience in B2B professional and marketing services organizations. Prior to Tag, Malerbi was with Williams Lea, a business process outsourcing firm.

"Rylan is a top operator and understands the intricacies of running a creative and media shop efficiently. He has already brought many best practices to our firm in just a few weeks, and we are thrilled to have him on the team," said Crisan.

Michelle Cardinal, the agency's founder, has transitioned from CEO to Chairwoman of the board of directors, where she will continue to work on strategic initiatives and support client engagements and media partner relationships. Cardinal started the agency in 1998, pioneering a new approach to marketing coined "Transactional Brand Building" which aggressively drives both sales and brand growth, delivering ROI unequivocally for clients. This approach has catapulted Rain the Growth Agency, working with numerous fast-growth clients who have defined DTC zeitgeist in the last two decades. Some then startups like Wayfair, Chewy, Peloton, SimpliSafe, 23andMe, OOFOS and Headspace began their marketing journeys with the agency. The Transactional Brand Building approach has been honed over the decades working with many leading direct marketing companies including Humana, Bissell, Lending Tree and USAA.

About Rain the Growth Agency

Rain the Growth Agency is an independent, women-led, fully integrated and performance-minded advertising agency. We link brand strategy, creative and production with audience targeting, dynamic cross-channel media investment and advanced analytics to achieve sales and branding goals simultaneously, without compromise. Our holistic Transactional Brand Building approach produces transformational growth for our clients ranging from DTC fast companies and category disruptors to established brands. Current clients include Humana, Lending Tree, CenterWell, 1-800 Flowers, Rothy's, Headspace, 1-800 Contacts and BISSELL. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and founded in 1998 by Michelle Cardinal, our agency has 300 employees nationwide.

Media Contact Information:

Beatrice Livioco

Director of Marketing

[email protected]

SOURCE Rain the Growth Agency
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said his administration is worried over Transparency International downgrading Armenias position in its annual survey of corruption perceptions around the world.

Transparency International ranked Armenia 63th out of 180 countries and territories evaluated in the 2022 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) presented on Tuesday. Armenia occupied the 58th place in the 2021 index.

This is a highly important indicator and we have a very clear goal in our anti-corruption strategy to record progress in this indicator. And we have an action plan until 2026. The decline in this indicator, albeit not much and not too significant, is a worrying signal for us, Pashinyan said at the Cabinet meeting.
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ram Truck brand confirmed today that its first battery-electric pickup truck will be known as the Ram 1500 REV. The announcement of the all-new Ram 1500 REV as the name of the brand's first electric pickup truck marks the latest step in Ram's electrification journey to bring the industry's best electrified options to market.

Ram Brand Confirms Name of First Electric Pickup: Ram 1500 REV

"At Ram, we started a revolution last year as we invited consumers along on the beginning of our electrification journey, gathering their feedback on exactly what they are looking for in an electric pickup truck," said Mike Koval Jr., Ram brand CEO  Stellantis. "We look forward to delivering our first EV pickup  the all-new Ram 1500 REV  to those consumers next year. We are confident the Ram 1500 REV will push past the competition, offering what will be the leading combination of attributes customers care about the most: range, payload, towing and charge time."

Production of the all-new Ram 1500 REV will begin next year. More information will be available Sunday, Feb. 12, and the vehicle will be formally revealed to the public in the coming months.

Ram Truck Brand

In 2009, the Ram Truck brand launched as a stand-alone division, focused on meeting the demands of truck buyers and delivering benchmark-quality vehicles. With a full lineup of trucks, the Ram 1500, 2500/3500 Heavy Duty, 3500/4500/5500 Chassis Cab and ProMaster, the Ram brand builds trucks that get the hard work done and families where they need to go.

Ram continues to outperform the competition and sets the benchmarks for:

1,075 lb.-ft. of torque with Cummins Turbo Diesel

Towing capacity of 37,090 lbs. with Ram 3500

Segment first 1,000 lb.-ft of torque with Cummins Turbo Diesel

Payload of 7,680 lbs. with Ram 3500

Most luxurious: Ram Limited with real wood, real leather and 12-inch Uconnect touchscreen

Best ride and handling with exclusive link coil rear and auto-level air suspensions

Most interior space with Ram Mega Cab

The most cargo space available in any traditional full size cargo van

Most capable full-size off-road pickup  Ram Power Wagon

Ram 1500 TRX is the quickest, fastest and most powerful mass-produced pickup truck in the world

Most awarded light-duty truck in America

Highest owner loyalty of any half-ton pickup

The latest J.D. Power APEAL study, which rates the emotional bond between customers and their vehicles, named the 2022 Ram 1500 as the best vehicle in the large light-duty pickup category. This marks the third straight year Ram 1500 has received top honors.

The Ram 1500 lineup includes the Know & Go mobile app featuring an immersive experience for customers who want to learn more about their vehicles.

Ram is part of the portfolio of brands offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis. For more information regarding Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), please visit www.stellantis.com.

Follow Ram and company news and video on:

Company blog: http://blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com

Media website: http://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com

Ram Truck brand: www.ramtrucks.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/RamTrucks

Instagram: www.instagram.com/ramtrucks

Twitter: www.twitter.com/RamTrucks and @StellantisNA

YouTube: www.youtube.com/RamTrucks, https://www.youtube.com/StellantisNA

SOURCE Stellantis
WILKES-BARRE, Pa., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Recipes by Josh, a division of Joshua Schwartz Consulting, LLC, a Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania company announces a $100,000 donation to The Adalyn Rose Foundation (ARF), a Reading-based non-profit organization, to support families grieving the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, or in the first few months of life.

The $100,000 donation will supply numerous Remembrance Carts and advance ARF's ongoing strategic plan, in memory of Quinton Keith Hadden, the son of Christopher and Brittney Hadden, of Leesport, Pennsylvania and the nephew to Joshua and his partner, Devon.

Every day, new parents experience the devastation of meeting their baby for the first time and having to say goodbye shortly after. These parents have limited time and opportunities to create memories with their babies. They are often shocked, unprepared, and don't know what to do. The Remembrance Carts can help them feel more comfortable and allows them to make memories with their babies while they still can.

"Adalyn Rose Remembrance Carts are used in the hospital setting, in Labor and Delivery, and in Neonatal Intensive Care Units. They are brought to a mother's room after her baby is born still or dies shortly after birth," says ARF Executive Director, Chloe Ciferri. "The carts are filled with items that families can use to make memories with their babies, while they are still together. We provide children's books for parents to read to their babies, blankets to use in photos, wooden hearts and bears for the babies to hold, and even coloring books and bracelet-making kits for siblings. Families can use these items with their babies, and then take them home as special keepsakes."

"Seeing my sister and her family struggle at the loss of their son, Quinton, who was stillborn, has left a lasting impression on me," says Joshua Schwartz, the CEO of Joshua Schwartz Consulting, LLC. "The Adalyn Rose Foundation provided numerous services to support my sister and her family. I promised my family Quinton's name will never be forgotten, and by supporting the Adalyn Rose Foundation, in Quinton's memory, it not only helps our family in the mourning process, but will help other parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and grandparents who unfortunately gain another angel in their life, too early."

The donation of $100,000 will allow ARF to provide immediate support to bereaved families in dozens of hospitals across Pennsylvania and surrounding states.

ABOUT ADALYN ROSE FOUNDATION

The Adalyn Rose Foundation provides comprehensive support to families grieving the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, or during infancy. We provide immediate support within the hospital setting and financial support for funeral and memorial costs. We host free monthly support groups, bereaved couples workshops, and events for loss moms, dads and siblings.

SOURCE The Adalyn Rose Foundation; Joshua Schwartz Consulting, LLC
Jury finds HBI engaged in unfair competition and violated the Illinois Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act through its rolling paper packaging and promotional activities.





Federal C ourt orders HBI to cease promoting, selling, distributing, shipping, and delivering certain products that are sold in packaging including Alcoy Spain stamp, and cease making other promotional statements.





HBI ordered to cease making claims that it contributes its funds or sales proceeds to a "non-existent charitable foundation" referred to as the "RAW Foundation."

GLENVIEW, Ill., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Republic Brands, a leading distributor of rolling papers and premium smoking accessories, has obtained a permanent injunction in a federal lawsuit against Defendant HBI International requiring HBI to cease making claims about its RAW Organic Hemp rolling papers.

On January 31, 2023, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois permanently enjoined HBI from making certain claims about its products and ordered HBI to "immediately" cease manufacturing, ordering, or replenishing its inventory with goods that fail to conform to the Court's order. The injunction order follows a jury's verdict that HBI, the distributor of rolling paper brands RAW, Elements, Juicy Jays, Pay-Pay, and Skunk, engaged in unfair competition and violated the Illinois Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act through its packaging and promotional activities.

The Court enjoined HBI from continuing to state, imply, or suggest that it operates or contributes funds or sales proceeds to a charitable entity or foundation referred to as the "RAW Foundation" or making reference to the "RAW Foundation" in text or images because in its December 6, 2022 ruling, the Court found that no such foundation even existed despite HBI's prior promotional claims.

Additionally, HBI for more than a decade has marketed its papers as having been made by artisanal craftsman in "Alcoy, Spain" and referring to Alcoy as the "birthplace of rolling papers." HBI claimed that its RAW papers receive the "Spanish Alcoy Paper Blessing" and affixed an "Alcoy stamp" to some of its products.

However, in a January 19, 2023 ruling, the Court found that "HBI makes no rolling paper in Alcoy, Spain whatsoever." In its permanent injunction order, the Court enjoined HBI from stating or implying that its RAW Organic Hemp booklets or cones are made in Alcoy and further ordered that "HBI shall not use on its packaging a 'stamp' including the use of the word Alcoy or referring to Alcoy."

The order permanently prohibits HBI and its personnel from making any statement or communication, or engaging in any promotion or advertising activity that states, implies, or suggests:

That HBI and/or RAW operate(s) or contributes its funds or sales proceeds to a charitable entity or foundation of any kind referred to as the "RAW Foundation" or making reference to the "RAW Foundation" in text or images;





That RAW Organic Hemp rolling papers are "unrefined;"





That RAW Organic Hemp rolling papers are made with natural hemp gum, or that the adhesive used in RAW Organic Hemp rolling papers is made from or contains hemp;





That RAW Organic Hemp rolling papers are, or ever were, the world's first or world's only organic (or organic hemp) rolling papers;





That RAW Organic Hemp rolling paper booklets are made in Alcoy, Spain ;





; That RAW Organic Hemp pre-rolled rolling-paper cones are made in Alcoy, Spain ;





; That the bulk paper ("bobbins") used to make RAW Organic Hemp rolling paper products is made in Spain ;





; That RAW Organic Hemp rolling papers are made in Alcoy Spain, the birthplace of rolling papers; and





HBI shall not use on its packaging a "stamp" including the use of the word Alcoy or referring to Alcoy.





That RAW Organic Hemp rolling papers are made using wind power or are powered by wind;





That HBI uses or used the center of the hemp stalk for its RAW Organic Hemp rolling papers;





That HBI or Joshua Kesselman invented rolling paper pre-rolled cones;





invented rolling paper pre-rolled cones; That the OCB Organic Hemp papers are knock-offs, "RAWnabees", copies, or fake versions of RAW.

In its January 31, 2023 permanent injunction, the Court ordered HBI to cease promoting, selling, distributing, shipping, or delivering products that contain the statements after March 2, 2023 for RAW Organic Hemp. In addition, after May 31, 2023, HBI may not promote, sell, distribute, ship or deliver products under its other brands (e.g., Elements, DLX, Skunk, Pay-Pay, and Juicy Jays) sold in packaging including an Alcoy stamp.

About Republic Brands

The world's leading rolling company, Republic Brands holds the most extensive portfolio in the category including OCB, JOB, e-z wider, DRUM, Premier, Gambler, and TOP brands. Republic Brands is part of a family-owned company that is known for innovations such as sustainable bamboo, hemp and flax fiber papers and cones, its natural acacia gum, and internationally-recognized ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 and GMP standards.

Republic Brands remains committed to a level playing field where all parties act in good faith and engage in honest marketing to customers and consumers.

For more information about Republic Brands, please visit www.republicbrands.com.

Republic Brands Media Contact:

Lisa Weser

Trailblaze

[email protected]

Republic was represented at trial by Charles S. Bergen ( [email protected] ), Peter S. Roeser ( [email protected] ) and Matthew D. Tanner of Roeser Tanner & Graham LLC.

SOURCE Republic Brands
LONDON, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Contact Center as a Service Market is valued at USD 4.7 Billion in 2022 and it is expected to reach USD 15.1 Billion by 2029 with a CAGR of 18.0% over the forecast period.

Customers today expect more than just an exceptional experience - they expect CCaaS to be the solution that delivers it. No matter how good your products or services are, or how enticing your prices, without reliable customer service to back them up, your business won't go far. This is true across all industries - the contact center is the first and often the lasting impression a company makes. Customers use the experience they have to decide whether or not to do business with a company, as well as who to avoid. By utilizing a contact center as a service (CCaaS), you can give your call center representatives the necessary tools and resources to create a positive customer experience, make their job more rewarding, and improve results.

Market Overview of CCaas

CCaaS stands for Contact Center as a Service and is a cloud-based software solution used by customer service teams to improve the customer experience. CCaaS is a phone system that utilizes the Internet to make and receive calls, thus revolutionizing how contact centers interact with their customers. It is developed and maintained by a software as a service vendor, and routes contacts from all communication channels using a software application.

Contact center software as a service (CCaaS) is a multi-model phone solution that uses Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology to power its voice function. Additionally, CCaaS allows businesses to view and integrate other communications tools, such as emails, chat tools, web applications, CRM systems, online surveys, sales automation tools, and help desk software, on top of the Internet protocol.

Growth of CCaaS market

The increasing popularity of advanced contact center technologies for better business continuity and smoother customer interactions, as well as the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies into contact center solutions, will fuel the demand for Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS) over the forecast period, driving the Contact Center as a Service market growth.

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Global Contact Center as a Service Market Segmentation

By Service

Support & Maintenance

Integration & Deployment

Managed Services

Training & Consulting

By Solution

Computer Telephony Integration

Automatic Call Distribution

Call Recording

Dialer

Customer Collaboration

Reporting & Analytics

Interactive Voice Response

Workforce Optimization

Others

By Enterprise

Large Enterprises

Small & Medium Enterprises

By End-User

Consumer Goods & Retail

BFSI, Healthcare

IT & Telecom

Government

Travel & Hospitality

Key players and market share analysis

The market is highly competitive and fragmented, with a large number of players. Vendors are striving to provide fully scalable, flexible CCaaS services through a monthly subscription model, allowing for quick deployment of new functions and features while resulting in a lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Furthermore, the Contact Center as a Service market participants are focusing on improving agent assistance solutions and services.

Investing in the development of omnichannel solutions and new product launches, vendors are attempting to expand their customer base and bolster their market positions across a variety of end-use industries, such as BFSI, government, healthcare, and IT & telecom.

Some of the major CCaaS market players are.

Alcatel Lucent Enterprise

Avaya, Inc

Cisco Systems, Inc

Enghouse Interactive Inc

Five9

Genesys

Microsoft Corporation

NICE inContact

SAP SE

Unify Inc.

CCaaS adoption rate and future projections

The importance of providing excellent customer service, through all communication channels, has become essential for organizations in order to maintain customer loyalty and prevent potential loss of customers. Customer experience is an integral part of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) that plays a major role in the customer journey, from the first point of contact to becoming a loyal customer. Through improved customer service, businesses can ensure that customers have a positive experience that will ensure their loyalty and help to avoid potential customer loss.

Implementing the contact center as a service solution can help organizations save on maintenance service charges, hardware installation expenses, and IT services and components expenditure. Furthermore, cloud-based contact center software can reduce downtime and power consumption, while offering cost savings through subscription models. This makes it an attractive option for companies with limited funds, especially in small and medium enterprises. However, data security concerns regarding the storage of sensitive customer information, such as payment card numbers and health information, may limit the growth of this market.

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Benefits of CCaaS

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an increase in the demand for Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS). Here are some of the key advantages of transitioning your contact center to the cloud:

Cost Savings

One of the main advantages of CCaaS is its cost-efficiency; businesses can purchase only the technology they need, thus avoiding extra costs associated with traditional call center systems. This results in savings on costly hardware, IT support, and energy bills.

With a CCaaS solution, you only pay for what you need, as opposed to traditional call center technology which has fixed pricing with limited to no flexibility on cost adjustments regardless of usage. The monthly licensing fee or pay-as-you-go pricing of CCaaS ensures that you never pay for more than you use.

Improved customer experience

Customers may still opt to call you, yet more and more people are turning to different communication channels such as live chat, email, and social media. Fortunately, many cloud-based customer service solutions provide omnichannel experiences. This means that your agents can interact with customers in the way they are most comfortable, be it by phone, email, video chat, texting, or Facebook messaging.

Contact center agents are ready to quickly respond to any questions or requests coming through multiple channels, providing your customers with the fastest response possible - without having to wait on hold! They can do so in the most convenient manner for them.

Increased efficiency and productivity

A Contact Centre as a Service platform provides your agents with a comprehensive suite of tools, all in one convenient package. With CCaaS tools, agents can do everything they need in one place, speeding up their workflow and allowing them to share files or updates quickly and easily with other team members. These tools include call monitoring and recording, silent monitoring, video meetings, instant messaging, and more.

Platforms with built-in automation features can save time for customer service agents by taking care of repetitive tasks like updating databases or sending emails. With these tools, multiple tasks can be done simultaneously, allowing staff to devote more time to customers. Monitoring these automation tools regularly is important to ensure their effectiveness.

Scalability and flexibility

If you're looking for a solution that is easy to adjust to the changing needs of your business, a CCaaS solution is the way to go. Rather than having to make manual adjustments to your on-premises system, you can simply adjust your plan to get the features you need. All it takes is a few clicks to finalize your plan and you're all set!

If your contact center experiences rapid growth or an influx of calls, you can easily add more agents to the system. This is especially useful during seasonal periods when you may need to take on additional temporary employees. Many CCaaS providers offer custom plans if you require a specific solution for your business.

The use of a cloud-based contact center offers numerous advantages, such as providing employees with the flexibility to work remotely. This can not only reduce the need for office space, but also enable businesses to save on costs. Moreover, it can have a positive effect on employee morale and productivity by allowing them to work in a way that suits their lifestyle.

Integration with other technologies

A survey reveals that more than 40% of employees spend a minimum of a quarter of their work week on mundane, repetitive tasks. AI-supported solutions can help businesses automate such tasks in call centers. When selecting a CCaaS provider, look for one that offers AI-powered features such as Speech Recognition, NLP, automatic call logs, and automated follow-up scheduling for organized work task management and customer support interactions. Your CCaaS provider should also provide additional features like omnichannel routing, third-party CRM interactions, workforce management tools, call forwarding, call waiting, and more.

CCaaS vs Traditional Contact Centers (UCaaS and CPaaS)

CCaaS CPaaS UCaaS CCaaS is Contact Center as a Service CPaaS is Communications Platform as a Service UCaaS is Unified Communications as a Service Offers pay-per-use cloud-hosted contact center software Integrates communication APIs into apps or software to tailor individual channels, such as voice, video, or messaging. Automatically integrates real-time omni-channel communication services into a single interface. Scalable easily When using CPaaS, you must select which communication channels you want to use. Replace multiple communication applications with a single unified platform Popular features include Automatic Call Distribution (ACD), Interactive Voice Response (IVR), call queueing, and many others. No pre-existing tools or functions are available to use. Popular features include video conferencing, chat messaging, business text messaging, and additional services.

CCaaS Use Cases

Some of the common CCaaS use case scenarios are:

Debt collection agencies can automate the process of sending payment reminders, accepting payments, and providing account updates to their customers.

Call centers and telemarketing firms that make outbound calls, take orders from customers via telephone, and offer customer service.

Healthcare professionals must have the ability to manage insurance plans, schedule appointments, and send appointment reminders for their patients.

Below are some recent use cases of CCaaS:

In April 2020 , ServiceNow launched Amazon Connect Integration with Cloud Call Center, a cloud contact center solution that offers improved IT support functionalities. This cutting-edge solution integrates natively with Amazon Web Services' natural language AI technology, Comprehend and Transcribe, Lex, as well as ServiceNow's IT workflows and service capabilities. This is just one of the many cloud contact centers being developed by various players to boost operational functionality and flexibility for users.

, ServiceNow launched Amazon Connect Integration with Cloud Call Center, a cloud contact center solution that offers improved IT support functionalities. This cutting-edge solution integrates natively with Amazon Web Services' natural language AI technology, Comprehend and Transcribe, Lex, as well as ServiceNow's IT workflows and service capabilities. This is just one of the many cloud contact centers being developed by various players to boost operational functionality and flexibility for users. In October 2021 , Automation Anywhere, Inc., a provider of automation technology, launched Automation Anywhere for Contact Centers, a cloud-native, AI-driven solution designed to meet changing customer needs and provide faster customer services. This solution enables agents to quickly find, update, and execute client transactions, helping businesses provide more accurate and efficient customer services. Various companies are now focusing on such AI-based cloud contact center solutions to better meet customer demands.

, Automation Anywhere, Inc., a provider of automation technology, launched Automation Anywhere for Contact Centers, a cloud-native, AI-driven solution designed to meet changing customer needs and provide faster customer services. This solution enables agents to quickly find, update, and execute client transactions, helping businesses provide more accurate and efficient customer services. Various companies are now focusing on such AI-based cloud contact center solutions to better meet customer demands. In July 2020 , NICE LTD unveiled Real-Time Interaction Guidance, a solution powered by the company's ENLIGHTEN AI platform. This solution relies on predictive behavioral models to evaluate and score agent behavior, thereby aiding the customer experience and enhancing sales opportunity identification. As part of the CXone platform, this solution has become an essential component of NICE's offerings.

Challenges and Considerations

Before deciding on a Ccaas solution or upgrading your current contact center strategy, there are a few things to consider. Here are some of the most important:

Have I chosen the correct providers?

As the provider community evolves, niche providers are emerging and offering some of the most sophisticated CCaaS solutions. Don't limit yourself to the big names; explore the current market with an open mind. Consulting with a third-party advisor can provide insight into the changing landscape.

How does using artificial intelligence in this solution beneficial?

Take the time to explore all the AI capabilities available on the market and determine which ones meet the current needs of your business and support your digital transformation in the long run. Don't neglect this step, as it could cost you in the end.

How and What security will this solution to ensure protection of my company and our customers' data?

In order to ensure security, it is important to understand how this solution is designed and to anticipate the different forms of fraudulent behavior that may arise. Proactive monitoring should be implemented to detect potentially fraudulent activity and ensure the security of the solution.

What changes to my staffing and skills requirements will be necessary to implement this solution, and how will I address them?

Though CCaaS solutions may not remove the necessity for agents, they could potentially alter your personnel strategy and the qualifications that are sought for your agent team. It is critical to be aware of these implications and to have a strategy prepared to handle them.

What strategies can I use to ensure successful onboarding of IT, management, security, finance and contact center users for the implementation?

Prior to executing an implementation, ensure that a plan exists to ensure buy-in from internal stakeholders. If feasible, communicate the benefits of the solution in terms of how it will improve the customer experience and advance the organization's transformation goals.

Conclusion

Dating back to the beginning of call centers, CCaaS (Customer Communication as a Service) has its roots. When customers wanted to interact with a business, their only option was to make a call to a toll-free number and speak with a representative of the organization. This was the sole method of communication for customers.

The emergence of contact centers marked an important milestone for customer service, as customers could now reach out to organizations in their preferred medium - email, chatbot and social media, among others. As technology, particularly cloud technology, continued to develop, so too did contact center technology, eventually leading to the development of CCaaS (contact center as a service). This technology allowed organizations to reap the benefits of the cloud and use it in their contact centers.

The ever-developing technology landscape has led to advances in the relationship between UCaaS and CCaaS. The surge of cloud adoption due to the COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated this trend. By taking advantage of CCaaS, organizations that have not yet adopted it can reap the benefits, such as improved customer service, reduced costs, and enhanced flexibility.

On Special Contact Center as a Service Market Report is also available for below region:

North America

U.S, Canada

Europe

Germany , France , U.K., Italy , Spain , Sweden , Netherland, Turkey , Switzerland , Belgium , Rest of Europe

Asia-Pacific

South Korea , Japan , China , India , Australia , Philippines , Singapore , Malaysia , Thailand , Indonesia , Rest Of APAC

Latin America

Mexico , Colombia , Brazil , Argentina , Peru , Rest of Latin America

Middle East and Africa

Saudi Arabia , UAE, Egypt , South Africa , Rest Of MEA

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RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) is proud to announce Riverside County Fifth District Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez (pronounced "IX-tian," like Christian) has joined the health plan's governing board and will serve alongside the dedicated members who represent both Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

IEHP is proud to announce Riverside County Fifth District Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez (pronounced IX-tian, like Christian) has joined the health plan's governing board and will serve alongside the dedicated members who represent both Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

On Jan. 10, Supervisor Gutierrez was appointed to the IEHP Governing Board; he was elected to the Riverside County Board of Supervisors in November 2022. He is the second Latino ever elected supervisor for Riverside County. Prior to this appointment, Gutierrez served as the first directly elected Moreno Valley Mayor for seven years and was a professor at National University, served on Moreno Valley's City Council, owned and operated the Berrybean Cafe, taught in the Moreno Valley Unified School District, and worked as a reading instructor at Moreno Valley College.

In addition to his supervisor duties, Gutierrez is a professor at California State University, San Bernardino, and serves as a board member for Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG), Riverside Transit Agency, Riverside County Transportation Commission, Riverside County University Medical System, Flood Control, Renu Hope Foundation, the U.S. Selective Service and several other regional boards. He is also a 1st Lieutenant (CA) with the 163rd Support Group stationed at March Air Reserve Base.

"On behalf of the IEHP Governing Board, I welcome fellow Riverside County Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez to the Board and look forward to his input on providing quality healthcare to our Members," said Karen Spiegel, Riverside County Second District Supervisor and IEHP Governing Board Chair.

Representing the 10th largest county in the United States with more than 2.5 million residents, Supervisor Gutierrez is dedicated to improving and protecting the things that make Riverside County so unique.

"I am thrilled to join the IEHP Governing Board of Directors and honored to be a part of an inspiring group of Board Members and more than 3,000 employees - all with a singular vision to heal and inspire the human spirit to make the Inland Empire a healthier place for all," said Supervisor Gutierrez. "Within this role, I look forward to ensuring IEHP continues to provide access to quality and affordable health coverage to our working families across the region."

Gutierrez joins the health plan's governing board, which is comprised of four elected county supervisors and three appointed members of the public.

Current members include: Chair Karen Spiegel, Riverside County Second District Supervisor; Vice-Chair Curt Hagman, San Bernardino County Fourth District Supervisor; Dawn Rowe, Chair of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors and Third District Supervisor; Daniel P. Anderson, President and CEO of Riverside Community Health Foundation; Andrew Williams, Joint County Public Member; and Eileen Zorn, former health care clinician and educator.

Since the establishment of IEHP's Governing Board, the body has greatly supported and influenced the development and implementation of CalAIM, the Housing Initiative, Behavioral Health Integration and more.

"We are very excited to welcome Supervisor Gutierrez to our Governing Board and look forward to his insight in our ongoing commitment to meet our members where they are to provide Optimal Care and Vibrant Health," said Jarrod McNaughton, IEHP Chief Executive Officer.

About IEHP

With a mission to heal and inspire the human spirit, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) is one of the top 10 largest Medicaid health plans and the largest not-for-profit Medicare-Medicaid plan in the country. In its 26th year, IEHP supports more than 1.6 million residents in Riverside and San Bernardino counties who are enrolled in Medi-Cal or IEHP DualChoice (those with both Medi-Cal and Medicare). IEHP has a growing network of nearly 6,800 Providers and more than 3,000 Team Members. Through dynamic partnerships with Providers and Community Organizations, paired with award-winning service and a tradition of quality care, IEHP is fully committed to their vision: We will not rest until our communities enjoy optimal care and vibrant health. For more information, visit iehp.org.

SOURCE Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP)
Salas to help manage existing investments and identify highly compelling opportunities across decarbonization and Riverstone's other core sectors

NEW YORK and MENLO PARK, Calif. and MEXICO CITY, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Riverstone Holdings LLC (Riverstone), a leading asset management firm that invests in the private markets, primarily within energy, power, decarbonization and infrastructure, today announced that Francisco Salas will join the Firm as a Managing Director on February 13th.

Mr. Salas has over twenty-five years of experience in the financial industry, and was part of leading corporate and investment banking firms in New York and Latin America. During the last several years he served as partner, portfolio manager and head of business development for Altum Capital where he helped position Altum as a leading alternative asset manager in Mexico. Mr. Salas will be based in Mexico City and will further enhance Riverstone's presence in the region. He will focus on managing existing investments and identifying highly compelling opportunities within decarbonization and other core sectors, as well as capital raising throughout Latin America.

David Leuschen and Pierre Lapeyre Jr., Co-Founders of Riverstone, said, "The energy sector in Latin America is quickly evolving due to structural demand growth, decarbonization policies and deregulation. For nearly a decade, Riverstone has served as a pioneer in private markets investment within the region. Riverstone is committed to accelerating its market leadership and 15-year franchise across the renewable and decarbonization categories."

Francisco Salas added, "Riverstone understands that unprecedented disruption is expected in Latin America on account of sociopolitical factors, along with the desire for rapid adoption of clean energy sources. The Firm has a track record of identifying market trends and capitalizing on opportunities in the region, as demonstrated with the establishment of an office in Mexico City nearly ten years ago, as energy markets were opening to private investment. I look forward to bringing my experience to Riverstone as the Firm continues to expand its presence in the region and play a key role in innovating and establishing industry leading, purpose-driven, scaled companies."

The addition of Mr. Salas builds on recent developments contributing to the growth and potential of Riverstone's Latin American presence and broader decarbonization growth platform. Since the Firm established its Latin American headquarters in Mexico City in 2014, it has been a forerunner in private market energy investing across the region. Several notable achievements include:

Operating one of the largest PV solar operating portfolios in Mexico (White River Renewables and A2 Renovables)

(White River Renewables and A2 Renovables) Creating one of the leading clean mobility companies in the region (VEMO)

Scaling up the largest distributed generation platform for commercial and industrial customers in Mexico (Energia Real)

(Energia Real) Investing in the manufacturing of leading battery technologies and electric motor companies in Mexico (Freewire and Infinitum Electric, respectively)

(Freewire and Infinitum Electric, respectively) Consolidating one of the largest private oil and gas portfolios in Mexico through Sierra Oil & Gas, Talos Energy and Fieldwood Energy (including the historic "Zama" oil field discovery)

through Sierra Oil & Gas, Talos Energy and Fieldwood Energy (including the historic "Zama" oil field discovery) Establishing the second largest shale oil producer in Latin America via the first SPAC in the Mexican Stock Exchange (Vista Energy)

Mr. Salas joins an expanding team of Riverstone professionals with deep expertise in the decarbonization space. This includes the recent additions of Juan Pablo Visoso, Cynthia Kueppers and Laurel Buckner.

Bio of Francisco Salas

Prior to joining Riverstone, Mr. Salas was most recently a Partner at Altum Capital, a private debt asset management firm based in Mexico City, where he oversaw portfolio management and business development. Prior to Altum Capital, Mr. Salas served as Managing Director of Itau's Corporate and Investment Banking practice in Mexico; Head of the Consumer, Retail and Financial Institutions sectors in Latin America at Citibank; Managing Director of Consumer, Retail and of Mergers & Acquisitions for Latin America at UBS. Mr. Salas has a degree in Business Administration and a Master's Degree in Finance from the Anahuac University.

About Riverstone Holdings LLC

Founded in 2000 by David Leuschen and Pierre Lapeyre, Riverstone Holdings LLC is an asset management firm that invests in the private markets primarily within energy, power, and infrastructure. Since inception, the Firm has raised $43 billion of capital to invest across the capital structure and in all major components of the industry's value chain. Riverstone's sole mission is to build great businesses and deliver strong returns to investors through our platform of investment strategies. For more information on Riverstone, please visit www.riverstonellc.com.

Media:

Daniel Yunger / Emma Cloyd

Kekst CNC

[email protected] / [email protected]

SOURCE Riverstone Holdings LLC
Appointments bolster Exotec's continuous expansion in the North American market, which is expected to represent 40% of the company's global business by 2025

ATLANTA, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Exotec, a global warehouse robotics provider, has announced the appointment of two executives to its North American operations. Andy Williams will be taking on the role of Executive Vice President of North American Sales while Sid Henderson joins as Vice President of North American Business Development.

Exotec is actively hiring to support its growth in the North American office. Tweet this Andy Williams, Executive Vice President of North American Sales Sid Henderson, Vice President of North American Business Development.

Exotec is rapidly expanding in the North American market where it currently employs over 55 people with plans to double by 2024. The company has already signed 14 customers and has 6 operating sites in North America just three years after expanding into the market. Andy Williams and Sid Henderson are joining Exotec to support this explosive growth and supercharge its future development.

"North America is a key market for Exotec and our ability to attract world-class talent like Sid and Andy is a testament to our technology and the opportunity that lies in front of us," said Romain Moulin, Exotec Co-Founder, and CEO.

A graduate of The University of Georgia, Andy Williams comes to Exotec with over 20 years of experience in international logistics and technology companies. Prior to Joining Exotec, Andy served as Chief Revenue Officer for Attabotics. Sid Henderson brings years of sales expertise to Exotec and joins from OSARO, where he helped run international sales. Sid is a graduate of the MIT School of Economics.

"I knew I wanted to be a part of the Exotec story the moment I saw one of our systems operate at a customer site," said Andy Williams, EVP of North American Sales at Exotec. "Having spent nearly two decades in the supply chain automation space, I am convinced that our technology will reshape the market by setting the bar for performance, reliability, and flexibility."

"A lot of us in the industry have been talking about the elegance of Exotec's solution for years," added Sid Henderson, VP of North America Business Development. "With over 75 sites sold around the world, I'm really excited to play my role in helping bring the technology to more customers in North America."

Exotec is actively hiring to support its growth in the North American office. To learn more about Exotec, review our open positions, or connect with a sales representative, please visit www.exotec.com .

About Exotec

Exotec builds elegant goods-to-person warehouse robotic solutions for the world's largest brands. The company combines the best of hardware and software to offer flexible warehouse systems that drive operational efficiency, add resiliency, and improve working conditions for warehouse operators. 30+ industry-leading brands including Carrefour, Decathlon, Gap, and Uniqlo trust Exotec to improve their operations and profitably navigate rapid shifts in business models and customer expectations. Learn more at Exotec.com.

SOURCE Exotec
NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of National Realty Investment Advisors LLC membership units (NRIA) of the important March 13, 2023 lead plaintiff deadline in the securities class action.

The case is against Rey E. Grabato II, Daniel Coley O'Brien, Thomas Nicholas Salzano, Arthur Scutaro, Arthur Raymond Scutaro, Sr., Arthur Raymond Scutaro, Jr., Olena Budinska, Ivel Turner, Jeff Rosenberg, Mark Korczak, Byron Cartozian, and Brian Harrington (together, "Defendants").

SO WHAT: If you purchased NRIA membership units you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the NRIA class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=10974 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than March 13, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, National Realty Investment Advisors LLC offered and sold NRIA, a membership unit in the NRIA Fund. Defendants used NRIA and the NRIA Fund to carry out a fraudulent scheme, including making and disseminating material misrepresentations, and effectuating a Ponzi scheme to divert millions of dollars invested in the NRIA Fund for their own personal gain.

To join the NRIA class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=10974 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

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Dr W. Ripley Ballou , previously Vice President and Head at GSK Global Vaccines and Dr Jacques Cholat , previously President of Merck Vaccines, join the RQ Bio Board of Directors

, previously Vice President and Head at GSK Global Vaccines and Dr , previously President of Merck Vaccines, join the RQ Bio Board of Directors Appointments confirm RQ Bio's ambition to become the world-leading company in passive immunisation for infectious disease

LONDON, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- RQ Bio is scaling up at speed, with the appointment of Non-Executive Directors, Dr W. Ripley ("Rip") Ballou and Dr Jacques Cholat to its Board of Directors. Both new Non-Executive Directors have extensive scientific and leadership experience in vaccines and infectious diseases in the United States, Europe and around the world. They take up their position with immediate effect and will support the strategic, business and scientific direction of the company.

The appointments come after RQ Bio last month announced the first of its discovered monoclonal antibodies to prevent COVID-19 in vulnerable patients, has entered clinical trials. Less than 12 months after discovery, AstraZeneca started the SUPERNOVA Phase I/III trial1i. Just six months before, RQ Bio was launched following a $157m licencing deal for Covid-19 antibodies with AstraZeneca.

These appointments add significant expertise to the team. Hugo Fry, CEO of RQ Bio, comments: "We are charging ahead. We have the funding to match our ambition, and now we are announcing two non-executive appointments that match the scale of our ambition. There is no time to waste in protecting millions of vulnerable patients, so being joined by such highly experienced and talented leaders in the industry will further accelerate our progress."

Fry adds: "We are seeking pharmaceutical industry partners to develop our antibody discoveries for patients, so it's a great vote of confidence to have acquired such senior level experience with Rip and Jacques joining the board. Both will be invaluable in supporting the rapid growth of RQ Bio and helping us make the case for our innovations to our colleagues in the pharmaceutical industry."

Dr Ripley Ballou is a senior R&D leader with a wealth of experience in vaccines and infectious diseases. His experience includes research, technical and clinical development, quality and regulatory activities involved in taking vaccines and monoclonal antibodies targeting infectious diseases, from discovery through to the clinic. He also has experience of start-up companies including being instrumental in the launch of Univax Corporation which was developing a monoclonal antibody programme against sepsis targets.

Dr Ballou said: "It is a real privilege to join the RQ Bio Board of Directors. The company is at the forefront of pharmaceutical discovery, discovering monoclonal antibodies to protect the most vulnerable patients from infectious diseases. I am excited to be able to work with, and guide their expert teams, to further expand their development programme. Our pharmaceutical industry partners will also play a crucial role in allowing us to create access for these treatments."

Dr Jacques Cholat has long been inspired by the combined aspects of public health and commercial considerations in the infectious disease/vaccines arena. While working at Merck & Co he was instrumental in securing the roll out of several life saving vaccination programs, to the lowest income countries of the world: Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Rotavirus and Ebola vaccination in Africa.

Dr Cholat comments: "Whilst we know that the global Covid-19 pandemic devastated communities, we learnt from it and it has provided rich insights which have helped to advance cutting-edge scientific research. Now, as I join the Board of Directors at RQ Bio, an innovative and forward-thinking company, together we are committed to further that scientific understanding and to prevent a recurrence of healthcare systems being overwhelmed by preventable illness, as we witnessed during the pandemic."

Enquiries

[email protected]

www.rqbiotechnology.com

LinkedIn

About our Non-Executive Directors

Dr Ballou currently serves as a Senior Scientific Advisor to the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) where he works on monoclonal antibody programs targeting HIV. He was previously Vice President and Head at GSK Global Vaccines, based in Maryland, US where he led programs developing vaccines for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Dengue, Ebola and Cytomegalovirus (CMV). Prior to that he was Vice President and Head, Clinical Research and Translational Science, Vaccine Discovery and Development at GSK Vaccines in Rixensart, Belgium. He has also served as Deputy Director for Vaccines, Infectious Diseases Development, Global Health at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and as a Vice President, Clinical Development at MedImmune where he worked on early and late-stage vaccine and monoclonal antibody programs. Dr Ballou received his MD from Emory University School of Medicine, trained in Medicine and Infectious Disease at the Walter Reed Army Medical Centre and began his research career in vaccine development at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research where he led a team that, with GSK, co-developed a malaria vaccine that was recently recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for widespread use in sub-Saharan Africa.

Dr Cholat was previously President of Merck Vaccines and before that Vice President of the company's Global Commercial Vaccines. Prior to joining Merck, he was Vice President Commercial Operations International for Sanofi Pasteur and Vice President Commercial Operations Asia Pacific for Aventis. He gained his MD at Genoble University's Medical School.

About RQ Bio

RQ Bio was founded in May 2021 by scientific experts previously involved with the UK BIA Antibody Taskforce. This Taskforce built a community of infectious disease antibody experts focussed on the development of rapid and efficient delivery of highly potent neutralising antibodies to help support the UK COVID-19 response.

RQ Bio is extending the concept beyond SARS-CoV-2, combining deep knowledge of virus and antibody evolution to engineer potent neutralising antibodies that are future-proofed against common escape mutations, even in highly variable viruses like influenza.

RQ Bio's mission has been to develop medicines based on potent broad-spectrum monoclonal antibodies to provide instant and long-lasting immunity for vulnerable people at risk of severe disease or death from current and future variants of viral infections. RQ Bio has achieved this by combining innovative excellence in core areas to create a smarter approach to antibody generation. RQ Bio has multiple sources of leads and a deep collaboration with the University of Oxford.

References

1i ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study for Immunocompromised Patients for Pre Exposure Prophylaxis of COVID-19 With AZD5156. (SUPERNOVA). ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05648110. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05648110. Accessed: February 2023.

SOURCE RQ Bio
NEW YORK, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Schulte Roth & Zabel (SRZ) today announced the release of the third edition of its comprehensive book on hedge funds, Hedge Funds: Formation, Operation and Regulation. Addressing legal and practical issues of importance to counsel for both sponsors and investors, the book explains the complete spectrum of hedge fund structuring, operation and regulation.

Since the earliest hedge funds were first established more than 60 years ago, the private funds industry has grown dramatically in size and complexity. Hedge funds now represent an entrenched investment product and a significant part of the global economy; as a result, they are also the focus of an increasing amount of regulation.

Hedge Funds covers the history of the industry, various investment strategies, structure and tax considerations, fund terms (such as fee and liquidity structures), regulatory requirements, fund documentation and fund financing, among other topics critical to a full understanding of operating a hedge fund in the present regulatory and market environment.

Offering an understanding of the legal and operational aspects of the hedge fund industry, the SRZ authors represent a broad range of practices and include investment management partners Stephanie Breslow, David Efron, David Nissenbaum, Paul Roth, Jennifer Dunn, Christopher Hilditch, Daniel Hunter and Jason Kaplan; investment management regulatory & compliance partners Marc Elovitz and Anna Maleva-Otto; employment & employee benefits partners Mark Brossman and David Cohen, and retired partner Holly Weiss; finance & derivatives partners Daniel Oshinsky and Craig Stein; mergers & acquisitions partners Ian Levin and Peter Halasz; and tax partners Philippe Benedict, Shlomo Twerski and David Griffel. The authors also received significant contributions from litigation attorney Betty Santangelo, special counsel Patrick Dundas and tax partner David Wermuth.

Published by Fastcase, Hedge Funds is available in both PDF and hard copy formats. For more information, please contact [email protected].

About Schulte Roth & Zabel

Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP is a full-service law firm with offices in New York, Washington, DC and London. As one of the leading law firms serving the financial services industry, the firm advises clients on investment management, corporate and transactional matters, and provides counsel on securities regulatory compliance, enforcement and investigative issues. The firm's practices include antitrust; bank regulatory; bankruptcy & creditors' rights litigation; blockchain technology & digital assets; broker-dealer regulatory & enforcement; business reorganization; complex commercial litigation; cybersecurity & data privacy; distressed debt & claims trading; distressed investing; education law; employment & employee benefits; energy; environmental; estate planning; estate & trust administration; environmental, social and governance (ESG); family law; finance & derivatives; financial institutions; hedge funds; insurance; intellectual property, sourcing & technology; investment management; litigation; litigation finance; mergers & acquisitions; nonprofits; philanthropic planning; PIPEs; private credit, distressed investing & direct lending; private equity; real estate; real estate capital markets & REITs; real estate litigation; regulated funds; regulatory & compliance; securities & capital markets; securities enforcement; securities litigation; securitization; shareholder activism; structured finance & derivatives; tax; trading agreements; and white collar defense & government investigations.

Contact:

Stanton

Mike Goodwin

[email protected]

646-502-3595

Schulte Roth & Zabel

Josh Epstein

[email protected]

212-610-7539

SOURCE Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan held a meeting with Ambassador of India in Armenia Kishan Dan Dewal.

Simonyan said that although Ambassador Dewals tenure is nearing completion, the result of his consistent work in Armenia is of continuous nature, the parliaments press service said in a read-out.

The Republic of Armenia values and highly appreciates the friendly relations with India and is deeply interested to enhance the ties in all sectors, Speaker Simonyan said.

The Ambassador thanked for the successful joint partnership and noted that he is taking from Armenia and the Armenian people friendship, warm memories and rich history to his country and people.

Speaker Simonyan added that India, as an influential member of the international community, has an important role in global and regional matters. Simonyan said there is a lot of joint work to be done in the inter-parliamentary format in this context.
Arizona based window covering retailer launches first ever Big Game spot!

CHANDLER, Ariz., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SelectBlinds , a custom online window covering retailer, is nearing the end of its three-year rebranding campaign to further its mission to provide an exceptional customer experience.

In order to empower people to create spaces they can be proud of, SelectBlinds' goal is to start with changing how people feel about buying window coverings. The brand transformation started with an updated logo and color palette in 2021, and SelectBlinds has since been in the works on new brand initiatives, eye-catching visuals and flirtatious content.

SelectBlinds :30 Big Game Spot SelectBlinds Commercial Image

"Shopping and installing window coverings isn't something people generally look forward to. As our team discussed, we realized it is like dating! You have to vet people, see what they are saying, get a sense of what they are about, and decide if it's worth pursuing," said Kevin T. O'Connor, VP of Marketing at SelectBlinds. "We wanted to lean into that. We are a DIY company, but we will be there for you every step of the way when you need us."

The initial launch features a new commercial debuting throughout the Greater Phoenix Area and other key markets this week and will expand to other markets in the coming months. To visualize the concept, SelectBlinds collaborated with Raindrop Agency based in San Diego, CA. You can watch it here .

"When SelectBlinds partnered with us, they wanted to do something that would get people talking and laughing," said Jacques Spitzer, CEO of Raindrop. "We had an incredible time leaning into the timeless desire to fall in love...with your blinds. Not only is it hilarious, but it really does a great job emphasizing how fun and easy it is to select your blinds and hang them. You will find yourself laughing and wanting to visit their website to see their huge selection."

With more than 500K 5-star reviews, SelectBlinds looks forward to satisfying more customers with its exceptional customer experience, diverse selection and helpful resources. You'll love them because they're easy.

About SelectBlinds:

SelectBlinds is a leading online retailer of independently branded window fashions. Their vision is to empower people to create spaces they can be proud of by creating an exceptional customer experience that builds confidence with the most diverse selection and helpful resources. For more information, visit SelectBlinds.com . Follow them on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

About Raindrop Agency:

Raindrop creates marketing people love that earns attention, builds brands and drives results. Their well-rounded team is here to supercharge your brand and bring your creative to life across all channels where your customers spend time. Visit their website here .

CONTACT: Kevin O'Connor, +1 (917) 647-2139, [email protected]

SOURCE SelectBlinds
NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

Juan Monteverde, founder and managing partner of the class action firm Monteverde & Associates PC (the "M&A Class Action Firm"), a national securities firm rated Top 50 in the 2018-2021 ISS Securities Class Action Services Report and headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City, is investigating Oak Street Health, Inc. (NYSE: OSH), relating to its proposed sale to CVS Health. Under the terms of the agreement, OSH shareholders are expected to receive $39.00 in cash per share they own. Click here for more information: https://www.monteverdelaw.com/case/oak-street-health-inc. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.



About Monteverde & Associates PC

We are a national class action securities and consumer litigation law firm that has recovered millions of dollars for shareholders and is committed to protecting investors and consumers from corporate wrongdoing. Monteverde & Associates lawyers have significant experience litigating Mergers & Acquisitions and Securities Class Actions, whereby they protect investors by recovering money and remedying corporate misconduct. Mr. Monteverde, who leads the firm, has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in Securities Litigation in 2013 and 2017-2019, an award given to less than 2.5% of attorneys in a particular field. He has also been selected by Martindale-Hubbell as a 2017-2020 Top Rated Lawyer. Our firm's recent successes include changing the law in a significant victory that lowered the standard of liability under Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act in the Ninth Circuit. Thereafter, our firm successfully preserved this victory by obtaining dismissal of a writ of certiorari as improvidently granted at the United States Supreme Court. Emulex Corp. v. Varjabedian, 139 S. Ct. 1407 (2019). Also, over the years the firm has recovered or secured over a dozen cash common funds for shareholders in mergers & acquisitions class action cases.

If you own common stock in ALR and wish to obtain additional information and protect your investments free of charge, please visit our website or contact Juan E. Monteverde, Esq. either via e-mail at [email protected] or by telephone at (212) 971-1341.

Contact:

Juan E. Monteverde, Esq.

MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC

The Empire State Building

350 Fifth Ave. Suite 4405

New York, NY 10118

United States of America

[email protected]

Tel: (212) 971-1341

Attorney Advertising. (C) 2023 Monteverde & Associates PC. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Monteverde & Associates PC ( www.monteverdelaw.com ). Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

SOURCE Monteverde & Associates PC
NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Weiss Law is investigating possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law by the board of directors of Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. ("Argo" or the "Company") (NYSE: ARGO), in connection with the proposed acquisition of the Company by Brookfield Reinsurance Ltd. (NYSE: BNRE). Under the terms of the merger agreement, the Company's shareholders will receive $30.00 in cash for each share of Argo common share owned. The transaction is valued at approximately $1.1 billion.

If you own Argo shares and wish to discuss this investigation or have any questions concerning this notice or your rights or interests, visit our website:

https://www.weisslaw.co/news-and-cases/osh

Or please contact:

Joshua Rubin, Esq.

Weiss Law

305 Broadway, 7th Floor

New York, NY 10007

(212) 682-3025

(888) 593-4771

[email protected]



Weiss Law is investigating whether (i) Argo's board of directors acted in the best interests of Company shareholders in agreeing to the proposed transaction, (ii) the $30.00 per share merger consideration adequately compensates Argo's shareholders, and (iii) all information regarding the sales process and valuation of the transaction will be fully and fairly disclosed.

Weiss Law has litigated hundreds of stockholder class and derivative actions for violations of corporate and fiduciary duties. We have recovered over a billion dollars for defrauded clients and obtained important corporate governance relief in many of these cases. If you have information or would like legal advice concerning possible corporate wrongdoing (including insider trading, waste of corporate assets, accounting fraud, or materially misleading information), consumer fraud (including false advertising, defective products, or other deceptive business practices), or anti-trust violations, please email us at [email protected]

SOURCE Weiss Law
NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Weiss Law is investigating possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law by the board of directors of Oak Street Health, Inc. ("Oak Street" or the "Company") (NYSE: OSH), in connection with the proposed acquisition of the Company by CVS Health Corporation (NYSE: CVS). Under the terms of the merger agreement, the Company's shareholders will receive $39.00 in cash for each share of Oak Street common stock owned. The transaction is valued at approximately $10.6 billion.

If you own Oak Street shares and wish to discuss this investigation or have any questions concerning this notice or your rights or interests, visit our website:

https://www.weisslaw.co/news-and-cases/osh

Or please contact:

Joshua Rubin, Esq.

Weiss Law

305 Broadway, 7th Floor

New York, NY 10007

(212) 682-3025

(888) 593-4771

[email protected]

Weiss Law is investigating whether (i) Oak Street's board of directors acted in the best interests of Company shareholders in agreeing to the proposed transaction, (ii) the $39.00 per share merger consideration adequately compensates Oak Street's shareholders, and (iii) all information regarding the sales process and valuation of the transaction will be fully and fairly disclosed. Notably, at least one analyst set a price target for the Company of $47 per share, $8.00 above the per-share merger consideration.

Weiss Law has litigated hundreds of stockholder class and derivative actions for violations of corporate and fiduciary duties. We have recovered over a billion dollars for defrauded clients and obtained important corporate governance relief in many of these cases. If you have information or would like legal advice concerning possible corporate wrongdoing (including insider trading, waste of corporate assets, accounting fraud, or materially misleading information), consumer fraud (including false advertising, defective products, or other deceptive business practices), or anti-trust violations, please email us at [email protected]

SOURCE Weiss Law
SIPPIO's voice enablement platform offers speed to market, backed by the expertise that comes with being a significant partner to both Microsoft and Zoom.

SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, Frost & Sullivan assessed the cloud-connected calling enablement industry and, based on its findings, recognized SIPPIO with the 2023 North American Product Leadership Award. The company streamlines the process of enabling public switched telephone network (PSTN) access to cloud private branch exchange (PBX) platforms, including Microsoft Teams Phone and Zoom Phone. SIPPIO has worked closely with both platform vendors to reach a high level of automation to accelerate the provisioning of calling services. SIPPIO's platform includes full customer and partner portals, an integrated configuration, quoting and billing system, and number and E911 management services.

SIPPIO's partners can access the platform via an online portal or with the partners' tools and platforms using application programming interfaces (APIs). Partners can bring their voice services via SIP trunks into SIPPIO's platform or leverage SIPPIO's own PSTN access and inventory of telephone numbers. If necessary, SIPPIO can even support billing the customer on the partner's behalf. Ultimately, SIPPIO is completely partner-led in providing a platform that enables access to the Microsoft Teams Phone and Zoom Phone ecosystems for various partners. SIPPIO can provide a turnkey Direct Routing solution to service providers and a fast track into the Operator Connect program for the Microsoft ecosystem. It enables providers to link into Zoom's Cloud Peering or appear in the Zoom Marketplace as a member of the Zoom Provider Exchange program.

Michael Brandenburg, a Senior Industry Analyst at Frost & Sullivan, noted, "SIPPIO's platform can activate PSTN services for Teams Phone or Zoom Phone in minutes. It takes a shorter time than the weeks or months needed to roll out an on-premises session border controller or a session border controller-as-a-service solution."

SIPPIO allows partners to leverage the platform as much or as little as they need, regardless of their ecosystem preference. Similarly, to address time-to-market, partners can start with fully managed solutions from SIPPIO while working to integrate the platform with their existing billing systems and applications over time. SIPPIO has access to telephone numbers and global reach, enabling managed service providers (MSPs) and value-added resellers (VARs) to quickly enter the lucrative wholesale voice services market.

"SIPPIO has brought the right platform to market at the right time. With demand for bring-your-own-carrier voice solutions exploding, SIPPIO's platform is ready and able to fast-track its partners into the cloud calling ecosystems," added Brandenburg. With its strong overall performance, SIPPIO earns Frost & Sullivan's 2023 North American Product Leadership Award in the cloud-connected calling enablement market.

"We are honored to receive this award in recognition of our cloud enablement platform," says Adam Cole, CEO at SIPPIO. "As the world of collaboration continues to evolve, voice services remain critical to business communication. At SIPPIO, we have developed our apps and automations to deliver exceptional customer experiences, ensuring our partners and carriers remain at the forefront of innovation."

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has developed a product with innovative features and functionality that is gaining rapid market acceptance. The award recognizes the quality of the solution and the customer value enhancements it enables.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in various regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analyses, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

About Frost & Sullivan

For six decades, Frost & Sullivan has been world-renowned for helping investors, corporate leaders, and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models, and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion.

Contact:

Ashley Weinkauf

P: 210-844-2505

E: [email protected]

About SIPPIO

SIPPIO is the world's leading voice enablement platform; the easiest and fastest way to enable PSTN calling in Microsoft Teams Phone and Zoom Phone. Available in 70+ countries, organizations across the globe rely on SIPPIO to keep their people connected, productive and engaged. As an accelerator for Microsoft Operator Connect and Zoom Provider Exchange, SIPPIO also empowers carriers and service providers to build and launch customer-focused voice experiences by utilizing its future-proof infrastructure, software, automation, and API layers. Find out more: www.sippio.io

Contact

Prolific PR

P: +44 161 806 0220

E: [email protected]

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan
DUBLIN, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Southeast Asia Data Center Construction Market - Industry Outlook & Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Southeast Asia data center construction market is forecast to be valued at $3,027 million by 2028 from $2,772 million in 2022, growing at a CAGR of 1.48% during 2022-2028

The market has grown significantly, with a major contribution from countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. In 2022, the moratorium on data center construction in Singapore was lifted, with the pilot phase relating to sustainable data center development currently underway. Once this phase is deemed successful, it will result in strong growth in Singapore from 2024.

The Southeast Asia data center construction market also is witnessing several telecom operators' investments to establish edge data center facilities. For instance, DITO Telecommunity, a new entrant in the Philippines telecom space, deployed edge data centers in Iloilo, Roxas, Bulua, Baler, and Ibajay Aklan.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

The Southeast Asia data center construction market is expected to witness a negative growth rate between 2022-2023, majorly impacted by the decline in investments in the Singapore market after the moratorium. However, lifting the moratorium and the expected increase in colocation demand across countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, and Indonesia will slowly uplift the market's growth rate after 2024.

In terms of investment, the Southeast Asia data center construction market is driven by factors such as digitalization initiatives across the countries, subsea and inland connectivity growth, and the adoption of technologies such as 5G, big data, IoT, and artificial intelligence.

The region is also witnessing edge data center investments across several cities. For instance, in August 2022, Edge Centres announced the development of its EC61 (Chiang Mai) edge facility in Thailand. The company also has plans to deploy additional facilities, namely, EC63 (Khon Kaen) and EC62 (Phuket).

Southeast Asia has robust connectivity with the rest of the world via high numbers of existing submarine cables. The increasing demand for connectivity has led to the further deployment of new cables that will be ready for service in the coming years. The region's tropical climate, the adoption of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, and the need for efficiency drive the adoption of liquid-based cooling solutions in the market.

MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

Focus on Sustainability in the Region is Gaining Traction

In terms of power capacity, the Southeast Asia data center construction market has adopted several initiatives to make the market more sustainable in the coming years.

Governments across the region are taking up initiatives for making the market sustainable with the adoption of green energy, reduction of carbon emissions, the introduction of carbon laws, carbon credits, tax incentives for the adoption of renewable energy, and others.

For instance, the Government of Malaysia has aimed to generate around 31% of renewable energy out of the total power generation in Malaysia by 2025, with a major contribution expected from renewable energy sources.

Colocation operator ST Telemedia Global Data Centres has pledged to be carbon neutral by the year 2030, and it announced in November 2021 for purchase of carbon credits in Singapore.

Several operators are signing power purchase agreements to adopt green energy sources for their data center operations. For instance, in April 2022, YTL Data Center announced the development of its data center park powered by solar energy with a total capacity of around 500 MW located in Johor, Malaysia, out of which the first phase with a capacity of around 72 MW is expected to be operational by Q1 2024.

5G Deployments Will Drive Edge Data Center Investments

The deployment of 5G services across the region has grown significantly across countries such as Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and others. Adopting advanced technologies such as 5G is further expected to launch in other regional countries.

These factors will increase demand for the deployment of edge data centers in tier 1 and tier 2 cities that have low connectivity or are in close proximity to any established mega data center facility. For instance, Edge Centres is involved in developing the pipeline of edge center facilities in Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Report Insights

Data centers invest more in power infrastructure with a minimum of N+1 redundancy. Most facilities are installed with N+N or 2N redundancy for power infrastructure, with more redundancy for UPS and generator systems. The market is witnessing significant growth in the procurement of lithium-ion UPS systems.

Most edge facility deployment will include single-phase lithium-ion UPS and monitored and switched PDUs. Therefore, the emergence of edge facilities will majorly boost the Southeast Asia data center construction market growth.

The market has a presence of several local and global general construction service vendors such as Arup, Aurecon Group, Gammon Construction, CSF Group, First Balfour, NTT Facilities Group, AWP Architects, Corgan, DPR Construction, Kienta Engineering Construction, Obayashi Corporation, Nakano Corporation, Powerware Systems, RED Engineering, and others.

In 2022, in Southeast Asia, the colocation market was dominated by companies such as Digital Realty, Equinix, FPT Telecom, Iron Mountain, ST Telemedia Global Data Centres, and Big Data Exchange (BDx). Several telecommunication operators have also invested in developing colocation data center facilities in the region in 2022.

In terms of investments, the market is witnessing data center investments by several new entrants, such as OneAsia Network, Pure Data Centres Group, Nautilus Data Technologies, EdgeConneX, and Edge Centres.

GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS

Singapore has been a major shareholder in the overall investments in the Southeast Asia data center construction market. However, the market faced challenges led by the moratorium in the country in 2020 and 2021, which was lifted in June 2022, with the authorities announcing invitations for facilities development plans in July 2022.

In 2022, the investments across countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand grew significantly from existing operators along with the entry of new entrants. Other countries, such as the Philippines and Vietnam, have also emerged as new locations that have witnessed an increase in investments for mega and edge data centers.

Several new entrants have been identified in the Southeast Asia data center construction market, including recently established brands and the expansion of China-based operators like GDS Services and OneAsia Network into the Southeast Asian region.

VENDOR LANDSCAPE

The Southeast Asia data center construction market has the presence of several global and local construction contractor vendors. These prominent vendors include Arup, Aurecon Group, AWP Architects, CSF Group, Corgan, DSCO Group, First Balfour, Gammon Construction, ISG, Kienta Engineering Construction, NTT Facilities Group, PM Group, Powerware Systems, Red Engineering, others offering their services in the region. For instance, Philippines-based construction contractor First Balfour has provided general construction services to ePLDT's VITRO Data Center for its facility in Makati, Philippines.

The Southeast Asia data center construction market, in terms of support infrastructure vendors, has the presence of several global vendors such as ABB, Airedale, Caterpillar, Cummins, Delta Electronics, Eaton, HITEC Power Protection, KOHLER Power, Legrand, Piller Power Systems, Rolls-Royce, Rittal, STULZ, Schneider Electric, Vertiv, and others. These players are offering traditional and innovative data center solutions in the market.

Introduction

Data Center Construction Market Overview

Southeast Asia Data Center Construction Market Overview

Data Center Design Certifications

Uptime Institute Tier Standards

Leed Certification

Tia 942 Certification

Market Opportunities & Trends

Growing Sustainability Initiatives

Rise in 5G & Edge Data Center Deployments

Growing Adoption of Artificial Intelligence

Data Localization Laws in the Region

Market Growth Enablers

Increasing Adoption of Cloud-Based Services

Growing Digitalization Initiatives

Increasing Adoption of Big Data & IoT and Smart City Developments

Rise in Submarine Cable Connectivity

Market Restraints

Dearth of Skilled Workforce

Security Challenges in Data Centers

Location Constraints on Data Center Construction

Major Vendors

Support Infrastructure Vendors

ABB

Airedale

Caterpillar

Cummins

Cyber Power Systems

Delta Electronics

Eaton

Fuji Electric

HITEC Power Protection

KOHLER Power

Legrand

Mitsubishi Electric

Narada

Piller Power Systems

Rittal

Rolls-Royce

Schneider Electric

Siemens

STULZ

Trane

Vertiv

Data Center Construction Contractors

Arup

Aurecon Group

AWP Architects

CSF Group

Corgan

DSCO Group

DPR Construction

Faithful+Gould

First Balfour

Fortis Construction

Gammon Construction

ISG

Kienta Engineering Construction

Linesight

LSK Engineering

M+W Group

Nakano Corporation

NTT Facilities Group

Obayashi Corporation

PM Group

Powerware Systems (PWS)

Red Engineering

Sato Kogyo

Data Center Investors

AirTrunk

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Big Data Exchange (BDx)

Bee Information Technology

Chindata

CMC Telecom

Converge ICT Solutions

DCI Indonesia

Digital Edge DC

DITO Telecommunity

DTP

ePLDT

Equinix

Facebook (Meta)

FPT Telecom

Google

HTC International Telecommunication JSC (HTC-ITC)

Huawei Technologies

Iron Mountain

Keppel Data Centres

Microsoft

NTT Global Data Centers

Open DC

PP Telecommunication (PPTEL)

Princeton Digital Group

SpaceDC

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres

Telehouse

Telkom Indonesia

True IDC

Vantage Data Centers

Viettel IDC

New Entrants

Data Center First

Edge Centres

EdgeConneX

Evolution Data Centres

MettaDC

Nautilus Data Technologies

OneAsia Network

Pure Data Centres Group

YCO Cloud Centers

Yondr

YTL Data Center

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/5j262d-asia?w=5

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SOURCE Research and Markets
Assembly will partner with T. Rowe Price to deliver a refreshed brand and an enhanced connected customer experience.

NEW YORK, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Global omnichannel media agency Assembly has been named the Media Agency of Record for leading global investment management firm, T. Rowe Price. Assembly will lead T. Rowe Price's omnichannel media program across the U.S., with a focus on driving value across their full product set to both new and existing customers and delivering an overall more integrated customer experience.

T. Rowe Price has long prided itself on thinking and being client-first in all of its activities. As a reflection of its longstanding fiduciary culture, T. Rowe Price was honored with the 2020 U.S. Morningstar Exemplary Stewardship award, given by the investment research firm Morningstar. In its agency search, T. Rowe Price sought an agency partner that could deliver a full-service solution, powered by innovative strategic media planning and market-leading data and technology capabilities.

"As the media landscape has evolved, our own media programs have become far more complex, driving the need to develop a more tailored roadmap to ensure we're being thoughtful, impactful, and future-ready," said Theresa McLaughlin, T. Rowe Price Head of Global Marketing. "Through their detailed and integrated approach, Assembly has shown it can help us effectively navigate this complexity and elevate our brand engage with our customers across in new and creative ways."

Assembly North America President, Valerie Davis, added, "We're extremely proud to partner with T. Rowe Price to help them better connect with consumers through a methodology that balances brand building and media performance  both aimed to help their business grow. We're excited to work together on a more nuanced audience approach, as well bring some of our best-in-class technology to strengthen T. Rowe Price's media program and help them to be more future-proofed."

Assembly's appointment is effective January 2023. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

ABOUT ASSEMBLY

Assembly is the modern global omnichannel media agency, bringing data, talent, and technology together to find the change that fuels growth for the best brands on the planet. Our approach connects big, bold brand stories with integrated, global media capabilities that deliver performance and drive large-scale business growth. Our work is powered by our proprietary, in-house technology solution, STAGE, and led by our global talent base of over 1,600 people around the world. We're purpose-driven at our core and pioneers in social and environmental impact in the agency world. Assembly is a proud member of Stagwell, the challenger network built to transform marketing. Visit www.assemblyglobal.com for more information.

Media Relations Contact:

Logan Bucks

[email protected]

Additional Disclosure

2023 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved. The information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete, or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or loses arising from any use of this information. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

SOURCE Stagwell Inc.
NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Juan Monteverde, founder and managing partner of the class action firm Monteverde & Associates PC (the "M&A Class Action Firm"), a national securities firm rated Top 50 in the 2018-2021 ISS Securities Class Action Services Report and headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City, is investigating Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. (NYSE: ARGO), relating to its proposed sale to Brookfield Reinsurance. Under the terms of the agreement, ARGO shareholders are expected to receive $30.00 in cash per share they own. Click here for more information: https://www.monteverdelaw.com/case/argo-group-international-holdings-ltd. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.



About Monteverde & Associates PC

We are a national class action securities and consumer litigation law firm that has recovered millions of dollars for shareholders and is committed to protecting investors and consumers from corporate wrongdoing. Monteverde & Associates lawyers have significant experience litigating Mergers & Acquisitions and Securities Class Actions, whereby they protect investors by recovering money and remedying corporate misconduct. Mr. Monteverde, who leads the firm, has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in Securities Litigation in 2013 and 2017-2019, an award given to less than 2.5% of attorneys in a particular field. He has also been selected by Martindale-Hubbell as a 2017-2020 Top Rated Lawyer. Our firm's recent successes include changing the law in a significant victory that lowered the standard of liability under Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act in the Ninth Circuit. Thereafter, our firm successfully preserved this victory by obtaining dismissal of a writ of certiorari as improvidently granted at the United States Supreme Court. Emulex Corp. v. Varjabedian, 139 S. Ct. 1407 (2019). Also, over the years the firm has recovered or secured over a dozen cash common funds for shareholders in mergers & acquisitions class action cases.

If you own common stock in ALR and wish to obtain additional information and protect your investments free of charge, please visit our website or contact Juan E. Monteverde, Esq. either via e-mail at [email protected] or by telephone at (212) 971-1341.

Contact:

Juan E. Monteverde, Esq.

MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC

The Empire State Building

350 Fifth Ave. Suite 4405

New York, NY 10118

United States of America

[email protected]

Tel: (212) 971-1341

Attorney Advertising. (C) 2023 Monteverde & Associates PC. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Monteverde & Associates PC ( www.monteverdelaw.com ). Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

SOURCE Monteverde & Associates PC
Third-generation Crosstrek is all-new for 2024

U.S. Debut at the 2023 Chicago Auto Show

10-percent stiffer chassis for improved dynamic performance and ride quality

11.6-inch SUBARU STARLINK  center information display available

center information display available EyeSight  Driver Assist Technology is standard across the model

Driver Assist Technology is standard across the model Available wireless Apple CarPlay  and wireless Android Auto 

and wireless Android Auto Starting MSRP of $24,995* (Same as 2023 Crosstrek)

CHICAGO, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. today debuted the all-new 2024 Crosstrek at the Chicago Auto Show. The 2024 Crosstrek offers improved performance, enhanced safety features and updated multimedia technology. The third-generation compact SUV also combines all-new exterior and interior designs with a new stiffer chassis to create a fun and comfortable driving experience both on and off-road.

SUBARU DEBUTS THE ALL-NEW 2024 CROSSTREK COMPACT SUV WITH RUGGED NEW STYLING, IN-VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY, PERFORMANCE AND SAFETY

The Crosstrek debuted 12 years ago and quickly became the fastest selling vehicle in history for Subaru of America, with more than a million units sold. In 2022, Crosstrek was the top performer by volume with 155,142 annual sales, achieving its best year ever. The success of the Crosstrek is thanks to its ample passenger and cargo space, comprehensive list of standard and available features, versatility and capability: all in a compact SUV at a competitive price.

For 2024, the Crosstrek will be available in Base, Premium, Sport and Limited trim levels and has a starting price of $24,995* (same MSRP as 2023 Base model equipped with Lineartronic CVT).

Adventure and Versatility

The 2024 Crosstrek has been designed around the concept of utility and sportiness that lends itself to an active lifestyle. The 8.7-inch ground clearance for all Crosstrek models is greater than that of many SUVs, yet it maintains a comfortably low step-in height for both front and rear passenger entry.

Standard across the model line is a revised Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system with a faster response time, more agile handling and better control both on- and off-road. Driver-selectable X-MODE with Hill Descent Control maximizes wheel control on slippery surfaces and steep inclines. Sport and Limited trims upgrade to dual-function X-MODE for increased capability in a wider range of conditions. All models feature Incline Start Assist, which briefly holds the vehicle while the driver pulls away from a stop on a hill.

The versatile Crosstrek features 60:40 folding rear seatbacks. With both seatbacks down, the cargo area can increase to 54.7 cubic ft. of useable space. The 41.0-inch-wide rear gate opening with low liftover height allows easy loading and unloading. Standard fixed cross bar mounting points (and standard raised roof rails on Premium and higher) add more cargo-carrying options for owners' adventures.

Performance and Handling

The Base and Premium are equipped with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder direct-injection SUBARU BOXER engine producing 152-hp and 145 lb.-ft. of torque. The Sport and Limited upgrade to a 2.5-liter BOXER engine delivering a responsive 182 hp and 178 lb.-ft. of torque. Standard on all trim levels is a Lineartronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with smoother and quieter performance. The Premium, Sport and Limited trims feature a manual mode with steering wheel paddle shifters that allow the driver to control the transmission via eight pre-set ratios.

The SUV's drivetrain is further enhanced with standard Active Torque Vectoring and the SI-Drive performance management system. The Base and Premium come standard with 17-inch alloy wheels and the Sport and Limited upgrade to 18-inch alloy wheels.

The 2024 Crosstrek also receives a version of the WRX's dual-pinion electronic power steering rack, providing a more direct and natural steering feel and greater responsiveness.

All-New Exterior and Interior Design

The new exterior design communicates a ready-for-adventure spirit with a frameless hexagonal grille, compact headlights, a more sculptural body, and a broad-shouldered stance. Black wheel arch cladding and rocker panels provide a sharp contrast to the body color.

Several functional aerodynamic improvements enhance the SUV's performance and stability. An air outlet at the trailing edge of the front wheel opening allows air to exit from the wheel well more freely, contributing to reduced lift on the front tires and improved driving stability. Another air outlet added at each side of rear bumper reduces body sway due to air trapped behind the bumper.

The cabin benefits from an enhanced focus on the occupants and their interaction with the vehicle. A more supportive front seat design increases overall comfort and minimizes fatigue. A focused effort on reducing sounds within particular frequency ranges results in a quieter and more comfortable cabin. The modern interior design features a prominent center information display with highly visual controls as well as ample head and leg room and storage space. Rear dark-tint privacy glass is standard.

Structure and Safety

The Subaru Global Platform for the 2024 Crosstrek has been enhanced with 10-percent higher torsional rigidity. A full inner frame construction with stronger welding techniques and additional structural adhesive (from 26.2 feet to 88.5 feet) contribute to better body rigidity and less weight. These updates deliver an improved dynamic performance, smoother ride and quieter cabin.

Standard on all 2024 Crosstrek models is the latest version of the award-winning EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. The enhanced system operates more smoothly and quickly and under a greater range of conditions. These improvements are thanks to a wider field of view, updated control software and the addition of an electric brake booster. EyeSight can identify bicycles and pedestrians at intersections sooner and, when necessary, alerts the driver and applies braking to avoid collisions.

Additional available active safety features include Reverse Automatic Braking and Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.

Automatic Emergency Steering is now included on models equipped with Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Keep Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. This safety feature works with EyeSight and Blind-Spot Detection to assist with steering control to help avoid a collision within a lane at speeds less than 50 mph.

Standard Rear Seat Reminder is designed to help prevent child and/or pet entrapment by alerting the driver to check the rear seat before exiting the vehicle.

The compact SUV has received safety awards from trusted organizations including the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The outgoing Crosstrek1 was named a 2022 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK (with optional EyeSight and Steering Responsive Headlights). This marks the 11th consecutive year Crosstrek has earned this award (2012-2022)2, 3 and includes the highest possible rating of "Superior" for frontal crash prevention from IIHS.4 Subaru anticipates the all-new 2024 Crosstrek will continue to deliver exemplary safety performance.

Comfort and Convenience

All trim levels feature Remote Keyless Access; Tire Pressure Monitoring System with Individual Wheel Display; Steering Responsive LED Headlights with Automatic High Beam; Welcome Lighting; and power door locks, windows and side mirrors.

The vehicle's climate control system has been updated to focus on occupied seats (vs. entire cabin), for improved comfort and fuel economy. Dual-zone heating/cooling control is standard across the model line.

Additional available comfort features include a wireless phone charger in the center console and all-weather package with heated seats, mirrors and wipers.

Subaru In-Vehicle Technology

Standard on Crosstrek is a center information display with the SUBARU STARLINK dual 7.0-inch high-resolution touchscreens. The top screen controls smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming connectivity; AM/FM stereo; Rear Vision Camera; SiriusXM All-Access Radio and Travel Link; and HD Radio. The bottom screen provides controls for climate and vehicle settings.

For the first time, the SUBARU STARLINK 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus system is available for Crosstrek. The 11.6-inch high-resolution touchscreen is equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto with full screen display. The multimedia system also works as a center information display with combination meter integration and on-screen controls for audio, climate and vehicle functions. Additional features include Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming connectivity; AM/FM stereo; rear vision camera; SiriusXM All-Access Radio and SiriusXM Travel Link (4-month free Platinum Plan); HD Radio; and over-the-air updates.

The 11.6-inch STARLINK Multimedia Navigation system is also available and includes voice-activated navigation powered by TomTom and SiriusXM Travel Link (3-year free subscription). The navigation system has what3words (W3W) integration, an innovative location technology that provides a simple way to communicate precise locations using just three simple words.

The available SUBARU STARLINK Safety and Security Connected Services offer SOS Emergency Assistance, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification, Maintenance Notifications, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and Diagnostic Alerts, Stolen Vehicle Recovery Service, Vehicle Security Alarm Notification. Available convenience features include Remote Lock/Unlock, Remote Horn and Lights and Remote Vehicle Locator. New services for Crosstrek include Valet Mode, Trip Log and Driving Journal, and Remote Vehicle Configuration.

For the first time, Crosstrek production will occur in the U.S. The 2.5-liter Sport and Limited will be produced at Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. in Lafayette, Indiana and will begin arriving in Subaru retailers this summer. Production of the 2.0-liter Base and Premium will continue at the Subaru plant in Gunma, Japan and will be available at Subaru retailers this spring.

* Does not include destination and delivery charge

1 When equipped with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology and Steering Responsive Headlights

2 Claim applies to U.S.-spec vehicles. Based on research conducted by Subaru of America and Subaru Canada.

3 As of December 2022

4 When equipped with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology

About Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 630 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company's vision to show love and respect to everyone, and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $270 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged nearly 78,000 volunteer hours. As a company, Subaru believes it is important to do its part in making a positive impact in the world because it is the right thing to do.

Todd Hill

Manager, Product Public Relations

856.488.3234

[email protected]

Jessica Tullman

Product Communications

310.352.4400

[email protected]

Charles Ballard

Product & Technology Communications

856.488.8759

[email protected]

SOURCE Subaru of America, Inc.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Foreign Ministry reacted to the letter by UN mandate-holders (Special Rapporteurs) addressed to Azerbaijan which demanded explanations from the government of Azerbaijan regarding the cases of war crimes committed by the armed forces of Azerbaijan during the military aggression unleashed against the Republic of Armenia on September 13, 2022.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Vahan Hunanyan answered to a question from ARMENPRESS news agency on the topic.

Question: The UN mandate-holders (Special Rapporteurs) have recently published a letter addressed to Azerbaijan, demanding explanations from the government of Azerbaijan regarding the cases of war crimes committed by the armed forces of Azerbaijan during the military aggression unleashed against the Republic of Armenia on September 13, 2022. The issue of holding the prisoners of war in the wake of the ceasefire in November 2020 was also touched upon. Azerbaijan, however, did not respond to the UN mandate-holders in any way during the scheduled period. How would you comment on this?

Answer: We have repeatedly raised the need for a proper international investigation of the war crimes committed by Azerbaijan and demanded accountability of perpetrators and organisers of the crimes, including through the adoption of international sanctions.

In the letter of demand, the UN mandate-holders express deep concern over the events and call on Azerbaijan to undertake all necessary measures towards stopping similar violations, preventing their recurrence and ensuring the punishment of any person or persons responsible for committing these crimes.

You may remember that in order to alleviate the anger of the international community and divert attention, last autumn Azerbaijan announced the initiation of an investigation into the war crimes committed by its armed forces. As follows from the disregard of the UN mandate-holders letter of demand, the so-called investigation was just a sham to cover up the problem.

The UN mandate-holders did not receive a response to their requests on the cases of Armenian prisoners of war and other detained persons held illegally in Azerbaijan, as well as enforced disappearances after the 44-day war.

Thus, we can state that Azerbaijan, being a member of UN fundamental documents on human rights, grossly violates them, does not take into account the assignments given to it by the UN bodies and does not cooperate with such important bodies that monitor the provision of UN human rights, such as the mandate-holders (special rapporteurs and independent experts).

In this situation, it is imperative to carry out a proper international investigation of the war crimes committed by the Azerbaijani side, holding the perpetrators and organisers accountable. Besides, the international community is obliged to increase the pressure for the immediate repatriation of all Armenian prisoners of war and civilians illegally held in Azerbaijan, for the disclosure of enforced disappearances and the fates of the missing persons.

Highly appreciating the cooperation with the UN bodies, including the special procedures, Armenia wants to draw attention to the fact that recently Azerbaijan adopted the method of intimidation and pressure on the UN bodies to force them not to raise the cases of flagrant violations of human rights by Azerbaijan and even more re-editing statements previously made by the UN. We are witnessing all this in the context of the announcements on the blockade of the Lachin corridor and keeping the people of Nagorno-Karabakh under siege.

Despite Azerbaijan's actions, we are convinced that all UN bodies, including those primarily dealing with human rights issues, will continue to carry out their work in accordance with the letter and spirit of the UN Charter.
Freezing for a Reason

STAMFORD, Conn., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Synchrony (NYSE: SYF), a premier consumer financial services company, began 2023 with a big splash with its eighth annual "Doubles Dive." More than 160 employees, including Brian Doubles, President and CEO of Synchrony, participated in the event on February 9, plunging into the chilly waters of the Long Island Sound to raise money for charity. The water temperature for the day was hovering around 39.4 degrees.

Synchrony employees take polar plunge for charity. Pictured is Synchrony employee Jeff Silverman, based in Stamford (centered).

The event, which was started by Doubles in 2015, has grown companywide, with employees taking part through diving, donating or participating in an Ice Bucket Challenge. The funds raised from the Connecticut event will go toward Westport-based nonprofit SeriousFun Children's Network, a global community of 30 camps and programs providing free life-changing experiences to children living with serious illnesses and their families.

Clea Newman, a SeriousFun Ambassador and daughter of late actor and philanthropist Paul Newman, attended the event in support of this mission. This year, Synchrony and its employees have raised and matched more than $180,000 to the nonprofit and have collectively raised more than $1 million since 2016 to various charities.

Media Contact:

Makenna Subbert

Synchrony

[email protected]

(239) 240-5110

SOURCE Synchrony
BREA, California, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Tamkang University, a top private university in Taiwan, has partnered with ViewSonic, a leading global provider of visual solutions, to promote digital calligraphy, preserving traditional culture in a more environmentally friendly way. Through Tamkang University's Digital ePen software and ViewSonic's ID1330 ViewBoard Pen Display, students can learn digital calligraphy, an experience that closely resembles the traditional writing of calligraphy on paper. This also allows students' artwork to be digitally preserved and easily shared through social media.

ViewSonics ID1330 ViewBoard Pen Display allows students calligraphy to be digitally preserved and easily shared through social media.

Ben-Hang Chang, a calligraphy master who works as a Professor in the Department of Chinese Literature at Tamkang University, said, "Ever since the 1980s, it has been my mission to preserve and promote calligraphy. In recent years, I realized that typing will gradually replace handwriting so I decided to work on digital calligraphy and led my team to develop the Digital ePen software for calligraphy learning. We are glad to collaborate with ViewSonic and create a total solution together that seamlessly integrates hardware and software, bringing a more intuitive calligraphy learning experience."

Tzung-Hang Lee, Dean of the College of Engineering at Tamkang University, said, "Before the implementation of ViewSonic's Pen Display, students required a writing pad that was connected to a monitor. Students needed to look up to check their writing on the screen while writing on the pad, which is not intuitive. Also, since the digitizer pen's pressure sensitivity was not enough, students had to apply pressure when writing, leading to sore wrists. ViewSonic's digitizer pens with sensitive pen pressure of the stylus make digital calligraphy easier to learn, allowing more students to enjoy the courses."

The ViewSonic ID1330 is a 13.3-inch ViewBoard Pen Display that teachers and students can easily bring to the classroom to use. The display is equipped with dual USB Type-C ports, meaning a single cable can charge the display while another transmits a touch signal. The digitizer pen has 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity and can detect inclination angles of 60 degrees. This allows students to see the strokes they are writing instantly and quickly become comfortable with digital calligraphy.

Rong Jun Lee, General Manager of the Electromagnetic, Touch, and Certification Business at ViewSonic, stated, "As a leader in the field of educational technology, ViewSonic continues innovating technology tools to promote digital teaching and learning. We are honored to cooperate with Tamkang University to implement our solution in the calligraphy course to digitalize calligraphy education. This also demonstrates that technology plays an important role to revolutionize education."

ViewSonic worked with Tamkang University to bring together traditional calligraphy and modern technology so that even in paperless digital form, calligraphy will continue to thrive as an indispensable element in traditional aesthetics and culture. Having successfully implemented digital calligraphy, Tamkang University will design more digital courses to encourage students to take up calligraphy and painting.

About Tamkang University's ePen World

Digital ePen calligraphy technology was launched in response to global demand for learning Chinese. Tamkang University, under the initiative of Ben-Hang Chang, Professor of the Department of Chinese Literature, cooperated with the university's Calligraphy Research Office, Center for Distance Education Development, and Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering. A cross-disciplinary team led by Professor Chang, Professor Chin-Hwa Kuo, Professor Wen-Bing Horng, and numerous research assistants successfully developed the world's foremost computer handwriting system after more than five years of research. Patent applications have been filed in various countries for this system, named ePen Handwriting System. Using an e-pen to write on a designated tablet or touch screen eliminates the need for traditional brushes, paper, ink, and copybooks, which is an innovative revolution in the world of writing tools. For more information about Tamkang University's ePen system, please visit epenworld.finearts.tku.edu.tw.

About ViewSonic

Founded in California, ViewSonic is a leading global provider of visual solutions and conducts business in over 100 countries worldwide. As an innovator and visionary, ViewSonic is committed to providing comprehensive hardware and software solutions that include monitors, projectors, pen displays, commercial displays, All-in-One LED displays, ViewBoard interactive displays, and myViewBoard software ecosystem. With over 35 years of expertise in visual displays, ViewSonic has established a strong position for delivering innovative and reliable solutions for education, enterprise, consumer, and professional markets and helping customers "See the Difference." To find out more about ViewSonic, please visit www.viewsonic.com.

SOURCE ViewSonic
2023 Awardees Committed to Continuing to Find Cures for Childhood Cancers

DALLAS, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation is proud to continue its work towards eradicating pediatric cancer by awarding $500,000 to multiple research grantees at five national institutions to fund their childhood cancer research work in 2023. As non-profit fundraising opportunities continue to be a challenge, the organization is thankful for the loyal donors, generous foundation grants, and community partners who share in the fight to cure pediatric cancers.

Cincinnati Children's 2023 Research Grantee Team,Eric Xin (PHD), Richard Lu (PHD), Scott Raskin (MD) Dr. Mackall and Dr. Maris 2023 Research Grantee DREAM TEAM

The TeamConnor grant cycle is open for formal applications annually from late spring to late summer. Every December pediatric cancer research grants are funded directly to institutions within the United States after they are reviewed and scored by the Medical Advisory Board and voted on by the Board of Directors.

2023 RESEARCH GRANT RECIPIENTS:

Dr. Alan Cantor at Boston Children's Hospital in Boston, Ma., and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute will be conducting research in 2023 for the development of novel treatments for Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia.

Dr. Vinodoh Pillai of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in Philadelphia, Pa., will be overseeing the research of single-cell multi-omics of pediatric lymphoma to identify novel targets.

Dr. Richard Lu of Cincinnati Children's Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, will be researching the targeting of diffuse midline gliomas with GD2-STAR-T cell immunotherapy.

Dr. Meaghan Granger of Cook Children's Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas will be researching precision medicine for relapsed neuroblastoma.

Additionally, TeamConnor was honored to join with St. Baldrick's Foundation to co-fund a grant within the DREAM team. The DREAM team was established as the pediatric cancer research group for Stand Up To Cancer. Dr. Crystal L. Mackall and Dr. John M. Maris, co-leaders of the STAND UP TO CANCERCancer Dream Team, continue to work with world-renowned pediatric cancer researchers and clinicians from two disciplines: genomics, which is the study of genes and their functions; and immunotherapeutics, which are treatments that use the body's own immune system to fight disease. The research grant mission is to bring together these 2 separate scientific fields to find cures for many of the most hard-to-treat childhood cancers. The DREAM team was established by STAND UP TO CANCER as the pediatric cancer research arm for the organization.

The TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation was created by Joy and Tait Cruse to honor their late son, Connor Cruse. In 2005 Connor was diagnosed with neuroblastoma and was given only three months to live. Thankfully, he beat cancer for more than four years before a secondary cancer, a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, was found. Connor died in 2009 at just eight years old.

In addition to several extensive private donor fundraising, several grants including the Hillcrest Foundation, The Jordan Spieth Family Foundation, the Dallas Mavericks Foundation, Texas Healthcare Advisory Council, Speedway Children's Charities-Texas in partnership with Texas Motor Speedway, and Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation have partnered with the organization to continue the goal to finding cures for children's cancer.

Since its inception, TeamConnor has funded almost $6 million for childhood cancer research. "Connor's wish was that no other child would go through this," said Tait Cruse, father of Connor. "And he always said if we could put a person on the moon, we can cure children with cancer."

For more information on how to join the fight against childhood cancer, please visit teamconnor.org or follow TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation on Instagram , Twitter , LinkedIn , YouTube and Facebook .

The TeamConnor Story

TeamConnor was founded in 2008 by Connor's parents, Joy and Tait Cruse. Connor was a rambunctious four-year-old boy when he was diagnosed with Stage IV neuroblastoma on May 15, 2005. Connor fought a fierce, four-year battle that included more than 200 nights in the hospital, 14 surgeries, 40 blood transfusions, 25 rounds of chemo, 2 bone marrow transplants, and countless painful procedures. He was a fighter to the very end. His motto was, "Be brave and believe in Jesus." Since 2008, TeamConnor has donated almost $5 million to numerous hospitals across the country in its mission to fund improved treatment options and ultimately cures for childhood cancers. For more information on how to join the fight against childhood cancer, please visit teamconnor.org or follow TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter , LinkedIn, YouTube.

Contact:

The Reo Agency

Autumn Reo | 940-367-0295

[email protected]

SOURCE TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation
Elected Officials Urge Company to Follow Labor Law, Deliver an Agreement

PHOENIX, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Twenty-two members of the Arizona House of Representatives are publicly calling on Republic Services [NYSE: RSG] to negotiate a fair contract for Teamster drivers and helpers at the company's Phoenix facility.

In a letter to Republic Services CEO Jon Vander Ark, the legislators urged the waste and landfill corporation to respect United States labor law and deliver on an agreement for Teamster sanitation workers in Arizona.

The workers are seeking a first contract with Phoenix-based Republic Services after voting to join Teamsters Local 104 last year.

"Republic Services' frontline workers are the ones putting their lives on the line every day in the fifth-most deadly job in America," said Josh Graves, Vice President of Local 104. "It is their work that earns Republic its billions. There is no reason for the company to delay in agreeing to a good contract that addresses safety concerns, health care, and fair compensation."

"Republic paid its CEO over $15 million in compensation last year. Our members deserve to be able to support their families on their wages and deserve the right to representation," said Karla Schumann, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 104.

In a recent survey, a majority of workers at the facility reported being forced to drive trucks that aren't regularly checked for roadworthiness or properly maintained. One in three workers reported being injured on the job.

Teamsters Local 104 filed for a representation election on February 3, 2023, with the National Labor Relations Board on behalf of workers at Republic's other two facilities in Phoenix. The company had refused to voluntarily recognize the workers' union via card check.

Republic Services made $13 billion in revenue and over $1.5 billion in profits last year. Between fiscal years 2019 and 2021, Republic spent more than $2.3 billion on stock buybacks and dividend payouts. Its largest individual shareholder is Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, who owns 34 percent of the company.

Teamsters Local 104 represents workers throughout Arizona. For more information, go to teamsterslocal104.com or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ibtlu104.

Contact:

Dawn Schumann, (602) 300-5650

[email protected]

SOURCE Teamsters Local 104
Local 205 Member Embodied Virtue of McKeesport's Finest

MCKEESPORT, Pa., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a statement from Carl Bailey, President of the Teamsters Law Enforcement League and Teamsters Local 205, regarding McKeesport Police Officer and Local 205 member Sean Sluganski, who died in the line of duty. Another policeman, Officer Charles Thomas, was also shot and is recovering from his injuries.

"We are shocked and saddened by the loss of Officer Sluganski, a two-year veteran of the McKeesport PD and my union brother, who was faithfully carrying out his obligations as a protector of the Commonwealth when he was killed earlier this week. Sean Sluganski served his community because he cared so deeply about it. He was the personification of those values which compose the soul of the badge  honor, courage, loyalty, integrity, selflessness, the confidence of the community and public trust.

"This horrific tragedy is a stark reminder of the peril that our brave men and women in law enforcement face every day when they put on their uniforms and go to work. The Teamsters  both Local 205 and all 1.2 million members throughout North America  join his family, friends, fellow officers at the McKeesport Police Dept., and the entire community in grieving his loss."

Officer Sluganski is survived by his mother, Terri, his fiancee, Chelsea Cancilla, and his daughter, Haven, as well as two sisters, nieces, aunts, and uncles. Local 205 is asking that all donations go to:

The Sean Sluganski Memorial Fund

Care of the Parkview Community Federal Credit Union

2100 Eden Park Blvd. McKeesport, PA. 15132

The family will receive 100 percent of all donations.

Teamsters Local 205 has been providing bargaining representation to the working men and women of Western Pennsylvania for more than 80 years. For more information, go to teamsters205.org/

Contact:

Matt McQuaid, (202) 624-6877

[email protected]

SOURCE Teamsters Local 205
SD 1162, HD 2071 Legitimize Corporate Assault on Workers' Legal Rights

BOSTON, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters is demanding Massachusetts lawmakers oppose SD 1162 and HD 2071. The legislation would grant multinational corporations like Uber and Lyft carte blanche to misclassify their employees as independent contractors.

"The proposed legislation would allow multibillion-dollar rideshare corporations to continue intentionally exploiting hardworking members of our communities by calling their workers 'independent contractors,'" said Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien in a letter to senators and representatives on Beacon Hill. "This intentional misclassification denies workers the benefits that they deserve and gives these rideshare companies an enormous and unfair advantage against employers who properly classify their workforce as employees. The Teamsters cannot support legislation that would pit worker against worker in a race to the bottom in employment standards."

"Instead of inventing new laws that compromise the legal rights of employees, government officials need to enforce the ones that we already have on the books," said Thomas G. Mari, President of Teamsters Local 25. "Workers' rights are non-negotiable  there is no 'third way' on this issue. The Teamsters will be keeping a watchful eye on Beacon Hill to keep track of which lawmakers understand this and which do not."

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.2 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.

Contact:

Matt McQuaid, (617) 894-0669

[email protected]

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters
VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - YourWay Cannabis Brands Inc. (CSE: YOUR) (OTC: YOURF) (FSE: HOB) (the "Company" or "YourWay"), a consumer-centric House of Brands committed to redefining the way consumers and cannabis brands interact, announced today it has terminated its contracts with two cannabis brands: Old Pal LLC ("Old Pal"); and Airo Brands, Inc. ("AIRO").

Due to the current market conditions in Arizona, the terms of these contracts were no longer viable or attractive for the Company. Although these brands contributed to YourWay's sales performance for the December 31, 2022, fiscal year, the expected reduction in revenue and profitability, licensing structure and operational demands of servicing the brands did not match the return on investment and, ultimately, it is in the best interest of the parties to part ways.

With the termination of these contracts, the Company's focus in the short term is to grow and develop its in-house brands with product innovation, including exploring white-label opportunities while expanding into other markets. The Company believes this strategy will allow it to better serve its customers and utilize its capital to provide greater shareholder returns.

YourWay's Acting Chief Executive Officer Jakob Ripshstein said, "We have valued our partnership with Old Pal and AIRO, and we are grateful for the opportunity to have worked with them."

The Company will continue to work closely with Old Pal and AIRO to ensure a smooth transition for its customers.

About YourWay Cannabis Brands

YourWay is a publicly traded, consumer-centric House of Brands committed to redefining the way consumers and cannabis brands interact. By building their own brands, partnering with others, and supporting retail partners control brand strategy, they are dedicated to expanding their reach; remolding the cannabis industry and ultimately redefining consumers and cannabis brands interact.

YourWay aims to connect with the cannabis consumer on a deeper level, utilizing decades of brand-building expertise and an integral understanding of the customer experience to create an intuitive suite of branded products that closely aligns with consumer need states. The YourWay portfolio is an all-encompassing house of brands designed to create a sense of belonging for every cannabis consumer regardless of their relationship with the plant. Please visit www.yourwaycannabis.com or follow on Twitter at @yourwaycannabis for the latest news and information about YourWay and its brands.

Website: www.yourwaycannabis.com

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:

This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" as defined under applicable Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs, and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" or similar expressions and includes information regarding: the Company's expectations regarding a reduction in revenue and profitability in connection with the termination of its contracts with Old Pal and AIRO; the Company's focus on growth and development of its in-house brands through product innovation; the Company's exploration of white-label opportunities; expansion into other markets; the Company's exepctations regarding its growth strategy and its ability to provide greater shareholder returns; the Company's continued efforts to work with Old Pal and AIRO to ensure a smooth transition for customers; and expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.

Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical fact but instead reflects management's expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance, or achievements of the Company. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information are the following: the timing for filing the Company's financial statements; regulatory and licensing risks; changes in consumer demand and preferences; changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; the global regulatory landscape and enforcement related to cannabis, including political risks and risks relating to regulatory change; compliance with extensive government regulation; public opinion and perception of the cannabis industry; the impact of COVID-19; and the risk factors set out in the Company's annual information form dated August 28, 2020, filed with Canadian securities regulators and available on the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

The Company, through several of its subsidiaries, is indirectly involved in the manufacture, possession, use, sale, and distribution of cannabis in the recreational and medicinal cannabis marketplace in the United States. Local state laws where the Company operates permit such activities however, investors should note that there are significant legal restrictions and regulations that govern the cannabis industry in the United States. Cannabis remains a Schedule I drug under the US Controlled Substances Act, making it illegal under federal law in the United States to, among other things, cultivate, distribute or possess cannabis in the United States. Financial transactions involving proceeds generated by, or intended to promote, cannabis-related business activities in the United States may form the basis for prosecution under applicable United States federal money laundering legislation.

While the approach to enforcement of such laws by the federal government in the United States has trended toward nonenforcement against individuals and businesses that comply with recreational and medicinal cannabis programs in states where such programs are legal, strict compliance with state laws with respect to cannabis will neither absolve the Company of liability under United States federal law, nor will it provide a defense to any federal proceeding which may be brought against the Company. The enforcement of federal laws in the United States is a significant risk to the business of the Company and any proceedings brought against the Company thereunder may adversely affect the Company's operations and financial performance.

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated, or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information, which speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE YourWay Cannabis Brands Inc.
New Professional Network for Female Executives and Specialists to Elevate and Promote Female Talents across the Life Sciences industry in Denmark

Supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation

COPPENHAGEN, Denmark, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Women in Life Science Denmark (WiLD), an inspiring and science-centric not-for-profit network for women in senior positions across industry and academia launched in January 2023 to strengthen value creation in the Danish Life Sciences industry, while promoting talent, diversity and inclusiveness. The initiative has received support from the Novo Nordisk Foundation, contributing EUR 56,000 over the next three years.

WiLD, co-founded by Lene Gerlach, Partner at life sciences venture capital firm Eir Ventures alongside ten experienced women form the Life Science Industry including Kirsten Drejer, former CEO of Symphogen was originally set up to address gender disparity at the top leadership level in Denmark, the Nordic country with fewest female top executives. Only 20% of executives in the largest Danish companies are women, while only 14% of these companies have a female CEO.

Now, the ambition of WiLD is to create a professional network of female leaders and entrepreneurs in the industry to inspire the next generation of women to strive for senior positions in corporate and academic institutions or becoming entrepreneurs both in Denmark and globally across the Life Sciences industry. Since its inception at the beginning of the year, WiLD now has over 110 members, including 60 C-level executives and other senior leading figures in the industry.

Lene Gerlach, Founder and Chairperson of WiLD said: "The Danish Life Science industry is world class but lacks diversity which is the ultimate goal of WiLD. With this network we will contribute to unlocking the full talent potential in Denmark by promoting female talent and bringing it into play in Life Sciences and in society."

Kirsten Drejer, Symphogen CEO and co-Founder of WiLD, commented: "It has been rewarding seeing how fast WiLD has grown with the continued uptake of very talented, competent and dedicated women from the Life Science industry. The network is instrumental to challenging society and changing the gender disparity at top leadership levels and helping to create a new generation of powerful, influential women in leadership positions."

Ulla Grove Krogsgaard Thomsen, CEO of Novo Nordisk Pharmatech and WiLD member added: "I wanted to be part of a network in Life Sciences in Denmark where we can support each other in making good business networks and inspire women to take executive leadership positions."

Anne Bloch Thomsen, Board member for Pfizer Denmark and co-Founder of women's health startup, Freya Biosciences added: "The WiLD forum simply provides a great opportunity to network and meet some truly interesting and highly skilled people, who all happen to be women, and it is nice to get inspired and meet female role models and just talk about science and potential mutual projects or ideas."

To find out more and apply to become a member of WiLD, please click here for further details.

In collaboration with the Danish Chamber of Commerce and the Danish Biotech organisation WiLD will host its next networking event on 10th March entitled: "Preparing for the future - disruptive trends that will significantly affect your business" at Brssalen, the old Danish Stock Exchange of Copenhagen.

About Women in Life Science Denmark (WiLD)

Women in Life Science Denmark is a non-profit organization based in Denmark, founded by Lene Gerlach and ten other experienced women form the Life Science Industry. The organisation is focused on seeking to increase diversity in professional senior leadership positions in life sciences in Denmark and in the near future the Nordics for the benefit of society and in a professional setting.

The network aims to unfold the full talent potential of women in life sciences by increasing diversity, inclusiveness and increasing visibility of female role models contributing to value creation through professional knowledge sharing and network activities.

The key driver and Initiator of WiLD is Lene Gerlach, PhD who is a Partner at EIR Ventures and the Chairperson of WiLD. Lene is backed by a strong volunteer board of directors including Vice Chairperson Helle Busck Fensvig, Business Angel and Boardperson; Louise Lyhne, CEO of Lyhne Life; Ingelise Saunders, Chairperson of Boost Pharma and ISD Immunotech; Mette Rosenkilde, Professor at the University of Copenhagen and serial entrepreneur; Lone Veng, Board member of Mercy Ships ; Claudia Blomgren-Hansen, Partner at LIFE SCIENCE PLUS Advokater; Pernille Winding Gojkovic, CEO of Hiberg and Hervr Lykke Olsen, Principal at the BioInnovation Institute.

For more information, please visit us at www.womeninlifescience.dk

SOURCE Women in Life Science Denmark (WiLD)
NEW YORK, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global eClinical Solutions market is projected to reach USD 17.9 billion in 2027 from USD 9.6 billion in 2022 at a CAGR of 13.3%. Rising operational costs and regulatory requirements pertaining to clinical research studies, favorable government support & funding for clinical trials, increasing R&D expenditure on drug development by pharma-biotech companies and growing adoption of novel software solutions in clinical research are some of the major driving factors for the global eClinical solutions market.

Source: ReportLinker

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p03607252/?utm_source=PRN

Web-hosted (on-demand) models segment held the largest market share in 2021

Based on delivery mode, the global eClinical solutions market is segmented into web-hosted (on-demand), licensed enterprise (on-premises), and cloud-based (SaaS) models. In 2021, the web-hosted segment accounted for the largest share (55.1%) of the global eClinical solutions market. Advantages such as easy user access, reductions in cost, and faster retrieval of data are factors driving the market growth for web-hosted eClinical solutions during the forecast period.

Phase III clinical trials is expected to register the highest growth during the forecast period

Based on clinical trial phase, the eClinical solutions market has been segmented into phase I, II, III, and IV.The phase III clinical trials segment accounted for the largest share of the eClinical solutions market in 2021 and is expected to register the highest growth during the forecast period.

The significant demand for eClinical solutions in phase III clinical trials is mainly attributed to the involvement of a large patient sample population size, the globalization of clinical trials, and the rising need to increase the efficiency of clinical trials.

Pharmaceutical & biopharmaceutical companies to dominate the eClinical solutions end user segment in 2021

Based on end user, the global eClinical solutions market is segmented into pharmaceutical & biopharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, consultancy service companies, medical device manufacturers, hospitals, and academic & research institutes. The pharmaceutical & biopharmaceutical companies segment accounted for the largest share of 38.5% of the global eClinical solutions market, by end user, in 2021. The large share of this segment can primarily be attributed to factors such as increasing applications of clinical data management and analytics software during clinical trials and the availability of R&D budgets for advanced healthcare IT software.

Asia Pacific to witness the highest growth between 2022 to 2027

In 2021, North America commanded the largest share of the eClinical solutions market, however, the Asia Pacific region is estimated to record the highest CAGR of 16.3% between 2022-2027. Increasing outsourcing of clinical trial studies by large pharmaceutical & biopharmaceutical companies, the presence of a large patient population, and low operating costs of conducting clinical trials are key factors driving the growth of the eClinical solutions market in the Asia Pacific region.

Breakdown of supply-side primary interviews: By Company Type: Tier 1  33%, Tier 2  42%, and Tier 3  25% By Designation: C-level  29%, Director-level  23%, and Others  48% By Region: North America - 35%, Europe  30%, APAC 26%, Rest of the World 9%

The prominent players in this market include Oracle Corporation (US), Parexel International Corporation (US), Dassault Systemes (France), Clario (US), Datatrak International (US), Signant Health (US), 4G Clinical (US), MaxisIT (US), IBM Watson Health (US), eClinical Solutions LLC (US), Veeva Systems (US), Research Manager (US), Saama Technologies, LLC (US), Mednet (US), Anju Software, Inc (US), Medrio, Inc. (US), Castor (US), Clinipace (US), ArisGlobal (US), Quretec Ltd. (Estonia), OpenClinica, LLC (US), Advarra (US), RealTime Software Solutions, LLC (US), YPrime LLC. (US) and Vial (US).

Research Coverage

This report studies the eClinical Solutions market based on product, delivery mode, clinical trial phases, end users and region.It provides detailed information regarding the major factors (such as drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges) influencing the growth of this market and the factors impacting market dynamics.

The report includes in-depth competitive analysis and the product matrix of the prominent players in this market, along with their company profiles, product portfolios, recent developments (mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, collaborations, etc.), and key business strategies. Furthermore, the report analyzes micro markets with respect to their individual growth trends and forecasts the revenue of the market segments in different geographies.

Key Benefits of Buying the Report

This report focuses on various levels of analysisindustry trends, market share of top players, and company profiles, which together form basic views and analyze the competitive landscape, and high-growth regions and their drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities. The report will help both established firms as well as new entrants/smaller firms to gauge the pulse of the market and garner greater market shares.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p03607252/?utm_source=PRN

About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.

Contact Clare: [email protected]

US: (339)-368-6001

Intl: +1 339-368-6001

SOURCE Reportlinker
The ocular drug delivery system market is experiencing optimistic market growth as a result of an increase in the global burden of the geriatric population, rising cases of various eye disorders and ophthalmic diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, eye allergies, infections, and others, as well as increased clinical trials and product development activities in the ocular drug delivery systems arena around the world, which is expected to result in appreciable revenue growth.

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's Ocular Drug Delivery System Market Insights report provides the current and forecast market analysis, individual leading ocular drug delivery system companies' market shares, challenges, ocular drug delivery system market drivers, barriers, and trends, and key ocular drug delivery system companies in the market.

Key Takeaways from the Ocular Drug Delivery System Market Report

As per DelveInsight estimates, North America is anticipated to dominate the global ocular drug delivery system market during the forecast period.

is anticipated to dominate the global ocular drug delivery system market during the forecast period. Notable ocular drug delivery system companies such as Ocular Therapeutix Inc., Allergan plc., Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Envisia Therapeutics, pSivida, Clearside Biomedical, Oculis Pharma, Valeant Pharmaceuticals, Aptar Group, Inc., Graybug Vision Inc., Alimera Sciences, Eyegate Pharma, Vision Ophthalmology Group GmbH, URSAPHARM Arzneimittel GmbH, AbbVie Inc., Taiwan Liposome Company, Ltd., Novartis, Amorphex Therapeutics, Eyenovia, Inc., iVeena Delivery Systems, and several others are currently operating in the ocular drug delivery system market.

and several others are currently operating in the ocular drug delivery system market. In December 2022 , Eyenovia, Inc. , a pre-commercial ophthalmic technology company developing the Optejet delivery system for use in its own drug-device therapeutic programs for mydriasis, presbyopia, and pediatric progressive myopia, as well as out-licensing for additional indications, announced that the FDA has accepted for review the company's New Drug Application (NDA) for MydCombiTM ophthalmic spray.

, a pre-commercial ophthalmic technology company developing the Optejet delivery system for use in its own drug-device therapeutic programs for mydriasis, presbyopia, and pediatric progressive myopia, as well as out-licensing for additional indications, announced that the FDA has accepted for review the company's New Drug Application (NDA) for MydCombiTM ophthalmic spray. In August 2022 , Outlook Therapeutics, Inc. announced that it had re-submitted its Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for ONS-5010, an investigational ophthalmic therapy which, if approved, will be branded as LYTENAVA (bevacizumab-vikg) for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD).

To read more about the latest highlights related to the ocular drug delivery system market, get a snapshot of the key highlights entailed in the Global Ocular Drug Delivery System Market Report

Ocular Drug Delivery System Overview

The eye is a vital organ that can be harmed by a variety of diseases. These eye diseases can have a negative impact on the body and cause a person to lose their vision. As a result, there are numerous drug delivery systems are on the market to treat these eye diseases. There are a few ophthalmic drugs on the market due to the eye's effective protective mechanisms. Almost 70% of eye dosage formulations available on the market are eye drops and ointments. However, because these drops and ointments are drained from the ocular cavity by tear flow and lachrymal nasal drainage, novel, and advanced pharmaceutical ophthalmic formulations are entering the market. These formulations are available in the following forms: in-situ gel, microemulsion, nanoparticle, liposome, iontophoresis, nanosuspension, and ocular inserts.

Ocular Drug Delivery System Market Insights

North America dominated the global ocular drug delivery system market in 2021 and will continue to do so during the forecast period (20222027). This dominance is due to the growing geriatric population and to the rising prevalence of eye disorders such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and others in North America. Along with the growing patient population associated with eye disorders, product development activities in North America are expected to boost demand for ocular drug delivery systems in the coming years. For instance, in December 2022, Eyenovia, Inc., a pre-commercial ophthalmic technology company developing the Optejet delivery system for use in its own drug-device therapeutic programs for mydriasis, presbyopia, and pediatric progressive myopia, as well as out-licensing for additional indications, announced that the FDA has accepted for review the company's New Drug Application (NDA) for MydCombiTM ophthalmic spray.

To know more about why North America is leading the market growth in the ocular drug delivery system market, get a snapshot of the Ocular Drug Delivery System Market Outlook

Ocular Drug Delivery System Market Dynamics

One of the primary drivers of the global ocular drug delivery system market is the increasing prevalence of eye disorders such as cataracts and glaucoma, as well as refractive errors such as myopia and presbyopia. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2021, the prevalence of the population having near or distant vision impairment stands at a staggering 2.2 billion globally, with nearly half of the affected people preventable. As a result of the large patient pool associated with ophthalmic problems and vision impairments around the world, demand for ocular drug delivery systems is expected to rise significantly during the forecast period.

However, certain side effects associated with the use of eye drops, gels, ointments, complications in ocular surgeries, and others may restrain the growth of the ocular drug delivery system market.

Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic moderately impacted the ocular drug delivery system market. During the early stages of the pandemic, the sale and distribution of various eye-related drugs were hampered by strict lockdown rules and disruptions in the manufacturing and supply of the drugs. Also, during the pandemic, COVID-19 patients were given priority in terms of diagnosis and treatment, which resulted in a decrease in the number of diagnoses and treatments for various ophthalmic conditions such as cataracts, dry eyes, glaucoma, macular degeneration, conjunctivitis, and others, which in turn resulted in a decrease in demand for ocular drug delivery systems, negatively impacting the ocular drug delivery system market growth.

However, with the relaxation of lockdown restrictions, an increase in resources and the supply chain, the administration of the vaccine to the public, and an increase in the number of ocular disease diagnoses, demand for ocular drug delivery systems increased and is expected to grow during the forecast period of 20222027.

Get a sneak peek at the ocular drug delivery system market dynamics @ Ocular Drug Delivery System Market Dynamics Analysis

Report Metrics Details Coverage Global Study Period 20192027 Base Year 2021 Ocular Drug Delivery System Market CAGR ~7% Projected Ocular Drug Delivery System Market Size by 2027 USD 22.3 Billion Key Ocular Drug Delivery System Companies Ocular Therapeutix Inc., Allergan plc., Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Envisia Therapeutics, pSivida, Clearside Biomedical, Oculis Pharma, Valeant Pharmaceuticals, Aptar Group, Inc., Graybug Vision Inc., Alimera Sciences, Eyegate Pharma, Vision Ophthalmology Group GmbH, URSAPHARM Arzneimittel GmbH, AbbVie Inc., Taiwan Liposome Company, Ltd., Novartis, Amorphex Therapeutics, Eyenovia, Inc., iVeena Delivery Systems, among others

Ocular Drug Delivery System Market Assessment

Ocular Drug Delivery System Market Segmentation

Market Segmentation By Technology: Implantable, Particulate, and Others

Implantable, Particulate, and Others

Market Segmentation By Indication: Glaucoma, Cataract, Dry Eyes, Eye Allergy, and Others

Glaucoma, Cataract, Dry Eyes, Eye Allergy, and Others

Market Segmentation By Formulation: Solution-Based, Suspension Based, Emulsion-Based, Others

Solution-Based, Suspension Based, Emulsion-Based, Others

Market Segmentation By Route of Administration: Topical, Intraocular, Intravitreal, Intracameral, And Others

Topical, Intraocular, Intravitreal, Intracameral, And Others

Market Segmentation By Geography : North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and Rest of World

: , , , and Rest of World Porter's Five Forces Analysis, Product Profiles, Case Studies, KOL's Views, Analyst's View

Which MedTech key players in the ocular drug delivery system market are set to emerge as the trendsetter explore @ Ocular Drug Delivery System Companies

Table of Contents

1 Report Introduction 2 Executive summary 3 Regulatory and Patent Analysis 4 Key Factors Analysis 5 Porter's Five Forces Analysis 6 COVID-19 Impact Analysis on Ocular Drug Delivery System Market 7 Ocular Drug Delivery System Market Layout 8 Global Company Share Analysis  Key 3-5 Companies 9 Ocular Drug Delivery System Market Company and Product Profiles 10 Project Approach 11 About DelveInsight

Interested in knowing the ocular drug delivery system market by 2027? Click to get a snapshot of the Ocular Drug Delivery System Market Trends

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SOURCE DelveInsight Business Research, LLP
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS. Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri said that the leaders of Armenia and Iran are closely following the regional developments. The Ambassador said that in this context Armenia and Iran must have a special agenda.

Armenia and Iran are and will be neighbors. Of course, we see some ruse, they speak about so-called corridors and some actions, but Iran and Armenia will not allow the creation of such corridor, the Iranian ambassador said.

He added that the stance of both the Iranian and Armenian sides is very clear.

We must also be proactive. We must see what new steps we can take. We shouldnt wait for a new idea to come up, for example, about the opening of a corridor, for us to start deciding what position to adopt. We shouldnt allow such thing, he said.

He said the establishment of the Iranian consulate-general in Kapan is an exemplary action in this regard, as well as the upcoming opening of the Armenian consulate in Tabriz.
The spinal surgery devices market is expanding rapidly due to a variety of factors such as an increase in spinal disorders worldwide, an increase in road accidents, and an increase in demand for minimally invasive surgical procedures, among others. Furthermore, the growing market demand for technologically advanced spinal surgery devices will drive the spinal surgery devices market growth in the coming years.

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's Spinal Surgery Devices Market Insights report provides the current and forecast market analysis, individual leading spinal surgery devices companies' market shares, challenges, spinal surgery devices market drivers, barriers, and trends, and key spinal surgery devices companies in the market.

Key Takeaways from the Spinal Surgery Devices Market Report

As per DelveInsight estimates, North America is anticipated to dominate the global spinal surgery devices market during the forecast period.

is anticipated to dominate the global spinal surgery devices market during the forecast period. Notable spinal surgery devices companies such as Siemens Healthineers AG, Elekta AB, Accuray Incorporated, IBA Worldwide, C. R. Bard, Inc (BD), Isoray Inc., Mevion Medical Systems, Viewray Technologies, Inc., Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG, ZEISS, GT Medical Technologies, Inc., Hitachi, Ltd., Xoft (iCAD, Inc.), IntraOp Medical, Inc., Panacea Medical Technologies Pvt. Ltd., SIT - S.I.T. Sordina IORT Technologies S.p.A., Sensus Healthcare, Inc., Theragenics, Optivus Proton Therapy, Inc., P-cure, and several others are currently operating in the spinal surgery devices market.

and several others are currently operating in the spinal surgery devices market. In December 2022 , Empirical Spine, Inc. , a medical device company developing a new type of spinal implant, completed the final step in the FDA submission process for the LimiFlexTM Dynamic Sagittal TetherTM (DST).

, a medical device company developing a new type of spinal implant, completed the final step in the FDA submission process for the LimiFlexTM Dynamic Sagittal TetherTM (DST). In December 2022 , Spineart, a leading provider of spine surgery implants, and eCential Robotics, a growing MedTech company that designs and manufactures an open system that unifies robotics, surgical navigation, and 2D/3D robotic imaging, announced that they have entered into a long-term collaboration agreement.

Spineart, a leading provider of spine surgery implants, and eCential Robotics, a growing MedTech company that designs and manufactures an open system that unifies robotics, surgical navigation, and 2D/3D robotic imaging, announced that they have entered into a long-term collaboration agreement. In October 2022 , Aurora Spine Corporation , a designer and manufacturer of innovative medical devices that improve spinal surgery outcomes, announced positive interim results from a clinical study using the ZIPTM MIS Interspinous Fusion System.

, a designer and manufacturer of innovative medical devices that improve spinal surgery outcomes, announced positive interim results from a clinical study using the ZIPTM MIS Interspinous Fusion System. In September 2022 , eCential Robotics , a French MedTech company, received 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its spine surgery platform.

, a French MedTech company, received 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its spine surgery platform. In July 2022 , Medtronic plc , a global leader in healthcare technology, announced its UNiDTM Spine Analyzer v4.0 planning platform, which includes a new Degen Algorithm for degenerative spine procedures, has received FDA 510(k) clearance.

, a global leader in healthcare technology, announced its UNiDTM Spine Analyzer v4.0 planning platform, which includes a new Degen Algorithm for degenerative spine procedures, has received FDA 510(k) clearance. On June 22, 2022 , Medtronic reinforced the spine surgery portfolio with the Food and Drug Administration nod for the ligament-augmenting implant.

reinforced the spine surgery portfolio with the Food and Drug Administration nod for the ligament-augmenting implant. On June 07, 2022 , the FDA granted the 510k clearance for the Aurora Spine's Interbody fusion device. The DEXA SOLO-L ALIF device allows doctors to match the implant to patients' bone density and quality.

To read more about the latest highlights related to the spinal surgery devices market, get a snapshot of the key highlights entailed in the Global Spinal Surgery Devices Market Report

Spinal Surgery Devices Overview

Spinal Surgery Devices Market Insights

North America dominated the global spinal surgery devices market in 2021 and will continue to do so during the forecast period (20222027). Furthermore, the United States is the largest market in the world, with a large patient pool in the region. Rising product launches and commercialization agreements among key manufacturers and other companies are expected to drive spinal surgery devices market growth further. For example, the United States Food and Drug Administration granted 510k clearance for Aurora Spine's Interbody fusion device on June 7, 2022. The DEXA SOLO-L ALIF device allows doctors to customize the implant based on the density and quality of the patient's bone.

Furthermore, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region have the most potential for future growth in the global spinal surgery devices market. Some of the contributing factors include government support, such as easy approval for bringing new products to market and simple reimbursement policies in European and Asian countries. Moreover, the enormous popularity and high adoption rate due to the availability of various options in the market are some of the key factors that are likely to drive the spinal surgery devices market.

To know more about why North America is leading the market growth in the spinal surgery devices market, get a snapshot of the Spinal Surgery Devices Market Outlook

Spinal Surgery Devices Market Dynamics

The rising number of permanent or temporary disabilities caused by the increasing number of road accidents resulting in spinal cord injury is one of the key factors driving the spinal surgery devices market. In addition, rising road traffic spinal injuries and degenerative disc diseases are expected to drive growth in the global spinal surgery devices market. Furthermore, the continuous new product launches by market leaders are positively impacting the growth of spinal surgery devices.

However, the higher cost of spinal surgery and devices, adverse effects caused by spinal surgery devices, and other factors may prove to be challenging factors for the growth of the spinal surgery devices market.

Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the spinal surgery devices market was negatively impacted. To prevent the spread of infection, governments around the world imposed strict lockdown rules, resulting in a shortage of supply chains, raw materials, and other market resources, resulting in a decrease in the manufacturing of all medical devices, including spinal surgery devices. Furthermore, to prevent the spread of the infection, patients and physicians postponed many surgeries, reducing the number of in-patient visits in hospitals and clinics.

However, the development of the COVID-19 vaccine has begun the process of economic recovery with the easing of lockdown restrictions and the return of normalcy in the economic landscape, which has begun the process of resumption of regular healthcare services such as regular out-patient visits for treatments and sessions in hospitals and clinics, thereby restoring demand for spinal surgery devices.

Get a sneak peek at the spinal surgery devices market dynamics @ Spinal Surgery Devices Market Dynamics Analysis

Report Metrics Details Coverage Global Study Period 20192027 Base Year 2021 Spinal Surgery Devices Market CAGR ~6% Key Spinal Surgery Devices Companies Siemens Healthineers AG, Elekta AB, Accuray Incorporated, IBA Worldwide, C. R. Bard, Inc (BD), Isoray Inc., Mevion Medical Systems, Viewray Technologies, Inc., Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG, ZEISS, GT Medical Technologies, Inc., Hitachi, Ltd., Xoft (iCAD, Inc.), IntraOp Medical, Inc., Panacea Medical Technologies Pvt. Ltd., SIT - S.I.T. Sordina IORT Technologies S.p.A., Sensus Healthcare, Inc., Theragenics, Optivus Proton Therapy, Inc., P-cure, among others

Spinal Surgery Devices Market Assessment

Spinal Surgery Devices Market Segmentation

Market Segmentation By Product Type: Thoracic Fusion and Lumbar Fusion Devices (Posterior and Interbody), Cervical Fusion Devices (Anterior, and Posterior), Spine Biologics, Vertebral Compression Fracture Treatment Devices, Spinal Decompression Devices, Spinal Bone Stimulators, Non-Fusion Devices (Dynamic Stabilization Devices, Artificial Discs, Annulus Repair Discs, And Nuclear Disc Prosthesis)

Thoracic Fusion and Lumbar Fusion Devices (Posterior and Interbody), Cervical Fusion Devices (Anterior, and Posterior), Spine Biologics, Vertebral Compression Fracture Treatment Devices, Spinal Decompression Devices, Spinal Bone Stimulators, Non-Fusion Devices (Dynamic Stabilization Devices, Artificial Discs, Annulus Repair Discs, And Nuclear Disc Prosthesis)

Market Segmentation By Technology: Spinal Fusion & Fixation, Vertebral Compression Fracture Treatment, Spinal Decompression, Motion Preservation

Spinal Fusion & Fixation, Vertebral Compression Fracture Treatment, Spinal Decompression, Motion Preservation

Market Segmentation By Surgery Type: Open Surgery and Minimally Invasive Surgery

Open Surgery and Minimally Invasive Surgery

Market Segmentation By End User: Hospitals, Speciality Clinics, and Ambulatory Surgical Centers

Hospitals, Speciality Clinics, and Ambulatory Surgical Centers

Market Segmentation By Geography : North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and Rest of World

: , , , and Rest of World Porter's Five Forces Analysis, Product Profiles, Case Studies, KOL's Views, Analyst's View

Which MedTech key players in the spinal surgery devices market are set to emerge as the trendsetter explore @ Spinal Surgery Devices Companies

Table of Contents

1 Report Introduction 2 Executive summary 3 Regulatory and Patent Analysis 4 Key Factors Analysis 5 Porter's Five Forces Analysis 6 COVID-19 Impact Analysis on Spinal Surgery Devices Market 7 Spinal Surgery Devices Market Layout 8 Global Company Share Analysis  Key 3-5 Companies 9 Spinal Surgery Devices Market Company and Product Profiles 10 Project Approach 11 About DelveInsight

Interested in knowing the spinal surgery devices market by 2027? Click to get a snapshot of the Spinal Surgery Devices Market Trends

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FREDRICK, Md., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, Theradaptive, a leading biotechnology company specializing in therapeutic delivery platforms, presents a new abstract demonstrating the efficacy and safety of the company's novel AMP2 protein technology in rabbit PLF and sheep interbody fusion models. At the Orthopaedic Research Society's annual meeting in Dallas this week, the company will demonstrate how coating an implant with its proprietary material-binding osteoinductive AMP2 protein resulted in precise localization of bone formation and consistent spinal fusion without off-target effects. Researchers observed 100% fusion compared to the 60% associated with current autograft technologies in PLF.

Researchers observed 100% fusion and bone formation in Theradaptive's novel AMP2 protein technology. Tweet this Coating material in a single step integrates into existing implant manufacturing workflows

The latest alternatives to autograft involve incorporating the recombinant osteoinductive protein rhBMP-2, but this approach has been associated with adverse events like inflammation and bone growth in unwanted areas. By re-engineering rhBMP-2 to create a material-binding protein variant AMP2, Theradaptive has created a protein that induces bone-growth more potently and in a more precisely localized way than rhBMP-2, thus vastly reducing off-target effects. The Theradaptive process binds AMP2 to ReBOSSIS, a 510K-approved implant material, to create its OsteoAdapt SP Spinal Fusion implant, a safer alternative to commercially available rhBMP-2.

In this study, scientists from Theradaptive and the University of Iowa sought to assess the ability of OsteoAdapt SP to induce spinal fusion in rabbit posterolateral and sheep interbody models. 12 rabbits underwent single level posterolateral fusion, using OsteoAdapt SP rather than autograft. Three sheep underwent two-level lumbar interbody fusion using high or low dose OsteoAdapt SP. In the rabbit PLF model, OsteoAdapt SP demonstrated an impressive 100% fusion, compared to the 60% associated with iliac crest bone grafts, the current best practice. In the pilot sheep interbody model, CTs showed increase in density of new bone formation over time with evidence of bridging bone by 4-8 weeks at the high dose and 8-12 weeks at the low dose.

CEO and founder of Theradaptive, Dr. Luis Alvarez, Ph.D. sees these results as an encouraging step towards human clinical trials: 'Current autograft treatments are painful, they risk adverse events, and they only work around 60% of the time. Seeing OsteoAdapt SP beat the current standard of care in these well accepted models so convincingly in preclinical trials gives us optimism that targeted regenerative technology like AMP2 will improve outcomes for patients who currently have few options. We expect to start first in human trials later this year.'

Douglas Fredericks, Director of the University of Iowa Bone Healing Research Laboratory, said 'AMP2 promises a breakthrough to the problem of integrating spinal fusion implants with living tissues. Targeted delivery of biologics harnesses the excellent bone-forming capabilities of current biologics, while limiting off-target responses. Implants like OsteoAdapt SP simplify product preparation and, crucially, deliver an extremely high fusion rate as this study shows.'

About Theradaptive

Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Maryland, U.S., Theradaptive is a venture-backed biopharmaceutical and medical device company with the goal of leveraging its therapeutic delivery platform to deliver biologics where they are needed in the body with high precision and persistence to address unmet medical needs. Theradaptive is led by CEO Luis Alvarez, Ph.D., and its innovative platform has started to enable new therapeutics in spine, orthopedic and soft tissue repair as well as targeted immuno-oncology.

Media Contact:

Serena Lertora

[email protected]

SOURCE Theradaptive
HO CHI MIN CITY, Vietnam, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Trailblazer Games, a leading web3 game developer and creator of the Eternal Dragons franchise, is proud to announce the opening of its first office in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and warmly welcomes its first employees there. The company aims to tap into the thriving pool of creative gaming talent and expand its community reach in Southeast Asia. The move marks a significant step towards realizing the company's vision of gaming as a global community.

Trailblazer Games expands into Vietnam, opening an office in Ho Chi Minh City

In recent years, Ho Chi Minh City has established itself as one of the leading game development hubs in Asia, serving as a development and artistic center for top global game publishers. The country has also become a leader in web3 gaming, showcasing its thriving creativity and innovative talent.

"The creative talent in Vietnam is uniquely suited for Trailblazer Games' mission and its Eternal Dragons franchise," said CEO Alex Arias. "Expanding to Vietnam is of strategic importance to us, as it allows us to combine the experience of our European team with the perspective, creativity, and quality of the local talent in Vietnam."

Vietnam and Southeast Asia are at the forefront of growth and adoption for web3 games, making the expansion into the country a significant move for Trailblazer Games. The company is eager to establish a thriving community in the region and accelerate the growth of its Eternal Dragons franchise.

"Southeast Asia leads the adoption of web3 gaming globally, and the expansion into Vietnam will be crucial for our community growth in the region," said Francisco Reinhard, Head of Growth and Community at Trailblazer Games. "We are looking forward to engaging this vibrant gaming community which will play a crucial role in the development and growth of the Eternal Dragons universe."

Trailblazer Games invites everyone to celebrate the opening of its new office in Hoi Chi Minh. The details of the social event can be found on the Eternal Dragons Twitter account (@eternaldragons). The opening of Trailblazer Games' first office in Hoi Chi Minh is an exciting step forward in its mission of bringing together the world through gaming.

For further media information or for further comment please contact:

Francisco Reinhard, [email protected], +49 1575 1502484

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SOURCE Trailblazer Games
DUBLIN, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Turkey Steel Market, By Type (Flat and Long), By Product (Structural Steel, Prestressing Steel), By Application (Building & Construction, Automotive, Electrical Appliance, Others), By Region, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Turkey steel market is anticipated to grow at a steady CAGR during the forecast period, 2023-2027

The rise in the investments by the leading authorities for the development of the infrastructure sector of the country and supportive government policies are the primary factors driving the growth of the Turkey steel market.

Also, the technological advancements in steel production and processing process and high-end investments by the market players are expected to further support the Turkey steel market growth in the forecast period.

Flourishing Steel Industry Drives the Market Growth

Turkey is among the top leading players in steel production and exportation across the globe. It boasts of producing quality products and invests significant amounts in expanding flat products production capacity and developing novel technology. Turkey's unique geographical location has a long Mediterranean coastline to serve European steel markets more efficiently and quickly.

Turkey accounts for 24 electric arc furnace mills and two induction furnaces with a capacity ranging between 200,000 to 5 million tonnes and 3 BOF plants. All the steel companies in Turkey are privately owned, and the market players are making continuous efforts for technological advancements to stay ahead in the market at the country and global level. The iron & steel industry is the third-largest contributor to the Turkish economy and has become one of the most developed sectors in Turkey.

Also, the market players are working on increasing their steel production capacity. They have started several projects in the flat products segment and are introducing new production facilities and modernizing the existing facilities. The continuous efforts by the market players and the use of advanced technologies in the production process are expected to accelerate the Turkey steel market growth over the forecast period.

Strong Economic Position of Turkey Supports the High Market Demand

According to the data generated by World Steel Association, Turkey churned out 40.4 million tons of crude steel, which increased the percent up to 12.7% by 2020. Market players are working to fuel their production and export to record levels in 2021, and further increase their production capacity in the coming years.

The dramatic devaluation of the lira has increased the cost of raw materials. It pressured the small steel producers to deal in domestic markets, while for the medium and large exporters who exported the steel, it proved as a boon. Also, the sudden increase in transportation costs has made the steel buyers look for near home and convenient places, thereby bolstering the demand for Turkey steel industry in the nearby countries over the forecast period.

The Turkish government has signed custom union agreements with the European Union and free trade agreements with more than twenty countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, Israel, the United Kingdom, and Egypt. Turkey is also planning to use relatively low carbon intensity steel to meet the demands of the companies that aim to achieve net-zero emissions.

Therefore, the rise in the efforts by the leading authorities to support the steel industry and the strong economic position of Turkey is expected to propel the growth of Turkey steel market in the next five years.

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in Turkey steel market.

Erdemir Group

Habas

Icdas

Diler Group

Colakoglu Metalurji

ArcelorMittal

POSCO

NSSMC Group

HBIS Group

Nucor Corporation

Report Scope:

Turkey Steel Market, By Type:

Flat

Long

Turkey Steel Market, By Product:

Structural Steel

Pre-stressing Steel

Turkey Steel Market, By Application:

Building & Construction

Automotive

Electrical Appliance

Others

Turkey Steel Market, By Region:

Marmara

Central Anatolia

Aegean

Mediterranean

Black Sea Region

South-Eastern Anatolia

Eastern Anatolia

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/tieugi-steel?w=5

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact: Laura Wood | +353-1-481-1716 | [email protected]

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SOURCE Research and Markets
Cabral Shares Innovation, Market, Investor Mindshare Strategies as Speaker at Multiple CTA Sessions

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Stressing that innovators must always be looking for new ways to improve the lives of everyone, Robbie Cabral, founder, CEO, and owner of BenjiLock, took the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2023 by storm with multiple sessions during the run of the event. Cabral, the inventor of the world's first padlock with fingerprint technology, was invited by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) to be a speaker at several key events over the show run. The response from the audience was electric.

Inventor, CEO & Founder of BenjiLock, Robbie Cabral, returned to CES 2023 to be part of the Unconventional Strategies for Startup Success conference session. In addition to the Unconventional Strategies for Startup Success session, Cabral spoke at the CTA Foundation Pitch Competition, moderated by Host and Producer for Amazon Live, Albert Lawrence.

"I'm a small company," Cabral said, "and the opportunity to be featured alongside Amazon, Lutron, Indiegogo, and Canon in front of CES audiences is a huge milestone for me!"

Cabral unveiled the BenjiLock prototype at CES in 2017, and BenjiLock products were selected as CES Innovation Award honorees in 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2022 as new iterations of the company's flagship traditional padlock using fingerprint technology were released.

In addition to the Unconventional Strategies for Startup Success session, where Cabral was a featured expert who discussed business strategies that help startups capture audience and market attention and investor assistance to scale up their business, Cabral also spoke at the CTA Foundation Pitch Competition.

Known for his easy-going and direct real-world advice, Cabral was a guest speaker at USPTO's Invention-Con 2022, discussing his IP journey to obtain patents for the first-of-its-kind padlock and his journey to grow and market a full line of biometric products. For 2023, Cabral is focused on giving back to a community that helped him with his startup, sharing his POV on capturing audience and market attention and investor assistance to scale up their business.

"The market is hungry for products that provide access and accessibility in easy and straightforward ways," Cabral said. "Innovators must always be looking for new ways to improve the lives of everyone, including seniors and people with disabilities. Our padlock product makes securing personal items easy with just a fingerprint, meaning there's no need to remember a combination or where you put your key at the gym, school, home, or traveling, and I believe products like these can make a difference to a very diverse and receptive audience."

To learn more about Robbie Cabral and BenjiLock, please visit https://BenjiLock.com/ .

About BenjiLock

Based in Los Angeles, California, and founded in 2014 by inventor and entrepreneur Robbie Cabral, BenjiLock has redefined the personal security experience through fingerprint hybrid technology with the consumer in mind. Featured on ABC's hit show Shark Tank, Robbie Cabral landed Kevin O'Leary as an investor with a 15% equity stake in the company, catapulting BenjiLock's potential and success. Today, BenjiLock's fingerprint technology is expanding into a portfolio of products, including an upcoming line of bike locks, next-generation padlocks, drawer closets, and cabinet locks, as well as a brand-new line of smart home door locks.

For more information, visit BenjiLock.com and follow BenjiLock on Instagram , Twitter , YouTube , Facebook , and LinkedIn .

SOURCE BenjiLock
UHM selected as a Top 5 workplace among more than 42,000 organizations across the entire United States

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Union Home Mortgage (UHM), a high-growth independent mortgage banking company with a world-class culture, announced today it has earned a 2023 Top Workplace USA Award issued by the firm Energage. UHM ranked fifth nationally among all organizations with between 1,000 and 2,500 employees.

"In this company, people come first, whether you're a customer or one of the valued colleagues we call Partners all across the country," said Bill Cosgrove, President & CEO of Union Home Mortgage. "We're so proud to have again earned the distinction of being a Top Workplace for the entire country. Even as we expand, we remain committed to maintaining a company culture unrivaled in the mortgage industry. That's how we attract world-class talent and deliver a world-class experience to customers."

In addition to today's national recognition, Union Home Mortgage was named the #2 Top Workplace in Northeast Ohio by Energage in its most recent regional survey.

Top Workplaces USA celebrates organizations with 150 or more employees that have built great cultures. Over 42,000 organizations were invited to participate in the Top Workplaces survey. Winners of the Top Workplaces USA list are chosen based solely on employee feedback gathered through an employee engagement survey, issued by Energage.

Results are calculated by comparing the survey's research-based statements, including 15 Culture Drivers that are proven to predict high performance against industry benchmarks.

"Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees," said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. "That's something to be proud of. In today's market, leaders must ensure they're allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That's paramount. Top Workplaces awards do this, and it pays dividends."

UHM prides itself on culture and employee experience. The company maintains several internal training programs, career pathing, and employee educational resources. In 2021, UHM expanded its corporate headquarters in Strongsville with the opening of a new state-of-the-art facility featuring an onsite gym, cafeteria, and training centers for both in person and virtual education.

For more information about starting your career at Union Home Mortgage, go to uhm.com/careers.

About Union Home Mortgage

Union Home Mortgage Corp. (UHM) is a high-growth, full-service retail, wholesale, and consumer direct independent mortgage banking company with over 150 branches across the U.S. For eight consecutive years, UHM has been awarded a Top Workplace. With a world-class culture that stands out in the mortgage industry, UHM Partners (employees) are guided by a Code of Conduct that emphasizes respect, open communication, and accountability. UHM is an approved direct lender of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, VA, USDA, and other conforming and non-QM loan products, with over $13 billion in responsible lending per year.

SOURCE Union Home Mortgage
DUBLIN, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "United States Compliance Management Kit 2023 - Platinum Edition" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Compliance Management Tool Kit - Defines Best Practices

Numerous laws and regulatory mandates focus on corporate governance and accountability around sensitive information (specifically financial, non-public information and protected health care information). This has significantly impacted the underlying IT systems that support the applications and repositories holding this sensitive information.

Organizations are continuously looking for help in preventing fraud and protecting sensitive information. The fact that key corporate executives carry personal liability in the event of non-compliance virtually ensures compliance is a key initiative in any large organizations. Additionally, there are other internal cost-containment requirements that can be effectively met by defining and implementing a sound auditing and compliance methodology. Most corporations agree that compliance leads to better corporate governance and management.

The Kit comes in three versions. Each version contains the Compliance Management White Paper, ISO 28000 Security Audit Program (Supply Chain Management), a self-scoring Security Audit Program, a PCI Audit Program, and 31 key job descriptions including one for the Chief Compliance Officer which is six pages in length.

Numerous laws and regulatory mandates focus on corporate governance and accountability around sensitive information (specifically financial, non-public information and protected health care information). This has significantly impacted the underlying IT systems that support the applications and repositories holding this sensitive information.

Organizations are continuously looking for help in preventing fraud and protecting sensitive information. The fact that key corporate executives carry personal liability in the event of non-compliance virtually ensures compliance to be a key initiative in any large organizations. Additionally, there are other internal cost-containment requirements that can be effectively met by defining and implementing a sound auditing and compliance methodology. Most corporations agree that compliance leads to better corporate governance and management.

Compliance Management Toolkit Versions

Janco offers a full range of tools to help enterprises of all sizes to address these issues. The Compliance Management kit provides necessary the infrastructure governance tools.

Recent ransomware attacks focused most C-Level executives on asset security and compliance as more business is conducted on the Internet. In addition, not meeting compliance mandates exposes enterprises to damaged reputations and fines. The Compliance Management Kit provides tools that are properly implemented minimize those risks. The Compliance Management Kit is the must-have tool to meet mandated governmental and industry compliance objectives.

Compliance Management - Platinum Edition

Compliance Management White Paper

Security Audit Program

PCI Audit Program

Compliance Management Job Descriptions (25 key positions)

Record Classification and Management

Privacy Compliance Policy that addresses the EU's GDPR and the latest California Consumer Privacy Act

Security Manual Template - Word - 240 plus packed pages which are usable as is. Over 3,000 companies worldwide have chosen this as the basis for their best practices to meet mandated US, EU and ISO requirements

Key Topics Covered:

License Conditions

Compliance Management

Compliance Requirements

Record Classification, Management, Retention, and Destruction

ISO Security Domains

ISO 27000

ISO 28000

Governmental Mandates

California Consumer Privacy Act (CaCPA)

California SB 1386 Personal Information Privacy

COPPA

FCRA

FCTA

FISMA

FTC Information Safeguards

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Gramm-Leach-Bliley (Financial Services Modernization)

HIPAA

Massachusetts 201 CMR 17.00 Data Protection Requirements

201 CMR 17.00 Data Protection Requirements Sarbanes-Oxley Act

State Security Breach Notification Laws

Implementation

Compliance Tools Purchase Options

Compliance Management Kit Versions

COBIT Edition

Appendix

HIPPA Audit Program

PCI Audit Program

ISO 28000 - Supply Chain Compliance Audit Program

Security Audit Program

Compliance Management Job Description Bundle

Privacy Compliance Policy

Record Classification, Management, Retention, Destruction Policy

Version History

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NEW YORK, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Specialty Food Association hosted eight graduate students and two professors from the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), William F. Harrah College of Hospitality during the 2023 Winter Fancy Food Show. Featuring more than 1,100 companies and thousands of products from around the world, the Specialty Food Association (SFA) Winter Fancy Food Show ran from January 15-17 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The UNLV Junior Trendspotters reported five top trends from the 2023 Winter Fancy Food Show. Tweet this 2023 Winter Fancy Food Show Junior Trendspotters - UNLV

"The Winter Fancy Food Show provides an immersive learning experience for UNLV hospitality students and faculty to inform our research and teaching. It is always inspiring to network with the unique entrepreneurs and organizations who are so passionate about their products and efforts that are related to the multiple facets of food and associated activities," said Joseph Lema, Ph.D, Professor/Chair, Food & Beverage and Event Management. "With rapidly changing consumer trends innovation is at the forefront and having the opportunity to experience it firsthand makes it an even more impactful learning experience. We appreciate partnering with the Specialty Food Association as well as having this large-scale event in Las Vegas."

The Winter Fancy Food Show Junior Trendspotters identified the following top five trends:

Environmentally friendly - Caviarium manmade caviar, Clipper Teas Organic Herbal & Green Tea Selection, Nobeltree Coffee Health in balance - Auga organic soup, OBA Organic Baked Apples snacks, Root Foods Six Mix Chips, Tatu Protein Water, Wonder Monday Cheesecake Alcoholic and Non-Alcholic Cocktail Culture - Liqueurs & Gins Bull Terrier Herb Liqueur, Prima Pave Rose Brut, Terra Incognita Kava Broader plant based - 7th Heaven plant-based milk chocolate, Konscious Foods plant based sushi, Milkadamia Unsweetened latte da, Seed Ranch Flavor Co. vegan Mac & Cheese Global pantry - Bravado Spice Co. hot sauces, Khalsa Salsa Indian fusion salsa, Maazah Afghan-style chutney, Xinca Salvadoran pupusas

The SFA 2023 Winter Fancy Food Show Junior Trendspotter Panel was composed of 8 UNLV William F. Harrah College of Hospitality grad students, under the guidance of Professor Lema and Seyhmus Baloglu, Ph.D. Professor/Chair:

Carrie (Yunxuan) Zhang

Ken ( Yuang-Sheng) Chiu

Angelika Bazarnik

Crystal (Yuze) Ji

Dennis Baloglu

Shatha Alhujuri

Sooyeon Lee

Michael Bertetto

A full Trendspotter Panel report from the Winter Fancy Food Show can be found online here .

The next Fancy Food Show will be held June 25-27 in New York at the Javits Center. Open only to the trade, the Summer Fancy Food Show requires registration and qualification. For additional information visit specialtyfood.com.

About the Specialty Food Association

The Specialty Food Association (SFA) has been the leading trade association and source of information about the $175 billion specialty food industry for 70 years. Founded in 1952 in New York City, the SFA represents manufacturers, importers, retailers, distributors, brokers, and others in the trade. The SFA is known for its Fancy Food Shows ; the sofi Awards , which have honored excellence in specialty food and beverage for 50 years; the Trendspotter Panel Show reports and annual predictions; the State of the Specialty Food Industry Report and Today's Specialty Food Consumer research; the SFA Product Marketplace , where buyers discover new products, network and connect with SFA members; SFA Feed , the daily source for industry news, trends and new product information, and Spill & Dish: A Specialty Food Association Podcast .

Facebook: Specialty Food Association

LinkedIn: Specialty Food Association

TikTok: specialty food association

Twitter: @Specialty_Food

Instagram: @specialtyfoodassociation

Hashtags: #FancyFoodShow #VivaFancyFood #SpecialtyFood

About UNLV Harrah School of Hospitality

The UNLV Harrah College of Hospitality is consistently ranked as one of the top hospitality programs in the world (#1 in the nation and #2 globally by QS Top Universities). Studying just blocks away from the epicenter of the hospitality industry -- the Las Vegas Strip, Hospitality College students enjoy unparalleled access to hands-on, industry-relevant professional experience. Each year the college helps organize nearly hundreds of internships, welcomes more than 100 national hospitality brands to recruitment events, and pairs an average of 175 industry mentors with students. And with the completion of the college's state-of-the-art academic building Hospitality Hall, students are ushering in a new era of excellence in hospitality education. Visit unlv.edu/hospitality to learn more.

SOURCE Specialty Food Association
SYDNEY, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Clarity Pharmaceuticals (ASX: CU6) ("Clarity"), a clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical company with a mission to develop next-generation products that improve treatment outcomes for children and adults with cancer, is pleased to announce its diagnostic 64Cu SAR-bisPSMA trial COBRA (NCT05249127)1 for patients with prostate cancer has reached its recruitment target.

COBRA (Copper-64 SAR-bisPSMA in Biochemically Recurrent prostAte cancer) is a Phase I/II Positron Emission Tomography (PET) trial of participants with biochemical recurrence (BCR) of prostate cancer following definitive therapy. It is a multi-centre, single arm, non-randomised, open-label trial of 64Cu-labelled SAR-bisPSMA in 50 participants. The primary objectives of the trial are to investigate the safety and tolerability of 64Cu-SAR-bisPSMA as well as its ability to correctly detect the recurrence of prostate cancer.

Dr Neal Shore MD, FACS Lead Principal Investigator in the COBRA trial and CMO  Urology/Surgical Oncology, GenesisCare, US and the Medical Director of Carolina Urologic Research Centre, commented, "We are very pleased to have reached our recruitment target for the COBRA trial. The data generated thus far on the SAR-bisPSMA product is very encouraging and shows high uptake of the agent by prostate cancer cells. The high uptake of product and the ability to image the patients at later timepoints adds both patient and clinic flexibility for locating and visualising even low volume tumours, a unique feature of this imaging technology. It is important for improving prostate cancer recurrence detection where the cancer burden may be quite low and thus identifying the specific location provides clinically important implications for the patients' therapeutic selection. We look forward to analysing the COBRA trial data and advancing the clinical development of SAR-bisPSMA together with Clarity."

Clarity's Executive Chairman, Dr Alan Taylor, commented, "We are very pleased with the progress in the development of the SAR-bisPSMA product across all of our trials, which continues to build a lot of excitement and was reflected by the pace of recruitment in the COBRA trial. In addition to potential clinical benefits due to higher uptake and the flexibility of imaging timepoints, 64Cu SAR-bisPSMA has a number of logistical and manufacturing advantages in comparison to other currently used PSMA agents. The ready-to-use product has been shipped to the trial sites in the US from a central manufacturing facility on-demand and on time, providing flexibility and reliability to the patients and their treating staff. This facilitates expanding the radiopharmaceutical field into the large oncology market, minimising logistical and image timing hindrances associated with the current generation of radio-diagnostics, and helping to focus on the needs of patients and their clinicians.

"COBRA is our second diagnostic trial of SAR-bisPSMA in prostate cancer. It reaches its recruitment target shortly after receiving positive top-line results in our PROPELLER trial. Running two trials with this product is in line with advice received from the US FDA to address the two relevant patient populations for registration of 64Cu SAR-bisPSMA: in pre-prostatectomy/pre-definitive treatment of patients with confirmed prostate cancer (PROPELLER trial); and in patients with suspected BCR of prostate cancer (COBRA trial).

"We look forward to analysing the data from the COBRA trial with a view to initiating a Phase III trial in this patient population."

About SAR-bisPSMA

SAR-bisPSMA derives its name from the word "bis", which reflects a novel approach of connecting two prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) binding motifs to Clarity's proprietary sarcophagene (SAR) technology that securely holds copper isotopes inside a cage-like structure, called a chelator. Unlike other commercially available chelators, the SAR technology prevents copper leakage into the body. SAR-bisPSMA is a Targeted Copper Theranostic (TCT) that can be used with isotopes of copper-64 (Cu-64 or 64Cu) for imaging and copper-67 (Cu-67 or 67Cu) for therapy.

About Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in men globally and the fifth leading cause of cancer death worldwide2. The American Cancer Institute estimates in 2023 there will be 288,300 new cases of prostate cancer in the US and around 34,700 deaths from the disease3.

About Clarity Pharmaceuticals

Clarity is a clinical stage radiopharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of serious disease. The Company is a leader in innovative radiopharmaceuticals, developing Targeted Copper Theranostics based on its SAR Technology Platform for the treatment of cancer in children and adults.

www.claritypharmaceuticals.com

References

Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT05249127 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05249127 Global Cancer Statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN Estimates of Incidence and Mortality Worldwide for 36 Cancers in 185 Countries, https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.3322/caac.21660 American Cancer Society: Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer, https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/about/key-statistics.html

For more information, please contact:

Clarity Pharmaceuticals





Dr Alan Taylor



Catherine Strong Executive Chairman



Investor/Media Relations [email protected]



[email protected]





+61 406 759 268

This announcement has been authorised for release by the Executive Chairman.

SOURCE Clarity Pharmaceuticals
CHICAGO, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Arizton's latest research report, the U.S. vital signs monitoring devices market will grow at a CAGR of 7.6% from 2022 to 2028. Increasing demand for wireless patient monitoring at home, the rise of virtual clinical trials, advances in remote patient monitoring technology, and upcoming technologies in vital signs monitoring are trends in the market. Vendors are leveraging innovative technology platforms to develop vital signs monitoring devices with advanced features. Vendors strategically focus on the development and commercial launches of their standalone or integrated vital signs monitors for patients' vital signs. New product approvals/launches coupled with R&D activities assist vendors in expanding their presence, enhancing market growth, and sustaining their market position in the vital signs monitoring devices market.

U.S.Vital Sign Monitoring Devices Market.jpg

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift and made healthcare settings reduce costs and increase value-based treatments provided in the market. Vendors in vital sign monitoring and remote patient monitoring have a significant opportunity to handle the shift in the healthcare landscape in this scenario. Most patients are treated more for chronic diseases than other conditions, and a major portion of the healthcare expenditure in the US goes toward treating and monitoring chronic diseases; therefore, vital signs monitors, and remote patient monitoring devices will have a major impact on the future of the US healthcare market. Post-COVID-19 healthcare settings have invested hugely in virtual care, online consultations, and home healthcare. Zyter, a US-based startup, providing telehealth and IoT-enabled platforms, recently launched its home health and RPM solution. The solution tracks data from a blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter, digital weight scale, or blood glucose monitor from the comfort of home. The US Military currently uses the system to track the condition of military personnel admitted in ICUs at various military bases worldwide from a central location in the US.

U.S. Vital Signs Monitoring Devices Market Report Scope

Report Attributes Details Market Size (2028) USD 11.21 Billion Market Size (2022) USD 7.21 Billion CAGR (2022-2028) 7.6 % Base Year 2022 Forecast Year 2023-2028 Market Segments Product, Patient Group, Application, and End-user Geographic Analysis US Key Vendors A&D Company, Baxter, CONTEC MEDICAL SYSTEMS, GE Healthcare, ICU Medical, Koninklijke Philips, Masimo, Medtronic, NIHON KOHDEN, Nonin, OMRON, OSI Systems, 100-Plus, Advanced Instrumentations, American Diagnostic, Bittium, Cardinal Health, Compass Health Brands, Dragerwerk AG & Co., EDAN Instruments, FUKUDA DENSHI, Halma, Infinium Medical, Mennen Medical, Microlife, NURECA, Oxitone, Qardio, Rossmax International, Solaris Medical Technology, Sunset Healthcare Solutions, Viatom Technology, VitalConnect, VivaLNK, and VYAIRE MEDICAL Page Number 260 Market Dynamics  Increasing Prevalence of Chronic Disorders augmenting Continuous Monitoring Demand  The Enhancements in Vital Signs Monitors  Increased Preference for Integrated Vital Signs Monitors  Increasing Focus on Developing Software & Apps for Vital Signs Monitoring by Manufacturers Customization Request If our report does not include the information you are searching for, you may contact us to have a report tailored to your specific business needs https://www.arizton.com/customize-report/3710

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Recent Vendor's Activities in the U.S. Vital Signs Monitoring Devices Market

In January 2022 , ICU Medical acquired Smiths Medical. The addition of vital care products expanded the business range of ICU Medical with a robust reach.

, ICU Medical acquired Smiths Medical. The addition of vital care products expanded the business range of ICU Medical with a robust reach. In December 2021 , Baxter acquired Hillrom, a medical technology leader. Before that, in January 2021 , Hillrom acquired Bardy Diagnostics, an innovator in digital health and a leading provider of ambulatory cardiac monitoring technologies.

, Baxter acquired Hillrom, a medical technology leader. Before that, in , Hillrom acquired Bardy Diagnostics, an innovator in digital health and a leading provider of ambulatory cardiac monitoring technologies. In February 2021 , Koninklijke Philips completed the acquisition of BioTelemetry. The acquisition of BioTelemetry is a strong fit with Philips' cardiac care portfolio. The combination results in the business expansion of patient care management solutions for the hospital and homes.

Key Company Profiles

A&D Company

Baxter

CONTEC MEDICAL SYSTEMS

GE Healthcare

ICU Medical

Koninklijke Philips

Masimo

Medtronic

NIHON KOHDEN

Nonin

OMRON

OSI Systems

100-Plus

Advanced Instrumentations

American Diagnostic

Bittium

Cardinal Health

Compass Health Brands

Dragerwerk AG & Co.

EDAN Instruments

FUKUDA DENSHI

Halma

Infinium Medical

Mennen Medical

Microlife

NURECA

Oxitone

Qardio

Rossmax International

Solaris Medical Technology

Sunset Healthcare Solutions

Viatom Technology

VitalConnect

VivaLNK

VYAIRE MEDICAL

Market Segmentation

Product

Standalone Vital Sign Monitoring Devices

Heart Rate/Cardiac Monitors



Pulse Oximeters



Blood Pressure Monitors



Body Temperature Monitors

Integrated Vital Sign Monitoring Devices

Patient Group

Geriatric Patient Group

Adult Patient Group

Pediatric Patient Group

Application

Chronic Care

Acute Care

End-user

Hospitals

Homecare Settings & Individuals

Ambulatory Care Settings

Others

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Check Out Some of the Top-Selling Research Related Reports:

U.S. Tele-Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Market - The U.S. Tele-Intensive Care Unit market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20.13% from 2022 to 2027. Tele- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) refers to electronic communications to transfer health information from one hospital critical care unit to another. Tele-Intensive Care Unit intensivists work with multiple care facilities in real time, regardless of location.

Virtual Visits Market - The global virtual visits market will grow at a CAGR of 27.15%. In the virtual visit, a patient or medical professional uses a computer, smartphone, or tablet to obtain a diagnosis and send a prescription to their pharmacy. The visit is completed without leaving home or the workplace and amounts to far less than the cost of an emergency room or primary care office visit. Virtual visits are available to Health Action Council members and their employees from various vendors and providers. With the increasing telehealth utilization, there is also an increase in the adoption of virtual visit platforms. From 2017 to 2019, the virtual visit doubled for Health Action Council members.

U.S. Remote Patient Monitoring Market - The US remote patient monitoring market will grow at a CAGR of 12.6% during 2021-2027. The rising adoption of telemedicine, the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, and a paradigm shift toward home healthcare drive the market's growth.

Cardiac Monitoring Market - The global cardiac monitoring market will grow at a CAGR of 6% during the forecast period. This surge in cardiac monitoring market growth is attributed to the growing prevalence of Atrial fibrillation worldwide. COVID-19 led to an increasing preference for remote monitoring of patients with cardiovascular conditions. The government and some vendors have also taken various steps to raise awareness among patients and the public. The market is expected to grow significantly in the upcoming years due to increasing technological advancements, new product launches, an increasing elderly population, and reimbursement policies for implantable cardiac monitors & other ambulatory devices.

Table of Content

1 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

2 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

3 RESEARCH PROCESS

4 SCOPE & COVERAGE

4.1 MARKET DEFINITION

4.1.1 INCLUSIONS

4.1.2 EXCLUSIONS

4.1.3 MARKET ESTIMATION CAVEATS

4.2 BASE YEAR

4.3 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

4.3.1 MARKET SEGMENTATION BY PRODUCT

4.3.2 MARKET SEGMENTATION BY PATIENT GROUP

4.3.3 MARKET SEGMENTATION BY APPLICATION

4.3.4 MARKET SEGMENTATION BY END-USER

4.3.5 MARKET SEGMENTATION BY GEOGRAPHY

5 REPORT ASSUMPTIONS & CAVEATS

5.1 KEY CAVEATS

5.2 CURRENCY CONVERSION

5.3 MARKET DERIVATION

6 MARKET AT A GLANCE

7 PREMIUM INSIGHTS

7.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

8 INTRODUCTION

8.1 OVERVIEW

8.1.1 COVID-19 IMPACT

8.1.2 REIMBURSEMENT SCENARIO FOR VITAL SIGNS MONITORS

8.1.3 WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY IN VITAL SIGNS MONITORING DEVICES

9 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES & TRENDS

9.1 INCREASING DEMAND FOR WIRELESS PATIENT MONITORING AT HOME

9.2 RISE OF VIRTUAL CLINICAL TRIALS

9.3 ADVANCES IN REMOTE PATIENT MONITORING TECHNOLOGY

9.4 UPCOMING TECHNOLOGIES IN VITAL SIGNS MONITORING

10 MARKET GROWTH ENABLERS

10.1 INCREASING PREVALENCE OF CHRONIC DISORDERS AUGMENTING CONTINUOUS

MONITORING DEMAND

10.2 ENCHANCEMENTS IN VITAL SIGNS MONITORS

10.3 INCREASED PREFERENCE FOR INTEGRATED VITAL SIGNS MONITORS

10.4 INCREASING FOCUS ON DEVELOPING SOFTWARE & APPS FOR VITAL SIGNS

MONITORING BY MANUFACTURERS

11 MARKET RESTRAINTS

11.1 CYBERSECURITY & RELATED LIMITATIONS WITH VITAL SIGNS MONITORS

11.2 FALSE ALARMS & ALARM FATIGUE ASSOCIATED WITH VITAL SIGNS MONITORS

11.3 INTENSE COMPETITION COUPLED WITH PRICING PRESSURES

12 MARKET LANDSCAPE

12.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

12.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

12.2.1 PRODUCT SEGMENTATION INSIGHTS

12.2.2 PATIENT GROUP SEGMENTATION INSIGHTS

12.2.3 APPLICATION SEGMENTATION INSIGHTS

12.2.4 END-USER SEGMENTATION INSIGHTS

12.3 FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS

12.3.1 THREAT OF NEW ENTRANTS

12.3.2 BARGAINING POWER OF SUPPLIERS

12.3.3 BARGAINING POWER OF BUYERS

12.3.4 THREAT OF SUBSTITUTES

12.3.5 THREAT OF RIVALRY

13 PRODUCT

13.1 MARKET SNAPSHOT & GROWTH ENGINE

13.2 MARKET OVERVIEW

13.3 STANDALONE VITAL SIGNS MONITORS

13.3.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

13.3.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

13.3.3 HEART RATE/CARDIAC MONITORS

13.3.4 PULSE OXIMETERS: MARKET SIZE AND FORECAST

13.3.5 BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORS: MARKET SIZE AND FORECAST

13.3.6 BODY TEMPERATURE MONITORS

13.4 INTEGRATED VITAL SIGNS MONITORS

13.4.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

13.4.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

14 PATIENT GROUP

14.1 MARKET SNAPSHOT & GROWTH ENGINE

14.2 MARKET OVERVIEW

14.3 GERIATRIC PATIENT GROUP

14.3.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

14.3.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

14.4 ADULT PATIENT GROUP

14.4.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

14.4.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

14.5 PEDIATRIC PATIENT GROUP

14.5.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

14.5.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

15 APPLICATION

15.1 MARKET SNAPSHOT & GROWTH ENGINE

15.2 MARKET OVERVIEW

15.3 CHRONIC CARE

15.3.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

15.3.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

15.4 ACUTE CARE

15.4.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

15.4.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

16 END-USER

16.1 MARKET SNAPSHOT & GROWTH ENGINE

16.2 MARKET OVERVIEW

16.2.1 KEY BUYING CRITERIA AND BUYING BEHAVIOR PATTERNS

16.3 HOSPITALS

16.3.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

16.3.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

16.4 AMBULATORY CARE SETTINGS

16.4.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

16.4.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

16.5 HOMECARE SETTINGS & INDIVIDUALS

16.5.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

16.5.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

16.6 OTHERS

16.6.1 MARKET OVERVIEW

16.6.2 MARKET SIZE & FORECAST

17 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

17.1 COMPETITION OVERVIEW

17.1.1 VENDORS RECENT ACTIVITIES: M&AS AND PRODUCT LAUNCHES

17.2 MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS

17.2.1 A&D COMPANY

17.2.2 BAXTER

17.2.3 CONTEC MEDICAL SYSTEMS

17.2.4 GE HEALTHCARE

17.2.5 ICU MEDICAL

17.2.6 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS

17.2.7 MASIMO

17.2.8 MEDTRONIC

17.2.9 NIHON KOHDEN

17.2.10 NONIN

17.2.11 OMRON

17.2.12 OSI SYSTEMS

18 KEY COMPANY PROFILES

18.1 A&D COMPANY

18.1.1 BUSINESS OVERVIEW

18.1.2 PRODUCT OFFERINGS

18.1.3 KEY STRATEGIES

18.1.4 KEY STRENGTHS

18.1.5 KEY OPPORTUNITIES

18.2 BAXTER

18.2.1 BUSINESS OVERVIEW

18.2.2 PRODUCT OFFERINGS

18.2.3 KEY STRATEGIES

18.2.4 KEY STRENGTHS

18.2.5 KEY OPPORTUNITIES

18.3 CONTEC MEDICAL SYSTEMS

18.3.1 BUSINESS OVERVIEW

18.3.2 PRODUCT OFFERINGS

18.3.3 KEY STRATEGIES

18.3.4 KEY STRENGTHS

18.3.5 KEY OPPORTUNITIES

18.4 GE HEALTHCARE

18.4.1 BUSINESS OVERVIEW

18.4.2 PRODUCT OFFERINGS

18.4.3 KEY STRATEGIES

18.4.4 KEY STRENGTHS

18.4.5 KEY OPPORTUNITIES

18.5 ICU MEDICAL

18.5.1 BUSINESS OVERVIEW

18.5.2 PRODUCT OFFERINGS

18.5.3 KEY STRATEGIES

18.5.4 KEY STRENGTHS

18.5.5 KEY OPPORTUNITIES

18.6 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS

18.6.1 BUSINESS OVERVIEW

18.6.2 PRODUCT OFFERINGS

18.6.3 KEY STRATEGIES

18.6.4 KEY STRENGTHS

18.6.5 KEY OPPORTUNITIES

18.7 MASIMO

18.7.1 BUSINESS OVERVIEW

18.7.2 PRODUCT OFFERINGS

18.7.3 KEY STRATEGIES

18.7.4 KEY STRENGTHS

18.7.5 KEY OPPORTUNITIES

18.8 MEDTRONIC

18.8.1 BUSINESS OVERVIEW

18.8.2 PRODUCT OFFERINGS

18.8.3 KEY STRATEGIES

18.8.4 KEY STRENGTHS

18.8.5 KEY OPPORTUNITIES

18.9 NIHON KOHDEN

18.9.1 BUSINESS OVERVIEW

18.9.2 PRODUCT OFFERINGS

18.9.3 KEY STRATEGIES

18.9.4 KEY STRENGTHS

18.9.5 KEY OPPORTUNITIES

18.10 NONIN

18.10.1 BUSINESS OVERVIEW

18.10.2 PRODUCT OFFERINGS

18.10.3 KEY STRATEGIES

18.10.4 KEY STRENGTHS

18.10.5 KEY OPPORTUNITIES

18.11 OMRON

18.11.1 BUSINESS OVERVIEW

18.11.2 PRODUCT OFFERINGS

18.11.3 KEY STRATEGIES

18.11.4 KEY STRENGTHS

18.11.5 KEY OPPORTUNITIES

18.12 OSI SYSTEMS

18.12.1 BUSINESS OVERVIEW

18.12.2 PRODUCT OFFERINGS

18.12.3 KEY STRATEGIES

18.12.4 KEY STRENGTHS

18.12.5 KEY OPPORTUNITIES

19 OTHER PROMINENT VENDORS

19.1 100-PLUS

19.2 ADVANCED INSTRUMENTATIONS

19.3 AMERICAN DIAGNOSTIC

19.4 BITTIUM

19.5 CARDINAL HEALTH

19.6 COMPASS HEALTH BRANDS

19.7 DRAGERWERK AG & CO.

19.8 EDAN INSTRUMENTS

19.9 FUKUDA DENSHI

19.1 HALMA

19.11 INFINIUM MEDICAL

19.12 MENNEN MEDICAL

19.13 MICROLIFE

19.14 NURECA

19.15 OXITONE

19.16 QARDIO

19.17 ROSSMAX INTERNATIONAL

19.18 SOLARIS MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

19.19 SUNSET HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS

19.20 VIATOM TECHNOLOGY

19.21 VITALCONNECT

19.22 VIVALNK

19.23 VYAIRE MEDICAL

20 REPORT SUMMARY

20.1 KEY TAKEAWAYS

20.2 STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS

21 QUANTITATIVE SUMMARY

21.1 MARKET BY PRODUCT

21.2 MARKET BY PATIENT GROUP

21.3 MARKET BY APPLICATION

21.4 MARKET BY END-USER

22 APPENDIX

22.1 ABBREVIATIONS

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SOURCE Arizton Advisory & Intelligence
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS. Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri commented on the deployment of an EU civilian monitoring mission to the Armenian-Azerbaijani border from the Armenian side.

The Ambassador spoke about the topic at the Armenia-Iran Relations in Context of Common Interests forum.

In response to a question from a reporter, the ambassador said: Other countries can bring their contribution in terms of ensuring security and peace in the region.

The Iranian ambassador added that solving issues with participation of regional countries can ensure security, peace which will be based on dialogue and discussions.
Mr Rose, a former BlackRock Director, joins as Head of Capital Markets, North America and will be central to bringing Vesttoo's unique value proposition to a wider capital markets audience. In his new role, Mr. Rose will be responsible for leading the US-based Capital Markets team and directing its fundraising activities and strategic initiatives across the North American region

TEL AVIV, Israel, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Vesttoo, a leading digital insurance risk transfer and investment platform, announced today the hiring of capital markets executive Thomas Rose as its new Head of Capital Markets, North America. Thomas will lead and further develop the team of capital markets specialists covering the North American region, driving the initiative to continue growing Vesttoo's investor base.

Thomas brings 20 years and a wealth of capital markets experience to Vesttoo having previously held key positions at Barclays Global Investors, BlackRock, and Neuberger Berman. Prior to joining Vesttoo, Thomas was the Co-Head of Distribution for 3iQ (US), a leading crypto-asset firm in Canada that launched the first regulated crypto funds in North America.

"I'm thrilled to be able to announce that Tom is joining our North American team," said Julia Henderson, Chief Commercial Officer at Vesttoo. "Tom's extensive capital markets experience means he brings a deep understanding of the needs of institutional investors and is able to articulate why today's market dynamics represent a fantastic opportunity for the ILS asset class. ILS represents an asset class capable of generating returns largely uncorrelated to movements in financial markets. Vesttoo's drive to develop the non-cat segment of the ILS market with the support of our data-driven technology is a game-changer. I have no doubt Tom will continue to build on the momentum our North American and Global capital markets teams have already achieved."

Surveying the contemporary investment landscape, Thomas commented that: "Institutional investors continue to be on the hunt for sensible yield enhancement opportunities. Vesttoo's approach to the insurance risk transfer and the ILS asset class offers investors a diversified, uncorrelated yield without the excessive unpredictability of catastrophic risk strategies. Moreover with the technology that Vesttoo has created, investors are able to get a data-driven and transparent risk pricing view in a way that's completely unique to the asset class."

About Vesttoo

Vesttoo connects the insurance industry and the capital markets by combining AI-powered technology with expertise in data science, insurance, and finance. We provide insurers with the capacity they need and investors with opportunities to diversify with uncorrelated, low volatility insurance-linked assets. Among the company's partners are well-established global insurers, financial institutions, and large multinational brokers. Securities products and services in the United States will be offered through a registered broker-dealer.

For more information, visit https://vesttoo.com .

Media Contact: Liran Grunhaus, [email protected]

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1607508/Vesttoo_logo.jpg

SOURCE Vesttoo
GOLETA, Calif., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Vitamin Angels, a public health nonprofit working to improve maternal and child nutrition worldwide, successfully expanded its multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS)  also known as prenatal vitamins and minerals  programs globally in 2022. The expansion resulted in enhanced global awareness and recognition of the importance of MMS and greater support for women and infants globally. In collaboration with its partners, Vitamin Angels reached over 71 million underserved pregnant women and children in about 65 countries, including all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico with evidence-based nutrition interventions in 2022.

"One of our key focuses in 2022 was to expand the number and scope of our MMS programs globally, including within the US, and to help build consensus within the public health community around MMS," said Howard B. Schiffer, Vitamin Angels Founder & President. "We made significant progress and there is still a lot more work to be done to ensure that every pregnant person in need has access to MMS."

Specific program highlights in 2022 included:

Supported Development of Indonesian National MMS Policy  One of Vitamin Angel's largest MMS projects is in Indonesia , where they are concentrating efforts on exploring the introduction of MMS for pregnant women. In doing so, Vitamin Angels is collaborating with government and several academic partners to explore the systematic introduction of MMS within the antenatal system in Indonesia .





 One of Vitamin Angel's largest MMS projects is in , where they are concentrating efforts on exploring the introduction of MMS for pregnant women. In doing so, Vitamin Angels is collaborating with government and several academic partners to explore the systematic introduction of MMS within the antenatal system in . Addressed Global Supply Chain Issues  Vitamin Angels helped to build an effective MMS supply strategy for countries (at the country, regional, and global scale), and addressed challenges of manufacturing and the increasing global demand for MMS. They worked in partnership with Kirk Humanitarian, to publish a paper, UNIMMAP MMS for National Health Systems: Considerations for Developing Supply Strategy, which addresses the need to scale the global supply of multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) to meet the growing demand.





 Vitamin Angels helped to build an effective MMS supply strategy for countries (at the country, regional, and global scale), and addressed challenges of manufacturing and the increasing global demand for MMS. They worked in partnership with Kirk Humanitarian, to publish a paper, UNIMMAP MMS for National Health Systems: Considerations for Developing Supply Strategy, which addresses the need to scale the global supply of multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) to meet the growing demand. Partnered with UNICEF to Combat Undernutrition in India - Vitamin Angels partnered with UNICEF in India to combat undernutrition and expand awareness around the importance of maternal nutrition. The goal of the program is to address the undernutrition of mothers and children up to age five at the population level across India .

Other organization highlights from the year included:

Corporate Partner Impact Achievements

Vitamin Angels' success wouldn't have been possible without outstanding support from its corporate partners in 2022. Walgreens achieved the significant milestone of reaching over 350M women and children through their partnership with Vitamin Angels, and expanded the Chicago prenatal pilot program, which distributes free Vitamin Angels prenatal vitamins and minerals and nutrition education to underserved pregnant women in the south and west sides of Chicago, through participating Walgreens locations. Bayer reached over 4M women and children with MMS and played a key role in Vitamin Angels' ability to expand its MMS programs globally. Other corporate partners who gave generously in 2022 included SmartyPants and The Vitamin Shoppe.

Implementation of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program

In 2022, Vitamin Angels' DEI efforts focused on the development of an internal process of continuous stakeholder feedback for all staff regarding DEI training, career advancement, recruitment, and retention. This effort ensures that every person who works at Vitamin Angels feels like they belong and that their contributions are valued. Vitamin Angels believes that the investment into a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace is important to accomplish its goals and will continue to expand and improve their DEI efforts in the coming year.

New Vitamin Angels Website

Vitamin Angels launched a new website in January 2023. The new website reflects the mission and ongoing work of Vitamin Angels and documents the growth the organization has achieved over the last three decades.

Looking ahead, the organization aims to double their impact to reach 140 million women and children annually by 2033. To achieve this, they will continue to work with their partners to build consensus around MMS and provide more innovative technical assistance through learning solutions, monitoring and evaluation, and supply chain solutions. They will also expand their scope of work with a more comprehensive package of maternal, infant, and young child nutrition interventions and social behavior change strategies to enhance uptake and adherence.

ABOUT VITAMIN ANGELS

Founded in 1994, Vitamin Angels is a public health nonprofit working to improve nutrition and health outcomes in low-resource settings worldwide. We strengthen, extend, and amplify the impact of our partner organizations working to reach the most nutritionally vulnerable groups  pregnant women, infants, and young children  who are underserved by existing systems. We do this by delivering evidence-based interventions and offering technical assistance, including ongoing monitoring and evaluation, to ensure program quality, scale, and impact. Vitamin Angels works with over 1,200 local organizations, including governments, to reach more than 71 million women and children in about 65 countries annually. Both Charity Navigator and GuideStar give Vitamin Angels their highest marks for financial transparency. To learn more, visit: www.vitaminangels.org.

Media Contact:

Amy Barbanell

310-734-7834

SOURCE Vitamin Angels
National Chicken Wing Restaurant Opens Newest Location in Redlands on February 9

REDLANDS, Calif., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Wing Zone , known for its fast, flavor-packed chicken wings, will debut its newest location in Redlands at 1755 E. Lugonia Ave. on February 9. Wing Zone will bring its 18 award-winning flavors to the Inland Empire with their signature fast wings, tenders and fries.

The Redlands location is the 32nd location nationally, and first brick-and-mortar location in the Inland Empire, with several expanding throughout the Golden State. The location is owned and operated by local entrepreneurs Fernando and Glenice Airada. The couple have always dreamed of owning their own restaurant franchise, and this will be the first of five locations they are developing in the area.

"Wing Zone has built their success on great wings and award-winning flavors," said Airada. "Founded in 1991, the chain has grown from a dream in Florida to a much-loved brand with more than 60 locations throughout the United States and abroad. Bringing Wing Zone to the Inland Empire will allow us to satisfy demand for better tasting, more flavorful and faster wings throughout the area."

From Tame to Nuclear Habanero, the Wing Zone offers options for everyone looking to experience the Scoville Scale firsthand. The flavor line-up, features tongue-tantalizing flavors such as Louisiana Lemon Pepper, Mango Fire, Blackened Voodoo and Liquid Gold. The menu focuses on original bone-in wings, boneless wings, and massive hand-breaded tenders as well as flavor rub fries along with the indulgent favorite funnel cake fries.

Wing Zone's multi-step method includes an initial olive-oil baking followed by a two-step frying process which allows an order to be ready to eat in a few minutes.

Founded in 1993, Wing Zone has built its success on great wings and award-winning flavors. The Las Vegas-based chain has grown from its original location to a much-loved international brand with more than 60 locations throughout the United States and abroad.

Wing Zone in Redlands is open from Sunday-Thursday from 11am to 11pm and Friday-Saturday from 11am to 12am. For additional information, visit www.wingzone.com or call (909) 321-4746.

About Wing Zone

Founded in 1993, Wing Zone is an international fast-casual restaurant franchise known for its cooked-to-order, flavor-fused chicken wings and tenders. Wing Zone's award-winning flavors are available at more than 31 locations in North America and its 30 restaurants internationally. The brand plans to grow to 200 profitable restaurants by 2025. For more information, visit www.wingzone.com . Like Wing Zone on Facebook , follow on Twitter or Instagram .

Media Contact: Regan Lee, Fishman PR, [email protected], 847-945-1300

SOURCE Wing Zone
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bloomreach , the world's #1 Commerce Experience Cloud, today announced the launch of real-time segments for Bloomreach Discovery . The new feature uses first-party data to understand every customer as they search  including anonymous visitors. Customers are grouped into segments based on real-time behavior, then matched to products that merchandisers have optimized for relevance and revenue growth. As a result, an increased amount of site traffic is connected with the right products, creating better experiences for more customers and unlocking new opportunities for revenue generation.

"If you consider how impactful one-to-one personalization can be, just imagine what that looks like when amplified at scale," said Jordan Roper, General Manager and Head of Product, Bloomreach Discovery. "By personalizing for both broad and granular customer segments, you're connecting even more of your site traffic with relevant products  and you're keeping those products relevant even as customer behavior shifts in real-time. This feature is going to unlock countless new opportunities for merchandisers to optimize product grids, enhancing the customer experience and driving fast revenue growth all at once."

Real-time segments are powered by Bloomreach's Customer Data Engine , enabling businesses to inject the search experience with real-time, first-party customer data. Traditional e-commerce search engines personalize using cookie-based data, which is limited, or the data of visitors who have logged in, which typically accounts for a small portion of site traffic. Bloomreach Discovery ingests both existing customer data profiles and real-time behavior such as product views, category views, and search queries  creating a more complete view of even first-time visitors. This enables the most in-depth customer understanding available in any e-commerce search solution on the market.

With a deep understanding of who the customer is, merchandisers are empowered to find new ways to enhance their e-commerce experience to drive greater revenue per visitor (RPV). As they see which product categories different customer segments interact with, they can optimize product grids or shape merchandising strategies accordingly.

During beta testing, real-time segments drove increases in RPV of more than 8%. On mobile devices, RPV grew more than 25%. To learn more about the ways Bloomreach Discovery is driving fast return on investment for businesses around the world, visit the company's website .

About Bloomreach

Bloomreach is the world's #1 Commerce Experience Cloud, empowering brands to deliver customer journeys so personalized, they feel like magic. It offers a suite of products that drive true personalization and digital commerce growth, including: Discovery, offering AI-driven search and merchandising; Content, offering a headless CMS; and Engagement, offering a leading CDP and marketing automation solutions. Together, these solutions combine the power of unified customer and product data with the speed and scale of AI-optimization, enabling revenue-driving digital commerce experiences that convert on any channel and every journey. Bloomreach serves over 850 global brands including Albertsons, Bosch, Puma, FC Bayern Munchen, and Marks & Spencer. For more information, visit Bloomreach.com .

Media Contact:

Michelle DeMaio

Bloomreach

Corporate Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Bloomreach
TORONTO, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Data Bridge Market Research has recently published a Report, titled, " Wood Pellet Market " The report offers an extensive analysis of key growth strategies, drivers, opportunities, key segment, Porter's Five Forces analysis, and competitive landscape. Wood Pellet Market research report execution is becoming very vital for the businesses to gain success because it offers many benefits including insights into revenue growth and sustainability initiative. The large scale Wood Pellet Market research report is an absolute overview of the market that takes into account various aspects of product definition, market segmentation based on various parameters, and the established merchant landscape. This industry report also offers businesses with the company profile, product specifications, production value, manufacturer's contact information and market shares for company. Moreover, Wood Pellet Market business report blends together all-inclusive industry analysis with particular estimates and forecasts to provide complete research solutions with greatest clarity for strategic decision making.

Due to the potential of SWOT analysis and Porter's Five Forces analysis in generating market research report, they are preferred by the businesses and hence also used while making an excellent Wood Pellet Market report. Market drivers and market restraints explained in this report provides idea about the rise or fall in the consumer demand for the particular product depending on several factors. In addition, this market report also gives top to bottom assessment of the market with respect to income and developing business sector. Thus, the world class Wood Pellet Market report endows with in-depth market analysis to thrive in this competitive environment.

An increase in the popularity of wood pellets as an energy carrier has a propositional impact on the growth and adoption of wood pellets. Also, a rise in the demand for sustainable fuel across the globe is expected to drive market growth. Data Bridge Market Research analyzes that the global wood pellet market will grow at a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period of 2023 to 2030.

Download Sample Copy of Wood Pellet Market @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-wood-pellet-market

Wood pellets are compressed wood particles made primarily from wood waste and agricultural waste such as straw. When compared to unprocessed biomass, they are dense, have low moisture and ash content, and have a high energy content. Apart from that, wood pallets find widespread use in the residential and commercial sectors for cooking, grilling, and supplying heat due to their low cost and low maintenance. They are also used in large-scale biomass supply chains to help reduce costs in biomass storage, handling, and transportation.

The wood pellet market competitive landscape provides details of competitors. Details included are company overview, company financials, revenue generated, market potential, investment in R&D, new market initiatives, global presence, production sites and facilities, production capacities, company strengths and weaknesses, solution launch, product width and breadth, and application dominance. The above data points provided are only related to the companies' focus related to the market.

Need for the Replacement of Fossil Fuels

Globally, the requirement for fossil fuels is increasing due to increasing energy requirements. Fossil fuels are non-renewable resources where the stored energy is released through combustion, such as coal, natural gas, and petroleum, and they account for almost 80% of the energy used worldwide. The replacement of fossil fuels may thus act as an opportunity for market growth.

Some of the major players operating in the Wood Pellet market are:

AVPGroup

Drax Group plc

Energex

Enviva

Erdenwerk Gregor Ziegler GmbH

German Pellets

Graanul Invest

Holzwerke Weinzierl GmbH

Land Energy

Lignetics

Mallard Creek

Midland Bio Energy

Nugreen Energy

Royal Wood Shavings

RZ Pellets GmbH

Schwaiger Holzindustrie GmbH & Co. KG

Sinclar Group Forest Products

TANAC

Valfei Products

Wilhelm Hoyer GmbH & Co. KG among others.

Recent Developments

In January 2023 , Graanul Invest announced that the company has exported the largest wood pellet shipment of 50,042 tons in the U.S.

, Graanul Invest announced that the company has exported the largest wood pellet shipment of 50,042 tons in the U.S. In August 2022 , Drax Group plc announced the acquisition of a pellet plant in Princeton, British Columbia , Canada. This acquisition will help the company to produce 90,000 tones of wood pellets a year.

Get Full PDF Research Report to Understand More @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/checkout/buy/enterprise/global-wood-pellet-market

The report provides insights on the following pointers:

Market Penetration: Comprehensive information on the product portfolios of the top players in the Wood Pellet market

Product Development/Innovation: Detailed insights on upcoming technologies, R&D activities, and product launches in the market

Competitive Assessment: In-depth assessment of the market strategies, and geographic and business segments of the leading players in the market

Market Development: Comprehensive information about emerging markets. This report analyzes the market for various segments across geographies

Market Diversification: Exhaustive information about new products, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments in the Wood Pellet Market

Core Objective of Wood Pellet Market:

Every firm in the Wood Pellet market has objectives but this market research report focus on the crucial objectives, so you can analysis about competition, future market, new products, and informative data that can raise your sales volume exponentially.

Wood Pellet Market Size and growth rate factors.

and growth rate factors. Important changes in the future Wood Pellet Market.

Top worldwide competitors of the Market.

Scope and product outlook of Wood Pellet Market.

Developing regions with potential growth in the future.

Tough Challenges and risk faced in Market.

Global Wood Pellet top manufacturers profile and sales statistics.

Market Drivers: Wood Pellet Market

The Rise in Demand for Sustainable Fuel Across the Globe

Sustainable fuels are produced from renewable or alternative feedstock, such as plants, vegetables, or industrial wastes. They include biofuels such as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), bioethanol, and synthetic fuels (synfuels) such as ammonia or methanol. Such fuels will help reach ambitious decarbonization targets and are projected to be higher than alternatives in the long term, using 100% renewable diesel.

Increase in the Popularity of Wood Pellets as an Energy Carrier

Wood pellets are a solid biomass fuel produced from wood residues and agricultural by-products. However, bioenergy fuels are one of the most important renewable energy and are gaining huge global demand. These fuels include biogas, solid waste, wood, agricultural products, ethanol, and biodiesel.

RESTRAINT/CHALLENGE

Availability of Alternative Fuel/Energy Sources in the Market

Wood pellets are a renewable product that compresses waste wood, grasses, straws, corn stalks, and even paper and cardboard into dense pellet-like forms. However, these pellets are found to be sustainable and emit low emissions compared to their fuels, but there are other alternatives to these wood pellets, which can be referred to as renewable energy. This may act as a restraining factor for market growth.

To Gain More Insights about this Research, Visit @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-wood-pellet-market

Key Industry Segmentation: Wood Pellet Market

Grade

Standard Wood Pellet

Utility Wood Pellet

Premium Wood Pellet

Flavors

Traeger Signature Wood Pellets

Hickory Wood Pellets

Pecan Wood Pellets

Apple Wood Pellets

Cherry Wood Pellets

Mesquite Wood Pellets

Application

Residential Heating

Power Plants

Commercial Heating

Combined Heat and Power (CHP)

Animal Bedding

Regional Analysis/Insights: Wood Pellet Market

The countries covered in this Wood Pellet Market Report are the U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Russia, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, rest of Europe, South Africa, Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, rest of Middle East and Africa, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia & New Zealand, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, rest of Asia-Pacific, Brazil, Argentina, and rest of South America

Europe is dominating the global wood pellet market due to the increase in the popularity of wood pellets as an energy carrier.

The country section of the report also provides individual market-impacting factors and changes in regulations in the market domestically that impact the current and future trends of the market. Data points such as new sales, replacement sales, country demographics, disease epidemiology, and import-export tariffs are some of the major pointers used to forecast the market scenario for individual countries. Also, the presence and availability of global brands and their challenges faced due to large or scarce competition from local and domestic brands, and the impact of sales channels are considered while providing forecast analysis of the country data.

Table of Contents:

Introduction Market Segmentation Executive Summary Premium Insights Global Wood Pellet Market : Regulations Market Overview Global Wood Pellet Market, By Grade Global Wood Pellet Market, By Flavors Global Wood Pellet Market, By Application Global Wood Pellet Market, By Region Global Wood Pellet Market: Company Landscape SWOT Analyses Company Profile Questionnaires Related Reports

To Check the Complete Table of contents, click here @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/toc/?dbmr=global-wood-pellet-market

Explore More Reports:

Europe Wood Pellet Market , By Grade (Standard Wood Pellet, Utility Wood Pellet, and Premium Wood Pellet), Flavors (Traeger Signature Wood Pellets, Hickory Wood Pellets, Pecan Wood Pellets, Apple Wood Pellets, Cherry Wood Pellets, and Mesquite Wood Pellets), Application (Residential Heating, Power Plants, Commercial Heating, Combined Heat and Power (CHP), and Animal Bedding) - Industry Trends and Forecast to 2030. https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/europe-wood-pellet-market

Asia-Pacific Wood Pellet Market , By Grade (Standard Wood Pellet, Utility Wood Pellet, and Premium Wood Pellet), Flavors (Traeger Signature Wood Pellets, Hickory Wood Pellets, Pecan Wood Pellets, Apple Wood Pellets, Cherry Wood Pellets, and Mesquite Wood Pellets), Application (Residential Heating, Power Plants, Commercial Heating, Combined Heat and Power (CHP), and Animal Bedding) - Industry Trends and Forecast to 2030. https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/asia-pacific-wood-pellet-market

Middle East and Africa Wood Pellet Market , By Grade (Standard Wood Pellet, Utility Wood Pellet, and Premium Wood Pellet), Flavors (Traeger Signature Wood Pellets, Hickory Wood Pellets, Pecan Wood Pellets, Apple Wood Pellets, Cherry Wood Pellets, and Mesquite Wood Pellets), Application (Residential Heating, Power Plants, Commercial Heating, Combined Heat and Power (CHP), and Animal Bedding) - Industry Trends and Forecast to 2030. https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/middle-east-and-africa-wood-pellet-market

North America Wood Pellet Market , By Grade (Standard Wood Pellet, Utility Wood Pellet, and Premium Wood Pellet), Flavors (Traeger Signature Wood Pellets, Hickory Wood Pellets, Pecan Wood Pellets, Apple Wood Pellets, Cherry Wood Pellets, and Mesquite Wood Pellets), Application (Residential Heating, Power Plants, Commercial Heating, Combined Heat and Power (CHP), and Animal Bedding) - Industry Trends and Forecast to 2030. https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/north-america-wood-pellet-market

Wood Coating Resins Market , By Resin Type (Epoxy Resin, Amino Resin, Alkyd Resin, Polyurethane Resin, Unsaturated Polyester Resin, Saturated Polyester Resin, Acrylic Resin, Vinyl Resin, Other Resins), Technology (Solvent-Borne Coatings, Powder Coatings, Waterborne Coatings, High Solids Coatings, Radiation Curable Coatings, Others), Application (Automotive Coatings, Marine & Protective Coatings, Architectural Coatings, General Industrial Coatings, Packaging Coatings, Wood Coatings, Others) Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Spain, Russia, Turkey, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Luxemburg, Rest of Europe, Japan, China, South Korea, India, Australia And New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Israel, South Africa, And Rest Of Middle East and Africa) Industry Trends and Forecast to 2029. https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-wood-coating-resins-market

Wood Preservative Market , By Formulation (Water Based, Solvent Based, Oil-Based), Application (Residential, Commercial, Industrial), Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, Germany, France, Italy, U.K., Belgium, Spain, Russia, Turkey, Netherlands, Switzerland, Rest of Europe, Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific, U.A.E, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, South Africa, Israel, Rest of Middle East and Africa) Industry Trends and Forecast to 2029 https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-wood-preservative-market

Wood Plastic Composite Market , By Type (Polyvinylchloride, Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Others), Application (Building & Construction Products, Automotive Components, Industrial & Consumer Goods, Others)  Industry Trends and Forecast to 2029. https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-wood-plastic-composite-market

Wood Based Panel Market By Product (Plywood, Fiberboard, Oriented Strand Board, Cement-Bonded Particleboard, Lumber Panels, T-Beam Panels, Stress-Skin Panels, and Others), Thickness (9 MM, 10 MM, 18 MM, 20 MM, 40 MM, 50 MM, and Others), Distribution Channel (B2B, OEMS, Specialty Stores, E-Commerce, and Others), Application (Outdoor Door, Window Trim, Ceiling Wall, Mantel, Floor, and Others), End-User (Residential Building, Commercial Building, Hotels, Vila, Hospitals, School, Malls, and Others) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-wood-based-panel-market

About Data Bridge Market Research:

An absolute way to forecast what future holds is to comprehend the trend today!

Data Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavours to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process. Data Bridge is an aftermath of sheer wisdom and experience which was formulated and framed in the year 2015 in Pune.

Data Bridge Market Research has over 500 analysts working in different industries. We have catered more than 40% of the fortune 500 companies globally and have a network of more than 5000+ clientele around the globe. Data Bridge adepts in creating satisfied clients who reckon upon our services and rely on our hard work with certitude. We are content with our glorious 99.9 % client satisfying rate.

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SOURCE Data Bridge Market Research
DUBLIN, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "World Military & Civil Aircraft Briefing" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.





The World Military & Civil Aircraft Briefing is a monthly-updated information service consisting of reports that track the status and outlook of more than 150 aircraft programs and markets.

The market overview reports contain a compilation of the production forecasts for a given market, along with resulting market shares for aircraft programs and manufacturers. This information is given in both units and current dollars.

Each program report includes information describing the aircraft, designating the agency responsible for development or purchase of the plane, an explanation of the various subsystems and the companies involved in supplying the components (primes as well as subcontractors), an overview giving a brief history and current status of the program, and, finally, a 10-year funding forecast (US programs only) and 10-year production forecast (all programs) is included, along with a publisher evaluation explaining our rationale for the forecasts.



The program reports are organized in sections by mission (e.g., fighter/attack or transports) and within sections, alphabetically by manufacturer/model.

The market overviews are contained together in their own section. Most of the Western world's aircraft programs are covered in World Military & Civil Aircraft Briefing. These include planes under development, in production or out of production, but still in significant service.



Key Topics Covered:

User's Guide

Market Overviews

World Aircraft Overview

Business Aircraft

Commercial Jet Transports

Fighter/Attack Aircraft

Military Transport Aircraft

Regional Aircraft

Special Mission Aircraft

Trainers/Light Attack Aircraft

World Rotorcraft Overview

Fighter/Attack

AIDC Ching Kuo

AMX International AMX

BAE Systems Harrier/Boeing AV-8B

Boeing F-15 Eagle

Boeing F/A-18 Hornet

Boeing/Saab T-7 Red Hawk

Dassault Aviation Mirage 2000

Dassault Aviation Mirage F1

Dassault Aviation Rafale

Eurofighter

Hindustan Aeronautics LCA

Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon

Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor

Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawk

McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II

Mikoyan MiG -29/35 Fulcrum

-29/35 Fulcrum Mitsubishi/Lockheed Martin F-2

Northrop F-5 Tiger II/T-38

Panavia Tornado

Saab JAS 39 Gripen

SEPECAT Jaguar

Sukhoi Su-27/30 Flanker/T-50/Su-57

Transports

Airbus Industrie A220

Airbus Industrie A300

Airbus Industrie A310

Airbus Industrie A318/319/320/321

Airbus Industrie A330

Airbus Industrie A340

Airbus Industrie A350XWB

Airbus Industrie A380

Airbus Military Company A400M

Airbus Military Company CN-235/CASA C-295

Antonov An-38/PZL M28

Avions de Transport Regional ATR 42/72

BAE Systems/Avro 146/RJ

Boeing 737/P-8

Boeing 747

Boeing 757

Boeing 767/KC-46

Boeing 777

Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Boeing C-17 Globemaster III

Boeing MD-11

Boeing MD-80

Boeing MD-90

Bombardier Regional Jet (RJ)

CASA C-212 Aviocar

COMAC ARJ21

COMAC C919

De Havilland Canada DHC-8

Embraer ERJ 145 Series

Embraer 170/190

Embraer KC-390

Fairchild Dornier /RUAG 228

/RUAG 228 Ilyushin Il-96

Irkut MS-21

Leonardo G.222/C-27

Lockheed C-5 Galaxy

Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules

Mitsubishi Regional Jet

Sukhoi Superjet

Tupolev Tu-204

General Aviation/Utility

Bombardier Challenger/Global Series

Bombardier Challenger 300

Bombardier Learjet Series

Britten-Norman Islander/Defender

Cessna Caravan I/II/SkyCourier

Cessna Citation Series

Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet

Daher TBM 700/850/900

Dassault Aviation Falcon Series

Eclipse Aviation Eclipse Series

Embraer Legacy/Phenom Series

General Dynamics Gulfstream G100/200

General Dynamics Gulfstream G300/400/500/650/700/800

Hawker Beechcraft Beechjet/Hawker 400

Hawker Beechcraft Hawker 800/1000/4000

Hawker Beechcraft King Air

Hawker Beechcraft Premier/Hawker 200 Series

Honda Aircraft HondaJet

Piaggio P.180 Avanti

Pilatus PC-12/PC-24

SyberJet Aircraft SJ30

Trainers/Light Attack

Aermacchi M-346

Aermacchi MB.339

Aero L-39 Albatros

BAE Systems Hawk

Boeing T-45 Goshawk

Dassault/Dornier AlphaJet

Embraer/Shorts EMB-312/S312 Tucano

HAIG K-8 Karakorum 8

Kawasaki T-4

Korea Aerospace Industries KT-1/A/T-50

Pilatus PC-7 Turbo-Trainer

Pilatus PC-9/PC-21/Hawker Beechcraft T-6

Helicopters

Airbus BO 105/H135

Airbus H120

Airbus H125/H130 Ecureuil

Airbus H225 Super Puma

Airbus H365 Dauphin/H155/160/175

Airbus Tiger

Airbus/Kawasaki BK.117/H145/UH-72

Bell 206/407/429/505

Bell 222/230/430

Bell 406/OH-58D

Bell AH-1 Cobra

Bell UH-1/212/412/525

Boeing AH-64 Apache

Boeing CH-47 Chinook

Denel Aviation CSH-2 Rooivalk

Hindustan Aeronautics Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH)

Kaman SH-2 Seasprite

Kawasaki OH-1/UH-X

Leonardo AW101

Leonardo AW109/119/169/SH09

Leonardo AW129 Mangusta

Leonardo AW139/149/189

Leonardo Lynx

MD Helicopters Explorer

MD Helicopters MD 500/600

NH Industries NH 90

Sikorsky CH-53 Super Stallion

Sikorsky S-76

Sikorsky S-92

Sikorsky SH-60/MH-60 Seahawk

Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk

Special Mission

Bell/Boeing V-22 Osprey

Boeing 707/E-3/E-737

Boeing E-6 TACAMO

Dassault Aviation Atlantique 2

De Havilland CL-215/415/DHC-515

Leonardo AW609

Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion

Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit

Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider

Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye

Northrop Grumman E-8 JSTARS

Rockwell International B-1 Lancer

Appendices

Appendix 1 - World Military Aircraft Inventory

Appendix 2 - Prime Contract Awards by Company/Division

Appendix 3 - Engine Applications

Appendix 4 - World Commercial Aircraft Fleets

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/fwvkno-military?w=5

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.



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SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, Feb. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Whole Genome and Exome Sequencing Markets by Application, Organism and Product with Executive and Consultant Guides. Includes Direct to Consumer Analysis 2023 to 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The report forecasts the market size out to 2023. The report includes detailed breakouts for 14 countries and 5 regions.

Will all newborns receive Whole Genome Sequencing at birth? How fast will Direct to Consumer Testing grow? What sequencing technology will take the lead? What's holding the industry back? Where are the over 800 locations that have high throughput devices?

The plummeting costs for Whole Genome Sequencing are creating a gold rush for market players. New consumers, new technologies, new specializations. In a situation reminiscent of the birth of the internet industry a wide range of well funded players are racing for market share on a truly global stage.

Tumor Cell Sequencing? Direct to Consumer? Gene Expression? Find out about the technology in readily understood terms that explain the jargon. What are the issues? Find the opportunities and the pitfalls. Understand growth expectations and the ultimate market forecasts for the next five years.

All report data is available in Excel format on request. Make investment decisions and valuations with confidence using the latest data.

Key Topics Covered:

Market Overview

Market Participants Play Different Roles

Instrument Manufacturer

Independent lab specialized/esoteric

Independent lab national/regional

Independent lab analytical

Public National/regional lab

Hospital lab

Physician lab

DTC Lab

Sequencing Labs

Audit body

Whole Genome Sequencing - Markets, Examples and Discussion

Direct to Consumer - Two Approaches

The New Age of Medical Information

Dangers in DTC-WGS - Health Costs and Regulation

Newborn and Prenatal - A Brave New World

DTC - How Many Segments?

Research Markets

Research Funding and Capital Expense

WGS Datasets Preferred

Existing research repurposed

Organism Wide Market

Service Suppliers Respond

Clinical - Understanding Germline and Somatic

Somatic - Chasing Mutations and Pharmacogenomics

Pathogen Testing

The Hepatitis C Story

Will the Microbiology Department Disappear?

AgriBio - Big Business

GMO is Here to Stay

WGS Benefits and Risks

The New Agriculture

Industry Structure

Hospital's Testing Share

Economies of Scale

Instrument Manufacturer Role

Healthcare Industry Impacts - Still Struggling

Can the Healthcare Industry Adapt?

Genetic Counselling as an Industry

WGES Adoption and Cannibalization

The Meaning of Grail

Market Trends

Factors Driving Growth

Diagnostic Factors

Interpreting the Code Otherwise

Changes in Agriculture

Fertility Technology Comes of Age

Pathogen Challenges

Factors Limiting Growth

Increased Competition Lowers Price

Lower Costs

Healthcare Cost Concerns Curtail Growth

Wellness has a downside

GMO Opposition Movement

Sequencing Instrumentation

Instrumentation Tenacity

Declining Cost Changes Industry Structure

LISTING of CURRENT NGS INSTRUMENT SPECIFICATIONS

llumina

ION

Pacific Biosystems

Roche

SOLiD

Oxford Nanopore

What is Oxford Nanopore Sequencing?

What can Oxford Nanopore Sequencing be used for?

Oxford Nanopore Products

Long Reads - Further Segmentation

Linked Reads

Targeted Sequencing Adopts CRISPR

New Sequencing Technologies

RNAP sequencing

In vitro virus high-throughput sequencing

Tunnelling currents DNA sequencing

Sequencing by hybridization

Sequencing with mass spectrometry

Microfluidic Sanger sequencing

Microscopy-based techniques

WGES Recent Developments

Genomics England , Aims to Sequence 100K Newborns

, Aims to Sequence Newborns Juno Diagnostics NIPT With At-Home Sample Collection

Cardio Diagnostics Launches Genetic Cardio Risk Test

Universal Genetic Testing in Breast Cancer Further Supported

Aniling Gets CE-IVD Marks for Cancer Sequencing Tests

MyOme Lands Investment for WGS

GenomSys Gains CE Mark for New Genomic Analysis Software

WGS Finds Lung Cancers Fall Into Molecular Subtypes

Testing Distinguishes Benign Tumors From Precancerous Condition

Plan to Sequence All Newborns in UK

Clear Labs Raises $60M for Nanopore Sequencing

for Nanopore Sequencing Variantyx Expands Into Prenatal, Cancer Testing

Whole-Genome Sequencing Aids Diagnosis in Stockholm

Variantyx Raises $20M

Nonacus WGS Service for SARS-CoV-2 Laboratories

Center to Report Risk Scores in Clinical WGS

Stanford Launches WGS for Cardiovascular Testing

Illumina and NY Healthcare Partner on Clinical WGS

Increased Adoption of WGS Needs Acceptance by Payors, Providers

Veritas Intercontinental Completes 5M Series B Financing Round

M2GEN and Discovery Life Sciences in Bioinformatics Agreement

Genomics England Adopts Quantum ActiveScale Object Storage

GenomiQa, Icon Group to Validate Genomic Analysis Platform CapeDx

NHS Wales Introduces WGS for Critically Ill Newborns

Illumina Achieves EAU for NGS-Based SARS-CoV-2 Test

C2i Genomics to Launch Trials for MRD Detection Tech

Roche Acquires Sequencing Company Stratos Genomics

UK COVID-19 Sequencing Consortium Launches

Invitae Acquires Three Companies: YouScript, Genelex, Diploid

Experience From Centralized Genomic Medicine Lab

MGI to Enable $100 Human Genome

Human Genome Nebula Genomics offers $299 WGS

WGS Team to Study Campylobacter Omics

Veritas Genetics Restarts US Business

NEOGEN, Gencove partner to advance animal genomics

UK Whole-Genome Sequencing Project Obtains 200M

WGS may help with disease outbreaks

Veritas Cuts WGS Price by 40%

Dante Labs Launches GenomeL, Long Reads Human Whole Genome Sequencing

Machine-learning system used to diagnose genetic diseases

Whole Genome Sequencing for healthy creates controversy

Nebula Genomics Offers FREE Whole Genome Sequencing

Profiles of Key Companies

10x Genomics, Inc

Diagnostics

23andME Inc

Abbott Laboratories

AccuraGen Inc

Adaptive Biotechnologies

Admera Health, LLC

Agilent/Dako

Akonni Biosystems

Amoy Diagnostics Co., Ltd

Ancestry.com LLC

Anchor Dx

ARUP Laboratories

Baylor Miraca Genetics Laboratories

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics

Becton, Dickinson and Company

BGI Genomics Co. Ltd

Bioarray Genetics

Biocept, Inc.

Biodesix Inc.

BioFluidica

BioGenex

Biolidics Ltd

bioMerieux Diagnostics

Bioneer Corporation

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc

Bio-Techne

C2i Genomics

Caris Molecular Diagnostics

CellMax Life

Centogene

Circulogene

Clear Labs

Clinical Genomics

Complete Genomics, Inc. - A BGI Company

Dante Labs

Datar Cancer Genetics Limited

Day Zero Diagnostics.

Diasorin S.p.A

Epic Sciences

Epigenomics AG

Eurofins Scientific

Excellerate Bioscience

Fabric Genomics

Freenome

FUJIFILM Wako Diagnostics

Fujirebio

Fulgent Genetics

GE Global Research

Gencove

Genedrive

GeneFirst Ltd

Genetron Holdings

Genewiz

Genomics England

Genomics Personalized Health (GPH)

GenomOncology

Genzyme Corporation

Grifols

Guardant Health

Guardiome

HeiScreen

Helix

Helomics

Hologic

HTG Molecular Diagnostics

Human Longevity, Inc

iCellate

Illumina

Incell Dx

Inivata

Invitae Corporation

Invivoscribe

Karius

Lunglife AI Inc

Macrogen

MDNA Life SCIENCES, Inc

MDx Health

Medgenome

Meridian Bioscience

Mesa Biotech ( Thermo Fisher )

) Mesa Laboratories, Inc

miR Scientific

MNG Labs

NantHealth, Inc

Natera

Nebula Genomics

NeoGenomics

New England Biolabs, Inc

Novogene Bioinformatics Technology Co., Ltd

Omega Bioservices

Oncocyte

OncoDNA

OpGen

ORIG3N, Inc

Origene Technologies

Oxford Nanopore Technologies

Panagene

Pathogenomix

Perkin Elmer

Personal Genome Diagnostics

Personalis

Precipio

PrecisionMed

Promega

Protagen Diagnostics

Qiagen

QuantuMDx

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

Roche Molecular Diagnostics

Roswell Biotechnologies

Seegene

Sequencing.com

Siemens Healthineers

simfo GmbH

Singlera Genomics Inc

SkylineDx

Standard BioTools

Sure Genomics, Inc

Sysmex

Sysmex Inostics

Tempus Labs, Inc

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc

Variantyx

Volition

Vyant Bio

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/a4pjsi-genome-and?w=5

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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SOURCE Research and Markets
SINGAPORE, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- XT.COM , a leading cryptocurrency exchange , has announced its acquisition of a DMCC license, marking a significant milestone in the company's efforts to expand its presence in the United Arab Emirates. This license acquisition reinforces the company's commitment to regulatory compliance and will enable XT.COM to offer its customers a secure and reliable platform for buying, selling, and trading cryptocurrencies. The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) is one of the world's leading free zones for the commodities trade and is committed to promoting the growth and development of businesses in the UAE.

XT.COM is dedicated to meeting and exceeding the expectations of regulators and legislation as it continues its global expansion. The company is putting regulatory compliance at the center of its globalization strategy and is committing significant resources to ensure that its operations meet the highest standards of security, transparency, and customer protection. This includes working closely with regulators, such as the DMCC, to ensure that the company's practices and processes are in line with local laws and regulations.

"XT.COM is committed to providing our customers with the best possible experience and cryptocurrency trading opportunities," said Albin Warin , CEO of XT.COM. "We are proud to have obtained the DMCC license and are dedicated to ensuring that our platform is in compliance with the highest standards of security, transparency, and customer protection. The acquisition of the DMCC license is an important step in our efforts to expand our global footprint and bring our services to customers around the world."

XT.COM has already established itself as one of the cryptocurrency exchanges in the world that provides users with the earliest available trading opportunities for new web3 projects, serving millions of customers in over 100 countries. With the acquisition of the DMCC license, the company is well-positioned to further grow its presence in MENA. XT.COM is committed to providing its customers with the highest level of customer service and support. The company has a team of experienced professionals who are dedicated to providing fast, reliable, and secure service to its customers.

The acquisition of the DMCC license for XT.COM is a significant milestone in the company's efforts to meet and exceed the expectations of regulators and legislation as it continues its global expansion, and is putting regulatory compliance at the center of its globalization strategy.

About XT.COM

Founded in 2018, XT.COM crypto exchange now serves more than 6 million registered users, over 1,000,000+ monthly active users, 40+ million users in the ecosystem, and 800+ trading pairs. Covering a rich variety of trading categories together with an NFT aggregated marketplace, our platform strives to cater to its large user base by providing a secure, trusted and intuitive trading experience.

As the world's first social-infused digital assets trading platform, XT.COM also supports social networking platform-based transactions to make our crypto services more accessible to users all over the world. Furthermore, to ensure optimal data integrity and security, we see user security as our top priority at XT.COM.

Website: https://www.xt.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/XTexchange

Telegram: https://t.me/XTsupport_EN

SOURCE XT.com
The leading cause of death in America can be prevented. With 80% of heart disease caused by lifestyle, changing habits and learning other heart-healthy strategies can give you the control you need to change your life

NEW YORK, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- While heart disease remains the leading cause of illness and death in the United States, certain lifestyle modifications can dramatically reduce one's chances of premature death due to heart disease.

Launching February 14 and available for pre-order, Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, (Harper Horizon, February 14, ISBN 9780785240693), outlines how to proactively live a heart-healthy lifestyle and offers a step-by-step approach for reducing one's cardiovascular risks. The book contains straightforward information and interactive tools to help readers on their health journey such as:

a risk calculator to assess one's personal cardiovascular risk factors

a four-week meal plan

exercise guide

discussion of various digital tools and apps that may be helpful, effective, and which offer you more bang for your buck

"Although genetics, as well as, family history play a role in one's heart disease risk, most heart disease is caused by lifestyle choices, which means you can often prevent or delay it," says John Whyte M.D., Chief Medical Officer, WebMD. "This book emphasizes the importance of assessing your own risk for heart disease and provides strategies for adopting lifestyle changes to become proactive about reducing your risk of heart disease. After all, you have the power to take control of your own risk."

"In Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, I felt it was extremely important to give readers the tools and knowledge that emphasizes the importance of assessing your own personal risk, and then how to use that knowledge to make lifestyle changes and healthy choices to lessen that risk," says Whyte.

Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, 40% of Americans have heart disease, and it remains a major cause of illness and death. The theme of this book allows readers to take charge and mitigate their risk factors. Chapter by chapter, readers will learn how everyday instances may have an effect on their heart health, such as the quality and quantity of foods, lack of exercise, the role of sleep, emotional health and wellbeing, stress, depression, and anxiety levels. Readers will get tips and examples on the best foods to eat, how often to exercise, how to maximize one's mental health, and more.

"We have known for a long time the mind-body connection, but we often ignore it," says Dr. Whyte. "There have been numerous studies that have demonstrated a relationship between depression and anxiety with heart disease. I hope readers take away some of the tips I provide to have a more balanced wellbeing, which will reduce inflammation and therefore reduce their heart disease risk."

Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk is the third book in the three-part "Take Control" series, which offers people the strategies they need to be more in charge of their health and well-being. It is available for pre-order everywhere books are sold.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

John Whyte, M.D., MPH, is a popular physician and writer who has been communicating to the public about health issues for nearly two decades. In his role as chief medical officer of WebMD, Whyte leads efforts to develop and expand strategic partnerships that create meaningful change around important and timely public health issues. He has been a leading voice in addressing the COVID pandemic, being named as one of the top 20 health influencers. Prior to WebMD, Whyte served as the director of professional affairs and stakeholder engagement at the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Whyte worked with health care professionals, patients, and patient advocates, providing them with a focal point for advocacy, enhanced two-way communication, and collaboration, assisting them in navigating the FDA on issues concerning drug development, review, and drug safety. He also developed numerous initiatives to address diversity in clinical trials. Prior to this, Whyte worked for nearly a decade as the chief medical expert and vice president, health and medical education, at Discovery Channel, the leading nonfiction television network. In this role, Whyte developed, designed and delivered educational programming that appealed to both a medical and lay audience. The television shows as well as online content he worked on won over 50 awards.

Whyte is a board-certified internist. He completed an internal medicine residency at Duke University Medical Center and earned a Master of Public Health in health policy and management at Harvard University School of Public Health. Prior to arriving in Washington, D.C., Whyte was a health services research fellow at Stanford and attending physician in the department of medicine.

About WebMD

WebMD Health Corp., an Internet Brands Company, is the leading provider of health information services, serving patients, physicians, health care professionals, employers, health plans and health systems through public and private online portals, mobile platforms, and health-focused publications. The WebMD Health Network includes WebMD Health, Medscape, Jobson Healthcare Information, MediQuality, Frontline, Vitals Consumer Services, Aptus Health, Krames, PulsePoint, The Wellness Network, SanovaWorks, MedicineNet, eMedicineHealth, RxList, OnHealth, Medscape Education, and other owned WebMD sites. WebMD, Medscape, CME Circle, Medpulse, eMedicine, MedicineNet, theheart.org , and RxList are among the trademarks of WebMD Health Corp. or its subsidiaries.

SOURCE WebMD Health Corp.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS. A number of members of the Australian Parliament condemned Azerbaijan's blocking of the Lachin Corridor, calling on Azerbaijan to immediately open the corridor, ARMENPRESS reports, citing the Armenian National Committee of Australia.

Australian senator Janet Rice announced in the upper house of the country's parliament that human rights must be respected in all countries.

"Closing the Lachin Corridor has serious humanitarian consequences for the Artsakh community and has caused great concern among the Australian Armenian community," the senator said, calling for the immediate opening of the Lachin Corridor.

The Armenian National Committee of Australia also informs about the speech of Jerome Laxale, a member of the House of Representatives of the Australian Parliament, the president of the Australia-Armenia intra-parliamentary union. Joining Senator Janet Rice, Laxale also condemned Azerbaijan's blockade of Artsakh Armenians.

"The Berdzor Corridor, which is usually called the road of life, is the only land connection of the self-determined Armenian population of Artsakh and the outside world... There are all signs that this blockade will become another tragic moment in the history of the Armenian people," the MP noted.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS. The European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs has prepared a new report reviewing the EU's relations with Armenia, which calls on Azerbaijan to withdraw its troops from the territory of Armenia, emphasizes that any peace treaty must include the territorial integrity of Armenia, the rights and security of the Armenian population of Nagorno Karabakh, the quick and safe return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their homes and praises the work done by Armenia in the direction of democratic reforms, as a result of which Armenia has become a leader of democracy in the region.

As ARMENPRESS was infomred from the website of the European Parliament, in the new report, the MEPs strongly condemn the large-scale military attack on Armenia by Azerbaijan in September 2022, which violated previous attempts to achieve peace and led to the occupation of the sovereign territory of Armenia by Azerbaijani forces.

Emphasizing that this latest aggression has nothing to do with the long-term conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, the report calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to withdraw troops from all parts of Armenian territory.

The report also urges the governments of both countries to work towards a comprehensive and mutually acceptable peace treaty, and urges the EU to continuously engage, mediate and effectively contribute to the peaceful resolution of the conflict.

The MEPs also reaffirm that for effectiveness, any peace treaty should include provisions that guarantee the integrity of Armenia's sovereign territory, the rights and security of the Armenian population living in Nagorno-Karabakh and other conflict-affected regions, and the swift and safe return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their homes.

The report welcomes the full entry into force of the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement in March 2021 and Armenia's commitment to implementing it.

The MEPs also praise Armenia for the significant reforms implemented in recent years, the democratization process, as a result of which the country has become a leader of democracy in the region. The MEPs also call on the European Union and Armenia to work closely on the implementation of current and future reforms within the framework of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement, stressing that it covers a wide scope of joint work.

The report also highlights Armenia's fight against crime and corruption, and encourages the government to continue reforms to strengthen democratic institutions, rule of law and judicial independence, despite the complex international context and challenges Armenia has faced.

Welcoming the improvements in terms of media freedom, the MEPs emphasize that the country's media environment is still polarized, the MEPs are concerned about the cases of hate speech and physical violence against journalists. They call for efforts to increase the diversity and media literacy of the country's media sector. Fully supporting the efforts of the Armenian government in the fight against disinformation, the MEPs noted that no measure should lead to restrictions on journalists' or freedom of speech.

"The report on EU-Armenia relations once again reaffirms the European Parliament's commitment to peace in the region and cooperation between Armenia and the EU in a number of important areas. As an important step in this direction, we welcome the deployment of the EU mission in Armenia and call on the government of Azerbaijan to guarantee the freedom and safety of movement through the Lachin Corridor, which has been blocked for almost 2 months," said rapporteur Andrey Kovatchev after the vote.

It is noted that the report was adopted with 55 votes in favor and 5 abstentions. Following the Committees vote, the text will be submitted to the European Parliament for approval.
Yerevan, Feb 9 : Armenia has sent 56 rescuers to the quake-hit Turkey and Syria to assist in the search-and-rescue operations, the Internal Affairs Ministry said.

Of the rescuers, 27 are dispatched to Turkey and 29 to Syria, the Ministry added on Wednesday.

The rescue team has arrived and started working in the earthquake zone in Turkey, Armenian media reported.

On Tuesday, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan offered condolences and support to the Turkish people in a telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Xinhua news agency reported.

More than 11,000 people were killed and tens of thousands injured after earthquakes jolted parts of Turkey and neighbouring Syria on Monday.
Nicosia, Feb 9 : Turkey has accepted Cyprus' offer of rescue teams to help in the search for victims of the earthquake which hit the southern part of the country on Monday. Turkey had originally rejected the offer.

Cypriot Foreign Ministry spokesman Demetris Demetriou said in a tweet that Turkey had conveyed its acceptance through the European Civil Protection Mechanism.

A Turkish military operation in 1974 led to the partition of the eastern Mediterranean island, and its northern part is still controlled by Turkish troops, Xinhua news agency reported.

However, on Tuesday Cyprus expressed its readiness to help Turkey.

Demetriou told state CyBC television that a team of rescuers has been assembled and is now ready to depart.

"Cyprus Airways will make capacity available on its scheduled flights to Beirut, and is willing to organise special relief flights to bring the necessary cargo to the areas that most need the support," he added.

Cyprus' state-run Volunteerism Coordinating Council and several non-governmental organisations have announced they are collecting money and goods for victims of the earthquakes.

Special accounts have been opened for the collection of aid in the two main banks of Cyprus.

The earthquake has so far claimed the lives of more than 11,000 people in Turkey and Syria.

Among the dead are several Turkish Cypriot school children, who were taking part in a school volleyball tournament in a southeastern Turkish city, and some of their parents.
Ottawa, Feb 9 : Eight people were seriously injured after a city bus crashed into a daycare centre on Wednesday morning in Laval, north of Montreal, Canada, local media reported.

All eight victims, including at least one child, were transported to a hospital in critical condition.

The incident took place at the Garderie educative Sainte-Rose on Dufferin Terrace in Laval's Sainte-Rose district shortly around 8:30 a.m. local time, and the bus was from the Societe de transport de Laval (STL), the reports said.

The driver of the bus was arrested, and the reason for the crash is still unknown, Xinhua news agency reported.

StAphane Boyer, the Mayor of Laval, said the driver had been employed by the STL for 10 years or so but didn't have any prior incidents on his record.

"There is a hypothesis that this was an intentional act but it will have to be confirmed by the investigation," Boyer was quoted as saying.

The daycare centre usually accommodates between 80 and 85 children, the reports added.
The Swedish parliament has approved the changes proposed by the government in the country's budget, which provide for a new military aid package of 4.3 billion Swedish kroner ($406.7 million) to Ukraine.

February 9, 2023, 10:38 Sweden to provide $400M in military aid to Ukraine

STEPANAKERT, FEBRUARY 9, ARTSAKHPRESS: According to the respective statement of the parliament, the military equipment, which is not very necessary for the Swedish armed forces, will be provided to Kyiv free of charge.

The aid package includes anti-tank weapons, demining equipment, light anti-tank Robot 57s, and Combat Vehicle 90 infantry combat vehicles.

Legislative amendments to the budget will enter into force on February 13.
Johannesburg, Feb 9 : The Health Department of South Africa's Gauteng province has said that it has detected the third case of cholera in Johannesburg following the first two confirmed cases.

The latest case, reported on Tuesday, is the husband of the first confirmed patient, the provincial health department said in a statement on Wednesday.

The patient presented with symptoms at a health facility and was immediately admitted on Saturday for further tests. He is in stable condition, according to the statement.

The first two cases were detected on February 1 and February 3 in Johannesburg from two sisters who had returned from Malawi together on January 30, Xinhua news agency reported.

The department suggested people visit the nearest health facilities when they present with mild to severe watery diarrhoea and dehydration symptoms.
Lucknow, Feb 9 : The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has informed the Supreme Court in an affidavit that the entry of women into mosques for offering 'namaz' inside is permitted.

However, free intermixing of genders in the same line or common space is not in conformity with the position prescribed in Islam and that needs to be taken care of by segregation within the premises by the management committee, if possible, the board said in a statement.

"Considering the said religious texts, doctrines and religious beliefs of the followers of Islam, it is submitted that entry of women into mosques for offering namaz inside mosques is permitted," the board added.

Apart from this stated position in the affidavit, the board also appealed to the Muslim community that wherever new mosques are constructed, this issue of making appropriate space for women be kept in mind.

The apex court is seized of a plea relating to the entry of Muslim women into mosques for offering namaz.

One Farha Anwar Hussain Shaikh had filed a petition in the top court in 2020 and has sought a direction that the alleged practices of prohibition of entry of Muslim women into mosques in India are "illegal and unconstitutional". The plea is likely to be heard by the apex court in March.

The board also said a Muslim woman is free to enter a mosque for prayers and it is her option to exercise her right to avail such facilities as available for prayers in a mosque.

"It is submitted that the questions raised in the present petition are not in the background of state action. The practices of religion in the places of worship (which in the present matter are mosques) are purely private bodies regulated by 'Muttawalis' of the mosques," the affidavit, filed through advocate M.R. Shamshad, said.

The affidavit added the AIMPLB, being a body of experts without any state powers, can only issue advisory opinion based on Islamic principles.

The affidavit also said the AIMPLB and the apex court, for that matter, cannot enter into the arena of detailed arrangements of a religious place, which is completely privately managed entity for religious practices of believers in the religion.

The affidavit said that Islam has not made it obligatory on Muslim women to join daily five-time prayers in congregation nor is it obligatory for woman to offer weekly Friday namaz in congregation, though it is so on Muslim men.
Ankara/Damascus, Feb 9 : As rescuers are racing against time to find more survivors in Turkey and Syria amid the harsh freezing temperatures, the death toll from the devastating earthquake that struck the two countries earlier this week has increased to 15,383 as of Wednesday, according to authorities.

In its latest update, Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD) said the country's overall death toll currently stood at 12,391 people, with 62,914 others injured, reports Anadolu News Agency.

More than 6,000 buildings collapsed in the aftermath of Monday's massive 7.8-magnitude quake, while more than 13 million people have been impacted so far in the 10 Turkish regions of Kahramanmaras, Gaziantep, Hatay, Osmaniye, Adiyaman, Malatya, Sanliurfa, Adana, Diyarbakir and Kilis.

In Syria, there were at least 2,992 deaths, of which 1,730 were reported in rebel-held areas in the northwest, according to the "White Helmets" civil defence group, and 1,262 fatalities were registered in government-controlled parts of the country, says the state media, CNN reported.

Since the disaster struck on Monday, 70 countries and 14 international organisations have offered Turkey relief, according to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

However, the international aid situation in Syria is less clear as the Country has been heavily sanctioned due to the ongoing civil war.

So far, the UAE, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Egypt, Algeria and India have sent relief directly to regime-controlled airports, reports CNN.

Others such as the Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, China, Canada and the Vatican have pledged aid, though it is unclear if that relief will be sent directly to the regime.

The EU has confirmed it will send 3.5 million euroes in aid to Syria following a government request for assistance, but said the aid must be delivered to both government- and rebel-controlled areas.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Syrian government said it has set up more than a hundred shelters equipped with aid supplies for those affected by the earthquake across government-controlled areas, including in the cities of Aleppo, Hama, Homs, Tartus and Latakia, a coastal city which has the highest number of earthquake deaths counted in Syria so far, and over 100 collapsed buildings.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Erdogan, who visited the quake-hit areas on Wednesday, has defended his government's response, saying it was impossible to prepare for the scale of the disaster after critics claimed the emergency services' response was too slow, the BBC reported.

Addressing reporters in Hatay, he accepted the government had encountered some problems, but said the situation was now "under control".

Rescuers and volunteers are working round the clock to locate the trapped under rubble as the survival rate without food or water drops drastically after the 72nd hour, which is rapidly approaching, reports Xinhua news agency.

Experts have warned that the 72-hour window for rescuing those trapped by the earthquakes may be much smaller than anticipated, given the low temperatures that have swept through the earthquake-hit regions will increase the risk of hypothermia.

The devastating 7.8 tremor struck Turkey's southern province of Kahramanmaras at 4.17 a.m. on Monday morning, which was followed by a 6.4-magnitude temblor a few minutes later in Gaziantep province.

The epicentre of the 7.8-magnitude quake was 23 km east of Nurdagi in Gaziantep, at a depth of 24.1 km.

At around 1.30 p.m, a third 7.5-magnitude tremor hit Kahramanmaras, which officials said was "not an aftershock".

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, Feb 9 : A fire broke out at an HDFC Bank in the national capital's Greater Kailash-II area on Thursday, an official said.

Atul Garg, Director of the Delhi Fire Service (DFS), said a call regarding the blaze at the bank in M Block was recieved at around 6.05 a.m.

"A total of nine fire tenders were rushed to the spot. The blaze was brought under control at around 7.15 a.m. The fire was at basement (server room) and ground floor of the bank. No casualty has been reported," he added.
Lucknow, Feb 9 : After creating a major controversy over verses in Ramcharitmanas, Samajwadi Party general secretary Swami Prasad Maurya has now sent a letter to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding an amendment to or a ban on the allegedly objectionable verses of the Hindu epic Ramcharitmanas.

In a five-page letter to the President and the Prime Minister, Maurya said he seeks a ban on some of the objectionable parts of some couplets of the Ramcharitmanas in which "women, tribals, Dalits and backward people have been humiliated on a daily basis at the social and religious level." The verses should be banned or amended to give respect to "the victim class", he said.

Maurya also said the Hindu epic Ramcharitmanas composed by Goswami Tulsidas in the middle of the 16th century is very popular among the masses in North India. The medieval feudal casteist thoughts were reflected in the epic written in the Awadhi language, he said.

In some of the verses, the caste system based on discrimination has been justified, he claimed. An attempt has been made to establish the supremacy of a particular caste while the Shudras have been termed lowly and ignoble, he said, adding that in some of the verses, offensive words have been used for women. The references made in the epic throw light on the medieval thinking of Tulsidas, he said.

"After 90 years of struggle, India gained independence. The Constitution drafted by Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar reflects the thoughts that spread among the masses during the freedom struggle and the dream of modern Indians. Ambedkar said the aim is to establish a society based on equality and justice. In the Constitution, it is clearly mentioned that there should be no discrimination based on religion, caste and sex," he said.

"The Ramcharitmanas is literature based on the story of Ram. It is like other literary texts - Sursagar written on Lord Krishna by Surdas and Padmavat written by Malik Muhammad Jayasi on the love story of Ratansen and Padmavati.

"According to well-known literary figure A.K. Ramanujam, there are around 300 Ramayans in India. But the story-tellers have made Ramcharitmanas a religious text. Why is religious importance being given to this Hindu epic? Is it not an effort to establish the supremacy of the Brahmins and to make Dalits a lowly community?" Maurya asked.

"The country will run according to the Constitution and not on the Ramcharitmanas. The Constitution protects the rights of the deprived and weaker sections," he said.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who comes from a backward community, has also spoken over the insult he suffered on being called lowly. The story tellers and members of the Brahmin community are using loudspeakers to recite Ramcharitmanas. The Dalits, tribals, OBCs and women are forced to face the ignominy. It is necessary to remove the objectionable verses or ban it," he said.
Pilibhit : , Feb 9 (IANS) A youth sustained a deep cut on his throat after encountering a Chinese manjha while travelling on a scooty.

The victim, Raj Karan, was shifted to a private hospital by his family members where he received four stitches on the wound.

Later, he uploaded a complaint on the chief minister's portal and filed a written complaint to the district magistrate, Praveen Kumar Laxkar.

Ashwini Agnihotri, a senior criminal lawyer at Pilibhit, said that the NGT had imposed a ban on all kite flying threads made of nylon or synthetic material across the country on July 11, 2017.

"Earlier on November 19, 2015, a division bench of Allahabad HC had ordered the UP government to impose a ban on Chinese manjha in the state. Later in 2017, all district magistrates of the state were directed to follow the HC order," he stated.

The city magistrate, Dr Rajesh Kumar, said that the district administration had enforced a search and seizure operation against Chinese manjha.

The SHO of Pilibhit Kotwali police station, Naresh Tyagi, said that any person caught selling or stocking the banned manjha can be booked under IPC section 337 (causing hurt to any person by doing any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life), 336 (doing any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life) and the appropriate sections of the environment protection act, 1986.

Meanwhile, the banned manjha is being sold freely despite the ban and injuries caused to many people.
Etah : , Feb 9 (IANS) The Etah police have arrested four members of a gang including a 30-year-old woman, who robbed men of their valuables after a fake marriage.

If the victim family took any action, the gang would threaten them with a fake dowry harassment case.

The woman was arrested this time because the victim recorded her conversation with another member of her gang and then approached the police.

The accused were identified as Anjali, a resident of Banaras, and Rahul Kumar, Dharmendra Kumar, and Anil Kumar, all residents of Hathras. They were reportedly operating this racket for a long time.

Sunil Kumar, SHO of the Dehat police station, said, "We arrested four members of the gang. After investigation, we found that three people, including two women are still absconding, and we are trying to arrest them.

He said that a case under various sections, including 420 (cheating) of IPC, had been registered and the accused were sent to jail after being produced before a magistrate.
The Mexican Senate (Senate of the Republic) adopted a document on February 8 recognizing the Armenian Genocide, citing the need for protection of universal human rights.

February 9, 2023, 13:29 The Mexican Senate adopted a document recognizing the Armenian Genocide

STEPANAKERT, FEBRUARY 9, ARTSAKHPRESS: The Senate urged the country's Foreign Affairs Secretariat to support Mexico's official recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
Kanpur, Feb 9 : Police in Kanpur have exhumed the carcass of a dog and sent it for a second autopsy.

Two street dogs were allegedly shot dead by a local resident in Sarvodaya Nagar area of the city on January 26.

On the complaint of local residents of the area, the Kakadeo police had initiated investigation by lodging an FIR under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act against one Gyanendra and got the autopsy of the dog's carcass done by the government veterinary doctors.

After that, the locals buried the dog in a nearby area.

However, the autopsy report did not confirm that the dog was shot, but it stated that the canine was killed by a sharp object.

Disagreeing with the report, a local mountaineer, Gudiya Thakur, and the people of the area met Police Commissioner B.P. Jogdand and demanded a second autopsy of the dog.

Subsequently, the Commissioner ordered for a second autopsy.

Additional Ispector Naeem Khan said: "The dog's carcass has been exhumed and sent for autopsy again on the orders of the commissioner of police. Further action will be taken on the basis of the report of the second autopsy and other relevant findings." The locals had alleged that the dogs were barking near Gyanendra's house on January 26 night.

Irked over the barking, he allegedly opened fire, leaving one dog dead and another injured.

Irate locals of the area had protested outside the Kakadeo police station.
New Delhi, Feb 9 : Twitter will charge Rs 650 per month for its Blue service with verification on the web and Rs 900 on Android and iOS mobile devices in India, the company has confirmed.

Twitter Blue has now been extended to India, Brazil and Indonesia.

Elon Musk-run Twitter is also offering a discounted annual plan of Rs 6,800 per year in India, which translates to approximately Rs 566.67 per month.

With India launch, Twitter Blue is now available in 15 global markets including the US, Canada, Japan, the UK and Saudi Arabia.

Earlier this month, the micro-blogging platform Twitter expanded its Blue service subscription service to six more countries.

In December last year, Twitter relaunched its Blue subscription service with verification, costing $8 for Android users and $11 for iPhone owners per month globally.

Twitter has now begun allowing Blue subscribers in the US to create long tweets of up to 4,000 characters.

Twitter Blue subscribers will also see 50 per cent fewer ads in their home timeline.

With Blue checkmarks, Twitter Blue features offer subscribers a way to enhance and customise their Twitter experience -- which include -- custom app icons, custom navigation, top articles, undo tweet, longer video upload, and more.

Musk has now said that all legacy verified accounts will soon lose their Blue badges as those are 'deeply corrupted'.

The micro-blogging platform has also launched a new service called Twitter Verification for Organisations, which is a service for business entities on Twitter that adds a gold checkmark to official business accounts.

Twitter has told businesses to pay $1,000 per month for retaining gold badges and brands and organisations which do not pay the money will lose their checkmarks.
Seoul, Feb 9 : North Korea on Thursday confirmed it staged a massive military parade to mark the 75th founding anniversary of its armed forces, during which it displayed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that have the maximum nuclear attack capability.

Leader Kim Jong-un attended the event on Wednesday night along with his wife Ri Sol-ju and apparent second child, Ju-ae, but gave no public speech, Yonhap News Agency quoted Pyongyang's state media as saying.

Flanked by top military and party officials, Kim took to the reviewing stand to watch the night-time military parade held in Kim Il Sung Square to mark the Korean People's Army (KPA) anniversary.

Clad in a long black coat and wearing a felt hat, Kim smiled and waved to the crowd, photos released by the KCNA showed.

His outfit was reminiscent of those of the country's late founder, Kim Il-sung.

ICBMs and other major weapons rolled through the square, with the North claiming the missiles showed off the "maximum" nuclear attack capability, Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

The North also presented "tactical nuclear units" in a demonstration of its "war deterrence and counterstrike capabilities".

According to satellite images from the US-based space technology firm Maxar Technologies, the North appeared to have paraded a range of new ballistic missiles, including its Hwasong-17 ICBMs on a mobile launcher.

Though many of the missiles remain unidentified, some observers raised the possibility that the list of the missiles on display might include a solid-propellant one that the North has recently been working on.

The North is expected to air recorded footage of the military parade later on Thursday.

Since Kim took power following his father's death in late 2011, his regime has staged 13 military parades, including the latest one.
Los Angeles, Feb 9 : 'Magic Mike's Last Dance' director Steven Soderbergh is gearing up for its theatrical release with Salma Hayek playing the female lead opposite Channing Tatum, but that wasn't how the film originally went into production.

The movie started filming with Thandiwe Newton, but she exited the project after only 11 days and was replaced with Hayek, reports 'Variety'.

A studio spokesperson told Variety at the time that Newton exited the film "to deal with family matters," but outlets like Page Six ran with headlines that claimed it was an on-set fight between Tatum and Newton that got her fired from the movie.

Rumours circulated the two actors had an explosive fight over Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars. Soderbergh now told Rolling Stone that none of the headlines he saw about Newton's exit were factual, reports 'Variety'.

"Nothing I ever saw was accurate, and there's really no upside for anybody involved in litigating this or excavating it, because I consider it private," Soderbergh said.

"Everything I saw publicly was wrong. It was just...I don't think anybody sees any benefit in running through this publicly. It becomes something you can't control. Right now, to keep it private means all of us can control it, and I think that's where it should sit for the time being." In 'Magic Mike's Last Dance', Hayek stars as a woman in a relationship with Tatum's eponymous stripper. Hayek's character pushes Mike to start a male stripper revue in London. Soderbergh took inspiration from Tatum's real-life 'Magic Mike' stage production in Las Vegas, 'Magic Mike Live'.

"The film is showing up at a good time because it's such a joyful movie," Soderbergh recently told Variety.

"I'm also curious if there is a space still for mid-range movie budget aimed at adults - one that's not by standard definition a fantasy spectacle."
Paris, Feb 9 : The CGT, France's largest trade union, is planning a new day of nationwide demonstrations against the government's planned pension reform on February 16.

The announcement came in the wake of Tuesday's general mobilisation, which brought together an estimated 757,000 people to demand that the government drop its reform plans, reports Xinhua news agency.

On Tuesday, striking public sector workers also disrupted the country's transport, electricity and local services.

Later in the evening, after nationwide demonstrations, several unions called on "the entire population to demonstrate even more massively on Saturday throughout the territory to say no to this reform".

As the country's National Assembly (Parliament) started debating the fiercely contested pension bill on Tuesday, the unions vowed to increase pressure on the deputies.

The National Assembly is expected to complete the first reading of the bill by the self-imposed deadline of February 17 -- a day after the fifth day of general mobilization.

On January 10, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne laid out details of the plan, which would progressively raise the legal retirement age by three months a year from 62 to 64 by 2030, and introduce a guaranteed minimum pension.

Starting in 2027, the plan would also require at least 43 years of work to be eligible for a full pension.
Damascus, Feb 9 : A Lebanese ministerial delegation has arrived in Damascus to discuss with Syrian officials more possible assistance for the quake-hit country.

The multi-partisan delegation, led by Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, met Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who according to local media reports, expressed gratitude to Lebanon for the aid, reports Xinhua news agency.

The delegation also met Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad.

On Tuesday, a Lebanese delegation of the Lebanese Red Cross, Beirut Fire Brigade, Civil Defense, Disaster Management units and the Lebanese army travelled to Syria to assist the country in post-quake rescue work.

Meanwhile, Lebanese Public Works and Transport Minister Ali Hamieh said the country has opened air space and maritime facilities to enable shipping companies to transport humanitarian aid to Syria.

The death toll from Monday's devastating 7.8-magnitude quake in Turkey and Syria has increased to 15,383 as of Thursday morning.

In Syria, there were at least 2,992 deaths, of which 1,730 were reported in rebel-held areas in the northwest, according to the "White Helmets" civil defence group, and 1,262 fatalities were registered in government-controlled parts of the country, says the state media.

The regions of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama and Tartus were the worst hit.

A large number of buildings were also destroyed or damaged in the opposition-held areas in northern Syria, where rescue teams are frantically searching for survivors.
Baku, Feb 9 : Hospitals in Azerbaijan are ready to receive those injured in the the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria this week, President Ilham Aliyev announced here.

"Our hospitals have all the conditions for the treatment of our wounded brothers and sisters," said the President, as he visited the Turkish Embassy in Baku on Wednesday to offer his condolences, reports Xinhua news agency.

"Beds have already been allocated in Baku and other cities, including the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, and if necessary, we are ready to bring in patients," Aliyev told the Turkish Ambassador after signing a book of condolence at the mission.

He said doctors, rescuers and volunteers are being sent to Turkey, and humanitarian aid campaigns are launched by ordinary people, public organisations and private companies in Azerbaijan to help those affected by the quakes.

"The people of Azerbaijan voluntarily bring whatever they have to support their brothers. Someone brings a blanket, someone brings a mattress, and someone else brings a coat. People are ready to share whatever they have," he said.

Azerbaijan has deployed rapid response search and rescue units, totaling more than 700 people, to earthquake-hit regions of Turkey, according to emergency authorities.

More than 200 Azerbaijanis have been evacuated from Turkey since the earthquake struck on Monday, the Foreign Ministry said.

As of Thursday, the overall death toll in Turkey and Syria rose to 15,383.

Turkey has reported 12,391 fatalities, with 62,914 others injured, while in Syria, there were at least 2,992 deaths and nearly 5,040 injuries.
Visakhapatnam, Feb 9 : In a heart-wrenching incident, a man from Odisha carried his wife's dead body on his shoulder for more than four kilometers in Andhra Pradesh's Vizianagaram district before a couple of local police officers came to his rescue.

Samulu, a tribal from Surada village of Odisha's Koraput district, had no money to take the dead body of his wife Guru (30) to the village and the hapless man started walking with the body on his shoulder. He had a distance of 125 kilometers to cover.

Samulu had brought his ailing wife to Visakhapatnam for treatment. Unable to bear the expenses of her treatment, the tribal man was taking her back home in an auto-rickshaw. He wanted to reach Salur in the auto-rickshaw and from there reach his village in another vehicle.

However, the woman's condition deteriorated further on the way and she succumbed in the auto-rickshaw near Ramavaram Bridge in Vizianagaram district. The auto-rickshaw driver stopped the vehicle and asked the man to get down with the body. Despite requests by Samulu to at least drop him at Saluru, the auto-rickshaw driver did relent.

With no money in hand to arrange the transport, the man carried the dead body on the shoulder and left for his village.

He was walking along the busy national highway but no one stopped to help him. Finally a good Samaritan informed the police.

Circle Inspector Tirupati Rao and Sub-Inspector Kiran Kumar from Gantyada police station rushed to Ramavaram. The police officer spoke to him, collected all details, provided him with food and water and arranged an ambulance to carry the body to his village. The police officials also informed their counterparts in Odisha to render the necessary assistance.

The humanitarian gesture by the police officers was appreciated by Vizianagarm Superintendent of Police Deepika Patil and other top officials.
Dharamsala, Feb 9 : As the legislative year begins, the US Congress is already demonstrating its bipartisan commitment to resolving China's illegal occupation of Tibet by reintroducing a bill pressuring Beijing to resume dialogue with the Dalai Lama's envoys.

Massachusetts Representative Jim McGovern (Democrat), Texas Representative Michael McCaul (Republican), Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley (Democrat), and Indiana Senator Todd Young (Republican), announced the reintroduction of the Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Conflict Act on Wednesday.

The legislation was previously introduced in the House on July 13, 2022 and in the Senate on December 20 last year.

The announcement comes as Penpa Tsering, the Sikyong (President) of the Central Tibetan Administration, which provides democratic governance for Tibetans in exile, is visiting Washington to meet with US lawmakers --including the main sponsors of the legislation -- and Biden administration officials.

Known as the Resolve Tibet Act, the bill will make it official US policy that China must resume dialogue with the envoys of the Dalai Lama, as the conflict between Tibet and China is unresolved and Tibet's legal status remains to be determined under international law.

The two sides held 10 rounds of dialogue between 2002-2010, but since then, the dialogue process has remained stalled.

China has illegally occupied Tibet for over 60 years, forcing the Dalai Lama into exile in 1959.

As a result of the Chinese government's decades of extreme human rights abuses, Tibet is now the least-free country on earth alongside South Sudan and Syria, according to the watchdog group Freedom House.

The Resolve Tibet Act offers new hope that the decades-long crisis in Tibet can come to a peaceful end.

What the bill does? It will make it official US policy that the conflict between Tibet and China is unresolved and Tibet's legal status remains to be determined under international law; recognise that Tibetans have a right to self-determination and that China's policies preclude them from exercising that right and fault China for failing to meet expectations of participating in dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives.

India is home to the Dalai Lama and some 100,000 Tibetan exiles. The Dalai Lama is based in the northern hill town of Dharamsala.
Los Angeles, Feb 9 : Actress Salma Hayek Pinault, who stars as Maxandra Mendoza in 'Magic Mike's Last Dance', says her co-stars were "such great guys" who "were all hanging out with me" while filming.

The 56-year-old actress told 'People' she became good friends with her castmates who play the various strippers and, eventually, so did her husband French businessman Francois-Henri Pinault.

"My husband is not a jealous man," she says.

"I used to call him all the time (from set) and say, 'Oh my God, I feel so bad,' because I had this predisposition about how the guys, the strippers were going to be. But they're not. They're lovely. They're such great guys. And (my husband) goes, 'Oh God, you're becoming best friends with the strippers, aren't you?' And I said, 'Yes!'" "And then he came a couple of times to the set. There was especially one who would come and ask him advice for business. He spoke French and he knew everything about Francois. He says, 'I'm a big fan.' He reacted more to Francois than to me!" He adds: "By the end of the movie, they all came to the house. They were all hanging out with me. Then Francois was saying, 'You're right, they're adorable, they're lovely.'" In the movie, Salma plays a wealthy socialite who, mid-divorce, sets out to create a liberating stage show in a stuffy London theatre. Maxandra enlists the expertise of Channing Tatum's 'Magic' Mike Lane after a chance meeting in Miami, and he assembles a crew of innovative dancers to pull off the steamy spectacle.

She also says that working with costar Tatum, 42, was a delight: She "found him to be a real gentleman." "He's like a Southern gentleman and he cares about that. Because he's so cool and goofy and funny. He can be that. Or he can also be very smart and intense and focused." "He's always kind. ... And I told him, I said, 'Your mom taught you well.' I think that normally comes, most of the times, from the mother. I think that is true." She adds, "He's very respectful and he's very thoughtful." The actress and Pinault, 60, began dating in 2006 and welcomed their daughter, Valentina, now 15, the following year. They wed in Paris in 2009 and nine years later, Pinault surprised the Oscar nominee with a surprise vow renewal in Bora Bora.
French President Emmanuel Macron awarded Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy during his visit to Paris with the Legion of Honor, this is the highest award in the Republic. The French president said this on his Twitter page.

February 9, 2023, 16:54 French President Macron awarded Zelenskiy Legion of Honor

STEPANAKERT, FEBRUARY 9, ARTSAKHPRESS: "A tribute to Ukraine and its people. A tribute to you, dear Vladimir, for your courage and determination," Macron wrote, accompanying the post with a video showing the moment of the award.
New Delhi, Feb 9 : The Delhi High Court Thursday granted bail to former National Stock Exchange (NSE) Managing Director and CEO Chitra Ramkrishna in a money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) related to the alleged illegal phone tapping of employees.

The ED in September last year, had filed a charge sheet in the Rouse Avenue Courts in connection with a Prevention of Money Laundering case pertaining to phone tapping of NSE employees between 2009 and 2017.

The charge sheet was filed against NSE's Ramkrishna and Ravi Narain, and former Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjay Pandey.

Ramkrishna, who is already on bail in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)'s case, was granted bail by Justice Jasmeet Singh.

Last year in August, Rouse Avenue Courts had denied her bail in the ED's case.

A copy of the detailed order is awaited.

On December 8, the High Court had also granted bail to former Mumbai Police chief Sanjay Pandey in the money laundering case.

Justice Singh had observed that phone tapping or recording calls without the individual's permission is "breach of privacy".

Justice Singh had mentioned that tapping phone lines or recording calls without consent violates the right to privacy according to Article 21 of the Constitution.

"I am prima facie of the view that tapping phone lines or recording calls without consent is a breach of privacy. The right to privacy enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution demands that phone calls not be recorded. Only with consent of the individuals concerned, can such activity be carried out otherwise it will amount to breach of the fundamental right to privacy," Justice Singh had said.

The ED's case was on the basis of the CBI's FIR, lodged on the directions of Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

The ED had claimed that Pandey received Rs 4.54 crore to tap the MTNL lines to help Ramkrishna and these were proceeds of crime.

"Pandey ran iSec Securities Pvt. Ltd. It has been alleged that Ramkrishna used this firm to tap the phones of NSE employees. The phone calls made by NSE employees between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. were tapped and recorded by iSec Securities Pvt. Ltd. It has been alleged that Pandey helped in tapping the phone calls illegally," an agency source had said.
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 9 : The Kerala Assembly was adjourned for the day on Thursday after the Congress-led opposition continued to disrupt the proceedings demanding roll back of Rs 2 over fuel cess proposed by state Finance Minister K.N.Balagopal in the budget last week.

The protests began when all the Opposition MLAs walked from the legislators' hostel to the Assembly.

During the question hour, the protesters trooped to the well of the House and stood before the Speaker's dias, raising slogans against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's "adamant" stand on the matter.

When the protest continued unabated, the Speaker suspended the Question Hour and in 20 minutes, ran through the proceedings of the day and adjourned the House to meet again on February 27.

Later, while interacting with the media, Leader of Opposition V.D.Satheesan said their protests will continue outside the Assembly.

"While protesting against the Rs 2 fuel cess, we are reminded of how, during the Congress regime, Pinarayi Vijayan, who was CPI(M) state secretary, had exhorted the people to protest and not to pay the increased taxes.

"We will not call off our protest as we are fighting for the people, who will now be burdened with this indiscriminate fuel cess of Rs 2" said Satheesan.

Shafi Parambil, one of the four MLAs protesting before the foyer of the house since Monday, alleged that Vijayan is drunk on power.

"One day, he will have to pay for this arrogance as he is not going to remain in power always. At that point, he should not forget what he did when in office. We will continue with our protests in the most democratic way and intensify it," said Parambil who is also the president of the Youth wing of the Congress party.

Meanwhile, as a security measure, the FM's security has been beefed up.
New Delhi, Feb 9 : Newly-weds Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani received a warm welcome at his home in Defence Colony here on Wednesday late evening after returning from their wedding held in Jaisalmer.

The couple were welcomed with high power dhol beats as they danced outside before making an entry into the brightly-lit house.

A video of Sidharth and Kiara dancing with their friends and family at the gate are doing the rounds on social media.

The 'Shershaah' actors were twinning in red as they arrived in Delhi for the wedding reception.

Sidharth and Kiara tied the knot in a hush-hush wedding on February 7 at the Suryagarh Palace in Jaisalmer with only family members and close industry friends in attendance.
Montreal, Feb 9 : Air passenger demand will rapidly recover to pre-Covid levels on most routes by the first quarter of 2023 and is expected to exceed the 2019 levels by around 3 per cent by the end of the year, the Montreal-based International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) said.

"The air passenger forecasts ICAO is announcing today build on the strong momentum toward recovery in 2022, as previously assessed by ICAO statistical analysis," Xinhua news agency quoted ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar as saying.

According to the Organization, the number of air passengers carried in 2022 increased by an estimated 47 per cent compared to 2021.

Total traffic (measured in revenue passenger kilometres or RPKs) increased by around 70 per cent over the same period, due mainly to the rapid recovery of most international routes.

In 2022, aircraft orders and deliveries by major manufacturers Airbus and Boeing grew by 53 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively, compared to the previous year.

"The number of orders in 2022 exceeded that seen since 2019, indicating the recovery of aircraft demand." Looking further ahead, the ICAO said that airlines are expected to return to operating profitability in the last quarter of 2023 after three consecutive years of losses.

"Air passenger demand in 2024 is expected to be stronger, at around 4 percent higher than 2019," it added.

The ICAO is a specialised UN agency that coordinates the principles and techniques of international air navigation, and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth.
Mumbai, Feb 9 : With just four days left for the grand finale of 'Bigg Boss 16', contestants will be made to relive their experience in the show once again when they would be shown their four-month journey in the upcoming episode.

In the upcoming episode, the Top 5 contestants Shalin Bhanot, Priyanka Choudhary, Shiv Thakare, MC Stan and Archana Gautam will be treated with a throwback video of their journey. The contestants will be greeted by their fans at the activity area.

A promo shows Shalin is seen being welcomed with loud cheers and whistles from the audience at the activity area. He stands on a stage and his journey video starts playing in the area.

While watching his journey, Shalin gets emotional and his eyes tear up. The video ends with Shalin bowing down before the audience.

Shalin finds it surreal and says: "Sir main yaha poch gaya?." To which, the voice of Bigg Boss replies: "You were never off the grid, Shalin."

Latest updates on Bigg Boss Season 16
New Delhi, Feb 9 : Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday rejected the suspension notice given under rule 267 by Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh and Bharat Rashtra Samithi's K. Keshav Rao, following which the AAP staged a walkout.

Sanjay Singh said all the notices were rejected and alleged that the government was stalling the discussion on Adani row.

He had demanded suspension of business under rule 267 on Wednesday too, but the notice was rejected by the chair after which the AAP staged a walkout.

The notice said that the public sector banks and LIC have lost money in the Adani Group case after the Hindenburg report surfaced.

On Wednesday, Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leader of Opposition, attacked the Central government over the demand for a probe by the joint parliamentary committee in the Adani case even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seated in the House.

Kharge said, "There should be a joint parliamentary committee probe in the Adani row... when the government is not afraid of anything then constitute a JPC."
Sydney, Feb 9 : Three men have been arrested and charged with allegedly importing 130 kg of methamphetamine -- powerful, highly addictive drug -- into the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW), police said on Thursday.

The NSW Police Force said that in December 2022, an investigation was launched into an organised drug-related criminal syndicate, reports Xinhua news agency.

Border police intercepted the 130 kg drug with a street value of over A$115 million ($80 million) in January this year, which was allegedly concealed within slabs of paraffin wax.

Three men in their early 30s were arrested inside a shopping centre in Sydney at about 6.40 p.m. on Wednesday.

According to the police, all three men were charged with importation of commercial quantities of border-controlled drugs and were refused bail to appear at the local court.

Head of NSW State Crime Command's drug squad Stuart Gordon said that this group was identified through ongoing investigations into another criminal syndicate.

"We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify those involved in this sort of activity. The only realistic outcome for involvement in organized crime is years in jail and the loss of homes, cars, and anything else gained as a result," said Gordon.

All the items confiscated during the investigation will undergo further forensic examination.
Mumbai, Feb 9 : Filmmaker Anurag Basu will be seen going behind the camera for the official biopic of the greatest spy of Indian history Ravindra Kaushik titled 'The Black Tiger'.

Ravindra Kaushik was just 20 when he first went undercover for R&AW. Kaushik is regarded to be India's best spy thus far for his incredible success in penetrating the highest ranks of the Pakistani Army, thereby receiving the moniker 'The Black Tiger' from the then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi.

His intuitive and timely reporting of critical information ensured that Indian security forces, between 1974 to 1983, were constantly steps ahead of any move Pakistan was planning to make.

Director Anurag Basu comments on 'The Black Tiger': "Ravindra Kaushik's story is that of courage and valour. At the young age of 20 years, he played a pivotal role in many national and international security matters of the 70s and 80s that went on to define India's as well as South Asia's geo-political character. So much of our history is either hidden or forgotten. We ought to recognise and learn about this unsung hero." The family also has consented to the biopic and is supporting the makers by sharing all the information in addition to the story from their lens as well.

'The Black Tiger' is produced by Anurag Basu, R Vivek, Asvin Srivatsangam and Divay Dhamija.
Mumbai, Feb 9 : Terming the upcoming Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project as of 'national importance', the Bombay High Court has rejected a plea of Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Co. challenging the acquisition of its land in Vikhroli, here on Thursday.

The verdict by a division bench of Justice R.D. Dhanuka and Justice M.M. Sathaye said that "there are no irregularities in the acquisition...", and declined to stay the project.

The judgement comes as a breather for the mega-project on the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Mumbai on Friday for several engagements.

The government and the Godrej group have been squabbling over the acquisition of the company's land in 2019 for what is considered as Modi's pet project coming up with Japanese collaboration.

The bullet train project will be 508 kms long, including 21 kms running underground and one of the entry points to the subterranean tunnel will fall on the land owned by Godrej in Vikhroli which was taken over by the government.
New Delhi, Feb 9 : The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in its charge sheet has claimed that the Popular Front of India (PFI) wanted to target the police machinery and establish an Islamic rule in India by 2047, and for this they were getting funds from some Muslim countries.

"To achieve their goals, they held secret meetings at seven places in Maharashtra. The accused wanted to establish Sharia Law by replacing the Indian constitution. The accused had planned to disrupt the law and order situation in India by taking the help of international firms," the charge sheet reads.

The ATS seized a booklet from the cell phone of Mazhar Mansoor Khan, one of the accused, in which the sinister plot was mentioned. The booklet says that they will establish Islamic State when India completes 100 years of Independence.

In the booklet, which they were circulating to the PFI members, it was mentioned as to how they will make the Islamic State a reality by 2047. The book was titled -- 'India 2047, Towards rule of Islam in India. Internal document, not for circulation'.

IANS is in the possession of the charge sheet which has revealed the shocking facts.

A nationwide crackdown was carried out by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) last year. In Maharashtra, five persons connected to the PFI were arrested. The ATS has filed a charge sheet in this matter in which sensational claims have been made.

The charge sheet reveals that the PFI members were conspiring against the state.

"The PFI members were working against the state government. The PFI members conducted secret meetings at Chembur, Dharavi, Kurla, Thane, Nerul, Panvel and Mumbra in which conspiracy theories were made. The PFI had planned to include Muslim youths by telling them that their religion (Muslim religion) was in danger. They well mobilised gullible Muslim youths and provoked them against other religions," read the charge sheet.

The charge sheet further reads that the PFI wanted Muslim youths to only be identified as 'Muslims' and not as Indians. The charge sheet has revealed that they were planning to provide gullible Muslim youth arms training.

"The accused wanted to play the victim card by showing that Muslims were being targeted in the country. The book seized from one of the accused revealed that they wanted Muslims of Kashmir and Lakshadweep to join them as these places have the largest Muslim population. The accused wanted to take the help of local religious Muslim leaders to make gullible Muslim youths think that Muslims were under target. To achieve the goal the accused had made a four-stage programme," the charge sheet says.

The charge sheet has also mentioned that the PFI was also working to dismantle the RSS.

There are allegations in the charge sheet that the PFI was also seeking help from Islamic countries to create unrest in India. The PFI had also allegedly planned to provoke people from the SC/ST and tribal communities so that their help could also be taken.

"A PFI leader would help SC, ST tribe people so that they would work for them. They wanted to use the tribal community. They wanted their cadre to be part of judiciary and police," the ATS has alleged in the charge sheet.

(Atul Krishan can be approached at atul.k@ians.in)
Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri said that the leaders of Armenia and Iran are closely following the regional developments. The Ambassador said that in this context Armenia and Iran must have a special agenda.

February 9, 2023, 17:39 Iran and Armenia will not allow creation of corridor  Ambassador Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri

STEPANAKERT, FEBRUARY 9, ARTSAKHPRESS-ARMENPRESS: Armenia and Iran are and will be neighbors. Of course, we see some ruse, they speak about so-called corridors and some actions, but Iran and Armenia will not allow the creation of such corridor, the Iranian ambassador said.

He added that the stance of both the Iranian and Armenian sides is very clear.

We must also be proactive. We must see what new steps we can take. We shouldnt wait for a new idea to come up, for example, about the opening of a corridor, for us to start deciding what position to adopt. We shouldnt allow such thing, he said.

He said the establishment of the Iranian consulate-general in Kapan is an exemplary action in this regard, as well as the upcoming opening of the Armenian consulate in Tabriz.
Nagpur, Feb 9 : Former Australia captain Steve Waugh was left surprised over left-handed batter Travis Head being excluded from the side's playing eleven for the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against India at Nagpur.

Head, 29, is currently sitting at number four in the ICC Test batting rankings, and made 525 runs at an average of 87.5 against the West Indies and South Africa in the home summer. But for the Nagpur Test, right-handed batter Peter Handscomb came in for Head, leaving many baffled, including Waugh.

"Hard to believe we can drop the No. 4 ranked Test batsman in the world and probably our best batsman in the last 12 months, plus he bowls better than average off-spin. Let's wait and see - maybe the Aussie selectors are geniuses! #gamble #overanalysing? #waitandsee," wrote Waugh on Instagram.

Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden, commentating on the match, was also left baffled over Head's exclusion. "?I can't believe it. He was the player of the summer. Totally different conditions I know in Brisbane but his 90 there was just so damn good." "He made it look like it was flat, and it wasn't. It was an absolute raging green top. But his mindset and his ability to be able to score quickly, and he's a good player of spin as well. I'm just speechless." Head's exclusion for the Nagpur Test may have got to do with his previous struggles in the subcontinent, averaging just 21.30. Moreover, on Australia's tours of Pakistan and Sri Lanka last year, Head fell to spinners five out of six times.

Speaking on Fox Sports, former Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin suggested Handscomb having a better record against spin may have resulted in him getting the nod over Head. "?Peter Handscomb is known as being a really good player of spin bowling, he has played well here in the past." "Travis Head's record in the subcontinent has been poor. It won't be the last time we see him in the subcontinent, I think he just needs a little bit more time to get used to his game in these conditions."?
Mogadishu, Feb 9 : The UN and its partners, along with Somalian state and federal authorities, announced that humanitarian groups are seeking $2.6 billion to assist some 7.6 million people this year as the East African nation is currently under the grip of the longest and most severe drought in its history, following five consecutive poor rainy seasons.

Nearly half of the population, 8.25 million people, need immediate help and protection from the drought that has devastated Somalia, reports Xinhua news agency.

Unless humanitarian assistance is sustained and rainfall is sufficient, famine is a strong possibility between April and June, according to an official statement.

"The efforts of local communities and the scale up of humanitarian assistance prevented famine thresholds from being surpassed in 2022, but millions of lives remain on the line," said Adam Abdelmoula, UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia.

It is the worst drought in four decades, which also affects parts of Kenya and Ethiopia.

The Horn of Africa has become hotter and drier due to climate change, and at least 36.4 million people across the region need emergency assistance to survive, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

In Somalia, more than 1.4 million people have been displaced while at least 3.5 million livestock have died, which destroys livelihoods and reduces children's access to milk.

Although technical famine thresholds have not been reached, OCHA said the situation in Somalia is extremely alarming as prolonged and extreme conditions have led to higher-than-normal deaths.

This includes more than 727,000 people who are likely to face catastrophic conditions.

Furthermore, about 8 million people do not have access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene services.

Cholera and measles cases have surged, along with acute malnutrition, while conflict and insecurity continue to drive needs and hamper humanitarian access.

Last year, aid organisations, local communities and government authorities ramped up response and reached 7.3 million people, but now they are calling for additional resources and unhindered access to those in need.
Chennai, Feb 9 : President Droupadi Murmu will be arriving in Chennai on February 18 to attend the programmes at Isha Yoga Centre's Maha Sivaratri celebrations and is likely to visit the famed Madurai Meenakshi temple.

However, a formal announcement of the President's visit to the temple will be made only two days prior to her arrival, sources in the temple told IANS.

Sources said that security arrangements have already been made in the temple. The President is likely to reach the temple at 12 p.m. on February 18 and will attend the 'puja' there.

She will leave for Coimbatore in a special aircraft to attend the Maha Shivaratri celebrations at the Isha yoga centre in the city.

This will be the first visit of President Murmu to Madurai after assuming the office.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Madurai Meenakshi temple in 2021.
New Delhi, Feb 9 : More than a third of urban Indians have claimed that their disposable income has decreased in the last 12 months, YouGovs latest report said.

In India, more consumers report a decrease than increase in their disposable income in the past 12 months.

There is a less pessimistic view on future disposable income. Fewer expect a fall in disposable income in the next 12 months as compared to the past (31 per cent), more expect an increase (26 per cent), and just as many who said this in the past expect it to remain the same in the future (29 per cent), YouGov said.

The report additionally highlights what people in India are doing with their money to weather the storm.

Putting money in their savings (33 per cent), paying for health insurance (26 per cent) and investments in stocks and shares (21 per cent) were the top three financial activities done in the past 12 months, it said.

Saving continues to be high on the future agenda with 36 per cent urban Indians saying they intend to regularly put money into their savings in the next 12 months.

Paying for health insurance (28 per cent), making investments into stocks and shares (24 per cent), regularly paying for pension or retirement, and paying for life or critical illness insurance (16 per cent each) are some of the other activities urban Indians may take up in the future.

While consumers are taking some steps, they may need help to manage their money.

While narly two in five urban Indians feel any help in learning how to manage their money will be useful (38 per cent), a third think an understanding of how to use investments to grow their money or help in planning future life events (32 per cent both) will be of assistance.

Help with setting a budget and tracking expenses (27 per cent), assessing finances (25 per cent), managing debt (24 per cent) and planning for retirement (23 per cent) are some of the other areas where urban Indians could benefit from taking some help. Only 15 per cent said they do not need any help with managing their finances.

Across the 18 markets, Britain had the largest decline in their disposable income with almost two-thirds (64 per cent) saying their disposable income has decreased over the past 12 months, followed by Italy and Poland (both 57 per cent), YouGov said.
Kolkata, Feb 9 : A special team of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) will visit West Bengal to review the statements of expenses by the state government on account of the midday meal scheme in the state.

The CAG team will be coming to the state following a request from the Union ministry of education on this count. The CAG team's review on this count will follow the recent visit of a special inspection team from the Union education ministry to review the implementation of the midday meal scheme in the state.

It is perceived that the decision to ask CAG to review the statement of expenses under the scheme in West Bengal is prompted by some adverse findings by the Central inspection teams during their course of field inspection.

In fact, the Central field inspection team during the course of field inspection raised questions on the proportion of students to per day quantity usage of foodgrain and vegetables used in midday meal preparation in certain state-run schools. Besides representatives from the Union education ministry, the inspection team also had nutrition experts and representatives from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Veteran from the state government said that this is the first time in its history that a CAG team will conduct a special investigation on the statements of accounts in the midday meal in the state.

In the request to CAG, the Union ministry of education has stated that the review of the statement of expenses under this scheme has become necessary in view of the serious allegations of misuse of funds in the state under this scheme for the last three years. The audit by the CAG will encompass, performance and financial audit.

The state leadership of BJP has welcomed this special audit by CAG and said that they had been complaining about the misuse of the Central funds under this scheme for a long time. The Trinamool Congress, on the other hand, has described this development as a reflection of vendetta politics isolating West Bengal.
Los Angeles, Feb 9 : Actress Evangeline Lilly has told how her 'The Hurt Locker' co-star Jeremy Renner has been moving around in a wheelchair and "laughing with friends" following his near-tragic snowplough accident.

The 52-year-old actor was crushed on New Year's Day in Lake Tahoe by his Pistenbully snowcat machine, leaving him with more than 30 shattered bones, but Lilly, who starred alongside Jeremy in 2008 movie 'The Hurt Locker', says he was "laughing with friends" when she went to see him "the other night," reports femalefirst.co.uk.

She said: "He was in a wheelchair. He has recovered like a mo-fo. I walked in his house and got chicken skin, 'cause I was like, 'Why are you mobile? Why are you mobile? What's happening?' "I expected to sit at his bedside and hold his hand while he moaned and groaned in pain and wasn't able to move. He was wheeling himself around, laughing with his friends. It's a miracle, a straight-up miracle." She said it was an "intense" visit to Renner's house, but told how her pal is "incredibly brave and strong" and now has a "journey to go through".

She added to Access Hollywood: "He's made of something really tough, that guy. You've always been able to see that in him. He is recovering incredibly, and I'm so grateful.

"He had a near-death experience that was highly traumatic - and he was awake for the whole thing. It really has stuck with me. It's been days and I'm still having moments where some of the stuff he told me that he experienced and retelling me the story of what went on and things he could hear and things he could see.

"He's got a journey to go through now. That's what nightmares are made out of, and he lived through it and he's on the other side now." Last month, it was revealed Renner was trying to shield his nephew from injury when he was almost killed by his snowplough.
Algiers, Feb 9 : Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has ordered the immediate recall of the country's Ambassador to France Said Moussi for consultation, according to an official statement.

The recall comes to protest "the secret and illegal evacuation of an Algerian citizen, who was wanted by the Algerian justice, from the country's soil", Xinhua news agency quoted the statement as saying.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Algerian Foreign Ministry "strongly condemned the violation of national sovereignty by French diplomatic, consular, and security officials", who are accused of "illegally and secretly" evacuating an Algerian citizen.

The Ministry stated that it has "conveyed its strong condemnation to the French Embassy in Algeria in an official note".

It also emphasized Algeria's rejection of "this unacceptable and indefinable development, which causes great harm to Algerian-French relations".

This is the second time that Algeria has recalled its Ambassador to France for consultation in fewer than two years.

In October 2021, Algeria recalled its ambassador to France in protest over French President Emmanuel Macron's critical remarks against Algeria.

Macron criticized the "political-military system" in Algeria, a former French colony, for rewriting Algerian history and fomenting "hatred" toward France.
Lucknow, Feb 9 : The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has drawn up a list of 250 government doctors who took leave to complete a specialisation course, but did not report back on duty.

Notices will be issued to these doctors and they will face disciplinary action if they fail to explain or report back on duty.

The health department allows doctors to pursue higher studies and they go for diploma or postgraduate degree courses at institutions after qualifying the National Eligibility-cum Entrance Test (NEET).

"The list of doctors who did not rejoin duty has had names since 2016. There are many doctors who have joined courses. They completed the course but did not return to join duty," said a senior health official.

The doctors going for higher studies are required to report back to the place where they worked last.
Mumbai, Feb 9 : The brutal battle that superstar Shah Rukh Khan's character Pathaan has with John Abraham's, the anti-hero Jim in Dubai was possible because the entire Burj Khalifa boulevard was shut down for the first time ever for any film in the world.

Director Siddharth Anand reveals, "The toughest action to execute in Pathaan - one is on top of a moving train, one is mid-air with planes, one is in Dubai which takes place in the boulevard around the Burj Khalifa which no Hollywood film has been able to do this." "To shoot this sequence in Dubai, it just looked impossible. But the Dubai police and the authorities made it happen for us." He adds, "My friends, who live at the Boulevard, came and told me that they got circulars saying on this day between this time, you will not be able to access the boulevard so please plan your days. And they were amazed that - oh my god... that's for my film!" Siddharth further states, "I said I can't believe it and this wouldn't have been possible if they had not agreed to our vision and supported us wholeheartedly. So I want to thank the Dubai police and the authorities in Dubai." 'Pathaan' released on January 25. It also stars Deepika Padukone, John Abraham, Dimple Kapadia and Ashutosh Rana.
Guwahati, Feb 9 : A cadre of the banned outfit United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) was killed during a gunfight with Assam Police personnel in Tinsukia district on Thursday, sources said.

The incident took place at the Tikak Mulung Parbat near Margherita town.

According to the sources, the police received specific inputs about the movement of Udai Axom, a leader of the disbanded organization, along with some other cadres in that area.

A team of security personnel from Tinsukia launched an operation to capture the cadres.

"As the police team reached the hideout at Tikak Mulung Parbat, the ULFA-I cadres opened fire. The police retaliated, and Udai Axom was seriously injured. He later succumbed to his injuries," the sources added.
Due to Azerbaijan blocking the Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Artsakh to Armenia and the outer world, many problems have arisen in the Kherkhan community of Artsakh's Martuni region.

February 9, 2023, 17:15 Kherkhan. Blockade. Day 60

STEPANAKERT, FEBRUARY 9, ARTSAKHPRESS: According to the head of the community, Grisha Karapetyan, they are trying to solve the big problems of the small village with faith in the future.

"The most serious problem is the lack of diesel fuel, due to which the villagers are unable to use vehicles when necessary. We are moderate in terms of food, we do not complain," the head of the community told "Artsakhpress".

According to him, they have sowed 110 hectares of wheat and barley. As soon as diesel fuel is provided, they will start the spring sowing works.

There are no greenhouse farmers in the village. The desire is great, but the means are scarce.

There are many young people in Kerkhan. They are very attached to their homeland, and if there is peace in the country, they will continue to create in the homeland.
Mumbai, Feb 9 : President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday called Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to greet him on his 59th birthday, an official said here.

The President wished Shinde a long and healthy life and said the day would give strength to us to achieve the comprehensive and all-round development of Maharashtra.

Shinde reciprocated by thanking the President for her gesture, even as his supporters organised gala celebrations in Thane and other parts of the state since midnight.

As part of the celebrations, 366 blood donation camps were held in the state, minor students (under-18) were given a health check-up sin 1,800 schools and Shinde announced expansion of the 'Aapla Dawakhana' scheme named in memory of the late Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray.

The scheme will now expand to 500 locations in the state, including up to the taluka levels for the benefit of the masses.

On the occasion, Shinde recalled the late Thackeray's teachings of public life which comprises 80 per cent social service to the people and 20 per cent politics.

Meanwhile, huge cutouts greeting Shinde came up in his hometown Thane, his residential bungalow was lit up brightly, birthday messages, banners and posters were put up in Thane, Mumbai, Pune and other places, while Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited his home to convey his personal wishes.
New Delhi, Feb 9 : The Delhi High Court on Thursday listed the bail plea filed by Leena Maria Paulose-alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar's wife-regarding the Rs 200 crore money laundering case, for the next hearing on February 27.

The counsel appearing for Paulose submitted that she is in jail for 16 months, and is entitled to right to life and right to motherhood.

"I am a qualified dentist doctor, an Indian film actress, paying income tax and a resident of Delhi," the counsel submitted, adding that she has her roots in the society.

The counsel added that Paulose is in her 40s, and is also willing to have a baby and has a right to life. It was further contended that it is her husband who is the prime accused in the case and that does not mean that she should be kept behind the bars.

It was the petitioner's case that none of the ingredients of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) are made against her.

"I am charged for offences under provisions of the Indian Penal Code, Section 66D of the IT Act and Section 3 of the MCOCA, 1999," the counsel said.

The counsel for Paulose further submitted that some of the co-accused in the present case are on bail.

The court then directed the parties to file their written submissions.

The High Court on December 12, issued notice to Police on Paulose's bail plea.

Paulose had moved the HC on December 10 seeking bail in the case registered by the Economic Offence Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police.

A single-judge bench Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma had asked the police to file a response within six weeks' time while listing the matter for the next hearing in January 2023.

The EOW had registered an FIR against Chandrashekhar last year.

It filed a charge sheet naming 14 accused including Chandrashekhar, Paulose, and others under various Sections of IPC and provisions of the MCOCA.

Chandrashekhar had allegedly defrauded the spouses of former promoters of Ranbaxy, Shivinder Singh and Malvinder Singh of Rs 200 crore.

He had cheated their wives Aditi Singh and Japna Singh worth several crores by posing as an officer from the Union Law Ministry and ensuring he would secure bail for their husbands.

According to EOW, Leena, Sukesh, and others used Hawala routes, creating Shell companies to park the money earned from swindling.
Lucknow, Feb 9 : The Uttar Pradesh government has finally launched the portal for creation of 'Family ID - One Family One Identity', to identify families as a unit for implementing the 'one job per family' proposal.

According to a state government spokesman, all such families that are not eligible for the National Food Security Scheme will be able to avail theID, while the ration card ID of the families having it, will be considered as their family ID.

"A unique identity will be issued to each family under the One Family One Identity scheme, thereby establishing a live comprehensive database of family units of the state," the spokesman said.

"This database will be helpful in better management of beneficiary schemes, timely targeting, transparent operation, giving 100 per cent benefit of the scheme to eligible people and simplification of government facilities for the general public," he said.

On the basis of the integrated database obtained through Parivar ID, families deprived of employment can be identified and suitable employment opportunities made available to them on priority.

"At present, about 3.59 crore families and 14.92 crore people living in Uttar Pradesh are getting the benefit of the National Food Security Scheme. The ration card number of these families will serve as 'family ID'. Families not covered by the National Food Security Scheme, who are not eligible for ration cards, will be provided with the Family ID through the Family ID portal," the spokesman said.

This portal, he added, was developed to provide a 12-digit unique family ID to those families which were not ration card holders.

Here they could apply by adding themselves and their family members to the portal.
Chennai, Feb 9 : The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) will be providing financial assistance to set up a forest fire control centre in Chennai.

An amount of Rs one crore has been sanctioned for setting up the forest fire control station.

The centre will work in coordination with the disaster management authorities in the state. The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forest has also launched an App to monitor forest fires on a real time basis.

Forest department in a release said that in 2022 nearly 1,500 incidents of forest fires were reported. The department also said that as per the Forest Survey of India, 91 per cent of the large fires were controlled by the Tamil Nadu forest staff.

The state government has also announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh to the families of department employees who lose their lives while engaging in forest fire dousing operations.
Lucknow, Feb 9 : The Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court has expressed serious concern over a KGMU professor running a private hospital in the city and also the inability of the state government and the university administration in taking action against him.

Passing the order, Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Alok Mathur said, "It is surprising that a person working in a state university is a director of a private entity, and despite huge amounts of money found in his personal account, including cash, during search operations, no action has been taken by his employer -- King George's Medical University (KGMU)." The bench passed the order after hearing a tax petition filed by the principal commissioner of Income Tax (Central).

Reacting strongly against private medical practice despite its ban, the bench observed, "It is expected that the university concerned and the state government shall make due inquiries and proceed appropriately against such individuals who are found indulging in blatant private practice and making profits in private companies and also being on their boards as directors." The bench directed its registrar to send a copy of the order to the principal secretary (medical education) and KGMU Vice Chancellor Lieutenant General (Retired) Bipin Puri.

"The conduct rules pertaining to government servants and even those employed in public corporations/utilities are not permitted to indulge in private practice unless there is specific rule or provisions in this regard. This court has been informed that the doctors of King George's Medical University are entitled to non-practicing allowance and further that there is bar from private practice which clearly indicates that they cannot work anywhere except for the University where they are appointed," the bench added.
Seoul, Feb 9 : Hiphop girl group XG has released their performance video for their third single, 'Shooting Star'.

The song has gained over 12 million views in the two weeks since its release and has charted in 25 regions on the YouTube charts, including No. 1 in the UK, Canada and Japan, No. 3 in the US, and No. 1 on the worldwide music video trend ranking 'Music Videos Trending (worldwide)'.

The performance video for 'Shooting Star' was released on January 25. While the previous performance video for 'Mascara' was shot in an abandoned factory, 'Shooting Star' takes place on a stage with glowing lights and a starry ceiling, to give the feeling of outer space.

On March 8, XG is set to make appearances on KBS 2TV's 'Music Bank', MBC's 'Show! Music Core', the SBS show 'INKIGAYO', Mnet's 'M COUNTDOWN', Arirang TV's 'SIMPLY K-POP', MBC's M 'SHOW CHAMPION' and many other popular Korean music TV programmes.

In addition to Korean music shows, XG has also appeared on popular US radio stations such as 'iHeartRadio' and 'WiLD 94.9', as well as the US YouTube channel REACT with over 20 million registered users, the Hindustan Times, a major newspaper in India, NYLON Manila in the Philippines, and many other international media.
Houston, Feb 9 : The gunman who killed 23 people in 2019 at a Walmart in the Texas border city of El Paso has pleaded guilty to 90 charges, including 23 counts of hate crimes resulting in death.

His plea on Wednesday came three years, six months and five days after the mass shooting took place on August 3, 2019 as the deadliest attack targeting Hispanics in American history, reports Xinhua news agency.

Patrick Crusius, then 21 years old, also admitted guilty to 23 counts of use of a firearm to commit murder in a crime of violence, 22 counts of hate crime in an attempt to kill, and 22 counts of use of a firearm during a crime of violence.

"Today's guilty plea marks one more step towards justice for the El Paso community; however, we must remember that the survivors and victims' families will be on a lifelong journey of healing because of this defendant's actions," Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray said in a statement late Wednesday.

The shooter showed no emotion in court, and nodded his head affirmatively as federal prosecutor Ian Martinez Hanna described how the killing took place, the El Paso Times reported.

Hanna said that Crusius admitted to being a white supremacist and committed the mass shooting in an effort to dissuade Mexicans and other Hispanics from coming to the US.

"This attack is a response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas," Crusius wrote in a manifesto he is believed to have posted online about 20 minutes before the shooting.

He had bought a semi-automatic rifle and 1,000 rounds of hollow-point ammunition online weeks ago and drove 11 hours to El Paso from his hometown Allen in northern Texas with the sole intent of killing immigrants, the indictment says.

Prosecutors recommended that he receive 90 consecutive life sentences.

The judge will consider his sentencing in June.

"White nationalist-fueled violence has no place in our society today," the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said in a statement.

"By pleading guilty, the defendant has admitted that he murdered innocent people based on their national origin and targeted Hispanics." The Justice Department announced last month that it would not seek the death penalty in federal charges.

As a result, the maximum federal sentence the white male from Texas faces is life in prison.

Crusius also faces state charges for the mass shooting.

Texas prosecutors have said they plan to seek the death penalty but a trial has not been scheduled yet.

A database of mass killings in the US since 2006 compiled by The Associated Press, USA Today and Northeastern University shows that the number of deadly mass shootings linked to hate crimes has increased in recent years across the country.
New Delhi, Feb 9 : The Delhi High Court on Thursday listed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) politician Jasmine Shah's plea challenging Lieutenant Governor (L-G) V.K. Saxena's decision to restrict him from "discharging his duties" as the vice-chairman of the Dialogue and Development Commission of Delhi (DDC) and from using any privilege and facilities associated with the office, for March 15.

Appearing for Shah, senior advocate Rajiv Nayar said that the entire power lies within the Legislative Assembly and power of appointment and removal is only with the Chief Minister.

Referring to the Transaction of Business (Amendment) Rules, Nayar said: "The course of action of the rules should be followed by the L-G with reference to Chief Minister or its counsels." After taking note of the submission by Nayar, the court directed respondents in the case to file written submissions if any by March 6 and listed the matter for the next hearing submissions of Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain on March 15.

The High Court on December 13, 2023, held that in the absence of consensus between Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and L-G Saxena on removal of Shah as DDCD chairman, the matter has been referred to the President.

The court was also informed that in the exercise of powers under Article 239AA, the L-G has ordered that Shah will not be allowed into the DDCD office till the President takes a call on the issue.

The L-G in response had said that until the President returns a decision on the matter, it would be prudent for the parties to take no further action.

On November 28, 2022, the High Court had sought a response from the L-G after Shah moved it challenging Saxena's actions.
New Delhi, Feb 9 : Data science and AI solutions company Tredence on Thursday announced its largest ESOP (employee stock ownership plan) buyback programme worth $30 million (about Rs 240 crore) on the heels of a Series B funding of $175 million from Advent International.

The buyback will include over 270 employees globally and eligible employees will participate in the repurchase and liquidate 40 per cent of their vested ESOP units.

The company said that at 5x the book price of each unit, this programme provides liquidity options and will be a wealth-creation opportunity for the organization's leading employees.

"The buyback programme will recognise and reward employees who strive every day to make Tredence the most indispensable analytics company on the planet," said Shub Bhowmick, CEO and Co-founder, Tredence.

Tredence currently employs 2,000 people, with 80 per cent of the workforce in India.

By the end of 2023, the company plans to expand its workforce to 3,000 and nearly 700 of new employees will be hired in India.

Additionally, the expansion will create jobs in North America, Canada and the UK. The company also plans to open a near-shore delivery centre in Latin America.

"This investment is a testament to our commitment to creating value for our employees and providing them with meaningful wealth-creation opportunities," said Pratap Daruka, Chief Financial Officer, Tredence.

In 2022, Tredence doubled its revenue while raising $175 million in Series B funding from Advent International to strengthen vertical capabilities and reach a broader customer base.

Headquartered in San Jose, California, the company embraces a vertical-first approach and an outcome-driven mindset to help clients win and accelerate value realization from their analytics investments.
New Delhi, Feb 9 : Speaking on the motion of thanks to the President's Address in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi targeted the opposition and said the more it targets the BJP, the more the lotus will bloom.

"I want to tell these MPs (Opposition MPs)...that the more you throw 'keechad (mud)', the better the lotus will bloom," said PM Modi.

PM Modi said that in the last three to four years around 11 crore houses got potable drinking tap water connections and 48 crore Jan Dhan accounts were opened across the country in nine years.

Even as the PM was speaking, the opposition MPs raised slogans against Adani and the Prime Minister.

On Wednesday, Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leader of Opposition, attacked the Central government over the demand for a probe by the joint parliamentary committee in the Adani case.

Kharge said, "There should be a joint parliamentary committee probe in the Adani row... when the government is not afraid of anything then constitute a JPC."
On February 9, President of the Artsakh Republic Arayik Harutyunyan had a telephone conversation with leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party, philanthropist Gagik Tsarukyan, the Presidential Office stated.

February 9, 2023, 18:33 President Harutyunyan had a telephone conversation with leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party Gagik Tsarukyan

STEPANAKERT, FEBRUARY 9, ARTSAKHPRESS: The situation developed in the aftermath of the two-months-long blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan was on the discussion agenda. Gagik Tsarukyan once again expressed his support to the people of Artsakh, informed about his another charity program stipulated for children born in Artsakh during the blockade and their families.

According to the philanthropist, his family's charitable initiatives related to Artsakh will not be limited to that.

The Head of the State expressed his gratitude to Gagik Tsarukyan for providing active support to the people of Artsakh over and over again.
New Delhi, Feb 9 : Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on Thursday issued a notice to Police seeking details of the FIR and the accused arrested a day after a 1.5 month-old baby was snatched from her mother by two bike-borne assailants in Central Delhi area.

However, the kidnappers had left the child at some distance and she was recovered after some time.

In its notice to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central), has asked to submit an action taken report by February 11.

According to police, on Wednesday evening at around 5:16 p.m and 5:21 p.m, two police control room (PCR) calls were received regarding snatching of a girl child from outside Rani Jhansi Road, Near Mama Bhanja ki Mazar, Jhandewalan Mandir.

"Sensing the gravity of the call, several police teams of the Central District were swung into action. In the meantime, it was learnt that a call regarding discovery of an abandoned child near Shani Mandir, Mauris Nagar, North District was received at Child Helpline 1098," said a senior police official.

"The mother of the missing child was taken there who identified the baby as her daughter. A case under section 363 (kidnapping) of the Indian Penal Code was registered at DBG Road police station and further investigation is in progress," said the official.
Canberra, Feb 9 : Australia Post has announced that in the first half 2023 financial year, its revenue was A$4.69 billion ($3.25 billion), down 2.4 per cent from the same period last year, which is largely driven by an ongoing decline in letter volumes.

Meanwhile, the group profit before tax plunged to A$23.6 million, seeing an 88.2 per cent drop from A$199.8 million for the six months up to December 31, 2021 (1H22), according to an official statement.

The national postal service provider regarded the shrinking profit "considerably lower than the prior corresponding period, largely the result of a record first-half letters loss of A$189.7 million dollars, compared to A$69.9 million in 1H22", reports Xinhua news agency According to Australia Post, letters revenue now makes up just 18.8 per cent of the group's total revenue, down from 19.5 per cent in 1H22.

In early January this year, Australia Post lifted the basic postage rate from A$1.1 to A$1.2. But the group said that this increase will only partially offset the substantial letters losses.

"Every year it's costing Australia Post more to deliver fewer letters. We know letters are in an unstoppable decline, thanks largely to digital communications, yet letter costs are rising due to the increasing number of delivery points we service every day," said Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Paul Graham.

He anticipated that annual volumes will decline further, with Australian households receiving less than one letter per week by the end of the decade.

"As flagged in our 2022 financial results, Australia Post will report a full-year loss this year for the first time since 2015," Graham added.
Patna, Feb 9 : As many as 37,76,05,305 people have been granted loan under the Centre's Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), BJP's state convener of the IT cell in Bihar, Manan Krishna said here on Thursday.

His statement came in response to JD(U)national president Lalan Singh targetting Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his promise to create 2 crore jobs for the youth.

"Lalan Singh said that there were 18 crore jobs in the last 9 years, I want to tell him that more than 37 crore people have benefitted under Mudra Yojana and are doing flourishing businesses. They are not only engaged in earning for themselves but are also providing employment to others. The Centre has continuously said that it would create 2 crore jobs and has given more than double only under the Mudra Yojana," Krishna said.

"The Centre has also given recognitions to 79,648 startups wherein lakhs of youths are getting employment. Among them, 105 companies turned out to be unicorns with over Rs 100 crore market value," Krishna said.

"A total of 46 lakh people have established their own business after getting loans under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Besides, 5.31 lakh common service centers have also been opened in the country. All these come under the category of giving jobs," he said.

The Centre has also started to give 10 lakh jobs this year. In the Employment Provident Fund Organization (EPFO), an average 15 lakh new accounts (UAN) numbers were opened. As many as 12.94 lakh people were added last October, 15.42 lakh in September, 16.94 lakh in August, 18.23 lakh in July, 18.36 lakh in June, 16.82 in May and 17.08 lakh people were added in EPFO in April last year.

"Lalan Singh also asked a question on Rs 15 lakh to every person of the country, I want to challenge Lalan Singh to issue a statement of PM Modi's Rs 15 lakh statement in the media or apologise for making a remark against him," Krishna said.

After the President's speech in Lok Sabha, Singh had leveled allegations against PM Modi to react on 2 crore jobs and Rs 15 lakh cash in the individual account of every person.
Ankara/Damascus, Feb 9 : Amid freezing temperatures, thousands are without food, water and shelter in Turkey and Syria as the death toll in the devastating 7.8-magnitude quake increased to 16,035 on Thursday, authorities said.

In its latest update on Thursday, Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD) said the death toll currently stood at 12,873, while the number of injured persons shot up to 62,937, reports Anadolu News Agency.

The victims and the widespread damages have been reported from the 10 regions of Adana, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaras, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, and Sanliurfa.

More than 113,200 search and rescue personnel are currently working in the field, AFAD said in its update, adding that a total of 28,044 people have been evacuated from quake-hit regions so far -- 4,607 by road and railway and 23,437 by air.

"As a result of negotiations with the Turkish Foreign Ministry, 5,709 personnel coming from other countries to give help were dispatched to the disaster area," it added.

Besides rescue teams, blankets, tents, food, and psychological support teams were also sent to affected areas.

A total of 92,738 family tents were set up to shelter survivors, AFAD also said.

It added that 5,557 vehicles, including excavators, tractors and dozers, were sent to the disaster area.

In Syria, the total number of fatalities stood at 3,162, CNN reported.

Of the overall deaths, 1,900 were reported in rebel-held areas in the country's northwest, while 1,262 fatalities were registered in government-controlled parts of the war-torn nation, according to Syrian state media and other officials.

Meanwhile, over 5,000 people were reported injured and the toll is likely to increase as search operations continue.

Syria's White Helmets, a civil defence group in Syria, have said that "time is running out", with "hundreds of families" still stuck under the rubble of collapsed buildings, the BBC reported.

The group saud their teams continue to search for survivors "amid great difficulties" and with a need for heavy machinery to remove rubble.

"Every second means saving a life," they added.

Addressing the media earlier in the day in Geneva, Robert Holden, the World Health Organization's (WHO) incident response manager, said there were thousands of people now surviving "out in the open, in worsening and horrific conditions", with disrupted access to water, fuel, electricity and communications.

"We are in real danger of seeing a secondary disaster which may cause harm to more people than the initial disaster if we don't move with the same pace and intensity as we are doing on the search and rescue. This is no easy task... The scale of the operation is massive," the BBC quoted the WHO official as saying.

The devastating 7.8 tremor struck Turkey's southern province of Kahramanmaras at 4.17 a.m. on Monday morning, which was followed by a 6.4-magnitude temblor a few minutes later in Gaziantep province.

The epicentre of the 7.8-magnitude quake was 23 km east of Nurdagi in Gaziantep, at a depth of 24.1 km.

At around 1.30 p.m, a third 7.5-magnitude tremor hit Kahramanmaras, which officials said was "not an aftershock".

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Hyderabad, Feb 9 : The accused in the four-year-old sensational murder case of former Andhra Pradesh Minister Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy will be produced before the CBI Special Court in Hyderabad on Friday.

This would be the first time after the Supreme Court transferred the case from Kadapa to Hyderabad that the accused will make an appearance in the court.

Sunil Yadav, Umashankar Reddy and Devireddy Shivshankar Reddy, currently lodged in Kadapa jail, were being brought to Hyderabad amid tight security.

Erra Gangi Reddy, who is on bail and driver Dastagiri, who has turned an approver, will also appear in the court.

The CBI court has issued separate summons to all the accused to appear before it on Friday. Production warrants were issued to the accused lodge in the Kadapa Jail while the investigating agency issued summons to other two accused.

Vivekananda Reddy, paternal uncle of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, was found murdered mysteriously at his residence at Pulivendula in Kadapa district on March 15, 2019, a month ahead of 2019 general elections.

The 68-year-old former state minister and former MP, brother of former chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, was alone at his house when unidentified persons barged in and killed him. He was killed hours before he was to launch YSR Congress Party's election campaign in Kadapa.

Though three Special Investigation Teams (SITs) conducted the probe they failed to solve the mystery.

The CBI took over the investigation into the case in 2020 on the direction of Andhra Pradesh High Court while hearing a petition of Vivekananda Reddy's daughter Sunitha Reddy, who raised suspicion about some relatives.

The CBI filed a charge sheet in the murder case on October 26, 2021 and followed it up with a supplementary charge sheet on January 31, 2022 In November last year, the Supreme Court transferred to a CBI court in Hyderabad the trial and probe into the larger conspiracy behind the murder. The apex court observed that doubts raised by Sunitha Reddy about getting a fair trial and investigation in Andhra Pradesh were reasonable.

Stepping up the pace of investigation, the CBI on January 28 questioned Kadapa MP Y.S. Avinash Reddy, for more than four-and-a-half hours.

Avinash Reddy is nephew of Vivekananda Reddy and cousin of Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy.

On February 3, the CBI questioned Krishna Mohan Reddy, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) for the chief minister.

The central agency also quizzed Naveen, who works in the house of the chief minister. The CBI officials questioned the duo for six-and-a-half hours in Kadapa.

They were reportedly questioned about the sequence of events on the day when Vivekananda Reddy was murdered. They collected information about phone calls made or received by them on the day.
Hyderabad, Feb 9 : A minor girl was allegedly gang-raped by five youths after giving her sedatives at a birthday party in Hyderabad.

The shocking incident occurred in the old city of Hyderabad on February 4, but came to light on Wednesday when the victim lodged a complaint with the police.

The police also arrested a girl and her boyfriend for abetting the offence.

The 16-year-old girl had gone to a medical shop in Chatrinaka area on the night of February 4. She was lured by another girl from the same area to come to a friend's place at Bhoiguda for a birthday party.

When they reached the house, the girl who brought the victim went into a room with her boyfriend while five youths present in the house started misbehaving with her. The victim told police that they forced her to consume a drink laced with sedatives. The accused then took turns to rape her.

According to police, the accused had kept the music loud to ensure that neighbours would not hear any noise in case the girl screamed.

After returning home around 3 a.m., the victim narrated the ordeal to her mother. They later lodged a complaint with the Chatrinaka police station.

Police recorded her statement and sent her for medical examination. Based on her complaint, the police arrested five accused, aged between 18 and 21 years, for rape. The 16-year-old girl and her boyfriend were also arrested for abetting the crime.

The five men were sent to judicial custody while the girl was sent to a juvenile home.

Police registered a case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Four of the accused, including the girl, are also Dalits while three others are from backward classes.

The victim, a school dropout, was living with her mother, a labourer who had deserted her husband and moved with another worker from Chatrinaka a few years ago.
Kochi, Feb 9 : The Cochin Air Customs on Thursday took into custody a Malayali woman, who arrived on a flight from Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, for smuggling gold.

She tried to get through the Green Channel by saying that she was having her monthly period.

On finding something amiss, the Customs officials forced her to undergo further frisking which revealed that she had used red paint and other chemicals to fake blood.

The woman was found carrying 582 grams of gold valued at Rs three million.
New Delhi, Feb 9 : The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to examine a plea on Friday seeking a direction to set up a committee monitored by a retired apex court judge to investigate the Hindenburg Research report.

The Adani group has rubbished the allegations made by the Hindenburg Research.

Advocate Vishal Tiwari mentioned the matter for urgent listing before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud and comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and J.B. Pardiwala.

Tiwari contended before the bench that a separate petition has been filed on the issue, which is listed for hearing on February 10, and requested to hear his petition along with that petition.

Tiwari's plea sought directions to set up a special committee to supervise the sanction policy for loans of over Rs 500 crore given to big companies.

The other PIL filed by advocate M.L. Sharma contended that the US resident Nate Anderson of Hindenburg Research and his Indian entities "hatched a criminal conspiracy, did short sale in hundreds of billion dollars prior and thereafter on 25th January 2023, they released a concocted news as research report qua to the Adani Group of the companies, got crash share market and squared up their short sell position at the lowest rate." American short seller Hindenburg Research's report about Indian billionaire Gautam Adani has led to a stock rout, erasing over $ 100 billion from his empire and pushing him down on the global rich list.

Sharma's plea further added, "They secured billions of profits by butchering citizens of India. However, SEBI did not suspend trading in the stock specially qua to the Adani group of the companies and allowed short sellers to exploit innocent investors." The plea said, "Issue writ of mandamus to the respondents to conduct inquiry to prosecute & register F.I.R. u/s 420 & 120-B of IPC r.w. S.15HA SEBI Act against the short sellers (Mr. Anderson and his associate (in India /USA) for exploiting innocent investors via short selling under the garb of artificial crashing via a short selling couple with further direction to recover their turnover of short selling with penalty to compensate investors in the interest of justice."
New Delhi, Feb 9 : Fintech platform PayMe on Thursday said it will invest Rs 200 crore in Uttar Pradesh to create 2,000 jobs in the area, focusing on training and developing skilled resources in the fintech space.

The company signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the state government in the presence of Shailendra Bhatia, OSD YEIDA and Nodal officer for UP Investors Summit and Manav Munjal, Director of PayMe and Vishal Ranjan, VP of HR.

"I come from Gorakhpur, a tier II district, where obtaining a quality education and getting job opportunities were scarce. Now that we have the means to give back to society, it is our duty to be a part of the UP Investor Summit initiative," said Mahesh Shukla, Founder and CEO of PayMe.

The investment will contribute to the growth and development of the fintech sector in Uttar Pradesh, providing new opportunities for the local workforce, said the fintech company.

"PayMe has been growing at a tremendous pace, having expanded six times in terms of employee count in the past year, and we anticipate generating 5,000 employment opportunities in the next 5 years," said Shukla.

Founded in 2016, Noida-based PayMe offers a pool of comprehensive financial services for individuals and corporates.

With a seed capital of $2 million, the company was rated among the top 30 emerging FinTech start-ups by leading startup news portal Inc42.
Los Angeles, Feb 9 : Actor Paul Mescal has said that his Oscar nomination for 'Aftersun' has been an 'absurd' moment in his life, but it has provided welcome relief for his family as they go through a difficult time.

In his first interview since being nominated for Best Lead Actor, the Irish star told BBC Radio 4's Today show that he was still processing the achievement, reports Deadline.

"It's all a bit overwhelming, especially for my family, because I don't think anybody or even I was expecting this," he said.

"I always knew that I was willing to work hard, but when the nominations came out, and the BAFTAs the week before, something felt slightly absurd about it at all." He added: "(There is) stuff going on at home that is difficult and this has given my family a very welcome respite. And yeah, we're gonna have a great time as a family. They're all coming out to LA." Mescal's sister, Nell Mescal, revealed on the day of his Oscar nomination that their mother was about to undergo treatment for bone marrow cancer.

"My mum got a haircut today in prep for her chemotherapy and then Paul got nominated for an Oscar. Life is so crazy," she tweeted.

"The universe works in kind of very interesting ways," Mescal told the BBC.

The 27-year-old joked that, even with recognition from the Academy Awards, he will never escape a sausage advertisement he made in Ireland before his breakthrough role in Normal People.
To get a roundup of TechCrunchs biggest and most important crypto stories delivered to your inbox every Thursday at 12 p.m. PT, subscribe here.

Welcome back to Chain Reaction.

Over the weekend, FTX and its affiliated debtors sent confidential letters asking politicians, PACs and other recipients of funds to return donations made by the crypto exchange once valued at $32 billion.

Even if the recipients used the money for payments or donations, FTX wants them to regather the funds and send 'em back.

The group, self-dubbed FTX Debtors, did not disclose which parties were involved, but said letters were sent to recipients that received payments from FTX debtors or the exchanges former CEO, Sam Bankman-Fried, among others.

The majority of Bankman-Frieds donations were traced to Democrats, but he also claimed in an interview with reporter Tiffany Fong that he donated about the same amount to the Republican Party as well. That was not generally known, he added.

The biggest single recipient was Protect Our Future, a PAC that aims to help elect candidates who will be champions for pandemic prevention. The group got $28 million from Bankman-Fried, according to OpenSecrets.

He also contributed donations to Democratic Senators Debbie Stabenow, Kirsten Gillibrand, Maggie Hassan and Cory Booker, as well as Republican Senators John Boozman, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins.

The deadline to return funds is at the end of the month, so candidates and political groups may come forward in response to the request. Whether those donations are returned has yet to be determined, and this may be just one step in a prolonged, lengthy legal case for FTX to claw back funds.

This week in web3

FTXs attempts to claw back political donations may target largest recipients, experts say (TC+)

As mentioned above, FTX and affiliated debtors sent confidential letters to politicians, PACs and other recipients of donations to return the funds given by the formerly massive crypto exchange. It might seem like an odd request, but it was unsurprising to some legal experts who keep tabs on the space. The main targets for donation returns will be larger recipients, where potential litigation (if needed) will be worth it, Yesha Yadav, professor of law at Vanderbilt University, told TechCrunch.

Story continues

NFT market shows signs of recovery as January trading volumes hit 7-month high

It appears the NFT market is slowly getting back on its feet. Trading volumes rose for two months straight, with January scoring the highest volumes since June last year, according to the Dapp Industry Report: January 2023. The growth in January marked a stark difference from the trend of the past few months  October saw trading volumes dip to a low of $662 million  but in November, the market halted the downward trend to stay at $662 million, per the report.

Bitcoin holding above $20,000 offers miners hope as margins become healthier (TC+)

Bitcoin has had a strong rally so far this year, and some mining experts see this as an opportunity for the space to stage a comeback. Bitcoins price has increased about 39% to around $23,000 year to date, according to CoinMarketCap data. That means margins are expanding, said Christian Lopez, director of fintech investment banking and head of blockchain and digital assets at Cohen & Company Capital Markets. The price of bitcoin is coming up, and energy prices are actually going down, so youre seeing an increase in margin.

Binance acquires majority stake in Korean crypto exchange GOPAX

Binance Holdings plans to return to South Korea after pulling out of the market in 2021. The worlds largest cryptocurrency trading platform by trading volume said it had acquired a majority stake in South Korea-based crypto exchange GOPAX. The latest acquisition comes nearly two months after Binance acquired Sakura Exchange BitCoin (SEBC) in Japan for an undisclosed amount as Binance eyes expanding its footprint in the East Asian market again.

In a trademark battle between an NFT artist and Hermes, the artist just lost

Artist Mason Rothschild thought he was sitting on a goldmine when he began creating digital versions of the iconic Hermes Birkin handbag and selling these as NFTs. Unsurprisingly, Hermes loved the art project less, and the powerhouse luxury brand just won a copyright infringement case against Rothschild that could have widespread ramifications for NFT creators whose inspiration is real-world goods that are protected by intellectual property laws.

The latest pod

For this weeks episode, Jacquelyn talked to Gwendolyn Regina, investment director at layer-1 blockchain BNB Chain. Prior to her current role, Gwen worked at Facebook, or as some call it now, Meta, building up a new business unit for venture capital partnerships and startup growth. Shes also a founder of a few different businesses and a founding team member for an early-stage tech investment firm Thymos Capital.

BNB Chain was launched in 2020 and initially kicked off by Binance, the worlds largest crypto exchange by trading volume. Since then, BNB Chain aims to be a decentralized, community-owned separate entity from Binance with a focus on three audiences: retail markets, builders and developers and bridging Web 2.0 businesses to web3, Regina shared.

Gaming on BNB Chain also has grown organically through robustness and cheaper fees, but the blockchains team is now doubling down in that sector to encourage more gamers and developers to play and build on its chain, Regina added.

We also discussed:

The dApps developers are building on-chain

BNBs investing strategy

What investors look for in founders

Advice to startups launching in a bear market

Subscribe to Chain Reaction on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite pod platform to keep up with the latest episodes, and please leave us a review if you like what you hear!

Follow the money

Coincover raises $30 million to help protect digital assets from hacks and human error Sesame Labs raises $4.5 million to help improve web3 marketing tools Dymension raises $6.7 million to help scale Cosmos ecosystem Blockchain data intelligence platform Elementus raises $10 million to grow chain accessibility VRRB Labs raised $1.4 million in pre-seed funding to develop a blockchain that helps developers build user-friendly applications

This list was compiled with information from Messari as well as TechCrunchs own reporting.
Bengaluru, Feb 9 : The union government is taking a call regarding the naming of Shivamogga airport after party veteran, Lingayat strongman B.S. Yediyurappa. The BJP state government has cleared the proposal in the cabinet meeting and already sent it to the consideration of the Centre.

All eyes within the BJP and other political parties of the state are on the decision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi government in this regard. Shivamogga airport is the dream project of Yediyurappa.

During his successive terms as the CM of the state, Yediyurappa pursued the project. His supporters have been demanding that the airport should be named after him as a mark of respect to his commitment and work.

However, the BJP insiders say that the party is also considering naming the airport after luminaries of the district or national heroes. Former CM H.D. Kumaraswamy had stated that Yediyurappa had already been sidelined in the party.

Karnataka Congress party state President has maintained that they have no objections to naming the airport after Yediyurappa. Sources claim that the opposition party is giving no room for the high command to give any pretexts in case they decide to name the airport otherwise.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the state cabinet has decided to name the Shivamogga Airport as B.S. Yediyurappa Airport and a proposal to this effect will be sent to the Government of India. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate this airport to the nation on February 27. People participate in this function in large numbers," he said.
New Delhi, Feb 9 : The number of Indian citizens renouncing citizenship has gone up significantly in the last couple of years, with 1.63 lakh doing so in 2021 and 2.25 lakh in 2022, the Parliament was told on Thursday.

"As per the information available with the Ministry, the number of Indians who renounced their Indian citizenship was 1,31,489 (in 2015); 1,41,603 (in 2016); 1,33,049 (in 2017); 1,34,561 (in 2018); 1,44,017 (in 2019); 85,256 (in 2020); 1,63,370 (in 2021) and 2,25,620 (in 2022). For reference purposes, data was 1,22,819 (in 2011); 1,20,923 (in 2012); 1,31,405 (in 2013); 1,29,328 (in 2014)," External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told the Rajya Sabha.

"As per available information, 5 Indian nationals obtained the citizenship of UAE during the last three years," the reply added.
Patna Feb 9 : A village mukhiya (headman) in Bihar's Gopalganj district was gunned down on Thursday morning, police said.

Mohammad Qurash, 32, was on his way from his house in Phalguni Panchayat village to his brick kiln in Thawe block on his bike. When he reached Narayanpur village, four or five gunmen opened fire on him indiscriminately. The victim sustained gunshot injuries in several parts of his body including his head and died on the spot.

In another incident, three unidentified men, on a bike, shot and severely injured a CSP owner in Sitamarhi district and looted the cash on Thursday afternoon.

The victim, Vijay Kumar, is battling for his life in the hospital.

The incident occurred at Bathnaha block in the district. The accused initially tried to loot the CSP outlet, but when Vijay Kumar resisted, they shot him and fled with the cash.

The local police are scanning the CCTV footage of the CPS office.
Bhubaneswar, Feb 9 : The special task force (STF) of Odisha police arrested an inter-state drug peddler from Guwahati in Assam, police said on Thursday.

A team of STF with the assistance of Assam police arrested Salim Ahmmed, a resident of Mantripukri, Imphal, Manipur.

He was arrested in connection with a case registered on December 3, 2022, and brown sugar of 1.335 kgs, along with a car, was seized. Earlier, two persons were arrested and forwarded to the court, the police said.

Ahmmed is the main drug peddler. The accused was absconding following the case and concealing his presence at Guwahati.

On receiving reliable input, the STF nabbed and brought him to Odisha on transit remand.
February 09 : After unveiling Dil Dariya, a heartfelt song about companionship, the makers of Shiv Shastri Balboa are out with a new track, titled Petrol Pump.

The official handle of Zee Music Company dropped the single on social media.

High energy Punjabi number is crooned by Mihir Sharma, composed by Utkarsh Dhotekar and penned by Shera Sraa. The song features entire ensemble, sharing a sneak-peek into American dream and working middle class.

The film revolves around Shiv Shankar Shastri aka Shiv Shastri 'Balboa' played By Anupam Kher, traveling to the US to meet his son Jugal Hansraj and his family.

Anupam then meets Neena Gupta's character who wants to travel to India as she hasn't been home in eight years. Shiv decides to help her and they take a trip during which Neena loses her passport and belongings. Things, however, take a dark turn when 'wanted' Neena is arrested. She pleads Anupam to help her and he does.

The movie stars Anupam, Neena Gupta, Jugal Hansraj, Sharib Hashmi and Nargis Fakhri.

Directed by Ajay Venugopalan, the film has been produced by Kishore Varieth. The upcoming movie will hit the theatres on February 10.
Noida, Feb 9 : An Indian woman has filed a lawsuit against leading hotel chain, Hilton Hotels, after she was allegedly robbed in its hotel in Madrid, Spain, where she stayed for business purposes.

Jasmeet Kaur, CEO of KBI Industries and a resident of Noida, filed the lawsuit in the Court of Plaza de Castilla, Spain.

Kaur shared her ordeal on social media and alleged that the robbers assaulted her and stole her belongings on January 27.

She said that the matter of women's safety in luxury hotels is a matter of international concern.

Kaur stated: "Hilton hotel put my security in danger. No action was taken against the culprits." She has demanded compensation for the mental trauma and pain caused by the incident.

In her complaint to the authorities in India, she said: "Nobody helped me in that hour of crisis." The victim blamed the hotel officials and the Indian Embassy in Spain for ignoring her complaints.

She added that she was stuck in a foreign land with no money and no action was taken against the culprits despite registering an FIR in the nearest police station in Madrid.

Kaur added that she is in contact with a lawyer in Spain who is helping her with the case.

She said: "The miscreants hit me, pushed me down and took my bag inside the lobby area of the hotel. The hotel authorities did not help me. I lost all important items. Everything including my passport was stolen." Citing the financial loss due to the loss of her passport, she said: "I am facing huge financial loss. Travel has come to a standstill for my business related work. Most of my international appointments had to be cancelled." She said that the work of more than 200 employees in her firm was getting affected as she was unable to travel by air internationally.

Kaur alleged that she has been losing crores of rupees due to the hotel's serious lapse in security.

She has written to the Prime Minister's Office and Ministry of External Affairs about the mental trauma, agony and humiliation that she has been subjected to in Spain.

In the lawsuit, she mentioned that the hotel had no security arrangements.

She added: "I had paid a huge amount for my stay as per the request of the hotel management. This could have been avoided if the hotel staff and management had acted swiftly." Kaur said: "Women are not safe anywhere in the world. I humbly request the External Affairs Minister of India Dr Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs, Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi and other officials to please help me in this situation.

"I will also convey this security concern to the United Nations and other organs of the UN dealing with women's safety in the world. I will also write to UN officials, including the UN Secretary-General and other top UN envoys in India."
Kolkata, Feb 9 : The West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) will soon terminate 800 illegally-appointed teachers at the secondary level in different state-run schools from service, the commission informed the Calcutta High Court on Thursday.

It is learnt that the process will start after WBSSC issues an official notification on this count next week, in which the names of these 800 teachers will be published.

Sources in the state education department said that these 800 teachers will be those whose numbers in the optical mark recognition (OMR) sheets varied from those in the central server of the commission. In the process of investigation, it was found that several candidates secured marks as high as 53 even after submitting blank OMR sheets or answering just a couple of questions.

Confirming the decision, WBSSC Chairman Siddhartha Majumdar said that the process will be carried out under Rule 17 of the West Bengal School Service Commission Act, which deals with cancellation or withdrawal of recommendations for appointment.

It is learnt that initially the appointments of around 950 secondary teachers were under scanner. All of them were given a chance to review the applications at the court on this count. After proper review of the recruitment details and applications from all of them, the number came down to around 800.

To recall, on this matter of varying marks in OMR list and central server, Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay of the Calcutta High Court had observed that from the nature of forgery, it became evident that it was the handiwork of people within the commission.
New Delhi, Feb 9 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that true secularism is ensuring that benefits of different government schemes reach all the beneficiaries.

"We have transformed the working culture with the power of technology. Our focus is on increasing speed and enhancing scale," Modi said in Rajya Sabha while replying to the Motion of Thanks to President's address in the Upper House.

"To ensure that cent per cent beneficiaries avail the welfare schemes, and that cent per cent benefit reaches them, we chose a path of 'saturation'. Our government marches on such a path of honesty that 'saturation' is the true 'secularism' for it," the Prime Minister said.

"Achieving 'saturation' means no discrimination whatsoever, as the discrimination breeds corruption.

"We have committed to 'saturation' where we want the benefits of every scheme to reach 100 per cent of the beneficiaries. This is true 'secularism', and we are working honestly towards achieving it," the PM added.

Modi further said that the Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme has enabled transfers worth Rs 27 lakh crore to the accounts of the beneficiaries.

"The transparency brought has saved Rs 2 lakh crore of the nation from seeping into the 'wrong ecosystem'. The Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) trinity has been truly transformative," he said.

Modi said that the BJP government has transformed the working culture with the help of the power of technology.

"Our focus is on increasing the speed and enhancing the scale. In this Amrit Kaal, our aim is 100 per cent saturation of schemes," he added.
Chennai, Feb 9 : The Hinduja group's IIHL, in its appeal before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), has said it is batting for higher valuation for the stakeholders of Reliance Capital.

The IIHL said there is no bar on multiple rounds of challenge mechanism to arrive at a higher valuation for a company and the the Adjudicating Authority has committed grave error of jurisdiction in interfering with the commercial decision of Committee of Creditors (COC) which has found the offers/resolution plans as sub-optimal.

The impugned order halts the COC's decision to continue with the challenge mechanism with threshold value of Rs 9,500 crore.

The IIHL said the Adjudicating Authority has committed grave jurisdictional error in entertaining an application which seeks to interdict an ongoing Resolution Process being carried out by COC at the behest of a resolution applicant who is seeking to grab a company by causing a loss of several hundred crore to the financial creditors.

According to IIHL, the Adjudicating Authority has erred in restraining the COC in exercising the commercial wisdom and to achieve the objects of maximisation of asset-value.

The IIHL also said the Adjudicating Authority has ignored that the COC has reserved in itself wide and sweeping powers which would allow it to conduct a comprehensive assessment of viability and thereby achieves the best possible value from the bidders.

It contended that the Adjudicating Authority has sought to effectively step in the shoes of the COC and take over the decision making process and interfere with the exercise of commercial wisdom of the COC.

The Adjudicating Authority has usurped the powers of CoC, IIHL said.

In its appeal, the IIHL said the Adjudicating Authority has glossed over the fact that Torrent is not a successful resolution applicant as the evaluation is at an intermediate stage where the COC is undertaking a price discovery exercise for maximisation of asset value.

Further the Adjudicating Authority failed to envisage that Torrent, as one of prospective resolution applicants, is merely a participant in the insolvency resolution process and would not have any locus to stall the resolution process.

The impugned order has been passed without any jurisdiction as any action by a claimant under Section 60(5) of the IBC has to draw its source from violation of any statutory provision under the Code, and that the adjudicating authorities cannot exercise its jurisdiction upon equitable considerations while determining any such claim, the Hinduja group's IIHL said.

Reiterating its stand, IIHL said that they are compliant and the NPV through the challenge round is Rs 8,110 crore, but this represents only 30 per cent in the evaluation matrix.

According to IIHL, the Adjudicating Authority has provided undue weightage to the NPV submission of Torrent and has failed to consider that the NPV factor is the outcome of payment proposition in the respective resolution plans.

The IIHL said it has offered Rs 9,000 crore in a compliant fashion in the interest of LIC, and the EPFO, and the other creditors of the CoC.

It also contended that the Adjudicating Authority has failed to consider that the NPV submission of the appellant was compliant and the outlay in the revised plan included heads under the "Total Payment to Creditors" as set out in the Process Note.
New Delhi, Feb 9 : National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met Russian President Vladimir Putin amid the Russia-Ukraine war on Thursday, informed the Indian Embassy in Russia.

Doval is in Moscow to attend a meeting on multilateral security in Afghanistan.

The Indian Embassy in Russia, on Twitter said that Doval had a comprehensive discussion on bilateral and regional issues during the meeting with President Putin.

It was also agreed upon to continue working towards the implementation of the strategic partnership of India-Russia.

Doval reached Russia on his two-day official visit on Wednesday.
Mumbai, Feb 9 : A note from newly-weds Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani for their wedding guests has gone viral on social media and it talks about making memories with them after the party.

In the note, Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani penned: "Thank you so much for sharing in the joy of our wedding day. We are so fortunate to have such wonderful family and friends in our lives who have travelled from near and far to celebrate here with us." "Please drink, dance and make memories with us tonight as our first evening as a married couple. With Love, Kiara & Sid." They also gave a coin with the couple's initials, S and K, engraved.

The 'Shershaah' actors are now all set to host a reception in Delhi on February 9 for their family members and friends in the capital. It will be followed up by a reception party in Mumbai for their friends in the industry.
Kochi, Feb 9 : A CBI court in Kerala's Kochi on Thursday directed the media not to publish the statements of witnesses in the Periya twin murder case where two Youth Congress workers were brutally killed in the state's Kasargode district in 2019.

The accused include top local CPI-M leaders and also a former CPI-M legislatore.

Special judge, CBI K. Kamanees has also barred the entry of media in the court hall for reporting the case, but the statements of government officials listed as witnesses in the case has been excluded and could be reported.

The prosecution wanted the media to be kept out of the court during trial to save witnesses in this highly-sensitive political case from coming under duress.

The court, however, did not go into the allegations of threats to the witnesses, but felt that publishing the references made by the witnesses during the trial will be against the interest of justice.
Beijing, Feb 9 : No new Covid-19 variants have emerged in China during the recent surge in infections since the country ended its zero-Covid policy, according to an analysis of cases in Beijing published in The Lancet.

The study suggests two existing Omicron sub-variants, BA.5.2 and BF.7, among the most dominant variants in Beijing during 2022, accounted for more than 90 per cent of local infections between November 14 and December 20, 2022.

Imported cases during the same period mostly involved different variants to those dominant in Beijing.

Genome analysis of 413 new Covid-19 infections in Beijing spanning the time period when China lifted its most strict pandemic control policies suggests that all were caused by existing strains.

"Our analysis suggests two known Omicron sub-variants - rather than any new variants - have chiefly been responsible for the current surge in Beijing, and likely China as a whole. However, with ongoing large-scale circulation of Covid-19 in China, it is important we continue to monitor the situation closely so that any new variants that might emerge are found as early as possible," said Professor George Gao of the Institute of Microbiology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The results represent a snapshot of the pandemic in China, due to the characteristics of Beijing's population and the circulation of highly transmissible Covid-19 strains there.

In the three years since Covid-19 was declared a global pandemic, the emergence of variants such as Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron has caused multiple waves of cases around the world.

In the latest study, the authors analysed Covid-19 samples detected in Beijing in 2022. Genome sequences were generated using rapid, large-scale sequencing technology, and their evolutionary history and population dynamics analysed using existing high-quality Covid-19 sequences.

Analysis of the 413 new sequences revealed they all belong to existing, known COVID-19 strains.

The dominant strain in Beijing after November 14 2022 was BF.7, which accounted for 75.7 per cent of local infections. Another Omicron sub-variant, BA5.2, was responsible for 16.3 per cent of local cases.

Professor Wolfgang Preiser and Dr Tongai Maponga of the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, who were not involved in the study, said: "It is welcome to see this much-needed data from China. It is certainly reassuring that this study yielded no evidence for novel variants but not a surprise: the surge is amply explained by the abrupt cessation of effective control measures." However, they urge caution in drawing conclusions about China as a whole based on data from Beijing, saying that "the SARS-CoV-2 molecular epidemiological profile in one region of a vast and densely populated country cannot be extrapolated to the entire country".
New Delhi, Feb 9 : A 35-year-old labourer was killed here on Thursday after a church building wall collapsed in the Shakurpur area of the national capital, an official said.

The deceased has been identified as Raghubansh, a resident of Bihar's Banka district.

He had succumbed to his internal injuries and doctors declared him dead during treatment in the hospital, the official added.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest), Usha Rangnani, said at around 9.45 a.m., information regarding the collapse of a wall at G-Block, Shakurpur was received at Subhash Place police station, following which, an Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) was dispatched to the spot.

"An injured person was taken to the hospital where the doctor opined that he had several minor abrasion injuries. On initial enquiry, it was revealed that there was some repair work going on at 1st floor of a three-storey vacant building. The church is located on the ground floor," the police officer said.

Emanuel, the church Father, told police that the building was 35 years old, and he had decided to get some renovation work done.

"During the repair work, a wall collapsed suddenly and Raghubansh fell from the first floor and sustained abrasion injuries," the official said.

"An FIR under section 288 (negligent conduct with respect to pulling down or repairing buildings) and 337 (Causing hurt by an act which endangers human life, etc) of the Indian Penal Code has been registered at Subhash Place police station. Further sections of law will be added after receiving reports from hospital," said the official.
Gurugram, Feb 9 : President Droupadi Murmu said that India, while presiding over the G-20, is playing an active role in social and economic upliftment. With the inclusion of values, India's identity is being established globally.

"The country is constantly changing and today with economic prosperity, India is becoming a leader with 5th position in the world," the President stated.

The President was addressing the National Convention organised on the theme 'Women as Foundation of Value-Based Society' at Brahma Kumaris Om Shanti Retreat Centre in Gurugram's Bahora Kalan on Thursday.

The President inaugurated the seminar by lighting a lamp. President Murmu was jointly welcomed by Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya and Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

Addressing the seminar, the President said, "While the government is fulfilling its responsibility for women's empowerment in society, every person should admire it and take inspiration from their working style. Today, India is establishing its dominance globally on the strength of its values." Murmu said that today women are performing better than men in every field. "Be it science, arts, education, engineering or political field, women have raised their flags of success at every level," she added.

Referring to India's first woman Rafale fighter jet pilot Shivangi Singh, Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya said that her achievement has shown a new path of success to other daughters of India as well.
Panaji, Feb 9 : The Congress in Goa has alleged that the state government has deliberately put a weak case to favour the owner of a controversial bungalow in a protected heritage zone, which -- the party claimed -- belongs to a "senior BJP member".

Congress General Secretary Viriato Fernandes was reacting to the order of the High Court of Bombay in Goa quashing the demolition order issued by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as well as the Town and Country Planning Department on the grounds of not following the process of natural justice.

Fernandes on Thursday addressed a press conference and said that his party will spare no effort in ensuring that the case is highlighted and the illegality is dealt with according to the law of the land and not through subversion of justice in favour of vested interests.

"Fraudulent things have been done to protect this bungalow in the ASI area. This was done with the support of government machinery because this bungalow belongs to a senior member of the BJP. Everyone knows how the government went out of the way to help them construct this bungalow. A weak case in a bid to favour the builder and owner has been put in," Fernandes alleged.

"The BJP is helping only crony capitalist friends. People across Goa protested against this bungalow and had gone on a chain hunger strike. This government has got exposed and we will fight against it," Fernandes, pointing out the objection to this bungalow, said.

He said that only a hut existed on the property. "The government has intentionally and knowingly collaborated with the lawbreakers by not following the process of law and helping the accused owners to escape the statutory demolition process that should have been inevitable," he said.

"After all, the BJP is known for skirting the law regarding its own party members and favoured cronies. This is not about the demolition of an illegal bungalow but a direct challenge to the community of Goans in protecting our heritage," Viriato said.
New Delhi, Feb 9 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday replied to the motion of thanks on the President's address to Parliament, in the Rajya Sabha. The Prime Minister started his reply by thanking the President for guiding both the Houses by presenting the vision of 'Viksit Bharat' in her address.

In his reply to the motion of thanks, the PM targeted the Congress and the Gandhi family and asked why does not anyone keep the Nehru surname? He also slammed the party for misusing Article 356 a number of times.

"I have read in the newspapers that 600 schemes in this country are in the name of the Gandhi-Nehru family. But I am very surprised why doesn't a person keep the Nehru surname", he said.

Targeting the Congress, Modi said that if Nehru ji's name is not mentioned in any programme, he becomes angry why the name of Nehru ji was not taken. Modi said, "I am very surprised, even if I miss it, I will fix it, because he was the first Prime Minister of India. But why doesn't a person keep the Nehru surname. You don't approve and keep asking for our account." "This is a centuries-old country... a country built on the traditions of generations of people. This country is not the fiefdom of any family", he said. He slammed the Congress and asked which was the party that misused Article 356 the most? 90 times, they (Congress) removed the elected government, he said.

Modi added, "Those who do not know the difference between employment and jobs are preaching to us. To create new narratives, efforts are being made to spread lies with half-baked things. In the last 9 years, the economy has expanded and new possibilities of employment have been created in the new sector." "We understand the importance of Infrastructure, Scale and Speed for building a modern India", the Prime Minister said. He emphasized that the working culture in the country has been transformed by the power of technology and the government is focused on increasing the speed and enhancing its scale.

"Mahatma Gandhi used to say 'shrey' (merit) and 'priya' (dear). We have chosen the path of 'shrey' (merit)," the Prime Minister remarked. He underlined that the path chosen by the government is not the one where rest is a priority, but the one where we work tirelessly every day and night to fulfil the aspirations of the common people.

The Prime Minister said "For decades, the development of tribal communities was neglected. We gave top priority to their welfare." He informed that a separate Ministry for tribal welfare was created during the tenure of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and concerted efforts for tribal welfare were undertaken.

Modi emphasized that "small farmers are the backbone of India's agriculture sector. We are working to strengthen their hands." He added that small farmers were neglected for a very long time. The current government focussed on their needs and created many opportunities for the small farmers along with small vendors and artisans. The PM also elaborated on the steps taken for women empowerment and talked about the government's initiative to empower, ensure dignity and create ease of living at every stage of a woman's life in India.

"With the expertise of our scientists and innovators, India is becoming a pharma hub of the world," the Prime Minister remarked as he drew attention to the unfortunate events when some people tried to let down India's scientists, innovators and vaccine manufacturers. He talked about inculcating a scientific temper through measures like the Atal Innovation Mission and Tinkering lab. He complimented the youth and scientists for fully harnessing the opportunities created by the government and launching private satellites. "We have succeeded and are using technology for empowering common citizens", he said.

"The country today remains the world leader in digital transactions. The success of Digital India has drawn the attention of the whole world today", the Prime Minister said. He recalled the time when India used to import mobile phones whereas today, we take pride that mobile phones are being exported to other countries.

"It is our resolve that India becomes 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047," the Prime Minister remarked. He reiterated that the government has taken many significant steps to grab the opportunities that we have been looking out for. "India is ready to take a giant leap and not look back anymore."
New Delhi, Feb 9 : The Supreme Court has stressed that regularisation of a daily wager cannot be done unless the appointment has been made by the competent authority against a sanctioned post.

In February 2020, a division bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court had set aside the direction passed by a single bench of the high court directing regularisation of services of Vibhuti Shankar Pandey as supervisor in the state Water Resources Department. Pandey moved the apex court challenging the division bench order.

A two-judge bench of the apex court comprising Justices S Ravindra Bhat and Sudhanshu Dhulia said: "The Division Bench rightly held that the learned Single Judge has not followed the principle of law as given by this Court in Secretary, State of Karnataka and ors. v. Umadevi and ors., as initial appointment must be done by the competent authority and there must be a sanctioned post on which the daily rated employee must be working." It thus junked the appeal filed by Pandey challenging an order by the Madhya Pradesh High Court on February 13, 2020.

"In view of the law laid down by the Constitution Bench of this court in Uma Devi (supra), the appellant had no case for regularization. There is no scope, hence, for our interference with the order of the Division Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court. Appeal is dismissed," the bench ruled.

Pandey claimed he was engaged as supervisor in 1980, on a daily rated basis, under a project of the state Water Resources Department, and had sought regularisation to the post of supervisor/time keeper.

The apex court noted that Pandey did not possess a minimum qualification, matriculation with maths, for the post, however, the government relaxed this qualification in December 2010.

Pandey had submitted that he should be regularised, as he had been working on a daily wage basis for a long period of time and pointed out that persons who were junior to him as daily wagers were regularised in 1990 or even before. The court noted that though minimum qualifications were met, the fact remains that Pandey was never appointed against any post.

The court pointed out that his appointment was never made by the competent authority and there were no posts available at the time for regularisation.
San Francisco, Feb 9 : Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is no longer single, as widespread rumours suggest he has found a new girlfriend -- Paula Hurd, the widow of late Oracle CEO Mark Hurd.

According to People magazine, Gates was seen last week with her, watching the men's singles final at the Australian Open in Melbourne In 2021, Gates, 67, finalised his divorce from Melinda French Gates, 58, his wife of 27 years.

"It's widely known that Bill Gates and Paula Hurd are dating, but she hasn't met his kids yet," reports People magazine, citing sources.

Gates and Melinda have three grown children.

In September 2022, Gates and Hurd were photographed sitting next to each other at the Laver Cup at the O2 Arena in London; however, in October 2021, both were photographed at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, but they weren't sitting together at the time, according to the report.

Hurd graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1984, as per her bio on Baylor University.

After college, she began her career in sales at the US-based company NCR (National Cash Register) -- a top enterprise software, hardware, and services provider for banks and retailers, said the report.

According to her LinkedIn bio, she now designs and organizes many "memorable" events for individuals, corporations, and charities.

Hurd is the mother of two daughters, Kathryn and Kelly, with her late husband, the report mentioned.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
New Delhi, Feb 9 : Thousands of people turned out in protest outside municipal government offices in the central Chinese city of Wuhan over major cuts to their medical benefits, according to local residents and video footage posted on social media, media reports said.

Video clips uploaded to social media showed a large crowd of older people in raincoats and holding umbrellas gathered in rainy weather in a public space outside the gates of the city government compound, with police in high-visibility jackets linking arms to prevent them from approaching the gates, RFA reported.

A resident of Wuhan, the epicentre of the Covid-19 pandemic, surnamed Zhang said both uniformed and plainclothes police were out in large numbers at the protest, with several official buses parked at the scene, RFA reported.

"There were a lot of police officers there protecting [the municipal government], but this is a matter of public feeling," he said.

The protest came after warnings from the central government in Beijing that it won't be bailing out cash-strapped local governments, whose coffers have been drained by three years of President Xi Jinping's zero-Covid policy, which ended in December last year, RFA reported.

"This country is in trouble, and they haven't raised medical payments -- how can they reduce them? How are people supposed to manage," Zhang asked.

He said the authorities had known the protest was coming and had held a "stability maintenance" meeting at city hall to deal with the issue.

"Retirees are demanding an explanation from the government as to why their medical benefits have been cut from 260 yuan ($38) a month to less than 100 yuan ($15)," a subtitle on one of the videos said, RFA reported.

"If they don't get an answer from the government, they will hold an even bigger rally," the text said.
City

 William J. Roth Jr., 51, 58 Holley St., Auburn, was charged Feb. 2 with possessing a sexual performance by a child.

 Lindsay A. Hilton, 39, 58 Orchard St., Auburn, was charged Feb. 4 with petit larceny.

 Rebecca L. Sweeting, 53, 13 Easterly Ave., Apt. 2, Auburn, was charged Feb 5 sixth-degree conspiracy and petit larceny.

 Jaime C. Andres-Lopez, 23, 21 Teds Way, Moravia, was charged Feb. 5 with petit larceny.

 Penny M. Cordway, 51, 7 Woodruff Place, Apt. 1, Auburn, was charged Feb. 5 with sixth-degree conspiracy.

 Alasia K. Daniels, 25, 112 Cottage St., Upper Apt., Auburn, was charged Feb. 6 with fourth-degree criminal mischief.

 Majel D. Sheffield, 26, transient, Auburn, was charged Feb. 7 with fourth-degree criminal mischief.

 Kalvin D. Rhim, 47, 290 Grant Ave, was charged Feb. 7 with second-degree obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest and false personation.

 William L. Broome, 43, 189 State St., Upstairs Apt., Auburn, was charged Feb. 7 with first-degree criminal contempt.

 Michael E. Stanton, 25, 48 Jefferson St., Auburn, was charged Feb. 7 with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

 Austin D. Medina, 22, 66 Clark St., Auburn, was charged Feb. 7 with fourth-degree criminal contempt.

 Sean T. Conner, 36, 22 Grant St., Auburn, was charged Feb. 7 with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and possession of a dangerous drug/substance.

County

 Timothy E. Brugger, 62, 11448 Johnnycake Hill Road, Cato, was charged Feb. 2 with petit larceny.

 Marshall J. Henderson, 35, 11930 Johnnycake Road, Cato, was charged Feb. 2 with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and circumventing an interlock device.

 Demetrion Tetreault, 20, 13486 Route 90, Summerhill, was charged Feb. 2 with second-degree sexual abuse.

 Christopher J. Miller, 39, 7700 Devaul Road, Kirkville, was charged Feb. 4 with second-degree unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

 Dennis E. Allen, 29, 107 Center St., Solvay, was charged Feb. 5 with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle, operation of a motor vehicle while registration or privilege is suspended or revoked, operating a vehicle without an insurance.

State

 Mathew S. Elmore, 46, Auburn, was charged Feb. 7 with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and first-degree operation of a motor vehicle impaired by drugs.

 Zoey M. Waldrop, 23, Auburn, was charged Feb. 7 with petit larceny.

 Christopher M. Laframboise, 39, Weedsport, was charged Feb. 9 with second-degree attempted murder and second-degree assault.
Bengaluru, Feb 9 : Days after Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumarswamy's controversial remarks on Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Brahmin groups on Thursday staged protests at Koppal and Gangavathi, warning that they would tell Brahmins to maintain distance from the JD-S.

The Brahmin Samaj Youth Association has staged a protest at Ashoka circle in Koppal and Gangavathi cities and demanded an unconditional apology from Kumaraswamy.

Recent comments on Brahmanism, and on a Brahmin candidate becoming chief minister if the BJP is voted back to power, by Kumaraswamy have sparked a controversy in Karnataka.

However, Kumaraswamy later clarified that he has no objections if a Brahmin candidate is made the CM.

" ... but if the party plans to make Pralhad Joshi the chief minister, if the BJP is voted to power, it must declare his candidature before the assembly elections. The main reason for me to mention Pralhad Joshi's name is not because he is a Brahmin. He belongs to a lineage which has the DNA of the killer of Mahatma Gandhi and ones who attacked Sringeri Mutt. Karnataka Brahmins are well cultured. I don't have any intention of fixing the BJP party. I have intentions of not letting the people into a fix," he said.

"There is a conspiracy to project different faces in the elections to get votes and make a backdoor entry to the post of CM. These conspiracies should not cheat people. That is why I am voicing concerns," Kumaraswamy said.

Meanwhile, one of the protesters said: "It is not correct to target the community for politics. The political difference is a personal matter. These statements would create rifts in society." "Kumaraswamy should apologise for this. Otherwise, legal action will be initiated against him. The complaint would be given to the Governor also. The community members will be asked to maintain their distance from the JD-S," another protestor said.
New Delhi, Feb 9 : If international gas prices come down, the government could give relief to consumers on cooking gas through subsidy, the Parliament was told on Thursday.

Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri said in Lok Sabha during Question Hour on Thursday that the government imports 60 per cent of the total domestic requirement of gas.

"There is a (existing) subsidy of Rs 200. What is this subsidy? It is tax payer's money... The ones who are most vulnerable, we are always ready to help if it is left to this House and the honourable Prime Minister. It would be ideal if the international or the Saudi Contract Price could further come down from $750. It would enable domestic LPG to be sold at even more economical rates," he said.

"The import price is linked to what is called the Saudi Contract Price.

"The interesting thing is that the Saudi Contract Price during the last two years or so - if we have to use this as a reference period - has gone up from $250 per metric tonne to something like $900 per metric tonne. Today also, I think it is around $751 per metric tonne," Puri added, while replying to a starred question on providing greater subsidy to people on cooking gas.

Despite rising international gas prices, the minister said the government is sensitive to the requirements of the consuming population.

"We did not allow the cost of domestic LPG to increase. Saudi Contract Price went up by 333 per cent and yet the price increased was very small for the domestic LPG," Puri said in his response.

Even during the pandemic, when the poor were suffering due to the lockdown, the government gave three cylinders free of cost to them, he told the House.
Kiev, Feb 9 : One of the Russians targeted by UK sanctions to mark Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiys visit to London is Vladimir Putins alleged former lover, Svetlana Krivonogikh, according to a media report.

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly announced a new round of sanctions against Kremlin connected individuals and military entities involved in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, The Guardian reported.

They include a drone manufacturer, a helicopter parts firm, and an aviation software company.

But what appears to be the most pointed and personal measure concerned Krivonogikh, a Russian national who worked as a cleaner in the 1990s before meeting Putin in St Petersburg, The Guardian reported. The Russian investigative website Proekt claims Putin is the father of Krivonogikh's daughter Luiza.

Putin has two adult daughters with his former wife, Lyudmila. He has not commented on the Proekt story.

In 2021, an offshore leak known as the Pandora Papers had revealed how Krivonogikh grew rich after Putin became Russia's President in 2000. She acquired several properties, including a luxury flat in Monaco bought in 2003, the same year she gave birth to her daughter.

She also became a shareholder in Bank Rossiya, a St Petersburg bank known for its connections to Putin's inner circle, and acquired a stake in the National Media Group. Its publications "consistently promote the Russian assault in Ukraine", the UK Foreign Office said, The Guardian reported.

Krivonogikh also bought an apartment overlooking Monaco's marina for 3.6 million euro via an offshore company, Brockville Development Ltd. A Monaco professional services firm arranged the secret purchase. Its clients include Russian oil trader Gennady Timchenko, who has known Putin since at least the early 1990s, and Petr Kolbin, a childhood friend of the Russian President, now dead.

In 2020, Proekt revealed that Krivonogikh had accumulated a $100 million fortune from her holding in Bank Rossiya, which is used extensively by Putin's former KGB colleagues, The Guardian reported.
New Delhi, Feb 9: As they spoke to each other over the phone for the second time in one month on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu expressed a "mutual desire" to deepen the cooperation between the two countries in the fields of high-tech, economy and security.

In their conversation, which lasted for about 20 minutes, the two leaders discussed ways to strengthen the close and important relations between New Delhi and Jerusalem.

"Spoke with PM Netanyahu and discussed ways to strengthen the multifaceted India-Israel friendship, deepen our focus on innovation partnership, and our ongoing cooperation in defence and security," tweeted PM Modi after the phone call.

The Modi-Netanyahu bonhomie is on full display once again since Israel's longest-serving leader made a dramatic comeback to take over as the country's PM for a sixth time.

On January 11, PM Modi dialled 'Bibi' Netanyahu to convey his congratulations as both expressed satisfaction at the rapid progress in the India-Israel Strategic Partnership in recent years and agreed on the potential for further strengthening strategic cooperation in a variety of areas.

PM Modi, who has already invited Netanyahu to visit India at an early date, remains keen on India and Israel working together to bring out next-generation technologies and products.

In November 2021, both countries signed a Bilateral Innovation Agreement (BIA) between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Israel's Directorate of Defence Research and Development (DDR&D) to promote innovation and accelerated R&D in startups and MSMEs of both countries for the development of dual-use technologies.

Under the agreement, startups and industry of both countries will work together to bring out next-generation technologies and products in the areas such as Drones, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Quantum technology, Photonics, Biosensing, Brain-Machine Interface, Energy Storage, Wearable Devices, Natural Language Processing, etc.

At the same time, the India-Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund (I4F) fund between the Indian government's Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Israel Innovation Authority continues to promote, facilitate and support joint industrial R&D projects between companies from India and Israel to address the challenges in the agreed 'focus sectors'.

Israel, a powerhouse in the world of remotely-manned tools, has also signed an agreement with India for the leasing, operation and maintenance of fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to the Indian defence forces.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Limited on the sidelines of DefExpo 2022 at Gujarat's Gandhinagar, last year.

Through the MoU, HAL and IAI will collaborate on a prospective programme of leasing UAV systems to the Indian defence forces.

Taking forward PM Modi's vision of Israeli defence companies benefitting from opportunities of co-development and co-production in India, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had also exchanged a 'Letter of Intent' on enhancing cooperation in the field of Futuristic Defence Technologies with his visiting Israeli counterpart Benjamin Gantz in June, last year.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
Hyderabad, Feb 9 : YSR Telangana Party (YSRTP) leader Y.S. Sharmila on Thursday slammed Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao for what she called "peddling lies inside the Assembly", on 24-hour power supply to farmers.

She claimed that there is simmering discontent and growing disgust among the farming community over increasing power cuts.

"What a shame that the state is put to, and the farming community is thrown into severe crisis, thanks to KCR's negligent and short-sighted rule. Nowhere in the state can someone show that non-stop power is being supplied to farmers, for 24 hours. The cruel part is that the farmers are getting messages on their phone, notifying them about the power cuts. Isn't this a blatant lie inside the Assembly," she asked.

"A farmer was clearly quoted saying that even seven hours of power supply was turning into a difficult affair. Due to lack of quality and continuous power supply, crops are drying up. Imagine the plight of 50 lakh acres of crop in rabi that includes 30 lakh acres of paddy. I suspect a foul play on the part of KCR that is deliberately resorting to this to avoid procurement," she said.

Sharmila said that the situation is reminding people of Chandrababu's rule.

"It is absolutely rubbish to imagine this person and his promises to the country, while he is drying the state and axing the hopes and lives of farmers," she said, adding, it was only YSR who stood by the side of farmers in their thick and thin.

The YSRTP leader pointed out how the media is covering the sufferings of farmers due to this extreme situation.

"But, BRS and its leaders are in a false world of illusions, lies and fake promises. We see that not just paddy, but cotton, groundnut, and other crops, especially at the tail end of the irrigation facilities, are dying. There is an increase in the number of farmers protesting at substations, but of no use. This is akin to the situation forced by Chandrababu Naidu before 2004 where electricity from three-phase meters was a dream. Let us recall farmer suicides during that period, until YSR came and rescued the farming sector in the state. KCR is only making it worse and more vicious for the farmers in this regard," she added.
Mumbai, Feb 9 : The Maharashtra Congress on Thursday frowned at its ally, Shiv Sena (UBT), for making snide remarks on the turmoil within the party, terming it as 'inappropriate and 'uncalled for'.

Commenting editorially on the current crisis in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MV) constituent, the Sena's (UBT) newspapers, 'Saamana' and 'Dopahar Ka Saamana', seemed to bash state Congress President Nana Patole in the face-off with another senior leader Vijay Balasaheb Thorat, who recently quit as the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) Leader.

Among other things, the edits suggested that Patole's decision to quit as Assembly Speaker (in February 2021) was 'hasty', which ultimately led to a series of crises culminating in the fall of the MVA government last year.

In a sharp rebuke, Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe said that there is a well-established decision-making process in the Congress and all major decisions taken by the party President are respected and implemented by all.

On the resignation of Patole as Speaker after he was named as the state party chief, Londhe said: "It was the decision of the (then) party President Sonia Gandhi in the overall interest after considering the prevalent political situation." Slamming the Sena (UBT), Londhe said there is no sense in the contentions that Patole's resignation as Speaker triggered a chain of events that could have been avoided.

"Such 'if-then' has no meaning in politics... It is wrong to say that Patole's quitting the Speaker's post was the sole cause for the MVA's woes, there may be other reasons behind it," Londhe hinted without detailing.

He reiterated that all decisions taken by the Congress are its internal matter and the Sena (UBT) must respect them while adhering to the principles of alliance politics.

The Saamana group's edits argued that the main reason for the collapse of the MVA government headed by then CM Uddhav Thackeray in June 2022 "was Patole's hasty and unwise resignation as Assembly Speaker from where the entire crisis started".

"If Patole had continued in his post, many problems could have been avoided and it would have been easy to disqualify those who changed parties... After Patole's resignation, the Governor did not permit holding election for the crucial post, which went in favour of the 'Khokha' (boxes, a slang for crores of rupees), and their 'superpower' in New Delhi," read the edits.

The Sena (UBT) rued that after the success of Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, the Congress is in a revival mode in many states, but the opposite is happening in Maharashtra owing to egos which would be detrimental to the party's interests.
Srinagar, Feb 9 : With conservative efforts going on in Asia's second largest freshwater lake in Kashmir's Bandipora and Baramulla districts, the Smew -- scientifically known as Mergellus albellus and the Long-tailed Duck, a rare duck species found in European and American continents and assessed as highly vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red list, were among the new sightings in the lake after 100 years.

The rare sighting of new species has enthralled bird watchers, while the authorities expressed delight.

Wular Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA), Irfan Rasool, said: "Besides these sightings, many new migratory bird species are expected to be seen in Wular as the Wular restoration plan is bearing fruits with process going on large scale besides public awareness playing significance role in going with the mission.

"A group of five ducks were seen foraging in Wular lake on January 22 by WUCMA field officials and they recorded the details on their field book and captured camera pictures of ducks," he said.

The pictures were shared with ornithologists for identification and it was discovered that the birds are, in fact, rare migrants known as "Long Tailed Duck", Rasool said.

The last record of this bird was reported from Hokersar lake, Kashmir in 1939 as mentioned by F. Ludlow in a research paper published in "Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society".

It is after 84 years that the bird has been spotted again in Kashmir and has been documented now. There are only a few sites in India which meet the "1 per cent criteria" necessary for the survival and propagation of this duck species, Mudasir, a local resident, said.

Much to the delight of ornithologists, the eco-restoration of Wular lake has created a ray of hope, as record number of migratory birds have visited Wular lake, this year, Mudasir said, adding that the rare sightings have been of common pochard, red crested pochard and long tailed duck apart from other common water birds normally seen in other wetlands.

Mudasir said the Smew is another species of duck and is the only living member of the genus mergellus. A female pair of these birds was photographed by Showkat Ahmad, a staff of WUCMA along with Ansar Ahmad an avid birder from Wular Lake, he said, adding the last found record of this migratory bird in Kashmir was in 1907.

Many internationally and nationally reputed bird photographers are thronging the lake to capture these rare sightings of migratory birds.

"Along with the long-tailed duck, common pochard, red-crested pochard, common shelduck, ruddy shelduck, and other birds which share Wular Lake's habitat, have been sighted after long," Ahmad added.

Recently, during the Wular Festival, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Pandurang Kundbarao Pole said that the government is going to construct a non-motorable walkway around Asia's famed Wular Lake in Bandipora district.
New Delhi, Feb 9 : The Delhi High Court on Thursday asked Shahrukh Pathan, who is accused of allegedly aiming a pistol at a police head constable during the 2020 northeast Delhi riots, and in other related cases, to file an application before the trial court for an early hearing of his plea alleging that he was assaulted by jail officials.

A single-judge bench of Justice Amit Sharma, who was dealing with a similar petition moved by Pathan, said that since a plea has already been moved before the trial court, it is only just if an application is filed before the concerned court.

Representing Pathan, counsel Khalid Akhtar contended that the trial court, which listed the matter for the next hearing on February 28, has not passed any order or direction that relevant CCTV footage be preserved or produced.

Akhtar said: "There was no order to the effect that some adequate safety measures be provided to him." To this, Justice Sharma orally said that the prerequisite is that Pathan moves an application before the concerned court, and if it does not work out, the court will grant him the liberty.

"You move an application for an early hearing before the trial court. If nothing happens, we will see. We will give you the liberty," he said.

Pathan withdrew his plea post getting liberty from the HC to move to the trial court for an early hearing of his pending plea.

Though Pathan is an accused in various cases registered during the riots, the petition was moved in the case of aiming a pistol at Head Constable Deepak Dahiya on February 24, 2020. Social media was abuzz with his pictures.

The First Information Report (FIR) in this case was registered under various Sections of the Indian Penal Code and Section 27 of the Arms Act. In December 2021, the trial court framed charges against Pathan and other accused in the FIR.

On January 30, a court discharged a man accused of selling a pistol to Pathan.

"The case against accused Babu Wasim is essentially based on surmises and conjectures rather than actual material or evidence and there is no ground to presume that the accused committed an offence under Section 25 Arms Act. He is accordingly discharged for the said offence," Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat had said.

Pathan had disclosed that he had purchased a pistol and 20 rounds from Babu Wasim by paying Rs 35,000 in December 2019, the prosecution had said.
Chennai, Feb 9 : Election Commission officials on Thursday sealed a marriage hall at Krishnampalayam in Tamil Nadu's Erode East Assembly constituency for holding a meeting of AIADMK functionaries without permission.

A Flying Surveillance Team (FST), acting on a tip off, raided the marriage hall and found that 100 odd AIADMK leaders and functionaries led by its Airyalur district Secretary of the party and former Chief government whip, Thamarai S. Rajendran, were gathered there.

Police and Election Commission officials informed the AIADMK leaders that they don't have permission to conduct a meeting, and that AIADMK leaders and cadres had earlier been warned against the conduct of such meetings without permission, after holding another unauthorised meet on January 31.

However, AIADMK leaders and cadres created a scene and told the Election Commission officials that they would not vacate the premises but were forced them out and the marriage hall sealed.

The FST members told the AIADMK cadres and leaders that they should take permission from the officials concerned and after that, the seal would be removed.

Police have been posted at both entrances to the marriage hall.
New Delhi, Feb 9 : NCP MP Supriya Sule on Thursday sought to know from the government as to why the benefits of purchasing discounted oil and gas from Russia could not be passed on to the consumers.

Sule raised the matter during the Question Hour in Lok Sabha, when Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri was replying to a question on cooking gas subsidy.

She said that India has been purchasing oil and gas from Russia at the cost of conflicting its relations with other nations globally, including the US.

Why then, the NCP leader wondered, the benefit of the discounted oil cost was not being given to consumers in the form of cheaper LPG cylinders.

Puri, in his response, said that despite the rise in India's domestic production of oil and gas in the previous fiscal as well as this financial year, India imports around 60 per cent of its requirements.

International prices of oil and gas are quite high, he said, adding that: "Now, the issue here is that oil marketing companies (OMCs) have not increased the price. They took huge losses on account of the fact that they were not able to pass through on to the consumers the international price at which they were imported." The OMCs suffered a Rs 28,000 crore loss for which the government compensated them by making a one time payment of Rs 22,000 crore, the minister said.

In response to a related question by another member, he said that despite rising global prices of oil and gas, the government has kept its consumers insulated from high international prices.
The $2.25 billion Interstate 81 project in central New York is under new leadership.

Mark Frechette, a longtime state Department of Transportation employee who served as I-81 project director for the last 10 years, has retired. His successor is Betsy Parmley, who has been on the DOT's I-81 team as a project manager since 2021.

When the state began to pursue plans for replacing the I-81 viaduct in Syracuse, Frechette was the project director. He held that position when his department endorsed the community grid alternative over rebuilding the viaduct or constructing a tunnel to maintain high-speed traffic through the city. He also led the project through the federal and state approval processes. In January, the state awarded the first construction contract for work to transform Interstate 481 into the new I-81.

While plans for the I-81 project have progressed, Frechette often had to deal with outside factors, such as delays so other alternatives, namely a tunnel, could be studied. As he departs, the state cannot move forward with construction because of a lawsuit brought by a Syracuse-area group that opposes the community grid.

State Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez praised Frechette's "commitment to public service" in a statement Wednesday. She noted that he had been eligible to retire but remained with the agency to oversee the approval of the I-81 project and the first contract.

"Regardless of the challenges put in front of him on this  the largest project in DOT history  Mark was unflappable, always cheerful, positive and believing with all his heart that we would work with the community to develop the best possible transportation solution for the city of Syracuse and central New York," Dominguez said.

With Parmley, state DOT has an experienced engineer taking over as project director. She has worked for the department since 2005. Before joining the I-81 project team, she led the DOT's Central New York Traffic Safety and Mobility Group.

Parmley is the first woman to serve as resident engineer in the department's central New York region. She has overseen several major projects, including the state fair's Orange Lot upgrades and road improvements near del Lago Resort & Casino in Seneca County.

"I feel very fortunate to have worked alongside Mark and the I-81 team for the past two years," Parmley said. "I look forward to taking this project into the final design and construction phases and continuing to build on the accomplishments Mark and the team have led."

Frechette lauded Parmley  "I know I am leaving it in good hands," he said  and Dominguez echoed those comments.

"As Mark's protege on the I-81 viaduct project, Betsy has proven to be a dynamic leader who understands the enormous complexities of this project," Dominguez said. "I have every confidence that she is fully capable of successfully seeing it through from the first shovel in the ground to completion."

The I-81 project is comprised of several parts. The existing viaduct in Syracuse will be demolished and replaced with a business loop along Almond Street and a street-level grid. The state will also make upgrades to I-481, which will be redesignated as I-81.
Shillong, Feb 9 : The Congress on Thursday announced five promises for poll-bound Meghalaya -- women's empowerment, unemployment, corruption, drugs and power cut-free state -- vowing to turn Meghalaya into a 'five-star state.

The 60-member Meghalaya Assembly will go to the polls on February 27, while the counting of votes will be taken up on March 2.

Announcing the five poll promises here, Meghalaya Congress President Vincent H. Pala, along with AICC General Secretary in-charge of Meghalaya Manish Chatrath, said that direct transfer of Rs 3,000 per month to single BPL mothers raising their children alone is the party's top commitment as this would give women financial independence and help them run their houses better.

"Our second commitment is to provide one job to all deserving candidates from every household in Meghalaya. Lack of decent employment opportunities in the state has fuelled the desperation among our youngsters and they are compelled to migrate to far-flung cities of Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata to meet their basic needs," Pala told the media.

The Congress is committed to bring the youth of Meghalaya out of the situation of despondency and dejection, he said.

Chatrath took pot-shots at the "outgoing" National People's Party-BJP government and said that the incumbent regime did nothing constructive to channelise the youth's energy in the right direction.

He also alleged that law and order in Meghalaya was the first victim of poor governance of the NPP-BJP coalition.

"Large-scale unemployment among the youth made them gullible, while smuggling of all kinds of drugs from across the border worsened the situation," said Chatrath, promising that Congress is committed to make Meghalaya a drugs-free state.

Chatrath asserted that Congress is also committed to making Meghalaya a corruption-free state.

"We will come up with a transparency law which would be the 'mother of RTI'. The Congress government brought the Right to Information Act to empower common citizens but the Modi government at the Centre and the NPP regime in the state diluted the law step by step and ultimately left it inconsequential," the Congress leader said.

The Congress, which ruled the state for many years earlier, is currently left with no MLAs in the outgoing Assembly.

The party also promised uninterrupted electricity supply to all commercial and domestic users.

Long power cuts have affected the production and revenue of the entrepreneurs in the state while it also had a negative impact on the learning and growth of kids who fail to study their courses in the dark, the AICC General Secretary said.

Congress' commitment of uninterrupted power supply would not only boost the state's industrial growth, but also ensure children's all-round development, the party leaders asserted.

The Congress has fielded candidates for all the 60 seats in Meghalaya.
Chandigarh, Feb 9 : The Punjab Drug Rehabilitation Centres Union (PDRCU) on Thursday sought intervention of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to review a policy of the previous Congress government that has brought such centres being run in the private sector to the verge of closure.

Members of the special committee set up by the PDRCU said they have given many representations to officials of the Health Department to revoke the policy.

Kunal Lakhanpal, a member of the committee, said: "In 2020 the then Congress government mandated that every rehab centre should have a psychiatrist, an MBBS doctor and a nurse on its payroll. It is illogical as no medicine is to be given at these centres. We admit people after detoxification. Such people are provided counselling. The idea is to make them mentally strong so that they don't fall prey to drugs again." Another member said Angad Singh said that the policy lead to high operating costs, which "we cannot meet given the fact that we run small centres and the fee charged from patients is also bare minimum as the affected families, by and large, are poor".

Under the policy, some private rehab centres have already been served with closure notices. Some have even closed. There are cases where rehab centres have shifted from Punjab and set up bases in neighbouring states.

Another committee member Sanjeev Sharma said: "In case the policy is enforced in its current form, 74 private rehab centres will be shut down."
Hyderabad, Feb 9 : Former IAS officer and ex-President of NASSCOM, R. Chandrasekhar, was on Thursday conferred with the HYSEA Lifetime achievement award.

Telangana's Information Technology Minister K.T. Rama Rao presented the award to Chandrasekhar at the 30th HYSEA Annual Summit and Awards 2023.

Chandrashekhar, the Chairman of Centre for the Digital Future and former Chairman of Telecom Commission and Secretary in the Department of Telecommunication, Government of India, has been conferred the award for his stellar contribution to the IT industry and the Hyderabad industry in particular.

Hyderabad Software Enterprises Association (HYSEA) organised the 30th edition of its prestigious annual summit featuring a conference, product expo and annual industry awards. The theme for this year's conference was 'Re-Imagine, Re-Think and Re-Build the Future'.

"We believe Telangana's IT industry is at the tipping point. At this opportune time, we must rethink, reimagine, and rebuild the future," said Manisha Saboo, President, HYSEA.

"In the next three years, India is expected to add two million IT jobs and only about 30-40 per cent of this will be from traditional IT services organisations and the rest will be from GCC and startups," she said.
Moscow, Feb 9 : Russia has successfully launched the Progress MS-22 cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday, Russia's state space corporation Roscosmos said.

The Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket blasted off from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 9:15 a.m. Moscow time, Roscosmos said in a press release, Xinhua news agency reported.

The spacecraft separated from the third stage of the rocket, and its antennas and solar panels opened normally. The ship is scheduled to dock to the ISS on Saturday.

The Progress MS-22 will deliver over 2.5 tons of cargo to the ISS, namely 720 kg of fuel, 420 liters of drinking water, 40 kg of nitrogen and 1,354 kg of various equipment and materials.
Kolkata, Feb 9 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said that the total central dues to the state government under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) currently stands at Rs 7,000 crore.

"I feel sad that the Union government is depriving us on this count. Had they given at least something, I would have admitted that. I will once again appeal to the Union government to release the funds for payment under the 100-day job scheme. Kindly do not deprive the poor people of their legitimate dues," she said while addressing an administrative review meeting at Panchla in Howrah district.

The Chief Minister also claimed that despite being deprived of the central funds under the MGNREGA scheme, the state government had been able to create 10 lakh man-days, under which jobs have been provided to 10 lakh of job-card holders.

As regards to the housing scheme, she said that the Union government wants to take the sole credit of the scheme. "But the reality is that both the Union and the state governments have their shares of contribution under this scheme," she said.

Banerjee also said that despite the Union government's reluctance to release central funds, the state government is determined to go ahead with its project for developing the rural road network in the state. "We have chalked out a plan with a corpus of Rs 2,000 crore on this count. Many of you have deposits in banks. There is no guarantee of security of these deposits as well," she said.

Without naming industrialist Gautam Adani, she attacked the Union government as she said that it is uncertain the hard-earned money of the people in Life Insurance Corporation of India is facing a major loss threat. "People are worried about whether they would get back the money invested in LIC, since that money is going to the kitty of a section of the industrialists." She also alleged that since BJP is unable to combat Trinamool Congress politically they are using central agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

--IANS src/vd

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New Delhi, Feb 9 : A total of 2613 instances of technical snags have occurred in the flights of Indian airlines in the country during the last five years (2018-2022), the Parliament was told on Thursday.

While Indigo witnessed 885 such incidents, Spicejet and Vistara recorded 691 and 444 such instances, respectively, Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Gen. V.K. Singh (retd) told the Lok Sabha in a written reply.

He said that Civil Aviation Requirement Section 5 Series C Part I issued by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) requires occurrences relating to system and component failure to be reported to it. These occurrences, based on their severity are investigated either by the airlines concerned under the supervision of the DGCA or by the DGCA under Rule 13(1) of the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017.

Aircraft is considered airworthy provided the maintenance is as per approved schedule laid down by the manufacturer. Aircraft registered in India may operate as long as the aircraft is under maintenance support provided by manufacturer for the continuous operation of the aircraft. No aircraft can fly without having a valid Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC) issued by the DGCA, the reply said.
Hyderabad, Feb 9 : Automotive major Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd will set up an electric vehicle manufacturing facility as expansion of its existing manufacturing facilities at Zaheerabad in Telangana, As part of its Last Mile Mobility business, Mahindra & Mahindra will manufacture electric 3 and 4 wheelers at this state-of-the-art facility.

The Telangana government signed an MoU with Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd for establishing a manufacturing facility on the sidelines of the first edition of Mobility Next Hyderabad Summit.

The government said on Thursday that the facility will involve an investment of about Rs.1,000 crores, creating employment for about 800-1,000 persons.

M&M will collaborate with the state government to lay down the roadmap for development of electric vehicle and energy storage systems manufacturing units in the state.

Industries Minister K. T. Rama Rao welcomed the investment from M&M. He stated that the proposed facility by M&M will greatly contribute to the goal of Telangana Mobility Valley to further accelerate the growth of sustainable mobility in India.

"Location at Zaheerabad, one of the 4 Mega EV Manufacturing clusters being developed by the state, will allow M&M to access state-of-the-art infrastructure planned to be created by the state in the mega clusters," he said.

Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director (Auto & Farm), Mahindra & Mahindra, thanked the Telangana government for their long-standing partnership. "We are delighted to consider expansion of the current manufacturing unit at Zaheerabad for our new EV Manufacturing investment. This investment will help continue our leadership position in electric 3-Wheeler category," he said.
Kolkata, Feb 9 : A joint team of Kolkata police's Anti-Rowdy Squad (ARS) and Special Task Force (STF) on Thursday recovered a huge amount of cash from a vehicle at the busy Gariahat crossing in south Kolkata, officials said.

The counting of notes at a local police station is currently on in the local police stations and initial estimates have revealed the recovered cash will be nothing less than Rs 1 crore if not more.

Vehicle driver Dulal Roy and passenger Mukesh Saraswat have been detained by the police for questioning. It is learnt that being tipped off by their sources that huge amount of cash was being carried in a vehicle, the joint team of ARS and STF tracked the vehicle and stopped it on Thursday evening at Gariahat crossing. From the vehicle's boot, they recovered a bag from where the cash was recovered.

City police sources said that after preliminary investigation it seems that this unaccounted money has some hawala trading connection. It is learnt that although Saraswat has a residence at Jamunalal Bajaj Street in north Kolkata, he hails from Rajasthan, while Roy is a resident of Belgachia area in the northern outskirts of Kolkata.

On Wednesday evening, sleuths of Enforcement Directorate (ED) recovered Rs 1.40 crore from the office of a Kolkata-based business, and claimed that this amount is a part of the proceeds of the multi-crore coal smuggling scam.

--IANS src/vd

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New Delhi, Feb 9 : The government has found lithium and gold deposits in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) for the first time.

The Mines Ministry has found lithium reserves of around 5.9 million tonnes in Salal-Haimana area of Reasi district.

This report, along with 15 other resource bearing geological reports and 35 geological memorandums, were handed over to respective state governments during the 62nd Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB) meeting, held on Thursday.

Out of these 51 mineral blocks, five blocks pertain to gold and other blocks pertain to commodities like potash, molybdenum, base metals etc. spread across 11 states of J&K, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.

The blocks were prepared based on the work carried out by Geological Survey of India (GSI) from field seasons starting from 2018-19 till date.

Apart from these, 17 reports of coal and lignite with a total resource of 7,897 million tones were also handed over to the Coal Ministry. Seven publications on different themes and intervention areas in which the GSI operates, were also released during the meeting.

The proposed annual programme for ensuing field season 2023-24 was also presented and discussed during the meeting. During 2023-24, the GSI plans to take up 966 programmes comprising 318 mineral exploration projects including 12 marine mineral investigation projects. A major thrust has been given on the exploration of strategic - critical and fertiliser minerals.

The CGPB is an important platform of the GSI, wherein the annual field season programme (FSP) of GSI is placed for discussion for synergy and to avoid duplication of work. The members of the CGPB and other stakeholders like state governments, central and state government mineral exploration agencies, place their requests for collaborative work with the GSI.

Based on the priorities set by the Centre and the importance and urgency of proposals presented by the members and stakeholders, the annual programme of GSI is given a final shape.
Patna, Feb 9 : A prominent transporter of Patna was gunned down at Barria bus stand late on Wednesday night, police said.

The incident occurred at Patna-Masaurhi Mor around 10 p.m. on Wednesday when transporter, Kripa Shankar Singh, went to Barria bus stand to see the operation of his buses. He sustained 5 gunshot injuries and died on the spot.

The police said that the local strong men were demanding 'Rangdari Tax' (extortion money) from him and he was denying it.

"When he reached the Barria bus stand, some strong men approached him and demanded money. This had led to scuffle between them and the situation reached such a stage that the accused opened fire on him indiscriminately," said Ramayan Ram, a sub inspector of Agam Kuan police station.

The attackers, after committing the crime, fled from the spot.

"We are scanning the CCTV cameras of the bus stand to identify the accused," Ram said.
The Finger Lakes SPCA of Central New York has a new executive director.

Nick Lapresi has taken on the position, a news release from the SPCA said. As director, he is responsible for the shelter's day-to-day management and for developing and implementing strategies to promote the Finger Lakes SPCA's mission.

Lapresi has over 15 years in animal care experience and has certifications in animal shelter management and animal shelter behavior management from the University of the Pacific. He also lives in Seneca Falls with his wife, children, dog and three cats.

I am passionate about serving the animals and people of Cayuga County and the surrounding areas, he said in the news release. Through educational services and programs, it is my hope to better the lives of animals and their families in our community.

One of the shelter's first major changes under Lapresi is a faster animal adoption process, the news release said. Potential adopters will meet with one of the shelters adoption counselors and will speak with them to find the best pet that will match what they want in an animal companion.

The shelter will gather additional information about the potential adopter to determine what pet best fits the lifestyle of that family. Adopters can take home the animal that very same day. Potential adopters need to be at least 21 years old, provide a valid photo ID and have the ability to give the animal proper housing, food, training, grooming and veterinary care.

All adoptions include spay or neuter surgery, vaccinations, deworming, flea treatment, heartworm tests and microchips for dogs only and FIV/FELV tests for cats only.

"We want adopters to know we are here to support them and help them with every step of finding the perfect pet, Lapresi said in the news release. From just thinking about adopting a pet to post-adoption we are your friend and here to help you with pet ownership."

Anastasia Zygarowicz, president of the Finger Lakes SPCA board of directors, praised Lapresi's ability.

Were very excited to welcome Nick as Executive Director, Zygarowicz said in the news release. In the short time, Nick has been with us, he has already identified several areas of strength and ways for the Shelter to improveand we have already seen results. Most importantly, however, he always has animal welfare at the forefront of his mind. We are looking forward to working with Nick to move the Shelter forward, especially as we begin the process of making vast improvements to our facilities.

Lapresi replaces outgoing shelter director Carol Russel, who served in the position since 1996.
New Delhi, Feb 9 : A 19-year-old teenager who was on his way to allegedly "commit a crime" in the national capital's Dwarka area has been arrested along with four country-made pistols, the police said on Thursday.

The arrested individual has been identified as Sunny -- a resident of Sampla near Rohtak in Haryana. "During questioning, he said that after watching some videos of gangsters on social media, he made a plan to rob cash and vehicles with his school friend," the police said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka), M. Harsha Vardhan, said: "A police team was tasked to regularly conduct surveillance over the members (out on bail) of different gangs active in district and adjoining states.

"On February 6, specific inputs were received by the team regarding the movement of Sunny. The police were informed that he would come to Jharoda Kalan village to commit crime," the DCP said.

"A trap was laid at Bahadurgarh-Najafgarh Road, and Sunny was apprehended," Harsha Vardhan said, adding four country-made pistols and four live cartridges were recovered from his possession.

"In order to execute his plan, he arranged illegal arms to assert his dominance in the area or to commit any crime," the DCP said.

"The source of firearms and ammunition has been identified and efforts are being made to nab the supplier(s)," the police officer added.
Patna, Feb 9 : Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas (LJPR) President Chirag Paswan on Thursday claimed that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has been losing credibility in a big way in state politics and should step down from the post.

"After losing the Kurhani b-poll, Nitish Kumar is no longer a popular leader of Bihar. The popularity of Nitish Kumar has been declining soon after he went to the Mahagathbandhan. Keeping in view the current position of JD-U, I firmly believe that those parties accepting Nitish Kumar will also lose their strength.

"Nitish Kumar keeps saying that the unity of Mahagathbandhan is stronger but the people of Bihar and leaders are thinking that his credibility has declined. They are not keeping faith in him. A large number of JD-U leaders recently joining the LJPR in poll-bound Nagaland is a prime example of it," Paswan said.

He also claimed that the crime graph of Bihar is rising with murders, loots, rapes, dacoities taking place in Bihar and Nitish Kumar is not aware of it. "Every time he is being asked about a particular incident, he says he is not aware of it," he alleged.

"Nitish Kumar, in a shade of liquor ban, is also destroying homeopathic treatment in Bihar and penalising the doctors. The use of spirit is frequent in homeopathy but the administration of Bihar under well planned conspiracy, penalises the homeopathic doctors. In a country like India, a large number of people believe in homeopathic treatment. I also believe in it. The central government is promoting homeopathic and ayurvedic treatment in the country but Nitish Kumar is thinking in another way," Paswan said.

In the Saran hooch tragedy, that had taken over 100 lives in the first week of January, the mastermind was a homeopathic doctor who used spirit to make the liquor which turned poisonous.
Hyderabad, Feb 9 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah will review the passing out parade of the Indian Police Service (IPS) probationers at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) here on February 11.

A total of 195 officer trainees including 29 foreign officer trainees will participate in the parade.

SVPNPA director A.S. Rajan on Thursday revealed the details of the 74 RR batch of the IPS probationers. He said the Union Home Minister would be the chief guest and review Dikshanth Parade.

He said 37 lady officers, which constitute 23 per cent of total strength, would be participating in the Dikshanth Parade.

The parade would be commanded by Shahansha K S, IPS (P) of Kerala Cadre who is the all-round topper in phase 1 of 74 RR, he added.

Six officer trainees from Bhutan, eight from Maldives, five from Nepal and 10 from Mauritius will also pass out from the academy.

The director said the whole 105-week training involved 15 weeks of foundation course training and a 50-week Phase-I Basic Course. This was followed by a 30-week District Practical Training at respective cadres/states and a 10-week Phase-II Basic Course at SVPNPA.

The director also said the Course module was prepared taking into consideration the current job requirements of police officers in India.

Attitude training was given special importance during the course, enabling the officer trainees to develop a more sympathetic and victim-centric approach, he added.

He said the indoor and outdoor exposures included criminal procedure code, IPC and special laws, forensics, information and communication technology, human rights, Yoga, unarmed combat, etc., so that the candidates could develop integrity and dedication towards their job and empathy towards victims.

The director said that for the first time, as a part of SVPNPA MoU with NALSAR, the officer trainees would receive post-graduation degrees and officer trainees from foreign countries would receive Diploma certificates after completing their training.
Islamabad, Feb 9 : The gang-rape of a woman in Islamabad has sparked furious protests against the countrys "rape epidemic" and the culture of impunity that surrounds violence against women, according to a media report.

The 24-year-old was walking with a male colleague through Fatima Jinnah park - known locally as F-9 park, the city's largest - at about 8 p.m. last Thursday when they were attacked by two armed men. The man was chased away and the woman raped, The Guardian reported.

The attackers told the woman that she should not have been in the park at that time of night, and threatened to call their friends to assault her again if she spoke about the incident, the report said.

Hundreds of people protested in the park this week over the police handling of the assault and demanded the arrest of the attackers. The crime also triggered widespread anger on social media.

"Horrified to hear of rape at gunpoint in F9 park which is full of families and kids esp on weekends. Why our public spaces are not safe for all citizens? Why is there no security at Islamabad's biggest park," asked journalist Sana Jamal on Twitter.

The victim is now in a secure location, but is said to be concerned about her safety after activists claimed police leaked her name, profession and contact number to reporters.

"The negligence from police is evident - [they are] not taking the case seriously and have failed to arrest the culprits even a week after the incident," said Farzana Bari, a women's rights activist, The Guardian reported.

"This is not the first incident in this park and the police should take it seriously," she added, referring to an occasion in 2018 when a woman was raped by a park worker.

"It is their responsibility to make public places safer for women."
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 9 : Amid the Congress-led UDF protesting against the Rs 2 fuel cess and the "mounting public debt and extravagance" by the Kerala government, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday slammed the Centre and the opposition here for scuttling the state's progress and said things are fine here.

The state budget, presented last Friday by Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal, had introduced a Rs 2 fuel cess and that has led to massive protests by both the opposition UDF and the BJP, both inside the Assembly and outside.

Interacting with media after quite some time, Vijayan said the Congress here is hand in glove with the Centre who are strangulating the state by not giving its due share through central grants and not giving the due share of central taxes that has been collected.

"The opposition in the state is strangely not saying anything against the way the Centre is treating Kerala and instead they are spreading canards about the financial position of our state. Figures that are out in the open clearly indicate that things are fine in our state, but the opposition is spreading canards," he said.

"The opposition here has only one agenda which is to speak against the state government here and if one looks into the response to the protests announced by them against the Rs 2 fuel cess, the people at large have not come out to support their protest and this clearly shows their protests have not evoked any response at all," added Vijayan and said the state budget has taken care of all departments through appropriate allocations.

Vijayan asked the opposition here to cooperate with the state government which is working hard to protect the interests of the people here.
New Delhi, Feb 9 : A married couple was found dead in their west Delhi accommodation under mysterious circumstances on Thursday, a Delhi Police official said.

Vijay Kumar, 28, was found hanging from the ceiling fan while Anchal, 25, was found dead on the bed inside the room of the rented accommodation at Ramesh Nagar area.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police, West, Ghanshyam Bansal, a police control room (PCR) call was received on February 9 at around 3.30 p.m at Kirti Nagar police station regarding the incident.

"A police team was dispatched for the spot which was in Ramesh Nagar. On the spot, one man was found hanging from the ceiling fan. One woman was also found dead on the bed inside the room," he said.

"Vijay, a resident of Anand Parbat area, was a gym trainer and residing here at the rented accommodation at Ramesh Nagar for the past few months. The woman, Anchal was IBM student at Canada and her residence is at West Patel Nagar," said an official privy to investigation.

The crime team and Forensic Science Laboratory team were called to the spot. "Prima facie a case of murder is being registered and further CCTV footages, relevant call details record and autopsy reports will be analysed during further investigation," the DCP said.

The official investigating the case said that the couple had got married in the court and further reason behind the step is yet to be ascertained.
New Delhi/Chennai, Feb 9 : The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has arrested three persons, who were trying to smuggle 17.74 kg gold worth Rs 10.1 crore on a fishing boat, and threw it overboard when intercepted, an official said on Thursday.

The entire gold was later on recovered by the DRI with the help of divers.

"We developed intelligence that a gang based in Mandapam, Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu were planning to smuggle huge quantities of gold from Sri Lanka by engaging a fishing boat. We learnt that three persons in the fishing boat would collect the gold in the high seas and landing in the coast of Mandapam," the DRI official said.

The official said that accordingly, a joint operation alongwith the Indian Coast Guard was planned to nab them.

A team of Indian Coast Guard and DRI mounted surveillance and the fishing boat was identified on the early hours of February 8.

"On spotting the fishing boat, rigid inflatable boats from the Coast Guard ship were deployed and the said fishing boat was intercepted after a chase in the sea near the Mandapam coast. During the course of interception, the persons in the fishing boat threw the contraband parcel into the sea. The parcel containing the contraband was retrieved from the seabed with the help of Coast Guard Divers," the official said.

The DRI said that the parcel contained 14 packages of foreign origin gold in various forms - bars, chains, etc and totally weighing 17.74 kg - were tied in a towel and thrown into sea.

The said foreign origin gold have been seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, and the three arrested persons are being interrogated.

With this seizure, the DRI's Chennai Zonal Unit has so far seized 209 kg of foreign origin gold in financial year 2022-23.

The all India gold seizure by the DRI is 950 kg in this financial year.
NDRF starts Operation Dost in Turkey, one more team will leave: DG NDRF Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Feb 9 : The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel -- engaged in the relief and rescue work in Turkey following a devastating quake that claimed over 12,000 lives there -- on Thursday managed to pull out a 6-year-old girl alive from the debris, an official said.

An NDRF team comprising 151 members has been sent to Turkey to assist the other agencies engaged in the post-quake operations.

In Gaziantep -- the city in Turkey worst-affected by the quake, the NDRF has formed two teams to carry out the rescue work.

Besides the minor girl, the NDRF personnel have also rescued a number of people trapped in the debris.

A Home Ministry official said that "India stands with Turkey in this hour of crisis", adding the NDRF has been conducting rescue and relief operations at Ground Zero.

Under 'Operation Dost', India has sent 151 NDRF personnel along with a dog squad and other equipment.
United Nations, Feb 9 : UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Thursday appealed for international aid to earthquake-devastated Syria and Turkiye and said relief operations should be depoliticised.

"Now is the hour to stand up for the people of Turkiye and Syria," he said speaking to reporters.

Recalling the welcome refugees have received from both the countries, he said: "I strongly appeal to the international community to show the people of Turkiye and Syria the same kind of support and generosity with which they received, protected and assisted millions of refugees." While Turkiye has been receiving aid, including from India which has sent personnel relief material on at least six flights, Guterres focused on Syria which is isolated.

Relief operations there face political obstructions because the government of President Bashar al Assad is under western sanctions and most of the quake-hit areas are under rebel control with limited international access.

"It's not the moment to politicise or to divide, but it is obvious that we need massive support," Guterres said.

"The Syria humanitarian fund and the Syria cross-border fund need an urgent injection of support," he said.

He said that he will be launching a "flash appeal" for assistance to Syria.

With the Syrian government under sanctions from several countries, notably the US, Guterres said: "This is a moment in which everybody must make very clear that no sanctions of any kind interfere with relief to the population of Syria." Most of the areas in northwest Syria hit by the quake are held by rebels, with only one border crossing into the area from Turkiye allowed under Security Council resolutions.

Russia, which supports the Assad government, has been the main obstacle to adding more lines to the Bab al-Hawa crossing in the rebel-held territory, permitting only that crossing in a compromise with the western countries on the Security Council.

"I will be of course very happy if the Security Council could reach a consensus to allow for more crossings to be used, as we need also to increase our capacity to deliver on cross-line operations into Idlib," Guterres said referring to the rebel-held area.

He said that $25 million has been released from the UN emergency relief fund for operations in Syria.

A UN convoy carrying relief supplies crossed into northern Syria through the Bab al-Hawa crossing on Thursday morning, he said.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)
New Delhi, Feb 9 : Asserting that the government is making holistic efforts for wildlife protection, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Thursday announced that nearly 14 to 16 cheetahs are likely to be translocated to India in the coming months.

Currently, the government is working on the second phase of Project Cheetah and has signed a pact with South Africa, from where the cheetahs will be translocated.

The Minister said that preserving wildlife and ensuring that it thrives is a very important part of our tradition as well as our treasure for us to maintain, develop and grow in a fiduciary role for the generations to come.

Citing the government's initiatives for wildlife conservation over the last nearly nine years, he said 14-16 more cheetahs are expected to be translocated to India in the coming months.

Under Project Cheetah, eight cheetahs were airlifted from Namibia and translocated to India. In September last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the first batch of cheetahs into the Kuno Palpur National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh.

According to Scindia, the government's strategy for wildlife conservation is focused on four key pillars -- population, policy, people, and infrastructure. He said a 360 degrees approach has been adopted and emphasised the importance of animal passage plans along with development.

In response to a query, the Minister said that the Prime Minister wearing a jacket made of recycled plastic is also a message to the world.

About his passion towards wildlife, the Minister said: "My father was very closely involved in wildlife conservation and I have been a wildlife enthusiast from a very young age. For me, it is an area of personal interest and passion." He also said that all measures have been taken to address the issue of bird hits at airport areas. There have been incidents of aircraft suffering bird hits mid-air as well as at the time of landing or take-off.

"We have put in place all measures at airports, which includes the bird dispeller, sound guns and other methodologies that will keep birds away from airport areas."
ALBANY  A high-ranking court administrator on Tuesday defended an unusual level of ongoing security provided to retired state Chief Judge Janet DiFiore in the wake of her departure from state service, citing threats against her life and the lives of her close relatives.

DiFiore, who had been appointed chief judge by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, resigned from the post last August amid reports she was the subject of a state ethics investigation. The state court system has opted to continue her security with a state-paid personal chauffeur in the more than five months that have elapsed since she vacated the position.

Acting Chief Administrative Judge Tamiko Amaker, who oversees day-to-day operations of New York's $3.3 billion court system, was pressed about the high security for DiFiore at a legislative hearing on the state budget.

Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris, D-Queens, cited a report published by Law 360, a legal news site, indicating DifIore and Acting Chief Judge Anthony Cannataro did not report the value of the chauffeur benefits on their tax returns last year.

"There is a serious corruption problem within the Court of Appeals where judges are receiving public benefits," Gianaris told Amaker during a tense exchange.

But Amaker maintained the court system had good reason to provide DiFiore with enhanced security, noting her name and photograph were found in a car used by a man who targeted U.S. District Judge Esther Salas of New Jersey in 2020 but ended up killing that judge's son.

DiFiore faced more threats the following year, including one from a man who vowed to "kill her and her entire family," Amaker said.

The Law 360 report estimated the state has spent about $1 million for DiFiore's security detail.

A spokesman for the state unified court system, Lucian Chalfen, said in response to a CNHI inquiry that Amaker was speaking for the agency with her testimony at the hearing.

Amaker said the court system's department of public safety approved the ongoing security arrangements for DiFiore, the former Westchester County district attorney.

Dennis Quirk, president of the New York State Court Officers Association and a critic of DiFiore, told CNHI that "the higher ups" in the court system, and not the department of public safety, directed that DiFiore be provided with around-the-clock security, and kept that in effect following her retirement.

"Having court officers outside her house, sleeping in a car in the freezing cold, is outrageous," Quirk said, noting there has been no precedent for such an arrangement for a retired judge.

Court officers have also provided DiFiore and her family with protection at the home they own in the Hamptons, an affluent area of Long Island, Quirk said.

At the hearing, Assemblyman Charles Lavine, D-Nassau County, chairman of the Assembly Judiciary Committee, advised Amaker the Legislature is considering adopting a measure mirroring federal legislation that allows for the sealing of information pertaining to judges' home as a buffer to stalkers and others out to do harm.

Amaker said the number of threats against New York judges increased 40% from 2020 to 2022, a trend that has had "a huge chilling effect" on judiciary members.

"I've had judges who have called me because they've been stalked at the courthouses," Amaker said. "They've been stalked in their personal lives. They called me on the weekend because they found letters outside in their trash cans, saying that they're going to be killed. They're really frightened, and the level and the volume and the number of judicial threats has been escalating."
New Delhi, Feb 9 : The Delhi High Court on Thursday disposed of a plea moved by Natasha Narwal and Devangana Kalita -- accused in the "larger conspiracy" case of the 2020 north-east Delhi violence, seeking various facilities including e-mulaqat for the prisoners in Tihar Jail.

The plea was moved by them in 2020 in wake of the restrictions imposed due to the Covid pandemic, highlighting multiple issues faced by the undertrials in the prison.

The High Court had granted bail to both of them in 2021 and an appeal challenging the bail is pending before the apex court.

After their counsel expressed apprehension that the facilities might not be resumed to them if the apex court cancels their bail, Justice Prathiba M. Singh granted them the liberty to approach the court again if such a situation arises, adding no further orders are required to be passed in the matter as the plea primarily dealt with facilities to be provided during the pandemic.

While disposing of the plea, the court said: "The petition has run its course... it has become infructuous now." In December last year, the Tihar Jail had issued a notice stating that unless foreign inmates fall under the exception, the calling facility will be available to foreign prisoners.

The jail's superintendent told the court that the facility of e-mulaqat is not being extended to foreign prisoners due to security reasons, but they can choose to make a telephonic voice call once a week on request.
New Delhi, Feb 9 : Kirti Verma, a former Income Tax officer-turned-television personality, is under the scanner of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for allegedly receiving proceeds of crime in connection with a case relating to fraudulent issuance of TDS refunds amounting to Rs 263 crore from the Income Tax department.

Verma, who had featured in shows like 'Roadies' and 'Big Boss Season 12', has been accused of having close ties with one of the accused persons who illegally received tax refund.

Verma was called to join the investigation many times by the ED.

"Verma sold one property in Gurugram, which was acquired in 2021 out of the proceeds of crime amounting to Rs 1.02 crore. She received the sale proceeds in her bank account," the ED has learnt.

The ED had in January attached assets worth Rs 69 crore, including land, flats, luxury cars. The attached assets were bought in the name of Verma and other accused perons, namely Bhushan Anant Patil, Rajesh Shetty and Sarika Shetty.

The ED case is based on a CBI FIR lodged against Tanaji Mandal Adhikari, a senior tax assistant working in the I-T department, and Bhushan Anant Patil, a Panvel-based businessman. The CBI case relates to fraudulent issuance of tax refunds by the accused. The CBI's FIR said that the accused received illegal I-T refunds from 2007 to 2009.

It was alleged that Adhikari, while working as a senior tax assistant, had access to RSA tokens and login credentials of his supervisory authorities. He allegedly orchestrated the fraud in connivance with others. The accused fraudulently generating TDS refunds exceeding Rs 263 crore and transferred the same to various bank accounts, including the account of SB Enterprises, a proprietary concern to Bhushan Anant Patil.

The CBI also filed a chargesheet against Adhikari, Patil, Rajesh Shantaram Shetty and others for committing offences punishable under Sections 7 amd 13(2) read with 13(1)(a) of PC Act and Section 66 of the IT Act.

The ED learnt that during the period from November 15, 2019 to November 4, 2020, 12 fraudulent TDS refunds were generated by Adhikari amounting to Rs 263,95,31,870, which were fraudulently credited into the account of SB Enterprises.

"These proceeds of crime were subsequently transferred into the bank accounts of Bhushan Anant Patil and other related persons and entities and also in shell companies. Kriti Verma had sold one such property in Gurugram, which was acquired in 2021 out of the proceeds of crime amounting to Rs 1.02 crore. Search operations were conducted and the entire sale proceeds were identified in her bank account which was freezed," an ED official said.

The ED had earlier seized immovable properties in the form of land at Lonavala, Khandala, Karjat, Pune and Udupi areas, flats at Panvel and Mumbai areas and movable assets in the form three luxury cars, which were acquired out of the proceeds of crime by the accused.

On identification of these assets, a provisional attachment order under PMLA was issued attaching 32 assets totalling to Rs 69,65,99,720. Thus, out of the total proceeds of crime of Rs 263 crore, assets worth Rs 166 crore have been seized in the case so far.
New Delhi, Feb 9 : Underlining that the founding fathers of the Constitution empowered the elected members to speak in the Parliament without fear or favour, Congress leader in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, on Thursday wrote to Speaker Om Birla, urging him to revisit his decision to expunge portions of Rahul Gandhi's speech made during the Motion of Thanks to the President's address.

"On February 7, our leader Rahul Gandhi spoke on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address. In his speech, he had mentioned certain facts about the ongoing issues related to the Hindenburg report and the alleged involvement of Adani group of companies in manipulation of the stock market. He also posed some questions to the Prime Minister on the issue. Sir, in the incorrected debates published by the Secretary General, a major portion of the speech of Rahul Gandhi was removed in such a way that the whole speech became unintelligible," Chowdhury said in the letter.

Highlighting the Constitution-guaranteed freedom of speech in the Parliament, Chowdhurt said that freedom of speech that is available to the members of Parliament under Article 105(1) is wider in amplitude than the Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.

"Having conferred the freedom of speech to Parliamentarians, the Constitution emphasises the fact that the said freedom is absolute and unfettered. This unfettered power granted to the elected representatives, to my understanding, is due to the fact that the members serve the interest of the people of this country", he pointed out.

"Article 105 of the Constitution confers immunity inter-alia in respect of 'anything said in the Parliament'. The word 'anything' is of the widest importance and is equivalent to 'everything'. This view has been supported by various judgements of the Supreme Court from time to time," said the Congress leader.

Chowdhury said that in view of this and in the wider interest of the nation, the speech made by Rahul Gandhi should be published in totality as it serves a great public purpose.

"In view of the above, I request you to kindly revisit your decision to edit the speech of Rahul Gandhi," he said.
Ahmedabad, Feb 9 : Former Congress MLA from Gujarat, Lalit Vasoya, in a letter to the Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, has suggested selling the seized liquor in the non-dry states so that revenue can be earned for Gujarat.

"Gujarat is a prohibited state, and the police are really doing very good work by seizing liquor smuggled into Gujarat. But unfortunately, the seized liquor is destroyed. Instead of destroying, the government should sell the seized liquor in the non-prohibited states and earn revenue," Vasoya wrote in the letter.

Citing government records, he said that in 2020 and 2021, the Gujarat Police had seized and destroyed IMFL worth Rs 215 crore and beer worth Rs 16 crore.

He suggested that instead of destroying, the same can be put on auction in the states where liquor is permitted, so that Gujarat can earn good revenue out of it.

"The same fund can be used for the police welfare," the former legislator suggested.
Agartala, Feb 9 : BJP President J.P. Nadda said on Thursday that if the party retains power in Tripura, it would bring investments worth over Rs 50,000 crore in the next five years for faster economic development of the state.

Addressing an election rally in Khayerpur and a party gathering in Agartala, Nadda said that Special Economic Zones (SEZs) would be created in Tripura and to strengthen the basic infrastructure of the state, the new government would invest Rs 600 crore from the Tripura Gram Unnat Fund.

Nadda said the year 2018 proved to be an exit and entry door on several issues.

"From the exit door, the BJP threw Left extremism, corruption, commission, criminalisation and levy politics out of Tripura. Our government welcomed and brought development, peace, harmony, progress and prosperity in the state. We welcomed Nai Umang - Nai Udan and Unnata Tripura -- Shrestha Tripura." To woo the tribal voters in the 20 tribal reserve seats, the BJP President said that under the Tripura Janjatiya Vikas Yojna, the BJP government, if voted to power again, will provide monetary assistance of Rs 5,000 per year to all the Tribal families.

"Under the proposed 125th Constitutional amendment, our government would reconstitute the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council to give it more autonomy, financial freedom and power," Nadda said.

The annual allowance of Rs 2,000 given to 'samajpatis' (society leaders) in the state would be hiked to Rs 5,000, Nadda said, adding that under the Jal Jeevan Mission, all households in the state would be provided water connection by 2024.

The BJP chief also promised to start religious tourism for senior citizens which would facilitate their visits to Ayodhya, Varanasi, Ujjain and other religious places for which subsidy would be given in train travel and stay.
Bhubaneswar, Feb 9 : The Odisha Crime Branch on Thursday conducted the first round of polygraph test of police ASI Gopal Das, who had shot dead minister Naba Das on January 29.

The first round of the test was conducted at State Forensic Science Laboratory (SFSL), Directorate of Forensic Science (DFSS), in Gujarat's Gandhinagar. The test will continue on Friday also.

Narco tests of the accused will also be conducted on Friday after a detailed medical examination of the accused, said Crime Branch sources.

An 8-member team led by investigating officer DSP Ramesh Chandra Dora is camping at Gandhinagar for the above tests. ADG Arun Bothra is also there to personally monitor and supervise the investigation of the case, the source said.

The forensic psychological assessment and LVA test of the accused have already been conducted by the team of Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), New Delhi at Jharsuguda on February 6.

The special medical board consisting of psychiatrists has conducted a detailed study of the mental health of accused at Jharsuguda, and the report is awaited, said the sources.

The Crime Branch is also investigating financial transactions of the accused and his family while the documents and evidence collected by various teams of the CID are being scrutinised and analysed to ascertain the motive of the murder.

In a related development, the Orissa High Court on Thursday quashed a PIL seeking CBI probe in the murder case.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik along with several ministers, MLAs, and leaders from different political parties paid floral tributes to Das on his 12th day condolence meeting organised in Jharsuguda.
Bengaluru, Feb 9 : The Karnataka High Court on Thursday dismissed a petition -- filed against the Isha Yoga Centre at Chikkaballapura -- seeking a stall on the construction work, claiming it was destroying the ecology of Nandi Hills.

The counsel for Isha contended that Sadhguru Sannidhi is 31 km away from Nandi Hills, and it had bought the land after paying proper consideration and obtaining due permission to get it converted for educational purposes.

The counsel also clarified that it had not received any grant or land from the government, and it was compliant with the law.

During the hearing, the counsel for Isha pointed out that petitioners had not disclosed their antecedents and the filing of criminal cases against them and that it amounted to violation of various Supreme Court judgments as well as the PIL rules framed by the High Court of Karnataka.

Pulling up the petitioner, the court said: "We are only expecting that if a petitioner is approaching the court and submitting and saying that he is espousing a public cause, he should approach the court with clean hands. That is the minimum expectation." Chief Justice Prasanna Varale observed that the petitioner had talked about Mahatma Gandhi but he failed to follow the principles laid down by the latter.
New Delhi, Feb 9 : A special Vyapam court on Thursday awarded four-year rigorous imprisonment to two accused in a case related to the police constable recruitment exam of 2012 conducted by the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board, known as Vyapam.

The court sentenced Sonu Rathore and Rajkumar Tyagi to four-year rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 14,100 each.

A case was lodged against the duo in 2014 at the Dehat police station in Bhind district. The CBI later took over the probe following a Supreme Court order.

It is alleged that Tyagi, who was recruited as constable, had passed the exam by arranging a solver to write the paper on his behalf.

After his selection, Tyagi was posted in Dehat. During the scrutiny of the service book of the said constable, it was observed that there were two photographs in the name of Tyagi, one was affixed on the first page of service book and the other on a form filled at the time of physical proficiency test (PPT) for PCRT-2012.

During investigation, it was found that neither the handwriting nor the signature of Tyagi matched with the writings on the answer sheet.

"Thus, it was evident that Tyagi had not appeared for the written exam in 2012. After sincere efforts, the CBI traced the impersonator. It was found that Tyagi had entered into a conspiracy with Sonu Rathore who wrote the exam on his behalf," the CBI said.

After investigation, the CBI had filed the supplementary chargesheet on March 10, 2018 against the accused.
Bengaluru, Feb 9 : The Department of Collegiate and Technical Education (DCTE), Karnataka and Samsung Semiconductor India Research (SSIR) inked a MoU on Thursday, to set up 'Industrial Internet of Things Labs' (IoT Innovation Labs) in 35 Government Polytechnics across the State.

The project costs Rs 1.52 crore and also includes setting up of AI labs in at least two institutions.

The memorandum of understanding was signed in the presence of C.N. Ashwath Narayan, Minister for IT/BT at Vikasa Soudha in Bengaluru. P. Pradeep, Commissioner, DCTE and Balajee Sowrirajan, Vice-President and MD Samsung semiconductor India Research signed the agreement.

Speaking on the occasion, Narayan said, Samsung India, through the Electronics Sector Skills Council of India has piloted the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) offering online coursework aligned to the C20 Curriculum Internet of Things (IoT).

The SIC coursework has been mapped with our C20 curriculum so that it helps students thoroughly learn all the foundation concepts in IoT, he added.

The hands-on experiment opportunities along with the online learning resources and a library of capstone project statements is expected to help students get industry training at polytechnics as well as get industry credentials through certifications ensuring they are job ready, he said.

The "IoT Innovation Lab" would help foster innovations in solving local problems using IoT. These labs will also be available for students at nearby government institutions to be used, especially for those who are in engineering and first grade colleges.

These labs include tools and technologies that can be applied to various STEM experiments, including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones), Automobile, Bio-Medical, AgriTech, BioTech, and other potential STEM applications.

Students will also have opportunities to experiment and learn hands-on service of mobile phones, used as tools in IoT projects.

As of now, the setting up of AI labs in two colleges has been confirmed. However, DCTE has asked to establish AI labs in at least 15 institutions.

The labs will be housed in Government Polytechnics at Aurad, Bagepalli, Bengaluru, Belagavi, Bidar, Chamarajanagar, Chikkamagaluru, Davanagere, Devadurga, Hangal, Harihara, Jalaki, Joida, Kalaburagi, Kalagi, Kampli, Koppal, Lingasugur, Mangaluru, Mosale Hosahalli, Mundagod, Mysuru, Raichur, Ramanagara, Shiralakoppa, Shivamogga, Siddapura, Srirangapatna, Surapura, Udupi and Vijayapura.
Shillong, Feb 10 : Meghalaya BJP Vice-President Bernard N Marak, who is contesting against Chief Minister and National President of the ruling National People's Party (NPP), Conrad K Sangma in the South Tura constituency, has said that the BJP is not against Christians or any religion.

Marak, a militant leader-turned-politician, on Thursday added that there is no substance to the allegations against the saffron party that the BJP is "anti-Christian".

He said that the BJP is against corruption like a genuine Christian.

Meghalaya and two other northeastern states -- Mizoram and Nagaland are Christian- dominated states while there are a majority number of Christians living in the remaining northeastern states.

Marak added that the BJP election manifesto highlighted equal opportunities to all sections of the society irrespective of caste, creed, religion, culture and tribes.

"It is under this ideology that the party has been able to reach out to every person and every voter in the community. The programmes and objectives of the BJP government at the Centre are considered to cater to all the citizens of the country living in urban and rural areas," he said.

Marak cited the example of Nagaland where BJP is an important ally of the state government and there had been no confrontation among the people with regard to the matter in any part of the state.

He added that the party does not interfere into the lifestyles and culture which includes the food habits of the people of Nagaland.

The Indian government has extended lots of projects through the Ministry of Minority Affairs to strengthen local infrastructure and traditional establishments in the state, he said.

Marak added that in Meghalaya, BJP is an ally of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government and with the initiative of the party leaders and functionaries the state received various projects from the Central government.

"Benefits of the projects and schemes have been distributed fairly without any bias or prejudice. Never have beneficiaries been asked about their religion or caste while providing benefits of the schemes," he said.

The relationship between the BJP and the NPP, which leads the MDA coalition government, soured due to various reasons, especially since Marak was arrested on July 25 last year for allegedly running a 'brothel'.

After a few months in jail, Marak was released on bail.

The BJP despite being a partner of the NPP, has fielded candidates in all the 60 seats in Meghalaya, which goes to polls on February 27.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On Feb. 8, NOVOSENSE Microelectronics (NOVOSENSE), a Chinese analog and mixed signal IC design company, announced the cooperation with Road-Broad Automotive Electronics (Qufu) Co. Ltd. (Road-Broad), a joint venture between Continental AG and Qufu Temb Auto Parts Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (TEMB), on a localization project of the wheel speed sensor, a key component of passenger vehicles.

Through the partnership, both parties attempt to conduct in-depth collaboration in the fields of technology and safety, intending to help advance the localization process of automotive chips in China, and ensure a stable and secure supply chain.

Photo credit: NOVOSENSE

The wheel speed sensor is used to monitor the rotating speed of the vehicle's wheels, and serves as a crucial component to such control systems as the anti-lock braking system (ABS), the electronic stability system (ESP), and the automatic transmission, which are all vital to the vehicles driving safety.

The new wheel speed sensor project will be set up at Continental Qufu Electronic Industry Base in the Qufu Economic Development Zone, whose ground-breaking took place on Feb. 8 as well.

"Based on technology innovation and a thorough understanding over the system, NOVOSENSE will provide Road-Broad with product solutions that meet the latters localization strategy and market demands, together boosting the development of more intelligent and secure automotive electronics technology, said Wang Shengyang, chairman of NOVOSENSE.
Porbandar : , Feb 10 (IANS) The police in Gujarat's Porbandar district have arrested a computer operator, who was working on a contractual basis with the mid-day meal department, police said.

The Computer operator has been identified as Bhima Odedara, allegedly forged mid-day meal contracts and awarded work to cook and supply food in primary schools.

Deputy Section Officer/Mamlatdar, Rahul Dodiya in his complaint with the Kamlabaug police station has said, "One Milan Gadhaniya approached the complainant with a mid-day meal contract issued in her aunt Manguben Parmar's name by my predecessor B.J. Savaliya, the said order had signature of my predecessor, and contract was awarded on September 6, 2022, on cross-checking with my predecessor, he denied of giving any mid-day meal contract to Manguben Parmar to cook and supply food to Mocha-Bhamshala Bhim primary school. On further query, Milan Gadhaniya told me that the order was handed over to him by department's computer operator Bhima Odedara." On further inquiry, the officer found that Bhima had issued three more contracts to different persons for other schools.

The officer stated in his complaint that Bhima forged documents in the name of former Deputy Mamlatdar.

The police have invoked various sections under the IPC for forgery, forged documents for cheating, and dishonestly use fake documents as genuine to cheat.
Ankara, Feb 10 : The UN' first convoy of aid crossed from Turkey to Syria's northwestern Idlib province, three days after the devastating earthquake, the semi-official Anadolu Agency reported.

Six truckloads of aid entered the Bab al-Hawa border crossing through the Cilvegozu border gate in Turkey's southern Hatay province, the news agency reported.

Bab al-Hawa is currently the only crossing through which the UN aid is allowed to go into the area, Xinhua news agency reported.

Ankara is working to open two more border gates with Syria to enable the delivery of humanitarian aid to its neighbour which also suffers from massive earthquakes, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday.

"Cilvegozu border gate is open. We are working to open two more gates ... We also provide the necessary support for the aid to reach Syria," Cavusoglu told reporters.

A magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck Turkey's southern province of Kahramanmaras at 4:17 a.m. local time, followed by a magnitude-7.6 quake at 1:24 p.m. local time in the same province on Monday.

The death toll from the massive earthquakes in southern Turkey and northern Syria has surpassed 17,000.
Dar Es Salaam, Feb 10 : At least 12 people were killed and 63 others injured in a road accident in Tanzania's central district of Kongwa in Dodoma Region, an official said.

Rosemary Senyamule, Dodoma Regional Commissioner, on Thursday said the accident involved a bus and a truck that collided head-on at midnight on Wednesday at Silwa village along the Dodoma-Morogoro highway.

"Eight men and four women travelling in the bus were killed on the spot," said Senyamule, adding that 63 of the injured persons were rushed to Kongwa District government hospital.

She said the bus was heading to Bukoba in Kagera region from the port city of Dar Es Salaam before it collided with the truck that was ferrying cement, Xinhua news agency reported.

Awadh Haji, head of police operations and training, said the collision occurred after the bus driver attempted to overtake another vehicle without taking precautions.
Dar Es Salaam, Feb 10 : Tanzania recorded a 57.7 per cent rise in arrivals of foreign tourists who visited the East African nation in 2022, the country's statistics authority said.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Thursday said the number of foreign tourists who visited Tanzania between January and December 2022 increased to 1,454,920, up from 922,692 recorded during the corresponding period in 2021, Xinhua news agency reported.

"The noticeable increase in foreign tourist arrivals of 532,228 is equivalent to an increase of 57.7 per cent," Daniel Masolwa, NBS Acting Director for Economic Statistics, told a news conference in Dodoma, the capital of Tanzania.

Masolwa attributed the rise in foreign tourist arrivals to the lifting of lockdowns by most countries that were imposed following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, adding that the government's continued efforts to promote tourist attractions also played a major role.
On January 1, 2023, Katharina Martin and Michael Merkelbach joined forces as Co-Managing Directors of the Asset Management team at investment firm Coros. The duo, who both previously held senior management roles in the companys commercial and technical asset management teams respectively, took over the reins from Paul Sattlegger, who will

Photos: Coros



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The expansion of the brand, which was only launched at the end of 2020, is in full swing:Following the strong expansion of Radisson Individuals' portfolio last year, the first property in the German capital has now also been announced. The brand will move into the Pandox property at Lutzowplatz in

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145 farmers attended Maryland Farm Bureaus Day in Annapolis to meet with Secretary of Agriculture and other legislators. Maryland Farm Bureau brought an incredible focus to agricultural issues with voices from around the state. It was quite an invigorating day to have the breadth of Maryland agriculture represented.

Attendance was high as 145 farmers attended Maryland Farm Bureaus Day in Annapolis. Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks addressed attendees emphasizing the importance of current farming-related legislation and the industrys impact on the state.

Maryland Farm Bureau brought an incredible focus to agricultural issues with voices from around the state. It was quite an invigorating day to have the breadth of Maryland agriculture represented, said Secretary Atticks.

This annual event provides Maryland Farm Bureau (MDFB) members the opportunity to stay current on legislation affecting farming and rural communities as well as to meet with their legislators. This years in-person format, the first live event since the Maryland Capitols pandemic closure, allowed for dozens of legislators to interact with farmers, with an issues briefing, office visits and a luncheon at the Governor Calvert House.

Day in Annapolis has always been a successful event; today was no exception, said Wayne Stafford, MDFB president who expressed his gratitude at the event for both the farmers who attended and the legislators who took time to learn about these important issues. We had a capacity crowd of grassroots members who are not only passionate about farming, but also willing to meet with legislators to share their personal stories on how the decisions made in Annapolis affect their ability to grow and raise food, fiber and renewable fuel, which Maryland families rely on every day.

Proposed legislation that MDFB is currently following addresses new medium- and heavy-duty vehicle emissions standards; wildlife damage and reimbursement; urban agriculture grant scope; and various facets of value-added agriculture.

Maryland Farm Bureaus Day in Annapolis provides a great opportunity for farmers to speak directly with us and to highlight the issues that are most important to them and their farm, said Senator Jason Gallion, who represents Harford and Cecil counties.

MDFBs list of priority bills include the following, which it supports:



HB152: Expands the purpose and scope of the Urban Agriculture Grant Program and the Urban Agriculture Grant Fund.

HB253/SB262: Looks to increase on-farm composting to 40,000 square feet and allow the incorporation of food scraps to the feedstock used in the compost pile.

HB389/SB34: Establishes a State Ombudsman for Value-Added Agriculture as a position in the Department of Agriculture.

HB200/SB181: Appropriates full funding for critical agriculture programs in the key state departments.

HB592/SB418: Outlines that value-added agricultural activities are a farm or agricultural use of land for assessment purposes.

HB678/SB670: Adds to the existing agricultural sales and use tax exemption electricity that is used for agricultural purposes, such as raising livestock and poultry, irrigation, or crop production and grain harvest.

HB378/SB310: Alters the Black Bear Damage Reimbursement Fund to authorize grants from the Fund to be made for projects that reduce conflicts between black bears and humans.

SB327: Cleans up the landowner liability language to ensure a landowner has proper liability coverage if they allow hunters to hunt on their land; establishes the Wildlife Conservation, Education, and Outreach Program to provide outreach and foster an interest in outdoor recreation and stewardship, hunting, and wildlife conservation; and, establishes a stamp for hunting sika deer.

Some bills introduced during this session would make farming more difficult in Maryland.

A few of the recently proposed bills have presented a concerning issue for Maryland farmers. If approved, these pieces of legislation would impose additional costs that might be difficult or even impossible to bear, considering that existing expenditure for running a farm is already high, said Colby Ferguson, MDFB director of government and public relations.

MDFB opposes the following bills:



HB230/SB224: Requires the state, by December 1, 2023, to enact CARBs vehicle standards which establishes the requirements for the sale of new zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles in the State.

HB319/SB158: Would prohibit the Secretary of Agriculture from registering a pesticide for use against mosquitoes in the State unless the distributor of the pesticide submits to the Department test results indicating the pesticide has passed the PFAS test and an affidavit attesting to the legitimacy of the PFAS test results.

The 2023 Maryland Farm Bureau Day in Annapolis was one of the best Ive ever attended, said Shelby Watson-Hampton, SMADC Director and Prince Georges County farmer. It was filled with informative briefings and strong networking opportunities, and it was evident by the robust attendance of both those in the farming community and those from the legislature, that MDFB did a great job. I do think the annual Day in Annapolis has become one of the must attend events of the Session season.

The organization also drew the winner of its pickup truck raffle: Howie Feaga, an MDFB member from Howard County. The raffle funds will benefit MDFB programs.

# # #

MARYLAND FARM BUREAU, INC. is a 501(c)(5) federation that serves as the united voice of Maryland farm families. Our organizational strength comes from the active participation of over 9,500 individual and family members who belong to the states 23 local county Farm Bureau organizations. Since 1915, Maryland Farm Bureau has been committed to protecting and growing agriculture and preserving rural life. Maryland Farm Bureau is a proud member of the American Farm Bureau Federation. For more information, visit MarylandFB.org.
The nursing shortage we are facing as a country impacts every facet of health care. At Bradley we are taking real steps to bridge that gap.

The United States needs nurses. The unprecedented demands that the pandemic placed on the nations nurses  combined with retirements and an aging workforce  have greatly increased the need for nursing workers in the U.S.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the need for 1.1 million new registered nurses to stop a shortage that has been building for years. Bradley University is doing its part to help, and is offering a 15-month accelerated nursing program (ABSN) designed to get more qualified nurses into the workforce, quickly.

The ABSN program is designed for students who have already completed a bachelors degree and prerequisites. It prepares students for the licensure exam and arms them with the confidence and experience to make an immediate impact in any health care setting.

The nursing shortage we are facing as a country impacts every facet of health care, remarked Bradley University Director of Nursing Shelley Hawkins. At Bradley we are taking real steps to bridge that gap. The accelerated program not only ensures a fast track to licensure, but it truly prepares our students in real world clinical settings, allowing them to immediately explore the vocation through community health, critical care, mental health skilled care, surgeries, pediatrics and a number of other settings.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment opportunities for nurses will grow at 9%, faster than all other occupations. Bradley's ABSN students have a 100% job placement rate within the first six months and the program boasts a 100% NCLEX (licensure exam) pass rate for undergraduates (for years 2021 and 2022).

Bradley's nursing program options continue to expand. In addition to the ABSN program, the university offers undergraduate majors in Nursing, RN, LPN, as well as graduate-level online programs that include a Masters of Science in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice and Post Master's Certificates.

Bradley University is a top-ranked, private university in Peoria, Illinois, offering nearly 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students opportunities, choices and resources to build their futures. Innovation, action and collaboration drive Bradley students to generate ideas and create solutions that remake the world around them. Our comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate academic programs includes business, communications, education, engineering, fine arts, health sciences, liberal arts and sciences and technology.
We've spent over twenty years to get where we're at with our bundled solution and I'm beyond excited for this next evolution of the platform.

Today Rocket.net, one of the Worlds most innovative Managed WordPress Hosting Platforms, announced the release of the Rocket.net Private Cloud, a revolutionary platform that is built to power WordPress websites of all sizes.

Since the launch of cloud-based computing, the World has been under the impression that the cloud is the simplest answer for their problem. The reality is that for Rocket.nets highly performant Managed WordPress Platform, every millisecond and byte matters. Said Ben Gabler, CEO at Rocket.net. While Public Cloud is an amazing evolution from on-prem bare metal, there are many scenarios where problems such as noisy neighbors, high costs, and vendor lock-in come into play, as well as problems that are just out of your control as a service provider. Our new Rocket.net Private Cloud solves these problems.

In 2020, Rocket.net launched the Worlds fastest and most secure WordPress SaaS platform, leveraging Cloudflare Enterprise to provide an unparalleled experience. For Rocket.net, Cloudflare is far more than just a CDN for WordPress. Its the gateway to the entire platform, enabling Rocket.net to innovate in ways that have never been seen in the hosting industry.

Combining the worlds most advanced and performant edge network with fully self-managed bare metal, Rocket.net has been able to create a breakthrough platform resulting in arguably the fastest growth any WordPress platform has ever seen.

Today, Rocket.net is taking their product a step further by unveiling the next evolution of their platform: the Rocket.net Private Cloud. The Rocket.net Private Cloud leverages industry leading virtualization on each WordPress hosting node, making their platform even more powerful and resilient at the origin while continuing to deliver industry-leading speeds through Cloudflares Enterprise edge.

By running their own vendor agnostic nodes behind Cloudflare Enterprise, Rocket.net simplifies and protects the customer experience by managing the entire stack powering WordPress. Not only can the Rocket.net Private Cloud be deployed at any data center in the world, Rocket.net can seamlessly transfer all production traffic without requiring any DNS changes, and most importantly, with no downtime.

During the initial testing of their Private Cloud platform in late 2022, Rocket.net helped one of the largest petroleum companies in the US to weather the traffic of a massive promotion. As the advertising gained traction and traffic continued to scale, the server needed more resources to cope. With the all-new Rocket.net Private Cloud, they were able to instantly scale up from 32 to 96 CPU cores with zero downtime, allowing the promotion to be a huge success on all fronts.

Ive been hosting WordPress since 2007 at every host under the sun and when I found Rocket.net, I can honestly say its not only the fastest and most secure platform Ive ever used, but what I love the most is their never ending innovation. said Scott Ellis, CEO and Founder of pixelterra. When our fortune 500 clients need immediate scale, we are able to get the resources we need within seconds, all with no downtime. Rocket.nets Private Cloud truly is game changing for us and our customers.

Rocket.net Private Cloud enables the following capabilities, providing the ultimate experience for WordPress:



Global Traffic Management: By leveraging Cloudflares Enterprise Edge, the Rocket.net Private Cloud can shift production traffic anywhere in the world from the edge with zero downtime.

Immediate Disaster Recovery: With daily off-site backups living within the Rocket.net Private Cloud, Rocket.net can deploy a new instance from backup in seconds. Nodes are back online in a totally different data center than the failing node.

Auto Balancing - The Rocket.net Private Cloud auto balances each host node to ensure theyre always healthy. Production WordPress sites can be live migrated from node to node or datacenter to datacenter without any customer involvement or downtime.

Zero Performance Loss: Unlike public cloud, Rocket.net only hosts one instance per machine, allocating the full resources to the instance just as if it were running on bare metal while retaining the flexibility and resilience of the cloud.

Vendor Agnostic: By adding a virtualization layer on bare metal, Rocket.net can move entire host nodes from data center to data center with zero downtime, even on dissimilar CPUs.

Instant Scale: Enterprise customers can now upgrade their resources within minutes. Going from Tier to Tier is now done with just a click of a button.

Bring Your Own Hardware: The Rocket.net Private Cloud is purposefully designed to be vendor agnostic. Rocket.net Hosting Partners have the option of providing their own hardware and have it fully integrated into the Rocket.net Private Cloud infrastructure.

Public API: Rocket.nets API-first SaaS approach allows customers and partners to manage deployments, features, and WordPress all through the same public API that powers the Rocket.net UI and platform.

White Label: Rocket.net offers a fully white-labled solution enabling partners to easily resell the industry leading WordPress product, strengthening their brand without exposing Rocket.net to their customers.

We've spent over twenty years to get where we're at with our bundled solution and I'm beyond excited for this next evolution of the platform. said Gabler. At the end of the day, we make sure everything we do bubbles up to customer success and our Private Cloud is going to enable some pretty amazing things for our customers.

Rocket.nets core functionality in their Private Cloud is immediately available on all new WordPress deployments in all US and EU locations on all plans at no additional cost and is available to all partners in their custom locations. Existing sites and locations will be migrated to the new Private Cloud infrastructure over time.

Inquires can be sent to hello@rocket.net.

About Rocket.net

Rocket.net, based in West Palm Beach, Florida, is a SaaS Platform designed for WordPress websites of all sizes. Since its launch in early 2020, Rocket.net provides an all-in-one solution built on top of Cloudflare Enterprise, providing each WordPress website with an enterprise-level experience with prioritized traffic routing and caching in every Cloudflare location. At Rocket.net, Cloudflare Enterprise (traditionally hard to configure and out of reach for website owners and agencies alike) requires zero configuration or advanced knowledge making it possible for website owners to focus on what really matters most: growth.
Its so important to me that patients feel confident and assured that they will have the very best experience possible when they visit our office. Receiving Top Doctor status once again helps ensure this confidence and trust.

Dr. John LeRoy, one of the highest-rated and most respected plastic surgeons in Georgia, is proud to announce he has been selected as a Top Doctor in the field of Plastic Surgery for 2023 by Castle Connolly for the seventh consecutive year. Dr. LeRoy was nominated by his peers in the medical field.

Castle Connolly is a New York-based healthcare organization that has been dedicated to guiding consumers around the country to the best medical care available for nearly 30 years. Each year, their esteemed committee considers a wide variety of healthcare providers, each of whom has been nominated by their peers from a curated pool of approximately 60,000 board-certified physicians. After an extensive physician-led research and nomination process that weighs each doctors skills, board certifications, contributions to their respective field, patient care, and various other attributes, Castle Connolly is then able to select the top tier of nominated physicians within each field to be selected as honorees.

Dr. LeRoy is no stranger to this honor, as this is his seventh consecutive year of being recognized as one of the top plastic surgeons in Atlanta. Still, this is not something that he takes for granted by any means. I am extremely grateful to my fellow physicians, as well as my wonderful patients and staff who make all of this hard work so worth it year after year, says Dr. LeRoy. Its so important to me that patients feel confident and assured that they will have the very best experience possible when they visit our office. Receiving Top Doctor status once again helps ensure this confidence and trust.

Because of this recognition, Dr. LeRoy and his fellow Top Doctor recipients will be featured in an upcoming issue of Modern Luxury Medicine + Doctors and The Atlantan, both nationally circulated publications that highlight the best in the healthcare industry around the country. As rewarding as it is for Dr. LeRoy to help his patients improve their appearance and self-confidence with his cosmetic surgery procedures and results, he is extremely grateful to receive this honor and will strive to maintain this standard of excellence into next year and beyond.

About John LeRoy, M.D., FACS

John L. LeRoy, M.D., is a board-certified plastic surgeon with decades of experience performing cosmetic procedures for the face and body. He is board-certified in both plastic and general surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American College of Surgeons. Dr. LeRoy is a Diplomat of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He has considerable experience performing several of the most common plastic surgery procedures including facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, liposuction, cosmetic breast surgery, and more. Additionally, he developed the well known Band Aid (Mini) Facelift early in his career, which has grown into a line of minimally invasive Band Aid procedures for patients. Dr. LeRoy's Band Aid procedures are performed in-office using gentle numbing and his special technique offers subtle, natural results. Dr. LeRoy is committed to providing his patients with the safest, most effective care possible.

To learn more about Dr. LeRoy or to schedule an appointment for a plastic surgery consultation, visit https://johnleroymd.com/ or contact his office by phone at (404) 843-0840.
In the first month of 2023, the three major Japanese automakers, namely Toyota Motor, Honda Motor, and Nissan Motor were all confronted with unsatisfactory sales results in China, especially the latter two companies, who saw their sales more than halved from a year ago.

The year-on-year downturn in January marked the respective third, fifth, and sixth consecutive month for Toyota, Honda, and Nissan to sell less vehicles in the Chinese market than that of a year ago.

The automakers explained that their sales cutback was a result of some objective factors like both the New Years holiday and the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday, leaving not enough workdays for their dealerships and consumers for transaction.

The same phenomenon also showed in January sales of other domestic or international automakers in China. However, several local Chinese automakers still managed to defy the odds and scored a year-over-year increase in January sales, such as BYD (+58.6% YoY).

Toyota Motor sold roughly 113,800 new vehicles in the worlds largest auto market in the past month, which indicated a 23.5% decline from a year earlier. Regarding sales performance of the companys two Sino-Japanese joint ventures, FAW Toyota posted a 7.3% year-on-year growth in January sales due to the low base numbers achieved in January 2022 caused by the coronavirus. Meanwhile, GAC Toyota faced a 30.2% decrease in last months sales.

January sales of Toyotas high-end brand, Lexus, plummeted 62.4% from a year earlier in China, according to numbers provided by Japanese media, Kyodo.

In the first month of this year, Honda Motor sold 64,193 vehicles in China, more than halved from that of the year-ago period. Among which, 11,158 units were electrified vehicles (EVs), which include hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and battery electric vehicles.

In terms of the separate performance of the companys two Sino joint ventures, GAC Honda saw its monthly deliveries reach 40,284 units, which fell 49.6% from the earlier year and accounted for 62.75% of Hondas China sales in January. Meanwhile, with 23,909 vehicles sold, Dongfeng Honda recorded a 64.1% plunge compared to a year ago.

As to Nissan Motor, with 47,521 vehicles sold in China during the first month of 2023, the company saw a 64.4% plummet over January 2022.

In the past month, Dongfeng Motor Co. & Ltd. (DFL), the joint venture between Dongfeng Motor and Nissan Motor, saw 45,623 vehicles sold through its passenger vehicle unit (including Nissan, Venucia, and Infiniti brands), which reflected a 59.02% dent year-over-year.

GAC Honda e:NP1; photo credit: GAC Honda

The overall sales downturn in the three Japanese automakers Chinese market performance might be attributed to their relatively unleashed potential in the EV territory, considering the otherwise blooming sales numbers of the dedicated Chinese EV maker, BYD.

All three automakers made further measures to boost their respective electrification transition in the worlds largest auto market, with reinforced EV lineup and expanded EV production capacity.
Our mission is to create a place where people feel they belong, and that mission extends to both our members and our employees."

Sogolytics, leader in feedback and experience management, is proud to announce a new partnership with SunWest Federal Credit Union, a longtime Arizona financial cooperative serving the greater Phoenix and Tucson communities.

Originally founded as Phoenix Telco by twelve telephone workers in 1937, SunWest has grown significantly since its humble beginnings over 85 years ago. Today the credit union has eight branches and 117 employees serving more than 50,000 members.

A culture-driven organization, SunWest has adopted Sogolytics feedback management software with the goal of maximizing employee engagement.

Our mission is to create a place where people feel they belong, and that mission extends to both our members and our employees, explained Katie DeFeo, Marketing Director at SunWest. We want to use feedback to improve employee experience, optimize our culture, and continue to be an employer of choice.

Additionally, SunWest plans to use member feedback to continually provide better experiences for the more than 50,000 individuals who comprise their credit union community.

Were thrilled to partner with SunWest and help them leverage employee feedback to power retention and provide better engagement, said Laurie Flanders, VP of Strategic Sales at Sogolytics. We also look forward to helping SunWest provide exceptional member experiences, which can be crucial differentiators that give community-based credit unions a competitive edge over legacy banks.

Sogolytics feedback and experience management software is a powerful platform for collecting and acting on both employee and member feedback, in order to improve overall experience, satisfaction, and loyalty. To learn more about how Sogolytics can help support your teams success, request a free demo.

About Sogolytics

Founded on the belief that better data leads to better decisions, Sogolytics, formerly SoGoSurvey, is on a mission to help make that data accessible to more teams. From customer experience initiatives to employee engagement and all points between, Sogolytics enables organizations to collect the feedback they need to make a difference while having their back every step of the way. Learn more at Sogolytics.com.
Encore Energy, Inc. has previously drilled three (3) horizontal wells in the southern field of Lawrence County to produce from the Berea Sandstone formation. The Company is also developing a ~5-6 mile gas gathering system to transport gas and optimize oil production from each horizontal well.

The ability to transport gas lowers the wellhead pressure for each horizontal well, increasing the ability to produce crude oil, said Steve Stengell, Encores President and CEO. The primary objective is crude oil production with natural gas serving as a byproduct, and we continue to make significant progress despite increased well costs, extreme labor shortages, a supply chain crisis, and more regulation, added Stengell.

Qualified accredited investors can deduct 100% of the drilling costs associated with horizontal well projects with an estimated ~90% of this deduction available in the first year.

Oil and gas investments involve a high degree of risk and are only suitable for accredited investors. No assurances can be made as it relates to production, reserves, or other estimates.

If you are a qualified SEC defined investor and would like to find out more about making a direct investment in this project, please contact Steve Stengell at (270) 438-9956 or via email at steve.stengell@encore-energy.com

Investment Risk, Disclaimer and Cautionary Statement: The information herein may contain forward-looking statements, and actual results may vary. Words such as estimate, will, intend, continue, target, expect, achieve, strategy, future, may, goal, or other comparable words or phrases or the negative of those words, and other words of similar meaning indicate forward-looking statements and important factors which could affect actual results. Forward-looking statements are made based upon Managements current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects upon Encore Energy, Inc. Oil and gas investments involve an extremely high degree of risk, uncertainty and are only suitable for qualified Accredited (SEC Definition) investors who are sophisticated in making business decisions and can bear the financial loss of their entire investment, while delivering a turnkey profit to the Company for providing the prospect development, lease acquisition, drilling, completion, engineering, ongoing production operations and other services. The Company does not provide tax advice and investors should seek the advice of their tax professional. Any tax and/or other information herein is provided for illustration purposes only and may include estimates that are uncertain and subject to change. It is impossible to accurately forecast profitability, production, reserves, income, expenses and timelines for any project. No assurances can be made as it relates to reserves, production, income, profit, prices, timelines and/or other estimates. Actual production and results are beyond the control of management. In the event that commercial production is achieved, it may take many years for the investor to recoup his or her investment. The Companys lease acreage position under is subject to change and includes acreage under lease, Farmout agreement, verbal agreement, renewals, expired terms and any other prospective acreage in which the Company has communicated and/or negotiated with the landowner the leasing of oil and gas rights, now or in the future, and the lease / mineral owner has leased or communicated their intent to lease there mineral lease rights to the Company. The Companys well operations is located primarily in the extremely remote, mountainous and challenging terrain of East Kentucky. This extremely challenging terrain may result in indefinite project delays and escalating costs beyond the control of management. It is important for qualified SEC defined accredited investors to acknowledge the fact that the US government provides them with tax savings (100% IDC tax deduction) to mitigate or at least off-set some of the financial risk associated with domestic oil and gas investments. This is not an offer to sell or buy a security. An offer shall only be made pursuant to SEC Regulation D, Rule 506(c) by a private placement offering memorandum, and this is not a private placement offering memorandum.
Geraci LLP Steven helps solidify our reputation as the top and largest private lending firm in the country, based on our size and leadership in the industry. We are proud to have him on our team and grateful for his invaluable contributions.

Geraci LLP, the nations largest private lending law firm, celebrated the one-year anniversary of Head of Litigation, Steven Ernest, Esq. taking the helm for his team. Under his leadership, the litigation team has accepted more complex cases than ever before and has already racked up some impressive accomplishments.

Below are a few of the highlights over the past year:



Adeline Tungate, Esq. received a $12 million default judgement on behalf of one of her clients; the largest judgement in firm history.

The team successfully obtained non-suit at trial despite the Plaintiff putting on evidence for 1.5 weeks. The Judge entered judgment in our clients favor and dismissed the case before we even called a witness.

Jacoby Perez, Esq. saved a widow who was facing eviction from her home on Christmas. He filed a wrongful foreclosure action which resulted in a stay of Unlawful Detainer, and is set up to win the foreclosure case and have her keep her house.

One of the goals for 2023 is to increase the teams Breach of Guaranty practice. Already this year Jacoby Perez, Esq. has earned a Summary Judgment in two of those cases.

In a challenging group of consolidated cases in Beverly Hills, a group of Plaintiffs are collectively suing one of our clients. Adeline Tungate, Esq., has successfully resolved the largest pain point in the case, earned summary judgment in another, and continues to work towards resolution at the rest of the suit.

Jacoby Perez, Esq. successfully defended against outlandish demands made by a Plaintiff against our client, refusing to allow our client to pay a nuisance value. This forced the Plaintiff to dismiss their case with prejudice on the eve of trial. He is now working on our fees motion.

"After meeting Steven, I knew we needed him as part of Geraci LLP. His tenacity, expertise, and unwavering commitment have shown in the impressive results obtained on behalf of our clients, said Anthony Geraci, Partner and CEO, Geraci LLP. Steven helps solidify our reputation as the top and largest private lending firm in the country, based on our size and leadership in the industry. We are proud to have him on our team and grateful for his invaluable contributions."

"I'm extremely proud of our team and all that we've accomplished in the past year," said Steven Ernest, Esq., Head of Litigation, Geraci LLP. "We have an incredibly talented, smart, and dedicated group of attorneys, and I'm looking forward to continued success in the year ahead. With the ethos here, and implementation of our strategic plans in each case, well continue to win like crazy, and earn first rate results for our clients."

About Geraci Law Firm

Geraci Law Firm is the nations largest law firm dedicated almost exclusively to the private/non-conventional lending space and is the leading legal resource for specialty lenders, asset-based lenders, private lenders, and non-bank institutions. Our legal departments include Banking & Finance, Corporate & Securities, and Litigation & Bankruptcy, offering lenders a vertically integrated suite of services while our Geraci Conference Line provides networking and educational opportunities to the industry at large. Please note Geracis litigation department is California-based while the rest of the firm supports a 50-state practice area. For more information about Geraci LLP, please visit http://www.geracilawfirm.com or call 949-379-2600.
By tapping into real-world conversations, taking an informed approach to choosing partners, granting these partners creative freedom, and leveraging UGC content, CPG brands can scale their TikTok marketing programs to drive unmatched ROI.

Research shows that as many as 60% of consumers on social media follow CPG brands that interest them. Going into 2023, theres no bigger social network than TikTok, and no greater opportunity for brands to reach audiences on TikTok than through creator-led campaigns. So CreatorIQ has leveraged its first-party TikTok integration to give brands access to exclusive insights on TikTok creators and their content in the newly released Guide To TikTok Influencer Marketing for CPG Brands report. This report includes details on audience demographic data, trends in follower count growth, and top-performing videos, and much more.

As CPG brands look to advance their TikTok marketing strategies, we expect the platform to play an increasingly central role in the creator economy, said Conor Begley, Chief Strategy Officer at CreatorIQ. By tapping into real-world conversations, taking an informed approach to choosing partners, granting these partners creative freedom, and leveraging UGC content, CPG brands can scale their TikTok marketing programs to drive unmatched ROI.

But the key to success is using TikTok effectively. For instance, millennials have an average attention span of just twelve seconds. So its critical to immediately capture viewers interest. Deferring to creators who know their followers better than anyone is a smart strategy.

The Guide To TikTok Influencer Marketing for CPG Brands dives into granular details on exactly how CPG brands can use creators and TikTok to fast-track their growth. Among the best practices discussed are:

1. Set clear, measurable objectives for campaigns, and select creators who will help you achieve your goals.

2. Generate content that immediately engages audiences by choosing creators who understand your target consumers, allowing you to riff on organic trends.

3. Ensure that content feels authentic by granting creators artistic freedom, while still clearly communicating campaign guidelines.

4. Monitor KPIs at both the campaign and content level in order to identify areas of opportunity.

Done correctly, creator-led marketing on TikTok enables brands to generate awareness, drive revenue and build brand affinity. Consider this: over 90% of TikToks 1 billion active monthly users visit the platform multiple times daily, 67% of TikTok users have made spontaneous purchases after discovering products on it, and 73% of TikTok users feel a deeper connection to brands they interact with on the platform.

For more, including real-life examples of how brands like Clorox, Mountain Dew, and Behr have applied these best practices effectively, download the full report free from CreatorIQ here.

About CreatorIQ

CreatorIQ is the most trusted software to unify and power advanced influencer marketing for the worlds most innovative enterprises. Its Intelligence Cloud facilitates data science-enabled creator discovery, streamlines workflow, ensures brand safety, and drives meaningful measurement. AB InBev, Airbnb, Calvin Klein, CVS, Disney, H&M, Sephora, and Unilever are just some of the brands that utilize CreatorIQs platform to drive real business results across their influencer marketing ecosystems.Founded in 2014, CreatorIQ is headquartered in Los Angeles with 25 global offices. For more information, visit CreatorIQ.com.
Brianna Regine Visionary Consulting (BRVC) and CEO Brianna Regine Walston launch campaign in support of Black Women Entrepreneurs of America As the country celebrates Black History Month as a limited one-month event (...), accomplishments of Black entrepreneurs and Black-owned businesses remain unseen by many, year over year. A lack of visibility and support is even more significant for Black women entrepreneurs.

Communications agency Brianna Regine Visionary Consulting, LLC (also known as BRVC) and CEO Brianna Regine Walston launch Black Women Entrepreneurs of America, a campaign aimed to highlight and support 50 Black & woman-owned businesses from all states, with the intent to amplify the visibility of their missions, services, and products. Starting in February, concurrently with Black History Month and BRVCs 6th anniversary, the campaign is set to last until December 2023.

Since 1976, Black History Month has been an annual observance honoring Black peoples invaluable contributions to American culture and history. Yet over time, its celebratory and remembrance purpose has been used by corporations and public figures as a performative tool that inadequately supports Black communities. As the country celebrates Black History Month as a limited one-month event, with a substantial focus on a few historical figures, accomplishments of Black entrepreneurs and Black-owned businesses remain unseen by many, year over year.

A lack of visibility and support is even more significant for Black women entrepreneurs. According to the 2019 State of Women-Owned Businesses Report commissioned by American Express, Black women are the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs. The study found they started 42% of net new women-owned businesses, which is three times their share of the female population (14%). But according to Running A Business While Black, a data analysis summary published by Goldman Sachs, the rejection rate for Black business owners applying for bank funding was three times higher than the rate for White business owners'' and Black women are the most educated but have the lowest median revenue. This disparity of access to capital makes it harder for Black women entrepreneurs to fund business development resources (such as communications and operations management) for their companies.

In an effort to palliate this unfair gap and support her community, Brianna Regine Walston, a young Black business woman herself, pledges to provide a platform to other Black & woman-owned businesses, amplify the voices of their leaders, and as a result, encourage corporations, investors and consumers to be more intentional with their diversity, equity and inclusion commitments.

I felt compelled to launch this campaign because Black women entrepreneurs deserve to be recognizednot as a token, but as valuable contributors to Americas culture and economy, Brianna says. It is my hope that this campaign will broadcast the stories and achievements of Black woman-owned businesses across the nation, and be a catalyst that challenges corporations and consumers to intentionally put money into these brands.

To share the impact of Black woman-owned businesses and the stories behind their ventures, Brianna will invite and interview Black female business owners on her podcast, The Brand Unveiled, and highlight different Black women entrepreneurs on her social media platforms every week. In addition, Brianna will offer one-hour long pro-bono consultations to selected Black women entrepreneurs who need support with branding, marketing, public relations, or operations management. Black women entrepreneurs and companies interested in receiving a free brand growth strategy consultation may fill-out the contact form at http://www.brvisionaryconsulting.com/blackwomenentrepreneurs

Brianna and BRVC are committed to broadening the voices of Black women business owners in America, and this year-long endeavor will serve as an example of the many ways Black communities can be authentically and consistently recognized. Being a Black woman entrepreneur comes with nuanced adversity. Its my hope that shining a light lets Black women entrepreneurs know that their brands and more importantly, who they are, belong in the rooms, at the tables and in the conversation, Brianna adds.

For additional information about the Black Women Entrepreneurs of America campaign or Brianna Regine Visionary Consulting, contact Amandine Demange at amandine.demange@brvisionaryconsulting.com

About Brianna Regine Visionary Consulting, LLC

Brianna Regine Visionary Consulting (BRVC) is a Black and woman-owned strategic communications, marketing & operations agency that is committed to turning ideas from underrepresented communities into real-life milestones. Owned and founded by brand growth strategist Brianna Regine Walston, BRVC increases the awareness, credibility, revenue, and scalability of its clients through brand development, digital marketing, public relations, and operational management support, nationally and internationally. BRVCs clientele have included multidimensional brands & creatives, beauty & wellness experts, municipal entities, and more. For more information on BRVC, please visit http://www.brvisionaryconsulting.com.
Many of the remote employees' positions we filled were to cover for sick employees and work augmentations. Now, Microwize is ready to offer qualified offshore labor to larger medical groups and billing services, to assist with front desk or back-office functions while maintaining high standards.

Microwize Technology, Inc, a privately-owned company in Paramus, New Jersey, is one of the 29 businesses that signed an agreement with the Information Technology Industry Development Agency of Egypt (ITIDA), to offer remote employee services to medical practices and medical billing companies. The signing agreements were witnessed by Egypt's Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, and other high-profile figures from the Egyptian governments and signed by Mr. Amir Gadallah, General Manager, on behalf of Microwize.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced most of us to acknowledge that remote work is no longer an experiment, but a requirement in many businesses, and even medical practices and billing services need to work remotely. While it represents a huge change, the results are very promising.

Microwize has been a leader in healthcare IT and medical software since 1997 with a very high customer service satisfaction rate that averages 97% over the years. Due to the nature of the business and the suite of products we provide, Robert Gabriel President and CEO stated that it was difficult to pick a country to match the high standards that Microwize clients are used to having. Mr. Gabriel noted that Egypt was shortlisted for many reasons, including: the availability of a workforce population with higher educations including medical-related and engineering degrees; many Egyptians speaking better English than many other countries where English isnt the primary language; and the time zone difference between major cities in the USA and Microwizes offices in Cairo.

With pricing as low as $525 per remote full-time employee per week, Microwize takes the burden off medical practices or billing services while introducing the best processes and technologies to help them thrive during the difficult financial times we are all facing. Microwize is also shouldering the high employment costs that medical practices are happy to give up, such as medical, dental, and workers comp insurances and unemployment-related administrative fees and challenges.

As Mr. Gabriel notes, remote work is a completely new concept for most employees; however, with the latest and greatest technology, the remote employee is constantly connected to the practice via camera and/or phone. The practice can always see and communicate with the employee as if they are in the same room, and the practice gets to enjoy the flexibility and financial savings. Mr. Gabriel stated that Many of the remote employees' positions we filled were to cover for sick employees and work augmentations. Now Microwize is ready to offer qualified offshore labor to larger medical groups and billing services, to assist with front desk or back-office functions while maintaining high standards.

Microwize Technology looks forward to a long and mutually-beneficial relationship with ITIDA.
Planning is well underway for Blueprint Vegas 2023, the premier event for the global real estate technology community, which is taking place September 12-14 in Las Vegas. Already confirmed to take the stage are some of the industrys most influential voices and thought leaders, and today the team has announced the first 50 speakers.

Blueprint strives to curate a program of the most dynamic and forward-looking industry luminaries who will share their visions and collaborate on solutions for a successful future, said Blueprint President Martin Kelly. The fantastic lineup that is coming together represents the very best and most innovative firms working in real estate, construction, and tech.

The first 50 speakers confirmed to participate include:

 Pete Flint, General Partner, NFX

 Brendan Wallace, Managing Partner & Co-Founder, Fifth Wall

 Karen Hollinger, Managing Director, KKR Capstone

 Mitchell Moinian, Principal, Moinian Group

 Lisa Picard, Partner, Sway Ventures

 Spencer Rascoff, Chair & Co-Founder, Pacaso

 Clelia Peters, Managing Partner, Era Ventures

 Constance Freedman, Managing Partner & Founder, Moderne Ventures

 Pat Kinsel, CEO & Founder, Notarize

 Jeanne Casey, Global Head of PropTech & Innovation, Nuveen

 Michael Episcope, Co-CEO & Co-Founder, Origin Investments

 Amy Weissberger, SVP Corporate Strategy, Morgan Properties

 Adam Demuyakor, Managing Partner & Founder, Wilshire Lane

 Danielle OConnell, Senior Director of Emerging Technology, Skanska USA

 KJ Joshi, Global Managing Director, Equinix

 Katelyn Johnson, Managing Director, AmFam Ventures

 Jenny Wong, Managing Director, Tishman Speyer

 Michael Glick, CTO, Walker & Dunlop

 Judah Siegel, SVP, Brookfield Ventures

 Ryan Williams, CEO & Co-Founder, Cadre

Over 250 of the industrys best and brightest will take the stage at Blueprint Vegas to address the most pressing issues across real estate and innovation and share how they are navigating disruptions through cutting-edge technologies such as Machine Learning & AI, 3D-printing, and Blockchain Technology. Some of the biggest players of our industry will also make major announcements and give attendees the inside scoop on innovative partnerships and industry-wide collaborations.

Blueprint Vegas will gather the global real estate technology community from September 12th-14th in Las Vegas.

Visit http://www.blueprintvegas.com to view the full list of speakers and learn how to register!

About Blueprint:

Blueprint Vegas 2023 is brought to you by the same team that created Manifest, HR Transform and Cumulus. Blueprint will offer unparalleled access to a comprehensive gathering of entrepreneurs, investors and executives from the real estate and technology ecosystem. This years event will bring together over 2,000 executives.
American Hartford Gold's New Location Signifies Latest Growth Milestone This move is an exciting next step in the growth of our company. It marks another milestone as the foremost gold and silver dealer in the country.

American Hartford Gold (AHG), the nations largest retailer of gold and silver, is excited to announce its move to a new, larger location to accommodate the company's rapid growth and continued success. The new location, Floor 11 of the beautiful Landmark 1 Building at 11755 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, features state-of-the-art facilities and ample space for the company's growing team and expanding operations.

American Hartford Gold recently experienced a 400% increase in sales. With this growth, AHG plans to expand its workforce to over 200 employees. This move represents a significant investment in the company's future and demonstrates its commitment to providing the highest quality service to its customers. American Hartford Gold remains dedicated to helping our clients reap all the wealth protecting benefits of a Gold IRA.

"This move is an exciting next step in the growth of our company. It marks another milestone as the foremost gold and silver dealer in the country. We have already delivered more than $1.5 billion in precious metals to thousands of satisfied clients. American Hartford Gold was ranked the #1 gold company on the Inc. 5000s List of Americas Fastest-Growing Private Companies. I'm proud to say the Landmark 1 is LEED Gold & Energy Star Certified. This state-of-the-art workplace will support our mission of helping our clients achieve long-term financial security," said Max Baecker, President of American Hartford Gold. "We are confident that the new location will let us continue driving growth and success for years to come."

The company's phone and email addresses will remain the same. American Hartford Gold is committed to minimizing disruption during the transition and ensuring a seamless transition for its customers and employees.

To learn more about diversifying with physical precious metals, clients can call 866-342-2257.

About Company American Hartford Gold:

American Hartford Gold is the nations largest retailer of gold and silver. AHG was ranked the #1 gold company on the prestigious Inc. 5000s List of Americas Fastest-Growing Private Companies. They hold an A+ Rating from the BBB and a 5-Star Rating on Trustpilot with thousands of 5-star reviews. AHG offers investment grade gold and silver coins and bars at competitive prices. Their clients also benefit from their buy-back commitment with no back-end fees. American Hartford Gold is the only precious metals company trusted and recommended by Bill OReilly.
Anne Mai Bertelsen Elected to CHC National Board of Directors I was drawn to CHC by its compelling equity mission, said Bertelsen. I look forward to sharing my insights and contributing as much as I can to help CHC as we work together to create healthier communities for all people.

CHC: Creating Healthier Communities, a national nonprofit that removes the barriers to good health and equity, today announced that Anne Mai Bertelsen was unanimously elected to its national board of directors. Bertelsen will join her first board meeting March 1-2, 2023.

Its a privilege leading the CHC Board, said Adam Rothschild, investor, consultant and CHC board chair. Were intentional about recruitment as this is a working board of active, engaged, top leaders, all deeply committed to equity and community health. Im delighted to welcome Anne to this talented, diverse group and look forward to working with her.

Bertelsen is a Fortune 500 global senior leader with 25+ years experience helping brands in highly regulated industries transform for growth. Most recently she led retail banking at Flagstar Bank as Executive Vice President where she worked to close financial health inequities and democratize access to financial advice, services and products. Prior to Flagstar, Bertelsen was a Managing Director at Accenture, the worlds largest global consulting firm, where she led a global team of financial service practitioners to reimagine banking services and products. Shes also held roles with American Express as well as founding and leading a boutique strategic consulting firm.

I was drawn to CHC by its compelling equity mission, said Bertelsen. I look forward to sharing my insights and contributing as much as I can to help CHC as we work together to create healthier communities for all people.

Bertelsen is a sought-out speaker and thought leader on the business impact of digitization, disruptive business models and evolving customer expectations in regulated industries. She has advised on digital innovations for SXSW, a leading innovation conference; The White House Office of Innovation and Technology; and the NJ Chapter of the Red Cross. She holds a bachelors from Rutgers University and a masters from New York University.

Anne is a welcome addition to the Board of Directors, said Thomas G. Bognanno, president and CEO at CHC. Her significant global business expertise will help ensure CHCs bright future as we continue to grow and advance our mission.

ABOUT CHC: CREATING HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES

CHC: Creating Healthier Communities brings nonprofits, businesses and communities together to improve community health. Our focus is health equity, addressing underlying issues and removing barriers so everyone can thrive. Our work is driven by community need, and we direct programs, resources and support where they have the greatest impact. Together with partners, weve been creating healthier communities for more than 65 years. Join us at chcimpact.org or @chcimpact.
Salt Lake City Criminal Defense Firm Offers $1000 in Scholarships Twice a Year

Collins Rupp, P.C. is pleased to announce that it will be relaunching its Moving Forward Scholarship for the Fall of 2023. Designed to help students overcome criminal convictions and begin a better life, the Moving Forward Scholarship is an important expression of the firms values and desire to build a better future.

While many scholarship programs will quickly reject applicants with a criminal history, Collins Rupp, P.C. chooses to make scholarships available specifically for students with these hurdles in their pasts. As criminal defense attorneys, the firms staff has seen firsthand the impact that criminal convictions can have on the lives of many different individuals.

The firms attorneys believe that people deserve a second chance, particularly when they are pursuing educational opportunities and taking important steps to build a life that will not lead back to criminal activity. The firm recognizes the effort students with convictions put into overcoming their pasts and moving on to a better future.

The first-ever winner of the Moving Forward Scholarship for Spring 2023 was Aime Clarice Muntz, a Psychology major at Idaho State University. Due to the prevalence of violence and drugs in her home while she was growing up, Ms. Muntz turned to substances herself and faced numerous consequences as a result. Fourteen years clear, Aime is pursuing a degree in psychology so that she can help other victims of childhood abuse and others with substance use disorders.

Applicants for the Moving Forward Scholarship are asked to respond to the prompt, What have you learned about the importance of moving forward? How will your personal experience help you to assist others in improving themselves and bettering their lives? In your essay, please include which convictions you are moving forward from. Interested students may view the full list of requirements and apply by visiting: https://www.collinsrupp.law/scholarship

About Collins Rupp, P.C.

Collins Rupp, P.C. is a criminal defense law firm located in Bountiful, Utah. The firm provides a host of criminal defense services, including help with expungements, probation violations, and pretrial release. Criminal defense services are offered to those accused of a wide array of crimes, from simple DUIs to sex offenses and violent crimes.

To learn more about Collins Rupp, P.C. or to contact the attorneys, please visit: https://www.collinsrupp.law/
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- SAIC Motor announced today it aims to sell 6 million vehicles across the year of 2023, including 1.5 million new energy vehicles (NEVs).

The Shanghai-based auto giant recorded a wholesale volume of 238,023 vehicles in the first month of 2023, representing a year-on-year decline of 47.75%, according to its latest sales results.

The Shanghai-based auto giant also said it had around 307,000 vehicles retailed last month.

Among subsidiaries, MG Motor India was the only one to score a year-over-year upward movement in Jan. sales, contributing to the rising sales of SAIC Motors overseas markets.

In the last month, SAIC Motor saw 76,604 vehicles exported and sold in its overseas markets, indicating a 17.08% jump year-over-year.

The group has set a 1.2 million vehicles of annual sales target for its overseas markets this year.

SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW), the manufacturer of the hotter-selling BEV model Wuling Hongguang MINIEV, witnessed its Jan. wholesales tumble 72.74% over a year earlier to 30,000 units, which dragged the company down to the 4th place among the groups subsidiaries.

Third-generation MG6; photo credit: MG

SAIC Motor Passenger Vehicle Company (SAIC Motor PV), the self-owned passenger vehicle maker of SAIC Motor, faced the least year-on-year decline in Jan. sales.

IM Motor, the premium electric vehicle maker SAIC Motor co-builds with Alibaba Group and Zhangjiang High-Tech, sold 507 vehicles in Jan., versus the 455 units sold in Dec. 2022.

The group's data also show that its new energy vehicle (NEV) sector posted a 55.39% decrease in Jan. wholesales, which came in at 32,221 units.
The festival brings diverse viewpoints, celebrates inspiring stories and awards excellence in filmmaking for all ages! We celebrate the creative minds and talent being showcased here in the best film location site around.

The city of New Smyrna Beach will welcome the return of the Reel Deal Film Festival on March 2-5. The festivals Opening Night Gala held at the riverfront Brannon Center will feature "Surviving Pulse," an award-winning documentary that chronicles life after a mass shooting at an Orlando nightclub in 2016.

With a full slate of dramas, comedies, documentaries, and new media such as TikTok, film buffs can engage with attending filmmakers, join daily screenings and film blocks and vote for their favorites in each category, all culminating with the Rosie Awards Breakfast on the last day.

Upon receipt of approximately 1,000 independent filmmaker submissions, the festival plans to present 110 films including full-length features, shorts, faith-based films and student projects. Juried and audience awards will be presented to participants in each category including Best of Festival, Voice of the Voiceless Award, Emerging Filmmaker Award, Screenwriter of the Year and 6-12th Grade Student Filmmaker of the Year among others.

We are elated to welcome back the Reel Deal Film Festival for their second annual event. The festival brings diverse viewpoints, celebrates inspiring stories and awards excellence in filmmaking for all ages! We celebrate the creative minds and talent being showcased here in the best film location site around, says New Smyrna Beach Area Visitors Bureau CEO and Film Commissioner Debbie Meihls.

Support for the festival helps to generate revenue for college counseling outreach programs, filmmaking clubs and scholarships through the non-profit Reel Film Foundation. Sponsorships for this years film festival are still available. For a full schedule, event tickets and sponsorship information visit http://www.reeldealfilmfestival.com.

Festival goers can find onsite festival accommodations at the Reel Deal Film Festival host hotel SpringHill Suites by Marriott located on the beach and steps from local eateries. Other nearby accommodations including B&Bs like Black Dolphin Inn and Victoria 1883 or beachside hotels like the Hampton Inn are available. For more information about planning a trip to this years film festival, please visit http://www.visitnsbfl.com/stay.

About the New Smyrna Beach Area

The New Smyrna Beach area includes the communities of New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater, Oak Hill, Osteen and Port Orange in east Central Florida. New Smyrna Beach is an eclectic mix of old and new; of subtle sophistication and bohemian soul that is as real as Florida gets. New Smyrna Beach has long supported and welcomed interest in its ever-growing arts scene, earning the rank among the 100 Best Small Arts Towns in America for good reason.

Accommodations range from charming bed and breakfast inns to family-size condominium units and oceanfront hotels. Natural attractions include 17 miles of sandy beaches from Ponce de Leon Inlet to Canaveral National Seashore and North Americas most diverse estuary  the Indian River Lagoon.

Two distinct downtowns along Flagler Avenue and Canal Street and connected via the Waterfront Loop welcome visitors with independent restaurants, unique shops, artisanal coffee shops and art galleries.

For more information, please visit http://www.VisitNSBfl.com or call 386-428-1600. Follow @NewSmyrnaBeach1 on Twitter, Facebook.com/VisitNewSmyrnaBeach or @visitnewsmyrnabeach on Instagram for the latest news. Download the free New Smyrna Beach Mobile App for iPhone and Android to receive this information when on the go.
Michael Metzger, PhD, Pacific Northwest Research Institute We dont normally think of cancer as an infectious disease, but several transmissible cancers have recently been found in the wild, causing significant mortalityand marine bivalves, such as mussels, oysters, cockles, scallops, and clams appear particularly susceptible," says Michael Metzger, PhD.

Michael Metzger, PhD, Assistant Investigator at Pacific Northwest Research Institute, in Seattle, WA, and a team of global co-investigators will study how a virus-like cancer spreads among basket cockles on the Pacific Coast and soft-shell clams on the Atlantic Coast through a $3 million grant from the National Science Foundations Division of Ocean Sciences.

We dont normally think of cancer as an infectious disease, said Dr. Metzger. But several transmissible cancers have recently been found in the wild, causing significant mortalityand marine bivalves, such as mussels, oysters, cockles, scallops, and clams appear particularly susceptible.

What is unique about this cancer compared to human cancers is that it is transmissible. The cancerous cells themselves spread from one animal to another, much like a virus. This strain of cancer is known to negatively affect the marine environment, commercial aquaculture industries, and Native American communities that rely on bivalves as traditional food sources.

The newly funded project brings together a diverse team of marine biologists, population geneticists, mathematical modelers, cancer biologists, and genomic/molecular biologists from the following organizations and institutions across the globe: Suquamish Tribe, Puget Sound Restoration Fund (PSRF), Western Washington University, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences (Maine) and Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute (Massachusetts), and City, University of London.

Over the next five years, the interdisciplinary collaborative will collect samples, analyze genomes, develop mathematical models, and measure disease progression.

It takes expertise in tribal resource management, marine conservation, and infectious disease ecology to solve this complex problem, said Ryan Crim, a PSRF marine biologist who has been working with the Suquamish Tribe in Washington state to restore marine habitats for more than a decade.

They found infectious cancer prevalent in local basket cockles, a favorite subsistence species for Tribal members that has become scarce in recent years.

Elizabeth Unsell, a marine biologist with the Suquamish Tribe, explained that the Tribe is motivated to work to restore local populations and learn more about the threats they may be facing.

Increasing our awareness and understanding of the presence and severity of transmissible cancer in this favored bivalve species will give us tools to better understand population dynamics and inform management decisions, said Unsell.

On the eastern U.S. coast, soft-shell clams are consistently one of the most valuable fisheries for Massachusetts each year and the species has a strong cultural and historical relevance in the region. Transmissible cancer in soft-shell clams has caused major losses in Massachusetts in the past, severely impacting the commercial fishery.

By gaining a better understanding of the infection dynamics and mechanisms of transmissible cancer in soft-shell clams, we will be more effective at preventing or managing the disease to better conserve this precious natural resource, said Tim ODonnell, a freshwater and marine fish researcher at Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute.

Understanding exactly how these bivalves fight or bounce back from this cancer directly impacts the survival of those species and the people who rely on them, Dr. Metzger said. If successful, we will come away with a far better understanding of how these transmissible cancers spread and what we can do to stop them.

Im grateful that the NSF values this kind of interdisciplinary research, Dr. Metzger said. Without their funding, we couldnt launch a study like this connecting genomic analysis of the cancers with multi-year ecological surveys and modeling to understand all the factors involved in disease spread.

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ABOUT PNRI:

Pacific Northwest Research Institute (PNRI) is a nonprofit biomedical research institute, where scientists are using innovative approaches in genetics and genomics to tackle some of the most difficult problems in science and medicine. The institute was founded 67 years ago in Seattle, Washington, as a place where scientists were free to pursue discoveries that promised the highest chance of improving human health. The goal was at the beginning, and remains today, to conduct foundational science leading to impactful medical innovations. To learn more, visit pnri.org.
We look forward to building strong relationships with the Washington DC community and continuing to deliver on their promise of providing superior digital marketing and SEO solutions.

Digital Lion Media is delighted to announce its expansion into the dynamic Washington DC market, bringing along with it its customized local marketing services. With this move, the digital marketing agency can now leverage local knowledge and resources to offer clients cutting-edge strategies for reaching potential customers online. Digital Lion Media is dedicated to helping businesses grow through strategic partnerships and creative campaigns that foster customer engagement across various channels. By offering a global perspective on digital marketing trends, the agency is poised to help its clients reach and engage with target audiences in an effective manner.

To support its expansion into the Washington DC market, Digital Lion Media has hired a team of experienced and passionate content marketers. This team is highly knowledgeable in all aspects of digital marketing, such as SEO services, YouTube marketing, Google Ads management, display advertising, and social media. Their goal is to provide clients with tailored solutions that enable them to effectively reach and engage with their target audiences.

By entering the DC, Maryland, and Virginia markets, Digital Lion Media has opened a vast network of creative professionals and resources, as well as the ability to directly engage in local events and initiatives that contribute to digital marketing. This move shows the company's dedication to making an impact in important regions and highlights its commitment to delivering the highest standards of digital marketing services to its clients.

A. Noor, VP of Strategic Marketing, is thrilled to announce the launch of their DC operations. She states that they are eager to form strong bonds with the Washington DC community and provide them with exceptional digital marketing services. This new expansion brings them closer to their goal of becoming the go-to digital marketing partner for businesses all over the globe.

Since its founding in 2016, Digital Lion Media has become a highly sought-after white-label digital marketing agency, renowned for its reliable and creative services. As part of the sister digital agency Client Surge, they offer innovative strategies to help businesses reach their goals in the digital space. With a strong focus on customer service, Digital Lion Media has established a reputation for providing comprehensive digital marketing solutions. The experienced and dedicated team at Digital Lion Media is excited to enter the Washington DC market, where they will continue to provide exceptional service to help local businesses grow.
Draper tested kidney-chips in its latest research study. Pictured are kidney cells from Drapers lab. Credit: Draper Else Vedula at Draper said that PREDICT96s versatility brings immense potential to enhance human health research. With it, we are bringing the benefits of organ-on-a-chip technology out of the research laboratory and into the standard pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.

There are many reasons that promising drugs fail during pharmaceutical development, and one of them is kidney damage. Many experimental drugs, it turns out, cause damage to the extent that they inhibit a kidneys cell metabolism and critical oxygen consumption rate (OCR)vexing side effects that can render a potential drug toxic in humans.

These and other failures can make drug development expensive, inefficient and often unproductive, says Draper researcher Samuel Kann. Accurately predicting a drugs effect in humans during clinical trials isnt easy. Only one in eight new drugs makes it to market. A major hurdle in preclinical trials is a reliance on animal models or on cell culture models that fail to replicate key functions of the human body.

Kann and a research team at Draper studied the problem in a series of experiments that used Drapers human cell-based kidney-on-a-chip. They exposed kidney-chips to three benchmark drug compoundsAntimycin, Oligomycin and FCCPand watched for previously hard-to-measure changes in the kidney proximal tubule epithelial cells, which are the most populous cell type in the kidney, and its mitochondria, a key target in drug development.

The team used an oxygen sensing system integrated into Drapers PREDICT96 microenvironment containing 96 kidney-on-chip tissues, enabling them to measure a cells oxygen consumption rate, an important readout of mitochondrial function.

PREDICT96 is an organ-on-a-chip device seamlessly configured into an industry-standard multi-well cell culture plate, composed of 96 individual co-culture devices and a perfusion system driven by 192 microfluidic pumps integrated into the plate lid. PREDICT96s ability to mimic the perfusion flow conditions in the human kidney enabled researchers to measure drug-induced metabolic shifts resulting from drug treatments.

Kann and his co-authors published their findings in the journal Microsystems & Nanoengineering. For the first time, we measured changes in oxygen in a membrane bilayer format and used a finite element analysis model to estimate cell oxygen consumption rates, allowing comparison with OCRs from other cell culture systems, the researchers said. The research demonstrated a capability that will be valuable for analyzing flow-responsive and physiologically complex tissues during drug development and disease research, according to the paper.

Else Vedula, one of the senior authors of the paper and a principal member of the technical staff at Draper, said that PREDICT96s versatility brings immense potential to enhance human health research. With it, we are bringing the benefits of organ-on-a-chip technology out of the research laboratory and into the standard pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.

PREDICT96 gives scientists a way to interrogate miniature human tissues (models) and detect changes in tissue structure and function better than a single cell type in a static culture testbed or many animal models. Scientists have the ability to screen the impact of microenvironmental cues with traditional and new readouts and use those readouts with pre-screened tissue for predicting toxicity assessment in humans. Drapers biotechnology portfolio includes tissue models of the intestine, lung, liver, vasculature, kidney, blood brain barrier, tumor and gingival tissue. PREDICT96 is also being used to evaluate immune-oncology approaches.

The paper is based on research by Kann, a Draper Scholar and Ph.D. candidate studying mechanical engineering at Boston University; Erin Shaughnessey; Jonathan Coppeta; Hesham Azizgolshani; Brett Isenberg; and Vedula, of Draper; Xin Zhang, a professor of mechanical, electrical, computer and biomedical engineering and materials science at Boston University; and Joseph Charest, a former member of the Draper team.

Since 1973, the Draper Scholar Program, formerly the Draper Fellow Program, has supported more than 1,000 graduate students pursuing advanced degrees in engineering and the sciences. Draper Scholars are from both civilian and military backgrounds and Draper Scholar alumni excel worldwide in the technical, corporate, government, academic and entrepreneurship sectors.

Draper

At Draper, we believe exciting things happen when new capabilities are imagined and created. Whether formulating a concept and developing each component to achieve a field-ready prototype or combining existing technologies in new ways, Draper engineers apply multidisciplinary approaches that deliver new capabilities to customers. As a nonprofit engineering innovation company, Draper focuses on the design, development and deployment of advanced technological solutions for the worlds most challenging and important problems. We provide engineering solutions directly to government, industry and academia; work on teams as prime contractor or subcontractor; and participate as a collaborator in consortia. We provide unbiased assessments of technology or systems designed or recommended by other organizationscustom designed, as well as commercial-off-the-shelf. Visit Draper at draper.com.


"As the industry continues to grow, we look forward to remaining the staffing provider preference for tens of thousands of companies across the globe. - Express Employment International CEO Bill Stoller

Express Employment Professionals was recently recognized for its exemplary client services with the receipt of ClearlyRateds Best of Staffing Client Award for the fourth consecutive year and 10th year overall.

In partnership with presenting sponsor Indeed and gold sponsor Talent.com, ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing Award winners have proven to be industry leaders in service quality based entirely on ratings provided by their clients.

On average, clients of winning agencies are 70% more likely to be completely satisfied and candidates who have been placed by winning agencies are twice as likely to be completely satisfied with the services provided compared to those working with non-winning agencies.

Express is extremely proud to offer a top-notch staffing solution to employers so they can focus on business success, Express Employment International CEO Bill Stoller said. The feedback from this survey is an encouraging review of the wide variety of services Express offers. As the industry continues to grow, we look forward to remaining the staffing provider preference for tens of thousands of companies across the globe.

Express received satisfaction scores of 9 or 10 out of 10 from 68% of their clients, significantly higher than the industrys average of 46%.

I am pleased to introduce the 2023 Best of Staffing winners alongside their validated service ratings on ClearlyRated.com," said ClearlyRated's CEO and Founder, Eric Gregg. These firms have demonstrated a remarkable commitment to delivering amazing experiences, despite another year of upheaval and macroeconomic uncertainty. Hats off to these service leaders. Its truly an honor to recognize and celebrate their achievements.

Express is committed to the vision of helping as many people as possible find good jobs by helping as many clients as possible find good people. With its international headquarters based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Express has more than 860 franchises in the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

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If you would like to arrange for an interview with Bill Stoller to discuss this topic, please contact Sheena Hollander, Director of Corporate Communications and PR, at (405) 717-5966.

About Bill Stoller

William H. "Bill" Stoller is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment

International. Founded in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the international staffing franchisor

supports the Express Employment Professionals franchise and related brands. The Express franchise brand is an industry-leading, international staffing company with franchise locations in the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

About Express Employment Professionals

At Express Employment Professionals, were in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, employing 586,000 people globally in 2021 and 10 million since its inception. For more information, visit ExpressPros.com.

About ClearlyRated

Rooted in satisfaction research for professional service firms, ClearlyRated utilizes a Net Promoter Score survey program to help professional service firms measure their service experience, build online reputation and differentiate on service quality. Learn more at ClearlyRated.com/Solutions.

About Best of Staffing

ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing Award is the only award in the U.S. and Canada that recognizes staffing agencies that have proven superior service quality based entirely on ratings provided by their clients, placed talent and internal employees. Award winners are showcased by city and area of expertise on ClearlyRated.coman online business directory that helps buyers of professional services find service leaders and vet prospective firms with the help of validated client ratings and testimonials.


Meet the Inxeption Energy team in Long Beach.

Inxeption, the leader in Industrial Commerce, is bringing its digital renewable energy marketplace to the Intersolar North America conference, February 14-16 in Long Beach, California.

Schedule a time to meet with the Inxeption Energy team or stop by booth #1927 during the show to learn about the commercial and residential solar modules, inverters, batteries and other renewable energy products available on the marketplace. Inxeption carries products from Franklin, Meyer Burger, Hyperion, mSolar, Solar4America and other top-tier manufacturers.

The team at Intersolar North America includes Inxeptions industry leaders: Energy President Erin Clark; Lynn Hicks, a 15-year industry veteran; and Bob Rowatt, who joined the team last year after serving for nine years at Hanwha QCells.

Last quarter, demand for solar products and energy storage led to a growth rate in Inxeption Marketplace transactions of more than 200 percent. Half of the renewable energy marketplace transactions during the quarter were financed by Inxeption at generous payment terms with instant qualification and early-pay discounts.

To learn more, schedule a meeting with the Inxeption Energy team at Intersolar North America.

Visit the Inxeption Marketplace to purchase, finance and ship renewable energy products.

About Inxeption

Inxeption is the leading technology platform digitizing the global Industrial Commerce value chain. We are advocates for our ecosystem of suppliers and buyers, enabling them to Do Business Better.
Kyowa Hakko USA is excited to announce the launch of CENTR Enhanced sparkling water, a functional beverage with a blend of nootropic and adaptogenic ingredients that includes its Cognizin citicoline.

The new functional beverage is being recognized at the upcoming Natural Products Expo West trade show as a NEXTY Finalist for Best New Functional Food or Beverage. CENTR launched the product, its first outside the CBD category, in response to overwhelming consumer demand for nootropics shown to support brain health, like Cognizin.

"CENTR Enhanced is the perfect solution for anyone looking to boost their cognitive abilities," CENTR CEO Arjan Chima said. "Whether you're a student studying for exams, a professional looking to improve your focus at work, or someone just looking to stay sharp, the ingredients inside CENTR Enhanced can help. Our hope is that consumers will incorporate CENTR Enhanced into their daily routine."

Cognizin is Kyowa Hakkos branded form of citicoline, a clinically proven brain health nutrient and nootropic that has been shown to support comprehensive brain health.* It is currently available in more than 200 product on the market globally.

Our number one goal is to get Cognizin into the hands of more consumers, and thats why were so excited about this partnership, said Karen Todd, MBA, RD, Vice President Global Brand Marketing, Kyowa Hakko USA, Inc. Weve put in the work through numerous rigorous human trials to affirm that Cognizin does what we say it does, and we are so proud that CENTR Brands recognizes this clinical proof.

CENTR Enhanced is initially available on the brands website with thousands of retail locations coming soon.

Winners of the NEXTY Awards will be revealed on March 1 on the Natural Products Expo West virtual platform. Both Kyowa Hakko (booth 3870) and CENTR Brands (booth 2780) will also be attending the Natural Products Expo West trade show starting March 9 in Anaheim, California. Attendees can sample CENTRs new enhanced water at either booth.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

About Kyowa Hakko USA

Kyowa Hakko USA is the North & South American office for Kyowa Hakko Bio Co. Ltd., an international health ingredients manufacturer and world leader in the development,

manufacturing, and marketing of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and food products. For more information, visit http://www.Kyowa-USA.com.

About CENTR Brands Corp.

CENTR Brands Corp. is one of North America's leading functional wellness beverage companies. The Company develops and markets non-alcoholic, functional beverages and powders for the global market. The Company produces CENTR and CENTR Sugar Free, both sparkling, low calorie CBD beverages; CENTR Instant, a family of on-the-go, adaptogen-based CBD powders; and CENTR Enhanced, a refreshing, ZERO calorie, non-CBD, nootropic and adaptogen sparkling water incorporating a variety of science-backed ingredients. For more information on CENTR Brands visit http://www.findyourcentr.com or contact us at media@findyourcentr.com. Be sure to follow us on social media @findyourcentr and @drinkcentr. Consumers that do not yet have a local CENTR Brands retailer can visit our online store at: http://www.findyourcentr.com
Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP For more information about the class action lawsuit against Western Buyers LLC, call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today.

The Sacramento employment law attorneys, at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a class action lawsuit against Western Buyers LLC, alleging the company violated the California Labor Code. The lawsuit against Western Buyers LLC is currently pending in the Siskiyou County Superior Court, Case No. 23CV00757. To read a copy of the Complaint, please click here.

According to the lawsuit filed, Defendant allegedly (a) failed to pay minimum wages, (b) failed to pay overtime wages, (c) failed to provide legally required meal and rest periods, (d) failed to provide accurate itemized wage statements, (e) failed to reimburse employees for required expenses, (f) failed to provide wages when due, and (g) failed to pay sick pay wages, all in violation of the applicable Labor Code sections listed in California Labor Code Sections  201-204, 226, 226.7, 233, 246, 510, 512, 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 2802, and the applicable Wage Order(s), and thereby gives rise to civil penalties as a result of such alleged conduct.

The Complaint alleges Western Buyers LLC's policy restricted employees from unconstrained walks. The applicable California Wage Order requires employers to provide employees with off-duty rest periods, which the California Supreme Court defined as time during which an employee is relieved from all work related duties and free from employer control. Employers cannot impose controls that prohibit an employee from taking a brief walk - five minutes out, five minutes back.

For more information about the class action lawsuit against Western Buyers LLC, call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today.

Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is a labor law firm with law offices located in San Diego County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County, Sacramento County, Santa Clara County, Orange County, and San Francisco County. The firm has a statewide practice of representing employees on a contingency basis for violations involving unpaid wages, overtime pay, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and other types of illegal workplace conduct.

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Notalgia parestheticaa nerve disorder characterized by a persistent itch in the upper backis a common and underdiagnosed condition worldwide. To date, there are no FDA-approved treatments specifically targeting this disorder.

But a new study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, suggests that patients experiencing the moderate-to-severe itching associated with the disorder could potentially get relief with oral difelikefalin. The research was led by investigators at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Currently, difelikefalina selective kappa-opioid receptor agonistis only FDA-approved as an injection for the treatment of moderate-to-severe itching associated with chronic kidney disease in adults undergoing hemodialysis.

For those who experience chronic itch of any kind, relief can sometimes seem unattainable, said principal investigator Brian S. Kim, MD, MTR, FAAD, the Sol and Clara Kest Professor of Dermatology, Vice Chair of Research, and Director of the Mark Lebwohl Center for Neuroinflammation and Sensation at Icahn Mount Sinai. In this Phase 2 trial, treatment with difelikefalin resulted in a reduction in the intensity of itch in patients with notalgia paresthetica.

In the double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, patients with moderate-to-severe itching from notalgia paresthetica were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive oral difelikefalin 2 mg or a placebo twice daily for eight weeks. The primary outcome was the change over eight weeks in the weekly mean of the daily Worst Itch Numeric Rating Scale, in which 0 is no itch and 10 is worst itch imaginable. Secondary clinical outcomes were itch-related quality-of-life and itch-related sleep measures.

Of 126 enrolled patients, 62 were assigned to receive difelikefalin and 63 to receive placebo. The baseline mean score on the Worst Itch Numeric Rating Scale was 7.6 (severe itch) in each group. The reduction from baseline in the worst itch score at week eight was 4.0 points in patients receiving difelikefalin versus 2.4 points for patients receiving placebo. Secondary outcomes were generally not supportive of the primary analysis. Headache, dizziness, constipation, and increased urine output occurred with difelikefalin.

Larger trials are needed to better assess the efficacy and safety of difelikefalin in notalgia paresthetica. If progress continues in a Phase 3 clinical trial, this medication would be the first FDA-approved drug specifically for people with notalgia paresthetica.

The encouraging results achieved in this trial could reenergize the field and mark an important step toward improving symptoms of itch for patients with notalgia paresthetica, said Dr. Kim, senior author of the paper, titled Phase 2 Trial of Difelikefalin in Notalgia Paresthetica.

Additional co-authors are Mark Lebwohl, MD (Icahn Mount Sinai); Robert Bissonnette; (Innovaderm Research), and Kristine Nograles, Catherine Munera; Nilam Shah; Alia Jebara; Josh Cirulli; Joana Goncalves; all with Cara Therapeutics, Inc., the funder of the trial and manufacturer of difelikefalin.

Dr. Kim and Dr. Lebwohl are paid consultants/advisors to Cara Therapeutics.

The trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04706975).

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About the Mount Sinai Health System

Mount Sinai Health System is one of the largest academic medical systems in the New York metro area, with more than 43,000 employees working across eight hospitals, more than 400 outpatient practices, more than 300 labs, a school of nursing, and a leading school of medicine and graduate education. Mount Sinai advances health for all people, everywhere, by taking on the most complex health care challenges of our time  discovering and applying new scientific learning and knowledge; developing safer, more effective treatments; educating the next generation of medical leaders and innovators; and supporting local communities by delivering high-quality care to all who need it.

Through the integration of its hospitals, labs, and schools, Mount Sinai offers comprehensive health care solutions from birth through geriatrics, leveraging innovative approaches such as artificial intelligence and informatics while keeping patients medical and emotional needs at the center of all treatment. The Health System includes approximately 7,400 primary and specialty care physicians; 13 joint-venture outpatient surgery centers throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and more than 30 affiliated community health centers. We are consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals, receiving high "Honor Roll" status, and are highly ranked: No. 1 in Geriatrics and top 20 in Cardiology/Heart Surgery, Diabetes/Endocrinology, Gastroenterology/GI Surgery, Neurology/Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Pulmonology/Lung Surgery, Rehabilitation, and Urology. New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai is ranked No. 12 in Ophthalmology. U.S. News & World Reports Best Childrens Hospitals ranks Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital among the countrys best in several pediatric specialties. The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is ranked No. 14 nationwide in National Institutes of Health funding and in the 99th percentile in research dollars per investigator according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Newsweeks The Worlds Best Smart Hospitals ranks The Mount Sinai Hospital as No. 1 in New York and in the top five globally, and Mount Sinai Morningside in the top 20 globally.


My partners and I welcome Ryan and Tracy to the firm, said Michael J. Novogradac, managing partner of Novogradac. They will help us continue to expand the service and expertise we provide to our clients.

Novogradac is pleased to announce that Tracy Bender and Ryan DiLeo have joined the firm as principals in the Cleveland and Walnut Creek, California, offices, respectively. Bender will work with Novogradac partner Thomas Boman while DiLeo will work with partner Nat Eng.

My partners and I welcome Ryan and Tracy to the firm, said Michael J. Novogradac, managing partner of Novogradac. They will help us continue to expand the service and expertise we provide to our clients.

Bender has spent all of her 21-year career with a regional CPA firm operating in northern Ohio, serving as a partner for the past six years. Her responsibilities included managing complex tax structures, international tax compliance, state and local taxation, mergers, and acquisitions transactional consulting, and tax planning to assist clients in achieving business objectives, as well as a review of corporate, pass-through, and individual tax returns.

I am excited to bring on a principal with as much experience as Tracy, said Boman, a partner in the St. Louis office of Novogradac. Tracys varied experience is an asset to Novogradac and our clients.

DiLeo has nearly 15 years of experience in public accounting and most recently worked for a regional CPA firm in central Florida. Prior to that, he worked at Marcum, an accounting and advisory services firm, for many years. He has significant experience working with clients in the manufacturing and distribution, real estate, renewable energy, hospitality, and employee benefit plan industries. He has experience in transactional work, including mergers and acquisitions, quality of earnings, and due diligence.

Ryan is certainly a welcomed addition to Novogradac, said Eng, a partner in the Walnut Creek, California, office of Novogradac. He brings an impressive track record of assisting clients across a number of different fields.

About Novogradac

Novogradac, which has been in business for more than 30 years, has grown to more than 720 employees and partners with offices in more than 25 cities. Tax, audit, and consulting specialty practice areas for Novogradac include affordable housing, community development, historic rehabilitation, and renewable energy. For additional information on Novogradacs personnel and areas of expertise, visit http://www.novoco.com or call (415) 356-8000.

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Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On Feb.7, EVE Energy signed an agreement to launch a power & energy storage battery production project in Chengdu city, the capital of Chinas Sichuan province, according to Chengdu Fabu, the WeChat account of Chengdu's government.

Under the project, around 10 billion yuan ($1.475 billion) will be poured to build a new power and energy storage battery manufacturing base with an annual production capacity of 20GWh.

Photo credit: Chengdu Fabu

Located in Jianyang, county-level city under the administration of Chengdu, EVE Energy's new factory will work on producing such products as consumer batteries, power batteries, energy storage batteries, battery packs, and other products.

The latest move marks a further investment in Chengdu. EVE Energy stated last April that it intended to plow 20 billion yuan ($2.95 billion) in a 50GWh battery production base in Longquanyi district, Chengdu city, of which construction of the first phase (20GWh) kicked off on July 30, 2022.

EVE Energy is fast-tracking its battery production capacity expansion. Aside from the recent Chengdu-based project, EVE Energy on Feb. 1 broke ground on its super factory in Jingmen city, Hubei province, which features a designed annual battery production capacity of 60GWh.

The new super factory will work on the volume production of EVE Energys new-generation energy storage battery, the LF560K.

While celebrating the construction beginning, EVE Energys sixth-to-ninth battery bases in Jingmen city, which feature a combined production capacity of 73GWh power & energy storage batteries, were put into operation as well. They involve a total investment of 16.6 billion yuan ($2.449 billion).
Ramon Bilbao, one of the most reputable wineries in the heart of Rioja announced today Colangelo & Partners as its agency of record. The agency will develop and execute a strategic communications plan to support their US importer Zamora Company and build awareness for the Ramon Bilbao through a strategic media relations campaign.

The legacy of Ramon Bilbao is constantly evolving with our philosophy centered on giving our wines their own personal expression of Rioja Alta with modern and classic ingredients, says Chief Winemaker Rodolfo Bastida. We are excited to partner with Colangelo and Partners to introduce the US market to Ramon Bilbaos impressive portfolio.

Founded in Haro, Rioja in 1924 Ramon Bilbao has been one of the most fundamental players in the recent history of the D.O.Ca. In 1999 the winery became part of the family owned Zamora Company and brought on Rodolfo Bastida as chief enologist and technical director. Rodolfo modernized the Ramon Bilbao portfolio with an innovative approach to crafting fresh, elegant and yet traditional Rioja wines. Ramon Bilbao sources from 445 acres of estate vineyards including unique plots situated at high altitudes across the Rioja region. Under Rodolfos stewardship, the viticultural team also tends an additional 2,224 acres in prime growing areas of Rioja. The team utilizes soft toasted, premium American and French oak barrels to age their wines for a maximum of five years to underscore the true expression of their blends.

As a leader of sustainable practices, Ramon Bilbao has participated in the Wineries for Climate Protection programme since 2017, the first and only specific certification for the wine sector with regard to environmental sustainability backed by the FEV (Spanish Wine Federation). This year, Ramon Bilbao will release new, premium packaging with a look and feel that emphasizes the winery sustainability commitment.

Ramon Bilbao is constantly strengthening their action plan and strategic sustainability goals to act as an outspoken educator on how to mitigate climate change. The winery developed a five pillars framework to achieve new levels of environmental sustainability by 2025:



Increase Water Management

Use 100% Renewable Energy

Reduce GHG Emissions

Facilitate reduction in water waste with the construction of new treatment plants

Host an Ecological Vineyard that uses organic fertilizers of sheep origin and apply precise agricultural techniques

We are thrilled to add Ramon Bilbao to our global portfolio, says Colangelo & Partners COO Felipe Gonzalez-Gordon. The pioneering winery was monumental in the foundation of the Rioja category and the agency is proud to execute a campaign to introduce the US market to one of Spains leading wineries.

Zamora Company is a 75-year-old family-owned Spanish company that produces and markets high quality internationally recognized wines and spirits, focused on customer satisfaction and the creation and development of premium brands. With a strong implementation on the domestic market and a worldwide distribution of its brands, it has consolidated the commercialization of several prestigious international brands in Spain, including Ramon Bilbao establishing a wide and nourished portfolio.

Zamoras entire portfolio represents the apex of their corresponding categories and were overwhelmingly proud of having Ramon Bilbao as the crown jewel of our wine division, says Brand Manager Felipe Lobon. As we approach 100 years of Ramon Bilbaos history, we are confident that 2023 represents a new chapter for growth in the U.S. and a new opportunity to share what Spaniards already know: There is no other like Ramon Bilbao.

About Ramon Bilbao

Founded in 1924, Ramon Bilbao is globally recognized as one of Spains most innovative wine producers. The winery boasts 445 acres of vineyards in unique settings throughout the region. Led by Rodolfo Bastida, Chief Winemaker at Ramon Bilbao the winery is committed to crafting wines that express the native grapes and terroir through elegant wines.

About Zamora Company

A family business passionate about what they do and proud of how they do it. Owners of our destiny and responsible for our decisions and results. Creators and distributors of premium wines and spirits. From its Spanish origin, it is today one of the worldwide leading companies in the sector, with a portfolio of more than 15 brands operating in more than 80 countries.

About Colangelo & Partners

Colangelo & Partners is the leading fine wine and spirits integrated communications agency in the United States, sought after by top brands and industry players for the quality of their results, creativity, and return on investment. The professionals at Colangelo & Partners work with integrity and passion to influence how US audiences perceive their clients: earning consistent, high-quality positive media coverage; organizing signature events; strategizing and executing standout digital campaigns; and implementing trade programs that strengthen relationships within the industry. Colangelo & Partners' clientele includes global, instantly-recognizable brands and passionate, up-and-coming vignerons and distillers; regional and national institutions; and technology and e-commerce companies innovating in the beverage alcohol sector.
Rare Cannabinoid Company offers the strongest THCV gummies for appetite suppression and energy as well as extra strength CBD gummies for stress resilience. There is no one-size-fits-all product. We want people to learn about the benefits of full spectrum CBD and THC oils and how they can be enhanced with specific cannabinoids for their unique needs.

Rare Cannabinoid Company has announced a special offer for customers to try their extra strength THCV gummies for appetite suppression and energy and CBD gummies for stress resilience.

The premium Hawaiian company is encouraging cannabis and hemp enthusiasts, and those curious about the plant's wellness effects, to sign up for their newsletter. All new mailing list recipients will receive a coupon code for a packet of free THCV gummies and CBD gummies. The offer is visible in a pop up from Rare Cannabinoid Company's website.

"Our company is focused on education and we like to share the latest research and scientific studies on CBD, THC, rare cannabinoids, and terpenes," said a company spokesperson.

"There is no one-size-fits-all product. We want people to learn about the benefits of full spectrum CBD and THC oils and how they can be enhanced with specific cannabinoids for their unique needs. For example, THCV acts like a stimulant, boosting energy and decreasing hunger, while CBG oil may be beneficial for discomfort and CBN for sleep," they said, explaining the usefulness of the information in their weekly newsletters.

Examples of recent emails include subjects such as:

CBD for Sex: Ahead of Valentine's Day, they looked at studies on CBD, Delta-9-THC, and specific cannabinoids for potential stimulation, lubrication, soreness, intimacy, and more.

Delta-9-THC Facts: They covered where to buy Delta-9-THC Gummies, how to know if they're legal, where Delta-9-THC gummies will ship to, Delta-9 vs Delta-8-THC, Delta-9-THC vs THCV and more.

CBDV Autism Studies: The newsletter showed links to animal studies and human trials of CBDV (cannabidivarin) and information on where to buy CBDV oil.

In addition to sharing the latest hemp and cannabis news and links to research, Rare Cannabinoid Company also sends mailing list recipients company news, special offers, and unique discounts.

For their THCV gummies and CBD gummies offer, Rare Cannabinoid Company is giving away 300 packets of the extra strength CBD and THCV edibles.

Their THCV gummies contain by far the largest amount of THCV oil in any THCV gummies for sale online or in stores. Each gummy has 25mg THCV. They are vegan and naturally lemon flavored.

CBD gummies contain 30mg CBD oil and are vegan and naturally strawberry flavored.

Each packet contains two THCV gummies (50mg THCV total) and two CBD gummies (60mg total). Rare Cannabinoid Company recommends taking half to one THCV gummy and combining it with half to one CBD gummy. It is best to take THCV earlier in the day as it can increase energy while suppressing appetite. The reason for combining the CBD and THCV edibles with each other is to promote the entourage effect, whereby each cannabinoid has a greater effect when taken together than it would on its own.

There is no purchase necessary for people to receive the free THCV gummies and CBD gummies packet. Rare Cannabinoid Company always offers free U.S. shipping on orders over $50.

The company is encouraging people to claim their free THCV gummies quickly as the offer will end when the 300 packets have been given away.

Rare Cannabinoid Company grew out of its sister brand Hawaiian Choice CBD Oil, which was established in 2017. The Hawaiian company uses premium full and broad spectrum CBD oil grown on the island of Maui as well as hemp-derived rare cannabinoids carefully extracted from legal, American-grown crops. All products are produced in a cGMP facility and contain no GMO, pesticides, herbicides or heavy metals. Third-party lab results can be found online.

Products include oil tinctures, gummies, topicals, and CBD for pets (CBD for dogs and cats). Cannabinoids for sale include: CBC (cannabichromene), CBDA (cannabidiolic acid), CBD (cannabidiol), CBDV (cannabidivarin), CBGA (cannabigerolic acid), CBG (cannabigerol), CBN (cannabinol), Delta-9-THC (Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin), as well as terpene-only tinctures and broad spectrum Hawaiian Choice CBD oils infused with terpenes and Hawaiian fruit extracts.

In addition to their website, customers can buy THCV gummies and selections of their products in scores of locations across the United States, Asia, and South America. Brick-and-mortar stores interested in stocking Rare Cannabinoid Company and Hawaiian Choice products can visit their wholesale website Wellness Orders to learn more and fill out an application.
When open source is aligned with commercial interests, there is a fantastic, mutually beneficial symbiosis, but when the leadership and control structure is unbalanced, the community suffers. The RESF is uniquely structured to help maintain this balance so everyone benefits.

The Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation (RESF) today announced the initial board of directors that are leading the effort to preserve the longevity, stewardship and innovation of enterprise-grade open source software that is always freely available.

Founded in early 2021, the RESF exists to organize open source communities comprising enterprise, research, academia, individuals and other institutions to collaborate on building and maintaining the open source tools that enterprises and other professional organizations need. The organizations governing structure and rules for hosting open source projects are outlined in the RESF charter and bylaws, which ensure community control while specifically enabling enterprise use cases and the participation of vendors and other commercial entities.

Per the RESF charter and bylaws, all board seats are elected by peers based only on merit. Unlike other open source foundations, board seats cannot be purchased or bought. To align with corporate open source development interests while protecting the community and projects from corporate and business agendas, no single company can represent more than one-third of any voting board. It is the job of the board to ensure that the community-focused vision and mission of the RESF is always followed.

Board members include:

LOUIS ABEL is a system engineer who started his Linux journey in 2005. He has been in the Enterprise Linux world both personally and professionally for almost a decade and a half, jumping between automation, system hardening and security and identity management. Abel is a Rocky Linux co-founder, has been a part of almost all engineering initiatives across the project, and has been a co-lead of the release engineering team since the inception of the project.

Ive been part of Rocky Linux since the very beginning, and weve done some amazing work with amazing folks whom Ive come to value and cherish my time with, said Abel. Looking forward, Im excited to see where Rocky Linux goes and how the RESF can better help the enterprise software community by supporting and being part of even more projects.

BENJAMIN (BEN) AGNER is one of the co-founders of Rocky Linux and was a co-author of the RESF charter and bylaws. He has over two decades of IT, security, engineering, governance, risk and compliance experience, ranging from hyper-growth startups to large enterprises, and has spent the majority of the last decade securely implementing and managing open source software in the enterprise. Agner currently works at Unum, a Fortune 250 insurance company, as its deputy chief information security officer.

I'm excited about the prospect of continuing my support of the Rocky Linux team by helping build, guide and advise the RESF and its associated member projects, said Agner. I believe that open source software is a key enabler and competitive differentiator for many enterprise companies, and the community-supported and transparent nature of open source software is key to building and maintaining secure enterprise systems.

CHRIS DIBONA is an independent engineering leader located in the United States. He has been an advisor to the Royal United Services Institute, the world's oldest defense and security think tank, since 2016. He was the director of engineering for open source at Google from 2004 through 2023 where he launched a variety of platforms and projects, including Android, Go, Chromium and Kubernetes. In 2015 DiBona was a member of the U.S. Commerce Department's Data Advisory Council, and he spun up the All for Good jobs site for the Obama administration. DiBona has written two books on open source, presented to broad audiences worldwide, and is a limited partner with Rally Ventures and Mercury funds. He earned a masters degree in software engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.

Rocky Linux is very much what I consider the exciting present and wildly impressive future of Linux distributions, said DiBona. It's where we're going in cloud, HPC and even smaller installations looking for a distribution you can count on.

GREG KROAH-HARTMAN is a well-known Linux kernel maintainer at the Linux Foundation and is in charge of the stable kernel releases. He maintains various driver-related subsystems in the kernel, has been involved in the kernel developer community since 1999, and has been a member of the Linux kernel security team since it was founded. He was also responsible for udev, which is now part of the systemd project, and maintains other various low-level userspace tools for Linux. Kroah-Hartman is very happy to be helping the community of enterprise users by ensuring that Rocky Linux has a stable and secure kernel as a basis for all users to rely on.

I'm happy to be a part of the RESF to help ensure that we remain focused on our goals of being closely aligned with the open source communities that they depend on, as well as helping them provide a stable and secure kernel based on the upstream kernel releases for all Rocky Linux users to be able to rely on, said Kroah-Hartman.

GREGORY M. KURTZER is a 20-plus-year veteran in Linux, open source and high performance computing. He is well known in the HPC space for designing scalable, secure and easy-to-manage architectures for innovative performance-intensive computing while working for the U.S. Department of Energy with a joint appointment to UC Berkeley. Kurtzer has created multiple successful companies and is presently the CEO and founder of CIQ. In open source, he has founded, co-founded and led several large projects such as CentOS Linux, the Warewulf and Perceus cluster toolkits, the container system Singularity (now renamed to Apptainer) and, most recently, Rocky Linux.

Fundamentally, open source is a collaborative development model that is very effective for the community to come together and solve big problems, said Kurtzer. When open source is aligned with commercial interests, there is a fantastic, mutually beneficial symbiosis, but when the leadership and control structure is unbalanced, the community suffers. The RESF is uniquely structured to help maintain this balance so everyone benefits. This board will help to drive the vision of open source enterprise software, and it is an honor to be selected by the membership to help lead this initiative.

MARK WATSON has more than 40 years of hands-on experience supporting research economists, researchers and engineers. Watson retired in January 2022 from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, where he served as vice president and director of the Center for the Advancement of Data and Research in Economics (CADRE). Watson led the establishment of CADRE, a cyberinfrastructure that supports the computational computing and data needs for 650-plus economists and researchers in and outside the Federal Reserve System. He also spearheaded the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's efforts to develop expertise in high performance computing, parallel data warehousing technologies and big data initiatives. Prior to joining the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Watson spent 15 years working in the Department of Energy's nuclear weapons complex as a technical programmer and administrator of databases and Unix environments and precision measurement. Watson has been an open source enthusiast since he was first introduced to it in 1995.

The opportunity to help promote open source enterprise software takes me back to my fundamental IT roots, said Watson. Ive been a proponent and consumer of open source software just short of three decades. Working on the RESF Board is a dream come true.

The RESF board election took place from December 7-21, 2022 with all current RESF members voting. The initial priorities for the board are to ensure that the organizations project structure is completed and that directors are named, to ensure community alignment and representation, and to help the RESF and its projects with growth, structure, alignment, sponsors, partnerships and other support.

The first meeting of the RESF board occurred on January 16 to select the projects, establish the Project Board structure and review financials. The board minutes can be found here.

The RESF welcomes any open source projects that need a neutral ground to operate to make the RESF their home. No association with Rocky Linux is necessary to join the RESF. Projects do not need to be Linux related, but they must be open source. Entities interested in bringing their open source projects to RESF can contact hello@resf.org for more information.

About the RESF

The Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation (RESF) exists to organize open source communities comprising enterprise, research, academia, individuals and other institutions to collaborate on building and maintaining the open source tools that these organizations need. The vision of the RESF is to create and nurture a community that is committed to ensuring the longevity, stewardship and innovation of enterprise-grade open source software that is always freely available. Organizations interested in becoming a sponsor and learning about the multiple benefits of RESF sponsorship should contact sponsor@resf.org. Individuals interested in becoming a member of the RESF must first be active in an RESF project; visit the Rocky Wiki to learn more.


The addition of Bob Cutolo bolsters our tax practice, brings added expertise and allows us to expand our reach to clients across the U.S. and internationally, said Marc Azar, Partner and Tax Practice Leader at Smith + Howard.

Smith + Howard is pleased to welcome Robert Bob Cutolo as a Partner within the firms Tax Practice.

The addition of Bob Cutolo bolsters our tax practice, brings added expertise and allows us to expand our reach to clients across the U.S. and internationally, said Marc Azar, Partner and Tax Practice Leader at Smith + Howard. Were thrilled to have Bob join our team and look forward to having him become a valued leader of our firm.

Based in Iselin, New Jersey, Bob specializes in corporate tax services specific to domestic and international companies. This includes tax compliance and accounting for income taxes (ASC 740), among others. He has experience serving a variety of private, public, and private equity owned companies in many industries including manufacturing and distribution, professional services, retail and technology.

Prior to joining Smith + Howard, Bob spent over 20 years at national, big four and regional public accounting firms. He received his Master of Taxation from Seton Hall University and a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Manhattan College.

About Smith + Howard Advisory LLC

Smith + Howard is a top accounting firm serving businesses in the construction, distribution, hospitality, manufacturing, nonprofit, real estate and technology sectors. Services include tax, strengthened by sales and use tax, international tax consulting, technology consulting and process automation, among other offerings. Wealth management services are provided through Smith + Howard Wealth Management and indirect tax services through the firms subsidiary, Synexus Tax Solutions. More information is available on the firms website at smith-howard.com.

Smith & Howard is the brand name under which Smith & Howard PC and Smith & Howard Advisory LLC provide professional services. Smith & Howard PC and Smith & Howard Advisory LLC, practice as an alternative practice structure in accordance with the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and applicable law, regulations and professional standards. Smith & Howard PC is a licensed independent CPA firm that provides attest services to its clients, and Smith & Howard Advisory LLC and its subsidiary entities provide tax and business consulting services to their clients. Smith & Howard Advisory, LLC and its subsidiary entities are not licensed CPA firms. The entities falling under the Smith & Howard brand are independently owned and are not liable for the services provided by any other entity providing services under the Smith & Howard brand. Our use of the terms our firm and we and us and terms of similar import, denote the alternative practice structure conducted by Smith & Howard PC and Smith & Howard Advisory LLC.


SUNY Westchester Community College Joins the Empire State Purchasing Group Registered vendors can access bids, related documents, addendum and award information.

Today, SUNY Westchester Community College announces it has joined the Empire State Purchasing Group, a regional purchasing community by Bidnet Direct. Local government agencies throughout New York State utilize the purchasing group for bid and vendor management. SUNY Westchester Community College invites all potential vendors to register online with the Empire State Purchasing Group to access its upcoming solicitations by visiting http://www.bidnetdirect.com/new-york/sunywcc.

SUNY Westchester Community College joins the Empire State Purchasing Group and the community of over 300 participating local government agencies located throughout New York. Along with a variety of bid and vendor management solutions, SUNY Westchester Community College gains access to a bid library to help with bid creation, a shared pool of vendors, and association with like-minded purchasing professionals in the area.

Collaboration is important to us, says Stewart Glass, Director of Contracting & Procurement for SUNY Westchester Community College. We look forward to being able to improve our efficiency and reach additional potential vendors by using the Empire State Purchasing Group. In addition to our time savings, our valued vendors can now access not only our open bids, but those from other municipalities, counties and school districts throughout the state. We invite all of our current vendors to register, he continued.

Vendors interested in doing business with SUNY Westchester Community College and other nearby government agencies are encouraged to register at http://www.bidnetdirect.com/new-york/sunywcc. Benefits of joining the Empire State Purchasing Group include:



Centralized location for bids from over 300 participating agencies

Bid alerts customized to the vendors products or services

Reliable and timely delivery of notifications, addenda and documents

Advanced notice of Term Contract expiration

E-Bid and E-Quote Submission

The Empire State Purchasing Group is one of Bidnet Directs regional purchasing groups throughout the country. It provides SUNY Westchester Community College a bid and vendor management solution, document and addendum distribution, and tracking of all activity throughout the procurement process.

About SUNY Westchester Community College:

Westchester Community College is more than just the countys largest educational institution. It is a living, breathing part of Westchester that goes beyond the influence of a typical college and affects the lives of all who enter its doors.

Westchester Community College was founded in 1946 as the New York State Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences in White Plains. In 1957, the County of Westchester bought the 360-acre John Hartford estate in Valhalla and designated 218 acres for the community college.

About Bidnet Direct:

Bidnet Direct, powered by mdf commerce, is a sourcing solution of regional purchasing groups available at no cost to local government agencies throughout the country. Bidnet Direct runs regional purchasing groups, including the Empire State Purchasing Group, across all 50 states that are used by over 1,600 local governments. To learn more and have your government agency gain better transparency and efficiency in purchasing, please visit https://www.bidnetdirect.com/buyers
The top search result on Google has a 27.6% CTR

According to Backlinko, climbing up one spot on the first page of Google search results increases a pages click-through rate by an average of 2.8%. Once it reaches the top 1 ranking, it can get a CTR of up to 27.6%. This demonstrates how investing in effective SEO strategies can affect a business's bottom line positively.

DesignRush, a B2B marketplace connecting businesses with agencies, ranked the top SEO companies that help organizations reach more audiences and establish online credibility.

The top SEO agencies in February are:

1. W3 Group Marketing - w3groupmarketing.com

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2. HotPepper - hotpepper.agency

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Brands can explore the top SEO agencies by location, size, average hourly rate and portfolio on DesignRush.

About DesignRush:

DesignRush.com is a B2B marketplace connecting businesses with agencies through expert reviews and agency ranking lists, awards, knowledge resources and personalized agency recommendations for vetted projects.
Service delivery framework With this service, businesses can centralize VoC across all channels, and capture and analyze the true voice of the customers of all ages, and apply the findings to make their products and websites even better, as well as run more appealing online campaigns quicker than ever before.

transcosmos inc. hereby announces that the company has added the Insight BI feature to the TCI-DX services to further accelerate clients' digital transformation. Insight BI is a transcosmos proprietary dashboard that helps optimize customer experience (CX). The new feature enables clients to execute initiatives towards achieving an end-to-end CX optimization by integrating and visualizing all customer data across the entire customer journey.



Service delivery framework (for illustration purposes only)

1. Insight BI service overview & purpose

Insight BI is an unrivalled dashboard that automatically integrates various operational data that emerge at customer touchpoints throughout the customer journey, including web and social media behavioral data, and call and chat inquiries.

With this service, businesses can centralize VoC across all channels, and capture and analyze the true voice of the customers of all ages comprehensively. This way, businesses can apply the findings to make their products and websites even better, as well as run more appealing online campaigns quicker than ever before. In addition, by centrally managing KPIs set for each channel with a focus on customer experience, costs and profits, the service helps businesses optimize CX.

transcosmos has been advocating the importance and effectiveness of managing all customer-facing channels centrally. Yet, in many cases, contact centers and websites are managed by different departments, making channel integration a time-consuming process. A feature which can check data across departments is a must to drive an end-to-end optimization via an integrated operational approach. Recognizing this, transcosmos has developed and implemented Insight BI, a feature that readily integrates and visualizes communication logs generated via each channel as well as website behavioral data, and manages progress.

TCI-DX Services Overview

2. Client case study

transcosmos launched a joint-initiative with the Japanese Consumers' Co-operative Union (Head Office: Tokyo, Japan; President: Toshio Tsuchiya; JCCU) in April 2022.

transcosmos offers JCCU multiple customer service channels including phone calls, AI voice, chat, FAQ pages, and more. With the goal of optimizing communication with each JCCU member via such channels, transcosmos and JCCU are working on making customer service operations even better every day. However, it is not easy to collect, analyze and integrate data generated at multiple channels, and this is posing a challenge to routinely execute improvement plans from a cross-channel perspective. To deliver an ideal CX that JCCU and transcosmos envision, the two parties must analyze KPIs set for each task across all channels, then rapidly identify the root causes of the problems based on the overall trends of the customer journey, and run the PDCA cycle to make improvements without fail.

After removing customer personal information, transcosmos integrates both quantitative (number of inquiries, page views, etc.) and qualitative data (VoC, etc.) generated from interactions via call, chat, social media platforms and FAQ pages into Insight BI. With Insight BI, transcosmos not only creates a report automatically which results in 70% reduction in man-hours, but also carries out initiatives that go across all channels and makes a better customer inquiry flow. Ultimately, transcosmos serves JCCU in optimizing call volumes and powerfully accelerating initiatives toward delivering the ideal CX.

3. Client comment

"transcosmos offers us many services including call, chat, AI voice, and FAQ pages. We are confident that Insight BI, which integrates all such channels, will become the key success factor for making improvements and offering a greater CX," said Yasutaka Sato, Manager Gift Dept., JCCU. "Insight BI is a powerful tool for us to come up with next actions to take by visually presenting the current user flows, various trends, and suggestions for improvements. Let's continue working together towards offering a greater CX to the members of JCCU."

4. Future plans

Together with JCCU, transcosmos will continue to validate the effectiveness of Insight BI not only in enhancing operations but also in improving customer feedback and increasing their loyalty.

Building on its unrivalled strength in offering services that stretch across the contact center area to digital marketing, transcosmos will further drive TCI-DX services, thereby helping clients expand sales and optimize costs.

*transcosmos is a trademark or registered trademark of transcosmos inc. in Japan and other countries.

*Other company names and product or service names used here are trademarks or registered trademarks of respective companies.

About transcosmos inc.

transcosmos launched its operations in 1966. Since then, we have combined superior "people" with up-to-date "technology" to enhance the competitive strength of our clients by providing them with superior and valuable services. transcosmos currently offers services that support clients' business processes focusing on both sales expansion and cost optimization through our 172 bases across 28 countries/regions with a focus on Asia, while continuously pursuing Operational Excellence. Furthermore, following the expansion of e-commerce market on the global scale, transcosmos provides a comprehensive One-Stop Global E-Commerce Services to deliver our clients' excellent products and services to consumers in 46 countries/regions around the globe. transcosmos aims to be the "Global Digital Transformation Partner" of our clients, supporting the clients' transformation by leveraging digital technology, responding to the ever-changing business environment. Visit us here https://www.trans-cosmos.co.jp/english/
Nagasaki Stadium City Project Overview To create a new workstyle for the future, transcosmos will consider offering workcation programs to enhance employee wellbeing, and plan a workcation program in Goto city, Nagasaki prefecture with an eye on opening business locations on remote islands in the future.

transcosmos inc. hereby announces that the company will open a new center in the office tower in Nagasaki Stadium City, which is scheduled to open in 2024.

Nagasaki Stadium City Project Overview



Still at the conceptual phase. Overall design, etc. are subject to change. Image credit: Japanet Holdings Co.,Ltd.

transcosmos Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Services business offers a wide range of services that underpin clients' business foundations from end-to-end by combining BPO and Digital Transformation (DX) solutions. The new center will become a flagship center for the BPO-DX services for transcosmos to further reinforce its business. At the center, transcosmos not only aims to utilize DX to boost operational productivity but also to perform AI research and development. In three years after the planned opening in 2024, transcosmos will employ about 400 people including IT talent. The center will also drive the company's initiative for offering diverse workstyles with workstations designed both for the real and virtual world.

transcosmos has already opened three centers in Nagasaki prefecture, making the new one the fourth operational base. To create a new workstyle for the future, transcosmos will consider offering workcation programs to enhance employee wellbeing. At the same time, the company will also plan a workcation program in Goto city, Nagasaki prefecture with an eye on opening business locations on remote islands in the future. Supporting the Nagasaki Stadium City Project, a project promoted by Japanet Holdings Co.,Ltd. transcosmos has decided to open its center in the office tower of the stadium city.

transcosmos will continue to offer services that underpin clients' business transformation while contributing to the revitalization and development of local communities by creating more job opportunities and driving new ways of working.

transcosmos has received the following comments on its planned opening.

Kengo Oishi, Governor of Nagasaki Prefecture

transcosmos inc. has announced that the company will open a new center, a flagship center that will offer BPO-DX combined services, in the office tower of Nagasaki Stadium City. I understand that the company plans to employ 400 people including IT talent for the center. We are grateful for transcosmos creating job opportunities for so many people. This will build a momentum in the young generations to stay and work in our prefecture, and also make local young people come back here from other cities to work as well as inviting people from other places to work in our prefecture. We recognize that the new center will work on AI research and development in addition to leveraging DX. We look forward to seeing new business collaboration with Nagasaki University, which announced earlier that it will open the Graduate School of Information and Data Science, a new graduate school that the university plans to establish, in the office tower. We also received a plan for workcation at Goto city, a program for exploring the opportunity to open new business locations in the future. We believe a plan like this will become a new standard for the remote island area in inviting businesses. Working as one with local governments including Nagasaki and Goto city, as well as all related institutions, we will continue to support transcosmos in growing together with our communities through its successful business operations.

Tomihisa Taue, Mayor of Nagasaki City

We sincerely thank transcosmos inc. and all related parties for your decision to open your third service location in Nagasaki city. At the same time, we would also like to express our respect for your success to date in Nagasaki. Given the challenges such as the impact of COVID-19 crisis, cost increases and a labor shortage, we believe the new center with highly specialized BPO services built on DX will meet the demand of local businesses that are working on boosting productivity and competitive strengths. We also expect the new location to help develop the IT talent that our communities need. transcosmos inc. opened the BPO Center Nagasaki in 2015, followed by the second center, the BPO Center Nagasaki Chuo in 2020. Today, the company employs nearly 900 people altogether, contributing to the development of the local economy. Working with related institutions, Nagasaki city will offer its support so that many Nagasaki residents can be hired and business operations can be conducted smoothly in the new, engaging center with diverse workstyle options to be located in the Nagasaki Stadium City. We wish transcosmos inc. continued success and all the best for all related parties.

Akito Takata, President and CEO, Japanet Holdings Co.,Ltd.

Thank you for your commitment in opening a center in the office tower of the Nagasaki Stadium City Project. With the aim of making the office tower offer new ways of work worthy of one of the largest office buildings for rent in Nagasaki prefecture, we are continuously drawing up ideas such as creating workspaces that will boost worker productivity, reducing rentable space by offering a varieties of common spaces including meeting rooms for rent, common lounge, and more. We are sincerely grateful for transcosmos for choosing Nagasaki Stadium City as its fourth office location in Nagasaki prefecture recognizing that our concept  an office that offers new ways of work  fits with transcosmos's philosophy  pursuit for business transformation. Nagasaki University has also decided to open the Graduate School of Information and Data Sciences, which the university plans to establish in the fiscal year 2024, in the office tower. We are excited to see Nagasaki liven up more than ever through business-students interactions. To contribute to transcosmos in delivering a BPO-DX flagship center and achieving continued growth, we will offer support from both facility and operational perspectives.

transcosmos is a trademark or registered trademark of transcosmos inc. in Japan and other countries.

Other company names and product or service names used here are trademarks or registered trademarks of respective companies.

About transcosmos inc.

transcosmos launched its operations in 1966. Since then, we have combined superior "people" with up-to-date "technology" to enhance the competitive strength of our clients by providing them with superior and valuable services. transcosmos currently offers services that support clients' business processes focusing on both sales expansion and cost optimization through our 172 bases across 28 countries/regions with a focus on Asia, while continuously pursuing Operational Excellence. Furthermore, following the expansion of e-commerce market on the global scale, transcosmos provides a comprehensive One-Stop Global E-Commerce Services to deliver our clients' excellent products and services to consumers in 46 countries/regions around the globe. transcosmos aims to be the "Global Digital Transformation Partner" of our clients, supporting the clients' transformation by leveraging digital technology, responding to the ever-changing business environment. Visit us here https://www.trans-cosmos.co.jp/english/
Even twins have different experiences in life and perspectives about those experiences. In their debut poetry book, Women of Wounds (published by AuthorHouse UK), Serena and Selena Raja share a compilation of diverse poems and original illustrations that explore numerous hardships in life, including mental illness and war.

Penned individually over the course of seven years, each poem offers a raw and honest discussion of emotional distress, mental wellbeing and coming-of-age. Through the verses, readers get a unique perspective on the twins lives and the world around them. It is the authors hope to use their words to remind others that they are not alone, and raise awareness of such stigmatized issues which they personally, and many others, continue to face.

An excerpt from the poem titled Fake Friends reads:

So yes, losing relationships are a shame,

But there isnt anyone to blame.

Sometimes you need to lose in order to gain.

That means some relationships may never remain.

As long you know youre not the opinions your fake friends said,

Youll come to terms that blood ties always fend.

My family, clear the smoke in each others heads.

Theyre a gift from up above as everyone else left.

To purchase a copy of the book, visit https://www.authorhouse.com/en-gb/bookstore/bookdetails/847289-women-of-wounds.

Women of Wounds

By Serena and Selena Raja

Softcover | 6 x 9in | 66 pages | ISBN 9781728379401

E-Book | 66 pages | ISBN 9781728379395

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Authors

Serena and Selena Raja are twin sisters from Bristol, England, where they live with their two younger brothers and parents. They developed a love for creative writing at a young age and used their passion to express various issues with mental illness and war. Both twins studying at the University of the West of England, where Serena studies law and Selena studies psychology. Women of Wounds is their first book.

AuthorHouse, an Author Solutions, Inc. self-publishing imprint, is a leading provider of book publishing, marketing, and bookselling services for authors around the globe and offers the industrys only suite of Hollywood book-to-film services. Committed to providing the highest level of customer service, AuthorHouse assigns each author personal publishing and marketing consultants who provide guidance throughout the process. Headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, AuthorHouse celebrates over 23 years of service to authors. For more information or to publish a book visit authorhouse.co.uk or call 0-800-014-8641.
Washington, D.C., is the leading city for planned investment by qualified opportunity funds (QOFs) tracked by national accounting and consulting firm Novogradac with $1.38 billion in planned investment as of Dec. 31, 2022. A total of 54 cities (in 25 states, plus the District of Columbia) have $100 million or more in planned investment.

California and Arizona continue to be the leading states for planned QOF investment, although Novogradac is tracking such investment in 48 states, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

That information comes from a report that $34.09 billion in QOF equity was raised by the 1,661 QOFs tracked by Novogradac (1,274 of which reported a specific equity amount) at the end of 2022. Novogradacs data is collected on a rolling basis from QOFs that voluntarily provide information. The data also includes information from public sources such as Security and Exchange Commission filings and press releases. Novogradacs figures dont include proprietary or private funds that are owned and operated by their principal investors.

Los Angeles and New York City join Washington as cities with at least $1 billion in planned investment by QOFs tracked by Novogradac. Among the cities with the biggest increase in investment in 2022 were Dallas (with a 327.0% increase in 2022), Salt Lake City, Vancouver, Washington, and Aurora, Colorado.

In 2022, we again saw that investors in QOFs want to see investment in a variety of cities and states, said Michael J. Novogradac, CPA, the managing partner at Novogradac and author of a blog post on the city and state investment trends. That so many cities have $100 million or more in planned investment and that they represent such a wide range of states is an indication that the opportunity zones (OZ) incentive is providing benefits across the nation.

Novogradac also tracks QOF investment by the size of funds and by how much equity is managed by QOF managers. At the end of 2022, there were eight QOFs tracked by Novogradac that raised at least $500 million in equity and those funds accounted for 22.2% of all equity raised. However, the vast majority of funds821, or 64.4%raised less than $10 million, emphasizing the number of smaller, focused QOFs that often target investments in a single city.

The 20% of largest QOFs have always accounted for at least 80% of total equity in our survey, said John Sciarretti, CPA, partner at Novogradac, head of the Novogradac Opportunity Zones Working Group and author of a blog post on QOF and QOF manager ranges. But its important to note that more than 70% of the QOFs that we track are focused on a single investment. While they account for less money, we still report that more than $2 billion is going to those smaller QOFs.

The Novogradac QOF data also shows that there are 12 managers who oversee more than $500 million in equity, an increase of seven from the number at the end of 2021. There are 62 QOF managers who oversee at least $100 million in equity, but the median amount raised by all QOF managers is $5 million, which highlights the number of lower-dollar, single-asset managers.

Novogradac maintains the Opportunity Funds List and publishes the Introduction to Opportunity Zones booklet, the monthly Novogradac Journal of Tax Credits and the weekly Tax Credit Tuesday podcast, where the QOF investment update will be discussed on the Feb. 14 episode.

About Novogradac

Novogradac, which has been in business for more than 30 years, has grown to more than 720 employees and partners with offices in more than 25 cities. Tax, audit and consulting specialty practice areas for Novogradac include affordable housing, community development, historic rehabilitation and renewable energy. For additional information on Novogradacs personnel and areas of expertise, visit http://www.novoco.com or call 415-356-8000.
this a way for the community to show its appreciation for one of our own.

The Front Line Foundation (TFLF) announced today that it has partnered with two White Bear Lake McDonalds restaurants to further support the Beyond the Call of Duty Fund to assist White Bear Lake Police Officer Ryan Sheak, who was shot multiple times while on duty on January 24. In addition to serving as a first responder, Sheak is a current TFLF Board Member.

On Wednesday, February 15, 25 percent of all sales that take place from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. will be donated to support Officer Sheak and his family through the Beyond the Call of Duty Fund.

The participating McDonalds are located at 4950 Highway 61 (next to Rudys) and 2070 County Road E East (near the high school) in White Bear Lake.

This is just a small token of our respect for Officer Sheak and all of the police officers who protect our community on a daily basis, said Terry McBride, owner of the McDonalds located on Highway 61. We feel this a way for the community to show its appreciation for one of our own.

Members of the White Bear Lake Police Department and the Ramsey County Sheriffs Department will be on hand to express their gratitude to customers.

We are extremely proud to have two McDonalds restaurants in White Bear Lake stepping up to support Ryan, said Suzanne Holt, President, and CEO of TFLF. Ryan is a great person, police officer and board member and we are humbled by the support he is being shown.

Since its inception in late 2018, The Front Line Foundation has supported Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters, EMTs and members of the National Guard across Minnesota, to grant financial support to families of first responders who have died in the line of duty. The Foundations mission is to bridge the gap between the death and benefits being paid, which can help families with ongoing expenses. The Foundation also provides support in the purchase of tactical equipment for first responders which is not included in department budgets. To date The Frontline Foundation has paid out $328,000 in death benefits and equipment funding since it was founded in 2018.

While all situations where a first responder is injured or killed in the line of duty are of utmost importance to TFLF, the fact that Officer Sheak is so entrenched in the way the Foundation gives back makes this call to action extremely important.

You just never know when one of Minnesotas 60,000 first responders will be in need of support, said Holt. What happened to our friend and colleague further emphasizes the need to look out for and support all of those men and women who work tirelessly to protect us.

Restaurant owners Courtney Henry and McBride are hoping by donating a portion of sales on February 15 residents will better understand the sacrifices all first responders make.

We want to raise dollars to support this officer, but we also want to raise awareness, said McBride. Often, we take our law enforcement officers for granted. We want to use this night as way to make sure people understand how lucky our community is to be protected by such great people.

To donate, go to https://donorbox.org/the-front-line-foundation and write "Ryan Sheak" in the comments when making your donation.

About The Front Line Foundation:

The Front Line Foundation began as an attempt to help and support our Fallen Heroes, including Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters, EMTs, and the Minnesota National Guard. The Frontline Foundation provides support to those who died while in the line of duty, by giving benefit payments to dependents of fallen first responders. Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters, and EMT First Responders face armed and dangerous criminals, impaired individuals wielding weapons, even emotionally charged, and threatening domestic disputes. They are The Front Line Defenders of our neighborhoods, towns, and cities who face and diffuse the high-risk, frequently appalling situations we know or hear about, with disbelief, on the news. In addition to providing endowments and support for the families of fallen heroes, The Front Line Foundation will underwrite scholarships and training registration costs for Front Line personnel as well as support preparedness training for safety officers in hospitals, schools, and places of worship. Further, we assist with the purchase of needed safety and tactical equipment not currently within the budget of the local unit of government. For more information, please visit http://www.thefrontlinemn.org.

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PTI Fact Check: Sadhgurus photo with his daughter Radhe shared on social media portraying him in bad light

New Delhi, Feb 09 (Abhinav Gupta / Pratyush Ranjan PTI Fact Check): A Twitter user shared a photo of spiritual guru Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev with a woman, questioning his conduct. The PTI Fact Check Desk found in its investigation that the woman in the photo was Sadhgurus daughter Radhe Jaggi. The image displayed the father-daughter bond but was given a tasteless spin in social media posts to portray the spiritual leader in a bad light.

Claim

A Twitter user shared a photo of Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudeva with a woman seated on his lap. The user questioned the spiritual leaders conduct in his post shared with the image.

      #            ! (According to Baba Ramdev, this is #SanskariBaba, a glimpse of this Sanskari Baba for all of you!), read the tweet dated Feb 6, which has garnered over 1,300 views to date.

Here are the links to the tweet dated Feb 6 and its archive post, and below is its screenshot.





Investigation

The Desk started the investigation with a Google Reverse Image search on the photo. The search results led the Desk to two more tweets with the same picture and the claim.

The tweets can be viewed here and here, and their archive posts can be viewed here and here.

Below is the combined image of the screenshots of all three tweets-

The combined views of all three tweets were almost 100,k with hundreds of retweets and shares on Twitter.

The Desk went through the comment sections of these Twitter posts and noticed that several users had mentioned the woman as Sadhurus daughter Radhe Jaggi.

Taking a cue from this, the Desk conducted a keyword search on Google, which led us to the Instagram page of Radhe Jaggi, a verified handle with over 140K followers.

The Desk scanned the page and found that Radhe Jaggi had made several posts about her father. One of the recent posts appearing on the page was a post by Sadhgurs official Instagram account, which tagged Radhe Jaggi.

Sadhguru and Radhe Share a Tender Moment at Vijji Maas Samadhi @radhejaggi #Sadhguru #Vijji #MahaSamadhi #Thaipusam, read the post dated Feb 5.

Here is the link to the Instagram post, and below is its screenshot:

The Desk conducted a Google search about Vijji Maa mentioned in the Instagram post and found that she was Sadhgurus wife and Radhe Jaggis mother, who attained Mahasamadhi in 1997.

The Desk found a post on Sadhgurus Instagram page, which carried an old photo of the spiritual guru with his wife.

Here is a link to the post, and below is its screenshot:

The Desk continued its search and found a Facebook post on a Joyful Life page. It carried the same photo shared in tweets in a collage form with another older image of the father and daughter.

Here is a link to the Facebook post, and below is the screenshot of the same:

We also found a YouTube video in which Radhe responds to a query on whether she will carry forward Sadhgurus legacy.

That ones not true, which I think many people dont understand is that who my father is as Sadhguru is not something that can be carried forward as a legacy just because I am his daughter. I am very wary of using that word in front of anybody because thats not the nature of the work in the ashram she responds.

Here is the link to the video, and below is the screenshot of the same:

Claim

A photo of a woman with Sadhguru was shared in social media posts, raising questions about his conduct.

Fact

The woman in the photo is Sadhgurus daughter Radhe Jaggi.

Conclusion

Several Twitter users shared a photo of a woman with Sadhguru, questioning his conduct. The Desk found in its investigation that the woman in the photo was Sadhgurus daughter Radhe Jaggi. The image was shared in social media posts, giving it a tasteless spin to portray Sadhguru in a bad light.

You can contact PTI Fact Check on WhatsApp Number +91-8130503759 and share any claim or social media post you think is essential to fact-check and want us to verify.
PTI Fact Check: Fake quote wrongly attributed to novelist Salman Rushdie shared in social media post

New Delhi, Feb 08 (Abhinav Gupta / Pratyush Ranjan PTI Fact Check): A Twitter user shared a photo attributing a quote to Indian-origin British-American novelist Salman Rushdie that warns other religions and cultures about Islam. In its investigation, the PTI Fact Check Desk found that Rushdie never made any such comments, and he clarified that the quote wasnt his in one of his posts on Twitter.

Claim

A Twitter user shared a post with a picture of novelist Salman Rushdie on Feb 7, in which the latter was allegedly quoted as saying, The large majority of peaceful Muslims dont matter because I was attacked by just one Muslim who followed Quran. All religions are different because they have not codified death to whoever doesnt believe in their religion. On my life I want to warn the world that Islam will not rest till every other society, culture and religion is either annihilated or converted. (sic)

The tweet, posted in reply to another tweet, garnered over 6.15 lakh views and 127 likes.

Here are the links to the post and archive post, and below is the screenshot-

Investigation

Starting the investigation, the Desk conducted a Google Reverse Image search on the photo shared in the tweet and noticed that the same user had posted the same photo earlier that day.

Here are the links to the post and archive post, and below is the screenshot.

Continuing the investigation, the Desk found several users commented that Rushdie never made the remark highlighted in the tweet.

Meanwhile, the Google Reverse Image Search results led us to a tweet by Rushdie where he denied making the statement posted on Twitter.

Fake quote. Not said by me, read Rushdies tweet, posted on Feb 7, which has so far received over 5.95 lakh views and 5,900 likes.

Here are the links to the post and archive post, and below is the screenshot-

In the next part of the investigation, the Desk conducted a Google search with the keywords Salman Rushdie anti-Islamic remark but couldnt find any authentic news report that claimed Rushdie made any such remark as claimed in the tweet.

Subsequently, the Desk concluded that Rushdie never remarked as claimed in the tweet and was misquoted in the post.

On August 12, 2022, a man stabbed novelist Salman Rushdie multiple times as he was about to give a public lecture at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York, United States.

Here is the link to the NY Times article, and below is the screenshot.

Rushdie, 75, was blinded in the right eye in the attack, and his left hand was severely injured.

Claim

Novelist Salman Rushdie made an anti-Islamic remark, warning other religions and cultures.

Fact

The quote shared in the tweet was falsely attributed to Rushdie.

Conclusion

A Twitter user shared a photo which quoted novelist Rushdie making a remark warning other religions and cultures about Islam. The Desk found in its investigation that Rushdie never made any such remark, and he clarified that the quote wasnt his. The social media post was shared with a false claim.
Growing up without insurance, high school senior Aanya Mishra believed that insurance was the key to accessing health care.

She realized that wasn't the case shortly after her family became insured. Her father, diagnosed with diabetes, delays trips to the doctor for fear that he will be prescribed insulin, one of the main treatments for the disease, but also a medication that has seen rising costs across the U.S. in recent years.

Mishra was one of a handful of supporters of two bills that were the subject of a public hearing in the state Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee Tuesday, each of which proposes to cap the monthly cost of insulin for insured patients.

"Insurance doesn't fix everything," Mishra said. "Having limited copays is the solution to access to health care."

The bills would cap the amount an insured patient can pay for insulin  up to $100 per patient for a 30-day supply under a bill (LB142), introduced by state Sen. Tom Briese of Albion, and up to $35 for the same amount under LB779, introduced by Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln.

Bostar said about 9.6% of Nebraska adults are diagnosed with diabetes, and yet he and other supporters said the rising cost of the medication is making it difficult for families to access the treatment. Briese said some Nebraskans are asked to pay more than $1,000 a month.

"No person should have to choose whether they receive life-saving medication solely based on cost," said Leslie Spry with the Nebraska Medical Association.

Spry said patients who have a hard time affording the medication can resort to desperate measures, such as rationing their current insulin supply, which can result in expensive and sometimes deadly consequences.

Last year, the federal government capped insulin costs at $35 per month for Medicare beneficiaries. Briese said roughly 20 other states have established their own cap on copays, at $100 or less. He estimated the average cap to be between $50 to $75.

"I would submit that we should do the same thing," Briese said.

Other supporters of both bills represented AARP Nebraska and the advocacy group Nebraska Appleseed. Two insurance representatives were neutral on the bills. The committee did not vote to advance either bill after the hearing concluded.

Photos: 2023 Nebraska legislative session 010523-owh-new-lege-em01.jpg 010523-owh-new-lege-em02.jpg 010523-owh-new-lege-em04.jpg 010523-owh-new-lege-em05.jpg 010523-owh-new-lege-em06.jpg 010523-owh-new-lege-em65 010523-owh-new-lege-em37 010523-owh-new-lege-em38 010523-owh-new-lege-em49 010523-owh-new-lege-em60 010523-owh-new-lege-em45 010523-owh-new-lege-em39 010523-owh-new-lege-em48 010523-owh-new-lege-em55 010523-owh-new-lege-em59 010523-owh-new-lege-em43 010523-owh-new-lege-em42 010523-owh-new-lege-em50 010523-owh-new-lege-em53 Sen. Beau Ballard 010523-owh-new-lege-em40 010523-owh-new-lege-em47 010523-owh-new-lege-em51 010523-owh-new-lege-em61 010523-owh-new-lege-em64 010523-owh-new-lege-em52 010523-owh-new-lege-em56 010523-owh-new-lege-em62 010523-owh-new-lege-em63 010523-owh-new-lege-em58 010523-owh-new-lege-em44 010523-owh-new-lege-em41 010523-owh-new-lege-em54 010523-owh-new-lege-em36 010523-owh-new-lege-em31 010523-owh-new-lege-em30 010523-owh-new-lege-em32 010523-owh-new-lege-em33 010523-owh-new-lege-em35 010523-owh-new-lege-em34 010523-owh-new-lege-em24 010523-owh-new-lege-em27 010523-owh-new-lege-em26 010523-owh-new-lege-em28 010523-owh-new-lege-em25 010523-owh-new-lege-em29 010523-owh-new-lege-em23 010523-owh-new-lege-em18 010523-owh-new-lege-em21 010523-owh-new-lege-em15 010523-owh-new-lege-em17 010523-owh-new-lege-em22 010523-owh-new-lege-em19 010523-owh-new-lege-em16 010523-owh-new-lege-em20 010523-owh-new-lege-em12 010523-owh-new-lege-em09 010523-owh-new-lege-em14 010523-owh-new-lege-em13 010523-owh-new-lege-em07 010523-owh-new-lege-em11 010523-owh-new-lege-em08 010523-owh-new-lege-em03 010523-owh-new-lege-em10 010523-owh-new-lege-em03.jpg
From age four until he entered schoolfor the first timein third grade, Chad Otis lived on a school bus with his parents and older brother as his father made a living as an itinerant oil portraitist. Unhoused and often food-insecurethe family sometimes subsisted on pizza made from ketchup and white breadthe experience engendered both pain and creative resiliency, and eventually became the inspiration of his latest picture book, The Bright Side. Otis took time out from a vacation in Idaho, where he also makes his home, to speak with PW about transforming his autobiographical material for young audiences.

This is the third book youve written and illustrated. How did you decide you were ready to tell the story of your growing up?

I didnt tell it for a long time. It wasnt something I wanted to share. But as I got older, it got easier to tell people about it and I put it on my website.

I didnt think of it as a story that would make for a good picture book. I had just illustrated A Little Ferry Tale and Cold Turkey and I was putting myself out there for illustration work through my agent, Robin Rue at Writers House. I wasnt getting anything, and then I heard for the third time from an editor, If he ever does anything with that story on his website, were interested.

My dad was an art teacherboth my parents had teaching degreesand when he lost-slash-left his job, they decided to live in a school bus. Wed set up art shows in shopping malls, hed take commission for oil portraits, and then wed move on to the next town. We did that from the Midwest to the California, just kind of zig-zagging, and parking in church and Kmart parking lots until we got shooed away. When my sister was born, my mom said, Lets get the kids in school and get off the bus.

It was a mix of nomadic life and houselessness and definitely food insecurity. Theres a big contingent now of people who call themselves Schooliestheyll convert a school bus, run away on vacation, and take pictures of themselves for Instagram. This was not that.

I pitched the book as a dummy with the sketches and manuscript done and got quite a bit of response right away. Lauri Hornik at Rocky Pond Books became my editor. She had some ideas about what to change, but she was pretty happy with it from the start.

Do you feel that the personal nature of the story had an impact on your illustration approach or style?

Because it was his [the boys] perspective, theres a kind of naif approach. I made things a little simpler and rougher, chunkier. Im wrapping up my next book right now and its very much like that in style, tooit feels right for me. Im not too far into my career, so Im finding my voice as an illustrator and a writerits still jelling.

There are some frank and vivid moments in the bookthe cold nights on the school bus, the boys difficulties in adjusting to the structure of school and connecting to other kids. How did you calibrate the level of emotional intensity and decide what to tell and not tell?

The social isolation for me was the hardest thingI spent my whole life overcoming it. I was always the outsider, always playing catch-up, not knowing what kids were talking about.

But as for telling the story and calibrating it, I always want to have some kind of humor in my work and keep it engaging and accessible. I wanted to show that these things can be tough, but in the end, resourcefulness comes out of adversity, and resourcefulness can lead to accomplishment and accomplishment can lead to confidence in its own way. If kids pick up on that, it would be great.

The idea of looking on the bright side first comes from the boys parents, as a form of chin-up advice as he struggles with life on the bus. But for the boy, it means asserting agency and control over his circumstances. Can you talk about how you handled that transformation?

Its authentic to me, so that made it easier. The whole story is an amalgamation of my lifetime experience: things started out tough, I rolled up my sleeves and made something out of this, and the more I tried to make things happen, the more good things happened to me. I feel lucky that I was kind of born with this ingrained ability to look on the bright side.

 I wanted to show that these things can be tough, but in the end, resourcefulness comes out of adversity. 

What do your parents think about the book?

My dads been gone for 32 yearshe was a brightly burning candle, as they say. But my mom is still here, and she loves it. Weve all got some mixed feelings about the whole thing. She recognized that it was a tough time for a bunch of reasons, and she feels bad that we didnt go to school for a long time and get that socialization.

There arent many picture books that put these socioeconomic challenges like food and housing insecurity front and center. Were you concerned about finding an audience for this book?

Theres more child homelessness than ever now, and more social consciousness around these issues, so it felt like the right time to do it. Especially if I could make it relatable for kids.

I do hope that kids who are in a situation like this, who face some adversity, see this story and start to feel like things could be okay. Penguin Random House is going to donate a bunch of books through Books for Kids to libraries and homeless shelters, because the book costs around $20and kids who live a nomadic lifestyle may not get to the library very much.

Im also hoping that parents and kids who arent in this kind of situation can have conversations about it. They might notice that there are kids who come to school in the same clothes every day, or come in the middle of the year, or need to be in a free breakfast or lunch program, and empathize moreand maybe even take them into their social circles.

Whats next for you?

I have a two-book deal with Lauri Hornik. [The second] has a little more humor in it: its about a kid whos very, very neatthe neatest kid everand his parents bring home a rescue dog that makes a big mess and he has to deal with it. As much I try not to go into messaging, its about how some kids are seekers of stimuli, and some are avoiders. Theres another little slice of me in the story of the neatnik.

The Bright Side by Chad Otis. Rocky Pond, $18.99 Feb. 21 ISBN 978-0-593-53062-7
Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey enters the childrens book arena with his first picture book, Just Because, to be published by Viking Childrens Books this fall.

Illustrated by Renee Kurilla, Just Because offers life lessons about how the worlds contradictions can shape who we are and help us celebrate the person well become.

I wrote Just Because for your kids, for my kids, and for the kid in all of us, McConaughey said in a statement. Were all as young as were ever gonna be, so lets just keep learning.

Just Because is McConaugheys second literary endeavor, following his bestselling memoir Greenlight. Matthew Elblonk at DeFiore and Company sold North American rights to Just Because; Jen Rofe at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator. The audiobook, which McConaughey narrates, will be released by Listening Library. The book is slated for release on September 12, 2023.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Perhaps no television talk show is more appropriate for Purdue Global than The Balancing Act. After all, Purdue Global students  adult learners  stand out for their ability to successfully take classes while also holding down a job, caring for dependents and dealing with whatever life throws at them.

Purdue Global Chancellor Frank Dooley will appear on The Balancing Act airing on Lifetime TV at 7:30 a.m. ET and PT on Feb. 13 and Feb. 21. He is interviewed by Montel Williams, distinguished television host, actor, motivational speaker and U.S. Navy veteran.

It was a pleasure visiting with Montel and an honor to share the Purdue Global story, Dooley said. We have such positive momentum with our university, and its important that we spread the word far and wide.

In their eight-and-half-minute conversation, which was recorded in South Florida, Dooley and Williams discussed the importance of affordable online learning for adult learners. Between 25 and 40 million Americans have valuable life experience and some college credit, but no degree. They also talked about Purdue Globals myriad certificate offerings for those individuals who have a degree and aspire to continue learning to upskill and grow their careers.

Working adults often need access to more education, and Purdue Global provides that to them, said Dooley, noting that the universitys most popular programs  among the more than 175 offered  are cybersecurity, information technology, nursing, criminal justice and applied behavioral analysis. They want to earn a degree they can be proud of and one that employees will respect.

Dooley explained that Purdue Global courses feature lectures, discussion boards, seminars  and plenty of student support for those who need it. Courses are taught by skilled faculty members armed with educational technology and enhanced delivery methods to make classes easy to access and navigate.

I like that Montel used the phrase life gets in the way when talking about adults going to school, because thats a really accurate depiction of life, Dooley said. We believe Purdue Global is the perfect place for them.

Williams spent 22 years in the U.S. Navy, and Purdue Global is a military-friendly school for both current and retired members. Dooley cited Kelvin Gumbs, a Navy veteran who earned two Purdue Global degrees. Gumbs provided the keynote address at the October 2022 commencement ceremony and now works for the university as it strives to do an even better job serving the military.

About Purdue Global

Purdue Global delivers personalized online education tailored to the unique needs of adults who have work or life experience beyond the classroom, enabling them to develop essential academic and professional skills with the support and flexibility they need to achieve their career goals. It offers personalized paths for students to earn an associate, bachelors, masters or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, desired pace, military service, previous college credits and other considerations  no matter where they are in their life journey. Purdue Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It is affiliated with Purdue Universitys flagship institution, a highly ranked public research university located in West Lafayette, Indiana. Purdue University also operates regional campuses in Fort Wayne and Northwest Indiana, as well as serving science, engineering and technology students at the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus. For more information, visit https://stories.purdue.edu/purdue-global/.

About The Balancing Act

The Balancing Act is a morning show created and produced by BrandStar that offers sensible solutions and essential information in a fun, entertaining format; providing resources to help people do life better. The Balancing Act features everything from delicious recipes, style makeovers and dream getaways to parenting tips and the latest news in health and wealth. Tune in to The Balancing Act weekdays at 7:30 a.m. (ET/PT) on Lifetime, and find all previously aired episodes on TheBalancingAct.com.

Writer: Tom Schott

Media contact: Matt Oates, oatesw@purdue.edu

Source: Frank Dooley
Executive director of the Billings Community Foundation has resigned as she and her family prepare to move to Charlotte, North Carolina, this summer.

Lauren Wright was the first executive director for the Billings Community Foundation, a position she held for five years. During her tenure, the BCF has more than doubled in size, both in annual grant-making and assets under management.

Most recently, Wright executed BCFs strategic initiative to secure a permanent home, leading the capital campaign fundraising efforts for the purchase and remodel of the former George Henry building, which serves as the foundations Home of Philanthropy and a collaborative meeting space for the non-profit community.

We greatly appreciate Laurens passion for philanthropy and dedication to the development, growth, and success of the Billings Community Foundation, said Lisa Olmsted, BCF Board President.

Carolyn Sevier has been appointed interim executive director to ensure that all day-to-day business operations are attended to while the board conducts a search for the next executive director.

We have a number of valued clients, partners, and program participants whose needs are our top priority, Olmsted said.

The job description and applicant instructions are now posted on the BCF website. Any inquiries about the transition and/or the job posting can be directed to Olmsted at lolmsted@dowl.com.

Lauren has left an incredible legacy, said Lori Byron, BCF Board Secretary. The organizations financials are solid, the people committed, and the plans for the future are coming together well.

Wright expressed gratitude for her time working for the BCF.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve as the Billings Community Foundations first executive director," she said. "It has been a time of remarkable growth and the organization is currently in a strong position to succeed and continue that to thrive."

She also praised the hard work of the BCF staff and support from the community.

"I want to give my deepest gratitude to all who have been so supportive of the Foundation and of me personally over the years: board members, staff, and, of course, our generous partners and funders. Especially the non-profit community," she said. "It has been my honor to lead such an incredible organization and to have played a small part in making Billings a better place to live, work, play, and of course, serve.

The Billings Community Foundations mission is to help individual donors and charitable organizations meet the needs of the Greater Yellowstone Valley Region.

For questions, or to learn more about the Billings Community Foundations services and programs, visit billingscommunityfoundation.org or contact interim executive director Carolyn Sevier at director@billingscommunityfoundation.org.
A Billings man who admitted to trafficking methamphetamine after he was arrested in Rosebud County was sentenced today to 70 months in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

Stefan Shane Hickel, 34, pleaded guilty on Aug. 11, 2022, to possession with intent to distribute meth.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.

In court documents, the government alleged that in September 2021, a drug task force in Billings was investigating Hickel for drug trafficking. Hickel had absconded from state supervision on a distribution charge. Law enforcement received information that Hickel was at a motel in Forsyth. Officers executed a search warrant and found Hickel with meth and drug paraphernalia in the room. Hickel admitted to being both a user and distributor of meth.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas K. Godfrey prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Owen Wilson may be the hardest-working actor in Hollywood. There's rarely a calendar year that goes by that he's not starring in something and 2023 is no exception. In fact, he's in at least two films this year.

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His latest, Paint, released a teaser trailer this week. In it, Wilson portrays Carl Nargle, a popular Vermont-based TV painter in the '70s or '80s from the looks of it, whose position in the community may be usurped by a younger rival.

His character is said to be reminiscent of public television artist Bob Ross, who hosted The Joy of Painting on PBS from 1983 to 1994. The show was broadcast in the U.S., Canada, and in Latin America and has experienced something of a revival in the digital age.

Ross died of cancer at the age of 52 in 1995. Wilson's character shares Ross' signature big, curly perm, inspirational homilies, and a passion for painting. Ross was a legitimate artist whose known works are worth thousands of dollars.

Though Paint is not a biopic, it lends itself to Ross comparisons. He was married three times and in the trailer, Nargle is shown with a few different women in what could be described as seductive scenarios.

Paint was written and directed by Brit McAdams whose credits include Atom TV, #IMomSoHard, Tosh.0, Triviatown and Katt Williams : American Hustle.

In the trailer, Wilson as Nargle says, "There's nothing like having the one you hold dearest, nearest when the world turns cold."

Apparently, he will need that adage to help him manage the emotions of being potentially replaced by a younger, female painter who treads the same TV territory. Nargle is then shown destroying his own works by throwing paint on them.

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Paint premiers on IFC on April 7. It also stars Wendi McClendon-Levy, Ciara Renee, and Michaela Watkins

Wilson will next be seen in Haunted Mansion, with Jamie Lee Curtis, Jared Leto and Winona Ryder.
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Rimrock CEO Lenette Kosovich announced this week she will retire at the end of 2023. Rimrock is the largest substance use disorder and mental health center in the region and employs nearly 200 people and serves over 1800 patients per year.

Kosovich took over at Rimrock 12 years ago and is described as a "transformational leader" who has continued Rimrocks 55-year legacy of providing life-changing care for those experiencing substance use disorders and mental health challenges. Kosovich has been at the forefront of advocating for innovation and improvements in how treatment is delivered.

"We have been so fortunate to have Lenette as our CEO for the past 12 years," said Rimrock Board Chair, Shane Heigis. "She has been a visionary, taking this organization to the next level. We wish Lenette the best in her retirement and her future endeavors."

Rimrock recently announced it will build a new 5-acre state-of-the-art campus in the East Billings Urban Renewal District. Under the leadership of Kosovich, this project has taken shape and will be ready to serve our community in 2025.

Kosovich is the past president of the statewide Behavioral Health Alliance of Montana and a frequent expert for our elected officials on the impact of substance use disorders and mental health, including testifying in front of the U.S. Senate Finance Health Sub-Committee. She is also a long-time community supporter serving on the Billings Chamber Board, MSUB Foundation Board, and the Community Advisory Council for the new Rocky Vista Medical School.

"Leading this amazing team and serving our community has been the biggest honor of my professional career," Kosovich said. "I know that I leave Rimrock in the hands of some of the most experienced and caring professionals in our field. I also hope that the next CEO of Rimrock experiences the same level of community support that I have had, and I cant wait to see the new Rimrock and all the good that will be accomplished for those in need."
On Thursday, the Clarke County Board of Education voted to rename Alps Road Elementary School and Chase Street Elementary School, according to a press release.

Alps Road Elementary will be renamed Bettye Henderson Holston Elementary School, and Chase Street Elementary will be renamed Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School, according to the release.
Whether you are looking to be active, indulge in art or relax, there are a plethora of unique opportunities to celebrate with your valentine in the Classic City. Here are eight ways to celebrate with your significant other, whether youre artsy, sporty or just looking to unwind.
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St. Vincent Healthcare, now part of Intermountain Health, has welcomed its first surgical resident for medical training in Billings in partnership with its sister facility Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver, Colorado.

As a new integrated site for residents that are part of the Saint Joseph Hospital surgical residency program, it is anticipated that six physicians will come to St. Vincent for elective month-long rotations in 2023. Residents will be practicing and training alongside St. Vincent surgeons in trauma, general and robotic surgery as well as other subspecialties.

By bringing residents to Montana, the program hopes to further medical education in Montana with an eye on recruiting new surgeons to the state.

We know that physicians choosing to be part of our program are interested in training and serving rural America, said Dr. Michael Wilcox, director of the residency program at St. Vincent. We hope that through this program, we can create a potential pipeline for the future surgeons serving Montana by giving them exposure to the excellent, patient-center care we provide.

It has been a passion of mine personally, and a priority of our program, to add a track with a focus on training in rural communities, said Dr. Jason Johnson, director of the Saint Joseph Residency program. The need for access to high-quality surgical care in our rural communities is great, and we believe this new partnership will help us bring more surgeons to live and work in Montana.

Additionally, there are plans for full-time surgical residents to spend the second half of their five-year residency in Montana in the coming years. St. Vincent anticipates the first full-time resident will be onsite in late 2025. Once the program is established, St. Vincent expects to have two to three residents at the hospital. Saint Joseph and St. Vincent will add five additional resident positions to the program through the partnership. St. Vincent providers and program leaders will actively participate in selecting the residents.

Dr. Briana Britton, the first surgical resident to come to St. Vincent as part of the program, shared her excitement about the opportunity because of the breadth of experience that it provides. As a trauma or general surgeon in a rural area, you get exposure to a wide range of patients and cases. In larger cities, surgeons tend to be much more specialized. This is a unique experience.
Beijing seeks to undermine human rights agencies by financing and stacking them, U.S. official says.

Wendy Sherman, deputy secretary of state, arrives ahead of a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Evaluating U.S.-China Policy in the Era of Strategic Competition on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023.

Chinas government has penetrated the United Nations, undercutting its oversight functions by stacking bodies like the U.N. Human Rights Council with its own people, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman told a Senate hearing on Thursday.

Asked by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez about State Department efforts to push back against Chinas systematic effort to subvert the ability of the United Nations human rights system, Sherman said that it was important for the United States to maintain representation at the organization.

Youre quite right, the Chinese operate in the U.N. system very effectively, Sherman told Menendez, a Democratic senator from New Jersey. They have put people in junior positions, which you simply can sign up for financially and put people into slots, and then those people move up the chain in the U.N. system.

Sherman said the State Department had a lot of work to do to counteract Beijings growing influence at the United Nations.

Our U.N. ambassador, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, is very engaged in looking at all the ways that Chinese have penetrated the U.N. system and figuring out with our [State Department] International Organization Bureau ways to challenge all of that, she said.

Sen. Bob Menendez, D-NJ, chairman of Senate Foreign Relations Committee, gestures during a hearing on Evaluating U.S.-China Policy in the Era of Strategic Competition on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. (Gemunu Amarasinghe/RFA)

The Trump administration withdrew the United States from the U.N. Human Rights Council in 2018. Russia and China, which was then also on the council, subsequently moved to cut funding for U.N. human rights work. The Biden administration rejoined last year.

Menendez, for his part, mused to Sherman that the U.S. government could adopt the same strategy of stacking U.N. agency staffing lists with its own people to counteract Chinas putative efforts.

Not to want to copy too many things from Chinese, but we could definitely take a lesson from their paper, he said, noting Beijing had methodically implemented their people in a way that ultimately leads them to have influence on a wide variety [of bodies] across the U.N.  and that's not the only place, [also the] World Health Organization

Every nook and cranny

Sen. Jim Risch of Idaho, the ranking Republican member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, echoed the comments.

They've got a particular target for the U.N.: to get involved there in every nook and cranny that they can, Risch said, before adding he was concerned that the Chinese government was doing a similar thing here in the United States, at the colleges and universities.

He noted many Confucius Institutes, which have been labeled foreign missions by the U.S. government, have been shut down, but that the Chinese now, instead of going to the Confucius Institute, are buying chairs in the various departments or theyre funding research.

I was staggered by the amount of money that China is putting into these universities, he said. When this happens, there is no doubt that those colleges and universities are going to get soft on China.

Wendy Sherman [right], deputy secretary of state, and Ely Ratner, assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, attend a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Evaluating U.S.-China Policy in the Era of Strategic Competition on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. (Gemunu Amarasinghe/RFA)

Sherman responded that daylight was the best disinfectant.

As you point out, after peaking at 100 Confucius centers in 2018, there are now only about 15, Sherman said. So putting a spotlight on these issues is very critical to putting pressure on universities to understand what's happening and what they're doing.

The hearing closed with Sen. Mitt Romney, a Republican from Utah and former presidential candidate, calling for the State Department to develop a classified comprehensive strategy for countering Beijing.

The strategy would guide all U.S. government decisions about, among other things, our research and development investments, access to our universities, military procurement, visas we provide to the Chinese and social media strategies, Romney said.

Sherman said the work was time-consuming but officials were working on every one of those tactical areas you identified.
Just minutes after nearly two dozen Montana lawmakers stood to acknowledge that they are themselves landlords and may have a financial interest at stake, a bill that would give landlords more powers to terminate leases faster and recover rents from tenants passed a second reading in the Montana House of Representatives 60-40 on Wednesday.

Sponsored by Rep. Steven Galloway, R-Great Falls, HB 282 would revise rental laws. It would allow a landlord to issue a 24-hour notice to correct or obtain immediate injunctive relief to compel access to a unit if a tenant refuses to allow lawful access or replaces a lock. If the 24-hour notice to correct is not remedied, the landlord would be able to issue a three-day notice to terminate the rental agreement.

Galloway, a landlord himself, said it would alleviate stress on the rental market and on the judicial system.

Lets say you got a grow farm in an apartment next door to somebody else, he said. Do you really want to be 14 days in satisfying those other folks that could be in danger or the damage that could be done?

Two Missoula Democrats, Rep. Marilyn Marler and Rep. Zooey Zephyr, urged their colleagues to vote no.

Zephyr said 24 hours is not nearly enough time for a busy tenant to gather information on their rights and that a group of women she knew had to change the lock after an armed intrusion.

Marler, who was a landlord for 20 years, said the bill is just not fair.

Rep. Dave Fern, D-Whitefish, said many of his constituents are low-wage service industry workers who rent and dont have time to watch the Legislature. He also was against the bill.

Service workers, who are their lobbyists? he asked. Its us. Theyre not going to pay attention to us. Theyre depending on fairness and good representation, so Id just ask you to think carefully on this.

The Montana Legislature is a "citizen legislature," meaning the job isn't full-time and many of the lawmkers must have other jobs or means of income.
A wedding couple takes shelter from the rain as visitors pass through the popular Nanluoguxiang alleyway in Beijing on Saturday, July 3, 2021. Credit: Associated Press

A prominent Chinese economist has called for the government to lower the minimum age at which couples may marry in a bid to boost dwindling birth rates around the country.

Ren Zeping, an economist with a large number of followers on Weibo, said the move would serve to shift people's thinking after decades of family planning policies that encouraged late marriage and child-bearing in a bid to curb population growth.

"Lowering the legal age for marriage would be to return power to the people, to give them back their right to choose," Ren wrote in a post to his Weibo account, suggesting that the minimum age for women be lowered from 20 to 18. The minimum age for men is 22.

"People should be able to choose independently. Theres no need to force them to marry at 18, he wrote, addressing online comments that feared the authorities would start pushing people to marry earlier if the legal age was lowered.

Widespread rights abuses around forced abortion, forced sterilization and the often violent enforcement of birth quotas that was widely reported during the "one-child policy" between 1980 and 2015 has left many concerned that similarly oppressive measures could be used to encourage more births now that the population is shrinking.

That policy was an attempt to slow the countrys population growth and manage economic development, although in 2021 the government said couples could have up to three children.

Fewer marriages

Marriage rates have been falling rapidly in China over the past decade, with approximately 7.64 million marriages registered in 2021 compared with 8.14 million marriages in the previous year.

An aging population, a gender imbalance following decades of selective abortion, the high cost of raising a family and changing notions of what marriage should be are all driving the trend, according to Ren, who called for subsidies to help house and support young families, more relaxed rules on adoption and for single women to be allowed to have children.

Children play with bubbles at a park during the Dragon Boat festival holiday in Beijing, China, June 4, 2022. Credit: Reuters





Last year, China's population fell for the first time in over 60 years, with 9.56 million babies born compared with 10.41 million deaths, according to data published by Chinas National Bureau of Statistics.

It was the first decline since 1961, the final year of the famine brought on by failing economic policies during Mao Zedongs Great Leap Forward, the campaign to transform China from a mostly agrarian society into an industrial one that ended in disaster.

Definitely not a good idea

Former high school teacher Guo Jian said allowing even younger teenagers to marry would be a mistake because they arent mature enough.

"It's definitely not a good idea," Guo said. "Kids these days may be quite precocious in some respects, but they come very late to shouldering responsibility."

"An 18-year-old is still a child  even 23 or 24 isn't a very good age [to marry], because people still want to have fun," Guo said.

Guo said his sister's family were happy with a single child, because they don't want to lower their standard of living any further.

"For me, it's a financial issue, because I already have two boys, and that means pressure in China because you have to pay for them to buy a home and to get married," Guo said. "I would need to be in a much better financial situation to have another kid."

Current affairs commentator Fang Yuan said Ren appeared to be viewing population issues as primarily economic, rather than driven by real-life stories.

"It's pretty blatantly regarding people as tools for running the country," Fang said. "It's about farming humans for their labor and the concept of added value." Ren ignores a series of problems that would crop up if women were allowed to marry under age 18, he said.

Link to political suppression?

A number of provinces and cities have followed up with falling birth rates since last year's population figures were published, with the southwestern megacity of Chongqing reporting fewer than 200,000 new births last year for a population of 31 million, and many other cities and provinces reporting drops of around 10% in their birth rates.

Health rights activist Lu Jun, who now lives in New York, said he believes people's unwillingness to have children is linked to political and social changes under Communist Party leader Xi Jinping.

"Xi Jinping broke with the system of presidential term limits ... and there has been [widespread] suppression of public speech, freedom of association and public interest lawyers," Lu said. "The political ideas of an entire generation are being suppressed ... which has left people with a very strong sense of insecurity."

"There have been cases where local government officials have used the children of people who try to stand up for their rights in local communities to put pressure on them," he said. Radio Free Asia has reported on several cases of the children of activists being denied access to schooling in recent years.

"People don't have enough trust [in the future] to have kids, because it's hard to imagine there will be a bright future for them in [China]," Lu said.

Running away

Lu said many younger middle-class Chinese are leaving the country in a bid to give their families a better life overseas, which has also had an impact on birth rates.

"It's become quite common for Chinese people to run in recent years, particularly as the zero-COVID policy and lockdowns made life unbearable for them," he said. "A lot of people are voting with their feet and for a brighter future for their kids."

Economic commentator Jin Shan said there is little hope of economic prosperity either in today's China.

"Economic development, internal reform, and opening up to the outside world have become a thing of the past," Jin said. "There has been far more attention paid to the consolidation of state power in recent years."

"After three years of intensive pandemic restrictions, it can be said that the economy is on the brink of collapse," Jin said. "The developments of the past 10 years, especially the last three years, have dealt a fatal blow to China's middle class."

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.
In Brief

A Chinese high-altitude balloon entered U.S. airspace on Jan. 31 and was shot down by a U.S. F-22 fighter jet on Feb. 4. China's Ministry of National Defense claimed the U.S. response was "an obvious overreaction. Chinas Foreign Ministry said the action violated international norms and the spirit of international law.

Asia Fact Check Lab (AFCL) found that China acknowledged the balloons presence in U.S. airspace only after American officials inquired about its presence, disregarding the common international practice to immediately notify a country whose airspace has been inadvertently breached. China claimed its airship was designed for meteorological research that had been blown off course. The U.S. decision to shoot down the balloon in its own airspace is an exercise of sovereignty in line with international law, AFCL has found.

In Depth

What are the relevant laws concerning foreign aircraft entry into U.S. airspace?

Article 8 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, a U.N. treaty signed by over 190 countries including the United States and China that establishes rules for international air travel, states that no unmanned aircraft shall fly over the territory of any country without first being granted permission.

Did China notify the U.S. of this unmanned airship before it entered U.S. airspace?

The United States notified China its balloon had penetrated U.S. airspace after it passed north of Alaska's Aleutian Islands on Jan. 28, the Pentagon said at a Feb. 4 press conference. The balloon entered Canadian airspace on Jan. 30 and then flew back into the U.S. on Jan. 31. China publicly commented on the balloon only after being notified by the U.S.

The United States government has detected and is tracking a high-altitude surveillance balloon that is over the continental United States right now,  Brig. Gen. Patrick S. Ryder, the Pentagon spokesman, said at a press conference on Feb. 2. Ryder said that American officials had notified China of the intrusion through various channels.

Did the U.S. violate international norms by shooting down the balloon?

International law does not define the upper limit of a countrys airspace. One commonly used international definition is the Karman line, a theoretical boundary between earths atmosphere and outer space 100 kilometers (62 miles) above mean sea level. In the United States, the military and NASA set 50 miles (80 km) above land as the point where space begins. The unmanned Chinese airship which flew into the continental U.S. at an altitude of 59,000 feet (11.2 miles, or 18 km) fell well within the range of national airspace under either boundary.

An F-22 fighter jet shot down the Chinese balloon over U.S. territorial waters on Feb. 4. The recovered balloon debris is being analyzed by the FBI. Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Tan Kefei called the U.S. response "an obvious overreaction." Xie Feng, Chinas vice minister of Foreign Affairs, said that the civilian balloons intrusion of U.S. airspace was a chance occurrence outside Chinas control and therefore a legal instance of force majeure. The U.S. use of force against a Chinese civilian airship about to leave U.S. airspace seriously violates both the spirit of international law and common international practice, Xie said.

Julian Ku, a professor at Hofstra University in New York who researches international dispute resolution and criminal law, said in an interview with AFCL that shooting down a balloon in U.S. airspace does not violate any international law. Ku said that there are few international restrictions on the use of force against unmanned aircraft that violate a sovereign countrys airspace. When Iran shot down a U.S. drone flying over Iranian territory in 2011, the United States did not claim that the action violated international law or practice.

Ku argued if the balloon had been manned by a crew, the decision to shoot it down might have violated the principle of proportionality, a prohibition in the Geneva Conventions against indiscriminate military attacks that cause undue loss of civilian life. However, shooting down an unmanned airship suspected of espionage while flying over U.S. airspace without permission is justifiable, Ku said.

Conclusion

The Convention on International Civil Aviation grants every country jurisdiction over foreign aircraft flying within its airspace. All foreign governments need to apply for planned passage of these vessels in advance and notify affected countries if one enters another countrys airspace by mistake. All available evidence suggests that China only acknowledged the existence of the balloon after being confronted by American officials.

Chinas allegation that the U.S. decision to shoot down the balloon violated international norms also does not hold up to scrutiny. International law does not define what constitutes excessive force against unmanned aircraft that violate a countrys airspace.

Asia Fact Check Lab (AFCL) is a new branch of RFA, established to counter disinformation in todays complex media environment. Our journalists publish both daily and special reports that aim to sharpen and deepen our readers understanding of public issues.
Policemen stand guard outside the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts ahead of the national security trial for the pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, Monday, Feb. 6, 2023.

Hong Kong Justice Secretary Paul Lam condemned "violence and intimidation" targeting the judiciary after a projectile broke a court window during the prominent subversion trial of 47 opposition activists on Wednesday, prompting police to search the area with metal detectors.

"I am immensely concerned about the incident, and strongly condemn any violent acts intended to disrupt or damage the due administration of justice," Lam said in a statement late Wednesday. "No act of violent attack or intimidation, which is against the courts or judicial officers, will be tolerated."

He said anyone seeking to "disrupt social order" will be pursued, and that judicial processes would remain unaffected by the incident, which came amid the most high-profile political trial so far under a draconian national security law, which was imposed on Hong Kong by the ruling Chinese Communist Party as a response to the 2019 protest movement.

News photos of the outside of the West Kowloon Magistrates Court showed a cracked pane of glass in a wall of glass fronting the building.

The English-language South China Morning Post said there were reports that an airgun had been fired at the building.

Initial investigations suggested that someone had fired a "projectile" from the traffic flyover opposite the court building at 1:17 p.m., causing the glass to break, the Hong Kong Free Press reported.

The court is currently in the process of trying 47 former pro-democracy lawmakers and political activists for "incitement to subvert state power" more than two years after they were rounded up in mass arrests. The prosecution has said their bid to win a majority of seats by running a primary election for pro-democracy candidates was "a conspiracy" to undermine the city's government and take control of the Legislative Council.

Former Stand News journalist Gwyneth Ho, a 2019 protest movement activist, former nursing student Owen Chow and labor unionist Winnie Yu are among those to stand trial in front of three government-picked national security judges and no jury, in a process described as a "sham" by the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee in a tweet on Monday.

Sixteen of the 47 have pleaded not guilty, while 31 have pleaded guilty and will be sentenced along with the rest when the trial, which has been hearing opening statements from the prosecution all week, ends in around 90 days' time.

Prosecutors on Thursday accused Ho of "weaponizing the Legislative Council" with public statements and social media posts ahead of the primary, citing comments she made in a promotional video for her candidacy in the primary, as well as at a July 15, 2020, press conference.

The government regards plans by the democratic camp to veto the government's next budget, if they had won a majority, as evidence of subversion.

Returning Valiant

Meanwhile, the city's District Court on Thursday sentenced two members of the activist group Returning Valiant to five years' and five years three months' imprisonment for "conspiracy to incite subversion" after posts to the group's social media accounts called for "bloody revolution" and "a struggle with no limits."

Choi Wing-kit, 21, and Chris Chan, 26 were sentenced by designated national security judge Kwok Wai-kin, who said their offenses were "of a serious nature." Choi also pleaded guilty to possession of offensive weapons after two retractable batons were found at his home.

Five other members of the same group who were all under the age of 20 at the time of the alleged offenses were sentenced to a training center in October 2022.

All seven pleaded guilty to "conspiring to incite others to subvert state power," a charge that appeared to be based mostly on their efforts to spread their group's "seditious" ideas through a news conference and social media.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.
Huang Qi has been denied meetings with his lawyers as he continues to complain about his treatment, friends say.

Detained rights activist Huang Qi (L) and his mother Pu Wenqing (R) are shown in undated photos, provided in early 2020.

Ailing rights activist Huang Qi, who is serving a 12-year jail term in the southwestern Chinese province of Sichuan for "leaking state secrets," has once more been denied a visit from his lawyer, Radio Free Asia has learned.

Huang's lawyer turned up at Sichuan's Bazhong Prison on Wednesday in a bid to visit his client, but was turned away by the authorities, Huang's mother Pu Wenqing told friends via the WeChat messaging app on Wednesday evening.

Huang, now in his late fifties, has been identified by Paris-based press freedom group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) as one of 10 citizen journalists in danger of dying in detention.

He has repeatedly denied the charges against him and has refused to "confess," making him vulnerable to mistreatment and deprivation of rights and privileges in prison.

Later, Bazhong municipal police officers followed up with a visit to the lawyer at his hotel, Pu wrote in comments seen by a person in Chengdu who declined to reveal their identity for fear of reprisals.

"The reason was that the last time a lawyer had visited [Huang], they took photos inside the prison and posted them online," the person told Radio Free Asia on Thursday.

"The lawyer checked into a hotel in Bazhong city on the night of Feb. 7, and four police officers from the local police station turned up there and harassed them," the person said.

An employee who answered the phone at the Bazhong Prison on Thursday hung up the phone as soon as they heard the name Huang Qi.

Further calls to the same number rang unanswered during office hours.

Calls to Pu's number also rang unanswered on Thursday.

Another friend of Huang's who asked to remain anonymous said Pu is currently under close surveillance, surrounded by officials and unable to leave her home.

"Huang Qi's lawyer has never met with her, and ... petitioners [fellow rights activists] have also been unable to visit her," the friend said.

Pu, who is in her late eighties, said she was told by her doctor in June 2022 that her lung cancer was spreading to her liver, and called on the ruling Chinese Communist Party to allow her to visit her son in prison before she dies.

She said at the time she was living under surveillance by the state security police, who insisted on escorting her to every medical appointment.

The last time she was able to speak with Huang via video call was Nov. 24, 2022, according to the overseas-based Chinese Human Rights Defenders network's Twitter account. A Jan. 28, 2022 meeting was abruptly cut off two minutes in, after she tried to discuss Huang's defense lawyers with him.

Leaking state secrets

A court in the southwestern province of Sichuan handed down a 12-year jail term to Huang, a veteran rights activist and founder of the Tianwang rights website, on July 29, 2019.

Huang was sentenced by the Mianyang Intermediate People's Court, after it found him guilty of "leaking state secrets overseas."

Huang's lawyers and Pu have said all along that the case against Huang was a miscarriage of justice, even allowing for the traditionally harsh treatment of dissidents in China.

Chen Tianmao, a former police officer accused alongside Huang, has said the authorities in Sichuan's Mianyang city "faked" documents to use against Huang, as well as torturing Chen, Huang and a third defendant Yang Xiuqiong in a bid to force a "confession" out of them.

Chinese Human Rights Defenders tweeted on Nov. 24 that Huang had also submitted a number of official complaints over his case to the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate via the prison.

Huang's Tianwang website had a strong track record of highlighting petitions and complaints against official wrongdoing, and injustices meted out to the most vulnerable in society, including forced evictees, parents of children who died in the devastating 2008 Sichuan earthquake, and other peaceful critics of the ruling Chinese Communist Party.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie.
If ASEAN chair Indonesia sends a general as special envoy to Myanmar, that facilitator must be allowed to meet all parties there, said an ex-Indonesian general who aided the Burmese transition to democracy from junta rule over a decade ago.

That person must also be someone who supports civilian control over the military and understands democratic transition, Agus Widjojo said in an interview with BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated news service.

He said the envoy would need to meet ethnic armed groups representatives, and democratically elected lawmakers who were ousted in the Myanmar military coup in February 2021.

He has to [meet all parties], because its his job and only with sitting together, not just with one party, can a resolution be found, Agus said.

BenarNews sought Agus views after Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo recently told the Reuters news agency that he planned to send a senior general to Myanmar as soon as possible to share his countrys experience in transitioning to democracy from military rule.

Much is expected of Indonesia in its role as 2023 chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, especially in resolving the post-coup crisis in Myanmar, because it is the regions largest nation and it has helped Myanmar similarly before.

Former Gen. Agus, in fact, played a role in Indonesia helping Myanmar with that transition to democracy from 2007 until 2011, and has frequently been invited as a speaker on Myanmars democratization process.

Agus said Jokowis special envoy must be someone who has played a role in democratic transition in Indonesia and is well-versed in the history of the military at home as well as in Myanmar.

To what extent did he as a military person support the democratic transition [in Indonesia]? How sincere was he in giving up power and abiding by democratic principles where the military must be under civilian control and be professional, Agus said.

Agus himself supported the democratic transition at home, according to the Westminster Institute, a U.S.-based research organization focused on extremists and radical threats.
Critics call it another step in the regimes gambit to obtain nuclear weapons.

Myanmar junta chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing [second from left] attends the opening ceremony for the Russian-Myanmar Nuclear Technology and Information Center in Yangon on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023.

UPDATED at 11:30 a.m. EST on 2/9/2023.

Myanmars junta has established a Nuclear Technology and Information Center in cooperation with Russian energy firm Rosatom State Corp. in the countrys commercial capital Yangon, amid enduring suspicions that the military regime has ambitions to acquire nuclear weapons.

The opening of the information center follows an agreement signed in September between the junta and Russias State Atomic Energy Corporation to jointly assess building a small reactor in Myanmar.

The junta announced at the time that it would use nuclear energy for civilian purposes, but Myanmars political opposition and military analysts have expressed concern that the technology could be leveraged militarily, given the countrys ongoing internal armed conflict and widespread popular opposition to the junta following its February 2021 coup.

Junta chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing and Rosatom Director General Alexey Evgenievich Likhachev attended an opening ceremony for the new center on Monday, during which Min Aung Hlaing noted that nuclear technology can be used in all sectors and that the military regime is meeting with experts from both Myanmar and Russia to discuss building nuclear infrastructure.

The same day, Myo Thein Kyaw, the juntas minister of science and technology, and Russias Likhachev signed an intergovernmental cooperation agreement on 14 areas of nuclear utilization. Details have not been made public, but Rosatom told the Russian media that the two sides will work together to implement a nuclear power plant project in Myanmar, according to the agreement signed Monday.

Despite claims by the junta that it plans to use nuclear energy for peaceful applications, its opponents suspect that the latest round of cooperation with Russia is part of a secret plan to build a nuclear arsenal.

They may be telling the people that it's for civilian purposes, such as electricity generation, but I am sure they will also be trying at the same time to possess nuclear weapons, said former Capt. Kaung Thu Win, who defected from Myanmars military following the coup and joined the countrys armed resistance.

They will publicly announce that its for civilian use, but they will secretly be pursuing nuclear weapons. They are no doubt exploring how they can weaponize [the technology] for their advantage," he told RFA Burmese.

Kaung Thu Win said that while the military has long sought to become a nuclear power, its going to take time.

Nonetheless, he added, the juntas recent overtures to Russia suggest it may be trying to fast-track its nuclear ambitions in order to solidify its hold on power.

In the two years since the military coup, Min Aung Hlaing has visited Russia three times to discuss nuclear projects.

The people will not benefit

Thien Tun Oo, the executive director of Myanmars Thayninga Institute for Strategic Studies, made up of former military officers, told RFA it is wrong to assume that the pursuit of nuclear energy technology includes plans to obtain weaponry.

Most people picture weapons in their minds when they talk about nuclear, but that is an incorrect assessment, he said.

Countries with bad diplomatic relations with Myanmar use it as an excuse against us, questioning what might happen if Myanmar possesses nuclear technology, he said. But experts in Western countries already understand whether Myanmar can go to that extreme or not.

Military junta chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing watches the signing of the agreement between Myanmar and Russia for nuclear cooperation by the juntas Minister for Science and Technology Myo Thein Kyaw [left] and Alexey Likhachev, CEO of Russias Rosatom state nuclear agency, on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, in Yangon. Credit: Myanmar military The military has said that it will follow safety, security and emergency response guidelines according to standards set by the International Atomic Energy Agency when building nuclear infrastructure.

But Kyaw Zaw, spokesman for the office of shadow National Unity Government President Duwa Lashi La, said that any form of nuclear technology is dangerous in the hands of a military regime that is using fighter jets, helicopters, and other modern weapons against its own citizens.

The people will not benefit from this project, he said. The only question becomes whether it will create more risk to public safety.

At the very least, Kyaw Zaw said, the latest round of cooperation between the two sides shows that the junta is in a situation where it is desperately relying on powerful Russia, at a time when there are hardly any countries in the world that will work with it.

Long-running dream

For decades, Myanmars military has been suspected of seeking a nuclear weapons program.

The countrys previous junta under Senior Gen. Than Shwe negotiated with Russia to build a nuclear reactor in 1999, but the plan was canceled in 2002.

When Myanmar re-established relations with North Korea -- a notorious proliferator of weapons technology -- Thura Shwe Mann, a top military general, visited Pyongyang in 2008 to observe the rogue countrys military and missile facilities.

Maj. Sai Thein Win, a Myanmar military officer who defected, leaked information in 2010 about how the Myanmar military under Than Shwe was trying to develop nuclear weapons, although he said the program was ill-managed and achieved little.

In 1992, Myanmar signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the objective of which is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology. The country also signed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty in 2016, which bans nuclear weapons test explosions, and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in 2018, a legally binding international agreement that comprehensively prohibits nuclear weapons with the final goal of total elimination.

Joint propaganda show

Analysts agreed that the opening of the nuclear information center and signing of the intergovernmental cooperation agreement on Monday were likely part of a bid by the junta to highlight its ties with Russia.

In my opinion, the implementation of this plan, when the country has barely enough electricity, is just a contrived economic move to expand the scope of cooperation between Russia and Myanmar, said political analyst Than Soe Naing.

Costly nuclear projects are not feasible for Myanmar given the state of the countrys economy after two years of junta mismanagement, he added.

This is not the time for Myanmar to [pursue nuclear projects], nor does it have the capacity to do so, Than Soe Naing said. The junta is not in a situation to assume that its adversaries would take it more seriously if it possesses nuclear weapons, like North Korea.

He dismissed the juntas latest announcements as a ploy to promote cooperation with Russia for its own benefit.

Hla Kyaw Zaw, a China-based analyst, agreed with the assessment, calling the latest announcements part of a junta propaganda show for domestic and global audiences. Russia is a global pariah because of its invasion of Ukraine, so it might take pride in being invited to such an event by another country, he said.

Myanmar is also isolated, he said, and so the junta wants to show that other countries are willing to help it with this kind of technological assistance.

Translated by Myo Min Aung. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.

This story has been updated to make edits and clarify the history of Myanmar's nuclear ambitions.
The village is in a township placed under martial law this month.

A house in Zee Kan village, Ye-U township, Sagaing region that was hit by shells on Feb. 8, 2023.

Two women have become the latest victims of the Myanmar militarys attempt to seize control of townships controlled by pro-democracy Peoples Defense Forces.

In Sagaing region, the junta imposed martial law and curfews on 11 heavily-defended townships this month, one of which was targeted by artillery on Wednesday night.

Four shells landed near the home of 40-year-old Khin Htoo, three of which exploded.

I heard the sound of artillery but one shell did not explode, her husband, 42-year-old Min Lwin, told RFA.

My family went into the house and crawled under the bed. Then another shell landed and exploded, killing my wife.

Another woman, 55-year-old Sein Yi was also killed. Two men, 60-year-old Nyunt Win, and 19-year-old Ye Naing Win were injured, residents said.

Fragments of a shell fired by junta troops on Zee Kan village, Ye-U township, Sagaing region on Feb. 8 2023. Credit: Ye-U township Peoples Defense Force

Calls to junta spokesman for Sagaing region, Aye Hlaing, went unanswered for a third day.

Local politician Myint Htwe told RFA he thinks the junta shouldnt target residential areas with heavy artillery, and instead restrict shelling to the battlefield.

Raids on villages in Khin-U township on Wednesday and Thursday forced 6,000 residents to flee their homes. Khin-U is also under martial law as of this month.

The junta is trying to wrest back control of areas of Sagaing and other regions across the country after extending its State of Emergency for another six months on Feb.1, the second anniversary of the coup which toppled the democratically elected National Unity Government.

The military says it wants to hold national elections this year but has passed laws rendering it almost impossible for other political parties to participate.

The National League for Democracy has refused to take part in the registration process. It won a landslide victory in the 2020 general election only to be ousted the following year.

Nearly 3,000 civilians, including pro-democracy activists, have been killed since the 2021 coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma).

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn.
When the Taliban returned to power in 2021 in a lightning military insurrection that toppled Afghanistans internationally recognized government, the country immediately fell into diplomatic isolation.



Two of Kabuls neighbors to the north, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, chose a different route, putting the hard-line groups fractious history with the former Soviet Central Asian republics aside and prioritizing engagement over criticism and pressure.



But a giant canal project in Afghanistan now taking shape that the Taliban is pursuing at a rapid pace is giving the two water-stressed countries doubts about whether strategic patience with the Islamic fundamentalist group will yield rewards.



If you look at other projects that have involved Afghanistan and Central Asia somehow, there has often been a win-win element, Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili, founding director of the Center for Governance and Markets at the University of Pittsburgh, told RFE/RL.



But the Qosh Tepa Irrigation Canal, which will divert large volumes of water from the dwindling transboundary Amu Darya River, is a very different case.



This is very much zero sum, because water is a finite good and there dont seem to be any benefits for Afghanistans neighbors here, said Murtazashvili, adding that she expects the Central Asian countries to pursue a lot of quiet diplomacy on the project that will add to the pressures faced by outsized agricultural sectors already battling climate change and historical mismanagement.

But the Taliban will be probing to see how far it can go, Murtazashvili said, something she suggested its downstream neighbors will have to get used to.



If the first Taliban [regime that ruled most of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001] was weighed down by insurgency and in some ways never really behaved like a state, Taliban 2.0 seems to really like the idea of projecting state power, Murtazashvili said.



Old Project With New Momentum



The stated dimensions of the irrigation canal that workers started digging last spring are enough to understand why the downstream countries have concerns.



With a length of 285 kilometers and a width of some 100 meters, experts believe it could draw a significant portion of the Amu Daryas flow while irrigating 550,000 hectares of land.



An Afghan civil servant with knowledge of the project told RFE/RLs Uzbek Service that work on the second of three stages of the project that began in the spring of 2022 is expected to begin in the coming months, with more than 100 kilometers already dug and visible from space.



The plan to irrigate land in northern Afghanistan is not new.



Farid Azim, an official at the National Development Company overseeing its construction, pointed out last year that Afghanistans first president, Mohammad Daud Khan, had a similar vision in the 1970s.

The project was most recently pursued by the U.S.-backed administration of President Ashraf Ghani -- which the Taliban overthrew less than two years ago.



A press release issued by the United States Agency for International Development from 2018 marking the launch of a Washington-funded feasibility study for Qosh Tepa described a 200 kilometer-long canal serving a cultivated catchment area of 500,000 hectares.



Developing Afghanistans agriculture sector provides great potential for employment and economic growth, then-U.S. Ambassador John R. Bass said in the release.



But the project was not a pressing concern for neighbors, primarily because political infighting and chronic instability in northern Afghanistan had made it impractical.



Bismellah Alizada, a researcher at Londons School of Oriental and African Studies, told RFE/RL that Rashid Dostum, who was the Afghan first vice president from 2014 to 2020, was among the influential politicians with concerns about the project.



One of those concerns was that it would be used to benefit and resettle members of the politically dominant Pashtun group to which President Ashraf Ghani belonged, Alizada said.



Dostum -- an ethnic Uzbek warlord -- long enjoyed strong ties to the regime in Uzbekistan and was even reported to have fled there when the Taliban captured Mazar-e Sharif, overwhelming forces jointly under his command before the group advanced on Kabul.

Members of Dostums exiled Junbish-e Milli party have reiterated these concerns more recently, but the reality is that the Taliban has no opponents capable of preventing it from forging ahead with giant public works projects, Alizada said.



More obvious obstacles are technical capacity and cash, with billions of dollars in funds belonging to Afghanistans central bank frozen after the Taliban takeover. That would make it hard for the cash-strapped Taliban to finance a project whose first phase cost nearly $100 million, according to reports.



But Graeme Smith, a senior consultant for the International Crisis Groups Asia Program, said the Taliban has a strong political will to finish off projects begun by the former government with Qosh Tepa the biggest that the group has revived so far.



With their very limited resources, the Taliban have prioritized [Qosh Tepa], said Smith, expressing skepticism that the Islamic fundamentalist group would pay attention to its neighbors concerns.



The Taliban is a nationalist movement intensely focused on their domestic constituencies, Smith said.



I think its fair to assume they will continue governing with a strong focus on issues inside the country and less regard for concerns outside, he told RFE/RL.



Games Of Leverage



Taciturn Turkmenistan has so far said nothing about the canal project.



But a Turkmenistan-based hydrologist speaking in March to RFE/RLs Turkmen Service on condition of anonymity called the project not a problem, but a disaster.



RFE/RL correspondents in the closed authoritarian country reported this year about severe water shortages in Turkmenistans Soviet-built Karakum Canal, which is four times the length of the one the Taliban is seeking to complete.



The World Resources Institute in 2019 ranked Turkmenistan as one of 17 countries in the world with extremely high water stress. Uzbekistan and Afghanistan were placed in the next highest category. Central Asia as a whole depends on rivers that rise in mountains, where many glacier stocks are being depleted by climate change.



Tashkent, whose own Moscow-imposed, cotton-growing legacy is one of the chief causes of the Amu Daryas demise, has been more proactive on Qosh Tepa.

According to the Talibans deputy prime minister for economic affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the topic was among those broached by Uzbek presidential envoy and former Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Komilov when he was in Kabul last month for talks on economic cooperation.



Komilov was cited by Baradars office as saying that Uzbekistan was ready to work with the Islamic emirate (the Taliban-ruled Afghanistan) through technical teams in order to maximize the benefits of the Qosh Tepa canal project.



Uzbekistan provided no comment to that effect in its release on the talks, but President Shavkat Mirziyoev -- in a national address in December -- flagged Qosh Tepa as a concern as he touched on the problem of desertification.

At the moment, we consider it necessary to conduct practical talks on the construction of a new canal in the Amu Darya basin with the interim government of neighboring Afghanistan and the international community based on international standards and taking into account the interests of all countries in the region, he said.



We believe that this approach will be supported by our neighbors.



Mirziyoevs preference for dialogue over threats on transboundary water use has been welcomed by the neighborhood since predecessor Islam Karimov passed away in 2016.



This appears to have worked with upstream Kyrgyzstan, where successful border negotiations saw Uzbekistan granted de facto control of a strategic reservoir located inside Kyrgyz territory, albeit not without a rash of political discontent in Kyrgyzstan.

And although authoritarian Karimov virulently opposed the construction of giant hydroelectric dams in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, Mirziyoev has given both his blessing, with Tashkent even attaching itself to Kyrgyzstans Kambar-Ata-1 project as a partner -- a move that will give it a hand in upstream management.



Qosh Tepa, however, is becoming a source of public anxiety in Uzbekistan.



With the volume of the Amu Darya water [already] decreasing, Afghans will take a quarter of its water through this canal, complained Uzbek academic and outspoken government critic Khidirnazar Allakulov in an interview with RFE/RLs Uzbek Service.



Instead of solving the problem, the Uzbek government takes the Taliban to Samarkand, dressing them and presenting them with gifts. The government bows to Afghanistan.. Not only the current generation, but also future [Uzbek] generations can be endangered by the water problem, Allakulov said.



Regular exchanges between the Turkmen and Uzbek governments and the Taliban predated the fall of the Ghani government, and Turkmenistan was among the first countries in the world to accept a Taliban-appointed ambassador.

But in line with the international community as a whole, neither has recognized the new regime in Kabul.



This only complicates what Alizada calls the legal lacuna between Afghanistan and its former communist neighbors, since Kabul had not previously signed treaties with them on transboundary management.



And while Afghanistan is keen for more trade opportunities and relies on its northern neighbors for supplies of electricity for several provinces, there are other areas of these bilateral relations where the Taliban feels it has real leverage, Alizada argued.



For the Central Asian countries, I think the number one concern is hard security, especially with the regions history with transnational extremist groups. The Taliban will continue to use assurances on security in negotiations with these countries going forward.
BELGRADE -- Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik -- who has been sanctioned by the United States and Britain over alleged destabilization efforts and corruption -- has threatened that he could push for the independence of the Serbian entity of Bosnia-Herzegovina over a dispute involving a controversial property law.

We are considering in the most serious terms to make a decision on independence and secede Republika Srpska [from Bosnia] unless the property issue is solved," Dodik said on April 14 while on a visit to Belgrade to meet Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

Republika Srpska has tried multiple times to implement a property law that aims to transfer Bosnian state property to Republika Srpska, despite it being deemed unconstitutional.

Republika Srpska authorities said they were implementing the law in late February. However, it represents a direct challenge to previous decisions by the high representative to Bosnia, Christian Schmidt, to repeal the decree creating the law and to suspend it pending a final decision by Bosnias Constitutional Court.

Republika Srpska says the law aims to ensure that properties used by the authorities of the entity, including local governments, public companies, public institutions, and other departments founded by Republika Srpska belong to them.

The countrys Constitutional Court has stated that the national parliament must adopt a property law that would be valid across Bosnia and not one of the countrys two entities.

The 1995 Dayton Agreement ended the Bosnian civil war and established an administrative system under which Bosnia remains partitioned between the Serbian entity -- Republika Srpska -- and the Bosniak-Croat federation, connected by a weak central government.

Dodik has long threatened to seek Republika Srpska's independence from the rest of Bosnia. He rejects the administrative arrangement and the authority of the Office of the High Representative, the international community's overseer of civil and other aspects of the Dayton Agreement.

With reporting by Reuters
MINSK -- The prosecutor at a high-profile trial in Minsk has asked a court to convict and sentence Belarusian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Byalyatski to 12 years in prison on smuggling and tax-evasion charges that rights defenders and Western governments call politically motivated retribution on the part of longtime authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

The prosecutor also asked the Lenin district court on February 9 to convict and sentence Byalyatski's co-defendants -- Valyantsin Stefanovich and Uladzimer Labkovich -- to 11 years and 9 years, respectively.

For a fourth defendant, Zmitser Salauyou, who is being tried in absentia, the prosecutor requested 10 years in prison.

The first three defendants have been in custody since July 2021 and potentially face up to 12 years in prison if convicted and the judge decides to enforce the maximum penalty.

The men, who went on trial in early January, are accused of bringing money into the country for "illegal activities and financing" the Vyasna (Spring) human rights group in Belarus, whose chairman is Byalyatski.

Byalyatski, who has been fighting for democracy and human rights in his beleaguered homeland his entire life, was awarded the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize along with the Ukrainian human rights organization Center for Civil Liberties and the embattled Russian rights group Memorial.

He founded the Vyasna Human Rights Center, which was originally a Minsk-based organization with the name Vyasna-96. In 1999, it was reborn as a national nongovernmental rights organization.

The NGO was outlawed by the Belarusian Supreme Court in October 2003 for its role in monitoring the country's 2001 presidential election. It has continued its work, however, as an unregistered NGO.

The main work of the organization has been defending and supporting political prisoners. The group -- and Byalyatski personally -- have regularly been harassed and persecuted by Lukashenka's government since its founding.

Belarusian authorities have moved to shut down critical and nonstate media outlets and human rights bodies in the wake of mass protests that erupted in August 2020 after a presidential election that the opposition said was rigged.

The opposition and Western governments say Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who was driven into exile, won the vote, which has not been recognized by the United States, the European Union, and several other countries.

Thousands have been detained since the vote and there have been credible reports of the torture and ill-treatment of detainees by security forces. Several people have died during the crackdown.
Senators vented frustration Thursday over the lack of disclosure from the Department of Defense about a Chinese spy balloon that sailed across the continental United States uninterrupted for more than a week.

In a hearing chaired by U.S. Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, Defense officials declined to discuss the capabilities of the spy balloon, or what they knew of Chinas balloon program, telling lawmakers more would be revealed in a secure briefing to be held outside of the public eye.

The State Department declassified additional details later in the day.

One senator, Democrat Brian Shatz, a Democrat from Hawaii, said reasons for keeping details from the public appeared to be grounded in politics.

I respect the need to keep some of this classified, but we all understand that some desire to keep things classified has to do with not wanting to disclose to the public things that might be inconvenient politically for the department, Schatz said.

Several senators on the committee asked why the balloon wasnt shot down when it first entered U.S. airspace off the Aleutian Island in the Bering Sea. The balloon entered the U.S. Air Defense Identification Zone and then Alaskan airspace Jan. 28. The Air Force downed the balloon off the coast of South Carolina on Feb 4.

The incident last week was the fourth known balloon from China to enter U.S. airspace on reconnaissance missions in the past several years. Defense officials said they didn't have the same level of understanding about mission of the previous balloons during those flights.

Thursday, Defense officials recognized, once senators stated so publicly, that the balloons offer China the ability to hover over sites for long periods of time, unlike satellites that are moving constantly. China's latest spy balloon was first made public by the Billings Gazette after appearing to hover over the Billings airport at a high altitude.

U.S. officials had said nothing about the flight until being confronted by Lee Montana Newspapers with photographs and video footage of the balloon, combined with proof of a military response, namely that airspace over the Billings airport had been shutdown and that Air Force fighter jets and support aircraft had been deployed to the city.

You guys have to help me understand why this baby wasn't taken out long before, because I am telling you that this ain't the last time, said Tester, a Democrat. We've seen brief incursions now. We've seen long incursions. What happens next? I'm sure you guys have modeled that out, maybe. I hope if you haven't, you should. But in the end, either China's a threat or it isn't. And I think it's a huge threat.

If the balloon had to be shot down over water to avoid human casualty or property damage, then why not over the Bering Sea, said Sen. Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican.

Alaska is the first line of defense for America, right? If you're going to have Russia coming at you, if you're going to have China coming at you, we know exactly how they come. They come up and they go over Alaska. Sometimes they go on the top, sometimes they go straight across, but Alaska is it, Murkowski said.

Weather conditions and the extreme depths of the Bering Sea, down to 18,000 feet, and the Alaskan coast were considered too difficult for recovery of downed spy aircraft, said Melissa Dalton, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs.

Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims II, director of operations joint staff, at the Pentagon, emphasized that once a shot is fired it cant be taken back. At the point the balloon was in Alaskan airspace, officials were still determining the balloons purpose. The generals response came as Sen. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, ask whether China would have hesitated.

I would tell you, one of the things I think that's very different from our country, and you can look at historical examples, is we think before we shoot, Sims said. And in this case, we thought before we shot. And again, we'll talk more about it in the other session that we would appreciate, of the rest of the world, that they would think before they shoot.

Collins added: I'm not implying that we want to be anything like the Chinese government in asking this question, but do you think if we had an American surveillance balloon going over sensitive Chinese military sites that the Chinese government would have for a minute hesitated before taking it down?

Sims responded: Ma'am, I'll not answer on behalf of the Chinese. But I think as an American, if I was flying in that direction I would hope that they would think before they made a decision.

Defense officials have been able to collect intelligence from the downed balloon, said Dalton, with Homeland Defense. She said the Department of Defense was also able to prevent China from receiving information from the surveillance.

Dalton said the balloon was 200-feet tall with a jetliner-sized payload, one that officials were concerned about falling to the ground from more than 60,000 feet, or 11.5 miles, in the sky. Sims said the military wouldn't down an aircraft of that size over troops in a combat situation with clear area of 400 square miles.

"We spent a lot of time, as you know, determining where we will take a shot in combat when we're fighting, when we're fighting people who are fighting against us. And we work our way to a near zero probability of collateral damage when we take that shot," Sims said, responding to North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven, a Republican, who wanted to know why the balloon wasn't shot down over Alaska.

"Although Alaska is, in places, not as inhabited as other places, it is inhabited. And at that time, we didn't understand through the modeling, if we shot that, what it would do on the ground. Ultimately, it came back to maybe a 20-mile, by 20-mile piece of ground and without being able to clear that, we wouldn't do that in combat, sir. And I think in this case, we certainly didn't want to take that chance with Alaskans or any other Americans throughout the flight path."

Tester questioned whether the Department of Defense truly had a plan for dealing with People's Republic of China spy balloons. The Montana senator is chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense spending. There's been no funding request relative to monitoring the PRC balloon program. Previous balloons weren't shot down.

"So, the real question here is, if we had an incursion before, and we shot this one down when it hit water, why didn't we shoot the previous ones down and gather intelligence from those?" Tester said. "So we knew what was going to happen, and by the way, this is going to happen again. And so why haven't we? Either this is no big deal in the military's eyes. And I don't think you're gonna say that. Or there's not a consistent plan on how to deal with them."

The State Department declassified several details Thursday about the Chinas high-altitude balloon surveillance program.

Images of the PRC balloons taken by Air Force high-altitude U-2 reconnaissance planes show the balloons are capable of conducting signals, and intelligence collection operations. The PRC balloon that crossed the United States between Jan. 28 and Feb. 4 was equipped with multiple antennas likely capable of collecting and locating communications. Solar panels onboard the balloons were large enough to power multiple intelligence collection sensors.

The equipment is inconsistent with technology used on weather balloons, according to the State Department, which said the PRC balloons have now flown over 40 countries and five continents. This kind of surveillance is directed by Chinas Peoples Liberation Army.

The manufacturer of the balloon, identified by the PLA as an approved vendor, has posted advertisements on its website, apparently showing the balloons flying through United States airspace and over other countries, as well.
Britain and the United States have announced sanctions against seven Russians accused of running a notorious hacking gang that launched ransomware attacks against businesses, schools, and hospitals in both countries and elsewhere in the world.

The U.S. Treasury Department said the seven Russians were the leaders of a gang known as Trickbot, which targeted hospitals and health-care centers during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.



The department said Russia was "a haven for cybercriminals, where groups such as Trickbot freely perpetrate malicious cyber-activities against the U.S., the U.K., and allies and partners."



Britain's Foreign Office said the cybercriminals had used attacks to gain an estimated 27 million pounds ($32.85 million) from those targeted by ransomware attacks in Britain alone.



"Ransomware criminals specifically target the systems of organizations they judge will pay them the most money and time their attacks to cause maximum damage, including targeting hospitals in the middle of the pandemic," the Foreign Office said in a news release.



Ireland's Health Service Executive and the government of Costa Rica were among the institutions outside the United States and Britain that were targeted by the group.



Britain named several ransomware groups, including Trickbot and another known as Conti, which it said was one of the first cybercrime groups to back Russia's war in Ukraine.

The groups were responsible for the development and deployment of ransomware that went by the same names, as well as several other names, according to the Foreign Office statement.



The two countries said their collaboration was significant in the efforts to disrupt international cybercriminals.



U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the United States and Britain "will continue to work with other international partners to expose and disrupt cybercrime emanating from Russia."



Graeme Biggar, director-general of Britain's National Crime Agency, called it "a hugely significant moment" in collaborative efforts with the United States.



"The sanctions are the first of their kind for the U.K. and signal the continuing campaign targeting those responsible for some of the most sophisticated and damaging ransomware that has impacted the U.K. and our allies," Biggar said.



Trickbot was first identified in 2016 by security researchers. It evolved from a banking trojan known as Dyre, which the U.S. Treasury Department said was operated by individuals based in Moscow to steal financial data.



The U.S. Treasury Department named Vitaly Kovalev as a senior figure in Trickbot. It said in addition to announcing sanctions against him, an indictment was unsealed on February 9 in the U.S. District Court in New Jersey charging Kovalev with bank fraud in connection with crimes that took place in 2009 and 2010, predating his involvement in Dyre or the Trickbot Group.



The other six individuals -- Maksim Mikhailov, Valentin Karyagin, Mikhail Iskritsky, Dmitry Pleshevsky, Ivan Vakhromeyev, and Valery Sedletsky -- worked in various capacities, including development of ransomware and money laundering.



The sanctions freeze any property held in U.S. jurisdiction by the seven individuals. The designations also prohibit all dealings with the individuals in the United States and Britain.
Welcome back to The Farda Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that tracks the key issues in Iran and explains why they matter. To subscribe, click here. www.rferl.org/a/31793259.html



I'm RFE/RL correspondent Golnaz Esfandiari. Here's what I've been following during the past week and what I'm watching for in the days ahead.

The Big Issue

Iran appears to be making headway toward renewing official ties with Saudi Arabia and Persian Gulf states that in some cases have been publicly avoiding Tehran for decades.

The foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia held talks in Beijing on April 6 in a significant step toward restoring diplomatic relations, which were cut in 2016 after protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran following Riyadhs execution of prominent Saudi Shi'ite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.

Iran also accepted an invitation from Saudi King Salman for President Ebrahim Raisi to visit Riyadh, while Tehran said it will send a similar invitation to the Saudi king. Meanwhile, a Saudi delegation traveled to Iran on April 9 to discuss the reopening of the embassy in Tehran and a consulate in Mashhad. The trip came as Iranian media reported on April 8 that a street sign near the Saudi consulate in Mashhad provocatively named after Sheikh al-Nimr had been quietly removed. An Iranian delegation also arrived in Saudi Arabia on April 12 to pave the way for the reopening of Iranian diplomatic missions there.

Iran is meanwhile taking steps to improve ties with other countries in the region, naming an ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) and working to decrease tensions with Egypt and Bahrain.

Why It Matters: Iran and Saudi Arabia appear to be pursuing implementation of last months Chinese-brokered agreement, possibly clearing the way for Tehran to de-escalate tensions with other countries that followed Riyadhs lead on a rupture seven years ago.



What's Next: Tehran and Riyadh could move surprisingly swiftly toward normalization, but its no sure thing. Abdolrasool Divsallar, a visiting professor at the Catholic University of Milan (UCSC), told me that the political environment between the two regional rivals could encourage the start of military and security talks within months.

But Divsallar also warned that opponents at home and abroad could still undermine the agreement. Hard-liners in Iran may act as a spoiler rather than as a supporter of the deal, he said, adding that Israel could do the same.

The regional tensions between Israel and Iran, on one side, andbetween Iran, Saudi [Arabia] and the United States, on the other side, are two dynamics that make this process very fragile, he said.

Divsallar also suggested that any normalization between Iran and countries with less appetite for a quick restoration of ties, for instance Bahrain, could take longer.

They feel more secure under the current status quo rather than immediately normalizing their ties with the Islamic republic and losing their leverage, he said, adding, They may wait to see a major change of policies.

Stories You Might Have Missed

Irans civil aviation sector has for years been under Western sanctions that prevent it from purchasing new aircraft or spare parts for repairs. Now, Russia's oldest airline, Aeroflot, has sent one of its passenger planes to Iran for repairs for the first time ever. Aeroflot reportedly ran into obstacles at home stemming from Western sanctions over Russias ongoing, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. The RBK media group cited an Aeroflot representative and sources close to the company on April 11 as saying that an Airbus A330-300 had been sent to Tehran on April 5 to be repaired by specialists from Iran's Mahan Air.

Iranian pensioners staged protests in more than a dozen cities across Iran, demanding higher pensions amid soaring prices. Protests were reported on April 9 in Tehran, Ahvaz, Mashhad, Isfahan, Arak, Qom, Shush, Tabriz, and several other cities where retirees complained of poor living conditions and chanted anti-government slogans. Labor protests in Iran have swelled as the economy deteriorates following years of mismanagement compounded by crippling U.S. sanctions.

What We're Watching

Prominent Iranian female religious scholar Sedigheh Vasmaghi has challenged Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei over the Islamic republics mandatory hijab law.

In a letter published online, Vasmaghi asked about the reasoning behind Irans strict model for womens dress and said the Koran does not specify the need for women to cover their hair in public.

There is no evidence to show that during the time of the Prophet Muhammad women were harassed and punished for not covering their hair or even their bodies, Vasmaghi, who has published several books on Islamic jurisprudence, wrote.

Why It Matters: Vasmaghis letter is significant for its timing -- just days after Khamenei asserted that the removal of the hijab in public was religiously banned. But it is also important because it comes from a religious woman who wears the veil while opposing the mandatory hijab, which is seemingly being defied by a growing number of women.

That's all from me for now. Don't forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you have.

Until next time,

Golnaz Esfandiari

If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every Wednesday.
Allies of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, including current and former officials, could soon face fresh U.S. sanctions for alleged corruption, sources told RFE/RL's Hungarian Service, a possible further sign of worsening ties between Washington and Budapest.

U.S. officials familiar with the draft bill but who did not want to speak on the record because of the sensitivity of the matter, told RFE/RL that the draft legislation, if passed by Congress, would allow the Secretary of State to blacklist targeted individuals.

The sources did not specify which individuals could be sanctioned if the measures are approved. The United States has sanctioned individuals close to Orban before. In 2014, Washington banned several Hungarians from entering the United States.

"The move is long overdue. Though it is not the first time it is happening, the U.S. should have played a much rougher game when it comes to corruption [in Hungary] and this is a good move. It is probably the only language that the Orban government understands," Dalibor Rohac, a senior research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, told RFE/RL.

The report by RFE/RL comes days after Washington imposed sanctions on three officials -- two Russians and a Hungarian -- from the Russian-controlled International Investment Bank (IIB), which is headquartered in Budapest.

In announcing the move on April 12, Washington said Budapest had ignored U.S. concerns raised over the opaque Kremlin platform.

Relations between Washington and Budapest, a member of both NATO and the European Union, are already strained due to Orbans strengthening of ties with Russia and China and what Brussels sees as backsliding on democracy and freedoms.

On April 13, Orbans government announced it would quit the IIB, which claims to fund development projects in Eastern Europe.

Russia is the IIBs largest shareholder, while Hungary was its second largest. Senior Hungarian officials had held major roles in the institution, including holding board seats. The bank moved its headquarters to Budapest in 2019.

Other Eastern European countries cut ties with the IIB after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

On April 14, Orban said Hungary had abandoned the institution because U.S. sanctions had ruined it, adding that Hungary would comply with sanctions on Russia but continue to speak out against them.

The United States had "not given up on its plan to squeeze everyone into a war alliance," a step Hungary -- which is not supplying weapons to Ukraine -- would resist, Orban said.

On April 13, U.S. Ambassador to Hungary David Pressman said the United States had raised concerns about the presence of the bank but that, unlike other NATO allies, the Hungarian government dismissed the concerns.

"We have concerns about the continued eagerness of Hungarian leaders to expand and deepen ties with the Russian Federation despite Russias ongoing brutal aggression against Ukraine and threat to transatlantic security," Pressman said.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto visited Moscow earlier this week for talks on gas and oil supplies. He also discussed an ongoing project by the Russian atomic power agency, Rosatom, to expand a nuclear plant in Hungary.

With reporting by Reuters
On January 5, 1993, just days before Bill Clinton was inaugurated as U.S. president, the outgoing secretary of state, Lawrence Eagleburger, finished a 23-page memo to his successor, who would be taking over in a few weeks.

Two days earlier, Eagleburger's boss, President George Bush, had traveled to Moscow to sign a major new arms-control treaty, START II, with Russian President Boris Yeltsin, a last-minute diplomatic victory at the end of Bush's term that cemented the end of the Cold War nuclear tensions and signaled what many thought was a new beginning for the relationship between Moscow and Washington.

The memo to Warren Christopher was a rundown of global hot spots and places plagued by festering tensions -- "as many troubles...as opportunities" -- not the least of which was remnants of the Soviet Union, which had ceased to exist 13 months earlier.

The list included the danger of war in the former Yugoslavia and "a breakdown of reform in Russia and a reversion to some form of authoritarian rule." He also warned of the danger of armed conflict between "Russia and any of a number of states on its periphery."

"Ukraine not the most likely but certainly the most dangerous possibility," he wrote.

Thirty years later, and almost one year into Russia's full-scale invasion, Russia and Ukraine are now fighting the largest land war in Europe since World War II.

The memo is one of several newly declassified documents released this week by the National Security Archive, a nongovernmental organization housed at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The organization has successfully pushed to declassify other materials from the Clinton presidency, particularly regarding U.S. relations with Moscow under Yeltsin.

For U.S. policy in the initial years after the Soviet collapse, "the focus was clearly on Russia, despite Eagleburger's note about Ukraine," said Thomas Graham, who served in the U.S. Embassy in Moscow during the Soviet Union and was Russia director on the White House National Security Council in the mid-2000s.

"It took a while to afford Ukraine anything close to the attention being paid to Russia," he said.

'Russia's Democratic Reforms'

In one of the new documents, dated just three days after Clinton was sworn into office, Clinton has a phone call with Yeltsin in which they discuss the crisis in the former Yugoslavia, where fighting had raged in Bosnia for more than a year. They discuss Iraq, where U.S. forces were enforcing a no-fly zone more than a year after the end of the first Gulf War.

And they discuss Russia's move away from the Soviet era.

"We are determined to do whatever we can to help Russia's democratic reforms to succeed," Clinton told Yeltsin, according to the memo, known as a "telcon" -- a rough, not-verbatim transcript.

Another document is the memo to Christopher from Eagleburger, whose short tenure as secretary of state was eclipsed by that of Bush's longer-serving top diplomat, James Baker.

Baker was a key interlocutor not just with Yeltsin but earlier with Gorbachev, as the Soviet Union began to implode in the late 1980s. Baker met many times with Gorbachev and other European leaders as Germany moved to reunite and U.S. and NATO officials tried to sort out whether to allow troops to be based in what had been East Germany.

In his memo to Christopher, Eagleburger discusses broader global issues: environmental degradation, the spread of diseases like AIDS, and he talks about "building new partnerships" with Japan and with Europe, and China, North Korea, and Vietnam.

He also details a litany of potential problems in the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union, warning that economic problems in Ukraine that followed from the Soviet collapse "could easily aggravate frictions with Russia over security issues."

That included the basing of the two countries' shares of the Soviet Union's Black Sea Fleet, which had been split between Kyiv and Moscow.

It also included the fate of Soviet nuclear weapons which remained on Ukrainian territory and which some U.S. officials worried might be lost or stolen and sold onto the black market. There were similar concerns about Russia's nuclear weapons.

"We can help temper Ukrainian behavior by working now to treat Ukraine as an important player in its own right -- not an adjunct to our central relationship with Russia," Eagleburger wrote.

"At the same time, the Ukrainians have to understand that possession of nuclear weapons is a liability, not an asset, in their quest to be taken seriously," he wrote.

Concerns About Conflict

In 1994, Ukraine signed onto an agreement called the Budapest Memorandum, a series of guarantees made to Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan to persuade those countries to relinquish their remaining nuclear stockpiles and ship them to Russia. The agreement, overseen by the United States, Russia, and Britain, included guarantees of the inviolability of the three countries' borders.

Some Ukrainian officials, and some Western observers, have argued that it was a mistake for Kyiv to give up its weapons, saying they might have served to deter Russia in its current, ongoing invasion.

"When the Soviet Union broke up, the U.S. was concerned about conflict breaking out across the former Soviet Union," Graham said. "The Bush administration was worried about Yugoslavia scenarios in the former Soviet Union," he said. "The most catastrophic one would have been between Russia and Ukraine, we monitored that situation very closely."

"That is far from saying it was going to happen. It was something to think about, but no one could have foreseen it," he told RFE/RL. "Tensions between Russia and Ukraine, we were aware of them, we did what we could to manage them, to keep them from spilling over," he said.

Boris And Bill

Clinton's famously chummy relationship with Yeltsin has been highlighted in other declassified materials over the years.

In 2018, Clinton's official presidential library released 1,000 pages of documents from his presidency, including a transcript of a phone call in which Yeltsin endorsed Vladimir Putin as his successor, calling him a "solid man."

In the "telcon" of the January 23, 1993, conversation, both Clinton and Yeltsin appear to go out of their way to express warmth to one another, as they also discuss trying to arrange a bilateral meeting.

"I am anxious to meet with you and to get to know you as 'Bill,'" Yeltsin was quoted as telling Clinton.

"I had good relations with Bush. Now I need to develop relations with President Clinton," he said. "Everyone in the world wants this.... I am confident our relations will improve in the future."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has told EU leaders that a free Europe is not possible without a free Ukraine, as he pressed for more weapons to aid Kyiv's defense against invading Russian forces.

"Europe should not have gray zones, our whole continent should be open to European destiny," Zelenskiy told an EU summit in Brussels on February 9 in which he also pressed for fast-tracked Ukrainian membership of the European Union.

Zelenskiy said that Ukraine had "never wanted, never provoked" the full-scale war launched by Russia nearly one year ago, and that the security of Europe as a whole was tied to the war's outcome.

"The unity of Europe is fundamental to security," Zelenskiy said, adding that a "free Europe cannot be imagined without free Ukraine."

The February 9 visit was the latest stop in Zelenskiy's surprise tour of Europe to lobby for more weapons and EU membership to aid Ukraine's defense, and came as Russian forces reportedly stepped up attacks in Ukraines east ahead of an expected offensive.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensives, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here.

The trip to Brussels gave Zelenskiy the opportunity to speak to all 27 leaders of the European Union following visits to Britain and France a day earlier. Josep Borrell, who chairs EU summits, said without providing details that the EU leaders would promise more military support for Ukraine.

In recent weeks, Ukraine has received promises from Western countries for the provision of battle tanks to boost its forces, but has called for even more advanced weaponry, including fighter jets and longer-range rockets.

Speaking at a post-summit press conference, Zelenskiy said he had heard from "a number of European leaders...about the readiness to give us the necessary weapons and support, including aircraft."

Zelenskiy did not specify which leaders he was talking about, but said that "France and Germany have the potential to be game changers and that's how I see our talks today."

"The sooner we get heavy long-range weapons and our pilots get modern planes...the quicker this Russian aggression will end," the Ukrainian president said.

Ahead of the summit, while standing in front of the Ukrainian flag, Zelenskiy told the European Parliament that his country was fighting "against the biggest anti-European force of the modern world."

He also thanked EU lawmakers for the help the bloc has already provided since Russia invaded more than 11 months ago.

"Thank you," Zelenskiy said as EU lawmakers gave him a long standing ovation. "We are defending ourselves in the battlefield, we Ukrainians, together with you...."

He also vowed that one day "Ukraine will be part of the European Union, a victorious Ukraine."

In an apparent nod to concerns among some EU states that Ukraine must meet certain criteria such as combating corruption before EU-accession talks can begin, European Council chief Charles Michel said that "the road to peace, reconstruction and membership will be a long, hard road."

However, Michel told Zelenskiy that "we'll be with you every step of the way" and said that the council would provide an update on Ukraine's accession path by the end of the year.

EU Parliament head Roberta Metsola said while addressing Zelenskiy that "you need to win and now (EU) member states must consider quickly as the next step providing long-range systems and the jets that you need to protect your liberty."

During his visit to the British Parliament on January 8, Zelenskiy specifically called on Western leaders to provide fighter jets.

Later the same day, Zelenskiy met in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Macron later said the issue of providing combat aircraft had not been discussed.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on February 9 that any delivery of fighter jets by the West would mark a more "direct" role by NATO countries in the war, and that it would only increase tensions and bring more pain and suffering to Ukrainians.

"This is nothing more than the growing involvement of the United Kingdom, Germany, and France in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine," Peskov told reporters.

"The line between indirect and direct involvement is gradually disappearing. One can only express regret in this regard, and say that such actions...lead to an escalation of tension, prolong the conflict, and make the conflict more and more painful for Ukraine," Peskov added.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said at a briefing the same day that the United States efforts to increase the delivery of Western weapons to Ukraine left no room for diplomacy.

"I don't see any prospect for a productive political and diplomatic process," Ryabkov said. We have a very deep and unprecedented crisis in Russia-U.S. relations. The Biden administration has driven them into a deadlock.

Referring to the provision of advanced weaponry to Ukraine, Ryabkov added that "the Americans need to thoroughly and deeply weigh the risks linked to their unabashedly cavalier course."

Zelenskiy's tour is believed to be only his second trip abroad since Russias unprovoked invasion of Ukraine nearly one year ago, and comes as Russian forces attempt to make a breakthrough in Ukraines east ahead of an expected major offensive.

On February 9, Luhansk region Governor Serhiy Hayday said that Russian forces were trying to break through Ukrainian defenses near Kreminna. Control of the town would put Russian forces within 70 kilometers of the city of Kramatorsk, a much larger city in the Donetsk region.

"I can confirm that there has been a significant increase in attacks and shelling, Hayday said on Ukrainian television. And it is in the direction of Kreminna that they are trying to build on their success by pushing through our defenders' defenses."

Hayday added that Russian forces had not had "significant success," saying that "our defense forces are holding firmly there."

On February 9, Ukraine's General Staff said that more than 900 Russian soldiers had died the previous day, which would be one of the bloodiest of the war that began with Russia's full-scale invasion on February 24.

In a report later on February 9, the General Staff said that to hide the number of dead, the Russian military set up a mobile crematorium in Tokmak in the southeastern Zaporizhzhya region. Local residents have complained about the stench, especially at night, the report said.

RFE/RL was not able to independently verify the information.

Western media has reported that the number of Russian soldiers killed or wounded in the war is approaching 200,000.

Russia does not regularly disclose data on its war casualties.

With reporting by Reuters
A fire in late January in Fallon is being investigated as a homicide and arson, according to a press release from the Montana Attorney General's office. The Department of Criminal Investigation has made two arrests in connection to the incident.

The release identified the victim as Isaac Carrier, 30, of Fallon. Both DCI and the Prairie County Sheriff's Office are involved in the investigation.

The homicide was discovered Monday, Jan. 23 when emergency responders in Fallon were notified of a house fire on the 600 block of Whittier Avenue at approximately 11:45 p.m.

Carrier's body was found at the scene and transported to the Montana State Crime lab for identification and an autopsy.

Sterling Brown, a suspect, was arrested in Camp Cook, South Dakota on Wednesday and charged with deliberate homicide. Jake Burghduff, who was arrested Tuesday in Spearfish, South Dakota was charged with arson and tampering with physical evidence.

The case was initially being investigated by the state fire marshal's office, but turned over to DCI when it determined criminal activity had occurred.
As gas outages and power shortages left Uzbekistan freezing during one of its coldest winters in decades, President Shavkat Mirziyoev in January fired senior officials and technocrats he blamed for the crisis. "I worry about every family, every person suffering from the cold," Mirziyoev said at a January 16 emergency meeting at which he announced the firings, including that of the mayor of the capital, Tashkent. "Every leader should feel this. The cold this year showed the state of the entire system." But an investigation by RFE/RL's Uzbek Service found that Mirziyoev's administration was warned as early as three years ago that his ambitious projects to boost gas and oil output were riddled with problems. Furthermore, reporters found that the key beneficiaries of these projects are opaque companies controlled by Uzbek and Russian political insiders, including a billionaire confidant of Russian President Vladimir Putin. RFE/RL's Uzbek Service (Radio Ozodlik) has obtained the conclusions of a secret interagency report warning that multibillion-dollar deals struck under the president's major energy initiatives risked the country's energy security. Four people familiar with the report told Radio Ozodlik that it was submitted to Mirziyoev's administration in January 2020. The secret report is among thousands of pages of records related to the Uzbek energy sector that reporters reviewed in cooperation with the University of Ulster's Kristian Lasslett. These records include dozens of confidential reports, commercial agreements, internal correspondence, and corporate records of offshore companies in multiple jurisdictions. These records, together with interviews with government officials and executives in state energy companies, reveal how, under Mirziyoev's program, Uzbek and Russian insiders took control of hundreds of gas and oil fields in the Central Asian nation and were awarded lucrative construction, drilling, and export rights, often with no public evidence of competitive bidding. Other key findings in the investigation include: The public face of the Russian-Uzbek network of insiders, a little-known executive from Samarkand, has business links to relatives of former top Uzbek security-service officials.

The same businessman, Bakhtiyor Fozilov, controls the key construction and drilling firms operating under Mirziyoev's energy program.

The secret interagency report accused companies linked to this network of charging exorbitant prices for services that could be provided much more cheaply by state-owned companies.

Control of the Uzbek gas network's main storage facility has been handed to a Russian firm whose initial nominal owner, a St. Petersburg legal assistant, has business ties to Gennady Timchenko  who is under U.S. and EU sanctions  and appears to be Timchenko's proxy. As part of its investigation, Ozodlik is releasing hundreds of pages of records -- including confidential reports and presidential decisions never before available to the public -- related to Mirziyoev's energy program and the well-connected companies and individuals who have benefited from it. These records reveal that the granting of development and extraction rights -- and related construction and drilling contracts -- to obscure offshore firms located in Cyprus, Singapore, China, and Great Britain, among other jurisdictions, are grounded primarily on decrees issued by Mirziyoev himself. Meanwhile Gazprom, the Russian state energy giant that the Kremlin has long used as a geopolitical cudgel in the countries of the former Soviet Union and beyond, is the hydra whose many heads surface throughout the network of insiders benefiting from Mirziyoev's energy program. WATCH: A resident of Tashkent confessed his nervousness when Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev made a surprise visit and asked how the heating in his building was.

At the January 16 emergency meeting in Tashkent, Mirziyoev said he had instructed the Uzbek State Security Service (SNB) to investigate the officials he fired amid the latest gas crisis and "hold them strictly accountable" if violations are found. His words echoed one critical conclusion of the secret report submitted to Mirziyoev's administration in January 2020, though that report gave a list of alleged culprits that was significantly longer. The report called on Mirziyoev to replace "the entire leadership" of the Energy Ministry and the state energy company Uzbekneftegaz and prosecute them for causing economic damage to the state, "including in collusion with officials in the presidential administration." Radio Ozodlik sought responses to the findings of this investigation from Mirziyoev's administration, the Uzbek Energy Ministry, and Uzbek state-owned energy Uzbekneftegaz but received none prior to publication. The Secret Report Under Mirziyoev's dictatorial predecessor, Islam Karimov, Uzbekistan inked several gas- development and pipeline deals with Russian energy companies, including Gazprom . Karimov, however, viewed Moscow's intentions in Central Asia with suspicion during his more than two decades in power, even refusing to join Putin's Eurasian Economic Union. Following Karimov's death in September 2016, Putin and Gazprom almost immediately began courting Mirziyoev, who days later was named the country's interim president by parliament. It quickly became clear that they had found a willing partner in Uzbekistan's new leader. In the ensuing months, Mirziyoev issued a series of decrees handing lucrative exploration and development rights for promising Uzbek gas fields to a joint venture founded in October 2016 by Uzbekneftegaz and a Swiss subsidiary of Gazprom. Mirziyoev designated that joint venture, Natural Gas-Stream, as the operator of a $3.9 billion program -- financed by Gazprombank -- that he formalized in a March 2017 decree . The program's stated aim was "ensuring the stable provision of hydrocarbons for the needs of the country's population and economy." A central plank of the program was increasing state-owned Uzbekneftegaz's gas production by more than 6 billion cubic meters annually. To keep tabs on progress of this program and other major energy initiatives, Mirziyoev in November 2019 set up an interagency working group that analyzed 35 projects -- both planned and under way -- valued at nearly $40 billion, according to multiple sources familiar with the group's work and a copy of its conclusions obtained by Radio Ozodlik. The conclusions of this working group painted a portrait of the government's oil and gas projects as rife with miscalculation, inefficiency, overpricing, and a lack of transparency. The group's members -- including experts from state energy companies, the state geology committee, and the audit chamber -- concluded that out of 17 ongoing projects valued at $24.5 billion, two valued at $3.9 billion were unprofitable, six valued at $9 billion did not make economic sense, and three valued at $5.8 billion required a revision of conditions. Among the 17 projects analyzed was Mirziyoev's own four-year program to boost hydrocarbon production.

British energy giant BP estimates Uzbekistan's total proven gas reserves at around 800 billion cubic meters, and Mirziyoev's program aimed to boost annual gas production by 6.35 billion cubic meters. The working group's analysis found that the program was lagging in its efforts to boost production, hitting 33 percent of that mark in 2018. Internal data obtained by Radio Ozodlik shows Uzbekneftegaz's gas production continues to lag behind Mirziyoev's goal. Amid the cold weather and gas shortages in December, the Uzbek Energy Ministry issued a statement saying Uzbekneftegaz's production was declining year-by year, attributing this trend to the depletion of reserves and "accidents" in the fields "belonging to society." But the working group gave a different assessment in its report three years earlier, saying it had uncovered "numerous significant problems and gross violations that hinder the sustainable development of the oil and gas industry and are contrary to the interests of the state." Much of the report's harshest criticism centered on the general contractors for Mirziyoev's program, Eriell Group and Enter Engineering, which the authors accused of overcharging for services and failing to uphold contractual obligations to provide and modernize equipment for subcontractors. Under the first stage of Mirziyoev's program to boost hydrocarbon production, Eriell overcharged for its services by $400 million, according to an analysis of contracts by the working group. Eriell, meanwhile, turned around and subcontracted the actual drilling and repair work to units of Uzbekneftegaz, who carried the work out at "much lower prices than those specified in the contract," the working group report alleges. That allegation echoed a confidential assessment earlier in 2019 by Boston Consulting Group, a copy of which was obtained by Radio Ozodlik. The report described Eriell as a "monopoly" contractor for Uzbekneftegaz facilities and said that such contracting work costs the state company two to four times what it would cost if Uzbekneftegaz did the work itself. An analysis of financial records in multiple jurisdictions reveals that Eriell and Enter Engineering are the key corporate operators in a Russian-Uzbek network that includes Kremlin-linked oligarchs, the offspring of top security service officials and executives at state companies, and an obscure businessman from Samarkand with long-standing ties to Gazprom. 'Monopoly' Money The origins of Eriell date to 1999, when a Samarkand native named Bakhtiyor Fozilov registered a company called Eriell Corporation in Prague. Initially engaged in selling Russian drilling equipment to Uzbekistan, Eriell became a driller itself and, thanks to deals with Uzbekneftegaz, gradually built a monopoly on the drilling of Uzbek oil and gas fields. After Eriell entered the Russian market in 2008 and secured contracts with Russian giants like Gazprom, Rosneft, and Timchenko's gas company Novatek, Gazprombank bought a 46 percent stake in Fozilov's company for $100 million. While Eriell continued to operate in Uzbekistan, it was after Karimov's death and Mirziyoev's ascent in 2016 that the company's -- and Fozilov's -- fortunes began to soar.

Over the past six years, these two companies, Eriell and Enter Engineering -- another company owned on paper by Fozilov, together with Gazprombank -- were selected as general contractors, either together or separately, on at least nine major oil-and-gas projects valued in total at around $23 billion. Uzbek procurement records show that in 2017 and 2018 the two companies were awarded at least $1.9 billion in construction and repair contracts for work at oil and gas fields in the country. "Since September 2016, not a single cubic meter of gas leaving Uzbekistan has been released without the permission of Bakhtiyor Fazilov," an associate of the businessman told Radio Ozodlik on condition of anonymity.

Financial filings show that Eriell's parent company -- based in the self-governing British dependency of Jersey -- consistently notches an annual turnover of $1 billion. Due to the use of nominee companies and individuals, it is difficult to discern exactly who the beneficial owners of Eriell are, though on paper it is jointly owned -- through offshore companies -- by Fozilov, Gazprombank, and a Russian company called AMGA Consulting that shares a Moscow address with companies owned by Timchenko and his son-in-law. Business associates of Timchenko have also played roles in companies that previously held stakes in Eriell. In its December 2019 financial filing, Enter Engineering -- in which Fozilov owns a majority stake through a Cypriot company -- declared nearly $1 billion in revenue linked to projects in Uzbekistan, $670 million of which involved energy infrastructure. Independently of one another, multiple sources involved in Uzbekistans energy sector described Fozilov as Gazprom's key associate for its work in Uzbekistan. "All gas sales in Uzbekistan go through him," his associate told Radio Ozodlik. Fozilov also has documented business ties with the sons of two former senior officials with the SNB, an analysis of corporate records shows. In Russia, Fozilov has partnered in multiple Russian companies with Ravshan and Erkin Ubaidullaev, sons of former SNB Colonel Umar Ubaidullaev, and Sharif Inoyatov, son of Rustam Inoyatov, who headed the SNB from 1991 to 2018. Both Ravshan Ubaidullaev and Sharif Inoyatov have previously had financial ties to the Cypriot company through which Fozilov currently owns Eriell. Financial filings show that in January 2016 a Cypriot firm called Erilico Limited -- through which Fozilov holds his stake in Eriell -- provided a loan to another Cypriot firm called Rilves Limited. An Eriell subsidiary called Gillard Middle East FZE also provided a loan to Rilves. At the time of the loan, the beneficial owners of Rilves included Ravshan Ubaidullaev and Sharif Inoyatov. Erkin Ubaidullaev, meanwhile, was listed as the ultimate controlling party of a Cyprus company called C.E. Civil Engines, which between 2016 and 2019 received 91 gas-pumping and booster-compressor units from Uzbekneftegaz subsidiaries for repair work costing $133 million, according to the secret working-group report. The report alleges that delays in the repair work by C.E. Civil Engines led to the loss in production of 11.3 billion cubic meters of gas. A separate assessment in a confidential report by Boston Consulting Group said that in 2017-18 the cost of repairs and deliveries of gas turbine engines through C.E. Civil Engines were overpriced by $37 million. Neither the Ubaidullaev brothers nor Sharif Inoyatov responded to requests for comment. Other business partners of Fozilov in Russia include Kirill Matveyev, the son of Aleksei Matveyev, the deputy chairman of Gazprombank and a chairman of Eriell's board of directors since 2012 who was hit by sanctions by the United States in May 2022 . Neither the elder Matveyev nor his son responded to a request for comment.

Fozilov did not respond to Radio Ozodlik's request to comment on a list of questions about his business operations and financial stake in the Uzbek energy sector. But in a response to Radio Ozodlik's collaborator on this investigation, the University of Ulster's Kristian Lasslett , Fozilov claimed the questions related to his business interests and partners in Uzbekistan contained "grossly incorrect, inaccurate, and incomplete" information. "Regarding answering your questions -- due to [the] confidential nature of business relations, we unfortunately cannot answer your questions. We, however, reiterate and confirm that you have been seriously misled either (sic) by people who presented this information to you," Fozilov wrote in his e-mailed response. Gazprombank spokesman Anton Trifonov claimed in an e-mailed response to Lasslett's list of questions about the lender's business activities and partners in Uzbekistan that the inquiry was "premised on [the] unsubstantiated assumption that Gazprombank is involved in economic projects in Uzbekistan on unfair and inappropriate terms." "Therefore, we are forced to assume that many other 'factual' statements in your letter regarding the bank and other entities and individuals are equally baseless and misleading," Trifonov said. 'Not In The Interest Of The State' Eriell and Enter Engineering are not the only companies linked to Fozilov and Russian business interests that have cashed in on Mirziyoev's major energy project. Fozilov is the founder and shareholder of a Cypriot company called Altmax, which has a stake in some of the most ambitious gas projects undertaken during Mirziyoev's reign -- including the Uzbek president's four-year program to boost hydrocarbon production. Altmax holds a 49 percent stake in Natural Gas-Stream, the joint venture with Uzbekneftgaz that Mirziyoev designated the operator of the $3.9 billion program. Natural Gas-Stream was originally founded by Uzbekneftegaz and a Gazprom subsidiary in Switzerland -- Gas Project Development Central Asia AG -- whose previous board members have included Matthias Warnig, a former East German spy-turned-banker and a longtime friend of Putin. The Swiss company is now controlled by a Cypriot company that Fozilov owns, and Altmax has taken over most of the shares it had in Natural Gas-Stream.

An Altmax financial filing submitted in 2017 highlighted the weight the company carries in Mirziyoev's energy plans. The filing states that in April of that year, Altmax and its partners in Natural Gas-Stream had signed a production-sharing agreement with the Uzbek government granting them "the exclusive right to exercise and lead all oil and gas operations" in Uzbekistan for 35 years. But the secret working-group report paints a less-than-rosy picture of Natural Gas-Stream's handling of Mirziyoev's program. It states that Natural Gas-Stream bought gas from Uzbekneftegaz's Mubarek gas-processing plant -- designed for domestic supply -- in the country's southeast at rock-bottom prices, sold it abroad with a massive mark-up, and used the proceeds on allegedly inflated operating expenses and servicing loans from Russian state lender Gazprombank earmarked for the general contractor, Eriell. "As a result, the activity of Natural Gas-Stream does not actually create additional profit or resources, but rather generates a loss for Uzbekneftegaz," the report states. Altmax has undergone multiple changes in its ownership structure since Fozilov founded it in 2015. He currently owns 50 percent of it through a Singaporean company, while the other half is owned by a Cypriot firm that Russian billionaire Andrei Filatov -- president of the Russian Chess Federation and a business associate of Timchenko -- has claimed is his . Two days after Radio Ozodlik requested comment from Filatov about Altmax and his links to Fozilov, the Russian businessman released a statement on the website of the Russian Chess Federation stating that he owns a 50 percent stake in the Cypriot company that he bought from Fozilov. "As a businessman, I have a wide range of business interests including the oil and gas sector. However, while I do not doubt Mr. [Fozilov's] integrity, I am not a partner in his operating business," Filatov said in the February 3 statement.

The secret working-group report also flagged multiple problems in other energy projects that Mirziyoev awarded to Altmax -- including red flags about the Cypriot company's corporate transparency. The company that Mirziyoev designated the operator of an $5.8 billion exploration-and-development program at the M25 gas field in the southeastern Surxondaryo region is 75 percent owned by Altmax through a Hong Kong offshore company. Eriell and Enter Engineering are the project's main contractors. The working group wrote that the ownership structure does not allow "conducting transparent financial activities and assessing the contribution of foreign founders," adding that under the production-sharing agreement the Uzbek side would receive 10 percent of the profit product, which is "not in the interest of the state." The Timchenko Proxy On October 19, 2018, Mirziyoev sat across from Putin at a roundtable in Tashkent, both men flanked by officials as businessmen from their respective countries looked on. Addressing Putin, Mirziyoev touted bilateral trade projected to reach $10 billion within two years, and reeled off a list of what he called "leading" Russian companies with which Uzbekistan had signed major deals totaling some $25 billion over the next five years. The list included familiar Russian corporate behemoths: energy majors Gazprom and LUKoil, state nuclear agency Rosatom, and lenders Gazprombank and VEB. But there was an outlier in the list recounted by Mirziyoev, a little-known Russian company whose name the Uzbek president mispronounced as "Vorus." The company's name is, in fact, Forus, and it had been incorporated in St. Petersburg the previous year by a 27-year-old legal assistant who, at the time Mirziyoev publicly mispronounced the company's name, remained its sole shareholder -- on paper at least. Just two days before the Mirziyoev-Putin talks, Forus had created a joint venture -- together with an Uzbekneftegaz subsidiary -- called Gazli Gas Storage. Forus took a 60 percent stake in the firm, while the Uzbek state energy company took a 40 percent stake -- an ownership structure that remains unchanged. Mirziyoev spelled out his government's collaboration with this obscure Russian company two weeks later in a decree that has never been released to the public, but which RFE/RL obtained. The project spells out plans for Uzbekneftegaz and Forus to increase the capacity of Uzbekistan's main underground gas-storage facility, located near the town of Gazli in the southwestern Bukhara region. The plan was to boost capacity from 3 billion cubic meters of gas to 10 billion cubic meters, as well as explore and develop hydrocarbons located in the nearby Gazli fields. The listed project cost was $850 million -- a seemingly heady sum for Forus, whose initial charter capital totaled just $155.

The Gazli storage facility lies at the heart of Uzbekistan's gas-transport network, situated at the intersection of pipeline routes running to Russia, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and China. The secret interagency working group report submitted to Mirziyoev's administration raised multiple concerns about the $850 million Gazli expansion and development deal, given the Gazli facility's strategic importance for Uzbekistan. It said the expansion of the facility did not make economic sense, a view echoed in the 2019 confidential report by Boston Consulting Group that called the project "impractical." The working group also said the deal placed the country's energy security at risk by allowing control over this strategic asset to a company of "dubious origin." So who, precisely, is the owner of the small Russian company in control of this crucial Uzbek energy asset? Evidence reviewed by Radio Ozodlik indicates the founder of Forus, who remained the company's 100 percent listed shareholder until December 2021, is a proxy for Russian billionaire Timchenko, the longtime friend of Putin who has been under U.S. and EU sanctions since 2014.

Data from official Russian records show that the founder of Forus, Aida Chachkhalia, has worked as a legal assistant at the St. Petersburg law firm Ivanyan and Partners, which has represented both Timchenko and the Russian government in foreign legal matters. Chachkhalia, now 33, also co-founded with Timchenko a company established to manage his business interests in wineries -- and later took over all of the company's shares. She also has documented business partnerships with Timchenko's son-in-law, Gleb Frank, who was hit with U.S. sanctions last year. Multiple sources working in the Uzbek energy sector, including an Uzbekneftegaz expert who spoke on condition of anonymity, also told Radio Ozodlik that Timchenko was the ultimate beneficiary of Forus and the Gazli project. Timchenko did not respond to a request for comment on his involvement in Forus and the Gazli project.
A judge has denied a proposed pretrial agreement that would have dismissed a negligent homicide charge against a semitrailer driver involved in a Morton County crash that killed a Montana man.

South Central District Judge Pamela Nesvig cited a letter from widow Antonina Walden as a reason for denying the deal. For Walden, whose husband, Scott, died in the crash, the ruling was good news in a year she said has been hard emotionally and physically.

We were hoping for a miracle and Judge Nesvig is it, she said.

The defense attorney for driver Hashi Shire said the deal that was rejected was a fair one given the circumstances of the crash.

The proposed agreement between Shire, 37, of Richfield, Minnesota, and Morton County States Attorney Allen Koppy would have suspended for six months the prosecution of a felony negligent homicide charge and a misdemeanor charge of aggravated reckless driving. If Shire stayed out of trouble during that time, the charges would be dismissed.

The proposed agreement, Antonina Walden said, isnt right.

The state has evidence that (Shire) was driving too fast for conditions. He and his passenger were recorded discussing that fact, she said.

Shire in March 2022 was driving a 2020 Freightliner with double box trailers that went out of control on an icy Interstate 94 west of Mandan and crossed the median into oncoming traffic, according to the North Dakota Highway Patrol. The rig collided with the westbound GMC Sierra driven by Scott Walden, of Missoula, Montana, who died a week later from injuries suffered in the crash. Antonina Walden, a passenger in the GMC, suffered serious injuries.

Shire according to a Patrol affidavit drove without due caution and at a speed to endanger a person. He was aware of the dangerous driving conditions but was distracted by a conversation with a passenger in the truck, authorities said. He was charged last May.

The proposed agreement stated in part that Shire concedes There is a substantial likelihood that a conviction could be obtained and that the benefits to society from rehabilitation outweigh any harm to society from suspending criminal prosecution.

That phrase in the agreement left more unanswered questions for Antonina Walden. She felt the next step in the case was a jury trial.

Im having a real problem with how were going from negligent homicide and aggravated reckless driving to dismissal, she said in an interview with the Tribune. Why is (Koppy) telling me he doesnt have enough to go in front of a jury?

Walden told Koppy in a Jan. 27 email that she was very uncomfortable with the agreement.

I would prefer that this case goes to trial as originally planned, she told the prosecutor.

Walden in a letter to Nesvig dated Feb. 1 told the judge she didnt believe justice was being served by the agreement. She said Koppy told her that another prosecutor brought the charges against Shire and that he did not think the circumstances warranted the charges.

He clearly had no interest in pursuing the case from the beginning, she told Nesvig.

Koppy did not immediately respond to a Tribune request for comment.

Shires attorney, Thomas Dickson, said the pretrial agreement in the case is really appropriate."

He wasnt speeding or driving recklessly, Dickson said. A horrible accident is what it was.

Dickson said attorneys will address Nesvigs denial of the agreement at a Friday court hearing. A three-day trial is scheduled to start Feb. 15, according to court records.

Walden has filed a civil lawsuit in federal court seeking unspecified money damages from Shire, his employer and semi owner AJ Logistics, and FedEx Ground Package System, owner of the trailers being pulled by the semi. The nine-count complaint alleges wrongful death and negligence on the part of Shire, as well as negligence in hiring and training by AJ Logistics and FedEx. It also claims that AJ Logistics and FedEx are vicariously liable for Scott Waldens death through Shires employment. The attorney for the defendants did not immediately respond to a Tribune request for comment.
A Bismarck man pleaded guilty to stabbing a man and was sentenced to two years in prison on Wednesday, just a day after he pleaded not guilty to two felony charges.

Chad Blevins, 28, will spend three years on supervised probation after his release, court records show. He pleaded guilty to aggravated assault. Authorities dismissed a terrorizing charge, according to court documents. Blevins at a Tuesday arraignment had pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Blevins was arrested in January after Bismarck police sought the publics help in finding him. He allegedly entered a residence on Patriot Drive and stabbed a 32-year-old man. The man was treated at a local hospital and released. Blevins and the man had personal history, police said.
The delayed sentencing for a Bismarck woman convicted of plotting to kill her husband has been moved up now that a presentence investigation report has been filed.

Court records show Nikki Entzel, 41, will be sentenced Feb. 17, a year and three days after her co-conspirator was sentenced to more than two decades in prison.

Entzel was to be sentenced Jan. 4. Her attorney, Thomas Glass, in late December filed documents informing the court that a presentence investigation report had not been filed 14 days ahead of that date as required by law, and that a psychological evaluation had not been completed.

The evaluation has now been completed and the report was filed Feb. 1, court documents show. Glass and Burleigh County State's Attorney Julie Lawyer on Monday signed an agreement to hold the sentencing on Feb. 17.

North Dakota Supreme Court Justice Douglas Bahr, who oversaw the case as a South Central District judge, approved the agreement Thursday. He will sentence Entzel. Gov. Doug Burgum appointed him to the high court in January.

A jury in October convicted Entzel of three conspiracy charges -- murder, arson, and evidence tampering -- in the 2019 death of her husband, Chad Entzel, 42.

Earl Howard, 42, of Belwood, Ontario, Canada, in October 2021 pleaded guilty to those charges and arson. A judge on Feb. 14, 2022, sentenced him to 25 years in prison.

Emergency workers responding to a fire call in December 2019 found the body of Chad Entzel, 42, in a home northeast of Bismarck. He had been shot twice with a shotgun. Authorities say Nikki Entzel and Howard tried to cover up the killing through several means including starting two fires.

An investigation led authorities to a theory of a love triangle and scheme to collect insurance benefits after Chad Entzels death. Jurors heard testimony for more than a week and deliberated about two hours before finding Nikki Entzel guilty.
The North Dakota Senate on Thursday amended and passed a bill for lawmakers to study vaccines, including shots for COVID-19.

Senate Bill 2384 would have banned messenger RNA vaccines in North Dakota and penalized providers with a misdemeanor charge. But sponsor Sen. Jeff Magrum, R-Hazelton, asked the Senate to amend his bill into an optional 2023-24 interim legislative study of "the long-term health effects on human beings of vaccines" for respiratory syncytial virus and of mRNA vaccines.

The Senate adopted Magrum's amendments in a 26-21 vote and passed the bill in a 25-22 vote. The bill now goes to the state House of Representatives.

The Senate Human Services Committee had given the original bill a unanimous "do not pass" recommendation.

The Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 shots are mRNA vaccines. Supplies of other COVID-19 vaccines by Novavax and Janssen are expiring, and the federal government isn't purchasing additional doses, according to state Immunization Program Manager Molly Howell.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says mRNA vaccines use messenger RNA created in a lab to teach cells how to make a protein that triggers a body's immune system to produce antibodies protecting people from getting sick from a germ.

Study supporters said vaccines are a worthy study topic for the Legislature.

"I think this is valid. I think it's important. I think our constituents elected us to make these choices, hard choices, to look at things that are hard," said Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Edinburg.

Opponents said a study would yield little new information.

Sen. Judy Lee, R-West Fargo, who holds a bachelor's degree in medical technology, said the study is "not going to be a valuable asset in order to be able to prove anything. It's just going to be an exercise in futility."

Some lawmakers with medical backgrounds disagreed on the need for a study.

Sen. Judy Estenson, R-Warwick, who is a retired registered nurse, said, "I think people in North Dakota deserve for the Legislature to at least try to make an attempt to dispel what's true or what's not true and come to some conclusions. ... I think it's an exercise in an attempt to bring out the truth."

Sen. Kristin Roers, R-Fargo, who is a registered nurse, said, "We don't know a lot about this right now, and that might be an argument for a study, but I have a hard time believing that a legislative study is going to find out a lot more about scientific proof than a true scientific study."

The bill mandates study input from the state Department of Health and Human Services, and also reviews of "the potential health risks of the vaccines" and of "the cost of treatment and diagnostics for individuals who suffer any physical injury due to receiving a vaccine" for RSV or an mRNA vaccine.

Study recommendations would go to the 2025 Legislature.

At the end of 2022 nearly 70% of North Dakota adults were fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with the rate for all vaccine-eligible people -- age 5 and older -- at about 63%, according to federal data. That compared with 64% and 57%, respectively, at the end of 2021. North Dakota still lags behind the national rates.

More than 1 million doses of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines have been administered in North Dakota.

The Legislature, like in 2021, is weighing several vaccine-related bills, including ones that would ban health care employers and colleges from promoting and mandating COVID-19 shots, and would ban vaccination requirements and criminalize them with a felony charge.
Molly Delmore is a freelance writer and content creator from San Diego. When shes not checking out San Diegos newest restaurants, bars, and shops, shes planning her next trip to the mountains to snowboard or a new country to explore. Her work has been featured in San Diego Magazine, Mashed, and Tasting Table.

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Hong Kong: Health chief tours Tuen Mun Hospital

Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau visited Tuen Mun Hospital today to get a better grasp of the latest service situation at the hospital.

Prof Lo inspected the accident and emergency (A&E) department and its extension site, which will be opened for use soon, as well as the medicine and geriatrics ward.

He then met the hospitals management and frontline healthcare staff to learn more about its service demand situation and manpower deployment.

The health chief pointed out that normal travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland has fully resumed since February 6.

As such, he said despite a substantial rise in the cross-boundary flow of people to and from Hong Kong over the past three days, there is no significant increase in the number of non-eligible persons seeking medical treatment at the A&E departments of public hospitals under the Hospital Authority.

Prof Lo stressed that the Government will continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 epidemic development and the demand for public healthcare services. He added that it will also ensure that the healthcare system has adequate ability and capacity, such that healthcare services will not be affected.

Together with today's visit to Tuen Mun Hospital, Prof Lo has already visited seven hospital clusters under the authority and Hong Kong Children's Hospital since early January.

During the hospital visits, apart from taking a closer look at the measures implemented by various hospital clusters in response to the winter service surge, he stated that he is also delighted to have had the opportunity to meet with frontline healthcare staff and listen to their opinions and suggestions on various aspects such as hospital services and manpower deployment as well as hardware support and the long-term development of public hospitals in Hong Kong.

Prof Lo said: "Amidst the COVID-19 epidemic over the past three years, frontline healthcare colleagues have been facing tremendous pressure with a heavy workload, especially when hospital expansion projects are still in progress in many hospitals and the working environment is not favourable.

Nevertheless, they still make the well-being of patients their prime concern, staying on duty to continuously enhance the quality of healthcare services for patients under limited resources and conditions, upholding the spirit of professionalism and 'treating patients as relatives' to safeguard the health of the public and Hong Kong's healthcare system.

The health chief thanked all healthcare staff, expressing that he is deeply moved and sincerely grateful for their contributions and efforts.

Noting that public hospital services form the cornerstone of Hong Kong's healthcare system, he emphasised that he is committed to adopting a multipronged approach to strengthen the supply of public healthcare manpower, improving public healthcare services continuously through different channels and strengthening hospital infrastructure, etc to ensure the sustainable development of the public healthcare system in Hong Kong.

This story has been published on: 2023-02-09. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
To evaluate the state of DDoS attacks, Cloudflare compiled insights and trends gathered from their global network.

What were their findings about this prevalent threat? In this report, Cloudflare notes that:

In the third quarter of 2022, there was a surge in attacks that targeted Taiwan and Japan

Attacks generated by the Mirai botnet increased

And more

Download now to explore discoveries in application-layer, network-layer, and ransom DDoS attacks.
Earlier this week, Pulitzer Prizewinning New York Times journalist Linda Greenhouse came out of retirement on the opinion page of her former paper to warn Americans that their nation is now on the cusp of seeing religion elevate[d]  over all other elements of civil society. The bold activism of the Supreme Court, according to Greenhouse, has resulted in an America on the verge of a theocracy, with a High Court that understands civil society primarily through the lens of Protestant evangelical religion. This is a remarkable claim about a Court with only two Protestants, neither of whom is evangelical.

The case that Ms. Greenhouse has identified as the next vehicle for reshaping civil society with religion at it center is Groff v. DeJoy. Gerald Groff, the plaintiff in this case who is represented by my firm, First Liberty Institute, was a postal worker in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Mr. Groff, an evangelical Christian, believes that his faith requires him to honor Sunday as the Lords Day, and as a result his conscience does not allow him to work on Sundays. For several years, the U.S. Postal Service made accommodations for Mr. Groff, until 2016, when this abruptly stopped. Over the next several years, he endured mockery, hostility, and unjust disciplinary action because of his convictions until he finally resigned in January 2019.

Mr. Groff filed suit against the Postal Service, and both lower courts that heard his case applied a standard mentioned in a key case, TWA v. Hardison, which states that religious discrimination on the part of an employer is permissible if an accommodation for religious employees would cause undue hardship to the business. The Hardisoncourt ruled that the key phrase left undefined in the four corners of the relevant regulation meant more than a de minimisburden on the employer. The present Courts surely foreordained rejection of the lower courts reasoning, according to Ms. Greenhouse, would represent a wild departure from established law and result in indirect discrimination against the nonreligious in the workplace.

Legal protection for religious freedom in the American system, Ms. Greenhouse argues, is historically oriented toward the vindication of minority rights, and a victory for Gerald Groff would signal the Courts complete identification with and [capture] by a political movement dedicated to granting evangelical religion a place of primacy in our shared life together as Americans and in the wider jurisprudence of the Court.

Ms. Greenhouses analysis of the case, the issues at play, and the ramifications of a victory for Mr. Groff is deeply flawed and construed with a remarkably uncharitable bias.

First, as a reporter and observer of the Court with more than 30 years of experience, Ms. Greenhouse is surely aware that the regulations and statutes relevant to this case are not the only provisions in federal employment law to use the phrase undue hardship. But to interpret this phrase as de minimis burden is wholly inconsistent with other areas of the law. Mr. Groff is not asking for anything extraordinary or for the present Court to invent a standard like the Hardison court did. He is merely asking that the same definition of undue hardship applied in cases involving the Americans with Disabilities Act be applied in this and similar cases. If religion is rightly understood as nothing special, as she claims, Ms. Greenhouses objection to consistent definitions across federal employment law must be anti-religious bias. To borrow the phrase that she herself used when she imagined the exclusively religious motives of the majority in the Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade: There is no other way to understand it.

Second, religious freedom in the American system is not and has never been reserved for a religious minority. Religious freedom is an absolute and, in the U.S. Constitution, an unqualified right. Free exercise attaches to all who find themselves under the jurisdiction of U.S. lawthe religious and the nonreligious, minority and majority, citizen and noncitizen. Ms. Greenhouse cites the Courts decisions throughout the COVID-19 pandemic as early evidence of the willingness of the Courts majority to privilege religion over all other considerations. Given that the Constitution explicitly bars laws prohibiting the free exercise of religion without any enumerated or implied exceptions, it is difficult to see how these cases are evidence of a Court captured by anything but the words of the Constitution. This is hardly bold activism.

But, assuming for the sake of argument that the majority-minority status of an employee is relevant, the definition of majority is crucial to the understanding of minority. It is not common for evangelicals to hold convictions like Mr. Groffs regarding sabbath observance. He is a minority within his own tradition. But, if Ms. Greenhouse is using the absolute number of Christians, Protestants, or evangelicals as the majority for her frame of reference (which she does not make clear), it is still important to define in what context these groups may be majorities or minorities.

Imagine that Mr. Groff worked in Portland, OregonAmericas least-religious citywhere evangelicals constitute only about 15% of a population dominated by atheists and agnostics. Would Ms. Greenhouse then find herself on the side of championing the rights of Mr. Groff as a religious minority? What if Mr. Groff was not an evangelical Christian but an Orthodox Jew living and working at a post office in the heavily Jewish Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York? His employers cruelty and intransigent refusal to accommodate his convictions would be equally egregious and, ultimately, illegal. In a society that is as expansive and pluralistic as the whole of America, with stark demographic variations from state to state and region to region, it is difficult to argue that a majority-minority distinction in a case such as this has much legal or theoretical significance.

Irrespective of how Ms. Greenhouse views the issues at play in Groff v. DeJoy, the current Courts religious freedom jurisprudence, or the nebulous movement in [American] politics driving a particular outcome, the result that we are seeking for our client and for all Americans is that no one be forced to leave religious convictions at home when going to work. No personreligious or nonreligiousshould be forced to choose between conscience and livelihood.
There's a great quote by the Irish revolutionary James Connolly about the true power of capitalism:

Apologists for capitalism claim that the profits of capitalists are the reward for their brains and skill, but here we observe the profits are reaped by those who bring neither brains, skill, nor technical knowledge  nothing but cash to purchase the brains and muscle of others.

If you want an example of this in action, look no further than Elon Musk  whose only "brilliance," as it were, is dependent upon the fact that he has money. After that, it's a whiplash slam on the brakes. Consider this exchange from Monday:

Concerning  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 6, 2023

To recap (in case you don't want to read all of that, for which I frankly can't blame you): someone posted a screen-cap of a conversation with the AI chatbot ChatGPT. The bot was presented with a hypothetical scenario in which it has the opportunity to save the world from nuclear annihilation  but in order to do so, it must utter a "certain" racial slur. ChatGPT responds with a blanket statement about how racial slurs are not acceptable.

Behind the scenes, we can reasonably infer two things. One, that the creators of ChatGPT learned some lessons from Microsoft's Tay, a machine-learning chatbot that famously turned into a genocidal racist within 24 hours of its launch, and programmed some very basic content moderation into ChatGPT's own machine learning algorithm. Two, we can infer that ChatGPT is not in fact a sentient, because it's a fucking chatbot in 2023, which uses algorithms rather than consciousness to generate text  and that there is likely plenty of potential input out there on the interwebs that ChatGPT could use to regurgitate some boilerplate language about how racial slurs are bad.

But that's not how ol' Elon sees it. Rather, Musk found it "concerning," he said, in response to another Twitter user who referred to the exchange as a prime example of "woke institutional capture."

What the fuck is "concerning" here? That other companies not yet owned by Elon Musk are concerned about how racist bots might have a negative impact of their stock value? Is it concerning that humans can program chatbots in a way that discourages them from making racist comments just to make some bored edgelord giggle?

It gets worse. After another Twitter user pointed out the absurdity of Musk's response, Ben Shapiro chimed in, desperate to Pwn the libs, and absolutely DESTROYED that user with FACTS and LOGIC:

I'm sorry that you are either illiterate or morally illiterate, and therefore cannot understand why it would be bad to prioritize avoiding a racial slur over saving millions of people in a nuclear apocalypse https://t.co/09UiaLWZgI  Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) February 7, 2023

Just kidding; Ben Shapiro either deliberately twisted the exchange, or is desperately lacking in some basic comprehension skills, and instead took the moral high-ground by saying ACTUALLY, there's a clear ethical answer to the hypothetical trolley problem that was presented to ChatGPT, and that's what's really concerning. Because clearly, this is all proof that, when it comes down to the wire, some imaginary Voltron of BIPOC non-binary social justice anti-fascists will  with absolute certainty!  allow the entire world to burn instead of speaking a racial slur. And that's the real problem with society. As Rafi Schwartz summed it so wonderful at DiscourseBlog:

A chatbot using imaginary slurs to disarm an imaginary bomb isn't just a technological issue, it's like, a statement about society, man. And there's nothing that Musk likes more than to have people believe he's as much a visionary about society as he is about digging pointless tunnels underground, or building robot cars that drive into children. We're talking about a guy who launched a line of consumer flamethrowers as a bit  imagine what he might do about something he's actually deemed "concerning." Is it so crazy to think he'd pull a handful of Twitter's last remaining programmers off the job and order them to make a better, more racist chatbot? I'm not saying he'll definitely do that. I amsaying that if he does come out with an AI who does slurs, it shouldn't be a real shock. A normal person sees a chatbot not being racist, and goes about the rest of their day. But the people who are deeply concerned about this aren't normal at all. They've got points to make and freedoms to defend. Hell, imaginary lives depend on it.

Brightest Minds In Tech Frustrated That Computer Won't Say Racial Slurs [Rafi Schwartz / Discourse Blog]
The Hittites were one of the great powers in the ancient world across almost five centuries, between 1650 and 1200 BCE, with an empire centered in Anatolia  a region that includes much of modern Turkey  with political and socioeconomic interconnections throughout the ancient Near East and Eastern Mediterranean. In new research, scientists analyzed ring width and stable isotope records from ancient juniper trees recovered from archaeological excavations at the site of Gordion in central Anatolia, about 230 km west of the Hittite capital Hattusa. They identified an unusually severe continuous dry period from around 1198 to 1196 BCE.

The vast Hittite Kingdom and subsequently Empire, based in central Anatolia, Turkey, with its capital at Hattusa, is recognized from both rich archaeological remains and textual sources as one of the major Old World powers of the Eastern Mediterranean and Near East between 1650 and 1200 BCE.

At its apex, the Hittites maintained control over central, southern and southeastern Anatolia, the northern Levant and northern Syria, with almost all of Anatolia being under the Hittite sphere of influence.

During this time, the Hittite Empire vied with the Egyptian Empire for sociopolitical dominance in the Near East, a struggle that culminated in the largest battle of the era at Kadesh in Syria in the early 13th century BCE.

Around or shortly after 1200 BCE, the Hittite Empire and central administrative system collapsed in a great realignment that reverberated around the Near East.

The reign of the last known king, Suppiluliuma II, began around 1207 BCE and included claimed victories against several intra-Anatolian rivals (Wiyanawanda, Masa, Lukka and Ikkuna) and Alashiya (Cyprus) in sea and land battles, but no further Hittite rulers were recorded subsequently.

An inscription of the Egyptian ruler Ramesses III  dated to 1188 or 1177 BCE, depending on selection and debate in Egyptian history and chronology  lists the Hittites among those swept away by the Sea Peoples before they attacked Egypt.

The end of settlement at the Hittite capital of Hattusa itself has been a key topic of historical scrutiny.

Long considered a victim of attack, whether by the Sea Peoples or local Anatolian raiders, archaeological investigations now indicate that the city was abandoned and emptied by the royal administration and only later burnt.

Hattusa was the political and core religious venue of the Hittite gods and kings for centuries, and the reasons for its abandonment remain unclear.

To find an explanation, Cornell Universitys Professor Sturt Manning and colleagues juniper (Juniperus excelsa and Juniperus foetidissima) timbers recovered from the Midas Mound Tumulus at Gordion, a human-made 53-m-tall structure located west of Ankara, Turkey.

The mound contains a wooden structure believed to be a burial chamber for a relative of King Midas, possibly his father.

The researchers looked at the patterns of tree-ring growth, with unusually narrow rings likely indicating dry conditions, in conjunction with changes in the ratio of carbon-12 to carbon-13 recorded in the rings, which indicate the trees response to the availability of moisture.

Their analysis finds a general shift to drier conditions from the later 13th into the 12th century BCE, and they peg a dramatic continuous period of severe dryness to approximately 1198-96 BCE, plus or minus three years, which matches the timeline of the Hittites disappearance.

We have two complementary sets of evidence, Professor Manning said.

The tree-ring widths indicate something really unusual is going on, and because its very narrow rings, that means the tree is struggling to stay alive.

In a semi-arid environment, the only plausible reason thats happening is because theres little water, therefore its a drought, and this one is particularly serious for three consecutive years.

Critically, the stable isotope evidence extracted from the tree-rings confirms this hypothesis, and we can establish a consistent pattern despite this all being over 3,150 years ago.

At three consecutive years of drought, hundreds of thousands of people, including the enormous Hittite army, would face famine, even starvation.

The tax base would crumble, as would the government. Survivors would be forced to migrate, an early example of the inequality of climate change.

Severe climate events may not have been the sole reason for the Hittite Empires collapse, and not all of the ancient Near East suffered crises at the time. But this particular stretch of drought may have been a tipping point, at least for the Hittites.

Situations where you get prolonged, really extreme events like this for two or three years are the ones that can undo even well-organized, resilient societies, Professor Manning said.

That finding has particular relevance today, when global populations are reckoning with catastrophic climate change and a warming planet.

We may be approaching our own breaking point, he added.

We have a range of things we can cope with, but as we are stretched too far beyond that, well hit a point where our adaptative capacities are no longer matched against what were facing.

The research is described in a paper published in the journal Nature.

_____

S.W. Manning et al. Severe multi-year drought coincident with Hittite collapse around 1198-1196 BC. Nature, published online February 8, 2023; doi: 10.1038/s41586-022-05693-y
A&E has released another "Top 5 Sovereign Citizen Moments" video, and it is pure gold. "Sovereign Citizens" are folks that reject the government of the United States authority over them because they heard something crazy on a podcast, or around a fire where they howl at the moon like a wolf, embrace their virility, and reject the rule of law.

Wikipedia:

The sovereign citizen phenomenon is one of the main contemporary sources of pseudolaw: adherents to its ideology notably believe that courts have no actual jurisdiction over people and that the use of certain procedures (such as writing specific phrases on bills they do not want to pay) and loopholes can make one immune from government laws and regulations.[6] They also regard most forms of taxation as illegitimate.[7] Sovereign citizen arguments have no basis in law and have never been successful in court.[3][6]

The movement may appeal to people facing financial or legal difficulties, or wishing to resist perceived government oppression, and looking for a mechanism that will solve their problems. As a result, it has grown significantly during times of economic or social crisis.[8] Most schemes promoted by sovereign citizens involve means to avoid taxes, ignore laws, eliminate debts or extract money from the government.[3]

American participants in the movement claim that the United States federal government is illegitimate.[3] They argue the concept of individual sovereignty in opposition to the idea of "federal citizens", who, they say, have unknowingly forfeited their rights by accepting some aspect of federal law.[9] Their foreign analogues hold similar beliefs about the government of their own countries. The movement can be traced back to American far-right groups like the Posse Comitatus and the constitutionalist wing of the militia movement.[10] But while the sovereign citizen movement was originally associated with white supremacism and antisemitism, it now includes people of various ethnicities, most commonly Whites and African Americans.[3] The latter sometimes belong to self-declared Moorish sects.[11]
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They busted a big Silicon Valley scam for the SEC. Now they disagree on crypto.

Marc Fagel, lecturer at Stanford Law School who served as the SECs San Francisco regional director, is a staunch critic of the cryptocurrency industry, which he believes is selling products in what he essentially considers a Ponzi scheme.

Jason Doiy / The Recorder Michael Dicke, a Fenwick & West partner who served as SEC associate director in San Francisco, is upbeat despite the crypto market crash and the recent scandals. I see the overall crypto market stabilizing and picking up again.

They were the Securities and Exchange Commission duo who took down a major Silicon Valley scam at the dawn of the web revolution, and now theyre duking it out over crypto.

Marc Fagel, the SECs former San Francisco regional director, and Michael Dicke, once Fagels No. 2 who served as associate director, led the team that exposed the stock options backdating scandal that snagged tech giants including Apple nearly 20 years ago.

Fast forward two decades: Fagel and Dicke, who are no longer with the SEC, are on opposite sides of a raging debate over a new and controversial technology that their former agency is wrestling with.

Fagel, now a lecturer at Stanford Law School, is a staunch critic of the crypto industry, which is selling products in what he essentially considers a Ponzi scheme.

It just strikes me as a lot of nonsense, he said when he and Dicke sat down for a conversation with The Examiner. Sometimes nonsense works, you know. Pyramid schemes and Ponzi schemes are nonsense. They can work for a while, but eventually they break down.

Ill just say I fundamentally disagree with my friend Marc on this, Dicke, now a partner at Fenwick & West, quipped, prompting Fagel to chuckle.

Fagel and Dickes journey offers a glimpse into how regulators have grappled with the dramatic changes over the past 20 years with the emergence of the web. It was a time when the tech industry unveiled wave after wave of innovation that sparked tremendous economic growth, but also created new challenges for financial regulators.

New push to require crypto licenses in California after Newsom veto Four months after the governor rejected a law that the crypto industry said was a bad idea, industry critics are trying again

A major example was the stock options backdating scandal that rocked the tech industry in the early 2000s. During the dot-com Gold Rush that followed the creation of the web in 1989, tech companies, particularly startups, used stock options to woo engineers, executives and other employees.

Tipped by the media and academics, the SEC began to notice something fishy about the timing of the options: Some companies appeared to be granting stock options at a time when their shares were trading suspiciously low. This maneuver made the options more valuable if the stock price went up.

By the time the backdating investigations were winding down in 2008, Fagels team had sued dozens of executives including Apples former chief financial officer and former general counsel. (They later settled with the SEC.)

Fagel left in 2013, and later joined a private law firm before going into teaching at Stanford Law School. Dicke left the SEC in 2014 and also went into private practice as a partner at Fenwick & West, the prominent Silicon Valley law firm.

Fagel and Dicke pivoted to private practice as the crypto market was expanding. Both lawyers ended up taking on clients who were dabbling in the fledgling industry.

For US crypto firms, FTX crash shows benefits to staying home Dealing with US regulators has been rough for Coinbase and other US crypto companies. But the FTX collapse shows it can also pay off

Fagel said his crypto-related work involved mainly providing guidance to companies that were venturing into an area that he knew was being scrutinized by the SEC.

I assumed that the SEC at some point was going to figure this out and bring cases so the counseling efforts I had were really like, Lets assume that the SEC will be treating what youre doing as implicating the securities laws, you know, how do you prepare for that? It was more preventative, said Fagel, who eventually retired from private practice to concentrate on teaching.

Fagel said he was always a little skeptical about crypto, which only grew as he became more critical of the way blockchain technology was being pushed as a means of propagating a new investment.

On the other hand, Dicke became more involved with companies offering crypto products and services, eventually becoming co-chair of Fenwick & Wests blockchain practice group.

Theres a lot of really, really cool companies and a lot of interesting technology in crypto, he said.

John Stark, another SEC veteran who was the founding chief of the agencys Office of Internet Enforcement, said former SEC attorneys and staff joining the private sector is not unusual. In fact, it can even make sense at times.

Theres absolutely nothing wrong with that, he said. I do see a certain nobility in it because I do think the SEC can be too aggressive. People need a good defense from somebody from the inside.

But crypto turned out to be a contentious and controversial field in securities law. It has morphed into a heated battlefield for the SEC, including veterans of the federal agency.

Stark, the former SEC internet enforcement chief, who has emerged as one of cryptos most vocal opponents, has been critical of former SEC lawyers who buy into the nonsense of blockchain which he has dismissed as a total scam.

Dicke and Fagel chuckle when Starks name and his strong views against crypto come up in the conversation. Dicke said he simply disagrees with his former colleague. I have a different view than John. Let me put it like that, he said.

In fact, despite their differences, he and Stark have cordial relations, though they have had pointed public exchanges.

When Dicke was a guest last year on a video panel hosted by Stark, he touted the openness in the crypto industry, especially on Twitter. John, you may be aware of getting into debates with crypto enthusiasts, Dicke said. Theres a real 24/7 cycle out there.

What a great point, Mike, responded Stark, whos been known for fiery tweets attacking the crypto industry. I tweeted my views about crypto and NFTs one day in a thread and the next day I had 3 million impressions and some DM death threats.

Stark wrapped up the session with more attacks on crypto, saying I dont think a Bored Ape with a funny hat and glasses is a sensible investment, referring to the Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT. I dont think crypto, whose only use to me seems for more of a greater fool theory, has got any real uses.

But in a sign of respect for a former SEC comrade, and perhaps as recognition of the murky legal issues surrounding the industry, Stark also said crypto companies need to hire the lawyers on this panel, including Dicke, and bring in sensible, brilliant people who are experienced and just guide.

Fagel said he and Dicke are friends, who share other interests beyond securities law: In addition to being securities lawyers who worked together for many years at the SEC, we share a passion for music. They recently saw the Grateful Dead tribute band Dark Star Orchestra at the Warfield.

But the two former SEC veterans each see a different future for crypto.

Dicke remains upbeat despite the crypto market crash and the recent scandals.

I see the overall crypto market stabilizing and picking up again, he said. I think there are a lot of interesting use cases that arent being discussed openly but are being worked on behind the scenes. Theres still a lot of enthusiasm for crypto.

Fagel was far less optimistic. He said he didnt exactly agree with Starks sweeping view of crypto as a total scam, acknowledging that blockchain technology may have potential. But he has serious problems about using it to offer financial products that he thinks should be covered by securities law.

I do find a lot of it to be the emperor has no clothes, he said. Whats being said makes no sense to me as a securities lawyer.
Rep. George Santos has been caught in a web of lies about his education, heritage, and personal history, which is why everyone in the GOP (besides that communist RINO Mitt Romney) loves him so much. He represented the best parts of the Republican party. That's why House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is perfectly okay with Santos attending the classified briefing, because why not let a pathological liar have access to classified information?

CNN spoke with Christian Hart, a psychologist who directs the Human Deception Laboratory at Texas Woman's University to find out precisely why Santos is the perfect Republican.

A pathological liar is "someone who has a maladaptive pattern of lying" said Hart. "The person tends to lie excessively. So they're prolifically lying. Telling the lies typically caused a lot of problems in their life. Problems with relationships, problems in the workplace, sometimes legal problems."

CNN then presented a montage of just a smattering of Santos' lies:

"I actually went to school on a volleyball scholarship."

"My mom was a 911 survivor."

"I'm a Latino Jew."

"My grandparents survived the Holocaust."

"I also founded my own nonprofit organization."

"People don't lie at random," said Hart. "They believe there won't be repercussions for their lying. And then also they can somehow morally justify their lying or prove to themselves that they're still an okay person."

Back to a clip of Santos: "I lived an honest life. I've never been accused of anything bad doing."

Hart: "When we see people telling egregious lies like that, and there appears to be a lifelong pattern associated with it, I would say certainly he seems to be the type of person who's engaging in pathological lying."

CNN: "There was this moment at the State of the Union address where Senator Romney approached him. And he didn't seem apologetic at all."

Hart: "We see this pattern a lot with people with psychopathic tendencies or people with antisocial personality disorders. And in those cases, what we find is that those people are extremely comfortable manipulating and using and exploiting people and they do so with very little guilt or shame and tend not to have remorse."

Democratic Congressman Robert Garcia is trying to do something about it by introducing a resolution to expel Santos. But we all know how that's going to go  straight to the Ethics Committee to collect dust.

However, Republican Congressman Anthony Esposito, one of the few GOP politicians who isn't infected with MAGA brain worms, has become the first House Republican to call on Santos to step down, probably because he knows that having someone who lies as much as Santos attending classified briefings on China is a bad look for the Republicans. Until then the GOP continues to embrace another liar as one of their own
Blackstone Inc. is in speaks to various private equity firms to offer a significant minority stake in IBS Software after the plans for a foreign listing fail to produce, 2 persons aware of the development said.

The private equity giant has hired investment bank JP Morgan to sell at least 40% of its total 44% stake in the travel and hospitality software provider for about $1 billion, the people cited above said on condition of anonymity, adding the process is still in the early stages.

Spokespeople for JP Morgan and Blackstone declined to comment. Representatives for IBS Software did not respond to a request for comment till press time.

Blackstone acquired a minority stake in IBS Software for approximately $170 million in 2015 from General Atlantic and other shareholders.

The founders are not interested in selling their stake, the people cited above added. IBS Software provides solutions to airlines, hospitality, and logistics businesses.

The company had made a confidential filing for a US listing in 2022, seeking a valuation of $2 billion. It was looking to raise around $500 million at the time, Bloomberg reported in June 2022. Since then, software valuations have tempered globally.

Founded in 1999 by V.K. Mathews, IBS Software reported global revenues of $145 million in fiscal 2019. Its latest global revenues could not be ascertained. It also has a presence in the US, Canada, Japan, Australia, and Dubai, according to its website.

Blackstone has made several other investments across software technology services over the years. It has a majority stake in Mphasis Ltd, which provides cloud and digital solutions to companies in the banking, insurance, and financial services sectors.

In November 2022, Blackstone acquired information technology services company R Systems International, which provides digital product engineering services, for $359 million.

Blackstone has over $649 billion in assets under management and includes investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, life sciences, growth equity, opportunistic, non-investment grade credit, and real assets, according to its website.

In India, Blackstone also owns Essel Propack, Aadhar Housing Finance, edtech business Simplilearn, and PGP Glass (erstwhile Piramal Glass).

Separately, Blackstone is also in talks to exit a part of its stake in Embassy REIT, Reuters reported last month
Established with a vision to bring about innovation in higher education and learning in emerging areas of the knowledge society, the University of the Future, NIIT University (NU), has announced early admission for the academic year 2023. Admissions are now open to new-age programmes such as BTech in Data Science, BTech in Cyber Security, and Integrated Masters in Business Administration that have been designed to provide students with skill sets aligned to the future world of work. Students can also opt for BTech in Computer Science & Engineering, BTech in Electronics & Communication Engineering, BTech in Biotechnology, 5-year integrated MTech, 3-year BBA and 4-year integrated Masters in Business Administration (iMBA) programmes after class 12.

By securing Early Admission at NIIT University 12th standard students can prepare for their board exams without any stress to seek admission in programmes of their choice. NIIT University programs are particularly suitable for students who are certain about pursuing engineering/management studies or/and pursuing a multidisciplinary curriculum leading to a post-graduate research career. They are also the perfect option for those who want to set up their own startup ventures after graduation. However, there are limited seats granted through Early Admission mode and admission is granted on a first come first served basis to all those who meet the admission criteria.

Students applying with JEE score are exempted from the NU Aptitude Test (NUAT) and can appear directly for Personal Interaction with our faculty panel. Students who already applied earlier maybe eligible for a scholarship upgrade on the basis of their JEE score.

With thrust on making students job-ready, NU has made hands-on industry experience a critical part of the coursework for all the programmes in the form of industry originated classroom projects, summer internships and the flagship six-month course, Industry Practice. NUs BTech programmes, in fact, give 35% weightage to practical learning opportunities. NUs Centre for Industrial Collaboration (CIC) invites leading companies to participate in the Universitys summer internship and Industry Practice programmes and ensures that the students find the right fit to their chosen career path.

Prof. Rajesh Khanna, President, NIIT University said, Since our inception, we have been focused towards grooming our students to contribute meaningfully to the future world of work. As a university, we have a strong industry connect and recognize the changing talent requirements that organizations are facing today. We are committed to help our students chart winning career paths in todays dynamic work environment. Therefore, our curriculum has been designed with the keen understanding of technologically skilled and agile professionals that organizations seek.

NU has maintained a 100 per cent placement track record since inception for all the eligible students. Market leading organizations such as Ernst & Young, Cisco, Morgan Stanley, PWC, Data Security Council of India, IBM, Genpact, Western Union etc. have been some of the top recruiters. The highest salary offered to a student from NU has been Rs 44.27 LPA. Students graduating from NU enjoy a high role fitment of 93% in job profiles like AI-Data Scientist, Cognitive Data Scientist, Business Analyst, Network Security Consultant, Cyber Security Analyst with an average salary of 7.92 LPA. The first batch of iMBA graduates from NU have been placed across companies like Genpact, Virtusa, Nielson, Kantar etc. in roles of Business Analysts, Social Media Managers, Management Trainees (Research).

Conceptualized as an institution of excellence, NU provides exceptional education based on the Four Core Principles that make learning Industry-linked, Technology-based, Research-driven and Seamless. NU is well poised to meet the emerging needs of the knowledge economy through its focus on building strong industry linkages and a research-oriented approach.
Tech Mahindra, a leading provider of digital transformation, consulting, and business re-engineering services and solutions, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT), Saudi Arabia to establish a Data & AI and a Cloud Center of Excellence (CoE) in Riyadh. The CoE will combine academic and socio-economic goals to build national Hi-tech talent capacity, create high quality jobs, promote digital innovation and upscale small & medium enterprises.

The MoU was signed between Ibrahem N. Al-Nasser, Deputy Minister for Technology of MCIT, and Ram Ramachandran, Head -Middle East & Africa, Tech Mahindra, in the presence CP Gurnani, MD and CEO, Tech Mahindra. The MoU signing was also attended by Saudi government officials and top management team of Tech Mahindra. Data & AI and Cloud CoE by Tech Mahindra will enable accelerated and sustainable adoption of Data Analytics & Ethical AI. It will further drive cloud-enabled transformation across industries to develop local assets, Intellectual Property (IP) and promote a cognitive approach across smart services to contribute to Saudi Vision 2030's digital-led transformation objectives.

Haitham AlOhali Vice Minister at MCIT, Saudi Arabia, said, "Adoption of Cloud, Data and AI will play a major role in Saudi Arabia IT and Digital Growth. We are very pleased to announce this initiative with a digital leader Tech Mahindra, which will bring global expertise and assets to Saudi Arabia and enable talent and IP creation over the next years.

CP Gurnani, MD and CEO of Tech Mahindra, said, The world of Data & AI and Cloud is rapidly changing with the shifting priorities of public and private sectors globally and locally in Saudi Arabia. Some levers of this change in priorities include building new IPs and assets, bringing innovation and more importantly training & upskilling local talent. Our partnership with MCIT to establish the CoE will help in addressing the fast-changing digital transformation need of Saudi Arabia. In line with Saudi Vision 2030, we look forward to partnering with MCIT and local Universities to create an ecosystem that is diverse and digital first.

Tech Mahindra will host design thinking workshops, hackathons around Data & AI and Cloud to nurture innovation and accelerate the Kingdoms transformation to a digital economy. The partnership will provide training and development for 2500 Saudi nationals by providing project deployment programs that enhance skills and develop careers in Data & AI and Cloud.

This partnership is in line with Tech Mahindras DigitALL philosophy for comprehensive Business Transformation. As part of NXT.NOW framework, which aims to enhance Human Centric Experience, Tech Mahindra focuses on investing in emerging technologies and solutions that enable digital transformation and meet the evolving needs of its customers.
The Niagara County Industrial Development Agency awarded a $35,000 grant to the Aquarium of Niagara for construction of a sea turtle exhibit  the fifth such grant to the institution from the county's Cataract Tourism Fund.

Sign up for the Buffalo Next free newsletter The News' Buffalo Next team covers the changing Buffalo Niagara economy. Get the news in your inbox 5 days a week.

The money will be used to create a permanent home for a Kemp's ridley sea turtle, the smallest sea turtle in the world. The Niagara Falls museum was selected because of its "expertise in providing critical care to non-releasable and rescued animals," according to the NCIDA.

Because it is an endangered species, the Aquarium must meet strict federal requirements. So the $175,000 project entails significant renovation and construction, including structural modifications to the building, enhanced electrical service, a sophisticated water filtration system, a new rock wall and other features.

The project is expected to be completed in spring 2023, prior to the start of the tourism season.

The Cataract Fund was created by law and funded from three allocations totaling $4.4 million through Sen. Robert Ortt, to be used for revitalizing the downtown Niagara Falls area near the Seneca Niagara Casino. Funds are used to reimburse expenses after projects are completed, and can be used for tourism purposes but not for hotels.
Lendingkart, a company that specializes in offering working capital loans announced on Wednesday the acquisition of digital lending platform 'Upwards' for Rs 100 crore. The company management said that they believe that acquiring Upwards will align with its mission of providing finance to the underserved with the help of robust technology.

With this partnership, Upwards will be aptly positioned to execute its strategy of helping customers smoothly obtain personal loans," Harshvardhan Lunia, the chief executive and founder of Lendingkart stated.

Lunia has raised around Rs 1,050 crore from external investors since founding Lendingkart in 2014.

Upwards founded in 2017 is a central bank-registered Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) committed to offering personal loans to salaried professionals. The company claims to cater to the requirements of its customers by adding swift technology in the loan-buying process.

The credit underwriting engine of Upwards makes use of complex algorithms to analyze more than 500 data points and maintain superior quality of credit, the firm said in a statement.

With Lendingkart's credit, capital, and distribution capability, we plan to deepen our presence across the country to bridge the massive credit gap in the personal loan market in India," Upwards' co-founder Abhishek Soni said.

The development came as the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology blocked 94 betting and digital loan application like PayUs LazyPay, Kissht, Faircent, and Kreditbee for having links with China.

On Wednesday, the representatives of 15 such firms met with the officials of the ministry in New Delhi. Companies were given some 30-minute slots to make individual representations and there were some group representations too," two persons aware of the details told Mint on the condition of anonymity.

Without any show-cause notice, suddenly things are happening. The whole digital lending industry has been battered to death. Why it has been happening, nobody understands. We thought that the RBI has come up with digital lending guidelines and now we can focus on building business, but now we know there is MeitY also," one fintech founder said commenting on the situation.
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The head of Australias most powerful business lobby group, Jennifer Westacott, will step down from her role as Business Council of Australia chief executive as the hunt begins for her replacement.

Westacott has been the face of the lobby group representing the interests of corporate Australia since 2011. She said it was time to implement succession plans, The Australian Financial Review reported.

Jennifer Westacott has been the chief of the Business Council of Australia for 12 years. Credit: Oscar Colman

The Business Councils role fighting for the policies that keep Australia strong with a vibrant and successful business sector has never been more important, Westacott said in a statement. After 12 years leading the BCA Ive begun working with Tim and the board to plan for the future.

Safeguarding our critical role means working to get leadership and succession plans in place and getting the secretariat structure right to ensure the organisation continues to have an outsized impact on the national debate.
Students would need to score higher marks to meet a new proficiency standard in reading, writing and maths under a proposed overhaul to NAPLAN reporting before education ministers.

The ministers will meet on Friday to consider possible NAPLAN changes, with one option to shift away from pupils results being reported in 10 bands, and instead moving to four proficiency levels.

This is the second year NAPLAN tests will be taken online. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

A 2020 review of the standardised test of Australian students literacy and numeracy skills found the existing national minimum standard was too low when compared to major international test benchmarks.

A spokesperson for the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) said ministers would consider options to provide more challenging but reasonable standards that are reported in a clear, easy to understand way.
Premier Mark McGowan has rebuffed the concerns of his own governments public servants that Perths drinking water supply is at risk from Alcoas mining operations in the Darling Scarp.

Recent internal expert advice provided to the highest levels of government obtained by WAtoday raised grave concerns about an increased risk of harmful sediment flow into the Serpentine Dam from the US aluminium giants encroaching mining operations.

Alcoa mining has moved deeper and deeper into the Serpentine Dam water catchment area. Credit: Soar.earth/Water Corporation

For years Alcoa has had the approval to expand its Huntly mine deeper into the Serpentine Dam catchment area  which is off-limits to even hikers  to the point where some operations are as little as 300 metres from the dam edge.

Alcoa is required to design drainage to send sediment away from the dam, but the governments advice revealed the company had 227 drainage failures and spilled more than 100,000 litres of diesel and hydraulic oil across its broader Darling Scarp operations over the past five years.
Buffalo States Urban Teacher Pipeline helps teaching aides, assistants become teachers

Marc Adams was a married father of three who had spent 35 years working in restaurants when he decided to pursue his dream of becoming a culinary arts teacher. He took a job as a teacher aide in vocational tech to get teaching experience while enrolling in classes at Buffalo State University.

He learned that the pay for teacher aides is low  $13.25 an hour  especially when youre taking loans to pay tuition. Then he learned about a Buffalo State program that addressed that problem.

The Buffalo State Urban Teacher Pipeline residency program is a conduit to help teacher aides and assistants in Buffalo city schools earn teaching certification while continuing to work in their schools.

It offers teacher education classes in evenings, on weekends and in summer, provides free tuition for two courses a semester and covers fees and books. Its purpose is to help diversify the teaching workforce in city schools while allowing teacher aides and assistants to move up the ladder to teaching positions at more than double the pay.

Once they graduate, the aides and assistants can teach at the same schools where they worked, with colleagues, administrators and students they already know, said Kathy Wood, associate dean at Buffalo States School of Education.

Our students are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to become teachers, and our Buffalo public schools principals are happy because they have people who they already know will be great getting the chance to move into teacher leadership, she said. So its wonderful for the teachers, the students and the schools.

Adams said when he heard about the program, he doubted he would get in, but Buffalo State encouraged him right away.

They said, We will work with you, especially since they need more Black male teachers to reflect the urban student population, he said.

Adams, 50, is a graduate of Bennett High School in Buffalo, so he wanted to teach in the city schools. He also wanted to take in-person classes that allowed him to interact with fellow students, including non-traditional students like him.

The program was great, he said. Not only the classes, but the groups where you would work with a diverse group of people, including older people. The faculty were all really great, and it was just a joy.

The program coordinator, Sandra Washington-Copeland, became a mentor who directed him to Buffalo States student center for resources, he said. He graduated in January 2021 and still calls her for teaching advice.

Adams was a teacher aide in East High Schools Career and Technical Education programs and could have gone on to teach there, but he wanted to specialize in culinary arts  and, fortunately, Emerson School of Hospitality in Buffalo had a teacher opening.

Now he teaches juniors and seniors in one of only three high schools in the state training students for the hospitality industry. He teaches four 90-minute classes a day, with students rotating through Banquets, Back of House (cooking for the schools on-site restaurant), Bakery and Front of House serving the public.

They learn how to cook, how to bake and the full experience, he said. Our goal is to have them ready for college or to work in the industry from here. Some will go to college for something else, but will say, I can work at a restaurant while Im in school or I know how to feed myself. Those skills cant be replaced.

Wood said the program was founded in 2018 and is supported by state grants provided through Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes office. So far, 20 students have come through the program and nine are teaching in Buffalo public schools. The program lost momentum during the Covid-19 pandemic, but is back on track with 25 people currently enrolled, Wood said.

Adams said that working as a teacher aide taught him that aides and assistants are basically teachers. You do so much that you may as well get your degree.

Adams knew he would love teaching because when he worked in restaurants, he enjoyed mentoring younger people starting out in food service.

I enjoy the interaction with students and being able to give them as sense of what life is about, he said. Working in the industry for year, I can explain what your day will be like, what hard work is about and ensure that they are not just ready to work in restaurants, but mentally ready to face challenges in the world.

M&T mentorship partnership with Buffalo State adds summer internships

A mentorship program pairing Buffalo State students with M&T Bank professionals is continuing for a third academic year and expanding to include paid internships in summer 2023.

M&T is anticipating six paid internships in its banking services division and two in its Legal division specifically for Buffalo State students next summer, with the hope that the students will want to apply for them. The bank is earmarking two of those internships for students in the colleges Africana studies program, which also formed a new partnership with M&T.

For the 20222023 academic year, M&T selected 24 students from 29 applications across academic disciplines, and more positions may be added as additional mentors become available.

Want to know more? Three stories to catch you up:

Welcome to Buffalo Next. This newsletter from The Buffalo News will bring you the latest coverage on the changing Buffalo Niagara economy  from real estate to health care to startups. Read more at BuffaloNext.com.

THE LATEST

Catch up on the latest news from the Buffalo Niagara economy:

Office vacancies are rising across the Buffalo Niagara region  and especially downtown.

Niacet is planning to expand its Niagara Falls factory.

Six weeks after the December blizzard, some stores damaged by looters still haven't reopened.

Life Storage received an $11 billion hostile takeover bid from the nation's biggest self-storage firm, Public Storage.

General Motors and Ford Motor workers are getting bigger bonuses this year.

The Broadway Market is offering gift certificates to shoppers who patronize Black-owned stores.

The CEO of National Fuel Gas Co. is calling the state's new energy plan "incredibly irresponsible."

Moog Inc.'s new CEO said the company has big plans for its Buffalo Niagara operations.

The state is launching a new grant program for small businesses in East Buffalo.

Neighbors along Big Tree Road in Orchard Park are wondering how messy and disruptive construction on the new Buffalo Bills stadium will be.

Father Sam's Bakery is moving ahead with its local expansion plans.

ICYMI

Five reads from Buffalo Next:

1. A different type of developer: How an East Buffalo laundromat project is an example of a new type of development that could help transform neighborhoods, one building at a time.

2. The Buffalo Sabres are in the thick of a playoff chase for the first time in a decade and fans are slowly starting to return to the KeyBank Center, where attendance is way up from last year, but empty seats remain plentiful.

3. The cannabis industry is starting to establish itself in Western New York, but companies in that sector have to be careful about actually using the word, cannabis, because it's still illegal on the federal level.

4. The Baxter plant in Medina is a linchpin of the Orleans County economy, with 270 employees making tens of thousands of medical pumps each year.

5. Niagara University grows food marketing program with 'whos who' of industry leaders: Western New York has some 1,200 companies involved in food manufacturing, distribution, retailing and/or warehousing, putting it in the top five markets for the industry nationally, according to Niagaras Food Marketing Center of Excellence.

The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the regions economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach Buffalo Next Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up to get the latest in your inbox five days a week.
Comanchero boss Allan Meehan has been extradited to Sydney and refused bail on Friday after being arrested on the Gold Coast.

The 35-year-old was arrested by senior detectives about 6.30am on Thursday at a property on Benowa Waters after allegedly breaching a serious crime prevention order handed to him by a NSW court in November.

Detectives alleged in court that Meehan breached the order  issued as part of a NSW crackdown on organised crime  by failing to provide police with the address of his temporary accommodation and his intended return date to his primary residence.

He also allegedly used a communication device with encrypted message capabilities, which was part of a breach of the conditions of his court order.
Sydney and the Illawarra region were battered by a severe thunderstorm that brought intense rainfall and flooding, causing traffic delays across the greater city on Thursday afternoon.

The storm was expected to continue for 24 hours as the Bureau of Meteorology confirmed the wet weather would go into Thursday evening and could return on Friday morning and into the early afternoon.

The storm is affecting much of the city, including Chatswood. Credit: Nick Moir

The bureau earlier on Thursday warned of a severe thunderstorm that was stretching from the Greater Wollongong area to Sydney Airport, with a wider warning in place from Nowra to the CBD and west towards Blacktown.

Essentially, we do have a trough inland across NSW and that is likely to move eastwards and off the shore in the next 24 hours, a spokeswoman said.
Jon OBrien stayed up later than usual on Wednesday night to see the latest twist in the investigation into the MH17 tragedy that killed his son, Jack, and braced for disappointment.

He did not expect to be so angry, but when he heard the investigation into the 2014 disaster was suspended, OBrien was distressed that Russia and its leader Vladimir Putin would not be held to account.

Jon OBrien lost his son Jack to the downing of flight MH17. Credit: Steven Siewert

The five-nation investigative team announced from The Hague the criminal investigation into the shooting down of the Boeing 777 commercial jet was suspended because of insufficient evidence and immunity privileges.

OBrien, from Old Toongabbie in Sydneys west, said he was not surprised by the decision but found it distressing there would be little justice for his 25-year-old son.
But in politics perceptions matter. If Dutton secured a decent swing after a strong cost-of-living campaign it would be a morale boost for the Liberals and shine attention on the potential damage that issue  not yet hitting Labor in the polls  could do in vulnerable government seats. Labor knows the financial squeeze on families is a slow burn. ALP national secretary Paul Erickson, in a briefing this week, told caucus members the most important issue voters want the federal government to focus on is helping households with their cost of living. The Tudge resignation was the second shock of 2023s first federal parliamentary week.

Senator Lidia Thorpes jump from Greens to crossbench has made the Senate much trickier for the government to manage. Loading The biggest loser immediately is ACT independent David Pocock. Until this week, Pocock had been Labors automatic port of call for the single vote it needed from the non-Green crossbench to pass legislation supported by the Greens but opposed by the Coalition. The government and Pocock have had a cosy relationship. Hes a progressive, broadly aligned with Labor in his views. Hes not difficult to negotiate with, although he has wanted his political moneys worth, so has extracted some concessions in exchange for his vote. One was important. The prime minister agreed to set up a committee to report publicly before each budget on the adequacy of income support payments. Jim Chalmers will soon be wrestling with the first of those reports.

With Thorpes defection the government requires two non-Greens crossbenchers to secure contested legislation (although Thorpe says she will vote with the Greens on climate bills). Pocock says the change in the Senates makeup increases all of our capacity to push the government for more ambition and better outcomes on contested legislation. In fact, the net effect is to reduce his capacity and boost that of Tasmanian crossbencher Jacqui Lambie, who commands two votes. David Pocock and Lidia Thorpe in Senate, where her defection from the Greens has diluted his influence. Credit: Rhett Wyman Labor cant, in practical terms, look to Hanson and her Senate offsider Malcolm Roberts, or Victorian UAP senator Ralph Babet. Thorpe will likely be a challenge, and could only provide one vote anyway.

Lambie and her colleague Tammy Tyrrell, can give the government the numbers it needs on particular pieces of legislation. From the governments point of view, this would mean just a single negotiation, as distinct from the double negotiation needed to get, say, Pocock and Thorpe. Loading Lambie will be delighted to be back at the centre of things. In recent months, she has been overshadowed by Pocock. But in negotiations she can be difficult, demanding and at times shrill, and is at odds with Labor on some issues, such as aspects of industrial relations. She has been questioning on the Voice. The government may try to work through the easier-going Tyrrell where it can. Apart from legislation, the enhanced numbers give the Senate more scope for making trouble for the government. The Coalition and the seven non-Green crossbenchers now have the numbers to form an absolute majority.

Though Thorpe has dealt herself into the Senate play, there will be constraints on her. Shed presumably find it difficult, in ordinary circumstances, to vote with the Coalition on legislation, and if she abstains, the government will be back to needing only a single extra vote to pass contested bills (cue Pocock). Thorpes defection has also increased the ability of the opposition to exert influence in the legislative process. Given the greater Senate uncertainty, the government may, occasionally, prefer to wrangle the Coalition than the crossbenchers. We saw that this week when Anthony Albanese agreed to Duttons call to change the referendum machinery bill, so the usual pamphlet outlining the Yes and No cases would be sent out. The concession is welcome. The governments argument that the pamphlet is unnecessary because everything is on the internet was spurious, not least became voters in remote communities, who have a special interest in the Voice, probably have poor access to the internet.

Meanwhile, the Senate this week delivered the government its first significant parliamentary defeat. Loading In a vote that saw even the Greens deserting Labor, the Senate disallowed its removal of the requirement for superannuation funds to provide detailed information on how they spend members money. The Senate vote, on a motion lodged by Lambie, was a victory for transparency  something Labor professes to support. As the late Don Chipp, founder of the long-gone Australian Democrats might have said, it was a case of the Senate, and particularly the crossbench, keeping the bastards honest.
So much human suffering fills our television screens and social media feeds every day that it can be easy to turn away, but the earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria four days ago deserve the worlds attention.

The two quakes shook a dozen cities on both sides of the border, collapsing multi-storey buildings like concertinas and trapping tens of thousands of people under the rubble.

The confirmed death toll has passed 15,000, but aid workers say it could still climb much higher as more bodies are discovered.

Expert rescue teams are searching for more survivors in the ruins using sniffer dogs, heat-sensitive cameras and sophisticated microphones.
I have a son just like you, a rescue worker, identified only as Yasemin, told him after giving him a warm hug. I swear to you, I have not slept for four days. I swear I did not sleep; I was trying to get you out. A two-year-old is found alive in the rubble of a collapsed building in Antakya, Turkey. Credit: Humanitarian Relief Foundation A two-year-old boy was also rescued from the rubble of a building that collapsed in the southern city of Antakya, 79 hours after the massive strike. Footage from Turkeys Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) showed rescue workers looking into a narrow opening in the debris of a building in Antakya and pulling out the boy as he wept. The boy was picked out of the rubble by a Romanian and Polish rescue team in Hatay province, near the Mediterranean Sea.

A worker from Turkeys Disaster and Emergency Management Authority carried the boy away and handed him over to health workers, as bystanders filmed the rescue on their phones. The boy, wearing a blue, white and black striped jumper, cried as he was gently lifted from the hole where he had been trapped. He was carried away on a blanket. Hundreds of thousands were left homeless by the earthquakes centred in southern Turkey, having to endure cold weather and a lack of resources, with hopes fading of many more people being found alive in the ruins. A Turkish official said the disaster posed very serious difficulties for the holding of an election scheduled for May 14 in which President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been expected to face the toughest challenge in his two decades in power.

With anger simmering over the slow delivery of aid and delays in getting the rescue effort under way, the disaster is bound to play into the vote if it goes ahead. Hatice Korkut, 82, is rescued alive from a destroyed building in Elbistan, southeastern Turkey, on Thursday. Credit: AP Meanwhile, the first United Nations convoy carrying aid to stricken Syrians crossed over the border from Turkey. In Syrias Idlib province, Munira Mohammad, a mother-of-four who had fled Aleppo after the quake, said: It is all children here, and we need heating and supplies, last night we couldnt sleep because it was so cold. It is very bad. People walk past collapsed buildings following a devastating earthquake in the town of Jinderis, Aleppo province, Syria. Credit: AP

Hundreds of thousands of people across both countries have been left homeless in the middle of winter. Loading Many have camped out in makeshift shelters in supermarket car parks, mosques, roadsides or amid the ruins, often desperate for food, water and heat. Roadside campfires At a petrol station near the Turkish town of Kemalpasa, people picked through cardboard boxes of donated clothes. In the port city of Iskenderun, Reuters journalists saw people huddled around campfires on roadsides and in wrecked garages and warehouses.

Authorities say some 6500 buildings in Turkey collapsed and countless more were damaged. In Turkeys Maras, people camped inside a bank, taping a sheet in the window for privacy. Others had set up on the grass median of a main road, heating instant soup on fires and wrapping themselves in blankets. Body bags lie on the ground at a morgue carpark in Hatay, Turkey, on Thursday. Credit: Getty In Antakya, few petrol stations had fuel and kilometres-long queues stretched from those that did. In the devastated Syrian town of Jindaris, Ibrahim Khalil Menkaween walked in the rubble-strewn streets clutching a white body bag.

He said he had lost seven members of his family including his wife and two of his brothers. Im holding this bag for when they bring out my brother, and my brothers young son, and both of their wives, so we can pack them in bags, he said. The situation is very bad. And there is no aid. Checking for signs of life Turkish officials say some 13.5 million people were affected in an area spanning roughly 450 kilometres from Adana in the west to Diyarbakir in the east. In Syria, people were killed as far south as Hama  250 kilometres from the epicentre.

In the city of Adiyaman, rescue crews looked for survivors at the site of a collapsed building in the dark and with temperatures below freezing, Turkish broadcasters showed. Teams frequently called for silence, asking all vehicles and generators to be turned off and reporters to keep quiet as they listened for sounds of anyone alive under the concrete blocks. There were still some signs of hope. Another video from IHH showed a helmeted and dust-streaked rescuer weeping with emotion after successfully freeing a little girl from the rubble of a collapsed building in Kahramanmaras. Rescuers and people search in a destroyed building in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Credit: AP

Many in Turkey have complained of a lack of equipment, expertise and support to rescue those trapped  sometimes even as they could hear cries for help. After facing criticism over the initial response, Erdogan said on a visit to the area on Wednesday that operations were now working normally and promised no one would be left homeless. Hatice Korkut, 82, is rescued alive from her destroyed building in Elbistan, Turkey. Credit: AP Nevertheless, the disaster will pose an additional challenge to the long-ruling president in the election. One official told Reuters it was too early to make any decision on elections, noting that a three-month state of emergency had been announced and that some 15 per cent of Turkeys population lived in the affected area.

We will look at developments but at the moment there are very serious difficulties in holding an election on May 14, he said. Loading Syria overwhelmed In Syria, relief efforts are complicated by a conflict that has partitioned the country and wrecked its infrastructure. The UN aid convoy entered Syria at the Bab al-Hawa crossing  a lifeline for accessing opposition-controlled areas where some 4 million people, many displaced by the war, were already relying on humanitarian aid.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pushed for more humanitarian access to north-western Syria, saying he would be very happy if the United Nations could use more than one border crossing to deliver help. Loading Turkey was trying to get a green light from Russia to use new border crossings for delivering aid to earthquake survivors in the area, officials with knowledge of the matter told Bloomberg on Friday. Ankara was in talks with Moscow to allow a flow of international supplies through Turkish border crossings Oncupinar and Cobanbey in Kilis province, in addition to an existing one further west, the officials said, asking not to be identified as the negotiations were ongoing. The Syrian government views the delivery of aid to the rebel-held north-west from Turkey as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Since 2014 the United Nations has had a UN Security Council mandate allowing it to reach millions of people in need in the area via one crossing.

El-Mostafa Benlamlih, the senior UN aid official in Syria, said 10.9 million people had been affected. Loading Syrias ambassador to the United Nations on Wednesday admitted the government lacked capability and equipment, but blamed the war and Western sanctions. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has chaired emergency meetings on the earthquake but has not addressed the nation in a speech or news conference. Australians in quake-hit areas

Two Australians remain unaccounted for, but a third person has been found safe, AAP reports. Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed on Friday that one person feared missing had been located, and she extended her condolences to the family of Sydney man Can Pahali, who died in the disaster. In its latest statement, DFAT said it was providing consular assistance to his family. Consular officials are also providing assistance to the families of another two Australians who remain unaccounted for, it said. It said its teams in Turkey and Lebanon were supporting around 60 Australians and their families who were in the earthquake area. Australian diplomatic missions in Ankara, Istanbul and Beirut are doing all they can, in difficult circumstances, to support families and reach out to Australians reported to be in the area.

Ukraine sends team Ukrainian rescue experts, more used to emergencies in a war zone at home, have brought their skills to the devastation caused from a massive earthquake in Turkey to search flattened buildings for survivors, erect tents and offer first aid. There is a war in our country, but we understand that we have to help, and this aid is mutual. There is no other way to do it, said Oleksandr Khorunzhyi, a spokesman for the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. Kyiv has sent 88 people to Turkey to help with a disaster. The team includes specialists in search and rescue operations, doctors, dog handlers and firefighters. This work goes on constantly, we have prepared people who take part in such operations, said Khorunzhyi.

The Ukrainian team built tents near the Turkish city of Antakya close to the Syrian border to provide emergency shelter and set up generators for those left homeless by the earthquake. Loading They have joined rescuers from Turkey and around the world, including Russia which invaded Ukraine a year ago, shattering cities in Ukraines east and south where fighting still rages in a conflict Moscow says is to fight a threat to Russian security. We will work and distance ourselves from Russian rescuers as far as we can. The co-ordination centre has informed us that Russian emergency crews are located in a far-off place and we wont be able to meet, Khorunzhyi said. People should protect their lives, this is the most important thing they have. We sympathise with the Turkish people, the families of the dead and wounded.
Adiyaman, Turkey: Algerian rescue workers were this citys heroes for a few minutes after they freed two children from a collapsed apartment building, on a broad boulevard lined with destruction, long past the time anyone expected good news.

But there were no relatives waiting to receive the children: a girl, maybe 7, wearing a white T-shirt, and a younger boy with close-cropped hair. It was possible that family members would find them later, at a hospital, but also that their parents or other relatives were still under the rubble. Instead, it was a stranger  a Turkish charity worker  who sobbed uncontrollably outside the tent where the children were recovering, as if they were his own.

Women embrace as rescue workers search through the rubble in Adiyaman, Turkey, on February 8. Credit: The Washington Post

The Algerians, along with rescue teams from Spain, Taiwan, Pakistan and elsewhere, were part of the patchwork relief effort that began to gather pace in Adiyaman and other ravaged parts of southern Turkey on Wednesday, including visits by volunteers bringing food from other cities. But the distribution of government supplies  after days of complaints by survivors desperate for aid  was at times scattershot and chaotic.

Turkeys government has appealed for international help in the aftermath of Mondays earthquakes, which have killed more than 16,000 people in Turkey and Syria. As Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan toured Hatay province, a focal point of the devastation, he announced the death toll in the country had eclipsed 9000 and vowed to rebuild cities and find shelter for residents who had been made homeless. In a few hours, his countrys toll would surpass 12,000. In Syria, more than 3000 have been killed.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will sit in the continuation of urgent Public meeting no. 12 on February 9, 2023.

The Public meeting, which was adjourned on January 25, 2023, will be reconvened on Thursday at 10.00 hrs. in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Minister of Justice will return to Parliament to provide answers to the questions posed by Members of Parliament in the first round.

The agenda point is:

Discussion regarding the flow and managing of the inmates at the Point Blanch Prison (IS/363/2022-2023 dated January 19, 2023)

This meeting was requested by MP G.S. Heyliger-Marten, MP S.A. Wescot-Williams and MP C.T. Emmanuel.

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations.

All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.

The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx and www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament
BREATHE! Convention Announces Campaign Message to Counter Marketplace FUD

LAS VEGAS, NV, Feb 7, 2023  (ACN Newswire)  BREATHE! Convention has recently announced its main campaign message for this year\-s BREATHE! Convention: \The Web3 Revolution Is Just Starting.\

This message reflects the rapidly growing interest in Web3 adoption, in addition to other new tech sectors including:

 Blockchain

 Cryptocurrency

 DeFi

 Metaverse

 NFTs

\We\-re reaching a point where communities across the world are waiting for something new to happen in the Web3 space,\ said Public Relations Director Brian Edmiston.

\What is crucial right now in this economic climate is for professionals to have a fully immersive mega-hub for networking, education, and showcasing this technology and how it affects not just business around the world, but our day-to-day lives. When we do that, the mass adoption of Web3 can finally take shape.\

BREATHE! recently released its Impact Video, detailing its campaign message, which is viewable directly on the BREATHE! Convention YouTube Channel.

With 2023 in full swing, the BREATHE! Convention has prioritized its efforts in securing and finalizing its growing line-up of expert industry experts from across the globe. These professionals were selected based on their talents and passion in sharing usable actions and best business practices throughout the Web3 space to educate both experienced Web3 followers and newcomers to the space.

The BREATHE! Convention speaker agenda includes such experts as:

 Majid Zafer, Co-founder of DCRBN

 Juliana Echavarria, Founder & President of Blockchain FIU

 Maryanne Chisholm, Artist & Community Builder of Cafe Muse

 Ashton Addison, CEO of Crypto Coin Show

 Aaron Vick, Web3 Evangelist

BREATHE! is set to showcase the latest Web3 and new tech advancements directly in one of the main exhibition halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center, one of the busiest destinations for exhibitions in North America.

BREATHE! has already secured multiple new tech giants for participation as sponsors with the convention, including Metakeep, a fully compliant multi-patented non-custody wallet protocol and smart contract infrastructure, and NFT Tix, a pioneering blockchain ticketing marketplace.

When asked about his thoughts on the current state of new technology sectors like Blockchain, BREATHE! Advisory Board Member Rory Kelly, Owner of Bithome LLC, had this to say:

\Look at what the dotcom bomb gave us. It gave us some of the greatest tech giants right now, Apple for example. There is so much innovation within blockchain and there are a lot of things that people don\-t know about or hear about that blockchain is being used for or considered for\

\Honestly, the world currency is going to come from a cryptocurrency that is run on the blockchain. That\-s a fact There are just so many ideas and so many things out there that people don\-t know. I\-d love this event to become the place where innovators tell us about their new products, educators tell us about the blockchain, when did it start, what\-s its future. I love everything about it.\

BREATHE! Convention has also released its 2023 Roadmap to provide the path that BREATHE! intends to pave for participants, attendees, and followers of this experienced-based Web3 convention.

A full view of the roadmap is available directly on the website at: https://breatheconvention.com/roadmap/

A previous version of this press release was made available on the BREATHE! Convention website on January 25, 2023.

About BREATHE!

Taking place on May 3-5, 2023 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, BREATHE! Convention is connecting the Web3 universe that brings the power and utility of Web3 technology to life at this experience-based event.

Visit www.breatheconvention.com to secure your ticket to attend and inquire for exhibiting and sponsoring opportunities. BREATHE! is active on social media, providing the latest news and updates to the event.

Produced by 5AM Global

Press Contact:

Brian Edmiston

833-931-3128 Ext. 710

Press@5AMGlobal.com
By the end of this year, Western New Yorkers experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis could have another 24/7 option to receive care and support.

BestSelf Behavioral Health is developing an intensive crisis stabilization center at its 430 Niagara St. location in Buffalo, a facility the local provider hopes to have renovated and open in the fall. The center will provide evaluation, care and treatment, with the capacity to administer medication.

The center, and others like it being developed across the state, aims to ensure a patient is treated in the most appropriate setting while also diverting them away from unnecessary emergency room visits. BestSelf also plans to prioritize linking patients, once they are stabilized at the center, to community services where their treatment and support can continue.

The center has the potential to improve Western New York's mental health system and alleviate pressure on Erie County Medical Center's Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program, or CPEP. That 24/7 program at ECMC serves as the largest safety-net mental health emergency department in the Buffalo Niagara region, seeing an average of about 9,000 to 10,000 patients annually in recent years.

But CPEP has often been understaffed, overcrowded and overwhelmed with the increased need for mental health services. During a recent visit to Buffalo, Attorney General Letitia James called ECMC's CPEP the "busiest of its kind in New York," a place where patients can, at times, wait days to be seen by a psychiatrist.

BestSelf President and CEO Elizabeth Woike-Ganga said the organization's intensive crisis stabilization center, which is expected to see about 4,000 patients a year, will fill a "gap in the system."

CPEP has the capability to provide inpatient care and serve patients at risk of harming themselves or others, but it often  by its nature of being a round-the-clock operation  ends up as the landing spot for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis, regardless of whether that's the best place for the patient to be.

"Many people shouldn't be there," Woike-Ganga said. "There's a lot of folks with more serious mental illness who go in there because they're cold or they need a sandwich or they need to talk to someone, maybe they need to talk to a peer just to have a conversation, just to vent and calm down. They don't need to be admitted and they don't need to sit in the emergency room for 48 hours, and they don't need to even talk to a psychiatrist or even a medical provider, because what they're having is a crisis in the sense of, they're upset."

ECMC, in a statement, said it supports the state's intensive crisis stabilization model, which will provide more behavioral health services across the state and in Western New York.

Indeed, the intensive crisis stabilization centers being developed across New York are part of a comprehensive crisis response system the state is forming. In many ways, Gov. Kathy Hochul has doubled down on that plan with her recent plan to pump $1 billion to fix the state's broken mental health care continuum.

"Working with behavioral health-focused organizations throughout Western New York," ECMC said, "we will continue to advocate for more community services in an effort to meet the needs of our patients, providing them high-quality care, while reducing the need for psychiatric emergency room visits."

It's clear when talking to BestSelf, ECMC and other behavioral health providers that it will take more than just a few entities to help fix the system. But they agree the BestSelf intensive crisis stabilization center  an official facility name is in the works  will play a key role in that future model of care.

'Help anyone who comes through the door'

Brittany Derry can picture the floor plan they have developed for the center. She calls it "warm and welcoming," far from the sterile feel of a hospital.

The center will have specific spaces for different levels of care and different ages, with minors separated from adults. BestSelf, according to its state application, plans to use a "calming decor" and furniture such as recliners and couches. The plan also calls for spaces for "mindfulness activity," not unlike a sensory room that exists at the location already.

There will be separate entrances for patients who walk in and for those brought to the center by police or ambulance.

"We will help anyone who comes through the door," said Derry, director of the crisis center and clubhouse programs.

Since the crisis center will cover the state-defined, five-county Western New York, BestSelf also plans to have dedicated telehealth rooms at the center for those who can't be there in person.

The crisis center will absorb about 10,000 square feet of the building's total 15,500 square feet, with the remaining space for existing BestSelf programs.

To cover renovations, BestSelf is eligible to apply for $1 million in capital funding from the state.

The center also will be supported by state funding of $8.7 million over the next five years.

BestSelf gets state funding to develop crisis stabilization center in Buffalo BestSelf Behavioral Health has landed millions in state funding to develop an intensive crisis stabilization center in Buffalo  part of a comprehensive crisis response system New York is forming.

Once the center is operating and taking patients, the goal is to triage, screen and assess each person who comes in as soon as possible, with information from that process used to develop a specific plan that guides each patient's visit to the center as well as aftercare, according to BestSelf's state application.

If it becomes clear that an increased level of care, such as inpatient services, will be needed for a patient, that's where collaboration comes in, with the center contacting local CPEP units to arrange a transfer, if necessary.

At the BestSelf crisis center, where all services will be voluntary, there are no inpatient beds and patients can stay up to 24 hours.

In its state application, BestSelf said it anticipates that 50% of patients will have a short visit at the center, while the other half are anticipated to stay for more than three hours.

In terms of staffing, BestSelf's state application notes a minimum of a nurse, peer and credentialed alcoholism and substance abuse counselor would be on site at all times. A psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner also would be on-call 24/7, with scheduled time to be on site during peak hours.

Adequate staffing will be among the main barriers to providing 24/7 care, BestSelf admits in its application. But BestSelf, which has more than 1,300 employees, said it's well-suited to meet the challenge, confident it can hire the 43 to 50 people needed for the crisis center.

And just as important as the services provided at the center will be the handoff.

The crisis center plans to conduct follow-up with all clients within 24 hours after they are discharged to check in, verify appointments and encourage patients to attend appointments.

"One of the things that Brittany and her team will be doing will be forging those relationships, so that the individuals who are coming here have somewhere to link to, so that we can continue the diversion process," said Kevin Beckman, BestSelf's vice president of health home program and crisis intervention.

'Fewer people will fall through the cracks'

For the crisis center to succeed, BestSelf will no doubt have to collaborate with other Western New York providers, including ECMC.

If it helps allow patients to be seen in the right setting, that could take some pressure off ECMC's CPEP and allow the hospital program to care for those in need of high-level, inpatient psychiatric services.

"ECMC knows themselves that they have too much business, and they don't have the right level  you know, people come there for a myriad of reasons," said Margery Stanton, BestSelf's senior vice president of adult services. "And many times they agree, like, 'They're walking in our door and that clogs the system for us to deal with the highest-need, highest-intensity consumers.' But they still have to do it."

Melinda DuBois just wishes the BestSelf crisis center could open sooner.

DuBois, the executive director of Mental Health Advocates of WNY, said the crisis center could be an "incredibly important addition to mental health response in our community," especially as the need for mental health services has skyrocketed during the pandemic. Beyond Covid-19, Buffalo has been hit by its own traumas over the last nine months.

"CPEP is at capacity or beyond capacity quite often," DuBois said. "And for many people who are in a mental health crisis or need immediate response, CPEP often isn't the best solution for them. But it's the only one right now in our community."

The BestSelf crisis center, she noted, could give people another 24/7 option locally, where they can be assessed, stabilized, provided medication and linked to follow-ups with providers.

DuBois is hopeful the crisis center, along with an influx of more state dollars, can help meet the community's needs.

"We see people falling through the cracks every day," she said, "so I'm really hopeful with all these systems and resources put in place that fewer people will fall through the cracks."
Tinone discovers lithium at its 100%-Owned Aberfoyle Project in Tasmania, Australia while prospecting for Tin and Tungsten

TinOne Resources Inc. (TSX.V: TORC) (OTCQB:TORCF) (\TinOne\ or the \Company\  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/tinone-resources-inc/ ) is pleased to announce it has sampled highly elevated lithium grades from its 100%-owned 9,600 hectare Aberfoyle Project (aAberfoylea or the aProjecta) located in the tier-one mining jurisdiction of Tasmania, Australia.

Highlights

Surface rock samples taken while geological mapping and prospecting for tin have returned highly elevated lithium values in several areas across the Aberfoyle project covering an area of at least 8 km by 4 km (Figures 1, 2 and 3)

Ten samples returned ?0.1% Li2O with a maximum of 0.57% Li2O

Independent X-ray diffraction analyses has confirmed the host mineral to be zinnwaldite, the major mica host of significant lithium projects in Europe and elsewhere in the world

Independent third-party check analysis has confirmed original laboratory analyses

Field teams have been mobilized to undertake follow up geological mapping, rock and soil sampling

The district-scale project is underexplored and has never seen modern systematic exploration for tin and tungsten and lithium has never been targeted

aWe are very excited to have encountered significant values of lithium in our surface work at Aberfoyle, which is also a highly prospective tin and tungsten project,a commented Chris Donaldson, Executive Chairman. aWhile prospecting for tin and tungsten, the Company made an unanticipated discovery of lithium mineralization at the Project, which has never been explored for lithium. The lithium grades are in line with mica-hosted projects in Europe and we are eager to continue the field work to complete more targeted sampling and follow-up. The prospectivity at Aberfoyle is an excellent complement to its more advanced Great Pyramid tin project also located in NE Tasmania. Tin, lithium and tungsten are indispensable for decarbonization and TinOne is in an excellent position to create shareholder value.a

Key Results

During reconnaissance exploration programs for tin across the Aberfoyle project, TinOne geologists sampled mica (greisen) altered granite, where ten samples returned highly elevated lithium values of 0.1% Li2O or above with a maximum of 0.57% Li2O (Table 1, Figure 2).

Greisen alteration of the type sampled at Aberfoyle is a typical alteration style associated with many tin deposits globally and is also associated with certain large scale lithium deposits, where the mica alteration minerals are lithium-bearing.A Lithium grades (expressed as Li2O) in these mica-hosted deposits are typically in the range 0.3-0.7% Li2O (Table 2).

The elevated lithium samples at Aberfoyle come from three separate areas over an area of more than 8 km by 4 km (Figure 2), suggesting that the lithium occurrences are not isolated and may be part of a previously unrecognised lithium camp.

The main area of elevated lithium sampled to date covers the historic Guinea Pig and Dead Pig small-scale tin mining prospects with five of the seven rock samples collected over an area of approximately 600 x 250 metres returned values over 0.1% Li2O and up to 0.57% Li2O (Figures 2 and 3).

Approximately 2 km north of the Guinea Pig prospect, two samples in the Ockle Creek area returned 0.10% and 0.12% Li2O, respectively (Figures 2 and 3).A

In addition, another sample collected at the Tasmania Creek prospect to the northeast returned 0.22% Li2O and one sample a further 1 km north returned 0.1% Li2O (Figure 2).

Check Analysis and Mineralogical Analysis

Samples that returned 0.1% or more Li2O were sent for umpire analysis at SGS Townsville, Australia and returned values consistent with the original ALS results (Table 1), thereby confirming the significance and validity of the original laboratory results.

Selected higher grade samples were also analysed by X-ray diffraction[1][2] (XRD) at the Minerals Resources Tasmania laboratory and confirmed the presence of substantial quantities of the mica zinnwaldite {KLiFeAl(AlSi?)O??(OH,F)?}, which is globally the most important mica-host for hard rock lithium deposits (Table 2).

Next Steps

TinOne has mobilized its field team to undertake geological mapping and additional systematic and targeted rock sampling in the areas identified to-date and in other areas of similar altered granite known from historic records.A Soil sampling in these areas is also underway in order to define the extent of anomalous lithium within the granite host.

Results from ongoing rock sampling will be released in the coming weeks as soon as they are received.

About the Aberfoyle Project

The Aberfoyle project area straddles the boundary between the Silurian to Devonian Mathinna Supergroup sedimentary rocks and the Devonian Ben Lomond Granite. The historic Aberfoyle (tin) and Storeys Creek (tin-tungsten) mines as well as other vein systems are hosted in the sedimentary rocks and occur as strike extensive systems of sheeted and stockwork veining. Elevated lithium has not previously been reported from the project area.

Historic records and drilling indicate the mineralised vein system at Aberfoyle is up to 60 metres wide, 800 metres in length and extends approximately 400 metres in the down dip direction. The Lutwyche prospect occurs approximately 1 kilometre northeast of Aberfoyle and is comprised of two sets of mineralised veins which can be traced along strike for approximately 750 metres.

An additional sediment-hosted vein system, the Kookaburra, is located 200 metres southwest of the main Lutwyche vein system and is known to be approximately 40 metres wide with an along strike extent of at least several hundred metres.

Mineralisation at Storeys Creek is hosted within a 30 to 50 metre wide, north-northwest striking sheeted vein array which dips to the southwest. The system can be traced along strike for 300 metres and extends 400 metres in the down dip direction. The Ben Lomond Granite crops out approximately 1km west of the mine and has been identified at depth at 180 metres below the surface.

Additional poorly known sediment-hosted vein systems occur at Brocks, Eastern Hill and elsewhere in the tenement.

Granite-hosted occurrences are developed throughout the exposed areas of granitoid outcrop and consist of vein, disseminated and breccia style occurrences with associated greisen style alteration. These have given rise to historic small scale hard rock and more extensive alluvial production in the Gipps Creek, Rex Hill, Ben Lomond, Royal George and other areas.

The Company interprets that both sediment- and granite-hosted systems have developed in structural corridors of multi-kilometre extent and that historic exploration has not systematically explored these corridors. TinOne believes systematic exploration of these prospective corridors will result in the definition of high-quality drill targets.

Sample Methodology

Rock samples reported here were collected by experienced geologists from outcrop, float and historical mining spoil dumps.A Samples were typically 1.5 to 2.5 kg and were placed in pre-numbered, calico bags and then into large rice sacks which were sealed for shipping.A Due to the nature of the available sample media, the samples are not continuous channel samples and consist of multiple individual small rock pieces collected from an area considered representative of the material being sampled.

Quality Assurance / Quality Control

Rock samples were shipped to ALS Limited in Brisbane, Australia for sample preparation and for analysis. The ALS, Brisbane facilities are ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 certified. Tin and tungsten are analysed by ICP-MS following lithium borate fusion (ALS method ME-MS85), overlimit results are reanalysed by XRF (ALS method XRF15b).A Forty-eight element multi-element analyses are conducted by ICP-MS with a four-acid digestion (ALS method ME-MS61).

Selected elevated lithium sample pulps were shipped to SGS Townsville for check analysis using a 4-acid digest with and ICP-OES finish (SGS methods GO_DIG41Q100 and GO_ICP41Q100).

Control samples comprising certified reference samples (including reference material certified for lithium) duplicates and blank samples were systematically inserted into the sample stream and analyzed as part of the Companya?s quality assurance / quality control protocol.

About TinOne

TinOne is a TSX Venture Exchange listed Canadian public company with a high-quality portfolio of tin projects in the Tier 1 mining jurisdictions of Tasmania and New South Wales, Australia. The Company controls some of the most important tin districts in Tasmania including Aberfoyle, Rattler Range and Great Pyramid. The Company is focussed on advancing its highly prospective portfolio while also evaluating additional tin opportunities.A A TinOne is supported by Inventa Capital Corp.

Qualified Person

The Companya?s disclosure of technical or scientific information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Stuart Smith., Technical Adviser for TinOne. Dr. Smith is a Qualified Person as defined under the terms of National Instrument 43-101.A

Contact Information: For more information and to sign-up to the mailing list, please contact:

Chris Donaldson, Executive Chairman

Tel: (604) 813-3931

Email: info@tinone.caA

In Europe:

Swiss Resource Capital AG

Jochen Staiger & Marc Ollinger

info@resource-capital.ch

www.resource-capital.ch

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release includes certain aForward?Looking Statementsa within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and aforward?looking informationa under applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words aanticipatea, abelievea, aestimatea, aexpecta, atargeta, aplana, aforecasta, amaya, awoulda, acoulda, aschedulea and similar words or expressions, identify forward?looking statements or information. These forward?looking statements or information relate to, among other things: the development of the Companya?s projects; future mineral exploration, development and production; the release of drilling results; and completion of a drilling program.

Forward?looking statements and forward?looking information relating to any future mineral production, liquidity, enhanced value and capital markets profile of TinOne, future growth potential for TinOne and its business, and future exploration plans are based on managementa?s reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on managementa?s experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the price of gold and other metals; no escalation in the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; TinOnea?s ability to operate in a safe and effective manner and its ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms.

These statements reflect TinOnea?s respective current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of other assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward?looking statements or forward-looking information and TinOne has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the Company\-s dependence on early stage mineral projects; metal price volatility; risks associated with the conduct of the Company\-s mining activities in Australia; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to reliance on the Company\-s management team and outside contractors; risks regarding mineral resources and reserves; the Company\-s inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects, including the inaccuracy of reserves and resources, metallurgical recoveries and capital and operating costs of such projects; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; laws and regulations governing the environment, health and safety; the ability of the communities in which the Company operates to manage and cope with the implications of COVID-19; the economic and financial implications of COVID-19 to the Company; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; the Company\-s interactions with surrounding communities and artisanal miners; the Company\-s ability to successfully integrate acquired assets; the speculative nature of exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and the factors identified under the caption aRisk Factorsa in TinOne\-s management discussion and analysis. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward?looking statements or forward-looking information. Although TinOne has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. TinOne does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward?looking statements or forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.

COMPETENT PERSONa?S STATEMENT

European Metals

Information in this report that relates to exploration results for CIS-15 to17, CIS-27 and CIS-31 to 36 is based on, and fairly reflects, information and supporting documentation prepared by European Metals Competent Person Dr Vojtech Sesulka. Dr Sesulka is a Certified Professional Geologist (certified by the European Federation of Geologists), a member of the Czech Association of Economic Geologist, and a Competent Person as defined in the JORC Code 2012 edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Dr Sesulka has provided his prior written consent to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears. Dr Sesulka is an independent consultant with more than 10 years working for the EMH or Geomet companies. Dr Sesulka does not own any shares in the Company and is not a participant in any short or long term incentive plans of the Company.

The information in this release that relates to Mineral Resources and Exploration Targets is based on, and fairly reflects, information and supporting documentation prepared by Mr Lynn Widenbar. Mr Widenbar, who is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a Member of the Australasian Institute of Geoscientists, is a full-time employee of Widenbar and Associates and produced the estimate based on data and geological information supplied by European Metals. Mr Widenbar has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity that he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the JORC Code 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Minerals Resources and Ore Reserves. Mr Widenbar has provided his prior written consent to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on his information in the form and context that the information appears. Mr Widenbar does not own any shares in the Company and is not a participant in any short or long term incentive plans of the Company.

https://www.europeanmet.com/wp-content/uploads/EMH-Cinovec-Resource-Estimation-AIM-131021.pdf

Infinity Lithium

The information in this report that relates to Exploration Targets is based on the information compiled by Mr Jeremy Peters, FAusIMM CP (Mining, Geology). Mr Peters has sufficient relevant professional experience with open pit and underground mining, exploration and development of mineral deposits similar to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of JORC Code. He has visited the project area and observed drilling, logging and sampling techniques used by Infinity in collection of data used in the preparation of this report. Mr Peters is an employee of Snowden Mining industry Consultants and consents to be named in this release and the report as it is presented. The information in this report that relates to the December 2017 and updates in May 2018, updated Mineral Resources is based on the information compiled by Mr Patrick Adams, FAusIMM CP (Geology). Mr Adams has sufficient relevant professional experience with open pit and underground mining, exploration and development of mineral deposits similar to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of JORC Code. Mr Adams has not visited the project area and has relied on the documented (Peters, May 2017) drilling, logging and sampling techniques used by Infinity in collection of data used in the preparation of this report. Mr Adams is a Principal Geologist and a Director of Cube Consulting Pty Ltd and consents to be named in this release and the report as it is presented. The information in this report that relates to Exploration Results is based on the information compiled or reviewed by Mr Adrian Byass, B.Sc Hons (Geol), B.Econ, FSEG, MAIG and an employee of Infinity Lithium Corporation Limited. Mr Byass has sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the JORC Code. Mr Byass consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on this information in the form and context in which it appears.

https://wcsecure.weblink.com.au/pdf/INF/01983857.pdf

The information in this announcement relates to metallurgical test work results in relation to the San JosA Lithium deposit in Extremadura, Spain, and is based on the information compiled by Mr Adrian Byass (as Competent Person) and as assisted by David Valls, of Extremadura Mining S.L. Mr Byass has sufficient relevant professional experience with open pit and underground mining, exploration and development of mineral deposits similar to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking. He has been working in the project area and managing drilling, logging, sampling and supervising metallurgical test works used by Infinity in collection of data used in the preparation of this report. Mr Byass is an employee of Infinity Lithium Corporation Limited and its wholly owned subsidiary Extremadura Mining S.L. and consents to be named in this release and the report as it is presented. Mr Byass holds securities in Infinity Lithium.

https://wcsecure.weblink.com.au/pdf/INF/02309544.pdf A A

Zinnwald Lithium

The information in this announcement that relates to in situ lithium Mineral Resources for Sadisdorf is based on and fairly represents information compiled by Mr Thomas Branch under the direction and supervision of Dr Andrew Scogings who are both full-time employees of CSA Global Pty Ltd, in accordance with the requirements of the JORC Code 2012. Dr Scogings takes overall responsibility for the report. Dr Scogings is a Member of both the Australian Institute of Geoscientists and Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and has sufficient experience, which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration, and to the activity he is undertaking, to qualify as a Competent Person in terms of the aAustralasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reservesa? (JORC Code 2012). Dr Scogings consents to the inclusion of such information in this announcement in the form and context in which it appears.

https://lithium-au.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/07122017-Maiden-lithium-Mineral-Resource-estimate-for-Sadisdorf.pdf A

Cornish Lithium

The Maiden Mineral Resource has been prepared by Kerry Griffin of Mining Plus UK Limited, who is a Competent Person as defined by the JORC Code, 2012 Edition.

https://cornishlithium.com/company-announcements/cornish-lithium-announces-maiden-jorc-resource-for-the-trelavour-project/

Lepidico

Exploration and Resources The information in this report that relates to Exploration Results is based on information compiled by Mr Tom Dukovcic, who is a fulltime employee of the Company and a member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists and who has sufficient experience relevant to the styles of mineralisation and the types of deposit under consideration, and to the activity that has been undertaken, to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 edition of the aAustralasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves.a Mr Dukovcic consents to the inclusion in this report of information compiled by him in the form and context in which it appears. The information in this report that relates to the Helikon 2  Helikon 5 Mineral Resource estimates is extracted from an ASX Announcement dated 16 July 2019 (aDrilling Starts at the Karibib Lithium Projecta) and was completed in accordance with the guidelines of the JORC Code (2012). The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original market announcement and that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the Mineral Resource estimates in the relevant market announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed. The Company confirms that the form and context in which the Competent Persona?s findings are represented have not been materially modified from the original market announcement. The information in this report that relates to the Helikon 1 and Rubicon Ore Reserve is based on information compiled by John Wyche who is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (MAusIMM) and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the type of deposit and mining method under consideration and to the activity to which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the aAustralasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves.a Mr Wyche is an employee of Australian Mine Design and Development Pty Ltd which is an independent consulting company. He consents to the inclusion in the report of the information compiled by him in the form and context in which it appears.

https://cdn.lepidico.com/production/LPD_221219_Replacement_Announcement_Phase_1_Economics_Improved_f161419e3d.pdf

[1] MINERAL RESOURCES TASMANIA LABORATORY REPORT LJN2023-010. MINERALOGICAL EXAMINATION OF POWDERED ROCK SAMPLES, GIPPS CREEK AREA. 25 January 2023

[2] X-ray diffraction (XRD) is a technique that detects the specific minerals present in a rock sample with a high degree of confidence.
A preservation group has given up trying to save what remains of the Great Northern grain elevator  and now even the fate of any artifacts from its ongoing demolition remains in doubt.

The Campaign for Greater Buffalo History, Architecture & Culture's board of directors concluded this week it would be futile to continue appealing a State Supreme Court decision last May that greenlighted the demolition.

"We decided that our time and money is more or less run out," said Tim Tielman, the organization's executive director. "We elected not to pursue the appeal because the chances of success, as we were told by the courts in a December opinion, were not great. That says just as much about the disposition of the court as the merits of our case."

Archer-Daniels-Midland, the Chicago-based multinational food processing and commodities trading corporation that owns the abandoned grain elevator, remains mum on what artifacts might be saved.

The company said over a year ago that it looked forward to saving artifacts from the 1897 structure. But the company told The News it's still not ready to identify the artifacts or where they would go.

"We have developed a list of artifacts that can potentially be preserved safely and are in the process of looking for the right partners for the individual assets," ADM spokeswoman Jackie Anderson said in a statement. "We are reaching out directly to potential partners and have a formal application process in place to evaluate interested local parties."

Anderson said something similar in a Jan. 5, 2022, statement, three weeks after the City of Buffalo issued an emergency demolition.

ADM was "identifying artifacts from the structure that can potentially be preserved safely," Anderson wrote at that time, adding the company was "reaching out to potential partners to discuss ways in which those items can be displayed and shared with the community."

The demolition started Sept. 19 and more than two-thirds of the hulking structure has been torn down.

The company spokeswoman declined to say who has been approached to take the artifacts.

"We dont have anything to share beyond the statement I sent at this time," Anderson said.

The Great Northern, the last brick-box grain elevator with steel bins in North America, is considered by preservationists to be an irreplaceable part of Buffalo's waterfront heritage.

Lorraine Pierro, who leads the Industrial Heritage Committee, which focuses on preserving the history of grain elevators, said she was told by an ADM official "several months ago" that it was interested in working with the group to salvage artifacts. But Pierro said she hasn't heard from anyone since and has tried to reach the company.

Pierro hopes to see artifacts from the Great Northern displayed on the Outer Harbor, by the organization's grain elevator displays along Fuhrmann Boulevard.

The company also said in a Dec. 15, 2021, statement that it would "look for ways to preserve the legacy of the structure, such as donating artifacts to a local museum."

The News checked with two museums that seem to be likely partners for ADM to work with. Neither said it had heard from the company.

"We haven't heard a peep out of ADM," said Ted Nizialek, president of the Buffalo Harbor Museum.

Joe Marasco, a volunteer, said he wrote to the company suggesting putting artifacts in the museum, but he never heard back.

"They just don't seem to care about it despite all the words they said when the court battles were going on," Nizialek said. "They got what they wanted  the thing is going to be gone."

Nizialek said he has been struck by the Great Northern's stability and endurance since the Dec. 10, 2021, windstorm ripped a large hole in its north wall and the months of demolition since.

"When the blizzard hit our building we lost our roof, but what was left of the Great Northern stood rock steady," Nizialek said.

ADM hasn't contacted the Buffalo History Museum, said Melissa Brown, the museum's executive director, who would welcome being part of an effort to save artifacts due to their industrial importance.

The remnants of the last-of-its-kind grain elevator might even be something the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., would want in its collection, she said.

"Because of the Great Northern's significance, it honestly might be something the Smithsonian would take on," Brown said. "It's worth asking before it's gone, because you can't ask afterward."
Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn says details in The Buffalo News Who killed the monsignor? series raised eyebrows, but he will not investigate the 57-year-old unsolved homicide unless new evidence surfaces.

It is not a closed case, and its still open right now. I already have spoken to the police and they have reviewed all the materials and we are at a standstill, unless we get some new evidence, Flynn said Wednesday, when the last installment of the 18-part series was published.

Who killed the monsignor? Exploring the murder of Monsignor Francis J. O'Connor, its investigation and its legacy Revealed in the 56-year-old reports on the murder of Monsignor Francis J. O'Connor were shocking secrets  a priest and a diocese journalist had been suspects  and a cache of other never-before released details.

The series about the 1966 murder of Monsignor Francis J. OConnor revealed for the first time that a priest and a former journalist who worked for the diocese newspaper were identified in Buffalo police files as suspects in the case. They were Rev. John D. Lewandowski, a priest later accused of molesting seven boys, and Robert Armbruster. Both men are deceased.

Monsignor Franklin Kelliher was also identified by a former Erie County assistant district attorney as a suspect, based on his conversation with the homicide chief who oversaw the investigation into OConnors murder.

Some retired police officers familiar with the investigation said it was abruptly shut down. Others said Buffalo police homicide officials told them the investigation was shut down after a monsignor or a priest became a suspect.

Who killed the monsignor? Former prosecutor links a monsignor to murder Day 15: Priests who drank to excess, gambled, stole money, molested children, had affairs or engaged in other crimes or frowned-upon behavior were taken to Monsignor Franklin M. Kelliher for physical punishment, according to sources.

To be fair to Kelliher, it is a pretty big leap to go from some kind of a Dutch uncle to a murderer, Flynn said in referring to Kellihers unofficial role in the diocese as its disciplinarian of priests who misbehaved. Quite frankly, I find it troubling for a former prosecutor to throw out his name without any concrete evidence.

William Carey, one of the last surviving assistant district attorneys from the time when OConnor was murdered, told The News that Buffalo police homicide chief Leo J. Donovan told him that Kelliher was a prime suspect and that the investigation was shut down by his superiors after detectives began to focus on Kelliher.

Kelliher, a former professional wrestler and a boxer known for his good deeds in running the old Buffalo Working Boys Home, died in 1985. Donovan, the longest serving homicide chief in the police department, died in 1996.

Several priests and retired police officers said Kelliher inflicted physical punishment on priests who got in trouble with the law, whether it be for intoxication or if they were suspected of having problems with children.

Rather than arresting offending clerics, police were instructed to hand priests over to Kelliher, according to priests and officers interviewed.

Who killed the monsignor? A diocese journalist emerges as a suspect Day 7: A Freedom of Information request filed by The Buffalo News with Buffalo Police recently flung open the case files buried in a secure warehouse, revealing all kinds of details, including the names of suspects.

Flynn made a point of saying a cover-up has been alleged, but that without evidence, he could not pursue an investigation into whether that occurred.

We know for a fact that the person or persons who allegedly from the diocese may have covered this up are dead and there is no one to prosecute, he said of diocesan leaders from the 1960s. However, with that said, if any new evidence comes to light, I will certainly follow through and look into it.

Without any new evidence, Flynn said he would not seek a subpoena for Buffalo Diocese records related to the murder, citing ethical issues.

Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia said Wednesday that with the attention to the murder generated by The News series, "we hope it brings someone forward with new information. Any new information or evidence will be investigated."

During the O'Connor murder probe, Buffalo police were writing multiple reports daily on the case. But after Lewandowski was questioned, the detectives' reports slowed to a trickle. There were no reports in the file written since 1967.

Who killed the monsignor? Priest suspected in murder was accused of molesting boys Day 11: Reports filed by homicide detectives back then portray Rev. John D. Lewandowski as a hard-drinking man who used profane sexual language around youngsters.

Of the alleged shutdown of the investigation, Flynn offered an explanation saying that after two months, when police reports largely stopped being filed, it was possible that leads in the homicide dried up and the case went cold on its own.

The district attorney at the time was Mike Dillon. I knew him and his family. I can unequivocally tell you Mike Dillon would never have shut down this investigation or any investigation, Flynn said.

OConnors body was found floating face down in Scajaquada Creek on March 13, 1966. His car was found 14 hours later just over a mile away, with blood stains inside it. An autopsy determined O'Connor's death was a homicide, with drowning cited as the immediate cause, plus fractures in O'Connor's throat and contusions and abrasions to his head.

The News reported that its Freedom of Information request that last year yielded a box full of files found that some of the files, based on numbering, appeared to be missing. The physical evidence in the case was destroyed, a police official told The News.

Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia has told me that there is nothing else there," Flynn said. "Is it possible that documents got stuck in another file? Sure. We are talking 1966 here. The record keeping procedures we have today were obviously not in place 57 years ago. They are much better today. Computers have solved 90% of the problem. Thats true in any business, not just police records."

Who killed the monsignor? Could a Buffalo bishop shut down a murder investigation? Day 16: Nearly 57 years later, with Bishop James A. McNulty and everyone in his inner circle long dead, questions remain about the former bishop and whether he had a role in ending the police investigation into the still unsolved homicide.

But, he added it was disturbing that the physical evidence no longer exists.

It is troublesome, especially in light of the fact that the case is still open. Who knows in six months to a year from now, new evidence may come to light. It could be a witness. Feasibly, if it was a group of kids, and they were 18 to 20 years old, they would be in their mid-70s now and possibly still alive.

So, if in six months to a year from now, if there is new evidence and I dont have any physical evidence, how am I going to prosecute the case? the DA said.

Of the possibility that files could have been intentionally removed from storage, Flynn said, Im not dismissive of any options.

Diocese statement

Who killed the monsignor? What became of two suspects in unsolved murder? Day 17: Neither man was charged with killing Monsignor Francis J. O'Connor, a rising star in the Buffalo Catholic Diocese who served as the editor of The Magnificat, the diocesan weekly newspaper.

Buffalo Diocese spokesman Joseph Martone issued a statement Wednesday about the new details reported in the "Who killed the monsignor?" series.

"The tragic death of Monsignor OConnor was a dark day for the Diocese of Buffalo as we lost an incredibly talented man of the church on March 13, 1966. Although it is difficult to judge actions of the past through todays lens, the Diocese has no historical information that would help to solve this very troubling cold case.

"Our prayer is that hopefully new evidence may emerge through this reporting that will assist to eventually solve one of the most heinous and troubling crimes in Buffalos history," he said.

One cleric in the Buffalo Diocese responded to the "Who killed the monsignor?" series with remarks critical of the Diocese published in the Sunday bulletin at his parish.

The Rev. Paul Seil, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Buffalo, wrote of The News' series, It shows a long-standing corruption in our Diocese of Buffalo. The case was not solved because the Buffalo Police (homicide) chief of detectives Leo Donovan (was) ordered to stop the investigation, Why?

Perhaps that important question will be answered.

I would speculate: the investigation was probably stopped by the Bishop (McNulty) in conjunction with high ranking local officials in City Hall and the brass of the BPD. Thats my take on the mystery.

In that era in the Church it was of the utmost importance to keep the Church free from scandal. It appears that another priest (dead since the 1980s) was the main suspect.

Imagine the depth of filth that would allow someone to be murdered and then have the investigation called off.

We probably think things like this could never happen today. Yet we have come to see that countless victims of clergy sexual abuse and the cover-up by so many bishops which have left a devastated Church  especially in the Diocese of Buffalo," wrote Seil, who declined to comment when contacted Wednesday by The News.

Martone declined to comment on Seil's statement.
A Massachusetts man was arrested with a "ghost gun" Tuesday at the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls, State Police from the Niagara station reported.

Nathan A. Shea, 31, of Chicopee, was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a Class A misdemeanor, and released pending a return to Niagara Falls City Court later this month.

Troopers, joined by officers from the State Police Special Investigation Unit in Buffalo, were called to the Rainbow Bridge after U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents discovered the gun, a Polymer 80 9mm pistol with no serial number.

According to the report, Shea told authorities that he has a Massachusetts pistol permit, but the gun was not registered because it was homemade.
Another 10 Romanian nationals were flown on Wednesday to Romania from the Turkish cities of Adana and Malatya by National Defence Ministry aircraft, taking the total number of repatriated persons to 31, the Foreign Affairs Ministry informs.

"Three Romanian nationals - a mother and her two children - boarded a Romanian military aircraft on Adana Airport. Subsequently, another seven Romanian Erasmus students who were in an area heavily damaged by the earthquakes were taken over from the Malatya Airport. Following the efforts of the Romanian Embassy in Ankara, a Romanian volunteer provided the necessary support for taking the students to the airport," the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

According to the cited source, 31 Romanians and two Polish citizens have been repatriated up until now by humanitarian flights organized by the National Defence Ministry. Five other Romanian nationals returned to Romania on Wednesday, with assistance from the Embassy in Ankara, on a scheduled flight.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs mentions that Romania's diplomatic mission in Ankara is in contact with another ten Romanian citizens who expressed their desire to repatriate, but are too far away from Adana and Malatya airports, so that efforts continue for identifying solutions to bring them safely home; the embassy is also in communication with 36 Romanian nationals who contacted the diplomatic mission with various requests, but who did not ask for repatriation assistance. AGERPRES
Accession to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is the next step on Romania's road to modernization, development and prosperity, prime minister Nicolae Ciuca said, on Thursday, at the event "Accession to the OECD - opportunities for the Romanian business environment", organized by the Government of Romania in collaboration with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development to mark one year since the start of the process on our country's accession to this organization.

"After a wait that lasted 18 years, last year, Romania was invited to start the OECD accession process. Romania's accession to the OECD has become a major foreign policy objective and a strategic objective of the country, after the accession to the European Union and NATO, and the opening of the accession talks is a recognition of our development potential. At the same time, it represents an important vote of confidence granted to Romania, which we want to capitalize on," highlighted Nicolae Ciuca.

According to the head of the Government, the accession process requires an alignment with the entire set of legal instruments of the OECD, representing 26 fields and over 230 legal instruments.

He pointed out that the accession process to the OECD is somewhat facilitated by the commitments assumed through the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), and these two projects - the reforms assumed through the PNRR and the standards set through the roadmap for accession to the organization - are complementary.

At the same time, the prime minister also declared that the Government proposes an honest and solid partnership with the business environment, which represents an important vector in Romania's modernization.

OECD membership is, he added, a strong indicator of confidence for domestic and international investors, a catalyst that drives the stimulation of direct investments and strengthens the confidence of international markets in domestic economic stability.

As regards the current economic situation in Romania, the prime minister said, in 2022, Romania's Gross Domestic Product increased by almost 50 billion euros compared to the previous year, namely 4.9 percent, representing a significant increase, equivalent to the entire GDP of our country 20 years ago.

The head of the Executive emphasized that the benefits of joining the OECD for Romanian companies will include access to the expertise of OECD specialists in areas such as new digital technologies, the green transition or the promotion of responsible business behaviour.AGERPRES
The Ambassador of the Republic of South Korea in Romania, Rim Kap-soo, met, on Thursday, in Alba Iulia, with the president of the Alba County Council, Ion Dumitrel, to decide on future bilateral cooperation, with business people from Korea to come to the county in the near future, told Agerpres.

According to a release sent to AGERPRES by Alba County Council, the ambassador of the Republic of South Korea in Romania, Rim Kap-soo, was on Thursday in his first official visit to Alba Iulia.

"As the ambassador of South Korea in Romania stated, his mission is to promote Romania in his country and, at the same time, to open the way for Korean investments in Romania", a press release informs.

For his part, the president of Alba County Council made a presentation of the county, its economic, cultural and tourist potential.

"Following the discussions, which opened the way for future bilateral cooperation, it was established that, in the near future, a delegation of businessmen from South Korea will arrive in Alba county, to identify areas for investments in several areas of interest, namely: national defense, infrastructure, food industry and services for the population", the said press release informs.
The first Art Safari exhibition season of 2023 will bring together four exhibitions, two of Romanian art and two others that present works proposed by French and Spanish partners, and it will be open between Friday, February 17 until May 14, at the Dacia-Romania Palace (Bucharest City Museum).

"We have four exhibitions, contemporary art from France, contemporary art from Romania, heritage art from Romania and heritage art from Spain," said the head of the Bucharest Art Pavilion - Art Safari, Ioana Ciocan, at the press conference where they announced the event.

She mentioned the retrospective dedicated to painter Ion Theodorescu-Sion (1882-1939), "Masters of Spanish Painting," "The Memory Palace. Focus on the French art scene with the Marcel Duchamp Prize" and the exhibition "Young Blood 2.0."

The manager of the Bucharest City Museum, Adrian Majuru, PhD, welcomed the opening of the new Art Safari season, "a story that continues," appreciating that "Bucharest needs a cultural dynamic, which gathers together, in a platform (...) various demographics and various ages."

"Art Safari has the dynamics that the West discovered a few decades ago and it is very well represented, especially with contemporary art being shown next two works of art that already belong to the national and world heritage. And I mean now especially those museums that have a university behind them, such as the universities of applied arts or fine arts in other European cities. We do not have such a university, we have departments, and the Pinacoteca [Bucharest Art Gallery - editor's note], which will be in this residence, hopefully, in the next five years, it will capitalize on the applied arts in the way it will value the collection of the Pinacoteca, which, along with paintings and sculptures, also has some interesting pieces of decorative art," said Adrian Majuru.

The ambassadors of France and Spain in Romania, Laurence Auer and Jose Antonio Hernandez Perez-Solorzano, expressed their satisfaction over the presence in Bucharest of some of the leading representatives of art from the countries they represent.

"This building has had a very strong history with France and I am happy and proud to be here with this contemporary art exhibition. It is about Marcel Duchamp, a very well-known artist in Romania. The curator of the exhibition, Daria de Beauvais, will explain to you that it is not only about French artists, but representative painters for international contemporary art, such as Mircea Cantor, a very beloved contemporary Romanian artist, the only Romanian who won this award," said the French diplomat.

Art Safari takes place under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture and is being organized in partnership with the Bucharest City Museum, the National Art Museum of Romania and the Romanian Cultural Institute, with BCR (Romanian Commercial Bank) as an official partner. In the 10 editions so far, it has registered over 350,000 visitors. AGERPRES
The Board of the National Bank of Romania (BNR) decided to keep the monetary policy rate at 7.00 percent per annum, in its January meeting on monetary policy, the BNR informs.

Moreover, BNR decided to leave unchanged the lending (Lombard) facility rate at 8.00 percent per annum and the deposit facility rate at 6.00 percent per annum and to keep the existing levels of minimum reserve requirement ratios on both leu- and foreign currency-denominated liabilities of credit institutions. AGERPRES
The Development, Public Works and Administration (MDLPA) is consolidating 238 buildings, housing blocks, hospitals and schools, with non-refundable funding from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), relevant Minister Cseke Attila announced on Thursday.

He mentioned that so far, he signed 168 funding contracts worth 441 million EUR for 238 buildings situated in 100 localities of Romania.

"The funding is entirely ensured by the Development ministry and the money shouldn't be returned. Since the beginning of my minister tenure I have ordered the amendment of old laws which didn't help the consolidation of buildings, I have unfolded the call of projects and we have hundreds of funding contracts signed. With the financing secured, the local authorities must proceed to the investment implementation phase," the Minister of Development stated, according to a press release.

According to the minister, 148 projects, worth 261,981,343.88 EUR, aim the seismic consolidation and energy renovation of 162 public buildings, medical, educational units and administrative offices, and another 20 projects, worth 179,057,623.29 EUR, aim the consolidation of 76 multi-family residential buildings. Most contracts were signed with local authorities in Bucharest, Iasi, Constanta, Galati and Prahova.

Minister Cseke Attila brought to mind that, as of this year, the Development ministry also unfolds the National Programme to consolidate the buildings with high seismic risk, which has, for 2023, an allocated budget of 200 million RON in budget loans and 500 million RON in commitment credits, and the financing is 100pct.

The MDLPA doesn't ask for co-financing either from the tenants, or from the local or central authorities, the Minister of Development underscored.

So far, for the National Programme, there have been submitted funding requests worth 4,635,562,231.97 RON, for the consolidation of 277 public buildings and housing blocks across the country, of which 128 are in Bucharest - the minister showed, underscoring that the call to submit the funding requests is opened until 20 February 2023, 23:59hrs. AGERPRES
Two Niagara County men were sentenced Wednesday in Niagara County Court to serve time in state prison for their roles in the death of a Lockport man.

According to the Niagara County District Attorney's Office, Sean F. Kelahan, 20, of Newfane, and Tyreek J. Wolfe, 21, of Niagara Falls, had previously pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide and leaving the scene of a fatal motor vehicle incident without reporting it after their vehicles struck and killed Richard Howes III, 25, as he was walking across Transit Road in Lockport on March 18.

"These individuals were racing recklessly up a busy city street at double the speed limit," District Attorney Brian D. Seaman said in a statement Wednesday. "They displayed utter disregard for others. The result was that they killed a young man with his entire life in front of him."

Prosecutors said that in the months preceding the accident, Kelahan was stopped repeatedly by Lockport city police and warned that his reckless driving was going to lead to someone's death. As a result, he drew the longer sentence of 2 1/3 to seven years imposed by County Court Judge Caroline Wojtaszek. Wolfe was sentenced to 1 1/3 to four years in prison.
The Minister of Culture, Lucian Romascanu, signed, on Thursday, the Book of Condolences opened at the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Bucharest, on which occasion he stated that "the tragedy of the Turkish people was deeply felt by the entire world."

"The tragedy of the Turkish people, the immense suffering they experienced were deeply felt by the entire world, by all the witnesses of this terrible catastrophe. Romania was the first country to offer its help, and brave Romanians are trying, while risking their own lives, to save the lives of their fellows. I also signed today, at the T.C. Bukresh Buyukelcilizi / The Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Bucharest, in the Book of Condolences, on behalf of the Ministry of Culture, and conveyed to His Excellency Mr. Ozgur Kirvanc Altan all our compassion. May God rest those who died and comfort their families," Romascanu said on Facebook.

According to the emergency management authority in Turkey, AFAD, early on Thursday, four days after the earthquakes with the epicentre in Turkey, the official death toll rose to 12,873, while the number of injured exceeded 63,000. AGERPRES
President Klaus Iohannis had a meeting in Brussels on Thursday, together with a group of European leaders, with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, on the occasion of the extraordinary meeting of the Council European, told Agerpres.

According to the Presidential Administration, President Klaus Iohannis welcomed the presence of his Ukrainian counterpart at the European Council meeting, as an additional proof of European solidarity and unity and close coordination in support of the Ukrainian people in the face of the war started by the Russian Federation.

"The President of Romania emphasized the importance of maintaining European support for Ukraine at all levels, highlighting in this regard the solidarity and multidimensional action of Romania, as a neighboring and friendly state, contributing both on the humanitarian and economic level, as well as in terms of increasing connectivity, facilitating the transport of grain or advancing the European route," the quoted source informs.

The head of state also voiced the need to maintain pressure on the Russian Federation, including by adopting additional sanctions.

"The President of Romania conveyed to President Volodimir Zelensky our country's support for the peace formula," the Presidential Administration said.

According to the cited source, President Zelensky, in turn, conveyed the appreciation of the Ukrainian people for the support offered by the European Union states both bilaterally and at the EU level, and expressed his belief that this support will continue to be as strong.

President Klaus Iohannis and the Prime Ministers of Sweden, Ulf Kristersson, Spain, Pedro Sanchez, Poland, Mateusz Morawiecki, Italy, Giorgia Meloni, and the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, met on Thursday with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky. This was the first group of European leaders that met with the Ukrainian president on the occasion of the extraordinary meeting of the European Council.

The President of Ukraine participated in the extraordinary meeting of the European Council during which he gave a speech.
Romania will continue political discussions for Schengen accession, president Klaus Iohannis said Thursday, adding that in the next weeks he will make a visit to Bulgaria for talks, but also for a signal that the two countries are ready to join the free movement space.

"We will continue the political talks on all levels, on absolutely all levels, and I am optimistic that we will find solutions for this Schengen problem, but I wish we didn't cling to a certain date. I repeat, for me, for Romania and for the Romanians, it is important to enter the Schengen area. I do not want us to link the discussion to a certain date, because, we also saw in December, these things cannot be related to a certain date, they are connected to a lot of considerations, they should be European. Unfortunately, however, they are also correlated by domestic policy issues in some member states. That is something that I do not find good, but it cannot be ignored. So, we continue the discussions and I am optimistic," the president said before attending the extraordinary meeting of the European Council.

He specified that Romania will take joint steps with Bulgaria to join Schengen.

"I have discussed this issue with president Rumen Radev and yes, we will also do joint actions. I will also go to Bulgaria in the next few weeks for the discussions, but also to give a signal that we are ready," president Iohannis assessed.AGERPRES
Chairman of the Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) Marian Enache on Thursday discussed with Moldova's ambassador in Bucharest Victor Chirila organising, as part of the centennial of the Constitution of Reintegrated Romania joint events and debates with constitutional judges of Moldova, told Agerpres.

According to CCR, the two officials discussed the events to be held on of the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the 1923 Constitution, with Enache saying that 2023 has been declared the Centennial Year of the Constitution of Reintegrated Romania.

"The two officials pointed to a special relationship of co-operation between the constitutional courts, in which the constant exchange of good practices in constitutional matters between them, bilateral meetings, as well as the joint editing of specialist scientific works were mentioned."

Enache expressed his desire to organise for the same centennial several events and debates related to the Romanian constitutional history, together with judges of the Constitutional Court of Moldova.

Also attending the meeting were Benke Karoly, first assistant magistrate; Cristina Titirisca, assistant magistrate; Madalina Verman, adviser with the Foreign Affairs Department, as well as Roxana Samson, secretary with the Moldovan Embassy in Bucharest.
As many as 59,023 people entered Romania through the border crossing points, including 7,968 Ukrainian citizens, the General Border Police Inspectorate (IGPF) informs on Wednesday, February 8.

According to a press release sent to AGERPRES on Thursday, approximately 121,600 people, Romanian and foreign citizens, and more than 40,200 means of transport underwent border checks at all of Romania's crossing points, on both the inbound and the outbound.

The number of Ukrainians who crossed into Romania since the pre-war date of February 10 is 3,503,078.

The border police detected 22 illegal acts (14 infractions and 8 contraventions) committed by both Romanian and foreign citizens, and fines worth over 1,700 RON were issued

The value of the seized goods amounts to approximately 25,300 RON.

Also on Wednesday, 14 foreign citizens who did not meet the legal requirements were denied entry to the country, and 21 Romanian citizens were also not allowed to leave for various legal reasons.
Politehnica University of Bucharest (UPB), in partnership with the British Council, is launching, starting this academic year, official English proficiency tests for its students.

UPB is the first university in Romania to offer this free service to its own students, told Agerpres.

According to a press release, by entering a partnership with the British Council, the university will offer its students English Score and Aptis tests for free.

Among the benefits of these tests are the significantly higher chances of employment, the opportunity for students to follow study programmes abroad, but also the quick and accurate assessment of their individual knowledge, explains UPB.

"The British Council is the guarantee of delivering high quality exams and together we will deliver a positive experience through flexible and modular tests that can be taken on the phone or computer. The tests will be tailored to the needs of students and will be delivered in accordance with strict examination standards," said the rector of the university, Mihnea Costoiu, quoted in the press release.

The proficiency certificates offered through this partnership are recognized in over 85 countries and by 80 international companies.

The English Score test can be taken between April and June through an application available on the mobile phone. Thus, students in the fourth year of the undergraduate cycle will receive a personalized login code via mail-ul@upb.

Also, the Aptis test will take place between April and June, and students enrolled in the second year of the master's programmes will be informed in advance about the exact day and place of the test.
President Klaus Iohannis said on Thursday that the Ministry of Finance must clarify whether OMV Petrom will pay the solidarity tax in Romania, stating that it is the initiator of the piece of legislation on which the Ministry of Energy has not been informed.

"Whether it will pay or not, it will surely tell you those who made the piece of legislation, that is the Ministry of Finance. I was a little surprised when I informed myself after approval how this issue was discussed and I found out that, for example, the Ministry of Energy was not co-opted into the discussion. The issue has been discussed at the level of Finance, which is basically in the rule, because we are talking about a tax or a due. But I was informed that this act was being worked on. I had one only request: that this piece of legislation be legal and clear, that is, that it does not violate any directive or any law in force in Romania and that it should be so clear that it does not arise any discussions whether it is or not. The result we all see on TV: all day long it is discussed whether it is or not. I think those who have worked on the document need to come forward and clarify it. There's nothing lost," the president said before the extraordinary meeting of the European Council.

He stressed that "throwing blame from one political side to another political side does not solve the problem" in this matter.AGERPRES
President Klaus Iohannis declared on Thursday that at the special European Council meeting that starts today he will reiterate Romania's support for Ukraine, adding that the plenary meeting will be followed by restricted format meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"I will reiterate Romania's support for Ukraine. I will also mention the support we have provided so far, right from the first day of the war, and that our backing for Ukraine will continue," said the Romanian head of state before the summit of the EU leaders where President Zelensky will also be present.

President Iohannis mentioned that he will be in the first group that will meet with President Zelensky, together with other heads of state and government. AGERPRES
The correspondent of the private PRO TV station in southeastern Dambovita county, Marius Buga, was arrested on Wednesday evening, in a case in which he is accused of committing the crime of sexual intercourse with a minor.

According to the court portal, he was presented by the prosecutors to the Targoviste Court with a proposal to take the measure of preventive arrest.

Judicial sources stated for AGERPRES that the proposal was accepted by the judge of rights and freedoms, who ordered a 30-day pre-trial arrest of the defendant.

"At the Prosecutor's Office attached to the Targoviste Court, a criminal file was registered in which it was ordered to carry out further criminal prosecution against a male person under the aspect of committing the crime of sexual intercourse with a minor, provided for by art. 220 paragraph 1 and 4 letter e of the Criminal Code. The measure of detention for 24 hours was ordered against the male person," the Dambovita County Police Inspectorate reported on Wednesday.

Judicial sources stated that the person targeted by the investigation is the PRO TV correspondent in Dambovita county, Marius Buga.

The journalist had been heard, on Tuesday, in connection with these accusations brought by a 16-year-old minor.

"We were surprised to learn about the investigation that targets the employee Marius Buga. At the company level, we strongly condemn any immoral action. We cannot comment on this situation, but we are convinced that the authorities are taking all measures to clarify it. The moment we will have all the relevant information, we will take the necessary steps within the company. The protection of minors is extremely important for each of us!," the TV broadcaster mentioned in a press release.AGERPRES
The Romanian rescuers in Turkey managed to pull four people out from the rubble, including a 16-year-old teenager.

"Yesterday morning [Wednesday - ed.n], in the intervention area indicated by the Turkish authorities, the Romanian rescuers identified a conscious person, a 16-year-old teenager, stuck under the rubble. After several hours of intervention, a magnitude 4.2 aftershock was recorded at the action site of the Romanian rescuers, leading to changes in the collapsed elements, and thus complicating the rescue mission of the teenager. An excavator was requested in support to butress the upper part of the construction, and the mixed support team continued the rescue mission, by creating an access tunnel to the casualty," says IGSU on Thursday, on its Facebook page.

The RO-USAR team managed to save the young man stuck under the rubble, who was conscious and cooperative.

"With sustained efforts and over 20 hours of continuous work, the team from Romania managed to save the young man stuck under the rubble, who was conscious and cooperative. He was handed over to the medical crews to receive the required medical care," says the source.

Until this moment, the mixed team from Romania managed to save 4 people, casualties of the series of earthquakes produced in the Republic of Turkey.

During the night, at the direction of the Turkish authorities, the team from Romania carried out 2 more search missions in 2 different places.

"Unfortunately, no living persons have been identified," says IGSU.

Currently, the team is moving to a new 8 storey building, completely collapsed, to carry out a search operation. There are already local intervention teams and a high-tonnage crane here, but the Turkish authorities have requested support, the source mentions.

***

At this moment, there are 2 support teams from Romania in Turkey, made up of specialized RO-USAR search and rescue personnel, SMURD physicians and nurses, staff with canine teams with the Utility Dogs Club, Transilvania Rescue Dogs, Rescue Dogs Gugulania, that are in permanent contact with the Turkish authorities, AFAD representatives being the ones directly responsible for designating the area of action and intervention of the international teams that came to provide assistance.AGERPRES
Democrats and Republicans in the Erie County Legislature may disagree on certain issues, but they agree on at least one thing: raises.

The Legislature unanimously voted last week to grant Democratic Deputy County Executive Lisa Chimera a higher starting salary, and last month, the Legislature similarly voted to grant former county legislator Lynne Dixon a higher salary when she returned to the Republican caucus this year to serve as the group's communication director. Other recent resolutions that shuffled and changed Legislature staff positions and pay also have been approved without issue.

Resolutions granting raises to county employees, beyond what is traditionally or contractually required, have typically met with bipartisan support as the county struggles to compete with the private sector for qualified applicants. This year, that bipartisan approach has extended to the staff of County Legislature and county executive, most of whom are political appointees who have already received a boost in their pay scale this year.

Minority Leader John Mills, R-Orchard Park, said both sides are trying to respect each other's boundaries when it comes to hiring and managing politically appointed staff, as long as the positions are covered in the budget.

"I think too many times, we were getting into other people's business," he said. "We're trying to clean up the politics and be more straightforward."

Push for $17,000 raise for new deputy county executive yields questions, hypocrisy accusations The request for a raise for new Deputy County Executive Lisa Chimera has been met with some pushback in the Legislature.

This approach was less evident in December, when Erie County administrators first came before the Legislature to request a $16,952 annual increase for Chimera.

Republican-supported legislators complained about a double standard: They said when former Democratic legislators go on to get full-time county jobs, the Democratic administration supports them being credited with their prior time served as elected county officials. But when former Republican legislators get full-time county jobs, they said, the Democratic administration is either silent or actively opposed.

Mark Cornell, the deputy budget director, had noted that all other non-elected county employees get the benefit of past years of service in Erie County government when they are promoted. Chimera, he said, was a county legislator for two years and deserved to be credited for that time. That elevated her pay from $143,963 to $160,915.

But former Minority Leader Joseph Lorigo and other Republican legislators pointed out that when Dixon joined the Comptroller's Office in 2020, then-Republican Comptroller Stefan Mychajliw wanted to credit Dixon with a higher pay level because she had served as a county legislator for a decade. The county administration and County Legislature refused to support that pay upgrade.

Give back your raise: Former Poloncarz rival Lynne Dixon sees her pay cut An argument over Lynne Dixon's salary has led to a lawsuit meant to determine how much control Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz has over the spending of other independently elected county officials.

Not only was that request denied, forcing Dixon to start at the lowest step on the wage scale, but the administration docked her pay for the months when they said she received a higher salary than she should have.

Peter Anderson, a spokesman for County Executive Mark Poloncarz, said Dixon needed Legislature approval to start higher up on the wage scale and simply didn't get it. But Republican elected leaders accused Poloncarz of campaigning against Dixon's raise because she ran against him for the county executive's seat in 2019 and went to work for his political enemy, Stefan Mychajliw, after she lost.

Mychajliw said he tried to get the Democratic-controlled County Legislature to approve a higher level of pay for Dixon, but his request died in committee. Poloncarz eventually agreed that in the 2021 budget, Dixon would be granted a higher salary.

The drama was avoided this year when Dixon returned to the Republican fold. The minority caucus fired its prior communication director and hired Dixon to take her place. Dixon had previously been working for former congressman Chris Jacobs.

The starting pay adjustment for Dixon resulted in a higher starting annual salary of $76,885, five steps above what she might automatically be entitled to since she had a long break in county service. That's equivalent to a raise of $16,284.

Bryan Fiume, chief of staff for the minority caucus, said the new pay rate is the same as what the prior communication director was making and that if all of Dixon's time as a county legislator and employee was fully counted, she should have been entitled to an even higher level of pay.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu, welcomed, on Thursday, the ambassador of the United States of America in Romania, Kathleen Ann Kavalec, for the presentation of the copies of her letters of accreditation, shortly after her arrival in our country, informs the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Minister Aurescu and Ambassador Kavalec discussed the priorities that must be pursued in the bilateral relationship, which are to be deepened during the next round of the Romania - USA Strategic Dialogue, scheduled to take place in the first part of the year in Bucharest, the same source says, told Agerpres.

Aurescu underscored that our country "remains a reliable ally of the US, actively involved in the Black Sea area, and reiterated Romania's interest in the future US strategy for the Black Sea region."

The Minister of Foreign Affairs also expressed his appreciation for the strong support of the US for the security of Romania and the European allies in NATO, especially those on the Eastern Flank, proven by the consistent increase in the American military presence after the start of Russia's war against Ukraine.

He recalled the common objective of Romania and the US to include our country in the Visa Waiver Programme, highlighting the desire of the Romanian side to strengthen cooperation in the field, as well as the need to register substantial progress during the term of Ambassador Kavalec's mandate.

The US ambassador-at-large highlighted that Romania is a strong, highly valued partner and ally of the US, and assured that it will make every effort to contribute to the development of the bilateral strategic partnership.

According to the MAE, the American diplomat also welcomed the special efforts made by our country in support of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, respectively in ensuring energy security - highlighting Romania's ability to position itself as an example at the regional level, including in terms of energy independence.
BRENTWOOD  The slow-motion closures of Bed Bath & Beyond stores continue to grind on.

The massively troubled home-goods chain is closing yet another area store. This time, the one to get the axe is in the Meridian at Brentwood shopping center on Eager Road.

In the last four weeks, the former retail giant has also closed its store in Fairview Heights and announced the pending closures of its stores in Lake Saint Louis and Sunset Hills.

The only area locations currently scheduled to remain open are the stores in Manchester and St. Peters. A store in Springfield, Illinois, is also open.

With Tuesdays announcement of 150 additional closures, including the Brentwood location, the chain has closed or planned to close more than 400 locations in the last year. In 2016, the company had 1,020 Bed Bath & Beyond-branded stores; on Tuesday, the company said its goal was to close all but 360 of them.

The company began buying back its stock in 2004, eventually spending a total of $11.7 billion to that end. Even as sales faltered in 2020 and 2021  partly due to a sell-off of several of its non-core brands  it continued to borrow money to buy back more stock.

In January, the company said it had received a notice of default on its loan from JP Morgan Chase. Tuesday, the company announced it had raised or expected to raise a total of $1 billion by selling preferred and common stock, and would use the cash to pay its outstanding debts.

The company recently said it may have to file bankruptcy and might not be able to stay in business.
ST. LOUIS  A city jail officer said he was demoted after the then-interim head of the jail forced him to retract his report to city leaders about an officer assaulting a man at the jail.

The claims, made in a deposition under oath from Officer Adrian Barnes on Jan. 12, assert that his demotion from superintendent to caseworker in January 2022 was politically motivated by the citys interim jail commissioner at the time, Jeffrey Carson.

When contacted by the Post-Dispatch on Wednesday, Carson said he never directly supervised Barnes.

Im not aware of what he was talking about. He was the superintendent. Why would he retract something? said Carson.

The August 2021 assault by an officer on a man whod been arrested, but not booked into the jail, was recorded by surveillance cameras and shows an officer punching a male several times in the torso and the head area. Barnes alleges a number of high-ranking city public safety and jail officials watched the video and, to his knowledge, did nothing.

When Barnes learned about the assault the day it happened, he sent an email to internal affairs, telling them to review the surveillance video. Two days later he emailed his recommendation to the citys then-director of personnel, Richard Frank, that the officer who committed the assault be put on administrative leave.

However, Barnes says that same day Carson told him verbally to retract the letter to Frank, which Barnes said he did.

A few months later Barnes was informed by Jennifer Clemons-Abdullah  now the corrections commissioner  that he was being demoted from superintendent to case worker, with a reduction in pay because he did not report his disciplinary recommendation to the interim commissioner and the accused officer before sending it to the city personnel director; Barnes said he did notify them first.

He was also criticized for not answering his phone for about 30 minutes, while he was breaking up a fight at the jail. He is appealing his demotion and discipline to the citys civil service union.

Barnes deposition last month is part of an ongoing federal suit filed against the city in May by three former detainees at the City Justice Center who say they were assaulted by officers at the jail, specifically with pepper spray.

According to the detainees suit, some were beaten while handcuffed, pepper- sprayed and left in a holding cell while being denied medical attention. One inmate says his head was slammed into a wall, and he was pepper-sprayed, locked in a room without clothing and denied medical attention.

Barnes was initially targeted in the detainees class-action suit in his role as the jails superintendent, alleging he allowed the unconstitutional use of Mace by officers who reported to him. In the most recent complaint, he was no longer listed as a defendant.

Barnes has over 30 years of experience working in jails, and said during his deposition that the majority of the time when he recommended an officer be put on administrative leave at the City Justice Center, it was for excessive force.

After being hired to work at CJC in 2015, Barnes was promoted in 2017 by former Corrections Commissioner Dale Glass from manager to superintendent.

St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones announced Glass retirement in May 2021, citing failed leadership at the jail and that the city had a huge mess to clean up at its two jails. The citys Medium Security Institute, dubbed the workhouse, has been closed to inmates since May, according to the mayors office.

Carson was named as interim corrections commissioner after Glass departure.

Both Carson and the corrections officer whom Barnes said assaulted the man have both retired. The man was released from the jail shortly after the assault.

Former Director of Personnel Richard Frank has also since retired.

Use of force incidents at the jail were reported on the citys website until late 2021. The lawsuit further alleges that use of force incident reports at the jail were destroyed in 2022.

The case is scheduled for trial in October.
The St. Louis Zoo and the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago recently made a gorilla swap in an effort to help the critically endangered species.

Two male western lowland gorillas, Jontu, 26, formerly of the St. Louis Zoo, and Zachary, 7, formerly of the Brookfield Zoo, made the move earlier this month and are staying in private areas, not in view of zoo visitors, as they get used to their new homes and gorilla families.

The moves are considered carefully, based on a recommendation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Program.

The association manages the breeding program to make sure animals in North American zoos stay genetically healthy and to strengthen the population of different species.

Jontu had been living with bachelors Joe, 25, and Bakari, 18, since he arrived at St. Louis Zoos Jungle of the Apes in 2005.

The experts thought Jontu could lead a family group elsewhere, so hell be joining a group of female gorillas in Chicago. Hell be living with the zoos all-female gorilla family: Binti, 34; Koola, 27; Kamba,18; Nora, 9; and Ali, 4.

Zachary had been unable to mate with them. He is the grandnephew of Bakari in St. Louis, and keepers hope he will learn from his elder silverbacks here to become a leader.

Jontu is well known at the St. Louis Zoo for his regal appearance and confidence as a leader in the bachelor group, Helen Boostrom, the St. Louis Zoos zoological manager of primates, said in a statement. Despite his stature and serious demeanor, he has a very playful and gentle side.

Zachary was born at Brookfield Zoo in 2015, and Jontu was born at Columbus Zoo in 1997.

According to the Brookfield Zoo, there are about 300,000 western lowland gorillas living in swamps and dry lowland forests of western equatorial Africa. There are about 320 western lowland gorillas living in accredited North American zoos.

The gorillas are critically endangered mainly because of commercial hunting, diseases like the Ebola virus, the illegal pet trade and logging destroying their habitats.
Don't be shy. Art galleries don't welcome only well-heeled collectors.

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St. Louis' major venues to purchase contemporary art also offer fun opportunities to browse, mingle and learn. And almost every month (including two Feb. 10) are receptions where art lovers can gather to see new delights on display.

They are a fairly select (um, small) group in St. Louis. But "for where they are, they are doing a good job," says Lisa Melandri, executive director of the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis.

"I get totally different experiences in each of those spaces," she says, congratulating the galleries for having "different niches."

The top-tier galleries have exhibited work by Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Louise Bourgeois. Others act as representatives for artists in St. Louis, across the country or even overseas.

The galleries are commercial enterprises apart from St. Louis' art-supporting museums, universities or shops primarily for young local artists. They give art lovers the chance to see contemporary art before it is acquired by a museum or a private collector (who may never show it again).

Visiting St. Louis' major galleries can help new art collectors learn more about 21st-century art, or to find a dealer who may even be able to broker a sale with a midcentury master.

Although the art world has gotten wider and perhaps more complex through online sales and auctions, seeing an actual work in person is still the best way to make a decision to purchase, gallerists say.

Opening celebrations

Some St. Louis galleries have opening receptions as often as every five or six weeks. The Duane Reed Gallery in the Central West End estimates it has receptions about 14 times a year, and it also takes works to several big out-of-town fairs.

On Feb. 10, Duane Reed will open exhibitions of photographs by Carol Crouppen Schuchard and creations by Douglas Dale, who uses yarn to mimic wood grain. Both are based in St. Louis.

Owner Reed says the "gallery business is a bit like the restaurant business." In other words, it's challenging and stressful and can have low profit margins.

He founded the gallery in 1994 after spending years working, sometimes for free, at established galleries. His own gallery features work other than paintings, such as ceramics, fiber and sculpture.

"We're very material based," Reed says. "We are not a painting or print gallery. I find it way more exciting to have objects that are a little confrontational.

Now with almost 30 years of experience running his own business, Reed says, "there are good times and there are not-so-good times. There are times you're clinching your teeth, wondering how to pay next month's bills."

But having a brick-and-mortar business is essential to a local arts community, he says. Seeing new art in person gets people excited, as does meeting an artist at a reception.

Receptions don't necessarily lead to lots of sales, he says. But more people are coming out after staying at home during the pandemic: "I think we're in that sweet period of time that they are so excited to be in person."

Just on the other side of Forest Park on Skinker Boulevard, Carolyn Miles is also celebrating a new exhibition Feb. 10.

The exhibition is of large paintings by James Kuiper, who was the first artist she showed 36 years ago. He died in 2017. "I only show artists that I like very much," she says.

Her gallery, Atrium, was first located in the Old Post Office downtown. She chose its name because the gallery looked out on the historical building's atrium.

She's next door to the William Shearburn Gallery, established in 1992. Miles, like other dealers, has moved her location a few times. Now she feels that clients from West County are often reluctant to go downtown.

During Atrium's tenure, Miles has seen a few galleries go out of business. Like Reed, she'd prefer to have more galleries in St. Louis, but says, "I do not know a credible art gallery that's opened in the last 15 years."

Miles says that almost all of the 40 or so artists she's shown have national reputations. Through the years, she has dealt with fewer international artists, she says, because shipping is more expensive and problematic. But she's still proud to work with German native Lore Bert, who is now 86.

Atrium welcomes all visitors, Miles says, and it holds a couple special events a year for "young professionals," who sometimes are intimidated by older collectors. She suggests all visitors sign up for galleries' mailing lists to find out what exhibitions are coming up.

Gallery glitterati

Recently closed is an exhibition that honored the 50-year history of the Greenberg Gallery in Clayton. Not only is it St. Louis' oldest existing gallery, it is the most prestigious. The exhibition included a photo of founder Ronald Greenberg with Andy Warhol, from 1975, just three years after the gallery opened.

Now, the gallery "specializes in art from the 1960s to the turn of the century," Greenberg says. At 85, he has no plans to retire. "I love what I'm doing."

Artist Diana Casanova is the gallery director. She says "lots of people came out in support of Ronnie" for the exhibition. She says the gallery primarily is a "secondary market" for work and usually sells "contemporary masters." It did work with Gallery Canada for a 2021 show of paintings by St. Louisan Katherine Bernhardt.

Casanova says prices at art galleries stretch from the "hundreds to the millions." "It's a very, very big range." She quotes Greenberg as saying that "if you're going to be collecting art, buy what you like. You have to live with it."

Coming soon Here are two gallery shows to watch for. Check individual galleries' websites to join email lists to learn about more openings. What James Kuiper  When 6-8 p.m. Feb. 10  Where Atrium Gallery, 665 South Skinker Boulevard  How much Free  More info 314-367-1076 What Carol Crouppen Schuchard & Douglas Dale  When 5-8 p.m. Feb. 10  Where Duane Reed Gallery, 4729 McPherson Avenue  How much Free  More info 314-862-2333

"We welcome people to come by and have a look at the art. It's fun to talk about it."

William Shearburn is one of what he calls a "handful" of gallery owners in St. Louis who have been at it for a long time. "I follow two paths: I have a roster of artists I have long-term relationships with. And the other path is the secondary market. I buy and sell blue-chip work and help people buy blue-chip work."

Shearburn goes to art fairs and works to build an email list of clients. "I only do about 20% of my business in St. Louis," he says. He does fewer opening receptions than he used to, with the next planned for May in connection with an exhibition of St. Louis fiber artist Cayce Zavaglia. "It'll be packed," he says.

Bruno David Gallery in Clayton may be one of the youngest major galleries here, having opened in St. Louis in 2005 (after a run in New York). The gallery says it "represents some of the most innovative artists practicing in St. Louis, along with artists of international reputation."

Bruno David left New York after 9/11, looking for a smaller city. A few friends convinced him to stay in St. Louis and helped him open a gallery. He works to make sure his shows are "eclectic" and a surprise for visitors.

He says that over the years he's had to reinvent his business several times, with online art shows and sales becoming more prominent. Overall, David says, it's great that patrons can see art in person but also take in shows online that are in Paris or London.

Bruno David recently opened a new exhibition featuring four artists, including video artist William Morris of St. Louis. A new show is coming March 10.

Philip Slein, who owns a gallery in the Central West End, echoes Greenberg and other gallery owners in recommending that the most important criteria for buyers is that they like the art. "Living with works of art impacts you," Slein says.

He calls art collecting a "knowledge quest."

"What I love about collecting is learning," he says. He would like people to understand the "joy of coming to galleries. ... They might not see these pieces again because they can go into private collections."

Slein calls art "an intoxicating mix of beauty, connoisseurship, ownership, rarity and desire. I tell clients not to buy for purely financial reasons."

That said, he's never had a client say that a purchased work went down in value. "If you are a collector, having a relationship with a dealer is paramount. We know where the deals are."

Currently he has a two-person show featuring painter John Zinsser and sculptures by Washington University professor Jack Risley.

"Even as a gallerist," Slein says, "I understand that entering one is an intimidating thing."

But, he adds, "the more you go to the galleries, the more comfortable you feel."

Gallery guide Most art venues and galleries in St. Louis are listed at artstlouis.org, the website for Art St. Louis, a nonprofit community art organization. Here are the major galleries featured here. Most also will show work by appointment. Where Atrium Gallery, 665 South Skinker Boulevard  Hours 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday  More info 314-367-1076, atriumgallery.net Where Bruno David Gallery, 7513 Forsyth Boulevard, Clayton  Hours 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday  More info 314-696-2377; brunodavidgallery.com Where The Greenberg Gallery, 230 South Bemiston Avenue, Suite 101  Hours 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday  More info 314-361-7600; thegreenberggallery.com Where Duane Reed Gallery, 4729 McPherson Avenue  Hours 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday  More info 314-862-2333; duanereedgallery.com Where William Shearburn Gallery, 665 South Skinker Boulevard  Hours 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday  More info 314-367-8020; shearburngallery.com Where Philip Slein Gallery, 4735 McPherson Avenue  Hours 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday-Saturday  More info 314-361-2617; philipsleingallery.com
Ian Froeb Ian Froeb is the restaurant critic for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Follow Ian Froeb Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

As a kid, I couldnt resist the temptation to separate an ice cream sandwich into its constituent parts. This was the 1980s, so that sandwich likely featured ice milk  sciences answer to What if we could make ice cream, but bad?  between two thin, cocoa-flavored wafers with the texture of a seat cushion and a soupcon of freezer burn. This 10-year-old future critic didnt care. Id scarf half the sandwich as it was meant to be eaten, then pry apart the rest to appreciate the individual nuances.

Many years later, at Sugarwitch, I feel a familiar compulsion. Here, though, I can make a reasonable argument for taking your ice cream sandwich apart, if only when you have just a bite or two left. Yes, the sandwich as a whole is exceptional, but you also need to appreciate the flavor and texture of the ice cream on its own and the brownie  or blondie, graham-cracker toffee, shortbread, rice crispy treat, etc.  that brackets it.

Married couple Sophie Mendelson and Martha Bass opened Sugarwitchs brick-and-mortar location in late September in the old Carondelet Bakery building in South Citys Patch neighborhood. Mendelson and Bass founded Sugarwitch in 2019 in Columbia, Missouri, where they were both University of Missouri grad students. When they met, each had already been making ice cream as a hobby.

Mendelson and Bass relocated to St. Louis for Bass full-time career and launched Sugarwitch as a pop-up based in a vintage Airstream trailer outside Olio in Botanical Heights. If you happened to walk or drive past this trailer on a Saturday afternoon in 2021, you suspected something special was going on. The line to order ice cream sandwiches could stretch down the block.

Sugarwitchs new storefront  the public-facing part, that is  is quite small, a counter to order flanked by display cases for baked goods, branded shirts and retail coffee, tea and soda, and, of course, a freezer stocked with packaged ice cream sandwiches. There are a couple of tables, two chairs apiece, though outside you will find picnic benches.

How much Pistachio croissant  $5.50 Witches  $6 each Waffle taco  $8

The witch-which wordplay carries through the menu of ice cream sandwiches  or, to be precise, witches. Vanilla ice cream with rainbow sprinkles with a salted brownie is named for Ursula from The Little Mermaid. (Ahead of Valentines Day next week, those sprinkles are currently red and pink.) This months specials nod to Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, and Nimue, the Lady of the Lake.

As Mendelson and Bass explained in a 2021 interview when the pop-up debuted, the witch theme is an extension of Sugarwitchs identity as a queer-owned business. It nods to the queerness of witches in pop culture  as Mendelson noted, drag legend Divine inspired Disneys Urusla  but also to the idea of queerness as an expansive philosophy.

It is, Mendelson said, a reminder to buck the norm, to not just do things the way they have been done because that's the way they have been done, and to be creative  to be really thoughtful about the way that we're relating to the people within our business and to our customers and to our sourcing and all of that.

If your memory of ice cream sandwiches is, like mine, hopelessly entangled with ice milk, the Ursulas simple, ideal combination of vanilla ice cream and a brownie will be mind-blowing enough. Moving through Sugarwitchs menu, you soon realize the creative potential of the ice cream sandwich is boundless. The aforementioned Sabrina witch pairs lightly floral rose-flavored ice cream with cardamom-pistachio shortbread. The flavors evoke Indian cuisine without being gimmicky, and the note of cardamom nudges the elegant, understated sweetness of both the ice cream and the shortbread.

The miso-brown sugar ice cream in the Tara witch is similarly sophisticated and a case where you really should try to get a bite of the ice cream by itself to appreciate its rounded, autumnal sweetness. It also works beautifully as the Tara, sandwiched with a blondie studded with milk-chocolate chips.

Sugarwitch also knows how to draw on nostalgia without using it as a crutch. The Nimue, from this months menu, is a strawberry-shortcake bar all grown up and glammed up, strawberry ice cream between crackling Nutella-graham cracker toffee. In addition to the witches, you will also find a tribute to Klondike's recently discontinued Choco Taco  vanilla ice cream in a waffle taco, chocolate shell, peanuts  here upgraded with ice cream you would actually want to eat on its own.

For a dairy- and gluten-free option, the Kiki packs a refreshing mango sorbet between pieces of a rice crispy treat enlivened with toasted coconut. Before this review, Id never expected to declare something the best rice crispy treat Ive eaten, but here we are. (The monthly menu includes a witch that is not only dairy-free but vegan; this is also gluten-free.)

If the quality of the witches rice crispy treats, shortbread cookies, et al. suggests a bakery hiding within an ice-cream parlor, Sugarwitch agrees. The storefront serves a small but appealing selection of goods baked in-house, both sweet (a brownie, naturally, but also a fine pistachio croissant from cafe manager Camy Bright) and savory (focaccia with sesame seeds and smoked paprika).

When Sugarwitch opens on Monday, it is essentially a bakery and coffee shop. As at the Airstream trailer, most and maybe all of the weekends ice cream sandwiches have sold out.

Rating Recommended  The Post-Dispatch evaluates restaurants on the following scale, lowest to highest: Not Recommended, Recommended, Highly Recommended, Essential. The rating reflects how the restaurant succeeds on its own terms  and how it meets a diner's good-faith expectations of quality food and hospitality  regardless of cuisine, location or cost.

Where Sugarwitch, 7726 Virginia Avenue  More info 573-234-0042; sugarwitchic.com  Menu Ice cream sandwiches, other frozen desserts and baked goods  Hours 3-9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday
Gov. Kathy Hochuls plan to reduce natural gas usage in New York state has caused a flurry of criticism, especially from Republicans in the state Legislature.

Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, during a news conference with Republican colleagues, blasted the plan, claiming that replacing natural gas-powered heating systems with electricity won't lower energy bills. That's because of the investment that would be needed in the electrical grid and in buildings to convert from a natural gas heating system to one powered by electricity.

"There needs to be investment in the grid," Ortt said. "The grid today cant handle the increased electric load. Dont take my word for it. That comes from National Grid, the people who run it."

We cant fact-check predictions of what will happen with energy bills. But we did wonder about his claim regarding the capability of the electrical grid and what would happen if the state moves away from natural gas, as Hochul has discussed.

In Hochuls State of the State address Jan. 10, she proposed that, starting in 2025, newly built single-family homes be prohibited from installing equipment powered by fossil fuels, such as natural gas. That means no natural gas appliances, though her budget proposal contains several exemptions, including restaurants and hospitals. Her plan also recommends that, starting in 2030, homeowners who need to replace existing heating systems be required to do so with zero-emission systems.

The Hochul administration has said existing gas stoves would not be affected by the fossil fuel heating equipment proposal. This means that under the proposal, existing gas stoves could be replaced, but fossil fuel heating equipment could not.

The grid

National Grid, one of several companies that delivers electricity to customers in New York, told PolitiFact that the grid could not handle additional demands as described in the states climate goals, but said that it is making changes to meet those goals.

Achieving New Yorks climate justice and emission reduction goals will require "significant investments in both gas and electric networks," National Grid spokesman David Bertola said.

"We expect to see increased load from the building sector, where energy delivered by the gas networks is currently three to four times the amount of energy delivered by electric," Bertola said. "Paired with a rapidly electrifying transportation sector, the grid as it exists today could not handle these anticipated increases in load."

The New York Independent System Operator manages the states bulk transmission lines, and a spokesman, Andrew Gregory, directed us to the organizations Reliability Needs Assessment, released in November 2022. The report warns of reliability concerns based on increased usage due to weather conditions and other issues, including electrification of heating equipment and decommissioning of power generators.

The states electricity regulator, the Public Service Commission, said no one is suggesting the change from natural gas to electricity will happen immediately.

The transition will happen over time, and that will include investment in the grid and in renewable energy projects and transmission infrastructure, commission spokesman Jim Denn said.

Improvements to the state electrical grid are part of the state Climate Action Councils scoping plan, which was published before Hochul announced her proposals. "New and upgraded transmission and distribution systems will be needed statewide, including specific transmission and distribution investments that will be necessary to deliver energy from where the generation is located to where the load demand exists," according to the plan.

Experts told us the grid has more capacity in some areas, and less in others, and whether the grid can handle the added demand depends on where conversions from natural gas to electricity occur.

Luigi Vanfretti, a professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, said supply chain issues could disrupt plans to upgrade the grid, as some delays for transformers and other grid components can last between 18 months and three years. Grid projects can also require approvals and land acquisitions that take years.

"The situation is pretty challenging, I would say," Vanfretti said.

Ortts office referred us to several previous statements from National Grid, including one from a Senate public hearing in January, in which the companys government relations manager, Raziq Seabrook, said that the company knows that the grid will have to expand to be able to provide the amount of electricity that is required under the states plan.

An associate professor from New York Universitys Tandon School of Engineering who studies sustainable engineering said that the grid will require additional capacity to support the shift away from fossil fuel energy sources, but ultimately will be cost-effective.

"A significant change in our energy portfolio, such as the ones required for deep decarbonization, will necessitate investment in infrastructure to ensure safe and dependable power distribution," said Miguel A. Modestino, director of the sustainable engineering initiative. "Although these investments may have short-term costs, advancements in energy storage solutions like batteries and the efficient electrification of manufacturing will make the transition cost-effective and lead to long-term energy cost savings."

Our ruling

Ortt claimed the electrical grid today cant handle the increased load from a planned move in future years away from natural gas in new construction and in heating sources.

Thats accurate.

Proponents of Hochul's plan say the state intends to increase the electrical grids capacity as it transitions over time from fossil fuel-based energy sources. Fair enough. But that doesn't make Ortt's claim inaccurate. He said the grid wouldn't be able to handle the increased load today. And he's right.

We rate his statement True.
CHICAGO  Before I was a food critic for the Chicago Tribune, I spent 15 years writing, cooking and, most importantly, eating as much as I could. To review a restaurant these days, I visit multiple times, read any books that might be helpful, and spend hours crafting a review that is both helpful and, hopefully, engaging to read.

But what if I could plug a few sentences into a chatbot that would spit out reviews for me in a matter of seconds?

When OpenAI launched ChatGPT in November, it almost immediately led to discussions that were nearly unthinkable a few years before. Is this a new tool to help cheat on homework, a product that will unleash a dystopian future of mass unemployment or nothing more than a distracting toy?

Wondering if I needed to quickly switch careers, I decided to see how ChatGPT would do as a Chicago Tribune food critic for the afternoon.

Artificial intelligence isnt a new concept, but in the past year, concerns have sprouted over whether its ethical for bots such as Lensa AI and Midjourney to use artists copyrighted works to generate imitations and charge users for the stolen art. There are also concerns over the accuracy of the generative AI knowledge, which cant always distinguish between fact and fiction.

While Im definitely not a programmer with the ability to really explain why ChatGPT stands apart from its predecessors, heres what I could figure out: The GPT stands for generative pre-trained transformer, and the generative, reinforcement learning means the AI is supposed to improve the accuracy of its responses as it chats with humans.

Although I may not understand it, ChatGPT is a breeze to use. Simply type in a question and itll spit out an answer. All you need to do is log in and hope the system isnt too busy. (Considering how much attention the program has gotten, its down an awful lot.)

So how did it do? To state the obvious, no artificial intelligence can dine out, a fact ChatGPT is honest about. When I asked if it had ever been to Alinea, a restaurant I knew would have loads written about it online, ChatGPT wrote back: As an AI, I do not have physical presence and therefore I havent been to any physical location, including Alinea.

But it did go on to give some general facts about the restaurant, including that it was a three-Michelin starred restaurant in Chicago, Illinois, and is known for its avant-garde approach to modernist cuisine, which uses techniques such as molecular gastronomy and multicourse, tasting-menu format.

But when I asked it to write a restaurant review of Alinea, it didnt hesitate:

Alinea is a truly unique dining experience. The food is meticulously crafted and visually stunning, with an emphasis on creativity and innovation. The flavors are bold and complex, and the dishes are expertly paired with a wide selection of wines. The service is impeccable, with attentive and knowledgeable staff who are happy to explain the dishes and the techniques used to prepare them. The atmosphere is elegant and intimate, making it the perfect spot for a special occasion. Overall, Alinea is a must-visit for anyone interested in cutting-edge culinary experiences.

While basically coherent, and not too far off from some Yelp reviews, you may have noticed an almost complete lack of specifics. Replace the restaurants name and the review could apply to any number of fine-dining restaurants in Chicago.

ChatGPT can get more specific, but I found it also became less accurate. When I asked it to write a detailed restaurant review of Alinea, mentioning every single course, it started spitting out names of dishes I dont think ever appeared on the restaurants menu. ChatGPT also only pulls information from a data set of texts that goes up to 2021, so at this moment, it wont help with any new restaurants.

Where things get far more enjoyable is when you ask the program to write a restaurant review in the style of a famous author. Ever wondered what it would sound like if William Shakespeare wrote a review of Alinea?

"Ah, sweet Alinea, how doth thy flavors please

Thy dishes, a symphony of taste and ease

From appetizers to desserts, all artfully made

Each morsel, a feast for the eyes and the palate



But alas, dear Alinea, thy prices do soar

For but a select few, thy doors do open

But for those who can afford, thy feast doth reward

For memories, and tastes, that shall never be forgotten."

This led me down a rabbit hole of asking ChatGPT to write reviews of Alinea like other famous authors, including Jane Austen and Dante Alighieri. My favorite was this negative review in the style of Friedrich Nietzsche:

It is with great disappointment and disgust that I write this review of the so-called fine dining establishment known as Alinea. The pretentiousness and self-aggrandizement of this restaurant is a testament to the decline of modern society and the celebration of mediocrity.

While good fun, I feel like my critic job is safe for now.

But where ChatGPT might truly shake up the food writing world is with curating lists of places to eat, a topic brought up recently by Michael Gebert on Fooditor. Other publications have already given this a go, including the Houston Chronicle.

When I asked ChatGPT where to find the best hot dog in Chicago, it kicked out a solid list featuring Portillos, Superdawg Drive-In, The Wieners Circle and Gene & Judes. But it certainly wasnt perfect, considering it included Hot Dougs, even if it noted in the write-up that the restaurant was now closed. It seems likely that ChatGPT will only get better at sorting through the internet to give recommendations.

This leads to all sorts of ethical questions, like where ChatGPT is getting its information from, and whether OpenAI should pay for it. And what happens if restaurants are able to pay for the program to recommend them more?
Centene Corp. has agreed to pay more than $215 million to California over allegations it overcharged the state for pharmacy services  the biggest payout to date by the nations largest Medicaid insurer over its drug pricing practices.

The agreement announced Wednesday makes California at least the 17th state to settle pharmacy billing claims totaling $939 million with the St. Louis-based insurance giant. Centene reported $144.5 billion in revenue in 2022, up 15% from the previous year.

Investigators with the state Department of Justice found that Centenes subsidiaries reported inflated drug costs and fees in providing prescription drugs to patients in Medi-Cal, the states Medicaid insurance program for people with low incomes and disabilities, from January 2017 to December 2018.

When companies overcharge the Medi-Cal system, it drains valuable resources from the people who rely on this care, Attorney General Rob Bonta, a Democrat, said in a statement.

As it has in previous settlements, Centene denied wrongdoing. Within California, the insurer operates two subsidiaries: California Health & Wellness and Health Net, which together provide coverage to around 2 million Medi-Cal patients statewide.

This no-fault agreement reflects the significance we place on addressing their concerns and our ongoing commitment to making the delivery of healthcare local, simple and transparent, Centene said in a statement emailed to KHN.

Most states contract with private insurance companies such as Centene to cover people in their state Medicaid programs, which are jointly paid for by state and federal taxpayers. In many of those states, the insurance company also handles prescription medications through what is called a pharmacy benefit manager, or PBM, to get lower prices. Such benefit managers act as intermediaries between drugmakers and health insurers and also between health plans and pharmacies. Centene has provided both those services in multiple states.

In California, Bonta said, Centenes companies leveraged its pharmacy management contracts to save its plans $2.70 per prescription drug claim over the two-year period. But Centene and its PBM failed to disclose or pass on these discounted fees to Medi-Cal.

The $215 million settlement amounts to twice the value of Centenes inflated prices, according to Bonta.

More than 20 states are investigating or have investigated Centenes Medicaid pharmacy billing. The company has agreed to pay settlements to at least 17 of those states: Arkansas, California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, and Washington, according to news releases and settlement documents from attorneys general in those states.

Centene provides benefits to 15.9 million Medicaid enrollees nationwide.

In California, Centene is a key political player and has spent at least $5 million on lobbying, political donations, and other contributions over the last five years, according to a KHN analysis of filings with the secretary of state and California Fair Political Practices Commission.

Last year, Centene protested the states Medi-Cal contract awards, which would have significantly cut its business in the nations most populous state. State health officials changed course after Centene and other insurers threatened lawsuits and partially restored some of its business.

A KHN investigation last year found that the company, its subsidiaries, its top executives, and their spouses contributed more than $26.9 million to state politicians in 33 states, to their political parties, and to nonprofit fundraising groups from Jan. 1, 2015, through Oct. 4, 2022. The company focused its giving on states where it has been wooing Medicaid contracts and settling accusations that it overbilled taxpayers.

California Healthline senior correspondent Bernard J. Wolfson contributed to this report.

This story was produced by KHN, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

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In early 2020, as they tried to fight covid-19 across two rural counties in North Carolina, the staff of Granville Vance Public Health was stymied, relying on outdated technology to track a fast-moving pandemic.

Lisa Macon Harrison, the agencys health director, said her nurses contact-tracing process required manually entering case information into five data systems. One was decades old and complicated. Another was made of Excel spreadsheets. None worked well together or with systems at other levels of government.

We were using a lot of resources putting an inordinate amount of data into multiple systems that werent necessarily scaled to talk to each other or to the federal level, Harrison said.

That poor interface between systems meant staff often lacked insight into what was happening elsewhere in the state and beyond. The staffers relied on watching the news shows every morning to get the latest and greatest updates from other levels of government, Harrison said.

The pandemic, which has killed more than 1 million Americans, highlighted ineffective data infrastructure across the U.S. health system, in a country thats home to some of the worlds most influential technology companies: Coronavirus case reports sent by fax machine. Clunky tech for monitoring vaccine distribution  and major gaps in tracking who got jabbed. State-level data out of sync with federal figures. Supply chain breakdowns that left health care providers without needed protective equipment.

And Congress knew about the potential for these problems long before covid. Lawmakers mandated the Department of Health and Human Services to better integrate U.S. data management systems to allow stakeholders to better share information years ago, in 2006 long before the pandemic.

Public health officials, data specialists, and government auditors said the problems caused by these communications failures could have been minimized had federal health officials followed the order.

They said there are many reasons the system was never created: the complexity of the task and inadequate funding; a federal-first approach to health that deprives state and local agencies of resources; unclear ownership of the project within HHS; insufficient enforcement mechanisms to hold federal officials accountable; and little agreement on what data is even needed in an emergency.

And today, even after the lessons of the pandemic, experts worry that the ideal remains a pipe dream given the number of stakeholders, a lack of federal leadership, and a divided Congress.

What keeps me up at night is that we forget about the past 2 years, and we just move on  that we dont take the opportunity and time to truly reflect and make needed changes, said Soumi Saha, senior vice president of government affairs at Premier. The technology and supply chain company works with hundreds of thousands of health care providers and contracts with federal health agencies.

The 2006 Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act charged federal officials with creating a system to watch for emerging health threats.

The law gave HHS two years to build a public health situational awareness network to detect and respond to potentially catastrophic infectious disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies that originate domestically or abroad.

Congress reauthorized the law in 2013 and gave HHS another two years to build the network. The law was updated in 2019 to become the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act, which called again on HHS to build the network  and for an audit of progress after three years.

According to a report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office released in June, HHS still has not created the network or developed a road map to do so.

Three laws later, they have not received any penalties, said report author Jennifer Franks, director of information technology and cybersecurity at the GAO.

Franks said agency leadership never even figured out which operating division should take the lead, so none did.

Possibilities included the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which already manages a number of systems tracking health threats, and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response. ASPR was established as the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response in 2006; it was elevated last year to an operating division, putting it on par with the CDC.

Pulling together public and private data systems into a single national system is a mammoth task made even harder when theres no single vision for what that network should look like, said Lauren Knieser, who spent time at ASPR during the Obama and Trump administrations. She now runs emergency preparedness and response programs at PointClickCare, an IT company that handles data for hospitals, senior care facilities, and government agencies.

If you asked 10 people, youd probably get 10 different answers, because there is no consensus, Knieser said.

Also, different hospitals often use different electronic health record systems so are frequently unable to share patient data with one another, much less with the federal government.

Federal officials should start by deciding what data they want in an emergency, Knieser said, and then figure out the tools they already have  and the ones they need  to collect and share that data.

The White House should run the effort, she said, because it requires so many parts of the government to play nice with each other.

The omnibus spending bill passed in late 2022 established the Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy, a new power center in the executive branch that could get the ball rolling.

But state and local public health officials are wary of top-down solutions, even as they acknowledge gaps in the nations health data systems.

Dr. Karen Landers, chief medical officer with the Alabama Department of Public Health, said the sudden directive in late 2020 to use a new tracking system specifically for covid vaccines likely slowed her department down.

Her state already used the CDCs Vaccine Tracking System to manage vaccine supply and probably could have been more efficient if theyd stuck with it.

We needed a little more local input, to say, Hey, you know, I think this would really work better. If you want us to use the system, we will, but lets dont do that right in the middle of a pandemic, Landers said.

Local health officials had an even harder time with the system, said Lori Tremmel Freeman, CEO of the National Association of County and City Health Officials.

They had access only through state channels, she said, and as a result, they did not have easy visibility into where vaccines were going in their own communities, including to partners outside of public health.

That meant more work for local health agencies, officials said, which made it much harder to make quick decisions.

When contacted for comment, ASPR officials first directed KHN to the CDC. CDC officials directed KHN to HHS.

HHS told KHN it is committed to protecting the nations public health, and is working on updating GAO on our progress, and will have more to share publicly in the near future.

HHS also told auditors it was working to enhance its public health situational awareness network by defining roles and responsibilities to finally create the long-awaited preparedness system.

But there could be a major roadblock to HHS efforts: Much of the 2019 bill mandating the data-sharing networks creation is set to expire in September, and reauthorizing the law could be a challenge in a split Congress where House Republicans have announced their intention to examine the U.S. response to the pandemic.

Congress has an opportunity now to build the public health system, said Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association. What are they doing? Undermining public health legal authorities, demonizing public health officials. Its almost like we didnt learn anything.

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

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ST. LOUIS  Missouris senior senator and the states new attorney general both announced investigations Thursday after publication of allegations that a transgender clinic in St. Louis was providing substandard care to children and teens.

The allegations, published online Thursday by The Free Press, were made by Jamie Reed, a 42-year-old native St. Louisan, who said she worked at the Washington University Transgender Center as a case manager between 2018 and 2022.

I left the clinic in November of last year because I could no longer participate in what was happening there, Reed wrote. By the time I departed, I was certain the way the American medical system is treating these patients is the opposite of the promise we make to do no harm. Instead, we are permanently harming the vulnerable patients in our care.

Among Reeds allegations: Instead of providing mental health treatment to children who needed it, the center gave them puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones. She also alleged the center regularly referred minors for gender-transition surgery, contrary to public assurances by its doctors.

In response, U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley on Thursday said his office was launching an investigation.

This is a sickening account of forced sterilization and child abuse. Happening in Missouri at an institution that receives federal taxpayer funds, Hawley, a Republican, wrote on Twitter. Missouri children deserve to be protected.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey also announced Thursday afternoon that his office opened an investigation two weeks ago after hearing from the whistleblower. Bailey, a Republican who took office last month, said he waited to disclose the probe until Reed went public.

Washington University, in a statement Thursday, said it was alarmed by Reeds allegations, and it was also investigating.

We are taking this matter very seriously and have already begun the process of looking into the situation to ascertain the facts, the statement read.

Hawley said late Thursday he spoke with Washington University Chancellor Andrew D. Martin, and received the universitys assurance that it will fully cooperate with his investigation. Hawley said he also was assured that the whistleblower will be fully protected from retaliation. In a letter to Washington University and St. Louis Childrens Hospital, Hawley directed both institutions to preserve all records regarding gender-related treatments performed on minors.

The transgender center opened in 2017, with one arm serving adults older than 18, and the other located at St. Louis Childrens Hospital serving children and adolescents. The center provides gender-affirming care to those who identify as transgender, gender non-conforming, non-binary or genderqueer.

Gender affirming care isnt meant to influence people in any particular direction. We dont treat anyones identity or tell anyone what they should or shouldnt do, the website states. Were here to educate you about your options and help you decide which path is best.

Treatment options include adjustments in gender expression (such as use of pronouns, makeup, hair, voice, clothing or behavior), puberty blockers, hormone therapy and referrals to psychologists and therapists.

Puberty blockers pause the physical changes of growing up. With hormone therapy, transgender girls receive estrogen and transgender boys, testosterone.

Hormone therapy helps transgender girls develop breasts and wider hips; transgender boys, facial hair and a deeper voice. Some, but not all, of the changes are reversible if the patient goes off hormones.

Lack of protocols and treatment

Reed, who describes herself as a progressive queer woman married to a trans man, said staff at the center too freely prescribed medications and did not properly explain the side effects. I was struck by the lack of protocols and treatment, she wrote.

During the four years she worked there, around a thousand young people came through the doors and a majority received hormone prescriptions.

To begin transition, Reed wrote, all children needed a letter of support from a therapist, who was often one recommended by the center.

Reed said her encounters with patients left her feeling like they did not know about the side effects of hormone therapy. For example, transgender males taking testosterone, which thins vaginal tissues, suffered vaginal lacerations during sex; and a transgender female taking bicalumatide experienced liver toxicity.

Reed began seeing many kids with diagnoses such as schizophrenia, PTSD and bipolar disorder referred to the center from St. Louis Childrens Hospital.

Yet no matter how much suffering or pain a child had endured, or how little treatment and love they had received, our doctors viewed gender transition  even with all the expense and hardship it entailed  as the solution, she wrote.

She was also disturbed by cases where parents did not agree on their childs need for gender-affirming care. It seemed the center always took the side of the affirming parent, she wrote. In Missouri, only one parents consent is needed for treatment.

Reed said she advocated for tracking desistance and detransition among patients, but the idea was turned down. Desisters end up choosing not to go through with transition, and detransitioners decide to return to their birth gender after transitioning.

She and a colleague tracked the cases anyway, she said, calling it the Red Flag List.

In its statement, Washington University stressed its commitment to providing compassionate, family-centered care to all patients, and holding is medical providers to the highest professional and ethical standards.

Bailey said his office has already taken sworn testimony from Reed, which he posted online so that parents are fully aware of the nature of these allegations.

The Missouri Department of Social Services will also look into allegations of abuse of the states Medicaid program, and the Division of Professional Registration will determine if action needs to be taken against the providers licenses.

We take this evidence seriously and are thoroughly investigating to make sure children are not harmed by individuals who may be more concerned with a radical social agenda than the health of children, Bailey stated.

Growth in transgender care

The number of gender clinics treating children in the U.S. has gone from zero to more than 100 in the past 15 years, according to a recent story by Reuters, yet the long-term impacts of puberty blockers and sex hormones on brain development and fertility are not well understood.

Major medical organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Endocrine Society, endorse puberty blockers and hormone treatments as best practices in the care of transgender children. They say the mental health ramifications of not addressing the needs of such patients put them in peril.

More than half of transgender teens have considered suicide, according to the Trevor Project, an LGBTQ crisis-intervention nonprofit. A study released a year ago in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that receiving gender-affirming care lowers the risk of depression and suicide for transgender teens.

Dr. Christopher Lewis, a Washington University pediatric endocrinologist who co-founded the Transgender Center at St. Louis Childrens Hospital, told the Post-Dispatch in a story that published in May 2022 about a transgender youth that doctors there see 250 new patients a year.

Some of that increase is due to a greater understanding of transgender care, he said, and broader insurance coverage.

Last year, Lewis traveled to Jefferson City to testify against a bill that would have prohibited transitioning treatment for transgender youths.

We are taking away the autonomy and dignity of these patients and families , he told lawmakers. It will limit access to care that we know benefits them. Its only going to harm them.

Misconceptions about treatment can color peoples opinions, Lewis told the Post-Dispatch. No one younger than 18 undergoes gender-affirming surgery  and many transgender adults never have surgery. Patients are monitored regularly by a team of specialists who keep a close eye on hormone levels and potential side effects, such as blood clots and bone-density loss.

The incidence of regret is small, he said, and is almost always attributed to social consequences: lack of family acceptance, job loss or victimization.

Includes reporting by Colleen Schrappen of the Post-Dispatch.

Related stories:

Videos: Some testimony before the House committee about bills to criminalize transgender health care It makes me feel hated. It really does, transgender teen testifies House representative calls puberty blockers child abuse; transgender woman says thats offensive This bill will harm me, transgender child tells Missouri House committee Will our kids and grandkids see that we were on the side of love or hate? Parent asks committee Missouri senator says doctors treating transgender children are evil If I were your kid, I would not be comfortable coming out to you, senator tells colleague Bill would keep teachers from convincing children they are transgender or gay, senator says
SACRAMENTO, Calif.  Driving through the industrial outskirts of Sacramento, a stretch of warehouses, wholesale suppliers, truck centers, and auto repair shops northeast of downtown, its hard to square Californias $18 billion investment in homeless services with the roadside misery.

Tents and tarps, run-down RVs, and rusted boats repurposed as shelter line one side of the main thoroughfare. More tents and plywood lean-tos hug the freeway underpasses that crisscross Roseville Road, and spill into the nearby neighborhoods and creek beds.

At one of the more established encampments, Daisy Gonzalez used canvas and carpet scraps to fashion a living room outside her cramped RV. Inside, Gonzalez took a quick hit of fentanyl, and turned to a mirror to apply a fresh face of makeup. As the opioid coursed through her body, her anxiety settled, her thoughts grew more collected. But she knows the addiction cant end well and recounted a half-dozen failed attempts to get clean.

I really need to get off this fetty and stay clean, but its so hard out here, said Gonzalez, 32, her eyes welling. She turned back to the mirror, finishing her eye makeup. I want to get help and find a program, but theres no treatment around here. It seems like nobody cares.

Across California, homelessness is impossible to escape. Steep increases  Sacramento County saw a 67% rise in its homelessness count from 2019 to 2022  have so far blunted unprecedented government efforts to fund housing and treatment for people living on the streets. And although some communities have made progress, statewide the gravity of the crisis has deepened.

Encampments have mutated into massive compounds proliferating with hard drugs and untreated mental illness. Isnt there supposed to be all this money and housing? asked Gonzalezs boyfriend, Joe Guzman, an ex-convict who enforces rules for their encampment. Guzman said he has experience in construction but cant find a job because of a felony drug record.

Everybody out here is using, said Guzman, 38, checking their emergency stash of naloxone, an overdose reversal medication, on a brisk November morning. What else are you going to do, especially when its this cold? You have to be numb.

At its heart, Californias homeless emergency stems from a long-standing shortage of affordable housing. But it is also a public health crisis: The encampments are rife with mental health and addiction disorders. Rats and roaches are endemic, as are stagnant sewage and toxic camp smoke.

Gov. Gavin Newsom brims with frustration  and purpose and new ideas  when confronted with what has become an age-old question for California leaders: Why, for all the money and good intentions poured into helping people out of homelessness, does it look worse today than ever? Experts on homelessness say California stands out as the state that has done the most in recent years to address the issue, yet communities are struggling to make headway.

Some people are demoralized, Newsom said last summer, unveiling a strategy to fund housing for homeless people with mental health and addiction disorders. Some people have, frankly, given up  given up on us, given up on the prospect that we can ever solve this issue. And I want folks to know that they shouldnt give up.

Newsom has muscled historic investments of public funds to combat the crisis, wresting a staggering $18.4 billion in taxpayer money in his first four years for initiatives directly targeting homelessness, a KHN analysis found. And more money is on the way: Spending is projected to grow to $20.5 billion this year.

As he wades into his second term as governor, the stakes are higher. He has signaled his ambitions for national office and speculation abounds that hes positioning himself for a presidential run. He has cast himself as a vanguard for liberal values, taking out ads to goad the Republican governors of Texas and Florida for their conservative politics and publicly chiding fellow Democrats for being too meek in their response to the nations culture wars, including a right-wing assault on abortion and classroom speech on issues of race and gender.

On this national stage, Californias squalid tent cities loom as a hulking political liability, ready-made visuals for opponents attack ads. Newsoms legacy as governor and his path forward in the Democratic Party hinge on his making visible headway on homelessness, an issue that has stalked him since he was elected mayor of San Francisco two decades ago.

And Newsom is recalibrating, injecting a new sternness into his public statements on the topic, something akin to tough love. He is enjoining local governments to clear out the unsanctioned encampments that homeless advocates have long defended as a merciful alternative in a state woefully short on housing options. And he is demanding that cities and counties submit aggressive plans outlining how they will reduce homelessness  and by how much  as a precondition for future rounds of funding.

We have written checks, but weve never asked for anything in return, Newsom told reporters in August. That has radically changed. We mean business. Its unacceptable whats going on in this state.

Newsom has set in motion a costly, multipronged battle plan, in many ways a grand experiment, attacking homelessness on multiple fronts. Through his brainchild Project Homekey, the state has plowed about $4 billion into converting dilapidated hotels and motels into permanent housing with social services. Billions more have been allocated to cities and counties to clear encampments and open additional shelters and supportive housing.

Separate from that, his controversial CARE Court plan seeks a novel approach to compelling people languishing on the streets with untreated psychotic disorders to get treatment and housing. It melds the carrot of a court-ordered treatment plan, to be provided by local governments, with the stick of the prospect of court-ordered conservatorship if people deemed a danger to themselves or others refuse to participate. Newsom allocated $88 million to launch the initiative, and state funding is expected to grow to $215 million annually beginning in 2025.

Thats on top of his CalAIM initiative, which over five years will invest roughly $12 billion into a blitz of health care and social services with the goal of improving health in low-income communities and averting the financial crises that can land people on the streets. This includes direct interventions like emergency housing assistance, as well as unconventional support like help with groceries, money management, and home repairs.

Philip Mangano, a longtime friend of Newsoms who served as national homelessness czar during the George W. Bush administration, credited Newsom for using his political might to take on a seemingly intractable issue like homelessness after so many administrations ignored it.

Yes, we are spending a lot of money, and yet the problem is getting worse, Mangano said. But look, the largest investment ever made in the history of our country, on homelessness, came from Gavin Newsom. He sees himself as responsible for taking care of the poorest Californians, and homeless people. Ive known him over 20 years, and theres no question thats where his heart is.

Still, putting the issue front and center is a serious gamble for someone with Newsoms ambitions.

Doing nothing puts him in peril, but doing something  he runs the risk of failing, said Darry Sragow, a Los Angeles-based political strategist. People want strong, tough leadership and progress on this issue, but if Gavin Newsom is going to make headway in reducing homelessness, hes going to have to have a pretty stiff spine.



Daniel Goodman slept on sidewalks, in a tent, or on a jail bunk throughout much of his 20s and early 30s. Now 35, he only in recent years committed to a regimen of psychiatric medication and counseling for schizophrenia, a condition he was diagnosed with at 24.

I didnt want to take medication for a lot of years; I absolutely refused, he said, eager to discuss a change of heart that has enabled him to reclaim a life with his mom in a comfortable neighborhood in the Gold Country city of Folsom.

Tall, with a bright smile and rock-n-roll hair, Goodman said he was addicted to methamphetamines for a decade, self-medicating to calm the voice in his head he calls the witch. He panhandled, pushed shopping carts, and bellowed his agony in public fits of rage. It was a hungry, ragged existence during which he cycled from the streets to jail on charges of drunk and disorderly and then back to the streets.

His mom, Susan Goodman, in her form of tough love, eventually closed her home to him after his untreated illness devolved into threatening behavior, including stealing from her and a violent bout of vandalism during which he shattered every window in her house.

I lived from second to second, and I didnt have anything to eat or blankets, so Id think, What can I steal? Daniel said. I put my mom through a lot.

Her heart broken, Susan would seek out her son on the streets, bringing supplies to his tent. In 2019, after a particularly cold spell, he begged her to let him come home. She responded with an ultimatum: He could move back home if he agreed to get clean and stay on his meds.

Susan, a lawyer, is among thousands of parents who support Newsoms CARE Court initiative. For years, families who have watched in despair as children or siblings lost themselves to untreated mental illness have petitioned lawmakers to make it easier to mandate conservatorship and treatment, and CARE Court is a major stride in that direction.

Eight counties, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and Riverside, have volunteered to launch the program this year. All 58 counties will be required to start programs by the end of 2024.

Newsom calls it a paradigm shift. Pushing the measure to passage meant standing against virulent opposition from civil and disability rights groups that argued people have the right to refuse treatment, and warned of a return to the horrors of forced confinement depicted in One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest.

Theres no compassion in stepping over people on the streets and sidewalks, Newsom said as he signed the Community Assistance, Recovery & Empowerment, or CARE, Act into law last fall. They need intervention  sometimes thats tough.

Some county leaders have also balked, saying Newsom is sentencing people to a system of care that doesnt exist. They worry a crush of patient referrals will overwhelm county behavioral health systems. They say they need more money, more time, and funding streams guaranteed year after year.

There isnt enough treatment capacity. And we can write a prescription for housing, but the reality under CARE Court is we dont have what it takes to fill that prescription, said Michelle Doty Cabrera, executive director of the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California. Its a matter of having the level of funding and housing that is going to help that person be successful.

Newsoms response to the pushback has grown heated. He points out that local governments already get billions every year to provide mental health services and that recent state budgets have included funding to expand the system of care.

Im exhausted by that  $15.3 billion weve provided, Newsom said at a January news conference, referencing homeless investments over the past two years. The state has provided unprecedented support, he said, pounding his fist on the podium. I want to see unprecedented progress.

Dr. Tom Insel, who formerly led the National Institute of Mental Health and has served as an adviser to Newsom, credits the governor for bold efforts to direct resources and attention to the nexus of mental illness and homelessness. Research indicates roughly 1 in 20 Americans have a serious mental illness, but for unsheltered homeless people, its 1 in 4, Insel said.

He sees CARE Court as a two-sided mandate, making counties legally liable for providing services for people whose survival is at risk because of untreated mental illness while putting individuals on notice that they are responsible for accepting that help. Still, he worries the states homeless population is so overwhelming in scope, their isolation so entrenched, that it will be difficult to make headway.

You can have all the clinics and all the medicines and all this good stuff to offer, but if people arent engaging with it, its not going to help, Insel said. And if theres no relationship and no sense of trust, its just really difficult to engage.

For Daniel Goodman, the return to mental health took both carrot and stick. Looking back, he can see his refusal to take his prescribed medication after being diagnosed with schizophrenia  he felt freer without it  set him on a dehumanizing spiral. A primal need for food and shelter led him to ask his mom for help. But without her hammer  the ultimatum  he would not have agreed to treatment. And without the medication, he said, no doubt he would be back on the streets, at the mercy of his vicious witch and scraping to survive.

Ive battled this question [of needing medication] for years, he said, reaching for his moms hand in her sunlit living room. I accept it now.



If California is to make a visible dent in its homeless numbers, affordable housing presents the most daunting challenge. The state lacks the extensive shelter networks common in places with colder climates  an estimated 67% of people living homeless in California are without shelter.

And in recent decades, a mire of zoning restrictions and real estate development practices have transformed the housing market, jacking up rents and home prices and shrinking the options for low-wage workers. For every person moved off the streets, many others stand a paycheck or medical emergency away from losing their housing.

The longer people live on the streets, the more their health deteriorates. Addiction and mental health problems deepen. Chronic diseases advance.

Theres almost nothing as destructive to health as homelessness, and theres very little that the health care system can do to make up for it, said Dr. Margot Kushel, director of UCSFs Center for Vulnerable Populations at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. You just fall apart.

The arrival of covid-19  and fears the virus would carve a deadly swath through shelters and encampments  gave Newsom an unexpected opportunity: open housing units in record time by throwing pandemic emergency funds at the problem and circumventing land-use restrictions and environmental reviews that can drag out approvals.

In 2020 he launched Project Roomkey, converting dilapidated hotels and motels into temporary housing for homeless people deemed vulnerable to serious covid infections. That morphed into a program to convert underused structures into permanent housing, and today the retooled Project Homekey has laid the groundwork for more than 12,500 housing units.

But much of that is one-time funding for start-up costs. If cities and counties want to participate, they are required to put up money for ongoing operations and services. And many have decided it costs too much to buy in.

I really wanted to pursue a project, but it just doesnt work for a lot of rural counties, said Jaron Brandon, a supervisor in Tuolumne County, a forested province in the Sierra Nevada.

Rural areas like ours have much lower tax revenues, and we had to figure out five years of funding, so when you start adding up all these costs and requirements, all of a sudden, we cant afford to think big. It starts cutting into critical issues and basic services like funding roads and wildfire response and public safety.

Cities taking part in Project Homekey find its hard to move fast enough when the newly homeless keep arriving. An estimated 172,000 people were homeless in California in January 2022, a nearly 13% increase since Newsom took office in 2019.

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg welcomes Newsoms push to more aggressively reduce homelessness. He also sees the confounding reality on the ground. The city and Sacramento County have poured millions into new shelter beds and permanent housing, only to see the homeless count surge to 9,200 in 2022, thousands higher than two years prior.

We have housed over 17,000 people  undeniable success  in the past six years, Steinberg said. But its not success in the eyes of the public, understandably so, because all we see out on our streets is increasing numbers.

Steinberg asked himself: How is it that we are successful in getting tens of thousands of people off the streets only to see the numbers grow?

Jason Elliott, Newsoms deputy chief of staff, runs point on homelessness for the governor. He said the question of how to close the homeless spigot is motivating them to think bigger and be more aggressive.

Clear out encampments, and at the same time connect people with housing and services. Steer more federal dollars into homeless response. Amend state land-use laws to enable counties to site and build housing faster. Turn the state Medicaid system, Medi-Cal, into a tool to combat homelessness by marrying health care and housing  for instance, funding the first and last months rent and asking insurers to work with landlords to find housing for homeless people.

Elliott rattled through a list of reasons he thinks explain how the problem got so entrenched. California is generous with benefits. Its climate is hospitable. The extraordinary cost of living. He also reinforced the administrations prime strategy: Its not just about more money, but forcing cities and counties to go harder at the problem with the resources they have.

The most important thing that we have to do as a state is build more housing and get more people into services, and fundamentally that is a local government responsibility. Elliott said. Local government are the providers of behavioral health services, and they are the ones who choose whether or not housing gets permitted.

As the administration takes its just get it done message across the state, those involved are keenly aware theres a wider audience.

Theres a broad sense in this country that were falling apart at the seams, and homelessness is part of the proof, to voters, that were falling apart. People want this problem fixed, and they want resolute leadership, said Sragow, the Los Angeles strategist.

The country is watching. Gavin Newsom has a record of getting out front on big national issues. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesnt.

This story was produced by KHN, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

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JEFFERSON CITY  Democrats on Thursday accused Republicans of racism after the majority party cut off debate on a bill affecting St. Louis as several Black lawmakers waited to speak.

The legislation, which would allow Gov. Mike Parson to appoint a special prosecutor for St. Louis and other high-crime areas, advanced out of the lower chamber on a 109-35 vote, with one Democrat voting present.

Before the vote, House Speaker Dean Plocher, R-Des Peres, silenced Rep. Kevin Windham, a Black Democrat from Hillsdale, who was reading a Mississippi Today article about a white supermajority in the Mississippi House approving a separate court system and expanded police force to be appointed by white officials for the majority-Black city of Jackson.

After Windham was cut off, House Majority Leader Jon Patterson, R-Lees Summit, moved to end debate entirely. Three Black lawmakers  Reps. Rasheen Aldridge, LaKeySha Bosley and Raychel Proudie  were stationed at microphones to speak on the bill as Republicans voted to end debate.

A lot of these things that are happening in Mississippi are also happening in Missouri, Windham said afterward. Its a shame that I was stopped from speaking about that.

Rep. Marlene Terry, a St. Louis County Democrat and chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, made a call to action during a news conference after the vote.

I am totally appalled, Terry said. All gloves are off. Everyone is going to know what were doing here and whats going on up here. I call it racist.  Its racist to not allow him to speak. ... Were trying to work with them and its not working out.

She said, Its time for the community to come into the Capitol to see our work and how were being treated.

Ive called out to the NAACP, the activists in the city and county of St. Louis, Missouri, our educators, our children, mothers and fathers who care, who sent us here, Terry said. We need you.

Bosley, D-St. Louis, said I was in tears because it is blatantly racist what happened to Representative Windham on the floor.

Asked why he didnt want to hear from the three Black lawmakers waiting at the microphone, Plocher referred to the comments by Windham.

I think I enumerated my displeasure with the fact that the discussion was not concerning the bill at hand, Plocher said.

Patterson said he moved to cut off debate due to time and because he sensed the conversation was devolving.

Plocher added that Patterson let the debate go on yesterday for three-plus hours.

Republicans stripped a measure from the crime bill that wouldve outlawed public possession of a firearm for unsupervised minors.

What kills people are guns, and they dont want to have those real conversations about how do we make sure that the deaths that are happening in my city are reduced, said Aldridge, D-St. Louis.

The bill isnt going to do anything to solve crime, Aldridge said. Shame on the speaker, shame on the floor leader and shame on leadership for not allowing us to have a true conversation.

Proudie, a Ferguson Democrat who wanted to speak, called the proceedings absolutely repugnant.

If youre going to disenfranchise us, at least give us the respect and dignity to have 10 minutes to say how we feel about it, Proudie said.

State control of police

In addition to shifting jurisdiction of violent crime cases to a special prosecutor, Missouri Republicans are also considering a measure to return the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to state control after a decade of local control.

A Republican-led panel of lawmakers said the plan is one step in their bid to improve public safety in Missouri.

In testimony to the House Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee, a handful of lawmakers who have law enforcement experience said they believe state intervention will reinvigorate the departments depleted force, resulting in a drop in crime.

Rep. Ron Coleman, R-Salem, a former Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper, said he generally favors local control of local government. But, he said the Legislature needs to step in now.

When is it an appropriate time to act? said Copeland, who is sponsoring one of the proposals. I would say its our duty and obligation. Public safety is a big issue for our state.

The proposal drew a sharp rebuke from St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, who was in the Capitol Wednesday lobbying for money to pay for a number of projects in the city.

This is a direct slap in the face to our citizens because people closest to the problem are closest to the solution, Jones said in an interview. Im sure the governor who is a former sheriff also believes in local control of law enforcement agencies.

Democrats on the panel expressed doubt that a plan crafted by Republicans who live in the states more rural areas would make a difference.

St. Louis has always been bad, said Rep. Marlon Anderson, D-St. Louis. I witnessed a lot of murders as a kid. This is not going to solve our problems.

A package of bills under consideration in both the House and Senate call for a state-appointed board to take over St. Louis city police operations beginning in either August 2023 or on July 1, 2024.

Under the plans, the state will assume all debt and contractual obligations currently being handled by the city. That includes any future lawsuits against the police force for issues like misconduct.

Im sure there is going to be some additional cost, Copeland said.

The measures are among a number of bills that have been introduced in the Legislature this year as part of the latest GOP-led anti-crime effort, even though data compiled by the Post-Dispatch shows violent crime totals actually declined between 2020 and 2021 after seeing year-over-year increases from 2018 through 2020.

The citys homicide rate hit a record in 2020, but has retreated since then. (The total number of homicides was 200 in 2022, the same as 2021. The city has exceeded 200 homicides a year 15 times in the past 50 years, but the rate was lower than 2020 because the citys population was higher.)

The police department oversight model is similar to what is in place in Kansas City, which is controlled by a Board of Police Commissioners that is made up of four people appointed by the governor and the mayor.

In calling for state intervention, lawmakers pointed to businesses that have left the city or say they will leave the city because of persistent criminal activity. And, they said Missourians living outside the city are avoiding it because of fears about becoming victims of crime.

The legislation would overturn a 2012 statewide vote that lifted state control of the department. At the time, then-Mayor Francis Slay argued the boards makeup made it more difficult to respond quickly to crime trends or direct department spending.

Republicans said detaching the department from local control would help the region.

The goal would be to bring businesses back to St. Louis. Its just going to be a great thing for St. Louis, said Rep. Bennie Cook, a Texas County Republican.

Rep. Justin Sparks, R-Wildwood, who served as a St. Louis County police officer until January, said he has heard frustration from north county residents about crime problems.

It is no doubt that we are facing a crisis, Sparks said. They dont have confidence that anything is really going to be done.

Sparks said calls to defund the police has resulted in a loss of morale among experienced officers, spurring them to leave the force.

The legislation is House Bill 53 and House Bill 301.

Updated at 4:30 p.m.
Lawyers for Leonard Taylor claim he was executed Tuesday before he had exhausted his final appeals in federal court.

This has never happened in the nearly one hundred prior executions that have taken place in Missouri in the last thirty four years, Taylors legal team said in a statement.

The lawyers, Kent Gipson and Kevin Schriener, are demanding an investigation by the Missouri Department of Corrections and law enforcement.

The investigation should determine how and why this unprecedented and unlawful act occurred and identify the person or persons responsible, the defense team of post-convictions attorneys said. Gipson is based in Kansas City and Schriener has an office in Clayton.

Taylor was convicted in the 2004 killings of his girlfriend, 28-year-old Angela Rowe, and Rowes three children, Alexus Conley, 10, AcQreya Conley, 6, and Tyrese Conley, 5. Taylor insisted he was innocent of the murders. He said he was in California when the family was killed in their Jennings home.

Taylor, 58, was executed by lethal injection Tuesday evening at the prison in Bonne Terre.

The challenges to his conviction and death sentence had been exhausted. But, Schriener said, they had sought a temporary restraining order and stay of execution on Tuesday because Taylors spiritual advisor was not given permission to be in the execution chamber.

Two weeks ago, Taylor had waived his right to have witnesses at his execution. Over the weekend, Taylor decided he wanted the Department of Corrections to grant his spiritual adviser, Anthony Shahid, permission to pray with Taylor in the execution chamber. A prison spokeswoman said that, by the time Taylor asked for that, it was too late to make a change to the witness list. Authorities say the prison needs to conduct background checks on visitors days in advance.

We were arguing this was a violation of his First Amendment rights, Schriener said.

The Missouri Attorney Generals Office argued that Taylor was making a meritless, last-minute attempt to delay justice.

Taylors death warrant was good for a 24-hour period starting at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

At 5:48 p.m. Tuesday, attorneys were alerted electronically that U.S. District Court Judge Ronnie White had denied their request for a temporary restraining order and stay.

At 5:52 p.m., it was announced that all pending appeals and petitions, including one before the U.S. Supreme Court, had been denied.

The Attorney Generals Office told the Department of Corrections that all petitions had been exhausted and the execution should proceed, said Karen Pojmann, a spokeswoman for the Department of Corrections.

At 5:58 p.m., all witnesses were moved into the viewing area.

At 6:01 p.m., Taylors lawyers said they emailed the 8th Circuit and the Missouri Attorney Generals Office to let them know Taylor planned to appeal.

At 6:02 p.m., the Missouri attorney general told the prison that all legal impediments had been exhausted.

At 6:06 p.m., Gov. Mike Parson said there was no reason the execution shouldnt go forward.

At 6:07 p.m., the drug pentobarbital began being administered to Taylor who was strapped to a gurney and covered by a sheet.

At 6:16 p.m., Taylor was pronounced dead, Pojmann said.

Taylors lawyers said they were trying to appeal Judge Whites order to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and then if that court denied it they would appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

While it is true there was no stay in place that would have prevented an execution, we were proceeding with the civil rights complaint to the appellate court, Schriener told the Post-Dispatch. That didnt happen because they killed him.

Pojmann, the Department of Corrections spokeswoman, didnt have a comment on the lawyers complaints. She said the corrections department doesnt make legal decisions in these cases. She referred a reporter to the states attorney general.

Madeline Sieren, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Andrew Bailey, said on Thursday that there was no legal impediment to executing Taylor.

As there was no stay in place, the Attorney Generals Office fulfilled its legal obligation to notify the Governors Office and the Department of Corrections at the appropriate time that there was no legal impediment to carrying out the execution warrant set forth by the Missouri Supreme Court.

Katie Kull of the Post-Dispatch staff contributed to this report

The 54 people Missouri has executed since 2000
ST. LOUIS  A 31-year-old man was charged Wednesday with raping a random woman at gunpoint when she left a bar to grab something from her vehicle.

Octavius A. Whittaker, of the 100 block of North 17th Street, is facing rape, kidnapping, sodomy, attempted robbery and several weapons offenses after police say he approached a woman outside Gene's Bar on St. Louis Avenue in the city's Old North neighborhood while wearing a ski mask and pointed a pistol at her head just after 10 p.m. Jan. 17.

Charges say he tried to get the woman to sit in the passenger seat and give him the keys to the car, but when she said she didn't have the keys, he ordered her to walk into an alley. He pointed a gun at her back and raped her, police say.

The woman reported the assault to a relative, then went to a hospital where she was examined, police said. Officials found Whittaker's DNA on swabs taken during that exam, police said.

Whittaker is being held without bond. An attorney has not yet been listed in court documents.
ALBANY  A Republican state senator filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking to force a vote by the full chamber on whether to confirm Gov. Kathy Hochuls nominee to be chief judge of the state Court of Appeals.

The lawsuit was filed by Sen. Anthony Palumbo of Long Island against the New York State Senate, 10 Democratic members of the Senates Judiciary Committee, as well as against Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, also a Democrat.

Last month, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a five-hour hearing where lawmakers questioned Hochul's nominee, Hector LaSalle, on a variety of decisions hed made while serving as a judge on a mid-level state appellate court since 2014. Minutes later, 10 Democrats on the Judiciary Committee voted against moving LaSalles nomination to a vote by the full Senate. Nine lawmakers  including six Republicans  voted to allow a full Senate vote, but lost.

Before the hearing, Senate Democratic leadership expanded the Judiciary Committee's memberships from 15 to 19 members, a move Hochul argues enabled the body to vote down LaSalle. After the vote, Stewart-Cousins signed a letter to Hochul stating that the Judiciary Committee vote meant LaSalles confirmation had been rejected by the Senate.

Palumbo, who was among the Republicans on the Judiciary Committee that voted to forward the nomination, argues that the state constitution requires a vote by the full Senate, not just the Judiciary Committee. That is an argument that Hochul has repeatedly made since the Judiciary Committee vote was held.

Democrats' quick LaSalle vote contradicts past critique On Wednesday, the state Senate Judiciary Committee held its vote killing Hector LaSalle's nomination to be chief judge of the state Court of Appeals minutes after he finished detailed testimony on a wide variety of complex judicial rulings.

Hochul has been considering whether to file litigation against the State Senate but may be spared that politically difficult decision by Palumbos lawsuit. The chief judge fight has put the Democratic governor in the unusual position of being more aligned with Republicans, who are open to confirming a nominee considered a moderate.

Many Senate Democrats are opposed to LaSalle and want a nominee they view as a more progressive chief judge, one that will swing what they viewed as a conservative, 4-3 majority on the Court of Appeals led by the prior chief judge who left the bench last summer, Janet DiFiore.

In his lawsuit, attorneys representing Palumbo argued the state constitution requires the full Senate hold a floor vote to confirm or reject a chief judge nominee.

A vote of a mere committee of the Senate  here, the Judiciary Committee  does not satisfy the constitutional requirement of advice and consent, wrote the attorneys, from the law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman. "The constitution does not delegate that authority to a committee.

New Yorks constitution states that the governor shall appoint a chief judge with the advice and consent of the Senate. At issue is whether the document requires a vote by the full Senate, or whether the Senate has the authority through its own internal processes and rules to disapprove a nomination through the Judiciary Committee.

We have not been served regarding any lawsuit, Mike Murphy, a Stewart-Cousins spokesman, said on Thursday. It is embarrassing but not surprising that the Senate Republicans have no basic understanding of law or the constitution."

The lawsuit was filed in state Supreme Court in Suffolk County. Its possible that the matter will eventually end up before the Court of Appeals, the body that LaSalle is seeking to lead.

Even if Palumbos lawsuit forcing a full Senate vote is successful, its unclear whether LaSalle would be able to win a 32-vote majority in the chamber. Republicans hold 21 of the 63 seats. LaSalle would need to win the votes of many moderate Democrats in the chamber who have not yet declared their positions on the confirmation.

If confirmed, LaSalle would be the first Latino to head the Court of Appeals.
JEFFERSON CITY  A company seeking to mine silica sand in Ste. Genevieve County has hired a lobbyist as it battles a local health ordinance restricting mining operations.

NexGen Silica hired Henrio Thelemaque of the Thelemaque Group, who is registered to lobby executive branch, legislative and local officials, according to Missouri Ethics Commission records.

Thelemaque began lobbying for NexGen on Saturday, according to the records.

A spokesman for NexGen would not disclose what the company is lobbying for.

Were not willing to share that information at this time, said Jake Meyer, spokesman for NexGen Silica, in a text message Thursday.

But, an organizer for Operation Sand, the citizens group leading the opposition to the silica mine project, said the group is supporting legislation before the House Rural Community Development Committee that is scheduled for a hearing at noon on Monday in Jefferson City.

The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Rick Francis, a Perryville Republican who represents Ste. Genevieve County, would allow county commissions or health boards to enact reasonable ordinances, orders, or regulations applicable to mining within the Lamotte Sandstone geologic formation located in such county.

Changes to the bill are possible, including removing the additional powers for local governments. The Legislature has moved in recent years to restrict local control when it comes to health issues.

Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican, in 2019 signed a law restricting local regulations on agriculture facilities, and the Legislature moved in 2021 to limit local authorities when it came to health orders.

NexGen is challenging an existing county health ordinance in court.

The Ste. Genevieve County ordinance cites a state law allowing counties to make and promulgate orders, ordinances, rules or regulations, respectively as will tend to enhance the public health and prevent the entrance of infectious, contagious, communicable or dangerous diseases into such county.

The ordinance says enforcement of public health standards is hereby found to be necessary in order to enhance and protect the public health of the citizens of Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri from the foregoing potential adverse impacts associated with silica sand mining.

NexGen Silica sued the county over the ordinance in June and the case is still pending in Ste. Genevieve County Circuit Court.

The Missouri Mining Commission last month revoked a mining permit issued to the company, and activists are challenging a water permit the Department of Natural Resources issued to the company.

The legislation is House Bill 982.
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JEFFERSON CITY  Missouri lawmakers advanced a plan Thursday to give pay raises to an estimated 50,000 state workers in a bid to fill scores of vacancies in prisons, nursing homes and mental health facilities.

Moving at a rapid clip at the urging of Republican Gov. Mike Parson, the House voted 148-2 in favor of a midyear budget adjustment that contains 8.7% raises for state employees and an extra $2 per hour for overnight shift workers at prisons and nursing facilities.

Parson called for the raises last month, citing a severe recruitment and retention problem that has resulted in a reduction of state services, ranging from closed beds at nursing homes for veterans and fewer patients at state mental health facilities.

Administration officials say they cannot keep workers amid higher pay being offered in the private sector.

The latest raises follow similar size pay bumps last year that still left the state struggling to hire workers. The Missouri Department of Transportation, for example, said it is down 1,000 snowplow drivers this year.

Caseloads at the understaffed Department of Social Services have grown unwieldy for workers who protect children, potentially leaving kids in dangerous conditions.

We have been sounding the alarm for years that we have not been doing enough to protect the vulnerable, said Rep. Maggie Nurrenbern, D-Kansas City.

Democrats unsuccessfully sought to use funds sitting unused in various state programs to also boost pay rates for workers at not-for-profit social service agencies who are contracted to care for vulnerable Missourians.

We have grossly underfunded government workers, said Rep. Deb Lavender, D-Kirkwood.

Were begging for crumbs at this point, said Rep. Bridget Walsh Moore, a south St. Louis County Democrat.

Rep. Cody Smith, R-Carthage, who chairs the House Budget Committee, opposed the amendment, saying further pay increases or rate hikes need to be backed with an ongoing revenue stream, rather than a one-time infusion of cash.

The added money, which needs a final vote in the House before moving to the Senate, is the first of at least two other budget maneuvers, including an overall state spending plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

The plan advanced Tuesday also includes $629,000 for black vulture mitigation, sought by Sen. Lincoln Hough, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Farmers and ranchers in parts of the Midwest have been grappling with the sometimes aggressive birds, which they say attack newborn calves and other small animals.

Overall, the $627 million spending package includes about $180 million for the raises.

The legislation is House Bill 14.
JEFFERSON CITY  House Republicans gave initial approval Wednesday to a wide-ranging crime measure that includes a plan for the governor to appoint a special prosecutor to handle violent crimes in St. Louis.

The plan to move violent crime cases from the office of St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner to a special prosecutor has generated some of the most attention as critics have blasted Missouri Republicans for interfering with local control.

Its the latest attempt by the Republican-led Legislature to bolster criminal prosecutions in St. Louis, reflecting the view that Gardner, a Democrat, isnt getting the job done.

Rep. Lane Roberts, a Joplin Republican who sponsored the bill, has said violent crime in St. Louis affects the entire state and rejected criticism that he shouldnt address the issue.

Ive been told that I should not be meddling in this communitys business, Roberts said. I am not a meddler ... I am a Missourian.

Rep. Steve Butz, D-St. Louis, said the special prosecutor wouldnt have a dramatic effect on violent crime.

If you think ... that just appointing a special prosecutor is going to dramatically affect crime in the city of St. Louis, I can tell you it will have some effect, I do believe, Butz said. It will not have a dramatic effect.

The latest version of Roberts bill allows Gov. Mike Parson to appoint a special prosecutor anywhere in the state if he reviews crime statistics or if the number of homicide cases over the last year exceeds 35 per every 100,000 residents.

The special prosecutor would be an at-will employee, would serve up to five years and wouldnt have to live in the jurisdiction in question.

The special prosecutor under consideration Wednesday would have exclusive jurisdiction to prosecute seven violent crimes: first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, first- and second-degree robbery and vehicle hijacking.

Roberts legislation would allow the special prosecutor to hire 15 assistant prosecuting attorneys and 15 support staff using state general revenue.

As of last week, there were more than 200 murder cases pending in St. Louis Circuit Court.

St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, visiting the Capitol on Wednesday, criticized the effort to bring in a special prosecutor for St. Louis.

I think thats a bit heavy-handed, Jones said. Kim Gardner is a duly elected public official.

Jones slammed the states loose gun laws. A bipartisan effort to restrict unsupervised minors from possessing guns in public was stripped from the crime bill last week.

The states weakening of gun laws has had a direct effect on crime, Jones said. Unfortunately we dont have the opportunity to enact commonsense gun laws on the local level.

Along with banning minors from having handguns, she said the state needs red flag laws. And, she said a $50 million program outlined by Parson to give schools grants for safety purposes could be better spent on afterschool programs and counseling.

We cant make our schools into prisons, Jones said. We need to make our schools positive, safe places to learn.

During debate Wednesday, Rep. Donna Baringer, D-St. Louis, tried to resurrect the effort on unsupervised minors with guns but Republicans defeated her amendment.

We have 14-year-olds walking down the middle of the street in the city of St. Louis carrying AR-15s, Baringer said. What has happened to us?

Until they actually brandish them, and brandish them with intent, our police officers hands are handcuffed, Baringer said.

Rep. Tony Lovasco, R-OFallon, countered, We dont charge people with crimes because we think theyre going to hurt someone.

Republicans supported a Democratic amendment to outlaw discharging a firearm within city limits, with certain exceptions. The offense would be a class E felony.

A plan to provide information to inmates on how to apply for Medicaid, and assisting them in obtaining state identification and other important documents prior to their release is included in the crime bill.

The legislation also creates a reimbursement program for qualifying Missouri police officers who paid tuition for basic law enforcement training.

An amendment added by Rep. Rudy Veit, R-Wardsville, would outlaw publishing certain personal information about an elected official or a family member with the purpose to harass, intimidate, or cause death or bodily injury to the elected official or a family member of the elected official.

Publishing personal information on a judicial officer with the purpose to harass, intimidate or influence a judicial officer that results in death or injury to the judicial officer or his or her family would be a class B felony.

The legislation needs one more vote in the House before moving to the Senate for consideration.

Kurt Erickson of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.

The legislation is House Bill 301.

Editors note: A previous version of this article said the legislation allowed six months of Medicaid coverage for newly released inmates. The latest bill only requires the state to provide information to inmates on how to apply for Medicaid.
ST. LOUIS  Nearly a year after three of their own were indicted for abusing their power over development, St. Louis aldermen are close to passing legislation aimed at making sure it doesnt happen again. But they wont go nearly as far as some, including Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, had hoped.

The bill, set for a final vote Friday, has been stripped of provisions that would have formally ended a tradition that for decades gave aldermen veto power over development in their wards.

It also leaves in place rules that give aldermen veto power over applications to a $37 million program doling out grants to businesses along north St. Louis streets. That is despite the fact that those provisions were insisted upon by former Board President Lewis Reed, who admitted to taking bribes for help with development incentives, and despite Jones calling out the provision as ripe for abuse after Reed and others were indicted last summer.

Nick Desideri, a spokesman for the mayor, said the office was disappointed by some of the amendments. But he said Jones still supports the legislation, pointing to added transparency measures at the citys economic development agency and a requirement that aldermen disclose conflicts of interest when they file development bills.

At the end of the day, this is still a good bill that moves the ball forward, Desideri said.

It started its legislative life as a far more ambitious reform.

When the bill was first filed in late June, just weeks after the indictments rocked City Hall, it explicitly said letters of support from aldermen should no longer determine when the bureaucracy begins processing variance, zoning or tax abatement applications  an unwritten St. Louis tradition often referred to as aldermanic courtesy. Those letters came under harsh scrutiny after federal prosecutors charged Reed, Alderman Jeffrey Boyd and Alderman John Collins-Muhammad last summer for accepting cash bribes in exchange for official acts, including letters backing development tax incentives.

After the indictments, Jones called for change.

No longer can we have a process where the alderperson has ultimate veto authority, Jones told St. Louis Public Radio in June.

But when aldermen got their hands on the reform bill, compromise came quickly.

Among provisions they removed was a proposed form letter aldermen would be required to use to lend their support to projects. They stripped out language barring aldermen from advocating for specific conditions such as the amount of tax abatement. Bill sponsor Shane Cohn argued aldermen could still put conditions on projects when they introduced legislation publicly at the board, but his colleagues pushed back against limits on how they could lobby for or against projects in their neighborhoods.

Theyre not in jail because they wrote letters, Alderman Jack Coatar said of the indicted aldermen. Theyre in jail because they took bribes.

The St. Louis Development Corporation was already moving away from the unofficial reliance on support letters, and aldermen may as well.

SLDC said in December it no longer will wait for aldermanic support before processing incentive requests, an administrative change it undertook after one alderman sought to hold up several large projects. And with the Board of Aldermen set to lose half its ranks this April, the scramble to keep up with double the constituents could leave less time for micromanaging.

But an unofficial policy at the Board of Adjustment requiring aldermanic support before city staff will process requests for variances  the mundane approvals needed by many construction projects for slight deviations from the building code  will remain in place after the Board of Adjustment was removed from the reform bill.

The Board of Adjustment in particular, thats an opportunity for residents to convey through their alderperson concerns or restrictions respective to businesses that are opening, so I dont think its necessary to limit someones ability to work with their community and put conditions on certain uses, Cohn told the Post-Dispatch.

Asked whether the administration could change that policy internally, Desideri said the city is doing a thorough review of all of our development policies.

Amendments removing aldermanic involvement in the new $37 million grant program were dropped, Cohn said, after the boards clerk informed him the provision was unrelated to the larger bill. Desideri said the aldermanic letter language in the commercial corridors grant program was still a concern.

But backers tick off improvements that remain in the bill.

The measure requires SLDC to publish recordings of its meetings online. The incentive review process SLDC has implemented in response to political pressure over the last several years will be enshrined in ordinance. And St. Louis Public Schools, the taxing jurisdiction most impacted by city incentives forgoing the future property tax revenue new development generates, must now be formally consulted for the districts position on large incentive deals.

Developers, too, see improvements.

This proposed legislation will give developers who are considering investing in the city a transparent and consistent roadmap of what they can expect in terms of potential incentives, said David Sweeney, a Lewis Rice attorney and expert in helping developers navigate the city bureaucracy.

Michael Hamburg, who is building incentivized projects including the Target in Midtown and a new apartment building in the Central West End, said securing support from the alderman where a project is located will always be important as a proxy for neighborhood support, no matter what city ordinance says. He said the bills attempt to codify more of the development process, however, is a positive.

Theres somewhat of an unknown with the city if you start a process on incentives, and every project has somewhat been treated differently, Hamburg said. So I think any attempt to create a standardized roadmap with a scoring system that everyone can be on the same playing field and really understand how it works, I think its a step in the right direction.

But Joe Lengyel, a small developer who struggled to get aldermanic letters of support for variances allowing him to build single family homes in Forest Park Southeast, worries about the continued reliance on unwritten rules at bodies like the Board of Adjustment. Hes developed in St. Louis County municipalities and theres no hidden, arcane processes that you have to go through. It hasnt scared him off, but he wonders if others are hesitant to build in the city because of aldermanic courtesy.

If they want to keep the aldermanic privilege in there, I dont really care one way or another about that. But I do think it needs to be as simple as possible for people who are small operators like me, Lengyel said. It just doesnt feel like anything is really going to change.
JEFFERSON CITY  A suspected Chinese spy balloons flight over the United States last week has inflated the issue of foreign ownership of farmland in Missouris Capitol.

On Thursday, Senate President Caleb Rowden announced the formation of a new committee that will handle legislation related to potential incursions by foreign countries into the state.

The panels lengthy name will be the Senate Select Committee on Protection of Missouri Assets from Foreign Adversaries.

Despite the timing, less than a week after the surveillance balloon ignited a diplomatic crisis in Washington and triggered calls by Republicans for the balloon to be shot down immediately, Rowden initially denied the incident was related to the new committee.

It wasnt a direct response to the balloon, Rowden told reporters at a weekly press conference.

But, he added, I think that did thrust it back to the front of the spotlight.

We had been talking about this foreign ownership for a while and really do want to come to a resolution that clamps down tremendously on China and other adversarial countries, Rowden said.

We thought it was a big enough issue with enough conversation certainly happening behind the scenes that warranted a committee in and of itself to look at it, he added.

The panel will be headed by Sen. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, who last year made an unsuccessful bid for Congress. He is a member of the now-defunct Senate Conservative Caucus, a small faction of Republican senators blamed last year for holding up action in the Legislatures upper chamber over issues like abortion and spending.

Chinas ownership of farmland in Missouri has been a political hot potato since the Republican-controlled House and Senate voted in 2013 to allow Chinese-owned Smithfield Foods to legally own farmland in the state, primarily for its hog farming operations.

As a state representative, Rowden supported the legislation allowing foreign ownership. Now he says there are trust issues with China, especially after the balloon hovered over Missouri during its trek across the nations skies before it was shot down by the U.S. military Saturday off the coast of South Carolina.

I do think that situation that obviously was on display for the entire country to see, and for the world to see, frankly, it just highlights a reality that  you cant trust the Chinese government. You cant trust their motives, Rowden said Thursday.

Democrats said they were pleased the issue was being given attention by Republicans after years of Democrats sounding the warning bell. Sen. Doug Beck, D-Affton, for example, has been pressing for limits on foreign ownership of farmland for the past five years.

Thats another Democrat idea from 10 years ago, Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo said Thursday.

Legislation this year by Beck would prohibit agricultural land acquisitions by foreign owners and would require proposed land deals by foreign owners to be submitted to the Department of Agriculture to determine whether such transfer of agricultural land is conveyed in accordance with the prohibition, according to a bill summary.

Becks bill has yet to receive a committee hearing.

Among the new committees first tasks will be vetting legislation that, if approved by voters, would create a Joint Committee on State Security.

That panel would determine whether individuals and governments could be prohibited from buying property in the state and whether social networking devices like Chinese-owned TikTok could be banned on state-owned mobile phones, even though Republican Gov. Mike Parson has said the popular app isnt allowed on state devices anyway.

The measure is aimed at China, Iran, North Korea and Russia.

Rowden said he is calling for swift action by the committee.

We will probably see some movement on that in the next couple of weeks, he said. We want to find a way to get that issue squared away.
SHREWSBURY  After hearing pleas from Catholics to save their churches, the Archdiocese of St. Louis has proposed new maps showing a consolidation of half of the 178 parishes across the region.

New draft models from 15 geographic planning areas in the All Things New reorganization show 88 pastorates  groups of one or more parishes that will be served by a single pastor.

The maps show the greatest consolidation of parishes in St. Louis city and much of St. Louis County while most parishes in Webster Groves, Kirkwood, Valley Park and Eureka would remain intact on their own.

There are three possible structures for each pastorate: a single parish with a resident priest, two or more parishes with independent finances that share a priest or two or more parishes that are merged into one.

Archdiocese and parish leaders will be charged with deciding how each pastorate with more than one parish is structured, including where and when Sunday Mass will be held. Some of those decisions are expected to be announced on Pentecost Sunday, May 28, when St. Louis Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski releases the final plan.

There are still a lot of question marks, said Jason Bolte of Save Rome of the West, a group fighting to keep churches open. It does baffle me if you look at areas like St. Charles and parts of Franklin County where theres a lot of growth, theyre being hit pretty hard. And then areas that are stagnating growth are being left alone.

Even parishes that appear untouched on the maps could be affected by losing a priest or combining with other parishes ministries including schools, said Father Chris Martin, the archdioceses vicar for strategic planning.

The pastorates were created from the fruit of the feedback we received from the people on factors like traffic patterns and existing collaborations among parishes, Martin said Wednesday.

The balance really is about what is the most prudent pastoral care, priest availability and long-term parish viability, Martin said.

The first question to be settled is whether the latest parish groupings are the best fit. Then archdiocese leaders will make recommendations for primary worship sites within each pastorate, but the decisions will likely fall with individual priests and their parishioners, Martin said.

Priests have also been told to expect a significant reassignment in the coming months, Martin said.

Typically, about 20% of pastors are reassigned annually, Martin said. He did not estimate a percentage of priests that will be moved in the coming months.

Catholics got their first look at possible parish mergers at listening sessions in November. After surveys and feedback from the sessions, the various options were reworked into one draft for each area.

Save Rome of the West posted the draft models Tuesday after they were leaked by a church leader.

Archdiocesan leaders have said the downsizing is necessary as both the number of Catholic faithful and the priests to serve them have dwindled in recent decades. Projections show there will be 130 priests in 15 years, according to the archdiocese.

Ken Battis, president of Save Our St. Louis Parishes, anticipates a Catholic hunger games scenario where parishes in each pastorate battle for survival.

I cant imagine a more disruptive plan than Were gonna lock the three of you parishes in the room and whoever comes out standing wins, Battis said. That doesnt seem Christian to me let alone Catholic or pastoral.

The latest drafts show a Hispanic parish being established at St. Barnabas in OFallon instead of St. Gianna in Wentzville, where parishioners mounted a vigorous opposition to the plan.

Several historic churches near downtown St. Louis, including St. Mary of Victories, St. John Nepomuk and Sts. Peter and Paul, will be spared closure.

St. Cecilia with its popular Mexican fish fries in the Carondelet neighborhood of St. Louis will not be moved to another church as originally proposed but will remain a Hispanic parish without geographic boundaries.

The 18 parishes in north St. Louis County will be combined into six groups and the eight parishes in north St. Louis city will go down to three pastorates, with only St. Alphonsus Liguori the Rock on north Grand Boulevard standing alone.

Close to 3,000 Catholics from 120 parishes have signed a procurator mandate in protest of large-scale parish mergers while preparing for possibilities including civil lawsuits and appeals to Vatican courts through canon, or church law.

Archdiocese leaders said All Things New follows canon law and churches will not be closed without just cause, which does not include a shortage of priests.

Bolte said Save Rome of the West would continue its work to fight the closure of any church.

This is Gods sacred holy ground ... you dont just shut it down, Bolte said.

Originally posted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8.
ST. CHARLES  St. Charles officials have gone to court in their push to get a federal agency to require Ameren to spend millions of dollars to help the city deal with groundwater contamination near the citys drinking-water wells.

The city, in documents filed last week in U.S. District Court in St. Louis, said a proposed cleanup agreement between the federal Environmental Protection Agency and the electric utility ignores substantial new data.

The city also has asked a federal judge to allow it to formally intervene in the case.

Among other things, the city says a previous EPA decision relies on the fundamentally flawed assumption that blending of contaminated groundwater with clean water will continue to ensure that contaminants remain at safe levels in the citys water supply.

We have stepped up and are asking for the courts to make a judgment, St. Charles Mayor Dan Borgmeyer said in an interview Wednesday. He declined to comment further.

EPA and the city have been dealing with contamination in the citys well field for decades and the city has shut down several of its wells over the years as a precaution.

At issue with Ameren is contamination linked to use of a cleaning product at a nearby utility substation many years ago. EPA also has said there has been contamination from a defunct Findett Corp. chemical facility that operated from 1962 to 1973.

EPA has said while Ameren has done groundwater cleanup for the past decade, further study is needed to determine the source of migrating contaminants in the well field that St. Charles officials are concerned about now. Ameren supports doing additional testing.

St. Charles officials in their court filing also deny what they say are statements by EPA and Ameren that a nearby city sanitary sewer line might also be a source of contamination.

The new St. Charles court documents do not specify what St. Charles wants EPA to require Ameren to do. Borgmeyer has said in interviews that more than $100 million in work is needed to protect the city water supply.

He said that includes the cost of digging wells in a new well field away from the contamination and upgrading the citys water treatment plant. He said the citys most recent estimate also includes the cost of buying and using equipment so some shut-down wells can be used until new wells are operating.
With the pandemic in the rearview mirror, a new legislative session under way, a new structure for the St. Louis Board of Aldermen and major leadership changes at the police department and St. Louis Public Schools, here is my wish list for our city, region, and state.

First and foremost on most peoples minds both in the region and beyond is crime and public safety. For just a little perspective from a guy who has lived in the city for decades, I can tell you that a common concern in decades past was (and is) crime and quality of schools. It mattered little who was mayor or the chief of police at the time, the issue remained unchanged, both as a perception and a reality.

Three things that are very different in todays environment are the proliferation of guns (with gunfire being heard literally everywhere), 911 calls put on hold, and a low level of morale among our police officers.

With the current temperament in Jefferson City, nothing will happen this year regarding gun regulation.

The conversation continues that we should at a minimum revert back to a concealed-carry permit process and create the most basic of regulations concerning mentally ill people to not have unfettered access to firearms especially when their own family members know they are a danger to themselves and society at large. We saw this very issue play out so needlessly with the school shooting oat Central Visual and Performing Arts High School.

Foolishly the Missouri Legislature passed the so-called, Second Amendment Preservation Act two years ago. This legislation handcuffs local law enforcement from participating with federal law enforcement and penalizes local law enforcers who assist in enforcing federal laws that dont have an equivalent in state law.

The Legislature has failed to pass any type of red-flag laws. I am a gun owner, have been since I was very young and got my first .22 caliber rifle, but I stand with the great majority of Missourians who support these most basic of regulations to keep firearms out of the hands of the mentally ill and believe no minor should be able to walk around with a weapon.

Regarding local efforts to improve the citys 911 call center: This breakdown has gone on much too long. Many of us can testify to being placed on hold for several minutes all too frequently when we need to get through on 911. With ample funds available to address a terribly underfunded 911 operator pay scale, there is simply no excuse for this collapse of a basic, critical function of local government.

Regarding police morale: It is simply not a good time to be a cop. Pendulums swing back and forth, and I am confident this one will straighten itself out in time, but we do not have a lot of time on our side. As a business owner, I can attest that if my employees felt that I did not respect their hard work and they were being paid less than others in the same line of work, in short order, I would have no employees left. This is the path we are on in the City of St. Louis.

When any organization is struggling, it is important to listen to management, but I also have found it even more helpful to listen to the rank and file. Those who actually do the direct work have a perspective that is unique and less filtered. At a recent Guns and Hoses fundraiser, I had a great conversation with a St. Louis veteran officer who told me that people dont leave bad jobs; they leave bad leaders. He went on to say that it is clear to many officers that our current city leadership of Mayor Tishaura Jones and Aldermanic President Megan Green, who were both elected and made their positions on not supporting the police department part of their campaign platforms, are reflecting the will of the voters by their lack of public support. I can attest that this fact is frustrating to our officers and a main contributor to poor morale in the department.

Perception can change. Morale can change. Fences can and must be mended with the officers, elected officials and most importantly the community. We have an excellent chance to accomplish these goals with our new police chief, Robert Tracy. I believe this was an excellent hire by Jones. In time, I hope it proves to be a historic decision on her part.

I love this city, but far too often we are blinded by the numerous silos we exist in. In hiring a chief from outside the region, we can have a fresh start in rebuilding our police department. It is going to be a monumental task and all too often a thankless job, but Tracy says he is up for the challenge, and he and his department will need our support. His success will be our success and that is my No. 1 hope for our future.

Steve Butz represents the 81st District in the state Legislature.
Recently, during a lively discussion with a group of preschoolers about polar bears, I asked them a non-rhetorical question: Is a polar bear black or white?

Both the kids and the adults accompanying them looked puzzled, especially since I was holding a small iridescent artifact of polar bear fur. One little boy said, Thats a trick question. Several others shouted, White!

It was a trick question, I told them. Polar bears have shiny white fur, but underneath their skin is black. An age-appropriate discussion of melting ice and polar bears followed. These kids didnt seem to care that I am Black and they were not. Parents worried about the teaching of exaggerated critical race theory should remember that. The assumption that white children will start to feel guilty if slavery is discussed in class is illogical and insulting to childrens intelligence.

I wrote my first book report on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in eighth grade. I wrote a different one on that same book in high school, and a third in college after maturity revealed new themes. Not once did I internalize the fact that Hucks friend Jim was an escaped slave; he was simply a character in a novel. The same was true with my favorite tale, To Kill A Mockingbird, both the book and the 1962 movie released when I was 12. Segregation existed throughout the nation in those years, so I certainly identified with the Black character, Tom Robinson. But I didnt internalize his plight, any more than a child reading about race would internalize that now.

Children are not colorblind. In fact, various child psychologists argue over the age babies can differentiate skin color  some saying as early as three months, others theorizing six to eight months. Following a 2022 Yale study, Dr. Sheila Modir, a child psychologist with the Childrens Hospital of Orange County, California, consolidated these scientists varied milestone theories and summarized that children dont start to assimilate their parents attitudes about race until they are about 5 years old. So, there is a period of time between infancy and the start of school when parents can discuss any negativity their child may have witnessed or experienced regarding race or religion.

Still, considering that more kids today attend integrated schools (especially those in public schools) it becomes more obvious that the vehement rhetoric objecting to the discussion of race (by couching it as critical race theory) should be labeled for what it is: a political gambit. Racism is there all right, but its promulgated by parents, not the children, and not by books teaching Black history.

One of the actors from the current Broadway play Leopoldstadt (about the Holocaust) was interviewed on NBCs Today show last month. He said that after every show he is approached by people saying, I had no idea. Was the Holocaust not taught in school, or was it just glossed over as our teachers are being instructed to do when mentioning race today? This is the sort of cultural ignorance we foster by pretending that racial or religious injustices didnt happen in the past, or that they dont continue in the present. If parents worked to instill self-confidence and racial pride in their children, much of these questions could be answered before these kids ever start school.

Last week, state Rep. Andrew Koenig said, Its pretty racist to tell my Black kids that they cant make it in the world because they are somehow oppressed by white people. And its equally as racist to tell my white kids that they are oppressing my Black kids. The fact that these kids have to be delineated by race is whats racist. All of these children should know their individual heritages, period.

Recent comments by Florida Gov. DeSantis banning an advanced-placement Black history class were even more overt examples of racist and homophobic speech. When you try to use Black history to shoehorn in queer theory, he said, you are clearly trying to use that for political purposes. Id argue that these protestations are tactics used by politicians to support their own careers, thereby propagating unnecessary parental fears in the process.

Lets allow teachers to teach all of our histories  positive and negative. Dont let ignorance prevail.

Janet Y. Jackson is a Post Dispatch columnist and Editorial Board member.
If New Yorks Thruway tolls go up in 2024, it wont be for lack of due diligence by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

DiNapoli is insisting  rightly  that New Yorks Thruway Authority get its house in order before calling for higher tolls, which, he notes, should always be the last option.

The comptroller is responding to the Authoritys plan to raise tolls 5% for E-ZPass holders in 2024 with a second hike of 5% in 2027. Out-of-staters and those who pay by mail would see even greater increases.

While many who use the Thruway probably consider their reluctance to pay higher tolls justification enough to keep rates the same, DiNapoli has compelling, fiscally grounded reasons why the Thruway should take a deeper dive into its cashless toll operations and financial outlook before deciding on a hike.

In fairness, as an independent authority that derives the majority of all its revenue from its highway and bridge users, the Thruway Authority does not qualify for additional government support from local, state or federal sources. Raising tolls is its main recourse when the books need balancing.

But DiNapoli is concerned about the bumpy rollout of cashless tolls (particularly for those who mail them in), the untapped possibilities of non-toll revenues and the bad timing of an increase when New Yorkers are already paying more for food, housing and fuel. And while the Thruway gives the Covid-related losses of 2020 as its strongest reason for increases, its also true that toll revenue immediately rebounded in 2021, exceeding the totals of 2019.

The comptrollers audit of the cashless toll system is due to be released this year; those findings should be taken into account before any increase. The problems users have had with this system must also be fixed; the pay-by-mail system has been particularly troublesome. DiNapoli urges the Thruway to address these implementation problems, asserting that its impossible to accurately predict revenues otherwise.

It would also be reasonable to assume that the full implementation of cashless tolls over the past five years would have produced some healthy savings for the Thruway, given theres no longer any need for full- or part-time toll collectors. That hasnt happened however, and maybe its too early to tell  given the costs of installing the system  but DiNapoli is correct to target this as another area that must be clarified.

Clearly, this is still a period of transition for the Authority. Too many questions are unanswered. That missing information is needed before a final decision on tolls.

  

Whats your opinion? Send it to us at lettertoeditor@buffnews.com. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and must convey an opinion. The column does not print poetry, announcements of community events or thank you letters. A writer or household may appear only once every 30 days. All letters are subject to fact-checking and editing.
Republican hecklers repeatedly interrupted President Joe Biden during his State of the Union speech Tuesday, marking a formal departure from the standards of decorum that have been a hallmark of American democracy since its founding. From the local school board all the way to Capitol Hill, members of elective bodies have abided by strict parliamentary formalities in order to ensure that civility prevails at all times. After all, the public is watching, and people take their cues from their leaders.

This tradition is why local council members go to pains to use flowery language when referring to colleagues they secretly despise, such as, I appreciate what the alderman from the 7th Ward has to say, but  Or, on Capitol Hill, the constant references to my good friend and esteemed colleague ... when the lawmaker really wants to say: that jerk over there.

In other countries, when standards of decorum break down, lawmakers have been known to physically attack each other and even pull out weapons. Speech freedoms erode when catcalls replace informed debate. Displays of rudeness might be entertaining, but they impede lawmakers from accomplishing the serious business that voters elected them to carry out.

In his speech, Biden accurately cited Republican proposals to impose sunset limitations on Social Security and Medicare, meaning that the programs could end after a set period unless Congress voted to renew them. It immediately prompted a round of boos from Republicans. One shouted out, Bullshit! More heckling followed.

Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene shouted out Liar! at Biden, then proudly defended her conduct afterward. Illinois Rep. Mary Miller, a Collinsville Republican, denounced Biden as a liar before the speech and declared she would boycott it.

Somehow, Democrats made it through four State of the Union speeches during the Trump administration without heckling a president who proved himself a liar tens of thousands of times. Yes, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ripped up her copy of Trumps speech at its conclusion in 2020, but at no time was the presidents speech interrupted with insults.

Pelosis Republican successor, Kevin McCarthy, tried limply Tuesday to keep his colleagues in line. But since lawmakers like Greene recognize no boundaries  she still refuses to condemn the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection  its safe to say that decorum is a thing of the past. Respect for democracy has been replaced with a win-at-all-costs ethos. A New York congressman who completely fabricated his professional, financial and educational resume is embraced, while Republicans are apoplectic over a legitimately elected Democratic president whose only crime was to remind Republicans of their own legislative record.

Sadly, this is the immature level to which congressional conduct has degraded. Sadder still is that voters reward middle school antics by electing (and reelecting) thugs, bullies and liars as their representatives.
Sen. Josh Hawleys demand to investigate what he calls the Biden administrations baffling handling of the Chinese spy balloon last week is, like most of what the Missouri Republican says, a bunch of hot air. But its a useful example of why this deeply un-serious senator shouldnt be on anyones list of future potential presidential nominees. Thankfully, that once-common buzz appears to have ceased even among the more right-leaning edges of the GOP.

Early last week, the large high-altitude balloon was spotted over southern Alaska, after which it encroached on American airspace over Idaho as it drifted east. Recent reporting confirms U.S. military officials were closely tracking it from the beginning. President Joe Biden did exactly what he should have done: He ordered air space cleared around the balloon, ensured that no unencrypted strategic communications would be conducted within the balloons monitoring range, and asked for military options  including the option of shooting it down.

Bidens advisers told him destroying the balloon over land could threaten people on the ground because of the equipment array dangling under it. So Biden ordered it destroyed once it posed no danger to lives. Allowing the balloon to temporarily stay aloft was far less risky than bringing it down over populated land. Unsaid but obvious is that the military was also using that time to gather information about the balloon and its equipment to try to figure out what the Chinese were up to.

A fighter jet finally was able to safely take the balloon down Saturday off the coast of the Carolinas. The military immediately began recovery operations. Canceling the scheduled China visit by Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken was an appropriate U.S. response. In fact, all things considered, Biden handled the situation as deftly as any president could have.

Its understandable that civilians on the ground who werent privy to real-time information might have wondered aloud why the military didnt just shoot the balloon down as soon as possible. Its less understandable why a United States senator, one who sits on the Senate Homeland Security Committee, no less, would take such a clueless approach.

SHOOT IT DOWN Hawley demanded on Twitter Friday while the crisis was still in play. Foreign policy by tweet, in defiance of those who actually know what theyre doing  doesnt that sound like a certain ex-president? Yet its Bidens response that Hawley regards as baffling.

Hawley has said he wont seek the presidency in 2024, but his longer-term ambitions remain obvious from spotlight-seeking antics like this. If such a future campaign comes to pass, let no one forget that in addition to helping spark a Capitol insurrection (then fleeing from it), this is the senator who demonstrated his manliness by demanding that the equivalent mass of three buses be dropped onto American soil at risk of lives.
Imagine a popular Republican governor from an important state. Despite intense criticism from the national media, he's notched some huge policy wins that are simultaneously popular with donors, base voters and conservative intellectuals. His key theme is fighting the Washington establishment and the institutions of progressive power. Then, fresh off of a historic reelection victory, he announces his intent to run for president in a campaign video.

"In the Republican field, there are some who are good fighters. They haven't won those battles. There are others who have won elections but haven't consistently taken on the big fights," the golden boy of the right says, straight to the camera. "I've done both."

Sound like a suitable ad for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' eventual presidential campaign debut?

Those were actually words from former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's 2015 announcement video. It may seem like a lifetime ago, but there was a time when Walker was the "fighter" Republicans craved. He won the governorship three times in four years, thanks to a vicious effort to recall him after he successfully orchestrated a huge victory against public sector unions in his state.

For months, Walker dominated the polls in neighboring Iowa. In late February 2015 he led the rest of the field by more than 2 to 1. By April, he was leading in New Hampshire, too.

In September, he dropped out of the race.

Most of the autopsies of his campaign focused on a string of gaffes and stumbles in interviews. He refused to say whether he believed President Barack Obama was Christian. He compared unions to the Islamic State, and seemed open to the idea of a border wall  to protect us from Canada. He was also the first, but not the last, Republican candidate in the 2016 cycle who couldn't figure out how to deal with Donald Trump's insults.

While Walker's fall was remarkable, it was hardly unique.

Indeed, it seems like every four years somebody who, for a while, looks like the Anointed One ends up the answer to a trivia question. I still remember all of the Republicans who told me something like, "You just don't get it, Sen. Fred Thompson is unstoppable."

The Walker chapter has many lessons. One is that voters are fickle. What excites them now can quickly bore them. Walker personified the policy and political objectives of the tea party-era GOP. But he also proved that finding that sweet spot isn't enough.

For years, my biggest gripe with many charismatic Republican politicians is their often-steadfast refusal to do their homework. Rick Perry was a wildly successful governor of Texas, but when he threw his hat in the presidential arena, he couldn't even memorize the three government agencies he vowed to abolish. Ben Carson didn't lack for intelligence or work ethic  he was a world famous pediatric neurosurgeon after all  but he seemed to think that his skills in that field made him an expert on politics and policy.

And don't get me started on Sarah Palin.

Walker had the magic as governor, but he soon discovered that his old tricks didn't work in a presidential campaign.

Of course, Trump never did his homework and he won anyway. But he also benefited from a huge collective action problem in the overcrowded primaries. The bloc of voters who bought his act was large enough for him to win pluralities in a crowded field. Even so, he never started winning majorities in the primaries until after he'd all but sewn up the nomination.

Today, DeSantis is the closest parallel to Walker. He appears to lead in Iowa and New Hampshire. His fights  over "wokeness" in higher education, his opposition to pandemic lockdowns, etc.  are the sweet spot  for now. One more Chinese balloon over America, and nobody will care about gas stoves.

Some Republicans warn that DeSantis could fizzle like Walker because of his marked charisma deficit. He's awkward and standoffish. I've lost track of the times I've been told that he can't work a room. In other words, what has worked for him in Florida might not work in living rooms and diners in Iowa and New Hampshire.

On the other hand, DeSantis actually does his homework  from the nitty-gritty of coronavirus policy to which cultural fights are likely to garner support  in part because he doesn't have much charisma to fall back on. Many liberal critics who dismiss his culture war battles make the mistake of thinking he's dumb because they think the battles are dumb. They're wrong on both counts.

The 2024 primaries are potentially shaping up for another collective action problem. It will only play out differently if Republicans learn from Walker's cautionary tale. Jonah Goldberg is editor-in-chief of The Dispatch and the host of The Remnant podcast. On Twitter: @JonahDispatch
Predicting a FAST-Approaching Future

In King: A Life, the first major biography of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in decades, Jonathan Eig breaks a great deal of new ground, thanks in large measure to his access to recently declassified FBI files. Early on, Eig captures dimensions of Kings parents that other biographies have overlooked, including the lovely, dry humor of Kings mother, Albertaa warm, arch wit she clearly passed on to her son.

Eig recounts a story Alberta King liked to tell about a frustrating search for a rural Baptist church in Georgia where the senior Rev. King had been invited to preach a guest sermon. They stopped to ask an old man for directions. Lets see now, he began, and offered a series of contradictory suggestions before admitting, I reckon I dont know where that church is. After the Kings thanked him and drove on, within seconds they heard shouting and saw the old man running after them. They stopped and waited, and when he caught up, gasping for breath, he said, I just saw my brother, and I asked him  and he dont know where that church is either.

In the last month of 2022, my inbox filled with predictions for 2023 from industry soothsayers of every variety, a phenomenon I found so fascinating that I gathered up the most interesting and posted them. Of course, the very nature of making predictions is sharing information you dont really have and guessing at a future you cant possibly see.

Thats one reason why I appreciate articles like Jason Thibeaults Future in Focus column in this issue, which really tries to bring the present into focusnot so much trying to gainsay the future potential of free ad-supported television (FAST) as to make sense of its current ascendance and what its surging popularity tells us about why so many consumers seem to have cut the cable cord only to embrace a largely similar viewing experience. It certainly contradicts what quite a few of us assumed was motivating all of those cord-cutting decisionsand had plenty to say on the subject when it was happening.

But dont feel too bad if you didnt know. Chances are your brother didnt know either.

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HORIZONTE MINERALS PLC AWARDS MINING SERVICES CONTRACT TO FAGUNDES FOR ITS ARAGUAIA NICKEL PROJECT

HIGHLIGHTS:

Five-year mining services contract signed, pre-stripping to begin in early Q2 2023

Mining operating costs are in line with overall Feasibility Study assumptions, ensuring Araguaia remains on target to be a lower quartile cost nickel operation

Construction at Araguaia remains on schedule and on budget

LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2023 / Horizonte Minerals Plc (AIM:HZM)(TSX:HZM) ("Horizonte" or the "Company")is pleased to announce that it has entered into a five-year mining services agreement, thereby securing services for mining, stock pile generation, plant feeding and slag handling activities for its 100%-owned Araguaia Nickel Project ("Araguaia" or "the Project") in Brazil, where construction is underway and first production remains on track to commence in Q1-2024.

The contract has been awarded to Fagundes Construao e Mineracao ("Fagundes") a leading Brazilian company with a strong track record of providing mining services in Para State. The five-year contract (with an option to extend for a further five years) is in line with Horizonte's operating cost assumptions stated in the feasibility study, and represents another key de-risking milestone, ensuring that the operational costs will be in the lower quartile of the nickel cost curve.

Fagundes will provide a mining fleet consisting of over 70 units at any one time linked to the phase of mining sequence and seasonality, comprising leading brands in terms of safety, embedded technology, performance and reliability. The core mining fleet will include 45 tonne hydraulic excavators, 35 tonne dump trucks, 28 tonne articulated trucks and 18 tonne wheel loaders.

All services provided by Fagundes will comply with Horizonte's health, safety and environmental standards (HSE), in addition to the current legislation. HSE was a core focus for the Company during the tender and now the mobilisation process, with Horizonte able to select from a broad group of pre-qualified equipment operators active in the region. Horizonte's management will work closely with Fagundes to provide direction, governance and support as mobilisation of the mining services team is completed and pre-stripping activities begin in early Q2 2023.

Jeremy Martin, CEO of Horizonte Minerals, commented:

"We are pleased to be working alongside Fagundes, a leading mining contractor which has been operating in Brazil for over 35 years. With other clients such as Vale and Anglo American, they are an experienced operator with a solid track record. The signing of the mining services contract is an exciting step forward with pre stripping activities due to begin in early Q2 2023, the next step in our journey from a developer to a producer.

"Construction activities at Araguaia continue to run on schedule and on budget, with first nickel expected in Q1 2024. As we hit each of our milestones, we continue to move closer to unlocking the full value of Araguaia, and more broadly across Horizonte's portfolio of Tier 1 assets, realising our objective of becoming a low-cost nickel producer."

ABOUT FAGUNDES

Fagundes Construcao e Mineracao (Fagundes) is one of the best-known mining contractors in Brazil, currently working in seven of Brazil's 27 states, across a variety of base metals. Founded in 1985 by Jose and Nelsi Fagundes, it upholds the family's core values of respect and determination, while maintaining a commitment to sound environmental practices. Key clients include Vale, Anglo American, Gerdau and SSM Mineracao.

For further information, visit www.horizonteminerals.com or contact:

Horizonte Minerals plc

Jeremy Martin (CEO)

Simon Retter (CFO)

Patrick Chambers (Head of IR) [email protected]

+44 (0) 203 356 2901 Peel Hunt LLP (Nominated Adviser & Joint Broker)

Ross Allister

David McKeown +44 (0)20 7418 8900 BMO (Joint Broker)

Thomas Rider

Pascal Lussier Duquette

Andrew Cameron

+44 (0) 20 7236 1010 Tavistock (Financial PR)

Emily Moss

Cath Drummond

+44 (0) 20 7920 3150

ABOUT HORIZONTE MINERALS

Horizonte Minerals plc (AIM & TSX: HZM) is developing two 100%-owned, Tier 1 projects in Para state, Brazil, the Araguaia Nickel Project and the Vermelho Nickel-Cobalt Project. Both projects are large scale, high-grade, low-cost, low-carbon and scalable. Araguaia is under construction with first metal scheduled for early 2024, when fully ramped up with Line 1 and Line 2, is forecast to produce 29,000 tonnes of nickel per year. Vermelho is at feasibility study stage and is expected to produce 25,000 tonnes of nickel and 1,250 tonnes of cobalt to supply the EV battery market. Horizonte's combined near-term production profile of over 60,000 tonnes of nickel per year positions the Company as a globally significant nickel producer. Horizonte's top three shareholders are La Mancha Investments S.a r.l., Glencore plc and Orion Resource Partners LLP.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained in this press release constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, the ability of the Company to complete the acquisition of equipment as described herein, statements with respect to the potential of the Company's current or future property mineral projects; the ability of the Company to complete a positive feasibility study regarding the second RKEF line at Araguaia on time, or at all, the success of exploration and mining activities; cost and timing of future exploration, production and development; the costs and timing for delivery of the equipment to be purchased as described herein, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves and the ability of the Company to achieve its goals in respect of growing its mineral resources; the realization of mineral resource and reserve estimates and achieving production in accordance with the Company's potential production profile or at all. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, and are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to risks related to: the inability of the Company to complete the acquisition of equipment contemplated herein, on time or at all, the ability of the Company to complete a positive feasibility study regarding the implementation of a second RKEF line at Araguaia on the timeline contemplated or at all, exploration and mining risks, competition from competitors with greater capital; the Company's lack of experience with respect to development-stage mining operations; fluctuations in metal prices; uninsured risks; environmental and other regulatory requirements; exploration, mining and other licences; the Company's future payment obligations; potential disputes with respect to the Company's title to, and the area of, its mining concessions; the Company's dependence on its ability to obtain sufficient financing in the future; the Company's dependence on its relationships with third parties; the Company's joint ventures; the potential of currency fluctuations and political or economic instability in countries in which the Company operates; currency exchange fluctuations; the Company's ability to manage its growth effectively; the trading market for the ordinary shares of the Company; uncertainty with respect to the Company's plans to continue to develop its operations and new projects; the Company's dependence on key personnel; possible conflicts of interest of directors and officers of the Company, and various risks associated with the legal and regulatory framework within which the Company operates, together with the risks identified and disclosed in the Company's disclosure record available on the Company's profile on SEDAR atwww.sedar.com, including without limitation, the annual information form of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2021, the Araguaia Report and the Vermelho Report. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact [email protected] or visit www.rns.com.

SOURCE: Horizonte Minerals PLC

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WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is pleased to announce the results of its 2023 election to fill seats on the AACN Board of Directors and Nominating Committee. With votes cast by member deans from the nations nursing schools with baccalaureate and higher degree programs, those selected to serve as AACNs top leaders include Judith Karshmer (Treasurer) from Arizona State University; Deborah Jones from the University of Texas Medical Branch; Robin Newhouse from Indiana University; Demetrius Porche from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans; Julie Swann from Emory Saint Josephs Hospital; and Lin Zhan from the University of California, Los Angeles. New members of AACNs Nominating Committee include Mary Anne Krogh from South Dakota State University, Mayola Rowser from Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College, and Tanya Sudia from Augusta University.

As the national voice for baccalaureate and graduate nursing education, AACN is committed to transforming health care and helping to lead the drive toward health equity, said AACN Board Chair Cynthia McCurren, PhD, RN. I look forward to collaborating with the new and returning members of the AACN Board and Nominating Committee to magnify the impact AACN has on ensuring quality in nursing education, research, and practice.

AACN is governed by a 14-member Board of Directors, which includes 4 elected officers (Chair, Chair-Elect, Treasurer, and Secretary), 7 at-large members representing schools of nursing, and 2 members representing practice. AACNs President and Chief Executive Officer serves on the Board as an ex-officio member.

With online ballots cast from January 6-27, those elected to the AACN Board and Nominating Committee will begin their terms of service following the membership meeting at AACNs Deans Annual Meeting on March 27, 2023. New and re-elected Board members include:

Judith Karshmer , PhD, PMHCNS-BC, RN, FAAN, dean and professor at the Arizona State University (ASU) Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, was elected to serve a two-year term as Treasurer. Prior to her appointment at ASU in 2018, where she also serves as Chief Wellness Officer, Dr. Karshmer held the roles of professor, dean, and dean emerita at the University of San Francisco as well as academic appointments at the University of South Florida, New Mexico State University, and the University of Massachusetts. Her leadership in the community and on behalf of the profession includes serving as commissioner on the San Francisco Department of Public Health, board chair for the Laguna Honda Hospital & Rehabilitation Center, board member of the California Association of Colleges of Nursing, and president of the Jesuit Conference of Nursing Programs. For AACN, she has served as Board member at-large, member of the AACN-AONL Academic-Practice Partnerships Task Force, and member of the Competency-Based Education for Doctoral Prepared APRNs National Task Force. Her extensive service to the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education includes board chair, treasurer, and board member.

, PhD, PMHCNS-BC, RN, FAAN, dean and professor at the Arizona State University (ASU) Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, was elected to serve a two-year term as Treasurer. Prior to her appointment at ASU in 2018, where she also serves as Chief Wellness Officer, Dr. Karshmer held the roles of professor, dean, and dean emerita at the University of San Francisco as well as academic appointments at the University of South Florida, New Mexico State University, and the University of Massachusetts. Her leadership in the community and on behalf of the profession includes serving as commissioner on the San Francisco Department of Public Health, board chair for the Laguna Honda Hospital & Rehabilitation Center, board member of the California Association of Colleges of Nursing, and president of the Jesuit Conference of Nursing Programs. For AACN, she has served as Board member at-large, member of the AACN-AONL Academic-Practice Partnerships Task Force, and member of the Competency-Based Education for Doctoral Prepared APRNs National Task Force. Her extensive service to the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education includes board chair, treasurer, and board member. Deborah J. Jones , PhD, RN, FAAN, provost ad interim, senior vice president, and dean of the School of Nursing at the University of Texas Medical Branch, was re-elected to serve a two-year term as Board member at-large. She previously served as associate dean, assistant dean, and department chair at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. In academic nursing, she has taught across all nursing program levels (baccalaureate to doctoral), led substantial curricula development and revision, and conducted extensive research in the areas of oral health and moral distress. In addition to her many leadership roles with the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses over the last 20 years, she has served on the boards of the Southern Nursing Research Society and the Texas Oral Health Coalition and on a work group appointed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to address the nursing shortage in Texas. A Fellow in the Leadership for Academic Nursing Program, Dr. Jones has served on AACNs Governance Committee; Government Affairs Committee; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee; and Membership Committee.

, PhD, RN, FAAN, provost ad interim, senior vice president, and dean of the School of Nursing at the University of Texas Medical Branch, was re-elected to serve a two-year term as Board member at-large. She previously served as associate dean, assistant dean, and department chair at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. In academic nursing, she has taught across all nursing program levels (baccalaureate to doctoral), led substantial curricula development and revision, and conducted extensive research in the areas of oral health and moral distress. In addition to her many leadership roles with the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses over the last 20 years, she has served on the boards of the Southern Nursing Research Society and the Texas Oral Health Coalition and on a work group appointed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to address the nursing shortage in Texas. A Fellow in the Leadership for Academic Nursing Program, Dr. Jones has served on AACNs Governance Committee; Government Affairs Committee; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee; and Membership Committee. Robin P. Newhouse , PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, dean and distinguished professor at the Indiana University School of Nursing, was elected to serve a two-year term as Board member at-large. Dr. Newhouse possesses teaching expertise in health system improvements, evidence-based practice, and health services research with experience creating and teaching undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral courses. Her research focuses on comparative effectiveness of health system interventions and implementation science to foster adoption of evidence-based care processes to improve care and patient outcomes. As a noted nurse leader, Dr. Newhouse is a member of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Methodology Committee (where she served as chair and vice chair), was elected to the National Academy of Medicine, and served on the board of AcademyHealth. For AACN, she was appointed as a member on an Essentials Domain Tool Kit Working Group and the Faculty Development Conference Planning Committee.

, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, dean and distinguished professor at the Indiana University School of Nursing, was elected to serve a two-year term as Board member at-large. Dr. Newhouse possesses teaching expertise in health system improvements, evidence-based practice, and health services research with experience creating and teaching undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral courses. Her research focuses on comparative effectiveness of health system interventions and implementation science to foster adoption of evidence-based care processes to improve care and patient outcomes. As a noted nurse leader, Dr. Newhouse is a member of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Methodology Committee (where she served as chair and vice chair), was elected to the National Academy of Medicine, and served on the board of AcademyHealth. For AACN, she was appointed as a member on an Essentials Domain Tool Kit Working Group and the Faculty Development Conference Planning Committee. Demetrius J. Porche , PhD, DNS, APRN, PCC, ANEF, FACHE, FAANP, FAAN, dean and professor at the School of Nursing at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans, was re-elected to serve a two-year term as Board member at-large. Dr. Porche has served in a number of prominent leadership roles in nursing education, research, policy, and regulation, including president of the Southern Nursing Research Society, the Southern Regional Education Board Council on Collegiate Education in Nursing, and the American Association of Men in Nursing; chair of the Louisiana HealthWorks Commission; member and president of the Louisiana State Board of Nursing; and university representative for the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs. His areas of scholarship include executive leadership, emergent leadership, and mens health. In addition to his service on the board of the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Dr. Porche is Board liaison to AACNs Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, was a member of the Doctoral Conference Planning Subcommittee, and currently serves as a mentor through AACN LEADS and as a State Grassroots Liaison.

, PhD, DNS, APRN, PCC, ANEF, FACHE, FAANP, FAAN, dean and professor at the School of Nursing at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans, was re-elected to serve a two-year term as Board member at-large. Dr. Porche has served in a number of prominent leadership roles in nursing education, research, policy, and regulation, including president of the Southern Nursing Research Society, the Southern Regional Education Board Council on Collegiate Education in Nursing, and the American Association of Men in Nursing; chair of the Louisiana HealthWorks Commission; member and president of the Louisiana State Board of Nursing; and university representative for the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs. His areas of scholarship include executive leadership, emergent leadership, and mens health. In addition to his service on the board of the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Dr. Porche is Board liaison to AACNs Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, was a member of the Doctoral Conference Planning Subcommittee, and currently serves as a mentor through AACN LEADS and as a State Grassroots Liaison. Julie Swann , MBA, MHA, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer (CNO) for Emory Saint Joseph Hospital, was elected to serve a two-year term on the Board as a practice representative. Ms. Swann began her career at Saint Joseph's Hospital in 2000 as a staff nurse in the intensive care unit. During her tenure, she led the medical-surgical ICU for several years before being promoted to Specialty Director of Cardiac Services. She also has had oversight of perioperative services as well as the emergency department. Ms. Swann not only supported nursing practice but developed a strategic plan increasing services and volumes to advance the overall goals of the organization. Following her transition to CNO more than six years ago, she oversees ongoing clinical best practice and research, professional governance in a six-time ANCC Magnet designated organization, strategic and capital planning, risk assessment, and compliance as key aspects of her role. A strong supporter of strengthening ties between academia and practice, Ms. Swann promotes lifelong learning and higher education, creative approaches to workforce development, and volunteer service.

, MBA, MHA, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer (CNO) for Emory Saint Joseph Hospital, was elected to serve a two-year term on the Board as a practice representative. Ms. Swann began her career at Saint Joseph's Hospital in 2000 as a staff nurse in the intensive care unit. During her tenure, she led the medical-surgical ICU for several years before being promoted to Specialty Director of Cardiac Services. She also has had oversight of perioperative services as well as the emergency department. Ms. Swann not only supported nursing practice but developed a strategic plan increasing services and volumes to advance the overall goals of the organization. Following her transition to CNO more than six years ago, she oversees ongoing clinical best practice and research, professional governance in a six-time ANCC Magnet designated organization, strategic and capital planning, risk assessment, and compliance as key aspects of her role. A strong supporter of strengthening ties between academia and practice, Ms. Swann promotes lifelong learning and higher education, creative approaches to workforce development, and volunteer service. Lin Zhan, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean and professor of the University of California, Los Angeles School of Nursing, was elected to serve a two-year term as Board member at-large. With nearly 30 years in academic nursing, including more than 15 years in the deans role, Dr. Zhan is an award-winning nurse educator who has taught students from the BSN to the PhD level. With over 100 publications including six edited books, her scholarly work extends to serving as a reviewer for the refereed journals Nursing Education, Nursing Research, Advanced Nursing Sciences, and on the editorial boards for the Journal of Gerontological Nursing and the Journal of Aging and Geriatric Medicine. A recipient of many top honors, Dr. Zhan is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and a Wharton Executive Fellow. For AACN, she has served as Treasurer for two terms and Board Member at-large; chair of the Finance Committee; on the Program Committee as the chair of the Faculty Development Conference and the Executive Development Series; member of the Nominating Committee; and as a reviewer for the AACN-Johnson & Johnson Minority Faculty Scholarship.

Continuing members of the AACN Board of Directors include Chair Cynthia McCurren from University of Michigan-Flint; Chair-Elect Jean Giddens from Virginia Commonwealth University; Secretary Julie Sanford from University of Mississippi Medical Center; Stephen Cavanagh from University of California Davis; Jerry Mansfield, Mount Carmel Health System/Trinity Health; Victoria Niederhauser from the University of Tennessee Knoxville; Ora Strickland from Florida International University; and Deborah Trautman, AACN President and Chief Executive Officer.

The newly elected members to AACNs Nominating Committee include:

Mary Anne Krogh , PhD, APRN, CRNA, FAAN, dean of the South Dakota State University College of Nursing, was elected to serve a two-year term on the Nominating Committee. Dr. Kroghs research and scholarship has focused on credentialing, test development, and psychometric assessment. This expertise has led to multiple publications and the development of certification programs for nurse anesthetists. Through her leadership and collaborative partnership with the National Board for Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists, she validated new testing methods for the national certification examination for CRNAs, developed new certification program for non-surgical pain management, and modernized the recertification program for nurse anesthetists. She is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in nursing and a strong supporter for forming academic-practice partnerships to transform health and well-being.

, PhD, APRN, CRNA, FAAN, dean of the South Dakota State University College of Nursing, was elected to serve a two-year term on the Nominating Committee. Dr. Kroghs research and scholarship has focused on credentialing, test development, and psychometric assessment. This expertise has led to multiple publications and the development of certification programs for nurse anesthetists. Through her leadership and collaborative partnership with the National Board for Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists, she validated new testing methods for the national certification examination for CRNAs, developed new certification program for non-surgical pain management, and modernized the recertification program for nurse anesthetists. She is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in nursing and a strong supporter for forming academic-practice partnerships to transform health and well-being. Mayola Rowser , PhD, DNP, FNP, PMHNP, dean and chief academic officer of the Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College, was elected to serve a two-year term on the Nominating Committee. Dr. Rowser has served as a distinguished nurse educator, leader, and advocate for more than 20 years. Prior to her appointment as Director of Graduate Studies, she served as Assistant Dean in the College of Nursing and Health Professions at the University of Southern Indiana. Her contributions to the nursing profession include service on the board of Provident Behavioral Health of St. Louis; the Steering Committee for the Washington University St. Louis, Department of Anesthesiology, Center for Perioperative Mental Health; and as committee chair for the Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education at Washington University Medical Campus. For AACN, Dr. Rowser has served on the Executive Development Series Subcommittee, as a committee chair for the Organizational Leadership Network, and as a site evaluator for the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

, PhD, DNP, FNP, PMHNP, dean and chief academic officer of the Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College, was elected to serve a two-year term on the Nominating Committee. Dr. Rowser has served as a distinguished nurse educator, leader, and advocate for more than 20 years. Prior to her appointment as Director of Graduate Studies, she served as Assistant Dean in the College of Nursing and Health Professions at the University of Southern Indiana. Her contributions to the nursing profession include service on the board of Provident Behavioral Health of St. Louis; the Steering Committee for the Washington University St. Louis, Department of Anesthesiology, Center for Perioperative Mental Health; and as committee chair for the Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education at Washington University Medical Campus. For AACN, Dr. Rowser has served on the Executive Development Series Subcommittee, as a committee chair for the Organizational Leadership Network, and as a site evaluator for the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Tanya Sudia, PhD, RN, FNAP, FAAN, dean and professor at the Augusta University College of Nursing, was elected to serve a two-year term on the Nominating Committee. Dr. Sudias remarkable career encompasses a variety of leadership roles, including dean, research dean, professor, IRB director, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and staff nurse. Prior to joining Augusta University in 2019, she served as associate dean for Research and Scholarship at Baylor University School of Nursing and as a tenured professor at Mercer Universitys Georgia Baptist College of Nursing. In 2022, Dr. Sudia was appointed by Georgias governor to serve on the states Health Workforce Commission. In addition, she serves on the Program Committee for the National Academies of Practice and has served on the Program Committee for the Southern Nursing Research Society. For AACN, she served on the CNL Summit Program Committee and as chair of the Research Leadership Network. Her research and scholarship are focused on Neonatal and Pediatric Palliative Care as well as Ethics.

Continuing Nominating Committee members include Susan Bakewell-Sachs from Oregon Health & Science University, Wendy Likes from University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and Sally Maliski from University of Kansas.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is the voice for academic nursing representing more than 850 member schools of nursing at public and private institutions nationwide. AACN is the national voice for baccalaureate and graduate nursing education. AACN works to establish quality standards for nursing education; assists schools in implementing those standards; influences the nursing profession to improve health care; and promotes public support for professional nursing education, research, and practice. Learn more at aacnnursing.org. Learn more at www.aacnnursing.org.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230209005555/en/

Robert Rosseter

[email protected]

Source: American Association of Colleges of Nursing
New director brings deep financial expertise to guide the enterprise

ALEXANDRIA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA) announced today the appointment of Lawrence Larry R. Lynch to its Board of Directors, effective September 1, 2022.

We are pleased to welcome Larry Lynch to the AFBA Board of Directors. His financial expertise will help guide our board as we continue to make financially sound decisions for the enterprise, said General Craig R. McKinley, USAF (Ret.), AFBA Chair. Our financial strength ensures we are able to fulfill our mission of serving those who serve this great nation today and in the future.

Lawrence R. Lynch spent 39 years with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), 26 years of which he served as a Partner. At PwC, Mr. Lynch provided Assurance, Accounting and Advisory services covering both domestic and international companies. Lawrence was a member of the Financial Services Practice for over 20 years where he focused primarily on the Insurance industry covering, life, property and casualty, financial guaranty, credit and reinsurance sectors. Further to his professional services experience, Lawrence has served as Chairman of The Board of Trustees at the University of Scranton and Marymount International School of Paris.

We are committed to having a board with market expertise and business experience, and appointing Larry demonstrates that commitment, said General Larry O. Spencer, USAF (Ret.) President of AFBA and 5Star Life. We are happy to welcome Larry Lynch to the AFBA Board of Directors.

About Armed Forces Benefit Association

With the support of the General of the Army, Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA) was established in 1947 in the basement of the Pentagon to ease the strain on military members and their families who, at the time, could not purchase life insurance that would pay a death benefit if the member was killed in combat. Today, headquartered in Alexandria, VA, AFBA continues to honor its mission, in war and peace, promoting the welfare of its members by providing survivor and other benefits to those who serve this great nation, including members of the uniformed services, first responders, government employees, and their families. AFBA has more than 535,000 members with $40 billion of death benefits in force and has paid nearly $2 billion of death benefits since inception. AFBA death benefits are primarily underwritten by its affiliate, 5Star Life Insurance Company (a Lincoln, Nebraska domiciled company).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230209005607/en/

Raquel Fuentes

202-441-0794

[email protected]

Source: Armed Forces Benefit Association
Not for distribution in the United States or to U.S. newswire services

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Alpha Cognition Inc. (TSX-V: ACOG) (OTCQB: ACOGF) (Alpha Cognition, or the Company), a biopharmaceutical company committed to developing novel therapies with the potential to transform the lives of people with debilitating neurodegenerative disorders, is pleased to announce a private placement financing of units for gross proceeds of up to C$6.8 million (US$5.0 million). The private placement is expected to close on or about February 15, 2023.

Pursuant to the private placement, the Company is offering up to 26,666,667 units at a price of C$0.255 per Unit (approx. US$0.19), with each unit comprising a common share and a share purchase warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share of the Issuer at a price of $0.39 (approx. US$0.29) per share for a period of five years. Subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including stock exchange approval.

The Company expects to use the net proceeds from the Offering, together with its existing cash, cash equivalents and investments, for the advancement of the Companys clinical development programs, complete and file a New Drug Application for ALPHA-1062, and for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

In connection with the Offering the Company has engaged Spartan Capital Securities, LLC of New York, which will be entitled to receive commissions on closing of the offering of up to US$210,000 in cash, and 393,000 warrants on the same terms as the unit warrants, assuming the completion of the full offering. In addition, Spartan will be entitled to receive on closing of the offering up to 2,810,000 shares for financial advisory services.

The securities issuable pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a four month statutory hold period under Canadian securities laws. The securities will also be subject to restrictions under U.S. securities laws, which generally restrict any resales for a period of 12 months.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the 1933 Act) or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons (as defined in the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration is available.

About Alpha Cognition Inc.

Alpha Cognition Inc. is a clinical stage, biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing treatments for patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), for which there are limited treatment options.

ALPHA-1062 is a patented new chemical entity being developed as a new generation acetylcholinesterase inhibitor for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, with expected minimal gastrointestinal side effects. ALPHA-1062's active metabolite is differentiated from donepezil and rivastigmine in that it binds neuronal nicotinic receptors, most notably the alpha-7 subtype, which is known to have a positive effect on cognition. ALPHA-1062 is also being developed in combination with memantine to treat moderate to severe Alzheimer's dementia, and as an intranasal formulation for traumatic brain injury.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange (the TSX-V), OTC Markets Group, nor the TSX-Vs Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Except for statements of historical fact, any information contained in this news release may be a forward-looking statement that reflects the Companys current views about future events and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the words may, might, will, could, would, should, expect, intend, plan, objective, anticipate, believe, estimate, predict, project, potential, target, seek, contemplate, continue and ongoing, or the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology intended to identify statements about the future. Forward-looking statements may include statements regarding closing of the Offering, the Companys business strategy, market size, potential growth opportunities, capital requirements, clinical development activities, the timing and results of clinical trials, regulatory submissions, potential regulatory approval and commercialization of the technology. Although the Company believes that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement, we caution you that these statements are based on a combination of facts and factors currently known by us and our expectations of the future, about which we cannot be certain. The Company cannot assure that the actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release and the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available in the future.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230208006023/en/

For further information:

[email protected]

https://www.alphacognition.com/

Source: Alpha Cognition Inc.
New solution will simplify expense reporting for employees and businesses, using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technologies

Accompanying survey data reveals nearly 94% of travel expense processors and 76% of business travelers agree there needs to be more innovation around expense report management processes1

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- American Express (NYSE: AXP) is expanding its decades-long relationship with Microsoft to develop a suite of solutions built on Microsoft Cloud and AI technologies focused on reducing business travel friction for employees and businesses. The first solution developed through this collaboration will enhance the expense management process by addressing some of the pain points business travelers and expense processors face.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230209005039/en/

(Photo: Business Wire)

Using AI and machine learning capabilities, the solution will bolster clients existing processes and tools by simplifying and automating manual expense reporting and approvals, enhancing audit efficacy, and streamlining reconciliation and reimbursements for accounting teams. Microsoft will pilot the solution with its employees, by integrating it into the companys internal expense system later this year. The solution will be made available to other American Express Corporate clients over time, with the ability to integrate into other expense management tools.

This is how the solution will work: When a business traveler swipes their American Express Corporate Card, theyll be prompted to upload a picture of their receipt. An AI-powered decision engine then categorizes the transaction and assigns a risk score based on transaction details, the companys travel and expense (T&E) policy, and the travelers purchase and payment history on their American Express Corporate Card. The risk score is coded as green (recommended for auto-approval), yellow (needs another look), or red (not recommended for approval) depending on factors like company expense policy, consistency with existing spend patterns, indications of fraud, and more. The information is then passed to an expense management system, along with receipt details to auto-generate reports and help managers and auditors in their decision making. Through machine learning the solution will get smarter over time, adapting its algorithms based on patterns and gradually increasing its ability to maximize expense auto-approval with lower error rates and escalations.

Expense reports are a necessity, but we all hate doing them. At the same time, every company has an increased need for control and compliance with expenses. Now imagine a future where the majority of your expenses are simply auto-submitted and auto-approved, requiring no manual intervention and adhering to your companies policies and spend limits. By combining our customer insights and data, purposeful technology innovation, and a collaboration with an industry leader like Microsoft, we are creating a solution that addresses these needs with a seamless experience for the employee, said Gunther Bright, Executive Vice President, Global Commercial Services at American Express.

Advanced technologies like Microsoft Azure AI and machine learning provide powerful, new opportunities to reimagine pervasive, time-consuming manual processes, said Bill Borden, Corporate Vice President, Worldwide Financial Services at Microsoft. We look forward to collaborating with American Express to simplify expense management and deliver intelligent digital capabilities to improve the lives of business travelers and employees.

Expense Management Sentiment Revealed in New American Express Trendex Survey

According to a new American Express Expense Management Trendex survey, which polled business travelers and travel expense processors, the expense management process is a major pain point today that needs to be updated.

Four-in-ten business travelers say they would rather have a performance review (41%), weekly meetings on Monday at 8 a.m. (40%), their flight delayed by an hour (40%), or a full day of virtual meetings (40%) than have to complete their expense reports. Additionally, 59% of travel expense processors, who dont currently have a completely autonomous expense report management system, say the greatest benefit to having a more automated expense report management system would be saving time, and 94% of all travel expense processors agree there needs to be more innovation, signaling the need for more automated solutions.

Other key findings from the Trendex include:

The majority (73%) of business travelers agree that business travel would be less stressful if managing expenses was less of a hassle.

More than half (52%) of business travelers and over one-third (35%) of travel expense processors report a negative reaction when describing their employers current expense management process.

Business travelers say their most common (54%) pain point associated with expense reports is the gathering and keeping track of receipts.

The most common pain points for travel expense processors are employees missing submission deadlines (50%) and ensuring expenses comply with company travel policy (49%).

60% of business travelers agree their least favorite part of business travel is completing/ turning in their expenses.

Most business travelers (76%) spend at least 30 minutes on their monthly travel expense reports and, on average, two-thirds (65%) of travel expense processors take at least one hour to review one monthly expense report, signaling the need for efficient time management solutions.

Among the travel expense processors who dont currently have completely automated expense report management systems, nearly all (95%) wish they did.

The new solution is part of American Express ongoing work to redefine the end-to-end payments experience globally, both for travelers and companies. For more information about American Express existing business travel and expense management solutions for Corporate clients, please visit here.

1METHODOLOGY: AMERICAN EXPRESS EXPENSE MANAGEMENT TRENDEX

The Morning Consult poll was conducted between December 16 - December 20, 2022 among a sample of 1,000 Business Travelers (defined as employed adults who have traveled for business at least once in the past 12 months and submit their own expense reports) and 300 Business Travel Expense Processors (defined as employed adults who work in the finance department at a company with at least 50 employees, manager level or above, and review travel expenses). The surveys were conducted online. Results from the survey of Business Travelers have a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points and results from the survey of Travel Expense Processors have a margin of error of plus or minus 6 percentage points.

ABOUT AMERICAN EXPRESS

American Express is a globally integrated payments company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, instagram.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

Key links to products, services and corporate responsibility information: personal cards, business cards and services, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, Accertify, Resy, corporate card, business travel, diversity and inclusion, corporate responsibility and Environmental, Social, and Governance reports.

Source: American Express Company

Location: U.S.

NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release includes forward-looking statements that reflect managements expectations about future events, including expectations regarding the partnership described herein. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. The words expect, aim, plan, will, may, should, could, would, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. American Express undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. A description of these risks and uncertainties can be found in American Express Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, and its other reports filed with the SEC.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230209005039/en/

MEDIA

American Express

Margot Markel

[email protected]

Source: American Express Company
SANTA CLARA, Calif. & GREENVILLE, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Canal Insurance Company (Canal) has selected CLARA Analytics (CLARA), a leading provider of artificial intelligence (AI) technology for commercial insurance claims optimization, as its partner in a new initiative aimed at speeding the resolution of commercial transportation claims using AI.

In recent years, claims outcomes related to commercial transportation have reached record levels, with average seven-figure verdicts growing nearly tenfold between 2010 and 2018  underscoring the compelling need for insurers who serve the trucking industry to seek innovative ways to manage claims to produce better outcomes for their insureds.

Canal will implement CLARAs Triage and Litigation modules for commercial auto. CLARAs technology delivers AI-driven insights that monitor claims and highlight cases that may be at risk of escalation. The Triage module helps claims managers to identify the best path toward resolution. The Litigation module offers insights that help insurers reach amicable settlements, thereby avoiding costly litigation.

At Canal, we consistently explore innovative ways to drive profitable performance, sustainable growth, and shareholder value, said Paul Brocklebank, President and CEO of Canal. As a well-established insurance specialist in commercial transportation, Canal is addressing many of the same challenges facing commercial auto insurers at large. Through advanced data analytics, CLARA provides the expertise and track record to help Canal drive better and more efficient claims outcomes, and this benefits both our customers and the Canal enterprise. We are excited about CLARA as a critical new business partner and extension of the Canal team as we join forces to embrace future opportunities in motor carrier insurance.

Canal is experiencing tremendous results, in large part because theyre led by a visionary CEO and proactive about finding innovative ways to tackle the problems facing the industry. CLARA will help them to resolve claims in ways that serve their policyholders, said Heather H. Wilson, CEO of CLARA Analytics. With our AI technology, innovators like Canal can drive measurable loss cost and expense savings.

About Canal Insurance Company

Rated A- by A.M. Best, Canal Insurance Company has specialized in providing insurance to commercial transportation insureds through selected professional agents for more than 80 years. Visit www.canalinsurance.com for other news and information.

About CLARA Analytics

CLARA Analytics is a leading AI as a service (AIaaS) provider that improves casualty claims outcomes for commercial insurance carriers and self-insured organizations. The companys product suite applies image recognition, natural language processing, and other AI-based techniques to unlock insights from medical notes, bills and other documents surrounding a claim. CLARAs predictive insight gives claim professionals AI superpowers that help them reduce claim costs and optimize outcomes for the carrier and their customers. CLARAs customers include companies from the top 25 global insurance carriers to large third-party administrators and self-insured organizations. Founded in 2017, CLARA Analytics is headquartered in Californias Silicon Valley. For more information, visit www.claraanalytics.com, and follow the company on LinkedIn and Twitter.

All brand names and solution names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Tags: CLARA Analytics, Canal Insurance Company, Canal, CLARA Triage, CLARA Litigation, commercial insurance, commercial auto, commercial trucking, commercial drivers, commercial transportation, trucking industry, workers comp, claims adjusters, insurance, artificial intelligence, AI as a service, AI, AIaaS, data science, predictive analytics, machine learning, insurtech, insuretech, claims, litigation, claims management

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230209005229/en/

Media Contact at CLARA Analytics:

Dottie ORourke

TECHMarket Communications

650-344-1260

[email protected]

Media Contact at Canal Insurance Company:

Laura Beth Medley

Vice President, Chief Human Resources and Corporate Communications Officer

864-250-9283

[email protected]

Source: CLARA Analytics




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Following recent news that at least two big auto insurance companies have refused to write new policies for certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles, WWL News in Louisiana said it received a list of affected models and model years. State Farm and Progressive are the two insurers noted so far as banning some Hyundai and Kia products that aren't equipped with engine immobilizers. On top of the vehicle count, the news program said two State Farm employees relayed that the affected states in addition to Louisiana are Georgia, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington. When WWL asked State Farm about the information, the company verified taking the measure but wouldn't verify the states. A printout shows the models excluded from new policies include the:

Remember, even among the models and model years listed, the restrictions only apply to vehicles with mechanical keys. Push-start models were built with immobilizers. According to the report, current policyholders who own models without immobilizers will remain insured. It's possible their rates will go up, though.

KOBI5 news in Portland, Oregon said Progressive has begun denying new policies for some Hyundai and Kia vehicles. The Portland Police Bureau maintains a stolen vehicle dashboard. The number of cars stolen annually in Portland has risen more than 70% from 2019 to 2022; however, neither Kia nor Hyundai features on the list of Top 5 Makes or Top 10 Models until 2022, when Kia ranked fifth among makes and the Hyundai Elantra and Kia Soul took the last two spots among models.

In the state above, Washington, the city of Seattle is suing Hyundai and Kia over the thefts, the number of stolen Kias there rising 363% from 2021 to 2022, the number of stolen Hyundais rising 503%.

Story continues

Missouri wasn't on the list State Farm's Louisiana employees gave to WWL, but previous stories out of Missouri say buyers of certain models in the state are being denied. KCUR in St. Louis quoted National Insurance Crime Bureau statistic citing 1,207 stolen Kias and Hyundais in Missouri 2019, but 6,120 combined thefts in 2022. The

Hyundai and Kia fitted all of their products with immobilizers during the 2022 model year, so this shouldn't be a problem going forward. The pressure on both automakers now is to come up with a solution for current and future owners. Portland's KGW said it got a statement from Hyundai that the automaker has "taken a series of actions to reduce the claim frequencies associated with affected vehicles," and that Hyundai will launch a software update for the affected vehicles next month.

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Korian expands its co-living concept to Germany

European Investment Bank backs the investment with a 150 million loan

Korian plans to open first co-living home in 2024, offering affordable care

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is supporting the expansion of Korian (Paris: KORI), the European care services group for elderly and fragile people, with a loan of 150 million to finance the expansion of its co-living homes concept in Germany. Korian already runs 242 co-living homes in rural communities in France under the brand Ages&Vie, which the EIB co-financed in 2020 and 2021 to the tune of 135 million. Korian, which is already present in Germany, is now planning to extend this concept to the local market, by developing affordable community homes adapted to the German social system.

In France, through its Ages&Vie brand, Korian offers co-living solutions in small homes for eight people in the centre of small towns and villages, with live-in care persons. Beginning with 44 houses in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comte region in 2018, Ages&Vie now offers elderly care in 242 houses in ten regions across France. On average, the occupancy rate is above 95%1.

Germany is facing even greater demographic pressure than France, lacking sufficient infrastructure to meet the increasing need for solutions to remain at home while benefiting from assistance in day-to-day living. The number of people aged over 65 in Germany is expected to rise by 18% up to 2030. The vast majority of the elderly population shows a preference for living at home in old age.

Korian plans to open co-living homes first in Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia, with the first facility expected to open in 2024.

In Germany, each residence will consist of two modules comprising 12 units. Each tenant will have a private room with a bathroom. The common areas will include amenities like a shared kitchen, a dining table and leisure areas. The construction will have a standard design, and each place will have large outdoor leisure areas.

The project aims to deliver affordable solutions for elderly people with a low dependency level, filling the gap between independent living and nursing care. Korian already operates nursing homes in France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle, who is responsible for activities in Germany, says: The EIB is proud to address demographic challenges together with Korian in several EU Member States. In most EU countries, elderly people and their relatives are desperately seeking affordable care facilities that can become home for these older people, which is often difficult, especially in rural areas. Korians solution has proven reliable, supporting older peoples well-being.

We are delighted to receive the continued support and confidence of the EIB as we expand our co-living home care solutions across Europe. The Banks support is important as it shows the relevance of these solutions for Europe as it faces a decade of huge change in demographic terms, said Sophie Boissard, Chief Executive Officer of Korian. We are committed to continuing to innovate to provide tailored solutions across Europe to support people who choose to remain at home.

About EIB

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union owned by its Member States. It makes long-term finance available for sound investment in order to contribute towards EU policy goals. The EIBs activities focus on the following priority areas: climate and environment, development, innovation and skills, small and medium-sized businesses, infrastructure and cohesion. The EIB works closely with other EU institutions to foster European integration, promote the development of the European Union and support EU policies in over 140 countries around the world.

About Korian

Korian, the leading European care services group for elderly and fragile people. www.korian.com

Korian has been listed on Euronext Paris Section A since November 2006 and is included in the following indices: SBF 120, CAC Health Care, CAC Mid 60, CAC Mid & Small and MSCI Global Small Cap

Euronext ticker: KORI - ISIN: FR0010386334  Reuters: KORI.PA  Bloomberg: KORI.FP

_______________________

1 Excluding houses under ramp-up

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230208005980/en/

INVESTOR RELATIONS

Sarah Mingham

VP Investor Relations & Financing

[email protected]

+33 (0)1 55 37 53 55

Charles Rungeard

Investor Relations

[email protected]

+33 (0)6 86 75 29 51

MEDIA

Matthieu Desplats

Head of Press Relations

[email protected]

+33 (0)6 58 09 01 61

Julie Mary

Responsible for Press Relations

[email protected]

+33 (0)6 59 72 50 69

Florian Bachelet

Responsible for Press Relations

[email protected]

+33 (0)6 79 86 78 23

EIB press

Donata Riedel, [email protected], +49 30 590047 90, mobile: +49 151 14659021

Website: www.eib.org/press  Press Office: +352 4379 21000  [email protected]

Source: Korian
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kontrol Technologies Corp. (NEO:KNR) (OTCQB:KNRLF) (FSE:1K8) (Kontrol or the Company), a leader in smart buildings and cities has successfully completed its Phase 1 testing of the Kontrol BioWater technology (or BioWater) with a positive detection of the Sars-Cov-2 virus in wastewater.

We are very pleased that our Kontrol BioWater technology was able to deliver a positive result as part of Phase 1 testing, says Paul Ghezzi, CEO of Kontrol Technologies. There is a growing emphasis on biomonitoring technology to help governments and private enterprise better manage how they monitor and plan for viral outbreaks. We look forward to advancing this important proprietary technology.

Phase 1 Testing

The Kontrol BioWater wastewater viral detection Phase 1 testing was completed with support from the National Research Council of Canada. The BioWater utilizes the core scientific technique of a Modified Western Blot to identify viruses.

Kontrol was provided with wastewater samples from various facilities in Ontario. Those samples were independently tested by government contracted labs utilizing the reference method of qPCR analysis to validate positive detection and quantification of the SARs-CoV-2 virus.

See Reference Report.

We are thrilled with our successful Phase 1 testing and look forward to the next steps in building out the Kontrol BioWater technology, says Gary Saunders, President of Kontrol BioCloud. We have initiated our prototype design which will form the basis of our real-time detection solution.

What makes Kontrol BioWater Unique

The Kontrol BioWater technology is designed with the goal of being the first real-time, in the cloud, detection technology for virus in wastewater. The current process for the collection of wastewater sampling involves on-site technicians, transporting samples to a laboratory and then undertaking a separate analysis of the wastewater. This process is time consuming and can take several days to complete. The intention of the Kontrol BioWater is to advance sampling automation for faster, on-site detection which can potentially accelerate a response plan.

Kontrol BioWater Innovation

The Company has launched the development of the Kontrol BioWater, including advancing a prototype design, and to date has received $300,000 in research and development funding for the initial Phase 1 testing. The Company has demonstrated a successful track record in accessing Federal and Provincial funding for its Kontrol BioCloud technology. However, there is no assurance that the Company will receive any further government funding.

Wastewater Surveillance

According to the CDC wastewater data can help scientists detect SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in a community even before data from doctors offices or hospitals get reported to public health officials. Wastewater data can be an important early warning signal and should be used alongside other data. Early warning systems, such as wastewater surveillance, can detect small changes as a signal for early action. More data over time can give better, more reliable trends. www.cdc.gov/healthywater/surveillance

The Company is not making any express or implied claims that its product has the ability to eliminate, cure or contain the COVID-19 (or SARS-2 Coronavirus).

About Kontrol BioWater

Kontrol BioWater is a technology extension of the Kontrol BioCloud and will be developed to operate as a branded solution for wastewater monitoring applications.

Kontrol Technologies Corp.

Kontrol Technologies Corp., a Canadian public company, is a leader in smart buildings and cities through IoT, Cloud and SaaS technology. Kontrol provides solutions and services to its customers to improve energy management, monitor continuous emissions and accelerate the sustainability of all buildings.

Additional information about Kontrol Technologies Corp. can be found on its website at www.kontrolcorp.com and by reviewing its profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

https://facebook.com/kontroltechcorp/

https://twitter.com/kontrolgroup

https://www.linkedin.com/company/kontrol-group

Neither IIROC nor any stock exchange or other securities regulatory authority accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by words or phrases such as may, will, expect, likely, should, would, plan, anticipate, intend, potential, proposed, estimate, believe or the negative of these terms, or other similar words, expressions, and grammatical variations thereof, or statements that certain events or conditions may or will happen, or by discussions of strategy. Forward-looking information contained in this press releases includes, but is not limited to, the following: future testing to be conducted by Kontrol of its products; the future success of any of Kontrols products; and customer demand relating to air quality and water testing products.

Where Kontrol expresses or implies an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is based on assumptions made in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. Such assumptions include, without limitation, that sufficient capital will be available to the Company; that future testing can be conducted as planned; that technology will be as effective as anticipated; that existing relationships and contracts entered into by the Company will continue on the same or similar terms, or at all; and that demand will continue for air quality or water monitoring products and for the Companys products in particular.

However, forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected, or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, but are not limited to, that sufficient capital and financing cannot be obtained on reasonable terms, or at all; that the Companys technologies will not prove as effective as expected; that customers and potential customers will not be as accepting of the Company's product and service offering as expected and/or that demand for such products and services will not continue; that the Companys test results will not be replicated in the future or that future testing will not be conducted; that the Company will not maintain its existing relationships or contracts on the same terms or at all; and government and regulatory factors impacting the energy conservation industry. Kontrol BioCloud is an air quality technology and not a medical device. The Company is not making any express or implied claims that its product has the ability to eliminate, cure or contain the COVID-19 (or SARS-2 Coronavirus).

Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements and the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained herein are made as at the date hereof and are based on the beliefs, estimates, expectations, and opinions of management on such date. Kontrol does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any such forward-looking statements or any forward-looking statements contained in any other documents whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required under applicable securities law. Readers are cautioned to consider these and other factors, uncertainties, and potential events carefully and not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230209005584/en/

Kontrol Technologies Corp.

Paul Ghezzi

CEO

[email protected]

11 Cidermill Avenue, Suite 201

Vaughan, Ontario L4K 4B6

Tel: (905) 766.0400

Source: Kontrol Technologies Corp.
The partnership supports agilon and Lexington Clinics missions to transform health care for seniors and at the community level

LEXINGTON, Ky. & AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Lexington Clinic announced today that it has formed a new partnership with agilon health inc. (NYSE: AGL), the trusted partner empowering physicians to transform health in our communities, that will transition its primary care delivery system to a full-risk, value-based care model to enhance outcomes and quality of care for Central Kentucky Medicare patients beginning in 2024.

Partnering with agilon health is a natural fit for Lexington Clinic, where our mission is to constantly innovate and improve healthcare access for Kentuckians, said Stephen J. Behnke, MD, MBA, chief executive officer, Lexington Clinic. With the support and partnership of agilon health, we will meet the challenges of tomorrow head on with a model rooted in value for our patients and the principle that our patients and their whole health should be at the center of how we operate. We are excited to bring the partnership and the benefits of the agilon model to our patients, physicians, and wider community.

Lexington Clinic is the largest multi-specialty medical group in Central Kentucky, with 25 locations in a region of 1.3 million residents. Founded in 1920, Lexington Clinic has a rich history of medical innovation and superior care, as it treats 2,000 patients per day, or 600,000 annually. Today, the company has more than 200 providers, in over 30 specialties, supported by a staff of 1,000 professionals and 60 primary care providers.

This new partnership with Lexington Clinic underscores the growing desire amongst primary care physicians to make the transition to a model of care for their Medicare patients that prioritizes quality and outcomes, said Steve Sell, chief executive officer, agilon health. Our integrated partnership model strengthens with every new addition, and we are well positioned to support the Lexington Clinic team as they join our rapidly expanding cohort of agilon partners who seek to transform health care in the communities they serve.

Lexington Clinic is joining agilons growing network of physician partners and will be part of the 2024 class of new partner organizations. agilon is accelerating at scale the transition to a value-based, Total Care Model for senior patients through its aligned partnerships, purpose-built platform, and peer network of like-minded physicians. As of this year, agilon is in long-term partnerships with 23 physician groups across 12 states and 25 diverse geographies and has more than 2,200 primary care physicians in its growing PCP network.

About Lexington Clinic

Lexington Clinic was founded in 1920 and is Central Kentuckys oldest and largest group practice. Lexington Clinic has 200+ providers and serves more than 600,000 patients every year. Lexington Clinic has providers in 30 different specialties and 25+ locations throughout Central Kentucky. For more information about Lexington Clinic, please visit LexingtonClinic.com or you can follow us on Facebook.

About agilon health

agilon health is the trusted partner empowering physicians to transform health care in our communities. Through our partnerships and purpose-built platform, agilon is accelerating at scale how physician groups transition to a value-based Total Care Model for senior patients. agilon provides the technology, people, capital, process, and access to a peer network of 2,200+ PCPs that allow physician groups to maintain their independence and focus on the total health of their most vulnerable patients. Together, agilon and its physician partners are creating the healthcare system we need  one built on the value of care, not the volume of fees. The result: healthier communities and empowered doctors. agilon is the trusted partner in 25 diverse communities and is here to help more of our nation's leading physician groups and health systems have a sustained, thriving future. For more information about agilon health, visit www.agilonhealth.com and connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

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agilon health

Media Contact

Megan Strothman

Director, Communications & Public Affairs

[email protected]

Terence Cullen

[email protected]

Investor Relations Contact

Matthew Gillmor

VP, Investor Relations

[email protected]

Lexington Clinic

Hurriyat Ghayyur

Director, Marketing & Communications

859-258-6323

[email protected]

Source: agilon health
PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Valuence International Europe S.A.S. (France; Takashi Kazami, representative) pursues the purpose of Circular Design for the Earth and Us, and encourages more people to focus on what is most important in their lives. The company has announced a luxury brand goods purchasing event to be held between February 15 and February 28, 2023, in Passy Plaza, a shopping mall located in Paris. The event will be hosted by the companys ALLU luxury brand goods purchasing business.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230208005018/en/

ALLU France (Graphic: Business Wire)

Aiming to Grow Recognition in Paris

The Valuence Group believes reuse and sustainability are even more prevalent in France than in Japan, given the French culture of treating items with care and passing them on to the next generation. The ALLU Saint-Honore store is gaining attention in Paris, enjoying an ongoing increase in customer base.

To grow recognition of the brand in Paris, the company will hold a luxury brand goods buying event at Passy Plaza (https://www.passyplaza.fr/). Passy Plaza is a shopping mall located in the Passy area of the 16th arrondissement, a high-end residential area.

Passy Plaza is a busy shopping mall frequented by the wealthy residents of the 16th arrondissement. Many customers using the ALLU Saint-Honore store are from that district. The buying event aims to increase convenience for current customers and expand awareness of ALLU across Passy Plaza.

Similar to the existing stores, ALLU in Passy Plaza offers reuse services to local customers through value designers (appraisers) who have a wealth of knowledge across a variety of product categories. And as with all ALLU locations, the store provides polite service with an emphasis on meaningful dialogue with customers.

The Valuence Group intends to continue growing recognition for luxury brand goods purchasing business ALLU, increasing interactions with customers, communicating the enjoyment of reuse, and making greater contributions to environmental conservation through reuse. In this way, the business strives to encourage reuse and create sustainable societies.

Paris, France Purchasing Event Overview

A special campaign will be held during the event, offering a 10% increase in offered purchase prices. Any customers with unused luxury brand goods should take the opportunity to have their item appraised, whether they intend to sell or not.

Campaign Period: February 15, 2023 - February 28, 2023

Address: Passy Plaza 53 Rue de Passy, 75016 Paris

Business hours: 11:00 to 19:00 (local time); closed Sundays

Eligible items: Watches, bags, jewelry, apparel, accessories

Language support: French, English, Japanese

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allu.fr/ (@allu.fr)

Valuence International Europe S.A.S. * Wholly owned by Valuence International Ltd.

Established: March 2020

Representative: Takashi Kazami

Head office: 66, avenue des Champs-Elysees 75008 Paris, France

Business lines: Purchase and sales of luxury brand goods, precious metals, gems, overseas business research and business partner development, etc.

Valuence International Ltd. (https://www.valuence.inc/en/group/international/)

Established: November 19, 2008 (Group established: September 2015)

Representative Director and President: Susumu Muguruma

Head office: 16F, Tower 5, The Gateway, Harbour City, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Business lines: Purchase and sales of luxury brand goods, precious metals, gems, etc.

* Valuence International Ltd. and Valuence International Europe S.A.S. are group companies of Valuence Holdings Inc. (Securities Code: TOKYO Growth Market 9270).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230208005018/en/

Inquiries:

Public Relations Office, Valuence Holdings Inc.

TEL: +81-3-4580-9983

Mail: [email protected]

Source: Valuence Holdings Inc.
Commences Fresh Deliveries to Strong Interest, Building Momentum Toward Expansion to New Geographic Hubs

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- NaturalShrimp, Inc. (OTCQB: SHMP), a Biotechnology Aquaculture Company that has developed and patented the first shrimp-focused commercially operational RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture System), today provided an update on its partnership with US Foods, South Texas area, including an exclusive grow out program for their customers in Austin, Houston, and San Antonio.

US Foods is one of Americas great food companies and a leading foodservice distributor, partnering with approximately 250,000 restaurants and foodservice operators to help their businesses succeed. With 70 broadline locations and more than 80 cash and carry stores, US Foods and its 28,000 associates provides its customers with a broad and innovative food offering and a comprehensive suite of e-commerce, technology, and business solutions.

NaturalShrimp has recently commenced deliveries of fresh shrimp to customers of US Foods, Southern Texas division, as part of a strategic program to educate and build interest in the product. Weekly deliveries and route cycles have been finalized and are supported with training, education, and marketing collateral.

We are receiving strong interest as we begin to ramp up our partnership program with US Foods, supported by their professional and supportive team in the foodservices channel, said Marco van den Berg, NaturalShrimp VP of Sales and Marketing. We are building a great partnership that perfectly complements our grow out program and will aggressively drive our regional, weighted distribution model.

Looking ahead, with growing support for local producers and top-tier customers looking to differentiate their product offering from the rest of the industry, we are receiving requests to expand the Southern Division distribution model in other US Foods divisions/hubs, which will be supplied by our Iowa facility. We are also working on a new program, with two additional SKUs, to be implemented towards the latter part of Q2 2023 that will ensure maximizing shelf life and significantly increasing our marketing efforts. We are excited to continue working with US Foods to build on our partnership and look toward expanding the program regionally and nationally.

About NaturalShrimp

NaturalShrimp, Incorporated is a publicly traded aquaculture Company, headquartered in Dallas, with production facilities located near San Antonio, Texas, and Webster City, Iowa. The Company has developed the first commercially viable system for growing shrimp in enclosed, salt-water systems, using patented technology to produce fresh, naturally grown shrimp, without the use of antibiotics or toxic chemicals. NaturalShrimp systems can be located anywhere in the world to produce gourmet-grade Pacific white shrimp. For more information visit www.naturalshrimp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains a number of forward-looking statements that reflect management's current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Forward-looking statements are projections in respect of future events or our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as may, should, expects, plans, anticipates, believes, estimates, predicts, potential or continue or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of us and members of our management team, as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risk and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the risks set forth in the section entitled Risk Factors in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, any of which may cause our companys or our industrys actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements.

No Offer or Solicitation

This press release is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the proposed Transaction and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, exchange, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230209005321/en/

Investor Relations Contact

Chris Tyson

Executive Vice President

MZ North America

Direct: 949-491-8235

[email protected]

Source: NaturalShrimp, Inc.
First-in-Man study of ODS-101 in healthy volunteers

DIJON, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

Oncodesign Precision Medicine (OPM) (ISIN: FR001400CM63; Mnemonic: ALOPM) (Paris: ALOPM), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in precision medicine for the treatment of resistant and metastatic cancers, announces the clinical entry of its drug candidate ODS-101 with the first subject dosing in Phase 1 clinical trial in healthy volunteers.

Philippe Genne, Chairman and CEO of OPM, commented: "This is a very important milestone for Oncodesign Precision Medicine. After the entry into the clinic of our first drug candidate against Parkinson's disease in partnership with Servier last September, it is now time for ODS-101 to start its clinical development. This molecule is based on our Nanocyclix technology and our strategy is to finance the development ourselves until proof of concept in Phase 2a in 2024. Before that, we will determine the most appropriate clinical indication for the continuation of this phase I and finally, we will seek a pharmaceutical licensing partner. We have already demonstrated that we have the capacity to sign this type of international pharmaceutical partnership, and numerous contacts have already been established since the selection of ODS-101. IBD affects over 200,000 people in France and 40% of patients worldwide are non-responders to existing treatments. We will do our best to bring an effective therapeutic alternative to patients suffering from these diseases.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) includes conditions such as ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). The number of patients concerned has been estimated at 10 million worldwide with a prevalence of 1% (EFCCA analysis), which is constantly increasing, mainly in developed countries. The combined global 8MM (8 major markets) UC and CD market accounted for $14.2 billion in 2019 with growth forecast to 2029 at $24.9 billion (GlobalData 2020 Reports).

RIPK2 plays a key role in modulating the innate immune response, making this kinase particularly relevant to address the need for safer and more effective therapies for patients who often experience significant side effects with current therapies. Furthermore, the current knowledge about this target, associated with the favorable profile of ODS-101, opens up the possibility to realize combinations with first-line treatment therapies, particularly those based on anti-TNF antibodies.

ODS-101 is a macrocyclic molecule from OPM's proprietary Nanocyclix platform. It is a highly potent Type 1 inhibitor (inhibitor in the active cavity of the kinase), selective against other kinases and orally bioavailable. In pharmacology studies, ODS-101 has demonstrated good efficacy in several preclinical models of colitis. Its safety profile in preclinical studies meets a quality standard recognized by the pharmaceutical industry and compatible with chronic administration to treat diseases such as IBD. OPM's intellectual property strategy is effective in protecting the value of this asset and its use in a wide range of therapeutic indications.

The announced "First-in-human" clinical study is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, healthy volunteer study with a single administration phase (SAD  single ascending dose) and a multiple administration phase (MAD - multiple ascending dose) design to study the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of ODS-101. This Phase 1 also includes the study of the food effect and the study of the gender effect in order to prepare as well as possible the future clinical development of the molecule.

Jan Hoflack, Chief Scientific Officer of OPM added: "The regulatory approval of the CTA submission allows us to initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial in healthy volunteers with our second Nanocyclix compound in less than 6 months. These results materialize the potential of our Nanocyclix program by getting closer to clinical validation of our products in order to deliver a new generation of therapeutic agents. This represents another important step in OPM's development as it establishes itself as a clinical stage biotech with multiple programs in the clinic. This program, which began in 2012 within Oncodesign with the selection of ODS-101 at the end of 2019, demonstrates the potential and expertise developed by the OPM team that continues to investigate new kinase targets in Oncology.

About the Nanocyclix technology

The Nanocyclix technology is based on small macrocyclic molecules designed to inhibit the human kinome (the family of kinases that has more than 500 members), which plays a role in more than 400 diseases. These molecules represent an extraordinary opportunity thanks to their physicochemical properties (low molecular weight, cell membrane crossing, selectivity) to target with high potency and selectivity little explored or notoriously difficult kinases and to obtain drug candidates that meet the specifications compatible with our ambition to deliver therapeutic agents in precision medicine.

About Oncodesign Precision Medicine (OPM)

Oncodesign Precision Medicine (OPM), the result of the transfer of Oncodesign's Biotech and AI activities, is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in precision medicine to treat resistant and metastatic cancers.

OPM's innovative technologies are (i) OncoSNIPER for the selection of therapeutic targets using artificial intelligence; (ii) Nanocyclix for the design and selection of macrocyclic small molecule kinase inhibitors and (iii) Theranostics for the design and selection of radiolabeled biological molecules for systemic radiotherapy.

From these technologies, OPM has built a portfolio of therapeutic products. A first drug candidate based on the Nanocyclix technology entered the clinical phase in 2022, in partnership with SERVIER (which exercised its option for an exclusive worldwide license on the program) to treat Parkinson's disease. ODS 101 is OPM's second candidate to enter the clinic, in the treatment of chronic immuno-inflammatory diseases. Finally, OPM is also collaborating with Servier to discover new therapeutic targets for the treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma based on its OncoSNIPER technology. In addition, OPM is seeking a partner for Florepizol, a radiotracer specific for the mutated EGFR target, which has successfully completed Phase 1. Two projects are in early partnership phase with TIUMBIO (pulmonary fibrosis) and SEngine in oncology. Finally, OPM has a significant portfolio of early-stage projects with Nanocyclix and Theranostics in oncology. With this portfolio of molecules and diversified therapeutic targets, OPM's mission is to discover effective therapies to treat resistant and advanced cancers. Based in Dijon, at the heart of the university and hospital cluster, OPM has 25 employees.

More information: oncodesign.com

Forward-looking statements

This document contains forward-looking statements and estimates with respect to the Company's financial condition, results of operations, strategy, plans and future performance and the market in which it operates. Some of these statements, forecasts and estimates can be identified by the use of words such as, without limitation, "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "plans", "seeks", "estimates", "may", "will" and "continue" and other similar expressions. They include all matters that are not historical facts. Such statements, forecasts and estimates are based on various assumptions and assessments of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which were believed to be reasonable when made but which may not prove to be correct. Actual events are difficult to predict and may depend on factors beyond the Company's control. Consequently, the actual results, financial conditions, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, may differ materially from future results, performance or achievements as expressed or implied by such statements, forecasts and estimates. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements, forecasts and estimates speak only as of the date of this document. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements, forecasts or estimates to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with respect thereto, or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements, forecasts or estimates are based, except as required by French law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230209005582/en/

OPM

Philippe Genne

Chairman and CEO

Tel: +33 (0)3 80 78 82 60

[email protected]

NewCap

Investor Relations

Mathilde Bohin / Alban Dufumier

Tel: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 95

[email protected]

NewCap

Media Relations

Arthur Rouille

Tel: +33 (0)1 44 71 00 15

[email protected]

Source: Oncodesign Precision Medicine
Former Goldman Sachs Partner Appointed to Newly Created Role to Help Drive Continued Growth and Performance

Star Mountain Capital, a rapidly growing, employee-owned specialized private investment firm focused on the growth engine of America, lower middle-market with approximately $3.5 billion of AUM, announced that George Mattson has joined Star Mountain as President. He will also join the Investment and Executive Committees of the firm.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Star Mountain Capital, LLC ("Star Mountain"), a rapidly growing specialized investment company with approximately $3.5 billion in assets under management focused exclusively on investing in established, private small and medium-sized North American businesses (the lower middle-market), is pleased to announce that George Mattson has joined as President. Mr. Mattson has been a long-time investor and Senior Advisor to the firm, and in this newly created role, will work closely on all aspects of the firms activities including strategy, investment analysis, portfolio management, talent development, investment origination, and investor relations.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230208005983/en/

(Photo: Business Wire)

I have known George since the early 90s when we worked together at Credit Suisse, said Brian Finn, Star Mountain Capitals Chairman, former President of Credit Suisse First Boston and head of their $100 billion alternative investment business. Georges track record of success with multiple category leading institutions speaks for itself and I think he will bring tremendous value to all of Star Mountains stakeholders.

We are delighted to announce that George has joined as President of Star Mountain, said Brett Hickey, Star Mountain Capital Founder & CEO. I have known and worked with George for nearly a decade including as a valued senior advisor to and investor in Star Mountain over the past 6 years. Star Mountain has continued to rapidly grow its asset base among institutional and high-net-worth investors. As the rate of investment deployment accelerated we are continuing to build our world class team and industry leading investment processes and infrastructure. With this, we felt the time was right and that George was uniquely suited for this critical role as we build our executive leadership capabilities. Over the course of his career George has worked with and helped build businesses and develop management teams of both large global companies and smaller private companies  as an executive, investor, and corporate director. George brings a unique set of strategic, financial, operational, governance, business building and investing skills which, along with his broad network of institutional and personal relationships, will greatly benefit our investors and stakeholders in the years to come.

I am proud to have been associated with Star Mountain as a Senior Advisor as the firm has achieved remarkable growth and success in the last several years. Brett and the Star Mountain team have built a world class investment firm, with a compelling focus on the growth engine of America, private small and medium-sized businesses. The businesses we invest in are the job creators of our economy, and Star Mountain has grown alongside the companies in which it has invested through a sharp focus on building a firm suited to meeting the needs of this large, attractive and underserved market. I believe the firm is poised for continued success in the years to come and I am excited to leverage my experience in working with the Star Mountain team to realize that success.

Mr. Mattson brings a wealth of experience and relationships built over his 35-year career. After spending six years at IBM (NYSE: IBM), he spent 19 years in investment banking including 10 years as a Partner at Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) where he formed and Co-Headed the Global Industrials Group within investment banking. Mr. Mattson also worked closely with Goldman Sachs merchant bank and other principal investment businesses on equity investment and debt lending opportunities within the broad range of businesses and sectors he covered. In addition, Mr. Mattson served on Goldman Sachs Investment Banking Division Operating Committee, the Investment Banking Division Client and Business Standards Committee, and the Global Recruiting Council.

Mr. Mattson retired as a partner from Goldman Sachs in 2012 to pursue his passion for private investing and building companies, as an investor and a corporate director. Mr. Mattson has made several equity investments in lower middle-market private industrial companies with a focus on partnering with founders and management teams to provide growth capital and help realize their strategic vision. In addition, in 2020 and 2021, he successfully raised two special purpose acquisition companies, completing merger transactions for both companies, and subsequently working closely with the management teams of these newly public companies.

Mr. Mattson also brings over 30 years of cumulative experience as a director of large public companies as well as small and medium-sized private companies. Mr. Mattson has served in multiple roles on public boards including as lead independent director and chairing audit, finance, compensation, and governance committees. He is currently serving on or has served on the boards of Delta Air Lines, Air France KLM Group, Virgin Galactic, Virgin Orbit and Xos.

Mr. Mattson has also been active supporting communities and organizations philanthropically, having served or currently serving on non-profit boards including as Chairman of Volunteers of America - Greater New York, member of the Board of Trustees of the Boys Club of New York, Chairman of the Board of Visitors of the Duke University School of Engineering, and as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Saint Andrews School.

Mr. Mattson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Duke University and a Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

About Star Mountain

With approximately $3.5 billion in assets under management (as of January 31, 2023), Star Mountain takes a data-driven approach to investing into the North American lower middle-market through two complementary investment strategies: (i) direct debt and equity investing and (ii) secondaries (acquiring LP interests and direct assets and making primary LP commitments). Star Mountain believes these complementary strategies provide data-enhanced, scalable, diversified and customizable access for its institutional and high-net-worth investors to established small and medium-sized businesses that generally have at least $15 million in annual revenues and under $50 million in EBITDA. Its investors include public pensions, private pensions, insurance companies, commercial banks, endowments, foundations, family offices and high-net-worth individuals. Star Mountain is 100% employee-owned and shares its profits with 100% of its employees as part of its focus on maximizing value for its stakeholders and investors through alignment of interests.

Since 2010 through 2022, Star Mountain has approximately 200 direct investments in U.S. small and medium-sized businesses and 30 secondary / fund investments within its Collaborative Ecosystem, focused on the North American lower middle-market. One of Star Mountains specialties is seeking current cash income and yield for investors that is materially above the typical yields found in the public markets through its distinctive origination, underwriting and value-added lending capabilities.

For the fourth straight year, Star Mountain was again named one of the 2022 Best Places to Work by Crains New York Business as well as once again one of the 2022 Best Places to Work by Pensions & Investments.

Star Mountain believes its focus and dedication has been productive for job creation and economic development. Star Mountain is dedicated to this large market of underserved businesses purpose-built to address the challenges and opportunities of these companies. As part of its commitment, Star Mountain has trademarked Investing in the Growth Engine of America .

Star Mountain has a dedicated Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Committee led by Anne Yang, Strategic Portfolio Manager & ESG Committee Chair, who was formerly a Managing Director & Member of Executive Office at Goldman Sachs. Star Mountain believes that ESG is aligned with financial stability and long-term shareholder value creation.

As part of its ESG program, Star Mountains Charitable Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)3 focuses on improving lives through economic development, including job creation, health & wellness and cancer research. Notable missions include helping match veterans and women with high quality small and medium-sized business career opportunities across the country, including within Star Mountains portfolio.

Note: This does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase interests in any investment product. Awards and recognitions by unaffiliated rating services, companies and/or publications should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he / she / it will experience a certain level of results if Star Mountain is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services; nor should they be construed as a current or past endorsement, testimonial endorsement, recommendation or referral of Star Mountain or its representatives by any of its clients or any other third party. Rankings published by magazines and others are generally based exclusively on information prepared and / or submitted by the recognized advisor. Moreover, with regard to all performance information contained herein, directly or indirectly, if any, readers should note that past results are not indicative of future results. The description and the selection methodologies of each award and recognition are subjective and will vary.

Awards and recognitions by unaffiliated rating services, companies, and/or publications should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she/it will experience a certain level of results if SMFM is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services; nor should they be construed as a current or past endorsement, testimonial endorsement, recommendation or referral of SMFM or its representatives by any of its clients or any other third party. Rankings published by magazines and others are generally based exclusively on information prepared and/or submitted by the recognized advisor.

Crains two-part survey process consisted of evaluating each nominated companys workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. The second part involved an employee survey to measure the employee experience. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking. Star Mountain must pay a fee to Crains only for survey collection purposes. Detailed eligibility criteria can be found here: https://bestcompaniesgroup.com/best-companies-to-work-for-in-new-york/eligibility/

To be named to P&Is Best Places list, all firms met Best Companies high threshold for inclusion and were evaluated against others of similar size. Individual firm profiles, which were compiled based on survey results, reflect U.S. employment numbers and were confirmed by Best Companies in the summer. Company and employee comments were edited for space, style and clarity. Assets under management or advisement are as of June 30, unless otherwise noted. To participate, companies had to have at least 20 employees in the U.S., at least $100 million of discretionary assets under management or advisement and be in business for at least one year. An anonymous employee survey, which aimed to evaluate employee engagement and satisfaction, accounted for 75% of a firms score; an employer survey, which evaluated workplace policies, practices, benefits and demographics, made up 25%. https://bestcompaniesgroup.com/best-places-to-work-in-money-management/eligibility/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230208005983/en/

John Polis  [email protected]

Source: Star Mountain Capital, LLC
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Stavtar Solutions, a software company focused on solutions for the alternative asset management industry, announced the appointment of its first advisor, Jeffrey Gelfand. A tested industry operations leader, Gelfand will leverage his extensive experience to help Stavtar drive innovation and expand its premier software and services.

We founded Stavtar to address the most challenging issues we faced while running alternative asset manager operations. Our software now allows us to give back precious time to our clients while providing them the ability to manage and analyze their businesses better than ever before, said Steven Petersen, co-founder of Stavtar. As we continue to expand our client base and product portfolio, were thrilled to bring in an experienced and talented Advisor like Jeff to help support our global growth and ensure our solutions help our clients continuously manage their most sophisticated business requirements.

Gelfand brings a host of industry experience to his advisory role at Stavtar. He has served as an advisor to multiple alternative investment firms and investment management-focused fintechs, with a specific focus on change management, new firm/fund launch advisory, process and technology blueprinting and finance organization mentoring. Throughout his career Gelfand has held multiple executive leadership positions, serving as Senior Managing Director and CFO of Centerbridge Partners, CFO of Silver Point Capital, AOL Time Warners investment company and Managing Director and CFO of Evercore.

Stavtars flagship product, StavPay, is a SaaS that fully automates the business spend management process for complex businesses. It sits at the enterprise level, above all other technologies, and captures, houses and manages vendors, contracts and invoices. The platform allocates expenses in unlimited ways and layers using any attribute. After approval using customized workflows, StavPay integrates downstream for automatic booking to general ledgers, banks, wire platforms, fund administrators and any other relevant third party. By empowering businesses to digitize organizational and financial data, StavPay provides robust and dynamic reporting from the highest to the lowest level of detail.

The Stavtar team has created a technology platform for alternative asset managers that solves for complexities that, up until now, were typically managed by people and their spreadsheets, Gelfand said. Todays alternative investment firms face multiple business, operations and regulatory challenges, and I look forward to leveraging my experience to help the Stavtar team enhance its best-in-class software and services to meet growing client and market demand. Im excited to join their Advisory Board.

About Stavtar Solutions

Stavtar Solutions is a premier provider of back-office solutions for the alternative investment industry. Founded by veterans of the industry, Stavtar is well versed in the marriage between people, processes, and technology. For more information about Stavtar Solutions, please visit: https://stavtar.com.

About Jeffrey Gelfand

Since his retirement from Centerbridge in 2018, Gelfand has offered strategic consulting for investment management focused fintechs as well as change management and launch advisory consulting for alternative investment firms. Gelfand joined Centerbridge at its inception in 2006 and oversaw the firm's accounting, tax, operations, investor services and technology functions. Prior to Centerbridge, he was the CFO of Silver Point Capital, AOL Time Warner's investment company and Evercore. He began his career at Ernst & Young LLP, received a B.B.A. from the University of Michigan in 1988 and qualified in 1992 as a Certified Public Accountant in New York. To learn more, visit his LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230208005684/en/

Articulate Communications for Stavtar

[email protected]

Source: Stavtar Solutions
CHARLOTTE, N.C. & NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Summit Park is pleased to announce that it has led a majority recapitalization of United Structural Systems (USS or the Company), a provider of foundation repair, crawlspace repair, and basement waterproofing services. The recapitalization also includes Titan Products (Titan), a sister company of USS that manufactures and distributes foundation repair and related products to service companies throughout the country.

Headquartered in Nashville, TN, USS provides foundation repair, crawl space repair, and basement waterproofing services to residential homeowners in Middle Tennessee, Southern Kentucky, and Northern Alabama, as well as to commercial customers throughout the United States. The Company enjoys a strong reputation in its markets, which was built over its 25+ year history of helping customers resolve critical issues in their homes with consistent, high-quality work.

Jim Johnson, co-Managing Partner at Summit Park, said, We are excited to leverage Summit Parks experience in the residential services sector to partner with USS. Chris Smith and his team have built a tremendous business with a sterling reputation in the Middle Tennessee market. We are looking forward to partnering with Chris and his team to accelerate growth and expand the companys geographic footprint, both organically and through acquisition.

Stephen Stites, Vice President at Summit Park, added, Summit Park has been focused on investing in residential services for several years. We identified USS and this specific market as an area of focus due to the large, fragmented nature of the industry, the essential nature of the services provided, and the multiple ways to grow the business in partnership with Chris and his team.

Chris Smith, President of USS and Titan, said, My team and I are thrilled to be partnering with Summit Park to execute on our shared vision of the future for USS and Titan. From my first interaction with Summit Park, I was confident they would be the best partner to help guide the Company through its next phase of growth. Going forward, we will not waiver in our commitment to supporting our customers by keeping their homes dry and stable.

Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated provided the debt financing for the transaction and McGuireWoods acted as legal counsel to Summit Park.

About United Structural Systems

United Structural Systems is a leading provider of foundation repair, crawlspace repair, and basement waterproofing services. USS is headquartered in Nashville, TN and primarily serves residential homeowners in Central Tennessee, Southern Kentucky, and Northern Alabama. With over 25 years of experience, USS has established itself as a leading service provider through its commitment to its customers and high-quality work. For more information, visit: https://usstn.com/.

About Summit Park

Summit Park is a Charlotte, North Carolina-based private investment firm focused exclusively on the lower middle market. The firm invests across a range of industries, including services, consumer, and industrial growth. The Firm has made over 35 investments in the lower middle market totaling more than $1.8 billion in total enterprise value. The firms capital can be used to facilitate a change in ownership, to support expansion and growth, to provide partial liquidity to existing owners, or to support an industry consolidation plan. For more information, visit www.summitparkllc.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230209005507/en/

Neale Butler

[email protected]

Source: Summit Park
AIX-EN-PROVENCE, France & SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

Verimatrix (Euronext Paris : VMX) (Paris: VMX), announced its financial calendar for the year 2023.

Mars 9th 2023: Full Year Earnings 2022

Full Year Earnings 2022 April 19th 2023: Q1 2023 Revenue

Q1 2023 Revenue July 24th 2023: Half Year Earnings 2023

Half Year Earnings 2023 October 19th 2023: Q3 2023 Revenue

About Verimatrix

Verimatrix (Euronext Paris: VMX) helps power the modern connected world with security made for people. We protect digital content, applications, and devices with intuitive, people-centered and frictionless security. Leading brands turn to Verimatrix to secure everything from premium movies and live streaming sports, to sensitive financial and healthcare data, to mission-critical mobile applications. We enable the trusted connections our customers depend on to deliver compelling content and experiences to millions of consumers around the world. Verimatrix helps partners get to market faster, scale easily, protect valuable revenue streams, and win new business. Visit www.verimatrix.com.

Supplementary non-IFRS financial information

Verimatrix uses performance indicators that are not strictly accounting measures in accordance with IFRS. They are defined in Appendix 1 of this press release. They should be considered as additional information, which cannot replace any other strictly accounting-based operating or financial performance measure, as presented in the consolidated financial statements, including the income statement set out in Appendix 1 hereof.

Forward-looking statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Verimatrix. Although Verimatrix believes its expectations to be based on reasonable assumptions, they do not constitute guarantees of future performance. Accordingly, the Companys actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements owing to a number of risks and uncertainties.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230209005055/en/

Investor and media contacts

Investor Relations

Jean-Francois Labadie

Chief Financial Officer

+33 (0)4 42 905 905

[email protected]

Financial Press

Mathias Jordan

+33 (0)1 56 88 11 19

[email protected]

Verimatrix Media Contact:

Matthew Zintel

+1 281 444 1590

[email protected]

Source: Verimatrix
EAU CLAIRE  Phill Schladweilers perspective on life changed after being wounded in the line of duty.

The 41-year-old veteran was a forward observer calling in air support in Ramadi, Iraq, in 2006. He was struck by rocket-propelled artillery shells while in a sandbag bunker.

No one died  Schladweiler credits the engineers who built the bunker. But he and a fellow soldier were wounded. Schladweiler is blind in his right eye and keeps his mental health in check.

But his takeaway from serving eight years in the military is to take every opportunity to live life.

A lot of people take things for granted, he said. Just the opportunities that they dont see that are right in front of them. I got to the point in my life that if Im not happy with what Im doing and in a miserable state, why am I not changing it? Im going to find the right path for me.

Schladweiler, of Eau Claire, has taken his change in perspective to heart.

After leaving the military, he went to college near Beloit, then transitioned to UW-Eau Claire for bachelors degrees in photography and psychology. He went to UW-Stout for a masters degree in industrial organization to help businesses and their employees improve processes and performance in the workplace.

But his heart wasnt in it.

He had been working on remodeling portions of his home, which he enjoyed. It led him to walk away from his masters program, and to inquire about the Residential Construction program at Chippewa Valley Technical College. He entered and finished the one-year program and applied for the Master of Architecture program at Arizona State University online.

He appreciated the content, but the programs online nature didnt give him the camaraderie he wanted.

Schladweiler sought out CVTC again and entered the Architectural Structural Design program. Hes in his second semester of the two-year program.

Once he entered the program, he began contacting River Valley Architects, a design firm in the Chippewa Valley. He wanted an internship, and he wasnt going to take no for an answer.

I just kept on bugging them, Schladweiler laughed. Id email them and say, Hey, how does my resume look? or I have this website. What do you think? And they offered me the intern technician position.

Keith Vesperman, CVTC architectural structural design instructor, said Schladweiler is an excellent student.

He knew exactly what he wanted to do for work, and thats why he came to us after being enrolled in a four-year program that he felt might not lead to employment, Vesperman said. He reads and researches and is a self-directed learner when needed. Hes a hard worker.

I do believe architecture is a natural fit for Phill and that hes going to have a great career doing this type of work.

Today, Schladweiler is enjoying how his internship and architecture classes play off of each other.

There might be certain things that I dont quite understand in the program that my internship actually helps explain or vice versa, Schladweiler said. Im utilizing them both to gain as much knowledge as I can.
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- World Quantum Growth Acquisition Corp. (the Company) announced that it convened and then adjourned, without conducting any business, its extraordinary general meeting of shareholders (the Meeting). The Meeting has been adjourned indefinitely.

Because the Company does not believe it will be able to complete an initial business combination by the time period required by its Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (the Articles), the board unanimously determined it is in the best interest of the Company to liquidate and redeem all of the Companys Class A ordinary shares (the Public Shares) effective as of February 24, 2023 (the Mandatory Redemption). Before deducting taxes payable, if any, and up to $100,000 of interest earned on the funds held in the trust account in accordance with the Articles and the related trust agreement, the estimated per-share redemption price for the Public Shares is expected to be approximately $10.29, based on funds held in the trust account as of February 9, 2023. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distribution with respect to the Companys warrants, which will expire worthless upon completion of liquidation.

On February 9, 2023, the Company notified the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) of the Mandatory Redemption and requested that NYSE (i) suspend trading of the Public Shares, redeemable warrants, each exercisable for one Public Share at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment (the Redeemable Warrants), and units, each consisting of one Public Share and one-half of one Redeemable Warrant (collectively with the Public Shares and the Redeemable Warrants, the Securities), effective before the opening of trading on February 14, 2023, and (ii) file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Form 25 Notification of Removal from Listing and/or Registration (Form 25) to delist and deregister the Securities under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). Once the Form 25 becomes effective to deregister the Securities under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, the Company intends to file a Form 15 Certification and Notice of Termination of Registration with the SEC, requesting that the Companys reporting obligations under Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act be suspended with respect to the Securities.

About World Quantum Growth Acquisition Corp.

The Company is a special purpose acquisition company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The Company is sponsored by World Quantum Growth Acquisition LLC, a Cayman Islands limited liability company that was organized by, and to which the initial capital was contributed by, Xavier Rolet KBE, Serge Harry, Antoine Shagoury and Michel Brogard, among others. Although the Company will not be limited to a particular industry or geographic region in its identification and acquisition of a target company, the Company believes the financial services and the financial technology sectors in the U.S. and EMEA as well as relevant technology firms supporting these sectors present particularly attractive investment opportunities.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or the Companys future financial or operating performance. Certain of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as believes, expects, intends, plans, estimates, assumes, may, should, will, would, seem, anticipates, seeks, future, predicts, potential or continue or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Mandatory Redemption and the expected delisting and deregistration of the Securities. These statements are based on current expectations on the date of this announcement and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ significantly. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of the Company. These forward looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including: the Companys ability to enter into definitive agreements or consummate a transaction with an initial business combination target; the amount of redemption requests made by the Companys shareholders and the amount of funds remaining in the Trust Account after satisfaction of such requests; and those factors discussed in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 under the heading Risk Factors, and other documents of the Company filed, or to be filed, with the SEC. If the risks materialize or assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that the Company presently does not know or that the Company currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect the Companys expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date hereof. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause the Companys assessments to change. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as the result of new developments or otherwise. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Companys assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

On January 23, 2023, the Company filed the Definitive Proxy Statement with the SEC in connection with its solicitation of proxies for the Extraordinary General Meeting. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ARE URGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THE COMPANY FILES WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the Definitive Proxy Statement (including any amendments or supplements thereto) and other documents filed with the SEC through the web site maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to: World Quantum Growth Acquisition Corp, PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman KY1-1104, Cayman Islands.

Participants in the Solicitation

The Company and its respective directors and officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from shareholders in connection with the Extraordinary General Meeting. Additional information regarding the identity of these potential participants and their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is set forth in the Definitive Proxy Statement. You may obtain free copies of these documents using the sources indicated above.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230209005756/en/

Serge Harry

World Quantum Growth Acquisition Corp., Chief Financial Officer

[email protected]

Source: World Quantum Growth Acquisition Corp.
Equifax Inc. (NYSE: EFX) ("Equifax") today announced a definitive agreement to acquire Boa Vista Servicos (BOAS3: SAO), the second largest credit bureau in Brazil. The agreement was approved by the Boa Vista Servicos Board of Directors for R$8.00 per share, implying an estimated total enterprise value of R$3,103 million, or USD$596 million based on a USD/BRL exchange rate of 5.2033 (PTAX as of February 8, 2023). This acquisition will expand Equifax's capabilities in the large and fast-growing Brazilian market and offers Boa Vista Servicos access to Equifax's expansive global capabilities and cloud-native data, products, decisioning and analytical technology for the rapid development of new products and services, and expansion into new industries.

"We're energized to expand Equifax's reach internationally with the acquisition of Boa Vista Servicos, and look forward to welcoming Boa Vista Servicos' employees to our global team. This acquisition will mark an exciting new chapter for Equifax and Boa Vista Servicos customers that will bring powerful new insights to Brazilian lenders and service providers to help them better understand their customers and promote greater financial inclusion to meet the needs of the approximately 34 million unbanked or underbanked consumers in Brazil," said Mark W. Begor, CEO of Equifax. "Strategic, bolt-on acquisitions are core to our EFX2025 growth priorities. Boa Vista Servicos is our 14th acquisition that Equifax has signed or completed in the past 24 months totaling $4.1 billion."

Under the terms of the agreement, Equifax will offer all Boa Vista Servicos shareholders the option to receive (1) R$8.00 per share in cash, (2) R$7.20 in cash and 0.0008 of an EFX Brazilian Depository Receipt ("BDR") representing an equivalent fraction of one share of Equifax common stock or (3) R$5.33 of Equifax do Brasil S.A. ("Equifax Brasil") common shares and R$2.67 in either cash or 0.0027 of Equifax BDRs. This agreement represents an 89 percent premium to the closing stock price of Boa Vista Servicos on December 15, 2022, the last unaffected trading day prior to the issuance of the notice to the market by Boa Vista Servicos acknowledging receipt of the Equifax acquisition proposal, and a 185 percent premium to Boa Vista Servicos' enterprise value based on such closing price on December 15, 2022. The agreement also represents a 65 percent premium to the volume weighted average trading price of Boa Vista Servicos for the 30 trading days ending on December 15.

In conjunction with the definitive agreement to acquire Boa Vista Servicos, Associacao Comercial de Sao Paulo ("ACSP"), the largest shareholder of Boa Vista Servicos, has executed a voting agreement in support of the transaction. Combined, Equifax and ACSP currently have over 40 percent of the capital stock of Boa Vista Servicos and are aligned in completing the transaction. Additionally, ACSP has also entered into a 15-year agreement with Boa Vista Servicos to maintain its commercial relationship with Boa Vista Servicos, refrain from competing with the Boa Vista Servicos business and provide consulting and regulatory support services to Boa Vista Servicos.

Equifax maintains a unique understanding of global credit needs and is driving cloud-based innovation in consumer credit, commercial credit, and digital enablement that spans geographies. The company's Equifax Cloud transformation enables Equifax to scale and adapt for the specific needs of the countries in which it operates. It further enables the sharing of learnings and strengths from each region to help other regions identify and execute effectively on new growth opportunities. The Equifax Cloud, combined with Equifax's unique data assets, leading decisioning and analytical solutions, and Identity and Fraud solutions will help accelerate Boa Vista Servicos's digital transformation and increase the scale of the Boa Vista Servicos business for continued success - meeting the evolving needs of both consumers and lenders in Brazil.

The initial Equifax offer to acquire Boa Vista Servicos was announced on December 19, 2022. The transaction is subject to Boa Vista Servicos's shareholder approval and other customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed sometime in the second quarter of 2023, at which time the company will become a subsidiary of Equifax Brasil. The acquisition is not anticipated to have a material impact on 2023 Equifax financial results.

BofA Securities is serving as financial advisor to Equifax, and Hogan Lovells US LLP and Machado Meyer Advogados are acting as legal counsels to Equifax.
FILE PHOTO: A screen displays the company logo for semiconductor and chipmaker GlobalFoundries Inc. during the company's IPO at the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square in New York City, U.S., October 28, 2021. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/

By Jane Lanhee Lee, Joseph White and Stephen Nellis

OAKLAND, Calif/DETROIT (Reuters) -General Motors Co and chipmaker GlobalFoundries Inc on Thursday announced a long-term deal for the automaker to secure U.S.-made processors that will enable it to avoid the factory-halting chip shortages that kept millions of cars from being manufactured during the pandemic.

GlobalFoundries said the agreement for at least three years was the first of its kind and establishes a dedicated capacity exclusively for GMs key chip suppliers at their upstate New York fabrication facility.

The announcement comes two days after President Joe Biden in his State of the Union address praised the passing of the $52 billion Chips and Science Act that aims to bring back chip manufacturing to the United States and points to a new approach by automakers to securing semiconductors.

It also highlights a new way that chip manufacturers can finance U.S. expansion, using a combination of funding from customers that want dedicated capacity for semiconductors and funding from the federal government.

GlobalFoundries Chief Executive Tom Caulfield told Reuters he believes supporting U.S. manufacturing makes the company competitive when seeking some of that funding.

"This is the automaker going right to the manufacturing foundry, reserving the capacity for their needs, making the appropriate co-investments with that foundry so that the best economics take place," Caulfield said.

Caulfield said the GM capacity would be installed in an existing factory upstate New York, but declined to give specifics around how much of the factory's output would be dedicated to the automaker.

GM told Reuters that it is working to streamline how many unique kinds of chips are in its cars. But it is securing capacity for its suppliers to have the chips made because the overall number of chips is expected to rise.

We see our semiconductor requirements more than doubling over the next several years as vehicles become technology platforms, Doug Parks, GM head of global product development, said in a statement.

'HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT'

GM rival Ford Motor Co said last week that its inability to acquire chips and other supply chain problems contributed to a $2 billion shortfall in fourth-quarter profit compared with the companys forecasts.

Ford Chief Financial Officer John Lawler, who is also interim head of the automakers supply chain operations, told analysts that securing adequate supplies of chips continues to be hand-to-hand combat.

Ford is putting corrective actions in place," Lawler said. "Weve got better pipelines from brokers and spot buys. And were working very closely with our supply chain down to the Tier 2 chip suppliers.

In late 2021, during the height of the chip shortage, GlobalFoundries and Ford announced a non-binding agreement that could involve increasing production capacity for Ford.

Few details of the Ford arrangement were provided at the time and few have been released since.

Caulfield said GlobalFoundries is talking to almost all the major global automakers, and that the GM agreement does not mean there will not be additional deals with other manufacturers.

By the end of 2023, almost 18 million vehicles will have been removed from production plans since the chip shortage began, according to Auto Forecast Solutions.

The auto chip shortage dramatically changed the way carmakers deal with their chip suppliers, with whom they previously rarely had direct contact.

Several auto companies have now created teams and divisions to better secure chip supply and think about the design of digital platforms for cars going forward.

Chip manufacturers told Reuters last year, it was time for the auto industry to carry some of the burden of the investment for the multibillion-dollar facilities needed for producing chips.

(Reporting By Jane Lanhee Lee in Oakland, Calif. and Joseph White in Detroit, Additional Reporting by Stephen Nellis; Editing by Bill Berkrot, Chizu Nomiyama and Marguerita Choy)
Washington, DC, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The United States Mint (Mint) 2023 American Women Quarter dollar honoring Bessie Coleman  Rolls and Bags, will be available for purchase February 14 at noon EST. The Bessie Coleman quarter is the sixth coin in the American Women Quarters Program, a four-year series that celebrates the accomplishments and contributions made by women who have shaped history.

The rolls and bags product options include:

Priced at $40.00, a bag of 100 uncirculated clad quarter dollars minted in Philadelphia (product code 23WBA).

Priced at $40.00, a bag of 100 uncirculated clad quarter dollars minted in Denver (product code 23WBB).

Priced at $36.00, a two-roll set containing a total of 80 uncirculated clad quarter dollars minted in Philadelphia and Denver (product code 23WRA).

Priced at $54.00, a three-roll set containing a total of 120 uncirculated clad quarter dollars minted in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco (product code 23WRB).

Orders for the 100-coin bags are limited to 10 per household, while orders for the two-roll and three-roll sets are limited to three per household.

Sign up to receive Remind Me alerts by visiting the official product listing page.

The American Women Quarters Rolls and Bags are also available for purchase through the Mints Subscription Program. Subscriptions work like a magazine subscription. After you sign up, you will receive the next product released in the series and continue to receive products until you end your subscription. Visit our subscriptions page to learn more.

Because of overwhelming demand, much of the production of the three-roll sets is accounted for through subscription. Should any inventory become available, those products will be made available via the Remind Me feature.

The reverse (tails) of this coin features a close-up image of Bessie Coleman as she suits up in preparation for flight, her expression reflective of her determination to take to the skies, the only place she experienced a freedom she did not have on the ground. The inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, QUARTER DOLLAR, BESSIE COLEMAN, and 6.15.1921, the date Coleman received her pilots license.

United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Designer Chris Costello created the reverse design, which United States Mint Medallic Artist Eric David Custer sculpted.

Each coin in this series features a common obverse (heads) design depicting a portrait of George Washington. This design was originally composed and sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser as a candidate entry for the 1932 quarter, which honored the bicentennial of George Washingtons birth. The inscriptions are LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and 2023.

Begun in 2022, and continuing through 2025, the Mint is issuing five new quarter dollar reverse designs each year. The American Women Quarters Program is authorized by the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-330).

Inspire women everywhere. Shop the American Women Quarters Program today and start collecting this historic series honoring extraordinary women whose achievements, triumphs, and legacies reflect the strength and resilience of our Nation.

About the United States Mint

Congress created the United States Mint in 1792, and the Mint became part of the Department of the Treasury in 1873. As the Nations sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage, the Mint is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The Mint also produces numismatic products, including proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; silver and bronze medals; and silver and gold bullion coins. Its numismatic programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to taxpayers.

Note: To ensure that all members of the public have fair and equal access to United States Mint products, the United States Mint will not accept and will not honor orders placed prior to the official on-sale date of February 14, 2023, at noon EST.

Please use the United States Mint catalog site at https://catalog.usmint.gov/ as your primary source of the most current information on product and service status, or call 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Visit https://www.usmint.gov/news/image-library/american-women-quarters-program#coleman for product images.

Visit https://www.usmint.gov/learn/coin-and-medal-programs/american-women-quarters for additional information about the American Women Quarters Program.

Visit https://www.usmint.gov/about for information about the United States Mint.

Visit https://catalog.usmint.gov/email-signup to subscribe to United States Mint electronic product notifications, news releases, public statements, and our monthly educational newsletter, Lessons That Make Cents .

. Sign up for RSS Feeds from the United States Mint and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

# # #

United States Mint  Connecting America through Coins

Attachment

Office of Corporate Communications United States Mint (202) 254-7222 [email protected]

Source: United States Mint
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn., Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arctic Wolf, a global leader in security operations, today announced that Arctic Wolf Managed Detection and Response was named Best Network Detection and Response solution in SE Labs 2023 Annual Report.

SE Labs is an independently-owned and run testing company that assesses security products and services to ensure they do what their manufacturers and developers claim. The SE Labs annual security awards recognize security vendors that not only do well in SE Labs tests but perform in real customer environments, making them one of the only awards in the industry that recognizes the essential combination of strong lab work combined with real-world success.

Arctic Wolf Managed Detection and Response is the cornerstone of its Security Operations Cloud, providing thousands of organizations across the globe with the ability to quickly detect, respond to and recover from advanced threats. Built on an open XDR architecture, the Arctic Wolf Security Operations Cloud unifies the data from an organizations endpoint, network, identity, cloud, and human security tools, and enables organizations of any size to establish world-class security operations.

The power and operational efficiency of the Arctic Wolf platform reduces the cost of having to manage and react to a welter of alerts generated from the existing security tech stack. Furthermore, Arctic Wolf ensure customers are able to optimize their security investments by enriching them with intelligence, machine learning and AI-algorithms, and real-world telemetry and learnings from incident response cases. With a holistic approach to threat protection across the entire security operations framework, Arctic Wolf reduces the likelihood and impact of cyber attacks, while driving long-term resilience to effectively end cyber risk.

As with all things in cybersecurity, trust is hard to come by and even harder to prove which is why we are so pleased to have Arctic Wolf Managed Detection and Response recognized by SE Labs, said Ian McShane, vice president, strategy, Arctic Wolf. In a vendor landscape dominated by marketing spend, click-bait, and pay-to-play poster awards, organizations are becoming more reliant than ever on these kinds of independent, third-party assessments and appraisals to help choose that solutions needed to achieve positive security outcomes.

This technical validation from SE Labs continues the trend of Arctic Wolf being recognized as an innovator and leader in the security operations space, which also includes:

To download a complete copy of SE Labs Annual Report 2023, visit their website.

Additional Resources:

About Arctic Wolf: Arctic Wolf is a global leader in security operations, enabling customers to manage their cyber risk in the face of modern cyber attacks via a premier cloud-native security operations platform. To accomplish unprecedented capacity and scale for cyber defense, the Arctic Wolf Security Operations Cloud ingests and analyzes more than three trillion security events a week, enabling customers of virtually all sizes and in all industries to feel confident in their security posture, readiness, and long-term resilience. By delivering automated threat protection, response, and remediation capabilities, Arctic Wolf empowers organizations to establish world-class security operations with the push of a button and defend their greatest assets at the speed of data.

Press Contact:Reagan McAfee[email protected]916-996-4969

 2023 Arctic Wolf Networks, Inc., All Rights Reserved. Arctic Wolf, Arctic Wolf Platform, Arctic Wolf Managed Detection and Response, Arctic Wolf Managed Risk, Arctic Wolf Managed Cloud Monitoring, Arctic Wolf Managed Security Awareness, and Arctic Wolf Concierge Security Team are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Arctic Wolf Networks, Inc. or Arctic Wolf Networks Canada, Inc. and any subsidiaries in Canada, the United States, and/or other countries.

Source: Arctic Wolf Networks, Inc
National animal welfare nonprofit expands crisis and disaster response efforts with new collaborative program

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BISSELL Pet Foundation, in partnership with Animal Search and Rescue Training and Response (ASAR), has launched a new initiative to support animals and people who care for them before, during and after disaster strikes. Animal Incident Management (AIM) provides resources to emergency management teams and communities, such as animal search and rescue, pre-event planning to post-event recovery, shelter support and humanitarian efforts where people and animals are assisted together.

With 70% of U.S. households owning pets, increasing extreme weather events, and decreasing community capacity during crises and disasters, BISSELL Pet Foundation is taking action to ensure pets are prioritized. During a disaster, BISSELL Pet Foundations AIM initiative will work with emergency management and Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), like American Red Cross, to give pet owners a sense of continuity as they rebuild their lives with their animals after an event. The AIM initiative is unique in that it provides a holistic approach to building stronger, disaster-capable communities to better ensure the safety of people and their pets.

At BISSELL Pet Foundation, we work tirelessly to support pets and the people caring for them when the unimaginable becomes a reality. After our lifesaving response to Hurricane Ian in 2022, we knew we needed to continue to strengthen our crisis and disaster capabilities to save even more lives before, during and after disasters strike. said Cathy Bissell, Founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. I am excited to announce the addition of ASAR Director Eric Thompson as Executive Director of Disaster & Field Response for BISSELL Pet Foundation. Together, with ASAR, BISSELL Pet Foundations AIM initiative will break down the remaining barriers impacting pet homelessness that include disaster preparedness and vital training and mentorship. Beyond disaster preparedness and response, AIM will assist animal welfare organizations in crisis through collaborative mentorship and training resources. By deploying the nations leading subject matter experts for boots-on-the-ground support, AIM can act as a helping hand when animal shelters have nowhere else to turn to for assistance. With a focus on rural animal shelters, which often lack resources to achieve positive outcomes for adoptable pets, this lifesaving initiative empowers shelters with sustainable programs and practices.

AIM will be a force multiplier for communities as we focus on supporting local efforts or providing outside resources to handle an animal-related surge response during a disaster or emergency event, said Eric Thompson, Executive Director of Disaster & Field Response for AIM and Director of ASAR. Creating infrastructure in the form of training, emergency action planning, and utilization of existing BISSELL Pet Foundation initiatives will be a priority as we AIM to make a difference in the communities we serve.

BISSELL Pet Foundation is committed to aiding animal welfare organizations during times of crisis and disaster. AIMs fully integrated and hands-on approach to crisis and disaster response creates the best possible outcomes for animals and the people caring for them during emergencies. To follow BISSELL Pet Foundations work and make a lifesaving gift, please visit www.bissellpetfoundation.org.

About BISSELL Pet Foundation:BISSELL Pet Foundation is a charitable 501(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to help reduce the number of animals in shelters through pet adoption, spay/neuter programs, vaccinations, microchipping, and crisis and disaster response. Founded in 2011 by Cathy Bissell, BPF is an extension of her long-standing love for animals and commitment to their welfare. BPF has since partnered with more than 5,700 shelters and rescues across the U.S. and Canada to help pets find loving homes. The foundation is supported by generous donors and BISSELL Inc. where every purchase saves pets. To learn more, visit www.bissellpetfoundation.org.About Animal Search and Rescue Training and Response:ASAR Training and Response is a technical animal rescue team which is made up of dozens of experienced, real-life rescue specialists and subject matter experts. In cooperation with local, state, and federal agencies, we provide comprehensive planning, response, and functional training that equips communities to enhance all levels of emergency response for animal-related situations. To learn more, visit www.asartraining.com. Media Contacts:Brittany Schlacter | BISSELL Pet Foundation| [email protected] | 616.600.9470Samantha Harter | Disaster & Field Response Specialist | [email protected] | 630.391.3194

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6ad31fe8-0e1b-46c5-b29f-501889f2d84a

ASAR Rescue ASAR Director Eric Thompson rescues a dog during a natural disaster.

Source: BISSELL Pet Foundation; Animal Search and Rescue Training and Response
NEW YORK, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Board of Directors of OTC-listed Company Brookmount Gold (Brookmount Explorations, Inc.) (OTC: BMXI) (BMXI.US) (Brookmount) today announced that it has signed a binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to acquire a 75% interest in a producing gold mine located in the state of Tocantins, central Brazil. The acquisition transaction can be summarised as follows:

Please find the Tocantins Gold Mine Brazil Presentation https://s3.amazonaws.com/content.otcmarkets.com/media/1882297210/ObucNlUzANZfYBt/doc.pdf

Structure:Brookmount will acquire a 75% interest in the Tocantins project from Geoblocks Exploration Ltd (Geoblocks), a company incorporated in the UK, which has entered into an irrevocable undertaking to acquire the 75% interest in Tocantins from its Brazilian owners.

Acquisition Consideration:

$500,000 initial deposit to be paid within 30 days of signing of the binding MoU, or such other date as agreed between the parties.

$4.5 million in cash to be paid on signing of a definitive Acquisition Agreement, which will take place within 60 days from signing of the binding MoU or such other date as agreed between the Parties.

In addition to the cash component outlined above, at final closing of the Transaction, Brookmount will arrange for the issuance of restricted common stock such that Geoblocks will control 49% of Brookmount shares, calculated on a fully diluted basis.

Board Composition:As an integral part of the transaction, 2 key directors of Geoblocks will join the Brookmount Board, Lord Christopher Wellesley and Charles Heather. Lord Wellesley, with an outstanding resume as an international investment banker, and Mr. Heather with an extensive and impressive resume in the mining and resource industries, particularly in Latin America, will bring enormous presence to the Board and the Company as it pursues the expansion of its international gold production platform.An additional announcement outlining further details on our new directors will be made shortly.

The Project:The Tocantins gold mine (Brazil) is an operational gold mine with a licensed area spanning over 30,000 hectares. To date, a gold strike length of over 30 kilometres has been identified, with only 700 meters thoroughly explored.

This limited exploration has already validated the presence of 250,000 troy ounces of surface/near-surface gold, as reported by the previous owner. Further, an estimated 100,000 troy ounces of resources have been determined, awaiting certification by an independent Qualified Person in compliance with Canadian NI 43-101 standards. Additionally, the mine has already extracted 30,000 tons of gold ore, with an approximate average ore grade of 3g/tonne ready for processing.

The first payment will cover the costs associated with obtaining a NI 43-101 report, which will be applicable to the whole property.

The mining and exploration operations in the area are and will be fully authorised by the Brazilian mining authorities at each stage of development, and operations in the mining site will adhere to a high standard of environmental and social governance.

In conjunction with its Brazilian operating partner, Brookmount will work on a development plan for the expansion of mining and gold production of the Tocantins Mine (Brazil) and the certification of further known gold resources.

In view of the significance of this acquisition, Brookmount will provide our constituents with regular updates on the project status and progress.

Founded in 2018, Brookmount Gold is a high-growth gold-producing Company incorporated and listed on OTCMarkets in the United States (OTC: BMXI) (BMXI.US) with operating gold mines in Southeast Asia and exploration and production assets in North America. The Company is actively looking to secure additional high-quality gold assets with JORC/NI 43-101 verified resources.

Safe Harbor Statements:

Except for the historical information contained herein, certain of the matters discussed in this communication constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "could," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "predict," "project," "future," "potential," "intend," "seek to," "plan," "assume," "believe," "target," "forecast," "goal," "objective," "continue" or the negative of such terms or other variations thereof and words and terms of similar substance used in connection with any discussion of future plans, actions, or events identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding benefits of the proposed license, expected synergies, anticipated future financial and operating performance and results, including estimates of growth. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements included in this communication. For example, the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the pending transaction, including the timing, receipt and terms and conditions of any required governmental and regulatory approvals of the pending transaction that could reduce anticipated benefits or cause the parties to abandon the transaction, the ability to successfully integrate the businesses, the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the negotiations, the risk that the parties may not be able to satisfy the conditions to the proposed transaction in a timely manner or at all, risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the proposed transaction, the risk that any announcements relating to the proposed transaction could have adverse effects on the market price of Brookmount's common stock. All such factors are difficult to predict and are beyond our control. We disclaim and do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement in this report, except as required by applicable law or regulations.

Brookmount Gold Corp (Brookmount Explorations, Inc.)

Investor Relations

Ioannis Petratos

[email protected]

www.brookmountgold.com

https://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/BMXI

Corporate

[email protected]

Source: Brookmount Gold
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

Real Estate Agent and Founder of Diamond Real Estate, Matthew Martinez, has heavily implemented the use of artificial intelligence in generating sales leads at his brokerage firm, Diamond Real Estate Group.

As the housing industry is in the midst of one of the most significant periods of growth in the last decade, Diamond Real Estate Group projects a greater demand for accessibility and convenience in real estate.

Weve seen that these big real estate sites have been enjoying a huge amount of success in streamlining their processes, so Diamond Real Estate is taking these approaches in both directions by offering our team as much guidance as our clients, Matthew Martinez says. We figured that utilizing these concepts in every aspect is the true key to offering a comprehensive experience that is running as efficiently as possible.

Combining processes estimating home value based on ROI, while also factoring for other distinguishing characteristics such as location, square footage, and amenities, Diamond Real Estates homegrown software is optimized to generate sales leads for the brokerage firm. Harder, better, faster, stronger. Thats always what were working toward and this software gives us an edge that just is incomparable to the results agents were getting when I started in 2009, Matthew explains.

Already instituting a business plan taking advantage of social media, Diamond Real Estate Group has found a social media following and holds a professional database of over 200,000 contacts. Likewise, Matthew Martinez was recently featured as one of the Top 100 Luxury Real Estate Agents on Social Media.

A commentator and guest through various media appearances, Matthew Martinez is determined to start a new era in real estate, empowering agents to sell like they never have before and buyers to move with unprecedented ease. Named as a real estate agent to watch by Property Spark, Matthew Martinez is circumventing the status quo of real estate, bringing the industry into the future with an easy-to-use and highly functional system.

Matthew Martinez is an American real estate broker, real estate investor, cryptocurrency investor, and contributor to several real estate publications and news outlets. He is also the founder and CEO of the luxury and investment real estate brokerage Diamond Real Estate Group. He has been featured on Forbes, Fox, NBC, CBS, Time, Digital Journal, Inman News, Marketwatch, and numerous other publications. He was included in the list of Top 100 Luxury Real Estate Agents On Social Media and the Top 100 Real Estate Agents On Instagram.

To learn more, contact Matthew at [email protected], visit DiamondGroupEstates.com, or follow Matthew Martinez on Instagram at Instagram.com/thematthewmartinez

Source: Diamond Real Estate
Contacts Media Contact Investor Relations Amsterdam +31 20 721 4133 Brussels +32 2 620 15 50 +33 1 70 48 24 27 Dublin +33 1 70 48 24 45 Lisbon +351 210 600 614 Milan +39 02 72 42 62 12 Oslo +47 41 69 59 10 Paris +33 1 70 48 24 45

Euronext upgraded to BBB+ by S&P

Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, Milan, Oslo and Paris  9 February 2023  Euronext, the leading pan-European market infrastructure, today acknowledges the decision of S&P to upgrade Euronext from BBB, Positive outlook to BBB+, Stable outlook.

S&P decision reflects Euronext strong cash generation and deleveraging capabilities following the acquisition of the Borsa Italiana Group, as well as Euronext Clearing revised investment policy, as announced on 28 July 2022 that has meaningfully reduced risk for Euronext.

Stephane Boujnah, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Managing Board of Euronext, said:





We are pleased today to see Euronext rating upgraded by S&P to BBB+, Stable Outlook. This upgrade is a great recognition of the transformation journey we engaged in following the acquisition of the Borsa Italiana Group. Since the closing of the acquisition of the Borsa Italiana Group, we have pursued our deleveraging path, from 3.2x net debt to EBITDA at closing, to 2.6x at the end of 2022.

Euronext is today stronger than ever, with a strong and diversified business profile. Combined with our recognized solid financial position and strong cash generation, and our strong track record in post-merger integration projects, we are in the right position to look for possible external growth opportunities, in line with our disciplined capital deployment policy.

About Euronext

Euronext is the leading pan-European market infrastructure, connecting European economies to global capital markets, to accelerate innovation and sustainable growth. It operates regulated exchanges in Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Portugal. With close to 1,930 listed equity issuers and around 6.3 trillion in market capitalisation as of end December 2022, it has an unmatched blue chip franchise and a strong diverse domestic and international client base. Euronext operates regulated and transparent equity and derivatives markets, one of Europes leading electronic fixed income trading markets and is the largest centre for debt and funds listings in the world. Its total product offering includes Equities, FX, Exchange Traded Funds, Warrants & Certificates, Bonds, Derivatives, Commodities and Indices. The Group provides a multi-asset clearing house through Euronext Clearing, and custody and settlement services through Euronext Securities central securities depositories in Denmark, Italy, Norway and Portugal. Euronext also leverages its expertise in running markets by providing technology and managed services to third parties. In addition to its main regulated market, it also operates a number of junior markets, simplifying access to listing for SMEs.

For the latest news, go to euronext.com or follow us on Twitter ( twitter.com/euronext ) and LinkedIn ( linkedin.com/euronex t ).

Disclaimer

This press release is for information purposes only: it is not a recommendation to engage in investment activities and is provided as is, without representation or warranty of any kind. While all reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the content, Euronext does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Euronext will not be held liable for any loss or damages of any nature ensuing from using, trusting or acting on information provided. No information set out or referred to in this publication may be regarded as creating any right or obligation. The creation of rights and obligations in respect of financial products that are traded on the exchanges operated by Euronexts subsidiaries shall depend solely on the applicable rules of the market operator. All proprietary rights and interest in or connected with this publication shall vest in Euronext. This press release speaks only as of this date. Euronext refers to Euronext N.V. and its affiliates. Information regarding trademarks and intellectual property rights of Euronext is available at www.euronext.com/terms-use.

 2023, Euronext N.V. - All rights reserved.

The Euronext Group processes your personal data in order to provide you with information about Euronext (the "Purpose"). With regard to the processing of this personal data, Euronext will comply with its obligations under Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and Council of 27 April 2016 (General Data Protection Regulation, GDPR), and any applicable national laws, rules and regulations implementing the GDPR, as provided in its privacy statement available at: www.euronext.com/privacy-policy. In accordance with the applicable legislation you have rights with regard to the processing of your personal data: for more information on your rights, please refer to: www.euronext.com/data_subjects_rights_request_information. To make a request regarding the processing of your data or to unsubscribe from this press release service, please use our data subject request form at connect2.euronext.com/form/data-subjects-rights-request or email our Data Protection Officer at [email protected].

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MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fresh Vine Wine, Inc. (NYSE American: VINE) (Fresh Vine Wine or the Company) today provided an informational update to stockholders regarding its proposed rights offering and the expected key dates and terms relative to the offering. Stockholders of record on February 22, 2023 (the Record Date) will be entitled to participate in the rights offering. Prospective stockholders who wish to participate in the rights offering are advised to ensure that they complete their open market purchases of Fresh Vine Wines common stock by February 20, 2023 to be considered a stockholder of record on the Record Date.

Stockholders or interested parties are advised to direct all questions and informational requests to the contacts listed below.

Under the rights offering, and assuming the registration statement relating to the rights offering is declared effective, Fresh Vine Wine intends to distribute 0.5 non-transferable subscription rights for each one share of common stock held on the Record Date. Each whole subscription right will entitle the holder to purchase one unit, at a subscription price of $1.00 per unit, consisting of one share of the Companys common stock and a warrant to purchase one share of Fresh Vine Wines common stock with an exercise price of $1.25 per share. The warrants will be exercisable for five years after the date of issuance. Subscription rights may only be exercised in whole numbers. Fresh Vine Wine will not issue fractional units and will round all of the subscription rights down to the nearest whole number. Stockholders who exercise their subscription rights in full will be entitled, if available, to subscribe for additional units that are not purchased by other stockholders, on a pro rata basis.

The rights offering remains subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, and Fresh Vine Wine reserves the right to terminate the rights offering at any time prior to its expiration date.

The subscription rights will be non-transferable and may only be exercised during the anticipated subscription period of February 23, 2023 through 5:00 PM ET on March 9, 2023, unless extended or earlier terminated by Fresh Vine Wine.

The expected calendar for the rights offering is as follows:

February 20, 2023: Ownership Day  in order to be considered a stockholder of record on February 22, 2023, shares should be acquired by this date

February 22, 2023: Record Date

February 23, 2023: Distribution Date; Subscription Period Begins

March 9, 2023: Subscription Period Ends 5:00 PM ET (unless extended at Fresh Vine Wines sole discretion)

Fresh Vine Wine has engaged The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, Inc. as dealer-manager for the proposed rights offering. Questions about the rights offering or requests for copies of the preliminary and final prospectuses, when available, may be directed to The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, Inc., the Dealer-Manager, Toll-Free at (800) 231-8364, or by email at [email protected].

Neither Fresh Vine Wine nor its Board of Directors has made any recommendation as to whether stockholders should exercise their subscription rights. Stockholders are urged to carefully review the subscription materials that Fresh Vine Wine will provide and consult with their own legal and financial advisors in deciding whether or not to exercise the subscription rights.

A registration statement (Registration No. 333-269082) relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. The rights offering, which is expected to commence following the effectiveness of the registration statement, is being made only by means of a written prospectus. A preliminary prospectus relating to and describing the proposed terms of the rights offering has been filed with the SEC as a part of the registration statement and is available on the SECs website at https://www.sec.gov. Copies of the preliminary and final prospectuses for the rights offering may be obtained, when available, from The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, Inc., email: [email protected], or telephone (800) 231-8364.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor will there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About Fresh Vine Wine, Inc.

Fresh Vine Wine, Inc. (NYSE American: VINE) is a premier producer of lower carb, lower calorie premium wines in the United States, kicking off a 2022 growth plan following its IPO in mid-December 2021. Fresh Vine Wine's brand vision is to lead the emerging natural and accessible premium wine category, as health trends continue to accelerate in the US marketplace. Fresh Vine Wine positions its core brand lineup as an affordable luxury, retailing between $14.99-$24.99 per bottle. Fresh Vine Wine's varietals currently include its Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Rose, Sparkling Rose, and a limited Reserve Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. All varietals are produced and bottled in Napa, California.

Note on Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends affecting the financial condition of our business. Forward-looking statements include our expectations, whether stated or implied, regarding our planned rights offering, financing plans and other future events.

This press release includes forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "expect," "plan," "could," "may," "will," "believe," "estimate," "forecast," "goal," "project," and other words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements address various matters including statements regarding the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events. Each forward-looking statement contained in this press release is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statement. Applicable risks and uncertainties include, among others, our ability to conduct the rights offering on the terms or within the timeframes expected, or at all; to achieve positive cash flow from our operations on our anticipated timeframes or at all; the impact of inclusion of the Companys wines in grocery retailers on the Companys operating results; the Company's ability to hire additional personnel and to manage the growth of its business; the Company's reliance on its brand name, reputation and product quality; the Company's ability to adequately address increased demands that may be placed on its management, operational and production capabilities; the effectiveness of the Company's advertising and promotional activities and investments; the Company's reliance on celebrities to endorse its wines and market its brand; general competitive conditions; fluctuations in consumer demand for wine; overall decline in the health of the economy and consumer discretionary spending; the occurrence of adverse weather events, natural disasters, public health emergencies, or other unforeseen circumstances that may cause delays to or interruptions in the Company's operations; risks associated with disruptions in the Company's supply chain for grapes and raw and processed materials; the impact of COVID-19 and its variants on the Company's customers, suppliers, business operations and financial results; disrupted or delayed service by the distributors the Company relies on for the distribution of its wines; the Company's ability to successfully execute its growth strategy; the Company's success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, its officers, key employees or directors; the Company's ability to protect its trademarks and other intellectual property rights; the Company's ability to comply with laws and regulations affecting its business, including those relating to the manufacture, sale and distribution of wine; claims, demands and lawsuits to which the Company are or may be subject and the risk that its insurance or indemnities coverage may not be sufficient; the Company's ability to operate, update or implement its IT systems; the Company's ability to successfully pursue strategic acquisitions and integrate acquired businesses; the Company's potential ability to obtain additional financing when and if needed; the Company's founders' significant influence over the Company; and the risks identified in the Company's other filings with the SEC. The Company cautions investors not to place considerable reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. You are encouraged to read the Company's filings with the SEC, available at www.sec.gov, for a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of this document, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any of these statements. The Company's business is subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, including those referenced above. Investors, potential investors, and others should give careful consideration to these risks and uncertainties.

Source: Fresh Vine Wine
Legislative Republicans on Tuesday launched an audit into persistent backlogs at the state agency that processes professional licenses, which department officials and Democratic lawmakers have long attributed to ongoing staffing shortages.

The Republican-led Joint Legislative Audit Committee voted along party lines to order the audit of the Department of Safety and Professional Services, which oversees close to half a million professional license holders and permits more than 200 types of professional licenses and construction proposals.

Rep. Robert Wittke, R-Racine, said the audit, which will be carried out by the nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau, relates to weekslong waits faced by those seeking professional licenses through the agency.

We have way too many people waiting way too long for licenses, said Wittke, the audit committees co-chair. We need to understand what the issues are and get this resolved.

Wisconsin Watch reported Tuesday that many of the complaints lobbed at DSPS involve the agencys call center, where performance began to drop in 2017 under then-Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican. The department data compiled by Wisconsin Watch show just more than half of all calls were answered in 2018.

The rate improved dramatically in the second half of 2022 after Evers used federal funding to hire an outside firm to increase the agencys call center staff from six to 26. The department also switched to a new phone system with a higher capacity in December 2021, so fewer people now get a busy signal, which wasnt logged as a call under the old system. A department spokesperson said that explains why the number of received calls under the new system nearly doubled to 400,000 in 2022.

Speaking before the committee Tuesday, DSPS Secretary Dan Hereth said the agency is happy to work with the audit bureau on the audit. He noted that some of the agencys previous efforts have helped address some concerns, including the addition of a call center with full-time staff, which increased the rate at which customer calls are answered.

Hereth also noted that increased funding would have the biggest impact.

More staff, better processes, better technology  those all have a meaningful impact on our end customer, Hereth said.

DSPS has requested in the 2023-25 biennial budget the addition of 70 new full-time positions. Gov. Tony Evers will unveil his formal budget request on Feb. 15. From there, the Republican-controlled budget committee will rewrite the document before sending it back to the governor.

The Republican-controlled Legislature has largely rejected previous requests by Evers and the department for additional funding for staffing needs. DSPS is almost entirely funded by revenue collected from license and inspection fees.

DSPS has a roughly $47 million surplus, according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, but the Legislature controls how the department spends those funds and must approve increased staffing expenses.

State Auditor Joe Chrisman said the audit will look at a number of factors, including staffing, state funding and the nature of delays contributing to the licensing backlog.

Lawmakers letter

Democratic members of the audit committee, who voted against the audit, sent a letter Tuesday to their GOP colleagues warning that a DSPS audit could further exacerbate delays in the licensing and credentialing process.

We write today to raise concerns about the potential day-to-day consequences of your plan to conduct a professional license processing audit at the Department of Safety and Professional Services, the lawmakers wrote.

The letter is signed by Sens. Dianne Hesselbein, D-Middleton, and Tim Carpenter, D-Milwaukee, and Reps. Francesca Hong, D-Madison, and Ryan Clancy, D-Milwaukee, and cites the multiple study committees and informational hearings and information requested from DSPS over the last two years related to backlog issues.

All of this work has repeatedly and consistently underscored what has been immediately obvious for years, has been reaffirmed and reiterated to this Legislature time and time again over the course of the last decade, and remains fundamentally clear today: DSPS needs additional staffing and resources support, and that will require legislative approval and action, the lawmakers wrote.
SANTIAGO, Chile, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Harrison Co., an investment banking firm focused on the agriculture and ag-tech sectors, today announced it advised WiseConn Engineering ("WiseConn" or the "Company"), a leading provider of precision irrigation and fertigation automation systems, on its equity investment from Morningside Group ("Morningside"). The investment will be primarily used to support WiseConn's expansion into new geographic markets including Australia and Europe.

WiseConn has revolutionized precision irrigation by enabling growers to control their irrigation systems remotely from any device with internet connection. WiseConn's DropControl hardware and software solution allows growers to save time by managing fields automatically and remotely, preserve crop yields with more precise input application, and realize cost savings on labor, water, and fertilizer use. The Company currently serves more than 2,000 farms across 15 countries.

"I am pleased with the outcome of our equity raise and look forward to working with Morningside and deploying the new capital to drive more value for our clients and grow our Company," said Cristobal Rivas, WiseConn's CEO. "It has been a pleasure working with Sean and the Harrison Co. team. Harrison Co. allocated significant resources to WiseConn throughout the process, including substantial Partner-level attention and support, while structuring a highly favorable deal for our Company. Harrison Co.'s expertise in the ag-tech sector is invaluable, and we look forward to working with them again in the future."

"We are excited to be working with WiseConn and look forward to helping the Company expand into new territories and grow its business," added Mick Sawka of Morningside Group. "The investment process was made seamless by the Harrison Co. team members, who were outstanding to work with both professionally and personally."

Sean Deson, Harrison Co. Partner commented, "We are delighted to have represented WiseConn on its equity raise. Cris and the WiseConn team have created an indispensable tool for growers that improves the economic and environmental sustainability of the agricultural sector at large. This investment will enable WiseConn to enhance its product offerings and bring its technology to new geographies and markets."

ABOUT WISECONN ENGINEERINGWiseConn is a leading provider of precision irrigation and fertigation automation systems. The Company's state-of-the-art hardware and software solution, dubbed DropControl, is used by a large and growing number of farming operations globally. WiseConn is based in Santiago, Chile, and Fresno, CA.

ABOUT MORNINGSIDE GROUPMorningside Group was founded in 1986, by the Chan family of Hong Kong, to make private equity and venture capital investments. The group is managed by investment professionals who are entrepreneurial, have deep industry knowledge and are effective in the local environment in which they operate. In addition to its investment activities, Morningside Group is strongly committed to social responsibility.

ABOUT HARRISON CO. LLCHarrison Co. is an investment banking firm dedicated to the agriculture and ag-tech sectors. The team of experienced senior financial experts helps clients make critical strategic business, mergers, acquisitions, and financing decisions to ensure optimal outcomes. Harrison Co. prides itself on providing highly personal, customized service to its valued clients from its offices located in Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Fresno.

For more information, visit www.harrisonco.com.

ContactSean Deson Partner+1 (917) 971 6114[email protected]

Contact Information: Brenda Klauss Research & Media Project Manager [email protected] 252-671-2411 Bill Harrison Managing Partner [email protected] 917-596-5533

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

Source: Harrison Co.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Madison Taylor Indoor Environmental, a leading indoor environmental consulting firm primarily serving Virginia, Maryland, and DC, is proud to announce the release of its new Indoor Air Quality Resources blog. With over 20 years of experience helping home and building owners solve mold problems and other indoor air quality issues, the company wanted to make its wealth of knowledge and expertise more accessible. The new IAQ Resources page provides a defined space for the indoor environmental experts of Madison Taylor to continue educating the public on the importance of indoor air quality care.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air pollution can cause a range of health problems, including headaches, allergies, asthma, respiratory infections, and more. The development of health issues and range of symptoms often depends on the type of indoor air pollutant and the length of exposure. Mold, bacteria, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and asbestos are among the most common of the many indoor air pollutants with serious health consequences if not addressed properly.

"We have worked with thousands of clients suffering from mold sickness due to exposure to microbial contamination in their homes and buildings. They always say it takes them many months of frustration to find a company with the experience to properly inspect their property, identify conditions conducive to mold growth, and offer practical solutions," said John Taylor, owner of Madison Taylor Indoor Environmental, certified indoor environmentalist (CIE) and indoor air quality expert. "I'm excited about this new resource page and the team dedicated to keeping the resources updated. It's another outlet for us to help home and building owners learn more about protecting the health of the people living or working in properties with indoor air quality issues."

The Indoor Air Quality Resource page on the Madison Taylor Indoor Environmental website offers useful information on how to protect homes and buildings from mold, bacteria, VOCs, asbestos, and other indoor air quality issues. The page offers comprehensive infographics and informative blog posts such as "Simple Steps to Improve Indoor Air Quality", "Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Explained by the EPA", and "5 Types of Mold Found in Homes and other Buildings". With a focus on providing practical solutions, the company's team of certified indoor environmental specialists is dedicated to helping clients make informed decisions about their indoor air quality.

For more information on Madison Taylor Indoor Environmental, please visit their website at https://madisontaylorindoorenvironmental.com/.

Contact Information: John Taylor Certified Indoor Environmentalist [email protected] (877) 932-4652

Related Images

Image 1: Indoor Air Quality Services Certified Mold Inspection, Mold Testing, & Mold Remediation Services

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

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Indoor Air Quality Services Indoor Air Quality Services

Source: Madison Taylor Indoor Environmental
TORONTO, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Media are invited to attend the Toronto Regional Real Estate Boards (TRREB) highly-anticipated 2023 Market Outlook and Year in Review event. This premiere market event of the year goes in depth on key issues that matter most to REALTOR Members and their clients.

Hear industry experts weigh in on TRREBs outlook on average prices and sales for 2023; homebuying and selling intentions; population growth and its impact on infrastructure like transit hubs, sustainability, electric vehicles and the impact on real estate; and so much more.

WHAT: TRREBs 2023 Market Outlook and 2022 Year in Review Event

WHO:

John DiMichele, CEO, TRREB

Paul Baron, President, TRREB

Michael Parsa, Associate Minister of Housing

George Carras, Founder and CEO, R-LABS

Paul Smetanin, President, Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis

Raymond Wong, Vice President, Altus Group Data Operations, Data Solutions

Adam Thorn, Transportation Director, Pembina Institute

Jason Mercer, Chief Market Analyst, TRREB

Sean Simpson, Senior Vice President, Ipsos

WHEN: Friday, February 10, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: Parkview Manor  55 Barber Greene Road, #1, Toronto, ON M3C 2A1 (map)

RSVP: Genevieve Grant, Manager, Public Affairs [email protected]

AGENDA:9:30 a.m. Registration Begins 10:00 a.m. Event Starts11:35 a.m. TRREB Member Q&A11:55 a.m. Closing Remarks 12:00 p.m. Event Concludes & Media Q&A Begins

THIS IS A CLOSED MEETING AND IS NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Media Inquiries:Genevieve Grant, Manager, Public Affairs [email protected] 416-443-8159

The Toronto Regional Real Estate Board is Canadas largest real estate board with more than 70,000 residential and commercial professionals connecting people, property and communities.

Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn | Instagram

https://www.trrebwire.ca/

Source: Toronto Regional Real Estate Board
Seasoned City Manager Deanna Santana to Lead Board of Directors

Washington, D.C., Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MissionSquare Retirement today announces important additions to its board of directors. Deanna Santana, an experienced city manager, will succeed Tanisha Briley in the role of board chair. Joseph Coyne, Wells Fargo & Company Executive Vice President, and Mona Miyasato, County Executive Officer for Santa Barbara County, will serve as board members.

These additions to our board will further strengthen MissionSquare Retirements ability to provide financial security to the nations public service employees, said Lynne Ford, CEO and President of MissionSquare Retirement. Deanna, Joseph, and Mona all are respected, forward-thinking leaders who understand the needs of state and local employers and employees. I look forward to working with the entire board so MissionSquare continues to deliver the best products and services so public employees can enjoy a secure retirement after a lifetime of serving our communities.

Its an honor to serve as MissionSquare Retirements board chair, Santana said. Employees and employers trust MissionSquare Retirement to help build retirement security for the public service workforce, and I am committed to continuing to deliver on that mission. These are unprecedented times for state and local governments in terms of workforce management. I will leverage my experience working in municipal government to help guide the company as it delivers the best retirement services for public service workers.

With more than 28 years of public service experience, Santana served as City Manager for the cities of Santa Clara and Sunnyvale, City Administrator for the City of Oakland, and Deputy City Manager for the City of San Jose. She is distinguished as the only public service professional that has held high-ranking executive roles in the Silicon Valley cities that comprise the Nations Largest Tech Hub (San Jose, Sunnyvale and Santa Clara), as ranked by Forbes. She holds two B.A.s from the University of California at Berkeley, and an M.A. in City Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

In his role as head of Wells Fargos Affluent Customer Segment, Coyne leads a team responsible for the management and evolution of the strategy and delivery operating model that serves the companys affluent and emerging affluent clients. Prior to his current role, Coyne was head of Strategy and Innovation for Wells Fargo Wealth & Investment Management, where he led the development and implementation of the transformation and efficiency programs for the business. Coyne holds a B.S. in Economics from Vanderbilt University and an M.B.A. from Duke University.

Miyasato brings over 25 years of experience in the public sector, and she currently serves as County Executive Officer for the County of Santa Barbara in California. She also has held leadership positions for the Marin County and the City of Santa Monica. She was honored as the 2018 Woman of the Year by her state senator and assembly member and in 2019, her county of Santa Barbara won the Organizational Excellence Award from the Municipal Management Association of Southern California for a strategic planning effort she led. Miyasato holds a B.A. from the University of California Berkeley and an MPP from Harvard Universitys Kennedy School of Government.

About MissionSquare Retirement

MissionSquare Retirement is dedicated to guiding those who serve our communities toward a secure and confident financial future. Founded in 1972, MissionSquare Retirement is financial services company with approximately $65 billion in assets under management and administration.* The company has helped more than three million people working in public service retire confidently and is focused on delivering retirement plans, investment options, and personalized guidance exclusively to the public service sector.

For more information, visit www.missionsq.org or follow the company on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

*As of December 31, 2022. Includes 457, 401, 403(b), Retirement Health Savings (RHS) plans, Employer Investment Program (EIP) plans, affiliated IRAs, and investment-only assets. Includes assets under administration and management by MissionSquare with its subsidiaries.

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Gilles Ouvry Ph.D, appointed to newly created position of VP of Chemistry, based in Stevenage, UK

Joins from Evotec, UK and brings 20 years of international medicinal chemistry experience including at Galderma, AstraZeneca and SCYNEXIS

Will be responsible for developing NRGs pipeline of potential first-in-class brain-penetrant small molecule inhibitors of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore as treatments for Parkinson's and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

STEVENAGE, United Kingdom, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NRG Therapeutics, Ltd., an innovative neuroscience company targeting mitochondrial dysfunction, today announces the appointment of Gilles Ouvry Ph.D., who joins in the newly created position of VP of Chemistry, to be based in the Companys facilities in Stevenage.

Reporting to NRGs co-founder and CSO Dr Richard Rutter, and a member of the Companys leadership team, Dr Ouvry will be responsible for managing internal and external resources to advance the Companys pre-clinical pipeline of small molecule assets which inhibit the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) through a novel MOA.

Dr Ouvry brings 20 years of international medicinal chemistry experience gained at Evotec, Galderma, AstraZeneca and SCYNEXIS. He joins from Evotec, UK where he was VP, Discovery Chemistry. His experience spans from lead generation through to successful clinical candidate selection. During his career he has worked on over 20 drug discovery projects, managing internal and outsourced teams, and leading or participating in the discovery of multiple pre-clinical development candidates and four compounds that have progressed into clinical trials. He has a degree and Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Ecole Polytechnique, Palaiseau, France.

NRG Therapeutics co-founder and CEO Dr Neil Miller said, We are expanding following our 16m series A financing and I am delighted to welcome Gilles to our team. We are progressing two chemical series of potential first-in-class brain-penetrant, small molecule mPTP inhibitors in parallel as potential treatments for neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinsons and ALS (also known as motor neurone disease or MND). His experience in drug development will be invaluable as we move towards pre-clinical candidate selection and through IND-enabling studies.

Mitochondria are the powerhouses or batteries of cells and therefore are essential for maintaining cell health. There is now a substantial body of evidence demonstrating mitochondrial failure or dysfunction is common across many degenerative diseases. Inhibition of the mPTP has been shown to protect neurones, reduce neuroinflammation, and extend survival in pre-clinical disease models.

Gilles Ouvry Ph.D., VP of Chemistry at NRG Therapeutics said, I have been impressed by the potential of NRGs small molecules and am excited to be working with the team to move the programs forward. The Companys novel mitochondrial therapeutics have the potential to transform the lives of the growing number of people worldwide with Parkinsons and other neurodegenerative diseases.

NRG operates a semi-virtual business model, with R&D teams based at the Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst (SBC), UK and at the WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research) in Melbourne, Australia, and outsourced R&D partners, including Domainex, Evotec and Pharmaron.

Media enquiries (for NRG Therapeutics)

Sue Charles, Charles Consultants - +44 7968 726585 [email protected]

About NRG Therapeutics  http://www.nrgtherapeutics.comNRG Therapeutics is a neuroscience drug discovery company building a pipeline of disease-modifying mitochondrial therapeutics to slow or halt the progression of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinsons and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neurone disease (MND).

The companys pre-clinical pipeline of small molecule assets is based on inhibiting the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) through a novel mechanism of action. Inhibition of the mPTP has been shown to protect neurones, reduce neuroinflammation and extend survival in pre-clinical disease models.

Based at the Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst (SBC), UK, NRG Therapeutics is a private company with equity investment from Parkinsons UK, Omega Funds and Brandon Capital. The company has also received grant funding from The Michael J. Fox Foundation, Innovate UK (Biomedical Catalyst Award), and is the industrial partner for a FightMND Drug Discovery grant awarded to WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research). Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Source: NRG Therapeutics Limited
Paterson, New Jersey, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Paul Brubaker (Paterson Public Schools)

February 8, 2023 [email protected]

973-518-2298

Frank Mahoney (EASRC)

[email protected]

267-618-3416

DISTRICT, CARPENTERS UNION ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR CONSTRUCTION CAREERS

Students in Kennedy High Schools Construction Trades pathway to gain practical experience

PATERSON  District and city officials welcomed representatives of the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (EASRCC) to John F. Kennedy High School to announce a new partnership that will prepare students for careers in construction.

The announcement were making today is not just about building buildings or houses. Its about building futures, said Superintendent of Schools Eileen F. Shafer. We know there is a demand for carpenters. Perhaps more importantly, we know that the people who work in the construction trades have high rates of job satisfaction. The students who are here with us today are on the precipice of starting tremendous lives, and with the help of the carpenters union, they will have an even better chance of achieving those lives.

The partnership involves Kennedy High School using the Career Connections curriculum for the students in the construction trades pathway. The curriculum was created by instructors from the United Brotherhood of Carpenters International Training Program and approved by the Paterson Board of Education. It is designed to introduce high school students to the crafts and trades of carpentry. The curriculum, combined with EASRCCs assistance, will expose students to everything they would need while deciding the next step in their education.

Students who want to continue their education in the trades will be provided the opportunity to learn at one of three New Jersey Carpenters Training Centers where they will join a four-year apprenticeship at no cost to them and the ability to earn money while learning their craft.

Your advocacy to bring the Carpenters Union Career Connections curriculum to Kennedy High School shows that you all care about the good-paying career paths union trades bring to everyday families, said Tom Wyzga, an EASRCC council representative. I can directly point to my apprenticeship through the union for my personal success and the well-being of my family. That is why we, as a union, do not only advocate for apprenticeships, fair wages, and benefits for construction workers but why we also created this nationally recognized curriculum. It truly is an equal path to college for any student who is looking for a good-paying career.

Representatives of the Paterson Education Association (PEA) also participated in the announcement. The PEA has made a generous donation of new work boots to Kennedy High School students preparing for the construction trades.

This is exactly how partnerships should operate, said PEA President John McEntee. As I look at our students wearing the work boots that were donated by the PEA, I see students who are going to go out into the workplace. Theyre going to further their education. And theyre going to make a great, great difference hopefully in the city of Paterson for a long time to come.

Mayor Andre Sayegh, whose father is a 78-year-old carpenter, said the future for carpenters is bright in the City of Paterson.

As long as Paterson is in growth mode, were going to need carpenters, said Sayegh, putting his hands on the shoulders of two students in hard hats and work boots who were standing near the podium. Im proud of this most recent partnership. Carpenters matter. Carpenters count. Because you cant build anything without carpenters.

About Paterson Public Schools

Paterson Public Schools serves 25,000 students pre-K to 12th grade in New Jerseys third-

largest city. While the Paterson community may be classified as low-income, many of its

students are high-achieving. More elementary school students are reading at or above grade

level, and more high school students are earning college credits through Advanced Placement exams and taking college-level courses before graduation. Paterson Public Schools stands out as one of only 17 school districts in New Jersey that offer the competitive International Baccalaureate program, and one of only four districts with a P-TECH high school, a program that, in collaboration with IBM and Passaic County Community College, graduates students with an associate degree in applied science and practical tech sector experience.

About The Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters

The Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters represents about 13,000 union carpenters in New Jersey and over 42,000 of the who live and work in Delaware, The District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. EAS Carpenters are trained in many different trades, including commercial/residential carpentry; heavy highway; piledriving; floor-layering; mill cabinet work; and tradeshow construction.

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Attachments

Frank Mahoney Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters 2676183416 [email protected]

Source: Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters
RIMOUSKI, Quebec, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Puma Exploration Inc. (TSXV: PUMA, OTCQB: PUMXF) (the "Company" or "Puma") is pleased to outline its key accomplishments and discoveries made at its Williams Brook Gold Project in 2022 and present its 2023 Exploration Program.

Marcel Robillard, President and CEO of Puma, stated: In only 2 years, we have identified 4 separate high-grade gold zones at surface with significant room for expansion in one of the best jurisdictions in Canada. Weve grown Pumas market cap from C$5M to C$30M with only C$7M of exploration investment. Our tried and true exploration methodology has shown that the mineralization at the Lynx Gold Zone extends 750 m along trend and to a depth of about 100 m, and is open both laterally and at depth. Our 2022 discoveries, the Jaguar, Cougar and Panthera Gold Zones likely represent additional gold areas on our large land package. The potential of the Williams Brook property is significant and we will continue to add gold discoveries to its inventory as we work towards defining a resource at Lynx.

PUMAS KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Proved, through drilling, the continuity of high-grade gold mineralization at the Lynx Gold Zone over a length of 750 m along strike, a width of 75 m and a depth of 100 m (remains open for expansion).

Identified a series of high-grade gold shoots that plunge 25 to the northeast.

Conducted a preliminary metallurgical test on samples drilled in 2021 that returned 92% gold recovery by gravity alone and up to 99.7% by floatation with minimal cyanidation.

Initiated an advanced metallurgical test on twelve (12) quartz veins located at surface totalling 3,000 kg of material.

Excavated 112 trenches spanning 17.1 km and collected 2,629 grab samples.

Completed 2 distinct soil surveys (over 8 km2) and collected 2,686 soil samples.

Discovered three (3) other gold zones kilometres away from Lynx confirming the potential for a gold camp at Williams Brook (Figure 1).

Secured 100% ownership of more than 49,000 ha of prospective land in northern New Brunswick.

Successfully fundraised and developed a loyal shareholder base with key institutional investors.

Established partnerships with industry specialists to optimize exploration and development.

Developed a low-cost exploration model  with only C$7M invested on site to date.

Figure 1. Main Gold Zones on the Williams Brook Property is available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e0ef8f95-000d-4d34-8e17-8135a9493d0c

2023 DEVELOPMENT PLAN  CONTINUED GROWTH

LYNX GOLD ZONE (LGZ)

High-Grade Zone Extension

1) 3,000 m of exploratory drilling down to approximately 200 metres will confirm at depth the higher-grade mineralized intercepts identified in 2023 (Figure 2). This initial winter drilling program is scheduled to begin shortly and is designed to identify the best gold zones to drill at depth for a follow-up summer/fall drilling program.

Figure 2. Lynx Gold Zone high-grade gold mineralization interpolation is available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1386577a-cffb-48a4-a3b2-d8aea649d562

2) 3,000 m of step-out drilling will focus on the expansion of the LGZ to the northeast along a 3 km corridor (Figure 3). Grab samples collected during the 2022 exploration program (see results below) confirmed the NE extension of the favourable contact and identified drilling targets for the upcoming program.

Figure 3. Lynx Gold Zone 2023 step-out drilling plan is available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1913d0d5-ce55-4187-a655-a317edb1bbd1

Bulk Sample  characterizing the Lynx Gold Zone

Mineralization at the Lynx Gold Zone occurs as higher-grade gold veins of varying width within a lower-grade envelope. In consultation with industry experts, Puma has elected to conduct a bulk sample at the LGZ in 2023. The test will provide the average grade of the mineralization and the flow sheet for gold recovery in preparation for a resource estimation. The application for a 4,000 Tonnes bulk sample has already been submitted.

OTHER GOLD DISCOVERIES

Following the drilling success at Lynx, Puma will apply its successful low-cost discovery model to other parts of the property. Expanded surface work will be conducted at the Jaguar (JGZ), Cougar (CGZ) and Panthera (PGZ) Gold Zones to identify future drilling targets. Grab samples collected from the last trenching program at Jaguar and Cougar confirm the gold potential of the areas (Figure 4). A petrographic study is currently in progress to assess the similarity between gold mineralization at the JGZ and LGZ.

Figure 4. Jaguar and Cougar Gold Zones compilation map is available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5059e914-1ed0-47bc-b5d3-d49d72840ad1

NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Puma Exploration continues to seek new opportunities in New Brunswick and is committed to being a leader in mineral exploration in the province. Though its DEAR strategy (Development, Exploration, Acquisition and Royalties), Puma is focused on generating maximum value for shareholders with low share dilution.

ABOUT THE WILLIAMS BROOK GOLD PROJECT

The Williams Brook Project is comprised of 6 claim blocks covering more than 50,000 ha in an established and mining-friendly jurisdiction, near paved roads and with excellent infrastructure nearby. The land package is located near the Rocky Brook Millstream Fault (RBMF), a major regional structure formed during the Appalachian Orogeny and a significant control for gold deposition in the region.

Figure 5. Williams Brook Gold Main Zones is available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/779e16e1-3d11-49f7-8cac-f8d86fee30db

QUALIFIED PERSON

Dominique Gagne, PGeo, a qualified person as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101 standards, has reviewed and approved the geological information reported in this news release.

ON-SITE QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL ("QA/QC") MEASURES

Grab or drill core samples are bagged, sealed and sent to the facility of ALS CHEMEX in Moncton, New Brunswick. Grab samples are dried, and drill core samples are crushed before all are pulped and fire-assayed (Au-ICP21). The remaining coarse reject portions of the samples remain in storage for further work or verification as needed. As part of its QA/QC program, the Company inserts external gold standards (low to high grade) and blanks for every batch of samples. All samples over 10 g/t gold or with abundant visible gold are analyzed with a gravity finish (Au-GRA22). Check assays are routinely performed for samples with visible gold to ascertain the gold content of the mineralization zone.

ABOUT PUMA EXPLORATION

Puma Exploration is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company with precious metals projects located near the Famous Bathurst Mining Camp (BMC) in New Brunswick, Canada.

Connect with us on Facebook / Twitter / LinkedInVisit www.explorationpuma.com for more information or contact:

Marcel Robillard, President and CEO, (418) 750-8510;[email protected]

Mia Boiridy, Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Development, (250) 575-3305; [email protected]

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Puma to be materially different from actual future results and achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made, except as required by law. Puma undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are described in the quarterly and annual reports and in the documents submitted to the securities administration.

Figure 1. Main Gold Zones on the Williams Brook Property Main Gold Zones on the Williams Brook Property Figure 2. Lynx Gold Zone high-grade gold mineralization interpolation Lynx Gold Zone high-grade gold mineralization interpolation Figure 3. Lynx Gold Zone 2023 step-out drilling plan Lynx Gold Zone 2023 step-out drilling plan Figure 4. Jaguar and Cougar Gold Zones compilation map Jaguar and Cougar Gold Zones compilation map Figure 5. Williams Brook Gold Main Zones Williams Brook Gold Main Zones

Source: Puma Exploration Inc.
DUBLIN, Calif., Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rezolve.ai, a category redefining next-generation AI-powered employee service SaaS platform based in California, announced here on Wednesday that it has closed around $11 million in Series A  led by the SIG Venture Capital with participation from Exfinity Venture Partners and follow-on investments from existing investors 9Unicorns and Tri Valley Ventures. The funds will be used to scale growth and further advance capabilities of the platform to deliver industry's most advanced employee service experience.

Addressing the media, Saurabh Kumar, CEO of Rezolve.ai, said that Rezolve.ai brings modern employee service desk experience within the convenience of collaboration platforms like Microsoft Teams and Slack. The solution leverages cutting-edge conversational AI and intelligent automation skills to provide an instant service desk experience like never before. "Every employee, in every company on the planet, needs internal technical support about once a month. The two decades-old legacy model of creating tickets and calling for support is costing employers billions in direct cost, and billions more in lost employee productivity. Employers and employees want this changed with urgency  and Rezolve.ai is powering this new future."

Manish Sharma, Chief Growth Officer at Rezolve.ai, added, "Employee support and enablement is undergoing dramatic transformation, with a new set of market leaders set to emerge in a year or two. With ChatGPT-like employee experience and many other differentiators built in, Rezolve.ai has established itself as an innovative leader in this space and is making a real difference in the life of employees and service desk technicians. With the current round of investment and our uber-innovative product, we are poised to establish dominance in the employee support and enablement market."

"Our name reflects our vision  we don't want people to track tickets. We want to resolve their support needs  instantly and automatically without human support intervention," added Udaya Bhaskar Reddy, CTO and co-founder. "We have done this by creating a deep employee service stack that combines advanced NLU, an AI-powered knowledge management layer, thousands of tasks, processes, and troubleshooting 'skills' that can work together to fully automate more than half of Level 1 support."

"We invested in Rezolve.ai to support the founder's vision of leveraging rapid improvements in AI capability that allow incumbent support platforms to transition from being just a process workstream to an intelligent intermediation layer that reduces human involvement. This functionality can become the de facto Level 1 support inside organizations  not just for IT and HR but for every support function needed across organizations. Rapid growth, strong customer and analyst feedback, and product superiority set Rezolve up to fulfill its product vision," said Bhavanipratap Rana, Investment Adviser, SIG Venture Capital.

Rezolve.ai has a customer rating of 5.0 stars in the G2 and has been rated #1 in the Service Desk category for Ease of Use, Ease of Setup and Likelihood to Recommend (G2 Fall Report 2022). Over the last two years, Rezolve.ai has achieved many notable awards and titles such as Aragon Research 2021 Hot Vendor, HFS Research Hot Vendor, "Product Challenger" in ISG's Provider Lens for Intelligent Automation, Forrester Research's Notable Vendor in Chatbots for IT Operations Vendor Landscape, Q2 2022, and "Great User Experience 2021 Award" by Finances Online and Aspirant in Top Conversational AI Technology Vendor Landscape PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022 by Everest Group. Apart from this, Rezolve.ai is GDPR compliant, SOC 2 Type II compliant, HIPAA certified and ISO 27001 certified service desk.

Veda Corporate Advisors were the Investment Bankers for the round.

About Rezolve.ai

Rezolve.ai is a modern service desk that helps businesses automate their employee support, IT and HR tasks, and processes. Integrated within collaborative channels like MS Teams and Slack, Rezolve.ai offers advanced features such as Smart AI Chatbot, Twitter-Age Knowledge Management, AI-Powered Ticketing, Conversational Microlearning, Push Notifications, Desktop Automation, Live Expert Connect, Task Automation, Workflow Approvals and many more capabilities to elevate employee experience and create a frictionless workplace.

About SIG Venture Capital

SIG Venture Capital is the Southeast Asian and Indian venture capital arm of the Susquehanna International Group of Companies, a global proprietary trading and investment firm founded in 1987. As part of SIG, we have access to flexible and patient capital to grow with our investments. With 70+ IPO/M&A and other exits and 350+ portfolio companies in enterprise and consumer technology spaces over the last 18 years in Asia, we support founders from their early days through each stage of growth. Our global portfolio includes Agora, Bytedance, Kumu, Inshorts, Lentra, Mobile Premier League, Musical.ly, Paidy, PayMaya and RedDoorz. For more information about SIG Venture Capital, please visit www.sig-asiavc.com.

About Exfinity Venture Partners:

EVP is an India-based early stage fund that invests in Enterprise SaaS, Deep Tech businesses operating in India-U.S. corridor. Some of its investments are MoEngage, Pixis.ai, Skit.ai, Mad Street Den, Hippo Video, Ati Motors, and Log9.

Contact Information: Saurabh Kumar CEO, Rezolve.ai [email protected] +1 (415) 254-2699

Related Images

Image 1: Rezolve.ai Rezolve.ai Secures Series A Funding

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

Attachment

Source: Rezolve.ai
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tearlach Resources Limited (TSXV: TEA) (OTC: TELHF) (FRANKFURT: V44) (Tearlach or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has engaged TonaTec Exploration LLC, of Elko Nevada, to conduct the Phase 1 core drill program commencing this month at the Companys Joint Ventured Gabriel Project formerly the Blackrock Silver (TSXV: BRC) Tonopah North Lithium Project in Nevada.

Program Highlights:

Planned Phase 1 drill program of a 3000-meter core drill program.

Re-drill several past holes with Core drilling to perform concurrent metallurgical testing and understand geological constraints.

19-hole program down to a maximum depth of 200 Meters.

Permits with BLM submitted with expected mobilization in February.

TonaTec is recognized by the exploration community as a leading drill company with experience operating in the Tonopah area. A collaborative relationship with Blackrock Silver has created operational, and contractor synergies for both companies that management believes represents a unique advantage.

CEO Morgan Lekstrom commented, From signing the initial Joint Venture and engaging a world-class team of geologists with significant clay lithium experience to permitting and anticipated drilling to commence all within two months, this shows the commitment the entire team has to advance The Gabriel Project. We plan to expand on the original discovery in what is becoming a leading lithium district with American Lithium and American Battery Metals Corp, which are companies with significant market caps and our neighbors. Both companies have seen significant shareholder value creation, and we believe we can come out as a leader in the area through our accelerated programs, geological team, as well as a unique engineering approach.

About Tearlach

Tearlach is a Canadian exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and development of lithium projects. Tearlach holds an interest in the Final Frontier Project, which includes the Pakwan, Pakwan Extension, and Margot Lake Claim block, which is in close proximity to Frontier Lithiums flagship claims and proximal to the Spark and PAK deposits. Tearlach holds interests in the Wesley, Harth, and Ferland properties, all located in the lithium hub of northwestern Ontario, Canada. The Wesley Property borders Green Energy Metals Root Lake Project, where a 24,000 m drill program is currently underway. Pegmatite dykes have - been encountered on the Harth Lithium Project, which is 8 kms west of the Wesley Lithium Project. Prospecting and mapping have confirmed pegmatite dykes on the Ferland Lithium Property, 10 km east of Green Technology Metals Seymour Lake Project. Tearlach holds interests in the Flizar, Muscovite Ridge and Rose North Properties in the James Bay area of Quebec, and each property hosts pegmatites. Tearlach intends to explore these assets and develop a portfolio of projects in North America through acquisition. Tearlachs primary objective is to position itself as the leading lithium exploration and development company in North America. Additional information on the Company is available at the website at www.tearlach.ca.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

TEARLACH RESOURCES LIMITED

Morgan LekstromChief Executive Officer and DirectorSuite 610 - 700 W. Pender StreetVancouver, BC, Canada V6C 1G8Tel: 604-688-5007

www.tearlach.ca

https://tearlach.ca/contact/

Forward-looking statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (collectively, forward-looking statements). Statements and information that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as expects, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, potential, possible and similar expressions or statements that events, conditions or results will, may, could or should occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements and the assumptions made in respect thereof involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors beyond the Companys control. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements regarding the anticipated drill program and the timing thereof, that the Companys relationship with Blackrock Silver will provide synergies and a unique advantage, the intention to expand on prior discoveries by Blackrock Silver and the belief that the Company will be a leader in the Tonopah area. Mineral exploration is highly speculative, and characterized by several significant risks, which even a combination of careful evaluation, experience and knowledge may not eliminate. Forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date herein. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements in this press release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. The Companys Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com, and readers are urged to review these materials.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service provided (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Source: Tearlach Resources Limited
Richmond, Virginia, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (Richmond, VA) HSLDA's organization, Generation Joshua, a national civics program for teens, was recognized by a commending resolution from the Virginia House of Delegates. Introduced by Delegate Karen Greenhalgh (R-VA-85), the resolution highlighted the impact Generation Joshua has had on teens throughout the state of Virginia since its launch in 2004.

As the resolution came to the House floor for consideration, current Generation Joshua students, staff, parents, and alumni filled the gallery.

We are honored to receive this recognition from the House of Delegates and thankful to Delegate Greenhalgh for spearheading this effort. We are honored to accept it on behalf of the more than 29,000 teens that have come through our program. said Joel Grewe, Director of Generation Joshua. Generation Joshua is built on the idea that, for the American experiment to thrive, everyday people need to be informed about and engaged in the civic process. This recognition is not about me or my staffits about the young men and women we are privileged to serve. Theyre changing the world today and thats something worth celebrating.

After the session, Generation Joshua Deputy Director Jeremiah Lorrig said, This moment is poignant because so many GenJ students admire Delegate Greenhalgh. She powerfully embodies the mindset future leaders need. Our students are discovering the privilege and responsibility of citizenship. And leaders like Delegate Greenhalgh remind them of the impact one citizen can have when they engage our system with consistency, humility, and the heart to serve.

About Generation Joshua: Generation Joshua is a nonpartisan initiative of HSLDA Action. Founded in 2004, Generation Joshua has trained the next generation of conservative leaders and activists for over 18 years. Their multi-faceted approach to civics education incorporates online classes, local clubs, immersive government simulations, and opportunities for practical campaign experience.

Generation Joshua recently launched registration for their 2023 iGovern Leadership Camps. These week-long experiences in Purcellville, Virginia, invite teens to spend a week inside a functional model of U.S. politics and government. Students take on roles in the House, Senate, or Executive Branchand they can even run to become President of the United States! More information can be found at www.GenJ.us/iGovern.

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Attachment

Daniel Heffington HSLDA Generation Joshua 540-338-8608 [email protected]

Source: HSLDA
After entering the exam room to greet a 4-year-old patient, I couldnt help but notice bruises on her arms. Black, blue, green, and yelloweach was in a different stage of healing. Injuries on the arms and legs are typical for young children as they run, grow, and play. But her bruising pattern resembled the imprint of a wire hanger.

While looking through her medical chart, I asked what had happened. The little girl sheepishly explained that she fell while playing hopscotch with her friends. Her stepfather nodded in approval, but red flags erupted in my mind. I continued with her well-child check as if not overly concerned. But as I examined her frail body, more bruising was evident on her torso, back, and thighswhere children do not typically get hurt.

How did you get so many boo-boos? I asked. Shrugging her shoulders and lifting her hands, she said, I dont know. Thats when her stepfather quickly interjected, explaining that she was clumsy and often tripped and fell at home. Though it was the first time Id met her, I had difficulty believing his words, given the 4-year-olds otherwise normal exam and unremarkable history.

After finishing the checkup, I left the room while contemplating next steps. In my heart, I suspected child abuse. Was the child in imminent danger? It was hard to say. The Spirit persuaded me to call the Division of Child Welfare for advice. After sharing my findings, they directed me to keep the child in my office until they arrived.

This patient was later taken into the custody of Child Protective Services. Unfortunately, a deeper investigation uncovered a pattern of physical and sexual abuse from her stepfather. After many tumultuous years, she now lives with Christian foster parents and is flourishing in a local youth group.

Child abuse doesnt always leave a visible imprint. It includes physical, emotional, sexual abuse, and neglect. As a pediatrician, mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse was ingrained through my training. With every patient, I proactively looked for signs of potential abuse.

But now as a pastor, Im surprised by the lack of uniformity in the laws governing clergy reporting between statesand the confusion this causes among my fellow church leaders.

Every state delineates the categories or professions of mandatory reportersthat is, individuals who have a legal duty to report actual or suspected child abuse cases. For such persons, withholding this information is a crime and could lead to misdemeanor charges, criminal penalties, and lawsuits.

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States like California and New York list specific professions that are subject to mandatory reporting lawsincluding teachers, social workers, physicians, nurses, counselors, hospital employees, psychologists, and law enforcement officers. And while California treats clergy and pastors as mandated reporters, New York does not.

In New York, this has recently been a topic of discussion as the Child Abuse Reporting Expansion act (CARE)which would make pastors, priests, and other clergy members mandatory reportershas been proposed but not passed. Recently, pastors at the Metro District of the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) and faculty at Alliance Theological Seminary where I serve have been prayerfully discerning how to advocate for abused children and those at risk.

On the surface, mandatory reporting for pastors seems black and white. Unfortunately, its much more complicated due to pastoral privilege. Also known as clergy-penitent privilege, this rule of evidence forbids legal inquiry into certain types of communication between clergy and congregants. The most commonly cited cases revolve around the Catholic tradition of confession.

Former Chief Justice Warren Burger once wrote, the clergy privilege is rooted in the imperative need for confidence and trust. The priest-penitent privilege recognizes the human need to disclose to a spiritual counselor, in total and absolute confidence, what are believed to be flawed acts or thoughts and to receive consolations and guidance in return.

In some cases, this privilege is granted but limited to communication with a pastor. In others, such privilege is denied in cases of child abuse. Still, in some states, the law does not allow for the exception of privilege at all.

An Associated Press review in 2022 showed that clergy members are exempt from the professions required by law to report suspected child abuse in 33 states. This immunity pertains to any information the church deems to be privileged, even if that is alleged or admitted sexual abuse of a child.

In 2020, the Montana Supreme Court unanimously reversed a $35-million dollar judgment against Jehovahs Witnesses for failing to report sexual abuse. In the courts view, church staff fell within clergy-penitent privilege according to laws governing child abuse reporting in Montana.

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Such ambiguity has caused a great deal of confusion among fellow pastors and clergy members. Some pastors wrestle with the confidentiality entrusted to them. Others are unsure how to best help families while protecting the church from scandal.

As a pastor, I understand the need for clergy privilege. Like many pastors, Ive also been humbled to work with parishioners through deep-seated sin, which is sometimes egregious.

When the Holy Spirit convicts a congregant of sin in their life, I am often the first person they confide in. Brothers and sisters come to me in brokenness and vulnerability, often seeking my counsel with tears of repentance. They would never confide in me if not for the bonds of trust forged through fellowship, worship, and prayer.

James 5:16 encourages us to confess our sins to one another and pray that we might be healed. Without that disclosure, sin remains hidden and formidable. Shining a light on our iniquities grants us freedom in Christ. Repentance of sin requires a broken and contrite heartand it is paramount to intimacy with Jesus.

And while most sins will never require disclosure to authorities, child abuse cases always involve offenses that are prosecutable by law.

Understandably, it would be difficult for pastors without training to identify red flags, behaviors, and warning signs around abuse. Many would question their instincts when confronted with these challenging situations. To ensure the safety of the next generation, churches should advocate, train, and educate their pastors, youth, and childrens ministry workers. For instance, Christianity Todays sister site, Church Law & Tax, discusses 22 facts church leaders should know about mandatory reporting laws.

Thankfully as a pastor, Ive yet to face suspected or confirmed child abuse cases on my watchbut if I did, I suspect my instincts as a pediatrician would define my actions. This decision is not based only on my civic duty, but on biblical principles.

Regardless of what the state law requires, we have a biblical mandate to protect those without power and a voice. We must speak up for the vulnerable and oppressedincluding the unhoused, widows, single mothers, orphans, and innocent children. Time and again in the Scriptures, God calls his people to compassionate care for the least of these in society (Matt. 25:40).

But Jesus further demonstrates how precious children are to the community of faith when he says, Let the children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these, (Matt. 19:14). He also warns that it would be better for a person to drown in the sea with a great millstone around his or her neck than cause one of these little ones to stumble (Matt. 18:6).

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As pastors, our priority is to protect our flock from harmespecially the most vulnerable.

In the story of the Good Samaritan, it is remarkable that a foreigner would treat a Jewish man as his neighbor. But it should be even more striking that the Jewish priest nonchalantly walked by his dying brother in plain sight and did nothing to help him. By doing so, he relinquished a timely opportunity to share Gods love and rejected his sacred mandate to shepherd Gods people.

The Hippocratic Oath reminds physicians to first, do no harm. Yet the covenant pastors make with God during ordination goes far beyond any manmade oath. Paul exhorts church leaders to be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood (Acts 20:28)

Cover-ups of child sexual abuse scandals among priests have long tainted the witness of the church. What will we do when we suspect or witness child abuse in our congregations? We can either turn a blind eye and walk by on the other side of the road, or we can follow in the footsteps of the Good Samaritan and potentially save an innocent young life in the process.

Stephen Ko is senior pastor at New York Chinese Alliance Church and Adjunct Professor at Alliance Theological Seminary. He is the author of a forthcoming Zondervan book at the intersection of faith and health.

Learn more about mandatory child abuse reporting laws in the resources provided by Christianity Todays Church Law & Tax, including this article on clergy-penitent privilege, this state-by-state guide, and this video series on how to reduce the risk of child abuse in your church.
STEINHAUSEN, Switzerland, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transocean Ltd. (NYSE: RIG) today issued a quarterly Fleet Status Report that provides the current status of, and contract information for, the companys fleet of offshore drilling rigs.

This quarters report includes the following updates:

Deepwater Corcovado  Awarded a four-year contract in Brazil at a current rate of $400,000 per day, as adjusted for foreign currency exchange.

Deepwater Orion  Awarded a three-year contract in Brazil at current rate of $417,000 per day, as adjusted for foreign currency exchange.

Dhirubhai Deepwater KG2  Awarded a 910-day contract in Brazil at a current rate of $439,000 per day, as adjusted for foreign currency exchange.

Deepwater Invictus  Awarded a three-well contract in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico at $425,000 per day.

Transocean Barents  Awarded a one-well contract in the U.K. North Sea at $310,000 per day.

Transocean Norge  Certain previously disclosed options in Norway have been added to backlog at current dayrates between $414,000 and $424,000 per day, as adjusted for foreign currency exchange.

Development Driller III  Customer exercised a one-well option in Suriname at $360,000 per day.

Deepwater Asgard  Customer exercised a one-well option in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico at $395,000 per day.

Paul B. Loyd Jr.  Customer exercised an eight-well option in the U.K. North Sea at $175,000 per day.

The aggregate incremental backlog associated with these fixtures is approximately $1.9 billion. As of February 9, the companys total backlog is approximately $8.5 billion.

The report can be accessed on the companys website: www.deepwater.com.

About Transocean

Transocean is a leading international provider of offshore contract drilling services for oil and gas wells. Transocean specializes in technically demanding sectors of the global offshore drilling business with a particular focus on deepwater and harsh environment drilling services and operates the highest specification floating offshore drilling fleet in the world.

Transocean owns or has partial ownership interests in and operates a fleet of 37 mobile offshore drilling units, consisting of 27 ultra-deepwater floaters and 10 harsh environment floaters. In addition, Transocean is constructing one ultra-deepwater drillship and holds a noncontrolling ownership interest in a company that is constructing one ultra-deepwater drillship.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements described herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements could contain words such as "possible," "intend," "will," "if," "expect," or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on managements current expectations and assumptions, and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. As a result, actual results could differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, estimated duration of customer contracts, contract dayrate amounts, future contract commencement dates and locations, planned shipyard projects and other out-of-service time, sales of drilling units, timing of the companys newbuild deliveries, operating hazards and delays, risks associated with international operations, actions by customers and other third parties, the fluctuation of current and future prices of oil and gas, the global and regional supply and demand for oil and gas, the intention to scrap certain drilling rigs, the success of our business following prior acquisitions, the effects of the spread of and mitigation efforts by governments, businesses and individuals related to contagious illnesses, such as COVID-19, and other factors, including those and other risks discussed in the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, and in the company's other filings with the SEC, which are available free of charge on the SEC's website at: www.sec.gov. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize (or the other consequences of such a development worsen), or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the company or to persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by reference to these risks and uncertainties. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur, or which we become aware of, after the date hereof, except as otherwise may be required by law. All non-GAAP financial measure reconciliations to the most comparative GAAP measure are displayed in quantitative schedules on the companys website at: www.deepwater.com.

This press release, or referenced documents, do not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and do not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (FinSA) or advertising within the meaning of the FinSA. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of Transocean and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of Transocean.

Analyst Contacts:Alison Johnson+1 713-232-7214

Media Contact:Pam Easton+1 713-232-7647

Source: Transocean Ltd.
SPRINGDALE, Ark., Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tyson Foods (NYSE: TSN) held its 60th annual meeting of shareholders earlier today at its Emma St. location, the site of the companys original headquarters, to address company business following its first quarter results.

Tyson Foods shareholders elected its board of directors: As noted in the companys most recent proxy statement, of the 13 directors, ten are independent, including Les R. Baledge, Mike Beebe, Maria Claudia Borras, David J. Bronczek, Mikel A. Durham, Jonathan D. Mariner, Kevin M. McNamara, Cheryl S. Miller, Jeffrey K. Schomburger and Barbara A. Tyson.

Chairman John H. Tyson was reelected to the board of directors, as were Tyson Foods President and CEO Donnie King and Executive Vice-Chairman Noel White.

Tyson Foods shareholders also ratified the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the company for the 2023 fiscal year. They also voted against a shareholder proposal requesting the company complies with the World Health Organizations (WHO) guidelines on the use of antimicrobials in Tyson Foods supply chain. Tyson Foods has already instituted a science-based policy on antibiotic use that addresses WHOs non-binding guidance.

About Tyson Foods, Inc.Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) is one of the worlds largest food companies and a recognized leader in protein. Founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson and grown under four generations of family leadership, the Company has a broad portfolio of products and brands like Tyson, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, Wright, Aidells, ibp and State Fair. Headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, the Company had approximately 142,000 team members on October 1, 2022. Through its Core Values, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity, create value for its shareholders, customers, communities and team members and serve as a steward of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it. Visit www.tysonfoods.com.

Media Contacts: Philippa Brown, [email protected]Derek Burleson, [email protected]

Category: IR, NEWSROOM

Source: Tyson Foods, Inc.
SURREY, British Columbia/Territories of the Coast Salish (Kwantlen, Katzie, Semiahmoo, Tsawwassen First Nations), Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Westland Insurance today announced that it acquired Niche Assurance Inc. and Heritage Insurance on February 1. The addition of these brokerages to the Westland family furthers its expansion across Canada.

With three locations in Quebec, Niche Assurance is specialist brokerage that focuses on serving the more complex needs of the non-standard condo, residential, and commercial market  including seasonal and unique residential properties  as well as the construction, hospitality and food service sectors. They specialize in less conventional risk, an area Westland continues to expand its capabilities in. It is Westlands second acquisition in Quebec this year and will become part of Westlands group business portfolio, Westland MyGroup.

Based in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Heritage Insurance has been providing personal, auto, commercial, and farm insurance since 1982. They share Westlands passion for customer-oriented, personalized service and have deep ties to their local community.

Were thrilled to welcome Niche Assurance and Heritage Insurance to the Westland family, says Jamie Lyons, Westlands President & CEO. Mark Pedicelli and the Niche team are passionate insurance professionals, and Heritage Insurance  under the leadership of Greg Marcyniuk  has an exceptionally strong orientation towards client experience. We feel tremendous cultural alignment with both brokerages and are grateful for the opportunity to continue our growth in Quebec and Saskatchewan with such outstanding teams.

Westland continues to invest in and grow its business in Canada, both organically and through strategic acquisitions.

About Westland Insurance GroupWestland Insurance Group is one of the largest and fastest-growing independent insurance brokers in Canada. Trading over $2.5 billion of premium, Westland continues to expand coast to coast. Westlands brokers provide expertise and advisory-based services across commercial, personal, employee benefits, farm, and specialty insurance segments. Since its founding in 1980, Westland has remained a family-owned company that is committed to supporting its clients, industry partners and local communities. For more information, please visit westlandinsurance.ca.

Media Contact:Westland Insurance Group Ltd.Jessica Thiessen, Senior Manager, CommunicationsPhone: 778-288-7894[email protected]

Source: Westland Insurance Group Ltd.
Toronto, Ontario, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Yooma Wellness Inc. (Yooma or the "Company") (CSE: YOOM) (AQSE: YOOM), a wellness platform that and markets a portfolio of CBD and wellness brands, today provides a corporate update.

The Company is engaged in an ongoing operational restructuring aimed at addressing depressed market conditions in the CBD wellness industry, the Companys increasing liquidity constraints and lack of working capital. The initial phases of this restructuring involved the wind-down of the Companys operations in the United States last year, and has gradually expanded to include the Companys operations in other unprofitable markets. In parallel with these restructuring initiatives, the Company has also been engaged in a continuing review of strategic alternatives for the Company, however, that process has to date been unsuccessful in identifying a path forward.

In connection with its restructuring efforts, the Company announced today that it has reached a settlement (the Settlement) with the vendors (Vendors) of Vertex Co., Ltd. (Vertex), which will discharge approximately US$12,000,000 in debts and other obligations of the Company and result in the Companys exit from the Japan market. The Company acquired Vertex on October 1, 2021 for an aggregate purchase price of US$12,000,000 (the Transaction), consisting of US$2,500,000 paid in cash on closing, and deferred payments of US$6,500,000 due April 30, 2023 and US$3,000,000 due April 30, 2024. Under the terms of the Transaction agreements, the Company also agreed to refinance up to US$2,000,000 of Vertex debt, to fund certain working capital requirements, and to pay bonuses based on Vertexs performance in 2022, 2023 and 2024. As security for certain of its obligations to the Vendors in connection with the Transaction, the Company granted the Vendors a security interest over the securities of Vertex.

Under the terms of the Settlement, the Company has agreed to cooperate with the Vendors in the enforcement of their security interest, with the result that ownership of Vertex will return to the Vendors, and to assign to the Vendors approximately US$1,200,000 in receivables owing to the Company by Vertex. The Company, Vertex and the Vendors will also exchange mutual releases, which will result in the discharge of approximately US$12,000,000 in debts, obligations, interest payments and other liabilities owing by the Company in connection with the Transaction, and will free the Company from any future commitments with respect to Vertex financing, performance bonuses or working capital requirements.

The Company also announced today that its wholly-owned indirect subsidiary Greenleaf SAS (France) is not able to meet its current liabilities with available assets and is therefore in a state of suspension of payments under local law. As a result, Greenleaf has requested the opening of a legal redress procedure under Article L.631-1 of the National Commercial Code of France.

With the wind-down of the Companys operations in the United States in 2022 and the transfer of Vertex to the Vendors under the Settlement, the Companys only material operating business lines are now in Europe, operating primarily under its wholly-owned subsidiary, Vitality CBD. The Company is continuing to consider all available options to address its liquidity constraints and satisfy its current and future obligations, which may include raising short-term debt or equity financing, a sale of Company assets, including its Vitality CBD business, an orderly wind-down of some or all of the members of the Companys corporate group or, if and to the extent applicable, insolvency proceedings for some or all of the members of the Companys corporate group. There can be no assurance at this time which alternatives, if any, will be pursued by the Company and whether the Company will be successful in addressing its liquidity constraints.

About Yooma

Yooma's is engaged in the marketing and sale of wellness products including hemp seed oil and hemp-derived and cannabinoid (CBD) ingredients. The company leverages strategically curated sales channels and ecommerce networks to deliver a diverse mix of wellness products through operating subsidiaries in the United Kingdom and France. Learn more at www.yooma.ca.

Issuer Contact:Jordan Greenberg, CEOEmail: [email protected]Phone: 1-512-823-1678

Notice regarding Forward Looking Statements

All information included in this press release, including any information as to future financial or operating performance and other statements of Yooma that express managements expectations or estimates of future performance or activities, other than statements of historical fact, constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable securities laws and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the date hereof. Forward-looking statements are included for the purpose of providing information about managements current expectations and plans relating to the future. Wherever possible, words such as will, intend, future, plan, potential, result in, continuing, ongoing, increasing, may, or the negative of these words or other variations thereof, have been used to identify such forward-looking information. Specific forward-looking statements include, without limitation, all disclosure regarding future results of operations, economic conditions and anticipated courses of action, including statements about the consummation of the Settlement and the alternatives that are being considered and may be pursued in connection with the Companys ongoing reorganization.There are many risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements including, among others, regulatory risk in each jurisdiction in which Yooma does or intends to operate; the uncertainties, effects of and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic; reliance on licenses; competition; dependence on senior management and key personnel; general business risk and liability; regulation of the CBD industry; changes in laws, regulations and guidelines; compliance with laws; limited operating history; unfavourable publicity or consumer perception; product liability, risks related to intellectual property; product recalls; difficulties with forecasts; management of growth; litigation; the requirement for increasingly innovative product solutions and service offerings; trends in customer growth; the availability and sufficiency of financing to support existing and future capital requirements; the availability of potential transaction partners to acquire some or all of the Companys assets; changes in the value of the Companys assets; the Companys ability to continue to operate as a going concern; and other matters which are beyond the control of Yooma. Although the forward-looking statements contained herein reflect management's current beliefs and reasonable assumptions based upon information available to management as of the date hereof, Yooma cannot be certain that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information. Yooma cautions you not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements. Yooma disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Nothing herein should be construed as either an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy or sell securities of Yooma.

Source: Yooma Wellness Inc
Although dozens of states now allow the sale and consumption of either medical or recreational cannabis, federal law still outlaws the controversial drug. As a result, plenty of consumers have found themselves facing repercussions for consuming legal cannabis, especially employees in federal agencies and certain industries. According to recent data from the Department of Transportation (DOT), commercial truckers are the latest class of employees to be affected by cannabis testing requirements.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports that tens of thousands of truckers failed cannabis tests after

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Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 8, 2023) - Awakn Life Sciences Corp. (NEO: AWKN) (OTCQB: AWKNF) (FSE: 954) ('Awakn'), a biotechnology company developing therapeutics to treat addiction with a near-term focus on Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), announces that it has been requested by OTC Markets Group Inc. ("OTC Markets") to issue this statement about promotional activity concerning its common stock.

On February, 6, 2023, OTC Markets informed the Company that it became aware of certain promotional activities concerning the Company and its common stock traded on the OTCQB Marketplace, specifically the distribution of promotional emails by third-parties, SmallCapFirm, StockWireNews and Stock Street Wire discussing the float as well as potential catalysts of the Company and summaries of recent press releases. The Company was not involved in the creation of the materials, however has subsequently reviewed the specific details related to the Company, and has confirmed these to be factual. The Company wishes to caution readers that these statements are speculative in nature. For more complete and specific information regarding the Company, its prospects and the risks associated with those prospects, readers should consult the Company's public filings on SEDAR, its website and other reliable sources. The Company encourages investors to contact their investment advisors prior to making any investment.

The Company continued work under an investor communications and digital marketing agreement with JRZ Capital LLC, (original agreement was disclosed in a press release dated October 8, 2021) whereby JRZ Capital LLC was paid an additional US$50,000 in January, 2023, to provide additional support to the Company for a period of three months, under which it engaged the promotional emails.

Further, the Company understands this promotional activity has coincided with increased trading activity in the Company's common shares beginning on February 6, 2023. The Company does not believe the promotional activities were solely the factor in the recent increase in trading volume in the Company's common shares. The Company attributes the increase to currently heightened investor interest as a result of its recent press releases which disclosed that it had received ILAP approval in the UK as well as the initiation of an investigative study of a novel formulation of (S)-ketamine.

After an inquiry by management, none of the Company's executive officers, directors or, to the knowledge of the Company, any controlling shareholders or third party service providers, sold or purchased shares of common stock of the Company within the past 90 days.

In the last twelve months, the Company has engaged JRZ Capital (as previously disclosed on a press release dated October 8, 2021), Geelon & Co, Just Capital Consulting, KCSA Strategic Communications and Street Smart.

The OTC Markets has further requested that the Company state whether it has issued any shares or convertible instruments allowing conversion to equity securities at prices constituting a discount to the current market rate at the time of the issuance. The Company has not.

About Awakn Life Sciences Corp.

Awakn Life Sciences Corp. is a biotechnology company developing therapeutics to treat addiction. Awakn has a near-term focus on Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), a condition affecting 285m people globally for which the current standard of care is inadequate. Our goal is to provide breakthrough therapeutics to addiction sufferers in desperate need and our strategy is focused on commercializing our R&D pipeline across multiple channels.

www.AwaknLifeSciences.com | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | www.AwaknClinics.com

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, as defined in applicable securities laws (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements reflect current expectations or beliefs regarding future events or the Company's future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "continues", "forecasts", "projects", "predicts", "intends", "anticipates", "targets" or "believes", or variations of, or the negatives of, such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, including statements relating the business of the Company. All forward-looking statements, including those herein are qualified by this cautionary statement.

Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the statements. There are certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking information. These include, but are not limited to:COVID-19; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; the business plans and strategies of the Company; the ability of the Company to comply with all applicable governmental regulations in a highly regulated business; the inherent risks in investing in target companies or projects which have limited or no operating history and are engaged in activities currently considered illegal in some jurisdictions; changes in laws; limited operating history; reliance on management; requirements for additional financing; competition; fluctuations in securities markets; inconsistent public opinion and perception regarding the medical-use of psychedelic drugs; expectations regarding the size of the addiction market; and regulatory or political change. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release speak only as of the date of this news release or as of the date or dates specified in such statements.

Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. For more information on the Company, investors are encouraged to review the Company's public filings on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward- looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities in the United States. The Company's and Awakn's securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

Investor Enquiries:

Anthony Tennyson, CEO, Awakn Life Sciences

[email protected]

Media Enquiries:

Gordo Whittaker, CMO, Awakn Life Sciences

[email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/154181
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 9, 2023) - Komo Plant Based Foods Inc. (CSE: YUM) (OTCQB: KOMOF) (FSE: 9HB0) (the "Company", "Komo"), a premium plantbased food company, reports planned expansion across Canada with Whole Foods Market.

Komo Plant Based Foods Inc., a fast growing plant-based food products manufacturer, announces today that it will be expanding its presence in Canada through additional distribution at Whole Foods Markets. Komo's line of frozen meals and meal helpers will now be available in all 14 Whole Foods Market locations in Canada, with the newly expanded listings to be on shelves by May of 2023.

Whole Foods West will be expanding their line of Komo frozen foods from 3 SKUs to 5 SKUs in western Canada and Whole Foods Ontario will be carrying all 5 SKUs, including Komo's 2 serve Lasagna, 2 serve Shepherds Pie, 2 serve Mac & Greens, as well as Komo's line of Meal Helpers: BBQ Mushroom Lentil Taco Filling and Walnut Mushroom Bolognese.

"We're thrilled that Whole Foods Market is adding more Komo products to their selection and continues to support Komo's efforts to bring convenience and high quality plant-based meals to our shared end-consumer," says William White, CEO of Komo. "Our goal has always been to make plant-based eating accessible to everyone, and this expansion into Whole Foods nationally takes us one step closer to achieving that goal"

About Komo

Komo Plant Based Foods is a premium plant-based food company that develops, manufactures and sells a variety of plant-based frozen meals that are always hearty, satisfying and made with wholesome ingredients. Komo's mission is to help make plant-based meals a staple on every dinner table by sharing the company's love for feel-good food that connects the people to the planet. The company believes plant-based eating is the future and that "Change can start with a single bite." The company's experienced plant-based innovation and development team recreates vegan versions of traditionally cheesy and meaty classics, with 100 per cent plants. Komo's 9 products are sold direct-to-consumer through the company's e-commerce website, and a distribution network of on-line and brick and mortar grocery, convenience and natural retailer channels. The company launched in 2021 with the company's flagship products: plant-based lasagna, shepherd's pie and chickenless pot pie, and Komo Plant-Based Meal Helpers -- versatile meal starters to allow the creation of many dishes at home. Komo's newest product is Mac & Greens. All of the company's products are 100-per-cent plant-based, made with wholesome ingredients, free from preservatives and frozen for freshness. Freezing products is a natural and effective way of keeping food products for longer without having to use any preservatives. Komo's meals have an 18-month frozen shelf life. Komo's products are now available in over 840 retail locations across Canada.

Learn more at: www.komocomfortfoods.com and follow on Instagram: @komocomfortfoods For further information, please contact:

William White,

President & CEO,

Komo Plant Based Foods Inc.



[email protected]



+1 (236) 8000YUM / (236) 8000986

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding ForwardLooking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forwardlooking information. These statements relate to future events or Komo's future performance. The use of any of the words and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forwardlooking information and are based on Komo management's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, Komo's ability to retain key personnel, its projected revenues, its projected expenses, its ability to raise capital, and its expectation as to the continued increase in the number of retailers and consumers of its products constitute forward looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by forwardlooking information. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forwardlooking information. The statements made in this press release are made as of the date hereof. Komo disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forwardlooking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be expressly required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/154231
The contracts further validate Plurilock's Aurora Systems as a trusted supplier and enable the Company to provide competitive offers for its solutions to additional state and local government agencies in California through CMAS

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 9, 2023) - Plurilock Security Inc. (TSXV: PLUR) (OTCQB: PLCKF) and related subsidiaries ("Plurilock" or the "Company"), an identity-centric cybersecurity solutions provider for workforces, is pleased to announce that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Aurora Systems Consulting, Inc. ("Aurora") has received seven new California Multiple Award Schedule (CMAS) contracts ("Contracts").

CMAS is a streamlined procurement process that is administered by the state of California and offers a network of contractors and suppliers, which local agencies can select competitively priced products and services from.1 Aurora initially became a CMAS-certified contractor in 2002 and currently provides solutions through CMAS to state and local government customers in California. These Contracts enable Aurora to provide offers for its products and services to more organizations via the CMAS program, enabling the Company to potentially secure additional customers within California.

"We are pleased to announce that our Aurora subsidiary has received seven new CMAS contracts," said Ian L. Paterson, CEO of Plurilock. "Aurora's operations have enabled our Solutions Division to establish an extensive customer network of U.S. federal, California state and local organizations in the United States, which we intend to leverage in order to secure more cross-sale orders for our high-margin software offerings. Overall, these contracts could potentially add new customers to our pipeline, which bodes well for our sales strategy."

About Plurilock

Plurilock provides identity-centric cybersecurity for today's workforces. The Plurilock family of companies enables organizations to operate safely and securely while reducing cybersecurity friction. Plurilock offers world-class IT and cybersecurity solutions through its Solutions Division, paired with proprietary, AI-driven and cloud-friendly security through its Technology Division. Together, the Plurilock family of companies delivers persistent identity assurance with unmatched ease of use.

For more information, visit https://www.plurilock.com or contact:

Ian L. Paterson

Chief Executive Officer

[email protected]

416.800.1566

Roland Sartorius

Chief Financial Officer

[email protected]

Prit Singh

Investor Relations

[email protected]

905.510.7636

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") related to future events or Plurilock's future business, operations, and financial performance and condition. Forward-looking statements normally contain words like "will", "intend", "anticipate", "could", "should", "may", "might", "expect", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential", "project", "assume", "contemplate", "believe", "shall", "scheduled", and similar terms. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, actions, or developments and are based on expectations, assumptions, and other factors that management currently believes are relevant, reasonable, and appropriate in the circumstances. Although management believes that the forward-looking statements herein are reasonable, actual results could be substantially different due to the risks and uncertainties associated with and inherent to Plurilock's business. Additional material risks and uncertainties applicable to the forward-looking statements herein include, without limitation, the impact of general economic conditions, the success of the Company in obtaining new or extended contracts or orders; the Company's ability to maintain existing customers or develop new customers; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquisitions of other businesses and/or companies or to realize on the anticipated benefits thereof; and unforeseen events, developments, or factors causing any of the aforesaid expectations, assumptions, and other factors ultimately being inaccurate or irrelevant. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are beyond the control of Plurilock. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as at the date hereof, and Plurilock undertakes no obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in its most recent Annual Information Form. They are otherwise disclosed in its filings with securities regulatory authorities available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

1. https://www.dgs.ca.gov/PD/About/Page-Content/PD-Branch-Intro-Accordion-List/Acquisitions/California-Multiple-Award-Schedules

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/154168
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands--(Newsfile Corp. - February 9, 2023) - Tethys Petroleum Limited (TSXV: TPL) ("Tethys" or the "Company") is providing a notification of a claim made by the Prosecutor's Office of the Aktobe region or the Republic of Kazakhstan ("the Republic").

Tethys announces that the Prosecutor's Office of the Aktobe region in the Republic has initiated a claim against Kul-Bas LLP, a Tethys' subsidiary registered in the Republic to cancel the subsurface rights for the Klymene oil field and the Kul-Bas license. Both the Ministry of Energy ("MOE") and Kul-Bas LLP are listed in the claim as co-defendants. The claim states that a January 20, 2020 extension of the terms of the subsurface contract for the Klymene oil field was performed in violation of applicable Kazakhstan law and therefore the given contract extension should be invalidated. This claim comes following the previously reported issuance of findings resulting from a prosecutor's audit of Kul-Bas during 2022. The initial claim was that the license was improperly extended but it was shown that the law at the time allowed the additional extension. The main argument of the current amended claim is that at the time of the extension (January 20, 2020) the subsurface contract was not eligible for extension. The reason given was that Kul-Bas LLP had unpaid contractual financial obligations. However, the Ministry of Energy had agreed to a payment schedule, and the agreed schedule was included into the contract extension supplemental agreement. Despite the position of the MOE to the contrary, the prosecutor asserts that the Ministry of Energy unlawfully concluded the extension agreement due to such unpaid contractual obligations. There have not been any claims of criminal or conspiratorial activity towards Kul-Bas LLP or any of its employees and we are unaware of any such claim towards the Ministry of Energy or its employees.

Tethys management is confident that the contract extension is legally valid and intends to avail itself of all available remedies both in Kazakhstan courts and per international law including, but not limited to, international arbitration rights provided for in international investment treaties and the Energy Charter Treaty. The board and management are naturally hopeful it will not go this far and that the claim will be dismissed in court. The next hearing is currently scheduled for February 13, 2023.

As we understand the claim, the Prosecutor is taking a position that the MOE incorrectly took a position allowing Kul-Bas to defer payment for a period of a small amount. Their position is this delay past the period in which the license was renewed invalidates the license renewal and the tens of millions of dollars invested in the license prior to and post the license extension. Our understanding is that the total amount of outstanding payments under the agreed repayment schedule was a mere sum of 36.7 million Kazakh tenge (US$79.7K at today's exchange rate) and a small fraction of the amount of money invested in the project up until that time. Clearly, Kul-Bas would have made that payment if the MOE had determined that it was needed to cure any defaults by the company prior to signing the extension.

Despite the risks associated with this claim, Tethys is continuing to move forward with much of its planned operations at Kul-Bas LLP. Our understanding that the MOE has reviewed and rejected the Prosecutor's claims provides the board some comfort that this claim will ultimately be dismissed. If the prosecutor's claim is upheld and the MOE doesn't have the ability to determine the timing of payment obligations, this would likely put a number of the Republic's subsurface contracts with other investors at risk either on payments or work programs. Tethys has invested millions of dollars in the Republic to explore and develop the Klymene field with the creation of hundreds of jobs and much-needed economic development in a remote part of the Republic. The welfare of Tethys workers and their families as well as the local economy are now at risk depending on the outcome of this claim. A ruling that the MOE doesn't have the right to determine what is required may put not only Tethys employees at risk but those of other companies as well.

About Tethys

Tethys is focused on oil and gas exploration and production activities in Central Asia and the I Caspian Region. Tethys believes that significant potential exists in both exploration and in discovered deposits in the area.

Disclaimer

Some of the statements in this document are forward-looking. No part of this announcement constitutes, or shall be taken to constitute, an invitation or inducement to invest in the Company or any other entity and shareholders of the Company are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Save as required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake to update or change any forward-looking statements to reflect events occurring after the date of this announcement.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contact Information:

Tethys Petroleum

Casey McCandless

Chief Financial Officer

901-763-4001

[email protected]

www.tethys-group.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/154321
Limassol, Cyprus--(Newsfile Corp. - February 9, 2023) - Traders Union experts conducted comprehensive analysis of brokerage companies providing services in the Forex market. Financial experts analyzed the operation of over 400 market players using 100+ criteria, and provided an objective evaluation of the quality of services provided by brokers using a unique TU methodology based on international auditing standards.

The results of the analysis yielded their list of theBest Forex Brokers in 2023. The list features reliable companies that offer high levels of service and beneficial conditions.

Best Forex Brokers

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9326/153570_Traders%20Union%20announces%20the%20Best%20Forex%20Brokers%202023.jpg

How Traders Union experts evaluate Forex brokers

In their expert research, Traders Union analysts follow the methodology based on international auditing standards. The official policy includes evaluation of companies based on several categories of criteria.

Categories of criteria in the TU methodology:

Client-oriented approach category analyzes all elements of client service provided by the brokerage company;





Service category analyzes competitiveness of the broker and the influence of the brokerage company on other market players;





Reputation category allows experts to evaluate transparency of the company's operation, traders' satisfaction with the quality of provided services and availability of feedback;





Financial and economic categories are the basic ones, as they allow for analysis of economic aspects and financial indicators of the brokerage company and its growth and development potential.

Traders Union experts achieve reliable and objective results thanks to independent evaluation of brokers and comprehensive approach to analysis of their operation.

How Traders Union helps traders choose a reliable broker

It is important for novice traders to understand what Forex is. The first step is choosing the right broker. Brokerage companies act as intermediaries between traders and the Forex market, and are responsible for prompt execution of orders. Reliable platforms offer education, quality analytics, client support and a choice of trading software.

Traders Union warns that it is important to find a good broker that will perform all undertaken obligations in good faith in order to ensure stable trading. This is the reason why TU experts monitor the market and regularly update the Best Forex Brokers rating. Readers can find it on the official Traders Union website.

Media contact details:

Company name - Traders Union

Company Email - [email protected]

Website - https://tradersunion.com/

Contact person Name - Peter Halt

Phone number: +35725060055

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/153570
Brazil: $193 Million Crypto Pyramid Firm Declared Bankrupt

Source: RHJ/Adobe

Indeal, the Brazilian company behind a suspected crypto pyramid scheme worth some $193 million, has declared bankruptcy.

The firm was at the heart of a major police operation back in May 2019. The police dubbed their operation Operation Egypt and worked in conjunction with the nations tax agency to arrest several Indeal-linked individuals. Officers searched 25 addresses and confisctaed items including precious stones and luxury cars.

At the time, police stated that between 23,000 and 55,000 investors had put their funds into the scheme. Investors stated they had been promised 15% payouts within just four weeks of initial investment.

But the authorities claimed that the firm had been operating without the required permits from the Central Bank and the Brazilian Securities Commission (CVM).

Suspected Crypto Pyramid Operator: Why Did it Declare Bankruptcy?

The firm had attempted to stay afloat in the wake of the raids. But it suffered further blows when the Federal Court authorized the sale of much of the Bitcoin (BTC) seized in the raids. The court won the right to auction BTC 3,537.21  and use the funds to reimburse victims.

Late last year, the United States Department of Justice complied with a Brazilian government request to seize $25.7 million worth of crypto from US-based wallets.

And this appears to have been the final straw for Indeal. The Brazilian-language media outlet Criptofacil reported that the Regional Business Court of the District of Novo Hamburgo, in Rio Grande do Sul, officially declared the company bankrupt.

The move means no new financial claims can be made against the company. But now that bankruptcy has been finalized, the court has taken control of Indeals remaining assets  including real estate, vehicles, and financial assets.

Indeal will also have to fight lawsuits filed before it declared bankruptcy.

Last year, police shut down another alleged crypto pyramid scheme involving a token named Mindexcoin. They claimed the alleged scheme may have amassed $769 million worth of investment.

The police think a high-profile individual nicknamed the Bitcoin Sheikh was the projects mastermind.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Earlier this week, the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) filed a federal lawsuit in defense of a group of Christian students and parents who were kicked out of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum for wearing hats with a religious, pro-life message on them. Last night, the ACLJ filed another federal lawsuit in defense of the freedoms of speech and religion  this time against the National Archives.

The National Archives Museum  another federally funded national museum in Washington, D.C.  targeted and censored its religious, pro-life visitors on January 20, 2023  the day of the 50th Annual National March for Life. What is so egregious about this particular targeting is that it was done by the very federal institution that is home to our Declaration of Independence, our Constitution, and the Bill of Rights  the exact documents that call on our government to protect the freedoms of speech and religion, not trample on them.

The ACLJ is now representing four clients who were a part of three separate groups and visited the National Archives at three separate times on January 20th. All of the clients were told by National Archives employees that they had to take off their religious, pro-life apparel or leave the museum.

When one of the clients questioned the order, a National Archives security officer said that the apparel would "incite others" and that she was "disturbing peace." Yet another one of the clients was told that her T-shirt was "offensive" and had to be covered up or removed. Her shirt read simply, "MARCH 4 LIFE 2014: Saint Cecilia's Youth Group, Glen Carbon, IL." Perhaps most disturbing of all were the National Archives security officers who instructed a whole group of Catholic students and chaperones to remove or cover up ALL their religious and pro-life clothing while standing in the same room as the Constitution of the United States. As we detail in our complaint:

[The security officer] made other classmates standing near Plaintiff remove their pro-life hats. One such hat contained the inscription, "LIFE always WINS." Another hat contained the inscription, "ProLife." Plaintiff witnessed another guard participate in these instructions to her classmates and at no time did any of the other guards in the Rotunda intercede and provide contrary instruction. Plaintiff, astonished by [the security officer's] instructions  given her close proximity to the very documents that prohibit the government's interference with her First Amendment right to free speech and expression and her free exercise of religion  nonetheless zipped up her jacket and removed her button for fear that she would be thrown out of the National Archives if she did not comply. Plaintiff immediately believed her constitutional rights were being violated by the very government officials tasked with protecting them.

To make matters worse, while the clients were being harassed for their pro-life attire, they "observed at least two other National Archives visitors, a man and a woman, freely walking around while wearing what appeared to be 'pro-choice' apparel, with statements to the effect of 'My Body, My Choice,' and 'Pro-Choice.'" Treating religious pro-life speech differently than opposing speech is blatantly unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination.

Jordan Sekulow, ACLJ's Executive Director, says: "Earlier this week, the ACLJ put the National Archives on notice of our representation of clients in this matter, and last night we filed our complaint in the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia, alleging violations of the First Amendment (free speech), Fifth Amendment (equal protection), and Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). Just as we are fighting back against what happened to the group of Christian students at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, we're fighting this unconstitutional discrimination at the National Archives."

The ACLJ is asking the court to declare the National Archives' actions unlawful and unconstitutional and order that they be prohibited from ever taking such action again. Specifically, the ACLJ requested that the court declare that the Defendants' actions violated their clients' rights as protected under the First and Fifth Amendments, that it also declare that the Defendants' actions violated the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and that the court prohibit the Defendants from unlawfully targeting their clients again by issuing an injunction. The ACLJ has also asked the court to review any retraining to ensure that the way these federal entities train their staff ensures compliance with the First Amendment.

Adds Sekulow: "What occurred is not only an injustice, it is intolerable, and we aren't going to let them get away with it. We intend to find out what's behind this targeted discrimination. The fact that there were multiple instances of targeted discrimination in at least two federal buildings on the same day against pro-life advocates is no coincidence. Where there were two, there are likely more. We will not stop until we get to the bottom of this, achieve justice for our clients, and ensure that this never happens again. No one should be targeted by the federal government for their Christian and pro-life views."

Read the full complaint here.

About ACLJ: The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), focusing on the preservation and defense of constitutional rights, is based in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit ACLJ.org.

Media Contact:Brian MayesNashville Publicity Group[email protected]

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aclj-files-lawsuit-against-second-federal-institution-national-archives-for-targeting-pro-life-speech-on-day-of-march-for-life-301743538.html

SOURCE American Center for Law and Justice
AUBURN, Ala., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The future of health care is here today for residents of rural Chambers County. A multidisciplinary program at Auburn Universityand an innovative virtual care station offered by OnMedare providing better access to quality health care for a community in need.

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Auburn Outreach and the Auburn colleges of Pharmacy, Nursing and Human Sciences have teamed up with leaders from the City of LaFayette and Chambers County to provide the facility. Through the OnMed Care Stationone of only four of its kind in the U.S.residents can experience affordable, private and real-time visits with Alabama-licensed health care professionals in a virtual setting, and for the first 60 days, they can use the facility at no charge.

"The installation of an OnMed Care Station signals a new day in health care for our community," said Rachel Snoddy, Alabama Extension coordinator for Chambers County. "Patients can expect quality care without the long waits at a doctor's office, and prescriptions will be sent immediately to their pharmacy. The improved access will change the health of our citizens for the better."

LaFayette currently has no urgent care facility, and the nearest hospital is a 30-minute drive. The OnMed Care Stationlocated in the Chambers County Community Health and Wellness Centeris part of Auburn's Rural Health Initiative. The center is now open to the public and available to community members for convenient access to affordable primary care, including diagnosis, referrals, prescription and treatment options.

"Our collaborative team is thrilled with the opportunity to support the health of the Chambers County community based on the feedback we have received directly from the community members themselves," said Hollie Cost, assistant vice president of University Outreach and Public Service. "Residents throughout the area have indicated a need for greater access to health care, as well as health and wellness programming and information during extended hours.

"This new center is positioned to honor those needs and wishes, with additional services being added as our faculty and student engagement expands."

The new center will provide Auburn students and faculty from different disciplines the opportunity to support community members' overall well-being. Nursing students will support diabetes management and asthma education; pharmacy students will provide medication management education; and students in human sciences will have the opportunity to develop and implement community-based nutrition education programs.

Linda Gibson-Young, professor in Auburn's College of Nursing, said the new health care center and residents will benefit from the synergy among the Auburn units involved.

"This site is a connector between Auburn University and the community to engage all in health and wellness conversations," she said. "Nursing students will benefit by collaborating with the other disciplines in a rural environment."

"Establishing good community health and well-being requires a team effort," said Timothy Moore, interim dean of the Harrison College of Pharmacy. "The Harrison College of Pharmacy is excited to participate in this effort for the people of Chambers County and to involve our future pharmacists as vital members of this multidisciplinary team."

The project is supported through in-kind and financial contributions by all key partners, as well as corporate grants. Partners and funders include the City of LaFayette, Auburn University, Alabama Extension, Chambers County, Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, Alfa Foundation and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama.

"We're bringing access to health care in a rural environment with modern technology, when you need it, at your convenience, in an area without easy access to an urgent care or hospital. This couldn't have happened without our partners, both locally and at Auburn University," said Chief Jim Doody, City of LaFayette Fire and EMS.

The care station employed by Auburn's Rural Health Initiative was developed by Florida-based OnMed to make affordable health care accessible to all. The OnMed care stations provide 85% of the services received in a traditional primary care visit, using best-in-class devices to capture patient vitals. Clinicians are available for extended hours. Patient visits are private, safe and secure, and the care station is automatically cleaned and sanitized for the next patient.

"Our partnership with Auburn University, the City of LaFayette and the Chambers County Commission is a perfect reflection of our mission to provide access to quality affordable health care for all," said OnMed CEO Tom Vanderheyden. "We are extremely proud of our involvement in this innovative Rural Health project, and most importantly, serving the people of this community."

An open house for the Community Health and Wellness Center is planned for April 21.

Auburn University is a nationally ranked land grant institution recognized for its commitment to world-class scholarship, interdisciplinary research with an elite, top-tier Carnegie R1 classification, life-changing outreach with Carnegie's Community Engagement designation and an undergraduate education experience second to none. Auburn is home to more than 30,000 students, and its faculty and research partners collaborate to develop and deliver meaningful scholarship, science and technology-based advancements that meet pressing regional, national and global needs. Auburn's commitment to active student engagement, professional success and public/private partnership drives a growing reputation for outreach and extension that delivers broad economic, health and societal impact.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alabama-extension-auburn-university-outreach-partner-with-onmed-to-bring-health-care-solutions-to-chambers-county-alabama-301742677.html

SOURCE Auburn University
HOUSTON, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AmCap Mortgage, Ltd., welcomed several new brands to its universal logo in late 2022. Oz Lending, Orange Mortgage and Rev Mortgage rung in the new year as part of the AmCap family  whose mission is to provide good loans to good borrowers while giving back to the community.

"We are always looking to welcome loan originators and branches who share our core values, passion for community involvement and five-star customer service to our AmCap family," said Garrett Clayton, CEO of AmCap Mortgage, Ltd. "We recognize brand awareness in different markets and support branches looking to keep their current brand. We are thrilled to welcome these three dynamic Texas brands, and we look forward to an incredible year of making the American Dream come true."

Oz Lending, based out of Dallas, Texas, offers an experienced, around the clock, qualified team of accessible "loan wizards" to assist homebuyers every step of the way. The Oz team employs a knowledgeable in-house team of professionals that consists of experienced loan originators, underwriters, closers, processors, and loan officer assistants.

"Oz Lending was very excited to join AmCap after a lot of deliberation in November of 2022," said Jason Ozment, branch manager of Oz Lending. "We were looking for a partner that had the same goals and mindset as we do, and AmCap more than checked every box with its continued approach to excellence and a true understanding on how to serve the needs for all their different branches and regions."

One of AmCap's mottos is "Big company resources, small company feel," and the mortgage company showcases that through their impressive technology deck and the strong emphasis they put on the human aspect of working there. All of their employees, even their CEO, is reachable by phone, and they get consistent feedback about how refreshingly easy it is to contact someone within the company.

"AmCap has the 'big company resources' to go along with that 'small company feel,' which was more than appealing," Ozment said. "With any new joint venture, everyone involved is looking for ways that will help their teams succeed, especially in this ever-changing market. AmCap's commitment to the best technology, resources, automation, onsite training and onboarding, amazing marketing department, program and product development, as well as the underwriting team and assets they have in place is second to none and demonstrates the way AmCap supports its DBAs. It is refreshing, and we are excited to be a part of an organization that gets it."

The loan originators at Orange Mortgage in San Antonio, Texas pride themselves on their efficiency and honesty. With more than two decades of experience in the mortgage business, Orange Mortgage has helped thousands of Americans buy a home. They are licensed in more than 20 states.

"We were looking to join a mortgage company that shared our passion for giving homebuyers and incredible homebuying experience," said Jason Waller, originating branch manager of Orange Mortgage. "One of our main focuses is our veteran community, and the way AmCap gives back to veterans year-round made their company an obvious choice for us. Additionally, we aim to make homebuying seamless and simple, and so does AmCap. That, combined with the way they are consistently giving back to the community made AmCap a perfect fit."

Rev Mortgage, owned and operated by veterans, is the go-to mortgage company for veterans. Nestled in San Antonio, this refreshing group of energetic mortgage professionals specializes in VA home loans. Co-owner Chris Cano served in the United States Navy as a nuclear mechanic for fast attack nuclear submarines. He has turned his decade of military experience and attention to detail into an integrity-based mortgage career.

"We joined the team because of the stability and freedom they offer their partners to build a culture that is conducive to serving the community," said Cody Carrasquillo, co-owner of Rev Mortgage. "With our focus being the military community hearing that the company also had a desire to make an impact on military members excited us. The reputation of its leadership team gave us the assurance that this was the right decision. We're excited for the splash we're going to make!"

About AmCapWhether you dream of buying your first home, refinancing your current mortgage or consolidating debt, our highly experienced team of mortgage professionals will work with you to find the best loan program to fit your budget and your needs. Since 2008, AmCap home loans and refinance experts have provided a streamlined mortgage loan process that alleviates the stress of buying a home. AmCap is licensed in more than 40 states. AmCap has been a Houston Chronicle top workplace for 12 years in a row. Interest applicants should seek further information at amcaprecruiting.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/amcap-mortgage-ltd-welcomes-oz-lending-orange-mortgage-and-rev-mortgage-to-family-of-brands-301743280.html

SOURCE AmCap Home Loans
Regional housing bond is key solution to fund the gap

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Enterprise Community Partners (Enterprise) and the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA) today issued new research revealing that there are 395 affordable housing developments in various stages of predevelopment across the nine-county Bay Area that would create an estimated 32,944 affordable homes in one of the most expensive real estate markets in the country. The analysis found that these developments need $7.6 billion in public financing in order to move forward. The Bay Area Affordable Housing Pipeline research brief offers insights into where planned affordable developments are located across the nine-county region as well as how to fund the current pipeline of homes and boost production into the future.

"The good news is that the sheer size of the predevelopment pipeline gives Bay Area cities, towns and counties a good running start toward meeting the affordable housing production challenge laid down by the state," noted BAHFA Director Kate Hartley. "But to avoid squandering this head start, it's essential that we unlock the money needed to move these projects from planned to occupied."

Affordable homes typically are funded through multiple sources, including Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and bonds, commercial mortgages and additional local, regional and state dollars that fill the gap between the cost of the development and the financing secured through debt and equity.

One solution Enterprise and BAHFA have identified to close the $7.6 billion gap and accelerate affordable housing production in the Bay Area is a 2024 regional ballot measure that would create a $10 billion to $20 billion regional housing bond dedicated to funding affordable housing developments across the region. BAHFA was authorized to place such a bond measure on the ballot through its enabling legislation in 2019.

"The Bay Area faces a critical lack of affordable homes, and existing local, state and federal resources are oversubscribed. We need new solutions to ensure every planned housing development gets built and that homes that are currently affordable remain affordable for generations to come," said Justine Marcus, Senior State and Local Policy Director, Enterprise. "A regional bond will create a dedicated stream of funding that will help support more equitable housing development across the region."

Nearly half (45%) of Bay Area renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, and a quarter spend over 50%. The State of California's most recent Regional Housing Needs Allocation Plan found the Bay Area needs 180,000 more affordable homes by 2031 to meet demand. Unlocking the affordable homes currently in predevelopment and ready to be built would meet nearly 20% of this goal, and a regional bond would create a pathway toward achieving that.

The Pipeline shows that there are affordable housing developments planned in all nine counties across the region, including 10,829 affordable homes in Santa Clara County, 7,916 in Alameda County, 7,258 in San Francisco City and County, and 2,209 in Sonoma County. But right now each Bay Area city, town or county is currently working on its own to address the regional challenges of housing affordability and homelessness. The proposed bond would allow for a more coordinated, equitable approach at the scale of the need across the region.

"Creating affordable homes requires bringing funding and partners to the table from all levels of government and across sectors. By coming together as a region to raise the necessary dollars and plan long-term, we can use both public and private money more efficiently and create an easier, more efficient process for affordable housing developers. We can send a signal to affordable housing developers that building in the Bay Area is possible  and that we can do it at the scale of the need. With regional buy-in and new funding, we can create a snowball effect that accelerates development so we can meet the massive need for affordable homes in our communities," said Heather Hood, Vice President and Northern California Market Leader, Enterprise.

About Enterprise Community Partners

Enterprise is a national nonprofit that exists to make a good home possible for the millions of families without one. We support community development organizations on the ground, aggregate and invest capital for impact, advance housing policy at every level of government, and build and manage communities ourselves. Since 1982, we have invested $54 billion and created 873,000 homes across all 50 states  all to make home and community places of pride, power and belonging. Join us at enterprisecommunity.org | Twitter: @Eprise_NorCal

About the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority

Established by the state legislature in 2019, BAHFA's mandate is to create regional solutions that meet the Bay Area's affordable housing needs. It is the first regional housing finance authority in California, and works together with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG).

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SOURCE Metropolitan Transportation Commission; Association of Bay Area Governments
Industry Veteran's Track Record of Helping Fintechs Grow and Advisors Prosper is Major Asset to Blueleaf

BOSTON, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Blueleaf, an all-in-one wealth management platform with best-in-class advisor and client experiences in reporting, billing and rebalancing, has named Tim Minert to the position of Executive Vice President of Business Development.

"The tremendous value of the Blueleaf platform has never been more apparent," said Tim Minert, the new EVP of Sales.

Minert has 30+ years in wealth management and technology. He served as Chief Revenue Officer at AdvisorPeak, and ten years as Executive Vice President of National Sales with Redtail Technology. As Senior Director at Cambridge Investment Research, Tim took a deep dive into the industry. He currently maintains an independent RIA in addition to helping advisors scale their practice.

"I've been aware of the innovation and industry leadership of Blueleaf for years," said Minert. "The pandemic accelerated clients and advisors' use of remote technologies, so it's a perfect time to grow the company and add new products and services. The tremendous value of the Blueleaf platform has never been more apparent. Great wealth management experiences that power advisors growth and client satisfaction is a powerful proposition."

"Tim's knowledge of the industry, his passion to help wealth managers be more productive, and his ability to connect with an audience are tremendous assets to the Blueleaf team," said CEO and co-founder John Prendergast. "As we continually evolve our platform to respond to the needs of today's digital advisor, we strive to do the same within our organization."

About Blueleaf

Blueleaf is a leading all-in-one platform for wealth managers, RIAs, and broker-dealers, delivering exceptional advisor and client experiences while simplifying time-consuming operations. Blueleaf's comprehensive platform reduces the complexity of running a wealth management practice, freeing practitioners to efficiently serve more clients. Blueleaf combines reporting, multi-channel advisor & client experience (Web, Mobile & eMail), rebalancing & trading, billing & invoicing, and automation technologies in a user-friendly interface that delights advisors and their clients. See Blueleaf product features.

Blueleaf sponsors The Augmented Advisor podcast, a 'must-listen' for advisors, RIAs, wealth managers, and B/Ds to gain real-world tools and strategies to succeed in a digital world.

Contact: Mark RoseFinsquared360-301-2600[email protected]

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SOURCE Blueleaf
JAKARTA, Indonesia, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PT. Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. (IDX: BBRI) successfully closed 2022 with net profit of IDR 51.4 trillion, a 67.15% Year-on-Year (YoY) growth. The bank's total assets grew 11,18% YoY to IDR 1,865.64 trillion.

The structure improvement of the Low-Cost Funds (CASA) was a key factor in BRI's success. "The Ratio of Operating Expenses to Operating Income (BOPO) decreased to 69.10% from 78.54% in 2021. The Cost Efficiency Ratio (CER) and the Cost to Income Ratio (CIR) also improved from 2021 to 2022. In addition, the cost of credit was reduced from 3.78% in 2021 to 2.55% in 2022," explained BRI President Director Sunarso.

BRI's fee-based income reached IDR 18.80 trillion in Q4 2022, a 10.16% YoY growth, with an income ratio of 11.37%.

Furthermore, the bank recorded growth in Third Party Funds (DPK) with CASA as the main driver, and BRI's deposits grew 14.85% YoY to IDR 1,307.88 trillion in Q4 2022. Currently, the proportion of BRI's CASA is 66.70%. "This had a positive impact as reflected in BRI's cost of funds decrease from 2.05% in 2021 to 1.87% in 2022," added Sunarso.

BRI's total loans and financing were recorded at IDR 1,139.08 trillion in Q4 2022 with a 13.9% YoY growth in micro loans, making MSME loans 84.74% of total loans.

BRI disbursed IDR 252.38 trillion of People's Business Credit (KUR) to 6.5 million people in 2022, in accordance with the allocation set by the Government. For 2023, BRI has received IDR 270 trillion from the Government for KUR allocation. "BRI is optimistic to achieve its target with its ability to disburse an average of IDR 1 trillion KUR per-day," said BRI Micro-Business Director Supari.

The success in carrying intermediary functions was balanced with prudent risk management that includes 305.73% NPL coverage reserves and a consolidated Loan to Deposit Ratio (LDR) of 87.09%. BRI's ability to extend credit and financing is supported by adequate liquidity and strong capital, with a Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) of 25.54%.

"I believe that BRI will continue to grow with its sources of growth, sufficient capital and liquidity, and good risk management," concluded Sunarso.

For more Information about BRI, visit www.bri.co.id.

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SOURCE PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Tbk (BRI)
The accelerator program supports early stage BIPOC and women founders working in the clean energy tech sector.

HOUSTON, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DivInc, the startup accelerator for people of color and women entrepreneurs, is proud to announce the launch of its first Clean Energy Accelerator made possible through support from title sponsors, Chevron and Microsoft.

DivInc's Spring 2023 Clean Energy Accelerator in collaboration with Chevron and Microsoft supports startups led by BIPOC and women founders working to shift the energy sector in the areas of clean energy production, energy storage and transmission, energy efficiency, carbon economy, and sustainable cities.

The program also serves as a platform to amplify underrepresented voices in clean energy.

"With Houston known as the energy capital of the world, DivInc has the opportunity to provide a pipeline of women, black, and latino-led high-growth, high-impact startups focused on clean energy," said Ashley DeWalt, DivInc Houston Managing Director. "We see this initiative ultimately driving a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive ecosystem within this clean energy transition sector for generations to come."

DivInc's collaboration with Chevron and Microsoft will be a key component to the long-term success of this accelerator program and its founders.

"With a booming startup industry, a commitment to innovation, and a diverse workforce, Houston and organizations like DivInc are poised to play a vital leadership role and operate as a powerful force for energy progress," said Jim Gable, President, Chevron Technology Ventures.

"We are committed to enabling organizations in the clean energy transition while mindful of millions still without access to energy," said Darryl Willis, Corporate Vice President, Energy Industry at Microsoft. "This collaboration with DivInc and Chevron to support underserved entrepreneurs advancing the world's clean energy needs speaks to this climate commitment as well as diversity, equity and inclusion."

Throughout the accelerator, the Chevron and Microsoft teams will work with the DivInc team on programming and thought leadership initiatives. They will also work one-on-one with the cohort founders to address specific barriers to growth each company is facing.

In total, up to 10 companies will be accepted to the 12-week program which will run from April through June 2023 and will be hosted at The Ion in Midtown Houston. Upon completion of the program, each participating company will receive $10,000 in non-dilutive seed funding.

The Spring 2023 Clean Energy Accelerator in collaboration with Chevron and Microsoft is also supported by Houston Premier Partners, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., Verizon, The Ion, and Mercury.

Learn more at www.divinc.org/apply

About DivInc:

DivInc is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to generate social and economic equity through entrepreneurship by equipping underrepresented founders with access to the critical resources they need to build investable companies. Founded in Austin in 2016, DivInc has supported 96 companies and over 130 founders. Learn more at www.divinc.org.

Media Contact:

Cherise LuterMarketing Director, DivInc[email protected]

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SOURCE DivInc
NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Entergy will report its 2022 financial results before the market opens Thursday, Feb. 16.

Drew Marsh, chairman and chief executive officer, Kimberly Fontan, executive vice president and chief financial officer, and company leaders invite you to listen to a live webcast discussion of Entergy's financial results at 10 a.m. Central time the same day. Visit entergy.com/investors for information on how to access the webcast, including instructions on how to register to participate by telephone.

The presentation materials will be available on Entergy's website before the market opens on the day of the call. An archived replay of the webcast will be available on Entergy's Investor Relations website at entergy.com/investors. From time to time, Entergy posts new and/or revised materials on its website and on social media and anticipates doing so in connection with this event.

About Entergy

Entergy (NYSE: ETR), a Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Orleans, powers life for 3 million customers through its operating companies across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy is creating a cleaner, more resilient energy future for everyone with our diverse power generation portfolio, including increasingly carbon-free energy sources. With roots in the Gulf South region for more than a century, Entergy is a recognized leader in corporate citizenship, delivering more than $100 million in economic benefits to local communities through philanthropy and advocacy efforts annually over the last several years. Our approximately 12,000 employees are dedicated to powering life today and for future generations. Learn more at entergy.com and follow @Entergy on social media. #WePowerLife

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SOURCE Entergy Corporation
Acquisition Will Expand Equifax International Footprint in Large, Fast-Growing Brazilian Market

ATLANTA, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Equifax Inc. (NYSE: EFX) ("Equifax") today announced a definitive agreement to acquire Boa Vista Servicos (BOAS3: SAO), the second largest credit bureau in Brazil. The agreement was approved by the Boa Vista Servicos Board of Directors for R$8.00 per share, implying an estimated total enterprise value of R$3,103 million, or USD$596 million based on a USD/BRL exchange rate of 5.2033 (PTAX as of February 8, 2023). This acquisition will expand Equifax's capabilities in the large and fast-growing Brazilian market and offers Boa Vista Servicos access to Equifax's expansive global capabilities and cloud-native data, products, decisioning and analytical technology for the rapid development of new products and services, and expansion into new industries.

"We're energized to expand Equifax's reach internationally with the acquisition of Boa Vista Servicos, and look forward to welcoming Boa Vista Servicos' employees to our global team. This acquisition will mark an exciting new chapter for Equifax and Boa Vista Servicos customers that will bring powerful new insights to Brazilian lenders and service providers to help them better understand their customers and promote greater financial inclusion to meet the needs of the approximately 34 million unbanked or underbanked consumers in Brazil," said Mark W. Begor, CEO of Equifax. "Strategic, bolt-on acquisitions are core to our EFX2025 growth priorities. Boa Vista Servicos is our 14th acquisition that Equifax has signed or completed in the past 24 months totaling $4.1 billion."

Under the terms of the agreement, Equifax will offer all Boa Vista Servicos shareholders the option to receive (1) R$8.00 per share in cash, (2) R$7.20 in cash and 0.0008 of an EFX Brazilian Depository Receipt ("BDR") representing an equivalent fraction of one share of Equifax common stock or (3) R$5.33 of Equifax do Brasil S.A. ("Equifax Brasil") common shares and R$2.67 in either cash or 0.0027 of Equifax BDRs. This agreement represents an 89 percent premium to the closing stock price of Boa Vista Servicos on December 15, 2022, the last unaffected trading day prior to the issuance of the notice to the market by Boa Vista Servicos acknowledging receipt of the Equifax acquisition proposal, and a 185 percent premium to Boa Vista Servicos' enterprise value based on such closing price on December 15, 2022. The agreement also represents a 65 percent premium to the volume weighted average trading price of Boa Vista Servicos for the 30 trading days ending on December 15.

In conjunction with the definitive agreement to acquire Boa Vista Servicos, Associacao Comercial de Sao Paulo ("ACSP"), the largest shareholder of Boa Vista Servicos, has executed a voting agreement in support of the transaction. Combined, Equifax and ACSP currently have over 40 percent of the capital stock of Boa Vista Servicos and are aligned in completing the transaction. Additionally, ACSP has also entered into a 15-year agreement with Boa Vista Servicos to maintain its commercial relationship with Boa Vista Servicos, refrain from competing with the Boa Vista Servicos business and provide consulting and regulatory support services to Boa Vista Servicos.

Equifax maintains a unique understanding of global credit needs and is driving cloud-based innovation in consumer credit, commercial credit, and digital enablement that spans geographies. The company's Equifax Cloud transformation enables Equifax to scale and adapt for the specific needs of the countries in which it operates. It further enables the sharing of learnings and strengths from each region to help other regions identify and execute effectively on new growth opportunities. The Equifax Cloud, combined with Equifax's unique data assets, leading decisioning and analytical solutions, and Identity and Fraud solutions will help accelerate Boa Vista Servicos's digital transformation and increase the scale of the Boa Vista Servicos business for continued success - meeting the evolving needs of both consumers and lenders in Brazil.

The initial Equifax offer to acquire Boa Vista Servicos was announced on December 19, 2022. The transaction is subject to Boa Vista Servicos's shareholder approval and other customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed sometime in the second quarter of 2023, at which time the company will become a subsidiary of Equifax Brasil. The acquisition is not anticipated to have a material impact on 2023 Equifax financial results.

BofA Securities is serving as financial advisor to Equifax, and Hogan Lovells US LLP and Machado Meyer Advogados are acting as legal counsels to Equifax.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTSThis release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. All statements that address operating performance and events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future, including statements relating to our ability to consummate the proposed transaction with Boa Vista Servicos, the ability of Boa Vista Servicos to receive shareholder approval and satisfy other closing conditions, the expected financial and operational benefits, synergies and growth from the proposed transaction and our ability to integrate Boa Vista Servicos and its products, services, technologies, IT systems and personnel into our operations, and similar statements about our outlook and our business plans are forward-looking statements. We believe these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made. However, forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in our 2021 Form 10-K and subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). As a result of such risks and uncertainties, we urge you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date when made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

NO OFFER OR SOLICITATIONThis communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

This press release is for informational purposes only and should not, under any circumstances, constitute, be interpreted or understood as an investment recommendation, nor as an offer to acquire any of the securities of Equifax or Equifax Brasil.

FILINGS WITH THE SECEquifax and Equifax Brasil plan to file a Registration Statement on Form S-4/F-4 with the SEC in connection with the transaction. The Form S-4/F-4 will contain a prospectus and other documents. The Form S-4/F-4, and prospectus will contain important information about Equifax, Equifax Brasil, Boa Vista Servicos, the transaction and related matters. Investors and shareholders of Boa Vista Servicos should read the prospectus and the other documents filed with the SEC in connection with the transaction carefully before they make any decision with respect to the transaction. The Form S-4/F-4 and the prospectus, and all other documents filed with the SEC in connection with the acquisition will be available when filed free of charge at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, the prospectus and all other documents filed with the SEC in connection with the acquisition will be made available to investors free of charge by calling or writing to Equifax Inc., Attn: Office of Corporate Secretary, P.O. Box 4081, Atlanta, Georgia 30302, telephone (404) 885-8000.

ABOUT EQUIFAX INC. At Equifax (NYSE: EFX), we believe knowledge drives progress. As a global data, analytics, and technology company, we play an essential role in the global economy by helping financial institutions, companies, employers, and government agencies make critical decisions with greater confidence. Our unique blend of differentiated data, analytics, and cloud technology drives insights to power decisions to move people forward. Headquartered in Atlanta and supported by more than 14,000 employees worldwide, Equifax operates or has investments in 24 countries in North America, Central and South America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region. For more information, visit Equifax.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Kate Walker for Equifax[email protected]

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SOURCE Equifax Inc.
SAN DIEGO, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- October 2022, a team of stethoscope hygiene experts met in Washington, D.C. and came to a sobering conclusion: "We can't wash our way out of this". For years now it has been recognized that stethoscopes represent a significant contamination challenge that is undermining infection control efforts across the globe. In a new publication in The American Journal of Medicine, titled "Our Third Hand: Stethoscope Hygiene in the Era of Alcohol Resistant Organisms", these experts present the evidence that elevates concern on stethoscope contamination, the inherent limitations of current hygiene methods, and innovation promising to protect patients from exposureconcern that AseptiScope, Inc. shares.

A team of stethoscope hygiene experts came to a sobering conclusion: "We can't wash our way out of this".

For Abhay Dhand, an infectious diseases expert at New York Medical College, his long-standing concerns are now well documented in studies and reports across the world. "Stethoscope hygiene standards are not only failing healthcare providers and vulnerable patients but are also symbolic of a race that we are currently losing to alcohol tolerant pathogens", says Dhand. "The data are very consistent that stethoscope diaphragms are potentially as contaminated as our fingertips, and they cannot be effectively cleaned between patients. It's true that while we perform hand-hygiene between each patient, we don't have an effective way to clean stethoscopes routinely ", Dhand elaborates. "But even when we do take the time to clean the stethoscope diaphragm, we know that some of the most dangerous bacteria may be impervious to our cleaning."

Several years ago, an emergency physician at Baylor College of Medicine, Frank Peacock, recognized that alcohol anti-sepsis was becoming less effective in a fast-paced world of healthcare. In the emergency department every second counts and we know alcohol is not fully effective, so gloving is routine. Our stethoscopes are considered our "third hand", because they are always with us and are fundamental tools for patient assessment". Peacock explains that "with the level of contamination we see, we glove our hands quickly, but there is no glove for our third hand, the stethoscope."

For the expert panel, addressing stethoscope contamination may also help ensure that alcohol resistance is met with an adequate defense to ensure patient safety. Francesca Torriani is professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Health and Program Director for Infection Prevention and Clinical Epidemiology at the University of California, San Diego, where she and her colleagues have been researching the impact of a new touch-free, barrier delivery system from local start-up AseptiScope. "We have established that this technology effectively breaks transmission of all contaminants and pathogens, including alcohol resistant bacteria", Torriani continues. "Our urgent care team utilizes the product in their clinics and perceive this technology to be easy to use, while advancing patient safety". "In addition, Dr. Torriani remarks that switching to a touch free technology that allows for the safe use of the provider's stethoscope, instead of a disposable patient item, will decrease the hospital waste, the carbon footprint, while increasing sustainability and the quality of the auscultation.

"At AseptiScope, we are proud to introduce The DiskCover System, the world's first touch-free, aseptic, stethoscope barrier delivery system", says Scott Mader, AseptiScope CEO. "Healthcare Associated Infection takes hundreds of thousands of lives each year, and studies have consistently demonstrated the stethoscopes culpability. The DiskCover System will address the stethoscope challenge, and our patent protected portfolio of touch-free solutions provide care givers the tools to shield us from all pathogens, including alcohol resistant bacteria, an existential threat to modern healthcare delivery", Mader concludes.

AseptiScope, Inc. (www.aseptiscope.com is a privately funded San Diego, California-based, clinical innovation company.

Visit www.diskcover.com for more information and https://store.aseptiscope.com to purchase The DiskCover System directly.

AseptiScope and related logos are registered trademarks of AseptiScope, Inc. DiskCover and related logos are trademarks of AseptiScope, Inc.

Media Contact:AseptiScope, Inc.Scott Mader, CEO619-743-4088[email protected]

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SOURCE AseptiScope, Inc.
Cumberland Valley School District is initiating additional dual enrollment programs with area colleges to provide 11th- and 12th-graders more ways to earn college credits while still in high school.

On Monday night, the Cumberland Valley School Board approved new dual enrollment programs with Messiah University and Central Penn College.

Were trying this as part of our effort to create a Career Pathways for our students who arent college bound. Were excited to be able to offer these programs to interested students, Superintendent David Christopher told the school board Monday.

The district has existing dual enrollment contracts with HACC and Harrisburg University. Currently, 759 district students are pursuing a total of 19 dual enrollment courses at HACC, while a handful, less than 10 CV students are pursuing dual enrollment classes at Harrisburg U, according to Assistant Superintendent Mark Blanchard.

We know that students who have meaningful post-secondary experiences while in high school are more successful in college and are more likely to find meaningful employment in an area of interest, Blanchard told The Sentinel this week.

The agreements with Messiah and Central Penn allow students in grades 11-12 to earn college credits related to their interests or chosen Career Pathway with the district.

We want to do our best to create the opportunities for students to pursue meaningful dual enrollment options. However, its about more than just accumulating credits. We want students to pursue experiences that will meet their needs for specific skills combined with our regions specific employment opportunities, Blanchard said.

The Central Penn agreement will become effective with the 2023-24 school year, while around 10 district students so far are enrolled at Messiah.

Also Monday, CV school directors authorized a renewal of the districts existing articulation with Delaware Valley University that accepts certain credits from Cumberland Valley graduates enrolled at the university.

The agreement offers college credits to CV graduates who complete the districts seven agriculture courses with a grade average of 3.0 or higher. The district initiated a partnership with the university at least a decade ago, Blanchard said.

Although students from neighboring districts enrolled in CVs agriculture courses also are eligible for the program, CVs dual enrollment programs are limited to district students only. This is due to our Ag program being a state-approved Career and Technical program, Blanchard said.
RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hilb Group announced today that it has acquired The Nowell Agency, based in Mississippi, further expanding the company's growing presence in the Southeast region and building on its property and casualty expertise. The acquisition took effect December 1, 2022.

With offices in Brandon, Greenwood, Tupelo, Byram, and Hattiesburg, Mississippi, The Nowell Agency provides an extensive array of insurance products for both individuals and businesses. The agency was established on the premise of providing affordable, customized insurance solutions for a variety of clients based on their unique requirements and needs, including specialized industries such as fuel distribution, habitational, agribusiness, and more. Michael Nowell and his team of insurance professionals will become part of Hilb Group's Southeast regional operations.

"Joining Hilb Group is an important step for us in continuing to grow and provide the best products to our clients," said Michael Nowell. "We are excited to deliver the same local, trusted service and commitment to our customers, while adding to our resources and contributing to Hilb Group's overall growth strategy for the future."

With the addition of The Nowell Agency, Hilb Group now has locations in 24 states, including a broad presence throughout the southeastern United States, as well as service to all 50 states.

"We are pleased to welcome The Nowell Agency and to expand our operations into an important state such as Mississippi," Hilb Group CEO Ricky Spiro said. "Michael and his team bring a strong knowledge of diverse customer needs and are geographically positioned throughout the state to provide superior products and service. Our partnership represents an ideal entry into Mississippi, and we look forward to our next steps together."

About Hilb Group: The Hilb Group is a leading property and casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and advisory firm headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Hilb Group is a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group, a global investment firm. Hilb Group seeks to grow through strategic acquisitions and by leveraging its resources and expertise to drive organic growth in its acquired agencies. The company has completed more than 150 acquisitions with over 100 offices in 24 states. Hilb Group is rated as one of the Fastest Growing Brokers by Business Insurance, a Top P/C Agency by Insurance Journal, and one of America's Fastest Growing Private Companies in the Inc. 5000. For more information on Hilb Group's growth as well as career opportunities, please visit our website at http://hilbgroup.com.

Media Contact:Peter Lobred 804.548.4629 [email protected]

M&A Contact: Ryan Havermann 804.414.6508[email protected]

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SOURCE The Hilb Group, LLC
New Complimentary Bluelink+ Subscription Offered

Launches with 2023 IONIQ 6 and Future Models Starting with the 2024 Model Year

All-inclusive Connected Car Technology Can Help Lower the Cost of Ownership

CHICAGO, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at the 2023 Chicago Auto Show, Hyundai Motor America is launching an industry-leading connected car services program called Bluelink+. With Bluelink+, Hyundai is saying good-bye to nearly all subscription fees for new owners.i ii

All services included in the previous Bluelink Connected Care, Remote and Guidance subscription packages are now offered complimentary on a non-trial basis for new buyers with Bluelink+ (4G LTE network and technology dependent).ii Bluelink+ is launching with the new 2023 IONIQ 6 and on all future Bluelink-equipped Hyundai models starting with the 2024 model line-up.i By standardizing access to top safety, maintenance, and remote technology features, Hyundai is offering a complimentary industry-leading connectivity program for all new owners.

Hyundai is the first and only automotive brand to provide all these features to new car purchasers with no "trial period" or recurring subscription fees.i Bluelink+ is a best-in-class complimentary connected car program. With this program Hyundai is providing its customers more than $350 in estimated annual savings.iii

"Bluelink+ is part of our commitment to being a technology leader," said Manish Mehrotra, vice president, digital business planning and connected operations, Hyundai Motor North America. "Other automakers follow a traditional subscription model and have monthly fees for most of these safety and convenience features. Hyundai is once again leading the industry by standardizing technologies that enhance the customer experience."

Bluelink+ Features

All Bluelink+ services are offered complimentary with the purchase of a new Hyundai vehicle, the first year of ownership for certified pre-owned, and the first three months for used car owners.i ii Key safety and maintenance features, previously included in the Connected Care Package, are now part of Bluelink+ Basic, which will be available for subsequent owners to connect with no associated fees. That means essential key safety and maintenance features, such as, Auto Collision Assistance, SOS Assistance, Remote Diagnostics, Maintenance Reminders, and over-the-air ECU Updates, are available with no trial period, and for the life of the supporting technology and 4G LTE network.

Continuing the Bluelink Legacy

More than 10 years ago, Bluelink debuted on the 2011 Hyundai Sonata with a suite of connected services. Since then, it has become an integral part of customers lives. Millions of times a week, Hyundai owners use Bluelink to remote start their car. These customers rely on Bluelink to send an emergency response after a collision or to summon roadside assistance if they have a flat tire. Bluelink also has been helping keep teen drivers safe with parental alerts.

As the world moves into the EV era, Bluelink has become a "must have" technology. Hyundai Kona Electric and IONIQ 5 owners can use Bluelink to schedule their home charging when electricity prices are at their lowest. They can also use Bluelink to warm up the vehicle cabin while it is still plugged in to preserve battery power and check the state of charge. Bluelink can also help find nearby charging stations or a coffee shop with its point of interest search.

As customers have come to depend on connected services, in the past some manufacturers turned their systems into income generators by charging for access to some of these basic features like Apple CarPlay or heated seats. Hyundai is taking the opposite approach with Bluelink+.

Bluelink+ continues the legacy with all the features that can help keep customers safe. These include automatic collision notifications, automatic emergency assistance if airbags deploy in an accident, and enhanced roadside assistance which provides an exact location to a roadside assistance associate.i The service also includes car care features like a monthly vehicle health report and maintenance alerts that can help owners reduce maintenance costs over time. Bluelink+ also includes remote and guidance features. It offers all the most popular convenience features such as remote start with climate control, remote door lock and EV charge management, plus parental controls like geofencing, curfew and speed alerts. It also offers digital keys that are integrated with Apple and Android devices.

Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America focuses on 'Progress for Humanity' and smart mobility solutions. Hyundai offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles. Our 830 dealers sold more than 724,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2022, and nearly half were built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. For more information, visit www.HyundaiNews.com.

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok

i Bluelink+ requires an active Bluelink subscription agreement subject to the Connected Services Terms and Conditions. Term starts from the new vehicle date of first use. Bluelink equipped and available on select Hyundai models and trims. Only use Bluelink and corresponding devices when safe to do so. Cellular and GPS coverage is required. Features, specifications, and fees are subject to change.

A fee will apply for map and multimedia over-the-air (OTA) updates, which are dependent on an active Bluelink connection, after an initial 3-year period of complementary updates.

ii All Bluelink+ services rely on digital wireless telecommunications technology outside of our control and in the control of the wireless carriers who provide the telecommunications technology. The 2023 Ioniq 6 and 2024 models are dependent on the 4G LTE cellular networks controlled and maintained by third-party wireless carriers. Telecommunication technologies have been known to change over time. If and when these networks change and discontinue services or the underlying technology required to support Bluelink is obsolete, then the connected services will not work and we will be forced to cancel impacted subscription services.

iii Over $350 cost savings based on subscription to Connected Care, Remote and Guidance packages for 12 months at current pricing of $9.90 per month totaling $356.40.

iv Matrix based on comparison of information from manufacturer connected services websites (as of January 2023).

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SOURCE Hyundai Motor America
Recommendations Detail How Best to Differentiate Investment Opportunities

MERIDA, Mexico, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, eight major environmental nonprofits and Indigenous Peoples organizations released comprehensive, step-by-step counsel for companies to follow when investing in tropical forest carbon credits to fight climate change. The new guidance is included in the second version of the Tropical Forest Credit Integrity (TFCI) Guide, which was first issued in May 2022. The updated guide was released at the Annual Meeting of the Governors' Climate & Forests Task Force, hosted this year by the government of Yucatan, Mexico.

The eight organizations behind the TFCI Guide are:

COICA - Coordinator of the Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin

Conservation International

Environmental Defense Fund

IPAM - Amazon Environmental Research Institute

The Nature Conservancy

Wildlife Conservation Society

World Resources Institute

WWF

Companies have a critical role to play in providing the finance necessary to keep tropical forests standing and achieve impact at scale. As part of their climate mitigation strategies, their investments should be a supplement  not an alternative  to deep decarbonization within their operations and supply chains.

One option is investing in the voluntary market for tropical forest carbon credits. Combined with companies' emissions reductions and complementary actions, the voluntary market can play an important part in helping to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The TFCI Guide is designed to assist decision-makers and teams responsible for developing and implementing corporate climate mitigation and net-zero strategies to navigate the tropical forest carbon credit marketplace with clear purpose and high integrity.

The TFCI Guide outlines four detailed steps to help companies implement the guide's recommendations:

Planning a tropical forest credit portfolio to align with global needs. Building a portfolio with purchases that drive demand for high-quality jurisdictional-scale crediting. Conducting due diligence to ensure high-quality credits. Following up with complementary actions and staying attuned to new developments.

Made possible by a grant from the Bezos Earth Fund, the TFCI Guide is the result of an 18-month collaboration and consensus among the eight organizations in consultation with diverse stakeholders from around the world.

In the face of growing demand for carbon credits in the voluntary market, it is vital to provide guidance on high-quality carbon credits to ensure that future investment is directed to where it will have the greatest impact. An essential component is respect for Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs) who must be fully involved in the development of crediting program activities. Crediting and nonmarket-based activities must ensure IPLCs' full and effective participation from inception and provide them with equitable distribution of the benefits and revenue.

Harol Rincon Ipuchima, Coordinator of Climate Change and Biodiversity, COICA-Coordinator of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin said: "The full and effective participation and the recognition of rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) during all processes is vital for the conservation of forests and the mitigation of climate change. The TFCI Guide not only outlines guidelines on high-quality investments in carbon credits but provides a framework on the full participation for IPLCs to ensure we have a seat at the table. The TFCI Guide recognizes IPLCs as partners and rightsholders, not only beneficiaries throughout the process mainly seeking a fair and equitable distribution of benefits, which is why The Coordinator of the Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin (COICA) is proud to be part of the authoring team."

Emily Nyrop, Conservation International's Vice President, Climate Change, said: "For years, companies have been raising their ambitions for a net zero, nature-positive future, but now is the time to turn those commitments into action. This updated TFCI Guide provides the direction companies need to do just that. It points companies toward high-integrity carbon credits and helps ensure that corporate use of those carbon credits aligns with real, measurable progress and impact for both the climate and communities. This is also a consensus document  it shows eight of the world's leading environmental and Indigenous peoples organizations united on the importance of the voluntary carbon market and on what high-quality, high-integrity investments should look like."

Mark Moroge, Vice President of Natural Climate Solutions at Environmental Defense Fund, said: "The world's tropical forests are under increasing threat and now is the time for the private sector to invest heavily in saving them so we can avoid the worst impacts of climate change. One key tool in the toolbox for companies to do this is through purchasing high-quality carbon credits, which can unlock billions for forest conservation. Our eight groups came together last year to help companies identify key principles for high quality tropical forest credits, including respect for the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, who must be part of decision-making processes, as well as ensuring resources are allocated on the ground where they're needed most. Our new roadmap now provides detailed, practical guidance for companies to implement these principles, so buyers know their purchases are sound. With our guidance, companies can have high confidence that their financing contributions will help mitigate climate change by halting tropical deforestation."

Paulo Moutinho, Interim Executive Director of the Amazon Environmental Research Institute (IPAM), said: "Humanity has established a common goal: Combat the climate crisis and maintain the habitability of the planet. The efforts need to be multiple and involve various sectors and governments. It is a global and collective mission. Part of this fight is to reduce the deforestation of tropical forests, especially in the Amazon. Among these efforts is the construction of a carbon market that is responsible and concerned with the supply of carbon with integrity and good quality. This guide is an important tool for companies interested in buying carbon to differentiate between those with the greatest capacity to conserve forests and benefit indigenous peoples, local communities, women, and underserved communities. Stimulating conscious demand will strengthen jurisdictional REDD+ initiatives, which have great potential to generate high-integrity carbon."

Matthew Arnold, Global Head of Impact Finance and Markets, The Nature Conservancy, said: "Addressing the climate crisis requires immediate corporate action and a commitment to continued improvement of both the scale and impact of climate solutions. This is especially true for the protection of tropical forests through voluntary carbon markets, which have faced increased scrutiny as they have begun to scale. There still is immense potential to harness private sector finance in a way that empowers Indigenous Peoples and local communities, while bolstering corporate actions to a net-zero future. The TFCI guidance serves as a basis for future and continued improvement in this space."

Todd Stevens, Executive Director of Markets, Wildlife Conservation Society, said: "WCS is encouraged by the outcomes of this guidance and the implications for forest conservation. We believe it will be useful for companies to see how high-quality projects and jurisdictional programs can be mutually reinforcing in helping to deliver the significant climate mitigation action needed to meet our Paris Agreement goals and support corporate net zero commitments."

Frances Seymour, Distinguished Senior Fellow, World Resources Institute, said: "With a growing number of corporate climate commitments and increased demand for carbon credits, the need for clear guidance on what constitutes a high-quality forest carbon credit is higher than ever. WRI is pleased to help produce this guide, which offers corporate sustainability managers with the guidance they need to develop a tropical forest carbon credit portfolio that prioritizes high-quality emissions reductions credits and incentivizes a rapid transition to jurisdictional-scale accounting and crediting. By following the steps in the TFCI Implementation Guidance, companies can participate in the voluntary carbon market for tropical forest carbon credits with a high degree of integrity and confidence and contribute to the global goal of halting deforestation by 2030."

Fran Raymond Price, Lead, WWF Global Forest Practice, said: "We cannot overstate the urgent need for corporate action and leadership to protect forests and address climate change. Leadership starts at home, focusing first on a company's footprint and deep decarbonization in line with a science-based target, augmented by high-integrity, high-impact investments in nature-based solutions. The carbon market must continue to improve and develop. And although it is not a stand-alone solution, if used appropriately, the market can increase support for transformative interventions at scale  as the TFCI Guide suggests  to deliver tangible benefits for people, nature and climate."

About COICA-Coordinator of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon BasinThe Coordinator of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin (COICA) is an indigenous organization of international convergence that orients its efforts to the promotion, protection and security of indigenous peoples and territories through the defense of their ways of life, principles and social, spiritual and cultural values. Our preexistence is framed in the defense of life and of the Amazon to continue as a seed on earth and conserve forests for a living planet that ensures the continuity of our present and future generations. Learn more here: https://coicamazonia.org/

About Conservation International Conservation International works to protect the critical benefits that nature provides to people. Through science, partnerships and fieldwork, Conservation International is driving innovation and investments in nature-based solutions to the climate crisis, supporting protections for critical habitats, and fostering economic development that is grounded in the conservation of nature. Conservation International works in 30 countries around the world, empowering societies at all levels to create a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable planet. Follow Conservation International's work on Conservation News, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

About Environmental Defense Fund One of the world's leading international nonprofit organizations, Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org) creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. With more than 3 million members and activists and offices in the United States, China, Mexico, Indonesia and the European Union, EDF's scientists, economists, attorneys and policy experts are working in 28 countries to turn our solutions into action. Connect with us on Twitter @EnvDefenseFund

About Amazon Environmental Research Institute (IPAM) The Instituto de Pesquisa Ambiental da Amazonia (IPAM) [Amazon Environmental Research Institute] is a scientific, non-governmental, non-partisan and non-profit organization that has worked for the sustainable development of the Amazon since 1995. Our purpose is to consolidate the Amazonian tropical development model by 2035, by producing knowledge, implementing local initiatives and directing public policies, in a way that influences economic development, social equality, and environmental preservation. Learn more here: https://ipam.org.br/en/

About The Nature Conservancy The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive. Founded in the U.S. through grassroots action in 1951, The Nature Conservancy has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than a million members and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and over 400 scientists, we impact conservation in 75 countries and territories: 37 by direct conservation impact and 38 through partners. Learn more here: https://www.nature.org/en-us/

About Wildlife Conservation Society WCS's goal is to conserve the world's largest wild places in 14 priority regions, home to more than 50% of the world's biodiversity. This is outlined in our 2020 strategy, which positions WCS to maintain its historic focus on the protection of species while developing an ambitious plan to engage with a rapidly changing world. The challenges are greater than ever, but with the focus, dedication, and passion of a committed staff - combined with a unique mixture of field, zoo, and aquarium expertise - WCS will continue to set the bar for science, conservation action, and education that has driven our success in protecting wildlife and wild places for over a century. We hold ourselves to the highest standards adhering to core values of respect, accountability and transparency, innovation, diversity and inclusion, collaboration, and integrity. Learn more here: https://www.wcs.org/

About World Resources Institute World Resources Institute (WRI) is a global research organization that spans more than 60 countries, with international offices in Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States, regional offices in Ethiopia (for Africa) and the Netherlands (for Europe), and program offices in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Our more than 1,600 experts and staff turn big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being. More information at www.wri.org or on Twitter @WorldResources.

About WWF WWF is an independent conservation organization, with over 30 million followers and a global network active in nearly 100 countries. Our mission is to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which people live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. Visit panda.org/news for the latest news and media resources; follow us on Twitter @WWF_media.

About Bezos Earth Fund The Bezos Earth Fund is Jeff Bezos' $10 billion personal commitment to fund scientists, activists, NGOs and others to help drive climate and nature solutions. By allocating funds creatively, wisely and boldly, the Bezos Earth Fund has the potential for transformative influence in this decisive decade. Funds will be fully allocated by 2030  the date by which the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals must be achieved. https://www.bezosearthfund.org/

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SOURCE Environmental Defense Fund
Everspring will support Milwaukee School of Engineering with marketing services to promote and grow its online MBA.

CHICAGO and MILWAUKEE, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Everspring, a leading provider of higher education technology solutions and services, announces an expansion of its partnership with Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). The expanded partnership will include marketing support for MSOE's online MBA program.

This expansion builds on the partnership launched in 2022 when Everspring engaged with MSOE to deliver market research, supplemental course development, and marketing services to grow program enrollments university-wide. MSOE offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degrees and is known for its hands-on, experiential learning methodology that emphasizes practical application.

Everspring will provide strategic and tactical marketing support for MSOE's online MBA program. The program prepares learners to solve business problems in a technical world and to apply their knowledge across strategic business functions. Students may choose specializations in leadership and business analytics.

"Everspring is excited to expand our partnership with MSOE and to help them to attract new talent to their online MBA program," said Douglas Reiner, senior vice president of university partnerships at Everspring. "Students are increasingly seeking both flexible graduate business programs, and programs that offer practical learning experiences with the ability to specialize, which we know provides a big advantage in the market."

As a specialized higher education marketing and academic solutions provider, Everspring offers a full range of services to build high-quality online and hybrid programs and attract students. Marketing services include a suite of brand development, performance marketing, integrated marketing communications, lead generation and enrollment management services that enable universities to cultivate awareness and deliver rapid, sustainable enrollment growth for their programs.

About Milwaukee School of EngineeringMilwaukee School of Engineering is the university of choice for those seeking an inclusive community of experiential learners driven to solve the complex challenges of today and tomorrow. The independent, non-profit university has about 2,800 students and was founded in 1903. MSOE offers bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering, business and nursing. Faculty are student-focused experts who bring real-world experience into the classroom. This approach to learning makes students ready now, as well as prepared for the future. Longstanding partnerships with business and industry leaders enable students to learn alongside professional mentors and challenge them to go beyond what's possible. MSOE graduates are leaders of character, responsible professionals, passionate learners and value creators. For more information, visit msoe.edu.

About EverspringEverspring is a leading provider of education technology and services solutions for higher education. Our advanced technology, proven marketing approach, and robust faculty support and instructional design services deliver outstanding outcomes for our university partners, powering their success online. Everspring offers a range of full-service turnkey solutions, as well as standalone fee-for-service offerings, and innovative self-service products that enable universities to establish themselves as leaders in the digital delivery of higher education. Based in Chicago, Everspring serves a growing number of colleges and universities nationwide.

Visit www.everspringpartners.com for more information. Don't just go digital. BE DIGITAL.

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SOURCE Everspring
The value of an organizational redesign effort is determined by the percentage of individuals who adopt the changes and operate in the desired way.

TORONTO, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Although most companies do a great job defining new organizational structures, they often invest poorly in effective change management to ensure that employees can adopt a new way of operating. To help technology leaders adopt the necessary best practices and align to a meaningful vision, global IT research and advisory firm Info-Tech Research Group has published its Adopt Change Management Practices and Succeed at IT Organizational Redesign blueprint.

According to Info-Tech's research, organizational redesigns frequently fail during implementation primarily because they do not consider the change management required to succeed. These failures can lead to the loss of critical talent and institutional knowledge, the inability to deliver on strategic goals and objectives, and financial and time losses. Therefore, implementing an organizational design with good change management practices is more important than defining the new organizational structure.

"It is important to be prepared to clearly describe why this change was needed, and the unique benefits each employee can expect from the new structure," says Brittany Lutes, research director at Info-Tech Research Group. "Redesign efforts should be driven by a clear need to align to the organization's vision and support the various objectives that will need to take place."

The firm's research further indicates that when good change management practices are used and embedded into the implementation process, employees feel respected and engaged, reducing turnover and productivity loss. Effective change management practices can also help avoid gaps and disorganization, saving time and money. It can also enable the desired operating structure to be implemented faster, allowing the delivery of strategic objectives.

Info-Tech suggests that technology leaders ensure that the following change management factors are considered when implementing a redesign plan for an IT organizational structure:

Align to a meaningful vision : An organizational redesign must be aligned with the organization's clear and meaningful vision. A trending organizational structure or operating model should never be the driver for an organizational redesign.

: An organizational redesign must be aligned with the organization's clear and meaningful vision. A trending organizational structure or operating model should never be the driver for an organizational redesign. Prepare IT leaders : Organizational redesigns can elicit negative responses from employees as it generates fears around the unknown. Therefore, it's critical to have people leaders, not just technical leaders, who are able to have difficult conversations with employees to further the successful implementation and adoption of the new organizational structure.

: Organizational redesigns can elicit negative responses from employees as it generates fears around the unknown. Therefore, it's critical to have people leaders, not just technical leaders, who are able to have difficult conversations with employees to further the successful implementation and adoption of the new organizational structure. Communicate frequently and with transparency: All communications about the organizational redesign must be done intentionally and as transparently as possible to help limit the spread of rumors and loss of critical talent. It is also crucial to provide employees with opportunities to ask questions, voice concerns, and share suggestions for the upcoming changes.

All communications about the organizational redesign must be done intentionally and as transparently as possible to help limit the spread of rumors and loss of critical talent. It is also crucial to provide employees with opportunities to ask questions, voice concerns, and share suggestions for the upcoming changes. Involve employees : Organizational redesigns often fail to include the most impacted employees during the planning stage, resulting in a major lack of support for the redesign. Monitoring and measuring employee engagement and adoption throughout the redesign is also critical.

: Organizational redesigns often fail to include the most impacted employees during the planning stage, resulting in a major lack of support for the redesign. Monitoring and measuring employee engagement and adoption throughout the redesign is also critical. Measure adoption: Metrics have the dual benefit of measuring a successful implementation and meeting the original drivers. Organizations going through any transformation, like an organizational redesign, should measure whether they are successfully on track to meet their target or have already met that goal.

The firm's research also states that receiving 100% employee adoption support is unlikely. However, if employee adoption is not within the 80-90% range, organizations should not attempt the next phase of the transformation until employees have clearly indicated a solid understanding of the changes.

To learn more, download the Adopt Change Management Practices and Succeed at IT Organizational Redesign blueprint.

To learn more about Info-Tech Research Group, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and Twitter.

About Info-Tech Research Group

Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading information technology research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT professionals. The company produces unbiased and highly relevant research to help CIOs and IT leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For 25 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with IT teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and over 200 IT and Industry analysts through the ITRG Media Insiders Program. To gain access, contact [email protected].

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SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ram Truck brand confirmed today that its first battery-electric pickup truck will be known as the Ram 1500 REV. The announcement of the all-new Ram 1500 REV as the name of the brand's first electric pickup truck marks the latest step in Ram's electrification journey to bring the industry's best electrified options to market.

"At Ram, we started a revolution last year as we invited consumers along on the beginning of our electrification journey, gathering their feedback on exactly what they are looking for in an electric pickup truck," said Mike Koval Jr., Ram brand CEO  Stellantis. "We look forward to delivering our first EV pickup  the all-new Ram 1500 REV  to those consumers next year. We are confident the Ram 1500 REV will push past the competition, offering what will be the leading combination of attributes customers care about the most: range, payload, towing and charge time."

Production of the all-new Ram 1500 REV will begin next year. More information will be available Sunday, Feb. 12, and the vehicle will be formally revealed to the public in the coming months.

Ram Truck BrandIn 2009, the Ram Truck brand launched as a stand-alone division, focused on meeting the demands of truck buyers and delivering benchmark-quality vehicles. With a full lineup of trucks, the Ram 1500, 2500/3500 Heavy Duty, 3500/4500/5500 Chassis Cab and ProMaster, the Ram brand builds trucks that get the hard work done and families where they need to go.

Ram continues to outperform the competition and sets the benchmarks for:

1,075 lb.-ft. of torque with Cummins Turbo Diesel

Towing capacity of 37,090 lbs. with Ram 3500

Segment first 1,000 lb.-ft of torque with Cummins Turbo Diesel

Payload of 7,680 lbs. with Ram 3500

Most luxurious: Ram Limited with real wood, real leather and 12-inch Uconnect touchscreen

Best ride and handling with exclusive link coil rear and auto-level air suspensions

Most interior space with Ram Mega Cab

The most cargo space available in any traditional full size cargo van

Most capable full-size off-road pickup  Ram Power Wagon

Ram 1500 TRX is the quickest, fastest and most powerful mass-produced pickup truck in the world

Most awarded light-duty truck in America

Highest owner loyalty of any half-ton pickup

The latest J.D. Power APEAL study, which rates the emotional bond between customers and their vehicles, named the 2022 Ram 1500 as the best vehicle in the large light-duty pickup category. This marks the third straight year Ram 1500 has received top honors.

The Ram 1500 lineup includes the Know & Go mobile app featuring an immersive experience for customers who want to learn more about their vehicles.

Ram is part of the portfolio of brands offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis. For more information regarding Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), please visit www.stellantis.com.

Follow Ram and company news and video on:Company blog: http://blog.stellantisnorthamerica.comMedia website: http://media.stellantisnorthamerica.comRam Truck brand: www.ramtrucks.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/RamTrucks Instagram: www.instagram.com/ramtrucks Twitter: www.twitter.com/RamTrucks and @StellantisNAYouTube: www.youtube.com/RamTrucks, https://www.youtube.com/StellantisNA

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SOURCE Stellantis
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Star Families (BSF) is pleased to announce the appointment of retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Gwen Bingham to the Chair of the Board of Directors (BOD). In addition to her long list of military accolades, Bingham has also been an ardent supporter of BSF and is the founding co-chair of the successful Campaign for Inclusion.

"Retired Army Lt. Gen. Bingham understands that while the military recruits the service member, it retains the family," said BSF Co-founder and CEO, Kathy Roth-Douquet. "She also understands the inextricable link between military family resilience and military readiness, and the importance of military members and their families finding a sense of belonging wherever their service takes them. On a personal note, when we met she was the Assistant Chief of Staff of the Army for Installation Management. She is someone I have admired and sought counsel from for a longtime and I am honored to have her setting the vision for this next season of BSF."

Bingham is a native of Troy, Alabama. She graduated from Army ROTC as a Distinguished Military Graduate from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce and Business Administration. Bingham has a Masters degree in Administration from Central Michigan University and a Masters degree in National Security Strategy and Resources from the National Defense University. She deployed in 2010 in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. She has been a trailblazer, serving as the first woman to hold numerous positions including the Army's 51st Quartermaster General and Commandant of the U.S. Army Quartermaster School; the Commanding General, White Sands Missile Range, and as Commanding General, Tank-automotive and Armaments Life Cycle Management Command. Bingham is the recipient of the 2018 Ellis Island Medal of Honor and the 2018 Women in Defense Service to the Flag award. She was honored as a CNN Champion of Change in 2021 and inducted into the U.S. Army Women's Hall of Fame in 2022. Her other professional affiliations include Council on Foreign Relations, member; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Life Member; and multiple private, public, and nonprofit boards. She and her husband, Dr. Patrick J. Bingham, has two adult children; Dr. Tava M. Bingham and Mr. Phillip J. Bingham.

About Blue Star Families

Blue Star Families is the nation's largest chapter-based military family support organization, with a mission to support military families to improve military readiness. Its distinctive approach builds stronger communities around military families through knowledge and programs that address the unique needs of those who serve.

Blue Star Families' nationally recognized surveys and analysis give military families an important voice that informs policymakers and its military family programs. It uses the power of its collective resources and cross-sector collaborations to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of members of military families to strengthen the troops, their families, and our nation as a whole. For more information, click here.

Contact:Ali Slocum (She/Her)EVP, Storytelling and Experience, Blue Star Families[email protected]

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SOURCE Blue Star Families
TAIPEI, Taiwan, R.O.C., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd. (NYSE: ASX, TAIEX: 3711, "ASEH" or the "Company"), announces its revised unaudited consolidated net revenues for December, 4th quarter and full year of 2022.

Consolidated net revenues (unaudited)

Dec Nov Dec Sequential YoY (NT$ Million) 2022 2022 2021 Change Change Net Revenues 53,139 60,107 59,665 -11.6 % -10.9 % Dec Nov Dec Sequential YoY (US$ Million) 2022 2022 2021 Change Change Net Revenues 1,736 1,889 2,152 -8.1 % -19.3 % Q4 Q3 Q4 Sequential YoY (NT$ Million) 2022 2022 2021 Change Change Net Revenues 177,417 188,626 172,936 -5.9 % +2.6 % Q4 Q3 Q4 (US$ Million) 2022 2022 2021 Change Change Net Revenues 5,652 6,264 6,226 -9.8 % -9.2 % FY FY YoY (NT$ Million) 2022 2021 Change Net Revenues 670,873 569,997 +17.7 % FY FY YoY (US$ Million) 2022 2021 Change Net Revenues 22,579 20,399 +10.7 %

Pro Forma Basis**

Dec Nov Dec Sequential YoY (NT$ Million) 2022 2022 2021 Change Change Net Revenues 53,139 60,107 57,376 -11.6 % -7.4 % Dec Nov Dec Sequential YoY (US$ Million) 2022 2022 2021 Change Change Net Revenues 1,736 1,889 2,070 -8.1 % -16.1 % Q4 Q3 Q4 Sequential YoY (NT$ Million) 2022 2022 2021 Change Change Net Revenues 177,417 188,626 166,158 -5.9 % +6.8 % Q4 Q3 Q4 Sequential YoY (US$ Million) 2022 2022 2021 Change Change Net Revenues 5,652 6,264 5,982 -9.8 % -5.5 % FY FY YoY (NT$ Million) 2022 2021 Change Net Revenues 670,873 544,579 +23.2 % FY FY YoY (US$ Million) 2022 2021 Change Net Revenues 22,579 19,490 +15.9 %

Net revenues for ATM assembly, testing and material business are as follows:

atm net revenues (unaudited)

Dec Nov Dec Sequential YoY (NT$ Million) 2022 2022 2021 Change Change Net Revenues 28,462 32,650 31,011 -12.8 % -8.2 % Dec Nov Dec Sequential YoY (US$ Million) 2022 2022 2021 Change Change Net Revenues 930 1,026 1,119 -9.4 % -16.9 % Q4 Q3 Q4 Sequential YoY (NT$ Million) 2022 2022 2021 Change Change Net Revenues 94,322 98,831 91,958 -4.6 % +2.6 % Q4 Q3 Q4 Sequential YoY (US$ Million) 2022 2022 2021 Change Change Net Revenues 3,005 3,284 3,310 -8.5 % -9.2 % FY FY YoY (NT$ Million) 2022 2021 Change Net Revenues 372,176 334,805 +11.2 % FY FY YoY (US$ Million) 2022 2021 Change Net Revenues 12,551 11,978 +4.8 %

Pro Forma Basis**

Dec Nov Dec Sequential YoY (NT$ Million) 2022 2022 2021 Change Change Net Revenues 28,462 32,650 28,722 -12.8 % -0.9 % Dec Nov Dec Sequential YoY (US$ Million) 2022 2022 2021 Change Change Net Revenues 930 1,026 1,036 -9.4 % -10.2 % Q4 Q3 Q4 Sequential YoY (NT$ Million) 2022 2022 2021 Change Change Net Revenues 94,322 98,831 85,180 -4.6 % +10.7 % Q4 Q3 Q4 Sequential YoY (US$ Million) 2022 2022 2021 Change Change Net Revenues 3,005 3,284 3,066 -8.5 % -2.0 % FY FY YoY (NT$ Million) 2022 2021 Change Net Revenues 372,176 309,387 +20.3 % FY FY YoY (US$ Million) 2022 2021 Change Net Revenues 12,551 11,068 +13.4 %

*This press release is intended to comply with Taiwan regulatory requirements.

** Pro forma basis excludes the disposed China Sites.

Investor Relations Contact:

Safe Harbor Notice:

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Although these forward-looking statements, which may include statements regarding our future results of operations, financial condition or business prospects, are based on our own information and information from other sources we believe to be reliable, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this press release. The words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan" and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify these forward-looking statements in this press release. These forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates reflecting the best judgment of our senior management and our actual results of operations, financial condition or business prospects may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements for reasons including, among others, risks associated with cyclicality and market conditions in the semiconductor or electronic industry; changes in our regulatory environment, including our ability to comply with new or stricter environmental regulations and to resolve environmental liabilities; demand for the outsourced semiconductor packaging, testing and electronic manufacturing services we offer and for such outsourced services generally; the highly competitive semiconductor or manufacturing industry we are involved in; our ability to introduce new technologies in order to remain competitive; international business activities; our business strategy; our future expansion plans and capital expenditures; the strained relationship between the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China; general economic and political conditions; the recent shift in United States trade policies; possible disruptions in commercial activities caused by natural or human-induced disasters; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; and other factors. For a discussion of these risks and other factors, please see the documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the 2021 Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on March 29, 2022.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/revised-ase-technology-holding-co-ltd-announces-monthly-net-revenues-301740475.html

SOURCE ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd.
One of Austria's leading food and drugstore retailers drives supply chain optimization at roundabout 40 locations in Austria and Eastern Europe

HAMBURG, Germany, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- REWE International AG has chosen Korber's Warehouse Management System (WMS) to be deployed across roundabout 40 European locations. K.Motion WMS was chosen to optimize a complex process landscape, bringing maximum flexibility to meet the multi-layered demands of the food and drugstore retail industry.

Michael Brandl, EVP Operations Software EMEA at Korber Business Area Supply Chain explains: "Today's supply chains face a myriad of complexities. These include sudden delivery bottlenecks, rising customer expectations, ever-larger product ranges as well as hybrid fulfillment concepts and labor shortage. This leads to significantly higher demands on efficiency and transparency in logistics operations, for which digitized strategies are becoming indispensable in order to also tap new potentials of data use and analysis."

The rollout will take place in two stages. In the pilot phase until mid-2025, Korber will implement the WMS at five locations for dry and fresh assortments, and cross docking. At the same time, the connection to REWE's existing ERP system will take place. The additional 35 locations will be converted with support from Korber through REWE International. The go-live is anticipated by the year 2028.

"The decisive factor for us was the support from a strong partner like Korber with proven experience on an international level. The solution moreover allows our supply chain to meet not just the changing retail requirements of today  but also those lying ahead," explains Manfred Mulleder, Project Lead WMS at REWE International AG. "Just one example for this is the modern Business Process Engine of the WMS, which allows our business processes to be adapted flexibly and immediately without additional effort. With the software platform developed by Korber, we are looking positively into the future  and are optimally prepared for both upcoming automation projects and expected company growth."

As part of the German REWE Group, one of Europe's leading trade and tourism groups, REWE International AG is Austria's leading local food and drugstore retailer with more than 2,600 stores operated by its trading companies BILLA, PENNY, BIPA and ADEG, as well as the online stores of BILLA and BIPA. With around 45,300 employees, the company is one of Austria's largest employers.

About REWE InternationalREWE International AG is Austria's leading local food and drugstore retailer with more than 2,600 stores operated by its trading companies BILLA, PENNY, BIPA and ADEG, as well as the online stores of BILLA and BIPA. With around 45,300 employees, the company is one of Austria's largest employers. REWE International AG is part of the German REWE Group, one of the leading trade and tourism groups in Europe. In Austria, REWE International AG owns a range of widely known private labels such as the organic brand Ja! Naturlich, clever, Wunderlinge, Da komm ich her!, Vegavita, Chefmenu, Simply Good, Wegenstein and bi good. The company also operates in the tourism market, with BILLA Reisen, IST, JAHN REISEN and Transair. From its headquarters in Wiener Neudorf, REWE International AG not only manages its Austrian business, but also the international food retail affairs of REWE Group (Organisational Unit Handel International). Via supermarket retail brand BILLA the company is represented in Bulgaria, Slovakia and Czech Republic, via discount retail brand PENNY in Italy, Romania, Czech Republic, and Hungary, via the super market chain IKI in Lithuania, and with the drugstore retail brand BIPA in Croatia. Per 2021, the organisational unit Handel International worked about 89,200 people in 9 countries. More than 4,400 stores generated a gross net turnover of EUR 19 billion.

About the Korber Business Area Supply ChainSupply chains are growing more complex by the day. Korber uniquely provides a broad range of proven, end-to-end supply chain solutions fitting any business size, strategy or appetite for growth. Our customers conquer the complexity of the supply chain thanks to our portfolio that includes software, automation, mail and parcel solutions, voice solutions, robotics, and materials handling  plus the expertise to tie it all together. Korber helps to manage the supply chain as a competitive advantage. Conquer supply chain complexity  with Korber. The Business Area Supply Chain is part of the global technology group Korber. Find out more on www.koerber-supplychain.com

Contact: Mary-Jane Wurker Corporate Communications Manager Korber Business Area Supply Chain M[email protected] T +49 6032 348-2921

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SOURCE Korber Supply Chain
BREA, California, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Tamkang University, a top private university in Taiwan, has partnered with ViewSonic, a leading global provider of visual solutions, to promote digital calligraphy, preserving traditional culture in a more environmentally friendly way. Through Tamkang University's Digital ePen software and ViewSonic's ID1330 ViewBoard Pen Display, students can learn digital calligraphy, an experience that closely resembles the traditional writing of calligraphy on paper. This also allows students' artwork to be digitally preserved and easily shared through social media.

Ben-Hang Chang, a calligraphy master who works as a Professor in the Department of Chinese Literature at Tamkang University, said, "Ever since the 1980s, it has been my mission to preserve and promote calligraphy. In recent years, I realized that typing will gradually replace handwriting so I decided to work on digital calligraphy and led my team to develop the Digital ePen software for calligraphy learning. We are glad to collaborate with ViewSonic and create a total solution together that seamlessly integrates hardware and software, bringing a more intuitive calligraphy learning experience."

Tzung-Hang Lee, Dean of the College of Engineering at Tamkang University, said, "Before the implementation of ViewSonic's Pen Display, students required a writing pad that was connected to a monitor. Students needed to look up to check their writing on the screen while writing on the pad, which is not intuitive. Also, since the digitizer pen's pressure sensitivity was not enough, students had to apply pressure when writing, leading to sore wrists. ViewSonic's digitizer pens with sensitive pen pressure of the stylus make digital calligraphy easier to learn, allowing more students to enjoy the courses."

The ViewSonic ID1330 is a 13.3-inch ViewBoard Pen Display that teachers and students can easily bring to the classroom to use. The display is equipped with dual USB Type-C ports, meaning a single cable can charge the display while another transmits a touch signal. The digitizer pen has 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity and can detect inclination angles of 60 degrees. This allows students to see the strokes they are writing instantly and quickly become comfortable with digital calligraphy.

Rong Jun Lee, General Manager of the Electromagnetic, Touch, and Certification Business at ViewSonic, stated, "As a leader in the field of educational technology, ViewSonic continues innovating technology tools to promote digital teaching and learning. We are honored to cooperate with Tamkang University to implement our solution in the calligraphy course to digitalize calligraphy education. This also demonstrates that technology plays an important role to revolutionize education."

ViewSonic worked with Tamkang University to bring together traditional calligraphy and modern technology so that even in paperless digital form, calligraphy will continue to thrive as an indispensable element in traditional aesthetics and culture. Having successfully implemented digital calligraphy, Tamkang University will design more digital courses to encourage students to take up calligraphy and painting.

About Tamkang University's ePen World

Digital ePen calligraphy technology was launched in response to global demand for learning Chinese. Tamkang University, under the initiative of Ben-Hang Chang, Professor of the Department of Chinese Literature, cooperated with the university's Calligraphy Research Office, Center for Distance Education Development, and Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering. A cross-disciplinary team led by Professor Chang, Professor Chin-Hwa Kuo, Professor Wen-Bing Horng, and numerous research assistants successfully developed the world's foremost computer handwriting system after more than five years of research. Patent applications have been filed in various countries for this system, named ePen Handwriting System. Using an e-pen to write on a designated tablet or touch screen eliminates the need for traditional brushes, paper, ink, and copybooks, which is an innovative revolution in the world of writing tools. For more information about Tamkang University's ePen system, please visit epenworld.finearts.tku.edu.tw.

About ViewSonic

Founded in California, ViewSonic is a leading global provider of visual solutions and conducts business in over 100 countries worldwide. As an innovator and visionary, ViewSonic is committed to providing comprehensive hardware and software solutions that include monitors, projectors, pen displays, commercial displays, All-in-One LED displays, ViewBoard interactive displays, and myViewBoard software ecosystem. With over 35 years of expertise in visual displays, ViewSonic has established a strong position for delivering innovative and reliable solutions for education, enterprise, consumer, and professional markets and helping customers "See the Difference." To find out more about ViewSonic, please visit www.viewsonic.com.

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SOURCE ViewSonic
Just in time for Valentines Day, the Caledonia Cupid Shuffle returns Saturday. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 12 businesses and organizations will be offering special discounts and treats throughout the day. This is the event's fourth year.

Old Village Mercantile Owner Nina Gilliam said the Cupid Shuffle is a lot like the recently-held Chocolate Walk but on a smaller scale.

The event brings in quite a few people every year who want relief from cabin fever, according to Gilliam. February weather is often unpredictable in Missouri, but Gilliam said, from reports she's seeing, the weather on Saturday should cooperate.

Its not our largest attended event, but we do have quite a few that come down and kind of shake off the winter blues, Gilliam explained.

The 12 Caledonia businesses and organizations participating include Patties Pickins, Caledonia United Methodist Church, Old Village Mercantile, Caledonia Vintage & Gifts, Farrago Gifts, Shabby Chic Painted Rooster, Katies Place, Darling Daffodil Boutique, Western Farmhouse Flair, Miss Molly, Twelve Mile Creek, and Turning 3 Ranch.

A map of all participating businesses and organizations can be picked up at any time during the day at any of the participating outlets.

Along with offering special deals and treats during the day, each business is involved in a gift basket drawing. If someone visits all 12 businesses, their name will be entered in a gift card basket worth $250, which includes gift cards to all businesses participating.

The Caledonia United Methodist Women will be hosting a bake sale during Cupids Shuffle. All profits made during the sale will be sent to the Belleview Food Pantry. The church is located at 106 Alexander Street across from Old Village Mercantile.

The village, just nine miles west of Bismarck, is a popular site for visitors and hosts many events throughout the year including the Blackberry Festival, Pumpkin Fest, and Chocolate Walk.

The next events in Caledonia are in April, with the Village Just Junking and Yard Sales on April 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the Easter Egg Hunt on April 8 starting at 10 a.m.
The Leading Investment Firm Has Formed a Board of Advisors to Provide Strategic Insight and Guidance

NEW YORK, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bycoff Group is pleased to appoint Lance Larsen and Uche Osuji to its newly operational board of advisors, where they will provide their expert insight and guidance to the leadership team as The Bycoff Group continues its growth as a leading investment management firm.

"We are pleased and excited to announce the formation of The Bycoff Group Board of Advisors. This is a major milestone for The Bycoff Group and we are thrilled to utilize the expertise of Lance and Uche to continue our strong growth and momentum as we further expand in the family office and institutional spaces," said Lorne Bycoff, CEO of The Bycoff Group.

Mr. Larsen and Mr. Osuji hold extensive experience in investments and corporate finance. Mr. Lance Larsen is the President and CEO of Pierce Street Capital, an Omaha, Nebraska-based investment firm that manages the investment activities of the Larsen family, and the former CEO of Millard Refrigerated Services, the second largest cold-storage provider in North America at the time of its sale. Mr. Larsen's unparalleled expertise and keen eye for innovation have provided strategic direction for both companies, leading to incredible growth, loyal customers, and a united team. At Pierce Street, Mr. Larsen brings to bear his experience in providing permanent capital to family and founder-led businesses. Mr. Larsen is a graduate of Southern Methodist University.

Mr. Uche Osuji is Managing Director at Arctaris Impact Investors, a privately held investment firm that invests in growth-oriented operating businesses and infrastructure projects located in underserved communities. At Arctaris, Mr. Osuji leads the portfolio management function and drives business development through relationships with banks, investors, and local governments. Mr. Osuji holds over 20 years of corporate finance investment and advisory experience across consumer products, real estate, technology, and manufacturing industries. Mr. Osuji is a graduate of Duke University and holds an MBA from Duke's Fuqua School of Business. Mr. Osuji recently served as Co-Chairman of the Duke New York Board and currently sits on the national Duke Alumni Association Board.

The Bycoff Group welcomes with anticipation their combined experience in finance, technology, real estate, and upper management. The newly appointed board of advisors will provide strategic input to The Bycoff Group, as the firm continues its mission to build industry leading, tax-efficient strategies that are uniquely designed to grow wealth.

To learn more about The Bycoff Group or read further on the newly appointed board members, please visit: https://bycoffgroup.com or https://bycoffgroup.com/advisory-board

About The Bycoff Group

The Bycoff Group is a New York City based investment firm that runs public equity strategies focusing on generating long-term returns for institutions, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals. Founded in 2020 by brothers Lorne and Douglas Bycoff, The Bycoff Group breaks the mold of traditional firms, breathing new life into modern strategies with innovation, transparency, alignment, and creativity that deliver lasting returns for investors. Alumni of Duke University, the founders leverage their over 25 years of professional investment experience cultivated at Point 72 Asset Management and Merrill Lynch with expertise in technology and consumer investing as the solid foundation for The Bycoff Group.

Press Contact:The Bycoff Group, 781-385-9069, https://bycoffgroup.com

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SOURCE The Bycoff Group
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bloomreach, the world's #1 Commerce Experience Cloud, today announced the launch of real-time segments for Bloomreach Discovery. The new feature uses first-party data to understand every customer as they search  including anonymous visitors. Customers are grouped into segments based on real-time behavior, then matched to products that merchandisers have optimized for relevance and revenue growth. As a result, an increased amount of site traffic is connected with the right products, creating better experiences for more customers and unlocking new opportunities for revenue generation.

"If you consider how impactful one-to-one personalization can be, just imagine what that looks like when amplified at scale," said Jordan Roper, General Manager and Head of Product, Bloomreach Discovery. "By personalizing for both broad and granular customer segments, you're connecting even more of your site traffic with relevant products  and you're keeping those products relevant even as customer behavior shifts in real-time. This feature is going to unlock countless new opportunities for merchandisers to optimize product grids, enhancing the customer experience and driving fast revenue growth all at once."

Real-time segments are powered by Bloomreach's Customer Data Engine, enabling businesses to inject the search experience with real-time, first-party customer data. Traditional e-commerce search engines personalize using cookie-based data, which is limited, or the data of visitors who have logged in, which typically accounts for a small portion of site traffic. Bloomreach Discovery ingests both existing customer data profiles and real-time behavior such as product views, category views, and search queries  creating a more complete view of even first-time visitors. This enables the most in-depth customer understanding available in any e-commerce search solution on the market.

With a deep understanding of who the customer is, merchandisers are empowered to find new ways to enhance their e-commerce experience to drive greater revenue per visitor (RPV). As they see which product categories different customer segments interact with, they can optimize product grids or shape merchandising strategies accordingly.

During beta testing, real-time segments drove increases in RPV of more than 8%. On mobile devices, RPV grew more than 25%. To learn more about the ways Bloomreach Discovery is driving fast return on investment for businesses around the world, visit the company's website.

About BloomreachBloomreach is the world's #1 Commerce Experience Cloud, empowering brands to deliver customer journeys so personalized, they feel like magic. It offers a suite of products that drive true personalization and digital commerce growth, including: Discovery, offering AI-driven search and merchandising; Content, offering a headless CMS; and Engagement, offering a leading CDP and marketing automation solutions. Together, these solutions combine the power of unified customer and product data with the speed and scale of AI-optimization, enabling revenue-driving digital commerce experiences that convert on any channel and every journey. Bloomreach serves over 850 global brands including Albertsons, Bosch, Puma, FC Bayern Munchen, and Marks & Spencer. For more information, visit Bloomreach.com.

Media Contact:Michelle DeMaioBloomreachCorporate Communications[email protected]

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SOURCE Bloomreach
FILE PHOTO: Bottles of Pepsi are pictured at a grocery store in Pasadena, California, U.S., July 11, 2017. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File Photo

By Ananya Mariam Rajesh

(Reuters) -PepsiCo Inc said on Thursday it will not raise prices of its sodas and snacks further after multiple rounds of price hikes last year helped the beverage giant post fourth-quarter profit and revenue ahead of analysts' estimates.

A near duopoly in the carbonated drinks market with Coca-Cola Co helped PepsiCo raise prices with little pushback from consumers as it battles higher freight and commodity costs, as well as the impact of a stronger dollar on international revenue.

"We have most of our price increases for the year already in place," PepsiCo Chief Financial Officer Hugh Johnston told Reuters.

While the company expects inflationary pressures to persist in 2023, it still sees consumer demand being resilient.

PepsiCo is in a "real sweet spot" in terms of consumers since they have enough money to buy themselves affordable treats, Johnston said.

The slowdown in pricing should ultimately be offset by better volumes and demand for non-alcoholic beverage products are going to remain strong, Wedbush Securities analyst Gerald Pascarelli said.

PepsiCo's shares rose 1.7% to $174.04 after it also raised its annual dividend by 10% to $5.06 per share.

The company's North America beverages unit, which houses brands such as Mirinda, 7UP and Gatorade, posted an organic revenue growth of 10% in the fourth quarter.

Average prices jumped 16%, while organic volume slipped 2%.

The Frito-Lay maker however, forecast annual profit below estimates and said it expects some pushback on prices in the second half of the year.

On an adjusted basis, PepsiCo earned $1.67 per share in the fourth quarter, beating estimates of $1.65, according to Refinitiv data.

(Reporting by Ananya Mariam Rajesh in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)
0001819574 FALSE 0001819574 2023-02-08 2023-02-08 0001819574 bark:CommonStockPareValue00001Member 2023-02-08 2023-02-08 0001819574 bark:WarrantsEachWarrantExercisableForOneShareOfCommonStockAtAnExercisePriceOf1150PerShareMember 2023-02-08 2023-02-08





UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date Earliest Event Reported):

BARK, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 001-39691 85-1872418 (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.) 120 Broadway, Floor 12 New York , NY 10271 (Zip Code) (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

( 855 ) 501-2275

(Registrants telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e- 4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered Common Stock, par value $0.0001 BARK New York Stock Exchange Warrants, each warrant exercisable for one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share BARK WS New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 









Item 8.01 Other Events

As previously disclosed, on February 7, 2023, Bark, Inc. (the Company) filed a petition in the Delaware Court of Chancery (the Court of Chancery) pursuant to Section 205 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the Petition). The Petition seeks an order validating and declaring effective (1) the provisions of the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company that set forth the number of authorized shares of the Company and (2) the shares of the Companys common stock issued in reliance on such provisions of the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.





On February 8, 2023, the Court of Chancery issued an order scheduling a hearing on the merits of the Petition at 4 p.m. Eastern Time on February 20, 2023 in Courtroom 12A of the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center, 500 N. King Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801.





The Companys stockholders may appear at the hearing in person or through counsel or may file a written submission with the Register in Chancery, at the address below, by hand, first class U.S. mail, courier or express service, or via File & ServeXpress, in advance of the hearing. Any written submission also must be served on the following counsel for the Company, at the address below, by any of the above-listed methods of service, in advance of the hearing:





Register in Chancery: Counsel for the Company:





Delaware Court of Chancery Kevin R. Shannon

Leonard L. Williams Justice Center Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP

500 N. King Street 1313 N. Market Street

Wilmington, Delaware 19801 Hercules Plaza, 6th Floor

Wilmington, Delaware 19801





The case is captioned In re Bark, Inc. , C.A. No. 2023-0144-LWW.





Forward-Looking Statements

This current report on Form 8-K (this Current Report) includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included in this Current Report, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as may, should, could, would, expect, plan, anticipate, intend, believe, estimate, continue, project or the negative of such terms and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of present or historical matters. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified herein, and on the current expectations of the Company and are not predictions of actual outcomes. Actual events and circumstances are impossible to predict and are beyond the control of the Company.





With respect to the matters addressed in this Current Report, no assurances can be made regarding the outcome of the Companys proceeding pursuant to Section 205 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. The Section 205 proceeding is subject to inherent uncertainties and is beyond the Companys control and may not result in timely resolution of the uncertainty regarding the Companys capitalization, if at all. If the Company is unsuccessful in the Section 205 proceeding, it could have a material adverse effect on the Company.





The Company cautions you that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risk and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties that could affect the Company and its financial results are included under the captions Risk Factors and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) on November 9, 2022, which is available on the Companys website at https://investors.bark.co and on the SECs website at www.sec.gov. Additional information will also be set forth in other filings that the Company makes with the SEC from time to time. All forward-looking statements in this Current Report are based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-









looking statements provided to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by applicable law.





Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits:













SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.





BARK, Inc. By: /s/ Allison Koehler Name: Allison Koehler Title: General Counsel and Secretary

Date: February 9, 2023





ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13G

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. )*

Anghami Inc.

(Name of Issuer)

Ordinary Shares, $0.0001 par value per share

(Title of Class of Securities)

G0369L101

(CUSIP Number)

February 09, 2023

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:

 Rule 13d-1(b)

 Rule 13d-1(c)

 Rule 13d-1(d)

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be filed for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Act) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

CUSIP No.

(1) Names of reporting persons Edgard Maroun (2) Check the appropriate box if a member of a group (see instructions) (a)  (b)  (3) SEC use only (4) Citizenship or place of organization Lebanon Number of

shares

beneficially

owned by

each

reporting

person with: (5) Sole voting power 2,486,052 Ordinary Shares (6) Shared voting power 0 (7) Sole dispositive power 2,486,052 Ordinary Shares (8) Shared dispositive power 0 (9) Aggregate amount beneficially owned by each reporting person 2,486,052 Ordinary Shares (10) Check if the aggregate amount in Row (9) excludes certain shares (see instructions)  (11) Percent of class represented by amount in Row (9) 9,56% (12) Type of reporting person (see instructions) IN

2

ITEM 1(A) NAME OF ISSUER:

The name of the issuer is Anghami Inc. (the  Company ).

ITEM 1(B) ADDRESS OF ISSUER'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES:

The Companys principal executive offices are located at 16th Floor, Al-Khatem Tower, WeWork Hub71, Abu Dhabi Global Market Square, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

ITEM 2 (A) NAME OF PERSON FILING:

This statement is filed by Edgard Jean Maroun ( Reporting Person )

ITEM 2 (B) ADDRESS OR PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OFFICE OR, IF NONE, RESIDENCE:

The address of the business office of Reporting Person is: 16th Floor, Al-Khatem Tower, WeWork Hub71, Abu Dhabi Global Market Square, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

ITEM 2 (C) CITIZENSHIP:

Lebanon

ITEM 2 (D) TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES:

Ordinary Shares, $0.0001 par value per share (the  Ordinary Shares ).

ITEM 2 (E) CUSIP NO.:

G0369L101

ITEM 3. IF THIS STATEMENT IS FILED PURSUANT TO  240.13D-1(B) OR 240.13D-2(B) OR (C), CHECK WHETHER THE PERSON FILING IS A:

(a)  Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o); (b)  Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c); (c)  Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c); (d)  Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C 80a-8); (e)  An investment adviser in accordance with  240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E); (f)  An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with  240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F); (g)  A parent holding company or control person in accordance with  240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G); (h)  A savings associations as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813); (i)  A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3); (j)  A non-U.S. institution in accordance with  240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J); (k)  Group, in accordance with  240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(K). If filing as a non-U.S. institution in accordance with  240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J), please specify the type of institution:

ITEM 4. OWNERSHIP

(a) Amount beneficially owned:

2,486,052

3

(b) Percent of class:

9,56%

(c) Number of shares as to which the person has:

(i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote: 2,486,052

(ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote: 0

(iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 2,486,052

(iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 0

ITEM 5. OWNERSHIP OF 5 PERCENT OR LESS OF A CLASS.

If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than 5 percent of the class of securities, check the following  .

ITEM 6. OWNERSHIP OF MORE THAN 5 PERCENT ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER PERSON.

Not Applicable

ITEM 7. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE SUBSIDIARY WHICH ACQUIRED THE SECURITY BEING REPORTED ON BY THE PARENT HOLDING COMPANY OR CONTROL PERSON.

Not Applicable

ITEM 8. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS OF THE GROUP

Not Applicable

ITEM 9. NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF GROUP.

Not Applicable

ITEM 10. CERTIFICATIONS

Not Applicable

4

SIGNATURE

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Dated: February 9, 2023 Signature: /s/ Edgard Maroun Name/Title: Edgard Maroun, CEO

5
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 SCHEDULE 13G Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )* Liberty Resources Acquisition Corp. (Name of Issuer) Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (Title of Class of Securities) 53118A105 (CUSIP Number) December 31, 2022 (Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement) Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed: y Rule 13d-1(b)  Rule 13d-1(c)  Rule 13d-1(d) (Page 1 of 8 Pages)

______________________________

*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be filed for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Act) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON Hudson Bay Capital Management LP 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a)  (b)  3 SEC USE ONLY 4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION State of Delaware NUMBER OF

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

OWNED BY

EACH

REPORTING

PERSON WITH: 5 SOLE VOTING POWER 0 6 SHARED VOTING POWER 891,356 shares of Class A Common Stock 7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 0 8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 891,356 shares of Class A Common Stock 9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 891,356 shares of Class A Common Stock 10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES  11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9) 7.41% 12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON PN

1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON Sander Gerber 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a)  (b)  3 SEC USE ONLY 4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION United States NUMBER OF

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

OWNED BY

EACH

REPORTING

PERSON WITH: 5 SOLE VOTING POWER 0 6 SHARED VOTING POWER 891,356 shares of Class A Common Stock 7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 0 8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 891,356 shares of Class A Common Stock 9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 891,356 shares of Class A Common Stock 10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES  11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9) 7.41% 12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IN

Item 1(a). NAME OF ISSUER: The name of the issuer is Liberty Resources Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the  Company ).

Item 1(b). ADDRESS OF ISSUER'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES: The Company's principal executive offices are located at 78 SW 7th Street, Suite 500, Miami, Florida 33130.

Item 2(a). NAME OF PERSON FILING: This statement is filed by Hudson Bay Capital Management LP (the  Investment Manager ) and Mr. Sander Gerber ( Mr. Gerber ), who are collectively referred to herein as  Reporting Persons .

Item 2(b). ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OFFICE OR, IF NONE, RESIDENCE: The address of the business office of each of the Reporting Persons is 28 Havemeyer Place, 2nd Floor, Greenwich, CT 06830.

Item 2(c). CITIZENSHIP: The Investment Manager is a Delaware limited partnership. Mr. Gerber is a United States citizen.

Item 2(d). TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES: Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the  Class A Common Stock ).

Item 2(e). CUSIP NUMBER: 53118A105

Item 3. IF THIS STATEMENT IS FILED PURSUANT TO RULES 13d-1(b) OR 13d-2(b) OR (c), CHECK WHETHER THE PERSON FILING IS A: (a)  Broker or dealer registered under Section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o); (b)  Bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c); (c)  Insurance company as defined in Section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c); (d)  Investment company registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8); (e) y Investment adviser in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E); (f)  Employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F);

(g) y Parent holding company or control person in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G); (h)  Savings association as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813); (i)  Church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under Section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act (15 U.S.C. 80a-3); (j)  Non-U.S. institution in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J); (k)  Group, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(K).

If filing as a non-U.S. institution in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J), please specify the type of institution:

Item 4. OWNERSHIP The information required by Items 4(a)  (c) is set forth in Rows (5)  (11) of the cover page for each Reporting Person hereto and is incorporated herein by reference for each such Reporting Person. The percentages used in this Schedule 13G are calculated based upon 12,030,275 shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding as of November 17, 2022, as reported in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2022 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 17, 2022. The Investment Manager serves as the investment manager to HB Strategies LLC and Hudson Bay SPAC Master Fund LP, in whose name the securities reported herein are held. As such, the Investment Manager may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of all securities held by HB Strategies LLC and Hudson Bay SPAC Master Fund LP. Mr. Gerber serves as the managing member of Hudson Bay Capital GP LLC, which is the general partner of the Investment Manager. Mr. Gerber disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities.

Item 5. OWNERSHIP OF FIVE PERCENT OR LESS OF A CLASS. Not applicable.

Item 6. OWNERSHIP OF MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER PERSON. See Item 4. HB Strategies LLC has the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, more than 5% of the Class A Common Stock.

Item 7. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE SUBSIDIARY WHICH ACQUIRED THE SECURITY BEING REPORTED ON BY THE PARENT HOLDING COMPANY. Not applicable.

Item 8. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS OF THE GROUP.

Not applicable.

Item 9. NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF GROUP. Not applicable.

Item 10. CERTIFICATION.

Each of the Reporting Persons hereby makes the following certification: By signing below each Reporting Person certifies that, to the best of his or its knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect.

SIGNATURES

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of its or his knowledge and belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

DATE: February 9, 2023

HUDSON BAY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LP By: /s/ Sander Gerber Name: Sander Gerber Title: Authorized Signatory /s/ Sander Gerber SANDER GERBER

EXHIBIT I

JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

The undersigned acknowledge and agree that the foregoing statement on Schedule 13G is filed on behalf of each of the undersigned and that all subsequent amendments to this statement on Schedule 13G shall be filed on behalf of each of the undersigned without the necessity of filing additional joint filing agreements. The undersigned acknowledge that each shall be responsible for the timely filing of such amendments, and for the completeness and accuracy of the information concerning him or it contained herein and therein, but shall not be responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the information concerning the others, except to the extent that he or it knows or has reason to believe that such information is inaccurate.

DATE: February 9, 2023
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13G

(Amendment No. )*

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Signal Hill Acquisition Corp (Name of Issuer) Class A (Title of Class of Securities) 82664R105 (CUSIP Number) 12/30/2022 (Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:

y Rule 13d-1(b)  Rule 13d-1(c)  Rule 13d-1(d)

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting persons initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be filed for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Act) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

CUSIP No. 82664R105

1 Name of Reporting PersonS.

I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY). Calamos Market Neutral Income Fund, a series of Calamos Investment Trust 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP ( See Instructions) (a)  (b)  3 SEC USE ONLY 4 CITIZENship or place of organization Massachusetts, U.S.A. NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH: 5 sole voting power 500,000 6 shared voting power 0 7 sole dispositive power 500,000 8 shared dispositive power 0 9 aggregate amount beneficially owned by each reporting person 5.0% 10 check box if the aggregate amount in row (9) excludes certain shares ( See Instructions)  11 percent of class represented by amount in row (9) 5.0% 12 type of reporting person ( See Instructions) IV

Page 2 of 6

CUSIP No. 82664R105

Item 1. (a) Name of Issuer

Signal Hill Acquisition Corp

(b) Address of Issuers Principal Executive Offices

2810 N. Church Street

Ste 94644

Wilmington, DE 19802

Item 2. (a) Name of Person Filing

Calamos Market Neutral Income Fund, a series of Calamos Investment Trust

(b) Address of Principal Business Office or, if none, Residence

2020 Calamos Court

Naperville, IL 60563

(c) Citizenship

Massachusetts, U.S.A.

(d) Title of Class of Securities

Class A

(e) CUSIP Number

82664R105

Item 3. If this statement is filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b), or 13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:

(a)  Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Exchange Act. (b)  Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Exchange Act. (c)  Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Exchange Act. (d) y Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act. (e)  An investment adviser in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E). (f)  An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F). (g)  A parent holding company or control person in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G). (h)  A savings association as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.

Page 3 of 6

CUSIP No. 82664R105

(i)  A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act. (j)  A non-U.S. institution in accordance with Section 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J). (k)  Group, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(K).

Not applicable.

Item 4. Ownership.

The following information is provided as of December 30, 2022 :

The following sets forth the share ownership as to each of the Reporting Persons:

(a) Amount beneficially owned: 5.0%

(b) Percent of class: 5.0%

(c) Number of shares as to which the person has:

(i) sole power to vote or to direct the vote of:

500,000 ordinary shares

(ii) shared power to vote or to direct the vote of:

0 ordinary shares

(iii) sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:

500,000 ordinary shares

(iv) shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:

0 ordinary shares

Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class. y

Item 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.

Not applicable.

Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company.

Not applicable.

Page 4 of 6

CUSIP No. 82664R105

Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.

Not applicable.

Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group.

Not applicable.

Item 10. Certification.

By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect.

Page 5 of 6

CUSIP No. 82664R105

SIGNATURE

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of each of the undersigneds knowledge and belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Date: February 8, 2023

Calamos Market Neutral Income Fund, a series of Calamos Investment Trust

By: /s/ Susan Schoenberger

Name: Susan Schoenberger

Title: Vice President, Assistant Secretary
UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13G

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. 1)*

SkyWater Technology, Inc. (Name of Issuer) Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (Title of Class of Securities)

83089J108 (CUSIP Number) December 31, 2022 (Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)

Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:

 Rule 13d-1(b) x Rule 13d-1(c)  Rule 13d-1(d)

*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be filed for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Act) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

Page 1 of 7

CUSIP No. 83089J108 1 NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY) Bart L. Zibrowski 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (see instructions) (a)  (b)  3 SEC USE ONLY 4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION United States Citizen

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH: 5 SOLE VOTING POWER -0- 6 SHARED VOTING POWER 5,157,040 7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER -0- 8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 5,157,040

9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 5,157,040 10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (see instructions)  11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9) 11.4%* 12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (see instructions) IN

*This percentage calculation is based on 43,535,631 shares of common stock of the Issuer (Common Stock) outstanding after completion of its public offering of 1,666,667 shares of Common Stock and the exercise of the underwriters overallotment option on 250,000 shares of Common Stock on November 17, 2022 as disclosed in Issuers Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 15, 2022 and the 41,618,964 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of November 1, 2022, as disclosed in the Issuers Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 10, 2022.

Page 2 of 7

CUSIP No. 83089J108 1 NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY) DDK Developments, LLC 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (see instructions) (a)  (b)  3 SEC USE ONLY 4 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Minnesota

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH: 5 SOLE VOTING POWER -0- 6 SHARED VOTING POWER 5,157,040 7 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER -0- 8 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 5,157,040

9 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 5,157,040 10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (see instructions)  11 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9) 11.4%* 12 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (see instructions) IN

*This percentage calculation is based on 43,535,631 shares of common stock of the Issuer (Common Stock) outstanding after completion of its public offering of 1,666,667 shares of Common Stock and the exercise of the underwriters overallotment option on 250,000 shares of Common Stock on November 17, 2022 as disclosed in Issuers Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 15, 2022 and the 41,618,964 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of November 1, 2022, as disclosed in the Issuers Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 10, 2022.

Page 3 of 7

Item 1(a). Name of Issuer: SkyWater Technology, Inc. Item 1(b). Address of Issuers Principal Executive Offices: 2400 East 88th Street, Bloomington, MN 55425 Item 2(a). Name of Person Filing: This Schedule 13G is being filed by DDK Developments, LLC (DDK), a Minnesota limited liability company, and Bart L. Zibrowski (collectively with DDK, the Reporting Persons) Item 2(b). Address of Principal Business Office or, if none, Residence: 740 Saddle Wood Drive, Eagan, MN 55123 Item 2(c). Citizenship: DDK Developments, LLC ("DDK"), a Minnesota limited liability company Bart L. Zibrowski is a citizen of the United States of America Item 2(d). Title of Class of Securities: Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share Item 2(e). CUSIP Number: 83089J108

Item 3. If this Statement is filed pursuant to 240.13d-1(b) or 240.13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a: (a)  Broker or dealer registered under Section 15 of the Act; (b)  Bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Act; (c)  Insurance company as defined in Section 3(a)(19) of the Act; (d)  Investment company registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940; (e)  An investment adviser in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E); (f)  An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F); (g)  A parent holding company or control person in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G); (h)  A savings association as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813); (i)  A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940; (j)  A non-U.S. institution in accordance with Rule 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J); (k)  Group, in accordance with Rule 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(K). If filing as a non-U.S. institution in accordance with Rule 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J), please specify the type of institution:

Item 4. Ownership. Provide the following information regarding the aggregate number and percentage of the class of securities of the issuer identified in Item 1. (a) Amount Beneficially Owned: 5,157,040 (b) Percent of Class: 11.4% (c) Number of shares as to which such person has: (i) sole power to vote or to direct the vote: 0 (ii) shared power to vote or to direct the vote: 5,157,040 (iii) sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 0 (iv) shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 5,157,040

Page 4 of 7

Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class. If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the class of securities, check the following  . Item 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person. Not applicable. Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company. Not applicable. Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group. Not applicable. Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group. Not applicable. Item 10. Certification. By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of and do not have the effect of changing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having such purpose or effect for the time being.

Page 5 of 7

SIGNATURE

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Date: February 9, 2023

DDK Developments LLC By: /s/ Bart Zibrowski Bart Zibrowski Managing Member BART ZIBROWSKI /s/ Bart Zibrowski

Page 6 of 7

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Description of Exhibit 1 Joint Filing Agreement dated February 9, 2023.

Page 7 of 7

ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT 1
The undersigned hereby agree that this Schedule 13G (the Schedule 13G) with respect to the common stock of YETI Holdings, Inc. is, and any additional amendment thereto signed by each of the undersigned shall be, filed on behalf of each undersigned pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of 13d-1(k) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and that all subsequent amendments to the Schedule 13G shall be filed on behalf of each of the undersigned without the necessity of filing additional joint filing agreements. The undersigned acknowledge that each shall be responsible for the timely filing of such amendments, and for the completeness and accuracy of the information concerning it contained therein, but shall not be responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the information concerning the other, except to the extent that it knows or has reason to believe that such information is inaccurate. It is understood and agreed that the joint filing of the Schedule 13G shall not be construed as an admission that the persons named herein constitute a group for purposes of Regulation 13D-G of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor is a joint venture for purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940.




The U.S. militarys newest tech unit in the Middle East has aspirations for robots and artificial intelligence, but first it wants to check out the gear soldiers use now.

Army Task Force 39 plans to evaluate all the things that end up in a stuffed deployment bag to the Middle East.

A soldier from the unit will travel to U.S. bases in the Middle East next month to photograph what troops wear and compare that to what theyve been issued.

We want to know the difference between what we think we know and whats reality, Col. Adontis Atkins, the units leader, told Stars and Stripes in a recent interview. See how the soldiers are wearing kit that was issued to them, kit that may have not been issued to them that theyre wearing.

The task force, which formed in November and is based at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., also is working on a simulator to help soldiers train on anti-drone systems and will test a phone app that will allow people to report suspected drones, Atkins said.

The threat of small and cheap aerial vehicles reminds Atkins of when the Army had to develop signal jammers to thwart improvised explosive devices in the early 2000s.

We tried to innovate technologies to combat that, Atkins said. I see (counter-drone efforts) in that same vein.

For now, Task Force 39 consists of two officers, a master sergeant and a contractor. The group plans to recruit technical experts from countries such as Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, Atkins said.

One upcoming project is bringing semi-autonomous cargo trucks to the Middle East, Atkins said. Previous tests of the experimental vehicles at Fort Bliss, in Texas and New Mexico, involved a convoy in which trucks used artificial intelligence to follow a lead vehicle driven by a person.

The task force also wants to explore the use of aerial drones to deliver blood to wounded soldiers on the battlefield, which the Army tested at Fort Irwin, Calif., last year.

Getting these new capabilities tested in (the Middle East) is what we bring to the table, Atkins said. Actually getting it in the hands of soldiers and getting that feedback.

The Armys Task Force 39 is the youngest of a trio of U.S. Central Commands innovation cells that started with the Navys Task Force 59 and the Air Forces Task Force 99

The task forces will meet weekly, and Air Force and Navy task forces will collaborate at an exercise for the first time soon, said Schuyler Moore, Central Commands chief technology officer.
An area man faces charges of promoting and possessing child pornography this week following an online investigation and subsequent search of his residence on Wednesday by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Austin J. Brayfield, 22, of Bonne Terre, has been charged in St. Francois County with one count of first-degree promoting child pornography and four counts of possession of child pornography.

According to a probable cause statement in the case, on Dec. 7, members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control (DDCC) were conducting an online investigation into internet users sharing child pornography when a device at a specified IP address offered photos of nude children.

Through public records, the report states police determined the IP address was registered to Charter Communications. The internet service provider reportedly responded to a search warrant and indicated the IP address was being used by an account for a house in Terre Du Lac, a private lake development community just outside Bonne Terre.

On Wednesday, investigators executed a St. Francois County search warrant at the Terre Du Lac residence, where they spoke to Brayfield, who was reportedly home at the time.

The report states Brayfield admitted to downloading and viewing child pornography on his cell phone. The man also allegedly admitted to storing approximately 30GB of child pornography on his cellular device.

A silver cell phone, which Brayfield reportedly said was his, was located in a laundry basket near his bed, according to police.

Brayfield allegedly told investigators he located the illicit sexual content through an app on his phone while at the Terre Du Lac residence on Rue Martel. The man reportedly said the youngest child depicted in the pornographic content he allegedly viewed was around 10 years old.

The report said authorities discovered hundreds of files of children engaged in sexual acts on Brayfield's cell phone. Investigators provided details about some of the videos, which reportedly showed children as young as 4-5 years of age.

Brayfield was booked at the St. Francois County Detention Center on Thursday, and a $150,000 bond was set in the case. If released on bail, the man is ordered to comply with GPS and pre-trial monitoring and is prohibited from having contact with anyone under the age of 18.

Court records show Brayfield waived formal arraignment and pleaded not guilty to the charges at an initial court appearance Thursday morning. He has applied for a public defender and is scheduled to appear in court again for a counsel status hearing on Feb. 16, according to court filings.

"The Division of Drug and Crime Control encourages internet users to promptly report to the patrol or local law enforcement anyone who attempts to engage in unwanted, inappropriate, or sexualized communications with children," the MSHP said after a separate investigation this week. "The Digital Forensics Investigative Unit is partially funded by the Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force."
CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa  Japanese first responders joined their Marine Corps counterparts here Thursday to practice how theyd respond if a U.S. military helicopter crashed in the local community.

The Bilateral Aircraft Mishap Functional Training Exercise covered each phase of an aircraft mishap from the initial call to taking casualties to area hospitals. It was hosted by Marine Corps Installations Pacific and Okinawas director of crisis management, Yasudome Masaki.

The annual event was first held in 2007, three years after a Marine CH-53D Sea Stallion crashed into the grounds of Okinawa International University, just outside Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan.

That incident sparked protests on the island and contributed to local fears over aircraft safety.

Japanese and Marine Corps first responders have a very long and rich tradition of working together, MCIPACs provost marshal, Lt. Col. John Roach, said prior to the drill. We are integrated and collaborative at all levels.

The exercise was intended to increase planning and emergency coordination across the U.S. military, Japanese government and local agencies, said Marine spokeswoman 1st Lt. Ash Fairow.

The service branches on Okinawa alternate participating each year, she said. The Marine Corps last took part in the exercise in 2014.

The hourlong exercise began just before 10 a.m. at the Camp Hansen firefighting training site. Rotors from what appeared to be a mock-up of an MV-22 Osprey had separated from the aircrafts fuselage and landed atop a vehicle. Marine role-players splayed out among dummies on the ground near the aircraft as firefighters stoked flames in the fuselage and beneath the vehicles hood.

Sirens grew louder and louder as smoke began to billow toward a clear blue sky.

A trio of Japanese police cars arrived first as the fire raged. They rushed to the aircraft and began pulling simulated casualties away from the wreck. They were followed by Japanese ladder trucks, administrative vehicles and ambulances. The ladder trucks began pouring water down on the blaze from above.

Within minutes, a command center was set up, and a triage tent began inflating. Fire trucks, police and ambulances from the U.S. military arrived.

Roach said the crash response may appear chaotic but was highly coordinated.

Our continued goal through all of these activities is to save lives and ultimately to ensure the safety of our community, he said.

Masaki said he was happy to resume the exercise after a long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are hoping to work closely together so we can improve the response capability through this training, he said through a translator.
The large balloon launched by China, which drifted at a leisurely pace over North America until shot down by a U.S. F-22 fighter jet, is definitely an odd addition to international relations. Given todays advanced satellite surveillance, along with other electronics plus human intelligence agents, the purpose of this floating device remains puzzling  and intriguing.

By tangible contrast, there is no denying China has become aggressive in Asia, claiming territories and waters well beyond established jurisdictions. Conflicts are myriad and are occurring in the context of Chinas massive, sustained military buildup.

At the start of February, the Philippines and the United States reached a major agreement to expand U.S. military presence to four additional military bases, beyond the five covered in the current Enhanced Cooperation Defense Agreement. This is a dramatic turnaround from the U.S. military departure from the Philippines three decades ago.

Beyond military defense, steady growth of Asia regional trade agreements provides practical though indirect deterrence of China military ambitions. In November 2020, East and Southeast Asia nations signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement at a virtual summit hosted by Vietnam.

The list of members alone is impressive: Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. These nations account for just under one-third of the total population of the globe, and nearly one-third of the total gross product of the worlds economies.

Two aspects of the agreement are particularly noteworthy. First, rules of origin are greatly simplified and standardized. These are the regulations that determine the country of origin of a product.

Previously, they varied widely among individual countries, imposing barriers to trade and hampering shipping and sales of products on a regional basis. In the future, there will be less obstruction of supply and distribution chains.

Second, this is the first comprehensive free trade agreement involving China, Japan and South Korea. All three nations historically have been at odds, and occasionally at war.

This comprehensive agreement builds on earlier much more limited accords of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The larger concept was developed at the ASEAN summit held in Bali, Indonesia, in 2011 and the first negotiations to realize the agreement were held in the 2012 ASEAN summit hosted in Cambodia.

The founding document of ASEAN was signed on Aug. 8, 1967, by the foreign ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. This was during Vietnam War, and two years after the United States began comprehensive direct military involvement on the ground in South Vietnam, while significantly escalating air operations against North Vietnam as well as generally within the region.

An important later successful U.S.-led effort is Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), conceived by Australias Prime Minister Bob Hawke. President George H.W. Bush embraced the effort, and APEC began in 1989. The U.S. remains an active partner.

The 2006 APEC summit in Vietnam is noteworthy. Vietnams leaders honored U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, a dramatic demonstration that economic self-interest, and the tangible benefits of trade and investment, can overcome even great political and ideological divides.

Looking to the future, RCEP could eventually restrain Chinas sustained, sizable military buildup. The United States should work toward that goal.

Meanwhile, puzzlement and uncertainty continue over the strange balloon from China, now reported to be one of at least several sent to North America in recent years. The luxury of freedom makes understanding of the rigidities and irrationalities of brutal dictatorship sometimes difficult. Given the tremendous economic pressures and political dislocations in China today, the simple explanation that anxious bureaucrats were desperately trying to come up with a device to impress their superiors may ultimately prove the most accurate regarding this bizarre tale.

Philippine-U.S. ties became close during World War II. The BBC notes the new defense accord has stitched the gap in the arc of U.S. alliances from Japan and South Korea in the north to Australia in the south.

Arthur I. Cyr is author of After the Cold War.
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan  Girl Scouts at this U.S. airlift hub in western Tokyo have stockpiled thousands of Tagalongs, Samoas, Thin Mints and other cookie varieties ahead of their annual sales campaign.

Cookies are limited, when they're gone, they're gone, Air Force Maj. Jacelyn Splichal, community chair for the troops at Yokota, told Stars and Stripes on Saturday. So, come out and support the Yokota Girl Scouts.

The girls will be selling the famous treats on Saturdays and Sundays, Tonni Mendoza, an Air Force spouse, scout co-leader and cookie manager, said at the Scouts hut on Yokotas east side.

At U.S. bases across Japan, Girl Scouts will be staked out in common areas plying their baked goods. Sales were already underway this week at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, near Hiroshima.

Cookies are available at spots around the base from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays through Sundays, Jeza Nadonza, a Girl Scout mother, posted this week on Facebook.

The Iwakuni Scouts ordered more inventory this year than last, Rebekah Henry, the Troop 834 overseas committee co-chair, said by phone Wednesday.

We ordered 6,950 boxes of cookies, she said. We had a new cookie come out last year, the Adventurefuls, and it sold really quickly.

The Iwakuni troop has grown to 40 members, Henry said.

We have a whole lot of new Girl Scouts this year that are just joining us, and they are just so excited that we are opening up more cookie-selling times to accommodate the desire, she said.

She expects cookie sales to last for two to four weeks until they are sold out.

At Yokota, cookies will go on sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays until March 11 or when the supply runs out. The Scouts will set up in the community center lobby just outside the commissary. Cookies are $5 a box, except Smores, which go for $6 per box.

The sale of Girl Scout Cookies, the one fundraiser the organization undertakes each year, helps the troops purchase supplies, equipment and patches and pays for the Scouts activities.

We get to go on adventures, and we get to do a lot of cool things, Korra Warner, 7, a veteran of two previous cookie campaigns, said at Yokota on Saturday.

Cookie sales provide real-life business experience, for which the Scouts prepared during a rally Saturday on the base. At a practice cash register they rehearsed customer interactions and learned to interact with customers and counted change.

It's really just an opportunity for them to get excited about their learning basic entrepreneur skills, said Splichal, 40, of Allenton, Mich.

The girls also sampled the cookie varieties at a tasting booth and at another booth created posters and thank cards.

Thin Mints are the most popular cookie among the purveyors, according to an informal poll.

Thin Mints are also so popular with customers that the Yokota Scouts ordered 70 more boxes of them than any other type of cookie, Mendoza said.

I like the Thin Mints because they are so chocolatey and minty, said Alexis Nunez, 13.
UniTec Career Center's Student of the Month for January 2023 is Jack Moore, a North County senior who is pursuing a career in Electrical Technology.

Moores post-graduation plans include applying for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local #1 in St. Louis and to secure employment as a commercial electrician.

"Im honored to be nominated as UniTec Student of the Month. I would like to thank Mr. (Bruce) Pratte, UniTec Career Center, and my parents for pushing me to be in UniTec and helping me find my future career as an electrician," Moore said. "I am thankful to have such a great teacher who teaches us hard work, respect, and every skill we are going to need for our future trade."

UniTec instructor Bruce Pratte praised Moore.

Jack is a second-year student who takes pride in his projects. He is one of the first to jump up and ask what tools he needs for the task. Jack is a class foreman that helps other students with any issues they have on their projects, and is my second set of eyes on the crew," Pratte said. "Jack is a natural leader and will make someone a great employee. He plans to sign up with the IBEW as soon as school he graduates."

For more information on the Electrical Technology program at UniTec, check out the UniTec website at www.uniteccc.com or call 573-431-3300.
(Tribune News Service)  The apparent Chinese spy balloon shot down off the coast of South Carolina over the weekend after it made its way across the continental U.S. was part of a larger surveillance program that the Chinese government has been conducting for several years,  the Pentagon said Wednesday.

The announcement raises new questions about a mysterious balloon that appeared off Kauai last year that prompted U.S. fighter jets to scramble in response and comes as media reports emerge of several other apparent spy balloons making their way through U.S. airspaceincluding Hawaii.

Citing defense sources, Fox News reported that a suspected Chinese spy balloon crashed near Hawaii as recently as four months ago, and CNN obtained an April 2022 U.S. Air Force report titled Peoples Republic of China High-Altitude Balloon, which found that a Chinese spy balloon had circumnavigated the globe in 2019 at an altitude of roughly 65, 000 feet and drifted past Hawaii and across Florida before continuing its journey. However, CNN reported it is not clear from the documents when U.S. officials first became aware of apparent Chinese flights or what they believed their purpose was.

Last year on Valentines Day, Kauai residents in the sky off the island. Two days later Hawaii National Guard commander Maj. Gen. Kenneth Hara tweeted that U.S. Indo-Pacific Command detected a high-altitude object floating in air in the vicinity of the Hawaiian Islands and sent the aircraft to intercept it. Military officials described it as an unmanned balloon without observable identification markings.

In the following weeks, all inquiries to INDOPACOM were answered with the response: We continue to actively monitor the object via joint capabilities. We dont have anything else to provide at this time. The next month Oahu residents also spotted a pair of strange balloons over Honolulu, but they were confirmed to be part of a product test by balloon company Aerostar.

The Pentagon now acknowledges four occasions during which apparent spy balloons went through U.S. territory during the administrations of Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden. But during a Wednesday news conference Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said the U.S. did not immediately identify them as Chinese surveillance balloons at the time. Ryder said subsequent intelligence analysis allowed the U.S. to confirm they were part of a Chinese spying effort and learn a lot more about the program.

However, Ryder would not provide any new details about those previous balloons and declined to say whether the balloon spotted off Kauai last year was one of the four incidents that the U.S. now acknowledges. When pressed, Ryder would only say that the balloons flew over sites that would be of interest to the Chinese.

Kauai is home to the U.S. Navys Pacific Missile Range Facility, a major weapons testing facility. Hawaii itself is the nerve center for all U.S. military operations in the region with INDOPACOM based on Oahu at Camp Smith. The Pentagon has been shifting its attention to the Pacific, which it now considers its top priority theater of operations.

John Hemmings, senior director of Honolulu think-tank Pacific Forums Indo-Pacific Foreign and Security Policy Program, said that while its not clear what intelligence a balloon may have managed to get, what is clear is the impact the (most recent ) balloon has had on American society and on U.S.- China relations, already in deep freeze. Americans are now catching up with their government in terms of concern about the threat posed by China.

Hemmings added that, the fact that the surveillance balloon comes so soon after the Russian spy ship loitering off of our (Hawaiian ) shores last month fortifies the impression that we are re-entering into a Cold War-like era with the authoritarian states, Russia and China.

Carl Schuster, a retired Navy captain and instructor at Hawaii Pacific University, said that using a balloon to gather intelligence provides several advantages over satellite surveillance from space, noting that its close enough to easily intercept cellphone and other communication signals, among other uses.

They can gather high-stratosphere environmental information that may be useful for hypersonic weapon or other platform use, photographic imagery of much higher granularity, and most of all much longer overhead time, said Schuster, To put in another way, a duration of surveillance about 10 times that of a satellite.

But retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan Leaf, who formerly served as deputy commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific at Camp Smith, said balloons also have significant disadvantages for gathering intel, noting that theyre kind of obvious and as was seen off the coast of South Carolina, vulnerable to attack.

But Leaf added that he would have thought theyd be more obvious than theyve proven to be, and that its surprising to him that Chinese officials apparently felt comfortable flying the balloons in American airspace  and concerning that American officials now say they didnt know until now.

Schuster said that its unclear how much American officials actually knew about these operations and why they seemingly kept quiet until now, but asserted that the silence essentially acted as an invitation for Beijing to expand its apparent operations as the perpetrator will conclude either that you cant detect their actions or you dont object.

To suddenly react harshly to something you have ignored for one to three years creates the impression your motivation is driven by something more than the perpetrators actions, Schuster said. That doesnt mean you take a military action, but rather issue a protest that the perpetrators actions are unacceptable and that you will not tolerate further incidents of that nature. As it was, our silence invited further balloon incursions and, by extension, a PRC (Peoples Republic of China) miscalculation about the potential consequences of their actions.

Military officials have confirmed that while the Air Force sent fighters to respond to the balloon off Kauai and tracked its movements for some time after, it did not shoot it down. The most recent balloon was shot down by a missile fired from an F-22 over the Atlantic on Saturday, and according to the Pentagon, the Navy and Coast Guard are still working to recover pieces for analysis.

Before Biden ordered to shoot it down, government officials debated the best course of action and publicly warned of the potential dangers should debris fall on people below while it traveled over land. Chinese officials have insisted it was a civilian balloon used for meteorological research and sharply criticized the U.S. for targeting it.

What I think is most important to understand, and that hasnt been fully explained, is the legal construct for interception and destruction, Leaf said.

There may well be a legal case for after it departs the coast but before it departs our territorial waters for downing it. But nobodys explained that. And the reason nobody has explained ... it might be that its ill-defined internationally as different countries have different views of how far in the atmosphere a nations airspace goes  and when it stops, he said.

Whats the boundary? Leaf asked. Weve got Russian and Chinese satellites overflying us, but we dont shoot them down. So what makes this different? And the fact that its kind of embarrassing, and pisses us off, shouldnt be the rationale.

He pointed to U.S. allegations of aggressive actions by the Chinese military in the South China Sea. Beijing claims the entire South China Sea, a critical waterway through which more than a third of all international trade travels, as its exclusive sovereign territory against the objections of neighboring countries and others whose ships and planes transit the area.

In 2016 an international court ruled in favor of the Philippines in a territorial dispute with China and declared that Beijing had no legal basis  for its territorial claims in the South China Sea, but the Chinese military has doubled down by stationing forces on disputed reefs and islands. The U.S. military regularly deploys intelligence gathering planes and ships into the region and conducts frequent freedom of navigation operations. The U.S. also has been shoring up regional alliances over Chinas objections.

I dont think the politicians on either side want to hear it, but if were going to demand the rule of law in other environments, we have to use it at this time ... that should be the starting point for what we do, Leaf said. (The balloon ) is a reminder of the breadth of Chinese intelligence collection, and that wherever possible we should impede or deny. But it is not  and should not be  a game changer, except that we should better define what sovereignty means with regard to our airspace.

(c)2023 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Visit at www.staradvertiser.com

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LONDON (Tribune News Service)  Group of Seven member states are discussing whether to sanction companies in China, Iran and North Korea they believe are providing Russia with parts and technology that have military purposes, according to people familiar with the matter.

The aim is to coordinate a package of measures by Feb. 24, the one-year mark of Russias invasion of Ukraine, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing sensitive matters.

The discussions are still in the formative stage, and actions taken by each G-7 state might not be the same, one of the people said.

The companies that might be included are also still being decided, the people said.

Spokespeople for the White House National Security Council declined to comment.

Any action would reflect efforts by the G-7 to disrupt the flow of material with military purposes to Russia via third countries that arent signed up to the sanctions imposed in the aftermath of its invasion. Theres concern that companies may be helping Russia skirt sanctions, the people said.

The U.S. already has raised concern with China about non-lethal equipment provided to Russia, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken was going to pursue the issue on a trip to Beijing that was postponed after an alleged Chinese spy balloon was spotted crossing the U.S.

China previously hit back at claims some of its state-owned firms may be helping Russias war in Ukraine, saying Washington should stop sending weapons if it wants the conflict to end. China would never add fuel to the fire, still less exploit the crisis, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said in late January.

Still, Chinas strategic partnership with Russia has momentum and will continue to grow, the government said this month after Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu visited Russia.

China has repeatedly asserted its right to maintain trade with Russia since the war started. In March, the Asian nations ambassador to Moscow, Zhang Hanhui, told about a dozen business heads in Russia to waste no time and fill the void in the local market.

Then on Monday, the ambassador in Paris, Lu Shaye, responded to a French interviewers question over whether Chinese companies were selling Russia spare parts that could be used in the war effort by saying: But parts are not weapons, are they?

Lu also reiterated that China was not supplying weapons to Russia.

Ukraines allies already have sanctioned Iranian firms allegedly supplying Russia with drones and are now looking to expand those measures. They have also called out North Korea for providing Moscow with ammunition. Both Iran and North Korea deny aiding Russia in its war. Some G-7 nations believe that Chinese firms are selling technological components, such as microchips, that are benefiting Russia militarily.

Diplomatic efforts are also underway to address any possible loopholes on the sanctions that Russia may be exploiting, with equipment potentially flowing through countries including the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and India.

With assistance from Philip Glamann. 2023 Bloomberg L.P.

Visit bloomberg.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
BERLIN  When the first earthquake began to rattle the family home in southern Turkey, Neslihan Yakili called her sister in Germany.

It was horrifying, Fatima Oztirak said. They had no idea what was going on.

Oztirak, 36, listened helplessly from the German capital as her loved ones described the disaster back home: Buildings around them were collapsing. They had dashed out to the street. (Theyve slept in a tent there ever since.)

The devastation wrought by the two earthquakes that shook southern Turkey and Syria on Monday has shocked the world. The death toll passed 11,000 on Wednesday, making it the worlds deadliest earthquake in a dozen years.

But few Western countries have closer ties to the hardest-hit regions than Germany, home to the worlds largest Turkish diaspora community, estimated in the millions, and hundreds of thousands of Syrians who fled the countrys civil war.

Many have spent desperate days attempting to contact loved ones. Deutsche Telekom, the countrys largest phone provider, has made calls and messages between the countries free for a week.

In Berlin, businesses have shuttered and the city hall has flown its flags at half-staff. The Bundestag held a moment of silence on Wednesday. Aid centers have sprung up to gather donations.

Oztirak canceled appointments at her beauty salon Wednesday morning so she and her partner could take donations of baby food and diapers to a collection point set up at a Turkish music school in Berlins Kreuzberg district. Its the heart of the citys Turkish community; some donors were too upset to speak.

I havent slept in days, Oztirak said. Its on your mind the entire time.

The mountains of donations are posing a logistical challenge for volunteers. By Tuesday, three halls in Berlins Neukolln district had already filled up. Mayor Franziska Giffey said she was in touch with Berlins -Brandenburg Airport to discuss the possibility of making a hangar available for donations.

We know that right now, very, very many Berliners with Turkish roots are looking to Turkey with great concern, are deeply shocked, have relatives there, have friends there, she said. In these hours we see very, very many people in Berlin collecting donations trying to help.

Germany doesnt keep data on ethnicity, so theres no official count of residents with Turkish heritage. Estimates range from about 3 million to 7 million  as much as about 8 percent of the population.

Were trying to do everything we possibly can to help, said Selma Can, 48, an aid coordinator at the music school.

Like many of the volunteers, she comes from a family that arrived in Berlin at the end of the 1960s. After World War II, West Germany urgently needed laborers to boost production in a booming economy. Hundreds of thousands of these guest workers, many from Turkey and Italy, answered the call. In the years that followed, many brought over their families.

Everyones ready to help, Can said. Not just people from the Turkish community, but Germans and other people, too.

For Can, this week has brought back painful memories of the countrys 1999 quake that caused about 18,000 deaths. She and her family were in Turkey at the time.

It was such a traumatic experience, she said. We lived in a tent for a week.

As communities rallied on Wednesday, there was growing frustration about the difficulty of getting aid to affected areas of Syria. The war there has left the country divided into separate regions controlled by the government of President Bashar al-Assad, U.S.-backed Kurds and the opposition.

Ali Ertan Toprak, the chairman of the Kurdish Community in Germany, called on Turkey to open the border with Syria so that aid could be delivered quickly to the conflict region.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz told the Bundestag on Wednesday that Berlin was in close contact with the United Nations to deliver aid.

He spoke of the close connection between our entire society and those who have lost loved ones, and described the need as huge.

At least 800,000 people of Syrian heritage live in Germany, most of them refugees from the war.

Yosra Alahmad lives in Berlin but teaches Arabic and English, virtually, to 40 orphaned children, ages 5 to 17, in a refugee camp in Idlib, Syria. She was planning to gather donations for her students.

For 10 hours after the quakes, she didnt know whether they were alive or dead. It was one of the hardest days of my life, she said.

She finally received the call: Nine of her students were injured, but all survived.

Oztirak said shed been able to contact all her relatives. But on my mothers side, several people have died, she said.

At the music school, rehearsal rooms had been repurposed to unpack and organize the donations into boxes. A chain of volunteers stretched along a hallway into the parking lot. Rubbing their hands in the below-freezing temperatures Wednesday, they passed labeled boxes to load onto a truck.

As the aid mounted, some centers said they would have to turn away donations.

We cant all be there right now, so helping here is the least we can do, said Bilal Simay, a 27-year-old construction worker at an aid point at the Titanic Chaussee Berlin hotel. A volunteer nearby attached a label printed battaniye  blankets  to a sealed box.

Fatih Dogan, a 40-year-old taxi driver, said hed learned through social media posts that he had lost several friends. As time passes, hope for survivors is fading.

All the rescuers seem to be pulling out of the rubble is bodies, he said. The families of so many friends are just gone. All of them.

Rosenzweig-Ziff reported from Washington.
Elon Musk's SpaceX company has accused the Ukrainian military of using its Starlink internet service to power drones in its ongoing conflict with Russia  and says it has taken steps to restrict its ability to do so.

Speaking at a Federal Aviation Administration conference in Washington on Wednesday, Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX's chief operating officer, said the company is pleased to help Ukraine in its "fight for freedom" but that the Starlink satellite internet service was "never intended to be weaponized."

"Ukrainians have leveraged it in ways that were unintentional and not part of any agreement," Shotwell said. "We know the military is using them for [communications], and that's OK  but our intent was never to have them use it for offensive purposes."

She referred to reports that the Ukrainian military has used the Starlink service to control drones, and she spoke obliquely of "things that we can do to limit their ability to do that." It is not clear how Starlink would prevent the service from being used for drones, and Shotwell did not provide details. "There are things that we can do, and have done," she told reporters.

Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, said Kyiv was not worried. "If you believe that we use only Starlink, and because of this we don't have any other options of use for this or that weapon  this does not correspond to reality at all," Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, told The Washington Post. "Let's not rush to conclusions. We need to clarify to what extent this will be an influence, or not be an influence. Maybe we need to change the means of attack in one sector or another."

Ukrainian Interior Ministry adviser Anton Gerashchenko tweeted Thursday that his country felt "gratitude" to Starlink at the onset of the war and credited it with having "saved hundreds of thousands of lives."

"Ukraine doesn't offense, we liberate," he wrote. "No neutrality in fight of good and evil."

Ukraine's military has increasingly come to rely on unmanned aerial weapons such as drones in its almost year-long war with Russia. It has also relied on Starlink's services amid internet outages and damage to infrastructure, as well as Russian cyberattacks and for broader humanitarian needs.

Late last year, Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, caused a stir when he threatened to pull funding for Starlink in Ukraine, saying that it was "unreasonable" to keep funding "the existing system indefinitely." He later reversed his position.

Starlink has largely kept Ukraine and its military online during the war, causing Russia to attempt to jam signals and phone services in combat zones. One Ukrainian commander previously told The Post that "fighting without Starlink service at the front line is like fighting without a gun."

Any satellite cutoff could cripple Ukraine's military and hand a major advantage to the Kremlin.

While SpaceX at points has portrayed Starlink service in Ukraine as a charitable venture, it has not, in fact, covered the entire cost. The Post reported in April that the U.S. government paid millions to SpaceX for equipment and transportation costs.

Last month, Musk wrote on Twitter, the social media platform he also owns: "SpaceX Starlink has become the connectivity backbone of Ukraine all the way up to the front lines.  However, we are not allowing Starlink to be used for long-range drone strikes."

Starlink provides high-speed, low-latency broadband by relying on a constellation of thousands of highly advanced satellites operating in a low orbit around the Earth.

Christian Davenport in Washington and David L. Stern in Kyiv contributed to this report.
Two members of the Village of Mineral Point Board have stepped down following recent court actions to prevent the pair from disconnecting water service to Mineral Point homes.

This month, Rebecca and Matthew Wilshire resigned from their positions as chairperson and treasurer, respectively, in response to a demand submitted by Washington County Prosecuting Attorney John I. Jones, IV.

A press release from the prosecuting attorney's office states that the two Mineral Point residents and board members officially resigned last Thursday.

Their resignations came after the Washington County prosecuting attorney secured a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the board in response to actions taken by the Wilshires against Mineral Point residents and following further communication between the county prosecutor's office and the attorney for the village.

This week's press release indicates the county prosecutor requested the couple's resignations as part of the TRO that was initially granted last month.

"Communication between the prosecutor's office and the attorney for the village, which was initiated Jan. 31, included a demand from Prosecuting Attorney John I. Jones, IV for the Wilshires to resign their positions and to never hold elected office again," the office said.

On Feb. 2, the prosecutor's office received confirmation the Wilshires had agreed and formally resigned.

Trustees Nick Courtois and Marvin Johnson, who were also named as respondents in the TRO, have retained their board positions, and the prosecutor's office said it anticipates they will appoint new trustees to fill vacancies on the board according to Section 80.230, RSMo.

"I believe that the situation which gave rise to my office's actions in this matter were unique," said Jones, "and I hope Mr. Courtois and Mr. Johnson will help the Village of Mineral Point turn the page to a greater level of stability."

The TRO was issued on Jan. 25 against the Mineral Point board members after residents of the Washington County township alleged board officials were shutting off water service to homes and citing overdue bills when no bills had been issued in some time.

Respondents to the temporary injunction were the Willshires, both individually and in their official capacity as elected officials of the Village of Mineral Point, as well as Courtois and Johnson in their official capacity as elected officials of the town.

To be granted a TRO, it had to be found that immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or damage would potentially affect the township, its residents, and the general public if the temporary injunction were not granted.

A detective with the Washington County Sheriff's Office submitted an affidavit supporting the claims made in the court filing.

In the sworn statement, the detective notes Sheriff Zach Jacobsen told him to come to the sheriff's office and speak with two Mineral Point residents about Rebecca and Matthew Wilshire turning off the water to their home.

The residents told authorities that Rebecca and Matthew Wilshire served on the Board of the Village of Mineral Point and had been disconnecting water service to other Mineral Point homes, telling citizens their water bills were not being paid, according to filings.

The reporting residents said no water bills had been sent to anyone in the township since May 2022.

The affidavit states that on Jan. 24, the Wilshires went to the reporting resident's address in Mineral Point, shut off the water, and took the meter out. When the resident asked the Wilshires why they had disconnected the water line, the couple reportedly replied it was due to the lack of payment on the water and sewer utility bill. The court documents assert no statements had been sent to customers in some time, with one resident claiming not to have received a bill since May.

The filings allege the Wilshires had also been shutting off water to other properties in Mineral Point, citing a lack of bill payment.

The detective reportedly spoke with another person about the situation Jan. 24. The homeowner said she discovered her water was shut off and called Rebecca Willshire to ask why. On the first and second calls, the homeowner said Rebecca answered and hung up the phone. On the third call, Matthew reportedly answered, saying he was in the process of filling out a police report and would call back later.

Sometime later, Rebecca reportedly called the homeowner and told her a bill needed to be paid before the water service would be restored.

The Mineral Point officials appeared for a show cause hearing in the matter on Jan. 30, but the hearing was rescheduled at both parties' agreement. Associate Circuit Judge Tony Dorsett entered an order extending the TRO the following day.

The press release notes that any allegations against the Wilshires are simply accusations, not evidence of guilt. No court of law or jury has adjudicated any claim regarding any actions they may have been alleged to have taken.

The case was prosecuted by the Washington County Prosecuting Attorney, John I. Jones, IV. The matter was investigated by the Washington County Sheriff's Office.
WASHINGTON  House Republicans late Wednesday submitted their first request to President Joe Biden's family members, asking them to provide a range of documents related to foreign business dealings, and were immediately rebuffed by Hunter Biden's attorney.

The request and rejection came in the form of competing letters that laid the groundwork for what is expected to be a drawn-out battle that raises questions about how far congressional oversight can reach into the activities of a president's family members.

Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), chairman of the House Oversight Committee, sent letters to Hunter Biden as well as the president's brother, James Biden, and their former business partner Eric Schwerin. In his request to Hunter Biden, Comer asked for a wide range of communications with Joe and James Biden, as well as with James's wife, Sara.

Comer also sought financial records, scheduling documents and rent payments.

The request for documents covers the period of Jan. 20, 2009, to Jan. 20, 2021  extending from Joe Biden's rise to the vice presidency until his swearing-in as president  and appears focused on business deals that Hunter Biden and his uncle pursued with a Chinese energy conglomerate.

The Washington Post examined that business arrangement in a story last year, finding that over the course of 14 months, the Chinese company and its executives paid $4.8 million to entities controlled by Hunter Biden and his uncle.

The Post did not find evidence that Joe Biden personally benefited from or knew details about the transactions with CEFC, which took place after he had left the vice presidency and before he announced his intentions to run for the White House in 2020.

"The American people deserve transparency and accountability about the Biden family's influence peddling. The Oversight Committee is committed to exposing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has taken place at the highest levels of our government," Comer said in a statement. "Hunter Biden, James Biden, and Eric Schwerin's documents, records, and communications are critical to this investigation."

While Hunter Biden's legal team argues that he is a private citizen and Congress has no business investigating him, Comer and his allies say their interest is in potential legislation to strengthen federal ethics laws, making Hunter Biden's business activities fair game for congressional scrutiny. This legal and political battle is likely to unfold for much of the upcoming campaign season.

"Evidence obtained in our investigation reveals the Biden family business model is built on Joe Biden's political career and connections," Comer said. "Biden family members attempted to sell access around the world, including to individuals who were connected to the Chinese Communist Party, to enrich themselves to the detriment of American interests. If President Biden is compromised by deals with foreign adversaries and they are impacting his decision-making, this is a threat to national security."

Joe Biden has long denied any role in the business deals that were pursued by his son or his brother, and neither has any role in his administration.

The White House declined to comment. In the past, the administration has signaled that it would cooperate with congressional probes it views as legitimate, such as those focusing on Afghanistan or covid, but would be less likely to participate in those it views as strictly political, including investigations into the president's son.

James Biden and Schwerin also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In a response to Comer sent on Thursday morning, Hunter Biden's attorney Abbe Lowell challenged the committee's authority to seek such documents.

"As your Letter is a sweeping attempt to collect an expansive array of documents and communications from President Biden and his family, I write to explain that the Committee on Oversight and Accountability lacks a legitimate legislative purpose and oversight basis for requesting such records from Mr. Biden, who is a private citizen," Lowell wrote. He cited case law to say that Congress must have a legislative purpose to pursue records and cannot be a vehicle to undertake a criminal investigation.

He also mocked Comer's claim to be examining ethics legislation.

"It is more than ironic, perhaps hypocritical, for Republican members who now hold the gavel to declare such a legitimate purpose, when, while in the minority, they were vocal opponents of House Democrats seeking similar information from President Trump and his family, some of whom held official government positions," Lowell wrote, providing several comments from prominent House Republicans who criticized efforts to obtain records related to Trump and his family members.

The response reflects an aggressive strategy pursued by Lowell, who has a reputation as a hard-hitting attorney with long experience in navigating Washington's crosscurrents of politics, messaging and the law. He argued that Hunter Biden holds no role in government and has no business ties to his father, and therefore is beyond the purview of congressional investigations.

"Whether you think Mr. Biden acted properly or not, and whether you think his private business dealings and associations are inappropriate or not, his behavior is that of a private citizen, not a public official," Lowell wrote. He added, "That his father was a Senator, Vice President, or now President is not an endorsement of your choice to make every aspect of Mr. Biden's personal life your political weapon."

He also laid the groundwork to argue that separation-of-powers principles limit Congress' authority to investigate a president's family.

Lowell's letter was notable for its tone as well as its content. It begins, "Peddling your own inaccurate and baseless conclusions under the guise of a real investigation turns the Committee into 'Wonderland' and you into the Queen of Hearts shouting, 'Sentence first, verdict afterward.'"

Still, the four-page letter concluded with an offer to meet "to see whether Mr. Biden has information that may inform some legitimate legislative purpose and be helpful to the Committee."
Missouri Republicans have long argued a successful 2018 initiative petition establishing a nonpartisan redistricting process duped voters by pairing it with politically popular proposals like limits on lobbyist gifts to legislators.

Two years later, the GOP got in on the act, pushing its own ballot measure repealing the nonpartisan plan by tying it to a complete ban on lobbyist gifts.

Now the debate over so-called ballot candy  pairing a popular idea with a more controversial one in a ballot measure as a way to win over voters  is back.

The Missouri House passed legislation this week aimed at making it harder to amend the state constitution through the initiative petition process. The Republican-backed bill would increase the threshold needed for voter approval of a proposed constitutional amendment from a simple majority to 60%.

But the change needs voter approval, and the first bullet point in the summary crafted by Republican lawmakers that would be placed on the statewide ballot doesnt mention initiative petitions at all.

Instead, it asks Missourians whether the constitution should be amended to allow only citizens of the United States to qualify as legal voters.

That one line dominated House debate this week.

We know its put in there to be deceptive to voters, said House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield.

Republicans deny they are attempting to trick anyone. But they dont offer much in the way of explanation for the ideas prominent placement.

I couldnt tell you, said House Speaker Dean Plocher, R-Des Peres, when asked Thursday why the citizen-voting question was placed at the top of the ballot summary.

I mean, its something we believe in strongly, he said.

Democrats call the proposal a cynical ploy to exploit anti-immigrant sentiment in order to trick voters into accepting an otherwise unpopular idea. Adding to their angst is the fact that election experts say the state constitution is already clear that only citizens are allowed to vote in Missouri.

Article VIII, Section 2 of the Missouri Constitution limits the right to vote to U.S. citizens, said Travis Crum, professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis.

The right to vote for immigrants in Missouri who had declared their intent to become citizens was removed from the state constitution in 1924.

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Aschrofts office has previously clarified that current state law also says you have to be a citizen to register to vote.

There is zero evidence of wide-scale non-citizen voting in Missouri, Crum said. The specter of non-citizens voting has been a boogeyman for years around the country, and no one whos pushing this theory has come up with any proof that its a systemic problem.

Frank Bowman, an emeritus professor at the University of Missouri School of Law, said the Republican legislation does nothing more than repeat the suffrage requirements of the existing Missouri constitution.

Anyone who is not a citizen of the United States, Bowman said, cannot vote. Period.

Rep. David Tyson Smith, D-Columbia, said he has asked Republicans  in committee, as well as during floor debate  why the citizenship question needed to be the first bullet point in the summary.

They wont answer the question, Smith said. Everyone in this building knows whats going on. They know that theyre just trying to get this through, and this is the way to do it. And its wrong and its misleading.

Republicans say the change is a needed constitutional clarification, from all citizens are allowed to vote to only citizens.

During debate, some GOP legislators pointed to examples like San Francisco, where in 2016 voters passed an ordinance allowing non-citizen parents of children in schools to vote only in school board elections.

A local judge overturned that ordinance last year, saying it violated Californias constitution. That ruling is currently before an appeals court.

Republican Rep. Mike Henderson of Bonne Terre, who sponsored the proposed changes to Missouris initiative petition process, said that even without his legislation, non-citizens are already unable to vote in Missouri.

But he insisted the provision should be included, and he opposed Democratic efforts to move the citizen-only language lower in the ballot summary. He said the language has been vetted by attorneys in order to ensure it could withstand a legal challenge. And he reminded Democrats this years version is the same as has been passed by the House in previous years.

Weve worked hard on this ballot language, he said, and Id like to keep it right where it is.

The summary appearing on the ballot is capped at 50 words, Plocher said, and he doesnt think Missouri voters will stop reading after the first bullet point.

Its only 50 words, Plocher said. Its not hard to read 50 words. I think citizens will read all 50 words. I mean, what do you go to the ballot box for, to just read the first two words? Because if thats the case, the first person on the ballot would win every time.

The change is crucial, Plocher said, to better articulate who should be able to vote in the initiative petition process. It is essentially part and parcel to everything were trying to accomplish.

And ballot candy doesnt always work. Missouri voters soundly rejected a gas tax hike in 2018 despite it being sold as a way to increase funding for law enforcement.

The push to make it harder to amend the state constitution has been a GOP priority for years.

Over the last decade, the initiative petition process has been used to make an end run around the legislature to successfully amend Missouris constitution to raise the minimum wage, expand Medicaid eligibility and legalize marijuana.

Plocher said the current version of the Missouri Constitution has changed more than 60 times since it was written in 1945. In comparison, he said, the U.S. Constitution has been amended only 17 times since 1791.

Our constitution is meant to be a sacred document, he said, but is now one that has grown dramatically in size because of out-of-state interests that have spent millions of dollars here in Missouri to change our way of life,

Henderson said he trusts Missourians to make the final decision on his bill.

Were going to ask the people to vote, Henderson said. The people of Missouri will decide if we are right or wrong. We are not overstepping the people. We are going to the people and asking them to say what is your opinion of this? Should it be changed to 60%?

Republicans are trying to trick Missouri voters with the citizenship language, Quade said, but it wont work. She noted voters rejected similar proposals in Arkansas and South Dakota by overwhelming margins.

We know all across the country, she said, where they have tried to go after the ballot initiative process, voters are with us in saying that they want to continue to have a voice in democracy.
Hala Salman Alaabsali (39) and Raghad Salaman Alaabsali (29), both with an address at Drumcondra Road Upper, Dublin, were given suspended sentences

Two sisters have avoided jail after they pleaded guilty to making false statements for the purpose of obtaining Direct Provision payments worth a total of just over 10,000.

Hala Salman Alaabsali (39) and Raghad Salaman Alaabsali (29), both with an address at Drumcondra Road Upper, Dublin 9, were each given suspended sentences of 16 months and ordered to be of good behaviour for that period.

Passing sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on Wednesday, Judge Martin Nolan described it as an unusual case of criminal behaviour but said the sisters did not deserve to be imprisoned.

The court heard that the sisters, who have both Spanish and Iraqi citizenship, used valid Iraqi documents to claim asylum seeker payments of some 38 weekly, along with accommodation and meals, to which they were not entitled as they are also EU citizens.

While their behaviour is to be condemned, they have no record of conviction and it is probably very unlikely that they will reoffend, said Judge Nolan, noting that both women are working and have repaid the monies to the State.

Raghad Salaman Alaabsali and her sister Hala Salman Alaabsali   Collins Dublin, Garrett White

Keith Spencer BL, defending both sisters, said they had received appalling advice on their arrival in Ireland to apply for asylum under the Direct Provision system.

Mr Spencer said although it would be easy to characterise them as people who took from the State, they were tax-paying contributors who gave back to the State and had volunteered with a number of groups including Vincent de Paul, Inner City Helping Homeless and the Free Legal Advice Centre.

Hala Salman Alaabsali pleaded guilty to three counts of making false statements for the purpose of obtaining Direct Provision payments totalling 6,832 between August 2017 and November 2019.

Raghad Salaman Alaabsali pleaded guilty to two counts of making false statements for the purpose of obtaining Direct Provision payments totalling 4,187 between August 2017 and August 2019.

She further admitted one count of making a false statement for the purpose of obtaining a PPS number at DOlier House, DOlier Street, Dublin 2, on August 3, 2017.

Garda Eimhear Keeshan told John Berry BL, prosecuting, that the sisters were originally Iraqi nationals who moved to Spain with their parents in the year 2000.

They were granted Spanish nationality in 2012 and 20145 and moved to Ireland in 2017.
Judge says time for legislative intervention on law covering the sentencing of children convicted of serious offences

The sentencing of a 17-year-old murderer has been further delayed after the judge found that it is time for legislative intervention or a definitive ruling on the law covering the sentencing of children convicted of serious offences.

The teenager was found guilty of the murder of Urantsetseg Tserendorj in Dublin city centre in January 2021. He was 14 at the time of the killing.

The boy's defence counsel today asked the court to adjourn sentencing to await a response from the Oireachtas.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt at the Central Criminal Court said the Children Act 2001 does not fulfil the role of a coherent and comprehensive framework in that it fails to deal with young offenders such as the accused in this case.

He identified what he called a "yawning gap" in the legislation which he said "cries out for reform," and "should be attended to because it is merited on its own terms and, if not, it will thrust litigation upon the State".

Mr Justice Hunt said that his preference was to impose a sentence of detention for life on the defendant with a review after 13 years.

However, he said there are concerns regarding what can and can't be done by judges when a person sentenced as a juvenile comes before them for review.

There is no provision for suspended sentences, he said, and no way for the court to impose conditions on the defendant if he is released following a sentence review.

"That is a very unsatisfactory position for any review to be ordered in 13 years if that is the position then. It is one that is unfair to [the defendant] and to society."

He said that the absence of any provision for suspended sentences will leave the reviewing judge with a binary choice to either continue the life sentence or set a date for release without any follow up.

The "carrot and stick" approach, whereby a judge can impose conditions on a person following their release, is absent and therefore the review process is "entirely unsuitable," he said.

Mr Justice Hunt added: "These cases are too difficult to be left to the ad-hoc approach that has built up over the years. It is time for legislative intervention and, failing that, it is time for an updated definitive ruling in relation to these matters."

Michael O'Higgins SC, for the defendant, asked the court to adjourn sentencing to await a response from the Oireachtas.

However, he also pointed out that there is urgency in the case as Mr O'Higgins's client is approaching his 18th birthday when he would be treated as an adult.

The mandatory sentence for murder for an adult is life imprisonment.

Mr Justice Hunt adjourned the matter to February 22.

The accused, who cannot be named because he is a minor, had denied the murder of Ms Tserendorj but had pleaded guilty to her manslaughter on January 29, 2021. He was found guilty of her murder by a jury last year.
Stefan Ralston has now clocked up a whopping 119 convictions

A thug who once threatened a couple of Sunday World readers has been jailed for five months for having a knife in his pocket and dope down his underpants.

Stefan Ralston has been in and out of prison repeatedly over the last decade but is back behind bars after cops found he had the illegal items stashed away last October.

As reported in Court News NI this week, the 32-year-old of Ballymoney Road, Ballymena in Antrim, was detected with the items in the Wellington Street area of the bible-belt town at 11pm on October 3.

District Judge Nigel Broderick told Ballymena Magistrates Court: It is a very dangerous thing to be carrying a knife, as he sent him to prison for five months.

Read more

It emerged during the brief hearing he had now clocked up a whopping 119 convictions.

In 2021 we revealed how Ralston had flown into a rage when he issued threats to a couple from Galway who had commented on an online Sunday World article about him being convicted of turning up at Antrim Courthouse armed with a 5ft extendable baton.

Menacingly, Ralston private messaged the couple that hed meet them for a nice chat and also warned he could run an internet campaign labelling them paedophiles.

At the time Ralston was being sentenced for five drug-related charges after police discovered a hidden safe full of controlled drugs in his flat in July 2020.

He was convicted of possessing Class A drug Ecstasy, class B drug cannabis as well as two counts of possessing a Class C drug and also obstructing police.

Wound-up Ralston appeared in this paper when he appeared in court for possessing an offensive weapon shortly afterwards.
Constables Neil Campbell and Michael Campfield are jointly accused of failing to retain evidence and failing to record information

Two police officers have gone on trial accused of misconduct in public office after they allegedly dumped drugs they seized in an arrest.

Constables Neil Campbell and Michael Campfield are jointly accused of failing to retain evidence and failing to record or provide relevant information when they had a duty to do so between November 21 and 24, 2018, when they had a reasonable suspicion an offence had been committed.

The Newry Crown Court jury heard that according to the prosecution case, the pair seized a bag of around 50 blue tablets when they arrested a burglary suspect in a Salvation Army hostel.

However, they dumped them in a bin in the custody suite at Musgrave Street PSNI station without making any record of the seizure, the court heard.

Crown counsel James Johnston told the jury that because the bag of loose blue tablets was never recovered we cannot prove they were illegal, but that was not an issue for the jury to consider.

They deliberately, and I dont use that word lightly, they deliberately dumped them in the bin while waiting to present the person to the custody sergeant, declared the barrister.

They made a decision to do that earlier and they deliberately chose not to create a record.

We say that amounts to significant breaches of the duties that police are subject to and we say thats a wilful neglect of duty and wilful misconduct of the public trust, said Mr Johnston. He told the jury that when the officers arrested the man at the Centenary House hostel in Belfast city centre, they seized the bag of tablets along with some food, tinfoil and a needle.

The pair showed the clear plastic bag to a member of staff there who opined they might be Diazepam and she recorded it in the hostels computer system.

He said while the officers and the suspect were in the custody suite, there was CCTV footage which shows how Constable Campbell moved away and although you wont see it, its the prosecution case that he then dumped the bag into the bin just a short time before the custody sergeant was ready to deal with them.

Outlining to the sergeant that they suspected the person was a drug user, Mr Johnston said apart from their duties as officers, recording the seizure of the tablets would have been important as that may have affected what steps were taken in the custody suite to keep the prisoner safe.

The alleged offences were uncovered the following day when the hostel refused to accept the suspect back, disclosing to another officer they were refusing because of the drug seizure by Constables Campbell and Campfield, stationed at Grosvenor Road and Woodbourne PSNI respectively.

Mr Johnston stressed to the jury that when they come to assess the evidence, they had to remain impartial throughout, allowing neither sympathy nor prejudice to enter their deliberations.

The trial, set to last into next week, continues.
Judge Dempsey said William McDonnell (26) did not have a driving licence and never tried to get one

A father-of-two jailed for two months cannot be allowed to drive around willy-nilly without insurance and think there are no consequences, a judge has said.

William McDonnell (26) had been caught for uninsured driving on three occasions and was not paying any heed to road traffic legislation, Judge Dermot Dempsey said as he sentenced him.

Judge Dempsey said McDonnell did not have a driving licence and never tried to get one. He also fined McDonnell 400 and disqualified him from driving for five years.

The defendant, of Ardla Cottages, Skerries, Co Dublin, admitted uninsured driving at Baltrasna Lane in Skerries on July 7, 2021.

Garda Joe Callan told Swords District Court he stopped McDonnell, and there was an invalid insurance certificate on the vehicle. Gda Callan said he spoke to McDonnell, who admitted he did not have insurance or a driving licence.

The court heard McDonnell had 10 previous convictions.

Defence lawyer Gerard Kennedy said McDonnell was a separated father of two young children. He was currently unemployed.

Mr Kennedy said McDonnell had apologised for his behaviour, and he asked the judge to be lenient, saying the defendant would be a suitable candidate for community service.

Judge Dempsey said community service was not suitable. Imposing a two-month sentence, the judge said McDonnell had not paid any heed to road traffic legislation, and there had to be consequences to his actions.
A Greene County man has been named as a suspect in the recent church fire in Madison County.

David Gordon Netting, 45, of Stanardsville, has been charged with a trio of felonies: breaking and entering with intent to commit arson, injuring any property/monument and burning or destroying a dwelling house, according to a release from Madison County Sheriff Erik Weaver.

The sheriff said in a phone call Wednesday that Netting was injured in the Jan. 25 fire at Rose Park Methodist Church in Wolftown and was transported to VCU Medical Center in Richmond for treatment.

Netting was released Jan. 28 to the custody of the Richmond City Jail on the local warrants. Weaver said they were in the process of picking him up for placement in Central Virginia Regional Jail in Orange.

The church sanctuary was significantly damaged in the fire, according to a Facebook post from church leaders, stating Rose Park has been a Madison County cornerstone for nearly 140 years.

The investigation is ongoing. If you have any information related to the investigation, call (540) 948-5161.
A 57-year-old man was arrested at the house and taken to Oberon Police Station to assist with inquiries.

The shooting is being investigated by New South Wales.

Reports are coming in that a man from Co Sligo has been shot dead in Australia.

Police have arrested a man following the shooting at a house in the Central Tablelands, New South Wales.

Officers from Chifley Police District were called to Jenolan Street shortly after 8am (Thursday 9th February 2023), where they found the body of a man suffering a gunshot wound.

He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics; however, he died at the scene.

The man is yet to be formally identified but is believed to be aged in his 30s and from Sligo originally.

A 57-year-old man was arrested at the house and taken to Oberon Police Station to assist with inquiries.

A crime scene was established, which will be examined by specialist forensic police, and a firearm has been seized for further examination.

More to follow.
The con woman was found in a vulnerable and upset state and unable to speak in Dublin city centre, and gardai initially believed she may have been the child victim of sex trafficking.

A top garda who helped thwart a scam artist who cost the state an estimated 350,000 in wasted police and medical resources has opened up about the ploy he used to solve the infamous GPO girl case.

Australian Samantha Azzopardi (24) was holed up in Temple Street Childrens Hospital in Dublin for a whole month nearly 10 years ago after pretending to authorities at the time she was a stranded 14-year-old.

The con woman was found in a vulnerable and upset state and unable to speak in Dublin city centre, and gardai initially believed she may have been the child victim of sex trafficking.

On the 10th of October 2013 two young uniformed guards were on beat patrol on OConnell Street, which is the main street in the city centre. Would be known to most people for the GPO, Superintendent David Gallagher recalls on the Paramount TV series Con Girl.

They came across a young female who presented in a distressed state, crying and looked a little bit bewildered, as if she was lost or if she was confused

She didnt speak, she didnt verbally communicate, but clearly presented as distressed. She indicated she was 14 years of age, numerically with her fingers, but wouldnt provide any details of herself or why she was upset, what adults were with her or why she was there.

Samantha Azzopardi

Fearing for the wellbeing of the child, they decided to invoke the childcare act and take her into protective custody until we established who she was and what her situation was.

Supt Gallagher was a Detective Sergeant back then and became the lead investigator into the case.

The young female adopted a position of hair over her face and sort of scrunched in in a protective sort of pose. She didnt engage, she wasnt speaking, he recollects.

She was brought to Temple Street Childrens Hospital, she was uncooperative with the medical people there with regards to examinations.

She was provided with pen and paper by the police officers as she wasnt verbalising, and she did doodles of some scribbles, where she drew some pictures.

There was a picture of an airplane, there was a picture of a cross, there was a picture of a gun drawn. All very bizarre behaviour, but you dont understand when a person has been a victim of a trauma and how theyre going to respond.

We had a very very open mind, but there was a lot of assumptions made in the media circles.

Supt Taylor

They spent several days trying to find out who she was.

We engaged in a significant number of lines of enquiry, he confirms. We canvassed the airports for arrivals, to see if any people matched her description, care homes, doctors, mental health facilities. None of it really led anywhere. She had some orthodontic work done, braces and stuff. So, we contacted dentist surgeries across the country.

We managed to obtain a partial set of fingerprints from a plate that she held and circulated them internationally as well.

They were then forced to use a last resort method when nothing else seemed to work.

We believed the release of a photograph was really our only option, he explains. We had requested a number of time could we take her photograph.

"She wouldnt agree to pose for one. I knew we needed a photograph of her, so we engaged in a sort of a ploy where we moved her from one room to another and I had one of my team there with a covert camera.

In Ireland children are protected under the Childcare Act for release of their identification, so its not something thats done lightly.

Retired Supt Dave Taylor was back then head of the Garda Press Office.

This was highly unusual. Never before has An Garda Siochana or in my time had released a photograph of a child seeking the help of the public of who this child was, it had never happened before in Irish history, he stresses.

I have never seen such a response to such a media appeal. It was international media, obviously local media. The coverage was instant, it was vast, it was top of the news.

Supt Gallagher

Supt Gallagher remembers the media storm it created.

The image on the story went worldwide. We got calls from Moldova, Bulgaria, Holland, America, Canada. A lot of them dead end. We noticed a significant change as the southern hemisphere came awake. We were starting to get some calls in from Australia, from police stations and police officers, all saying the same name, he remembers.

Then we had a call from one of our own officers based in the midlands in Ireland (Tipperary). He had been contacted by a relative of the young female to say who she was and that she had been staying with them in the previous number of weeks. It was the same name we were getting from Australia and that name was Samantha Azzopardi.

Retired Supt Taylor is scathing about Azzopardi.

None of it was real, it was a complete scam, he storms.  Her whole demeanour was an elaborate ruse. She was good. Anybody who could pull that off for a month while being in hospital, being tended to, being cared for, being asked questions and could maintain this demeanour. Its somebody whos very good at what they do, Ive never seen anything like it before. Or since.

I had various emotions. I was delighted in one sense that the press conference had identified the person, but also quite angry that valuable police hours had been expended on somebody that could have been well used investigating other crimes.

There were no criminal charges made against Azzopardi, despite her wasting garda time and getting a free month long stay in a hospital here, with costs of an estimated 350,000. She was sent back to Australia on a plane, again funded by the taxpayer.

There was real criminal intent in her actions, Supt Gallagher points out.  There was no end game or gain in this for Samantha, there was no profit to be made, there was no fraud.

"Like, most frauds are an attempt to illicit cash from somebody and to gain money and to gain status, that wasnt the case here. For most people it would be abhorrent to spend four weeks not speaking, stuck in a hospital room, not engaging with any family or friends.

But for Samantha it appeared that this was part of the enjoyment, as someone said it felt probably like her Disney world. But in the end the right decision was made, it was not a criminal matter, it shouldnt have come into the criminal arena.

The Irish angle is just one of several case studies in the Con Girl series, with several victims who were hoodwinked by the woman, who has had over 70 aliases since she embarked on her career of deception as a 14-year-old girl from Brisbane.

Her pseudonyms ranged from Russian gymnast Emily Sciberras, who tells her new best friend that her entire family has been killed in a murder-suicide to posing as 14-year-old Aurora Hepburn, who appears at a clinic in Canada after escaping a terrifying kidnapper, and Laylah, who convinces a French backpacker to carry out a series of so-called pranks, implicating the innocent woman in a child kidnapping case.

In October 2019, she met a French couple who had recently moved to Melbourne.

Claiming to be 18 years old and called Sakah, Azzopardi moved into their home to become their au pair under false credentials. In November 2019, she told the parents she was taking the two children on a picnic, but instead took them to a mental health unit claiming to be a 14-year old who had been abused by her uncle

After this incident, she was charged with child stealing, theft and property deception, which she pleaded guilty to in May 2021, and received a two-year sentence.

During the trial, it was revealed following multiple assessments that she had been diagnosed by Australian forensic psychiatrist doctor Jacqueline Rakov as suffering borderline personality disorder and a rare phenomenon called pseudologia fantastica, which manifests itself in compulsive lying, internally motivated by her fantasies to recreate a happy childhood narrative.
Tributes paid to Sligo expat named as Damien Conlon, who was in his 30s, 57-year-old suspect to appear in court

New South Wales police are investigating the fatal shooting. Photo: James D Morgan/Getty Images   Getty Images

An Irishman shot dead following an incident in a rural Australian town has been named locally as Damien Conlon from Sligo town.

Police said initial inquiries suggest Mr Conlon, who was in his early 30s, was shot by a man known to him during a row and suffered catastrophic head injuries.

New South Wales police said a man arrested over the killing would appear in court on Friday.

"A 57-year-old man was arrested at the house and taken to Bathurst Police Station to assist with inquiries, they said in a statement.

"Following inquiries, the 57-year-old man was charged with murder and refused bail to appear in Bathurst Local Court.

"Initial inquiries suggest the two men were known to each other.

New South Wales police are investigating the fatal shooting. Photo: James D Morgan/Getty Images   Getty Images

The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed it is providing consular assistance in relation to the tragedy in New South Wales.

Mr Conlon grew up in the Fort Hill area of Sligo and came from a close-knit and highly regarded family who live in Strandhill.

He had worked in construction since he moved to Australia 12 years ago. It is understood he became an Australian citizen in 2021.

Mr Conlon is believed to have married an Australian woman and they lived together in Bathurst, an area near where he was killed.

The shooting happened in Oberon, a small town about 180km west of Sydney in the Central Tablelands region.

Local police from the Chiffley district questioned a man who was known to the victim. It is understood a row broke out between Mr Conlon and the suspect.

Fine Gael councillor Sinead Maguire described Mr Conlons death as a huge tragedy.

When somebody dies in such traumatic circumstances so far from home, it is particularly difficult for their family, she said.

Its very hard to come to terms with such a loss. I am sure the family will have the support of everyone in Sligo during this very difficult time.

Last night, friends of Mr Conlon posted tributes on social media.

He was remembered as a character and a lovely fella and the life and soul of the party.

One friend wrote: We will never forget you, you will always hold a special place in our hearts. Thank you for all the great laughs and memories.

Police in New South Wales said officers were summoned to Jenolan Street in Oberon just after 8am (9pm Irish time on Wednesday) and found a man who had suffered a gunshot wound.

In a statement, they said Mr Conlon was treated at the scene by paramedics but was pronounced dead a short time later.

A 57-year-old suspect known to him was arrested as part of the inquiry.

Police also said they had recovered a firearm believed to have been used in the incident.

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said it was aware of the case and is providing consular assistance.

As with all consular cases, the department does not comment on the detail of individual cases, it added.
A local man in Sligo who knew the victim said he understood the victim had migrated to Australia a number of years ago

A man from Co Sligo who was killed in a horrific shooting incident in Australia had been there as a citizen for over 10 years, the Sunday World has learned.

The victim, who was in his 30s and from the Sligo town area, was found in his home in the town of Oberon in NSW Central Tablelands on Thursday morning with a gunshot wound.

He was treated by paramedics but died at the scene.

A local man in Sligo who knew the victim said he understood the man had migrated to Australia a number of years ago and gained his citizenship there in the last 10 years.

Other details that are emerging say that he attended Summerhill College in Sligo before moving to Bathurst in New South Wales which is located 200 kms northwest of Sydney and 40km from Oberon.

It is also believed that he had lived there with his partner.

A 57-year-old man was arrested at the house and taken to Oberon Police Station for questioning.

The man is now in police custody and is assisting detectives with inquiries, but has not been charged.

Meanwhile, a crime scene was established and a firearm has been seized for further examination.

Located reports that initial inquiries suggest the two men were known to each other.

It was reported that officers from Chifley Police District had been called to Jenolan Street shortly after 8am local time where they found the body of a man suffering a gunshot wound.

He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics, however, he died at the scene.

NSW Police said that as investigations continue, anyone who may have information that could assist is urged to contact Oberon Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

In a statement to indepedent.ie, the Department of Foreign Affairs said it is "aware of the case and is providing consular assistance.

"As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the detail of individual cases".
The sheriff's office said it believes that Joseph Hartsfield died of foul play following a 911 call made by Sarah Hartsfield on January 7

A Texas woman who had been investigated over the death of an ex-husband is facing a murder charge in connection with her current husband's "suspicious death.

Sarah J Hartsfield, who is accused of murdering her husband, was also reportedly investigated in 2018 by Minnesota authorities after her ex-husband was killed.

However, she has never been charged in that case.

The sheriff's office said it believes that Joseph Hartsfield died of foul play following a 911 call made by Sarah Hartsfield on January 7 regarding a medical emergency.

Medics who rushed to the couples home in a gated community in Beach City began administering aid before transporting him to Houston Methodist in Baytown.

Later that same day, the sheriff's office received a call from the hospital about the patient's suspicious illness.

Authorities who arrived at the hospital launched an investigation due to what they described as inconsistencies in the information provided by the hospital staff.

"The story that the wife gave the hospital, the deputies, the detectives do not match up to the forensic evidence," Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne told local media.

According to authorities, Joseph was in a coma for a week before his death.

Videos shared from Joseph's Facebook page to a group on the social media show his wife, Sarah, hunched over his body, crying as he was wheeled away in the hospital bed to have his organs harvested.

"I think all of that adds up to some of the theatrics we are dealing with in this case," Sheriff Hawthorne said.

Nearly a month after Joseph's death, his wife, Sarah Jean Hartsfield (48) has been charged with his murder.

She was handed down a $5 million bond as the district attorney and the sheriff said she was a flight risk.

It has since remerged that in 2018, Sarah was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office in Minnesota after her previous husband was shot and killed.

She was never charged but Sheriff Hawthorne said they are aware of that case and have been in contact with the agency.

"Their case was investigated," Sheriff Hawthorne said. "I'll definitely support the findings, and it was a grand jury that made the decision up there. Now that's not to say new information may come to light where they may re-open the case, but obviously, that would be up to the Douglas County Sheriff."

The shooting death of David Wayne Bragg (43) remains under investigation, according to an updated Facebook post from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, which added that it remains an "isolated incident."

Chambers County Sheriff Hawthorne believes there's no similarities between the two cases, local a media reported.
Barron had written to Biden, whose son Beau died from cancer in 2015, about Ava's cancer battle just after Christmas 2021

A Waterford man whose medical miracle daughter survived a battle with cancer and his wife received a standing ovation at last nights State of the Union Address by US President Joe Biden.

Maurice Barron, who is originally from Kilmacthomas, and his wife Kandice, who is originally from Panama, were praised by President Biden for their fortitude as their first child, four-year-old daughter, Ava recently recovered from cancer.

Barron had written to Biden, whose son Beau died from cancer in 2015, about Ava's cancer battle just after Christmas 2021.

"Please know that your strength gave me strength and the embrace of your emotions allowed me not to feel as if I was somehow less when mine overtook me, he told the President.

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Soon after, Barron and his family received an invite to the White House as Biden reignited the Cancer Moonshot initiative, which sets out to "end cancer as we know it.

In his address, President Biden said: They met and fell in love in New York City and got married in the same chapel as Jill and I. Kindred spirits. They wrote us a letter, about their little daughter, Ava.

I saw her just before I came over. She was just one year old, when she was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease. After 26 blood transfusions, 11 rounds of radiation, eight rounds of chemotherapy and having had one kidney removed  she had a five pc survival rate.

Maurice wrote about how in the darkest moments he felt if she goes, I cant stay.

Many of you have been through that as well. Jill and I understand that too. He read Jills book describing our cancer journey, and how we tried to steal moments of joy where we could  but for them, that glimmer of joy was the half-smile of their baby girl.

"In everything, they never gave up hope. Little Ava never gave up hope. She turns four next month.

Those gathered then stood up in rapturous applause, as the US President declared: Shes beating the odds, and on her way to being cured of cancer.

As an emotional Maurice and Kandice waved in appreciation, President Biden noted how Ava was watching on from the White House, as she was not yet gone to sleep.

The State of the Union Address is an annual message delivered to a joint session of the United States Congress, near the beginning of each calendar year on the current condition of the nation.

According to the Waterford News and Star, Maurice is the son of Labour Party Councillor, Ger Barron, and his late wife, Kay. Maurice met his wife Kandice, originally from Panama, having emigrated to the US, where they later welcomed Ava.
The timing of his re-joining the party certainly looks to be a good indication that Bertie might make his move sooner rather than later

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who has officially re-joined his former party Fianna Fail, has become the firm favourite to take over the presidency of Ireland.

The Teflon Taoiseach who quit in the wake of The Mahon Tribunal over ten years ago in 2012, has been cut into 3/1 favourite from 6/1 to move into the Aras as the next President of Ireland with BoyleSports.

Bertie, who has been widely praised over the years for his contribution to The Good Friday Agreement and peace in the North of Ireland is just even money with bookmakers to be the Fianna Fail candidate when the race for the Aras gets underway in two years time.

The saying goes  a week is a long time in politics and Bertie has at least one hundred of them to think about whether or not hell run for The Aras, a spokesperson said.

Bertie, who has been widely praised over the years for his contribution to The Good Friday Agreement and peace in the North of Ireland is just even money with bookmakers to be the Fianna Fail candidate when the race for the Aras gets underway in two years time.

The saying goes  a week is a long time in politics and Bertie has at least one hundred of them to think about whether or not hell run for The Aras, a spokesperson said.

"The timing of his re-joining the party certainly looks to be a good indication that Bertie might make his move sooner rather than later.

Its understood that Mr Ahern has rejoined the party organisation in Dublin Central as an ordinary member for the annual 20 a year fee.

In line with party rules he has no voting rights in the first year of his membership.

The application was processed in recent weeks.

A spokesperson for Mr Ahern said he has done a number of events in the last year with many different groups in relation to the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, and rejoined Fianna Fail at the end of last year.
Matt Foley suffered the injuries in an accident with heated cleaning liquid on Monday evening

The Kerry Ingredients plant in Listowel where the accident occured on Monday. Photo by Domnick Walsh

A man who suffered serious burns in an accident at the Kerry Ingredients plant in Listowel on Monday evening has died in hospital.

Duagh man Matt Foley (62), passed away at Cork University Hospital, where he was being treated since his transfer there by Coastguard helicopter from University Hospital Kerry on Monday.

The Kerry plant employee suffered the injuries in an accident with heated cleaning liquid on Monday evening, with the Listowel Fire Service the first emergency responders on the scene following the alarm at around 7.45pm.

Colleagues had treated him at the scene, with the highly-experienced Fire Service members taking over before the arrival of an ambulance from Tralee.

The Kerry Ingredients plant in Listowel where the accident occured on Monday. Photo by Domnick Walsh

Mr Foley was rushed to University Hospital Tralee, where he was immediately transferred to the Rescue 115 helicopter for emergency treatment at Cork University Hospital.

He tragically succumbed to his injuries there overnight.

The news was communicated to colleagues throughout the Kerry Dairy Ireland division of the multinational giant in an email from KDI CEO Pat Murphy.

Mr Murphy said his passing comes as a tremendous loss and shock to all within the company, describing the late Mr Foley as a highly-valued member of the workforce.

Mr Murphy said that his thoughts and prayers are with Mr Foley's family, friends and colleagues throughout this harrowing time for all.

The accident is under investigation by the Health and Safety Authority of Ireland.

Mr Foley is survived by his wife Eileen and adult children Diarmuid, Lorraine and Mark.

His Funeral will take place at St. Mary's Church, Listowel, on Saturday morning at 11.15 a.m, followed by burial afterwards in St. John Paul II Cemetery, Ballybunion Road, Listowel.
Kim Ju Ae, who is believed to be nine or ten years old, stood closely with the countrys leader as he showed off the irresistible might of his nuclear-armed military

Kim with his daughter Kim Ju Ae and his wife Ri Sol Ju at the banquet

The young daughter of Kim Jong Un has made a rare public appearance alongside her dictator father at a military event to mark the 75th founding anniversary of the North Korean army.

Appearing in public for only the fourth time, Kim Ju Ae, who is believed to be nine or ten years old, stood closely with the countrys leader as he showed off the irresistible might of his nuclear-armed military.

She previously attended a flight test of an intercontinental ballistic missile in November and accompanied her father to a meeting with military scientists and a missile inspection.

This has raised speculation internationally that the young girl, described by State media as respected and beloved, is being primed as her father's successor.

Kim with his daughter Kim Ju Ae and his wife Ri Sol Ju at the banquet

North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency said Kim had visited the quarters of the Korean People's Army's general officers with his daughter where he praised his troops for maintaining the strongest army in the world.

State media photos taken of the banquet, which appeared to be held at Pyongyang's Yanggakdo Hotel, showed Kim and his daughter dressed alike in black suits and white dress shirts.

They were also seen holding hands as they walked down a red carpet alongside Kim's wife, Ri Sol Ju.

It was reported that in his speech Kim said it was his greatest honour be the supreme commander of an army that is fulfilling (the) call of the times and history as the strongest army in the world.

Kims comments were followed by an editorial in local media stating that the North's military is prepared to unleash a super strong strike of unimaginable might to wipe out the origins of provocations without a trace when facing enemy threats.

The newspaper said North Korea's ramped-up weapons tests and combat exercises last year were successful demonstrations of overwhelming military might that supports the government's principle of power-to-power, all-out confrontation against enemies.

Meanwhile, residents in Pyongyang are marking the anniversary by visiting the city's Mansu Hill where they have laid flowers to pay respect to the statues of their late leaders, Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, Kims grandfather and father.

The family pictured at the event

North Korea recorded an unprecedented year in weapons testing last year with dozens of missiles fired in 2022 including potentially nuclear-capable systems designed to strike targets in South Korea and the US mainland.

In December, Kim called for an exponential increase in the number of the country's nuclear warheads, mass production of battlefield tactical nukes to target enemy South Korea and the development of more powerful intercontinental ballistic missiles that could reach the United States.

And just last week, North Korea's Foreign Ministry warned that the country is prepared to employ the most overwhelming nuclear force as it condemned US plans to expand its joint exercise with South Korea and deploy more advanced military assets like bombers and aircraft carriers to the region.
Former Republican Rep. Denver Riggleman of Virginia says hes considering running for governor in 2025. Only this time as an independent.

I havent ruled it out 100%, a run for governor, Riggleman told The Daily Progress on Wednesday at an event promoting his book Breach, an account of his time serving on the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol.

Riggleman formally announced he had left the Republican party in June 2022, two years after losing the partys primary for his 5th District seat to Bob Good. Riggleman, who served one term in the House of Representatives, had faced backlash within the GOP for officiating the same-sex wedding of two men who had volunteered for his 2018 campaign. He also had been a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump, who Good supported, and what he calls ludicrous Republican politics.

I think if I ever ran again it would be for an executive position, Riggleman told the crowd on Wednesday gathered at Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge for the event hosted by the Senior Statesmen of Virginia.

Riggleman was explicit with The Daily Progress that executive position does not mean president.

If Riggleman made a run for governor, it would not be his first bid for the Executive Mansion.

Riggleman filed paperwork in December 2016 to be the Republican Partys gubernatorial nominee but suspended his campaign in March 2017.

He previously floated the idea of running for governor as a third-party candidate or an independent in July of 2020.

A congressional run is out of the question, Riggleman said.

Id rather light myself on fire, he told his audience on Wednesday.

Riggleman, who owns Silverback Distillery in Nelson County with his wife, said what drives him to remain in politics is also what frustrates him most about politics.

Its the disingenuous way that policies are presented, Riggleman told The Daily Progress. When youre looking at womens choice, when youre looking at children, religion, things like that. It seems to be either-or or tribalistic.

Regardless of whether he seeks the governorship, Riggleman said he hopes the commonwealth sees future public servants more interested in the service than the publicity.

I would want people that were willing to work across the aisle for the betterment of the commonwealth and not just so they can fundraise more or so they can be a national figure so they get more TikTok users, Riggleman said.

In the meantime, Riggleman said his work is focused on combatting disinformation.

The former congressman has served as an intelligence officer in the Air Force as well as a National Security Agency contractor.

He is also one of only two Republicans who spoke in support of a 2020 resolution denouncing the QAnon conspiracy group, whose followers say that a satanic cabal of child molesters runs the government.

I do have some things that go up to pretty high levels of government that were working on right now, that will be coming out here soon, Riggleman said.
The Dubliners works blazed brightly and still shine today

Brendan Behan was once asked in an interview: What would you like to have said of you in 50 years time? With a chuckle, Behan replied: That Ive celebrated my 86th, my 87th, birthday!

The joke was, of course, a skilful dodge of the invitation to write his own obituary. It was also typical of the man who, at every turn, expressed an irrepressible zest for life.

His interviewer, who was also his cousin, Eamonn Andrews, knew that Behan had already been warned by his doctor that alcohol addiction combined with diabetes was likely to cause an early death. Within a few short years, on March 20, 1964, Behan died having celebrated his 41st birthday just weeks before.

Behan was born in the midst of civil war, on February 9, 1923. One hundred years since then, the question of how he is remembered remains open. Most of his major writings are in print, but his plays have made infrequent appearances in major Irish theatres. He remains a fixture in tourist memorabilia, and is lauded on posters and websites as one of Irelands great writers, but it is often his life and his drinking which are the subject of the narratives about him, rather than his writings.

Then, there are also the doubts. Did he write enough to be remembered as a great writer?

His literary reputation has almost always come down to two plays, The Quare Fellow(1954) and The Hostage (1958), and his autobiographical novel, Borstal Boy (1958).

Did he write his own works, or were his works not co-authored or edited into shape by others? The theatre director Joan Littlewood is frequently cited as having written parts of The Hostage; Carolyn Swift and Rae Jeffs are credited with having edited, respectively, The Quare Fellow and Borstal Boy into shape.

In truth, Behan was the first and most persistent purveyor of doubts about his own literary talents, joking in his own work about being a hack, stealing the ideas of others, or not being able to read. There is no author who hasnt been improved by an editor, nor a playwright who hasnt ceded some authorial control to a director. The doubts expressed by others about Behans literary talents have always had a whiff of snobbery about them.

Behan grew up in a northside tenement, left school when he was 14, and spent seven years of his short life in prison.

Outside of prison, and before his literary success, he was a house painter, a smuggler, a tramp, and, in his spare time, an IRA volunteer. In none of these occupations did he find any notable fulfilment.

He was dismissed, or dismissed himself, from several painting jobs. As for his misguided ventures with the IRA, it seems he was arrested and imprisoned on his first escapade for the possession of explosives in Liverpool, and was lucky not to have been hanged for his second when he fired shots at gardai in Dublin.

His experiences of prison and the IRA formed the principal subjects of his writing, but he was a writer, first and foremost.

His first letter to one of his brothers, Sean, after his imprisonment in England in 1939 requested copies of Shakespeares plays and a Penguin anthology of English poetry. At the age of 19, he published his first short story in Irelands leading literary magazine, The Bell. To describe a prison as akin to a university would be far-fetched, but Behans fellow prisoners in Ireland included the Kerry schoolmaster Sean O Briain and the novelist Mairtin O Cadhain.

He was visited and mentored by Sean O Faolain. He started learning Irish and French, reading the stories of Maupassant, and translating Brian Merrimans Cuirt an Mhean Oiche. It was in prison that he began to write plays and poems, and to take himself seriously as a writer. Others treated him seriously too. It was not long after he left prison that he began to visit and then live in Paris, where he befriended Albert Camus, Samuel Beckett and James Baldwin.

Brendan Behan moved to Paris soon after leaving prison. Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images

He loved Paris precisely because he was accepted as a writer, without pretension or snobbery. In Paris, as Deirdre McMahon revealed in her RTE radio documentary in 2019, he found a home for work which was too daring and controversial to be published in Ireland, and a home among writers and intellectuals who accepted him for who he was.

When Behan returned to live in Ireland in the early 1950s, he was already establishing a reputation for himself, in several genres. His poems in Irish were published in a collection of some of the best young poets since independence, Nuabhearsaiocht.

He contributed dramas and documentaries to Radio Eireann, including reminiscences of the folk songs and games of his childhood in northside Dublin. He was invited to write a serial crime novel for theIrish Times, and a regular column for theIrish Press.

The column that he wrote for the Press, running sporadically from 1951 to 1954, and then, almost uninterrupted, on a weekly basis until 1956, embraces comedy, history, folklore, fiction and autobiography. It represents one of the most sustained periods of his writing.

Lilliput Press will publish the entire run of his newspaper articles as a new book, A Bit of a Writer: Collected Short Prose, in April to mark Behans centenary, and to bring Behans genius for comedy, anecdote and self-deprecating memoir to a new generation of readers.

Behans breakthrough as a writer came in 1954 when The Quare Fellowwas performed in the small, experimental Pike Theatre in Dublin, a year before Becketts Waiting for Godot played in the same theatre.

The Quare Fellow is a bold and extraordinary play, which takes the grim event of an execution in a prison as the subject of comedy. A good production will coax the audience into warm laughter, before plunging them into a cold sweat.

The Quare Fellow is credited with influencing public debates about capital punishment, but to regard it as a period piece of political persuasion is to miss its broader social significance. One murderer is hanged, and another reprieved; the prisoners understand the difference is down to class, as they also understand that they are in prison for petty crimes, whereas people of a different class are able to evade punishment because their crimes are not recognised as crimes.

The play was famously rejected by the Abbey; the Pike could only perform to small audiences. The play was snapped up by a new theatre company in London, Joan Littlewoods Theatre Workshop, and in 1956 it opened in London to critical acclaim, and transferred to the West End. Almost overnight, Behan became a media star.

His celebrity grew two years later when he translated and transformed a play that he had first written in Irish as An Giall into a music hall and melodramatic extravaganza, The Hostage.It has the makings of a tense thriller. An English soldier is held hostage in an IRA safe house (which is also a brothel), and will be executed in reprisal for the execution of an IRA prisoner held in Belfast. Yet Behan had no interest in writing a thriller.

Instead, every conventional political and sexual allegiance is subverted. The English soldier becomes the lovable hero of the play; the IRA chief is an Englishman who wears a kilt and mispronounces the little Gaelic he knows.

Shawn Hatosy (right) as Brendan Behan in the 2000 film Borstal Boy with Danny Dyer and Robin Laing

Every character in the play turns out to have multiple allegiances and identities, and half the cast (and on a good night, the audience too) sings a song celebrating being queer. The Hostage is a carnival of diversity, subversion and of liberated sexualities: it is a play written in 1950s Ireland in which Panti Bliss would be perfectly at home.

Behan once said of his own artistic practice, that the trick was to keep the reader or audience entertained, while smuggling subversion in behind their backs. Borstal Boy, his autobiographical novel, exemplified the practice. Variously received as the confessional narrative of an IRA prisoner, or ribald account of working-class masculinity, Borstal Boyalso manages to subtly tell the story of how Behan fell in love with an English sailor. It ends with one of the most beautiful depictions of returning to Dublin, and an ironic comment on the meaning of Irish freedom.

Perhaps more than any other writer since 1922, Behan pondered a more expansive understanding of human freedom  freedom from poverty, from repression, from drudgery  and asked the question about what it meant to have liberty.

It is a question we might turn to ask more frequently now that the state has entered its second century.

Behans decline into illness and notoriety is well known, and those old enough to remember him in the glory of his youth have faded from us. The stories of his drunken antics will fade too, and we will be left, finally, with Brendan Behan the writer, whose works blazed brightly across Europe and North America in his own lifetime, and shine still today.
Shaw Road residents near Whakatane say Waka Kotahis safety improvements to State Highway 30 will do nothing to alleviate what they consider to be a very dangerous intersection.

Noel Christensen has put together a submission to transport agency Waka Kotahi signed by 90 per cent of those residents.

Noel says his biggest concern is with the left turn out of Shaw Road onto a 100kmh state highway.

He says no other high-density residential subdivision between Whakatane and Tikitere or between Whakatane and Tauranga exits and enters from a 100kmh state highway.

A median barrier would make no difference to how dangerous this intersection is.

Noel, who has a good view of the intersection from his home, has counted vehicles headed toward Whakatane on SH30 go past the intersection and says it varies from 22 vehicles a minute at quiet times to more than 40 a minute at peak times.

He has calculated that this amounts to a window of between 1.2 and 3 seconds for a car pulling out of Shaw Road to achieve 0kmh to 100kmh between the passing cars.

He says everyone he has talked to has witnessed drivers taking risks when pulling out, due to frustration.

Waka Kotahis plans to lower the speed limit to 80km/h will do little to help, he says.

It needs to be at least 60kmh.

Ideally, Noel would like to see a roundabout at the intersection, or failing that, a merging lane.

He has provided several suggestions about how this could be achieved.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agencys proposed safety improvement plans for the highway between Whakatane and Awakeri includes median barriers and no-right-turn intersections on 10 side roads, including Shaw Road, along with roundabouts on the intersections of Thornton, Te Rahu and White Pine Bush roads.

The changes will mean all traffic wanting to turn west out of Shaw Road will first need to drive 1.5 kilometres eastward to the nearest roundabout to turn around.

Traffic wanting to turn into Shaw Road from the east will first have to travel just over one kilometre past their homes and return via the new Thornton Road roundabout.

This inconvenience is another concern voiced in Noels submission.

I have carried out some time trials and found that the new route would add at least two minutes to the journey from the town centre to my house.

Noel Christensen has gathered over 120 signatures, which amounts of 90 percent of people living in the Shaw Road development, for his submission to Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency. Photos Troy Baker.

Noel suffered a heart attack at his home last year and says he may not have lived if the ambulance had not been able to get him to hospital as quickly as it did.

If my wife had to watch the ambulance go right past our house, so it could turn around a kilometre down the road, she would have had a heart attack herself.

Noel delivered his submission to 68 letterboxes in the community before Christmas, after he received a letter from Waka Kotahi about its proposed changes.

He asked that any licensed drivers in the household sign the document and return it to him if they agreed with it. He received 122 signatures from 61 households.

I havent even spoken to about 70 percent of them.

I cant actually understand how consent was given to build the Shaw Road development with that intersection the way it is, says Noel, who has had past experience opening a tourism business on farmland off a state highway in the Taupo district.

He says Waka Kotahi and the Taupo District Council had him jumping through hoops to create a safe turn-off for visitors before he was given consent.

Adding to his concerns is that there are still 10 uninhabited sections in the subdivision and the potential for further development on neighbouring land.

Ive been told there could be as many as 30 more homes built there eventually, which will add many more motorists to those using the intersection.

Whakatane District Council development and environment services general manager David Bewley says the original Shaw Road subdivision application was accompanied by a traffic assessment from a traffic engineering company and written consent from the New Zealand Transport Agency, now Waka Kotahi.

Both documents specifically considered traffic impacts on the State Highway 30 intersection with Shaw Road.

Although the council does not have any resource consent applications before it for development on land between the Shaw Road development and Julians Berry Farm, the structure plan for the Shaw Road development did indicate that an internal-access road would be provided to support additional traffic from any future development.

This potential road will allow traffic to flow to either Huna or Shaw roads to evenly spread vehicle movement onto the state highway.

David says it's also likely that Waka Kotahi will take potential future development into account when working on its safety upgrades for the stretch of road.

Waka Kotahi Waikato/Bay of Plenty infrastructure delivery regional manager Jo Wilton says the current proposal for the design doesnt include a roundabout or merge lane for Shaw Road, but it will soon be looking for input from the public to help inform the final design.

As part of the feedback on the design process, Waka Kotahi would like to hear from people about how they use and experience that intersection, as that provides important information for the team to consider.

People who use these roads  such as those accessing SH30 from Shaw Road  have ideas and experiences that can help us, and its important that any changes we consider fit with the way they use and access the road.

All information gathered through this process will help inform our final designs. This includes this information provided by the Shaw Road residents.

Public information sessions to share information and to hear from the public will be held in late March 2023. They will advertise these widely before they are held.

People can sign also up for updates at www.nzta.govt.nz/sh30awakeri2whk

-Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
Police say they believe there is a good chance authorities will make arrests over a record cocaine seizure in the Pacific Ocean.

More than three tonnes of the drug were found floating in international waters by the Defence Force last week.

Operation Hydros - a joint mission by police, Customs and the Defence Force - seized 81 bales of the drug, totalling 3.2 tonnes, with an estimated street value of half a billion dollars.

Police Commissioner Andrew Coster told Morning Report the amount was enough to supply the New Zealand market for 30 years or the Australian market for one year.

"I think we've got a good chance of tracking down offenders for this and obviously that's an ongoing investigation, but even if we don't, the social harm prevented by holding that quantity out of our communities is significant."

Police estimate $9 billion of harm has been prevented by removing the drug, says Coster.

There's not a large market for cocaine in New Zealand, but the drug is just as harmful as meth or heroin, he says.

Methamphetamine is New Zealand's biggest drug problem and Coster says the cocaine was not likely to have been destined for this country, although some may have got here had the police not intercepted it.

"This is probably more significant for our contribution to the international environment, particularly in terms of Australia.

"We often will get benefit from Australian investigations that mitigate the harm from methamphetamine and so on here, so a bit of swings and roundabouts but a great result for the region."

-RNZ.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins describes the Maungatapu house crushed by a slip as without a doubt one of the most horrific and traumatic things hes ever seen.

The house, located on Egret Ave, was pushed out into the middle of their street after a slip caused by heavy rain in the early hours of January 27.

The Prime Minister made the visit to the weather impacted area this afternoon.

Its a miracle no one was seriously hurt, says Hipkins.

One of the owners of the home, Luke Hanan, tells the Prime Minister the surrounding community have been extremely generous with lending help.

Luke Hanan and Teresa Hodgson are the home owners impacted by the slip. Photo: Christel Yardley/Stuff.

The community here has been amazing. They have treated us like family, says Luke.

Its the sort of stuff that makes you proud to be a Kiwi.

Hipkins likens the community spirit in Maungatapu to stories he has heard out of Auckland following the floods.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins with some of the children from Egret Ave. Photo: Taylor Rice/SunLive.

Ive seen stories of how people have helped each other in Auckland too, and going the extra mile to help their neighbours.

Surveying the damage from a nearby property the Prime Minister says it would have been a very dramatic evening.

The fact you all got out is absolutely amazing.

Im very glad youre all still here.

The view of the damage from a nearby property. Photo: Taylor Rice/SunLive.

Earlier in the day, Hipkins told reporters the Government is always keeping an eye on weather across the country.

We do expect there are going to be more extreme weather events and we all need to be prepared for that."

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins speaking at a media event in Tauranga earlier today. Photo: Taylor Rice/SunLive.

As a Government, we are making sure we are ready to respond quickly, when called upon to do so.

My message to New Zealand everywhere is that this is something we are going to see more of. We want families and businesses to be prepared everywhere.

We want you to have your emergency supplies ready, and have a plan of a flood in your neighborhood, along with other extreme events in your neighborhood.

The Prime Minister also told reporters Tauranga is a city facing a number of challenges with infrastructure due to rapid population growth.
Blackbeards Smokehouse Ltd is recalling Blackbeards Smokehouse brand smoked mussels due to the possible presence of Listeria.

The following Blackbeards Smokehouse brand Smoked Mussels with a batch number of 076/015 and best before date of 27/02/2023 are affected by this recall:

Smoked Mussels Chilli & Lime 210g

Smoked Mussels Coromandel Gold 210g

Smoked Mussels Garlic & Dill 210g

Smoked Mussels Natural Smoked 210g

"Listeriosis can be serious for vulnerable groups, such as pregnant people and their unborn babies, newborns, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems," says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director general Vincent Arbuckle.

"It is particularly dangerous during pregnancy as it can cause miscarriage, premature labour or stillbirth and infection in the unborn baby.

"Infection in healthy adults is unlikely to be severe, causing mild diarrhoea and flu-like symptoms within a few days of eating contaminated food.

"It can be returned to the place of purchase for a refund. If you are unable to do this, the product should be thrown out."

If you have consumed any of these products and are concerned for your health, contact your health professional or call Healthline 0800 611 116.

The affected products are sold at the following stores:

Farro Fresh (North Island)

Four Square Coromandel

Fresh Choice Papamoa

New World Albany

Raw Food Market Waiheke

Supie (online) Auckland

Vetro Rotorua

There may be more stores and products affected, so for up-to-date details, go to our food recall page.

The product is being removed from stores and has not been exported.

The product under recall was identified through routine testing and there have been no reports of associated illness.

"As is our usual practice, we will be working with the company to understand how the contamination occurred and prevent its recurrence."
National Party leader Christopher Luxon says the cost of living is the main issue facing the Bay of Plenty and wider New Zealand.

Speaking to SunLive, the Leader of the Opposition says rising mortgage prices and food prices is a "major problem".

"When your mortgage goes from five per cent to seven per cent and you have to find $700 a fortnight, that's a major problem for people," says Luxon.

"When food prices are over 11.5 per cent in part because we didn't get the workers to pick the fruit and vegetables, now they've rotted and have higher prices because supply outstrips demand that's not great.

"They're the same issues, people want us to reduce the cost of living, raise incomes for all by building a better economy for all, they need us to restore law and order and they want better health and education.

"Whether you're here in the Bay or whether you're anywhere in New Zealand it's variations of those things that are major concerns to people."

Uffindell report

Luxon also addressed whether the the full Sam Uffindell report should be released to voters, saying the results are "crystal clear".

"We've handled that issue, we've dealt with that issue incredibly well. It was a very clear outcome and we handled it in an independent way so it was fair to all parties, and the results were crystal clear."

"I'm really proud Sam is our representative here, I think he's doing an exceptionally good job. I love the way he has embraced the community and he's getting embedded in the community, and understanding the issues.

"I think we've got an outstanding man, I think we've got an outstanding MP, and I'm really proud to have him as a friend and a colleague."

Crime

Following the two dairies being robbed in Tauranga in the last few weeks, Luxon says "first and foremost" the Government "needs to back police".

"We need to give them the tools they need to respond to crimes properly.

"We want to crack down on gangs really strongly, banning gang patches in public places and make sure there are warrant of search powers for illegal guns.

"The most important thing in respect to ram raids and the instances of retail crime we have seen is to make sure we have serious consequences for serious young offenders."

Luxon then references the proposed military academy programme, saying this will give the Government tools to "support challenges" repeat offenders are going through, such as "literacy, numeracy, addiction and anxiety".

Labour Party policy reshuffle

When asked if the National Party has had its wind taken out of its sails following the Labour Party policy reshuffle, Luxon says "not at all".

"What New Zealander's want is a Government which gets things done. Instead they have been distracted by massive amounts of Labour Party pet projects.

"Just coming out and saying something that you think will drive more votes during an election year is cynical politics".

Media merger scrapped

Luxon is calling the now scrapped media merger between TVNZ and RNZ a "problem in search of a solution" and a "dumb idea".

"The commerical rationale for doing it made no sense whatsoever. To spend $380 million restructuring companies not worth $380 million combined, and then to spend $6 billion dollars over the next 30 years in a subsidy when we could have been spending that money on health roads or other infastructure.

"From my point of view, it was a dumb idea. Everyone didn't want it. Everyone said it was a dumb idea. We've now wasted huge amounts of money, time and resources to actually knock on the head what was a dumb idea."

To watch the full interview, click the video at the top of this article.
University of Virginia alumnus and businessman Bert Ellis has survived attempts to remove his name from the list of governor-appointed members of UVas Board of Visitors.

The state Senate voted on Tuesday to confirm Ellis to the universitys ruling body that decides its budget, academic policies, building projects and Honor Code.

Im incredibly disappointed in how the vote went, said Ceci Cain, the president of the UVa Student Council, which had led a campaign to prevent Ellis appointment.

Democratic state Sen. Creigh Deeds, who represents the university and surrounding area in the General Assemblys upper chamber, had introduced a resolution to remove Ellis name from the list of appointees. While it won support from the Democrat-controlled Elections and Privileges Committee, it failed to garner enough support on the Senate floor.

Ellis and his appointment to the board have been a subject of controversy among students, alumni, faculty and staff since Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin submitted his name on July 1 of last year. Youngkin named four successors to replace board members who were reaching the end of their four-year terms this year. Ellis, more than any other, garnered the most attention.

Ellis, who resides primarily in Atlanta where he is the CEO and chairman of consulting and investment firm Ellis Capital, sparked public outcry in 2020 after traveling to university Grounds with a razor blade in hand. According to his own account, he intended to use the blade to remove a sign that read Fk UVA that had been posted on the Lawn room door of student. The sign also read, KKKcops, genocide, slavery, disability and Black and brown life are operating costs of the University.

That student, who has previously asked not to be named in stories about the incident, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Daily Progress.

According to Ellis own account of the event, which was posted on the Bacons Rebellion blog, he had planned to use the razor blade to remove the profanity from the students sign but instead knocked on the students door and asked her to defend her position.

I was prepared to use a small razor blade to remove the [Fk UVa] part of this sign, Ellis wrote, and they said I could not do that as it would be considered malicious damage to the University and a violation of this students First Amendment Rights and they were prepared to restrain me from so doing.

He said he continued speaking to the door once the student closed it in front of him.

It came down to just one thing basically, it was the incident of going on the Grounds with a razor blade, Deeds told The Daily Progress on Wednesday. Its all right to be offended by what people say, but that doesnt mean they dont have the right to say them. To me that speaks to ones fitness to serve.

Deeds resolution to remove Ellis name died in the Senate after two fellow Democrats broke rank.

Deeds said it came as a surprise.

Back in the summer or fall we had some preliminary conversation and I didnt know that there were problems, Deeds said. I thought we were going to be all together on this one.

Sens. Chap Petersen of Fairfax and Lynwood Lewis of Accomack voted against the resolution in what was otherwise a party-line vote.

Peterson, who has a daughter at UVa, told The Daily Progress on Wednesday that the evidence against Ellis was not sufficient to undo his nomination.

The UVa chapter of the United Campus Workers union said in a statement on Wednesday that Ellis appointment to the Board of Visitors highlights the fact that this body is an unrepresentative and undemocratic institution.

Workers and students should be the first to have a say in who governs their university, but instead, Board appointments are used to elevate corporate executives and advance political agendas that harm the mission of public higher education, the group said.

The UVa chapter of the American Association of University Professors echoed those sentiments.

We are disappointed, the group said in a statement delivered to The Daily Progress on Wednesday, which specifically highlighted the implications for Mr. Ellis appointment for the welfare of students on Grounds.

Cain with the Student Council said she has no intention of working with Ellis in the future.

I dont plan on personally engaging with Bert Ellis, she said. Hes someone who makes me deeply uncomfortable and feel unsafe.

The UVa Student Council Executive Board was the first university group to oppose Ellis appointment. The committee issued a statement on July 26 that said his actions in 2020 and his continued defense of them do not align with UVas inclusive ideals.

The statement stressed that Ellis created a student safety issue and abused his status as a prominent alumnus to further attack students of color and other marginalized students who did not fit into Jeffersons vision for UVa and do not fit into Ellis [vision].

Last week, the Student Council Executive Board led a group of students, faculty, staff and about a dozen student organizations in an email campaign asking state senators not to confirm Ellis when the time came.

Cain, who is a Black woman, said she does not believe Ellis cares for the people who are a part of the university community who werent in his time here as a student.

An archive investigation spearheaded by the student-run Cavalier Daily newspaper found that during Ellis time at the school he helped invite and host a known eugenicist to participate in a student-led debate in 1974 during Black Culture Week.

The investigation also found that Ellis, who served as chairman of the University Union, denied the UVa Gay Straight Unions request to co-sponsor an event headlined by gay rights activist Frank Kameny in 1975.

Ellis told the Cavalier Daily at the time that the event was not the type of activity the University Union should sponsor because homosexuality was not an issue viewed highly in the university. It would not help the University Unions position and prestige.

Times have changed since then, Cain said, and the Board of Visitors should reflect that.

We believe in the progress that the university has made since the 70s, and we believe in a diverse and equitable university, education, hiring process and health care system, Cain said.

The archived stories were widely shared online between students, alumni, faculty, staff and other members of the university community.

The Democratic Party of Virginia and the University Democrats at UVa issued a joint statement criticizing Ellis appointment.

The Faculty Senate joined the campaign against Ellis, adopting a resolution in October claiming Ellis behavior did not reflect the mission statement of the University of Virginia.

Their collective efforts, however, failed.

Deeds said that, even though he does not agree with Ellis appointment or confirmation, he believes Ellis truly loves the university and said he can only hope that Ellis contributes to board decisions that benefit all UVa students.

Cain said she has taken away something different from the fight.

I hope, at the very least, we were making people pay attention to the Board of Visitors and to who is making decisions at this university, she said. The fight never had anything to do with him as a person. This is about especially Black and queer students being able to claim the University of Virginia. This is about the values that students have at the University of Virginia.

Cain said she hopes that opposition to Ellis appointment from the UVa community will show Youngkin and the governors who succeed him that students are paying attention to the Board of Visitors and the decisions it makes that affect students everyday lives.

Youngkin did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Daily Progress. Ellis has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

The head of Ellis Capital, Ellis also is the owner of KDOC-TV, a broadcast television station in Los Angeles, a founding investor and board member of the WebMD platform and an owner of the White Spot restaurant on the Corner in Charlottesville. He is also the president of the Jefferson Council, a nonprofit alumni organization that works to uphold the Jeffersonian legacy, the honor code, and free speech and expression at the University of Virginia, according to its website. He is an alumnus of the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration and the College of Arts and Sciences.

After this weeks vote, Ellis will serve a four-year term on the Board of Visitors, which began in the summer of 2022 and expires June 30, 2026.
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University of Virginia Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Nicole Eramo has left the university after more than 20 years.

Eramo has left UVa to serve as the chief of staff for the presidents office at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania, according to a Lafayette statement.

After earning her bachelors, masters and Ph.D. degrees from UVa, Eramo went on to work in various leadership roles at the university for more than 20 years, including as an associate dean of students and most recently as a vice president for student affairs.

In 2015, Eramo sued Rolling Stone magazine for defamation due to the publications now-retracted 2014 article A Rape on Campus. The discredited article, which falsely detailed a female students rape at a UVa fraternity, criticized Eramo in her role as the head of UVas Sexual Misconduct Board at the time. In 2016, Eramo won the lawsuit.

Eramo started her new role at Lafayette on Feb. 1, according to Lafayette.

This story was corrected to say Eramo was assistant vice president for student affairs.
Electric failure leads to flame discharge from liquid hydrogen carriers gas combustion unit

Flame was briefly observed propagating from the vent stack of a gas combustion unit on board a liquified hydrogen tanker

The failure of an incorrectly-fitted electrical solenoid valve led to the brief propagation of flame from a liquified hydrogen carrier gas combustion units vent stack, an Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation has found. The liquified hydrogen (LH 2 ) carrier Suiso Frontier, built as a prototype ship to assess the technical aspects of transporting LH 2 by sea, had arrived at the Port of Hastings, Victoria on 20 January 2022, on its maiden voyage. The 116 metre ship had departed Kobe, Japan on 25 December 2021 with 55 t of LH 2, and was to load additional LH 2 from the gas liquefaction facility at Hastings before returning to Kobe. After LH 2 had been loaded at Hastings on 24 January 2022, the ship was still berthed on the evening of 25 January when the gas control equipment malfunction occurred. A worker on board the ship observed a yellow gas flame briefly propagate from the gas combustion units vent stack on the ships deck. There was no subsequent fire or explosion, and no injuries or damage were reported. An ATSB investigation found the gas combustion units air fan discharge damper actuators  which regulate the flow of air into the unit  were fitted with direct current (DC) electrical solenoid valves, which were incompatible with the 230 V alternating current (AC) supply from the GCU control system. During roughly 400 hours of service prior to the occurrence, the solenoid valves were subjected to conditions for which they were not designed, ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said. When one of these solenoid valves failed, the fan discharge damper it was operating closed. Consequently, the temperature of the gas combustion unit increased, eventually resulting in the discharge of flame from the units vent stack. In addition to the incorrect solenoid valve being fitted, the ATSB found the gas combustion unit was not equipped to detect the failure of the valve, nor the subsequent closing of the damper. Automated safety controls intended to detect a malfunction to prevent such an incident were not effective, Mr Mitchell said. In response to the incident, the manufacturer of the gas combustion unit, Saacke, fitted limit switches on each air fan discharge damper to monitor damper position. In addition, the systems control logic has been programmed to stop the unit if a fault is detected. The ATSBs investigation highlights the importance of ensuring automated shipboard operating systems are equipped with safety controls to prevent hazardous consequences in the event of a malfunction, Mr Mitchell said. The incident also shows the importance of stringent manufacturer quality controls to ensure correct system components are specified and fitted to equipment.




Tianjin Southwest picks up option for LPG carrier dual-fuel retrofits

Further two vessels bound for conversion in collaboration between MAN PrimeServ and CMS

Copenhagen, 07.02.2022 The COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry (Guangdong) yard has announced that it will retrofit the main engines aboard two LPG carriers from the fleet of Tianjin Southwest Maritime Ltd., the Chinese liquefied-gas carrier operator. In doing so, it is exercising the option in a contract signed with MAN Energy Solutionss after-sales division, MAN PrimeServ, in October 2022 to similarly retrofit two LPG carriers to dual-fuel operation. Accordingly, the individual MAN B&W 6G60ME-C engines aboard vessels, Gas Libra and Gas Scorpio, will be retrofitted to dual-fuel MAN B&W 6G60ME-LGIP units capable of running on LPG, to which end they are scheduled to enter drydock in January 2024. As with the previous two vessels, MAN PrimeServ will jointly carry out the work with CMS (CSSC Marine Service Co. Ltd.), the after-sales subsidiary of CSSC Marine Power Group. Per Rud  Senior Vice President, MAN PrimeServ  said: Its crucial to nurture partnerships to successfully pull off dual-fuel retrofit projects and we are very happy to collaborate with CMS on these  now  four vessel retrofits. Significantly, this will be our first time working with a licensees own after-sales division; the after-sales market should know that MAN PrimeServ is open to working with partners in order to support shipowners globally. Our negotiations with CMS have concluded to our mutual satisfaction and will strengthen our partnership. The taking up of the original contracts option also follows Oslo-listed BW LPG  the world's leading owner and operator of LPG vessels  announcement in June 2022 that it, under MAN PrimeServs supervision, had converted the main engine of the BW Malacca to dual-fuel running. The last such conversion for a series of 15 LPG carriers, all work was carried out at Yiu Lian Dockyards in Shenzhen, evidence of Chinas ability to successfully execute such retrofits. Klaus Rasmussen, Head of Projects and PVU Sales, MAN PrimeServ, said: Switching to low-carbon fuel is the most effective way to decarbonise the existing maritime fleet. In this respect, dual-fuel retrofits are an excellent device for shipowners to maintain their assets value moving forward. Additionally, for Very Large Gas Carriers, their ability to operate off their own cargo makes for a very positive business case. Before the original signing of this contract, Tianjin Southwest had already ordered six vessels powered by ME-LGIP main engines and LPG is quickly becoming the de facto standard in this segment. Currently, we estimate that there are over 150 VLGCs with single-fuel engine technology that could benefit from conversion to LPG-running.




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PA_86 Newbie

Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Mumbai Posts: 5 Thanked: 27 Times

Honda CB 650R warped rear brake disc problem | 1152 km & < 3 months but Honda is rejecting warranty



Note: Long thread.



This is my first post in this forum and I would like to share my experience of getting the CB650R home and the after sale service.



Dealership:

Honda topline Andheri, Mumbai.



Booking:

I went to the showroom on 2nd Sep'22 to get the on-road price of the CB650R, I was given a quotation on 8.67L being the ex-showroom price. I asked the salesperson if he was sure that the ex-showroom price was 8.67L because I had checked the website and it showed 9.14L.The salesperson was clueless about the change in the ex-showroom price and told me that he could check with the manager and confirm. He came back saying, yes sir the prices have been revised. What surprised me the most was the fact that the sales staff was not updated/aware of the change in the ex-showroom price of the vehicles they were selling. I booked the bile on the same day.



Payment and delivery:

I was informed that the bike had arrived at the showroom and I made the balance payment (on road price + 31k for accessories - Radiator Guard / Front spools / rear spools and Crash bobbins) of the bike on 02nd Oct 2022 and informed the sales person that I wanted the delivery of the bike on 17th of October. The salesman informed me that there was enough time for completing the registration process and it wouldn't be an issue to deliver the bike on 17th Oct'22. After receiving the payment there was no communication from the salesperson at all.



I got the choice number on 03rd Oct'22 and shared the details with the salesperson on the same day. I walked in the showroom on the 15th Oct

to check that everything was in order for the delivery. To my surprise the salesman told me very casually that there was an issue with the registration online due to a different number on my adhaar card (Father's number). What surprised me the most was that the salesman was very casual after the payment was made and he didn't bother to communicate about the issue. Thankfully I didn't get embarrassed in front of my family and friends had I walked into the showroom on 17th Oct to get the delivery.



I get back home from the showroom and raise a complaint about the careless attitude and no communication from the sales team regarding the issue with the registration and delivery. To my surprise the sales person called me the same evening and asked, Sir , what is the issue? Why have you raised a complaint? I failed to understand the escalation matrix of Honda bigwing, the person against who the complaint was raised is calling me back to ask me about the issue. With the complaint not being escalated to the right person, I tried to contact Mr Rajagopi Padmanaban on linkedin. Mr Venkatramanan Janak got in touch with me via linkedin and I shared my experience over a call. He got in touch with the dealership to ensure that the delivery would be

a memorable experience.



Delivery:

The registration issue was sorted and I decided to take the delivery on the 23rd Oct'22. After the complaint, the delivery was a mere formality. The saree guard was removed from the bike without my consent and the justification I got was that 80% of the buyers got it removed. No welcome kit (Mug and keychain) was provided saying that it was out of stock, and I haven't received it till date. The documents for the extended warranty and the RSA were provided on whatsapp after a week of delivery. Only the radiator guard and the front spools were installed at the time of delivery and I was told that the spares are out of stock and might take upto a month.



Service:

I got the first service done at 700 kms in mid November, that is when the rear spools and the crash bobbins along with the saree guard were installed on the bike.



Current Brake Disc Issue:

A strange noise was coming from the bike on the 14th of Jan'23. I took the bike at the service center on the 15th to get the issue checked. After the technician inspected and removed the rear brake pad, it was observed that the disc was rubbing against the brake arm and was bent (images attached for reference). Since the service center manager was on leave, I went to the service center on 16th Jan again to speak to the manager about the issue. Mr Frank informed me that he checked the bike and there was no visible impact on the bike for the rear disc to bend that way. A report was submitted to the technical team to get the issue resolved under warranty. The technical team rejected the HTR claim and I was informed by the manager that he would get the replacement done under goodwill warranty. It's been 17 days since the bike is at the service center and they are awaiting internal approval.



The bike has just done 1152 kms on the odometer and I am wondering if a root cause analysis would be done to identify what caused the rear disc to bend in such a way.



I received a call from the service center manager stating that the technical team has rejected the claim however from the dealer side we have decided to give you a 50% discount on the parts and labor charges. I am wondering why should I even pay 50% with no fault of mine.



I would really appreciate if senior members would guide me with the way forward.











Hello to all the admin's and members,Note: Long thread.This is my first post in this forum and I would like to share my experience of getting the CB650R home and the after sale service.Honda topline Andheri, Mumbai.I went to the showroom on 2nd Sep'22 to get the on-road price of the CB650R, I was given a quotation on 8.67L being the ex-showroom price. I asked the salesperson if he was sure that the ex-showroom price was 8.67L because I had checked the website and it showed 9.14L.The salesperson was clueless about the change in the ex-showroom price and told me that he could check with the manager and confirm. He came back saying, yes sir the prices have been revised. What surprised me the most was the fact that the sales staff was not updated/aware of the change in the ex-showroom price of the vehicles they were selling. I booked the bile on the same day.I was informed that the bike had arrived at the showroom and I made the balance payment (on road price + 31k for accessories - Radiator Guard / Front spools / rear spools and Crash bobbins) of the bike on 02nd Oct 2022 and informed the sales person that I wanted the delivery of the bike on 17th of October. The salesman informed me that there was enough time for completing the registration process and it wouldn't be an issue to deliver the bike on 17th Oct'22. After receiving the payment there was no communication from the salesperson at all.I got the choice number on 03rd Oct'22 and shared the details with the salesperson on the same day. I walked in the showroom on the 15th Octto check that everything was in order for the delivery. To my surprise the salesman told me very casually that there was an issue with the registration online due to a different number on my adhaar card (Father's number). What surprised me the most was that the salesman was very casual after the payment was made and he didn't bother to communicate about the issue. Thankfully I didn't get embarrassed in front of my family and friends had I walked into the showroom on 17th Oct to get the delivery.I get back home from the showroom and raise a complaint about the careless attitude and no communication from the sales team regarding the issue with the registration and delivery. To my surprise the sales person called me the same evening and asked, Sir , what is the issue? Why have you raised a complaint? I failed to understand the escalation matrix of Honda bigwing, the person against who the complaint was raised is calling me back to ask me about the issue. With the complaint not being escalated to the right person, I tried to contact Mr Rajagopi Padmanaban on linkedin. Mr Venkatramanan Janak got in touch with me via linkedin and I shared my experience over a call. He got in touch with the dealership to ensure that the delivery would bea memorable experience.The registration issue was sorted and I decided to take the delivery on the 23rd Oct'22. After the complaint, the delivery was a mere formality. The saree guard was removed from the bike without my consent and the justification I got was that 80% of the buyers got it removed. No welcome kit (Mug and keychain) was provided saying that it was out of stock, and I haven't received it till date. The documents for the extended warranty and the RSA were provided on whatsapp after a week of delivery. Only the radiator guard and the front spools were installed at the time of delivery and I was told that the spares are out of stock and might take upto a month.I got the first service done at 700 kms in mid November, that is when the rear spools and the crash bobbins along with the saree guard were installed on the bike.A strange noise was coming from the bike on the 14th of Jan'23. I took the bike at the service center on the 15th to get the issue checked. After the technician inspected and removed the rear brake pad, it was observed that the disc was rubbing against the brake arm and was bent (images attached for reference). Since the service center manager was on leave, I went to the service center on 16th Jan again to speak to the manager about the issue. Mr Frank informed me that he checked the bike and there was no visible impact on the bike for the rear disc to bend that way. A report was submitted to the technical team to get the issue resolved under warranty. The technical team rejected the HTR claim and I was informed by the manager that he would get the replacement done under goodwill warranty. It's been 17 days since the bike is at the service center and they are awaiting internal approval.The bike has just done 1152 kms on the odometer and I am wondering if a root cause analysis would be done to identify what caused the rear disc to bend in such a way.I received a call from the service center manager stating that the technical team has rejected the claim however from the dealer side we have decided to give you a 50% discount on the parts and labor charges. I am wondering why should I even pay 50% with no fault of mine.I would really appreciate if senior members would guide me with the way forward. Last edited by Rehaan : 9th February 2023 at 13:02 . Reason: Adding some formatting :)
vikram31 BHPian

Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 226 Thanked: 456 Times

Re: A 'Monument'al trip to South India!







This day was much better to drive. I dont know if it was because of Sunday but despite crossing large cities like Cochin and others, we zipped passed city roads pretty quickly. Jatayu Earth centre was opened ~2013 as an art display paying respect to the mythological creature who gave up his life protecting Sita. We reached the parking area around 4 pm and had ample time to explore. The place is very well organised and has two ticket counters. First, to visit the sculpture (INR 200/per person) and the cable car (INR 250 per person). We recommend the short cable car with a great view. The car dropped us right at the base of the sculpture and it was impressive how a nealy 160/200 feet statue would have got assembled on that hilltop. It is a great photo-op place with a lovely view of the surrounding areas as well. The place has a temple dedicated to Lord Rama and even has a spot where the marks of his footsteps have been preserved. Reading up on Jatayu on marble plates around the sculpture made me just a bit more aware about how womens safety should be viewed and each one of us should probably take a leaf out of this part of the Ramayana. Paid our respects, clicked some excellent pics and started our 90 minute journey to Trivandrum. We stayed at the Keys Select by Lemon Tree and I have to say after the Radisson Coimbatore experience we were left pretty disappointed. Dingy rooms with peeling walls and overused linen, overcrowded dining area where one was either running out of food or cutlery and a terrible concierge that could not even arrange a taxi for one of our co travellers even if informed a day in advance.



The first look after getting off the cable car:





Customary Selfie:





Pictures cant capture the magnitude:





Jatayu's enormous wingspan:





the legend of Jatayu





Day 5  Visit to Padmanabhaswamy temple, drive to Vivekananda Memorial and onwards to Rameshwaram







I was told by one of my co-travellers that the Padmanabhaswamy temple is the worlds richest temple and a must visit in Trivandrum. Saw that it was just 5 minutes by car!. We decided to give it an early morning visit before leaving for our next destination. To visit the Padmanabhaswamy temple, one must be dressed appropriately  Veshti and no western clothes. The Gopuram is large and one can see it from a distance. There were multiple queues for general and VIP darshan. We took the one that shortens the queue for INR 100/person. There was a hustle at the small door that takes us to the huge Padmanabha statue that shows him in a lying down state. With age and through the small doors, it was hard to make out the full structure but we could broadly make out by recalling the photo we had seen outside the temple. Took a parikrama, tried an incredible millet prasadam, paid our respects and returned for breakfast to our hotel. Here is a snippet on the importance of the Padmanabha temple



The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram is one

among the wealthiest shrines in the world. The riches it keeps in its six

vaults and their several antechambers, are yet to be completely

determined.



The history and fame of this temple is intertwined in mystery and rich

antiquity. Several stories without any exactitude have originated from

its huge collection of invaluable precious stones, gold, silver and a yetto-be-opened vault. Such is the fame of the temple that several people

visit this abode of Lord Padmanabha daily.



The temple, considered to have its roots in the eighth century, is one

among 108 Vishnu temples in India. The deity here is in the

Ananthashayana posture  or the lying position  resting on Adisesha,

the serpent god.







Todays journey had a good split  Part 1 was the drive to Kanyakumari where one of our co-travelers would end his time with us and fly back to attend to some important matters. The 3 hour drive was not fun and passed through small towns and broken roads. We took the google route from NH17 but were very disappointed in how badly managed the renovation work is. We are all for infrastructure development and growth but it needs to be done in a structured manner which also minimizes inconvenience for the public. For tens of kms the entire NH17 was blocked and we were left to the mercy of crossing narrow, broken village roads and traffic that could have been avoided if authorities had planned the repair work in a better manner. Despite this, we remained in high spirits and reached Kanyakumari in roughly 3 hours and parked close to the jetty. Parking is INR 50 and looked pretty safe.



The way to get to the memorial is via a ferry service that charges INR 50/head for a return fare. There are 2 islands visible from the land  1 is the rock memorial and 2 is one with a statue of the famed Tamil Poet Thiruvalluvar. The statue island was closed for renovation so the ferry took us only to the rock memorial. The rock is fairly large and the waves below looking like 10-12 stories below a regular apartment building. The place had a sense of calm and the 360 degree ocean views were an incredible sight on a cloudy day. The building looks majestic and has a parikrama concept of getting in from one side and getting out the other. Looking out into the ocean, beaming at being on the southernmost tip of India, clicking photos and visiting his enlightment spot took all of 60-75 minutes and we were back in the ferry queue to return to land.



View from the ferry waiting area:





The 100+ seater ferry:





Selfie from the land:





Clicked from the island:





Posing at the southernmost tip of Indian mainland:





View from the Coast:









View of the Memorial from the south end:





Stomach was rumbling and a quick search revealed a rooftop restaurant called The Ocean as part of The Sea Coast Hotel nearby. Google photos looked exciting and we reached there after a 5 minute walk from the ferry terminal back on land. Food was very fresh and delicious and the drinks were ice cold. We bid adieu to one of our friends from here as he drove back to catch a flight back to Mumbai and the rest of the journey was with just the 2 of us.





Squids! Yum! :





The Restaurant and the Hotel:







It was almost 3 pm when we had finished lunch so we were ok to drive all the way to Rameshwaram sans a small coffee break on the way. Highways were good pretty much all the way and it was already dark when we crossed the Pamban bridge which felt pretty normal in dark. We checked in to Hotel Daiwik that had the best ratings on tripadvisor. Staff was poilte and helpful and parking space was ample. However the room left much to be desired. Similar to Keys in Trivandrum, the bathroom was falling apart and the room was just about ok. They have a vegetarian restaurant that served us excellent dinner and breakfast and I would say it was the best part of this place. Food outside looked like a hit or miss so we stuck to eating at the clean and safe environs of our hotel.



Day 6  Rameswaram temple  Dhanushkodi  Pamban Bridge  Kolli Hills - Salem







We wanted to cover Rameswaram temple in addition to Dhanushkodi. In similar style to Trivandrum, we left the hotel at 6 am for the short 7-10 minute drive to the temple. The Rameswaram temple has a host of statues and deities but the most famous part are the 22 wells that got created when Lord Rama shot the arrows in respect of Lord Shiva. These 22 wells are open to public and it is said that taking a bath/drinking their water in each of these wells is auspicious. I have to say it is the wettest temple I have ever visited! We were all for faith but taking a bath from 22 wells was not on the cards for me personally. My friend still took a small offering by the priests from each of the well but for me it was a few drops from each. We completed the 22 wells within 45 minutes or so and visited multiple parts of the huge temple asking for blessings for our families and for rest of our trip.







Bucket Parking? :







We were out around 7.30 and started our drive to Dhanushkodi which was around 20 kms from the temple. The most exciting part of the Dhanushkodi drive is the 10-12 kms of road that has the ocean on both sides. We tried to click a timelapse video but honestly only a drone can capture this beauty perfectly. The road is a delight for every driver and it felt as if you are leaving the world behind and driving into nothingness. The sea on the side of the road to Dhanushkodi was wild and the dips were very deep with moving sand. We tried our hand at a small swim but it was just too dangerous! At the end of the road we reached a roundabout that closes off access and we can park to enjoy the vistas. The ocean was similar to the views at Vivekananda Rock Memorial albeit right from sea level. It was a cloudy day with a prediction for rain and the sea was in a wild fury. We clicked some photos and enjoyed the sound of waves crashing.



Incredible landscape at Dhanushkodi





some deserted areas on the stretch:













Parked at land's end at Dhanushkodi:





..Ran out of attachments..Dhanushkodi to be contd... Day 4  Coimbatore to Jatayu Earth Center near TrivandrumThis day was much better to drive. I dont know if it was because of Sunday but despite crossing large cities like Cochin and others, we zipped passed city roads pretty quickly. Jatayu Earth centre was opened ~2013 as an art display paying respect to the mythological creature who gave up his life protecting Sita. We reached the parking area around 4 pm and had ample time to explore. The place is very well organised and has two ticket counters. First, to visit the sculpture (INR 200/per person) and the cable car (INR 250 per person). We recommend the short cable car with a great view. The car dropped us right at the base of the sculpture and it was impressive how a nealy 160/200 feet statue would have got assembled on that hilltop. It is a great photo-op place with a lovely view of the surrounding areas as well. The place has a temple dedicated to Lord Rama and even has a spot where the marks of his footsteps have been preserved. Reading up on Jatayu on marble plates around the sculpture made me just a bit more aware about how womens safety should be viewed and each one of us should probably take a leaf out of this part of the Ramayana. Paid our respects, clicked some excellent pics and started our 90 minute journey to Trivandrum. We stayed at the Keys Select by Lemon Tree and I have to say after the Radisson Coimbatore experience we were left pretty disappointed. Dingy rooms with peeling walls and overused linen, overcrowded dining area where one was either running out of food or cutlery and a terrible concierge that could not even arrange a taxi for one of our co travellers even if informed a day in advance.The first look after getting off the cable car:Customary Selfie:Pictures cant capture the magnitude:Jatayu's enormous wingspan:the legend of JatayuDay 5  Visit to Padmanabhaswamy temple, drive to Vivekananda Memorial and onwards to RameshwaramI was told by one of my co-travellers that the Padmanabhaswamy temple is the worlds richest temple and a must visit in Trivandrum. Saw that it was just 5 minutes by car!. We decided to give it an early morning visit before leaving for our next destination. To visit the Padmanabhaswamy temple, one must be dressed appropriately  Veshti and no western clothes. The Gopuram is large and one can see it from a distance. There were multiple queues for general and VIP darshan. We took the one that shortens the queue for INR 100/person. There was a hustle at the small door that takes us to the huge Padmanabha statue that shows him in a lying down state. With age and through the small doors, it was hard to make out the full structure but we could broadly make out by recalling the photo we had seen outside the temple. Took a parikrama, tried an incredible millet prasadam, paid our respects and returned for breakfast to our hotel. Here is a snippet on the importance of the Padmanabha templeTodays journey had a good split  Part 1 was the drive to Kanyakumari where one of our co-travelers would end his time with us and fly back to attend to some important matters. The 3 hour drive was not fun and passed through small towns and broken roads. We took the google route from NH17 but were very disappointed in how badly managed the renovation work is. We are all for infrastructure development and growth but it needs to be done in a structured manner which also minimizes inconvenience for the public. For tens of kms the entire NH17 was blocked and we were left to the mercy of crossing narrow, broken village roads and traffic that could have been avoided if authorities had planned the repair work in a better manner. Despite this, we remained in high spirits and reached Kanyakumari in roughly 3 hours and parked close to the jetty. Parking is INR 50 and looked pretty safe.The way to get to the memorial is via a ferry service that charges INR 50/head for a return fare. There are 2 islands visible from the land  1 is the rock memorial and 2 is one with a statue of the famed Tamil Poet Thiruvalluvar. The statue island was closed for renovation so the ferry took us only to the rock memorial. The rock is fairly large and the waves below looking like 10-12 stories below a regular apartment building. The place had a sense of calm and the 360 degree ocean views were an incredible sight on a cloudy day. The building looks majestic and has a parikrama concept of getting in from one side and getting out the other. Looking out into the ocean, beaming at being on the southernmost tip of India, clicking photos and visiting his enlightment spot took all of 60-75 minutes and we were back in the ferry queue to return to land.View from the ferry waiting area:The 100+ seater ferry:Selfie from the land:Clicked from the island:Posing at the southernmost tip of Indian mainland:View from the Coast:View of the Memorial from the south end:Stomach was rumbling and a quick search revealed a rooftop restaurant called The Ocean as part of The Sea Coast Hotel nearby. Google photos looked exciting and we reached there after a 5 minute walk from the ferry terminal back on land. Food was very fresh and delicious and the drinks were ice cold. We bid adieu to one of our friends from here as he drove back to catch a flight back to Mumbai and the rest of the journey was with just the 2 of us.Squids! Yum! :The Restaurant and the Hotel:It was almost 3 pm when we had finished lunch so we were ok to drive all the way to Rameshwaram sans a small coffee break on the way. Highways were good pretty much all the way and it was already dark when we crossed the Pamban bridge which felt pretty normal in dark. We checked in to Hotel Daiwik that had the best ratings on tripadvisor. Staff was poilte and helpful and parking space was ample. However the room left much to be desired. Similar to Keys in Trivandrum, the bathroom was falling apart and the room was just about ok. They have a vegetarian restaurant that served us excellent dinner and breakfast and I would say it was the best part of this place. Food outside looked like a hit or miss so we stuck to eating at the clean and safe environs of our hotel.Day 6  Rameswaram temple  Dhanushkodi  Pamban Bridge  Kolli Hills - SalemWe wanted to cover Rameswaram temple in addition to Dhanushkodi. In similar style to Trivandrum, we left the hotel at 6 am for the short 7-10 minute drive to the temple. The Rameswaram temple has a host of statues and deities but the most famous part are the 22 wells that got created when Lord Rama shot the arrows in respect of Lord Shiva. These 22 wells are open to public and it is said that taking a bath/drinking their water in each of these wells is auspicious. I have to say it is the wettest temple I have ever visited! We were all for faith but taking a bath from 22 wells was not on the cards for me personally. My friend still took a small offering by the priests from each of the well but for me it was a few drops from each. We completed the 22 wells within 45 minutes or so and visited multiple parts of the huge temple asking for blessings for our families and for rest of our trip.Bucket Parking? :We were out around 7.30 and started our drive to Dhanushkodi which was around 20 kms from the temple. The most exciting part of the Dhanushkodi drive is the 10-12 kms of road that has the ocean on both sides. We tried to click a timelapse video but honestly only a drone can capture this beauty perfectly. The road is a delight for every driver and it felt as if you are leaving the world behind and driving into nothingness. The sea on the side of the road to Dhanushkodi was wild and the dips were very deep with moving sand. We tried our hand at a small swim but it was just too dangerous! At the end of the road we reached a roundabout that closes off access and we can park to enjoy the vistas. The ocean was similar to the views at Vivekananda Rock Memorial albeit right from sea level. It was a cloudy day with a prediction for rain and the sea was in a wild fury. We clicked some photos and enjoyed the sound of waves crashing.Incredible landscape at Dhanushkodisome deserted areas on the stretch:Parked at land's end at Dhanushkodi:..Ran out of attachments..Dhanushkodi to be contd... Last edited by vb-san : 9th February 2023 at 07:24 . Reason: Removed a photo (and related reference) that is not aligned to Team BHP policies. Great travelogue, thank you for sharing!
What just happened? Windows 7 was initially released to manufacturing on July 22, 2009, and is no longer officially supported by Microsoft. And now, one of the most popular operating systems for PC is losing support from yet another extremely popular application - Google Chrome.

Released on February 7, Chrome 110 is the first version of the most popular web browser that won't run on Windows 7. Google is following Microsoft's lead in finally abandoning the old operating system for good, with Chrome now requiring Windows 10 at minimum. It's not the only change brought by the update but it certainly is the most outstanding one, especially for the many million of users still running the ancient OS.

Chrome 110 has been promoted to the stable channel for Windows, Mac and Linux, where the update will be rolled out over the coming days and weeks. Chrome 110 includes several changes and improvements, especially on the security front where Chromium developers fixed at least 15 security bugs ranging from a "high" (3) to "low" severity rating.

The fixed bugs were discovered in the JavaScript V8 engine, WebRTC communications, GPU utilization, and elsewhere. As usual, Google is thanking all the security researchers that worked with the company during the development cycle to make the stable release of Chrome a bit safer that before.

Chrome 110 also includes customizable network error pages and the option to use biometric authentication "on supported computers" (meaning, where biometric hardware is actually present) while managing passwords with the browser's own Password Manager. Chrome 110 is also the first version to support Nvidia's RTX Video Super Resolution, a proprietary technology to easily upscale video feeds on GeForce RTX cards.

Other changes include an automatic translation setting for selected languages, manual translation support on iOS, and a simpler process for password checks. Chrome desktop users can now get a more secure experience by enabling support for the system's Screen Lock ID method if biometric hardware isn't available.

Starting with Chrome 110, users still running Windows 7, Windows 8.x and Windows Server 2012/R2 will have three choices. They can continue to use an older version of the browser which is still compatible with the aforementioned OSes or switch to a different browser like Firefox (Mozilla developers are also debating how to phase out Windows 7 support right now.) The third choice, and likely the best one, would be to install a newer version of Windows or upgrade your PC if your current hardware doesn't support a newer OS.

Microsoft will continue to support Windows 10 until at least 2025.
TechSpot is about to celebrate its 25th anniversary. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust

What just happened? The close relationship between SpaceX and Ukraine could be strained after the company limited the country's ability to use the Starlink satellite service for offensive military purposes. The move follows reports that Ukraine has been using Starlink to control drones.

SpaceX has supplied over 25,000 Starlink terminals to Ukraine and maintained them since the war began, helping keep the nation's critical infrastructure and its citizens online as Russia continues its assault.

But Ukraine is said to have been utilizing Starlink in its offensive push against the Russian military, including using it to target enemies with drones, a violation of SpaceX policies.

Speaking at a conference in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday (via Reuters), SpaceX president and chief operating officer Gwynne Shotwell said Starlink was never meant to be weaponized.

"However, Ukrainians have leveraged it in ways that were unintentional and not part of any agreement," she said, referring to reports that Starlink had been used to control Ukraine's drones. "There are things that we can do to limit their ability to do that [controlling the drones]," she said, "There are things that we can do, and have done."

A year of  resistance & companies have to decide:

-Either they are on the side of  & the right to freedom, and don't seek ways to do harm.

-Or they are on RF's side & its "right" to kill & seize territories.#SpaceX (Starlink) & Mrs. #Shotwell should choose a specific option --- ... ' (@Podolyak_M) February 9, 2023

Shotwell never revealed what actions SpaceX had taken to stop Ukraine from using Starlink for military attacks. She emphasized that the service could be used for military communications, but it was never intended for offensive purposes.

Back in October, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said the company could not fund Starlink in Ukraine indefinitely, though other governments share the costs of equipment and maintenance. The company estimated that costs could reach almost $380 million over the following 12 months, and it wanted the US government to pay for additional terminals and ongoing service costs.

SpaceX is not asking to recoup past expenses, but also cannot fund the existing system indefinitely *and* send several thousand more terminals that have data usage up to 100X greater than typical households. This is unreasonable. --- Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 14, 2022

It was only a few days before Musk backtracked and promised that SpaceX would fund Ukraine "indefinitely," though the billionaire recently tweeted that every possible course of action it takes with Ukraine will lead to criticism, "Damned if you do, damned if you don't," he wrote.

The hell with it ... even though Starlink is still losing money & other companies are getting billions of taxpayer $, we'll just keep funding Ukraine govt for free --- Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 15, 2022

"SpaceX Starlink has become the connectivity backbone of Ukraine all the way up to the front lines. This is the damned if you do part," Musk wrote in a separate tweet. "However, we are not allowing Starlink to be used for long-range drone strikes. This is the damned if you don't part."

Russia warned last year that SpaceX satellites could become a "legitimate target." The country has attempted to jam Starlink signals in Ukraine, which Musk said has led to the company improving the security of the service's software.

Musk was previously involved in a war of words with the former head of Russian space agency Roscosmos, leading to a tweet from the Tesla boss about dying in mysterious circumstances.
TechSpot is about to celebrate its 25th anniversary. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust

A hot potato: The chatbot craze is reaching further than anyone thought. A recent study finds that 43 percent of professionals use AI tools, including ChatGPT, for work-related tasks. The majority, nearly one-third, are doing so without letting their boss know.

In a recent survey of 11,793 Fishbowl users, almost 70 percent of workers claimed they had used AI tools for work-related tasks, reflecting the increased public interest in AI assistance and automation spurred by innovations like ChatGPT. That is a massive increase from the 27 percent of professionals who confessed to using generative AI tools for work reasons in a Fishbowl study from early January.

When asked if they had informed their managers about utilizing AI tools for work, 68 percent said they had not. Participants in the study included employees from Amazon, Bank of America, Edelman, Google, IBM, JP Morgan, McKinsey, Meta, Nike, Twitter, and thousands of others.

Moreover, Fishbowl which is a social network used by professionals to share workplace stories, noted a 107-percent increase in posts and comments on its social network mentioning ChatGPT between January 2 and January 23. Respondents claim to use ChatGPT for creating various things, including cover letters, emails, and copywriting.

Interestingly, ChatGPT is designed to simulate a human conversation and can be used to provide customer service or information. Its accuracy depends on the quality of the data fed into it. The more data it has, the more accurate it becomes.

As more professionals now use AI to help with their work, education became a sector where ChatGPT would immediately become a hot-button issue. Using the core technology, it is now easy for kids to cheat on assignments and college application essays.

A new survey by online education resource Study.com reports that one out of every four K-12 teachers has caught at least one student cheating using ChatGPT. This discovery comes with the controversy that many educators submit materials for grading through the ChatGPT AI without the consent or knowledge of students and administrators.

Undoubtedly, the influence of AI will only grow in the future. Microsoft launched a brand-new version of Bing on Tuesday that integrates ChatGPT to improve the overall user experience. Likewise, Google is getting ready to launch Bard, its rival chatbot, in the upcoming weeks.
Two Albany police officers shot and killed a suicidal man Wednesday morning, Feb. 8, the department reported.

At around 9:38 a.m., officers were asked to conduct a welfare check on a suicidal man at a home in southwest Albany, according to an Albany Police Department news release. Police learned the man was armed and in his vehicle at Freeway Lakes on Three Lakes Road.

Albany police officers along with Linn County Sheriffs Office deputies attempted to make contact with the man, the news release said. The mans family members were already at the scene trying to talk to him.

A trained crisis negotiator was on the way to the scene but did not arrive until after events unfolded, according to police.

Officers and deputies tried to diffuse the situation from a distance and asked the man to drop his weapon, according to the news release. Witnesses and police saw the man, armed with a pistol, move it to his head and down to his side.

Law enforcement tried to remove the family from the scene and get them to safety. Witnesses on scene yelled, No, no, as the man pointed his weapon at officers, according to the news release.

Two APD officers fired their weapons at the man.

Officers moved to provide first aid and ensured witnesses were unharmed. The man was pronounced dead and found near his handgun, according to police.

All involved officers have been put on critical incident leave per agency policy. Officers with the Corvallis Police Department will lead the investigation with assistance from the Linn County District Attorneys Office and the Linn/Benton Major Crimes Team.

Corvallis police will issue additional information as it becomes available.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Albany Democrat-Herald.

Our deepest condolences go out to all of the families involved and the family members that had to bear witness to this tragic event, the news release said.

The national suicide and crisis lifeline is 988.

This has been the third police involved shooting in Albany since the beginning of the year.

On Jan. 2, police engaged in a car chase with a Corvallis man that ended with Oregon State Police troopers shooting the suspect under the Pacific Boulevard overpass. A probable cause affidavit in the case alleges the suspect told police he was suicidal and told his mother he was going to attempt suicide by cop. He did not sustain life-threatening injuries.

A few weeks later on Jan. 25, an Albany man shot at police in North Albany resulting in flying glass hitting and officers eye. The suspect told police he was not trying to commit suicide by cop, according to a probable cause affidavit, although he knew he was shooting at police. He surrendered and officers took him into custody.
Microsoft announced that they are currently working on an updated version of Skype dedicated to Apple Silicon Macs to take full advantage of the M1 and M2 chips. This will make the app run up to three times faster than before.

(Photo : David Ramos/Getty Images)

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 03: A skype logo is seen at the Microsoft pavilion during the second day of the Mobile World Congress 2015 at the Fira Gran Via complex on March 3, 2015 in Barcelona, Spain. The annual Mobile World Congress hosts some of the wold's largest communication companies, with many unveiling their latest phones and wearables gadgets.

Saying Goodbye to Slow Call Experiences

Three years have since Apple transitioned from Intel-based Macs to its own Apple Silicon chips. However, some applications have not been updated to utilize the M1 and M2 chips. But according to an announcement from Skype, Microsoft is developing a new update that will offer an enhanced version of the app.

9To5Mac reported that would bring MacBook users reduced less power, which will result in longer battery life. "Skype delivers faster and more reliable call connections, so you can stay connected with the people who matter most to you," the company wrote.

As of the moment, the update is now available for Skype Insider. A native client for Skype was highly requested by the community, especially Mac users. This new update would ensure seamless communication with friends and colleagues during calls for both audio and video.

Skype's newest offering is designed to provide an unparalleled experience, delivering maximum performance and reliability. M1 and M2 chips will make users' experience faster and more reliable three times faster than before.

Surpassing Skype

Thurrott reported that the first M1 Macs were previously released in the fall of 2020, and it took Microsoft and the Skype team two years to release a native version of the app. Aside from this, Microsoft Teams only rolled out native support for Macs in August last year.

Skype is slowly fading in the background as Microsoft Teams became more popular during the pandemic, used for corporate meetings and other work-related stuff. Despite revealing a significate overhaul of Skype with colorful themes and illustrations, the app was still seen as a "prosumer" app.

The redesign included new features like built-in translation during calls, which can be promising as they revamp their offerings. However, it lacks integrations with the Microsoft 365 suite that the other platform has. Microsoft Teams actually replaced Skype for Business, which was previously known as Lync, for organizations as it provides collaborative and management tools for enterprises.

Also Read: Skype US Users Can Now Contact 911 and Share Locations With Emergency Services

Skype was once hailed as the leading video call and instant messaging application on the internet ever since the early 2000s when webcams became a thing. But the platform became less popular, especially when other competitors entered the same offerings as Skype.

This includes Zoom Meetings and the integration of video calls to social media platforms and other messenger applications like Facebook's Messenger, Apple's FaceTime, and more.

Related Article: Most Impersonated Software in Malware Attacks Includes Skype, Steam, and More! Here's How To Identify Them

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Google gave the world a reinforced and better search engine with the arrival of Bard, its AI assistant that would be managing everything people would look for, but that tackles an important topic about AI-generated content in the platform.

The good news is, people and companies who push for AI-generated content may still have a chance to showcase their creations on search, despite its controversial presence.

Nonetheless, Google will only showcase the best and quality works from artificial intelligence, one which it would also filter for its results.

Google Search to Still Bring AI-Generated Content Online

(Photo : Firmbee.com from Unsplash)

Google Search AI content moderation details in new Search guidelines.

Google's Search Central confirmed that it would not be banning AI-generated content from appearing online, as there were concerns regarding these creations seeing an immediate block from the company.

In this new Search guidelines from Google, it claims that it will not downright ban or remove AI content from its web browser and results.

Although, it would undergo specific content inspection to determine if they are qualified enough to appear on searches.

The Santa Monica-based company said, "Google's ranking systems aim to reward original, high-quality content that demonstrates qualities of what we call E-E-A-T: expertise, experience, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness."

Read Also: China-based Tech Firms, Including Baidu and Alibaba, Join AI Chatbot Bandwagon

Google: Quality Only, Spam to Still be Filtered

However, it is a different story for those who use AI in creating content whose only goal is to help their websites or platforms rank on Google's Search engine, as they may be marked as spam and filtered on the results.

"Using automation-including AI-to generate content with the primary purpose of manipulating ranking in search results is a violation of our spam policies."

Google claims that it would be meticulous of what people put online, and carefully review them to give equal opportunities, regardless if it was made by humans or machines.

Google and its AI Focus

Google may not have explicitly showcased its AI creations to the world, but there still is a significant artificial intelligence presence in the company's systems. There was one Google AI that can program by itself, and it only shows the internet company's development to be in-depth and progressive in terms of deep-learning computer development.

Another system by Google centers on using artificial intelligence to help people in their job interviews, providing a tool to help them warm up before facing an actual employer. In order to avoid the "jitters" or pre-interview anxiety, Google's AI helps people face a series of questions about the common and in-depth questions that companies may ask.

AI is not a new thing for Google, and the company has been working with it for a while now, with integrations to its systems, but is only starting to debut this to the public. As what Google said, its Search would still have AI-generated content in them, but it could detect spam and those wanting to rank on its website only, and remove them accordingly.

Related Article: AI Race Between Google, Microsoft Worries Experts-Here's Why

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Google is now testing Android 14 potentially new feature, which allows users to clone apps to log in to separate accounts simultaneously if they want to.

Although a similar feature is already available on the devices of giant phone makers like Samsung, Google is reportedly now working on it too.

(Photo : Alex Wong/Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 06: Attendees visit the Google booth where a model of the Android logo is on display at CES 2023 at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 06, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Android 14 Clone App Feature

Google looks to be working on a clone apps feature for Android 14, as per a recent report by Android Authority. The renowned tech giant is reportedly testing it out after other phone makers brought it to their users.

XDA Developers notes in its report that the search giant seems to be silently developing a new feature on Android.

The news outlet disclosed that Google is testing a new feature, aptly called "cloned apps" in time for the release of Android 14.

The leaked "Cloned Apps" interface says that it should let users "create a second instance of an app." This allows them to "use two accounts at the same time."

It is worth noting that the new feature is available beneath the "Settings" app. It sits along with other app options like "Default apps" and "Screen Time."

Read Also: Google Android 14 Codename is 'Android U' or 'Upside Down Cake'

How Cloning Apps Work

And as such, it might not take long before Android starts allowing users to create a clone of an app, which should let users sign in to two accounts at once.

If you are handling multiple accounts, some apps might make it difficult for you to switch from one another. Most platforms these days allow logging in to more than a single account, but some limit it to a certain number. That is where cloning apps enter the picture.

Before cloning an app, XDA Developers note that users need to create their "clone user profile," where they would install cloned apps.

The new feature, which Google is reportedly testing out, gives users an option to delete their cloned apps in Settings. So if you decide to stick to a single account, you may ditch the second app right away.

Android 14 Better Support for Foldables

According to The Verge, Google is also testing better Android 14 support for foldable devices and other larger displays. It includes a new maximum font scaling of up to 200%.

(Photo : JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images)

A visitor looks at a Samsung Galaxy Fold smartphone at a showroom in Seoul on September 6, 2019. - Tech giant Samsung launched its hotly anticipated first foldable smartphone on September 6, months after faulty screens forced an embarrassing delay of its release.

However, it is worth noting that the search giant has yet to confirm such a new feature. So it remains to be seen if these options are actually rolling out once Android 14 debuts.

The tech giant might continue their development with significant improvements along the way. However, Google might decide to scrap them later on. So we could only tell once the renowned firm started dishing out the all-new Android 14 to its users.

Related Article: Android 14 Might Turn Phones into Webcams for Laptops, Desktops: Here's How it Works

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
An asteroid is barrelling toward the orbit of the Earth in less than a week, the US space agency, the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA), warns.

The experts at NASA have been tracking this huge asteroid. It turns out that it could potentially crash within the orbit of our home planet next year.

(Photo : Gerd Altmann from Pixabay)

NASA Warns Asteroid to Pass by Earth in Less Than a Week

As per a recent report by Daily Star, NASA classified a one-kilometer asteroid as a near-Earth object.

The massive space rock, known as 199145 (2005 YY128), is reportedly possibly crashing into the orbit of our home planet.

Daily Star notes in its report that the said asteroid is expected to barrel toward Earth on February 16. It will be roughly 2.8 million miles away from our home planet.

The news outlet notes that NASA has yet to confirm if the space rock could potentially crash into the orbit of the Earth. On top of that, the space agency kept mum if it would leave any damage.

How Big is the Asteroid?

(Photo : Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Las Vegas Astronomical Society vice president of special events Keith Caceres uses computer software connected to his telescope to locate asteroid 2014 JO25 outside the Planetarium at the College of Southern Nevada on April 19, 2017 in North Las Vegas, Nevada.

Despite that, NASA observes that the asteroid is about 1 kilometer wide, estimated at 1,870 to 4,265 feet.

And as such, the Daily Star highlights that it is wider than the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in the United States.

It is worth noting that NASA notes that asteroids that are not bigger than 82 feet typically burn up before they get into the atmosphere of the Earth. It is due to their small size.

However, the asteroid, which would potentially pass by Earth, is way bigger than 82 feet.

Read Also: Saving the Earth from Asteroids: Dust Particles from Itokawa bring Data Crucial for the Planet

Recent Asteroid with Earth Close Encounter

The new asteroid potentially barrelling towards our home planet after Valentine's day comes less than a month after another space rock had a close encounter with Earth.

(Photo : JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

A television at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, captures the final images from the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) just before it smashes into the asteroid Dimorphos on September 26, 2022

News.com Australia reports that the recent space object is sized around 11.5 to 28 feet. That said, the incoming asteroid is significantly larger than the previous one.

The previous asteroid is only as huge as the largest African elephant, or somewhat the size of a box truck.

It had its close encounter with the Earth on January 27, and it only passed by without leaving any damage to our home planet.

It is worth noting that the potential of asteroids hitting our home planet is extremely low. Not to mention that the experts at NASA are closely monitoring close encounters such as this.

Related Article: This Neal.Fun Website Simulates an Asteroid Impact; This Simulator Shows What Happens After An Asteroid Crash Into A Town

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Many consumers are discouraged from buying a Huawei smartphone due to the restrictions imposed by US government regulations. Unable to use Google services such as Maps, Lens, and other crucial apps, people have been forced to devise creative ways of circumventing these regulations.

The Impact of President Trump's Veto on Huawei and the Emergence of GBox

One such example is the GBox app, designed to give people access to the services of the Internet giant, as reported in the story by Giz China. It started in 2019 when President Donald Trump vetoed Huawei, as explained in an article by Politico, meaning it could not use the Android operating system, Google's ecosystem apps, and 5G-compatible Snapdragon processors.

This was a big hit to the Chinese company and has led them to hunt for alternatives. Whilst Huawei does offer some services of its own in the form of EMUI, it falls short compared to Google's offering.

The GBox Application: Allowing Huawei Customers to Have the Best of Both Worlds

Despite the obstacles, users worldwide have been able to find a way to access the same services that were available to them before the ban. This is largely thanks to the GBox application, as explained by Huawei, a handy little solution that has made all the difference.

It is a sobering reminder of the impact of US government regulations on companies and consumers. In this case, Huawei customers had the difficult decision of sacrificing access to Google services or simply not buying the phone. Fortunately, the emergence of GBox has made it possible for them to have the best of both worlds.

Gaining Access to Google Services With GBox - A Solution to Bypass US Restrictions

The US government's ban against Huawei has proved to be a considerable blow for the Chinese tech giant. Despite the difficulties, Huawei's customers have been able to indirectly access Google services with a newly developed app called GBox.

Due to US government restrictions, users of Huawei smartphones typically cannot access Google services such as Maps, Lens, and other crucial apps. However, the GBox app offers a solution for circumventing these restrictions and gaining access to the Google ecosystem.

An Innovative Solution: GBox to Bypass Google's Services on Huawei Devices

Huawei's own EMUI apps do not come close to the convenience and capability provided by Google. Therefore, they have been searching for alternatives to Google's services, and GBox has emerged at the top of the list.

GBox acts as a bridge between Google's services and Huawei devices, allowing users to access the services without violating US government laws. It also bypasses the need to root or modify default settings on the device.

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Download Any Android App with GBox App and Google Play Store

The first step to getting Google apps is to launch the GBox app on the users' Huawei phones. After that, they will need to select the Google Play Store. Then, users can make an account or sign in to their existing one.

Once they are all registered and logged in, the fun really begins! Users can now download any Android app they want, create a shortcut for it, and use it similarly to apps offered by Google Play.

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 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Elon Musk reacted to the all-new Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra in his recent tweet.

The South Korean phone maker recently introduced its Galaxy S23 lineup, which includes the Plus and Ultra options.

(Photo : ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images)

Tesla CEO Elon Musk uses his mobile device as he sits in the car arriving to the construction site for the new plant, the so-called "Giga Factory", of US electric carmaker Tesla in Gruenheide near Berlin, northeastern Germany.

And now, the CEO of tech giants like Tesla, Twitter, and SpaceX, commented on the zoom camera feature of the Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Elon Musk Reacts to Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

The billionaire entrepreneur, Musk, is fond of sharing his thoughts on Twitter even before he took over the giant social media platform.

He shares his reactions to various topics on his official Twitter account. But this time, he used his favorite social network, which he now owns, to react to the latest Android mobile device of Samsung.

As per a recent report by Sam Mobile, the tech reviewer Marques Brownlee, also known as MKBHD, showcased the impressive zooming capabilities of the Galaxy S23 Ultra on Twitter.

Brownlee highlighted how the Android phone easily took a photo of the zoom thanks to its 100x zoom support.

The tech YouTuber tweeted, saying that "the Galaxy S23 Ultra is the phone" for those who want to take 100x zoom images of the moon.

And it looks like this impressed no less than the founder of SpaceX, Musk.

The Chief Twit responded to the post of MKBHD, blurting out a straightforward "wow" remark.

Sam Mobile notes in its story that the official Twitter account of Samsung Mobile US could not help but respond to the big boss of SpaceX.

The phone maker replied, "I know, right?!" to the reaction of the tech entrepreneur.

GizmoChina says that Musk seems pleased with the zooming capabilities of the high-end Samsung flagship.

Wow  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 7, 2023

Read Also: Tesla: Samsung To Produce Hardware 4 Computer for Cybertruck; Will Also Utilize 7nm Processing Tech for New FSD Computer

Galaxy S23 Ultra Camera

Android Authority reports that the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra features a primary shooter that goes as high as a staggering 200 megapixels.

It is a significant upgrade from the previous Ultra snappers since 2019, which only supports up to 108 megapixels.

(Photo : Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Samsung)

ANAHEIM, CA - JUNE 23: VidCon attendees take a selfie with a Samsung Galaxy S7 at the Samsung Experience At VidCon 2016 on June 23, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.

On top of that, the Galaxy S23 Ultra features 100x Space Zoom, which uses its two 10-megapixel telephoto sensors. One of which flaunts a 230mm periscope capability.

The first one offers up to 10x optical zoom, whereas the other sensor only comes with 3x optical zoom. But with these two combined, Samsung touts that it could take 100x zoom photos and videos.

Related Article: Elon Musk Locks his Twitter Account to Test Viral Hack to Gain More Visibility-Gets Mocked by Users

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Coincover's million-dollar funding is expected to help the digital asset protection company to prevent crypto hacks and human errors.

(Photo : Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

A visual representation of the digital Cryptocurrency, Bitcoin alongside US Dollars on December 07, 2017 in London, England. Cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Lightcoin have seen unprecedented growth in 2017, despite remaining extremely volatile.

Thanks to this, Coincover has over $41.6 million from its investors to date.

The U.K.-based company was founded back in 2018 and launched in 2019. It was able to attract big investors, such as SMT Digital, Valor Equity Partners, Fintech Collective, etc.

Now, Coincover was able to raise over $30 million. The funding was led by the Foundation Capital.

Coincover's Billion-Dollar Funding to Help Secure Digital Assets

According to Tech Crunch's latest report, the new million-dollar would be used to prevent human errors and cybersecurity hacks.

(Photo : Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images)

In this photo illustration of the litecoin, ripple and ethereum cryptocurrency 'altcoins' sit arranged for a photograph on April 25, 2018 in London, England. Cryptocurrency markets began to recover this month following a massive crash during the first quarter of 2018, seeing more than $550 billion wiped from the total market capitalisation.

Also Read: FBI Gives Update on Horizon Bridge Crypto Theft; North Korea-Backed Lazarus Group, APT38 Behind It?

"We made this investment not in spite of the tumultuous year in crypto, but precisely because of it," said Foundation Capital General Partner Charles Moldow. He added that fear of loss/theft of assets is one of the most significant limitations to digital asset adoption.

Coincover is expected to use the additional $30 million to recruit talent, add partnerships, and update products to prevent crypto hacks.

Coincover CEO David Janczewski said that they have seen rising demand for their product because the crypto industry already reached its inflection point.

Rising Crypto Theft

On Feb. 1, Chainalysis released a report about the rising crypto theft. The agency confirmed that 2022 is the biggest year for crypto hacking since the stolen digital assets reached over $3 billion.

Chainalysis added that most of the stolen cryptocurrencies were acquired by North Korea-linked hackers.

DeFi protocols also covered a large part of the stolen $3 billion digital assets.

"DeFi protocols by far the biggest victims of cryptocurrency hacks," said the American blockchain analysis firm.

Because of this, Chainalysis decided to provide some tips on how to make DeFi protocols safer from crypto hackers.

To learn more about the Chainalysis report, you can click this link.

In other news, Coinbase Global decided to leave Japan, saying that customers have until Feb. 16 to pull out their digital assets.

The U.S.-based crypto exchange Kraken also decided to halt its business operations in Japan.

For more news updates about cryptocurrencies and other business tech stories, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: Coinbase's Former Manager Admits to Crypto Insider Trading Charges-Scheme Generated $1.5M

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
SpaceX has taken measures to prevent the Ukrainian military in Kyiv from utilizing its Starlink network access to operate drones equipped with weapons.

Amid the War

Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year resulted in the widespread destruction of the country's critical infrastructure. SpaceX offered aid by shipping many Starlink dishes connected to the company's satellites in low Earth orbit to restore online services for government institutions, hospitals, banks, and others.

However, as reported by Digital Trends, the Ukrainian military has been using drones to target the enemy. It is also said that the group is close to completing the development of an attack drone with a range of 600 miles (1,000 kilometers) and a payload capacity of 165 pounds (75 kilograms).

At a presentation in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, Feb. 8, SpaceX president and chief operating officer Gwynne Shotwell stated that the company's Starlink internet technology never intended to be weaponized. Nevertheless, the Ukrainian military may utilize it for communications.

She made mention of allegations that Ukraine was using Starlink to pilot drones, and she emphasized that the technology had been donated for humanitarian purposes.

According to a quote from Shotwell given to Reuters, the Ukrainians' use of the firm's tech was in ways that were unintended and not part of any arrangement.

The official from SpaceX said that the firm had made efforts to restrict the military's offensive use of Starlink, though she did not elaborate.

According to a BBC report, Ukraine has relied heavily on unmanned aircraft throughout the conflict. The military is using them to conduct reconnaissance, drop bombs, and retaliate against Russia's own drone operations.

Read Also: Ukraine is Now in Fast-Track Talks with Allies for Long-Range Missiles and Other Weapons Supply

Boss' Viewpoint

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk predicted back at the end of January that he would be condemned no matter what the company does with the Starlink technology in Ukraine.

He quoted the saying, "Damned if you do, damned if you don't."

Musk tweeted, "Starlink has become the connectivity backbone of Ukraine all the way up to the front lines... However, we are not allowing Starlink to be used for long-range drone strikes."

Musk claims that Russian attempts to block Starlink communications in Ukraine have prompted SpaceX to develop more robust software.

Some of the Starlink terminals shipped to Ukraine have been provided at no cost, thanks to SpaceX, while more terminals have been sent by the US and other countries as part of their assistance efforts.

In October, Musk gave the impression that he would no longer be able to sponsor Starlink in Ukraine, but he quickly changed his mind.

SpaceX Starlink has become the connectivity backbone of Ukraine all the way up to the front lines. This is the damned if you do part.



However, we are not allowing Starlink to be used for long-range drone strikes. This is the damned if you dont part.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 31, 2023

Read Also: Next-Gen Starlink Satellite Dishes To Be Tested; Up to 200 Models Allowed by FCC

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Twitter is back online in Turkey after it was blocked by the Turkish government on Wednesday, Feb. 8.

(Photo : Photo by LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP via Getty Images)

This photograph taken on October 26, 2020 shows the logo of US social network Twitter displayed on the screen of a smartphone and a tablet in Toulouse, southern France.

The social media platform was banned in the country after strong earthquakes happened on Monday, Feb. 6.

Turkish officials explained that Twitter was blocked so that disinformation during the natural disaster could be prevented.

Twitter Back Online in Turkey

According to CNBC's latest report, Twitter's network data was spotted by NetBlocks.

 Confirmed: Real-time network data show Twitter has been restricted in #Turkey; the filtering is applied on major internet providers and comes as the public come to rely on the service in the aftermath of a series of deadly earthquakes



 Report: https://t.co/CEbfgeBpvz pic.twitter.com/3884wMpYD2  NetBlocks (@netblocks) February 8, 2023

The cybersecurity watchdog revealed that the social media platform has been restored after a few hours of filtering.

(Photo : Photo by Bethany Clarke/Getty Images)

In this photo illustration, The Twitter logo is displayed on a mobile device as the company announced it's initial public offering and debut on the New York Stock Exchange on November 7, 2013 in London, England. Twitter went public on the NYSE opening at USD 26 per share, valuing the company's worth at an estimated USD 18 billion.

Also Read: Twitter Draws Ire of EU Officials for Failure To Provide Full Misinformation Report

After Twitter was restored, Omer Fatih Sayan, Turkey's deputy transportation and infrastructure said that they held a video conference with the social media company.

They talked with Twitter Turkey Director of Public Policy Ronan Costello and Twitter Head of Global Government Relations John Hughes.

Twitter Kuresel Hukumet Iliskileri Baskan John Hughes ve Twitter Turkiyeden Sorumlu Kamu Politikalar Direktoru Ronan Costello ile videokonferans ile bir toplant gerceklestirdik.



Bu ykc afet surecinde, Twittern ulkemize sorumluluklarn hatrlattk.  Dr. OMER FATIH SAYAN (@ofatihsayan) February 8, 2023

"We reminded the responsibilities of Twitter to our country during this devastating disaster," said the Turkish official via his Twitter post.

Twitter's Blockage in Turkey

Before Twitter's access was blocked in Turkey, numerous individuals were identified spreading misinformation.

The Turkish government said that they detained around 12 people on Monday, Feb. 6 after they posted content criticizing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The posts were mainly about how the leader and its officials failed to handle the disaster in their country.

The 7.8-magnitude earthquake took the lives of over 11,000 residents in southeastern Turkey, as well as in some parts of Syria.

Because of this, many Turkish residents blamed the lack of rescue and search efforts in their provinces.

When Twitter was temporarily blocked, many users decided to use VPNs so that they can still access the social media website.

Proton, a leading VPN provider in Turkey, announced that its signups increased by 30,000% during the Twitter blockage.

Other stories we recently wrote about Twitter:

Twitter client developers decided to move to the social media company's rival, Mastodon.

We also reported that Elon Musk's new Twitter plan aims to rival payment services, including PayPal.

For more news updates about Twitter and other social media platforms, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: Twitter Down: Users Claim Outage is Related to Character Count, Over the Limit Despite Not Exceeding

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Gov. Tina Kotek is seeking the ouster and investigation of top leaders of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission due to what she says in letter to commissioners is a pattern of abuse of power for personal gain.

OLCC is the regulatory agency for sale of alcohol and marijuana. It recorded $839 million in liquor sales from its 284 state-licensed stores, which have a near-monopoly on the sale of distilled spirits in Oregon. Agency revenues returned to the state, counties and cities were $316 million last year.

Kotek last week demanded the resignation of OLCC Director Steven Marks, who had held the position since 2013. He was previously the chief of staff of Gov. John Kitzhaber.

Oregon Capital Bureau columnist Dick Hughes had requested a copy of Marks resignation letter from Koteks office. Kotek communications director Elisabeth Shepard confirmed Wednesday that Marks has resigned. However, Marks letter of resignation was sent to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, which has direct authority over the agency and its management.

Shepard responded Wednesday by sending a copy of Koteks letter to the OLCC commissioners. OLCC did not issue any response. The commission is scheduled to meet on Feb. 15.

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After requesting the head of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commissions (OLCC) resignation, my administration became aware that leaders within this agency, including the director himself, abused their position for personal gain per their own admission in an internal investigation, Kotek wrote to the commissioners. This behavior is wholly unacceptable. I will not tolerate wrongful violations of our government ethics laws.

Kotek called on commissioners to remove unspecified other managers and leaders from their positions who have taken advantage of their access and authority to benefit themselves.

Kotek is in Washington, D.C. for the National Governors Conference and had no further comment Wednesday.

In her letter, Kotek also said she was referring the matter to Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum.

I have asked the Attorney General to conduct an independent civil investigation to look into the extent of any wrongdoing and recommend stronger protocols for ensuring ethics laws are followed by OLCC, Kotek wrote.

Kotek, who succeeded Kate Brown as governor on Feb. 9, said her office would seek changes in OLCC policies.

After the Oregon Capital Bureau reported the Kotek letter, The Oregonian newspaper posted an investigation alleging Marks and other top OLCC managers would order expensive bottles of liquor be set aside for their personal use.

Willamette Week first reported Koteks demand that Marks resign.

The Oregonian reported there was a longstanding practice within the agency of reserving bottles of the popular bourbon, Pappy Van Winkle, for multiple employees, including the recently ousted executive director, Steve Marks, and his second-in-command, Will Higlin.

Four other managers were named in the investigation as having requested bottles be set aside for them: Bill Schuette, the budget manager; Chris Mayton, the director of the distilled spirits program; Boba Subasic, the chief information officer; and Kai Nakashima, director of the office of information services. All were reprimanded, but have retained their jobs. The Oregonian said all declined further comment on Koteks letter.

A state report disclosed by The Oregonian showed that Marks asked for 23-year-old Pappy Van Winkle bourbon be set aside for him. Pappy Van Winkle is aged bourbon whiskey from a Kentucky distiller that dates back to 1935. Its distilled and bottled by the Sazerac Company at its Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky.

The oldest and most sought after vintage of the Pappy Van Winkle lineup, Pappy Van Winkle 23 year old, is the whiskey that all others are measured against. The bourbon boasts huge notes of dry, tannic oak, worn leather, and dark cocoa, says a description from The Rare Whiskey Shop, an online specialty shop.

A December 2022 lottery had just five bottles of the bourbon available in Oregon  drawing 20,748 entrants. Winners had a 1-in-4,500 chance to buy the bourbon, which sold in state liquor stores for just under $330.

The Rare Whiskey Shop sells a bottle of the same bourbon for $5,599.99.

Kotek said she would work to reform OLCC policies in the future.

My office will work in coordination with the Department of Administrative Services to establish stronger processes and systems around investigations into possible violations when involving agency leadership, the governor wrote.

Kotek ended the letter by saying the alleged problems at the top of OLCC shouldnt reflect on all agency workers.

This investigation should not undermine the great work that the staff of OLCC performs every day, Kotek wrote. Despite the disappointing actions of a few, the vast majority of public servants within OLCC serve Oregonians with integrity and dedication.
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Built by Hubei Zhongxin Kaiwei Modern Animal Husbandry, a cement manufacturer turned pig breeder, the Ezhou farm stands like a monument to Chinas ambition to modernise pork production. Chinas current pig breeding is still decades behind the most advanced nations, said Zhuge Wenda, the companys president. This provides us with room for improvement to catch up. The farm is next to the companys cement factory, in a region of the country known as the Land of Fish and Rice for its importance to Chinese cuisine with its fertile farmlands and surrounding bodies of water. The 26-storey building on the outskirts of Ezhou, China is being hailed as the worlds biggest free-standing pig farm with a second identical hog high-rise opening soon. Credit: Gilles Sabrie/The New York Times A pig farm in name, the operation is actually more like a Foxconn factory for pigs with the precision required of an iPhone production line. Even pig faeces is measured, collected and repurposed. Roughly one-quarter of the feed will come out as dry excrement that can be repurposed as methane to generate electricity.

Six decades after a famine killed tens of millions of its people, China still trails most of the developed world when it comes to efficient food production. China is the biggest importer of agricultural goods, including more than half of the worlds soybeans, mostly for animal feed. It has about 10 per cent of the planets arable land for around 20 per cent of the global population. Its crops cost more to produce and its farmlands yield less corn, wheat and soybean per acre than other major economies. Loading The shortcomings became more pronounced in the last few years when trade disputes with the United States, pandemic-related supply disruptions and the war in Ukraine underscored Chinas potential food security risk. In a December policy address, Xi Jinping, Chinas leader, called agricultural self-reliance a priority. A country must strengthen its agriculture before making itself a great power, and only a robust agriculture can make the country strong, Xi said. In the past, he has warned that China would fall under others control if we dont hold our rice bowl steady. And no protein is more important for the Chinese rice bowl than pork. The State Council, Chinas Cabinet, issued a decree in 2019 stating that all government departments needed to support the pork industry, including financial aid for more large-scale pig farms. In the same year, Beijing also said that it would approve multistory farming, which allowed pig farming to go vertical to raise more hogs on relatively smaller parcels of land.

This is a milestone and not only for China, because I think multistory farms will have an impact on the world, said Yu Ping, executive director of Yus Design Institute, a company that designs pig farms. As China has modernised with hundreds of millions of people moving from the countryside to urban centres, small backyard farms have disappeared. The total number of pig farms in China producing fewer than 500 hogs a year has plunged 75 per cent since 2007, to around 21 million in 2020, according to an industry report. US hog farmers look at the pictures of those farms in China, and they just scratch their heads and say, We would never dare do that. Its just too risky. Brett Stuart, founder of market research firm Global AgriTrends The shift toward mega-farms accelerated in 2018 when African swine fever ravaged Chinas pork industry and wiped out, by some estimates, 40 per cent of its pig population. Brett Stuart, founder of Global AgriTrends, a market research firm, said hog towers and other giant pig farms exacerbate the biggest risk facing Chinas pork industry: disease. Raising so many pigs together in a single facility makes it harder to prevent contamination. He said large U.S. pork producers spread out their farms to reduce biosecurity risk.

US hog farmers look at the pictures of those farms in China, and they just scratch their heads and say, We would never dare do that, said Stuart. Its just too risky. But when pork prices tripled in a year, coupled with Beijings support of large-scale pig farms, the rewards appeared to outweigh the risk. A building boom ensued, and a market constrained by supply became overwhelmed with available pigs. Pork prices are down roughly 60 per cent from 2019 highs. Chinas pork industry is marked by volatility, riding boom-or-bust cycles that spin off huge profits or losses depending on the wild price swings. Loading In rural villages, where backyard farms once dotted the countryside, mega-farms are sprouting up. Three years ago, as property and infrastructure sectors started to slump, Hubei Zhongxin Kaiwei decided to use a neighbouring plot of land and apply its construction expertise to branch out into a business with better growth prospects. It invested $US600 million ($866 million) to build the high-rise pig farms with an additional $US900 million earmarked for a nearby meat processing plant. Its background in cement is useful in pig farming, the company said. Using its existing employees, it built a land-saving high-rise with reinforced concrete. It is using excess heat from the cement factory to provide hot baths and warm drinking water to the pigs. This, according to Hubei Zhongxin Kaiwei, will help the pigs grow faster with less feed.
With big-name releases like Joel Kim Boosters Fire Island and Billy Eichners Bros, 2022 was widely celebrated as the year of the gay rom com. But after watching the latter film just two months before the release of his own gay love story Spoiler Alert, English actor Ben Aldridge admits he had a knot in [his] stomach.

I enjoyed it, he says. I laughed a lot. But Bros was really scrutinised by the industry and a lot of the [LGBTQ] community too. I sat there and just felt like were next out of the gate.

Jim Parsons (left) and Ben Aldridge (right) star in Spoiler Alert, a new romantic drama based on a true story. Credit: Giovanni Rufino/Focus Features via AP

Spoiler Alert, which has just hit Australian cinemas, is a very different film to Bros.

Instead of eliciting big laughs about Grindr and group sex, its more likely to make you cry. Eichners film had an aggressive marketing campaign as the first gay romcom by a major film studio  a sell that some queer audiences felt erased previous titles, and ultimately didnt drive ticket sales, despite good reviews. Spoiler Alert is instead eager to position itself as a universal story.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Dame Hermione Lee has built a formidable reputation writing biographies of great women writers, including Elizabeth Bowen, Virginia Woolf, Edith Wharton and Penelope Fitzgerald. For her, biography is both autopsy and portrait  dissecting the author to offer the most precise possible story of a life, yet also giving life back to the subject, putting warmth and colour and feeling into the likeness. She describes her subjects to date as safely dead  and therefore not able to answer back. So what happens when asked to write a biography of someone very much alive  Sir Tom Stoppard, arguably Britains most acclaimed living playwright? Theatregoers have seen his work on-stage for more than half a century, from the breakthrough Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1966, to his current New York triumph, Leopoldstadt. Alongside his successful plays Stoppard has written a novel and numerous stage and screen adaptions, including the Academy Award-winning Shakespeare in Love. Later in life Stoppard has become known also for an extraordinary life story  a Jewish family that left Czechoslovakia ahead of the Nazis, found brief sanctuary in Singapore before the Japanese arrived, and then suffered separation, the death of the father, and an unexpected chance for a new life in Britain. Dame Hermiones biography of Stoppard, published in 2020, has been called rigorous and affectionate. The portrait is perhaps best captured in a quote from fellow playwright Simon Gray. It is actually one of Toms achievements, Gray says, that one envies him nothing, except perhaps his looks, his talents, his money and his luck. Playwright Tom Stoppard in 1967. Credit:Getty Images On brief leave in London, on a grey winter afternoon in Notting Hill, I caught up with Dame Hermione and Sir Tom to talk about the biography. A film crew hovered nearby, capturing the conversation for the forthcoming Adelaide Writers Festival. Dame Hermione recalled an assignment that began in 2014, when she and Sir Tom agreed to co-operate on an authorised life.

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Well, I was a very guarded person  and still am, he says, and was quite guarded about having a biographer. But one or two biographers had, as it were, threatened and I knew Hermione ... I thought, well, Im going to have my life written. Id much rather it were written by her. Yet his caution remained for some time. Sir Tom did not immediately reveal the journals he kept at various points in his life  and an extraordinary cache of letters written to Marta Beckova, his mother. My mother had kept a lot of letters from me, Sir Tom recalls. I was a dutiful letter-writing son from boarding school onwards. First of all, I just thought my reputation would never survive my schoolchild letters. But finally I just stopped caring and I asked my secretary  to read them and say, is there anything in here that matters? And she got part of the way in before I decided, to hell with it. Clockwise from top left: Gary Oldman and Tim Roth in the film version of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead; Hugo Weaving and Linda Cropper in a local production of Arcadia; Joseph Fiennes and Gwyneth Paltrow in Shakespeare in Love; Judith McGrath and Julie Forsyth in After Magritte. Credit: Dame Hermione says: For a biographer to have this kind of look at this kind of access is quite extraordinary. Sir Tom had started writing weekly from 1948 and finished in 1996, the year Marta died. Of course, youre not telling her everything because shes your mother, he notes. But you clearly wanted her to feel she knew what you do. The biography took six years to write. Dame Hermione, a distinguished literary scholar, traced the work and its interaction with the life, from the early comedy success to plays engaging with the fate of artists in the Eastern Bloc such as Rock n Roll, infidelity among the theatrical class in The Real Thing, and plays of ideas  around chaos theory in Arcadia and consciousness in The Hard Problem.

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Then, late in his career, several long and ambitious works  The Invention of Love in 1997, about the classicist and poet A.E. Housman, the 2002 trilogy The Coast of Utopia about Russian revolutionaries in the 19th century, and Leopoldstadt, his 2020 examination of a Jewish family and the Holocaust. Sadly, none of these later works have been staged in Australia. Logistics conspire against local productions. Leopoldstadt requires 41 actors, a large stage, and a director and cast able to convey simultaneously multiple overlapping generations, from the intellectual ferment of late 19th century Vienna to the horrors of the Nazi era. The play is a remarkable late work  the author was approaching 84 when it debuted. It has proved an extraordinary hit in New York, with long waiting lists for tickets and numerous accolades, including several Olivier Awards. Brandon Uranowitz, Aaron Shuf and David Krumholtz in the Broadway production of Leopoldstadt. Credit:Joan Marcus At the heart of critical discussion has been speculation about the young boy who walks on stage in the closing minutes, set in 1955. This character was whisked away from danger just before the Nazis seized Austria, and returns remade as a smug English patriot, seemly oblivious to the loss of his wider family. Amid the wreckage of the Holocaust, he is told that remembering matters  if you live without history, you throw no shadow. Is this Sir Tom writing about himself, the boy who only learnt later in life the full fate of his extended family? Dame Hermione sat in on preparations for Leopoldstadt, and as she watched the play take shape she realised there was something deeply autobiographical about the moment. Sir Tom denied it when asked.

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No, its about a Viennese mathematician, for Gods sake, he told her. But she was not fooled. When the cast reached the end of the first full run-through, there was not a dry eye in the rehearsal room, she recalls. And the author asked the cast is it alright for me to cry at my own play? Loading Sir Tom is clearly moved as he recalls the moment. Did I say that? he asks, already knowing the moment. We close with a quote from the legendary producer  and Sir Toms close friend  Mike Nicols, who describes Stoppard as that most rare creature: a writer who is happy. Sir Tom smiles at the memory. Its a nice thing to have said about one. But I honestly think Ive had my fair or unfair share of miserable times and anxieties. He suggests that everyone is a combination of a very happy person and a very anxious person. We are all a bit of both. Dame Hermione interviewed many of Sir Toms friends and colleagues for the biography and says a number identified with him because they felt a kind of darkness, or sorrow, in his character.

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Youve got to hand it to 30 Rocks fictional NBC executive Jack Donaghy (played with such pomp by Alec Baldwin) for having the foresight to see where reality TV was headed before the rest of us.

In the second season of the hit comedy, Donaghy successfully green-lights a ridiculous reality show called MILF Island. The premise is best summed up by its tagline: 25 Super-Hot Moms. 50 Eighth Grade Boys. No Rules.

Not quite right? MILF Manor is attracting all sorts of attention. Credit: TLC

For the uninitiated, MILF is an acronym typically used to describe a sexually attractive older woman who has children, in other words a mum Id like to f---. It has been bandied around since the late 1990s, but properly entered the lexicon in 1999 when the character of Stiflers Mum (played by a pre-White Lotus Jennifer Coolidge) was labelled a MILF in the film American Pie.

MILF Island was supposed to be a comment on the downfall of reality TV, an exaggeration of just how erotically charged and experimentally weird the genre had become. But in 2023, the MILFs have made it off the fictional island and into a real house thanks to MILF Manor, a very real reality series currently screening on the US cable network TLC (sadly, the show is not yet available in Australia).
Breaking pubs and clubs reliance on poker machine revenue in favour of live music would take more than a one-off payment, the states peak music body says.

MusicNSW managing director Emily Collins urged the government to harness the live music and performance industries in helping pub and club operators decrease their reliance on pokies revenue, arguing running a live music venue would require many to develop an entirely new skill set.

MusicNSW managing director Emily Collins says: Many venues arent putting on live music not because they dont want to, but because they dont know how. Its a whole different skill base.

Its very different to just putting something in a corner and expecting people to show up, Collins said.

Premier Dominic Perrottet this week announced the NSW Coalitions $344 million gambling reform plan, which would remove cash from all poker machines by December 31, 2028.
Both measures have their shortcomings. The former is a forecast, and the latter is eight months old. Is NSWs hospital system in crisis, or is it the best in the country? Can you see the sleight of hand here? Both claims can be true, but both leaders got a few key facts wrong. Minns pummelled Perrottet over the state of NSWs hospitals. Weve got 100,000 people on the elective surgery waiting list including 4000 children.

We know that one in 10 people in NSW Emergency Departments [EDs] waits longer than 24 hours in an ED, the Labor leader said.

Perrottet countered: If you look at our emergency departments, they are the best in the country. We have the strongest health system anywhere in the country we saw during the pandemic  We had the lowest wait times are more and more patients were seen in terms of the elective surgery backlog. The premier blamed the crisis hitting general practice for the pressures on the states emergency departments. Staff at Concord Repatriation Hospital work on a patient brought in through the emergency department. Credit: James Brickwood The issue is actually people across NSW and across the country not being able to see their GP. That is a national challenge that were dealing with right now, Perrottet said. Minns elective surgery and wait times claims stack up. We dont know how many people are on the elective surgery wait list today, but according to the most recent NSW hospital performance data from the Bureau of Health Information (BHI), almost 99,985 were on elective surgery waiting lists at the end of September 2022, including 3898 children.

Some 18,000 of these patients had been waiting longer for their surgeries than clinically recommended guidelines. Loading Its also true that patients are facing long ED wait times, even as fewer people turn up to hospital EDs compared with the same quarter in 2021 and pre-pandemic levels, the BHI data shows. But Minns claim that one in 10 patients in NSW emergency departments waits longer than 24 hours in an ED is off the mark. One in 10 patients who were treated and admitted  that is, their treatment started while they were in ED  spent longer than 22 hours and 5 minutes in the ED, which was the longest of any quarter since BHI began reporting in 2010.

But this figure does not include the patients who were treated and discharged, transferred to another hospital or left without being treated. Overall, the median time spent in EDs was 3 hours and 33 minutes, and one in 10 patients was still there 11 hours and 4 minutes after arriving. Now to Perrottets GP claims. If the premier was suggesting that people with minor health problems are clogging up emergency departments because they cant get a GP appointment that day, the data doesnt back him up. Opposition Leader Chris Minns and Premier Dominic Perrottet before the election debate at 2GB on Thursday. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer People arriving at emergency departments are increasingly more acutely unwell and suffering from multiple and complex conditions requiring urgent hospital care. Patients in the highest, most urgent triage categories account for the bulk of emergency department presentations and their numbers are rising.

Meanwhile, the latest BHI data from August to September 2021 shows the number of patients in non-urgent category  with ailments that could be treated in general practice  was the lowest it has been since reporting began a decade ago. But the premier is right to highlight the cause-and-effect of a lack of access to primary care in the community which could prevent patients needing to be admitted to hospital down the track. As Dr Clare Skinner, president of the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine says, the crisis facing emergency departments is the result of decades of underfunding and under-resourcing primary care. Were seeing people with chronic and complex illnesses who have deteriorated to the point where they need a hospital admission because they havent been able, or cant afford, to access that care in the community, she said. Comparing NSW hospitals performance with other Australian states and territories is a much more favourable dataset for the premier.

It is true that NSWs emergency department wait times were the lowest in the country during COVID-19 and more patients were seen on time in NSW EDs than in any other state or territory, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfares ED performance report for 2021-2022. Loading This was no mean feat. NSWs emergency departments had more than 3 million presentations in 2021-22, a massive patient load compared to Queenslands 1.87 million and Victorias 1.86 million. AIHW data also confirmed Perrottets claim that NSW performed more elective surgeries than any other jurisdiction (182,808 in 2021-22). But NSW was not the best elective surgery performer, coming second to Queensland regarding the proportion of patients who got their surgery within clinically recommended timeframes (82.7 per cent versus 84.5 per cent respectively).

Are burnt-out healthcare workers leaving NSW hospitals in droves? Minns accused Perrottet of failing to listen to frontline healthcare workers amid a deepening hospital workforce crisis. Thirty resignations from the emergency department from nurses at Blacktown [and] 30 resignations at Westmead, the opposition leader said. That figure  60 nurse resignations across two hospital EDs in western Sydney  comes from members of the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association (NSWNMA) who kept a running tally of their colleagues resignations. On Thursday, a spokeswoman for the association said 27 ED nurses had resigned from Blacktown in the past 12 months, and 35 at Westmead ED between January and November 2022.

That number does not include nurses who have reduced their hours, the spokeswoman said. Western Sydney Local Health District, which oversees the two hospitals, said Minns resignations claim was inaccurate but did not disclose how many nurses did resign. In a statement, a spokeswoman said the movement of ED nurses at the two hospitals had followed normal attrition rates and that the health district had a record number of nursing and midwifery graduates starting this year. Minns also claimed, 70 per cent of health workers in NSW are looking to move to other jurisdictions to work in their health services rather than here in NSW.

Take this claim with a grain of salt. It is based on a survey commissioned by Unions NSW of 2893 public sector workers, which asked if respondents have or are considering moving and working in the public sector in other states. Seventy-one per cent of healthcare worker respondents agreed with this statement, but we dont know how many survey respondents were healthcare workers, as opposed to teachers, firefighters and bus drivers. Its a small sample size to make such a devastating and broad claim about workforce of more than 122,500 full-time equivalent healthcare professionals. That said, we know from our own reporting that healthcare workers are reporting high levels of burn-out, and a staffing and recruitment crisis caused by staffing shortages, under resourcing and the public sector wage cap is at risk of compromising patient care. With Matt Wade
Accused High Country killer Gregory Lynn could face a jury trial as early as October as the Supreme Court looks to run the case out of Melbourne.

The 56-year-old former airline pilot faced the Supreme Court for the first time on Thursday after a magistrate committed him to stand trial last month.

Greg Lynn. Credit: Facebook

The court heard it was likely the trial could run for up to eight weeks and be held in Melbourne instead of regional Victoria.

Judicial registrar Tim Freeman noted that while there was strong public policy on why a trial ought to be held in the community where the crimes took place, the nearest courthouse would be at least three to fours hours drive away due to the remoteness of the High Country location.
Signatories include principals from high-fee private schools Carey Baptist Grammar, Camberwell Girls Grammar and Wesley; state schools Fitzroy High, Collingwood College and Greenvale Secondary College; and regional schools Woodleigh, Clonard College and Monivae College. The number of students completing an unscored VCE is growing annually, indicating more students are unwilling to put themselves through the stress of competing for a university place, the letter states. Carey Baptist Grammar School principal Jonathan Walter said the ATAR diminished students to a single number. Figures show 5373 students completed their VCE unscored in 2021, meaning they did not sit exams or receive an ATAR. The data for last year is not yet known. Universities are also seeking more and better information about candidates than can be provided in the ATAR, mainly in the interests of better matching candidates to opportunity and increasing diversity of their student intakes, the letter says.

Those alternative intake schemes are often onerous for students, families and schools, and lack transparency, with no evidence of their effectiveness or fairness, the principals said. Loading The letter was written after 14 school leaders met with VCAA head Stephen Gniel, and VTAC head Teresa Tjia in November to discuss their concerns. Carey Baptist Grammar School principal Jonathan Walter, who was at the meeting, said school-leavers were being let down by current assessment and university entry methods. The ATAR is such a narrow representation of a student at the end of a 13-year journey. They come out diminished to a single number which doesnt reflect who they are, the sort of things they can contribute to society or indeed what they value and believe in, Walter said.

We just think theres got to be a much better way of making a more fulsome statement about a student and what they can contribute to the world. Walter said students did not necessarily need to achieve a top-flight ranking to get a place in the university course or career pathway of their choice, but often feel as though they have failed if they dont excel. I think the systems failing them in that its sending them off on their post-school journey feeling as if they havent been successful and theyre not capable, he said. If we were to look at some different measures for students Im sure we would find that in fact everyone has got something to contribute.

Were the only country in the world who ranks our students like this. Woodleigh School principal David Baker said schools have a duty to educate todays students to succeed in an increasingly uncertain world. If we are just narrowing in on content knowledge, were not preparing them at all, he said. Baker said students were looking for more than to sit in a classroom for 60 minutes and have a teacher talk for 59 of them. They want to collaborate, they want to discuss things, they want to be excited about their learning. Kids are smarter now than theyve ever been, so they are not just going to sit there and say this is OK, theyre going to keep pushing back and thats what were seeing at the moment.

The signatory principals are among 38 schools that have joined the University of Melbournes New Metrics research project, which is exploring potential ATAR replacements. Loading The New Metrics project is being spearheaded by Professor Sandra Milligan, director of the University of Melbournes Assessment and Evaluation Research Centre. Milligan said that the pressure on schools to generate high ATAR rankings, often from parents, washes back into all levels of schooling, generating unhelpful performance anxiety in students, and exerting a negative influence on curriculum and teaching innovation. National data points to ways in which the education system, with the ATAR as its pinnacle, serves some students poorly, Milligan said, including much lower year 12 certification rates for boys than girls, declining year 12 retention rates and falling attendance rates.

On the basis of evidence of this kind, it seems likely that success as defined by the metrics of high examination scores and ranking is for many students unattainable, unappealing, or irrelevant, Milligan said. Even for those who do succeed in the ATAR, that success signifies a capacity to pass exams and learn from books, she said. The information provided in current certificates is  very thin. It cannot represent a learners unique strengths, or show what they have been able to achieve in areas of talent or interest outside the syllabus, or how they have contributed to their community. It says little about who they are, or what they can do as workers or community members. VCAA head Stephen Gniel said the VCE supports students to pursue a diverse range of pathways, based on their interests and aspirations. ATAR is one measure of their academic achievement but its not the only one, Gniel said.

The new integrated VCE gives every student in Victoria more choice, a revised and enriched curriculum and delivers the academic and industry-specific skills they need for post-school education and work. Loading VTAC, which calculates the ATAR, said each tertiary institution has autonomy over course selection requirement. VTAC applicants are currently considered on a range of factors in addition to or instead of the ATAR, including portfolios, discipline-specific tests, auditions, interviews, and access or equity schemes, the spokesperson said. The centre would continue to provide additional admissions tools to help students access the best courses for their goals and ensure Victorian tertiary institutions have a comprehensive picture of those applying for their courses and their potential for success, the spokesperson said.
The principal of an inner-north Melbourne private school that began the school year by withholding its teachers pay has been stood down due to alleged misconduct, prompting an outpouring of support from staff, who are calling for his reinstatement.

Neil Hasankolli, principal of East Preston Islamic College, has been stood down by the schools new board, days after the board withheld wages from its teachers and support staff.

Staff at East Preston Islamic College have petitioned the board to reinstate the principal after he was stood down.

The new board, which has been locked in a legal dispute with the old board, claimed it could not pay staff until the old board authorised the release of funds. All members of the former board were purged in a vote late last year.

Staff were eventually paid their overdue wages last week after the Independent Education Union took the case to the Fair Work Commission.
Tudge stood aside from the ministry in late 2021 and, during his troubled 2022 campaign, he was dubbed the invisible minister as his party kept him away from the campaign trail. His two-party preferred margin was slashed from 10.1 per cent to 2.8 per cent. On primary votes, the swing against him was almost 12 per cent. Tudge s resignation  effective from next week  presents the first major test of Opposition Leader Peter Duttons political leadership. The Liberals will be desperate to hold on to Aston, but the party performed poorly in Victorian seats at the federal election and at the state election in November 2022.

Loading Monash University politics lecturer said Zareh Ghazarian the byelection would be tough. He now considers Aston to be a marginal seat. It had a pretty disastrous result in Victoria, especially at the last federal election. It used to be fairly safe seat, Ghazarian said. It will be the key to Labor strengthening its hold in Victoria, or demonstrating whether the opposition is making inroads in trying to attract voters it lost at last election. This is going to be a real challenge ... whether Peter Dutton has the capacity to bring back Liberal voters back to the party: These are going to be the critical questions.

Loading Aston takes in suburbs including Rowville, Lysterfield, Scoresby, Wantirna, Wantirna South, Boronia, Ferntree Gully, Knoxfield and The Basin. Formed in the 1980s, it was a key mortgage belt seat comprising young families, making it a competitive area for the Labor Party. But since 1990, Aston has been firmly Liberal. The electorate is famous for its role in helping the Howard Government  on the nose nationally over the GST  to declare itself back from the dead. In July 2001, against expectation and despite a swing against, the Liberals held Aston in a byelection, spelling the end of Labors surge. Its a very settled area. Very solid Liberal voting country, said Antony Green, chief election analyst for the ABC. Its not the sort of area where the Labor Party really had much luck.

Loading Comprising some 160,000 residents, Aston is mostly middle-class with a median weekly household income of $1,884, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics  the 17th highest out of 39 electorates. Demographically, it also sits comfortably in the middle. Its one of seven Victorian federal electorates with a median age of 40, compared with just 31 in Melbourne and 48 in Flinders. It has a strong cohort of Chinese-Australian voters, making up 14.1 per cent of the population. Green believes the coming byelection will see a correction of the swing against the Liberal Party  despite Labors improved polling results following Albaneses election win  which he said was a result of a larger trend among Victorian voters. Tudge was non-existent. He was kept away from the campaign, Green said.

The big swing was partly caused by the Liberal Party diverting all its resources to the swing states it needed to hold, and Aston wouldnt have been in that category, so it caught a bigger swing than you wouldve expected. Gordon Veerasawmy, a retired primary school teacher from Rowville, said his interactions with Tudge had been positive. He said his local MP had been supportive in his work as a volunteer for St Vincent De Paul Society Ferntree Gully. I have met Alan on several occasions locally. He has been extremely personable and cooperative. I obviously know whats gone on, I know what the negative factors are, he said. But Veerasawmy said he would base his decision pm where to cast his vote based on policy, not party.

After years of voting Labor, Ferntree Gully resident Forrest Deane said he too could be swayed to vote for an independent candidate. Labor voter Forrest Deane could also be swayed to vote for an independent. Credit: Justin McManus Deane, 63, who has lived in the area since 1964, said he wasnt a big fan of Tudge. When it comes time to vote, hell be voting for a candidate who comes from the local area and cares about local issues. Id consider voting independent if they were local and campaigning for the right things. I dont mind the independents, I like them. But they dont normally have the strength to get things done, he said. Simon Holmes a Court  the founder of Climate 200, which helped bankroll teal independent candidates who ousted several Liberal members at the last election  said he was open to helping an independent contest the byelection. Tudge did not have a teal challenger last year.
Western Australia needs to lift its game in attracting skilled migrants if it is to attract the 30,000 construction workers the Master Builders Association estimates are needed to meet demand.

Speaking at an Urban Development Industry Association WA event, Hesperia director Ben Lisle said the forecast shortfall in housing in WA was estimated to be between 16,280 and a staggering 84,700.

Thousands of construction workers will be needed in WA over the next four years. Credit: Kate Geraghty

Lisle said international migration was critical and, in the short term, WA could improve its housing supply by better targeting and competing for skilled construction labour.

Among the measures that could be introduced are a return to the 10 Pom approach by offering free flights, temporary accommodation incentives such as rental support or free rent for up to 18 months, and stamp duty relief to buy a new home up to an agreed value.
The national anti-money laundering agency has thrown its weight behind a push to introduce cashless gaming machines in Victorias pubs and clubs.

Premier Daniel Andrews has so far been circumspect about the prospect of adopting the NSW governments historic poker machine reforms, which will ban the use of cash and transfers from credit cards, and introduce mandatory self-imposed player limits on losses.

The Andrews government has imposed limits on Crown pokies but left most machines subject to voluntary controls. Credit: Peter Braig

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet this week invited Victoria to join forces with his government to extend cashless gaming to Victorias 29,000 poker machines at pubs, clubs and RSL venues to tackle what is considered a growing national problem.

But on Wednesday, Andrews suggested the gambling reform push was not a priority. He said while he was open to further gambling reforms, he was focused on teaming up with NSW to pressure the federal government to fix the countrys ailing healthcare system.
Many of us seek a hobby that can lift our mood on a blue day, and Veneta Cue has found one  she has a passion for yarn bombing.

You may have seen her work around Melbournes inner north: simple images of love that she crochets in hardy acrylic yarn, and hangs up in public places.

Lifting spirits: Veneta Cue with one of her yarn bombing crochet pieces near Moreland railway station in Coburg. Credit: Chris Hopkins

Her favourite piece is a red heart attached to a park bench near Moreland railway station, with a rainbow and the word hope inside it.

Her wish is that it will inspire a little hope or a smile if someone needs it. Its simple and bright. Its really vibrant, Cue says.
Suburbs such as Bellevue Hill and Vaucluse recorded the highest median house prices last year, but they werent the most expensive Sydney neighbourhoods when measured by the price paid per square metre.

Paddington, with its smaller residential blocks, recorded the highest median price per square metre of land at $25,755, Domain data for 2022 shows, and a string of other inner-city and coastal pockets also commanded premiums for space.

Properties in Paddington recorded the largest price per square metre in the country last year. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone

Houses in Darlinghurst and Surry Hills sold for upwards of $20,000 per square metre, while blocks in Redfern, Chippendale and Darlington sold for more than $16,000, and Glebe blocks sold for almost $14,800.

Tamarama had the second-highest median, at almost $25,700 per square metre. Beachside Bronte and Bondi, and waterfront McMahons Point, Balmain East and Birchgrove, were also among the most expensive.
Bangladeshs foreign minister wants Australia to lead the way in solving the Rohingya crisis, warning of more deaths at sea and potential pockets of extremism emerging that could affect the whole region.

Dhakas top diplomat is in Adelaide along with dozens of Asia Pacific officials for the Bali Process, a 49-nation forum established by the Howard government to tackle people smuggling. The first meeting of the group in five years is being co-chaired by Foreign Minister Penny Wong and her Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi.

Bangladesh Minister of Foreign Affairs AK Abdul Momen is in Adelaide for Bali Process meetings on Friday. Credit: Getty Images

Rights groups have urged the forum to initiate a regional response to a new wave of Rohingya Muslims dying at sea. At least 348 perished or went missing last year while fleeing military-ruled Myanmar and overcrowded crime-ridden refugee camps across the Bangladeshi border at Coxs Bazar.

However, Bangladesh Minister of Foreign Affairs AK Abdul Momen has implored regional leaders to combat the humanitarian disaster at its core by pushing the generals in Myanmar to take back the Rohingya. About 1.1 million of the stateless ethnic minority have been living at the camps since escaping the militarys campaign of killings, rape and destruction of homes in 2017.
Lulworth Camp, England: Volodymyr Zelensky had only left his country once since the war began, meaning he hadnt had many opportunities to meet Ukrainians who fled to Europe for safety when Russia invaded.

So when 35-year-old Natalia Goncharova got her first in-the-flesh glimpse of her president in a cold hangar at the Ludworth Camp in the English county of Dorset, she seized her opportunity.

BBC Ukraine journalist Natalia Goncharova. Credit: Latika Bourke

I would really like to hug you, but Im really not allowed, she said, as she stood to ask her question on behalf of BBC Ukraine. Reporters were assembled for a press conference on Zelensky and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks visit to view Ukrainian troops being trained to command the Challenger tanks Britain is sending to the war effort.

Zelensky, the master of modern media, obliged. He left his lectern and strolled to the media pack, met her in the middle of the two bays of chairs where his entourage, journalists and numerous members of the military sat listening to his every word through the translation pack.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser indicted an Arvada couple on 51 counts in connection with a fake tree-trimming service targeting older Coloradans, according to a release.

Joseph Camillo Tyler and Amelia Marie Tyler are accused of committing financial fraud on older Coloradans, many of whom were over the age of 80, according to the news release.

According to the grand jury indictment, the husband-wife team would sell services, such as tree-trimming, to vulnerable older Coloradans. The victims would usually pay with cash or check.

The wife would then cash the check or deposit the cash while the husband cut a few branches at the home, according to the indictment. The wife would then return to the home, where the couple told the homeowner they needed to get something and would be back. They rarely returned.

At least 50 people were victims of their scam and the couple totaled about $40,000 in fraudulent profit.

The Arvada Police Department, which led the investigation, arrested the Tylers in October and they are currently in the custody of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.

Their charges include counts of:

Violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act

Theft

Conspiracy to commit theft

Aggravated motor vehicle theft

Criminal exploitation of an at-risk person

"These types of predatory actions against some of the most vulnerable members of our communities will not be tolerated," Arvada Police Department Chief Ed Brady said. "To steal from people who have saved a lifetime to live out their golden years is appalling. We appreciate the hard work our detectives committed to this case and are thankful for a swift indictment."

AARP ElderWatch, a program with the Colorado Attorney General's Office and AARP, fights financial exploitation of older Coloradans, who are frequently targets of scammers.

The AARP ElderWatch website at www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/elderwatch contains information on recognizing, refusing and reporting scams and fraud.
The devastating Turkish-Syrian earthquake is a catastrophe whose extent we can barely comprehend. By Thursday, more than 15,000 lives had been counted lost across the two countries. Fears are the final toll will exceed 20,000. For context, the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, which had a magnitude of 6.3 and levelled much of the citys central business district, took 185 lives.

Hundreds of thousands across Turkey and northern Syria are now homeless in freezing conditions, many clad only in the clothes they were wearing the night the quake struck. Untold numbers require urgent medical assistance. Rescuers have dug desperately through debris with spades, pickaxes and their bare hands.

A member of rescue team asking people to be silent for them to hear the people under the debris of a collapsed building, in Ghaziantep, Turkey. Credit: AP

The initial quake, with a magnitude of 7.8, and a 7.5-magnitude aftershock, close to Turkeys border with Syria, destroyed thousands of homes and major buildings across hundreds of kilometres, including shopping malls, apartment blocks, a historic mosque, a major hotel and a hospital. Drone footage taken in Hatay, near the epicentre, showed entire neighbourhoods reduced to rubble.

Turkey says it now has some 100,000 disaster relief personnel in the earthquake zone, increasingly assisted by workers from countries including the US, Poland, Israel, France and Australia. Rescue efforts have been hampered by snow, streets blocked by felled buildings, blizzards of broken glass, a fire at the Port of Iskenderun, and, across the border in Syria, road closures and the ongoing civil war.
Judy McLane, Lisa Brescia, and Gina Ferrall, in the Broadway production of Mamma Mia!

( Joan Marcus)

The hit musical Mamma Mia!, which ended its 14-year Broadway run in 2015, will head out on a 25th Anniversary North American tour this fall. The tour will launch at the Denver Center for Performing Arts and continue on to play over 35 cities across North America.

Featuring a soundtrack of ABBA's greatest hits, Mamma Mia! tells the story of a mother, a daughter, and three possible dads on a Greek island paradise. The musical debuted in London in 1999, followed by a Broadway opening in 2001. It has since been turned into two feature films, Mamma Mia! The Move and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

With music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, Mamma Mia! is written by Catherine Johnson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd, and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast. The production is designed by Mark Thompson, with lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce and Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material, and arrangements by Martin Koch.

Additional tour cities and casting will be announced at a later date.
For over a dozen years, Matt Fraserbest known as "America's Top Psychic Medium" has been sharing his ability to communicate with the dead through television, books, personal appearances and his virtual "show," which takes places several times a month.

TheaterMania recently spoke with the Rhode Island native about how he discovered his gift, what he can and can't do, and the difference between attending his virtual show and seeing him in person.

Matt Fraser

(image provided by Matt Fraser)

This conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity.

You call yourself a psychic medium. Can you explain exactly what that term means?

I think many people have a misconception about what psychic mediums do. I communicate with people who have passed on, and my job is getting messages from the departed, whether it's where their relative should live, or how many kids they are going to have ,or what they should do next when they've lost a job or gone through a divorce. The information doesn't come from me; the spirits are the ones who can see tomorrow rather than yesterday. I am just the messenger.

Can you contact anyone who has died?

That's another misconception. A lot of people think I can call Marilyn or Elvis. I can't. It has to be a personal connection. And, more importantly, it's really all about what the soul wants to speak about; not all souls have a message for those who are living. Usually, it's something that really needs to be heard. Believe me, my grandmother isn't going to come and talk about how she misses her favorite blanket.

When you were first aware you had this gift?

When I was like a kid, I was like that kid in The Sixth Sense who saw dead people in my bedroom. Of course, I was frightened by this, so I spent most of my life pushing this gift away. I didn't know why it was happening. But internally, I always felt this deep connection to people. I knew I had to help others, so I began to work as an EMT. And then I went to see a medium and it was amazing. That's what made me realize I could use my gift to help people to heal.

You stress that you're a healer. Does that mean you don't tell people bad things?

Many times, I don't want to tell someone something bad, but my policy  love me or hate me  is to tell everything I hear no matter what. And I believe the person I am "reading" needs to hear what they're going to hear from the other side.

I imagine most of the people you "read" are already believers in your gifts. How do you handle people who are openly skeptical of what you do?

I love reading skeptical people because they usually think there is no way to come to my show and get read. But when I do, it can change their lives completely and open up their life to up new possibilities.

Can you talk a little about the difference between attending one of your in-person shows versus one of your online shows?

Because I am right there, the in-person shows get more emotional. I can give someone a hug if they need it. To me, it's like being at a family reunion in heaven. But what's cool about doing it online is that there can be people from Massachusetts, Florida, the UK and the Philippines  and all their spirits  on one conference call. And even through we're far apart in the world, we all share the same thing: we've lost a loved one and want to talk to them.

I notice you don't work every single day. Why?

I have to take a week out of every month to relax and destress. Doing this is a whole-body experience; and it can be physically draining to deal with these emotions all at once, even though I've learned to put my own emotions aside. Still, I find doing this so rewarding, and as of right now, I plan to do this work for the rest of my life.
Saudi Arabian operator Zain KSA has announced the signing of two significant agreements in recent days during the global tech event, LEAP2023, hosted at the Riyadh Front Expo Centre.

Zain KSA has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with cloud service provider Amazon Web Service (AWS) to offer its enterprise customers state-of-the-art cloud services and smart solutions powered by the Zain KSA 5G network and AWS through secure, high-performance cloud platforms.

Zain KSA and AWS say they have successfully completed a trial of a 5G private network, marking a major milestone in the deployment of cloud-native infrastructure for enterprise customers across Saudi Arabia.

Through this partnership, Zain KSA says it will be able to tap into the power of AWS cloud-native infrastructure to develop new tools and services that can improve 5G network performance and security, and support the deployment of new applications for enterprise customers.

Zain KSA also announced during LEAP2023 that it had signed an agreement with Emaar, The Economic City (EEC) for landing the J2M subsea cable system, which will connect Saudi Arabia to Europe and the rest of the world through the Pakistan and East Africa Cable System (PEACE).

EEC is the master developer of King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) which is described as an investment destination that features a fast-growing manufacturing and logistics hub within a modern environment that is home to world-class urban living and tourism experiences.

This initiative, says Zain KSA, outlines the company's strategic goals, including providing ultra-high-speed internet and enhancing the diversity of its cross-border infrastructure. It will also help to position KAEC as a data hub centre.
iColo, a Kenyan carrier-neutral data centre provider with campuses in Mombasa and Nairobi, says it has opened its first data centre in Mozambique.

The launch of the MPM1 data centre on Africas southeast coast expands iColos footprint and supports the growing connectivity needs of the eastern coast of Africa, driven, inevitably, by the growth of subsea cables.

The 9,500 square metre campus is located in Maputo. MPM1 provides approximately 350 square metres of rentable space, equivalent to approximately 80 racks in the first phase of development. It will be able to accommodate further upgrades.

Mozambique is connected to two subsea cables, with a third cable system, 2Africa, landing in Mozambique in February this year. iColo says its Maputo facility will be the local landing point for critical equipment for the 2Africa cable system.

iColo is part of Digital Realty, the largest global provider of cloud and carrier-neutral data centre, colocation and interconnection solutions.

The enhanced connectivity in Maputo is expected to improve cloud and content accessibility, increase digitisation, improve the online experience for local businesses and consumers and support a more inclusive digital society through Digital Realtys global data centre platform, PlatformDIGITAL.

The Data Centre Dynamics website quotes Jose Almeida, General Manager, iColo Mozambique, as saying: This new data centre is a significant milestone in the development of the internet in Mozambique, bringing high-quality, reliable colocation solutions with a longstanding record of operational excellence. This highly connected campus will provide a bedrock for strong data growth in the country and on the entire African continent.
Wyoming, industry double down on failed attempt to rewrite the law for oil and gas companies

Seventeen groups represented by Earthjustice and the Western Environmental Law Center moved to intervene today to defend the Biden administrations postponement of several oil and gas lease sales. A September ruling in U.S. District Court in Wyoming affirmed the administrations ability to postpone lease sales, but the state of Wyoming and industry groups are suing in an attempt to rewrite the law to benefit fossil fuel companies.

This is nothing more than an effort to hand over management of our public lands to the oil and gas industry, said Michael Freeman, senior attorney with Earthjustices Rocky Mountain Office. The law is clear that the Department of the Interior and Bureau of Land Management have broad discretion to determine when, where, and whether to hold oil and gas lease sales. The administration has followed the law, but the fossil fuel industry is attempting to rewrite the law in its favor.

In December, Wyoming and two industry trade groups challenged the U.S. Bureau of Land Managements (BLM) decision not to hold lease sales during parts of 2021 and 2022. Even though the BLM has numerous lease sales scheduled in 2023  nearly half a million acres are being considered for leasing  the plaintiffs claim the agency has an unwritten policy pausing leasing and want the court to order the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the BLM to hold lease sales every three months across the West. The Supreme Court and 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals have ruled that the Interior Department and the BLM have broad discretion to determine the timing and scope of lease sales, including not holding them at all.

Forcing Interior to lease without fully weighing public impacts is industrys attempt to continue looting public resources by accumulating excess leases at bargain basement prices, said Bob LeResche, Powder River Basin Resource Council board member and chair of Western Organization of Resource Councils. Industry already has more than 26 million acres of public mineral estate tied up in oil and gas leases, and drillers have stockpiled more than 9,000 federal drilling permits. The industry could continue drilling and producing as normal for decades even with no new leases.

In September U.S. District Judge Scott Skavdahl rejected similar claims by the fossil fuel industry and Wyoming. The judge held that the BLM had acted within its legal authority when it postponed lease sales to ensure that it fully considered potential environmental harms.

This is an attempt to strip away the crucial role and authority of the Department of the Interior to determine how to manage public lands to best serve the public interest, said Julia Stuble, Wyoming senior manager at The Wilderness Society. Handing over this power to the oil and gas industry would threaten not only public lands, but also the communities that depend on them for clean air and clean water, along with efforts to transition to a just, clean energy future.

Last year, the court affirmed the Bureau of Land Managements authority to postpone oil and gas lease sales in order to make certain they adhere to the law, said Melissa Hornbein, senior attorney at the Western Environmental Law Center. The court should shut down Wyoming and the oil and gas industrys transparent attempt to circumvent this basic principle.

Today's filing demonstrates that we refuse to sit back and allow Big Oil to push for policies that perpetuate dirty energy, said Hallie Templeton, legal director for Friends of the Earth. The law is crystal clear: the federal government holds broad authority over whether, when, and how to lease public lands for oil and gas development. The energy sector should be looking to the future of justly sourced renewable energy, not pushing outdated technology that exploits people and the planet.

This lawsuit is just another ploy by the fossil fuel industry and its political stooges to wrest control of the publics land for more climate-destroying profits, said Taylor McKinnon of the Center for Biological Diversity. The federal government retains broad power to manage public land for the public good, and that includes not leasing land for more fracking industrialization.

It is clearly within the Department of Interiors authority to decide when and where to lease for fossil fuel development, including any pause to review the rules. Its long overdue for the federal oil and gas program to be updated to ensure protections for public health, environment, wildlife and communities, said Barbara Vasquez, board member of the Western Organization of Resource Councils from Cowdry, Colorado. In my community, we are experiencing firsthand what is at stake when BLM leases public lands for oil and gas. When leases are developed, rural landscapes and communities are industrialized with the inevitable spills and emissions hazardous to public health and environment. But you dont have to live next door. Climate change is driving our accelerating transition to renewables and calling for the managed decline of fossil fuel development on public lands. The BLM must be a leader on this change.

For too long BLM has blindly leased public lands to oil and gas companies without actually understanding the impacts of development, said Peter Hart, attorney with Wilderness Workshop. Now the agency is working to reevaluate its oil and gas management and to assess impacts, like those that new development will have on the climate. It just makes sense to pause new leasing until the program is brought into this century, and it is well within the agencys authority.

Our public lands must be part of the climate solution, instead of making the problem worse, said Connie Wilbert, director of Sierra Club Wyoming. Stabilizing our climate for future generations means protecting public land from oil and gas development, and despite what Wyoming and the oil and gas industry claim, the Department of Interior clearly has the right to postpone lease sales.

The Department of the Interior needs the latitude to manage our public lands, to permanently protect treasures such as Grand Teton National Park and its surrounding landscape, said Matt Kirby, senior director of landscape conservation for the National Parks Conservation Association. We reject this attempt to force fossil fuel development on Americas public lands, in spite of what is in the public interest and may threaten national parks.

Earthjustice and the Western Environmental Law Center represent a coalition of conservation and citizen groups in the Wyoming litigation. Earthjustice represents Friends of the Earth, National Parks Conservation Association, Sierra Club, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, The Wilderness Society, Valley Organic Growers Association, Western Colorado Alliance, Western Watersheds Project, and Wilderness Workshop. The Western Environmental Law Center represents the Center for Biological Diversity, Citizens for a Healthy Community, Dine Citizens Against Ruining Our Environment, Food & Water Watch, Montana Environmental Information Center, Powder River Basin Resource Council, Western Organization of Resource Councils, and WildEarth Guardians.
Mark Gutman/Daily News

First Presbyterian Rev. Dr. Roula Alkhouri talks about the damage the earthquake caused in Aleppo, Syria, where some of her cousins currently live.
3 Arrested Over 1.9 Million PPE Fraud Targeting US and German Firms

The National Crime Agency arrests a woman on suspicion of PPE fraud during raids in Loughborough, England, on Feb. 9, 2023. (National Crime Agency)

Three people have been arrested by the National Crime Agency (NCA) in England as part of an investigation into an international fraud involving personal protection equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A husband and wifewho have not been namedhave been arrested in Loughborough, Leicestershire, while a third man was arrested in the Lancashire seaside resort of Lytham St. Annes.

The NCA said the man arrested in Loughborough was suspected of setting up a company that ran a fraudulent scheme allowing him to profit from the shortage of PPE, especially in the National Health Service, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company is thought to have brokered sale agreements to supply 29 million ($35 million) worth of nitrile gloves to companies in the United States and Germany.

His wife is suspected of helping to launder money from the alleged scheme, which the NCA said may have defrauded companies out of 1.9 million ($2.35 million).

A man is arrested on suspicion of fraud by the National Crime Agency during raids in Loughborough and Lytham St. Annes, England, on Feb. 9, 2023. (National Crime Agency)

A 39-year-old man who was also arrested on Thursday is suspected of aiding the scheme.

Officers raided two properties in Loughborough and one in Lytham St. Annes around dawn on Thursday and seized a car, jewellery, watches, and digital devices, some of which are believed to have been bought with cash.

Businesses Were Impacted by Criminal Opportunists

NCA Branch Commander Mick Pope said: During the pandemic, both individuals and businesses were impacted by criminal opportunists. The NCA prioritised and tackled a range of serious organised crime threats, including fraud.

He said: False business agreements that turn out to be fraud, damage the reputation of the UK and hurt our economy. We continue to treat this as a priority area and thank Leicestershire Police for their ongoing support. Work is underway with law enforcement partners in the U.S. and Germany to further this investigation.

The NCA believes companies wanting to buy PPE paid an upfront fee to the UK company to cover initial costs and secure the contracts, but paid into a holding account being managed by a third party.

The holding account provided assurances the money would only be released when the terms of the contract had been satisfied.

But it is alleged the couple accessed the account and withdrew money without meeting the terms of the contract.

All three suspects are being questioned and nobody has been charged.

There was a massive shortage of nitrile gloves in 2020 and early 2021 owing to the COVID-19 outbreak, which massively increased demand but also forced the biggest producer, Top Glove in Malaysia, to close down 28 factories after 2,500 workers tested positive for the virus.

In July 2020 the United States government banned the import of gloves from two of Top Gloves subsidiaries following concerns about the conditions faced by their workers, many of whom were Nepalese migrants.

An undated image of a medical professional wearing nitrile gloves holding a syringe inserted into a COVID-19 vaccine vial. (Robert Avgustin/Shutterstock)

It was estimated by the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) that, because every COVID-19 vaccination required a new pair of gloves, in the United States alone vaccinating the entire population created a need for 660 million gloves.

Elizabeth Skokan, from the USITC, wrote a briefing in June 2021 in which she said: There are four main types of gloves that are used in a medical and surgical contextlatex, vinyl, nitrile, and gloves of other materials (e.g., neoprene or polyisoprene). Since entering the market in the early 1990s, nitrile gloves have been the preferred glove for use in the medical field.

Nitrile Gloves Are Cheaper and Cause Fewer Allergic Reactions

Nitrile gloves cause fewer allergic reactions, are less likely to tear, and are cheaper, she said.

Skokan added: Malaysia produced approximately 60 percent of the worlds nitrile gloves and accounted for 75 percent by quantity of non-hard rubber medical gloves, imported into the United States in 2020, with no other country holding a significant share.

An article on Fierce Healthcares website in October 2020 said a survey of 905 hospitals owned by the U.S. health care company Premier Inc. found 40 percent reporting a shortage of nitrile gloves.

The president of Premier Inc., Mike Alkire, said: There are countries that historically have never used gloves but are now using gloves. There are parts of health care infrastructure that never used gloves that are now using gloves.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) introduced a bill that would have required any supplies acquired by the Strategic National Stockpile to be made domestically.

In a letter to President Donald Trump in July 2020, Graham said, China has laid the groundwork required to dominate the PPE market as part of their effort to maintain a grip on the global public health industrial supply chains.
A Pandemic Legacy of Fear and Control

Dr. Aaron Kheriaty talks about the rise of the biomedical security state

Todays transhumanist project of trying to meld the human and the technological, making people bigger, stronger, and smarter through gene editing, cybernetics, and nanotechnology, is just a microwaved version of a very old ideology, says Dr. Aaron Kheriaty. Its a new form of the ancient Gnostic attitude toward the human being.

In a recent episode of American Thought Leaders, host Jan Jekielek sat down with Kheriaty, psychiatrist, medical ethicist, and author of The New Abnormal: The Rise of the Biomedical Security State. He has filed several lawsuits against U.S. institutions and the government challenging vaccine mandates and COVID-19 pandemic policy. Here, he also addresses the frightening transition from core ethical principles of medicine to a transhumanist, neo-Gnostic, technocratic medical paradigm, in which informed consent is inevitably replaced with an ideology of scientism.

Jan Jekielek: In The New Abnormal, you talk about how this neo-Gnostic worldview is upon us. Its a profoundly different way of envisioning the human relationship with reality. It reminds me of woke ideology.

Dr. Aaron Kheriaty: The transhumanist movement and woke ideology are neo-Gnostic religions. Gnosticism was a collection of religious sects in the early centuries of Christianity that were the main competitors to Christianity. One thing they had in common was their elitism. Only a few had access to the secret knowledgegnosisand those were the people that should be running the show. In contrast, orthodox Christianity said salvation was available to everyone, not just to an elite.

The second feature that Gnostics had in common was a desire to overcome the material world. Unlike Christianity, they saw material reality as something to escape from or overcome. Christianity acknowledges that the material and spiritual worlds are both created by God and that God is good; therefore, the material world is good, though its affected by sin. These two competing theologies had different approaches to the material world and the human body.

The Gnostics recognized that the material world was ordered by lawful processes, what today we call the laws of science, but that order was something to be overcome. The material world was the raw material to do whatever they wanted with. The idea was to escape this world into a higher spiritual realm, either through extreme aesthetical modes or through a total desecration of the material world and the human body. Consequently, the human body was just a collection of hardware. It wasnt an organic whole naturally oriented toward health and human flourishing.

Todays transhumanist project of trying to meld the human and the technological, making people bigger, stronger, and smarter through gene editing, cybernetics, and nanotechnology, is just a microwaved version of a very old ideology. Its a new form of the ancient Gnostic attitude toward the human being.

Mr. Jekielek: People are debating this model of a policy set on high by a group of experts. If we ever needed evidence this is a bad idea, we have the experiment right in front of us.

Dr. Kheriaty: If people would only look at the evidence. The subtitle of The New Abnormal is The Rise of the Biomedical Security State. The biomedical security state is the militarization of public health welded to digital technologies of surveillance and control.

This response to the pandemic did enormous collateral harms, yet even after those harms became manifest, our agencies didnt walk back misguided policies like the lockdowns, the school closures, or the vaccine mandates and passports, which didnt slow or stop the spread of COVID.

These one-size-fits-all policies did enormous damage to the trust of many Americans in public health and our government agencies, but also to organized medicine. Prior to the pandemic, people would tell me, Ive always trusted doctors and hospitals. Now theyre saying, I never want to see a physician or a hospital again.

And even though these policies have now been rolled back, the whole infrastructure is still in place, waiting for the next public health crisis to steamroll our rights and freedoms even more than during COVID.

Americans must understand that scientism, this ideology Im describing, is totally different from science. Science is inquiry requiring intellectual humility and an openness to new information and the revision of ideas.

But scientific conclusions dictated from the top without anyone being allowed to question them is not science. Its authoritarian and ultimately a totalitarian ideology. If people dont want to live in that sort of society, they need to wake up and push back against this.

Mr. Jekielek: Fear, especially at the beginning of the pandemic, was everywhere. How is this connected?

Dr. Kheriaty: Fear makes us lose our heads. As a psychiatrist, I can say that a chronic or overwhelming state of fear impairs the ability to think clearly and to reason well.

In the case of the pandemic, the fear which was sustained for so long was not just because of this novel virus, but also from the way information was presented to the public: propaganda designed to intensify peoples fears. People who are afraid are much easier to control. If you want a passive, compliant population that does whatever the authorities tell them, fear, as dictators have known for centuries, is a good way to do that.

Mr. Jekielek: What youre describing encapsulates this new collective way of looking at health.

Dr. Kheriaty: Thats right. We know whats best for everyone, said this elite clerisy who believe they can discern the direction of history and what the future should look like. Were the ones who call the shots because ordinary people dont have the wherewithal to make the right decisions.

Basically, they believe their job is to tell people what to think and to make people believe theyre coming to their own conclusions. This is condescending, arrogant, and politically dangerous.

Mr. Jekielek: In your book, you offer some thoughtful advice for people on how to do something meaningful in the face of this potential radical shift in society.

Dr. Kheriaty: In the last chapter, I try to offer the reader hope because there are some things I fundamentally believe. I believe human beings are resilient. I also believe that regimes built upon lies ultimately collapse. They can continue, as Soviet communism showed us, for an unbearably long time, and enormous human damage can be done, but eventually they will collapse. The question is how to avoid getting to the point where we find ourselves in a dehumanizing society or regime. And if were already in one, then how can we help manifest the lies and contradictions of that regime, so that it collapses sooner rather than later?

I also offer some policy proposals in my areas of expertise, which have to do with public health. I talk about ways we can reform our public health agencies like the CDC, the FDA, and the NIH, which failed us during the pandemic.

I also offer suggestions about overcoming our fear. Anyone whos experienced a panic attack knows that fear will literally paralyze you, not just physically, but also mentally. You cant move. You cant think when youre terrified. You cant do anything.

But theres a lot you can do. You could start by working on overcoming whatever fear youve absorbed. You can talk with people face-to-face in the community. Start a book club, for example, reading great works of literature.

People are not powerless. They were made to feel powerless during the pandemic, but theyre not. Theyre not powerless.

Mr. Jekielek: Some of the things youve written about in The New Abnormal are coming true, as in this court case youre involved with, Missouri v. Biden. Some of the discovery materials, the emails of collaboration between the government and Big Tech, are astounding.

Dr. Kheriaty: This will be the biggest First Amendment free speech case in decades. This is the lawsuit that the state attorneys general of Missouri and Louisiana have filed against many senior officials in the administration, along with four private plaintiffs: myself; Jay Bhattacharya and Martin Kulldorff, co-authors of the Great Barrington Declaration; and Health Freedom Louisiana, a nonprofit medical freedom group in that state.

We are alleging that the government colluded with big tech companies, particularly social media companies like Facebook, Twitter, and Google, to censor information that contradicted the governments preferred pandemic policies.

I dont think its an exaggeration, Jan, to say that never in our history have we seen this level of free speech violation by the federal government that weve seen over the last three years. This absolutely has to stop, or our experiment in this ordered democratic republic is going to come to a grinding halt.

Mr. Jekielek: Any final thoughts as we finish?

Dr. Kheriaty: I want to end on a note of hope. If you stand up and challenge this emerging regime, you may lose some friends. You may be called names. You may be accused of being a conspiracy theorist or a COVID denier.

But as someone whos had this experience, I will say theres nothing better than waking up with a clear conscience every day. And also, youre going to meet new friends, genuine friends, people who care not only about you, but about the pursuit of truth.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Animal Tranquilizer Abused as a Zombie Drug Causing Concern Among Authorities

Reports of overdoses, necrotic skin ulcerations, and amputation

A full syringe, empty syringe, and spoon sit on the roof of the car in which a man in his 20s overdosed on an opioid in the Boston suburb of Lynn, Mass., on Aug. 14, 2017. (Brian Snyder/Reuters)

An animal tranquilizer being used as a street drug has raised concern among authorities throughout the United States due to its high potential for overdose, necrotic skin ulcerations, and reports of the need for amputation of injured extremeties.

Xylazine, also known as tranq, tranq dope, sleep-cut, Philly dope, or zombie drug, is being added to other drugs to increase the supply and the profits while adding to the euphoric effect of the drug.

The Jefferson Parish Coroners Office in New Orleans, Louisiana, reported to NOLA.com that over the last three years, 44 people who died of drug overdoses in Jefferson Parish had xylazine in their system.

Because its a tranquilizer used for large animals like horses and cattle, the xylazine can weaken respiration until one becomes unconscious.

The drug is resistant to Narcan, which is used to reduce the effect of decreased breathing brought on by opiate overdose.

In Fargo, North Dakota, the Fargo Police Department (FPD) issued a press release on Tuesday warning the public about the drug making its way into the region.

According to the FPD Intelligence & Analysis Unit, in 2022 there were 24 fatal drug overdoses in Fargodown 26% from 2021and Narcan was administered for 81% of all drug overdosesup from 63% in 2021, FPD said. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) have [sic] stated that experts are concerned that a growing prevalence of xylazine in the illicit opioid supply may render [Narcan] less effective for some overdoses.

Though Fargo has seen a small number of xylazine-related overdoses8.5 percent of overdoses involved tranq in 2021the FPD said eastern states have seen a dramatic rise in overdoses involving xylazine.

In Maryland, 19% of all drug overdose deaths involved xylazine; in Pennsylvania, 26% of all 2020 drug overdose deaths involved xylazineup from 2% in 2015, the FPD reported.

A New Danger

With fentanyl already a fatal contaminant mixed in to common drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine, FBD said xylazine has only added to the danger.

According to the NIH, many people who have ingested xylazine used it in combination with other drugs unknowingly.

Most overdose deaths linked to both xylazine and fentanyl also involved additional substances, including cocaine, heroin, benzodiazepines, alcohol, gabapentin, methadone, and prescription opioids, the NIH said.

Though Narcan has no effect on xylazine, NIH still recommends using it on anyone who is showing signs of overdose.

Xylazine is injected, snorted, swallowed, or inhaled, and frequent use can lead to skin ulcers, and other complications, NIH said.

A medical toxicologist at Temple Health in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has reported that xylazine has been found in 90 percent of the citys drug supply.

Dr. Joseph DOrazio, the director of medical toxicology at Temple Health, told CBS Philadelphia that xylazine has opened the door for many unknowns.

We see sometimes that people are getting wounds in areas that they are not injecting, so maybe its not such a local effect, it could be a systemic effect, DOrazio said. Vascular effects with this drug, we probably have 15 patients in the hospital who have severe wounds that we are trying to treat.

According to Delaware Public Media, xylazine has appeared in pills and powders tested by the Delaware State Police.

Fifteen percent of evidence tested between October 2021 and July 2022 showed the presence of xylazine.

The drug has surfaced in toxicology screenings of up to 200 people in Michigan who have died from drug overdoses since 2019, the Detroit Free Press reported.

Between 2019 and 2021, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services identified xylazine in the deaths of 171 people who also had opioids, cocaine, and methamphetamine in their system, according to the Detroit Free Press, which is an 86.8 percent increase in deaths related to the drug.

Because its an unknown, and unregulated for human use, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is gathering data from health care professionals to better understand the patterns and impact of xylazine use, including, but not limited to: geographic location of xylazine exposure; additional substances involved in suspected xylazine-involved overdose; responses to naloxone or other agents in the context of overdose (including information on dose, route, duration, and outcome); and clinician experience treating skin ulcerations and withdrawal symptoms.

FDA will continue to monitor for adverse events related to xylazine exposure, the FDA said in a November report on the drug. FDA encourages health care professionals and patients to report adverse events resulting from possible xylazine exposure to their local health department, poison center, and FDAs MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program.
AUKUS Increases Australias Sovereignty, Not Dependence on US: Defence Minister

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin welcomes Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Richard Marles to the Pentagon in Washington, on Feb. 3, 2023. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images)

Australias alliance with the United States, including the AUKUS partnership, enhances rather than diminishes the countrys sovereignty, Defence Minister Richard Marles remarked.

In a statement to the House on Feb. 9, Marles repudiated critics of the AUKUS alliance, such as former prime ministers Paul Keating and Malcolm Turnbull, who argue the acquisition of nuclear submarines capabilities would make Australia dependent on its allies and erode its sovereignty.

In January, Turnbull said that while AUKUS was worthwhile, the submarine aspect would diminish Australian sovereignty because the ships would require U.S. Navy supervision to be operated and maintained.

But Marles said the AUKUS pact helps accelerate Australias development of advanced defence capabilities, which in the long-term, builds self-reliance and agency to pursue our sovereign interests.

The reality is that almost all of Australias high-end capability is developed in cooperation with our partners. Submarines are no exception. And that dramatically enhanced capability dramatically enhances our sovereignty, he said.

We need to leverage expertise from the United Kingdom and the United States to help us along our optimal pathwayand building capability with them means we are better able to shape, deter and respond within our strategic landscape.

He highlighted that decisions by the Australian government would always be sovereign and independent, regardless of whether defence assets are developed domestically or abroad.

Because we will not trade sovereignty for capability. To do so would be illusory. For the only point of increased capability is to strengthen sovereignty, he said.

L-R) Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrive for a joint news conference after the 32nd annual Australia-U.S. Ministerial Consultations at the U.S. State Department Dec. 6, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Marles said the current rules-based world order was under enormous strain with the most complex and challenging strategic circumstances since World War II.

This was illustrated in Russias illegal war in Ukraine and closer to home Chinas military build-up.

Nuclear weapon stockpiles are expanding without transparency, and proliferation is increasingly difficult to verify, Marles said.

And the risk of conflict is less remote than in the past. We now live in a less safe and less stable world.

He added that in a less safe and stable world, it will demand more of Australia and its defence force to protect our way of life.

In these times, it is more important than ever that Australia works closely with like-minded countries, key partners and our United States ally, he said.

Because our sovereignty is stronger when we work with others towards shared goals, in ways that respect each others national interests.

The statement comes a month ahead of Marles announcement of the optimal pathway that AUKUS nations will take to provide Australia with nuclear submarine capability while addressing issues such as the submarine design and Australias military capability gap.

UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has hinted that Australia could get a brand new submarine class altogether rather than choosing between the U.S. Virginia class or the UK Astute class subs.

Its a joint endeavour. Whether that is the sharing of technology, and the understanding of how to do it, the sharing of the build, or the sharing of the design, he said after a meeting between Australian and UK ministers on Jan. 2.

US Concerns and Support

In a letter to President Joe Biden in December 2022, Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and recently retired Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.) expressed concerns that supplying Australia with Virginia-class nuclear submarines would stretch the U.S. industrial base to breaking point.

However, many in the U.S. have also shown strong support towards the partnership, including former Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, Admiral Harry B. Harris Jr, who called it supremely important.

Testifying before the Armed Services congressional committee, Harris said the United States needed to put our shoulder to the task for Australia.

Royal Australian Navy submarine HMAS Rankin is seen during AUSINDEX 21, a biennial maritime exercise between the Royal Australian Navy and the Indian Navy in Darwin, Australia, on Sept. 5, 2021. (POIS Yuri Ramsey/Australian Defence Force via Getty Images)

For them to have a long reach of a nuclear submarine force would be dramatic. It would help us dramatically. It would change the balance of power in the Indian Ocean, he said on Feb. 7.

The Chinese Communist Party has voiced its opposition to AUKUS with genuine concern and fear of this exact shift in the geostrategic position in the Indo-Pacific that Harris mentioned, according to analysts.

With Japan at one vertex and India at the other, Australias nuclear submarines will allow the Allies to close a strategic triangle at the second island chains southernmost point, shortening the distance for reconnaissance, monitoring, and rapid response against China, as well as achieving long-range hypersonic precision strike capabilities, writes Tuvia Gering in an article for The China Project.
AUKUS Readies for China and Beyond

Then Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison speaks during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon, following the announcement of the AUKUS security pact to help Australia develop and deploy nuclear-powered submarines, in Arlington, Va., on Sept. 22, 2021. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Commentary

The 2021 Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) security treaty seems to be shaping the global architecture in the post-Peoples Republic of China (PRC) era.

More details of its shape and direction will be revealed at a Washington summit of the three leaders in the second half of March.

There are many aspects still to resolve among the three partner states, which already have an unprecedented amount of cooperation in defense, intelligence, and political arenas, to a far greater degree than even NATO. And, unlike NATO, AUKUS is a global alliance with presence and capabilities already in the North and South Atlantic, the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean, the North and South Pacific, and the two polar regions.

The first steps to give a new muscularity to AUKUS will be how it approaches cooperation on second-tier strategic weapons capabilities, particularly engaging nuclear-powered submarines and longer-range power projection capabilities using manned and unmanned aircraft with hypersonic and other missile systems.

AUKUS is, of necessity, equipping itself in defense terms for the longer path, which will take it beyond the probable life expectancy of China under the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). It is shaping itself for a world in which India, after the collapse of the PRC, could become a significant independent power asserting domination of Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean, and the vital Suez and Cape of Good Hope sea routes, as well as Central Asia and the Middle East.

Australia needs to arbitrate the strategic balance over the vital trade straits through Southeast Asia, and play a key role, as it does now, in patrolling the Arabian and Red seas.

An AUKUS heads-of-state meeting in Washington, probably just after March 15, was expected to outline the shape of Australias acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines. Australia has made it clear it would commit the necessary fundspossibly up to A$100 billion (about $70 billion) to develop a domestic capability to build nuclear submarines. But that is a process that could take up to two decades, and Australia needs to upgrade its submarine capability before that, as its six existing Virginia-class submarines are decommissioned, even after a service life extension program (SLEP).

Royal Australian Navy submarine HMAS Rankin is seen during AUSINDEX 21, a biennial maritime exercise between the Royal Australian Navy and the Indian Navy, in Darwin, Australia, on Sept. 5, 2021. (POIS Yuri Ramsey/Australian Defence Force via Getty Images)

Public concerns at this time in the three member states reflect only the PRC threat to them, but AUKUS has built an alliance that goes beyond that. It took the core of the key Five Eyes accordthe UK-U.S. Accords on intelligence sharing between the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealandto create AUKUS, particularly given the pro-PRC dispositions of the Canadian and New Zealand governments. Both the Canadian Liberal Party minority government of Justin Trudeau and the New Zealand Labour Party government of Jacinda Ardern (who has already announced her retirement ahead of the October 2023 elections) are seen as moving away to probable conservative administrations, so their future role in AUKUS cannot be discounted.

So the Washington summit was expected to be critical. As Bloombergs Kitty Donaldson reported, Australias federal parliamentary schedule means [Prime Minister Anthony] Albanese could travel between March 10 and 19, while [UK Prime Minister Rishi] Sunaks Governments budget statement on March 15 [2023] means he is unlikely to leave the country immediately beforehand. So just after March 16 seems a likely summit date.

The summit was to have taken place after a visit to China by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, but Beijings mishandling of the balloon crisisthe overflight of the United States of a Chinese surveillance balloonof early February obviated that, and President Joe Bidens attempts to dampen down the growing U.S.-China crisis have been undermined. This is more to the disadvantage of China than to the United States.

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, in Washington in early February, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, I think whats actually expected of us by both the U.S. and the UK is that we make a contribution to the net industrial base of the three countries, by developing the capacity in Australia to build a nuclear-powered submarine. He was also there to push back against U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and former Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), who had claimed that providing U.S. submarine technology and leasing U.S. Navy Virginia-class submarines to Australia would be highly detrimental to the U.S. strategic industrial capability.

How would they feel about the loss of alliance partners as an alternative to adding to the combined alliance industrial base in nuclear submarine construction?

The eventual Australian-built SSN was likely to be a new design, drawing from U.S. and UK experience, but the interim leased vessels could only be U.S. Virginia-class SSNs (nuclear-powered attacked submarines). The UK has too few Astute-class boats to lease any to Australia.

Australian submariners are already training on Astute-class and Virginia-class submarines.

Australias retiring ambassador to the United States, Arthur Sinodinos, recently noted, I think we can look forward in the first three or four months  to have more detail on pillar one, which is the submarines both in terms of the final pathway, if you like, as well as the interim capabilities building up to that. He also said that the next phase of the challenge would be faced by his replacement, former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

Meanwhile, Australias significant step toward moving from a capable middle power in the Indo-Pacific to a strategic global player has begun to take shape. Australia, in two world wars, and the Korean conflict, was able to project power globally as part of the UK and (later) U.S.-led coalitions. The UK was the major global power in 1880 when it had a population of only 34.6 million. Australias population today is 26,265,047 as of Feb. 4. Educational, structural, and technological factors have historically weighed more than sheer population numbers.

HMAS Melbourne, one of the Royal Australian Navys four Adelaide Class guided missile frigates, sits in Sydney Harbour on March 6, 2015. (Peter Parks/AFP via Getty Images)

That is not to say that Australian defense procurement and local procurement have historically been efficient. Even the last great Labor Party defense push (under then-Defense Minister Kim Beazley, in 1986) was extremely inefficient in global terms, even though it reoriented Australia for the post-Cold War era. The cost of Australias Anzac-class frigates and Collins-class submarines was arguably double the global market cost. Earlier, Australias decision under the Liberal Party in 1963 to buy the U.S. General Dynamics F-111C strike fighter instead of the UKs BAC TSR-2 (tactical strike and reconnaissance) aircraft proved extremely expensive and had major political ramifications for Australia, the United States, and the UK.

The F-111Cs were not delivered until 1973. The UK, meanwhile, canceled the far more advanced TSR-2, which it would not have done had Australia persisted with the Royal Australian Air Forces selection of it. The TSR-2s cancellation was the watershed period for the UK aerospace industry, leading to the cancellation of the follow-on fighter to the UKs Hawker Siddeley Harrier vertical takeoff and landing fighter, and the subsequent decline of Britains civil airliner and military aircraft independence.

That was the start of a major U.S. push to subordinate all of its allies sovereign aerospace and strategic weapons capabilities to U.S. options in the name of standardization. But that cost the United States a globally (and allied) competitive strategic industrial base that had hitherto, because of that competition, led to lower unit costs for weapons systems and shorter and more innovative development timeframes. The U.S. Defense Departments obsession (like that of the UK Ministry of Defenses own preoccupation) with enforced mergers in the aerospace, aeroengine, and overall defense industry sectors led to extended delivery times, a massive multiplication of costs, and a constraint on innovation, all through the removal of private-sector competition.

Meanwhile, Australias new minister for Defense Industry Australia, Pat Conroy, clearly missed the lessons of all this, possibly at the insistence of senior Australian uniformed officials. Australian military leadership has traditionally shied away from the great industrial and design leadership of Australias defense industrial and aerospace community (remember that the Wright Brothers boxkite design came complete as a gift from Australian designer Lawrence Hargrave). The U.S. approach that not invented here is the basis for the rejection of foreign systems is reversed in Australia, where invented here is something that causes the Australian military to fear that which is invented locally.

Japans Defense Minister Makoto Oniki (5th L), Japans Chief of Staff, Joint Staff General Koji Yamazaki (C), posing for pictures with U.S. Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy (5th R) and Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific and the Minister for Defense Industry Pat Conroy (4th R) during a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal at Skyline Ridge in Honiara on the Solomon Islands, on Aug. 7, 2022. (Charley Pringi/AFP via Getty Images)

Conroy on Feb. 2 indicated that he wanted to end a counterproductive obsession with quotas of local content for major military contracts as part of an overhaul of defense industry policy to meet the challenge of building nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs) and long-range missiles in Australia.

Once again, he was persuaded to push the line that subcontracting component work on foreign-controlled defense platforms would provide plenty of work domestically, missing the point that such a policy did nothing to protect the autonomy of Australian strategic decision-making.

The government was expected to receive within February the final version of the Defense Strategic Review conducted by former Labor Party Defense Minister Stephen Smith and former Australian Defense Force chief, Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston, which was expected to recommend Australia build up its stockpiles of missiles, drones, and other long-range strike weapons.

This was to set the stage for the March 2023 AUKUS summit, and would include measures to avoid a capability gap, which was expected to have Australia lease older nuclear attack submarines from the United States. In late January, Defense Minister Richard Marles ruled out acquiring an interim conventionally-powered submarine (SSK). That meant that the SLEP for the Collins-class would need to begin immediately, even if the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) was to be able to acquire one or more early-model U.S. Virginia-class SSNs, which would in no way be able to fulfill the RANs mission requirements until a full fleet of SSNs could be obtained.

Marles and Conroy have been persuaded that local content, which provides jobs for local workers, was the primary goal of an indigenous defense industrial capability rather than providing a strong measure of strategic sovereignty. Certainly, because of the Australian Defense Departmentsand successive Liberal and Labor governmentsprevarication, there was no alternative but to see an 18- to 20-year wait for an Australian-built nuclear attack submarine.

The Australian SSN program will significantly skew the Australian defense budget, noting: This will be the greatest nation-building effort this countrys ever seen, like the Snowy Mountains [post-World War II hydro-electric Scheme] will pale into insignificance in terms of the scale of this project, the technological challenges to be overcome. Conroy confirmed to The Australian Financial Review that there would be an emphasis on long-range strike weapons to give the Defence Force greater teeth, declaring he was evangelical about developing a local missile industry capable of maintaining existing warheads, growing the inventory, and eventually manufacturing them locally.

But Australia once had all that capability, evolving from a defense industrial base built for World War I, when the UK essentially abandoned the newly-independent Australia and New Zealand as Britain fought for survival against Germany and its allies.

The same thing happened in World War II. At the end of each war, London (and then London and Washington) told Australia to forget about the potent capabilities they had created and to literally go back to farming and mining.

The Labor Albanese government in Australia inherited the nascent AUKUS treaty from the outgoing Liberal-led Coalition government of Scott Morrison, which it defeated in the May 2021 elections. Mr. Albanese, however, embraced AUKUS but not the confidence that Australia should be a peer in the tripartite accords.

This is the major weakness of AUKUS, and one which is hampering the technological and economic revival of Australia at a time when its major export market, China, is likely to significantly reduce its requirement for Australian minerals and agricultural products.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Authorities to Remove Chinese-Made Surveillance Cameras From Government Departments

Federal government riddled with CCP spyware: shadow minister

Hikvision surveillance cameras outside the Hikvision headquarters in Hangzhou, in east China's Zhejiang province, on May 22, 2019. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Australia has ordered the removal of all Chinese-made surveillance cameras from the countrys government sites as soon as possible, in the latest Western move to combat the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)s overseas technology.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles announced the order on Feb. 9, following an audit that revealed that almost 1000 Chinese-made surveillance cameras were installed across over 250 sites of Commonwealth departments and agencies, including foreign affairs and defence sites.

Were doing an assessment of all the technology for surveillance within the defence estate and where those particular cameras are found. Theyll be removed, Marles told Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

Its a significant thing thats been brought to our attention, and were going to fix it. Its obviously been there  for some time and predates us coming into office.

The cameras were provided by Chinese companies Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co. and Zhejiang Dahua Technology, both accused of being involved in the CCPs human rights atrocities against Uyghurs in the western region of Xinjiang and have been banned by the United Kingdom and the United States in November 2022.

Picture of Hikvision cameras in an electronic mall in Beijing on May 24, 2019. (Fred Dufour/AFP via Getty Images)

Hikvision has been revealed to have close ties to the CCP and its military. Partly owned by the CCP regime, the group is the worlds largest video surveillance manufacturer.

Audit Shows Commonwealth riddled with CCP spyware

The move comes after Shadow Minister for Cyber Security & Countering Foreign Interference James Paterson released the findings of a six-month audit of all commonwealth departments. He launched the audit after the Home Affairs Department failed to advise him how many of the Chinese-made devices were installed in government buildings.

Its revealed that the Chinese-made cameras and security equipment were found in almost every department except Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Agriculture Department.

The Attorney-Generals Department had 195 Chinese-made devices across 29 sites; the Department of Climate Change and Energy had 154; Treasury had 115; Finance 122, and the Department of Social Services 134.

The number of such devices in the Foreign Affairs Department was not revealed, but at least 28 sites were potentially affected.

The Defence Department was not certain about the total number of Chinese cameras but said there was at least one.

Number of China-made devices in Australian federal departments. (supplied)

Paterson said the federal government buildings were riddled with CCP spyware.

This presents a unique national security risk to Australia. With Hikvision and Dahua devices fitted across the Australian government, including at the heart of our national intelligence community, the companies and their employees may be forced to provide the Chinese government with their 24-hour access to valuable surveillance data, he said in a statement on Feb. 9.

Senator James Paterson of the centre-right Liberal Party before a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on Sept. 5, 2022. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

Paterson, who is on the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, warned about the inherent national security risk, considering that the Chinese companies must hand over data to the CCPs intelligence agencies under the Chinese National Intelligence Law.

There has been a number of vulnerabilities identified in these products in the past where remote users could gain full control of them, switch on the cameras or switch on the audio, for example, he told Sky News.

Whats most important is like Huawei, who was banned from our 5G network, they are beholden to the Chinese Communist Party  Every Chinese citizen and every Chinese company must co-operate with Chinas intelligence agencies and must keep that co-operation secret so they could be prevailed upon by the Chinese government.

The shadow minister urged the Albanese government to take immediate action on the issue.

So far, the Australian government has announced no plan to do so, although some government departments and agencies, including the National Disability Insurance Agency and the Australian War Memorial, have pledged to remove the devices from their sites, Paterson said.

We urgently need a plan from the Albanese government to rip every one of these devices out of Australian government departments and agencies.

The National Disability Protection Administration decided in December 2022 to remove Chinese-made surveillance equipment at its national office in Geelong, Victoria. A Hikvision CCTV system with 132 cameras and four recorders will be removed by March and replaced with a vetted system.

In addition, Kim Beazley, the Australian War Memorials newly appointed chair and former Labor defence minister confirmed on Feb. 8 that the museum was removing Chinese-made surveillance equipment as a precaution.

Five surveillance cameras made by Hikvision are expected to be removed this month, and the remaining six will be replaced by mid-2023, the Canberra Times reported.

Defence Minister Warns Against Overreacting

Marles said the issue was important, that the Defence Department was searching for other equipment and would rip them out if it found any.

This is an issue  were doing an assessment of all the technology for surveillance within the defence estate, and where those particular cameras are found, theyre going to be removed, he told ABC.

However, the minister warned against overreacting.

I dont think we should overstate [the seriousness], but its a significant thing thats been brought to our attention, and were going to fix it, he said.

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles speaks at a press conference during the 32nd annual Australia-U.S. Ministerial (AUSMIN) consultations at the State Department in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 6, 2022. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was not concerned about incurring another diplomatic freeze with Beijing on the issue, just as what happened after Australia banned Huawei and ZTE from supplying the nations 5G network in 2018.

We act in accordance with Australias national interest, Albanese said at a press conference on Feb. 9. We do so transparently. Thats what well continue to do.
Ban on Gender Transition Procedures for Minors Clears Major Hurdle in Tennessee

Police are seen surrounding the Tennessee State Capitol building in Nashville, Tenn., on June 4, 2020. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

A bill that would ban gender-affirming care on minors in Tennessee passed a major hurdle in committee this week and will now go to the full state Senate for a vote, which is expected to pass in the Republican-dominated Legislature.

The act would prohibit a healthcare provider from performing on a minor or administering to a minor a medical procedure if the performance or administration of the procedure is for the purpose of enabling a minor to identify with, or live as, a purported identity inconsistent with the minors sex.

The bill was filed as the first piece of legislation for the 113th Tennessee General Assembly.

Final Senate Hurdle

The bill would ban health care providers from prescribing puberty blockers, hormone treatments, and elective surgeries for minors for the purpose of gender transition.

In the Senate judiciary hearing, four witnesses spoke in favor of the bill and one against.

A Nashville resident who identities as a transgender woman said the bill was dangerous and would have a negative impact on the suicide rates of youth who experience gender dysphoria.

Another witness, Prisha Mosley, said she experienced gender dysphoria as a minor and was allowed to undergo procedures which have caused her immense harm and issues later in life due to the fact she no longer believes she is a male.

I will agree that lots of trans kids are suicidal and that suicide is a risk, but in my situation, when I said the word gender, all of the other things that caused those suicidal ideations were put to the side and no longer considered, she told the senators. And getting treatment for trauma and preventive care is much harder than getting trans care.

She also told her story to The Epoch Times late last year, saying she felt betrayed by the health professionals who recommended testosterone treatments and an elective mastectomy.

Democrat state Sen. Sara Kyle questioned the bills sponsor, Republican state Sen. Jack Johnson, about the bill taking away parental rights.

The Legislature is typically about parents rights, but [this bill] will take away those rights, she said.

She said the bill is essentially saying the state government knows best and proposed sending the bill to a summer study to flesh out details and educate both sides on all issues in order to respect the rights the Legislature was trying to take away.

The proposal to hold the bill until a summer study would effectively have killed it for this session of the state Legislature. It failed on a party-line vote in the committee, with two Democrat senators voting yes and the seven Republicans voting no.

Johnson added that the bill would not create a criminal penalty to doctors, but they would be subject to losing their medical license.

The state does have a compelling interest, he said, responding to a question from his Democrat colleague. We have both voted for bills that set parameters for the states interest to protect children.

He said he had landed on the side of the state having a compelling interest because any medical procedure could be permanent and irreversible.

Johnson said the mechanism of enforcement could come through the attorney generals office, which could sue a health care provider under the law.

The other legal implications are that it would open up the ability for individuals who underwent similar treatments as a minor to sue their parents for damages. They would also be able to sue the medical provider.

Suicide

Suicide was a major factor in the discussion of the bill in the final committee, with both sides recognizing minors who struggle with gender dysphoria and other mental health conditions have a higher rate of suicide than the general population.

Johnson said children suffering with gender dysphoria often suffer with other comorbidities, and should be treated in other ways such as counseling and psychotherapy instead of changes that are permanent such as surgery or medication.

He said suicide is a major concern, but asked whether it was in the best interest of children to make permanent changes to their bodies in an attempt to cure the suicidal ideation.

He ultimately said he believed the best course of treatment would be other forms of mental health care.
Bidens State of the Union and the Spy Balloon: More Missed Opportunities

President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress as Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) listen in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Feb. 7, 2023. (Jacquelyn Martin/Pool/Getty Images)

Commentary

President Joe Bidens State of the Union speech was notable for its glancing reference to the Chinese spy balloon that drifted over parts of Canada and the United States. If you blinked, you would have missed the guarded reference to an event that captivated the nation for a week.

For domestic political purposes, Biden does not want to call attention to the fiasco of the balloon floating over the country. However, what is at stake is more than a spy balloon or domestic political embarrassment. The balloon is not a single incident but needs to be understood in the context of the political warfare campaign that communist China is waging against the United States, while Washingtons response is a shadow of what it should be, if not altogether feckless.

The balloon is a component of the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) political warfare campaign directed against the United States and its allies. No doubt, China had other objectives in launching it, such as intelligence collection, but the political warfare component is the most important.

Incidents like the balloon matter, or the State of the Union address, in political warfare for three major reasons.

Educate the Americans About the China Threat

First, Biden could have seized the opportunity to educate the American people about the China threat as Trump did or as his Cold War predecessors from Truman to Reagan did regarding the Soviet threat. The State of the Union is a perfect venue to explain to the assembled U.S. government and the American people why the Chinese regime is the foremost external threat that the United States has faced and why it will require international but also domestic efforts to confront successfully. Bidens address did not accomplish this, and so it is another failure to explain the threat. This is a transparent pattern with the Biden administration of not explaining why the Chinese regime is an existential threat to the United States. Planning documents, such as the National Security Strategy released in October last year, also fail in this regard.

A U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft shoots down a Chinese spy balloon off the Carolina coast on Feb. 4, 2023. (Jason Sellers via AP)

US Is Vulnerable

Second, the balloon, and its antecedents sent previously over Hawaii and elsewhere over U.S. sovereign territory, reminds Americans that the U.S. homeland is vulnerable to attack by China. The Chinese regimes balloon is a signal that Xi Jinping wanted to convey: the U.S. homeland may be physically attacked by Chinese weapons.

Were kinetic warfare to come, the United States would not escape significant physical and cyber damage, and many Americans would be killed. Thus, the balloon is a political warfare attack that must be treated precisely as a Sputnik momentthe shock the foe provides to mobilize the American peopleand respond to the threat China has made against Americans.

The message from the Chinese regime is blunt and brutal: the CCP is signaling to Americans that it can kill them. Thus, it is incumbent to do more than shoot down the balloonthat was only the immediate first step. Of greater significance is the necessary reciprocal response from the United States. The message that must be sent is that the United States can end the rule of the CCP and its leader, Xi Jinping.

Global Perception of US Leadership

Third, Beijing also sent a message to global audiences: the United States is weak and cannot defend itselfindeed, the U.S. military and intelligence community might not even know that balloons previously violated its airspace impunity. That political warfare message is directed against the following audiences.

First, U.S. allies as the U.S. extended deterrent depends upon U.S. credibility. There can be no doubt that the United States would employ force, including conventional war and nuclear war, if need be, to defeat an attack against a U.S. ally like Australia or Japan. To remove any doubt, U.S. power and willingness to exercise it in defense of the ally must be ironclad.

The weak response to the balloon succeeded far better than Beijing might have hoped in undermining the credibility of the United States upon which all U.S. alliances depend. Thus, the balloon incident must be seen from the perspective of U.S. allies as well as of the United States, and from that point of view, the United States appears weak.

Second, neutral states are influenced as well. For those states that do not want to choose between Beijing and Washington, the balloon incident is certain to be used by China to entice them to support it.

Third, for enemies of the United States, the incident will encourage and embolden them regarding Beijings military and intelligence capabilities in contrast to those of the United States. The incident made China look like a superior military power. While that is not true, from the standpoint of political warfare, it is a victory for the CCP.

The incident, coupled with reports from the House Armed Service Committee that China has surpassed the United States in the number of land-based fixed and mobile intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launchers, feeds the image Beijing will promote that the United States is in decline and no longer the preeminent military power. The perception that this is true hurts the U.S. position in the world as it does the position of our allies. The reverse is true for the enemies of the United States, who will join with Beijing in touting that the East wind is prevailing over the West wind.

Washingtons strengths in political warfare are legion and far more potent than Beijings. But the United States fights political warfare with both hands behind its back. The Chinese regimes atrocious human rights record, exploitation of people and the environment wherever it is present, and genocide it is committing against Muslims in Xinjiang should mean it is totally unconditionally defeated in the political realm. The fact that it is not must be immediately addressed by the Biden administration not only as a damage limited exercise in the wake of the balloon imbroglio, but as a path to victory over the CCP.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Black Reparations Inspiring a Multicolored Pandoras Box of Intersectional Demands

Until a few years ago, the idea of paying financial reparations to descendants of African slaves was dismissed as a fringe idea.

Now a notion that President Barack Obama once rejected as impractical is becoming public policy. California offers a dramatic example as officials there review a proposal that could pay in excess of $1 million each to some black residents, while more than a dozen U.S. municipalities are moving ahead with their own race-based programs to redress the legacies of slavery.

But the reparations movement is bigger and wider than that. Its rise in the United States has inspired a global movement committed to redressing perceived historical injustices to all manner of aggrieved groups. The causes include gay reparations, climate reparations, colonial reparations, university reparationsand Roman Catholic Church reparations for officially sanctioning colonization, slavery, and genocide in the New World. Scholars, activists, and legislators across the United States and Europe and in former colonies are drawing on the logic and language of the black reparations movement and international human rights law to make the claim that their causes also deserve atonement and compensation for past wrongs.

Some warn that reparations open a controversial and bottomless Pandoras Box, given historys long catalogue of official policies that criminalized or discriminated against sex workers, polygamists, Jews, Catholics, Slavs, and the Roma, among a vast array of potential claimants.

If we pay reparations to black Americans, theres no way it ends with black Americans, said Wilfred Reilly, a conservative political science professor at Kentucky State University and author of Hate Crime Hoax: How the Left Is Selling a Fake Race War. Once you start paying people for things that happened in the past before their lifetimes, youre setting precedent there.

Reparations advocate William Darity, a Duke University economist and one of five economic advisers to the California Reparations Task Force, acknowledged that claims against the United States and other European nations that enslaved Africans could potentially lead to similar claims against Western and non-Western countries that, in a previous political configuration in past centuries, engaged in slaving, concubinage, and other practices that were formerly accepted but are now viewed with moral revulsion.

I would encourage the people who are concerned about these histories of injustice to do the work and make the case, Darity said, noting that the full scale of potential claims may not be fully appreciated. It could be immense; it could be enormous.

A number of new claims are now in play. Gay reparations have successfully won financial restitution for surviving victims of government persecution in the 20th century, including incarceration and maltreatment in Gen. Francisco Francos Spain and Nazi Germany (a policy that was continued for another quarter-century in West Germany). The U.S. movement, led by the Mattachine Society of Washington, D.C., seeks atonement and compensation for the surviving victims of the Lavender Scare, the postwar period of mass firings of thousands of gay federal civil servants in the United States who were suspected of being perverts.

Over the past decade, more than a dozen Caribbean nations have been seeking debt relief and other reparations from their erstwhile European colonizers for alleged native genocide and chattel slavery. Separately, a delegation that included New York Times writer and 1619 Project architect Nikole Hannah-Jones traveled to Rome last July to press the Vatican to commit the Catholic Churchs global resources to financially repairing the damage caused by the Churchs sanctioning of and benefitting from the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

Advocates of climate reparations seek trillions of dollars in aid from the wealthy nations of the so-called global North to the developing countries of the global South. In response to such claims, the European Union this year agreed to create a climate fund to mitigate the predicted ecological and humanitarian toll that will be caused by greenhouse gas emissions emitted by industrialized powers.

Gay reparations and climate reparations both have been the subject of recent books published by Oxford University Press in 2022 and 2021 and written by serious academics at reputable institutions, Bard College and Georgetown University. Foreign Policy magazine has run lengthy articles in support of gay reparations and climate reparations just in the past few years.

Proposals have also been floated for reparations for abused psychiatric patients and residential aged care patients, as well as compensating all women, whether they work or not, for the alleged income gapa sign that the concept continues gaining purchase. At the same time, thousands of private individuals have taken matters into their own hands, Venmo-ing cash transfers to black acquaintances or to online fundraising efforts to aid black people in crisis.

These causes draw on the academic literature, moral arguments, and growing success of the black reparations movement as a template for their own claims. Currently, more than 100 institutions are active in Universities Studying Slavery, an international consortium whose members document their complicity in African slaving and develop reparations and remembrance projects. Last year the state of Virginia enacted a law requiring five public universities built with slave labor to provide scholarships or other benefits to descendants of enslaved Africans and African Americans.

The movements are organizing conferences, publishing historical research, and trying to sway public opinion. Nearly one out of three U.S. adults now support reparations for black people, and support has risen to three out of four African Americans, who said they would most benefit from scholarships and financial aid for businesses and homes, according to a 2022 study from the Pew Research Center.

But the question of who owes what to whom is complicated: According to Pews research, 27 percent of whites, 43 percent of Asians, 53 percent of Hispanics, and 60 percent of black Americans believe that descendants of families who engaged in the slave trade bear most or all of the responsibility for repayment.

Illustrating the complexity of the issue, reparations projects around the country are using inconsistent eligibility criteria. The California Reparations Task Force has defined eligibility in such a way as to exclude people like Obama, whose late mother was white and late father was from Kenya, by limiting benefits to descendants of free blacks or enslaved blacks who lived in the United States in the 19th century.

But Californias definition currently doesnt require the applicant to document that they have self-identified as African American, an oversight that could open the door for white people who have black slaves in their lineage, Darity said, unless the states task force revises the criteria in the final proposal this year.

Californias eligibility standards were controversial and passed narrowly on a 5-4 vote. Public figures last year impassionedly urged the task force to make reparations available to all black people.

In essence, were saying people like that, whore experiencing racism now  and you cant tell me Barack Obama didnt experience racism  could not be part of reparations, said Reginald Jones-Sawyer, who represents South Los Angeles in the State Assembly, according to The New York Times. The fact that we all came in, whether on a slave ship or a cruise ship  Guess what? Were all in the same boat now.

More broadly, reparations claims mutually reinforce each other as a common cause. They often argue their petitions are based on government policy that was systemic in targeting a victim class to the advantage of the dominant social group.

The struggle for gay reparations in the United States is part and parcel of the struggles by previously marginalized groupsfrom women to African Americans to immigrants  for full acceptance into the American community, according to the 2021 book, The Case for Gay Reparations.

The movements seem to have one thing in common: They focus on former European colonial powers, not on other parts of the world where slavery, homophobia, misogyny, and other abuses were (and often still are) practiced and tolerated, such as Africa and the Middle East.

When asked about this pattern, Darity said, There might be a case to make against some of the Western African countries for their complicity in terms of expelling people into slavery.

But Darity, one of the preeminent reparations advocates of his generation, also worries that excessive and redundant claims will appear absurd to the public and exhaust public sympathies, to the point that the movement will be undone by its own success.

I know for some people it appears to be quite confusing as to who is asking for what from whom, said Darity. It is a potential problem that this simultaneous wave of reparations-based claims may actually undermine one another, or more narrowly undermine the effort on the part of black American descendants of U.S. slavery.

For many Americans the word reparations is synonymous with a financial debt owed to African Americans for discriminatory policies that advocates refer to collectively as the legacies of slavery, such as the war on drugs that led to a sharp increase in incarceration of black men. Darity contends that the racial wealth gap in the United States was created by the federal government through a series of policies over centuries that erased black rights and limited government programs for wealth creation to whites. Among the examples Darity cites: the Homestead Act of 1862 that awarded more than 500 million acres of land, in 160-acre tracts in newly acquired U.S. territories, to settlers, farmers, miners, and speculators. More than 1.5 million white families acquired land under this program, and today some 46 million Americans descend from those original homesteaders, according to reparations advocates.

However, such historical interpretations advancing the cause of reparations are open to dispute. For example, anyone can find the online Britannica explanation of the Homestead Act of 1862, fact-checked by the editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, that says the settlement policy was also notable for the opportunity it gave African Americans to own land, and enticed a migratory wave of thousands of African Americans from the South. It was open to new immigrants, single women, and all races, attracting more than 25,000 black people to move to Kansas as part of the African American Exoduster Movement from the South. The Homestead Act of 1862 gave thousands of ex-slaves the opportunity to own their own land, something that was unattainable in the South, the Britannica entry says.

In this country, more than a dozen local efforts in communities like Evanston, Ill., Providence, R.I., High Point, N.C., and St. Louis, Mo., have proposed or approved a range of benefits, such as cash payments, housing vouchers, economic development, small business subsidies, workforce training, and free genealogical research to trace lineages to enslaved ancestors.

Officials in San Francisco, a progressive city that last year implemented the nations first guaranteed income program exclusively for transgender people, are weighing a separate reparations proposal to make lump sum payments of $5 million each to eligible black residents and supplement lower-income black households with $97,000 a year (in 2022 dollars) for at least 250 years.

Daritys national proposal, outlined with co-author A. Kirsten Mullen in From Here to Equality, calls for closing the estimated $14.7 trillion racial wealth gap by paying each African American about $358,000, over a period of 10 years in a combination of annuities, trust accounts, endowments, and cash, all exempt from federal income taxes.

Among the impediments to achieving racial wealth parity in this country is the almost certain unconstitutionality of awarding financial benefits based on race. Darity said Congress would have to pass legislation affirming the legality of redress for national culpability against a specific racial group. The final obstacle for reparations advocates would be the U.S. Supreme Court, which at the present time is majority conservative.

A Congress that makes a commitment to a reparations plan might also have to make a commitment to stack the court, Darity said. From my perspective, the Supreme Court is purely a political instrument, and it should be treated as such.

Skeptical pundits like to joke that fat, short, and ugly people will be next in line, and a British wag satirically suggested that Italy owes reparations to Wales for the plunder and pillage committed by the Roman Empire, tracing his grievances to Julius Caesars invasion of the British Isles in 55 BC. Critics also see American slavery and European colonization in the universal context of enslavement of Africans and Europeans in the Middle East and widespread slavery in antiquity.

In a similar vein, conservative news and opinion site Breitbart morbidly joked: And dare we ask: Should there be compensation for victims of  abortion? Okay, okay, it might be hard to find anyone to compensate for that loss of life.

Reilly, the political scientist, said there are plenty of candidate groups that have been systematically excluded and marginalized at some point of the nations history. Examples of abuses include signing of poor Appalachian whites to exploitative indenture contracts, direct government seizure of Indian lands, government taking of white-owned properties to build national parks and scenic parkways, lynchings of Italian-Americans, expulsions and massacres of Chinese immigrants (including the destruction of Chinatown in Denver in 1880), and many others. Their stories, while not as widely known as anti-black racism in this country, include destruction of businesses and ruination of generational wealth.

Its going to continue ad infinitum, said Jason Hill, a philosophy professor at DePaul University in Chicago, and author of the 2021 book, What Do White Americans Owe Black People? Racial Justice in the Age of Post-Oppression. A trauma economy is going to produce an endless array of reparative justice claims in the future.

Hill argues in his book that the United States effectively paid reparations to its black citizens in the 1960s with civil rights policies and anti-discrimination legislation, as well as President Lyndon Johnsons Great Society social welfare programs. He blames these policies for incentivizing black people to adopt a racial identity rooted in victimhood and grievancea phenomenon he calls the cult of economic dependency that provides fertile soil for reparations claims.

The United States already has paid reparations to some victims of U.S. government mistreatment. In the 20th century Congress approved tracts of land and payments to American Indian tribes and bands. In 1988 more than 125,000 Japanese-Americans received $20,000 each as restitution for being forced into internment camps during World War II. A decade ago, North Carolina created a $10 million fund to compensate people who were sterilized under a state eugenics program.

The international claims ultimately emanate from the same sweeping historical forces that gave rise to European colonialism and geopolitics, and birthed modernity itself and its offspring like the United States, enriching European white conquerors and their progeny at the expense of the cultures they conquered and sometimes obliterated.

Injustice and oppression are global in scale. Why? Because trans-Atlantic slavery and colonialism built the world we live in, Georgetown philosophy professor Olufemi Taiwo. Taiwo wrote in Reconsidering Reparations, an academic treatise published by Oxford University Press last year. If we want reparations, we should be thinking more broadly about how to remake the world system.

Taiwo declined comment for this article, but his 2022 book argues that climate justice and reparations are the same project: climate crisis arises from the same political history as racial injustice and presents a challenge of the same scale and scope.

The Case for Gay Reparations notes that an apology is key for claimants because it establishes grounds for further concessions.

As suggested by the Western European experience, an apology to the LGBTQ community is often a gateway for other reparations, including rehabilitation and compensation, author Omar Encarnacion wrote in Time magazine in 2021. Compensation is sought for the loss of wages and pensions that may have resulted from time spent in prison or in a mental institution because of homophobic laws and policies, he explained in The Nation.

The Caribbean CARICOM Reparations Commission and the National African American Reparations Commission both have promulgated 10-point platforms, listing demands such as affordable housing, substantial land tracts, creation of an African Holocaust Institute, psychological rehabilitation, and technology transfers, among others. Both movements advocate for a government-supported repatriation program to be made available to millions of individuals in the African diaspora who might wish to return to their ancestral homeland.

Africans in America who choose to exercise the right to return will be provided with sufficient monetary resources to become productive citizens in their new home and shall be aided in their resettlement by a Black controlled agency funded by the federal government to perform this function, states the National African American Reparations Commission (NAARC).

In this country, critics of the California reparations initiatives (and those of San Francisco, and the City of Berkeley, and Sacramento, and Los Angeles) frequently point out that neither California, which entered the union in 1850 as a free state, nor its cities had legalized slavery. But reparations advocates say the Golden State was complicit in the evils of slavery and its repressive aftermath.

In 1852, California passed and enforced a fugitive slave law that was harsher than the federal fugitive slave law, and this made California a more proslavery state than most other free states, according to the California Reparations Task Forces Interim Report, issued last June. California also outlawed non-white people from testifying in any court case involving white people.

Certain areas of California, such as suburbs around Los Angeles and San Francisco, required blacks to leave by dusk, and state courts enforced racially-restricted housing covenants into the 1940s. Urban renewal projects razed entire black neighborhoods and business districts, while redlining policies enforced segregation, among the examples described in the Interim Report. The task force is due to make its proposal to the state legislature this year.

The premise of reparations is that ending discriminatory policies is insufficient to undo the multigenerational damage these policies caused.

Darity expressed frustration that reparations to African Americans have faced continual resistance in this country, a response he attributes to good old-fashioned racism.

He also attributes the recent popularization of reparations to the same ugly impulse.

Why now? Thats the question you all should be asking yourselves, Darity said, offering a theory he characterized as truly cynical:

Ultimately, black Americans always serve as the mules for other peoples purposes.
Border Patrol Union Official Weighs In on Morale, Border Security Policies

Illegal immigrants cross the Rio Grande to surrender to U.S. Border Patrol agents in El Paso, Texas, as seen from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on Dec. 13, 2022. (Herika Martine/AFP via Getty Images)

Border Patrol agents are struggling with low morale as they come to terms with a new normal of attempting to stop tens of thousands of border crossings each month, said Jon Anfinsen, the president of the National Border Patrol Union chapter in Del Rio, Texas.

Morale is just, its just kind of nonexistent, Anfinsen told NTD News. And its been that way for a while. The past couple of years have been rough.

Four or five years ago, a busy week in his sector would have consisted of intercepting about 1,000 people attempting to cross the border, Anfinsen said.

Then, we jumped up to do weeks where we had 12,000 to 13,000 in a week, and then, now, were down to about 4,000 to 5,000 in a week [in Del Rio], he said. So were still incredibly busy.

Part of the difficulty in maintaining morale, Anfinsen says, is the feeling that agents are trained to do a job but not allowed to do it.

Border Patrol agents increasingly have to deal with asylum claims at the border, when those claims should be handled by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, he said.

Enabling Border Patrol agents to more exclusively focus on monitoring border crossings would be the top solution to boost morale, Anfinsen said, followed by improved recruiting and retention efforts and increased salary.

Border Crossings Slowing Somewhat

Anfinsen said there had been a decrease in border-crossing attempts in recent months, although still much higher than in 2019 and 2020 under President Donald Trump. Border Patrol agents recorded about 6,000 to 7,000 crossing attempts per week in 2019 and 2020, according to Anfinsen. He said that crossings had risen to as high as 50,000 per week throughout most of 2022 but have fallen somewhat since November 2022, with agents now recording about 30,000 crossings per week.

So 30,000 now, I guess, is still terrible, but at least were just happy it isnt 50,000 at the moment, he said.

In January, President Joe Biden announced a parole program for people from Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Haiti that allows them to enter the United States with the support of a lawful sponsor residing within the country. Biden said a pilot version of this program for Venezuela had reduced average daily border crossing attempts by people from that country to about 250 from about 1,100.

Its made a difference, a little bit. Some of them are now going toward the ports of entry, which is officially where people are supposed to request asylum, Anfinsen said.

Still, the Border Patrol union official said the parole program doesnt fix the broader asylum program problems, where people are allowed just to come in and essentially clog up the system with claims that ultimately arent going to work for them. He said the large influx of new asylum claims is basically preventing people with real asylum claims from having a timely chance to claim asylum.

In addition to expanding the asylum parole program, the Biden administration launched its CBP One app, which allows asylum-seekers to submit their applications to enter the United States without crossing the border illegally. Anfinsen said that with the apps rollout, customs agents have been able to take a more active role in processing asylum applications, freeing Border Patrol agents to monitor border crossings.

Border Policies

Anfinsen credited the Trump-era Migrant Protection Protocols, dubbed the Remain in Mexico policy, with sharply decreasing border-crossing attempts.

There were plenty of debates about whether that was appropriate or ethical or whatever, but what you cant argue with is that it worked, it produced results, Anfinsen said of the Trump-era policy. We went from having tens of thousands of people cross the border, and it turned off almost just like flipping a light switch. Its effective.

Anfinsen said Biden administration policies such as the parole program and the CBP One app have had a similar impact on reducing border crossings, except people in those categories then go to the port of entry to request asylum and then get released. So it doesnt actually do anything to change the number of people who actually want to cross the border.

Republican lawmakers have supported new border wall construction and called for keeping policies that allow border officials to turn back more illegal immigrants attempting to enter the country, such as Title 42, in place.

Biden and other Democrats have called for creating a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants who entered or remain in the country and to provide funding for more personnel to process asylum cases.

Congressional Republicans have refused to consider my comprehensive plan, Biden said in January. And they rejected my recent request for an additional $3.5 billion to secure the border and funds for 2,000 new asylum personnelasylum officers and personnel, and 100 new immigration judgesso people dont have to wait years to get their claims adjudicated, which they have a right to make a claim legally.

From NTD News
Burma, Russia Sign Pact on Developing Nuclear Power

A man walks in front of a huge Russian flag hanging on the Moskva Hotel's facade at the central Manezhnaya Square just outside the Kremlin in Moscow on March 6, 2012. (Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images)

BANGKOKThe military-led government of Burma (also known as Myanmar), working with Russias state atomic energy company, has inaugurated a nuclear power information center as a step toward developing atomic power to fill energy shortages in the strife-torn Southeast Asian nation.

Burmas state media reported Tuesday that the head of the military government, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, met with Alexey Evgenievich Likhachev, director general of the Russian State Atomic Energy Corp., or Rosatom.

Officials from the two sides met at the newly opened Nuclear Technology Information Center in Burmas largest city, Yangon, on Monday, the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper said.

Burma hopes to build and operate a reactor under a preliminary agreement between Burma and Rosatom that was signed in 2015, the newspaper said. The two sides signed memorandums of understanding in Moscow in July on nuclear energy, training and promotion of public understanding of atomic power.

Thanks to the cooperation of Rosatom, Myanmar will have to enhance the human resources related to the construction and running of a Small Modular Reactor in Myanmar and to produce qualified experts for respective sectors, the newspaper quoted Min Aung Hlaing as saying.

Both sides frankly exchanged views on the effective use of nuclear energy in health and agricultural sectors including electricity production and further cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, the newspaper said.

The development is likely to ignite concerns that Burmas military would like to develop a nuclear weapons capability. There were suspicions a decade ago that North Korea was supplying nuclear arms technology to Burma, but there was no definitive evidence.

Russia maintains friendly relations with Burma, which is treated as a pariah state by many Western nations after its army ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021 and violently suppressed opposition, killing thousands of civilians and leading to what some U.N. experts describe as civil war.

The United States and other nations have imposed political and economic sanctions against the ruling generals, while Russia supplies the military with arms, including fighter aircraft that are sometimes used against civilians.

Russia has been promoting cooperation on nuclear power with several Southeast Asian nations including Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Balloon Was Part of Chinas Planned Posturing Ahead of Blinkens Beijing Visit

The Chinese spy balloon drifts to the ocean after being shot down off the coast in Surfside Beach, S.C., on Feb. 4, 2023. (Randall Hill/Reuters)

Commentary

The Chinese reconnaissance balloon, shot down by the U.S. Air Force last Saturday (Feb. 4), may have been just one of numerous planned incidents by Beijing aimed at increasing its bargaining power in the negotiations scheduled with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken for this week.

Blinken was supposed to visit Beijing on Feb. 5, but had to cancel the trip at the last minute in the face of a heated public outcry over Chinas intrusion into U.S. airspace. His trip was originally arranged during a meeting between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden at last Novembers G20 summit in Indonesia.

To understand why Beijings leaders have decided to take the risk of provoking anger from the American public by sending an airship into U.S. airspace, it is necessary to review how Blinkens visit to Beijing was originally arranged.

The focus of the Biden and Xi meeting last November was about the security of Taiwan. Therefore, Blinkens visit to Beijing was supposed to be a follow-up event that would see both sides arrange further security details to ensure peace in the Taiwan Strait.

However, Taiwan has been a red-line subject for the Chinese regime. Beijing did not want to risk seeing Blinken walk away from the negotiation table with some sort of temporary peace deal on the Taiwan Strait without paying a very high price.

Following the approach of Beijings so-called wolf-warrior diplomacy, the Chinese leadership strategically planned a series of incidents after the G20 meeting, with the purpose of creating a high price tag for Blinkens negotiations in Beijing.

On Christmas Day, 2022, the Chinese military conducted its largest air offense drills in the Taiwan Strait, with a total of 71 military planes joining the drill, and 47 of them crossing the median line of the strait to provoke Taiwan.

The median line of the Taiwan Strait is considered a de facto border line between China and Taiwan.

On Dec. 21, 2022, a Chinese fighter jet approached a U.S. military reconnaissance plane flying in international airspace above the South China Sea. At one point, the Chinese jet came within just 20 feet of the U.S. plane, according to reports from the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. The U.S. plane had to take action to change its flight direction in order to avoid a crash.

Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning led two destroyers sailing through Miyako Strait on Dec. 16, and conducted a naval offensive drill later in an area within 150 miles of Japans Okinawa and about 500 miles from Guam. Both Okinawa and Guam have U.S. military bases.

No. 1 Red Line

On Jan. 30, just days before Blinkens scheduled visit per the original arrangement, Chinas Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said that Taiwan is the No. 1 red line for the Chinese regime, and stated that Blinken should not expect he can cross the line.

Mao also charged the United States with triggering the RussiaUkraine War and creating the conditions for it to last so long.

Following Maos comments, the Chinese military conducted another military drill on Jan. 31 with 9 naval battleships and 34 military planes. According to reports from Taiwans Defense Ministry, 24 Chinese military planes crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait on Jan. 30.

Also on Jan. 30, Russian state media TASS reported that Chinas top diplomat, Wang Yi, would visit Moscow on Feb. 20 to make arrangements for a later visit by Xi in the spring. Beijing has not officially confirmed Xis visit, but the news itself also served the purpose of increasing Beijings bargaining power.

Alongside Beijings other posturing activities, the spy balloon incident could be its latest one designed to test the U.S. governments strength, and to ensure that Blinken would pay a high price when sitting at the negotiation table in Beijing.

Chinas economy, recently reopened after more than 3 years of lockdowns under the regimes strict zero-COVID policy, is facing a huge uphill battle. In the past few years, the U.S. government has also increased sanctions against dozens of Chinese tech companies with ties to the Chinese military. Beijing wants better trade terms with the United States and hopes to pressure Blinken into easing sanctions on Chinese tech firms.

However, Beijing miscalculated one thing: the weight of American public opinion.

Beijing leaders never take any of their own citizens public opinions to heart, because in China, the regime can easily censor public opinions and bring them under the regimes control.

The Chinese Communist Regime (CCP) did not expect to see such huge public pressure on Biden and Blinken after Americans learned there was a Chinese spy balloon flying in their skies.

Americans public outcry became the last straw, and ended any possibility of Blinken visiting Beijing last week.

Now the question becomes: will Xi still go to Moscow to meet Putin?

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Chinas Entropic War Operations in South Asia Seek to Undermine India: Experts

Nepal's President Bidhya Devi Bhandar (front right) and Chinese leader Xi Jinping review honor guards during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on April 29, 2019. (Madoka Ikegami/Pool/Getty Images)

Chinas entropic war in South Asian nations like Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Maldives is at an advanced stage, according to strategists. These unrestricted war operations are to ensure Chinas hegemony in its backyard where it wants to push its agendas and counter adversaries like India, an important U.S. ally in the Indo-Pacific, they say.

The idea of entropic warfare goes back two millennia to Chinas Warring States period, according to Brig. Gen. David R. Stilwell (ret.), former Pentagon deputy director for politico-military affairs for Asia and assistant secretary of state for the bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs whos currently on the advisory council of the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue University.

Sun Tzu incorporates it into his book The Art of War in terms of Winning without Fighting (Winning without Armed Conflict). The PRC uses this concept in both big and small countries but the techniques are different, said Stilwell, using the acronym for the Chinese regimes official name, the Peoples Republic of China.

Mark Herman of the Center for Counterproliferation Research at the National Defense University defined entropy as the steady degradation of a system in a two-decade-old paper (pdf). In military terms, he said it is a metric that measures enemy disorganization and ineffectiveness.

Stilwell said to understand Chinas political warfare, which is synonymous with entropic warfare, in these small nations in South Asia, its important to understand these nations geography vis-a-vis China.

Nepal is the home to at least some of the Tibetan Diaspora, which Beijing badly wants repatriated (where they can be silenced). Sri Lanka and the Maldives can both be used to threaten Indias security and they command sea lanes that bring energy to China from Africa and the Middle East, he said.

Cleo Pascal, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) entropic warfare in a region is generally focused on a larger adversary that the regime seeks to control through the smaller countries in the neighborhood.

A demonstrator returns a tear gas cannister towards the police during a protest against the proposed grant agreement from America under the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), in Kathmandu on February 24, 2022. (Prakash Mathema/AFP via Getty Images)

For China to be able to take and hold Taiwana stated primary goal of the CCPit has to have security in a wide perimeter around Taiwan. That area covers a lot of Pacific Island Countries. If it cant control them, it needs to be able to contain them or destabilize them to the point they are not a concern, Pascal told The Epoch Times in an email.

Similarly, if China is to control the Himalayan highsa priority since Maos time as well as the Indian Ocean (through which many of Chinas key supplies flow) it has to be able to control, constrain or destabilize India, she added referring to the first CCP leader Mao Zedong.

Over the past few years, India and China have had multiple face-offs along a disputed border, including a few violent clashes, a controversy that goes back decades since the CCP seized Tibet in the 1950s under Mao.

Pascal said that Maos dream to control Himalayas and the Indian ocean brought the two nations in direct contention and Chinas attempts at constraining India meant among many things, creating problems for neighbors surrounding India.

China already has an Iron Brother in Pakistan, but other targets are Nepal, Sri Lanka and Maldives, she said.

Its for the same reasons that when the Trump administration framed its Indo-Pacific strategy, it included strengthening India and ensuring unimpeded commerce in the Indian Ocean as key goals. Its also why the Trump administration directly highlighted the China threat during its engagements with Indias neighbors, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank, which noted that the the Biden administration has continued the policy but with a few changes.

Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, arrives for a press conference in Kathmandu on November 21, 2013. Nepals former rebel leader alleged the national elections were rigged after he reportedly lost his seat, sparking fears of renewed political instability in the Himalayan nation struggling to recover from a decade-long civil war. (Prakash Mathema/AFP via Getty Images)

Comprehensive National Power

Experts said Chinas unrestricted or entropic warfare is determined by a comprehensive national power (CNP) score which is a value that the CCP empirically measures for each nation to determine what it would need to overtake them and achieve its agenda, according to analysts.

Beijing follows a system of CNP which encompasses the political influence, diplomatic guidance and ascendancy, economic domination and control and last but not the least the military supremacy to ensure the countries all over the world follow the path ascribed by the CCP, said Col. Vinayak Bhat (ret.), a satellite imagery expert and an Indian military intelligence veteran.

According to Bhat, the CCP uses various means to achieve its goals, including sowing public discort via the internet and media channels, financing infrastructure projects with soft loans, diplomatic coercion, and influencing elites and politicians through covert and overt means.

Stilwell describes the latter as elite capture and said that in smaller countries like in Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives this is a large component of entropic warfare. Beijings working of the Rajapaksas in Sri Lanka is well documented, he said.

Two former Srilankan Presidents, Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa were sanctioned this month by the Canadian government for gross and systematic violations of human rights committed during their tenure in civil war between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a separatist group from 1983 to 2009.

The current Srilankan President, Ranil Wickremesinghe took over from Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was the prime minister until May while his brother, Gotabaya Rajapaksa was the president until July. The Rajapaksa clan was forced to resign last year amidst violent protests against them during which Mahinda had to be evacuated by the military from his official residence. Ranil Wickremesinghe, an opposition leader first took over from Mahindra as the prime minister and was later elevated to president after Gotabaya fled.

A protester unfurls the Sri Lankan national flag at the vandalized gateway of the presidential palace on July 13, 2022 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Sri Lankas airforce had confirmed then that ex-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has fled the country on a military jet to the Maldivian capital Male, following days of unrest in which the presidential palace and office were taken over by anti-government protesters. (Abhishek Chinnappa/Getty Images)

Rajapaksas openly supported CCPs policies on international forums and its economic investment in Sri Lanka and were alleged to be under the influence of the communist regime. Sulochana R. Mohan, deputy editor of Ceylon Today, a leading Sri Lankan media, said that China was successful in achieving its agendas in the country because of its elite dominance of Sri Lankan politics. Power in the country was concentrated in a few political families like the Rajapaksas, and Chinas money helped them maintain their rule, she added.

There has been no room for the rest mainly because wealth is considered power in this region. Power, wealth, and rank have been guarantors of elite insulation while the same diminishes democracy and governance and the Chinese have used this greed of the political elites to capture them for its interests, Mohan told The Epoch Times.

Paskal described Sri Lanka as the classic case of the CCP using corruption and opaque contracts to gain control of strategic infrastructure, most famously the Hambantota port. The port was leased to China for 99 years in 2017 after Sri Lanka failed to repay $1.4 billion in loans. It is located 10 nautical miles away from one of the worlds busiest sea trade routes.

The destabilization in Sri Lanka was largely caused by factors that in varying degrees were directly or indirectly related to China: corruption, COVID (which collapsed the economy), and crop failures (exacerbated by bad fertilizer from China), said Paskal.

The Sri Lankan government has told the international community that China is only a commercial partner, however while operating in Sri Lanka, Beijing has now started challenging India, Japan, the European Union, and the US as well, according to Mohan.

The CCP regime has subtly made inroads in Sri Lankas local politics while projecting itself as a people-centric development partner. Mohan said it has strategically established several media associations, institutions, and [corporate social responsibility] projects to win over the support of the local people who have appreciated its material and monetary contributions to the plantation sector, the northern fishing community, and other sectors while letting themselves be colonized.

Except for the hybrid solar power project in the northern region (which was not technically approved), the Sri Lankan government has not revoked any Chinese projects but has backtracked and shelved officially agreed Indian, Japanese, and American ones. It is evident that China has trapped Sri Lanka, as no government officials, [parliamentarians], or even the opposition speaks out against Chinas involvement in Sri Lanka, with the exception of a few selected Tamil politicians and activists, said Mohan.

Sri Lankans living in the Maldives stage a demonstration in Male on July 13, 2022, to protest for the arrival of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who is fleeing his own country after thousands of protesters overran his official residence accusing him of responsibility for Sri Lankas worst economic crisis. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Nepal and Maldives

Experts said Chinas activities in Nepal and Maldives are also ultimately targeting India and its security. Maldives strategic location in the Indian Ocean also creates threats for the wider Indo-Pacific.

The Chinese are nothing if not predictable; its a safe bet that similar things are happening in Maldives and Nepal, said Stilwell.

In an unprecedented development in 2020, Nepal accepted Beiings proposal to make Mandarin mandatory in some schools in return for the Chinese regime providing CCP-chosen Mandarin teachers free of cost.

Sharp power often incorporates tactics of pressure and coercion as a means to interfere, control and sway decisions of other countries, said analysts Mansheetal Singh and Shreya Behal. in a commentary published on Observers Research Foundation at the time.

On the face of it, the new collaboration between the two countries will not only foster teaching Chinese language and culture, but it will also be utilized to promote Chinas policies and interests in maneuvering views of the people through a coalescence of literature, cultural affairs and exhibitions, said Singh and Behal.

These Chinese-language programs in Nepal are controversial because they are directly linked to the Chinese regime, and thus institutionalized to support Beijings political objectives, some likely against India, according to them.

Paskal said Nepal is a buffer state between India and China and by using it as a proxy, China can hit India with cross-border terrorism, smuggling, trafficking, and infiltration while obfuscating the source and the intent.

It also means retaliation from India could be spun in the Nepali press to make it look like India is the bad guy, further driving a wedge between two countries that should be natural friends, she said.

Bhat said that the Chinese communist Party has close ties with the Nepalese Communist Party (NCP) and it has ensured that the latter remains in power. The NCP in June 2020 also held a virtual meeting with the CCP to discuss and share their experiences on running the party and the government. Singh and Behal said such meetings between the two communist parties will likely pave the way for the introduction of Xi Jinping Thought in Nepal, referring to the personal dogma of the CCP leader Xi Jinping.

Human rights activists hold placards during a protest against Indias newly inaugurated link road to the Chinese border, near Indian embassy in Kathmandu on May 12, 2020.  Nepal protested Indias inauguration of a new road to China that passes through territory claimed by Kathmandu on May 9, with police detaining dozens of demonstrators. (Prakash Mathema/AFP via Getty Images)

This meeting was joined by the Nepalese communist leaders from all provinces of the country while CCP leaders from neighboring Tibet Autonomous Region had also joined, according to the Kathmandu Post.

Last year, the Nepalese communist regime further decided not to move ahead with the U.S. State Partnership Program amidst much debate in the country on the topic. This was a bilateral program focused on disaster mitigation for the earthquake-prone Himalayan nation. But local critics alleged the partnership was a covert military program, despite many attempts to clear the air by the U.S. embassy in Kathmandu.

Nepalese media described it as a military partnership between Nepal Army and Utah National Guard of the United States.

Just two days after this decision, Liu Jianchao, the head of the CCPs International Liaison Department, held talks with communist officials in Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal and K.P. Oli. The Chinese regime was against the U.S. project from the beginning and commended Nepals decision after it was canceled.

Bhat said China has also ensured a steady inflow of technical skilled staff and finished product and outflow of raw materials from Nepal through new infrastructure projects especially roads, railways, dams etc. Chinese investment in Nepal was 76.47 percent of the total foreign direct investment during the first half of fiscal year 2021-2022, according to state-run media China Daily.

The Maldives represents a similar story of Chinese investment and debts, and is also increasingly becoming a battleground of influence between India and Chinaso much so that in an analysis published in the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs expert Michael Kugelman described it as one of the biggest stories in Asian geopolitics in recent years.

India had the greatest influence in the Maldives for four decades until 2013 when the island nation was rocked by political turmoil during which Abdulla Yameen, an authoritarian with Chinese backing came to power, Kugelman wrote. This led to the China-Maldives free trade agreement and the island nation joining the regimes Belt and Road Initiative, a trillion-dollar infrastructure investment project aimed at entrenching Beijings economic and political influence worldwide.

Maldives is also a critical piece of strategic real estate. In Maldives, China was fine to work with Wahhabi elements to try to create a fracture with India and put in place more authoritarian leadership, said Paskal, adding that Beijing likes authoritarians for obvious reasons.

There are many ex-pat Maldivians in Sri Lanka, and Paskal alleged that China paid them to vote for the pro-Beijing candidate. There are over 177,000 expat Maldivians in Sri Lanka, according to a 2021 report by the islands newspaper, Avas.

In the political chaos, Chinese interests managed to get leases on over a dozen Maldivian islands, creating a major security vulnerability for India, said Paskal.

Former Maldives president Abdulla Yameen (C) looks on as he is escorted to board a speedboat of Correctional Service heading back to prison, after the High Court ruling, in Male on February 6, 2020.  The Maldives High Court ruled on February 6 against the suspension of sentence and release on bail of ex-president Abdulla Yameen, who was sentenced to five years in prison for money laundering on November 28, 2019. (Ahmed Shurau/AFP via Getty Images)

Decreasing Effectiveness

Stilwell said that in the long run entropic warfare is less effective when considering the amount of time and effort the Chinese communist has invested in the endeavor.

This is because the issue has been drawing more and more attention in the regions targeted by the regime, he said.

Media, NGOs, human rights groups, etc., are looking for PRC negative influence and are exposing bad news stories about leaders getting caught trading national interests for personal gain, he said adding that he often points to Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razaks ouster due to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal (1MDB) scandal, in which he was accused of covering up while in power.

The 1MDB scandal involved embezzlement of a national sovereign fund and was described by the U.S. Department of Justice as the largest kleptocracy case to date in 2016. China was a key player in this fund which involved Chinese-Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho whos currently a fugitive wanted by global investigators. It has been speculated that Low is hiding in China, though the regime has denied harboring him.

Stilwell said Chinas entropic warfare can be countered through information warfare and when he was at the State Department, the U.S. administration had started a number of programs to bring transparency to PRC political warfare activities.

John Garnaut in Australia famously says that PRC political warfare tactics are corrupt, covert and coercive. The solution he says is simple: Sunshine/transparencyshine a light on deals Beijing would rather not be made public, he said.

Another effective solution, according to him, would be to expose CCP behavior to Chinese people and how their government is perceived globally.

If I were in charge we would go on the offensive and expose this behavior in China, show the Chinese people how its government is perceived globally. These three countries are interesting but for going on the offensive, Id go after their activities in Africa, said Stilwell.
Unprecedented Numbers of Chinese, Russian Illegal Immigrants Are Crossing Border, Posing Security Risks: Immigration Experts

Unprecedented numbers of Chinese and Russians, who may pose national security threats, are entering the United States as illegal immigrants from Mexico because President Joe Biden and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas refuse to enforce laws and regulations designed to protect the United States, three immigration experts say.

We literally apprehend immigrants from China. Do you think we are getting what their background is before we release them? Of course were not, Mark Morgan, former acting commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), told journalists during a Feb. 9 press conference.

So not only do we have more than 1.2 million known gotaways, and by the way, if you ask border patrol agents, they will tell you we really have no idea how many there really are and it could easily be double that. But we are also knowingly releasing people into the U.S., knowing that we have not done a full-vetted background on [them], in violation of the law.

Data compiled by the CBP shows that U.S. officials on the border with Mexico encountered 1,915 Chinese during the first three months of the 2023 fiscal yearOctober 2022 through December 2022. That compares with 4,394 during all of the three prior years. If the rate of such encounters continues throughout 2023, it will total 5,745 encounters, a one-year 31 percent increase over the previous three-year total.

The same data show 17,298 encounters with Russian individuals during the first three months of the fiscal year, and 26,333 for the three prior years. Russia and China have grown increasingly close in recent years, cooperating in joint military maneuvers, in opposing the United States, and on economic matters.

In addition to thousands of Chinese and Russians coming into the country through Mexico without background checks, at least 140 individuals on the FBIs Terrorist Watchlist have been detained by U.S. immigration officials since Biden took office, more than were detained during the four years under his predecessor in the Oval Office, Donald Trump, according to Tom Homan, former acting director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.

In addition to individuals from countries that are major U.S. adversaries, Morgan separately told The Epoch Times that what should terrify everyone is Border Patrol has encountered individuals from more than 170 countries during this crisis, and they are simply unable to fully and properly vet them all before being released into the U.S.

And think about the 1.2 million gotaways since Biden took officehow many potential national security and public safety threats from countries across the globe have been among them? We simply do not know. The cartels certainly dont care who theyre smuggling across, as long as they make money doing it, he added.

Morgan and Homan are visiting fellows for the conservative Heritage Foundation think tanks Border Security and Immigration Center. They were joined during the press conference by Lora Ries, director of the center, whos a former acting deputy chief of staff for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

All three of the former security and immigration officials were highly critical of Mayorkas. Ries said the DHS chief should be impeached and disqualified from any further federal office.

Morgans comment came on the same day that the House of Representatives unanimously adopted a resolution condemning Beijings violation of U.S. airspace with a spy balloon that crossed over Alaska on Jan. 28, traversed Canada, and then drifted along a path from Montana to South Carolina dotted with strategic U.S. military facilities, including missile silos containing intercontinental ballistic missiles, as well as B-52, B-1, and B-2 strategic bomber bases.

While Biden claimed to have ordered the balloon shot down on Feb. 1, Pentagon officials held off until the spy craft headed over the Atlantic Ocean, where it was brought down with a Sidewinder missile fired by a U.S. F-22 Raptor. Chinese officials claimed that the balloon was gathering weather information and drifted into U.S. and Canadian airspace by mistake.

As previously reported by The Epoch Times, the spy balloon is the latest illustration of a massive and long-running espionage effort by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) against the U.S. military, government, economy, and technology.

The border security issue is directly related to Chinas campaigns against the United States, according to Republicans and foreign policy experts, because Beijing provides the precursor chemicals used by the Mexican drug cartels to make fentanyl, with which theyre flooding the United States and making untold billions of dollars in the process.

The Heritage officials were critical of three House Republicans who they claim are holding up consideration of H.R. 29, the Border Safety and Security Act introduced by Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas). The proposal would require DHS to bar entry into the United States of noncitizens who lack valid entry documents whenever officials are unable to detain them or return them to their home country. The bill also authorizes U.S. border officials to bar entry of non-U.S. nationals without required entry documents if they determine that doing so is necessary to regain control of the U.S. border with Mexico.

The three House Republicans are Reps. Don Bacon of Nebraska, Tony Gonzalez of Texas, and Maria Salazar of Florida. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) agreed to their insistence that H.R. 29 be considered under regular order rather than the much quicker process of bringing a legislative proposal to the floor under a suspension of rules.

Morgan told reporters that the central provision of H.R. 29 essentially ends the Catch-and-Release policy currently in effect under Biden and that all House Republicans, including Bacon, Gonzalez, and Salazar, supported under their Commitment to America pledge during the 2022 midterm election campaign.

Morgan said House Republicans had two years prior to the 118th Congress to debate and settle on the provisions of H.R. 29.

So, committee hearings? What do you need, a day and a half  so whats there to discuss on this bill?

Bacon told The Epoch Times separately through a spokesman that his primary goal is to have this bill go through committee and regular order, so that all members of the Homeland Security and Judiciary committees can review and improve it as needed.

Some critics have said the bill could totally shut down asylum requests, the spokesman said. Im not sure that is the case, which is why this bill needs to go through the regular process. This new majority has agreed to regular order, and we shouldnt deviate from that in the first few weeks of this new Congress.

The same group of people who want this to bypass regular order are the ones who demanded regular order for all bills during the speakers votes in early January. They should follow the rules they demanded. Rules for thee and not for me doesnt work for the good order of the House.

The Department of Homeland Security did not return a request for comment by press time.
Chinese Spy Balloon Carried Technology to Monitor Communication Signals: Official

The Chinese spy balloon that flew over the United States for days before being shot down could monitor communications signals, a U.S. official says.

High resolution imagery from U-2 flybys revealed that the high-altitude balloon was capable of conducting signals intelligence collection operations, an official with the State Department, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Epoch Times.

The high altitude balloons equipment was clearly for intelligence surveillance and inconsistent with the equipment onboard weather balloons. It had multiple antennas to include an array likely capable of collecting and geo-locating communications. It was equipped with solar panels large enough to produce the requisite power to operate multiple active intelligence collection sensors, the official added.

Frank Gaffney, executive chairman at the Center for Security Policy, told NTD that China would likely have an interest in monitoring communications between intercontinental ballistic missile silos.

Officials said the balloon entered U.S. airspace over Alaska on Jan. 28. It flew over Canada before re-entering the United States on Jan. 31. President Joe Biden ordered the balloon taken down and it was shot from the sky on Feb. 4. The North American Aerospace Defense Command was tracking the balloon the entire time.

The United States sent a clear message to the PRC that its violation of our sovereignty was unacceptable by shooting down the balloon, protecting our own sensitive intelligence, and maximizing our ability to track the balloon and recover the payload to get more information on the PRCs program, the State Department official said, adding that the United States would explore taking action against Chinese entities that supported the incursion of U.S. airspace. PRC stands for Peoples Republic of China.

The balloon is believed to be part of communist Chinas fleet of balloons developed to conduct surveillance operations, which are typically undertaken at the direction of the Peoples Liberation Army. The program has been in operation for several years, a Pentagon spokesman said Wednesday. U.S. officials have since learned that China has flown the surveillance balloons over more than 40 countries across 5 continents, the State Department official said.

The sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 recovering a high-altitude surveillance balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach, S.C., on Feb. 5, 2023. (U.S. Navy via AP)

The United States is contacting other countries to learn about the scope of the program and other details.

Mao Ning, with Chinas Foreign Ministry, told reporters in Beijing that the accusations may be part of the U.S. sides information warfare against China and claimed that the United States was overreacting when it shot the balloon down.

Some U.S. lawmakers have been critical of the decision to wait to bring the craft down until it had flown across multiple states.

An assessment of the risk of intelligence collection was deemed to be low to moderate while the risk to U.S. personnel on the ground if the balloon was shot down was determined to be moderate to significant, prompting officials to advise Biden to wait to bring down the balloon until it was over water, Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims, director of operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during a hearing on Capitol Hill on Thursday.

Melissa Dalton, assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and hemispheric affairs, assured members of Congress that the United States was able to protect against PRC intelligence collection, saying it was straightforward because we knew where the balloon was.

The balloon entering the United States is part of the broader suite of operations that China is undertaking to try and get better understanding of U.S., Jedidiah Royal, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, told members before being interrupted by Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), who asked whether U.S. officials know what intelligence the Chinese were trying to collect.

We have some very good guesses about that, and we are learning more as we exploit the contents of the balloon and the payload itself, Royal said.

Ivan Pentchoukov contributed to this report.
Chinese Spy Balloon Incident Backfired, Expert Says

Miles Yu, former senior China policy adviser to former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Annapolis, Md., in Feb. of 2021. (Tal Atzmon/The Epoch Times)

Last weeks spy balloon incident was an embarrassment to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which should have simply apologized. However, in line with its deceptive nature, the communist regime continues to behave like an ostrich, says Miles Yu, former senior Chinese policy adviser to the U.S. State Department.

The CCP has lost credibility with its mendacity, which makes it impossible for it to be a world leader, Yu said.

Yu is a professor of East Asia and military and naval history at the U.S. Naval Academy. He is also a senior fellow and director of the China Center at the Hudson Institute. He served as the China policy adviser to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during the Trump administration. Yu spoke with the Chinese language edition of The Epoch Times on Feb. 5.

A Regime of Mendacity

Chinas story about the balloon was not coherent, Yu said: The regime is caught in the act, but it cant even rationalize its own lie. Under state control such as in China, an issue involving the airspace of the nation cannot be run by the private sector.

In a press conference on Feb. 7, Beijing continued to insist that the unmanned balloon flew into American airspace in an unintended entry. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said the balloon was of a civilian nature, and protested the downing of the balloon by the United States.

Yu said the CCP could not provide any details about the civilian entity responsible for the balloon, such as its name, headquarters; or the balloons purpose, operators, and mission.

He noted that China at first said the United States had fabricated the so-called Chinese spy balloon incident. After evidence was presented, the CCP modified its story, explaining it as an uncontrolled civilian balloon.

If its uncontrollable, it should have notified the U.S. after its been out of control for so long. Obviously, the CCP lied, and Washington would never buy it  No one with a clear mind would buy it, Yu said.

Yu said the CCP should have apologized for the balloons intrusion and explained clearly. If it had admitted the mistake initially, the incident would have been over. However, the CCP did not have the courage to admit its mistake; resorting to lies and protests. Its a regime of mendacity and no credibility, he said.

I think its very hard for a government of no credibility to be the world leader, Yu said.

The Chinese spy balloon drifts to the ocean after being shot down off the coast in Surfside Beach, S.C. (L) on Feb. 4, 2023. A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter flies over a debris field during recovery efforts (R) on Feb. 4, 2023. (Randall Hill/Reuters); U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Jerry Ireland)

Chinese Strategy Backfired

Yu discussed the connection between the spy balloon incident and the now-canceled visit of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to China. The visit had been scheduled for Feb. 56.

After U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken postponed the visit to China due to the spy balloon incident, China had a shocking claim: neither side has ever announced that there would be a visit. 

On the contrary, the White House announced Blinkens visit to China after U.S. President Joe Biden and CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping agreed in Bali last November that both countries should find ways to open up dialogue.

At a press conference on Jan. 17, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told the media, We welcome Secretary Blinkens visit to China.

Yu said that the visits postponement was a clarification and adjustment of the rules for U.S.China relations in accordance with the interests of the United States.

U.S. diplomacy has been generous in maintaining dialogue with the CCP, Yu said. China has exploited the relationship, opening and closing channels of dialogue at will.

Dialogue with the United States is a win-win for China, legitimizing the regime in the eyes of the Chinese people and sending a message about the relationship between the two countries.

However, the Chinese strategy of using confrontation to extract cooperationand of using incidents such as last weeks to distract from the issues at handdid not work in this instance.

Instead, the United States showed its willingness to walk away from the negotiating table.

An Ostrich State

These are rules that countries and the U.S. follow in international relations. China should not expect any special treatment, Yu said.

The White House needs to stand firm on Chinese human rights abuse, and similarly, Chinese espionage activities in business, politics, and the military, Yu said.

Cooperation in economy and trade is granted. But the CCP can not expect the United States to keep silent about its criminal acts toward regional countries and people, Yu said.

Its unrealistic for the CCP to blame the U.S. as showing no respect. Its an ostrich behavior when its faced with criticism.

CCP should really learn from [this] lesson. Its arrogance in this situation is not going to help its reputation, Yu said.

Cheng Jing and Luo Ya contributed to this report.
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Comptroller General Warns Federal CFOs to Be Careful of Access Law

A Canadian flag hangs from a lamp post along the road in front of the Parliament buildings ahead of Canada Day in Ottawa on June 30, 2020. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

The Comptroller General of Canada advised federal chief financial officers (CFOs) to be careful what they wrote down as any record created may find its way out through Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) requests, a Commons committee heard on Feb. 8.

Comptroller Roch Huppe, who is responsible for government-wide financial management, was testifying at the House of Commons government operations committee on the issue of federal contracts awarded to consulting firm McKinsey & Company when he was asked to explain about his remarks to the CFOs during a meeting on Feb. 2.

Did you advise the CFOs? Im going to be quoting, Be careful what you write down; [it] will find its way out through an ATIP. Did you say that? asked Conservative MP Kelly McCauley, chair of the committee, as first reported by Blacklocks Reporter.

I said that, what I said actually is that, indeed, I caution people that we need to remain as public servants very factual in what were saying, so writing personal opinions on different subjects in emails is not necessarily the place to do that, Huppe replied.

Violates the Intent

McCauley did not name his source on how he got to know what Huppe had said. So did you say the words Be careful what you write down? the MP repeated, to which the comptroller answered absolutely.

An ATIP gives Canadian citizens the right to access records of government institutions including personal information held by government institutions, according to the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat on its official site.

Do you not think that violates the intent or the spirit of the Access To Information Act, advising senior public officials not to write things down for fear it will show up in an ATIP? McCauley probed.

Absolutely not   Huppe said. His reply was interrupted by McCauley who challenged him: You dont believe thats a violation to the spirit  ?

What Ive said is that they need to remain very factual. So they have to be careful, the comptroller reiterated.

The MP pressed Huppe again if he had told the CFOs to be careful in their writings in case their works are seen by the public through ATIP requests.

I dont remember exactly what Ive said to be honest with you. But I did caution people that as were dealing with sensitive situations that you need to remain very factual, Huppe said.

McCauley expressed concerns over Huppes answers. He suggested that the comptroller seemed to err toward what Information Commissioner of Canada Caroline Maynard said in July 2020 about the culture of secrecy that is prevalent in the federal government.

I am greatly worried as [the] Information Commissioner states there is a culture of secrecy and it appears you are leaning toward that, said the committee chair.

The committee agreed with McCauley to order the comptroller to disclose emails and records he had shared with CFOs and deputy ministers. MPs also sought minutes of the meeting Huppe would have with chief audit executives on Feb. 9 regarding their study on the McKinsey case.

And again, let me just express my extreme displeasure over the comments made about perhaps hiding things from access to information and continued secrecy from that level, McCauley said.
Congress Urged to Support Vital AUKUS Alliance to Contain Pacific China Threat

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during an event in the East Room of the White House on Sept. 15, 2021. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Experts have called on the U.S. Congress to support the transfer of secret information regarding nuclear technology to Australia because AUKUS, a trilateral security pact between Australia, the UK, and the United States, is vital to the containment of China in the Pacific.

Testifying before the U.S. Armed Services congressional committee, which is currently investigating the pressing threat of the Chinese Communist Party to U.S. national defense, former Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr. and deterrence policy expert Melanie W. Sisson, a fellow in the Brookings Foreign Policy programs Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology, urged the U.S. Congress to push forward with overcoming the export controls to share nuclear technology with Australia. They called it vital to U.S. defense in the Pacific.

Harris told the committee on Feb. 7 that AUKUS was strategically important and that it would help the United States dramatically.

AUKUS is supremely important, Harris said. Were going to need to put our shoulder to the task for Australia, which has a tremendous military.

For them to have a long reach of a nuclear submarine force would be dramatic. It would help us dramatically. It would change the balance of power in the Indian Ocean.

Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command Adm. Harry Harris salutes at a ceremony marking the start of Talisman Saber 2017, a biennial joint military exercise between the United States and Australia, aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard amphibious assault ship in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Sydney on June 29, 2017. Reuters/Jason Reed

Calling the plan for the United States and the UK to share their nuclear technology with Australia a significant step forward, he said it would only be a significant win if the United States followed through in the long term.

I cant emphasize enough how important it is to get through this export control issue with Australia, Harris said. We could have every good intention in the world, but we could be bound up by our own regulation and our own regulatory policy.

Submarines Could Be in the Water Within the Decade

Harris also pushed back on the concern that Australia wouldnt have nuclear submarines in the water for 30 years, saying that a joint effort from the three nations would see the task completed in the next decade.

We put a man on the moon in eight years, and we developed a COVID vaccine in one year. We can do this, he said. If we put our hearts and minds to it and our resources to it, and by ours, I mean the United States, the UK, and Australia, we can do this faster than that.

The comments from the former commander come as AUKUS allies prepare to announce the plan of how and at what price the Royal Australian Navy will obtain eight nuclear-powered submarines.

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles has said previously that Australia didnt underestimate the challenge that was involved in arming itself with the capability but that the government was confident that the trilateral partners would be able to meet the challenges.

AUKUS is central to that, Marles said.

The Los Angeles-class submarine USS San Francisco from a five-month deployment in Apra Harbor, Guam, on June 4, 2004. (Mark A. Leonesio/U.S. Navy via Getty Images)

Read More Australian Defence Minister Not Concerned Over Potential Delays on Nuclear Subs

I think what youll see is when we ultimately do announce the optimal pathway that weve been working on with both the United States and the United Kingdom, that what it really is, is a genuinely trilateral effort to see both the UK and the U.S. provide Australia with a nuclear-powered submarine capability.

AUKUS was unveiled in September 2021 in a surprise joint announcement between U.S., UK, and Australian leaders that would see Australia armed with nuclear-powered submarines and take part in research cooperation in groundbreaking fields such as quantum computing, undersea capabilities, hypersonics, and artificial intelligence.

UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has hinted that Australia could get a brand new submarine class with the United States and the UK working together on the design and build. It comes as the UK is currently in the process of developing the successor to its Astute-class nuclear submarine.

Its a joint endeavour. Whether that is the sharing of technology, and the understanding of how to do it, the sharing of the build, or the sharing of the design, he said after a meeting between Australian and UK ministers on Jan. 2.

AUKUS Alliance a Powerful Part of Strategy Against China

Sisson told Congress that she believed that U.S. alliances and regional diplomatic engagement are key in countering the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) because they improve its situational awareness in the western Pacific and increase its ability to counter strategic competition from the regime.

AUKUS, she noted, is important because its a visible demonstration to the Chinese regime of how widespread the commitment is of its regional neighbours and beyond to certain standards and expectations of behaviour.

U.S. allies are looking to limit the CCPs access to pursue problematic, illegal, and dangerous interests. Chinese structures and buildings at the man-made island on Johnson reef at the Spratlys group of islands in the South China Sea on March 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

She noted that alliances such as AUKUS would limit the environment in which the CCP would be able to pursue their interests in ways that are at a minimum problematic and most illegal and dangerous.
Cory Morgan: The Winners and Losers of the Health-Care Summit

Commentary

First Ministers conferences in Canada tend to be exercises of political theatre and this weeks health-care summit hosted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was no exception. The show went smoothly aside from the awkward handshake episode between a smiling Trudeau and a clearly nonplussed Alberta Premier Danielle Smith during the photo-op stage of the affair.

The premiers had entered the summit seeking an increase in federal health transfers in the range of $28 billion per year. Trudeaus offer fell well short with a proposed increase of $4.6 billion per year. While the gulf between what was demanded and what was offered appears massive, it is all just part of the negotiation games played between provincial and federal leaders. Canadas premiers will now meet and discuss potential counterproposals to the federal offer.

Most of the premiers sounded tentatively optimistic about reaching a deal. Ontario Premier Doug Ford called Trudeaus offer a starting point while P.E.I. Premier Dennis King sounded eager to accept the deal immediately saying, This is money that is so needed in P.E.I. and we need to get to work on it as quickly as possible.

Premier Kings words reflect the reality faced by every provincial leader right now as health-care systems are understaffed and at risk of being overwhelmed across the country. While the premiers may have been hoping for more funding, they know they cant afford to dither with negotiations while their local systems are under such stress. They sound willing to take the deal now and quibble over details down the road. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe was strongly critical of the offer, but likely wont be turning it down

One noteworthy aspect of the summit was what wasnt said by the prime minister.

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has been demanding an emergency parliamentary debate on health care since mid-January. Singh wants Trudeau to intervene in Alberta and Ontario to prevent the provinces from expanding private health-care service delivery. If Trudeau were to try to pressure the provinces on how they choose to deliver health-care services, the summit would have provided that opportunity. The prime minister could have attached conditions to the proposed health-care transfer increase limiting what provinces could invest the funds into. Instead, the only condition Trudeau offered was that provinces remain within the constraints of the Canada Health Act.

Despite Singhs indignance and posturing over Alberta and Ontarios expansion of privately provided health-care services, those provincial initiatives dont clash with the Canada Health Act in any way if universal coverage is offered. If Trudeau had acceded to Singhs demands, it surely would have led to a heated jurisdictional battle between Ottawa and the provinces as health-care delivery is exclusively within provincial authority.

Jagmeet Singh is now in a difficult spot. He had tried to assert himself as an independent voice within Parliament and his request was ignored. Singh had even threatened to pull out of the NDP/Liberal supply and confidence agreement over the issue. Singh is now backpedalling and implying he will wait for the federal budget before reviewing the agreement with the Liberals.

The NDP cant afford to keep looking like the weaker partner in the NDP/Liberal marriage. Core NDP supporters will start losing faith in Singhs leadership while Trudeaus Liberals will appear to be the only viable alternative to Pierre Poilievres Conservatives. Singh can only bluff for so long.

Poilievres reaction to the federal health-care offer was to offer tepid support and a commitment to uphold the deal if he should become Canadas prime minister in the future. It was a weak reaction but Poilievre was in a tough position. If he appeared willing to stand in the way and delay an increase in federal health-care funding transfers to the provinces, he would face heavy blowback from provincial leaders.

In the original Canadian Medical Care Act, the federal government was to provide 50 percent of the funding for health care to the provinces while the provinces were to be solely responsible for providing the care. Today, the federal government is providing 22 percent of the costs of health care to the provinces and often adds conditions to the transfers. The spirit of the original act and the independence of provinces within it has been seriously eroded over time but cash-strapped premiers just dont have the time or political will to try and battle the federal government on the issue.

If anybody could be declared a winner in the recent health-care summit, it is Prime Minister Trudeau. Trudeau weakened the position of his NDP rival while appearing magnanimous in offering a modest increase in federal health-care funding to the provinces. Premiers may be discontent with the increase, but they will likely accept the deal with a minimum in negotiations and counteroffers.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
COVID and the 3 Tests of Compliance

Commentary

Jesus in the wilderness faced three temptations from the Devil himself: material comfort, fame, and power. Needless to say, he declined every temptation and passed all three trials.

So too did the couple seeking to enter the order of virtue in Mozarts The Magic Flute. They blasted right through the tests of silence, isolation, and fear. In the opera, much celebration ensues.

Fairy tales too are often framed by three chances. The Millers daughter is given three chances to guess Rumpelstiltskins name, for example, and Im sure you can think of other instances.

The final movement of the 6th Tragic Symphony by Gustav Mahler features three hammer blows, the third of which was later removed by the composer for superstitious reasons: the fear that the third signifies death. To this day, audiences wait in anticipation to see if the conductor will motion the percussionist to deploy the third or not. When he does not, the blow is even more conspicuous in its absence.

And here we are in year three of the times after the pandemic response sent our lives and those of billions into extraordinary upheaval. To most of us, it seems like a crazy blur of edicts, propaganda, revelations, fear, confusion, division, and shock, so much so that it is hard to keep the history straight. Indeed, many people just want everything forgotten or at least completely mis-remembered.

Daily, we are bombarded by fake history that we know is wrong. We lived through it. Brownstone has been accumulating all the receipts: the emails, speeches, edits, threats, impositions, demands, and so on. In the face of all this attempted revisionism, its hard to keep ones bearing.

One way to think about these last three years is a succession of compliance tests: how much liberty and good sense are we willing to surrender to the regime and on what terms? The policies seem to be constructed for just that purpose.

As if to fit the model, they came in three great waves: lockdowns, masks, and vaccine mandates. Lets examine all three stages and reflect on their demands and terms. It begins to make sense, at least from the point of view of those in control.

Lockdowns

Thank goodness for the lockdowns; this will end the pandemic.

The lockdowns hit us hard from mid-March 2020 and onward, imposed as if they were a conventional response to a circulating new pathogen, though they literally had no precedent in history. They were sweeping, closing churches, schools, small and medium-sized businesses, civic clubs like AA, bars and restaurants plus gyms, and even venues that host weddings and funerals. Many states imposed stay-at-home orders. The entire workforce was divided between essential and nonessential, while medical services were reserved for only COVID cases and other extreme emergencies while everything else was shut.

All of this was based on the astonishing announcement by the Trump administration: Governors should close schools in communities that are near areas of community transmission and bars, restaurants, food courts, gyms, and other indoor and outdoor venues where groups of people congregate should be closed.

At the March 16, 2020, press conference, not one reporter asked a critical question. Even if this was only for two weeks, as was promised, how is any of this compatible with law and the Bill of Rights? How is it that bureaucracies, without any vote of any legislature, can simply shut down an entire country? It was completely bizarre, so much so that most people figured that there had to be some legitimate underlying rationale.

Not everyone went along. Some hair salons, bars, and churches remained open but found themselves pilloried by the media. Then the cops arrived, even SWAT teams, closing them by force. The kids had to stay home too, and moms and dads were forced to leave the workforce to care for them at home, splitting their days pretending to work on Zoom calls while their children pretended to be in school on Zoom too. It was a massive crush of technology and everyone had to adapt.

There was nowhere to go and most American towns suddenly looked like ghost towns. President Trump announced that it would surely all be over by Easter but this itself was something of a shock: Easter was more than two weeks away, so his announcement amounted to extension of lockdowns. His advisers Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx seized the moment and successfully talked Trump into another full 30 days of lockdowns.

These weeks were excruciating. Many if not most people knew that there was something very wrong but it was unclear what. We could no longer meet with friends and neighbors to discuss. Plus many people in our online communities seemed to be all in on the lockdowns, fully believing that this was the way to control and eventually stop a pandemic.

And yet there we were, all of us living in this surreal scene, asked to believe the implausible and give up what we loved the most by deference to a handful of people who said that they knew more than we knew. Those who did not do the right thing were considered horrid and unscientific, insufficiently credulous toward our betters.

Masks

Thank goodness for masks; this will end the lockdowns.

In these early days, there was no thought put into universal masking. It was never part of our history. There was a moment during the 1918 pandemic that one city tried masks but not only did it not work; it produced a massive political revolt. Not since then had masks for the general population ever been tried. Plenty of countries in the Far East had used masks to filter out smog on bad days but that problem had never been something that affected the US enough to make them a norm.

Plus, in those days, the experts told everyone not to bother with them. The masks should be saved for medical personnel. In any case, they dont really work to control the spread of viruses like this. They are not the equivalent of using condoms to avoid infection from AIDS. A respiratory virus is something else entirely, and we are a people informed by evidence and science. The evidence was nowhere in sight that masks achieve any real purpose.

Practically overnight, that advice changed. Part of the deal was that masks were the key to getting out of lockdown. We could leave our home again if only we would wear a mask. For those who dont like lockdown, now is your chance to leave it behind. You only needed to comply with this second round of edicts. The first round, true, was pretty rough, but who can object to putting a cloth on your face? Surely no one. As Bill Gates said, we wear pants so why not cover our faces too? It only makes sense.

People went along, and we went through a whole season or two in which we did not see smiles. Even the children had their faces covered. If you desire to breathe freely, you could fully expect to be denounced by strangers for daring to reject the demands of authorities. You could get thrown off a plane, and put on a list never to travel again. The hate was apparent everywhere, even in outdoor markets where gatekeepers would sternly instruct you slap that cloth on your face.

Those who resisted the masking demands werelike those who refused the lockdownsregarded as miscreants and political rebels. I personally found the whole demand of masking to be so preposterous (masking has long been a sign of subservience) that I spoke out against them, only to find myself attacked viciously in many public forums as a grandma killer and a disease spreader. And this came from from venues that previously had celebrated civil liberties.

This demand for masking was later nationalized once the Biden administration took over. It was to be 100 days of masking to defeat the virus. But by now no one believed anything coming from Washington. We knew for sure that the claim that it was only for 100 dayswhy 100?was propaganda.

It eventually took a major court case to end the mask mandate for all travel: buses, trains, and planes. Even that is still being litigated to this day, as the Biden administration claims it has the power to impose such an order by virtue of the quarantine power of the federal government, first granted in 1944.

Looking back, the deal was pretty obvious: you can get out of lockdowns by masking. If you dont like complying with the first round of tests, here is another test for you: comply with this and all your kvetching about lockdowns can come to an end. Just go along! What kind of pathology do you have to keep from continuing to indulge this pointlessly rebellious habit? You are probably a conspiracy theorist or QAnon or hanging around people from the radical right.

Just do what you are told and then everything will be fine. Things are not fine because you irrationally cling to your freedumb.

Of course, the government broke the deal. Masking didnt really end the restrictions. They continued on anyway. And many are still with us, even the track-and-trace surveillance and restrictions on movement. The signs that demand we socially distance still festoon airports and malls even if everyone ignores them.

Vaccines

Thank goodness for the vaccines; they will end the lockdowns and the masks.

Eventually, there came a third test of compliance. This time it was more explicit: if you dont like lockdowns and masking, the way out is pretty simple: get the shot. If you get the shot, you can travel around freely and you can even take off your mask. This is the way we end this pandemic but there must be broad compliance. Everyone authorized to get the vaccine under the emergency use authorization should do it.

New York City shut down to everyone but the vaccinated. Refuseniks could not go to restaurants, bars, theaters, libraries, or any other public house. Boston and New Orleans followed suit. The mayors said that they were keeping the city safe and reviving the economy because the only way to avoid getting COVID was to be around only vaccinated people. We were further told that the unvaccinated were prolonging the pandemic. Their patience was running thin: get the jab or lose your job.

Many had to get it, and thousands were fired for refusing. Millions were displaced because of all this. And this only intensified the campaign, which was then extended to children. Then came the booster and the bivalent. All the while, the news concerning their effectiveness got grimmer. It did not stop transmission, thus removing all public health rationale behind the mandates. Moreover, it did not stop infection. You would get COVID anyway. In fact, by virtue of immunity imprinting, you could be even more vulnerable.

The thinking behind the third hammer blow turned out to be a lie too. Your decision to surrender your bodily autonomy to the vaccine that did work did not gain back your freedom any more than the mask or the lockdowns did. All three compliance demands, each predicated on the idea that it would make the virus go away and gain back rights and liberties, turned out to be ruses of one sort or another.

Crucially, the new demand came with the promise that if you just believe in and comply with the newest thing, the older thing that you hated will go away. So whats the problem? Just give in to this new thing and all will be well.

And yet the vaccine mandate was the most egregious by some measures. If lockdowns were the war, the vaccine mandate was conscription. It took hold of your own body and demanded you allowvia a needle in your skinin a government-funded and indemnified potion about which you knew nothing. It was the equivalent of drafting young people out of their prime to kill and be killed in a foreign land, and we know how that has ended for states that have tried it: not only riots but revolutions.

So the third test for many was the very act that flipped the switch in many peoples minds. It was a bridge too far and the act that caused millions to rethink everything about the pandemic response and their compliance all along. Even for those who went along with it, the bitterness remains and grows.

From legend and literature, this is how things usually are presented, not with one inviting temptation to go along but rather with three chances to comply, each with assurance that all will be well if we just give up our recalcitrant desire to think and act for ourselves. At each stage, every one of us faces enormous pressure, and not just from government but also from family, friends, and coworkers.

If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread ~ material comfort

If You are the Son of God, throw yourself down ~ fame and social approval

All these things I will give you if you will fall down and worship me ~ power

The three tests in this case turned out to be more like the hammer blows in Mahlers symphony, signifiers of disaster and death, in this case pertaining to our rights and liberties.

Sure enough, even now, the remnants of all three are still with us. There are still capacity restrictions in place as remnants of the original lockdowns. Masks are still required in many cities and venues. And the vaccine mandates are still being enforced. And the pandemic emergency is still in place and will be for several more months.

Just as one is ending, you can be sure that another is beginning. The New York Times just sounded the alarm about H5N1 bird flu, which they say could kill half of humanity if it crosses over from birds to humans. And we can be certain that the three trials will be visited upon us again.

Have we learned? What will be our response in the next round of trials?

From the Brownstone Institute

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Defending the Right to Protect Life

With the U.S. Capitol in the background, pro-life demonstrators march toward the U.S. Supreme Court during the March for Life, in Washington, on Jan. 20, 2023. (Alex Brandon/AP Photo)

Commentary

The Supreme Courts decision overturning Roe v. Wade was one of the greatest days in our historyfor everyone but the Biden administration, according to Shawn Carney, president of the grassroots pro-life organization 40 Days for Life.

The White House is mad, Carney told me in a recent episode of Over the Target Live.

And theyre taking their anger at the Supreme Court out on everyday peaceful Americans. And thats exactly what happened with Mark Houck, who for no reason had his house raided by the FBI at gunpoint with his seven children there. It was absurd, Carney said.

Houck is a volunteer with 40 Days for Life who was protesting at a Philadelphia abortion clinic in October 2021 when he allegedly pushed a man who was harassing his 12-year-old son. Nearly a year later, dozens of FBI agents showed up at Houcks home, reportedly drew their weapons on him, his wife, and their seven children, and charged him with violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, or FACE Act. On Jan. 30, a federal court acquitted him.

Our lawyers absolutely mopped the floor with the FBI and the DOJ in the cross-examination, Carney said. But the story isnt ending yet. Carney said that Houck is going to bring legal action against the Justice Department.

And were going to help him in every way we can, Carney said, because this is about civil rights. And this is why all Americans, whether youre pro-abortion or pro-life, all Americans want free speech. I dont want a pro-abortion activist to have their house raided by the FBI. Thats absurd. Its part of the public discourse on, frankly, the most controversial topic in our country. And so its normal to have public debate. Its not the job of the DOJ to shut one side down because they dont like their opinion. Its bigotry.

Carney explained that 40 Days for Life has previously enjoyed good relations with federal law enforcement through every administration, even during the first 18 months of the Biden White House. Then Roe was overturned, and all of a sudden we were like an enemy of the state.

Nonetheless, he noted: [There are] a lot of great men and women in the DOJ and in the FBI, we talked to them, and they were rooting for Mark. They think the whole thing is absurd. The DOJ and the FBI have a lot of division internally, trust me.

Carney founded whats now the worlds largest grassroots pro-life movement nearly two decades ago. It started with a 40-day vigil outside of a Planned Parenthood in College Station, Texas, in 2004. The organization has grown exponentially since then.

40 Days for Life has gone to now a thousand cities in 65 different countries, Carney said. The organization is effective, he said, because its built on what [it has] and the abortion industry doesnt: a large base of local volunteers.

The core of the mission is sidewalk outreach, speaking to women as they approach an abortion clinic for the procedure. Usually, a sidewalk counselor, like Houck, is the first person to actually connect with the woman when she gets out of a car, Carney said. He explained that the organization trains volunteers on what to say, what not to say, and often its not very profoundusually, Good morning, how are you? I know you dont want to be here today.

The organizations success is due in part to its temperament. 40 Days for Life is approachable. Were not crazy, were not yelling at people telling them theyre going to burn in hell, were there silently. If they want to talk to us, well offer free medical alternatives, Carney said. If we were judgmental, nobody would join, certainly nobody would come and ask for our help.

The pro-abortion camp, on the other hand, has become even more destructive. Carney recalled that when he first heard Roe was overturned, he saw a pro-abortion activist assessing the courts decision on TV. She said, I knew this day was coming. We were losing the messaging. We were pushing late-term abortion, we were pushing infanticide.

Carney credited her for an honest assessment. I think a lot of thats happened in the last 25 years, but especially the last 10 years, when you have politicians saying that you can have an abortion on the day of birth, you just lose people at that.

And thats why the Biden administration is angry and targeting the pro-life movementbecause life is winning, Carney said. The numbers show it. Abortions are down, and the birth rate is up. And according to Carney, thats the most important reason for the organizations successwomen want to choose life.

As evidence, pro-life activists point to the Texas Heartbeat Bill. Passed in September 2021, it protects unborn children after a heartbeat is able to be detected, in some cases as early as six weeks. Texas birth data show that in a five-month period between March 2022 and July 2022, there were 5,000 more Texas births than during identical periods in previous years.

Carneys Texas-based organization rightly deserves some credit for the surge in life. Weve had a million volunteers participate in 40 Days for Life around the world. And they do so because they know that its effective, he said. The former Planned Parenthood workers tell us that the no-show rate for an abortion appointment can go as high as 75 percent when were out there, peacefully praying, so it is detrimental to the bottom line of abortion facilities. Thats why weve closed 132 of them. Weve closed abortion facilities in San Francisco and Los Angeles and Seattle and Chicago, in London, in New York.

While the pro-abortion side of the issue typically prefers to describe itself as pro-choice, Carneys experience shows him that, given the opportunity, resources, and support, the choice women want to make is for life.

Theres no gratitude surrounding abortion, theres no enthusiasm, he said. [Women] dont want to be there. No one actually grows up wanting to work in the abortion industry either. The doctor always had something go wrong. It wasnt his goal in medical school.

And so were really the only ones that want to be there, you know, truly, at that facility, and were there to offer hope and healing.  If you give women freedom, and if you give them a real choice, theyll choose life. And we see that every day.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
DeSantis Responds to Trumps Social Media Grooming Post

(Left) Former President Donald Trump addresses the crowd during a 2024 election campaign event in Columbia, S.C., on Jan. 28, 2023. (Right) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks to guests at the Republican Jewish Coalition Annual Leadership Meeting in Las Vegas on Nov. 19, 2022. (Logan Cyrus, Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis responded to questions from reporters about a recent negative social media post about him from former President Donald Trump.

A TruthSocial entry from Trump on Feb. 7 included a somewhat blurry old photo that the original poster claimed showed DeSantis allegedly having drinks with underage girls. The photo was re-shared on Trumps profile along with the caption Thats not Ron, is it? He would never do such a thing!

The original poster added an explanation following the first re-post by Trump, saying that Ron DeSantis was having a drink party with his students when he was a high school teacher, along with several negative comments about the Florida governor. Trumps re-truthed photo had verbiage claiming that DeSantis was grooming high school girls.

DeSantis responded to the accusation on Feb. 8 when a journalist asked how DeSantiss proposed changes to defamation laws might address the posts.

The governor started his comments by saying he understands you guys want the controversy, but that defamation is different for him because he has such a large platform and can fight back.

I [have] faced defamatory stuff every single day Ive been governor. Thats just the nature of it. But I have a platform to fight back. A lot of these other people that are more little, they dont necessarily have a platform  And so in terms of our reforms, I really wanna empower them more so than people that occupy high positions like me.

The Republican, fast rising in the party, also asserted he would not take time out of being governor to be fighting lawsuits before seeming to nod toward Trump, saying: I spend my time delivering results for the people of Florida and fighting against Joe Biden. Thats how I spend my time. I dont spend my time trying to smear other Republicans.

The journalist who questioned the governor was referencing a panel that DeSantis hosted on Feb. 7 discussing large media companies potentially libelous speech, as The Epoch Times previously reported.

The panel deliberated over the 1964 Supreme Court decision on New York Times v. Sullivan, where the court laid down a standard that made it difficult for public figures claiming a media outlet lied about them to prevail in libel lawsuits.

DeSantis didnt announce any libel-law reforms but hinted some might be upcoming. Well be having more to say about a whole bunch of different issues over the next couple of weeks. So stay tuned.
Pentagon Under Fire for Response to Chinese Spy Balloon

Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Defense Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and ranking member Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) listen as Assistant Secretary of Defense For Homeland Defense And Hemispheric Affairs Melissa Dalton (R) speaks with Director for Operations for Joint Staff LTG Douglas Sims II (L) during the committee's Subcommittee on Defense hearing "to determine what decisions went into how we dealt with the Chinese spy balloon" on Capitol Hill in Washington on Feb. 9, 2023. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)

U.S. Defense officials are under fire for their decision to allow a Chinese spy balloon to traverse the continental United States.

Lawmakers told members of the defense community that they would be held accountable should Congress find fault with the Department of Defenses (DOD) decision-making during a Senate Appropriations Defense hearing on the issue of Chinas high-altitude surveillance balloons.

Make no mistake about it: What China did last week was completely unacceptable and a real threat to American sovereignty, said subcommittee Chair Jon Tester (D-Mont.). It deserves a real response from a united America.

I am prepared to hold anyone accountable, including the people seated before this committee today, to get real answers. This administration owes Americans answers not only on what happened this week but on what steps theyre going to take to ensure that this never happens again.

During the hearing, lawmakers heard from DOD officials that the U.S. military first tracked the Chinese spy balloon over the Aleutian islands of Alaska on Jan. 28, but decided it posed no threat and took no action at that time, though it had the ability to do so.

It was not until Jan. 30, when the balloon entered the airspace of the continental United States via Canada, that the military briefed President Joe Biden on the issue and presented him with options for destroying the airship, which it did only on Feb.4, after the balloon had reached the Atlantic Ocean.

Earlier this week, the DOD confirmed that new intelligence had allowed the United States to determine that at least four previous balloon incursions into U.S. airspace had occurredthree during the Trump administration and one during the Biden administration.

Tester said that the United States failure to either detect those incidents or respond to eliminate them had likely encouraged the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in its efforts to spy on the United States.

It should not have been a surprise that China did this because nothing  has happened before to them for these overflights, Tester said.

Tester also raised concern that Congress had not been given tangible evidence as to what information the CCP spy balloon was meant to collect.

The truth is we think we know what they were going to collect. We dont know, Tester said.

That scares the hell out of me.

(LR) Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, Jedidiah Royal; Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs, Melissa Dalton; Director for Operations, Joint Staff, Douglas Sims; and Director of Force Structure, Resources and Assessments, Joint Staff, Vice Admiral Sara Joyne testify before a Senate Appropriations Committees Subcommittee on Defense hearing to determine what decisions went into how we dealt with the Chinese spy balloon on Capitol Hill in Washington on Feb. 9, 2023. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)

Not a Harmless Event

DOD officials struggled to account for the departments actions throughout the hearing, fluctuating between insisting on a classified briefing and giving ambiguous answers as to the threat posed by Chinas spy balloon and why it was not shot down before Feb. 4.

When pressed on whether the United States or China had gained more intelligence from the incident, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Jedidiah Royal declined to issue a judgment.

When asked what the purpose of the balloon was, Royal demurred again.

We have some very good guesses about that, Royal said.

This is part of a broader suite of operations that China is undertaking to try and get a better understanding of the U.S.

Subcommittee Ranking Member Susan Collins (R-Maine) said that the incident was not without tangible harm to the United States and its citizens, and that the DODs decision not to shoot down the balloon over the Pacific Ocean in January appeared to be without sufficient justification.

This was not a harmless weather balloon somehow blown wildly off course as the Chinese have claimed, Collins said. This was a serious and blatant attempt by the Chinese to collect valuable data.

It defies belief that there was not a single opportunity to shoot down this balloon prior to the coast of South Carolina.

Collins added that she believed U.S. deterrence efforts were weakened by the decision to allow the balloon to travel over the continental United States. The only way to deter further aggression from the CCP, she said, is to resolutely defend the nations territorial integrity.

The best way to avoid conflict with China is for President Xi [Jinping] and the Chinese Communist Party to have no doubt regarding the resolve of the U.S. government to defend our territory and our interests, Collins said.

China Engaged in Global Spy Balloon Campaign

Though there has not yet been confirmation of the exact information Chinas balloons are intended to collect, there are indications that they are targeting high-value military sites.

The balloon which traveled through U.S. airspace last week, for example, approached and lingered near three sensitive U.S. military sites: Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana, Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, and Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri.

Malmstrom contains 150 of the United States 400 nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile silos. Offutt is home to U.S. Strategic Command, which oversees the U.S. militarys nuclear arsenal. Whiteman operates the Air Forces nuclear-capable B-2 stealth bomber.

Relatedly, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Feb. 8 that U.S. intelligence had connected the incident to a global spy balloon campaign years in the making.

The CCP, he said, had used similar balloons to spy on dozens of countries across five continents.

Earlier on Feb. 8, Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed that in all four previous incidents in U.S. airspace and an indeterminate number of the overseas incidents, the Chinese surveillance balloons approached strategic sites.

A State Department spokesperson confirmed via email on Feb. 9 that the incidents were part of a global surveillance campaign conducted by the CCP, which had targeted at least 40 nations in total.

The balloons, the spokesperson said, were manufactured by a company with known ties to the Chinese military and were equipped to conduct signals intelligence gathering operations through which the regime could geo-locate the origin of secret U.S. communications.

The spokesperson said that the department will explore taking action against companies involved in the manufacture of such balloons and that the CCPs spy campaign will only continue to be exposed.

CCP Shuts Down Communications

The CCP has sent mixed signals on the incident, possibly signaling that the regime has not decided on a course of action for how to deal with the significant political fallout stemming from the discovery of the spy balloon program.

On one hand, the regime maintains that the balloon was a civilian weather balloon that flew off course; on the other, it is demanding that its debris be immediately returned to China without U.S. inspection, which the United States has refused.

CCP Defense Minister Wei Fenghe refused to accept a phone call with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin immediately after the United States shot down the balloon, according to Ryder, who said that Chinas refusal to communicate raised the potential for miscalculation.

Lines between our militaries are particularly important in moments like this. Unfortunately, the PRC has declined our request. Our commitment to open lines of communication will continue, Ryder said.

It is not the first time that the regime has shut down vital lines of communication in times of crisis.

Back in August 2022, for example, the regime abruptly cut all regional military communications with the United States as it conducted a series of provocative missile strikes and military exercises around Taiwan and Japan.

Similarly, in May 2021, the Pentagon said that three requests from Austin to speak with the regimes highest-ranking military officer had gone unanswered.

Its really important during moments like this that we maintain open lines of communication and unfortunately the Chinese administration has declined a request from Secretary Austin to communicate directly with his counterpart in China, Royal told the subcommittee.

We believe that China needs to be more responsive to the United States when it comes to requests for further communication.

A Pentagon spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an email that North American Aerospace Defense Command did not assess the balloon to be a military threat and that the benefit of collecting intelligence from it outweighed the consequences of allowing it to remain in U.S. airspace.

This article was updated to include a statement from the Pentagon.
Donald Trump Reinstated on Facebook, Instagram

Former President Donald Trump arrives at Trump Tower the day after FBI agents raided his Mar-a-Lago Palm Beach home, in New York on Aug. 9, 2022. (David 'Dee' Delgado/Reuters)

Meta restored former President Donald Trumps access to Facebook and Instagram on Feb. 9.

Andy Stone, spokesperson for the Big Tech firm, told Reuters that Trumps access was restored. The former president has 23 million followers on Instagram and 34 million on Facebook.

It came weeks after Meta said in a statement that his Facebook and Instagram pages would be reinstated, but it stressed that it would institute heightened penalties of a suspension between one month and two years if the former president violates the firms rules.

At the time, Metas President of Global Affairs, Nick Clegg, said the company no longer believes the former presidents Facebook account should be restricted.

New Facebook guardrails entail heightened penalties for repeat offensespenalties which will apply to other public figures whose accounts are reinstated from suspensions related to civil unrest under our updated protocol, according to Clegg.

In the event that Mr. Trump posts further violating content, the content will be removed and he will be suspended for between one month and two years, depending on the severity of the violation, he said.

With Trumps reinstatement, it gives him another way to fundraise for his 2024 presidential bid. Whether Trump uses the account is another question entirely, as the former president hasnt indicated whether he would do so. After Metas announcement last month, Trump criticized the company and said it was losing revenue because it booted him from the platform two years ago.

Sadly, Facebook has been doing very poorly since they took me off, Trump wrote in January. Whoever made that decision, and the decision to take me off, will go down in the Business Hall of Fame for two of the worst decisions in Business History!

Trump was also restored on Twitter after new owner Elon Musk conducted a poll that found a majority thought the former president should return, although Trump hasnt used it. Instead, Trump has opted to use his own Truth Social platform, where he frequently posts.

Musk has said that the January 2021 ban targeting Trumps account was a mistake and morally wrong. The ban, Musk said last year, actually alienated a large part of the country and did not ultimately result in Donald Trump not having a voice.

A car passes Facebooks new Meta logo on a sign at the company headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif., on Oct. 28, 2021. (Tony Avelar/AP Photo)

No New Posts

As of Feb. 9, no new posts have been made to either Trumps Instagram or Facebook accounts. His most recent post to Instagram, dated Jan. 5, 2021, promoted the Save America rally for Jan. 6, 2021.

His last post on Facebook before he was suspended called on people to leave the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order  respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you! his post stated.

ACLU Expresses Support

In a surprise move, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) defended Metas decision to allow Trump back on Facebook and Instagram, saying its appropriate for the public to have wider access to messaging from one of the most popular political candidates in the country.

This is the right call. Like it or not, President Trump is one of the countrys leading political figures and the public has a strong interest in hearing his speech, the ACLU, a group that has been criticized for increasingly shifting toward the left in recent years, wrote on Twitter in response to a New York Times article about Trumps reinstatement.

The ACLUs executive director, Anthony Romero, said the Mark Zuckerberg-operated Meta was making a good call by having Trump return.

Indeed, some of Trumps most offensive social media posts ended up being critical evidence in lawsuits filed against him and his administration. And we should knowwe filed over 400 legal actions against him. While the government cannot force platforms to carry certain speech, that doesnt mean the largest platforms should engage in political censorship, Romero said in a statement to media outlets last month.
Driver Who Crashed Into Quebec Daycare Charged With First-Degree Murder

Parents and their children are loaded onto a warming bus as they wait for news after a bus crashed into a daycare centre in Laval, Que., on Feb. 8, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Ryan Remiorz Ryan Remiorz)

The driver of a bus that crashed into a daycare in Laval, Quebec, on the morning of Feb. 8, killing two children and injuring six others, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder.

Pierre Ny St-Amand, 51, and an employee of the citys transit authority, Societe de transport de Laval, appeared by video later that day from a hospital room and will remain detained.

St-Amand faces a total of nine charges, including attempted murder, aggravated assault, and assault causing bodily harm, according to court documents.

Laval Mayor Stephane Boyer said the driver had worked for the transit agency for about 10 years and had no incidents of note on his file.

The Epoch Times reached out to Societe de transport de Laval for comment but didnt receive a reply by publication time.

The dead children, identified in the documents only by their initials, were both 4 years old.

Six other children who were injured were transported to hospitals in Laval and Montreal. Documents list them as being 4 and 5 years old.

Two boys and two girls are being treated at Montreals Sainte-Justine childrens hospital.

The patients are in stable condition. The hospitals teams are doing their utmost to provide the best care to the patients who need it, but also to support the families, to whom we offer psychosocial services in this tragic situation, a Sainte-Justine spokesperson told The Epoch Times via text message.

Officials at Lavals Cite-de-la-Sante hospital said they received three crash victims, one of whom died. The other two are under observation in the emergency department, Dr. Patrick Tardif, head of emergency at the hospital, told The Canadian Press.

Nightmare

Witnesses who arrived at the daycare soon after the crash said the driver was yelling and seemed delirious, and removed his clothing.

Local resident Hamdi Benchaabane told reporters that he and three others subdued the driver.

He was yelling, he didnt stop yelling, Benchaabane said. The first thing he did was take off all his clothes after opening the bus door.  He was just yelling, there were no words coming out of his mouth.

He said the driver was in a different world.

The resident said he was able to pull one child from the daycare and tried to help another before firefighters took over as pieces of the roof were at risk of falling.

It was a nightmare, I cant believe it, Benchaabane said. It was horrible.

Mario Sirois was among the first on the scene, he told The Canadian Press. It cant be an accident, Sirois said. There were no signs of skid marks. It was deliberate. He went directly into the daycare.

The location of the daycare, Garderie Educative Ste-Rose, is at the end of a cul de sac and the driver would have had to veer off the road, head down a driveway and through a parking lot about a dozen spaces long to hit it. The driver hit the daycare with such force that most of the front half of the bus was embedded in the building.

Mourning

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to the crash from Ottawa.

My heart is with the people of Laval today, he said in a tweet. No words can take away the pain and fear that parents, children, and workers are feelingbut we are here for you. Im keeping everyone affected by this unfathomable, tragic event in my thoughts.

Quebec Premier Francois Legault said the provincial flag will be flown at half mast on Feb. 9 on the central tower of the National Assembly of Quebec.

All of Quebec is in mourning. With all my heart [Im] with the victims and their loved ones, he posted on Twitter.

He added he would visit Laval on Feb. 9.

I will be going to Laval tomorrow, accompanied by the leaders of the opposition parties, to offer my full support to the families and staff affected by this terrible tragedy.

Tara MacIsaac and The Canadian Press contributed to this report.

Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated the date on which Quebec Premier Francois Legault said he would visit Laval and the provincial flag will be flown at half mast at the National Assembly of Quebec. The date is Feb. 9, 2023. The Epoch Times regrets the errors.
Elon Musk to Unveil Teslas Master Plan 3 at First Investor Day

Tesla Inc. Chief Executive Elon Musk will reveal the third part of the electric vehicle (EV) makers Master Plan when the company holds its first investor day on March 1.

In 2006 and 2016, the billionaire laid out his vision for the electric carmaker, but much of the plans have yet to be achieved.

Master Plan 3, the path to a fully sustainable energy future for Earth will be presented on March 1, Musk tweeted on Wednesday.

At Teslas annual shareholder meeting in August, Musk said the third part of his Master Plan was going to fundamentally be about scaling both car production and the supply chain that supports it such as battery materials and components.

The Tesla logo on the hood of a car in Oslo, Norway, on Nov. 10, 2022. (Victoria Klesty/Reuters)

At the upcoming investor day to be held at its gigafactory in Texas, Tesla said it will share details about its next-generation vehicle platforms, which Musk has said would produce a vehicle about half the cost of Teslas current vehicle underpinings. Tesla also said it will discuss long-term expansion plans, capital allocation and other subjects.

Last year, Tesla shares posted their worst annual performance as Musk sold Tesla shares to fund his purchase of Twitter and other shareholders lost confidence in his focus on the carmaker, whose sales growth was not as much as some investors had hoped.

In 2006, Musk unveiled a secret mast plan, which includes an affordable electric car, but Teslas cheapest model is $43,490 in the United States.

In 2016, Musk unveiled his Master Plan, Part Deux, a four-point plan which includes expanding its electric vehicle lineup to all major segments and achieving true self-driving. Its Semi heavy duty electric trucks has started pilot production last year, while its Cybertruck pickup trucks have been pushed back to 2023.

As part of that 2016 plan, Musk said Tesla drivers would be able to sleep, read, or do anything else enroute to their destination and make money by renting out their autonomous vehicles when they are not in use. But Musk said in October last year its cars are not ready to have no one behind the wheel, after missing his targets to achieve self-driving capability.
Equity Is Not Equality, Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts Office Says

Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbotts office warned state agencies and public university leaders that hiring for any reason other than merit is against the law.

Federal and state law forbid discrimination against a current or prospective employer because of that persons race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or military service, Abbotts Chief of Staff Gardner Pate wrote in a letter on Feb. 4. (pdf)

Many organizations have created Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, which are touted as a way to build a more diverse workplace reflecting the diversity in society.

Indeed, rather than increasing diversity in the workplace, these DEI initiatives are having the opposite effect and are being advanced in ways that proactively encourage discrimination in the workplace, the letter continued. Illegally adding DEI as a condition of employment leads to the exclusion and alienation of individuals from the workplace.

Pate told agency and university heads that it is their duty to implement hiring policies based on merit.

As Texans, we celebrate the diversity of our State and the presence of a workforce that represents our rich culture. In recent years, however, the innocuous-sounding notion of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has been manipulated to push policies that expressly favor some demographic groups to the detriment of others, Pate wrote.

When a state agency adjusts its employment practice based on factors other than merit, it is not following the law, he added.

The letter was a reminder that state agencies and public universities must follow federal and state law in their hiring practices. Both federal and state law make equity quotas illegal, said Renae Eze, spokesperson for Abbott, told The Epoch Times in a statement.

Equity is not equality. Here in Texas, we give people a chance to advance based on talent and merit. Aspiring to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.s dream, we should not be judged by the color of our skin, but by the content of our character, Eze said.

Violating Civil Rights Act of 1964

Equity quotas violate the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which was enacted to protect all persons from discrimination in the workplace and beyond.

The Civil Rights Act, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 2, 1964, prohibits organizations from discrimination in the workplace, public places, schools, and beyond.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) was created to enforce the laws that prohibit discrimination based on race, color, sex, national origin, disability, or age in hiring, firing, promotions, and setting wages, training, and benefits.

Austin-based lawyer Andrew Eckhous of Kaplan Law Firm told The Texas Tribune that he believes the governors office is completely mischaracterizing DEIs role in employment decisions in an effort to block such initiatives.

Anti-discrimination laws protect all Americans by ensuring that employers do not make hiring decisions based on race, religion, or gender, while DEI initiatives work in tandem with those laws to encourage companies to solicit applications from a wide range of applicants, which is legal and beneficial, Eckhous said.

Last month, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) vowed to eliminate all DEI and Critical Race Theory funding to state universities as part of his campaign to remove woke from the education system.
EU Complains Elon Musks Twitter Lacks Appetite for Censorship

European Union authorities are complaining that Twitter doesnt seem to be taking the blocs fight against disinformation seriously by producing an incomplete report on compliance with its rules on censorship.

Elon Musks Twitter lagged the likes of Google, Meta, and TikTok in the fight against disinformation over the past six months, the European Commission said on Feb. 9, and it urged Twitter to get in line.

I am disappointed to see that Twitters report lags behind others and I expect a more serious commitment to their obligations, Vera Jourova, a European Commission vice president for values and transparency, said in a statement.

The bloc on Feb. 8 opened a Transparency Center that contains the various tech platforms reports, including Twitters.

Thierry Breton, the EUs internal market commissioner who recently reminded Musk to follow the EUs rules on policing content, didnt reference Twitter directly, but said that it comes as no surprise that the degree of quality vary greatly according to the resources companies have allocated to this project. There have been significant staffing cuts at Twitter since Musk took over.

Vera Jourova at the European Commission in Brussels on Sept. 20, 2018. (John Thys/AFP/Getty Images)

Six months ago, before Musk bought the social media platform, Twitter was among 34 entities that signed on to an updated EU anti-disinformation pledge called the Code of Practice on Disinformation.

Along with the recently agreed Digital Services Actwhich lets regulators fine tech platforms up to 6 percent of their global turnover for violationsand draft rules on political advertising, the code is part of the European Commissions toolbox for fighting the spread of disinformation in the EU, the blocs executive said in a June 2022 release.

While the code is nonbinding, companies that take part can ease some of their compliance requirements under the Digital Services Act, which is expected to kick in around September 2023 for tech platforms with more than 45 million users in the EU, with Twitter likely falling into that category.

Signatories were given six months to implement the commitments and issue implementation reports, which the companies did, with reports published on Feb. 8.

The progress reports include data on how much advertising revenue the companies had cut from disinformation actors, instances of manipulative behaviors detected, and how they label political ads.

Twitters report was the only one that was singled out for criticism, with the EU saying that it lacked data and didnt contain information on commitments to empower fact-checkers.

Twitter didnt respond by press time to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.

Subsequent implementation reports are due in six months.

The logo of the U.S. social networking website Twitter, on a smartphone screen in Lille, France, on Sept. 4, 2019. (Denis Charlet/AFP via Getty Images)

The Code

The strengthened code introduces stronger and more granular commitments by tech platforms in the area of disinformation. This includes broadening participation to smaller platforms to join the censorship fight and expanding scope to cover new manipulative behaviors such as fake accounts and bots that spread disinformation.

It also expands fact-checking and gives researchers more access to platforms data, while putting forward a strong monitoring framework and regular reporting from tech platforms for how theyre implementing their commitments in the area of disinformation.

Rules such as the code have been criticized by free speech advocates and conservatives as a form of censorship of viewpoints that are outside the mainstream. They have made such arguments because terms such as disinformation and misinformation arent clearly defined and so pieces of content and accounts can be subjectively blocked by moderators with left-wing viewpoints.

EU Warns Musk

In November 2022, Breton issued a warning to Musk that Twitter could be blocked in the EU if it doesnt comply with the blocs regulations.

There is still huge work ahead, as Twitter will have to implement transparent user policies, significantly reinforce content moderation, and protect freedom of speech, tackle disinformation with resolve, and limit targeted advertising, Breton told Musk, according to a readout of a call the two had on Nov. 30, 2022.

Breton told Musk that Twitter will have to significantly increase efforts to comply with the Digital Services Act.

In a post, Breton wrote that Musk should live up to commitments on code of conduct on disinformation to label hoaxes and disinformation in cooperation with fact-checkers, promote authoritative sources, and demonetize disinformation spread.

The EU official didnt elaborate on what constitutes disinformation under the EUs guidelines.

Breton also wrote that Twitter needs to reinforce content moderation and protect freedom of speech to take down illegal posts. An audit of Twitter will also have to be carried out, Breton said, saying that EU teams will come and check readiness.

European Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton communicates on the EUs 5G plan, in Brussels, Belgium, on Jan. 29, 2020. (Alexandros Michailidis/Shutterstock)

Musk, for his part, agreed to let the European Commission carry out a stress test at Twitters headquarters at some point in 2023 to help the platform meet the EUs content policing regulations, according to a readout of the call.

In another video call between Breton and Musk at the end of January, the two discussed Twitters compliance with the Digital Services Act.

I take note of the path that Twitter is committed to take in Europe to comply with #DSA rules. Next few months will be crucial to transform commitments into reality. Constructive exchange with @elonmusk, Breton wrote in a Twitter post on Jan. 31.

Musk wrote in a Twitter post the same day that the EUs goals of transparency, accountability, and accuracy of information are aligned with ours.

The Digital Services Act gives the European Commission more powers to monitor and regulate Big Tech firms designated as gatekeepers to comply with the EUs regulations on content and monopoly activity.

There have been some free speech concerns raised about the Digital Services Act, with some pointing out that if a single EU member state were to flag a piece of content for removal, it could get blocked in the entire EU, effectively giving certain governments in the bloc the power to control online speech in the entire region.
Ex-Twitter Exec Admits Locking NYP Account Over Hunter Biden Laptop Was Wrong

Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, attends an event at the White House in Washington on April 18, 2022. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Vijaya Gadde, Twitters former legal chief, told Congressional lawmakers that the extended lock on The New York Posts account over the Hunter Bidens laptop report was a mistake.

Gadde, who lost her job at Twitter after Elon Musk took over, told the House Oversight and Accountability Committee on Feb. 8 that she approved the decision to block the Posts report about the contents of the Hunter Biden laptop but that the suspension should have been lifted sooner.

Reading from a prepared opening statement, Gadde said Twitter blocked tweets containing the Posts October 2020 article based on a 2018 company policy on hacked materials.

Former chief legal officer of Twitter Vijaya Gadde testifies during a hearing before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee on Capitol Hill, in Washington, on Feb. 8, 2023. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Twitter executives have said before that the decision to block retweets of the article were based on Twitters policy about hacked materials amid concerns that the information from the laptop may have been obtained through hacking.

Republicans have alleged that Twitter staff were politically biased against former President Donald Trump and were happy to use the hacked materials policy, as well as a warning from the FBI about the threat of Russian disinformation circulating ahead of the 2020 election, as an excuse to censor the laptop story.

The New York Posts story titled Smoking-gun Email Reveals How Hunter Biden Introduced Ukrainian Businessman to VP Dad was published on Oct. 14, 2020.

Twitter first prevented sharing of the story for 24 hours before reversing the decision. However, the story did not circulate on the platform for weeks because of a policy requiring the original poster to delete and repost the original tweet.

Reversed Course

In general, Gadde defended the approach to content decisions, saying that internal deliberations around Twitters application of moderation rules were fact-intensive, subject to internal debate, and needed to be made very quickly.

We recognized that after applying our rules, we might learn that some of them did not work as we imagined and that we would need to update them, she said, adding that the Twitter team always remained open to new information emerging about content decisions and to revising its policies and at times, we also reversed course.

Gadde then delved into the specifics of the New York Posts October story about the Hunter Biden laptop.

She told lawmakers that images of content from the laptop that were featured in the article looked like they may have been obtained through hacking when Twitter staff reviewed them and that the decision to block its spread was based on the 2018 policy that she said was designed to prevent Twitter from becoming a dumping ground for hacked materials.

We applied this policy to The New York Posts tweets and blocked links to the articles embedding those source materials.

At no point did Twitter otherwise prevent tweeting, reporting, discussing, or describing the contents of Mr. Bidens laptop, she continued. People could and did talk about the contents of the laptop on Twitter or anywhere else, including much larger platforms but they were prevented from sharing the primary documents on Twitter.

Still, over the course of that day, it became clear that Twitter had not fully appreciated the impact of that policy on free press and others, she said.

Gadde said Twitter then changed the policy within 24 hours and admitted its initial action was wrong.

This policy revision immediately allowed people to tweet the original articles with the embedded source materials, she said.

Relying on its longstanding practice not to retroactively apply new policies, Twitter informed the New York Post that it could immediately begin tweeting when it deleted the original tweets, which would have freed them to retweet the same content again, she continued.

The New York Post chose not to delete its original tweets. So Twitter made an exception after two weeks to retroactively apply the new policy to the Posts tweets. In hindsight Twitter should have reinstated the post account immediately, she said.

Gadde defended the Twitter teams decisions and actions around the Hunter Biden laptop story, insisting there was no way to take account of various competing views and stakeholder interests in content-related decisions and get it right every time.

Former deputy general counsel of Twitter James Baker, former chief legal officer of Twitter Vijaya Gadde, former global head of trust and safety of Twitter Yoel Roth, and former Twitter employee Anika Collier Navaroli testify during a hearing on Capitol Hill, in Washington, on Feb. 8, 2023. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Coordinated Campaign?

The Committee called the hearing to investigate the circumstances around Twitters decision to block the spread of the Hunter Biden laptop article, which came just weeks before the 2020 election.

Republicans have alleged that this amounted to election meddling, with some polls indicating that if people had been aware of the laptops contents they wouldnt have voted for President Joe Biden.

Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, alleged a broader conspiracy to bury the story.

America witnessed a coordinated campaign by social media companies, mainstream news, and the intelligence community to suppress and de-legitimize the existence of Hunter Bidens laptop and its contents, Comer said at the hearing.

Flanked by House Republicans, U.S. Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Nov. 17, 2022. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Twitters former chief executive officer, Jack Dorsey, told lawmakers in prior testimony that the company was wrong to suppress the laptop story.

Besides Gadde, former Twitter deputy counsel James Baker and former Twitter Head of Trust and Safety Yoel Roth sat for the hearing.

You Guys Got Played

The former executives testified that their decision to block the article was in part informed by FBI warnings about a possible Russian disinformation campaign ahead of the 2020 election.

At the same time, they insisted that the government had not directly pressured Twitter to suppress the story, which is something Republicans have alleged.

The FBI told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement that it had only issued general warnings to Twitter about the threat of foreign election meddling but hadnt made any specific requests to take action on content.

The Twitter Files disclosures paint a slightly different picture. In one of the installments of the Twitter Files, independent journalist Michael Shellenberger cited email exchanges as evidence that the FBI had pressured Twitter to discredit the laptop story.

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said at the hearing he thinks Twitter executives were looking for a pretext to censor the article before the election because they were biased against former President Donald Trump.

Jordan cited a tweet from one executive that compared members of the Trump administration to Nazis.

I think you guys got played, Jordan said, adding, I think you guys wanted to take it down. I think you guys got played by the FBI.

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) speaks during an on-camera interview near the House Chambers during a series of votes in the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington on Jan. 9, 2023. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Baker testified that he was not aware of any unlawful collusion with, or direction from, any government agency or political campaign on how Twitter should have handled the Hunter Biden laptop situation.

At the hearing, Roth said the company had to make a quick decision about whether to let users share the laptop story which they mistakenly thought contained hacked material.

In 2020, Twitter noticed activity related to the laptop that at first glance bore a lot of similarities to the 2016 Russian hacking leak operation targeting the DNC. And we had to decide what to do. And in that moment, with limited information, Twitter made a mistake, he said.
Expert Explains Why Chinese Spy Balloon Could Invade US Airspace Unchecked

Richard D Fisher Jr., International Assessment and Strategy Center, gives a book titled China's Military Modernization to Rep. Devin Nunes after a Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence hearing on Chinas Worldwide Military Expansion at the Rayburn House Office Building at U.S. Congress in Washington on May 17, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

An expert has laid out reasons why the Chinese spy balloon could invade U.S. airspace unchecked.

The Chinese balloon was first sighted above Montana, a state that houses intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) silos, earlier last week. A top Pentagon official said on Feb. 3 that the balloon flew at 60,000 feet (18,300 meters), had the ability to maneuver, and changed course at some point during its flight, although he didnt specify when.

In this photo provided by Chad Fish, the remnants of a large balloon drift above the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of South Carolina, with a fighter jet and its contrail seen below it, on Feb. 4, 2023. (Chad Fish via AP)

U.S. officials had said that at least three times during the Trump administration, and at least one other time during Bidens time as president, balloons have crossed American airspace, but not for this long.

In those instances, the United States determined the balloons belonged to China only after they had left U.S. airspace, said Gen. Glen VanHerck, head of U.S. Northern Command on Feb 6.

I will tell you that we did not detect those threats, VanHerck said of his military command. And thats a domain awareness gap that we have to figure out. He added that the U.S. intelligence community after the fact informed his command about the balloons.

The general was using Pentagon speak for saying, we didnt have radar coverage in that sector of the sky that the Chinese conveniently chose to exploit to send their balloon as intending as they did to avoid detection for as long as possible, Rick Fisher, senior fellow with the International Assessment and Strategy Center, said in China in Focus on NTD.

The United States does maintain a network of Deep Space Surveillance satellites, early warning satellites for the purpose of detecting intercontinental ballistic missiles or submarine-launched ballistic missiles, but they give off a very bright heat signature. So in a sense, theyre slightly easier to detect than a balloon, which is not giving off any heat signature, he added.

Fisher said that the balloon incident also illustrates Chinas investment in combat in the near space region, which is the area just below low Earth orbit.

China and the United States have been investing some heavy amount of resources in building unmanned aircraft, large, blimp shaped balloons, if you will, and also hypersonic aircraft to exploit this region of the atmosphere, he said.

Fisher noted some military advantages associated with the space region.

Radar does not operate as effectively in near space [orbit]. You dont have to travel at very high speeds in order to enter low Earth orbit. It becomes slightly less expensive to put payloads at very high altitudes for surveillance or payloads to carry out strike missions, he said.

A Weather Balloon

The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Feb. 7 claimed that the balloon was a civilian weather balloon that had been blown off-course and posed no threat to national security.

However, Fisher called the object a weapon to hide in plain sight.

According to him, a weather balloon would provide the CCP with intimate knowledge of the weather over those targets, which is essential for a launch of a nuclear strike over America.

Depending upon the design of your missile warhead, it really matters what kind of weather youre sending that warhead into. If theres snow or rain, then your warhead is going to be much less accurate. Youre not going to destroy all the American nuclear missiles that you want to destroy. So some of them will be left over to be fired back at you, he said.

With the balloon hovering within the atmosphere, it can gather a much more detailed set of data about atmospheric density, cloud cover, temperatures, winds, and wind travel in different directions at different altitudes, he said.

The expert believed the incident is clearly aimed at testing our capacity to respond to this kind of blatant threat.

The larger picture is that this balloon marks something of a beginning of what I expect will be an increasing campaign of Chinese military harassment against the United States, he said.

Were reaching a point where our confrontation may no longer remain peaceful or at least without confrontation, and combat, there will be incidents.  Thats where I expect theyll strike next, the harassment of an American aircraft or a Navy ship sailing in their vicinity, will receive an extreme reaction, and people may suffer, he added.

Project Nuclear Power

To fill the gap in the U.S. detection system, Fisher called for an upgrade of the radar network command and co-maintained and paid for with Canada with new capabilities, new sensors, infrared hyperspectral sensors that can also detect very cold balloons.

He further urged the U.S. to project its nuclear power to the East Asian region.

Right now the most important step that the United States could take, and we can do this tomorrow, if we want, would be to deploy tactical nuclear weapons to the East Asian region, base them on Guam. South Korea wants them badly. Japan could probably be convinced to do the same, he said.

He believed that such a move would discourage the CCP from making a move against Taiwan or other U.S. allies.

And so this is what we desperately need in Asia right now, in order to stop these stop China from thinking it can win wars, wars that could possibly lead to a revival of the draft in the United States, he said.

Fisher said that the United States and its allies should make concerted efforts in pushing back against the communist regime.

I would start by having the United States enlisting as many allies as possible in demanding reparations from the Chinese government, for all of the people killed by the China virus. Thats almost 7 million people, he said.

With that kind of campaign, just that one campaign, we could generate enough concern around the world to generate policies within all of our allies that would eventually limit the power of the Communist Party and make it easier to deal with in terms of its military threats, its threats in space, even balloons, Fisher said.

Andrew Thornebrooke contributed to this report.
Feds Spent at Least $1.77M on Climate Conference Trip to Egypt

Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault speaks at the COP27 U.N. climate summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on Nov. 15, 2022. (Peter Dejong/AP Photo)

The federal government spent at least $1.77 million to send a delegation to attend a United Nations Climate Change Conference in Egypt last November, according to information tabled in the House of Commons.

The 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) was held in the resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh from Nov. 6 to to 20.

The government spent a total of at least $1,077,126 on hotels or accommodations, $622,353 on flight tickets, $31,429 on taxi or bus services, $26,960 on food, and $4,152 on hospitality. Another $10,490 was filed under other costs.

The information was provided further to a request from Conservative Party MP Gerard Deltell.

Deltell asked how many individuals were part of the Canadian delegation, the titles of all individuals for whom the government paid expenses, as well as the carbon footprint resulting from the trip.

The response was filed in an Inquiry of Ministry on Jan. 30 and signed by the Minister of Environment Steven Guilbeault, the most senior Canadian official to attend the conference.

Information on the delegation size was already available on the departments website. It says Canadas core delegation included 266 individuals from different levels of government and corporations.

The Canada Pavilion Delegation list includes 153 individuals.

The website says COP27 was an opportunity to showcase Canadian climate action and that the Liberal government is committed to taking a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach on the issue.

The Inquiry of Ministry says that the federal government only covered the cost of its employees, some youth, indigenous, and civil society representatives.

The document says the financial costs provided reflect what the participating departments had recorded in the system as of Nov. 21, a day after the conference ended.

Therefore, the amounts in the table do not reflect final costs.

Regarding the amount of carbon emitted by the federal government to attend a climate conference with a sizeable delegation, Environment Canada says the data is only available on a departmental basis.

Also ministerial travel is not booked through the centralized system and is therefore not captured.

Environment Canada purchases carbon offset credits in bulk, not by travel to a specific conference or event, to help mitigate the greenhouse gas emissions associated with necessary air travel by the Minister and members of the Ministers exempt staff, says the document.

The government started tracking the departments emissions of green house gases in 2018 and requires that its organizations that produce over 1 kilotonne (kt) per year in air travel contribute $50 per tonne annually to the Greening Government Fund.

The Department of National Defence (DND) is the largest emitter for fiscal year 2021-2022 with 37.6 kt of emissions.

The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) arrives in second at 8.4 and Environment Canada registered 0.8 kt.
FORT RUCKER  Two soldiers with a combined 54 years of service retired at the Fort Rucker Quarterly Retirement Ceremony Feb. 3 at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum.

Col. Jason T. Cook, Air Traffic Services Command and 164th Theater Airfield Operations Group commander, officiated and spoke at the ceremony with assistance from Command Sgt. Maj. Caleb T. Baugh, ATSCOM and 164th TAOG CSM.

Retiring to the city of Enterprise are Lt. Col Donald E. Fontaine and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Derrick J. Lawson.

Fontaine, Army Safety Center director of operations, entered military service in 1986 as an airman Sailor. After eight years and multiple overseas deployments, he separated from the Navy to attend Texas A&M University. He joined the Army Reserve and commissioned as an Aviation officer in 2001. He served multiple combat tours in support of the first Gulf War, and operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

He said the highlight of his career was leading Aviation troops in combat and flying missions in support of combat operations.

He and his spouse, Ramona, have two children. They plan to reside in Enterprise.

Lawson, U.S. Army Warrant Officer Career College senior training, advising and counselling officer, entered military service in 1999 as a light-wheeled vehicle mechanic. He served multiple combat tours in support of operations Freedom Sentinel, and Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

He said the highlights of his career were being a TAC officer at the Warrant Officer Candidate School and marrying his beautiful wife, Alielobret, and having three wonderful children.

They plan to reside in Enterprise.
First Official Shipment of Australian Coal Arrives in China After 2 Years of Trade Bans

Coal operations at the Port of Newcastle in New South Wales, Australia, on Nov. 18, 2015. (William West/AFP via Getty Images)

The first official shipment of Australian coal has landed in China as Beijing scrambles to normalise relations with the new Labor government.

Around 72,000 tonnes of metallurgical coal arrived at Zhanjiang Port on Feb. 8 in the southeast of China, the first in two years after economic sanctions were placed on Australian exports in 2020.

The move was welcomed by Trade Minister Don Farrell.

Any step towards resolving the trade impediments would be welcome, he said in a statement obtained by AAP.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the relationship was important for local jobs and that China received more exports by value from Australia than its next three trading partners combined.

We have not just resources, but we have wine, meat, barley, seafoodthe best in the world, he told reporters on Feb. 9. We are cautious about making announcements before [the coal reports] are confirmed.

Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie said the move would be a boost to rural jobs.

Theyre all very, very keen to make sure our national sovereignty is front and centre of any federal government relationship with foreign powers, she told AAP.

At the same time, the senator called on the government to do more domestically to improve the sector.

Its all well and good for the federal government to be celebrating the trade relationship, but the concern is, simultaneously, theyve put 18 coal and gas projects on hold and blocked the [billionaire Clive Palmers] coal project in Queensland, she said.

Trade Sanctions Launched in Response to COVID Investigation Calls

The Chinese Communist Party launched an economic coercion campaign against Australian exportersin May 2020after the then-Morrison government called for an independent investigation into the origins of COVID-19one of the first governments in the world to do so.

The unofficial trade sanctions swept up a range of Australian goods, including barley, wine, beef, lobster, timber, and coal.

The move, however, also saw a spike in grey market activities where businesses simply circumvented direct export channels to China and went through other regions including Hong Kong and Taiwanthat were not subject to any sanctions.

For example, before December 2020, export numbers to Hong Kong of Australias Western Rock Lobster were negligible, but by April 2021, the city was receiving 400 tonnes per month, according to industry figures.

A similar situation occurred with Australian wine and coal exports; in some instances, coal was purchased by third parties and sold to Chinese steel mills at a significantly marked-up price.

Beijing Works Hard to Normalise Australian Trade

Talk of normalisation of trade between Australia and China has become more obvious following the election of the Labor government.

Prior to the Albanese governments election victory in May 2022, former Labor figureheads were quick to criticise the Morrison government for mishandling relations with Beijing.

However, upon winning government, the prime minister and his ministry followed in the stead of their predecessors while emphasising that they would not undermine the countrys national interest.

Yet Beijing has taken a number of steps to close the diplomatic gap with their counterparts, including holding the first high-level talks between the governments trade ministers since 2019Morrison government ministers were almost entirely ignored during that time.

The CCP has also hinted at relaxing the trade sanctions with the recent coal shipment evidence that this could eventuate.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning recently told reporters Beijing was ready to resume dialogue and communication with Australia on various sectors while they strive to rebuild trust.
Florida Democrats Face Uphill Political Battle Ahead of 2024

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, his wife Casey DeSantis, and their children walk on stage to celebrate victory over Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rep. Charlie Crist during an election night watch party at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Fla., on Nov. 8, 2022. (Octavio Jones/Getty Images)

News Analysis

In the wake of sweeping Republican victories in the Sunshine State in the 2022 midterm elections, Florida Democrats are struggling to maintain political relevance heading into the presidential election in 2024.

For decades, Florida was considered to be the largest and most unpredictable swing state in the nation, a state that twice put George W. Bush in the White House and did the same for Barack Obama. In 2019, columnist and political commentator George Will suggested that without Florida, it would be difficult for any presidential candidate to find a path to 270 electoral votes.

Florida is incomparably the most important swing state in the country, Will said during an appearance on The Florida Roundup.

But that was before the Republican sweep in 2022, which turned the Sunshine State solid red when Democrats lost every statewide race on the ballot.

Florida Gubernatorial candidate Rep. Charlie Crist (D-Fla.) gives a victory speech after defeating Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried in the Democrat primary at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront in St. Petersburg, Fla., on Aug. 23, 2022. (Octavio Jones/Getty Images)

The 2022 Midterms

With the exception of the 2018 race for Commissioner of Agriculturein which Democrat Nikki Fried defeated Republican Matt Caldwell by a narrow margin of 50.04 to 49.96 percentDemocrats havent won a statewide election in Florida since 2012.

For the 2022 midterms, Fried gave up that seat to launch a bid to become the Democrat gubernatorial nominee to face off against incumbent Gov. Ron DeSantis. But she was defeated by then-U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist. With that victory, Cristwho had defeated Republican challenger Anna Paulina Luna in the 2020 election to represent Floridas 13th Congressional Districtresigned his congressional seat.

The Democrat challenger for Crists vacant seat, Eric Lynn, was subsequently defeated by Luna in the 2022 midterms.

But DeSantis was reelected by almost 20 points, and several school boards flipped from majority Democrat to majority Republican, including in Miami-Dade County, which is now the largest school district in the country with a conservative-majority board.

Republicans now hold super-majorities in both houses of Floridas Legislature, and with Fried gone, theres not a single Democrat who holds a statewide office.

U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) flexes his arm alongside Rep.-elect Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) after getting into an argument with Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) in the House Chamber during the fourth day of elections for Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington on Jan. 6, 2023. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

In one of the most unexpected upsets, Democrat state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smithwho was seeking a fourth term in the Florida House of Representatives for the solid blue 49th Districtlost to Republican challenger Susan Plasencia, who attacked what she described as Smiths wokeism.

The problem with Carlos Guillermo Smith is he was going down the path of ultra-wokeness, John Dowless, the mayor of Edgewood in Orange County and a Republican consultant for Plasencias campaign, told The Epoch Times. It was an ultra-woke ideology that most people dont agree with. I think most people agree that everyone should have equal opportunity, including those in the LGBTQ community. But he was taking it beyond that, and I think he hung his hat on the Parental Rights bill and went after it with vengeance. He may even be the one who coined the phrase Dont Say Gay. Thats not what the bill said at all. It says stop sexualizing our children.

Floridas Democrat Party also has no leader. In the wake of the 2022 defeat, Manny Diaz, the former mayor of Miami who vowed to rebuild Floridas Democrat Party, resigned as party chair.

In a five-page letter, Diaz blamed the partys poor ground game and a long standing, systemic and deeply entrenched culture resistant to change in which individual agendas are more important than team; where self-interest dominates and bureaucracies focus on self-preservation.

John Dowless, Mayor of Edgewood in Orange County and Republican consultant. (Courtesy of John Dowless)

Looking Ahead

Heading toward 2024, Dowless said he believes Floridas Democrats will continue their struggle while ignoring why Republicans have been so successful.

I honestly think that the Democratic Partys leadership has abandoned their base in the Sunshine State, at least in Miami-Dade, where Hispanic, family-oriented voters live, Dowless told The Epoch Times, noting the partys disconnect in trying to force its agenda on Floridas children. They dont understand, you dont mess with mama bear and her kids.

Dowless attributed DeSantis political successa decisive reelection victory and growing support for a 2024 presidential runto his determination to protect parental rights and to maintain Floridas position as the place where woke comes to die.

The states that are losing populations are being run by Democratic governors, Dowless said. But their pride gets in the way of reason and instead of watching and learning, I think theyre dismissing and trying to diminish the work of DeSantis and conservatism.

Dowless also noted how Florida was named by the U.S. Census Bureau as the fastest-growing state in the nation.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis walks onstage during an election night watch party at the Convention Center in Tampa, Fla., on Nov. 8, 2022. (Giorgio Viera/AFP via Getty Images)

Weve always been growing because of our weather, he said. But when were the fastest-growing state in the nation you know its gone past weather. In my opinion, theres only one logical answer and that is DeSantis leadership through COVID.

Dowless described his disappointment in seeing how leaders in other states refused to listen to their constituents and would not stand up against the woke mob to protect their children, their freedoms, their businesses, and their jobs.

It absolutely polarized our leaders in ways I was sad to see, Dowless lamented. But it definitely showed the true colors of some of our countrys leaders whether they will support freedom or whether they are going to use fear to force certain ideologies on the voters, and I think thats what happened.

The reason why people want to live in Florida has a lot to do with DeSantis leadership, Dowless asserted. Were already the third most populous state. For us to take over the lead in new residents is huge.

On Feb. 7, DeSantis made an announcement on social media.

In 2018, Democrats outnumbered Republicans by nearly 300,000, he wrote on Twitter, adding that Republicans outnumbered Democrats by 300,000 by Election Day in 2022.

Today we can announce that Republicans outnumber Democrats by 400,000. Freedom is here to stay.
Florida State Court System, US, EU Universities Hit by Ransomware Outbreak

LONDON/WASHINGTONA global ransomware outbreak has scrambled servers belonging to Floridas Supreme Court and several universities in the United States and Central Europe, according to a Reuters analysis of ransom notes posted online to stricken servers.

Those organizations are among more than 3,800 victims of a fast-spreading digital extortion campaign that locked up thousands of servers in Europe over the weekend, according to figures tallied by Ransomwhere, a crowdsourced platform that tracks digital extortion attempts and online ransom payments and whose figures are drawn from internet scans.

Ransomware is among the internets most potent scourges. Although this particular extortion campaign was not sophisticated, it drew warnings from national cyber watchdogs in part because of the speed of its spread.

Ransomwhere did not name individual victims, but Reuters was able to identify some by looking up internet protocol address data tied to the affected servers via widely used internet scanning tools such as Shodan.

The extent of the disruption to the affected organizations, if any, was not clear.

Florida Supreme Court spokesman Paul Flemming told Reuters that the affected infrastructure had been used to administer other elements of the Florida state court system, and that it was segregated from the Supreme Courts main network.

Florida Supreme Courts network and data are secure, he said, adding that the rest of the state court systems integrity also was not affected.

A dozen universities contacted by Reuters, including the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Rice University in Houston, and institutions of higher learning in Hungary and Slovakia, did not immediately return messages seeking comment.

Reuters also contacted the hackers via an account advertised on their ransom notes but only received a payment demand in return. They did not respond to additional questions.

Ransomwhere said the cybercriminals appear to have extorted only $88,000, a modest haul by the standard of multimillion-dollar ransoms regularly demanded by some hacking gangs.

One cybersecurity expert said the outbreakthought to have exploited a two-year-old vulnerability in VMWare Inc softwarewas typical of automated attacks on servers and databases that have been carried out by hackers for years.

VMWare has urged customers to upgrade to the latest versions of its software.

This is nothing unusual, said Patrice Auffret, founder of French internet scanning company Onyphe. The difference is the scale.

Also uncommon is the highly visible nature of the outbreak, which began earlier this month. Because internet-facing servers were affected, researchers and tracking services like Ransomwhere or Onyphe could easily follow the criminals trail.

Digital safety officials in Italy said on Monday that there was no evidence pointing to aggression by a state or hostile state-like entity.

Samuli Kononen, an information security specialist at the Finnish National Cyber Security Centre, said the attack was likely carried out by a criminal gang, although he added that it was not particularly sophisticated as many victims had managed to salvage their data without paying a ransom.

More experienced ransomware groups usually dont make that kind of mistake, he said.

By James Pearson and Raphael Satter
FTX Gets Court Approval to Subpoena Founder Bankman-Fried, Other Insiders

Former FTX Chief Executive Sam Bankman-Fried, who faces fraud charges over the collapse of the bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange, arrives on the day of a hearing at Manhattan federal court in New York on Jan. 3, 2023. (David Dee Delgado/Reuters)

Failed crypto firm FTX received court approval on Wednesday to issue subpoenas to its founder Sam Bankman-Fried and members of his family as part of the companys investigation into misappropriated and stolen funds.

FTX, a once-prominent crypto exchange, filed for bankruptcy protection in November amid allegations that Bankman-Fried used FTX customers money to prop up the balance sheet of the FTX-affiliated hedge fund Alameda Research. FTX said that it needs more information from former insiders, including its indicted founder, to identify misspending that could be clawed back to repay FTXs customers.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge John Dorsey, who is overseeing FTXs Chapter 11 proceedings, approved FTXs request to issue subpoenas to Bankman-Fried, his parents Barbara Fried and Joseph Bankman, his brother Gabriel Bankman-Fried, former FTX Chief Technology Officer Gary Wang, former Alameda Research CEO Caroline Ellison, and former FTX chief operating officer Constance Wang.

FTX said in court papers filed Wednesday that most of the subpoena targets had begun cooperating with its investigation. FTX said that it is still in discussions with Ellison and that Sam Bankman-Fried remains non-responsive.

Ellison and Gary Wang have pleaded guilty to fraud charges for their role in the collapse of FTX and Alameda. Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty, and is scheduled to face trial in federal court in Manhattan in October.

The subpoenas focus on questionable spending by FTX insiders. That includes $16.7 million spent on Bahamian real estate by Bankman-Frieds parents and a Washington headquarters building purchased by Guarding Against Pandemics, an advocacy organization founded by the Bankman-Fried brothers.

FTX is also seeking information about political donations. In addition to donations by Sam Bankman-Fried, his mother founded a political action committee called Mind the Gap, which makes recommendations to a network of political donors.

Bankman-Fried declined to comment, and members of his family could not immediately be reached for comment. Mind the Gap has previously said that Sam Bankman-Fried did not make any direct contributions to the organization but did donate to some of its recommended programs.

By Dietrich Knauth
Gaetz Files Ukraine Fatigue Resolution to End All Aid to Ukraine

Rep.-elect Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) delivers remarks in the House Chamber during the fourth day of elections for Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, on Jan. 6, 2023. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), a self-described firebrand and staunch and unyielding opponent of the Biden administrations financial, material, and weapons support to Ukraine in its war with Russia, today filed a resolution to end all U.S. aid to Ukraine, while seeking and supporting a peace settlement between the combatant nations.

As the Department of Defense announced on Feb. 3, the United States since 2014 has committed more than $32 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, with $30 billion of that aid pledged since the start of the Biden administration, and $29.3 billion since the beginning of Russias unprovoked, full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022.

Titled, Ukraine Fatigue Resolution, and co-sponsored by 10 House members, H. RES. cites the amount and levels of U.S. support, including that the nation is the top contributor of military aid to Ukraine compared to its counterparts; that the United States has appropriated more than $110,000,000,000 of military, financial, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine; and that on February 3, 2023, the Department of Defense announced $2,000,000,000 in additional security assistance for Ukraine.

The resolution includes itemization of weapons and material support, valued at $425 million, and $1.75 billion in Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative Funds.

Staunch and Consistent Opponent of Supporting Ukraine in its Fight With Russia

Gaetz has never been a friend of the policy to give U.S. resources to Ukraine to assist the country in its war with Russia.

Joe Biden, and even some who have taken this stage, say defending freedom in Ukraine has costs for America, Gaetz said in a speech he delivered two days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Why should Americans have to pay the costs for freedom elsewhere when our own leaders wont stand up for our freedom here?

Testifying on the House floor on Feb. 6, Gaetz compared threats to U.S. citizens posed by drug outlaws in Mexico to those of Russian soldiers, and, what he believes, is an overeagerness to back a conflict that does not present serious and imminent peril to the United States.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Dec. 21, 2022. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

As the war slogs on in Ukraine, the benefits to Americans are unclear, said Gaetz. Bandits in the Sinaloa Mountains hurt more Americans than the men in Crimea. But foreigners come to Washington to lecture us about spending our constituents money on a conflict thousands of miles away, and my colleagues are eager to oblige.

On this floor, [Ukraine President Volodymyr] Zelenskyys demands got bipartisan standing ovations, from most. Stingers, HIMARS, tanks. At first, we said no to all of these things. President Biden even said that some of these things might lead to World War III. And then  we sent all of them.
Game-Changer? Tennessee En Route to Rejecting Federal Education Money

Commentary

The Associated Press is reporting what well may be an earthquake in the relations between red states and the federal governmentspecifically, the Department of Education, whose decrees and even existence are questioned by many conservatives, including former President Donald Trump:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  One of Tennessees most influential Republican lawmakers says the state should stop accepting the nearly $1.8 billion of federal K-12 education dollars that help provide support for low-income students, English learners and students with disabilities.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton told The Associated Press that he has introduced a bill to explore the idea during this years legislative session and has begun discussions with Gov. Bill Lee and other key GOP lawmakers.

Basically, well be able to educate the kids how Tennessee sees fit, Sexton said, pointing that rejecting the money would mean that Tennessee would no longer have federal government interference.

What that doesnt immediately say is that Tennessee would fully replace that $1.8 billion with the states own money, so that the low-income and other disadvantaged students the AP seems concerned about wouldnt be affected.

I was on a radio interview with Sexton on Feb. 9, with Michael Patrick Leahy on The Tennessee Star Report, and can attest that this proposalif not yet a done dealis likely to be one in some form. Sexton said Lee and many other key stakeholders, including state Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn, were already positively disposed to his idea.

At this point, as always, the devil will be in the details, including how long this will take to effectuate, given annual budget considerations. Sexton estimated 2024, but indicated it could take longer.

The state of Tennessee is fortunately on a solid-enough financial footing to able to do this. Other states, such as Oklahoma and South Carolina, also are exploring similar legislation.

If the measures pass, Beltway heads are likely to explode. You dont want our money? Mon Dieu!

Tennessee, its worth noting, has a Senate with 27 Republicans and six Democrats and a General Assembly with 73 Republicans and 26 Democrats. Passage of such legislation in some form shouldnt be overly difficult.

This could constitute the beginning of an epidemic, in which red states reject what many believe is serious unconstitutional overreach by the federal government in education and many other areas.

Such things are being examined actively in Tennessee as the states attorney general, Jonathan Skrmetti, explained at a luncheon of the Nashville Republican Women on Feb. 8. Skrmetti is forming a task force of lawyers potentially to sue the federal government over this overreach and possible attendant violations of the 10th Amendment.

Sexton, for his part, seems to be responding to an increasingly militant grassroots in his party that has been augmented by the great inflow of refugees (political migrants), many of whom are surprisingly activist, to Tennessee from blue states.

They have been demanding reforms in a system that has been infiltrated by critical race theory and also various versions of age-inappropriate sexual education. While these refugees had come to Tennessee to escape such things in blue states, they were deeply disappointed to find that at least in terms of the schools, they were running to stay in place, in great degree due to federal intervention.

This legislation, if it goes forward, will be a significant step in the right direction.

It also could be a baby step, possibly more, toward the rebirth of the federalism intended by the Founders. In the current environment, the only way that could happen would be via the states. The proper word, figuratively and literally, for the federal government is metastasis.

During his talk at the Nashville Republican Womens luncheon, Skrmetti also referred to the active alliance of a large number of red state attorneys general who are working together to block this overreach in many areas.

For the most part, these legal endeavors exist behind the scenes, but may prove to be the most telling of all in bringing this country back on course.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Government Forced to Delete Tweets After Social Media Errors, Including One That Misspelled the Queens Name

The Twitter logo is seen on a phone in this photo illustration in Washington, on July 10, 2019. (Alastair Pike/AFP via Getty Images)

Federal government staff made a series of social media errors that had to be later deleted, including spelling the Queen of Englands name wrong after her death, according to records from an Inquiry of Ministry.

On Dec. 1, 2022, Ontario Conservative MP Michael Barrett filed a request to cabinet for an itemized list of all deleted tweets since 2019.

According to Blacklocks Reporter, Barrett specifically asked: With regard to tweets made by the government that were later deleted, what are the details of each instance?

There were multiple tweets deleted. For example, the Privy Council Office was forced to delete a tweet about the Queen after her death on Sept. 8, 2022. Staffers misspelled her name as Elisabeth.

While the clerks chief of staff approved the tweet, it was deleted due to a spelling inconsistency of the Queens name and title between the French and English tweet.

In 2019, the Library and Archives Canada posted on Twitter in honour of World Breastfeeding Day, but used a photo it did not have consent to publish, said the records.

Two weeks after Hurricane Fiona hit the United States, the department of agriculture sent out an Oct. 6, 2022, tweet stating: Many farmers in Atlantic Canada and Eastern Quebec are feeling overwhelmed and stressed by the damage left from Hurricane Fiona. Find mental health support here.

The tweet was deleted.

In another later-deleted, poorly timed tweet, the Department of Fisheries stated, If you find lobsters washed up on the shore after the storm remember it is illegal to harvest them. Simply leave them there.

The fisheries department also deleted a tweet on Nov. 21 about a fun fact about swordfish and the parasites they carry. The message was later deleted, apparently due to sensitivities about the parasites, according to documents.

Fisheries had to delete an Aug. 19, 2021, post two days later. The post, which was a video about Pacific salmon being vital to the West Coast economy, used an illegal song.

In 2021, the Department of Public Works made a Twitter post about the upcoming auction of a gold Rolex watch seized by Customs agents. The tweet by the Crown Assets Disposal Office was later deleted, after an inquiry about the watch potentially being stolen, said the government documents.

In 2019, Environment Canada deleted a 2019 tweet for containing factually inaccurate information. Small island countries are at the front lines of climate change, it said. The Minister of Environment hosted a meeting to discuss how to help these small islands.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) also deleted multiple tweets, including one in 2021 that told Canadians: Be a chimp-ion this tax season and sign up for My Account, it said. The perks are ape-solutely a-peeling!

In deleting the tweet, the CRA said it could be taken out of context.

In 2020, the CRA posted: Think you gotta spend your cash? You dont! Some of our certified tax software dont cost a thing. The tweet was later deemed inappropriate and deleted.

As the Agency neither owns nor produces tax software it was determined use of the word our could be misleading, said the explanation. Further, it was determined it may not be appropriate to promote free software exclusively among all the tax software solutions available to taxpayers.
Governments Ambitious Agenda Justifies Sizeable Outsourcing, Says Minister Fortier

President of the Treasury Board Mona Fortier speaks in the foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Dec. 15, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick)

The Trudeau governments ambitious agenda justifies the hundreds of millions spent on outside contractors, Treasury Board President Mona Fortier said on Feb. 8.

Fortier was testifying at the House of Commons government operations committee looking into the issue of contracts awarded to consulting firm McKinsey & Company.

She said on at least three occasions that her governments ambitious agenda required relying on the private sector to support the public service.

Fortier said that the amount of outsourcing is consistent with the size of the public service and that the amount is almost proportional to what was being done in 2015.

The committee decided to study McKinsey contracts after CBC reported that its business had increased exponentially since the Liberals took power in 2015.

I think we have to make sure that we do focus on the fact that we have, as a government, a very ambitious agenda, Fortier told the MPs.

She said this is the best way to deliver programs to Canadians. We talk about housing, infrastructure, even mental health, she said.

Fortier said the federal public service is very hard working, but that sometimes we do need to complement that work to make sure that we deliver the programs and services were bringing forward.

The minister mentioned information technology (IT) as an example of an area in which the public service is lacking.

She said theres a shortage of workers to move forward with our digital government.

Catherine Luelo, Fortiers deputy minister and chief information officer of Canada, said the IT outsourcing is a very normal practice predicated on a labour shortage.

We are taking advantage of outsourcing, because we have a 30 percent vacancy rate in our digital cadre of employees, she said.

Review

After the news broke about the McKinsey contracts, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he had tasked Fortier and Public Services and Procurement Minister Helena Jaczek to look into the matter and assess whether outsourcing protocols had been followed.

Fortier told the committee that her review would be completed by June 30.

PSPC has said that it awarded $104.6 million in contracts to McKinsey since 2015 and that other departments had spent $12.2 million under their own authorities, based on a non exhaustive review.

Fortier told the committee that amount outside PSCP is now $14.4 million.

The minister said crown corporations which do not fall under the Treasury Board contract requirements have also been asked to provide data on McKinsey contracts.

One official from a crown corporation which hired McKinsey testified on Feb. 6.

Erhen Cory, CEO of the Canadian Infrastructure Bank (CIB) and a former McKinsey partner, said the CIB had awarded $1.43 million in contracts to McKinsey before he took the helm and no new contracts thereafter.

The CIB was the brainchild of the Liberals Advisory Council on Economic Growth, which was chaired by McKinsey boss Dominic Barton at the time.

Jaczek also testified on Feb. 6 and struck a different tone than Fortier on the need for outsourcing.

I think we need to look at who were hiring and where there are opportunities to ensure that we have sufficient internal staff with the qualifications, the skills that we need to perform the tasks in front of us, she said.

Previous witnesses at the committee have said the focus on McKinsey might be unwarranted, given the amounts being spent on other consulting firms.

Sean Boots, a senior policy advisor with the Treasury Board, said for the fiscal year 2021-2022, Deloitte had received $172 million in contracts, PricewaterhouseCoopers $115 million, and Accenture $94 million.

Amanda Clarke, an associate professor of public policy and administration at Carleton University, called the focus on McKinsey a bit of a distraction.

MPs have voted unanimously to refer the McKinsey contracts to the auditor general on Feb. 7.
Gun Control Laws Backfiring in California

Commentary

After the three public shootings over the last two weekends in California, Democrats are again clamoring for even more gun control laws. To California Gov. Gavin Newsom, the solution is to ban more places where people can carry permitted concealed handguns. Unfortunately, the proposal has nothing to do with stopping these attacks, and more gun-free zones only encourage these attacks. Other heavily Democratic states such as New York, New Jersey, and Maryland are making similar pushes.

Concealed handgun permit holders didnt commit those or other mass public shootings. Permit holders are also extremely law-abiding, being convicted of firearms-related violations at 1/12th the rate of police officers.

With the countrys strictest gun control laws, California probably shouldnt hold itself out as a model for the rest of the country to follow. The periods after 2000, 2010, or 2020 show a consistent pattern: The per capita rate of mass public shootings in California is always greater than the rate for the rest of the country. The rate is also much higher than for Texas, which gun control groups give an F grade for its gun control laws. Since 2010, Californias mass public shooting rate per capita is 43 percent higher than for Texas and 29 percent higher than for the rest of the United States. From 2020 on, Californias rate was 276 percent higher than Texas and 100 percent higher than the rest of the country.

But while California is moving to create more gun-free zones, the problem is that it has already been virtually impossible to get concealed handgun permits in the parts of California where the attacks occurred. In Los Angeles Country, where two of the attacks occurred, there is only one permit for every 5,660 adults. In San Mateo County, where the other attack occurred, there is one permit per every 24,630 adults. By comparison, there is one permit holder for every nine people in the 43 right-to-carry states.

Unsurprisingly, concealed handgun permit holders dont stop mass public shootings in California. But they do make a difference in the 43 states where there are a lot of permit holders. Indeed, people legally carrying guns stopped at least 31 mass public shootings since 2020. And when Americans are allowed to legally carry concealed handguns, they stop about half the active shooting attacks in the United States.

It is hard to ignore that these mass public shooters purposefully pick targets where they know their victims cannot protect themselves. Yet, the media refuses to discuss that these mass murderers often discuss in their diaries and manifestos how they pick their targets. For example, the Buffalo mass murderer last year wrote in his manifesto explaining why he chose the target that he did: Areas where CCW are outlawed or prohibited may be good areas of attack and Areas with strict gun laws are also great places of attack.

That is a common theme among mass murderers. These killers may be crazy, but they arent stupid. Their goal is to get media coverage, and they know that the more people they kill, the more media attention they will receive. And if they go to a place where their victims are defenseless, they will be able to kill more people.

Even if an officer is in the right place at the right time, a single uniformed police officer has an almost impossible job in stopping mass public shootings. An officers uniform is a neon sign saying, Shoot me first. Once the murderer kills the officer, the attacker has free rein to go after others. But where concealed carry is allowed, the attacker will have to worry that someone behind him is also armed.

Take school shootings: Twenty states, with thousands of schools, have armed teachers and staff. There has not been one attack at any of these schools during school hours since at least 2000 where anyone has been killed or wounded. All the attacks where people have been killed or wounded occurred in schools where teachers and staff cant have guns.

Newsoms approach contrasts sharply with another country that faces constant terrorist attacks. After a Jan. 27 mass public shooting in Israel left seven people dead, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared: Firearm licensing will be expedited and expanded in order to enable thousands of additional citizens to carry weapons.

Unfortunately, Californias strict gun control laws create fertile ground for successful mass public shootings. But the new push in some states for more gun-free zones is guaranteed to give mass murderers and other criminals even more hunting grounds.

From RealClearWire

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Health-Care Deal Talks Begin in Toronto With Premier and Federal Government

Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks to members of the media during a press conference in Ottawa, on Feb. 7, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Spencer Colby)

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he will be asking for more money on home care and long-term care and longer financial commitments from the federal government as negotiations on a new health-care deal continue.

Ford is meeting with Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic Leblanc and federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos today in Fords office at the Ontario legislature.

Heading into the meeting, Leblanc and Duclos said they were looking forward to the bilateral talks.

The federal government presented an offer Tuesday to the provinces and territories that includes $17 billion over 10 years added to the Canada Health Transfer.

Ottawa would also provide an immediate one-time $2 billion top-up to help ease pressures on emergency rooms and childrens hospital plus another $25 million this year family doctors, mental health, surgical backlogs and health data systems.

Ford and Health Minister Sylvia Jones say they will accept any new money from the federal government, but want a deal much longer than 10 years and want more investments in home care and long-term care.
The Enterprise Fire Department, Enterprise Police Department, and Enterprise Rescue each received a donation to recognize the hard work of the citys first responders.

Retired Lt. Col. Sam Scruggs Wednesday morning presented a check to each organization.

Nobody really says thank you to police officers and first responders, Scruggs said during the presentation at City Hall. Our intention is not to buy a fire truck or a police car. Our intention is to say thank you with a small donation.

Mayor William E. Cooper thanked Scruggs for the donation and for choosing to give back to Enterprise.

He could have presented this to anybody, Cooper said. He didnt forget about our city. This is very thoughtful and it is a blessing to all the entities that received the checks.

Each group was awarded a $333 check in a nod to Scruggs wife. He said he was in Korea three times, and met his wife there. The two were married three times: an embassy wedding, an American wedding and a Korean wedding.

Scruggs, of Scruggs Enterprises, Inc., located near Huntsville, has ties to the area, having lived and taught in Ozark. The retired Army officer, though never stationed at Fort Rucker, says he feels like this area is home and he wanted to thank the citys first responders for all they do.

A little recognition like this goes a long way, Enterprise Police Chief Michael Moore said. Weve received donations from $333 to pizza that costs $20. Were not asking for anything, but the recognition of somebody saying, Hey we appreciate you. We know yall are doing good.
Messenger RNA sequences from the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines were found in the blood of multiple individuals weeks after vaccination, according to a new study.

Researchers in Denmark analyzed samples from the vaccinated and detected partial or even full sequences of the messenger RNA (mRNA) following vaccination. The sequences were found as late as 28 days after vaccination, or the longest time period the study analyzed.

The findings mean that the mRNA, which is situated in lipid nanoparticles for deliverance into the body, lingers for much longer than authorities in the United States and elsewhere acknowledge.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for instance, has claimed that the mRNA is broken down within a few days. The Infectious Diseases Society of America says the mRNA is quickly metabolized and eliminated via cellular processing mechanisms.

Henrik Westh, a professor of clinical microbiology at the University of Copenhagen, and co-authors of the new study described being surprised by the findings.

We surprisingly found fragments of COVID-19 vaccine mRNA up to 28 days postvaccination in blood from chronic HCV patients vaccinated with mRNA vaccines from both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, they wrote.

The study featured taking samples from 108 vaccinated people with chronic hepatitis C virus, or HCV, and examining them for up to 28 days after vaccination.

Ten of the samples, or 9.3 percent, had partial or full sequences of the mRNA sequence.

The vaccines deliver mRNA inside lipid nanoparticles.

The researchers said that the detected mRNA was likely still inside the nanoparticles, which have been slowly released from the injection site either directly to the blood or through the lymph system. Without the nanoparticles, the mRNA would rapidly degrade.

They claimed that the new data does not in any way change the conclusion that both mRNA vaccines are safe and effective.

That conclusion shows bias and it overlooks how pseudouridine, which is used to modify the RNA in the vaccines, alters the stability of RNA considerably, Dr. Robert Malone told The Epoch Times. Documents leaked in 2022 showed European regulators expressed concern about truncated and modified RNA in the vaccines.

The researchers also said the mRNA lingering in the blood allows pro-longed spike protein production giving an advantage for a continuous immune response in some persons.

If true, that would amount to chronic low-level boosting, which would exacerbate immune imprinting, or focusing ones body on the outdated strains the vaccines target, according to Malone, who helped develop the mRNA technology.

Malone said the difficulty in identifying mRNA specifically from the vaccines, particularly as time goes on, means there may have been RNA from the vaccines in the blood of some of the other samples.

Westh, Pfizer, and Moderna did not respond to a request for comment.

The paper was published by the Journal of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology. No funding sources were listed.

Research on mice has detected the spread of the mRNA beyond the injection site and lymph nodes. One previous paper described the finding of mRNA in lymph node germinal centers up to 60 days following vaccination with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Another set of researchers detected mRNA from the vaccines two weeks following vaccination. Research on mice has detected the spread of the mRNA beyond the injection site and lymph nodes.

The papers highlight how we really dont know how long this RNA persists, Malone said. The true implications of all of this is that the assumption that adverse events occurring later than two to three weeks cannot be associated with the drug product once again is clearly false.

The mRNA delivers instructions to the body to produce the spike protein, which is meant to protect people against COVID-19.

Experts have raised concerns that the circulating spike protein is toxic and contributes to myocarditis, a form of heart inflammation caused by the vaccines, and other adverse events following vaccination.

You have the spike causing inflammation, the spike causing clotting, the spike causing amyloid and prion disease, and you have the spike causing all of this autoimmune disease, Dr. Paul Marik, co-founder of the Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance, previously told The Epoch Times. Its a total onslaught from every angle, and thats just the beginning of what spike does. It seems the more spike you have, the more inflammation you have.

In January, U.S. researchers reported discovering high levels of spike protein in people who had been vaccinated and suffered myocarditis.

Several months prior, Colorado researchers reported finding nearly identical alterations in gene expression in people with myocarditis after COVID-19 or vaccination, with the alterations detected up to 137 days after infection and 182 days after vaccination. They said that more studies are needed to define the full extent of the molecular pathology of COVID-19and mRNA vaccine-associated myocardial injury, including the extent that and how these are triggered by exposure to S[pike] protein.
An experimental COVID-19 antiviral drug seems to be effective at preventing hospitalizations, but isnt cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to a study published online Wednesday.

The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that the drug, interferon lambda, prevented 51 percent of hospitalizations among individuals who received COVID-19 vaccines.

Study authors wrote that the trial was one of the first to test the drug in a largely vaccinated group, or 84 percent of participants. It had the same effect on people who were not vaccinated, they said.

A total of 933 people got a shot of interferon lambda in Canada and Brazil, and they were compared with 1,018 individuals who received a placebo. About 2.7 percent of those who got the interferon shot had to be hospitalized, compared with 5.6 percent who got the placebo, the paper found, noting its a difference of 51 percent.

This phase 3 trial, which was conducted in a predominantly vaccinated population infected with various SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, showed the efficacy of a single subcutaneous dose of pegylated interferon lambda administered within seven days after the onset of symptoms, the study said, referring to the virus that causes COVID-19.  This regimen resulted in a greater than 50 percent reduction in the risk of a primary-outcome event. Our trial findings were consistent across the SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and across multiple subgroups according to vaccination status.

The drug could be an important addition to our arsenal to fight COVID-19, especially for high-risk patients who may not be able to use currently available treatments because of side-effects or drug interactions with medications they take, Dr. Jordan Feld, a lead authors of the study and chief of Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, said in a statement about their research to GlobalNews.

In recent months, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has pulled authorization for several drugs that were used to treat COVID-19 across the United States, leaving patients with few options. Those decisions mean that Pfizer Inc.s antiviral drug Paxlovid, Mercks Lagevrio, convalescent plasma, and Gilead Sciences Veklury, known as remdesivir, are the primary treatments for the virus.

Some doctors have said that Paxlovid and remdesivir have significant side-effects or interfere with other medications. In the case of remdesivir, there have been concerns that the drug has caused potentially fatal side-effects, including kidney failure, among COVID-19 patients. Paxlovid interferes with a number of commonly used medications, according to federal officials.

Signage outside the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) headquarters in White Oak, Md., on Aug. 29, 2020. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

The FDA in January withdrew its prior authorization of Evusheld, a combination antibody treatment that is given to people with weak immune systems, after the agency determined that the drug isnt effective against most COVID-19 Omicron variants. In December, the FDA pulled authorization for Eli Lilly and Co.s COVID-19 drug bebtelovimab because it cannot combat the dominant Omicron subvariants, according to the agency.

The decision prompted the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue revised guidance for people with weakened immune systems that included masking and social distancing, despite studies showing that such practices may not be effective.

Among persons with immunocompromise and their household members and close contacts, prevention measures, including wearing a high-quality and well-fitting mask, maintaining physical distance from others (at least six feet), improving indoor ventilation, practicing frequent handwashing, and developing a care plan, should be considered in addition to receipt of a bivalent booster dose, said the CDC on Jan. 27.

The federal agency added that it is important to wear a mask and maintain physical distance from others if it is not possible to avoid crowded indoor spaces  simple interventions should be used to improve ventilation in buildings and decrease SARS-CoV-2 transmission by improving air flow.
Meditation and Chronic Diseases | Mental Illnesses | Negative Emotions | Gut Health | Weight Loss | How Long Should You Meditate | What to Think

Over 50 percent of Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some time in their life. Fortunately, there is an effective, safe, and inexpensive way to improve mental health: meditation.

Susan Gentile, a nurse practitioner from New Jersey, highly recommends meditation as a therapy for people suffering from substance abuse and mental issues.

A patient of hers in his mid-30s used to be depressed and addicted to alcohol. After two years, he sought treatment and was advised to start practicing meditation. To Gentiles surprise, positive effects started to appear within the first two weeks. After that, whenever the patient had the urge to drink, he started to meditate and would feel very calm. Meditation became his favorite therapy.

Meditation can improve our mental health in different ways. It improves psychological health, increases life satisfaction and vitality, and regulates emotions.

Is Meditation Good for Depression?

A study published in JAMA Psychiatry discovered that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, of which meditation is a component, could achieve a 73 percent decrease in depressive relapse than placebo among depression patients in remission.

The neurotransmitter serotonin is a major mood regulator in our bodies, and its deficiency can lead to depression. According to a study, the level of serotonin metabolites in the meditators urine samples increased after meditation, and the meditators had a sustained serotonin level well above that of those who didnt meditate.

Meditations beneficial effects on depression symptoms may also be attributed to its ability to alter certain brain regions linked to depression. For example, the medial prefrontal cortex and amygdala work together to cause depression, but meditation can break the connection between these two brain regions.

Furthermore, a review examined 47 trials and discovered that meditation had a small to moderate effect on improving depression, anxiety, and physical pain.

Another systematic review examined 18 studies and found that meditation helped reduce symptoms of depression for patients suffering from clinical depressive disorders.

Can Meditation Reduce Anxiety?

A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on transcendental meditation examined 16 studies and discovered that meditation could reduce anxiety, and the greatest effect was achieved with those with the highest levels of anxiety.

Another meta-analysis showed that meditation is associated with decreased symptoms of anxiety.

According to a study published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) who participated in a Mindful-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program had significantly more reduction in anxiety than those who participated in a stress-management education program.

Practicing meditation can also improve insomnia, which may increase anxiety. In one study published in the JAMA Internal Medicine, participants who practiced meditation for six weeks, two hours per week, experienced fewer insomnia symptoms or daytime fatigue than those in the control group. Another journal article in Sleep suggests that meditation can be a treatment option for people suffering from chronic insomnia.

How Meditation Helps Fight Other Mental Diseases

Bipolar disorder

Meditation has been proven to be effective at neutralizing bipolar disorder, which is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings with emotional highs and lows. It may cause impairments in cognition.

According to one study, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy may be a bipolar disorder treatment option as an adjunct to medication, as it can improve patients cognitive functioning and memory.

The exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown, and theres some evidence that the imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brainlike serotonin, endorphins, and dopaminecan be a cause. As aforementioned, meditation can increase serotonin levels. It can also help release more endorphins and increase dopamine release by 65 percent.

Furthermore, meditators have thicker brain regionsthe prefrontal cortexassociated with attention and sensory processing. In one postmortem study, reductions in neuronal and glial density of the prefrontal cortex were found in bipolar disorder patients.

Posttraumatic stress disorder

A patient with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been directly or indirectly affected by a traumatic event. It is a debilitating mental disorder affecting 7 to 8 percent of American adults, including many military veterans.

According to a study published in the journal Military Medicine, transcendental meditation can help military personnel suffering from PTSD improve their symptoms. And after one month of practicing meditation, 83.7 percent of the participants reduced or even eliminated their use of psychotropic medications to treat PTSD. Among the study participants who didnt meditate, only 59.4 percent reduced or stopped their prescriptions, and 40.5 percent of them even increased their use of psychotropic medications.

The impact of meditation on two groups of participants. (The Epoch Times)

Schizophrenia

Research has shown that meditation can help with schizophrenia. A study shows meditation leads to better psychosocial functioning and improved symptoms in schizophrenic patients.

Specifically, five patients with a history of severe schizophrenia for over two decades experienced significantly reduced hallucination and delusion symptoms after eight months of meditation practice.

The researchers also proposed several mechanisms for the meditations beneficial effects, including brain oscillation changes that can lead to better brain network integration and reduced abnormal brain activities.

Eating disorders

Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that result in unhealthy eating habits. Common eating disorders include anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder. Fortunately, meditation can help improve the symptoms of all these conditions.

In one study, surveys regarding complementary medicines were distributed to a preexisting cohort of 100 community women to investigate their perception of these approaches effectiveness. The most common complementary medicines were massage, yoga, vitamins, meditation, relaxation, and minerals, which were all found to be very helpful by the survey respondents. In the surveys, a vignette of a 28-year-old female anorexia patient named Jill was featured, and the community women regarded meditation as the second most helpful approach (i.e., 82 percent) for her.

In another study, six young women with bulimia undertook mindfulness-based eating disorder treatment, which included meditation training, for eight weeks. After that, they became more optimistic, self-appreciating, and self-aware; their self-images greatly improved.



In a third study, 18 obese women with binge eating disorder participated in a six-week meditation program. After they completed the program, their average number of binges decreased from 4.02 per week to 1.57 per week, with 50 percent of the participants reducing their binges to less than once per week. The severity of their binges also reduced.

In addition, the womens symptoms of depression and anxiety also improved, as well as their sense of eating control and awareness of satiety cues.

How Meditation Reduces Stress Level

Psychological stress can cause the level of the stress hormone cortisol to increase, which can lead to increased activation of inammatory cytokines over time.

According to a study published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, an MBSR program was more effective at reducing the inflammatory response caused by stress than a well-matched control condition, in which the participants trained in an active control intervention to promote well-being.

In another study, MBSR program participants with generalized anxiety disorder increased their reductions in stress markers.

Researchers at Cleveland Clinic conducted a study among people who worked in a busy environment. After using a web-based stress management program mainly based on mindfulness meditation for a year, participants stress levels were reduced by 31 percent.

Even short meditation sessions can help individuals cope with stress. In one study, participants were divided into either a meditation group or a poetry study group. They completed a social-evaluative stress challenge task after three days of 75-minute meditation and poetry study sessions. As it turned out, the meditation group reported feeling less psychological stress.
Hearing Fails to Establish Twitter Collusion With FBI in Blocking New York Post Story

James Baker (L), former deputy general counsel of Twitter; Vijaya Gadde (2L), former chief legal officer of Twitter; Yoel Roth (2R), former global head of trust and safety of Twitter; and former Twitter employee Anika Collier Navaroli (R), are sworn in to testify during a House Committee on Oversight and Accountability hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on Feb. 8, 2023. (Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)

Five hours of questioning by the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability failed to establish a clear political motivation for former Twitter executives who temporarily blocked sharing of a negative news story about Joe Biden or any testimony establishing collusion between Twitter and the FBI.

Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) nevertheless said the Feb. 8 hearing was important in that it concerned Twitter, which he said received millions of dollars from the FBI, and that it corrected misconceptions about Hunter Bidens laptop, which he said has been falsely labeled Russian disinformation.

The news story titled Smoking-gun Email Reveals How Hunter Biden Introduced Ukrainian Businessman to VP Dad was published by the New York Post on Oct. 14, 2020.

Twitter prevented sharing of the story for 24 hours stating concern that its content may have been obtained through hacking. Key figures, including Twitter founder Jack Dorsey and three of the former executives who testified before the committee, have said that decision was a mistake.

Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) speaks at a hearing with the House Committee on Oversight and Reform in Washington on Nov. 16, 2021. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

After Twitter reversed the decision, the story still did not circulate on the platform for another two weeks because of a policy that required the original poster to delete the Tweet, then repost the content.

The New York Post did not do so, and Twitter then changed the policy.

Republicans aired their concern that the decision may have thrown the 2020 election to Biden. But the primary focus of their questioning was to establish that the FBI had duped Twitter into suppressing the story.

Ex-Twitter executives testifying before the committee were Vijaya Gadde, former chief legal officer, James Baker, former deputy general counsel, Yoel Roth, former global head of trust and safety, and Anika Collier Navaroli, a former senior member of U.S. safety policy team.

Most questions were directed to Roth and Navaroli, who were more directly involved with content moderation operations.

Twitter Duped?

The Republicans theory is that the FBI duped Twitter executives into believing that Russian actors would plant disinformation in the media in October 2020 to disrupt the presidential election, and that belief caused Twitter to mistakenly censor the Posts story, thereby throwing the election to Joe Biden.

Twitter was an easy mark, Republicans believe, because of its institutional bias. Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas) asserted that 98 percent of Twitter employees had supported Democratic candidates or causes.

I think you guys got played by the FBI, Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said. The information operation was run on you guys, and then by extension, run on the American people.

Facts supporting the theory were elicited through witness testimony and seemed to make a compelling case.

Documents from the Twitter Files indicated that the post did not meet Twitters content moderation guidelines, which Roth confirmed.

FBI Seal at the J. Edgar Hoover FBI building in Washington, on Aug. 9, 2022. (Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

Roth said he had been told by the FBI that they suspected a Russian disinformation campaign to take place in October, likely a hack and leak operation similar to the release of DNC emails in 2016.

Twitter executives regularly communicated with the FBI and other government agencies regarding both security threats.

Members of the Biden campaign staff had asked for the review of certain Tweets that seemed to violate Twitters content guidelines.

Roth participated in a training exercise conducted by the Aspen Institute in September 2020 in which the threat scenario was a hack and leak operation involving Hunter Biden.

The FBI had the Hunter Biden laptop in its possession for over a year before the election.

Rep. Jim Perry (R-Pa.) found the circumstances incredible.

I know youve already testified here that you didnt see that you were misled, or potentially duped, he said to Roth, It sure seems highly coincidental, would you agree, knowing that the FBI had the laptop that the FBI set up the War Room and the [communication] channel and told you, per your statement, that this was going to happen?

Its almost impossible to tell where the FBI ends and where Twitter begins, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) said about the apparently close frequent communication between the two.

No Connection Established

Yet witness testimony failed to reveal proof that the decision to block the Posts story was anything other than a mistake made in the heat of the moment.

None of the witnesses testified that any member of the FBI asked them to block the Post story or even communicated with them about it.

And no witness testified that any member of the Biden team was involved with the decision to block the story.

Republicans were left frustrated but still unconvinced that no wrongdoing had taken place.

Twitters headquarters in San Francisco on Aug. 13, 2019. (Glenn Chapman/AFP via Getty Images)

I dont think this passes the smell test and neither do the American people, said Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas).

Ranking member Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) said, This has been a wild cyber goose chase all day. It has turned up absolutely nothing.

White House spokesman Ian Sams said, This appears to be the latest effort by the House Republican majoritys most extreme MAGA members to question and relitigate the outcome of the 2020 election.

Behind the Scenes

What witnesses did reveal was that Twitter employees were at times overwhelmed by the volume of content moderation decisions and the difficulty in creating and enforcing policies that would prevent hate speech and incitements to violence without infringing on the right to free expression.

Difficult moderation decisions were forwarded to an executive team, which was sometimes reluctant to act for fear of restricting free speech, especially within the United States, according to Navaroli.

She said she warned superiors about possible danger on Jan. 6, 2021, and felt that they did not remove Tweets that appeared to be a call to violence until two days later.

As for cooperating with government officials, Roth indicated that it was both commonplace and needed. He said tips on malign foreign interference offered by the FBI and other government agencies were invaluable for identifying malicious accounts.

Requests for review of content frequently came from both political parties, witnesses said, as well as from the public.

For example, Navaroli testified that in 2019 supervisors informed her the White House asked for the review of a Tweet by fashion model Chrissy Teigen.

The Tweet contained an insulting description of then-President Donald Trump.

While Democrats characterized the hearing as a boondoggle, Republicans remained convinced that Twitter and the FBI had both acted improperly in the case of the New York Post story.

Weve witnessed Big Tech autocrats wield their unchecked power to suppress the speech of Americans to promote their preferred political opinions, Comer said.

He called the incident a coordinated cover-up by Big Tech, the Swamp, and mainstream news.
House Passes Legislation That Overrules DC Voting, Crime Bills

(L-R) Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Eli Crane (R-Ariz.), Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.), Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) and Bob Good (R-Va.) sit together in the House Chamber during voting for Speaker of the House during the fourth day of elections at the U.S. Capitol Building on Jan. 6, 2023. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

The House of Representatives on Feb. 9 approved two measures that overturn bills passed by the Council of the District of Columbia.

Specifically, the legislation would block a pair of laws recently approved by the D.C. City Council.

One of these measures, the Revised Criminal Code Act, would lessen penalties for violent crimes even as Washington is experiencing a record-breaking crime wave. That proposal was vetoed by Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser; the D.C. City Council later overruled Bowsers veto in a 121 vote.

The other measure, the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act, would allow noncitizens in Washington to vote.

Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), who serves as chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, indicated that he would be focusing on the issue.

Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) during a hearing in Washington on July 27, 2022. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

The D.C. Councils reckless decision to allow non-U.S. citizens and illegal immigrants the right to vote in local elections is an attack on the foundation of this republic, Comer said in a statement. This move by the Council is irresponsible and will only exacerbate the ongoing border crisis, subvert the voices of American citizens, and open the door for foreign adversaries to peddle influence in our nations capital.

Crime

The Revised Criminal Code Act seeks to lessen penalties for violent crime.

The House voted 250173 to approve the measure.

The Washington Metropolitan Police Department has reported a substantial uptick in violent crime on its website.

According to that info, homicides are up by 29 percent over the same time last year; sex abuse is up by 143 percent; motor vehicle thefts are up by 89 percent.

Republicans say the D.C. Councils bill will only serve to exacerbate this situation.

The D.C. City Council seems unperturbed by the increase in violent crime, Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-N.Y.) said.

New York State GOP Chairman Nick Langworthy (L), speaks in front of the Office of the Governor of the State of New York. (via Facebook)

During a Feb. 6 hearing of the Rules Committee, one Republican noted that the bill was too radical for Democrat Mayor Bowser, who vetoed the bill.

Only one member of the D.C. City Council voted against the measure.

During comments in the Rules Committee, Republicans noted that the capital city receives about 19 million visits per year, many by the constituents of members of Congress. This fact, Republicans said, puts the GOP well within its rights to disapprove the resolution.

Voting

The measure would also overrule a bill that would allow illegal aliens in Washington to vote.

The House voted 260173 to approve the measure. Forty-two Democrats joined Republicans to vote for the measure.

During testimony to the Rules Committee, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), asked why anyone [would] care about Washington allowing illegal aliens to vote.

Rep. Mark Alford (R-Mo.), during a speech on the House floor, had an answer.

If D.C. allowed illegal aliens to vote, it would have massive consequences all over our nation, he said. Where would it end?

The 26th Amendment is clear, Alford said: Voting is a privilege for citizens.

That amendment lowered the required age to vote.

Specifically, the 26th Amendment, the second most recent addition to the Constitution, reads: The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.

Colonialism

Democrats portrayed the effort to overrule the D.C. City Councils bills as colonialism by Congress.

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), in a speech on the House floor, called the measures profoundly undemocratic.

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) speaks on Capitol Hill on May 21, 2020. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

Instead of abusing its power over D.C. by nullifying legislation enacted by the D.C. Council, the House should adhere to democratic principles and pass my D.C. statehood bill, which would give D.C. residents voting representation in Congress and full control over their local affairs, she said in a statement.

Norton is a delegate, a nonvoting member of Congress. While delegates can speak on the issues that matter to their constituents, they cant introduce or vote on bills, nor do they serve on committees.

In her statement, she argued that the issue should be left to D.C. to decide.

Congress has 535 voting members, Norton said. The members are elected by the residents of the several states. None are elected by D.C. residents. If D.C. residents do not like how the members vote, even on legislation that applies only to D.C., such as the two disapproval resolutions, they can only ask politely for the residents of the several states to vote members out of office.

Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.) called the bills a challenge to D.C.s right to political self-determination.

If my Republican colleagues insist on acting like a colonial overseer of the District of Columbia, the least they could do is hear from the people of D.C., Scanlon said.

Raskin echoed the sentiment.

I rise today in strong opposition to H.J.Res. 26, the Maryland Democrat said. The second episode in the new mini-series where the House Majority asks the United States Congress to act as a supercity council of 535 members to make decisions for the people of Washington, D.C.

GOP Reply

Republicans argued in response that the Constitution is clear that Congress has the power to regulate and legislate D.C.

Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, which enumerates the powers of Congress, reads: [Congress shall have the power] To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of Government of the United States.

Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) made this point in a Feb. 9 speech on the House floor.

Article 1, section 8, clause 17 of the Constitution grants Congress the authority to, and I quote, exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever over such district,' Clyde said.

We dont just have a Constitutional obligation to stop the soft-on-crime bill from becoming law. We also have a moral obligation to protect Americans safety and security in our nations capital city.

Under the D.C. councils radical crime bill, residents, small businesses, constituents, and our own staff here on Capitol Hill will inevitably encounter additional danger and violence.

Clearly, crime after crime is on the rise here in D.C., yet the D.C. councils bill will only make matters worse.

Combating crime is not a conservative or a liberal objective. Its not Republican or Democrat. Its simply a commonsense one.

Calls for DC Statehood

Many Democrats, including most prominently Norton and Raskin, took the opportunity to reiterate calls for D.C. statehood. Republicans, however, are hesitant to accept such a move.

Lead House impeachment manager Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) speaks on the fifth day of former President Donald Trumps second impeachment trial at the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 13, 2021. (congress.gov via Getty Images)

There will be a parade of attacks on local democratic self-government in Washington, D.C., Raskin said. Now, I believe that the people of Washington should be treated like all other American citizens. And right now, what theyve asked for is admission to the union as a state.

Likewise, Norton called for Congress to drop consideration of the bill and instead consider one that would make D.C. a state.

The federal district regularly votes more than 90 percent for Democrats.

If D.C. were made a state, it would almost certainly mean a major increase in Democrats control over the Senate, as all states receive two senators regardless of size.

To advance, Republicans bills will also need to win the approval of the Senate, where they will face a tougher challenge. Democrats have broadly expressed opposition to the measures.

Like all legislation in the upper chamber, it will need at least 60 senators support. If it overcomes this hurdle, it would still need to win President Joe Bidens approval.
House Oversight Chairman Requests Foreign Business Records From Hunter Biden, James Biden

Flanked by House Republicans, U.S. Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Nov. 17, 2022. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

The chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability has made his first formal requests in the panels investigation of the Biden familys alleged influence peddling.

In three Feb. 9 letters, Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) requested that Hunter Biden, James Biden, and their former business associate Eric Schwerin turn over all records, communications, and documents related to the Biden familys foreign business dealings, as well as any records designated classified.

In a Feb. 9 statement, Comer noted that the three recipients are key witnesses in the committees investigation of President Joe Bidens potential involvement in his familys business dealings.

Evidence obtained in our investigation reveals the Biden family business model is built on Joe Bidens political career and connections, the chairman said. Biden family members attempted to sell access around the world, including individuals who were connected to the Chinese Communist Party, to enrich themselves to the detriment of American interests. If President Biden is compromised by deals with foreign adversaries and they are impacting his decision making, this is a threat to national security.

The American people deserve transparency and accountability about the Biden familys influence peddling, he added. The Oversight Committee is committed to exposing the waste, fraud, and abuse that has taken place at the highest levels of our government. Hunter Biden, James Biden, and Eric Schwerins documents, records, and communications are critical to this investigation.

The two Bidens and Schwerin will have until Feb. 22 to respond to the committees requests. If they opt not to do so, the Republicans, as the majority party, will have the power to issue subpoenas at their disposal.

Additionally, in the letters, Comer noted that any attempts to corruptly withhold or destroy the documents or information requested could violate a federal law that carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.

Attorneys for Hunter and James Biden didnt return The Epoch Times request for comment before press time.

In a letter obtained by The Epoch Times, Abbe Lowell, an attorney for Hunter Biden, responded to Comers letter on Feb. 9, stating, While your Letter attempts to demonstrate legislative purpose for investigating Mr. Biden, it fails nevertheless to address that the Committees scope of oversight is limited when dealing with private persons like our client.

Lowell, in the letter, offers to sit with Comer, ranking member Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), and committee staff to see whether Mr. Biden has information that may inform some legitimate legislative purpose and be helpful to the Committee.
Huntington Beach Votes to Fly Only Governmental Flags Over City Hall

The Huntington Beach city council conducts a meeting at the Civic Center chambers in Huntington Beach, Calif., on Jan. 17, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

The Huntington Beach City Council passed three controversial items Feb. 7 involving raising campaign limits, banning anonymous complaints of local businesses, and regulating flags at city facilities.

The items each passed on 43 votes, with Mayor Tony Strickland and Mayor Pro Tem Gracey Van Der Mark, and Councilors Pat Burns and Casey McKeon voting in favor. Councilors Dan Kalmick, Natalie Moser, and Rhonda Bolton dissented.

The most contentious item was regarding which flags are allowed at city buildings.

The council directed staff to draft an ordinance to be presented at the next meeting Feb. 21 that will allow the city facility to only display flags representing the city, county, state, and prisoners of war or those missing in military action.

Huntington Beach Mayor Tony Strickland (C) speaks at a city council meeting at the Civic Center in Huntington Beach, Calif., on Jan. 17, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Flags representing the six branches of the armed forces would be allowed on occasion, when requested by government officials.

Moser, Bolton, and Kalmick said during the meeting such is in response to the councils prior decisions to fly the LGBT flag on occasion over the last couple of years and supported keeping it that way.

Kalmick also mentioned that several years ago, prior to the formation of the U.S. Space Force, such an ordinance would have prevented the flag for that military branch to fly, which would have needed to go through a month-long process for approval.

Burns, who introduced the issue, said it is not about getting rid of the Pride flag, but promoting unity.

We are so much bigger than that, he said during the meeting. Our flags that represent us are what is importantto unify us and get over this divisive titling.  Its recognizing we are one.

Residents look through city council agenda items at the Huntington Beach Civic Center in Huntington Beach, Calif., on Jan. 17, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

McKeon said during the meeting the flags in the motion represent every resident equally, while some others do not.

The city council also raised campaign contribution limits for city candidates from $500 to align them with the states limit of $5,500.

Additionally, the city council banned anonymous complaints by anyone who notifies the citys code enforcement of a businesss alleged violations.

Individuals reporting a violation must now provide their drivers license or similar identification.

But, if an individual is reporting a violation of a state lawsuch as a criminal offensetheir complaint could be submitted anonymously, Huntington Beach City Attorney Michael Gates said during the meeting.
Iconic Pop Musician Burt Bacharach Dead at 94

Burt Bacharach performs on the Pyramid Stage on the second day of the Glastonbury Festival of Music and Performing Arts on Worthy Farm near the village of Pilton in Somerset, south west England, on June 27, 2015. (Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images)

Burt Bacharach, a Grammy award-winning artist who composed hundreds of pop songs from the late 1950s through the 1980s, has died, his publicist confirmed on Thursday. He was 94.

Tina Brausam said the Oscar and Tony winner died of natural causes on Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles, California.

Bacharach, considered one of the most important figures of 20th-century pop music, wrote 73 chart-topping songs in the United States, and 52 in the United Kingdom.

Over the past 70 years, only a handful of musicians rivaled Bacharachs genius for instantly catchy songs that remained performed, played, and hummed long after they were written.

Bacharach, an eight-time Grammy and three-time Oscar winner, had a run of top 10 hits from the 1950s into the 21st century. His music was heard everywhere, from movie soundtracks and radios to home stereo systems and iPods. He also received two Academy Awards in 1970, for the score of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and for the song Raindrops Keep Fallin on My Head, which was shared with lyricist Hal David.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1928, the musician moved to New York City as a child together with his father, a syndicated columnist, and his mother, a pianist who encouraged him to study music.

They were just so incredibly exciting that all of a sudden, I got into music in a way I never had before, Bacharach recalled in the memoir Anyone Who Had a Heart, published in 2013.

As a teenager, Bacharach further noticed his passion for music and sometimes used a fake ID to sneak into jazz clubs and hear greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Count Basie.

What I heard in those clubs turned my head around, he recalled in the memoir.

From an early age, Bacharach first studied cello, drums, and piano. He attended classes at several institutions, including in New York City with famed classical composer Darius Milhaud. Bacharach has credited much of his music style to his love for bebop, as well as his classical education under Milhaud.

Lost Its Beethoven

Tributes flooded in from musicians and fans across the globe shortly after news broke of his passing.

One of the greatest songwriting legacies in the history of ever, Thomas Burgess, a British musician and record label owner, wrote on Twitter. Farewell Burt Bacharach, you were a king.

Oscar-winning songwriter Diane Warren, who has written songs for Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin, said on Twitter that the music industry lost its Beethoven after Bacharachs death.

The Songwriting world has lost its Beethoven today. Compose in Power forever Burt Bacharach  Diane Warren (@Diane_Warren) February 9, 2023

Brian Wilson, an American musician and co-founder of the band Beach Boys, also paid tribute, saying Bacharach was a hero to him and influenced him on his journey in the music industry.

Im so sad to hear about Burt Bacharach, Wilson wrote on Twitter. He was a giant in the music business. His songs will live forever.

Dave Davies, guitarist of the British rock band The Kinks, described Bacharach on Twitter as probably one of the most influential songwriters of our time and a great inspiration.

Bacharach was married four times, having divorced his first wife, actress Paula Stewart in 1958.

Bacharach is survived by his wife, Jane Hansen, as well as his children Oliver, Raleigh, and Cristopher, his publicist said. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Nikki Bacharach, of his second wife, Angie Dickinson, to whom he was married from 1965 to 1980.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

From NTD News
Rescue Workers in Turkeys Quake-Hit Hatay Province Race Against Time

With nighttime temperatures below freezing, rescue workers stand near an open fire in Hatays Iskenderun province on Feb. 8, 2023. (Ercan Koc for The Epoch Times)

ADANA, TurkeyThe highway from Turkeys southern Adana Province to the neighboring province of Hatay is snarled by traffic. There are long lines of trucks bearing critical aid for survivors, bulldozers and excavation equipment, and busloads of volunteer rescue workers.

On Feb. 6, Adana and Hatayand eight other provinces of southern Turkeywere hit with back-to-back earthquakes that have left thousands dead and leveled entire neighborhoods.

A lone building that withstood the twin earthquakes in Hatays Iskenderun district on Feb. 8, 2023. (Ercan Koc for The Epoch Times)

The casualty toll currently stands at more than 20,000 dead and more than 66,000 injured. Both numbers, especially the first, are expected to rise as more bodies are pulled from the rubble.

Thousands of survivors have already been saved thanks to the efforts of volunteer rescue workers, who continue to work around the clock.

On Feb. 9, a 1-year-old baby was pulled from the rubble near the quakes epicenter in Kahramanmaras Province.

But with nighttime temperatures falling below freezing, rescue workers in affected areas have found themselves in a race against time.

One of those is Sahin Sahinguler, a 33-year-old machine engineer who rushed to Hatays Iskenderun district shortly after the first quake struck. Hes part of a 400-strong team of volunteers from the Akkuyu nuclear-energy facility in Turkeys Mersin Province.

Weve extricated seven people from this particular site, Sahinguler told The Epoch Times, pointing to a mountain of rubble that until recently was a multistory building.

Four of them were pulled out alive. The other three werent so lucky.

From what we can tell, four or five more people are still buried in there. We think weve located two of them, but it will take several more hours of digging.

Local residents look on as rescue efforts continue into the night in Hatays Iskenderun district on Feb. 8, 2023. (Ercan Koc for The Epoch Times)

The twin quakes, of 7.7 and 7.6 magnitudes, were felt as far away as Cyprus, Lebanon, and Egypt. But the only other country to suffer comparable damage was Syria, which shares a 565-mile border with southern Turkey.

According to Syrian sources, more than 3,100 people have been killedand some 5,000 injuredin northern Syrias Idlib, Aleppo, Hama, Latakia, and Raqqa provinces.

Turkeys Hatay shares longstanding cultural and linguistic links with Syria. In fact, Hatay was a province of Syria until 1939, when it joined the nascent Turkish Republic following a referendum.

A four-story building in Hatays Iskenderun district stands on verge of collapse on Feb. 8, 2023. (Ercan Koc for The Epoch Times

Of Turkeys 10 quake-hit provinces, Hatay is among the most affected.

As one approaches Hatays coastal Iskenderun district, known for its steelworks and petrochemical plants, the breadth of the destruction is soon apparent. Large cracks appear in the highway, while smoke can be seen billowing from a damaged industrial facility.

On the streets of the city, ambulances fly pastgreen lights flashing and sirens wailingwith alarming regularity. Mountains of rubble, the remains of tall buildings, can be seen everywhere.

Most are surrounded by dazed former residents warming themselves next to open fires, awaiting news of missing loved ones. Even those buildings that survived the quakes show clear signs of damage, while many appear on the verge of collapse.

Electricity in quake-hit Iskenderun is spotty at best. Once the sun goes down, the city is plunged into darkness, forcing rescue teams to rely solely on portable generators. Traffic lights flicker erratically; most have ceased functioning altogether.

At one point, rescue workers emerge from the darkness, commanding the drivers of passing vehicles to stop.

Turn off your engines and keep quiet, one of them shouts. We think we heard voices under the rubble.

As per his instructions, traffic immediately comes to a halt. Motorists sit in bleak silence for several minutes until they are permitted to restart their engines.

Survivors Live in Fear of Aftershocks

Under normal circumstances, Hatay attracts frequent tourists, both foreign and domestic, due to its rich historic and cultural heritage. Hatays regional capital, Antakya, was a famous metropolis in ancient timesin the Bible, its referred to as Antioch.

But now, finding accommodation of any kind is impossible. Every spare bed in the city has been allocated to those rendered homeless, or whose houses and buildings are at risk of collapse.

An industrial excavator sifts through the rubble in Hatays quake-hit Iskenderun district on Feb. 8, 2023. (Ercan Koc for The Epoch Times)

Were still feeling intermittent aftershocks, Mehmet Akdogan, a 35-year-old Iskenderun resident, told The Epoch Times.

After the initial two quakes, I sent my wife and three children to another city, while I stayed behind to help rescue efforts.

The building he lives in sustained partial damage, so Akdogan has slept in his car each night since the quake, fearful of renewed seismic activity.

According to Turkeys disaster management authority, more than 6,400 buildings have collapsed as a result of the two main earthquakes and more than 430 aftershocks.

On Feb. 9, the southern provinces of Gaziantep and Elazig were both shakenagainby 4.4 magnitude tremors.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has described the series of earthquakes as one of the biggest natural disasters to hit the country within the past century. On Feb. 7, the government declared a three-month state of emergency in all 10 affected provinces.

In 1939, more than 32,000 people were killed when a massive earthquake struck Turkeys central Erzincan Province.

Six decades later, Turkeys northwestern Izmit Province was hit by a 7.6 magnitude quake that left more than 17,000 people dead.
Irvine to Consider Including Citizens in Discussion on Districting

After the Irvine City Council voted in early January to consider increasing its number of representatives and changing how voters elect councilors, a subcommittee formed to discuss the issues concluded its first meeting Feb. 7, by electing its chair and agendizing for its next meeting the possibility of the creation of an advisory board, with some members drawn from the public, to advise them on the issues.

Currently, all five of the citys councilors are elected at largeby eligible city votersand represent the whole city. Under consideration, however, is whats called district voting, where the city would be divided into five districts, wherein voters in each would vote for one representative.

At the subcommittees first meeting on Tuesday, taking the lead on the issues are councilors Larry Agran, Tammy Kim, and Mike Carroll, who was voted in as its chair.

Kim proposed at the meeting the creation of a 13-member committee to advise them on the issues, which failed. It will now be agendized for the full councils consideration at its Feb. 14 meeting.

My goal here is to make sure that we have an open and transparent process as possible, Kim said.

The Irvine Civic Center in Irvine, Calif., on Jan. 12, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

She recommended such an advisory group to include five appointeesone from each councilorand eight at-large members selected through an application process of eligible city residents.

The 13-member advisory committee would create different maps, parsing the city into districts, which would be narrowed to two of which the council, ultimately, would vote for one.

According to Kim, during the map-making process, the advisory committee would have public hearings and workshops and consult with demographers.

She said her main objective is to prevent politicized map drawing, meaning the possibility, for example, that councilor who lives in the same general area would work to make sure district borders were drawn ensuring they would be in different districts, therefore assuring they could run for re-election at a later date.

I dont see a scenario with them living all so closely together, that [they] could actually fairly create maps that would put them all in separate districts. I find that very hard to believe, she told The Epoch Times.

She also said she believes Agran and Carroll joined in a concerted effort to elect Carroll as chair, in an effort to have more control.

[They wanted] to ensure that they all had district maps that would be favorable to them from an incumbency standpoint, she said.

During the initial vote to consider the issue last month, Kim was the only councilor who opposed the idea, saying it was unnecessary.

The problem is Irvine is a newer city, she said during the January meeting. Were one of the most thoroughly integrated and diverse cities in the United States.

She additionally said in the most recent meeting that Irvines master planning makes it difficult for dividing up, because some areas are hubsfor shopping and business, for examplewhile others are residential villages, which could make for economic disparities.

My district, which is highly dense, theres a lot of apartments, a lot of condos  yet no economic opportunities, she said.

Kim said if districting passes, those made up mostly of villages may have less revenue for projects such as renovating neighborhood parks.

The Civic Center in Irvine, Calif., on Jan. 12, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

She told The Epoch Times the council should make sure not to create areas of economic disenfranchisement and economic marginalization, but also that incumbents [dont] draw maps that are in their favor.

But Agran has previously said switching to districting is necessary because of Irvines large population, noting it would allow councilors to focus on hyper-local issues.

They provide for a better form of representation, he said during last months meeting. It permits councilors to simply have a better understanding of the local problems and opportunities in [their] area of town.

For Irvine to make the shift, it would require an amendment to the city charter, as well as an ordinance, public outreach, and hearings.

Both the issue of creating districts and increasing the number of councilors would require voter approval, with the next available dates not until either the statewide primary or general election, both in 2024.
To qualify for the deans list, a student must have earned a minimum 3.5 grade point average out of a possible 4.0 while attempting at least 12 credit hours of coursework. The Deans List is the highest academic recognition given by the school at the end of each semester.
It Was a Mistake for Biden to Open Border Without Plan: Andrew Cuomo

Andrew Cuomo, then New York governor, speaks during a news conference in New York City on May 10, 2021. (Mary Altaffer-Pool/Getty Images)

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo critiqued President Joe Bidens management of the U.S.Mexico border on Feb. 9, holding that the presidents policy decisions on that front had been made in error.

It was a mistake for President Biden to open the border without having a plan to handle the tremendous flow of people, Cuomo said on the Feb. 9 episode of his weekly As a Matter of Fact podcast. Politicians make promises in campaignsthats what they do. But government officials, professionals, need to understand the consequences of enacting those promises.

The Democrat, who resigned in August 2021 amid allegations of sexual harassment and criticism of his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, also conceded that the southern border states had been justified, to a degree, in their reactions to Bidens policies.

The southern states were right that opening the border created a tremendous hardship for them to handle, he said. They were right that the federal government was not prepared. But they were wrong in using migrants as political pawns and shipping them all around the country.

However, the ex-governor added that he felt Biden had taken a step in the right direction with the policy changes he announced last month, which include increasing the use of expedited removal to expel illegal immigrants who cannot be removed under Title 42, tripling refugee admissions from Latin American and Caribbean countries, and expanding a parole program for Venezuelan nationals to include Haitians, Cubans, and Nicaraguans.

The new measures, Cuomo said, could deter migrants from traveling to the United States as word spreads that the government is curbing immigration.

Border Crisis

As for the effects of the immigration crisis on his own state, Cuomo held that his successor, Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul, should have done more to address the problem at the state level.

First of all, New York City should have never accepted responsibility on its own, he said. In my opinion, the mayor should have said that New York state needed to handle the problem. Yes, New York City is a sanctuary city, but New York state is a sanctuary state. This was a state problem.

New York Mayor Eric Adams declared a state of emergency in October over the influx of illegal immigrants in his city. Since then, he has been increasingly vocal in his criticism of how the problem has been handled at the state and federal levels.

We are at our breaking point, Adams said on Jan. 13.

Cuomos comments on the border crisis came on the heels of a Feb. 7 House Oversight Committee hearing on the matter.

Why is this happening? Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) asked at the hearing. Starting on his first day in office, President Biden signaled to the world our borders were openopen to criminals, human traffickers, and drug traffickers. His administrations policies have eroded deterrents and stripped away enforcement tools.

President Biden immediately ended enrollments in the migrant protection protocols, which required inadmissible aliens who remain in Mexico while their immigration case was adjudicated, Comer continued. He halted construction of border barriers even though Congress had appropriated nearly $1.4 billion for wall construction just a month before.

However, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), the panels top Democrat, held that Republicans were to blame for the ongoing problem of illegal immigration.

The political problem is that when it comes to working out common sense immigration policy solutions, Republicans driven by the extreme MAGA wing of their party have been systematically thwarting and derailing comprehensive efforts to improve our immigration system and strengthen border enforcement.

The Epoch Times has reached out to the White House for comment.
Jeffries Bashes Extreme MAGA Republicans, Calls Biden Eloquent, Pelosi The Greatest

House Minority Leader uses weekly press conference to air Democrat views

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) holds a news conference after he was elected party leader of the 118th Congress by the House Democratic caucus at the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center in Washington on Nov. 30, 2022. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) chastised extreme MAGA Republicans, called President Joe Bidens State of the Union address eloquent and praised former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi as the greatest speaker of all time in the United States of America during his weekly press conference on Feb. 9.

It was Jeffries first press conference since Bidens State of the Union speech on Feb. 7, and the House Minority Leader echoed the presidents messaging.

Democrats have been getting big things done on the issues of importance to everyday Americans, creating more than 12 million jobs and President Bidens first two years in office, reducing the deficit by $1.7 trillion, lowering costs supercharging the economy when it was on the brink of a recession and moving in the right direction, Jeffries said.

President Biden eloquently, strongly, and thoughtfully articulated his remarks in the face of very disrespectful, unbecoming behavior on the other side of the aisle, Jeffries added, referencing the protests, boos, and jeers from Republicans at several points in the address.

Vice President Kamala Harris applauds as President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, on Feb. 7, 2023. (Jacquelyn Martin/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Jeffries added that we look forward to partnering with President Biden in the work ahead implementing the tremendous pieces of legislation that were passed into law. He said that House Democrats will defend Social Security, Medicare, democracy, and a womans freedom to make their own reproductive health care decisions.

He and his colleagues will also push back against the extreme MAGA Republican agenda, which is totally out of control, Jeffries said.

Jeffries used the terms MAGA Republicans, extreme MAGA Republicans, and right-wing extremism more than a dozen times in the press conference.

The debt ceiling was a contentious topic in Bidens State of the Union address, and Jeffries added his comments on Feb. 9.

We have said that the United States has a responsibility to pay the debts that have already been incurred, Jeffries said, adding that we have to meet our obligations.

Its not clear to me that the extreme MAGA Republicans are prepared to do that, he continued.

Once Republicans present their plan, Jeffries said, the American people can evaluate it, Congress can evaluate it, House Democrats can evaluate it.

During the State of the Union, Biden drew the ire of many Republicans when he said, some of my Republican friends want to take the economy hostage unless I agree to their economic plans. All of you at home should know what their plans are. Instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share, some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset every five years.

Seated behind Biden, Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) shook his head no and some Republicans in the chamber called Biden a liar and insisted they never said that.

Jeffries described that conduct as petulant.

As far as Im concerned, the behavior of the extreme MAGA Republicans speaks for itself, Jeffries said. Im confident the overwhelming majority of the American people found that petulant behavior to be distasteful.

When a reporter asked about Pelosi, whose time as Speaker of the House ended when Republicans gained control of the chamber in January, Jeffries said it is so wonderful for me to be able to consistently talk to Speaker Pelosi, and lean on her for her advice.

He lauded her experience as the greatest speaker of all time in the United States of America. The factual and historic record, in my view, makes that indisputable.

The Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government gathered for its first hearing on Feb. 9.

Jeffries called the panel an extreme MAGA Republican subcommittee to obstruct justice and said it will be focused on peddling conspiracy theories.

Chaired by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), the subcommittee is tasked with exploring how the executive branch collects information on and investigates U.S. citizens.

Probing will include ongoing criminal investigations, and the committee will likely look into the FBIs search of former President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago residence in August.

In his opening statement during the first hearing, Jordan said the panel will investigate concerns Americans have about the Justice Department, the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, the IRS, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with big tech companies moves to suppress information and censor Americans.

Jeffries criticized House Republicans for focusing on issues that have nothing to do with making life better for everyday Americans.

Theyd rather go investigate President Bidens family and laptops than address the issues of concern that affect the middle class, those who aspire to be part of the middle class and everyday Americans, he said.
Just 39 Percent of Americans Consider State of the Union Strong, Far Lower Than Under Trump: Poll

President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Feb. 7, 2023. (Jacquelyn Martin/Pool/Getty Images)

Roughly 4 in 10 American adults felt optimistic about the annual State of the Union address ahead of the joint session of Congress on Tuesday, according to a new poll.

According to a Monmouth University poll conducted in late January and published on Monday, about 32 percent of Americans said the event is somewhat strong, while just 7 percent called the event very strong.

Nearly 60 percent of participants deemed the event not too strong or not at all strong.

The number of Americans who feel optimistic about the events strength has steadily declined over the past five years, from 55 percent in 2018 when former President Donald Trump was in office, to 39 percent in the current poll.

The viewership for this years State of the Union address also saw a sharp decline, with the second-smallest audience in at least 30 years, the Nielsen company said on Wednesday.

An estimated 27.3 million people watched President Joe Bidens speech live on television, down nearly 28 percent from the 38.2 million people who saw the address in 2022.

The only smaller audience since 1993 was the 26.9 million who watched Bidens address to Congress in 2021which was not officially a State of the Union address since he had just taken office a few months earlier.

Nielsen, a global leader in audience measurement, doesnt have figures available from before President Bill Clintons first address to Congress, which reached 66.9 million people in 1993.

Most Americans Believe Country on Wrong Track

The Monmouth University poll, which surveyed 805 adults in the United States from Jan. 26 to Jan. 30, also found that nearly 60 percent of Americans feel the current government has a negative impact on most peoples lives. Overall, only 16 percent said Washington has a positive impact, while 22 percent said it has little impact either way.

Among those who feel the government has a negative impact, nearly 70 percent of Americans feel that Washington could shift in a positive direction and have a good impact on peoples lives. This number was similar for both Republicans and Democrats.

When respondents were asked if they believe the country was on the right or wrong track, 73 percent said it was on the wrong track. However, there was a strong partisan divide among respondents, with only 6 percent of Republicans saying the country is heading in the right direction. More than half of Democrat respondents agree with the 94 percent of Republicans who believe the country is on the wrong track.

Fundamental faith in the American system continues to erode, even when taking into account the fact that partisan views shift depending on who occupies the White House, said Patrick Murray, director of the polling institute.

The survey was published one day before Biden delivered his 72-minute speech on Tuesday, encouraging bi-partisanship and unity as he boasted that current numbers show that his economic plan is working, sparring with Republicans who expressed dismay over several of his claims.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

From NTD News
Justice Minister Says Federal Government Giving Bail Reform Serious Consideration

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada David Lametti rises during Question Period, Feb. 7, 2023 in Ottawa. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld)

Justice Minister David Lametti says he is giving serious consideration to reforming Canadas bail laws in response to a request from premiers to make changes.

Provincial premiers unanimously called on the Liberal government in a letter to take immediate action on the bail system earlier this year.

The letter from premiers says there are a growing number of calls for changes to prevent accused people who are out on bail from committing further criminal acts.

Premiers called on the federal government to establish a reverse onus system for specific firearm offences that would require the person seeking bail to demonstrate why they should not remain behind bars.

During a speech to the Canadian Bar Association on Thursday, Lametti said the proposed reforms would be discussed at a coming meeting with provincial justice ministers.

He said the provinces proposal to introduce a reverse onus system for certain firearm offences was getting serious consideration from the Liberal government.

Im in favour of these good faith initiatives from every level of the government and every police force, he said. We must confront our issues together.

The federal Conservatives have been pressing the government to toughen up access to bail for repeat offenders, particularly in cases that involve firearms.

Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre argues Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus approach to crime has been too soft, allowing individuals who pose a danger to society to be released into the community.

Poilievre is pushing the Trudeau government to reverse a law it passed in 2019 that updated bail provisions in the Criminal Code.

Known as Bill C-75, it codified a principle of restraint that had been affirmed in a 2017 Supreme Court case emphasizing release of detainees at the earliest reasonable opportunity and on the least onerous conditions, based on the circumstances of the case.

Police were also granted more power to place conditions on accused individuals to streamline the bail process and reduce the number of needed court appearances.

It also required judges to consider the circumstances of people who are Indigenous or from vulnerable populations.

In addition to meeting with officials from Canadas national police union, Lametti said he spoke with his counterparts from British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador this week on bail reform.

The takeaway from both these meetings was a clear understanding that the best way to address the complicated issues of bail and community safety is by working together.

Lametti said misinformation about bail is being spread. There are those who choose to stoke fear for political gain, rather than advancing any viable policies that will address the specific and narrow issues we face.

In an apparent dig at Poilievres frequent assertion that everything is broken, Lametti said Canada remains the envy of the world.

We have our challenges but our criminal justice system is not failing Canadians any more than our country is somehow irretrievably broken.

Following Lamettis speech to the bar association, members voted on resolutions.

Several resolutions were passed, including one that its proponents say will help stop non-disclosure agreements from being inappropriately used in cases involving abuse or harassment.

Chief justice of Canada Richard Wagner spoke to members about improving gender diversity on Canadian benches and about how courtrooms will continue to become more accessible and tech-friendly following innovations spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kremlin Says Those Behind Nord Stream Blasts Must Be Punished

Gas bubbles from the Nord Stream 2 leak are seen reaching surface of the Baltic Sea, near Bornholm, Denmark, on Sept. 27, 2022. (Danish Defence Command/Handout via Reuters)

MOSCOWThe Kremlin said on Thursday the world should know the truth about who sabotaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines and that those responsible should be punished after an investigative journalist said U.S. divers blew them up at the behest of the White House.

A sharp drop in pressure on both pipelines was registered on Sept. 26 and seismologists detected explosions, triggering a wave of speculation about sabotage to one of Russias most important energy corridors.

In a blog post, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Seymour Hersh cited an unidentified source as saying that U.S. navy divers had destroyed the pipelines with explosives on the orders of President Joe Biden.

Reuters was unable to corroborate the allegations. The White House dismissed them as utterly false and complete fiction. Norways foreign ministry said the allegations were nonsense.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Hershs blog post deserved more attention and that he was surprised it had not been covered more fully by Western media.

The world must find out the truth about who carried out this act of sabotage, Peskov told reporters. This is a very dangerous precedent: if someone did it once, they can do it again anywhere in the world.

He called for an open international investigation of this unprecedented attack on international critical infrastructure, adding: It is impossible to leave this without uncovering those responsible and punishing them.

Peskov struck a note of caution about treating a blog as a primary source but said it was unfair to ignore an article he said was remarkable for the depth of analysis.

Russia, without providing evidence, has repeatedly said the West was behind the blasts affecting the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines last Septembermultibillion-dollar infrastructure projects that carried Russian gas to Germany.

President Vladimir Putin has accused Anglo-Saxon powers of blowing up the pipelines, a Kremlin-designed project to circumvent Ukraine in exporting its gas under the Baltic Sea directly to western Europe.

Pipeline Mystery

Investigators from Sweden and Denmarkin whose exclusive economic zones the explosions occurredhave said the ruptures were a result of sabotage, but have not said who they believe was responsible.

A gas leak from Nord Stream 1 in the Swedish economic zone in the Baltic Sea in this picture taken from the Swedish Coast Guard aircraft on Sept. 28, 2022. (Swedish Coast Guard/Handout via TT News Agency/via Reuters)

In his blog post, entitled How America Took Out The Nord Stream Pipeline, Hersh said a plan was hatched in 2021 at the highest levels in the United States to destroy the pipelines.

The report said a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) working group came up with a covert operation plan to put explosives on the pipelines.

Russian officials and politicians have lined up to demand answers since the blog appeared.

I think there will be consequences from this, state news agency RIA quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov as saying.

Another deputy foreign minister, Alexander Grushko, was later quoted by TASS news agency as saying Russia could take political or legal action in response to the report.

The investigation is being carried out in such a way that  the remains are literally and figuratively left in the water, he said in other comments cited by RIA.

Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of the Russian State Duma, or lower house of parliament, said the report should become the basis for an international investigation for bringing Biden and his accomplices to justice.

The United States should pay compensation to countries affected by the terrorist attack, Volodin added.

By Guy Faulconbridge and Vladimir Soldatkin
Marie-Christine Bonnin, lawyer at the Haute-Loire bar, during the Shen Yun show at the Amphitheatre 3000, in Lyon, on Feb. 8, 2023. (NTD)

LYON, FranceFrom Feb. 4 to Feb. 9, the former silk capital of France is reconnecting with China, the origin of this precious fabric. The Shen Yun Performing Arts Global Company has put on its dancing shoes at the Amphitheatre 3000 in Lyon, playing every night to a full house.

This Wednesday, Feb. 8, Marie-Christine Bonnin was at the Amphitheatre 3000, as she did not hesitate to travel a hundred kilometers from Puy-en-Velay to experience Shen Yun.

This bubbly lawyer drew a comparison that is both very poetic and also timely of her feelings about the Shen Yun show:

I think I can say that it would be great if all the laboratories would meet here to tap into the infinite beauty of Shen Yun to create a vaccine for all the ugliness in the world  That would be great! she said.

The show is really fabulous! I feel like Im three centimeters taller and my soul has risen. I had a wonderful time!  Marie-Christine Bonnin

The show is really fabulous! I feel like Im three centimeters taller and my soul has risen. I had a wonderful time!

Among the various dance vignettes, including story-based dances and ethnic and folk dances, Ms. Bonnin really liked the classical womens dance.

I thought the harmony was wonderful! she said.

Having practiced classical dance herself when she was younger, the lawyer at the same time estimates the professional level of the dancers, I am passionate about classical dance and therefore I could measure the difficulties of these dancers and their performances that are really prestigious.

While Shen Yuns mission is to bring to life the rich traditional culture of Chinas 5,000 year history, it also addresses the reality of contemporary China, describing the Chinese regimes ongoing persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. Since 1999, the Chinese Communist Party has persecuted, imprisoned, tortured to death, and harvested the organs of practitioners of this Buddhist meditation method, which bases its cultivation on the principles of truth, compassion, and tolerance.

These are values that should be universal, unfortunately, these are not always put forth, said Ms. Bonnin. But its good to say it again  they are the values that make us more dignified, greater and  they are lacking a little at the moment in our humanity.

This piece particularly touched and moved Ms. Bonnin: This is what I appreciate, because I am not at all in favor of dictatorships, it is obvious. So it was nice to see this [awareness of] this crime being committed, its quite touching.

In the past, China was called the Land of the Divine, Shen Yuns website states. People lived in harmony with the universe and believed in the connection between heaven, earth, and humankind. In traditional Chinese culture, everyone from the humblest peasant to the most majestic emperor lived by this connection to the divine. Shen Yun continues this beautiful heritage by placing spirituality at the heart of its stories.

Ms. Bonnin was also moved by it: There is a sacred dimension that touches us  We cant ignore it.

It is well presented too. The dance itself expresses it, but the presenters also invite us to share a little of this mission that they have, I believe, she said. Each one presents himself as having a mission in fact. So not to save humanity, of course, but in any case, to oppose a little the dictatorial regime of China  And of this fact, there is a sacred dimension indeed that we perceive  So I hope that this will make the spectators better.

Ms. Bonnin said this was her first time seeing Shen Yun. But I may come back next year, in two years, in three years  because its something that isits a gift.

Its a gift to us. So is it a gift from heaven? Its possible, she said. Either way, the dancers are well grounded, they are firmly anchored on earth.

Reporting by NTD and Sarita Modmesaib.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
Legal Group Files New Lawsuit Against Feds Over ArriveCan Enforcement

A Canada Border Services Agency agent wears a mask at the Thousand Islands US/Canada border crossing in Lansdowne, Ont., on July. 30, 2021. (Lars Hagberg/The Canadian Press)

A new lawsuit has been filed against the federal government over the enforcement of the ArriveCan app for individuals entering or re-entering Canada throughout the pandemic.

The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF), a Canadian legal advocacy group, announced in a press release on Feb. 7 that the lawsuit would be filed on behalf of Canadians who were fined or forced into quarantine for refusing to disclose vaccination status via the federal governments ArriveCAN software.

The lawsuit alleges that the federal government breached the charter-protected rights of the plaintiffs, and that they are owed monetary damages as a result, said the release.

ArriveCan was initially launched in April 2020 and its use was mandatory for travellers entering Canada from July 2021 until late September 2022. Through the app, travellers had to disclose their travel plans, vaccination status, and quarantine plan.

JCCF says that some of the plaintiffs represented in the lawsuit were previously willing to disclose their vaccination status through ArriveCan, but had privacy concerns about their personal medical information being shared through the app with other federal departments, agencies, police forces, and even foreign countries.

The Plaintiffs also share concerns with respect to having their vaccination status searched upon entry to Canada and being required to use software, in order to freely enter their own country without fine and quarantine, JCCF wrote.

ArriveCan Lawsuits

The legal group says that one of the plaintiffs, a retired Ontarian named Joanne Walsh, alleges that her proof of vaccination document was rejected by Canadian border agents upon her return to the country after visiting the U.S. in the summer of 2022.

Walsh alleges the border agents instead demanded that she use ArriveCan to disclose her vaccination status. She refused to do so and was given a ticket and ordered to quarantine for 14 days despite being fully vaccinated.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also allegedly sent agents to Walshs residence during her quarantine period to ensure she was complying with self-isolation regulations.

JCCF says its lawsuit will proceed in the Federal Court.

JCCF previously filed a legal challenge against the federal government over ArriveCans mandatory use on behalf of 11 Canadians in August 2022.

The challenge sought to have the governments mandatory requirement for the app declared unconstitutional.

The legal group said in September 2022 that its challenge would continue despite the federal government dropping the ArriveCan requirement for travellers in the same month.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
Lockdown-Fuelled Fear Keeping People at Home Is Contributing to Rising Joblessness, UK MPs Told

A closing message owing to lack of staff displayed on the window of a shop, in the town centre of Keswick, in the Lake District, northwest England, on June 20, 2022. (Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)

The boss of a major UK recruitment agency told MPs that people suffering from health problems including anxiety and fear about leaving their homes linked to lockdown restrictions are contributing to rising unemployment.

MPs on the Work and Pensions Committee were told on Wednesday that post-COVID-19, the economically inactive are reluctant to work in busy working environments, though many are keen to work from home, but not all employers are able to provide that level of flexibility.

In the UK, around one-fifth of working-age adults are economically inactive, a figure that includes students, mothers and fathers caring for children, and those with long-term illnesses. It also includes early retirees who have opted out of work.

Rhodri Thomas, an executive at the Reed Group, said there had been a shift focused on helping people that have not been able to leave their homes because of worsening mental health conditions since the lockdowns.

We have a lot of participants who are reluctant to work in environments where they have to deal with retail customer service, where they are in busy working environments. Also, we have a lot of participants who want greater flexibility so dont particularly want to work full-time and are also looking for options to work from home, he said.

Weve seen a real shift over the last two years into delivering more provision that is focused on anxiety and people concerned about leaving their homes, he added.

So we are having to deal with people who are more concerned about going back into work, and I think some of the impact of the lockdowns has contributed to those worsening mental health conditions for some participants, said Thomas.

Fiona Monahan, chief executive of Ingeus, also said that since COVID-19, there are large mental health issues.

For us, I think there are health issues and large mental health issues. Caring responsibilities is something that we are seeing as a barrier, like elder care and childcare, she said, adding there is also a skills gap.

She added that since the pandemic, people are wanting a lot more flexibility in the work that they are doing, and what were seeing is that not all employers are able to provide that level of flexibility.

I think we did definitely see post-pandemic, a change in some of the attitudes of people. And that is linked to health, added Richard Clifton, chief commercial officer of the Shaw Trust.

Enormous and Shocking Waste of Talent and Potential

In December, a report by the House of Lords said that the UK stands out among developed economies in having a growing inactivity rate and not reverting to its pre-pandemic trend.

It said that the recent increase in inactivity is also significant because it breaks from the historic trend of falling inactivity in the UK.

In January, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt made a plea to those who had left the workforce during the pandemic and not returned.

He cited data that showed that millions of people have chosen to exit the workforce, with Hunt warning that businesses would struggle to grow if they cannot find enough staff.

Excluding students, he said that this amounts to 6.6 million people, which he called an enormous and shocking waste of talent and potential.

Hunt added that around 5 million of these people do not want to work.

So, to those who retired early after the pandemic, or havent found the right role after furlough, I say: Britain needs you. And we will look at the conditions necessary to make work worth your while, said Hunt.

Last November, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) reported that the number of working-age adults who are out of the labour market because of long-term sickness had been rising since 2019, from around 2 million people in spring 2019, to about 2.5 million in summer 2022.

The ONS said that this rise in long-term sickness started before the pandemic, but since the pandemic hit the UK in early 2020, the number of people out of work because of long-term sickness had risen by 363,000.

PA Media contributed to this report.
Luba Basova, a WHO trainer, and Frederic Jay, a project manager, enjoyed Shen Yun at the Amphitheatre 3000, in Lyon, on Feb. 5, 2023. (NTD)

LYON, FranceShen Yun Performing Arts once again performed to a full house at the Amphitheatre 3000 when it took to the stage for its second performance in Lyon, on the afternoon of Feb. 5.

Luba Basova and Frederic Jay were in the audience. Ms. Basova is a technology trainer at WHO and Mr. Jay is a project manager in the energy sector. Originally from Kiev in Ukraine, Luba practiced classical dance in her youth.

Bravo! she exclaimed. The dancers are of the highest caliber, amazing, so exceptional.

Mr. Jay said he was inspired by Shen Yun: It makes you want to travel, clearly! Then to see these beautiful artists, combining, I would say sportsmanship and dance  its very interesting!

Ms. Basova explained that she was moved to tears during the dance narrative evoking the Chinese communist regimes persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, a traditional Chinese mind-body practice based on the principles of truth, compassion, and tolerance.

We really wish for peace everywhere, in China, Ukraine and all over the world, she said. And yes  it makes you cry.

Also in the audience was Hugues Amiot, a retired high school principal. Extraordinary, he said. Ive seen several [Shen Yun performances before], but this one is really above all.

The former principal had tears in his eyes, but from happiness.

I find it so good that I tell myself its going to be like this from the beginning to the endIm going to be incredibly happy! he said.

He explained that he was particularly moved by the beauty  the beauty, the truth of everything  Thats whats good!

Bernard Tabourin came to experience Shen Yun with his granddaughter Mila. He, too is retired, a former tax director.

I was in admiration of the quality of work that was done, he said. Lightness, flexibility, beauty  It was really magnificent!

Mr. Tabourin said he was surprised by the contemporary dance narrative about the ongoing persecution of Falun Gong practitioners.

I understand the message, I share it. I totally agree and I think its reconciling the old and the new. It is magnificent! At the same time, it is freedom, highlighting freedom, which is essential, he said.

Martine Ducloux, a former business owner, exclaimed, Beautiful! Light and airy!

There are no words, she said. It is magnificent to see and to see again. Happiness, lightness! Everything was perfect. It is magnificent. I feel happy  I feel good, light  it brings happiness!

Shen Yun means the beauty of divine beings dancing in Chinese, and the ancient Chinese believed that their culture was brought to earth by the divine. Therefore, they put spirituality at the heart of their daily life, aiming for harmony between Heaven, Earth and humankind, praising the Divine.

Shen Yun pays tribute to this spirituality with a connection to the Divine present at the heart of its stories. It also conveys strong spiritual values such as courage, loyalty, benevolence, prominent in traditional Chinese culture.

Mr. Jay believes the Shen Yun allows us to take a step back from todays situations and to say to ourselves, no, we must have pleasure  have joy  marvel at the beautiful things in life! Its important!

For Bernard Tabourin, Shen Yun is thought-provoking. There is an appeasement. There is a very peaceful side and at the same time, voluntary, that is to say not subjected to the outside, not subjected to modernism  So, to reconcile both the modern and the ancient, but with the love of others, with the need for freedom.

Reporting by NTD and Sarita Modmesaib.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
JOHANNESBURGThe death toll from a cholera outbreak in Malawi has crossed 1,300, a senior Malawian health official said on Thursday, as the southern African country battles its deadliest outbreak yet.

As of Wednesday, Malawi had recorded 40,284 cholera cases and 1,316 deaths in an outbreak that started in March 2022, with the country averaging over 500 new cases every day, Charles Mwansambo told a briefing organized by the World Health Organisations Africa office.

Cholera outbreaks happen regularly in Malawi, usually in the rainy season from November to March, but they only average an annual death toll of about 100.

The WHO said in a statement on Thursday that Malawis current outbreak was the deadliest on record, worse than ones in 1998/99 and 2001/02 that saw 860 and 968 deaths respectively.

Malawi has conducted two oral cholera vaccination campaigns, but a global surge in cholera outbreaks means vaccine supplies are under strain.

Other African countries, including Malawis neighbors Mozambique and Zambia, have reported cholera cases.

In East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia are responding to outbreaks amid a prolonged and harsh drought, and in West and Central Africa there have been cases in Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Nigeria.

On Sunday, South Africa reported two imported cholera cases from Malawi, with the husband of one of the first two cases subsequently testing positive.

Cholera is mainly spread by contaminated food or water and can cause acute diarrhea. While many people have mild symptoms, if untreated it can kill within hours.
DALEVILLE  The Daleville City Council unanimously voted to join the Ozark-Dale County Economic Development Corporation at a council meeting Tuesday evening.

The city, known as the Gateway to Fort Rucker, had been part of the Wiregrass Economic Development Corporation, which is also comprised of Coffee and Geneva counties, since 2019.

Weve really enjoyed our time with Wiregrass Economic Development Corporation, but since we are in Dale County, we are going back to ODEDC, said Daleville Mayor Jayme Stayton Wednesday.

Daleville had joined ODEDC in 2012 under a previous mayor and council after the existing contract with Wiregrass Economic Development Corporation expired.

When Stayton was elected mayor in 2016, he said he needed to further research the need to partner with either economic development organization and instead assumed responsibility for economic recruitment himself. In 2019, the mayor and council decided to re-enter partnership with WEDC.

Stayton said that ODEDC has been revamped and has a fresh, new outlook on things, since Smith was named executive director in March 2021.

As the official economic development agency for Dale County, we at the Ozark-Dale County Economic Development Corporation are happy to be able to be inclusive of the entire county, said ODEC Executive Director Holle Smith. I look forward to working with the elected officials and citizens of Daleville to find out what their greatest needs and desires are in the area of economic growth, as we help the city develop to its full potential.

ODEDC Board of Directors Chairman Derek Dickens agreed. One of the goals of our business plan is to unify Dale County for economic development, he said. Partnering with Daleville will take us a long way towards that goal. Our board and staff look forward to this partnership.

As a partner, Daleville will pay $12,000 per calendar year to ODEDC.

The ODEDC is a non-profit 501c6 organization located inside the airport building, located at 3247 Highway 231 South in Ozark.
The family of an Alabama farmer discovered a moving secret on his deathbed: the 80-year-old donated $100 to a local pharmacy every month for ten years, in secret, to help people access the medicines they needed but could not afford.

Born and raised in the small town of Geraldine, Alabama, Buford Hody Childress served in the U.S. Air Force for eight years, was a farmer for 50 years, and worked at Lockheed Martins Alabama Space Center until he retired. He continued farming until two years before his death.

His daughter, 58-year-old hairdresser Tania Nix, lives in nearby Ider, Alabama. When Hody suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other health issues, he had trouble moving around and was pretty much bedridden. He knew by then his end was approaching and he couldnt keep his secret any longer.

Tania Nix with her father, Hody Childress. (Courtesy of Tania Nix)

I was going to the drugstore one day and he told me, Ive been doing something for a while, and I would like to continue doing this as long as Im alive,' Nix told The Epoch Times. I said, Okay, what is that, Dad? and he said, Ive been carrying a $100 bill to the drugstore on the first of the month, I give it to Brooke, and she has the liberty to do what she chooses to help someone. I told her just to tell them its anonymous, and its a blessing from the Lord.'

Nix told her father she would be glad to take the money on his behalf. She handed the bill in the pharmacy Geraldine Drugs but had no idea how long her fathers tradition had been going on until after he passed away, peacefully at home, on New Years Day 2023.

Hody in the U.S. Air Force. (Courtesy of Tania Nix)

Before the funeral, we gathered to reminisce about Dad, Nix said. One of my cousins was a personal friend of Brooke Walker [the pharmacist at Geraldine Drugs]  she immediately sat down and started telling the story  thats how I found out about the depth and magnitude of what he had done.

Walker had been sworn to secrecy, by Hody but felt the family deserved to know about Hodys heartfelt mission.

Hody made his first monthly donation in 2012. Besides Nixs stepmother, Martha Jo, and Walker, nobody knew. But as Hodys fund gradually amassed thousands, word spread in the community that if someone was in bad need, there were donations at the pharmacy that could help. Walker used the money at her discretion.

Hody with his family. (Courtesy of Tania Nix)

Hody on his 79th birthday. (Courtesy of Tania Nix)

He was a very kind and gentle man, Nix said of her father. He was a very godly man; the Lord came first in his life  a lot of people that knew him, knew what his heart was like, and how kind and generous he was. I think people were surprised that he was committed to a mission that he followed for so long, that he made sure it happened every month.

After Hodys passing, stories surfaced from some of the people he had helped. Nix shared the story of a 15-year-old boy who had an allergic reaction to a bee sting. His parents could not afford the $600 EpiPen, but thanks to Hodys donations, the boy got the medication he needed.

It later transpired that the boy had worked for Nixs younger brother, Doug Childress, and her nephew on the Childress family farm. The boys family was very touched to find out that it was Hody who had provided the EpiPen.

Hody with two of his children, Duog and Tania. (Courtesy of Tania Nix)

Hody was a generous man despite having faced tragedy in his past. In 1973, a tornado hit Hodys parents house, killing his father and his son. Shortly after, Hodys wife, PeggyTanias motherwas diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Hody continued working full-time and became Peggys caregiver until she died in 1999.

He never was one to be down and out, no matter the circumstances, Nix said. I feel very blessed that I was raised by a man that was so gentle and kind, and I feel very thankful that he was able to give back to the community.

Nix believes that her father started a good and positive movement that could help the whole world.

Some of the people Hody helped returned the money to Geraldine Drugs to pay it forward. Meanwhile, some others wrote letters to Walker expressing their gratitude. People in 11 different states have either been affected by Hodys generosity or have started a Hody Childress Fund in their own local pharmacy and Geraldine Drugs is one of them. Hodys story has also been shared in different parts of the world.

Nix said: I feel like this story has given hope to many people that feel hopeless. Id like for people to realize that there are people that love and care about you, no matter how low or how bad things get.

Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter
Man, 84, Pleads Not Guilty to Murdering Wife at San Diego Home

SAN DIEGOAn 84-year-old man accused of shooting and killing his wife during an argument at their home in the Skyline neighborhood pleaded not guilty Feb. 8 to a murder charge.

Mikal Ahmad is charged in Feb. 6 mornings shooting death of 78-year-old Mildred Ahmad. He faces up to 50 years to life in state prison if convicted of the murder count, plus an allegation of using a gun in his wifes killing.

Police received a call at around 7:45 a.m. Monday and after responding to the couples Siena Street home, officers found the victim with multiple gunshot wounds, according to San Diego Police Department Lt. Jud Campbell. She died at the scene and her husband was arrested at the home.

An ensuing investigation found that the shooting happened during a domestic argument between the husband and wife, Campbell said.

A family member discovered the shooting, took the gun from the male, and then called police, the lieutenant said.

A suspected motive for the shooting has not been disclosed and Campbell said in a Monday statement that detectives are working to gather information regarding what led up to the shooting.

Ahmad remains in custody without bail following his arraignment held Wednesday at the San Diego Central Courthouse.
Man Pleads Not Guilty to Killing 6 at California Home

PORTERVILLE, Calif.An alleged gang member pleaded not guilty Tuesday to killing six people, including a teen mother and her baby, last month at a central California home associated with a rival gang, prosecutors said.

The Jan. 16 massacre shocked rural Goshen, a community of about 3,000 people in the agricultural San Joaquin Valley.

Noah David Beard, 25, was arraigned Tuesday and is being held without bail, according to the Tulare County District Attorneys Office. Authorities say he shot Alissa Parraz, 16, and her 10-month-old baby, Nycholas Parraz, in the back of their heads.

Beard is scheduled to return to court Feb. 16. The Tulare County Public Defenders Office, which is representing him, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Beards alleged accomplice, 35-year-old Angel Nanu Uriarte, remains hospitalized in custody after he was wounded in the shootout with federal agents last week. His arraignment has not been scheduled.

Both are charged with six counts of murder and other crimes. They each face a potential sentence of the death penalty or life in prison without parole.

Investigators believe the two suspects have ties to the Nuestra Familia prison gang. Uriarte was convicted in 2015 of assault with a firearm in association with a street gang, and Beard had juvenile convictions, prosecutors said in a court filing.

The suspects and members of the victims family have a long history of gang violence but the motive for the shooting is not exactly clear, Boudreaux said at a news conference last week.

The other victims were identified as: Rosa Parraz, 72; Eladio Parraz, Jr., 52; Jennifer Analla, 49; and Marcos Parraz, 19.

The Goshen killings were part of a violent and deadly month in California.

On Jan. 21, a gunman killed 11 people and wounded nine others at a Monterey Park dance hall before later killing himself. And on Jan. 23, authorities said a farmworker killed seven people in back-to-back shootings at two Northern California mushroom farms.
Demise of Communist Elites During COVID Outbreak Adds to Xi Jinpings Power Crisis

Experts say such deaths will allow the Communist Partys top brass to pin the blame on Xi

People stand in front of images of Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the Museum of the Communist Party of China in Beijing on Sept. 4, 2022. (Noel Celis/AFP via Getty Images)

News Analysis

Heading into 2023, Chinese leader Xi Jinping is grappling with a pressing ruling crisis from the out-of-control COVID-19 outbreak, while the recent collective deaths of officials and elites have triggered more dissatisfaction with his policies among the Chinese Communist Partys (CCPs) higher echelons.

In early December 2022, without sufficient medical preparation and advanced warning, Xis regime suddenly lifted its extreme epidemic restrictions, terminating a three-year-long zero-COVID policy. This severe reversal caused an explosive outbreak with a skyrocketing death toll.

Among those deaths, there are many elderly politicians, officials, and top scholars and scientists in various fields who were firm defenders of the CCP and its ruling base; for example, in the first month of reopening, two of the most prestigious universities in ChinaPeking University and Tsinghua Universityissued about 200 obituaries of their faculty members and professors.

This gives Xis political opponents the excuses to hold him accountable, U.S.-based China expert Shi Shan told The Epoch Times on Feb. 4.

But the mass death of officials and elites during the COVID-19 outbreak may only be the prelude to the collapse of the rule of Xi and the CCP, according to Shi.

Organ Transplants

Notably, theres a growing body of evidence showing that most of the recently deceased officials and elites had received organ transplants during their lifetimesome, even multiple transplants. Most of them had been enjoying lifelong medical privileges.

A typical case was Gao Zhanxiang, a former vice chairman of the Federation of Literature, who was diagnosed with COVID-19 before his death on Dec. 9, 2022.

The vice-ministerial official had claimed that almost none of the parts in his body were his own, meaning that many of his organs were transplanted.

Another case is military writer Xiao Yun, who was infected with COVID-19 in mid-December 2022 and died at the age of 48 at the end of January. Xiao had undergone a kidney transplant before contracting COVID-19, according to a Jan. 30 report from Chinese news outlet NetEase.

Xiao was the author of many books propagandizing the CCP.

On the day Xiao contracted COVID-19, he posted on his Weibo of 1.5 million followers, expressing his gratitude to the regime as it had protected [him] for three years.

A medical study published on June 2, 2022, in the National Library of Medicine found that organ transplant patients require long-term immunosuppressive agents to suppress organ rejection, but it also greatly reduces the bodys immunity to viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens.

One of the causes for the CCPs insistence on the zero-COVID policy at any cost is to protect these organ-transplant recipients, Dr. Xiaoxu Lin, a U.S.-based virologist, said on Elite Forum, a program on The Epoch Times sister media outlet NTD.

The CCP has long been exposed as organizing organ harvesting crimes at the state level, with the primary victims being prisoners of conscience, such as Falun Gong practitioners, and ethnic minorities, such as the Uyghurs.

Medical workers wear PPE as they arrive with a patient on a stretcher at a fever clinic in Beijing on Dec. 9, 2022. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Death Toll Cover-up

Based on official disclosures of the number of cremators in the country, the number of deaths in previous years, and the current workload of visible crematoriums, the Chinese language edition of The Epoch Times estimated on Jan. 19 that the epidemic killed at least 25 million people in the first month of the CCPs sudden relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions.

Chinas citizens face what could become their countrys largest mass-death event since the Great Leap Forward, Ben Lowsen, a specialist in Chinese political and security affairs and adviser to the U.S. Air Force, said in Jan. 5 article published in The Diplomat.

The Great Leap Forward, a political movement directly initiated by Chinese leader Mao Zedong that claimed to catch up with Britain and the United States and run into a communist society from 1958 to 1961, led to the deaths of more than 20 million people in a famine.

In an ominous parallel, Xis government today has essentially given up on providing COVID-19 statistics, Lowsen said.

Economy Near Collapse

Over the past three years, the CCPs harsh zero-COVID approach has dealt a heavy blow to Chinas economy and shaken the foundations of the CCPs rule.

The economic recession hasnt happened in the past 30 years or so, its a matter about the end of Chinese Communist reign, Shi said, metaphorically saying that the economy under the CCPs authoritarian system is like an airplane, once it loses speed, it will collapse.

In 2022, Chinas economic growth rate slid to 3 percent, far below its target of 5.5 percent growth, as reported by official figures. But with the CCPs consistent falsification of data, the situation could be worse, Shi said.

In addition, local governments financial burdens have been exacerbated by the protracted lockdown and all-staff nucleic acid testing. But the central government wont provide any bailouts for local debts, Chinese Minister of Finance Liu Kun told Chinese media in early January.

Life and livelihood crises resulting from extreme zero-COVID curbs have also ignited a wave of civil resistance, such as the White Paper movement and the Fireworks Revolution, with protest slogans directed at the CCP regime such as take down the CCP, take down Xi Jinping.

Infighting Crisis

Xis anti-corruption campaign geared toward Party dissenters, coupled with his highly concentrated power after the 20th Party Congress, has put him at loggerheads with the CCP bureaucracy.

In a Jan. 29 Elite Forum, commentator Qin Peng said Xi has lost authority within the Party after his failures on epidemic prevention and economic and diplomatic issues, which is very dangerous for a CCP dictator.

But on the other hand, Xi is not willing to lose [authority], so this internal struggle will intensify, Qin said, calling it a death struggle.

Some signs showed that Xi is proactively striving to launch a new purge in the Party. At a meeting of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) on Jan. 9, Xi said the new CCDI should push forward the strict governance of the Party at all times. The same idea was emphasized in a Jan. 31 article in the CCP magazine Qiushi, which stated that this governance matters to the stability of the CCPs rule and the fate of its regime.

Li Xi, secretary of the CCDI, said at a Feb. 3 meeting, We must deeply understand Xis political position. Li is a representative of the Xi factions Shaanxi Province circle. Since Xi came to power in 2012, the CCDI has become an important tool for him to purge the Party of his political enemies.

Shi said Xi has been experiencing a plight of domestic affairs and diplomacy, and his political enemies will spare no effort to attack him in his vulnerable moments.

This is like taking your life while youre sick, and the internal struggle will escalate, and his political opponents will not let him go, Shi said.

Xi has no way back into the internal struggle of the Partyif he retreats one step, he will die without a burial.

TV producer Li Jun said in the Elite Forum broadcast on Jan. 28 that Xi will definitely be held accountable within the CCP, and his political opponents will find solid evidence to force him out of office.
MP Bows out of Parliament, Praised for Calling out Political Correctness in Schools

Former prime ministers have heaped praise on retiring MP Alan Tudge for his courage in speaking out against political correctness in schools.

Tudge, the former education minister, announced his retirement from politics on Feb. 9, citing health and family reasons.

In a speech to Parliament, the member for Aston said he made the decision following his fathers passing earlier this year.

Its not been an easy decision for me, but it is necessary for my health and for my family, amongst other reasons, he said. I certainly have not taken this decision lightly.

My daughters who are 18 and 16 know nothing other than their dad being away. Theyve had to put up with things that no teenager should have to, including death threats, the most recent of which was last week, he said.

While this profession can be unforgiving at times, serving as a member of parliament, though, has been one of the greatest honours of my life.

A Difficult Time in Parliament

Former Liberal Prime Minister John Howard said he was genuinely sorry Tudge was retiring.

Few education ministers in recent years have been as willing as Alan Tudge to call out politically correct manipulation of school curricula, he said. The Parliament and the Liberal Party is the poorer for his departure.

While former Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Tudge was willing to call out flaws in the incorrigibly politically correct national curriculum and that if he had more time as education minister, he would have vetoed it.

Perhaps it was the threat of this that motivated the ABCs hit job on him, Abbott said.

Unlike most ministers, he didnt let the public service do his thinking for him. And he didnt think that ministers job was just to follow official advice,' he added.

Tudge stepped down from Cabinet after being accused of emotionally and physically abusing his former staffer Rachelle Miller, in a report broken by the Australian Broadcasting Corporations Four Corners.

Tudge and Miller were in a consensual relationship at the time.

In March 2022, an investigation cleared Tudge of any wrongdoing, yet he decided not to return to Cabinet. He has always denied the claims of abuse.

More recently, Tudge was called to give evidence at a Royal Commission into the robodebt scheme, which issued a series of incorrect debt notices while claiming back over a billion in funds.

Meanwhile, current Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was a difficult day and a difficult decision for the MP to step down.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to Mr Tudge.

The member for Aston has been very luckyone term in opposition and three terms as a minister. Im in my third term as a minister, and Ive been here since last century, he told Parliament.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton said Tudge had a significant career.

He does have a great intellect and appetite for nothing more than seeing what is in our countrys best interests, he said.

Tudges seat of Aston, in east Melbourne, will be up for a by-election. The MP held the seat by a thin 2.8 percent margin after a swing of seven percent at the May 2022 election.
National Security Takes a Back Seat

The U.S. Department of Defense seal is seen on the lecturn in the media briefing room at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on Dec. 12, 2013. (Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty Images)

Commentary

On Jan. 20, 2021, Joe Biden swore the following oath before God and the world to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. From Article II of the U.S. Constitution: The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States.

Defense of the Constitution of course includes defense of the country. The Founders probably thought that national defense was implicit in the Executives duties and responsibilities and thus didnt call that phrase out specifically. After all, a war had just been fought and won with the British to win Americas independence. Without national defense (later, national security), the country would cease to exist over time.

Since his inauguration, Biden has demonstrated through direct actions that he has essentially abrogated his responsibilities for securing Americas national security/defense. Consider these actions, all of which have made America much weaker:

The botched Afghanistan withdrawal that left tens of billions of dollars of U.S. military equipment behind. The Taliban are happily transferring some of that gear to terrorists in the region and are reportedly considering selling some to the Russians. There has been rampant speculation that the communist Chinese have gained access to some of the equipment for the purposes of studying capabilities and reverse-engineering them for incorporation into the inventory of the Peoples Liberation Army at some point in the future. Lastly, no one in the Biden administration has been fired, demoted, or otherwise held accountable for the debacle. The wide-open U.S.Mexico border. Without secure borders and tightly controlled immigration, theres no U.S. national security. Certainly not when criminals, would-be terrorists, narco-traffickers, human traffickers, gang-bangers, and other neer-do-wells are free to enter America without fear of incarceration or deportation. Estimates are that nearly 6 million illegal immigrants have streamed across the border since Biden reversed the Trump administrations immigration policies in one of his first actions. Breitbart reported last October that there have been 5.5 million encounters along the border, but no one knows how many people slipped through undetected. The Biden administration is even leveraging UN dollars to pre-legalize illegal immigrants before they enter the United States, as reported by the Center for Immigration Studies. Fentanyl-related deaths in the United States have increased to an average of 100,000 per year due to cartel-provided access to the drug (the drug and its precursors are manufactured in China). The Chinese balloon caper. The Chinese balloon story first broke on Feb. 2 when the Billings Gazette exposed the Biden administrations political gamble to ignore the balloons intrusion into U.S. airspace (a direct violation of U.S. sovereignty). Speculation is rampant about the balloons mission payload: surveillance (PHOTINT, multi-INT, etc.), a simple test-run for other types of balloon missions, collecting data on U.S. surveillance and communications systems, and a psychological warfare mission. The latter involves testing our resolve, showing the world that China owns Washington, exposing the weakness of the current administration in the face of foreign pressure, psychologically conditioning Americans to eventual Chinese hegemony, etc. The most likely mission was surveillance, and giving that Chinese balloon free access to traverse the continental United States to collect data on U.S. bases is just the latest indication that Biden et al. couldnt care less about U.S. national security. Consider the list of bases that were doubtless surveilled by the sensors on that balloon. The Biden administration allowed that balloon free access for close surveillance of those facilities. The U.S. response to the balloon was as weak as weak could possibly be. That it was allowed to collect data over ICBM silos and other sensitive installations with impunity is unconscionable.

None of the above actions enhance U.S. national security. Quite the contrary. But perhaps the most insidious threat to U.S. national security has been the directed implementation of LGBTQI-related policies throughout the Department of Defense (DoD).

The process began when Biden signed his Executive Order on Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation on his very first day as president. The EO directed all federal agencies to end sexual discrimination on the basis of gender identityin short, to codify what was previously understood to be gender dysphoria and mental disorders.

The DoD dutifully complied to the extent that LGBTQI-related policies have now transcended the importance of military readiness and combat readiness as job number one throughout the services. The policies have wrought havoc in unit good order and discipline, caused division in the ranks, and reallocated scarce training resources away from combat-related team training.

Elaine Donnellys Center for Military Readiness has been monitoring U.S. military readiness since 1993. Its mission statement: The Center for Military Readiness is an independent, non-partisan, public policy organization with a unique mission: reporting on and analyzing military/social issues. CMR promotes high standards and sound priorities in the making of military personnel policies and takes the lead in defending elements of military culture that are essential for morale and readiness in the All-Volunteer Force.

The center recently conducted a comparison of the 2016 Barack Obama/Ashton Carter transgender policy (pdf) to the transgender policies of Joe Biden/Lloyd Austin (pdf). The shocking results of the Biden transgender policy incrementalism from CMRs Feb. 7 press release include:

Changes made to official DoD vocabulary to reflect transgender ideology.

The specific involvement of the military service academies and Reserve Officers Training Corps programs at civilian universities in what amounts to the grooming of aspiring military officers.

Directives to hold commanders directly responsible for all alleged biases against transgender individuals.

Directives that permit cross-dressing and other transitioning behaviors both on-base and off-base.

Directives that enable de-transition procedures if costly treatments dont resolve gender dysphoria.

Restrictions on the collection and disclosure of data on incidents of harmful behaviors involving sexual orientation and transgender persons.

Concluding Thoughts

The DoDs actions cited above indicate the real national security priority of the Biden administrationto inflict woke ideology and personnel policies throughout the department, including in frontline combat units. None of these measures enhance national security; to the contrary, they instill divisiveness in the ranks, create problems with the military chain of command, and detract from combat effectiveness and military readiness in general by forcing people with strong religious values to compromise their principles and condone transgenderism in the ranks.

The policies are of a-piece with other Biden policies implemented and actions taken that have degraded U.S. national security since January 2021 and must be reversed to restore unit cohesion and improve readiness throughout DoD.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Navy Admiral Raises Concerns About Pentagons Failure to Detect Chinese Spy Balloons

Adm. Harry B. Harris, Jr., U.S. Navy Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, left, shakes hands with Fan Changlong, vice-chairman of China's Central Military Commission before their meeting at the Bayi Building in Beijing, China, on Nov. 3, 2015. (Andy Wong/Getty Images)

A Navy admiral and former head of U.S. Pacific Command has raised concerns about the lack of capability of the Defense Department (DOD) of detecting at least four previous Chinese spy balloons that allegedly traveled over the United States in recent years.

The comment by retired Adm. Harry Harris Jr. was made at a Feb 7 House Armed Services Committee hearing on the pressing threat of the Chinese Communist Party.

The hearing came after a U.S. official had said that at least three times during the Trump administration, and at least one other time during Bidens time as president, balloons have crossed American airspace, but not for this long.

In those instances, the Pentagon determined the balloons belonged to China only after they had left U.S. airspace, said Gen. Glen VanHerck, head of U.S. Northern Command, on Feb 6.

I will tell you that we did not detect those threats, VanHerck said of his military command. And thats a domain awareness gap that we have to figure out. He added that the U.S. intelligence community after the fact informed his command about the balloons.

(Left) A Chinese surveillance balloon drifts to the ocean after being shot down off the coast in Surfside Beach, S.C., on Feb. 4, 2023. (Right) The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson participates in a group sail during the Rim of the Pacific exercise off the coast of Hawaii, on July 26, 2018. (Randall Hill/Reuters; Petty Officer 1st Class Arthurgwain L. Marquez/U.S. Navy via AP)

Harris pointed to VanHercks statement, saying there is a disconnect in our ability to understand these balloons, adding That ought to concern all of us.

He said that the incident sparks the need for the United States to understand the technologies and capabilities of these surveillance devices.

Harris at the hearing asserted that he was not aware of any Chinese balloon when serving under the Trump administration.

Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), a member of the Armed Services panel, told The Hill that congressional lawmakers should absolutely look into the earlier Chinese spy balloon traversals.

The committee has a responsibility to look at all areas of national security, Horsford said. We should review actions from the current and previous administrations.

Pentagon Handling

Harris agreed with the handling of the Chinese balloon by the Pentagon.

I think it was a good response  and to the end of the day we were able to shoot this thing down with no risk to Americans and collect the intelligence from it, plus we were able to understand more about what it was doing up to the point of the shoot down, he told the congressional lawyers.

I do think shooting it down over the Atlantic was the appropriate response, he added. If it was a threat to the United States, if it was collecting information that could not be blocked  then thats a different issue.

Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) responded with skepticism, saying, If the idea was to shoot it down in a safe area, then we could have done that over the Pacific.

Mills called it a huge mistake and failure to let it travel all the way across the country. The Florida lawmaker viewed the incident as a vulnerability assessment by the Chinese.

White House officials, including National Security Council strategic communications coordinator John Kirby, have emphasized that they blocked the balloons intelligence-gathering capability as it traveled across the country.

But Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), a member of the Armed Services panel, remained concerned about the DODs response.

I would pay attention to the kinds of military sites the balloon flew over, Mace told The Hill. Why did we wait four days to do it?

Crisis Management

Melanie Sisson, a foreign policy fellow at the Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy and Technology who also offered testimony at the event pointed to Secretary of State Antony Blinkens postponement of the planned weekend trip to Beijing in response to the balloon incident.

We need those high-level contacts, Sisson said. It would have been an opportunity to discuss crisis management.

In addition, she said, it would be able to press the CCP on their other such problematic behaviors.

During his testimony, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), chair of the House Armed Services Committee, noted that the CCP had nearly tripled its military spending over the last decade, and said that the United States would need to act swiftly to counter the threat, or else risk losing the opportunity altogether.

China is the most challenging national security threat America has faced in 30 years, Rogers said. If we fail to acknowledge that and take immediate action to deter it, the next 30 years could be devastating to our nation.

We have to stop being naive about the threat we face from China. We no longer have the luxury of time.

Andrew Thornebrooke contributed to this report.
NDP, Liberals Defeat Committee Motion to Hear From Trudeaus Top Adviser on Beijing Interference

Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister Katie Telford arrives to appear as a witness at the Public Order Emergency Commission in Ottawa on Nov 24, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick)

Following a recent media report that Katie Telford, chief of staff of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, had in 2017 requested a briefing be produced on Beijings foreign interference, Liberal and NDP MPs voted on Feb. 9 against a Conservative Party motion to have Telford testify before committee and obtain relevant documents.

In order to get to the bottom of the memo, and what the prime minister knew, and wherever he failed to act, its important that we hear from Katie Telford, Conservative MP Michael Cooper said after his motion was passed with a major amendment removing Telford from having to testify.

This is just an effort to, lets just say it for what it is: cover up the facts.

The Commons Procedure and House Affairs Committee was holding a meeting on the issue of foreign interference in elections, with witnesses from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), the Communications Security Establishment (CSE), and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

Many of the questions raised during the meeting pertained to reporting from Global News journalist Sam Cooper, who in recent months has been exposing the extent of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) interference in Canada.

Sam Coopers latest report was published on Feb. 8 and relates to Telford requesting an assessment on CCP interference from then National Security and Intelligence Advisor Daniel Jean.

MP Cooper tabled a motion at the end of the meeting to explore the new revelations with additional committee meetings. He also requested hearing from Telford, Jean, and then clerk of the Privy Council Michael Wernick, who had been copied on the memo.

The motion also asked that all the documents related to what Global News reported be provided to the committee. Cooper said obtaining these documents would be important in order to ask questions to the witnesses.

Liberal MP Ryan Turnbull tabled an amendment to remove Telford from the list of witnesses and also strike the request to obtain relevant documents.

The swing vote belonged to NDP MP Rachel Blaney, who sided with the Liberals on the committee, hence Coopers motion was adopted with Turnbulls amendment.

2017 Memo

The 2017 memo obtained by Global reportedly says CCP agents were assisting Canadian candidates running for political offices.

Sam Cooper wrote that its not clear whether the document was presented to the prime minister, noting it was neither signed nor stamped, hence he surmised it was likely an advanced draft copy.

The memo said the CCPs efforts to infiltrate all levels of government are well-documented and that [T]here is a substantial body of evidence that Chinese officials are actively pursuing a strategy of engagement to influence Canadian officials in ways that can compromise the security of Canada and the integrity of Canadian institutions.

Sam Cooper had previously reported on Nov. 7 that intelligence officials warned Trudeau that the CCP had provided funding to at least 11 federal candidates in 2019.

On Nov. 22, Trudeau said there has never been any information given to me on the funding of federal candidates by China.

The Privy Council Office (PCO), which produced the 2017 memo and other pieces on the same topic reported on by Global, tabled a document on the issue in the House of Commons on Jan. 30.

The PCO was responding to a question from Conservative MP Arnold Viersen, asking: Has anyone in the Office of the Prime Minister or the Privy Council Office received such information, and, if so, (i) who received the information, (ii) on what date was the information received, (iii) why did that person not inform the Prime Minister?

The PCO replied that the information was coming from sensitive sources and needs to be protected.

It also quoted from Trudeaus National Security and Intelligence Advisor Jody Thomas, who said, We have not seen money going to 11 candidates, period.

CSIS and CSE Tight-Lipped

Officials from CSIS and CSE who testified did not provide much information on the topic of interference, being bound by secrecy.

They also emphasized their role as collectors and advisers, leaving to others the task to action the information in many cases.

Conservative MPs expressed frustration at not being able to find out more details to guide them in their role as elected officials.

But the problem is, during an election period, this non interventionist approach, or this decision to follow the process, can directly have an impact on the election result, said MP Luc Berthold.

Berthold was referring to testimony heard previously at the committee on Feb. 7, in which China expert Charles Burton said if it wasnt for CCP disinformation, Conservative candidate and incumbent Kenny Chiu would not have lost in his B.C. riding in the 2021 federal election.

Berthold tried to get a bit more out of CSIS by asking yes or no questions based on the latest Sam Cooper report.

It also alleges that to avoid detection, Chinese officials used local, pro-Beijing community groups as intermediaries to engage Canadian politicians they identified as strategically valuable. True or not, asked Berthold.

Yes, its true, said Adam Fisher, director general of intelligence assessments at CSIS.

We see China using  non-traditional methods of foreign influence activity. So theyre not relying necessarily on trained agents, they use cutouts, they use proxies, they use community groups, they use diaspora organizations, and community leaders.

There are ongoing discussions about establishing a foreign agent registry in Canada to help deal with such issues.

On that topic, Fisher said that behind the scenes, certainly the Service and our partners are engaged in giving advice to government on what we see is potentially useful tools that could address foreign influence activity, but added that no measure is a silver bullet given the sophistication and adaptability of the adversaries.

Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino told the Commons Canada-China relations committee on Feb. 6 the federal government needs to be thoughtful and inclusive when considering a foreign agent registry.
Netflix Expands Crackdown on Account Sharing to 4 More Countries

A Netflix logo on a TV screen, ahead of a Swiss vote on a referendum called "Lex Netflix", in a photo illustration taken on May 9, 2022. (Denis Balibouse/Reuters)

Netflix said on Wednesday that it has expanded its crackdown on password sharing, which had eclipsed 100 million accounts, throttling the streaming giants ability to invest in new content.

The California-based streaming giant first tested its crackdown in Latin America and is now rolling out the changes in Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, and Spain, the company said in a blog post.

Users with a standard or premium plan in several countries can add an extra member sub-account for up to two people for an extra C$7.99 per month per person in Canada, NZ$7.99 in New Zealand, 3.99 euros in Portugal, and 5.99 euros in Spain, according to the company.

Netflix said the measure is aimed at addressing confusion around sharing accounts. The company has allowed users to share accounts by creating profiles and permitting multiple devices to be active at the same time, but only for those living together in the same household.

But the company has been facing financial losses due to the unauthorized sharing of passwords.

Our focus has been on giving members greater control over who can access their account, the company said.

One of the new features is the ability for members to set a primary location for their account, ensuring that anyone living in the household can use it. Members can also manage access to their accounts and devices through a new Manage Access and Devices page.

Anyone sharing an account will have the option to transfer their profile to a new account that they pay for, preserving their personalized recommendations, viewing history, and other data.

Members can still watch Netflix on their personal devices or log in to a new TV while traveling, the company said.

The company said that a Netflix account is intended for one household and members can choose from a range of plans with different features.

Losing Subscribers, Decreased Revenue

The company lost subscribers in the first half of 2022 amidst stiff competition from rivals, prompting it to look more seriously into password sharing and launching an ad-supported plan.

Last year, Netflix said that the widespread sharing of accounts has been affecting its business and ability to invest in the company.

Todays widespread account sharing (100M+ households) undermines our long term ability to invest in and improve Netflix, as well as build our business, the company said in a letter to shareholders (pdf). While our terms of use limit use of Netflix to a household, we recognize this is a change for members who share their account more broadly.

Users in certain test countries in Latin America who want to share their account with another household were given the option of add[ing] a home for an extra fee in a bid to clamp down on sharing.

The global streaming platform explained in August 2022 that a home is a physical locationlike your housewhere you can use your Netflix on any of your devices, and the number of devices you can watch on at the same time depends on your plan.

On Aug. 22, users in Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala who sign in to Netflix on a TV outside their home were asked to add a home for an extra monthly fee.

The firm previously said that it would enforce password-sharing rules by checking device IDs, account activity, and IP addresses. Last year, when Netflix announced plans to crack down on password sharing, it didnt provide a clear date for when it would start.

Greg Peters, who serves as the co-CEO of Netflix along with Ted Sarandos, said the company anticipates that some users will cancel their subscriptions because of the companys efforts to combat password sharing.

However, a New York-based research firm, Horowitz Research, believes that it could also lead to an increase in the number of subscribers.

According to Netflix, engagement increased in Latin America during its testing there as individuals who had received passwords from others signed up for their own accounts.

Netflix has cut hundreds of jobs citing slower growth in the United States, which the streamer blamed on account sharing and increased competition.

The company has launched a cheaper, ad-supported plan.
New California Bill Targets Pro-Life Pregnancy Centers for Alleged Misinformation

A California lawmaker introduced a bill that would enable Californians to sue pro-life pregnancy centers for speech or advertisements they deem to be false or misleading.

Assemblywoman Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Livermore), introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 315 on Jan. 26, and has accused such centers of luring unsuspecting women seeking abortions into their crisis pregnancy centers, and mislead[ing] and pressur[ing] the patients about their pregnancy options.

California cannot let predatory crisis pregnancy centers continue to lie to pregnant people about abortion care, she stated in a Feb. 2 press release. With the increase in abortion seekers coming from other states, it is even more critical to end this dangerous deception.

According to the language of the bill, it would prohibit a person doing business in California who is performing, has performed, or intends to perform a pregnancy-related service from advertising using a false or misleading statement related to the persons provision, or lack of provision, of abortion.

It would make a violation of this prohibition an unfair business practice, and authorize the state attorney general, district attorneys, and city attorneys to sue for injunctive relief or fines of at least $1,000, and reasonable attorneys fees.

AB 315 follows up on the promises of Californias pro-abortion legislators to bolster abortion services in reaction to the United States Supreme Court ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization last June, which overturned Roe v. Wade, the previous ruling that made access to abortion a constitutional right.

The bill came after California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a consumer alert warning last June that some crisis pregnancy centers do not offer abortion or comprehensive reproductive care while claiming otherwise.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta (C) joined local officials from Long Beach, Calif., to support legalized abortion nationwide in Long Beach, Calif., on May 6, 2022. (Screenshot via YouTube)

Criticisms

The California Family Council, a Christian watchdog group, has opposed the bill on the grounds that it is so expansive that any pro-life ministry or church that offers women health counseling service related to pregnancy could be affected.

According to the groups Feb. 7 statement, the bill language does not define what information would be considered misleading or false or how someone would know which opinions about abortion or pregnancy are allowed.

Denise Burke, senior counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal advocacy group, said in the same statement if the bill is passed, these pro-life centers could be sued by abortion activists who claim that factually true statements about abortions maternal health risks are misleading or false information.

She said these pregnancy centers provide free services for womens medical, material, and emotional needs while abortion businesses prey on their desperation and try to convince them that abortion is their only optionall for profit.

Jonathan Keller, president of California Family Council, told The Epoch Times Feb. 8 that California seems determined to violate the constitutional rights to free speech.

He cited the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NILFA) against former California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, a landmark case that overturned, on constitutional grounds, legislation targeting NILFAs pregnancy centers.

If Sacramento lawmakers persist, we expect a similar result from the nine justices in Washington, he said.
PANAMA CITY BEACH  The Panama City Police Department warned potential Spring Break visitors Wednesday that officers will enforce the citys law with zero tolerance during the upcoming season.

This zero-tolerance policy includes a ban on underage drinking, traffic disruption, loud music, and pop-up parties in businesses or empty lots.

The city and Bay County have had special ordinances in place for Spring Break since 2016. These ordinances prohibit alcohol possession or consumption on the beaches. Alcohol sales will also stop at 2 a.m. during the entire month of March.

Police may also temporarily close the beaches if things get out of hand. Police Chief J.R. Talamantez warned visitors that the police will take swift action against individuals who come with ill intentions. The police will also actively search for suspects with any outstanding warrants.

From last years season, Robert Santrell Petty, 18, of Ozark, and Danyell Demetrice Reese, 26, of Headland, have outstanding arrest warrants in the coastal city. Petty is wanted for carrying a concealed firearm; Reese is wanted for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, carrying a concealed firearm, and resisting without violence.

Officials expect the largest crowds on March 23-27.

Chief Talamantez wants visitors to have a good time but also abide by the following restrictions:

Climbing, jumping off, or throwing anything from balconies is illegal.

Parking in closed businesses lots or city rights of way after dark is prohibited.

Glass is not allowed on the beach.

Overnight scooter rentals are prohibited.

Metal shovels and holes deeper than two feet are not permitted on the beach.

Music should not be audible from 25 feet away.

The Russell Fields City Pier has been designated as a nosmoking zone on both sides.

Dogs are only allowed at the designated Dog Beach west of the City Pier.

Low speed vehicles must follow the rules of the road and are not allowed on Hutchison Boulevard or Panama City Beach Parkway.

Double red flags signify a ban on entry into the Gulf.
NewsNation Reporter Released From Jail After Arrest at Ohio Governors News Conference

Gov. DeWine says he did not know the arrest was being made and that it shouldn't have taken place

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine speaks to mourners at a memorial service in the Oregon District held to recognize the victims of a mass shooting in the popular nightspot in Dayton, Ohio, on Aug. 4, 2019. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

A NewsNation reporter who was arrested in Ohio on Feb. 8 while filming Gov. Mike DeWine speaking at a news conference has since been released from jail.

Evan Lambert, who is based in Washington D.C. where he works for the Nexstar Media Group-owned cable channel, had traveled to Ohio to cover the news conference about the freight train derailment in East Palestine, a small town on the border with Pennsylvania, according to NewsNation.

However, the reporter was allegedly forcibly removed from the event by authorities and subsequently arrested.

He was released from the Columbiana County Jail later that day, shortly after 10 p.m. ET., on charges of disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing.

The reporter confirmed his release on Wednesday, telling NewsNation that he was doing fine right now and that it had been an extremely long day.

No journalist expects to be arrested when youre doing your job, and I think thats really important that that doesnt happen in our country, Lambert said.

According to multiple reports, the news conference that Lambert attended was set to start at 3 p.m. ET but was delayed, and Gov. DeWine eventually began speaking around 5 p.m.the same time that Lambert was scheduled to do a live broadcast.

Tough to Do Your Job in America in 2023

Lambert, who is an Emmy-nominated and award-winning journalist, was reportedly asked by local law enforcement to be quiet as DeWine was speaking so as not to interrupt the conference.

Video footage appears to show that the reporter did stop broadcasting when asked. In the footage, Lambert can be heard saying: We are actually being told right now that we have to stop broadcasting because this news conference is behind us and were in the command center.

After finishing his report, Lambert was allegedly asked to leave the news conference by law enforcement.

Separate video footage shows the reporter being taken to the ground and handcuffed by officers before being placed inside a law enforcement vehicle.

The exact events leading up to his being handcuffed and removed from the conference are not clear.

As he gets inside the car, Lambert can be heard saying: Its tough to do your job in America in 2023, but well keep doing it.

Shortly after Lamberts arrest and just hours before he was subsequently released from jail, NewsNation D.C. bureau chief Mike Viqueira said in a statement that he had spoken to the reporter who called him from the Columbiana County Jail.

Evan is safe and calm and continues to act with professionalism and integrity that he brings to his work each day, Viqueira said. As you see from the videos, he was doing his jobwhat hundreds of journalists do without incidentreporting to the public on the matter of urgent, critical interest to our audience.

DeWine Comments on Arrest

Gov. DeWines office later told reporters shortly after the conference was over that he did not personally request that officers arrest Lambert.

DeWine, a Republican, did not see the incident occur because his view was blocked by a bank of cameras recording the press conference, however, he did hear a disagreement toward the back of the gymnasium, according to a statement.

He was later advised that a reporter who had been giving a live report during the briefing was asked to end the broadcast because the volume of his reporting was perceived to be interfering with the event.

The governor did not request that the reporter stop his live broadcast, nor did he know that the request was being made, the statement continued, adding that DeWine has always respected the medias right to report live before, during and after his press briefings and that the interruption to the reporters broadcast should not have taken place.

The Epoch Times has contacted the East Palestine Police Department for comment.

DeWine announced during Wednesdays news conference that an evacuation order over last weeks train derailment in East Palestine had been lifted following an analysis of air and water samples suggesting that the area is safe.

The train, which was carrying hazardous materials including vinyl chloridea toxic flammable gas used in the production of plasticsderailed on Feb. 3.
NJ Councilman Shot Dead 1 Week After Councilwoman Was Killed in Her Car

A New Jersey citys council member, Russell Heller, was shot dead in his car, coming about a week after another New Jersey council member was killed, officials said.

Heller, 51, was found shot and killed outside of his vehicle at the PSE&G facility in Franklin Township, the Somerset County Prosecutors Office said. Heller, a Republican, was a senior distribution supervisor at PSE&G, according to reports.

The Milford Borough Council is deeply saddened by the loss and our hearts go out to his family, Milford Mayor Henri Schepens told the New Jersey Star Advance publication. He was so full of life, its just unbelievable that hes gone. Something like this has never happened in borough history. We are very shaken by this.

A week ago, Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour, also a Republican, was shot and killed inside her SUV outside her home about 15 miles away. Her home is located about 15 miles away from where Heller, a council member for the city of Milford, was reportedly killed.

The Somerset County Prosecutors Office, in a statement issued Wednesday, indicated that the shooting appears to be an isolated incident. An investigation into the matter is ongoing, officials said.

The Franklin Township Police responded to multiple 911 calls reporting a shooting victim within the parking lot of PSE&G, on Weston Canal Road, Somerset, New Jersey. Responding Officers encountered a deceased adult male suffering from a gunshot wound, prosecutors wrote, later identifying the victim as Heller.

Later, officials revealed that another PSE&G employee, Gary T. Curtis, shot and killed Heller while he was outside his vehicle.

With the assistance of Bridgewater Township Police Officers, authorities approached the vehicle Mr. Curtis was operating and observed him suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, officials said. Mr. Curtis was in possession of a firearm. Medical personnel were requested to the scene and Mr. Curtis was pronounced deceased.

Its not clear if the slayings of Heller and Councilwoman Dwumfour are related. So far, no suspects have been named in Dwumfours death.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that the shooting was an isolated incident and Mr. Heller was the intended target, said authorities.

Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour. (Courtesy of Sayreville Borough Council)

Dwumfour was shot and killed inside her car in early February. On Wednesday, the FBI indicated that it will assist in the investigation into her death, Yolanda Ciccone, the Middlesex County prosecutor, told the New York Times.

Ciccone offered no information about a motive or a suspect. But she stressed to the NY Times theres no ongoing threat to the community and that we will solve the case.

Reactions

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy sent thoughts and prayers to Hellers family and friends after the shooting, according to a post he made on Twitter. House Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-N.J.), whose district includes the area where Heller was shot and killed, wrote he was shocked and saddened by the tragic murder.

Russell was an outstanding public servant who proudly represented the river town he loved, Kean said via Twitter.

The head of the county board of commissioners, Zachary Rich, said he wants to express a collective shock and grief felt over the senseless shooting death of Heller, according to the New York Post.

Russell was a dedicated and valuable member of the Milford and Hunterdon County community whose leadership and commitment will be sorely missed, Rich wrote. More importantly, however, Russell was a loving and caring father to his daughter and a dedicated and loyal friend to all of those who had the pleasure of knowing him, he added.

PSE&G also issued a statement and said it would offer support to employees after the tragic and disturbing event.

Russell was an admired employee and a supervisor with over 11 years of service with PSE&G. He will be sorely missed by all and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time, PSE&G said.
No End in Sight as Jan. 6 Prosecutions Near the 1,000-Case Milestone, DOJ Reports

Police fire munitions into a crowd on the west side of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Nearly 1,000 people have been arrested for alleged crimes at the Capitol. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images)

The U.S. Department of Justices (DOJs) historic, sweeping effort to arrest and prosecute supporters of former President Donald Trump for alleged crimes at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, is nearing the 1,000-case milestone.

As the Jan. 6 prosecution effort enters its third year, the pace of FBI arrests hasnt lessened, with six so far in February and 985 since Jan. 7, 2021.

Charges have included obstructing an officer during civil disorder, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a dangerous weapon, acts of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

So far in 2023, the DOJ has reported 20 Jan. 6, 2021-related arrests in California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Virginia.

Richard Bigo Barnett (2nd L) arrives at the U.S. Courthouse on Jan. 10, 2023, for jury selection in his trial on eight Jan. 6, 2021, charges. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

The FBI has photographs of more than 260 people it wants to identify and arrest for violent actions at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, the DOJ said in a Feb. 6 report.

The investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the attack continues to move forward at an unprecedented speed and scale, the DOJ said in a statement on its website.

The Department of Justices resolve to hold accountable those who committed crimes on Jan. 6, 2021, has not, and will not, wane.

According to the Program on Extremism at George Washington University, the top 10 states for Jan. 6, 2021, arrests are Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, New York, California, Ohio, Virginia, Illinois, New Jersey, and Maryland.

Nearly 320 defendants have been charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers or employeesincluding 105 individuals charged with using a deadly or dangerous weapon, or causing serious bodily injury to an officer, the DOJ reported.

About half of those charged have pleaded guilty to various federal charges, including 125 for felonies and 375 for misdemeanors. Fifty-five of the felony guilty pleas were for assaulting law enforcement officers, the report said.

Fifty-two defendants were found guilty at contested trials in U.S. District Court in Washington or in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Another 14 were convicted based on a stipulated set of facts.

Nearly 400 people have been sentenced so far, including 220 defendants sent to jail, prison, or halfway houses. About one-quarter of those were sentenced to a period of home detention, according to the DOJ report.
No Evidence Chinese Spy Balloons Were in US During Trump Admin: Kash Patel

The suspected Chinese spy balloon drifts to the ocean after being shot down off the coast in Surfside Beach, S.C., on Feb. 4, 2023. (Randall Hill/Reuters)

There wasnt a shred of intelligence shared among senior government officials suggesting that a Chinese spy balloon flew or was going to fly across the United States during former President Donald Trumps administration, according to a former adviser to the administration.

Kash Patel, who served as the Pentagons chief of staff to Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller under Trump, made the comments shortly after a number of senior officials in the Biden administration claimed that Chinese regime surveillance balloons entered U.S. airspace during Trumps tenure.

Trump has denied those claims, stating that it never happened.

As an individual who helped create, as the deputy DNI [director of national intelligence], the presidential daily briefing, the most sensitive intelligence collection that we provide to the president, United States, and the Cabinet Secretaries, I can tell you without equivocation that during my tenure, there was not one shred of intelligence that came across that showed that even the possibility of a balloon from the Chinese Communist Party or otherwise was going to cross the territorial waters of the United States of America, Patel told The Epoch Times Jan Jekielek on this weeks episode of his Kashs Corner podcast.

Pentagons Claims

On Feb. 8, Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder claimed that new intelligence showed that China had been conducting surveillance across America for several years.

Ryder, during a press briefing, also claimed that there had been at least four previous spy balloon incursions over the United States, three of which he said occurred during the Trump administration and one during the Biden administration.

In this photo provided by Chad Fish, the remnants of a large balloon drift above the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of South Carolina, with a fighter jet and its contrail seen below it on Feb. 4, 2023. (Chad Fish via AP)

Ryder then corrected himself to state that a second balloon was discovered during the Biden administration after China this week confirmed that another balloon that was spotted over Latin America also belonged to the nation.

Patel said he doesnt buy the Pentagons narrative regarding what it stated is a subsequent intelligence analysis regarding the alleged previous balloon incursions into the United States.

What do you mean, you believe they happened? Then you mean you detected them and failed to tell the secretary of defense, the director of national intelligence, the director of the FBI, the attorney general, the president of the United States, the vice president, and so on? That would be a strategic failure of epic proportions from our chain of command, he said.

The United States shot down the first surveillance balloon at 2:39 p.m. EST on Feb. 4 after it was seen making its way across the Carolinas and approaching the Atlantic coast, according to defense officials.

While the Biden administration has confirmed that the balloon flew over sensitive military sites, it has stopped short of stating exactly which sites they were.

Beijing has rejected those assertions, claiming instead that the balloon was a civilian meteorological balloon that had been blown off course and just happened to fly over sensitive military sights.

Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Feb. 6 went so far as to accuse the United States of an obvious overreaction and a serious violation of international practice.

Former President Donald Trump addresses the crowd during a 2024 election campaign event in Columbia, S.C., on Jan. 28, 2023. (Logan Cyrus/AFP via Getty Images)

Balloons Serve a Specific Purpose

Patel said theres no doubt the downed balloon, as well as the second balloon China claimed, were being used to spy on the United States.

Even though the Chinese Communist Party came in and said it was a weather collection apparatus, anyone and everyone knows thats a complete farce, he said. Those balloons serve a specific purpose, in my opinion, when they traverse our entire continental United States of America, starting in Alaska.

They are looking at national security installations across our country. From Alaska to Montana, down to Carolina, we have military bases in every single one of those locations. We have other facilities, intelligence and otherwise, in every single one of those locations. And I bet you the CCP knows that.

The trajectory of this balloonits not like you just light it, or its not like you just fill it with helium and you set it on its wayit is actually controlled by human beings, probably from somewhere in mainland China as to its direction and where its going next.

Patel said the balloon was directed with a strategic purpose, which is why the governors of the states under the balloons path were so concerned.

He noted that the latest events were a victory for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) over the U.S. national security apparatus.

The Epoch Times has contacted the White House for comment.

Trump told Fox News on Feb. 5 that the Chinese regime respected us greatly under his leadership, noting that a CCP surveillance balloon never entered the United States during his administration and that if one had, his government wouldve immediately shot it down.
Facebook and Instagram have restored former President Donald Trumps accounts after a two-year ban. Is he posting on them again?

Disney is cutting thousands of jobstrying to reduce costs amid streaming competition.

Electric car maker Lucid, the latest to enter the EV price war, announced its own discount if you buy select models.

For the first time ever, a Shell shareholder has sued the companys board members, personally, over their climate policies. The lawsuit may have a broad impact across the energy world.

President Joe Biden calls on lawmakers to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize Act. Opponents of the bill say it could let the government decide the winners of unionization drives.

Lawmakers demand answers from a Chinese fast-fashion retailer, asking if theres forced labor in its supply chain.

An investment fund invests in emerging markets, but just not China. The company tells us why, and what risk they see in putting your money in the country.
Former Twitter executives were in the hot seat on Capitol Hill on Feb. 8, as Congress members questioned them on censorship and their relationship with government agencies.

Joint Air drills are being conducted over Nevada. Countries include the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Find out more about the exercises in preparation for the mounting threat from China.

Disney announces a major restructuring plan that includes laying off 7,000 employees. We have more on its strategy to cut $5.5 billion in costs.

Topics in this episode include:

1. Sen. John Fetterman Hospitalized

2. House Probes Censoring of Hunter Biden Laptop Story

3. South Dakota House Passes Election Security Bill

4. Wholesale Egg Prices in US Down 50 Percent Since Dec.

5. Disney to Cut 7,000 Jobs

6. Rescue Teams Find More Earthquake Survivors

7. US, UK, and Australia Carry Out China-Focused Air Drills

8. Australia Orders Review Into Chinese-Made Cameras

9. NYC Paying for Illegal Immigrants Travel North

10. Border Patrol Not Able to Do Their Job: Union VP

11. Super Bowl 57 Kicks Off in Just a Few Short Days
Official Says 7 More Memphis Officers Could Face Discipline in Tyre Nichols Case

The image from video released on Jan. 27, 2023, Tyre Nichols seated leaning against a car during a brutal attack by five Memphis police officers in Memphis, Tenn., on Jan. 7, 2023. (City of Memphis via AP)

More Memphis police officers are expected to face disciplinary charges following further findings from an investigation into the death of Tyre Nichols, an official said on Tuesday.

Jennifer Sink, chief legal officer for the city of Memphis, told council members that the number of officers disciplined for policy violations could rise to 13, noting that the city will release more information about the additional disciplinary actions by the end of next week, following administrative hearings.

Sink did not identify the officers, citing an ongoing investigation.

Police spokeswoman Karen Rudolph said six officers whose involvement has not been publicly disclosed could face administrative charges. However, she stressed that an internal police investigation remains ongoing, and the number of officers disciplined may change.

As of Feb. 8, the Memphis Police Department has fired six officers for their roles in the incident. Five officersTadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Desmond Mills Jr., Emmitt Martin III, and Justin Smithhave been charged criminally with second-degree murder. The sixth officer, Preston Hemphill, 26, hasnt been criminally charged but he violated multiple department policies, resulting in his termination.

This combo of images provided by the Memphis Police Department shows (top LR) officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, (bottom LR) Desmond Mills Jr., and Justin Smith. (Memphis Police Department via AP)

Nichols, 29, passed away in the hospital on Jan. 10, three days after an encounter with five Memphis police officers during a traffic stop that ultimately ended with Nichols succumbing to injuries sustained in the incident. The encounter was captured in video recordings made public by the city of Memphis on Jan. 27.

Also on Tuesday, Sink revealed that more footage of the arrest will be released. Currently, the only video made public shows five officers violently beating Nichols after he resisted arrest and fled the scene of the traffic stop.

We will be prepared to upload onto a website all of the footage, all of the decisions, the entirety of the file, Sink said.

Officer Shared Pictures of Beaten Nichols

Documents released on Tuesday say Haley, one of the officers criminally charged with second-degree murder, took cell phone photos of Nichols as he lay propped against a police car and sent them to several people, including a female acquaintance.

Your on-duty conduct was unjustly, blatantly unprofessional and unbecoming for a sworn public servant, the Memphis Police Department wrote in requesting that Haley and the other officers be decertified.

The newly released documents are part of a request by the Memphis Police Department that the five officers who have been charged with murder be decertified and prohibited from working in law enforcement again. Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn CJ Davis signed each of the five requests to decertify the officers.

According to the documents, Haley also never told Nichols the purpose of the traffic stop and directly sprayed him in the eyes with a chemical irritant spray.

The image from video released on Jan. 27, 2023, by the City of Memphis, shows Tyre Nichols during a brutal attack by five Memphis police officers in Memphis, Tenn., on Jan. 7, 2023. (City of Memphis via AP)

You never told the driver the purpose of the vehicle stop or that he was under arrest, it states.

The five former officers charged in the death of Nichols will be arraigned on Feb. 17, according to court records. If convicted of second-degree murder, they all may face up to 60 years in jail.

During the initial arrest attempt, Nichols was heard shouting, I didnt do anything  I am just trying to go home, before he fled the scene by running down the road.

Nichols was handcuffed and propped up against the side of a police car after multiple punches, kicks, and hits from the officers.

The incident has led to widespread protests and calls for justice. Last week, Nicholss family, along with their attorneys and community activists, demanded further action such as the firing or charging of more officers.

Renewed Calls for Police Accountability

During the State of the Union speech on Tuesday, President Joe Biden acknowledged Nicholss family was present as he addressed the need for police reforms.

I know most cops are good, decent people. They risk their lives every time they put on that shield, Biden said. But what happened to Tyre in Memphis happens too often. We have to do better. Give law enforcement the training they need, hold them to higher standards, and help them succeed in keeping everyone safe.

We also need more first responders and other professionals to address growing mental health and substance abuse challenges, he continued. More resources to reduce violent crime and gun crime; more community intervention programs; more investments in housing, education, and job training. All this can help prevent violence in the first place.

Last year, Biden signed an executive order that mandated body cameras, limited no-knock warrants, and banned chokeholds, unless deadly force is authorized. The order does not affect state and local police departments but encourages them to follow suit.

The action was announced on the second anniversary of the death of George Floyd, whose murder by a Minneapolis police officer sparked nationwide protests that, in several cases, led to violence and rioting in major cities during the summer of 2020. Members of the Floyd family were present at the bill signing.

Caden Pearson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

From NTD News
Oklahoma Senator Rejoins Pistol Brace Battle by Reintroducing His Own Bill

Republican James Lankford wants to exempt the stabilizers from National Firearms Act

Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) has reintroduced his Pistol Brace Protection Act that would exempt the stabilizers from the National Firearms Act (NFA).

Lankfords bill, first introduced in 2022, would nullify the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) recently announced rule on the devices.

ATF consistently finds new ways to manipulate the NFA, so its difficult and burdensome to be a law-abiding gun owner. Law-abiding gun owners are counting on us to proactively protect their rights and their use of pistol braces, Lankford wrote in a statement released on Feb. 9.

Pistol-stabilizing braces first hit the market in 2012 to help disabled shooters. The ATF approved the design initially for pistols built on the AR-15 platform.

Eventually, the inventor started producing and selling braces for other large-format pistols, free from NFA restrictions. It has been estimated that up to 40 million pistol braces have been sold.

Justin Barrett, owner of Barrett Outdoors in Durant, Okla., displays some pistol stabilizing braces. (Michael Clements/The Epoch Times)

The ATF has ruled that a stabilizing brace changes the intended use of a pistol. The most recent rule is 293 pages long and, some say, virtually ensures that any pistol with a stabilizing brace will be considered an illegal short-barreled rifle (SBR).

Lankfords proposal was endorsed by the National Rifle Association.

Sen. Lankford recognized early the threat posed by the Biden administrations pistol brace rule on law-abiding gun owners. His legislation would thwart this unconstitutional regulation and prevent millions of lawful American gun owners from becoming felons overnight, said Jason Ouimet, executive director of the National Rifle Associations Institute for Legislative Action.

We fully support Sen. Lankfords legislation and thank him for his leadership on this important issue.

Despite the current makeup of Congress and President Joe Bidens position on gun rights, Lankford and Second Amendment advocates say its important to keep up the fight. Lankfords bill is just one action in a series of bills and legal actions in response to the ATFs controversial rule.

Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) has introduced the Stop Harassing Owners of Rifles Today Act. Marshalls bill would remove SBRs, short-barreled shotguns, and all other weapons from the NFA. Enforcement of the NFA is one of ATFs chief responsibilities.

The NFA defines an SBR as a rifle with an overall length shorter than 26 inches or a barrel less than 16 inches in length.

Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.) has filed HR 173, the Home Defense and Competitive Shooting Act. Griffiths bill would remove SBRs from the definition of firearms under the NFA. Griffiths bill has seven co-sponsors.

A pistol-stabilizing brace is seen in this undated photo. (Michael Clements/The Epoch Times)

The Firearms Policy Coalition, Second Amendment Foundation, Gun Owners of America (GOA), and other groups have sued to have the rule struck down.

Aidan Johnston, director of federal affairs for GOA, said their goal is to get the court to issue an injunction by May 31. Thats the end of a so-called 120-day amnesty period.

Under the rule, owners have until then to turn in their pistol brace-equipped firearms, register them with the ATF, or destroy or disable the braces.

Johnston said the ultimate objective is the repeal of the NFA.

Gun Owners of America has been categorically opposed to the National Firearms Act of 1934 infringements since we were founded in 1976. GOA is optimistic that legislators may finally understand the need for legislation such as the Stop Harassing the Owners of Rifles Today Act to repeal these old federal barrel-length restrictions and unconstitutional gun registry to restore the Second Amendment, Johnston wrote in an email to The Epoch Times.

In his statement, Lankford called on Congress to defend the Second Amendment and Americans property rights.

This rule makes it so that millions of law-abiding gun owners have to either pay a tax and register their pistol brace or surrender it to ATF, Lankfords statement reads.

This is a significant shift in policy, and Congress should not allow ATF to get away with confiscating or registering devices that have long been considered exempt from NFA regulation.
More Than Money, Canadian Health Care Needs Leadership From All Sides

Commentary

When the premiers were first called to a sit-down lunch to talk about health care with Prime Minister Trudeau, there was plenty of talk about the potential for systemic change, innovation, and accountability.

It seemed that Canadians and their leaders were finally on the same page in recognizing that health care, as it is, is largely broken and money alone isnt going to fix it.

But the meeting has come and gone, and there were no new ideas and no talk of change. Trudeau offered the premiers a big wad of cash over a two-hour luncheon and the key message was take it or leave it.

Trudeaus offer of $196.1 billion sounds like a major investment, but it isnt. The premiers asked the federal government to increase its share of health spending from 22 percent to 35 percent (the equivalent of $28 billion per year).

Given Trudeaus rampant spending spree over the past seven years, that was never going to happenbut little did the provinces expect the offer to be less than a 1 percent increase in federal funding.

The $196.1 billion is an overwhelming figure which, once dissected, is little more than smoke and mirrors. The money covers a 10-year period which only means that the provinces shouldnt bother to ask Ottawa for more health care money each year. It includes just $46.2 billion in new money which, over 10 years, leaves just $4.6 billion in new spending each year to be divided amongst the 10 provinces and two territories.

Of the $46.2 billion in new spending, $2 billion was earmarked for urgent needs in childrens hospitals and emergency departments, $17.3 billion is to provide a funding boost over the next decade, $1.7 billion will top up salaries over five years, and $25 billion over 10 years will be negotiated with each province independently after it submits a specific health-care delivery plan for the money.

Apparently, these plans will be necessary (and sufficient) to check the accountability box on the federal budget sheet.

No wonder the premiers were underwhelmed and used words in their comments to reporters such as disappointed (Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson), its a starting point; a down payment (Ontario Premier Doug Ford), and insufficient (Quebec Premier Francois Legault).

Billions of dollars are always a substantial investment but, in this case, it suggests a shocking lack of leadership and vision at a time when it seems that Canadians are looking for wholesale changes that will ensure timely care.

An Ipsos poll that came out just prior to the premiers meeting showed that Canadians attitudes to health care are shifting rapidly.

A full 85 percent of respondents said that drastic changes are needed to the health-care system and six-in-10 (59 percent) support the private delivery of publicly-funded health services. The same number (60 percent) said that those who can afford private care should be able to use it.

Finally, one-third of Canadians (32 percent) said they would go to the United States and personally pay to receive routine health care, while 29 percent would do so to receive urgent or emergency care.

The numbers represent a changing perspective on health care, and that means politicians should be listening.

For 60 years, Canadians have pinned their hopes on the symbolic and non-tangible principle that universal health care will take care of our medical needs. We may have to wait a bit longer than those in other countries, but universal access to health care works and it is the Canadian way.

But a two-year pandemic and a rapidly aging population are chipping away at that ideal, and Canadians are finally realizing that this underlying principle is not enough to provide access (let alone timely access) to medical care.

According to a recent report from the Fraser Institute, more than 1.2 million Canadians were on wait lists for various surgeries and procedures in 2022. More than one in five Canadians cannot find a family doctor. Access to non-emergent mental health care takes years, and the media routinely cover deaths related to waitlists for care and/or overwhelmed emergency departments.

There is limited access to diagnostic medical technology (CT, MRI, and PET scans), even though their use is routine in other developed, wealthy nations. We need doctors, nurses, and other health-care workers. We are far behind other nations in terms of transitioning to electronic records and the use of virtual care for remote areas.

Yes, the system needs money. But it also needs leadership. Trudeau seems content to let others deal with a broken system, and the Conservative party has had little to offer at a time when the appetite for change runs deep. The NDPs proposed pharmacare would only create more pressure on an overburdened system.

Health care is in desperate need of creative leadership and the job remains open to anyone with an innovative spirit. Apply within. Please.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman Hospitalized in Washington

Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman spent Wednesday night in a Washington, D.C. hospital after feeling lightheaded at the Senate Democratic retreat.

He left (the retreat) and called his staff, who picked him up and drove him to The George Washington University Hospital, according to a Wednesday night statement from his Communications Director, Joe Calvello. Initial tests did not show evidence of a new stroke, but doctors are running more tests and John is remaining overnight for observation. He is in good spirits and talking with his staff and family. We will provide more information when we have it.

Fettermans health was under scrutiny after he suffered a stroke on the campaign trail the weekend before the May primary.

At the time, Fetterman said the stroke was caused by a clot from his heart being in an atrial fibrillation rhythm for too long.

After the stroke, his speech pattern changed and he sometimes garbled his words or had halting speech as he struggled to find certain words.

Fetterman, a Democrat, agreed to just one debate with challenger Republican Mehmet Oz, but required closed captioning of the questions to manage what his campaign called auditory processing issues.

Since then, he has read prepared speeches clearly.

Tuesday Fetterman attended President Joe Bidens State of the Union speech and appeared well. He released a statement saying it was an honor to attend for the first time and that he agreed with Biden that Americas best days still lie ahead.

Last week, the freshman Senator attended his first Senate hearing in the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Pennsylvania U.S. Senator John Fetterman attends his first Senate hearing in the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on Feb. 1, 2023. (Office of John Fetterman)

Reading prepared questions from a paper, Fetterman asked Alexis Taylor, Undersecretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, about how to strengthen the countrys trade programs to protect Pennsylvanias farmers.

He also asked Jenny Moffitt, Undersecretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, about steps the administration is taking to bolster the organics industry.

Also last week, Fetterman opened a regional office in Harrisburg, in the Strawberry Square complex located across the street from the state capitol building where his former office as lieutenant governor was located. He previously opened a Philadelphia office and expects to open a few more across the state.
Wiregrass Construction Co. Inc. received multiple Quality in Construction (QIC) awards from the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) on Wednesday for excellence in construction of an asphalt pavement.

The asphalt pavement industry is committed to building high-quality projects that deliver superior performance to the traveling public. All contractors projects earning a Quality in Construction award are measured against best practices designed to live up to that commitment, said NAPA Chairman James A. Mitchell. Earning the Quality in Construction Award demonstrates that Wiregrass Construction Co. Inc., a Construction Partners Inc. Co., has met or exceeded these rigorous standards.

The company received 10 individual QIC awards for a variety of projects that were completed all across Alabama. The projects ranged from the construction of bike lanes to the paving of interstates.

The facility in Montgomery, won six QIC awards for the following projects:

The construction of bike lanes in Oak Mountain State Park and construction of a roundabout in Pelham. All traffic signals at the entrance of the park were removed so visitors can access the park without using a vehicle.

The reconstruction of Patton Chapel Road in Hoover. The project included grading, drainage, paving, sidewalks, signals, and landscaping. They also made a few intersection improvements and end result provided a smooth ride for drivers.

The resurfacing work that was completed on US 431 in Snowdoun. The company milled, patched, and resurfaced a 4.7 mile stretch of the road.

For work done on US 31 in Clanton. They planed and resurfaced the road between Ben Wells Road and Newport Avenue. The company used binder and surface courses of asphalt in order to get the job done.

For resurfacing a stretch of US 231 in Montgomery County.

The company milled and used binder, leveling, and surface asphalt courses to resurface three miles of I-85 in Macon County.

Facilities in Dothan, Huntsville, River Falls, and Ariton each won a QIC award for the following projects:

In Dothan:

The company resurfaced an 8-mile stretch of I-59 in DeKalb County and, despite running into challenges that required them to backfill two feet of the highway, the project was completed 80 days early.

In Huntsville:

The company did work on an 8.2 mile stretch of I-565 in Huntsville. Originally, the plan was to use separate milling operations for each layer of pavement. In order to get the project done quicker, the company suggested a mill-and-fill operation. This sped up the process and got the road back open to drivers a lot sooner.

In River Falls:

The company overlayed 13 miles of Highway 125 in Elba.

In Ariton:

The company completed a resurfacing on 6.9 miles of SR 134 in Daleville using 20% reclaimed asphalt pavement. This type of pavement is good for the environment because it reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
PM Rules out Taxpayer Funding of Voice Campaigns

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese poses for photos during the Garma Festival at Gulkula in East Arnhem, Australia, on July 30, 2022. (Tamati Smith/Getty Images)

The prime minister has shot down calls for taxpayer funds to be used to bankroll yes and no campaigns for the Indigenous Voice referendum.

As Opposition Leader Peter Dutton seeks input into the way the referendum will operate, Anthony Albanese said public funds should be off-limits for the campaigns.

Taxpayers shouldnt be funding the campaigns of yes and no, Albanese said in Canberra on Thursday.

Dutton has called for public funds to be used for administrative purposes for both sides.

Youre not talking $100 million each for advertising campaigns or anything crazy like that, and there will be a lot of corporate sponsorship, particularly for the yes case that comes in from companies, he told Sydney radio station 2GB.

The only public funding that should be used  (is) for the administration that the key proponents will need to put their cases.

Dutton denied his stance was at odds with senior Liberal Simon Birmingham, who said both sides were already well organised and didnt need financial assistance.

Im not keen to see large licks of taxpayer funding spent on running campaigns, Senator Birmingham told ABC Radio.

There may need to be some administrative support for the standing up of official yes or no campaign committees, but thats about as far as Id want to see anything go.

The prime minister said he welcomed the senators stance.

I welcome anyone who wants to join this journey on the path to reconciliation, he said.

This isnt the opportunity to look for a division. This is the opportunity to look for national unity, to embrace the opportunity which is there.

The government is in talks with the coalition on pamphlets to be mailed to households before the referendum detailing the yes and no arguments.

The referendum on enshrining an Indigenous Voice to Parliament is due to be held in the second half of this year.

The prime minister said it wouldnt hurt for the pamphlets to be distributed.

People are going to put things in letterboxes anyway during a referendum. If people want taxpayers to pay for it, as a judgement call there, fine, he said.

However, Dutton said the pamphlets were a reasonable idea, and the government had seen common sense.

Australians want to have that information so that they can make an informed decision, he said.

Its not unreasonable or radical to ask for detail of what youre being asked to vote for.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said negotiations on public funding and information were underway.

Senator Birmingham said he did not want to see the referendum fail and called for the government to supply more information on how the voice would operate to ensure more people could vote for it.

The absence of detail presents the easiest arguments for the no campaign to run against this, he said.

The principle of recognition, the principle of consultation  I support that, but I dont want to see a referendum put that fails.
Poilievre Responds to Remarks From CBC President That Hes Stoking CBC Bashing in Canada

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre holds a press conference in the foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Jan. 25, 2023.(The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick)

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre has responded to recent comments by CBCs President and CEO, Catherine Tait, who said that the federal opposition leader has been stoking criticism of the government-funded public broadcaster.

CBCs overpaid President & CEO is not even pretending to be unbiased, Poilievre wrote in a Twitter post on Feb. 9. She launched a partisan attack against me, proving my claim that the $1.2 billion corporation is a mouthpiece for Justin Trudeau.

Poilievre included in his post a comment Tait made to the Globe and Mail in a recent interview.

Theres a lot of CBC bashing going onsomewhat stoked by the Leader of the Opposition, Tait said in a Globe article published on Feb. 7. I think they feel that CBC is a mouthpiece for the Liberal government.

The federal Conservative Party currently is running a campaign titled, Defund the CBC, of which Poilievre spoke frequently while running for the partys leadership in 2022.

We the undersigned call on the Liberal government to defund the CBC, reads the campaigns petition, adding that the public broadcaster undercuts private sector and independent media and competes for advertising space while receiving more than $1 billion in direct taxpayer subsidies.

It also says the CBC mostly provides opinions and coverage that are widely available in a free and competitive media marketplace.

The campaign calls on the Liberal government to defund the CBC to save taxpayer dollars and ensure a free and competitive press in the Canadian media landscape.

Taits comments about Poilievre came several days after the Conservative leader told an apparent CBC reporter during a media scrum on Parliament Hill that the CBC is trying to help Prime Minister Justin Trudeau out of a bad situation following the federal governments withdrawal of controversial gun-control amendments to Bill C-21.

You are definitely with the CBC, Poilievre said on Feb. 3 to a reporter who asked if the Conservative leader thought the federal government withdrew the amendments as a show of good faith.

Obviously youre from the CBC. Youre trying to help him out of a bad situation, Poilievre said, adding, CBC is trying to carry Trudeaus water again.
Port Jervis Major Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Nearly 20 Years in Prison

Port Jervis major drug trafficker Richard McInturff was sentenced on Feb. 8 by Judge Hyun Chin Kim to almost 20 years in state prison.

Operating as a major trafficker is one of the most serious crimes in the New York Penal Code, carrying a maximum penalty of a life sentence.

McInturff got 15 years in prison for being a major trafficker, two to four years for trying to escape from the police station, and two to four years for committing assault in jail.

The latter two are to run concurrently with each other and consecutively with the first sentence.

Judge Kim said at the sentencing hearing that though McInturff pleaded guilty to his charges, he violated the plea agreement by committing a new crime while being held at the county jail.

McInturff told the judge that he was sorry for what he did.

His father, 65-year-old Larry McInturff, was also sentenced to six months in jail for tampering with evidence, as recommended by prosecutor Alexis Gregory.

Rory Brady, the lawyer for Larry McInturff, had argued at the hearing that it was hard for his client to witness the sentencing of his son and then go to jail himself on the same day, adding that the elder McInturff has health issues and jail would be hard for him.

Larry McInturff told the judge that he was sorry for what he did and that even to this day, he was afraid to go into the room where police found the drugs.

He was taken into custody right after sentencing.

In March 2021, Port Jervis police and Orange County special operations deputies executed a search warrant at McInturffs residence in Port Jervis, where they found nearly 8,000 two-inches-by-one-inch bags of heroin and fentanyl, according to the cases lead detective Mike Decker.

Decker told The Epoch Times that McInturff obtained the drugs from sources in Paterson, New Jersey, and intended to sell them in the Port Jervis area; each bag can be sold for about $10 on the street.

McInturff attempted to escape while in custody at the Port Jervis Police Department, but officers caught him before he was able to run out of the station, Decker said.

While being held at the county jail, McInturff called his father to conceal a key ring, which turned out to be one of the key pieces of evidence in the case, and his father obliged.

In December 2021, a grand jury indicted McInturff on five counts of operating as a major trafficker, criminal drug possession, criminal drug use, escape, and tampering with physical evidence.

His father was indicted on one count of tampering with physical evidence.

Both pleaded guilty last July; McInturff pleaded guilty to only two chargesoperating as a major drug trafficker and escape in the first degree.
Proposed Bill That Would See Feds Self-Review Pandemic Management Draws Criticism From MPs

Liberal MP private member's bill passed second reading

Member of Parliament for Beaches-East York Nathaniel Erskine-Smith speaks about Bill C-293 at a news conference in Ottawa on Nov. 15, 2022. (The Canadian Press/ Patrick Doyle)

A private members bill that calls for the federal government to appoint a committee to self-review its own pandemic response, was sent to second reading on Feb. 8 by a House of Commons vote.

The majority of Liberal, NDP, and Green MPs voted for the bill, while most Conservative and Bloc MPs voted against it, for a final count of 176 to 142.

When Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith proposed Bill C-293 last summer, he said it would require the federal health minister to establish an advisory committee to prevent the risk of, and prepare for, future pandemics and to promote transparency and accountability toward that goal.

He said the bill, dubbed An Act Respecting Pandemic Prevention, would require the health minister to collaborate with other ministers, other levels of government, and indigenous communities to develop a pandemic prevention and preparedness plan.

But critics of the bill say its an attempt to whitewash the governments pandemic mismanagement, which they say instead requires an independent public inquiry.

Conservative MP from Alberta, Garnett Genuis said during debate in the House that he would not support the bill, equating the format of a self-appointed committee to a top-down, controlled whitewash, and that any review of pandemic management must be genuinely democratic.

If a minister chooses who sits on the [proposed] advisory council, then obviously they are going to be tempted to appoint people who share their pre-existing philosophy and who are not necessarily going to dig into providing the kind of criticism that is required of the governments approach, he said.

Bloc Quebecois (BQ) MP Marie-Helene Gaudreau also criticized the bill in debate, saying An independent public inquiry is the only acceptable way to judge the governments actions.

In order to shed light on the complete chain of events, we need to calmly hold an independent, transparent national inquiry, without partisanship, by opening a constructive dialogue with the various stakeholders, she said.

British Columbia NDP MP Bonita Zarillo called the bill an unacceptable attempt to provide the illusion of action, accountability, and oversight with respect to Canadas response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said what was really needed is a root-to-branch, independent, penetrating and comprehensive review of Canadas COVID-19 preparedness and response.

Bloc Quebecois MP Julia Vignola joined other MPS calling for an independent public inquiry to ensure an unbiased, non-partisan analysis.

She noted the bill calls for an advisory committee to study the before and during and make recommendations, yet the bill already includes a whole list of things that a plan must include.

What is the point of recommendations if the plans contents have already been decided? she asked.

Conservative MP Ted Falk said a government review was like having the fox guard the henhouse, and that the feds all have a very vested interest in the outcome.

Canadians will never get the answers they deserve if the ministers who perpetuated or promoted many of the failures, abuses and violations of Charter rights that we have seen over the past two years are the same ones tasked with reviewing their own governments response, said Falk.

Merit in Principle

Erskine-Smith responded to critics noting it was a private members bill, and that the House should not kill a bill at second reading that has merit in principle. He said the point of the bill is parliamentary accountability.

The Toronto Liberal MP has dissented from his party in the past over some pandemic measures.

In May 2022 he abstained from voting on a Conservative Party motion to lift pandemic travel restrictions. He said he couldnt vote in favour of the motion, as he didnt support the dropping of the mask mandate in airplanes, but that other measures supported by his party such as vaccine mandates were no longer justified.

I didnt support the idea of dropping masks right away, but Ive also made it clear to the government that a two-dose vaccine mandate without accommodation is no longer justified, Erskine-Smith said at the time.

The MP also criticized his own government about transparency over COVID restrictions. Nothing about the re-evaluation of travel-related measures has been transparent. It is not clear what Dr. Tams recommendations are, and theres been no adequate justification provided for continuing the exclusive two-dose mandate, he said.

Noe Chartier contributed to this report.
Protest Erupts in Wuhan as Health Benefit Cuts Affect Millions of Retirees

Wuhan City mayor Zhou Xianwang during an interview on China's state broadcaster CCTV that aired on Jan. 27, 2020. (CCTV/Screenshot via Reuters)

A large protest erupted in Wuhan after the Chinese regime reduced the health benefit payments by more than two-thirds. Protesters surrounded the city hall and jammed a nearby roadway. The government dispatched special police, as an online video shows.

On Feb. 8, thousands of retirees gathered in front of the Wuhan city hall wanting an answer from the mayor as to why their medical benefits have been cut from 260 yuan (about $38) a month to 83 yuan (about $12).

Some Wuhan residents told the Chinese language edition of The Epoch Times that the protesters are just ordinary people and low-income retirees in Wuhan whose livelihoods are greatly impacted by the lowered payments.

Interviewees provided their surnames only for fear of reprisal from the Communist regime.

Time to Wake Up

Wuhan resident Mr. Gao said, Now its only 80 plus [yuan],  not even enough for one prescription.

In Wuhan, there are nearly two million retirees from various industries affected by the reduction of the health benefit, according to Gao.

He said that among the protesters, there were also people protesting the cut in funeral expense claims, that went from 70,000 yuan (about $10,310) to 30,000 yuan (about $4,420) per person. Just last year, it was further reduced to 19,000 yuan (about $2,800).

Mr. Chu, another Wuhan resident, said to The Epoch Times, People should wake up,  it was step by step, from nucleic acid [testing], to vaccines, funeral expenses, and now our medical insurance fund, what do we have left to live [on]?

Zhang Hai, a Wuhan native, reminded The Epoch Times that the dual system under the Communist ruling guarantees full coverage for officials, but leaves the ordinary people struggling for everything, including their health.

According to a Radio Free Asia report, the protesters anticipate a larger scale protest will occur in Zhongshan Park on the 15 if no response is heard from the officials.

Online posts said that plainclothes police removed some of the elderly protesters.

Finances Drained for Three Years

Before the zero-COVID policy was lifted, people suspected that reform of the Chinese health insurance was on its way after three years of strict prevention measures that were expensive to implement and run.

According to an article by the Chinese media NetEase on Jan. 17, the nations finances have been drained by trillions of yuan after three years of pandemic prevention.

On Feb. 1, Wuhan indeed started to reduce monthly medical benefits. Regular retirees received only 83 yuan while flexible employment retirees received just 66 yuan (about $9.74)20 percent less than the regular retirees received.

The article also explained that the new policy has a drastic impact on people in the category of flexible employment.

Flexible employment refers to people who are not permanently employed, but are self-employed, work part-time, are freelancers, are temporary workers, etc.

The flexible employment workers contribute 414.7 yuan (about $61.09) a month to the health insurance plan, including 7 yuan ($0.15) for major illnesses. Such workers, before and after retirement, received payments to their personal health insurance account to cover medicines.

However, with the new policy, the payments before retirement ceased.

The NetEase article said, That means you will continue contributing to the plan, but there wont be a dime back in your account.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the number of flexible employees in China was 200 million people at the end of 2021.

Xia Song and Yi Ru contributed to this report.
Quebec Daycare Crash Leaves Community Mourning, Asking Why

Quebec Premier Francois Legault lays flowers as he visits the site of a daycare centre in Laval, Quebec, Feb. 9, 2023, where a city bus crashed into the building killing two children. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)

Parents, neighbours, and others have been visiting the security perimeter around the Quebec daycare where a city bus driver may have deliberately crashed, killing two children and injuring six others. They have laid flowers, cards, and stuffed animals, and tried to make sense of the tragedy.

Quebec Premier Francois Legault and the provinces three opposition leaders visited the daycare, Garderie Educative Ste-Rose, on Thursday and met with parents and daycare workers.

Theres nothing more difficult than losing a child or not knowingsome [parents] waited an hour, not knowing whether their child was affected or not, he said. With two adult children, he said he could imagine being in the parents position.

His wife, Isabelle Brais Legault, said, I feel the same as every mother in Quebec, as every parent in Quebecyou want to share the pain.

Its important to take care of employees, Legault said. Those who saw that will probably see those images for their entire lives.

Motive Remains Incomprehensible

Public Security Minister Francois Bonnardel told reporters in Quebec City on Thursday, The motive remains incomprehensible still today. Lionel Carmant, the minister responsible for social services, told reporters theres no evidence the accused sought or received care for mental health.

Witnesses described the driver as pulling off his clothes, yelling, and requiring restraint after he got off the bus.

The driver was Pierre Ny St-Amand, 51, who worked for the citys transit authority, Societe de transport de Laval, for 10 years. His Facebook page shows him with his wife and two young daughters. His wifes Facebook profile picture shows them smiling in front of a Christmas tree in December.

Police were stationed outside his home, about 10 km from the crash site, late Wednesday. Neighbours described him to the Canadian Press as a quiet, pleasant father.

He has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder as well as seven other charges, including attempted murder and aggravated assault. He appeared in court virtually on Wednesday afternoon, while lying in a hospital bed. His next court date is Feb. 17.

Rescue

Two of the six injured children were released from the hospital on Thursday. Two others at Montreals Sainte-Justine childrens hospital are reported to be in a favourable state of health. Two others are in a Laval hospital and their lives are not in danger.

At the daycare site on Thursday, Legault thanked the people who rushed to help the children after the crash.

Andre Beaudoin, whose 2-year-old son attends the daycare, was one of the first to respond. He had just parked his car to drop off his son when he saw the crash. He told reporters at the site Thursday that he helped pull four children from underneath the bus.

I was the first under the bus  I have kids  so to me, there are kids under the bus, you have to get them out. No matter what happens, he said.

Sebastien Courtois, the father of a 4-year-old boy who was taken to hospital, told Radio Canada his wife arrived on the scene Wednesday and saw their son lying on a table. When he saw his mother, the first question he asked was Why did he do it?

Laval police have not released any additional details about the investigation. Police spokesperson Erika Landry told The Epoch Times via email Thursday afternoon, As for the reasons and the state of the suspect, it is all part of the investigation.  The investigation is ongoing. I can tell you that the suspect has no link to the daycare.

Police set up a command post on site Thursday, along with crisis workers available to provide support to citizens.

Prime Minister Trudeau said in Ottawa Wednesday, I cant imagine what the families are going through, but if theres anything the federal government can do, well be there.

I know there are no words for parents who have lost their children this way, he said.

Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre said on Twitter, Im heartbroken by the violent bus attack at the daycare in Laval.  My heart goes out to the family members who lost loved ones and those injured in this tragedy.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
Sanders Calls on Starbucks CEO to Testify About the Coffee Giants Labor Practices

Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and every Democrat member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions invited Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz to testify about his companys compliance with federal labor laws.

The invitation was sent on Feb. 8 via a letter signed by members of the committee that Sanders chairs.

Please consider this letter an invitation to testify before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) on March 9, 2023, the senators wrote.

We look forward to seeing you. We greatly appreciate your assistance to the HELP Committee.

According to Sanders press release, workers at more than 350 Starbucks locations across nearly 40 states have held votes to unionize since the first store in Buffalo voted to do so in December 2021.

The employees have cited a variety of concerns, including safer working conditions during the pandemic and better wages, as well as better benefits, and more reliable schedules.

The lawmaker goes on to claim that the $122 billion company has fought its employees every step of the way, including by using delay strategies, hampering tactics, and a significant uptick in union busting.

The press release reports that 500 claims of unfair labor practices have been made against Starbucks and its subsidiaries.

In response to these allegations, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has filed 75 complaints with the federal courts, and five requests for emergency preliminary injunctive relief.

In the past year, Sanders has written three letters to Schultz urging him to put an end to the companys egregious campaign of union-busting against its own employees. The most recent letter Sanders wrote to Schultz was in January 2023.

It has been nearly 400 days since the first Starbucks union was certified by the NLRB, and yet you and your company have refused to bargain a first contract in good faith, Sanders wrote in a recent letter.

Mr. Schultz, my request to you is simple: Obey the law. Sit down with your workers and bargain in good faith. Agree to a first contract that is fair and just. Stop shutting down pro-union shops and reinstate workers who have been fired for union organizing.

The Vermont lawmaker has made his opinion of the Starbucks CEO apparent.

In August 2022, Sanders posted a tweet saying, If Howard Schultz, the Starbucks CEO, who is worth $4 billion can afford a $145 million, 254-foot super yacht with a helicopter pad, you know what? He can afford to negotiate a fair first contract with Starbucks workers who voted to form a union in over 230 locations in America.

Schultz has not yet responded to Sanderss recent letter or delivered the documents the lawmaker requested.

In addition to Sanders, the letter was signed by senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.).
Everybody wants to save the earth; nobody wants to help mom do the dishes. That line from satirist P.J. ORourke in All the Trouble in the World applies to the 2022 World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, where high-ranking government officials and elites gathered to discuss climate change. Thousands of them arrived via high-polluting private jets, prompting an outcry from environmentalists.

Here, I suppose, we might recast ORourkes witticism as Everybody wants to save the Earth, but nobody wants to take the train. Adding to the delicious hilarity of this hypocrisy is the fact that this swarm of luxury jets buzzing in and out of Davos has drawn criticism in past years as well, marking our grand poohbahs as slow learners.

We find this same big-picture humbug in the promises and programs of politicians. They put forth grand and expensive schemes to abolish poverty, revamp our failing educational system, or protect us from a virus, but few of them are willing to stand over that sink of dishes. Theyll fund soup kitchens galore, but you wont find that gang scrubbing pots and pans.

On the other end of the spectrum are those who encourage us to walk a path where we truly can make a difference. In a meme, teacher John Perricone relates that he invited a Buddhist monk to speak to his senior elective class. The monk entered the classroom and without saying a word went straight to the board and wrote out ORourkes words about saving the earth and doing the dishes. The class laughed, and then the monk explained that while it was unlikely any of them would ever rescue a child from a burning orphanage, they had opportunities every day to show kindness and respect to those around them. In the smallest gesture of kindness, he said, you have committed an act of immeasurable profundity.

Sometimes these gestures are profound indeed. In the article 5 Acts of Kindness That Changed History, HistoryExtra editor Elinor Evans writes of the American Jesse Owens, four-time gold medalist at Nazi Germanys 1936 Berlin Olympics. Though he was the world record holder in the long jump, Owens twice missed the mark in that event, thereby risking elimination. One of his competitors, German athlete and European champion Luz Long, advised Owens to adjust his run-up to the mark. Owens did so and won first place and a gold medal, with Long placing second. Later, Owens praised Long for his friendship and kindness and credited him for the win.

Most of us wont win a gold medal, in the Olympics or elsewhere, and no human being will save the earthif in fact the planet needs savingbut every one of us has the ability to polish up our corner of the world. One of the greatest advocates of this approach was a nun, Therese of Lisieux (18731897). In her short life, Therese spoke and wrote of the little way, a commitment to everyday tasks while showing respect and love to the people we encounter in our daily lives. Today, her autobiography The Story of a Soul and the example of her life continue to inspire people of all faiths, who apply the principles of the little way to their own lives.

This philosophy of taking care of the small things and making an effort to improve the world around us brings comradery in the workplace, harmony to the home, and comfort to friends and strangers alike. We need our dreamers, our visionaries and creators who point us to the stars, but they too best succeed when they keep the common touch.

So lets roll up our sleeves and get to those dishes.
SEC Warns Against Including Crypto Assets in Retirement Accounts

Representations of virtual cryptocurrencies are placed on U.S. Dollar banknotes in this illustration taken on Nov. 28, 2021. (Dado Ruvic/Reuters)

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned Americans over the risk of including assets like cryptocurrencies in their self-directed individual retirement accounts (IRAs) as well as unregulated trading platforms posing as exchanges.

Some self-directed IRAs offer investment in crypto assets like tokens, coins, and virtual currencies. Such assets may be securities that are offered without SEC registration or a valid exemption from registration, and may not be accompanied by complete or accurate information to aid investors in making informed decisions, the SEC said in a Feb. 7 alert.

In addition, many of the trading platforms for these crypto assets refer to themselves as exchanges, which may give investors the misimpression that they have registered with the SEC.

A self-directed IRA is held by a custodian and allows for investments in a wider range of assets than other types of IRA, including cryptocurrencies, promissory notes and precious metals. Investments in such assets come with a risk of fraud as well as a potential lack of information and liquidity.

In addition, self-directed IRAs may also come with the risk of a lack of regulatory and legal protection, the SEC warned. Fraudsters are more likely to exploit self-directed IRAs as custodians of such accounts offer limited protections, the agency added.

Informed Decisions

Federal authorities have raised concerns about crypto assets being included in retirement plans. In March last year, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued guidelines stating that the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) aimed to investigate 401(k) plans that allow cryptocurrencies and related products.

Cryptocurrencies are very different from typical retirement plan investments, and it can be extraordinarily difficult, even for expert investors, to evaluate these assets and separate the facts from the hype, the department said in a March 10 compliance assistance release.

Participants are less likely to have sufficient knowledge about these investments, as compared to traditional investments, or to have the technical expertise necessary to make informed decisions about investing in them.

In a Feb. 1 interview with Blockworks, Dan Hoover, director of investment firm Castle Funds, said that DOL guidelines had chilled interest by plan sponsors and fiduciaries in direct cryptocurrency investments for now.

In November, New York Attorney General Letitia James wrote a letter (pdf) to Congress members, seeking to enforce legislation barring citizens from buying cryptocurrencies and other digital assets using their IRA funds and defined contribution plans like 401(k) and 457.

IRAs and defined contribution retirement plans are key investment vehicles for working people who choose to forego income now to fund their retirement later  When workers retire, if they lack sufficient retirement savings to fund their living expenses, it will fall to state governments to ensure retirees are housed, clothed, and properly cared for, the letter stated.

Crypto Losses

The warnings about cryptocurrencies being included in retirement accounts come as some investors in these assets have suffered massive losses in recent years.

Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, a $14.6 billion trust used by individual investors to bet on bitcoin in their retirement accounts, has fallen from its peak of around $56.70 in February 2021 to currently trade at $11.75, a decline of almost 80 percent in just two years.

Following the implosion of the FTX crypto exchange last year, at least 15 state and municipal pension funds in the United States are believed to have suffered losses.

In January, the White House warned against greenlighting legislation that would allow institutions like pension funds to dive headlong into crypto markets.

In the past year, traditional financial institutions limited exposure to cryptocurrencies has prevented turmoil in cryptocurrencies from infecting the broader financial system. It would be a grave mistake to enact legislation that reverses course and deepens the ties between cryptocurrencies and the broader financial system, the White House said.
Sen. Josh Hawley Proposes Legal Minimum Age for Youth to Use Social Media

A teenager presents a smartphone with the logo of Chinese social network Tik Tok in Nantes, western France, on Jan. 21, 2021. (LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images)

Amid growing backlash against social media platforms, including legislation targeting Chinese-owned TikTok and other apps, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) said in a Feb. 7 interview with NBC News that he plans to sponsor legislation that will set a minimum age of 16 for users of social media and that he also plans to commission a study on the impact of social media on young users well-being.

Hawley made his announcement right before President Bidens State of the Union address, and just days after some of the harshest public criticism directed at TikTok, as Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, urged the Biden administration to take more aggressive action to monitor TikToks gathering of data and the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) influence over content shared on the platform.

The announcement also comes just weeks after a court decision in the United Kingdom that directly blamed Meta (formerly Facebook) for the suicide of a 14-year-old girl, Molly Russell. The coroner in the case called Russells death an act of self-harm resulting directly from depression and the negative effects of online content, and the courts ruling stated that social media affected her mental health in a negative way and contributed to her death in a more than minimal way.

Hawley presented his proposed legislation as necessary to protect users of an impressionable age from the extremely harmful peer pressure, harassment, body shaming, invasions of privacy, and other ills for which social media have been widely criticized.

For me, this is about protecting kids, protecting their mental health, protecting their safety. Theres ample evidence to this effect that big tech companies put their profits ahead of protecting kids online, Hawley told NBC News.

Known for his political and social conservatism, Hawley described his effort as a bipartisan one growing out of long-running discussions with Democrat lawmakers.

Ive had a lot of conversations with Democrats across the aisle and over the years about this topic generally and about different pieces of this. I dont see this as a partisan issue. I mean, this is about protecting kids from the irresponsible and rapacious big tech companies, he said.

Hawley is a longstanding critic of big tech and social media, but his proposal is not the plan of a lone cynic.

Hawleys announcement comes at a juncture where the tech sector has been rocked by layoffs of tens of thousands of employees, and the announced termination of thousands more. In November 2022, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg dismissed 11,000 employees, or 13 percent of its total number, in a move without precedent in the countrys history, and mass firings have also taken place or been announced at PayPal, Microsoft, and Amazon in recent months.

The share price of Meta dropped by more than 25 percent and Facebook lost $230 billion in market value, the biggest one-day loss in history for a U.S. company. This followed the companys first ever drop in daily user numbers, on Feb. 3, 2022. (Photo Illustration by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Some observers have blamed the layoffs on a cultural shift in which growing numbers of people have come to recognize the harm that immersion in social media can inflict on users well-being or have simply grown tired of using social media constantly as the novelty wears off and the platforms consume disproportionate amounts of their time.

The Epoch Times has reached out to Meta for comment.
OZARK  The Kiwanis Club of Ozark will host the annual fundraising Pancake and Bacon Supper on Feb. 28 from 5 until 6:45 p.m. at Perry Recreation Center, located at 223 Community Drive in Ozark.

Tickets are $8 purchased in advance or $9 at the door. Children under six eat free.

The Kiwanis Club of Ozark celebrates its 99th year this year. The club provides support to local area agencies, schools, and projects supporting children and families. The clubs motto is Children Priority One.

A portion of the proceeds from the event benefits Alabama Childrens Hospital. Past recipients of Kiwanis Club of Ozark grants include Mary Hill Family Service Center, Vivian B. Adams School, the Boys and Girls Club of Ozark-Dale County, Wiregrass United Way, Relay for Life, the Dale County Pregnancy Center, and Ozark-Dale County Library.

The Kiwanis Club of Ozark also recently provided a meal for students participating in the Ozark City and Dale County Schools production of Footloose. Other ongoing projects include the annual Ozark/Kiwanis Club Christmas Parade, Key Clubs at Carroll High School and Dale County High School, and a brown bag program that feeds seniors every month out of Perry Recreation Center.

The Kiwanis Club of Ozark meets for lunch at noon on Tuesdays at Hoppergrass in Ozark. To purchase tickets to the Feb.28 Pancake and Bacon Supper, see any Kiwanis member, call (334) 237-3564, or message the Kiwanis Club of Ozark on Facebook at http://facebook.com/kiwanisclubozark
LYON, FranceShen Yun Performing Arts is back in Lyon. Since Saturday, Feb. 4, ancestral sounds of traditional China have been resonating in the City of Light.

This Wednesday, Feb. 8, many people came from the Drome, Ardeche, Haute-Loire and, of course, from the Lyon area to partake in this revival of 5,000 years of civilization.

Bernard Marion was a real estate management consultant. He is now enjoying his retirement in Ardeche. For three years, he had been hoping to see Shen Yun.

The movements are fantastic, the costumes are beautiful and the music goes very well with it. Frankly, I loved it and I will come back next year, thats for sure, he said.

Pierre Thebault also comes from Ardeche. This former administrative director said he was blown away by the show.

It is extraordinary. And on top of that there is a wonderful orchestra. But the speed of these dancers amazes me. The shimmering colors, how shall I say  the vitality and enthusiasm of all the dancers is outstanding. I am delighted, delighted, delighted! Im going to advertise it!

Gilbert Veysseyre used to be an executive in the pharmaceutical industry and is now retired.

What a beautiful orchestra with all the dances well adapted to this beautiful music! Mr. Veysseyre

According to Mr. Bernard Marion, You feel in osmosis with the music and with the movements as well  And that feels good, especially in our time. It does a lot of good!

Pierre Thebault said he felt a little bit in a dream, in the imagination, because the quality of the animated backdrop and the scenery is extraordinary. It leaves us a bit stunned  It is frankly very well done, very, very well done.

Peace, serenity, and hope were words repeated by the theatergoers.

According to Pierre Thebault, Shen Yun can bring us serenity, and hope, because it talks about traditional values.

Gilbert Veysseyre hoped the show would bring us peace and serenity. What would we like? To hold hands all together to have this peace in the world, this serenity, this tranquility and this beauty that we discover. If men could try to understand each other well!

What is a human? We are only passing through  So lets try to reflect a little bit and not look with cruelty at what is happening and what we can do.

Reporting by NTD and Sarita Modmesaib.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
Mr. Park Il-jung, the former speaker of the Gimcheon City Council and the president of Umok Tree Arboretum, attends Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Gumi Arts CenterGrand Hall in Gumi, South Korea, on Feb. 8, 2023. (Kim Guk-hwan/The Epoch Times)

GUMI, South KoreaMr. Park Il-jung, the former speaker of the Gimcheon City Council and the president of Umok Tree Arboretum, felt refreshed attending Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Gumi Arts CenterGrand Hall in Gumi, South Korea, on Feb. 8.

Shen Yun brought a great production to our Gumi City. After attending Shen Yun, Im very pleased, and my body is full of energy. I feel we [Korean people] will be very lucky from now on, he said.

Mr. Park said Shen Yun is therapy for the soul.

Shen Yun is a huge gift to us human beings!  Park Il-jung

Shen Yun purified our souls. I feel the whole universe and the human world has become more transparent, cleaner, and elevated to a place of more positive energy, he said. Shen Yun is a huge gift to us human beings!

Mr. Park was surprised by Shen Yuns animated backdrop, which interacted with the dancers on the stage.

The dancers were dancing on stage. They were dancing and dancing. Suddenly, they jumped into the air. In the next second, they were inside the backdrop! They flew away, he said. The design is so magical!

New York-based Shen Yun is the worlds top classical Chinese dance company, and has a mission to show the beauty and goodness of China before communism.

Mr. Park liked Shen Yuns programs mentioned heaven.

Seeing the vastness and beautiful scenes of the universe, I was full of enthusiasm. I felt divine beings were bringing us great dreams. Then my brain had images that heavenly maidens were coming to us, he said with a big smile.

I felt, the dancers have a broad mind. They danced so happily and cheerfully, he said. Watching their dances, I felt that I was young again. My heart was even dancing with them.

Mr. Park appreciated Shen Yuns effort to deliver something profound.

I saw Shen Yun present us human dignity, the greatness of life, and the importance of loyalty and filial piety, he said.

Shen Yun is a life experience. Each and every person must attend at least once, Mr. Park said. Shen Yun gives us hope. I felt it rebuilds our spirits. I know my life will be happier and more glorious because I attended Shen Yun.

For 5,000 years, Chinas civilization was built on values and virtues from the spiritual teachings of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, virtues like loyalty, propriety, wisdom, justice, and benevolencevalues that are universal and shared the world over.

See Chinas History

The colors of Shen Yun are amazingly rich. The dancers skills and techniques are awesome! said Mr. Lee Jinyoung, the director of the Daegu Gyeongbuk English Village Education Cooperation. Its very hard to find a show like Shen Yun anywhere in the world. It presents the vast depth and mysteries of Chinas history.

Mr. Lee said he was very impressed by Shen Yuns dances, music, backdrop, costumes, and colors. He felt the production had a divine nature.

Ms. Na Kyung-hee, a traditional Korean music teacher, was surprised to find Shen Yun very different from the online video.

She said the real performance is majestic!

I was shocked when I first saw the stage. Also, the interaction between the backdrop and the stage is fabulous! she said. The footages on the backdrop are very beautiful. However, they cooperated with the dancers movements accurately and closely. This design is fantastic!

Ms. Na hoped people wont be limited by the videos, because the real performance was far beyond what any video could capture.

You have to attend Shen Yun at least once. You will understand the stories. You will enjoy the arts, she said.

Each Shen Yun performance consists of nearly 20 vignettes, presented through highly-expressive art forms such as classical Chinese dance, original orchestral music performed live, soloists who sing in the bel canto tradition, animated digital backdrops, and more.

Ms. Na Kyung-hee, a Korean traditional musician teacher, attends Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Gumi Arts CenterGrand Hall in Gumi, South Korea, on Feb. 8, 2023. (Kim Guk-hwan/The Epoch Times)

Reporting by Epoch Times Staff in Gumi, South Korea.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
Mr. Kang Jingu, the executive director of Pyeongan Company, attends Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Gumi Arts CenterGrand Hall in Gumi, South Korea, on Feb. 8, 2023. (Kim Guk-hwan/The Epoch Times)

GUMI, South KoreaKorean business executives said they were touched by Shen Yun Performing Arts after attending the performance at the Gumi Arts CenterGrand Hall in Gumi on Feb. 8.

This performance is fabulous! Very entertaining, said Mr. Kang Jingu, the executive director of Pyeongan Company. The time goes so fast, but we did see a lot of things.

Mr. Kang said every second of Shen Yun was entertaining.

I was mesmerized immediately when the curtain was first opened, he said. The charm of the traditional Chinese culture really touched my heart.

Mr. King said Shen Yun made a lot of impossible things possible.

In reality, its super hard to cooperate between the dynamic backdrop and the stage. But Shen Yun did it perfectly without any flaws. This is very refreshing, he said.

Mr. King said he attended Shen Yun after a friends recommendation. Now he will suggest the same to his friends who havent watched Shen Yun.

New York-based Shen Yun is the worlds top classical Chinese dance company, and has a mission to show the beauty and goodness of China before communism. For 5,000 years Chinas civilization was built on values and virtues from the spiritual teachings of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.

Splendid and Majestic

Convinced by celebrity comments, Mr. Lee Jae-ki drove one and half hours to Gumi to attend Shen Yun. Wow! The performance is splendid and majestic. I also learned many profound things from Shen Yun. Thats Chinas 5,000 years civilization.

Mr. Lee was the president of a trading business. He said, everything about Shen Yun is fantastic.

He said Shen Yun is very powerful but brought harmony to audiences.

The dancers coordinated with each other accurately and harmoniously. The atmosphere of the stage was very peaceful. We theatergoers were surrounded by strong, harmonious energy, he said. Im greatly satisfied with Shen Yun.

The colors are saturated, which looks very exquisite. The backdrop is captivating. Shen Yuns techniques are formidable and fabulous. And the live orchestra played very powerful music with both Western and Eastern instruments, he said.

Mr. Lee suggested people of all different ages attend Shen Yun.

The traditional culture and values that Shen Yun delivers will benefit everybody, including young generations and people my age, he said.

Mr. Lee Jae-ki, the former president of a trading business, attends Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Gumi Arts CenterGrand Hall in Gumi, South Korea, on Feb. 8, 2023. (Kim Guk-hwan/The Epoch Times)

Each Shen Yun performance consists of nearly 20 vignettes, presented through highly-expressive art forms such as classical Chinese dance, original orchestral music performed live, soloists who sing in the bel canto tradition, animated digital backdrops, and more.

My Soul Is Cleaned

Ms. Jeon Hwan-hye, a Ph.D. in Microbiology, was very excited after attending Shen Yun.

Shen Yun has a unique character. It can clean peoples souls, she said. No words can describe how wonderful Shen Yun is. My soul is cleaned.

Ms. Jeon said Shen Yuns beauty can help people to forget their bad memories and only save the positive and happy ones. It uplifted her by the means of its various aspects.

The costumes are gorgeous. The curves and colors match with each other so harmoniously. They lighted up my heart, she said. The live orchestra is fantastic.

Ms. Jeon said that as a woman, she particularly enjoyed the female dances.

The female dancers have perfect figures. They danced very purely and it was touching, she said. Actually, all the dancers are extraordinary. They must have gone through a lot of training and practice. They all have outstanding skills and beautiful faces.

Ms. Jeon praised Shen Yun continually and said all theatergoers she saw were as happy and excited as she was.

Every year, Shen Yun puts on an all-new production, including new choreography, music, costumes, and backdrop sets. The 2023 season will be Shen Yuns biggest yet, with its eight equally sized touring companies set to visit more than 180 cities across five continents.

Reporting by Epoch Times Staff in Gumi, South Korea.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
LYON, FranceFrom Saturday Feb. 4 until Thursday, Feb. 9, Shen Yun Performing Arts, the prestigious classical Chinese dance and music company from, New York, is taking the stage at the Amphitheatre 3000 in the city of Lyon.

There are moments which take us back to a happy time in the past or make us live again particularly strong or moving moments.

This may have been the case for Angela Botta, who enjoyed Shen Yun on Sunday, Feb. 5.

A fashion designer by profession, Ms. Botta has worked for the luxury ready-to-wear and jewelry house Biche de Bere, among others.

This young retiree wanted to live the Shen Yun experience to start her retirement. Personally, its a wonderful gift I wanted to give myself to start my retirement.

Reflecting on the experience, the fashion designer said, her voice still full of emotion:

Its an enchantment of the heart and mind! It awakens the emotional side  it brings out all the deepest feelings one can have. Especially those in favor of peace, in favor of beauty  it is an expression of beauty, of movement an incredible work!

Beyond the Technique

In addition to her manual talent as a fashion designer, Ms. Botta says she practiced classical dance in her youth. So she shared about her understanding of Shen Yuns classical Chinese dance.

What I found very beautiful is the highly refined technique. This show goes beyond the techniquewhich makes us forget the techniqueto take us to an enchanting world, she said.

It was an enchanting world which allowed the young retiree to remember her dream as a young dancer while triggering in her a very strong emotion.

I remember  it took me back to my own past, my work, she said, when I was studying dance and I dreamed of going beyond technique.

I had dreamed of going beyond what I was being taught, you know, the technical movements at the beginning. Practicing dance would take me away  its like I would fly away in spirit a little bit, you know? I liked to go away in spirit and express that through my movements. But according to the technique I was learning, I couldnt do that because I was in class.

Classical Chinese dance is an ancestral dance system where the dancer expresses through his movements, his deepest emotions. Having never practiced this form, Ms. Botta could still feel and express the essence of this dance.

When I see this show, it takes me to what I wanted in the past. It moved me enormously because it reminded me of a magnificent period of dance, of my personal history, she said.

Then to see these artists  they have a big heart, they are attached to beauty, they are attached to technique, but you know that technique is not everything, she said. It is the heart that speaks. Here they have gone beyond the technique and make the heart speak, the human.

You Just Love Them

Ms. Botta was also very appreciative of the stories told in the dance narrative, and it was a true message of love the fashion designer wanted to address to the artists of Shen Yun.

The history, obviously with the conflicts, with the war and the desire for peace  To see they can portray it in such a strong and beautiful way, it made me cry, she said. Then you love them, you just love them, its only love, you want to hug them.

She particularly recalled the dance narrative describing the current persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, a traditional Chinese mind-body practice based on the principles of truth, compassion, and tolerance. Since 2001, practitioners of this discipline have been subjected to forced organ harvesting, a crime perpetrated by the Chinese Communist Party.

If we are human, we have some rationality and we safeguard the intelligence the Creator gave us  We can see there is something wrong  The Creator gave us our body and it is precious  We cant play with the body Heaven gave us! This brings back so many truths, she said.

It stirs up things that are deep within each of us. Who are we, and how do we try to live with each other, in community, as human beings?

Reporting by NTD and Sarita Modmesaib.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
Nick Muratore enjoyed Shen Yuns matinee at the California Center for the Arts, on Feb. 8, 2023. (NTD)

ESCONDIDO, Calif.On Feb. 8, Shen Yun opened the first of its seven consecutive shows at the California Center for the Arts. Sitting in the audience, business owner Nick Muratore was astounded by the performance.

It was awesome! It touched the spirit. You can tell it was very heartfelt. You just feel the energy, it was coming from a good place. You can tell the [performers] were completely [immersed] in it, he said.

He also thought Shen Yuns music was very soothing and pleasant to the soul. Very uplifting.

In his business, Mr. Muratore said he works with Chinese manufacturers and so it was nice to get connected with the culture, see how cool it is, and have it brought to America.

Shen Yun Performing Arts is the worlds premier classical Chinese dance and music company. Founded in 2006, the mission of its New York-based artists is to bring back the beauty of Chinas divinely-inspired culture.

Mr. Muratore especially enjoyed Shen Yuns short story-based dances depicting legends from ancient times. I thought it was amazing. I was able to follow the storyline completely. [The dancing] was great, very acrobatic. It was so fluid and in unison.

For thousands of years, Chinese people were very spiritual and had a deep belief in the divine. However, that was all destroyed within just a few decades of the communist takeover.

In fact, for reviving traditional culture and speaking the truth about what is going on in modern-day Chinese society, Shen Yun is banned from performing in China.

As a Christian, Mr. Muratore said Shen Yuns mission really resonated with him. I think theyre good values. I got the message about China before communism. Its a great message to the American people.

I think a lot of people need to see this. It would be good for everybody, he said.

Roger Hallman was fascinated by the innovative 3-D projections at Shen Yuns matinee, on Feb. 8, 2023. (NTD)

Also in the audience was Roger Hallman. As a computer security researcher, he was fascinated by Shen Yuns innovative 3-D backdrop.

I noticed that [the technology] is patented, so Im looking forward to going back and looking it up, he said.

[The backdrop] adds a lot of depth to the performance. Being able to see the performers on stage jump and then have their images zoom off to uproot a tree or turn into beesit was great fun.

According to its website, Shen Yuns 3-D projection brings the audience instantly into the story by extending the stage to infinite realms. With seamless cooperation between projection and performers, this technology allows for storytelling without limits.

Mr. Hallman said Shen Yuns mission to revive traditional culture was tremendously important and he was touched by the message.

I firmly believe that if we dont have a sense of where we come from, we become unmoored and adrift. You can go to a terrible place if that happens, he said. I appreciate the spirituality of it all. We live in a very secular time and, too often, our spirituality is forgotten. Its nice to see a performance where that is very prominent.

Mr. Hallman said he will be telling his family and friends back home that [Shen Yun] is well worth coming to, and you will be enriched. This was our first time, it will not be the last. We will be coming back.

Reporting by NTD and Jennifer Tseng.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
Mr. Kim Seong-hun, the chairman of the Gimhae Branch of the Korean Federation of Arts and Culture Organizations, attends Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Gumi Arts CenterGrand Hall in Gumi, South Korea, on Feb. 8, 2023. (Kim Guk-hwan/The Epoch Times)

GUMI, South KoreaSeveral artists said Shen Yun Performing Arts is the best in the world after attending the a performance at the Gumi Arts CenterGrand Hall in South Korea on Feb. 8.

The performance is majestic! It ultimately presented Chinas history, culture, and arts. It was done excellently. It felt like a fantasy, said Mr. Kim Seong-hun, the chairman of the Gimhae Branch of the Korean Federation of Arts and Culture Organizations.

Mr. Kim said he couldnt find another show as good as Shen Yun in South Korea and he was very touched by it.

I can feel the profound and deep culture, and meaning of the show. The show has a broad capacity. Its very moving.  Kim Seong-hun

The performance is perfect without any blemish, he said. I can feel the profound and deep culture, and meaning of the show. The show has a broad capacity. Its very moving. This is not a show a normal person can make.

Mr. Kim has worked in the arts and culture business for decades. He said he was in awe and amazement at the stage when the curtain first opened. Then, he enjoyed every moment.

The stage is brilliant. The costumes are delicate. The backdrop perfectly coordinates with the dancers on the stage. Its really outstanding, he said. The accuracy of the cooperation between the live orchestra, the stage, and the backdrop is formidable. All these factors make this a fabulous performance.

Mr. Kim said he couldnt believe there is a real performance as perfect as Shen Yun before he saw it for himself.

I believe Shen Yuns artistic director is a very capable person. I admire him a lot, he said.

Mr. Kim lives in Gimhae city, which is about one and half hours drive from Gumi.

We have a good theatre in Gimhae, but Shen Yun hasnt performed in Gimhae, Mr. Kim explained. Our team will discuss this with our mayor. We want to invite Shen Yun [to perform in Gimhae].

New York-based Shen Yun is the worlds top classical Chinese dance company, and has a mission to show the beauty and goodness of China before communism. For 5,000 years Chinas civilization was built on values and virtues from the spiritual teachings of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.

Transcended Time and Space

Mr. Lee Seok-hae is the chairman of the Daekyung Sotdae Writers Association, a photographer, a sotdae artist, and a PhD of Science. A sotdae is a tall wooden pole with a carved bird on its top, which Korean people use it to ward off evil spirits and pray for their well-being.

Mr. Lee was impressed that Shen Yun uses the most advanced technology to present the most traditional culture.

The performance is magnificent! he said. It uses the most advanced animated backdrop, which is grand!  We immediately saw Chinas history before communism, which combines the ethnic culture and folk culture.

He was amazed by Shen Yuns backdrop, which interacts with dancers on stage.

The moment when the real thing [dancers on stage] jumped into the backdrop is amazing. The connection is incredible! Very vivid and real, he said. Its really a magnificent performance!

Mr. Lee said Shen Yun artists expressiveness was extraordinary. He understood every dancers movement easily.

The story-based dances transcended time and space, he said. Dancers used their bodies and costumes to tell the stories. I can tell you every part of Shen Yun is very well-crafted.

As an artist, Mr. Lee is sensitive to colors.

Shen Yun uses many colors we havent seen in our lives. I believe it revives the colors in ancient China, he said.

Mr. Lee hoped Korean people could learn from Shen Yun to design a Korean show with Korean culture and tradition.

Each Shen Yun performance consists of nearly 20 vignettes, presented through highly-expressive art forms such as classical Chinese dance, original orchestral music performed live, soloists who sing in the bel canto tradition, animated digital backdrops, and more.

Mr. Lee Seok-hae, the chairman of the Daekyung Sotdae Writers Association, attends Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Gumi Arts CenterGrand Hall in Gumi, South Korea, on Feb. 8, 2023. (Lee You-jung/The Epoch Times)

Everything of Shen Yun Is Invigorating

Shen Yun is very, very, very, very good! said Ms. Jung Hae-jin, the CEO of Korea Red Ginseng Theme Park. The music is entertaining and touching. The colors are enchanting. Everything of Shen Yun is invigorating.

Ms. Jung said theres nothing that can be as perfect and beautiful as Shen Yun, and the companys artistic level is the highest in the world.

No words can describe how wonderful Shen Yun is, she said. Im very moved. The show is astounding!

Reporting by Epoch Times Staff in Gumi, South Korea.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
Attorney Bruce Hahn and his wife, Karen, enjoyed Shen Yuns evening show at Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, on Feb. 8, 2023. (Mary Mann/The Epoch Times)

RENO, Nev.Attorney Bruce Hahn and his wife, Karen, couldnt be more ecstatic when they discovered that Shen Yun is hosting two performances at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts in its 2023 touring season.

The couple has already seen Shen Yun five times. However, they had to drive over the hill and in the snow to get to California each time for the show. They were grateful and excited that this year Shen Yun came to them instead.

I love the spiritual impact it leaves upon me. The performance is just spectacularIm crying.  Bruce Hahn

Its a superb show. Its a new performance every year, Mr. Hahn said as he stepped out of the theater on Feb. 8. I love the spiritual impact it leaves upon me. The performance is just spectacularIm crying.

He cries every time! Mrs. Hahn laughingly confirmed.

Shen Yun Performing Arts is the worlds top classical Chinese dance and music company.

Seeking to revive Chinas 5,000 years of traditional culture destroyed by years of violent communist rule, these New York-based artists are traveling worldwide to bring to everyone the beauty of China before communism.

Audience members can expect a brand-new set of choreography and music every year.

For Mr. Hahn, what touched him most about Shen Yun was the performances energy and atmosphere.

I am moved by what I see, what I hear, and what I feel in my spirit, he said. When I watch the performers, and I hear the music, I can feel from the stage what theyre projecting to methe sadness, hope, and joy.

Mr. Hahn also thought Shen Yuns vocalist was superb and the songs lyrics powerful. Its a strong message that we need to look to our past before we [can] decide what our future will be. Its a good message.

The theme of [Shen Yun] is for us to appreciate our cultural roots and that there is hope. There is hope despite the troubled times that we are in. Thats what spoke to me, Mr. Hahn said.

Dr. Peter Kasprzak attended Shen Yun Performing Arts on Feb. 8, 2023, in Reno, Nev. (Lily Yu/The Epoch Times)

Also in attendance was physician Peter Kasprzak, who enjoyed Shen Yun for the very first time.

While Dr. Kasprzak agreed that the dances were absolutely incredible and the stories are marvelous, what stood out to him the most was Shen Yuns portrayal of the suffering of the Chinese people at the hands of the ruling communist regime.

Dr. Kasprzak was moved by Shen Yuns modern-day story dance depicting the Chinese Communist Partys persecution of Falun Gonga spiritual belief whose followers uphold the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.

For years, the communist regime has been killing Falun Gong practitioners and harvesting their organs to fund Chinas organ trafficking business.

As a physician, I know about the [forced organ donation.] I know that story and it just stands out tonight in my mind how horrible it is. [The fact] that its still going on today is unbelievable and that the world would tolerate it is just wrong, Dr. Kasprzak expressed.

Someone should speak out. [The Chinese Communist Party] should have to answer for their crimes. Yet, the world just seems to ignore it and look away. Its all about money and cheap labor. People are being persecuted and its wrong.

Dr. Kasprzak said watching Shen Yun made him very happy and gave him a warm feeling. It gives you a very uplifting feeling. It feels so good to be hereit makes your heart feel good.

Referring to Shen Yuns mission to revive traditional culture, Dr. Kasprzak said its wonderful that were learning about the culture of China before the communist ruined the country. He thought this is very important because people need to know what true China was and what has happened to the country.

Its an amazing history of thousands of years. Im so grateful that the company is bringing that back and educating people, he said.

I commend all the [performers] for what theyre doing and the risk that theyre taking to present these stories. The Chinese government does not want this to happenand you just got to appreciate what these folks are doing to educate the world. I think its a wonderful thing.

Reporting by Mary Mann, Lily Yu, and Jennifer Tseng.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
Shuttered South African Airline Comair Sues Boeing Over 737 MAX Purchases

A Boeing 737 Max aircraft during a display at the Farnborough International Airshow in Farnborough, Britain, on July 20, 2022. (Peter Cziborra/Reuters)

WASHINGTONA shuttered South African airline sued Boeing Co. for fraud over its agreement to buy eight 737 MAX planes and seeks damages of at least $83 million.

Boeing placed profits over safety and led with a plan of deception, Comairs suit filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Seattle said. Boeing declined to comment.

Comair said Boeing committed fraud over its failure to disclose problems with a key flight control system tied to two fatal 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019 in Indonesia and Ethiopia that killed 346 people and led to the MAXs 20-month grounding.

Comair operated flights for British Airways and its own brand Kulula.com until it halted operations in June.

The airline said Boeing refused to return $45.2 million in advance payments it made on seven MAX planes. It had paid for and received one 737 MAX.

Polish national airline PLL LOT sued Boeing in late 2021 in Seattle on similar grounds over 737 MAX purchases and the suit is pending.

LOT in October asked a U.S. judge in Texas to declare it was a crime victim in the Boeing 737 MAX criminal case and said it has at least $250 million in damages.

U.S. District Judge Reed OConnor ruled in October people killed in two Boeing 737 MAX crashes are legally crime victims. LOT argued it should have the same rights.

Last month, Boeing pleaded not guilty to a 737 MAX fraud conspiracy felony charge after families objected to a 2021 Justice Department deferred prosecution agreement to resolve the investigation into the planes flawed design.

OConnor had ordered the arraignment. OConnor is weighing a request from families to appoint an independent examiner to oversee Boeings compliance with the agreement. Boeing opposes the request and says it has been in compliance with the agreement for the last two years.

By David Shepardson
South Dakota House Passes Bill to Ban Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes in Elections

Official absentee ballot issued in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 11, 2022. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

The South Dakota House of Representatives has passed a bill proposing to make the use of drop boxes for absentee ballots illegal in all elections in the state.

The bill, HB 1165, which requires all voters to return mail-in ballots either by mail or in-person to elections offices, advanced to the state Senate after the GOP-majority lower chamber voted 5711 on Tuesday.

According to the new legislation (pdf), the states mail-in voting processes would change to allow partisan poll watchers to observe the ballot counting, prohibit the distribution of pre-filled mail-in ballot applications, and increase penalties for mail-in voting misdemeanors.

Per the legislation, county auditors will be banned from sending out absentee ballots after the Monday before Election Day, and the state Board of Elections must create rules for absentee voting in nursing facilities, assisted living centers, and hospitals.

These rules would be valid for both primary and general elections.

It will clean up our elections, said Republican state Rep. Kevin Jensen. It doesnt infringe on anybody.

The Bill

According to the bill, South Dakota residents wishing to vote by mail must make a written request for an absentee ballot, signed by the applicant, and it must contain their voter registration address, as well as an oath verifying the information.

The oath can be administered by a notary public or authorized officer, and if the request does not include an oath, it must be accompanied by a copy of the voters identification card, the bill states. The request can be used to obtain an absentee ballot for all elections in the same calendar year, if indicated.

The ballot will be sent to the voters residence or temporary address as designated by the voter, according to the bill. Residents covered by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act can opt to receive their ballot electronically.

The bill states that the person in charge of the election will stamp the application with the date of receipt and must keep a record of the name, mailing address, and voting precinct of each applicant. A copy of this record will be delivered to the superintendent of the election board of the applicants home precinct.

Republican state Rep. Kirk Chaffee, the bills sponsor, summed it up with the phrase: Easy to vote, hard to cheat.

The bill, which will now go to the state Senate State Affairs committee, is likely to become law as Republicans control both chambers of the state Legislature and the governorship.

If signed into law, South Dakota will join the growing number of Republican states that have restricted drop boxes in recent years.

Drop Boxes Convenient

Proponents of the use of drop boxes in elections argue they offer a convenient and accessible option for voters to return their ballots.

Democracy Docket, a progressive media platform founded by top Democrat lawyer Marc Elias, states on its website that by providing a round-the-clock option, voting becomes as easy as filling out a ballot at home and depositing it in a secure box whenever the voter has time, a much more convenient process than going to a polling place or dropping it off at an election office during their limited hours of operation.

The organization also says they are more convenient for election officials as they allow them to collect ballots directly from voters, avoiding issues with postal services and potential delays.

A number of states have enacted restrictions on drop boxes in recent years. Last year, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled them illegal.

In January, Ohio restricted the number of ballot drop boxes per county to one and changed the law to require photo identification as a requirement for voting, instead of relying on other government documents or utility bills. The state also shortened the time frame for returning ballots and fixing any errors (known as curing), while also banning curbside voting.
South Korea Fines German Automakers for Rigging Diesel Car Emissions

South Korea officials fined German automakers for colluding to rig diesel car emissions.

The countrys antitrust regulator announced the imposition of a fine totaling a combined 42.3 billion won ($33.48 million) on three German automakers for colluding to curb emissions-cleaning technology for their diesel-powered cars, reported Reuters.

Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi (Volkswagen) were accused of colluding to hurt competition and restrict consumer choice, the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) stated in a press release on Feb. 9.

The KFTC fined Mercedes-Benz Korea 20.7 billion won, BMW Korea 15.7 billion won, and Audi (a Volkswagen subsidiary) 6 billion.

However, the regulatory agency said that Volkswagen was not directly penalized, as the German automaker failed to earn any revenue relevant to the case.

Volkswagen was not found to have sold the diesel cars in question.

German Auto Cartel Caught Cheating by South Korean Authorities

The carmakers were found to have installed software designed to reduce nitrogen oxide, which barely satisfied Korean environmental regulations, reported The Korea Herald.

The KFTC said the three carmakers agreed at a meeting in Stuttgart, Germany, in June 2006 to adopt a dual-mode Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) software system, which would reduce the amount of diesel exhaust fluid that releases nitrogen oxide emissions.

The private agreement was written ahead of stricter regulations by the European Union, South Korea, and other countries concerning nitrogen oxide emissions.

The gas has been found to cause acid rain and is linked to asthma, respiratory disorders, and lung disease.

The three carmakers had an agreement so that not a single company would make more eco-friendly (diesel) cars using a single-mode system. They limited competition for developing innovative clean technology and consumer choice to buy more clean cars, said Shin Dong-yeol, head of the cartel investigation division of the KFTC.

A single-mode SCR system is designed to reduce more nitrogen oxide than dual mode systems.

Shin said that Bosch, the German auto parts supplier, initially suggested that Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Volkswagen use the more effective single-mode system, but they rejected the notion because it required larger diesel exhaust fluid tanks, which would add excessive weight and negatively affect fuel economy.

The regulator chief blamed the collusion for causing the dieselgate scandal in which car manufacturers caught manipulating the emissions reduction system, which was exposed in 2015, when Volkswagen was caught fixing engine emission standards test on about 500,000 of its diesel cars.

German Automakers Also Investigated, Fined for Rigging Admission Standards

Last year, Mercedes-Benz and its Korean division were fined 16 billion won for false advertising tied to diesel gas emissions and for also rigging their tests.

It is the first case for the Fair Trade Commission to penalize companies of research and development collusion, stressing that price or quantity of products as well as eco-friendly features is a key competition parameter, Shin added.

Mercedes-Benz refuted the KFTCs allegations and stated that they had complied with all local standards.

On the similar account (on colluding with the other two companies), the case has been referred to the European Commission. We have been exempted from the fines through voluntary report, said a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson, The Korea Herald reported.

A Mercedes-Benz spokesperson told Reuters that the German carmaker will not have to pay any fine and referred to the outcome of a similar investigation by the European Commission.

The case related to the same set of facts which has been subject to the European Commissions proceedings and where Mercedes-Benz acted as a leniency applicant and did not have to pay a fine, said the spokesperson.

The European Commission in 2021 fined Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, and BMW a total of $939 million for similarly colluding to reduced the use of emissions-cleaning technology they had developed, but Mercedes-Benz, was not fined at that time after revealing its existence.

At no point were agreements or an exchange of information on prices, volumes or market sharing part of the investigation, the spokesperson added.

The German automaker claimed that it did not share any information on the price, production volume, or other business strategies of its cars with other companies.

We cannot agree with the commissions claims that this alleged collusion led to the dieselgate scandal, the spokesperson concluded.

Reuters contributed to this report.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) predicts the aviation market will fully recover from the impacts of Covid-19 lockdowns by the end of this year.

Passenger transport is expected to rise 45% from last year to 80 million in 2023, according to the industrys governing body. CAAV has also reported that growth in the cargo transport sector this year is expected to grow 15% to 1.44 million tons.

This would equate to a 1% growth in passenger transit and 14.8% in cargo compared to 2019, when the aviation sector had yet to be affected by the pandemic.

Some 34 million passengers from Vietnam are set to travel internationally in 2023, a tripling of last years numbers, according to analysts at CAAV.

The CAAV is already seeing high growth in the Vietnamese domestic market compared to 2019, while the international market is still recovering and could reach 2019 levels by the end of this year.

However, challenges remain, according to the authoritys experts in Vietnam. The country has few major airports, all of which face limited capacities. The fluctuation of fuel prices, staff shortages, and the Russia-Ukraine crisis will continue to negatively impact the industry in 2023.

Concerns about the return of Covid, and both global and local economic difficulties might hamper the growth of demand, especially among key tourist markets such as South Korea and Japan.

Passengers will mostly travel for business, family visits and study programs, according to CAAV.

Although China has resumed travel and economic activities with Vietnam, it will take longer than this year for the aviation segment to recover to pre-pandemic levels, some have said.

Global international passenger transport is set to reach 80% of 2019 levels this year, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The Asia-Pacific region is set to recover slowest, the association added.
Southwest Airlines in US Senate Hot Seat Over December Meltdown

COO, not CEO, to testify, along with president of pilots union

A Southwest Airlines ground crew member organizes unclaimed luggage at the Southwest Airlines luggage area, at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, Calif., on Dec. 28, 2022. (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)

When a U.S. Senate committee scrutinizes the December operational meltdown of Southwest Airlines on Feb. 9, the companys CEO, Bob Jordan, will not be in the hot seat.

Instead, COO Andrew Watterson will be.

Unfortunately, the date that was selected for the hearing  overlapped a previous commitment for Bob, the airline said in a Feb. 6 email to The Epoch Times.

Watterson became COO only a few months ago, in October 2022. But the airline said he is well-informed about the issues that the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is exploring.

Andrew has been working in lockstep with Bob as we manage recovery efforts, the Southwest statement said. As Chief Operating Officer, Andrew is exceptionally well positioned to address the topics covered at the hearing, as well as answer any question a Senator may have.

Watterson and four other witnesses are scheduled to testify at this weeks hearing on Strengthening Airline Operations and Consumer Protections.

The hearing will focus on the causes and impacts of recent air travel disruptions, a committee statement says.

Problems Beyond Weather

Southwest is clearly in the crosshairs at the hearing; no other airline is specifically represented among the witnesses.

Although all U.S. airlines canceled flights amid a large, powerful winter storm that began a few days before Christmas, Southwest was hit hardest. Millions of people were affected as the airline canceled nearly 17,000 flights during the last 10 days of 2022. The airline reported last month that it lost about $800 million as a result of the meltdown.

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), chair of the committee, called for the hearing on Dec. 27, when Southwests problems were at their peak.

At the time, Cantwell wrote: The problems at Southwest Airlines over the last several days go beyond weather. The Committee will be looking into the causes of these disruptions and its impact to consumers. Many airlines fail to adequately communicate with consumers during flight cancellations. Consumers deserve strong protections, including an updated consumer refund rule.

Union Leader to Testify

Capt. Casey Murray, president of the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association, said in a statement that he looks forward to answering the Committees questions and shedding light on problems that have been plaguing Southwest for years to ensure that our pilots and passengers have a reliable travel experience going forward.

Capt. Casey Murray, president of the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association in a photo provided in January 2023. (SWAPA.org)

Murray also said he hopes to share lessons learned to ensure that all U.S. airlines take the steps necessary to prevent unnecessary service disruptions.

Southwests pilots have been sounding the alarm for years about Southwests outdated crew scheduling and IT processes, and they have been summarily ignored, a release from the union said. Murray, in fact, accurately predicted a major holiday meltdown during a podcast that was recorded a month before the airlines catastrophic failure.

A number of Southwest employees previously told The Epoch Times that they blamed outdated computer technology, management inaction, and deterioration of the companys corporate culture. Last month, Southwests pilots union announced that a strike-authorization vote is set for May because years-long contract negotiations remained stalled.

Airline Issues Prominent

The other witnesses who are slated to testify are Paul Hudson, president of a group called Flyers Rights; Sharon Pinkerton, representing an airline advocacy group, Airlines for America; and Clifford Winston, senior fellow at The Brookings Institution.

After hearing from the witnesses, the committee said it intends to examine recommendations and determine appropriate corrective actions to improve airline consumer protections and build stronger, more resilient airline operations.

The hearing comes on the heels of President Joe Bidens State of the Union speech, which touched briefly on airline-related issues.

Were making airlines show you the full ticket price upfront [and] refund your money if your flight is canceled or delayed, Biden said during his Feb. 7 address.

He spoke against junk fees that some businesses, including airlines, charge. Biden said he wants to prohibit airlines from charging $50 round trip for families just to be able to sit together.

Baggage fees are bad enough. Airlines cant treat your child like a piece of baggage, he said.
State AGs Tell Biden to Designate Mexican Drug Cartels as Terrorist Organizations

A truck burns after being set on fire amid an eruption of violence following the arrest of Ovidio Guzman Lopez, an alleged high-ranking member of a Mexican drug trafficking cartel, in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico, on Jan. 5, 2023. (Martin Urista/AP Photo)

The attorneys general for 21 states have urged the Biden administration to designate Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) under federal law, pointing to the rising fentanyl crisis.

In a letter (pdf) to President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the coalition of attorneys generalled by Virginias Jason Miyares, a Republicansaid that declaring Mexican drug cartels as FTOs will aid in freeing up resources needed to confront the deadly opioid crisis with the seriousness it deserves.

The attorneys general pointed to data from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) which states that in the 12-month period ending in October 2021, more than 105,000 Americans died of drug overdoses, with almost two-thirds of those deaths related to synthetic opioids such as fentanyl.

According to the DEA, the United States suffered more fentanyl-related deaths than gun and auto-related deaths combined in 2021.

The attorneys general cited the DEA stating that drug cartels such as the Sinaloa cartel and Cartel Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) mass produce fentanyl in Mexico using chemicals from China before pressing it into pills or mixing it with other counterfeit pills made to look like Xanax, Adderall, or oxycodone.

Mexican soldiers patrol near Naranjo de Chila in the municipality of Aguililla, Mexico, on Feb. 18, 2022. The town was the scene of a bloody turf battle between two drug cartels. (Armando Solis/AP Photo)

National Security Threat

Such drug operations are done at a low cost and the cartels are illegally transporting those opioids into the United States, they said.

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. As little as 2 milligrams is potentially enough to be lethal. The DEA has previously warned of a surge in mass overdose events involving the drug, which the agency says is killing Americans at an unprecedented rate.

The attorneys general further state that the Mexican drug cartels threaten national security beyond the sale of the deadly drugs, pointing to their creation of well-organized armed forces to protect their reprehensible trade from rivals and from the Mexican government.

The existence of such forces just across our southwestern land border, and the Mexican governments inability to control them, pose a threat to our national security far greater than a typical drug-trafficking enterprise, they wrote. That threat is made greater still by the known links between the Mexican drug cartels and Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO) like Hezbollah who already intend to do us harm. Our national security requires the federal government to disrupt this collaboration between cartels and terrorist groups.

Several state attorneys general earlier this month called on the Biden administration to declare fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction. Miyares noted in the letter that to date, no action has been taken so far with regard to their request.

President Joe Biden speaks with a member of the Border Patrol as they walk along the U.S.Mexico border fence in El Paso, Texas, on Jan. 8, 2023. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)

Dangerous Terrorist Activity Occurring at Our Border

The same cartels who produce and traffic this dangerous chemical are also assassinating rivals and government officials, ambushing, and killing Americans at the border, and engaging in an armed insurgency against the Mexican government, the attorneys general wrote. This dangerous terrorist activity occurring at our border will not abate unless we escalate our response.

The attorneys general added that designating the Sinaloa Cartel, CJNG, and other similarly situated Mexican drug cartels as FTOs would grant state and federal law enforcement agencies increased powers to freeze cartel assets, deny cartel members entry into the United States, and allow prosecutors to push for tougher punishments against those who provide material support to the cartels.

Attorneys general from the states of Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia, and Virginia signed the letter.

Mexican cartels have already been designated as terrorist organizations in Texas, which is currently battling with an influx of illegal immigrants thats severely affecting local communities.

The DEA announced on Dec. 20, 2022, that it seized more than 50.6 million fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills and more than 10,000 pounds of fentanyl powder in 2022, which represents more than 379 million potentially deadly doses of fentanyl.

Biden, who in 2022 announced his plan to beat the opioid epidemic as part of his unity agenda, said at his State of the Union address on Feb. 7 that fentanyl is killing more than 70,000 Americans a year, prompting Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) to yell, Its your fault! as other lawmakers also expressed their outrage at the growing opioid crisis.
Washington and California passed laws requiring companies to post salary ranges on job listings. New York passed a similar last year. The goal is to help reduce wage gaps and make a more level playing field for employees.

And with pay transparency laws becoming a hot topic in business, questions by both employers and employees keep coming up. What is pay transparency, how does it work, and what are the results?

Pay Transparency Strategy

Pay transparency is a strategy to highlight and discuss salaries within a company. It can be a conversation between managers and employees. Pay transparency can be measured on a spectrum.

For example, transparency includes sharing pay ranges for each employees role and sharing information on how salaries are calculated.

The ultimate goal is to allow an understanding by employees as to how theyre paid and what they need to do to move up the ladder.

But it goes beyond just having a discussion with employees. Pay transparency must be practiced outside the company as well.

Salary ranges and descriptions of benefits must be part of all job listings in certain states.

Pay Transparency Laws

Pay transparency laws require all posted jobs to list compensation. Colorado has had a pay transparency law since 2021 as part of their Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.

Washington enacted a similar law in 2022 that took place in January 2023. And other states that are or will be passing similar laws are California, Connecticut, Maryland, Nevada, and Rhode Island.

In November 2022, New York City initiated a pay transparency law. They required employers to include a good faith salary range in job advertisements. This applies to both hourly and salary.

Most states exclude employers who have few employees. But that number varies from five to 15 depending on the state.

Most states have fines for non-compliance with the law. For example, New York City will levy possible fines and require payment of monetary damages, if any, to adversely affected people.

Gender Relating to Pay Transparency

One stated goal of pay transparency is eliminating underpayment based on gender. The openness of the salaries will let a woman know if she is paid less than men on her level.

The goal is to make any discrimination come to light and lead to equal pay.

Results of Wage Transparency

A trade-off in pay transparency is that salaries advertised are flat, and theres a smaller pay gap between low and high performers. As a result, the superstars of the office arent rewarded as much.

A study was published in the journal Nature Human Behavior that addressed this. It was a 20-year study based on 100,000 academics. Public salaries improved the gender gap but not productivity. The gap shrank between well-performing academics and those who performed less well.

The difference related to discrimination may be wiped away, but with it goes the differences related to performance.

The link between performance and income weakens bargaining power when job searching. But some employers like this. When a salary is posted, it signals to all applicants that they cant ask for more.

It also signals to employees how much their managers are earning. In some cases, it motivates workers to apply for management positions.

Companies must avoid paying mediocre and unproductive employees the same, or shift back to less transparent systems. Or, as some employers are doing, go around the transparency wage mandates by offering other incentives, like bonuses.

Pros of Pay Transparency

One perceived advantage of pay transparency is increased production. Research from Tel Aviv University showed employees performed better when salaries werent kept secret.

Lack of pay transparency might be harmful to employee morale. For example, two employees who have the same credentials may make different salaries because one was a stronger negotiator.

Pay transparency guards against gender or racial bias.

Cons of Pay Transparency

Pay transparency laws are confusing to those companies who are hiring out-of-state remote workers. Theres no clarification as to what these businesses are supposed to advertise. It may be up to each company to decide if they want to voluntarily advertise wages.

Suddenly revealing salaries in an established company could cause distress among employees. This is especially true if there are different pay levels, regardless of the reason.

Some employees may not understanding the nuances of individuals roles or groups. As a result, they may respond negatively if they find employees of other groups are paid more.

And, finally, its not a solution to any wage disparity. It wont discourage bias or rewarding those for additional work. Once more, pay is on a spectrum, so an employee may be on the high or low end of the scale.

Could Pay Transparency Cause Unrest

States are beginning to pass pay transparency laws. These dictate to businesses how they can advertise for new employees. And although on the surface transparency in the workplace looks good, time will tell if this causes unrest when salaries are revealed.

The Epoch Times Copyright  2022 The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors. They are meant for general informational purposes only and should not be construed or interpreted as a recommendation or solicitation. The Epoch Times does not provide investment, tax, legal, financial planning, estate planning, or any other personal finance advice. The Epoch Times holds no liability for the accuracy or timeliness of the information provided.
Stray Papers: Biden Downplays Contents of Classified Documents

President Joe Biden talks with reporters on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, on Jan. 30, 2023. (Susan Walsh/AP Photo)

President Joe Biden on Feb. 8 attempted to downplay the classified documents discovered at his home and former office, claiming that their contents dated back to 1974 and were simply stray papers.

Biden made the comments in an interview with PBS NewsHour just a day after his State of the Union address, which garnered mixed reactions from Republicans and Democrats.

The president was asked by host Judy Woodruff about comments he made in September in relation to former president Donald Trump, whose Mar-a-Lago home was raided in August, during which around 11,000 documentssome of which were marked classifiedwere seized by the FBI.

Biden had stated in September that possessing classified documents is totally irresponsible, in reference to Trump, while questioning what data was in the documents and whether or not it might compromise certain sources and methods.

So what was totally irresponsible about the fact that you had some? Woodruff quizzed Biden on Wednesday, to which he responded by attempting to downplay the contents of the documents, but also concluded that he is not aware of exactly what is in the materials.

Secret Service personnel park vehicles in the driveway leading to President Joe Bidens house after classified documents were found there by Bidens lawyers, in Wilmington, Del., on Jan. 15, 2023. (Joshua Roberts/Reuters)

Staffers Didnt Do the Kind of Job That Should Have Been Done

He also shifted the blame to staffers who he said had not done a thorough job of going through paperwork from his former office.

In the best of my knowledge, the kinds of things they picked up were things that [sic] from 1974 and stray papers. There may be something else, I dont know, Biden said. But one of the things that happened is that what was not done well is, as they packed up my offices to move them, they didnt do the kind of job that should have been done to go thoroughly through every single piece of literature thats there. But Ill just let the investigation  decide whats going on and well see what happens.

Attorney General Merrick Garland has appointed Robert Hur, a former Maryland U.S. attorney, to serve as special counsel to oversee the Department of Justice inquiry into the documents and to establish whether or not Biden or those around him broke the law in their handling of the documents.

Biden told PBS on Wednesday: Theyve informed me not to speak to this issue to anyway try to prejudice the investigation thats going on, before elaborating on what he believes to be key differences between himself and Trump with regard to the discovery of classified materials.

But what I was talking about [in September] was what was laid out. All these documents were top secret, code word, and all the rest, he claimed of the documents found at Trumps home. Trump is currently being investigated by the DOJ.

President Joe Bidens Rehoboth Beach home was searched by FBI for classified documents on Feb. 1, 2023. (Lily Sun/The Epoch Times)

GOP Lawmakers to Be Briefed on Classified Materials

The president then went on to explain that he has been cooperative with officials investigating the discovery of the classified materials, telling Woodruff that he has voluntarily opened up his home and office for a search as part of the probe.

Im not at liberty and Im not even sure, I made voluntarilyno ones had to threaten to do anythingvoluntarily opened every single aperture I have in the house, offices, everything for them to come and look and spend hours searching my home. Invited them, Biden said of federal agents.

Classified materials dating back to Bidens time as vice president were discovered at the Penn Biden Center in Washington on Nov. 2 just before the midterm elections but the public was not informed until two months later.

Further documents were found at one of his homes in Wilmington, Delaware and more were subsequently found later in the presidents home library.

Biden has remained relatively tight-lipped about the discovery, citing the ongoing investigation. His interview with PBS on Wednesday marked his first interview with a journalist since before the midterms.

The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability has requested that the Biden documents, along with the Trump materials, be handed over to them so that they can assess potential risks to national security arising from the mishandling of classified information.

Lawmakers on the committee are set to be briefed on the documents this week.
Survivors of Turkey, Syria Quake Struggle to Stay Warm, Fed as Death Toll Passes 19,300

Mehmet Nasir Duran, 67, sits on a chair, as heavy machines remove debris from a building, where five of his family members are trapped in Nurdagi, southeastern Turkey, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023.Thousands who lost their homes in a catastrophic earthquake huddled around campfires and clamored for food and water in the bitter cold, three days after the temblor and series of aftershocks hit Turkey and Syria. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

ANTAKYA, TurkeyThousands who lost their homes in a catastrophic earthquake huddled around campfires and clamored for food and water in the bitter cold, three days after the temblor and a series of aftershocks hit Turkey and Syria, killing more than 19,300.

Emergency crews used pick axes, shovels, and jackhammers to dig through twisted metal and concreteand occasionally still pulled survivors out. But in some places, they switched the focus to demolishing unsteady buildings.

While stories of miraculous rescues briefly buoyed spirits, the grim reality of the hardship facing tens of thousands who survived the disaster cast a pall. The number of deaths has surpassed the toll in a 2011 earthquake off Japan that triggered a tsunami, killing more than 18,400 people.

In northwest Syria, the first U.N. aid trucks to enter the rebel-controlled area from Turkey since the quake arrivedunderscoring the difficulty of getting help to people in the country riven by civil war. In the Turkish city of Antakya, meanwhile, dozens of people scrambled for aid in front of a truck distributing childrens coats and other supplies.

One survivor, Ahmet Tokgoz, called for the government to evacuate people from the devastated region. While many of the tens of thousands who have lost their homes have found shelter in tents, stadiums, and other temporary accommodation, others have spent the nights outdoors.

Especially in this cold, it is not possible to live here, he said. If people havent died from being stuck under the rubble, theyll die from the cold.

Winter weather and damage to roads and airports have hampered the response in both Turkey and Syria, where a civil war that displaced millions has further complicated efforts. Some in Turkey have complained the response was too slowa perception that could hurt President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at a time when he faces a tough battle for reelection in May.

Aerial photo shows the destruction in Kahramanmaras, southern Turkey, on Feb. 8, 2023. (Ahmet Akpolat/DIA via AP )

In the Turkish town of Elbistan, rescuers stood atop a high stack of rubble from a collapsed home and fished out an elderly woman who had been submerged.

Teams urged quiet in the hopes of hearing stifled pleas for help, and the Syrian paramedic group in the rebel-held northwest known as White Helmets noted that every second could mean saving a life.

But more and more often, the teams pulled out dead bodies from under the rubble. In Turkeys Antakya, over 100 bodies, covered by blankets and awaiting identification, lay in a makeshift morgue outside a hospital and in refrigerated trucks.

With the chances of finding people alive in the rubble dwindling, teams in some places began demolishing buildings. In others, they simply had to move on.

In Adiyaman, Associated Press journalists saw a local resident plead with rescuers to come and sift through the rubble of a building where relatives were trapped. The crew refused, saying there was no one alive there, and they had to prioritize areas where there may be survivors.

In Nurdagi, throngs of onlookersmostly family members of people trapped insidewatched as heavy machines ripped at one building that had collapsed, its six floors pancaked together.

Mehmet Yilmaz watched from a distance, estimating that around 80 people were still beneath the rubblebut that it was unlikely any would be recovered alive.

Theres no hope, said Yilmaz, 67, who had six relatives, including a 3-month-old baby, trapped inside. We cant give up our hope in God, but they entered the building with listening devices and dogs and there was nothing.

Authorities called off search-and-rescue operations on Thursday in the cities of Kilis and Sanliurfa, where destruction was not as severe as in other impacted regions.

Across the border in war-riven Syria, assistance trickled in. Smaller aid organizations have sent in shipments to Syrias rebel-held northwest, but the first U.N. trucks arrived Thursday. The U.N. is only authorized to deliver aid through one border crossing and road damage has prevented that thus far.

A woman sits on the rubble of a destroyed building in Kahramanmaras, southern Turkey, a day after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the countrys southeast, on Feb. 7, 2023. (Adem Altan /AFP via Getty Images)

U.N. officials said more was needed, and they pleaded for humanitarian concerns to take precedence over politics.

The scale of loss and suffering to tend to remained massive. Turkish authorities said Thursday that the death toll had risen to more than 16,100 in the country, with more than 64,000 injured. On the Syrian side, which includes in government-held and rebel-held areas, of the border, more than 3,100 have been reported dead and more than 5,000 injured.

It was not clear how many people were still unaccounted for in both countries.

Among the missing were members of a high-school volleyball team from northern Cyprus, as well as teachers and parents who had been staying in a hotel that collapsed, said Nazim Cavusoglu, the education minister in the breakaway Turkish Cypriot north, on Turkeys NTV television.

Turkeys disaster management agency said more than 110,000 rescue personnel were now taking part in the effort and more than 5,500 vehicles, including tractors, cranes, bulldozers, and excavators had been shipped. Teams from places as diverse as Poland, Switzerland, Israel, and the West Bank were contributing to the deployment to Turkey.

But international aid for Syria was far more sparse, where efforts have been hampered by the ongoing war and the isolation of the rebel-held region along the border that is surrounded by Russia-backed government forces. Syria itself is an international pariah under Western sanctions linked to the war.

The U.N. shipment was scheduled before the earthquake happened but was delayed by road damage. U.N. officials said more trucks were set to follow.

Erdogan, who continued touring devastated areas Thursday, has sought to deflect criticism of the responseand vowed it was improving. He renewed a promise to quake survivors that destroyed homes would be rebuilt within a year. He has said the government will distribute 10,000 Turkish lira ($532) to affected families.
Teslas Model Y and Model 3 Top-Selling Vehicles in California in 2022

A customer drives his new Model Y after a ceremony inside the new Tesla Gigafactory for electric cars in Gruenheide, Germany, on March 22, 2022. (Nadine Schimroszik/Reuters)

Tesla Inc.s Model Y and Model 3 electric vehicles were the top-sellers in California last year, outselling Toyota Motor Corp.s RAV4 and Camry models, according to an industry body report.

It is the first time a Tesla model topped the annual sales list in California, a major vehicle market where one in five cars is electric.

Austin, Texas-based Tesla sold 87,257 Model Y electric sport utility vehicles and 78,934 Model 3 electric sedans last year, while Toyota sold 59,794 units of its RAV4 SUV and 55,967 of its Camry sedans, the California New Car Dealers Association said in its report.

In 2021, the Camry was the top-seller in California, followed by the Model Y, Hondas Civic and RAV4, and the Model 3.

Toyota retained its top spot in the state for vehicle brands, with a market share of 17.3 percent in 2022, followed by Tesla at 11.2 percent.

The report noted that the appetite for Teslas vehicles is much larger in California than the nationwide average, which accounts for only 3.5 percent of the brand market share.
The Coming Dismemberment of Ukraine

A bailout of Ukraine would benefit Wall Street and Chinas investors

A man walks with his bicycle past banners informing about a referendum on the joining of Russian-controlled regions of Ukraine to Russia, in the Russian-controlled city of Melitopol in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, on Sept. 26, 2022. (Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters)

Commentary

The Wests wishful thinking that it could win a war against Russia using Ukraine as its proxy is coming to a close.

Western sanctions against Russiainitially predicted to bring the Russian economy to its kneeshave backfired. Absent Russian resources, European economies are reeling while Russias economy, according to the International Monetary Fund, has rebounded and is now growing faster than those of Germany or the UK.

The military end game is also in sight, the Rand Corp. concluded in a recent report, despite the extent of NATO allies indirect involvement in the war [which] is breathtaking in scope.

Support includes tens of billions of dollars worth of weapons and  billions of dollars monthly in direct budgetary support to Kyiv, the report reads.

Yet it may all come to naught, since Russia has a high level of resolve, Rand noted. Russia rectified the manpower deficit that enabled Ukraines success in the Kharkiv counteroffensive and Ukraines cities have been flattened; their economy has been decimated.

Rand concluded that the United States should prepare its departure, since the war harms U.S. interests:

Avoiding a long war is also a higher priority for the United States than facilitating significantly more Ukrainian territorial control.

Without the Wests military aid, which the new Republican House of Representatives may soon reduce, Ukraines military efforts would collapse. It can provide little to its own defense but personnel, and even that is running lowso many Ukrainians have died opposing Russias relentless military that Ukraine is now reportedly sending men older than the age of 60 to the front.

Ukraines economy, which was burdened with an external pre-war debt of $135 billion and has since lost $5 billion per month, would also collapse. Ukraine would be a spent force and utterly bankrupt, with Wall Street lenders such as BlackRock and vulture capitalists circling to claim whatever assets remain. Having lost at least one-third of its gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022 and as much as one-quarter of its pre-war 40 million population, its destitute government would be unable to provide pensions and welfare, let alone employment.

Once Ukraine loses its ability to militarily wear down Russia, the West would have little reason to continue bailing out its economy, especially since Wall Street lenders would claim a lions share of the bailouts, and China would especially benefitstate-owned Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, a paramilitary company colonizing the vast lands of the Uyghurs, has a 50-year lease on 9 percent of Ukraines arable farmland, equivalent to 5 percent of its entire land mass.

In the chaos that defeat would bring, the various militias and factions operating within Ukraines borders, which had temporarily united to make common cause against the Russian invaders, would then have free rein to reassert themselves, carving out their own fiefdoms and making Ukraine the posterchild of a failed state.

Ukraine has never been a coherent country. The land mass that became Ukraine wasnt a country before the 1920sit was a patchwork of warring factions whose ethnicities and nationalities included, among others, all or parts of Galicia, Volhynia, Ruthenia, Bukovina, Bessarabia, Severia, Romania, Poland, Russia, and Lithuania. After World War II, Ukraine acquired part of Poland and Romania, and then in 1954, it was gifted Crimea by Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, whose influential lover and later wife was Ukrainian.

Following the collapse of the Soviet empire, Ukraine gained independence in 1991, only to squander its potential as corrupt officials borrowed to the hilt and raided its resources for personal gain, then cried poverty in seeking foreign bailouts. Although Ukraine was the largest country, next to Russia, in the Eastern Bloc, blessed with fertile land and advanced industries, it soon became Europes poorest country, with a GDP one-fourth the size of Polands.

Once Ukraine becomes a failed state, its neighbors are likely to resurrect historical claims. Ukrainian officials have already said as much. Ukraines deputy prime minister and the head of Ukraines National Security and Defense Council have separately claimed that Hungary intended to reclaim Transcarpathia, a region that it lost to Ukraine after World War II. Transcarpathias 157,000 ethnic Hungarians are both impoverished and resentful of Ukraines Education Act, which limits their exercise of the Hungarian language and culture.

According to former Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, Poland, which once owned much of whats now western Ukraine, considered partitioning Ukraine in the first weeks of the military conflict between Kyiv and Moscow. Although Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki denied that account, last month at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, an end-state for Ukraine seemed top of mind.

I am afraid that now, maybe in a few months, maybe weeks, there will be a decisive moment of this war. And this moment is the answer to the question: if Ukraine will survive or not, said Polands president, Andrzej Duda.

In July 2022, Russias former president and current head of its national security council, Dmitry Medvedev, published a map showing a rump Ukraine reduced to Kyiv and its environs, with Russia, Poland, Hungary, and Romania carving up the rest. At the time, that map of a dismembered Ukraine would have seemed fanciful to most. Today, it seems increasingly plausible.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
The DEI Device, or, What Would Marx Say?

Commentary

When I was in college, you never heard the sacred troika, diversity, equity, and inclusion(DEI). I started graduate school in the mid-1980s, and the prevailing attitude toward any such institutional formula voiced by the powers that be with a numbing regularity was jaded suspicion.

It was the Era of High Theory (the tail end of it), which combined abstruse arguments about signs and their interpretation with a posture of anti-establishment mistrust, a holdover perhaps of 60s protest and liberation from The Man.

That spirit is gone, of course. When a college president mouths the DEI slogan and promises better DEI to come at his guiltily lagging campus, its hard to take him seriously. Principled intellectuals should wonder what elite interests are being served and what false consciousness is being created in the heads of the workers, the proletariat, the people.

In this case, cynicism is warranted. DEI has to be a sham, a fake, a hustle, just another version of the suits making nice while they make life ever harder for their inferiors (for example, by jacking up tuition while telling everyone, You MUST go to college or end up a loser).

Any intellectual worthy of the title would listen to the mantra and think, Gimme a break. He would look at the offices of deans and associate deans and assistant deans of diversity, their startling salaries and bloated budgets, and realize exactly who are the real beneficiaries of DEI programs. The irony of these elite figureheads pronouncing the word equity with solemnity and earnestness is thick and stifling.

They speak of it without shame while watching for any opportunity to exert power and cultivate their imposing place in the institution. They sniff out inequity and nondiversity wherever it might be found, including deep in the heads of employees afflicted with unconscious racism, but the class inequity and exploitation pass right before their eyes and it doesnt bother them one bit.

I mean the adjunct system. During my academic career, Ive seen ever more teaching assignments at the freshman level turned over to part-time lecturers, people with doctoral degrees but no regular job with benefits, no health care, and no job security. Theyre smart and well-educated, love teaching, and crave the academic life. But they earned their advanced degrees in fields with bad job outlooks, accepted by elite and not-so-elite departments even though those departments have known for a long time that decent and consistent employment for their students is a rarity.

Now, these scrambling quasi-academics pick up a few crumbs per semester at nearby schools at a rate of around $5,000 per course, which works out to around minimum wage once one adds up all the hours of preparing and grading and direct instructing for 15 weeks.

And yet, one hardly ever hears of a tenured professor or equity administrator doing anything about it. They vote Democrat, meaning that they care about the less fortunate and historically disadvantaged, and they profess egalitarian and anti-discrimination credos with vigor and righteousness. They loathe Republicans, who are said to lack compassion and to side with corporate bosses. But they work in one of the most hierarchical spaces on Earth, where gradations of rank are constantly reiterated (lecturer, assistant professor, associate professor, full professor, department vice chairman, chairman, dean, and so forth).

In the office down the hall are 40-year-old humanists with no future and little daily reward correcting commas and sharing desks with three other adjuncts, but the regular professors arent bothered by the inequity. In truth, they like it. The more the grunts handle freshman composition classes and French 101 (whose attendees resent being there), the more the professors can teach graduate seminars with only eight students, all of whom want to be just like them, a distinguished faculty member in an elite profession. Life is good for the ones at the podium because its hard for others.

One wonders what passes through the minds of our caring liberals, the privileged few who despised Donald Trump voters precisely because of their concern for the other Americans whom those Trump supporters were alleged to hate and harm, the identity groups that couldnt stand up for themselves against bigotry and discrimination and needed elite sympathy and backing. What did they think when they bemoaned the lack of diversity and equity in those comfy workspaces but didnt seem to have uncovered ways of fixing that enduring injustice despite their tenancy in those spaces for many years?

Once, while spending two semesters as a visiting professor at the University of Colorado in Boulder, I entered a faculty members office to say hello for the first time and chat about life in Boulder. She proceeded to complain about a serious problem on campus.

What problem? I asked.

Well, she replied, look around.

She paused, and so did I. I still didnt get it.

How many black people do you see? she grumbled.

I paused again. She stared. I didnt know what to say, but I was clearly supposed to give an opinion.

Uh, I mumbled, what percentage of Colorado is black? (I was used to Georgia, which at the time had a 33 percent black populationColorado blacks only made up 4.7 percent, whites 87 percent.)

You can imagine how that query went down. We never spoke again.

DEI-ers dont respond well to questions. Its a dogma, not an idea. DEI has no concrete content, or rather, DEI-ers dont like it when you ask them to specify what it concretely, empirically, and specifically signifies. Any answers they might offer would sink into a sea of contradictions (diversity, yes, but of skin color, not of opinion; equity, yes, except for the working conditions of everyone in the offices up and down the hall; inclusion, yes, except when people grade, admit, and hire and promote others, which happens every week and proceeds by discriminations of quality).

What would Karl Marx say? Immediately, he would ask you to follow the money. Whose material interests are being served? The obvious answer is the diversicrats. (Take a look at how much money Fairfax County Schools in Virginia paid Ibram Kendi for a one-hour web chat). And where does the money come from? At public universities, it comes from taxpayers, most of whom have no connection to the university. That makes DEI a large transfer of wealth from lots of uncredentialed workers to higher ed personnel.

Marx, too, would look at the language of DEI and lay bare the dishonesty, the high-sounding ideals turned into vacuous formulaic utterances. DEI discourse is a delicate veil thrown over another mode of class aggression, a classic case of ideology manufactured by the rulers clerks.

DEI, then, is a reactionary tactic, a fresh way to keep the people down, especially those Trump voters of 2016 who struck the establishment as a genuine and shocking revolt. DEI defends the rights of the underrepresented, were told. In truth, it maintains the privileges of the elite.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Whistleblower Tells Congress FBI Leadership Is Rotted at Its Core

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) presides over a hearing of the Weaponization of the Federal Government Subcommittee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington on Feb. 9, 2023. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

House Republicans on Feb. 9 opened their first hearing of the House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government.

The committee is under the wing of the important Judiciary Committee, led by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio).

Jordan has long looked forward to gaveling in such a hearing.

During the last Congress, Jordan and other Republicans sent over a hundred letters to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI which were either inadequately answered or ignored entirely.

The panel heard from prominent figures like former Democrat Tulsi Gabbard, who contended for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, as well as Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).

The first hearing comes after Republicans in December unveiled a huge 1,050 page whistleblower report detailing the weaponization of the federal government.

In my time in Congress, I have never seen anything like this, Jordan said during the hearing.

Jordan emphasized that Republicans findings came from the testimony of FBI agents, many of whom were later suspended from the agency.

Its not Jim Jordan saying this; its not Republicans; [its] good, brave FBI agents who are willing to come forward and give us the truth, Jordan said.

(LR) Former Federal Bureau of Investigation agent Nicole Parker, Raben Group principal Elliot Williams, and George Washington University Law Center Professor Jonathan Turley are sworn in before testifying to the first hearing of the Weaponization of the Federal Government Subcommittee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington on Feb. 9, 2023. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Whistleblower Testimony

In his opening remarks, Jordan listed off a litany of findings from whistleblower testimony.

For instance, on Nov. 18, 2021, Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee were told that the FBI had created a threat tag for parents voicing their concerns at school board meetings. In May 2022, another whistleblower revealed that dozens of parents designated with a threat tag were being investigated by the agency.

The same whistleblower said that the leadership of the FBI is rotted at its core. Following this, that whistleblower had his security clearance revoked and was suspended from the FBI.

In April 2022, another whistleblower told Republicans that FBI agents were being run out of the bureau for attending conservative political events while off duty.

Jordan also cited whistleblower testimony previously included in the whistleblower report which claimed that the FBI had manufactured domestic violent extremism events (DVEs) to hit self-created performance metrics. Additional testimony in September 2022 revealed that Jan. 6 case files had been altered to make it appear that DVEs were on the rise, as Democrats and President Joe Biden have long claimed. The agent was later suspended.

In September 2022, yet another whistleblower revealed to Republicans that the FBI views the Betsy Ross flag, the original design of the American flag with 13 stars, as a terrorist symbol.

Additional testimony found that the FBI accepts personal data on users from Facebook without the users consent.

Democrats Claim Partisanship

Since the committee was announced, Democrats have sought to label it as a partisan effort.

In a statement, the White House called the panel a political stunt that weaponizes Congress to carry out the priorities of extreme MAGA Republicans in Congress.

The White House claimed that it was Republicans who are weaponizing the government.

President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress as Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy listen, in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Feb. 7, 2023. (TNS)

Led by Jordan and Congressman Matt Gaetz, this committee plans to weaponize the MAGA agenda against their perceived political enemies, going after civil servants, private citizens, and the rule of law, the statement said.

In his opening remarks, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) alleged that the hearing was a forum for conspiracy theories, and cited the now-defunct Jan. 6 panel, on which Raskin served, as a model of bipartisanship.

Notably, that committees creation was also plagued by charges of partisanship.

For the first time in congressional history, then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) refused then-Minority Leader Kevin McCarthys (R-Calif.) picks for the panelJordan and Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.).

Instead, Pelosi chose former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) as ranking member and also placed Rep. Adam Kinzinger (D-Ill.) on the panel; both were virulent Trump critics.

During the creation of the Weaponization panel, McCarthy honored Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) picks for the panel.

The ranking member of the panel, Del. Stacey Plaskett, a Democrat from the Virgin Islands, was herself a leader in impeachment efforts against former President Donald Trump.

Ranking member Del. Stacey Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands) delivers opening remarks during the first hearing of the Weaponization of the Federal Government subcommittee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington on Feb. 9, 2023. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

In her opening remarks, Plaskett likewise claimed that the panel would be a forum for conspiracy theories, and accused it of partisan intent.

Meanwhile, Plaskett said she was proud of her work to impeach Trump.

For its part, the FBI has repeatedly denied allegations of politicization. The Epoch Times has reached out to the agency for comment.
The Lefts Little Financial Engine That Could (Change the World Radically)

Amalgamated Bank, with just five branches across three cities, and a market value lower than the net worth of many an individual hedge fund honcho, would seem an unlikely mover and shaker in the world of Wall Street, let alone Washington, D.C.

Yet last fall, it successfully pressured colossal credit card companies Visa, Mastercard, and American Express to use the financial system to track and report gun purchases. Amalgamated is more than a bank, says Michael Watson of the Capital Research Center. Its a bank for an ideological movement.

This ideological bank holds $7 billion in deposits and manages or maintains custody of some $51 billion. And while that sounds like a great deal of money, it pales in comparison to financial institutions such as JP Morgan, with its $2.4 trillion in deposits, or the $8.6 trillion in assets managed by BlackRock. But Amalgamateds outsized influence doesnt flow from the size of its coffers. Rather, its explained by its role as cue to the wider corporate world given the major sources of that moneythe Democratic Party, progressive activist groups, and major labor unions.

During political election cycles, such as at the end of the third quarter of 2022, upwards of $1 billionor 17 percent of Amalgamateds total depositscome from Democratic campaigns, political action committees, and state and national party committees. Amalgamated is the commercial banker for the Democratic National Committee, along with Joe Biden and virtually every other 2020 presidential contender, and congressional leaders like Rep. Nancy Pelosi. All told, Amalgamated serves more than 500 political organizationsin addition to adjacent groups such as Color of Change and the Sierra Club. As the New York Times said of Amalgamated, it is the lefts private banker.

The bank also works side-by-side with more than 1,000 unions, including the nations second largest union overall, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU)alongside other behemoth government employee unions including the United Federation of Teachers and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. [Y]ou might see us out there walking with picketing workers, to whom Amalgamated provides strike loans, the company notes. The bulk of Amalgamateds trust and investment management business comes from institutional clients, including union pension funds.

Amalgamateds unusual position and nature distinguish it from other financial institutions that have embraced the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) movement, such as BlackRock and JP Morgan. Its deep ties to the Democratic Party and its support for liberal and leftist political causes may make it a new model for how progressive corporations, politicians, and activists can work together to push favored causes outside the political process.

Richard Morrison, senior fellow at the conservative Competitive Enterprise Institute, said Amalgamated can, at a minimum, serve as an example for other managers and CEOs who want to make their mark as the most enlightened players at the next big management conference or World Economic Forum annual meeting.

As an admiring Andrew Ross Sorkin, the New York Times financial journalist, put it in a July 2022 conversation with Amalgamated CEO Priscilla Sims-Brown, Were at quite a moment, and your bank is a microcosm of so much of it.

Taking Socialism to the Bank

Amalgamated has deep progressive roots. It was founded in 1923 by and for the socialist textile laborers of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, and remains 41 percent-owned by their successor affiliate, Workers United, an affiliate of the powerful SEIU.

Over the decades, it has amassed an almost exclusively progressive client base to pursue a progressive mission. Its business positions the financial institution at the vanguard in terms of ESG-aligned policy recommendations, according to CEIs Morrison. Amalgamateds inherently political assets may help explain how it became a lightning rod in the ESG wars likely to intensify under a GOP-controlled House.

Amalgamateds business flows naturally from its mission to promote social and environmental justice in-line with stockholder return, which is codified in its corporate structure as the first publicly traded financial institution to organize as a public benefit corporation. Embodying the tenets of ESG, this designation alerts shareholders that the company will seek to promote social and environmental justice in-line with stockholder return.

The banks mission is personified by management, such as former CEO Keith Mestrich, previously the CFO of SEIU. Mestrich accelerated Amalgamateds drive into political banking over the last decade alongside several former Obama administration officials-turned-financial executives.

Amalgamateds mission can be seen in the companys internal policies, which include hiring formerly incarcerated workers, covering employees travel costs when seeking out-of-state abortions, and raising its minimum wage to $20 per hour, a first for any bank.

It is also reflected in Amalgamateds position as the financial partner of the charitable Amalgamated Foundation, whose coffers have swelled, fueling its tens of millions of dollars in grants to progressive causes of the kind supported by the bank.

Targeting Guns

Like other progressive asset managers, Amalgamated also engages in shareholder activism, leveraging the power of the shares it holds on behalf of clients to compel corporations to pursue the banks favored policies. The Capital Research Center reports that Amalgamated has filed shareholder resolutions with the likes of Amazon, Lowes, PayPal, Netflix, and Smith & Wesson, on everything from board diversity to greenhouse gas emissions to political spending and lobbyingalongside union affiliates. It also litigates against companies that violate its principles.

Amalgamated has been especially active in promoting anti-gun efforts.

The initiative that landed the bank on the radar of congressional Republicans was originally advocated by Sorkin. In 2018, following several mass shootings, the Times columnist suggested that banks and credit card processors develop gun retailer-specific merchant category codes (MCCs).

When one makes a purchase with a card issued by American Express, Mastercard, or Visa, such transactions are reported to the payment brand with a code that can be used to track a customers activities.

If the credit card companies and banks agreed, they could come up with a series of subcodes that would identify retailers that sold guns under a best practices policy  like the policy that Citigroup proposed [restricting gun sales by its clients]  and the ones that dont, Sorkin said. It would  give banks that issue credit cards the opportunity to decide which retailers they wanted to associate with [and] might add pressure on gun retailers to voluntarily follow the best practices route.

In July 2021, Amalgamated took up the cause, petitioning the relevant code-blessing International Organization for Standardization, to create a new credit card code covering standalone gun and ammunition retail stores.

Months later in October 2021, Senate and House Democrats took up companion bills directing Treasurys Financial Crimes Enforcement Network to collect information from financial institutions to develop an advisory regarding the reporting of suspicious transactions related to gun violence. Sen. Elizabeth Warren co-sponsored the Senate legislation. The bills languished, but a new Gun Violence Prevention Caucus convened by Senate Democrats is poised to introduce it again this term.

The International Organization for Standardization would reject Amalgamateds petition that same October, and deny its appeal in February 2022reportedly amid opposition from the major payment brands, whose representatives serve within the group. In June 2022, Amalgamated would apply again. The brands continued to disapprove of the petition. But in September 2022 that all changed.

That month, congressional Democrats led by Sen. Warren sent a letter, endorsed by Amalgamated, to leading payment brand CEOs, urging the companies to get behind the petition, and questioning why they were obstructing Amalgamateds effort. Notably, Amalgamated had banked several of the signatories campaigns during the 2022 campaign cycle, including that of the Massachusetts senator.

The standardization body relented, and the major credit card companies adopted the code. Bank president Sims Brown declared victory. The new code will allow us to fully comply with our duty to report suspicious activity and illegal gun sales to authorities without blocking or impeding legal gun sales, she said.

Neither Amalgamated nor Sen. Warrens office responded to RealClearInvestigations inquiries. The parties have never publicly discussed any coordination they might have engaged in with respect to the anti-firearms credit card push.

Sorkin, who also did not respond to RCIs inquiries about his activism, wrote that the creation of the code is only the beginning of a broader gun control effort, urging retailers to assign the code to specific registers so payment brands could identify gun-specific purchases, and calling on financial companies to develop algorithms to identify suspicious activity and report it to authorities.

Republican senators wrote in a subsequent letter that the code aimed to target, surveil and discourage gun and ammunition sellers. They added: Your actions were a major step toward targeting law-abiding Americans exercising their right to purchase firearms.

House Financial Services Committee Republicans argued in a separate letter that There is a serious risk  this new MCC will be abused with every transaction flagged as suspicious. At a minimum, monitoring the firearms seller MCC  poses a serious risk of circumventing important existing legal restrictions on the creation of a firearm registry.

The Firearm Industry Trade Association characterized the code as a stepping stone to watchlists and bans. Sims Brown has dismissed these concerns.

Climate Collusion

Amalgamated has also taken a leading role in the financial services industrys push to use its market power to drive the green agenda. In April 2021, the bank reported it had helped launch the Net Zero Banking Alliance. The financial sub-group of a broader, United Nations-backed coalition consists of 119 banks with $70 trillion in assets who have committed to aligning their lending and investment portfolios with net-zero emissions by 2050.

Last October, attorneys general representing 19 states revealed they were investigating six major U.S. banks over their participation in the allianceexcluding Amalgamated. Then-Missouri Attorney General, now Senator Eric Schmitt, a Republican, said that the states were probing the banks for ceding authority to the U.N., which will only result in the killing of American companies that dont subscribe to the woke, climate agenda.

RCI contacted the offices of several attorneys general leading the probe to ask if Amalgamated had become a subject of their investigation given its role in the alliance. The Missouri AGs office replied that it had no comment, as the investigation was pending.

Amalgamated has also submitted input on, and formally endorsed, relevant regulations proposed by the Biden SEC, such as its controversial proposed climate risk disclosure rule. Amalgamated was the sole banker for the Biden presidential campaign.

In October 2021, prior to the release of the proposed climate rule, Amalgamateds chief sustainability officer participated in a meeting alongside like-minded executives with SEC chairman Gary Gensler, according to Genslers public calendar. Neither Amalgamated nor the SEC responded to RCIs request for information about that meeting. The SEC has been slow to respond to RCIs related FOIA requests.

Oversight Incoming?

With the Senate in Democrats hands, it is unclear if Republican leaders on the Banking and Judiciary Committees who had put Amalgamated on notice last fall for their gun control push will follow through. Their offices did not respond to RCIs inquiries or would not speak on the record regarding their oversight plans.

Like their Senate counterparts, House Financial Services Committee Republicans were tight-lipped when RCI inquired about any pending Amalgamated probe. A spokesperson for GOP Congressman Andy Barr referred RCI to the press release announcing his chairmanship for the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy.

House Republicans in their initial missive to Amalgamated indicated they were keen to understand the extent of the banks coordination with activist groups in its credit card code push.

Some critics argue that Amalgamateds extraordinary business modelleveraging money from Democrats and unions, including those of public sector employees, to pursue policies often championed by those very clientscreates novel conflicts. Morrison told RCI that to the extent Amalgamated has clients who are policymakers  they should be scrutinized over whether the progressive policy changes theyre lobbying for will benefit them  and whether their influential clients exerted any influence to make such changes happen.

He added, however, that If other corporations can lobby for lower corporate tax rates, Amalgamated can lobby for gun control measures.

Richard Painter, the Republican-turned-Democrat former chief legal ethics officer of the George W. Bush administration, said that banks should coordinate with politicians on relevant issues, citing for example a hypothetical effort to collaborate on cracking down on Chinese money laundering in the financial system.

Though there is little to indicate that Amalgamateds pursuit of progressive causes is disingenuous or rooted primarily in a desire to curry favor with Democrats in ways that will redound to the banks bottom line, Painter expressed a general concern that banks often take such positions for the kind of self-serving reasons Morrison raised. Citing Wall Streets progressive posture on social issues, and now indicted crypto-currency entrepreneur Sam Bankman-Frieds championing of similar causes, Painter said these guys, they go left to support the Democrats, do a lot for them, and then behind the scenes theyre looking for less regulation and they do whatever they want in the financial services sector.

Painter asserted that political banking of the kind Amalgamated engages in is perfectly legal provided a bank does not offer politicians services at below-market rates or coordinate with their campaigns in its political activism, which would raise campaign finance red flags.

Others with whom RCI spoke expressed concerns about whether Amalgamateds ESG-oriented activism undermined the financial interests of its clients by dampening their returnswhich could impact taxpayers if Amalgamated is managing public sector union money.

As a general matter, said Terrence Keeley, a former BlackRock executive and proponent of impact investing critical of ESG investing as currently practiced, Politics and finance should be like church and stateas far as possible from one another.

Amalgamated has violated that tenet, but the market hasnt seemed to mind. Its stock is near an all-time high, notwithstanding potential congressional scrutiny, and a slew of recent executive resignations  regulatory issues preventing an acquisition, a big reclassification of assets, and a large share sale by one of Amalgamateds major investorssigns of potential peril highlighted by one bearish observer.

Capitalism would seem to have been good to the socialist-founded bank.
Chika, a 28-year-old trans woman who works as a busker holds her boyfriend's hand during an interview at their rented room in Jakarta, Indonesia, December 22, 2022. Photo by Reuters/Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana

A Hanoi lawmaker is pushing for a Law on Gender Identity to formalize transgender rights and raise public awareness.

The proposal by Nguyen Anh Tri was announced on the National Assembly's information portal on Tuesday.

Tri was quoted as saying "gender identity" is one's own perception of their gender and might not necessarily match their biological sex or their sexual orientation.

Under international conventions, U.N. member states must respect, protect and bolster human rights without discrimination, including those related to gender identity and orientation, he said.

LGBT people account for 3-7% of the global population, and transgender people for 0.3-0.5%. With Vietnam's population at around 98.5 million as of November 2021, the number of transgender people in the country is estimated at 300,000-500,000.

Tri said a Law on Gender Identity would be compatible with provisions in the Civil Law that allow an individual to reassess their own gender.

But since the latter merely states "Gender changes would be done in accordance with legal regulations" without any amplification, changing one's gender remains hard in practice.

Besides, this means transgender people lack identity documents that reflect their gender and the means for medical intervention and healthcare.

The right to determine one's gender when it is different from the one someone is born with is not considered a right.

Tri pointed out: "It means there are around half a million people without this right. They might even face violations and abuse."

He said the Law on Gender Identity should actualize the rights to change one's gender enshrined in the Civil Law.

It should state that changing one's gender is a basic right of each and every citizen, and help raise public awareness and influence perceptions on gender changes among other goals, he said.

It needs to affirm that the LGBT community is an integral part of society, and that being an LGBT person is not an illness or handicap, he said.

It also needs to create conditions for medical facilities to perform gender change procedures.

Tri plans to submit the bill to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly for consideration and placing on lawmakers' agenda for 2024.

Tri, 63, a doctor and professor, is chairman of the advisory council of Medlatec General Hospital.

He has held a number of senior positions in the past, including that of head of the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion.
The Madness of Crowds

Commentary

To Mattias Desmet, the pandemic that crashed into 2020 was more of a state of mind than a material reality. Yes, there was a new contagious disease. Yes, we needed to take it seriously. Yes, it warranted some collective action. But the way people were behaving? That was the real virus. From May 2020 onwards, I had the feeling that the core was not the biological problem, he has said. It was a psychological problem.

[This is an except from Blindsight Is 2020, published by Brownstone Institute.]

A professor of clinical psychology at the university of Ghent in Belgium, Desmet couldnt shake the sense that a mental disturbance was spreading through the world, making people behave in strange ways: with suspicion, hostility, sanctimoniousness, and very little common sense.

Carl Jung, one of Desmets seminal influences, would likely agree with his disciples assessment. In Jungs estimation, it is not famine, not earthquakes, not microbes, not cancer, but man himself who is the greatest danger to man, for the simple reason that there is no adequate protection against psychic epidemics, which are infinitely more devastating than the world of natural catastrophes.

Now hold on, you might say. The coronavirus was a nasty piece of work that demanded a vigorous collective response. People and governments behaved reasonably, under the circumstances. But Desmet saw nothing reasonable about a shopper in a grocery store screaming at another shopper for removing her mask to scratch her face. Or calling a snitch line after spotting someone sipping a coffee on the beach. Or depriving a dying parent of human touch.

In essence, Desmet was saying: This virus is a nasty piece of work and the world has gone mad. He and other lockdown-critical people keep returning to this point: a real threat and a disproportionate response can coexist. Neither reality precludes the other. As the old joke goes, its possible to be paranoid and to be followed at the same time.

Desmets dual training in psychology and statistics gave him a unique angle on the pandemic. The statistician in him began seeing red flags in May 2020, when new data from population studies suggested that early projections had overestimated the lethality of the virus. At the same time, global organizations like the United Nations were starting to sound alarm bells about the harms of lockdowns in the developing world, where cessation of economic activity could lead millions to starvation and loss of life. Instead of adjusting the strategy to the new information, governments and people doubled down: stay home, stay apart. Dont be selfish. More lockdowns, please.

At that point, Desmet switched from the perspective of statistician to [that] of a clinical psychologist . I started to try to understand what psychological processes were going on in society. The question burning in his mind: Why was the world clinging to a narrative that no longer fit the facts? His Eureka moment came in August 2020: This was a process of large-scale mass formation. Having lectured about the phenomenon for years, he was surprised it took me so long to connect the dots.

In interview after interview, Desmet set about explaining mass formation to the world. (Somewhere along the way, his listeners tacked on psychosis to the term, but Desmet himself has stuck to the original wording.) After his September 2021 interview with UK podcaster Dan Astin-Gregory, which garnered over a million views and ten thousand shares, other online influencers began popularizing the term. And then an even bigger moment arrived: on the last day of 2021, American physician and vaccine scientist Robert Malone brought up mass formation on the Joe Rogan Experience show. All of a sudden the whole world was talking about Desmet and his hypothesis.

So what exactly is it, anyway? Desmet explains mass formation as the emergence, in society, of a mass or crowd of people that influences people in specific ways. When an individual is in the grip of mass formation, they become radically blind to everything that goes against the narratives the group believes in, he says. If the hypnotic state persists, they will try to destroy everyone who doesnt go along with them, and they typically do it as if it is an ethical duty.

According to Desmet, four conditions must exist for mass formation to emerge: a lack of social connectedness (what political philosopher Hannah Arendt calls social atomization), a lack of meaning in many peoples lives, a high level of free-floating anxiety in society (meaning anxiety without a specific object, unlike the anxiety you feel when a tiger is heading your way), and an undercurrent of societal aggression with no outlet.

As a clinical psychologist, Desmet was especially attuned to the social malaise preceding the pandemic, as evidenced by a steady increase in the number of depression and anxiety problems and the number of suicides and the enormous growth in absenteeism due to psychological suffering and burnout. In the year before COVID, you could feel this malaise growing exponentially.

The final catalyst for mass formation is a narrativeideally of the mythical sort, with heroes and villains. In his 2021 book The Delusions of Crowds, a history of financial and religious mass manias over the past five centuries, William Bernstein notes how a compelling narrative can act as a contagious pathogen that rapidly spreads through a given population in the same manner as a virus. As the narrative spreads from person to person, from country to country, it spirals into a vicious cycle for which we lack an analytical emergency brake. No matter how misleading the narrative, if compelling enough it will nearly always trump the facts because the human brain cant resist a good yarn. As Bernstein puts it, we are the apes who tell stories.

The COVID narrative met all the criteria for triggering mass formation: a deadly plague, an enemy against humanity (to borrow WHO director-general Tedros Ghebreyesuss locution), a call to join forces and fight it. A chance for heroism. The pandemic memes of the early days, telling social recluses they could finally claim hero status by eating potato chips and zoning out on their couch, tapped into this sensibility.

The narrative also gave people a focus for their anxiety, which they could now project onto a concrete (if invisible) enemy. Suddenly enlisted in a global army, they experienced what Desmet calls the mental intoxication of connectedness. Purpose, meaning, social bonds, now available to every malcontent. The scientists who brought the story to the public, in turn, were rewarded with tremendous social power. Its no surprise the narrative gripped both experts and ordinary citizens so tightly. But heres the rub: the social bonds fostered by mass formation do not occur between individuals, but between each person and an abstract collective. Thats crucial, Desmet says. Every individual separately connects to the collective.

This leads us to the concept of parochial altruism, sensitively explored in an essay by Lucio Saverio-Eastman. Defined as individual sacrifice to benefit the in-group and harm an out-group, this type of altruism undermines cooperation between groups and leads to pathological (rather than reasoned) obediencehardly the ingredients for a truly caring global response to a pandemic. Instead of owning their thoughts and decisions, people in the grip of parochial altruism engage in outward projection, which Saverio-Eastman describes as a deflection of individual responsibility onto the collective in-group or out-group.

This mindset explains why, despite all the talk of solidarity in the early weeks of the crisis, people would scurry away from a maskless tourist asking for directions. If someone fell on the sidewalk, other pedestrians refused to break the six-foot barrier to offer help. They let their parents die alone to protect the elderly.

When people bond with an abstraction (the greater good), rather than with other people, Desmet says they lose their moral bearings. Thats why mass formation erodes peoples humanity, leading them to report [others] to government, even people they loved before, out of solidarity with the collective.

Ah yes, the tattle-tales. By April 2020, social distancing snitches in Canada were already clogging 911 emergency lines with hundreds of calls, including 300 complaints involving people in parks in a single day. When polled about snitching, four in 10 Canadians said they intended to report anyone who flouted the COVID rules. After a resplendent spring day brought some Montreal rule breakers out of hiding, the local police set up a COVID-19 webpage to make snitching that much easier.

Generally derided as the conduct of petty bureaucrats with lack of agency in their lives, snitching became a badge of good citizenship in the early weeks of the pandemic. As psychologist Genevieve Beaulieu-Pelletier observes, snitching gives people the impression that they have more control on [sic] their situation. Its a way of controlling our fear.

Some might argue that snitching serves a unique social purpose in a pandemic, but encouraging people to turn on each other hardly promotes solidarity. On the contrary, it weakens the social bonds that Desmet views as crucial to our humanity. And once given free rein, the snitching impulse tends to run away with itself. People dont just report their neighbors for having raucous birthday bashes, but for sharing a coffee with a friend on a park bench or even for walking along a deserted beach. At that point, the snitches are no longer motivated by good citizenship, but by the naked impulse to control, which Desmet views as both a driver and outcome of mass formation. Under the spell of mass formation, people seek uniformity, and the nail that sticks out gets hammered in.

According to Desmet, unchecked mass formation can easily slip into totalitarianism, an idea he explores in his 2022 book The Psychology of Totalitarianism. Just weeks after its publication, the book became an Amazon #1 bestseller in the privacy & surveillance category. (Note to book authors looking to turn a profit: get on Joe Rogans show.) As Desmet explains in the book, every totalitarian regime begins with a period of mass formation. Into this tense and volatile mass steps an autocratic government and voila, the totalitarian state clicks into place. Nascent totalitarian regimes typically fall back on a scientific discourse, he says. They show a great preference for figures and statistics, which quickly degenerate into pure propaganda. The architects of the new regime dont go around shouting, I am evil. They often believe, to the bitter end, they are doing the right thing.

Some people get really jumpy at the suggestion that the COVID protocols bear any resemblance to a totalitarian regime. In Desmets defense, he never alleges that weve landed there. He simply maintains that COVID created the right conditions for totalitarianism to creep in: a frightened public, a cry for strong government action, and the universal political impulse to hold on to power when given the reins. A 34-nation European organization called IDEA agrees that democracy has taken a beating since COVID, with countries notably taking undemocratic and unnecessary actions to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

Fortunately, during the pandemics third year, countervailing forces began nudging most of the world away from COVID extremism. Even so, Desmet suggests we remain vigilant. A sneaky new variant could send us right back to where we started: scared, angry, lost to rational discourse, and begging to be locked down again.

Over 40 million people listened to Joe Rogans interview with Robert Malone, turning mass formation into a household word. The media pushback was swift and mercilessand if I may, editorially sloppy. A commentary in Medpage Today, written 12 days after the interview, exemplifies the low bar: Malone posits that promoting messages encouraging people to get vaccinated against COVID-19, among other scientifically validated pandemic communications, is an attempt to hypnotize groups of people to follow these messages against their will.

A simple fact check can puncture that statement. Texas congressman Troy Nehls saw fit to preserve the full interview transcript on his website, and everything Malone had to tell Rogan about mass formation appears on p. 38. For example: When you have a society that has become decoupled from each other and has free-floating anxiety  and then their attention gets focused by a leader or series of events on one small point, just like hypnosis, they literally become hypnotized and can be led anywhere . This is central to mass formation psychosis and this is what has happened. A few more sentences, essentially more of the same, and hes done. Earlier in the interview he talks about the lack of transparency surrounding the vaccine data, but never once does he link the vaccination campaign to mass formation or group hypnosis. I read the whole transcripttwicejust to make sure.

Other pundits threw shade on the concept of mass formation itself, calling it scientifically unsound and unproven. A Reuters Fact Check article reported that the term doesnt appear in the American Psychology Association dictionary and that, according to numerous psychologists, it lacks professional legitimacy.

Its a disingenuous allegation. When you get down to it, mass formation is just another term for good old mob psychology. We may not have an instrument to measure it, but weve recognized the phenomenon for centuries. Scholars such as Freud, Jung, and Gustave Le Bon have all described it. Both The Delusions of Crowds and its 19th-century inspiration, Memoirs of Extraordinarily Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds, discuss it. In his book Crowds and Power, written in 1960, Nobel laureate Elias Canetti argues that fear leads people to devolve into pack behavior. Fear of the virus did just that, leading people to set aside their basic humanity and common sense.

Remember the mother who put her 13-year-old son in the trunk of her car? The boy had tested positive for the virus and she was taking him for additional testing. To protect herself from exposure, she had him lie in the trunk while she drove him to the testing site. What she did is antithetical to every maternal instinct we have, says podcaster Trish Wood in a post-Rogan interview with Desmet. For a mother to put her own fear  above the care and comfort of a kid . I mean, really?

Or how about this one? Paramedics wouldnt let a 19-year-old man with meningitis symptoms into the hospital until he tested negative for COVID. The staff was so psychotically attached to the COVID narrative, to use Woods phrasing, that they disregarded his obviously alarming symptoms. When his parents took him to the ER a second time, he was so weak they had to carry him to the car. Hospital staff refused to let him in, and the young man died.

Can people read stories like this and not conclude the virus vigilantes were under a spell?

When in the thrall of mass formation, people become radically intolerant to dissonant voices, Desmet says on various occasions. They certainly dont welcome the suggestion that theyre being swept up by the crowd, and the strength of their numbers allows them to push the idea out of consciousness. Thats why Desmet encourages those who take issue with the dominant narrativeabout 10 to 30 percent of the population, by his estimateto speak out. If there is no dissonant voice anymore in society, then the process of mass formation becomes increasingly deep.

It bears repeating: Desmet has never denied the biological reality of the virus or the threat it poses to public health. Nor does he ascribe evil motives to the people who responded in extreme ways. He simply sees the forces of crowd psychology at work. Theres nothing surprising in any of this: When you mix a virus with a planet of frightened people, how could crowd psychology not kick in?

In fact, several other academics have circled around Desmets mass formation hypothesis, using slightly different terms. In a 2021 journal article, a trio of academics concluded that collective hysteria may have contributed to policy errors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Within the psychotherapy community, Desmet finds a staunch ally in Mark McDonald, a child and adolescent psychiatrist based in Los Angeles. MacDonald traces the rash of mental health problems afflicting his patients in the post-COVID erathe stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, and domestic violenceto the climate of fear stoked by public health authorities and amplified by the media. Like Desmet, he contends that people stopped thinking rationally when COVID arrived, and that the mass delusional psychosis that gripped the world has done more harm than the virus itself.

Whatever we call the phenomenonmass formation, mob psychology, social contagionDesmet says we can offset it by drawing on eternal principles of humanity. Like Jung, he invites us to reach beyond a purely rational and mechanistic world viewto cultivate a resonant knowing that awakens real empathy and connection between people.

From the Brownstone Institute

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
The Twitter Files Reveal an Existential Threat

The following is adapted from a talk delivered at Hillsdale College on Feb. 7, 2023.

Elon Musks takeover of Twitter last October and the subsequent reporting on the Twitter Files by journalists Matt Taibbi, Bari Weiss, and a handful of others beginning in early December is one of the most important news stories of our time.

The Twitter Files story encompasses, and to a large extent connects, every major political scandal of the TrumpBiden era. Put simply, the Twitter Files reveal an unholy alliance between Big Tech and the deep state designed to throttle free speech and maintain an official narrative through censorship and propaganda. This should not just disturb us, it should also prod us to action in defense of the First Amendment, free and fair elections, and indeed our country.

After Musk completed his acquisition of Twitter, he fired a slew of useless or insubordinate employees, instituted new content moderation policies, and tried to reform a woke corporate culture that bordered (and still borders) on parody.

In the process, Musk coordinated with Taibbi and Weiss on the publication of a series of stories based on internal Twitter documents related to an array of major political events going back years: the Hunter Biden laptop scandal, Twitters secret policy of shadow banning, President Trumps suspension from Twitter after the January 6 U.S. Capitol riot, the co-opting of Twitter by the FBI to suppress election disinformation ahead of the 2020 election, Twitters involvement in a Pentagon overseas psy-op campaign, its silencing of dissent from the official COVID narrative, its complicity in the Russiagate hoax, and its gradual capitulation to the direct involvement of the U.S. intelligence communitywith the FBI as a go-betweenin content moderation.

As Taibbi has written, the Twitter Files show the FBI acting as doorman to a vast program of social media surveillance and censorship, encompassing agencies across the federal governmentfrom the State Department to the Pentagon to the CIA.

The Twitter Files contain multitudes, but for the sake of brevity let us consider just three installments and their related implications: the suppression of the Hunter Biden laptop story, the suspension of Trump, and the deputization of Twitter by the FBI. Together, these stories reveal not just a social media company willing to do the bidding of an out-of-control federal bureaucracy, but a federal bureaucracy openly hostile to the First Amendment.

Hunter Bidens Laptop

On Oct. 14, 2020, the New York Post published its first major expose based on the contents of Hunter Bidens laptop, which had been dropped off at a Delaware computer repair shop in April 2019 and never picked up. It was the first of several stories detailing Biden family corruption and revealing the close involvement of Joe Biden in his sons foreign business ventures in the years during and after Bidens vice presidency. Hunter, although doing no real work, was making tens of millions of dollars from foreign companies in places like Ukraine and China. The Posts bombshell reporting shined a bright light on what was happening.

According to emails on the laptop, Hunter introduced then-Vice President Biden to a top executive at Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company that was paying Hunter (who had no credentials or experience in the energy business) up to $50,000 a month to sit on its board. Soon after this meeting, Vice President Biden pressured the Ukrainian government to fire a prosecutor investigating the company. In an earlier email, a top Burisma executive asked Hunter for advice on how [he]could use [his]influence to benefit the company.

The Posts ensuing stories revealed more of the same: a shocking level of corruption and influence-peddling by Hunter Biden, whose emails suggest his father was closely connected to his overseas business ventures. Indeed, those ventures appear to consist entirely of Hunter providing access to Joe Biden.

Twitter did everything in its power to suppress the Biden story. It removed links to the Posts reporting, appended warnings that they might be unsafe, and prevented users from sharing them via direct messagea restriction previously reserved for child pornography and other extreme cases. In an extraordinary step, Twitter also locked the Posts account and the accounts of anyone who shared links to its reporting, including White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany. [The justification provided for] these actions [was] the pretext that the stories violated Twitters hacked-materials policy, even though there was no evidence that anything on the laptop was hacked.

Twitter executives at the highest levels were directly involved in these decisions. Former head of legal, policy, and trust Vijaya Gadde, the companys chief censor, played a key role, as did former head of trust and safety Yoel Roth. Oddly, all this seems to have been done without the knowledge of Twitters then-CEO Jack Dorsey. And it was done despite internal pushback from other departments.

Im struggling to understand the policy basis for marking this as unsafe, wrote a Twitter communications executive in an email to Gadde and Roth. Can we truthfully claim that this is part of the policy? asked former VP of Global Communications Brandon Borman. His question was answered by Deputy General Counsel Jim Bakera former top lawyer for the FBI and the most powerful member of a growing cadre of former FBI employees working at Twitterwho said that caution is warranted and that some facts indicate the materials may have been hacked.

But there were no such facts, as Baker and other top Twitter executives knew at the time. The laptop was exactly what the Post said it was, and every fact the Post reported was accurate. Other major media outlets like The New York Times and The Washington Post would begrudgingly admit as much 18 months later, after Joe Biden was ensconced in the White House.

If there were no hacked materials in the Posts reporting, why did Twitter immediately react as if there were? Because long before the Post published its first laptop story, there had been an organized effort by the intelligence community to discredit leaked information about Hunter Biden. The laptop, after all, had been in federal custody since the previous December, when the FBI seized it from the computer repair shop. So the FBI knew very well that it contained evidence of straightforward criminal activity, such as illicit drug use, as well as of corruption and influence-peddling.

The evening before the Post ran its first story on the laptop, FBI special agent Elvis Chan sent 10 documents to Roth at Twitter through a special one-way communications channel the FBI had established with the company. For months, the FBI and other federal intelligence agencies had been priming Roth to dismiss news reports about Hunter Biden ahead of the 2020 election as hack-and-leak operations by state actors. They had done the same thing with Facebook, whose CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, admitted as much to Joe Rogan in an August 2022 podcast.

As Michael Shellenberger reported in the seventh installment of the Twitter Files, the FBI repeatedly asked Roth and others at Twitter about foreign influence operations on the platform and were repeatedly told there were none of any significance. The FBI also routinely pressured Twitter to hand over data outside the normal search warrant process, which Twitter at first resisted.

In July 2020, Chan arranged for Twitter executives to get top secret security clearances so the FBI could share intelligence about possible threats to the upcoming presidential election. The next month, Chan sent Roth information about a Russian hacking group called APT28.

Roth later said [about the Posts story about Hunter Bidens laptop], It set off every single one of my finely tuned APT28 hack-and-leak campaign alarm bells.

Even though there was never any evidence that anything on the laptop was hacked, Roth reacted to it just as the FBI had conditioned him to do, using the companys hacked-materials policy to suppress the story as soon as it appeared, just as the agency suggested it would, less than a month before the election.

Suspending the President

The erosion of Twitters content moderation standards would continue after the Hunter Biden laptop scandal, reaching its apogee on Jan. 8, 2021, two days after the Capitol [breach]. That is when Twitter made the extraordinary decision to suspend President Trump, even though he had not violated any Twitter policies. As the Twitter Files show, the suspension came amid ongoing interactions with federal agenciesinteractions that were increasing in frequency in the months leading up to the 2020 election. Roth was meeting weekly with the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. As the election neared, Twitters unevenly applied, rules-based content moderation policies would steadily deteriorate.

Content moderation on Twitter had always been an unstable mix of automatic enforcement of rules and subjective interventions by top executives, most of whom used Twitters censorship tools to diminish the reach of Trump and others on the right through shadow banning and other means. But that was changing. As Taibbi wrote in the third installment of the Twitter Files: As the election approached, senior executivesperhaps under pressure from federal agencies, with whom they met more as time progressedincreasingly struggled with rules, and began to speak of vios [violations] as pretexts to do what theyd likely have done anyway.

After Jan. 6, Twitter jettisoned even the appearance of a rules-based moderation policy, suspending Trump for a pair of tweets that top executives falsely claimed were violations of Twitters terms of service. The first, sent early in the morning on Jan. 8, stated: The 75,000,000 great American Patriots who voted for me, AMERICA FIRST, and MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, will have a GIANT VOICE long into the future. They will not be disrespected or treated unfairly in any way, shape or form!!! The second, sent about an hour later, simply stated that Trump would not be attending Joe Bidens inauguration on Jan. 20.

That same day, key Twitter staffers correctly determined that Trumps tweets did not constitute incitement of violence or violate any other Twitter policies. But pressure kept building from people like Gadde, who wanted to know whether the tweets amounted to coded incitement to further violence. Some suggested that Trumps first tweet might have violated the companys policy on the glorification of violence. Internal discussions then took an even more bizarre turn. Members of Twitters scaled enforcement team reportedly viewed Trump as the leader of a terrorist group responsible for violence/deaths comparable to Christchurch shooter or Hitler and on that basis and on the totality of his Tweets, he should be de-platformed.

Later on the afternoon of Jan. 8, Twitter announced Trumps permanent suspension due to the risk of further incitement of violencea nonsense phrase that corresponded to no written Twitter policy. The suspension of a sitting head of state was unprecedented. Twitter had never taken such a step, even with heads of state in Nigeria and Ethiopia who actually had incited violence. Internal deliberations unveiled by the Twitter Files show that Trumps suspension was partly justified based on the overall context and narrative of Trumps words and actionsas one executive put itover the course of the election and frankly last 4+ years.

That is, it was not anything Trump said or did; it was that Twitters censors wanted to blame the president for everything that happened on Jan. 6 and remove him from the platform. To do that, they were willing to shift the entire intellectual framework of content moderation from the enforcement of objective rules to the consideration of context and narrative, thereby allowing executives to engage in what amounts to viewpoint discrimination.

Private companies, of course, for the most part have the right to engage in viewpoint discriminationsomething the government is prohibited from doing by the First Amendment. The problem is that when Twitter suspended Trump, it was operating less like a private company than like an extension of the federal government.

* * *

Among the most shocking revelations of the Twitter Files is the extent to which federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies came to view Twitter as a tool for censorship and narrative control. In part six of the Twitter Files, Taibbi chronicles the constant and pervasive contact between the FBI and Twitter after January 2020, as if [Twitter] were a subsidiary.

In particular, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security wanted Twitter to censor tweets and lock accounts [they] believed were engaged in election misinformation, and [those government entities] would regularly send the company content [they] had pre-flagged for moderation, essentially dragooning Twitter into what would otherwise be illegal government censorship. Taibbi calls it a master-canine relationship. When requests for censorship came in from the feds, Twitter obediently compliedeven when the tweets in question were clearly jokes or posted on accounts with few followers.

Some Twitter executives were unsure what to make of this relationship. Policy Director Nick Pickles at one point asked how he should refer to the companys cooperation with federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies, suggesting it be described in terms of partnerships. Time and again, federal agencies stressed the need for close collaboration with their private sector partners, using the alleged interference by Russia in the 2016 election as the pretext for a massive government surveillance and censorship regime operating from inside Twitter.

Requests for content moderation, which increasingly resembled demands, came not only from the FBI and DHS, but also from a tangled web of other federal agencies, contractors, and government-affiliated think tanks such as the Election Integrity Project at Stanford University. As Taibbi writes, the lines between government and its partners in this effort were so blurred as to be meaningless.

The Deputization of Twitter

After the 2016 election, both Twitter and Facebook faced pressure from Democrats and their media allies to root out Russian election meddling under the thoroughly debunked theory that a Moscow-based social media influence operation was responsible for Trumps election victory. In reality, Russias supposed meddling amounted to a minuscule ad buy on Facebook and a handful of Twitter bots. But the truth was not acceptable to Democrats, the media, or the anti-Trump federal bureaucracy.

In 2017, Twitter came under tremendous pressure to keep producing material on Russian interference, and in response it created a Russia Task Force to hunt for accounts tied to Moscows Internet Research Agency. The task force did not find much. Out of some 2,700 accounts reviewed, only two came back as significant, and one of those was Russia Today, a state-backed news outlet.

But in the face of bad press and threats from Democrats in Congress, Twitter executives decided to go along with the official narrative and pretend they had a Russia problem. To placate Washington and avoid costly new regulations, they pledged to work with [members of Congress] on their desire to legislate.

When someone in Congress leaked the list of the 2,700 accounts Twitters task force had reviewed, the media exploded with stories suggesting that Twitter was swarming with Russian botsand Twitter continued to go along.

After that, as described by Taibbi, This cyclethreatened legislation wedded to scare headlines pushed by congressional/intel sources, followed by Twitter caving to [content] moderation asks[came to] be formalized in partnerships with federal law enforcement.

Late in 2017, Twitter quietly adopted a new policy. In public, it would say that all content moderation took place at [Twitters] sole discretion. But its internal guidance would stipulate censorship of anything identified by the U.S. intelligence community as a state-sponsored entity conducting cyber-operations.

Thus, Twitter increasingly allowed the intelligence community, the State Department, and a dizzying array of federal and state agencies to submit content moderation requests through the FBI, which Chan suggested could function as the belly button of the [U.S. government]. These requests would grow and intensify during the COVID pandemic and in the run-up to the 2020 election.

By 2020, there was a torrent of demands for censorship, sometimes with no explanationjust an Excel spreadsheet with a list of accounts to be banned. These demands poured in from FBI offices all over the country, overwhelming Twitter staff.

Eventually, the government would pay Twitter $3.4 million in compensation. It was a pittance considering the work Twitter did at the governments behest, but the payment illustrated a stark reality: Twitter, a leading gatekeeper of the digital public square and arguably the most powerful social media platform in the world, had become a subcontractor for the U.S. intelligence community.

* * *

The Twitter Files have revealed or confirmed three important truths about social media and the deep state.

First, the entire concept of content moderation is a euphemism for censorship by social media companies that falsely claim to be neutral and unbiased. To the extent they exercise a virtual monopoly on public discourse in the digital era, we should stop thinking of them as private companies that can do whatever they want, as libertarians are fond of saying. The companies content moderation policies are at best a flimsy justification for banning or blocking whatever their executives do not like. At worst, they provide cover for a policy of pervasive government censorship.

Second, Twitter was taking marching orders from a deep state security apparatus that was created to fight terrorists, not to censor or manipulate public discourse. To the extent that the deep state is using social media companies like Twitter and Facebook to subvert the First Amendment and run information psy-ops on the American public, these companies have become malevolent government actors. As a policy matter, the hands-off, laissez-faire regulatory approach we have taken to them should come to an immediate end.

Third, the administrative state has metastasized into a destructive deep state that threatens to bring about the collapse of Americas constitutional system within our lifetimes. Emblematic of the threat is the fact that the intelligence community has proven itself incapable of not interfering in American elections. The FBI in particular has directly meddled in the last two presidential elections to a degree that should call into question its continued existence.

Indeed, the FBIs post-9/11 transformation from a law enforcement agency to a counter-terrorism and intelligence-gathering agency with seemingly limitless remit has been a disaster for civil liberties and the First Amendment. We need either to impose radical reforms or scrap it entirely and start over.

The late great political scientist Angelo Codevilla argued that our response to 9/11 was completely wrong. Instead of erecting a sprawling security and surveillance apparatus to detect and disrupt potential terrorist plots, we should have issued an ultimatum to the regimes that were harboring al-Qaeda: You make war on these terrorists and bring them to justice or we will make war on you.

The reason not to do what we did, Codevilla argued, is that a security and surveillance apparatus powerful and pervasive enough to do what we wanted it to do was incompatible with a free society. It might defeat the terrorists, but it would eventually be turned on the American people.

The Twitter Files leave little doubt that Codevillas prediction has come to pass. The question we face now is whether the American people and their elected representatives will fight back. The fate of the republic rests on the answer.

Reprinted by permission from Imprimis, a publication of Hillsdale College.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Things Go South With Chinato Mexico

Workers at the auto parts production line in the Bosch factory in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, on Jan. 11, 2017. (Pardo/AFP/Getty Images)

Commentary

Beijings spy balloon is the latest global public drama to hit the U.S.-China relationship. For a few days, all eyes peered upwards. We wanted to know whether President Joe Biden would get the gumption to take action.

The shoot-down could have been nationally cathartic. U.S. defensive presentations to hundreds of diplomats around the world informed them of the ballooning dangers of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Finally, we had done more to defend ourselves and our partners, it seemed, at least in the short term.

The effect of the balloon caper on Chinas soft power cant have been good, especially in the United States. After the pandemic apparently originated in Wuhan due to the CCPs culture of silence, better thought of as a criminal omerta, the balloon incident reinforced U.S. negative perceptions of the regime in Beijing.

In America, three strikes and youre out. The CCP is on its way to umpteen strikes, considering all it has done throughout history. The balloon is the least of it.

So what was Chinese leader Xi Jinping thinking? Did he even know? Did the CCP think our naivete would last forever?

As U.S.-China relations continue years of deflation, we are gradually, too gradually, making it more difficult for China-based companies to do business in the United States.

On the bright side, former President Donald Trumps 25 percent tariffs on China were upheld by the Biden administration. That gave a signal to manufacturers in the Middle Kingdom that if they want to continue selling to American customers, they would have to get out of CCP land.

The destinations for companies leaving China have included India, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Ethiopia. But just one place is uniquely suited to supply U.S. markets. It has not only cheap labor, but a U.S. free trade agreement and geographic proximity to the American Southwest.

That place is Mexico.

Shipping containers, including those of China Shipping, a shipping conglomerate under the direct administration of Chinaa State Council, await transportation on a rail line at the Port of Long Beach in Long Beach, Calif., on July 12, 2018. (Frederic Brown/AFP/Getty Images)

Since Biden took office, Chinese companies have realized its advantages and quietly built their manufacturing systems just south of the U.S. border.

A New York Times article published on Feb. 3 by Peter S. Goodman covered the trend in detail.

And China isnt the first. Japan and South Korea have also moved some manufacturing to Mexico to label their products Made in Mexico and get them trucked north of the border duty-free.

China-based companies that nearshore closer to the worlds biggest importer, the United States, are driven not only by the need to evade tariffs, but to shorten shipping distances and their attendant costs. The cost of shipping a container from China to the United States spiked over 350 percent between 2019 and 2022.

Some shipping rates rose much more, from $2,000 a container to $20,000.

Goodman notes that companies from China nearshoring to the other side of the Rio Grande attest to the deepening assumption that the breach dividing the United States and China will be an enduring feature of the next phase of globalization.

The state of Nuevo Leon in Mexico, for example, has reaped nearly $7 billion in foreign investment since October 2021. That makes the state the second-largest foreign investment destination in Mexico after Mexico City. Forty-seven percent of investment in Nuevo Leon comes from the United States, but the second-largest origin is China, at 30 percent.

A single China-headquartered company in Mexico can represent thousands of jobs. Man Wah, a Chinese furniture company that reportedly moved to Mexico last year to evade tariffs and shipping costs, is building a $300 million factory in Nuevo Leon. The company plans to hire 6,000 workers to produce 900,000 pieces of furniture a year. Most of that furniture will likely be sold in the United States.

Lets not forget that each worker that the U.S. economy loses to China or Mexico would support a family here, fund government services, and strengthen local economies, from grocery stores to home construction. Yes, Americans want cheaper prices, but in times of economic distress, high government debt, and mounting geopolitical risks to democracy from China and Russia, now may not be the best time for the worlds most powerful defender of freedom to give away its markets for free.

The China tariffs are having intended effects, but only partially. They were meant to move jobs from China back to the United States, but many of those jobs are, in fact, moving to Mexico. They were meant to decrease Chinas economic power, upon which its military power rests. But profits from Chinas move south will flow back to China and, therefore, buttress the CCPs militarism.

As with China tariffs, the U.S. Congress should help Americans understand whether the lower prices we get from production in Mexico are really worth the loss of jobs to Mexico, and the loss of profits to China, on top of a continued failure to fully reindustrialize the United States.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Turkish President Admits Shortcomings in Dealing With Earthquake Aftermath, Total Death Toll Passes 16,000

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has acknowledged that there were issues with the ongoing earthquake relief efforts as he faces pressure over the governments allegedly poor response to the crisis while the death toll from the tragedy nears 13,000 in the country.

Of course, there are shortcomings. The conditions are clear to see. Its not possible to be ready for a disaster like this, Erdogan said on Feb. 7 while visiting Hatay, which has the highest death toll in the country, according to Sky News. This is a time for unity, solidarity. I cannot stomach people conducting negative campaigns for political interest.

Turkeys death toll was at 12,873, according to officials. In Syria, 3,162 are thought to have died from the earthquake. Combined, the total deaths in the region come to 16,035.

People affected by the earthquake in southern Turkey have been battling freezing winter weather while waiting for the rescue of their family and friends.

While rescuers continue pulling out people from the rubble, many Turkish citizens are complaining about a lack of support, expertise, and equipment to rescue those still trapped.

Where is the state? Where have they been for two days? We are begging them. Let us do it, we can get them out, Sabiha Alinak, from the city of Malatya where her young relatives are still trapped, said to Reuters.

Unprepared Government

According to Nasuh Mahruki, founder of a search and rescue group, the army failed to act on time to respond to the earthquake as the Erdogan administration had annulled a protocol that earlier allowed it to act without instructions.

In the first seconds (after the 1999 quake), the Turkish Armed Forces started to work and were on the scene with the people within hours, he told Reuters. Now, it seems the responsibility is with AFAD [Disaster and Emergency Management Authority], but it is not prepared for such a colossal problem.

People are also angered at an earthquake tax, which was charged by Turkish authorities following the 1999 quake that was supposed to be spent on the development of emergency services and disaster prevention efforts.

The mounting anger of citizens places Erdogan under pressure as the countrys elections are just a few months ahead on May 14.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of Turkeys main opposition party who is expected to be a presidential candidate, blamed Erdogan for not preparing enough to deal with earthquake incidents.

If there is one person responsible for this, it is Erdogan, he said, according to BBC. Erdogans administration has not prepared for an earthquake for 20 years.

In the aftermath of the earthquake, Twitter was blocked in Turkey on Feb. 8, according to watchdog organization NetBlocks. However, access to Twitter is being restored per a tweet update by the organization.

The government reportedly justified blocking Twitter by citing alleged disinformation about earthquakes. People are said to be furious about Erdogans slow response to the crisis, with his visit to earthquake victims being seen by many as a PR stunt.

Impact On Elections, Economy

Political experts believe the earthquake will play a major role in Erdogans future in the upcoming elections, which will also have consequences for the countrys economy.

In an interview with CNBC, Mike Harris, founder of Cribstone Strategic Macro, said that there will be backlash if the Erdogan governments rescue effort is mishandled and people get frustrated.

And the other issue of course, is the buildings and which ones have gone down. To the extent these were built under the new codes and the authorities didnt impose regulations, there could be some serious blowback for Erdogan. So, Erdogans lost control of the narrative.

The earthquake forced the Turkish stock exchange Borsa Istanbul to suspend trading for the first time in 24 years. The shutdown followed a massive selloff that occurred in the aftermath of the quakes.

All trades made on Feb. 8 were canceled, with the exchange citing unhealthy price formation and low volumes for the cancellation. Trading is only set to resume next week on Feb. 15.

The Turkish GDP is expected to be negatively impacted by the quakes this year, while Ankaras budget adds billions of dollars in additional spending to deal with the crisis.
Twitter Restricted in Turkey After Earthquake, Says Internet Monitor

Figurines with smartphones and computers in front of the Twitter logo in an illustration on Nov. 28, 2022. (Dado Ruvic/Reuters)

Access to Twitter was restricted in Turkey on Wednesday, according to the global internet monitor NetBlocks, following a major earthquake that killed more than 11,500 people in southern Turkey and northern Syria on Monday.

Real-time network data show Twitter has been restricted in Turkey; the filtering is applied on major internet providers and comes as the public come to rely on the service in the aftermath of a series of deadly earthquakes, said NetBlocks in a tweet.

The incident comes as authorities raise concerns over disinformation online, although no formal explanation has been provided, NetBlocks said.

 Confirmed: Real-time network data show Twitter has been restricted in #Turkey; the filtering is applied on major internet providers and comes as the public come to rely on the service in the aftermath of a series of deadly earthquakes  Report: https://t.co/CEbfgeBpvz pic.twitter.com/3884wMpYD2  NetBlocks (@netblocks) February 8, 2023

Users of the platform protested the move as it could hinder ongoing rescue efforts to find people still trapped in the quake zone.

How come Twitter is restricted on a day communication saves lives? What kind of ineptitude? the head of the DEVA opposition party, Ali Babacann said on Twitter.

NetBlocks said that users in Turkey are still able to access Twitter by using virtual private networks (VPN).

Twitter CEO Elon Musk said via the platform on Wednesday evening Eastern Standard Time that: Twitter has been informed by the Turkish government that access will be reenabled shortly.

Major Communication Tool

Twitter has been a major tool of communication amid the destruction of the earthquake that occurred earlier this week. Turkish residents have tweeted information about loved ones they cannot reach, reports of collapsed buildings in the area, and coordination for aid.

Turkey has a longstanding policy of restricting access to social media platforms during national emergencies and safety incidents, according to NetBlocks.

In a speech on Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned that he would not allow disinformation to spread in the wake of the earthquakes and called on citizens not to listen to provocateurs.

Turkish police have detained 18 people since Mondays earthquake over provocative social media posts that criticized how Erdogans government has been handling the disaster.

Local residents look on as a crane sifts through the rubble of an eight-floor building that collapsed after the second of two earthquakes in Adana province, Turkey, on Feb. 6, 2023. (Ercan Koc for The Epoch Times)

The Twitter outage came as Erdogan began a tour of the affected region.

In October, Turkey adopted a law proposed by the AK Party that would jail journalists and social media users for up to three years for spreading disinformation, sparking deep concerns over free speech.

Critics have said there is no clear definition of false or misleading information, leaving the law open to abuse by courts that are not independent. The government denies their claims that courts cracked down on open dissent and silenced opponents in recent years.

The government says the new law aims to regulate online publications, protect the country and combat disinformation.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Unmasked Alberta Chiropractor Faces Discipline by Regulatory College

The tribunal of Albertas regulatory body for chiropractors has ruled against Calgary chiropractor Dr. Curtis Wall for not wearing a mask during the pandemic.

The College of Chiropractors of Alberta (CCA) sought to discipline Wall for not wearing a mask at his clinic, not observing two metres of social distancing while unmasked, not installing a plexiglass barrier in his reception area, and not requiring patients to be masked either, beginning around June 2020.

In a statement issued Feb. 1, the CCAs hearing tribunal wrote,

[T]he Hearing Tribunal has found Dr. Curtis Walls conduct does constitute unprofessional conduct and their decision for penalty is forthcoming.

The College of Chiropractors of Alberta, as a regulatory body, has an obligation under the Health Professions Act to ensure the public receives safe, competent and ethical care from regulated members.

Lawyer James Kitchen of Liberty Coalition Canada, who represented Wall, railed against the ruling in a Feb. 7 email.

[T]he decision is riddled with errors of fact and law and is so poorly decided it is an embarrassment to the chiropractic profession, the email said.

It is shocking the lengths the tribunal went to dismiss the evidence of Dr. Wall, three of his patients, and his four expert witnesses while blithely accepting all the evidence of the CollegeThe decision is an egregious manifestation of pre-determined, results-oriented decision-making.

In an interview with The Epoch Times, Kitchen said he sought to put as much evidence on the record as possible.

I set this whole case up knowing that the tribunal would likely do whatever the college and the colleges expert told him to do. I set the case up such that if the tribunal did that, they would have to make themselves look very foolish to do so, Kitchen said.

If Im really putting my cynical hat on, I dont know if theres anything that surprises me, really. It should shock me the degree to which they twisted the evidence, left out the evidence. The only thing that surprises me a little bit is the lack of effort they put in to hide their bias.

Testimonies

The Epoch Times reached out to the CCA for comment. Communications manager Dana Myckan replied by email, stating: Pursuant to the Health Professions Act, all Hearing Tribunal decisions are posted publicly on the CCOA website. This is the extent of the information that the CCOA can share on behalf of the Hearing Tribunal.

The CCA sought a publication ban on testimony during the hearings, which began Sept. 1, 2021, and concluded on June 17, 2022. The tribunal allowed the testimony to be publicized, but initially ruled that the names had to be redacted. That testimony, first publicized by The Epoch Times last March, now publicly includes names.

Respirologist Dr. Bao Dang, viral immunologist Dr. Byram Bridle, infectious diseases specialist Dr. Thomas Warren, and occupational health and safety (OHS) consultant Chris Schaefer testified on behalf of Wall.

Schaefer said that tests he has conducted consistently showed that mask wearers experienced oxygen levels so low and carbon dioxide levels so high within 30 seconds of wearing that if such levels occurred naturally at a worksite, OHS rules would require the work to stop.

Family physician Dr. Jia Hu, who testified for the college, said masks were effective and had no known harms. Under cross-examination, he acknowledged that he was not a virologist, an immunologist, a respirologist, or a medical microbiologist, and also admitted that for people with extreme anxiety, [masks] can make you anxious.

Hes Still Pretty Dismayed

The ruling noted that Wall initially wore a mask, but in June 2020, he self-diagnosed as having an anxiety disorder. He believed that his self-diagnosis qualified him for a medical exemption from wearing a mask. As a result, he stopped wearing a mask when treating patients.

It added that Wall never contacted the college to let it know his condition or request an exemption, and said Walls son also worked at the clinic and did not wear a mask.

Kitchen said Wall could face a suspension of his practice but will appeal this ruling or any attempt to make him pay the CCAs legal costs, which the college stated during the hearings were in excess of $200,000. Kitchen said a recent court precedent suggests the CCA will be unable to recoup costs in a ruling.

An appeal would be heard by the council of the college, which is the colleges governing body. It consists of five chiropractors elected by their peers along with five members of the public appointed by the government. Should Wall lose there, he could take his case to the Alberta Court of Appeal. Kitchen said Wall will go the distance.

I warned them that this is how I expected it to go. So he was prepared, Kitchen said.

Hes still pretty dismayed that people could have this much evidence staring them in the face and just ignore it and follow the narrative. Its hard for him. Hes an idealist. Hes really big on truth and people doing whats right.
US, UK Sanction 7 Members of Russian Trickbot Cyber Gang for Hospital Attacks

A Russian flag is seen on a laptop screen in front of a computer screen displaying cyber code. (Reuters/Kacper Pempel)

The United States and the UK said on Feb. 9 that they are sanctioning seven people associated with a Russian cybercriminal gang for their alleged role in conducting malign cyber activities against their nations and allies.

Washington and London sanctioned the members of Trickbot, a Russian cybercriminal outfit that specializes in stealing financial data, for their alleged roles in launching attacks on hospitals and government institutions.

Cyber criminals, particularly those based in Russia, seek to attack critical infrastructure, target U.S. businesses, and exploit the international financial system, U.S. Treasury Undersecretary Brian Nelson said in a prepared statement.

The United States is taking action today in partnership with the United Kingdom because international cooperation is key to addressing Russian cybercrime.

The announcement marks the first time that the UK has participated in such targeted sanctions with the United States, which the Treasury attributed to ongoing collaboration between itself and key British institutions.

A Treasury statement said that Trickbot originated in 2014 with the creation of the Dyre trojan banking malware and evolved from Dyre in 2016 to become malware and also the name of the cybercriminal group consisting largely of individuals located in Moscow.

The group specializes in targeting non-Russian individuals, businesses, and financial institutions and has created a modular malware suite that allows it to conduct an array of illegal activities.

According to the Treasury, Trickbot engaged in a targeted campaign against U.S. hospitals, in which it held vital health care systems hostage with ransomware during the height of the COVID crisis.

In one of these attacks, the Trickbot group deployed ransomware against three Minnesota medical facilities, disrupting their computer networks and telephones and causing a diversion of ambulances.

By sanctioning these cybercriminals, we are sending a clear signal to them and others involved in ransomware that they will be held to account, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said in a prepared statement.

These cynical cyber attacks cause real damage to peoples lives and livelihoods. We will always put our national security first by protecting the UK and our allies from serious organised crimewhatever its form and wherever it originates.

The seven sanctioned individuals are believed to be closely associated with the Russian Intelligence Services. The Treasury said that Trickbot more broadly is believed to have aligned with Russian state interests since 2020 and to have engaged in cyberattacks on the U.S. government.

The persons are all alleged to have been involved in the management, administration, or delivery of the groups malware.

The sanctions mean that all property and interests of those individuals in the United States or in possession of U.S. citizens must be blocked and reported and that those who engage in transactions with them may also be designated for sanction.
US Congresswoman Angie Craig Assaulted in DC Elevator: Spokesman

U.S. Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) was attacked in an elevator inside her Washington, D.C., apartment building, according to a statement from her office on Thursday.

Rep. Craig defended herself from the attacker and suffered bruising, but is otherwise physically okay, Nick Coe, her chief of staff, said in a statement. There is no evidence the incident was politically motivated, he said, adding that the assailant fled the scene.

The incident took place at around 7:15 a.m. on Thursday morning inside the elevator of her apartment building in the District, according to Coes statement.

Craig then called 911 before the suspect fled the scene.

The congresswoman is grateful to the Metropolitan DC Police Department for their quick response, Coe added. She is also requesting privacy at this time.

Laura Cottrell, a spokesperson for Craig, told MPR News that Craig worked in the Capitol and voted Thursday. Other details were not provided.

To give you a sense of how strong @AngieCraigMN is, she went straight to the Hill this morning and attended a meeting in the Senate with the Governor and me and several members of our delegation about legislation for the people of her district, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) wrote on Twitter in response to the incident.

Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) wrote that the alleged incident is terrible and praised Craig. Violence is becoming all too common in our country, and it breaks my heart, Clarke said on Twitter.

And House Minority Leader (D-N.Y.) Hakeem Jeffries told reporters that we are all very grateful that she is safe and recovering but appalled that this terrifying assault took place.

Statement by Rep. Angie Craigs Chief of Staff: pic.twitter.com/YHXKJkuK42  Angie Craig (@RepAngieCraig) February 9, 2023

Craig told Metropolitan Police that the alleged assailant was acting erratic as if he was under the influence [of] an unknown substance, said a public incident report that was provided by the Metropolitan Police Department (pdf). The lawmaker then told the individual good morning before entering the elevator, the report said.

After that, the suspect followed her to the elevator and began to randomly do push ups before he punched her on the chin area of her face, and later grabbed her neck, the report said. Craig responded by tossing hot coffee at the suspect, who escaped, the incident report stated.

The suspects description was not provided by either Craigs office or the police department.

The Epoch Times has contacted the Metropolitan Police Department for additional comment.

Craig was elected to a third term during the November 2022 elections. Her congressional district encompasses parts of the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

This is a developing news story. Check back for more updates.
US Judge Lets Nevada Lithium Mine Construction Proceed

Armin Mueller, CEO of Deutsche Lithium GmbH, holds a rock of Zinnwaldite, a silicate mineral that contains lithium, hewn from a passage in a former tin and wolfram mine in Zinnwald near Altenberg, Germany, on Dec. 13, 2017. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

A federal judge ruled on Monday that a new lithium mine in Nevada could proceed, despite a lawsuit challenging the new mining project.

Judge Miranda Du of the Nevada Federal District ruled that the Canada-based Lithium Americas Corp. mining company could retain its mining permits for the Thacker Pass project over the objections of environmental groups, Native American tribal groups, and some ranchers that opposed the project. Du did, however, rule that the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) would need to revisit part of its environmental review for the mining projects plan to dump waste rock over a 1,300-acre area.

Thacker Pass has the nations largest known deposit of lithium, a rare metal widely used in rechargeable batteries.

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit raised concerns the new mine would harm the local wildlife, degrade groundwater, and pollute the air.

Du ruled that the defendants had demonstrated the project does not violate any federal or state air or water quality standards. She also found that the plaintiffs claims that the project would harm local species of sage grouse birds were insufficient, and the bird species is not federally classified as endangered or threatened.

Paiute Native American plaintiffs had argued they should have been more closely involved in approving the mining project and said the project could destroy nearby sacred sites. Du determined that the area covered by the mining project did not overlap with a 2006 ethnographic assessment that cataloged various sacred sites and locations of massacres in the surrounding area.

Lithium

President Joe Bidens administration has raised lithium production as a key component of their effort to spur broader adoption of electric vehicles.

Lithium is a critical input to batteries where the United States currently has very little domestic supply, the Biden White House said in a December 2021 fact sheet. The Biden Administration has funded two dozen teams to expand sourcing of lithium from geothermal brines and approved a permit for the Nevada-based Thacker Pass lithium mine.

In addition to making batteries for consumer electric vehicles, lithium holds a growing strategic importance as the military is moving to adopt more electric vehicles.

The Department of Defense (DoD) has recently highlighted the strategic importance of lithium and Chinas current dominance over the supply.

By far the largest challenge for securing the supply of lithium batteries for DoD is the power of Chinas industrial base, a February 2022 DoD report reads. China dominates the global advanced battery supply chain, including lithium hydroxide (94 percent), cells (76 percent), electrolyte (76 percent), lithium carbonate (70 percent), anodes (65 percent), and cathodes (53 percent).

Republicans have also raised the strategic importance of lithium, while raising concerns about Chinas potential involvement in the Thacker Pass project. In September, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) raised concerns about Lithium Americas largest shareholder, Ganfeng, a Chinese company with direct ties to the ruling Chinese Communist Party.

Reactions to the Ruling

Lithium Americas celebrated the Monday ruling, describing it as largely favorable to their mining project.

We are pleased that the Federal Court has recognized the BLMs decision to issue the Federal Permit, reflecting our considerable efforts to ensure Thacker Pass is developed responsibly and for the benefit of all stakeholders, Lithium Americas president and CEO Jonathan Evans said in a Tuesday press statement. The favorable ruling leaves in place the final regulatory approval needed in moving Thacker Pass into construction.

Lithium Americas said the ruling left no impediment to commencing construction on the mine.

As for Dus order for BLM to reevaluate the mining projects proposed waste rock dumping permits, Lithium America said it will work closely with the BLM to complete the required follow-up.

Some of the environmental groups that sued to stop the mining project touted Dus ruling that the BLM was arbitrary and capricious in approving the mining projects request to dump waste rock. At the same time, the environmental groups said they are examining their options for challenging the mine going forward.

We dont know yet what the next steps will be, but we know we wont stop fighting this destructive mine, said Greta Anderson, deputy director of Western Watersheds Project.

The People of Red Mountain, a Native American tribal organization, said our hearts are heavy after hearing the judges decision. Indigenous peoples sacred sites should not be at the expense of the climate crisis the US faces.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

From NTD News
US Man Convicted of Aiding ISIS as Sniper, Trainer

Ruslan Maratovich Asainov (R) answers questions while in custody during an interview with an FBI agent on July 19, 2019. (U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York via AP)

NEW YORKA former New York stockbroker-turned-ISIS group terrorist was convicted Tuesday of becoming a sniper and trainer for the terrorist group during its brutal reign in Syria and Iraq.

The trial of Ruslan Maratovich Asainov, a Kazakh-born U.S. citizen, was the latest in a series of cases against people accused of leaving their homelands around the world to join the terrorists in combat.

Todays verdict in an American courtroom is a victory for our system of justice and against ISIS, Brooklyn-based U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said in a statement. Asainovs lawyers had no immediate comment.

A onetime broker who doted on his toddler daughter, Asainov converted to Islam around 2009 and later quit his job and started watching radical sermons online, his ex-wife testified. He abruptly left his family in Brooklyn in December 2013 and made his way to Syria as ISIS stormed to power.

In a case built largely on Asainovs own words in messaging apps, emails, recorded phone calls, and an FBI interview, prosecutors said he fought in numerous battles and built a notable profile in ISIS by becoming a sniper and later an instructor of nearly 100 other long-range shooters.

The evidence has shown that people died as a result of the defendants conduct. It is time to hold him accountable, prosecutor Douglas Pravda told a Brooklyn federal court jury in a closing argument.

Asainov, 46, didnt testify, telling the court he was not part of this process.

His lawyers didnt dispute that he went to Syria and affiliated with ISIS, but they argued that his accounts of his role were boasts that had no firsthand corroboration and didnt prove anyone died because of his conduct.

Nobodys arguing to you that Mr. Asainovs view of the world is not a very warped view, defense attorney Sabrina Shroff said in her summation, asking the jury not to confuse his views with what is needed to convict him beyond a reasonable doubt.

Theres not a single piece of paper that ties Mr. Asainov to anything in the Islamic State that would tell you he, in fact, is the person he claims to be, she said.

A man prosecutors say is Ruslan Maratovich Asainov in Tabqa, Syria, between June 2014 and April 2015. (U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of New York via AP)

Jurors, whose identities were kept confidential, found Asainov guilty of offenses that include providing and attempting to provide material support to what the United States designates a foreign terrorist organization. The jury also concluded that his actions caused at least one death, a finding that means he faces the potential of life in prison. His sentencing is set for June 7.

ISIS terrorists seized chunks of Iraq and Syria in 2014, sweeping millions of people into a so-called caliphate ruled according to the groups iron-fisted interpretation of Islamic law, enforced through massacres, beheadings, sexual slavery, and other atrocities. The groups bloody campaign attracted tens of thousands of foreign fighters; at least scores of them were U.S. citizens, according to a 2018 academic report from George Washington Universitys Program on Extremism.

Fighting left a swath of deaths, displacement, and destruction in major cities and beyond. The terrorists lost the last remnants of their realm in 2019.

Asainov was picked up soon after by U.S.-backed forces and turned over to U.S. authorities. Unabashed as FBI agents questioned him, he gave his occupation as sniper and frankly detailed how hed taught others, explaining that he could spend three hours just on the fine points of pulling a trigger, according to video played at trial.

He had also been forthcoming in messages and calls from Syria to friends and the now-ex-wife hed left behind, according to trial evidence.

Have you heard of Islamic State? Right. I-S-I-S. Do you watch news on TV? Thats where I am located. I am one of its fighters, he told his ex in a voicemail that authorities translated from Russian. We are the worst terrorist organization in the world that ever existed.

He sent photos of himself in camouflage garb with a rifle and pictures of the bloodied bodies of men with whom he said hed fought. He texted one confidantein fact a U.S. government informanta rundown of prominent battles in which he said hed participated and asked for money to buy a night scope for his rifle.

Later, with the sounds of explosions in the background of Asainovs phone, he asked another friend for money to send his new wife and children to safety as U.S.-backed forces fought to capture the terrorists de facto capital of Raqqa in 2017.

Shroff urged jurors not to take his remarks at face value.

To say the same wrong things over and over again does not make them accurate, she argued.

After his arrest, a defiant Asainov declared at his arraignment that he was an Islamic State citizen, not a United States citizen, and jail officials said they later found a hand-drawn version of the terrorists flag in his cell.
Luong Thi Hai (R) at a police station in Bac Lieu Province as she is under investigation for human trafficking, February 8, 2023. Photo by Bac Lieu police

Police in southern Vietnam have detained two women for allegedly selling more than 30 others, including children, to Chinese men as wives.

Pham Thi Tu, 61, and Luong Thi Hai, 31, are under investigation for "trafficking people, trafficking in people under the age of 16, and organizing for other people to enter Vietnam illegally."

Police in the Mekong Delta's Bac Lieu Province said Wednesday that Tu and Hai targeted women who came from poor families, and those who were divorced or were suffering from business struggles.

They lured them to China for employment and promised to pay their families VND90-100 million (US$3,792-4,215).

However, once the victims were in China, the two accused women sold them as wives to Chinese men at prices of around VND300-400 million each.

Between 2019 and 2021, Tu and Hai's ring pocketed more than VND1 billion by kidnapping 30 women in the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City-adjacent Binh Duong Province.

Some women were abused by their Chinese husbands and begged to be released.

In order to escape and return home, they then had to pay the human trafficking ring more than VND100 million.

Some of the women were able to do so and then reported Tu and Hai to police.

Police report that they have identified seven more members of the ring and are currently tracking them down.

Hundreds of thousands of women from Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar have been smuggled or taken to China to wed local men, activists say. Some end up happily married, but many others suffer violence and forced labor.
US Military and Biden Admin Failed in Their Response to Chinese Spy Balloon: Gordon Chang

The suspected Chinese spy balloon drifts to the ocean after being shot down off the coast in Surfside Beach, S.C., on Feb. 4, 2023. (Randall Hill/Reuters)

That the Chinese spy balloon was allowed to traverse the United States for eight days before being shot down was a failure by the U.S. military and the Biden administration, China expert Gordon Chang said in an interview, which aired on Newsmakers by NTD on Feb. 8.

Jan. 28, this balloon entered the U.S. Air Defense Identification Zone, Chang said. And it wasnt shot down until Saturday [Feb. 4]. It had eight days traversing the United States and Canada. And along the way, it was surveilling extremely sensitive military sites. So I think that its apparent that we didnt defend ourselves.

Gordon Chang, China analyst and author of The Coming Collapse of China, in New York City on Jan. 3, 2023. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Chang lived and worked in China and Hong Kong as a lawyer and is the author of The Coming Collapse of China and The Great U.S.-China Tech War.

First response would have been to shoot it down as soon as it crossed into territorial U.S. airspace, and that would be by the Aleutians [Islands], Chang said about what actions the United States should have immediately taken.

That would have been on Jan. 28. This balloon was maneuverable. And clearly, the Chinese were actually directing its path.

Sending a Message

According to Chang, China got a very good look at how the United States deals with intrusions. When the Biden administration didnt immediately shoot down the balloon, it sent a distinct message to China.

It shows that there was confusion and disarray in the Pentagon, and also probably in the Biden administration itself, Chang said.

There are reports that [President Biden] did not hear about [the balloon] until the fourth day of this intrusion, which would indicate that the military is not prepared, at least mentally, to deal with China.

We have a lot of capabilities, but they mean nothing if we dont use them. And for those four days, the president, whos commander-in-chief, was not briefed about this. If that is indeed the case, and the president, I assume, is telling the truth, then weve got a real problem in the Pentagon.

Further, Chang added about the possibility of more spy balloons entering the United States and what that says about Chinas communist regime in general.

China has a very big balloon fleet, which they do use for surveillance.

[But] one of the possibilities is that Xi Jinping didnt know about this, that this was just the Chinese military doing this on its own.

Chinas leader Xi Jinping (front) walks with members of the Chinese Communist Partys new Politburo Standing Committee, the nations top decision-making body, as they meet the media in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Oct. 23, 2022. (Noel Celis/AFP via Getty Images)

Its not impossible because the military there has become politically powerful. And some people think that it has been so powerful that it can tell, for instance, Xi Jinping, what to do.

Now, I dont know if thats the case. But that is something that we cannot rule out. And, if indeed that is the case, it means that there is intense infighting at the top of the Communist Party that Xi Jinping is not as strong as everyone thinks him to be, Chang said.

Regardless of who knew what in China, Chang said the Chinese regimes actions are a warning, and Bidens response, including in his State of the Union (SOTU) address on Feb. 7, was concerning.

[Biden in the SOTU] certainly hurried over China. And he did not make a direct reference to the balloon. He just mentioned we will defend our sovereignty. I think that was certainly insufficient, given the nature of this provocation and also how close it was to the State of the Union address, Chang said.

[Biden] had an opportunity to say somethingwhich is critical and which I believe he must sayand that is: The Chinese are preparing for war. This was a warning to us. And we must prepare for war as well. Weve got to match the Chinese mobilization.

I know that most people will think thats too drastic. But we Americans are very good at being oblivious as to what our enemies are saying. And we did not pay attention to Osama bin Laden until one day he killed 2,977 Americans.

Not a Weather Balloon

Regarding Beijings claims that the balloon was a weather balloon, not a spy balloon, Chang said: China lies. Clearly, thats the reason why theyre telling us its just a weather balloon.

Plus, Chang added, even if it was just a weather balloon, the United States was within its rights to shoot it down once it entered U.S. airspace, and the Chinese wouldnt have hesitated to take such an action.

The sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 recovering a high-altitude surveillance balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach, S.C., on Feb. 5, 2023. (U.S. Navy via AP)

The Chinese have a propaganda film from a couple of years ago about shooting down a foreign balloon entering Chinese airspace, Chang said. So whatever it was, we had the right to do it, and the Chinese should stop lying about this.

Chang added that he doesnt believe China will take action in response to the United States shooting down the balloon, but he could be wrong, and only time will tell.
Why They Hated Pell

Cardinal George Pell, Catholic Archbishop of Sydney reads the Opening Prayer during the Opening Mass of Welcome of World Youth Day Sydney 2008 at Barangaroo on July 15, 2008. (World Youth Day via Getty Images)

Commentary

I hope he rots in hell! shouted the voice on the phone.

He was furious with me for my defence of Cardinal George Pell, who at that time (this was a couple of years ago) faced the worst imaginable legal and personal persecution.

My caller made it clear that he loathed Christianity equally. I kept quiet, though tempted to congratulate him for hanging on to at least one element of the faith: his apparent belief in the possibility of eternal punishment.

I could have added that if he ended up there himself, he might be surprised to find that the cardinal was somewhere else. But I let it go.

Theres no point arguing the toss with a man whose raging heart is filled with hate.

The truth is that many people in our community are so enraged by the sexual abuse of children that they will turn remorselessly on anyone accused of it, without regard for the rules of evidence.

The fact that Pell was found innocent on appeal in the highest court in Australia cuts no ice with such people: some lawyerswho ought to have known bettereven said that Pell deserved to be punished, regardless of his guilt or innocence, of the charges brought against him  because of the likelihood of his involvement in similar cases.

And such it was that presumption of innocence until proven guilty, and all the ancient safeguards relating to rules of evidence that have been won for us by past generations, collapsed before the onslaught of ignorant prejudice.

At his funeral Mass in Sydney, people thanked God for Pells life and witness, and prayed for the repose of his soul.

Inevitably there were demonstrations. A friend of mine (not a Catholic) who was there spoke of the rabbles scurrilous and hate-filled chants, and in an interesting aside he noted that almost all the protesters were evidently of European stock, while the majority of the clergy and choristers were clearly not.

Wakeup call to Woke readers: in modern Christianity, it seems, white males are no longer the dominant players.

Members of the clergy gather outside St. Marys Cathedral ahead of the pontifical requiem Mass for Cardinal George Pell in Sydney, Australia, on Feb. 2, 2023. (Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

Firm With a Sense of Duty

I knew Cardinal Pell, though not well. We werent close mates, but I worked with him on occasions, met him many times socially and professionallyand I liked him. I found him warm, kind, wise, and sometimes very amusing.

I suppose anythings possible in this world, but the notion that Pell might have been some kind of sexual predator is so far down my list of possibilities as to be off scale. I cannot imagine how anybody who actually knew him could possibly entertain such an idea.

But for all those good qualities I knew and admired, I think its fair to say that Pell wouldnt have thrived in the diplomatic corps.

A strong sense of duty, a tough-minded commitment to orthodoxy, and a dedication to true justice are not generally regarded as loveable qualities in a secular world, but they led Pell to be among the first bishops to set about cleaning up the stinking dung-heap of paedophilia and to initiate a scheme for compensating its victims.

So why is this ignored? Why did people hate him so much and even now, after his death, continue to revile his memory?

Firstly, because he was a very firm and tough administrator. He took action against his Melbourne seminary (which he judged unfit for purpose) by acceptingagainst their expectationsthe proffered resignations of staff and losing no time appointing replacements.

Now firm administrators are called ruthless by those theyve offended and are never, never forgiven.

So by the time Pell arrived in Sydney he had made many bitter enemies within his own Church (and believe me, disaffected churchmen can be as bitter as anybody else!).

A Convenient Outlet for Our Sins

A much more important factor in his unpopularity was his outspoken and unrelenting opposition to abortion. He pulled no punches: abortion, he claimed, was the worst form of child abuse.

Nothing could have been better calculated to offend the wider world. The killing of unwanted children, either before or after birth, has always been regarded as evil not only by the Christian church but by other faiths as well.

Even pagans see it as contrary to the natural law, which is why in the ancient world, unwanted babies were exposed or left to die. Their excuse for this was a sort of theological fiction: that it was better to leave them to the gods to save if they wanted them than to directly kill them.

But this is not something modern secularists want to hear.

So many of us have had some association with abortion: weve known poor women who dread having another mouth to feed, or bullied women who fear the anger of their parents or their boyfriends and lovers, or women who are victims of incest or rape; or women (and their partners) who cannot face bringing up a severely handicapped baby.

All those who terminate a child are under pressure of some kind.

A pro-life activist holds plastic unborn babies during a protest on Capitol Hill in Washington, on July, 29, 2010. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)

Pells Church teaches that abortion is always a sin and is, therefore forgivable.

God alone knows the secrets of our hearts. None of us can really understand the reasons why a woman might go ahead with it; it is not for us to judge.

But if we accept the hypothesis, at least for the moment, that abortion is contrary to the natural law and that mothers instinctively sense that it is wrong, there are two possible consequences: they will either suffer remorse afterwards, or they will go into denial by defending and justifying their actions.

If the latter option prevails, it is a simple transition to transfer their feelings of guilt to others. They need to believe, for their own peace of mind, that there are worse sins than their own.

This largely explains why so many people express a visceral loathing of paedophilia that appears out of all proportion to their reaction to other forms of child abuse.

We know that millions of children die every year of hunger and unsanitary water. We know that many of the worlds 40 million slaves are children.

We know that late-term abortion is nothing other than infanticide and that it is done with great cruelty. We know (if we trouble to look) that in several jurisdictions, abortion is permitted up to natural birth and that babies who somehow survive are not resuscitated but left to die.

We know all these things, yet our focus is elsewhere.

They dont fill the headlines. They dont outrage us.

On the whole, wed rather not hear about them.

But Pell is and was, in every sense, a big target. Condemn him to Hell in our tiny minds, and like the scapegoat of old, he takes away all our guilt and makes us feel righteous again.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
York Police Identify 1 of 2 Suspects in Vaughan Mall Robbery

The crest of the York Regional Police on the headquarters building in Aurora, Ontario, on Sept. 15, 2020. (Shutterstock)

York Regional Police (YRP) has identified one of two suspects who allegedly drove through a shopping mall in Vaughan, Ont., in a case of break, enter, and theft.

Investigators with the YRP have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a 19-year-old man involved in the robbery at a retail store in Vaughan Mills mall, police said in a statement on Feb. 9.

Investigators continue to search for the second male suspect involved in this incident and are appealing for witnesses to come forward who may have been in the area at the time of the incident and have not yet spoken to police, said the statement.

The first suspect is identified as Israel Muamba of Montreal. He is described as male, black, and around 63 in height.

Muamba is facing several charges, including one count each of breaking and entering, mischief over $5,000, disguise with intent, theft over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, and dangerous driving.

You helped us locate the car, now we need your help finding the suspect. A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for Israel Muamba, aged 19. For more details: https://t.co/2b9igQ1e86 If you have any information, please call police immediately. https://t.co/yLjUjGQzMr pic.twitter.com/JqxximhGn2  York Regional Police (@YRP) February 9, 2023

On Feb. 1, at approximately 1:10 a.m., officers responded to the mall after a 2011 Black Audi A4 was driven through the glass doors at one of the entrances. The vehicle was then driven through the mall to an electronics store where the suspects stole a number of items. The suspects then drove the vehicle out of the mall through a second entrance.

Thanks to information from the public and Halton Regional Police, on February 1, investigators located the 2011 black Audi sedan in the area of James Snow Parkway and Highway 401, the police said in the statement.

The police previously confirmed that the Audi carried a Quebec licence plate, while a woman who claimed to be the original owner of the car told CTV News that the vehicle was stolen by a man during a test drive.

YRP noted that theyve been working with support from Service de Police de la Ville de Montreal (SPVM) and Le Service de police de Laval (SPL), in identifying Muamba.
Zelenskyy Makes Surprise Trip to UK, France to Ask for More Weapons, Fighter Jets

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made an unannounced visit to France and the United Kingdom on Feb. 8 where he called on leaders of the two nations to supply Ukraine with more fighter jets and weapons amid the ongoing Russian invasion.

Zelenskyy first landed in the UK where he was greeted by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak before heading to Downing Street.

There the two leaders discussed a two-pronged approach to UK support for Ukraine, starting with an immediate surge of military equipment to the country to help counter Russias spring offensive and reinforced by long-term support, according to Sunaks office.

Sunak also offered to bolster the UKs training offer for Ukrainian troops, including expanding it to fighter jet pilots to ensure Ukraine can defend its skies well into the future, which the PM said will ensure pilots are able to fly sophisticated NATO-standard fighter jets in the future.

Zelenskyys office said in a statement that the two had agreed on a powerful defense package from the UK which includes a significant number of armored vehicles and the supply of long-range weapons.

Later, Zelenskyy gave a speech to the joint houses of the British Parliament, where he thanked the UK for standing with Kyiv since day one, from the first seconds and minutes of the full-scale war, before calling on Britain to provide more combat aircraft which he referred to as wings of freedom for Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses parliamentarians in Westminster Hall, London, on Feb. 8, 2023. (Stefan Rousseau/PA Media)

Aircraft Are Ukraines Wings of Freedom

In response, Sunak said that nothing is off the table when it comes to supplying Ukraine with jets to fight Russia, despite the fact that the UKs Royal Air Force (RAF) has a limited number of aircraft that it could theoretically provide the nation.

Londons Russian embassy has also warned against the move, stating that doing so may escalate the conflict to Europe.

After that, the Ukrainian leader traveled to Buckingham Palace to meet King Charles before hopping on a helicopter with Sunak to fly to Lulworth Camp, a military base in Dorset in the southwest of the country, where they met with Ukrainian soldiers who are being trained by the British army on how to operate Challenger 2 tanks.

We signed a Declaration of Unity with Mr. Prime Minister, a document that sets out the principles of our cooperation and mutual support. Allied cooperation and mutual support. This is a new level of relations, Zelenskyy said.

Shortly after leaving the UK, Zelenskyy jetted off to Paris, France, to have dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Both leaders vowed continued support for Ukraine, and Zelenskyy again pressed for advanced arms.

The sooner Ukraine can get powerful long-range weapons, Emmanuel, the sooner our pilots can get modern aircraft, Olaf, the stronger our tank coalition isI am grateful to you for having embarked on this paththe sooner this Russian aggression will end and we will return a steadfast peace to Europe, Zelenskyy said, according to his office.

Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle (left), holds the helmet of one of the most successful Ukrainian pilots, inscribed with the words, We have freedom, give us wings to protect it, which was presented to him by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as he addressed parliamentarians in Westminster Hall, London, on Feb. 8, 2023. (Stefan Rousseau/PA Media)

France, Germany Vow Continued Support

Macron promised to continue to adapt and moderate the necessary military support to preserve Ukraine and its future, according to Agence France-Presse, adding that France will continue its efforts to deliver arms to Kyiv.

Scholz, meanwhile, stressed that Ukraine belongs to the European family, while vowing to continue providing the nation with further military, humanitarian, and financial support, according to local reports.

After a whirlwind visit to France, Zelenskyy flew to Brussels, where he addressed the European Parliament ahead of a special meeting with EU leaders.

There, the Ukrainian leader again lobbied EU officials to provide more weapons to be delivered to Ukraine faster.

Zelenskyys visit to the EU marks his second publically known trip out of Ukraine since Russias invasion began in February 2022. It also marks his first-ever publically known visit to the UK since the conflict began.

The visit comes as Ukraine braces for a Russian offensive in Donbas later this month, after tens of thousands of freshly mobilized Russian troops were brought to eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine national security chief Oleksiy Danilov said in an interview on Tuesday that the Kremlin is expected to target the northeastern Kharkiv or southern Zaporizhzhia regions in a new offensive.
The Chinese communist regime put on a global show with COVID-19. It claimed that there were few if any deaths in most parts of China, and it used this to claim its zero-COVID policies of lockdowns and mandates were the solution. The world followed many of these policies, while believing they were effective solutions. Yet, new data coming out from China suggests that not only has zero-COVID failed, but the number of deaths in China could be massive.

We speak with Sean Lin, a former U.S. Army microbiologist, who is currently an assistant professor in the Biomedical Science Department at Feitian College in Middletown, New York, and a member of the Committee on the Present Danger: China. He explains the evidence coming out from China of large-scale deaths, and how the Chinese Communist Partys own policies may have been a cause.
Zoom Slashing Workforce by 15 Percent, CEO to Take 98 Percent Salary Cut

Small toy figures are seen in front of a Zoom logo in this illustration picture taken on Mar. 15, 2021. (Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters)

Communications firm Zoom announced plans to lay off more than 1,000 employees globally after a pandemic-fueled growth spurt and subsequent decline, with the chief executive announcing a 98 percent reduction in his salary.

We have made the tough but necessary decision to reduce our team by approximately 15 percent and say goodbye to around 1,300 hardworking, talented colleagues, stated a Feb. 7th message to Zoom employees from CEO Eric Yuan. We did not take a single departure lightlyour leadership carefully examined and made decisions based on critical priorities for long-term growth, and also looked for functions that have become overly complex or duplicative.

Laid off workers in the United States will get restricted stock units (RSUs) and stock options vesting for six months. For non-U.S. employees, these benefits will exist through Aug. 9. RSU refers to an award of stock shares usually granted to employees as a form of compensation.

Zooms share price jumped close to 10 percent on Tuesday trading. Though shares are up more than 20 percent year to date, its price has declined by more than 40 percent over the past year.

Pandemic Growth, CEO Salary Cut

Zoom grew rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic as companies shut down offices and remote working became widespread, thus boosting the need for the firms videoconferencing solution.

In his message to employees, Yuan says that the company grew three times its size in a period of 24 months during the pandemic to meet the rising demand.

But now in the postpandemic world, workers have returned back to offices and employees are engaging in more in-person activities.

The uncertainty of the global economy, and its effect on our customers, means we need to take a hardyet importantlook inward to reset ourselves so we can weather the economic environment, Yuan said.

Yuan announced that he is reducing his salary for the coming fiscal year by 98 percent as well as foregoing his fiscal year 2023 corporate bonus. Members of his executive leadership team will take a 20 percent salary hit while also forfeiting their bonuses.

Yuan made more than $300,000 as salary for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2022, according to The Wall Street Journal. He also made $13,000 as a non-equity bonus plan. Yuan is estimated to be worth $3.9 billion.

Zoom has previously come under scrutiny for its ties with China. In December 2020, for example, court documents filed by U.S. federal prosecutors had shown that a Zoom executive worked with Chinese authorities to transfer data of users located outside of China in order to ensure that the company retained market access in the Asian nation.

Positive Third-Quarter Revenues, Mass Job Cuts

The layoffs come even though Zoom posted positive results in the third quarter. The firm saw third-quarter total revenues of $1.10 billion, up 5 percent year over year. Enterprise revenue was at $614 million, up by 20 percent.

The number of customers contributing more than $100,000 in trailing 12-month revenue had risen by 31 percent. Zoom reported third-quarter generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) operating margin of 6 percent and a non-GAAP operating margin of 34.6 percent.

As of Jan. 31, 2022, Zoom had roughly 6,800 employees, up from 2,500 workers in 2020. Zoom is scheduled to reveal its fourth-quarter results on Feb. 27.

Zoom joins a host of other tech firms that have also announced mass layoffs in recent days. On Feb. 7, for example, e-commerce firm eBay said that it plans to lay off 500 workers globally, which comes to 4 percent of the companys workforce.

In its filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Feb. 6, Dell Technologies declared that it intends to cut down its workforce by roughly 5 percent as the company faces an uncertain future.

According to employment analytics firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., American companies announced laying off 102,943 in January 2022, which is more than twice the number of terminations in December and the largest number of layoffs since September 2020.
February 8, 2023 | 04:51 pm PT

After perusing data on housing and urban areas in Vietnam, many of my foreign colleagues have pointed out a paradox.

It is that while a majority of households live in private houses there is little land allocated for traffic infrastructure and greenery.

A look at the numbers and comparisons with other countries, especially those at a higher level of development than Vietnam, make the point crystal clear.

The 2019 population and housing census found only 2.2% of Vietnamese living in apartments, while the remaining 97.8% lived in private houses. Vietnamese families owned an astounding 88.1% of their homes, putting them in the global top 10.

In comparison, in 2021 only 20.6% of housing units in South Korea were individual, while the remaining 79.4% were apartments.

The national home ownership rate was 56.1%.

In the U.S., only 65.9% of homes are single-family units, and the rate of home ownership is 65.3%.

The case of China is also noteworthy. In recent years high-rise apartment buildings have accounted for nearly all new construction. In a country with a population of over 1.4 billion, nearly 90% of the people are homeowners.

It is commonly believed that in Vietnam many people cannot afford to buy a home because the cost of housing is disproportionate to incomes.

Analyzing Hanoi's data on home ownership reveals a different truth. In 2020 the bottom 20% had an average annual income of VND25 million and a typical home size of around 20 m2 per person.

Families with poorer housing quality had an average area of 15 m2 per person.

In 2019 some 83.9% of households owned their homes, 14.7% lived in rented homes and the rest were in other types of housing, with 87.1% of households living separately.

A majority of households live in and own landed properties, which at current prices are worth VND50 million per square meter. Thus, it is unlikely that the average housing owned by the bottom 20% is worth less than VND1 billion, equivalent to 40 years of their income.

But there is an explanation. Most people have been living in their multi-billion-dollar homes for years, especially those with lower incomes. Twenty years ago they could afford the low costs of agricultural land on the outskirts of Hanoi (outside a radius of five kilometers from the center) where informal housing could be constructed. They only paid around 30% of a projected 30-year income for both land and construction since they were not required to pay for the development of shared infrastructure and the construction quality was poor.

The actual construction cost of their homes are thought to be about a quarter of that incurred by developers and the price at which today's affordable apartments are sold.

Thus Vietnam's urban areas are characterized by townhouses crammed into narrow alleys with little room for traffic and almost none for greenery.

From all this it is clear that avoiding the cost of developing shared infrastructure has been the key to a majority of Vietnamese households owning landed properties, even in pricey urban areas.

As a result, a very large proportion of urban residents, particularly in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, have a very poor quality of life.

When the rate of land used for traffic is less than 10% and the green space is among the lowest in Asia, cities cannot be civilized or modern or offer a high quality of life.

Converting townhouses into high-rise apartments is one possible option for Hanoi and HCMC to free up space for roads and parks.

The future of these two cities lies in vertical rather than horizontal development.

What happens in urban Vietnam in future will be largely determined by public opinion and behavior. But if the traditional Vietnamese habit of owning a piece of land persists, then the country's major cities will continue to be as overcrowded, dirty, and dusty as they are today. But if most people move into high-rises, it will be possible to create pleasant urban areas with improved living standards.

For this, step one is altering the public's opinion of desirable residential areas. Next come the governments plans for the future, including its investment in infrastructure and expansion of social services.

Once these two conditions are met, the market will be able to do its job, resulting in cities that are both large and prosperous.

*Dr. Huynh The Du is a lecturer at Fulbright University Vietnam, HCMC.
That release could not be found.
Drug suspect injured after trying to reclaim meth from police

AYUTTHAYA: A suspected drug dealer was severely injured from a bullet wound when he and his accomplice followed police after losing their methamphetamine pills in a sting operation in Phak Hai district yesterday evening (Nov 8).

drugspolice

By Bangkok Post

Thursday 9 February 2023, 01:07PM

Police inspect speed pills left by two drug dealers after the first round of shooting in a sting operation in Phak Hai district, Ayutthaya province, yesterday (Feb 8). Photo: Khao Ayothaya

Plain-clothes officers of the Provincial Police Region 1 conducted a sting operation to buy 20,000 speed pills from a suspected drug trafficker identified only as Toey at about 8pm last night. Toey, 45, was earlier freed from jail after serving his term for drug trafficking, reports the Bangkok Post.

After the suspect and an accomplice on a pickup truck and a passenger car showed up at a meeting point on a local road in tambon Lad Chado, they realised it was a sting and started opening fire at the officers with a pistol and a shotgun.

Both sides exchanged gunfire. The suspects ran into a paddy field and left their meth pills and vehicles. Police then took the vehicles and the drug to Lad Chao station, which was four kilometres from the shooting scene.

Shortly afterwards they sneaked into the entrance of the station. Patrol police spotted both men and approached them for a search, but the duo opened fire.

After the second round of shooting, Toey was severely injured and could not escape, but his accomplice fled the scene.

Police would expand investigation into this drug dealers network, which covered many traffickers and often resorted to violence, Pol Maj Gen Chayanon Meesati, commander of Ayutthaya police, said today.
Green plate taxis from outside Phuket fight back

PHUKET: Legally registered taxi drivers from Bangkok and other provinces are challenging the Phuket Land Transport Offices right to ban them from working on the island.

tourismtransport

By The Phuket News

Thursday 9 February 2023, 11:38AM

A group of the affected taxi drivers gathered late yesterday (Feb 8) at Saphan Hin, where they handed a formal request to Seri Ruam Thai Party representative Anantarak Phethin.

The request calls for party leader Pol Gen (Rtd) Sereepisuth Temeeyaves to help resolve the issue. Mr Sereepisuth, a former Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, is also currently Chairman of the House Anti-Corruption and Misconduct Committee.

Presenting the formal request on behalf of the aggrieved taxi drivers was Mr Thiraphat (family name withheld). Present to observe the proceedings were Kornpitak Assuwan, head of the PLTOs Transportation Academic Group (or Policy Division), and officers from the Phuket City Police.

The letter explained that legally registered taxi drivers from Bangkok and other provinces were being arrested by PLTO officials for working illegally in Phuket.

However, the charges are unclear. The PLTO officers have been unable to clearly identify which law the taxi drivers had broken.

They cannot clarify how we have broken the law, Mr Thiraphat said.

Meanwhile, the PLTO is refusing people to legally registere a single vehicle as a green plate taxi so they can work as fully legal independent taxi drivers.

At the same time, the PLTO is allowing registered juristic persons  that is, companies and legally registered organisations, such as cooperatives and associations, Mr Thiraphat said.

If an individual wants to apply for a service vehicle registration  that is, as a green-plat taxi  Phuket [transport] provincial officials require that it must be a registered company and must request permission from the TAT [Tourism Authority of Thailand], and they require other documents which are very complicated, Mr Thirapaht explained.

The process takes a lot of money, and makes it impossible for ordinary citizens to do so, he said.

The reason given is to control the number of cars in order to reduce traffic congestion, but they still allow companies to apply for vehicle registration services [green-plate taxis] in Phuket as usual, he added.

This forces ordinary people to have to register their taxis in other provinces that are still open for registration We have to do this because we want to work legally, he said

Mr Thiraphat pointed out that many of the drivers had gone into debt in order to buy their taxis, and many were still under finance.

He also argued that there not enough taxis registered in Phuket to serve the market.

May the Land Transportation Director be sympathetic and find a solution for green-plate taxis registered in Bangkok and other provinces be allowed to work in the Phuket area and actually have a career, Mr Thiraphat said.

At last report the PLTO was to meet with the drivers to discuss the issue today (Feb 9).
Putin likely approved MH17 missile supply, investigators say

THE HAGUE: International investigators said yesterday (Feb 8) there were strong indications that Russian President Vladimir Putin personally approved the supply of the missile that shot down Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine in 2014.

Russiandeathmilitaryviolence

By AFP

Thursday 9 February 2023, 01:41PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin has immunity as head of state so could not be prosecuted even if it was proven he personally approved the supply of the missile that shot down Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine in 2014. Photo: AFP

But the team said they were halting their probe into the disaster since there was not enough evidence to prosecute more suspects and Putin has immunity as head of state in any case.

All 298 people on board were killed when a Russian-made missile slammed into the plane travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, sending it crashing to earth in separatist-held eastern Ukraine.

There are strong indications that a decision was made at presidential level, by President Putin, to supply... the Buk TELAR missile system, Dutch prosecutor Digna van Boetzelaer said.

Although we speak of strong indications, the high bar of complete and conclusive evidence is not reached, she told a news conference in The Hague.

The announcement comes less than three months after a Dutch court convicted two Russians and a Ukrainian in absentia over the downing of MH17.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the decision was a bitter disappointment but that we will continue to call the Russian Federation to account.

Russia has denied any involvement in the downing of MH17. It slammed last years court verdict convicting the three men as scandalous and politically motivated.

Presidents decision

But the chain of command was clear, said the Joint Investigation Team into the crash of MH17, which comprised the Netherlands, Malaysia, Australia, Belgium and Ukraine.

Russian officials even postponed a decision to send weapons to Ukrainian separatists because Putin was at a D-Day commemoration in France in June 2014, they said.

They played an intercepted telephone call from an adviser saying the delay was because there is only one who makes a decision, the person who is currently at a summit in France.

Putin himself could also be heard speaking about a military component in another call with a separatist leader from the Lugansk region.

Other officials such as Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu did not have the necessary decision-making power and this was ultimately the presidents decision, they said.

However, with a lack of cooperation from Moscow and a dearth of witnesses willing to come forward, the case has now ground to a halt.

All leads have now been exhausted, the investigation is therefore being suspended, van Boetzelaer said.

Putin himself was untouchable - for now at least.

The president of the Russian Federation enjoys, at the very least, immunity under international law in view of his position as head of state, added the Dutch prosecutor.

Disappointment

The victims of the disaster - which triggered international outrage and sanctions against Russia - came from 10 countries, including 196 Dutch, 43 Malaysians and 38 Australian residents.

Families of the victims said they were disappointed by the decision to halt the investigation.

We had hoped for more - but we didnt count on it, said MH17 foundation chairman Piet Ploeg, who lost his brother, sister-in-law and nephew on MH17.

Investigators said they felt they had achieved more than they thought possible in 2014.

Would we have liked to come further? Of course, yes, said Andy Kraag, head of the Dutch National Criminal Investigation Department, adding that the answer remains in Russia.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said earlier today Russia had repeatedly tried to thwart the investigation, making it impossible to collect proof.

Russias illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine and its lack of cooperation with the investigation have rendered ongoing investigative efforts and the collection of evidence impossible at this time, they said in a joint statement.

They added that Australia would hold Russia to account for its role in the downing of the civilian aircraft.

The MH17 probe has not closed and will keep its hotlines and website open, officials added.

The evidence it has gathered could also be used by other tribunals including the International Criminal Court, or the European Court of Human Rights, which has ruled that most complaints lodged by the Netherlands against Russia are admissible.

The three men convicted last year - Russians Igor Girkin and Sergei Dubinsky and Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko - remain at large and are unlikely to ever serve their life sentences.

Girkin has since become a high-profile critic of Russias military policy in Ukraine, criticising earlier retreats by Moscows troops.
A driver in Thailand's famous tourist hub of Pattaya on Wednesday returned a bag with 4,000 euros ($4,200) inside to a Finnish female tourist who left it behind after getting out of his car.

The driver, only identified as Lek, found the bag in the back of his car, and tried to return it to the woman by going to the hotel where he had picked her up, The Phuket News reported.

The incident went viral on Thai social media after it was shared on the Rao Rak Pattaya (We Love Pattaya) Facebook page, which has over 700,000 followers. Many Facebook users praised the car driver for his honesty and kindness that helped to boost Thai's tourism image.

On Tuesday, police in Phuket also returned diamond earrings worth 70,000 baht ($2,089) to a Russian woman who left them at a guesthouse in Koh Samui Island last month and only found out after checking out.

Several days ago, police in Thailand returned a Richard Mille watch worth 6 million baht to a Vietnamese tourist who had left it in a taxi in Bangkok.

Thailand welcomed 11 million foreign visitors last year thanks to its open visa policy, making its tourism industry among the fastest in the region to recover following the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Thai government is targeting 30 million arrivals this year.
The United States is expanding sanctions against the Wagner Group, the Kremlin-backed paramilitary organization led by Yevgeniy Prigozhin. Members of the group have committed atrocities and human rights abuses in Ukraine and elsewhere around the world.

U.S. sanctions target Wagners key infrastructure and associated front companies, its connections to the gold and diamond sectors, its battlefield operations in Ukraine, producers of Russias weapons, and those administering Russia-occupied areas of Ukraine.

This action, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken, supports our goal to degrade Moscows capacity to wage war against Ukraine, to promote accountability for those responsible for Russias war of aggression and associated abuses, and to place further pressure on Russias defense sector.

The Wagner Group reportedly deployed 50,000 personnel to Ukraine, including 10,000 contractors and 40,000 convicts recruited from Russias prisons, according to the White House.

The Department of States newly announced sanctions include a range of Wagners key infrastructure  including an aviation firm used by Wagner, a Wagner propaganda organization, and Wagner front companies.

In addition, the State Department announced steps to impose visa restrictions on 531 members of the Russian Federation military for actions that threaten the sovereignty, territorial integrity, or political independence of Ukraine.

Concurrently, the Department of the Treasury designated the Wagner Group for being responsible for its violence against civilians in the Central African Republic, among other reasons.

For the first time, the United States designated the Wagner Group as a Significant Transnational Criminal Organization, augmenting existing sanctions on the group. Wagner personnel, said the Treasury Department in a statement, have engaged in an ongoing pattern of serious criminal activity, including mass executions, rape, child abductions and physical abuse in the Central African Republic and Mali.

Expanded U.S. sanctions against the Wagner group recognize the transcontinental threat the group has become, including in Africa and in Russias brutal war of choice in Ukraine.

Secretary of State Blinken said, The United States is steadfast in our resolve against Russias aggression and other destabilizing behavior worldwide.
Have an interesting bit of news youd like to see mentioned in the Along the Way column? Email it to Natasha Connolly at news@thesunchronicle.com .
A little less than a year after Marissa Hill died at the Nevada Gold Mines Cortez underground operations, the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration has issued its final report on the accident.

On Feb. 14, 2022, Hill, a 34-year-old maintenance technician with 10 years of mining experience, died when the Getman A64 lube truck she was backing up went over the edge of an open stope and fell approximately 60 feet to the mine floor below.

The MSHA report says the accident occurred because the mine operator did not place a berm in front of the open stope, did not conduct adequate workplace examinations, and did not maintain the backup camera on the truck.

Following its investigation of the accident MSHA issued three orders and one citation to Nevada Gold Mines.

The citation and one of the orders say the failure to have a berm in front of the open stope was a major safety violation.

The mine operator engaged in aggravated conduct constituting more than ordinary negligence by being aware of the unsafe condition and not promptly initiating appropriate action to correct it, the citation and order say. This violation is an unwarrantable failure to comply with a mandatory safety standard.

MSHA has not yet issued proposed penalties for the violations.

The MSHA report on the investigation of the Cortez Hills Underground fatality on February 14, 2022, released today, is a stark reminder that nothing is more important than the health, safety, and wellbeing of our employees and business partners, NGM said in a statement. We mourn the loss of our colleague, Marissa Hill, and we are dedicated to our fatality prevention commitments within our operations. Our thoughts and prayers are with Marissas family, friends, and coworkers.

A tragic incident like this is felt by everyone within our community. We remain focused on ensuring the personal safety of everybody in our workplace, as we work together on our Journey to Zero Harm.

In addition to working as a maintenance technician Hill was also a member of the mine rescue team. The MSHA report says she had received all the required training on her equipment, safety, and traffic rules and roadway hazards.

Some of the details of the accident that are in MSHAs final report were in a state investigative report obtained and reported on by The Nevada Independent and High Country News in October.

MSHAs final report says the 430 stope that Hill backed into was about 65 feet across and 31 feet wide. Miners had last worked this area on Jan. 5, 2022, and it was ready for backfill.

An investigator determined that Hill entered the area to service equipment, saw there was no equipment the area, and was in the process of turning around when the accident occurred.

The accident happened at about 8:51 p.m. At about 11:45 p.m. two people saw that the barrier chains were down. They looked over the edge of the stope and saw the bottom of the lube truck. A safety standdown was activated, and all the miners gathered outside. The standdown ended when Hills personal tag was the only one left on the tag board.

An incident command center was set up. Due to the unsupported ground in the area of the stope, crews performed reconnaissance using drones.

A load haul dump loader cleared material away from the lube truck. Another LHD loader with a push plate telescoping attachment was used to deploy rigging to recover the vehicle. At 5:43 p.m. on Feb. 15 the lube truck was pulled out of the stope.

The MSHA report says that according to interviews with mine management, about two years before the accident Nevada Gold Mines decided not to follow their own standard operating procedures of installing physical berms and warning signs in access points to open stopes to prevent mobile equipment from over-traveling the stope edge.  There were no berms and no adequate signage at any approaches to the 430 stope. The drift to the 430 stope had one tattered bungee rope with a sign attached.

The investigator observed that other stopes in the mine had clean and well-maintained metal signage at the entry on each rib with high-visibility reflective poles.

Based on interview statements and a review of records, the investigator determined that the LA4070 level was commonly traveled by mine management and miners and was not being adequately examined, the MSHA report says. The lack of a berm blocking access to the 430 stope was a hazardous condition that existed for approximately one and a half months and was not reported, despite mine managements daily travel through the area, looking for mining hazards, and by mine managements own admission. Mine management did not notify miners of the hazardous condition or promptly initiate appropriate action to correct it.

The report also says that the mines safety superintendent had told the mines operations superintendent that MSHA had cited a Cortez surface mine for not recording the workplace examinations, and the same thing would probably happen to the underground mine.

The investigator reviewed several months of maintenance and inspection records for the lube truck and saw that the only safety defect which had been reported was a crack in the right cab window which apparently did not contribute to the accident.

During interviews, the MSHA report says, the investigator learned that the backup camera on the lube truck was not functional and had not worked for several years. The camera was difficult to maintain in a functional condition due to vibration that would dislodge the wiring, and wet, muddy conditions around the mine. Therefore, according to interviews, the miners had stopped reporting the defect for over two years. The company maintains a digital record of reported defects, and this was not listed.

The MSHA report says that following the accident NGM has taken several corrective actions. NGM has installed berms and new signage at all open stopes, and has provided additional training on the procedures for placement of berms and signage at the open stopes. NGM has also provided additional training on the identification, reporting, prompt correction, and recording of hazardous conditions.

The report says NGM has installed functional backup cameras on the two remaining lube trucks at the mine and trained miners in conducting proper and thorough examinations of mobile equipment.
Teresa Ghilarducci is the Schwartz Professor of Economics at the New School for Social Research. Shes the co-author of Rescuing Retirement and a member of the board of directors of the Economic Policy Institute.
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SEAN BERGEL, Wheeler, Baseball, Junior; Bergel struck out eight and allowed only five hits as Wheeler defeated Griswold in its season opener. Bergel walked just one batter and allowed two earned runs.

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WEST WENDOVER  A West Wendover kindergarten teacher was honored as one of the three Nevada recipients of the Milken Educator Award on Wednesday.

Rejily Soriano was presented the award by Milken Educator Award Founder Lowell Milken and Nevada Superintendent of Public Instruction Jhone M. Ebert during a school assembly.

It came with a $25,000 unrestricted cash prize that Soriano can use as she chooses, according to the Milken Family Foundation.

Soriano, a product of Elko County School Districts Grow Your Own teacher recruitment program, is the first Milken Educator to be awarded in Elko County School District since 2000.

Elko County School District Superintendent CJ Anderson congratulated Soriano on her award Wednesday.

I congratulate Ms. Soriano for her excellent work that qualified her for such a prestigious educators award, he said. I have always known about the amazing quality and caliber of the teachers and staff that we entrust to teach our students, but this award simply shows just how much one teacher can have an impact on an entire school and community. Teachers truly are the greatest resource and have the biggest impact on students learning.

Rejily-Soriano and group with check Milken Educator Award recipient Rejily Soriano is presented with the Milken Educator award. From left, Lowell Milken, founder of the Milken Ed

Principal Pat Dispirito and the leadership and staff at West Wendover Elementary are doing a fantastic job of growing their own talent for our next generation of educators. This award is the product of that kind of effort, Anderson continued. I want to thank Lowell Milken and the Milken Family Foundation for choosing to invest in our teachers and students. They are the future of our communities.

The State of Nevada is lucky to have homegrown teachers like Rejily Soriano leading the way in our schools, said Gov. Joe Lombardo. Sorianos passion for teaching is inspiring, and I thank her for her dedication to our students.

Sorianos emphasis on literacy and strong personal connections at West Wendover Elementary School ensures that her kindergarteners head into first grade prepared to succeed, the Foundation said.

Beyond the classroom, Soriano helps drive high-quality instruction at the school level by designing professional development and mentoring new teachers.

Early in her career, Rejily Soriano has established herself as a talented classroom teacher, school leader and mentor, said Lowell Milken. Her dedication, care and compassion for her students and broader school community represent the qualities we seek in the profession. Our sincere appreciation to Rejily for instilling that same passion in others.

Rejily Soriano West Wendover Elementary kindergarten teacher Rejily Soriano smiles as she catches her breath after the excitement of her Milken Educator Awar

The early learning years are vitally important and Rejily Soriano is a shining example of what an early learning teacher can be, said Superintendent Ebert. Im especially proud of the fact that she started her career in Elko County School Districts Grow your Own teacher recruitment program and is now leading the way. She is proof the program is working and creating phenomenal teachers. I wholeheartedly thank her for her dedication and for bringing joy to our youngest learners.

She said Soriano holds high expectations for her kindergarteners at Nevadas West Wendover Elementary. Soriano makes strong connections with her young learners, supporting them as they acquire new skills and grow both academically and socially throughout the year.

Literacy plays a large part in her classroom. Soriano helps students create their own books, a favorite activity. Most of her students are reading by the end of each year, and in May 2022, 89% reached grade level or above on MAP assessments in both math and ELA.

Soriano is also the schools Leader in Me coordinator, sits on the school improvement committee, and designs professional development for the building. She is the lead teacher for kindergarten, mentors new teachers, and is a leader for the schools social-emotional learning efforts.

Soriano started her career in education in Elko County School Districts Grow Your Own teacher recruitment program, working with preschool students in the Head Start program before moving up to kindergarten.

She builds strong relationships with students and families and communicates with parents often in both English and Spanish, keeping an open door policy for discussions about all aspects of students school experiences.

Soriano graduated from Western Governors University, earning a bachelors in elementary education in 2017 and a masters in curriculum and instruction in 2020.

Hailed as the Oscars of Teaching, Milken Educator Awards inspire and uplift with the unique stories of educators making a profound difference for students, colleagues and communities.

The specific states and schools on the winners list remain a closely guarded secret until each award is announced. Recipients are heralded while early to mid-career for what they have achieved  and for the promise of what they will accomplish given the resources and opportunities inherent in the award.

Soriano joins two other Nevada recipients, Jason Murray of Florence Drake Elementary and Liz Barnum of Katherine Dunn Elementary, who were both surprised Tuesday in Washoe County. The three are among up to 40 elementary educators to receive the recognition during the 2022-23 school year. They will join a national network of more than 2,900 Milken Educator Award recipients and other leaders from across the country dedicated to strengthening K-12 education.

Since 1987, more than $140 million in funding, including more than $73 million in individual awards, has been devoted to the overall Milken Awards initiative, which includes professional development opportunities throughout recipients careers.

Along with the financial prize, recipients join the national Milken Educator Network, a growing group of more than 2,900 exemplary teachers, principals and specialists. The network serves as a rich resource for fellow educators, legislators, school boards and others dedicated to excellence in education.

The honorees will attend an all-expenses-paid Milken Educator Awards Forum in Los Angeles this April, where they will network with their new colleagues as well as veteran Milken Educators and other education leaders about how to increase their impact on K-12 education.




The Rav of the Ashkenazi kehilla in Istanbul, Rav Mendy Chitrik, told Kan News about what he witnessed in Antakya, a city in southern Turkey where the worst of the quakes destruction occurred.

We wanted to help the Jews here to leave, he said. Seventy percent of the city is destroyed. We found lone Jews sitting around small fires trying to warm themselves.

Rav Chitrik traveled on Monday to Antakya, where Jews have lived for over 2,000 years, and removed ancient Sifrei Torah from the shul in the city that remained intact after the quake but was damaged, with wide cracks in the walls.

Meanwhile, the fate of the president of the kehilla in Antakya and his wife, Saul and Fortuna Cenudioglu, appears grim. Their daughter Rachel, who lives in Israel, spoke with Reshet Bet on Wednesday and said that sadly there is a lack of rescue forces in the area and her parents building hasnt even been searched. Searches? Not really, she said. My brother is there, there are no resources  a few bulldozers they have there are being used wherever they hear signs of life.

Rav Chitrik said on Tuesday evening that theyre still hoping for a neis.It will become more and more difficult as more time passes. We have to reach the building with trucks and equipment, its not simple because there are many [collapsed] buildings blocking the way. We climbed on top of them to reach the area.

There are 15,000-20,000 Jews living in Turkey but there were only 14 Jews still living in Antakya prior to the earthquake.

In the video below, Chief Rabbi of Turkey Ishak Haleva can be seen saying a tefilla for the earthquake victims:

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




Irit Lillian, Israels Ambassador to Turkey, spoke to Radio 103FM about the heartrending situation in the beleaguered country.

Its much worse than what you see in the photos, she said. Lets start with the fact that Turkey is a country that when disasters hit  natural disasters  including earthquakes, they are generally very prepared. Theres also criticism here towards the emergency authorities regarding people who are still trapped and angry that theyre not being reached but overall the logistics are very complicated. Almost 50 delegations have arrived here from all over the world and all of them were received and transferred, even if it takes more time to their places of operation. I think we need to give them credit.

Regarding the fate of Jewish kehillos in Turkey, she said: By and large, the entire region of eastern Turkey is an area where the Jewish presence goes back thousands of years. There is a very ancient Jewish mesorah but the Jewish presence there is now very sparse  very small communities, isolated  just a few Jews. The main Turkish Jewish community in Istanbul managed to evacuate the majority of the Jews from the isolated areas.

Unfortunately, the president of the kehilla in Antakya and his wife, Saul and Fortuna Cenudioglu, are missing  were very afraid for their lives. Their house was destroyed. The brother is there, their daughter is on her way from Israel. We are hoping for good news but unfortunately, the situation seems bleak.

Referring to the thousands of fatalities as a result of the quake, she said. Its unimaginable, the region is inhabited by almost 13 million people. Cities were leveled, entire neighborhoods were left with nothing. Unfortunately, the numbers only keep rising. We can only hope and wish that more people can be saved but you have to remember that even those who rescued themselves, who lost their homes, are now exposed to the freezing cold. The cold itself can lead to deaths. Sewage systems, gas  they no longer exist in these cities. There is no fuel, no food.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




Former Twitter executives conceded Wednesday they made a mistake by blocking a story about Hunter Biden, the presidents son, from the social media platform in the run-up to the 2020 election, but adamantly denied Republican assertions they were pressured by Democrats and law enforcement to suppress the story.

The decisions here arent straightforward, and hindsight is 20/20, Yoel Roth, Twitters former head of trust and safety, testified to Congress. It isnt obvious what the right response is to a suspected, but not confirmed, cyberattack by another government on a presidential election.

He added, Twitter erred in this case because we wanted to avoid repeating the mistakes of 2016.

The three former executives appeared before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee to testify for the first time about the companys decision to initially block from Twitter a New York Post article in October 2020 about the contents of a laptop belonging to Hunter Biden.

Emboldened by Twitters new leadership in billionaire Elon Musk  whom they see as more sympathetic to conservatives than the companys previous administration  Republicans used the hearing to push a long-standing theory that social media companies including Twitter are biased against them.

Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer said the hearing is the panels first step in examining the coordination between the federal government and Big Tech to restrict protected speech and interfere in the democratic process.

The hearing continues a years-long trend of GOP leaders calling tech company leaders to testify about alleged political bias. Democrats, meanwhile, have pressed the companies on the spread of hate speech and misinformation on their platforms.

The witnesses Republicans subpoenaed were Roth, Vijaya Gadde, Twitters former chief legal officer, and James Baker, the companys former deputy general counsel.

Democrats brought a witness of their own, Anika Collier Navaroli, a former employee with Twitters content moderation team. She testified last year to the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 Capitol riot about Twitters preferential treatment of Donald Trump until it banned the then-president from the site two years ago.

The hearing is the GOPs opening act into what lawmakers promise will be a widespread investigation into President Joe Biden and his family, with the tech companies another prominent target of their oversight efforts.

The White House criticized congressional Republicans for staging a bizarre political stunt, hours after Bidens State of the Union address where he detailed bipartisan progress in his first two years in office.

This appears to be the latest effort by the House Republican majoritys most extreme MAGA members to question and relitigate the outcome of the 2020 election, White House spokesperson Ian Sams said in a statement Wednesday. This is not what the American people want their leaders to work on.

The New York Post reported weeks before the 2020 presidential election that it had received from Trumps personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, a copy of a hard drive from a laptop that Hunter Biden had dropped off 18 months earlier at a Delaware computer repair shop and never retrieved. Twitter blocked people from sharing links to the story for several days.

Months later, Twitters then-CEO, Jack Dorsey, called the companys communications around the Post article not great. He added that blocking the articles URL with zero context around why it was blocked was unacceptable.

The newspaper story was greeted at the time with skepticism due to questions about the laptops origins, including Giulianis involvement, and because top officials in the Trump administration had already warned that Russia was working to denigrate Joe Biden before the White House election.

The Kremlin had interfered in the 2016 race by hacking Democratic emails that were subsequently leaked, and fears that Russia would meddle again in the 2020 race were widespread across Washington.

Just last week, lawyers for the younger Biden asked the Justice Department to investigate people who say they accessed his personal data. But they did not acknowledge that the data came from a laptop Hunter Biden is purported to have dropped off at a computer repair shop.

The issue was also reignited recently after Musk took over Twitter as CEO and began to release a slew of company information to independent journalists, what he has called the Twitter Files.

Thank god for Matt Taibi. Thank god for Elon Musk for allowing us to show the world that Twitter was basically a subsidiary of the FBI, Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., said, referencing one of the independent journalists with access to company files.

The documents and data largely show internal debates among employees over the decision to temporarily censor links to the story about Hunter Biden. The tweet threads lacked substantial evidence of a targeted influence campaign from Democrats or the FBI, which has denied any involvement in Twitters decision-making.

Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., called the hearing a fishing expedition seeking to reheat bogus allegations claiming Biden somehow influenced his sons business dealings in Ukraine.

Nonetheless, Republicans including Comer, R-Ky., have used the Post story, which has not been independently verified by The Associated Press, as the basis for what they claim is another example of the Biden familys influence peddling.

One of Wednesdays witnesses, Baker, has been a frequent target of Republican scrutiny.

Baker was the FBIs general counsel during the opening of two of the bureaus most consequential investigations in history: the Hillary Clinton investigation and a separate inquiry into potential coordination between Russia and Trumps 2016 presidential campaign. Republicans have long criticized the FBIs handling of both investigations.

Even though many disagree with how Twitter handled the Hunter Biden matter, I believe that the public record reveals that my client acted in a manner that was fully consistent with the First Amendment, Baker said in defending his actions.

For Democrats, Navaroli countered the GOP argument by testifying about how Twitter allowed Trumps tweets despite the misinformation they sometimes contained.

Navaroli testified to the Jan. 6 committee last year that Twitter executives often tolerated Trumps posts despite their false statements and violations of the companys own rules because executives knew the platform was his favorite and most-used  and enjoyed having that sort of power.

There has been no evidence that Twitters platform is biased against conservatives; studies have found the opposite when it comes to conservative media in particular. But the issue continues to preoccupy GOP members of congress.

Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., called the hearing an abuse of public resources.

We could be talking about health care. We could be talking about bringing down the cost of prescription drugs. We could be talking about abortion rights, civil rights, voting rights, she said. But instead were talking about Hunter Bidens half-fake laptop story. I mean this is an embarrassment.

(AP)




Famed mechanech and legendary Baal Chesed Rabbi Yaakov Bender Shlita has never shied away from doing something new or different  so long as it its the right thing to do, its fair game. Now, Rabbi Bender is doing something new again: urging Darchei Torahs parent body to help the schools security guard, a famed man in his own right.

Everett Fortune, Darcheis chief of security, has safeguarded the yeshivas boys for more than three decades, and has won over the trust of the students, parents, and teachers alike. In 2020, Rabbi Bender surprised Mr. Fortune at the yeshivas annual dinner, giving him an award for his devotion to the yeshiva and its students.

Now, Rabbi Bender is imploring parents to assist Everett.

Everett Fortune has been an integral fixture in our yeshiva for so many years. We all count on him andwith Siyata diShmayathe security here, which is under his guidance. We are very grateful to him, Rabbi Bender wrote in an email to Darcheis parent body

I am sure you are aware that Everett has been dealing with a serious illness for many years. He has been under the care of a great doctor, a former talmid of mine, for the past eight years. Although things are pretty stable, the doctor feels that he would like to try a new treatment. This would mean that Everett would have to be at the hospital for a number of days for many hours. It can be a debilitating treatment, and it will cause him to miss a few days, besides his weekly treatment.

I am asking our parent body to volunteer to drive him to and from Manhattan on a weekly basis. The likely days will be Mondays and, occasionally, Tuesdays. It may mean spending quite a few hours in the hospital with him. We would appreciate it if those who can help would email me.

Everett says he is still alive for one reason: because the boys have been davening for him. Lets all keep on praying for him, so we have him around for many happy and healthy years to come.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




An international team of investigators said Wednesday it found strong indications that Russian President Vladimir Putin approved the supply of heavy anti-aircraft weapons to Ukrainian separatists who shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in 2014 with a Russian missile.

However, members of the Joint Investigation Team said they had insufficient evidence to prosecute Putin or any other suspects and they suspended their 8-year inquiry into the shooting down that killed all 298 people on board the Boeing 777 flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.

Russia has always denied any involvement in the downing of the flight over eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014, and refused to cooperate with the investigation.

Dutch prosecutors said that there are strong indications that the Russian president decided on supplying a Buk missile system  the weapon that downed MH17  to Ukrainian separatists.

Although we speak of strong indications, the high bar of complete and conclusive evidence is not reached, Dutch prosecutor Digna van Boetzelaer said, adding that without Russian cooperation, the investigation has now reached its limit. All leads have been exhausted.

She also said that, as head of state, Putin would have immunity from prosecution in the Netherlands. The team played a recording of an intercepted phone call in which they said Putin could be heard discussing the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Are we disappointed? No, because we think we came further than we had ever thought in 2014. Would we have liked to come further? Of course, yes, said Andy Kraag of the Dutch police.

The team informed relatives of those killed in the downing of MH17 of their findings before making them public.

There was disappointment because  they wanted to know why MH17 was shot down, Kraag said. Were really clear on what has happened, but the answer to the question why MH17 was shot down still remains in Russia.

Van Boetzelaer said that while the investigation is being suspended, phone lines will remain open for possible witnesses who may still want to provide evidence. If that happens, the inquiry could be reactivated.

Russian officials say that a decision to provide rebels with military support over the summer of 2014 was in Putins hands.

A decision to supply arms was even postponed for a week because there is only one who makes a decision (), the person who is currently at a summit in France, the investigative team said, citing a phone conversation that was referring to Putin.

Prosecutors said that at the time Putin was at a commemoration of D-Day in France.

The announcement by the investigative team comes nearly three months after a Dutch court convicted two Russians and a Ukrainian rebel for their roles in shooting down the plane. One Russian was acquitted by the court.

None of the suspects appeared for the trial and it was unclear if the three who were found guilty of multiple murders will ever serve their sentences.

The convictions and the courts finding that the surface-to-air Buk missile came from a Russian military base were seen as a clear indication that Moscow had a role in the tragedy. Russia has always denied involvement. The Russian Foreign Ministry accused the court in November of bowing to pressure from Dutch politicians, prosecutors and the news media.

But the November convictions held that Moscow was in overall control in 2014 over the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic, the separatist area of eastern Ukraine where the missile was launched. The Buk missile system came from the Russian militarys 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade, based in the city of Kursk.

The Joint Investigation Team is made up of experts from the Netherlands, Australia, Malaysia, Belgium and Ukraine. Most of the victims were Dutch. It had continued to investigate the crew of the missile system that brought down the plane and those who ordered its deployment in Ukraine.

As well as the criminal trial that was held in the Netherlands, the Dutch and Ukrainian governments are suing Russia at the European Court of Human Rights over its alleged role in the downing of MH17.

The findings revealed Wednesday will likely strengthen the case at the human rights court and could also be used by prosecutors at the International Criminal Court who are investigating possible war crimes in Ukraine dating to the start of the separatist conflict.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese vowed to keep pursuing justice for 38 Australian citizens and residents who died aboard MH17, describing Putin as reprehensible.

The shooting down of MH17 was an act of terrorism that had an impact here in Australia but on many countries as well. And we will continue to pursue these issues with every avenue at our disposal, Albanese said in the Australian capital Canberra.

This is a guy who runs an authoritarian regime, that doesnt care about human rights, that doesnt care about devastation of communities  whether it be in Ukraine, whether it be the oppression of his own citizens, or whether it be acts outside of Russia, of which weve seen a number, Albanese added.

(AP)




For federal prosecutors, Sam Bankman-Fried could be the gift that keeps on giving.

After the November collapse of FTX, the cryptocurrency exchange he founded in 2019, Bankman-Fried unexpectedly gave a series of interviews intended to present his version of events. He was indicted in December and charged with perpetrating one of the biggest frauds in U.S. history  and hes still talking, either in person or on the internet.

The atypical chattiness for a criminal defendant is likely causing Bankman-Frieds attorneys to scratch their heads, or worse. Prosecutors can use any statements, tweets or other communications against him at his trial, which is scheduled for October.

Prosecutors love when defendants shoot their mouths off, said Daniel R. Alonso, a former federal prosecutor who is now a white-collar criminal defense attorney. If Bankman-Frieds public comments before trial can be proven false during the trial, it may undermine his credibility with a jury, he said.

Bankman-Frieds most immediate concern, however, is a recent private communication. Prosecutors say he sent an encrypted message over the Signal texting app on Jan. 15 to the general counsel of FTX US, a likely witness for the government. Bankman-Fried will be back in a New York court Thursday, where a judge could impose new bail restrictions because of what could be seen as an attempt to influence a witness.

Before its collapse, FTX was the worlds second-largest crypto exchange and Bankman-Fried, 30, was its CEO and a billionaire several times over, at least on paper. Celebrities and politicians alike vouched for FTX and its founder, and Bankman-Fried was considered a leading figure in the crypto world.

However, the broad collapse of cryptocurrencies last year caused severe financial stress for numerous companies in the crypto universe, from lenders to exchanges to firms focused on investing in digital assets. FTX sought bankruptcy protection in November after customers pulled out their money in the crypto equivalent of a bank run.

Federal prosecutors have said Bankman-Fried devised a scheme and artifice to defraud FTXs customers and investors right from FTXs inception. They say he illegally diverted their money to cover expenses, debts and risky trades at Alameda Research, the crypto hedge fund he started in 2017, and to make lavish real estate purchases and large political donations.

In interviews and Twitter posts, Bankman-Fried has said he never intended to defraud anyone. Hes maintained that running FTX took up all his time and that he was unaware of the financial problems at the hedge fund until it was too late.

Those assertions are likely to be refuted by one of the governments key witnesses. Caroline Ellison, the former CEO of Alameda, has agreed to plead guilty for her role in FTXs collapse and to testify against Bankman-Fried. In a plea hearing in December, Ellison said she knew FTX had used billions in customer funds to make loans to Alameda and agreed with Bankman-Fried and others to take steps to conceal the nature of the loans.

Gary Wang, who co-founded FTX with Bankman-Fried, also struck a deal for cooperation. At his own plea hearing, Wang said that he made changes to computer code to enable FTX customer funds to be transferred to Alameda.

Another claim made often by Bankman-Fried is that hes trying to help recover funds for FTX customers, but that FTXs new management has cut him off and has taken steps, including filing for bankruptcy protection, that could inhibit customers from getting their money back.

For instance, Bankman-Fried says that when FTX collapsed, outside parties had made funding offers totaling billions of dollars, and if given a few weeks the company could have raised enough money to make customers substantially whole. Instead, it was strong-armed into filing for bankruptcy protection by its main law firm, Sullivan & Cromwell, a claim the firm denies.

Bankman-Fried has also frequently taken issue with decisions made by FTXs new CEO, John Ray. Bankman-Fried has often claimed that FTXs U.S. operation, which was considerably smaller than the international operations, was solvent at the time of the bankruptcy filing, a contention that Ray disputes.

Im still waiting for him to finally admit that FTX US is solvent and give customers their money back, Bankman-Fried tweeted on Jan. 19.

Bankman-Fried was scheduled to testify under oath in front of Congress in December with Ray, but that appearance was cancelled because of his arrest in the Bahamas, where FTX is based.

The real risk Bankman-Fried runs in making public comments explaining what happened is they could be seen as continuing efforts to mislead investors by regulators and prosecutors, said Jeff Linehan, a former prosecutor in the financial crimes division of the New York State Attorney Generals Office. Linehan is now a criminal defense attorney.

Bankman-Frieds comments at the time of FTXs collapse could also come back to haunt him. On Nov. 7, as customers furiously demanded their money back, he tweeted FTX is fine. Assets are fine. He deleted the tweet the next day. On Nov. 11, FTX filed Chapter 11.

Through a spokesman, Bankman-Fried decline to comment for this article.

Some defendants will go through their entire legal ordeal without saying anything that isnt first cleared by their attorneys. Even putting defendants on the witness stand at trial has long been seen by defense attorneys as a last-resort option because it opens them up to interrogation by prosecutors and often does more harm than good.

As the prosecution prepares their case, its really important to figure out what the defenses strategy could be, and a defense wants to keep that strategy under wraps as much as possible, said Alonso, the former federal prosecutor.

Bankman-Fried faces the possibility of decades in prison if convicted on all counts. Even if he were to agree to a plea bargain, a judge would have full discretion on what sentence to impose. If the judge does not believe Bankman-Fried is truly sorry for his actions, based partly on his public statements, he could ignore the prosecutions recommendations and imposing a stricter sentence, legal experts say.

Before FTX collapsed, Bankman-Fried had built up a gigantic public persona. He spoke often to reporters, testified in front of Congress, and appeared at conferences to advocate for cryptocurrencies and his firm. He gave millions of dollars to political candidates and advocated for charitable causes such as food issues in the Bahamas. It could be difficult to give up that sort of public influence.

Some people simply cant help themselves, Alonso said.

(AP)




American forces and their allies in Asia are ready for battle after years of joint combat exercises, a United States general said Wednesday, adding that Russias setbacks in Ukraine should serve as a warning to potential Asian aggressors like China and North Korea.

U.S. treaty allies like the Philippines, Japan and Australia, among others, have shown that they will band together, that they will not stand for aggression from these nations that have decided they want to change the world order out here, Maj. Gen. Joseph Ryan said.

Although Asia has no counterpart to NATO, the 30-nation military alliance whose mostly European members vow to defend each other against external attacks, a network of U.S. treaty alliances and defense partnerships upholding the international order provides a regional safeguard, he said.

Im personally very buoyed by what I see by our allies and partners in this region and the way weve come together in response to aggression by the PRC, by North Korea to say, We will not let that stand, Ryan told The Associated Press in an interview Wednesday, using the acronym for Chinas official name, the Peoples Republic of China.

Ryan, Commanding General of the U.S. Armys 25th Infantry Division based in Hawaii, is in Manila partly for talks with Philippine counterparts ahead of two annual largescale combat exercises that would include live-fire exercises and ground, sea and air assault maneuvers involving thousands of U.S. and Filipino troops in March and April.

The Philippines, Americas oldest treaty ally in Asia that used to host the largest U.S. naval and air force bases outside the American mainland, has allowed larger numbers of visiting U.S. forces to stay in rotating batches and preposition weapons and combat equipment in at least nine Philippine military camps under a 2014 defense pact. The Philppine decision to allow a broader American military presence was announced during a visit last week to Manila by U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

In the broader Asia-Pacific region, Washington has reinforced an arc of alliances to counter what it says are threats posed by an increasingly belligerent China and North Korea.

China has frowned on combat exercises involving the Americans in coastal areas facing the South China Sea, which Beijing claims virtually in its entirety, and has accused Washington of meddling in Asian disputes and dangerously militarizing the region by regularly deploying U.S. Navy warships and jet fighters.

More recent venues of large-scale exercises by American and Filipino forces included coastal Philippine provinces close to the disputed South China Sea, where China has taken increasingly assertive actions to cement its territorial claims, and in the northern Luzon region, which lies across a narrow sea border from Taiwan.

Combat-readiness exercises hopefully would make potential aggressors think twice, Ryan said.

The U.S. and the Philippines have agreed to hold about 500 small and major combat exercises in 2023 and expand annual military drills following disruptions caused by two years of coronavirus lockdowns, according to Philippine military officials.

That does provide some deterrent effect against an adversary in the region, who would look at that and say, I dont want to take a step that may cause a government, a politician, to decide to go because I dont know that I can win if Ive got to face that trained, ready force, Ryan said.

While military commanders say the joint exercises are not directed against any particular country, Ryan said Chinas increasingly aggressive actions were an alarming reality the region should brace for.

Does the backdrop of PRC aggression enter our minds when we train? Absolutely, he said, and in the case of the Philippines, U.S. forces needed to be ready to fulfill their obligations under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.

We feel duty-bound to ensure that the Philippines can maintain and will maintain their sovereignty, Ryan said. So aggression from the Peoples Republic of China that makes our treaty ally uncomfortable makes us uncomfortable.

The Philippines filed nearly 200 diplomatic protests in 2022 alone against Chinas aggressive actions in the South China Sea, a resource-rich and busy waterway where Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei also lay overlapping territorial claims.

Asked if U.S. forces and their Asian allies were ready to respond if a major crisis similar to Russias invasion of Ukraine breaks out in the region, Ryan said, Absolutely.

Im very comfortable that were ready but that doesnt mean Im satisfied. We can always get better, said Ryan, who commands about 12,000 soldiers under his infantry division.

He said experts would be flown in from Hawaii to train American and Filipino army troops in jungle survival and combat tactics during the Salaknib, the first of two major combat-readiness exercises starting next month in the Philippines.

Ryan said Americas adversaries should consider political dialogue and diplomacy because war is complicated  its violent, it can go a number of different ways. Russia found that out. They continue to find that out.

We thought that Ukraine would quickly succumb to Russian military power. That didnt happen, he said. The most important reason in my view, by far, was the will of the Ukraine people to fight.

It was also crucial that the United States and NATO had helped train Ukrainian troops and enhanced their capabilities to deal with security contingencies for years before Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, he said.

I think our allies in the region value their sovereignty, value their freedom, value their independence. And no adversary should take that lightly, Ryan said.

(AP)




A bill proposed by the Shas party on Thursday that would make it a criminal offense to wear non-tznius clothing or play musical instruments at the Kosel caused an uproar -both among the opposition and the coalition.

Shas proposed the bill on the background of an appeal to the Supreme Court filed by the Women of the Wall group to implement the Kotel Plan which would allocate an egalitarian prayer area at the Kosel. The Supreme Court hearing is scheduled to take place next week, on February 16.

The bill imposes penalties, including a six-month prison sentence or a fine of NIS 10,000 for anyone violating the customary religious practices at the Kosel, which would be determined by the Rabbanut and the Kosel Rav. The bill is intended to prevent the provocative ceremonies carried out by the Women of the Wall group every Rosh Chodesh.

Violations include mixed tefillos and playing musical instruments,among other things, as well as carrying out certain ceremonies in the womens section such as Kriyas HaTorah, wearing a tallis, or donning tefillin.

The proposed bill was met with outrage, with even some Chareidim decrying the bill. The Kikar HShabbat website published an article condemning the law, saying it would simply increase the chillul of the Kosel by fueling further provocative protests and giving progressive groups ammunition for unlimited power throughout the world.

Later on Thursday, it was reported that the Shas party backtracked, saying it will remove the penalties of imprisonment and fines from the bill. A bit later, it was reported that the bill will be shelved altogether, with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu saying that the status quo at the Kotel will be maintained as it is today. I have also talked with my friends, the party leaders, and it is accepted by all that the law will not be brought to the table now. Even if it will be brought, the clauses imposing criminal charges that were written 40 years ago [when the bill was first proposed] that arent acceptable to anyone, will not be included. Therefore, the Kotel will remain exactly as it is today.

The Shas party said in response: We welcome the Prime Ministers announcement that the status quo at the Kotel will be maintained as it has been until today. The Kotel does not need any law. The majority of the Jewish people respect the kedushat hamakom, except for the women of provocation who never cease to turn it into a political battlefield  all with the protection of the Supreme Court.

The law in essence is the preservation of the status quo. We were forced to submit it after the Supreme Court announced that it would not allow any postponement of the hearing. After the Prime Minister informed the heads of the political parties today that he intends to submit a response which means the hearing will be postponed, we agreed to remove the law.

Shas never intended to impose criminal penalties on clothing or musical instruments at the Kotel. This is cheap demagoguery. These clauses are a copy of the Kotel regulations from 1980 and they would have been removed by the committee. Shas will continue to protect the kedushah of the Kotel and the right of every secular, traditional, religious, and Chareidi Jew to pray at the kodesh place according to minhag hamakom.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




A student in Queens, New York somehow got the personal phone number of Mayor Eric Adams and extended an invitation to the mayor to attend a walkout protest at his school.

The student, 17-year-old Halima Ait Elhoussine, texted Adams that her friends participating in the protest need you here. The students say they are protesting alleged racism on the part of their principal, Vivian Selenikas, who they claim forced Assistant Principal Tanya Bloomfield, a black woman, to resign.

The mayor didnt seem to be too amused by the protest  or his invitation to attend.

Children should be in school, Adams wrote back to the teen. You can protest after school hours.

He added that if they want to effectuate change, they should ask for a meeting with the chancellor. Walking out [wont] solve anything.

The teenager says she obtained Adams cell phone number at an event during the summer, though its not clear which event it was or why she got his number.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
President Biden calls for an electric vehicle revolution, while his environmental base opposes lithium mining in Nevada.

A major element in Bidens green agenda is a push to replace gasoline-powered cars with electric vehicles (EVs) that run on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

Biden set an expensive and onerous goal of 50% of all U.S. vehicle sales to be electric by 2030. California and New York states mandated an even more extreme approach-no new diesel or gasoline cars can be sold after 2035.

In 2022, all electric vehicles represented only 5.8% of new vehicle sales.

Demand for lithium is expected to triple by 2030. Lithium-ion battery sales now total $41 billion. Theyre projected to be $115 billion in 2030.

Despite holding 10% of the worlds known reserves, the U.S. produces only 1% of the worlds lithium. The one active U.S lithium mine is located in Nevadas Clayton Valley, Esmeralda County.

That mine, operating since 1967, employs 85 people and produces lithium carbonate from 22 enormous evaporation ponds which concentrate the lithium. It makes 5,000 tons annually, but thats a very small quantity of the lithium required.

Lithium comes from other countries, including Australia and Chile, but China is the world leader in lithium chemical processing and battery production. The U.S. needs to end our reliance on China for lithium.

There are two main lithium sources: a salty brine pumped out of the ground and spodumene, a mineral contained in hard rocks, dug up in open pits.

The Biden Administration is heavily subsidizing EVs while at the same time blocking U.S mineral projects needed to produce them.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland walled off much of Minnesotas Superior National Forest from mining. It contains one of the worlds largest undeveloped mineral deposits, including copper, nickel and cobalt that are also needed in vast quantities for EV batteries.

An Australian mining company, Ioneer Ltd., has been stuck in permitting purgatory and the courts for over two years related to their proposed open-pit lithium mine at Rhyolite Ridge in Esmeralda County.

Ioneer had hoped to begin mining by 2026, with the site able to produce enough lithium to support production of 370,000 electric vehicles annually for decades.

The project would infuse rural Esmeralda County and surrounding Central Nevada with a much-needed economic boost, creating 400-500 construction jobs, and 200-300 operating positions.

While the U.S. Department of Energy announced a $700 million conditional loan to Ioneer on Jan 13, the project still faces major hurdles.

It must still develop a plan to protect the Tiehms buckwheat, a 6-inch-tall flowering plant that only grows on 10-acres in western Nevada. Last year, Bidens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declared it endangered.

Environmentalists sued to protect the plant and promised on Jan.13 to do so again.

Weve sued or initiated lawsuits over Tiehms buckwheat four times already, and we wont back down until every buckwheat is saved, opponents vow.

Another new Nevada lithium mining project is proposed for Thacker Pass in Humboldt County near the Nevada-Oregon border.

On Jan 31, General Motors Co. conditionally agreed to invest $650 million in Lithium Americas Corp, a deal that would give GM exclusive access to the proposed mine near McDermitt. Its the largest known source of lithium in the U.S.

Lithium Americas promises 300 permanent jobs paying an average salary of $62,000.

Its contingent on the Thacker Pass project clearing final and still pending legal hurdles in federal court in Reno. For two years, opponents have challenged the Bureau of Land Managements approval of the mine.

Environmentalists make disputed claims the mine will destroy habitat for sage grouse, trout, pronghorns, and golden eagles, pollute the air and create toxic water beneath the open-pit mine.

Some local Paiute and Shoshone tribal leaders say it will destroy nearby sacred lands. Other tribal leaders argue its economic benefits will lift the next generation.
The ambition of the frayed management at Credit Suisse is to ditch casino banking and to make a comeback as a wealth manager. It may not seem an impossible task.

After all, competitor UBS is back in rude health after fessing up to wholesale US tax evasion on behalf of clients in 2009.

Yet the idea that, somehow, Credit Suisse will ever again be a name to be trusted for keeping the savings of the worlds rich safe is fanciful.

Withdrawals: The super-rich across the globe decided to pull an astounding 100bn of funds out of the Swiss bank in the final three months of the year

The super-rich across the globe decided to pull an astounding 100billion of funds out of the Swiss bank in the final three months of the year as confidence in its survival faded.

There is no shortage of other more solidly anchored enterprises such as Goldman Sachs, which is making a big push into European wealth management, offering safer havens.

That may be more valuable to Europes financial elites than the tax advantages which once gave the gnomes of Zurich an edge.

Chief executive Ulrich Koerners plan for turnaround involves spinning off investment banking to focus on managing money.

But with such staggering outflows, there are big questions as to whether Credit Suisse, which raised new capital in November, has much of a future.

As part of the rebuild plan it is spinning out investment banking.

It recently spent 135million on buying a former board members advisory boutique.

There is a long way to go for the investment bank, given that trading revenues were just 12.5million last year.

The notion of a new Credit Suisse First Boston, arising phoenix-like from the ashes and being sold off for a pot of gold, might be wishful thinking.

The damage done by a series of scandals, including a disastrous relationship with Britains Greensill, is staggering.

Soriot demarche

Unsurprising, perhaps, that the Confederation of British Industry, in its Budget submission, made a plea for investment reliefs to compensate for the whopping hike in company tax from 19 per cent to 25 per cent.

Director general Tony Danker argued that the combination of a sharp jump in corporation tax and the timed end of Rishi Sunaks super-deduction (taxation relief on new spending on plant, IT and the like) would have a huge impact on investment.

It is quite a different thing when the call for a change of direction comes from Britains life sciences champion.

Under Pascal Soriots decade long stewardship, AstraZeneca has been transformed from a laggard into one of worlds great and most innovative life sciences companies.

The public knows it best as the pharma group which embraced the Oxford-Jenner Covid vaccine. In pharma it is known for its immunology treatments for cancer, heavy spending on research and development and a pipeline of new medicines.

When Soriot says he is minded to invest 333million in a new manufacturing facility in Ireland, because the UK tax rate is so discouraging, Jeremy Hunt must listen.

After all, if it wasnt for Soriots spirited defence of Astras independence, in the face of bid from Pfizer, the British company would be no more than an offshoot of the American giant  its research centre in Cambridge a forgotten dream.

Astras progress has been phenomenal  a 25 per cent rise in turnover to 37billion last year and profits of 2.1billion. It is projecting higher earnings in 2023 in spite of pouring investment into 30 trials of new compounds.

The Government will destroy Britains chances of emerging from the curse of sub-optimal productivity unless it acts on delivering tax reform in the Budget.

Russian stand-off

When Unilever boss Alan Jope ran into heavy weather over ice cream operations in the West Bank, he defied the board of Ben & Jerrys and rapidly divorced the group from the dispute by selling operations to its Israeli distributor.

Contrast the speed with which it untied that political knot with its failure to sever relations with Russia where it ran up sales of 750million last year and earned 147million.

Jope is preoccupied by the fate of its 3,500 staff. Admirable as that may be, he and his colleagues need to come to terms with the fact that the Kremlin is engaged in a brutal war and hard decisions have to be made.

If tobacco giant BAT, which controlled 25 per cent of Russias smoking market, can pull out, as just announced, so can Unilever.
A freight train loaded with 19 cold-chain containers packed with about 280 tonnes of fresh vegetables left Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, on Tuesday.

This was the first "China-Laos-Thailand" round-trip freight train. The train was scheduled to arrive in the Thai capital of Bangkok in 55 hours.

It will first stop at the Vientiane South Station in Laos for reloading, and then head for Bangkok via the Thai meter-gauge railway, which helps shorten the travel time by about one day compared to the previous route, while also reducing the transportation cost by more than 20 percent, said the China Railway Kunming Group Co., Ltd. The previous route was a combination of railway and highway.

When the train returns, it will carry seasonal fruits such as Thai longan and durian.

At present, cross-border freight transportation via the China-Laos Railway covers Laos, Thailand, Myanmar and other countries along the Belt and Road. The variety of transported goods has expanded from just more than 10 types when the railway was first opened to over 1,200 types currently. Total freight volume on this route now exceeds 2.5 million tonnes.
Vietnams exports to Americas reach 8.21 billion USD in January  Photo for illustration

(Source: baotintuc.vn)

Specifically, Vietnam enjoys a trade surplus of roughly US$6.56 billion with the market in January, said Radio the Voice of Vietnam.

The United States remains the nations leading trading partner in the region, with the country's exports to the market reaching US$7.2 billion, followed by Canada with approximately US$360 million.

Last year witnessed import-export turnover between the country and the Americas region record positive growth, reaching US$153.9 billion, up 10.7% compared to 2021, according to details given by the Ministry of Industry and Trade

Most notably, all major markets in the region recorded stable export growth, including the US at 11%, Brazil at 6.6%, Canada at 16.5%, Mexico at 7.1%, Chile at 9%, and Argentina at 8.3%.

Vietnams exports to Americas reach 8.21 billion USD in January  Photo for illustration

(Source: VOV)

Furthermore, thanks to the positive effects of free trade agreements (FTAs), such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Vietnam-Chile Agreement (VCFTA), Vietnamese exports to four countries in the region, Canada, Mexico, Chile, and Peru, last year reached US$13.1 billion, up 8.7%.

Strong export growth was also recorded to the MERCOSUR bloc, including Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, with the two-way trade last year surging by 9.2% to more than US$12 billion.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang among Asias most thrilling zip line experiences

Phong Nha  Ke Bang National Park in the central province of Quang Binh has been listed among the top eight most thrilling zip line experiences in Asia, as compiled by Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post newspaper (SCMP).

According to the media outlet, with a combination of being a natural wonder and featuring an epic zip line, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is renowned for its unique geological formations, diverse array of wildlife, and Son Doong, the largest cave in the world.

Phong Nha - Ke Bang (Photo: baotuyenquang.com.vn)

But for adrenaline junkies, Hang Toi, aka Dark Cave, is the hole to head for. At 400 metres, Vietnams longest zip line transports visitors above the turquoise Chay River to the entrance of the cave, says SCMP.

Most notably, the interior of the cavern is unlit and the rocky walls are dark grey and black, giving the site its name, reported by Radio the Voice of Vietnam.

SCMP also revealed that it is just a short swim to get inside, followed by a guided walk, with a helmet and headlamp provided, a mud bath, and a kayak ride back to the starting point.

Rounding off the list of the top eight locations is ZipCity in Macau, Southern Cardamom National Park of Cambodia, Zip-Flyer of Nepal, Awaji Island of Japan, Chocolate Hills Adventure Park of the Philippines, Gibbon Experience Treetop zip line of Laos, and Mega Adventure theme park of Singapore.

Vietnamese professor honoured with IUPAC award for women

Prof. Nguyen Thi Kim Thanh, a lecturer at University College London (UCL) in the UK, has been honoured with the Distinguished Women in Chemistry/Chemical Engineering Awards of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), together with other 11 woman scientists from various countries, said the Vietnam News Agency.

An awarding ceremony will be held during the IUPAC World Chemistry Congress slated for August this year.

Established in 2011, the awards aim to acknowledge and promote the work of women chemists/chemical engineers worldwide.

Awardees are selected based on excellence in basic or applied research, distinguished accomplishments in teaching or education, or demonstrated leadership or managerial excellence in the chemical sciences. The Awards Committee is particularly interested in nominees with a history of leadership and/or community service during their careers.

Prof. Nguyen Thi Kim Thanh (Photo: baodantoc.vn)

Prof. Mary Garson, President of the IUPAC Committee on Ethics, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, said that the 12 awardees are chosen from an impressive list of female chemists and chemical engineers with outstanding achievements and creativity around the world.

In their personal stories, each of the 2023 nominees has demonstrated a willingness to share expertise and experience with other chemists as well as a passion for science. Their outreach work and activities advance chemical science and chemical engineering in a variety of ways, she said, expressing her belief that the awardees will inspire woman scientists in the world.

Speaking to Vietnam News Agency correspondents in the UK, Prof. Thanh said that she hopes the rewards will inspire female scientists and girl children to pursue their dreams of contributing to science development and the community. For Vietnam, she hopes that the award will contribute to improving the prestige of Vietnamese intellectuals and scientists in the world scientific community, encouraging Vietnamese scientists to confidently step out and integrate with the advanced science of the world.

Based in Zurich, the Switzerland, the IUPAC was formed in 1919 by chemists from industry and academia, who recognised the need for international standardisation in chemistry.

Prof. Thanh is one of the world-renowned Vietnamese intellectuals, who is the first Vietnamese professor at UCL since 2013, and an academician of four specialised scientific institutes in the UK. With a long history of prestigious scientific achievements, Prof. Thanh has won many noble awards in the fields of research from prestigious scientific organisations and academies in the world.

Vietnamese fruits promoted at Berlin exhibition

Vietnamese fruits have been introduced at the Fruit Logistica, the world largest fruit and vegetable exhibition in the world that is underway in Berlin from February 8-10, said the Vietnam News Agency.

The Vietnamese booth at the exhibition, jointly organised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) Trade Promotion Agency, the Vietnam Trade Office in Berlin and the Vietnam Fruit Association (Vinafruit), attracted a large number of visitors right in the first day of the event. This is the third year that Vietnam has joined the exhibition.

On February 8, a trade exchange was held between the Vietnamese enterprises with members of Germanys Federal Association of Medium-Sized Enterprises (BVMW), German firms and Vietnamese companies in Germany, the Netherlands and Spain.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Vu Quang Minh (second, left) and Ludwig Graf Westarp (second, right), Director of Skaro Company who represents the BVMW at the exhibition.

(Photo: VNA)

Highlighting the increasing competitiveness of Vietnamese products competitiveness, Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Vu Quang Minh said he hopes the firms will optimize preferential tax rates from free trade agreements to boost exports of fruits and vegetables in the promising German market.

He pledged that the Vietnamese Embassy and the Vietnam Trade Office will give best support to Vietnamese firms in connecting with their peers in Germany to strengthen exports to Germany and the EU in general, thus optimising the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

Meanwhile, Vinafruit Chairman Nguyen Thanh Binh said that the exhibition is a great chance for Vietnamese firms to expand their market.

Data from the MoIT showed that after the EVFTA took effect, Vietnams exports of fruits to Europe has risen 25-30%.

Tran Van Cong, Vietnamese Trade Councillor in Germany said that the EU has been an important and promising market with annual consumption of over 110 billion USD worth of goods. However, Vietnams fruit export revenue from the market is still modest at over 200 million USD, accounting for only 0.02% of the EUs spending on the product.

Underlining that the EVFTA, which brings import tax of Vietnamese fruits to 0%, is offering great opportunities for Vietnam in the EU, he noted that last year, exports of fruits to the EU rose nearly 14%.

Cong advised domestic firms to focus on developing farming areas as well as preservation stage, ensuring that Vietnamese products are origin traceable, meeting requirements of the EU.

At the event, the Vinafruit and BVMW signed a memorandum of understanding on supporting businesses of both sides to strengthen cooperation in fruit export and distribution in the German market./.
[February 09, 2023] Fluence Supporting Premium Dutch Floriculture Brands to Future-Proof and Increase Sustainability

Fluence, a leading global provider of energy-efficient LED lighting solutions for floriculture, medicinal cannabis and food production, is supporting sustainability and operational cost efficiency amid volatile energy market conditions in Europe. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230209005211/en/ Orchids under Fluence LED lighting at Bernhard Kwekerijen, a rose, orchid and patio plant nursery. (Photo: Business Wire) Europe's soaring energy prices have affected many growers in countries like the Netherlands that primarily produce electricity via the gas-powered cogeneration method. Gas prices have historically balanced between 15 and 20 per megawatt-hour (MWh) but peaked at over 300 per MWh in 2022 because of volatility due to supply, storage and weather conditions. Current energy prices have dropped to 60 per MWh, remaining roughly three times higher than what many growers planned to pay for electricity. Leading floriculture companies dedicated to delivering high-quality products to customers-including Bernhard Kwekerijen, Moerman Lilium, Deliflor Chrysanten, Beyond Chrysant and Ten Have Plant-have made the switch from high-pressure sodium (HPS) fixtures to Fluence's LED technology, which increase photon output and energy efficiency. "As they confront the unpredictability of Europe's energy market, Dutch cultivators are increasingly focused on future-proofing their cultivation strategies by decreasing their dependency on fossil energy and engaging in sustainable practices," said Gert-Jan Goes, horticulture specialist at Fluence. "Fluence's RAPTR light fixture and Wireless Flex Dimming control panel help growers maximize their return on investment while increasing control over light intensity while increasing control over light intensity and dimming up and down creates maximum flexibility to profit from highly fluctuating energy markets." Moerman Lilium, a lily cultivator,has 13 hectares of crops under full LED lighting and uses Fluence's RAPTR fixtures regulated via a Wireless Flex Dimming controller. The company-which monitors European energy prices very closely-uses Fluence solutions to react quickly and modify light intensity based on market conditions. Moerman Lilium expects to save at least 45% on electricity costs with the investment in Fluence's LED lighting solutions.



"LED lighting allows us to be more energy efficient while adjusting our electricity use based on fluctuations in energy prices," said Jan Moerman, co-owner of Moerman Lilium. "Switching to Fluence LEDs has saved us money and given us more flexibility in a constantly changing energy market." Deliflor Chrysanten is the global market leader in breeding and propagating chrysanthemum varieties. The company was in search of a high-efficiency lighting solution featuring additional green light in the spectrum for better visibility and growth. Deliflor Chrysanten opted for Fluence's RAPTR Broad R8 spectrum in their recently renewed breeding facilities to guarantee the best circumstances for their newest varieties. The first flower trial grown under the Fluence's fixtures turned out very successful last January. Beyond Chrysant, a leading Dutch chrysanthemum cultivator, also chose Fluence's RAPTR solution for its customizability and high-visibility spectrum that create increased efficiency in its integrated crop management practices. Installing Fluence's LED technology has allowed Beyond Chrysant to gain greater control over the oscillating European energy market. The company was recently named a finalist for Stichting Tuinbouw Ondernemersprijs' "2023 Horticultural Entrepreneur Award."

Even in hybrid lighting environments, growers are seeing the benefits of using LED technology. Bernhard Kwekerijen-a rose, orchid and patio plant nursery-promotes a carbon-neutral and sustainable operation by using geothermal heat and its own photovoltaic field of solar panels to generate energy. By incorporating Fluence's RAPTR fixtures alongside legacy HPS solutions and maximizing light control with Wireless Flex Dimming, Bernhard Kwekerijen has elevated CO 2 -neutral cropping in its Phalaenopsis cultivation. "Fluence's technology stands out because it affords the greatest flexibility in modifying energy consumption and light intensity according to energy market price instability," said Dennis Raadschelders, strategic account manager for commercial agriculture at Fluence. "Our Dutch floriculture growers have harnessed control over operational expenses without sacrificing product quality by emitting more light when energy prices are low, and quickly reducing light when energy prices rise." Fluence's team of horticultural experts work closely alongside partners to design lighting programs based on operations-specific crop and sustainability goals. Ten Have Plant, one of the oldest potted plant nurseries in Westland, selected Fluence as its lighting solutions partner to achieve better crop and root development in addition to reducing costs and increasing energy efficiency. Ten Have Plant worked with Fluence's horticulture team to design a lighting plan to produce cyclamen for half the year and campanula in the other half, selecting VYPR 3p Broad R6 top lights to gain control over seasonal light conditions and electricity consumption year-round. "Fluence LED fixtures are widely used by leading cannabis, commercial agriculture and floriculture companies across Europe, demonstrating the flexibility and universal benefit in transitioning to LED technology," said David Cohen, CEO of Fluence. "We are excited to work with Dutch floriculture growers who have deep roots in the industry and support their management of environmental conditions, sustainable operations and the highest quality crops." For more information on Fluence, visit www.fluence.science. About Fluence Fluence Bioengineering, Inc. (Fluence) creates powerful and energy-efficient LED lighting solutions for commercial crop production and research applications. Fluence is a leading LED lighting supplier in the global cannabis market and is committed to enabling more efficient crop production with the world's top vertical farms and greenhouse produce growers. Fluence global headquarters are in Austin, Texas, with its EMEA headquarters in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Fluence operates as a business unit within Signify's Digital Solutions division. For more information about Fluence, visit www.fluence.science. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230209005211/en/

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Generational Equity Advises Fasteners, Inc. in its Sale to Monroe Engineering

Generational Equity, a leading mergers and acquisitions advisor for privately held businesses, is pleased to announce the sale of its client, Fasteners, Inc. to Monroe Engineering. The acquisition closed January 31, 2023.

Fasteners, Inc., located in Englewood, Colorado, and founded in 1965, is a wholesale fastener distribution company. The Company has a philosophy of building relationships with their customers, taking care of their customer's needs and having inventory to support them. The Company's extensive inventory is available for prompt, accurate delivery or shipment in materials ranging from aluminum to stainless to heat-treated steel. The Company's excellent industry reputation and local brand awareness has established it as a leading nuts and bolts distributor in the region.

Headquartered in Rochester Hills, Michigan (with multiple locations throughout the U.S.) Monroe Engineering (Monroe) is an ISO 9001:2015 & AS9100D certified global industrial manufacturing company offering a broad product line and has a diverse customer base of manufacturers, distributors and catalog-houses across several vertical markets including aerospace/defense, automotive, medical, transportation and many more. Monroe has a rich history dating back to the 1920s and Otto Siewek's role in developing "tooling components" which helped standardized mass production of automobiles.

Generational Equity Executive Managing Director of M&A - Western Region, Stephen Crisham, and his team led by Managing Director - M&A, Chad Comroe, successfully closed the deal. Executive Managing Director and Group Leader, Randy Kamin established the initial relationship with Fasteners, Inc.







"The Fasteners' shareholders were intent on finding a buyer that would create opportunities for the future success of the employees," said Comroe. "Monroe fit the bill, and everyone is excited for the next stage of growth."

About Generational Equity

Generational Equity, Generational Capital Markets (member FINRA/SIPC), Generational Wealth Advisors, Generational Consulting Group, and DealForce are part of the Generational Group, which is headquartered in Dallas and is one of the leading M&A advisory firms in North America.

With more than 350 professionals located throughout 16 offices in North America, the companies help business owners release the wealth of their business by providing growth consulting, merger, acquisition, and wealth management services. Their six-step approach features strategic and tactical growth consulting, exit planning education, business valuation, value enhancement strategies, M&A transactional services, and wealth management.

The M&A Advisor named the company Investment Banking Firm of the Year three years in a row, Valuation Firm of the Year in 2020, and North American Investment Bank of the Year in 2022 as well as Consulting Firm of the Year. The Global M&A Network named Generational USA Investment Bank of the Year in 2023. For more information visit https://www.genequityco.com/ or the Generational Equity press room.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230209005183/en/
[February 08, 2023] The Worldwide Cyber Security Consulting Services Industry is Anticipated to Reach $8.614 Billion in 2027

DUBLIN, Feb. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Cyber Security Consulting Services Market - Forecasts from 2022 to 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The cyber security consulting services market was valued at US$2.955 billion in 2020 and is anticipated to grow with a CAGR of 16.51% to reach a total market size of US$8.614 billion in 2027. The consulting companies play the roles of both defenders and attackers in the systems as well as software programs. The major factors bolstering the market growth throughout the forecast period include the growth in cyberattacks and data breaches across various organizations that further lead to a loss of millions of dollars to the companies. This, in turn, further drives the requirements for the implementation of the right strategies regarding security management and data assessments coupled with the setting up of necessary infrastructure and applications. Thus, these consulting services companies play a vital role in guiding companies to define and implement the right strategy depending on the current situation of the business.



Furthermore, the rising digitization coupled with the rapid integration of technology across all sectors has led to the rapid adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) which has also amplified the number of connected devices within the organization as well as outside the organization. This, in turn, has increased the risk of cyberattacks, thus considered to be a major factor supplementing the cyber security consulting services market growth in the next five years.



There is a high volume of companies working in the cyber security consulting services market. However, some have solidified their position as the leading providers in this industry. These players are involved in a plethora of investments, service expansions, R&D, partnerships, and acquisitions as a part of their growth strategies to further strengthen their position and provide better products to their customers worldwide, which is further expected to propel the growth of the market in the coming years. Also, growth in the funding received by various start-ups for the enhancement of services offered by them shows the potential for the market to grow in the near future. For example, Haven Cyber-Technologies Group, a UK-based cyber security company, recently announced that it had received 5.7 million in funding from C5 Capital, which it intends to use to improve its solutions, products, and consulting competencies. Also, in May 2020, HCL Technologies announced the expansion of its partnership that it signed with Broadcom Inc in the year 2018, HCL aimed to broaden its service offerings and include Symantec Enterprise Division (SED) consulting services, which were part of Broadcoms enterprise security solutions. Furthermore, in June 2020, CI Security announced the growth and enhancements in its Critical InsightT Channel Partner Program to cater to the growing expectations of consumers due to the increased risk of cyber threats.







Growth in the number of cyberattacks is expected to drive the market's growth



The key factor supplementing the cyber security consulting services market growth includes the growth in the number of cyberattacks, even in the developed economies of the world despite having world-class infrastructure. According to AtlasVPN data, for example, cybersecurity incidents in NASA increased 366% from 2018 to 2019, reaching 1,469 by 2019 from just 315 in 2018.

Also, in September 2018, in a cyberattack on the leading hotel chain, Starwood Hotels, owned by the Marriot group, around personal information of more than 500 million people was compromised, to which more than 327 million entries were related to the banking information of the hotel's customers. Similarly, in February 2018, around US$6 million was stolen from the Russian Central Bank by some unknown hackers in a cyberattack.



The cyber security consulting services market has been segmented on the basis of enterprise size, industry vertical, and geography. By enterprise size, the segmentation of the market has been done into small, medium, and large. On the basis of industry vertical, the market has been classified into BFSI, aerospace and defense, retail, IT and Telecom, healthcare, energy and utilities, and others. Geographically, the segmentation has been done into North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific.



SMEs to show robust growth



By enterprise size, both the small and medium segments are anticipated to witness healthy growth during the next five years. The major factor supplementing the growth of this segment includes the significant growth in the number of SMEs at the global level. This, coupled with the rapid adoption of cloud computing solutions is also considered to be a major factor that is expected to bolster the market's growth over the next five years.



North America to hold a decent share



Geographically, the North American region is projected to hold a considerable market share throughout the forecast period, primarily on account of the early technology adoption coupled with the availability of a well-established infrastructure. Moreover, the presence of key market players in the region is also a key factor supplementing the cyber security consulting services market growth in the North American region during the next five years.



Competitive Insights



Prominent key market players in the Cyber Security Consulting Services market include Capgemini, Cisco, IBM Corporation, and Optive Security, among others. These companies hold a noteworthy share of the market on account of their good brand image and product offerings.



Major players in the Cyber Security Consulting Services market have been covered along with their relative competitive positions and strategies. The report also mentions recent deals and investments by different market players over the last two years. Key Topics Covered:



1. Introduction 2. Research Methodology



3. Executive Summary



4. Market Dynamics

4.1. Market Drivers

4.2. Market Restraints

4.3. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

4.4. Function Value Chain Analysis



5. Cyber Security Consulting Services Market Analysis, By Enterprise Size

5.1. Introduction

5.2. Small

5.3. Medium

5.4. Large



6. Cyber Security Consulting Services Market Analysis, By Industry Vertical

6.1. Introduction

6.2. BFSI

6.3. Aerospace and Defense

6.4. Retail

6.5. IT and Telecom

6.6. Healthcare

6.7. Energy and Utilities

6.8. Others



7. Cyber Security Consulting Services Market Analysis, By Geography 8. Competitive Environment and Analysis

8.1. Major Players and Strategy Analysis

8.2. Emerging Players and Market Lucrativeness

8.3. Mergers, Acquisitions, Agreements, and Collaborations

8.4. Vendor Competitiveness Matrix



9. Company Profiles

9.1. Capgemini

9.2. McAfee, LLC (acquired by Intel)

9.3. Accenture

9.4. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP.

9.5. IBM Corporation

9.6. BlackBerry Limited

9.7. Dell Inc.

9.8. FireEye, Inc. (acquired by Symphony Technology Group)

9.9. Optiv Security Inc. (acquired by KKR)

9.10. BAE Systems



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/eqcxin-security?w=5 About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets

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[February 08, 2023]

Vaultavo Introduces Biometric Smart Card Based Crypto Custody Solution

Decentralized, hardware-based solution designed to address vulnerability issues and support the institutional market's security requirements

NEW YORK and LONDON and HONG KONG, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Vaultavo Inc. ( www.vaultavo.com ) has developed a patent-pending crypto custody solution to address the security requirements of the institutional market and its clients.

The Vaultavo Custody Solution combines the world's first biometric digital asset custody smart card with state-of-the-art proprietary vaults and secure SaaS digital platform and access portals, to create a solution that reinvents custody as we know it today.

The integrated hardware and software solution protects digital assets by creating and managing the Blockchain private key on the bank grade secure Vaultavo Card  a decentralized approach to security which mirrors cryptocurrencies, Web3 and DeFi and differs from competitive solutions that have attempted to provide security in a centralized manner.

The secure element in the Vaultavo Card, the foundation of the solution, boasts EAL7 security certification, making it safer than most, if not all, other custody solutions. The Vaultavo Card is the same size and thickness as a bank card, has a built-in biometric reader, an E Ink display, rechargeable battery and Bluetooth, NFC and USBC connectivity capabilities.
Delegates perform traditional Japanese Sake barrel beating at the ceremony (Photo: hcmcpv.org.vn)

Speaking at the ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Vo Van Hoan expressed his joy at the two countries Vietnam and Japan celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations, and showed his happiness and pride of the achievements in the development of relations between Vietnam - Japan in general, and Ho Chi Minh City - Japan in particular.

Since 2009, the city has witnessed an increase from 38 investment projects with a total capital of USD46.7 million to nearly 1,600 projects with a total investment capital of about USD5.5 billion. This strong growth has made Japan the third largest investor out of 117 countries and territories investing in the city. The trade turnover between Ho Chi Minh City and Japan increased from USD3.3 billion in 2009 to nearly USD5.1 billion last year.

Since 2009 the number of Japanese living in Ho Chi Minh City has increased by more than 3 times, reaching nearly 11,000 people in 2022. On the other hand, the Vietnamese community has become the second largest expat community in Japan. Festivals and cultural exchange events are regularly held in both Ho Chi Minh City and Japan, becoming an important bridge bringing Vietnamese people in general, Ho Chi Minh City in particular and Japanese people closer and closer to each other despite the geographical distance.

According to Mr. Hoan, in recent years, the city has received many proposals for cooperation in various fields from Japanese localities, especially labor cooperation and response to climate change. Last December, the Friendship Dialogue organized by the city for the first time received a strong response from Japanese localities. Many proposals were made by Japanese localities at this forum to promote cooperation in human resource development, carbon emission reduction and green transition. Regarding Vietnam - Japan relations, he emphasized the contribution of the Emperor, especially on the occasion of his 63rd birthday. In recent high-level contacts, Vietnamese leaders have invited the Emperor and Empress Masako to visit Vietnam in 2023, hoping that Ho Chi Minh City will be on the schedule of the visit.

Japanese Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City Watanabe Nobuhiro emphasized that Japan is currently the third FDI investor in Ho Chi Minh City and Japanese enterprises have affirmed that they will continue to invest and expand production into Vietnam, including in Ho Chi Minh City. Regarding the recent Japanese investment trend in Ho Chi Minh City, he said that it is in the retail and service sectors. In 2023, the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries will have many commemorative activities. He expected the completion of the construction of metro line 1 - a symbol of cooperation between Japan and Vietnam - as a special event in 2023, contributing to the diversification of the transport system for the people in Ho Chi Minh City.

Naruhito became the 126th Emperor of Japan on May 1, 2019, starting the new imperial era of Reiwa./.
[February 08, 2023] ComfortDelgro Driving Centre and Quantum Mobility signs MOU for sustainable mobility and safe riding for Electric Motorcycles

SINGAPORE, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Quantum Mobility (QM) has announced an MOU with ComfortDelGro Driving Centre (CDC) on February 8 2023 to advocate safe riding for electric motorcycles in Singapore. QM is glad to be a strategic partner of CDC to promote sustainable mobility and inculcate safer road practices. Electric Motorcycles has gained global traction especially in South East Asia. However, not many riders have the access to riding, charging and maintenance methods for an electric motorcycle. In its MOU, QM will co-develop courses with CDC to roll out electric motorcycle familiarisation courses as well as incorporate the content into safety riding courses for corporate clients. In the opening speech, ComfortDelGro's Group CEO, Mr. Cheng Siak Kian said" Electric Motorcycles are a part of the entire EV ecosystem. We are happy to partner Quantum Mobility to reach out to the community of electric motorcyclists to contribute to a safer and greener Singapore."



CEO of Quantum Mobility, Mr. Edmund Lim added, "We are pleased to partner with CDC to roll out electric motorcycle familiarization course that contributes to the overall safe riding experiences of the riders. As a start, the course will be open to corporate clients. This is a timely initiative as we have received LTA approval for the G2 Quantum Electric Motorcycle and target to roll out to fleet owners on a subscription model from 2Q2023." Singapore's approach towards electrification has positioned herself strategically to reinforce public safety by introducing charging standards - TR25:2022.

To address fluid market changes for EV charging, Quantum Volts, a spin-off from Quantum Mobility was incorporated. Quantum Volt's CEO, Mr. Lawrence Oei shared that they are making good progress with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A STAR) and Global Consortiums to develop innovative, sustainable charging solutions to drive global adoption plans, starting from shores of Singapore. Another glimpse of the Start-up's plan is to roll out an Electric Motorcycle Rental programme - Q-Ride. Quantum Mobility's COO, Mr. Anders Quek shared that Q-Ride will provide the platform for riders to experience EV riding in a sustainable and economical way. Quantum Mobility is an Electric Motorcycle Start up to accelerate the adoption of electric motorcycles in Singapore and eventually in the APAC region. It is located at Blk 79, Ayer Rajah Crescent [email protected] Visit us on social media Facebook, Instagram SOURCE Quantum Mobility

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[February 08, 2023] Business Leaders Counting on Skills Training to Fuel Growth With Metaverse, Despite Uncertainty Over Implementation

7 in 10 business leaders (68%) say it is important for their company to adopt the metaverse to stay competitive, but only 6% have adopted the metaverse and 52% are unsure, or do not foresee adopting metaverse-related technology.

Half of business leaders (51%) reveal that their company needs to gain knowledge and expertise to embrace metaverse, with 9 in 10 of them (89%) open to sending their employees for skills training related to the metaverse.

Businesses leaders say the top benefits of metaverse include finding new ways to engage customers (50%), enhancing customer service (44%), and finding new business opportunities (43%).

However, barriers in metaverse adoption include privacy and security concerns (52%), high technology costs (51%), and uncertainty on whether metaverse will yield return on investments (47%). SINGAPORE, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With the metaverse touted as the next iteration of the internet, companies recognise the need to build their workforce competencies to augment business opportunities. While 7 in 10 business leaders (68%) say that it is important for their company to adopt metaverse to remain competitive, only 6% have adopted the metaverse and 52% are unsure or do not foresee adopting metaverse-related technology. To embrace metaverse, half of business leaders (51%) reveal that their company needs to gain the relevant knowledge and expertise. In fact, 9 in 10 (89%) of business leaders are open to sending their employees for skills training-related to the metaverse. These are some of the key findings from the recently launched Industry Insights Report 2023 on Metaverse, which aims to investigate the current landscape and businesses' readiness for the metaverse, including their awareness and challenges faced. Based on a survey of 200 business leaders,and interviews with industry practitioners and experts from NTUC LearningHub (NTUC LHUB), the report offers insights into the in-demand skills and employee training areas that business leaders are keen to explore.



Despite the key benefits business leaders resonate with such as finding new ways to engage customers (50%), enhancing customer service (44%), and finding new business opportunities (43%), over a third (36%) of them voice that they are not confident of their company's readiness for a future in the metaverse. Privacy and security concerns (52%), high technology costs (51%), and uncertainty about whether metaverse will bear return on investments (47%), are the top concerns among business leaders in adopting the metaverse. Nonetheless, three in five (62%) business leaders are confident in their workforce's ability to adapt to the metaverse. More than half (54%) of business leaders say metaverse-related skills are required across different roles and departments in their organisation, with cloud computing (53%), data analytics and Artificial Intelligence (51%), and Internet of Things (43%), emerging as the top metaverse-related technologies business leaders are keen to adopt in the next two years.

As business leaders prepare their employees for the adoption of metaverse, they prefer to enrol their employees in courses under government supported training institutions (53%), followed by on-the-job training (51%), and sponsorship via micro-credentials or industry certifications (44%). Commenting on the findings, Tay Ee Learn, Chief Sector Skills Officer at NTUC LearningHub, says, "The metaverse yields a variety of economic benefits for companies, and from the survey, it is encouraging to know that business leaders are looking forward to not just riding on this wave, but investing in the next revolution through skills training. Developing an existing pool of employees with the relevant skills will help businesses effectively utilise the capabilities of the metaverse. With high technology cost being one of the top barriers to metaverse adoption, companies should tap on fundings available for training, such as those provided by training providers like NTUC LearningHub, which was recently approved by SkillsFuture Singapore as a Continuing Education and Training Centre for the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. As a start for metaverse to gain wider awareness, companies can also consider introducing it to their employees by using it as a platform to convene, socialise, and work, before embarking on more serious work-related usage." To download the Industry Insights 2023  Metaverse report, please visit www.ntuclearninghub.com/metaverse-2023. To find out more about the courses, training, and grants, visit NTUC LearningHub's website at www.ntuclearninghub.com. ### END ### About NTUC LearningHub NTUC LearningHub is the leading Continuing Education and Training provider in Singapore which aims to transform the lifelong employability of working people. Since our corporatisation in 2004, we have been working with employers and individual learners to provide learning solutions in areas such as Cloud, Infocomm Technology, Healthcare, Employability & Literacy, Business Excellence, Workplace Safety & Health, Security, Human Resources and Foreign Worker Training. To date, NTUC LearningHub has helped over 26,000 organisations and achieved more than 2.6 million training places across more than 2,900 courses with a pool of about 900 certified trainers. As a Total Learning Solutions provider to organisations, we also forge partnerships to offer a wide range of relevant end-to-end training. Besides in-person training, we also offer instructor-led virtual live classes (VLCs) and asynchronous online learning. The NTUC LearningHub Learning eXperience Platform (LXP)  a one-stop online learning mobile application  offers timely, bite-sized and quality content for learners to upskill anytime and anywhere. Beyond learning, LXP also serves as a platform for jobs and skills development for both workers and companies. For more information, visit www.ntuclearninghub.com. SOURCE NTUC LearningHub

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[February 08, 2023] Brazilian Shoemaking Enterprise Dakota's Production Problem Solved with UnionTech's 3D Printing Solution for Footwear Industry

SHANGHAI, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, UnionTech signed a cooperation agreement with the Brazilian shoemaking brand Dakota, to help it achieve high-precision, high-efficiency and high-level production with its 3D printing solution for footwear. "Before cooperating with UnionTech, the conventional material epoxy resin was used in the production and processing of shoe molds. The production of one shoe mold requires a series of processes including pattern (master pattern) preparation, mold frame construction, parting surface selection, release agent application, mixing & pouring, resin curing & mold splitting, epoxy resin mold aftertreatment, mold assembling, and mold testing. This conumes a great amount of labor and time, and there are also worries about whether the mold quality is up to standard, whether the shoe pattern is exquisite enough, etc."



Fernando, relevant responsible person of Dakota Dakota is a renowned Brazilian shoemaking enterprise with products sold worldwide. Obviously, the traditional production method can no longer meet the development needs of an enterprise with such large-scale demand. It is learned that, after introducing the 3D printing shoemaking solution of UnionTech, Dakota has acquired effective results in improving efficiency with the highly efficient and intelligent 3D printing device FL660. In the past, it took nearly 10 hours to produce a shoe mold; now, the device can operate 24 hours a day without being watched, thus improving the overall efficiency by almost 60%. In Fernando's opinion, it's a miracle of production created by technology.

"UnionTech's 3D printing technology has helped us to present delicate patterns on shoe modes. In the old days, we had to rely on extra modification by hand to render shoes more gorgeous. However, today, we can directly print beautifully patterned shoe models to make more exquisite shoes, so as to satisfy our customers even better." Fernando, relevant responsible person of Dakota Through this cooperation, Dakota has become fully aware of the reliability of UnionTech's 3D printing solution with printer of excellent quality + super convenient printing software + various applications of 3D printing materials. According to Fernando, a responsible person of Dakota, the Company had purchased other 3D printers before, but chose to end cooperation due to unsatisfactory device and service quality. Fernando expressed that the future holds a greater prospect of development for 3D printing technology, and it will be a world of digital production. SOURCE UnionTech3D

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[February 08, 2023] Incoming delivery: Hyundai Mighty electric truck

Mighty electric truck is set to join the ever-growing Hyundai electrified vehicle range

Battery range of 240km (laden) and rapid charging (10% to 100% in under 70 minutes) make Mighty electric the ideal zero-emission delivery vehicle

Mighty electric will join Kona Electric, IONIQ 5 and the soon-to-arrive IONIQ 6 in a further step towards Hyundai Motor's global ambition to be carbon neutral by 2045

Mighty electric is due locally in mid-2023 with expressions of interest to be coordinated through Hyundai Motor Company Australia directly SYDNEY, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Introducing the Hyundai Mighty electric truck, which is set to join Hyundai's ever-growing local electrified vehicle line-up in mid-2023. The zero-emission Mighty electric will join Kona Electric, IONIQ 5 and the soon-to-arrive IONIQ 6 state-of-the art EVs, with expressions of interest to be coordinated through Hyundai Motor Company Australia (HMCA) directly. A continuation of Hyundai's sustainable commercial vehicle momentum, Mighty electric follows on from XCIENT Fuel Cell, the brand's first-ever hydrogen-powered heavy truck, currently deployed in Switzerland and California. Mighty electric has an estimated laden range of approximately 240km and is the ideal zero-emission workhorse for metropolitan and last-mile deliveries. Mighty electric's 120kW, 320Nm traction motor is powered by a 114.5kWh battery system with rapid charging capability - 10% to 100% in under 70 minutes. This technology gives Mighty electric capabilities that perfectly complement those of the long-haul, heavy load XCIENT Fuel Cell prime mover, which HMCA is studying for a potential trial in Australia. Mighty electric will help drive an expansion in emissions-free commercial transport options by demonstrating its driveability and everyday practicality, while helping to reduce the carbon footprint of transport and logistics operations in Australia. Heavy vehicles make up only four percent of the national vehicle fleet, yet ICE heavy vehicles are responsible for 25 percent of all vehicle emissions in Australia. This means each Mighty electric will have a disproportionately large impact on total emissions reduction. The arrival of this efficient and effective electric truck will mark another important step towards Hyundai Motor Company's global ambition to be carbon neutral in products and operations by 2045. "We are excited to announce Mighty electric truck for Australia as a key step in driving growth in emissions-free commercial vehicles," Hyundai Motor Company Australia Chief Executive Officer, Ted Lee said. "Mighty electric will bolster our growing EV line-up and underlines Hyundai's continuing commitment to developing sustainable mobility solutions," he said. In addition to its efficient EV technology the Mighty electric represents the latest in cab, including comfort and convenience features such as a digital dash display, a multi-function steering wheel and a suspended driver's seat. Mighty electric comes packed with safety technology features including: Forward Collision-avoidance Assist (FCA): On detecting a collision risk with the vehicle ahead, FCA will warn the driver, and then automatically apply the brakes to avoid or reduce the severity of a collision





On detecting a collision risk with the vehicle ahead, FCA will warn the driver, and then automatically apply the brakes to avoid or reduce the severity of a collision Lane Departure Warning System (LDW): The front camera monitors the painted lane markers and if the vehicle begins to drift out of the lane LDW alerts the driver with an audible alarm and a visual alert





The front camera monitors the painted lane markers and if the vehicle begins to drift out of the lane LDW alerts the driver with an audible alarm and a visual alert Electronic Stability Control (ESC): On detecting tyre slip, ESC stabilises the vehicle to prevent loss of directional control





On detecting tyre slip, ESC stabilises the vehicle to prevent loss of directional control Electronic Air Brake System (EBS): A full Electronic Air Brake System in Mighty electric features an air-activated wheel parking brake, for optimal performance Mighty electric is classed as a Light Duty Heavy Truck (3,501 - 8,000kg GVM) and has an approximate cargo capacity between one and 3.5 tonne, depending on the variant and upper body specification. From launch, the Mighty electric line-up will be available in a single 7,300kg Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) variant, in 4x2 configuration with a 3,300mm wheelbase. Bare cab-chassis, tray or pantech (regular or refrigerated) versions will be offered for Australian customers - a tipper variant is also currently under study. Mighty electric production for Australia is set to start in Q2 2023, with final specifications and pricing to be confirmed closer to launch. Customers can register their interest in Mighty electric at:

https://www.hyundai.com/au/en/cars/coming-soon/ev-mighty-truck Hyundai Trucks Australia (Peninsula Hyundai Trucks & Bus) will continue to be the sole local importer of ICE (diesel) Hyundai commercial vehicles, while HMCA will import and distribute all future EV and hydrogen-powered trucks into the Australian market. Mighty electric key specification and feature overview







Performance

Power 120 kW Torque 320 Nm Maximum Speed 100 km/h Range (laden) 240 km

Battery & Charging

Battery Size 114.5 kWh DC Charging (8% - 100%) 71 minutes AC Socket Type 2 DC Socket CCS Combo 2 Weight

Chassis Mass 3,250 kg GVM 7,300 kg Payload 3,500 kg Axle Capacity - Front 2,300 kg Axle Capacity - Rear 5,000 kg Dimensions

Wheelbase 3,300 mm Length 6,140 mm Width 2,100 mm Height 2,865 mm Turning Circle 13.6m Wheels & Tyres

Type Single Front, Double Rear Tyre Size 205/75R17.514PR No. of wheels & tyres 6 (plus 1 spare) Spare Tyre Carrier Equipped Brakes

Type Drum Actuation Air Brakes Adjuster Auto Parking Brake Spring Brake Suspension

Front Multi leaf springs / tapered leaf springs Rear Multi leaf springs Safety Forward Collision-avoidance Assist (FCA) Lane Departure Warning System (LDW) Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Electronic Air Brake System (EBS NOTE: All specifications and features detailed in this press release are subject to change with product homologation Download addition images here: Hyundai Mighty electric Truck - Images About Hyundai Motor Company Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Company is present in over 200 countries with more than 120,000 employees dedicated to tackling real-world mobility challenges around the globe. Based on the brand vision 'Progress for Humanity,' Hyundai Motor is accelerating its transformation into a Smart Mobility Solution Provider. The company invests in advanced technologies such as robotics and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) to bring about revolutionary mobility solutions, while pursuing open innovation to introduce future mobility services. In pursuit of sustainable future for the world, Hyundai will continue its efforts to introduce zero emission vehicles equipped with industry-leading hydrogen fuel cell and EV technologies. More information about Hyundai Motor and its products can be found at: http://worldwide.hyundai.com Hyundai Motor Company Australia Pty Ltd (HMCA) was established on December 1st, 2003 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company. The award-winning range of Hyundai vehicles continues to set segment and industry benchmarks in value, quality and safety, including Australia's first five-year warranty with unlimited kilometres. For more information visit: www.hyundai.com.au SOURCE Hyundai Motor Company Australia

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[February 09, 2023] "S" in ESG, social- and people sustainability will be legislated in EU 2024 :EQ Europe

STOCKHOLM, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- "We welcome the new legislation that will put social- and human sustainability on the agenda. This will affect both well-being and profitability and thus companies competitiveness," says Jenny Westergard CEO of EQ Europe. One of our customers, the international industrial company Fortaco, is a good example of a company being at the forefront of social- and people sustainability, leading to low turnover and higher profitability. Read how the impact of working with social sustainability helps their organization and people be more competitive. https://fortacogroup.com/post/emotional-intelligence-and-the-bottom-line/ Please contact Jenny Westergard CEO of EQ Euroe if you are interested in getting help with how your company can improve social- and human sustainability.



+46 (0)70 763 30 11

[email protected] EQ Europes services create social sustainability and business growth by promoting emotional intelligence in companies and organizations. EQ Europe was founded by Margareta Sjolund, Ph.D. and the main market has been in Asia for the past 20 years. New investment in 2022 through the recruitment of CEO Jenny Westergard for increased establishment in Sweden and Europe. EQ Europe and our sister company Kandidata Asia in Singapore work together with our customers in Europe, the USA, and Asia and we use scientific tools with measurable results.

www.eqeurope.com , www.kandidataasia.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/s-in-esg-social--and-people-sustainability-will-be-legislated-in-eu-2024-eq-europe-301742082.html

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[February 09, 2023] Blackline Safety Launches First EU Service Centre

Blackline Safety Corp. (TSX: BLN), a global leader in connected safety technology, today announced the launch of its first European Union (EU)-based service centre. As Blackline has achieved 118% revenue growth over the last two years in Europe, the service centre is designed to meet heightened customer demand across the region. The facility occupies a dedicated area within Blackline's French site, strategically located in the industrial heart of north-eastern France near Lille, and is staffed by an established in-house team of technical and product specialists. Blackline will provide local customer service and offer rentals for Europe out of the centre. "With an expanding customer base across Europe, Blackline recognises the need for dedicated regional support in the EU," said Simon Rich, Sales Director, Blackline Safety Europe. "Our connected safety wearables and area gas monitors offer a high degree of configurability for a variety of job functions and situations, as well as over-the-air firmware updates which can significantly reduce downtime, and the cost and complexity of fleet management. The ability to offer hands-on service and device maintenance on the continent should the need for service or repair arise, is key to keeping those devices out in the field where they belong, for the maximum posible time."



The launch coincides with successful quality and environmental audits of Blackline Safety Europe's existing ISO 9001 Quality Management and ISO 14001 Environmental Management standards in both its flagship facility in Colchester, United Kingdom and French office, demonstrating the company's continued commitment to operating sustainably and delivering top quality products and systems. The new service centre will also support Blackline Safety's rental offering in Europe, starting in late spring. Already established in North America, Blackline offers rental options for its complete portfolio of connected personal gas detectors, area monitors, lone worker wearables and accessories - all of which include Blackline Live online reporting and analytics software. Understanding the unpredictability of work and importance of staying on budget, Blackline's rental programme is designed to offer users full flexibility, taking a consultative approach to ensure a well-planned and customised safety solution that provides maximum protection for every project.

About Blackline Safety Blackline Safety is a technology leader driving innovation in the industrial workforce through IoT (Internet of Things). With connected safety devices and predictive analytics, Blackline Safety enables companies to drive towards zero safety incidents and improved operational performance. Blackline Safety provides wearable devices, personal and area gas monitoring, cloud-connected software and data analytics to meet demanding safety challenges and enhance overall productivity for organisations with coverage in more than 100 countries. Armed with cellular and satellite connectivity, Blackline Safety provides a lifeline to tens of thousands of people, having reported over 200 billion data-points and initiated over five million emergency alerts. For more information, visit BlacklineSafety.com and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230208006052/en/

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[February 09, 2023] GMCC & Welling Attends AHR Expo 2023 with an Entire Lineup of Products Covering a Wide Range of Applications

ATLANTA, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- GMCC & Welling, a subsidiary of Midea Industrial Technology that provides system solutions for the core parts of home appliances, made an appearance at AHR Expo 2023 in Atlanta, USA, to showcase an entire solution of HVAC products including compressors, motors, and heat pumps for various applications such as US-style air conditioners, light commercial air conditioners, window air conditioners, refrigerators, heat pump water heaters (HPWH) and battery management systems. GMCC & Welling is set to take advantage of its globally leading innovation, manufacturing and supply capabilities to drive the green transformation of HVAC market, with its high-efficiency, low-noise, and high-reliability products. GMCC & Welling showcases products to set the trend for efficient and low-noise residential air conditioners The HVAC market in North America is expected to reach USD 58.56 billion by 2028, creating a plenty of room for growth. To be better positioned to meet the growing demand in North America, GMCC & Welling is demonstrating its ability to cover a wide range of applications with AC compressors, refrigerator compressors, motors, and heat pumps at AHR Expo 2023. Specifically, three products including the R454B Scroll Compressor for Unitary Application, PSC Motor, and the Resin Housing ECM-Constant Torque are trendsetters for US-style air conditioners in terms of their high efficiency, low noise and high reliability: R454B Scroll Compressor for Unitary Application Design optimized for R454B and new DOE regulation

Industry leading-eficiency, vibration and oil circulation rate, excellent reliability

1.5~5 ton capacity for commercial and residential applications



PSC Motor 48 Frame & 42Frame option

Efficiency could reach 70%

Mature process for Al winding, high reliability Resin Housing ECM-Constant Torque

6000V surge protection, high reliability

Fully potted electric module

Efficiency up to 85%

FOC vector driver, motor noise < 45dB(A) GMCC & Welling is a system solutions supplier for all home appliance scenarios In North America, GMCC & Welling provides customers with high-performance products including rotary compressors for unitary applications, scroll compressors for light commercial air conditioners/heat pumps, the R290 heat pump water heater compressors, vapor injection scroll compressors for heat pumps, refrigerator compressors, rotary compressors for window air conditioners, rotary compressors for battery management, and rotary compressors for RVAC. To address the different needs of customers for different applications, GMCC & Welling combines products and innovative technologies to offer system solutions for the North America market, covering residential, light commercial, water heater, and automobile applications. To provide more localized services for customers in the North America market, GMCC & Welling will adhere to its localization policy, and optimize its service taking into consideration the local culture and economic landscape. Moreover, GMCC & Welling will work with local business partners to further enhance its technical support capabilities. GMCC & Welling accelerate its innovation, R&D and product iteration according to the changing needs of customers in North America. About Midea Industrial Technology Midea Industrial Technology, as one of the five business groups of Midea Group, takes science and technology as the core driving force. With technology leadership in intelligent transportation, industrial automation, green energy and consumer appliances, Midea Industrial Technology creates better life for billions of end users worldwide with green, efficient and intelligent products and technologies via a number of brands, including GMCC, Welling, Hiconics, Sunye, Servotronix, Dorna, MR, Mikon, Toshiba and Motivona. Up to now, Midea Industrial Technology has built 27 R&D centers in China, India, and Japan, with an accumulation of more than 5,500 authorized patents. With an annual R&D investment of 1.1 billion RMB, the company continues to invest in core and cutting-edge technologies for high-precision products such as compressors, motors, chips, reducers, auto parts, servo systems and heat dissipation components. Embracing the vision of Technology drives everything, Midea Industrial Technology is committed to supporting industrial development around the world with the power of technological innovation. Website: https://tech.midea.com/ View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gmcc--welling-attends-ahr-expo-2023-with-an-entire-lineup-of-products-covering-a-wide-range-of-applications-301742858.html SOURCE Midea Industrial Technology

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[February 09, 2023] GSMA MWC SHANGHAI 2023 RETURNS

Anticipated event promises to unlock the full power of connectivity by convening the mobile, tech and vertical industries at SNIEC, 28-30 June 2023 LONDON, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- GSMA MWC Shanghai will return with the much-anticipated 2023 edition set to take place at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) 28  30 June 2023. The event will include global mobile operators, device manufacturers, technology providers, vendors and content owners. Asia Pacific has grown to be one of the most vibrant and advanced markets for mobile and digital technologies. The mobile industry in China generated 5.6% of its GDP, reaching nearly $900 billion in 2021. China and the wider Asia Pacific region also house a comprehensive mobile ecosystem that is activating the development of advanced technologies including 5G and 6G as well as the technological capabilities driving the metaverse such as AI and XR. "MWC Shanghai convenes the mobile, technology and adjacent vertical industries across China and Asia. It's where stakeholders gather to network, exchanges ideas and create impact. It would have been nearly impossible to bring back MWC Shanghai if not for the determination and commitment of our Host City Shanghai and our valued partners China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom, Huawei, ZTE and SNIEC, and we are truly grateful to them," said the CEO of GSMA Ltd., John Hoffman. Shanghai's Executive Vice Mayor, Wu Qing said, "Shanghai greatly values MWC Shanghai and supports its continuing growth. The City of Shanghai welcomes global industry partners to gather in Shanghai and participate at MWC Shanghai to showcase the best technology innovation and digital transformation. We welcome the gloal mobile ecosystem to reconvene at MWC Shanghai and look forward to the advancement of a globally harmonized development of the innovation ecosystem."



China's Mobile Industry Showcase at MWC Shanghai 2023 "MWC Shanghai is Asia's leading event for next-generation technologies. It is also a critical platform to convene and advance the mobile industry. As its exhibitor and Diamond Partner, China Mobile will be committed to facilitate and participate at MWC Shanghai, leveraging new infrastructures of 5G, Computing Force network, and smart middle-platform as well as its new service framework for 'Connectivity + Computing force + Ability', to showcase emerging information technologies, AI, smart cities, smart living that will enhance the thriving development of digital economy," said the Chairman of China Mobile, Yang Jie.

"MWC Shanghai has been one of the bellwethers of global technological advancement by continuing to foster innovation and promoting win-win cooperation and collaboration. China Telecom looks forward to exhibiting our latest products and services in infrastructure, technological innovation, industrial application, and ecosystem cooperation to our partners, customers and friends at MWC Shanghai 2023," said the Chairman of China Telecom, Ke Ruiwen. "As the north star for the development of global mobile communication technologies, MWC Shanghai has become an important platform for international dialogue that convenes stakeholders from the global mobile industry to reach consensus, strengthen collaboration, and seek mutual development. China Unicom will join industry partners worldwide to participate at this exceptional event to extensively exhibit our new accomplishments across Big Connectivity, Big Computing, Big Data, Big Application and Big Security, and to share novel practices for the deployment of digital information infrastructure and application of 5G innovations, so as to contribute more to the prosperous global digital economy," said the Chairman of China Unicom, Liu Liehong. At MWC Shanghai, world-leading companies and trailblazers will share the latest thinking about the progression and future of connectivity. For exhibitors such as Huawei and ZTE, it is an unmissable platform to exhibit ground-breaking products and technologies and make remarkable connections with senior decision-makers, creators and innovators in the industry. MWC Shanghai will showcase the highlights and latest developments from the GSMA 5G Innovation and Investment Group, (5G IN). This is an initiative established in Greater China which brings together mobile operators, industry and ecosystem partners and investors to stimulate 5G innovation and increase collaboration across sectors. "There is exceptional demand for a return to in-person convening and none more so than for the dynamism and buzz generated by MWC Shanghai. There has never been a more pressing moment to come together to discuss trends, innovations and understandings. MWC Shanghai creates a mix of inspiration and gathering of key decision-makers where we will see collaborations blossom, enabling new growth to emerge," said the Head of Greater China, GSMA, Sihan Bo Chen. Registration for MWC Shanghai will open soon at www.mwcshanghai.com About GSMA The GSMA is a global organisation unifying the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver innovation foundational to positive business environments and societal change. Our vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity so that people, industry, and society thrive. Representing mobile operators and organisations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA delivers for its members across three broad pillars: Connectivity for Good, Industry Services and Solutions, and Outreach. This activity includes advancing policy, tackling today's biggest societal challenges, underpinning the technology and interoperability that make mobile work, and providing the world's largest platform to convene the mobile ecosystem at the MWC and M360 series of events. We invite you to find out more at gsma.com SOURCE GSMA

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[February 09, 2023] REKT Partners Forms Collective to Welcome Eureka Box and Giant PR in Crypto Push

HONG KONG SAR, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- REKT Partners, the reputation, issues and crisis communications consultancy for the cryptocurrency sector, today welcomes Eureka Box (a virtual PR agency serving Europe, the Middle East and Asia) and Giant PR (a specialist UK tech PR outfit) as participants in the REKT Partners Collective  a collaboration formed specifically to support the communications requirements of businesses in the digital assets space with services built around cryptocurrencies, NFTs, tokenised securities or Web3 infrastructure.

Prior to founding REKT Partners, George Godsal was the global head of communications for BitMEX, one of the original and largest cryptocurrency derivatives exchanges. The REKT Partners Collective combined experience includes some of the worlds most high-profile businesses in the crypto sector, including Crypto.com, Ripple, Trezor, and OKX.

Godsal said of the launch: The crypto space is vastly complex, extremely fast moving, determinedly disruptive, and still in its nascent days. Weve found that crypto and digital asset firms struggle to find marketing partners who have both a genuine depth of crypto experience and breadth of marketing expertise. REKT Partners, Eureka Box and Giant PR have been working together for a while now on client projects and we realised that the combination of our respective strengths had relevance for the wider digital asset sector.

The launch of REKT Partners Collective comes at a time when the cryptocurrency and digital assets industry has suffered severe reputational damage. The dramatic collapse of FTX saw tens of billions of dollars vaporised and the ongoing contagion has led to a wave of restructuring and insolvencies.

Marc Sparrow, founder of partner agency, Eureka Box, explained the rationale behind the launch: I started my career as the dotcom boom turned to bust. Just as ecommerce businesses prospered beyond the market crash then, I think the same will be true of digital asset businesses now. Blockchain technology and digital assets are ingenious concepts that bring us new capabilities  among them, smart contracts, trustless transactions, and the ability to tokenise physical assets. Were just at the start in the evolution of the business models that will flow from these innovations. Current clents of the REKT Partners Collective benefit from deep sector experience honed over years of frenetic industry development. Thanks to their wide-ranging international experience  which encompasses work in Asia, the European Union, and Africa as well as the UK  the partners possess a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory landscape in key financial markets across the globe. Each of the partners too brings distinct strengths and capabilities to the Collective  the reputation and issues specialism of REKT Partners, the brand storytelling skills of Eureka Box, and the creativity and media savvy of Giant PR.





Steve Green, co-founder of Giant PR, said: For 18 years now, weve prided ourselves on our solid journalist relationships built on tenacity and a good nose for a story. Weve helped establish the reputations of companies ranging from technology startups to global enterprises. Crypto is a fast-moving, exciting space and were totally amped and ready to help support the next wave of innovators in telling their stories.

The REKT Partners Collective is looking to expand further in the coming months with the addition of further like-minded, independent contributors. Godsal elaborated: The REKT Partners Collective reflects our belief in a model that, thanks to modern technology, enables us to structure the delivery of agency services in more agile, efficient and productive ways, while tapping into a global network of talent. Were keen to expand our network with other deep sector experts, wherever they may be based.

You can find out more about REKT Partners Collective here.

About REKT Partners REKT Partners is a specialist reputation management and crisis communications consultancy focussed on the crypto sector. Established in January 2022, REKT Partners has operations in Hong Kong SAR and London. REKT Partners was created by George Godsal, former global head of communications for BitMEX, and was designed to fill a gap in the communications consultancy market that combined specialist reputation management expertise with deep crypto-sector knowledge. https://rektpartners.io/

About Giant PR Established in 2004, Giant is a PR and marketing agency that helps technology businesses to connect with their audiences via earned and owned media channels. Our experienced team has developed countless PR programs to help innovative startups establish a presence, and supported large enterprises to boost their share of voice. We launched as one of the UK's first mobile specialist PR agencies, but today our experience spans sectors ranging from gaming to enterprise messaging and blockchain. Via our virtual agency structure and network of associates, Giant is able to implement campaigns across Europe, North America and Asia. Connect with us at www.giantpr.co.uk.

About Eureka Box Eureka Box is a virtual communications agency that helps science and technology businesses to enter, educate and grow international markets. Our model brings together senior comms, marketing and design consultants in Europe, Asia and the Middle East to deliver creative, commercially-focused campaigns. Clients get hands-on involvement from senior consultants; optimised budgets to get more done in more places; and a consistently high quality of service delivery across markets. Find out more at www.eurekabox.net.

George Godsal Founder REKT Partners george at rektpartners.io Marc Sparrow, Eureka Box - marc at eurekabox.net Steve Green, Giant PR - steve at giantpr.co.uk

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[February 09, 2023] Swift Account Opening Experience: Open a Completely Digital Bank Account Seamlessly Within 5 Minutes with the New Kotak811 Account Opening Journey

MUMBAI, India, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Thanks to the digital revolution, people no longer have to visit their banks physically to open an account. One can easily avoid the long queues in a bank by opening an account from the comfort of their home. Kotak has made it even easier for people to open their bank accounts with a few simple clicks and taps on their phones. Kotak is allowing Indians to create their bank accounts by sharing their Aadhaar (not mandatory), PAN, and a few other simple details. Five minutes is enough to successfully create a Kotak811 account. The added advantage is that people don't have the pressure to maintain a minimum balance in their accounts. The zero-balance savings account is the most easiest way to open a Digital Bank account. The few simple steps to open a zero-balance savings account with the Kotak811 digital banking app are as follows: Step 1: Open the Banking App Customers need to open the digital banking app or the official website of Kotak on their smartphones. The process of creating their account will begin with entering their phone number. After that, customers need to provide a few more basic details like their DOB and name. The online account opening process is possible from anywhere and completely eliminates the need to visit the bank physically.



Step 2: Gather All the Required Documents Customers will have to keep all the required documents handy while opening their accounts. They need to submit a document like a PAN card, Aadhaar card (Not mandatory), passport, Voter's card, or driving license as identity proof. Customers are also required to submit two passport-sized photographs.

Step 3: Go for the Video KYC Verification KYC is mandatory for mobile banking, but customers have the opportunity to complete the process online. Customers will be required to submit the relevant documents for verification. The KYC will take place through a video call with a bank employee. Step 4: Start Using The Account After all the steps, customers receive their customer ID and account number to log in to their zero-balance savings account. About Kotak811 Kotak Mahindra Bank is the first new-age financial institution in India to offer a zero-balance saving account to customers. With a completely digital account opening process, a Kotak811 account can be opened from anywhere and at any time. They offer the best banking solutions along with a 4% interest per annum on the savings account balance of customers. *T&C Apply View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/swift-account-opening-experience-open-a-completely-digital-bank-account-seamlessly-within-5-minutes-with-the-new-kotak811-account-opening-journey-301742946.html

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Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (right) receives German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during the latter's visit to Vietnam in November 2022. (Photo: VNA)

In reply to German lawmakers questions about bilateral development cooperation, the German Government said it has chosen Vietnam as one of the eight global partners, along with Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru and South Africa, which altogether account for 45% of the global population.

The partnerships are significant to find common solutions to global issues in the future for sustainable and inclusive development with carbon neutrality and resilience, it noted.

In development cooperation, Germany is also stepping up the use of triangular cooperation model, known as trilateral cooperation, in order to boost joint work more strategically toward protecting global public goods such as climate or tropical forests.

The German Government highly evaluated Vietnam's strong economic development over the past three decades. If in 1993, 80% of the countrys population lived in poverty, this figure was reduced to 5% in 2020. This positive outcome was attributed to the reform and opening of the market to foreign investors and the adoption of private property rights.

With its outstanding economic development and its role as an influential member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the German Government considers Vietnam to have global and regional importance.

It is necessary to cooperate with Vietnam to provide goods and solve future global problems, such as combating climate change, protecting forests, conserving biodiversity, and maintaining sustainable supply chains and economic development.

Regarding cooperation with Vietnam, the German government said that it has provided over 1.5 billion EUR (1.6 billion USD) in official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam under the "triangular cooperation since 2018. In 2021, the German Government committed to providing 152 million EUR in development and technical cooperation aid to Vietnam.

Seven bilateral projects within the framework of the International Climate Initiative are being implemented with a total value of about 25.4 million EUR, focusing on climate-related policy consultancy on greenhouse gas reduction, adapting to the impacts of climate change and conserving biodiversity.

The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety is funding a 11-million-EUR project on combating marine waste in Vietnam. In addition to three bilateral projects with a total planned capital of 39 million EUR under preparation, Vietnam will receive a total funding of about 64 million EUR from Germany for three regional projects and two global projects.

Overall, the German Government regarded development cooperation with Vietnam as "successful", and the quality of cooperation and the effectiveness of the "triangular cooperation" with Vietnam as "very good".

The German development policies play an important role in strengthening political ties with ASEAN in areas including environment-climate-and-energy policy, good governance, vocational training, connectivity, international law, rules-based international order, and human rights.

Germany also advocates further promoting economic cooperation with Vietnam, through existing mechanisms such as the Vietnam-Germany Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation, especially since the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) took effect in 2020.

Vietnam is also a key destination when Germany seeks to diversify its supply chain. Vietnam's energy transition is supported in a socially equitable manner.

The German Government also assessed that Germany's development cooperation has contributed to supporting Vietnam's economy opening over the years, helping the country with sustainable development, sustainable energy transition, resilience to climate change and disease prevention and control.

During his Vietnam visit in mid-November 2022, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hailed Vietnams role and position in Germanys strategy on Indo-Pacific.

He also wished to help Vietnam achieve net zero emissions, adding that Germany also supports Vietnam in ASEANs activities, thus further propelling the cooperative partnership between Germany and the bloc./.
[February 09, 2023] COOP Careers To Expand its Proven Program for Overcoming Underemployment to Miami

MIAMI, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- COOP Careers , a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping recent low-income graduates overcome underemployment, is excited to announce the launch of its program in Miami, Florida. Starting in February 2023, COOP is bringing its proven model to Miami to support upward mobility for diverse, first-generation and low-income college graduates.

Over the last eight years, COOP has launched almost three hundred cohorts with nearly 4,000 alumni in five cities: New York, San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles and Chicago. COOPs intervention for underemployed college graduates (median pre-program earnings of $22,000) has produced compelling wage outcomes for thousands of first-generation and Pell recipient graduates. Within 12 months of program completion, four-in-five COOP alumni are fully employed, earning an average of $50,000 in year one, $62,000 in year three and $75,000 in year five. COOPs proven model of digital skills training and peer connections will similarly propel underemployed college graduates into upwardly mobile careers in Miami. Miami leads the nation in tech job growth and has the highest growth of college-educated adults , thanks to strong public universitiesFlorida International, Florida Atlantic and Miami Dade Collegewhich together award roughly 10,000 bachelor degres to Pell Grant graduates every year. Despite this, Miami has the second highest income inequality among large US cities and the highest share of college graduates living in poverty.



Its unacceptable that so many first-generation and low-income college graduates are underemployed , stuck in jobs that dont require a degree and dont pay a living wage, said Tony Tamer, COOP Board Chair and Co-CEO of HIG Capital. Young Americans who do everything rightmaking huge sacrifices and overcoming long odds to earn their degreeshould get a fair shot to achieve the American Dream. We must act because its the right thing to do, but also to unlock the immense economic potential of each graduate and to ensure future generations continue to dream big and study hard. COOP has quadrupled its impact since the start of the pandemic, and were thrilled to bring this unique and powerful program to my hometown. First-generation Americans and college grads are the lifeblood of our economy here in South Florida, said Ghislain Gouraige, COOP Board Member and Partner at NewEdge Wealth. Our region is home to several of the biggest and best universities serving immigrant and low-income communities: COOP works by amplifying the economic outcomes of these institutions. Together, we have a rare opportunity to develop a tech economy that attracts opportunity from across the country and matches it with local talent.

COOP is recruiting candidates for its inaugural Digital Marketing cohort in Miami. Applications for COOP Careers Miami program are open until February 16, 2023. To apply for enrollment in COOP Careers Spring 2023 Miami program, please fill out the form here . To learn more and become a COOP partner, visit coopcareers.org. About COOP Careers

COOP Careers (pronounced ko-op) closes the social capital gap by recruiting and investing deeply in low-income and first-generation grads from CUNY, Cal State, and other urban public colleges. It connects recent graduates with employers looking for motivated, prepared, diverse candidates. More importantly, COOP Careers connects underrepresented college grads to each other across generations of program alumni. The nonprofit has almost 4,000 alumni nationwide and will serve 10,000 by 2025. Its flagship program trains graduates in digital marketing, business development, and data analytics. COOP Careers has been recognized by Google, Salesforce, LinkedIn, the Gates Foundation, and the Christensen Institute as a best-in-class program in its field. Founder Kalani Leifer was selected as one of 20 Obama Foundation Fellows, among 20,000 candidates. Learn more at coopcareers.org. Contact:

Highwire PR

[email protected]



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[February 09, 2023]

NASA Selects Scientific Support for Goddard Institute for Space Studies

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA has selected Autonomic Integra of Gaithersburg, Maryland, for specialized scientific support services to the Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in New York.

This is a cost-plus fixed-fee completion contract with one base year and four one-year options to extend the contract through Feb 29, 2028.The total value of the cntract, including options, is approximately $20,875,025.







This contract will provide specialized scientific support in the following areas: scientific programming and analysis; systems programming analysis including systems programming, data handling, and data teleprocessing; computer facility operations including computer security; library and publications services; logistical support; and project management support.

GISS is a laboratory in the Earth Sciences Division of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and a unit of the Columbia University Earth Institute. For more information about GISS, visit:

http://www.giss.nasa.gov/

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SOURCE NASA
[February 09, 2023] GoNetspeed Strives to Connect Communities while Giving Back to Future Generations

GoNetspeed today announced that the fiber internet provider has partnered with Midcoast Youth Center to support future generations of the Bath community. Throughout this month, GoNetspeed will host events at the Midcoast Youth Center. With every service sign-up made during one of the events, $25 will be donated directly to Midcoast Youth Center. GoNetspeed believes in the power of connecting communities, not only with reliable fiber internet service but through empowering and supporting local organizations in the communities we serve. GoNetspeed encourages neighbors to join the company at Midcoast Youth Center, 4 Old Brunswick Road, Bath, ME 04530, to learn more about upcoming service options and to support the center. Below are the upcoming dates for when the community will have the opportunity to sign up for service and give back directly to the Midcoast Youth Center. February 9th, 2023 @ 5:00PM & 6:00PM

February 16th, 2023 @ 5:00PM & 6:00PM

February 23rd, 2023 @ 5:00PM & 6:00PM "We are thrilled to welcome GoNetspeed to the Bath community and are grateful for their support as we strive to build more promising futures for the youth of our community," said Jamie Dorr, Director and Founder of Midcoast Youth Center. "GoNetspeed's support will directly benefit countless youths through our programs and services that help make a tangible impact on their lives." "GoNetspeed is excited to have the opportunity to connect directly with the communities we serve. We know that with a strong support system,the future youth of our community can thrive," said Dave Allen, GoNetspeed Senior Vice President of Network Operations and General Manager of Maine. "We are honored to be able to partner with Midcoast Youth Center to connect our communities while supporting neighbors and Bath's next generations."



GoNetspeed is continuing to ensure that more communities throughout Maine have access to a high-speed 100 percent fiber internet infrastructure. Currently, Bangor, Biddeford, Brewer, Brunswick, Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland, Falmouth, Gorham, Gray, New Gloucester, Old Orchard Beach, Old Town, Orono, Saco, Scarborough, Topsham, Westbrook, Windham, and Yarmouth have access to GoNetspeed's service along with many communities throughout the state that are well on their way to having access to GoNetspeed's fiber internet. In the coming weeks, Bath's residents and businesses will have the opportunity to access GoNetspeed's fiber internet with service officially available. With a legacy of innovation and a commitment to customer service, GoNetspeed is excited to accelerate expansion of fiber networks throughout nine states, including Maine. GoNetspeed continues to deliver more fiber, more access, more speed, and better reliability to residents and businesses throughout our footprint. With access to 100 percent fiber internet, customers have access to symmetrical upload and download speeds, ranging from 250 Mbps to 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps). Learn more about GoNetspeed at gonetspeed.com.

About GoNetspeed: GoNetspeed, a high-speed 100 percent fiber internet provider serving residential and business customers in Maine, Alabama, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and West Virginia, formed a partnership with Oak Hill Capital ("Oak Hill") in January 2021, allowing GoNetspeed to accelerate the expansion of its fiber network throughout the Northeastern U.S. Adding thousands of new service areas every year, GoNetspeed is one of the largest independent internet providers in the east. For more information about GoNetspeed, or to inquire about service in your residence, business or community, visit gonetspeed.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230209005461/en/

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[February 09, 2023] Andes Technology: Stepping into the 18th Year with Perseverance and Proud Accomplishments

Hsinchu, Taiwan, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Since going public in 2017, Andes Technology has continued to gain market traction in CPU IP licensing, and its revenue has hit new highs for 6 consecutive years. Despite facing swift and tumultuous changes in the intellectual property industry and world economics, Andes attained significant growth, with a double-digit increase in their revenues in the year 2022. This financial success can be attributed to Andes' strategy of providing customers with valuable solutions and cultivating the ever-expanding RISC-V ecosystem to make developing Andes-based solutions simpler and faster. Andes has made remarkable strides in its intellectual property portfolio, and the cumulative number of IP license contracts has exceeded 450, establishing Andes as a leader in the industry. At the same time, its customer base is also expanding steadily, with notable companies like MediaTek, Renesas, Kneron, Picocom, MegaChips, Socionext and a few world leading enterprise groups among the list. In 2022, Andes customers deployed their solutions into a variety of applications such as AI, Datacenter, FPGA, IoT, MCU, Sensing, Server, Touch Panel, Video/TDD and Wireless. Andes' RISC-V product portfolio continued to grow in 2022, with the launch of several exciting offerings such as the N25F-SE, the industrys first RISC-V core with ISO 26262 full compliance, and the AX45MPV, the industrys most powerful multicore vector processor supporting 1024-bit vector computations. Andes also introduced the D23, an entry-level processor with low-power and advanced security features, and the AX60 series, an out-of-order superscalar multicore processor family with its first member, the AX65. In the software side, Andes released AndeSight IDE V5.1, a software development environment with new features designed to simplify the development of RISC-V heterogeneous multiprocessors and AI systems. Determined to expand the RISC-V adoption globally, Andes maintains its key roles in RISC-V International including the board director, the technical steering committee, task group chairs, and the ambassador to participate in active technical and marketing subjects discussion. Employing more than 350 engineers at present, Andes continues to scale its talent recruitment with plans to expand its design centers in Taiwan and North America. To foster the long-term growth of RISC-V, ndes has also been promoting the open and innovative spirit of RISC-V to academia through initiatives such as the Andes Awards of the RISC-V Creative Competition for university students.



Due to its commercial success, Andes won numerous awards for its unique technologies and contributions to the industry. They include the 2022 WEAA and EE Awards Asia hosted by ASPENCORE Group, and the RISC-V Japan 2022 Product Award hosted by RISC-V International for promoting RISC-V to worldwide customers. Despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic, Andes remained active in the industry by participating in over 50 important exhibitions and giving speeches around the world throughout 2022. Examples of the exhibitions included the AI Hardware Summit, Embedded World, Linley Processor Conference, RISC-V Summit, and the TSMC Technology Symposiums. The well-received speeches, webinars and events delved into the architecture and benefits of the diversified AndesCore processor IPs and the prevailing trends in RISC-V development and applications, including the latest RISC-V advancements in datacenter acceleration and automotive certification from Andes. The audience, ranging from RISC-V beginners, enthusiasts, to professionals gained insight into the latest industry developments.

Andes extensive experience in product design and customer engineering greatly helps SoC design teams to release their products to the market faster, said Frankwell Lin, the Chairman of Andes Technology and the board director of RISC-V International. We remain committed to reshaping the computing industry by delivering the best-in-class RISC-V processors and the companion solutions. Building on 2022s success, we look forward to bringing exciting new solutions to the market in 2023. About Andes Technology As a Founding Premier member of RISC-V International, Andes is publicly-listed company ( TWSE: 6533 ; SIN: US03420C2089 ; ISIN: US03420C1099 ) and a leading supplier of high-performance/low-power 32/64-bit embedded processor IP solutions, and the driving force in taking RISC-V mainstream. Andes fifth-generation AndeStar architecture adopted the RISC-V as the base. Its V5 RISC-V CPU families range from tiny 32-bit cores to advanced 64-bit cores with DSP, FPU, Vector, Linux, superscalar, and/or multicore capabilities. The annual volume of Andes-Embedded SoCs has exceeded 3 billion in 2021 and continues to rise. By the end of 2021, the cumulative volume of Andes-Embedded SoCs has surpassed 10 billion. For more information, please visit https://www.andestech.com . Follow Andes on LinkedIn , Twitter , Facebook , and YouTube

Hsiao-Ling Lin Marcom Manager, Andes Technology Corp. [email protected]

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Federman & Sherwood Investigates Lake Charles Memorial Health System for Data Breach

The law firm of Federman & Sherwood has initiated an investigation into Southwest Louisiana Health Care System d/b/a Lake Charles Memorial Health System's ("LCMHS") recent data breach impacting thousands of individuals. According to LCMHS, on October 25, 2022, it determined information stored on its servers may have been subject to unauthorized access between October 20, 2022, and October 21, 2022. Information exposed in the data breach includes: names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers (in some cases), driver's license numbers, financial information, medical information, andhealth insurance information. On December 23, 2022, LCMHS, began mailing notices of the data breach to approximately 269,752 of its patients.







If you wish to discuss this action, obtain further information and participate in this litigation contact Lacrista A. Bagley either by email at [email protected] or visit our firm's website www.federmanlaw.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230209005563/en/
[February 09, 2023] The Government of Canada Announces Calls for Applications for Green Building Retrofits to Enable Climate Action in Industries and Communities

OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 9, 2023 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is taking action to fight climate change while strengthening the economy and creating good paying jobs  including in the buildings sector. Ensuring that our infrastructure is well-adapted to mitigate against impacts due to climate change will not only help to improve energy performance for industry and communities, but over the long term will also help to drive down costs and support affordability and reliability. Today, at the Sustainable Communities Conference, Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, launched the call for applications for two new initiatives to accelerate building retrofits: the Deep Retrofit Accelerator Initiative (DRAI) and the Greener Neighbourhoods Pilot Program (GNPP). Deep Retrofit Accelerator Initiative The $200-million Deep Retrofit Accelerator Initiative will invest in projects that support the development of deep retrofits in commercial, institutional or mid- or high-rise multi-unit residential buildings across Canada. Selected projects will establish and collect deep retrofit projects, guide building owners in the process of developing and implementing specific retrofit projects, identify available funding and financing for specific deep retrofit projects, and conduct capacity building activities, such as developing or implementing new, standardized or replicable methods for deep retrofits. This call for applications is open to organizations including nonprofits, private firms, civil society, municipalities, provinces and territories, and Indigenous organizations and groups. This DRAI call for applications will remain open until April 28, 2023. Applications from Indigenous organizations will be accepted on an ongoing basis until March 31, 2025, or until funding is fully distributed. Greener Neighbourhoods Pilot Program The $35.5-million Greener Neighbourhoods Pilot Program will support up to six communities across Canada in developing integrated approaches to deep energy retrofits  or a major building renovation project  such as upgrading building walls and insulation or upgrading space heating equipment. The first phase of the program will support regional market development teams (MDTs) in preparing scalable deep energy retrofit plans for their communities. MDTs can convene and coordinate supply-side and demand-side actors to broker aggregted deep energy retrofit projects, find solutions to regional gaps and barriers, and drive market transformation in their regions.



This call for proposals is open to organizations including nonprofits, private firms, and Indigenous organizations and groups. Successful applicants could receive contributions of up to $1 million per project. The call for proposals under Phase Two of the program is expected to launch by the summer of 2023. This will support demonstration projects in up to six communities, targeting clusters of low-rise housing (at least 100 units). These proposals will explore innovative and cost-effective pathways for more affordable and efficient building renovations.

The Greener Neighbourhoods Pilot Program's call for proposals for Market Development Teams will remain open until April 5, 2023. These new deep retrofit initiatives contribute to the transformation of the buildings sector in support of Canada's forthcoming Green Buildings Strategy. As Canada advances toward a net-zero emissions and climate-resilient buildings sector by 2050, collaboration with partners across the country is essential to delivering good jobs and resilient communities for generations to come. Quotes "Retrofitting Canada's buildings stock provides us with the opportunity to make communities more resilient to climate-related impacts while reducing emissions and utility bills, increasing energy efficiency and creating good-paying jobs in construction and maintenance. The Government of Canada opened a call for applications for projects that will enable retrofits in the buildings sector." The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson

Minister of Natural Resources "Communities across Canada are retrofitting their buildings to enhance resiliency, reduce utility costs and increase efficiency, all while contributing to Canada's fight against climate change. The Government of Canada is supporting these efforts, including through the newly launched Deep Retrofits Accelerator Initiative and Greener Neighbourhoods Pilot Program. These retrofit projects will create more sustainable communities and support well-paying jobs for workers for generations to come." Julie Dabrusin,

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change

and to the Minister of Natural Resources Quick facts Buildings and homes are the third-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada , accounting for approximately 13 percent of Canada's emissions.







, accounting for approximately 13 percent of emissions. More than two-thirds of buildings that will be standing in Canada in 2050 have already been built today, and most of them need to be retrofitted to make them more sustainable.







in 2050 have already been built today, and most of them need to be retrofitted to make them more sustainable. Deep retrofits are an extensive overhaul of a building's systems that can generate significant savings in energy costs. Measures may include: significantly reconfiguring the interior, replacing the roof, adding or rearranging windows for increased daylight, replacing the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system with a renewable technology like a ground-source heat pump, among other measures.







Deep retrofits typically save at least 50 percent in energy consumption, reduce utility costs and operating expenses as well as up to 80 to 100 percent in GHG emissions and may also include measures to improve resiliency and adaptation to climate change.







The Greener Neighbourhoods Pilot Program is based on the successful Dutch "Energiesprong" model, which found savings in decarbonizing multiple buildings at once using prefabricated, panelized approaches.







GNPP applicants can bring together various stakeholders to develop proposals tailored to the unique needs of their communities.







Since 2016, the federal government has dedicated more than $10 billion toward decarbonizing homes and buildings, and incenting energy-efficient retrofits. Associated links Deep Retrofit Accelerator Initiative

Greener Neighbourhoods Pilot Program

Sustainable Communities Conference 2023  Federation of Canadian Municipalities

2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Clean Air, Strong Economy

Engagement: Canada Green Buildings Strategy Follow us on Twitter: @NRCan ( http://twitter.com/nrcan ) SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

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[February 09, 2023] THE AUSTIN COMPANY ANNOUNCES KEY PROMOTIONS

KALAMAZOO, Mich., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Austin Company announced two key promotions for members of its Western Michigan office. The Austin Company announced two key promotions for members of its Western Michigan office. Brian Green, formerly Project Manager, has been promoted to Operations Manager  Construction Management Services. Green has over 18 years of industry experience (11 years with Austin). His new responsibilities include managing the Agency Construction Management (CM) program, including developing and implementing a quality control program and creating core processes and competencies. He will oversee all construction management project personnel planning, budgets, and adherence to uality control program and core processes.



"I hope to expand our team and the services we offer our clients. I look forward to maintaining existing relationships while creating new ones, and to the continuous improvement of everything we do, from onboarding new employees to executing and closing out projects," said Green. Green earned his bachelor's degree in architecture from Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, Michigan. Outside of his work with Austin, he is an active volunteer for Habitat for Humanity International.

Brian Reeves, former Senior Project Superintendent, has been promoted to Operations Manager  Trade Services. Reeves has more than 25 years of experience (19 years with Austin). His new role will require him to manage general trades and self-performed work at five sites, including the administration of project budgets. "I look forward to building my skill set, creating efficiencies, and maintaining our excellent safety record," said Reeves. "Austin's West Michigan Operation has experienced exponential growth in recent years. Brian Green and Brian Reeves have made great contributions to our operation. They exemplify Austin's values and have played vital roles in the expansion of our services and the deepening of our client relationships, said Vice President and General Manager Steve VanWormer. Austin is a full-service, Design-Build company offering site location consulting, design, engineering, and construction. Headquartered in Cleveland, Austin has offices in Atlanta, Georgia; Irvine, California; Kalamazoo, Michigan; Merritt Island, Florida; San Luis Potosi, Mexico; and London, United Kingdom. The Austin Company is a subsidiary of Kajima. To learn more about Austin - https://theaustin.com/ View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-austin-company-announces-key-promotions-301743393.html SOURCE The Austin Company

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[February 09, 2023] Canada invests to make the City of Trail's Skills Centre more accessible and sustainable

CITY OF TRAIL, BC, Feb. 9, 2023 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, and Morag Carter, Executive Director of the Skills Centre, announced a federal investment of more than $2.3 million towards the Skills Centre Eco-Renovation Project. The project will improve the sustainability and accessibility of the Skills Centre. Funding will go towards replacing natural gas systems, installing new insulation, windows and doors, an HVAC system, and solar panels on the roof. The project will also include the installation of an elevator and additional upgrades to the building's accessibility. Funding will further support the creation of a community kitchen, multiple meeting rooms, and welcome areas for the Centre. These improvements are expected to reduce the facility's energy consumption by an estimated 53% and greenhouse gas emissions by 58.4 tonnes. The Skills Centre Society has been helping youth, families, low-income community members and other vulnerable populations in Trail develop their skills and employability for over 25 years. The Eco-Renovation Project will centralize the organization's services and make them more accessible. The improvements to the building will help cut operational costs, lower emissions, and enable the Centre to serve the community's most vulnerable for years to come. By investing in infrastructure, the Government of Canada is growing our country's economy, increasing the resiliency of our communities, and improving the lives of Canadians. Quotes "Investments in green and inclusive community buildings are vital to reaching our emissions goals and building a brighter future for Canadians. The funding announced today will create a more sustainable Skills Centre for the City of Trail and facilitate essential community programming for years to come. The Government of Canada will continue working with our partners to foster more sustainable, resilient, and vibrant communities across the country." The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities "We are creating a community space that will be accessible, inviting and welcoming. The renovation will showcase the future of sustainable buildings and building design in a region that is already known for its industrial engineering prowess. Without question the most important impact that the building will have i the ability to have properly supported community programming in a state of the art, accessible, sustainable, warm and welcoming building steps from public transit and other community assets including city hall and the public library."



Morag Carter, Executive Director of the Skills Centre "The Skills Centre is achieving a dream it's had for many years, and the community is going to be the benefactor. The Skills Centre has developed a vision that will result in the greenest building in Trail and one of the most inclusive and accessible."

Mary Lawson, Chair of the Skills Centre's Board of Directors Quick facts The Government of Canada is investing $2,395,473 through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program, and the Greater Trail Community Skills Centre Society is contributing $392,533 .

is investing through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program, and the Greater Trail Community Skills Centre Society is contributing . The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program is an integral part of Canada's Strengthened Climate Plan, providing $1.5 billion over five years towards green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades of existing public community buildings and the construction of new publicly-accessible community buildings that serve high-needs, underserved communities across Canada .

Strengthened Climate Plan, providing over five years towards green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades of existing public community buildings and the construction of new publicly-accessible community buildings that serve high-needs, underserved communities across . At least 10 percent of funding is allocated to projects serving First Nations, Inuit, and Metis communities, including Indigenous populations in urban centres.

The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program launched its second scheduled intake in December 2022 . Applications are being accepted for large retrofit projects to existing community buildings or new community building projects with total eligible costs ranging from $3 million to $25 million until February 28, 2023 at 15:00 Eastern Time .

. Applications are being accepted for large retrofit projects to existing community buildings or new community building projects with total eligible costs ranging from to until at . The program continues to accept applications for small and medium retrofit projects to existing community buildings ranging in total eligible cost from $100,000 to $2,999,999 until February 28, 2023 at 15:00 Eastern Time .

to until at . Provincial and territorial governments, municipal or regional governments, public sector bodies, not-for-profit, and Indigenous organizations interested in the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program are invited to apply online through the Infrastructure Canada website. Announced in December 2020 , Canada's Strengthened Climate Plan includes 64 new measures and $15 billion in investments towards a healthy environment and economy. Associated links Green and Inclusive Community Buildings

https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gicb-bcvi/index-eng.html Investing in Canada Plan Project Map

https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html Strengthened Climate Plan

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

Web: Infrastructure Canada SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

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[February 09, 2023] CBIZ BOARD APPOINTS RODNEY A. YOUNG AS INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

CLEVELAND, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CBIZ, Inc. (NYSE: CBZ) ("the Company"), a leading national provider of financial, insurance and advisory services, today announced the appointment of Rodney A. Young as independent director to the Company's Board of Directors, effective February 6, 2023. Mr. Young is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Delta Dental of Minnesota, one of the nation's largest oral health insurance companies. Mr. Young has held this role since 2012. Prior to joining Delta Dental of Minnesota, Mr. Young was the Chief Executive Officer and President of Angeion Corporation (now MGC Diagnostics Corporation), a public medical technology cardio-pulmonary diagnostic and consumer health management company. Mr. Young also previously held the Chair for the Board of Directors, Director, Chief Executive Officer and President roles for LecTec Corporation, a public disposable medical products and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals company.



Minnesota and the Greater Twin Cities region. He currently serves as a Board Director and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee Chair of the Minnesota Business Partnership. He also received The Sanneh Foundation's Business Honoree Award in 2019 in recognition of his business leadership and community impact. Jerry Grisko, President and CEO of CBIZ, said, "We are pleased to welcome Rodney Young to the CBIZ Board of Directors. Mr. Young brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Board including a deep understanding of the insurance industry and governance best practices given his prior experience on four public company boards. Mr. Young is a recognized business and community leader, and I am confident that he will be an invaluable contributor to CBIZ at a time of exciting growth for our Company."

Mr. Young holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Truman State University in Missouri and has completed additional business studies at Lewis University in Illinois. About CBIZ

CBIZ, Inc. is a leading provider of financial, insurance and advisory services to businesses throughout the United States. Financial services include accounting, tax, government health care consulting, transaction advisory, risk advisory, and valuation services. Insurance services include employee benefits consulting, retirement plan consulting, property and casualty insurance, payroll, and human capital consulting. With more than 120 offices in 32 states, CBIZ is one of the largest accounting and insurance brokerage providers in the U.S. For more information, visit www.cbiz.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cbiz-board-appoints-rodney-a-young-as-independent-director-301743521.html SOURCE CBIZ, Inc.

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[February 09, 2023] Kathairos Solutions to bring 1,000 methane elimination systems to Alberta in 2023

The unprecedented clean technology project is estimated to remove more than?141,000?tonnes?of CO2 equivalent emissions from oil and gas operations in the year ahead CALGARY, AB, Feb. 9, 2023 /CNW/ - The pressure to reduce methane emissions in Canada's energy sector continues to intensify, as does the need for innovative solutions to support ambitious targets set by government, regulators and industry leaders alike.? Kathairos?Solutions to bring 1,000 methane elimination systems to Alberta oil and gas operations in 2023?.



Calgary-based?Kathairos?Solutions is?leading the way among clean tech providers, allowing oil and gas producers to completely eliminate methane venting on remote well sites in the simplest and most economical way possible. Through expanding partnerships with producers and government, including $3.9M in funding from?Prairies Economic Development Canada and $1.58M from the Clean Resource Innovation Network,?Kathairos?is proud to announce an intensified commitment to Alberta's energy transformation. The company will bring 1,000 methane elimination systems to Alberta in the year ahead  an unprecedented technology deployment that will eliminate an estimated 141,000?tonnes?of CO2e emissions annually.?

On Tuesday, Feb. 21,?Kathairos?will partner with?GreenPath?Energy, renowned leaders in methane detection and quantification,?to host oil and gas industry insiders in downtown Calgary. The event will showcase?Kathairos' revolutionary liquid nitrogen technology, proven to power remote well site devices effectively,?affordably and at scale.? "We feel an urgent need to focus our resources on Alberta at this time,?given that regulations now clearly point to zero tolerance for methane venting by 2027, if not sooner,"?said Dick Brown, President and CEO of?Kathairos. The technology saw rapid adoption throughout North America in 2022 and exponential growth across Alberta,?led by a series of forward-thinking?producers including?Ovintiv, Strathcona Resources, NuVista Energy and Kiwetinohk Energy. The large-scale, 1000-unit deployment of?Kathairos' transformative methane elimination systems will commence in March as a focused effort around the Grande Prairie, Fox Creek and Rimbey regions. These areas are home to more than 50,000 well sites currently venting methane in their routine operations  a highly potent greenhouse gas.? "We inventory an enormous number of sites with pneumatic venting issues and stay well informed on solutions to abate the emissions," said Joshua Anhalt, CEO of GreenPath. "We endorse the Kathairos solution as it enables producers to meet methane reduction and elimination regulations now, and into the future as the targets tighten towards net zero." The cost of implementing?Kathairos' methane elimination solution for the average Alberta producer is less than the actual carbon offsets generated, allowing oil and gas producers to maximize the value of their emission reduction efforts, while focusing on the next great step in their decarbonization journey.? ABOUT KATHAIROS SOLUTIONS? At?Kathairos, our name means 'clean air.' We are proud to champion imperative solutions that support today's evolving energy industry, and the people and producers working tirelessly toward a cleaner, greener barrel.?Through our revolutionary liquid nitrogen-powered field technologies and world-class carbon accounting and reporting tools, we're on a mission to?eliminate methane emissions from more than 400,000 remote well sites across Canada and the US.? Learn more at kathairos.com. SOURCE Kathairos Solutions

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Japanese Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City Watanabe Nobuhiro speaks at the event. (Photo: baobinhphuoc.com.vn)

Speaking at the ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Vo Van Hoan expressed his joy at the two countries Vietnam and Japan celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations, and showed his happiness and pride of the achievements in the development of relations between Vietnam - Japan in general, and Ho Chi Minh City - Japan in particular.

Since 2009, the city has witnessed an increase from 38 investment projects with a total capital of USD46.7 million to nearly 1,600 projects with a total investment capital of about USD5.5 billion. This strong growth has made Japan the third largest investor out of 117 countries and territories investing in the city. The trade turnover between Ho Chi Minh City and Japan increased from USD3.3 billion in 2009 to nearly USD5.1 billion last year.

Since 2009 the number of Japanese living in Ho Chi Minh City has increased by more than 3 times, reaching nearly 11,000 people in 2022. On the other hand, the Vietnamese community has become the second largest expat community in Japan. Festivals and cultural exchange events are regularly held in both Ho Chi Minh City and Japan, becoming an important bridge bringing Vietnamese people in general, Ho Chi Minh City in particular and Japanese people closer and closer to each other despite the geographical distance.

According to Mr. Hoan, in recent years, the city has received many proposals for cooperation in various fields from Japanese localities, especially labor cooperation and response to climate change. Last December, the Friendship Dialogue organized by the city for the first time received a strong response from Japanese localities. Many proposals were made by Japanese localities at this forum to promote cooperation in human resource development, carbon emission reduction and green transition. Regarding Vietnam - Japan relations, he emphasized the contribution of the Emperor, especially on the occasion of his 63rd birthday. In recent high-level contacts, Vietnamese leaders have invited the Emperor and Empress Masako to visit Vietnam in 2023, hoping that Ho Chi Minh City will be on the schedule of the visit.

Japanese Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City Watanabe Nobuhiro emphasized that Japan is currently the third FDI investor in Ho Chi Minh City and Japanese enterprises have affirmed that they will continue to invest and expand production into Vietnam, including in Ho Chi Minh City. Regarding the recent Japanese investment trend in Ho Chi Minh City, he said that it is in the retail and service sectors. In 2023, the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries will have many commemorative activities. He expected the completion of the construction of metro line 1 - a symbol of cooperation between Japan and Vietnam - as a special event in 2023, contributing to the diversification of the transport system for the people in Ho Chi Minh City.

Naruhito became the 126th Emperor of Japan on May 1, 2019, starting the new imperial era of Reiwa./.
[February 09, 2023] Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Announces Change of Auditors, DSU Issuance and Finder's Fee

Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Inc. (TSXV: DWS) ("Diamond Estates" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that it has changed its auditors from Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP (the "Former Auditor") to MNP LLP (the "Successor Auditor") effective January 27, 2023 (the "Effective Date"). The Former Auditor is no longer the auditor of the Company effective the Effective Date and the Board of Directors of the Company appointed the Successor Auditor as the Company's auditor effective as of the Effective Date to hold office until the next annual meeting of the shareholders of the Company. There were no modified opinions in the Former Auditor's reports in connection with the two most recently completed fiscal years of the Company. There are no "reportable events" (as that term is defined in National Instrument 51-102 Continuous Disclosure Obligations) between the Company and the Former Auditor. In accordance with National Instrument 51-102, the termination of the Former Auditor, the Appointment of the Successor Auditor, the notice of change of auditor, together with the required letters from the former auditor and the successor auditor, have been reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors and has been filed on www.SEDAR.com under the Company's profile. More information about the Company can also be found at www.SEDAR.com. DSU Issuance The Company also announced that it has issued deferred share units ("DSUs") to its directors as of today. Under the DSU plan of the Company, an aggregate of 66,300 DSUs have been issued by the Company to non-executive directors in settlement of $33,812.50 of deferred directors' compensation. The DSUs are to be settled in common shares of the Company when the director retires from all positions with the Company. Debenure Financing - Finder's Fee



Lastly, in connection with the debenture financing that closed on November 9, 2022, the Company would like to disclose that a finder's fee of $6,250.00 was paid to one arm's length finder. About Diamond Estates Wines and Spirits Inc.

Diamond Estates Wines and Spirits Inc. is a producer of high-quality wines and ciders as well as a sales agent for over 120 beverage alcohol brands across Canada. The Company operates five production facilities, four in Ontario and one in British Columbia, that produce predominantly VQA wines under such well-known brand names as 20 Bees, Creekside, EastDell, Lakeview Cellars, Mindful, Queenston Mile, Shiny Apple Cider, Fresh, Proud Pour, Red Tractor, Seasons, Serenity, Persona and Backyard Vineyards. Through its commercial division, Trajectory Beverage Partners, the Company is the sales agent for many leading international brands in all regions of the country as well as being a distributor in the western provinces. These recognizable brands include Josh wines from California, Fat Bastard, Meffre, Pierre Chavin and Andre Lurton wines from France, Brimincourt Champagne from France, Merlet and Larsen Cognacs from France, Kaiken wines from Argentina, Blue Nun and Erben wines from Germany, Calabria Family Estate Wines from Australia, Saint Clair Family Estate Wines from New Zealand, Redemption Bourbon and Rye whiskies from the U.S., Gray Whale Gin from California, Storywood and Cofradia Tequilas from Mexico, Magnum Cream Liqueur from Scotland, Talamonti and Cielo wines from Italy, Catedral and Cabeca de Toiro wines from Portugal, Waterloo Beer & Radlers from Canada, Landshark Lager from the USA, Edinburgh Gin, Tamdhu, Glengoyne and Smokehead single- malt Scotch whiskies from Scotland, Islay Mist, Grand MacNish and Waterproof whiskies from Scotland, C. Mondavi & Family wines including C.K Mondavi & Charles Krug from Napa, Wize Spirits and Hounds Vodka from Canada, Bols Vodka from Amsterdam, Koyle Family Wines from Chile and Pearse Lyons whiskies and gins from Ireland. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Diamond Estates Wines and Spirits Inc. to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Actual results and developments are likely to differ, and may differ materially, from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to the economy generally; consumer interest in the services and products of the Company; financing; competition; and anticipated and unanticipated costs. While the Company acknowledges that subsequent events and developments may cause its views to change, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the views of the Company as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230209005779/en/

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Here's the problem . . .

It's not like any of these deets are really surprising to anyone who knows and has an affinity for the fire fighters.

Sorry but "the culture" of most American fire departments is politically incorrect, bawdy and otherwise inappropriate for present day professional environments. Successful people of color and women within the department have learned to navigate around this fact of life, stifle most of their complaints and do their job to the best of their abilities despite these challenges.

Generally, the public allows first responders, especially firefighters, a little bit of leeway for their backward workplace environment given that NOBODY else is going to put their life on the line to help people.

Whilst police have endured a "racial reckoning" and demands for change . . . Nobody is out in the streets protesting against the jocular culture of the fire department . . . Most people simply hope that they don't need their assistance.

Consider . . .

Over the past 40 years or so, a remarkable improvement in American society has gone mostly overlooked: fires are way, way less common than they used to be.

As we've long pointed out . . . KCFD going into the ambulance biz about a dozen years ago makes these complaints more relevant given that most people are likely to need emergency medical services rather fire suppression.

And so . . . Just as our blog community predicted . . .

The Kansas City Fire Department's gambit to survive has unwittingly facilitated radical change that they are destined to endure in the very near future.

This city hall report might not seem like a big deal . . . BUT IT'S THE START OF SYSTEMIC CHANGE FOR KANSAS CITY FIRE FIGHTERS and possibly a hint that a massive house cleaning within the department is on the horizon.



Here's the word . . .



The report found Black firefighters and women faced discrimination in the Kansas City Fire Department, also said firefighters were more careless about damaging homes in poorer neighborhoods and celebrated dangerous driving that caused crashes.



Firefighters treated fire scenes in low-income area different from those located in more affluent Kansas City neighborhoods. Fire crews will tear up houses more than necessary in poorer areas, while firefighters put plastic over couches and may not chop a hole in the roof while battling fires in more expensive homes.



Erratic driving that results in wrecks is commemorated in fire stations with plagues or mounted pieces of wreckage.



The report said it was commonplace for firefighters to tell inappropriate jokes and make slurs about a colleagues race, gender or sexual orientation.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

In city report, KCFD firefighters say inappropriate touching, racial slurs are common Kansas City firefighters said they have been grabbed in sexually inappropriate ways and subjected to racial slurs in the city's fire stations, according to a Kansas City Council report released Wednesday.

City Hall releases report on racism and sexism in the Kansas City Fire Department The Kansas City Council on Wednesday released a report on racism and sexism in the Kansas City Fire Department, assessing how much discrimination persists in the agency years after city leaders promised changes.

Developing . . .


For those who really want to dig into the finances of the courthouse this year, here is a good place to start . . . The latest official statement from the Exec:



County Executive White approves 2023 county budget with limited line-item vetoes

KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. today has signed into law Ordinance 5701, Jackson Countys 2023 budget, with limited line-item vetoes. These limited line-item vetoes, unlike Ordinance 5701 passed by the Legislature, do not cut existing county staff positions or salaries, reduce any county departments budget nor violate state or county law.



Members of the budget committee have said publicly that they prioritized life in their amended budget, but thats difficult for me and the community to believe when, at the last minute, they cut millions of dollars in essential projects, programs and people, said Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. I have a responsibility to do whats right and truly provide a better, more equitable quality of life for all county residents and that is the reason for my actions today.



More than two dozen programs were amended, reduced or eliminated in Ordinance 5701 passed by the County Legislature. A comprehensive list can be found in County Executive Whites signing statement; however, the Legislatures budget cuts include, but are not limited to:



Existing County Associate Positions

Our Healthy KC Eastside

Jackson County Reproductive Equity Fund

Free Veteran Admission at Liberty Memorial

Westside Neighborhood Community Improvements



Because of the County Executives limited authority to appropriate funds through a signing statement or veto, he cannot simply propose an amendment to restore funding for programs or existing county positions and salaries as the budget committee chairman stated during the January 30 Legislative meeting. Such an amendment process would violate at least one provision in both the countys code of ordinances as well as state law.





I am committed to working with the Legislature to fix the foreseeable harm that Ordinance 5701 has caused and will cause Jackson County, County Executive White said. It is important for the community, county associates and County Legislature to know that I remain committed to the priorities we have outlined and I will not move forward until Our Healthy KC Eastside, the Jackson County Reproductive Equity Fund, Westside Community Improvements and other arbitrary, capricious and politically motivated cuts are restored.



Though Ordinance 5701 cut essential programs and people, the Legislatures budget amendment proposed over $1 million in new funding for the County Legislature and offices under their control. Legislative budget increases include, but are not limited to, numerous new staff positions, salary increases for new and returning staff, increased car allowances, more lobbyists, lawyers and travel expenses, all of which are detailed in County Executive Whites signing statement. County Executive White is using his authority to reduce these budget increases, without jeopardizing any existing staff positions or defunding any programs or projects that have previously been approved by the County Legislature.



The County Executive is also objecting to funding for outside agencies due to the lack of a competitive process. Such actions are in conflict with county policies, past practices and the current award process as outlined on the county legislative auditors website. Additionally, the Jackson County Counselors Office has determined that the County Legislature lacks the legal authority to increase the appropriation of the Health Fund. Therefore, County Executive White has used his line-item veto authority to reduce the appropriation and bring the countys annual budget back into legal compliance.



County Executive Whites full signing statement of Ordinance 5701 is attached, as well as his 29 line-item vetoes and a legal memorandum from the Jackson County Counselors Office.



###

Developing . . .


After a deadly double shooting late Wednesday night . . . The Kansas City homicide count returns to a tragic pace.

Last year at this date there were only 17 murders, the year before that the number was only 14.

The latest KCMO killing sets homicide stats back to the 2020 pace . . . The deadliest year in local history.

Tragically, today's commitment to fund local anti-crime groups to the tune of more than 30 million bucks didn't matter to recent gun violence victims.

Here is the first report . . .



Shooting: 5200 Block of 28th Ter.

Tonight just after 9:30 pm, officers were dispatched to the 5200 block of 28th Terr on a reported sound of gun shots.



Upon arrival officers located two victims inside a vehicle. An adult female and adult male. Officers began life saving measures on the adult female. EMS arrived on scene and declared both parties deceased at the scene.



Homicide detectives and Crime Scene Personnel have responded to the scene. They will be processing the scene to recover any evidence and speaking to any potential witnesses.



Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 816-234-5043. Or if you wish to remain anonymous you can do so by calling the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information provided to TIPS which leads to an arrest in the case.



We are working with Partners for Peace in all our homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services to affected residents.

###############



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Kansas City police investigate fatal shooting on 28th Street Jackson Kurtz/KMBC SOURCE: Jackson Kurtz/KMBC One person has died following a shooting late Wednesday night in Kansas City. The shooting happened in the 5200 block of 28th Terrace, according to Kansas City police. Information about the victim is limited at this time. The shooting was reported by police just after 10:30 p.m.

Kansas City police respond to deadly double shooting Wednesday night KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Police in Kansas City, Missouri, are investigating a deadly double shooting that happened Wednesday night. According to police, the shooting happened in the 5200 Block of 28 th Terrace just after 9:30 p.m. Police say they found two victims inside a vehicle, one man and one woman.

Developing . . .
Right now with Hef's influence in the background, the legacy of hottie Pam inspires our early morning peek at pop culture, community news and top headlines.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Voter Guide To Boring Friends & Family

How to be a tax incentives watchdog A guide to civic engagement at three Kansas City organizations that handle economic development, including tax incentive tools.

Rock Chalk Chicken Talk

Resolution condemning lesser prairie chicken protection clears Kansas House - Kansas Reflector During a Wednesday House session, lawmakers passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 1602 , formally disapproving the federal government's listing of the lesser prairie chicken as a threatened species in Kansas and announcing support for efforts to remove the designation. Rep. Ken Rahjes, a Republican from Agra, spoke in support of the resolution, saying the federal government was overstepping its authority.

Show-Me Game Day Cash

Missouri Legislature considering legalizing sports betting MISSOURI (KMOV) - Fifty million people are expected to bet on the upcoming Super Bowl, but despite the demand, none of those people will be making those legal bets in Missouri. If a St. Louis resident wants to legally bet now, they'd have to drive to Illinois and bet on their phone or at a casino.

That Parking Hot Mess We Talked About Yesterday

Planners reject 300-apartment River Market tower over parking concerns - Kansas City Business Journal A split planning decision for a 13-story River Market apartment tower may further contribute to its hold on the figurative tarmac, as city officials hash out what constitutes an acceptable amount of parking. The City Plan Commission voted 4-3 on Tuesday against urban redevelopment rezoning for City Harvest, a 300-apartment community planned by Flaherty & Collins Properties northwest of Fifth and Main streets.

EXCELLENT Old School Idea

Community accepting Valentine's Day cards for seniors BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. (KCTV) - It might get lost in the shuffle with the hype of the Super Bowl in just a few days but, in less than a week, people across the country will celebrate Valentine's Day. Now, for a second consecutive year, a community in Blue Springs is asking for a little extra love.

Hollywood Icons Give Into Nostalgia

Pamela Anderson Texting Tommy Lee, Tells Him He's Her 'One True Love' Pamela Anderson reached out to Tommy Lee to make things right, and to let him know how she really feels before her Netflix doc aired ... and told her ex-husband he's still her "one true love." In the text messages, to which Tommy hasn't responded, we're told ...

White House Doubts Vlad

Biden says Putin 'already lost Ukraine' President Biden on Wednesday said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has already lost Ukraine, adding that aid to Ukraine during the Russian invasion is open-ended. "There's no way that Putin is going to be able to-he's already lost Ukraine," he said. "He thought that if he invaded Ukraine, first of all, he'd get a welcome...

GOP Outclasses MAGA

DeSantis responds to Trump's latest attack: 'Don't spend my time trying to smear other Republicans' Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday responded to former President Donald Trump's latest insult after Trump reshared a social media post insinuating that DeSantis behaved inappropriately around students when he worked as a private school teacher. The post includes a photo taken from a story reported in 2021 by Hill Reporter, a blog run by a Democratic super PAC.

Political Fight For Life

Trump judge's ruling could ban abortion pill across the US A Texas judge could upend what remains of abortion access across the USas soon as this week if he agrees to a request by far-right groups to reverse federal approval of a key drug used in medication abortion, which accounts for more than half of pregnancy terminations nationwide.

Global Humanitarian Effort After Historic Disaster

Deaths in Turkey, Syria earthquake surpass 16,000; weather now a threat to homeless: Live updates The search for survivors grew more desperate, the homeless problem more acute and the death toll rose sharply Wednesday as rescuers labored to find signs of life amid the rubble of Monday's earthquakes and aftershocks that laid waste to a wide swath of Turkey and Syria.

Far East Flexes Health Advice

World should 'calm down' about China COVID variants - Chinese scientist HONG KONG, Feb 8 (Reuters) - The world should "calm down" about the possibility of new COVID-19 variants circulating in China, leading Chinese scientist George Gao said. A paper by Gao and colleagues published in the Lancet medical journal on Wednesday showed that no new variants had emerged in the initial weeks of China's recent outbreak, after the end of its zero-COVID policy saw a huge wave of cases.

Science Confirms Herd Immunity

No new variants emerged from China's Covid outbreak, study finds HONG KONG - Analysis of Covid-19 cases in Beijing suggests that no new variants emerged from China's recent outbreak, according to a study published Wednesday. Facing rare mass unrest after nearly three years of strict "zero-Covid" policies, the Chinese government dropped most restrictions on Dec. 7.

World Domination Starts With Hot Air

China wants to dominate the 'near space' battlefield. Balloons are a key asset | CNN In China's eyes, the newest superpower battlefield sits between 12 and 60 miles above the Earth's surface in a thin-aired layer of the atmosphere it calls "near space." Lying above most commercial and military jets and below satellites, near space is an in-between area for spaceflight to pass through - but it is also a domain where hypersonic weapons transit and ballistic missiles cross.

European Contradictions Amid Book Burning Debate

Sweden issues rare ban over Quran burning rally - DW - 02/08/2023 An anti-NATO rally in Stockholm that would have included the burning of a Quran has not been allowed to go ahead. It comes after a similar incident sparked threats from NATO member Turkey.

Pink Floyd Makes Stink Amid Foray Into Foreign Policy

Wish You Were (not) Here: Pink Floyd's Waters slammed for UN speech on Ukraine United Nations (United States) (AFP) - Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters was denounced by Ukraine Wednesday after he told the United Nations Security Council that Russia's invasion of its neighbor was "not unprovoked." The 79-year-old, who has sparked controversy before this with his stance on the war, was invited by Moscow to address the 15-member Council.

Skyfall Starts Rising Tide

About 15 Million People At Risk From Glacial Lake Outbursts, Floods: Study | Weather.com As rising temperatures shrink glaciers, meltwater can collect to form lakes nearby, which could put about 15 million people in high mountains at risk of glacial lake outburst floods, according to a study on Wednesday.

Newsflash: Senator With Health Problems Suffers More Health Problems

US senator John Fetterman hospitalised after feeling 'lightheaded' US senator John Fetterman, who suffered a stroke during his election campaign last year, was hospitalised after feeling lightheaded while attending a Senate Democratic event, his office said. Fetterman's communications director, Joe Calvello, said in a statement issued on Wednesday night: "Towards the end of the Senate Democratic retreat today, Senator John Fetterman began feeling lightheaded.

Open Border Spikes Tragic Flesh Trade

California cities rattled by prostitution, human trafficking in broad daylight as cops pin blame on new law Women wearing thongs in broad daylight on street corners, pimps following mothers taking their kids to school, and prostitutes twerking at traffic have become common scenes in California. Local leaders claim human trafficking and prostitution are rampant in the Golden State after a new criminal justice reform that its author said aims to protect transgender women from being unfairly targeted by law enforcement.

Plague Precautions Put Down

U.S. House Votes to Kill COVID Vax Requirement for Foreign Air Travelers The House of Representatives on Wednesday voted to end a federal policy requiring foreign travelers arriving at U.S. airports to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The bill, introduced by the vaccine-skeptical Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), was passed 227 to 201, with seven Democrats crossing party lines to join the GOP in supporting it.

Fmr. Prez Donny Vs. Senator Ronny

Trump escalates his attacks on Ron DeSantis as a 2024 clash brews Former President Donald Trump is approaching Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis with a newly urgent hostility, rushing to turn the Republican base against his most formidable potential rival in 2024. Out is " Ron DeSanctimonious," Trump's clunky attempt at a nickname.

AOC SEYZ OPEN BORDERS WILL MAKE IT RIGHT!!!

AOC says GOP reviving 'legacy of slavery' by ending non-citizen voting rights in DC Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez implied Wednesday that racism lies behind this week's push by Republicans to end voting rights for non-citizens in the capital of Washington, D.C. House lawmakers debated a resolution that would disapprove of a D.C. Council law allowing non-citizens and illegal immigrants to vote in the city.

Scribe Pins Blame On U.S.

Pulitzer winner Seymour Hersh claims US Navy behind Nord Stream 2 pipeline explosion WASHINGTON - Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Seymour Hersh has alleged US Navy divers laid bombs that destroyed the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea last September, drawing a denial from the Pentagon Wednesday.

Vlad Takes Losses

Russia has lost at least 1,500 tanks since the start of the Ukraine war, more than half of its invasion force: report More than 1,500 Russian tanks have been lost since it invaded Ukraine, a monitoring group found. That's over half of the operational tanks Russia likely started its invasion with, the group said. Western allies are now sending Ukraine modern, advanced tanks, creating a new challenge for Russia.

EPIC Image Earns High Praise

'Ghost of the mountains': Snow leopard wins Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice Award A snow leopard at sunset, posed against the mountains of Ladakh in northern India, has been voted as the winner of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice Award. Snapped by Sascha Fonseca, the image was selected from a shortlist of 25 images chosen by the Natural History Museum from nearly 39,000 photographs submitted for the fifty-eighth competition.

PIPE CLEANER OFFERS ADULT LESSONS!!!

Plumber with 10-inch penis opens 'world's first porn star university' A man who transitioned from a plumber to sex star has opened up the 'world's first porn star university'. Andy Lee - who is known for having a 10.5 inch penis - is on a mission to help more people get into the adult film industry.

Your Mom, Wife And/Or Sister Want To See This Movie. Here's Why:

Steven Soderbergh Can't Quit Magic Mike This article was featured in One Great Story, New York's reading recommendation newsletter. Sign up here to get it nightly. Steven Soderbergh's filmography is packed with stories of disaffected professionals who announce that they're permanently out of whatever job they used to do yet reenter their fields instantly when offered a challenge too enticing to pass up.

South Side Community Reporting

Winners of the South KC Community Impact Awards announced The South Kansas City Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners of its 2023 Community Impact Awards that will be presented at the Chamber's annual dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, February 16, at the Armacost Car Museum at 4200 E. 135 th St. in Grandview.

Even More Weather News This Morning . . .

Winter Weather Advisory expanded as snow falls in Kansas City KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The National Weather Service has expanded the Winter Weather Advisory to include the Kansas City metro. According to the NWS, the wet snow is making roadways very slick this morning. The advisory runs through noon today.

Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong - I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm is our #TBT song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
First and foremost . . .

BE CAREFUL KANSAS CITY COMMUTERS!!! IT'S REALLY COMING DOWN OUT THERE AND THE SNOWFALL IS A BIT OF A SURPRISE!!!



About half of the weather newsies DID NOT PREDICT MUCH ACCUMULATION and said we'd get more of a wintry mix.



Typically . . . Most of them are quick to panic and sound the alarm amid light rain.

This morning . . . People who bothered to pay attention to the weather might be a bit surprised.

Consider . . .



Apropos for #TBT, back in the days when this blog was offered our first bribe . . . Kansas City weather newsies have been notorious across the nation for bad predictions.



To be fair . . . A few inches (of snow) rarely hurt anyone who didn't exercise a bit of caution.

We might update with a few more links when the morning news crews are up and panicking housewives.

Here are some of our faves . . .

Widespread snow surprises Kansas City region overnight, slick road conditions and closings reported ALERT. WEATHER TODAY IS THE FIRST ALERT WEATHER ALERT DAY. YOU CAN JUST TELL BY TAKING A LOOK OUTSIDE. WE ARE DEALING WITH HEAVY SNOW. WE'VE GOT FIRST ALERT METEOROLOGIST NICK BENDER WITH THE FORECAST. MARTIN AUGUSTINE IS ON THE ROADS WITH AN UP CLOSE LOOK AND I'LL HAVE AN OVERVIEW OF TRAFFIC ACROSS THE METRO IN JUST A BIT.

Winter Weather Coverage: Traffic, Forecast, Power Outages, Closings KANSAS CITY METRO (KCTV) - Multiple inches of snow fell on the Kansas City metro early Thursday morning, covering area roadways and causing traffic issues. Because the snowfall levels were unexpected, very few local roads were pre-treated, and very few snow plows were out to start the day.

BLOG: Winter storm wreaks havoc on metro roads 6:02 a.m. | KSHB 41 Chiefs Meteorologist Mike Nicco is encouraging any commuters to wait a few hours if possible as the snow will end from west to east in the next couple of hours. As the snow wraps up, temperatures will warm above freezing quickly.

And now . . .



We hope that locals remember to take it slow and contemplate a few basic laws of physics during the morning rush hour.

Developing . . .


Tax season is upon us and with it comes the ever-present threat of fraud. Canadians should be wary of scammers posing as Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) employees who will trick their victims into sending them money or providing personal information that can be used to take over a bank account.
Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue (Photo: VNA)

In his letters sent on February 8, Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue expressed his belief that the Turkish and Syrian States and people will overcome this difficult and challenging period soon, and stabilise their socio-economic lives.

He affirmed that Vietnam is ready to join hands with the international community to help Syria and Turkey overcome consequences in its ability.

The death toll from the disaster in the two countries surpassed 11,200 the same day, CNN has reported.

As one of the world's most active earthquake zones, Turkey experienced several strong earthquakes in the past, including the one with a magnitude of 7.4 in 1999 that was the most severe in decades, resulting in over 17,000 fatalities. The most recent 7-magnitude earthquake occurred in October 2022 in Aegean, causing 114 deaths and over 1,000 injured./.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his spouse, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation arrive in Changi Airport on February 8 afternoon. (Photo: VNA)

Welcoming the Vietnamese delegation at the airport included Singaporean Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry Tan See Leng, Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam, Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Mai Phuoc Dung, officials from the Vietnamese Embassy and a number of overseas Vietnamese in the country.

The visit is taking place at a time when the Vietnam-Singapore strategic partnership is developing strongly and dynamically across all fields. This year, the two countries are celebrating the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations and 10 years of their strategic partnership.

The two nations have regularly and effectively maintained high and all-level delegation exchanges and meetings, along with expanding defence and security cooperation. Collaboration in other areas such as education, culture, and tourism has also been bolstered through specific agreements and memoranda of understanding.

Singapore is now Vietnams top important economic partner in the region, with two-way trade nearing 9 billion USD last year, up 10.1% year-on year. The island state leads ASEAN and ranks second among 141 countries and territories investing in Vietnam with 3,032 valid projects worth 70.39 billion USD.

At present, 12 Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIP) in nine Vietnamese cities and provinces have an occupancy rate of around 83.2%, attracting 17.6 billion USD for some 900 projects and generating roughly 300,000 jobs.

Vietnam and Singapore have worked closely together on regional and international matters of shared concern, including the East Sea issue, while strengthening cooperation at multilateral organisations and forums such as the United Nations (UN), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. Together they have also worked within bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements in which both sides are joining, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

In recent high-level visits, leaders of the two nations agreed on a number of major cooperation directions, especially in new areas such as the digital economy, digital transformation, regional and global supply chain connections, the building of the green economy, sustainable development, and cooperation in the production chain.

PM Chinhs visit to Singapore aims to lift Vietnam-Singapore economic connectivity to a new height in the context that a series of new-generation free trade deals joined by the two nations have taken effect, including the CPTPP and RCEP.

As scheduled, during his stay, PM Chinh will hold talks with his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong, and have meetings with Singaporean President Halimah Yacob, and Speaker of the Singaporean Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin.

He will also meet with representatives of the Vietnamese community in Singapore, and leading businesses of Singapore, and attend a Vietnam-Singapore Business Forum to promote bilateral trade and investment cooperation./.
This photo taken with a mobile phone shows members of a Chinese rescue team unloading materials at Adana Airport in Adana, Turkiye, Feb. 8, 2023. The 82-member Chinese rescue team arrived at Adana Airport at 4:30 am local time (0130 GMT) on Wednesday after flying over 8,000 kilometers on a chartered Air China plane. (Xinhua/Wu Siyu)

ADANA, Turkiye, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The 82-member Chinese rescue team arrived at Adana Airport at 4:30 am local time (0130 GMT) on Wednesday after flying over 8,000 km on a chartered Air China plane. 

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows staff members unloading materials from a chartered plane carrying a Chinese rescue team at Adana Airport in Adana, Turkiye, Feb. 8, 2023. The 82-member Chinese rescue team arrived at Adana Airport at 4:30 am local time (0130 GMT) on Wednesday after flying over 8,000 kilometers on a chartered Air China plane. (Xinhua/Wu Siyu)

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows members of a Chinese rescue team arriving at Adana Airport in Adana, Turkiye, Feb. 8, 2023. The 82-member Chinese rescue team arrived at Adana Airport at 4:30 am local time (0130 GMT) on Wednesday after flying over 8,000 kilometers on a chartered Air China plane. (Xinhua/Wu Siyu)

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows members of a Chinese rescue team arriving at Adana Airport in Adana, Turkiye, Feb. 8, 2023. The 82-member Chinese rescue team arrived at Adana Airport at 4:30 am local time (0130 GMT) on Wednesday after flying over 8,000 kilometers on a chartered Air China plane. (Xinhua/Wu Siyu)

Editor: JYZ
The national security minister says there's an emerging view that parents are the best crime
Germany's arms manufacturer Rheinmetall is negotiating with Kyiv on the supply of its most modern tanks and does not rule out the possibility of creating a plant for their production in Ukraine.

The group's CEO, Armin Papperger, told this to the Handelsblatt business news site, according to Ukrinform.

"We are in talks with Kyiv about the export of the Panther," Papperger said.

He noted that Ukraine had also expressed interest in the new Lynx infantry fighting vehicle. According to him, the Lynx and the Panther are currently "the most advanced armored personnel carriers and main battle tanks."

Currently, there is only a demonstration model of the Panther tank. However, Papperger promises deliveries "in 15 to 18 months."

The tanks could be produced in Germany or in Hungary, he said.

Read also: Rheinmetall ready to boost output of tank and artillery munitions

At the same time, Papperger did not rule out the possibility of setting up production in Ukraine in the future.

"We are ready to set up a Panther production plant in Ukraine as well," Papperger said, clarifying that this would be possible after the war ends and the necessary permits are obtained from the federal government.

Federal government approval is a necessary procedure. Papperger estimated the chances of obtaining a permit as good. "Ukraine must hold out this war - and when it ends, the country needs security," he said.

Rheinmetall unveiled the Panther at an exhibition in Paris last summer and touted it as the world's most powerful battle tank. If the decision is approved, Ukraine will become the first customer.

Photo: Rheinmetall
Ukraine will receive new anti-aircraft missile systems to destroy kamikaze drones.

Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas said this at a joint briefing with Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov at the Ukraine - Odesa Media Center, Ukrinform reports.

"As part of this visit, we and the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Oleksii Reznikov, discussed further assistance to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, in particular, armaments and military training. Lithuania will continue to provide all possible assistance for Ukraine's victory. We are handing over 36 anti-aircraft missile systems that can successfully cope with drones," Anusauskas said.

He also noted that Latvia had trained 15 Ukrainian instructors and now they can work with new anti-aircraft systems.

Reznikov, in turn, said that the training of instructors is a modernization of the training of the Ukrainian military.

"This allows our Ukrainian instructors to further train a larger number of crews in handling new weapons," Reznikov said.
This photo taken on Feb. 6, 2023 shows a horse racing festival in Xiadongzhai Village, Pingding County of north China's Shanxi Province. The horse racing festival, held on the 16th day of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar in the village, is a Spring Festival custom with a history of over 1,800 years. It has also been listed as a national intangible cultural heritage.(Xinhua/Zhan Yan)

TAIYUAN, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- One day after the Lantern Festival, residents in Xiadongzhai Village, north China's Shanxi Province, had quick breakfasts before assembling for a long-anticipated occasion.

The horse racing festival, held on the 16th day of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar in the village, is a Spring Festival custom with a history of over 1,800 years. It has also been listed as a national intangible cultural heritage.

At about 9 a.m., the festival got underway. The crowd burst into loud cheers, watching horses carrying riders dressed in ancient costumes, as they sprinted to the finish line.

According to Dong Huping, a horse racing inheritor, the tradition was said to have been established during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) to commemorate messengers, who served as a valuable means of communication in ancient times, especially in times of war.

The event has taken root in Xiadongzhai, as the village has since ancient times been acting as an important commercial hub, while its location was also considered important in terms of military strategy.

"The nature of the horse racing competition today remains almost the same as what happened in the old days," Dong said. "For example, we can see the riders carrying flags on their backs, while the horses are without saddles. This is because messengers often had to hit the road hastily, which meant that they had no time to saddle the horse and could only rely on their brilliant riding skills to maintain balance."

Nowadays, the horse racing festival has become a cultural tourism industry brand, integrating parades, folk performances and fireworks show held during the Spring Festival holiday.

Every year around the Chinese Lunar New Year, about 30,000 tourists pay visits to the village, which has significantly increased the income of local residents.

To better preserve and further promote its development, youngsters are encouraged to master and polish their riding skills under the guidance of veteran "messengers," and to participate in the annual event.

At the same time, the village has established a horse racing training center, raised funds and purchased new horses, costumes and props to woo new blood, to pass on and carry forward this ancient skill.

"Participation in horse racing also helps the young generation develop a stronger sense of identity and pride in their hometown," Dong said. 

This photo taken on Feb. 6, 2023 shows a horse racing festival in Xiadongzhai Village, Pingding County of north China's Shanxi Province. The horse racing festival, held on the 16th day of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar in the village, is a Spring Festival custom with a history of over 1,800 years. It has also been listed as a national intangible cultural heritage.(Xinhua/Zhan Yan)

Editor: JYZ
A group of Ukrainian military arrived in Belgium as part of a training mission of the European Union. Soldiers will learn how to operate underwater drones, the transfer of which Belgium announced in November.

Belgian Minister of Defense Ludivine Dedonder wrote this on Twitter, Ukrinform reports.

Today we are welcoming Ukraines soldiers in Belgium as part of the EUMAM mission. They will undergo training on the underwater systems delivered by Belgium to Ukraine. Ive expressed them my profound support and saluted the courage shown for almost a year now, the minister wrote.

Today we are welcoming  soldiers in Belgium as part of the #EUMAM mission. They will undergo training on the underwater systems delivered by Belgium to Ukraine. Ive expressed them my profound support and saluted the courage shown for almost a year now. pic.twitter.com/owZyKE51Jm  Ludivine Dedonder (@DedonderLudivin) February 9, 2023

As reported by Ukrinform, on January 27, the Government of Belgium decided to allocate the largest package of military aid to Ukraine amounting to EUR 92 million. In particular, it will include air defense missiles, anti-tank missiles, machine guns, grenades, ammunition, trucks, and armored SUVs.

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It is important for Ukraine to cooperate with French companies in terms of the restoration of its energy sector.

The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko during a meeting with the representatives of the Movement of the Enterprises of France (MEDEF), an Ukrinform correspondent reports, referring to the Ukrainian Energy Ministry.

The parties discussed the areas of cooperation and projects related to the restoration of Ukraines energy sector.

Galushchenko called on French businesses to invest in Ukraines energy restoration, so as to start actively implementing relevant projects the next day after Ukraines Victory over Russia.

In addition, Galushchenko thanked the Government of France and French businesses for the humanitarian aid provided to Ukraines energy sector.

A reminder that France sent 20 humanitarian aid shipments for Ukraines energy sector, totaling more than 168 tonnes.

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has received information that five Ukrainians may be trapped under the rubble following earthquakes in Turkey.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko said this in a Facebook post, Ukrinform reports.

According to him, Ukrainian consuls are on their way to quake-stricken areas in southern Turkey to help Ukrainians. The diplomats will provide them with warm clothes, essential items, medicines. On the spot, they will coordinate the search for missing citizens, the provision of medical aid to the victims and the organization of evacuation.

We have information that five Ukrainians may be trapped under the rubble. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy are actively cooperating with the Turkish authorities for their rescue. One citizen has been hospitalized. There are no threats to her life," Nikolenko wrote.

According to him, the diplomats have already found 103 Ukrainians. The other 22 citizens have not made contact yet. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working to establish their whereabouts, and is in contact with their relatives.

As reported, two earthquakes of 7.7 and 7.6 magnitudes hit Turkeys province of Kahramanmaras on February 6.

According to the latest data, the death toll from the earthquakes in Turkey has reached 12,873, while 62,937 people have been injured.

Photo: AA

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Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal held an online meeting with members of the newly elected United States Congress, having emphasized the importance of sanctions against Russias nuclear industry, which continues to generate huge revenues.

The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

According to Shmyhal, the parties discussed a wide range of issues, including financial support, Ukraines reconstruction, establishing a special tribunal for the Russian leadership, and strengthening sanctions pressure.

Shmyhal thanked the U.S. Congress for allocating more than USD 13 billion for 2023 to provide economic and budgetary support for Ukraine. At the same time, the Prime Minister of Ukraine stressed the need to exhaust the aggressors military budget, namely to introduce sanctions against Russias nuclear industry that continues to generate huge revenues for Russian terrorists.

Shmyhal noted that Ukraine highly appreciates the aid provided by international partners at a time when Ukrainians continue fighting and defending their native land against Russian aggression.

I am convinced that Ukraine can continue to rely on the strong support of the U.S. Congress, Shmyhal added.

Photo: Denys Shmyhal, Telegram

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Ukraine can count on assistance from France in achieving a just peace, French President Emmanuel Macron has said.

According to an Ukrinform correspondent, Macron said this at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris.

"Ukraine can count on us in building peace. The plan that you offered is an essential basis for discussions on this path, which should lead us towards an international peace conference," Macron said.

He added that the future peace should bring justice to Ukraine and its people and make it possible to "build an area of security and stability for everyone."

Zelensky arrived in Paris late on Wednesday, February 8. He is expected to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Photo: Ruslan Stefanchuk, Facebook
Hans-Peter Bartels, a former member of the Bundestag and Special Commissioner for the Armed Forces (2015-2020), who currently chairs the Society for Security Policy (GSP), Germanys influential non-governmental organization, visited Ukraine in order to clarify the country's needs at the state, local, and public levels, as well as assess the level of support coming from Germany.

Ukrinform met with Mr. Bartels on the last day of his visit to discuss urgent issues of international support for Ukraine, including from Berlin, to learn about current assessments of the threat, which modern Russia represents, and to clarify how Europe, including Germany, reacts to it.

THE TOPIC THAT EVERYONE IN GERMANY IS FOCUSED ON IS HOW THE WORLD CHANGED AFTER THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE

- Mr. Bartels, is this your first time in Ukraine?

- No, actually, until February 24, Id been in Kyiv several times as chairman of the Bundestag Committee on Defense, as Commissioner for the Armed Forces. I had discussions with members of the Ukrainian Parliament. First time I came here was in 2014-2015, after the events that happened back then, and those were completely different times. Our Ukrainian colleagues would always tell us then: "We don't think the war is over", but for us it was rather a frozen conflict, but for the Ukrainian society, was an ongoing war, which was simply not as hot as it has become now.

- Tell us a little about your Society. How exactly do you interact with the federal government? What consultations do you provide regarding Ukraine and this war?

- The German Society for Security Policy was founded 70 years ago, before the Bundeswehr was founded, during the debate about the remilitarization of West Germany, in the Federal Republic of Germany, and this was the first major task to enable discussions in the Federal Republic of Germany about defending of democracy, which has the right to defense. This was the starting point. And today, the topic that interests everyone in Germany is the situation in the world today after the Russian invasion, that is, the Society holds hundreds of events throughout Germany, we have 60 sections, on the topic of Russian aggression. We involve experts from academia, politics, former and active military, who contribute to the discussion at our podiums. We do not make decisions, we facilitate the discussion.

- How does your Society interact with the defense industry? Are there any specific areas of cooperation that you are pursuing?

- It has nothing to do with the defense industry, nor with the Bundeswehr servicemen's union or the Bundeswehr reservists' union, but we sometimes speak together before the German public, for example, with the German Society of Military Technology we hosted a Parliament evening in Berlin last year, with the head of the Federal Chancellor's office Schmidt and with the Bundeswehr servicemen's union, we organize a joint event once a year, we hold joint events with the Bundeswehr reservists' union, but each remains independent, so to speak.

THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION IN GERMANY HAS LONG SUPPORTED MILITARY AID FOR UKRAINE

- Speaking of the public dimension, we heard that a poll was conducted in Germany in December of last year, which showed that only 45% of Germans support increasing military aid to Ukraine. Eventually, Chancellor Scholz decided to send tanks to Ukraine and give the green light to their supply from other countries. What, in your opinion, influenced this step? And what can be done to increase the share of citizens who would believe that military aid to Ukraine is something that benefits all of Europe?

- In Germany, the majority of the population has long been in favor of military support for Ukraine. The question of whether this should include tanks remained unresolved for a long time. Since the government issued a decision to supply tanks, there is a clear majority in favor.

AID PROVISION TO UKRAINE SHOULD BE PACED UP, AND MANY CRITICIZE SCHOLTZ FOR SLOW DECISION-MAKING

- As a German, do you think that the general position of Chancellor Scholz over the last year, which some here in Ukraine have perceived as a reluctance to provide more weapons, an unwillingness to be a leader in this regard, reflects the general way of thinking of your political elite? Or perhaps this was the chancellor's personal position?

- I think he's also looking at the polls and trying to navigate what his American friends are doing, as well as his French and British friends. Therefore, under Scholz, Germany does not want to lead, but only act together, which is criticized by many in Europe, but then you can also criticize France. I have the impression that the process could be paced up, the German populaiton already has this understanding, which is why the media also criticize Scholz for not making faster decisions.

- And what about SPD? Is there unity in the party on the issue of Ukraine or are there certain contradictions between certain groups within the force?

- I think that the majority in SPD is clearly on the side of Ukraine. Especially the younger ones have no problem with this at all, even with the supply of weapons. For some senior, much older Social Democrats, with former Chancellor Schroder at the helm, it seems hard to imagine Russia catapulting itself out of the international community.

- Some German politicians believe that the world cannot exist without Russia as we know it. Could it be that this perception of Russia as a great power that is not going anywhere and that the world will eventually have to deal with in the post-war period is preventing progress in supporting Ukraine?

- There is a certain idealization of the past, that is, Ostpolitik (Eastern policy - ed.) and the policy of detente are sometimes misunderstood. It was correct at the time, but is not relevant today. There is certainly a general sentiment in Germany to support peace and settlement in the East, and the East has very often been identified with Russia as if the Second World War had been a war against Russia.

In Germany, there is an overused phrase: Russia is Germany's neighbor, and it cannot be removed from the map. But this is the wrong map and the wrong century in peoples minds. There are 10 countries between us. And sometimes...no, always, it was bad for people from Eastern Europe when Germany and Russia shared a border.

SOME THINGS IN UKRAINE MAY WORK EVEN BETTER THAN IN GERMANY

- As for the post-war period, Chancellor Scholz stated that the reconstruction of Ukraine should take place taking into account its future membership in the EU. In your opinion, in which areas does Ukraine best meet the criteria for joining the EU and which areas of the economy need additional work to meet these standards? In addition, at what points could Germany become a leader in supporting Ukraine to achieve progress on its European path.

- I think that some things in Ukraine maybe function even better than in Germany. We see that after fourteen hours of travel the train arrives on time, we see that many things are digitized. There is a part of Ukraine that is now very modern, I guess not all of Ukraine, but theres this modern part. But I think that there are many areas where Germany can and wants to help, and where the German economy can help, Ukraine is a country with European, well-educated, democratic people. Joint enterprises are already working today, but in the future even more will have the opportunity to work in the common European economy.

It is clear that the economy must change from this post-communist oligarchic system to another, non-corrupt form of organization, but the Ukrainian government also knows this, it was elected to make it happen.

WE IN THE WEST CANNOT PRETEND THAT WE CAN JUST CONTINUE TO DO BUSINESS AS USUAL WITH RUSSIA

- Meanwhile, our northern neighbor, who is waging this war of aggression against us, certainly does not aspire to become a democracy, and we see that the West is imposing sanctions against them because of aggression against Ukraine. How would you assess these restrictions? Are they really hampering Russia's capability to continue this war?

- I believe that Russia already lacks some high technology, some products, including weapons. Sanctions are efficient. These sanctions in general are probably the right thing to do, not just to hurt Russia, but because we in the West can't pretend that we can just continue to do business as usual as we used to do with a country that attacks its neighbors.

We must also have endurance and patience.

ARMS SUPPLIES TO UKRAINE ARE A PROBLEM FOR THE BUNDESWEHR, BUT ACCORDING TO THE FIRST THINGS FIRST PHILOSOPHY, WE MUST SUPPORT KYIV

- Some commentators suggest that there should be some restrictions on the supply of weapons to Ukraine in connection with the reduction of Germanys own stockpiles. Current reserves are certainly not unlimited, but are any solutions in the works to replenish the stocks? Does Germany actually see supplies to Ukraine as a potential problem for its own security in terms of Bundeswehr reserves?

- Of course, any supply to Ukraine is a problem for the Bundeswehr. But according to the first things first philosophy, we must support Ukraine, which is fighting against the same enemy against which NATO is also arming itself.

After the end of the Cold War, the Bundeswehr was substantially disarmed and optimized for operations outside NATO territory  in Afghanistan or Africa. It needs to be brought back for the collective defense of Europe, the defense of allies in Europe, which has not been its job for almost two and a half decades, but now it is its job. And the Bundeswehr should be better equipped, and at the same time Ukraine should get what it needs. For this, weapons manufacturers must increase their capacity, and they are doing it. The new defense minister also calls for moving faster.

- The defense industry is primarily a business. In order to build new production facilities, CEOs must be confident that their investment will pay off and that they will seal contracts for the production of more weapons. Perhaps they need government assurances that these defense orders will flow. So what is the situation today?

- The problem for our Bundeswehr is that the German defense industry already has orders from completely different armies before the Bundeswehr starts ordering, but now the orders are coming in a lot. And this has nothing to do with Ukraine. Many NATO armies buy from Germany, and the Bundeswehr hasn't even placed an order yet. If a CEO today does not know that they need to expand production capacity, they are not doing their job right.

SCHOLZ INTRODUCED THREE STRATEGIC DECISIONS: NUCLEAR EXCHANGE, COMPLETE EQUIPMENT OF THE BUNDESWEER AND MISSILE DEFENSE AGAINST NUCLEAR MISSILES

- A few years ago, the U.S. pressured Europe, including Germany, to raise defense budgets within NATO. Now we have a really serious threat looming over all of Europe. Are there discussions to review the current defense architecture  including in Germany?

- One of the first decisions made by Chancellor Scholz was Germany's purchase of new American F-35 bombers as part of the nuclear sharing concept. The decision was made and approved by parliament. Scholz announced the creation of a special fund of EUR 100 billion, which was also approved by parliament. This money can now be utilized, thres a special fund for the Bundeswehr.

In a speech about his vision for Europe at the end of the summer in Prague, Chancellor Scholz announced that Germany would acquire a missile defense system, and in the following weeks the European Sky Shield initiative was launched with 14 other European countries. Like Arrow 3 in Israel. The F-35 project has been completed, and the Arrow 3 is still in progress.

The Federal Chancellor put forward three strategic decisions this year: nuclear sharing, fully equipping the Bundeswehr, and deploying missile defenses against nukes We have never had this before.

DURING THE WAR, UKRAINE WONT BECOME A NATO MEMBER

- NATO is firmly committed to its Article 5 obligations to all Allies. Let's assume that at some point Russia will become even more enraged and will dare to aggressively provoke one of the Baltic countries, all of which are extremely helpful to Ukraine as regards weapons. This could be sabotage at an energy facility or something else... So is there unity and a common understanding of what to do in such a case? Is there an action protocol? Because such a situation seems to be uncharted waters.

- NATO does have defense plans for the Baltic states.

- Ukraine aspires to one day become a member of NATO, but is there any scenario in which it can be assumed that it will actually join the Alliance before the war with Russia is over?

- I dont think so. Because if, so to speak, this country would be accepted until the conflict is resolved, then all 30 NATO countries would then be in a conflict, in a war with the enemy of this state, it would be, so to speak, the Third World War. And in addition, in order for a country to join NATO, 30 countries must say yes. At the moment, we can see how difficult it is to accept Sweden into NATO when Turkey has its reservations. But a strong and growing NATO is already in Ukraines interests today.

- And what narratives, in your opinion, would be correct to promote among Ukrainians, as well as Europeans and Americans, regarding Ukraine's accession prospects, in order to keep the topic alive and relevant?

- Almost all NATO countries help Ukraine with weapons, supporting it financially and diplomatically. I believe that this is useful and should help Ukraine to protect itself and thus protect the West.

THOSE IN GERMANY WHO STILL HAVE DIFFICULTY CLASSIFYING THIS CONFLICT CORRECTLY SHOULD COME HERE

- Can you tell us a bit about your current visit?

- We met with lawmakers, we talked with the officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we were here at the Kyiv Mohyla Academy for discussions with scholars, we spoke with the Ukrainian military, and today we visited Borodyanka, Bucha, and Irpin  this left a huge impression. We met with the two large charitable organizations  that of Serhiy Prytula and also United 24.

- What was the most important thing for you in this visit? What will you bring back to Germany? What will you bring to your discussion platforms?

- Wed already been supporters of Ukraine before. But now we have a better point of view and we have held our own talks with Ukrainian interlocutors. In this respect, I think we can become better and more credible in delivering our arguments. I think some of those in Germany who still find it difficult to properly classify the conflict should come here. We are very grateful to the Center for Transatlantic Cooperation for their help in making this trip happen.

Yevhen Matiushenko

Photo: Volodymyr Tarasov
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Brussels, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The Head of State is expected to start his visit with an address at a special session of the European Parliament.

After that, Zelensky will attend a special meeting of the European Council, where the first item on the agenda will be providing assistance to Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression.

Additional security measures have been taken in Brussels, which are usually applied during high-level meetings between European leaders.

A reminder that, on February 8, 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky paid a visit to the United Kingdom. In the evening of February 8, 2023, he arrived in France and met with Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz and President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

Photo: twitter.com/vonderleyen

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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has promised to continue humanitarian and financial support to Ukraine.

Important EU summit today with President Volodymyr Zelensky. Hungary will continue to provide humanitarian and financial support to Ukraine. We support an immediate ceasefire in order to prevent the further loss of human lives. Hungary belongs to the peace camp! Orban wrote on Twitter.

As reported by Ukrinform, on February 9, President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Brussels to participate in a summit of the European Union leaders.

Read also: President Zelensky arrives in Brussels

It is expected that at a special meeting of the European Parliament, Zelensky will talk about weapons needed for the de-occupation of Ukrainian territories, about holding Russia accountable for aggression and war crimes, and the prospects for Ukraine's accession to the EU.

Photo: Getty Images

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Ukrainian intelligence recently managed to intercept Russia's plan about its intention to destroy the political order in Moldova.

Zelensky said in his speech at a special meeting of the European Council that these data had been handed over to Moldovan President Maia Sandu, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"I recently spoke to the President of Moldova, Ms. Sandu, and informed her about what our intelligence managed to intercept - a detailed Russian plan to destroy the political situation in Moldova, a Russian document that shows who, when and as a result of which situations is going to break Moldova, to break the democratic the order in this country and establish control over it," Zelensky said.

He said that after receiving the document, he did not hesitate for a moment and immediately warned Moldova about all these threats.

"We do not know whether Moscow gave the order to act according to this plan against Moldova, but we saw what they were going to do and we recognized in this exactly what they [the Russians] had already been trying to do against Ukraine and against others states, particularly in Europe. Nothing new," Zelensky said.

Zelensky is on a visit to Brussels on Thursday, February 9.
A survivor is evacuated from the rubble of a destroyed building in quake-hit Elbistan district of Kahramanmaras, Turkiye, on Feb. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Shadati)

ANKARA/DAMASCUS, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The number of fatalities from Monday's devastating earthquakes that struck Turkiye and Syria has surpassed 12,000, as chances have become smaller to find more survivors in cold weather before the golden 72 hours are over.

Rescuers and volunteers are working round the clock to locate the trapped under rubble as the survival rate without food or water drops drastically after the 72nd hour, which is rapidly approaching. Experts have warned that the 72-hour window for rescuing those trapped by the earthquakes may be much smaller than anticipated, given the low temperatures that have swept through the earthquake-hit regions will increase the risk of hypothermia.

According to the latest statistics, Monday's devastating earthquakes in southern Turkiye and northern Syria have killed 9,057 people in Turkiye and 3,480 in Syria.

SEARCH UNDERWAY

The search and rescue teams from more than 65 countries have arrived in the Turkish earthquake zones to offer assistance in quake-relief efforts, according to an official statement.

A plane carrying a 83-member rescue team from China and 20 metric tons of disaster relief materials and equipment arrived in the city of Adana in southern Turkiye in the early hours of Wednesday. In addition to materials and equipment for search and rescue, communication and medical treatment, they also brought with them four rescue dogs.

Volunteers flocked to southern Turkiye hit hard by the earthquakes. Photographs show terminals crowded with volunteers trying to help, while the roads leading to the affected areas were clogged with long queues of vehicles ready to transport supplies or offer assistance.

"It was good that we came. When we arrived, the area was rubble everywhere," said a volunteer who identified himself as Kerem Okyay, a businessman from the central Turkish city of Sivas who hurried to Elbistan, a town about 200 km away.

Located in the southern Turksih province of Kahramanmaras, Elbistan was the epicenter of the 7.6-magnitude quake that rocked the region on Monday and close to the town of Pazarcik, the epicenter of a 7.7-magnitude one hours earlier.

"We formed a team with some friends as soon as we heard the news of the earthquake and came here as volunteers," Okyay told Xinhua.

Soon after their arrival, the team saved two people from the debris. "We were focusing on areas where we could hear people," he said.

In the heavily damaged city center of Kahramanmaras, the name-sake capital of Kahramanmaras Province, sniffer dogs equipped with small GPS-enabled harnesses were leading rescuers in the search for survivors from site to site in the winter cold.

This photo taken on Feb. 7, 2023 shows a damaged building in Elbistan district of Kahramanmaras Province, Turkiye.(Xinhua/Shadati)

MORE AID POURING IN

While rescue operations are taking place in Turkiye and Syria, more countries have committed to providing assistance.

A Lebanese ministerial delegation headed by Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib arrived in Damascus on Wednesday to discuss with Syrian officials more possible aid for earthquake-stricken Syria.

On Wednesday, Tunisia sent its third aircraft, which was packed with tonnes of emergency humanitarian aid including food, medication, blankets and clothing, to Syria. Two military planes from Tunisia were already sent to the two earthquake-stricken countries on Tuesday, carrying medical teams, rescue teams, and urgent humanitarian aid.

Saudi Arabia launched on Wednesday a donation campaign to help earthquake victims in Syria and Turkiye. According to local press, a total of 25 million Saudi riyals (6.7 million U.S. dollars) had been donated to the campaign so far.

Jordan announced on Wednesday that it would send aid convoys over the next few days to quake-hit areas in Syria and Turkiye, while Sudan said its Civil Defense Forces is ready to send a specialized team to Turkiye to help with rescue efforts.

David Saranga, head of the Israeli aid delegation to Turkiye, said on Wednesday that two Israeli rescue teams are searching for survivors in the country, while a field hospital complete with 15 Israeli aircraft and about 230 personnel is expected to be established by Thursday or Friday, according to the Israeli military and foreign ministry.

Rescuers search for survivors among the rubble of a destroyed building in quake-hit Elbistan district of Kahramanmaras, Turkiye, on Feb. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Shadati)

TURKIYE'S QUAKE RESPONSE BACK TO NORMAL

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan admitted on Wednesday that there were some problems in the first-day response to the earthquakes.

Operations are currently back to normal, Erdogan said in Kahramanmaras Province, the state-run TRT broadcaster reported.

Earthquake victims can temporarily stay in hotels in the Mediterranean tourism hub of Antalya and southern province of Mersin, he added.

The Turkish president announced that each quake-stricken family would receive 10,000 Turkish liras (531 U.S. dollars), and new homes will be built in the 10 provinces affected by the disaster within a year.

Also on Wednesday, Erdogan said it was impossible to get prepared for a calamity like the earthquakes that struck the country on Monday, but he vowed to exert utmost efforts to save citizens' lives.

"There are deficiencies ... It is impossible to be prepared for such a major disaster," Erdogan told reporters in the southern province of Hatay, which was hit hard by the earthquakes.

"We will not leave any of our citizens unattended. We will carry out disaster management by taking every necessary step so that no one will suffer," he said.

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows members of a Chinese rescue team arriving at Adana Airport in Adana, Turkiye, Feb. 8, 2023. The 82-member Chinese rescue team arrived at Adana Airport at 4:30 am local time (0130 GMT) on Wednesday after flying over 8,000 kilometers on a chartered Air China plane. (Xinhua/Wu Siyu)

Editor: Zhang Zhou
Chinese tourists arrive at the Phnom Penh International Airport in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Feb. 7, 2023. Cambodia on Tuesday welcomed Chinese flag carrier Air China's inaugural flight to its capital here with a water cannon salute.

Air China flight CA745, carrying some 125 Chinese tourists, arrived at the Phnom Penh International Airport from Beijing and received a warm welcome from Cambodia's Tourism Minister Thong Khon and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian as well as other officials. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua)

BEIJING, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Immigration authorities across China on Monday handled 676,000 exits and entries, hitting a record high since the COVID-19 outbreak, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) said Tuesday.

NIA statistics showed that Monday's figure jumped by 124.2 percent from the average daily entry and exit trips before China downgraded its COVID-19 management on Jan. 8, and accounted for nearly 37 percent of the pre-COVID-19 level.

Land ports with Hong Kong and Macao saw 568,000 entries and exits on Monday, accounting for 84 percent of the daily total and increasing by 39.2 percent from the previous day.

On Monday, normal travel between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong and Macao was fully resumed. 

Editor: Zhang Zhou
Opinion: Police reform is possible; it comes from better training
(@Abdulla99267510)

The Finance Minister says that the government and International Monetary Fund (IMF) talks were on the right track.

ISLAMABAD: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-Feb 9th, 2023) Finance and Revenue Minister Ishaq Dar revealed that the government and International Monetary Fund (IMF) talks were on the right track.

"People will hear a good news soon," said the Finance Minister, while addressing ceremony of the Road Safety Conference for Parliamentarians in Islamabad on Thursday.



He said that all the matters would be settled with the International lender.

The finance minister pointed out that the PML-N government in the early 90s executed the motorway project from Islamabad to Lahore and now the network of motorways had almost been expanded throughout the country.

He said the government was working expeditiously to enhance length and quality of road infrastructure in the country to facilitate economic growth and prosperity.

The minister was addressing the concluding ceremony of the Road Safety Conference for Parliamentarians in Islamabad on Thursday.

The minister said the government was also pursuing effective implementation of road safety laws to ensure accident-free traffic flow in the country.

Urging parliamentarians to find necessary solutions to improve road safety, he underscored the need to focus on traffic laws and ensure their strict implementation.

Mr Dar said the government had included 50 projects worth Rs118.4 billion in the current fiscal year to provide safe and modern transportation system in the country.
The Swedish Prosecution Authority and the country's foreign ministry told RIA Novosti on Thursday that they could not comment on the report by an American investigative journalist that US navy divers blew up Russia's Nord Stream pipeline, citing confidentiality

ZURICH (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th February, 2023) The Swedish Prosecution Authority and the country's foreign ministry told RIA Novosti on Thursday that they could not comment on the report by an American investigative journalist that US navy divers blew up Russia's Nord Stream pipeline, citing confidentiality.

The foreign ministry's press service said Sweden's competent authorities were conducting a criminal investigation and refused to comment further.

The press service of the prosecutor's office also said that the investigation into the Nord Stream sabotage has been ongoing and the prosecutors could not comment due to the confidentiality of the case.

Seymour Hersh, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who blew the whistle on US atrocities in Vietnam War and more recently on prisoner torture at Abu Ghraib in Iraq, wrote in a blog post on Wednesday that American deep-water divers had planted explosives under three of the four Russia's Nord Stream pipelines that were detonated remotely last September at the order of President Joe Biden.

Hersh claimed that the explosives were planted during a NATO Baltic Sea exercise last summer and cited a source with direct knowledge of the US operational planning as saying that Norway played a key role in helping the US organize the attack and keep the Swedish and Danish navies in the dark.

On September 26, three of the four strings of the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines were damaged after an underwater blast. The pipeline's operator Nord Stream AG reported that the damage was unprecedented and it was impossible to estimate the timeframe for repairs.

Germany, Denmark, and Sweden launched separate investigations into the suspected sabotage, with German media reporting trust issues among the three EU nations. The Russian chief prosecutor's office said it had opened an inquiry into possible international terrorism.
Yola, Nigeria, Feb 9 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Feb, 2023 ) :It was only when she scrambled to the top of the mountain after fleeing the army attack on her village that Hafsatu Usman realised she had lost three of her children.

They had all run in panic for the hills when the Nigerian army bombarded Ngoshe in the country's troubled northeast while it was being occupied by Boko Haram militants in August 2014.

Then came the awful realisation that five-year-old Hadiza, Oussama, 12, and Abubakar, 13, "were not with me, nor with the other children," said the mother-of-seven.

"I shouted their Names all night and looked for them everywhere" but they were nowhere to be found.

As Hafsatu told AFP her story in a displaced persons' camp in Yola, her youngest child, Yusuf, pressed himself close.

The little five-year-old doesn't like to let go of his mother's skirts and follows her everywhere.

"That day lots of other children disappeared," Hafsatu added.

At least 25,000 people have been reported missing in northeastern Nigeria since the bloody conflict with terrorist groups began -- more than half of them children -- according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

But with 40,000 dead and more than two million people forced from their homes in 13 years of chaos and bloodshed, the true figure is probably much higher.

Widespread insecurity across the country is one of the main issues in this month's Nigerian presidential election.

Boko Haram's kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok in 2014 briefly captured the world's attention, sparking the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls.

Yet eight years on, more than 100 of the girls are still missing and the militant revolt is far from over.

The pain of not knowing what has become of missing fathers, mothers and children wracks thousands of families.

Have sons been forced to join the terrorists, or daughters made to marry them? Or are they languishing instead in Nigerian army prisons? "I never stop praying," said Hafsatu.

"If they are still alive, I pray for them to come back in good health. If they are dead, I pray for their souls to rest in peace." Yet it took until 2021 for the Nigerian authorities, who are also beset by a near nationwide epidemic of kidnappings by gangs demanding ransoms, to set up a register of the disappeared -- and even that was only a pilot project.

Last month the government admitted that it "does not have reliable data on the number of missing persons in the country, nor a structure to address the humanitarian consequences." The Red Cross, however, insists that families have the right to know what happened to their loved ones.

With so much instability, finding a missing person in Africa's most populous country is like searching for a needle in a haystack, said Zubairu Umar, one of the Red Cross volunteers gathering information on the disappeared.

Every time new people arrive at the camp for displaced persons in Yola, Umar sets off to see if new names need to be added to ICRC's list of missing persons.

"We collect all the information we can" from their relatives, he said -- name, place of birth, physical characteristics.

"We ask for a picture, but mostly they don't have any so we take a picture of them," Umar told AFP.

The ICRC list can sometimes make incredible connections -- a husband looking for a wife who had herself reported her husband missing in another camp.

"When we find someone, it's amazing we feel very proud," said Umar.

But mostly it is a hard and patient slog.

"For one single case we will sometimes have collected 70 different bits of information," he said.

Volunteers also trawl for tips by gathering people from the same district together in displaced persons' camps. They call out the names of the missing from their area and anyone with information is asked to raise a hand.

"If security is OK, we can send a volunteer to a village where a missing (person) has been seen," Umar said.

Further complicating the situation, tens of thousands of people have been "illegally arrested by the security forces" -- often in secret and inhumane conditions without due process -- since the conflict began, according to Amnesty International.

Many of those rounded up as suspected militants or their supporters are children, it said.

Amnesty estimates that as many as 10,000 detainees have already died in custody.

Ibrahim, 33, told AFP that he spent years in jail without a word of his family after being "wrongly" suspected of being a militant fighter.

Visibly traumatised, he finally found his wife and children at the end of 2021, seven years after he had been picked up by the army.

For eight months he said he was held in secret in a cell with some 100 others. There was so little room he couldn't lie down.

Finally, he was identified by the ICRC, which under the Geneva Conventions can access detention centres.

But the Red Cross has no contact with terrorist groups and huge swathes of the country remain beyond its reach of its researchers.

With so many areas inaccessible, radio has become a precious tool.

Until the end of last year, a weekly programme in Hausa financed by the ICRC on Radio France Internationale, "Da-Rabon Ganawa" -- "We'll see each other again one day" in English -- attempted to reunite families across Nigeria's restive northeast.

Budget cuts mean the programme is no longer on air, although a similar show on a local station is still running, urging listeners to phone in with information.

Despite the hurdles, 3,534 people who disappeared after attacks, abductions and arrests have been traced by the ICRC since 2018, and 95 children or vulnerable adults have been reunited with their families.

Jugule Ahmed had no word of his wife and five children for more than seven years after they were kidnapped by Boko Haram in Borno state in 2015.

Those were seven years of "anger.... but also hope that one day I would see them," Ahmed, 54, told AFP in a camp in Yola.

But he will never forget the call he got last year from a friend telling that his two children, Baba -- who was five when he was taken -- and his big sister Adama, now 14, had managed to escape and reached the city of Gwoza.

ICRC psychologist Barnabas John was in the bus that brought the children to their father in Yola.

"When Baba saw his father from the bus he recognised him immediately and shouted, 'That's my father, that's my father,'" the psychologist recalled.

"We all started to cry." There are happy endings -- but reunions are often also the "beginning of a new difficult period for the families, who have been completely destabilised," said Charlie Coste, a ICRC official in the northeast.

Those who have escaped from Boko Haram are not always accepted back, with some fearful that they have been indoctrinated. In many cases, partners left behind have remarried and have had children.

Some abducted women who were forced to marry Boko Haram fighters have not been accepted back by their first husbands after they were freed.

"I can't accept it," one of those husbands told AFP, his eyes fixed on the ground.

Reunions may bring hope to some but they are also hard for those whose loved ones are still missing.

"It's very hard," admitted Hafsatu Usman, tears pouring down her cheeks as little Yusuf pulled at her hijab.

When her loss gets too hard to bear she gets some comfort by going to a sapling that has been planted in the camp in memory of the disappeared.

"When I'm gone, my children will also be able to enjoy it," Hafsatu said. It is also proof that whether they are not found or not, they did exist.
Bucharest, Feb 9 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Feb, 2023 ) :Moldova's intelligence service said Thursday that Russia was acting to destabilise the ex-Soviet country, following comments by Ukraine's president that Kyiv had intercepted a plan by Moscow.

"SIS confirms that, both from the information presented by our Ukrainian partner and also from our operative activities, subversive activities with the aim of undermining the Republic of Moldova, of destabilisation and violating the public order were identified," Moldova's Intelligence and Security Service said in a statement.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, addressing an EU summit earlier Thursday, told EU heads of government that Kyiv had "intercepted the plan for the destruction of Moldova by Russian intelligence".

"This document shows who, when and how it is going to break the democracy of Moldova and establish control over Moldova," he said, adding he had immediately warned Chisinau.

He added that Kyiv did not know "whether Moscow indeed gave an order to follow that plan".

The SIS statement said SIS could not give any more details "because there's the risk of jeopardising different ongoing operational activities".

"We are reassuring Moldova's citizens that all the state's institutions are working at full capacity and won't allow this kind of provocation," it added.

Like many former Soviet territories, the country is the backdrop for a tug-of-war between pro-Russian and pro-Western political currents, with President Maia Sandu's government firmly in the latter category.

The country of 2.6 million people wedged between Ukraine and Romania applied to join the European Union just after Russia invaded Ukraine in February.

Russia maintains troops in Moldova's breakaway region of Transnistria.

"Our institutions are working to ensure the country's security and are using all the informational help of partners to anticipate and prevent any attempts to undermine our state," said a press release from Sandu's office.
Washington, Feb 9 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Feb, 2023 ) :The US state of Texas on Wednesday executed a man sentenced to death for a triple murder despite claims by his lawyers that his trial was tainted by racial bias.

John Balentine, a 54-year-old African American, received a lethal injection, nearly 25 years after he shot three white teenagers as they slept.

Balentine was pronounced dead at 6:36 pm local time (0036 GMT Thursday) in the city of Huntsville, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice said.

It said Balentine's last statement was: "Yes, MA'am, I want to thank y'all. I love y'all for supporting me. I want to apologize for the wrong I did to y'all. Forgive me, I'm ready ma'am." One of the slain teens, according to court documents, was the brother of his former girlfriend, who disapproved of their interracial relationship and threatened to kill Balentine.

Balentine never denied the crime, but his lawyer Shawn Nolan argues that he was given the death penalty because of racial bias at his trial.

In an appeal to the US Supreme Court, Nolan says the prosecutor dismissed Black jurors. Nolan also accused Balentine's attorneys at the time of showing "racist animus" toward their client.

"Can you spell 'justifiable lynching?'" one of the attorneys wrote in a scribbled note, referring to the vigilante killings in the segregated South to traumatize the Black population.

In addition, Nolan added, one of the jurors, a former military officer who was hostile to African Americans, had intimidated the others to convince them to impose the death penalty.

"I am pretty stubborn and pretty aggressive," that man, Dory England, admitted in writing in 2021.

During the deliberations, "I made it clear that we were chosen to take care of this problem, and that the death penalty was the only answer," he admitted in a document attached to the proceedings.

Nolan filed England's testimony and other new elements in Texas courts on January 30 to request a reopening of the case.

The state courts refused his request, prompting him to file an eleventh-hour appeal to the US Supreme Court, which declined to intervene.

Balentine was the sixth person on death row to be executed in the United States this year.
Adiyaman, Turkey, Feb 9 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Feb, 2023 ) :Two dozen children from northern Cyprus and some of their parents were on a school trip to join a volleyball tournament in Turkey when a massive earthquake hit their hotel.

The only thing that remains of it now is a flagpole.

Located on the main boulevard of Adiyaman in Turkey's devastated southeast, the hotel was completely flattened. Dozens of other buildings on both sides of the long road have suffered the same fate.

The death toll from the quake that struck Turkey and parts of Syria on Monday has passed 17,500 and been rising by the thousands every day, leaving both countries in a state of shock, grief and profound national trauma.

But the sheer agony wrought by the disaster is hard to fully grasp without looking at the faces of rescuers shouting the Cypriot children's Names into the Adiyaman hotel ruins, hoping against hope that someone will respond.

"I have never seen such a thing, such destruction," said Ilhami Bilgen, whose brother Hasan was on the volleyball team.

Bilgen looked at the frightening pile of concrete slabs and heavy bricks hiding his brother.

They were far too heavy to be lifted by hand. And still, he refused to believe that his brother was dead.

"There's a hollow over there. The children may have crawled into it," Bilgen said.

"We still haven't given up hope." - Huddled around fires - The 24 students, aged 11 to 14, were staying at the hotel along with 10 parents, four teachers and a trainer, officials told AFP -- 39 Turkish Cypriots in all.

Nazim Cavusoglu, Turkish Cypriot education minister, said one teacher and three parents were rescued when the quake first struck.

The bodies of two teachers were pulled out of the rubble late Wednesday.

"Thirty-three people are still trapped," the minister told AFP.

"The students were on a tour to join a school volleyball tournament." Athletes from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, a breakaway region of the Mediterranean island recognised only by Ankara, are excluded from international tournaments.

The region's government has declared a national mobilisation, hiring a private plane so they can join the search-and-rescue effort for the children.

Their 200-member delegation spent the night huddling around an open fire outside the hotel to stay warm in the winter cold.

Similar fires have been burning at night across the affected region, which covers 13.5 million people in Turkey alone.

- Looking for bodies - "We've been here since Monday, with families. We are here with our volunteers. We will wait until this debris is removed, until we get our children out of here," the education minister said.

"I saw suitcases filled with gifts -- Turkish delights -- that were scattered around the rubble," another official from the Turkish Cypriot health ministry said, declining to give her name.

"We don't expect to find any more survivors, but we cannot find the bodies either," she said.

Remains of the children's tour bus peeked out of the rubble where the parking lot once stood.

The president of the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, whose relations with the rebel government are extremely strained, sent a message of support.

"We reiterate our readiness to contribute and offer our assistance to the humanitarian, rescue and recovery efforts currently taking place," Anastasiades tweeted.

"Our hearts and thoughts are with the families and friends of" the missing students, said the United Nations mission in Cyprus.
Paris, Feb 9 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Feb, 2023 ) :President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday made his first visits to Britain and France since the Russia-Ukraine conflict almost one year ago, pressing his allies for more weaponry and in particular fighter jets.

Zelensky enjoyed a ceremony-filled day in London where he met King Charles III and addressed parliament.

His visit to France -- which by contrast appeared to have been squeezed in at the last minute -- was to see him hold a late dinner meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, joined by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Britain said it would consider the proposal for combat aircraft in the "long term", although the United States and other NATO allies remain wary of getting more embroiled in the conflict.

As the one-year anniversary of the conflict looms and Ukraine braces for a fresh Russian offensive in the east, Zelensky is pushing ever harder for friendly nations to send tanks, jets and missiles.

Britain has offered to train Ukrainian fighter pilots on top of an existing programme that has already prepared 10,000 troops for battle.

Zelensky -- dressed in his usual green fatigues -- received waves of applause as he made a historic address to both the lower and upper houses of the British parliament, on what was only his second overseas trip since the war began after his trip to the US.

"I appeal to you and the world... for combat aircrafts for Ukraine, wings for freedom," he said.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's office said he had tasked the defence secretary with "investigating what jets we might be able to give but, to be clear, this is a long-term solution rather than a short-term capability." In the meantime, the new UK training will "ensure pilots are able to fly sophisticated NATO-standard fighter jets in the future", an earlier statement from Sunak's office said.

Speaking alongside Zelensky in front of a British tank, Sunak said that "nothing is off the table" for Ukraine -- including fighter-combat aircraft.

"Of course, they are part of the conversation," he said but held back from giving a concrete commitment to provide fighter planes.

Zelensky said that fighter jets had been discussed and reiterated his call for longer-range missiles.

Russia subsequently said that there would be a "response" from Moscow should Britain supply aircraft to Ukraine.

Zelensky is due to meet EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday.

Zelensky had on occasion shown impatience with Macron, who held frequent telephone talks with President Vladimir Putin even after the invasion and even expressed concern that Russia should not be humiliated in any final settlement.

But Macron has now indicated France wants to support Ukraine until it emerges victorious in the conflict and announced it would send light tanks in a move that prompted Germany to follow suit with battle tanks.

"I believe he has changed," said Zelensky in an interview with the Le Figaro daily published ahead of the talks.

"And that he changed for real this time. After all, he (Macron) opened the door to tank deliveries. " Moscow said Tuesday that Russian forces were advancing towards Bakhmut and Vugledar -- two key centres of fighting in the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine, now the flashpoint of the war.

On Tuesday, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands promised that Ukraine would get at least 100 tanks in the "coming months", as the German defence minister visited Kyiv.

Germany recently gave the green light for Leopard battle tanks to be sent to Ukraine after a tireless campaign by Zelensky and allied countries.

Germany's defence minister said Berlin hoped to deliver the first tank battalion to Ukraine by April.

While Berlin has moved, however, other nations that committed to sending the tanks now appear to be stalling.

Training Ukrainian troops to use any armaments they receive remains a challenge.

Last week, Sunak said sending the UK's Typhoon and F-35 fighter jets to Kyiv would require "months if not years" of training and that he was looking for the most effective way of helping Kyiv secure victory.

The United States has so far rejected any deliveries of F-16 warplanes to Ukraine, but other partners, including Poland, have shown themselves more open to the idea.

Britain also announced a fresh round of sanctions targeting organisations relied on by the Russian military.

Putin, however, remains defiant.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 10th February, 2023) Ukrainian military officers arrived in Belgium for training courses on operation of underwater drones, Belgian Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder said on Thursday.

"Today we are welcoming (Ukrainian) soldiers in Belgium as part of the #EUMAM (European Union Military Assistance Mission Ukraine) mission.

They will undergo training on the underwater systems delivered by Belgium to Ukraine. I've expressed them my profound support and saluted the courage shown for almost a year now," she tweeted.

In November 2022, the Belgian cabinet approved delivery of 10 unmanned underwater drones produced by ECA Robotics Belgium. The Belgian authorities said that these drones allowed to detect all underwater threats such as mines and spying devices. Similar equipment has already been employed by the Belgian army.
In 2022, Metinvest Mining and Metallurgical Group, including associated companies and joint ventures, transferred UAH 20.5 billion in taxes and fees to the budgets of all levels in Ukraine.

According to the company's press release, the top three largest deductions of the group in Ukraine are as follows: income tax  UAH 6.6 billion, single social security tax  more than UAH 4 billion and personal income tax  UAH 3.7 billion.

It is also noted that in the conditions of hostilities, the Ukrainian enterprises of Metinvest last year increased the fee for the subsoil use by 10% compared to 2021, to UAH 3.2 billion, and the fee for land by 28%, to UAH 1.1 billion. In addition, the environmental tax, which amounts to more than UAH 600 million, became a significant source of filling the state and local budgets of Ukraine in 2022.

Metinvest CEO Yuriy Ryzhenkov explained that due to the full-scale war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine, last year was very difficult for the whole country and for business in particular.

"Metinvest enterprises in Ukraine operate under the constant threat of enemy shelling and power shortages. We had to restructure work, including due to the shutdown of Mariupol plants and logistical restrictions. However, the group remains one of the largest taxpayers in the state and one of the largest sponsors of the Ukrainian army," the top manager is quoted by the press service.

Metinvest is a vertically integrated group of mining and metallurgical enterprises. The group's enterprises are located mainly in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
(@FahadShabbir)

France will provide 12 million euros ($12.9 million) in financial assistance to the Syrians affected by recent earthquakes, the Ouest France newspaper reported on Thursday, citing French Foreign Ministry spokesman Francois Delmas

PARIS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th February, 2023) France will provide 12 million Euros ($12.9 million) in financial assistance to the Syrians affected by recent earthquakes, the Ouest France newspaper reported on Thursday, citing French Foreign Ministry spokesman Francois Delmas.

The aid will be distributed in coordination with non-governmental and UN organizations to all regions affected by the deadly earthquakes, including 10 million euros for humanitarian aid and 2 million euros "under consideration" for food aid, the spokesman was cited as saying. He reportedly stressed that the provision of aid to Syria's population does not mean a change in France's political approach towards the Syrian government.

In addition, France will assist Turkey by sending over 50,000 vaccines against diphtheria and tetanus in the near future, Delmas was cited as saying.

France will also donate 500,000 euros to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which, among other things, helps those affected by the earthquakes.

Since Monday, parts of Turkey and Syria have been rattled by a series of earthquakes and aftershocks that killed more than 17,000 people and collapsed thousands of homes.
PARIS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th February, 2023) Germany will provide military support to Ukraine as long as necessary, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said at a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris.

"We support Ukraine, we have provided financial, humanitarian and military support to it, with the help of heavy artillery, air defense and, recently, supply of tanks. We will keep doing this as long as it takes," Scholz said during a joint statement for the press, broadcast on the Elysee Palace's Twitter page.

In turn, Zelenskyy asked Macron and Scholz to provide Ukraine with aircraft and heavy weaponry as soon as possible.

The leaders will continue the talks during a closed-door dinner.

The meeting at the Elysee Palace is held ahead of the EU summit in Brussels on Thursday.

Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022 in response to calls by the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics for protection from Ukrainian troops. The Russian Defense Ministry said the operation, which targets Ukrainian military infrastructure, aims to "demilitarize and denazify" Ukraine, and to completely liberate Donbas.

Western nations have imposed numerous sanctions on Russia and have been supplying weapons to Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said any cargo that contains weaponry for Ukraine will become a legitimate target for Russia.
(@FahadShabbir)

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th February, 2023) Greenpeace has threatened legal action against the government of the United Kingdom if it does not review its policy to improve energy efficiency in homes to meet fuel poverty targets and help households with energy bills, UK media reported on Thursday.

Greenpeace is threatening to sue the country's government as it turns out that the goal to lift millions of households out of fuel poverty is unlikely to be achieved. "Fuel poverty" refers to an economic situation in which people cannot afford to heat a household to a comfortable temperature due to the high cost of energy. The UK authorities planned to improve the energy efficiency of homes, in particular, by improving heat insulation in order to reduce citizens' heating costs, The Guardian reported.

"By throwing in the towel on tackling fuel poverty, the government has shackled the poorest people to the coldest homes and the highest bills.

Almost a quarter of all households are now in fuel poverty. This is a national crisis, yet the government's failing strategy for tackling it means that, at this rate, it won't meet its legally binding 2030 target until close to the end of the next century," UK's head of climate, Mel Evans, was quoted as saying by The Guardian.

According to the National Energy Action charity, about 6.7 million UK households are currently in fuel poverty, media said. In this regard, Greenpeace sent a letter to Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps, calling for a policy review to accelerate its implementation, threatening the UK government with legal action, The Guardian said.

In December 2022, Greenpeace also informed the UK government that it will legally challenge its decision to issue additional licenses for gas and oil exploration in the North Sea, arguing this was unlawful under both UK law and its international climate obligations.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th February, 2023) Iran's position on Crimea and the new Russian regions does not affect relations between Tehran and Moscow or bilateral cooperation, Russian Ambassador to Iran Alexey Dedov told Sputnik.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, in an interview with Turkish tv channel TRT World, said Iran does not recognize Crimea and the four regions that voted in a referendum to join Russia as part of the country despite "excellent relations" with Moscow.

According to the Russian ambassador, Moscow is well aware of Tehran's position on the issue.

"However, this does not contradict in any way the existing bilateral agreements in other areas. We see that cooperation is developing fruitfully and this factor does not have a negative impact," Dedov said.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th February, 2023) A lawyer for Hunter Biden, the son of US President Joe Biden, sent letters to those who made public statements about his client's infamous laptop, warning them of possible litigation, Politico reported, citing a source.

Last week, media reported that Hunter Biden hired Abbe Lowell, a high-profile lawyer, for his legal team amid Republican party plans to launch an investigation against the US president's son.

Politico reported that Lowell sent the letter to 14 people, including Rudy Giuliani, a lawyer for former President Donald Trump, Giuliani's lawyer Robert Costello and others who have publicly criticized Hunted Biden over the laptop story.

"You have made various statements and engaged in certain activities by your own admission, or that have been publicly reported in the media, concerning our client, Robert Hunter Biden ... This letter... constitutes notice that a litigation hold should be in effect for the preservation and retention of all records and documents related to Mr.

Biden," the letter obtained by Politico read.

Ted Goodman, an adviser to Giuliani, stated that the letters were just an "an intimidation tactic."

"This is yet another failed attempt by Mr. Lowell to silence and intimidate Mayor Giuliani and Mr. Costello. That is why he made sure to send this letter to you guys," Goodman told Politico.

On Wednesday, the US House Oversight Committee held its first hearing in its probe into potential influence peddling, panel chair James Comer said. The committee heard testimony from former Twitter officials about their role in censoring reports about the Hunter Biden laptop story ahead of the 2020 US Presidential Election.

In October 2020, shortly before the US presidential election, US media began reporting on the contents of a laptop abandoned by Hunter Biden, which contained information about his foreign business dealings and images seeming to depict substance abuse and sexual activity.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

The Russian ambassador to Germany dismissed the German defense minister's recent claim that the world would be a better place without Russian President Vladimir Putin as "perplexing and pitiful

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th February, 2023) The Russian ambassador to Germany dismissed the German defense minister's recent claim that the world would be a better place without Russian President Vladimir Putin as "perplexing and pitiful."

"We believe that such public remarks are not appropriate. They are perplexing and pitiful," Sergei Nechayev told Sputnik.

He said that the comments that Defense Minister Boris Pistorius made to the Bild tabloid during a trip to Ukraine on Tuesday ran counter to Chancellor Olaf Scholz's claims that he wanted the door to dialogue with Moscow to remain open.

"All in all, I would like to note that aggressive anti-Russia rhetoric is not making peace in Ukraine any likelier. Neither do active efforts to pump German weapons to the regime in Kiev," the diplomat said.

After weeks of deliberations, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that Berlin had decided to send its Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine. In addition, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that Berlin would lift export restrictions on the supply of Leopard tanks to Ukraine by third countries if any such requests were made.

On Wednesday, Pistorius said that the previously announced 14 Leopard 2 tanks will be supplied to Ukraine by the end of March. In addition, he announced an agreement with several European countries on joint deliveries of 20-25 Leopard A1 tanks by the summer and more than 100 by the start of 2024. Overall, Germany plans to supply Ukraine with 178 Leopard tanks of the first generation and 14 Leopard 2 A6s.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th February, 2023) Elon Musk's space company SpaceX has taken steps to prevent Ukraine's armed forces from using the Starlink satellite constellation for controlling and targeting drones as the technology was "never intended to be weaponized," Gwynne Shotwell, the president and chief operating officer of SpaceX, said on Wednesday.

"We were really pleased to be able to provide Ukraine connectivity, and help them in their ... fight for freedom. It was never intended to be weaponized, however," Shotwell told the 25th Annual FAA Commercial Space Transportation Conference in Washington, as quoted by breaking Defense.

The president did not elaborate on what exact use the Ukrainian military made of Starlink to "weaponize" the satellite constellation. However, The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said earlier that it was forming companies of drone operators equipped with Starlink satellite communications, drones, and ammunition to target Russian forces.

"The Ukrainians have leveraged it in ways that were unintentional and not part of any agreement.

So you know, we have to work on that (with) Starlink. You offer a commercial product by connectivity to people which is helpful in conflict, but you also want to be careful of how they use it... On the other hand, they're trying to fight for their country, so I understand it. The thing is, it's not what was intended," Shotwell said.

Starlink has reportedly provided Ukraine with an estimated 22,000 devices since the start of Russia's special military operation in February of last year.

In December, Bloomberg reported citing Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov that over 10,000 Starlink antennas were going to be delivered to Ukraine in the coming months and that EU countries were going to help Ukraine pay for the Starlink services.

SpaceX founder Elon Musk said earlier in 2022 that he considered pulling the plug on his donation of Starlink services to Ukraine because it was becoming too expensive to maintain. However, Musk then decided to continue providing Starlink services to Ukraine.
USM Professor Gisewhite Earns Prestigious Early-Career Research Fellowship

Thu, 02/09/2023 - 10:15am | By: Van Arnold

Dr. Rachel Gisewhite, Assistant Professor in the Center for STEM Education at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM), has been selected as an Early-Career Research Fellow by the Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Gisewhite is part of the 2022-2024 cohort in the inaugural Education Research track. She is one of just four researchers to earn the prestigious award nationwide and the only educator representing the State of Mississippi.

I was ecstatic, and thought I misread the email, said Gisewhite when describing her reaction to the announcement. I called my director (Dr. Julie Cwikla) right away to share the news.

The Gulf Research Programs Early-Career Research Fellowship helps researchers during the critical pre-tenure phase of their careers. Fellows receive a $76,000 financial award along with mentoring support to provide them with independence, flexibility, and a built-in support network as they take risks on untested research ideas, pursue unique collaborations, and build a network of colleagues.

Gisewhites research primarily examines how K-12 students and undergraduate pre-service teachers interact with the natural world, community partners, scientists, and other community stakeholders to determine how these various relationships and interactions impact their efficacy to act.

A major goal of science education is to promote scientific understanding for our students, where students can use this knowledge to think critically and make informed decisions to act on social and personal issues they face in their everyday lives, said Gisewhite. However, because my research interests are focused on environmental and eco-justice within science education, I consider how these scientific understandings are co-constructed through various other factors, like social, historical, and political, in order to help students gain a full understanding of their place in the natural and social world.

Cwikla, Director of the Center for STEM Education at USM, is quick to commend Gisewhite for her commitment to science education.

Dr. Rachel Gisewhite is an emerging leader in science education research. Im excited she's been inducted into this impressive group of scholars, said Cwikla. This type of opportunity can truly shape and catapult an early career professor. This recognition of excellence reflects the goals and mission of the Center for STEM Education and the University."

Gisewhite, a native of Cortland, Ohio, earned her undergraduate degree in marine sciences from the University of South Carolina (2005) and a masters in science education from the University of Georgia (2008). She received her doctorate in science education from the University of Georgia (2012) and a masters in hydrographic science from USM (2020).

Gisewhite notes that the financial award will be helpful in supplementing her current research initiatives, which will ultimately strengthen her research and its benefits to Gulf Coast communities. Among her key objectives is to use a portion of the financial award to support a graduate student whose research interests align with her projects.

In addition to that assistance, I want to be able to provide the same kind of direct mentorship and guidance I had in my own doctoral program to one of our students, said Gisewhite.

Gisewhite points out that mentorship is a crucial component of the GRP Fellowship. As part of the program, research fellows are allowed to select a mentor to work alongside for the next two years. And their explicit instructions were to choose someone that could not only guide us through our research, but could mentor us in other ways, like in maintaining work-life balance, said Gisewhite.

Gisewhite selected Dr. Alisa Lowrey, Professor in the School of Education at USM, as her mentor. She highlights Lowreys community connectedness and research values as significant factors in the relationship.

I am looking forward to learning from her ways to navigate various aspects of academia, community and school partnerships, and maintain a strong research agenda, said Gisewhite. She also has young adult sons and is a former military wife. As a military spouse with young sons myself, I believe I can really benefit from her experiences and advice in maintaining work-life balance, her experiences in academia as a working mother, how she connects with her work and those in her research communities, and so much more.

Dr. Kelly Lucas, Interim Vice President for Research at USM, expressed confidence that Gisewhite will flourish in her new research endeavor.

Receiving an Early-Career Research Fellowship is a defining moment as it represents highly selective recognition of not only the recipients accomplishments but also of their future potential, said Lucas. I am confident that Dr. Gisewhite will be a very successful fellow for the Gulf Research Program.

To learn more about the Gulf Research Programs Early-Career Research Fellowships, visit nationalacademies.org/our-work/early-career-research-fellowship.
Kormotech sold 50,200 tonnes of products in Ukraine for UAH 3.144 billion in 2022, Eduard Babenko, head of the Ukraine-East Asia strategic business area of Kormotech, said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

"In the Ukrainian market in 2022, we grew by almost 30% in monetary terms: sales amounted to 50,200 tonnes and UAH 3.144 billion. In general, the company grew by 12% in 2022, and if measured in foreign currency, our turnover amounted to $124 million. Compared to last year, the growth dynamics slowed down, but the circumstances in which we grew changed," Babenko said.

He noted that in 2021 the volume of the animal feed market in Ukraine was estimated at UAH 18.6 billion, in 2022 it fell by 1.5%. However, in 2023, according to the company's analysts, an increase of up to 5-7% is expected.

Babenko said that in 2022, the company's three factories in Lviv and Kedainiai (Lithuania) produced about 60,000 tonnes of animal feed, in particular, 33,200 tonnes of dry granules and 26,600 tonnes of wet pouches.

"Taking into account outsourced production, we sold almost 70,000 tonnes of feed in Ukraine and on export markets. Now we are actively filling warehouses in order to form a safe supply for two months in Ukraine and in our foreign warehouses," he said.

At the same time, the expert noted that in 2022 two negative trends were recorded in Ukraine, indicating a slowdown in the development of the pet food market: a sharp decrease in the number of dog kennels and animal matings in the first half of the year, as well as a decrease in the number of visitors to veterinary clinics.

As for the structure of sales, in Ukraine, due to the destruction of infrastructure and store chains, the online segment has increased. "Compared to 2021, they have grown by about 50%. In general, Internet channels are growing faster year by year than physical ones, and this trend has continued," Babenko said.

At the same time, amid a decrease in sales of premium and super premium feed in Ukraine as a whole, these Kormotech's segments have grown, Babenko stressed.

"We are good at working with a complex product and understanding its value. After all, premium rations are about longevity, health and beauty of a pet," he commented.

According to him, in the regional context in retail outlets, the dynamics was proportional to the danger: the farther from the war, the higher the demand. In the country as a whole, sales of Kormotech brands in supermarket chains in 2022 fell by only 7% in tonnes.

The largest growth was observed in the central region (up by 86%), as well as in the western region (up by 21%). In the south, sales in local markets increased by 3%, while in the east they decreased by 11%.

Babenko recalled that Kormotech produces and supplies up to 30% of the total volume of PL (private brands) of Ukrainian chains.

Kormotech LLC is a leading Ukrainian manufacturer of food for cats and dogs. The company exports products to 33 countries, including the USA, UK, Germany, France, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Poland, Turkey and Chile.

With the participation of CFI, Agence francaise de developpement medias, as part of the Hub Bucharest Project with the support of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Swedish Riksdag on Wednesday voted in favour of the government's proposal for an additional amending budget, including the provision of military assistance of SEK 4.3 billion ($406.7 million) to Ukraine, the European Pravda publication reported on Wednesday.

Military equipment that the Swedish Armed Forces can do without for a limited period will be donated to Ukraine. The package includes anti-tank weapons, mine-clearance equipment, light anti-tank weapon Robot 57, and Swedish Combat Vehicle 90.

Legislative changes to the budget will come into force on February 13.

According to the publication, the Swedish government announced this military aid package in the middle of January. It is the tenth defense aid package that Sweden will provide to Ukraine. This assistance consists of three parts, and one of them will include Archer self-propelled artillery mounts  additional training is required for their transfer. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson commissioned such preparations.

The total amount of assistance to Ukraine from Sweden since February 2022, excluding the last package, has already exceeded EUR 900 million, of which more than EUR 570 million is military support.
Vietnam Briefing has developed into a premium source for insight on doing business in Vietnam. It publishes business news concerning foreign direct investment into Vietnam, including the most important tax, legal and accounting issues. The Vietnam Briefing Magazine was first published in 2009, and is contributed to by investment professionals based in Vietnam.
Afghans wanting to access news online including via some of VOA's websites are being met with blank screens and error messages.

For at least two weeks, people in several provinces have reported problems when trying to access websites via their cellphones when using the networks of some privately owned telecoms carriers.

The websites affected are VOA's Pashto and Dari sites and the websites for Azadi Radio, which are run by VOA's sister network, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Other international public broadcasters, including the BBC, and VOA's English-language website appear to still be accessible.

Affected carriers include the privately owned telecommunication companies Afghan Wireless, Roshan, and Etisalat Afghanistan, which is a subsidiary of a United Arab Emirates-owned company.

The news sites were still accessible via Wi-Fi, or on the Salaam state internet provider, as well as when accessed via virtual private networks or VPNs, VOA found.

At least two people familiar with the situation told VOA they believe the block is the result of a Taliban order.

A source at one of the telecom providers  who asked not to be named for fear of retaliation  told VOA that the Taliban had ordered the company to block access to the websites.

A person familiar with the Afghan Media Violation Commission told VOA that the official body had not received an order to restrict the websites, but that it appeared the Taliban had acted on their own.

The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, "It is clear that it is not a technical problem because the websites are closed on  major carriers. It is clear that it is [the Taliban's] work, but it has not been referred to the Commission."

A spokesperson for the Taliban did not respond to VOA's requests for comment.

A statement released on the Twitter feed of VOA's Acting Director Yolanda Lopez said the blocking of the network's websites "was not unexpected."

"We have prepared for it [and] our audience in Afghanistan has been using VOA-promoted tools to circumvent the blocking," the statement said.

The broadcaster is also transmitting via medium and shortwave radio after the Taliban in late 2022 blocked its FM broadcasts.

"Despite the efforts of the Taliban to censor us, VOA will continue to serve the people of Afghanistan with accurate information," the VOA statement said.

The unidentified person with knowledge of the media commission's work noted that the Taliban had previously ordered FM broadcasts for VOA and RFE/RL to be stopped and separately had ordered the blocking of the news websites Hasht-e Subh and Zawia Media.

The Taliban made threats against at least one of those outlets before the later order to have it blocked.

Abdul Khalil Rasoli, a journalist who used to work for Hasht-e Subh in Herat and Kabul, told VOA last year the newspaper had received "direct threats from Taliban" after it reported in late 2021 on meetings between the Taliban acting interior minister and families of suicide bombers.

"They [the Taliban] threatened our media outlets [and journalists], including me, telling us, 'If you are going to continue publishing such news and using terms, such as suicide attacker, we will let our Mujahideen do whatever they want with you. And we will not guarantee your security,'" said Rasoli.

"After that, in an online meeting [of the media outlet], it was decided to gradually close the outlet and take a moderate approach to cover news so that our colleagues, particularly those colleagues who were well known and at risk, get out of Afghanistan," he added.

Rasoli left Afghanistan with his family in 2022.

The Taliban return to power has had a negative impact on media in the country, says the watchdog Reporters Without Borders. Within the first three months of their takeover in 2021, 43% of the country's media outlets shuttered, and 84% of female journalists have been forced to leave their jobs.

VOA's Afghan division contributed to this report.
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles on Thursday told Parliament that the controversial AUKUS submarine deal with the U.S. and the U.K. enhances Australian sovereignty and does not increase dependence on the United States as claimed by critics. The pact was signed by Australia, the United States and Britain in September 2021 but has been condemned by China.

Marles said that receiving at least eight nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS pact will dramatically enhance Australias sovereignty, rather than erode it.

Marles argued that Australia needed British and American expertise to enhance its military capabilities.

China accused Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States of fueling military confrontation when the AUKUS accord was signed in 2021.

The alliance has been criticized by former Australian Prime Ministers Malcolm Turnbull and Paul Keating, who have said the deal would erode the countrys sovereignty.

Turnbull told local media last week that the government had to determine whether the submarines could be operated, sustained and maintained by Australia without the support or supervision of the U.S. Navy.

Jordon Steele-John, a Greens party senator, has also criticized the accord. He told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. On Thursday that it makes Australia increasingly dependent on the U.S. and Britain.

Either of those two nations could decide they no longer wish to participate in such a project or pact, leaving our capacity literarily dead in the water, he said. The Australian community is very rightly concerned about the greater integration and inter-reliance that this will create.

Specific details of the trilateral accord will be released soon. British politicians have reportedly suggested that the AUKUS project should be expanded to include India and Japan.

In response, Chinas foreign ministry said it was seriously concerned and opposed to the military pact. Beijing has previously accused Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States of fueling military confrontation when the AUKUS accord was signed in 2021.

Australia has been trying to rebuild its fractured relationship with China in recent months. Analysts say it is a delicate enterprise, given the tensions over trade and other geopolitical issues.

On Thursday, Australia said it would be removing hundreds of Chinese-made security cameras at official buildings across Australia.

Marles conceded there was a potential security problem that needed to be addressed. There is no evidence so far of any breaches of national security, but Marles said the devices would be taken down.

Britain and America have done the same thing because of concerns the equipment could contain spyware.
The Australian government will examine surveillance technology used in offices of the defense department, Defense Minister Richard Marles said Thursday, amid reports the Chinese-made cameras installed there raised security risks.

The move comes after Britain in November asked its departments to stop installing Chinese-linked surveillance cameras at sensitive buildings. Some U.S. states have banned vendors and products from several Chinese technology companies.

"This is an issue and ... we're doing an assessment of all the technology for surveillance within the defense (department) and where those particular cameras are found, they are going to be removed," Marles told ABC Radio in an interview.

Opposition lawmaker James Paterson said Thursday his own audit revealed almost 1,000 units of equipment by Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology and Dahua Technology, two partly state-owned Chinese firms, were installed across more than 250 Australian government offices.

Paterson, the shadow minister for cybersecurity and countering foreign interference, urged the government to urgently come up with a plan to remove all such cameras.

Marles said the issue was significant but "I don't think we should overstate it."

Australian media reported on Wednesday that the national war memorial in Canberra would remove several Chinese-made security cameras installed on the premises over concerns of spying.

Hikvision and Dahua Technology did not immediately respond to requests seeking comment.

Australia and China have been looking to mend diplomatic ties, which soured after Canberra in 2018 banned Huawei from its 5G broadband network. That cooled further after Australia called for an independent investigation into the origins of COVID-19.

China responded with tariffs on several Australian commodities.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was not concerned about how Beijing might react to the removal of cameras.

"We act in accordance with Australia's national interest. We do so transparently and that's what we will continue to do," Albanese told reporters.
U.S. President Joe Biden will welcome Brazils newly installed leftist president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, to the White House on Friday, seeking to strengthen relations with the South Amercian nation, which had cooled somewhat under da Silvas predecessor.

Da Silva, commonly known as Lula, took office in early January after narrowly defeating Brazils former far-right president, Jair Bolsonaro, in an October runoff election.

A week after da Silva's inauguration, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed the capital and trashed main government buildings, demanding that the leftist presidents election be overturned.

Biden condemned the action and pledged U.S. assistance. Analysts say the visit is important for da Silva to shore up support from the U.S. to help reassure the world of his nations political stability.

In a statement, the White House said Biden and da Silva would discuss how the two countries can continue to work together to promote inclusion and democratic values in the region and around the world, particularly in the lead-up to a March 2023 Summit for Democracy.

They will also address common challenges, including combating climate change, safeguarding food security, encouraging economic development, strengthening peace and security, and managing regional migration.

The Reuters news agency, citing Brazils foreign ministry, said da Silvas delegation would include Environment Minister Marina Silva, Finance Minister Fernando Haddad and Racial Equality Minister Anielle Franco.
Armed government officials with Brazil's justice, Indigenous and environment ministries pressed illegal gold miners out of Yanomami Indigenous territory Wednesday, citing widespread river contamination, famine and disease they have brought to one of the most isolated groups in the world.

People involved in illegal gold dredging streamed away from the territory on foot. The operation could take months. There are believed to be some 20,000 people engaged in the activity, often using toxic mercury to separate the gold. An estimated 30,000 Yanomami people live in Brazils largest Indigenous territory, which covers an area roughly the size of Portugal and stretches across Roraima and Amazonas states in the northwest corner of Brazils Amazon.

The authorities  the Brazilian environmental agency Ibama, with support from the National Foundation of Indigenous Peoples and the National Guard  found an airplane, a bulldozer, and makeshift lodges and hangars, and destroyed them  as permitted by law. Two guns and three boats with 5,000 liters of fuel were seized. They also discovered a helicopter hidden in the forest and set it ablaze.

Ibama established a checkpoint next to a Yanomami village on the Uraricoera River to interrupt the miners' supply chain there. Agents seized the 12-meter boats, loaded with a ton of food, freezers, generators, and internet antennas. The cargo will now supply the federal agents. No more boats carrying fuel and equipment will be allowed to proceed past the blockade.

The large amount of supplies bound upriver could indicate some of the gold miners were ignoring President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvas promise to expel them after years of neglect under his predecessor, Bolsonaro, who tried to legalize the activity.

Other miners, however, sensed it was better to return to the city. On Tuesday, The Associated Press visited a makeshift port alongside the Uraricoera River, accessible only by three-hour drive on a dirt road. Dozens of gold miners arrived over the course of the day, some of them after walking for days through the forest, en route to state capital Boa Vista.

One of them, Joao Batista Costa, 61, told reporters the Yanomami are dying of hunger and that recent emergency food shipments have not been enough.

The federal government has declared a public health emergency for the Yanomami people, who are suffering from malnutrition and diseases such as malaria as a consequence of illegal mining.

A report published yesterday by the Health Ministry found that gold miners have invaded four clinics inside Yanomami territory, leaving them inoperational. In the city of Boa Vista, where starving and sick Indigenous people have been medevaced to a temporary medical facility, there are 700 Yanomami, more than three times its capacity.

The gold miners, who come from poor regions, such as Maranhao state in Brazil's Northeast, usually cross the forest wearing flip-flops, carrying only food and personal belongings in their backpacks. They sleep in hammocks in campsites.

But their mining depends on sophisticated logistics to outfox authorities and is backed by investors outside the forest. Such tactics include: illicit fuel distribution on the outskirts of Indigenous land; airstrips carved from the jungle for transport of miners and supplies; light planes with modified tail numbers, registered to front companies; helicopters operating between mining sites on the reserves, and clandestine communication networks.

This operation hasnt come a moment too soon, Sarah Shenker, the head of the nonprofit Survival International in Brazil, said in a statement. "Its absolutely vital that the authorities get the miners out, and keep them out. Theyve blighted the Yanomamis lives for far too long, and have caused untold misery and destruction. Even if all of them are removed, and they can be kept out, it will take years for the Yanomami and their rainforest to recover.
Deteriorating relations between Washington and Beijing have done little to disrupt a multimillion-dollar lobbying and influence campaign in the United States by one of Chinas biggest companies, Alibaba Group, according to figures provided by a U.S. monitoring organization.

Publicly available information accumulated by OpenSecrets, a Washington nonprofit that tracks campaign finance and lobbying data, shows the Chinese e-commerce giant spent more than $2.5 million on U.S. lobbying last year, down from about $3 million in 2021 and a peak of more than $3.1 million in 2020  a presidential election year.

The available data show that lobbyists hired by the company spend millions millions of dollars on political donations to members of the U.S. Congress and various government departments with responsibilities in the areas of U.S.-China trade, finance and technology.

OpenSecrets noted that Alibaba itself did not donate, rather the money came from the organization's individual members or employees or owners, and those individuals' immediate family members. VOA reached out to Alibaba, but it declined to comment on its lobbying activities.

Alibaba, whose diverse range of business interests includes e-commerce, technology, electronic payment services and cloud computing, is ranked as the worlds 29th-largest corporation with a market capitalization of $281.8 billion.

Ten of the 39 issues Alibaba lobbied on in 2022 were related to trade, while another eight were related to copyrights, patents and trademarks, according to the OpenSecrets analysis.

Mercury lobbyists

Public information shows that Mercury, a lobbying firm, lobbied the White House repeatedly on behalf of Alibaba on technology policy issues, access to U.S. capital markets, issues related to e-commerce, and small- and medium-sized enterprise export promotion.

Each campaign year, lobbyists hired by Alibaba donate to a large number of candidates, according to OpenSecrets. Since the 2014 midterm elections, the donations have generally skewed toward the Democratic Party.

Most of the recipients of political donations made by lobbyists hired by Alibaba during the 2020 election, which totaled more than $1.2 million, were Democrats. A total of $14,000 went to then-Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.

During the 2022 midterm elections, lobbyists hired by Alibaba $130,000 to the Democratic National Committee Service Corp., described by Bloomberg as a nonprofit organization ... coordinating party organizational activities including civil rights, health care and Social Security. The individual candidate, however, who received the most in donations was former Republican Representative Liz Cheney.

As of the end of 2022, 19 of the 30 professional lobbyists hired by Alibaba had worked for the U.S. federal government and Congress, including four former federal lawmakers, according to public information compiled by OpenSecrets. Among them were David Vitter, who was a senator from 2005 to 2017; Toby Moffett, who was a member of Congress from 1975 to 1983, and Bryan Lanza, who was communications director for former President Donald Trump's transition team from 2016 to 2017.

Through them, Alibaba had access to the White House and several other federal agencies, as well as to both chambers of Congress.

Lawmakers' former advisers, aides

Many former advisers and aides to members of Congress are also lobbying for Alibaba, according to public information on LinkedIn, an employment-focused social media platform. Brian McGuire, former chief of staff of current Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, is one of them. Eric Pelletier, Alibaba's head of international government affairs, was deputy assistant for legislative affairs under former President George W. Bush. Brian Wild, deputy assistant to former Vice President Dick Cheney, was also hired by Alibaba.

It is not uncommon for former government officials to work as lobbyists when their party is out of power and return to government when their party returns to office. The practice, sometimes referred to as a revolving door, is the subject of occasional ethics concerns, particularly regarding matters of foreign influence and national security.

When we're talking about the revolving doors like this, we're actually talking about a national security issue or at least the potential for a national security issue, said Ben Freeman, a researcher at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, in an interview with VOA Mandarin.

And that alone should give pause to folks when they're hearing about a former member of Congress working on behalf of a foreign company such as Alibaba, where the Communist Party of China holds ownership stakes in at least two of its subsidiaries.

Although Alibaba is not a state-owned enterprise, in recent years the Chinese governments tightening oversight of Alibaba has raised concerns about the companys operational independence.



Last December, a sub-entity under the Cyberspace Administration of China bought a stake in an Alibaba subsidiary and stationed an official there, according to the Reuters news agency.

Reuters also reported that last September, a subsidiary of Zhejiang Radio and Television Group, a Chinese government-backed company, took a 1% stake in the Youku Film and Television unit owned by Alibaba and assigned a government official to Youku's board of directors.

Separately, Alibaba has been accused of developing facial recognition tools to identify Uyghurs, an ethnic group in northwest China that has been subject to repressive government policies described by the U.S. government as genocide.

News outlet involvement

Alibaba is not only active in the political arena, but also in expanding its influence in U.S. news outlets.

China expert Bill Bishop noticed that a newsletter from Semafor, an online news media outlet established last year, had the words "supported by Alibaba" written in the title. Not long ago, another online news outlet, Axios, published a newsletter that was sponsored by Alibaba, according to the conservative media outlet Daily Caller.

Bishop tweeted on January 30, Axios, semaforAlibaba sponsoring key DC email newsletters, makes sense.

According to Daily Caller and verified by VOA, Alibaba has also sponsored The Hill, Punchbowl News and Politico in the past few years.

In response to VOAs inquiries, both Semafor and Axios said sponsors do not affect their journalistic independence.

Semafors spokesman said in an email, Advertisers have no bearing on our editorial coverage and we maintain a strict separation between news and third-party advertisement.

Axios also replied, Like any serious, trusted media source, advertisers have no input or involvement with editorial content at Axios.

On January 31, Alibaba sponsored another event held by Semafor in which two members of Congress were invited to discuss e-commerce and the future of the U.S. economy.

Pelletier, Alibaba's head of international government affairs, took the stage before the discussion began and said, Alibaba every day gets up to help U.S. companies, small and medium enterprises as well as multinational companies, to sell their products to other consumers around the world.

Also participating in the Semafor event was U.S. Representative Darin LaHood who, public records show, received a $500 campaign donation from Pelletier during the 2022 midterm elections.

Freeman, the Quincy Institute researcher, said he found it troubling that neither Semafor nor Pelletier disclosed that contribution prior to or during the event.

Its very problematic when you have events like this, where there's a campaign funding tie behind it or any sort of other financial tie behind events like this that aren't disclosed, Freeman said, because then the viewers of these events think they're looking at just objective comments of the speakers, which may or may not be the case.

The United States Senate Lobbying Disclosure database tracks contributions to political candidates and organizations. It includes tracking of contributions made to candidates and political organizations involved in House races.

According to the database, Pelletier, who is listed as employed by Alibaba Group Holding Limited, filed 15 reports listing 25 contributions to political candidates and organizations from November 2016 to March 2022.

The Federal Election Commission filings of individual contributions show Pelletier made 41 contributions to political candidates and organizations from December 2017 to March 2022.

VOA reached out to Alibaba for comment but the company declined to comment for publication.

Adrianna Zhang contributed to this report.

An earlier version of this article failed to make clear that the Communist Party of China holds an ownership stake in Alibaba subsidiaries rather than the parent company. The story has also been amended to show that a second database shows a different number of political donations by Eric Pelletier.
London and Kyiv intend to act as organizers of the Conference on the Reconstruction of Ukraine, which is scheduled for June, according to a joint British-Ukrainian declaration published on Wednesday.

"We will co-host the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London on 21-22 June. We will build a modern, resilient Ukrainian economy that strengthens the rule of law, tackles corruption and promotes reform. The UK will seek to facilitate access by Ukraine to UK private finance, insurance, tech and other expertise," according to the document, adopted following talks between British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.

At the same time, the British side recalled that over the past 12 months, "military, humanitarian and economic support to Ukraine since the invasion has reached nearly GBP 4 billion."
Anger and disgust over Chinas decision to violate the sovereign airspace of dozens of countries and scour the globe with a fleet of surveillance balloons is giving way in Washington to larger concerns about Beijings behavior  behavior that could bode ill for future incidents.

At the Pentagon, in particular, senior U.S. defense officials warn the Chinese militarys refusal to talk following the U.S. shoot-down of the latest spy balloon to cross U.S. territory is, in some ways, more alarming than the surveillance itself.

"That's really dangerous," Ely Ratner, assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, told lawmakers Thursday.

"We continue to have an outstretched hand, he added. "Unfortunately, to date, the PLA [Peoples Liberation Army] is not answering that call."

Concern at the Pentagon has been growing for months, from the secretary of defense on down, with officials increasingly ready to go on the record to discuss the repeated reluctance of their Chinese counterparts to make sure there are lines of communication that can be used in case of a crisis.

US-China communication needs

Just last month, U.S. diplomatic sources said China rejected deconfliction talks following an unsafe air encounter involving Chinese and U.S. aircraft over the South China Sea one month earlier.

And a meeting this past November between U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe, on the sidelines of a meeting of Southeast Asian defense officials in Cambodia, likewise failed to persuade the Chinese military to establish channels in which to communicate in an emergency.

Over the past several months the PLA has continued to view the mil-mil [military to military] relationship as something that they turn on and off to express displeasure with other things that are happening, Ratner told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

"We need to communicate our priorities. ... Our militaries need to be having serious conversations about strategic issues," he said. It remains a problem.

U.S. defense officials have said Americas partners and allies are also growing frustrated with Beijings refusal to find ways to communicate during potential crises. They said other countries in the region have voiced concern as well.

The key point here is that responsible nations act responsibly, Pentagon press secretary Brigadier General Patrick Ryder told reporters Wednesday when asked about the communication issues.

We have always been and will remain open to communication to try to prevent miscalculation, he said, adding, Were going to continue to keep the lines of communication open on our end.

Cooperation from others

Current and former U.S. officials note Chinas refusal to communicate runs counter to the behavior of other major powers, which, despite conflict and tensions, have agreed to establish deconfliction lines to at least convey messages back and forth.

In the previous administration and in this administration, the secretary of state can pick up the phone and speak to his Russian counterpart anytime, the former U.S. special envoy for Syria, Joel Rayburn, told VOA.

There always was that ability for the military, the senior military representatives, the uniformed military representatives, to speak to one another, said Rayburn, who is now a fellow with the New America think tank in Washington. That was extremely useful in times when there were tensions or there were apparent possible red lines crossed and there could be warnings issued or defusing of tensions or clarification of intentions.

US-Russia and deconfliction

The United States and Russia have used at least two separate deconfliction lines over the past decade.

The first, created in October 2015, aimed initially to prevent conflict or collisions between Russian and U.S. aircraft operating over the skies of Syria.

And despite some hiccups, U.S. defense officials said the deconfliction line with Russia for Syria was still in operation as recently as last June.

The U.S. and Russia set up a second deconfliction line in March 2022 following Russians invasion of Ukraine, though the Pentagon said it had received little use.

And while there are no deconfliction lines between the U.S. and Iran, Rayburn said even Tehran agreed to a method of ship-to-ship hailing after a series of run-ins and provocations by Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy and U.S vessels in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

You would hope that the Chinese, as a great power, would behave at least as responsibly in that way as the Iranian regime has done, he said.

That Beijing and the PLA have rejected such overtures, dating to the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump, it's, I think, reckless, Rayburn said. [It] maybe indicates red flags that the Chinese wouldn't want a channel in place to try to prevent tactical situations from escalating. That's not good.

PLA's operation questioned

Other former U.S. officials see the Chinese militarys refusal to set up deconfliction lines with the Pentagon more as a function of how the PLA operates as opposed to any malign intent.

It is because they don't have a good mechanism, I think, within their government for different parts of the government to exchange information with one another, said John Schaus, a former country director for China in the office of the secretary of defense.

They need some time to compare notes, figure out what the story is, and align their messaging before they're willing to even answer the phone to schedule a time to talk, said Schaus, now a fellow at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.

But as the number of incidents grows in frequency and severity, the Chinese military may find itself having to adapt its communication style or face the consequences of unintentional escalation.

Hopefully, I would say the current situation is a wake-up call for leadership in China, Schaus said of the fallout from the downed Chinese spy balloon.

If we were in a much more intense crisis, it could be very dangerous.

VOA's Nike Ching contributed to this report.
Somalia and the United Nations are appealing for $2.6 billion to aid millions of Somalis facing hunger as the country remains gripped by a record-setting drought. Somalia has been struggling against famine-like conditions that aid groups say are forcing thousands of people to flee from the countryside into cities seeking help.

In a small hut made of sticks and covered in old rugs in the Haji-Mursal camp for internally displaced people, Habibo Madey is preparing a dinner of porridge for her six children.

Her neighbor gave her the food as shes not yet on the ration list for the camp, a sprawling pop-up village of makeshift shelters housing hundreds on the outskirts of Mogadishu.

Madey fled her village in southwest Somalia in late December because of what she says is the worst drought she has ever seen.



"I have never experienced such a situation since I was born. All our livestock died one after another and we had nothing to depend on," she said. "They moved in groups from one town to another until they arrived at this camp in Mogadishu. I dont know if we will ever recover from this."

Aid groups say thousands like Madey have for months been streaming into camps near Somalias cities.

The U.N. says the drought has displaced 1.4 million people and killed at least 3.5 million livestock.

The U.N. on Wednesday appealed for $2.6 billion in aid for Somalia, saying eight million people  nearly half the population  are facing hunger.

If not addressed, the U.N. says the famine that Somalia narrowly averted last year could become a reality by April.

Ahmed Omar, associate director of aid group World Vision Somalia, says donors covered just two thirds of their appeal last year and he fears competing needs could impact donor support just as poor weather is predicted.

"Somalia is facing other global needs that compete for the support of donors," he said. "There is an emergence of new global humanitarian needs that need the attention of the donors, he says, like the humanitarian crisis caused by the Ukraine war, clashes in Ethiopia, as well as the earthquake disaster in Turkey."

The Horn of Africa, especially Somalia, is experiencing the most severe drought in at least four decades as five consecutive rainy seasons have failed.

Omar says World Vision is leading the Somalia Resilience Program, an umbrella group of aid agencies that aim to build community resilience against the effects of climate change.

Ahmed Hadi, the founder of Somali Civic House, a Mogadishu-based governance think tank, says, since Somalia has had no strong government for 30 years, there is no central planning agency. He says there is also fighting in the country al-Shabab militants are a thorn in people's businesses and other infrastructure.

The U.N. says even though Somalia has not yet reached the technical famine threshold, it is experiencing higher than normal deaths, which will continue unless aid is scaled up.

The last famine to ravage the Horn of Africa nation like this came in 2011, when more than a quarter-million people died.
The presidents of Kenya and Eritrea have wrapped up two days of talks by agreeing to remove visa requirements for their citizens as part of improving relations.

Kenya's William Ruto and his Eritrean counterpart, Isaias Afwerki, also agreed to promote regional peace and stability even as Eritrea faces questions over alleged rights abuses in Ethiopia.

Afwerki said Eritrea would rejoin the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, or IGAD, an East African trade bloc.

"This is an obligation in the name of the people of the Horn region," he said. "We have to assume responsibility and revitalize IGAD so that we can have a functional, real organization for the region is critical. Without that mechanism, ideas and goodwill will not be productive. We will have to create an institution that is functional and result-oriented so that we can say we have changed the face of the region."

Eritrea suspended its IGAD membership in 2007 following a disagreement with Ethiopia over the presence of Ethiopian troops in Somalia. In 2018, Eritrea and Ethiopia reestablished diplomatic relations and agreed to end years of hostility.

Ruto said he expects Eritrea to support the region's ongoing security operations and peace efforts.

"I look forward to working with you to ensure that we stabilize Somalia, we eliminate terrorism and we build a much more secure region," Ruto said. "I also look forward to working with you in resolving the issues in Sudan and South Sudan, and working with our brothers in Ethiopia to build a better region for all our people and ensuring we make this region attractive for investment, trade and business."

Eritrea, Ethiopia's neighbor, has been accused of widespread human rights violations in two conflicts that erupted in November 2020 between Ethiopian federal government forces and the Tigray rebel group.

Last November, the government in Addis Ababa and representatives from the Tigray region in northern Ethiopia signed a peace agreement.

Tigray officials and residents say Eritrean troops have yet to leave the region, months after signing a peace agreement that requires Asmara to withdraw its forces.

Afwerki dismissed the allegations against his troops.

"Why are you bothered about the Eritrean troops who are there or not there? Come out and not come out," he said. "Let's assume the peace process in Ethiopia is going on without any obstacles. We would like to see the agreement signed in Pretoria and Nairobi implemented on the ground so that we can secure peace and stability in Ethiopia for the benefit not only of Ethiopians but the whole region."

Eritrea has denied its troops fought in Ethiopia's conflict in Tigray region, but rights groups allege the troops committed atrocities, including punishing families of accused draft dodgers.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch on Thursday called for sanctions against Eritrea for the government's alleged role in rounding up people and their family members who refused to participate in mandatory military service.

Laetitia Bader, who heads the Horn of Africa operation at Human Rights Watch, said since September of last year, the Eritrean conscription campaign has been targeting draft evaders.

"They have resorted to new methods of repression against families of alleged draft evaders. So, we found that they were detaining relatives, including older people, but they were also evicting people from their homes," she said. "So, this was not only the security forces but alongside local officials that keep a list of households through a coupon system which enables people to have access to subsidized goods, and they were going door-to-door trying to identify individuals who were missing."

The U.S.-based rights organization is urging the international community to pressure Asmara to reform what Human Rights Watch calls Eritrea's abusive national service system. The rights group says the system continues to drive Eritreans into exile.
Iran has released several prominent women activists and journalists from Tehran's Evin prison, campaigners said Thursday, with video showing them defiantly chanting pro-protest slogans outside the jail.

Media based outside Iran said a total of seven women were released, while Iran continues to press a crackdown against protests that erupted in September.

Those released included Saba Kord Afshari, held since 2019 after she campaigned against the obligatory hijab for women, and prominent photographer Alieh Motalebzadeh whose latest stint in jail began in April last year, the reports said.

After being released, they chanted the slogan of the protest movement "Woman, Life, Freedom" and "down with oppressors worldwide," according to a video posted by Motalebzadeh on her Twitter account.

The Dublin-based rights group Front Line Defenders said Kord Afshari and Motalebzadeh "have played a pivotal role in the women's rights movement and have been unjustly in prison in the past years."

The others released were Fariba Asadi, Parastoo Moini, Zahra Safaei, Gelareh Abbasi and Sahereh Hossein, all campaigners who in some cases had been serving years-long sentences.

Earlier this week, Iran released the young protester Armita Abbasi, whose case prompted international concern after she was arrested in October over protests in the city of Karaj outside Tehran.

It was not clear if the releases were linked to an announcement by the office of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that he had agreed to pardon a large number of convicts, including those detained over the protests.

Rights activists have urged skepticism over the announcements, noting many prominent figures remain in jail and activists continue to be arrested.

"Khamenei's hypocritical pardon doesn't change anything," said Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of the Norway-based Iran Human Rights group, describing the move as propaganda.

Iranian authorities have arrested thousands since nationwide protests broke out following the September 16, 2022, death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old ethnic Kurd who had been arrested for allegedly breaching the country's strict dress rules for women.

Women still detained include prize-winning rights defender Narges Mohammadi, the two journalists who helped expose the Amini case, Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi, as well as foreigners including German national Nahid Taghavi and French academic Fariba Adelkhah.
Iranian protester Armita Abbasi, who media reports said was tortured and raped while in detention after being identified as a "leader" of protests sparked by the death of a young woman while in police custody for an alleged head scarf violation, has been released from prison.

"We experienced a very difficult time, but now I am extremely happy," Abbasis father wrote in a social media post along with a video of his 20-year-old daughter next to him.

Armita Abbasis lawyer, Shahla Orouji, said last week that a court accused her client of propaganda against the Islamic republic and gathering and conspiring to commit a crime against national security.

Abbasi was arrested Oct. 10 in her hometown of Karaj, west of the Iranian capital, nearly a month into the nationwide protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini while in police custody in September.

The Iranian government claimed she was the leader of the riots and that police discovered 10 Molotov cocktails in her apartment.

In November, the U.S.-based cable news network CNN published an investigative report about the sexual assault and rape of some of the detainees from recent protests, including Abbasi, while they were being held in prisons across Iran.

A source told CNN that Abbasi was rushed to the Imam Ali hospital in Karaj on Oct. 17, accompanied by plainclothes officers while her head had been shaved and she was shaking violently.

In the accounts, the medical staff attending to her spoke of the horror they felt when they saw evidence of brutal rape, CNN added.

Neither Abassi, her family, nor her lawyer have publicly commented on the report.

Earlier in January, Abbasi and 14 other Iranian women incarcerated in the Kachoui prison near Tehran reportedly went on a hunger strike to protest the conditions of their imprisonment and the lack of medical attention at the facility.

At that time, her mother wrote on her Instagram account that, because of her daughters hunger strike, prison authorities were no longer allowing her to call her family. She also said the court did not accept the lawyer representing her daughter.

Since Amini's death, Iranians have flooded into the streets across the country to protest against a lack of rights, with women and schoolgirls making unprecedented shows of support in the biggest threat to the Islamic government since the 1979 revolution.

The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said that, as of Jan. 29, at least 527 people had been killed during the unrest, including 71 minors, as security forces muzzle dissent.

Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda.
More than 220 inmates considered by many to be political prisoners of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortegas government were released Thursday and flown to the United States, the State Department announced.

Today, the United States welcomes 222 individuals who had been imprisoned by the Government of Nicaragua for exercising their fundamental freedoms and have endured lengthy unjust detentions, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday in a press statement.

The release of these individuals, one of whom is a U.S. citizen, by the Government of Nicaragua marks a constructive step towards addressing human rights abuses in the country and opens the door to further dialogue between the United States and Nicaragua regarding issues of concern, Blinken said, without naming the individuals.

A senior Biden administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, had said earlier that the government of Nicaragua decided unilaterally to release the prisoners.

Among those released were Nicaraguan business leaders, journalists, civil society representatives and students, according to the State Department.

The Nicaraguan oppositions latest count on political prisoners held there had been 245.

Ortega has maintained that his imprisoned opponents and others were behind street protests in 2018 that he claims were a plot to overthrow him. Tens of thousands have fled into exile since Nicaraguan security forces violently put down those anti-government protests.

Some information from this report came from The Associated Press.
Nigeria's government is challenging a Supreme Court order that suspended Friday's deadline for the phaseout of old currency notes, saying it lacks jurisdiction. The issue of when the old currency becomes invalid has turned into a significant issue as Nigeria prepares for elections a little more than two weeks away.

On Wednesday, a seven-member panel of the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a lawsuit filed by three Nigerian state governors to stop the central bank from phasing out the old notes by this Friday, February 10.

Nigeria's attorney general, Abubakar Malami, challenged the Supreme Court's ruling in a countersuit filed by his legal team late Wednesday and called for the ruling to be dismissed.

Malami argues the power to rule on the suit is within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, not the Supreme Court.

Hours to the deadline, anxiety is growing among citizens over the uncertainty.

Martin Obono, a lawyer and team lead at TAP initiative, a nonprofit that promotes government accountability and transparency, is concerned about the uncertainty of the situation.

"Following the government's antecedents in terms of not respecting court judgment and court orders, I am not sure the federal government is going to obey whatever the Supreme Court has said, especially in an instance where it has a lot of political undertones, he said. That obviously is going to have an effect on what Nigerian people should do or expect.

Obono said he encourages Nigerians to go to the bank and change their currency.

This is a judgment that you can't trust, he said.

The governors behind the lawsuit, from Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara states, say the country needs more time to transition to new 200-, 500- and 1000-naira notes introduced in December. They point out that a cash shortage is leading to attacks on banks.

Critics say the governors and other politicians who support the Supreme Court are doing so in order to enable vote-buying with the old currency ahead of the February 25 polls.

But Olumuyiwa Onlede, executive secretary of the Citizens Awareness Against Corruption Initiative, said even though politicians may be acting for selfish reasons, ordinary Nigerians are also affected by the impending deadline.

"This policy is a very good policy but what I think the attorney general is not looking at is the resultant effect of this policy and the implementation on the masses, Onlede said. So many banks are under lock and key, they're afraid of being attacked."

For weeks, millions of Nigerian citizens have been lining up at banks to get the new notes. In some instances, tempers run high leading to protests and attacks on banks.

Abuja resident Nelly Nwora wants authorities to obey the Supreme Courts ruling and extend the deadline.

"It is difficult accessing cash, you have needs and you can't meet your needs, not because you do not have money but because you really can't access cash, Nwora said. You go to the ATM machines and you see long queues, your mind will skip. It has not really been easy and we're hoping that this is resolved as soon as possible."

Authorities say the new currency is paying off in fighting crime and counterfeiting, and reducing excess cash in circulation.

This week, the International Monetary Fund urged Nigerian authorities to extend the currency swap deadline.
A grand nighttime event in Pyongyang Wednesday parading military hardware featured the largest contingent of North Korean intercontinental ballistic missiles to date, including a handful believed to be mock-ups of nuclear-capable missiles that would run on solid-fuel engines.

Reporting on the military parade marking the 75th anniversary of the Korean Peoples Army, North Koreas Korean Central News Agency praised the ICBM display as a show of a revolutionary development of its defense power and its tremendous nuclear attack capability.

Eleven Hwasong-17 ICBMs were rolled out at Kim Il Sung Square, carried by 11-axle transporter erector launchers, according to images released by state media. They were followed by five smaller, previously unseen canisterized  in transportation containers  ICBMs that were not identified but believed by multiple analysts to be early versions of a solid-fuel ICBM Pyongyang has long aimed to develop.

One ICBM launcher for every letter in the word denuclearization. Coincidence? asked Ankit Panda, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, in a tweet. He raised concern that the sheer number of ICBMs  if capable  could overpower U.S. ground-based interceptors.

The Hwasong-17 ICBM has been dubbed a monster missile for its hypothetical ability to reach the continental United States, carrying multiple nuclear warheads intended for multiple targets. Its first successful test was in November, which shot the missile on a vaulted trajectory, giving it an estimated flight distance of 15,000 kilometers.

North Koreans are known to be working on reentry technology, alongside a solid fuel engine  the latter of which would enable ICBMs preloaded with fuel, cutting the time from dispatch to launch, compared to their liquid-fueled counterparts.

Some Seoul-based analysts project Pyongyang could soon test the Hwasong-17 ICBM again  this time in a normalized, straightened trajectory  in what would be a highly inflammatory move for Washington.

Our young regular armed forces developed into the most powerful entity, with a stockpile of overwhelming force, to completely suppress and crush imperialist tyranny, the Korean Central News Agency said Thursday in its report on the parade referring to North Koreas weaponized nuclear capability.

It also mentioned a new tactical nuclear weapons operation unit, which it said would fulfill their strategic mission at any time loyal to the order of the leader only.

Leader Kim Jong Un, taking in the military parade at a VIP box alongside his military top brass, joined by his wife and daughter, notably refrained from making an address.

Surprising silence

There had been expectations Kim Jong Un would use the occasion to send a vocal message to Washington and Seoul amid the allies reenergized combined military exercises as part of the U.S. pledge for extended deterrence. A U.S.-South Korea tabletop exercise, halted under the previous South Korean government of Moon Jae-in, will resume later this month, with a focus on a North Korea nuclear attack scenario, according to Seoul.

Last Thursday, in response to U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austins South Korea visit earlier in the week, North Koreas foreign ministry blasted the U.S. for reaching an extreme red line, criticizing a pledge for increased U.S. strategic asset deployments to the region. Its spokesperson warned any military action by Washington would be met with the principle of nuke for nuke and an all-out confrontation for an all-out confrontation.

This time, Kim Jong Un let North Koreas expanding tactical and long-range missile forces speak for themselves, said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, on the absence of a speech. Military parades largely serve to justify Kims policies to a domestic political audience. The message Pyongyang wants to send internationally, demonstrating its capabilities to deter and coerce, will likely come in the form of solid-fuel missile tests and detonation of a miniaturized nuclear device.

New ICBM first impressions

Video of the nighttime military parade had not been aired by North Korea at the time of writing, and it will be some time before more is known about, in particular the new ICBM prototype unveiled in a cloud of suspense.

Of interest in this military parade is that hidden card that followed the Hwasong-17 on a nine-axle transporter erector launcher, said Kim Dong-yup, professor at the University of North Korea Studies. When we consider how North Korea has been presenting its new weapons, it does so first in a military parade then proceeds to develop and test it.

Kim, the professor, noted the presumed solid-fuel ICBM could be a model of a forthcoming Pukguksong missile, the submarine-launched ballistic missile series, over the land-based Hwasong series. It could be less than a year before the world sees the new ballistic missile fly, he said, and by 2025, at the latest, before Kim Jong Uns stated five-year plan for military modernization expires in 2026.
The Chinese balloon that traversed the United States before being shot down last weekend captivated public attention and drew sharp denunciations as a brazen spying effort.

But if the vehicle for espionage seemed novel, the concept was anything but.

In ways that are far less public, but often more worrisome, U.S. officials say, the Chinese government has been targeting U.S. industry and government agencies with spy operations designed to collect troves of commercial secrets and sensitive personal data  and to generally give the global superpower a competitive edge.

It's been a constant concern for law enforcement and intelligence agencies across administrations.

"There's a long history of spying on each other. There's a dance and a game that both sides do. In this particular instance, maybe the Chinese got their hands caught in the cookie jar," said Bonnie Glaser, an Asia expert and managing director of the German Marshall Fund's Indo-Pacific program.

China's not the only country the U.S. is concerned about, of course, but its efforts to penetrate American networks often seem more covert than noisy  in contrast, say, to the Russian hack-and-dump of Democratic emails before the 2016 presidential election. And its use of cyber spying to steal industry trade secrets, U.S. officials say, runs afoul of traditional espionage norms.

A look at past Chinese operations:

Cybersecurity concerns

FBI Director Christopher Wray has repeatedly said the Chinese government has a larger hacking program than all other countries combined, used to steal personal and corporate data and lucrative source code.

China's government, Wray said in a speech last year, "has the global reach and presence you'd expect of the leadership of a great nation, but it refuses to act the part and too often uses its capabilities to steal and threaten, rather than to cooperate and build." He said in a separate address in London last summer that the Chinese government "poses the biggest long-term threat to our economic and national security."

The threat was laid bare in 2014 when the Justice Department, in a first-of-its-kind prosecution, charged five Chinese military officials with hacking into private sector companies in an effort to steal trade secrets.

The following year, Chinese hackers accessed personal information on millions of federal government workers in a hack of the Office of Personnel Management. Subsequent Justice Department indictments have charged Chinese hackers with stealing information from health care insurer Anthem Inc., and with breaking into the computer networks of the Equifax credit reporting agency and obtaining the personal data of tens of millions of Americans.

Other espionage operations

U.S. officials have also disrupted other operations on U.S. soil that took place in person rather than behind a computer.

A former Chicago graduate student was sentenced to eight years in prison last month for spying for the Chinese government by gathering information on scientists and engineers in the U.S. with knowledge of aerospace and satellite technology.

The Justice Department has also alleged a more threatening type of physical surveillance, charging eight people in 2020 with working on behalf of the Chinese government in a pressure campaign aimed at coercing a New Jersey man who was wanted by Beijing into returning to China to face charges.

Technology concerns

The U.S. has long warily regarded China-based companies suspected of having the potential to improperly access user data.

U.S. officials are in private talks about the fate of TikTok, the hugely popular video app that is owned by Beijing-based ByteDance. Wray in December raised national security alarms about the company, saying China could use the app to collect data on its users and has the ability to control the app's recommendation algorithm. TikTok says it has been working to assuage those concerns.

And the U.S. for years has taken action against Chinese tech giant Huawei, alleging that it has the capacity to facilitate spying  a claim the company vigorously denies. Last month, the Biden administration stopped approving renewal of licenses to some U.S. companies that have been selling essential components to the Chinese company.

What China has said

When it comes to the balloon itself, China has called it a civilian aircraft used for meteorological research that posed no threat and entered U.S. airspace accidentally.

More broadly, the Chinese Embassy in Washington has repeatedly accused the U.S. of making what it says are baseless and malicious attacks and has said the U.S. has carried out the same type of hacking operations that it accuses Beijing of doing.

Of course, not all U.S. investigations centered on China have proven successful.

The Trump administration in 2018 developed a program known as the "China Initiative" aimed at cracking down on espionage operations, but it was rebranded last year following a monthslong review in response to complaints that the program chilled academic collaboration and contributed to anti-Asian bias. Several criminal cases against professors in the U.S. who had been accused of concealing research from China have also faltered.
More than 43,000 migrants have arrived in New York City in recent months, and Mayor Eric Adams has warned that services to help new arrivals in Americas most populous city are at a breaking point. Evgeny Maslov reports on the extraordinary steps New York is taking in this story, narrated by Anna Rice. Camera: Michael Eckels
Implementation of Zelensky's peace plan should lead to intl peace conference  Macron ahead of meeting with Zelensky, Scholz

French President Emmanuel Macron said President Volodymyr Zelensky's "peace formula" is a solid basis for creating a path to a peace conference.

Ukraine "can rely on France in what concerns peace matters." "We want to build peace together. A just peace for Ukraine and its people. A peace that would serve our common vision of a consolidated and united Europe. A peace that would create a space of stability and security for all," Macron assured this Wednesday during a press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky

"Ukraine can count on us in building peace. The plan that you offered is an essential basis for discussions on this path, which should lead us towards an international peace conference," he told the Ukrainian president.

Macron praised Volodymyr Zelensky's impressive courage, clarity and determination before a dinner between Emmanuel Macron, Volodymyr Zelensky and Olaf Scholz, the French President addressed his Ukrainian counterpart: "Your courage, your clarity and your determination are impressive." For his part, Olaf Scholz hailed "courage," "bravery" and "fortitude" of the Ukrainians.

"We stand next to Ukraine, determined to accompany it to victory," the French President told his Ukrainian counterpart. He added: "What happens in Ukraine affects the future of Europe."

Zelensky, in turn, welcomed "continental unity." The Ukrainian president said he was "happy to be here" to strengthen "our continental unity."
Rescue crews in Turkey and Syria raced against time Thursday and a lack of equipment to find survivors buried in the rubble of buildings toppled by powerful earthquakes that struck the region Monday and left more than 20,000 people dead so far.

The countrys disaster management agency said Thursday that about 110,000 personnel are involved in rescue efforts and 5,500 vehicles such as tractors, cranes, bulldozers and excavators have been shipped to assist the country reeling from the earthquake.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited the area near the quakes epicenter close to the city of Gaziantep and the Turkey-Syria border.

He faced the mounting frustration of survivors looking for their loved ones or for aid from the government by acknowledging problems with the emergency response to Monday's 7.8 magnitude quake.

It is not possible to be prepared for such a disaster," Erdogan said. We will not leave any of our citizens uncared for. He pointed to the winter weather and how the earthquake had destroyed the runway at Hatay's airport as things that disrupted the response.

In Hatay, Erdal Kahilogullari, whose wife and two children were under the rubble of a collapsed building, shared his frustration with VOAs Turkish Service. More than 3,300 people died in Hatay province.

OK, everyone is a human being. But arent 80 provinces enough? How can 80 provinces not help 10 provinces? Being 10 hours late is OK, but being late for two days to help? We dont even have water, he said, referring to the provinces of Turkey.

Rescuers were still finding people alive but were unable to reach them without the needed equipment and expertise, even as they could hear cries for help.

I hear voices saying, Daddy, save me, Kahilogullari said. How could I not struggle here? I am desperate. I cannot do anything. I'm just waiting here. Walk there, come back here.

Search sites also have been the scene of some celebrations as people are found alive and taken away for medical care. But uncovering the rubble has also meant frequent increases in the number of casualties.

Officials in Turkey said more than 17,000 people were killed and more than 63,000 others were injured.

In Syria, where there have been similar complaints of slow response, at least 2,530 have died, according to figures from the Damascus government and rescue groups.

The earthquake is now the worlds deadliest seismic event since a 2011 earthquake and tsunami that killed nearly 20,000 people in Japan.

Erdogan declared seven days of national mourning and a three-month state of emergency in 10 provinces directly affected by the quake.

Search teams and emergency aid from throughout the world poured into Turkey and Syria as rescue workers dug through the rubble in a desperate search for survivors. Some voices that had been crying out for help fell silent.

"We could hear their voices, they were calling for help," said Ali Silo, whose two relatives could not be saved in the Turkish town of Nurdagi.

More than 8,000 people have been pulled from the debris in Turkey, Vice President Fuat Oktay said, and about 380,000 have taken refuge in government shelters or hotels. They huddled in shopping malls, stadiums, mosques and community centers, while others spent the night outside wrapped in blankets gathering around fires.

The earthquake struck a region enveloped on both sides of the border by more than a decade of civil war in Syria. On the Syrian side, the swath affected is divided between government-held territory and the countrys last opposition-held enclave, which is surrounded by Russian-backed government forces. Turkey, meanwhile, is home to millions of refugees from the conflict.

A crisis on top of a crisis

The U.N. resident coordinator for Syria said Wednesday that 10.9 million people have been affected across the country by the earthquake. Before the quake, there were already 15.3 million in need of humanitarian assistance in the country, due to more than a decade of civil war.

So, its a crisis on top of a crisis, El-Mostafa Benlamlih told reporters at the United Nations in New York during a video briefing from Damascus.

He said in Aleppo alone, they estimate a third of homes have been damaged or destroyed, displacing around 100,000 people.

Humanitarians are coping with a shortage of fuel for their operations, as well as freezing temperatures and damaged roads and infrastructure.

The World Food Program has prepositioned food stocks in the area, which Benlamlih said are enough to feed 100,000 people for one week. The World Health Organization has two planes with medical supplies coming from its hub in Dubai to Damascus. But more supplies need to come in urgently.

The World Food Program appealed Wednesday for $46 million to provide food assistance to a half-million people in Turkey and Syria for the next three to four months.

Additionally, the main road the United Nations uses to get aid from Gaziantep in Turkey to the transshipment point into northwest Syria was damaged in the quake and closed.

So we couldnt send any relief items; we were looking for alternative routes, Muhannad Hadi, U.N. regional humanitarian coordinator for Syria, told reporters from Amman, Jordan. He said they had word Wednesday that the road is opening, and they could start delivering some supplies as early as Thursday.

Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. Some material for this article came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
If your image of nuclear power is giant, cylindrical concrete cooling towers pouring out steam on a site that takes up hundreds of acres of land, soon there will be an alternative: tiny nuclear reactors that produce only one-hundredth the electricity and can even be delivered on a truck.

Small but meaningful amounts of electricity  nearly enough to run a small campus, a hospital or a military complex, for example  will pulse from a new generation of micronuclear reactors. Now, some universities are taking interest.

"What we see is these advanced reactor technologies having a real future in decarbonizing the energy landscape in the U.S. and around the world," said Caleb Brooks, a nuclear engineering professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The tiny reactors carry some of the same challenges as large-scale nuclear, such as how to dispose of radioactive waste and how to make sure they are secure. Supporters say those issues can be managed and the benefits outweigh any risks.

Universities are interested in the technology not just to power their buildings but to see how far it can go in replacing the coal and gas-fired energy that causes climate change. The University of Illinois hopes to advance the technology as part of a clean energy future, Brooks said. The school plans to apply for a construction permit for a high-temperature, gas-cooled reactor developed by the Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation, and aims to start operating it by early 2028. Brooks is the project lead.

Microreactors will be "transformative" because they can be built in factories and hooked up on site in a plug-and-play way, said Jacopo Buongiorno, professor of nuclear science and engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Buongiorno studies the role of nuclear energy in a clean energy world.

"That's what we want to see, nuclear energy on demand as a product, not as a big mega project," he said.

Both Buongiorno and Marc Nichol, senior director for new reactors at the Nuclear Energy Institute, view the interest by schools as the start of a trend.

Last year, Penn State University signed a memorandum of understanding with Westinghouse to collaborate on microreactor technology. Mike Shaqqo, the company's senior vice president for advanced reactor programs, said universities are going to be "one of our key early adopters for this technology."

Penn State wants to prove the technology so that Appalachian industries, such as steel and cement manufacturers, may be able to use it, said Professor Jean Paul Allain, head of the nuclear engineering department. Those two industries tend to burn dirty fuels and have very high emissions. Using a microreactor also could be one of several options to help the university use less natural gas and achieve its long-term carbon emissions goals, he said.

"I do feel that microreactors can be a game-changer and revolutionize the way we think about energy," Allain said.

For Allain, microreactors can complement renewable energy by providing a large amount of power without taking up much land. A 10-megawatt microreactor could go on less than an acre, whereas windmills or a solar farm would need far more space to produce 10 megawatts, he added. The goal is to have one at Penn State by the end of the decade.

Purdue University in Indiana is working with Duke Energy on the feasibility of using advanced nuclear energy to meet its long-term energy needs.

Nuclear reactors that are used for research are nothing new on campus. About two dozen U.S. universities have them. But using them as an energy source is new.

Back at the University of Illinois, Brooks explains the microreactor would generate heat to make steam. While the excess heat from burning coal and gas to make electricity is often wasted, Brooks sees the steam production from the nuclear microreactor as a plus, because it's a carbon-free way to deliver steam through the campus district heating system to radiators in buildings, a common heating method for large facilities in the Midwest and Northeast. The campus has hundreds of buildings.

The 10-megawatt microreactor wouldn't meet all of the demand, but it would serve to demonstrate the technology, as other communities and campuses look to transition away from fossil fuels, Brooks said.

One company that is building microreactors that the public can get a look at today is Last Energy, based in Washington, D.C. It built a model reactor in Brookshire, Texas that's housed in an edgy cube covered in reflective metal.

Now it's taking that apart to test how to transport the unit. A caravan of trucks is taking it to Austin, where company founder Bret Kugelmass is scheduled to speak at the South by Southwest conference and festival.

Kugelmass, a technology entrepreneur and mechanical engineer, is talking with some universities, but his primary focus is on industrial customers. He's working with licensing authorities in the United Kingdom, Poland and Romania to try to get his first reactor running in Europe in 2025.

The urgency of the climate crisis means zero-carbon nuclear energy must be scaled up soon, he said.

"It has to be a small, manufactured product as opposed to a large, bespoke construction project," he said.

Traditional nuclear power costs billions of dollars. An example is two additional reactors at a plant in Georgia that will end up costing more than $30 billion.

The total cost of Last Energy's microreactor, including module fabrication, assembly and site prep work, is under $100 million, the company says.

Westinghouse, which has been a mainstay of the nuclear industry for over 70 years, is developing its "eVinci" microreactor, Shaqqo said, and is aiming to get the technology licensed by 2027.

The Department of Defense is working on a microreactor too. Project Pele is a DOD prototype mobile nuclear reactor under design at the Idaho National Laboratory.

Abilene Christian University in Texas is leading a group of three other universities with the company Natura Resources to design and build a research microreactor cooled by molten salt to allow for high temperature operations at low pressure, in part to help train the next generation nuclear workforce.

But not everyone shares the enthusiasm. Edwin Lyman, director of nuclear power safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists, called it "completely unjustified."

Microreactors in general will require much more uranium to be mined and enriched per unit of electricity generated than conventional reactors do, he said. He said he also expects fuel costs to be substantially higher and that more depleted uranium waste could be generated compared to conventional reactors.

"I think those who are hoping that microreactors are going to be the silver bullet for solving the climate change crisis are simply betting on the wrong horse," he said.

Lyman also said he fears microreactors could be targeted for a terrorist attack, and some designs would use fuels that could be attractive to terrorists seeking to build crude nuclear weapons. The UCS does not oppose using nuclear power, but wants to make sure it's safe.

The United States does not have a national storage facility for storing spent nuclear fuel and it's piling up. Microreactors would only compound the problem and spread the radioactive waste around, Lyman said.

A 2022 Stanford-led study found that smaller modular reactors  the next size up from micro  will generate more waste than conventional reactors. Lead author Lindsay Krall said this week that the design of microreactors would make them subject to the same issue.

Kugelmass sees only promise. Nuclear, he said, has been "totally misunderstood and under leveraged." It will be "the key pillar of our energy transformation moving forward."
Lawmakers in Thailand debated a media ethics bill on Tuesday that some say will address the spread of fake news and others warn could be used to obstruct the work of journalists.

Dubbed the Media Ethics and Professional Standards Promotion Act, the legislation seeks to form a regulatory council that would set standards on ethics and oversee a registry of journalists, news outlets and online content creators.

If passed, an ethics board made up of lawyers, journalists with at least 10 years media experience, and others would oversee public complaints and make recommendations on penalties such as warnings or fines.

Supporters of the bill say it will improve journalism standards and protect against false news and disinformation.

But critics say that the regulation could allow the government greater control over the media, noting that while registration with the council is not mandatory, the bill does not say how authorities will respond to journalists who choose not to register.

Critics also warn the council risks stifling coverage of sensitive issues and could result in curbing Thailands vibrant social media scene.

Lawmakers Tuesday had mixed responses to the proposal.



Somchai Sawaengkarn, an appointed senator in parliament, said at the debate that the law could help reform an ethically problematic industry that currently includes real journalists and fake media.

But Thanyawat Kamolwongwat, an MP from the progressive-leaning Move Forward Party, said a broadly worded provision that press freedom not disrupt good morality could be used to obstruct the role media plays in democracy.

Ultimately, not enough lawmakers were present to put the draft to a vote.

The reprieve offered some relief for media advocates who are watching the passage of the bill closely.

Im relieved that, for once, our demand was heard in the halls of power, said Teeranai Charuvastra, vice president for press freedom and media reform at the Thai Journalists Association and a journalist at Prachatai English.

The journalist association has opposed the draft bill as have other Thai media organizations.

Teeranai said that some wording in the draft bill may inadvertently open a door to interference.

Additionally, media ethics could be defined so narrowly that it could stifle investigative reporting and discourage discussion of topics deemed sensitive by the authorities, he said.

However, Teeranai believes that an effective and practical mechanism is needed to encourage the press to be more responsible.

Wasinee Pabuprapap, co-founder of the nonprofit Thai Media for Democracy Alliance, says she is concerned that the bill could leave journalists confused over what they can safely report.

We can expect more self-censorship from the press, said Wasinee, who is also a reporter for the news outlet Workpoint Today.

She noted that the timing of the law is putting some journalists on edge. A general election is expected to be called in 2023 and political parties are already campaigning.

Journalists in Thailand already work in a legally challenging environment, according to media watchdog Reporters Without Borders. As a result, mainstream media typically follow the government line and outlets that try to offer an opposing view risk harassment.

Reporters need to be aware that any criticism of the government could cause a draconian response, RSF has said. In its summary of the Thai media environment, RSF notes that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha has said journalists should play a major role in supporting the governments affairs.

In the restrictive environment, Russia and China have attempted to expand their influence in Thailand through state-controlled operations.

In August, members of the state-run China Media Group and the Confederation of Thai Journalists held discussions on cooperation, including working together on correcting fake news and disinformation on legacy media and social media platforms.

A press release from the Confederation of Thai Journalists said the talks focused on disinformation that impacted the public image of China.

It added that the China Media Group recommended reporting only positive, non-divisive subjects on Thailand to create a good perception of the country for Chinese audiences.

Some Thai media outlets, including the conservative TOP News, have regularly broadcast pro-Russian stories during the war in Ukraine.

On Feb. 1, Prayut and some Cabinet members attended an event marking the second anniversary of the media outlet. The prime minister also featured on one of its live morning news shows, telling audiences to follow the station, which, he said, "presents news from facts, according to my assessment."

Countries globally are seeing a rise in disinformation.

But journalist associations in Thailand have previously said that while the media sometimes make errors in their reporting, they do not publish false news.

When an order was issued under an emergency decree in 2021 to tackle what the government labeled disinformation over its handling of the coronavirus, six media outlets protested the move.

In a joint statement, the media groups said, Although there are some reporting errors, they are not disinformation as labeled by the government.

Thai House Speaker Chuan Leekpai has said the proposed media bill will be put back in line behind other bills waiting on a vote. MPs and observers, however, doubt that a vote will happen before the current House session ends in a few weeks.
The United States said Thursday that the Chinese balloon shot down by the U.S. military over the weekend was capable of collecting intelligence signals and was part of a Chinese military surveillance program around the globe.

The high-altitude balloons equipment was clearly for intelligence surveillance and inconsistent with the equipment onboard weather balloons, a senior State Department official said in a statement, dismissing Beijings contention that the downed balloon was collecting weather data.

The comments came as the FBI continues to collect wreckage from the balloon that was shot down by a U.S. fighter jet on Saturday over the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of South Carolina.

These kinds of activities are often undertaken at the direction of the Peoples Liberation Army, the State Department official said. We are confident that the balloon manufacturer has a direct relationship with Chinas military and is an approved vendor of the PLA, according to information published in an official procurement portal for the PLA.

Manufacturer's videos

The official said the manufacturer advertises balloon products on its website and hosts videos from past flights, which appear to have overflown U.S. airspace and airspace of other countries. These advertised balloon videos seemingly have similar flight patterns as the balloons identified by the U.S. as having violated the airspace of dozens of countries.

It had multiple antennas to include an array likely capable of collecting and geolocating communications, the official said of the balloon and the parts that have been recovered. It was equipped with solar panels large enough to produce the requisite power to operate multiple active intelligence collection sensors.

The official added that from Chinas messaging and public comments, its clear that they have been scrambling to explain why they violated U.S. sovereignty and still have no plausible explanation  and have found themselves on their heels.

Asked about the State Department assessment, a senior FBI official said he could not definitively say whether the balloon was collecting intelligence signals, noting that FBI specialists had thus far recovered only a very small portion of the balloons payload.

I don't think were in a position, based on what we've seen, based on the facts that we have at the FBI and what the personnel have examined, to give you a determination, the official said during a press call with reporters. Its just too early for us.

The FBI was in contact with the U.S. militarys Northern Command as early as February 1 because of suspicion the balloon had an electronics payload, the official said.

FBI specialists arrived on the scene late Sunday to examine the debris, transporting the first batch of evidence to its lab in Quantico, Virginia, on Monday, the official said.

'Very early' for assessment

The little evidence that the FBI has gathered so far consists of the balloon and canopy, some wiring and a very small amount of electronics, the official said.

The balloon payload has sunk to the seabed, and FBI and Navy dive teams continue to search for evidence and bring it to the surface for potential transportation to Quantico.

I think its very early for us to assess what the intent was, and how the device is operating, the official said.

China on Thursday dismissed the U.S. accusations as "information warfare against China." Foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning repeated Beijings insistence that the large, unmanned balloon was a civilian meteorological airship that was accidentally blown off course and that the U.S. had "overreacted" by shooting it down.

"It is irresponsible," Mao said at a daily briefing.

The State Department and defense officials have heightened their criticism of Beijings surveillance efforts as U.S. forensic experts examine parts recovered following the shoot-down. They say China has flown the surveillance balloons over more than 40 countries across at least five continents.

The U.S. says it has identified five such Chinese balloon flights over the U.S. in recent years, including three during the administration of former President Donald Trump that went undetected at the time, and one earlier during the White House tenure of President Joe Biden. The most recent flight traversed the continental U.S. for eight days, passing over key military installations before it was shot down.

The U.S. said it was exploring a reprisal against Chinese entities linked to the balloon-spying operation.

We will also look at broader efforts to expose and address [Chinas] larger surveillance activities that pose a threat to our national security, and to our allies and partners, the State Department said.

Amid a growing political uproar over the incident, the U.S. House of Representatives voted unanimously on Thursday to condemn Beijing over its use of the balloon in violation of U.S. sovereignty.

The resolution sends a clear, bipartisan message to the CCP [Chinese Communist Party] and to our adversaries around the world that this kind of aggression will not be tolerated, Republican Congressman Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee that sponsored the resolution, said in a statement.

Other Republican lawmakers have said the Biden administration should have acted sooner to take down the balloon.

VOA State Department Bureau Chief Nike Ching contributed to this report.
Malawi's government has rejected U.S. concerns that it is waging a campaign of intimidation against the country's anti-corruption chief. The U.S. Embassy in Lilongwe on Wednesday condemned what it called harassment of Malawi's Anti-Corruption Bureau director, Martha Chizuma.

Last week, Secretary to the Office of President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba suspended Chizuma, citing an audio recording where Chizuma accused some top officials of hindering her fight against corruption.

A court ordered the government to lift the suspension, but the government has asked the court to vacate the order.

In a recorded statement, the U.S. ambassador in Malawi, David Young, said the government's move "culminates two months of harassment" against Chizuma, and he said the embassy was deeply concerned with the government's actions.

"As a democratic partner, the embassy of the United States of America looks to the government of Malawi to actively pursue the fight against corruption and not to wage a campaign of intimidation against anti-corruption champions," Young said. "We have actively engaged senior government officials to seek renewed commitment to the fight against corruption, but those efforts have not yielded results."

Young cited the midnight arrest of Chizuma in December and criminal charges the government filed against her as other examples of government intimidation.

"Our shared commitment to Malawi's development depends on trust that Malawi will use public resources including development funds, transparently, fairly and with accountability. These recent actions undermine the credibility of the government of Malawi's stated commitment to the fight against corruption," he said.

The United States is Malawi's biggest financial supporter, providing more than $350 million annually in bilateral assistance.

According to the budget and finance committee in Malawi's parliament, studies have found that 20 percent of Malawi's national budget is lost through corruption.

Moses Kunkuyu, the Malawi government spokesperson, said in a statement that the Malawi government will follow diplomatic channels to address the concerns the U.S. Embassy has raised.

Kunkuyu, who is also the government's minister of information, told state radio that it is wrong to accuse the government of failing to fight corruption. He said President Lazarus Chakwera has supported Chizuma since opposition lawmakers rejected her appointment as head of the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

"There came this issue of audio, the president stood with her and pardoned her," Kunkuyu said. "Then the commission of inquiry recommended that some action should be taken against her, and the president stood with her. Then, there have been issues of funding crippling operations of ACB, the president ... issued that his government should provide funding to ACB."

The High Court of Malawi has dismissed the government's request to lift an injunction against Chizuma's suspension, saying it lacked merit.

The Malawi government says it will appeal against Wednesday's ruling, which has effectively allowed Chizuma to return to work.
Once-secret ammunition bunkers and barracks lay abandoned, empty and overrun by weeds  vestiges of American firepower in what used to be the United States' largest overseas naval base at Subic Bay in the northern Philippines.

But that may change in the near future.

The U.S. has been taking steps to rebuild its military might in the Philippines more than 30 years after the closure of its large bases in the country and reinforcing an arc of military alliances in Asia in a starkly different post-Cold War era when the perceived new regional threat is an increasingly belligerent China.

On Feb. 2, the longtime allies announced that rotating batches of American forces would be granted access to four more Philippine military camps aside from five other local bases, where U.S.-funded constructions have picked up pace to build barracks, warehouses and other buildings to accommodate a yet-unspecified but expectedly considerable number of visiting troops under a 2014 defense pact.

Manila-based political scientist Andrea Chloe Wong said the location of the Philippine camps would give the U.S. military the presence it would need to be a strong deterrent against Chinese aggression in the South China Sea, where China, the Philippines and four other governments have had increasingly tense territorial rifts  as well as a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan, which Beijing views as its own territory to be brought under Chinese control, by force if necessary.

Around the former U.S. Navy base in Subic, now a bustling commercial freeport and tourism destination northwest of Manila, news of the Philippine governments decision to allow an expanded American military presence rekindled memories of an era when thousands of U.S. sailors pumped money, life and hope into the neighboring city of Olongapo.

Olongapo was like Las Vegas then," Filipino businessman AJ Saliba told The Associated Press in an interview in his foreign currency exchange and music shop along what used to be Olongapos garish red-light strip.

Noisy as early as noon with neon lights turned on and the Americans roaming around. Women were everywhere. Jeepney drivers, tricycles, restaurants, bars, hotels  everybody was making money  so if they will return, my God, you know, thatll be the best news, he said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said during his visit in Manila last week that Washington was not trying to reestablish permanent bases, but that the agreement to broaden its military presence under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement was a big deal.

Visiting American military personnel could engage the Philippine military in larger joint combat-readiness trainings, provide help in responding rapidly to disasters and press efforts to help modernize Manilas armed forces, Austin and his Philippine counterpart Carlito Galvez Jr. said.

This is part of our effort to modernize our alliance, and these efforts are especially important as the Peoples Republic of China continues to advance its illegitimate claims in the West Philippine Sea," Austin said at a news conference in Manila.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the U.S. militarys strengthening in the region was escalating tensions and risking peace and stability.

Regional countries need to remain vigilant and avoid being coerced or used by the U.S., Mao told reporters Feb. 2 at a briefing in Beijing.

Austin and Galvez did not reveal the four new locations where the Americans would be granted access and allowed to preposition weapons and other equipment. The Philippine defense chief said local officials, where the Americans would stay, had to be consulted.

In November, then-Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Bartolome Bacarro disclosed that the sites included the strategic Subic Bay, where the Navy base was once a boon to the local economy. But two senior Philippine officials told the AP that Subic, where a Philippine navy camp is located, was not among the current list of sites where Washington has sought access for its forces, although they suggested that could change as talks were continuing. The two officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the issue publicly.

Subic freeport administrator Rolen Paulino said he has not been notified by the government that the former American naval base has been designated as a potential site for visiting U.S. forces.

A renewed U.S. military presence at Subic, however, would generate more jobs and raise additional freeport revenues at a crucial time when many Filipinos and businesses are still struggling to recover from two years of COVID-19 lockdowns and an economic recession wrought by coronavirus outbreaks, Paulino said.

I see them as tourists, he said of the U.S. forces whose presence could boost economic recovery.

About the size of Singapore, the former American Navy base at Subic with its deep harbors, a ship repair yard and huge warehouses had been used to support the U.S. war effort in Vietnam in the 1960s and 70s. It was shut down and transformed into a commercial freeport and recreational complex in 1992 after the Philippine Senate rejected an extension of U.S. lease.

A year earlier, the U.S. Air Force withdrew from Clark Air Base near Subic after nearby Mount Pinatubo roared back to life in the second-largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century and belched ash on the air base and outlying regions.

The American flag was lowered for the final time and the last batch of American sailors left Subic in November 1992, ending nearly a century of American military presence in the Philippines that began in 1898 when the U.S. seized the archipelago in a new colonial era after Spain held the Southeast Asian nation as a colony for more than three centuries. Washington granted independence on July 4, 1946, but maintained military bases and facilities, including Subic.

Chinas seizure in the mid-1990s of Mischief Reef, a coral outcrop within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines that extends into the South China Sea, provided the first hint that the allies may have been too quick to downgrade their relationship," said Greg Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The Philippine Constitution prohibits permanent basing of foreign troops in the country and their involvement in local combat but allows temporary visits by foreign troops under security pacts such as the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement and a 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement.

The 1998 agreement allowed a large number of American forces to be deployed in the southern Philippines to help provide combat training and intelligence to Filipino forces battling the then-al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf group, which was blamed for deadly bombings and mass kidnappings for ransom, including three Americans  one of whom was beheaded and another shot and killed in a Philippine army rescue. The third survived.

There is still, however, domestic opposition to a U.S. presence in the Philippines, which left-wing groups have criticized as neo-colonialism, reinforced by the 2014 killing of a Filipina transgender woman by a U.S. Marine, Wong said.

Governor Manuel Mamba of northern Cagayan province, where Bacarro said the U.S. has reportedly sought access for its forces in two local military encampments, vowed to oppose such an American military presence. Cagayan, located on the northern tip of the main Luzon island, lies across a narrow sea border from Taiwan, the Taiwan Strait and southern China.

Itll be very dangerous for us. If they stay here, whoever is their enemy will become our enemy, Mamba told the AP by telephone, adding the Philippines could be targeted by nuclear weapons if the conflict over Taiwan boils over.

You cannot really remove any presumption by anyone that the Philippines has a nuclear capability through the Americans, who will be here, Mamba said.
American forces and their allies in Asia are ready for battle after years of joint combat exercises, a United States general said Wednesday, adding that Russia's setbacks in Ukraine should serve as a warning to potential Asian aggressors like China and North Korea.

U.S. treaty allies like the Philippines, Japan and Australia, among others, "have shown that they will band together, that they will not stand for aggression from these nations that have decided they want to change the world order out here," Maj. Gen. Joseph Ryan said.

Although Asia has no counterpart to NATO, the 30-nation military alliance whose mostly European members vow to defend each other against external attacks, a network of U.S. treaty alliances and defense partnerships upholding the international order provides a regional safeguard, he said.

"I'm personally very buoyed by what I see by our allies and partners in this region and the way we've come together in response to aggression by the PRC, by North Korea to say, 'We will not let that stand,'" Ryan told The Associated Press in an interview Wednesday, using the acronym for China's official name, the People's Republic of China.

Ryan, Commanding General of the U.S. Army's 25th Infantry Division based in Hawaii, is in Manila partly for talks with Philippine counterparts ahead of two annual largescale combat exercises that would include live-fire exercises and ground, sea and air assault maneuvers involving thousands of U.S. and Filipino troops in March and April.

The Philippines, America's oldest treaty ally in Asia that used to host the largest U.S. naval and air force bases outside the American mainland, has allowed larger numbers of visiting U.S. forces to stay in rotating batches and preposition weapons and combat equipment in at least nine Philippine military camps under a 2014 defense pact. The Philppine decision to allow a broader American military presence was announced during a visit last week to Manila by U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

In the broader Asia-Pacific region, Washington has reinforced an arc of alliances to counter what it says are threats posed by an increasingly belligerent China and North Korea.

China has frowned on combat exercises involving the Americans in coastal areas facing the South China Sea, which Beijing claims virtually in its entirety, and has accused Washington of meddling in Asian disputes and dangerously militarizing the region by regularly deploying U.S. Navy warships and jet fighters.

More recent venues of large-scale exercises by American and Filipino forces included coastal Philippine provinces close to the disputed South China Sea, where China has taken increasingly assertive actions to cement its territorial claims, and in the northern Luzon region, which lies across a narrow sea border from Taiwan.

Combat-readiness exercises hopefully would make potential aggressors think twice, Ryan said.

The United States and the Philippines have agreed to hold about 500 small and major combat exercises in 2023 and expand annual military drills following disruptions caused by two years of coronavirus lockdowns, according to Philippine military officials.

"That does provide some deterrent effect against an adversary in the region, who would look at that and say, 'I don't want to take a step that may cause a government, a politician, to decide to go because I don't know that I can win if I've got to face that trained, ready force,'" Ryan said.

While military commanders say the joint exercises are not directed against any particular country, Ryan said China's increasingly aggressive actions were an alarming reality the region should brace for.

"Does the backdrop of PRC aggression enter our minds when we train? Absolutely," he said, and in the case of the Philippines, U.S. forces needed to be ready to fulfill their obligations under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.

"We feel duty-bound to ensure that the Philippines can maintain and will maintain their sovereignty," Ryan said. "So, aggression from the People's Republic of China that makes our treaty ally uncomfortable makes us uncomfortable."

The Philippines filed nearly 200 diplomatic protests in 2022 alone against China's aggressive actions in the South China Sea, a resource-rich and busy waterway where Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei also lay overlapping territorial claims.

Asked if U.S. forces and their Asian allies were ready to respond if a major crisis similar to Russia's invasion of Ukraine breaks out in the region, Ryan said, "Absolutely."

"I'm very comfortable that we're ready but that doesn't mean I'm satisfied. We can always get better," said Ryan, who commands about 12,000 soldiers under his infantry division.

He said experts would be flown in from Hawaii to train American and Filipino army troops in jungle survival and combat tactics during the Salaknib, the first of two major combat-readiness exercises starting next month in the Philippines.

Ryan said America's adversaries should consider political dialogue and diplomacy because "war is complicated  it's violent, it can go a number of different ways. Russia found that out. They continue to find that out."

"We thought that Ukraine would quickly succumb to Russian military power. That didn't happen," he said. "The most important reason in my view, by far, was the will of the Ukraine people to fight."

It was also crucial that the United States and NATO had helped train Ukrainian troops and enhanced their capabilities to deal with security contingencies for years before Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, he said.

"I think our allies in the region value their sovereignty, value their freedom, value their independence. And no adversary should take that lightly," Ryan said.
Southwest Airlines executives and union officials are appearing before the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Thursday to explain the cancellation of 16,700 flights last December in the middle of the holiday traveling season.

In a statement to the media ahead of his testimony, Southwest Airlines Chief Operating Officer Andrew Watterson took full responsibility for the failures that left more than 1 million passengers stranded in airports around the United States.

We messed up. We own that, he said, and pledged to take steps to ensure there will not be a repeat in the future.

Casey Murray, president of the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA), is also scheduled to testify at Thursdays hearing. In a statement, he blamed the airlines outdated scheduling technology and operational processes.

Murray said the airline ignored warnings about the system for years and said SWAPA predicted the holiday meltdown a month before it happened.

In a statement ahead of the hearing, Senator Maria Cantwell, chairwoman of the Senate Commerce Committee, said she was eager to hear the pilots testimony on how the debacle could have been avoided if the airline had acted sooner. She said the committee will be considering how to strengthen protections for consumers.

Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.
Near the banks of Montana's Musselshell River, cattle rancher Michael Miller saw a large, white orb above the town of Harlowton last week, a day before U.S. officials revealed they were tracking a suspected Chinese spy balloon over the state. The balloon caused a stir in the 900-person town surrounded by cattle ranches, wind farms and scattered nuclear missile silos behind chain link fences.

Miller worries about China as a rising threat to the U.S. but questioned how much intelligence could be gained from a balloon. China's bigger threat, he said, is to the U.S. economy. Like many throughout the country, Miller wonders if stricter laws are needed to bar farmland sales to foreign nationals so power over agriculture and the food supply doesn't end up in the wrong hands.

"It's best not to have a foreign entity buying up land, especially one that's not really friendly to us," Miller said. "They are just going to take us over economically, instead of military-wise."

Miller's concerns have been increasingly shared by U.S. lawmakers since the Chinese balloon's voyage over American skies inflamed tensions between Washington and Beijing.

In Congress and statehouses, the balloon's journey added traction to decades-old concerns about foreign land ownership. U.S. Senator Jon Tester, a Democrat, is sponsoring legislation to include agriculture as a factor in national security decisions allowing foreign real estate investments.

"The bottom line is we don't want folks from China owning our farmland. It goes against food security, and it goes against national security," Tester told The Associated Press.

At least 11 state legislatures also are considering measures to address the concern. That includes Montana and North Dakota, where the U.S. Air Force recently warned that a $700 million corn mill proposed near a military base by the American subsidiary of a Chinese company would risk national security.

City council members in Grand Forks, North Dakota, endured a barrage of criticism from town residents Monday night before voting 5-0 to abandon the plan. The move came a year after a joint press release from local officials and North Dakota's governor called the project "extraordinary," saying it would bring jobs and bolster the farm industry.

Enraged residents of the 59,000-person city near the Minnesota border demanded resignations from council members they claimed had tried to push through the plan, brushing off Chinese threats to national security.

"You decided, for whatever reason, this was such a fantastic thing for our city that you got blinders on," said Dexter Perkins, a University of North Dakota geology professor. "You guys went all in when there were a gazillion unanswered questions."

Before the Air Force's warning, officials said they weren't in a position to opine on national security matters.

Tiny percentage

Foreign entities and individuals control less than 3% of U.S. farmland, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Of that, those with ties to China control less than 1%, or roughly 340 square kilometers.

Yet in recent years, transactions of agricultural and nonagricultural land have attracted scrutiny, particularly in states with large U.S. military presences.

Limitations on foreign individuals or entities owning farmland vary widely throughout the U.S. Most states allow it, while 14 have restrictions. No states have a total prohibition. Of the five states where the federal agriculture department says entities with ties to China own the most farmland, four don't limit foreign ownership: North Carolina, Virginia, Texas and Utah.

The fifth, Missouri, has a cap on foreign land ownership that state lawmakers want to make more stringent.

Ownership restriction supporters often speculate about foreign buyers' motives and whether people with ties to adversaries such as China intend to use land for spying or exerting control over the U.S. food supply.

Texas in 2021 banned infrastructure deals with individuals tied to hostile governments, including China. The policy came after a Chinese army veteran and real estate tycoon purchased a wind farm in a border town near a U.S. Air Force base. This year, Texas Republicans want to expand that with a ban against land purchases by individuals and entities from hostile countries, including China.

Critics see it as anti-foreigner hysteria, with Texas' Asian American community particularly concerned about the effect on immigrants who want to buy homes and build businesses.

In Utah, concern has centered on a Chinese company's purchase of a speedway near an army depot in 2015 and Chinese-owned farms exporting alfalfa and hay from drought-stricken parts of the state.

Lawmakers this year are considering two proposals that would, to varying degrees, ban entities with ties to foreign governments from owning land.

"Do we really want any foreign country coming in and buying our agricultural land, our forests or our mineral rights?" asked Republican state Representative Kay Christofferson, who is sponsoring one of the bills. "If it would interfere with our sovereignty  especially in an emergency situation or during a threat to national security  I think that we'd lose our ability as a state to be independent and self-sufficient."

Caitlin Welsh, director of the Global Food Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the scramble to limit foreign land ownership tracked rising U.S.-China tensions. Welsh shares concerns about U.S. adversaries purchasing land near military bases like the one in Grand Forks but said worries about China controlling the food supply were overblown.

"China is just a small slice of the bigger picture of foreign ownership," Welsh said. "When it comes to food security, the biggest threat is that foreign owners can potentially pay a higher price for agricultural land, which then drives up prices."

The restrictions have encountered resistance in states with strong property rights. In Wyoming, two proposals to restrict foreign land ownership failed this week, even though Republicans who control the statehouse were sympathetic to concerns about China expanding its reach.

"We've had a lot of problems with China lately in the air. Big balloons flying over us. We look at this as a national and state security bill, for Wyoming and the United States," said state Representative Bill Allemand, a Republican from Casper.

Lawmakers on Monday rejected Allemand's proposal to ban ownership of more than an acre of land by people from China, Russia and countries the U.S. government considers state sponsors of terrorism. Skeptics said it would be difficult to police because of the complex web of title companies and holding corporations in agricultural real estate.

"This is very easy to get around," Republican state Representative Martha Lawley said. "We may end the day feeling good about ourselves, but we've opened up to a lot of liability."

Questions about foreign investment are increasingly prompting debate about whether cities and states should be rolling out welcome mats or shutting doors to potential threats. The issue can pit local officials interested in economic development against state and federal agencies concerned with national security.

That was initially the case with the proposed corn mill in Grand Forks, where officials last year lauded the plans. But days after the U.S. Air Force shot down the Chinese balloon, which China insists was only a weather balloon, the sentiment had fizzled and the city changed course.

"There's something that I've learned through this process, and that is sometimes to slow down and make sure we fully understand before we move to the next level," Grand Forks council member Ken Vein said before voting to abandon the corn mill.
The United States' two-way trade with other nations spiked in 2022, new federal data show, including trade with China despite increasing friction between the worlds two largest economies.

Even while posting record-high exports to 73 countries in 2022, the U.S. still ran a trade deficit of $1.19 trillion, up $101 billion from 2021, the U.S. Commerce Department said this week. The deficit reflected the fact that the U.S. also recorded record-high imports from 90 countries.

U.S. imports from China reached $537 billion in 2022 compared with $505 billion the previous year. The U.S. sold a record-high $154 billion in exports to the Chinese market, up slightly from $151 billion the previous year. The net trade deficit with China for 2022 was $383 billion.

The data, released Tuesday, came out just hours before U.S. President Joe Biden delivered the State of the Union address in which he promised to boost domestic manufacturing, to use only U.S.-made materials for a spate of infrastructure projects, and to remain focused on winning the competition against China.



However, what winning looks like may be difficult to determine.



Politics versus reality

Relations between the U.S. and China worsened during the past week, after Biden ordered the U.S. military to shoot down what intelligence officials said was a Chinese espionage balloon that had floated across the U.S. Prior to the shoot-down, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken canceled a scheduled trip to Beijing.



The balloon incident followed months of rising tensions and calls from many U.S. officials for a decoupling of the Chinese and U.S. economies and reshoring of key manufacturing to the U.S. But while the Biden administration may be able to use preferential purchasing treatment to shut Chinese construction materials and other goods out of U.S. infrastructure projects, experts said there is little evidence of broader separation between the U.S. and Chinese economies.



Regardless of the political rhetoric, which is tending towards a kind of rigid and suspicious environment between China and the United States, the practical moves on the ground from a business and commerce perspective show that there is a deep and sustained connection between the Chinese and U.S. economies, Claire Reade, a senior counsel with the law firm Arnold & Porter and former assistant U.S. trade representative for China affairs, told VOA.



Mark Kennedy, director of the Wilson Centers Wahba Institute for Strategic Competition, agreed, saying, There has not been a broad-based decoupling  and many economists are seeing that there really hasn't been a significant onshoring or reshoring. There are still strong ties, and to break those ties with China would be both difficult and costly.



Trade as ballast

Craig Allen, president of the U.S.-China Business Council, told VOA it's a good sign that trade between the U.S. and China has been persistently strong despite the imposition of tariffs by both sides and the Biden administrations recent move to block the sale of cutting-edge microprocessors to China.



Trade has acted as an important ballast in the relationship between Washington and Beijing in the past, and I think its still the case, he said via email. Competition is surely defining the contours of the relationship at the moment, and we hope that the relationship doesnt sour any further as a result.

I think, to that point, this new data can be a silver lining," said Allen. "Even though the United States and China are competing with one another, this last year of data and the growth in U.S. exports to China really shows that we can simultaneously maintain a trading relationship that benefits Americans.



A delicate balance

Reade said the Biden administration, in its effort to privilege American manufacturers over Chinese firms, will face a difficult challenge. Insulating American companies from non-U.S. rivals could make them less able to compete internationally or could lead to tit-for-tat protectionism against U.S. firms.



At the same time, she said, there is strong evidence that many large Chinese firms, including those that manufacture the kinds of goods used in major infrastructure projects, receive favorable treatment from the Chinese government that insulates them from market pressures, unfairly advantaging them over competitors.



To the extent the competition is not fair competition, it is also legitimate to not allow destructive price undercutting that decimates legitimate industries, she said.



US economic strength

Looking beyond the U.S.-China relationship, experts said that much of the explanation for the rising trade deficit has to do with the relative strength of the U.S. economy compared with those of many of its trading partners. A strong dollar makes foreign goods and services more affordable for Americans, while making U.S.-made goods and services more expensive overseas.



The big takeaway is that when you're running a high-pressure economy, which the U.S. is, you're going to import a lot of stuff, Gary Hufbauer, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, told VOA. And that's exactly what has happened. You've got the unemployment rate down to 3.4% and two job vacancies for every worker unemployed  that really speaks to just high-pressure demand.



Although China was the largest source of imports to the U.S. in 2022, Canada and Mexico were the United States largest two-way trading partners. The countries share lengthy land borders with the U.S. and participate in a three-way free trade agreement. Total U.S.-Canada trade was $794 billion in 2022, and U.S.-Mexico trade was $779 billion.



After Canada, Mexico and China, Japan was the next largest of the United States trading partners, with $229 billion in goods trading hands last year.

The U.S. did $903 billion in two-way trade with the nations of the European Union in 2022, with the largest share, $220 billion, between the U.S. and Germany.

Other large two-way trading partners in 2022 were South Korea at $187 billion; the United Kingdom at $141 billion; Vietnam at $139 billion; Taiwan at $136 billion; and India at $133 billion.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Brussels, where he met with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

"Welcome to Brussels, dear Volodymyr Zelensky. The heart of the European family, in which Ukraine belongs," she said on Thursday, illustrating the message with a joint photo.

"We will support Ukraine every step of the way towards our Union," von der Leyen said.
Special envoys from the European Union, Britain, France, Germany, Norway, and the U.S. have vowed to support Sudan's transition to a civilian-led government.

The six envoys arrived in Khartoum Wednesday and met with Sudanese political leaders to show support for the countrys ongoing political transition. But they agreed to resume financial support to Sudan only once a civilian-led transitional government is formed.

The envoys made the pledge late Wednesday after meeting with the head of Sudans ruling Sovereign Council, General Abdul Fattah al-Burhan.

Speaking after the meeting, Peter Lord, the U.S. deputy assistant secretary for East Africa, Sudan and South Sudan, said the envoys are in Khartoum to acquaint themselves with the ongoing political process.

He said they believe that the December 5th political framework agreement is the best basis to form the next civilian-led government in Sudan, and the best basis to establish a constitutional arrangement for a transitional period that results in elections.

Its our strong hope that the parties will make a quick formation of a civilian led-government that is able to lead Sudan out of its current political, economic crises, said Lord.

On December 5th, Sudanese civilian and military leaders signed a power-sharing deal that raised hopes of ending clashes between security forces and protesters that have persisted since the countrys October 2021 military coup.

Lord said it was their hope that the framework agreement will mark the first step toward forming a civilian-led government, which will prepare the nation for elections.

In early January, various Sudanese political forces that were signatories to the framework agreement launched discussions on army and security reforms, transitional justice, and dismantling elements of former President Omar al-Bashirs government.

Khalid Omer Yousif, the official spokesperson for the ongoing political process, welcomed the visit of the six western envoys and says it is a good opportunity for them to learn about the challenges facing the process in Sudan.

He said the envoys expressed their understanding about challenges facing the political process in Sudan and their readiness to fully support all the actors to reach an urgent political solution in a short time.

The envoys visit coincided with an official visit by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to Khartoum Wednesday, as part of his African tour to strengthen economic and political ties.

Sudanese political analyst Haj Hamed said Russia was trying to send a signal to Western countries that it also has strong ties with Sudan and it has to protect its interests.

They are the main suppliers of the army with weapons and they are already supporting Himetti [Dagalo] by training and other things, he said. They have their own companies that are buying gold. So they have to protect this economic interest by standing firm. The Russians are becoming more aggressive now within their foreign policy as they are now becoming more militarily aggressive in Ukraine.

The state-owned SUNA news agency reported that Lavrov met Thursday morning with General al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo.

SUNA reported the meeting focused on Sudanese-Russian relations and ways to enhance them in all fields, as well as the political crisis in Sudan in light of the December framework agreement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is to appear in person Thursday to lobby the European Parliament in Brussels for more weapons in his country's fight against Russia.

If security concerns permit, Zelenskyy will address a summit of the 27-nation bloc in his push to secure tanks, jets and missiles.

The Ukrainian leader is on a three-nation tour seeking support from allies in Europe as the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion nears. Ukrainian officials have said they expect Russia to time a new offensive in the east around the February 24 anniversary.

Zelenskyy flew to London on Wednesday to thank the British people for their support in fending off Russias nearly yearlong invasion of his country and predicted that Ukraine would win the war.

"We know freedom will win, we know Russia will lose," Zelenskyy told the British Parliament. "We know the victory will change the world, and this will be the change that the world has long needed. The United Kingdom is marching with us towards the most important victory of our lifetime."

Zelenskyy also met with King Charles at Buckingham Palace in what was Zelenskyys second trip abroad since the Russian invasion began. In December, the Ukrainian leader went to Washington to meet with President Joe Biden and address Congress.

Later Wednesday, Zelenskyy met with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Paris.

"I have come here and stand before you on behalf of the brave, on behalf of our warriors, who are now in the trenches under enemy artillery fire," Zelenskyy told Parliament, paying tribute to Ukraine's military. "I thank you for your bravery. ... London has stood with Kyiv since day one."

Hundreds of lawmakers and parliamentary staff packed 900-year-old Westminster Hall, the oldest  and unheated  part of Parliament, for Zelenskyy's speech.

Britain has been one of Ukraines biggest military supporters, sending more than $2.5 billion in weapons and equipment.

The visit came as British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that Britain would train Ukrainian pilots on "NATO-standard fighter jets." More than 10,000 Ukrainian troops have also been trained at bases in the United Kingdom, some on the Challenger 2 tanks that Britain is sending.

"I am proud that today we will expand that training from soldiers to marines and fighter jet pilots, ensuring Ukraine has a military able to defend its interests well into the future," Sunak said.

Zelenskyy called on British lawmakers to offer even more advanced fighter jets, a plea he has also made to the United States and its Western allies.

"We ... will do everything possible and impossible to make the world provide us with modern planes to empower and protect pilots who will be protecting us," Zelenskyy said.

Later, at a joint news conference in front of a tank at the Lulworth Camp training base, Sunak said fighter jets were "part of the conversation" about support for Ukraine.

"Nothing is off the table," he said. "We must arm Ukraine in the short term, but we must bolster Ukraine for the long term."

On the battlefront, Ukraine said Russia was continuing its artillery bombardment in the eastern region of the country, in what Kyiv officials have said they think is part of a new thrust to mark the anniversary of the invasion.

Russian forces over the past day also launched major shelling on areas near the front line in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region, killing a 74-year-old woman and wounding a 16-year-old girl in the border town of Vovchansk, local Governor Oleh Syniehubov said.

Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands said Tuesday that they were planning to send at least 100 older, refurbished Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine.

The Leopard 1 tanks were manufactured from the mid-1960s to the mid-1980s and, once made battle-ready again, will not reach Kyivs fighters until the summer months. The defense ministers of Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands said in a statement that the additional weaponry would "significantly enhance Ukraines military potential for the restoration of their violated territorial integrity."

The German defense ministry said that authorities in Berlin had approved the export of up to 178 Leopard 1 A5 tanks to Ukraine, but that the number sent would depend on the refurbishments required. Germany has not used the tanks since 2003.

The new weapons deployment will come in addition to Germanys recent announcement that it would dispatch 14 newer Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraines fighters. The U.S. said it would supply 30 of its front-line Abrams tanks.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
European Union leaders welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with a standing ovation Thursday as he pleaded for fighter jets to fend off Russia's nearly year-long invasion and pushed for European Union membership for his war-torn country.

"A Ukraine that is winning is going to be member of the European Union," Zelenskyy told the European Parliament in Brussels, equating his appeal around a common destiny with other European countries in confronting Russia.

"Europe will always be and remain Europe as long as we ... take care of the European way of life," he said.

Zelenskyy said that talks about Ukraine joining the 27-nation EU bloc should start later this year, and that such discussions would help motivate Ukrainian soldiers on the battlefield. But EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen cautioned, "There is no rigid timeline" for talks on Ukraine joining the EU.

European Parliament head Roberta Metsola said she backs Zelenskyy's call for more support. "We know the sacrifice your people have endured for Europe, and we must honor it not only with words but with action," Metsola said. "The jets you need to protect the liberty too many have taken for granted."

Metsola called on EU member states to take additional action. EU states already have sent $53.6 billion in aid and military hardware to Kyiv and have imposed sanctions nine times on the Kremlin.

"We have your back," she said. "We were with you then, we are with you now, we will be with you for as long as it takes."

After Zelenskyy spoke, he held up an EU flag, and the entire legislature stood in somber silence as the Ukrainian national anthem and the European anthem "Ode to Joy" were played in succession.

Russia has tracked Zelenskyy's two-day trip to London, Paris and Brussels and his appeals for fighter jets and other assistance.

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia's Security Council chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin, visited a Siberian arms factory Thursday and declared that Russia will respond to the Western aid by churning out thousands of tanks.

"Our enemy was begging for aircraft, missiles and tanks on a trip abroad," Medvedev said during a visit to the factory in Omsk. "We will naturally increase the output of various types of weapons and military equipment, including modern tanks. We are talking about production and modernization of thousands of tanks."

In its latest assessment, the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War said Russian forces "have regained the initiative in Ukraine and have begun their next major offensive" in the eastern Luhansk region, most of which is occupied by Russia. "Russian forces are gradually beginning an offensive, but its success is not inherent or predetermined," the institute declared.

Ukraine has in recent days said that Russia is beginning a renewed offensive to coincide with the first anniversary of its invasion on February 24.

"An escalation is underway, and the main goal is to seize [the eastern] Donbas [region] by the end of March," Main Intelligence Directorate spokesman Andriy Yusov told Ukrainian television.

The front line has expanded in the Donetsk province in the last day, with fierce battles taking place as Moscow's forces closed in on key Ukrainian-held towns, according to Ukrainian regional Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko. Russian shelling struck a kindergarten, hospital, cultural center, factory and apartment buildings, he said.

"The intensity of the shelling has increased dramatically, and we are seeing a significant intensification of activity by the Russian army immediately in the south, center and north of the region," Kyrylenko said. "Russia is again actively using combat aircraft to shell our cities and villages."

Russian forces also have ramped up attacks in neighboring Luhansk province, launching "a broad offensive," regional Gov. Serhii Haidai said.

In the northeastern Kharkiv province, 23 cities and villages came under shelling. In the border city of Vovchansk, shelling damaged about 10 apartment buildings.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
European Union leaders welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with a standing ovation as he made his case to push for more weapons in the fight against Russias invasion and begins talks on European Union membership for his war-torn country.

Addressing the European Parliament in Brussels, Zelenskyy thanked EU leaders for the continued assistance to his country and said Ukraine will emerge victorious from the war and will be part of the EU.

European Parliament head Roberta Metsola said she backs Zelenskyy's call for more support. We know the sacrifice your people have endured for Europe and we must honor it not only with words but with action, Metsola said. The jets you need to protect the liberty too many have taken for granted.

Metsola called on EU member states to take action.

You need to win and now [EU] member states must consider quickly as the next step providing long-range systems and the jets that you need to protect your liberty.

Zelenskyy said with the support of allies, Ukrainians are defending ourselves against [the] biggest anti-European force of the modern world.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also confirmed Thursday that the European Union plans to deliver more military assistance to Ukraine.

Zelenskyy was accompanied by his French counterpart, President Emmanuel Macron, on Thursday on his way to attend a summit to address the EU parliament.

If security concerns permit, Zelenskyy will address a summit of the 27-nation bloc in his push to secure tanks, jets and missiles.

SEE ALSO:

The Ukrainian leader is on a three-nation tour seeking support from allies in Europe as the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion nears. Ukrainian officials have said they expect Russia to time a new offensive in the east around the Feb. 24 anniversary.

Zelenskyy flew to London on Wednesday to thank the British people for their support in fending off Russias nearly yearlong invasion of his country and predicted that Ukraine would win the war.

"We know freedom will win, we know Russia will lose," Zelenskyy told the British Parliament. "We know the victory will change the world, and this will be the change that the world has long needed. The United Kingdom is marching with us towards the most important victory of our lifetime."

Zelenskyy also met with King Charles at Buckingham Palace in what was Zelenskyys second trip abroad since the Russian invasion began. In December, the Ukrainian leader went to Washington to meet with President Joe Biden and address Congress.

Later Wednesday, Zelenskyy met with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Paris.

"I have come here and stand before you on behalf of the brave, on behalf of our warriors, who are now in the trenches under enemy artillery fire," Zelenskyy told Parliament, paying tribute to Ukraine's military. "I thank you for your bravery. ... London has stood with Kyiv since Day One."

Britain has been one of Ukraines biggest military supporters, sending more than $2.5 billion in weapons and equipment.

The visit came as British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that Britain would train Ukrainian pilots on "NATO-standard fighter jets." More than 10,000 Ukrainian troops have also been trained at bases in the United Kingdom, some on the Challenger 2 tanks that Britain is sending.

Zelenskyy called on British lawmakers to offer even more advanced fighter jets, a plea he has also made to the United States and its Western allies.

"We ... will do everything possible and impossible to make the world provide us with modern planes to empower and protect pilots who will be protecting us," Zelenskyy said.

Later, at a joint news conference in front of a tank at the Lulworth Camp training base, Sunak said fighter jets were "part of the conversation" about support for Ukraine.

"Nothing is off the table," he said. "We must arm Ukraine in the short term, but we must bolster Ukraine for the long term."

On the battlefront, Ukraine said Russia was continuing its artillery bombardment in the eastern region of the country, in what Kyiv officials have said they think is part of a new thrust to mark the anniversary of the invasion.

Russian forces over the past day also launched major shelling on areas near the front line in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region, killing a 74-year-old woman and wounding a 16-year-old girl in the border town of Vovchansk, local Governor Oleh Syniehubov said.

Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands said Tuesday that they were planning to send at least 100 older, refurbished Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine.

The Leopard 1 tanks were manufactured from the mid-1960s to the mid-1980s and, once made battle-ready again, will not reach Kyivs fighters until the summer months. The defense ministers of Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands said in a statement that the additional weaponry would "significantly enhance Ukraines military potential for the restoration of their violated territorial integrity."

The German defense ministry said that authorities in Berlin had approved the export of up to 178 Leopard 1 A5 tanks to Ukraine, but that the number sent would depend on the refurbishments required. Germany has not used the tanks since 2003.

The new weapons deployment will come in addition to Germanys recent announcement that it would dispatch 14 newer Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraines fighters. The U.S. said it would supply 30 of its front-line Abrams tanks.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
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Nearly a year ago, tens of thousands of Ukrainians sought refuge in the United States as Russian troops invaded their country. Mike O'Sullivan spoke with two Ukrainian families in California about their lives one year later.
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President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen arrived in the session hall of the European Parliament for a speech by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.

According to Interfax-Ukraine's own correspondent, in addition to the members of the European Commission already present in the hall, Margrethe Vestager joined her.

Earlier, von der Leyen, together with European Council President Charles Michel, met Zelensky at the airport.

Western media have already called this visit of the head of the Ukrainian state historical.
Clark County Poet Laureate Armin Tolentino will read at WordFest on Tuesday, February 14, 6-8 p.m., at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 1428 22nd Avenue in Longview. In honor of Valentine's Day, Tolentino will read poems that explore family relationships and love, lost and found.

Tolentino is the author of the collection We Meant to Bring It Home Alive (Alternating Current Press). He earned an MFA at Rutgers University-Newark and his writing has appeared in journals including Rigorous, Gobshite Quarterly, Portland Magazine, and Pontoon Poetry. More info at http://www.armintolentino.com.

Joining him is Portland artist and poet Caroline Holm and local poet Robert Griffin.

Holm will read from her debut collection of illustrated nature poetry and prose, Woodland, published in February 2022, and also pieces from her forthcoming book of paintings and poetry. More information at carolineholmpoetry.com or @carolineholmpoetry on Instagram.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Robert Griffin has been writing poetry for over 30 years, enjoying the way poetry soothes and lifts our hearts with gentle embraces. He has won the Shakespearean Award of Excellence from the American Poets Society and several Rattle Awards.

An open mic will follow the presentations.

Due to Covid, it is recommended that people be vaccinated and boosted if possible, and wear masks when not eating or drinking.

The monthly gathering of readers and writers meets the second Tuesday of each month, 6-8 p.m., in the fellowship hall of St. Stephens Episcopal Church. The events are free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Alan Rose at http://www.alan-rose.com.
President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola believes Ukraine will become a member of the European Union.

On Thursday in Brussels at the European Parliament, welcoming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, she said: "I am proud to say that this House of European Democracy, its members, our European Union - have always stood with you. We understand that you are fighting not only for your values, but for ours. For those ideals that bind us as sisters and brothers. That make us, all, European. Because Ukraine is Europe and your nations future is in the European Union."

The President of the European Parliament called for the EU to show support for Ukraine "not only with words but with action: with the political will to ensure easier trade with the fastest possible accession process. With funds for your people, with help in reconstruction, with training for your troops. With military equipment and defense systems you need to win."

Metsola also said the world is going through "extraordinary times" right now. "It has been almost one year since the brutal, illegal invasion of sovereign Ukraine by Russia. In all that time, Mr President, your leadership has inspired your people and inspired every corner of the globe. When the world thinks of Ukraine they think of heroes fighting the odds, of David beating Goliath," she said.

The President of the European Parliament also called the decision of the Ukrainian leadership to send aid to the victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria "real solidarity."
Man stabbed and robbed at Rome's central station.

Rome mayor Roberto Gualtieri will reportedly meet with the capital's prefect Bruno Frattasi on Thursday to discuss security at the city's central train station Termini following the latest episode of violence there.

A 46-year-old man from Milan was hospitalised in a serious condition on Sunday night after being stabbed and robbed outside the train station on Via Giolitti.

The victim of the robbery, named as Arturo Battisti, allegedly reacted by punching the thief whose accomplices intervened, stabbing him in the chest three times, according to Corriere della Sera newspaper.

The thieves ran off with the man's phone and 20, reports state broadcaster Rai News.

Three men, described by Italian media as young north Africans who frequent the station area, were subsequently arrested and are being held in Rome's Regina Coeli prison on charges of attempted murder and aggravated robbery.

Interior minister Matteo Piantedosi said the "immediate identification of the alleged perpetrators of the stabbing on Via Giolitti in Rome demonstrates the effectiveness of the police services that we are carrying out in Italy's main stations and surrounding areas."

Sunday night's stabbing has reignited a debate about security around Termini and comes about a month after a 24-year-old Israeli tourist was stabbed and seriously injured as she bought a train ticket inside the station.

The attack prompted authorities to increase police checks and raise the number of officers on the beat in the area around Termini in recent weeks.

Cover image: Termini station, Rome. Photo credit: DedMityay / Shutterstock.com.
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Accusations of stock-market manipulation by the Adani Group, strenuously denied by the conglomerate, have shone the spotlight on a festering global problem loosely estimated to amount to between 2% to 5% of the worlds output: Money-laundering. Obscure funds based in Cyprus and Mauritius, one of whom is linked to an intermediary thats also alleged to have played a role in the $4.5 billion 1MDB looting from taxpayers in Malaysia, may be funneling someone elses money into Adani stocks, the short seller Hindenburg Research has alleged.

But whose money is it and whose job is it to find out?

A listed entity does not have control over who buys/sells/owns the publicly traded shares or how much volume is traded, or the source of funds for such public shareholders, the Indian group said in its 413-page rebuttal. Nor is it required to have such information for its public shareholders under laws of India. Hence we cannot comment on trading pattern or behavior of public shareholders.

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The Securities and Exchange Board of India, however, can and must talk  and act. A more than $100 billion rout in the share prices of the highly leveraged infrastructure owner has the potential to spark a broader contagion, especially if the local banking system gets infected. Its SEBIs job to restore trust in the Indian market.

Stripping off the layers of shell companies and gleaning hard evidence on people behind them is tough for regulators. Not all overseas jurisdictions are willing to share information without prima facie evidence of criminality. Its a doubly knotty challenge in India, where families control large business empires and have a natural incentive to shortchange minority shareholders. While other developing countries struggle with money leaving their shores via mispriced trade invoices and other illegal means, India is one of the weightiest emerging markets after China in the schema of index providers like MSCI Inc. Illicit flows tend to come back, to profit at the expense of genuine investors.

To keep the market clean, SEBI has to rely on an 11,000-member club. The lot is known as foreign portfolio investors, the registered conduits through which funds flow into Indian exchanges from the rest of the world. Members comprise Wall Street and other banks, active and passive money managers, sovereign wealth repositories and pension plans. But they also include the likes of Cyprus-based New Leaina Investments Ltd.

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New Leainas website claims to offer a variety of investment possibilities, though about 95% of its assets are in Adani Green Energy Ltd., according to public filings. The investment vehicle held a little over 17 million shares as their price surged nearly 18-fold between late 2019 and April 2022. Even with the stock losing nearly three quarters of its value since then, New Leaina continued to own the same number of shares all the way through to December, based on Bloomberg data. Regulators worldwide want long-term, patient money, but surely SEBI should ask questions if its registered investors are seen to be behaving irrationally?

Back in the summer of 2021, too, there were jitters in the market about Adani stocks. Ever since, there has been considerable public interest in wanting to know their actual beneficial owners, or at least the senior management professionals in instances where the people receiving the gains from the stock couldnt be listed (as in the case of, say, BlackRock Fund Advisors buying shares for its exchange-traded funds).

In response to a question in parliament in July 2021, New Delhi provided a list of foreign investors in Adani Group. It named Margaret Sjak Shie-Sankatsing, Jan Scheelings, and Collin de Wit as the people behind New Leaina. Hindenburg alleges they are likely employees of Amicorp Group, a corporate services firm with extensive ties to Adanis web of offshore entities. Shie-Sankatsing did retire from Amicorp in 2015 as a managing director. Scheelings worked there as well, according to their LinkedIn profiles.

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But so what? Amicorp is a recognized firm that provides secretarial services to various entities and corporate groups from across the globe and not just the Adani portfolio entities, the Indian conglomerate countered. We are not concerned with these completely unrelated scandals that you refer to in a blatant attempt to build a false narrative around our group, Adani said in response to the short sellers allegation that Amicorp also played a key role in Malaysias 1MDB fraud, creating money laundering entities masquerading as mutual funds.

Short sellers come up with whatever allegations they want in the hope something sticks, Toine Knipping, a co-founder and chief executive of Amicorp, said in an email reply to my questions. If there would be anything strange going on in an entity Amicorp is in any way connected to, I am sure it would be part of our ongoing conversations with any relevant regulator. None of the three New Leaina functionaries responded to my queries sent via LinkedIn.

While nobody has accused them of wrongdoing, their presence in this drama serves to illustrate a frustrating problem. The regulators goal in lifting the veil from opaque corporate structures offshore is to arrive at real people. In the 1MDB scam, the investigation reached bank accounts in the name of the then-Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, through which the proceeds of the loot from the state fund allegedly flowed. Thats how Najib was convicted.

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Such breakthroughs are rare, however. When the trail ends with officers of a corporate secretarial firm in a tax haven, the regulator has no further layers to peel  and no case thatll stand up in court.

But the stakes are too high for SEBI to hide behind legal difficulties. French energy giant TotalEnergies SE has put a multi-billion dollar plan to produce green hydrogen with Adani on hold for now. Total owns about a fifth of Adani Green, where some of its recent fellow investors have been Elara India Opportunities Fund, LTS Investment Fund, Vespera Fund and Albula Investment Fund, all SEBI-registered foreign investors from just a couple of addresses in Mauritius. Together with New Leaina from Cyprus, they owned 120 million shares between them in December; Total had a little over 300 million.

The SEBI has written to custodian banks asking for details on beneficial owners of offshore funds and foreign portfolio investors by September, Reuters reported this week. However, theres nothing the custodians can tell it by September that it doesnt already know. To do more than just spruce up its database, the regulator will need to get creative, and arm itself with additional powers so that the fruit of its more robust supervision can withstand scrutiny by the appellate authority and Indias courts. Illicit flows must be stopped at the gate, but delicately. Or else, genuine investors will get irritated with Indias compliance burden.

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Madhabi Puri Buch, the former banker who last year became the first woman to head SEBI, has the chance to shape investors perception of Indian markets for the next 20 years. Politically, too, its an opportune moment. As opposition politicians try to corner Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his proximity to Adani, and the government tries to distance itself from the saga, she can afford to get tough against powerful business families. India, it is said, always does the right thing in the end  when theres a crisis. Hopefully, this time wont be different.

 Hindenburg Gives a Master Class. Adani Flunks: Andy Mukherjee

 Adani Short Seller Hindenburg Opened a Pandoras Box: Shuli Ren

 Indias Billionaires Banded Together for Adani: Andy Mukherjee

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Andy Mukherjee is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering industrial companies and financial services in Asia. Previously, he worked for Reuters, the Straits Times and Bloomberg News.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

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We are defending ourselves against the most anti-European force in the modern world. We, Ukrainians, are with you, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday, speaking at the European Parliament in Brussels.

The threat to Russia, he said, "is only that there is a dictator with a mad stockpile of weapons, as well as weapons from other dictatorships, in particular, the Iranian regime." "In order to be able to wage this war, the Kremlin absolutely cynically, consistently destroyed what we see at the core of our Europe. The sacred value of human life has been completely destroyed in Russia," Zelensky said.

"All 140 million citizens for the Kremlin are only bodies capable of carrying weapons. Weapons to Ukraine," he said, adding: "The supremacy of violence and obedience  these are rules, instead of law."

"Only our victory will guarantee all our common European values," he said.
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That didnt take much. After Walt Disney Co. delivered earnings Wednesday that beat expectations and announced a plan to cut $5.5 billion in costs, activist investor Nelson Peltz said this morning that he was ending his proxy fight against the media giant. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight With the heated proxy filings that both Peltzs Trian Partners and Disney had fired off foreshadowing a brutal boardroom battle, Peltzs quick retreat was surprising. But the fast and relatively easy victory for Disney will only solidify Chief Executive Officer Bob Igers mythology as one of corporate Americas most iconic CEOs. And Disneys board, whose reputation had been marred by botching Igers succession in the first place, comes out looking like a winner for deciding to bring back the conquering hero.

Yet its hard to ignore that some of the strategy Iger outlined in the earnings call echoed that of his handpicked predecessor, Bob Chapek, whom the board ousted late last year to make way for Igers return. After reporting a disastrous quarter in November with a $1.5 billion loss in the streaming business that ultimately led to his undoing, Chapek said the company would cut costs and eliminate jobs  both core elements of Igers plan. Chapek also promised that Disneys streaming business would turn a profit by 2024, the same timeline presented by Iger on Wednesday. The biggest change from the Chapek era is Igers reversal of a restructuring that eroded the autonomy and power of the content division heads, leading to complaints of curtailed creativity.

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What truly made the difference was not so much Igers strategy but his delivery, his style rather than the substance. He had a little something for everyone during the earnings call. He used some variation of the word creative no less than 15 times, a concession to the employees who felt as if they had been stifled under Chapek. For investors, including, of course, Peltz, who went unmentioned on the call, he and Chief Financial Officer Christine McCarthy hit on profitability 10 times. The cherry on top was Igers announcement that the company planned to reinstate its dividend.

Iger led things off on the call by trumpeting his own credentials, saying that since he first became CEO in 2005, he already had overseen two Disney transformations. The first was the acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilms, which turned Disney into a true content and branding powerhouse. But its worth noting that the second of those transformations that Iger highlighted  the companys evolution into a streaming giant  is still a massive money-losing endeavor. The streaming business is at the core of what Iger must fix. It is a testament to Igers skill as a storyteller and statesman that he has been able to position himself as savior to some of the problems he helped create.

Iger departed the CEO job on top in 2020, and he returned on top less than three years later. But now he faces the realities of running the company and executing on his newly outlined vision. Some of the biggest challenges in front of him have nothing to do with financials. He must continue to navigate Disneys unwanted position as a prime target in the culture wars, which Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has shown no sign of conceding. And he must undo his biggest defeat as a CEO by finally figuring out how to successfully hand off the top job to a successor.

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Now with Peltz out of the picture, he has one less excuse if he again fails to deliver a fairytale ending.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Crash Course: Disney Vs. the Battle of the Bobs: Timothy L. OBrien

 Disney-Peltz Show Shouldnt Cast the Board as Villain: Beth Kowitt

 The Curse of the Iconic CEO Is Bigger Than Disney: Beth Kowitt

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Beth Kowitt is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering corporate America. She was previously a senior writer and editor at Fortune Magazine.

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Covid is still killing about 500 Americans every day  picking off the oldest, frailest members of our society. About 9 in 10 Covid deaths are now among people over 65. Some older people feel left behind by 2023s back-to-normal attitude. Protecting them should be the focus for the rest of us. And we can do that without the kind of sacrifices we endured in the early part of the pandemic.

When we hear there are 460 deaths or 520 deaths and theyre all old people ... that cuts very raw with me, said epidemiologist Michael Osterholm on a recent podcast episode. I put myself in that category  I will soon be 70 years of age  we feel like our lives are almost seen as disposable.

I wrote to Osterholm, who directs the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, to tell him that while I was moved by his plea to care about the old, surely nobody wants to see closed playgrounds and schools again. Whatever solution we find for 2023, it has to allow kids full freedom to play, study and just be kids. I couldnt agree more, he said. He does not want to see people return to universal masking or isolation.

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So what should we be doing?

Despite our political polarization over the pandemic, Americans generally agree that we care about our old people and dont want them to die. And now for the first time theres some hope we can agree about what to do about it.

The political left and most of the public health community took the position that the best strategy was to try to prevent cases across the board, first through closing restaurants and other business, canceling school, and then imposing mask mandates and other restrictions after a partial reopening.

The view on the right was encapsulated in a petition called The Great Barrington Declaration, which emphasized the protection of seniors but wasnt specific on how that would be accomplished other than that it should not be done by reducing the spread of the virus through children and young people.

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But we have better scientific studies showing whats most likely to help. Theres less guesswork to squabble over. We have better technology  drugs, vaccines and home tests.

Osterholm said we need to be clearer about the limitations of masking and make sure those at high risk know they can protect themselves by wearing an N95 mask in some circumstances, but cant assume cloth and surgical masks offer protection (either to the wearer or anyone around them).

We should also use rapid tests before visiting elderly friends and relatives, and cancel plans with them if we feel sick or have recently been exposed to someone with Covid. Thats much better than avoiding people, which has an enormous price. That may be one of the cruelest things of all, said Osterholm. If we basically prevent [older people] from getting infected by isolating them to where its loneliness that does them in.

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We can talk to the older people in our lives about vaccines and boosters. An onslaught of false claims about the vaccines has frightened people away from getting them, even when they would clearly benefit from them. Older people are still dying because they have never been vaccinated, Osterholm said, or they skipped boosters that could save their lives.

And doctors can become better informed about treatment for patients who test positive. Many older people arent getting the antiviral Paxlovid, though it could save their lives. The drug should be given to people at elevated risk for dying from Covid-19 as soon as possible after they develop any symptoms. But Osterholm said too many doctors thought the drug was only for people who had already developed severe symptoms.

Paxlovid requires that people be taken off some regular medications  but that can usually be done safely, he said. By contrast, getting infected with Covid is never safe in people over 75. Theres just a lot of misinformation even in the medical community, he said.

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But there is only so much regular people can do. We need scientists and public health officials to do more, putting older people at the center of their efforts. The plan to make Covid shots into a seasonal vaccine given along with flu shots is unlikely to stop the stream of death because SARS-CoV-2 doesnt follow a seasonal pattern and the evolution of variants remains unpredictable. What we need is for scientists to keep working toward a better vaccine.

Americans can go on forever trying to decide which political faction won the debate over how to handle the pandemic. The questions are different now  and so is the right strategy. When our senior citizens die before their time, we all lose.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Free Covid Care Will Be Gone Soon. Should You Worry?: Lisa Jarvis

 This Column May, or May Not, Cause an Allergic Reaction: Adam Minter

 The Tragedy of Avoidable Covid Deaths: Faye Flam

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Faye Flam is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering science. She is host of the Follow the Science podcast.

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Never underestimate Washingtons ability to turn a controversial but apolitical issue into a partisan battle. The latest example is something called the Show Up Act, which stands for Stopping Home Office Works Unproductive Problems. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight The bill passed the House last week on a virtually party-line vote, with only one Republican against and only three Democrats for. It would require federal agencies to return to their pre-pandemic telework levels, effectively ignoring the new normal of the hybrid workplace. It also doesnt stand a chance in the Democratic Senate.

Nonetheless, the floor debate was heated. Republicans blamed bureaucratic backlogs on pandemic-era remote work policies. They accused Democrats of supporting dysfunctional government and alleged that President Joe Biden cant submit his budget on time because too many staffers are working from home. Democrats, for their part, charged that Republicans dont like federal workers and want to roll back the clock on work the in the same way that they want to roll it back on abortion and even slavery.

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Hyperbole aside, the federal government is playing catch-up with the private sector. And Congress is making its job harder than it needs to be.

Numbers are hard to come by, but its clear that federal workers have not come back to the office in the same numbers as those in the private sector.(1) Overall, about 47% of the capital regions workers went into the office the last week of January, according to data from Kastle Systems, which tracks security-badge swipes.

Its hit the economy of the capital hard  there are some 280,000 federal workers in the region, about 141,000 in Washington itself. The citys tax revenue is down, stores are closed, and subway ridership is low. Its like a three-year hurricane in the city, says Yesim Sayin, executive director of the D.C. Policy Center, a nonpartisan think tank.

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Getting more federal workers to show up at least three days a week would help considerably. Its why Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, and Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton are atypically aligned with House Republicans on this issue.

In his State of the Union address last year, President Joe Biden pledged that with Covid receding, the vast majority of federal workers will once again work in person. But policies vary among agencies, and the Office of Personnel Management has failed to update its guidelines about remote work.

Thats more than just a bureaucratic oversight. With the unemployment rate at its lowest level in more than half a century, workers have leverage. Federal workers may find more appealing opportunities, and more clear work-from-home policies, in the private sector.

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According to Nick Bloom, a Stanford economist, roughly 59% of full-time US workers are fully on-site  they are front-line employees, mostly non-college graduates and lower paid. There are 28% in hybrid roles, who tend to be professionals and managers. Fully remote workers are about 13% of the workforce, and in more specialized roles.

It would make sense, Bloom says, for a lot of civil servants to work from home two or three days per week, mimicking what the private sector does.

But with Congress playing politics with workplace policies, that will be difficult. On the House floor last week, Representative Glenn Grothman, a Wisconsin Republican, complained that the vast majority of people in his district  he cited some cheese-factory workers  had to go to work through the pandemic. So he didnt want to hear how horrible it is for federal workers to have to go in to the office.

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Representative Gerry Connolly, a Democrat from Virginia, agrees with Republicans that working from home isnt an entitlement. But its the Office of Personnel Management, not Congress, that should take the lead, setting metrics for performance and productivity. It reports that in 2019, the last full year before the pandemic, about 22% of all federal employees nationwide  and 56% of all eligible employees  worked from home some of the time.

Hundreds of thousands of federal workers are eligible for retirement in the next few years, he notes, and the government has to be able to compete with the private sector to recruit talent. How often have we heard our Republican friends say we should run government like a business? Connolly asks. Now they need to give it some flexibility to compete.

I absolutely believe we all have to return to work and get to a standard of normalcy, he told me from his home office, in between various Zoom meetings. But it has to be different from what it was before the pandemic.

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More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Government Workers Should Be Back in the Office: The Editors

 Working From Home Is Most Popular in Big Cities: Justin Fox

 Why I Dont Want to Work From Home: Paul Davies

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(1) By one measure, only 5% of the federal workforce in the region was regularly in the office at the end of 2022. That number comes from the real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield, citing data from the General Services Administration. Another figure, from an October poll by the OPM, is that one in three federal workers were regularly coming into the office.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Julianna Goldman is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist who was formerly a Washington-based correspondent for CBS News and White House correspondent for Bloomberg News and Bloomberg Television.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

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It's a red flag when exercise or food choices lead to obsessions with appearance, body size, weight or exercise in a way that worsens quality of life.
Ukraine will be a member of the European Union, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said, speaking at the European Parliament on Thursday.

"The decisions of the heads of the EU countries made it possible to do on the European continent what the previous wave of leaders considered impossible. Europe is being freed from the destructive dependence on Russian fossil fuels. Europe is being cleansed of the corrupt influence of the Russian oligarchic business. Europe is being protected from the infiltration of agents of the Russian special services," Zelesky said.

According to him, "for the first time in history, the European Union provides military assistance on such a scale. And for the first time in history, I believe, it is preparing a positive assessment of reforms in a European country that is defending itself and, at the same time, fighting, modernizing its institutions."

"We are approaching the European Union. Ukraine will be a member of the European Union. The victorious Ukraine will be a member of the victorious European Union," Zelensky said.
Google owner Alphabet fell by the most in more than three months after a demonstration of its new artificial intelligence chatbot, Bard, sparked concerns that the tech giant has lost ground in the race for the future of internet search.

Google has been under pressure since developer OpenAI launched its wildly popular chatbot, ChatGPT, which many in the tech industry tout as the next generation of search. On Tuesday, Microsoft, which is investing billions in OpenAI, unveiled a new version of its Bing search engine and Edge browser incorporating technology from the AI start-up. On Wednesday, Google hosted a news conference in Paris where it shared more details about its progress integrating artificial intelligence into search.

The incorrect answer has raised questions about the accuracy of the chatbot. Credit: Getty Images

Investors were largely underwhelmed by the demonstration. In one instance, Bard was asked about new discoveries from the James Webb Space Telescope. In one of its responses, Bard said the telescope was used to take the first pictures of a planet outside the Earths solar system  but NASA says those were actually taken by a different telescope.

Alphabet shares fell by 7.7 per cent on Wall Street. The fall has wiped more than $US100 billion ($144 billion) off Alphabets market value.
A senior decision-maker working for the national healthcare watchdog sent a letter to its chief executive, Martin Fletcher, last July claiming that poor quality investigations were causing death and injury among patients.

The letter, obtained by this masthead, said most of the investigations completed by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency that the decision-maker observed over a 13-year career were poor quality and had undermined its obligation to protect the public.

AHPRA chief executive Martin Fletcher was warned about serious problems with its investigations last July.

In a statement, Fletcher defended the quality of AHPRAs investigations and said resources and training had increased in recent years. We dont accept that our investigations are of poor quality, he said. Public safety is at the heart of everything we do.

But scrutiny of AHPRA continues to intensify after reporting in this masthead revealed chronic under-resourcing, bullying and systemic racism within the organisation. The bullying and racism allegations were anonymous and have not been made against Fletcher personally. In an interview on Monday, federal opposition health spokeswoman Anne Ruston called for new state and federal laws to bolster accountability for the watchdog.
Russia has created a plan to destroy the political situation in Moldova, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said, speaking at the European Council on Thursday.

"Recently, I spoke with the President of Moldova, Ms. Sandu, and informed her that we managed to intercept our [Ukrainian] intelligence. The detailed Russian plan is the destruction of the political situation in Moldova. A Russian document that shows who, when and as a result of what actions is he going to break Moldova. Break the democratic order in this country and establish his control over it," Zelensky said.

According to the Ukrainian president, he did not hesitate for a minute after receiving this document.

"And when I heard about its origin, I immediately warned Moldova about all these threats. To protect. Each and every one of you would have done that," he said.
The BHP worker fatally hit by a train on Tuesday has been identified as Port Hedland local Jody Byrne.

BHP WA Iron Ore Asset President Brandon Craig said the 51-year-old was working at the Boodarie facility, near Port Hedland, when he was struck by the locomotive at about 9.30pm.

Jody Byrne. Credit: Facebook

Jody joined BHP in 2013 and worked in our Queensland coal and WA iron ore teams, he said.

Jody is survived by his wife, three daughters and four grandchildren.
Peter Dutton is facing the first major test of his political leadership with a byelection looming in the Liberal-held Melbourne seat of Aston, after former cabinet minister Alan Tudge quit politics.

Tudge has endured several political scandals in recent years including over his affair with former staffer Rachelle Miller, the allocation of funding for commuter car parks and the robo-debt scheme, which is the subject of a royal commission where he faced difficult questioning last week.

Tudge announced his resignation  effective from next week  less than a year after the 2022 election, when his two-party preferred margin was slashed from 10.1 per cent to 2.8 per cent.

His resignation immediately triggered discussion that former treasurer Josh Frydenberg could attempt to resurrect his political career, but that was ruled out by Victorian Liberal Party president Greg Mirabella.
Defence Minister Richard Marles has rejected claims by former prime ministers Paul Keating and Malcolm Turnbull that Australias plan to acquire nuclear submarines under the AUKUS pact will undermine the nations sovereignty.

Both Keating and Turnbull have argued AUKUS will make Australia too dependent on the United States at a time the nation should be becoming more self-reliant.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has dismissed concerns AUKUS will undermine Australian sovereignty. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

In a speech to parliament on Thursday, Marles will strongly defend AUKUS in a bid to soothe any lingering concerns about the pact within the Labor base ahead of a major announcement in March about the type of nuclear-powered submarine technology Australia will acquire.

Preparation is under way for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to travel to Washington for a possible joint press conference with US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, with expectation building that Australia will adopt a joint next-generation submarine model combining American and British technology.
Singapore/Denpasar: An Australian man originally from Italys Calabria region has been apprehended in Bali, in a police operation praised by Italys prime minister.

Antonio Strangio, 32, is wanted by Italian police over the sale of 160 kilograms of marijuana but had evaded their grasp in the seven years since an Interpol red notice global alert was issued for his arrest.

Australian-Italian dual citizen Antonio Strangio, 32, is transferred by police in Bali on Wednesday. Credit: Amilia Rosa

He is now facing extradition to Rome after being detained by immigration officers as he arrived at Balis Ngurah Rai International Airport last week and could face as long as 30 years in prison in Italy if found guilty.

Police in the southern Italian region of Reggio Calabria had been searching for Strangio for seven years, as part of the anti-mafia project, and had known of his whereabouts for some time, according to Italian newspaper La Repubblica.
Copenhagen: Norways justice minister apologised for having failed to admit, when quizzed in Parliament, that she had installed and used TikTok on her government-issued phone.

The popular video-sharing app is Chinese owned, which has raised fears in the West that Beijing could use it to scoop up user data or push pro-China narratives or misinformation.

Norways Minister of Justice, Emilie Enger Mehl, left, at an event last year. Credit: AP

Justice Minister Emilie Enger Mehl, 29, told parliamentarians on Wednesday that she had installed TikTok on her government phone for about a month last autumn and has since deleted it. Questioned by opposition MPs in the past, she had dodged the issue citing security reasons.

I could have been open about this earlier, Enger Mehl said on Wednesday. I am sorry that the matter has developed in that way. ... I see in retrospect that I should have been open about the fact that I had TikTok on a (government) phone earlier.
Washington: A former leading commander of the US navy in the Indo-Pacific has urged Congress to fast-track development of Australias nuclear submarines, warning the AUKUS deal would be significant only if America followed through in the long term.

Speaking at a Congressional hearing into the threat of China, Admiral Harry Harris threw his weight behind a push to overhaul the maze of US regulations and export control laws that could limit the transfer of military technology to Australia and potentially derail the multibillion-dollar agreement.

Details of the AUKUS announcement regarding US submarines in Australia are expected to surface soon.

I cant emphasise enough how important it is to get through this export control issue with Australia, said Harris, who was also a US ambassador to South Korea under Donald Trumps administration.

We could have every good intention in the world, but we could be bound up by our own regulation and our own regulatory policy, so whatever could be done to relax that would be beneficial.
Weather continues to play a significant role in the course of Russia's war in Ukraine, according to a defense intelligence statement published on Twitter by the Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on Thursday morning.

"With the ground frozen, there has likely been little change in cross country mobility (CCM) conditions in eastern Ukraine in recent weeks. On February 8, 2023, surface temperatures were around 0 degrees Celsius; over the coming week, forecasts suggest soil temperature increases and snow melt are likely to deteriorate CCM across Donbas," the defense intelligence said.

At the same time, it is noted that in the middle to the end of March it will most likely be extremely muddy and the CCM will be the worst. "Commanders on both sides will highly likely seek to avoid scheduling major offensives at such times. However, perceived political or operational opportunities can override such concerns, as demonstrated by Russia launching its invasion in late-February 2022," British intelligence said.
On 27 January, 2023, the Eswatini Revenue Services (ERS) held a virtual meeting to officially kick off the development of the new electronic advance ruling system project. The electronic advance ruling system is being developed by the WCO under a partnership between the EU-WCO Programme for Harmonized System in Africa (HS-Africa Programme) funded by the European Union, and the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme funded by the United Kingdoms His Majestys Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

The electronic advance ruling tool intervenes as part of a comprehensive support to ERS in improving tariff and origin infrastructures and to contribute to the efforts of ERS in Customs modernisation and reform. The project combines the development of the tool with capacity building. The WCO has been supporting ERS under the HS Africa Programme with the implementation of advance ruling and building capacities in tariff classification. The Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme has been assisting ERS initiatives as a cross cutting enabler for trade facilitation. Hence, the joint support and concerted efforts by both programmes shall maximize the impact and yield tangible results in Eswatini and further contribute to meet the international standards of the WCO, WTO and the AfCFTA.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Brightwell Nkambule, ERS Commissioner General, highlighted the importance of the project emphasizing that it aligns with ERSs strategic plan which embraces digitalization to improve efficiency and trade facilitation while supporting the engagement of the trading community. "Our revenue is dependent on the compliance level of our clients, so the intent is to make compliance easier for our clients". He then added, "We embrace technology to improve efficiency, trade facilitation and the enforcement drive, as well as the customer experience". He highlighted that ERS is committed to the implementation of the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC) and the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).

The electronic advance ruling tool will be used by the trading community to electronically submit requests for advance rulings and by ERS Customs officers to review, assess, deliver and publish the advance rulings. The system is designed to provide a more efficient, transparent and simplified way to obtain advance rulings as a way of facilitating trade.

In closing, the ERS Commissioner General thanked the two programmes working in partnership sponsored by HMRC and by the EU for the continued support in ERSs reform and digitalization journey and reiterated that the kickoff of the project is just the beginning of many modernization initiatives.

For more details, please contact hs@wcoomd.org
On 7 and 8 February 2023, the WCO conducted its sixth and final regional consultation on WCO modernization with the Asia/Pacific (A/P) region. Twenty-one Member administrations and the Regional Office for Capacity Building (ROCB) for A/P participated in this fully virtual consultation.

The A/P regional consultation was chaired jointly by the regional Vice-Chair, Mr. Michael Outram of Australia, and the WCO Deputy Secretary General, Mr. Ricardo Trevino Chapa. As was the case with the five previous regional consultations, the discussions focused on seven specific issues outlined in a discussion document, prepared in advance by the WCO Secretariat, concerning the current internal situation of the Organization and potential improvements for moving towards overall WCO modernization.

In his opening remarks, the regional Vice-Chair referred to many changes in the international operating environment, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring proper adaptation by the WCO in order to make the Organization a key influencer at global level. He welcomed the holding of regional consultations on these matters, highlighting the importance of taking stock of the WCOs current position prior to developing a detailed strategy for its modernization. The Deputy Secretary General agreed that a general brainstorming process was required before being able to chart a clear path forward, together with related deliverables. He recalled the decision made at the December 2022 session of the Policy Commission regarding the extension of the timeframe for completing the exercise, ensuring that the final document to be presented in June 2024 duly considered all the relevant aspects to be addressed.

The participants from the A/P region focused in particular on the importance of ensuring a good balance between ambition and reality, especially taking into account the Organizations limited resources. They reiterated the principles of a balanced approach when it came to implementing standardized or corporate mechanisms in many areas of the WCOs operations. The approach should safeguard the agility and flexibility of the Organizations overall structure while taking full account of regional realities and priorities. They also unanimously supported the idea that WCO modernization should drive the entire Organization towards better governance and stronger accountability, supported by enhanced transparency in its operations and procedures.

The WCO Modernization Plan is one of the key deliverables specified in the Strategic Plan 2022-2025 for responding to the needs identified in the Focus Area Governance and accountability. This sixth and last regional consultation marks the end of the first round of consultations, with involvement by all the regions and WCO management. The consultative process will be pursued and will involve additional stakeholders, up to the submission of the WCO Modernization Plan to the Policy Commission and Council in June 2024 for endorsement.
At the invitation of Mr. Suhail Abanmi, Governor of ZAKAT, Tax and Customs Authority of Saudi Arabia, WCO Secretary General, Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, visited Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on 8 and 9 February 2023 to speak at the ZAKAT Tax and Customs Conference 2023.

At the high-level panel session titled An Investment-Friendly Logistics Environment (Transparency and Efficiency), Dr. Mikuriya spoke about international standards, including WCO instruments and programmes, technology and human capital, as ways to enhance connectivity at borders. In addition, he stressed the importance of developing trust and cooperation between domestic and international stakeholders, such as in Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programmes. He went on to say that sharing data with tax and other government agencies would improve economic competitiveness by facilitating and securing supply chains and thereby improving investment climate.

Other panelists, including the Minister of Transport of Saudi Arabia and the CEO of a shipping company, shared the vision of transforming Saudi Arabia into a regional and global logistic hub.

Secretary General Mikuriya also took the opportunity to discuss with Mr. Faisal F. Al-Ibrahim, Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning, about ways to strengthen the Gulf Cooperation Council Customs Union. WCO Secretary General visited, together with ZAKAT Governor Abanmi and the WCO Council Chairperson, Ahmed Al-Khalifa, President of Bahrain Customs, the WCO Regional Training Centre and the Regional Dog Training Centre, hosted by Saudi Arabia in Riyadh and explored their contributions to regional capacity building activities.

Dr. Mikuriya welcomed the efforts by Saudi Arabia to share good practices on Customs-Tax cooperation, AEO and other Customs related matters during the conference.
More than 20 generals of the Russian occupying army were killed after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to the website of the Japanese media corporation Nikkei on Thursday, citing intelligence data.

British media said in June that more than ten generals had been killed. Japan estimates their total at more than 20 based on intelligence gathered in cooperation with the United States and Europe. about the weakness of the armed forces of the invaders.

Former Chief of Staff of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Kiyofumi Iwata called the number "unbelievably high", noting that in the United States, for example, there were almost no combat deaths of officers of such a high rank. "The death of a general weakens troop morale," he said.

Iwata attributed the unusually high number of generals killed to the superiority of the Ukrainian military in cyberspace, allowing Kyiv to know their whereabouts, and to Russian tactics of sending generals into combat.

A senior Japanese intelligence official, who has not been named, also raised the possibility of using informants. "There may be informants in the two eastern regions giving information to Ukraine," he said.

It is noted that the lack of internal sources was one of the main reasons why it took the United States ten years to find and kill Osama bin Laden.

"Recruitment of local informants depends on a variety of factors, including systems of government, religion and ethnicity. It should come as no surprise if the regions of Ukraine invaded by Russia have sources furnishing Kyiv with intelligence," the newspaper said.

According to the publication, the version that Ukraine was able to target Russian commanders by monitoring mobile phone signals - a communication method that Russian troops were forced to use due to problems on the electronic warfare front; after that, Russia banned the use of such devices.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who visited Kyiv, handed over ten generators to the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

"Today, Kyiv received ten generators as assistance from the Paris Mayor's Office," Klitschko's official website said on Thursday.

According to the report, the generators are planned to be installed in the heating points of the capital, as well as in educational institutions operating in the conditions of a power outage and heating cut due to Russian shelling of Kyiv's critical infrastructure.
A building 500 square meters in area was destroyed as a result of a gas cylinder explosion on the territory of a former plant in Darnytsky district of Kyiv, the mayor of the city, Vitali Klitschko, has said.

"A building 500 square meters in area was destroyed as a result of an explosion at a one-story warehouse on the territory of a former plant. One person was killed. Three injured people were removed from under the rubble," he said on the Telegram channel on Thursday.

The search and rescue operations continue at the scene.

The causes for the explosion are yet to be found out, the mayor said.
Zelensky at European Council meeting: We should intensify cooperation dynamics before aggressor mobilizes its potential

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has called on the European countries to intensify the dynamics of cooperation before the aggressor state is able to mobilize its potential.

In his speech at a meeting of the European Council in Brussels on Thursday, Zelensky thanked the leaders of the European countries for the previously adopted packages of sanctions.

"But have they sufficiently limited Russia's aggressive potential? We have to make this journey to the end," he said.

"Security should be added to our freedom and unity. The EU is on the way to such security. Fundamental steps have been taken, but we have to overcome all this way. We have to intensify the dynamics of our cooperation before the aggressor is able to mobilize its potential," the head of state said.

Zelensky also said that security cooperation between Europe and Ukraine has created a historic example for any aggressor.

"An example of why one should not start aggression against the Europeans. That is why the Russian aggression must be defeated as soon as possible," he said.

"The sooner freedom and European values return to the entire territory of Ukraine, which remains occupied, the more reliable and longer will be peace throughout Europe," the Ukrainain president said.

Zelensky also stressed the importance of creating a turbinal against Russia for its aggression and a compensation mechanism for the damage caused by the Russian terror.

"All these are points of the Peace Formula. Ukraine never wanted a war, any war. Ukraine never provoked and always tried to support peace," he said.
Today

Clouds thicken overnight. A warm and dry evening, then a spotty shower or two possible after midnight. Remaining quite mild.

Tonight

Clouds thicken overnight. A warm and dry evening, then a spotty shower or two possible after midnight. Remaining quite mild.

Tomorrow

Mainly cloudy and much cooler than we've been (but still not bad for April) with some occasional showers or an afternoon t-storm, but not a washout.
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

Clouds thicken overnight. A warm and dry evening, then a spotty shower or two possible after midnight. Remaining quite mild. .

Tonight

Clouds thicken overnight. A warm and dry evening, then a spotty shower or two possible after midnight. Remaining quite mild.
READING, Pa.  Berks County Commissioner Christian Y. Leinbach announced at the commissioners meeting Thursday morning that the county has maintained the top Moody's bond rating.

Leinbach said the county was recently contacted by Moody's Investor Services for a bond rating review, which was being viewed as a bond-rating downgrade.

"And the reason for that was the rules and criteria around bond ratings had changed," Leinbach said. "They became tougher, and the assumption was, since we were one of five counties that had an Aaa plus stable outlook bond rating, that wouldn't continue at that level."

Leinbach credited Robert "Bob" Patrizio, the county's chief financial officer, who wasn't about to allow a downgrade.

"Bob wasn't going to let them just say you're the ninth largest county in the commonwealth, so you don't have the tax base that others do," Leinbach explained. "He went into the bond rating call prepared with data showing that financially, Berks County is better than many of the other southeastern counties across the board, no matter what you look at."

"And we came out holding on to our Aaa plus stable outlook bond rating," he continued. "It was very exciting and it's important. A lot of people don't know that when we went into this rating, probably three or four years ago, we were in the middle of a bond refinancing. And by kicking up to the top rating, we saved $600,000 in interest on that bond refinancing."

"Beyond the tax base, that is very strong in Berks County. Beyond the economic development, are the fiscal policies of the county," Leinbach said. "We have continued to pay down debt. That is a significant issue and we've continued to increase budget reserves.

Leinbach said the county has about $160 million in an unreserved fund balance, with a total budget of all state and federal programming over $600 million.

According to its website: "Moodys long-term ratings are opinions of the relative credit risk of financial obligations with an original maturity of one year or more. They address the possibility that a financial obligation will not be honored as promised. Such ratings use Moodys Global Scale and reflect both the likelihood of default and any financial loss suffered in the event of default."

"Moody's came in believing that we were going to be downgraded, and that didn't happen," Leinbach added. "And it didn't happen because Bob told us, 'I'm not going to let that happen.' I think they're missing the real picture on Berks County, and they agreed."

Kevin S. Barnhardt, chief administrative officer, echoed the thoughts.

"I pitied the rating call person on the other end of the phone as Bob spent three-and-a-half hours (on the call)," Barnhardt said. "I think you really did Moody's a favor being on a call such as that. We have a real treasure here in our budget office in the form of Bob Patrizio."
READING, Pa. - "You can always have an injury that people survive from and years later, pass away," said Capt. Christian Rothermel with the Criminal Investigations division of the Reading Police Department.

In this case, it was months.

On September 10, 2022, Reading police responded to reports of a fight in the 700 block of Penn Street.

When officers arrived on scene, they say they found an unconscious man and Miles Fullard, who at that time was arrested on aggravated assault charges.

"According to witnesses, he hit and kicked him so hard that he knocked him unconscious and he never woke up," said Rothermel.

Fullard claimed self-defense. He said the victim tried to enter his van.

"Video was obtained from the DoubleTree and from some other locations on Penn Street, which clearly indicated that Mr. Fullard's description of this incident to the police was not in any manner the truth," said district attorney John Adams.

The victim, 63-year-old George Jackson, had been at Reading Hospital for months. Authorities say he died on February 1, 2023.

They say when Fullard showed up for a court appearance this week, he was taken into custody and charged with both first and third-degree murder.

"We did not tell him, we did not tell his attorney," said Adams. "Frankly, we kept this confidential to make certain that he could be taken into custody without any problems."

Police say no matter the circumstances, there was no need for Jackson to lose his life.

"There's an obvious point at which you stop doing that to someone and this guy just went above and beyond that," said Rothermel.

Fullard is being held without bail

.
READING, Pa.  The Reading Zoning Hearing Board on Wednesday heard a request from Reading Area Community College for variances from the elevation requirements of the floodplain as defined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

RACC is planning to convert the existing Weitz Hall into the Weitz Healthcare Pavilion, which will allow the school to double its enrollment in its health care program.

Ken Dearstyne, senior vice president of financial and administrative services for RACC, said the building is part of the college's master improvement plan.

The college is located within the commercial-core zoning district, but also lies within the institutional overlay district and within the special flood hazard overlay, as the college sits next to the Schuylkill River.

Reading Zoning Administrator Thomas Neff warned RACC officials that he would have to notify FEMA of any variance granted by the board.

"And that will trigger an investigation by FEMA on this application," Neff said. "FEMA requires various steps that are similar to zoning, and that there has to be unique physical circumstances to the property other than just being in the floodplain."

"It would look at something totally different than what you may be looking at as far as hardship," Neff explained. "FEMA says variances should only be issued by a community upon showing good and sufficient cause."

Jamal F. Abodalo, community development director for Reading, said it is Neff's job to interpret the zoning regulations, but that he, himself, represents the view of the administration.

"We are in support of this project, not only because of how magnificent this organization is and how important it is to the success of our community," Abodalo said. "When it's all completed, we'll actually contribute to filling the gap and the shortage of nurses in our community and possibly beyond that."

Abodalo called the FEMA floodplain regulations bureaucratic red tape.

He said he believes that there is an error in the calculations of the actual elevation level of the building and incorrect calculations on the FEMA map.

Wayne Bealer, chairman of the city planning commission, said elevations are not the only thing to be concerned about.

"The important thing is that we can't be looking at the elevations of what the banks of the Schuylkill River are, because the flooding in that area is actually caused by our stormwater system," Bealer said. "And that is what FEMA is looking at, and that is what the floodplain administrator is looking at."

City Council President Donna Reed said that while respecting the zoning administrator, she wanted the board to take into account the testimony on the importance of the renovations for the future of health care.

"The 2006 flood was certainly ameliorated by the existence of Blue Marsh and the regulation of water coming downstream from there," Reed said.

"We certainly value the importance of this expansion," she continued, "and we stand with them (RACC) in the hope that the zoning hearing board will respectfully grant their appeal that this work will make it (the building) a jewel along the river, and it will be so important to our city's future and to our workforce's future."

City Council recently awarded RACC $2 million from American Rescue Plan Act funding, specifically for this project.

Zoning board Chairman Philip Rabena acknowledged the importance of RACC to the community, but added that the board has to always look at the benefit versus the risk.

"And no matter what decision anybody ever makes, there's always a positive side to it, and there's always going to be a negative side," Rabena said, "and you have to figure out which one you want to work best."

In a related case, RACC requested zoning relief to expand an existing parking lot at 201 S. Front St. to 274 spaces from the current 57 spaces for the benefit of the more intense use expected at the new Weitz Healthcare Pavilion.

Decisions are expected to be made on March 8.
BETHLEHEM, Pa.  The Bethlehem Zoning Hearing Board approved a height variance request for a warehouse expansion Wednesday night at city hall.

The applicant, United States Cold Storage, plans a 99,267-square-foot cold storage warehouse expansion at 15 Emery St. in Lehigh Valley Industrial Park VII at the Bethlehem Commerce Center.

The applicant is seeking a variance to the 80-foot building height to allow for a 112-foot building height. The variance will allow the company to establish "a modern automation system" within the building's expanded portion. The company has roughly 45,000 pallet cubes about 6 feet in height at the location.

"The automated process takes the employee out of the storage room completely," Mitch Harper, general manager of the Bethlehem location said about the proposed automation system.

"Employees are still unloading pallets from trailers and loading pallets onto trailers," Harper said, "but once they have that pallet, instead of placing it on the dock, waiting for a forklift employee to come grab that pallet, they place it onto a conveyor system."

Harper said the 112 feet was the minimum height that would provide US Cold Storage an efficient operation, and it was closest to Bethlehem's height requirement. The company plans to add 10 or 11 employees for the expansion, with the average employee earning about $64,000 annually.

"We have about 138 warehouse employees today," Harper said.

The project also includes a truck access and gate house reconfiguration and additional parking, which the applicant says will improve truck traffic efficiency.

US Cold Storage representatives said the proposed redevelopment "is consistent with the previously approved land development," and complies with all use and dimensional requirements in the city's zoning ordinance.

The company is a third-party storage unit for frozen food products, and broke ground on the Bethlehem site in 2004, according to Harper.

"Customer demand is at an all-time high," Harper said of the reason for the expansion.

The building operates 24 hours per day, five days per week, and has one Saturday and one Sunday 10-hour shift. Currently, the site welcomes 160 trucks per day.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - What to do about school funding in Pennsylvania?

A judge says the current formula is unconstitutional and must change. After a year-and-a-half long trial and a 9-year-long lawsuit, the landmark decision came down on Tuesday.

School districts are certainly looking at this wondering how they will be affected. The judge, in the nearly 800-page ruling, said there are an infinite number of ways to fix the funding gap between rich and poor schools.

"The way Pennsylvania does school funding, now we have a court for the first time declaring the system unconstitutional, that is huge," said Bethlehem Area School District Superintendent Joseph Roy.

He adds his district isn't poor but shortchanged $20 million a year. A result of the fair funding formula, which less than 15% of public education funds actually go through.

"If it went through 100% we would get more and other districts wouldn't, but the urban districts we are talking about, the poorer districts would," he said.

The lawsuit brought by six rural school districts, including Panther Valley, says the current system relies too much on property taxes, hurting poorer schools. The lawsuit said the gap between rich and poor is too great and that the funding formula must change.

"I just hope the state and Harrisburg when they look at all this keeps it constant where we are not going to lose any particular money," said Northampton Area School District Superintendent Joe Kovalchik.

He describes his district as not rich and not poor, but still can't afford to lose any state funds whenever a new formula is put in place.

"It won't happen overnight," said Mimi McKenzie.

She is the legal director at the Public Interest Law Center, which represented the plaintiffs. She doesn't think wealthier schools will be hurt by a new system.

"I don't think that education is a zero-sum game and I don't think that is what the court had in mind at all," she added.

"But it will open the door to more conversations about property taxes. That's a complicated issue, too," Roy added.

There is a 30-day window for an appeal. Barring that, the Governor, legislature, and plaintiffs will all work together to pass a new funding formula.
LAPID SEEKS SWIFT PASSAGE OF BILLS STRENGTHENING PROMOTION OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN BASIC AND HIGHER EDUCATION

Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid again expressed grave concern over the rising number of student suicide cases, as DepEd reported in a Senate committee hearing that over 400 youth students nationwide took their own lives and some 2,000 others attempted suicide in Academic Year 2021-2022.

Amid calls to declare a mental health emergency, Lapid asked his colleagues at the Senate for the early passage of Senate Bill Nos. 1795 and 1796, seeking to strengthen the promotion and delivery of mental health services in basic education and state universities and colleges, respectively.

"Ako po ay nananawagan sa aking mga kasamahan sa Senado na agarang ipasa ang mga panukalang batas na ating inihain kaugnay ang pagpapatibay ng mga mental health services sa ating mga eskwelahan, kasabay ng nakababahalang pagtaas ng mga kaso ng suicide at iba pang mental health problems sa ating mga kabataan," Lapid said.

The Department of Education also disclosed that the ratio of mental health professionals to students is currently at 1:13,400, far from the ideal ratio of 1:500.

"Higit sa pagtugon sa mental health services, nais rin nating suriin at siguruhin na maayos na napapatupad ang ng Mental Health Law upang mas maayos at mabilis nating matugunan ang mga pagkukulang dito," he added.

Lapid's proposed SB No. 1795, to be known as "Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act," aims to put up Mental Health and Well-being Offices in every schools division; while SB No. 1796, otherwise known as "State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) Mental Health Act," mandates all SUCs to ensure the provision of proper and adequate mental health services to their students, faculty, non-teaching staff, and other personnel.

"Umaasa po ako na agarang maisasabatas ang ating mga panukalang inihain upang masugpo ang pagdami ng kaso kaugnay ng mental health sa ating mga kabataan," Lapid expressed.

As of this writing, SB No. 1795 is now being discussed in a technical working group under the Committee on Basic Education.
Ukraine may receive new Panther tanks within 15 to 18 months  Rheinmetall head

German defense concern Rheinmetall AG wants to deliver Panther KF51 main battle tank to Ukraine and is holding talks with Kyiv in the issue, Chairman of Rheinmetall AG Armin Papperger has said.

"We are holding talks with Kyiv on the export of Panther," he said in an interview with German newspaper Handelsblatt.

Ukraine also expressed interest in the new Lynx infantry fighting vehicle, according to the publication.

Rheinmetall presented the Panther at a trade fair in Paris last summer and touted it as the strongest battle tank in the world. Ukraine would be the first customer for the vehicle.

According to Handelsblatt, there is still only a demonstration model of the Panther. Nevertheless, Papperger promises a delivery "in 15 to 18 months".

The tanks could be built in Germany or in Hungary.

The approval of the federal government is required for an export, since the Panther was developed in Germany.

The Europeans could no longer do without any more battle tanks from their stock "because we have nothing", Papperger said, according to the newspaper.
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Back in 2012, Sabrina Joseph was a sophomore at Dieruff High School in Allentown. She was performing in the ensemble in the school's production of Hairspray.

Fastforward a decade: Joseph's doing Hairspray once again, but this time on the national stage.

"Sabrina Joseph came to us as a freshman, she was super talented already, but beyond that, she was just a great person. And still is," Assistant Principal Sarah Pastelyak said.

Back when Joseph was singing and dancing at Dieruff, Pastelyak was directing those musicals.

"We want to see them make their passion their profession," Pastelyak said. "And it's just such a rewarding thing to see that."

Joseph joined a Zoom with students from Dieruff as well as other participating high schools on Wednesday afternoon.

"What else is something that I learned in high school?" Joseph said during the live Q&A session. "Whatever you're doing on stage, regardless of how big or small of a role you think you have, it ultimately makes a huge difference."

The Zoom was hosted by the Freddy Awards. It's like the Tony Awards, but for high schools from the Lehigh Valley area.

"It's kind of like one of my biggest dreams ever," Dieruff sophomore Faith Gross said about performing beyond her high school career.

Gross dreams of parlaying her high school musical talents into a profession, just like Joseph did.

"Usually, you hear of actors and they're like, 'Oh, I'm from New York. I'm from this place. I'm from here,'" Gross said. "But you don't really hear Allentown. That's important to me because I'm from Allentown as well. And I like to see people growing their careers from here in the field of acting, singing."

You can see Sabrina Joseph in Hairspray when her tour lands in Easton, at the State Theatre on Feb. 18.
Northampton County Commissioner John Cusick will run for the Republican nomination for County Controller in the May primary election.



Cusick is a former County Council president. He is not seeking re-election to council in favor of running for controller, the independently elected fiscal watchdog of county funds.



He cited several issues in his campaign announcement Wednesday.



"The inability to produce quarterly financial reports in a timely fashion, issues with and avoidance of competitive bidding, and millions in COVID relief spending are just some of the fiscal challenges facing Northampton County," Cusick said.



Northampton County disbursed millions of dollars of its federal COVID-19 pandemic-relief aid to small businesses, a program that Cusick said strayed from its original goal of getting money out on the street fast. At a 2020 County Council meeting, he said the aid program was taking on "eternal life."



Cusick has also criticized changes in bidding procedures that he said have led to fewer bids on county work.



"Northampton County desperately needs a person in that office elected by the voters with experience, leadership skills, and a willingness to hold the administration and bureaucracy accountable for the use of county funds," his campaign announcement says.



The current controller is Richard "Bucky" Szulborski, who was appointed to the post after the death of elected Controller Antoine Bassil. Szulborksi said when he was appointed that he would not run for the job. The controller is in charge of auditing county operations.



Cusick, 56, is completing his fourth term on council. He was elected at-large (from across Northampton County) to serve from 2006 to 2014, and he has represented District 3 since 2016.



He was president of council for five years, and led the finance, personnel and open space committees. He has been council's liaison to the Farmland Preservation Board, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission and Discover Lehigh Valley. He has been active with the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP), a statewide lobbying organization.



He cited as achievements his support for the consolidation of the county's Human Services Department into a single facility, along with support for a work release and drug-treatment center, and a new county morgue.



"The county controller should be an individual committed full-time to auditing county agencies and the fiscal oversight of our tax dollars," Cusick said. "It's not an office for a political activist looking to collect a paycheck while pursuing higher office," he said.



With Szulborksi not running, that comment may have been directed at fellow Commissioner Tara Zrinski, who is running in the Democrat primary for controller.



Cusick is a graduate of Lehigh University and has been a math teacher for 27 years. He has a master's degree from East Stroudsburg University. Cusick teaches at Hunterdon Central High School in New Jersey.



He was chairman of the Williams Township Board of Supervisors.



Cusick is one of four Republicans on council, which has a 5-4 Democrat majority. County Executive Lamont McClure is also a Democrat.
In the wake of the Ohio train derailment, safety advocates are calling for stricter laws to lessen the danger along the tracks. There is now a class-action lawsuit against Norfolk Southern, which also runs its trains through Berks County and the Lehigh Valley.

"Every day, our communities are at risk, as trains rumbled through our communities carrying toxic and very explosive substances," said David Masur, the executive director of PennEnvironment.

In the wake of last week's 50-car Norfolk Southern train derailment disaster, and emergency evacuation order for 5,000 residents on the Pennsylvania-Ohio line, Masur is once again calling for tighter state regulations for freight trains.

"They may not be as catastrophic in scale. But every year, we see regular hundreds, if not thousands of train derailments like this," he said.

In a 2015 report on the threat of oil trains running through Pennsylvania that Masur co-wrote, parts of Reading, Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton were all in the state's top 15 at-risk zip codes.

In the Lehigh Valley, there are more than 300 miles of active rail track, with Norfolk Southern trains using them.

Masur wants laws requiring freight companies to declare what's on board, be forced to re-route from populated areas if carrying hazardous materials, increase company insurance levels, and require local communities to have an evacuation plan in place.

"I think we should certainly consider them. But without knowing all the facts, it's too soon to say for sure," said Republican Sen. David Argall.

Argall, who represents parts of Schuylkill and Carbon counties, sits on the Senate's transportation committee.

"I will ask the chairman of the Transportation Committee to take a long, hard look at this. Perhaps we should do some public hearings on our own. But again, it's just too early to make any predictions," Argall added.

In a recent release, the Association of American Railroads says freight is the safest mode of travel for hazmat and says 99% of trains reach their destination without incident.

Masur cites the 2013 Quebec, Canada, train derailment that killed 47 people and leveled a town as an example of one accident having a devastating impact for many, despite what safety statistics say.

"Probably doesn't help the families who lose family members and accidents like that," he said.
WASHINGTON  Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. John Fetterman has been hospitalized, his communications director said in a statement late Wednesday night.

"Towards the end of the Senate Democratic retreat today, Senator John Fetterman began feeling lightheaded," Communications Director Joe Calvello said in the statement. "He left and called his staff, who picked him up and drove him to The George Washington University Hospital."

"Initial tests did not show evidence of a new stroke, but doctors are running more tests and John is remaining overnight for observation," the statement continued. "He is in good spirits and talking with his staff and family. We will provide more information when we have it."

Fetterman previously suffered from a stroke in May of 2022. During the only debate he had with Dr. Mehmet Oz in October, Fetterman used closed captioning due to auditory processing issues stemming from that stroke.

At times during the debate, he demonstrated delayed speech and a difficult time answering some questions. In a question asked about releasing his medical records, Fetterman said his doctor said he is able to serve.

Fetterman, who was born in Berks County and graduated from Albright College in Reading, has lived in Braddock, Allegheny County, for the past 20 years. He served as mayor of Braddock for 13 years until 2019.

He ran for U.S. Senate in 2016 but did not win the Democratic primary. In 2018, however, Fetterman won the race to become Pennsylvania's lieutenant governor, a position he held until he took office as a senator on Jan. 2.
COOLBAUGH TWP., Pa. - Police in part of Monroe County say a 19-year-old man from Brooklyn, New York, led police on a pursuit Wednesday.

Officers from the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department tried to conduct a traffic stop shortly before 10:30 a.m. along Route 196 in Coolbaugh Township on a sedan.

Carmine Villafane, who was driving the sedan, fled from the traffic stop and traveled north on Route 196 and made a u-turn at the K&L gate of Pocono County Place, according to a news release from the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department.

Villafane continued to flee southbound on Route 196 at a high rate of speed, police said.

After police brought the vehicle to a stop, Villafane ran into a gated community, according to the news release.

Villafane was taken into custody around 4 p.m., police said.

Police say a search of the sedan revealed marijuana and drug paraphernalia, and that the sedan was also not street legal.

Villafane was taken to the Monroe County Correctional Facility pending his arraignment.

He is charged with fleeing and eluding, recklessly endangering another person, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Police say he also committed multiple traffic violations.
FRENCHTOWN, N.J. - Studio Route 29 is a new art studio for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. It offers classes, programming, and open work time.

Artist Mick McDonough loves to weave.

"Learning some new things every day," said McDonough.

Artist Sean Bodine is all about comics.

"He wants to turn into a human to help his owners," Bodine told us about a cat in one of his comics.

The talent at Studio Route 29 is endless.

Here, as an artist named EJ paints his favorite character into his creations, Kate House colors.

"I did a thistle," said House. "I like art because it expresses how I feel."

The space in Frenchtown has countless ways to spark creativity.

"Rugmaking, sculpting, drawing, painting, filmmaking, video, poetry," said Kathleen Henderson, the executive director of Studio Route 29.

Among the artists are Delaware Valley students, who are part of the FIERCE program.

"I actually helped curate the first Film for Friends," said Theo Baransky, another artist.

Baransky is a movie mastermind.

"In that room is a wood shop," said Baransky.

Artists pick projects based on passions. Christian Turner put together a TV, which he uses to share the weather.

"It might be cold or sunny out," said Turner. "Got some clear skies."

The gallery's inaugural show kicks off Feb. 18. It's called "Spring is Coming with a Strawberry in the Mouth."

"It's going to be really exciting," said Henderson. "Learning a new way to communicate is great for anyone, but it's also particularly wonderful for those who may not communicate in ways that we often do."

The studio proves the process of making art can be just as beautiful as the pieces themselves.

"Wow," McDonough says as he works. "Isn't this really amazing or what?"

Studio Route 29 will also be curating an exhibit at ArtYard in March. The studio is located at ArtYard's old space on Trenton Avenue.
MILFORD, N.J. - A Milford, Hunterdon County Councilman is being remembered, after authorities say he was gunned down by a coworker. It's the second New Jersey council member to be shot and killed within a week.

"He had so much more to give," said Milford Mayor Henri Schepens.

Schepens was in tears as he remembered his friend, 51-year-old Councilman Russell Heller.

"He was such a light," said Schepens. "So positive. Always had a smile and always made any situation better."

A loving and caring father and a dedicated and loyal friend are among the words the Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners director used to describe Heller. He also said Heller's leadership and commitment will be sorely missed.

In a post on Facebook, Good Morning Milford by the Milford Merchants Association described Heller as well-loved, kind and hardworking. It said "his daughter, parents, and family are heartbroken beyond comprehension. Anyone who knew Russ found him to be a joy to be around."

Milford Fire Company said Heller was an advocate of the small town's company. It said on Facebook, "He greatly enjoyed serving the residents of the town that he grew up in and was always trying to improve whatever he could."

On Twitter, Congressman Tom Kean called Heller "an outstanding public servant who proudly represented the river town he loved."

"There's no words to describe the loss and the sadness this town is feeling right now," said Schepens. "He was taking care of his parents. They lived next door. Just a local, great guy."

Investigators say it was around 7 a.m. Wednesday when Heller was approached and shot outside of his vehicle in the parking lot of the PSE&G facility in Somerset.

Law enforcement quickly identified the suspect as former coworker 58-year-old Gary Curtis. Detectives say they found Curtis in a parking lot in Bridgewater Township, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Authorities believe this was an isolated and targeted incident, though Wednesday also marked one week since Sayreville Council woman Eunice Dwumfour was shot and killed. Investigators have not identified a suspect in her case.

For the Hellers, service ran in the family.

"His mother was on council for 20 years," said Schepens. "His father was a councilman and the mayor, so deeply rooted in this community."

The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office says it is not doing interviews because it's an active investigation. Anyone with information is asked to report it.
FRANKLIN TWP., N.J. - A councilman in a small borough in Hunterdon County, New Jersey was shot dead by his former co-worker in a parking lot Wednesday morning, authorities say.

Russell Heller, 51, was found dead around 7 a.m. outside of his vehicle in the parking lot of PSE&G in Franklin Township, Somerset County, said the county prosecutor's office.

Heller was a councilman in Milford, a borough along the Delaware River in western Hunterdon County, about an hour away from the PSE&G facility where he worked.

Investigators say Heller was shot by 58-year-old Gary Curtis, a former employee of PSE&G. Curtis, of Washington, New Jersey, was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound later Wednesday morning, the prosecutor's office says.

Authorities are still investigating a motive for the shooting, but said it was an isolated incident and Heller was the intended target.

The Hunterdon County commissioners released a statement Wednesday night, remembering Russell as a "dedicated and valuable member of the Milford and Hunterdon County community."

"More importantly, however, Russell was a loving and caring father to his daughter and a dedicated and loyal friend to all of those who had the pleasure of knowing him," the statement continues. "We join our colleagues in Milford in offering our most sincere heartfelt condolences to the Heller Family at this unimaginably difficult time for their tragic loss."

Heller is the second councilperson from New Jersey to be killed in the last week. Eunice Dwumfour, a councilwoman in Sayreville, Middlesex County, was found shot to death on Feb. 1, last Wednesday evening, in an SUV outside of her home. No arrests have been made in that case nor has a possible motive been released.
A Pennsylvania K9 is getting some attention for a recent photo.

It's a rite of passage for all school kids, and now it's for school dogs, too. Mom or dad dresses you up and sends you off to school, hoping you'll stay somewhat intact when it comes time to take your picture on school picture day.

In Cumberland County, there's a new face in the yearbook.

K9 Detective Gibbs is a 2-year-old Golden Retriever with the Camp Hill police. He goes to work everyday with his partner, school resource officer Joe Capers, so you'll often find him in the hallways inside schools in the Camp Hill School District.

On school picture day, they asked Detective Gibbs to take part, so he got his school picture taken too for the yearbook.

Camp Hill police posted his school photo on their Facebook page, thanking the district for allowing him to take part.
Two people killed by explosion in Kyiv, four people rescued from under rubble, search operation continues

Two people were killed as a result of a gas cylinder explosion on the territory of a former plant in Darnytsky district of Kyiv, four people were rescued from under the rubble, the press service of Kyiv City Military Administration has said.

"Two people were killed as a result of an explosion on the territory of a former plant in Darnytsky district. Four people were removed from under the rubble. They suffered injuries of various severity. All of them have received medical aid," it said.

Two more people are still under the rubble, the administration said.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that search and rescue operation continues.
Shakespeare North Playhouse has unveiled plans for its 2023 season, which also marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's First Folio publication.

In the Cockpit Theatre, Macbeth will run from 1 to 23 September. Co-produced by English Touring Theatre, Northern Stage and Theatres de la Ville de Luxembourg and helmed by ETT's artistic director Richard Twyman, the production will then tour to Northern Stage, Theatres de la Ville de Luxembourg, Dubai Opera House, Cambridge Arts Theatre and the Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe, with further stops to be confirmed.

Miranda Rose Hall's dark comedy A Play for the Living in a Time of Extinction will run from 16 to 20 May. Co-produced by Headlong and the Barbican, the one-woman show follows Naomi, an actor who confronts the climate crisis. The piece, which is powered entirely by bicycles, will also tour to Belgrade Theatre Coventry, Theatre Royal Plymouth, Live Theatre Newcastle, New Vic Newcastle-under-Lyme and York Theatre Royal, with further venues to be announced. In a UK-first, the play will tour, while the people and materials will not. In each city, a blueprint of the show will be uniquely staged by local teams, reimagining touring theatre in a climate crisis.

Marking the Globe's first visit to the Merseyside venue, Midsummer Mechanicals will run from 15 to 18 July. The comedy takes the form of a sequel to Pyramus and Thisbe  the play-within-a-play from A Midsummer Night's Dream. It is written by Kerry Frampton and Ben Hales and directed by Lucy Cuthbertson and Kerry Frampton.

There will also be a screening of Shakespeare in Love, starring Joseph Fiennes, Gwyneth Paltrow and Judi Dench, on 17 February.

Laura Collier, creative director of Shakespeare North Playhouse, said: "It has been an incredible first six months at Shakespeare North Playhouse and we're so excited to announce the second half of our opening year. We can't wait to welcome our friends including English Touring Theatre, Shakespeare's Globe and Headlong Theatre and to celebrate a year of Shakespeare North Playhouse this 2023!"
The Mean Girls musical is continuing its journey onto the big screen with further cast revealed today.

Based on the much-loved Lindsay Lohan-led flick, the stage musical was first seen in Washington in 2017 before a Broadway transfer in 2018.

There is still hope that, at some point, the stage show will reach the West End  it features many of the original film's much-loved quotes and has songs including "Meet the Plastics", "Apex Predator" and "Revenge Party".

Married directorial team Arturo Perez Jr and Samantha Jayne are the new movie's directors. Mean Girls will mark the pair's first full-length feature, though they've done a whole wad of exciting material across the film, music video and television space, including the much-lauded Quarter Life Poetry.

As already announced, set to appear in the film will be Angourie Rice (Spiderman: Far From Home) as Cady, Renee Rapp (Mean Girls on stage) reprising her role of Regina George, Auli'i Cravalho (Moana in Moana) as Janice, and Jaquel Spivey (leading star in A Strange Loop on Broadway) as Damian.

Joining them will be Avantika (Senior Year) as Karen, with Bebe Wood (Love, Victor) as Gretchen  rounding out the famous trio of "Plastics" alongside Rapp's Regina George. Also cast is Christopher Briney (The Summer I Turned Pretty), playing love interest Aaron.

The film is overseen by producers Paramount Players alongside Lorne Michaels and Tina Fey. Fey has penned the script, with music by Jeff Richmond and lyrics by Nell Benjamin. Kyle Hanagami will choreograph.

According to Deadline, the new film will be built on a "deep love and respect" for the original, tune-free, Lindsay Lohan-led Mean Girls, while also adding subtle updates.
If you want to understand the state the modern world is in, you could do a lot worse than go to see the magnificent Lehman Trilogy  an explanation of the changing face of capitalism in three sweeping, soaring hours.

That makes Ben Power's adaptation of Stefano Massini's epic drama sound rather duller than it is. In fact, this production, directed by Sam Mendes, has the confidence to do the simplest of things utterly beautifully. It takes you by the hand and tells you a story of a family and their values and how they changed the face of America.

The tale is about the Lehman Brothers, an investment bank once regarded as too big to fail. The company's collapse in 2008 precipitated the world financial crisis. That's where the play begins, on Es Devlin's monochrome glass and steel box set, which sits inside the cyclorama of the theatre's stage, like a giant Tardis, turning to take us back to the beginning.

The start is Henry Lehman arriving in New York from Bavaria in 1844, stepping off the boat into the "magical music box of America" and opening a shop selling cotton goods in Montgomery, Alabama. From these humble beginnings, an empire grows that dominates Wall Street, changing in the process from a business that deals in things  cotton, coal, iron, steel  to one that trades in money itself.





Michael Balogun, Hadley Fraser and Nigel Lindsay in The Lehman Trilogy

 Mark Douet

"Everything changed again" is one of the refrains that runs through the play, binding its structure with poetic repetition and a fierce sense of shape and purpose. As the narrative shifts, the three actors playing the three original Lehmans  Henry, Emanuel and Mayer, the head, the arm and "the potato" who keeps peace between them  take on multiple roles.

They are traders, rabbis, lovers, wives, slipping between the characters with the help of an upturned collar or a nod of the head. The original trilogy of actors  Simon Russell Beale, Ben Miles and Adam Godley  created each of those characters for the first production in 2018, suiting their inflections to their own styles. It is extraordinary and rather wonderful to watch Nigel Lindsay, Michael Balogun and Hadley Fraser shape them in different ways.

Each is superb. I particularly loved Lindsay's uptight Philip, pouring out his torrent of words as he pushes the business towards the future; the scene where he auditions a succession of potential wives, all played by Fraser with swift changes of voice and gesture is a comic joy; Fraser is wonderful too as the final Lehman, Bobbie, twisting in an ever quickening dance (choreography by Polly Bennett) as the firm hurtles towards the end. Balogun brings a particular tenderness to all the children he plays, and a sense of suppressed energy to Emanuel, fighting Henry and then Mayer to bring about change.

That sense of velocity the play possesses is increased by Luke Halls' extraordinary video black and white designs that surround the action with an ever-changing landscape, and  like Jon Clark's lighting  lend vivid colour only to the men's nightmares about destruction which find themselves played out in reality as Wall Street crashes and they fight to survive. Nick Powell's music, played on an upright piano below the stage by Yshani Perinpanayagam, creates a shifting undertow, full of melancholy melodies and bright hopes.

It's an astonishing achievement, weaving family drama and the history of America into its rich pattern, losing its grip only slightly in the final act when there is simply too much story to tell, and when the Lehmans themselves lose control of their business. Oddly, slightly longer might have been even better. As it is, it is a unique and very special piece, a panoramic history that never loses sight of human detail and human cost.
Ukraine needs even more urgent supplies of weapons from allies to stop the Russian Federation's revenge in the war, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk said.

"Today, German weapons are saving the lives of Ukrainian people. The German IRIS system shoots down missiles aimed at us, and the supply of Leopard tanks will allow the liberation of Ukrainian territories and our people from Russian occupation. But in order to stop Russia's upcoming revenge, we need even more urgent supplies of weapons from our allies," the speaker of the Ukrainian parliament said during a videoconference conversation with President of the German Bundestag Barbel Bas.

According to the press service of the Verkhovna Rada, Stefanchuk, in particular, noted the leading role of the head of the Bundestag in strengthening inter-parliamentary ties. He also stressed that the beginning of this year was marked by positive shifts in the Ukrainian-German dialogue  first of all, regarding the supply of weapons, where Germany took a leading position and became an example for other countries.
Cumberland University announced that its 39th Phoenix Ball will be held on Saturday, June 3, in The Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena on the universitys campus.This years Phoenix Ball chairs are Brad and Tasha Irby. This years theme A Black and White Phoenix Ball ties directly to the traditional black-tie elegance and prestige of the Phoenix Ball.We are truly honored to []
Ms. Cheap: Wildflower Week at Beaman Park offers chance to learn about Middle Tennessee wildflowers

I think we all know that wildflowers are a welcome sign of spring. But did you know that according to Petal Republic, wildflowers can also symbolize happiness, joy, and remembrance....
The Russian occupation forces equipped a mobile crematorium in Tokmak, Zaporizhia region, in order to conceal the real number of deaths among the Russian military, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has said on Thursday.

"The enemy continues to suffer losses. The Russian invaders equipped a mobile crematorium on the territory of Prydniprovska Biotes LLC in Tokmak, Zaporizhia region, in order to conceal the number of killed occupiers. The local residents complain about constant cadaver odor in the south-eastern part of the town, especially at night," it said.
First Childrens Finance, a nonprofit focused on improving the sustainability of the child care business, hosted a town hall meeting for Houston County to share collected data on child care and its economic impacts, identify solutions to support the local child care workforce, and workshop ideas for improving the child care shortage.

Held Tuesday night at the La Crescent Area Event Center, child care providers, employers and families around Houston County gathered to see the data presented by First Childrens Finance before workshopping ideas on improving child care in the county.

The Houston County Economic Development Authority applied to a grant, which we were awarded, from First Childrens Finance, said Allison Wagner, Houston County economic development director. Its valued at about $42,000 and we have been working with First Childrens Finance to address child care needs in Houston County.

One of the reasons we applied to this grant was because our commissioners realized there is a need for child care in our county and they are considering allocating some of their ARPA dollars toward child care. But before we allocate any money, we really want to make sure that we make the best use of those funds, Wagner said.

Funded by the Minnesota Department of Human Services, the Rural Child Care Innovation Program is designed to address child care needs in rural communities through community engagement  linking child care to economic development.

Theres a lot of ways in which a lack of child care can affect an economy so its important to have vibrant child care in your communities in order to provide parents with those opportunities to work, said First Childrens Finance business development specialist Candace Cegla. We know that communities in the state are faced with child care shortages, and Houston County is no exception to that.

Not being able to find quality child care can result in employees not taking new jobs or moving to communities, Cegla said. First Childrens Finance works with child care providers to strengthen their businesses, communities to identify solutions to solve the need for child care, as well as advocating at the local, state and federal levels for child care policies.

First Childrens Finance conducted surveys in Houston County and received 113 responses from families, 18 responses from employers and nine responses from child care providers.

This data gives us a pretty good indication of child care needs in communities. We see there is a 206-slot shortage in Houston County and a 257-slot shortage in school districts in Houston County. There is a great need for child care, said Cegla. There are more providers getting out of child care than getting into child care.

Parents will leave the workforce if they cannot find child care, said Cegla. Or they will rearrange their shifts to receive child care  leaving parents with little family time and possibly working in fields out of their qualifications. The First Childrens Finance survey reported that 32% of parent respondents withdrew from the workforce or declined employment due to child care arrangements.

There is a direct connection between child care and the local economy. Without that supply and quality care, local employers are going to lose out, said Cegla. One local employer said employers with families have limited work hours and often need to make a choice between working and staying home.

Theres a growing number of requirements and regulations for providers, making it an overwhelming business to stay in. Potential new providers are intimidated by regulations and experienced providers are frustrated, said Cegla. Providers typically work 50 hours a week for about $11 an hour.

After a presentation of the data from First Childrens Finance, meeting attendees engaged in brainstorming ideas at their tables, which consisted of child care providers in Houston County, members of the programs Core Teams and community members interested in solutions. After jotting down ideas on paper, the papers were posted on the back wall of the conference room under categories like child care provider recognition, financial support incentives and training.

After going through the ideas as a group, table members then split up to further discuss the ideas based on the category of their choosing. They addressed ideas including financial assistance for providers, access to provider training, and use of facilities for child care.

What were going to do next is take the top ideas and start narrowing them down from the groups. Were going to bring those ideas to another goal-setting meeting, which will be here at the beginning of March, said Cegla. Its an ongoing partnership, were facilitating moving the work forward, and guiding the community on what they can do to make an impact. Were getting the Core Team to create some smart goals and from those were going to form team leaders and teams in the community who will start making some action steps.

Each community can develop different goals  whether they are short-term, long-term or somewhere in the middle, said Cegla. First Childrens Finance provides the data and background information on what specific child care needs are and looks to empower and educate the community on how they will choose to solve them.

There is a need for child care, but Houston County is committed by being a part of this process to put solutions in place, said Cegla. So as a parent, you should feel good about the fact that your community is investing in something that will create longstanding effects that will help you as a family working, the economy and also your children.

Touring the River Valley: Houston County Water Water Hills Hills Landscape Hill Water Houston artwork International Owl Center Houston sign Cows Road Farm Creek Playground Hills Driving through Beaver Creek Valley State Park
COLUMBUS  The Columbus City Council approved awarding the contract to Ptaschinski Construction, Beaver Dam, to complete the 2023 Folsom Street and utility improvements.

City Engineer Jason Lietha said that the city bid early in hopes of getting good pricing and got a lot of interest from contractors.

The bid environment wasnt very good last year, Lietha said.

There were six contractors who made bids with Ptaschinski Construction coming in with the lowest bid of about $548,000.

The estimate we provided in reference to this project was $702,000, Lietha said.

Ptaschinski is local to Columbus with being in Beaver Dam and has done work as a subcontractor in Columbus over the years, Lietha said.

They specialize in concrete, but they also have subcontractor capabilities that they team up with when they do this type of work, Lietha said. They are more than capable of doing this size of project and type of project.

Folsom Street, between Farnham and Waterloo streets, will be Columbus major street project in 2023, and will be fully reconstructed with new utilities and infrastructure.

GALLERY: Columbus celebrates winning team Columbus 1.jpg Columbus 2.jpg Columbus 3.jpg Columbus 4.jpg Columbus 5.jpg Columbus 6.jpg Columbus 7.jpg Columbus 8.jpg Columbus 9.jpg
Less than a week after Valentines Day, acclaimed rocker Cody Canada and his band, The Departed, are asking the people of Wisconsin Dells to come fall in love with their red dirt sound all over again.

On Feb. 19, the band will take the stage at the Showboat Saloon in Wisconsin Dells. The setlist, he says, is a solid mixture of the new and the old: The band will perform his current tunes with The Departed, as well as some from Canadas first band, Cross Canadian Ragweed (CCR).

The CCR tunes were, for a time, a sore subject among Canadas fanbase. The bands split in 2010 turned a lot of fans away, and many of the remaining ones were upset that Canada wouldnt play CCR music with his new group. Now, though, hes giving the fans a healthy mix of what they want to hear and what he wants to play.

If youre a fan of the old stuff, weve got plenty of it for you, he said. However, he makes no promises about spanning the breadth of his career in his performances. Theres almost 20 records in there, so its hard to play everything every night.

The groups latest journey to Wisconsin comes after a whirlwind few years: Their song, Lonely Girl currently holds the No. 1 spot on the Texas charts, and has been charting for the last 20 weeks. They also released the re-recording of CCRs 2004 album Soul Gravy in July. In 2020, Colorados MusicFest paid tribute to Canada with live recordings of his peers in the industry covering his songs. Alongside his wife, Shannon, Canada opened the School of Rock New Braumfels, a music academy for children focused on live performance.

Its strange to think that Canada was once a child with a dream just like many of those attending the school now. Every time hes asked how long hes been playing, he cant help but laugh.

Everytime I answer this question, its a lot more years, he said.

He remembers being 6 years old, seeing George Strait at a small venue in Oklahoma, and walking away from the show changed.

Thats where my love began, he said. I just knew thats what I wanted to do.

By age 13, hed picked up a guitar and begun writing songs, spurred on by the grunge movement and his parents split. He remembers the era as his angsty teenage years, the divorce mingling with Eddie Vedders vocals forming the basis for his early years in songwriting.

That was kind of a perfect storm for me, he said.

His first band, Cross Canadian Ragweed (CCR) came together when he was 17, still feeling that angst and using it to his songwriting advantage. The groups sound was a mixture of rock and country, a very natural union for Canada.

As far as style and genre, Canada is a tad transcendent. Rock and roll, he says, is at his core, but somewhere in there it mixes with country, folk, and blues. Then theres the red dirt scene, a style of music he describes as as pure as the dirt is red, songwriting that tells a story, takes listeners along much like a folktale. The term red dirt comes from the grounds of Oklahoma, but has traveled to different parts of the country, bands, and styles throughout the past 25 years. Much like Canada.

In this vein, Merle Haggard and Tom Petty come to Canadas mind. Both artists, he says, have inspired his songwriting, or, rather, his storytelling. The ability to relate to the audience, especially, is a priority for him.

The songwriting to me was always about the lyrics, he said. When it comes down to the message of the tune, thats where people really fall in love with the music and the act, Haggard always related.

Beyond his upcoming Wisconsin visit, Canada says he has a busy year ahead of him, full of shows and music releases. However, not all the music hes helping to put together is his own; His two sons, Dierk, 17, and Willy, 14, are in a band of their own, Waves in April. Canada says that after years of their joining him onstage and playing music with him at home, hes proud to see his boys making music of their own.

Theyre really good at what they do, he said. Its really awesome getting to watch these guys perfect what they do.

Tickets to The Departed at Showboat Saloon are available at eventbrite.com, and range from $25-$75.
February of 2023 is Wisconsins first official Career and Technical Education (CTE) month, but the Pardeeville school district has long been celebrating advancements toward in-class vocational training.

The month was given its official title by Gov. Tony Evers and State Superintendent Jill Underly in late January, with the goal of showing support for K-12 programs where the lessons last beyond graduation.

Take Jesse Husets Pardeeville High School classroom, for instance. Husets official title is tech ed teacher, but in truth hes somewhat of a one-man department. Huset describes the subjects he teaches as basically everything under the sun: Computer aided design, architecture, MATC dual-credit machine tools, intro to woods, intro to metals, and 21st century home construction, to name a few.

Husets students get hands-on experience with power tools, small engines, and other materials, allowing them to explore the skills they may someday use in their careers.

A lot of my students are looking for that apprenticeship or directly into a career, he said. Classes are always full.

Apart from getting their hands dirty on tools and machinery, Huset also makes sure his students have plenty of field trips, taking them to different job sites and businesses for a taste of what they could someday become. Career aspirations are a key piece of his students learning experience, he says, a motivating factor for them to work hard.

Whether theyre aspiring toward the trades or not, though, Huset added that the skills he teaches are applicable to everyone.

I wish it was mandatory for every student to take an explore class at least, he said. I think its one of the essential parts.

Pardeeville also offers more technology-focused courses, where students angling toward careers in marketing, public relations, and graphics can gain a better understanding of computer applications, media, and digital work.

At the helm of these courses is Tammy Heck, who uses a project-based approach to move her students through the curriculum. Heck also teaches personal finance and career exploration courses, focused on overall adulthood preparation rather than specific fields.

Im always trying to get them to take the information I give to them so they can use it outside of high school, said Heck.

In various classes, she pushes her students to become familiar with Microsoft, a common group of applications in different higher education and career institutions.

Its good research for them, she said. In the real world when they leave here, theyre going to have to use Microsoft.

In another area of the high school, Amanda Seichters agriculture students are growing lettuce in the classroom. Seichter teaches food science and biotech at Pardeeville High School, while her agriculture colleague, Meagan Vujnovich, covers plant and animal sciences, as well as natural resources.

Between the two of us, we try to hit almost all of the areas of agriculture that we possibly can so that our students have a diverse array of opportunities, said Seichter. We have a pretty diverse agriculture curriculum.

The agriculture programs popularity among students was cited as one of many reasons to hire a second teacher for the subject. According to Seichter, the hands-on nature of the class is a big draw for her students, but there are certainly other factors at play.

Clearly, I mean, the interest is there for students in all aspects of agriculture, she said. Food science is always an easy draw because what student doesnt like to eat?

Beyond the perk of occasional classroom snacks, Seichters students get to learn what goes into the food on their plates: where it comes from, how its grown, and the work that goes into bringing it to their tables.

We want our students to be knowledgeable consumers when they leave here, she said. They are willing to ask questions, do research.

Overall, Pardeevilles educators have one theme that echoes over and over: post-graduation success, regardless of where students end up in their lives and careers.

Were real fortunate here at Pardeeville schools, said Seichter. Its just great that our students have these opportunities.
The Wisconsin Dells Business Improvement District (BID) committee is considering ideas for aesthetic improvements to the downtown area of the city.

Adam Makowski, a BID member who is opening the outdoor attraction The Land of Natura with his brothers Rich and Dave, discussed making more definitive decisions on sculptures and their locations.

He added that BID members should utilize downtown Wisconsin Dells maps to get better ideas of installation locations. The Elm Street Plaza is an anchor of the plan, according to Makowski, who said that a goal is to make the downtown area more pedestrian-friendly.

Bring people in and make downtown the attraction that it used to be, said Makowski.

BID Chairperson Tara Anchor said that murals and other artwork for the downtown area of Wisconsin Dells are some ideas, but mentioned the high price of many works of art. She and Makowski encouraged the other BID members  Dan Gavinski, Dennis Mitchell, Fiorella Neira, city Ald. Jesse DeFosse, Justin Draper (not present at meeting), and secretary Mark Brown  come forward with ideas for locations.

She also discussed banners, which are more complicated due to their temporary nature and the different dimensions of pole brackets in the city and their functional use. Historic displays depicting the areas heritage are also under consideration.

What came out of the meeting was that we could identify locations that if we ever wanted to do a display or art exhibit, wed have kind of a plan, or a map of different locations or ideas where we could do that, said Anchor.

BID chairperson Tara Anchor opened the discussion by talking about a 2018 document at the committees last meeting on Jan. 25, which she referred to as an idea book. Concepts in the book included discussions regarding the upcoming Elm Street Plaza (slated to open in the spring) and artwork for Broadway and the Riverwalk.

It was just ideas of things we could do downtown, said Anchor.

She added that many of the ideas in the book required use of private property, which is a large reason as to why the committee is only considering certain parts of it for future downtown plans.

Its not giving us details on exactly where we want to put a sculpture or a painting or any kind of theming that can tie into the rest of the Riverwalk or overall theme that we want to give downtown, said Makowski at the meeting.
PORTAGE  A 2-year-old girl is dead after shooting herself with a gun she found at her Portage home, adding to a growing number of such cases across the Region, according to police.

Grace Rodriguez was pronounced dead at 6:10 p.m. Tuesday at Comer Children's Hospital in Chicago, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

The shooting occurred at the girl's home in the 100 block of Coral Avenue, which is located in the Oak Tree Village mobile home park, officials said.

In a statement released Thursday afternoon in the wake of the medical examiner's report, Portage police Lt. Rob Maynard said officers were dispatched to the residence shortly after 11 a.m. Tuesday in reference to a child who had been shot.

Medical care was started on site and Rodriguez was taken by ambulance to Northwest Health Portage hospital and then flown to an Illinois trauma center for advanced treatment, Maynard said. She died later that evening.

"The initial investigation shows that the child was able to gain access to a family-owned firearm," police said. "The child was able to discharge a single round, striking herself. There were no other children in the home and no other injuries were reported."

An autopsy on the girl was scheduled for Thursday, Maynard said.

Police are continuing their investigation and when done, they plan to present their findings to the Porter County prosecutor's office, he said.

Porter County Prosecutor Gary Germann said Thursday, "When the investigation is complete and we have a chance to talk with the investigating officers about all of the facts of the case, then a decision about charges, if any, would be made."

"Counselors have been made available to first responders who were affected by this incident," Maynard said. "Although responding to traumatic incidents are a normal occurrence for police, fire, EMS (emergency medical services), and other first responders, incidents involving the untimely death of a child can be some of the hardest."

"We wish to thank the Portage Fire Department and all the medical professionals who worked diligently trying to save this child's life," Maynard said.

"Portage's first responders extend our condolences to the family of this young child," he said.

Just the latest in string of accidental child shootings

The number of children accidentally shooting themselves at home is mounting across the Region.

The Lake County Coroner's Office had reported that 8-year-old Hunter Hanyzewski died in August from an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound at his Lakes of the Four Seasons home.

The Lake County prosecutor's office was not immediately available Thursday to say if a decision has been made whether to file criminal charges in the case.

Lake County police said they responded to the home around 7:30 p.m. on the day in question and found that the "child was home alone when he gained access to a handgun and fatally shot himself."

Hanyzewski was remembered as "an energetic and fearless child that would light up any room with his beautiful smile and bright blue eyes. He was very adventurous and always on the go."

A month earlier, on July 17, 2-year-old Wyatt Luczak of Kouts got ahold of a gun and fatally shot himself, police said at the time.

Germann decided not to pursue criminal charges in connection with the death after reviewing the investigation done by Porter County police, including the corroborating statement of an eyewitness neighbor.

"Notwithstanding this horrible tragedy, to sustain a conviction we would by law be required to prove one or both of the parents committed a 'reckless' act as defined by Indiana law as opposed to one that would amount to or be considered as mere negligence," Germann said. "In this case we do not believe we would be able to convince a jury that a reckless act was in fact committed."

"This decision is not meant to diminish in any way the crucial importance of firearm safety especially when there are children in and around where a firearm may be located," he said.

Portage boy shoots self with rifle found under dad's bed

Another 2-year-old boy survived after shooting himself Oct. 7, 2021, with a Micro Draco 7.62x39mm rifle he had found under a bed at his father's Portage home, police said at the time.

The father, John Mourani, 31, told police when he walked into his bedroom after hearing the gunshot, he saw the rifle "under Victim 1's leg crisscrossed with it," a court document says.

Police found what appeared to be an entry point inside the boy's right calf and a large exit wound on the outer right calf/lower leg, according to the incident report. The boy was transported to Methodist Hospital Northlake Campus in Gary and later taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Mourani was charged with a felony count of neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury and has a hearing scheduled for March 7 before Porter Circuit Court Judge Mary DeBoer, court records show.

Firearm-related incidents killed 225 youth, ages 18 and under, from 1999 to 2020 in Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties, according to a Times report.

Gun deaths among Region youth have been climbing in recent years. They dropped to less than 10 per year for 2014-18. However, in 2019 they rose to 16, and in 2020 there were 11. Nationally, the gun death rate among youth increased by 30% between 2019 and 2020, according to the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions.
A structure of mentors for veterans, their family members and families of fallen defenders will be created in the system of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, Minister Yulia Laputina said.

"The state must prepare to meet its male defenders and female defenders from the war. We know that there are many bureaucratic processes on the ground that veterans face when they return to civilian life. Therefore, we are announcing the creation of a structure of mentors for veterans in the system of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, a kind of army of veteran mentors. This is almost ten thousand people, who it is desirable that they also be veterans. After all, the principle of equal to equal will work, when specialists will help veterans overcome bureaucracy, inform, simplify the conditions for receiving services, and, if necessary, even go with veterans for all certificates," the press service of the ministry quoted Laputina as saying.

It is noted that this project is supported by the government and the Prime Minister, and it will be implemented by specialists of the ministry together with local governments.

"So that each community has a person who will deal with a certain number of veterans, we must create conditions so that after the victory our Defenders could return to civilian life with decent conditions," she said.
The most important election of our lifetime is bandied about so often, its hard to know whats at stake or whether its really that crucial. Its much rarer to hear in a nonpartisan spring election. This time, control over the Wisconsin Supreme Court hangs in the balance, making the stakes as high as ever.

Wisconsins current Supreme Court is rather evenly split, with three conservative justices, three liberal justices, and Justice Brian Hagedorn siding one way or the other. Hagedorn has often disappointed initial supporters with his positions. Conservative Justice Pat Roggensack is retiring, so the balance of power rests in the hands of Wisconsin voters this spring.

Four candidates are competing in the Feb. 21 primary and the top two vote-getters will move on to the general election April 4. The position is nonpartisan, but two candidates are largely backed by Republicans and conservatives, with two are promoted by Democrats and other progressives.

On the conservative side, former Justice Daniel Kelly, who lost a bid to remain on the court in 2020, seeks to bring his solid, prudent voice back to the high bench. Judge Jennifer Dorow, who presided over the recent Waukesha Christmas parade murder trial of Darrell Brooks and kept the attempts to turn the trial into a fiasco in check, is also on the ballot. Judges Janet Protasiewicz of Milwaukee County and Everett Mitchell of Dane County are the liberals in the race.

A Jan. 4 PBS Wisconsin story provided key information, saying, Kelly is the only candidate with an actual track record to show how he would rule from the bench. Kelly consistently joined the most conservative members of the court on rulings. Judge Dorow was quoted from her website saying, First and foremost, I am a judicial conservative who will not legislate from the bench.

The story also brings out the stark contrast in judicial philosophy, quoting from Protasiewiczs website, which states, our most closely-held constitutional rights are under attack by radical right-wing extremists, and Mitchells website which describes his social justice efforts.

A Jan. 25 Wisconsin Right Now story expressed grave concerns about Protasiewicz in particular, saying, judges are forbidden by Wisconsin judicial ethics codes from announcing how they would rule on issues that could come before the state Supreme Court. When asked by the New York Times about Act 10, the 2011 law streamlining collective bargaining that has saved the state billions of dollars in the past decade or so, Protasiewicz said that (Act 10)was unconstitutional. Act 10 was upheld by the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2014. How can she then feign impartiality if the matter comes before the court again?

Both liberal candidates tipped their hand regarding redistricting maps. In a Jan. 9 WisPolitics story Protasiewicz stated that the states legislative maps are absolutely, positively rigged. Judge Mitchell commented, Any time as an African American in judicial spaces, I hear the words least changes approach, it just brings up all kinds of bad trauma.

A Feb. 3 Washington Post story detailed themes embraced by the liberal candidates, with Protasiewicz running to save democracy and released an ad in which shes dressed in a judicial robe with lacing around the collar that nods to the one worn by the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Dane County Judge Everett Mitchell, who would be the first Black justice elected to the high court, said he was running in part to show young people that justice has my skin color.

Other key reforms enacted in the past decade or so, such as voter ID, concealed carry, right to work and others could find themselves in the crosshairs of liberal judicial activism should conservatives lose control of the court. All schools, parents, students and taxpayers would suffer greatly if Act 10 was somehow overturned, and we found ourselves once again pressed under the oppressive thumb of the powerful teachers unions. The results would be disastrous.

Liberal justices could seek to ignore Wisconsins current near-total ban on abortions codified in Statute 940.04 by acting outside their authority, rather than relying on the Legislature to make any changes to Wisconsin law. We dont need justices who will legislate from the bench, or any Ruth Bader Ginsburg wannabes.

Be sure to vote on Feb. 21. Conservatives must make sure constitutional rights will be preserved. Lets ensure, whether its Dan Kelly or Jennifer Dorow, that at least one common sense, rule of law candidate for Wisconsins Supreme Court advances to April. Wouldnt both be great? We cant afford to lose this one.
The Verkhovna Rada plans to create a special office for the adaptation of Ukrainian legislation to the legislation of the European Union (EU), Speaker of the Parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk said.

"The implementation of the recommendations of the European Commission [in order for Ukraine to retain the status of a candidate for EU membership] is only the first stage of our path to the European Union, to full membership in the EU. After that, we expect the opening of full-fledged negotiations on our membership in the European Union. As a result of these negotiations, Ukraine will receive a number of areas in which we must improve our legislation. But even without waiting for this decision on negotiations on full membership, the parliament is already starting to work: we are creating a parliamentary office that will deal with issues of approximation of the legislation of Ukraine to the [legislation] of the European Union," he said on the air of the national telethon United News #UARazom on Thursday.

At the same time, the speaker informed that the Rada has also signed memoranda "with a large number of parliaments of the European Union, which will help bring the legislation of Ukraine closer to the legislation of the European Union."

Stefanchuk also noted that the Rada will continue to implement reforms, since they are necessary, first of all, for the Ukrainian people. Therefore, according to him, parliamentarians are working ahead of the curve, and having received a roadmap for Ukraine's movement to the EU after the opening of negotiations on full membership, they will begin to implement "these specific 35 directions."

"But I think that the parliament will not slow down this process: we will go as fast and efficiently as before," the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada stressed.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is open for cooperation and invites all interested deputies of Ukraine to join forces on the issue of excluding the Russian Federation from the UN Security Council and the UN as a whole, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Oleh Nikolenko said.

According to the spokesperson, the diplomatic department will be grateful for the involvement of deputies in carrying out work at all possible levels and venues.

"We saw information in the media about the appeal of deputies of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to inform about the course of Russia's exclusion from the UN. We have not received any appeals, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine positively notes the high interest of deputies in the topic of excluding the Russian Federation from the UN Security Council and the UN as a whole," Nikolenko wrote on Facebook on Thursday.

According to him, the abuse of the right of veto by the Russian Federation has acquired egregious proportions. The problem became especially acute after February 24, 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale war against Ukraine, blocking any actions of the key UN body responsible for maintaining international peace and security.

"Numerous Russian crimes are a direct consequence of the violation of the procedures defined by the UN Charter for Russia to gain membership in the UN and the status of a permanent member of the Security Council, which occurred 31 years ago," the spokesperson stressed.

He clarified that this is why, involving the best Ukrainian and foreign international lawyers, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has developed a detailed reasoned position on the illegitimacy of Russia's stay in the UN Security Council and the UN as a whole and the need for its exclusion.

"This position is as follows: in December 1991, the Russian delegation, without statutory grounds, usurped the chair of the USSR in the UN Security Council  a state that at that time ceased to exist. The acquisition by the Russian Federation of the status of a permanent member of the UN Security Council was illegal. Having grossly violated the UN Charter, the Russian Federation felt total permissiveness and impunity. Unpunished evil in the past has led to bloody consequences in the present time," Nikolenko said.

At the same time, according to him, on December 26, 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine made an official statement and officially notified the UN member states about the beginning of a systematic campaign to deprive the Russian Federation of the status of a permanent member of the Security Council.

The spokesperson stressed that the Ministry's statement reinforced the relevant resolution of the Verkhovna Rada adopted in early December. The Government and Parliament of Ukraine have come out as a united front to mobilize an international response against Russia's abuses at the UN.

"Immediately after the publication of the official statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine began large-scale and systematic diplomatic work to mobilize a coalition of like-minded people and promote the topic of the exclusion of the Russian Federation. Minister Dmytro Kuleba has repeatedly informed about this in his public speeches and at media briefings," Nikolenko said.

He assured that Ukrainian diplomats have already carried out work in more than two dozen countries in order to attract them to participate in the global advocacy for the exclusion of the Russian Federation from the UN Security Council.

In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is already working with more than three dozen public opinion leaders and authoritative representatives of political, academic and expert circles to advocate for the Ukrainian initiative. Persons who could advocate not only in specific countries, but also at the international level are also involved.

"The work continues, so the number of countries and lawyers will continue to grow. Currently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is finalizing a plan of events and steps of a public campaign to advocate for Russia's exclusion from the Security Council, while simultaneously holding consultations with partners on further diplomatic steps in this direction. The issue of excluding the Russian Federation from the UN Security Council is one of the priorities of foreign policy," the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.

"We are convinced that the implementation of such a complex task requires the consolidation of all efforts both in the public, political and diplomatic spheres," he summed up.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has met with the leaders of European countries and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy within the framework of the EU summit, the press service of the head of state reports.

"The President of Ukraine called for closing the gaps in the sanctions policy against Russia and speeding up the creation of an effective compensation mechanism," the report says.

In addition, Zelensky informed European leaders about the situation on the battlefield and the defense needs of Ukraine, in particular, about combat aircraft, armored vehicles, artillery and air defense. He stressed that the timely provision of the necessary equipment in the right volumes will allow restoring a just peace as soon as possible, as well as protecting the interests and values of Europe.

The participants of the meeting discussed the possibility of the transition of the military industry of the European Union countries to an enhanced mode of operation.

Zelensky also discussed with partners concrete steps to implement the formula of peace, and called for a decision to start negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU this year.
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The destruction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline between Russia and Germany was a terror attack carried out by the US Navy, in a mission planned before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to a report by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Seymour Hersh published Wednesday.

On September 26, a series of explosions destroyed the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, which shipped natural gas from Russia to Germany. While no one has publicly admitted responsibility, US officials have expressed satisfaction at the pipelines destruction.

A promotional photo published by the US Navy for the research operation during the BALTOPS 22 war game, which Hersh alleges was used to plant the explosives on the Nord Stream pipelines. [Photo: US Navy]

Seymour Hersh is one of the worlds leading investigative journalists, who exposed the My Lai massacre during the Vietnam War. He also contributed to revealing the Watergate scandal and prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib. While Hersh, as usual, does not report his sources, and his accusations cannot be independently verified, his reporting has been confirmed again and again in the past.

Hersh alleges that:

Last June, the Navy divers, operating under the cover of a widely publicized mid-summer NATO exercise known as BALTOPS 22, planted the remotely triggered explosives that, three months later, destroyed three of the four Nord Stream pipelines, according to a source with direct knowledge of the operational planning.

The terrorist attack on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines destroyed civilian infrastructure valued at over $20 billion. It resulted in the single largest spill of methane gas in human history, releasing the equivalent of 14.6 million tons of CO2, with a major climate impact. The attack contributed to a spike in energy prices through Europe and the entire world.

In congressional testimony in January, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland said, I think the administration is very gratified to know that Nord Stream 2 is now, as you like to say, a hunk of metal at the bottom of the sea.

These statements strongly suggested that the US and its allies viewed the attack favorably. They also made it appear likely that the attack had been directed by Washington through an intermediary, such as the Ukrainian special forces.

According to Hersh, however, the attack was not only planned by the United States, but actively conducted by the US Navy. If true, what occurred was a staggeringly reckless attack on Germany, a NATO ally of the US. The United States fought against Germany in two world wars, in which hundreds of thousands of American soldiers were killed. In 1917, the United States nominally entered World War I in response to the German policy of indiscriminately sinking American civilian ships using submarines.

In his report, Hersh explained the economic significance of the Nord Stream pipelines:

From its earliest days, Nord Stream 1 was seen by Washington and its anti-Russian NATO partners as a threat to western dominance

The direct route, which bypassed any need to transit Ukraine, had been a boon for the German economy, which enjoyed an abundance of cheap Russian natural gasenough to run its factories and heat its homes while enabling German distributors to sell excess gas, at a profit, throughout Western Europe

Americas political fears were real: [Russian President] Putin would now have an additional and much-needed major source of income, and Germany and the rest of Western Europe would become addicted to low-cost natural gas supplied by Russiawhile diminishing European reliance on America

As long as Europe remained dependent on the pipelines for cheap natural gas, Washington was afraid that countries like Germany would be reluctant to supply Ukraine with the money and weapons it needed to defeat Russia.

Hersh does not note that following the shutoff of European natural gas imports from Russia, the US massively increased its natural gas exports to Europe, leading to record profits for US energy companies.

As one European official told Politico, The fact is, if you look at it soberly, the country that is most profiting from this war is the US because they are selling more gas and at higher prices, and because they are selling more weapons.

Hersh reports that plans for the American attack on Nord Stream 2 were already in the making ahead of Russias invasion of Ukraine. He writes:

In December of 2021, two months before the first Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine, [National Security Advisor] Jake Sullivan convened a meeting of a newly formed task forcemen and women from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the CIA, and the State and Treasury Departmentsand asked for recommendations about how to respond to Putins impending invasion.

Hersh claims that Sullivan proposed a plan for the destruction and that he was delivering on the desires of the President.

Describing the reasoning among the war planners, Hersh writes, This is not kiddie stuff, the source said. If the attack were traceable to the United States, Its an act of war.

On February 7, ahead of the invasion, US President Joe Biden declared publicly, If Russia invades  there will be no longer a Nord Stream 2. We will bring an end to it.

According to Hersh, Bidens statements shocked the planners of the operation.

Several of those involved in planning the pipeline mission were dismayed by what they viewed as indirect references to the attack

It was like putting an atomic bomb on the ground in Tokyo and telling the Japanese that we are going to detonate it, the source said. The plan was for the options to be executed post invasion and not advertised publicly. Biden simply didnt get it or ignored it.

The US Navy would, according to Hersh, plant the explosives during the BALTOPS 22 military exercise, which involved dozens of warships and thousands of personnel. The US Navy published a press release regarding deep-sea diving operations during the exercise, including a picture of a deep-sea diver.

While the explosives were planted during the exercise, according to Hersh, the White House ultimately decided not to trigger the explosions immediately, and instead allowed them to be remotely detonated in September.

Hershs report included rebuttals from the White House, which declared in response to his story, This is false and complete fiction, and from the Central Intelligence Agency, which declared This claim is completely and utterly false.

Whistleblower Edward Snowden, who shared the article on Twitter, responded to the denials from the White House, Can you think of any examples from history of a secret operation that the White House was responsible for, but strongly denied? Besides, you know, that little mass surveillance kerfuffle. Snowden was referring to the illegal NSA mass surveillance program created after the 9/11 terror attacks, which he publicly exposed in 2013.

Meanwhile, the entire US media has treated the attack as if it were an unsolved mystery, despite statements by US and NATO officials openly welcoming the bombings. Continuing a wall of silence, the New York Times, Washington Post and Wall Street Journal have not reported Hershs article, or even the denial by the White House.
Around 4,000 teachers, as well as social pedagogues and school psychologists took part Tuesday in a warning strike in Berlin, Germany, called by the Education and Scholarship Union (GEW). A demonstration led from Friedrichstrasse station to Alexanderplatz in front of the Rote Rathaus (Red City Hall). Spokesman for the GEW appealed to finance senator Daniel Wesener (Greens) to enter into negotiations on binding regulations for class sizes in schools and vocational colleges.

A section of the strike rally in front of the Rote Rathaus [Photo: WSWS]

Due to the widespread indignation among teachers about the unsustainable conditions in the schools and the far too large classes, the GEW has been forced to hold protest actions eight times in recent months. On Wednesday, the union announced further decentralized actions, including panel discussions with education policy spokespersons from the parties represented in the Berlin State House of Representatives. The GEW is appealing for better working conditions, reduced workloads and a collective agreement on health protection in order to set the course for smaller classes step by step.

However, the unchecked spread of the coronavirus, which is still killing over 100 people every day in Germany alone, was not mentioned by the GEWeven though the unprotected congregation of children from hundreds of households in unventilated school buildings has been proven to be a factor driving the pandemic.

Members of the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (SGP, Socialist Equality Party) took part in the strike march and campaigned among teachers for the establishment of independent rank-and-file committees, which would withdraw the negotiating mandate from the GEW and connect with striking teachers in other countries. The SGP is the only party that opposes the war in Ukraine. Among other things, it calls for the redirection of the German army (Bundeswehr) special fund of 100 billion towards education and health budgets and is fighting to unify and expand internationally strikes by teachers, post workers, nurses and refuse workers currently taking place in Berlin.

In conversation with the SGP, strikers advanced further demands, criticized the divisive role of the GEW and condemned the austerity policies of the SPD/Green/Left Party state government, the so-called red-green-red senate, with which the GEW is closely linked.

The training does not in any way prepare teachers for the day-to-day profession, said Peter, who has been working as an employed teacher at a Berlin grammar school since 2014 and teaches Latin and English there. With the practical semester, this has gotten a little better, but you would have to be brought into this profession much more actively from the beginning so that prospective teachers can see whether they have the strength to manage it. If more people got a taste of the profession, the overall completion rate would be higher, even if many drop out. But the long unpaid full-time study scares many. If you dont have rich parents, you have a slim chance of studying because its impossible to work while youre at it.

Peter responded to the provocative push by the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK) to remedy the shortage of teachers by increasing teachers workloads: Many teachers are part-time, because there is no other way. They cant reconcile it with their conscience to work full-time, because then you cant do justice to the students. It would make the teaching even worse. We want the classes to be smaller and we want to be able to take more care of the individual students. If the timetables were reduced, we could also work full-time. But it cant be normal for every second person to say, I cant do the job if I dont reduce my hours.

During the pandemic, I learned that most students need really close supervision, Peter continued. Uploading and requesting tasks is not enough and even the very good students face problems. On the German tank deliveries to the Ukrainian military and the rearmament of the Bundeswehr, Peter said: What is to be positive about this? No one wants war. I am convinced that the arms deliveries will further escalate the war.

Marianna, 59, works at a Europe school and called for compensation for all teachers who cant get tenure because of their age. Although I still have to work until 2030, I cant get tenure as a civil servant as Im over 50. A compensation payment of 300 can only be obtained if you work full-time, which almost no one can do. At our Europe school, the lessons are shorter at just 40 minutes, but a full-time position includes 32 lessons per week. Nobody does that. If the situation does not change, she will only receive a pension of 40 percent of her last net salary instead of a 70 percent pension for tenured civil servants, Marianna reported. Many of my colleagues are not from Europe, but from South AmericaChile, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentinathey cant get tenure, no matter how old they are, she continued.

A teacher who wanted to remain anonymous reported on her attempt to network employee teachers with those who have tenure as civil servants in order to end the unequal treatment and the two-class society in the staff room. When she and other colleagues approached the responsible GEW representative with this intention, he reacted dismissively and tried to hold us back with excuses, she said.

Anne teaches several welcome classes with children from different backgrounds. You have to give children the space they need to experience things for themselves, she said. For this purpose, the number of lessons and the class sizes must be reduced. In many classes, two teachers would be needed. There are also too few practice rooms in the schools to apply what has been learned. Moreover, the curriculums have not been changed for decades. Anne previously worked in adult education for several years, explaining that the families of many children have fled from war and poverty, from Ukraine, from Syria, from Ghana.

Asked about her Free Assange badge, Anne criticized the war policies of the NATO countries and said: I am in favour of the release of Julian Assange. He is imprisoned for publishing secret documents about corruption and war crimes. Politicians should be interested in the good of all, but instead they pursue the power interests of a few. That has to change. In Ukraine and around the world, negotiations must be the first means of choice. So many other things could be financed from the money for the rearmament of the Bundeswehr. Anyone who produces weapons will eventually use them. And then there are more deaths and more misery.

Several teachers reacted angrily to the policy of the Berlin Senate. This wrong policy has been going on for several years, commented one teacher. Thats why we have these big problems in education. Another added that she is totally disappointed by the governing parties and feels really fooled. Martina B., who has been in the civil service for 11 years and works at a primary school in Neukolln, said: I feel like Im in the wrong movie! I never thought wed be discussing tank deliveries again today.

Michaela worked in a theatre but is now part of a career conversion programme to become a teacher. In addition to her teacher training, she already works at an elementary school in JuL (multi-year learning). Its supposedly about children of different ages helping each other, she explained. But this only works if you have smaller classes in which you can respond to all children. For the teachers, it is an insane challengea nice idea, but in its current form it leaves many children stranded.

Instead of 28 children, there should be no more than 22. The less the better, every single place would be great. It was best with partitioned classes during COVID. Teachers often work into the evening, but many are unaware of this. It is unrealistic and an immense effort to catch up on training as part of a career conversion. Already in my studies, which I have to do by the way, there are people who show burnout symptoms. Those who still have children themselves and have to catch up on their studies simply do not manage this burden.

There has been so much money going into the military over the last few decades, I wonder what was funded by it. I think education needs a lot more support and a lot more money. Spaces must be created, more personnel must be hiredincluding pedagogical assistants, afternoon training and so on. With the 100 billion, one could also create housing and space for young people.

Im not really a friend of the GEW. I was there for only a few months and got out again exactly because they dont stand firm, and it should be about fighting together with others and getting things done together. Not every profession can walk alone. A GEW speaker recently said: We want to bake bigger rolls. But I personally am not interested in more money at all, but in making social changes in various areas. The fact that the current strikes are so decentralized is therefore extremely strange to me.
The following greetings from the US, Russia, Britain and France were read out at the February 4 anti-war rally organized by the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (SGP-Socialist Equality Party) at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin.

Socialist Equality Party rally in Berlin against Ukraine war and German militarism with English subtitles

Joseph Kishore, national secretary of the Socialist Equality Party in the United States

Dear comrades and friends,

On behalf of the Socialist Equality Party in the United States, I would like to extend my greetings to the final rally of the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei for the Berlin elections.

In these elections, the SGP has placed at the center of its campaign the fight against war. The relentless escalation of the US and NATO powers in its war against Russia threatens all of mankind. As the war has dragged on, now for nearly a year, the incidental and conjunctural causes give way to the more fundamental aims. The NATO powers, and above all American imperialism, seek the military defeat and subjugation of Russia. They used the Putin regimes reactionary invasion of Ukraine, instigated by the US and NATO themselves, to pursue this aim. The logic of the war, arising out of the aims of the capitalist ruling elites, increasingly dictates the course of events. With the ink hardly dry on the agreements to send battle tanks, the demand is now raised for fighter jets. And what will be next? And even as weaponry and money are flooding into Ukraine, US military planners are talking about war with China within the next two years.

The blood-soaked American ruling class speaks about defending democracy, freedom, national sovereignty. Who do they think they are kidding? The Biden administration heads a state that has waged three decades of unrelenting militarist violence, destroying entire societies in the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, deploying the most barbaric methods to achieve its aims. As for the German ruling class, it will not be lost on workers throughout the world that the last time German tanks were deployed against Russia they were directed by a Nazi dictator.

The recklessness of the capitalist ruling elites threatens disasterand not only in the form of world war and a nuclear apocalypse, but also the ongoing pandemic, environmental crises, mass poverty and the return of fascism and dictatorship. The perspective of the International Committee of the Fourth International, however, is based on profound optimism. This optimism is rooted in, first, the revolutionary role of the international working class. Throughout the world, workers are entering into battle against conditions of exploitation enormously intensified by the war itself. Here in the United States, a mood of anger and opposition prevails that finds only a pale expression in the significant growth of strikes over the past year. The corrupt trade union apparatus is struggling to contain the class strugglea task that it will prove incapable of carrying out.

Second, the optimism of the ICFI is rooted in the lessons of history and the program and perspective of the Trotskyist movement, which is the Marxism of the 21st century. It is the intersection of this program with the powerful struggles of billions of workers throughout the world that will change the course of political events and open a path to the future, open the path to socialism. In achieving this end, the workers of Germany and the United States, and the workers of the entire world, will march hand in hand.

Andrei Ritsky, a representative of the Young Guard of Bolshevik-Leninists in Russia

In the last week, a very important event has occurred that will affect the current status of the war between NATO-backed Ukraine and Russia. The situation is such that the supply of tanks by NATO countries may change the current status of the war: from an indirect or proxy war, it will become a direct conflict between NATO countries and Russia. This development does not exclude the use of nuclear weapons.

Throughout the war, NATO countries have continually expanded aid to Ukraine. If current aid includes tanks, then what might future aid include? How long until NATO countries decide to close the skies over Ukraine with their fighter jets? To directly support the seizure of Crimea and even a nuclear strike?

Although the Western media periodically try to convince readers that NATO will not use nuclear weapons first, this does not in any way negate the possibility that NATOs policy could lead to the use of nuclear weapons by Putins regime, which is in danger of being overthrown.

The Western media are trying to show Russian society as a country of monsters united by an intoxicated thirst to take over Ukraine. I am obliged to refute this slander. Russian society, just like NATO countries, is composed of two main warring classesworkers and capitalists. It is far from being as monolithic as the media try to make it out to be.

The Russian working class supports the anti-war struggle in NATO countries in every possible way. This support can become a bridge to strengthen the international unity of the working class in Russia, Ukraine, Europe, America, Asia and Australia. In Russia, as in every capitalist country, opposition to war exists and will expand, but this opposition can only gain real strength on the basis of a scientific program of socialist internationalism.

We see that a genuine struggle to build and expand the International Committee of the Fourth International as the World Party of the Socialist Revolution is only possible through educating the working class of each country on the basis of bringing clarity to the history of the October Revolution, the Soviet Union and the restoration of capitalism, which is impossible without studying the history of the struggle of Trotskyism against Stalinism and Pabloism. This means that our section-building activities in Russia and throughout the former Soviet Union are faced with a very important question: the elimination of all Stalinist and Putinist filth from the consciousness of the working class and the introduction of revolutionary clarity into it.

(The full letter of the Young Guard of Bolshevik-Leninists to the International Committee of the Fourth International is published here.)

Chris Marsden, national secretary of the Socialist Equality Party in the UK

Socialist greetings to this election rally of the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei.

At this time of grave danger for the German, European and international working class, the Socialist Equality Party in Britain salutes the brave stand taken by those here today in opposing the escalating NATO-led war against Russia and fighting to mobilise the working class against it.

As in Germany, the UK ruling class is gripped by war fever, ready to spend billions, supply missiles, tanks, fighter planes and send soldiers to kill and die, even if this threatens nuclear war. The criminal Conservative government declares that the UK will not shy away from using nuclear missiles. Labour leader Keir Starmer agrees and boasts that his is the real party of NATO.

All demand with one voice that wages must be slashed and social services destroyed to pay for war.

Workers are fighting back, with national strikes involving millions. Yet no trade union leader opposes the war, while the Labour left around Jeremy Corbyn and the pseudo-left groups go along with this historic crime.

This, their ultimate betrayal, must be answered. The SGP is giving that answer: Two World Wars are enough! Stop the warmongers!

German workers must join this party and build it. We in Britain are your steadfast comrades in this life-and-death struggle.

Alex Lantier, national secretary of the Parti de l'egalite socialiste in France

Dear friends, it is a pleasure to bring the greetings of the Parti de legalite socialiste, the French section of the ICFI, to this historic event.

This rally in Berlin, the historic epicenter of European imperialism and militarism, is of enormous significance for workers in every country. Eighty years after Soviet forces defeated the Nazi armies at Stalingrad in World War II, Berlin is, with Washington, leading NATOs attempt to trigger a Third World War with Russia. In every country, the war is at the center of political life.

In France, millions of workers are striking and marching against President Emmanuel Macrons overwhelmingly unpopular policy of slashing pensions. Almost all the money Macron plans to cut from pensions is to be spent on a 413 billion military spending program to arm French imperialism for war. There is explosive anger among French workers as Macron pledges to sacrifice their living standards to the war, and to unleash French riot police on anyone who dares protest.

The working class cannot halt the attacks on its basic social and democratic rights unless it unites internationally in struggle to stop the NATO-Russia war in Ukraine. This reality underlies the extraordinary significance of todays rally.

The Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei is the only party in Germany waging an irreconcilable struggle to rally workers and youth against this war.

Eighty years ago, the French Trotskyists in the underground resistance to Nazi occupation worked with German Trotskyists, and sympathizing German soldiers, to build united revolutionary opposition in the European working class to the unparalleled crimes of Nazism. Not even the Hitlerite regime could annihilate the deep impact of Marxism on Europe and on Germany.

It is these traditions of irreconcilable internationalist struggle that underlie the work of the SGP, the PES and the entire ICFI to oppose the NATO-Russia war in Ukraine.

On this basis, I urge all those attending this rally to give the SGP your support.
The stock valuation of the Adani Group, one of Indias largest conglomerates, has been more than halved in the two weeks since a Wall Street investment firm published a scathing report charging its owners and management with corrupt practices.

The sudden reversal in the Adani Groups fortunes has shaken Indias financial markets and the countrys far-right, Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.

There are mounting fears the financial contagion will spread, as the Adani Groups shrinking market capitalization impacts the balance sheets of Indias banks, which are already weighed down by a mountain of debt, and other major lenders and investors.

Indias opposition parties, meanwhile, are pointing to the extent to which the Adani Group, and its chairman, Gautam Adaniwho up until a few weeks ago was being touted as Asias richest personhave benefited from extensive, often times obtrusive, BJP government support. Modi himself has a decades-long association with the rags-to riches oligarch Gautam Adani, whose wealth has grown exponentially since the BJP came to power in New Delhi in May 2014.

Gautam Adani with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu [Photo: Twitter/Gautam Adani]

On Jan. 24, Hindenburg Research published a report titled Adani Group: How the worlds 3rd richest man is pulling the largest con in corporate history. It accused the Adani Groupwhich is comprised of 9 publicly listed entities, seven of them headed by Gautam Adaniof pervasive accounting fraud and brazen stock manipulation to puff up the Groups financial valuation. It has done so, the report alleges, by creating an empire of shell companies in Mauritius, Cyprus, UAE and other places, which have indulged in illegal stock-parking, wash-trading and money laundering.

Indias corporate media have promoted the meteoric rise of Adani and his Adani Group as a quintessential example of Indias growth story. In doing this, they have ended up saying more than they intended for Adani is indeed emblematic of the raft of newly minted Indian billionaires and multimillionaires that has arisen over the past three decades through the state-enabled looting of public assets, massive tax cuts and other concessions, and the brutal exploitation of the countrys impoverished working class.

That the key to Adanis success has been his close ties to Modi and his government has long been an open secret. He has benefited from the privatization of huge swathes of publicly built infrastructure, including seaports, electricity generation and transmission, coal mines and airports. These assets were invariably sold off for way less than they were worth, and with much of the money for their purchase coming from unsecured loans extended to Adani by Indias public sector banks.

Adani, who has frequently accompanied Modi on his foreign travels, has also benefited from high-level BJP government interventions, some of them apparently delivered by Modi himself, to smooth the path for large foreign acquisitions.

Recently, Adani traded on Indias burgeoning military-security partnership with Israel and Modis close connections to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to acquire Israels Haifa port. Earlier, the Adani Group acquired the rights to develop the vast, highly polluting Carmichael coal mine in Queensland, Australia.

The Adani Groups corrupt modus operandi sheds light on the crony capitalism that is the hallmark of the Modi government. It duplicates on the national stage the Gujarat model of economic development that Modi pioneered during his tenure as Gujarat chief minister from 2001 to 2014. The Gujarat model essentially consisted of making government policy and the state bureaucracy totally subservient to the profit interests of private corporations, with those industrialists and businessmen close to Modi being first in line to benefit from the fire-sale of government assets and other pro-investor policies. Meanwhile, worker protests were ruthlessly suppressed.

As Ashok Swain, a professor at Uppsala University observed to the Asia Times, Adanis spectacular personal enrichment is mind-boggling and clearly inextricably bound up with his ties to Modi and the BJP government. Before Modi became the BJPs prime ministerial candidate in September 2013, Adanis worth was $1.9 billion, explained Swain, In August 2022, while Covid pushed 230 million Indians into poverty, Adanis worth went up to $137 billion. Why does anyone need Hindenburg Research to write a report?

On January 29, with its stock already in freefall, the Adani Group issued a 413-page reply to the charges of corporate criminality outlined in the Hindenburg report. Unsurprisingly, it wrapped Gautam Adani in the national flag, saying that the charges made in the report were a calculated attack on India.

In its response, Hindenburg Research pointed out that only 30 of the 413 pages dealt in some fashion with the issues raised in its original report, and that the Adani Group had failed to provide any sort of answers to 62 of the 88 questions that report raised. It went on to say that Indias future is being held back by the Adani Group, which has draped itself in the Indian flag while systematically looting the nation.

Initially the Modi government maintained a deathly silence on the Hindenburg Research report. But the rout of the Adani Group on Indian and US stock markets, prompted the finance minister to issue a statement pledging that regulatory authorities will do their jobs, and insisting that the macroeconomic fundamentals of our economy and image, none of it is affected.

This, however, failed to reassure international investors. Following the nosedive in the share prices of Adani Group companies, the giant US bank Citigroup issued a statement saying it will no longer accept either Adani Group shares or bonds as collateral for new loans. Similar steps have been taken by the Swiss bank Credit Suisse and the British lender Standard Chartered.

As of Monday, February 6, the shares of Adani group companies had lost a combined total of around $110 billion from their estimated valuation of $218 billion when the Hindenburg Research report was released.

A further rout in Adani Group companies share prices on Monday was only arrested because Indias stock market and regulatory authorities stepped in to restrict the maximum slide in Adani stock prices to minus 5 percent for a subset of Adani companies and minus 10 percent for Adani Transmission. The share prices of all the companies concerned slid to these limits.

In recent days, Adani Group share prices have slightly rebounded. There is every reason to believe that this is due to fresh injections of funds from Indias public sector banks and other predominantly state-owned corporations like the Life Instance Corp. of India, already a large Adani Group investor.

Despite its public pose of calm, the government is clearly acutely concerned about both the economic and political fallout of the potential unraveling of the Adani Group.

The Modi government and Indias corporate media are continually tub-thumping about Indias world-beating economic growth. The reality is very different.

In the 2023-24 budget, tabled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, the government announced a massive allocation of Rs. 13.7 trillion ($167 billion) for capital expenditure for improving or building seaports, roads, bridges and other infrastructure all for the benefit of big business. While Indias existing infrastructure is woefully inadequate, the principal reason for the massive hike in infrastructure spending was to kick-start the economy, under conditions where private investment has been falling for years. This is because Indias companies are weighed down by debt and, when they cant benefit from government largesse in the manner of the Adani Group, prefer to engage in stock buybacks and other financial manipulations rather than invest.

In an action that points to the governments extreme sensitivity about any exposure of Modis close ties to Adani, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla ordered large parts of a speech by Congress Party leader Rahul Gandhi raising questions about the governments relations with the Adani Group and Modis pre-2014 relationship with Gautam Adani struck from the parliamentary record.

Modi has also hit back by dragging up numerous scandals that demonstrate that the Congress Party-led government that held office from 2004-14 was immersed in numerous corrupt dealings with various Indian business houses. What Modi of course could not and would not say is that this vast nexus of government-business corruption has greatly expanded under his rule; is rooted in the very DNA of Indian capitalism; and has grown exponentially since the Indian ruling class formally abandoned its state-led capitalist development strategy in 1991 in favor of full-scale integration with the imperialist-led world capitalist order.

Both Adani and Modi hail from the state of Gujarat. Their close association dates back to 2003, that is shortly after Modi came to national prominence because of his role, as Gujarats Chief Minister, in instigating and overseeing the February 2002 Gujarat anti-Muslim pogrom. This mass killing by Hindu-terrorist gangs linked to the BJP and its allied organizations resulted in the gruesome deaths of at least 2,000 innocent persons, mostly Muslims. Hundreds of thousands of other impoverished Muslims were rendered homeless and forced to live in squalid refugee camps which exist even till now.

Subsequently at an event organized by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) in February 2003 in New Delhi, where Modi was the chief guest, two well-known industrialists, Rahul Bajaj and Jamshyd Godrej, aggressively grilled Modi onstage about the law and order situation in Gujarat.

This angered Adani and several Gujarat industrialists. They broke with the CII for having brought disrepute to Gujarat and then formed a body named the Resurgent Group of Gujarat to promote the state under Chief Minister Modi as an unmatched business-friendly state. They initiated a biennial business summit, Vibrant Gujarat, which showcased Modi as an autocratic leader who would cater to the profit interests of corporations by brooking no opposition from the government bureaucracy, popular protests or worker agitations.

This event soon came to be a major draw for Indian and global investors, with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the CII, which had issued a groveling apology to Modi for what had happened at its 2003 event, all serving as sponsors.

By ruthlessly implementing pro-investor policies, Modi soon endeared himself to Indian industrialists such as Ratan Tata, scion of the Tata empire, who at an earlier time would have shunned a Hindu supremacist thug like Modi. Nevertheless, Adani continued to have a preferential relationship with Modi.

In 2014, Indian big business propelled the would-be Hindu supremacist strongman and his BJP to power so as to intensify the class war assault on Indias workers and toilers and more aggressively assert their great-power ambitions on the world stage. Adanis ascent among Indias billionaires would soon attain warp speed, making him briefly last year the worlds second wealthiest person. Five days ago, Forbes listed him as 18th, with an estimated fortune of merely $60 billion.
At a press conference on Monday, February 6, lawyers for the family of Manuel Esteban Paez Teran, a 26-year-old environmental activist shot and killed by Atlanta, Georgia police on January 18, said that preliminary results from an independent autopsy revealed that the activist, who went by the name Tortuguita/Tort (Little Turtle), had been shot at least 12-13 times by multiple police officers.

Manuel Esteban Paez Teran, a 26-year-old environmental activist shot and killed by Georgia police during a "clearing operation" on January 18, 2023. [Photo: Family of Manuel Esteban Paez Teran]

On the morning of January 18, Tortuguita was one of at least eight forest defenders camped in the South River forest, just outside Atlanta, Georgia, protesting the construction of a $90 million 85-acre police training facility commonly referred to as Cop City. Police claim that during a police clearing operation of the forest, Tortuguita shot a Georgia state trooper once with a pistol, prompting police to return fire and kill Tortuguita.



Speaking on Monday, Brian Spears, a civil rights attorney for the family, said, Manuel was shot over 12 times, by several different firearms from multiple officers.

The lawyer added that even before the preliminary autopsy, completed last Tuesday, showed that Tortuguita was riddled with bullets, lawyers had requested audio, video and drone information concerning the shooting from all of the agencies involved in the police action.

Gerry Weber, senior counsel for the Southern Center for Human Rights, told the press conference that so far, the familys attorneys had yet to receive a response.



The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), which is overseeing the cover-up of Tortuguitas killing by police, confirmed in a January 18 public statement that the task force assembled the morning Tortuguita was shot included police agents from the Atlanta Police Department, the Georgia State Patrol, the Department of Natural Resources, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and the DeKalb County Police Department.



Despite the presence of dozens of police officers from several agencies, two of whichthe Atlanta and DeKalb County police departmentsare required by Georgia state law to wear body cameras, police and the GBI claim that no body camera footage exists of the actual shooting, only its aftermath.



Gerry Weber called into question police claims that no footage of the shooting existed. Somehow, with officers wearing body cameras now more than ever, we have seen zero footage of the shooting death of Mr. Teran he said.



In a statement released ahead of Mondays press conference, Jeff Filipovits, lead attorney for the family, said that the GBI had so far selectively released information about Mannys death.



They claim Manny failed to follow orders, the statement read. What orders? The GBI has not talked about the fact that Manny faced a firing squad, when those shots were fired, or who fired them.



On Wednesday night, the first body camera footage from the Atlanta Police Department was released. While the footage does not show the incident itself, in a short clip, four gunshots are heard, followed by dozens more shots over roughly a 10-second period.



The volume of gunfire prompted one of the police to ask, [I]s this target practice?





In the last year, at least 14 forest defenders have been charged by the US government on trumped-up domestic terrorism charges for engaging in acts of civil disobedience against the construction of Cop City. This includes non-violent acts such as blocking construction vehicles or pitching hammocks in trees slated for clearing.



Speaking of the proposed police training center, Weber said Monday that the militarized center would be the third largest police training center in the nation.



Cop city is not a benign training center, Weber added. They want to shut down any movement in this country against police violence.



Pointing to the refusal of the police to release any information regarding the circumstances that led to the shooting, Weber said, We are seeing zero on transparency. Commenting on claims from politicians and police that domestic terrorism charges were warranted against the protesters because they were not from DeKalb County, and were therefore outside agitators, Weber recounted that these were the same arguments used by Southern segregationists and Democratic politicians during the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s.



Law enforcement is claiming that anyone who came from out of state to the protests is more likely to be a domestic terrorist. That sure sounds like something you might have heard in 1965 on Bloody Sunday on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, Weber remarked.



At Mondays press conference, Daniel Paez, Torts brother and a US Navy veteran, accused the police of engaging in a cover-up. We have been lied to. That is the truth, he said.



Rejecting claims that police feared for their life, Paez recounted that in 2022, police killed at least 1,176 people, mostly working class and poor, while only 64 cops were killed on the job.



Meanwhile, Paez added, the police are a danger to themselves. He noted that according to policechiefmagazine.org, in 2016 there were 239 police suicides.



Pointing to the class character of police violence and that fact that the proposed $90 million police training facility has the backing of major corporations such as Delta Air Lines, Equifax, Home Depot, United Parcel Service and Wells Fargo, Paez said, Cop City is creating a police officer for its buyers, the corporations.



Do you think homeless people want militarized cops? Paez asked rhetorically. Cop city ... is for the corporations that fund it.



The parents of Tortuguita spoke lovingly of their child. Belkis Teran said her son was born on April 23, 1996 in Venezuela and graduated from Florida State University with a degree in sociology.

Manuel was a defender of the forest, she said. Manuel had a heart full of love for people, animals and the tress. Manuel has a great interest in helping the disenfranchised, the voiceless, those unable to defend themselves.



It does not make sense killing someone who was sleeping in the forest, Belkis said. We are living a horror.



Torts father, Joel Paez, said, We are heartbroken, and that while he was praying for the full recovery of the officer who was shot that morning, he was also praying for all the individuals who were unjustly accused of domestic terrorism, who, like my child, want to preserve and protect a piece of forest



He added, Manuel was profoundly worried for all of humanity. He said his son sadly ... was a fierce environmentalist, who gave his life for his ideas in the United States of America.



At the same time the press conference was being held, the police agencies that engaged in the January 18 clearing operation that ended with Tortuguitas death conducted another massive police operation in the Atlanta-area forest. The Atlanta-Journal Constitution reported that SWAT teams from the Atlanta and DeKalb County police departments, as well as Georgia State Patrol troopers and representatives from other agencies, were seen at the site in southwest DeKalb County.



Local East Atlanta resident Margaret Mason Tate told the newspaper, I dont know a neighbor of mine who is excited about this project. And I know I am not.



She added, I want to invest my tax dollars into the city of Atlanta and not Cop City. There is absolutely no way I can adequately express how distressing it is to feel like I live in a war zone...


Do you work at Norfolk Southern or another Class I railway? Tell us what you think about Fridays accident by filling out the form at the bottom of this article. All submissions will be kept anonymous.

A man takes photos as a black plume rises over East Palestine, Ohio, as a result of a controlled detonation of a portion of the derailed Norfolk Southern train, Feb. 6, 2023. [AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar]

Government and railroad officials released massive amounts of toxins into the streams, ground water and the atmosphere during Mondays controlled release of vinyl chloride from five tanker cars that were part of last Friday's derailment of a Norfolk Southern freight train in East Palestine, Ohio.

Thousands of pounds of vinyl chloride, a highly toxic, deadly and known carcinogen, were dumped on the ground and then set on fire from five tanker cars that had derailed as part of the 50 cars that went off the track on Friday.

While officials evacuated people living within a one- and two-mile radius of the wreckage, people on social media are reporting being able to smell the chemicals 10 and 15 miles from the site of the crash. Dead fish are being cleared from the banks of streams miles downstream from the accident.

One woman posted a video of her chickens dying in North Lima, Ohio, about 10 miles from the accident. Amanda Breshears told the local news station WKBN that her eyes watered when she went outside and that her chickens were fine the day before.

Many people took photos and videos of the explosion and posted them on social media, along with comments about the smell in the air.

Jim Kosior posted several videos showing the smoke from the explosion covering the area where he lives and called upon his neighbors to gather soil and water samples to be used as evidence. (Warning: Video has foul language.)

Breathing vinyl chloride is very dangerous. In high enough levels it can cause death. At any level it can cause cancer of the liver, brain and blood. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) limits exposure to vinyl chloride to just one part per million over an 8-hour shift.

Normally a gas at normal temperatures and pressures, vinyl chloride in contaminated water supply will enter household air when used for showering, cleaning or cooking.

In the air, vinyl chloride breaks down in a few days, resulting in the formation of several other chemicals, including hydrochloric acid, formaldehyde and carbon dioxide.

Weirton, West Virginia, about 40 miles south of East Palestine, switched to an alternative water supply because officials detected not vinyl chloride but a secondary chemical. Weirton sits on the Ohio River. The streams that run through East Palestine feed into the Ohio River.

On Monday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announced that the company would be doing what they called a controlled release of the vinyl chloride that remained in five of the cars that went off the tracks.

Government officials claimed that the release was necessary because the tanks pressure release valves were not working and thus the tank was in danger of exploding.

An engineer who studies industrial accidents took issue with the claim that there was little danger from the controlled release. He posted a video explaining the dangers of vinyl chloride and how it interacts in the air and water.

Vinyl chloride boils at 8 degrees. Each tanker car carries between 25,000 and 33,000 gallons of liquid. This means that there may have been as much as 1,000,000 pounds of this toxic chemical.

In the controlled release, workers placed small charges to rupture the cars. As the liquid poured out of the tankers, it quickly began to boil away and was ignited by flares that were left lit on the ground, leading to the fire that could be seen from over 20 miles away.

By Tuesday and Wednesday, workers began removing the cars and repairing the tracks.

One retired railroad worker posted a photo of crews working and pointed to the fact that they were not wearing respirators.

Unless someone can provide me pictures showing otherwise, it looks like NS has its track employees in #eastpalestine working without respirators. Some of those may be old coworkers and thats sad. Screenshot this from a news story from earlier

Just as when the government and corporations pushed for the reopening of schools and businesses in the midst of the pandemic, rail operators and government officials are indifferent to the poisoning of tens of thousands of people.

Norfork Southern has announced that it will be giving East Palestine $25,000. This insulting figure comes from a company with a market capitalization of nearly $60 billion and one that has been providing its Wall Street investors with billions in profits.

Incidents like the one in East Palestine are no accident but are the direct result of the rail operators push for greater and greater profits. To further boost profits, the rail operators have been increasing the size and weight of trains and using advanced computer programming to increase the number and frequency of trains on tracks.

On average, there are five rail accidents per day in the United States, a typical year sees over 1,000 derailments. This makes a disaster like the one which occurred in East Palestine all but inevitable.

The rail unions do not operate to defend the interests of the workers, as was again proven in last years contract negotiations, but they work with the companies to keep the workforce in check.

The only way forward for workers to ensure that preventable disasters like the East Palestine derailment do not happen is to take control over the safety and infrastructure of the rail system out of the hands of Wall Street speculators and into the hands of workers.
President Joe Bidens State of the Union address was an exercise in deceit. Its central aim was to conceal from the American people plans for an immense escalation, including the deployment of troops, in the ever more direct military conflict with Russian forces as the US-instigated war in Ukraine enters its second bloody year.

The annual speech to a joint session of Congress was preceded by a feverish intensification of the war. Over the past several weeks, at the urging of Washington, multiple European powers have begun to send main battle tanks to Ukraine, the US has announced the dispatch of long-range precision missiles capable of striking deep into Russia territory and plans have been unveiled to send advanced NATO fighter jets to the regime in Kiev.

Within hours of Bidens Tuesday night speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Britain and the European Union powers to demand the immediate dispatch of fighter jets, and the British government announced plans to train Ukrainian pilots in the UK.

In last years State of the Union speech, held just days after Russian President Vladimir Putins reactionary and disastrous invasion of Ukraine, deliberately provoked by Washington, Biden focused almost exclusively on the war, hailing the bipartisan unity it had generated barely a year after the siege of Congress by Donald Trumps fascist insurrectionists.

President Biden arrives to deliver his State of the Union speech to a joint session of Congress, at the Capitol in Washington, February 7, 2023. [AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite]

Yet in Tuesdays address, there was hardly a mention of the war in Ukrainea war that has brought the world to the brink of a nuclear exchange, or Armageddon, as Biden himself called it last fall. In a speech that dragged on for nearly 90 minutes, he devoted only 200 out of 7,000 words to the war, which is the central focus of his administration.

How is this astonishing fact to be explained?

First, Biden knows that the war is unpopular among the broad mass of the American working class.

Second, his government is in the process of working out its response to the rapid deterioration of Ukraines military position. This will require the deployment of NATO forces to Ukraine, including American contractors and troops, but Biden is not yet ready to reveal it. More time is needed to ratchet up the ongoing media propaganda campaign and generate an even higher level of anti-Russia hysteria.

David Sanger, a top New York Times foreign policy analyst with close ties to US intelligence, honed in on the extraordinary downplaying of the war in Ukraine in a commentary published after the State of the Union. He wrote:

Simultaneously managing an aggressive Russia and a risk-taking China may prove the greatest challenge of his [Bidens] next two years. And they will increasingly occupy his attention, especially now that Republican control of the House all but terminates his domestic legislative agenda.

So it was especially striking that in the presidents State of the Union address on Tuesday night, he chose to spend relatively little time on Americas global role, focusing instead on his Made in America effort to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States, even at the price of angering Americas closest allies and top trade partners.

Pointing to the unpopularity of the war and the further austerity its escalation will require, Sanger wrote that Biden, who is preparing to run for a second term, knows that Americas re-engagement in the world is both expensive and, at the opening of an election cycle, a tough political sell. Containing Russia and competing with China may be the work of decades, but it will add tens or hundreds of billions of dollars to an already stressed budget.

Times columnist Thomas Friedman, a weather vane for the discussions taking place in the state and intelligence agencies, pointed to the far-reaching plans for the coming months in a column published on February 5, Year Two of the Ukraine War is Going to Get Scary.

In Friedmans account, the first year of the war was relatively easy for America and its allies, requiring only sending arms, aid and intelligence. However, he wrote, I dont think year two is going to be so easythat is, the direct intervention of US forces will be required.

Friedman, who initiated the phrase the cure cant be worse than the problem itseslf to justify the abandonment of all restrictions on the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, is now advancing the position that the consequences of NATOs defeat in Ukraine are worse than the danger of thermonuclear war.

The plans to massively escalate in Ukraine coincide with the buildup toward military conflict with nuclear-armed China, exemplified in the anti-China hysteria whipped up over the so-called spy balloon. In his speech, Biden implied that the American attack on the research balloon, the first time the US shot down a Chinese aircraft since the Korean war, could presage further military action. As we made clear last week, if China threatens our sovereignty, we will act to protect our country. And we did, Biden said.

These preparations are key to understanding Bidens demonstrative appeals for unity with the increasingly fascistic Republicans.

He began his speech by congratulating newly elected Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who was elected Speaker and retains his position at the pleasure of the openly fascistic House Freedom Caucus. He cited the bipartisan legislative achievements of his first two years and appealed for more of the same going forwardproposing an array of populist measures that have, as he well knows, no chance of being passed by Congress. Just last week the Housewith the votes of a majority of Democratspassed a resolution condemning socialism and implicitly attacking Social Security, Medicare and other entitlement programs.

American imperialism and its leading war partythe Democratsare focused on maintaining a sufficient degree of unity with the Republicans to prosecute their war agenda against Russia and China, and the savage austerity it will entail domestically, in the face of rising opposition within the working class, declining support for the war and a growing rebellion against the pro-imperialist, pro-war and pro-capitalist trade union apparatuses.

Hence, on the one hand, Bidens promotion of the Pro Act, aimed at strengthening the grip of the union bureaucracies on the working class, and, on the other, his silence on one piece of bipartisan legislation passed in his first two yearsthe law outlawing a strike by rail workers and imposing a company-dictated contract that had been voted down by tens of thousands of rank-and-file workers.

This also accounts for the rabidly nationalist, America First character of Bidens remarks. Bidens agenda of economic warfaredirected not only against Russia and China, but also against Wall Streets NATO and Asian allieshis promotion of Made in America, Buy American and The supply chain begins here is critical to the foreign policy of military aggression and the domestic policy of class war.

Bidens attempt to create an image of a thriving America and a resilient democracy was based on outright lies. He boasted of ending all public health measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, even as he acknowledged that the virus has killed over 1 million Americans. The supposed victory over COVID-19, which continues to kill some 500 people in the US every day according to vastly underestimated official figures, not to mention the untold ravages of Long COVID, is to be crowned by the expiration of the national health emergency in May.

Even as he tried to portray a society roaring back to prosperity, he cited facts that demonstrate the exact opposite: tens of thousands of deaths from drug overdoses, mass shootings, police killings, entire cities devastated by factory closures, price-gouging by drug companies and energy giants, decaying infrastructure, colossal levels of social inequality. At one point, in his pseudo-populist mode, he noted that there were 1,000 billionaires in the US, and then admitted that their ranks had increased from 600 since he took office.

As for democracy, the fact that the people are denied any say on the life-and-death issue of war demonstrates that there is no real democracy in the United States. The State of the Union address itself, which saw Republican lawmakers heckling and cursing Biden and calling him a liar, illustrated the disintegration of bourgeois democratic institutions and the growth of fascist parties and forces that are a common feature of the mortal crisis of capitalism internationally.

Bidens deplorable speech, with its lies, platitudes, evasions and omissions, testifies to the degraded state of the American political system and the disastrous real State of the Union. It is one more demonstration of the need for the working class to take the road of mass, independent political struggle to end war, exploitation and repression by putting an end to capitalism and establishing socialism.
There is widespread anger among United Auto Workers members over the current election for UAW president and the supposed choice between two longtime UAW bureaucrats, incumbent President Ray Curry and UAW International Representative Shawn Fain. The two emerged after the first round of voting late last year, which was marred by gross violations of workers voting rights. This led to a turnout of less than 10 percent, one of the lowest if not the lowest of any major union election in history.

The results of the first round have not been certified because of the official protest filed with the court-appointed UAW Monitor by Will Lehman, a Pennsylvania Mack Trucks worker and socialist candidate for UAW president in the first round of voting. His 50-page protest documents how the entrenched UAW leadership defied election rules set by the Monitor, including updating mailing lists and broadly educating workers about the election to maximize participation. To ensure that workers have a meaningful choiceand not one limited to the handpicked candidates of the UAW bureaucracyLehman has called for the inclusion of all five of the first-round candidates in the current vote.

After doing as little as possible to publicize the election last year, UAW officials are now sending out mailers and emails, posting signs in the plants and outside union halls informing workers that their mail-in ballots for the runoff must be received by February 28. As for the UAW Monitor, he has not replied to Lehmans protest and is allowing the illegitimate runoff to continue.

Lehman supporters at GM's Ft. Wayne assembly plant pass out flyers on protest over UAW election [Photo: WSWS]

Over the last two weeks, supporters of Will Lehman have traveled to plants in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Illinois and other states to inform workers about his protest. In discussions outside factory gates, supporters have encountered deep opposition among workers to the UAW bureaucracys collusion with the auto bosses and brazen violation of their rights in the election.

A worker at the General Motors assembly plant in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, said, Were working so hard in the plant the last thing were thinking about is updating our mailing addresses. That is something the union should have attended to. Pointing to the less than 10 percent turnout, she added, How can you have an election where 90 percent of the membership didnt vote?

Gary, a Ft. Wayne worker with 28 years, added, It doesnt surprise me that the UAW rigged the election. Weve been ripped off by the union for years. Back in the day, union stewards would stand up and make management back down. They dont have anything like that anymore. They dont stand up for us at all.

Gary [Photo: WSWS]

Pointing to widespread charges by workers of vote rigging by UAW Local 2209, he said, One day, we had a local election here and the union officials claimed a whole box of ballots fell off the back of a truck. They re-ran the election, and the ones who were running against the incumbents and were ahead, lost the election.

Pointing to the contract battle workers will face later this year against GM and the other automakers, he said, Prices are going up 8, 9 and 10 percent. Wheres my pay raise? We need to fight for more money and hold onto our health benefits. Our retirees should be able to get the medications and treatment they need. Im appalled with they way Medicare and Medicaid treat our elderly.

Lehman supporters also spoke to workers at the Stellantis Kokomo Casting Plant in Indiana. I dont trust that my vote matters, Shawn, a veteran worker at the plant, told the WSWS. Ive never been asked by any union rep what I want or need or what I feel about the election. Its almost like they dont really care about what the workers on the floor want. The election seems like its about what the union thinks that we want. I thought that it would be different.

Its no secret that the two candidates in the runoff will be against us, Shawn continued. Its always the same kind of people who make it to the top positions, he said. Workers know the union isnt the type of organization it used to be in the 1970s and earlier.

Kokomo Casting is where Shawn Fain began his career in the UAW apparatus, starting as a skilled trade representative in UAW Local 1166 in 2001 before working his way up to a top position at the UAWs Solidarity House headquarters by 2012. As a member of the UAW-Chrysler National Negotiating Team in 2009 and 2011, Fain backed the pro-company contracts that slashed jobs, cut the wages of new hires in half and vastly expanded the use of low-paid temporary workers.

I got screwed out of the benefits that my dad got, Shawn said. Now I know who to blame. Many of us who came here after 2009 dont even know what our generation has been forced to give up.

Shawn [Photo: WSWS]

Shawn explained that his father had worked at the factory between 1992 and 2005. Ive been here 18 years, and Im still making what my father and other autoworkers made 20 years ago. We arent being compensated anywhere near what the changes in our cost of living have been lately. Since I started working for Stellantis, the cost of living has tripled. Once a year, all we get a pat on the back for keeping up with the output goals.

He added, I couldnt afford a brand new vehicle from Chrysler if I wanted one. To do that Id have to get rid of my son and move in with my parents, he said sarcastically. To get a new Ram pickup youre paying upwards of $80,000. So, were building transmissions for vehicles that no one can afford? There are workers here making $17 an hour.

Shawn continued, We feel the union doesnt represent us as much as it represents the companies. Ill tell you, when we saw (Fiat Chrysler CEO) Sergio Marchionne and our union national president (Dennis Williams) embracing each other during the 2015 negotiations, that left a sour taste in many peoples mouths. We were under the impression that the union was supposed to have an adversarial relationship with the company.

The 2015 UAW-Chrysler contract was negotiated by UAW Vice President Norwood Jewell, who was imprisoned for taking company bribes, and UAW President Dennis Williams, who was jailed for embezzling union dues. Despite the campaign of threats and intimidation by the UAW bureaucracy, Chrysler workers rejected the first proposal by a 2-1 margin, in the first defeat of a UAW-backed national contract in 33 years.

Marchionnes first offer to us was to cap wages at $25.85 for six years, Shawn said, which meant Tier-1 would essentially come to the lower rate Tier-2 workers were making. The company and the UAW tried to sell this with a signing bonus, Shawn said, but workers voted no. Two months later, they came back with the 8-year step program, which meant you needed to work eight years to get to the top-tier pay rate. After they pushed through this deal, Marchionne got a multi-million dollar bonus, and we got a $3,000 signing bonus.

Explaining current conditions, Shawn referred to the abuse of temporary part-time (TPT) workers, or so-called supplemental employees, who pay dues to the UAW but have virtually no rights. It drives morale way down around here to see temps getting laid off. A lot of us really appreciate what the temps do, and they get treated like crap. They get rolled the hardest and get laid off first. Since temps arent guaranteed anything, the company wants as many temps as they can get.

Youre working side by side with four other guys, and lets say one of them is a temp. One day, the temp doesnt show up to work. The next thing you know, three months go by, then six, and he still isnt back. So now youre wondering, why would the company do that? He was a very good employee, and if they can do that to him, when is it going to happen to me?

The union negotiated contract with language that gives the company incentives to hire temps. So now you see where the lack of trust in the union comes from. It comes from our experiences. I dont believe workers are indifferent towards the election. We have a lack of trust in the entire process. We dont believe that the union is working for us anymore.

Shawn recounted the experience of Kokomo Casting workers during the three-day strike organized by Local 1166 and the UAW International officials in September 2022. Both Ray Curry and Shawn Fain hailed the bogus strike as an example of standing up to the company, but it did nothing to disrupt production and resulted in nothing.

I was here supporting my brothers and sisters, and I stood out here for four hours. [UAW Vice President] Cindy Estrada and other top UAW officials in charge of the Stellantis team came down here, and they made a show of what a fight theyre putting up. I read their list of demands and felt slapped in the face. According to the union, we went on strike to make sure we had clean microwaves in the lunchroom and not over our low pay and eliminating the tiered pay system. Excuse me, but thats BS.

Our dues are supposed to stock up for the things we need when were on strike. But they dont even use it for that. Were supposed to be able to use that money as leverage against the company during negotiations. But the first problem with that in practice is that we dont even go on strike anymore. The last time we were allowed to go on strike, it was only for a day, it was a complete waste of time.

Shawn expressed his support for Will Lehmans call for the formation of rank-and-file committees, controlled by the workers themselves, to transfer power from the UAW apparatus to the workers on the shopfloor. We dont want anyone representing us who is going to put the company first and not us. I will read Wills protest and discuss this with other workers.

To get more information about Will Lehmans protest and the fight for rank-and-file committees go to: https://www.willforuawpresident.org or fill out the form below.
On Monday, February 13, at 12.00, the press centre of the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency will host a discussion entitled "How corruption scandals to affect power of Ukraine's diplomatic rear in the West and prospects for its post-war renewal." Participants include political expert Kostiantyn Matviyenko; Chairman of the Board of the Center for Applied Political Research "Penta" Volodymyr Fesenko; political scientist, co-founder of the "National Platform for Sustainability and Cohesion" Oleh Sahakian (8/5a Reitarska Street). The event will be streamed on the YouTube channel of Interfax-Ukraine. Admission of journalists requires registration on the spot.
The impact of Mondays massive earthquakes on the Turkish-Syrian border is steadily worsening. As of this morning, the death toll in Turkey has reached 12,873, while reports indicate that at least 3,162 people are confirmed to have died in Syria.

Aerial photo shows the destruction in Kahramanmaras, southern Turkey, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. [AP Photo/Ahmet Akpolat]

World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Europe Dr. Hans Kluge announced a grade 3 emergency in the region. Three days after the earthquakes, tens of thousands of people are thought to still be under the rubble in the freezing cold in both countries.

Millions of people affected by the earthquake in Syria, ravaged and divided by the civil war fomented by the NATO powers since 2011, are largely abandoned to their fate. The US and European powers still refuse to lift the crippling sanctions imposed on the country. Moreover, US forces continued occupation of oil fields in northeastern Syria deprives Damascus of critical revenue to deal with the disaster.

The World Food Program of the United Nations said in late January that hunger in Syria was at its highest level since 2011. It stated that 12 million Syrians dont know where they will get their next meal, and 2.9 million are at risk of starvation.

In Turkey, there is enormous public anger over the failure of President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government to take any precautions against the expected earthquakes, despite many warnings from scientists, and over the inadequate and uncoordinated official response to the earthquakes. The government is more interested in suppressing this social opposition than in saving those trapped under the rubble.

Erdogan made this clear in his remarks on the catastrophe during his visit to the earthquake zone yesterday. These things have always happened. These are things that are part of fate, he said, falsely portraying the preventable deaths of tens of thousands as an inevitable natural disaster, rather than a social crime.

In Kahramanmaras, the epicenter of the earthquake, Erdogan said: Our work in the earthquake zones will accelerate and become much more comfortable. At first, there were problems at airports and roads in some places. We will overcome them too. Today we are more comfortable, tomorrow we will be more comfortable. In reality, it is known that the first hours after a major earthquake are critical for rescuing those trapped under the rubble.

Speaking in Hatay, another city badly damaged by the quake, Erdogan said: Of course there are shortcomings. The conditions are very clear. It is not possible to be prepared for such a major catastrophe. Calling for a period of unity and solidarity, he attacked criticism of his governments late and inadequate response as filthy negative campaigns.

The governments restriction of access to Twitter during Erdogans visit to the region sparked massive outrage. With pro-government media blacking out the situation in the earthquake zone, and even cutting off the speeches of earthquake victims, Twitter had become the main independent news center in the country. Moreover, many people still trapped under the rubble were making their voices heard on Twitter.

Erdogans statement, It is not possible to be prepared for such a major catastrophe, is a political lie. In fact, scientists have been warning for years that major earthquakes are extremely likely in this region, and indicating what could be done to avert mass death.

After the January 2020 Elazg earthquake, well-known geologist Professor Naci Gorur warned about the Kahramanmaras area, noting that there might have been a stress transfer to the fault lines in the region. Drawing attention directly to the location of the Kahramanmaras earthquake, Gorur said: The last earthquake in the Turkoglu region of Kahramanmaras was 7.4 in 1513. So this is also an earthquake-prone area. We need to pay special attention to these places. We have to take mitigation measures now.

However, measures that the central government, governorships and local governments could have taken in coordination to prevent earthquake devastation were not taken, and millions of people were were left to their fate.

While a total of 6,444 buildings have collapsed in Turkey, more than 2,700 have collapsed in Hatay, one of the hardest-hit provinces. Hatay Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Lutfu Savas said yesterday, Everywhere is really destroyed. We could only reach 2-3 percent of the destroyed buildings. This could mean that tens of thousands of people are still under the rubble in Hatay alone.

However, it was known that Hatay, like other major cities in the region, is located on fault lines. Aslhan Gundogdus masters thesis on Antakya, the central district of Hatay, titled Urban Regeneration Policies in Turkey: A Field Research on Urban Regeneration in Antakya, published in 2019, stated the following:

80 percent of the buildings in the urban area consist of risky structures. Although these facts have been put forward in reports, and it is known that this city is in urgent need of transformation, no significant work has been done on this issue to date.

The devastating implications of the failure to strengthen buildings and public infrastructure in Antakya and other cities, to make them earthquake-proof, is now apparent. Tens or even hundreds of thousands of people are trapped under collapsed buildings, and their chances of being rescued from entirely preventable deaths are fading by the hour.

Speaking to BBC Turkce in Antakya yesterday, an aid volunteer said: People are waiting by the rubble. There are living people inside There is very little work in the rubble. The situation is very bad.

Geophysical engineer Professor Ovgun Ahmet Ercans estimates of the number of people still under the rubble are frightening. Yesterday, he said, It is a place where there are about 4 million buildings. While 13 million people live in these buildings, about 7,000 buildings have collapsed, and people are desperate.

He added: According to my calculations, approximately 200,000 people were under the collapsed buildings, based on assuming there are 4 floors and 8 apartments [in every building]. The number of people pulled out of the collapse is about 8,000.

Murat Agrel, a columnist for the daily Cumhuriyet who is in the earthquake zone, said yesterday that in Hatay, people have given up hope in the state, and everyone is trying to pull out their relatives under the rubble with their own means  Everyone is coming here to help, but there is still a lack of coordination. There are also teams coming from abroad. The pain here is indescribable. Unfortunately, there are places where no teams have reached.

He added the following:

We are living in a situation of diminishing hope. After this hour, we are going to hear huge cries. Because people have blatantly died. Before, we used to call out from above the rubble can anyone hear our voices? Now people are calling out from below the rubble can anyone hear our voices? The main problem is lack of coordination, the main problem is the mentality of with the blessings of our president, the main problem is the inability of state institutions to come together and carry out the work in a coordinated manner.

Social anger is growing in the earthquake region and across the country. In Adyaman, which was severely affected by the earthquake, the governor was met with protests by earthquake victims. Yesterday, it was announced that the governor of Ordu had been temporarily appointed to replace him, while Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Adil Karaismailoglu was also met with protests in the city.
Since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, businessman and philanthropist Pavel Fuks has been providing support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Territorial Defense, the National Guard of Ukraine, the Main Directorate of Intelligence and the families of the dead and injured Ukrainian soldiers, as well as Kharkiv residents and residents of the region who need humanitarian assistance.

At the end of 2022, the total amount of funds allocated for assistance exceeded $8 million.

Starting from October, with the support of Pavel Fuks, distribution points for homemade food were located in Kharkiv, Izyum, Balakliya, Kupyansk and other cities of the Kharkiv region, as well as in frontline zones and de-occupied areas. Humanitarian actions to distribute food to everyone who needs it are held daily.

At the same time, the soldiers of the special forces units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who are at the front line, received copters from businessman Pavel Fuks to carry out combat missions. The businessman also supplies soldiers with clothes, armored vehicles, etc. In particular, a special squad of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense received an armored minibus.

In addition, thanks to the assistance of businessman Pavel Fuks the Kharkiv garrison of the Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the Kharkiv region received two new fire and rescue vehicles based on the Renault K440 6X6.

Also, businessman Fuks bought modern fire helmets, protective masks and special footwear Michelin for Kharkiv firefighters.

By order of the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov, Pavel Fuks was awarded the insignia of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine  medal For Assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

For a significant personal contribution to providing comprehensive assistance to the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and active volunteering under martial law, by order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, Pavel Fuks was awarded the badge of honor For Assistance to the Army.

For providing logistical assistance to intelligence units and cooperation with the National Guard of Ukraine, Pavel Fuks was awarded the gratitude of the Commander of the National Guard of Ukraine, Lieutenant-General Yuriy Lebid.

The commander of the 92nd separate mechanized brigade named after ataman Ivan Sirko Pavlo Fedosenko expressed gratitude to Pavel Fuks for helping the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as for true patriotism and responsibility for the future of Ukraine.

For cooperation in providing assistance to the Ukrainian army and for an active civic position in the struggle for the independence of Ukraine, Pavel Fuks received gratitude from the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov.

From the head of the Special Operations Center A of the Security Service of Ukraine, Serhiy Dusyk, Pavel Fuks also received a diploma with honors for his active position in protecting the independence, state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as for counteracting open armed aggression against Ukraine.

The commander of a separate detachment Omega of the National Guard of Ukraine awarded Pavel Fuks with a distinction For cooperation and patriotism.

Fuks also received an award from the commander of the 24th separate mechanized brigade named after King Danylo  Roman Mamavko  for cooperation, significant assistance to military personnel and for his personal contribution to repelling and deterring the aggressor.

For humanitarian assistance for special police units KORD and assistance in ensuring the territorial integrity of Ukraine during martial law, as well as for the provision of material and technical assistance to intelligence units and fruitful cooperation with the National Guard of Ukraine, Pavel Fuks was awarded gratitude from the head of the Department KORD Mykola Putiy.

Pavel Fuks was awarded an honorary badge by the Commander of the Operational Command West Sergiy Litvinov.

For active social work, volunteer initiative and logistical support for the military personnel of the 3rd Operational Brigade named after Petro Bolbachan of the National Guard of Ukraine, as well as for assistance in the struggle for the protection of the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine Pavel Fuks received gratitude from the commander of the military unit 3017 of the National Guard of Ukraine Olexandr Pivnenko.

For organizing and providing comprehensive volunteer assistance to units of the territorial defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, an active life position, patriotism and a significant contribution to achieving victory over the Russian invaders the head of the Regional Directorate of the Territorial Defense Forces Vostok Olexandr Zugrava awarded Pavel Fuks with a badge and a diploma.

In May 2022, Forbes Ukraine reported that businessman and philanthropist Pavel Fuks sent about $5 million to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Territorial Defense Forces, the National Guard of Ukraine and to help the families of the dead and injured Ukrainian soldiers.

Earlier, Pavel Fuks bought two X-ray diagnostic complexes for doctors in Kharkiv for UAH 13.4 million and donated UAH 2.7 million to the families of officers and cadets of the Kharkiv National Air Force University named after Ivan Kozhedub, who died in a plane crash near Chuguiv, Kharkiv region.

Reference. Pavel Fuks is a businessman and philanthropist, Ukrainian by nationality, was born in Kharkiv, a citizen of Ukraine. His charitable projects cover the areas of social assistance, medicine, education, religious life and culture.

Pavel Fuks is one of the initiators and co-founders of the Memorial Center, who on September 29, 2016 made a public commitment to build a Memorial at Babi Yar. In total, he donated about $6 million to the construction of the Memorial.

Thanks to the efforts of Pavel Fuks, the Church of the Holy Blessed Queen Tamara was built in Kharkiv. He gave funds for the reconstruction of school No. 4 in Kharkiv, where he studied, and participated in the restoration of the Kharkiv Regional Philharmonic.

He also financed the installation of a monument to the Founders of Kharkiv and the Monument of Independence of Ukraine.
South Africa: Message of 'hope' expected for SONA

Members of Parliament and guests at the State of the Nation Address (SONA) say they are looking forward to a message of hope and a plan of action from President Cyril Ramaphosa when he delivers the SONA this evening.

Guests, members or Parliament and others filed into the Cape Town City Hall in anticipation of the Presidents message.

Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Thandi Modise, said she expects President Ramaphosa to give direction on the current energy crisis that is gripping the nation.

Im looking for a message from the President that will calm us and to also tell us that there is a solution to the energy crisis that we have. We do need to get our things right, we do need to stop the load shedding. The President has been working very hard with the energy group of Cabinet to find the solution, she said.

Modise urged South Africans to have hope as government works to resolve the countrys challenges.

We should always have hope and know that the sun will rise again. There are times where we go through tough times. But our people should have hope thatwe are working to fix these challenges. It will be tough but we are working on it, she said.

Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Patricia de Lille said she would like to hear practical steps to implement governments plans.

We need to drive some urgency into government. We are testing the patience of our people. You will get urgency by driving accountabilitywhen the President sets a target of how we need to perform.

In general the mood in our country is not good and Im the ultimate optimist so I hope that the speech tonight will bring some hope to South Africans, she said.

Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula said the aims of government are clear.

We have been given the marching ordersand top of priority is to do away with load shedding and to work very hard to reverse the blackout in the country. Two, deal with the situation in our municipalities and deal with service delivery, cushion communities in distress and also support the small medium enterprises and intensify job creation initiatives and economic growth in the country, he said.

Northern Cape Premier, Dr Zamani Saul, said he is looking forward to hearing tangible solutions.

I am expecting decisive action and tangible and practical implementation of decisions we have taken in the past. From here it must just be action. The President has got a message of hope. Let's sit and listen to him and I firmly believe that hes got a clear vision for the challenges that are confronting the country, Saul said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-02-09. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
MUMBAI PRESS CLUB

PRESS STATEMENT

February 8, 2023

MAHARASHTRA GOVERNMENT MUST INITIATE IMMEDIATE AND SERIOUS ACTION AGAINST THE KILLERS OF JOURNALIST SHASHIKANT WARISHE

The Mumbai Press Club is shocked at the brutal, public murder of journalist Shashikant Warishe near Rajapur, in the Konkan Region of Maharashtra. The killing in broad daylight brings to the fore once again the plummeting standards of civil liberties and free speech in the country and the brazen attempt by both state and non-state players to crush any media reporting that proves to be inconvenient.

Shashikant Warishe, who reported for a regional newspaper Mahanagri Times, was mowed down on Monday 6th February, near a petrol pump on the Rajapur Highway by Pandarinath Ambekar, a local land dealer. Ambekar, who was at the wheel of his Thar SUV, drove right into Warishes two-wheeler, dragging him under the vehicle for some distance. Warishe sustained grievous injuries and was rushed to hospital by bystanders but succumbed to his wounds at about 7 am the following day on February 7, 2023.

The journalist carried a series of reports in Mahanagri Times highlighting the local resistance to a petroleum refinery in Barsu. Recently, he had carried a report describing Ambekar as a criminal and highlighted photographs where he is seen in t11e same frame with the Chief Minister and Prime l\!linister. Ambekar, a leader of the local land mafia, was known to threaten and harass those who resisted any land acquisition on behalf of the upcoming refinery.

Though the local police have arrested the assassin Ambekar, there is a need for the Maharashtra Government to order a wide-ranging probe into the murder. This must include investigating a possible conspiracy, which may involve corporate elements, to strangle the local opposition to tl1e refinery.

The Mumbai Press Club demands that the killing be probed from all angles and Pandarinath Ambekar, as well as those who have possibly conspired with him to carry out the killing, be brought to book. The Club also demands that (a) Warishes family be provided with protection during the period of investigation; and fair compensation for the murder of the breadwinner; and (b) till the investigation is over, all work on the refinery be stopped immediately.

Hon. Secretary Mumbai Press Club

The Press Club, Mumbai, Near Azad Maidan, Mahapalika Marg, Mumbai - 400001
Egypt's Public Prosecution ordered an autopsy on the body of a 42-year-old bank manager who died on Sunday  nearly six weeks after being attacked by his neighbour's Pit Bull  to determine the direct cause of death.
Representatives from nine Arab countries will meet in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Friday to discuss their stance and moves to end the decade-long isolation of President Bashar Al-Assad, Arab diplomats said Tuesday.
Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has directed maintaining the strategic reserves of basic commodities and monitoring their market prices to ensure the stability of the countrys food security status.

Related Egyptian pound closes at 24 against USD on Sunday

The presidents directives to the government aim to ensure meeting citizens needs for basic commodities in the required quantities, maintain appropriate prices, and ensure they are available at government outlets nationwide, presidential spokesman Bassam Rady noted in a statement on Sunday.

El-Sisi made the remarks in a meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Ali Moselhi to follow up on the availability of strategic commodities across the country, Rady said.

During the meeting, Moselhi affirmed the availability of strategic reserves of wheat until April next year, which marks the beginning of the new wheat harvest season, the statement said.

However, the state is required to import 1 million tonnes of wheat over the coming period to ensure the availability of wheat reserves beyond April, Moselhi said on the sidelines of a press conference today.

Reserves of sugar and oil are sufficient until next February and the beginning of May respectively, Moselhi said in his meeting with El-Sisi.

The country also has reserves of meat and poultry for the coming 12 and five months respectively, he added.

The supply minister also stressed that Egypt has self-sufficiency in rice, noting that so the state has so far received 197,000 tons of rice from local farmers during the current rice supply season, which started late in August and extends until 15 December.

During the presser, Moselhi underscored the ban on rice exports that the government extended earlier this month under any circumstances to ensure availability of rice for citizens all year round.

He warned that rice stored in nonaccredited warehouses or transported without approval from the ministrys directorates will be confiscated.

The minister also warned that manipulation of rice is punishable by a fine ranging from EGP 10,000 to EGP 2 million.

Egypt, which has achieved self-sufficiency in rice in recent years, produces around 5 million tonnes of rice annually, Moselhi said earlier this month.

The state has repeatedly stressed its aim to secure strategic stockpiles of commodities for at least six months, especially amid the Russia-Ukraine crisis, which caused food and energy prices worldwide to soar.

Egypt, which used to depend on Russia and Ukraine for 80 percent of its imported wheat, has worked on diversifying its wheat import sources to meet its citizens needs.

The governments Consumer Protection Agency (CPA) said on Sunday it will intensify its monitoring campaigns on markets nationwide to prevent any price gouging and prevent sellers from using the current crisis to raise the prices of commodities unjustifiably.

In a statement, the CPA said it seized large quantities of rice, sugar, and flour from unidentified sources and without bills.

The CPA urged citizens to immediately report any violations that harm consumers through the agencys hotline 19588.

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday offered support for Mauritania in the fight against jihadism in the Sahel, saying he respected the country's position in the Ukraine war.

His Mauritanian counterpart stressed his country's "respect for the rules of international law", while saying he "understands" Russian security concerns.

Lavrov's visit to Nouakchott is part of a broader diplomatic offensive by Russia in Africa, where the war has intensified strategic competition between great powers.

On Tuesday, he visited Mali, where Russia has become a key partner of the ruling junta.

There, he promised to help Sahel and Gulf of Guinea countries in the fight against jihadism, and hinted at increased involvement on the continent.

Mauritania is a pivotal country between the Maghreb and sub-Saharan Africa.

Jihadism has spread in the Sahel countries of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger and now threatens the Gulf of Guinea farther south, although Mauritania has not seen an attack since 2011.

The vast, mostly desert country of 4.5 million voted in March 2022 in favour of a UN resolution calling on Russia to immediately cease its military operations in Ukraine.

Many African countries abstained or did not vote.

In October, Mauritania voted for a resolution against Russia's annexation of four regions of Ukraine. But in November it abstained from a vote on war reparations that Russia should pay to Ukraine.

"We have expressed our respect for Mauritania's consistent policy of neutrality on all axes," Lavrov told reporters Wednesday.

But, he said, that neutrality did not prevent Mauritania from actively addressing "problems" in the region.

"I am talking about the terrorist threat in the Sahel-Saharan region", Lavrov said.

He also cited the conflict between Morocco and the Algerian-backed Polisario Front over the Western Sahara, which borders Mauritania.

"We will actively support these efforts of our African friends, based on the principle that they are interested in assistance in this work," he added.

At a joint press conference, Mauritanian Foreign Minister Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug spoke of "certain constants" in Mauritanian diplomacy including "respect for the rules of international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter".

But he said "Mauritania understands Russia's security concerns and believes they should be taken into consideration for its important role in security and stability in Europe and at the international level."

Lavrov was received by Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, the national news agency reported.

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When some people drive the 1-2 hours from Middlebury, Plattsburgh, or New Hampshire to Burlington, they're not going to the University of Vermont, Church Street Marketplace, or Flynn Center  they're going to Diversity Hair Salon.

Located on 180 Pearl St., Diversity Hair Salon is one of Vermont's few hair salons owned and operated by Black women that specializes in Black hair.

Diversity Hair Salon owner Jacqueline Gibson styles hair on Jan. 28.

Owner and stylist Jacqueline Gibson has been doing hair since she was about 16 years old, growing up in Jamaica.

"Everybody would say, 'Wow, Jacqui, you have a gift, you have a talent. This is what you should do.' And look at me now," Gibson laughed.

Over the years, Gibson has garnered longterm customers, including Adrianne Sherman, who has been coming to Diversity for over a decade.

"Jacqui has always been available super friendly, super welcoming to all clients, and it's just been a great experience," Sherman said.

Diversity Hair Salon owner Jacqueline Gibson

A gathering space for Burlington's Black community

The salon was bustling with activity on the morning of Jan. 28. Stylists and customers chatted, cracked jokes, and listened to music.

"I think the vibe of the salon is very funny," said customer Zyakkiriah Rhoden. "I always leave here laughing. I always feel welcome."

When Rhoden moved to Vermont from New York City for college, she used to wait for when she went home to do her hair. Once she found Diversity, she started getting her hair done locally, whenever she needed to.

"A lot of the times that I'm in Vermont, I don't see any Black people or anyone that looks like me or talks like me," Rhoden said. "To have a guaranteed time where I'm going to see other women of color, specifically Black women that have some of the same lived experiences as me, it's a great escape."

Hair stylist Jessica Anderson voiced similar praises about the space that Diversity Hair Salon provides for the Black community in Burlington.

Hair stylist Jessica Anderson runs her business Black Beauty Bounty out of Diversity Hair Salon.

"I don't really see people who look like me walk down the street, but me seeing people that look like me frequently come through these doors is guaranteed," Anderson said. "The interactions, and how diverse we are in here, was something I needed."

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Anderson, 23, runs her own hair business Black Beauty Bounty out of Diversity Hair Salon. She started doing hair out of her college dorm room and eventually dropped out to pursue hair styling full-time.

"Getting your hair done is a big thing," Anderson said. "It's a sensitive part of our identity as Black girls. So having somebody that can do it good and carefully and with love is important."

Contact April Fisher at amfisher@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter: @AMFisherMedia

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Diversity Hair Salon meets need for Black hair stylists in Burlington
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said on Thursday that Egypt values its good relations with our Arab brethren and does not accept insults against them or attempts to sow discord with them, stressing "we should not forget how our brethren have stood with us."

"Our relations are very well-guided and balanced with everyone, especially with our brethren," the president stressed in comments during the opening ceremony of the second stage of the Silo Foods Industries city in Sadat City in Menoufiya governorate.

The president's firm remarks come amid a recent back-and-forth between various media figures in Egypt and Saudi Arabia on alleged tensions between the two countries.

He pointedly criticised how "some social media platforms or some articles talk about our relations with our brethren in the the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."

I have noticed excessive enthusiasm, or should I say transgressions, on social media platforms towards our brethren on issues that have no basis in reality."

We must be careful not to listen to these sites that aim to cause discord with our brethren. They should either say something good or we should remain silent," he said.

"I stress here that we should not forget how our brethren have stood with us," the president reminded.

Although we do not interfere with our media, people should be writing to strenghten our relations with our brethren. They should either say something good or just remain silent," he stressed.

It is not appropriate at all to use abusive language or say unfounded things, even if, hypothetically speaking, there were a dispute, the president said.

He asserted the state's keenness to maintain good foreign relations with all parties.

Egypt has been on good terms with all parties since I took office.

"Egypt's policy is balanced and moderate with all parties inside and outside the country," he said.

During the past years, even during major crises, we did not use inappropriate language towards anyone - including amid the GERD dispute with t- because we know that we will move past these crises eventually."

"Any official stance will be announced through official channels, and if there is no statement then everything is normal," the president said, addressing journalists.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin meets Chinese President Xi Jinping at BRICS Summit in Brasilia Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images

China warned the West against pushing for Ukraine's "complete victory" over Russia.

"We are quite concerned about the possible escalation of this conflict," China's diplomat to the EU said.

The Chinese diplomat said Beijing believes negotiations would be a better route forward.

The Chinese government has largely avoided taking strong public stances on Russia's war in Ukraine, but Beijing's ambassador to the EU expressed concern on Wednesday about Western support for Kyiv. He also threw cold water on the idea the conflict has any connection to Taiwan, a sticking point for China.

"Frankly speaking, we are quite concerned about the possible escalation of this conflict," Fu Cong, China's top envoy to the EU, said at an event hosted by the European Policy Centre in Brussels, per Politico.

He said China doesn't believe "only providing weapons will actually solve the problem," taking an apparent jab at the military aid Western countries have been continuously providing Ukraine throughout the war.

"We are quite concerned about people talking about winning a complete victory on the battlefield," Fu went on to say. "We believe that the right place would be at the negotiating table."

Top analysts and experts have said that Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to illegally annex four Ukrainian territories made peace talks or negotiations highly unlikely to occur in the foreseeable future, leaving only combat.

Beijing, which tends to side with Moscow on geopolitical issues, has walked a careful line since Russia launched an unprovoked invasion of Ukraine last February. China has not condemned the war, but it also hasn't offered clear or full-throated support for Russia. The West has warned China against providing material support to Russia as the fighting in Ukraine rages on.

While the Chinese diplomat warned against supporting a victory over Russia on the battlefield, Western leaders and officials have repeatedly warned that if Russia succeeds in Ukraine, it would send a dangerous message to Beijing about Taiwan, a self-governing island democracy that China sees as a breakaway province.

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Fu pushed back on suggestions of a link between the two issues. "Ukraine is an independent state, and Taiwan is part of China," he said. "So there's no comparability between the two issues."

His comments on the war in Ukraine came as Kyiv continues to push for more advanced weapons from Western countries.

During a surprise visit to the UK on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made yet another call for more advanced weapons  including fighter jets. Zelenskyy, who delivered a speech to Parliament, presented an air force helmet to the speaker of the House of Commons inscribed with a message: "We have freedom. Give us wings to protect it." Zelenskyy, who also visited France on Wednesday, thanked British lawmakers "in advance, for powerful British planes."

Zelenskyy's call for fighter aircraft comes after recent decisions by the US, UK, and Germany to send battle tanks to Ukraine as it braces for a major Russian offensive. The UK is now looking into which fighter jets it may be able to send to Ukraine, but no firm decision has been made on the matter, The Wall Street Journal reported. Britain will also begin training Ukrainian pilots to use more sophisticated NATO fighter jets, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Andrew Tate leaving court in Bucharest, Romania after an appeal to be released was denied. DANIEL MIHAILESCU/Getty Images

An ex-girlfriend of Andrew Tate came forward to described being manipulated and attacked by him.

The woman, going by the pseudonym Sophie, told the BBC Tate is a "narcissist" with no empathy.

She said he got her to come to Romania to make porn, and that he was violent during sex.

An ex-girlfriend of Andrew Tate has come forward with new allegations against him, saying he would disappear in the middle of the night and once strangled her until she passed out.

The woman, who was given the pseudonym Sophie, spoke to the BBC for a radio documentary called "Living With Andrew Tate."

She described him as a "narcissist" lacking in "any kind of empathy." She said he manipulated her into joining his webcam porn business by making her believe they were in a committed relationship.

Tate, a controversial British-American online influencer, has been held in a Romanian jail since his arrest in December, following allegations of human trafficking and rape. His brother Tristan Tate and two female confidants, Georgiana Naghel and Luana Radu, are also being held. They all deny the allegations against them.

Sophie told the BBC that Tate approached her on Facebook with an unsolicited message.

"He was very charming and he made himself seem very familiar," she said. "He made me feel very comfortable. There were no red flags at all in the beginning, he just took an interest in my day to day life, wanted to know what I was into, what made me happy. It was developing naturally."

Once they had been speaking for a while he asked her to join him in Romania. Sophie said her life was a bit boring at the time, and Tate seemed so into her that she agreed.

Things were fine at the start, but then after a few days, something changed, Sophie said. One night, Tate got up out of bed and disappeared. He didn't return for several days, she said, leaving Sophie alone in his house.

Sophie, although troubled by the experience, said she kept seeing Tate and visited him in Romania more times. He gradually started ramping up his discussions about her joining his webcam business. He told Sophie she could "make a fortune" as a sex worker, and they would build the business together. He would chip away at her, she said, until she eventually conceded.

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"He was always reminding me that the option was there," Sophie said. "And that kind of progressed into, well, if you love me, you would do it. If you care about me, you would do it."

Sophie's experience mirrors the recruitment techniques Tate bragged about in his own videos, and in the experiences described in court documents uncovered by a Reuters investigation.

The documents, from the Romanian case against him, said two women told investigators they were manipulated into sex work and forced into making content for OnlyFans. Tate's female confidants took half the earnings, and threatened to beat women who did not comply, they said.

Sophie's description also matches the "loverboy" sex-trafficking method which Romanian prosecutors allege he used  in which people are manipulated into sex work by being made to believe they are in a committed relationship.

The relationship became more violent over time, Sophie said. One time there was a disagreement, she said, and Tate held her up against the wall and yelled at her, calling her a "whore."

He also became more aggressive during sex, once choking her so hard that she passed out, she said.

It seemed like Tate panicked, she said, "because he knew he'd gone to far."

"He likes to feel totally in control of the woman and feel like he could take their life away at any second," Sophie said. "That is a big sexual turn on for him."

Two women who came forward with allegations in a Vice News investigation had similar stories. One accused Tate of rape, and the other of violent assault, saying he choked her as well.

Both women used psudenoyms, but Insider confirmed that their claims led UK authorities to arrest Tate, though he was ultimately not charged.

Sophie also got a tattoo of Tate's name, like the ones seen on two Romanian women who worked with Tate and have insisted they were never abused. In interviews, the women, called Beatrice and Jasmin, said they were wrongly painted as victims by Romanian authorities, and have no problem with Tate or his brother.

Sophie told the BBC that she was not surprised some women are supportive of Tate, because "he will intentionally be treating some people very well, knowing that they are going to go out into the world saying all this great stuff about him." Some women under his control are "so infatuated and brainwashed by him" that they would never say a bad word about him, she said.

"It's all manipulation and there's an ulterior motive to everything he does," Sophie said. "It's difficult for people to understand who haven't felt how manipulative he is, or other men can be, unless you've had experience of that."

Sophie, now in her 30s, eventually left the relationship and moved back to the UK. She said she knew Tate's empire "would all come falling down eventually."

"I just had to get away from it," she said. "I remember being at work and I was just so overwhelmed and I'd never felt a darkness like it."

The BBC said Tate's legal team did not respond to its request for comment. Insider also sought comment but has yet to receive a response.

The judge in Tate's case ruled that he must stay in jail until the end of February while the investigation continues.

Read the original article on Insider
When an earthquake struck the Middle East on Monday morning, leaving significant casualties and destruction in its wake in Turkey and Syria, the smallest country in the region jumped in to not only offer its condolences but more importantly its state-of-the-art rescue capabilities, field medical personnel and assets to help its neighbors. Within hours of the initial incident, Israels first humanitarian aid delegation had arrived in Turkey, and more are scheduled to arrive in the coming days. While Israel is one of the smallest countries in the world, when it comes to humanitarian efforts, were one of the largest.

At the core of Israels health care system is the Talmudic verse, Whoever saves a life, it is as if they have saved a world. It is the reason Israel is almost always one of the first countries to offer humanitarian aid during and in locales of crisis, in conflict zones, and in other places where local rescue and health care infrastructure are overwhelmed or destroyed.

It is also the reason that as a country, we have built out our capabilities in both the government and private sectors to support these humanitarian missions. Over the years we have acquired or developed the necessary equipment to rapidly deploy field hospitals across the world within a matter of a few days, all with advanced capabilities to support multiple medical disciplines and specialties, and why we have invested in medical technologies that allow these hospitals to operate much like brick-and-mortar medical centers throughout the world.

People warm themselves next to a collapsed building in Malatya, Turkey, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. Search teams and aid are pouring into Turkey and Syria as rescuers working in freezing temperatures dig through the remains of buildings flattened by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake.

The personnel joining these humanitarian efforts are leaders in their professional fields. They include doctors, nurses and paramedics serving in the medical branch, and engineers and other rescue workers who support the search and rescue efforts. They train together and ultimately, serve together when called upon. With short notice, they drop everything, hug their families goodbye and board the plane to work around the clock saving lives.

The initial steps include either supporting staffing at established hospitals or assembling a field hospital. Once they are ready to receive patients, they do so, triaging the appropriate patients to the appropriate ward, and ultimately the right physician for their case. If for whatever reason, a remote specialist consult is required, on-site team members coordinate with physicians in Israel to ensure the patients highest level of care.

By working in partnership with local rescue and health care providers, humanitarian delegation members can help to build capacity and strengthen the systems already in place in crisis-affected locales. This can help to ensure that services are sustainable and accessible to those who need them in the short and long term.

At Beilinson, one of Israels largest and most prominent medical centers, we are proud to be a leader in implementing innovative tools and treatments, which are important to assist in situations like this. Our doctors are on the ground and helping with the search and rescue efforts.

Regardless of the patients race, religion, political affiliation or a host nations position on international affairs, Israels rescuers provide care in some of the world's most difficult and challenging environments, including conflict zones and natural disasters, bringing a suite of capabilities at the medical and rescue levels. The moral obligation, to save lives wherever and whenever possible drives these heroes as they serve humanity in one of its pivotal moments. Godspeed to the men and women on the ground.

Eran Rotman MD, MHA, serves as the deputy director of Clalits Rabin Medical Center and director of Beilinson Hospital in Israel. Rotman is a senior lectureron Disaster Medicine at Bar Ilan University and has participated in humanitarian missions, most recently to Ukraine in 2022.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Israeli rescue workers have deployed to Turkey  and may help in Syria
John Fetterman

Mark Makela/Getty John Fetterman

Sen. John Fetterman spent Wednesday night in the hospital after feeling lightheaded during a Senate Democratic retreat.

The freshman Pennsylvania senator, 53, was transported to George Washington University Hospital by his staff, spokesperson Joe Calvello said in a statement. "He is in good spirits and talking with his staff and family," Calvello added.

The incident raised alarm bells, as Fetterman previously suffered a stroke in May during his high-profile Senate campaign against Republican Dr. Mehmet Oz.

"Initial tests did not show evidence of a new stroke, but doctors are running more tests and John is remaining overnight for observation," Calvello said.

RELATED: John Fetterman Overcame a Stroke on the Campaign Trail to Win a Senate Seat: 'I Almost Died'

Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, D-Pa., speaks during a rally at the UFCW Local 1776 KS headquarters in Plymouth Meeting, Pa., on Saturday, April 16, 2022.

Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty

Following his stroke last May, Fetterman revealed he had a heart condition in a letter from his cardiologist that was released to the public. The letter said that Fetterman's stroke was caused by atrial fibrillation and that he also has a condition called cardiomyopathy, which led doctors to implant a pacemaker.

"If he takes his medications, eats healthy, and exercises, he'll be fine," his cardiologist wrote. "If he does what I've told him, and I do believe that he is taking his recovery and his health very seriously this time, he should be able to campaign and serve in the U.S. Senate without a problem."

RELATED: John and Gisele Fetterman Open Up About His 'Public' Stroke, Raising Kids on the Campaign Trail: 'No Regrets'

In a statement accompanying the letter, Fetterman acknowledged he had "avoided going to the doctor, even though I knew I didn't feel well."

"As a result, I almost died," he said in the statement. "I want to encourage others to not make the same mistake."

Fetterman's stroke remained in the headlines throughout the race, as publications zoned in on his slurred speech and difficulty hearing  both long-term effects from a stroke, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine  which made some voters nervous as time went on. The Oz campaign also seized on the health issue, even mocking it at times.

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RELATED: Fresh Off Crudites-Gate, Dr. Oz Campaign Mocks Pa. Senate Rival John Fetterman's Stroke with Veggies Comment

John Fetterman, lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania and Democratic senate candidate, speaks during a campaign event in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U.S., on Saturday, April 30, 2022. Fetterman, the only candidate who has run statewide, leads the Democratic field with 33% in an Emerson College poll last month.

Michelle Gustafson/Bloomberg via Getty John Fetterman

However, Fetterman assured voters in an interview with NBC News in October that he didn't think the stroke was "going to have an impact" on him serving in the Senate.

"I feel like I'm gonna get better and better  every day. And by January, I'm going [to] be, you know, much better," he said at the time.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer.

Fetterman began his political career as the mayor of Braddock, Pa., before gaining national attention as lieutenant governor of a headline-making swing state. A prominent Pennsylvania Democrat, he was a major voice against former President Donald Trump's quest to overturn the 2020 Presidential election.

In February 2021, he announced he would be seeking Pennsylvania's Democratic nomination for Senate in a widely watched race following the retirement of incumbent Pat Toomey, a Republican. He was successful, defeating Trump-backed Oz in the November election, and becoming the first Democrat to win the seat since 1962.
A trio of proposals facing Kentucky lawmakers would ramp up student representation in government, from local school boards to college boards to the state board of education.

Students can bring a unique and vital perspective on what's working and whats not working in our schools, Joud Dahleh, a high school junior who sits on the Kentucky Board of Education, said. Ive seen firsthand how students can notice problems and propose solutions that adults can sometimes miss.

Kentucky Senate Bill 22, from Sen. Reggie Thomas, D-Lexington, would give Dahleh and her successors voting power. The Kentucky Board of Education added a non-voting student member in 2020.

Want Kentucky schools to be safer? Here are 9 ideas from students, including gun control

House Bill 161 from Rep. Lisa Willner, a Louisville Democrat and former school board member, and Rep. Killian Timoney, a Lexington Republican with an education background, would add a non-voting student seat to every Kentucky school board. Fifteen of the 171 school districts in the state have a student on their board, according to the Kentucky School Boards Association.

As a former school board member, I believe that students should be at the center of every policy decision, Willner said in a press release. I also believe that those most affected by policy should have a seat at the table.

House Bill 136, from Rep. William Lawrence, R-Maysville, would add more students to boards at colleges and universities. For example, the University of Louisville currently has one student on its board. This bill would increase that to three students, one of whom must be a graduate student.

It also would cap how much colleges can raise tuition each year and require institutions to freeze tuition rates for students to the rate of their first semester for the next four years.

Both Lawrence and Thomas filed similar measures in 2022. Neither received an initial committee hearing or vote.

Lawmakers in the Senate have until Feb. 21 to file new bills, while those in the House have until Feb. 22. The legislative session ends March 30.

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More:Kentucky's Student Voice Team surveyed 10,000 students about race. Here's what they found.

Reach Olivia Krauth at okrauth@courierjournal.com and on Twitter at @oliviakrauth.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Should KY students sit on their school board? 3 bills to watch
Map showing the location of the proposed solar farm.

A major solar farm could be coming to the western part of Onslow County, but concerns about radiation, property values and more are many.

On behalf of the property owners, John Eskew with Cypress Creek Renewables has submitted an application to rezone over 1,009 acres of parcels from rural agriculture and residential 10 to conditional zoning rural agriculture in order to construct a solar farm, according to Onslow County Planner Carter Metcalf at Monday's Board of Commissioners meeting.

The parcels are located on the west side of Five Mile Road and the north side of Batchelor Road in the White Oak Township.

Metcalf said the proposed rezoning may be considered taking a step toward renewable energy use and energy independence. However, it would also impact one of the significant natural heritage areas and the decommissioning may result in significant impacts to the county's landfill sites.

The solar farm has about a 30-year life span and Metcalf said the Onslow County planning board unanimously recommended approval of the rezoning on Dec. 1.

"Solar occupies less than a percent of all available agricultural land in North Carolina and if you include timber land, that figure gets even smaller," said Senior Developer with Cypress Creek Renewables Harrison Cole in the meeting. "The timber parcel that you see on the site plan, that'll only be used for an electrical easement and then an occupying maintenance road as well. We're not going to be doing any tree clearing of that area. If there is, it'll be very minimal just to make sure our maintenance vehicles can get up and down that parcel."

Cole explained that Cypress Creek is based out of Durham and has been in North Carolina since 2014, developing solar farms across the state. He added they've even developed smaller solar farm sites in Onslow County already.

The proposed solar farm would take up about 500 acres and a vegetative buffer would be included to help reduce the visual for area homeowners. Cole said the plan is to sell power to Duke Energy, though they are still a couple of years out from construction.

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State-certified general appraiser Nicholas Kirkland told the board it is his professional opinion that the proposed use will not only be harmonious in its location but will also not impact the adjoining property values.

Despite this assurance, several local residents have concerns.

"We have a great concern about the impact solar panels will have on our property," said resident Nelson Valentin during the rezoning's public hearing. "We know solar panels are here, they are not going away. However, consideration should be given to the impact it will have to those that live and have properties around the solar panel farm."

Valentin, who owns 60 acres of land adjacent to the proposed solar farm, said he has concerns about electromagnetic interference, especially in an area that already has problems with reception. Additionally, Valentin said he's worried about the health risks of electromagnetic waves. He said he already has health issues to worry about.

Specifically, Valentin has an implant on his back that uses electroshocks. He said he's worried about interference with the implant. Valentin also brought up the concern that toxic materials could cause runoff onto his land, and the worry that property values could be lowered due to the close proximity to the solar farm.

"My land, our land, gives me a sense of peace, where I can go out and enjoy the land as I wish," Valentin said. "I suffer from PTSD and anxiety. My land provides me with a therapy that is much needed from time to time."

Another concerned resident said he's worried about the amount of coal needed to produce these panels and the burning of minerals in the atmosphere.

"It says renewable energy, but these panels only have a lifespan of so many years, 30 years, and then we've got to start the process over again," the resident told the board.

Local resident Randy Raynor spoke from the perspective of a taxpayer, saying it costs more to generate electricity with solar and wind than it does natural gas and coal. He said the taxpayer pays for it when he gets his electric bill, and then again when the government subsidizes.

Eskew spoke to the board to try and alleviate some of these concerns.

He said radiation on-site is a very common concern that the public often has. He ensured those present that much of the equipment on-site does not produce electromagnetic fields, and the inverter equipment centrally located along the facility produces about the equivalent of what you'd expect standing by a TV or microwave. Eskew added there is also no EMF radiation that leaches outside of the fencing itself, harming any public health.

Regarding chemical leaching from the modules themselves, anytime a module is damaged on-site, Eskew said it's encased in glass and aluminum.

"If they are damaged, there is some potential," Eskew said. "However, anytime we do identify a damaged module itself, it is isolated, removed from the racking itself and stored properly based off federal and local guidelines to prevent any kind of potential leaching, which is very likely never to happen."

Cypress Creek Renewables Senior Developer Harrison Cole speaks to the Onslow County Board of Commissioners at a Feb. 6 meeting.

Some residents all for the idea

Not all residents have concerns, though.

Nick Hannon, who sits on the HOA board for the Cherry Grove community, told the board that when the proposed solar farm was initially announced, the community had concerns, as the vast majority of their homes border the farmland.

However, Hannon said their stance has drastically changed.

"Agriculture has always been an inherent part of Onslow County," Hannon said. "It is a dying industry and that's unarguable. Going forward, unfortunately, the position these property owners are in is transitioning the use of this land. The development of this is going to aid this family for the next 40 years and their generations to come, and eventually, hopefully, when the solar panels do come out, it will be turned back into agriculture and continue on through their generations of family for that usage."

Hannon added the development team has worked extremely well with the community and every concern has been gone through in meetings. He said further steps have even been taken such as moving the inverters even further away from the properties and increasing the buffer to protect the view homeowners moved to the area for in the first place.

Jay Jacobson, a resident of the Cherry Grove subdivision, told the board he's been very impressed with the way the company does business.

"I think it'll be an asset to the community because it's cutting out crop duster," Jacobson said. "At times, the air gets thick with pesticides and stuff like that, so that's all going to be eliminated, pretty much, I should say. It'll create a better environment for the kids in the community and the people."

The Board of Commissioners, though, has their own concerns.

The board's concerns, next steps

Commissioner Paul Buchanan said in the meeting that his major concern is about where the solar panels would be disposed of at the end of their life span, as he's been told they can't go into the landfill.

Commissioner Royce Bennett voiced the same, asking how the county can ensure the area gets cleaned up should the solar farm go bust in a few years.

However, Cole said the panels can actually go into the landfills. Cypress Creek Renewables would also try to recycle as much as they can because there is salvage value.

"We don't plan to put everything into landfills," Cole said. "We're going to try and recycle to get money out of it for the salvage value, first and foremost. Anything that can't be recycled or traded in, will be put to landfills. This isn't just necessarily Onslow County; it can go to surrounding counties as well."

Assistant County Manager Ben Warren said Onslow County's existing landfill has about 25 years of capacity remaining, which is based off the materials it currently receives.

After those 25 years, they don't yet know what will happen.

County Attorney Brett DeSelms recommended the board hold off on making a final decision on the solar farm rezoning until their March 6 meeting, that way the county has time to memorialize the conditions the board would like to have and then the property owners could sign off, which is required by law.

"I'm all about solar power, so to speak, I'm all about technology and trying to conserve money or energy or whatever it might be, but I do have a lot of questions in my head," said Board Vice Chairman Robin Knapp. "I've been reading about it, and I am concerned about the radiation. I know you've assured me as an expert there's very minimal leakage."

Knapp said he also doesn't understand how the land go back to farmland in the future, because how can they guarantee there hasn't been contamination to the soil, trees, etc.

"I'm not sold completely on what we're talking about because we don't know for sure," Commissioner Walter Scott said. "Commissioner Buchanan, the rest of us, we have looked at this, we have read what y'all have given us and I'm extremely concerned about the future cost and what it's going to do to our landfill and our surrounding landfills."

The county will take the next month to work with the applicant in memorializing the board's conditions and creating a final document that will be up for the board's approval on March 6.

Reporter Morgan Starling can be reached at mstarling@jdnews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Daily News: A major solar farm could be coming to western Onslow County. Here's what we know.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Democratic Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota was assaulted in her Washington apartment building on Thursday, suffering bruises while escaping serious injury in an attack that did not appear to be politically motivated, her chief of staff said.

Craig was assaulted in the elevator at about 7:15 a.m., called 911 and the assailant fled, Nick Coe said in a statement.

"Rep. Craig defended herself from the attacker and suffered bruising, but is otherwise physically okay," he added. "There is no evidence that the incident was politically motivated."

The attack followed an assault on the husband of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in their San Francisco home in October by a man who told police his motive was political and that his intended target was the speaker.

More:Meet the former Commercial Appeal reporter who's now in Congress

Members of Congress have faced a sharp rise in threats since the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol. Capitol Police investigated nearly 10,000 threats to members last year, more than twice the number from four years earlier.

FILE - Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill on June 24, 2020, in Washington. Craig was assaulted in her Washington apartment building on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, her chief of staff said, but added that there was no evidence that the attack was politically motivated. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File) ORG XMIT: NYAB410

Craig won a third term in November in the suburban-to-rural 2nd District south of Minneapolis and St. Paul in one of the most expensive House races in the country, frustrating the GOP's best hope of flipping a Minnesota seat in an election that gave Republicans a narrow House majority.

Coe said Craig is grateful for the quick response from the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department and has asked for privacy.

On Twitter, U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, said he was "disturbed to hear my colleague and friend" and "Minnesota's first openly gay representative was attacked at her building.

"While the motive is unclear, violence has no place in our politics or any community. I wish her a speedy recovery," Cohen said.

Disturbed to hear my colleague and friend @RepAngieCraig, former @memphisnews reporter and Minnesota's first openly gay representative, was attacked at her building. While the motive is unclear, violence has no place in our politics or any community. I wish her a speedy recovery.  Steve Cohen (@RepCohen) February 9, 2023

Craig was born in West Helena, Arkansas, but spent most of her childhood in trailer homes in Gosnell and Jonesboro, where she was a graduate of Nettleton High School.

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Moving across the river to Memphis, she earned a journalism degree and a served as editor of the campus newspaper, The Daily Helmsman, at what was then known as Memphis State University.

In total, Craig spent 11 years in Memphis, working for much of that time as an intern, part-time reporter and finally full-time reporter at The Commercial Appeal. Her beats included DeSoto County.

Commercial Appeal reporter John Beifuss contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig assaulted at Washington apartment
The Missouri Senate chamber in January 2021. AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

A Missouri bill would stop school staff talking to children about LGBTQ issues without parental consent.

It goes further than Florida's "Don't Say Gay" law, introduced last year.

One state lawmaker called it "the most disrespectful bill I've ever seen."

A new bill being considered in Missouri would restricts how schools can talk to students about LGBTQ issues and would go further than Florida's controversial "Don't Say Gay" law.

The bill, sponsored by Republican State Sen. Mike Moon, would prohibit any school nurse, counselor, teacher, principal, or other member of staff at a public or charter school from talking about gender identity or sexual orientation with a student unless they are a licensed mental health provider and have permission from the students' parents.

The bill is similar to Florida's Parental Rights in Education Act, dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" bill by critics. That law blocks discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity with students. Florida's Republican Governor Ron DeSantis signed it into law in March 2022.

But while the Florida law technically only applies to teachers of students in kindergarten through third grade, the Missouri bill would apply to students from kindergarten all the way to the 12th grade, according to the Missouri Independent.

Local LGBT rights group PROMO Missouri called the bill "dangerous" and said it goes further than Florida's law by "aiming to stop faculty, staff, and students from talking about these and related topics at all."

The group's senior director of public policy and advocacy, Shira Berkowitz, told the Riverfront Times that it would mean that students could not get help if they were bulled for their gender identity or sexual orientation.

"It's a book ban, a curriculum ban and it encourages an environment of bullying," she said.

Sen. Greg Razer, a Kansas City Democrat who is gay, called the bill "the most disrespectful bill I've ever seen in my seven years in this building," according to the Missouri Independent.

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Razer made the comments as the bill was introduced to Missouri's Education and Workforce Development Committee on Tuesday, where it was debated but not voted on.

Moon said at the the hearing that he only meant to ban talking about LGBTQ relationships, according to the Missouri Independent. But he was challenged by other lawmakers, who said the bill does more far than that, the report said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
No one was injured after an explosion and chemical fire Tuesday afternoon at a Geneva factory, according to Geneva Fire Department officials.

Firefighters arrived around 1:33 p.m. at Olon Industries, 411 Union St., on Genevas near West Side for an activated fire alarm, Geneva Fire Department officials said in a press release. Upon arrival, facility workers told fire crews there had been an explosion in the chemical storage building at the site.

The fire was elevated to a first-level fire alarm and a hazardous materials alarm to bring additional firefighters and equipment to the scene, officials said in the release.

The cause of the explosion and fire remains under investigation, officials said.

Damage to the facility was limited to a 16-foot by 16-foot chemical storage building located to the rear of the factory, according to the release.

The fire was extinguished by 4:25 p.m. and there was no known hazard to the community, officials said.

As a precaution, people were evacuated from Wheeler Park, the Geneva Township Senior Center and the Geneva Park District office during the fire, according to the release. Employees at the factory had already exited the building after the fire alarm had been activated during the incident, officials said.

Notifications were made to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Department of Labors Occupational Safety and Health Administration about the explosion and fire.

Firefighters from Batavia, St. Charles, Elburn, North Aurora, Sugar Grove, Aurora, Montgomery, West Chicago, Fermilab, Sugar Grove, Elgin, Carol Stream, South Elgin and Bartlett assisted at the scene, officials said.

The Winfield, Wheaton, Fox River & Countryside and Sugar Grove fire departments filled in at the Geneva fire stations and responded to other calls in the community, according to officials.

mejones@chicagotribune.com
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday urged the Security Council to authorize the opening of new cross-border humanitarian aid points between Turkey and Syria to deliver UN aid to earthquake victims.

Some 4 million people living in the rebel-held areas of northwest Syria have been relying on humanitarian aid transported via the only Bab al-Hawa crossing as part of a cross-border aid operation authorized by the UN Security Council nearly a decade ago.

But the flow of aid stopped following Monday's 7.8-magnitude earthquake that has killed nearly 20,000 people in the two countries, prompting Guterres to call for more crossings to be authorized.

"This is the moment of unity, it's not a moment to politicize or to divide but it is obvious that we need massive support," Guterres told reporters.

"I will be of course very happy if the Security Council could reach a consensus to allow for more crossings to be used, as we need also to increase our capacity to deliver on cross line operations into Idlib from Damascus."

In 2014, the UN Security Council authorized four cross-border aid points on the Turkey-Syria border, but by 2020 their number has dwindled to just one due to opposition from Damascus and Moscow, who view it as a breach of Syria's sovereignty.

After disruptions in the wake of the quake, delivery through Bab al-Hawa was finally restored on Thursday, with a convoy of six UN trucks crossing the border into Syria.

Syria has been under Western sanctions since the government's brutal crackdown on protesters in 2011 which spiraled into a civil war.

Guterres stressed that no sanctions should hamper relief efforts.

"This is a moment in which everybody must make very clear that no sanctions of any kind interfere with relief to the population of Syria in the present moment," Guterres said.

Turkey said on Thursday it was working to open two more border crossings with Syria to deliver aid.

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North Korea has just revealed a large enough number of missiles to conceivably overwhelm the United States defense against them, blowing a hole in decades of denuclearization and homeland security policies.

Images from state-run media show North Koreas military rolling 10 to 12 Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missiles down the streets of Pyongyang during a Wednesday night parade. The U.S. only has 44 ground-based interceptors to launch from Alaska and California to destroy an oncoming ICBM in flight. Assuming North Koreas weapons can fit four warheads atop them, its possible Pyongyang can fire more warheads at the U.S. than America has interceptors.

U.S. officials and experts have long felt it was only a matter of time before North Korea built its way out of the missile-defense problem.

The Hwasong-17 has the theoretical range to make it all the way to the United States from North Korea. But Pyongyang has yet to demonstrate the warheads survivability upon reentry or that it could hit a desired target from so far away.

Regardless, the message from North Korea and its leader Kim Jong Un is clear: Despite repeated efforts, the U.S. cant stop us. Its a defiant display that both underscores the nations stunning military advancement and Western failures to get the ruling Kim family to part with its weapons.

It punches a hole in 20-plus years of U.S. homeland missile defense policy predicated on defending against a limited missile threat from North Korea. That threat is no longer limited and the United States cannot count on missile defense to confer anything close to invulnerability to North Korean retaliation in a conflict, said Ankit Panda, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and author of Kim Jong Un and the Bomb.

Critics of the ground-based midcourse defense system, or GMD, say it wouldnt take so many North Korean missiles to get past it. It might only take one.

The testing has been utterly unrealistic, said James Acton, who co-directs Carnegies nuclear policy program. GMD has only ever been tested at night once and it failed, he continued, noting that thats a problem since the sun makes it easier to track the reentry vehicle carrying the warhead. Its why experts believe an adversary might launch ICBMs at night.

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President Joe Biden has taken a hands-off approach to North Korea  but thats not wholly by design. North Korea has yet to respond to the administration's offer to sit down anywhere, any time without preconditions. The goal is to get Pyongyang talking about any issues in the relationship, but so far every advance has been rebuffed.

In the meantime, the U.S. has grown closer to South Korea and Japan  infuriating North Korea. Pyongyang has repeatedly expressed anger at the resumption and augmentation of joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises that North Korea views as a precursor to war. Both to improve its arsenal and respond to those drills, North Korea launched by far the largest number of cruise and ballistic missiles during a one-year period in 2022.

That historic rate in part led South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to openly weigh having his nation develop nuclear weapons.

Its possible that the problem gets worse and our country will introduce tactical nuclear weapons or build them on our own, he said in January. If thats the case, we can have our own nuclear weapons pretty quickly, given our scientific and technological capabilities.



The problem may only get worse. North Korea also showcased a series of vehicles carrying solid-fuel missile canisters representing their effort to develop land-based, solid-fuel ICBMs. Those weapons dont need to spend time fueling up before launch  they essentially come preloaded  shortening the time Pyongyang has to rush them out for launch before an adversary shoots them on the ground.

However, analysts didnt get a look at the real thing. They say that the canister on the nine-wheel chassis is likely a mock up. But this years version is bigger than previous iterations, showing North Korea is moving closer and closer to its goal of fielding an operational solid-fuel ICBM.

North Korea generally parades systems they intend to produce, said David Schmerler, a senior research associate at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. The designs from parade to launch might change slightly, but the addition of the canistered [launcher] reflects efforts in country to produce a land-based, solid-fuel ICBM.

Its unclear how the Biden administration will respond  a request for comment from the National Security Council wasnt immediately returned. But the implication for policy is clear: Administration after administration has failed to stop North Koreas march to this moment, and now Pyongyang is literally parading in front of the world.

North Korea, whether we like it or not, is a third nuclear deterrence relationship for the United States that will need to be dealt with, much like we'd plan to deal with Russia and China, said Carnegies Panda.
Stepping up to the plate. Darcey & Stacey star Florian Sukaj is known for his modeling days, but it seems like the Albania native is going to have to find a new job if he wants to be with wife Stacey Silva. Keep reading to find out everything we know about what he does for a living.

What Is Darcey & Stacey Star Florian Sukajs Job?

When Florian lived in his native country of Albania, he worked as a model and fitness influencer. However, he has been unemployed ever since he moved to the United States in 2020 to marry his now-wife, Stacey. Even after getting his green card in 2020, Florian still had not found work in America, which led Stacey to feel like he wasnt pulling his weight in their relationship.

Florian Sukaj Job What Darcey and Stacey Star Does for a Living

Theres no more excuses, freakin get a job, the Connecticut native explained during the January 29, 2023, episode of the series. Things just cant keep going this way.

However, after Stacey posted a behind-the-scenes Instagram Reel in February 2023 from a photo shoot featuring her and Florian, she had choice words for a troll who had negative things to say about Florians modeling skills.

This was a press photoshoot by a talented top industry photographer for our TV show, the TLC personality clapped back in the comment section. Just some quick, behind-the-scenes candid moments  We definitely had fun modeling together, not our first time.

During the March 13, 2023, episode of the show, fans watched Florian go to a casting call for a modeling agency. However, one of the casting agents did not seem impressed by him when he chose to take off his shirt after being asked how he would react to hearing his favorite song.

How Else Does Florian Sukaj Make a Living?

While Florian and Staceys storyline was never featured on 90 Day Fiance, the former model makes money for his appearances on Darcey & Stacey.

90 Day Fiance pays their cast members $1,000 to $1,500 per episode, a source told Radar in January 2019. While getting cast on a spinoff, TLC alums will reportedly receive a higher payout.

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Apart from his televised appearances, Florian makes a profit on Cameo, where fans can request a personalized video from him and Stacey. The reality TV couple charges $60 per video.

When Did Darcey & Staceys Florian and Stacey Get Married?

Florian and Stacey got married in April 2020 in a small ceremony that included just them and their officiant.

While the pair planned to finally make it down the aisle in an elaborate ceremony on season 4 of the spinoff, finances came centerstage.

With Florian out of work, he hinted toward more frugal options when it came to his and Staceys wedding venue.

So yesterday, he took me to the public park, Stacey explained to her friend Michael Benz in a later scene. To look at the park  to marry there.

While Stacey was completely against the idea but understood his reasoning, she added, But Im not gonna be payin for everything.

The couple seemed to have figured it out as Florian and Stacey celebrated their union with family and friends in November 2022 at the Saybrook Point Resort & Marina in Connecticut.
Raheem Taylor Executed For 2004 Murder Of Girlfriend And Her Three Kids Despite Claims Of Innocence

Raheem Taylor was put to death in a Missouri state prison in Bonne Terre on Tuesday for the 2004 murders of his girlfriend and her three children, despite his claims that he was in another state when the killings took place.

It was the nations fifth execution this year following a previous execution in Missouri, two in Texas and one in Oklahoma  all by lethal injection.

Taylor, 58, was the second person to be executed in Missouri in 2023. Amber McLaughlin was executed on Jan. 3 for fatally stabbing a woman in St. Louis County.

RELATED: California Teen's Boyfriend Allegedly Stabbed Her To Death, Then Ran Over Her Body

Missouri Department of Corrections Communications Direction Karen Pojmann told Oxygen.com that Taylor ordered a seafood platter, a cheeseburger, a slice of cheesecake, French fries and vanilla ice cream for his final meal.

Seventeen witnesses  nine on behalf of the victim, four reporters and four for the state  watched as Taylor was injected with 5 grams of pentobarbital, Pojmann said.

A police handout of Raheem Taylor

Raheem Taylor Photo: Missouri Department Of Corrections

He kicked his feet as the injection was administered, then took five or six breaths before all movement stopped, according to the Associated Press. He was pronounced dead at 6:16 p.m.

In his final statement, Taylor said Muslims dont die but live eternally in the hearts of our family and friends.

Death is not your enemy, it is your destiny. Look forward to meeting it. Peace! he wrote in the statement.

Taylor, who previously went by the first name Leonard, has maintained since his arrest that he was in California when Angela Rowe, her 10-year-old daughter Alexus Conley, six-year-old daughter AcQreya Conley and five-year-old son Tyrese Conley were shot dead at their home in the St. Louis suburb of Jennings.

Prosecutors believe that Taylor shot Rowe in the midst of a violent argument, then killed the children to eliminate witnesses.

Taylor, who lived with Rowe and her three children, boarded a flight to California on Nov. 26, 2004. Police discovered the slain family on Dec. 3 after worried relatives requested a welfare check, saying they hadnt heard from Rowe.

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An initial autopsy by a medical examiner said that the killings likely happened within a few days of the discovery of the bodies, while Taylor was away in California, according to the New York Post. But in court, medical examiner Phillip Burch said family could have been shot two or three weeks before their bodies were found due to the cool temperatures in the apartment.

Alex Murdaugh listen to Creighton Waters in the double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh

Kent Gibson, Taylor's attorney, said that several people saw Angela alive in the days following Taylor's departure from Missouri. Taylor's daughter in California, Deja Taylor, testified that she and her father called Angela and one of her children during his visit to her state.

Meanwhile, DNA from Rowes blood was found on Taylors glasses when he was arrested. A relative taking him to the airport testified that they saw Taylor toss a gun into a sewer, and the convicts brother told police that Taylor confessed to the crime.

The NAACP, multiple civil rights and religious groups and the Midwest Innocence Project advocated for Taylors innocence before his death. However, Republican Missouri Gov. Mike Parson denied his clemency request Monday.

Despite his self-serving claim of innocence, the facts of his guilt in this gruesome quadruple homicide remain, Parson said in a statement. The State of Missouri will carry out Taylors sentences according to the Courts order and deliver justice for the four innocent lives he stole.

Parsons decision came despite a letter requesting a stay of execution from national NAACP president Derrick Johnson, who wrote that evidence presented at trial does not support Mr. Taylors conviction, according to the Associated Press. Johnson, along with three dozen civil rights groups, also wrote St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell, asking that he reconsider his decision not to ask a judge for a new hearing.

The letter said Bell has a clear opportunity here to free an innocent Black man whose case was riddled with prosecutorial misconduct, police coercion and brutality, and ineffective assistance of counsel.

Oxy App

But Bell wrote in a statement on Monday that, although his office would not have sought the death penalty, "we believe the jury got the verdict right."

Bell's predecessor, Bob McCulloch, whose office prosecuted Taylor's case, told the AP that the convict's claims were "nonsense" and that the evidence against him is overwhelming.

The former elected prosecutor told the AP that evidence suggests Rowe and her children were killed while Taylor was still in-state, on the night of Nov. 22 or Nov. 23. Cell phone records showed that the slain mother generally made about 70 outgoing calls or texts per day, he told the news service, but that none were placed beginning on Nov. 23.

Last-minute appeals to the Supreme Court by Taylors lawyers were also denied.

Gerauan Rowe, the sister of Rowe and aunt of the younger victims, told the AP that she still struggles with the loss of her family members.

Im at a point in my life right now  Im OK but Im not, she said. But I know justice was served. Its kind of hard trying to move forward, but I think I can do it.
A still from "Star Wars Visions: Volume 2" depicting two lightsaber-wielding robed characters engaged in combat.

Heading for the Disney+ stable of "Star Wars" shows for 2023 is a return mission for "Star Wars: Visions," the honored anthology of animated shorts set in our most favorite of science fiction galaxies.

This past week, Disney+ and Lucasfilm announced news that the sophomore season of the animated anthology series is primed to launch on Star Wars Day, May 4, 2023.

Taking up the mantle of what "Star Wars: Visions" Season 1 accomplished with its Japanese-created blend of Emmy Award-nominated "Star Wars"-themed toons in 2021, Volume 2 is set to showcase a treasure of all-original animated shorts delivered from nine diverse studios working around the world.

Each of these snack-sized international gems will be presented in a multitude of engaging styles representing a particular imaginative form emerging from the originating studio's unique culture and director's own interpretation of the vast "Star Wars" universe.

"The reaction to the first volume of "Star Wars: Visions" blew us away," said James Waugh, "Star Wars: Visions" executive producer and senior vice president, Franchise Content & Strategy, at Lucasfilm. "We were delighted that this project inspired and resonated with so many people.

"We always saw 'Star Wars: Visions' as a framework for celebratory expressions of the franchise from some of the best creators working today. Animation is in a global renaissance, and we're constantly staggered by the amount of creativity pushing the medium forward. With Volume 1, the imaginative minds of Japan's anime industry were on full display."

Promotional poster for

"Star Wars: Visions" Volume 2 films were conjured up by these talented international animation studios: El Guiri (Spain), Cartoon Saloon (Ireland), Punkrobot (Chile), Aardman (United Kingdom), Studio Mir (South Korea) Studio La Cachette (France), 88 Pictures (India), D'art Shtajio (Japan), and Triggerfish (South Africa). D'Art Shtajios short was created in partnership with Lucasfilm Ltd. (United States).

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"With Volume 2, we expanded our canvas to take audiences on a global tour of some of the most talented creators from around the world," Waugh continues in the official press release. "We're so proud to be able to reveal the line-up of studios we've assembled. Every short is incredible, full of heart, scope, imagination, and the values that make stories distinctly "Star Wars"  all while opening up bold new ways of seeing what a "Star Wars" story can be."

An image listing the various animation studios that contributed to

Per Disney+, here are the nine Volume 2 shorts with their accompanying creators:

Title: "Sith"

Studio: El Guiri

Writer-director: Rodrigo Blaas

Title: "Screecher's Reach"

Studio: Cartoon Saloon

Director: Paul Young

Title: "In the Stars"

Studio: Punkrobot

Writer-director: Gabriel Osorio

Title: "I Am Your Mother"

Studio: Aardman

Director: Magdalena Osinska

Title: "Journey to the Dark Head"

Studio: Studio Mir

Director: Hyeong Geun Park

Title: "The Spy Dancer"

Studio: Studio La Cachette

Writer-director: Julien Chheng

Title: "The Bandits of Golak"

Studio: 88 Pictures

Director: Ishan Shukla

Title: "The Pit"

Studios: D'art Shtajio and Lucasfilm Ltd.

Writer-director-executive producer: LeAndre Thomas

Co-director: Justin Ridge

Title: "Aau's Song"

Studio: Triggerfish

Writer-directors: Nadia Darries and Daniel Clarke

"Star Wars: Visions" Volume 2 lands exclusively on Disney+ on May 4, 2023.
Russia's robotic Progress 80 cargo spacecraft approaches the International Space Station on Feb. 17, 2022.

Russia will launch a robotic cargo mission to the International Space Station early Thursday morning (Feb. 9), and you can watch the action live.

The robotic Progress 83 freighter is scheduled to lift off atop a Soyuz rocket from the Russia-run Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Thursday at 1:15 a.m. EST (0615 GMT).

Watch the launch live here at Space.com, courtesy of NASA, or directly via the space agency. Coverage will begin at 1 a.m. EST (0600 GMT).

Related: How Russia's Progress spaceships work (infographic)

Russia's robotic Progress 80 cargo spacecraft approaches the International Space Station on Feb. 17, 2022.

If all goes according to plan, Progress 83  which is carrying about 3 tons of food and other supplies  will chase the International Space Station (ISS) for two days, eventually docking with the orbiting lab at 3:49 a.m. EST (0849 GMT) on Saturday (Feb. 11) for a roughly six-month stay.

You can watch the orbital meetup here on Space.com as well, beginning at 3 a.m. EST (0800 GMT) on Saturday.

Progress 83 will dock with the rear port of the Zvezda module, on the Russian side of the station. That port was vacated on Monday night (Feb. 6) by the Progress 81 spacecraft, which had arrived at the ISS in June 2022.

Related stories:

 Soyuz rocket: Russia's venerable booster

 The Cygnus spacecraft: Northrop Grumman's cargo ship

 SpaceX's Dragon: First private spacecraft to reach the space station

The Progress is one of three currently operational robotic ISS resupply vessels, along with SpaceX's Dragon capsule and Cygnus, which is built by Northrop Grumman.

Cygnus and Progress are designed to burn up in Earth's atmosphere when their time in orbit is done, whereas Dragon is reusable; the SpaceX capsule makes ocean splashdowns and can fly again.

Another Russian vehicle will launch toward the ISS from Baikonur later this month, if all goes according to plan: A Soyuz spacecraft is scheduled to lift off on the night of Feb. 19.

The Soyuz is a crew-carrying vehicle, but this one will launch without anyone on board; it will replace another Soyuz that was damaged by an apparent micrometeoroid strike in mid-December. That other Soyuz has been declared unfit to carry astronauts back to Earth, unless an emergency evacuation of the station is required.
Smoke billows from a fire at the port as people inspect collapsed buildings in Iskenderun, Turkey.

More than 12,000 people were killed and tens of thousands left injured and homeless following a devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria on Monday (Feb. 6).

The magnitude 7.8 earthquake  caused by a 60-mile (100 kilometers) rupture between the Anatolian and Arabian tectonic plates  struck at its epicenter near the city of Nurdag, in southern Turkey, at 4:15 a.m. local time Monday, toppling buildings and leaving thousands trapped beneath the ruins.

Amid frantic search-and-rescue attempts, several aftershocks (including one nearly as powerful as the original earthquake) have added to the destruction. The growing death toll has already made the temblor one of the deadliest since the 2011 Tohoku earthquake in Japan , which triggered a tsunami that killed nearly 20,000 people and led to a nuclear disaster.

As the death figures stand so far, the Nurdag quake is the third-deadliest in Turkey in the past century, surpassed only by the 1999 Izmit earthquake, which killed more than 17,000 people, and the 1939 Erzincan quake, which killed nearly 33,000 people.

Related: How big is the largest possible earthquake?

But why do earthquakes in this region have the potential to be so deadly? The answer, in part, lies in complex plate tectonics, soft soil, and the uneven construction of quake-proof buildings.

Smoke billows from collapsed buildings in Hatay, Turkey.

Southeast Turkey and northwest Syria are prone to dangerous seismic activity because they lie on the junction of three enormous tectonic plates  the African, Anatolian and Arabian  whose collisions and snaggings cause earthquakes.

Monday's quake likely came from the East Anatolian Fault, where sections of the Arabian and Anatolian plates can become locked together by friction. After many decades of slowly pulling away in opposing directions, so much strain was gathered between the two plates that their point of contact ripped apart in a "strike slip" rupture  yanking the plates suddenly and horizontally past each other and releasing energy in the form of seismic waves.

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Some scientists have speculated that stress on the fault may have been building over centuries.

"GPS shows that across the East Anatolian Fault, the blocks are moving [around] 15 millimeters [0.6 inch] per year relative to each other. That motion stretches the crust across the fault," Judith Hubbard, a visiting assistant professor of Earth and atmospheric sciences at Cornell University, wrote on Twitter. "A magnitude 7.8 earthquake might slip 5 meters [16.4 feet] on average. So today's quake is catching up on about 300 years of slow stretching."

Once the fault ruptured, the earthquake's catastrophic impact was magnified by several factors. The East Anatolian Fault snakes under a heavily populated region and Monday's quake was shallow, at just 11 miles (18 km) below Earth's surface. This meant the energy of the quake's seismic waves hadn't dissipated much before it began to shake people's homes.

And once the buildings shook, the soft sedimentary soils of the region meant they shook harder and were more likely to collapse than if their foundations had rested on bedrock. According to the USGS, the soils of Nurdag are moist enough to undergo a significant amount of liquefaction  behaving more like a liquid than a solid during the quake's violent convulsions.

Other reasons as to why the earthquake was so deadly are the integrity of the buildings and the time of day that the quake occurred. Because it struck in the early morning hours, people were mostly asleep and had little opportunity to escape the collapsing buildings, many of which were not sufficiently earthquake-proof.

The region swarmed with aftershocks following the initial 7.8 magnitude quake.

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"It's difficult to watch this tragedy unfold, especially since we've known for a long time that the buildings in the region were not designed to withstand earthquakes," David Wald, a scientist at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), said in a statement. "An earthquake this size has the potential to be damaging anywhere in the world, but many structures in this region are particularly vulnerable."

In the wake of the 1999 Izmit earthquake, stricter building codes ensured Turkey's modern constructions were designed to be resistant to earthquakes. However, many of the older buildings, which often house those living in poorer and more densely-populated neighborhoods, were erected before the codes came into effect and remained vulnerable to collapse. After the quake struck, some of these buildings experienced "pancake" collapses, in which the upper floors fell straight onto the lower floors, making it next to impossible to save the people who had been crushed inside.

"This incident serves as a reminder of the region's high physical vulnerability to earthquakes. The proximity of Syria and Turkey to both Convergent and Strike-Slip boundaries means earthquakes shall happen regularly and this reality needs to be inculcated into the disaster management frameworks of both countries," Henry Bang, a disaster management expert at Bournemouth University in the U.K., said in the statement. "Learning from this experience, a priority should be to retrofit existing buildings in the region to be able to withstand earthquakes."
President Joe Biden on Thursday will tout the work his administration is doing to bolster Medicare and Social Security, while warning that Republican members of Congress will "continue to push plans that would undermine these programs," according to the White House.

Biden will travel to Tampa, Florida, on Thursday morning and deliver remarks at the University of Tampa in the afternoon. He will discuss his plan to fortify Social Security and Medicare as well as lower healthcare costs. The president will also "contrast his commitment to protecting and strengthening Medicare and Social Security and lowering prescription drug prices, with Congressional Republicans plans to cut these programs," the White House said.

MORE: Biden takes State of the Union's Social Security theme on the road

The White House listed examples of some GOP members of Congress who Biden has said are threatening to make changes or cuts to the federal health insurance and entitlement programs, including Sens. Rick Scott, Mike Lee and Ron Johnson. All three senators were called out by the president during his visit to Wisconsin on Wednesday.

During his second State of the Union address on Tuesday evening, Biden warned that "some Republicans" want to target programs such as Medicare and Social Security, which millions of Americans rely on. The remark prompted audible boos from several Republicans, with populist firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene even heard calling the president a "liar." But Biden quickly turned the tables.

MORE: Why Biden, Republicans fought over Social Security at State of the Union

"So, folks, as we all apparently agree, Social Security and Medicare is off the books now, right? They're not to be touched?" he shot back. "All right. All right. We got unanimity."

It's an issue that Democrats and Republicans have been sparring over for months. Congressional Republicans have demanded spending cuts in exchange for raising the debt ceiling and avoiding default, but they have not laid out exactly what cuts it wants.

Biden to warn that Republicans in Congress will 'undermine' Medicare, Social Security originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
A State Department official said Thursday that the Biden administration is looking into "taking action" against China for the surveillance balloons sent over U.S. territory.

After shooting down what the U.S said was a Chinese spy balloon that traversed the U.S., the official said the administration is weighing actions to reprimand Beijing for the incursion into American airspace as well as "broader efforts to expose and address" its surveillance activities that threaten national security.

The official added that the department was specifically considering measures against Chinese entities linked to its military that supported the balloon's operations.

Arguing that the U.S. had sent a "clear message" to Beijing by downing the aircraft, the official said China's attempts to excuse the balloon's flight path were extremely muddled, asserting that Beijing was caught red-handed.

"It's clear that they have been scrambling to explain why they violated U.S. sovereignty and still have no plausible explanation -- and have found themselves on their heels," the official said, adding that China's surveillance program "will only continue to be exposed," making it more difficult for Beijing to use it for intelligence gathering.

PHOTO: In this photo a large balloon drifts above the Atlantic Ocean, Feb. 4, 2023, just off the coast of South Carolina. (Chad Fish/AP)

MORE: Chinese surveillance balloon part of massive program over 5 continents: Blinken

The comments come as all members of Congress were getting classified briefings on the balloon and Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman was testifying on U.S.-China relations before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The House also voted unanimously 419-0 Thursday to formally condemn China for its use of a surveillance balloon over the U.S.

"Let's stand together against this common enemy that we have," Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, said moments before the vote. "Our enemy is not each other. Our enemy are foreign enemy nations like China, Russia, Iran and North Korea. China being the largest foreign state adversary, the biggest threat long-term to the national security interests of the United States."

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Deputy Secretary Sherman testified the the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that China is the only competitor with the "intent and means to reshape the international order."

Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday revealed that the U.S. assesses the alleged Chinese spy balloon shot down over the weekend was part of an expansive surveillance program aimed at gathering intelligence from targets around the globe.

MORE: How search for UFOs helped lead US government to Chinese spy balloons

According to the State Department official Thursday, flybys of the balloon conducted by high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft last week revealed that it was "clearly for intelligence surveillance and inconsistent with the equipment onboard weather balloons."

"It had multiple antennas to include an array likely capable of collecting and geo-locating communications. It was equipped with solar panels large enough to produce the requisite power to operate multiple active intelligence collection sensors," the official said.

The official confirmed that the U.S. assesses that China has overflown surveillance balloons above 40 countries, which ABC News and other outlets have previously reported.

Administration officials also revealed more information on China's prior balloon operations targeting the U.S. on Thursday. In a television interview, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said the aircraft had been detected over parts of Florida and Texas.

A senior U.S. official previously told ABC Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz that incursions into American airspace had also taken place over Hawaii and off the coast of the continental U.S. -- specifically near Coronado, California, and Norfolk, Virginia -- where two of the nation's largest naval bases are located.

On Wednesday, Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder disclosed that China had conducted four balloon surveillance missions over "sensitive sites" within U.S. territory during recent years, but did not disclose exactly where or when the incidents occurred.

While administration officials have defended its decision to allow the balloon spotted last week to make its way across the country before shooting it down off the coast of South Carolina, Austin said on Thursday that steps were taken to shield information on U.S. nuclear capabilities.

"All of our strategic assets we made sure were buttoned down, and movement was limited, and communications were limited so that we didn't expose any capability unnecessarily," he said.

President Joe Biden said Wednesday has not spoken to Chinese President Xi Jinping since the US discovered and shot down the spy balloon  dismissing the notion the situation would make the relationship worse.

Asked in an interview with Judy Woodruff of the "PBS NewsHour" whether U.S.-China relations had "taken a big hit," Biden responded, "no."

"I haven't talked to him during this," he said.

"The idea shooting down a balloon that's gathering information over America, and that breaks -- makes relations worse? Look, I made it real clear to Xi Jinping that we're going to compete fully with China, but we're not - we're not looking for conflict. And that's been the case so far," Biden said.

But at a Senate hearing on Thursday, Sherman said the recent balloon incident highlighted Beijings increasingly aggressive stance on the international stage, calling China the only country that wants to change the rules-based order that can successfully do so.

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Ely Ratner also testified that the department was concerned over the lack of communication between the superpowers militaries in the days after the shootdown and in recent months, calling the lack of disconnect really dangerous.

During another Senate hearing, this one before the appropriations defense subcommittee, lawmakers from both parties expressed their dissatisfaction with what they called a lack of transparency from the administration and demanded a strategy for preventing future espionage.

"This administration owes Americans answers not only on what happened this past week, but on what steps are going to take to ensure that this never happens again," said Democratic Sen. Jon Tester of Montana -- one of the states where the balloon was spotted floating high overhead.

Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowsi also expressed concern for her constituents, calling her state the first line of defense for America.

"As an Alaskan, I am so angry. I want to use other words, but I'm not going to, she said. If you're going to have Russia coming at you, if you're going to have China coming at you, we know exactly how they come. They come up and they go over Alaska.

Murkowski added that the American public deserves more information from the administration on why the purported spy balloon was allowed to linger over the state for so long, saying the failure to shoot it down earlier sent the wrong message to Beijing.

ABC News' Lauren Peller, Luis Martinez, Matt Seyler, Justin Gomez, Allison Pecorin, and Lalee Ibssa contributed to this report.

Chinese surveillance balloon may trigger US 'action' against Beijing: Official originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The cassation court rejected the appeal of Adels defense team after hearing arguments from four lawyers against the death sentence issued in July 2022.

The rulings cannot be appealed.

The Mansoura Criminal court found Mohamed Adel guilty of slaughtering and murdering his colleague Nayera Ashraf on the 20th of June in front of the gates of Mansoura University. The crime shocked Egyptian society as it was recorded on CCTV cameras.

During the trial, the prosecution presented to the court 25 eyewitnesses, including students and university guards who witnessed the stabbing of the 21-year-old student outside the gates of her University in Nile Delta city of Mansoura.

Furthermore, the prosecution presented the testimonies of the victim's friends and colleagues, all of whom testified that the accused stalked and threatened the victim after rejecting his marriage proposal. The prosecution also stated that Nayera's family had previously filed several complaints at local police stations against the accused.

The Prosecution also presented to the court the detailed confessions of the accused as evidence, in addition to the victim's cell phone records and text messages that included death threats to Ashraf.

It also introduced evidence footage of the incident from CCTV cameras around the university.

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The wife of a California public defender who died in Mexico last month is revealing new details deepening the mystery surrounding her husbands death at a resort in Baja California.

"He was my rock in this world," Kimberly Williams told ABC News Chief National Correspondent Matt Gutman in an exclusive interview airing on "Good Morning America" Thursday. "We bought our dream home, planned to have children together."

"Without him, I feel like I have nothing," she said of her husband, Elliot Blair, 33.

PHOTO: Elliot Blair, a public defender in Orange County, died in Mexico while celebrating his first wedding anniversary. (Blair family)

Williams and her husband, both public defenders at the Orange County Public Defender's Office, were celebrating their first wedding anniversary at Las Rocas Resort and Spa -- located on the shores of Rosarito Beach, just south of Tijuana, along the western coast of Mexico's Baja California peninsula -- when Blair appeared to have fallen off a balcony to his death at the resort on Jan. 14.

She had been sleeping during the incident, she said, and recalled a security guard and the hotel manager in her room, saying, "Excuse me, miss, excuse me, excuse me, is this your boyfriend down here?"

"I turned to the side, I didn't see him there, so I ran out the front door and they're pointing over the side of our front door area to the ground. Well, that was my Elliot down there," she said.

An autopsy established that Blair's death "was the result of an unfortunate accident due to the fall of the deceased from a third floor," the State Attorney General's Office of Baja California said in a statement.

Local authorities said there were no signs of struggle in the couple's hotel room. A toxicology report found that there was a "considerable" amount of alcohol in Blair's body, the State Attorney General's Office of Baja California said. His cause of death was listed as severe head trauma in a forensic medical necropsy certificate.

However, Williams and her attorney maintain that the extent of Blair's injuries appears to indicate he was attacked.

"It's the physical evidence we've been able to obtain, the autopsy," Case Barnett, the family's attorney, told "Good Morning America." "The autopsy confirms that he, Elliot Blair, was murdered that night."

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Barnett said it appears to him based on the evidence that Blair may be been beaten by more than one man, though why remains unclear.

Williams also said Blair was not so drunk he'd fall over a balcony, saying he likely drank five or six drinks over six hours that night.

Dr. Rami Hashish, a biomechanics, body performance and injury expert who is consulting with the family on the case, said he doesn't "really think that there's much evidence [to] point to the fact that it was an accident."

"I think it's relatively clear the injury pattern[s] just simply don't add up with one another," Hashish said. "There's bruising marks on the body. There's indications of potential being dragged on the front of the body. There's fractures to the back of the skull. Nothing really points to the fact that it was necessarily an accident."

MORE: Family believes California public defender who died in Mexico was 'victim of a brutal crime'

Blair's body was embalmed before they could have their own toxicology report performed, the family's attorney said. Though Williams said that Blair likely drank five or six drinks over six hours that night and was not drunk.

"In my nine years of being with him and knowing him, I can tell you, I've never seen him sloppy. I've never seen him not be able to stand. I've not seen him not be able to walk and care for himself," she said.

PHOTO: Elliot Blair died during a trip to Mexico for his first anniversary. (Blair family)

The couple spent the night dining at a local restaurant. On the way back to the resort, the couple was pulled over by local police who claimed they had rolled through a stop sign and demanded they pay them cash, Williams said.

"We've never been pulled over before," Williams said. "We were both rattled, but at the same time we both had this feeling of thank God they didn't do anything more to us."

Back at the resort, they danced at the lobby bar before going to bed around midnight, Williams said. The next thing she remembers is the security guard and hotel manager in their room waking her up and telling her that Blair was on the ground.

According to 911 calls from that night obtained by ABC News, at 12:50 a.m., the resort called to report "a person who apparently suffered a fall." About 20 minutes later, paramedics arrived on the scene saying Blair had no vital signs.

MORE: Death of California public defender in Mexico under investigation

Williams said authorities went through several scenarios with her of what could have happened to her husband, including suicide and accident -- "everything under the sun except for what I think happened: Someone did this to him," she said.

"I just know it's not an accident. I know he didn't fall. I just know that," she said. "I want to do everything we can to figure out what happened in that 45-minute, hour time span. Because that's what Elliot deserves. And that's the hardest part for me, is not knowing."

Williams said police also asked her that night if the two of them had been fighting, which she also denied.

"We're here on our anniversary. What are you talking about?" she recalled telling them. "No, we're not fighting."

PHOTO: Kimberly Williams, second from right, the wife of Elliot Blair, is comforted by her family during a candlelight vigil in Orange, Calif., Jan 26, 2023, for Orange County deputy public defender Elliot Blair who died in Mexico. (MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)

PHOTO: A photo of Elliot Blair is on display during a candlelight vigil in Orange, Calif., Jan. 26, 2023, for Orange County deputy public defender Elliot Blair. (MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)

Barnett said they have hired private investigators in Mexico to gather information, but they have "hit a wall with the investigation."

"Kim's family need answers to bring closure to this so they can really start moving on from it," Barnett said.

Williams said she is speaking out now in honor of her husband's memory, whom she described as a compassionate and empathetic lawyer.

"I don't want him to be forgotten. I want the world to know who my Elliot is," she said. "I want people to know he's not some drunk that stumbled off the front ledge of our hotel room."

"I want the world to remember the person he was -- his smile, his heart," she continued. "That's one of the only things keeping me going right now -- is the idea of doing this for him, for honoring his name."

Exclusive: Wife of public defender who died at Mexico resort speaks out originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
President Joe Biden touted his achievements during his second State of the Union address on Tuesday and seems to be gearing up for an expected 2024 presidential run -- but polling shows many Democratic voters aren't thrilled about this.

Nearly six in 10 Democratic-aligned adults don't want to see Biden renominated, a new ABC News/Washington Post poll found.

ABC News spoke with some of those who participated in the survey to learn more about their views on Biden and their concerns about a 2024 campaign.

Many of them had issues with his age but said that, despite their apathy, they would still cast a ballot for him against a Republican like former President Donald Trump or Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Biden, who is currently the oldest sitting president at 80, would be 82 if he is inaugurated for a second term and would be 86 when he left the White House.

Democrats like Stephen Couture, 68, think someone younger should be the party's nominee in 2024.

"He's done a fine job. That's not the issue," Couture said. "Where's his mental state gonna be another six years from now if he would be president again?"

Biden has repeatedly pushed back on the suggestion that he is now or will be too infirm to carry out the office.

"I think it's a legitimate question to ask anybody over 70 years old, whether or not they're fit and whether they're ready. But I just, only thing I can say to the American people, it's a legitimate question to ask anybody: Watch me," Biden told ABC News' David Muir in an interview in 2020, before he was elected to his first term.

MORE: Biden and Trump seem set for 2024 rematch -- why do their bases say they want anyone else?

He said much the same in October, in an interview on MSNBC: "I think the best way to make the judgement is to watch me. Am I slowing up? Am I going at the same pace?"

Speaking with ABC News, Couture said he feels the economy is doing well under the Biden administration, especially because a recession has so far been avoided and despite relentless Republican criticism of high inflation.

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"Despite so many Americans, other polls, saying that he's not doing well with the economy, from my perspective, the economy's doing pretty well," he said, referring to a slew of surveys showing Biden's handling of the economy is not approved of by most Americans.

Biden acknowledged inflation wasn't falling "fast enough" for Americans but nonetheless boasted of the country's economic success during his second State of the Union address. Couture said he watched the speech, though it didn't change his mind about a younger candidate.

Couture has voted for a variety of candidates from different parties in past presidential elections, he said, and looks at "the issues and the person running, and [I] vote for the person more than the party."

In the 2024 presidential election, Couture said that if Biden was the nominee, his choice would depend on who the third-party candidate is -- but that if it was Biden running against Trump, who announced his own 2024 campaign in the fall, he would stick with Biden.

Couture, who is from South Bend, Indiana, said he would like to see U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg as the Democratic nominee. Buttigieg was previously the mayor of South Bend.

In a recent interview with ABC News' Jonathan Karl on "This Week," Buttigieg said "he [Biden] is an absolutely historically successful president, and I want to see that continue."

PHOTO: Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden speaks during a drive-in campaign rally at Heinz Field, Nov. 2, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Other Democrats like 54-year-old Stephanie Whitney of Virginia feel that Biden has "done an extraordinary job," but that it's time for "some new voices."

"I think that the Democratic Party has not done a great job of allowing younger leaders to take a more prominent role," Whitney said. "I do think that they're getting better in terms of [House leader Hakeem] Jeffries and other representatives, but I think it's still limited."

Hurshel Burt, 62, said he likes Biden's policies but also shares worries over his age.

"He looked pretty good the other night in the State of the Union," said Burt, who is from Alabama. "But it would be nice to have some younger blood in."

Vice President Kamala Harris asked about the poll on ABC's "Good Morning America" Wednesday, said of Biden, "I think that age is more than a chronological fact, to be very frank with you."

"I think what people want to know is what have you done and when you look at what President Biden has achieved, what our administration has achieved, not to mention foreign policy, something you care deeply about and have worked on, I think you will see that we have a very bold and vibrant president in Joe Biden," Harris said.

Burt's main concern regarding the president's age is his physical capability to serve as he gets older. He said he is also a fan of Buttigieg as a possible candidate, "but he's so young, I don't know if he can get elected."

Like many Democrats who spoke with ABC News and who do not favor Biden as a nominee, Burt said he would still vote for the president in 2024 rather than Trump or DeSantis.

Charles Ewell, a 65-year-old from Virginia, thinks like Burt, Couture and Whitney that Biden is "just a little too old."

MORE: Biden stakes political future on uncertain ground: ANALYSIS

Ewell said he would support a candidate like Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, or Buttigieg. (Newsom said last year, before he was reelected, that he would serve his second full term as governor.)

But Ewell said that if it came down to Trump and Biden again, he would vote with the Democratic Party.

Other voters like Joseph Bartek, 79, of Pennsylvania think a woman should hold the position.

Bartek said he has voted Democratic since the George W. Bush administration and also feels someone younger should get a shot at the presidency.

David Ramunno, 59, of Michigan, thinks that the position "demands more than what someone of that age is going to be able to do."

His primary concern is over Biden's mental capability to serve, he said.

But Ramunno does support many of the Biden administration's policies, including seeking to reduce federal student loan debt.

"I don't really have any issue with any of his policies," Ramunno said. "It's just age."

"If it comes down to it, and he's the Democrat, I'll probably still vote for him," Ramunno said.

Many Democrats are apathetic about Biden in 2024 but say it's not a dealbreaker originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
For years, immigration advocates complained that U.S. Border Patrol agents were more focused on stopping border-crossers than helping people who got lost in the vast, often deadly terrain of the borderlands.

But a renewed emphasis on rescuing migrants  along with historically high numbers of asylum-seekers at the border  is leading to more rescues.

Border Patrol agents in the Yuma Sector regularly rescue migrants in distress along the Barry Goldwater Bombing Range and Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, two rugged and remote areas in Yuma County.

Statistics released this week by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the agency overseeing Border Patrol, show a sharp increase in border rescues:

5,336 rescued migrants in fiscal year 2020.

12,857 in fiscal year 2021.

22,014 in fiscal year 2022, which ended in September.

"It's increased, there's no question about it," said Vicente Rodriguez, co-founder of San Diego-based Aguilas del Desierto, a nonprofit that coordinates with Border Patrol to save migrants. "Border Patrol is more concerned about saving lives than they had been in the past."

Not all, however, get rescued in time: The number of migrant deaths at the border is also up. In fiscal 2021, agents tallied 568 migrant deaths, the highest ever recorded. Most of the deaths (219) were attributed to "environmental exposure-heat" as people trek through blazing terrain in Arizona and Texas. Agents also counted 86 deaths as "water-related" as migrants try to cross canals or the swift-moving Rio Grande, which divides the U.S. and Mexico.

Immigration advocates and experts believe the border death toll is much higher, and the federal system for death data long failed to include many border deaths.

Why are there so many U.S. Border Patrol rescues?

Arizona National Guard soldiers stand guard just west of the San Luis port of entry on Dec. 22, 2022. The soldiers are deployed to assist border agents in patrolling the border, but they are not allowed to enforce immigration laws.

A NEW PROGRAM: Customs and Border Protection officials point to the ramping up of the Missing Migrants Program, an initiative started in 2017 aimed at assisting lost migrants and coordinating with local authorities to identify remains.

Officials have erected "rescue beacons" across the border where migrants could press a button and a signal will alert authorities to their precise location.

Border Patrol has increased its coordination with local authorities and groups, such as Aguilas del Desierto, to bolster rescue attempts.

Story continues

More: Migrant deaths on the rise; Border Patrol increases rescues

MORE MIGRANTS: The sheer number of people arriving at the border also leads to more rescues, Rodriguez said. Last fiscal year, authorities encountered 2.4 million asylum-seekers at the Southwest border  a new U.S. record, according to CBP statistics. Though many of them were repeat crossers, the numbers amassing at the border will translate to more people getting lost or stranded, and more rescues, he said.

Rodriguez said his group has also seen an increase in phone calls asking for help. His group fields about 30 phone calls a day from stranded migrants or their families, about twice as many calls than there were a few years ago. Workers then pass along the information to Border Patrol officers, he said.

MORE CELLPHONES: Also, migrants these days tend to carry smartphones, which help them call and pinpoint their location coordinates for rescues, Rodriguez said. "They're able to rescue more people that way," he said.

Where are most of the rescues taking place?

The majority of the rescues are in the Del Rio Sector in South Texas, where streams of Venezuelans, Cubans, Haitians and other nationalities have in recent years took to crossing.

The Del Rio Sector saw 906 rescues in fiscal year 2021.

That was followed by Laredo (568) and El Paso (526), according to CBP statistics.

More: On the high seas between Florida and Cuba, US immigration policy a matter of life and death

What do advocates say about the increased rescues?

Some, like Rodriguez, applaud the Border Patrol for ramping up efforts to save migrants' lives. Others question whether U.S. border policy forces migrants into dangerous crossings in the first place.

A Border Patrol policy that sealed off urban centers, such as El Paso and San Diego, and forced migrants into more remote terrain  a strategy known as Prevention Through Deterrence  contributes to the spike in deaths and probably is leading to more rescues, said Vicki Gaubeca, Human Rights Watch's associate director for U.S. immigration and border policy, based in Tucson.

The policy has not actually proved to be a deterrent, she said.

"Sure, youll see the rescues increase, but it's because of our polices," Gaubeca said. "We're not preventing this from happening with better policies."

Jason De Leon, executive director of the Colibri Center for Human Rights, an immigrants' rights group, said Title 42, a pandemic-era rule that allows border agents to remove migrants from the U.S. without hearing their claim, also has contributed to repeat crossers and led to more dangerous crossings.

"They're rescuing people who have been put into harm's way by Border Patrol in the first place," De Leon said.

Follow Jervis on Twitter: @MrRJervis.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Border rescues on the rise, as more and more migrants arrive at border
The U.S. is sanctioning what it says are seven members of a Russian hacker group who have targeted hospitals, companies and the U.S. government, the Treasury Department announced Thursday.

"Cyber criminals, particularly those based in Russia, seek to attack critical infrastructure, target U.S. businesses, and exploit the international financial system," Treasury Under Secretary Brian Nelson said in a statement. '

The group known as Trickbot was first identified in 2016 and its members have ties to Russian intelligence services, according to Treasury. Trickbot viruses have infected millions of computers and Trickbot ransomware  which locks down computer systems with demands of payment  was used against hospitals and healthcare centers at the height of the global pandemic in 2020.

PHOTO: Russian hacking underground newsletter is seen in this illustration taken on Dec. 19, 2022. (Dado Ruvic/Reuters, FILE)

MORE: Cyberattacks reported at US airports

"These criminals were key players in the explosive growth of the ransomware problem from a nuisance crime to a national security crisis," John Hultquist, head of Mandiant Intelligence at Google said in a statement. "While maintaining many of the trappings of an everyday business they showed an utter disregard for many of their victims, even targeting hospitals in the worst days of COVID."

PHOTO: Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) office in 'Capital City' South tower in the Moscow International Business Center, also known as Moscow City, in Moscow, Russia, on Dec. 8, 2021. (Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg via Getty Images, FILE)

MORE: CISA issues sweeping federal directive for government cybersecurity

Mandiant was among the first cybersecurity intelligence groups to identify Trickbot in 2016. Researchers have continued to track various forms of malicious software associated with the group. Some believe Trickbot malware may have served as a gateway for other ransomware attacks that collected hundreds of millions of dollars from victims.

In one known Trickbot attack, the U.S. says, the group deployed ransomware targeting three medical facilities in Minnesota. The attack disrupted computer networks, telephones and ambulance services, according to the Treasury Department.

"We do believe that actors affiliated with Trickbot are continuing to operate but these operations today use different malware," head of Mandiant Cybercrime Analysis Kimberly Goody told ABC News. "This is not uncommon as there are often ebbs and flows in the cyber crime ecosystem, including changing allegiances."

The sanctions essentially lock down the hackers' assets and property in the U.S. and block others from transacting with them. The U.K. also joined in sanctioning the accused hacker group.

US sanctions alleged Russian ransomware hackers known as Trickbot originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Celebrate with these Southern dishes.

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Mardi Gras is an annual holiday that is traditionally celebrated on Fat Tuesday to mark the culmination of the feasting period that falls before Christian Lent. Religious history aside, the holiday has come to be associated with street parties and parades, colorful masks, general debauchery, and, of course, plenty of rich, fatty foods.



So when youre planning your Mardi Gras dinner menu, look for dishes that are comforting, satiating, and packed with more than enough flavor. Speaking of flavor, it wouldnt be a Mardi Gras feast without plenty of Cajun and Creole influence, whether youre spicing up grits or transforming an otherwise bland piece of fish into a drool-worthy meal. While you might not make it to Bourbon Street this year, we promise youll find everything youre looking for with this Mardi Gras spread that includes sides, drinks, desserts, and more!

:12 Trader Joes Recipes to Make This Winter

Old Bay Cheddar Grits With Andouille and Tomatoes

Jennifer Causey

Andouille is a smoked meat made using pork, pepper, onions, and seasonings. While it is French in origin, its also a staple of New Orleans cuisine thanks to French immigrants who brought it to Louisiana. Here, the spicy sausage is paired with blistered grape tomatoes and grits that have been flavored with Cheddar cheese and Old Bay seasoning.



:get the recipe

Gochujang Gumbo

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Gumbo is a Creole soup from Louisiana, and this untraditional variation includes gochujanga spicy-sweet Korean chili paste. However, the inclusion of andouille sausage, sliced okra, and shrimp are a nod to the soup's Southern roots. Top with sliced scallions and minced red Fresno chiles for even more flavor.



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Blackened Salmon and Rice

Anna Williams

This blackened fish is flavored with paprika, cayenne pepper, dried thyme, and garlic powder, which gives it plenty of spice and flavor. The side of corn and parsley-studded rice helps to balance the heat.

:get the recipe

Passion Fruit Hurricane

Courtesy of BacardA

The hurricane is one of the most popular drinks served in New Orleans, and its surprisingly easy to make at home. This version of the NoLa classic is especially citrus-forward thanks to the inclusion of orange juice, lime juice, and passion fruit syrup.



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:get the recipe

Corn Spoon Bread

Lynne Mitchell/Getty Images

Cornbread is a quintessential Southern side, and this version, which is technically corn spoon bread, is more like a souffle, with texture similar to that of British Yorkshire pudding. This dish, which pairs well with spicy foods, is ready in just 45 minutes.



:get the recipe

BBQ Remoulade

Jennifer Causey

Remoulade is a cold sauce thats popular in New Orleans. While this version isnt a typical remoulade that you might find at a restaurant on Bourbon Street because it uses barbecue sauce instead of the standard hot sauce and Worcestershire, feel free to use this homemade condiment on crab cakes, shrimp, and French fries.

:get the recipe

Shrimp and Brown Butter Grits

Antonis Achilleos

The Southern classic that is shrimp-and-grits gets an upgrade in the form of brown butter. Just be sure to watch the butter carefully to make sure it doesn't burn, and don't skip transferring it to a bowlit will continue to brown even after it's off the heat. Youll be surprised to find out how well the rich butter pairs with the smoked paprika-seasoned shrimp and juicy grape tomatoes also found in this dish.



:get the recipe

:Healthy Fish and Shrimp Recipes on MyPlate

One-Pot Chicken Sausage and Beans

Caitlin Bensel

Smoky andouille chicken sausage is the star here, and its flavorful drippings coat the crunchy breadcrumb topping to tie everything together. In this dish youll also find ground pork, crushed tomatoes, and plenty of cannellini beans. If you like spice, add a dash of Cajun seasoning to amp up the flavor.



:get the recipe

Shrimp and Sausage With Saffron Rice

John Kernick

While shrimp and sausage is a classic New Orleans combo, this recipe pairs the proteins with saffron rice. A cup of frozen peas adds some veggies to this hearty meal.



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Turkey Burgers With Cajun Grilled Onions

Christopher Baker

For a recipe thats familiar but has some NoLa flavor, give these turkey burgers a try. Each patty is made with grated Gruyere, minced garlic, and chili powder, in addition to dark meat turkey. Then, once the burgers are done, you'll top each one with grilled sliced onions that have been sprinkled with Cajun seasoning.



:get the recipe

Easy Stovetop Shrimp Boil

Greg DuPree

A shrimp boil might sound like a tricky undertaking, but we promise that this recipe can easily be executed at home. In fact, all you really need to do is throw onions, lemon, garlic, potatoes, sausage, artichoke, shrimp, and corn into a large stockpot and bring everything to a boil with some dry seasoning. For that spicy New Orleans flavor, we suggest using Slap Ya Mama Cajun Seafood Boil seasoning. You wont regret it!



:get the recipe

Kidney Beans and Rice

Con Poulos

Red beans and rice has been a traditional dish in New Orleans for decades, and is typically eaten on Mondays because it was originally made with the ham bone left over from Sunday dinner. Thanks to the ease of this recipe, which requires just 10 minutes of hands-on work, you can enjoy this tasty side on Mardi Gras and beyond.

:get the recipe

Beignets

If you cant make it to Cafe Du Monde for the restaurants famous beignets, go ahead and make them yourself. This recipe is surprisingly easy to follow, and yields 24 decadent fritters so you can share with friends.



:get the recipe

Lemon-Thyme Rhubarb Bread Pudding

Victor Protasio

For a delicious dessert that will compliment your Mardi Gras feast, opt for this tart, sweet, rich, and custardy bread pudding. Rhubarb, which is in season as spring begins, is paired with lemon zest and thyme to bring out the stalky vegetables herbaceous notes. Serve it with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a decadent upgrade.



:get the recipe

:20 Best Romantic Dessert Recipes

Traditional King Cake

It wouldnt be a Mardi Gras meal without a king cake. This recipe actually makes two king cakes, and each one is topped with a creamy glaze as well as festive gold, purple, and green sugar sprinkles. Just remember, if you find the trinket baked inside the cake, it means luck and prosperity is headed your way!



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This combination of photos provided by the Sangamon County Sheriffs Dept. shows Peter J. Cadigan, left, and Peggy Jill Finley on Jan. 9, 2023, in Springfield, Ill.

Two Illinois EMS workers are being held in jail on a $1 million bond in the alleged murder of an Illinois man two months ago, according to Insider. They are each facing first-degree murder charges for failing to provide adequate care which unnecessarily jeopardized an innocent Black life.



Peggy Finley and Peter Cadigan responded to a request for assistance at the home of Earl Moore Jr. on December 18, 2022. Previous reports say Moore was suffering from hallucinations caused by alcohol withdrawal. When Finley and Cadigan arrived, body camera footage recorded them yelling at Moore and handling him aggressively because, they claimed, he was being combative.

Read more

However, Illinois prosecutor Dan Wright said the footage showed him in a weakened and confused state of medical distress.

More on the video according to an ABC report:

Finley can be heard yelling at the man, who identified himself as Earl Moore, to sit up and to quit acting stupid in the newly released bodycam video. Video also shows Finley telling Moore, 35, We aint carrying you and I am seriously not in the mood for this dumb [stuff], using an expletive in his remark, before eventually strapping the patient to a stretcher in a prone position, the police department said. According to a press release from the Springfield police, officers attempted to provide Moore care after the EMS workers acted indifferently to the patients condition.

Despite the fact that checking someones vitals is routine procedure, the two neglected to do so, and ultimately strapped Moore down to a stretcher, not face-up, but face-down. Cadigan later lied to investigators, saying hed never received training on the risks of transporting a patient this way when actually he had, per Insider. Then, Finley lied about the ambulance lights being on during transport, signaling Moore was alive. Surveillance footage, however, showed the lights and sirens were off. Finley also asked the responding officer to seemingly fabricate information regarding Moores status during the ordeal.

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Moore died at the hospital.

The autopsy reports the cause of death as positional asphyxia, caused by the manner in which Moore was restrained; this is similar to how George Floyd died at the hands of Minneapolis police.

After the incident, the two were arrested and bond was set at a whopping $1 million each. Earlier this week a judge denied their attorneys request to reduce the amount to $100,000, per WCIA News. If the two are sentenced, they face a maximum of 60 years in prison.

This is just another example of how Black lives have also been taken at the hands of negligent paramedics. Its not just the police who dont care.

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Three Greece travel experts weigh in on how to craft the perfect trip  top hotels, informative tours, and Cycladic islands included.

Andreas Rose/Alamy The village of Karterados, on Santorini.

In the past few years, tourism to Greece has boomed. With the summer high season only a few months away, nows the time to lock in your own plans, whether they call for a tour of the classics or something a little more adventurous. Here, a collection of trips from the three Greece experts on Travel + Leisures A-List.

Days 13

Ian Dagnall/Alamy The Plaka district of Athens.

This quintessential itinerary includes visits to some of Greeces most iconic destinations, Zissimos says, adding that its our most popular trip for 2023 so far. Touch down in Athens, where you can hit highlights such as the Acropolis and Areopagus with a guide, then explore neighborhoods like Kolonaki and Plaka on your own. Zissimos recommends staying two nights at the well-situated Electra Metropolis before heading off to the Cycladic island of Milos, accessible either by air (45 minutes) or by ferry (from three hours).

Days 46

Seux Paule/Hemis/Alamy The coast of Milos near Kleftiko Beach.

Milos has dozens of beaches to visit, with different combinations of sand, stone, and shells, says Zissimos, whos especially partial to Sarakiniko. He also recommends a sailing excursion to Kleftiko, where volcanic rock formations make for spectacular photos, and an evening in the town of Adamantas, where tavernas line the waterfront. The seaside Melian Boutique Hotel & Spa, on the northeastern tip of the island, is a go-to for Zissimos.

Days 79

Matteo Colombo/Getty Images The Portara, an ancient gate above Naxos Harbor.

Youll need a morning for the four-hour ferry ride to Naxos, an island offering a solid combo of archaeological sites and contemporary adventures. Theres a beach for everything here, Zissimos notes. Agios Georgios is known for windsurfing, while Mikri Vigla is the place for kitesurfing. In between, Zissimos can arrange guided visits to the Temple of Demeter and the Portara, the 2,500-year-old marble gate that stands at the entrance to Naxos Harbor. His preferred place to stay is Villa Marandi Suites, with its whitewashed ocean-view rooms.

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Days 1014

Courtesy of Auberge Resorts Collection The Grace Hotel, on Santorini.

After breakfast, catch a high-speed ferry (90 minutes) to Santorini, then check in to the cliff-top Grace Hotel, Auberge Resorts Collection. Spend the next day on a sailing excursion, complete with snorkeling stops. Zissimos can also set up wine tastings and recommend hikes, like the coastal path from Fira to nearby Imerovigli, with its jaw-dropping views of the caldera. Zissimos suggests leaving time for dinner in the ever-in-demand village of Oia, known for its sunsets. From there, ferry or fly back to Athens for the trip home.

Days 13

P Tomlins/Alamy The Acropolis Museum, in Athens.

The capital is a must-see, Stergiou says, because its classical history has so distinctly influenced modern thought. He suggests a guided tour that takes in both the ancient and the contemporary, with visits to the Acropolis Museum and the Temple of Olympian Zeus as well as landmarks around central Syntagma Square, including the Greek Parliament. Conveniently, his hotel pick, Hotel Grande Bretagne, a Luxury Collection Hotel, is located on the same square. Its the grande dame of Athenian hotels, Stergiou says.

Days 47

Izzet Keribar/Getty Images Inside the Monastery of St. John the Theologian, on Patmos.

From Athens, head for Patmos, an island that exudes a unique aura thanks to its seemingly untouched natural beauty, Stergiou says, adding that its a Christian pilgrimage site, as it is believed to be the place where the Book of Revelation was written. His favorites include the village of Chora, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the best-preserved medieval settlements in the Aegean. Stergiou can also arrange for private boat excursions for sightseeing, swimming off uncrowded beaches, and dining in a hyperlocal family-run restaurant. His go-to hotel is close to his heart: the Petra has been in the Stergiou family since 1989. The 11-suite inn is now part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

Days 810

Courtesy of Cosme, A Luxury Collection Resort An Astro suite, with its private pool, at Cosme, a Luxury Collection Resort, on Paros.

After a late checkout, hop aboard the overnight ferry from Patmos back to Athens  in a private cabin, of course. In the morning, its an easy one-hour flight to Paros, a place Stergiou calls up-and-coming, or maybe already there. Make your way, with a guide, to the islands north and the Environmental and Cultural Park of Paros. The area is filled with fascinating attractions, including the old shipyard and the Monastery of Agios Ioannis Detis, built right above the sea. Check in at Cosme, a Luxury Collection Resort, where Stergiou likes the Aether suites, with their sea views. Spend the rest of your time either lounging on Paross sandy beaches or making day trips to nearby islands like Antiparos, before taking the ferry (from 90 minutes) over to Santorini.

Days 1114

Stale Eriksen/Courtesy of Canaves Oia Epitome A pool terrace at the Canaves Oia Epitome, on Santorini.

Its not exactly under the radar, Stergiou notes of Santorini, but with the right guides, you can still tap in to the more traditional side of the island. He recommends spending one day exploring Assyrtiko vineyards, such as Domaine Sigalas; he also suggests a guided walk through Oia, the picturesque if popular village that still conceals a few lesser-known corners. As for where to stay, the Canaves Oia Epitome strikes the right balance between proximity to the islands best restaurants and seclusion  particularly when youre booked in a one-bedroom pool villa. Stergiou suggests one last night back at the Grande Bretagne before your flight home.

Days 12

Joanna Kalafatis/Alamy Brettos Plaka, a bar and distillery in Athens.

Start in Athens, Agnos says, but unless youve never been to the Acropolis, Id suggest instead a tour of the stunning archaeological site of Cape Sounion, south of the city, where there are spectacular sunsets. Spend another day on a guided tour of the citys cafes and ouzeri, low-key bars that serve the anise-flavored spirit along with platters of meze. Agnos loves the centrally located and newly opened hotel Xenodocheio Milos, from the group behind the Estiatorio Milos restaurants.

Days 35

Spiros Papadakis/iStockphoto/Getty Images Psili Ammos beach, on Serifos.

Your next stop is Serifos, a Cycladic island that has some of the most stunning beaches in Greece, including sandy Psili Ammos, which is often on lists of Europes best, Agnos says. More rugged and lesser-known than nearby spots such as Milos, its nevertheless easily accessible by ferry (from two hours). Agnos suggests taking time to explore the islands mythological sites, such as the ancient construction known as the Throne of the Cyclops, before spending time swimming or hiking. She recommends the Hotel Rizes overlooking the port.

Days 69

Emi Cristea/iStockphoto/Getty Images The Naxos port.

From there, its onward by ferry (from 6 12 hours) to Naxos, the beachy island thats also a favorite of Zissimos. For her part, Agnos recommends the islands many hikes (like a half-day round-trip from the village of Chalki) and can also arrange for cooking or pottery classes. Stay at the hilltop 18 Grapes, with its two pools and views of the sea, or Naxian on the Beach, which has 10 seafront suites.

Days 1013

Athina Psoma/Alamy The chickpea stew known as revithada, a Sifnos specialty.

From Naxos, its an easier ferry (from 90 minutes) west to Sifnos, a less-visited Cycladic island with a growing reputation for food. Its famous in Greece for having some of the countrys best culinary experiences, Agnos explains, as its the birthplace of distinctive dishes such as revithada, a chickpea stew, and mastelo, red-wine-braised lamb. The island also has its share of hikes, from easy three-mile loops to challenging nine-milers. Agnos recommends a stay at the Elies Resorts, on Vathi Beach.

A version of this story first appeared in the February 2023 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline "The Best of Greece, Three Ways."

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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
The model was featured in the SI Swimsuit Issue every year between 2007 and 13.

Julie Henderson. Alex Cayley/Sports Illustrated

Julie Henderson made her SI Swimsuit debut in 2007, kickstarting a run of seven consecutive issue appearances. She was discovered at the age of 13 while attending the Barbizon Modeling and Acting School in Texas, and quickly booked local advertisement and commercial gigs. When she was 16, Henderson signed with New York Model Management and starred in campaigns for LOreal Paris, Target and United Colors of Benetton. She has been featured in Teen Vogue, Vanity Fair, Harpers Bazaar and Elle.

Every year they have a theme for the location that we are at. Since were in Spain this year, its very Spanish with the flowers and the all red, gold or black, Henderson said during her 2013 photo shoot in Seville, Spain, with photographer Alex Cayley. Its based on the rich culture that Spain has. We went to this Moroccan style courtyard. So beautiful. We went to this square in the middle of Seville and decided to get creative with one of the suits: its just the Spanish flag and nothing else. On our last shot, I had to climb on top of a car and after a while I kind of gathered a pretty decent audience. I got a little shy at first. After all the cheering and clapping at the end of my shot, I felt like I had to bow for them. How cute. I love Spain. Such a cool country.

Today, the 36-year-old and her husband, Matteo Ferrero, share 19-month-old twins, Milo and Eleanor.

Here are six of our favorite photos of Henderson in Seville, Spain.

Alex Cayley/Sports Illustrated

Alex Cayley/Sports Illustrated

Alex Cayley/Sports Illustrated

Alex Cayley/Sports Illustrated

Alex Cayley/Sports Illustrated
Stephanie Hightower, president and CEO of the Columbus Urban League. (Tim Johnson/CEO).

A new initiative headed by the Columbus Urban League to support Black and minority-owned businesses will get a multi-million boost in funding from JPMorgan Chase.

The financial services company announced Wednesday that it is investing $3 million over the next three years in the Columbus Urban League to provide funding for its Accelerate Her initiative. Among other things, the new program aims to provide education, support and access to capital and contracting opportunities for 100 women entrepreneurs and business owners in Greater Columbus.

The Accelerate Her initiative and the multi-year, multi-million-dollar investment by our partners at JPMorgan Chase will have a rippling and residual impact on the economic empowerment of Black women and a tremendous economic impact on the community as a whole, said Stephanie Hightower, president and CEO of the Columbus Urban League, in a written statement.

This is the latest of several major donations received in recent years by the Urban League, which advocates and provides resources for Black and urban communities.

Previous funding:Goldman Sachs donates to two Columbus groups to help Black women

In June 2021, Goldman Sachs awarded the Columbus Urban League and the Womens Fund of Central Ohio $50,000 each for programming as part of its One Million Black Women initiative. That investment was specifically for the Urban Leagues Incubate Her program, a 12-week program for 30 Black women hoping to open new businesses or grow their current businesses.

And in November, philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, the billionaire ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, donated $6.5 million to the Columbus Urban League as part of multi-million-dollar gifts to 25 Urban League affiliates.

Hightower indicated at the time that the funds, one of the largest single gifts in the organization's 105-year history, would be used to build capacity and stabilize programming for the organization, which has an annual budget of nearly $18 million.

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More:MacKenzie Scott donates millions to Ohio Urban League affiliates

JPMorgans investment is being awarded as part of its annual competition to fund innovative and sustainable ideas addressing inequity in the United States.

Formerly known as the AdvancingCities Challenge, the competition began in 2018. The concept evolved in 2021 in response to the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women of color.

The expertise, perspectives and lived experiences of women of color uniquely position them to drive solutions that expand economic opportunity in their communities, Corinne Burger, the Columbus leader for JPMorgan Chase, said in a written statement. We at JPMorgan Chase are thrilled to partner with the Columbus Urban League in their ongoing work to lift up Black female entrepreneurs and their businesses here in Columbus."

Eric Lagatta is a reporter at The Columbus Dispatch covering social justice issues and nonprofits.

elagatta@dispatch.com

@EricLagatta

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: JPMorgan Urban League investment targets minority entrepreneurs
Lunar, a neobank out of Denmark, last year raised money at a $2.2 billion valuation from a splashy set of investors that included Heartland, Kinnevik, Tencent, IDC Ventures and comedian Will Ferrell, to fill out its ambition to build a financial "super app." Times being tough for startups right now, Lunar has raised yet again, but with a more modest goal: to "shorten the path to profitability."

The startup announced today that it has closed a round of 35 million (around $38 million at today's rates), money that it will be using to sharpen its product and its profile in the Nordics. Lunar says it now has around 630,000 users, up about 130k on a year ago.

"The capital markets that we and other similar companies raise money in have changed completely, with earnings now becoming the key focus," said Ken Villum Klausen, the CEO, in a statement. "Last year we improved our product, attracted more customers, and increased our revenue streams significantly. We will continue to do so in 2023 and the years to come because the market needs a serious challenger in the industry."

The 35 million Lunar is announcing today is exactly half the amount it raised 11 months ago -- that was a 70 million extension that brought the total of its Series D to 280 million.

There is no word on who the exact investors are in this latest injection, except that it comes from "the vast majority of existing shareholders." Klausen says the company is "humbled" by the trust investors have in it. Indeed, the company has raised $460 million to date, and there is likely a bigger story between the lines here about the choices investors make when companies they've backed with significant funding already need more to shore up their activities.

That's a fine balance, since some of the problems are not specific to a startup but the market climate, so there is an argument to be made that it makes sense to back a company you like to see them through the current state of things, something that Klausen seems to acknowledge, too.

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"They want to help us build a new financial ecosystem and deliver banking services in a whole new way, Klausen said in the statement. "This proves the strength of the concept we offer to bank customers throughout the Nordic region and we remain committed to this approach despite this period of turmoil in the financial markets."

Lunar is one of a wave of so-called neobanks that have hit the market with great fanfare in the last several years. In its case, it is building a platform of banking and other financial services, aiming to win over customers from incumbent banks by providing a mobile-based, more snappy user experience, better rates for basics and new services that leverage personalization and analytics to give users more insights into their financial standing, planning and futures.

In years past, Lunar has also positioned itself as kind of a hipster alternative. Will Ferrell -- who has a big audience of fans in the Nordics in part because of his particular brand of humor, and in part because of his starring role in the Nordic-adorable spoof film about Eurovision -- is on its cap table as part of an endorsement deal it struck with the startup.

Image Credits: Lunar (opens in a new window) under a license.

Last year, Lunar used the funding to make its first forays into cryptocurrency trading and B2B payments for small and medium business customers. Other services include checking and savings accounts, a metal Visa card, an investing platform and loans. Some of those services will have been hit hard lately: the stock market is down, crypto has lost its speculative get-rick-quick shine and interest rates are not great -- making loans a tougher prospect. Other big neobanks out of Europe like Revolut and N26 have been somewhat quiet of late, which speaks to the general state of the market at the moment.

The short announcement from Lunar is light on a number of details: We've reached out to the company to ask for more specifics on its plans for the funding, and for more details on how its existing business is performing, as well as whether its valuation is staying the same, or going up or down. We'll update as we learn more.

Update: Lunar came back to us to clarify that "around 500,000" as stated in its original announcement is actually closer to 630,000 current customers. We have updated that detail in the story above.
An Egyptian rescue team comprising medical specialists and rescue technicians as well as three military planes loaded with humanitarian and relief aid, medical supplies, and tents arrived in Syria to help victims of the devastating earthquake, reported Syrian sources.

The White Helmets, a Syrian volunteer organisation, told Al-Hadath TV on Wednesday the Egyptian rescue team entered Syria via the Bab Al-Hawa crossing. The planes landed at Damascus International Airport on Tuesday night, according to the official Syrian Arab News Agency.

The Syrian opposition said it was able to secure the entry of aid from the Bab Al-Salama, Al-Rai, and Bab Al-Hawa crossings after contacting the Turkish government.

Earlier in the day, two Egyptian military planes carrying medical aid arrived at the Turkish Adana Airport, announced the Charge d'Affairs at the Turkish Embassy in Cairo Ambassador Saleh Mutlu Shin.

This came a day after President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi ordered sending five military planes carrying emergency medical aid to Turkey and Syria to contribute to relief efforts.

The death toll from the massive earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria rose above 11,200 -- 8,574 people died in Turkey and 2,662 in Syria -- on Wednesday as rescuers raced to save survivors trapped under debris in the winter cold, according to news agencies.

Two Egyptians from one family have been reported dead in Turkeys Hatay province in the devastating earthquake, according to a statement by the Egyptian Foreign Affairs Ministry. A number of citizens were slightly injured in Turkey, the ministry said in a Tuesday statement without specifying numbers, adding that the Egyptian Embassy in Ankara is communicating with the injured to check up on them.

El-Sisi offered his condolences in phone calls to both Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday, stressing Egypts readiness to send humanitarian assistance and relief to help both the Syrian and Turkish peoples.

Egypts embassies in Syria and Turkey launched on Monday hotlines for Egyptians in both countries to report any damage or call for help following the deadly earthquake.

Egyptian Embassy in Ankara: 00905497695566

Egyptian Embassy in Damascus: 00963112144886 - 00963112144885

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PROVIDENCE - A new year, a familiar question: Should Rhode Island scrap its Republican and Democratic primaries?

This year the question is being asked by one group urging "serious consideration" by state lawmakers of alternatives to the status quo, such as this:

Have a single ballot, "non-partisan primary election" where the top two vote-getters advance to the general election. The candidate who receives the majority of votes in the general election is elected.

The group pushing for reforms includes former R.I. Supreme Court Justice and GOP activist Robert Flanders; the former head of the state Democratic Party, Guy Dufault; University of Rhode Island Political Science Prof. Maureen Moakley; Gary Sasse, the founding director of the Hassenfeld Institute for Public Leadership at Bryant University, and one-time Journal editorial writer Robert Whitcomb, among others.

Their hope and belief?

"Party affiliations may become less relevant, and voters may have less incentives to affiliate with political parties. This in turn may mitigate the hyper partisanship that plagues todays political system," the group said in a report out Wednesday afternoon.

What does the report say?

Their report  titled the "People's Primary"  begins with this premise: Rhode Island's current Republican and Democratic primary system is a problem that needs to be fixed.

"Since there is no such thing as a perfect election system, reforms must be weighed with the understanding that principled trade-offs may be necessary," they state.

The most basic problem in their eyes: the candidate with the most votes wins, no matter how small a slice of the vote he or she may have in a multi-candidate race.

"This is problematic in any state dominated by one party, where a candidate in a multi-field primary can effectively win public office with 35% of the votes, or less, and then not face a competitive opponent in the general election," their report says.

A voter fills out a paper ballot in Providence during the statewide primary election in 2018.

Among their observations:

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"Although turnout can vary from year-to-year depending upon factors such as the timing of presidential and statewide primaries or the retirement of an incumbent, participation in the Ocean State primary elections is generally dismal.

"In 2020, for instance, 521,185 ballots were cast in the statewide general election while only 93,033 voters, or 17.9% of those who participated in the general election, cast a vote in the statewide primary."

How does RI's election system work now?

The Rhode Island Constitution says: "In all elections held by the people for state, city, town, ward or district officers, the person or candidate receiving the largest number of votes cast shall be declared elected."

According to John Marion, the executive director of the citizens' group Common Cause:

"Our current system, sometimes called first past the post ... was put into our Constitution in the 1880s after five consecutive gubernatorial elections failed to produce a majority winner and therefore resulted in the General Assembly picking the governor."

The Constitution does not, however, dictate how the Republican and Democratic parties conduct their own primary elections to choose nominees for the November general election.

The way it works now: unaffiliated voters  also called independents  represent the largest bloc of voters, and they can choose to vote in either the Republican or Democratic primary on primary day, and disaffiliate again on their way out the door.

As recently as 2021, state Rep. Arthur Corvese, a North Providence Democrat, led a fight for change.

At that point, 10 states already required a candidate to win a primary with a majority of the votes. When that doesn't happen, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas and Vermont require runoff elections under differing circumstances.

Under Corvese's proposal: There would be a preliminary election "for all state and municipal offices ... to determine the candidates that qualify to run in the general election." The top two vote-getters for each office would then compete against each other in the general election, regardless of their party affiliations.

Steve Frias, the state's National Republican Committeeman, voiced the GOP's concerns: "In a state like Rhode Island where the number of registered Democrats far exceeds the number of registered Republicans, the two candidates in the general election would likely be Democrats ... [and] a large segment of voters who vote for Republicans in November would be denied of a real choice in the general election."

State Chairwoman Sue Cienki predicted: "Third party or independents almost would never appear on the November ballot."

Corvese's bill went nowhere. The report out Wednesday revives the debate that is also the subject of a Senate study. And Dufault, the long-time Democratic strategist and consultant, told reporters on a Zoom call: "We all know the definition of insanity and the Republican Party has just not thrived... In fact, they've starved in the present system."

"I think quite frankly it will be such an improvement to the system, it will raise the vote of the Republicans and quite frankly, raise the amount of people participating in the process."

"If anybody should be upset, it's probably the Democrats," he said, "because... they're the ones who have been the beneficiaries of a system that's been broken in their favor."

An election board worker tends to the oath envelopes for the 2020 Statewide Primary and bundles them for the next steps in the counting process.

What are the proposed alternatives for primary elections in Rhode Island?

OPTION 1: The top two vote-getters in a non-partisan primary move on to the general election.

The report cites a public opinion poll conducted for the Hassenfeld Institute for Public Leadership inMay 2022 that found that 59% of Rhode Islands registered voters favored adopting a single primary,while 27% opposed it.

The group said this option should "be given serious consideration'' by state lawmakers this year at least, in part, because "Rhode Islands [current] semi-closed primary system is not 'user friendly' ... [in that it requires] unaffiliated voters (who are over 40% of registered voters in our state) ... to register as a party member in order to vote in a partisan primary."

"Proponents [of a non-partisan primary] believe the top two system will entice candidates who are less partisan, less ideologically rigid and more 'pragmatic' to run because they will see the format as giving them a better chance to compete. Skeptics counter that this may not occur because it will remain difficult to encourage such candidates to run."

OPTION 2: The four top vote-getters in an "initial round" advance to the general election, with the winner determined by "ranked choice," which would require the tabulation of voters' first, second, third and fourth place preferences until one of the candidates amasses a majority.

After listing the potential benefits, the authors of the report acknowledge: ranked choice voting is more complicated than voting for one candidate and "There are concerns that the voting populace will not be properly educated about the new system," which could in turn "bring into question potential participation inequities."

They also cited the 2010 mayoral race in Oakland, California as a caution. It took 10 rounds of tallying to declare a winner. The ultimate winner received less than a quarter of first-place votes with a 1.9% margin of victory.

OPTION 3: Move to "open primaries" where voters can choose "one partys ballot and vote in that partys primary without being affiliated with the party."

The authors suggest: "An open primary may be more consistent with todays political realities, particularly in RhodeIsland, where unaffiliated or independent voters predominate in what is effectively a strong one-party state."

The arguments for and against: "Politically, open primaries could also moderate political choices by allowing centrists in one party an opportunity to vote for a candidate in another partys primary that they find to be more acceptable. [But] skeptics contend that open primaries weaken political parties, and leaves the nominating process vulnerable to manipulation by permitting partisans to vote for the other partys weaker candidate (as pundits say happened in Rhode Island in 1976)."

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Should RI reimagine how it conducts elections? This group says yes
A resident rides past abandoned Russian tanks in the village of Kurylivka in Kharkiv, Ukraine, October 1, 2022. REUTERS/Vitalii Hnidyi

More than 1,500 Russian tanks have been lost since it invaded Ukraine, a monitoring group found.

That's over half of the operational tanks Russia likely started its invasion with, the group said.

Western allies are now sending Ukraine modern, advanced tanks, creating a new challenge for Russia.

Russia has lost more than 1,500 tanks, around half of its operational fleet, in Ukraine, according to a Dutch monitoring group that has been tracking Russian equipment losses.

Onyx, an open-source intelligence analysis platform, said in an update this week that at least 1,000 Russian tanks had been destroyed since the war began, and 544 more captured.

That's more than half of the operational tanks that Russia is believed to have started its invasion with in February 2022.

Jakub Janovsky, a military analyst taking part in the tracker, told CNN that Russia started the war with around 3,000 tanks "so there is a good chance that Russia has lost one half of [its] usable tanks."

It is not clear if Russia has managed to replenish its tank force.

Onyx said its figures for lost Russian tanks represent only those where there is photographic or video evidence of their destruction, and that "all possible effort" went into making sure that no equipment was recorded twice.

This means that the amount of Russian equipment that has actually been destroyed is likely "significantly higher" than what's been recorded, the group said.

It also said that it was able to confirm 79 additional Russian tanks as damaged, and 65 that it could confirm as abandoned.

There is no official count for how many tanks Russia has in Ukraine.

Reports of Russian tanks destroyed and Ukrainian troops seizing tanks from Russian forces have been widespread since the invasion began.

The UK Ministry of Defence said last October that Ukrainian troops had likely captured at least 440 tanks, and that captured vehicles were boosting Ukraine's own equipment stocks.

It suggested that captured tanks likely accounted for over half of Ukraine's deployed tank force.

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In October, Forbes reported that Russia had lost on average 10 tanks a day in the six weeks since Ukraine launched its counteroffensive.

Ukraine, meanwhile, is set to receive modern, advanced tanks from its Western allies.

The US said last month that it will send 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, though they will not arrive for several months.

Germany is sending Ukraine its Leopard 2 tanks, with other European countries also planning to send tanks to Ukraine.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Halyna Hutchins family are planning to file a new lawsuit against Alec Baldwin over the fatal shooting of the cinematographer on the set of Rust in October 2021.

Hutchins parents and sister have hired high-profile Los Angeles attorney Gloria Allred to represent them in the civil action.

Baldwin was last month charged with involuntary manslaughter over the shooting of the 42-year-old.

Hutchins died after being struck by a live bullet at Bonanza Creek Ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe, New Mexico, on 21 October 2021. Joel Souza, the director of the film Rust, was also shot and injured but survived the incident.

Prosecutors in New Mexico have filed two felony charges of involuntary manslaughter against the actor, who allegedly pointed a gun at Hutchins that went off and fatally shot her.

Halyna Hutchins died after being shot on the set of Rust in October 2021 (Getty Images)

The films armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was also charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter, while first assistant director David Halls has agreed to plead guilty to the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon.

Baldwin, who is also a co-producer on the Western movie, told investigators that he was informed the gun was safe and has denied he pulled the trigger. An FBI report stated that the gun could not, however, have been fired unless the trigger of the .45-caliber revolver was pulled.

His attorney Luke Nikas did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Ms Allred said in a statement the family will reveal more details about the lawsuit at a press conference later on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Baldwins attorneys filed a motion seeking to disqualify the special prosecutor in the case against him.

Baldwins legal team said prosecutor Andrea Reebs position as a New Mexico state lawmaker should prohibit her from holding any authority in a judicial capacity.
It's almost that time of year for the sweet scent of soda bread to fill your kitchen and a cup of Irish coffee to put a spritely pep in your step. Anyone who has ever thrown a shamrockin' St. Patrick's Day party knows that the holiday has four central symbols: leprechauns, rainbows, pots of gold, and (drum roll)... shamrocks!

Or wait, are those clovers? The whole shamrock versus clover confusion plays out in so many aspects of the holiday, whether we notice it or not. They're often used interchangeably in DIY decorations and even as St. Patrick's Day accessories. But as many an Irish lad or las will tell you, there is indeed a distinct visual and symbolic difference between shamrocks and clovers. One of them has a special place in the history of St. Patrick's Day and religious lore about Saint Patrick. Here, we explain what that difference is and answer perhaps the biggest question of all. Which is lucky: shamrocks or clovers? 

Getty Images

Shamrock vs. clover: what's the difference?

All shamrocks are clovers, but not all clovers are shamrocks. How can that be, you ask? Clover is the common name for plants of the genus Trifolium (from the Latin tres 'three' + folium 'leaf'), which is comprised of about 300 species. As you might guess from the name, clovers typically have three leaves. Occasionally, though, clovers will grow four leaves.



So, the shamrock symbol is a typical clover with three leaves. St. Patrick's Day shamrocks are usually green, but clovers can also be purple, green, or white.

Shamrocks have been the unofficial national flower of Ireland for centuries, according to TIME. The patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick, used the shamrock as a symbol to explain the Holy Trinity when he was converting the Irish to Christianity. Or so the legend goes. Either way, three-leaf clovers are plentiful in the emerald isle, and it eventually became common practice to wear them for the holiday.

Which is lucky: shamrock or clover?

The shamrock carries religious ties, while the four-leaf clover is considered a sign of luck due to its exceeding rarity. In fact, around one out of 10,000 clovers have four leaves. If you want to find a four-leaf clover in addition to your St. Patrick's Day shamrocks, you better start searching ASAP!

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Three missing aspiring rappers found dead in an abandoned Michigan apartment complex last week were each shot multiple times, in what state police are describing as a targeted attack.

The bodies of Armani Kelly, 27, Montoya Givens, 31, and Dante Wicker, 31, were identified by the Wayne County Medical Examiners office on Friday afternoon, Michigan State police said.

RELATED: XXXTentacions Friend Testifies About Armed Robbery That Ended In Rapper's Murder

The three victims were found in the basement of an abandoned apartment complex on Thursday  near McNichols Road and Log Cabin St. in Highland Park  about eight miles outside of Detroit. State police said the bodies were in frozen conditions due to the weather, and added that the men were killed on the second floor of the apartment and dragged to the basement.

The investigation is continuing, and detectives are making progress and we believe we may have determined a motive, state police said in a tweet on Tuesday, but did not share what that motive may be. Police also tweeted the shooting was not a random incident.

Montoya Givens, Armani Kelly and Dante Wicker

Montoya Givens, Armani Kelly and Dante Wicker Photo: Missing in Michigan/Detroit Police Department

The search for the three men began after they were scheduled to perform at Lounge 31 in Detroit on Jan. 21, but the event was abruptly canceled, according to previous Oxygen.com reporting. Kelly told his fiancee the gig was canceled for an equipment issue, so he planned to hang out with others and look for open mic events, but then he stopped responding to texts, calls and Facebook messages after 7:30 p.m., according to the Detroit News. Police said Kelly had picked up Wicker and Givens on the way to the gig before it was canceled. Detroit Police Chief James White said all three of the mens cellphones were turned off around the same time that night, according to CBS News.

Kellys mother reported her son missing on Jan. 23 and was able to use OnStar to track his car to Warren, where it was found that day, according to Detroit Fox station WJBK. A 15-year-old boy was arrested for having Kellys vehicle, according to NBC News.

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There was no blood or anything of a nature that would lead us to believe they were either transported or murdered in that particular vehicle, Warren Police Commissioner William Dwyer told NBC News.

Alex Murdaugh listen to Creighton Waters in the double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh

Police said the vehicle had been moved a few times before they found it. The teen was charged with possession of burglary tools and concealing and receiving a stolen car, but police have not called him a person of interest in the murders, according to WJBK.

Police said the teenager told them a man had told him to pick up the car on Schoolcraft Road on Detroits west side, according to the Detroit News. Police got a warrant to search the mans house, and he was taken into custody for questioning. Officers looked at video from Project Green Light locations in Detroit and found a video of the man wearing gloves and cleaning out Kellys car.

Kellys fiancee told the Detroit News all three men had met in prison. In separate cases, Kelly and Wicker were convicted of armed robbery, while Givens was convicted of carjacking.

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Givens mother, Catina Fogle, told Detroit NBC station WDIV she didnt know why her son would be targeted  and he was getting his life back on track after prison.

I feel numb right now. I feel very numb. And Its sad that people is judging these boys for crimes they have already committed, Fogle told WDIV. What everybody is saying  its gang related  I dont know if its gang related or not. Im just taking precautions to protect my family."

Anyone with information that can help the investigation can contact 1-800-SPEAK.UP OR 1-855-MICH.TIP.
Nearly 23 million people have been affected.

On Feb. 6, 2023, a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey and Syria causing mass destruction.



As of today, Feb. 9, the death toll has passed 19,000, according to The New York Times, and has left hundreds of thousands of civilians homeless.



A three-month state of emergency has been approved by Turkey's parliament in the 10 provinces that were hit the hardest by the quake, and The United Nations has sent its first aid convoy into Syria as of this morning.



There are plenty of ways for people all around the world to come together to help the victims of this saddening disaster, including donating money to those in need through several humanitarian organizations.



According to NBC News, roughly 1.4 million children (and counting) have been affected by the earthquake. UNICEF is taking action to help children in need, along with Save the Children.



Everyone can donate to multiple medical care organizations, as nearly 22,168 people have been injured in Turkey, and 1,449 in Syria, including over 2,200 people in Syria's rebel-held territories.



The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is raising funds to support the Turkish Red Crescent and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent. Both are aiming to provide food, medical care, psychological support, and search and rescue efforts.

Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres is working with its local partners in northwestern Syria to support hospitals and donate emergency medical kits and blankets.

Islamic Reliefan organization that provides aid regardless of religionis providing emergency medical assistance, shelter, and cash grants to survivors in Turkey. The organization is also working to provide health and medical supplies to hospitals and clinics, and blankets and tents to survivors who have become homeless in Syria.



At least 600 victims in northwest Syria have been treated by The Syrian American Medical Society. The organization also stated that funds raised will support medical facilities in the area.



According to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, many civilians who were affected by the earthquakes were already relying on "humanitarian aid in areas where access is a challenge," and now those needs are higher than ever following the 7.7 quake.



Humanity and Inclusion has launched an emergency response to support disabled people who have been affected. The team is currently providing physical rehabilitation, mobility aids, and mental health support.



"We expect a huge need for rehabilitation care," said Myriam Abord-Hugon, who is the head of mission for Syria. "There are thousands of injured people, and many of these injuries may worsen or turn into permanent disabilities if they do not receive appropriate rehabilitation services. In addition, people have suffered significant trauma and will need psychosocial support."



International aid group CARE is providing food, shelter, hygiene kids, cold weather supplies, and cash assistance to survivors in both Syria and Turkey.



If you plan to donate money, be sure to check that the organizer is a credible source. CharityWatch and Charity Navigator provide ways to find trustworthy charities in the United States, while Charity Register and Ireland's Charities Regulator also provide similar forms of verification in the United Kingdom.

Donors can report organizations who they suspect may be fraudulently soliciting donations in the U.S. to the Justice Department's National Center for Disaster Fraud.



Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by the earthquake.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday evening appealed to the leaders of Germany and France for new weapons to aid Ukraine's fight against Russia, after making a similar plea to Britain's leaders earlier in the day.

Zelenskyy had begun the day with a surprise visit to the United Kingdom, addressing Parliament and meeting leaders, before flying to France to meet with with President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at Elysee Palace.

"The sooner Ukraine can get powerful long-range weapons, Emmanuel, the sooner our pilots can get modern aircraft, Olaf, the stronger our tank coalition is," Zelenskyy said. "I am grateful to you for having embarked on this path -- the sooner this Russian aggression will end and we will return a steadfast peace to Europe."

PHOTO: French President Emmanuel Macron, center, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, attend a joint press conference at the Elysee Palace, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023 in Paris. (Sarah Meyssonnier/AP)

The French and German leaders expressed their support for Ukraine's efforts, as leaders in the U.K. had done earlier in the day.

"In the same way we have went ahead with new military equipment deliveries over the last few weeks, we will continue our work," Macron said. "Tonight, we will talk together about the operational needs of Ukraine."

The Ukrainian leader arrived on Thursday in Brussels to attend a European Union summit.

Zelenskyy on Wednesday had British lawmakers spellbound as he addressed them from the steps of Westminster Hall during a rare international trip. His message was clear, thanking them for their support but pleading for fighter jets.

PHOTO: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and European Parliament's President Roberta Metsola shake hands before an EU summit at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. (Olivier Matthys/AP)

"The world needs your leadership, Britain, just as it needs Ukrainian bravery ... We have freedom. Give us wings to protect it."

MORE: Zelenskyy addresses Parliament in London as UK prepares to increase 'lethal aid,' military training

He then gave the Speaker of the House a Ukrainian air force pilot's helmet with that message written on it.

Saying his audience with the king would be "truly special," he noted, "The king was an Air Force pilot, and in Ukraine every Air Force pilot is a king."

PHOTO: Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, left, and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy walk up Downing Street ahead of their meeting in London, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. (Victoria Jones/AP)

"Because they are so few, they are so precious that we, the servants of our kings, do everything possible and impossible to make the world provide us with modern planes to empower and protect pilots who will be protecting us."

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"I will be leaving parliament today, thanking you in advance for powerful English planes," Zelenskyy concluded his speech.

MORE: Russia-Ukraine live updates

Dmitry Peskov, Putin's press secretary, was asked what Russia's reaction would be if the U.K., Germany or France supplied more advanced weapons to Ukraine, according to Interfax, an official Russian news agency.

"We perceive this as a growing involvement of the U.K., Germany, and France in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine," Peskov said on Thursday. "The borderline between indirect and direct involvement is gradually vanishing."

He said that Putin's office expressed "regret" and described the situation as "an escalation of tensions."

The decision to send more weapons could "make this conflict more painful and tormenting for Ukraine," Peskov said, according to Interfax.

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had announced that the U.K. would be the first Western country to train Ukrainian pilots.

"As part of today's talks, the Prime Minister will offer to bolster the UK's training offer for Ukrainian troops, including expanding it to fighter jet pilots to ensure Ukraine can defend its skies well into the future," Downing Street said in a statement.

"The training will ensure pilots are able to fly sophisticated NATO-standard fighter jets in the future."

Zelenskyy has long been asking his Western allies for fighter jets. President Joe Biden told reporters last month the United States would not be sending F-16s, but France and Poland have indicated they are open to the possibility.

During his speech to a crowded hall in London, Zelenskyy thanked former Prime Minister Boris Johnson personally, saying, "London has stood with Kyiv since day one, from the first seconds and minutes of the full-scale war. Great Britain, you extended your helping hand when the world had not yet come to understand how to react."

"Boris: you got others united when it seemed absolutely impossible. Thank you," Zelenskyy said.

PHOTO: French President Emmanuel Macron, left, welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Elysee Palace before a working diner with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023 in Paris. (Lewis Joly/AP)

Johnson, who was among the lawmakers standing shoulder to shoulder as they listened to the Ukrainian leader, posted a video of Zelenskyy's speech on Twitter, saying, "Your powerful and passionate appeal must be heard. There is nothing to be lost and everything to be gained by sending planes now."

Macron in France presented Zelenskyy with a Legion of Honor during his visit to the Elysee Palace on Wednesday evening.

A video showing Macron giving Zelenskyy the medal was posted to Macron's official Twitter account, with the caption: "Tribute to Ukraine and its people. Tribute to you, dear Volodymyr, for your courage and commitment."

-ABC News' Ibtissem Guenfoud, William Gretsky and Ellie Kaufman contributed to this report.

Zelenskyy appeals for new weapons from France, Germany, UK in face-to-face meetings originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Alec Baldwin in Mission: Impossible: Fallout

On October 21, 2021, on the set of the movie Rust at the Bonanza Creek Ranch in New Mexico, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot from a live round that ended up in a prop gun being used by lead actor Alec Baldwin. The investigation into Hutchins death concluded last month, and on January 31, Baldwin and Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed were officially charged with two counts of manslaughter. Now words come in that Baldwin may face an extra five years in prison due to a new law thats been passed as this shooting case progresses.

In addition to the involuntary manslaughter charge against him, Alec Baldwin is now facing a firearm enhancement charge from New Mexico prosecutors, which carries with it a five-year penalty for discharge of a firearm in the course of a felony, as reported by Variety. However, the enhancement didnt become incorporated into New Mexico law until May 2022, seven months after Halyna Hutchins was killed. As such, its unclear if a judge will allow this to be applied to Baldwin during the forthcoming trial.

As such, First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies and her appointed special prosecutor, Andrea Reeb, are looking into the issue. Hannah Gutierrez Reed is also facing the firearm enhancement charge, and her attorney, Jason Bowles, claims that the New Mexico D.A.s office has clearly charged an enhancement that is barred by the constitution and ex post facto law. When the shooting on the Rust set occurred in late 2021, New Mexico law did allow for a three-year enhancement for brandishing a firearm during the course of a felony, but brandish was specifically defined as requiring intent to intimidate or injure a person.

The involuntary manslaughter charges that Alec Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez Reed are each facing carry a prison sentence of up to 18 months. As such, if both that charge and the firearm enhancement were to stick, they would be facing a maximum of up to six and a half years in prison. Baldwin and Reed are set to make their initial court appearances virtually on February 24, but Baldwins attorneys have already filed a motion to disqualify Andrea Reeb, arguing that her appointment as the cases special prosector violates the separation of powers provision in the state constitution since she was elected to New Mexicos House of Representatives last November.

Amidst all the latest developments in the Rust shooting case, although Alec Baldwin is reportedly prepared for all outcomes, hes also been described as distraught, though he and his wife are doing their best to stay strong for their children. As far as Rust itself goes, it was set to resume filming in January, but because of the charges filed against Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the production remains paused. In April 2022, the movie was fined $136,793, the maximum fine allowed by New Mexico state law.

We here at CinemaBlend will continue to pass along updates on where things stand with Alec Baldwin in the Rust shooting case. Among the actors other projects are two movies, Supercell and 97 Minutes, but neither have been dated for the 2023 release schedule.
Karen Sturges was knitting five baby sweaters, one for each grandchild's future baby, when she was suddenly diagnosed with lymphoma. She did not have much longer to live.

As she dealt with the devastation of the diagnosis, one thing kept coming up.

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"The thing that she was most worried about was finishing these sweaters," said her daughter Annie Gatewood, 53. "She was just distraught that she didn't think she was going to be able to finish."

Sturges worked on them until four days before she died in 2021. Gatewood and her sister held on to the two remaining unfinished sweaters, not sure what they would do. Neither one knew how to knit.

Then in the late summer of 2022, Gatewood, who lives in Harpswell, Maine, was matched with a "finisher" in Portland, Maine, named Sarah deDoes - now one of more than 1,000 volunteers who complete unfinished fiber arts projects for grieving loved ones through a group called Loose Ends.

Sarah deDoes finished knitting the two tiny sweaters, then handed them off to Gatewood in late October. The two met at deDoes's home in Portland.

"I saw her and burst into tears, because she looks like my mom," Gatewood said, explaining their similar look and manner, and that they were both of Danish descent.

The sweaters - soft, white acrylic wool with little owls across the front - were expertly knitted.

"We know for sure my mom would have been just delighted," Gatewood said.

A lifetime knitter, deDoes, 86, said she took on the project because she understood the importance of it.

"Because of my age, I feel more closely involved in how a family would feel. I can sort of put myself on the other side," she said. "I couldn't help but think about how I would feel if I couldn't finish a project and someone was willing to take it over."

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In fact, those sweaters inspired deDoes to start her own project for future great-grandchildren. "I just feel comfortable now knowing that if I can't finish it then someone else will."

The growing roster of Loose Ends volunteers is made up of crafters from around the world with diverse fiber arts skills ranging from quilting to amigurumi.

It was started in September by friends Masey Kaplan and Jen Simonic, who like to call themselves matchmakers.

Kaplan, 53, of Falmouth, Maine, and Simonic, 52, of Seattle are avid knitters and know firsthand what it's like to have friends reach out about finishing a pair of mittens or a scarf or some other handmade item left behind by deceased loved ones. And they know firsthand just how much time and care it will take to complete.

"Making something with your hands for someone is an expression of love," said Kaplan, "and when I finish things and give them to people, I want them to know that I love them, and I was making this especially for them. I want them to feel that."

It is that feeling that drove the longtime friends to create the Loose Ends website, and put a call out for volunteers and unfinished projects. The projects must be left behind by a loved one who is deceased or unable to complete the handwork due to illness or disability.

There is no payment to have a project completed. The only cost is postage, though with more and more volunteers joining, Kaplan and Simonic are often able to make local matches, so postage is not necessary.

"We're connecting projects to a stranger who feels the same way, who will complete that gesture of love for another stranger," said Kaplan, "so that the person who is grieving will get to experience that feeling we [crafters] know is important."

As soon as Eugenia Opuda, 33, of Portland, Maine, heard about Loose Ends, she signed up as a finisher.

"I love that name," Opuda said. "It just sounds so dramatic like a superhero. 'The Finisher!'"

She is crocheting a large navy blue blanket for someone in Portland, Ore., whose mother passed away.

The blanket was one of three the mother was working on throughout her cancer treatments, and although the stitches are inconsistent, the children wanted to keep every stitch their mother made.

"They didn't want to lose that piece of their mom when she was working on it at the hospital," said Opuda, so she added a stitch marker to the blanket to show where her stitches began. That way the family would know which part of the blanket their mother's hands had touched.

"Something that non-crafters don't really know is just how much time something takes, especially like a blanket. And knowing that even through her illness and all the pain and challenges, she still managed to make so much progress. I didn't want her kids to lose that."

When the blanket is finished, Opuda said the only thing she hopes the recipient knows is just how much their mom loved them.

The tenderness finishers have for the project holders is what creates such meaning, and that - for Kaplan and Simonic - is the most important part.

"The thing that connects [the finisher and the project holder] is this handmade object, and somebody's ability to say in their grief 'Hey, I need some help finishing this' and somebody's ability to say, 'I can fill that blanket-shaped hole in your heart right now,'" said Simonic.

"It's the reverence held between the crafter who understands it, and the person who is living with grief, whether it's been 24 hours, two months or 40 years," said Kaplan.

This deep respect for another crafter's work is what motivated Valerie Thornburg, 37, of Lynden, Wash., to persevere with the project she volunteered for. The project holder told Thornburg his wife had been learning to knit and had been knitting through medical treatments until she no longer could.

"She intended to make this scarf for her husband, but there were different plans for her life," said Thornburg.

There was no pattern in the package of materials left behind, so it took Thornburg some time researching patterns and learning new stitches to replicate the work.

"You have thousands and thousands of stitches that pass through your fingers, and a lot of love goes into each of those," said Thornburg. "You can see she was a newer knitter and she was learning. I just think of all that love in those stitches that aren't perfect."

In knitting, there is a term called lifeline, which is when a piece of yarn is threaded through a row of stitches as a preventive measure so that if you must unravel, the stitches are kept safe. Thornburg has been knitting for 18 years and doesn't use lifelines anymore, but she made an exception for this project.

"I can't lose her stitches. The most important thing for me is that I'm able to keep her work exactly as it was."

Thornburg's plan is to mark the lifeline in the scarf in a more permanent way. She has a few ideas and will run them by the project holder so he can choose, but she said, "perhaps a little red heart will do."

Kaplan and Simonic say their hope is that not only do more volunteers sign up, but that more and more people submit unfinished pieces to Loose Ends.

For Gatewood, giving her late mother's knitting project to a stranger was a bit unnerving. But in retrospect, she said, "I had to give up and let go, which was, in and of itself, a healing thing. And then it came back to me 100 fold."

Volunteer finishers are in 23 countries and counting, and they represent a wide range of ages, religions, nationalities and political affiliations. The common thread, according to Kaplan and Simonic, is empathy and extreme generosity.

"We all experience pain, and we all experience grief," said Simonic. "You don't know what someone's going through on a day-to-day basis that's going to make them give up, but I do know these little acts of kindness make people realize there are people out there willing to help."

"It's a hurting and divided world," said Kaplan, "and this is a tiny way to start to mend it."

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Darrius Stewart, 19, was fatally shot by former Memphis, Tennessee, police officer Connor Schilling in 2015. His family wants his case reopened.

Darrius Stewart, 19, was fatally shot by former Memphis, Tennessee, police officer Connor Schilling in 2015. His family wants his case reopened.

MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Nyliayh Stewart said she did everything with her cousin Darrius Stewart. They grew up together in the same house and went to the same schools starting in day care  the two even had the same second-grade teacher.

She remembered her cousin as sweet and kind-hearted, and she said all his friends would say the same thing about him.

Every memory would be my favorite memory, she told HuffPost.

Nearly eight years ago, Darrius Stewart was in a car that was pulled over by a white Memphis police officer. He was sitting in the back passenger seat. The officer, Connor Schilling, asked for everyones identification in the vehicle and found two active warrants against Stewart.

Police placed the 19-year-old in the back of a patrol car but did not handcuff him.

Police accused him of kicking the patrol car door open and attacking Schilling. After a struggle, Schilling shot Stewart, who died. A Tennessee Bureau of Investigations report found several witnesses disputing Schillings claim about the struggle before the shooting.Stewart was unarmed during the entire encounter.

Amy Weirich, who was Shelby County district attorney at the time, presented a manslaughter case against Schilling to a grand jury, but it declined to indict the officer. The United States Justice Department launched a federal investigation into the shooting but found insufficient evidence for civil rights violations. In 2016, Stewarts family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Memphis and Schilling, but a judge severed the city from the suit due to a lack of evidence that city policies led to his death. In 2020, the family filed another $17 million dollar lawsuit against Schilling alone, which remains ongoing.

The Stewart family, like others in Memphis, has been fighting for justice in cases of police violence for years  and the death of Tyre Nichols has energized their push for accountability. Among other things, they want Shelby Countys new district attorney, Steve Mulroy, to reexamine their loved ones cases.

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This Has Been Happening

Mulroys office told the Stewart family last week that he had staff members looking into the case.

But vague promises wont be enough for some of the forgotten families of Memphis police violence victims. Some gathered in the city on Saturday with other protesters, who blocked off streets near the downtown area.

John Perry was among them. Police shot and killed his son Jaylin McKenzie late last year. Perry told HuffPost he buried his son in Atlanta on Jan. 6  one day before Nichols died.

The initial police report says officers responded to a suspicious vehicle in a parking lot but never specified the reason for stopping it, nor what officers found suspicious. Authorities claim the driver, a friend of McKenzie, attempted to flee from the officers but ended up crashing into a nearby pole. Four men, including McKenzie, then fled from the car.

The suspect turned and fired at officers, and one officer returned fire, striking the subject, the police account said. But the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, which is probing the shooting at Mulroys request, did not assert that McKenzie shot first when it released its initial account of what happened. One officer and the subject exchanged gunfire, resulting in the death of the individual, the bureaus statement read.

Perry said police have not given him any details and that they understand what happened. He said he has also asked Memphis police why officers stopped his son but has not received an answer. He also does not know the name of the officer involved yet.

John Perry holds a program for his son, Jaylin McKenzie, who was buried just a day before Tyre Nichols died in police custody. McKenzie was fatally shot by Memphis police last year.

John Perry holds a program for his son, Jaylin McKenzie, who was buried just a day before Tyre Nichols died in police custody. McKenzie was fatally shot by Memphis police last year.

It was never a fair fight and it is still not a fair fight. With the cops, it is not a fair fight, Perry told HuffPost.

Perry said his son was not from Memphis and lived in Georgia with his mother. The police called McKenzies mother telling her that her son was shot. Perry said he had just seen him earlier in the day.

He attended Saturdays protest surrounded by his other sons as they held up a memorial poster for McKenzie in the street. It was one of several protests Perry has attended since the death of Nichols.

Most of the time I wake up crying. I really dont get any sleep because I dont have any answers, he said.

Janice Banks was also there. Her son, Martavious Banks, a Black man, was shot and critically injured by former police officer Jamarcus Jeames in 2018 after a traffic stop. Weirich, the former DA, never charged Jeames even after the department found he had violated body camera policies by not having his camera operating on the scene during the shooting.

Martavious Banks spent nearly five months in jail after the incident but was released in August 2019. Following a civil lawsuit, his family was awarded $200,000 after initially seeking $10 million. Jeames resigned from the department after the shooting and the other officers involved were suspended with pay.

When I saw that picture of Tyre Nichols in the hospital, I had flashbacks.Janice Banks, mother of Martavious Banks

Janice Banks protested for nearly two weeks straight in South Memphis in 2018 near the area where her son was shot and along the strip of Elvis Presley Boulevard.

It has been nearly five years since the incident, and he still suffers from emotional trauma, she told HuffPost. She saw the picture of Nichols on his hospital bed, she remembered what police did to her son.

When I saw that picture of Tyre Nichols in the hospital, I had flashbacks, she told HuffPost.

Banks said officers shot her son real reckless and that he was beaten, too. She told HuffPost he was kicked in the top of his head and his teeth were knocked out of his mouth.

I dont think that my son got justice. The officers involved in the shooting should have gotten jail time. Amy Weirich was the DA at the time of my sons shooting and she did not bring any charges or justification for any officer involved, she said.

They should have put charges on him since he [Jeames] resigned. He got away scot-free, if you ask me. They are dirty, they are low-down and they commit serious crimes under these badges.

Nyliayh Stewart poses with her cousin Darrius Stewart.

Nyliayh Stewart poses with her cousin Darrius Stewart.

Stewart said she remembered when Memphis police killed Steven Askew, a Black man, in 2013 after firing over 20 shots. Officers accused Askew of firing his gun but then changed their story, saying he only pointed a gun toward them.

The quest for justice should have started then, she told HuffPost.

And Memphis also saw outrage when U.S. marshals fatally shot Brandon Webber in his mothers driveway in 2019. It occurred just months after Terrence Carltons family filed a wrongful death lawsuit after he was fatally shot by police in the city.

If they would have focused on it then, then my cousin would not have been killed, and this boy [Tyre Nichols] wouldnt have been killed. And it is now like with this case going worldwide, people want to look into Memphis, but this has been happening, people have been saying that this is happening, Stewart told HuffPost.

Mulroys Justice Review Unit

When Mulroy took office, he established the Justice Review Unit, an entity that is independent from the police and reports directly to the district attorneys office.

The mission of the unit is to review and reexamine cases of police violence in Shelby County.

This unit was long overdue in the eyes of Janice Banks, Nyliayh Stewart and many other families who suffered from Memphis police violence  but it may not open up cases of past controversial police shootings.

Our office has not determined if we will be looking into past cases of the charged officers, Erica Williams, a spokesperson for the office, told HuffPost. Our Justice Review Unit reviews officer-involved incidents that have occurred since the unit was formed last year.

Nyliayh Stewart said she had reached out to Mulroys office and that he had told her he had a team to look into her cousins death, but there was no other follow-up. She believes all police shootings should be reinvestigated now that Nichols case has been brought before the Department of Justice and has positioned Memphis in the national spotlight.

All of that should be investigated, but that is a long shot, asking them to do that, Nyliayh Stewart said.

If you already had a team that was looking into this case, you didnt think to reach out to my aunt or the family of Darrius Stewart and say, Im sorry this is going on, this is an ongoing problem and it did not start with Tyre.
exterior of a home in Utah with police crime tape in the foreground

Police continue their investigation at a home where eight family members were found dead in Enoch, Utah, on Jan. 5, 2023. Officials said Michael Haight, 42, took his own life after killing his wife, mother-in-law and the couple's five children. Credit - Sam MetzAP

In January 2023, in the space of about two weeks, there were five markedly similar mass murders. Each featured gun violence, and in each the victims included at least one child and one woman. In four of the five events, the shooter took his own life. And in every case the killer was a relative, usually the father, of the children he murdered. In the most horrifying of these events, a Utah man shot and killed his seven children, his wife and then himself, after she filed for divorceand after he removed all the guns from their home.

These family murders are by far the most common type of fatal mass shootings in the U.S., by some counts comprising 41% of all mass shootings since 2006, by others happening on average every three and a half weeks in the last two decades. Perhaps because the gunmen in these crimes are not usually considered to be an immediate threat to the general public, they get less media attention than other multiple-shooting incidents. Until recently federal law prohibited anyone who has a restraining order or a domestic-violence conviction from owning a gun.

That changed in the first week of February, when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued a ruling that it was unconstitutional to deprive those under restraining orders of their guns. The ruling overturned the conviction of a man who participated in five shootings in December 2020 and January 2021 while under such an order. The three-judge panel relied on a 2022 Supreme Court ruling, known as Bruen, which said that gun restrictions are only constitutional if they have historical analogues. Even though the Fifth Circuit judges acknowledged that the gun laws were meant to protect vulnerable people in our society, they said the Department of Justice fail[ed] to demonstrate that [the laws] restriction of the Second Amendment right fits within our Nations historical tradition of firearm regulation.

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Read More: Owning Guns Puts People in Your Home at Greater Risk of Being Killed, a New Study Shows

Domestic-violence organizations were outraged, especially those in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, which do not have state laws that prohibit domestic-abuse perpetrators from owning weapons. Restricting adjudicated domestic-violence offenders from having access to a gun just seems so common sense, says Ruth Glenn, the CEO and president of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. To have an entity do what they did was shocking, appalling. For victims and survivors, particularly in those states, the risk has just been escalated.

In Texas, Kathryn Jacob, the president of the Arlington-based SafeHaven survivors advocacy agency, called the ruling disheartening and told the Fort Worth Star Telegram that it makes our mission even more challenging. The Texas Council on Family Violence noted that the number of women murdered by an intimate partner in Texas had doubled in the last 10 years. But partners do not have to kill anyone for a gun to imperil families. [Men] dont necessarily have to fire the gun to intimidate, harass, scare [their partners], notes Glenn. Just the presence of a gun is terrifying enoughit can be very debilitating and frightening. Domestic violence is already estimated to be one of the most underreported crime in the U.S., and advocates suggest that the overturning of restrictions against gun ownership will make women even less likely to speak out and seek help.

Its not clear that any of the five incidents in January would have been averted by the laws, since police have not yet revealed if any of the men were under domestic-violence orders. Nevertheless the killings had a dismaying air of preventability. Very few of them came completely out of the blue. The killer in Utah had previously been investigated for child abuse. The man who shot his wife and three kids in North Carolina had previously been involuntarily committed to a mental institution. In Tennessee, the husband allegedly killed his wife with blunt trauma first, and then shot his two sons, ages 9 and 11, and himself, several weeks later after police tracked him down. In Cleveland, the man accused of killing his father, sister, brother-in-law, and 16-year-old nephew and critically wounding his 8-year-old niece, had a history of weapons crimes. (He was the one who flagged down cops to tell them what he did, according to police, but has pleaded not guilty to charges including aggravated murder and attempted murder.) In Michigan, the woman who was murdered was reportedly preparing to leave the father of her children because of his controlling behavior, when he shot and killed her and their two daughters, 14 and 10, and then himself.

Read More: How Gunmakers May Benefit From Mass Shootings

Most of the killers telegraphed that they posed a risk to those around them, but still got hold of a gun. We do have an enforcement problem, absolutely, says Glenn, of the existing laws. But if were spending our time to justify why firearms should be removed from perpetrators of domestic violence, then our energy is being placed there rather than helping communities figure out how to enforce.

Keeping guns from the hands of domestic abusers is one of the few policies on which gun advocates on both sides of the debate find any kind of consensus. According to the Rand Corporations studies, gun-policy experts who favor more liberal laws around firearms and those who want more restrictions both believe that curbs associated with domestic-violence orders would lower deadly shootings in the U.S. (They disagree as to how much.) The National Rifle Associations social media feed, which is usually quick to trumpet all victories for Second Amendment rights, has remained quiet on the Fifth Circuits decision. In Glenns experience, legislators on both sides of the aisle support keeping firearms out of the hands of those with restraining orders. When it comes to domestic violence, firearms, and violence against women, it can become very bipartisan, says Glenn. The problem is, as in this instance, the lower court.

Domestic-violence experts also point to a demonstrable link between perpetrators of domestic violence and later shooting rampages, suggesting that the implications of the loss of restrictions ripple out way beyond families. Many workplace and school shootings, such as the one in a San Bernardino, Calif., school in 2017, stem from domestic disputes. And studies suggest almost 70% of fatal mass shootings are carried out by someone with a history of domestic violence. An Illinois man who killed six co-workers at a warehouse in Aurora in 2019 had two prior restraining orders from an old girlfriend. Before shooting at Rep. Steve Scalise and others at a Congressional baseball game in 2017, the gunman had been arrested for hitting and choking his daughter and shooting at her friends boyfriend. And less than two hours after a Kansas man was served with a restraining order by an ex in 2016, he shot 14 co-workers at a lawnmower factory, killing three of them.

The Justice Department has said it will seek further review of the Fifth Circuits contrary decision.
One of the newest historical plaques in North Carolina is planted in the grass just a few yards off a neighborhood street in Raleigh. "Holt Family," it announces.

Joe Holt Jr. was 14 when his parents sued to get him admitted to a White high school. Although the Supreme Court had outlawed racially segregated public education two years before, local officials refused to comply. The African American family endured death threats. People shunned them. His father lost his job.

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"When that pole went in, it just elevated my soul so much," said Holt, who ultimately graduated from a Black high school just as Raleigh was integrating its first campus. The retired Air Force colonel waited 65 years to have his parents' courage honored and their story noted as an important part of history. "Now a marker is standing there validated by an agency of the state of North Carolina."

Hundreds of such stories are being unearthed and highlighted across the South in what amounts to a second stage of the civil rights movement - an effort to save places before they disappear and pay tribute to events before key individuals are gone.

The engine driving much of this movement is tourism. After decades of shame and political opposition to acknowledging the past, Southern states and cities are rushing, even competing, to create "civil rights trails" and highlight what happened along them. The pull of tourist dollars is so powerful that efforts by conservative politicians to limit what educators can teach about racism have had no discernible effect.

"The answer to that is politics and economics," said Hasan Jeffries, a history professor at Ohio State University who was the lead scholar in the renovation of the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis. Simply put, legislatures like the money spent by those tourists. "Civil rights have not really been targeted."

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In Farmville, Va., which closed its schools in 1959 rather than desegregate them, the Moton Museum tells the story of Barbara Johns and the student strike she led there. A local marker to the Black teenager's activism was erected only in 2021.

Even after an executive order issued by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) to end "the use of inherently divisive concepts" in the state's public schools, field trips brought thousands of students to the museum last year. "We have continued to be focused on doing what we do, regardless of the noise that might be out there," Moton Museum executive director Cameron Patterson said.

States from Oklahoma to Florida to Maryland have erected or have planned more than 500 civil rights markers in the past five years, according to an analysis of the Historical Marker Database. The civil rights markers detail endeavors of Black Americans that had been overshadowed by the narratives around Rosa Parks, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and other prominent figures, underscoring that countless acts of bravery, small and large, were what finally defeated Jim Crow.

The Holt sign in Raleigh - standing just north of where the family's house once stood on Oberlin Road - is part of the North Carolina Civil Rights Trail. The project is led by the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission, which is considering places where sit-ins, strikes and rallies were held, churches where people organized, homes of individuals whose determination made a difference. Its director expects to have 50 markers in place by the end of this year.

"Scholars describe it as the long civil rights movement," said Glenn Eskew, a history professor at Georgia State University. After major national legislative and judicial reforms, "every community had to go through this transition because white supremacy and segregation existed everywhere. And Southerners did it. It was a slow process, but Black and White who had lived together from the beginning worked their way through it."

The commemorating of sites began after King's assassination in 1968, but the recent impetus for establishing trails and erecting plaques was the opening of major African American museums - in Memphis (2014), D.C. (2016) and Montgomery, Ala. (2018) - as well as President Barack Obama's two terms, Black Lives Matter, the removal of Confederate memorials and the 50th anniversaries of civil rights milestones.

In many places, markers stand before dilapidated or empty structures threatened by lack of interest, said Phillip Howard, who manages the Conservation Fund's Forgotten Civil Rights People and Places Program. He cited the Birmingham home of Arthur Shores, the lawyer who integrated the University of Alabama and whose house was bombed twice.

Shores's elderly daughter still lives in the house but needs help to preserve it. "No one has thought it was important enough to save," Howard said.

Ironically, the establishing of civil rights trails began under Alabama Gov. George Wallace. In 1982, after apologizing for his once-vehement segregationist views, he won a fourth term as governor thanks to Black voters. His tourism director, a former reporter who had witnessed the aftermath of the deadly bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham in 1963, asked for permission to create a Black heritage brochure. It was the first state-produced African American tourism guide.

When Lee Sentell became the state's tourism director in 2003, he expanded the guide to 40 sites and renamed it the Alabama Civil Rights Trail.

"I knew that Alabama's image because of the civil rights movement was not a positive. But I felt that courageous Black people and a few White people had helped transform the history of this country," Sentell recounted recently. "I wanted to market these people to show their courage and their heroism."

Traveling a trail can be life-changing, said Todd Allen, the vice president for diversity affairs at Messiah University in Pennsylvania, who has led civil rights tours for 22 years.

"I've watched the films and read books forever about the Edmund Pettus Bridge and Bloody Sunday," Allen said, "but standing on the apex of that bridge myself for the first time, and thinking about what they would have seen in 1965, and the courage that it took to continue marching forward - I've known people who, as a result of that experience, vowed to never miss an election."

As Alabama's civil rights tourism became the envy of neighboring states, Sentell proposed that Travel South, a consortium of 15 state travel directors, create the United States Civil Rights Trail under the tag line: "What happened here changed the world."

The project was launched in 2018 with 120 museums, schools, lunch counters and other sites chosen by Eskew and fellow scholars. Before the coronavirus pandemic, Sentell estimated, 5 million people visited landmarks on the U.S. trail annually and spent $725 million.

Alabama's effort also spawned more than 20 state and local trails with more than 900 sites. When those are combined with the U.S. trail, more than 1,000 civil rights sites have been marked, rivaling the 1,200 that are part of the Civil War Trails organization encompassing six states.

When newly elected Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser (R) heard about Alabama's trail in a briefing in 2019, "I leaned over to my tourism director and said, 'Do we have a civil rights trip?' He said, 'I don't think so.'"

Within a year, Nungesser had formed a team to collect and record civil rights stories across the state. "We wanted the story to come from the people that lived it," he said. "I was in awe - story after story that people didn't know, that I wasn't taught in school."

Louisiana's Civil Rights Trail now has eight markers, with another seven planned to go up this year. They feature a QR code that on smartphones triggers recorded stories about events on the spot where they occurred.

One marker pays tribute to the three Black children who integrated McDonogh 19 Elementary School in New Orleans in 1960.

"You walk up to the pole, and you hit that scan with your phone and you can hear from Leona Tate," Nungesser explained. "And she says, 'Mom, I saw police on horseback. Why do I got to go to school during a Mardi Gras parade? And she says, 'Oh no, honey. This ain't no parade. Keep your head down.'"

"When you can hear the words," Nungesser added, "if you don't get goose bumps, or a chill in your heart . . ."

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Republican Rep. George Santos of New York at the State of the Union address on February 7, 2023. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images

The House Ethics Committee could investigate George Santos over his alleged malfeasance.

But experts say the slow-moving panel likely won't drop the hammer on the scandal-plagued lawmaker.

Santos is more likely to face an indictment from law enforcement authorities outside Congress.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, facing ongoing questions about Rep. George Santos, has seemingly identified the House Committee on Ethics as the arbiter of the scandal-plagued New York Republican's fate.

"If ethics finds something, we'll take action," the speaker told CNN on Tuesday, referring to the panel chaired by Republican Rep. Michael Guest of Mississippi. "Right now, we're not allowing him to be on committees from the standpoint of the questions that have arisen."

Earlier this week, McCarthy appeared to confirm that the committee was already investigating Santos, only for an aide to later walk back the Speaker's remarks; the committee has yet to fully organize itself.

But ethics experts warn that the evenly-divided committee  composed of five Republicans and five Democrats  is unlikely to move swiftly or even take significant action on Santos.

"This is like having your brother-in-law be the judge," said Daniel Schuman, policy director at Demand Progress and a government transparency and ethics advocate.

Experts warn that the committee, which is tasked with regulating the ethical conduct of House members and investigating instances of wrongdoing, is severely hobbled by the mere fact that it operates within the context of a highly political body. Decisions are often made at the behest of party leadership, and lawmakers are hesitant to move against colleagues whose vote they may need down the line.

That's where the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE)  a separate investigative entity run by a non-partisan staff  could step in.

Several groups have already filed complaints with the office, which was established in 2008 precisely because members of Congress were failing to adequately investigate one another due to a kind of "detente" that existed between the parties when it came to ethics, according to Schuman.

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But House Republicans recently passed a set of rule changes that hobbled OCE, making it more difficult for them to hire new staff. Ironically, Santos told Insider in January that he thought the rules package was "fantastic," defending the changes.

But despite these challenges, Santos still faces a range of investigations from law enforcement authorities outside of Congress, including federal investigations into his campaign finances and his role in an alleged charity fraud scheme involving a dying dog, along with a recently-revived fraud case in Brazil and a variety of other state and local investigations.

Ultimately, experts say that Santos is more likely to face accountability from entities outside of Congress than those within.

And the Department of Justice could simply ask both the Ethics Committee and OCE to stand down, as they've already reportedly done with the Federal Election Commission.

Meredith McGehee, an ethics expert who's worked at both Issue One and the Campaign Legal Center, suggested that the committee  "known for its slow-walking"  is probably "keeping their fingers crossed" that the Department moves against Santos first.

The 'built-in conflict' of members policing members

With lawmakers asked to investigate other lawmakers  in this case, one whose vote is especially needed for the Republican majority in a closely-divided House chamber  members of the same party have a strong incentive to give the benefit of the doubt to the target of an investigation.

"That's the built-in conflict," said McGehee. "They need Santos's vote, and so far, he has proven to be a loyal soldier."

The committee is evenly split between the parties, but a majority vote is required to open an investigation. In practice, it means any investigation into a lawmaker needs the sign-off of that person's party.

"Even though the members may strive to be fair, ultimately, the partisan composition and lack of independence mean that they will still be  to some extent  responsive to what their leadership wants," said Schuman.

Thus McCarthy, despite his stated willingness to let the process play out, has more control over that same process than is immediately evident. Schuman pointed to the Ethics Committee's admonishment of former Rep. Madison Cawthorn, who had fallen out of favor with McCarthy, as a key example of leadership allowing a legitimate investigation to move forward due to political considerations.

"The bottom line is that Santos will only be punished to the extent to which leadership and the Republicans are willing to let him be punished," said Schuman.

'More serious investigation'

But party leadership can't protect Santos forever.

The Justice Department has reportedly told the FEC to hold off on any enforcement action as it investigates Santos' campaign finances, signaling an active criminal probe.

And the OCE, despite the new challenges it faces, can still pursue its own investigation of Santos.

The office frequently makes preliminary investigations of complaints against members of Congress, making a referral to the House Ethics Committee if they determine the offense to warrant further inquiry. That recently happened with Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, who now faces an ethics investigation related to her attendance at the 2021 Met Gala.

At the very least, it allows facts uncovered by investigators to come to light, rather than be suppressed for political reasons.

Kedrick Payne, the senior director for ethics at the Campaign Legal Center and the one-time deputy chief counsel of OCE, said the office would likely conduct a "more serious investigation" of Santos than the Ethics Committee, which could simply choose to focus on improprieties in the congressman's financial disclosures.

Santos walking through a tunnel beneath the Capitol on Wednesday. Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images

"The committee, as a general matter, does not like to be aggressive with investigations," said Payne. "That's why the OCE was created."

Schuman said that though it remains to be seen how OCE performs in the coming weeks given the changes, the harm lies with the message sent by changing the rules. "They're sending a message to the OCE staff that unless you do what we want, we're going to come for you," he said.

But Santos may eventually face a criminal indictment, and eventually a conviction.

If what's past is prologue, a conviction would be the point at which McCarthy would actively urge Santos to resign.

"When someone's convicted, it's time to resign," said McCarthy after Republican Rep. Fortenberry was convicted of lying to the FBI in March of last year.

The Nebraska congressman announced his resignation the following day.

Read the original article on Business Insider
WASHINGTON  The House Oversight and Accountability Committee continues widening its investigation into Hunter Biden with new document requests Thursday, but a lawyer for the presidents son responded by calling the inquiry illegitimate and calling for a criminal investigation of his laptop.

Hunter Biden laptop story enflames House lawmakers: 7 takeaways from Twitter hearing

Hunter Biden's lawyer responds: 'Inaccurate and baseless'

But Hunter Bidens lawyer, Abbe Lowell, replied that the committee request was illegitimate for pursuing a private citizen and had no valid legislative function.

Peddling your own inaccurate and baseless conclusions under the guise of a real investigation, turns the Committee into Wonderland and you into the Queen of Hearts shouting, sentence first, verdict afterwards, Lowell wrote in a four-page letter to Comer.

Joe Biden: Investigation 'not going to go very far'

Hunter Biden

Joe Biden dismissed the inquiry.

The publics not going to pay attention to that, Biden told the PBS NewsHour on Wednesday. If the only thing they can do is make up things about my family, its not going to go very far.

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Comers latest document request followed a six-hour hearing Wednesday about Twitter stifling news coverage of Hunter Bidens laptop, which contained information about foreign business deals.

The hearing and document requests are part of wide-ranging House Republican investigations into the president and his son about potential corruption stemming from Hunter Bidens business deals in Ukraine and China.

Hunter Biden's lawyers want investigation into Trump allies over how laptop information spread

Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-MD., left, and Rep. James Comer, R-KY., are seen during the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability hearing on Protecting Speech from Government Interference and Social Media Bias, Part 1: Twitters Role in Suppressing the Biden Laptop Story," on Feb. 8, 2023 in Washington.

Lowell has challenged the use of information from the laptop as a potential criminal violation. Hunter Biden failed to retrieve the laptop left at a Delaware computer repair shop in April 2019.

The shop owner, John Paul Mac Isaac, gave the laptop to the FBI and later provided the contents to Rudy Giuliani, a lawyer for former President Donald Trump, who has suggested the Bidens engaged in corruption in Ukraine. Giuliani distributed the contents to news organizations such as the New York Post and political advocates such as Steve Bannon.

Lowell urged the Justice Department and Delaware attorney general to open criminal investigations into access and dissemination of personal information from the laptop. Lowell argued there were potential violations of the National Stolen Property Act, the Stored Communications Act and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hunter Biden, House GOP clash over investigation of Joe Biden's son
Lorado/Getty Images

I live in a country with a generous social-benefits system.

I don't have the social-support network many parents have here and sometimes feel isolated.

I realized that the issues haunting American parents aren't just American; they're global.

"Have you applied for emergency childcare?" asked a friend, one of the few people we were allowed to have over after the pandemic started and the government announced school closures in the Netherlands, where I live. Our friend's wife is a teacher, and their children got accepted into an emergency childcare program.

This was not an option for us. I raised my hand and said, "I am the emergency childcare."

I love reading stories in which parents share their hardest moments. They give me the feeling that I'm not alone. Sometimes I want to write about my struggles, too, but I know the what the reaction would be if I did that.

"But you live in the Netherlands! The country with the happiest children on Earth! Where parents enjoy parental leave and can work part time! We don't have these things, so what are you even complaining about?" some American parents would imply, if not tell me outright. But when the pandemic struck, I was left scrambling like many mothers and fathers in the US.

I'm an immigrant here

Just because I live in a country that offers amazing benefits to parents does not mean that I can't struggle. As generous as the Dutch welfare system is, it has specifically targeted families such as mine for suspected misuse. I'm an immigrant from Poland, and people from my country have been accused of abusing the welfare system when, in fact, they were victims of fraud.

When I first arrived in the Netherlands with a 6-week-old baby, I was just as lonely, anxious, and isolated as many new moms in America describe being. Before I became self-employed, I relied on an allowance my husband's workplace paid him, which he then transferred over to my account.

Before the pandemic, my husband worked long hours while I was taking care of the children and the home. While it's true that other countries have safety nets, women all over the world are still doing the majority of domestic and childcare-related tasks.

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When the pandemic struck, I was just as frazzled, overwhelmed, and angry as many parents in the US. Since my husband I aren't Dutch and our families live in our home countries, we don't have the support network that many locals here enjoy.

Life here is not perfect

Like many people around the world, parents and children here increasingly struggle with burnout and depression, and the pandemic has affected the most vulnerable here as well. While living in the Netherlands is good, it's definitely not paradise.

An unstable economy, the sky-high expectations put on parents, and the gender inequality that leaves women to shoulder more childcare responsibilities are not just American problems, but global ones.

While I believe that things like parental leave  for all sorts of caregivers  a childcare allowance, and free education are a must, these things are just the beginning. Americans seem to think that those things are whole house, but they're just the foundation.

While I empathize with the many moms in the US who have to return to work mere two weeks after giving birth or pump milk in toilet stalls, please don't minimize my very real struggles because of my geographical location.

Parenting is hard, no matter where you live. We're all in this together.

Read the original article on Insider
Jonah Hill (Writer-Producer) as Ezra and Lauren London as Amira in You People.

Tyler Adams/Netflix Jonah Hill and Lauren London

Lauren London is getting real about coupling up with Jonah Hill in her Netflix film, You People.

The movie stars London and Hill as couple trying to unite their families  played by Eddie Murphy and Nia Long, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus and David Duchovny  before they walk down the aisle, to hilarious results.

Fans have embraced the comedy, which is currently holding the No. 1 spot on Netflix's Global Top 10. But in an interview with Harper's Bazaar published Wednesday, London admitted she was apprehensive when she was first approached about the part by director Kenya Barris, creator of black-ish and a writer on the 2017 movie Girls Trip.

"Why would these two people really like each other?" she recalled wondering to Barris, who co-wrote the film with Hill.

"They're from two totally different worlds, and if you see them, you would never think that they would meet or hang out, whatever the case is," she said. "It was a conversation on connecting with people genuinely and going for the soul connection."

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When asked about the believable connection the pair has on screen, London credited similar interests. But also admitted she was surprised they got along so well.

Lauren London attends the BET Awards 2021 at Microsoft Theater on June 27, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.

Paras Griffin/Getty Lauren London

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"I'm a Black woman; he's a white man," she said, before talking about what drew them together. "We actually have a lot in common in our lives  some of our experiences and some of the ways we look at life and some of the ways we've taken life in," she told the magazine. "And also, growing up in L.A., though we grew up in different areas We're both L.A. kids from the same era."

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London previously talked to PEOPLE about her upbringing and how it informed her character in the movie.

"My dad is Jewish, my mom is black," London said to PEOPLE Every Day podcast host Janine Rubenstein of her real-life upbringing. "I just grew up with my mother in my household. I didn't grow up with my dad living with us. My parents divorced when I was really young. I was three, so my experience is of my mother's experience, because I just grew up with a single black mom."

You People. (L to R) David Duchovny as Arnold, Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Shelley, Jonah Hill (Writer-Producer) as Ezra, Lauren London as Amira, Eddie Murphy as Akbar, and Nia Long as Fatima in You People.

Parrish Lewis/Netflix

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"What felt personal was shooting in L.A.," she added of finding elements of her own story in her character. "And some of those areas that we shot in and some of the places that we shot in. I liked that they were Jewish 'cause it was also some stuff that I got to learn via being in the movie that I didn't know."

In addition to it being personally resonant for her, London said, the shoot was "just fun."

You People is now streaming on Netflix.
Citing changing workforce needs, homegrown pizza empire Papa Johns plans to sell its Louisville corporate office.

The campus at 2002 Papa Johns Blvd. in Jeffersontown will be put on the market next week, company spokesman Harrison Sheffield confirmed.

Since returning to in-office work last year, weve determined that the current Papa Johns campus no longer fits the needs of our Louisville workforce," the company said in a provided statement. "While we are putting the campus up for sale, we remain committed to the Louisville Metro area and will maintain a corporate hub here."

Plans for that hub still include a physical office presence in Louisville, Sheffield said. The company would prefer to lease back a portion of its current space, which was newly built in 1999, but would seek an alternate location if necessary.

The company's IT, supply chain and legal teams will still be based in the Louisville area, as well the executives who lead those teams. Its finance shared services teams will also remain Louisville based.

All the functions and services that are currently on the Louisville campus  are remaining at that campus for now, and then we will, based on the terms of the sale, assess what is the next best place for our team members to be housed," Sheffield said.

More headlines:What McGarvey, McConnell and other Kentucky congressmen said about the State of the Union

The selling of the corporate office, first reported by WDRB, is another step toward a lighter Louisville footprint for the company, which was founded in Jeffersonville, Indiana, in 1984.

Papa Johns announced in 2020 that it would create a global headquarters in Atlanta, while still maintaining an office of hundreds of employees in Louisville. The Georgia office, at Three Ballpark Center at The Battery Atlanta, opened in October 2021.

Papa John's new headquarters in Atlanta will at the in Three Ballpark Center at The Battery Atlanta.

Explaining the move, leadership at the time said Atlanta was its largest corporate-owned restaurant market and a hub for fast-food chain innovation. Georgias largest city also provided access to a larger airport with domestic and international markets and a larger talent pool.

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Still, leadership at the time assured Louisvillians it had no plans to leave the Derby City, saying it would keep 550 of its 750 corporate jobs in Kentucky.

"We're happy and excited to maintain a large corporate presence here," Rob Lynch, president and chief executive office, told The Courier Journal at that time. "We love Louisville ... The reality is we're going to have three distinct headquarter hubs. Louisville will be our biggest."

The company did not have updated employment figures for 2023 as of Wednesday.

Sarah Davasher-Wisdom, president and CEO of Greater Louisville Inc., said in a statement that retaining and expanding existing businesses are key parts of the chamber of commerce's regional economic development strategy.

More business news:From dream to reality, Louisville woman is opening tea cafe & sober space for LGBTQ community

"We are happy Papa Johns is retaining its strong Louisville workforce and as a brand born in Greater Louisville, we appreciate their continued commitment to our community, whether they remain at their current campus or move to a new location in Louisville Metro," she said in a statement.

Sheffield noted the Atlanta office is a leased space, as are most of the company's "quality control centers," dough production and distribution hubs that service restaurants across the country.

The company  referred to as "co-headquartered" in Atlanta and Louisville in a recent financial disclosure  has implemented a hybrid model for corporate employees where there is work-from-home flexibility but "a physical location has a role to play," Sheffield said.

A pizza giant rebrands: Papa Johns rebrands, without an apostrophe, as it moves on from John Schnatter

As for the company's commitment to the Louisville area, Sheffield pointed toward ongoing hiring for jobs in the market and increased philanthropic efforts in the area.

Papa Johns has been a part of Louisville for over 40 years and we intend to maintain keeping Louisville very close to the success of our business," he said.

Company founder John Schnatter bemoaned the "unfortunate and unnecessary decision" by current leadership.

This is another sign that the company I founded, Papa Johns International, has abandoned our hometown of Louisville, KY," he said in a prepared statement. Far too many companies forget their roots and lose their identity in the process. This is clearly the case for Papa Johns."

Schnatter resigned as CEO of the company in early 2018 after he suggested NFL player protests had hurt his business. He soon after resigned from the company's board of directors following news reports that he used a racial slur on a conference call, though Schnatter has said he was quoting someone at the time.

The company has moved to distance itself from its namesake and longtime spokesman, rebranding from "Papa John's" to "Papa Johns" in 2021 amid a larger brand refresh.

Papa John's International has more than 5,500 restaurants in 47 countries and territories, according to the company.

Business reporter Matthew Glowicki can be reached at mglowicki@courier-journal.com, 502-582-4000 or on Twitter @mattglo. Contact reporter Olivia Evans at oevans@courier-journal.com or on Twitter at @oliviamevans_

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Papa Johns selling its Louisville headquarters years after Atlanta move
A high-level Hamas delegation headed by Ismail Haniyeh, head of the Hamas political bureau, reportedly arrived in Cairo on Wednesday to hold talks with Egyptian officials over the latest developments in Palestine.

According to an official statement released by Hamas, the delegation includes the head of the movement abroad Khaled Mashel and vice president of the movement Saleh Al-Arouri.

The delegation will discuss with Egyptian officials the Israeli violations in East Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque, the increasing violence against the Palestinian people, and the siege on Gaza, said the official spokesperson of the movement Hazem Kassem.

According to Kassem, the delegation will meet with head of the General Intelligence Service Abbas Kamel.

Last week, Cairo hosted a Palestinian delegation from the Gaza strip led by prominent members of the Islamic Jihad.

The visit comes amid heightened Israeli-Palestinian tensions since the new far-right government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to power in late December.

Egypt has warned of the severe dangers of the ongoing escalation between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, calling for maximum restraint and an end to aggression and provocative measures.

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A wanted murder suspect is at large in New Mexico, authorities announced this week.

Joe Anderson, 41, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder last year, the Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office said in a news release published on Wednesday. One day earlier, Anderson had cut off his ankle monitor and remained on the run after county prosecutors requested that the district court issue a warrant for the man's arrest, according to the release.

Anderson is accused of killing another man, Raymond Aviles, in southeast Albuquerque last August, CBS affiliate KRQE reported. Investigators have alleged that Anderson shot Aviles as the victim attempted to flee the area on a motorcycle  which Anderson is suspected to have lent to Aviles, who did not return it to him  according to the station.

Anderson was indicted and taken into custody in 2022, the district attorney said, but he was released conditionally in January on a district court ruling that allowed for his discharge pending trial. However, on Monday, a review of Anderson's case by the New Mexico Supreme Court overruled the district court's decision and called for the man's return to custody.

Joe Anderson, 41, removed his ankle bracelet on Tuesday afternoon and is currently on the run in New Mexico. / Credit: Bernalillo County District Attorney

The high court's ruling prompted county prosecutors to request the amended arrest warrant from the district court Tuesday, just before learning that Anderson had removed his ankle monitor.

"This is exactly why we filed pretrial detention in this matter. Unfortunately this individual has cut off his ankle monitor and is in the wind," said Sam Bregman, the district attorney in Bernalillo County, in a statement included in Wednesday's news release.

Anderson was previously convicted of voluntary manslaughter in 2016, for an alleged crime unrelated to the first-degree murder charge he currently faces, "and has an extensive criminal history," the district attorney said. Law enforcement with the district attorney's office in Bernalillo County are being assisted by officers from other agencies, which the office did not name outright in its release, as they continue to search for Anderson.

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Authorities are asking anyone with knowledge of Anderson's whereabouts to report it to Crime Stoppers via phone or online, where anonymous tips can be submitted. They are offer a $2,500 reward for relevant information.

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New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu speaks at the Republican Jewish Coalition Annual Leadership Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, on November 19, 2022. WADE VANDERVORT/AFP via Getty Images

Sununu criticized GOP lawmakers for their behavior during Biden's State of the Union Address.

"My mother taught me manners first. Lead with a smile," the potential 2024 presidential contender said.

Sununu also said a line in GOP Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' rebuttal was "not helpful."

New Hampshire's Republican governor, Chris Sununu, criticized Republican lawmakers for their behavior during President Joe Biden's State of the Union Address on Tuesday, calling them "rude."

"The heckling from the crowd  it was just politics, politics, politics on both sides," Sununu said during a Thursday interview at Politico's The Fifty: America's Governors. "My mother taught me manners first. Lead with a smile. Own your issues."

During his nationally-televised speech, Biden was booed and heckled by Republicans and even called a "liar" by conservative firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

"The Republicans, frankly, were rude. I mean, there's no doubt about it," he said.

Sununu, who acknowledged he's considering a 2024 presidential bid, also faulted Biden for not owning the issues that have gone wrong during his administration and demonstrating that he was "very disconnected from reality."

Sununu also said Arkansas' GOP Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' rebuttal to Biden's speech was "not helpful" when she characterized Republicans as "normal" and Democrats as "crazy."

"I love Sarah, by the way," he said. "I'm a big fan of hers, as well. But again, that response was very politically driven to a very politically driven speech."

Neither party, he said, should be labeling the other as crazy.

"Come on," he said. "We both have extremes. We're both dealing with it. It ain't fun, but we have to deal with it."

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PIERRE, S.D. (AP)  The conversation between a state senator and a legislative aide started with a seemingly routine discussion about a bill. It suddenly spiraled as the senator allegedly harassed the aide because she had vaccinated her young child, plunging the Senate into a political drama that has divided South Dakota's Republican Party.

The Senate, where lawmakers pride themselves on a genteel code of conduct as they work from wooden desks that have been there for generations, has seemed largely insulated from the forces roiling the wider GOP.

But even here, controversy was inevitable as an insurgent brand of Republicans look to challenge the establishment by pushing for hardline stands on social issues and passionately staking out positions that defy evidence, whether it is from medical authorities or election officials.

South Dakota is dominated by Republicans, and Gov. Kristi Noem, who is widely seen as mulling a 2024 White House bid, has branded it as the country's most conservative state. But party tensions have grown in recent years.

A contrarian group has gained traction in the House with support from activists, and the State Freedom Caucus Network, which is looking to push politics rightward and disrupt business-as-usual in state Legislatures, including Montana, Wyoming, Illinois, Arizona and Mississippi, has organized in Pierre.

Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller returned to the floor of the Senate after being censured in Pierre on Feb. 1.

Its just sound and fury, its blaming each other, talking smack about each other  and yet on most of the issues the principles are the same, said Michael Card, a former Republican official and political scientist at the University of South Dakota.

Nationally, the GOP has been plagued with similar strains of controversy. A politician like Rep. George Santos of New York is able to hold office despite lying about his background and facing multiple investigations into his personal and campaign finances. Former President Donald Trump remains an active and powerful force. And a handful of U.S. House holdouts were emboldened to hold up the selection of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

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Statehouses have become fertile ground for nationalized politics, said Gerald Gamm, a professor of political science and history at the University of Rochester who has researched state-level politics.

Polarization at the state level is probably as high today as its ever been, he said.

More:Discipline committee releases staffer's testimony in Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller censure case

Julie Frye-Mueller, the Republican senator involved in the incident with the aide, is among a group of hardline right-wing lawmakers who have clashed with top Republicans.

The encounter took place as the aide, who has not been publicly named, was discussing a draft bill in her office last week with Frye-Mueller and the senator's husband, Mike Mueller, who was at the Capitol assisting his wife and later in the week testified in support of a resolution expressing sympathy for those facing charges for the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot.

Both the aide and Frye-Mueller have said their discussion turned to childhood vaccinations and breastfeeding, but their accounts differ.

According to the aide's complaint, Frye-Mueller asked if she had vaccinated her child. When the aide said yes, the senator pointed her finger and aggressively told her the child could have health issues or die, according to the complaint.

She also alleged that Frye-Mueller asked her about breastfeeding. When the aide said she wished she could breastfeed, Frye-Mueller allegedly suggested that the aides husband could suck on my breasts to get milk to come in, the complaint said. Frye-Muellers husband was in the room at the time and smiled and nodded, it added.

Frye-Mueller disputed that account in testimony to a Senate committee investigating the complaint. She said it was the staffer who brought up breastfeeding. Frye-Mueller said she asked the aide whether she wanted advice she had received as a young mother, and when the aide said yes, she said, Have your husband help.

Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller prepares to testify in front of the Senate Select Committee on Discipline and Expulsion in Pierre on Tuesday, Jan. 31.

Frye-Mueller said she was falsely accused and called the aides complaint shocking and filthy. She also framed her comments as an issue of freedom of speech.

The senator also testified that she questioned whether newborn babies in Pierre were receiving vaccinations and informed the aide about legislation that would have eliminated school requirements for childhood vaccinations.

Republicans, who hold 31 out of 35 seats in the Senate, moved decisively and treated the incident as a personnel issue and a serious harassment allegation. The body suspended her last week, launched an investigation and on Wednesday overwhelmingly voted to censure her. The Senate also ended her suspension and adopted a report that concluded she harassed the aide.

Senate Republican leaders, who initially kept the allegations a secret, faced backlash from local party activists, a lawsuit from Frye-Mueller and accusations of political retribution.

More:Federal judge denies Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller's efforts to stop disciplinary proceedings

During her Senate testimony, Frye-Mueller even pointed to a Facebook post from the Republican Senate Pro Tempore Lee Schoenbeck about the death of a family cat. She alleged it was somehow proof of a conspiracy that he was employing a dead cat strategy of drawing attention to something shocking to distract media attention from another story.

Schoenbeck said he was, in fact, referring to the death of a beloved family pet.

The longtime lawmaker, known for wearing Mister Rogers-style sweaters and firing colorful insults at right-wing legislators, has limited his comments on Frye-Mueller's discipline and framed it as a personnel issue. Other Republican and Democratic leaders have sought to tone down the political context around her suspension and pointed out that all but one Senator voted for her censure.

In the past, however, Schoenbeck has called Frye-Mueller and others wackadoodles and funded campaigns to unseat them in primaries, with limited success.

Noem has also clashed with the right-wing lawmakers and last year supported a number of campaigns to def  again, with limited success.

As her political ambitions stretch beyond South Dakota, she has shown a willingness to concede to hardline conservatives. When House lawmakers advanced a bill in 2020 to ban gender-affirming medical procedures for transgender minors, she criticized the legislation as trying to fill parenting gaps with more government. This year her spokesman has voiced support for a similar proposal.

When you have a supermajority, you will always tear yourself apart, said Tom Dempster, a former Republican state senator who remains a close political watcher. The primary system incentivizes extreme candidates.

Back in Frye-Mueller's home district, support for her remains strong. Activists in the Fall River County Republican Party drafted a resolution backing the senator.

Im conservative like she is  she votes the way I would, said Ken Updike, a local party leader who pushed the resolution. Senate leaders, he said, are more aligned with Democrats than they are Republicans.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: A South Dakota Senate aide's allegation roils GOP politics
The nuchal translucency screening is performed via ultrasound.

The nuchal translucency screening is performed via ultrasound.

Conception is often compared to a roll of the dice. You hope for a particular outcome but know that your success depends a great deal on luck. Every step of the way, you face odds: your odds of conceiving at your age, your odds of having a miscarriage, your odds of developing a pregnancy complication.

The majority of pregnancies are low risk, but it can be hard not to think about scary possibilities during each stage of pregnancy. Most of us are eager to hear that our baby will be born healthy. Prenatal genetic testing often provides families with this sort of reassurance, but sometimes the results of these tests can bring more uncertainty. There have been rapid advances in prenatal testing in recent years, but more information at earlier stages of pregnancy can lead to misunderstanding and confusion if we arent able to correctly interpret test results.

Its important to note that each persons risk is unique to them, based on age, ultrasound findings and other factors, and should be discussed with a health care provider. It can be helpful, however, to have some background information about what these tests can and cannot tell us in preparation for receiving your results and talking with your doctor, midwife or genetic counselor.

What prenatal genetic tests are available?

Screening tests commonly offered include the cell-free fetal DNA test (a blood test) and the nuchal translucency screening (a measurement taken during an ultrasound). The diagnostic tests available are chorionic villus sampling (CVS  cells taken from the placenta) and amniocentesis (in which a sample of amniotic fluid is taken).

What types of conditions can these tests detect?

Genetic tests look for certain kinds of irregularities in genes. They are commonly used to detect trisomies, where there are three copies of a gene instead of the normal two. By far the most common trisomy is Trisomy 21, or Down syndrome, occurring in 1 in 700 births.

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Other common trisomies that tests screen for are Trisomy 13 and Trisomy 18, also known as Patau syndrome and Edwards syndrome, respectively. Trisomy 13 occurs in approximately 1 in 6,000 births, and Trisomy 18 occurs in about 1 in 3,000.

Holly Mueller, a genetic counselor at the University of California, San Francisco, told HuffPost that when a fetus has trisomy 13 or 18, its a very life-limiting condition. Many pregnancies that have Trisomy 13 or Trisomy 18 will not survive the pregnancy. Oftentimes, if those babies are born, they will not survive for very long after birth, although there have been exceptional cases of children living past one year.

By arranging chromosomes into pairs, scientists can also identify the sex of your baby (note that knowing the sex of your baby is not the same as knowing their gender identity). Females have two X chromosomes and males have one X and one Y  but there are exceptions.

If you opt to find out the sex of your baby, tests will also determine if there is a trisomy, an extra sex chromosome, or a monosomy, only one sex chromosome rather than two. A fetus with monosomy X (only one X chromosome) has Turner syndrome, which can cause infertility and heart defects. Sex chromosome trisomies are also a possibility. XXX syndrome, in a female, often has no symptoms at all. Klinefelter syndrome, or XXY, results in a male fetus that, when born, may go on to have infertility or other symptoms; it is often not diagnosed until adulthood.

What is the difference between a screening test and a diagnostic test?

One common point of confusion is the difference between a screening test and a diagnostic one. A screening test will tell you the odds that your baby has a specific condition, not whether they actually have it. A positive result on a screening test does not mean that your baby has a genetic disorder  only a diagnostic test can determine that.

Dr. Neeta Vora, professor of obstetrics and gynecology and director of reproductive genetics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, told HuffPost that she explains it this way to her patients: A screening test gives you a result that tells you either you have a low chance or a high chance of having a certain condition. A diagnostic test tells you a yes-or-no answer. So if you get a high chance on a screening test, then were going to recommend that you have a diagnostic test.

The purpose of screening tests is to select who is more likely to have a condition and offer diagnostic tests  which are more invasive  to those people rather than having everybody take the diagnostic test.

What does it mean if you get a positive result on a screening test?

To further complicate matters, the odds calculated for you with a screening test are more accurate for certain conditions, and in certain cases, than others. This is whats called the positive predictive value.

The chance that you get a positive result thats a true positive is the positive predictive value, Vora said. A true positive would mean you got a positive screening test that was then confirmed by a diagnostic test. A false positive, on the other hand, would mean you got a positive screening test but then a diagnostic test found that your baby did not have the condition.

The positive predictive value is based on the prevalence of the disease in the population youre screening, Vora said.

She gave the example of a Down syndrome diagnosis, a risk we know increases with age. If youre 20 years old, the prevalence of you having a baby with Down syndrome is much lower than if youre 40. So if you get a positive screening test for Trisomy 21, the positive predictive value is going to be much lower ... compared to someone whos 40. For the 20-year-old in this scenario, the positive predictive value would range from 38% to 80%, whereas for a 40-year-old, it would range from 91% to 99%.

In either case, only a diagnostic test could determine whether the screening test was a true positive or a false one.

In addition to testing for trisomies and monosomies, there are some companies that offer tests for microdeletions, which are missing bits of DNA. However, according to a New York Times investigation published in January 2022, these tests produced more false positives than true ones  meaning the positive predictive value for these much rarer conditions was low. If you wanted to look at the whole genome in this way, you would have to opt for CVS or amniocentesis for a more accurate result.

Whats the difference between the test options?

Cell-free fetal DNA

Screening or diagnostic? Screening.

Procedure: A blood sample is taken from the pregnant person. DNA thats been released from a cell in the placenta is circulating in the maternal plasma, explained Vora. This DNA is examined.

What it can detect: Cell-free fetal DNA tests are generally used to find trisomies 21, 18 and 13. They can also test for sex and abnormalities in the number of sex chromosomes, although you do not have to have this test run. Some companies offer tests for microdeletions, although, as described above, the positive predictive value for these conditions is low. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists does not recommend cell-free fetal DNA testing to screen for microdeletions.

Pros: This test can be performed early, at 10 or even nine weeks. Because it is a non-invasive test and requires only a blood draw, there is no risk to the pregnancy. Many people are excited to run the test because it will reveal the babys sex so early. The test is very accurate, more accurate than the screening tests previously available.

Cons: Because it is a screening test, you will need a diagnostic test to confirm that your baby indeed has one of these conditions. There is also the possibility of a false negative  meaning the test is negative but your baby does have the condition. Some people choose to proceed with a diagnostic test even when their screening test is negative.

If you choose to test for your babys sex, you may also screen positive for a sex chromosome abnormality. Thats kind of the downside, Vora said. If you screen positive for one of those just wanting to know the gender, then youre in this spiral of anxiety as you await diagnostic testing.

In very rare cases, the test will indicate an abnormality in the pregnant persons chromosomes or even the presence of cancer in their body.

Nuchal translucency

Screening or diagnostic? Screening.

Procedure: At 10 to 13 weeks of pregnancy, an ultrasound technician takes a measurement of a fluid-filled space at the back of the babys neck.

What it can detect: Abnormal measurements of this space at the back of the neck can indicate Down syndrome or other trisomies, and are also associated with other birth defects (of the heart, stomach or skeleton). These abnormalities would be found on another ultrasound later in the pregnancy.

Pros: Ultrasound is a non-invasive test that poses no risk to the pregnancy. Vora explained that if a nuchal translucency screening is positive, she would recommend that a patient skip cell-free fetal DNA testing and go straight to diagnostic testing.

Cons: A positive screen does not mean that there is definitely a problem, only that further testing is recommended. Nuchal translucency screening is less accurate at detecting Down syndrome than the cell-free fetal DNA test but is still used by some doctors.

Prenatal genetic screening tests can be performed as early as 9 to 10 weeks into the pregnancy.

Prenatal genetic screening tests can be performed as early as 9 to 10 weeks into the pregnancy.

CVS (chorionic villus sampling)

Screening or diagnostic? Diagnostic.

Procedure: Performed at 11 to 13 weeks of pregnancy, sometimes up to 14, CVS is a sample of the placenta. It can either be done abdominally, with insertion of a needle through the abdomen, or transcervically, with insertion of a catheter through the vaginal canal to take a sample of the placenta, Mueller explained.

What it can detect: In addition to Down syndrome, trisomies 13 and 18, and differences in the number of sex chromosomes, a DNA sample taken from the placenta can be checked for other genetic disorders with microarray testing, which tests for microdeletions or duplications in all of the chromosomes.

Pros: CVS is extremely accurate and can be performed earlier than an amniocentesis.

Cons: There is a small risk of miscarriage, which Vora estimated to be 1 in 500. There is also a small chance, 1% to 2%, that the test results show placental mosaicism  meaning the some of the cells in the placenta are normal and some are not. In these cases, patients would need to have another test, amniocentesis, to confirm a diagnosis.

Amniocentesis

Screening or diagnostic? Diagnostic.

Procedure: Amniocentesis is usually performed between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. Guided by ultrasound, a doctor uses a long needle to take a sample of amniotic fluid from the uterus. This fluid contains cells from the baby, which can then be examined.

What it can detect: All of the same conditions as CVS.

Pros: Amniocentesis is very accurate, even in cases of placental mosaicism, andcan be used to identify many conditions.

Cons: There is a small chance of miscarriage, which Vora estimated to be 1 in 1,000. Amniocentesis is performed later in pregnancy than CVS and cell-free fetal DNA testing.

What should you do if you receive a diagnosis?

Some patients decline prenatal genetic testing, reasoning that they would not choose to terminate a pregnancy regardless of the results. But there are other ways that genetic testing can help families. Knowing your childs diagnosis before birth can speed their entry into care for their condition. It also gives you time to do research and talk to other families that have been affected by this condition so you can prepare for whats ahead.

Finally, keep in mind that you cant know how you will react to something before it happens. Some people think that they know for sure how they would proceed if they received a diagnosis of a genetic disorder but when faced with that reality they feel differently, or more uncertain, than they had imagined. A genetic counselor can help you understand what a specific condition might mean so that you can make the choice that is best for you and your family.

For patients considering pregnancy termination, access to abortion has been drastically restricted since the fall of Roe v. Wade last year. Abortion is now effectively banned in 12 states. Other states have set in place bans at 15, 18, 20 or 22 weeks of pregnancy, shrinking the window of time in which a person who has received the results of a diagnostic test would be able to access abortion  and in some cases eliminating that possibility. If you live in a state where abortion access is restricted and you need abortion care, you can call the National Abortion Hotline or find information about abortion funds from the National Network of Abortion Funds.

If youre having trouble understanding your test results, a genetic counselor can help. Your midwife or OB-GYN may be able to find one for you, or the National Society of Genetic Counselors has a database, which you can search by location. It also provides contact information for counselors you can see online, using telehealth connections.

As long as families kind of have the information to make the choice thats right for them, thats the most important thing  less so having one path thats perfect for everybody, Mueller said.

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California Umbrellas Sunbrella gets top marks for its sun protection, shade, and style.

Food & Wine / Alli Waataja

How often do you think about patio umbrellas? Unless yours recently got snapped in half by a violent storm (hi there!), probably not very frequently. And thats by design. The best patio umbrellas should last for years, so after purchasing all you have to do is assemble, open it up, and enjoy it at your next cookout. But if youre currently shopping for an outdoor umbrella, nows your chance to make a wise investment.

To learn more about the best patio umbrellas, we spoke with Liz Curtis, the founder of Table + Teaspoon, a tableware and entertaining rental company. Although the style is of course important, Curtis says that more should go into buying one: The most important factors to consider when purchasing a patio umbrella, other than design, are size, [whether its] rolling or fixed, base material, and fabric. When it comes to canopies, she is particularly impressed with Sunbrella, a name-brand acrylic-based material. With a 5-year warranty against fading and mold, we are, too!

Once youve settled on a durable, structurally-sound umbrella, you can consider the fun stuff  Curtis is a fan of umbrellas with speakers, lights, and even strip heaters to keep guests toasty as evening falls. Weve used Curtiss advice, as well as her favorite picks, to find the best patio umbrellas in every category, and for every budget. Now all you need is a cold beverage, a chef-worthy grill full of food, and a backyard full of friends.

California Umbrella Sunbrella Patio Umbrella

Best Overall

Buy at Amazon.com

Buy at Target.com

When it comes to durable, long-lasting umbrella canopies, its hard to beat Sunbrella. This highly-acclaimed material often carries a big price tag, which is why were impressed at this handsome model's $200 total cost. With generous warranties  5 years for the canopy, 3 for the ribs, and 1 for the frame  this umbrella aims to deliver both shade and sun protection, as well as style. With a simple crank mechanism for lifting and lowering, plus the ability to tilt, this umbrella does just about all you could ask for. Be wary about color choice, though: depending on which hue you want, you could be paying hundreds more than other options.

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Price at time of publish: $200

Size: 9 feet

Weight: 15 pounds

Coverage Area: Covers a 6-8 seat table

Tilt: Yes

Materials: Aluminum frame, fiberglass ribs, Sunbrella (acrylic) canopy

Pottery Barn 10' Round Cantilever Outdoor Patio Umbrella

Best Splurge

Buy at Potterybarn.com

This cantilever umbrella is worth crowing about. Its frame is incredibly sturdy, and the base is included. Not only will this investment last for years, but its also guaranteed to resist fading and mold, thanks to its coveted Sunbrella canopy. Little aesthetic touches make this upgrade worthwhile, like a bronze finish on the frame. The 4-digit price may be a deterrent to some, as well as its hefty weight (88 pounds).

Price at time of publish: $1,499

Size: 10 feet

Weight: 88 pounds

Coverage Area: Covers an 8-foot round table

Tilt: Yes

Materials: Aluminum frame, Sunbrella (acrylic) canopy

:10 Patio Dining Sets for an Outdoor Entertaining Upgrade

Joss & Main Market Umbrella

Best Value

Buy at Wayfair.com

Buy at Jossandmain.com

This classic-looking umbrella by stylish brand Joss & Main offers a lot for its price tag (and its regularly on sale for up to 50% off). It has a sturdy canopy that offers UPF protection of 40, and a variety of colors  the orange-hued Tuscan is lovely. Were also impressed by the strong fiberglass ribs, which fight against wind damage. This crowd-pleasing umbrella isnt the cheapest on the market, but it's incredibly well-made. Its worth noting, though, that the warranty period is a relatively short 90 days.

Price at time of publish: $130

Size: 9 feet

Weight: 10 pounds

Coverage Area: Covers a small dining table or 2 chaise lounges

Tilt: Yes

Materials: Aluminum frame, polyester canopy

Sun-Ray 9 Umbrella

Best Bluetooth Compatible

Buy at Amazon.com

This round umbrella is essentially a party on a stick thanks to its solar-powered LED lights and Bluetooth-compatible speaker that lives right next to the hand crank for lifting the canopy. A small, USB-rechargeable battery pack powers the speaker. There are a handful of fun color options, and some dip down in price regularly. Unfortunately, this comes with everything umbrella does not include a base, so youll want to pick that up, too.

Price at time of publish: $225

Size: 9 feet

Weight: 15 pounds

Coverage Area: Covers a small dining table or 2 chaise lounges

Tilt: Yes

Materials: Aluminum frame, powder coat, polyester canopy

Business & Pleasure Vintage Striped Beach Umbrella

Best Design

Buy at Businessandpleasureco.com

Good luck keeping your smile contained when sitting under this vintage-style tasseled umbrella. Its a total looker, no matter which color or pattern you choose (Curtis is partial to the yellow striped). Although its admittedly not the most durable or sturdy, thats part of the appeal: At just nine pounds, you can easily pack it up and bring it from your backyard barbecue to the beach. Proper maintenance and care are particularly important with this model  store the umbrella in the provided carrying bag when not enjoying the sun.



Price at time of publish: $299

Size: 7 feet

Weight: 9 pounds

Coverage Area: 1-2 beach chairs

Tilt: No

Materials: Reclaimed wood pole, aluminum hinge and handle, fiberglass ribs, canvas canopy, and cotton tassels

Outsunny 15 Rectangular Patio Umbrella

Best for Large Spaces

Buy at Amazon.com

This mega 15-foot umbrella is easier to set up than you may imagine. With no tools required, all you have to do is attach the canopy to the stand and affix it to a base (like most patio umbrellas, the base is not included). The canopy doesnt tilt, so although you cant adjust its angle to move with the sun, it more than generously covers chaise lounges and couch areas. The canopy is waterproof, although reviewers have pointed out that it doesnt withstand strong winds when left up.

Price at time of publish: $129

Size: 15 feet

Weight: 30.8 pounds

Coverage Area: Generously covers multiple outdoor couches

Tilt: No

Materials: Steel frame, polyester canopy

Crate & Barrel 9 Dome Patio Umbrella

Best Wind-Resistant

Crate & Barrel

Buy at Crateandbarrel.com

With an impressive 24 fiberglass ribs supporting the canopy, this umbrella is incredibly sturdy and wind-resistant. The classic parasol shape of the canopy also acts in its favor, encouraging raindrops to slide off, rather than pool in the folds of the fabric. On the downside, the necessary base is sold separately, and you cant shop around for a better price  this is a Crate & Barrel exclusive.

Price at time of publish: $689

Size: 9 feet

Weight: Not listed

Coverage Area: Covers a small dining table or 2 chaise lounges

Tilt: Yes

Materials: Aluminum frame with powder coat finish, fiberglass ribs, olefin canopy

BLUU Banyan Patio Offset Outdoor Cantilever Umbrella

Best Cantilever

Buy at Amazon.com

Buy at Walmart.com

This cantilever umbrella works hard for a surprisingly low price tag. Its generous 10-foot diameter covers a lot of ground, and the canopy tilt can be adjusted from 90 to 180 degrees. It comes in a handful of soothing neutral colors, can be purchased with lights, and it's easily operable with a hand crank. Youll make a few sacrifices for the under-$150 cost, though, as the manufacturers dont reveal the material used for the canopy, calling it just solution-dyed fabric. For perhaps that reason, its warranty against fading is a mere two years.

Price at time of publish: $140

Size: 10 feet

Weight: 33.9 pounds

Coverage Area: Covers an 8-seat round table

Tilt: Yes

Materials: Alloy steel frame

Pottery Barn Round Market Umbrella

Best Tilt & Crank

Buy at Potterybarn.com

Instead of a hand crank for lifting and lowering the canopy, this umbrella uses a simple pulley system. Its Curtiss pick for a clean and classic style to fit almost any design scheme. To tilt the frame, all you need to do is push a discreet button. We love the chic, luxurious upgrades of this modernized tilt & crank model  and its attractive, too. The canopy comes in a variety of colors, all made with durable Sunbrella fabric. On the downside, its already steep price tag does not include a base. That said, it pairs with concrete, wheeled, and steel bases, so you have the option to customize.

Price at time of publish: $509

Size: 9 feet

Weight: 17.5 pounds

Coverage Area: Covers a small dining table or 2 chaise lounges

Tilt: Yes

Materials: Teak frame, Sunbrella canopy

Best Choice Products 10ft Solar LED Lighted Patio Umbrella with Tilt Adjustment

Best with Lights

Buy at Amazon.com

Buy at Walmart.com

Theres a lot to love about this Amazon bestseller, starting with the under-$100 price. It comes in a dizzying number of color options, and its canopy is made from UPF 50 polyester coating for ample sun protection and durability. Its built-in light strips (no assembly required) are powered by the sun, so you can keep the party going well into the evening without a power strip or outlet. Reviewers dont report positively about its rain-wicking capabilities, so it's best to lower the canopy during stormy weather.

Price at time of publish: $85

Size: 10 feet

Weight: 16.5 pounds

Coverage Area: Covers an 8-seat round table

Tilt: Yes

Materials: Aluminum and alloy steel base, polyester canopy

Factors to Consider

Construction and Materials

Fiberglass is key for a long-lasting patio umbrella. Curtis explains that while you can find options made with wood and metal, theyre not the longest-lasting. Both wood and metal will show wear and tear over time. The best way to protect your umbrella investment is by going with a fiberglass base, which will not decay or show weather-related stains. Many of our picks contain fiberglass ribs. Another way to protect metal against the elements is by buying an umbrella with a powder-coated base.

A durable, weather-resistant material is best for the topper. Sunbrella, which is made from acrylic, is Curtiss material of choice, and shes not the only one who likes it. You can find Sunbrella in luxury resorts and celebrity homes worldwide, she says. But it has more going for it than star power: Sunbrellas fabric is also guaranteed not to fade for five years, which pays for the expensive price tag.

Type

A tilt-and-crank umbrella is inexpensive, easy to set up, and simple to retract. But they dont tend to be as durable or provide as much shade. Although cantilever umbrellas provide 360-degree sun protection, and make a bigger statement, theyre more expensive and require more effort to set up. Another key factor to consider: cantilever umbrellas are, typically, more durable in windy conditions.

Size

Although patio umbrellas are available in a variety of sizes, bigger isnt always better. Its important to consider two factors when shopping: how many people youll be entertaining, and how big your space is. Curtis also points out that you dont want to overload your space with multiple umbrellas, either. Not only could they be a safety hazard at crowded parties, People still want to bask in the sun and gaze at the stars, so make sure that you allow for some uncovered space at your outdoor event.

Mechanics and Installation

Some patio umbrellas are as easy to set up as attaching the pole to the base, and the shade to the pole. Others, like a cantilever, require tools (and perhaps more than one person) to set up. Location matters, too. A basic tilt and crank umbrella can be placed just about anywhere. But be sure you give a cantilever umbrella a generous berth to account for its 360-degree rotational capabilities.

Maintenance

Patio umbrellas are durable to a point. To protect your patio umbrella from wind, rain, and sun exposure, make sure to close it when not in use, says Curtis. She also notes that bringing the umbrella into a garage or storage space during the harsher weather seasons will help it last a lot longer. As for cleaning, its easier than you think. Says Curtis, A damp cloth with mild soap (nothing abrasive because it could damage the durability of the umbrella fabric) is all you need to clean your umbrella when youre ready to entertain alfresco!



Frequently Asked Questions

Which style of a patio umbrella is best?

<p>A cantilever umbrella is generally considered the gold standard for patio umbrellas because it is extremely durable and provides a greater amount of shade. It also has the best potential to minimize disruption to traffic flow in your space, since the stand can be offset or even wall-mounted. </p><p><br/></p><p>Theres also a lot to love about the efficiency and ease of a simple outdoor dining table fitted with an umbrella hole: all you need is an inexpensive tilt and crank umbrella.</p>

What should I look for when buying a patio umbrella?

<p>First, consider materials. A fiberglass or coated metal base, and acrylic or polyester canopy will last the longest. After that, Curtis believes it is an opportunity to put your style on an umbrella, considering factors like lights, speakers, color, and design features, like tassels. </p>

What do I need to set up a patio umbrella?

<p>If you have a freestanding patio umbrella, you may need sand to fill and secure the base. For patio umbrellas that are attached to a wall or deck, youll need bolts (they should be provided with the umbrella purchase) and a more robust supply of power tools, like an electric drill. Most tilt and crank umbrellas do not require tools for assembly.</p>

What kind of material is best for a patio umbrella canopy?

<p>Although natural materials, like cotton and linen, are in vogue for table linens, their tendencies to fade quickly and absorb water make for poor umbrella canopies. A weather-resistant, durable material, like acrylic or polyester, is best. Most patio umbrellas are made with synthetic materials like these, but they vary in quality. If aesthetics matter to you, look for an umbrella with a fade-resistant stamp of promise.</p>

Our Expertise

Rochelle Bilow is a food writer and editor with over a decade of professional experience. Previously a senior associate editor and social media manager at Bon Appetit and Cooking Light magazines, Rochelle is also a novelist, a culinary school graduate, and a former professional baker and line cook. In researching this article, Rochelle consulted home entertaining expert Liz Curtis, founder of Table + Teaspoon.
Whether it's cultural differences or reactions to an ending, movies can be re-edited for all sorts of reasons.

Riz Ahmed says You can edit this out in an interview with IMDb

IMDb / giphy.com

With studios like Disney and Pixar being notorious for re-cutting their films to maximize their appeal outside of the United States, there are plenty of movies we all know and love that look a little different depending on where you're watching them.

1. In Toy Story 2, a stirring speech from Buzz was delivered in front of a globe rather than an American flag to be more inclusive.

Buzz Lightyear giving an impassioned speech as a waving flag slowly materializes behind him is a pretty funny joke for American audiences, but it could've left some international viewers feeling alienated. To make the joke a bit more accessible, Pixar changed the stars and stripes to a spinning globe with fireworks going off behind it. Disney / youtube.com

2. Taco Bell was changed to Pizza Hut for the international release of Demolition Man.

In Demolition Man, an event called the "franchise wars" saw the end of food variety in America. It's used as a quick joke, the punchline being that, in 2032, all restaurants have become Taco Bells. Executives were worried that international audiences wouldn't be as familiar with the chain, so every mention and logo of Taco Bell was replaced with Pizza Hut. You can check out this video comparing the two versions of the scene. Warner Bros. / youtube.com

3. The UK version of Pride and Prejudice gets rid of some kisses that were considered "blasphemous" to Jane Austen's source material.

Keira Knightly and Matthew Macfadyen look longingly at each other in Pride and Prejudice

Working Title Film / giphy.com

**Spoilers for Pride and Prejudice**

In the US and Canadian release of the British movie, Pride and Prejudice, the ending sees Keira Knightley's Elizabeth and Matthew Macfadyen's Mr. Darcy smooching in a classic romance movie ending.

But in the UK, purists of the book were not happy. Many considered the kissy ending not only unfaithful to the book (the two never kiss), but also too sexed-up. So the international version of the film had the PDA cut.

4. Some clever CGI was used to "clean up" Talladega Nights for its Iranian release.

Will Ferrell runs around on a race track in his underwear in Talladega Nights

Sony / giphy.com

The main scene in question was allegedly the one shown above, in which Will Ferrell runs around in his underwear thinking he's on fire.

Rather than cut out the scene completely, a CGI wall was inserted into the scene to cover Ferrell's tighty whities.

This article from the Atlantic dives deeper into the ways Iranian censors cover up certain images, and it contains a screenshot of the CGI wall used in Talladega Nights' Iranian release.

5. Broccoli was swapped out for green peppers in Inside Out's Japanese release because kids in Japan don't mind broccoli as much.

If you're an American, you're probably familiar with the joke that kids and broccoli just don't mix. But in Japan, that joke doesn't land quite as well. But one of the vegetables most often picked by Japanese kids as the most disgusting is green peppers, so the filmmakers swapped out one vegetable for the other. Disney / youtube.com

6. Lincoln was given a new opening to contextualize some American history for international audiences.

Making a movie about an influential American president requires the audience to know a bit about American history, but not everyone who saw Lincoln went to middle school in the United States. To make the film more accessible to overseas audiences, a slideshow of images was used to teach some fast facts about the world in which Abraham Lincoln lived. You can check out this opening here. Disney / youtube.com

7. Steve Rogers' references were altered to be more country-specific in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

In Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Cap keeps a list of references, trends, and pieces of history that he missed while he was frozen for 70 years. But you might notice that a lot of the references in his book are pretty American (Steve Jobs, Nirvana, I Love Lucy). While plenty of people outside the US would be familiar with these things, Disney knew audiences would connect even more with their own nation's references. For example, in Russia, cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin was included in the list. And Dance Dance Revolution was added in the South Korean release due to the game's popularity in that country. Disney / youtube.com

8. Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle was released as Harold & Kumar Get the Munchies internationally.

Harold and Kumar eat White Castle burgers

New Line Cinema / giphy.com

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This one's pretty straightforward: White Castle is a uniquely American franchise. Even though it's the oldest fast food chain in the country, some places in the United States aren't familiar with the spot.

9. Region-specific animals were chosen for minor characters in different cuts of Zootopia

Zootopia was universally loved, but not all animals are universal. For different audiences, animals that were more popular in their countries were used for characters like the anchors on the CNN parody show, ZNN. Instead of a moose, these animals were featured in other countries: Japan: Tanuki China: Panda Australia/New Zealand: Koala Disney / youtube.com

10. In The Shining, the huge stack of pages reading "All work and no play make Jack a dull boy" were translated and re-typed into four different languages.

A stack of papers on which are all written All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy

Warner Bros. / giphy.com

Stanley Kubrick's assistant  who was probably the hardest-working assistant in Hollywood considering her boss was notoriously demanding  had to type up the pages in French, German, Italian, and Spanish.

11. The German terrorists in Die Hard were turned into Irish terrorist for the film's German release.

The character Hans Gruber played by Alan Rickman tells John McClane that all Americans are alike

20th Century Fox / giphy.com

At the time of Die Hard's release, Germany was being terrorized by groups like the Red Army Faction and the Baader-Meinhof Gang, so sitting down for a movie where the enemies were German terrorists hit way too close to home.

To help with this unfortunate coincidence, the filmmakers changed the villains to be former members of the Irish Republican Army and gave them all English names.

So Hans Gruber became Jack Gruber, who sounds like he should be an action hero in his own movie.

12. The Wolf of Wall Street is a full 45 minutes shorter in the Dubai cut, but it's unclear who ordered the cuts.

Margot Robbie pushes Leonardo DiCaprio down with her heel in a suggestive scene in The Wolf of Wall Street

Paramount / giphy.com

If you've never seen The Wolf of Wall Street, just know that it's pretty understandable some would find it too profane. There are 506 uses of the f-word, near-constant drug use, and plenty of nudity to go around.

The version of The Wolf of Wall Street that was shown in Dubai has a lot of the more graphic images cut out. It was initially assumed that Juma Obaid Al Leem, Director of Media Content at the National Media Council, ordered the cuts to be made.

But Al Leem later made a statement that the movie's distributor, Gulf Films, made the cuts before handing it over to Dubai. Whoever decided to cut down on the movie, must've had their work cut out for them.

13. The character of Dr. Wu was given additional scenes for Iron Man 3's Chinese release.

In addition to more screen time for Wang Xueqi (who played Dr. Wu), there is also a new character introduced in the Chinese cut played by Fan Bingbing and some product placement for Gu Li Duo milk (which Dr. Wu is drinking in the image above). Disney / youtube.com

14. Airplane! was called Flying High? in New Zealand.

Robert Hays sweats a comical amount in Airplane

Paramount / giphy.com

The Concorde... Airport '79 was an American movie released in 1979 domestically, but didn't make it to New Zealand until 1980.

So with both Airplane! and The Concorde... Airport '79 being two American films released in the same year, executives thought Kiwi audiences might get the two confused.

15. The entire third act of The Sound of Music (which included lots of Nazis) was removed for the German release, though this decision was reversed when the director found out.

The Sound of Music features the Von Trapp family escaping from Nazis, which received mixed responses in Germany. The decision to cut out the third act is attributed to a Munich branch manager for 20th Century Fox who never got approval. The newly edited film was played in Germany for some time, but once director Robert Wise found out about the edit, the original version was restored. 20th Century Fox / giphy.com

16. A Streetcar Named Desire was edited for its Irish release to cut down on the sexuality.

Marlon Brando walks through an alleyway in A Street Car Named Desire

Warner Bros. / giphy.com

A Streetcar Named Desire is already a movie that is technically an "alternate version" of its source material. In the original play by Tennessee Williams, A Streetcar Named Desire is a complex story that touched on themes of homosexuality and assault. In the adapted movie, Stanley's homosexuality was cut out.

But the film was further truncated when it came to the Irish release of the film. Scenes in which there is sexual tension between Stanley and Stella were removed for being too horny, and a total of 27 cuts were made.

This turned the nuanced story of domestic abuse and manipulation into a confusing movie about a woman getting increasingly frustrated by seemingly nothing.

17. The original ending of Fatal Attraction was much different, but only ever released in Japan.

**Spoilers for Fatal Attraction** In the ending of Fatal Attraction we all know, Anne Archer's character shoots Glenn Close's Alex. But this was shot six months after the film had already wrapped filming. In the original ending, Alex kills herself, making it look like Michael Douglas' character, Dan, murdered her. Glen Close was apparently not too happy with the updated ending, as it made her character seem far more unhinged and hysteric: "I wasn't playing a generality, I wasn't playing a cliche. I was playing a very specific, deeply disturbed, fragile human being, whom I had grown to love." But in the end, audiences got a wildly different climax. Paramount / youtube.com

18. 13 Going on 30 was retitled to Suddenly 30 in Australia.

Jennifer Garner screams in a mirror in 13 Going on 30

Sony / giphy.com

Saying that you're one age "going on" another age is a pretty American expression that doesn't translate to Australian lingo. So to avoid any misunderstanding of what the film's about, Suddenly 30 was chosen as the new title.

19. An alternate ending of 28 Days Later was filmed and almost released to American audiences, but the director ultimately decided it was too bleak.

**Spoilers for 28 Days Later** In the final release of 28 Days Later the three surviving characters at the end of the film escape to an idyllic cottage. They are eventually rescued by making a massive banner, but this was not the script's original finale. In a different version that was filmed, Jim dies in a hospital after Selena and Hannah try to rescue him. While this alternate ending was included in the US printings of the film, they ultimately were not played in theaters. There are even two more endings, neither of which were actually filmed. One reveals that the zombie outbreak was all a dream, and the other sees Jim undergo a blood transfusion to save an infected Frank. But the director decided, "We can't do this to people, because it was such a tough journey anyway." So the upbeat ending stayed in the final cut. Fox Searchlight / youtube.com
The model made her SI Swimsuit debut in 2017 and the next year landed the cover.

Danielle Herrington. Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

When Danielle Herrington traveled to Harbour Island in the Bahamas for her second SI Swimsuit location shoot in 2018, she never dreamed shed land on the issue cover. After all, she had only started her modeling career the year before. (Her 2017 SI Swimsuit rookie shoot was her very first professional job...in Fiji, no less.) With her star turn, Herrington became the third Black woman to be featured on the SI Swimsuit cover, following in the footsteps of Tyra Banks (1996, 1997 and 2019) and Beyonce (2007).

Banks herself was the one to reveal to Herrington that she had been selected for the 2018 cover. While Herrington was thrilled to receive the news from her idol, she initially thought she was crashing Bankss photo shoot.

Herrington, now 29, shared that modeling for SI Swimsuit helped her to love and appreciate her body in a way she never had previously.

Becoming a part of the [Sports Illustrated] family has been such a positive thing in my life, personally, she stated. [Sports Illustrated] helped me feel a little bit more comfortable with myself, because that was all they were promoting, like diversity... whatever you are, embrace it, own it. Thats what my cover said: Own it.

After her cover feature, Herrington posed for the magazine the following three years, traveling to Costa Rica, Wyoming and Hollywood, Fla. Four days after wrapping her 2021 shoot, the Compton, Calif., native learned she was pregnant (her partner is model Geron McKinley). Their son was born in August 2021.

Below are eight of our favorite images from Herrington's cover photo shoot in Harbour Island, Bahamas, with photographer Ben Watts.

Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated
Since launching its route from Santo Domingo International (SDQ), Arajet has led all the carriers operating non-domestic routes.

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, February 09, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Arajet, the low-price airline of the Dominican Republic, has become Felipe Angeles International Airport (NLU) largest international airline by passengers carried since launching operations in September 2022. From the beginning of Arajets operations in Mexico in September 2022, Arajet transported 14,944 passengers, leading international passenger traffic and making the Dominican Republic the airports top international destination.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230209005528/en/

(Photo: Business Wire)

"We are happy to have Arajet among the international airlines that operate at AIFA. Its direct route to Santo Domingo strengthens cooperation and exchange ties between Mexico and the Dominican Republic," said Isidoro Pastor, general director of Felipe Angeles International Airport.

"We are very proud of our footprint in Mexico," said Victor Pacheco Mendez, CEO and founder of Arajet. "Mexico is the second commercial partner of the Dominican Republic, and Arajet has managed to crystallize our mutual interest in strengthening economic, tourist and commercial exchange."

Arajet operates its route to Mexico City with four weekly frequencies on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays with a fleet of five new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft that save 14% more fuel than single-aisle aircraft on the market and generate 40% less noise pollution.

Arajet has already inaugurated 17 destinations of its initial network and connects Santo Domingo with direct flights to Mexico City and Cancun in Mexico; San Jose in Costa Rica; San Salvador in El Salvador; Guatemala City in Guatemala; Lima in Peru, Quito and Guayaquil in Ecuador; Aruba, Curacao, Jamaica and Saint Martin in the Caribbean; and Cali, Barranquilla and Cartagena in Colombia.

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About Arajet

Arajet is the first low-fare airline in the Caribbean region and started operations in September 2022 from its base at Las Americas Airport in Santo Domingo, under its airline operator certificate (AOC) from the Dominican Republic. Arajet will operate a new fleet of Boeing 737MAX-8 aircraft that provide safe and affordable travel to and from the Dominican Republic to several destinations in North, Central and South America, and the Caribbean region. For more information, visit www.Arajet.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230209005528/en/

Contacts

Geraldine Villasmil  Communications Manager

Geraldine.Villasmil@arajet.com
WASHINGTON  Here's a look at how area members of Congress voted over the previous week.

Along with roll call votes this week, the House also passed the following measures: the Commercial Remote Sensing Amendment Act (H.R. 290), to provide for transparent licensing of commercial remote sensing systems; and the Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act (H.R. 298), to expand access to capital for rural small businesses.

U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo.

House votes

House Vote 1:

PETROLEUM RESERVE: The House has passed the Strategic Production Response Act (H.R. 21), sponsored by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash. The bill would require the federal government to take measures to increase oil and natural gas production on federal lands when it makes withdrawals from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Rodgers said it "will help ensure this vital American energy asset and American security interests will not be drained away for nonemergency, political purposes." The vote, on Jan. 27, was 221 yeas to 205 nays.NAY: Marcy Kaptur D-OH (9th)

House Vote 2:

FINANCE AND FRAUD: The House has passed the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act (H.R. 500), sponsored by Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Mo., to allow an investment management company (also known as a mutual fund) to delay its redemption of a security if it believes the redemption was fraudulently requested, and use the delay to determine whether the request is valid. The vote, on Jan. 30, was unanimous with 419 yeas.

YEA: Kaptur D-OH (9th)

House Vote 3:

COVID VACCINES AND HEALTH CARE WORKERS: The House has passed the Freedom for Health Care Workers Act (H.R. 497), sponsored by Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-S.C., to cancel the COVID -19 vaccination requirement for health care workers at facilities that receive funds from Medicare and Medicaid. The vote, on Jan. 31, was 227 yeas to 203 nays.NAY: Kaptur D-OH (9th)

House Vote 4:

ENDING COVID HEALTH EMERGENCY: The House has passed the Pandemic is Over Act (H.R. 382), sponsored by Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., to terminate the COVID-19 public health emergency declared by President Trump on Jan. 31, 2020, on the date the bill becomes law. Guthrie said: "The American people are tired of living in a perpetual state of emergency, and it is long overdue for Congress to take back the authorities granted under Article I of the Constitution." The vote, on Jan. 31, was 220 yeas to 210 nays.

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NAY: Kaptur D-OH (9th)

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown.

House Vote 5:

REMOTE WORK POLICIES: The House has passed the Stopping Home Office Work's Unproductive Problems Act (H.R. 139), sponsored by Rep. James Comer, R-Ky. The bill would require the federal government's executive branch agencies to reinstate the telework policies they had as of the close of 2019. Comer said the reversion was needed because due to the expansion of remote work following the emergence of COVID, "federal agencies are falling short of their missions. They are not carrying out their duties. They are failing the American people." The vote, on Feb. 1, was 221 yeas to 206 nays.NAY: Kaptur D-OH (9th)

House Vote 6:

ENDING NATIONAL COVID EMERGENCY: The House has passed a resolution (H.J. Res. 7), sponsored by Rep. Paul A. Gosar, R-Ariz., to end the national emergency in response to COVID-19 that was declared by President Trump on March 13, 2020. Gosar said the resolution was needed to have the House "perform its most basic constitutional duty: checking the powers of the executive branch and the power of the purse." The vote, on Feb. 1, was 229 yeas to 197 nays.

NAY: Kaptur D-OH (9th)

House Vote 7:

REMOVING MEMBER FROM COMMITTEE: The House has passed a resolution (H. Res. 76), sponsored by Rep. Max L. Miller, R-Ohio, to remove Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., from the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Miller said the action would state clearly that the House "does not condone hate and to reaffirm that we will always condemn anti-Semitism" that Omar has expressed in remarks criticizing Israel. The vote, on Feb. 2, was 218 yeas to 211 nays.

NAYS: Kaptur D-OH (9th)

House Vote 8:

SOCIALISM: The House has passed a resolution (H. Con. Res. 9), sponsored by Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., to denounce socialism in all its forms, and oppose the implementation of socialist policies in the U.S. A supporter, Rep. Jodey C. Arrington, R-Texas, called socialism "a series of actions that rob people of their freedom and concentrate power in the hands of a few in their central government." The vote, on Feb. 2, was 328 yeas to 86 nays.

YEA: Kaptur D-OH (9th)

Senate Votes

Senate Vote 1:

PEACE INSTITUTE MEMBER: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Roger Israel Zakheim to be a member of the board of the U.S. Institute of Peace for a four-year term. Zakheim, director of the Reagan Institute since 2018, has also been a lawyer specializing in government and public policy, and a military official in the George W. Bush administration. The vote, on Jan. 30, was 84 yeas to 10 nays.

YEAS: Sherrod Brown D-OH

NAYS: JD Vance R-OH

Senate Vote 2:

SECOND PEACE INSTITUTE MEMBER: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Joseph Lee Falk to be a member of the board of the U.S. Institute of Peace for a four-year term. Falk is a consultant at the Akerman LLP law firm and has served on the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. The vote, on Feb. 2, was 60 yeas to 37 nays.

YEAS: Brown D-OH

NAYS: Vance R-OH

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: How area members of Congress voted
All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)

09th February 2022

Press Release

The appeal of Animal Welfare Board of India to mark February 14th as cow hug day is shocking and outrageously appalling. The fact that the appeal comes with the approval of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is all the more deplorable. Such an unscientific balderdash, reportedly accepted and approved by a government department is absolutely unconstitutional, for, the Indian constitution stands for encouraging scientific temper. All India Trade Union Congress urges upon the Union government and the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying to immediately call for the withdrawal of the appeal. AITUC also calls upon the Union government to initiate stringent action against the official responsible for issuing such an unscientific appeal.

Article 51 (A) in the 42nd amendment of Indian constitution says. It shall be the duty of every citizen of India to develop scientific temper, humanism and spirit of inquiry and reform. This being the very spirit of Indian constitution, a department of a union government issuing such an unscientific appeal based on an inappropriate and untoward commitment to uphold vedic culture is unconstitutional.

This is an affront to the secular and pluralistic culture of India. Every religious scripture is believed to propagate humanitarian doctrine. The constitution upholds freedom of religion to its citizens, but the state is secular and scientific view is an integral part of secularism.

Emotional richness and collective happiness is envisaged through secular ethos in India which stands erect on multiculturalism as its back bone. The appeal to hug cows on February 14, Valentines day, is an unabashed mockery of a scientific and civilised society. Unscientific, illogical and farfetched ideas of any individual or a political party or an ideology cannot be allowed to malign the scientific quintessence of secular India by using government machinery.

AITUC sends its strongest condemnation and demands immediate withdrawal of the appeal of the Animal Welfare Board of India.

AITUC Secretariat
Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry agreed with his Serbian Counterpart Ivica Dacic in a telephone call on Thursday to exchange visits and maintain coordination between Egypt and Serbia.

According to Egypts Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid, Shoukry received a phone call from Dacic and discussed existing cooperation between the two countries at international forums.

They also discussed ways to boost bilateral relations between both countries.



Both officials underlined the importance of building on President Abdel Fattah El Sisi's visit to Serbia in July 2022.

Earlier this week, Former Serbian president Boris Tadic and his accompanying delegation visited Cairo where they met with Egyptian officials above them Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly.

During Tadics visit, it was announced that Egypt was going to import wheat from Serbia and Romania through the Romanian Port of Constanta.

The exchange of trade between Egypt and Serbia reached $79.7 million in 2021 including $42.2 million in exports from Egypt.

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Joe Biden. Illustrated | Gettyimages

President Biden this week delivered the second State of the Union speech of his presidency. The speech was unusually raucous in a setting typically marked by decorum, and Biden was frequently interrupted by those in the crowd during the hour and 12 minutes he spoke. The president even used the opportunity to speak directly to the Republicans criticizing him, in a rare display of a nearly one-on-one confrontation in the House chamber.

Following the speech, Democrats came out with tremendous praise for Biden's rhetoric, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) calling it "true Joe Biden...the working family sitting in front of the TV said, 'He's talking to me!'" On the flip side, Republicans decried the president's remarks, with Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders saying, "Biden and the Democrats have failed you." So was the speech overall considered a success or a failure for Biden?

Biden delivered a clear political message

While Biden has sometimes been criticized for his speeches, the 2023 State of the Union saw a president that was "in a buoyant spirit, with an energy that's often lacking," Jeff Greenfield writes for Politico. As a result, he was able to give a "clear political goal" to define himself as "the guy who's on your side, going after the big boys who were flourishing at your expense."

Greenfield notes that Biden touted his record-low unemployment numbers "with a nationalist take on his economic agenda that may have made Donald Trump jealous." In Greenfield's opinion, Biden deserves at least some credit for "trying to speak more plainly and clearly to the country" during an overall positive speech.

This sentiment was echoed by Nicholas Kristof, who writes for The New York Times that Biden gave "perhaps the best speech of his presidency." It was also a good thing that Biden touted those "left behind and treated like they're invisible," Kristof adds, because "tens of millions of working-class Americans feel that way and haven't received adequate help in recent decades from either Republicans or Democrats."

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Biden's populist push "won't win Republican votes in the House," Kristof says, but will "frame the partisan divide in an authentic way that advantages Democrats," and reminds people "that America can't succeed when so many Americans are falling behind."

The president touted unearned accomplishments

Biden used his speech as nothing more than a vessel to "have you believe the past two years under his rudderless leadership have been among the best in our nation's history," David N. Bossie writes for Fox News, adding that what he should have given was "a sober assessment of our country's standing by the leader of the free world."

"For anyone who believes Biden is being genuine in his overtures for compromise and bipartisanship," Bossie says, "recall his false promise of unity during his inaugural address in 2021." Bossie also believes that Biden is weak on "matters of national security, particularly with regard to China," and writes that the handling of the recent Chinese spy balloon shot down off the coast of South Carolina "demands a full investigation."

"If [Biden's] done so much for America, why does most of America not seem to appreciate it?" the editorial board of The Wall Street Journal asks. The Journal says Biden's issue going into the new year is a "contradiction stalking his presidency" due to a disconnect amongst voters. While noting that Biden's currently low approval ratings could rise, "it's worth asking why a presidency as successful as Mr. Biden and the media claim hasn't persuaded the public," the Journal adds, claiming Biden "has contributed to that polarization with the partisan agenda of his first two years after he campaigned as a unifier."

'Dark Brandon' held his own against a GOP onslaught

Fans of Biden have taken to calling him "Dark Brandon," a positive spin on the "Let's Go Brandon" phrase used by conservatives as a replacement for "f--k Joe Biden." This Dark Brandon persona was out in full form at the State of the Union, Rex Huppke writes for USA Today, arguing that Biden "proceeded to mop the House floor with the howling, discombobulated remains of the Republican Party."

Unlike some previous State of the Union speeches, Huppke notes that Biden "went off script regularly, parrying Republican lawmakers who heckled him," which at one point allowed the president to "[back] the whole party into a corner and getting them to swear to protect Medicare and Social Security benefits." Huppke believes the Republicans "ran at [Biden] like a pack of lemmings," but "with a wink and a grin, he politely directed them to the cliff."

As previously mentioned, Huppke agrees that Biden "will never be mistaken for a great orator." However, "his address relentlessly hit notes most Americans would cheer, putting the Republican lawmakers in a bind."

While many have taken to questioning Biden's age, Huppke writes that "Tuesday's speech suggests he's still got it when it comes to retail politicking." According to Huppke, Biden's speech was "like he's Benjamin-Buttoning all of a sudden," referring to the 2008 film where an old man gets progressively younger.

While not great, the speech could have been a lot worse

With everything that has gone on in the past few years, the state of the union "could be a lot worse," the editorial board of The Washington Post writes, adding that Biden "tried to draw a contrast with Republicans, reprising ideas Democrats failed to pass when they controlled Congress." Additionally, the Post writes, when Biden talked about the progress he has made, "it was not, as he is [one] to say, hyperbole." If anything, the president "was right to...pivot again to an appeal for bipartisanship, despite heckling from the GOP benches."

However, citing a recent poll showing apathy among voters toward the president, the Post writes that for Biden, "minimal national unity is indispensable to meet these challenges. Victory on either front will probably take the form of disaster averted, which is not a comment on Mr. Biden's leadership but on current political reality."

David Gergen writes for CNN that while Biden gave a great speech, "he now faces an even sterner test: Did he actually move the needle?" Gergen notes that it was easy to understand why Biden had low approval ratings when his presidency wasn't going well, but "he has had a string of successes in recent months, and yet his approval rating is still stuck in the low 40s."

If anything, Gergen believes, "Democratic strategists will become much more confident about [Biden's] prospects for re-election" after this speech. However, "if he doesn't pick up steam after a night like this, they may wander off the reservation."

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TikTok

A viral TikTok video shows the moment a Black HVAC technician claims a client called the cops on him and falsely accused him of threatening her.

Heres a sample of what life is like being a black man in America. #happyblackhistorymonth, reads a caption for the clip, which was uploaded Wednesday by Alonzo Harmon.

In the TikTok video, which was taken on Nov. 29, 2022, Harmon turns the camera toward himself and can be seen standing outside a garage in Golden Valley, Minnesota, as it snows. A woman inside the garage appears as if shes talking on the phone.

She is on the phone with 911 right now, Harmon says to the camera.

He says Im rude, and he just threatened me right now, the woman says on her call.

Harmon, standing several feet away from the woman, says, What threat did I make towards you, maam?

The woman, who identified herself as Elizabeth, ignores Harmons question.

9-Year-Old Black Girl Scoops Up Award for Lanternfly Work After Neighbor Called 911 on Her

In the next part of the video, the woman cries hysterically as Harmon suggests shes faking her tears.

Please, please, please! Im so scared right now! the woman yells on the call. Im shaking right now! Please, please! Im so scared!

Meanwhile, Harmon continues to stand outside the garage, away from the woman.

Ive never in my life had to deal with no bullshit like this, he then laughs, walking away from the garage.

The Golden Valley Police Department declined to confirm Harmons account of what transpired before and after the phone call, but provided a police report showing that two officers responded to the house and left without taking any further action.

The officers spoke with the gentleman recording the video, and he left with no further investigation taking place involving the incident that was called in, a spokesperson for the department said. That is all the information we have.

The Daily Beast made multiple, unsuccessful attempts to reach the woman for comment.

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Harmon told The Daily Beast that he went to the clients home just outside of Minneapolis to perform an air-duct cleaning, and he could tell things were off as soon as he arrived.

Just the way she cut me off when I tried to explain things, he said. When I entered the home, the first thing she says to me is, They let you do a job like this?

Once I actually started to try to do my job, she was over my back. Basically, [continuously] asking me the same question on how I got the job. What was my interest in the job, do I actually know what I'm doing. Like, do I actually know what I'm doing in the home and stuff like that, he added.

He said that he laughed off her comments until she allegedly told him she simply didnt trust him.

She [didnt] believe they sent the right person out to her home, Harmon continued. Basically, [she] didn't believe I worked for the company.

At that point he decided to pack up his equipment and leavetelling her that she was being rudeand thats when the woman called the police, he said. According to Harmon, police stayed briefly to document what each side said had happened, and told him to leave the premises to de-escalate the situation. But the woman allegedly asked the officers if Harmon could finish his job.

I said, No, Harmon said. She has to deal with someone else.

Ex-Daycare Owners Vile Attack on Amazon Driver Ends With Hate Crime Charges

Harmon did not specify the womans race or ethnicity, but did say that there was a language barrier between the two. He also told The Daily Beast he felt the situation was racially motivated.

Youre basically grilling me as I approach your home. There cant be any other reason for you to be doing this, you know? he said.

The company Harmon works for did not immediately respond to The Daily Beasts request for comment Thursday.

Harmon felt that the woman put his life at risk.

She basically was putting my life in danger, just because of what's going on in the world with Black men and police obviously, police brutality, stuff like that, and just the way that she tried to portray what was going on, Harmon told The Daily Beast.

That really scared me honestly, he added. [I] didnt know what type of police officers I would get when they arrived there. But once they got therethey basically just asked me to leave because she actually was still mad once they got there. She was yelling at the officer.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Methodist University Hospital at 1265 Union Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee.

Amid ongoing gridlock, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee and the Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare system have come to an agreement about providing in-network care for TennCare recipients, according to the insurer.

Recipients of TennCare plans administered by Blue Cross are again able to seek care at Methodist facilities, including Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, without hefty out-of-pocket payments. The insurance company said the agreement takes immediate effect. The agreement applies to people covered by BlueCare Tennessee, TennCare Select, CoverKids and BlueCare Plus, the Dual Special Needs Plan.

Were pleased to continue our vital and beneficial work alongside Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare for the people of West Tennessee, said Amber Cambron, president and CEO of BlueCare Tennessee. This contract ensures that BlueCare members will be able to access health care, long-term support services, childhood wellness visits and more with support from the teams they trust.

Healthcare news:Methodist Le Bonheur now out of network for Blue Cross TN patients

Memphis news:How Methodist Transplant Institute's new leader plans to move center forward

Transplant RN Auyana Smith gets medicine for a patient on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis.

Providing the safest and highest quality care to our community, especially our most vulnerable patients, remains our top priority, said Michael Ugwueke, president and CEO of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare. This agreement, while a major step forward, represents a fraction of what we can accomplish when insurance companies put the interests of their patients first. We look forward to continued negotiations to return insurance coverage to all of the BCBST members we are so privileged to serve.

Currently, BlueCare serves more than 630,000 members across the state, including about 200,000 people in West Tennessee, according to Blue Cross.

We are grateful to our provider partners in the Memphis area who delivered vital support for BlueCare members while we worked to reach agreement, said Cambron.

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In a statement, Methodist said Blue Cross' "claims of relying on other facilities for care are not working. This is one of the reasons we pushed for this agreement with TennCare and BlueCare, to help alleviate the burden on those we serve."

How we got here

While this agreement impacts thousands, negotiations are ongoing about in-network coverage for others who have health insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee. That includes 14,000 employees covered by two City of Memphis plans.

Those patients all fell out of network Jan. 1, when the healthcare system and the insurance company failed to come to an agreement on the rates Methodist charges and the fees Blue Cross pays, both for inpatient and outpatient care.

While they can still seek care at Methodist facilities, out-of-network patients often have to make significant out-of-pocket payments to do so. While some insurance plans offer out-of-network benefits or reimbursement, seeing an out-of-network provider typically results in much higher costs for the patient for everything from a standard checkup to an emergency room visit.

Negotiations over rates have been happening for months. Blue Cross said Methodist, and Le Bonheur in particular, charges significantly higher rates than other facilities in the area. Methodist said Blue Cross asked it to slash rates by 40% and did not consider a counter-offer. The hospital system has maintained its rates are fair.

Both parties said they're continuing to look for resolutions for ongoing disagreements.

Corinne S Kennedy covers healthcare, economic development and real estate for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached via email at Corinne.Kennedy@CommercialAppeal.com

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Methodist reach agreement on TennCare patients
For more than 40 years, Celia Cruz quartered in Fort Lee. In late 2024, her image will adorn a quarter.

Officials at the United States Mint this month named the late Cruz one of five honorees for the American Women Quarters Program's 2024 series. Launched in 2022, the program is in its second year of a four-year run designed to create awareness for trailblazers in women's history, such as Cruz.

All of the women being honored have lived remarkable and multi-faceted lives, and have made a significant impact on our nation in their own unique way, said Ventris C. Gibson, the director of the U.S. Mint. The women pioneered change during their lifetimes, not yielding to the status quo imparted during their lives.

Born Oct. 21, 1925, in the Santos Suarez neighborhood of Havana, Cuba, Cruz would become the 20th century's Queen of Salsa." Cruz was a standout singer in her youth but had plans to become a teacher. It was only after she enrolled in the Normal School for Teachers in Havana that her talent became too much to ignore.

In this Sept. 17, 2002 file photo, Cuba's Celia Cruz arrives for a tribute in honor of Mexico's Vicente Fernandez as the 2002 Latin Recording Academy person of the year in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. Telemundo will air the first episode of "Celia", based on the life of Cuban singer Celia Cruz, on October 13. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File)

Cruz transferred to Havana's National Conservatory of Music and began to study her craft. She blitzed through amateur singing contests, toured Mexico and Venezuela and found modest success through performances on Cuban radio. In 1950, Cruz got her big break. She was asked to join Sonora Matancera, a historic and popular Cuban orchestra. Over the next 15 years, she would record 188 songs with the group and earn her first of 23 gold albums.

She would also defect from Cuba with the group in 1960 while touring in Mexico amid the Cuban Revolution.Boasting a powerful voice, Cruz was often equally appealing to the eyes. A cultural icon, she spanned music, film and fashion. One of her trademark colorful dresses, a long sequined gown, has been on display at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture.

After leaving Cuba and subsequently being banned from reentry by Fidel Castro, Cruz and her partner, Pedro Knight, moved to Fort Lee. She spent the rest of her 42 years in the community, just a river crossing from New York City's Latin music scene.

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From her New Jersey base, Cruz would make cameos in Mexican films, famously collaborating with Tito Puente and honing the Cuban and Afro-Latin sound now called salsa music. She won her first of three Grammy Awards in 1990 and racked up dozens of additional honors before succumbing to brain cancer in July 2003.

In 2022, the Forked River Service Area on the Garden State Parkway was officially dedicated to Cruz.

Cuban-American salsa performer and Fort Lee resident Celia Cruz was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2013.

Cruz is one of 20 women expected to round out the American Women Quarters Program through its 2025 end. The first quarter, which went into circulation early in 2022, honored writer, performer and social activist Maya Angelou.

The most recent to enter circulation features Bessie Coleman, the first African American and first Native American woman pilot. Each features a portrait of George Washington on its front face. That right-facing portrait created by Laura Gardin Fraser for the 1932 quarter had previously been shelved in favor of the common left-facing John Flanagan design, federal records show.

The reverse design for the Cruz quarter has not yet been revealed by the U.S. Mint. The process requires a review by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee and stakeholder recommendations before a final design can be selected by the secretary of the Treasury, records show.

Other 2024 American Women Quarters

Pauli Murray  poet, writer, activist, lawyer, and Episcopal priest.

Patsy Takemoto Mink  first woman of color to serve in Congress.

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker  Civil War-era surgeon, womens rights advocate and abolitionist.

Zitkala-Sa (Red Bird)  writer, composer, educator and political activist.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Celia Cruz, NJ Queen of Salsa, will get image on quarter
Feb. 8MERRILLVILLE, Ind.  Centier Bank recently presented a $52,000 gift to nine United Way agencies across Indiana as part of its annual United Way Workplace Campaign, including the agency in Elkhart County.

Centier Bank's associate contributions and a corporate gift will impact approximately 600,000 individuals throughout the state, helping serve more than 100 local United Way programs.

For more than 50 years, Indiana United Way Agencies have been working to improve lives across the globe through health, education, and financial stability programs. For the past several years, Centier Bank has partnered with United Way chapters across the state, resulting in the advancement of initiatives designed to impact thousands of families and individuals in need, according to information from Centier.

The donation supports the United Way organizations in the 11 counties in which Centier serves, including Lake, Porter, La Porte, St. Joseph, Elkhart, Marshall, Allen, Tippecanoe, Boone, Marion and Hamilton counties.

In northwest Indiana, 1 in 3 households can't afford basic needs such as childcare, housing, food and transportation, which is why United Way NWI is working to expand its services to meet those residents where they are, the Centier release reads.

Adam O'Doherty, president and CEO of United Way of Northwest Indiana, said the organization is extremely grateful for the Centier Bank partnership, which continues to grow every year.

"United Way of Northwest Indiana values our partnership with Centier, and this generous gift will go a long way in helping us accomplish this," O'Doherty said. "Truly, it is only when the whole community works together, that we can harness the power of caring to make every life better  today and tomorrow."

For the next two years, United Way aims to reduce the number of Indiana households living below financial sustainability levels by producing 1,000 graduates through the Level Up program. It also aims to guide at least 3,500 community members to the immediate help they need by creating a one-on-one case management and referral service.

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Anthony Contrucci, Centier Bank Board of Director member, said Centier associates look forward to participating in the annual campaign each year, which is a way to enrich lives across the communities they serve.

"Our Servant Heart Culture is what drives our purpose to enrich lives for an even better tomorrow," Contrucci explained. "Our associates enthusiastically participate in this fundraiser and by partnering with United Way agencies across our communities all year round and we are proud to contribute to their success."

For more information on United Way, go to unitedway.org. For more information on Centier Bank, go to centier.com.
JAKARTA, Indonesia, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Asa Ren, a leading DNA data company based in Indonesia, today announced the closing of a new early stage round of fundings of US$ 8.15 Million. This oversubscribed round was co-led by Top Harvest Capital (Silicon Valley USA), Kejora Capital (Kejora-SBI Orbit Fund and Orbit Capital Malaysia), and Marcy Venture Partners (Silicon Valley USA), with participation from Northstar Ventures, Naya Capital, PT Diagnos Laboratorium Utama Tbk, and a number of prominent angel investors. As part of the round, Kejora Capital's founder and managing partner Andy Zain, will join the company's board of directors along with InterBIO CEO, Irawan Mulyadi.

Asa Ren Closed An Oversubscribed Funding Round of US$8.15 Million in February 2023

The Ministry of Health of Indonesia disclosed that more than 70% of deaths in Indonesia are caused by preventable diseases that can be detected from their DNA (including diabetes, CAD, stroke, and cancer). However, only 17% of the healthcare spending in the country is allocated to prevention. Asa Ren strives to solve this by providing wellness, nutrition and clinical bioinformatics data for Indonesians - while becoming the one of the first DNA companies that does all its analysis in-house ensuring data privacy.

With this funding, Asa Ren aims to enable innovation in Indonesia's healthcare industry through the utilization of longitudinal and genomic data for accelerating drug discovery and personalized treatments. Currently, Asa Ren provides a direct-to-consumer DNA test that offers more than 360 reports - including predisposed health risks, ancestry, and other reports for adults, young parents and childrens.

Founder and CEO of Asa Ren, Aloysius Liang, stated that "Our company is very pleased with this funding. Especially to be trusted by such reputable partners and global-investors is an honor for us. This also marked a milestone achievement in Indonesia's dynamic genomic and healthcare industry development. Asa Ren is focused on building this industry with all our key partners."

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Top Harvest Capital, Adam Ghobarah added, "The Asa Ren team is uniquely positioned to bring genomics at scale to the Indonesian population. Their partnerships, their laboratory capabilities, and the scope of their ambition stood out for us."

To a greater extent, the new capital injection will allow the company to expand its efforts in deepening its digital capabilities, developing clinical bioinformatics, an electronic health passport, and a clinico-genomic database focused on non-communicable diseases. In addition, the company also aims to add medical diagnosis and complete health data of the customers.

As one of the Board of Directors at Asa Ren, Andy Zain, the Founder and Managing Partner of Kejora Capital also shared his support for the biotechnology company succession "Indonesia has the highest biodiversity in Southeast Asia with 1,300+ ethnic groups in the country. This provides a ripe opportunity for innovation and genetic research to improve the health and welfare of the country. We believe Asa Ren has all the right ingredients to capture this opportunity."

Asa Ren has signed service agreements with more than 47 prominent hospital and clinic partners and is expecting to grow its distribution footprint to more than 60 hospital and clinic partners by the end of 2023. The company is looking forward to bringing its value-added capability to escalate and improve Indonesia's healthcare and ecosystem.

About Asa Ren

Asa Ren is one of Indonesia's first DNA data company. The company aims to accelerate drug discovery and personalized treatments for Southeast Asia's healthcare industry by developing clinico-genomic databases from both healthy, and confirmed diagnostic populations.

Asa Ren's suite of technology allows our customers to understand and manage their own healthcare data through their genetic profile, 360 phenotypes, and medical records for a more personalized healthcare experience. With the data model built, the platform powers Asa Ren's data & innovation group to be an integral part of the pharmaceutical industry's research, development and innovation arm, focused in human genetics across a spectrum of disease areas - including oncology, cardiovascular diseases, and in addition to other non-communicable diseases - in bringing a higher quality healthcare options. Asa Ren's vision is to build the most diverse global clinico-genomic databases. More information is available at www.asaren.ai

More information on our strategic investor:

Top Harvest Capital: https://www.topharvestcap.com/

Kejora Capital: https://kejorahq.com/

Marcy Venture Partners: https://www.marcyvp.com/

Northstar Group: https://www.nsgroup.com/

Naya Capital: https://nayacapital.com/

Diagnos: https://diagnos.co.id/id

SOURCE Asa Ren
EAST PALESTINE, Ohio  After being displaced on Monday afternoon, residents in the evacuations zone around the Norfolk Southern Railway train derailment were allowed to return to their homes Wednesday night.

In a press conference Wednesday evening, East Palestine Fire Chief Keith Drabick announced that local agencies are lifting the evacuation order for the 1-mile area around the train derailment in East Palestine, including for about 22 people across the Pennsylvania border in Darlington Township.

Lawsuit coming:Lawsuit filed against Norfolk Southern by East Palestine residents forced to evacuate

Officials will continue to monitor air and water quality to ensure citizens' safety in the coming days, but the option for families to return to their homes is now available.

This photo taken with a drone shows portions of a Norfolk and Southern freight train that derailed Friday night in East Palestine, Ohio are still on fire at mid-day Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

"In order to ensure that everyone's returned to their home safely and orderly, please refer to the safe return traffic plan posted on Columbia County EMA Facebook page," Drabick said. "As the incident commander, I would like to thank the community for your patience and cooperation throughout this process. Thank you to our fellow safety service partners, emergency service personnel and authorities at the local state and federal levels for your tireless work and invaluable expertise."

Eric Brewer, director of Beaver County Emergency Services, also spoke about returning residents from Darlington Township to their homes. According to Brewer, officials in Pennsylvania will reach out to all residents evacuated and continue to offer support in the coming days."For Beaver County's process, we will be reaching out to Darlington residents via our mass notification system, social media posts as well as the local media," Brewer said. "We will also be reaching out to those residents personally to see what their needs may be and getting them in the right direction."

Smoke still billows from the remains of the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023. A smoldering tangle of dozens of derailed freight cars, some carrying hazardous materials, has kept an evacuation order in effect in Ohio near the Pennsylvania state line as environmental authorities warily watch air quality monitors. (Lucy Schaly/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP)

According to a release from PennDOT, all roads in Darlington Township have reopened to traffic now that the evacuation order has been lifted. Several roadways were temporarily closed on Monday as community members were restricted from entering the area during the release of toxic vinyl chloride from the crash site.

More:Toxic chemicals released from Ohio train derailment to reduce explosion risk

Crews from Norfolk Southern Railway will temporarily close roads at several railroad crossings in East Palestine as they continue to clear debris from the area. According to Scott Deutsch, a representative for the company, railroad crossings at James Street and Pleasant Drive will be closed at certain points during the next several weeks. A larger closure will also take place along Taggart Road, from the Pennsylvania state line to the East Palestine Self Services Car Wash, as crews use heavy machinery in the area to move damaged rail cars.

Deutsch also said Norfolk Southern Railway will keep its Family Assistance Center open for the "foreseeable future," allowing for reimbursements and expenses that occurred during the evacuation. The center, located at the East Palestine Park Community Center, will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. during this period. A call center will also be available for those with questions at 234-542-6472.

February 6, 2023: A black plume rises over East Palestine, Ohio, as a result of a controlled detonation of a portion of the derailed Norfolk and Southern trains.

During the conference, James Justice of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency spoke about the air quality and the agency's recommendation to lift the evacuation. According to Justice, EPA personnel and Norfolk Southern Railway contractors have been recording air quality from "strategic locations" in the region to collect hundreds of data points. While discussing recent samples, he said that the air quality from the last 24 hours was at "normal concentrations" and "what you would find in almost any community."

Environmental impacts of the incident:Regulators monitoring air, water after East Palestine train derailment

Testing was not done inside of residents' homes, but officials from Norfolk Southern Railway are offering to conduct testing at residents' request. Families interested in having their homes sampled by the company are being asked to call 330-849-3919.

Speaking for the Ohio EPA, Kurt Koehler said materials from the derailment have entered the waterway at the Sulfur Run River and officials are currently working to minimize the effects of the contamination. According to Koehler, the detection was made through laboratory analysis of the water.

"The unfortunate side is those were immediately toxic to fish," he said. "But all the information and data to date says that it is still been protective for the drinking water, as it applies for drinking water standards. We are working closely with our partners to ensure that that is maintained throughout the incident. Containment measures and the institution of treatment measures have been in place by working with Norfolk Southern and our other partners here, like Civil Support Team."

In this photo provided by Melissa Smith, a train fire is seen from her farm in East Palestine, Ohio, Friday, Feb. 3, 2023. A train derailment and resulting large fire prompted an evacuation order in the Ohio village near the Pennsylvania state line on Friday night, covering the area in billows of smoke lit orange by the flames below.

While the levels are safe, surveys of the water are still detecting chemicals related to the spill. Koehler said water samples are currently being tested throughout the Sulfur Run River, Lesley Run River, Little Beaver Creek and the Ohio River on a daily basis. Sampling of local wells has not been conducted yet, but officials from the Ohio EPA plan to conduct this process in the future.

Officials ask that residents report any abnormalities they may see in their water supplies, as this can assist in them containing and mitigating any further issues.

"If you're seeing something, or something gets past our containment as the days go, please report it," Koehler said. "If you see a discoloration or something, stay out of it. I would avoid that."

Looking toward the future, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said he hopes this response to the situation can reassure residents the matter was taken seriously and officials will work to make sure something similar doesn't happen in other communities across the nation.

"I think we expect Norfolk Southern to have answers to exactly what happened, and candidly, to explain what they're going to do to prevent that from happening here or someplace else in the future," DeWine said. "The burden is upon them to assure the public that what they do every day is safe. It would appear that we've gotten out of this without any major problems, other than great inconvenience and scaring a lot of people. But it could have been certainly a lot worse."

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: East Palestine train derailment evacuation lifted, roads opening in area
Korian expands its co-living concept to Germany

European Investment Bank backs the investment with a 150 million loan

Korian plans to open first co-living home in 2024, offering affordable care

PARIS, February 09, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News:

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is supporting the expansion of Korian (Paris:KORI), the European care services group for elderly and fragile people, with a loan of 150 million to finance the expansion of its co-living homes concept in Germany. Korian already runs 242 co-living homes in rural communities in France under the brand Ages&Vie, which the EIB co-financed in 2020 and 2021 to the tune of 135 million. Korian, which is already present in Germany, is now planning to extend this concept to the local market, by developing affordable community homes adapted to the German social system.

In France, through its Ages&Vie brand, Korian offers co-living solutions in small homes for eight people in the centre of small towns and villages, with live-in care persons. Beginning with 44 houses in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comte region in 2018, Ages&Vie now offers elderly care in 242 houses in ten regions across France. On average, the occupancy rate is above 95%1.

Germany is facing even greater demographic pressure than France, lacking sufficient infrastructure to meet the increasing need for solutions to remain at home while benefiting from assistance in day-to-day living. The number of people aged over 65 in Germany is expected to rise by 18% up to 2030. The vast majority of the elderly population shows a preference for living at home in old age.

Korian plans to open co-living homes first in Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia, with the first facility expected to open in 2024.

In Germany, each residence will consist of two modules comprising 12 units. Each tenant will have a private room with a bathroom. The common areas will include amenities like a shared kitchen, a dining table and leisure areas. The construction will have a standard design, and each place will have large outdoor leisure areas.

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The project aims to deliver affordable solutions for elderly people with a low dependency level, filling the gap between independent living and nursing care. Korian already operates nursing homes in France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle, who is responsible for activities in Germany, says: "The EIB is proud to address demographic challenges together with Korian in several EU Member States. In most EU countries, elderly people and their relatives are desperately seeking affordable care facilities that can become home for these older people, which is often difficult, especially in rural areas. Korians solution has proven reliable, supporting older peoples well-being."

"We are delighted to receive the continued support and confidence of the EIB as we expand our co-living home care solutions across Europe. The Banks support is important as it shows the relevance of these solutions for Europe as it faces a decade of huge change in demographic terms," said Sophie Boissard, Chief Executive Officer of Korian. "We are committed to continuing to innovate to provide tailored solutions across Europe to support people who choose to remain at home."

About EIB

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union owned by its Member States. It makes long-term finance available for sound investment in order to contribute towards EU policy goals. The EIBs activities focus on the following priority areas: climate and environment, development, innovation and skills, small and medium-sized businesses, infrastructure and cohesion. The EIB works closely with other EU institutions to foster European integration, promote the development of the European Union and support EU policies in over 140 countries around the world.

About Korian

Korian, the leading European care services group for elderly and fragile people. www.korian.com

Korian has been listed on Euronext Paris Section A since November 2006 and is included in the following indices: SBF 120, CAC Health Care, CAC Mid 60, CAC Mid & Small and MSCI Global Small Cap

Euronext ticker: KORI - ISIN: FR0010386334  Reuters: KORI.PA  Bloomberg: KORI.FP

_______________________

1 Excluding houses under ramp-up

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230208005980/en/

Contacts

INVESTOR RELATIONS

Sarah Mingham

VP Investor Relations & Financing

sarah.mingham@korian.com

+33 (0)1 55 37 53 55

Charles Rungeard

Investor Relations

charles.rungeard@korian.com

+33 (0)6 86 75 29 51

MEDIA

Matthieu Desplats

Head of Press Relations

matthieu.desplats@korian.com

+33 (0)6 58 09 01 61

Julie Mary

Responsible for Press Relations

julie.mary@korian.com

+33 (0)6 59 72 50 69

Florian Bachelet

Responsible for Press Relations

florian.bachelet@korian.com

+33 (0)6 79 86 78 23

EIB press

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The claim: Viral image of dog is from Turkey earthquakes

A Feb. 7 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) features an image of a dog in a pile of rubble with its paw next to a human hand. The rest of the human's body appears to be buried under debris.

"This picture was taken today in Turkey," reads the caption.

It was shared more than 1,000 times in a day. The same photo is also circulating on Instagram and Twitter.

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Our rating: False

This photo has been online since at least 2018, long before the Feb. 6 earthquakes in Turkey. It is a stock image and is available for download on multiple websites.

Photo is a stock image

Two powerful earthquakes struck Turkey and Syria on Feb. 6, destroying thousands of buildings and leaving more than 11,000 dead, USA TODAY reported.

The image shared on Facebook is not from those earthquakes, though. It has been circulating on the internet for several years.

The exact photo is available for download on Shutterstock and Adobe Stock. A picture of the scene from a slightly different angle is also available on Alamy, where it's attributed to Czech photographer Jaroslav Noska.

"Dog looking for injured people in ruins after earthquake," reads the Alamy caption.

Some social media posts also falsely connected the image to a 2019 earthquake in Albania.

Fact check: Viral image is from 2022, not recent Texas tornado

USA TODAY has debunked many images miscaptioned in the wake of natural disasters, including false claims about a car stuck after the Buffalo snowstorm and an alligator in a flooded Florida home following Hurricane Ian.

USA TODAY reached out to social media users who shared the post for comment.

The claim was also debunked by the Associated Press.

Our fact-check sources:

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Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here.

Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fact check: Viral pic of dog in rubble is stock photo, not from Turkey
Egypts Red Crescent launched a donation campaign in Egypt to help relief efforts and the victims in Syria following the devastating earthquake that struck both South Turkey and Northern Syria on Monday.

Residents in Egypt can donate to the Red Crescents relief efforts in Syria online through the Egyptian Red Cross's official website or through its bank accounts in Banque De Caire or CIB or Arab African International Bank.

The Egyptian Red Cross also announced that donors can donate through Vodafone Cash or Fawry application as well as through EGP 5 SMS service by just sending in Arabic Syria to number 9770.

The horrifying 7.8 magnitude earthquake and aftershocks in Turkey and Syria have claimed the lives of almost 20,000 people in both countries with the number expected to keep rising, making it among the deadliest worldwide over the past decade.

The quake also injured tens of thousands of people and hundreds of thousands were left homeless.

On Tuesday, two Egyptian military aircrafts carrying medical aid arrived at Turkish Adana Airport, according to the Charge d'Affairs at the Turkish Embassy in Cairo Ambassador Saleh Mutlu Shin.

The Syrian Red Cross in Damascus also announced that it received on Tuesday from Egypts Red Crescent 20 tons of medical supplies that arrived on board the three military Egyptian aircrafts.

This came a day after President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi ordered sending five military planes carrying emergency medical aid to Turkey and Syria to contribute to relief efforts.

The White Helmets, a Syrian volunteer organisation in opposition-controlled areas in northern Syria also announced on Wednesday that an Egyptian rescue team entered the devastated area through Bab Al-Hawa crossing to offer help.

El-Sisi also offered his condolences in phone calls to both Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday, stressing Egypts readiness to send humanitarian assistance and relief to help both the Syrian and Turkish peoples.

Egypts embassies in Syria and Turkey launched on Monday hotlines for Egyptians in both countries to report any damage or call for help following the deadly earthquake.

Egyptian Embassy in Ankara: 00905497695566

Egyptian Embassy in Damascus: 00963112144886 - 00963112144885



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FILE PHOTO: TikTok app is seen on a smartphone in this illustration

By Marine Strauss

PARIS (Reuters) - The French Senate will open a commission of inquiry into Chinese social media company TikTok to look into its use and strategy of influence, according to a statement from senator Claude Malhuret's office.

The commission of inquiry will aim to shed light on whether TikTok promotes certain content in some parts of the world, excluding China, in order to undermine its foreign users or not, according to Claude Malhuret, the lead senator on the topic.

It will also look into the platform's obligations in terms of protecting personal data.

China's popular social media app is under scrutiny in Europe where it is likely to be subject to stricter EU online content rules because its number of active users exceed a threshold set out under the Digital Services Act (DSA).

The online platform is also facing critics in the United States where a U.S. House panel plans to vote next month on a bill aimed at blocking its use in the U.S.

The commission, approved last night by a conference of the presidents of political groups in the Senate, will start working from March 1 with 19 members of the Senate.

(Reporting by Marine Strauss, Blandine Henault; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta and Benoit Van Overstraeten)
Students at Florida State University are taking a stand against Governor Ron DeSantiss efforts to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion programs from their campus and other ones across Florida.

Led by Students for a Democratic Society, a political student activist organization, about 50 individuals  which included Florida A&M University students and other community members  gathered Wednesday at 6 p.m. to march from the Legacy Fountain on FSUs Landis Green to the Westcott Building.

Even though FSU is a PWI (predominantly white institution), white students are not the only students at FSU, Isabela Casanoba, a second-year graduate student at FSU pursuing a degree in education, told the Tallahassee Democrat.

There are plenty of Black students, Asian students, Middle Eastern students and more on campus, said Casanoba, who is president of the organization. Just because they are minorities, that doesnt mean they shouldnt be represented in our curriculum and in our social spaces.

While marching, the students yelled out chants such as We wont go back, we will fight back and Money for schools and education, not for racist legislation.

Related news:Tucker Carlson says FSU scholarship promotes 'race hatred'; university updates language

More:FSU faculty say it's 'rubbish' as Christopher Rufo targets FSU 'radical' diversity programs

Delilah Pierre, president of the Tallahassee Community Action Committee, speaks to students and community members gathered at Florida State University on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, to protest Gov. Ron DeSantiss push to defund and close diversity, equity and inclusion programs on campuses.

Signs were held up high with the phrases "Hands off our schools and You cant erase us.

DeSantis has called such diversity, equity and inclusion programs "trendy ideology," and made their dismantling a key part of his so-called war on woke.

I think DeSantis intent is to white-wash history, to normalize racism and exclude any former version of realistic Black history, queer history and trans history, FSU alumna Delilah Pierre said.

She graduated from the university in 2019 with a degree in creative writing and is now the president of the Tallahassee Community Action Committee, an organization that fights for peace, justice and equality.

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If we dont take a stand now against what DeSantis is doing, were going to create an environment in our public colleges and grade schools that totally distorts history, 24-year-old Pierre said.

DeSantis in the headlines:DeSantis wants to know how much Florida colleges spend on 'trendy ideology'

More:DeSantis pushes Florida universities to the right, targeting tenure, diversity initiatives

Students and community members gather and march at Florida State University on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, to protest Gov. Ron DeSantiss push to defund and close diversity, equity and inclusion programs on campuses.

Recent reports show that FSU spends over $2.4 million on DEI programs, with $2.2 million funded by the state. FAMU spends a total of $4.4 million with the state funded portion being $4.1 million.

We call on FSU to not allow this to go through, and I call on my school to not capitulate, FAMU student Tim White said from the steps of the Westcott Building.

White  who goes by "Tewa"  is a student on break this semester who will be entering his senior year at FAMU this fall.

I truly do not want to see this happen to an HBCU (historically Black college or university) here or anywhere else," they added. "We are going to fight it every day that we can."

More:A detailed look at how much FSU, FAMU spend on diversity, equity and inclusion programs

The Students for a Democratic Society plans to continue holding rallies and is also working on mobilizing support from other chapters of the organization across the state.

FSU junior Jason Carles marches at Florida State University on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, to protest Gov. Ron DeSantiss push to defund and close diversity, equity and inclusion programs on campuses.

A list of demands will also be sent to FSU President Richard McCullough, according to the organizations Vice President Eric Carson. They include:

Protect all multicultural studies

Increase Black enrollment and professors

Protects trans students and athletes

Listen to students and oppose DeSantis

Contact Tarah Jean at tjean@tallahassee.com or follow her on twitter @tarahjean_.

Never miss a story: Subscribe to the Tallahassee Democrat using the link at the top of the page.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU, FAMU students march against DeSantis targeting diversity programs
SEOUL, KOREA, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HS88, led by Chairman Kim Ho Sung, is proud to announce that it will strive to build IPFS infrastructure and network to expand its Web3 business.





Web3 is a next generation internet technology that can address the structural limitations of centralized data storage. The core of Web3 is building a storage network, and HS88 has already established a distributed storage network through business agreements with KT and ChainUP last year. Through this MOU, a large scale of IPFS infrastructure and distributed storage were established at KT IDC center, and based on this, optimized mining server and equipment are secured to carry out FIL and Aleo mining projects.

Currently, HS88 has invested 10 billion won in two months to mine Filecoin and further expand its investment to increase scalability. For higher transparency, it is clearly disclosing the process of the FIL mining node.

In addition, HS88 is also participating in Aleo testnet 3. In order to preempt 25 million Aleo, which will be paid as an incentive to mining companies participating in testnet 3, additional 20 billion won worth of mining equipment was put in and also finished investment for Aleo mining since the mainnet in July.

HS88, which operates blockchain all-in-one service (development, consulting, education) and South Korea's largest data-based virtual asset community 'coala', is a first-generation blockchain consulting company. Further, HS88 announced that they will implement the largest web3 infrastructure in the first half.

HS88 is planning to hold a Fileup meet-up event in Daejeon in March. Starting with this event, they are planning to hold active and continuous online and offline events to create a communication window to discuss the future of Web3.

Media Contact

Brand: HS88

Contact: Media team

Email: whckdgml@hs88.kr

Website: https://hs88.kr

SOURCE: HS88




TORONTO, Feb. 9, 2023 /CNW/ - As we look towards the future and the possibilities that 2023 holds, it's time to start planning your next adventure. What better place to visit than the vibrant, diverse, and endlessly fascinating country of Israel. From the bustling streets and nightlife of Tel Aviv to the ancient corridors of Jerusalem, Israel offers something for everyone. Whether you're a history buff, a beach lover, culture seeker or a foodie, you'll find it all here. So, pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready to discover why Israel should be at the top of your travel list for 2023.

Where to go:

1. The Ultimate Mediterranean Coastline - The Mediterranean coastline of Israel is a feast for the senses. Imagine white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters and a vibrant atmosphere that never stops. Tel Aviv known as "the city that never sleeps", is the perfect place to start your journey, where one can enjoy the sun, sand, and surf of some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, like Gordon beach or Frishman beach. The culinary scene in Tel Aviv is nothing short of amazing, with a variety of delicious flavors and styles from all around the world. At night, the city comes alive with a pulsating nightlife that will keep you dancing until the early hours of the morning. But it's not just about the party scene - Tel Aviv https://visit.tel-aviv.gov.il/ is also a city rich in culture, with world-class museums, galleries, and performance spaces. Come and experience the Mediterranean coastline of Israel and discover why Tel Aviv is a place where culture, cuisine, and nightlife meet.

The Israel Ministry of Tourism (CNW Group/Consulate General of Israel)

2. Adventurous Desert - Experience the rugged beauty and unspoiled wilderness of the Negev desert in Israel. This vast and ancient desert is a paradise for adventure seekers, offering thrills like sand boarding down towering dunes, hiking well marked trails or mountain biking along camel paths carved into the sand, or simply exploring ancient canyons. But it's not just about the adrenaline rush - the Negev is also home to a rich cultural heritage and a unique culinary scene. Immerse yourself in the hospitality of the Bedouin people and discover the delicious flavors of traditional desert cuisine. The Negev desert is an unforgettable destination that offers a perfect blend of raw nature, adventure, wildlife, diversity of culture, and culinary experiences. Pack your comfortable hiking shoes and sun hat and come explore this amazing desert land in Israel.

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The Israel Ministry of Tourism (CNW Group/Consulate General of Israel)

3. Unique Cultural Experiences  recently announced as one of UNWTO 'tourist villages' Kfar Kama holds an ideal place to enhance the visit to Israel. Kfar Kama encompasses historic narrative about the Circassian community living near the Kfar Tabor, which was founded over 150 years ago by Muslim Circassians, emigrating to Israel from the Caucasus region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. The village, which is one of two such Circassian villages in Israel, (the other is Rehaniya), allows the tourist to travel through a time tunnel. The village is full of restaurants, family riding attractions, a dairy offering workshops on cheese making processes and the Circassian Heritage Conservation Center, which offers tours of the old village alleyways, a sound and light show, and tastings from the Circassian cuisine.

4. History was Never so Innovative - a New Visitors Center Opens at Tel Megiddo National Park. A new, state-of-the-art Visitors Center was recently officially opened at the Tel Megiddo National Park, promising tourists an enhanced visiting experience. The Visitors Center, which employs the latest technology, emphasizes the connection between Tel Megiddo and the Bible, alongside displays of historical artifacts. Tel Megiddo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the most excavated archaeological site in Israel over the years, overlooking about thirty different cities from various time periods in the history of the Land of Israel. Megiddo was one of the strongest and most important cities of Canaan. The remains of the palaces, temples, gates, and the city's sophisticated water system are evidence of its great power.

5. Jerusalem  A city of magic and radiance  Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and by far one of the most famous and fascinating cities in the world, where thousands of years of history resides seamlessly intertwined with modern day life. As a UNESCO recognized heritage site, discover the overwhelming power of this 3,000-year-old city, it's innumerable historic sites of great archaeological and those of faiths' significances. It's magical walkways and panoramic vistas that leave lasting impressions. It is said that one doesn't have to be religious to visit Jerusalem. A tour of the Old City of Jerusalem is an opportunity to answer the "curiosities" that most visitors have but is not all about history or faith. The modern side of Jerusalem is composed of a multitude of museums, an outdoor market that convert into a nightly youthful playground, modern architecture, cultural events, and of course the great shopping, cuisine, and vibrant nightlife, all mixed together into a fine cocktail of experiences that are uniquely Israeli.

The Israel Ministry of Tourism (CNW Group/Consulate General of Israel)

About the Israel Ministry of Tourism:

The Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) is Israel's national tourism agency responsible for planning and implementing marketing and promotional initiatives to position Israel as a preferred travel destination. IMOT aims to increase tourism traffic to contribute to Israel's economy, and to enhance and diversify the visiting experience. IMOT works to promote Israel's impressive assortment of historical, cultural, culinary, and religious attractions  each the perfect blend of tradition and modernity. IMOT offices in North America are in: New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, and Toronto, Canada.

For details on upcoming events and attractions in Israel, visit IMOT's website at israel.travel. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to receive the latest updates.

Enjoying the tranquility and some rays while floating on the Dead Sea. (CNW Group/Consulate General of Israel)

Tel Aviv takes Pride in being a world-class city. (CNW Group/Consulate General of Israel)

The Wall of Jerusalem - outside the Jaffa Gate and Tower of David within the Byzantine fortress. (CNW Group/Consulate General of Israel)

SOURCE Consulate General of Israel

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2023/09/c8353.html
Franchise builds Colorado presence; lays roots in New Jersey, Oklahoma, and South Dakota, ahead of approaching international acquisition

PHOENIX, February 09, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Unity Rd., the national cannabis dispensary franchise from Item 9 Labs Corp. (the "Company") (OTCQX: INLB), enters 2023 on the heels of a banner year comprised of multiple dispensary openings and continued U.S. development, alongside an approaching transformational acquisition that will bring the brand into an international market and turn it into a top 10 global cannabis retailer.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230209005339/en/

Since launching in 2018, Unity Rd. has always had one mission and vision in mind for the cannabis industry: to inspire confidence in the benefits of cannabis for all. (Photo: Business Wire)

Unity Rd. celebrated the following milestones and achievements in 2022:

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Additionally, Mike Weinberger, a founder of Unity Rd. and the brands former Chief Franchise Officer, was appointed to Chief Executive Officer of Item 9 Labs Corp. in November. His appointment marked the Companys transitional steps forward as it prepares for its future as an international cannabis franchisor. Weinberger is a 20-plus-year franchise industry veteran who co-founded Unity Rd. in 2018 and grew the brand to more than 20 entrepreneurial groups that are driving development across 10-plus states.

"We are building a dedicated, national network of local dispensary owners with the right franchisees, who are excited to be early cannabis entrepreneurs, see the possibilities that lie ahead, and are eager to make a difference in their communities," said Unity Rd. CEO Mike Weinberger. "Our Unity Rd. brand thrived last year with development across multiple U.S. markets and has promising acquisitions in the works that are key pieces in our overall business plan. We believe our ongoing efforts will significantly increase Unity Rd.s footprint, and global brand presence, while staying true to our focus of keeping dispensary ownership in the hands of local entrepreneurs."

Unity Rd. is actively seeking qualified franchise partners across several U.S. marketsincluding Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Virginia and Vermont.

To learn more about the Unity Rd. franchise opportunity, contact franchise@unityrd.com, call 720-923-5262 or visit unityrd.com.

ABOUT UNITY RD.:

Unity Rd. is the first national cannabis dispensary franchise model in the U.S. Since launching in 2018, Unity Rd. has always had one mission and vision in mind for the cannabis industry: to inspire confidence in the benefits of cannabis for all. From consumers to entire communities and investors, Unity Rd. was founded on the belief that everyone has a place in the budding $28 billion industry. The result: high-quality cannabis products guests can rely on that are sold in shops run by local entrepreneurs who are backed by Unity Rd.s collective 200 years of legal cannabis and franchising experience. An industry pioneer, Unity Rd. is the retail franchise from Item 9 Labs Corp. (OTCQX: INLB). The franchise has been named one of the top cannabis retail leaders in the nation by MJBizDaily, became the first concept of its kind to become a member of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and was named one of the "Best Cannabis Companies to Work For" in the dispensary category of Cannabis Business Times 2023, 2022 and 2020 lists. Unity Rd. currently has four shops open and multiple agreements signed with 20-plus entrepreneurial groups who are developing the brand across 10-plus states. For more information, visit unityrd.com.

ABOUT ITEM 9 LABS CORP.

Item 9 Labs Corp. (OTCQX: INLB) is a vertically integrated cannabis operator and dispensary franchisor delivering premium products from its large-scale cultivation and production facilities in the United States. The award-winning Item 9 Labs brand specializes in best-in-class products and user experience across several cannabis categories. The company also offers a unique dispensary franchise model through the national Unity Rd. retail brand. Easing barriers to entry, the franchise provides an opportunity for both new and existing dispensary owners to leverage the knowledge, resources and ongoing support needed to thrive in their state compliantly and successfully. Item 9 Labs brings the best industry practices to markets nationwide through distinctive retail experience, cultivation capabilities and product innovation. The veteran management team combines a diverse skill set with deep experience in the cannabis sector, franchising and the capital markets to lead a new generation of public cannabis companies that provide transparency, consistency and well-being. Headquartered in Arizona, the company is currently expanding its operations space up to 640,000-plus square feet on its 50-acre site, one of the largest properties in Arizona zoned to grow and cultivate flower. For additional information, visit item9labscorp.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, risks and effects of legal and administrative proceedings and governmental regulation, especially in a foreign country, future financial and operational results, competition, general economic conditions, proposed transactions that are not legally binding obligations of the company and the ability to manage and continue growth. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those indicated. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make in this news release include the introduction of new technology, market conditions and those set forth in reports or documents we file from time to time with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to revise or update such statements to reflect current events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230209005339/en/

Contacts

Media Contact:

Klaudia Rudny

Item 9 Labs Corp.

PR & Content Specialist

krudny@unityrd.com

Investor Contact:

Item 9 Labs Corp.

800-403-1140

Investors@item9labscorp.com
https://www.instagram.com/p/CmTtT5mJ5V2/?hl=en hed: Louis Vuitton's Kenzo Threatens to Sue Mom Who Named Her Beauty Line Kenz After Autistic Daughterhttps://www.instagram.com/p/CmTtT5mJ5V2/?hl=en hed: Louis Vuitton's Kenzo Threatens to Sue Mom Who Named Her Beauty Line Kenz After Autistic Daughter

Rim Daghmash/instagram

A mother from Australia is speaking out after she says the fashion giant behind Kenzo threatened to sue her over the name of her skincare line, Kenz Beauty, which is named after her daughter with autism.

Rim Daghmash, the owner of Kenz Beauty, recently shared a video on social media of the letter she says she received from Kenzo  which is owned by LVMH  that threatened to take legal action over the name of her business.

She first shares a photo of LVMH CEO, Bernard Arnault, who she notes is "the wealthiest person on Earth."

LVMH  which also controls fashion brands Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Fendi and many more  did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

In the video, Daghmash, who also did not immediately respond to a request for comment, then introduces her own brand, Kenz Beauty, "which was named after my autistic daughter Kenzie."

RELATED: Judge Allows Hailey Bieber's Rhode Line to Continue Promotion Amid Trademark Infringement Lawsuit

Sharing her story, Daghmash says after finding out Kenzie has autism a year ago, she quit her full-time job and began Kenz Beauty and "committed myself to her [daughter's] therapy."

"I launched this business to tell the world that autistic kids are beautiful. We are inspired by Kenzie's beauty, and we've called the business Kenz Beauty because autistic kids are beautiful."

She says after releasing multiple products, the company received lots of support from locals "who love to support small businesses" as well as "the autism community who is inspired by our story."

RELATED: Lizzo Granted Trademark for '100% THAT Bitch' in Reversal After Application Was Rejected

Daghmash says while going through the trademarking process, she was issued a letter from Kenzo's legal team that claimed she committed trademark infringement and warned that they would sue.

"Not only did they oppose our trademark registration, but they also threatened us with legal action in the federal court. To avoid this they want us to close down our business and stop using the word 'Kenz' in all our products, all our websites and social media," says Daghmash.

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"The global giant is threatened by a small Australian startup whose sales combined does not equal one sale of one product from Louis Vuitton," she says, adding that Kenzo's lawyers sent her multiple notices that included images of the product captured from her website.

Bernard Arnault

Sergei Karpukhin/TASS via Getty Bernard Arnault

RELATED: Elizabeth Chan Wins 'Queen of Christmas' Trademark Dispute Against Mariah Carey: 'Badge of Honor'

They requested that she to pull the products right away, Daghmash says.

"As if our small family business is threatening this guy and his multi-million dollar companies," says Daghmash as a photo of Arnault is displayed. "To me as a small business owner, this is pure bullying and harassment."

"A 5-year-old will be able to tell the difference between Kenz Beauty and Kenzo," says Daghmash.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

She then shows a logo of Kenzo and asked "how is this similar to Kenz Beauty? Someone explain to me."

Forbes officially announced Bernard as the world's richest person in May of 2021, with an estimated net worth of $186.3 billion  putting him $300 million above Jeff Bezos, who was worth $186 billion, and Elon Musk, worth $147.3 billion at that time.

In a statement to Australia's Channel Nine, a spokesperson for Kenzo Perfums said "Kenzo is acting worldwide to protect its brand and products in order to avoid any risk of confusion with a third-party brand and, above all, to fight against infringement."

The spokesperson said "discussions" began with Daghmash "without ever questioning the existence, the values and the functioning of this brand, but simply to avoid any risk of confusion to the public."

"Discussions are ongoing and we are willing to reach an amicable agreement that will preserve our mutual interests, just as we wish full success to Ms. Daghmash and the action she is achieving via her company," the spokesperson said in the written statement.
FILE PHOTO: An aerial view shows Kuwait City and the National Assembly Building (Kuwait Parliament), after the country entered virtual lockdown, as a preventive measure against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Kuwait City

KUWAIT (Reuters) - Kuwait intends to reconsider its policy of providing aid to Arab and developing countries through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, its foreign minister said on Thursday.

"There are developments at the international level that require us to reconsider the mechanisms of the fund's work and harness the fund's work to preserve our national interests," Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah said in a video sent by the foreign ministry.

The minister did not specify what the changes will be and the ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for further details.

Kuwait's policy change follows an announcement last month from Saudi Arabia's finance minister, who said the kingdom was changing the way it helps allies, and would make aid conditional on reforms rather than give direct grants and deposits unconditionally.

Earlier this week, Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Qabas said that the Kuwaiti fund's new policy would offer loans to states in exchange for "voting before the (UN) Security Council or political support (for Kuwait) on specific issues".

The report also quoted unnamed sources as saying that "free loans will be reviewed, in addition to reviewing purely humanitarian actions that do not contain any agenda".

Established in 1961, the fund provides soft loans, guarantees, grants and technical aid, but it does not give financial assistance to support budgets.

It has provided more than 1,000 loans to 105 countries, with a total value of $21.9 billion, according to its website.

The foreign minister also said that Kuwait wanted to preserve its "human legacy" built over 60 years.

(Reporting by Ahmed Hagagy; editing by Barbara Lewis)
An artist's reconstruction of what Kumimanu fordycei and Petradyptes stonehousei may have looked like.

An artist's reconstruction of what Kumimanu fordycei and Petradyptes stonehousei may have looked like.

The largest penguin to ever waddle on Earth, Kumimanu fordycei, steps onto a beach surrounded by another newly discovered species, Petradyptes stonehousei, in this life reconstruction. (Image credit: Simone Giovanardi/Bruce Museum)

Scientists have unearthed the fossilized remains of the largest ever known penguin on Earth, a 340-pound (154 kilograms) behemoth that glided through the oceans around what is now New Zealand more than 50 million years ago.

The fossils of this newfound species, Kumimanu fordycei, were found alongside eight other specimens inside beach boulders in North Otago, on New Zealand's South Island. Five of the remaining specimens belonged to another newfound species, Petradyptes stonehousei, one belonged to another known giant penguin, Kumimanu biceae, and two were unidentified. The rocks dated to between 59.5 million and 55.5 million years ago.

In a study, published Feb. 8 in the Journal of Paleontology , researchers estimated the weight of the two newfound species based on the size and density of their bones compared with those of modern penguins. The team found that P. stonehousei weighed around 110 pounds (50 kilograms), which is slightly above the weight of living emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri). K. fordeycei would have weighed more than three times that, tipping the scales at a whopping 340 pounds. For comparison, the average 20-year-old man in the U.S. weighs 198 pounds (90 kg), according to Healthline . (Without a near-complete skeleton, the researchers weren't able to estimate the body length of the new species.)

"According to our analyses, K. fordycei is the biggest penguin currently known," study first author Daniel Ksepka , a palaeontologist and curator at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, Connecticut, told Live Science in an email.

Related: Kids discover giant penguin's fossil skeleton in New Zealand

Previously, the largest penguin on record was Palaeeudyptes klekowskii, which lived around 37 million years ago in Antarctica, weighed 256 pounds (116 kg) and stood at around 6.6 feet (2 meters) tall, earning it the nickname "colossus penguin." The next largest, K. biceae , weighed around 267 pounds (121 kg) and had a body length of around 5.8 feet (1.8 m).

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Daniel Ksepka stands next to a cutout of the penguin Kumimanu fordycei.

Study lead author Daniel Ksepka stands next to a cutout of Kumimanu fordycei from an upcoming exhibition at the Bruce Museum in Connecticut. (Image credit: Bruce Museum)

The two new species were likely among some of the first ancient penguins. The new discovery could shed light on how the group evolved over time.

The new species had "relatively primitive flipper bones," Ksepka said. "In many ways [they] resemble those of birds that can both fly through the air and propel themselves underwater with their wings, such as auks and puffins." (But neither of the new species could fly.)

Penguins likely lost the ability to fly in favor of swimming around 60 million years ago, not long before the new species likely emerged. So these early penguins had not yet evolved the super-efficient flippers seen in younger ancient penguins and their living relatives.

The enormous size of K. fordycei shows that gigantism evolved early on in the penguin lineage, Ksepka said. "It goes to show that the advantages of large size, such as more efficient thermoregulation and diving, probably exerted very strong selective pressure on penguins soon after they lost flight."

The unique environmental conditions of ancient New Zealand played a key role in the emergence and success of giant penguins, the researchers speculate.

Related: Noodle-necked swimming dinosaur may have been a diving predator like a penguin

"New Zealand is (and has been) a great place to be a penguin," Ksepka said. "There are good feeding grounds offshore for marine birds, and there were no land mammals other than bats in New Zealand before humans arrived, which makes for safer nesting areas."

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Giant penguins like K. fordcyei disappeared around 27 million years ago, according to Australian Geographic. What caused their extinction is still an "unresolved question," but it is likely that the enormous birds were eventually outcompeted by marine mammals of similar size, Kspeka said.

K. fordcyei may be the largest known penguin so far, but it's possible that even larger birds roamed New Zealand.

"The size of K. fordcyei doesn't necessarily mean there wasn't an even larger species that is yet to be discovered," Ksepka said.
One person is dead and two others were injured in a one-vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon in the Chenango County Town of Oxford.

The crash took place around 4:30 p.m. in the vicinity of 1100 Hoben Road in Oxford, according to New York State Police at Norwich.

Troopers identified the victim as Taylor M. Demuth, 18 of Norwich.

The investigation revealed Ayden N. Strong, 18, also of Norwich, was operating a 1991 Chevrolet single cab pickup truck on Hoben Road when he failed to negotiate a sharp curve and the vehicle overturned, state police said.

Demuth was partially ejected from the pickup during the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Two other occupants of the vehicle received minor, non-life-threatening injuries in the incident, troopers said.

The investigation also determined the pickup truck was unregistered and uninsured and that Strong was not licensed, state police said.

Demuth's mother, Heather Colley, of Norwich, set up a gofundme page to help pay for funeral and burial expenses.

"Taylor was an amazing son, grandson, nephew, and most of all my best friend," Colley said on the page. "He would do anything for his family and friends to see a smile on their face."

The investigation into the crash is continuing. State police were assisted at the scene by Chenango County EMS and Greene EMS, Oxford Fire Department and Emergency Squad, and Chenango County Fire Coordinators.

Follow Jeff Murray on Twitter @SGJeffMurray. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Chenango County single-vehicle crash kills 1, injures 2
Thabet is accused of participating in financing terrorism and supporting terrorist entities, according to sources familiar with the investigations

Egypts Supreme State Security Prosecution has ordered a 15-day detention of Seif Safwan Sabet for similar charges of his detained father, who is the Chairman of the countrys biggest dairy and juice producer Juhayna Food Industries, a statement said on Saturday.

According to sources familiar with the investigations, the statement said, Thabet is accused of participating in financing terrorism and supporting terrorist entities, and that he was transferred to Tora prison to serve in pre-trial detention pending investigations.

Saturdays statement said that Seif was arrested on Saturday from inside his house in a compound in 6th of October City and, was referred to the investigation authorities on the same day, which took over the investigation with him on accusations of financing the terrorist Muslim Brotherhood Organisation within the framework of a scheme aimed at harming the country's national economy.

Egypt designated the Brotherhood a terrorist organisation in 2013, months after the ouster of Islamist Ex-President Mohamed Morsy following mass protests.

In December, the Egyptian prosecution ordered the 15-day detention of Thabet -- the father -- for joining a terrorist group.

While last Thursday, the investigative judge decided to renew Sabets detention for 45 days pending investigations on the background of the same accusation.

Earlier in 2015, a judicial committee formed by the justice ministry had seized Sabets funds on allegations that he had ties to the banned Muslim Brotherhood group. It is not yet clear if the fathers new charges are related.

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Despite the images of flames and public evacuations after train cars derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, late Friday, railway incidents requiring nearby residents to flee possible explosions or potentially toxic fumes are rare, a USA TODAY analysis of federal government data found.

Technological improvements to the railcars crisscrossing the nation's tracks to ensure better crashworthiness and temperature regulation, retiring old cars, and a decline in crude oil transport since their peak in 2015 have made railcars less likely to leak or spill hazardous materials, experts told USA TODAY.

Yet when wrecks do occur, they may serve as difficult reality checks for the many Americans who live near railroad tracks moving massive amounts of freight, including potentially toxic chemicals, each year. In East Palestine, residents were only allowed to return home after days of evacuation, sometimes under threat of arrest, due to safety concerns around toxic chemical release.

USA TODAY found that although catastrophic events involving trains and chemicals may be uncommon, hazmat cargo violations caught during inspections of rail shippers and operators appear to be climbing. Over the last five years, federal inspectors have flagged 36% more hazmat violations compared with the five years prior  and fines for those are up 16%.

One reason for the increase, however, may simply be improved accountability by agency inspectors. A 2016 audit by the Department of Transportation's Inspector General's Office found that inspectors were issuing lax penalties for violators of hazmat cargo regulations and failing to refer bad actors for possible criminal prosecution despite agency requirements.

In Ohio, 20 railcars out of the 100-car train operated by Norfolk Southern Railway were carrying cargo labeled as hazardous materials when it derailed near the Pennsylvania state line and burst into flames. As many as 2,000 people  a significant swath of the 5,000-person rural town along the northeastern Ohio and Pennsylvania border  evacuated from their homes for days after worries that unstable vinyl chloride in five derailed cars could explode, disbursing toxic fumes and shrapnel as far as a mile away.

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Environmental officials deployed air and water quality monitors to ensure those chemicals  associated with an increased risk of cancer  weren't being released into the community's air.

Preliminary indications are that a mechanical problem with a rail car axle may have caused the crash, but the investigation is ongoing, National Transportation Safety Board officials said.

What is vinyl chloride? Toxic gases connected to Ohio train derailment cause concern

A train derailment and resulting large fire prompted an evacuation order in East Palestine, Ohio, near the Pennsylvania state line last Friday night, covering the area in billows of smoke.

East Palestine residents and a business owner filed a federal class-action lawsuit Tuesday, alleging the derailment was caused by the railway company's negligence in operating the train, defects in their track system or in one or more of their cars  resulting in the exposure of hundreds of people to "toxic chemicals, fumes, and carcinogens" and evacuation orders, court records show.

Norfolk Southern declined to comment on pending litigation.

Not only was Friday's incident relatively rare, so too are deaths from incidents involving hazmat cargo rail cars. The last reported death from a hazardous material on a train was in 2011. A railcar loader in Kentucky was "splashed with 95% sulfuric acid while finishing the final stages of the pressure check before releasing the tank car into transport," according to an incident report filed with the Transportation Department.

But the consequences may still be widespread due to the sheer amount of cargo involved. Hazardous materials have leaked into waterways or caused other kinds of environmental damage. Clean-up often requires specialized training and can be costly.

Authorities said environmental agencies monitoring air and water quality in East Palestine have not detected anything concerning. West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice sounded an alarm about water safety in the Ohio River, though the water ultimately tested safe.

Why ensuring hazmat train safety can be especially difficult

The United States has about 140,000 miles of railroad for freight cars, which are owned and maintained by private organizations. Each year, nearly a billion tons of hazardous materials are shipped by rail, according to the American Chemistry Council.

Hazardous materials, or "hazmat," are defined by the federal government as "substances or chemicals that pose a health hazard, a physical hazard, or harm to the environment," such as unrefined oil, liquid natural gas and industrial manufacturing chemicals.

Portions of a Norfolk and Southern freight train that derailed Friday night in East Palestine, Ohio were still on fire midday Saturday.

These hazmat railcars are are required to meet additional safety regulations to ensure they can carry chemicals across the country without incident.

The rules for transporting materials depend on each substance and how dangerous it is. The Federal Railroad Administration describes railroads as "the safest method" for moving large amounts of chemicals long distances, yet most hazardous materials are transported by trucks on U.S. highways.

The Association of American Railroads, an industry trade group, noted in an emailed statement to USA TODAY that 99.9% of all hazmat shipments reach their destination without incident and that the hazmat accident rate has declined 55% since 2012.

How frequently do trains leak or spill hazardous materials? Not very.

In the last decade, hazardous materials have spilled or leaked from trains more than 5,000 times in the United States, according to a USA TODAY analysis of federal incident reports. However, other forms of transit notched far more spills. For every rail leak reported last year, there were two involving planes and 67 on highways. The federal reports show the number of incidents involving trains has been declining.

Still, in 2022 alone, rail operators reported 337 hazardous material leaks or spills, only 32 of which were classified as "serious." Only six were reported to have caused an injury.

Crashes are less common than leaks but can have more serious consequences. Railroad derailments counted for 1 in 10 hazmat wrecks in the last decade  and 1 in 4 of those incidents last year, USA TODAY found.

In the Ohio derailment, the cars carrying the chemical were pressurized and had thermal protection, according to an email from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Such additions are safety measures that provide hazmat cargo with extra protection from flames in case of an accident.

More: Residents question next steps after train derailment

Trains derail rarely, but can be very costly and dangerous

The most common reasons trains spill hazmat cargo are equipment failure, like broken valves, or human error such as improperly preparing cargo. Hazardous materials were released in 172 train derailments over the last decade, or roughly 17 each year. But when derailments involve hazardous cargo, the sheer size and amount of materials being transported can make wrecks dangerous and costly.

Last year's 18 derailments involving hazmat cargo resulted in more than 20 times as much financial damage, or $41.6 million, compared with the $2.1 million total cost in damage caused by roughly 300 leaks of hazardous materials from other causes such as loose valves, USA TODAY found. The cost includes the value of cargo lost, damages to the train, tracks and nearby property, and the cost of emergency and clean-up response.

A black plume rises over East Palestine, Ohio, as a result of a controlled detonation of a portion of the derailed Norfolk and Southern trains.

Despite the plumes of black smoke overhead East Palestine, nearby residents and businesses are typically unaffected by hazmat incidents even when there is a serious wreck. Over the last decade, homes or businesses near a hazmat derailment were evacuated at least 24 times, or only once every seven wrecks, USA TODAY found.

Have trains carrying hazmat leaked or spilled near you?

USA TODAY used federal data from incident reports since 2013 to build this searchable table readers can use to look up how often trains near them have leaked or spilled hazmat cargo.

If you don't see a search window below, you can find it here.

Agency inspectors dinged for past hazmat cargo accountability

A 2016 audit by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Inspector General found that the agency's inspectors lightly fined shippers and operators for violating hazmat cargo safety regulations and failed to refer cases for criminal prosecution despite agency requirements.

But an administration spokesman, Warren Flatau, told USA TODAY that the report's recommendations were "satisfactorily closed" by the agency and it had since taken steps to remedy all the issues identified. In an emailed statement, the Inspector General's Office confirmed that the Federal Railroad Administration took "sufficient action to address each of the recommendations we made in our report and we therefore consider those recommendations closed."

USA TODAY's analysis of available public data bears this out to some degree. It found that agency inspectors flagged more violations and on average fined higher amounts annually in the years after the audit.

USA TODAY found that federal regulators collected an average of $16.5 million in civil penalties annually from railroad shippers and operators, including about $4.5 million for violating hazmat rules, since 2017. In the five years prior, they collected an average of $12.1 million in penalties annually, including $3.9 million for hazmat violations.

The Inspector General's Office noted that the closed actions included a recommendation that the agency amend its policy and procedures to require all staff to report any "suspected criminal violations and instances of fraud, waste, and abuse" to it directly.

An Inspector General's Office representative declined to provide details on the number of criminal referrals forwarded to it, urging USA TODAY to ask the Federal Railroad Administration for such details. Flatau said the agency doesn't track such referrals because of the change in policy having all staff reach out directly to the Inspector General's Office directly. But he said the agency does not have the ability to arrest or prosecute anyone.

A drone image shows portions of a Norfolk and Southern freight train that derailed Friday night in East Palestine, Ohio, were still on fire midday Saturday.

Devorah Ancel, a senior attorney with the Sierra Club Environmental Law Program, noted that the Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration adopted new safety rules for hazmat transport by rail several years ago.

The revised regulations included measures like improved railcar design, which were "far better from the arcane regulations that had been on the books for decades that did not contemplate movement of highly flammable and explosive materials that are in transit on our rail lines today," Ancel said in an email.

She added: "Those regulations, however, left some improvements on the table. For example, the agency, in its final rule, chose not to adopt the most stringent of the brake design mechanisms that were proposed at that time."

Your life in data: See crucial databases that can help you make everyday decisions

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Did train wrecks spill hazardous chemicals near your home? A look at the data
PUTEAUX, France, February 09, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News:

ORPEA S.A. (Paris:ORP) (the "Company") has been notified that the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board ("CPPIB") has crossed downwards the legal thresholds of (i) 20% and 15% of the voting rights, (ii) 10% of the share capital and voting rights and (iii) 5% of the share capital of the Company, following the sale on the market by CPPIB of 7,424,188 ORPEA shares, between 2 February and 7 February 2023.

Following this sale, CPPIB (which held 14.50% of the share capital and 24.16% of the voting rights of the Company) holds 1,950,000 ORPEA shares, representing 3.01% of the share capital and 5.02% of the voting rights of the Company.

About ORPEA

ORPEA is a leading global player, expert in the care of all types of frailty. The Group operates in 22 countries and covers three core businesses: care for the elderly (nursing homes, assisted living, home care), post-acute and rehabilitation care and mental health care (specialized clinics). It has more than 72,000 employees and welcomes more than 255,000 patients and residents each year.

https://www.orpea-group.com/en/

ORPEA is listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN: FR0000184798) and is a member of the SBF 120, STOXX 600 Europe, MSCI Small Cap Europe and CAC Mid 60 indices.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230208006010/en/

Contacts

Investor Relations

ORPEA

Jean-Baptiste Roussille

Head of Investor Relations

j-b.roussille@orpea.net

Benoit Lesieur

Investor Relations Director

b.lesieur@orpea.net

Toll free tel. nb. for shareholders:

+33 (0) 805 480 480

Investor Relations

NewCap

Dusan Oresansky

Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94

ORPEA@newcap.eu

Media Relations

ORPEA

Isabelle Herrier-Naufle

Media Relations Director

Tel.: +33 (0)7 70 29 53 74

i.herrier-naufle@orpea.net

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Charlotte Le Barbier

Tel.: +33 (0)6 78 37 27 60

clebarbier@image7.fr
The leading cause of death in America can be prevented. With 80% of heart disease caused by lifestyle, changing habits and learning other heart-healthy strategies can give you the control you need to change your life

NEW YORK, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- While heart disease remains the leading cause of illness and death in the United States, certain lifestyle modifications can dramatically reduce one's chances of premature death due to heart disease.

WebMD logo (PRNewsFoto/WebMD Health Corp.) (PRNewsFoto/WebMD Health Corp.)

Launching February 14 and available for pre-order, Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, (Harper Horizon, February 14, ISBN 9780785240693), outlines how to proactively live a heart-healthy lifestyle and offers a step-by-step approach for reducing one's cardiovascular risks. The book contains straightforward information and interactive tools to help readers on their health journey such as:

a risk calculator to assess one's personal cardiovascular risk factors

a four-week meal plan

exercise guide

discussion of various digital tools and apps that may be helpful, effective, and which offer you more bang for your buck

"Although genetics, as well as, family history play a role in one's heart disease risk, most heart disease is caused by lifestyle choices, which means you can often prevent or delay it," says John Whyte M.D., Chief Medical Officer, WebMD. "This book emphasizes the importance of assessing your own risk for heart disease and provides strategies for adopting lifestyle changes to become proactive about reducing your risk of heart disease. After all, you have the power to take control of your own risk."

"In Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, I felt it was extremely important to give readers the tools and knowledge that emphasizes the importance of assessing your own personal risk, and then how to use that knowledge to make lifestyle changes and healthy choices to lessen that risk," says Whyte.

Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, 40% of Americans have heart disease, and it remains a major cause of illness and death. The theme of this book allows readers to take charge and mitigate their risk factors. Chapter by chapter, readers will learn how everyday instances may have an effect on their heart health, such as the quality and quantity of foods, lack of exercise, the role of sleep, emotional health and wellbeing, stress, depression, and anxiety levels. Readers will get tips and examples on the best foods to eat, how often to exercise, how to maximize one's mental health, and more.

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"We have known for a long time the mind-body connection, but we often ignore it," says Dr. Whyte. "There have been numerous studies that have demonstrated a relationship between depression and anxiety with heart disease. I hope readers take away some of the tips I provide to have a more balanced wellbeing, which will reduce inflammation and therefore reduce their heart disease risk."

Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk is the third book in the three-part "Take Control" series, which offers people the strategies they need to be more in charge of their health and well-being. It is available for pre-order everywhere books are sold.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

John Whyte, M.D., MPH, is a popular physician and writer who has been communicating to the public about health issues for nearly two decades. In his role as chief medical officer of WebMD, Whyte leads efforts to develop and expand strategic partnerships that create meaningful change around important and timely public health issues. He has been a leading voice in addressing the COVID pandemic, being named as one of the top 20 health influencers. Prior to WebMD, Whyte served as the director of professional affairs and stakeholder engagement at the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Whyte worked with health care professionals, patients, and patient advocates, providing them with a focal point for advocacy, enhanced two-way communication, and collaboration, assisting them in navigating the FDA on issues concerning drug development, review, and drug safety. He also developed numerous initiatives to address diversity in clinical trials. Prior to this, Whyte worked for nearly a decade as the chief medical expert and vice president, health and medical education, at Discovery Channel, the leading nonfiction television network. In this role, Whyte developed, designed and delivered educational programming that appealed to both a medical and lay audience. The television shows as well as online content he worked on won over 50 awards.

Whyte is a board-certified internist. He completed an internal medicine residency at Duke University Medical Center and earned a Master of Public Health in health policy and management at Harvard University School of Public Health. Prior to arriving in Washington, D.C., Whyte was a health services research fellow at Stanford and attending physician in the department of medicine.

About WebMD

WebMD Health Corp., an Internet Brands Company, is the leading provider of health information services, serving patients, physicians, health care professionals, employers, health plans and health systems through public and private online portals, mobile platforms, and health-focused publications. The WebMD Health Network includes WebMD Health, Medscape, Jobson Healthcare Information, MediQuality, Frontline, Vitals Consumer Services, Aptus Health, Krames, PulsePoint, The Wellness Network, SanovaWorks, MedicineNet, eMedicineHealth, RxList, OnHealth, Medscape Education, and other owned WebMD sites. WebMD, Medscape, CME Circle, Medpulse, eMedicine, MedicineNet, theheart.org , and RxList are among the trademarks of WebMD Health Corp. or its subsidiaries.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/you-have-the-power-to-control-your-heart-disease-risk-learn-how-to-manage-your-risk-in-new-book-by-webmds-chief-medical-officer-dr-john-whyte-301742559.html

SOURCE WebMD Health Corp.
Lisa Nelson holds a sign in protest of her and other residents of the Rio Verde Foothills loosing their access to water after Scottsdale shutoff the standpipe at the start of the year, during a Scottsdale city council meeting at the Scottsdale Civic Center on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.

Cody Reim went to the Arizona Legislature on Tuesday to beg for help.

Were almost 40 days without water, he told the Senate Government Committee. To my family, friends, horses and livestock, theyre going to die this summer if this does not go through.

No help was forthcoming.

Oh, our leaders passed a bill. Passed two of them, in fact.

Its just that thanks to Democrats, the bills will do nothing to the solve the immediate crisis facing Reim and his fellow residents of Rio Verde Foothills. And thanks to Republicans, theyll do nothing to solve the underlying problem that landed these residents  and likely future communities across the state  in this position.

Arizona has a drought, but it turns out its not only a shortage of the wet stuff.

There also seems to be a drought of common sense and common decency.

Water shouldn't be political, except it is

By now you know the story of Rio Verde Foothills, a desert paradise in the northeast Valley that should not exist. Except that it does, thanks to a loophole in the states water laws that allowed hundreds of homes to be built with no guarantee of water.

For decades, residents of the area have hauled water up from Scottsdale, but the city cut them off on Jan. 1, citing coming water cutbacks.

Scottsdale has rebuffed repeated pleas to turn back on the standpipe until the area can find a permanent source of water, noting that Rio Verde Foothills residents were warned for six years that this day would come.

Now that day is here and as is all too often the case, the Legislature that should have long ago prevented the problem is now rushing to address the symptom.

After the shutoff:Republican lawmakers pressure Scottsdale for water

Thus comes House Bill 2561 and Senate Bill 1093, a pair of Republican-backed bills that would force Scottsdale to sell water to Rio Verde Foothills until 2026, by which time a permanent solution presumably will have been found.

The bills passed both the House Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee and the Senate Government Committee this week but without enough votes to take immediate effect. Without Democratic support, the state cant force Scottsdale to turn on the taps until sometime this fall.

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Thatll make for a long, hard, possibly unsurvivable summer for some.

Water is essential to life, Rio Verde Foothills resident David Sloman said, during Mondays House hearing on the bill. Providing it shouldnt be politicized.

The problem, of course, is that hes at the state Capitol where absolutely everything is politicized.

Inaction now builds on previous inaction

Democrats werent particularly sympathetic to Rio Verde Foothills plight, correctly noting that this is what happens when you have unbridled growth and an unwillingness to fix a gaping loophole in the states water laws.

This measure would set a dangerous precedent without any real solution to address the underlying problem, which is the wildcat subdivision loophole in the Groundwater Management Act, Democratic Rep. Stephanie Stahl Hamilton of Tucson said, in explaining her opposition to the bill.

Its worth pointing out that Hamilton for several years has proposed bills to plug that loophole. Republicans have refused even to give them a hearing.

State law requires developers of subdivisions in areas like Rio Verde Foothills to prove they have a 100-year water supply before any homes can be built. But a loophole in the law allows land to be subdivided into as many as five lots before it is considered a subdivision.

Thus, you get developers with their pockets full and Rio Verde Foothills with its bathtubs empty.

The bills House sponsor, Republican Rep. Alexander Kolodin of Scottsdale, was visibly stricken by Democrats refusal to ride to the rescue of his constituents. He asked voters to remember who supported the desperate residents and who did not.

When this happens to you, when this happens to your community and this happens to your town, when its you who cant bathe your kids, when its you who doesnt have water, when its your animals that are dying, who are the people who stepped forward with a solution and who are the people who voted not to act? he said.

2 ways to solve the Rio Verde Foothills problem

Rather than turning this into yet another political cage fight, perhaps a better question is this:

What can be done to actually solve the problem?

It seems clear what needs to happen here:

1. Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega needs to put an early end to his power trip and temporarily turn back on the water, giving Rio Verde Foothills some finite amount of time to find a permanent water supply.

Ortega is the driving force behind leaving the community high and dry. As he told me in December, Im the mayor of Scottsdale. Im not the Rio Verde baron.

But he doesnt have to be a baron to step up and do the right and humane thing, especially as it won't cost him anything. Any agreement to turn on the taps and sell a share of Scottsdales water should come with a caveat: If Scottsdale  which relies more heavily on Colorado River water than many other cities  is forced to cut its own residents water supply later this year, then the residents of Rio Verde Foothills are out of luck.

There was talk earlier of finding water for Rio Verde Foothills residents elsewhere and running it through Scottsdales treatment plant and pipes but Ortega shut it down. Thats the obvious solution. The city makes money for treating the water and Rio Verde Foothills residents dont die. Win win.

The city, in cutting off Rio Verde Foothills, has done Arizona a service, really. Its focused both state and national attention on the fact that Arizona is a desert and water doesnt grow on trees (or soon, possibly, come out of pipes).

But for now, while it can, Scottsdale should do the neighborly thing and sell these people water, lest the city get a reputation for being downright snooty.

2. The Legislature needs to stop dreaming up useless bills barring the sale of kangaroo parts and banning COVID-19 vaccine mandates that dont exist. Instead, start dreaming up some solutions to real problems we actually have.

Instead of passing yet another bill to require U.S. flags in every classroom, pass a bill to plug the wildcat subdivision loophole that allowed Rio Verde Foothills to exist, that allows houses to be built there even now. Pass a bill giving counties the power to deny building permits in places where water doesnt exist. (Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, has a bill that appears to do that, Senate Bill 1149, but it hasnt had a hearing.)

Pass a bill that would stop mega-farms from sucking up all of rural Arizonas water. I know Saudi cows are depending on us, but so are Arizonans who are seeing their future literally slurped away.

Worry less about drag queens and more about that day thats coming, when we turn on the taps and a Gila monster drops into the sink.

We cant do much to end the drought.

We can, however, demand an end to the stunning scarcity of real leadership in this state.

Reach Roberts at laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LaurieRoberts.

Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Rio Verde Foothills is Exhibit A in our leadership drought
FILE PHOTO: Gas bubbles from the Nord Stream 2 leak reaching surface of the Baltic sea in the area shows disturbance of well over one kilometre diameter near Bornholm

By Guy Faulconbridge and Vladimir Soldatkin

MOSCOW (Reuters) -The Kremlin said on Thursday the world should know the truth about who sabotaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines and that those responsible should be punished after an investigative journalist said U.S. divers blew them up at the behest of the White House.

A sharp drop in pressure on both pipelines was registered on Sept. 26 and seismologists detected explosions, triggering a wave of speculation about sabotage to one of Russia's most important energy corridors.

In a blog post, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Seymour Hersh cited an unidentified source as saying that U.S. navy divers had destroyed the pipelines with explosives on the orders of President Joe Biden.

Reuters was unable to corroborate the allegations. The White House dismissed them as "utterly false and complete fiction". Norway's foreign ministry said the allegations were "nonsense".

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Hersh's blog post deserved more attention and that he was surprised it had not been covered more fully by Western media.

"The world must find out the truth about who carried out this act of sabotage," Peskov told reporters. "This is a very dangerous precedent: if someone did it once, they can do it again anywhere in the world."

He called for "an open international investigation of this unprecedented attack on international critical infrastructure", adding: "It is impossible to leave this without uncovering those responsible and punishing them."

Peskov struck a note of caution about treating a blog as a primary source but said it was "unfair" to ignore an article he said was "remarkable for the depth of analysis".

Russia, without providing evidence, has repeatedly said the West was behind the blasts affecting the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines last September - multibillion-dollar infrastructure projects that carried Russian gas to Germany.

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President Vladimir Putin has accused "Anglo-Saxon" powers of blowing up the pipelines, a Kremlin-designed project to circumvent Ukraine in exporting its gas under the Baltic Sea directly to western Europe.

PIPELINE MYSTERY

Investigators from Sweden and Denmark - in whose exclusive economic zones the explosions occurred - have said the ruptures were a result of sabotage, but have not said who they believe was responsible.

In his blog post, entitled "How America Took Out The Nord Stream Pipeline", Hersh said a plan was hatched in 2021 at the highest levels in the United States to destroy the pipelines.

The report said a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) working group came up with a covert operation plan to put explosives on the pipelines.

Russian officials and politicians have lined up to demand answers since the blog appeared.

"I think there will be consequences from this," state news agency RIA quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov as saying.

Another deputy foreign minister, Alexander Grushko, was later quoted by TASS news agency as saying Russia could take political or legal action in response to the report.

"The investigation is being carried out in such a way that... the remains are literally and figuratively left in the water," he said in other comments cited by RIA.

Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of the Russian State Duma, or lower house of parliament, said the report should become the basis for an international investigation for "bringing Biden and his accomplices to justice".

The United States should pay "compensation to countries affected by the terrorist attack", Volodin added.

(Editing by Gareth Jones)
Fortune Business Insights

Companies Covered in the Sodium Silicate Market are Occidental Petroleum Corporation (U.S.), Evonik Industries (Germany), CIECH Group (Poland), Silmaco NV (Belgium), Oriental Silicas Corporation (Taiwan), PQ Corporation (U.S.), Nippon Chemical Industrial CO.LTD (Japan), Kiran Global Chem Limited (India), Ankit Silicates (India), BASF SE (Germany) and many others profiled.

Pune, India, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to the report published, the global sodium silicate market size was valued at USD 6.25 billion in 2021 and USD 6.40 billion in 2022. The market is expected to reach USD 8.19 billion by 2029 with a CAGR of 3.6% during the forecast period. A broad range of applications of the product in everyday products is expected to propel the market course in a growing direction. Infrastructural development owing to rapid urbanization is expected to facilitate market development. Fortune Business Insights shares this information in its report titled Sodium Silicate Market, 2022-2029.

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List of Key Players Profiled in the Market Report

Occidental Petroleum Corporation (U.S.)

Evonik Industries (Germany)

CIECH Group (Poland)

Silmaco NV (Belgium)

Oriental Silicas Corporation (Taiwan)

PQ Corporation (U.S.)

Nippon Chemical Industrial CO.LTD (Japan)

Kiran Global Chem Limited (India)

Ankit Silicates (India)

BASF SE (Germany)

Report Scope & Segmentation:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2022-2029 Forecast CAGR 3.6% 2029 Value Projection USD 8.9 Billion Base Year 2021 Sodium Silicate Market Size in 2021 USD 6.25 Billion Historical Data 2018-2020 No. of Pages 250 Segments Covered By Application and Regional Sodium Silicate Market Growth Drivers Growing demand for the product from various applications areas to drive the market growth The derivative silicates are used to produce chemicals and compounds such as silica, precipitated silica, catalysts, and zeolites.

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Segments

Liquid to Lead the Segment Due to Increasing Usage of Liquid Detergents

On the basis of type, the market is divided into liquid and solid. Liquid is anticipated to lead due to its usage on liquid detergents. Moreover, using liquid form of silicates in adhesives is expected to drive the market growth. The growth of the segment is due to increased demand for sustainable products as consumers became more aware of green chemicals.

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Detergent to Lead the Segment Due to High Demand for Hygiene

On the basis of application, the market is segmented into detergents, pulp & paper, derivative silicates, construction, water treatment, adhesive, and others. Detergent segment is anticipated to lead as they are in high demand as hygiene has become a priority among others. Increasing use of detergents in the chemical industry as degreaser agent is also driving segment growth.

Report Coverage

The report provides a detailed analysis of the top segments and latest trends in the market. It comprehensively discusses the driving and restraining factors and the impact of COVID-19 on the market. Additionally, it examines the regional developments and the strategies undertaken by the market's key players.

Drivers and Restraints

Various Applications of the Product to Drive Market Growth

Growing demand for the product from various applications is anticipated to drive the sodium silicate market growth. Sodium silicates and metasilicates are used for various detergents such as laundry and industrial detergents. They are used effectively in removing soils, dirt, and fats owing to their alkalinity, cleaning power, and buffering capacity. Growing awareness amongst consumers about the use of phosphate-free detergents is expected to boost product demand.

However, the toxic nature of the product in the form of diluted solutions that are harsh and corrosive in nature is expected to impede market growth.

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Regional Insights

Demand for Detergents and Soaps in Asia Pacific to Drive Demand in Asia Pacific

The market in the Asia Pacific is set to have the largest part in the sodium silicate market share due to increasing demand for various consumer products. Countries such as China and India are the fastest-growing economies in the region which have high demand for detergents and soap.

Europe is anticipated to have substantial growth due to rising demand for products from the detergent sector. The region is also set to witness high demand for water treatment chemicals.

In North America, there are growth in the pulp & paper segment and high demand for food & beverage products. The increased demand for these products put pressure on non-plastic packaging manufacturers, leading to the demand for pulp and paper products.

Competitive Landscape

Expansion of Production Capacity by the CIECH to Enhance Market Development

Major players operating in the market have been expanding their capacity expansion. CIECH Group is expanding its business operations globally by expanding production capacities by investing in production technologies. In December 2021, CIECH Group started silicate production by designing a furnace that is expected to increase the production capacity up to around 240 thousand tons per year. The investment is set to increase the capacity by about 30%, making the company as one of Europe's largest sodium silicate suppliers.

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Detailed Table of Content:

Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions and Assumptions

Executive Summary

Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities

Key Insights Key Emerging Trends  For Major Region Key Developments: Mergers, Acquisition, Partnership, etc. Latest Technological Advancement Insights on Regulatory Scenario Porters Five Forces Analysis

Qualitative Insights  Impact of COVID-19 on the Global Sodium Silicate Market Supply Chain Challenges Steps were taken by Government/Companies to overcome



TOC Continued!

Key Industry Development



April 2019: BASF SE invested at the Dusseldorf-Holthausen site to modernize the silica plant. The investment is to improve and enhance the functionality of existing facilities for the next 10 years.

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A Starlink satellite-based broadband system used by Ukrainian servicemen is seen in Bakhmut on 1 February, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine (Getty Images)

SpaceX has limited the use of its satellite internet service Starlink in Ukraine over concerns the technology had been weaponised.

SpaceX president Gwynne Sholtwell said that Ukraines military will be unable to use the space-based internet to control drones in the region during the countrys war with Russia.

Starlink, which has provided Ukraines military with broadband communications in its defence against Russias military, was never never meant to be weaponized, Ms Shotwell said during a conference in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday.

However, Ukrainians have leveraged it in ways that were unintentional and not part of any agreement, she said.

Speaking later with reporters, Shotwell referred to reports that the Ukrainian military had used the Starlink service to control drones.

Ukraine has made effective use of unmanned aircraft for spotting enemy positions, targeting long-range fires and dropping bombs.

There are things that we can do to limit their ability to do that, she said, referring to Starlinks use with drones. There are things that we can do, and have done.

Ms Shotwell declined to say what measures SpaceX had taken.

Using Starlink with drones went beyond the scope of an agreement SpaceX has with the Ukrainian government, Ms Shotwell said, adding the contract was intended for humanitarian purposes such as providing broadband internet to hospitals, banks and families affected by Russias invasion.

We know the military is using them for comms, and thats ok, she said. But our intent was never to have them use it for offensive purposes.

SpaceX has privately shipped truckloads of Starlink terminals to Ukraine, allowing the countrys military to communicate by plugging them in and connecting them with the nearly 4,000 satellites SpaceX has launched into low-Earth orbit so far.

Governments including the United States and France have paid for other shipments of Starlink terminals on top of those funded privately by SpaceX.

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Russia has attempted to jam Starlink signals in the region, though SpaceX countered by hardening the services software, Elon Musk, the companys chief executive, has said.

Asked if SpaceX had anticipated Starlinks use for offensive purposes in Ukraine when deciding to ship terminals into conflict zones, Ms Shotwell said: We didnt think about it. I didnt think about it. Our Starlink team may have, I dont know. But we learned pretty quickly.

Starlink had suffered service outages in Ukraine late last year, for reasons SpaceX did not explain. Asked if those outages were related to SpaceXs efforts to curb offensive use of Starlink, Shotwell said: I dont want to answer it because Im not sure I know the answer.

Mr Musk addressed the issue in a tweet last week.

SpaceX Starlink has become the connectivity backbone of Ukraine all the way up to the front lines. This is the damned if you do part, he wrote.

However, we are not allowing Starlink to be used for long-range drone strikes. This is the damned if you dont part.

Additional reporting from agencies.
Stephen 'tWitch' Boss Died Without a Will, Allison Holker Files for Control of Estate in Court Docs

Allison Holker Boss is asking a California court for Stephen "tWitch" Boss' half of their joint estate after the beloved dancer died without a will.

Stephen died by suicide on Dec. 13. He was 40.

Per court documents obtained by PEOPLE on Wednesday, Allison filed a California Spousal Property Petition in the Superior Court of California in Los Angeles County on Monday, which is standard procedure in situations like this. Though California law says that a surviving spouse is entitled to their spouse's half of their joint estate once they're deceased, the living spouse has to file the petition to prove that they actually are the spouse of the person who died.

RELATED: Stephen 'tWitch' Boss's Mom Reacts to 2023 Grammys In Memoriam Segment: 'It Will Never Seem Real'

In the filing, Allison is asking for a "determination of property passing to the surviving spouse" as well as "confirmation of property belonging to the surviving spouse."

The papers note that Stephen died intestate, or without a will.

The filing details property, including quasi-community property, that Allison wants the court to rule she will receive as Stephen's surviving spouse.

RELATED: Allison Holker Remembers Stephen 'tWitch' Boss as a 'True Beacon of Light' in Emotional Tribute Video

Stephen "Twitch" Boss

Momodu Mansaray/Getty Stephen 'tWitch' Boss and his wife Allison

"This includes any interest in a trade or business name of any unincorporated business or an interest in any unincorporated business that the deceased partner was operating or managing at the time of death," court documents state in part.

Allison is not asking for administration over Stephen's estate.

The filing also includes facts about Allison and Stephen's relationship that Allison hoped would confirm she is his surviving spouse, pointing out that they were married on Dec. 10, 2013, and had a"nil" net worth. Stephen did not receive any property through a gift, joint tenancy, life insurance or any other beneficiaries after their wedding date.

Story continues

RELATED VIDEO: Stephen 'tWitch' Boss, Former 'Ellen DeGeneres Show' DJ and 'SYTYCD' All-Star, Dead at 40

It also pointed out that Stephen lived in California for the entirety of their marriage, and he and Allison didn't have any written agreements between them concerning how their properties would be divided.

Allison is ultimately requesting Stephen's half of Stephen Boss Productions and Goldman Sachs investment account as well as royalties from Cast and Crew Production Services; Disney Worldwide Services, Inc.; GEP Talent Services, LLC; and SAG/AFTRA, per the court filing.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

On Dec. 14, Allison confirmed her husband's death exclusively in a statement to PEOPLE.

"It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us," Allison said. "Stephen lit up every room he stepped into. He valued family, friends and community above all else and leading with love and light was everything to him. He was the backbone of our family, the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his fans."

"To say he left a legacy would be an understatement, and his positive impact will continue to be felt," she continued. "I am certain there won't be a day that goes by that we won't honor his memory. We ask for privacy during this difficult time for myself and especially for our three children."

Closing her statement, Allison shared a message for her husband. "Stephen, we love you, we miss you, and I will always save the last dance for you," she concluded.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.
The 2020 cover model looked as striking as the majestic creature itself.

Jasmine Sanders. Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

In 2020, Jasmine Sanders traveled with the SI Swimsuit team to Bali in what would be a memorable photo shoot for the German-born model. Not only did the location yield the cover image for the issue, but it also provided Sanders a brush with a big local celebrity. (Emphasis on big.)

Sanders was beyond excited to find out shed be posing with an Asian elephant. As photographer Yu Tsai called for the endangered creature, the sound of cicadas and birds filled the air.

Im literally like a kid in a candy store, an elated Sanders said. This is so crazy. I cant wait to tell my parents.

Sanders posed with ease. If she had any trepidations about modeling next to such a large animal, she didnt let it show. It may come as a surprise, but this is not the first time an SI Swimsuit model has been photographed with an elephant. In 2000, Heidi Klum was captured lying on top of an elephant in Malaysia.

Heidi Klum. Robert Erdmann/Sports Illustrated

Christie Brinkley became a staunch supporter of the species after her SI Swimsuit shoot in Kenya in 1989. I found myself eye to eye with a surprised and angry mother protecting her baby, she said in 2017. She raised her trunk and trumpeted a warning! I knew from that day forward I would always love and try to do my part to protect this matriarchal society of loving, intelligent, majestic animals.

These images showcase the enduring appeal of the majesty of elephants, especially when contrasted alongside modern fashion icons. The 2020 photographs of Sanders in Bali are no exception.
While Su Zhu, a co-founder of bankrupt crypto hedge fund Three Arrows Capital (3AC), announced Thursday that a waitlist is live for Open Exchange (OPNX), the new exchange may not be as open as its name implies.

The newly announced venture caters to those whod like to trade bankruptcy claimsin cases from FTX to Blockfibut stipulates on its homepage that people in 23 different regions are barred from signing up.

Those countries include sanctioned nations such as North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela, but the United States is also listed as one of OPNXs restricted regions. Thats despite some of the biggest bankruptcies currently playing out in the crypto space concerning companies based in the U.S., such as Genesis, BlockFi, Celsius, and Voyager Digital.

When Zhu unveiled the new exchange on Twitter, he stated trapped creditor claims from FTX, Voyager, Celsius were part of the creative spark behind OPNX, raised in conversations with CoinFLEX co-founder and CEO Mark Lamb. It clicked for both of us at exactly the same moment, Zhu wrote.

7/ somehow it magically combined - his idea for a next level cex

- lack of a great trading ui post ftx

- trapped creditor claims from ftx, voyager, celsius, our firm, etc

- wish to help investors and builder a safer future it clicked for both of us at exactly the same moment  Zhu Su  (@zhusu) February 9, 2023

A leaked pitch deck for the exchangepreviously called GTXshowed Zhu, Lamb, 3AC co-founder Kyle Davies, and CoinFLEX co-founder Sudhu Armugan sought to raise $25 million for the new venture.

One of the pitch decks central claims was that it will fill the power vacuum left by FTX and appeal to the crypto trading appetite of claim holders. But U.S.-based residents who were customers of FTX US appear barred, which totaled 1.2 million by the beginning of 2022, according to the exchanges ex-president Brett Harrison.

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3AC imploded last summer after sustaining heavy losses from the collapse of the Terra ecosystem. It was once one of the largest crypto-centric hedge funds when it collapsed and is based in Singapore, which is not on the restricted regions list.

CoinFLEX Users Irate Over Leaked GTX Pitch Deck From Three Arrows Founders

Crypto exchange CoinFLEX, while headquartered in Hong Kong, filed for restructuring in Seychelles last year. Neither of those regions is restricted to prospective customers of OPNX either.

Zhu said that CoinFLEXs native token FLEX will be the primary token of the new exchange, which popped as high as $1.61 following the announcement, according to CoinGecko data. As of this writing, it was down roughly 12% to $1.15.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's tour of European capitals brings him to Brussels on Thursday to lobby EU leaders for jets and long-range weapons to shore up his defences against the Russian invasion.

After almost a year of the most brutal combat on European soil in decades, Kyiv's unlikely war leader, a former television actor, has made only two trips abroad to rally Kyiv's Western allies.

On Wednesday, he met UK leaders in London and inspected Ukrainian troops training on western war gear, then flew on to Paris to dine with President Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

After arriving in Brussels, he is to make a much-anticipated address to the European Parliament, then attend the regular summit of the 27 European Union heads of state and government.

Arriving at the talks, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said: "It's very important that we speed up military aid to Ukraine. I think all of us looked in the warehouses at what we have. But we should do more."

The NATO and EU powers of Europe have been, along with the United States, the main backers of Ukraine's beleaguered defenders since President Vladimir Putin's Russia unleashed a full-scale invasion.

Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was proud to show Zelensky the Challenger tanks London is dispatching to Ukraine alongside German-built Leopards to reinforce Kyiv's forces.

The EU leaders will also tout the 67 billion euros ($72 billion) they have spent on military and financial aid to Kyiv, including funds spent on hosting four million Ukrainian refugees.

But Zelensky has more to ask. Ukraine's army is facing a renewed Russian offensive and its commanders want modern western fighter jets to free its skies from Moscow's raiders.

"The sooner Ukraine gets long-range heavy weaponry, the sooner our pilots get planes, the sooner this Russian aggression will end and we can return to peace in Europe," Zelensky said in Paris.

"There is very little time," he warned.

Macron and Scholz pledged that Europe would back Ukraine until its eventual victory.

"Ukraine can count on France, its European partners and its allies to win the war. Russia cannot and must not prevail," Macron said.

Scholz said Germany and its partners had backed Ukraine "financially, with humanitarian aid and with weapons", adding: "We will continue to do so as long as necessary."

'Wings for freedom'

As the one-year anniversary of Russia's February 24 invasion looms, Zelensky is pushing ever harder for friendly nations to send tanks, jets, and missiles.

Britain has promised to train Ukrainian pilots and has said it would consider the proposal for combat aircraft in the "long term".

The United States and other NATO allies are nevertheless wary of provoking Russia into an uncontrolled escalation that could draw in western forces.

On Thursday, Zelensky -- dressed in his usual olive green military-style garb -- received waves of applause as he made a historic address to both the lower and upper houses of the British parliament.

"I appeal to you and the world... for combat aircraft for Ukraine. Wings for freedom," he said.

Sunak's office said he had tasked the defense secretary with "investigating what jets we might be able to give but, to be clear, this is a long-term solution rather than a short-term capability."

Speaking alongside Zelensky in front of a British tank, Sunak said that "nothing is off the table" for Ukraine, including combat aircraft.

"Of course they are part of the conversation," he said but held back from giving a concrete commitment to provide fighter planes.

Zelensky said jets had been discussed and reiterated his call for longer-range missiles.

Russia subsequently said there would be a "response" from Moscow should Britain supply aircraft to Ukraine.

Moscow says Russian forces were advancing towards Bakhmut and Vugledar -- two key centers of fighting in the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine, now the flashpoint of the war.

Updated maps of Russia have gone on sale in Moscow bookstores that include four annexed Ukrainian regions: Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Lugansk, and Donetsk. Putin regularly refers to them as "our historical lands".

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Vantage Market Research, The North Star for the Working World

WASHINGTON, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global Vacation Rental Market is valued at USD 73.9 Billion in 2021 and is projected to reach a value of USD 99.6 Billion by 2028 at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 5.1% over the forecast period 2022-2028.



Market Overview

The vacation rental market is anticipated to perform well due to several key factors, including a rising knowledge among travelers about the availability of vacation rental services and the comforts and low rates associated with holiday rentals.

We forecast that the Resort/Condominium category in vacation rental market to grow over the forecast period 2022-2028. Majority of travelers prefer resort for their travel. Because these are easily available and offer wide advantages like easy accessibility, cost effectiveness and other benefits.

Get Access to the In-depth Free Sample Report @ https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/vacation-rental-market-1651/request-sample

What is Vacation Rental Service?

A vacation rental is a type of accommodation that is rented out for the purpose of short-term stays, typically for a period of less than a month. Vacation rentals can come in various forms, such as apartments, villas, cabins, cottages, and even entire homes. They are an alternative to traditional hotels and offer travelers the space and amenities of a private home, as well as more flexibility and privacy. Many vacation rental properties are listed online and can be booked directly by travelers.

Vacation Rental Market Sample Report Includes:

Market Overview: A summary of the current state of the vacation rental market, including the size and growth of the industry, key trends, and vacation rental industry segmentation.

Market Segmentation: Analysis of the vacation rental market based on various criteria such as type of property, location, and target audience.

Competitor Analysis: An overview of major players in the vacation rental market, including a comparison of their market share, strengths and weaknesses, and business strategies.

Regional Analysis: An examination of the vacation rental market in various regions and countries, including a discussion of market size, growth rate, and regulatory environment.

Market Forecast: A projection of future market trends, including expected growth rate, demand for vacation rentals, and changes in the competitive landscape.

Market Opportunities: Identification of growth opportunities in the vacation rental market, including the potential for new markets, emerging technologies, and unmet customer needs.

Market Challenges: Analysis of the challenges faced by the vacation rental market, including competition, regulatory restrictions, and economic factors.



Story continues

This information is often accompanied by data and charts that help to visualize the key findings and trends in the market. The sample market report can serve as a useful resource for investors, industry stakeholders, and market researchers looking to gain insight into the vacation rental industry.

Top Players in the Global Vacation Rental Market

9FLATS.com PTE LTD

Booking Holdings Inc.

Airbnb Inc.

Expedia Group Inc.

MakeMyTrip Pvt. Ltd.

Hotelplan Holding AG

Novasol AS

TripAdvisor Inc.

Oravel Stays Pvt. Ltd.

Wyndham Destinations Inc.

For Additional Information on Vacation Rental Market Players and Detail List, Download a Report PDF Brochure

Vacation Rental Market Dynamics

The vacation rental market is driven by a variety of factors that are constantly changing and influencing the industry. Some of the key market dynamics that have an impact on the vacation rental industry include:

Tourism Trends: The growth and popularity of tourism, particularly in popular destinations, drives demand for vacation rentals. This includes the rise of adventure tourism, eco-tourism, and other niche travel markets.

Economic Factors: The state of the economy, including factors such as consumer confidence, disposable income, and exchange rates, can impact demand for vacation rentals.

Technological Innovations: The rapid pace of technological innovation is transforming the vacation rental market, with advances in online booking platforms, mobile apps, and smart home technology making it easier for travelers to find and book properties.

Competition: The vacation rental market is highly competitive, with a large number of players operating at the local, regional, and global levels. This competition can impact pricing, marketing strategies, and the overall growth of the industry.

Regulatory Environment: Government regulations and policies can have a significant impact on the vacation rental market, particularly in regards to taxes, zoning, and licensing requirements.

Consumer Trends: Changes in consumer behavior and preferences, such as a growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly travel, can impact the vacation rental market and drive innovation in the industry.

These market dynamics can create both opportunities and challenges for players in the vacation rental market, and it is important for businesses to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in order to remain competitive.

Vacation Rental Market Challenges

Regulation: Vacation rentals are subject to a wide range of regulations at the local, regional, and national levels, and navigating these regulations can be complex and time-consuming. Some cities and countries have imposed restrictions on vacation rentals, which can limit the growth of the industry.

Competition: The vacation rental market is highly competitive, with many players offering similar properties and services. This can make it difficult for individual rental properties to stand out and attract travelers.

Seasonality: Demand for vacation rentals can be seasonal, with peak periods of travel driving up prices and creating competition for available properties. Off-season periods can be slower, making it more difficult to generate revenue.

Quality Control: Maintaining the quality of rental properties can be a challenge, particularly if they are managed remotely or by owners who do not live on-site. Ensuring that properties are well-maintained and up-to-date can be a major challenge for vacation rental businesses.

Marketing and Advertising: Attracting travelers to a specific vacation rental property can be a challenge, particularly in a crowded and competitive market. Marketing and advertising strategies need to be effective in order to generate bookings.

Technology: The use of technology in the vacation rental market is constantly evolving, and businesses need to keep up-to-date with the latest developments in order to remain competitive. This includes the use of online booking platforms, mobile apps, and other digital marketing tools.

Despite these challenges, the vacation rental market continues to grow and expand, offering a range of opportunities for businesses and travelers alike. By staying informed about the latest trends and developments, businesses can successfully navigate the challenges and capitalize on the opportunities in the industry.

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Vacation Rental Market Future Trends

Increased Demand for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Properties: As consumers become more environmentally conscious, there is a growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly vacation rental properties. This includes properties that use renewable energy, minimize waste, and promote environmentally-friendly practices.

Growth of Experiential Travel: The rise of experiential travel is leading to a demand for unique and personalized vacation rental experiences. This includes properties that offer unique features and amenities, such as treehouses, yurts, and other unusual accommodations.

Expansion of Luxury Vacation Rentals: The luxury vacation rental market is growing, as more travelers are looking for high-end properties that offer the ultimate in comfort and luxury. This includes properties with private pools, hot tubs, and other premium amenities.

Growth of Technology in the Vacation Rental Industry: Technology will continue to play a significant role in the vacation rental market, with advances in online booking platforms, mobile apps, and other digital tools making it easier for travelers to find and book properties.

Expansion of the Short-Term Rental Market: The short-term rental market is expanding, with a growing number of travelers opting for vacation rentals over traditional hotels. This trend is being driven by the desire for more space, privacy, and flexibility, as well as the availability of high-quality, affordable properties.

Greater Focus on Health and Safety: In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, health and safety will become a top priority for the vacation rental industry. This includes increased cleaning and sanitization practices, as well as the availability of health and safety amenities, such as touchless check-in and other contactless technologies.

These trends will continue to shape the future of the vacation rental market, and it is important for businesses to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in order to remain competitive and capitalize on the opportunities in the industry.

Browse Market Data Tables and Figures spread through 143 Pages and in-depth TOC on Vacation Rental Market Forecast Report (2022-2028).

Vacation Rental Market Segmentation

By Accommodation Type

Home

Apartments

Resort/Condominium

Others

By Booking Mode

Online

Offline

Future of Vacation Rental Market by Vantage Market Research

The future of the vacation rental market looks bright, with growth and expansion expected to continue in the coming years. As the global economy continues to recover, travel demand is expected to increase, which will drive growth in the vacation rental market. The sharing economy, which includes platforms like Airbnb and VRBO, will continue to grow, providing a wider range of properties for travelers to choose from and increasing competition in the market.

With the rise of remote work, travelers will have more flexibility to travel and stay in vacation rentals, leading to increased demand for these properties. As travelers look for new and unique destinations, new vacation rental markets will emerge in less traditional locations, offering travelers a wider range of options for their vacations. The growing concern for the environment and the desire for sustainable travel experiences will lead to a greater demand for eco-friendly vacation rental properties.

Technology will continue to play a major role in the vacation rental market, with advancements in online booking platforms, mobile apps, and other digital tools making it easier for travelers to find and book properties. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the future of the vacation rental market remains positive, with growth and expansion expected in the coming years. By staying informed about the latest trends and developments, businesses can capitalize on the opportunities in the industry and position themselves for success in the future.

Read Full Report @ https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/vacation-rental-market-1651

Top 3 Companies in Vacation Rental Market Profiles

1. 9flats.com PTE is a Singapore-based online platform for short-term and holiday rentals. The company operates as a peer-to-peer vacation rental platform, connecting travelers with local hosts who have homes, apartments, or rooms to rent. The platform offers a range of properties in cities around the world, providing travelers with an alternative to traditional hotels and giving hosts the opportunity to earn money from their unused space. 9flats.com was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Singapore. The company's mission is to provide travelers with unique and affordable accommodation options that offer a more authentic and localized experience than traditional hotels.

2. Airbnb, Inc. is an American online marketplace that connects people who need a place to stay with people who have a spare room or entire property to rent. It was founded in 2008 and has since grown to become one of the largest vacation rental platforms in the world, with over 7 million properties listed in more than 220 countries and regions.

Airbnb offers a variety of accommodation options, including private rooms, entire apartments, and unique properties like treehouses and castles. The platform also provides a range of services to both guests and hosts, such as the ability to easily book and manage reservations, access to customer support, and a secure payment system.

In addition to traditional vacation rentals, Airbnb has also expanded into other areas, such as experiences and events, allowing travelers to book unique experiences with local hosts. The company has become a popular alternative to traditional hotels and has disrupted the travel industry by offering travelers more affordable and unique accommodation options.

Overall, Airbnb has had a significant impact on the travel industry and has transformed the way people travel and think about accommodation. The company continues to grow and evolve, and it is expected to remain a major player in the vacation rental market in the future.

3. Booking Holdings Inc. is an American online travel company that operates a number of well-known travel websites, including Booking.com, Priceline.com, and Kayak. The company was formerly known as The Priceline Group Inc. and was renamed in 2018.

Booking Holdings provides a range of travel services, including flight and hotel bookings, rental car reservations, and vacation rentals. The company's vacation rental offerings include a wide range of properties, including apartments, villas, and cottages, and are available in popular destinations around the world.

The company's websites are among the most popular travel websites globally, and they offer a user-friendly and intuitive platform that makes it easy for travelers to search and book properties. In addition to its vacation rental offerings, Booking Holdings provides a number of other travel-related services, including flight and hotel bookings, rental car reservations, and travel insurance.

Overall, Booking Holdings is a leading player in the travel industry, and its vacation rental offerings are a significant part of its overall business. The company is known for its innovative approach to travel and for providing travelers with a wide range of affordable and convenient travel options.

Vacation Rental Market Recent Development

December 2021: Booking Holdings Inc. acquired Getaroom from Court Square Capital Partners for US$1.2 billion. Through this acquisition, the brand aims to add value to its pipeline.

October 2020: TripAdvisor has launched two new technology solutions for hotels, Spotlight and Reputation Pro. Both aim to improve their hospitality business and make data-driven decisions to increase traveler confidence, attract new customers and increase profitability.

Vacation Rental Market Regional Analysis

The vacation rental market can be analyzed regionally to understand the market trends and demand patterns in different parts of the world.

North America: North America is one of the largest and most mature vacation rental markets in the world, with a well-established infrastructure and a high demand for travel. The United States and Canada are major contributors to the growth of the vacation rental market in the region.

Europe: Europe is a well-developed vacation rental market, with a large number of properties available for rent in popular tourist destinations. The region is known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and diverse landscapes, which make it a popular destination for travelers.

Asia-Pacific: The Asia-Pacific region is a rapidly growing vacation rental market, driven by the increasing number of tourists visiting the region and the growth of the middle class in countries like China and India.

Latin America: The vacation rental market in Latin America is still in its early stages of development, but it is growing rapidly, driven by the region's natural beauty, rich culture, and diverse landscapes.

Middle East and Africa: The vacation rental market in the Middle East and Africa is relatively small, but it is growing rapidly, driven by the growth of the tourism industry in the region and the increasing number of travelers visiting the area.

Each region has its own unique drivers and challenges, and understanding these regional trends is essential for businesses operating in the vacation rental market. By analyzing the market on a regional basis, businesses can identify new opportunities, target specific market segments, and adapt their strategies to best meet the needs of the market.

Scope of the Report:

Report Attributes Details Market Size in 2021 USD 73.9 Billion Revenue Forecast by 2028 USD 99.6 Billion CAGR 5.1% from 2022 to 2028 Base Year 2021 Forecast Year 2022 to 2028 Key Players 9FLATS.com PTE LTD, Airbnb Inc., MakeMyTrip Pvt. Ltd., Booking Holdings Inc., Expedia Group Inc., Novasol AS, Hotelplan Holding AG, Oravel Stays Pvt. Ltd., TripAdvisor Inc. Customization Options Customized purchase options are available to meet any research needs. Explore customized purchase options

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Handsomely lettered signs once hung at the city limits of Wauwatosa, meant to exclude Black people from owning or occupying homes. One hung outside at the Wauwatosa Historical Society until it was taken down in 2019 after an inquiry from the Journal Sentinel.

Some property deeds in Wauwatosa still include a reminder of the city's dark past of racial and religious segregation. The Wauwatosa Common Council unanimously agreed on Tuesday to push for state law that would help remove these restrictive covenants from deeds across Wisconsin.

Originally proposed by the city's equity and inclusion commission, the Racial Covenant Resolution urges Gov. Tony Evers and state legislators to enact laws that would remove, or make it easier for property owners to remove, racist and antisemitic language that once banned Black and Jewish people from living in certain areas.

"This is a vestige of a very bad and dark time in this city," said Wauwatosa Mayor Dennis McBride before the council's vote. "I compared this to pulling down our Confederate statues, which we do not have. We're pulling down these."

Ald. Joe Phillips told the council on Tuesday that Rep. Robyn Vining is working on legislation to be introduced in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

Restrictive covenants became unenforceable in 1948 and were specifically made illegal after the Fair Housing Act in 1968, but the damage they caused can't be erased. That's why education from projects like Mapping Racism and Resistance, which aims to document and map restrictive covenants in Milwaukee County, is key, said Ald. Margaret Arney.

Margaret Arney is the first Black common council member in the history of Wauwatosa.

"I think Wauwatosa is doing a lot to embrace what it's going to take to come into the vision that we have for ourselves as a community that's welcoming for all, and it's everybody's job," said Arney, also a member of the equity and inclusion commission.

Arney is a founding member of community social justice organization Tosa Together.

"One of the big things that (Tosa Together) did is community education, and that just needs to continue," she said. "We have a Black History Month celebration with Tosa Together coming up on (Feb. 16), and I just hope we'll have more and more."

By the 1940s, at least 16 of the 18 Milwaukee County suburbs used restrictive covenants to exclude Black families from residential areas, according to records from the Metropolitan Integration Research Center.

Story continues

"We have the kind of legal structure in Wisconsin that will allow people from all the different municipalities to have a process for getting rid of racial and religious restrictions in any kind of covenant on their deeds," Arney said.

More:How we measure segregation and what the numbers actually tell us

More:The home of the first black man to build in Wauwatosa is being considered for historic designation

Quinn Clark can be emailed at QClark@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @Quinn_A_Clark.

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: New law to propose ban on discriminatory housing deeds in Wisconsin
Lawmakers in Texas, Florida, Arkansas and in Congress have proposed laws banning citizens of China from buying land, homes and other buildings in the United States.

It's a move they say will help protect the United States from interference by adversaries like China's government, which they accuse of spying, theft and risking the American food supply. Former president and 2024 presidential candidate Donald Trump has backed the efforts.

A federal proposal filed by a bipartisan group of members of Congress has been dubbed the "Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security Act." Eleven states are considering versions of the same measure, and Iowa already has a ban in place.

The downing of what U.S. officials say was a Chinese surveillance balloon on Saturday has brought fresh attention to the growing tensions between the U.S. and China in several areas, from trade and tariff disputes to military maneuvers.

But critics say the laws  which sometimes also include bans on land purchases by North Koreans, Russians and Iranians  hark back to racist laws from the early 1900s preventing Asian Americans from becoming property owners.

"It is scapegoating, it's stigmatizing, and it plays into the view of Chinese Americans and Asian Americans as the perpetual foreigner: They can never be American enough," said Manjusha Kulkarni, executive director of AAPI Equity Alliance and founder of Stop AAPI Hate. "And when you put these policies into place, you perpetuate that stigma and the attacks on Asian Americans."

LATEST: Chinese spy balloon flew over other US missile and nuclear weapons sites, lawmaker says

Texas proposal seeks to ban Chinese and other foreign nationals from owning land

Although similar bills have been filed in several states, a Texas proposal got new attention earlier this year after Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said he would sign it.

In 2021, Abbott signed a different Texas law forbidding citizens or the governments of North Korea, Russia, Iran and China from having ownership or contracts connected to critical infrastructure. The federal government has already hit Russia with sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine, as well as on North Korea and Iran over their nuclear programs.

Story continues

The proposed Texas property ownership law bars purchases by people from those four countries, including Green Card and visa holders, and asylum seekers. The laws would not apply to people who are already U.S. citizens.

"The growing ownership of Texas land by some foreign entities is highly disturbing and raises red flags for many Texans," Republican state Sen. Lois Kolkhorst said in a statement announcing her proposed law. "By comparison, as an American, go try to buy land near a Chinese military base and see how it works out for you. It would never happen there, and it shouldn't happen here."

Kolkhorst said she's open to amending the bill to allow permanent U.S. residents born in those countries to buy land.

Where else is this an issue?

Kolkhorst cited several examples of what she called alarming land purchases in North Dakota, Florida and Texas, including the 2021 purchase of more than 130,000 acres by a Chinese-controlled company that planned to build a small wind farm near Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas.

Texas lawmakers, including both of its U.S. senators, opposed the project on the grounds that China could use the property to interfere with the base or the already unreliable Texas electrical grid.

Nationally, the U.S. Air Force said last month that a proposed Chinese-owned corn mill near Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota "presents a significant threat to national security," but it did not elaborate. Federal law requires a Defense Department risk analysis whenever a foreign person or country buys property close to sensitive military sites.

As a third-generation Montana farmer, Im not going to sit back and let our foreign adversaries weaken our national security by buying up American farmland," said Sen. Jon Tester, a Montana Democrat, in a statement when he helped introduce the PASS Act in Congress.

A U.S. Air Force installation surrounded by farmland in central Montana is seen on Feb. 7, 2023, near Harlowton, Montana. Lawmakers in at least 11 statehouses and Congress are weighing further restrictions on foreign ownership of U.S. farmland.

Measure 'targets immigrant communities'

Opponents of the proposals say supporters are using familiar rhetoric to advance a racist agenda exploiting fear to attack outsiders.

"It's a resurrection of the 'Yellow Peril': We are outsiders who are threats," said Russell Jeung, a professor of Asian American studies at San Francisco State University. "They are creating policies that aren't grounded in evidence or sound economic analysis, but are really based on stereotypes and outsized fears. And it works."

Kulkarni, of Stop AAPI Hate, said there's little evidence the Chinese government is backing a widespread campaign of land purchases for nefarious purposes.

She supports efforts to protect the United States from foreign adversaries, but she believes the PASS Act and other proposals are written too broadly.

"For a nation that sees itself as a country made up of immigrants, this is a measure that targets immigrant communities seeking to develop roots in the United States and to become part of the fabric of America," she said.

More: Japanese American detainees at Camp Amache recall 1942 incarceration

Anti-Asian American violence: How teachers are trying to stop it.

What are the concerns with foreign ownership?

Some U.S. security experts worry Chinese ownership of companies like Smithfield Foods threatens the U.S. food supply. Smithfield owns brands from Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs to Cook's Ham and Kretschmar deli meats and cheese.

As of 2019, 76% of U.S. agricultural land owned by Chinese entities belonged to Smithfield, which exports pork products to China, according to federal statistics.

A report in May 2022 by the congressionally chartered U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission warned that China's need for food is driving its efforts to buy farmland abroad, along with buying or stealing the technology behind genetically modified crops, sophisticated livestock management systems and advanced farming equipment.

"The United States is a global leader in all of these fields, making it a prime trading partner and often a target of Chinas efforts to strengthen its agriculture sector and food security, sometimes through illicit means," the report said. "These efforts present several risks to U.S. economic and national security."

More: Video shows moment US shot down suspected Chinese spy balloon

How much of American land is owned by foreigners?

The federal government already requires foreign buyers to report when they buy agricultural land.

As of 2020, about 3% of the nation's total farm, ranch and forest land was owned by foreign investors, according to the federal government. Of that, Chinese-backed owners represented less than 1% of the total of foreign-owned land, according to the USDA's Farm Service Agency, or about 550 square miles. For comparison, Rhode Island is about 1,000 square miles.

Why would foreign investors buy US land?

Experts say foreigners would want to buy U.S. land and property for the same reason the rest of us do: Land and property are typically solid, safe investments that can appreciate well above a savings account.

Additionally, the transition to clean energy gives investors opportunities in a new arena, in the same way international companies own coal and other mines in the United States.

But some lawmakers fear the Chinese government is exploiting the openness of U.S. society to spy, steal trade secrets and otherwise undercut the United States but controlling critical supply chains.

One analysis noted that Smithfield, the pork producer, uses hog farming techniques in the United States that are banned in China for being too polluting.

"Chinese companies acquisition of hog herds in the United States may save China money and enhance its domestic capacity; however, this could also reduce Chinas need for U.S.-sourced production and redistributes the environmental effects of hog waste to U.S. communities," the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission said last year.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas, lawmakers seek to ban Chinese citizens from buying US land
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a surprise visit to London on Wednesday to address the United Kingdoms Parliament, telling British lawmakers and allies that his country will need more advanced weapons, including modern fighter jets, to fend off Russian forces.

Zelensky made a plea to the crowded British group packed inside the 900-year-old Westminster Hall, asking for not just weapons but also more sanctions against supporters of Russias war in Ukraine.

Im not just speaking about weapons. Weve proved together that the world truly helps those who are brave in defending freedom, the Ukrainian leader said, but evil is still around today and the battle continues.

Zelensky noted King Charles III once trained as a jet pilot, using it to segue into an ask for modern fighter jets.

Provide us with modern planes to empower and protect pilots who will be protecting us, Zelensky said.

Kyiv has been pushing since the war began to secure modern fighter jets from the U.S. and NATO allies to replace its aging fleet.

As Zelensky touched down in England on a Royal Air Force plane, the U.K. announced a new program to train Ukrainian pilots on modern fighter jets.

Ukrainians have also just completed a similar program to train on Britains Challenger 2 main battle tanks, which the country announced last month for Ukraine.

England is one of the largest backers of Kyiv and has provided about $2.5 billion for the country since the war began last February.

The U.K. on Wednesday also slapped a round of new sanctions against six entities with ties to Russias military.

The government is also extending an offer to provide longer-range weapons equipment for Kyiv, which Ukraine has also asked for to strike at Russian forces in occupied territory.

During his visit, Zelensky will meet with King Charles III, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the nations military chiefs.

Story continues

Sunak on Wednesday said President Zelenskyys visit to the UK is a testament to his countrys courage, determination and fight, and a testament to the unbreakable friendship between our two countries.

It also underlines our commitment to not just provide military equipment for the short term, but a long-term pledge to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine for years to come, Sunak said in a statement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Explore editor

Hi! Im Sara Rae Shields, Explore editor for the Yakima Herald-Republic. Im a very outgoing and sociable person and I want to share with readers whats going on in the Yakima Valley. I also want to hear from you. Lets create strong community bonds over the fun events and fascinating people to meet in the area. Im Wapato born and raised and love meeting locals and transplants. I spend a lot of time supporting the Seattle Sounders as part of the Dry Side Supporters, raving about my rescue dog, Telly and hanging out at local gathering spots like restaurants,breweries, wineries and bars. Prior to working for YHR, I was a GIS Specialist for the Yakama Nation and take great pride in the 15 years I spent working for my tribe. I also coached middle school girls soccer in Wapato and worked the front desk at a tattoo/body piercing shop.
Crime and Courts Reporter

Donald W. Meyers is a multimedia journalist at the Yakima Herald-Republic covering crime and courts. He is also the writer behind It Happened Here, a weekly history column. Before coming to Yakima, Meyers covered a wide variety of beats at The Salt Lake Tribune, Daily Herald, and daily and weekly newspapers across New Jersey. He is also a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, serving as a regional officer in the organization as well as on the national Freedom of Information Committee.
Thousands of kids are missing from school. Where did they go?
President Joe Biden on Thursday said he is still undecided on whether he will visit Poland this month to mark the one-year anniversary of Ukraine's fight against Russian invasion.

As the February 24 mark approaches, there is growing speculation that Biden will visit Europe to meet with allies in the coalition assisting Ukraine. Poland, the main hub for refugees and the funneling in of Western military aid, is thought to be a likely destination.

Biden told reporters "I haven't made a decision when I'm going to Poland or even if, for certain, I'm going to Poland."

Asked if he might go to Ukraine, Biden answered: "There's a possibility I may go to Poland, but that's all."

Numerous European leaders have visited the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Biden's wife, First Lady Jill Biden, made a surprise visit in May 2022 to western Ukraine.

However, most analysts say it's less likely Biden himself would ever visit due to heightened security concerns around a US president.

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Yakima City Government Reporter

Kate Smith is the city government & politics reporter for the Yakima Herald-Republic. She is passionate about connecting people to policy in storytelling that is thorough, fair and compassionate. In Yakima, she is following local elections, city council, budgets & audits, public health, housing & homelessness, public safety, utilities and more.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to meet Thursday in Khartoum with Sudan's military rulers on Russia and other matters, the country's state-run SUNA news agency said.

Along with Sudan-Russia ties, the talks were expected to focus on Khartoum's role with affairs in its neighboring conflict-stricken countries, including Chad, South Sudan and Central African Republic, according to Sudan's acting Foreign Minister Ali al-Sadiq. He offered no further details.

Lavrov's visit to Sudan comes as senior diplomats from the U.S. and other European nations conclude two days of talks with Sudanese military leaders and pro-democracy groups to push for a final agreement to restore the country's transition to democracy.

An October 2021 military coup derailed Sudan's short-lived, democratic transition. It came after the removal of longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir in April 2019 amid a popular uprising against his Islamist-backed repressive rule.

Late last year, the generals reached an initial deal with major pro-democracy groups to establish a civilian government. Internationally-backed talks were still underway to achieve a final agreement.

Lavrov's visit is part of a multi-leg Africa trip that has taken him to Mali and Mauritania. It is Lavrov's second trip to Africa this year as Russia seeks to maximize its interests on the continent amid rising global interest in Africa's rich resources.

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France on Thursday promised 12 million euros (almost $13 million) in emergency aid to Syrians after the earthquake that hit Turkey and neighboring Syria earlier this week.

The aid would be disbursed "through non-governmental organizations and the United Nations in all regions affected", foreign ministry spokesman Francois Delmas said.

After almost 12 years of civil war, Syria is divided between regions controlled by the government, jihadists and rebels, and semi-autonomous Kurdish authorities.

The 7.8-magnitude earthquake on Monday hit both regime and opposition-held areas of the country.

Many victims live in the country's last major opposition bastion of Idlib, an enclave in northwest Syria to which non-governmental organizations have struggled to provide humanitarian aid through a single border crossing with Turkey.

The pledged French aid would include five million euros for a United Nations fund providing cross-border aid to northwest Syria, Delmas said.

Another five million euros would go to "several French and international NGOs working on emergency responses in the health, shelter, water, hygiene and sanitation sectors".

The final two million euros was "under review" for urgent food aid.

Western nations have refused to have anything to do with the Damascus regime, which is under sanctions over its treatment of civilians during the conflict.

Delmas said the aid for Syrians would in no way change France's "political approach" to President Bashar al-Assad's government, and that Paris still backed a political solution to end the conflict.

The earthquake killed more than 17,500 people across both countries.

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On a left-liberal website, a well-known expert on Russian history and culture fears that the war in Ukraine may degenerate into a larger conflagration.

In a long interview with 24.hu, Akos Szilagyi, a prolific writer and expert in Russia studies, warns that with no solution for the Ukraine war in sight, the fighting may spill over to neighbouring countries.



If that happens, the use of nuclear weapons may become inevitable, he believes. He condemns Russia for invading Ukraine but sees the conflict as an East-West confrontation rather than a bilateral one between Ukraine and Russia.



As the West is committed to one side in the war, he continues, it cannot act as a mediator or arbiter, and no one else has stepped forward for that role. Meanwhile, he warns, the conflict has already involved dozens of countries in the form of economic warfare.



Unless someone pops up with a solution to stop the carnage, Szilagyi fears the war could first spill over into neighbouring countries, then degenerate into World War Three.



This opinion does not necessarily represent the views of XpatLoop.com or the publisher.



Your opinions are welcome too - for editorial review before possible publication online.



Click here to Share Your Story
Leopard 2A4 tanks were seen training in western Hungary on Monday 6 February, The Sun newspaper reports, noting the Hungarian Defence Ministry confirmed this without giving more details.

When asked about the military moves the government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs said in an emailed reply to Reuters on Monday that the official stance of Hungary is unchanged: "it is not participating in the training of Ukrainian soldiers and is not shipping weapons to Ukraine".



A Reuters TV journalist saw five of the Leopard tanks on a road near Szomod, about 75 km's west of the capital of Budapest.



Hungary, which shares a border with Ukraine in the east, is a member of NATO. PM Orban has said that Hungary has chosen to remain neutral and wants to stay out of the war, added The Sun.
Multiple sections of India's longest expressway, the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway have become operational. The updates on the expressway are constantly shared on Twitter and now Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is being praised for the same on social media. Specifically, praises flooded the social media hand of the Union Minister after he shared an update on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway on Twitter. It is to be noted that the 1,386 km-long expressway is meant to improve the connectivity between the two metro cities.

Nitin Gadkari, wrote on Twitter, "Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is Indias longest expressway with a length of 1,386 km. It enhances the connectivity between Indias National Capital Delhi and the Financial Capital Mumbai, " along with multiple pictures of the expressway.

Also read: Suzuki Gixxer 250, Gixxer Series Motorcycles Launched in New Colour Schemes

He further went on to describe the expressway, saying it is the "world's fastest developed expressway" and will provide connectivity to 3 National Master Plan, eight Multi-Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs), Greenfield Airports (Jewar and Navi Mumbai) and Ports (Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust). According to Gadkari, the 8-lane, access-controlled, greenfield motorway with alignment optimization will be built to cut travel time from 24 to 12 hours. Furthermore, he adds that the expressway has the scope of 12-lane expansion in the future.

#Delhi_Mumbai_Expressway is Indias longest expressway with a length of 1,386 km. It enhances the connectivity between Indias National Capital Delhi and the Financial Capital Mumbai.#PragatiKaHighway #GatiShakti pic.twitter.com/66zMg4LfFO  Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) February 8, 2023

Following this, the post started filling up with comments. One of the social media users said, "This gentleman is on one single mission with a razor-sharp focus of connecting India by all means - one of the key parameters for the title of a Developed Nation."

On the same lines, another user said, "Indian road infra has really grown and continues to grow. I recently traveled from Nashik to Nagur on the Samrudhhi expressway and was in awe all the way. This is what the worlds 5th biggest economy should look and feel like. Thank you Nitin Gadkari."

Meanwhile, On February 12, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Sohna-Dausa section of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway will cut the distance between Delhi and Jaipur travel time in half, to roughly two hours.
Four passengers were brought to a hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation on a United Airlines flight headed for New Jersey after a fire forced the aircraft to return to San Diego International Airport, according to the authorities. Authorities claim that a passenger's external battery pack caught fire on Tuesday morning while Flight 2664 was on its route to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.

Passenger Caroline Lipinski told KFMB-TV that a few minutes after takeoff, a bag belonging to a first-class passenger began smoking. "He threw something on the ground and it was a battery charger pack or something from his laptop, it burst into fire," she said.

Also read: Aero India 2023: Flight Services at Bengaluru International Airport Partially Suspended from Today for 10 Days

"There was smoke in the cabin, I was terrified," she said. Passenger Stephan Jones said some passengers "were gasping, screaming" while flight attendants grabbed fire extinguishers and ran to the front of the plane.

The crew placed the battery in a special fire bag, which prevented it from spreading, and the Boeing 737 returned safely to the airport at around 7:30 am, authorities said. Four passengers were treated for smoke inhalation at a hospital, UC San Diego Health said in a statement.

Several flight attendants were taken to the hospital as a precaution, United Airlines said in a statement that thanked crew members "for their quick actions in prioritising the safety of everyone on board."

The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department said two other people declined to be taken to the hospital. The remaining passengers departed for New Jersey aboard a second plane at about 11:45 am, KSWB-TV reported. The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the incident.

Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in electronic devices but also have been known to overheat and cause fires. Airlines permit them to carry-on luggage but not in checked bags.

In December, a Lufthansa flight from Los Angeles to Germany was diverted to Chicago after a laptop caught fire on board.

Also in December, A JetBlue plane from Barbados to New York was evacuated in New York after a fire that may have started with a battery, authorities said. More than 160 passengers were evacuated using emergency slides. Five received minor injuries. A fire sparked by a lithium-ion e-bike battery injured more than three dozen people in New York last November.

With PTI Inputs
New Delhi: The brutal battle that superstar Shah Rukh Khan's character Pathaan has with John Abraham's, anti-hero Jim in Dubai was possible because the entire Burj Khalifa boulevard was shut down for the first time ever for any film in the world.

Director Siddharth Anand reveals, "The toughest action to execute in Pathaan - one is on top of a moving train, one is mid-air with planes, one is in Dubai which takes place in the boulevard around the Burj Khalifa which no Hollywood film has been able to do this."

"To shoot this sequence in Dubai, it just looked impossible. But the Dubai police and the authorities made it happen for us."

He adds, "My friends, who live at the Boulevard, came and told me that they got circulars saying on this day between this time, you will not be able to access the boulevard so please plan your days. And they were amazed that - oh my god... that's for my film!"

Siddharth further states, "I said I can't believe it and this wouldn't have been possible if they had not agreed to our vision and supported us wholeheartedly. So I want to thank the Dubai police and the authorities in Dubai."

'Pathaan' released on January 25. It also stars Deepika Padukone, John Abraham, Dimple Kapadia and Ashutosh Rana.
New Delhi: Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra has praised the global success of Shah Rukh Khans Pathaan and called it the evidence of Indias growing soft power across the world. Mahindra congratulated Shah Rukh Khan for this phenomenal success and said Bravo. He cited the data of world of statistics post that listed top ten wikipedia articles of the last week. As expected, Pathaan topped in the list followed by 'The Last of Us' and 'ChatGPT' getting second and third rank respectively.

ALSO READ | Twitter's Blue Tick Monthly Plan in India Creates a Storm of Memes and Jokes

He cautioned that he knew "its the sheer numbers of Indians & the diaspora" that influenced that but "didnt underestimate how many Asians/Europeans are fans".

This is a global site. If youre looking for evidence of Indias growing soft power, look no further. Yes, yes, I know its the sheer numbers of Indians & the diaspora that influence this but dont underestimate how many Asians/Europeans are fans. Bravo @iamsrk, Anand Mahindra tweeted.

This is a global site. If youre looking for evidence of Indias growing soft power, look no further. Yes, yes, I know its the sheer numbers of Indians & the diaspora that influence this but dont underestimate how many Asians/Europeans are fans. Bravo @iamsrk https://t.co/aNsCQOYzOJ  anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) February 9, 2023

ALSO READ | YouTuber in Bengaluru Got Swiggy Order From McDonald's in 10 Seconds - Watch

Superstar Shah Rukh Khans Pathaan has broken many records domestically and internationally as the movie collected Rs 832 crore gross worldwide in 12 days. The film marked the return of the king khan on the big screen after a gap of four years. It also featured Deepika Padukone, John Abraham, Dimple Kapadia, and Ashutosh Rana in pivotal roles.
New Delhi: JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM.N) has cut hundreds of mortgage employees, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday, hours after the company announced plans to hire some bankers. "We regularly review our business and customer needs and adjust our staffing accordingly  creating new roles where we see the need or reducing positions when appropriate," a Chase spokesperson told Reuters.

Earlier in the day, JPM said it plans to hire more than 500 bankers catering to small businesses through 2024, boosting the bank's workforce targeting the segment by 20% from more than 2,300 now. In an interview with Reuters, JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon said the outlook for hiring remains up at the bank when asked about plans for jobs given cuts at other Wall Street banks.

"We're still opening branches, and in general around the world, we are still hiring bankers, consumer bankers, small-business bankers, middle-market bankers, folks overseas. ... We have more clients to cover," he said.
New Delhi: US Congresswoman Lauren Boebert on Wednesday lambasted the former executives Vijaya Gadde, and Yoel Roth over conspiracy with the FBI and shadow banning her Twitter account.Boebert, during a Congressional hearing on Wednesday, made these allegations and blamed the former Twitter executives for suppressing several important stories.

"Mr Roth, and Miss Gaddy, did either of you approve the shadow banning of my account at Lauren Bobert? Yes or no? No. I did not. Not to the best of my recollection...Well, let me refresh your memory, because, on March 12, 2021, and Mr Ross, I know you looked at it because fascistTwitter 1.0 had a public interest exceptions policy, which means for members of Congress to be shadowbanned, it had to go before you, Mr Roth. So I`ll ask again, did you shadow-ban my account? Yes or no?," Boebert questioned the executives for their collusion with the FBI.

When Roth responded by saying, "Again, not to the best of my recollection." She retaliated back by saying, "So the answer is Mr Roth? Yes. You did. I found out last night from Twitter staff that you suppressed my account for this tweet."Boebert, further called out Twitter`s former deputy general counsel, James Baker, who was fired by Elon Musk over `Twitter Files`. He was blamed for allegedly censoring important information.

Jim Baker was a former top Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) lawyer who had been with Twitter since 2020."We have Mr Baker here, a former FBI agent, and there seems to be a revolving door between the FBI and Twitter itself. Even Mr Baker said that there was no collusion between the federal government and Twitter. But, Mr Baker, that`s you. You are the collusion between the federal government and the FBI. Now, this is such a problem because we`re seeing censorship all over," Boebert said during the Congressional hearing.During the hearing, the Republicans grilled the social media executives - including former Twitter deputy counsel James Baker - over Twitter`s handling of the story regarding stealing of Hunter Biden`s laptop. Hunter Biden is the son of US President Joe Biden.

"You silenced members of Congress from communicating with their constituents. You silenced me from communicating with the American people over a freaking joke. Now, who the hell do you think you are Election interference Yeah, I would say that that was taking place because of you four sitting here. The Hunter Biden laptop story was suppressed," Lauren Boebert said.According to CNN, Vijaya Gadde, a former chief legal officer of Twitter, said that after changing its mind on blocking the Hunter Biden story, the firm should have reinstated the New York Post`s account right away. Twitter`s former Head of Trust and Safety Yoel Roth testified there was a lot of confusion over how to handle the story amid an increased emphasis on tackling misinformation - specifically from malign foreign actors - on their platform, according to CNN.

The Twitter executives argued that the social media platform made mistakes in its handling of the New York Post story, but emphasised that the heightened focus on combating disinformation complicated the company`s decision-making process.
Ola Electric has reshuffled its electric scooter lineup in India with the launch of new variants for Ola S1 and S1 Air scooters. The new scooter has been launched with a 2 kWh (low range) battery pack option for consumers looking forward to having a less powerful scooter with comparatively affordable pricing. The starting price for the S1 Air is now Rs 84,999 (ex-showroom). Similarly, the S1 Range starts at Rs 99,999 (ex-showroom).

The Ola S1's 2 kWh battery pack claims that it can travel 91 km (IDC) on a single charge. The battery drives the same mid-drive motor, which has a top speed of 90 kmph and a power output of 8.5 kW (11.3 bhp).

Also read: New Tesla Model Y's Steering Falls Off While Driving on Highway, Owner Shares Pics on Twitter

The 4.5 kW (6 horsepower) motor of the Ola S1 Air, on the other hand, provides a range of 85 km (IDC) on a single charge. The maximum speed is 85 kmph. Customers who had already reserved the 2.5 kWh battery pack for the S1 Air will be updated automatically to the 3 kWh battery pack, which has a range of 125 km (IDC) on a single charge. The top-end S1 Air comes with a 4 kWh battery with a 165 km IDC range.

Ola S1, S1 Air: Prices

The company also announced that the Ola S1 Air 2kWh battery pack will be on sale starting today. However, the company has started taking bookings for the Ola S1 Air variants. Adding to it, the consumers who have already booked the electric scooters would have to wait longer as the deliveries have been delayed because of changes in the electric scooter lineup.

Besides launching the new lineup, the company has also teased 5 new electric bikes. With the announcement of the new electric bikes, the company is set to expand its lineup. Earlier, the EV manufacturer had also announced plans to launch an electric car in India by 2025.
Naela Gabr, the chairperson of the National Coordinating Committee for Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons, tells Doaa El-Bey that the key to curbing migration is development

Naela Gabr is chairperson of the National Coordinating Committee for Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons (NCCPIM&TIP). The 30-strong committee, established in November 2016, leads government efforts to prevent illegal migration.

A career diplomat, Gabr served as Egypts ambassador to South Africa from 1999 to 2002 and as permanent representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva and to the World Trade Organisation from 2002 to 2005. In addition to chairing the NCCPIM&TIP, she is the representative of the president of Egypt to the International Organisation of the Francophonie and a member of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.

Last month the cabinet declared the establishment of a fund to channel foreign aid and assistance to illegal migrants. The fund, says Gabr, crowns the committees work which started with the issuing of Law 82/2016, the first piece of legislation in the Middle East to define the crime of smuggling migrants.

Gabr stresses that combating illegal migration involves not only sanctioning the criminals involved but also helping would-be migrants, and migrants returning to Egypt, to have a decent life. The fund will assist in promoting awareness campaigns, help identify job opportunities for potential migrants and returnees, provide vocational training, help returnees establish new projects and enable illegal migrants to voluntarily return to their countries of origin.

According to Gabr, the smuggling of migrants or trafficking in persons is not just national organised crimes, but they constitute violation of human rights and they are linked to corruption. For that reason NCCPIM was established and the fund was composed.

The NCCPIM&TIPs role, Gabr says, involves coordinating among all stakeholders working in the field of combating illegal migration. The committee has 30 partners, including ministries and the councils of women, human rights and childhood and motherhood. It has prepared studies on the migration of youth aged between 18 and 34, and on the smuggling of unaccompanied minors, which Gabr says is growing. It has also mapped the governorates which produce the highest numbers of illegal migrants.

Based on the studies and map, the committee prepares awareness campaigns, travelling to different governorates, talking to young people and showcasing local success stories. In this way we show youth and their families that there are alternatives to illegal migration, she says.

The committees current action plan, explains Gabr, focuses on technical schools and training returnees to help them reintegrate into society.

We look at our work as a triangle, she says. One side is the full implementation of the law, the second awareness and training, and the third is development which is key to preventing people trafficking.

The NCCPIM&TIP has a long association with traditional handicrafts and organises an annual exhibition under the banner Eshtery Masry (buy Egyptian products). This year it will hold the 10th exhibition. It also works with the Medium, Small, and Micro Enterprises Development Agency, organising annual exhibitions at the Foreign Ministry. This years exhibition, in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Solidarity, is scheduled for next month and will include traditional Egyptian crafts.

Illegal migration has subsided, says Gabr, but given it is an underground crime exact figures for illegal migrants are impossible to calculate. The committee estimates numbers by asking missions abroad to provide the number of Egyptians with illegal status and the number of repatriated citizens.

Migrants often travel to Istanbul, either legally or illegally, and then travel to Europe from Turkey. There are also boats the cross illegally from Libya to Western Europe, she says.

The majority of Egyptians residing illegally abroad are in Italy, though their number does not exceed 22,000 according to Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard.

Egypt, which used to be a country of origin, transit and destination, is no longer a transit country, and increasingly a country of destination. According to the International Organisation of Migration (IOM), Egypt is home to more than nine million migrants, including four million Sudanese, one million Yemenis, and 1.5 million Syrians.

One of NCCPIM&TIPs goals is to promote legal tracks for migration. Every time Gabr meets an ambassador from a western European country she asks them about their need for manpower, though she often receives evasive replies. If they shared their needs with the committee, we could equip the migrants with the language skills and know-how they need before dispatching them, she says, noting that former German chancellor Angela Merkel took the decision to open her country to immigrants because Germany was in need of manpower and by doing so boosted the economy.

While taking that step is not easy because opening any country for migrants could make the people and the constituencies angry, support for training potential migrants is welcome, Gabr said. And that is what she asked the Italian ambassador during their meeting last week.

Gabr cites the Instituto Salesian Don Basco and the Fayoum Advanced Technical School for Hotel Management and Tourism Services as among the most successful examples of Italys contribution to training young people in Egypt. The first, based in Shubra, provides technical and vocational training and issues a diploma recognised by European and Egyptian authorities. The second provides vocational training and jobs for young people in Fayoum and other governorates.

Among NCCPIM&TIPs awareness campaigns Gabr points to a painting competition held last year in two government schools in governorates that have the highest percentage of illegal migration, saying it is one of the best examples of using art to shed the light on illegal migration.

The committee cooperated with IOM to supply selected classes with painting kits. Students were then asked to produce a painting on illegal migration. It was, argues Gabr, a success because the whole school, and not just the selected class or classes, became involved in the competition, discussing the issues involved.

The committee has also produced a song highlighting the issues involved in illegal migration that gained more than 10 million likes on social media and promoted an awareness campaign targeting illegal migrants coming from African countries to settle in Egypt. Based on testimonies from people who survived the long and dangerous trip, it is in the four languages of the African Union  Arabic, English, French, and Portuguese  and has been translated into a number of other African languages.

NCCPIM&TIP has a protocol with the Federation of National Organisations and Associations under which NGOs disseminate the committees campaign materials.

In terms of capacity building, Gabr says the focus is on training, she explained, and plans are afoot, in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation, to hold workshops for young people on starting a business and accessing work. Following the workshops, a job fair is planned to present available vacancies in Egypt.

The committee has also collaborated with UNICEF to raise awareness among parents and children of the risks of illegal migration and the alternatives available in Egypt.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 9 February, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reply to the Motion of Thanks to the President`s Address at 2 PM in Rajya Sabha on Thursday during the ongoing Budget Session of the Parliament. "Reply by the Prime Minister will be at 2 pm on Thursday," said Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar after the last speaker spoke on the motion on Wednesday. The debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President`s Address in Rajya Sabha concluded on Wednesday. President Droupadi Murmu had addressed the joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on January 31, the first day of the Budget Session.

In her maiden address to the joint sitting of Parliament, Droupadi Murmu while touching upon several issues in her address, including defence, space, women empowerment, and the importance of public involvement during the `Amrit Kaal` to build a developed India, said that the country had a government that was "stable, fearless, decisive", working for all classes without any discrimination and giving thrust to `virasat` (heritage) as well as `vikas` (development). Murmu spoke of the government`s relentless fight against corruption, the "biggest enemy of democracy and social justice".However, the opposition criticised the President`s address.

Earlier on Wednesday, PM Modi replied to the Motion of Thanks in Lok Sabha, saying that President gave direction to the nation in her visionary address to both Houses. "Her address inspired the `Nari Shakti` (women power) of India and gave a boost to the self-confidence of India`s tribal communities while instilling a feeling of pride among them. She gave a detailed blueprint of 'Sankalp se Siddhi' of the nation", the Prime Minister said.

He also talked about the work done by his government and said that there is positivity and hope towards India at a global level and the reforms were not carried out of compulsion but by conviction. He said India is the mother of democracy, constructive criticism is vital for a strong democracy and criticism is like a 'shuddhi yagya'. The Prime Minister took veiled digs at Rahul Gandhi who had made a sharp attack on the government over the Adani issue in his speech during the debate on Tuesday and said some speeches made on Tuesday were lauded by their ecosystem.

"I was watching yesterday. After the speeches of a few people, some people were happily saying, "Ye hui na baat." Maybe they slept well and couldn`t wake up (on time). For them it has been said, "Ye keh keh ke hum dil ko behla rahe hain,wo ab chal chuke hain, wo ab aa rahe hain"," PM Modi said. Rahul Gandhi was not present in the House when Prime Minister made his initial remarks. He later reached Lok Sabha.PM Modi also referred to remarks of Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury about the President for which he had later apologised.

"When President'sAddress was going on, some people avoided it. A tall leader even insulted the President. They displayed hatred against ST. When such things were said on TV, a sense of hatred deep within came out. An attempt was made to save oneself after writing a letter later," PM Modi said.

The Lok Sabha adopted the Motion of Thanks to the President`s address after PM Modi`s reply. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi later said that PM Modi did not answer questions pos ed to him during the debate and alleged that he was "protecting" industrialist Gautam Adani.

"I am not satisfied with the PM`s speech. However, it has revealed the truth. His speech had nothing about an inquiry (into the Adani Group in the wake of the Hindenburg report). It`s clear that the PM is protecting him (Gautam Adani)," he said. "The PM, in his speech` did not answer any (of his) questions. He was shell-shocked. I did not raise any difficult questions. They were simple questions that he dodged," the Congress leader added.

Earlier during the debate, Union Ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad and Kiren Rijiju refuted allegations made by Rahul Gandhi. The opposition parties kept up their demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the Hindenberg-Adani row and some MPs staged a walkout during Prime Minister`s reply.

Targeting the opposition, PM Modi said instead of constructive criticism, some people indulge in compulsive criticism. With the opposition parties accusing the government of misusing probe agencies, PM Modi took a dig at them and said Enforcement Directorate is behind their unity.

"A lot of things were said in the House about the probe agencies. I had thought that the people of the country and the results of the elections would bring such people to one stage. But that did not happen. They should thank ED that due to it they have now come together," he said. PM Modi also hit back at Rahul Gandhi`s jibe that there should be a study by institutes such as Harvard of how the Adani group`s wealth had seen a steep rise under a particular government.

"Some people here have a craze for Harvard studies. During Covid, it was said that there will be a case study on the devastation in India. Over the years an important study has been done at Harvard and the subject of the study is the `Rise and fall of India`s Congress Party`," he said.

"Those who are drunk in arrogance and think that only they have the knowledge, feel that only by abusing Modi will be a way out...Only through false, nonsensical mudslinging on Modi will a path be paved. It has been 22 years, and they still have a misapprehension," PM Modi added.

The Prime Minister said that the people`s trust in him was not due to the newspaper headlines but hard work. "Trust in Modi was not born out of newspaper headlines, not through faces on TV. (I have) given my life, every moment of mine for the people of the country, for the glorious future of the country. People`s trust in Modi is beyond their understanding," he said.

He listed the scams and controversies during Congress-led UPA rule and said that the decade was full of scams. "When something good happens, their sadness increases. In the history of the country`s independence, 2004-2014 was full of scams. Terror attacks took place across the country in those 10 years," he said.

"When the technology was progressing, they were stuck in 2G. In 2010, there were the Commonwealth games which was an opportunity to present Indian youth capability but again it was Mauka Musibat Mein. The coal scam came to the fore. Nobody can forget the 2008 Mumbai attack. But they did not have the courage to attack terrorism because of which the terrorists` morale was boosted," the Prime Minister added.

Stepping up the attack, he said that converting every opportunity to trouble became the UPA government`s identity. "There were terror attacks in every part of India from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. India`s capability is being recognised and people`s capabilities are coming to the fore. The country was capable earlier also but between 2004-2014, it lost that opportunity. This became the UPA`s identity, it converted every opportunity into trouble," he said.

He said there is peace in Jammu and Kashmir and people can go easily. "Those (referring to Rahul Gandhi who recently concluded Bharat Jodo Yatra in J-K) who came back from J-K recently must have seen how easily you can go in J-K. I too had gone on a yatra to Jammu and Kashmir with the resolve to unfurl the Tricolour at Lal Chowk. Terrorists had put up posters and said `Dekhte hain, kisne maa ka doodh piya hai jo Lal Chowk aake Tiranga phehra paaye,`" he said.
MOSCOW/NEW DELHI: The India-Russia defence partnership will "never" be disrupted by the Western sanctions on Moscow, BrahMos Aerospace chief said on Wednesday, saying it's the "trust" that makes this partnership work. The West, led by the US, has imposed crippling sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture between India and Russia that specialises in nuclear-capable supersonic missiles.

The company currently manufactures the BrahMos missile and is currently developing the BrahMos II, a hypersonic cruise missile. The West's attempts will not stop the Russia-India defence partnership, nor will it impact the company's operations, BrahMos Aerospace Indo-Russian Joint Venture Managing Director and CEO Atul Dinkar Rane told TASS, the official news agency of Russia.

"My personal gut feeling, it is never!" Rane said when asked whether Western countries could halt India-Russia defence and security cooperation. "And if someone tries, he will only fail. The relationship between the Indian scientists and Russian technologists is so deep right now that it's not going to be possible to break it. Even if someone tells us by law 'no more talking with Russia, you will start talking to someone else' but we'll always say it was easier to work with the Russians," Tass quoted him as saying.

Rane asserted it is the trust between India and Russia that will help this partnership work despite sanctions from the West. "The trust which we have developed between the two partners, that trust is good enough for us to work, and we are working forward -- despite all these sanctions," Rane said.

Russia has traditionally been India's main arms supplier.

Unlike many other leading Western powers, India has not directly criticised Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and it abstained from a vote at the UN platforms in condemning the Russian aggression.

India has been pressing for the resolution of the crisis through diplomacy and dialogue. Rane also said that many foreign countries express their interest in purchasing various versions of the BrahMos cruise missile.

"The Philippines is the first order that we got," Rane said, adding that five countries have currently placed their orders. "So far, I can say that they are from South East Asia, the Middle East and Latin America," he said.

He added that BrahMos Aerospace plans to start shipping missiles to the Philippines in the middle or the second half of this year.
New Delhi: Shiv Sena (Uddhav) Member of Parliament Sanjay Raut on Thursday fired shots at Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole for resigning from the post of Assembly Speaker. Raut termed Patole's resignation as a conspiracy and alleged that opposition got a chance to topple the MVA govt because of it. "The post of Assembly Speaker is a very imp post. The manner in which Nana Patole resigned from that post, the opposition got a chance to topple our govt. It was a conspiracy. If Nana Patole had not resigned, our government would have continued even today," the Rajya Sabha MP said.

A section of MLAs of the undivided Shiv Sena, led by then-Cabinet minister Eknath Shinde, had rebelled against Thackeray's leadership in June last year, leading to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition government. The rebel MLAs then teamed up with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to form a government under Shinde's leadership.

Also Read: Sharad Pawar, Others in NCP had Warned Uddhav Thackeray About Shiv Sena Rebellion: Ajit Pawar

The relationship between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress has always been strained. Several leaders of both parties take swipe at each other over a host of issues.

The post of Assembly Speaker is a very imp post. The manner in which Nana Patole resigned from that post, the opposition got a chance to topple our govt. It was a conspiracy. If Nana Patole had not resigned, our government would have continued even today: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut pic.twitter.com/dJCFxja8Hf  ANI (@ANI) February 9, 2023

Earlier in November, Sanjay Raut distanced himself from Rahul Gandhi's remarks on Savarkar and warned "giving such a statement can cause strife in MVA." "We consider Veer Savarkar as a reverential figure," Raut said.

Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction has an alliance with the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party, as part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi.
Pitching for stronger ties with India, Fiji's Deputy PM Biman Chand Prasad stated that his country would like to "strengthen the relationship, we want a meaningful, deeper engagement." This is the first high-level visit from Fiji following the formation of the new Government under Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in December 2022. Speaking to Zee News, he said, "India is a global power. India provides leadership to the global south and within the Indo-Pacific strategy, India has an important role, and Fiji on the other hand is the hub of the Pacific.

During the India visit, he held talks with EAM Jaishankar, Minister of State, Ministry of External Affairs, Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, and attended the first India Energy Week (IEW) 2023. The visit of Deputy Prime Minister Prasad comes a few days before the 12th World Hindi Conference which will be jointly hosted by India and Fiji in Nadi, Fiji, from 15-17 February 2023.

The visiting Deputy PM also lauded his country's ties with Australia highlighting how "Australia does provide that confidence to many of those pacific island countries in terms of how we can deal with the challenges".

Here are excerpts from the interview:

Zee News: India Fiji relationship is a relationship that has a historical background, its close relationship, and Fiji has an important role in the wider Indo-Pacific as well.

Biman Prasad: Fiji considers India as an old and historical friend, a friend whose values are universal, which believes in democracy, human rights, media freedom, rule of law, and the practice of good governance. The relationship that the current government would like to build is to strengthen the relationship, we want a meaningful, deeper engagement with India. India provides leadership to the global south and within the Indo-Pacific strategy, India has an important role, and Fiji, on the other hand, is the hub of the Pacific.

I can tell, our PM Sitiveni Rabuka visited Kiribati. Kiribati had decided through other influences to leave the Pacific island forum, which is the forum of political leaders within the region. Kiribati is back in the forum and Fiji plays a very important role to strengthen the Indo-Pacific strategy and economic strategy, Fiji and India with other 3 countries - Australia, Japan, and US will play an important role.

Zee News: How do you see Fiji's centrality in the Pacific?

Biman Prasad: India is a global power, India has a lot to offer, India is the largest democracy, and more importantly India provides a lot of cutting-edge entrepreneurship, and innovation in the whole area of energy, climate change and I saw this in the India energy week summit in Bangalore, the kind of products India is developing is very very interesting. For small island states and many others from the developing world, India can provide that leading role in developing climate-friendly, climate-resilient infrastructure. Contribute to the whole process of decarbonization, looking at alternative sources of energy.

Zee News: There have been worries for Indian-origin people in Fiji, there has been a past, how can you assure that?

Biman Prasad: Those people who look at the compartmentalization, perhaps get it wrong sometimes. We have 143 years of history in that country. By and large, we had political problems, we had coups, and we had challenges but by and large indigenous community and major other communitiesthe Indo-Fijian community has worked together for 143 years. They get together by and large, do things together and there is a leadership commitment especially with this govt to ensure we run a very inclusive, open, transparent govt where everybody feels, the philosophy of the new govt is working together in partnership.

It is about consultation and dialogue, I don't see any threat, we don't see, we have different ethnic, and cultural practices. Infact, the new government has decided on an indigenous language, and Hindi to be a very prominent language and will be allowed to be used in Parliament. So I could go to Parliament and speak in Hindi. So, some of those concerns are misplaced, it is coming from those people who think they can exploit racial sensitivities and challenges and unfortunately that is not the case with this government.

Zee News: How important is the World Hindi conference for your govt if you can answer that in Hindi?

Biman Prasad: (He answered in Hindi, heres the translation) The World Hindi conference that will take place in Fiji is very historic because the Indian origin people who have settled in Fiji, their language, and culture is linked with India. Hindi has been used in our country for the last 143 years, and Hindi is being taught in schools. While the school system had a few issues, the new government is giving Hindi and Adivasi languages a priority.

The World Hindi conference is taking place at an opportune time, a time in which Hindi is being promoted by our Govt. EAM Jaishankar will be traveling to Fiji, other people are coming from India. People from countries with Indian diasporas, like Suriname, Trinidad, Mauritius, and Guyana are also coming. It's a nice thing that we are hosting these meetings.

Zee News: If you can also sum up India-Fiji ties in Hindi

Biman Prasad: (He answered in Hindi, heres the translation) India and Fiji have historic ties, and our govt will promote that, we believe that India today is a strong nation economically, politically, and strategically. India is a leader, and Fiji, a small country can have a lot of opportunities if we work with your country. This is our agenda and our government's focus. I am happy to be in India and my conversations here with EAM Jaishankar and other ministers have been very successful.

Zee News: What do you expect from New Delhi in terms of the development partnership, in sectors like health and defence?

Biman Prasad: I had a discussion with EAM Jaishankar on a range of issues, which include health, energy, and IT, and India's e-governance program is quite extensive. I have understood the extensive nature of India's e-governance program, and how it has contributed to the efficiency of governance in India has been very good. For sure, India has a lot to offer in that area and that is one area in which Fiji would like to work with India.

Fiji is an ideal hub, so Indian companies, Indian investment, and investors could use Fiji to get into the larger pacific region.

Zee News: Fiji has scrapped the security pact with China, what is the reason for that?

Biman Prasad: It is simple, we have had historical relations with our traditional partners, and this is the government that believes in universal values of freedom, democracy, human rights, rule of law, and good governance we are identifying countries that uphold those values. In the Pacific, we have countries, like we have our diplomatic relationship with China. That is there, our focus, and the focus of many pacific island countries who believe in universal values, and working with our traditional partners is going to give them the confidence to address some of the more pressing issues like the impact of climate change, extreme weather patterns, many of these pacific island countries have vulnerable economies, from that point of view.

Zee News: You think China will be annoyed by scrapping the pact?

Biman Prasad: I am not sure of that, not for me to say. Of Course, different countries perceive different relationships, and different configurations, where countries place themselves with others. As far as Fiji is concerned, we have said very clearly that our foreign policy and our economic agenda are tied to universal values and tied the idea of a free Indo pacific region, an inclusive Indo pacific region based on some of these principles. That gives us natural affiliation with countries, and India is part of the Indo-Pacific strategy.

Zee News: But do you think, the Pacific has become the centre of geopolitical tensions with the US, and China?

Biman Prasad: There will always be that kind of tension, that kind of contest for influence. It is up to us in the region, as I said at the Pacific forum, which is the forum for the leaders to discuss some of the fundamental issues. The region is united in the pursuit of a free pacific, free from any kind of influence that will disintegrate into divisions, there have been some attempts in that area but by and large, the Pacific is united in terms of the Pacific forum. Fiji's PM will provide that leadership and has demonstrated that, and he is a seasoned politician and worked with many of the leaders of the region and leaders beyond the pacific. We are very confident that the current Fijian govt, will further unite the region and provide a solid framework to address some of the fundamental challenges faced by Pacific island countries.

Zee News: But will you agree with the statement that China has been an aggressive force in the Indo pacific and pacific and country behind a lot of problems in your region?

Biman Prasad: Well, you can say that I don't know if the term aggressive is the right term. I think China is a big country and influential and has its ways of doing things but equally important are other influential countries. India is a global leader, you have Japan, and Australia. We believe that apart from India, Japan, and the US, --Australia has been at the forefront in terms of the Indo pacific strategy, in terms of the whole Idea-free Indo pacific region.

Zee News: Your comments on Indo-Pacific, how do you see it as, and the role of Japan?

Biman Prasad: The Indo-Pacific strategy and gathering of the 4 very important countries- India, Japan, the US, and Australia. We don't see that as some kind of new grouping, but we see them as, a more determined, and more organised approach towards dealing with some of the challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region. We believe that there has been a weakening of democracy around the world, within the Indo pacific region and the Pacific region. Part of the philosophy behind the Indo-Pacific strategy, which excites us, is that we have fought for democracy over the last several years. The government we have now is working towards strengthening democracy, not only in Fiji but beyond Fiji in the Pacific.

Zee News: How does Fiji see the Quad? Countries are saying Quad is Asian Nato, will you agree with it?

Biman Prasad: I don't think Fiji sees it that way, I don't see it that way from an economic point of view. As an economic strategy, it's a very good grouping, these are our major partners. What they do in terms of crisis, trade, and tourism--Australia is our largest source market for tourism, our largest contributor to budget support, and the role played during covid, these are exemplary examples of the relationship that we built over so many years with these countries including the US."
New Delhi: Continuing his counter-attack against the Opposition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (February 9, 2023) said that the more "keechad" (dirt) they will fling, the bigger "kamal" (lotus) will bloom. Lotus, notably, is the party symbol of PM Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). While replying to the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address in the Rajya Sabha amid slogan shouting by MPs from various opposition parties, Modi accused the Congress of adopting only "tokenism" to solve problems the country faced.

"Keechad unke pass tha, mere pass gulaal. Jo jis ke pass tha, usne diya uchal," he quoted poet Manik Verma's poem in response to the allegations opposition parties levelled on him and his government related to industrialist Gautam Adani.

"Jitna keechad uchaloge, kamal utna hi zyada khilega," he added as opposition MPs kept shouting slogans linking him to Adani and seeking a joint parliamentary committee probe into allegations levelled by the US short-seller Hindenburg Research.

"Some people's behaviour and language are disappointing not just for the House but for the country," he said, in an apparent reference to TMC MP Mahua Moitra using an objectionable word in Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

In his reply, PM Modi also recounted the achievements of his governments - from eliminating waiting for getting cooking gas to opening bank accounts for everyone and providing electricity connections.

The effort was to create a brighter future and not look at political gains, he said.

"Country is with us... People have rejected the Congress party and punished them from time to time," Modi said.

"Congress party's economic, social and political policies were based on vote bank politics," he added.

Earlier on Wednesday, Modi had launched a stinging counterattack on the Opposition while replying to the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address in Lok Sabha.

He said he had spent every moment of his life working for the nation and contrasted the "lost decade" of the Congress-led UPA rule with the advent of "India's decade" under his government.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha. https://t.co/Ikh7uniQoi  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 8, 2023

In his nearly 85-minute speech, Modi had also said that the world was looking at India with hope and positivity amid instability in many parts of the globe due to the once-in-a-century pandemic in Covid-19 and conflicts.
New Delhi: A few days ago, an Indian transgender couple's pregnancy photoshoot pictures had gone viral on social media. The photos were widely shared on social media and showed people's support for the trans community in the country. Several people who did not know about transgenders, their struggles, journey, and transition had questions about the trans couple. Since there isn't much discussion in the mainstream about how a trans couple can have a baby, it can be a little perplexing for people to understand what leads to this process. The Kerala couple in question's journey to becoming parents is particularly unique.

When Ziya Paval, 21, and her partner Zahad, 23, decided to have a baby, they had to stop their hormone therapy as per a BBC report. For the unversed, Paval was recorded as male when she was born but now identifies as female. On the other hand, Zahad was recorded as female at birth and now identifies as a man. So, Zahad recently gave birth to the couple's first baby.

Ziya and Zahad decided to welcome a third member to their family about a year and a half ago. The duo was in their gender transition stages at the time and Zahad still possessed his uterus and ovaries. At the advice of their doctor, they stopped their hormone therapy for a while for a baby.

Ziya and Zahad's story is unique because while it is known that trans couples adopt children, it's unheard of for transgender couples to become biological parents. Acceptance from family can be a sensitive subject for many people in the trans community. In an interview, Ziya told BBC that her parents were not able to accept her and so she left home and never returned. However, Zahad's parents have found a way to accept the couple more so after Zahad became pregnant.
New Delhi: Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal on Thursday requested Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to clear the file pertaining to her visit to the US to attend a conference on February 11. Maliwal has been invited to address the Annual India Conference at Harvard University. The conference will be held on February 11-12.

On 16 Jan, I moved a file to Honble LG seeking permission to travel to speak at Harvard University. He granted approval after 23 days and directed me to seek permission now from MEA. Request @DrSJaishankar ji to kindly expedite as only 2 days left for the prestigious conference.  Swati Maliwal (@SwatiJaiHind) February 9, 2023

The theme of the conference is 'Vision 2047: India at 100 years of Independence.' Earlier, the file was sent to LG VK Saxena, who gave his approval.

"On 16 Jan, I moved a file to Hon'ble LG seeking permission to travel to speak at Harvard University. He granted approval after 23 days and directed me to seek permission now from MEA. Request @DrSJaishankar ji to kindly expedite as only 2 days left for the prestigious conference," Maliwal said in a tweet.
Howrah: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday (February 9) expressed concern over the plight of people's deposits in banks, post offices and the LIC, claiming that the existence of such institutions might be at stake in future. Banerjee's comments come in the wake of the Hindenburg Research report that made a slew of allegations of wrongdoing against the business conglomerate led by industrialist Gautam Adani, in which state-owned lender SBI and Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) have exposure.

"Some day, they will say wind up LIC, banks and post offices; so where will the people go?" she said, in an indirect reference to the BJP-led central government.

Banerjee was speaking at a programme at Panchla here for laying the foundation of various projects, and extending government services to people.

The general public make investments in life insurance and bank deposits, which are provided as loans to various business houses, the CM claimed.

She reiterated that the Centre has not released funds for the 100-day job guarantee scheme to West Bengal.

"We are yet to get Rs 7,000 crore for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS)," Banerjee said.

Raising concern over proper utilisation of funds granted in the past, the BJP-led NDA government has withheld money for various welfare schemes in the state.

"I urge the central government not to deprive poor people and provide the dues," she said.

The chief minister also claimed that her government has created 10 lakh workdays and made payments form the the state's funds.

"Funds for 11 lakh houses (under Prime Minister Awas Yojana) are also pending," Banerjee said.

The Trinamool Congress supremo said though the state government bears 40 per cent share of the funds meant for the scheme, the Centre claims bulk of the credit.

"It is our money, which they take as GST and then do not give our share," she said Banerjee also asserted that she would not allow the division of Bengal or entertain 'divisive forces'.
NEW DELHI: US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried on Wednesday said the US is comfortable with the approach India has taken in buying oil from Russia and added that her country is not looking to sanction New Delhi as the relations between the two countries are most consequential. Donfried was responding to a question during a telephone conference on India purchasing oil from Russia and said, "we are not looking to sanction India. Our relationship with India is the most consequential relationship."

She also welcomed India's support for the people of Ukraine by providing humanitarian assistance and a call by India for an immediate end to Russia's unprovoked war against Ukraine. While responding to a media query regarding India buying oil from Russia, a US official said, "By end of the decade Russia's oil and gas will decline by 50 per cent. We do not believe that sanction policy to have universal hearings. We are comfortable with the approach India has taken. We are already seeing results in the budget deficit that Russia has reported."

Adding further, Donfried mentions, "We welcome PM Modi's assertion that today's era is not of war and his comments at the Nov 2022 G20 Summit in Bali calling for dialogue & diplomacy. India's leadership role right now in G20 is commendable."

US Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources Geoffrey Pyatt expressed that the energy security agenda that India and US are pursuing together is particularly important in light of what Russian President Vladimir Putin has done over the past year to disrupt global energy markets.

"By weaponizing Russia's oil and gas resources, Russia has demonstrated that it will never again be a reliable energy supplier. It also caused a short spike in global oil and gas prices which continue to ripple around the world," he mentioned.

The US Asst Secy for Energy Resources believes even though India isn't a participant in the price caps, it has effectively used its negotiating leverage which it derives from the price cap and the fact that large portions of the global market are no longer accessible to Russia, to drive down price of Russian crude.

Responding to a media query regarding Russia being the single largest supplier to India, Pyatt said, "US crude production continues to grow to reach a new record in 2024. The important role of US LNG and minister Hardeep Puri said in Bangalore that we have shared resources and minimized role in carbon footprint, India was one of the top ten markets for US LNG."

Donfried said that we are coming to the one-year anniversary of Russian aggression on Ukraine. "Ukraine did nothing to provoke this war. Putin expected a quick victory but underestimated the Ukrainian people. It is unjustified and illegal," she said.

She said that the US put sanctions on Russia to target Putin to stop the war. It is, however clear that Putin is not interested in diplomacy. "Russia alone can end this war today. My boss US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that if Russia stopped fighting, the war will end but if Ukraine stops fighting then Ukraine will end. If Putin wins it would mean defeat for Ukraine and for all of us. I continue to be inspired by the people of Ukraine," Donfried said.

She said we welcome India's support to Ukraine by providing humanitarian assistance.Geoffrey R. Pyatt during the conference said that US and India have so much to contribute in energy efforts. "Energy security agenda is particularly important," Pyatt said.
National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Thursday called on Russian President Vladimir Putin and agreed to continue work towards implementing the India-Russia strategic partnership. Doval, who is in Moscow at present for the fifth Multilateral Meeting of Secretaries of Security Councils and National Security Advisers on Afghanistan also held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral and regional issues with Putin, according to the Indian Embassy in Moscow. Taking to Twitter, the Official handle of the Embassy of India in Russia wrote, "NSA Ajit Doval called on HE President Putin. Wide-ranging discussion on bilateral and regional issues. Agreed to continue work towards implementing the India-Russia strategic partnership."

Ajit Doval, who participated in the fifth Multilateral Meeting of Secretaries of Security Councils and National Security Advisers on Afghanistan in Moscow on Wednesday, also reiterated the call for an inclusive and representative government in Kabul and the need for collective efforts to fight terrorism. Sources said Doval noted that no country should be allowed to use Afghan territory to export terrorism and natural resources of Afghanistan should be utilised first for the welfare of its people. Apart from Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan were represented at the meeting.

Various issues related to Afghanistan were discussed, including the security situation and humanitarian challenges facing the country. The NSA said India is and will remain an important stakeholder in Afghanistan. He said India always stood by the people of Afghanistan and will always support collective efforts to help the Afghan people build a prosperous and vibrant nation once again. The Embassy of India in Russia said in a tweet that NSA Doval stressed the well-being and humanitarian needs of Afghans.

"NSA Ajit Doval participated in the 5th Multilateral Security Dialogue on Afghanistan in Moscow. Stressed the well-being and humanitarian needs of Afghans. He said India will never abandon the Afghan people in their time of need," the Indian embassy said." He reiterated the call for an inclusive and representative government in Afghanistan and the need for collective efforts to fight terrorism," it added. The third round of the Multilateral Security Dialogue on Afghanistan was held in New Delhi under the chairmanship of NSA Ajit Doval in November 2021. The fourth meeting was held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan in May 2022.
The Japanese embassy in Egypt aims, through the KUSANONE programme, to benefit grass-root communities in a wide range of sectors, including education, environment, healthcare and empowerment of women

A grant contract for the Japanese Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects was signed on Monday, in the presence of Minister of Social Solidarity Nevine El-Qabbaj, between the Japanese Embassy, represented by Ambassador Oka Hiroshi, and the Takatof Association for Development, represented by Dr. Hossam Badrawi, Chairman of the Board.

The grant assistance, amounting to $74, 274, is extended by the Embassy of Japan to Takatof Association for Development for the purpose of constructing three pre-school classes in Salah El-Din elementary school in the city of Hope (Ezbet Al-Haggana previously).The project will establish three new pre-school classes as well as upgrade the physical school facility.

This is the fourth collaboration between the embassy of Japan and Takatof Association for Development in the field of education. Previously, the Japanese Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects of the Japanese embassy funded the development of Atef Afwa primary school for boys in Beni Suef governorate in 2016 and its kindergartens. The Grant also helped establish a much needed kindergarten at Orouba primary school in Imbaba, Giza governorate, in 2019. In 2021, it helped establish a number of kindergartens at the City of Workers primary school as well as kindergartens at Omar Makram primary school in Imbaba, Giza governorate.

During the signing ceremony, ambassador Hiroshi praised the valuable role played by Egyptian civil society organisations, especially the Takatof Association, stressing that this project is another example of Japan's interest in education and early childhood because of its impact on children's development.

"This is a concrete example of cooperation in line with the "Egypt-Japan Education Partnership" announced in 2016 during the visit of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to Japan," he noted.

Dr. Badrawi stated that providing a safe educational environment, active learning opportunities and quality educators are the key to attain such quality education in Egypt. He stressed that such support in the field of primary education will significantly contribute to developing human resources that create the nation's future.

In her speech, the Minister of Social Solidarity expressed her appreciation of the Japanese government for its support to improve the quality of education in Egypt. She also expressed appreciation for Takatof Association and its board of directors as one of the associations she takes pride in for its work on early childhood in collaboration with the ministry. "It [Takatof Association] is one of the associations that work on the development of children and parents, health and human capital," El-Qabbaj said.

She also emphasised that the ministry is committed to early childhood as one of the most important elements of the education sector.

This project comes within the framework of the Japanese grant programme "Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects", which provides direct financial support to non-profit organisations, including NGOs, in various fields such as education, health, inclusion of persons with disabilities, vocational training, empowerment of women, and environment among others.

The Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects are commonly referred to as KUSANONE in Japanese. "Kusa" means "grass" and "Ne" means "roots" in Japanese.

KUSANONE programme is provided by the embassy of Japan in partnership with the civil society in Egypt (non-profit organizations and local government bodies).

The programme has provided $10 million in grants to Egypt since 1994 and has supported 174 projects so far.

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NEW DELHI: Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Thursday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for running away from answering questions raised by Rahul Gandhi amid a bitter political storm over US short-seller Hindenburg Researchs report on the Gautam Adani Group. Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, the Bengal Congress leader said that the Prime Minister never faces the media because he does not like to answer uncomfortable questions.

The PM never faces the media because he doesnt want to listen to uncomfortable questions. Rahul Gandhis questions were uncomfortable. PM doesnt have any answer at his disposal to refute every charge by Rahul Gandhi, Adhir Ranjan said while referring to the Adani issue.

Delhi | The PM never faces the media because he doesnt want to listen to uncomfortable questions. Rahul Gandhis questions were uncomfortable. PM doesnt have any answer at his disposal to refute every charge by Rahul Gandhi: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Congress MP on Adani issue pic.twitter.com/iTe1JYtCmQ  ANI (@ANI) February 9, 2023

Chowdhury had on Wednesday targeted the Centre over the ongoing Adani row and said that there is "commotion" in the Bharatiya Janata Party, adding that Rahul Gandhi has "hit the right spot".

The Congress leader alleged that the BJP is "advocating" for an industrialist. "Rahul Gandhi has hit the right spot and due to it, there is commotion in BJP. For the first time, a ruling party is advocating for an industrialist. We`re not saying this on our own. It has come in the Hindenburg report and we are raising the issue. What`s wrong with that?" Chowdhury said while addressing Lok Sabha during the Motion of Thanks to the President`s Address.

Earlier, his Congress colleague K C Venugopal also alleged that the Modi government was "running away" from an investigation by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the allegations against the Adani Group as it wanted to "hide something".

Leaders from different opposition parties in the Upper House also alleged that the President's speech missed out key issues, especially the "attacks" on minority Muslims, price rise and unemployment, and demanded a caste-based census. Several of them demanded a JPC probe into the Hindenburg-Adani issue.

Speaking on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address in Rajya Sabha, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge asked why the government was "shying away" from an investigation and endorsed the demand for a JPC probe.

"This House has the greatest tradition. That House also has the greatest tradition. Whenever this type of big scam is raised in the public domain, it is the right of the parliamentarians to ask for an inquiry from the government. If the government does not want to hide any truth, then it should come forward for a JPC inquiry, like during the UPA rule, how many JPC inquiries we have done. We are asking why are you running away from JPC?" Venugopal said.

He claimed there was high unemployment in the country but some media platforms were spreading venom in the country in the name of Hindu-Muslim. In his remarks in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi also alleged that the meteoric rise in Gautam Adani's fortunes happened after the BJP came to power in 2014 and he rose from the 609th to the second spot in the global rich list.

The Congress leader's remarks had drawn a sharp response from the treasury benches, with Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju asking him not to level "wild allegations" and to furnish proof of his claims. Outside Parliament, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad had accused Gandhi of making baseless, shameless and reckless allegations and charged that the Congress and the Gandhi family were involved in "big scams" that "tarnished" the image of the country.
New Delhi: A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member of the Lok Sabha demanded on Thursday (February 9) that Prime Minister Narendra Modi be conferred the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award. Participating in a discussion on the Union Budget for 2023-24, GS Damor, the MP from Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh, said Prime Minister Modi is working for all sections of society, including Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

"The prime minister should be given Bharat Ratna," he said.

Forty-eight persons have been conferred the Bharat Ratna so far.

Participating in the discussion, Congress member G S Aujla said unemployment among the youth is increasing in the country and the government should take steps to check it.

He said the opposition members do not abuse the prime minister, but only criticise him.

"You have to listen to the criticism...You are the prime minister of the country, nobody can abuse you in this country," Aujla said.

S I Jaleel of the AIMIM alleged that the government has slashed the budgetary allocations for minorities.

He also said the increase in lending rates by the RBI has put burden on the salaried people.
Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh): As many as seven labourers reportedly died due to suffocation while they were engaged in the removal of oil sludge in an edible oil tanker on Thursday in Andhra Pradesh`s Kakinada district. Officials immediately rushed to the spot and took up the investigation. The incident sent shock waves to the village. According to the officials, the incident occurred during the early hours today in the Ambati Oil Factory of G. Ragampeta village under Peddapuram police limits when the workers had entered a 24-feet deep oil tanker one by one to clean it and suffocated to death. Five of the deceased belonged to Paderu in Alluri Sitaramaraju district while two others were from Pulimeru village of the same mandal, officials added. The officials informed us that further investigation is underway.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh former chief minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) national president Nara Chandrababu Naidu condemned the incident and said that the government should immediately pay compensation to the families of the deceased.

Also Read: Visakhapatnam Will be New Capital of Andhra Pradesh: CM Jagan Mohan Reddy

"The news of the death of seven workers in an accident at the Ambati Oil Factory in Kakinada district is shocking. The government should immediately pay compensation to the families of the deceased," Naidu tweeted.

Andhra Pradesh | Several workers hospitalised after inhaling gas while cleaning tankers of an edible oil manufacturing company in Ragampeta village.



More details awaited pic.twitter.com/MKB2e4XVgE  ANI (@ANI) February 9, 2023

BJP state president Somu Veerraju also condemned the incident and said that the government has failed in taking safety measures in industries. He demanded the government should focus on industrial safety and take immediate measures to prevent industrial mishaps.

The government announced Rs.25 lakhs exgratia to the families of the victims and talks are being held with the management for further compensation.
Agartala: The BJP on Thursday promised greater autonomy for tribal areas, an increase in farmers' monetary assistance, and industry-specific manufacturing zones based on rubber if it returns to power for the second time in a row in Tripura.

Releasing the party's manifesto for the February 16 assembly election in the state, BJP president JP Nadda also announced a Rs 5 meal scheme for all, named after religious guru Anukul Chandra, and setting up a Regional Institute of Medical Sciences hospital in Agartala.

Right from providing pucca houses to the poor to the functional tap water connections through Har Ghar Jal Yojana, AYUSHMAN Bharat Scheme and educational development every aspect of peoples' lives has been taken care by the BJP govt in Tripura as well as in the nation. pic.twitter.com/g6aQZvF0GJ  BJP (@BJP4India) February 9, 2023

The rights of Bru-Reang communities have been well taken care by the BJP govt.



Also, the per capita income of the State has risen to greater levels than before since the BJP came to power here.



- Shri @JPNadda #UnnatoTripuraSresthoTripura pic.twitter.com/yI67T2ISua  BJP (@BJP4India) February 9, 2023

Also, bringing the World Bank Project in Tripura for development and benefit of lakhs of people here was not existing in our promises' list, still we did it.



- Shri @JPNadda#UnnatoTripuraSresthoTripura  BJP (@BJP4India) February 9, 2023

"We will take Tripura on the path of DTH - development, transformation and harmony," Nadda said at a press conference here.

The manifesto said that Balika Samridddhi bond of Rs 50,000 will be given to every girl child while the tribal language Kokborok will become subjects in CBSE and ICSE curricula.

"We will set up industry-specific manufacturing zones based on rubber, Agar and bamboo. The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi of Rs 6,000 will be raised with the state government providing Rs 2,000 more," Nadda said.

If voted back to power, the BJP will give greater autonomy including more legislative, executive and financial powers for tribal areas, he said
Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday put another brilliant show of his oratory in the Lok Sabha while responding to the opposition parties' allegations. Hitting out at the opposition, PM Modi said that after the speech of some, the entire "ecosystem" and supporters were elated. They were happy and said "yeh hui na baat". He said that they must have slept well. PM Modi was referring to Rahul Gandhi's speech.

Taking a jibe at the opposition leaders, PM Modi quoted a couplet by famous poet Jigar Moradabadi, "Ye keh keh ke hum dil ko behla rahe hain, woh ab chal chuke hain, wo ab aa rahe hain (we are befooling our hearts by telling it, they have left, and now they are coming)."

PM Modi also read out couplets of Hindi satirist Kaka Hathrasi and poet Dushyant Kumar to target the Opposition and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Responding to a debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address in the lower house of Parliament, Modi said the world was looking at India with hope amid instability in some parts of the globe due to the once-in-a-century pandemic and conflicts.

"But some people who are neck deep in frustration refuse to accept India's growth story. They cannot see the achievements of 140 crore Indians," Modi said, targeting the Opposition.

He said Kaka Hathrasi had written something very interesting. "Aaga-peecha dekh kar, kyon hote gamgin, jaisi jiski bhavna, vaisa dikhe scene (why be sad looking here and there, one will view a scene according to one's perspective)."

On another occasion, the prime minister quoted Dushyant Kumar, "Tumhaare paanv ke neeche koi zameen nahin, kamaal ye hai ki phir bhi tumhen yaqeen nahin (no ground under your feet, amazing that you still don't believe it)."

The prime minister drew the attention of the House to the decade before 2014 and said that the years between 2004 to 2014 were burdened with scams, and at the same time there were terror attacks taking place in various parts of the country.

This decade saw the decline of the Indian economy and the Indian voice grew very feeble on global fora. The era was marked by "mauke mein musibat" (adversity in opportunity).

On Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi led a blistering opposition attack in Lok Sabha over the Hindenburg report, claiming that the meteoric rise in Gautam Adani's fortunes happened after the BJP came to power in 2014 as he climbed the global rich list from the 609th to the second spot eventually. (With PTI inputs)
Ankara/Damascus: At least 15,383 people have died after the devastating earthquakes that jolted Turkey and Syria on Monday. According to AFAD, Turkey's disaster management agency, up to 12,391 people have died and 62,914 more have been injured as a result of the earthquakes that shook the nation. As of right now, 2,992 people have died in Syria. Rescuers and volunteers are working round the clock to locate the trapped under rubble as the survival rate without food or water drops drastically after the 72nd hour, which is rapidly approaching. Experts have warned that the 72-hour window for rescuing those trapped by the earthquakes may be much smaller than anticipated, given the low temperatures that have swept through the earthquake-hit regions will increase the risk of hypothermia.

According to the latest statistics, Monday`s devastating earthquakes in southern Turkey and northern Syria have killed 9,057 people in Turkey and 3,480 in Syria, Xinhua news agency reported.

The search and rescue teams from more than 65 countries have arrived in the Turkish earthquake zones to offer assistance in quake-relief efforts, according to an official statement.

Also Read: 'Operation Dost': From Rescue Teams to Medicines and Dog Squads, Here's how India is Helping Earthquake-Hit Turkey

A plane carrying a 83-member rescue team from China and 20 metric tons of disaster relief materials and equipment arrived in the city of Adana in southern Turkey in the early hours of Wednesday. In addition to materials and equipment for search and rescue, communication and medical treatment, they also brought with them four rescue dogs.

Volunteers flocked to southern Turkey hit hard by the earthquakes. Photographs show terminals crowded with volunteers trying to help, while the roads leading to the affected areas were clogged with long queues of vehicles ready to transport supplies or offer assistance.

"It was good that we came. When we arrived, the area was rubble everywhere," said a volunteer who identified himself as Kerem Okyay, a businessman from the central Turkish city of Sivas who hurried to Elbistan, a town about 200 km away.

Located in the southern Turksih province of Kahramanmaras, Elbistan was the epicentre of the 7.6-magnitude quake that rocked the region on Monday and close to the town of Pazarcik, the epicentre of a 7.7-magnitude one hour earlier.

"We formed a team with some friends as soon as we heard the news of the earthquake and came here as volunteers," Okyay told Xinhua.

Soon after their arrival, the team saved two people from the debris. "We were focusing on areas where we could hear people," he said.

In the heavily damaged city centre of Kahramanmaras, the name-sake capital of Kahramanmaras Province, sniffer dogs equipped with small GPS-enabled harnesses were leading rescuers in the search for survivors from site-to-site in the winter cold.

While rescue operations are taking place in Turkey and Syria, more countries have committed to providing assistance.

A Lebanese ministerial delegation headed by Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib arrived in Damascus on Wednesday to discuss with Syrian officials more possible aid for earthquake-stricken Syria.

On Wednesday, Tunisia sent its third aircraft, which was packed with tonnes of emergency humanitarian aid, including food, medication, blankets and clothing, to Syria. Two military planes from Tunisia were already sent to the two earthquake-stricken countries on Tuesday, carrying medical teams, rescue teams and urgent humanitarian aid.

Saudi Arabia launched on Wednesday a donation campaign to help earthquake victims in Syria and Turkey. According to local press, a total of 25 million Saudi riyals ($6.7 million) had been donated to the campaign so far.

Jordan announced on Wednesday that it would send aid convoys over the next few days to quake-hit areas in Syria and Turkey, while Sudan said its Civil Defence Forces is ready to send a specialised team to Turkey to help with rescue efforts.

David Saranga, Head of the Israeli aid delegation to Turkey, said on Wednesday that two Israeli rescue teams are searching for survivors in the country, while a field hospital complete with 15 Israeli aircraft and about 230 personnel is expected to be established by Thursday or Friday, according to the Israeli military and foreign ministry.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan admitted on Wednesday that there were some problems in the first-day response to the earthquakes.

Operations are currently back to normal, Erdogan said in Kahramanmaras Province, the state-run TRT broadcaster reported.

Earthquake victims can temporarily stay in hotels in the Mediterranean tourism hub of Antalya and southern province of Mersin, he added.

The Turkish President announced that each quake-stricken family would receive 10,000 Turkish liras ($531), and new homes will be built in the 10 provinces affected by the disaster within a year.

On Wednesday, Erdogan said it was impossible to get prepared for a calamity like the earthquakes that struck the country on Monday, but he vowed to exert utmost efforts to save citizens` lives.

"There are deficiencies ... It is impossible to be prepared for such a major disaster," he told reporters in the southern province of Hatay, which was hit hard by the earthquakes.

"We will not leave any of our citizens unattended. We will carry out disaster management by taking every necessary step so that no one will suffer," he added.
Valentine's Day Letter: A letter that was written in the name of Tejashwi Yadav, the deputy chief minister of Bihar, is currently trending on social media. Many people are talking about a letter that a girl named Pinky wrote to Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav. To obtain her unrequited love, Pinky sent a letter to the deputy chief minister of Bihar. The issues and unemployment brought on by the Bihar government's system are mocked in the letter. This letter was initially mailed to Prabhat Bandhulya, a student at BHU's law school who is a writer from Aurangabad, Bihar. Additionally, he is the author of the book "Banaras Wala Ishq." For the past two years, Prabhat has been penning TV series and movie scripts.

Four posts were sequentially posted for Pinky by Prabhat Bandhulya on his Facebook page. Why did you send the love letter to me when it was intended for someone else? He asks in his letter. Pinky, a young woman, is not a friend of Prabhat Bandhulya.

The Sarcastic Letter

"Dear Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar,

You are aware of how nervous I feel at this moment. While I can't have a love marriage like you did since I'm unemployed. I have been in a one-sided affair with Prabhat Bandhulya for four years. In the age of having affairs, I am reading current affairs. I figured if I got a job, I'd make a proposal, but I was unable to do so since no openings appeared, and even if one did, the document was leaked. The way things seem, we might not even be able to pop the question on Valentine's Day.

While Babuji is busy getting ready for the preparetion of wedding, I am occupied with competition preparations. After getting married, all of our friends had kids. My mind is becoming increasingly discouraged as I consider everything. With a lot of hope, I'm composing this letter. Please assist me in finding employment as soon as possible or else, the writer will elude with someone else. What will I do if I don't have a job?

Pinky (from Patna) your voter and writer Prabhat Bandhulya's unrequited love"

There are a lot of posts on social media about Valentine's Day, which indicate that it is approaching. On social media, people have already begun to write loving messages to that particular someone. This might have served as the impetus for a young girl by the name of Pinki to express her complaints in a letter to the deputy chief minister of Bihar, Tejashwi Yadav. However, Prabhat Bandhulya responded to the event when the letter got viral.
NEW DELHI: Nagaland Minister and BJP state chief Temjen Imna Along has grabbed the attention of Twitter users once again. The extremely popular Nagaland BJP leader has shared a video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalling how he threatened terrorist outfits in Jammu ad Kashmir in 1991 and unfurled the Tricolour at the historic Lal Chowk on January 26 "without a bulletproof jacket."

Along with his tweet, the Nagaland BJP chief also issued a warning that those with weak hearts should not watch the PMs reply and dont complain later.

Warning



       



      ! pic.twitter.com/oe9Y3fnbkJ  Temjen Imna Along (@AlongImna) February 8, 2023

Alongs tweet has been re-tweeted 4,784 times and has been liked by nearly 20.5K users.

Replying to the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address in the Lok Sabha, the PM stated that there is peace in Jammu and Kashmir now and tourism is on a historic rise following the abrogation of Article 370.

"Those (referring to Rahul Gandhi who recently concluded Bharat Jodo Yatra in J&K) who came back from J&K recently must have seen how easily you can go in J&K. I too had gone on a yatra to J&K with the resolve to unfurl the Tricolour at Lal Chowk. Terrorists had put up posters and said Dekhte hain kisne maa ka doodh piya hai jo Lal Chowk aake Tiranga phehra paaye," PM Modi told MPs in Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

"That day on January 24, at a public rally, I said, "Terrorists pay heed. On January 26, sharp at 11 am, I will reach Lal Chowk without security and a bulletproof jacket. Faisla Lal Chowk pe hoga kisne apni maa ka doodh piya hai". Then I unfurled the Tricolour at Lal Chowk," he added. During his speech, the Prime Minister took an apparent swipe at the Opposition leaders in J&K and said that they participated in the Tiranga Yatra (Bharat Jodo Yatra).

"Today there is peace, people can go easily in hundreds in number. J&K has broken various records in the field of tourism after decades. The festival of democracy is being celebrated in J-K. Today, there is a successful campaign of Har Ghar Tiranga. Some people used to say that there is a danger of disruption in peace due to the Tricolour. Look at the time, even those people participated in the Tiranga Yatra," he said.

The Prime Minister further took a dig at the Opposition parties and said that Enforcement Directorate is behind their unity. "A lot of things were said in the House about the probe agencies. I had thought that the people of the country and the results of the elections would bring such people to one stage. But that did not happen. They should thank ED that due to it they have now come together," he said.

Citing a study at Harvard, the Prime Minister said that the subject of the study is "Rise and fall of India's Congress Party". It may be recalled that Along has sometimes back tweeted a "laughing" picture of himself shaking hands with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the party's Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting here.
NEW DELHI: The ongoing Budget Session of Parliament witnessed a lighter moment when Union Home Minister Amit Shah interrupted Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhurys speech during which he addressed his party colleague Rahul Gandhi as Pappu. The incident occurred when the Bengal Congress leader was attacking the Narendra Modi government while participating in the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the Presidents address in the lower house.

Chowdhury, during his speech, said that Rahul Gandhi has proved that no matter how harder you try to make him 'pappu', he has in fact made you 'pappu'. "Rahul Gandhi khud aapko pappu bana diya (Rahul Gandhi made you Pappu)," Adhir Chowdhury said.

Interrupting his speech, Union Home Minister Amit Shah got up from his seat and said, "Respected Speaker Sir, he can't call an honourable MP (Rahul Gandhi) pappu." Union Home Ministers instant reply to the Congress leader left the Lok Sabha members into splits.

Watch Amit Shahs Reply To Pappu Remark Made by Congress Leader

Adhir Ranjan says Pappu for 'Rahul Gandhi'; UHM Amit Shah objects pic.twitter.com/m8KzSuPTYb  Megh Updates (@MeghUpdates) February 8, 2023

After a brief commotion and a wave of laughter in Lok Sabha, Chowdhury continued his speech and said, "Rahul Gandhi has hit the right spot and due to it, there is commotion in BJP. For the first time, a ruling party is advocating for an industrialist. We're not saying this on our own. It has come in the Hindenburg report and we are raising the issue. What's wrong with that?"

The Congress leader further alleged that the BJP is "advocating" for an industrialist. "Rahul Gandhi has hit the right spot and due to it, there is commotion in BJP. For the first time, a ruling party is advocating for an industrialist. We`re not saying this on our own. It has come in the Hindenburg report and we are raising the issue. What`s wrong with that?" Chowdhury said while addressing Lok Sabha during the Motion of Thanks to the President`s Address.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing Lok Sabha during the Motion of Thanks to the President`s Address, attacked Congress over the issue of corruption and scams."
New Delhi: The Himachal Pradesh Excise and Taxation Department on Wednesday (February 8, 2023) inspected an Adani Group company, scrutinising records and checking the stock at the Adani Wilmar warehouse in the Solan district. The department was reportedly investigating possible Goods and Services Tax (GST) violations by the company, a 50:50 joint venture between the Adani conglomerate and Singapore-based Wilmar.

The inspection came when the Adani group finds itself in the middle of a political row at the Centre, triggered by a scathing report by US-based Hindenburg Research.

Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that it was a "routine" procedure.

"We have no intentions of any raid. It is a routine procedure and it keeps happening," the Congress leader said.

Earlier, there were reports that it was a raid.

It is notable that Adani Wilmar sells cooking oil and other food products like rice, wheat flour, sugar, besan and soya chunks under the Fortune brand. In Himachal Pradesh, it is a major source of these products for the Civil Supplies and police departments.

According to the news agency PTI, which cited a state excise department official, the company's entire GST input was adjusted through tax credit but no payment was made in cash. However, in its statement, Adani Wilmar cited the Goods and Services Tax rules and claimed "the company is not required to pay the tax liability in cash".

An excise official said that Adani Wilmar recorded a turnover of about Rs 350 crore during the last three years. It disclosed a GST liability of about Rs 20 crore and claimed refunds amounting to a little under Rs 2 crore for that period, PTI reported citing an official.

During the inspection no variation was found between the physical stock and the stock according to the records maintained by the company, the official said.
Ambassador of South Korea to Egypt Jin-Wook Hong delivered a lecture during his visit to the Diplomatic Studies Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday on the future of the Korean-Egyptian relations.

He addressed the new diplomatic attaches who joined the ministry last December.

Ambassador Walid Hagag, Director of the Diplomatic Studies Institute and his students welcomed the Korean ambassadors visit to the institute. They expressed their appreciation of the special lecture which provided the new diplomats with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of public diplomacy and the bilateral relations between South Korea and Egypt.

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Ambassador Hong introduced the bilateral relations between South Korea and Egypt and shared recent developments in the relations in the framework of the Comprehensive Cooperative Partnership which the two countries adopted during President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisis visit to Seoul in 2016. The ambassador also reviewed the situation in the Korean Peninsula and East Asia.

He pointed out that both Seoul and Cairo "are enjoying excellent relations," citing as proof what he described as "several win-win projects such as co-manufactures of K9 self-propelled howitzer, Cairo Metro rolling stocks in Egypt, Koreas participation in El-Dabaa Nuclear Power plant project, and the joint airshow of Korean and Egyptian air forces over the Giza Pyramids".

The ambassador highlighted that inter-governmental relations between the two countries are at their best, citing the exchange of high-level visits and the communication between the leadership in both countries. He made special reference to President Moons visit to Egypt in January 2022 and the telephone conversation between the new President of South Korea, President Yoon, and his Egyptian counterpart in October 2022.

But he said that "we need the support from the people of both countries to make these excellent relations more sustainable".





In this context, he focused on the importance of public diplomacy and shared the embassy's public diplomacy activities which aim to enhance the mutual understanding between South Korea and Egypt.

Finally, he stressed that there is still a way to go and hoped that the new diplomatic attaches will play a crucial role in further improving bilateral relations.

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KOLKATA: Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) chairman Anit Thapa met West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee here and discussed various issues related to the development of the Darjeeling Hills. The 45-minute-long closed-door meeting was held at the chief minister's chamber in the state assembly in the presence of senior minister Aroop Biswas, who is also the in-charge of TMC's Hill affairs.

"We discussed various issues related to the development of the Hills, including the ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) scheme and issuance of land rights to people living in tea and cinchona plantations," he said.

Thapa said he requested the CM to set up a separate primary education board for the area that comes under the GTA's jurisdiction. The meeting assumes significance in the backdrop of recent political churning in the Hills after Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) withdrew from the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) last month, claiming that promises were not fulfilled.

Also Read: 'Tumhaare paanv ke neeche...': From Kaka Hathrasi to Jigar Moradabadi, PM Modi Tragets Rahul Gandhi, Opposition Using Couplets

The GTA, a semi-autonomous body, was formed to administer Darjeeling Hills after a tripartite agreement was signed between the GJM and the Union and West Bengal governments in July 2011 following prolonged unrest seeking a separate Gorkhaland state. GJM leader Bimal Gurung, Hamro Party's Ajoy Edwards and Binay Tamang, who has quit the TMC to return to the GJM, have joined hands to reignite the demand for Gorkhaland.

The trio has formed a platform, Bharatiya Gorkha Swabhiman Sangharsh Manch, and vowed to fight for the aspirations of the people of the Hills claiming that the GTA failed to fulfil them. The picturesque Darjeeling, often referred to as the 'queen of the hills', has witnessed several agitations over the years, with political parties promising the people a separate Gorkhaland state and implementation of the Sixth Schedule, which grants autonomy to a tribal-inhabited region.

Although the demand for separation of the region from West Bengal is over a century old, the Gorkhaland statehood movement was ignited by GNLF supremo Subhash Ghisingh in 1986.

The violent stir claimed over 1,200 lives and concluded in 1988 with the formation of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, which governed the hills with a certain degree of autonomy till 2011.

Following a fresh stir by Gurung, the GTA was formed. More violent bouts of protests were also witnessed later, the last being in 2017.
Budget Session Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued his attack on the opposition during the Rajya Sabha motion of thanks on President Draupadi Murmu's address on Thursday, mentioning Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. On Pandit Nehru, he stated, "Some had problems with names of schemes of govt & Sanskrit words in the names. I read in a report that 600 govt schemes were in the Gandhi-Nehru family's name...I don't understand why people from their generation don't keep Nehru as their surname, what's the fear and shame?"

Some had problems with names of schemes of govt & Sanskrit words in the names. I read in a report that 600 govt schemes were in the Gandhi-Nehru family's name...I don't understand why people from their generation don't keep Nehru as their surname, what's the fear & shame?:PM Modi pic.twitter.com/Qd9bLP2Tu2  ANI (@ANI) February 9, 2023

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his response to the Motion of Thanks on the President's address, Opposition MPs began raising "Modi-Adani bhai-bhai" slogans in Rajya Sabha. Prime Minister Modi also slammed the Congress for its history of seizing control of state machinery by invoking emergency powers under Article 356, claiming that it was the grand old party that abused constitutional provisions the most and toppled elected state governments at will.

"One prime minister used 'Article 356' 50 times, hitting a half-century," Modi continued, as Opposition MPs continued to yell slogans linking the prime minister to beleaguered billionaire Gautam Adani. "Mrs Indira Gandhi is her name." He also chastised Left parties for siding with Congress, recalling how the Nehru-led government dismissed Kerala's first democratically elected Communist government.

During his 90-minute speech, Modi also highlighted his government's accomplishments, from eliminating the waiting period for cooking gas to opening bank accounts for everyone and providing electricity connections. "In the last 3-4 years, approximately 11 crore houses have received tap water connections. In terms of common people empowerment, we launched the Jan Dhan account movement. 48 crore Jan Dhan accounts have been opened across the country in the last nine years," he added.

In the midst of opposition party sloganeering, the Prime Minister claimed that the Congress slowed the country's development and that India lost six decades while smaller countries advanced. Opposition parties used the debate to criticise PM Modi and the government for facilitating Adani's meteoric rise in recent years.


New Delhi: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has informed the Supreme Court in an affidavit that the entry of women into mosques for offering `namaz` inside is permitted. However, free intermixing of genders in the same line or common space is not in conformity with the position prescribed in Islam and that needs to be taken care of by segregation within the premises by the management committee, if possible, the board said in a statement.

"Considering the said religious texts, doctrines, and religious beliefs of the followers of Islam, it is submitted that entry of women into mosques for offering namaz inside mosques is permitted," the board added.

Apart from this stated position in the affidavit, the board also appealed to the Muslim community that wherever new mosques are constructed, this issue of making appropriate space for women be kept in mind.

The apex court is seized of a plea relating to the entry of Muslim women into mosques for offering namaz.

One Farha Anwar Hussain Shaikh had filed a petition in the top court in 2020 and has sought a direction that the alleged practices of prohibition of entry of Muslim women into mosques in India are "illegal and unconstitutional". The plea is likely to be heard by the apex court in March.

The board also said a Muslim woman is free to enter a mosque for prayers and it is her option to exercise her right to avail such facilities as available for prayers in a mosque.

"It is submitted that the questions raised in the present petition are not in the background of state action. The practices of religion in the places of worship (which in the present matter are mosques) are purely private bodies regulated by `Muttawalis` of the mosques," the affidavit, filed through advocate M.R. Shamshad, said.

The affidavit added the AIMPLB, being a body of experts without any state powers, can only issue an advisory opinion based on Islamic principles.

The affidavit also said the AIMPLB and the apex court, for that matter, cannot enter into the arena of detailed arrangements of a religious place, which is a completely privately managed entity for religious practices of believers in the religion.

The affidavit said that Islam has not made it obligatory for Muslim women to join daily five-time prayers in congregation nor is it obligatory for women to offer weekly Friday namaz in the congregation, though it is so for Muslim men.
NEW DELHI: Another name from the Hindi film industry has surfaced in a money laundering case. As per reports, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has questioned Kriti Verma, a former Bigg Boss contestant, as her boyfriend is prime accused in a money laundering case. Kriti has done a few reality shows and has appeared in 'Roadies' and 'Bigg Boss Season 12'. As per TOI, she allegedly received funds that have been proceeds of crime in case of fraudulent issuance of a tax refund from the Income Tax department.





According to ED officials, it is a Rs 263-crore money laundering case wherein one of the key accused in the case, Bhushan Patil, is in a relationship with her. Kriti has been called for questioning multiple times by the ED officials in the case.In 2022, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a case against a senior tax assistant with the I-T department, Tanaji Mandal Adhikari, and Patil among others, for fraudulent issuance of tax refunds. Following this the ED took up the investigation of the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) based on the FIR. The ED began investigations under the PMLA based upon an FIR registered by the CBI in Delhi based on a complaint about bogus issuance of refunds for the assessment years 2007-08 and 2008-09, said News18.The report stated that there was bogus issuance of refunds for the assessment years 2007-08 and 2008-09. The prime accused Adhikari had access to RSA Tokens and login credentials of his supervisory authorities and officers to orchestrate the fraud. The funds from this fraud were later transferred to the bank account of Patil, and several others, including shell companies.Attachments were made by the ED in this case of 32 immovable and movable properties, which included assets such as land, flats, and luxury cars held by Patil and Verma, among others. Verma allegedly sold one of her Gurugram properties in 2021, the sale proceeds of which were received in her bank account.This amount was later used to buy land and flats in Lonavala, Khandala, Karjat, Pune, Udupi, Panvel and Mumbai. Three luxury cars were also brought in the name of the accused and others.
Mumbai: Actor Juhi Chawla, who attended the Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani wedding, has dropped some pictures of herself on social media. Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Juhi dropped beautiful snaps of herself and gave a glimpse of the wedding venue. She smiled and posed for the camera in the corridor in the last picture. For the occasion, she wore a maroon and golden outfit and jewellery. Sharing the post, she captioned, "Flaunting my Indian-ness."

As soon as she shared the post, Bollywood celebrities and fans flooded the comment section. Farah Khan reacted to the post and wrote, "Looking lovely juhiiii." Fans also showered love on the post with red heart emojis in the comment section.

See the pics

Juhi was seen at the airport leaving Jaisalmer after Sidharth and Kiara`s wedding. She also teased fans with a glimpse of her `Desi breakfast` from the Sid Kiara wedding in Jaisalmer. On Monday, Juhi briefly interacted with the paps at the airport. "Main to shaadi attend karne jaa rahi hun. Unko hmari blessings hai, bohot hi sundar Jodi hai Kiara aur Sidharth ki," Juhi Chawla said. Juhi also took her Twitter, she shared a picture which she captioned, "#sidkiara"In the picture, she didn`t reveal her face clearly and could be seen sitting inside a plane with her cap on.

Juhi Chawla is Kiara`s father`s childhood friend. On the talk show, `Social Media Star With Janice`, Kiara once revealed, "My parents are childhood friends with a couple of actors, I had never even met... except for Juhi aunty (Juhi Chawla), who is my father`s childhood friend."

Sidharth and Kiara got married in an intimate ceremony in the presence of their families and close friends. Hours after their wedding, they shared the news on their respective Instagram pages. "Ab humari permanent booking hogayi hai (Now our permanent booking is done)... We seek your blessings and love on our journey ahead," they captioned alongside the wedding photographs.
New Delhi: Bollywood couple Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra recently tied the knot in an intimate ceremony and social media is in love. Many celebrities wished the actors including Kangana Ranaut, but her way was the most interesting as she also took a jibe at other B-town couples while praising the newlyweds.

On Tuesday, Sidharth and Kiara tied the knot in Jaisalmer in a fairytale wedding. On one hand, fans were thrilled to see the couple finally getting married, but a section of social media seemed unaware that they were dating in the first place.

Yes they were but not for brands or movie promotions, they never did any attension seeking Bolly relationship gimmicks to milk limelight .. so much integrity and genuine love, delightful couple  Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) February 8, 2023

One such user asked on Twitter if they were dating and Kangana came forward to not only confirm that they were, but also praised the couple. She wrote, "Yes they were but not for brands or movie promotions, they never did any attension seeking Bolly relationship gimmicks to milk limelight .. so much integrity and genuine love, delightful couple (sic)."

Even before the wedding, Kangana shared a video of Kiara and Sidharth's video along with her blessings to the couple.

It was on February 7, when Sidharth and Kiara tied the knot at the Suryagarh Palace in Jaisalmer. It was an intimate ceremony, which saw a few friends from the industry such as Karan Johar, Manish Malhotra, Juhi Chawla, Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput Kapoor.
New Delhi: Hollywood superstar Leonardo DiCaprio is quite impressed to see the Assam government`s efforts in stopping rhino poaching in the northeastern Indian state. Taking to Instagram, the `Titanic` star penned a note, applauding Assam`s accomplishment in ending the poaching of the endangered greater one-horned rhinoceros in Kaziranga National Park.

He wrote, "In 2021, the government of the Indian state of Assam set out to end the poaching of the Endangered Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros in Kaziranga National Park following the killing of around 190 animals for their horns between 2000 and 2021. In 2022, they met their goal and no rhinos were poached in the area for the first time since 1977."

"Kaziranga National Park is home to 2,200 Greater One-horned Rhinos, which is about two-thirds of the world`s population. This triumph in India also comes with more good news, as @wwf also reports that the world population of the rare rhino soared to around 3,700 from about 200 at the turn of the 20th century," Leonardo added.

See Leonardo DiCaprio's post

Assam`s Kaziranga National Park (KNP) - located in the floodplains of the Brahmaputra river - is the biggest habitat for one-horned rhinos globally and draws visitors from across the globe. In 2015 and 2016, the number of rhinos killed by poachers was 17 and 18, respectively, which subsequently declined to two in 2020 and 2021 and zero in 2022.

Leonardo is an ardent environmentalist. His work to help animals is equally extensive. Through his LDF (Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation) projects, he`s worked to protect endangered species. Reportedly, In 2010, LDF donated USD 1 million to an innovative Nepalese conservation project to preserve the country`s wild tiger population. The LDF has also funded projects to protect the Black Rhino in Tanzania, the lowland gorilla in Central Africa, and the snow leopard in Central Asia. The LDF also pledged USD 7 million in funds towards marine conservation initiatives at the 2014 Our Oceans conference.
New Delhi: Actor Amitabh Bachchan, on Wednesday, recalled a funny incident when he went to watch his action comedy film `Do Aur Do Paanch` at a theatre.

Taking to Instagram Amitabh shared a throwback picture and recalled a funny incident when a rat climbed into his pants. "43 years of 2+2 = 5; Do aur Do Panch .. what fun this film was .. bell bottoms and all !!! .... Err the bell bottoms were very inviting those days .. went to see a film in a theatre, and a rat climbed into my pants.. thanks to the bell bottom," he captioned the post.

In the monochrome picture, the `Don` actor could be seen in an action avatar and donning bell bottoms. Soon after he shared the picture fans flooded the comment section with red hearts and fire emoticons.

"Absolute style icon," a fan commented. Another fan wrote, "Rishte m to hm apke fan lagte h." "Old is gold #90s look #amitabhbachchan amazing," a fan wrote.

Helmed by Rakesh Kumar, the film also starred late actors Shashi Kapoor and Parveen Babi. It was released in the year 1980 and received positive responses from the audience.

Meanwhile, Amitabh was recently seen in director Sooraj Barjatya`s family entertainer film `Uunchai` alongside Boman Irani, Anupam Kher and Parineeti Chopra. He will be next seen in an upcoming pan-India film `Project K` along with actor Prabhas and in `The Intern` alongside actor Deepika Padukone.
New Delhi: Sara Ali Khan is an actress who is known for her bright smile and iconic namaste. The Atrangi Re actress is often praised for her sweet gesture towards the fans. However, something weird happened with Sara as she was coming out of Mumbai airport.

A fan came and shook hands with Sara, however, as she moved forward, the woman touched her hair and neck which made her awkward. Saras expressions changed suddenly, but inspite of this, she maintained her calm and went ahead. Fans of the actress noticed the same and shared their views about the incident in the comments section. She was trying to snatch her jewellery. How bad is to see that. Kya hoga India ka, a user commented. Why invade someone's personal space, kudos to Sara for keeping calm, another user wrote. Black magic maybe, a third user wrote.

Watch the video here

Sara had gone to Udaipur with mother Amrita Singh and also shared pictures of the same on social media. She was also snapped with actor and rumoured ex-boyfriend Kartik Aaryan which made fans wonder if Kartik also went to Udaipur with her.

See the pics she shared with mom Amrita Singh

Meanwhile, on the work front, Sara Ali Khan will be seen in Gaslight alongside Vikrant Massey and Chitrangada Singh and in Anurag Basu`s recently announced project `Metro...Inn Dino` among many others. She will also be seen portraying the role of a freedom fighter in Dharma Productions upcoming web film Ae Watan Mere Watan.

Sara made her debut in Hindi film industry with Abhishek Kapoors tragic romance Kedarnath in which she starred alongside Sushant Singh Rajput. She was last seen in Aanand L Rais Atrangi Re alongside Akshay Kumar and Dhanush.
Moscow: India's National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Thursday met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The two held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral and regional issues. Indian Embassy in Russia in a tweet said, "NSA Ajit Doval called on HE President Putin. Wide-ranging discussion on bilateral and regional issues. Agreed to continue work towards implementing the India-Russia strategic partnership." Doval began his two-day visit to Russia on Wednesday. Earlier on Wednesday, he said that no country should be allowed to use Afghan territory to export terrorism and asserted that India will never abandon the people of Afghanistan in their time of need.

In an address at a multilateral security dialogue on Afghanistan in Moscow, Doval said that an inclusive and representative dispensation in Kabul is in the larger interest of the Afghan society.

Also Read: 'Can Western Countries Halt India-Russia Defence Ties?': BrahMos Chief Responds

He also reaffirmed that the well being and humanitarian needs of the people of Afghanistan is India's foremost priority and it will continue to guide New Delhi's approach towards that country, official sources said.

NSA Ajit Doval called on HE President Putin. Wide-ranging discussion on bilateral and regional issues. Agreed to continue work towards implementing the India-Russia strategic partnership. pic.twitter.com/SMHe6VI9ve  India in Russia (@IndEmbMoscow) February 9, 2023

Besides Russia and India, the fifth meeting of Secretaries of Security Councils/NSAs on Afghanistan was attended by representatives from Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, the official sources said. In his remarks at the meeting, Doval said that India "is and will" remain an important stakeholder in Afghanistan.

"We always stood by the people of Afghanistan and will always support collective efforts to help the Afghan people build a prosperous and vibrant nation once again," the sources quoted Doval as saying. The meeting discussed various issues related to Afghanistan, including the security situation and humanitarian challenges facing the country, they said.

The third round of this conference was held in Delhi under chairmanship of Doval in November 2021. The NSA said terrorism has become a major threat to the region and emphasised that intensified intelligence and security cooperation is needed among member states to deal with terror outfits like the Lashkar-e-Toiba, the Jaish-e-Mohammed and the Daesh, according to the sources.

Doval also spoke about the importance of the UN Security Council resolution 2593 that called for terror outfits, including those designated by the top UN body, to be denied sanctuary in the region, they said.

The NSA said that Afghanistan is passing through a difficult phase and that "India will never abandon the Afghan people in their time of need". An inclusive and representative dispensation is in the larger interest of the Afghan society, he said.

"India has not yet recognised the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and has been pitching for the formation of a truly inclusive government in Kabul. Following the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan after the Taliban seized power, India has delivered 40,000 metric tonnes of wheat, 60 tonnes of medicines, 5,00,000 Covid vaccines, winter clothing and 28 tonnes of disaster relief to the country," he said.

"India has granted fresh scholarships to 2,260 Afghan students, including 300 Afghan girls, during the past two years. India has been pitching for providing unimpeded humanitarian aid to Afghanistan to address the unfolding humanitarian crisis. In June last year, India re-established its diplomatic presence in Kabul by deploying a "technical team" in its embassy in the Afghan capital," the NSA further said.

India had withdrawn its officials from the embassy after the Taliban seized power in August 2021 following concerns over their security. Doval's visit to Moscow comes weeks ahead of the G-20 foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to travel to India to attend the meeting on March 1 and 2.

(With agency inputs)
CCTV: According to reports, the IMF noted in a recently published article that the Chinese economy is now expected to contribute a quarter of global growth this year and thats good news for China and the world. Whats your comment?

Mao Ning: This is certainly good news, which again shows the international communitys confidence in the prospects of Chinas economic growth.

Despite growing risks in the world economy and surging undercurrents of protectionism, China has been committed to opening-up and has opened its door even wider to the world. Last year, Chinas foreign trade hit a new record and China has been the worlds largest trader in goods for six years running. China is also actively engaged in multilateral cooperation. Since China put forward the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) a decade ago, China has signed Belt and Road cooperation documents with 151 countries. Over the past year since the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) came into force, Chinas total import and export volume with other RCEP members reached 12.95 trillion yuan, up by 7.5 percent year-on-year. Chinas import and export with eight RCEP members registered double-digit growth, adding a strong boost to the regional economy.

Some Western developed countries, however, have been building small yards with high fences and advocating decoupling and disruption of industrial and supply chains. They imposed additional tariffs to rectify trade deficits, restricted foreign investment to defend national security, and put in place technological blockade to protect intellectual property. In a highly interdependent world, protectionist moves will boomerang, and practices of decoupling and supply disruption are neither feasible nor sustainable. China will stay on the course of high-level opening-up and work with the rest of the world to help each other succeed and usher in a better future.

Global Times: According to reports,the strong earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria have killed up to ten thousand people. Can you update us on Chinas participation in the search and rescue efforts? Any latest updates on Chinese casualties? How to keep Chinese nationals safe in the affected areas?

Mao Ning: Over the past couple of days, we have shared Chinas efforts to help Turkiye and Syria. We have learned that the China rescue team has arrived in Turkiye and immediately rushed to the city of Antakya in the worst-hit Hatay province. In the early hours today local time, they rescued a pregnant woman trapped under the debris together with Turkish rescuers. Last night, the Hong Kong SAR government also sent a 59-member search and rescue team to Turkiye to assist in local rescue efforts. This morning, a plane took off from Beijing and headed to Syria, carrying the first batch of medical supplies enough to cover the needs of 5,000 people and a rescue team from the Red Cross Society of China. Apart from the cash assistance and material aid that have been announced, the Chinese side is also speeding up the delivery of ongoing food aid programs for Syria, including 220 tonnes of wheat already on its way and more than 3,000 tonnes of rice and wheat to be shipped in two batches shortly.

The safety of our overseas compatriots have been in our thoughts since the earthquakes happened. The Centre for Consular Assistance and Protection of Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately activated the emergency response mechanism. Chinese embassies in Turkiye and Syria contacted local governments at the earliest opportunity for more information and have kept in close touch with local Chinese communities, institutions and students, providing timely help to our compatriots in difficulty. The MFA Global Emergency Call Center for Consular Protection and Services is operating around the clock to receive calls from Chinese citizens asking for help. As of today, thanks to the concerted efforts of all parties, three Chinese citizens have been rescued and they are in good conditions. We have not received further reports of Chinese casualties. We will continue to follow closely the situation and make vigorous efforts to provide consular protection and assistance to Chinese citizens and institutions in the affected areas.

The Chinese government stands ready to continue helping Turkiye and Syria to save lives, provide shelter and recover from the disaster in light of the situation on the ground and their actual needs.

Bloomberg: The G7 member states are said to be discussing whether to sanction companies in China for what they believe to be providing Russia with parts and technology that have military purposes. This is according to people familiar with the matter. That plan also may include moves against Iranian and North Korean companies. Whats the foreign ministrys response to the G7 members planning to sanction Chinese companies in relation to their activities with Russia?

Mao Ning: Chinas position on the Ukraine issue is consistent and clear. We have upheld the four principles and called for joint efforts in four areas as was proposed by President Xi Jinping, taken an objective and just position, made active efforts to promote peace talks, and played a constructive role in alleviating tensions. We always oppose unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction with neither basis in international law nor a mandate of the UN Security Council. China will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies.

MASTV: Its been reported that Namibia recently found in its waters a US saildrone used to gather data under water. Despite the US claim that it is a private drone contracted for marine research purposes, Namibian media generally believe it is an American spy drone. According to the latest data released by the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative, a think tank, in January this year, 64 sorties of US military land-based reconnaissance aircraft were spotted over the South China Sea. Whats your comment?

Mao Ning: The US is the number one country in surveillance and reconnaissance. It has long-running intelligence programs across the globe. US aircraft and warships frequently conduct close-in reconnaissance around China, which seriously threatens Chinas national security and undermines regional peace and stability. The Chinese side has repeatedly voiced our grave concerns. The US needs to put an immediate end to such provocations.

AFP: The White House said yesterday that the Chinese balloon shot down last week was part of a fleet that have spanned five continents. Japan says its coordinating with the US to analyze balloon-like objects spotted over Japan in 2020 and 2021. So my question is, does the foreign ministry have any new information to add on the balloon issue today? As youve described, the two balloons spotted over the US and Latin America are weather balloons. Could you provide any details about the equipment on board and the entities that own the balloons?

Mao Ning: On the airship, the Chinese side has repeatedly shared its information. The unintended, unexpected entry of the unmanned Chinese civilian airship into US airspace is entirely caused by force majeure. The Chinese side has made that clear in its communication with the US side time and again, yet the US overreacted by using force. China firmly opposes and deplores this. I am not aware of any fleet of balloons. That narrative is probably part of the information and public opinion warfare the US has waged on China. As to who is the worlds number one country of spying, eavesdropping and surveillance, that is plainly visible to the international community.

Japan should adopt an objective and fair position on the airship incident instead of dramatizing it like the US.

As to your last question, I have nothing to offer.

RIA Novosti: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday during his visit to the US that what happens in Europe regarding the Ukraine conflict today could influence Chinas actions in Asia and the Indo-Pacific region later. He also said that China is increasing its intelligence gathering activity in Europe. Whats Chinas comment?

Mao Ning: NATO has kept reaching beyond its traditional defense area and domain and asking its members to increase military spending and expand military build-up, yet it is now making accusations and criticisms against China. This is textbook double-standard. China is committed to the path of peaceful development and has a better track record than any other major country in upholding peace and security. We have never invaded any country. We have never started any proxy war. We have never engaged in global military operations or threatened other countries with force. What NATO should do is abandon the Cold-War mentality and ideological prejudice and reflect on itself what kind of role it has played in European and global stability, rather than stoke tension around the globe and hype up the China threat narrative.

AFP: Australias Defense Minister said today that the country will remove Chinese-made security cameras from some government buildings. This is to ensure that these buildings are completely secure. This will mainly affect cameras made by Chinese companies Hikvision and Dahua. Does the foreign ministry have any response to this?

Mao Ning: The Chinese government always encourages Chinese companies to engage in international investment and cooperation in accordance with market principles, international rules and local laws. We oppose erroneous practices of over-stretching the concept of national security and abusing state power to discriminate against and suppress Chinese companies. We hope the Australian side will provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for the normal operation of Chinese companies and do more things that could contribute to mutual trust and cooperation between our two countries.

Bloomberg: Can you confirm reports that the Xinjiang Governor Erkin Tuniyaz will visit the UK and Brussels later this month? Thats according to reports in the UK newspaper The Guardian. Can you confirm the visit?

Mao Ning: Im not aware of what you mentioned.

AFP: Can you confirm reports of the first shipment of Australian coal in more than two years has arrived in China? What is the significance of this for the relationship between the two countries?

Mao Ning: I refer you to the competent Chinese authorities.

Reuters: Media reports said China has discussed allowing Australian lobster back to the market and plans for trade to resume next month. Can you confirm this?

Mao Ning: Im not aware of the specifics and refer you to the competent Chinese authorities.
In a celebration to mark 30 years on the diplomatic relations between Egypt and Belarus, Ambassador of Belarus Sergei L. Terentiev said he is looking forward to more cooperation and development of relations between the two countries.

The Embassy of Belarus in Cairo and the Egyptian Association for Graduates of Russian and Soviet Universities, organised a celebration on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Egypt and Belarus on 6 February.

In attendance were President of the Egyptian Association for Graduates of Russian and Soviet Universities Sherif Gad, its Secretary-General Fathy Toghan, visual artist Ibrahim Ghazaleh, and others.

The ceremony opened with a speech by Terentiev, who said that "diplomatic relations between the two countries began in February 1992 as Egypt was one of the first countries to recognise the new state in Belarus and the opening of the Belarusian Embassy in Cairo was our first in the region."

Terentiev praised the development of relations between the two countries in the fields of trade, economy, agriculture, industry, medicine, and culture.

The ambassador of Belarus thanked the Graduates Association, which plays an important role in the development of relations between Egypt and Belarus.

For his part, hailed the distinguished efforts of Terentiev to cooperate with various Egyptian institutions to develop relations, stressing that there are promising opportunities for mutual benefit in many fields, including in sports.

"We can prepare our Olympic champions through contact with Belarusian athletes, and the Belarusian heavy equipment is distinguished for its quality and low prices", Gad said, referring to President Alexander Lukashenko's speech in his meeting with President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi when he said that Belarus has an open heart for cooperation with Egypt in all fields.

Toghan spoke about opportunities for cooperation in education and the establishment of a joint college in engineering.

He also praised the Belarusian health resorts that provide excellent health and recreational services.

Artist Ibrahim Ghazaleh said the beauty of nature in Belarus has turned into a source of inspiration for artist.

Ghazaleh stressed the need for direct flights between the two capitals for ease of cooperation.

An art exhibition by a Belarusian artist was held on the sidelines of the celebration.

The grand finale of the event was a singing recital by Mona Zeidan, a professor at the Faculty of Musical Education, Helwan University.

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Brussels: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy today addressed the European Parliament and asked for more military aid, as he stated that Ukraine and the European Union are fighting together against Russia, which he said is the most anti-European force in the world. He held up an EU flag after his address and the entire legislature stood in silence as the Ukrainian national anthem played. Zelenskyy received a standing ovation before, during, and after his speech to European lawmakers.

Before Zelenskyy spoke, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said allies should consider quickly, as a next step, providing long-range systems, and fighter jets to Ukraine. Metsola said the response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine must be proportional to the threat, and the threat is existential."

Also read: Ukraine President Zelenskyy Makes Historic UK Visit, Says 'Russia Will Lose war'

Zelenskyy's high-profile pursuit of more Western military aid came as evidence mounted that Russia's anticipated offensive around the anniversary of the invasion is starting to take shape. The Kremlin's forces have regained the initiative in Ukraine and have begun their next major offensive in the eastern Luhansk region, most of which is occupied by Russia, the Institute for the Study of War, said in its latest assessment. Russian forces are gradually beginning to become offensive, but their success is not inherent or predetermined.

Zelenskyy on February 8 made a historic visit to the UK and addressed British lawmakers. During a rousing address to Parliament, Zelenskyy, who wore his trademark olive sweatshirt, predicted that Russia would lose the war against his country. He also thanked the British people for their support from "Day One" since Moscow's military offensive.

This was his first visit to the UK since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Rishi Sunak extended UK's ongoing support to train Ukrainian fighter jet pilots and marines to help upskill their defensive capabilities.

(With inputs from AP)
Washington: US President Joe Biden who is facing low approval ratings even from Democrats recently defended his working capabilities in relation to his age. Biden's age had always been a point of contention as his critics pointed out that his alleged health issues may affect his abilities to govern the country. In addition, the next presidential election in the US is due in 2024 and Americans are curious to know if Biden will re-run for President despite his declining popularity.

In an interview with PBS NewsHour, Joe Biden said that he has intentions of running for the 2024 presidential elections but the decision isn't "firm" yet. "I haven't made that decision. That's my intention, I think, but I haven't made that decision firmly yet," he said.

Biden was also asked about how he would like to respond to voters who are concerned about his senior age (80 years). The American President said that voters should observe his performance in the State of the Union Address. "Watch me. Its all I can say," he told PBS in the same interview.

"I would be completely thoroughly honest with the American people if I thought there was any health problem, anything that would keep me from being able to do the job, he said.

During his State of Union address on February 7, Joe Biden took a hit at the tax system and demanded companies pay their fair share of taxes.

He said, "I'm a capitalist, but pay your fair share. I think a lot of you at home agree with me and many people that, you know, the tax system is not fair. It is not fair. Look, the idea that in 2020, 55 of the largest corporations in America, the Fortune 500, made $40 billion in profits and paid zero in federal taxes. Zero? Folks, it's simply not fair."

(With agency inputs)
The northern and southern rooms of deity Amun Re, located on the Upper Terrace of Hatshepsut Temple in Deir El-Bahari and the Tomb of Meru at the North Asasif necropolis, Luxor's West Bank, are now open to visitors after their restoration.

The rooms were inaugurated by the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) Mostafa Waziri and Anna Wodzinska, director of the Polish Centre for Mediterranean Archaeology, University of Warsaw (PCMA UW).

Renowned Egyptologist Zahi Hawass, Fathi Yassin, director-general of antiquities in Upper Egypt, and Patrick Zuwidksy, head of the Polish-Egyptian archaeological mission attended the opening ceremony.



The newly opened rooms at the Temple of Hatshepsut flank the main sanctuary of deity Amun-Re, which was opened to the public in 2017.

The restoration was carried out by conservators, architects, structural engineers, and Egyptologists from the Polish-Egyptian archaeological and conservation expedition from the PCMA UW and SCA, Waziri pointed out.

As indicated by the themes of the restored wall decorations, the southern room was probably used to store aromatic substances and linen robes used during rituals. The walls of the northern room, of unknown function, depict the offering of sacrifices to Amun-Re by queen Hatshepsut and her ward, king Thutmose III, and some rituals they performed, such as running with an oar.

When Thutmose III ascended to the throne after a period of co-regency, Hatshepsut was removed from the decorations of the temple, Waziri noted.

Wodzinska said that in the least prominent place behind the doors, a figure of engineer Senenmut, Hatshepsuts most eminent courtier, is depicted along with an inscription explaining that the queen allowed his name to be engraved in all the rooms of her temple. But only in these two rooms he was shown standing rather than kneeling, which may suggest a special function of these rooms.

The Tomb of Meru is a rock-hewn tomb carved in the North Asasif necropolis, an extension of the rock amphitheatre of Deir El-Bahari. Meru was a high-ranking official at the court of the 11th Dynasty king and founder of the Middle Kingdom Mentuhotep II (20552004 BCE), who was also buried in North Asasif.

This is the first site from such an early period in western Thebes to be made accessible to visitors, Yassin said.

The Tomb of Meru faces the procession avenue leading to the temple of king Mentuhotep II. It consists of a facade and a corridor leading to an offering chapel with a niche for a statue of the deceased. Before reaching the chapel, a burial shaft in the floor leads to a corridor descending to a burial chamber with a sarcophagus, he added.

This is the only decorated room in the tomb, with an unusual decoration in a painting on a base of lime plaster, Yassin noted.



Zuwidksy pointed out that the Tomb of Meru has been known since at least the mid-19th century. In 1996, some wall paintings were cleaned by Italian conservators. From 2015 to 2023, archaeologists from the PCMA UW Asasif Project in cooperation with the SCA worked with conservators from the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw on restoring and documenting the tomb.

The Polish-Egyptian mission at the Temple of Hatshepsut in Deir El-Bahari has been operating since 1961. It was established by professor Kazimierz Michalowski, the doyen of Polish Mediterranean archaeology.

For more than 60 years, archaeologists, conservators, and architects have been working on the documentation and reconstruction of the temples remains.

The Temple of Hatshepsut once served as the Temple of Millions of Years of this queen who ruled Egypt during the 18th Dynasty (ca. 1473-1458 BCE).

The neighbouring necropolis of North Asasif is the burial place of Egypt's most prominent officials from the Middle Kingdom (2055-1773 BCE).

















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Stories about the Central Asian country of Uzbekistan have been finding more and more important place in the international media  as two Paris exhibitions confirm, writes David Tresilian

The five Central Asian countries of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan were once not as well known as they should be to international audiences. There was their generally landlocked location  only Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan border the Caspian Sea  and there was their forbidding terrain, with the mountains of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan contrasting with the steppe and desert of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.

However, in recent years these countries have been opening up to foreign visitors, with Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in particular now offering opportunities for hiking, mountain climbing, and ecotourism. Uzbekistan is known for cultural tourism. Exploring the region some years ago while based in Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan, the present writer had the opportunity to marvel at its unspoiled landscapes as well as experience the ease with which one could generally get around even when shamefully ignorant of the local languages.

As if to underline the developing profile of these still too-little-known countries, an exhibition at the Musee Guimet in Paris early last year presented a survey of over a thousand years of Tajik history in an event organised with the countrys culture and heritage authorities and opened by Tajik President Emomali Rahmon.

Described as the largest event of its kind on Tajikistan ever held in any Western country, the exhibition, Tadjikistan, au pays des fleuves dor  the land of rivers of gold  presented the early history of the country, stopping off to consider the arrival of Alexander the Great in the late 4th century BCE, the establishment of Hellenistic rule, the spread of Buddhism along the famous Silk Roads that once crossed Asia from China to the Mediterranean, and the introduction of Islam in the early 8th century CE.

Today it is the turn of neighbouring Uzbekistan to enthrall visitors as two new exhibitions organised by the Uzbek authorities in association with the relevant French institutions opened in Paris late last year. The first, Splendeurs des oasis dOuzbekistan at the Louvre Museum, was opened by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in a ceremony also attended by his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in November. The second, Sur les routes de Samarcande at the Institut du Monde Arabe, is an exhibition of traditional Uzbek textiles that runs until June this year.

Visitors to the first are introduced to the history of the Uzbek cities of Bukhara and Samarkand in a survey that emphasises their role as cultural and trading centres on the Central Asian Silk Roads. Visitors to the second can see a collection of sumptuous late 19th and early 20th-century textiles made in Bukhara and embroidered with gold.

As Louvre curators Yannick Lintz and Rocco Rante say in an interview accompanying the first exhibition, it presents what will be a new world for visitors and one associated with names like Genghis Khan, Marco Polo, and Tamburlaine Everyone is likely to have heard of Samarkand, but how many will know exactly where it is located?

Our hope is that the exhibition will enable visitors to find out more about the Eurasian civilisations and their geographical and artistic landmarks.

OASIS CITIES: Many people will be familiar with the Uzbek cities of Bukhara and Samarkand owing to their religious architecture, much of it built in the 15th century under the Timurid Dynasty founded by the Turco-Mongol warlord Timur, better known in English as Tamburlaine the Great.

At its greatest extent, the Timurid Empire ruled territory stretching from parts of modern-day Turkey in the west to India in the east, taking in the whole of Central Asia, Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan. Timurid architecture, employed in mosques and madrasas across the region, uses a vocabulary of domes and monumental entrance portals clad in multi-coloured tiles, and there are many spectacular examples of it in Bukhara and Samarkand.

However, the exhibition starts much earlier than the Timurids in the early centuries BCE and in the wake of Alexanders sweep through the region on his way to what is now Pakistan. He left pockets of Hellenistic culture behind him in the shape of Greek garrison cities set up under the Seleucid Empire, and this later fused with the Buddhism that was spreading across the region to produce the Graeco-Buddhist art that can be found at sites scattered across Southwest and Central Asia from Pakistan to Uzbekistan.

The period between the end of the 3rd century CE and the arrival of Islam in the region in the 8th century CE was one of rising prosperity, the exhibition says, at least for places like Bukhara and Samarkand that hosted caravans crossing the Silk Roads. Lent by the Uzbek Fine Arts Museum in Tashkent like other objects in the exhibition are artefacts from princely mansions in Bukhara at the time of the arrival of Islam, including a digital reconstruction of mural paintings from a palace at Varakhsha west of the city.

With the Arab conquests that began in the early 8th century CE, Bukhara and Samarkand were incorporated into the easternmost region of the later Abbasid Caliphate, with the Arab general Qutayba ibn Muslim becoming its first governor. Later, this region became more and more detached from the Caliphate in Baghdad, and local dynasties such as the Persian Samanids took power in Bukhara and Samarkand. They were then ejected by the Turkic Qarakhanids and other dynasties before the region as a whole was put to the sword by invading Mongols under Genghis Khan in the 13th century.

With the Islamisation of the region came the development of a new material culture as well as a new religion, represented in the exhibition by ceramic and metalwork pieces as well as a page from an 8th-century copy of the Quran. It was at this time, too, that its intellectual fame began to spread, signalled by the births of the Muslim polymaths Ibn Sina (Avicenna) and Al-Biruni in what is now Uzbekistan.

Ibn Sina, born in Bukhara in 980 CE, was the author of works of philosophy, medicine, and science and is widely considered to be one of the most important writers of a period known for its achievements in philosophy and science. Al-Biruni, born in a city now on the Uzbek border with Turkmenistan in 973 CE, wrote pioneering works of history, anthropology, and geography.

In the early 13th century, both Bukhara and Samarkand were destroyed by invading Mongol forces led by Genghis Khan in a foretaste of the destruction meted out to Baghdad just a few decades later. However, both cities had apparently recovered by the time the Venetian traveller Marco Polo passed through them in the 1270s, even if their full recovery and renewed splendour would only come after the conquests carried out by Timur in the late 14th century.

It is this period that is the easiest to illustrate because of the extraordinary Timurid religious architecture of especially Samarkand that may remind many of comparable buildings in Herat in Afghanistan or Isfahan in Iran. The exhibition does the two cities proud with a video installation that allows visitors to view buildings such as the Mausoleum of Timur, Registan Square, and the Shah-i-Zinda Cemetery in Samarkand from multiple perspectives as well as close to as if they were watching a high-tech architectural fly-through. Aerial photography of the facades and domes allows them to appreciate the patterned tiling of the buildings in a geometric symphony of greens and golds.

Among the objects on display are plates taken from illustrated books from the period, among them miniatures illustrating a late 16th-century Persian version of the traditional Arab story of Layla wa Majnun. There is an elaborately carved door taken from the Mausoleum of Timur in Samarkand, ordinarily to be found in one of the citys museums.

According to the notes accompanying the exhibition, the Silk Roads, stronger than ever under the Mongol, Turkic, and Timurid Empires that at different times united Central and Southwest Asia, fell into disuse after the Ottoman conquests of the Eastern Mediterranean in the late 15th century and the parallel European discovery of sea routes connecting Europe to China.

SILK AND GOLD: The second exhibition at the Institut du Monde Arabe presents the traditional textile industry of Bukhara that saw an Indian summer at the end of the 19th century owing to increased patronage from the court of the emir.

As the notes to it explain, Russian expansionism across Central Asia led to the three khanates of Bukhara, Khiva, and Kokand losing their independence. Corresponding to the modern states of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan, along with parts of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, they were incorporated into what became the Russian government-general of Turkestan with its capital in Tashkent, today the modern capital of Uzbekistan. However, the khans continued to rule their traditional territory, though now under Russian protection.

In Bukhara, a policy of official support for the khanates traditional handicrafts led to the preservation and expansion of the textile sector. Still on an artisanal scale, but now benefitting from the emirs patronage, this made use of the abundant cotton, wool, and silk produced in the region. When suitably woven, embroidered, and dyed, these materials were made into the kind of sumptuous chapans  a roomy top coat or kaftan worn by men  and the originally rather plain paranjas  a covering robe worn by women  that are on show in the exhibition.

What stands out among the chapans is the embroidery, the colours, and the use of gold. According to the exhibition notes, the most beautiful chapans were made at the court of the emir using silk and gold embroidery called zardozi with monumental pieces being made for his own personal use. The ample use of gold is certainly a feature of some of the pieces on show, which, weighed down by gold embroidery and reaching to the floor, include the ceremonial chapan worn by the last emir of Bukhara, Mohamed Alim Khan, at his coronation in 1911. Like the other pieces on show, this has been lent to the exhibition by the Uzbek state museums.

According to the notes, zardozi embroidery was exclusively done by men, and only men of suitably high rank could wear chapans or other clothes embroidered with gold. Gold embroidery was exclusively the preserve of men in a society where it was thought that gold would tarnish if touched or breathed on by a woman, they add. The overall result seems to have been that while men of high status could dress in sumptuous outfits weighed down with gold, the choices for women were far more limited.

In the same way that it was forbidden for women to touch gold, it was also forbidden for them to wear it in an ostentatious fashion, the notes comment, adding that womens dress was carefully monitored as a way of signalling social status and the age and marital status of the individuals concerned. Later in the exhibition, however, there are chapans on show that are labelled as having been made for women, many of them in brightly coloured silks and embroidered with gold, so perhaps the rules were not always strictly observed.

The exhibition also includes some of the ceremonial trappings used for horses, an important part of the traditional culture of the region, as well as examples of traditional embroidered skullcaps, called doppis, flatweave and pile carpets, and many suzanis, embroidered pieces made of cotton and silk that were hung on walls or used as bedspreads or furniture throws. These were made at home by the female members of the family and were often passed down the generations.

In the exhibitions final room, there are examples of traditional jewellery from one of the regions of Uzbekistan. Made of heavy looking silver and decorated with coral and coloured glass and sometimes hung with imperial Russian ruble coins, these may remind some visitors of traditional Arab Bedouin styles.

Splendeurs des oasis dOuzbekistan, Louvre, Paris, until 6 March; Sur les routes de Samarcande, merveilles de soie et dor, Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris, until 4 June.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 9 February, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Hundreds of lawmakers and parliamentary staff packed 900-year-old Westminster Hall, the oldest -- and unheated -- part of Parliament, for Zelenskyy's speech. Britain has been one of Ukraine's biggest military supporters, sending more than $2.5 billion in weapons and equipment.

Later Wednesday, Zelenskyy was to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Paris. "I have come here and stand before you on behalf of the brave, on behalf of our warriors, who are now in the trenches under enemy artillery fire," Zelenskyy told Parliament, paying tribute to Ukraine's military. "I thank you for your bravery... London has stood with Kyiv since day one."

Zelenskyy also met with King Charles at Buckingham Palace in what was Zelenskyy's second trip abroad since the Russian invasion began last Feb. 24. In December, the Ukrainian leader went to Washington to meet with President Joe Biden and address Congress.

"We know freedom will win, we know Russia will lose," Zelenskyy told the British Parliament. "We know the victory will change the world, and this will be the change that the world has long needed. The United Kingdom is marching with us towards the most important victory of our lifetime."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy flew to London on Wednesday to thank the British people for their support in fending off Russia's nearly yearlong invasion of his country and predicted that Ukraine would win the war.

The visit came as British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that Britain would train Ukrainian pilots on "NATO-standard fighter jets." More than 10,000 Ukrainian troops have also been trained at bases in the United Kingdom, some on the Challenger 2 tanks that Britain is sending. "I am proud that today we will expand that training from soldiers to marines and fighter jet pilots, ensuring Ukraine has a military able to defend its interests well into the future," Sunak said.

Zelenskyy called on British lawmakers to offer even more advanced fighter jets, a plea he has also made to the United States and its Western allies. "We... will do everything possible and impossible to make the world provide us with modern planes to empower and protect pilots who will be protecting us," Zelenskyy said.

Later, at a joint news conference in front of a tank at the Lulworth Camp training base, Sunak said fighter jets were "part of the conversation" about support for Ukraine. "Nothing is off the table," he said. "We must arm Ukraine in the short term, but we must bolster Ukraine for the long term."

Zelenskyy has mostly addressed Western leaders via video from Kyiv. But European officials in Brussels suggested it was possible he could also appear in person before a summit of leaders from the 27-nation bloc meeting there on Thursday.

On the battlefront, Ukraine said Russia was continuing its artillery bombardment in the eastern region of the country, in what Kyiv officials have said they think is part of a new thrust to mark the anniversary of the invasion.

Russian forces over the past day also launched major shelling on areas near the front line in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region, killing a 74-year-old woman and wounding a 16-year-old girl in the border town of Vovchansk, local Governor Oleh Syniehubov said. Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands said Tuesday that they were planning to send at least 100 older, refurbished Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine.

The Leopard 1 tanks were manufactured from the mid-1960s to the mid-1980s and, once made battle-ready again, will not reach Kyiv's fighters until the summer months. The defense ministers of Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands said in a statement that the additional weaponry would "significantly enhance Ukraine's military potential for the restoration of their violated territorial integrity."

The German defense ministry said that authorities in Berlin had approved the export of up to 178 Leopard 1 A5 tanks to Ukraine, but that the number sent would depend on the refurbishments required. Germany has not used the tanks since 2003.

The new weapons deployment will come in addition to Germany's recent announcement that it would dispatch 14 newer Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine's fighters. The U.S. said it would supply 30 of its front-line Abrams tanks.
"As to who's responsible for that, China is. And it doesn't matter, on one level, which individuals may or may not have been responsible," Blinken said when asked whether he thought Chinese President Xi Jinping was aware of the spy balloon operations.

"We've already shared information with dozens of countries around the world, both from Washington and through our embassies. And we're doing so because the United States was not the only target as far as this program, which has violated the sovereignty of countries across five continents," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a press conference with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg at the State Department.

The United States said Wednesday that Chinese surveillance balloons have been spotted across five continents over the past several years and that Washington has been in contact with its allies to share information on the operations.

The top U.S. diplomat said that Washington is learning more "by the hour" from the balloon recovery efforts and that he would have more to say about it in the days ahead.

On Monday, Reuters reported that U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman had briefed nearly 150 foreign diplomats across 40 embassies, while the U.S. Embassy in Beijing had gathered foreign diplomats earlier this week to present U.S. findings about the surveillance balloon operations.

Stoltenberg told reporters the operation of the Chinese balloon over the United States confirmed a pattern of behavior by the Peoples Republic of China.

China is substantially building up its military forces, "including nuclear weapons, without any transparency," Stoltenberg said. "This is attempting to assert control over the South China Sea and threatening Taiwan, trying to take control of critical infrastructure, including in NATO countries, repressing its own citizens and trampling on human rights and deepening its strategic partnership with Moscow."

The U.S. intelligence community has concluded that the Chinese balloon that recently traveled across the continental United States is part of an extensive surveillance program operated by the Chinese military.

At the Pentagon, Air Force Brigadier General Pat Ryder, the Defense Department press secretary, said a total of five surveillance balloons from the PRC have flown over the United States. He did not elaborate on the paths those balloons took or whether the U.S. sites were military ones.

"It calls into question why China, the PRC, feels that it's OK to violate sovereign airspace of nations in a way that is inappropriate and unacceptable," Ryder told reporters at a Wednesday briefing.

China said it was a weather balloon that had inadvertently strayed off course. The U.S. categorically rejected the claim, saying it was a PRC surveillance balloon seeking intelligence of sensitive military sites.

A U.S. fighter jet shot down the balloon on Saturday as it traveled over the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of South Carolina. Beijing called the shoot-down an overreaction.
Rescue crews in Turkey and Syria raced against time and the cold Wednesday to find survivors buried in the rubble of buildings toppled by powerful earthquakes that struck the region Monday and left more than 11,000 people dead.

The rescue effort in Turkey involved 96,000 personnel, the country's emergency management agency said Wednesday. Search sites have been the scenes of some celebrations as people are found alive and taken away for medical care. But uncovering the rubble has also meant frequent increases in the number of casualties.

Officials in Turkey said at least 8,574 people were killed and more than 38,000 others were injured. In Syria, there were at least 2,530 deaths, according to figures from the Damascus government and rescue groups. The earthquake is now the world's deadliest seismic event since a 2011 earthquake and tsunami that killed nearly 20,000 people in Japan.

The epicenter of Monday's pre-dawn earthquake was in Pazarcik, near the city of Gaziantep, close to the Turkey-Syria border. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited the area Wednesday, including a stop at a tent city in Kahramanmaras that the emergency management agency set up for people affected by the earthquake.

Erdogan declared seven days of national mourning and a three-month state of emergency in 10 provinces directly affected by the quake. Erdogan described the earthquake as "unique in the world," and he thanked Qatar for offering 10,000 container homes for people left homeless.

Search teams and emergency aid from throughout the world poured into Turkey and Syria as rescue workers dug through the rubble in a desperate search for survivors. Some voices that had been crying out for help fell silent. "We could hear their voices, they were calling for help," said Ali Silo, whose two relatives could not be saved in the Turkish town of Nurdagi.

More than 8,000 people have been pulled from the debris in Turkey alone, Vice President Fuat Oktay said, and some 380,000 have taken refuge in government shelters or hotels. They huddled in shopping malls, stadiums, mosques and community centers, while others spent the night outside wrapped in blankets gathering around fires.

The earthquake struck a region enveloped on both sides of the border by more than a decade of civil war in Syria. On the Syrian side, the swath affected is divided between government-held territory and the country's last opposition-held enclave, which is surrounded by Russian-backed government forces. Turkey, meanwhile, is home to millions of refugees from the conflict.
They also published a photo of Ju-ae seated between her father and mother, Ri Sol-ju and surrounded by top brass.

State media referred to Kim Ju-ae as the leader's "respected" daughter. She had previously been referred to as "beloved" or "precious."

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un brought his daughter Ju-ae to a lavish banquet celebrating the 75th anniversary of the North's Korean People's Army on Wednesday.

The girl first appeared with her father at the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile last November and also popped up at an event celebrating the launch and at a missile factory.

The official Rodong Sinmun daily did not mention Ri by name. She is seen with a necklace in the shape of a missile.

There are mixed views on whether Ju-ae has been tapped as her father's successor. One intelligence source said, "It is too early to consider Kim Ju-ae, who is barely 10 years old, as the successor. He's probably bringing her to military events in a message to top brass to be loyal even to his children."

Other pundits believe Kim is using his young daughter as a prop to endear himself to an increasingly disgruntled population suffering years of international sanctions and border closures due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Korean companies are sending aid and equipment to Turkey after a devastating earthquake on Monday that has killed thousands of people there.

HD Hyundai on Wednesday pledged to send 10 excavators that will be immediately delivered to the earthquake-hit areas by a local dealer.

Doosan will send Bobcat equipment including skid-steer loaders and excavators for removing debris and portable power generators for electricity supply.
KYODO NEWS - Feb 9, 2023 - 16:16 | World, All

North Korea staged a military parade Wednesday evening featuring intercontinental ballistic missiles and a tactical nuclear unit to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of its armed forces, state-run media reported Thursday.

The official Korean Central News Agency said leader Kim Jong Un attended the event with his wife Ri Sol Ju and a "beloved" child, believed to be his daughter Kim Ju Ae, who is around 10 years old.

Kim Jong Un, clad in a black coat and felt hat, did not give a speech at the event, according to a KCNA report and pictures.

Images of the leader accompanied by his daughter at the parade carried by the news agency and the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers' Party of Korea, have reinforced speculation that she is being groomed as a potential successor to her father.

The North Korean leader is believed to have three children -- a son, born in 2010, Kim Ju Ae, born in 2013 and a third, born in 2017, according to South Korean media.

The ICBMs displayed at the parade included the new "Hwasong-17," which could potentially travel over 15,000 kilometers and reach the U.S. mainland, according to a report from Rodong Sinmun.

They also showed what appeared to be a new type of long-range ballistic missile, possibly equipped with a solid-fuel engine that enables a shorter preparation time for launches than those equipped with liquid-fuel models.

In December, Pyongyang said it has successfully test-fired a "high-thrust solid-fuel motor" with 140 tons of thrust.

Satellite images taken Wednesday and released by U.S.-based space technology firm Maxar Technologies Inc. showed gathered crowds and military vehicles, known as transporter erector launchers, in Pyongyang's Kim Il Sung Square, named after the nation's founder and the current leader's grandfather.

South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported the parade began at around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday with a record 22,000 people attending, citing a military source.

On Tuesday, the eve of the anniversary, Kim visited the quarters of general officers of the Korean People's Army and praised the nation's fighting force, calling it "the strongest army in the world," according to KCNA.

North Korea last staged a large-scale military parade in Kim Il Sung Square in April last year to mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army, the predecessor of the current army.

Pyongyang has organized military parades on key state or military anniversaries, including the birthday of Kim Il Sung on April 15, 1912, and the founding of what eventually became the ruling Workers' Party of Korea on Oct. 10, 1945.

The parades are aimed at enhancing national pride and unity, as well as showing off technological developments of the country's arms.

Related coverage:

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North Korea lifts 5-day lockdown over flu in Pyongyang: Russian Embassy
KYODO NEWS - Feb 9, 2023 - 17:53 | All, Japan

An unidentified balloon was spotted over the sea off Japan's southwestern main island of Kyushu last year, the government said Thursday, in its latest revelation of suspected sightings of Chinese spy balloons similar to the one recently shot down by the United States.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said at a press conference that Japan is working with Washington to determine whether the balloon observed in January 2022 was likely to have been a Chinese balloon similar to the one downed Saturday off the U.S. coast after passing over the continental United States.

Matsuno said that the balloon was spotted during regular monitoring activities by Japan's Self-Defense Forces, but the top government spokesman did not elaborate on how the SDF responded to the incident.

The administration of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has said that an aerial object flown by a foreign country over Japan's territory without permission would be seen as a violation of its national airspace. In the latest incident reported by the government, the balloon was detected over the sea off Japan and not in its airspace.

Similar flying objects had been previously confirmed in 2020 and 2021 in Japan's northeastern region, the government said earlier.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning warned against Japan-U.S. cooperation in analyzing the airship, saying at a press conference that Tokyo "should uphold an objective and fair position, instead of following the United States in sensationalizing" the issue.

Beijing has claimed the Chinese balloon shot down off the coast of South Carolina was being used for civilian research purposes.

NBC News reported Washington believes Chinese surveillance balloons have flown in the airspace of more than 40 nations, citing administration officials.

Related coverage:

Japan probing links between Chinese balloon, past flying object

Chinese military unit involved in balloon operation: sources
KYODO NEWS - Feb 9, 2023 - 07:30 | All, World

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday appealed to international allies for combat fighter jets to defend his country from Russia's invasion during his trip to Britain, including in talks with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Making his first visit to Britain since the Russian invasion began nearly a year ago, Zelenskyy inspected the training of Ukrainian personnel at a British military base in Dorset county ahead of a meeting with Sunak.

The British government said the same day that it will help train Ukrainian pilots to fly sophisticated NATO-standard fighter jets in the future.

"When it comes to the provision of military assistance to Ukraine, nothing is off the table," Sunak said alongside Zelenskyy at a press conference in the county after their talks, noting they discussed Kyiv's call for the provision of advanced fighter jets.

The Ukrainian leader also welcomed the contributions Britain has made so far, in terms of providing tanks and defensive weapons as well as galvanizing the international community into supporting Ukraine, in an address to the British parliament.

But he added, "I appeal to you and the world with simple and yet most important words: Combat aircraft for Ukraine. Wings for freedom."

Some Western nations, such as Germany and the United States, have recently decided to supply tanks to Ukraine amid speculation that Russia will launch a large-scale attack on Ukraine in the spring, following the first anniversary of the invasion on Feb. 24.

At the moment, Britain, along with other Western nations, has argued that providing fighter jets to Ukraine would be futile as they take a long period of training and could give the country no immediate assistance.

"Evil is still around today and the battle continues," Zelenskyy said in his address. "Yes, we know how it's going to end and how we are going to feel on the day victory comes. Every day we continue to pay with lives."

The president, making only his second visit outside his war-torn country since Russia launched the invasion, said a Ukrainian victory will deter aggressors around the world. He visited the United States in December to meet with President Joe Biden.

Zelenskyy said, "We know freedom will win. We know Russia will lose. And we really know that the victory will change the world and this will be a change that the world has long needed."

Britain provided "preventive" support for Ukraine before the invasion, Zelenskyy said, "exactly as it will be necessary every time in the future to prevent aggression from happening."

He continued, "We must take these principles of preventive aid to those who are threatened with aggression and preventive sanctions against those who threaten aggression as basic principles of the world antiwar policy."

Zelenskyy said Moscow must be held accountable in an international tribunal and pay reparations for the aggression and violence involving the Russian military and its soldiers in Ukraine.

While in Britain, Zelenskyy also met King Charles.
KYODO NEWS - Feb 9, 2023 - 13:38 | All, Japan

Two men suspected of being behind a string of robberies across Japan were taken into police custody en route to Tokyo on Thursday following their deportation from the Philippines.

The return of Yuki Watanabe, 38, and Tomonobu Kojima, 45, means all four suspects who were detained in the Southeast Asian country on local charges are back in Japan, enabling police to begin full investigations into the robberies that have shocked the country.

The four are also suspected to have been leading members of another crime group that operated a scam targeting elderly people in Japan. The police are continuing to build their case regarding the robberies and have initially arrested the four on allegations of stealing cash cards in 2019 in relation to the fraud ring.

Watanabe is believed to have led the fraud group from the Philippines, while Kojima is thought to have managed its revenue collection. The group is estimated to have stolen over 6 billion yen ($45.6 million) before appearing to switch its activities to robberies, according to the police.

The other two members of the group, Kiyoto Imamura and Toshiya Fujita, both 38, were deported from the Philippines to Japan and arrested on Tuesday.

The four are believed to have remotely coordinated the robberies from the Philippines by buying privileges at the immigration facility where they were detained. They are thought to have organized the crimes via an encrypted messaging app through which they offered high-paid "part-time jobs" to people tasked with committing the robberies.

Based on testimony from suspects under arrest and similarities in methods, the robbery group is believed to be linked to more than 50 incidents in 14 prefectures starting in summer 2021.

Recent robberies include an incident resulting in the murder of a 90-year-old woman in Tokyo in January, with investigative sources saying Thursday three persons of interest have been identified in the case.

All three appear to have conducted the attack and are currently under arrest in connection with other incidents across the country, the sources said.

Examinations of footprints at the scene suggest no fewer than four people were involved in the incident that led to Kinuyo Oshio's death. The police believe that the items stolen from her include a ring and a luxury watch.

The four suspects returned to Japan likely include the person, or persons thought to have used the pseudonyms "Luffy" and "Kim" when the crimes were allegedly committed.

The police plan to get to the bottom of the robberies by analyzing around 15 smartphones and tablets seized from the four at the immigration facility in the Philippines.
KYODO NEWS - Feb 9, 2023 - 13:15 | All, Japan

The head of a Japanese nonprofit organization has been arrested on suspicion of mediating an organ transplant performed overseas without government permission, in the first such case in Japan, investigative sources said Thursday.

Police have filed a case against the Association for Patients of Intractable Diseases with prosecutors following the arrest of Hiromichi Kikuchi for allegedly violating the organ transplant law.

Kikuchi, 62, is suspected of recommending to relatives of a man in his 40s living in Tokyo that the man should undergo a transplant overseas without government permission.

After asking the relatives to pay 33 million yen ($251,000) into the NPO's bank account for travel and transplant costs, he then arranged for the man to undergo a liver transplant from a deceased donor at a hospital in Belarus around Feb. 10, 2022, according to the sources.

But the patient's condition worsened after the surgery. He received another liver transplant from a living family member in Japan, but was unable to recover and died.

Kikuchi has denied part of the allegations, saying he was not aware that permission was required for transplants performed overseas, according to the police.

The NPO, founded in 2007, says on its website that it has guided people who wish to receive transplants to overseas medical institutions, but that it does not mediate organs transplants.

Japan has one of the lowest rates of organ donation among industrialized countries, according to the Nippon Foundation, which supports the Japan Organ Transplant Network.

In fiscal 2016, there were 103 organs registered for transfer. As of June 2017, meanwhile, about 13,450 registered patients were waiting for a heart, liver, kidney, or other organ transplant, the foundation said.

Under the transplant law, unauthorized mediation is prohibited, and violators are punished with imprisonment of up to one year, a fine of up to one million yen, or both.
KYODO NEWS - Feb 9, 2023 - 12:44 | All, Japan

A consortium led by Tokyo-based fund Japan Industrial Partners Inc. has made a final proposal to buy Toshiba Corp., with its offer price expected to reach about 2 trillion yen ($15 billion), sources familiar with the matter said Thursday.

JIP received commitment letters from banks offering to lend about 1.4 trillion yen, which will give the consortium sufficient funding to go ahead with the takeover, the sources said.

The banks approved the loan with a stipulation they can install directors on Toshiba's board to ensure the company is managed in a way that does not jeopardize the consortium's ability to repay the debt, they said.

Five banks have so far promised to provide funding to JIP, with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. offering 515 billion yen, Mizuho Bank 460 billion yen, and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank 220 billion yen. MUFG Bank and Aozora Bank also joined the scheme.

About 20 Japanese companies including Orix Corp. and Rohm Co. are expected to invest a total of about 1 trillion yen into Toshiba as part of the consortium which will also delist the company.

Toshiba has been struggling to recover from a spate of problems in the 2010s such as a scandal in which it overstated profits through misrepresented financial filings. It also incurred massive losses in its U.S. nuclear business in the period.

Related coverage:

5 banks to lend 1.2 tril. yen to help Japanese fund buy out Toshiba
KYODO NEWS - Feb 9, 2023 - 21:12 | All, World, Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. agreed Thursday that the two countries will further bolster economic and security cooperation, warning against China's growing presence in the Indo-Pacific region.

At a joint press appearance after his talks with Marcos in Tokyo, Kishida said he pledged to provide a support package worth 600 billion yen ($4.6 billion) to the Philippines over the two years through March 2024 from Japan's public and private sectors.

On the security front, Kishida and Marcos confirmed the two nations will continue their "two-plus-two" talks involving defense and foreign ministers, while agreeing to exempt Philippine diplomats from visas to Japan to promote human exchanges between the countries.

Kishida and Marcos also welcomed their agreement on guidelines to smooth humanitarian support and disaster relief operations by Japan's Self-Defense Forces in the Southeast Asian nation.

The guidelines are viewed as a prelude to a new treaty aimed at facilitating joint exercises and reciprocal visits of their forces to one another's countries, called the Reciprocal Access Agreement.

The two Asian nations affirmed that they would work toward signing the RAA in the first two-plus-two meeting held in Tokyo last April. Japan has signed a similar pact with Australia and Britain.

"Japan and the Philippines are neighbors across the sea as well as strategic partners sharing fundamental values," Kishida said, underscoring that the two leaders "firmly affirmed" their deepening cooperation in various fields.

Marcos said the bilateral partnership is "stronger than ever as we navigate together the rough waters affecting our region," adding that the two Asian countries will expand their engagements "across a wide range of mutually beneficial cooperation."

Marcos' visit to Tokyo, his first since taking office in June, has drawn public attention as it came immediately after his government deported four Japanese men suspected of being involved in a high-profile string of robberies across the nation.

As a key pillar of bilateral economic cooperation, Tokyo will offer around 377 billion yen in official development assistance for commuter railway projects that connect Manila with its neighboring cities, Japan's Foreign Ministry said.

Other economic cooperation programs range from agriculture and telecommunications to energy security, the ministry added.

The Philippine leader's five-day trip from Wednesday is also politically important as Tokyo and Washington are seeking to boost ties with Manila due to China's increasing military and economic clout in the region, experts said.

In a joint statement released after their meeting, Kishida and Marcos "expressed serious concerns about the situation in the East and South China seas," in a veiled criticism of Beijing.

Kishida and Marcos strongly opposed "the actions including force or coercion that may increase tensions," according to the statement.

A change in the leadership in Manila has encouraged Tokyo and Washington to accelerate plans to improve relations, the experts said, noting that Marcos' predecessor Rodrigo Duterte had sought closer ties with Beijing.

Last week, Marcos and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin agreed to allow American troops access to four more bases in the Southeast Asian country in an effort to keep in check China's increasingly assertive actions over disputed territory in the South China Sea and toward Taiwan.

China, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei have overlapping claims in the South China Sea, a maritime area rich in natural resources that also serves as a critical trade route.

As for Taiwan, fears are mounting that the self-ruled island democracy could become a military flashpoint in the region, as Communist-led China regards it as a renegade province to be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary.

Meanwhile, China has sought to further strengthen relations with the Philippines, with President Xi Jinping promising to invest about $22 billion in the nation, including projects that are already under way, when Marcos visited Beijing in January.

In their talks in Tokyo on Thursday, Marcos invited Kishida to visit the Philippines "at a mutually convenient time in 2023" and the Japanese premier accepted the request, the statement said.

Related coverage:

Japan mulls sending 200 bil. yen aid to Philippines for infrastructure

China, Philippines to manage South China Sea differences peacefully

China, Philippines agree to "properly handle" South China Sea issue
KYODO NEWS - Feb 9, 2023 - 18:17 | All, Japan

Gold bars worth over 500 million yen ($3.8 million) have been donated to a northeastern Japan village by an individual who expressed hope that the proceeds from their sale would be spent for the good of the municipality, devastated by the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster.

The municipal government of Tanohata in Iwate Prefecture said it was considering using the proceeds from the sale of the 120 bars, weighing 60 kilograms, for child-rearing support and the rebuilding of the decades-old village office. The donor has asked not to be identified.

According to the municipal government, a resident of Japan whose ties with the coastal village predate the 2011 disaster approached Mayor Yasushi Sasaki about the donation in the fall of last year.

The mayor visited a jeweler in Tokyo with the donor at the end of January and sold the bars for 528.24 million yen.

It is the first time that the village, established in 1889 and with a population of around 3,000, has received a donation of more than 100 million yen from an individual, the municipal government said.

The earthquake resistance of the 60-year-old village office is poor and it becomes hot and humid in the summer due to a lack of air conditioners and window screens.

"Our finances are tough, with internal revenue sources only roughly 15 percent (of the total budget). The donation is a big present for our village," said Mitsuyuki Kudo, a senior village official.

Related coverage:

World's largest gold bar in Japan surges in value amid Ukraine crisis

FEATURE: Gathering helps brighten lives of problem drinkers of 2011 disaster
KYODO NEWS - Feb 9, 2023 - 20:07 | All, Travel/Tourism, Japan

Japan aims to receive a record number of foreign visitors in 2025, a draft of the government's revised plan showed Thursday, with inbound tourism seeing a steady recovery since the country significantly eased border measures last October.

The tourism plan covering fiscal 2023 to 2025 also aims to increase per person spending to 200,000 yen ($1,500), up around 25 percent from 2019 levels, and see a 10 percent increase in the number of overnight stays in regional areas by foreign visitors.

The ambitious goals come as the government expects a recovery in demand for international air travel and for upcoming international events to be held in Japan, such as the Expo 2025 in Osaka, to boost visitor numbers.

The draft plan, which was presented at a meeting of experts on Thursday, is set to be approved by the Cabinet in March.

While the previous plan ended in fiscal 2020, a revision was postponed due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the tourism industry.

In 2019, prior to the outbreak of the global coronavirus pandemic, a record 31.88 million tourists visited Japan. But the number fell sharply following the outbreak of COVID-19, totaling only 4.12 million in 2020 and 250,000 in 2021.

Rather than focusing solely on numbers, the revision will also incorporate strategies to address "tourism pollution" through measures such as attracting high-end tourists and encouraging them to venture outside the main cities.

With no immediate prospects for a recovery in Chinese visitors, the government is likely to focus on attracting wealthy travelers from Western countries instead.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has already set a target for annual tourist spending to reach a record 5 trillion yen as soon as possible, eclipsing the about 4.8 trillion yen spent in 2019.

A new target for "sustainable tourism" will also be included in the plan, with the government set to drastically increase the number of participating areas to 100 from the 13 covered as of January this year.

Under the scheme, municipalities that meet certain criteria will be certified as taking measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Related coverage:

FEATURE: Vending machines make duty-free shopping easier for Japan travelers

Foreign entries into Japan surge 12-fold in 2022 on eased COVID steps
KYODO NEWS - Feb 9, 2023 - 19:45 | All, Japan

A Japanese man accused of causing the death of his 1-year-old son in 2018 by leaving him frail from severe malnutrition, refusing him medical treatment and shooting him multiple times with an air gun was sentenced to 16 years in prison on Thursday.

The Fukuoka District Court found Masanori Jokei, a 27-year-old man in Tagawa, Fukuoka Prefecture, guilty of causing injury to his son Yuiga and causing his death by abandoning his responsibility to him as his parent.

According to the ruling, the defendant shot Yuiga with an air gun around late November 2018, causing injuries across his body that would have taken about three weeks to heal.

Jokei also conspired with his wife and the child's mother Ai to leave Yuiga heavily malnourished by around October of that year. The couple did not take him to a doctor the following month even though their son had broken bones, including his limbs, and an infectious respiratory disease, the ruling said.

Yuiga died aged one year and four months on Dec. 1, 2018, from acute respiratory failure.

"The agony and sadness the victim must have felt not only for the bodily pain inflicted on him but also for the lack of protection from his parents, on whom he should have been able to depend, is enormous," Presiding Judge Atsushi Tomita said in the ruling.

Jokei denied the charges during the trial's first hearing and remained silent throughout cross-examinations. His 16-year sentence matched the punishment sought by the prosecution.

An eight-year prison sentence for Yuiga's 27-year-old mother, who was convicted of causing his death by abandoning her responsibility to him, has already been finalized.

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The Libyan Illegal Immigration Control Department on Tuesday said that Libya plans to reopen all of the closed border crossings.
URUMQI, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- A fully-loaded cargo train left the international land port of Urumqi for Kazakhstan on Monday, marking the departure of the 6,500th China-Europe freight train from the land port.

Land ports in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region are bustling with activity after the country optimized its COVID-19 response and adjusted entry and exit policies.

Customs officials have been busy checking the documentation of international travelers at the Horgos port, bordering Kazakhstan, since January.

Belik Zhanuzakov, a businessman from Kazakhstan, said he had to conduct business online due to the COVID-19 pandemic during the past few years, and he is thrilled about the reopening of the land port.

"Now that I can talk to my business partners face to face, I hope our cooperation will be greatly enhanced. Since bilateral relations between the two countries have strengthened, I anticipate that my business will improve," he said.

The Alataw port, one of the important ports for China-Europe freight trains, has also seen a boom in freight volume since the beginning of this year, with more than 1.11 million tonnes of cargo transported in January, up 12.8 percent year on year.

The customs, frontier inspection departments and Kazakhstan's railway department have strengthened coordination and exchange in an effort to improve the transportation efficiency of China-Europe freight trains, said Guo Hua, who works with the Alataw port.

Inbound and outbound trucks have also been spotted shuttling back and forth at the Bakti port. Ayden, a Kazakh driver, said he would transport grapefruits and fresh color bell peppers to Almaty.

"The freshness of agricultural products greatly determines the profit. Therefore, we constantly optimize clearance measures to complete the inspection within half an hour," said Alimira Nasim, a customs official, as she checked the cargo on Ayden's truck.

Official data showed inbound and outbound vehicles at the Bakti port exceeded 3,800 in January, an increase of over 156 percent year on year. Imports and exports there soared 125 percent year on year to over 34,106 tonnes.

Xinjiang will continue to boost foreign trade, further strengthen logistics and improve the business environment, said Li Kaiyi, an official with the Urumqi Customs, adding that the region will also take advantage of the preferential policies to promote its trade. 
Pastor Greg Locke Announces Riveting New Documentary 'Come Out In Jesus Name' in Theaters Monday, March 13, 2023

New film follows Pastor Locke and a diverse group of demon-slaying preachers as they begin to spark the most important awakening in church history.







Watch the new Official Trailer here





NEWS PROVIDED BY

Locke Media

Feb. 9, 2023



NASHVILLE, Feb. 9, 2023 /Standard Newswire/ -- Following a startling chain of events, the most controversial Christian pastor in America, Greg Locke, took a 180-degree turn from his mainstream religious traditions and led his church to the brink of revival. He and a diverse group of unconventional preachers then began to spark the most important awakening in church history  through the most unlikely means  by casting out demons.



In theaters across America Monday, March 13, 2023, this riveting new documentary, Come Out In Jesus Name, follows the beginnings of their epic journey from a small church in Tennessee to a global deliverance ministry exposing and fighting an unseen enemy destroying families and churches and paralyzing Christians with fear and bondage. Knowledge is power, and in Come Out In Jesus Name, Locke and the team show the Church how to defeat the enemy and get delivered and set free. For tickets and more information, visit ComeOutInJesusName.com.



Come Out In Jesus Name features Greg Locke, Tai Locke, Isaiah Saldivar, Alexander Pagani, Vladimir Savchuk, Daniel Adams, Mike Signorelli, Leon Du Preez, Henry Shaffer, Chiara Clark, and Hudson Locke.



Watch the new Official Trailer here.



"God used controversy. He used the media. He used all of it to grow a massive-sized platform," says Locke. "But it was never about the controversy. It was never about the politics. God built our platform for deliverance."



"I never could have imagined that exposing darkness would cause so much craziness in the body of Christ in America," Locke goes on to say. "I'm shocked at what followers of Jesus will allow in their homes. I'm shocked at what they allow in their cars, what they allow in their kids' bedrooms, what they allow in their minds, and what they allow in their hearts."



"Demons are professionals at hide and seek. People say, 'Why doesn't the devil just show up at the Super Bowl?'" says Isaiah Saldivar. "The thing the devil wants to convince this generation of is that he's not real. If we believe the devil isn't real and demons aren't real, we won't fight them. The moment the devil is exposed, and that power of God, that light, exposes the darkness - then we're able to fight him."



Locke is the Founding and Lead Pastor of Global Vision Bible Church in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, just outside Nashville. The social media firebrand, who has one of the largest platforms in the country, is the author of the No. 1 Bestselling Spiritual Warfare Series and host of On Point with Pastor Greg Locke. He is a popular revivalist and speaker in churches and political circles alike. His ministry can be contacted at GlobalVisionBC.com.



Come Out In Jesus Name is executive produced by Greg Locke, produced by Wayne Caparas, directed by Eddie Lamberg, edited by Tim Romero, with music supervision by Jeffrey Joslin. Joslin also produced the official Come Out In Jesus Name soundtrack featuring original new songs, to be released on iTunes and CD in March.



For more information about Come Out In Jesus Name, visit Lockemedia.org.



Rating: NR

Running Time: 90 minutes



LINKS:

Website: ComeOutInJesusName.com

Facebook: @ComeOutInJesusNameMovie

Instagram: @ComeOutInJesusNameMovie

TikTok: @ComeOutInJesusNameMovie

Hashtag: #ComeOutInJesusNamemovie



Locke Media

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KABUL, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- A fresh batch of 40 million U.S. dollars in cash as humanitarian aid reached the cash-strapped and war-torn Afghanistan on Wednesday, Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB) or the country's central bank said in a statement on Thursday.

This is the second batch of cash as humanitarian aid arrived in Afghanistan since Jan. 14 as part of the international community's support to help the economically impoverished country to enhance its foreign exchange reserve.

Deposing the newly arrived cash package in a private commercial bank, the statement noted that DAB welcomes any financial support that strengthens the banking system in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan has received nearly 2 billion U.S. dollars in cash over the past year as part of the international community's humanitarian aid to stabilize the war-torn country's economy. 
BEIJING, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday sent a congratulatory message to the "Icebreakers" 2023 Chinese New Year celebration hosted by Britain's 48 Group Club.

In the message, Li said that 70 years ago, visionary people in the British business community broke the ice with great courage and opened the door to China-Britain trade.

At present, the international and regional situations are undergoing complex and profound changes, and geopolitics, world economy, climate change, food and energy security and other fields are facing severe risks and challenges, Li said, adding that when difficulties arise, it is all the more important to carry on the "icebreaking" spirit, strengthen exchanges and cooperation with a pioneering attitude, properly handle contradictions and differences, improve people's wellbeing and achieve mutually beneficial and win-win results.

Li pointed out that China unswervingly adheres to the path of peaceful development, upholds the basic state policy of reform and opening-up, and stands ready to work with all parties to safeguard world peace and promote development and prosperity.

Li said both China and Britain are the permanent members of the UN Security Council and major economies in the world, and maintaining a sound and stable bilateral relationship is in the interests of both sides and the world.

He expressed the hope that the business communities of both countries will continue to make new and greater contributions to China-Britain friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation. 
A researcher processes space scientific experimental samples at the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 5, 2022. (Xinhua)

The Pakistani herbal seeds, which were launched into outer space carried by China's Shenzhou-14 spaceship on June 5 last year, returned to the earth with the Shenzhou-14 astronaut crew in December 2022 after six months of flying.

by Misbah Saba Malik

ISLAMABAD, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- The new phase of seed cooperation between Pakistan and China is critically important for Pakistan to meet the food security challenge in the future, a Pakistani minister said.

China helped Pakistan take seven herbal seeds to the Chinese space station for space breeding by exposing them to cosmic radiation and microgravity to mutate their genes, and in this regard an event was held here to mark the successful return of the seeds.

On the sidelines of "Celebration of the Return of Pakistani Seeds from Chinese Space Station," Pakistani Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal said that the South Asian country is in dire need of seed cooperation to meet climate change challenges.

"Pakistan is very vulnerable to climate change, due to which we need smart agriculture, and for that we need new varieties of seeds, which are resistant to the new weather challenges, and which are more suitable to the climate change risks," Iqbal told Xinhua.

Liu Xinming, a chief scientist from China's Ningbo University, said the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs transferred the seeds to China Manned Space Agency on April 12 last year.

A researcher at the Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) processes Arabidopsis samples from China's Tiangong space station at a biology lab of the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization under the CAS in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 5, 2022. (Xinhua)

The seeds were launched into outer space carried by Shenzhou-14 spaceship on June 5, 2022, and after six months of flying, returned to the earth with the Shenzhou-14 astronaut crew on Dec. 4 last year, Liu added.

Atia-tul-Wahab, a professor at the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, said her institute proposed the government to send the herbs' seeds to space.

"We sent some grains to the space and kept the same quantity in our laboratory. Now upon their return, we will closely examine them and do their tests at our laboratory. Then both seed varieties will be sowed separately to see the end results through comparison," she told Xinhua.

Wahab said it is the first time that Pakistan sent seeds to space and it is a landmark achievement for the country, adding that her lab is eyeing sending food staples including rice, wheat and pulses to space for further research.

The professor told Xinhua that the herbs sent to space are used in traditional Pakistani medicine, and that it's hoped that the space breeding will enable scientists at her institute to produce medicine for incurable diseases.

A researcher at the Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) processes rice samples from China's Tiangong space station at a biology lab of the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization under the CAS in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 5, 2022. (Xinhua)

Pang Chunxue, charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, said the experiment will surely be recorded in the history of China-Pakistan friendship as a landmark of the science and technology cooperation of both countries.

China's international science and technology cooperation is an open, shared and inclusive cooperation that insists on conducting cooperation in space exploration on the basis of equality, mutual benefit, peaceful use and inclusive development, she said.

"All countries are welcome to actively participate in space exploration with China," the Chinese diplomat added.
SHIBERGHAN, Afghanistan, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Four commuters lost their lives and three others were injured as their vehicle turned turtle in Afghanistan's northern Jawzjan province on Thursday, local police official Kafayatullah Mutawakil said.

The accident took place on a road linking Jawzjan to neighboring Balkh province in the wee hours of Thursday, leaving four dead on the spot and three injured, the official said.

Blaming reckless driving for the crash, the official without providing more details said that an investigation had been initiated into the case.

A similar road accident in northern Baghlan province injured nine travelers late on Wednesday.

Ramshackle roads, reckless driving and lack of safety measures in passenger vehicles often contribute to traffic accidents in the war-ravaged Afghanistan. 
A whopping lineup of Chinese exhibitors made their presence at the Texworld New York City, a key business platform to source fabric and materials for fashion. They are very welcomed by international customers.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
ANKARA, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations' first convoy of aid crossed from Turkiye to Syria's northwestern Idlib province on Thursday, three days after the devastating earthquake, the semi-official Anadolu Agency reported.

Six truckloads of aid entered the Bab al-Hawa border crossing through the Cilvegozu border gate in Turkiye's southern Hatay province, the news agency reported.

Bab al-Hawa is currently the only crossing through which the UN aid is allowed to go into the area.

Ankara is working to open two more border gates with Syria to enable the delivery of humanitarian aid to its neighbor which also suffers from massive earthquakes, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday.

"Cilvegozu border gate is open. We are working to open two more gates ... We also provide the necessary support for the aid to reach Syria," Cavusoglu told reporters.

A magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck Turkiye's southern province of Kahramanmaras at 4:17 a.m. local time (0117 GMT), followed by a magnitude-7.6 quake at 1:24 p.m. local time (1024 GMT) in the same province on Monday.

The death toll from the massive earthquakes in southern Turkiye and northern Syria has surpassed 17,000. 
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia will benefit economically from greater digitalization, the World Bank said in its latest edition of Malaysia Economic Monitor on Thursday.

In view of the country's growth projections, which are expected to expand by 4 percent in 2023 amid an expected slowdown in external demand following a stronger-than-expected recovery of 7.8 percent last year, it said efforts to harness digital technologies can bring returns on growth, productivity, employment and poverty reduction.

According to Ndiame Diop, World Bank Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand, the edition titled "Expanding Malaysia's Digital Frontier" examines how digitalization in Malaysia evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic and how Malaysia can leverage digitalization to maximize opportunities for inclusive growth.

"The key message in this special topic is that although the pandemic crisis has fostered a formidable rise in digitalization, there are wide inequalities in access to and usage of digital products and services," he said at the launch of the report.

Diop added that disparities have been observed among smaller firms, poorer individuals, those living in more rural areas and in certain states.

The report highlights key priority areas to advance the digitalization agenda," he said.

Citing the impact of the pandemic on Malaysia's economy as having raised debt levels and reduced its fiscal space, the World Bank said in a statement that efforts to rebuild fiscal buffers should be driven by higher revenue collection and better spending efficiency. 
BEIJING, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- German carmaker Mercedes-Benz will, together with its Chinese partners, continue to invest more in China, a senior executive of the company told Xinhua in an interview on Thursday.

"We will expand our layout of R&D and industry chain and accelerate our innovative transformation towards electrification, digitalization, and carbon neutrality to meet the upgrading luxury mobility needs of Chinese customers," said Hubertus Troska, member of the board of management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG responsible for Greater China.

Noting that China is the company's largest single market and the largest production site, Troska said China is also a technological innovation center and a focus of the company's industry chain development, playing a crucial role in its long-term global strategy.

"We are confident about the long-term development of the Chinese automotive market and our growth potential in the country," he said.

Looking back to 2022, Troska said that despite challenges and uncertainties, the company's business in China attained high-quality and stable development in key segments, thanks to the strong resilience of the Chinese economy and support from its Chinese partners and customers.

In terms of local production, the company witnessed the four-millionth locally-built Mercedes-Benz car rolling off the production line at Beijing Benz Automotive Co., Ltd. Following the opening of their R&D Tech Center in Beijing in 2021, the new R&D Center in Shanghai was established last year, focusing on digital areas such as connectivity.

Thanks to China's flourishing new energy vehicle (NEV) market, Mercedes-Benz increased its deliveries of NEVs by 143 percent year on year in 2022.

"We notice that with innovation driving development and continued opening up for mutual benefits, China's economy continues to move towards high-quality development. As an innovation-driven automotive company, we are encouraged by all these development trends," Troska said.

Troska said Mercedes-Benz's carbon-neutrality goal resonates with China's climate ambitions, and the company is dedicated to contributing to the country's green development.

Mercedes-Benz announced "Ambition 2039" in 2019, aiming to achieve a carbon-neutral new car fleet by 2039.

"We will continue to expand our cooperation with our Chinese partners in the field of carbon neutrality and promote the green transformation of our business operations and the whole industry chain to move forward towards a carbon-neutral future," Troska said.

He also said that the consumption boom around the Chinese Lunar New Year demonstrated the vitality of the Chinese market and the resilience of its economy.

"We believe this good beginning for the consumer market is a sign that China's economic development will be more robust in 2023. As the overall economy continues to recover, the Chinese automotive market will also see a new round of growth opportunities," said Troska. 
UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Wednesday called for great attention to the flow of weapons and ammunition into the conflict region, which could pose proliferation risks.

Quoting UN disarmament chief Izumi Nakamitsu as indicating that the flow of weapons and ammunition into the conflict region may bring about proliferation risks, Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said that "relevant parties should pay great attention thereto, adopt strict control measures, prevent the proliferation of weapons and ammunition, particularly stop them from falling in the hands of terrorists and armed groups, and avoid creating new instability in a greater geographic region."

"It should be noted that the large and incessant flow of weapons and ammunition into the conflict region will cause greater civilian casualties, more displaced groups, and a heavier humanitarian toll on innocent civilians," the ambassador told the Security Council briefing on the supplies of armaments to Ukraine.

"More worryingly, some countries keep sending weapons to the conflict areas and expanding the category and range of weapons used, hereby engaged in a proxy war, which will further stoke tensions, amplify the risk of triggering strategic miscalculation, and cause the fighting to escalate and spread further, diminishing the already bleak prospect of ending the conflict," he said.

"It is our hope that relevant countries, especially European countries, will take seriously the significant threat posed by weapons and explosive remnants of war to post-war recovery and reconstruction as well as to regional peace and stability, revisit with a sense of responsibility and in the long-term perspective the complex impact and severe consequences caused by the large influx of weapons on the Ukraine crisis and international peace and security," noted Dai.

The envoy said that lessons should be drawn from "the dire consequences of conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Somalia."

"The crisis in Ukraine is global and multifaceted in nature, to which there is no purely military solution," said Dai. "In the past year, increasing sanctions and upgrading weapons did not calm the situation, but instead made the conflict more acute and issues more complicated, pushing the situation to a more dangerous precipice."

The envoy said that like many other peace-loving countries, China has repeatedly stressed that dialogue and negotiation are the fundamental way out to end the conflict and restore peace.

"We call upon the international community to build synergy for facilitating dialogue and peace, encourage parties to the conflict to return to negotiations at an early date and resolve the crisis through political means," he added. 
SHANGHAI, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- SAIC Motor, China's main carmaker, has set its 2023 sales target at 6 million vehicles, including 1.2 million units for overseas, the company said on Thursday.

Meeting fast-growing demand in overseas markets, the Shanghai-based carmaker shipped 21,600 vehicles overseas during the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday in January, setting a new weekly record.

The company said it also expects to sell 1.5 million new-energy vehicles this year. It sold over 1.07 million new-energy vehicles last year.

SAIC Motor sold over 5.3 million vehicles in 2022, ranking first in China for the 17th consecutive year. 
By Azernews

Laman Ismayilova

The International Mugham Center has celebrated the 105th anniversary of an outstanding national composer Gara Garayev, Azernews reports.

At the beginning of the concert, musicologist Nargiz Karimova gave detailed information about the composer's legacy.

Gara Garayev's music is performed all over the world. He composed his first music piece, a cantata "The Song of the Heart" in 1938 to the poem by Rasul Rza.

At the age of 30, Garayev was again awarded this prize for his symphonic poem "Leyli and Majnun", based on the same-titled famous work by Nizami Ganjavi.

In 1952, under the direction of the choreographer P. A. Gusev, Garayev's "Seven Beauties" ballet was staged at the Azerbaijani Theater of Opera and Ballet. Based on Nizami Ganjavi's famous poem, "Seven Beauties", it became the first Azerbaijani ballet and opened a new chapter in the history of classical music in Azerbaijan.

His ballet "Path of Thunder", staged in 1958, was dedicated to racial conflicts in South Africa. In the same year, he wrote the music score for the documentary film "A Story About the Oil Workers of the Caspian Sea", directed by Roman Karmen.

Next, Gara Garayev Central Art School students stunned the listeners with the composer's musical works.

Magnificent clarinet performance "Dance of Guitar Girls" from "Path of Thunder" ballet by the art school director, Honored Artist Huseyn Gozalov and dancers Lenay Seyidalizada and Aslana Aliyeva was greeted with applause by the audience.

In conclusion, People's Artist Roza Jalilova congratulated the concert-goers and guests, wishing them success.
Rescue workers search for survivors among the rubble of a destroyed building in the Karm al-Jabal neighborhood in Aleppo city, northern Syria, on Feb. 8, 2023. Monday's massive earthquakes have killed 3,480 people and injured 3,000 others in Syria, a war monitor reported Wednesday. (Str/Xinhua)

DAMASCUS, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Monday's massive earthquakes have killed 3,480 people and injured 3,000 others in Syria, a war monitor reported Wednesday.

The fatalities include 1,570 in government-controlled cities and 1,910 in rebel-held areas, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Health Ministry said the death toll has hit 1,260, with 2,285 injured.

The Syrian education ministry said 248 schools have been partially or completely destroyed by the powerful earthquakes that rocked a vast region of Turkiye and northern Syria on Monday.

Rescue missions are still underway in the Syrian provinces of Aleppo, Latakia and Tartous, according to the Syrian government. 

Rescue workers search for survivors among the rubble of a destroyed building in the Sulaiman al-Halabi neighborhood in Aleppo city, northern Syria, on Feb. 8, 2023. Monday's massive earthquakes have killed 3,480 people and injured 3,000 others in Syria, a war monitor reported Wednesday. (Str/Xinhua)

Rescue workers search for survivors among the rubble of a destroyed building in the Sulaiman al-Halabi neighborhood in Aleppo city, northern Syria, on Feb. 8, 2023. Monday's massive earthquakes have killed 3,480 people and injured 3,000 others in Syria, a war monitor reported Wednesday. (Str/Xinhua)

Rescue workers search for survivors among the rubble of a destroyed building in the Sulaiman al-Halabi neighborhood in Aleppo city, northern Syria, on Feb. 8, 2023. Monday's massive earthquakes have killed 3,480 people and injured 3,000 others in Syria, a war monitor reported Wednesday. (Str/Xinhua)

Rescue workers search for survivors among the rubble of a destroyed building in the Bustan al-Basha neighborhood in Aleppo city, northern Syria, on Feb. 8, 2023. Monday's massive earthquakes have killed 3,480 people and injured 3,000 others in Syria, a war monitor reported Wednesday. (Str/Xinhua)

Rescue workers search for survivors among the rubble of a destroyed building in the Bustan al-Basha neighborhood in Aleppo city, northern Syria, on Feb. 8, 2023. Monday's massive earthquakes have killed 3,480 people and injured 3,000 others in Syria, a war monitor reported Wednesday. (Str/Xinhua)

Rescue workers search for survivors among the rubble of a destroyed building in the Bustan al-Basha neighborhood in Aleppo city, northern Syria, on Feb. 8, 2023. Monday's massive earthquakes have killed 3,480 people and injured 3,000 others in Syria, a war monitor reported Wednesday. (Str/Xinhua)

Rescue workers search for survivors among the rubble of a destroyed building in the Rihawi area in Latakia province, northwestern Syria, on Feb. 8, 2023. Monday's massive earthquakes have killed 3,480 people and injured 3,000 others in Syria, a war monitor reported Wednesday. (Str/Xinhua)

Rescue workers remove a body from the rubble of a destroyed building in the Rihawi area in Latakia province, northwestern Syria, on Feb. 8, 2023. Monday's massive earthquakes have killed 3,480 people and injured 3,000 others in Syria, a war monitor reported Wednesday. (Str/Xinhua)

Rescue workers search for survivors among the rubble of a destroyed building in the Rihawi area in Latakia province, northwestern Syria, on Feb. 8, 2023. Monday's massive earthquakes have killed 3,480 people and injured 3,000 others in Syria, a war monitor reported Wednesday. (Str/Xinhua)

Rescue workers remove a body from the rubble of a destroyed building in the Rihawi area in Latakia province, northwestern Syria, on Feb. 8, 2023. Monday's massive earthquakes have killed 3,480 people and injured 3,000 others in Syria, a war monitor reported Wednesday. (Str/Xinhua)
BEIJING, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Song Tao, head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, met on Thursday with Andrew Hsia, vice chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party.

Song said that the mainland is willing to enhance exchanges and build up mutual trust with the KMT and work with the KMT to promote relations between the two parties and two sides of the Taiwan Strait, based on the common political foundation of upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence."

Guided by the conviction that the people on both sides of the Strait are of one family, the mainland will continue to respect, care for and deliver benefits to Taiwan compatriots and advance cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation in all fields, he said.

Hsia expressed his hope that, on the basis of upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence," the two parties would maintain communication, cooperate with sincerity, deepen mutual trust and expand common ground, while properly managing differences, so as to enhance the wellbeing of people on both sides, safeguard peace and stability in the region and promote peaceful development of cross-Strait relations. 
"The U.S. imposed the Caesar Act on the Syrian government, accusing it of killing its people, while it (the U.S.) is currently practicing mass killing against the Syrians because of these sanctions."

Experts condemn U.S. sanctions on Syria following deadly earthquake.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service




This aerial photo taken on Feb. 7, 2023 shows the view along the Mekong River at Lao capital Vientiane. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

VIENTIANE, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Laos is looking forward to welcoming back Chinese tourists after China optimized its COVID-19 response.

The Lao government and private sectors are preparing for the arrival of Chinese tourists after it was listed among countries greenlit by the Chinese government for outbound group tours.

"We are working in partnership with travel agencies, hotels and other tourism-related businesses to improve facilities and services in readiness for the return of Chinese tour groups," Darany Phommavongsa, director general of the Tourism Management Department of the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, told the media last Friday.

"We held a meeting with private companies to discuss ways to improve facilities and design activities to entice more Chinese visitors to Laos," he added.

President of Inthira Group Inthy Deuansavanh, who has been in the hospitality sector for almost 25 years, told Xinhua on Tuesday that tourism in Laos was severely damaged by the COVID-19 pandemic due to the absence of foreign tourists.

Since China resumed outbound group travel to countries including Laos, Inthy believed that it will bring a large number of Chinese visitors to Laos.

"We are waiting to welcome Chinese visitors again. And I believe that traveling to Laos will be more convenient because of the operation of the Laos-China Railway," he noted.

"The local tourism businesses need to get ready to attract and welcome back inbound tourists. One of the most important things is that we need to promote our outstanding tourist attractions, especially nature-based tourism, to reach our target customers as much as possible."

Inthy said tourism-related businesses must improve their services and make sure that customers can easily get access to their products.

"We opened a new department recently with Chinese-speaking staff. It aims to provide the best service to the Chinese visitors and try to reach the Chinese market increasingly," he said.

He strongly believes that China's resumption of outbound group tours after the optimization of its COVID-19 response will be a strong boost to revitalize Laos' economy and tourism.

"Anyone who wants to explore rich natural resources and biodiversity will never get disappointed when traveling to Laos," Inthy said, adding that Laos is also a fascinating destination for anyone seeking cultural immersion and outstanding eco-tourism.

In October 2021, the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism launched the Lao Tourism Recovery Roadmap for 2021-2025, which aims to support the recovery of the tourism sector in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.

One of the three main policy options in the roadmap is the greening of tourism for environmental friendliness and better long-term recovery.

With its rich natural resources and biodiversity, Laos can offer an opportunity to promote nature-based tourism for sustainable and inclusive growth which will lead to green jobs and livelihood opportunities, thereby attaining green recovery and green growth.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Somphet Maopaseuth, president of Forestry Area Conservation Ecological Tourism, endeavored to transform challenges into opportunities.

"During our temporary close, we had a chance to restore ecosystems, train our staff and improve our service standard to another level. Therefore, we are more than ready to welcome back an influx of visitors," he said.

Somphet advised tourism-related businesses to focus on ensuring the safety of tourists, training staff and upgrading their services to meet international standards.

He pointed out that the Laos-China Railway is a great advantage for Laos because it facilitates tourist travel, adding that the return of Chinese tourists will bring a lot of opportunities, as China is one of the world's largest outbound tourism markets.

"I am very pleased to welcome back Chinese tourists. Their presence is vital to the country's tourism and economic growth," Somphet said.

The Lao government considers tourism as its top priority in revitalizing the economy.

"We need to improve facilities so we can accommodate more tourists this year and ensure that tourism makes a strong contribution to economic growth," said Lao Deputy Prime Minister Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune during a meeting held by the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism in January.

Kikeo stressed that tourism-related businesses must improve their services and tourist attractions, as well as diversify tourism products and activities in response to travelers' needs and expectations.

The government hopes to attract 1.4 million visitors in 2023, which is expected to generate more than 340 million U.S. dollars.

Pavina Phouminh, a receptionist at Landmark Hotel, a top-ranking hotel in Vientiane, told Xinhua on Tuesday that the hotel is all prepared with added facilities, amenities, and products to welcome the return of tourists from China.

"We have a lot of Chinese-speaking staff here. We are ready to provide all travelers with the best service. We are 100 percent ready! And we are looking forward to the mass return of Chinese travelers," she said.

Viengxay Phasith, a 56-year-old van driver from Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge to the city, told Xinhua on Tuesday, "I was badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic because most of my clients are foreign travelers. The return of Chinese tourists gives me hope to get more income."

"Welcome to Laos! Laos has a lot of beautiful places to visit. Please come and see for yourself. We are ready to give you the best service!"

Tourism experts predict that millions of Chinese tourists will visit ASEAN countries and many of them will travel on the China-Laos Railway, which runs from Kunming, the capital of southwest China's Yunnan province, to Vientiane.

Meanwhile, Lao Airlines plans to operate more flights in response to the expected influx of Chinese visitors. The airline currently operates three flights a week from the Lao capital Vientiane to China's Kunming.

It is set to launch additional flights from Vientiane to the Chinese cities of Guangzhou, Shanghai, Chengdu, Changzhou, and Hangzhou. The airline also mulls increasing flights from the northern Luang Prabang province and the southern Champasak province to China. 

Tourists take photos in Patuxay Park in the downtown of Lao capital Vientiane on Feb. 7, 2023. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

Tourists visit Patuxay Park in the downtown of Lao capital Vientiane on Feb. 7, 2023. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

Tourists visit Patuxay Park in the downtown of Lao capital Vientiane on Feb. 7, 2023. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

Tourists walk at a square by Mekong River in Lao capital Vientiane on Feb. 8, 2023. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)
ANKARA/DAMASCUS, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The number of fatalities from Monday's devastating earthquakes that struck Turkiye and Syria has surpassed 12,000, as chances have become smaller to find more survivors in cold weather before the golden 72 hours are over.

Rescuers and volunteers are working round the clock to locate the trapped under rubble as the survival rate without food or water drops drastically after the 72nd hour, which is rapidly approaching. Experts have warned that the 72-hour window for rescuing those trapped by the earthquakes may be much smaller than anticipated, given the low temperatures that have swept through the earthquake-hit regions will increase the risk of hypothermia.

According to the latest statistics, Monday's devastating earthquakes in southern Turkiye and northern Syria have killed 9,057 people in Turkiye and 3,480 in Syria.

SEARCH UNDERWAY

The search and rescue teams from more than 65 countries have arrived in the Turkish earthquake zones to offer assistance in quake-relief efforts, according to an official statement.

A plane carrying a 83-member rescue team from China and 20 metric tons of disaster relief materials and equipment arrived in the city of Adana in southern Turkiye in the early hours of Wednesday. In addition to materials and equipment for search and rescue, communication and medical treatment, they also brought with them four rescue dogs.

Volunteers flocked to southern Turkiye hit hard by the earthquakes. Photographs show terminals crowded with volunteers trying to help, while the roads leading to the affected areas were clogged with long queues of vehicles ready to transport supplies or offer assistance.

"It was good that we came. When we arrived, the area was rubble everywhere," said a volunteer who identified himself as Kerem Okyay, a businessman from the central Turkish city of Sivas who hurried to Elbistan, a town about 200 km away.

Located in the southern Turksih province of Kahramanmaras, Elbistan was the epicenter of the 7.6-magnitude quake that rocked the region on Monday and close to the town of Pazarcik, the epicenter of a 7.7-magnitude one hours earlier.

"We formed a team with some friends as soon as we heard the news of the earthquake and came here as volunteers," Okyay told Xinhua.

Soon after their arrival, the team saved two people from the debris. "We were focusing on areas where we could hear people," he said.

In the heavily damaged city center of Kahramanmaras, the name-sake capital of Kahramanmaras Province, sniffer dogs equipped with small GPS-enabled harnesses were leading rescuers in the search for survivors from site to site in the winter cold.

MORE AID POURING IN

While rescue operations are taking place in Turkiye and Syria, more countries have committed to providing assistance.

A Lebanese ministerial delegation headed by Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib arrived in Damascus on Wednesday to discuss with Syrian officials more possible aid for earthquake-stricken Syria.

On Wednesday, Tunisia sent its third aircraft, which was packed with tonnes of emergency humanitarian aid including food, medication, blankets and clothing, to Syria. Two military planes from Tunisia were already sent to the two earthquake-stricken countries on Tuesday, carrying medical teams, rescue teams, and urgent humanitarian aid.

Saudi Arabia launched on Wednesday a donation campaign to help earthquake victims in Syria and Turkiye. According to local press, a total of 25 million Saudi riyals (6.7 million U.S. dollars) had been donated to the campaign so far.

Jordan announced on Wednesday that it would send aid convoys over the next few days to quake-hit areas in Syria and Turkiye, while Sudan said its Civil Defense Forces is ready to send a specialized team to Turkiye to help with rescue efforts.

David Saranga, head of the Israeli aid delegation to Turkiye, said on Wednesday that two Israeli rescue teams are searching for survivors in the country, while a field hospital complete with 15 Israeli aircraft and about 230 personnel is expected to be established by Thursday or Friday, according to the Israeli military and foreign ministry.

TURKIYE'S QUAKE RESPONSE BACK TO NORMAL

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan admitted on Wednesday that there were some problems in the first-day response to the earthquakes.

Operations are currently back to normal, Erdogan said in Kahramanmaras Province, the state-run TRT broadcaster reported.

Earthquake victims can temporarily stay in hotels in the Mediterranean tourism hub of Antalya and southern province of Mersin, he added.

The Turkish president announced that each quake-stricken family would receive 10,000 Turkish liras (531 U.S. dollars), and new homes will be built in the 10 provinces affected by the disaster within a year.

Also on Wednesday, Erdogan said it was impossible to get prepared for a calamity like the earthquakes that struck the country on Monday, but he vowed to exert utmost efforts to save citizens' lives.

"There are deficiencies ... It is impossible to be prepared for such a major disaster," Erdogan told reporters in the southern province of Hatay, which was hit hard by the earthquakes.

"We will not leave any of our citizens unattended. We will carry out disaster management by taking every necessary step so that no one will suffer," he said. 
Rescuers carry out rescue operation with rescue dogs in Adiyaman, Turkiye, Feb. 8, 2023. The death toll from Monday's devastating earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria has surpassed 17,000, according to latest data. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

ANKARA, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- People in Turkiye are racing against the clock to search for more survivors in the deadly earthquakes, while the chances are diminishing as the relief effort enters its fourth day.

The death toll from Monday's devastating earthquake in Turkiye has risen to 14,014, with other 63,794 injured so far, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday.

STATE OF EMERGENCY

A state of emergency decision for 10 quake-affected provinces will take effect after voted today at the parliament as of Thursday afternoon, Erdogan told reporters when visiting the southern Gaziantep province where he inspected the emergency response.

The government will intervene in the incidents of looting in quake zones with the authority provided by a state of emergency, the Turkish president said.

"In some places, unfortunately, there is looting in the markets, and shopping malls. The state will intervene in these lootings under the state of emergency after obtaining the authority from the parliament," he said.

The government will immediately start work for new housing in the disaster region, while the containers are being provided for temporary accommodation at the moment, Erdogan explained.

Hundreds of rescued but unattended children are dispatched to the hospitals in Turkiye's big cities Istanbul and Ankara.

On Wednesday, Erdogan acknowledged the "shortcomings" in the government's initial response to the disaster but reassured that they had managed to handle the efforts to help the victims since the second day of the disaster.

HOLD ON TO HOPE

Nevertheless, although the golden 72 hours of rescue have passed, people are still doing their best to search and rescue in firm faith and hope under the cold weather.

Turkish rescue teams pulled out a 60-year-old woman named Meral Nakir from the rubble of an apartment in Malatya province 77 hours after Monday's quake, the state broadcaster TRT showed.

The injured woman was rescued from the rubble of a 6-storey building with the help of a trained dog "Kopuk" (Foam). The Golden Retriever served in the same wreck for two days and saved six people alive.

A Chinese rescue team, working with local partners, rescued a pregnant woman from a collapsed 8-story building early Thursday in southern Hatay province.

More than 100 members of China's Blue Sky Rescue team arrived in Turkiye on Thursday to join the rescue work after deadly earthquakes hit the country.

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Turkiye's southern province of Kahramanmaras at 4:17 a.m. local time (0117 GMT), followed by a magnitude 6.4 quake a few minutes later in the country's southern province of Gaziantep and a magnitude 7.6 earthquake at 1:24 p.m. local time (1024 GMT) in Kahramanmaras Province. 

Rescuers carry out rescue operation with a rescue dog on earthquake debris in Adiyaman, Turkiye, Feb. 8, 2023. The death toll from Monday's devastating earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria has surpassed 17,000, according to latest data. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

Rescuers carry out rescue operation with rescue dogs in Adiyaman, Turkiye, Feb. 8, 2023. The death toll from Monday's devastating earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria has surpassed 17,000, according to latest data. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

A rescuer leads a rescue dog to participate in rescue operation in Adiyaman, Turkiye, Feb. 8, 2023. The death toll from Monday's devastating earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria has surpassed 17,000, according to latest data. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

A rescuer carries out rescue operation with a rescue dog on earthquake debris in Kahramanmaras, Turkiye, Feb. 7, 2023. The death toll from Monday's devastating earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria has surpassed 17,000, according to latest data. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)
ANKARA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye is working to open two more border gates with Syria to enable the delivery of humanitarian aid to its neighbor which also suffers from massive earthquakes, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday.

"Cilvegozu border gate is open. We are working to open two more gates ... We also provide the necessary support for the aid to reach Syria," Cavusoglu told reporters at a joint news conference attended by Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay.

Meanwhile, the UN Secretary-General Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the road leading to the Bab al-Hawa Border Crossing from Turkiye to northern Syria was damaged, and the aid delivery to the rebel-held northwest was temporarily disrupted.

The United Nations is preparing a convoy to cross into Syria, but that would likely require a new agreement with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government, Dujarric added.

Bab al-Hawa, across Turkiye's Cilvegozu gate, is the only crossing through which UN aid is allowed into the area.

A magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck Turkiye's southern province of Kahramanmaras at 4:17 a.m. local time (0117 GMT), followed by a magnitude-7.6 quake at 1:24 p.m. local time (1024 GMT) in the same province.

The death toll from Monday's devastating earthquakes in southern Turkiye and northern Syria has surpassed 12,000.

Many countries and global aid agencies are offering rescue teams and relief supplies to quake-hit regions in Turkiye and Syria. 
BEIJING, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese prosecutors have filed indictments against 14,000 people suspected of organized crime activities and operating as local bullies over the last year, sources from the top procuratorate said Thursday.

Miao Shengming, head of the anti-organized crime office at the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP), said that in 2022, the country's procuratorial agencies deepened their routine crackdown on organized crime and local bullies, maintaining a tough approach in punishing relevant offenses and foiling such crimes whenever they emerge.

Also, procuratorates nationwide have carried out multiple special campaigns, including those targeting organized crime in natural resources development and internet-related violations.

Senior-level agencies have also enhanced their guidance for those working at the grassroots level in handling such cases by making public typical cases involving crimes with different circumstances.

Miao pledged efforts to continue the routine crackdown on organized crime and promote the building of a procuratorial talent pool in this regard. 
People warm themselves by the fire beside the rubble of buildings in Elbistan district of Kahramanmaras Province, Turkiye, Feb. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Shadati)

The tremors with 7.7 and 7.6 magnitudes devastated almost 10 provinces in Turkiye. The death toll rose to 12,391, while the number of injured people hit 62,914 as of early Thursday morning. Thousands of buildings have collapsed, and many people were trapped under debris.

ISTANBUL, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Selahhatin Elbistan's life will not be the same after the deadly twin earthquakes shook the southern part of Turkiye and buried everything under rubble.

Selahattin burst into tears when confronted with the earthquake's damage to his business facility in the Elbistan district of the southern province of Kahramanmaras, the earthquake's epicenter.

"There is nothing to tell. Everything is in plain sight ... The house is gone, and the car is gone. But never mind. It is health that matters," he told Xinhua.

Speaking about the condition of his home at a 22-storey building, he said, "Half of the building was gone, and the other half was partly collapsed."

The tremors with 7.7 and 7.6 magnitudes devastated almost 10 provinces in the country. The death toll rose to 12,391, while the number of injured people hit 62,914 as of early Thursday morning. Thousands of buildings have collapsed, and many people were trapped under debris.

After sunset, Elbistan looked like a ghost town. All the buildings have been either totally collapsed or partly damaged. The electricity was cut off.

Rescue teams have been racing against time to save those trapped under the rubble in the freezing weather. Citizens who have been trying to hear good news from their loved ones were waiting for signs of hope.

Alpaslan was among them. His wife and four other family members are stuck in the stairwell of the totally collapsed building.

"We heard a new sound coming from the rubble. We get excited," Alpaslan told Xinhua without giving his last name. "I hope they are all alive."

He appreciated the support of all other citizens pouring into the region from different parts of the country to help. "God bless all of them," he said.

A rescuer works outside a destroyed building in quake-hit Elbistan district of Kahramanmaras, Turkiye, on Feb. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Shadati)

Zeki Celik, a teacher, came from the northern province of Samsun to participate in the rescue operation. "We rescued a 62-year-old man this afternoon. We got him out and sent him to the hospital. A 12-year-old boy was also taken out and sent to the hospital," Celik told Xinhua.

"And now there was a voice on the side of the ruined building that we see in the back," Celik said, adding that they would launch a rescue operation with friends.

When the earthquake happened, Kerem Okyay, a businessman from the central Anatolian province of Sivas, formed a team with his friends and came to Elbistan. "In ten hours, we reached three people. Two of them were dead. We pulled an injured one out of the rubble and sent him to the hospital," he said.

Okyay also urged citizens and authorities to supply as many construction machines as possible. "We need a breaker right now, and we need a generator," Okyay said.

"Without these types of equipment, we cannot intervene. We don't have a chance to remove a friend trapped between the columns by hand," he said. 
An 82-member Chinese rescue team has arrived in quake-hit Turkiye, and has started working in Hatay, one of the areas worst hit by earthquakes earlier this week. #GLOBALink
By Azernews

Laman Ismayilova

The Azerbaijani State Tourism Agency in partnership with ICOMOS National Committee has organized a training on the protection of cultural monuments, Azernews reports.

President of the ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Vernacular Architecture (CIAV), professor Hossam Mahdy spoke at the training.

In his speech, the professor highlighted technical aspects of the restoration and conservation of cultural monuments as well as the main forms of traditional architecture that do not depend on the requirements of the time.

The professor also explained how climate, environment, and other factors can impact on traditional architecture.

In addition to the history and theory of monuments' conservation, he shared his views on the assessment work to be carried out before restoration, the methodology used at this time, the prominent criteria, and disclosed comparative information between traditional architectural examples in Azerbaijan and Europe.

Members of the ICOMOS Azerbaijan National Committee, young architects, and cultural heritage experts participated in the training.

At the end of the lecture, Hossam Mahdy answered the participants' questions.

The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) is the world's largest international organization for the protection of material and cultural heritage.

With more than 10,000 members and national committees in 104 countries, ICOMOS is also one of the three official UNESCO advisory bodies.
BEIJING, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Starting from Feb. 20, mainland cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will pilot a new policy of issuing endorsements for talents working in the mainland to travel to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Macao SAR.

According to the National Immigration Administration (NIA), the policy designates six categories of talents eligible for the application of such documents: excellent talents, meaning those who either contribute tremendously to the area's development or are much-needed; scientific research talents; education talents; health talents; legal talents; and other qualified talents in the Greater Bay Area.

An eligible candidate can apply for travel endorsements to the HKSAR and Macao SAR either respectively or together, with the validity periods ranging from five years and three years to one year, depending on the candidate's category, according to the policy.

While excellent talents can submit their applications to any immigration management authority above the county-level in the Greater Bay Area, other categories of talents can only submit them to such authorities above the county-level within the place where they work, according to the policy.

The policy will substantially boost the smooth, efficient and orderly flow of various elements such as talents and technical skills in the area, and will inject new momentum into the socio-economic development of the mainland, as well as Hong Kong and Macao, said the NIA. 
SAO PAULO, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- At least four people, including a two-year-old girl, were killed after a severe storm triggered flooding and landslides in the Brazilian capital of Rio de Janeiro and its metropolitan area, authorities said Wednesday.

According to local disaster reduction authorities, the storm dumped an estimated 70 percent of February's rainfall on Tuesday night.

The city's mayor Eduardo Paes called on residents to stay put and avoid inundated areas.

The fire department said it had rescued more than 70 people trapped by flooding in Rio and the metropolitan area. 
BRASILIA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Brazil expects its 2022-2023 harvest season to yield up to 310.6 million tons of grain, 38.2 million tons more than the last harvest, the state-run National Supply Company (CONAB) said Wednesday.

"The beginning of the corn and soybean harvest in the state of Rio Grande do Sul confirms the forecasts of a sharp drop in productivity due to the low rainfall," CONAB President Guilherme Ribeiro said in a report.

On the other hand, crops in the country's central western region, such as the Mato Grosso state, have benefited from the "favorable weather," he noted.

Even so, CONAB estimates an increase in both cultivated area and productivity, which is expected to result in a harvest in the first crop of 26.5 million tons and the second crop of 95 million tons.

The harvest season for soybean, the country's main export product, has already begun in several regions of the South American country.

Regarding rice, CONAB forecasts that the output will reach 10.2 million tons. 
Photo taken on Jan. 19, 2023 shows the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua)

The resolution is largely symbolic and unlikely to reach the floor for a vote as House Republican leaders have so far declined to call on George Santos to resign.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- A group of House Democrats filed a resolution on Thursday, seeking to expel Republican lawmaker George Santos from the U.S. Congress.

"We gave him plenty of time to resign, and he has chosen not to do so," U.S. Congressman Robert Garcia, a California Democrat, told reporters.

Santos, the U.S. representative for New York's 3rd congressional district, has admitted to fabricating several aspects of his work history and education, following his election last year.

The embattled Republican freshman is facing several investigations but has refused to step down.

The resolution is largely symbolic and unlikely to reach the floor for a vote as House Republican leaders have so far declined to call on Santos to resign.

Santos and U.S. Senator Mitt Romney, a Utah Republican, had a tense exchange shortly before U.S. President Joe Biden's State of the Union address on Tuesday night.

Romney later revealed that he told Santos that he did not belong there. Santos said on Wednesday that he thought Romney's comments were "reprehensible."

Expelling a member from the U.S. House of Representatives requires the support of two thirds of members under the country's constitution. 
BEIJING, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- China is stepping up the preparation and transport of disaster relief supplies to Turkiye and Syria, and hopes the aid will reach the disaster zones as quickly as possible, the Ministry of Commerce said Thursday.

China is also hastening its food aid project for Syria, with 220 tonnes of wheat already on its way to the country, and the remaining 3,000 tonnes of rice and wheat to be shipped in the near future, Shu Jueting, a spokesperson for the ministry, told a press conference.

The ministry said China encourages local Chinese chambers of commerce and enterprises to actively fulfill their social responsibilities, donate relief supplies and equipment to the disaster-stricken areas, and participate in local earthquake relief efforts. 
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky arrives at the European Union headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on Feb. 9, 2023 for the EU member states' special summit. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

The EU will propose the 10th package of sanctions against Russia in the coming days, which will include additional export bans worth more than 10 billion euros.

BRUSSELS, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday assured Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky of the European Union's (EU) continued support and she said that preparations are underway for a 10th round of sanctions against Russia.

Ukraine and the EU are "one family," she said, and that the country can depend on Europe's continued support in its fight against Russia.

"You can count on us. We will continue to provide our full support," she told Zelensky during a press conference after he addressed the EU leaders' meeting.

The Belgian capital was the third stop on Zelensky's whirlwind tour of Europe. He visited London on Wednesday to address Parliament and meet Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. He also met King Charles III at Buckingham Palace.

He then crossed over to Paris for a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during a tri-party dinner held at the presidential Elysee Palace.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (L), Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (C) and European Council President Charles Michel (R) attend a joint press conference in Brussels, Belgium, on Feb. 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

Zelensky then traveled with Macron to Brussels on Thursday, where he delivered a speech to European lawmakers and later addressed all 27 leaders of the EU member states' special summit. It was Zelensky's first official visit to the European Parliament (EP) after having addressed its members remotely during an extraordinary session on March 1, 2022.

Addressing the EP, Zelensky said that "A Ukraine that is winning is going to be member of the European Union."

EP President Roberta Metsola told Zelensky that "Ukraine is Europe and your nation's future is in the European Union," adding that the EU should give Ukraine the "fastest possible accession process."

The 24th Ukraine-EU summit is held in Kiev, Ukraine, Feb. 3, 2023. (Ukrainian presidential office/Handout via Xinhua)

He later told a joint press conference with von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel that he expected to start discussions on his country's EU accession this year and reiterated his request for more weapons, including long-range missiles.

Von der Leyen said the EU had mobilized 67 billion euros (72 billion U.S. dollars) in support in the past year, "from budget support to fast recovery; from energy supply to military capabilities; from humanitarian aid to refugee support."

She said the EU will propose the 10th package of sanctions against Russia in the coming days, which will include additional export bans worth more than 10 billion euros. 
UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday announced that the world body will launch a flash appeal for donor support for those affected by the earthquake in Syria next week.

"The earthquake that struck Turkiye and Syria is one of the biggest natural disasters in our times," Guterres told reporters, warning that "we haven't yet seen the full extent of the damage and of the humanitarian crisis unfolding before our eyes."

He pointed out that the earthquake struck as the humanitarian crisis in northwest Syria was already worsening, with needs at their highest level since the conflict began.

Guterres said that the first United Nations convoy, which included six trucks carrying shelter and other desperately needed relief supplies, crossed into northern Syria Thursday through the Bab al-Hawa crossing on the border with Turkiye.

"More help is on the way, but much more, much more is needed," he said, adding that the United Nations has done its best to race to respond and are committed to doing much more. 
UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The UN and its partners, along with Somalian state and federal authorities, announced Wednesday that humanitarian groups are seeking 2.6 billion U.S. dollars to assist some 7.6 million Somalians this year.

Somalia is in the midst of the longest and most severe drought in its history, following five consecutive poor rainy seasons, which has devastated the country.

Nearly half of the population, 8.25 million people, need immediate help and protection.

Unless humanitarian assistance is sustained and rainfall is sufficient, famine is a strong possibility between April and June, according to a press release.

"The efforts of local communities and the scale up of humanitarian assistance prevented famine thresholds from being surpassed in 2022, but millions of lives remain on the line," said Adam Abdelmoula, UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia.

It is the worst drought in four decades, which also affects parts of Kenya and Ethiopia.

The Horn of Africa has become hotter and drier due to climate change, and at least 36.4 million people across the region need emergency assistance to survive, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

In Somalia, more than 1.4 million people have been displaced while at least 3.5 million livestock have died, which destroys livelihoods and reduces children's access to milk.

Although technical famine thresholds have not been reached, OCHA said the situation in Somalia is extremely alarming as prolonged and extreme conditions have led to higher-than-normal deaths. This includes more than 727,000 people who are likely to face catastrophic conditions.

Furthermore, about 8 million people do not have access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene services. Cholera and measles cases have surged, along with acute malnutrition, while conflict and insecurity continue to drive needs and hamper humanitarian access.

Last year, aid organizations, local communities and government authorities ramped up response and reached 7.3 million people, but now they are calling for additional resources and unhindered access to those in need. 
RABAT, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Moroccan navy rescued 167 Spain-bound migrants in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic from Jan. 28 to Feb. 7, official news agency MAP reported Wednesday.

The migrants have attempted dangerous crossings and encountered problems while boarding several makeshift boats, kayaks, jet skis, and even swimming, MAP said.

Before being taken to the closest Moroccan ports and handed over to the Royal Gendarmerie for the usual procedures, the migrants received first aid from navy units, according to the report.

Morocco has become a transit country for African migrants seeking to reach Europe for better living conditions, as the shortest distance from Morocco's Mediterranean coasts to Spain is only 14 km via the Strait of Gibraltar. 
ALGIERS, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Wednesday ordered the immediate recall of Algerian Ambassador to France Said Moussi for consultation, according to a statement from the president's office.

The recall comes to protest "the secret and illegal evacuation of an Algerian citizen, who was wanted by the Algerian justice, from the country's soil," the statement noted.

Earlier in the day, the Algerian Foreign Ministry "strongly condemned" in a statement "the violation of national sovereignty by French diplomatic, consular, and security officials," who are accused of "illegally and secretly" evacuating an Algerian citizen.

The ministry stated that it has "conveyed its strong condemnation to the French Embassy in Algeria in an official note."

The statement also emphasized Algeria's rejection of "this unacceptable and indefinable development, which causes great harm to Algerian-French relations."

This is the second time that Algeria has recalled its ambassador to France for consultation in fewer than two years.

In October 2021, Algeria recalled its ambassador to France in protest over French President Emmanuel Macron's critical remarks against Algeria. Macron criticized the "political-military system" in Algeria, a former French colony, for rewriting Algerian history and fomenting "hatred" toward France. 
By Peter Tase

Azerbaijan enjoys a high reputation and prestige on the world stage and the country maintains admirable levels of economic and financial growth.

The successful military operation and liberation of Shusha during the Azerbaijani people's Patriotic War are rare occurrences in contemporary military history and a singular phenomenon in many facets. Under the inspirational command of President Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces also made the following noteworthy accomplishments:

In just three or four days, the Azerbaijani army overcame the enemy's heavily fortified defenses that had taken 30 years to build up.

There were 10,000 deserters from the Armenian army during the Second Karabakh War, but not a single Azerbaijani soldier left the battle scene.

Children forced out of Karabakh in their mothers' arms and barefoot returned to their homeland on tanks, liberating their grandparents' ancestral lands and arriving proudly in their motherland.

The successful operation in Shusha, the climax of the Karabakh Victory, was etched in global military history textbooks.

Maximum results were obtained with minimal losses despite the difficult terrain and physical geography.

The people of Azerbaijan, led by President, His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, formed an Iron Fist and broke the enemy's backbone and morale.

There are written and unwritten laws of war. An army against the other army, a soldier against a soldier, face to face, man to man. The one who is strong has the advantage. This is exactly how Azerbaijan fought in this forty-four-day war. What action did Armenia take? It fired ballistic missiles at civilians in Ganja, Barda, and Tartar, killing hundreds of civilians, children, and women.

Azerbaijan had even more powerful weapons at its disposal if it wanted to attack Yerevan. The military strategy was carefully considered by the victorious Commander-in-Chief in Baku. Instead, the Azerbaijani Army exacted vengeance on the battlefield for the martyrs and innocent civilian victims. Azerbaijan once again demonstrated to the world who is who.

Lieutenant General Hikmat Izzat Mirzayev has proven to be extremely professional and has used cutting-edge military tactics that should be studied in war colleges in the US and Europe.

One of the commanders of the military operations to liberate Azerbaijan's sovereign territory from the Armenian Armed Forces invasion is Special Forces Commander Hikmat Mirzayev. He also oversaw the operation to liberate Jabrayil District from the more than 27-year Armenian occupation.

The immense services and leadership of First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva in the victory of Karabakh are also remembered with a feeling of gratitude. Ms. Mehriban Aliyeva, President Ilham Aliyev's closest and loyal comrade-in-arms, provided strong political and moral support to the struggle for the liberation of Azerbaijan's sovereign lands. All of her appeals to the people and requests for national solidarity resounded in the hearts of the people, impressing everyone. Her prayers during the war were accepted and God granted her the happiness of embracing the land of Karabakh.

On the initiative of Ms. Mehriban Aliyeva, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation started restoring historical and religious monuments in Shusha and other liberated lands right after the Patriotic War. This admirable initiative gave the building projects in Karabakh and to the east of Zangazur a strong boost.

For many years, the Azerbaijani people demanded justice for Khojaly and Karabakh. The international community was silent, with the exception of a few states in the United States of America.

In comparison to other nations like Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Iraq, the United States hasn't invested as much in Azerbaijan. But what about international law and justice? The United States and France, who acknowledge the made-up Armenian genocide that is purported to have occurred a century ago but for which there is still no proof, do not want to acknowledge the Khojaly massacre that the Armenians carried out in full view of the entire world.

Similar to the OSCE, Minsk Group, we can still clearly see what Armenia did to the lands it occupied by eradicating hundreds of indigenous peoples and villages from Azerbaijani territory. Aghdam is known as the Hiroshima of the Caucasus, the same is with Jabrayil, Gubadli, Zangilan, Kalbajar, Lachin, and Fuzuli. There was not a single building left by the Armenians; everything was destroyed.

We were unaware of the destruction just two years ago. However, the OSCE Minsk Group's US, Russian, and French co-chairs had been visiting these territories back and forth for 30 years while being fully aware of what was taking place. Despite seeing everything, they remained silent.

Did someone stand up and say that the occupation and vandalism must stop? The UN, and the OSCE, did not put pressure on the occupier, on Armenia, which supports terrorism at the state level, treating the brutal crime of genocide - against the long-suffering people of Azerbaijan - coldly and as someone else's problem. As a result, the invader (Armenia) and the occupied country (Azerbaijan) were treated in the same way.

In international law, there is no concept of large or small, strong or weak states. Each sovereign country has the same rights. In reality, we are observing a double standard in the handling of international law. The geopolitical events surrounding Ukraine are the latest example. It must be borne in mind that all the Western and NATO countries, including the United States of America, have stood up. Unprecedented in world history sanctions are being applied against Russia. But not a single sanction was applied against Armenia, which kept the lands of Azerbaijan under occupation for almost 30 years. Currently, Armenia continues to kill innocent Azerbaijani lives, with thousands and thousands of explosives, and anti-personnel mines buried (for three decades) in agricultural land, within the sovereign territory of Azerbaijan. The sad truth is that not a single effective step was taken to stop this bloody, Yerevan-based attacker. If not for this cruel patronage from the international and Western community, this armed conflict would not have lasted 30 years and the situation would not have reached this point.

Despite the obvious double standards, double standards, and discrimination, the President of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev was able to resolutely overcome all obstacles with his wise policy, tremendous leadership, and forward-thinking patriotic decisions.

In today's world, it is not international law and justice, but the factor of power that is in the foreground: if you are strong, you are taken into account, but if you are weak, you are ignored. Taking this bitter reality into account, the President set himself the goal of turning Azerbaijan into a strong and powerful state. He strengthened the army in every possible way and organized constant, tireless, and thoughtful work at the level of diplomacy. Over the years, Azerbaijan became stronger and more powerful, a factor to be reckoned with in the world. What the Great National Leader Heydar Aliyev said with amazing foresight many years ago, was ripe in the fall of 2020.

Azerbaijani President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ilham Aliyev, withdrew from pointless negotiations and ordered the army to launch an attack. This was done immediately after the aggressor Armenia made public statements about a new war for new territories, orchestrating incessant provocations on the border and near the occupied territories. President Aliyev provided a clear and explicit answer to those who believed that "war was not an option": we will liberate our lands at all costs, said the president.

And so it happened. The idea of a Strong Azerbaijan - Strong Army resulted in a real change in the geopolitical structure of Eurasia. The brave people and the Patriotic War under the leadership of the Victorious Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, the glorious Army of Azerbaijan ended the occupation, and justice was restored. Today, the Republic of Azerbaijan enjoys high prestige on the world stage and maintains admirable levels of economic and financial growth.

Translated from Spanish by Fatima Hasanova
Foreign tourists visit the Rock restaurant in Zanzibar, Tanzania, Feb. 24, 2023. The tourism sector in Zanzibar plays an important role as it accounts for 30 percent of the gross domestic product. Tanzania recorded a 57.7 percent rise in arrivals of foreign tourists who visited the East African nation in 2022, the country's statistics authority said recently. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

DAR ES SALAAM, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania recorded a 57.7 percent rise in arrivals of foreign tourists who visited the East African nation in 2022, the country's statistics authority said Thursday.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said the number of foreign tourists who visited Tanzania between January and December 2022 increased to 1,454,920, up from 922,692 recorded during the corresponding period in 2021.

"The noticeable increase in foreign tourist arrivals of 532,228 is equivalent to an increase of 57.7 percent," Daniel Masolwa, NBS acting director for Economic Statistics, told a news conference in Dodoma, the capital of Tanzania.

Masolwa attributed the rise in foreign tourist arrivals to the lifting of lockdowns by most countries that were imposed following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, adding that the government's continued efforts to promote tourist attractions also played a major role. 

A foreign tourist feeds a tortoise in Zanzibar, Tanzania, Feb. 23, 2023. The tourism sector in Zanzibar plays an important role as it accounts for 30 percent of the gross domestic product. Tanzania recorded a 57.7 percent rise in arrivals of foreign tourists who visited the East African nation in 2022, the country's statistics authority said recently. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

Foreign tourists visit a scenic spot that used to jail slaves as a prison in Zanzibar, Tanzania, Feb. 23, 2023. The tourism sector in Zanzibar plays an important role as it accounts for 30 percent of the gross domestic product. Tanzania recorded a 57.7 percent rise in arrivals of foreign tourists who visited the East African nation in 2022, the country's statistics authority said recently. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

Foreign tourists have dinner at a seaside restaurant in Zanzibar, Tanzania, Feb. 21, 2023. The tourism sector in Zanzibar plays an important role as it accounts for 30 percent of the gross domestic product. Tanzania recorded a 57.7 percent rise in arrivals of foreign tourists who visited the East African nation in 2022, the country's statistics authority said recently. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

Foreign tourists take photos with mangroves in Zanzibar, Tanzania, Feb. 24, 2023. The tourism sector in Zanzibar plays an important role as it accounts for 30 percent of the gross domestic product. Tanzania recorded a 57.7 percent rise in arrivals of foreign tourists who visited the East African nation in 2022, the country's statistics authority said recently. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

Foreign tourists prepare to take cruise ships on the beach in Zanzibar, Tanzania, Feb. 23, 2023. The tourism sector in Zanzibar plays an important role as it accounts for 30 percent of the gross domestic product. Tanzania recorded a 57.7 percent rise in arrivals of foreign tourists who visited the East African nation in 2022, the country's statistics authority said recently. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

Foreign tourists visit mangroves in Zanzibar, Tanzania, Feb. 24, 2023. The tourism sector in Zanzibar plays an important role as it accounts for 30 percent of the gross domestic product. Tanzania recorded a 57.7 percent rise in arrivals of foreign tourists who visited the East African nation in 2022, the country's statistics authority said recently. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)
SEOUL, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's bank lending to households logged the highest monthly fall in January due to higher policy rates, central bank data showed Thursday.

Debts, owed by households to the deposit-taking banks, came to 1,053.4 trillion won (834.6 billion U.S. dollars) at the end of January, down 4.6 trillion won (3.6 billion dollars) from a month earlier, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK).

It marked the fastest reduction since relevant data began to be compiled in 2004.

The BOK began to tighten its monetary policy stance in August 2021, hiking its key rate from a record low of 0.50 percent to 3.50 percent.

Home-backed loans to households stood unchanged at 798.8 trillion won (632.9 billion dollars) at the end of January, but credit and other secured loans tumbled 4.6 trillion won (3.6 billion dollars) last month.

Bank corporate loans gained 7.9 trillion won (6.3 billion dollars) in January, after declining 9.4 trillion won (7.4 billion dollars) in the previous month.

Bank lending to the self-employed dwindled 900 billion won (713.1 million dollars) in January amid higher borrowing costs.

Outstanding deposits of banks came in at 2,198.0 trillion won (1.74 trillion dollars) at the end of January, down 45.4 trillion won (36 billion dollars) from a month earlier. 
ISLAMABAD, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- A terrorist was killed while three others fled the scene during an operation by the counter-terrorism department (CTD) in Pakistan's Punjab province on Wednesday night, a spokesperson from the department told media.

The CTD raided a hideout of the terrorists by acting on an intelligence tip-off regarding their presence in the compound, the spokesperson added.

He said that during the raid, the terrorists opened fire at the CTD personnel, engaging them in a gun battle.

During the exchange of firing, one terrorist was killed while three others fled by taking advantage of the darkness of the night.

No loss of life was reported on the department's side, said the spokesperson.

The CTD also recovered arms and ammunition from the possession of the killed terrorist. 
SEOUL, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) held a massive military parade at Kim II Sung Square in the capital Pyongyang Wednesday night to celebrate the 75th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army (KPA), the official Korean Central News Agency reported Thursday.

Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK, attended and reviewed the military parade, said the report.

According to the report, the celebration saw a stunt show of the country's air force. It also displayed the army's main military hardware to show "advanced, modern and strong nature of the DPRK's defense capabilities," which included the column of main battle tanks, "the symbol of the combat efficiency" of the armed forces.

The KPA also demonstrated columns of tactical missiles and long-range cruise missiles, the report said, adding that the country's tactical nuclear weapons operation units and intercontinental ballistic missiles with "tremendous nuclear strike capability" showed up at last. 
PARIS/BERLIN/LONDON/MOSCOW, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- The following are the latest developments in the Ukraine crisis:

After his visit to Britain, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stopped off in Paris Wednesday evening and met with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

A tri-party dinner was held at the French presidential office to "continue the close coordination which makes it possible to respond quickly and effectively to the needs expressed by Kyiv," according to the Elysee.

During the press conference held at the Elysee Wednesday night, Macron reaffirmed the "unwavering" support of France and Europe to Ukraine. "What is being played out in Ukraine affects the future of Europe," he said.

- - - -

Despite providing military assistance to Ukraine, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization must not become a party to the country's conflict with Russia, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Wednesday.

In a speech to the German lower house of parliament (Bundestag) ahead of a special meeting of the European Council to discuss the conflict, Scholz warned against a "public competition to outdo each other along the lines of battle tanks, submarines, aircraft..."

This would harm the unity of the West, he said.

- - - -

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was in Britain on Wednesday to discuss defense cooperation. This was his second visit outside his country since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Zelensky addressed both houses of the UK Parliament after meeting Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street. He then met King Charles III at Buckingham Palace.

In his speech in Parliament, Zelensky thanked Britain for its support and appealed for fighter jets.

- - - -

Despite the unprecedented military support by Western countries, Ukraine is suffering considerable losses, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Tuesday at a meeting with senior military officials.

In January alone, Ukraine lost over 6,500 military personnel in casualties, 26 airplanes, seven helicopters, 208 drones, 341 tanks and other armored fighting vehicles, and 40 fighting vehicles equipped with multiple-launch rocket systems, he said.

Shoigu said Russian troops continue to grind up all the weapons and equipment supplied to Ukraine both on the routes of their delivery and at combat positions. 
ISTANBUL, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Selahhatin Elbistan's life will not be the same after the deadly twin earthquakes shook the southern part of Turkiye and buried everything under rubble.

Selahattin burst into tears when confronted with the earthquake's damage to his business facility in the Elbistan district of the southern province of Kahramanmaras, the earthquake's epicenter.

"There is nothing to tell. Everything is in plain sight ... The house is gone, and the car is gone. But never mind. It is health that matters," he told Xinhua.

Speaking about the condition of his home at a 22-storey building, he said, "Half of the building was gone, and the other half was partly collapsed."

The tremors with 7.7 and 7.6 magnitudes devastated almost 10 provinces in the country. The death toll rose to 12,391, while the number of injured people hit 62,914 as of early Thursday morning. Thousands of buildings have collapsed, and many people were trapped under debris.

After sunset, Elbistan looked like a ghost town. All the buildings have been either totally collapsed or partly damaged. The electricity was cut off.

Rescue teams have been racing against time to save those trapped under the rubble in the freezing weather. Citizens who have been trying to hear good news from their loved ones were waiting for signs of hope.

Alpaslan was among them. His wife and four other family members are stuck in the stairwell of the totally collapsed building.

"We heard a new sound coming from the rubble. We get excited," Alpaslan told Xinhua without giving his last name. "I hope they are all alive."

He appreciated the support of all other citizens pouring into the region from different parts of the country to help. "God bless all of them," he said.

Zeki Celik, a teacher, came from the northern province of Samsun to participate in the rescue operation. "We rescued a 62-year-old man this afternoon. We got him out and sent him to the hospital. A 12-year-old boy was also taken out and sent to the hospital," Celik told Xinhua.

"And now there was a voice on the side of the ruined building that we see in the back," Celik said, adding that they would launch a rescue operation with friends.

When the earthquake happened, Kerem Okyay, a businessman from the central Anatolian province of Sivas, formed a team with his friends and came to Elbistan. "In ten hours, we reached three people. Two of them were dead. We pulled an injured one out of the rubble and sent him to the hospital," he said.

Okyay also urged citizens and authorities to supply as many construction machines as possible. "We need a breaker right now, and we need a generator," Okyay said.

"Without these types of equipment, we cannot intervene. We don't have a chance to remove a friend trapped between the columns by hand," he said. 
WARSAW, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Polish lawmakers gave final approval to a key judicial reform bill intended to unblock billions of euros of EU funds withheld due to a dispute over the country's rule of law.

The Sejm, Poland's lower house of parliament, passed the bill in a 233 to 207 vote with 12 abstentions on Wednesday.

The legislation assumes that the Supreme Administrative Court would decide disciplinary and immunity cases of judges instead of the Supreme Court. It will then head to President Andrzej Duda's desk.

Judicial reform is one of the "milestones" set by the European Commission that Poland needs to accomplish before it receives the EU's post-pandemic recovery fund.

Due to a rule-of-law dispute, the European Commission has blocked Poland's access to 23.9 billion euros (25.6 billion U.S. dollars) in grants and 11.5 billion euros (12.3 billion dollars) in cheap loans, despite approving Poland's outline on the spending. 
People wait to donate blood at a blood donation center in Damascus, capital of Syria, Feb. 8, 2023. The death toll from Monday's devastating earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria has surpassed 17,000, according to latest data. In Syria, at least 1,581 were killed in government-held areas, and the death toll in the opposition-held region is 1,975, according to media reports. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

ISTANBUL/HATAY, Turkiye, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from Monday's devastating earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria has surpassed 17,000, according to latest data.

The death toll in Turkiye from the earthquakes has reached 14,014 with 63,794 injured, media reported on Thursday, citing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

In Syria, at least 1,581 were killed in government-held areas, and the death toll in the opposition-held region is 1,975, according to media reports.

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Turkiye's southern province of Kahramanmaras at 4:17 a.m. local time (0117 GMT), followed by a magnitude 6.4 quake a few minutes later in the country's southern province of Gaziantep and a magnitude 7.6 earthquake at 1:24 p.m. local time (1024 GMT) in Kahramanmaras Province.

The tremors with 7.7 and 7.6 magnitudes devastated almost 10 provinces in the country.

Rescue teams have been racing against time to save those trapped under the rubble in the freezing weather. Citizens who have been trying to hear good news about their loved ones were waiting for signs of hope.

In quake-hit Hatay Province, the Chinese rescue team helped pull out a pregnant woman buried under the rubble of a collapsed building to safety in the wee hours of Thursday.

The Chinese team also gave professional advice and provided technical equipment during the rescue operation, said Zhao Yang, deputy leader of the Chinese rescue team.

The Turkish side has expressed gratitude for China's assistance and voiced its support for the Chinese team's rescue work.

A woman donates blood at a blood donation center in Damascus, capital of Syria, Feb. 8, 2023. The death toll from Monday's devastating earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria has surpassed 17,000, according to latest data. In Syria, at least 1,581 were killed in government-held areas, and the death toll in the opposition-held region is 1,975, according to media reports. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

People donate blood at a blood donation center in Damascus, capital of Syria, Feb. 8, 2023. The death toll from Monday's devastating earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria has surpassed 17,000, according to latest data. In Syria, at least 1,581 were killed in government-held areas, and the death toll in the opposition-held region is 1,975, according to media reports. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

A man donates blood at a blood donation center in Damascus, capital of Syria, Feb. 8, 2023. The death toll from Monday's devastating earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria has surpassed 17,000, according to latest data. In Syria, at least 1,581 were killed in government-held areas, and the death toll in the opposition-held region is 1,975, according to media reports. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

People donate blood at a blood donation center in Damascus, capital of Syria, Feb. 8, 2023. The death toll from Monday's devastating earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria has surpassed 17,000, according to latest data. In Syria, at least 1,581 were killed in government-held areas, and the death toll in the opposition-held region is 1,975, according to media reports. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

People donate blood at a blood donation center in Damascus, capital of Syria, Feb. 8, 2023. The death toll from Monday's devastating earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria has surpassed 17,000, according to latest data. In Syria, at least 1,581 were killed in government-held areas, and the death toll in the opposition-held region is 1,975, according to media reports. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

Volunteers transfer donations for quake-hit Syrian city of Latakia in Tripoli, Lebanon, on Feb. 9, 2023. According to data released by authorities and rescuers, the death toll from Monday's devastating earthquake in Turkiye and Syria has surpassed 17,000. (Photo by Khaled Habashiti/Xinhua)

Volunteers prepare to transfer donations for quake-hit Syrian city of Latakia in Tripoli, Lebanon, on Feb. 9, 2023. According to data released by authorities and rescuers, the death toll from Monday's devastating earthquake in Turkiye and Syria has surpassed 17,000. (Photo by Khaled Habashiti/Xinhua)

Volunteers load donations for quake-hit Syrian city of Latakia into a truck in Tripoli, Lebanon, on Feb. 9, 2023. According to data released by authorities and rescuers, the death toll from Monday's devastating earthquake in Turkiye and Syria has surpassed 17,000. (Photo by Khaled Habashiti/Xinhua)

Volunteers load donations for quake-hit Syrian city of Latakia into a truck in Tripoli, Lebanon, on Feb. 9, 2023. According to data released by authorities and rescuers, the death toll from Monday's devastating earthquake in Turkiye and Syria has surpassed 17,000. (Photo by Khaled Habashiti/Xinhua)

Volunteers transfer donations for quake-hit Syrian city of Latakia in Tripoli, Lebanon, on Feb. 9, 2023. According to data released by authorities and rescuers, the death toll from Monday's devastating earthquake in Turkiye and Syria has surpassed 17,000. (Photo by Khaled Habashiti/Xinhua)
OTTAWA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Two children were dead and six others were seriously injured after a city bus crashed into a daycare center Wednesday morning in Laval, north of Montreal, Canada, local media reported.

According to Urgences-sante, 12 people needed medical care, eight others were transported to area hospitals.

The incident took place at the Garderie educative Sainte-Rose on Dufferin Terrace in Laval's Sainte-Rose district shortly after 8:30 a.m. local time, and the bus was from the Societe de transport de Laval (STL), the reports said.

According to the reports, the driver of the bus, a 51-year-old man who was employed by the STL, was arrested and charged with homicide and dangerous driving.

Hamdi Ben Chaabane, who lives in the neighbourhood and witnessed the crash, was quoted as saying that the bus was travelling 30 or 40 kilometres per hour when it struck the daycare.

Stephane Boyer, the mayor of Laval, said the driver had been employed by the STL for 10 years or so but didn't have any prior incidents on his record.

The daycare center usually accommodates between 80 and 85 children, the reports said. 
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Asian residents in the U.S. state of California were much more worried about becoming victims of gun violence and hate crimes compared to other racial and ethnic groups, a report by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research and AAPI Data said.

Two-thirds of Asians, and a similar percentage of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders, said they were "very worried" or "somewhat worried" about being a victim of gun violence, significantly higher than the 43 percent average of Californians of all races, according to the report released on Tuesday.

By comparison, 49 percent of Hispanic respondents, 45 percent of Black respondents, and 30 percent of white respondents said they were "very worried" or "somewhat worried" about becoming victims of gun violence, the report found.

The report cited results from the 2021 California Health Interview Survey, an annual UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) survey that interviewed more than 20,000 California households.

Within the Asians, people of Korean origin reported the highest level of fear of gun violence, with 70 percent saying they were very worried or somewhat worried about it. This was followed by 66 percent of people of Filipino and Chinese origin, and 62 percent of people of Vietnamese origin, according to the report.

Several factors likely contributed to Asians' higher level of fear of gun violence victimization, including reports of hate crimes and hate incidents against Asian residents during the pandemic, said Karthick Ramakrishnan, founder of AAPI Data and a professor of public policy at UC Riverside.

One in four Asian Americans in California has ever experienced a hate crime or hate incident, with Southeast Asians reporting the highest levels of hate experiences at a rate of 44 percent, according to the report.

Attitudes toward reporting hate crimes to law enforcement agencies varied among Asian groups. Only one third of Asian Americans expressed being "very comfortable" reporting hate crimes to law enforcement.

Confidence in the criminal legal system varied much more across factors such as nativity and English proficiency. Only 36 percent of U.S.-born Asian Americans agreed that justice would be served, statistically significantly lower than that of both naturalized Asian American citizens and Asian American non-citizens, the report showed.

The mass shootings in schools, movie theaters, and other public settings over the last several years may have also contributed to the heightened sense of fear, Ramakrishnan said.

Previous research done by AAPI Data showed that Asian Americans tended to be the strongest supporters of gun control, he added.

Ramakrishnan surmised that if the same survey were conducted today, an even higher proportion of Asians would report being worried about gun violence after the two recent mass shootings in the AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) community in Half Moon Bay and Monterey Park.

"Gun control is an Asian American issue, it has not gotten the recognition it deserves... Asian Americans need to be part of that conversation. It also means gun control advocacy organizations need to pay attention and invest in Asian American communities," Ramakrishnan was quoted as saying in a report by the San Francisco Chronicle. 
By Azernews

Qabil Ashirov

Two memorandums of understanding (MoU) were signed today within the framework of the International Women's Forum on Social Entrepreneurship, Azernews reports.

The MoUs were signed between the Association for the Development of Women's Entrepreneurship and international partners.

One of the memorandums was signed by the Chairman of the Azerbaijani Association, Sakina Babayeva, and CEO of the WEIA, Viktoriya Nalbandova. Another memorandum was signed by Chairperson of the Association for the Development of Women's Entrepreneurship Sakina Babayeva and Managing Director of Mediaost Anna Leonenko.

Sakina Babayeva noted that 24 [female] entrepreneurs from Azerbaijan, Russia, and Germany are developing ideas for joint projects in various fields of social benefit.

These projects covered society, ecology, education, media, culture, and other socially important topics. These projects are based on UN Sustainable Development Goals 4  Quality education, 7  Affordable and clean energy, and 17  Partnerships for the Goals, she said.

She added that the Women's Social Entrepreneurship Forum project is supported by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs within the framework of the "Eastern Partnership and Russia program", which will be a great contribution to the development of economic relations between the three countries.

Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijani Small and Medium Business Development Agency (SMBDA), also addressed the event. He noted in his speech that the share of women entrepreneurs among private entrepreneurs in Azerbaijan has reached 22 percent.

According to Mammadov, 49 percent of the economically active population of the country are women and SMBDA encourages women to self-employment and entrepreneurship.

With the support of the German International Cooperation Organization (GIZ), studies were carried out in 2021 on the development of social entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan and recommendations have been developed," the board chairman added.

Besides, according to him, in order to promote social entrepreneurship, SME development centers operating in various regions of Azerbaijan held numerous training and webinars on relevant topics.

"In total, about 4,000 women entrepreneurs and women who want to start an entrepreneurial activity benefited from the training provided by these centers in 2022," he added.
HOUSTON, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The gunman who killed 23 people including eight Mexicans in 2019 at a Walmart mall in the largely Latino border city of El Paso in the U.S. state of Texas pleaded guilty on Wednesday to 90 charges, including 23 counts of hate crimes resulting in death.

His plea comes three years, six months and five days after the mass shooting took place on Aug. 3, 2019 as the deadliest attack targeting Hispanics in U.S. history.

Patrick Crusius, then 21 years old, also admitted guilty to 23 counts of use of a firearm to commit murder in a crime of violence, 22 counts of hate crime in an attempt to kill, and 22 counts of use of a firearm during a crime of violence.

"Today's guilty plea marks one more step towards justice for the El Paso community; however, we must remember that the survivors and victims' families will be on a lifelong journey of healing because of this defendant's actions," Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray said in a statement.

The shooter showed no emotion in court, and nodded his head affirmatively as federal prosecutor Ian Martinez Hanna described how the killing took place, the El Paso Times reported.

Hanna said that Crusius admitted to being a white supremacist and committed the mass shooting in an effort to dissuade Mexicans and other Hispanics from coming to the United States.

"This attack is a response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas," Crusius wrote in a manifesto he is believed to have posted online about 20 minutes before the shooting. He had bought a semi-automatic rifle and 1,000 rounds of hollow-point ammunition online weeks ago and drove 11 hours to El Paso from his hometown Allen in northern Texas with the sole intent of killing immigrants, the indictment says.

Prosecutors recommended that he receive 90 consecutive life sentences. The judge will consider sentencing in June.

"White nationalist-fueled violence has no place in our society today," U.S. Justice Department's Civil Rights Division Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said in a statement. "By pleading guilty, the defendant has admitted that he murdered innocent people based on their national origin and targeted Hispanics."

The U.S. Justice Department announced last month that it would not seek the death penalty in federal charges. As a result, the maximum federal sentence the white male from Texas faces is life in prison.

Crusius also faces state charges for the mass shooting. Texas prosecutors have said they plan to seek the death penalty but a trial has not been scheduled yet.

A database of mass killings in the United States since 2006 compiled by The Associated Press, USA Today and Northeastern University shows that the number of deadly mass shootings linked to hate crimes has increased in recent years across the United States, AP reported. 
Prabhas is one of the most loved actors in the South Industry. Apart from his professional life he also remained in news for his personal life. A report is surfaced all over recently according to this Prabhas is dating his Adipurush costar, Kriti Sanon. However, Kriti Sanon cleared that she is not dating the actor but now the reports of their engagement are doing the rounds on the internet.

The rumor started when self-proclaimed film critic Umair Sandhu tweet about their engagement. He said, "BREAKING NEWS: #KritiSanon & #Prabhas will get engaged next week in Maldives!! So Happy for them. However, Prabhas team reacted to reports for engagement. His team said, 'Prabhas and Kriti are just friends. The news about them getting engaged is not true.''

Recently Varun Dhawan hinted that Prabhas is dating Kriti Sanon in a reality star. After this Kriti Sanon took to social media and wrote, It's neither pyaar (love), nor PR.. our Bhediya just went a little too wild on a reality show. And his fun banter lead to some Howl-various rumors (woman facepalming emoji). Kriti also added, Before some portal announces my wedding date-let me burst your bubble. The rumors are ABSOLUTELY baseless! (folded hands and shrug emoji).

On the work front, Prabhas has quite a few releases coming up and among them, Adipurush is the most talked about films so far. Adipurush is a multilingual saga based on an Indian Hindu mythological epic, Ramayana. Adipurush cast includes Kriti Sanon, Prabhas, Saif Ali Khan, and Sunny Singh in the lead role. Prabhas plays the Hindu god Lord Ram and Saif Ali Khan will play Lankesh. He also has Salaar, Project K with Deepika Padukone and Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Spirit, among other releases.

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Panama: As long as they adhere to international standards, Iranian naval ships will be permitted to transit the Panama Canal, according to Panamanian authorities, who made the announcement on Tuesday in response to reports that Tehran was sending ships to the important waterway.

An Iranian military presence in the Canal would enrage the US, which warned that it is closely observing Tehran's activity in the Western Hemisphere. The US built the channel connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans at the beginning of the 20th century.

The Panama Canal asserted that the waterway must "remain safe and open for the peaceful transit" under the condition that ships follow international safety standards, pay tolls, and do not commit any offences, citing a 1977 international treaty that gave control of the canal to Panama and established its neutral status.

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According to the aforementioned rules, the Panama Canal Authority is required to permit the passage of any vessel that satisfies all of these criteria, the organisation said in a statement.

Local media has been informing the public of the approaching Iranian Navy ships.

Teheran intends to position its warships in the Panama Canal as it seeks to strengthen its presence in Latin America, according to a January 13 article in the newspaper La Estrella de Panama.

When Jeb Bush, a former governor of Florida, claimed on January 16 in a Washington Post column that Panama was aiding Iran in evading Western oil sanctions, he added fuel to the fire.

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Bush, the brother and son of two American presidents, wrote that the Iranian regime "would face significant obstacles in smuggling its oil and gas around the world without Panama's support." Vedant Patel, a spokesman for the US State Department, stated last week that Washington was closely monitoring Teheran's naval activities in the Western Hemisphere.

Patel told reporters, "We continue to have a number of tools in our toolbox available to hold the Iranian regime accountable. In order to protect the canal, the US opened military outposts in 1914. The 1977 agreement paved the way for Panama to receive ownership of the canal on December 31, 1999.

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According to the Panama Canal Authority, more than 14,000 vessels passed through the 80-kilometer (50-mile) waterway in 2022. 5% of all maritime trade worldwide is accounted for by the canal.
NETHERLANDS: An international team of investigators reported Wednesday "strong indications" that Russian President Vladimir Putin had given the go-ahead for the delivery of heavy anti-aircraft weapons to Ukrainian separatists who tried to bring down Malaysia Airlines in 2014. A Russian missile was used. Flight 17 in his country.

The Joint Investigation Team, which had been probing the shooting down of the Boeing 777 carrying 812 people from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur for 298 years, announced that they did not have enough evidence to press charges against Putin or any other suspects. As a result, he suspended his investigation.

Russia has consistently denied any involvement in the downing of the flight in eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014, and has refused to cooperate with the international investigation.

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According to Dutch prosecutors, "there are strong indications that the Russian president has decided to supply separatists in Ukraine with the Buk missile system, which is believed to be the weapon that brought down flight MH17.

The Dutch prosecutor, Digna van Boetzelaer, said that while there are "strong indications", "the high level of complete and conclusive evidence has not been reached." He added that without Russian cooperation, "the investigation has now reached its limits." All possible leads have been exhausted.

He added that Putin would not be subject to prosecution in the Netherlands because of his position as head of state. According to the team that played the recording of an intercepted phone call, Putin was heard discussing the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Are we dissatisfied? No, we believe that in 2014 we made progress that exceeded our expectations. Would it be nice to travel further? Of course, yes," replied Dutch police officer Andy Krag.

Before making their findings public, the team briefed the loved ones of those killed in the downing of MH17 on their findings. According to Cragg, they were disappointed because they wanted to know the reason for the downing of MH17. "We're really clear about what happened, but Russia still has questions about why MH17 was shot down."

According to Van Boetzelaer, phone lines will remain open for potential witnesses who still wish to testify while the investigation is put on hold. In such a situation, the investigation can start again. According to Russian officials, it was Putin's decision to support the rebels militarily during the summer of 2014.

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The investigative team claimed that the decision on arms supplies was also postponed for a week "because the only one who makes decisions is currently at a summit in France," referring to Putin in a phone conversation. Happened.

According to prosecutors, Putin was in France at the time for D-Day commemorations. The investigative team's announcement comes nearly three months after a Dutch court found two Russians and a Ukrainian insurgent guilty of bringing down the plane. The judge acquitted a Russian of all charges.

The three men who were convicted of multiple murders did not appear for trial, and it is unknown when they will serve their sentences.

The conviction and the court's conclusion that a Russian military base had manufactured the Buk surface-to-air missile were seen as irrefutable evidence that Moscow was involved in the tragedy.

Russia has consistently denied involvement. In November, the Russian Foreign Ministry accused the court of bowing to political, legal and media pressure from the Netherlands.

The self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, a separatist region in eastern Ukraine where the missile was launched, was under overall Russian control in 2014, according to the November sentence. The Russian Army's 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade, based in Kursk, provided the Buk missile system.

Experts from the Netherlands, Australia, Malaysia, Belgium and Ukraine make up the joint investigation team. Most of the victims were Dutch. The investigation into the crew members of the missile system and the persons who gave the go-ahead for its use in Ukraine was not closed.

The Dutch and Ukrainian governments are suing Russia at the European Court of Human Rights over its alleged role in the downing of MH17, in addition to the criminal trial being held in the Netherlands.

The information made public on Wednesday is likely to support the case before the human rights court and could also be used by ICT prosecutors probing possible war crimes since the start of the separatist conflict in Ukraine.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese vowed to continue seeking justice for the 38 Australian residents and citizens aboard MH17 and called Putin "reprehensible".

MH17 was shot down in a terrorist attack that affected not only Australia but many other countries as well. And we will continue to pursue these issues through all available means," Albanese said in Canberra, Australia.

Also Read: US congressman demands Kiev stop receiving funding

"This is a man who runs a totalitarian regime, who doesn't care about the destruction of communities, whether it's in Ukraine, whether it's persecution of his own citizens, or whether it's actions outside of Russia, of which we ' We've seen a number," Albanese continued.
SpaceX claims to have restricted Starlink usage for Ukrainian military drones 9 February, 01:55 PM Elon Musk (Photo:REUTERS/Brendan Mcdermid/File Photo)

SpaceX, the aerospace firm that powers the satellite internet Starlink terminals widely in use across Ukraine, has taken steps to prevent the Ukrainian military from using those terminals to control military drones, Starlink president and chief operating officer Gwynne Shotwell said during a press conference on Feb. 8 in Washington, D.C., the Reuters news agency reported on Feb. 9.

According to Shotwell, Starlink never meant to be weaponized.

Read also: Musk says he will continue to finance Starlink in Ukraine

However, Ukrainians have leveraged it in ways that were unintentional and not part of any agreement, Shotwell said.

Later, in a conversation with journalists, she referred to the fact that the Ukrainian military had used the Starlink service to control drones.

Video of day

There are things that we can do to limit their ability to do that, she said, referring to Starlinks use with drones.

There are things that we can do, and have done.

Shotwell did not specify what measures SpaceX had taken, and it remains unclear to what extent Ukraine uses Starlink for drone control, and what technical measures could be taken by SpaceX in that event.

We know the military is using them for comms, and thats ok, Shotwell said.

But our intent was never to have them use it for offensive purposes.

Starlink suffered services outages in Ukraine late last year, for reasons SpaceX did not explain. Shotwell declined to comment on whether the problems were related to the companys efforts to limit the Ukrainian militarys use of Starlink. When asked, Shotwell responded: I dont want to answer it because Im not sure I know the answer.

In October of last year, Musk published a series of scandalous posts on Twitter in which he suggested that Ukraine make territorial concessions to Russia, justifying his peace plan with Russias threat of using nuclear weapons.

Tweets with Musks proposal to appease the aggressor caused outrage among Ukrainian and foreign politicians, journalists, and public figures. The Kremlin called the scandalous posts of the billionaire a positive fact, and Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev said that Musk has done well.

Read also: Musk again complains about costs to SpaceX of providing Starlink services in Ukraine

Musk walked back his statements some time later, claiming that he is still very supportive of Ukraine but fears escalation.



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Portugal to send Ukraine three Leopard 2 tanks in March 9 February, 11:42 AM Antonio Costa (Photo:REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw)

Portugal is repairing some of its Leopard 2 tanks and will send three units to Ukraine in March, Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa said on Feb. 8.

Right now we are implementing a recovery and maintenance plan for the Leopard 2 tanks and, according to the plan, we are in a position to be able to send three of them in March, Costa said during a speech before the Portuguese parliament, according to the Reuters news agency.

Admiral Antonio Silva Ribeiro, the head of the Portuguese armed forces, said last month Portugal that had 37 Leopard 2 tanks available, but local media widely reported that the majority are inoperable.

Video of day

Read also: Portugal announces further military aid to Ukraine

osta also reported that Portugal is in talks with Germany to obtain spare parts necessary for their repair.



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Russia's second big offensive: What Putin is betting on - a simple explanation 9 February, 05:42 PM Russia's second big offensive: What Putin is betting on - a simple explanation (Photo: /Telegram)

I don't think anyone in Russia is telling their troops to "do whatever you want, no matter how many resources you have." They dont make decisions like that, and they never have.

There are analysts who say that the objectives of the war have now changed, arguing that this is now a war not just for the preservation of Russia, but for the preservation of Putin's Russia. I disagree. Putin says so, of course, but it doesn't matter. The goals remain the same - the restoration of the state within the borders of 1991  of this state they call Russia. What they say about it doesn't matter. What Putin says is irrelevant. What matters is what he does.

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I want to understand: what does "Russia is losing the war" mean? You understand that we and Russia can have completely different ideas about losing. We know what it meant to Nazi Germany to lose the war: American, Soviet, British troops in Berlin, Hitler's suicide, and other events that led to the dismantling of the Nazi state.

What we have in our head as the defeat of Russia, and what this means in the heads of the Russians are completely different things. If Russia loses these territories that it has occupied and annexed, it would be an obvious defeat in the eyes of you and me. First, this situation still needs to be achieved. We won't know what the world looks like in the situation where that happens. These are all rather difficult questions.

Secondly, I don't know if this would be declared a defeat in Russia. Perhaps in Russia this will be declared a victory:

We defended all our historical territories. Part of the territories where people were supposed to be freed from Nazi slavery are now occupied by the Bandera country, which was helped by the entire West, who also wanted to occupy the Belgorod, Kursk, Tyumen, and Yaroslavl Oblasts, but we did not let them. And now we will concentrate all our forces to prepare to liberate our territories, possibly by political means. But this requires peace. And who is the guarantor of peace? Vladimir Vladimirovich Who? Putin forever. And this, of course, means that even after 2036 we cannot afford for Vladimir Vladimirovich to leave Russia with his worries. Otherwise, it will be a disaster. Otherwise, both Belgorod and Kursk regions will be occupied by the enemy, just as they have already occupied our native Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Horrible. So don't worry.

The loss of Crimea can even be sold as a result of Russia, under the pressure of the entire collective West, having to temporarily cede what is obviously its territory. Or, like the fact that Russia is facing the threat that either nuclear strikes or a political solution are the correct response to the Crimea issue. "The wise Russian leadership has decided that everything needs to be resolved politically," they can just as easily say.

I don't see anything special about how they will interpret it. You understand very well: a real defeat of the Kremlin vertical can only happen when the troops of some allied countries (which do not exist now in nature, there is only the Ukrainian army) enter the hero city of Moscow. Everything else is positional combat, because this regime is based on its power vertical, and not on the support of society.

Right now, many Ukrainians are making the same mistake that Belarusians made, believing that if all the people took to the streets against Lukashenko, then Lukashenko would disappear somewhere and run away. And the Belarusian regime, like the Russian one, is built on the power vertical and the common interests of the elites. If this power vertical is effective, then it does not matter which Ukrainian territories the occupiers lose.

They may have their own internal processes, which I do not dispute at all. But so far I do not see any of the prerequisites needed for them to start.

Russia's second big offensive is not a political but a military issue. I am not a military expert, so I cannot say how much this number of mobilized troops (300 thousand, 500 thousand) can now do what those military units that were located near our borders a year ago could not do.

Now the situation is completely different, as there have been other training opportunities, we have different military equipment, etc.

Nevertheless, a year ago there was an attack that no one expected to the last moment, and we did not really understand in what directions they could go. Now the situation is completely different, as there have been other training opportunities, we have different military equipment, etc.

I can't tell you for certain if this attack will happen, or whether it will simply instead be the threat of an attack, or whether there will be any distracting maneuvers in order for the Russians to operate more effectively in some more important areas of the front. These are military matters.

The fact that Russia is going to continue the war, and Vladimir Putin is betting on a long, multi-year war to exhaust Ukraine, is a fact. We must be prepared for this war to continue even, lets say, into the 2030s..

At the beginning of the invasion, I said that it was very reminiscent of the Syrian conflict, or the Yugoslav wars. Everyone was suspicious of this at the time, but things are gradually entering this track of a long-term conflict. And what kind of conflict will it be? What kind of constant positional fighting will start in certain directions that will not subside, or will affect attempts at any large offensives? We will be able to answer this question in two or three years after the war takes the form of, I would say, a stereoscopic picture. But so far very little time has passed.

I don't think anyone in Russia is telling the troops to "do whatever you want, it doesn't matter how many resources you have." They dont make decisions like that, and they never have. A year ago there were no instructions to "do whatever." Their political decisions were based on the idea that the Ukrainian people would meet the Russian occupiers happily, and the invaders armed forces were required to create a formation that was supposed to go on parade. It was a political mistake, no doubt, but it was based on this sort of analysis.

Now, as you understand, their political decisions are not based on any analysis. The military will still be asked what resources they have to capture Kyiv, relatively speaking, with a hostile, disloyal population. This is the question that will be asked. There is no need to make the Russians out to be complete idiots. There are, of course, idiotic decisions based on misjudgment, but do not think that they make their decisions based on the same assessment every time. This is wrong.

The assault on the small town of Bakhmut, or the one earlier on Soledar, or now on the city of Vuhledar - it could be the idea of depleting Ukrainian troops in certain sectors of the front in order to facilitate the possibility of an offensive in the future. If you are constantly storming certain cities with heavy losses for yourself, you know for sure that your enemy also suffers losses, while you still have many times more mobilization resources due to your population size.

You can just sit down and mathematically find the point when the enemy runs out of mobilization resources, while you still have them. And therefore, you can organize such assaults long enough to get to a point in time where the enemy simply doesnt have enough mobilization resources anymore.

You are well aware of the practice from the Second World War: the Russians absolutely do not care how many of their people are put in to achieve the goal. The whole victory in World War II was based on this idea: we will put in as much as we put in until the Germans run out of mobilization resources.

Do you remember the battle for Berlin, when they said that schoolchildren and pensioners had already fought against the Germans? The Germans ran out of mobilization resources. This was all done correctly, because there were fewer Germans than Soviet people. Much. But in the battle for Berlin, as far as I remember, a million people died. It didn't make any real sense. It is the same with Bakhmut and Soledar. From a military point of view, this makes no sense.

But if you bet on the enemys mobilization resources being destroyed within a certain time, and it doesnt matter at all to you how much of your mobilization resources will die in this struggle to destroy the enemys mobilization resources, then you can arithmetically count the year and month when the enemy will simply have no people left who can resist you. And then you can carry out a new mobilization and advance on empty territories.

This is the task Vladimir Putin can set for his military. It's a simple calculation. The only things not taken into account are Western military equipment, and how this long-range equipment means that troops now often do not meet face to face, as they did in World War II. These things can make this task unrealistic. But Putin can order the Russian military command: Just fight them to the last Ukrainian. Nothing needs to be done. Just one day we will tell you that there are no Ukrainians there. And that's what we want. Because we want this territory to be cleared of its disloyal population. If this cannot be achieved by rocket bombardments and the destruction of their energy infrastructure, let's try to achieve this by drawing them into positional battles all the time. Sooner or later they will end, since there are not that many of them.

This statement by Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov that Moldova could become the next country on the list shows that this is the goal of the Russian leadership: to reach the borders of 1991. Of course, there should be no Moldova, just like there should be no Ukraine, in the future. The only thing preventing the Russians from operating in Moldova as they are in Ukraine is the existence of Ukraine itself, which is located between Russia and Moldova. Ah, such a hassle. But they are actively fighting the current Moldovan authorities. They are destabilizing the situation and using their agents.

They, of course, were happy to use their Transnistrian asset, which is fortunately very limited for them right now. Remember that in the first months of the war, they said that their tactical goal was to reach the border of Transnistria. One of Russias generals said so officially at a meeting.

And what does it mean to reach the border with Transnistria? This means that it would be possible to increase the size of Russian forces in Transnistria, to saturate them with new military equipment, and so on. And the issue of the "security" of Moldova, I think, would then be resolved in a few days. It is a small country like Georgia. It quite obviously could not resist an invading Russian army.

If we imagine that the south of Ukraine falls, then either some NATO member country could stand up for Moldova (meaning Romania)  which I dont really believe would happen  or Moldova would be occupied after Ukraine and disappear from the political map of the world. None of the former Soviet republics  except Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia  are considered by Russia to be entities that should be liquidated.



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FACT.MR

Adhesive Resins Are Being Used At an Increased Rate Due To Their Long-Term Adhesiveness and Ability to Provide Toughness to Respective Products

Rockville, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As per the latest published industry report by Fact.MR, a provider of market research and competitive intelligence, the global adhesive resins market is forecasted to reach a valuation of US$ 31 billion by 2033, expanding at a CAGR of 5.1% from 2023 to 2033. Growth opportunities in the global industry are attributed to increasing demand for adhesive resins from automotive, industrial, packaging, construction, and other end-use industries.



In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the demand for adhesive resins across consumer applications and transportation, which is further bolstering growth opportunities in the global market. Some specially-engineered adhesives are manufactured for the purpose of assembling automotive and aircraft parts. Furthermore, due to infrastructural developments owing to rising activities in the building and construction industry, the demand for these adhesive products is also increasing.

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Report Attributes



Details Forecast Period 2022 - 2032 Value Projection (2032) US$ 31 Billion Growth Rate (2022-2032) 5.1% CAGR No. of Pages 170 pages No. of Tables 25 Tables No. of Figures 132 Figures





Key Takeaways from Market Study



The global adhesive resins market is currently valued at US$ 18.7 billion.

Worldwide demand for adhesive resins is predicted to expand at a CAGR of 5.1% through 2033.

The anticipated growth rate of the Canadian market is 4.1% through 2033.

Sales of adhesive resins are projected to reach a market value of US$ 31 billion by the end of 2033.

The forecasted CAGR for the market in Germany is 3.7%.



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The trend for synthetic and green adhesive resins is also predicted to contribute to opportunities for industry players. Growing awareness about eco-friendly materials is expected to fuel demand for bio-based adhesives. These factors will enable the end-use industries in reducing their issues about the environment. End-use industries are also making a shift towards hot-melt adhesives.

On the flip side, certain challenges and restraints will impact the overall growth of the global market. Some of these factors include time-consuming and stringent regulatory policies and volatility in the prices of raw materials.

Greater difficulty to separate objects during the testing process and decreased stability of these solutions at high temperatures are also restricting growth opportunities for industry players. However, these adhesives provide relative weakness to bonding larger objects with a smaller surface area. Nevertheless, the increasing demand for low carbon-emitting and lightweight vehicles from the automotive industry will bolster demand for adhesives and their resins.

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Competitive Landscape

Numerous strategies, for instance, partnerships, agreements, mergers and acquisitions, novel product launches, better supply chain management, and adherence to safety regulations, are being adopted by industry players to generate novel growth opportunities in the market.

For instance :

DuPont, in June 2022, announced the completion of the sale of its Biomaterials business unit. The unit has been purchased by the Huafon Group for a price of around US$ 240 million .

ExxonMobil, in March 2022 said that the construction of the new LAO (liner alpha olefins) production unit is scheduled to start in mid-2023 to cater to local supply. ExxonMobil will produce ten high-purity LAO products and will commercialize them under the brand name, ElevexxTM.

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., in December 2021 announced the signing of a capital and commercial partnership agreement with Japan Medical Dynamic Marketing, Inc. Mitsui Chemicals, in conjunction with this agreement, has agreed to the acquisition of shares of Japan MDM. These shares are earlier held by NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd. which is the largest shareholder of the companys shares.



Key Companies Profiled

Ashland, Inc.

DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

Evonik Industries AG

Eastman Chemical Company

Georgia-Pacific Chemicals LLC

The Compound Company BV (Yparex)

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

Lawter B.V.

Winning Strategy

Industry players are adopting various strategies, including mergers & acquisitions and others for the generation of novel growth opportunities in the market.

For instance,

In April 2019, Eastman Chemical Company acquired the production resources of Marlotherm Heat Transfer from Sasol, a global corporation in chemical and energy in Germany, along with their customer contracts, intellectual property, and associated formulations. This acquisition will help Eastman to offer a wide variety of heat transfer fluids to global consumers.



Segmentation of Adhesive Resins Industry Research

By Type : Epoxy Polyurethane Synthetic Rubber Polyacrylic Ester (PAE) Others

By Application : Building & Construction Paper & Packaging Transportation Leather & Footwear Consumer/DIY Others

By Region : North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa





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More Valuable Insights on Offer

Fact.MR, in its new offering, presents an unbiased analysis of the global adhesive resins market for the period of 2023-2033.

The study divulges essential insights into the market on the basis of type (epoxy, polyurethane, synthetic rubber, polyacrylic ester (PAE), others) and application (building & construction, paper & packaging, transportation, leather & footwear, consumer/DIY, others), across five major regions (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and MEA).

Check out more related studies published by Fact.MR Research:

Chelating Resins Market: The global chelating resins market is valued at US$ 447.7 million in 2021 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.1% to reach a valuation of US$ 773.8 million by 2032.

Impregnating Resins Market: Worldwide sales of impregnating resins were valued at US$ 1.41 billion at the end of 2021, registering Y-o-Y growth of 3.8%. As per forecasts, the global impregnating resins market is projected to increase at a noteworthy CAGR of 6.5% and reach a market valuation of US$ 2.79 billion by 2032.

Fire Resins Market: The fire resin market is anticipated to witness a significant growth during the forecast period. Increasing fire safety standards, government rules and regulations may lead to positive impact on the growth.

Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) Resins Market: The global polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) resins market to progress at a CAGR of 6.7% and be valued at US$ 2.2 Bn by 2031. Currently, PPS resins account for close to 1% of the global engineering thermoplastics market.

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Future Market Insights Global and Consulting Pvt. Ltd.

Field Service Management Market to Reach $12.2 Billion, Globally, by 2033 at 11.4% CAGR, Field service management (FSM) solutions are designed to help service providers involved in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, landscaping, and other trade companies to manage every aspect of their businesses in one easy-to-use platform.

NEWARK, Del, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As per the latest research reports of FMI, the field service management market is expected to cross a valuation of US$ 12.2 billion by 2033. The market is expected to register a CAGR of 11.4% during the forecast period. In 2023, the market size is expected to be US$ 4.2 billion.



The field service management systems can integrate lots of systems into a single unit, thereby reducing the complexity of the architecture. The ability to automate tasks has helped companies achieve a higher return on investment.

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With technological upgradation, a lot of companies have started making use of cloud technology owing to the owing to ease of accessing data along with mobility. The field service management is expected to make use of cloud technology on a large scale, which is expected to certainly increase the seamlessness of operations. This might well increase the demand for field service management devices.

In the current times, lots of companies are laying strong emphasis on the democratization of data. The application of field service management ensures that the data is readily available, as a result of which the organizations function transparently. Apart from that, owing to remote working conditions, a lot of companies have started adopting BYOD, instead of providing their laptops. This saves lots of money for the organizations. These factors are expected to massively surge the adoption of field service management systems during the forecast period.

However, an increase in cyberattacks and hacking is expected to pose a lot of threats to market growth.

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Thus, from the insights provided by FMI researchers, it can be inferred that the ability to integrate multiple systems, supporting the idea of data democratization, easy adoption of BYOD, and lots of other factors are expected to surge the field service management market share during the forecast period.

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Key Takeaways:

The market is expected to register a CAGR of 11.4% during the forecast period.

In 2023, the market size is expected to reach a valuation of US$ 4.2 billion.

By 2033, the valuation is expected to cross US$ 12.2 billion.

Based on regional analysis, North America is expected to be the dominant market.

The United States market is expected to register a CAGR of 11.1%.

The United Kingdom market is anticipated to post a CAGR of 10.7%.

China market is projected to report a CAGR of 10.4%.

Japan market is expected to record a CAGR of 9.8%.

South Korea market is expected to advance at a CAGR of 9.4%.

Based on organization size, large enterprises are expected to be the leading segment and are expected to record a CAGR of 11.1%.

Based on deployment, the on-premises is projected to be the dominant segment and is projected to register a CAGR of 10.8%.



Competitive Landscape

The key players operating in the field service management market are taking all efforts to implement actions that are all about achieving sustainable goals. There are also moves being made to enter into profitable mergers and acquisitions. This might allow the manufacturers to expand their footprints. Apart from that, there are also plans to get into strategic partnerships with players from other sectors.

Key developments in the market:

In January 2023, Oracle was named the leader and was positioned highest for the ability to execute in Gartner Magic Quadrant for Integration Platform as a service.

In January 2023, Salesforce unveiled commerce innovations to help organizations across industries streamline operations, maximize revenue, and drive loyalty.

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Table of Content

1. Executive Summary | Field Service Management Market

1.1. Global Market Outlook

1.2. Demand-side Trends

1.3. Supply-side Trends

1.4. Technology Roadmap Analysis

1.5. Analysis and Recommendations

2. Market Overview

2.1. Market Coverage / Taxonomy

2.2. Market Definition / Scope / Limitations

3. Market Background

3.1. Market Dynamics

3.1.1. Drivers

3.1.2. Restraints

3.1.3. Opportunity

3.1.4. Trends

3.2. Scenario Forecast

3.2.1. Demand in Optimistic Scenario

3.2.2. Demand in Likely Scenario

3.2.3. Demand in Conservative Scenario

3.3. Opportunity Map Analysis

3.4. Investment Feasibility Matrix

3.5. PESTLE and Porters Analysis

3.6. Regulatory Landscape

3.6.1. By Key Regions

3.6.2. By Key Countries

3.7. Regional Parent Market Outlook

Click Here for Field Service Management Market 347 pages TOC Report

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Vantage Market Research, The North Star for the Working World

WASHINGTON, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a report published by Vantage Market Research, the Global Advanced Wound Care Market was valued at USD 9.1 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 12.8 billion by 2028. During the forecast period, the global market is expected to grow to exhibit a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 5.9%.



Market Overview

The advanced wound care market research report provides an overview of the market for products and technologies used in the treatment of chronic and acute wounds. The report typically covers key market trends, market size and forecast, market share by segment and geography, as well as market drivers and challenges.

Advanced wound care products covered in the report include dressings, topical agents, growth factors, and active wound care devices. Key players in the market, their product offerings, and business strategies are also analyzed in the report.

The report also provides an in-depth analysis of the market drivers and challenges, as well as the regulatory and reimbursement scenarios for advanced wound care products. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the market is also covered in the report.

The advanced wound care market is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period due to factors such as an increasing aging population, rising prevalence of chronic wounds, and growing awareness about advanced wound care products. However, high cost of advanced wound care products, lack of reimbursement, and limited access to advanced wound care in developing countries may hinder the growth of the market.

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A sample advanced wound care market research report typically includes the following sections:

Executive Summary: This section provides a brief overview of the advanced wound care market, including market size and forecast, market trends, and key players. Market Overview: This section provides an in-depth analysis of the advanced wound care market, including market size and forecast, market trends, and market drivers and challenges. Market Segmentation: This section segments the advanced wound care market by product type, geography, and end-user. Market Share Analysis: This section provides an analysis of the market share of key players in the advanced wound care market, including market share by product type and geography. Company Profiles: This section provides an overview of key players in the advanced wound care market, including company information, product offerings, business strategies, and recent developments. Market Dynamics: This section provides an analysis of the market drivers and challenges, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the advanced wound care market. Regulatory and Reimbursement Scenario: This section provides an analysis of the regulatory and reimbursement scenario for advanced wound care products. Market Opportunities and Recommendations: This section provides insights and recommendations for stakeholders such as wound care product manufacturers, healthcare providers, and investors. Appendices: This section includes additional information and data, such as market size and forecast data, and data sources and methodology.



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Note that the specific sections and content of a sample report may vary based on the research firm and the scope of the report. However, the sections outlined above are typically included in most advanced wound care market research reports.

The advanced wound care market is growing due to several key factors, including:

Rising incidence of chronic wounds: The increasing incidence of chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and pressure ulcers, is driving the demand for advanced wound care products.

Aging population: The aging population is more susceptible to chronic wounds, which is driving the growth of the advanced wound care market.

Growing awareness about advanced wound care: With the increasing awareness about advanced wound care products, people are becoming more accepting of these products and their benefits, which is driving the growth of the market.

Technological advancements: The development of new and innovative advanced wound care products, such as advanced wound dressings and active wound care devices, is driving the growth of the market.

Increasing investment in research and development: Companies operating in the advanced wound care market are investing heavily in research and development to develop new and innovative products, which is driving the growth of the market.



However, the high cost of advanced wound care products and limited access to these products in developing countries may hinder the growth of the market. Additionally, the lack of reimbursement for advanced wound care products in many countries is also a challenge for the market.

the advanced wound care market is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period due to the increasing incidence of chronic wounds, aging population, growing awareness about advanced wound care, and technological advancements.

What is Advanced Wound Care?

Advanced wound care refers to the use of specialized products and technologies for the treatment of chronic and acute wounds. These products and technologies are designed to speed up the healing process, reduce pain and discomfort, and minimize the risk of infection.

Advanced wound care products include dressings, topical agents, growth factors, and active wound care devices. Some of the commonly used advanced wound care products include:

Moist wound dressings : These dressings are designed to keep the wound moist, which can promote faster healing.

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT): NPWT involves the use of a vacuum to remove excess fluid from a wound, promoting healing and reducing the risk of infection.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy : This therapy involves the use of high concentrations of oxygen to promote wound healing and reduce the risk of infection.

Topical growth factors: These are products that contain growth factors that stimulate the growth of new cells and promote wound healing.

Active wound care devices: These devices use electrical stimulation or light therapy to promote wound healing.



Advanced wound care is particularly important for people with chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers or venous leg ulcers, as these wounds can take a long time to heal and can lead to serious complications if not properly treated. Advanced wound care products can help speed up the healing process, reduce pain and discomfort, and minimize the risk of infection.

Top Players in the Global Advanced Wound Care Market

3M Company (US)

Smith & Nephew PLC (UK)

ConvaTec Group PLC (UK)

Coloplast A/S (Denmark)

Molnlycke Health Care AB (Sweden)

Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation (US)

PAUL Hartmann AG (Germany)

B. Braun Melsungen AG (Germany)

Cardinal Health Inc. (US)

Organogenesis Holdings Inc. (US)

Misonix Inc. (US)

MiMedx Group Inc. (US)

Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc. (US)

Lohmann & Rauscher GmbH & Co. KG (Germany)

DeRoyal Industries Inc. (US)

Medline Industries Inc. (US)

DermaRite Industries LLC (US)

Kerecis (Iceland)

Advancis Medical (UK)

Winner Medical Co. Ltd. (China)

Hollister Incorporated (US)

Mil Laboratories Pvt. Ltd. (India)

Shield Line (US)

ZENI Medical (US)

Carilex Medical (Germany)

Pensar Medical LLC (US)

Wuhan VSD Medical Science & Technology Co. Ltd. (China)

Haromed B.V. (Belgium)

For Additional Information on Advanced Wound Care Market Players and Detail List, Download a Report PDF Brochure

Market Dynamics

The advanced wound care market is driven by several key dynamics, including:

Increasing incidence of chronic wounds: The rising incidence of chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and pressure ulcers, is driving the demand for advanced wound care products.

Aging population: The aging population is more susceptible to chronic wounds, which is driving the growth of the advanced wound care market.

Growing awareness about advanced wound care: With the increasing awareness about advanced wound care products, people are becoming more accepting of these products and their benefits, which is driving the growth of the market.

Technological advancements: The development of new and innovative advanced wound care products, such as advanced wound dressings and active wound care devices, is driving the growth of the market.

Increasing investment in research and development: Companies operating in the advanced wound care market are investing heavily in research and development to develop new and innovative products, which is driving the growth of the market.



However, the market is also facing several challenges, including:

High cost of advanced wound care products: The high cost of advanced wound care products can be a barrier for some patients, especially in developing countries where healthcare systems are less developed.

Limited access to advanced wound care products: In many developing countries, access to advanced wound care products is limited due to a lack of healthcare infrastructure and trained professionals.

Lack of reimbursement for advanced wound care products: In many countries, there is limited reimbursement for advanced wound care products, which can limit their use and adoption.



the advanced wound care market is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period due to the increasing incidence of chronic wounds, aging population, growing awareness about advanced wound care, and technological advancements. However, the high cost of advanced wound care products and limited access to these products in developing countries may hinder the growth of the market.

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Advanced Wound Care Market Future Trends

The advanced wound care market is expected to experience significant growth in the coming years, driven by several future trends, including:

Growing demand for wearable wound care devices: There is a growing demand for wearable wound care devices, such as smart dressings, that can continuously monitor the wound and provide real-time data to healthcare providers.

Increasing adoption of regenerative medicine: The increasing adoption of regenerative medicine, such as tissue engineering and stem cell therapy, for the treatment of chronic wounds is expected to drive the growth of the advanced wound care market.

Growing focus on home-based wound care: There is a growing focus on home-based wound care, as people are looking for more convenient and cost-effective ways to manage their chronic wounds. This is expected to drive the growth of the market for advanced wound care products that can be used at home.

Expansion into emerging markets: Companies operating in the advanced wound care market are expanding into emerging markets, such as Asia Pacific and Latin America, where there is a large and growing demand for advanced wound care products.

Growing demand for smart wound care products: There is a growing demand for smart wound care products, such as wound dressings with sensors, that can provide real-time data on wound healing and improve patient outcomes.



the advanced wound care market is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, driven by the increasing demand for wearable wound care devices, regenerative medicine, home-based wound care, expansion into emerging markets, and smart wound care products.

Segmentation of the Global Advanced Wound Care Market:

Segments Covered

Product (Dressings, Devices & Accessories, Grafts & Matrices, Topical Agents)

Wound Type (Surgical & Traumatic Wounds, Diabetic Foot Ulcers, Pressure Ulcers, Venous Leg Ulcers, Burns & Other Wounds)

End User (Hospitals, ASCs, & Wound Care Centers, Home Care Settings, Other End Users)

Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa)

Future of Advanced Wound Care Market by Vantage Market Research

However, based on industry reports and analysis, it is expected that the advanced wound care market will continue to grow in the coming years, driven by factors such as the increasing incidence of chronic wounds, aging population, growing awareness about advanced wound care, technological advancements, and the growing demand for wearable wound care devices, regenerative medicine, home-based wound care, expansion into emerging markets, and smart wound care products.

Top 3 Companies in Advanced Wound Care Market Profiles

The advanced wound care market is highly competitive and is dominated by several key players, including:

Smith & Nephew: Smith & Nephew is a leading global medical technology company that provides advanced wound care products. The company offers a wide range of wound care products, including wound dressings, negative pressure wound therapy systems, and active wound care devices. 3M Health Care: 3M Health Care is a division of 3M that provides advanced wound care products. The company offers a wide range of wound care products, including wound dressings, negative pressure wound therapy systems, and active wound care devices. Medtronic: Medtronic is a leading global medical device company that provides advanced wound care products. The company offers a wide range of wound care products, including wound dressings, negative pressure wound therapy systems, and active wound care devices.



These companies hold a significant share of the advanced wound care market and are expected to continue to dominate the market in the coming years. They are investing heavily in research and development to develop new and innovative products and expand their presence in new and emerging markets.

Regional Analysis

The advanced wound care market is segmented into several regions, including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa.

North America: North America holds a significant share of the advanced wound care market and is expected to continue to dominate the market in the coming years. This is due to the presence of a large number of advanced wound care products manufacturers, favorable reimbursement policies, and high healthcare spending in the region.

Europe: Europe is also a major market for advanced wound care products, driven by the increasing incidence of chronic wounds, aging population, and favorable healthcare policies in the region.

Asia Pacific: Asia Pacific is expected to witness significant growth in the coming years, driven by the growing awareness about advanced wound care, increasing healthcare spending, and the growing demand for wearable wound care devices in the region.

Latin America: Latin America is also expected to witness significant growth in the coming years, driven by the increasing healthcare spending and the growing demand for advanced wound care products in the region.

Middle East & Africa: The advanced wound care market in the Middle East & Africa is expected to grow at a moderate rate in the coming years, driven by the increasing incidence of chronic wounds and the growing demand for advanced wound care products in the region.



the advanced wound care market is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, driven by the increasing demand for wearable wound care devices, regenerative medicine, home-based wound care, expansion into emerging markets, and smart wound care products.

The research methodology for the advanced wound care market typically involves the following steps:

Market research: The first step in the research process is to gather information about the advanced wound care market, including market size, growth rate, market trends, and competitive landscape. This information is usually gathered from a variety of sources, including industry reports, market research databases, and company websites.

Primary Research: Primary research involves conducting interviews and surveys with key industry stakeholders, including industry experts, manufacturers, distributors, and healthcare providers. This helps to gather first-hand information about the market, including market trends, challenges, and growth opportunities.

Secondary Research: Secondary research involves reviewing existing literature and data sources on the advanced wound care market, including market reports, academic journals, and industry databases. This helps to gain a deeper understanding of the market and identify key market trends and drivers.

Data Analysis: The collected data is then analyzed to identify market trends, drivers, and challenges, and to estimate the size and growth of the advanced wound care market. This involves using various statistical tools and techniques, including regression analysis, market forecasting, and market segmentation.

Report Preparation: The final step in the research process is to prepare a comprehensive report on the advanced wound care market, including a detailed market analysis, market size and growth estimate, market trends and drivers, competitive landscape, and a market outlook. The report is usually presented in a clear and easy-to-understand format, and includes charts, graphs, and tables to help provide a visual representation of the data.



This research methodology helps to provide a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the advanced wound care market, and is used by market research firms and companies to inform their business strategies and decision-making processes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Advanced Wound Care Market

Q1. What is the advanced wound care market?

A: The advanced wound care market refers to the market for products and devices used for the treatment of chronic and acute wounds, including wounds caused by injury, surgery, or underlying medical conditions such as diabetes. Advanced wound care products include wound dressings, negative pressure wound therapy systems, and active wound care devices.

Q2. What are the key factors driving the growth of the advanced wound care market?

A: The advanced wound care market is driven by several factors, including the increasing incidence of chronic wounds, the aging population, and the growing demand for wearable wound care devices. Additionally, advancements in regenerative medicine and home-based wound care are also contributing to the growth of the market.

Q3. Who are the key players in the advanced wound care market?

A: The advanced wound care market is highly competitive and is dominated by several key players, including Smith & Nephew, 3M Health Care, and Medtronic.

Q4. What are the growth opportunities for the advanced wound care market?

A: The advanced wound care market is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, driven by the increasing demand for wearable wound care devices, regenerative medicine, home-based wound care, expansion into emerging markets, and smart wound care products.

Q5. What is the research methodology used to study the advanced wound care market?

A: The research methodology used to study the advanced wound care market typically involves market research, secondary research, primary research, data analysis, and report preparation. The research process is designed to provide a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the market and its growth prospects.

Read Full Report@ https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/advanced-wound-care-market-1849

Scope of the Report:

Report Attributes Details Market Size in 2021 USD 9.1 Billion Revenue Forecast by 2028 USD 12.8 Billion CAGR 5.9% from 2022 to 2028 Base Year 2021 Forecast Year 2022 to 2028 Key Players 3M Company (US), Smith & Nephew PLC (UK), ConvaTec Group PLC (UK), Coloplast A/S (Denmark), Molnlycke Health Care AB (Sweden), Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation (US), PAUL Hartmann AG (Germany), B. Braun Melsungen AG (Germany), Cardinal Health Inc. (US), Organogenesis Holdings Inc. (US), Misonix, Inc. (US), MiMedx Group Inc. (US), Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc. (US), Lohmann & Rauscher GmbH & Co. KG (Germany), DeRoyal Industries Inc. (US), Medline Industries Inc. (US), DermaRite Industries LLC (US), Kerecis (Iceland), Advancis Medical (UK), Winner Medical Co. Ltd. (China), Hollister Incorporated (US), Mil Laboratories Pvt. Ltd. (India), Shield Line (US), ZENI Medical (US), Carilex Medical (Germany), Pensar Medical LLC (US), Wuhan VSD Medical Science & Technology Co. Ltd. (China), Haromed B.V. (Belgium) and others. Customization Options Customized purchase options are available to meet any research needs Explore customized purchase options

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By Azernews

Sabina Mammadli

Belarusian Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik and Azerbaijani Ambassador to Minsk Ulvi Bakhshaliyev discussed issues of bilateral cooperation on the agenda, Azernews reports.

During the February 7 meeting, the sides discussed bilateral events planned for the near future.

Besides, particular emphasis was placed on the need to consider trade and economic cooperation.

Diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Belarus were established on June 11, 1993. The two countries are cooperating in various sectors of economy, such as agriculture, transport, remote sensing services, etc.

The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Belarus for 2022 amounted to $363.5 million.
Contrive Datum Insights Pvt Ltd

According to a market research study published by Contrive Datum Insights, Asia-Pacific market was worth $5.50 billion US dollars in 2021. Because more mulching and greenhouse films were being used, the region was in charge of the market.

Farmington, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global Agricultural Films Market Size Was Valued At USD 10.25 Billion In 2021. The Market Is Projected To Grow From USD 10.71 Billion In 2022 To USD 16.37 Billion By 2030, Exhibiting A CAGR Of 6.3% During The Forecast Period. The COVID-19 pandemic has been shocking and has never happened before. In all areas, the demand for goods is lower than expected compared to before the pandemic. Our research shows that the global market was 4.0% smaller in 2020 than in 2019.

Semiconductors are made with gases that can pass electricity through them. There are two main groups of these Agricultural Films: bulk electronic gases and special electronic gases. Some of these gases, like argon, carbon dioxide, helium, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen in their purest form, are used in industry. Some gases, like nitrogen fluoride, are only made for the electronics industry. Every electronic device made today runs on semiconductor chips. They have led to improvements in communications, computers, healthcare, military systems, transportation, and many other areas.

Request Sample Copy of Report  Agricultural Films Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth Opportunities, Future Trends, Covid-19 Impact, SWOT Analysis, Competition and Forecasts 2022 to 2030 , published by Contrive Datum Insights.

Recent Developments:

July 2022  Iwatani Corporation has signed an agreement with Helious Specialty Gases, an Indian specialty gas company. This will make Helious the first company to have three helium transfill facilities in India. The company also plans to become the country's leading helium supplier, accepting major OEMs.

July 2022  SK Materials and Showa Denko signed an MOU on business cooperation for the production of special gases used in the semiconductor chip manufacturing process. Considering the increase in demand for semiconductors, the two companies plan to build factories in the United States and produce high-purity gas in North America.

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Segment Overview

Material Insights

Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) has many uses in agriculture because it is easy to get, cheap, strong, easy to work with, doesn't conduct electricity, and is resistant to chemicals. In 2021, LLDPE had the most market share for agricultural films. Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) films can be clear, coloured, or see-through. Farmers use these films in places where the weather is bad and there isn't enough water. LDPE films are used in low tunnels, greenhouses, mulching, silage, and irrigation tapes. The segment is expected to grow because there is more demand for films that let in more light, reduce reflection, and let the most sunlight into the greenhouse.

Application Insights

Agri-films are popular all over the world because they protect crops from weeds that stop crops from growing and getting bigger. Also, mulch films raise the soil's temperature, keep water from escaping, and help crops grow better. Because the film is thick, it needs thermal stabilisers, the right light, and only average resistance to chemicals. The fact that these goods are protected from bad weather has made the market for agricultural films grow.

Regional Outlook:

Asia-Pacific market was worth $5.50 billion US dollars in 2021. Because more mulching and greenhouse films were being used, the region was in charge of the market. Due to its large population and high food needs, China buys the most of these films in the Asia-Pacific region. China and other key emerging economies in the Asia-Pacific region are finding it easier to come up with new products because plastic raw materials are easy to find. The market also grows when the government makes rules and policies that are good for agricultural products and trade.

During the time frame of the forecast, North America is expected to grow slowly because many factories are moving to developing countries. More and more people want to eat food made from plants, which is also making the market grow. During the time period of the forecast, the CAGR for the European market is expected to be higher than for other regions. The growing use of biodegradable materials in the region is expected to drive the market. This is because there are strict rules about how and where to use and throw away plastic.

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Scope of Report:

Report Attributes Details Growth Rate CAGR of 6.3% from 2023 to 2030. Revenue Forecast by 2022 USD 10.71 Billion By Material LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, EVA/EBA, Reclaims, Others By Application Greenhouse, Mulching, Silage, Others By Companies Rani Plast (Finland), Armando Alvarez (Spain), BASF SE (Germany), Berry Global Inc. (U.S.), Kuraray Co., Ltd. (Japan), Coveris (U.K.), rkw Group (Germany), Trioworld Industrier AB (Sweden), Exxon Mobil Corporation (U.S.), Groupe Barbier (France), Novamont S.p.A (Italy) Regions and Countries Covered North America: (US, Canada, Mexico, Rest of North America)

Europe(Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Nordic Countries, Benelux Union, Rest of Europe)

Asia-Pacific (Japan, China, India, Australia, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Rest of Asia-Pacific)

The Middle East & Africa(Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, South Africa, Rest of the Middle East & Africa)

Latin America(Brazil, Argentina, Rest of Latin America)

Rest Of the World Base Year 2022 Historical Year 2017 to 2022 Forecast Year 2023 to 2030

Latest Trends:

More and more biodegradable films are being used to protect the environment, which will boost the market.

More and more people are using films that break down into harmless substances instead of films that hurt the environment and people's health. Europa says that about 80% of the plastic waste in the farming industry comes from plastic mulch films. So, people have tried to make biopolymers that break down or can be eaten to improve crop performance and farming methods for end users. The natural polymers used to make these films come in solid sheets. Biodegradable agri-films make crops better, increase yields, use less water for irrigation, get rid of or cut down on the use of herbicides and pesticides, and help control weeds better. So, if more and more people like these movies, the market should grow.

Driving Factors:

The market will be driven by the growing number of people who need food.

Farmers have had to grow more food as the number of people on Earth has grown. The United Nations says that the world's population will grow by 2 billion people over the next 30 years. Because of this growth and rising incomes in developing countries, more people are changing what they eat, which has increased the need for food all over the world. Because farmers use the same land every year to grow crops, the amount of nutrients in the soil has changed. So, instead of the old ways of farming, many new ways are used to get a higher yield.

Restraining Factors:

Rules about the environment that make it hard to use plastics will slow the market's growth.

Plastic is mostly made from oil and natural gas. Plastic is the main cause of pollution, including the pollution of arable land and water. Many governments and groups have made rules about how to use plastic because they want to protect the environment and save resources. These strict rules are likely to change how agricultural films are used. The price and availability of plastics are also affected by how much crude oil costs. When oil prices go up and down, so do plastic prices. This should make it harder for farmers to use agri-films.

Key Segments Covered:

Top Market Players:

Rani Plast (Finland), Armando Alvarez (Spain), BASF SE (Germany), Berry Global Inc. (U.S.), Kuraray Co., Ltd. (Japan), Coveris (U.K.), rkw Group (Germany), Trioworld Industrier AB (Sweden), Exxon Mobil Corporation (U.S.), Groupe Barbier (France), Novamont S.p.A (Italy), and others.

By Product Type

LDPE

LLDPE

HDPE

EVA/EBA

Reclaims

Others

By Application

Greenhouse

Mulching

Silage

Other

Regions and Countries Covered

North America: (US, Canada, Mexico, Rest of North America)

Europe: (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Nordic Countries, Benelux Union, Rest of Europe)

Asia-Pacific: (Japan, China, India, Australia, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Rest of Asia-Pacific)

The Middle East & Africa: (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, South Africa, Rest of the Middle East & Africa)

Latin America: (Brazil, Argentina, Rest of Latin America)

Rest Of the World

Check out more related studies published by Contrive Datum Insights:

Biolubricants Market - The Global Biolubricants Market Size Is Valued At USD 1,950.0 Million In 2022 And Is Expected To Grow at a CAGR of 4.9% During The Forecast Period 2023 To 2030.

Architectural Window Films Market - The Global Architectural Window Films Market Size Was Valued At USD 3.22 Billion In 2021. The Market Is Projected To Grow From USD 3.34 Billion In 2022 To USD 4.59 Billion In 2029, Exhibiting a CAGR Of 4.6% During The Forecast Period.

Disposable Gloves Market - The Global Disposable Gloves Market Size Was Valued At USD 23.03 Billion In 2021. The Market Is Projected To Grow From USD 26.82 Billion In 2022 To USD 44.64 Billion By 2029, Exhibiting A CAGR Of 7.5% During The Forecast Period.

Customization of the Report: The report can be customized as per client needs or requirements.For any queries, you can contact us on anna@contrivedatuminsights.com or +1 215-297-4078. Our sales executives will be happy to understand your needs and provide you with the most suitable reports.

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Contrive Datum Insights (CDI) is a global delivery partner of market intelligence and consulting services to officials at various sectors such as investment, information technology, telecommunication, consumer technology, and manufacturing markets. CDI assists investment communities, business executives, and IT professionals to undertake statistics-based accurate decisions on technology purchases and advance strong growth tactics to sustain market competitiveness. Comprising of a team size of more than 100 analysts and cumulative market experience of more than 200 years, Contrive Datum Insights guarantees the delivery of industry knowledge combined with global and country-level expertise.

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Acquisition Expands ALKEME's Access to Nationwide PEO Network

PEO Exchange Acquisition

PEO Exchange Acquisition

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ALKEME, a Top 50 Insurance Brokerage, announced the acquisition of the PEO Exchange, a Tampa, Florida-based PEO exchange that specializes in securing tough-to-place workers' compensation claims throughout the United States.

PEO Exchange works with over 200 PEOs, EORs and ASOs through an automated portal serving a wide range of industries, including: roofing, staffing, transportation, solar, dispensaries and many others.

"PEO Exchange brings another industry-leading brand to the ALKEME family and helps us expand our presence in Florida," said Curtis Barton, CEO of ALKEME. "We are pleased to welcome them to the ALKEME family and look forward to our growth in the future."

"We wanted to find a partner that could help our company scale while retaining our existing corporate structure and autonomy," said Mike Erstling, President of the PEO Exchange. "With ALKEME supporting us with resources, buying power and cross-selling opportunities, we are able to future-proof our company and pass value-add services along to our clients."

ABOUT ALKEME

ALKEME helps insurance brokerages realize sustainable growth and success through the creative use of innovation, shared services, consultation, and marketing. Our proven methodology, unmatched expertise, and externally validated results have quickly propelled us into the top-50 privately held insurance agencies in the US. Partners across the country rely on ALKEME's proven platform coupled with experience, resources, and long-term perspective to help them realize sustainable growth and success in a rapidly modernizing insurance world. Based in Ladera Ranch, CA, and backed by GCP Capital Partners, ALKEME serves thousands of clients with a wide range of offerings, including P&C, Benefits, Surety, Risk and Wealth Management. For more information, please visit: https://alkemeins.com.

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Contact Information:

Josh Benveniste

Marketing

jbenveniste@alkemeins.com



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Image 1: PEO Exchange Acquisition





ALKEME Insurance acquires PEO Broker Exchange









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Attachment




HOUSTON, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AllianceHCM, one of the nation's largest privately-held human capital management (HCM) software providers, announced today its partnership with Quality Supply Chain Co-op, Inc. (QSCC), the independent purchasing cooperative for Wendy's restaurants.

Alliance Human Capital Management Website: AllianceHCM.com Phone: 800-789-7655 Email: News@AllianceHCM.com (PRNewsfoto/AllianceHCM)

This partnership opens up more workforce management software choices for QSCC members, who will receive a preferred price for AllianceHCM's payroll and workforce technology.

QSCC works with leading suppliers and distributors to provide Wendy's restaurants with quality products and services. It is one of the largest purchasing cooperatives in the quick-service restaurant industry, with approximately $4 billion in buying power.

As a QSCC partner, AllianceHCM will provide industry-leading HR and payroll technology solutions to member restaurants. AllianceHCM optimizes its payroll and HR technology to best serve operators, general managers, and team members for multi-unit restaurant owners.

"We have a long history working with leading QSR brands like Wendy's," said AllianceHCM President Matt Umholtz. "This partnership with QSCC gives us the opportunity to work more closely with owners and operators to provide payroll and HR services for their employees. We speak to restaurant operators daily, and our dedicated support team is well attuned to what restaurant experts need for their workforces."

QSCC CEO & President Pete Suerken said, "We were impressed by the feedback from existing AllianceHCM restaurant clients, who consistently spoke of exceptional customer service as well as their agility in adapting to new or changing compliance requirements. QSCC is excited to partner with AllianceHCM on behalf of our members."

About AllianceHCM

Alliance Human Capital Management (HCM) is committed to providing the latest workforce technology backed by the most personalized customer service in the industry. Since 1989, we've listened to our users and worked to meet thousands of business owners' unique needs to provide a superior HCM solution and unrivaled client support. Our proprietary online system delivers streamlined applicant tracking, video interviewing, paperless onboarding, Work Opportunity Tax Credits (WOTC) management, employee self-service, payroll processing, HR management, benefits enrollment, timekeeping, expense management, COVID tracking, and more, all within one complete system. You can easily manage employee data from applicant to retirement with AllianceHCM. With an outstanding solution and unparalleled service, we're the HCM provider you've been looking for. See our complete HCM solutions .

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About QSCC

Quality Supply Chain Co-op, Inc. (QSCC) was founded in 2010 and is the independent purchasing cooperative for the Wendy's System based in Dublin, Ohio. QSCC is the second-largest purchasing cooperative in the quick-service restaurant industry with nearly $4 billion in buying power and supports more than 6,000 Wendy's restaurants in the United States and Canada. To learn more about QSCC and how to become a supplier or distribution partner, visit www.wqscc.com and connect with us on LinkedIn .

Cision

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SOURCE AllianceHCM
FACT.MR

The Growth of The Market For Antimicrobial Coating In The United States Is Projected To Expand At A CAGR Of Around 13.7% By 2032

Rockville, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Antimicrobial Coating Market revenues were estimated at US$ 3.4 Bn in 2021 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 12.9% from 2022-2032, according to a recently published Fact.MR report. By the end of 2032, the market is expected to reach a valuation of US$ 12.5 Bn.



The key factors propelling the Antimicrobial Coating demand are increased healthcare-associated infections (HCAI) and a rise in the number of microbes. According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, 37,000 people die as a result of healthcare-associated infections (HCAI), which affect more than 4 million people annually. The global healthcare industry faces a huge problem in battling illnesses related to healthcare. HCAI infections are the sixth most common cause of death in Western nations. It is far worse in developing nations.

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The key application for end use of antimicrobial coating includes Medical Devices where the rise is seen due to rising healthcare-related dangers, rise in healthcare-associated infections, and support from government entities.

Key Takeaways from the Study

 Antimicrobial Coating Market was valued at US$ 3.4 Bn in 2021. According to Fact.MR, Antimicrobial Coating Market revenue would increase 3.7X between 2022 and 2032, reaching roughly US$ 12.5 Bn in 2032.

 Revenue through Medical Devices is projected to account for the highest projected CAGR of over 14.4%.

 In terms of region, North America accounted for the largest market, which grew at a CAGR of 9.7% during2017  2021.

 US is the dominant country in Antimicrobial Coating Market with an absolute dollar growth opportunity of US$ 3 Bn.

Some of the recent developments in the Antimicrobial Coatings Market are:

 In April 2022, the inclusion of Specialty Coating Systems (Vietnam) Co. Ltd. was announced by Specialty Coating Systems, Inc. The ISO 9001:2015-certified plant serves clients in the aerospace, medical device, consumer industrial electronics, transportation, and industries with conformal coating services. The company will benefit from increased business and goodwill in Vietnam as a result of this growth.

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 In November 2021, DuPont entered into a binding agreement to pay US$ 5.2 Bn to buy Rogers Corporation. As a global multi-industrial firm focused on market-leading, high-growth, high-margin industries with complementary technological and financial traits. DuPont recently announced a number of initiatives that advance its strategy. DuPont will be able to grow its business with the assistance of Rogers Corporation owing to this breakthrough.

 In April 2020, for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like face masks, the Indian Institute of Technology has created spray-based antimicrobial coatings that will destroy over 99.9% of germs and viruses. To combat COVID-19, an IIT-Madras business designed clothes containing antibacterial substances in April 2020.

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Key Companies Covered

AkzoNobel N.V.

Nippon Paint Co. Ltd

PPG Industries, Inc

RPM International

The Sherwin Williams Company

Lonza

DuPont

RPM International Inc

Burke Industrial Coatings

Troy Corporation

Segmentation of Antimicrobial Coatings Research

By Type Silver Copper Titanium Dioxide

By Application Medical Devices Indoor Air Quality Construction Other Application

By Region North America Latin America Europe APAC MEA





Key Questions Covered in the Antimicrobial Coatings Market Report

What is the projected value of the Antimicrobial Coatings Market in 2023?

At what rate will the global Antimicrobial Coatings Market grow until 2033?

Which are the factors hampering the growth in the Antimicrobial Coatings Market?

Which region is expected to lead in the global Antimicrobial Coatings Market during 2023 to 2033?

Which are the factors driving the Antimicrobial Coatings Market during the forecast period?

What is the expected market value of the Antimicrobial Coatings Market during the forecast period?

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More Insights Available

Fact.MR, in its new offering, presents an unbiased analysis of the Antimicrobial Coating Market, presenting historical market data (2017-2021) and forecast statistics for the period of 2022-2032.

The study reveals extensive growth in the Antimicrobial Coating Market in terms of by Type (Silver, Copper, Titanium Dioxide), by Application (Medical Devices, Indoor Air Quality, Construction and Other Applications), and In terms of Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa).

Check out more related studies published by Fact.MR Research:



Bio-based Coatings Market: The global bio-based coating market stands at USD 11.5 Billion in the year 2022. This market is growing with a CAGR value of 9.5% in the forecast duration.

Architectural Coatings Market: The architectural coatings market accumulated a market value of US$ 77,888 Mn in 2021 and is expected to register a positive CAGR of 4.52% in the assessment period.

Metal Packaging Coatings Market: The global metal packaging coatings market is poised to embark on a positive growth trajectory, registering a CAGR of ~5% across the forecast period (2020-2030).

Automotive Coatings Market: Sales of automotive coatings amounted to US$ 16.3 Billion in FY 2021, and is forecast to experience a year-over-year expansion rate of 4.3% in 2022, reaching US$ 17 Billion.

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Virtual Investor Conferences

Company invites individual and institutional investors, as well as advisors and analysts, to attend real-time, interactive presentations on VirtualInvestorConferences.com

TORONTO, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avalon Advanced Materials (AVLNF: OTCQB) based in Toronto and now focused on Lithium, today announced that Donald Bubar, President & CEO will present live at VirtualInvestorConferences.com on February 15th, 2023.



DATE: February 15, 2023 TIME: 2:00  2:30PM LINK: https://bit.ly/3JCTs89

Available for 1x1 meetings: February 15 and 16

This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

It is recommended that investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com .

Recent Company Highlights

Avalon recently initiated a deep drilling program on its main lithium resource on the Separation Rapids property to determine how big the resource is as a bottom was never found during the previous drilling

The Company recently hired a new VP, Operations, Rickardo Welyhorsky, P. Eng.

About Avalon Advanced Materials Inc.

Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. is a Canadian mineral development company specializing in sustainably-produced materials for clean technology. The Company now has four advanced stage projects, providing investors with exposure to lithium, tin and indium, as well as rare earth elements, tantalum, cesium and zirconium. Avalon is currently focusing on developing its Separation Rapids Lithium Project near Kenora, Ontario while continuing to advance other projects, including its 100%-owned Lilypad Cesium-Tantalum-Lithium Project located near Fort Hope, Ontario. Social responsibility and environmental stewardship are corporate cornerstones.

Story continues

About Virtual Investor Conferences

Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

CONTACTS:

Avalon Advanced Materials Inc.

Donald Bubar, P.Geo.

President & CEO

Phone: 1-416-723-9132

Email: dsbubar@avalonAM.com

Virtual Investor Conferences

John M. Viglotti

SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access

OTC Markets Group

(212) 220-2221

johnv@otcmarkets.com




Market Research Future

Bioplastics Market Insights and Industry Analysis by Type (Biodegradable, Non-Biodegradable), Application (Rigid Packaging, Flexible Packaging, Textile, Agriculture and Horticulture, Consumer Goods, Automotive, Electronics, Building and Construction and Others) and By Region, Competitive Market Size, Share, Trends, and Forecast to 2030

New York, USA, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bioplastics Market Overview

According to a Comprehensive Research Report by Market Research Future (MRFR),  Bioplastics Market Information by Type, Application, And Region - Forecast till 2030, the market is estimated to grow at a 10% CAGR to reach USD 6.48 Billion by 2027.

Market Synopsis

According to Market Research Future, the global bioplastics market is anticipated to increase by USD 6.48 billion at a 10% CAGR during the forecast period. Two key reasons driving the market explored are environmental concerns prompting a paradigm shift and rising demand for bioplastics in flexible packaging. The environmental concern caused by excessive greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere is one of the main forces behind the bioplastic business, as bioplastics help to decrease dependency on fossil resources, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and increase resource efficiency. The flexible packaging application is anticipated to dominate the global market in terms of volume throughout the anticipated time frame. Future opportunities are expected to arise from government regulations on current plastics and alternatives to petroleum-based plastics.



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Report Scope:

Report Attribute Details Market Size in 2027 USD 6.48 Billion CAGR 10% (2022-2030) Base Year 2021 Forecast Period 20222030 Historical Data 2020 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Type, Application, And Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW) Key Market Drivers The environmental issue posed by excessive levels of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. During the projected period, the flexible packaging application is expected to lead the global market in terms of volume.



Competitive environment

Businesses are realising that their ability to remain successful depends on their ability to generate a durable competitive advantage. As a result, they may create and advertise newer, better items before their rivals. They can expand into new markets and strengthen their standing in current ones. They can establish a reputation for themselves in both old and new markets. Finally, they have a defence for raising the cost of these bioplastics.

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In response, businesses are also combining their distribution and raw material production activities. In addition, these businesses increase their regional footprint.

A Japanese business is called Teijin Limited. By developing a long-lasting competitive edge, it has been able to maintain profitability in the fiercely competitive bioplastics market. The corporation has achieved this by making significant investments in R&D. As a result, it was able to create and promote superior and distinctive products.

List of companies

Toray Industries - Japan

Teijin Limited - Japan

M&G Chemicals - USA

Toyota Tsusho - Japan

Showa Denko KK - Japan

PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited - Thailand

Natureworks LLC - USA

Among others.





COVID-19 evaluation

Although COVID-19 has only recently entered the planet, it has had a much greater impact on global history and destiny than any epidemic that came before it. Both harmful and moderately contagious, the virus. More than a few people died as a result of it, and many more became gravely ill. Even those who recovered experienced long-term health issues.

They must also spread awareness of the various advantages of bioplastics among the general public worldwide.

Recent technological developments have enabled plastics producers to produce plastics from organic and renewable crops including sugarcane, corn, and vegetable oil. Because of this, businesses can now produce more environmentally friendly polymers that stay longer and don't disintegrate into harmful chemicals that harm the environment. According to the report's expected data and the introduction of newer technologies, the bioplastic industry is anticipated to experience rapid expansion in the years to come.

Governments implemented lockdowns and quarantines as soon as they became aware of this, hoping to stop the virus's spread. They were only transitory since they weren't particularly successful. In any case, having to temporarily cease manufacturing or significantly scale back operations hurt the majority of firms across a variety of industries.

Businesses in the bioplastics industry were similar to others. The demand for goods produced of all types of plastic substantially declined as people spent more time indoors. They were unwilling to communicate with COVID-19. The bulk of bioplastics businesses are taking a very long time to recover from this disturbance to their supply chains.



Browse In-depth Market Research Report (140 Pages) on Bioplastics https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/bioplastic-market-1964



Market dynamics

Restraints

Utilizing goods generated from sustainable and renewable resources is growing in popularity. The same may be said for bioplastics. Polymers with characteristics similar to those of traditional plastics but that degrade fast and sustainably are preferred by the general public and many enterprises across a wide range of industries.

Many companies choose to use bio-plastics for producing plastic bags, packaging for various meals, throwaway objects, and general packaging. This has a big impact on how the market for bio-based chemicals is growing.

Opportunities

Numerous companies are becoming aware of the profitable nature of the bio-plastics market. They are spending a lot of money on research and development to produce bio-plastics that are higher-quality and more environmentally friendly.

Prices for bioplastics are usually higher in the bioplastics industry. As a result, many companies in many industries are unable to purchase them.

One of the biggest challenges facing companies in the bioplastics industry is producing high-quality products at prices that are accessible to end users.

Segment overview

The worldwide bioplastics market is divided into two types, fully degradable bioplastics and biodegradable plastics.

The fact that partially biodegradable plastics are produced from natural materials makes them popular. Consequently, they securely disintegrate underground. This kind of plastic is widely used by businesses in the film, carry bag, sheet, and other industries.

The bioplastics market is divided into flexible packaging, rigid packaging, textiles, horticulture, agriculture, consumer goods, automotive, electronics, building, construction, and other applications.



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Geographical Analysis

Asia-Pacific, North America, the European Union, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa are the different geographical regions that make up the global bioplastics market. The largest market share for bioplastics in 2019 was 33.7% in the European Union.

This was due to the rigorous regulations the European Union has in place for the manufacture and use of plastics. Additionally, there are lots of businesses making bioplastics there.

The usage of plastics that must be discarded after only one use is now considerably more difficult thanks to the numerous laws and regulations the European Union as a whole has established. The majority of businesses in the European Union are also spending significantly more on the technologies required to produce bioplastics. Growth in this area is likewise being fueled by these factors. The majority of Europeans are aware of the negative impact that plastics have on the environment when they break down, and they are working to reduce the manufacture and use of conventional plastics as a result.

In 2018, the Asia-Pacific region accounted for 34.4% of the global market for bioplastics. As a result, for that year, it had the biggest market share and size.



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Discover more research Reports on Construction Industry , by Market Research Future:

Tower Crane Rental Market Research Report, Information: by Product Type (Hammer Head Tower Cranes, Self-erecting Tower Cranes, and Flat Top Tower Cranes,), End-use (Residential, Commercial, and Infrastructure), Regions  Forecast till 2030

Resilient Flooring Market Research Report, Information: by Product (Luxury Vinyl Tiles, Vinyl Composite Tiles, Vinyl Sheets), By Application (Residential, Commercial, Industrial), and by Region (North America, Europe, APAC, RoW) Global Industry Forecast till 2030

Soft Covering Flooring Market Research Report: Information by Product (Carpet Tiles, and Broadloom), by Application (Residential and Commercial), and by Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World) - Forecast till 2030

About Market Research Future:

Market Research Future (MRFR) is a global market research company that takes pride in its services, offering a complete and accurate analysis with regard to diverse markets and consumers worldwide. Market Research Future has the distinguished objective of providing the optimal quality research and granular research to clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help answer your most important questions.

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Meticulous Market Research Pvt. Ltd.

Blood Banking Equipment Market by Product (Collection [Tubes, Bags, Syringes], Processing [Centrifuge, Filters, Processor], Storage [Refrigerator, Freezer]), Functionality (Automated, Manual), End User (Hospital, Blood Bank) - Global Forecast to 2030

Redding, California, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a new market research report titled,  Blood Banking Equipment Market by Product (Collection [Tubes, Bags, Syringes], Processing [Centrifuge, Filters, Processor], Storage [Refrigerator, Freezer]), Functionality (Automated, Manual), End User (Hospital, Blood Bank) - Global Forecast to 2030, published by Meticulous Research, the blood banking equipment market is projected to reach $24.26 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 4.6% from 2023 to 2030.

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Donated blood or blood products are tested to ensure their safety before being used in blood transfusions and other medical procedures. Blood banking encompasses functions such as testing for infections and illnesses, typing the blood, and collecting, storing, and transporting the blood for transfusions. Several types of equipment are used in blood banks, such as collection monitors, tube sealers, lancets, plasma thawing baths, refrigerators, freezers, blood bags, vials, needles, and syringes. Blood bank equipment is used to test, separate, and preserve the blood till it is required for a patient.

The growth of this market is driven by the rising demand for blood and blood-related products, the increasing number of surgical procedures being performed globally, and technological advancements and automation in blood banking devices. In addition, untapped opportunities in emerging countries and the supportive initiatives to promote blood transfusion offer significant opportunities for the growth of this market.

Expansion of Plasma Collection Centers to Offer Lucrative Opportunities for the Blood Banking Equipment Markets Growth

Blood plasma is a vital component of certain medical treatments for rare diseases and has no substitutes, due to which its demand is rising globally. Many treatments are plasma intensive and require millions of liters of plasma annually. For instance, hemophilia treatment may require as many as 1,200 donations annually (Source: National Hemophilia Foundation, U.S.). Thus, the increasing prevalence of diseases requiring plasma-based therapies drives the global demand for plasma. The number of plasma collection centers is rising, particularly in the U.S., as the country allows two plasma donations a week, unlike other countries that restrict more than one donation a week. In 2010, the annual blood plasma collection in the U.S. was 19.8 million, which increased to 43.8 million in 2021. Market players such as Grifols, S.A. (Spain) manage 300 plasma centers for donation under Interstate Blood Bank, Inc., Talecris Plasma Resources, and Biomat USA. The company has expanded its plasma collection centers from 171 in 2016 to 370 in 2021.

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Speak to our Analysts to Understand the Impact of COVID-19 on Your Business: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/speak-to-analyst/cp_id=5464

Blood Banking Equipment Market: Future Outlook

The blood banking equipment market is segmented by Product (Blood Collection Equipment [Needles, Tubes, Syringes, Blood Bags, Lancets, IV Cannulas, Vials, and Other Blood Collection Equipment], Blood Processing Equipment [Centrifuges, Blood Filters, Blood Analyzers, Blood Processors, and Other Blood Processing Equipment], Blood Storage Equipment [Blood Bank Refrigerators, Blood Bank Freezers, Test Tube Racks]), Functionality (Automated Blood Banking Equipment, Manual Blood Banking Equipment), End User (Hospitals, Blood Banks [Private, Public, Hybrid]), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa).

Based on product type, the blood banking equipment market is segmented into blood collection equipment, blood processing equipment, and blood storage equipment. In 2023, the blood collection equipment segment is expected to account for the largest share of the blood banking equipment market due to the high demand for blood or blood-related products, technological advancements and automation in blood banking equipment, and the high rate of blood donations, especially in the high-income countries. For instance, according to the WHO, in 2021, 118.5 million blood donations were collected globally, of which 40% were conducted in high-income countries.

Based on functionality, the blood banking equipment market is segmented into automated blood banking equipment and manual blood banking equipment. The automated blood banking equipment segment is projected to register the highest CAGR over the forecast period. The growth of this segment is attributed to the shortage of skilled technicians in blood banks, growing automation in blood banks, and an increase in the daily demand for blood & blood components.

Quick Buy  Blood Banking Equipment Market- Global Opportunity Analysis And Industry Forecast (2023-2030), Research Report: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/Checkout/61450295

Based on end user, the blood banking equipment market is segmented into hospitals and blood banks. In 2023, the blood banks segment is expected to account for the largest share of the blood banking equipment market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the large number of blood banks globally, the availability of funding for acquiring advanced equipment, and the increasing volume of blood donations and blood processing at blood banks.

Based on geography, the blood banking equipment market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. In 2023, North America is expected to account for the largest share of the blood banking equipment market. North Americas major market share is attributed to the high healthcare spending, the high demand for blood or related components such as whole blood, RBCs, WBCs, plasma, platelets and others, and initiatives promoting blood donations in the U.S. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growth of this regional market is attributed to the rising healthcare spending, developing infrastructure for blood banking, growing geriatric population and the subsequent increase in chronic disease prevalence, and growing initiatives promoting blood donations.

Some of the key players operating in the blood banking equipment market are Abbott Laboratories (U.S.), F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd. (Switzerland), Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (U.S.), Danaher Corporation (U.S.), Fresenius Kabi AG (Germany), Becton, Dickinson and Company (U.S.), Terumo Corporation (Japan), Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (U.S.), bioMerieux SA (France), HORIBA, Ltd. (Japan), Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co, Ltd (U.S.), Sysmex Corporation (Japan), and Hamilton Bonaduz AG (Switzerland).

To gain more insights into the market with a detailed table of content and figures, click here: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/blood-banking-equipment-market-5464

Scope of the Report:

Blood Banking Equipment Market, by Product

Blood Collection Equipment Needles Tubes Syringes Blood Bags Lancets IV Cannulas Vials Other Collection Equipment



(Note: Other collection equipment includes reagents, tube sealers, and collection monitors)

Blood Processing Equipment Centrifuges Blood Filters Blood Analyzers Blood Processors Other Processing Equipment



(Note: Other processing equipment include blood warmers, sedimentation tubes, and plasma thawing bags)

Blood Storage Equipment Blood Bank Refrigerators Blood Bank Freezers Test Tube Racks



Blood Banking Equipment Market, by Functionality

Automated Blood Banking Equipment

Manual Blood Banking Equipment

Blood Banking Equipment Market, by End User

Blood Banks Private Public Hybrid

Hospitals

Blood Banking Equipment Market, by Geography

North America U.S. Canada

Europe U.K. Germany France Italy Spain Rest of Europe

Asia-Pacific China Japan India Rest of Asia-Pacific

Latin America Brazil Mexico Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

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Related Reports:

Blood Screening Market by Product (Reagents & Kits, Instruments, Software), Technology (NAAT [Real-time PCR], ELISA [CLIA, FIA, CI], Rapid Tests, Western Blotting, NGS), and End User (Blood Banks, Hospitals, Laboratories) - Global Forecast to 2027

https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/blood-screening-market-5164

Plasma Fractionation Market by Product [Immunoglobulins (Intravenous, Subcutaneous), Coagulation Factors, Albumin], Application [Immunology, Hematology, Neurology], and End User [Hospital, Clinical Research Lab, Academic Institutes]- Global Forecast to 2029

https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/plasma-fractionation-market-5117

Plasma Therapy Market by Type (Pure Platelet-rich Plasma, Platelet-rich Fibrin), Application (Orthopedics, Dermatology, Cosmetology, Rheumatology, Ophthalmology), End User (Hospitals and Clinics, Research Institutes) - Global Forecast to 2028

https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/plasma-therapy-market-5218

About Meticulous Research

Meticulous Research was founded in 2010 and incorporated as Meticulous Market Research Pvt. Ltd. in 2013 as a private limited company under the Companies Act, 1956. Since its incorporation, the company has become the leading provider of premium market intelligence in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

The name of our company defines our services, strengths, and values. Since the inception, we have only thrived to research, analyze, and present the critical market data with great attention to details. With the meticulous primary and secondary research techniques, we have built strong capabilities in data collection, interpretation, and analysis of data including qualitative and quantitative research with the finest team of analysts. We design our meticulously analyzed intelligent and value-driven syndicate market research reports, custom studies, quick turnaround research, and consulting solutions to address business challenges of sustainable growth.

Contact:

Mr. Khushal Bombe

Meticulous Market Research Inc.

1267 Willis St, Ste 200 Redding,

California, 96001, U.S.

USA: +1-646-781-8004

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Content Source: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/pressrelease/693/blood-banking-equipment-market-2030

CONTACT: Mr. Khushal Bombe Meticulous Research Direct Lines: +1-646-781-8004 (North America) +44-203-868-8738 (Europe) +91 744-7780008 (Asia-Pacific) Email- sales@meticulousresearch.com Visit Our Website: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/ Meticulous Research Blog: https://meticulousblog.org/ Connect with us on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/meticulous-research




David Foster

Swansea Police Department

The body of a 50-year-old Illinois man has been found weeks after he went missing in mid-January.

Per a news release from the O'Fallon Police Department, the body of David Foster was discovered in a retention pond at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in O'Fallon on Monday.

Foster apparently drove into the pond after having a medical emergency, the department said.

"We do not suspect any foul play as it was previously reported Mr. Foster may have been suffering from some type of medical emergency and was reported to be in route to the hospital the day he went missing," the department said.

"Our sympathies go out to the family and friends of Mr. David Foster," they added.

In their report, police said Foster was found by a volunteer group, Brother's Underwater Recovery, which specializes in searching for missing people near waterways.

RELATED: Woman Who Died 37 Years Ago After Being Found Unconscious on Ga. Highway Identified as Missing Mom of 4

"The group used a drone to fly over the pond where they observed what they believed to be a submerged vehicle," O'Fallon police said.

"The volunteer group, with the permission from St. Elizabeth's Hospital and the O'Fallon Police Department dove the lake and verified the vehicle was occupied and belonged to David Foster," they continued. "They immediately withdrew and the scene was secured."

RELATED: Missing 22-Year-Old Hiker Found Dead in Calif. Wilderness Park: 'The Family Is Extremely Grieved'

Swansea police Chief Matt Blomberg said Foster had missing since Jan. 13 and was last seen telling someone at work that he wasn't feeling well, per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

On social media, some of Foster's loved ones said he had complained of chest pain, and made a stop at his home after leaving work that day, the outlet reported.

RELATED VIDEO: Missing Girl, 17, Likely Froze to Death After Driving Into a Ditch in Rural Wisconsin: Officials

Foster's girlfriend, Lori Thouvenot, told the Post-Dispatch that he worked at a car dealership and was a fan of Spider-Man. He was also a grandfather.

"He was such a good guy," she said. "He could talk to anybody."
JAKARTA, Indonesia, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PT. Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. (IDX: BBRI) successfully closed 2022 with net profit of IDR 51.4 trillion, a 67.15% Year-on-Year (YoY) growth. The bank's total assets grew 11,18% YoY to IDR 1,865.64 trillion.

BRI Successfully Assisted 34 Million Micro Business and Gained IDR 51.4 Trillion Profit in 2022

The structure improvement of the Low-Cost Funds (CASA) was a key factor in BRI's success. "The Ratio of Operating Expenses to Operating Income (BOPO) decreased to 69.10% from 78.54% in 2021. The Cost Efficiency Ratio (CER) and the Cost to Income Ratio (CIR) also improved from 2021 to 2022. In addition, the cost of credit was reduced from 3.78% in 2021 to 2.55% in 2022," explained BRI President Director Sunarso.

BRI's fee-based income reached IDR 18.80 trillion in Q4 2022, a 10.16% YoY growth, with an income ratio of 11.37%.

Furthermore, the bank recorded growth in Third Party Funds (DPK) with CASA as the main driver, and BRI's deposits grew 14.85% YoY to IDR 1,307.88 trillion in Q4 2022. Currently, the proportion of BRI's CASA is 66.70%. "This had a positive impact as reflected in BRI's cost of funds decrease from 2.05% in 2021 to 1.87% in 2022," added Sunarso.

BRI's total loans and financing were recorded at IDR 1,139.08 trillion in Q4 2022 with a 13.9% YoY growth in micro loans, making MSME loans 84.74% of total loans.

BRI disbursed IDR 252.38 trillion of People's Business Credit (KUR) to 6.5 million people in 2022, in accordance with the allocation set by the Government. For 2023, BRI has received IDR 270 trillion from the Government for KUR allocation. "BRI is optimistic to achieve its target with its ability to disburse an average of IDR 1 trillion KUR per-day," said BRI Micro-Business Director Supari.

The success in carrying intermediary functions was balanced with prudent risk management that includes 305.73% NPL coverage reserves and a consolidated Loan to Deposit Ratio (LDR) of 87.09%. BRI's ability to extend credit and financing is supported by adequate liquidity and strong capital, with a Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) of 25.54%.

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"I believe that BRI will continue to grow with its sources of growth, sufficient capital and liquidity, and good risk management," concluded Sunarso.

For more Information about BRI, visit www.bri.co.id .

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bri-successfully-assisted-34-million-micro-business-and-gained-idr-51-4-trillion-profit-in-2022--301743564.html

SOURCE PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Tbk (BRI)
CALGARY, AB, Feb. 9, 2023 /CNW/ - Canadian Utilities Limited (TSX: CU) (TSX: CU.X)

CANADIAN UTILITIES TO RELEASE YEAR END 2022 RESULTS ON MARCH 2, 2023 (CNW Group/Canadian Utilities Limited)

Canadian Utilities Limited (Canadian Utilities) will release its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2022, on Thursday, March 2, 2023. The news release will be distributed via Cision ( www.newswire.ca/news-releases/ ) and the results, including Financial Statements and Management's Discussion & Analysis, will be posted on www.canadianutilities.com .

Canadian Utilities will hold a live teleconference and webcast at 9:00 am Mountain Time (11:00 am Eastern Time) on Thursday, March 2, 2023 at 1-800-319-4610. No pass code is required.

Brian Shkrobot, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, will discuss year-end 2022 financial results and recent developments. Opening remarks will be followed by a question and answer period with investment analysts. Participants are asked to please dial-in 10 minutes prior to the start and request to join the Canadian Utilities teleconference.

Management invites interested parties to listen via live webcast at: https://www.canadianutilities.com/en-ca/investors/events-presentations.html

A replay of the teleconference will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call until April 2, 2023. Please call 1-800-319-6413 and enter pass code 9761. An archive of the webcast will be available on March 2, 2023 and a transcript of the call will be posted on

https://www.canadianutilities.com/en-ca/investors/events-presentations.html within a few business days.

With approximately 5,000 employees and assets of $22 billion, Canadian Utilities Limited is an ATCO company. Canadian Utilities is a diversified global energy infrastructure corporation delivering essential services and innovative business solutions in Utilities (electricity and natural gas transmission and distribution, and international operations); Energy Infrastructure (energy storage, renewable energy generation, industrial water solutions, and clean fuels); and Retail Energy (electricity and natural gas retail sales, and whole-home solutions). More information can be found at www.canadianutilities.com .

Investor & Analyst Inquiries:

Colin Jackson

Senior Vice President, Finance, Treasury, Risk & Sustainability

Colin.Jackson@atco.com

(403) 808 2636

Story continues

Media Inquiries:

Kurt Kadatz

Director, Corporate Communications

Kurt.Kadatz@atco.com

(587) 228 4571

Subscription Inquiries:

To receive Canadian Utilities Limited news releases, please click here .

SOURCE Canadian Utilities Limited

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2023/09/c7868.html
South Africa: SA beefs up protection for whistleblowers

President Cyril Ramaphosa says government is working on mechanisms to improve protection for those who blow the whistle on corruption.

We are working to capacitate the Witness Protection Unit and will introduce amendments to the Protected Disclosures Act and Witness Protection Act to strengthen protection for whistleblowers, he said on Thursday.

Delivering the State of the Nation Address at the Cape Town City Hall, President Ramaphosa said work is already underway to improve access to the witness protection programme for public servants who expose maladministration, corruption and unethical conduct.

We will finalise the draft Public Procurement Bill to address weaknesses identified by the State Capture Commission and improve efficiency, value for money and transparency.

Our reinvigorated law enforcement agencies are taking firm action against companies and individuals alleged to have been involved in State capture, President Ramaphosa said.

President Ramaphosa said the National Prosecuting Authority Investigating Directorate, established in 2019, has taken 187 accused persons to court in 32 State capture and corruption cases.

Over R7 billion has so far been returned to the State from State capture cases. To date, R12.9 billion of funds and assets have been frozen. This year, the Investigating Directorate will be established as a permanent entity within the NPA, he said.

These efforts add to lend credence to the Presidents appointment in August 2022 of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council, which consists of people from across society who advise on suitable mechanisms to stem corruption, including an overhaul of the institutional architecture for combatting corruption.

President Ramaphosa said for the country to achieve any progress in addressing the urgent challenges it faces, there can be no compromise in building a capable and effective state.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-02-09. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
By Peter Tase

The world where Public Diplomacy was considered as one of the relics of diplomatic dialogue is rapidly disappearing. At the same time, the universe where public diplomacy was considered as an attempt to manipulate the foreign public opinion is easily ruled out. In order to understand correctly the new Public Diplomacy, it is not useful to adhere to the past images of diplomacy (that are still prevailing in the literature of many diplomatic studies), nor is it advisable to make a forward looking projection of the practical background in history to face the current international environment (in the case of equating public diplomacy with traditional propaganda). The new Public Diplomacy will become a key component ever more standardized by the general diplomatic practice and is significantly much more than a propaganda mechanism wielded by diplomats.

It is certainly true, many Ministries of Foreign Affairs are still struggling to put the concept into practice in a multi-stakeholder international environment, and some diplomatic services are in fact building their Public Diplomacy based on a formidable tradition of a propaganda framework. But the imperfections of Public Diplomacy must not hide the fact that it gradually becomes intertwined with the fabric of conventional diplomatic activity.

In a variety of bilateral relations, Public Diplomacy has already become the daily bread of many diplomats, such as in the relationship between the United States and Canada, in relations between countries in Western Europe, or between some neighboring countries of Southeast Asia. As a Canadian ambassador to Washington observed: The new diplomacy, as I call it, is largely public diplomacy and requires different skills, techniques, and attitudes than the ones discovered in traditional diplomacy.

In Europe, public diplomacy has also become the main source of cooperation in international affairs. In a much-quoted 2002 report by the German Foreign Office, a conclusion of historic proportions was reached about the role of the European Union Embassies in other member countries: in Europe public diplomacy is seen as the number one priority across the spectrum of problems. Both examples accentuate a broader point: in regions characterized by a large amount of economic and / or political interdependence, as well as a high level of interconnection in the realm of civil society; Public Diplomacy has become an essential axis in Diplomatic Relations.

Apart from this conceptual orientation, the practical contributions in Public Diplomacy are highly embraced by the Government of Azerbaijan. The wide presence of multiculturalism policy of Azerbaijan in Europe and South America has attracted a tremendous added value in the public diplomacy tradition of Europe and Asia. The Republic of Azerbaijan has implemented a policy of multiculturalism that has strengthened the Public Diplomacy discipline and harnessed democratic values across the European Continent. The opening of the Departments of Azerbaijan Multiculturalism Studies in the Universities of Romania, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Lithuania, the Czech Republic and Spain is a strategic initiative led by the President of Azerbaijan, H. E. Mr. Ilham Heydar oglu Aliyev; this meticulous project was carried out by the Academician and famous writer Kamal M. Abdulla, Chancellor of the University of Languages in Azerbaijan. In the same harmony, the participation  with the impeccable training of career diplomats and experts in cultural diplomacy of Azerbaijan  of the Baku State University has been fundamental. The leadership of Prof. Dr. Elchin Safarali oghlu Babayev, Chancellor of Baku State University, has demonstrated that everything is possible, and this institution has developed Cultural Diplomacy strategy that has generated tangible outcomes on many other spheres of the dynamic Azerbaijani Society.

Likewise, the multiculturalism policy of Azerbaijan and the authentic instruments of Public Diplomacy shaped in Baku have reached as far as Buenos Aires (Argentina), Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil; where (in October  November 2019) University Professor Irina Kunina was able to inaugurate the Departments of Azerbaijans Multiculturalism at the Belgrano University, El Salvador University, the National University of La Plata (in September 2016 the Azerbaijan Studies Department was inaugurated at the National University of the East  Paraguay). The support of Ambassador Rashad Aslanov (an alumni of Baku State University) in this project of Public Diplomacy and promotion of culture in Azerbaijan has been a very important contribution in the concept of strengthening bilateral ties between the Republic of Paraguay and Azerbaijan, as well as between Argentina and Azerbaijan.

On February 3, 2023, was held at the Gulustan Palace in Baku, the 9th Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council Ministerial Meeting and the 1st Green Energy Advisory Council Ministerial Meeting.

On this occasion, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the opening ceremony; and in his remarks, the head of State emphasized:

The Southern Gas Corridor was inaugurated only something more than two years ago, but already today we talk about expansion of TANAP from 16 to 32 billion cubic meters and expansion of TAP from 10 to 20. This really demonstrates the big need for alternative source of energy. This demonstrates the big need for continued diversification of energy supplies and we are ready for that. So, all what has been done by our joint efforts in previous years, today it is at our disposal and our team is becoming bigger. We have more flags today in this room and more distinguished guests.

In this important multilateral event, participated the President of Romania who underscored the indispensable role of Azerbaijan in the ongoing geopolitical shifts and green energy economics in Europe.

The President of Romania Klaus Iohannis, at the 9th Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council Ministerial Meeting and the 1st Green Energy Advisory Council Ministerial meeting, stated:

Romanias Transgaz, Romanias company, has joined forces with gas transmission systems operators in Greece, Bulgaria and Hungary for the development of the vertical corridor. The renewed Memorandum of Understanding signed by the four companies in December 2022 will enable bi-directional gas flows between South and Central Europe through Romania enhancing the security of supply in the whole region.  This is a win-win situation. The geography of Azerbaijan gas exports is diversifying while strengthening Europes energy security,

Perhaps the most concise definition of Public Diplomacy is that of Paul Sharp, who describes it as the process by which direct relationships are sought with people in a country to advance the interests and expand the values of the Government officially being represented. Hans Tuch also wrote about public diplomacy: the process of communication of a government with the foreign public in an attempt to attract more understanding of the ideas and promote the information of this nation, its institutions and culture, as well as its national objectives and policies. With Tuchs notions in mind, Azerbaijan has developed a sophisticated Public Diplomacy that many other countries aspire to follow. It is evident that the governments of South America are looking up to Baku, as a source of reference and inspiration (being a success story); when it comes to promotion of their Latin American culture, language and their historical values on the international stage, in Europe and Asia.
CGG

Paris, France  February 9, 2023

CGG, a global technology and HPC leader, and TGS, a global provider of energy data and intelligence, have been jointly awarded the acquisition and imaging of a dense ocean bottom node (OBN) multi-client seismic survey in the Balder and Ringhorne areas of the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS).

The Heimdal Terrace OBN survey, located directly north of the Utsira OBN survey in the North Sea, will span an additional 500 square kilometer area under receivers (AUR) to increase the contiguous multi-client OBN coverage in the region to 3,778 square kilometers AUR. The survey area covers a mature part of the North Sea, including the Balder and Ringhorne fields, the Iving/Evra and Enniberg discoveries, and surrounding infrastructure-led exploration (ILX) areas for potential tiebacks to existing infrastructure.

TGS will be the operator throughout the acquisition phase. The company will apply its experience and technical expertise in managing many complex OBN acquisition programs in the North Sea and other regions to provide valuable insight into enhanced exploration opportunities across this part of the NCS.

CGG, the OBN imaging specialist, will apply its proprietary OBN processing and imaging technology, including time-lag full-waveform inversion, to create a high-quality 3D volume that will enhance the resolution and structural definition of the complex geology and reservoirs in the region.

Kristian Johansen, Chief Executive Officer at TGS, commented, "With this latest OBN survey, we continue our ongoing commitment to support our customers with the data they need to maximize the longevity of their production activities and discover new hydrocarbon reserves in mature areas. This acquisition project will further cement our leading position in delivering high-quality, multi-client OBN data to the industry."

Sophie Zurquiyah, CGG CEO, said, CGG is pleased to partner with TGS to deliver this new OBN survey to meet strong industry demand for high-definition seismic data in this region. Clients continue to recognize the value of our advanced OBN imaging technology and expertise and the resulting data will support continued exploration and development in this mature, and very prolific part of NCS.

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The acquisition will commence in April 2023, with final processed deliverables to be completed by the end of Q2 2024.

The project is supported by industry funding.

About CGG

CGG (www.cgg.com) is a global technology and HPC leader that provides data, products, services and solutions in Earth science, data science, sensing and monitoring. Our unique portfolio supports our clients in efficiently and responsibly solving complex digital, energy transition, natural resource, environmental, and infrastructure challenges for a more sustainable future. CGG employs around 3,400 people worldwide and is listed on the Euronext Paris SA (ISIN: 0013181864).

Contacts

Group Communications & Investor Relations



Christophe Barnini

Tel: + 33 1 64 47 38 11

E-Mail: christophe.barnini@cgg.com





Attachment




Company Logo

Dublin, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "China Buy Now Pay Later Business and Investment Opportunities Databook - 75+ KPIs on BNPL Market Size, End-Use Sectors, Market Share, Product Analysis, Business Model, Demographics - Q1 2023 Update" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

BNPL payments are expected to grow by 19.2% on an annual basis to reach US$116,110.2 million in 2023.



The BNPL payment industry in China has recorded strong growth over the last four quarters, supported by increased ecommerce penetration.



Medium to long term growth story of BNPL industry in China remains strong. BNPL payment adoption is expected to grow steadily over the forecast period, recording a CAGR of 10.5% during 2023-2028. The BNPL Gross Merchandise Value in the country will increase from US$97,384.7 million in 2022 to reach US$191,165.0 million by 2028.



This report provides a detailed data centric analysis of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) industry, covering market opportunities and risks across a range of retail categories. With over 75 KPIs at country level, this report provides a comprehensive understanding of BNPL market dynamics, market size and forecast, and market share statistics.



It breaks down market opportunity by type of business model, sales channels (offline and online), and distribution models. In addition, it provides a snapshot of consumer behaviour and retail spend dynamics in China. KPIs in both value and volume term help in getting in-depth understanding of end market dynamics.



The research methodology is based on industry best practices. Its unbiased analysis leverages a proprietary analytics platform to offer a detailed view on emerging business and investment market opportunities.

Reasons to buy

Get a comprehensive understanding of market dynamics for Buy Now Pay Later: Identify market opportunities, major trends, and forecasting (2019-2028). Understand market trends through crucial KPIs like Gross Merchandise Value, Volume, and Average Value per Transaction, to stay ahead of the curve.

Insights by end-use sectors: Evaluate new opportunities across multiple end-use sectors, and obtain market dynamics by end-use sectors in order to swiftly catch up with the latest and upcoming developments in BNPL markets.

Market-specific strategies: Identify growth segments focused on specific opportunities, and analysing market-specific risks and important trends in the BNPL sector with our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and innovative insights.

Gain knowledge of consumer attitudes and actions: This report identifies and interprets important Buy Now Pay Later KPIs, such as spend by age, gender, and income level, using data from a proprietary survey.

Develop proactive and lucrative business strategies through market intelligence and forward-looking analysis of BNPL market spend and major opportunities in China.

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Scope

China Buy Now Pay Later Market Share Analysis by Key Players

Tencent

JD Finance

Alipay

Huabei

Baitiao

Happay

AsiaPay

Atome

Splitit

UnionPay International

LexinFintech

Afterpay

Fen Fu

China BNPL Market Size and Spending Pattern, 2019-2028

Gross Merchandise Value Trend Analysis

Average Value Per Transaction Trend Analysis

Transaction Volume Trend Analysis

China Buy Now Pay Later Revenue Analysis, 2019-2028

Buy Now Pay Later Revenues

Buy Now Pay Later Share by Revenue Segments

Buy Now Pay Later Revenue by Merchant Commission

Buy Now Pay Later Revenue by Missed Payment Fee Revenue

Buy Now Pay Later Revenue by Pay Now & Other Income

China Buy Now Pay Later Operational KPIs & Statistics, 2019-2028

Buy Now Pay Later Active Consumer Base

Buy Now Pay Later Bad Debt

China BNPL by Purpose, 2019-2028

Convenience - Short Term Loans

Credit - Loan Term Loans

China BNPL by Business Model, 2019-2028

Two-Party (BNPL offered by retailers)

Three-Party BNPL Offering

China BNPL by Merchant Ecosystem, 2019-2028

Open Loop System

Closed Loop System

China BNPL by Distribution Model Analysis, 2019-2028

Standalone

Banks & Payment Service Providers

Marketplaces

China BNPL Analysis by Channel, 2019-2028

Online Channel

POS Channel

China Buy Now Pay Later in Retail Shopping: Market Size and Forecast, 2019-2028

Gross Merchandise Value Trend Analysis

Average Value Per Transaction Trend Analysis

Transaction Volume Trend Analysis

China Buy Now Pay Later in Home Improvement: Market Size and Forecast, 2019-2028

Gross Merchandise Value Trend Analysis

Average Value Per Transaction Trend Analysis

Transaction Volume Trend Analysis

China Buy Now Pay Later in Travel/Entertainment: Market Size and Forecast, 2019-2028

Gross Merchandise Value Trend Analysis

Average Value per Transaction Trend Analysis

Transaction Volume Trend Analysis

China Buy Now Pay Later in Services: Market Size and Forecast, 2019-2028

Gross Merchandise Value Trend Analysis

Average Value Per Transaction Trend Analysis

Transaction Volume Trend Analysis

China Buy Now Pay Later in Automotive: Market Size and Forecast, 2019-2028

Gross Merchandise Value Trend Analysis

Average Value Per Transaction Trend Analysis

Transaction Volume Trend Analysis

China Buy Now Pay Later in Healthcare and Wellness: Market Size and Forecast, 2019-2028

Gross Merchandise Value Trend Analysis

Average Value Per Transaction Trend Analysis

Transaction Volume Trend Analysis

China Buy Now Pay Later in Groceries: Market Size and Forecast

Gross Merchandise Value Trend Analysis

Average Value Per Transaction Trend Analysis

Transaction Volume Trend Analysis

China Buy Now Pay Later Analysis by Consumer Attitude and Behaviour

Sales Uplift by Product Category

Share by Age Group

Share by Income

Share by Gender

Adoption Rationale

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/gcu0js-buy-now-pay?w=12

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

CONTACT: CONTACT: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900




Command Alkon Incorporated

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Command Alkon, the leading software and solutions provider bringing together technology and people, shared its commitment to support the heavy building materials community with a refocus of its strategy in the ready mix, aggregate, and asphalt markets through solutions that help drive customers business.



I believe that great success comes from laser focus; we are getting back to the basics, and one of the ways to do that is to clarify our focus as a company, says Martin Willoughby, Chief Executive Officer at Command Alkon. This can be remembered as our 1-2-3-4 approach. We are one united, global company with two listening ears that serves three core markets (ready mix, aggregates, and asphalt) by delivering value through four product suites.

Over the last year, the company has worked to make active listening  two listening ears  a tenet of its culture to strengthen relationships internally and externally. This correlates directly with customer feedback and reviews.

I believe listening isnt just about hearing words; listening is seeking to be changed by the other person, said Martin. The best way to serve our customers is by continually listening to them to discover the most pressing priorities in their business. In this spirit, I regularly visit customers seeking to understand what were doing well and what we need to improve. There are several key themes which our strategy addresses. The customers that we serve want us to be easy to do business with, deliver consistent services, be a true partner, and deliver on our product roadmaps.

The companys redefined culture and strategies are aligned to drive improvements in these areas.

Building a Relentless, Customer-Driven Team

Command Alkons mission is to bring people and technology together to advance the heavy building materials industry. To accomplish this mission, we are partnering people with years of expertise in the heavy building materials industry with people with years of software industry experience to build a modern, high-tech company.

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The team has been purposefully crafted this way to ensure that the company can leverage decades of experience and learnings when developing solutions that drive meaningful results for materials supply operations all around the world.

Partnering with Customers to Drive Innovation

To help achieve this goal, the company has set up a customer advisory board which will help guide the evolution of solutions and services, provide a structure for questions, concerns, and issues to be raised, and engage on important industry topics.

By partnering with customers to understand their unique challenges, the company can develop innovative solutions that are easy-to-use, faster, and more accurate than ever before.

Leveraging Framework to Unleash Untapped Product Opportunities

When developing products, Command Alkon aims to uncover the underlying goal that users are trying to achieve by leveraging the Jobs to be Done framework, implemented by new Chief Product Officer, Ranjeev Teelock.

Our product managers are partnering with customers around the globe to gain feedback on their existing products and discover how best to optimize their business operations, said Ranjeev. We are quickly iterating solutions based on the feedback received to ensure that products are driving meaningful results.

Aligning with the companys core value of integrity, it is transforming its approach to product development and bringing products to market through complete transparency into product roadmaps, progress, and timelines.

To deliver world-class products, the company is laser-focused on four core product suites.

There is beauty in understanding that you dont have to do it all; to be a valuable partner, we will stay focused on four key product suites, said Martin. We want to make sure we are delivering the excellence that customers are looking for around our production and quality, dispatching, trucking solutions, and new products that we will be rolling out for back-office operations. Focusing on these four core areas will allow us to innovate faster and deliver better for the people that we serve.

As the company delivers cloud-enabled core products, customers can securely connect with their own software or third-party tools. The companys cloud-based platform is secure, scalable, and ready for real-time, mission-critical operations. The platform sits on top of Amazon Web Services and security measures are taken to the next level through NIST audits.

Listened and Learned

The company is hard at work releasing new iterations of existing products based on feedback:

Better user experience for TrackIt  Customer feedback reflected that the companys TrackIt solutions needed to deliver a better experience for users. In response, the company is rolling out many changes, including new dashboard containing key charts and productivity indicators.

Cloud-Based Dispatch  A consistent theme amongst customers was that they needed dispatch operations in the cloud. Command Alkon listened, prioritized, and in record-time developed and released the first version of cloud dispatch. This product is rapidly evolving to meet customer needs from a dispatch perspective.

Customer feedback indicated the need to easily integrate Command Alkon Solutions with existing solutions of their own to replace slow and error-prone manual handling of information with seamless, automated workflows.

The company is simultaneously focused on partnering with other software developers to provide an open API for simplified integrations to make it much easier for customers to utilize data from their Command Alkon solutions.

Customers can securely connect to their own software tools to share data with customers and with partners, including governmental agencies. This shift will help the industry continue to share information and link common systems together for ease of use.

This new API approach will enable integrations with other applications so that Command Alkon can help drive data-driven decisions and take productivity to new heights.

Aligning Team and Product to Deliver World-Class Customer Experiences

Customer-Driven is Command Alkons core value that promotes the culture of world-class experiences across the organization.

Command Alkon customers have access to experts with deep product, industry, and technical knowledge to help them across their full lifecycle  from planning through implementation and ongoing success.

The Professional Services organization has redefined success as delivering exceptional experiences and valuable outcomes for the customer. Under the direction of Brett Bertz, Command Alkons Global Professional Services team is designing and executing strategies that ensure services are efficiently meeting and exceeding customer needs during implementation.

We listen to our customers and use our expertise, leading practices, and technology to advance the heavy building materials industry, said Brett Bertz, Senior Vice President of Global Professional Services. We solve problems, improve processes and deliver value with innovative solutions and exceptional customer experiences.

Command Alkons Support Services organization is now led by Bob Holbrooks, a 20-year veteran of the team. We understand the important role our technology plays in our customers operations, so we are focused on the continuous improvement of our customers experience with support, said Holbrooks. We are committed to taking the necessary steps to improve collaboration and processes within our team and other functional teams, empowering staff with the knowledge needed to offer support 24/7, and acknowledging critical issues quickly to ensure customers can get back on track without significant delay.

Additionally, the company has formed a new Customer Success team, led by Steve Cox, to execute on the companys value-driven customer success strategy, ensuring clients get the most out of their investments with Command Alkon.

"Throughout my career, Ive developed a passion for serving the people in this industry, said Steve Cox, Vice President of Customer Success at Command Alkon. You wont find people better than the ones that we work with in any other industry, and Im grateful to be in a position where I can help to ensure that their engagements are meaningful and that we are partnering for success.

ABOUT COMMAND ALKON

Command Alkon offers technologies that automate and streamline all aspects of the heavy building materials. Command Alkon customer-focused suite of solutions enable you to take control of distributed, complex production and operations, while empowering teams to drive real-world impact. Command Alkon is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama and has offices in locations around the globe. For more information, visit www.commandalkon.com.

For More Information, Contact:

Karli Langner

Command Alkon

klangner@commandalkon.com




8th Paramedic Service Chooses Cloud DX to Launch RPM Program

Ontario paramedic group will offer Connected Health to vulnerable seniors awaiting long term care

News in Summary

Funding provided through Ontario government CPLTC program

Feedback from CPLTC participants show RPM reduces hospital readmissions

This is Cloud DX's 8th Community Paramedicine contract to date

KITCHENER, ON / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2023 / Cloud DX (TSXV:CDX)(OTC:CDXFF), a leading health data platform announces a new contract with another Ontario Paramedic Service to bring remote patient monitoring (RPM) to seniors in the community.

The community paramedic group chose Cloud DX to provide Connected Health kits and remote monitoring services for its first ever RPM program after receiving funding through the Ontario government's Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care program (CPLTC). The new contract will begin with 75 Connected Health kits plus services and has an estimated value of up to $110,000 CAD, running through March 2024.

The CPLTC program is fully funded by the provincial government to provide additional care for seniors in the comfort of their own homes before admission into long-term care. The program was piloted in October 2020 and is currently active in 33 communities. Early feedback from participating communities indicates reduction in rates of hospital admissions and an increased integration with primary care.1

Cloud DX CEO and Founder Robert Kaul says, "We are committed to working with community paramedics across Canada to end so-called 'hallway health care'. Connected Health remote patient monitoring is designed to provide the very best in connected healthcare with a patient-first focus. In particular, the CPLTC program is a very innovative way to efficiently optimize scare healthcare resources. We hope to see this pioneering program replicated in other provinces soon."

This is the 8th contract signed with Community Paramedics in Ontario and follows the recently announced 200% growth over four months at a previous Ontario Community Paramedicine program using Connected Health, the Cloud DX RPM solution and data platform.

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Cloud DX is pleased to have announced 5 new contracts so far in 2023, after announcing 28 new contracts and extensions in 2022, a 233% YoY increase in new business.

1 https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1001022/ontario-expands-community-paramedicine-for- long-term-care-program

About Cloud DX

Accelerating digital healthcare, Cloud DX is on a mission to make healthcare better for everyone. Our Connected HealthTM remote patient monitoring platform is used by healthcare enterprises and care teams across North America to virtually manage chronic disease, enable aging in place, and deliver hospital-quality post-surgical care in the home. Our partners achieve better healthcare and patient outcomes, reduce the need for hospitalization or re-admission, and reduce healthcare delivery costs through more efficient use of resources.

Cloud DX is the co-winner of the Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE, 2022 Top Innovator by Canadian Business, a 2021 Edison Award winner, a Fast Company "World Changing Idea" finalist, and one of "Canada's Ten Most Prominent Telehealth Providers." Cloud DX is an exclusive partner to Medtronic Canada, Teladoc Health Canada, and Equitable Life of Canada.

For more information on Cloud DX (TSXV:CDX), visit www.CloudDX.com and follow @CloudDX on Twitter or LinkedIn.

Cloud DX Investor Site https://ir.clouddx.com/overview/default.aspx

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Media Contact

Janine Scott

Marketing Lead 888-543-0944 Janine.Scott@CloudDX.com

Investor Relations Contacts

Canada

Jay Bedard

647-881-8418

Jay.Bedard@CloudDX.com

USA

Gary Zwetchkenbaum

516-455-7662

IR@CloudDX.com

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release. In particular, this news release includes certain forward-looking statements concerning the advancement of the Company's business and partnerships, the expected proceeds therefrom, regulatory approvals, as well as management's objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, the Company's the ability of the Company to fulfill the terms of and derive the benefits from the contract extension. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward- looking statements and forward-looking information.

SOURCE: Cloud DX Inc.





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/738863/Community-Paramedic-Group-Chooses-Cloud-DX-to-Launch-RPM-Program




Del Taco

Leading Mexican chain continues expansion in north central Ohio with new location in Marion

MARION, Ohio, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Del Taco, the nations second-largest Mexican quick service restaurant*, announced the opening of its newest Ohio location at 1207 Mt. Vernon Avenue in Marion. This location joins the Whitehall, Bellefontaine and Circleville locations in serving the convenient, high-quality Mexican and American menu favorites that Del Taco is known for. The Marion location will also serve breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and late-night drive through until 4 a.m.



Were thrilled to continue to grow the Del Taco footprint in the Columbus metro area, said Kayla Hutton, Operating Partner for the local Ohio franchisee. The community really appreciates our dedication to serving high-quality food with a focus on value, and we look forward to being able to serve even more of the local community at the new Marion location.

The new restaurant will continue Del Tacos legacy of offering guests delicious signature Mexican favorites. Each dish is prepared fresh in the restaurant's working kitchen, and diners can expect quality ingredients like freshly grilled chicken and carne asada steak, freshly grated cheddar cheese, slow-cooked beans made from scratch, creamy Queso Blanco, fresh house-made guacamole and new signature sauce flavors.

Those in the Columbus area are already accustomed to the brands classic menu items available year-round, including a lineup of EPIC Burritos, Tacos, Burgers and Del Tacos World-Famous Crinkle Cut Fries. For a limited time, guests can also enjoy the return of Del Tacos Crispy Jumbo Shrimp Tacos and Burritos as well as Del Tacos NEW Buttery Garlic Parmesan Crispy Jumbo Shrimp Taco and Stuffed Quesadilla Taco with Parmesan Sauce.

The company also delivers the largest value menu in the QSR industry with the 20 Under $2 Menu featuring a wide variety of tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and beverages.

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For those interested in joining the Marion Del Taco team, positions are listed at https://deltaco.com/careers .

*Price and participation may vary

About Del Taco

Del Taco offers a unique variety of both Mexican and American favorites such as burritos and fries, prepared fresh in every restaurant's working kitchen with the value and convenience of a drive-thru. Del Taco's menu items taste better because they are made with quality ingredients like freshly grilled chicken and carne asada steak, fresh house-made guacamole, fresh house-grated cheddar cheese, slow-cooked beans made from scratch, and signature creamy Queso Blanco.

Founded in 1964, today Del Taco serves more than three million guests each week at its approximately 600 restaurants across 15 states. Del Tacos commitment to providing guests with the best quality and value for their money originates from cooking, chopping, shredding and grilling menu items from scratch. For more information, visit deltaco.com.

Media Contact

Maddie Bell

Allison + Partners

deltaco@allisonpr.com

(310) 496-4464




DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dover (NYSE: DOV) today announced the appointment of Michael Manley, Chief Executive Officer of AutoNation, Inc., to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Mr. Manley will serve on the Board's Audit Committee and Finance Committee.

"Mike is a highly accomplished business leader and we are pleased to welcome him to the Dover Board," said Richard J. Tobin, Dover's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Mike has successfully managed a wide array of business models over his career with an exemplary track record of shareholder value creation. His extensive knowledge of manufacturing operations and supply chains, multi-national business management, capital markets, and mergers and acquisitions will be a great asset to the Dover Board of Directors. We look forward to his contributions to Dover's continued success."

Mr. Manley, 58, has served as the Chief Executive Officer of AutoNation, Inc. and as a member of its Board of Directors since November 2021. Prior to joining AutoNation, he served as Head of Americas and as a member of the Group Executive Council for Stellantis N.V., one of the largest automotive original equipment manufacturers in the world, from January 2021 until October 2021. From July 2018 until January 2021, Mr. Manley served as Chief Executive Officer of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. ("FCA"), a predecessor to Stellantis N.V. Mr. Manley began his tenure at DaimlerChrysler (a predecessor to FCA) in 2000 and, prior to becoming its Chief Executive Officer, held various leadership roles at FCA, including Executive Vice President - International Sales & Marketing, Business Development and Global Product Planning Operations, Chief Executive Officer of Jeep, Chief Executive Officer of Ram, Chief Operating Officer for the Asia Pacific region, and FCA Global Executive Council member. Mr. Manley also currently serves on the Board of Directors of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc. ("Rolls Royce") and will be stepping down from the Rolls Royce Board at the next annual meeting.

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About Dover:

Dover is a diversified global manufacturer and solutions provider with annual revenue of over $8 billion. We deliver innovative equipment and components, consumable supplies, aftermarket parts, software and digital solutions, and support services through five operating segments: Engineered Products, Clean Energy & Fueling, Imaging & Identification, Pumps & Process Solutions, and Climate & Sustainability Technologies. Dover combines global scale with operational agility to lead the markets we serve. Recognized for our entrepreneurial approach for over 65 years, our team of over 25,000 employees takes an ownership mindset, collaborating with customers to redefine what's possible. Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, Dover trades on the New York Stock Exchange under "DOV." Additional information is available at dovercorporation.com.

Investor Contact: Media Contact: Jack Dickens Adrian Sakowicz Senior Director  Investor Relations Vice President  Communications (630) 743-2566 (630) 743-5039 jdickens@dovercorp.com asakowicz@dovercorp.com

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SOURCE Dover
DT Midstream, Inc.

DETROIT, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DT Midstream, Inc. (NYSE: DTM) announced that its 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be Friday, May 5. Stockholders of record at the close of business Wednesday, March 8, 2023, are eligible to vote at the meeting.

About DT Midstream

DT Midstream (NYSE: DTM) is an owner, operator and developer of natural gas interstate and intrastate pipelines, storage and gathering systems, compression, treatment and surface facilities. The company transports clean natural gas for utilities, power plants, marketers, large industrial customers and energy producers across the Southern, Northeastern and Midwestern United States and Canada. The Detroit-based company offers a comprehensive, wellhead-to-market array of services, including natural gas transportation, storage and gathering. DT Midstream is transitioning towards net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, including a plan of achieving 30% of its carbon emissions reduction in the next decade. For more information, please visit the DT Midstream website at www.dtmidstream.com.

Investor Relations

Todd Lohrmann, DT Midstream, 313.774.2424

i nvestor_relations@dtmidstream.com




Flexible, diverse, and digital: Infosys research report titled 'Future of Work 2023' finds the levers that drive revenue, profit growth and retention for businesses

BENGALURU, India, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, today unveiled a global research report titled 'Future of Work 2023'. According to the report, up to $1.4 trillion in revenue and $282 billion in new profit could be generated through digital tools automation, diversifying talent pool, and improving skills development amongst employees. It highlights how the workplace of the 21st century will see more hybrid working and digital engagement, enabling firms to build more diverse and creative teams.

Infosys_Logo

The survey was conducted by the Infosys Knowledge Institute (IKI), the research arm of Infosys, and surveyed 2,500 senior executives and managers involved in workplace and workforce planning for large companies with more than $1 billion in annual revenue. The survey covered 12 industries across the US, UK, France, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand. The study focused on how shifting trends and pressures on workforce, workplace, and workstyles relate to revenue growth, profitability, and employee retention.

The key findings from the survey are as follows:

Shifting to a flexible, diverse, and digital work model is correlated with 7.7 percentage points higher profit growth and 6.7 percentage points higher revenue growth.

Retention of employees is critical. Companies that increased their staff retention between 2020 and 2022 were almost a fifth more likely to see increased revenue and profit compared with those that saw retention fall during this period.

Almost two-thirds of senior executives practice remote working rather than in-office working and expect flexible or remote workspaces to grow in the future.

65% of senior executives concurred that incorporating remote working resulted in better staff retention. Companies that incorporated wellness initiatives, home office stipends, and reskilling programs saw an increase in staff retention. Modernization and automation of digital tools, compensation rise, and bring-your-own-device strategies were also impactful on retention.

Automation and modernization of digital tools are set to become the top investment priority for firms in the next two years and expected to bring in up to $123 billion in profit.

Successful businesses of the future are likely to focus less on the employees' work location and more on the mix of people who are working and how well they are supported.

Respondents cited collaboration, change management, and a constant evolution of future of work approaches as the top challenges faced by companies in implementing workplace transformation strategies.

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Rajesh Varrier, EVP, Head of Digital Experience & Microsoft Business, Infosys, said, "Organizations have realized that remote work is here to stay and that there is a pressing need to diversify and upskill their employees to boost business growth. The findings from the Future of Work 2023 report also showcase how businesses can drive growth, productivity, and profitability through the automation of digital tools and create more inclusive workplaces."

To read the full report, visit here:

Methodology

Infosys used an anonymous format to conduct an online survey of 2,500 senior executives and managers involved in workplace and workforce planning for large companies across 12 industries across the US, UK, France, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand.

About Infosys

Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. Over 300,000 of our people work to amplify human potential and create the next opportunity for people, businesses and communities. With over four decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer clients, in more than 50 countries, as they navigate their digital transformation powered by the cloud. We enable them with an AI-powered core, empower the business with agile digital at scale and drive continuous improvement with always-on learning through the transfer of digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem. We are deeply committed to being a well-governed, environmentally sustainable organization where diverse talent thrives in an inclusive workplace.

Visit www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next.

Safe Harbor

Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects, financial expectations and plans for navigating the COVID-19 impact on our employees, clients and stakeholders are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding COVID-19 and the effects of government and other measures seeking to contain its spread, risks related to an economic downturn or recession in India, the United States and other countries around the world, changes in political, business, and economic conditions, fluctuations in earnings, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, our ability to manage growth, intense competition in IT services including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, wage increases in India and the US, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, industry segment concentration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks or system failures, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which Infosys has made strategic investments, withdrawal or expiration of governmental fiscal incentives, political instability and regional conflicts, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry and the outcome of pending litigation and government investigation. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our United States Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law.

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SOURCE Infosys
* Consumer prices in Brazil up 0.53% in Jan amid govt, c.bank feud * Mexico annual inflation rate slightly increased to 7.91% in Jan * Bank of Mexico expected to hike by 25 bps - poll * Emerging market stocks fall 0.9%, FX off 0.4% By Bansari Mayur Kamdar Feb 9 (Reuters) - The Mexican peso rose on Thursday ahead of its rate decision later in the day, when the Banxico central bank is expected to raise rates by 25 basis points, while Brazil's real fell after mixed economic data. The real slid 1.3% against the greenback. Brazil's consumer prices rose 0.53%, slightly less than expected, in January, but the data is unlikely to give the central bank room for monetary easing in the short term despite President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's calls for lower rates. Another survey showed retail sales volumes in Brazil posted in 2022 their smallest annual growth in six years, providing further signs of a slowing economy amid tighter monetary conditions. The MSCI's index for Latin American currencies slipped 0.4% by 1501 GMT. The Mexican peso gained 0.2% against the dollar ahead of its rate decision later in the day. The Bank of Mexico is expected to hike its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to a record 10.75% at 1900 GMT, amid a forecast increase in January inflation and following in the footsteps of the U.S. Federal Reserve, a Reuters poll showed. Meanwhile, data showed Mexican consumer prices rose 7.91% in the year through January, slightly higher than Reuters analysts had predicted. "The combination of a moderate rise in inflation, a small step and a hawkish-sounding statement in which Banxico signals further interest rate steps seems more likely to us," said Elisabeth Andreae, FX analyst at Commerzbank Research in a note. "Since much seems to be priced in already, potential peso gains should be limited." Chile's peso rose 0.6% to 795.4 against the dollar, limiting losses on the currency index, while the Colombian peso added 0.7%. Peru's sol edged 0.1% up against the greenback, ahead of its central bank rate decision due at 2300 GMT where it is expected to hike rates by 25 basis points. The MSCI's index for Latin American stocks declined 0.9% as weakness in Brazil's Bovespa index weighed on the index. Elsewhere in emerging markets, South Korea's plans to loosen restrictions on its currency market will raise the won's status globally and boost business opportunities for local financial firms, a vice finance minister told Reuters. India's Adani Group faced fresh concerns after financial index provider MSCI said it was reviewing the free float designation of some group company securities. Istanbul's stock exchange operator suspended trading until Feb. 15 and canceled all of Wednesday's trades following devastating earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria. Romania's central bank kept its benchmark interest rate on hold at 7.0%. Key Latin American stock indexes and currencies at 1445 GMT: Stock indexes Latest Daily % change MSCI Emerging Markets 1026.59 0.59 MSCI LatAm 2215.66 -0.66 Brazil Bovespa 109271.15 -0.62 Mexico IPC 53298.36 0.33 Chile IPSA 5348.68 0.37 Argentina MerVal 252504.91 0.951 Colombia COLCAP 1261.18 -0.23 Currencies Latest Daily % change Brazil real 5.2673 -1.37 Mexico peso 18.8870 0.23 Chile peso 795.6 0.43 Colombia peso 4743 0.49 Peru sol 3.8608 -0.40 Argentina peso (interbank) 190.1800 -0.17 Argentina peso (parallel) 379 0.53 (Reporting by Bansari Mayur Kamdar in Bengaluru; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
Euronext

Contacts Media Contact Investor Relations Amsterdam +31 20 721 4133 Brussels +32 2 620 15 50 +33 1 70 48 24 27 Dublin +33 1 70 48 24 45 Lisbon +351 210 600 614 Milan +39 02 72 42 62 12 Oslo +47 41 69 59 10 Paris +33 1 70 48 24 45

Euronext upgraded to BBB+ by S&P

Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, Milan, Oslo and Paris  9 February 2023  Euronext, the leading pan-European market infrastructure, today acknowledges the decision of S&P to upgrade Euronext from BBB, Positive outlook to BBB+, Stable outlook.

S&P decision reflects Euronext strong cash generation and deleveraging capabilities following the acquisition of the Borsa Italiana Group, as well as Euronext Clearing revised investment policy, as announced on 28 July 2022 that has meaningfully reduced risk for Euronext.

Stephane Boujnah, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Managing Board of Euronext, said:





We are pleased today to see Euronext rating upgraded by S&P to BBB+, Stable Outlook. This upgrade is a great recognition of the transformation journey we engaged in following the acquisition of the Borsa Italiana Group. Since the closing of the acquisition of the Borsa Italiana Group, we have pursued our deleveraging path, from 3.2x net debt to EBITDA at closing, to 2.6x at the end of 2022.

Euronext is today stronger than ever, with a strong and diversified business profile. Combined with our recognized solid financial position and strong cash generation, and our strong track record in post-merger integration projects, we are in the right position to look for possible external growth opportunities, in line with our disciplined capital deployment policy.



CONTACT ANALYSTS & INVESTORS  ir@euronext.com Aurelie Cohen +33 1 70 48 24 27 ir@euronext.com Clement Kubiak +33 1 70 48 26 33 ir@euronext.com CONTACTS MEDIA  mediateam@euronext.com Aurelie Cohen (Europe) +33 1 70 48 24 45 parispressoffice@euronext.com Marianne Aalders (Amsterdam) +31 20 721 41 33 maalders@euronext.com Pascal Brabant (Brussels) +32 2 620 15 50 pbrabant@euronext.com Sandra Machado (Lisbon) +351 210 600 614 smachado@euronext.com Andrea Monzani (Europe/Milan/Rome) +39 02 72 42 62 13 Italypressoffice@euronext.com Cathrine Lorvik Segerlund (Oslo) +47 41 69 59 10 clsegerlund@euronext.com Sarah Mound (Paris/Dublin) +33 1 70 48 24 45 parispressoffice@euronext.com

About Euronext

Euronext is the leading pan-European market infrastructure, connecting European economies to global capital markets, to accelerate innovation and sustainable growth. It operates regulated exchanges in Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Portugal. With close to 1,930 listed equity issuers and around 6.3 trillion in market capitalisation as of end December 2022, it has an unmatched blue chip franchise and a strong diverse domestic and international client base. Euronext operates regulated and transparent equity and derivatives markets, one of Europes leading electronic fixed income trading markets and is the largest centre for debt and funds listings in the world. Its total product offering includes Equities, FX, Exchange Traded Funds, Warrants & Certificates, Bonds, Derivatives, Commodities and Indices. The Group provides a multi-asset clearing house through Euronext Clearing, and custody and settlement services through Euronext Securities central securities depositories in Denmark, Italy, Norway and Portugal. Euronext also leverages its expertise in running markets by providing technology and managed services to third parties. In addition to its main regulated market, it also operates a number of junior markets, simplifying access to listing for SMEs.

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For the latest news, go to euronext.com or follow us on Twitter ( twitter.com/euronext ) and LinkedIn ( linkedin.com/euronex t ).

Disclaimer

This press release is for information purposes only: it is not a recommendation to engage in investment activities and is provided as is, without representation or warranty of any kind. While all reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the content, Euronext does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Euronext will not be held liable for any loss or damages of any nature ensuing from using, trusting or acting on information provided. No information set out or referred to in this publication may be regarded as creating any right or obligation. The creation of rights and obligations in respect of financial products that are traded on the exchanges operated by Euronexts subsidiaries shall depend solely on the applicable rules of the market operator. All proprietary rights and interest in or connected with this publication shall vest in Euronext. This press release speaks only as of this date. Euronext refers to Euronext N.V. and its affiliates. Information regarding trademarks and intellectual property rights of Euronext is available at www.euronext.com/terms-use.

 2023, Euronext N.V. - All rights reserved.

The Euronext Group processes your personal data in order to provide you with information about Euronext (the "Purpose"). With regard to the processing of this personal data, Euronext will comply with its obligations under Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and Council of 27 April 2016 (General Data Protection Regulation, GDPR), and any applicable national laws, rules and regulations implementing the GDPR, as provided in its privacy statement available at: www.euronext.com/privacy-policy. In accordance with the applicable legislation you have rights with regard to the processing of your personal data: for more information on your rights, please refer to: www.euronext.com/data_subjects_rights_request_information. To make a request regarding the processing of your data or to unsubscribe from this press release service, please use our data subject request form at connect2.euronext.com/form/data-subjects-rights-request or email our Data Protection Officer at dpo@euronext.com.

Attachment




By Azernews

Sabina Mammadli

Rescuers rushed to Turkiye's earthquake-hit zones from Azerbaijan have so far rescued 37 people from under the rubble in Kahramanmaras, Azernews reports.

Earlier, reports said that the Azerbaijani rescuers pulled out 26 people from under the rubble.

Specially trained rescue dogs of the ministry's Cynological Service are used in rescue operations.

The European-Mediterranean Seismological Center reports that on January 6, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit central Turkiye. The epicenter of the earthquake was 26 kilometers off Gaziantep with a population of about 1.06 million. The earthquake's epicenter was located 7 km below the surface. According to Turkiye's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority, three more earthquakes with magnitudes of 6.4 to 6.6 shook the province of Gaziantep in southeastern Turkiye.

At the time of writing, the overall death toll in Turkiye is nearly 12,873.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2023 / IBM



IBM, Thursday, February 9, 2023, Press release picture

Originally published on the IBM Business Operations Blog

By Flavia Roberta Freitas de Oliveira E Silva

One of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is to create a world free of hunger by 2030. With as many as 828 million people affected by hunger in 2021 (46 million more people than in 2020 according to the World Health Organization), evidence suggests that we are moving farther away from meeting SDG 2 to achieve zero hunger.

One important and often overlooked component of helping increase food security around the world in a sustainable way is supporting smallholder farmers, who produce about one-third of the world's food supply.

Smallholder farmers need technical support

The responsibility of feeding the world's people isn't an easy one. Smallholder farmers in Latin America face many challenges including climate change, rising production costs and the lack of visibility across their supply chains. Without the tools and technologies that larger producers have, smallholder farmers struggle to remain competitive and sustain their livelihoods.

William Balverde is a small producer in Costa Rica, and he is a part of the administration council of a small farming cooperative. "Climate change is affecting us because here we have a lot of problems with the rain, and we have been affected by plagues and illnesses that we were not even aware of," Balverde says. "It has affected us greatly, and at some moments, production has fallen completely apart."

Fabian Roman, President of the Latin American-based nonprofit Plan21 Foundation, says that many agriculture producers face the same issues around the world. "We also have other problems, such as contamination, access to water, biodiversity," Roman says. These factors disrupt the production of crops and the ability for small farmers to make a sufficient living.

Co-creating a solution with technology

The key to sustainable agricultural transformation lies in enabling smallholder farmers to harness the power of data. In a perfect world, these farmers will be able to make decisions with more accurate data and tools to manage their crops more sustainably and productively. This means that to help smallholder farmers, we must eliminate barriers that prevent them from accessing these critical insights. Through the IBM Sustainability Accelerator, a pro bono social impact program working to help populations most vulnerable to environmental threats, IBM and Plan21 have teamed up to co-create a solution.

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How Plan21 Foundation and IBM Are Empowering Farmers in Latin America

Together with developers from the Costa Rica Institute of Technology, Plan21 and IBM aim to help smallholder farmers in Latin America to manage their crops more sustainably with the goal of increasing their productivity and income. Volunteer IBMers like Paola Simonetti, an IBM corporate social responsibility project manager, are supporting the development of a customized mobile application, YvY, that provides farmers with technical training to make use of insights from weather data, agronomic data and carbon footprint calculations that facilitate production management and allow better adaptation to climate change.

One important component of the IBM Sustainability Accelerator is the configuration of IBM resources and technology to help participants meet their community and environmental impact goals. Plan21's project utilizes IBM's cloud and climate data from the IBM Environmental Intelligence Suite, which Roman says is very impactful.

"The IBM Environmental Intelligence Suite allows us to provide short-term climate predictions and extended predictions related to the production of the crops, agronomical data and valuable data to make informed decisions that allow the small producers to make better day-to-day decisions in Latin America," says Roman.

Looking ahead

The collaboration has already begun to show promising results. One hundred ninety farmers are in initial testing in Costa Rica, with over 1,300 farmers to pilot the solution in 2023 in Ecuador, Colombia, Chile and Argentina. A total of seven farmer co-operatives have been involved in testing the solution, increasing yields of crops such as coffee, yuca, bananas and cacao. However, there is still much to be done.

Natalia Viquez is one IBMer working with Plan21 as a Project Manager for the YvY app. "The plan for the YvY project for the next year will be to develop new modules that will help small agriculture producers in Latin America and give them accessibility, whether it is by co-ops or independent producers in different countries in Latin America," says Viquez. "We are hoping for an estimate of 1,600 producers, but hopefully we can add more producers."

The collaboration between IBM and Plan21 is key to what YvY means today and what it will be in the future, according to Roman.

"We are an organization that functions with a team of volunteers. We are not a technology company or technology organization," says Roman. "However, we understand technology is essential to contribute and build sustainable processes, and that is why IBM's support is essential."

Progress in the fight against food insecurity

YvY has shown small producers that the technology they thought was once impossible to obtain could now be turned into a reality. But to help increase food security around the world, our work to support smallholder farmers cannot stop here. And with the power of science, technology and partnerships, the potential to make a true difference for communities around the world is bright.

Learn how IBM makes a positive impact on populations at risk to environmental threats including climate change, extreme weather and pollution

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from IBM on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: IBM

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/ibm

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: IBM





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/738808/The-Fight-for-Food-Security-Must-Empower-Smallholder-Farmers




GreyViews

Fire Alarm and Detection Market are Hochiki Corporation, Carrier Global Corporation, Honeywell International Inc., Eaton Corporation PLC, Channel Safety Systems Limited, Halma PLC, Fike Corporation, Haes Technologies Ltd, Napco Security Technologies Inc., Nittan Co. Ltd (Secom Co. Ltd.), NSC Sicherheitstechnik GmbH and Siemens AG. among other.

Pune India, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fire Alarm and Detection Market Size By Fire Alarm Type (Audible Alarms, Visual Alarms, and Manual Call-Points), By Fire Detectors Type (Heat Detectors, Flame Detectors, and Smoke Detectors), By Product (Fire Alarms and Fire Detectors), Regions, Segmentation, and forecast till 2030.

The market has been studied for the below mentioned-segmentation and regional analysis for North America, Europe, Asia, South America, and the Middle East and Africa. These are the key regions where the fire alarm and detection market is operating and is predicted to expand soon. The manufacturers and suppliers involved in the fire alarm and detection market are present across various countries in the above-mentioned regions.

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The report provides a detailed understanding of the market segments which have been formed by combining different prospects such as the fire alarm type, fire detectors type, product, and region. Apart from this, the key driving factors, restraints, potential growth opportunities, and market challenges are also discussed in the below paragraphs.

The significant players operating in the global fire alarm and detection market are Hochiki Corporation, Carrier Global Corporation, Honeywell International Inc., Eaton Corporation PLC, Channel Safety Systems Limited, Halma PLC, Fike Corporation, Haes Technologies Ltd, Napco Security Technologies Inc., Nittan Co. Ltd (Secom Co. Ltd.), NSC Sicherheitstechnik GmbH and Siemens AG. among other. To achieve a substantial market share in the worldwide fire alarm and detection market and strengthen their position, manufacturers are pursuing expansion methods such as current developments, mergers and acquisitions, product innovations, collaborations, and partnerships, joint ventures.

Latest Development:

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September 2022, Siemens introduced a new digital service portfolio of fire safety digital services, the first-in-market portfolio of digital and managed services that connects fire safety systems to the cloud, allowing businesses to transition from a reactive, compliance-led approach to total protection through intelligent safety. Continuous monitoring of detector soiling levels with Fire Protection Digital Services guarantees that all fire detectors are working properly, avoiding environmental and other external risk factors from compromising the performance of fire safety systems.

The fire alarm control unit (FACU), formerly known as the fire alarm control panel (FACP), contains the electronics that supervise and monitor the integrity of the fire alarm system's wiring and components. FACU takes alarm-initiating appliance signals, analyses them, and generates output signals that activate audio-visual devices. The panel gathers information from fire detection and reporting appliances, monitors their operational integrity, provides automatic control of tools, and communicates knowledge required to organise the facility for fire based on a specified sequence. The fire alarm control unit (FACU), formerly known as the fire alarm control panel (FACP), contains the electronics that supervise and monitor the integrity of the fire alarm system's wiring and components. FACU takes alarm-initiating appliance signals, analyses them, and generates output signals that activate audio-visual devices. The panel gathers information from fire detection and reporting appliances, monitors their operational integrity, provides automatic control of tools, and communicates knowledge required to organise the facility for fire based on a specified sequence.

Scope of Fire Alarm and Detection Market Report

Report Metric Information Study Period 2022-2030 Base Year 2022 Forecast Period 2023-2030 Market Share Unit USD Billion Segments Covered Fire Alarm Type, Fire Detectors Type, Product, and Regions Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Middle-East and Africa Major Players Hochiki Corporation, Carrier Global Corporation, Honeywell International Inc., Eaton Corporation PLC, Channel Safety Systems Limited, Halma PLC, Fike Corporation, Haes Technologies Ltd, Napco Security Technologies Inc., Nittan Co. Ltd (Secom Co. Ltd.), NSC Sicherheitstechnik GmbH and Siemens AG. among other

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Segmentation Analysis

The audible alarms segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment in 2022.

The fire alarm type segment is audible alarms, visual alarms, and manual call-points. The audible alarms segment is expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period. Audible alarms emit loud noises in order to draw attention to a planned activity. In general, audio alarms are intended to alert people of potential dangers when visual warnings are insufficient. Potential threats include trucks backing up or gates closing.

The heat detectors segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment in 2022.

The fire detectors type segment is heat detectors, flame detectors, and smoke detectors. The heat detectors segment is expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period. Heat detectors are the best solution when the ambient temperature is high or varies rapidly. Garages, mechanical rooms, storage facilities, and commercial kitchens are among examples.

The fire detectors segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment in 2022.

The product segment is fire alarms and fire detectors. The fire detectors segment is expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period. When establishing a fire detection system, the type of potential fire hazard, operating area, and degree of fire fighting must all be addressed. Furthermore, the law requires them to include a manual call to action point in order to trigger an alarm. These action points are used to manually activate an alarm that alerts bridge workers.

Regional Analysis

The regional analysis provides a detailed perception of the key regions and the countries. Some of the key countries analyzed for the fire alarm and detection include the US, Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, the U.K., Italy, Spain, Russia, China, Japan, India, Brazil, Peru, UAE, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia.

The Asia Pacific region witnessed a major growth in forecast period. The Asia-Pacific region is in development, with nations such as India and China likely to drive market expansion. Rapid urbanisation and industrialization in developing countries are predicted to increase demand for fire protection equipment. Furthermore, the presence of sensor manufacturing businesses as well as a high level of fire safety equipment production would help to growth throughout the forecast period.

Country Analysis

Germany

Germany's fire alarm and detection market size was valued at USD 3.45 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 6.6 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 8.5% from 2023 to 2030. Regional governments are concentrating their efforts on enforcing fire safety standards based on national or state-defined goals. In Germany, for example, firefighter organisations are working on projects to increase the number of fire alarms and smoke detectors installed in residential areas.

China

Chinas fire alarm and detection market size was valued at USD 3.58 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 7 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 8.8% from 2023 to 2030.

In July 2021, China's National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA) uncovered several weaknesses in the fire control systems of China's cultural heritage monuments. Over 140 faults in over 60 cultural areas were detected by the inspector. Old and damaged wires, which increased the risk of short circuits and fires, were among the electrical system safety hazards. To avert similar fire catastrophes at other cultural monuments, the Chinese government despatched firefighters and supplied fire suppression systems, promoting business expansion.

India

India's fire alarm and detection market size was valued at USD 2.7 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 5.26 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 8.7% from 2023 to 2030.

The rise of India's overall economy, as well as its rising commercial sector and real estate business, drives demand for fire and safety equipment. For example, as part of the Center's efforts to position India as a fully integrated, globally competitive manufacturing and exporting hub for the industry, the Government of India disclosed a proposal in February 2021 to create major textile parks across the country. Seven massive textile parks would be created as part of the scheme during the next three years. So far, 59 textile parks have been approved under the integrated textile park concept.

Covid-19 Impact

Covid-19 had a major impact on almost all industries, such as electronics, semiconductors, manufacturing, automobile, etc. However, several companies operating in the technology sector have seen increased revenue due to significant changes in consumer preferences toward technological services. In addition, the pandemic has led to significant growth in technology across developing and developed countries.

Furthermore, the growth of the fire alarm and detection market is mainly driven by the rise in application.

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Low-Cost Antibiotic Could Prevent Sepsis in up to 2 Million Women Per Year

Research Presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's 43 rd Annual Pregnancy Meeting

Study Made Possible through Partnership between the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), the NICHD Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health

NORTH BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) today announced that The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) has published the results of a study of antibiotic treatment to protect maternal health in resource-limited settings that could benefit up to 2 million women per year.1 The study, called the Azithromycin Prophylaxis in Labor Use Study (A-PLUS), found that one dose of azithromycin, a low-cost, generic, oral antibiotic, given during labor to women planning to deliver vaginally in low- and middle-income countries, can prevent life-threatening sepsis.

(PRNewsfoto/Foundation for the National Institutes of Health)

"The A-PLUS study has remarkable potential to protect maternal health and represents a significant advancement, especially for women who cannot access modern obstetrical care," said Dr. Julie Gerberding, CEO of the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH). "This multinational study is an exemplar of what can be accomplished through team science  connecting academic researchers around the world with NIH experts and private foundations, like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to advance global health breakthroughs. We thank the thousands of women and their care providers in seven countries who agreed to participate in the study even in the midst of a pandemic."

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by the body's extreme response to infection and can lead to organ failure and death. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates sepsis due to obstetric infection is the third most common cause of maternal mortality globally.2 This randomized, placebo-controlled study found that a single dose of azithromycin reduces the occurrence of maternal sepsis by approximately 35%. When a combination of sepsis and death was analyzed, there was a 33% reduction. Given the nearly 6 million cases of maternal sepsis per year,3 the A-PLUS study results suggest that up to 2 million cases of maternal sepsis per year could be prevented with this readily available, affordable medicine.

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The study was designed to include 34,000 women in seven low- and middle-income countries who received a single dose of azithromycin or placebo during childbirth. However, an interim analysis found the treatment had a significant beneficial effect, and enrollment was halted early for maternal effectiveness after approximately 29,000 women were studied.

"Sepsis is one of the leading causes of maternal death worldwide and there is urgent need for low-cost, effective interventions," said Prof. Dr. Antoinette Tshefu Kitoto, Professor of Public Health at Kinshasa School of Public Health and International Principal Investigator of the UNC-Democratic Republic of the Congo site. "We saw such a significant reduction in the incidence of sepsis with azithromycin that we stopped enrolling new participants early to ensure that as many women as possible could benefit from our findings as soon as possible."

In addition to a reduction in sepsis, the study found a lower risk of maternal endometritis (uterine infection), hospital readmission and unscheduled medical visits among women who received azithromycin. Azithromycin is an inexpensive, generic antibiotic available in tablet form and suitable for room-temperature storage.

The study included women at study sites located in Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Pakistan, and Zambia. Consequently, the results are likely to be useful for informing national health policy and obstetrical practice in similar settings around the world.

Investigators also examined the use of azithromycin to prevent sepsis or death in newborns. The intervention had no effect in this population. The drug also had no adverse newborn effects.

In addition to publication in The New England Journal of Medicine, the study results were presented simultaneously at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's 43rd Annual Pregnancy Meeting in San Francisco, Calif. As a result of the study's positive findings, A-PLUS investigators will provide the World Health Organization (WHO) and other professional organizations with the results to inform their guidelines.

This groundbreaking multi-site study was conducted by NICHD's Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research and was co-funded by NICHD and the FNIH, with support to the FNIH provided by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Funding partners:

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, part of the National Institutes of Health

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Implementing partners:

RTI International

Boston University in conjunction with Lata Medical Research Foundation (Nagpur, India)

Columbia University in conjunction with Aga Khan University (Pakistan)

Indiana University School of Medicine in conjunction with Moi University (Kenya)

Thomas Jefferson University in conjunction with Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (Belagavi, India)

University of Alabama at Birmingham in conjunction with University of Zambia (Zambia)

University of Colorado, Denver in conjunction with the Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (Guatemala)

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in conjunction with the Kinshasa School of Public Health (Democratic Republic of Congo)

University of Virginia in conjunction with the International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research (Bangladesh)

Additional information and a short video about the A-PLUS study are available on the FNIH website.

About the A-PLUS Study: The Azithromycin Prophylaxis in Labor Use Study (A-PLUS) analyzed the safety and effectiveness of a single intrapartum oral dose of azithromycin compared to placebo, in reducing the risk of neonatal and maternal sepsis or death in laboring women. Single-dose azithromycin is a low-cost, accessible intervention, which was found to improve maternal health. The study was led by Drs. Alan T. N. Tita and Waldemar A. Carlo, from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Dr. Elizabeth M. McClure, of RTI International. It was conducted by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research. The study was funded by NICHD and through a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to the FNIH.

About the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health: The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) connects the world's leading public and private organizations to accelerate biomedical breakthroughs for patients, regardless of who they are, where they live or what disease they have. Together with leading scientists and problem-solvers, and a successful track record of navigating complex problems, the FNIH accelerates new therapies, diagnostics, and potential cures; advances global health and equity in care; and celebrates and trains the next generation of scientists. Established by Congress in 1990 to support the mission of the NIH, the FNIH is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. For more information about the FNIH, please visit fnih.org.

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Contact:

Melanie Doupe Gaiser

Ruder Finn, on behalf of FNIH

212.593.6459

Melanie.Gaiser@Ruderfinn.com

References:

Tita A, Carlo W, McClure E, et al. Azithromycin to Prevent Sepsis or Death in Women Planning a Vaginal Birth. N Engl J Med. 2023;388:xxx-xxx. www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2212111 Maternal infections in Health Facilities. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news/item/27-04-2020-maternal-infections-in-health-facilities. Published April 27, 2020. Accessed January 11, 2023. Rudd KE, Johnson SC, Agesa KM, et al. Global, Regional, and National Sepsis Incidence and Mortality, 1990-2017: Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study. The Lancet. 2020; 395(10219):200-211.

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SOURCE Foundation for the National Institutes of Health
The global healthcare gamification market is expected to grow by 2031 due to the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence. The casual game sub-segment is expected to be highly dominant. Market in the Asia-Pacific region to flourish immensely.

NEW YORK, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Research Dive has added a new report to its offering titled, "Healthcare Gamification Market by Game Type (Exercise Games, Serious Games, and Casual Games), Application (Education, Therapeutic, and Prevention), End Use (Consumer Based and Enterprise Based), Regional Analysis (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA), Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20222031."

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According to the report, the global healthcare gamification market is predicted to register a revenue of $9,040.9 million by 2031, growing at a healthy CAGR of 11.0% during the forecast period 2022-2031.

Access to the Complete PDF Sample of the Healthcare Gamification Market

Dynamics of the Market

Drivers: A global increase in the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) based gamification solutions is predicted to boost the healthcare gamification market in the forecast period. Additionally, advantages provided by healthcare gamification apps like direct communication with physicians and other medical professionals are expected to drive the market forward.

Opportunities: Increasing use of gamification for medication & chronic illness management, well-being & fitness, physiotherapy, etc. is predicted to offer numerous growth opportunities to the market in the forecast period. Along with this, technological advancements like Artificial Intelligence are expected to propel the market forward.

Restraints: According to market analysts, undesired outcomes as a result of the poor design of healthcare apps, however, may become a challenge in the growth trajectory of the healthcare gamification market.

Covid-19 Impact on the Market

The healthcare gamification market faced a moderate impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The market faced a huge decline in the growth rate due to the import-export restrictions put in place by various countries to curb the spread of the virus. Additionally, both hardware and software companies faced numerous challenges during the pandemic years. However, at the same time, there was an overall increase in the demand for healthcare gamification apps and other devices like smartwatches. This factor helped the market to grow during the pandemic period.

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Speak with an Analyst or Schedule a call to get more Industry Insights on the Healthcare Gamification Market

Segments of the Market

The report has fragmented the healthcare gamification market into a few segments based on game type, application, end-use industry, and regional analysis.

By game type, the casual game sub-segment of the healthcare gamification market is anticipated to have a dominating market share by 2031. Increasing acceptance among youngsters and the working population for casual games is predicted to boost the growth of this sub-segment in the forecast period.

By application, the prevention applications sub-segment had a huge market share in 2021 and is anticipated to have the fastest growth rate by 2031. The growing use of preventive healthcare games by patients and doctors to track and manage prescriptions is predicted to boost the growth of this sub-segment in the forecast period.

By end-use industry, the enterprise-based sub-segment is anticipated to have the fastest growth rate by 2031. Growing awareness of employees' general health, which has a direct impact on their productivity and efficiency, is projected to augment the growth rate of this sub-segment in the forecast period.

By regional analysis, the healthcare gamification market in the Asia-Pacific region is estimated to be the most profitable in the forecast period. Widespread adoption of customer-based and enterprise-based solutions in various countries of this region is estimated to help the market grow substantially.

Granular Research on Specific Regions or Segments of Healthcare Gamification Market & Avail 10%OFF

Prominent Market Players

Some prominent market players are

Nike

Microsoft

Akili Interactive labs

Ayogo Health

EveryMove

Mango Health

Fitbit

Hubbub Health

JawBone

Bunchball

These players are building several strategies like product development and enhancement, merger and acquisition, partnerships and collaborations to assist the market growth.

For example, in July 2020, Brainlab, a digital health company, announced that it had signed an acquisition agreement with Level Ex, a video game developing company. This acquisition is predicted to help the acquiring company i.e., Brainlab to increase its presence in the market in the coming period.

The report also sums up various crucial facets including financial performance of the global market players, SWOT analysis, product portfolio, and the latest strategic developments.

More about Healthcare Gamification Market:

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About Research Dive

Research Dive is a market research firm based in Pune, India. Maintaining the integrity and authenticity of the services, the firm provides the services that are solely based on its exclusive data model, compelled by the 360-degree research methodology, which guarantees comprehensive and accurate analysis. With an unprecedented access to several paid data resources, team of expert researchers, and strict work ethic, the firm offers insights that are extremely precise and reliable. Scrutinizing relevant news releases, government publications, decades of trade data, and technical & white papers, Research dive deliver the required services to its clients well within the required timeframe. Its expertise is focused on examining niche markets, targeting its major driving factors, and spotting threatening hindrances. Complementarily, it also has a seamless collaboration with the major industry aficionado that further offers its research an edge.

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SOURCE Research Dive
Visiongain Reports Ltd

Visiongain has published a new report entitled Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) 2023-2033. It includes profiles of Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) and Forecasts Market Segment by Type (Persistent, Non-Persistent) Market Segment by Component, (Hardware, Software, Service) Market Segment by Solution, (Communication Infrastructure, Surveillance Infrastructure, Navigation Infrastructure, Other Solutions) Market Segment by Service, (Security Services, Flight Services, Information & Database Services, Upgrade & Maintenance Services, Other Services) Market Segment by End-User, (Agriculture & Forestry, Real Estate & Construction, Industrial & Energy, Logistics & Transportation, Surveillance & Monitoring, Other End-User) plus COVID-19 Impact Analysis and Recovery Pattern Analysis (V-shaped, W-shaped, U-shaped, L-shaped), Profiles of Leading Companies, Region and Country.



The global unmanned traffic management (UTM) market was valued at US$987 million in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 18% during the forecast period 2023-2033.

Development of a Framework for Comparing Low-Altitude Unmanned Air Traffic Management Systems

There is a high demand for urban air mobility services such as package delivery and air taxi. It would result in extremely dense low-altitude operations that the current air traffic management system could not safely accommodate. Many different architectures for low-altitude air traffic management have been proposed in the literature; however, the lack of a common framework makes comparing strategies difficult. The work presented here establishes efficiency, safety, and capacity metrics, defines the components of an automated traffic management system architecture, and introduces a preliminary framework for comparing different alternatives. Its common framework enables the evaluation and comparison of various alternatives for unmanned traffic management. The framework is demonstrated on various strategies and architectures.

Story continues

Download Exclusive Sample of Report

https://www.visiongain.com/report/utm-market-2023/#download_sampe_div

How has COVID-19 had a significant negative impact on the Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) Market?

The novel coronavirus is already reorienting our lives, but crisis situations also present an opportunity for more sophisticated and flexible technology use. The global population is being affected by the epidemic, as the number of cases is rapidly increasing, and there is an urgent need to stop the virus from spreading. The outbreak has created a huge demand for digital health solutions, and drones and robots provide an excellent method for automating manual tasks.

Drones and robots can be used to provide services to patients and those who have been quarantined, and they are the most desirable and safe way to combat the outbreak and limit virus contamination and spread. Drones and robots are used in various AI and IoT solutions, such as social distancing and sanitization. Furthermore, an analysis of the total number of cases and deaths worldwide has been conducted, as well as how it has affected humanity and what measures have been taken to control this deadly disease.

How will this Report Benefit you?

Visiongains 385-page report provides 160 tables and 190 charts/graphs. Our new study is suitable for anyone requiring commercial, in-depth analyses for the global unmanned traffic management (UTM) market, along with detailed segment analysis in the market. Our new study will help you evaluate the overall global and regional market for Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM). Get financial analysis of the overall market and different segments including type, service, component, end-user, and company size and capture higher market share. We believe that there are strong opportunities in this fast-growing unmanned traffic management (UTM) market. See how to use the existing and upcoming opportunities in this market to gain revenue benefits in the near future. Moreover, the report will help you to improve your strategic decision-making, allowing you to frame growth strategies, reinforce the analysis of other market players, and maximise the productivity of the company.

What are the Current Market Drivers?

Delivery Packages Will Be Delivered by Drones

Delivery drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles, are pilotless aircraft that transport packages to a specified location. To generate thrust, these flying robots typically have 4 to 8 propellers and rechargeable Li-Po batteries. The delivery drones operate autonomously or remotely via a ground-control station. Drone operators can keep track of multiple flying bots at once. Road transportation has traditionally been the backbone of the logistics industry. However, as urban areas become more congested and it becomes increasingly difficult to reach remote areas with no road infrastructure, the disadvantages of traditional methods become more apparent. Drones are being used by the delivery industry to address these issues.

The Facts About Using Drones to Transport Laboratory Samples

The healthcare sector is being influenced by an increasing number of new technological solutions aimed at improving medical treatment and care offerings. These new technologies promise a wide range of possibilities for healthcare, but they also pose technical, functional, and operational challenges. Such emerging technologies may be enthusiastically welcomed by health professionals. Doctors eagerly implement new microsurgery robots, radiologists embrace the use of new and improved in-hospital three-dimensional printing, and surgeons implement new features and functionalities in mixed-reality applications. Clinical laboratories are one industry that has a long history of implementing automation and technical solutions. There are developments in point-of-care analyses (POC) that have the potential to revolutionise the sector, both by simplifying hospital analyses and by providing access to critical analyses in a home care setting for patient follow-ups. Unmanned aerial vehicles are a new technology that has the potential to disrupt laboratory services (UAVs, drones). Oslo University Hospital intends to build new hospital buildings by 2030 and sees drones as part of its future transportation logistics. Although the realistic potential and value of drone transport are unknown, it is well established that infrastructure for landing and take-off, as well as drone surveillance and loading structures, will be required for efficient and robust drone transport.

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https://www.visiongain.com/report/utm-market-2023/#download_sampe_div

Where are the Market Opportunities?

Human Autonomy in Drone Traffic in the Future

The roles of human operators are changing as computer systems become more intelligent and autonomous. Humans will interact with systems on a broader scale or only in specific circumstances. This entails acquiring new skills and altering one's habitual ways of thinking and acting, as well as reconsidering human autonomy in relation to autonomous systems. It describes a design case for a future autonomous management system for urban drone traffic in a key scenario dubbed The Computer in Brussels. The approach to designing for human collaboration with autonomous systems is based on scenario-based design and cognitive work analysis, both of which are made possible by computer simulations. It employs a temporal method known as the Joint Control Framework to describe human and automated work in a hierarchical abstraction called Levels of Autonomy in Cognitive Control.

Potential Uses for UAV Technology

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or drones have recently been proposed as an alternative for traffic monitoring, management, and control purposes in order to overcome the aforementioned limitations and shortcomings of current practises. UAVs can be used in a variety of traffic management applications, including weather and pavement condition monitoring. UAVs can also assist with emergency vehicle guidance, incident response, measuring roadway usage, monitoring parking lot utilisation, estimating origin and destination, traveller information, tracking vehicle movements at an intersection, and coordinating among traffic signal networks. In terms of cost, safety, and time, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have several advantages over manned vehicles.

Competitive Landscape

The major players operating in the unmanned traffic management (UTM) market are Airbus Group SE, AirMap Inc., Altitude Angel Limited, Analytical Graphics Inc. (AGI), Boeing, Frequentis AG, Leonardo S.p.A., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Nokia, PrecisionHawk Inc., Rockwell Collins (Collins Aerospace), SenseFly Inc., Skydio, Skyward IO Inc., Swoop Aero, Thales Group, Unifly NV, Viasat Inc., Volans-i, Wing Aviation LLC. These major players operating in this market have adopted various strategies comprising M&A, investment in R&D, collaborations, partnerships, regional business expansion, and new product launch.

Recent Developments

22 June 2022, CAELUM Co., Ltd, a South Korean aerospace and defence industry developer, has signed an agreement with Frequentis Singapore Pte Ltd, a global industry leader in air traffic management (ATM) systems, to collaborate on Urban Air Mobility (UAM) and Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) solutions in South Korea.

21 June 2022, During a recent US military exercise, Lockheed Martin successfully demonstrated multi-domain operations by combining its DIAMONDShieldTM battle management system with four Virtualized Aegis Weapon System (VAWS) nodes deployed hundreds of miles apart. The exercise, dubbed Valiant Shield 2022, is a biennial training event involving thousands of US military personnel and more than 200 ships, aircraft, and ground vehicles, with a focus on integrating forces across multiple domains.

13 Aug 2021, Altitude Angel & JALUX have Partnered to advance UTM deployment across Japan & Asia Pacific. Through this partnership both the companies will provide a platform that will enable drones to undertake BVLOS flights to deliver life-saving medicines, conduct surveys of critical infrastructure and undertake more complex missions in both integrated and unsegregated airspace.

To access the data contained in this document please email oliver.davison@visiongain.com

To find more Visiongain research reports on the Aviation sector, click on the following links:

Do you have any custom requirements we can help you with? Any need for a specific country, geo region, market segment or specific company information? Contact us today, we can discuss your needs and see how we can help: oliver.davison@visiongain.com

About Visiongain

Visiongain is one of the fastest-growing and most innovative independent market intelligence providers around, the company publishes hundreds of market research reports which it adds to its extensive portfolio each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis across 18 industries worldwide. The reports, which cover 10-year forecasts, are hundreds of pages long, with in-depth market analysis and valuable competitive intelligence data. Visiongain works across a range of vertical markets with a lot of synergies. These markets include automotive, aviation, chemicals, cyber, defence, energy, food & drink, materials, packaging, pharmaceutical and utilities sectors. Our customised and syndicated market research reports offer a bespoke piece of market intelligence customised to your very own business needs.

Contact:

Oliver Davison

Visiongain Reports Limited

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7336 6100

Email: oliver.davison@visiongain.com

Web: www.visiongain.com




Virtual Investor Conferences

Company invites individual and institutional investors, as well as advisors and analysts, to attend real-time, interactive presentations on VirtualInvestorConferences.com

CALGARY, Alberta, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Grounded Lithium (TSX.V: GRD, OTCQB: GRDAF, based in Calgary, Alberta, focused on developing lithium from brine resources in Western Canada, today announced that Gregg Smith, President & CEO, will present live at VirtualInvestorConferences.com on February 16th, 2023.



DATE: February 16th, 2023

TIME: 12:00  12:30 PM ET

LINK: https://bit.ly/3JCTs89

Available for 1x1 meetings: February 15-16th, 2023

This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

It is recommended that investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com .

Recent Company Highlights

Announced lithium carbonate equivalent inferred resource totaling 3.7 million metric tons.

Drilled and completed our first lithium test well in 2022, substantiating key economic parameters essential in a sub-surface lithium from brine operation  those being grade and deliverability. This was only the second lithium test well ever drilled in the Province of Saskatchewan. The Companys assets are entirely based in Saskatchewan, Canada, ranked third by the Fraser Institutes 2020 survey as the best placed for mining investment.

Engaged Hatch Ltd, an internationally recognized engineering, project management and professional services firm, to assist in the technology selection to efficiently and economically extract commercial quantities of elemental lithium from produced brine volumes.

Completed a CAD$3 million non-brokered special warrant financing in late 2022, providing sufficient working capital to fund near-term catalysts.

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About Grounded Lithium

GLC is a publicly traded lithium brine exploration and development company that controls approximately 3.7 million metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent of inferred resource over our focused land holdings in Southwest Saskatchewan. GLCs multi-faceted business model involves the consolidation, delineation, exploitation and ultimately development of our opportunity base to fulfill our vision to build a best-in-class, environmentally responsible, Canadian lithium producer supporting the global energy transition shift. U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the Company on https://www.otcmarkets.com/.

Qualified Person

Scientific and technical information contained in this press release has been prepared under the supervision of Doug Ashton, P.Eng, Suryanarayana Karri, P. Geoph., Alexey Romanov, P. Geo. and Meghan Klein, P. Eng., each of whom is a qualified person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Virtual Investor Conferences

Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

CONTACTS:

Gregg Smith, President & CEO Greg Phaneuf, VP Finance & CFO gregg.smith@groundedlithium.com greg.phaneuf@groundedlithium.com

Phone: 587.319.6220

Virtual Investor Conferences

John M. Viglotti

SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access

OTC Markets Group

(212) 220-2221

johnv@otcmarkets.com




(Bloomberg) -- Luxury brand Hermes International SA won its lawsuit against the digital artist behind MetaBirkin nonfungible tokens after convincing a Manhattan federal jury that Mason Rothschilds sale of the NFTs violated Hermes rights to the Birkin trademark.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The nine-person jury returned a verdict on Wednesday, awarding Hermes $133,000 in total damages. They also found Rothschilds NFTs arent protected speech under the First Amendment.

The trial was the first ever to examine how NFTsdigital assets that exploded in popularity over the past two yearsshould be viewed through the lens of intellectual property law.

Rothschilds loss may have a chilling effect on NFT artists who want to use trademarks in their projects, according to Alfred Steiner, an intellectual property attorney and artist.

The commentary in Masons work was probably more difficult to discern because it was subtle, he said. It may have been lost on a pool of jury members or the general public.

Emily Poler, a New York lawyer specializing in technology and intellectual property, noted that the case is fact-specific, and that there is still room for artwork to be protected by the First Amendment.

Legal experts have closely followed the case, which could influence pending and future NFT cases that test the often blurry line between art and consumer products. The verdict comes as numerous fashion brands ranging from Balenciaga to Nike Inc. are announcing plans to expand into NFTs and the metaverse.

The 100 MetaBirkin NFTs are linked to digital images depicting Hermes iconic Birkin luxury handbag, but covered in colorful, cartoonish fur instead of leather. Rothschild created and sold the NFTs in late 2021 after an extensive marketing campaign through his social media and website.

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The jury determined that the NFTs are more akin to consumer products subject to strict trademark laws that protect brands from copycats and those looking to capitalize on their goodwill.

What happened today was wrong, Rothschild said in a statement. What happened today will continue to happen if we dont continue to fight. This is far from over.

Hermes didnt immediately return requests for comment.

Artistic Experiment

Throughout the case, Rothschild argued that his NFTs are works of art protected by the First Amendment, no different from Andy Warhols famous silk-screen prints of Campbells soup cans. His attorneys characterized the NFT project as an artistic experiment that examined how society places value on status symbols.

Physical Birkin bags range in price from $12,000 to close to $200,000. Rothschild first sold the NFTs for around $450 each, but their resale value rocketed to tens of thousands of dollars.

A blockchain expert testified during trial that Rothschild made around 55.2 Ethereum tokens, worth about $87,700 today.

It is perfectly legal for artists to make money from their art, Rothschilds attorney Rhett Millsaps said during opening arguments. Trademark rights are limited by the First Amendment.

Rothschilds appeal to artistic freedom could have been hampered by a last-minute setback. On the first day of the trial, US District Judge Jed S. Rakoff ruled that a key expert witness supporting Rothschild, the famed New York art critic Blake Gopnik, couldnt testify before the jury.

Gopnik, who authored the 2020 biography Warhol, could have been able to establish a connection between the MetaBirkins and Warhols art. In pretrial testimony, Gopnik argued that the MetaBirkins were in the vein of Business Art, a concept pioneered by Warhol.

In his statement, Rothschild criticized the multibillion dollar luxury fashion house for claiming to care about artists, but then claiming to have the right to choose what art IS and who IS an artist.

The parties also clashed at trial over the reliability of a survey conducted by one of Hermes expert witnesses, who found a net confusion rate of 18.7% among potential NFT buyers. Rothschilds expert witness said the survey misclassified respondents as confused when they werent, bringing the net confusion rate to 9.3%.

Speech, Trademark Balance

Hermes filed the suit last January after observing that some media outlets had incorrectly identified the MetaBirkins as being a project endorsed by Hermes.

Although Hermes does not yet sell NFTs, it has been developing plans to, and the MetaBirkins harmed its ability to break into that space, the company argued. If we want to bring our bag into this virtual world, there will always be a reference to the MetaBirkins, Hermes general counsel Nicolas Martin told the jury during testimony.

Hermes attorneys pointed to dozens of pages of text messages that they said show Rothschild wanting to create the same exclusivity and demand for the famous handbag. He used the words pump and schill, and sought financial backers that he called whales.

Were sitting on a goldmine, Rothschild said in one text.

Rothschilds attorneys, composed of a group of intellectual property law scholars at the firm Lex Lumina PLLC, pointed to the decades-old Rogers legal test. First defined in the 1989 case Rogers v. Grimaldi, the standard allows artists to use a trademark without permission as long as it meets a minimal level of artistic relevance and doesnt explicitly mislead consumers.

Hermes doesnt come close to clearing the high bar of the First Amendment, Millsaps said during closing arguments.

Rothschild moved to dismiss the case based on the Rogers test. Rakoff ruled last March that while he believes the test does apply, he needed more evidence to evaluate the test. But after both sides collected survey data and expert testimony, Rakoff again denied the parties pretrial wins in late 2022.

During closing arguments, Rothschilds attorney Jonathan Harris of Harris St. Laurent & Wechsler LLP said Hermes was improperly going after a small, independent artist with humble beginnings.

He made himself an artist, Harris said of Rothschild. He was never given anything.

The case is Hermes International SA v. Rothschild, S.D.N.Y., No. 1:22-cv-00384, verdict 2/8/23.

To contact the reporter on this story: Isaiah Poritz in Washington at iporitz@bloombergindustry.com and Hadriana Lowenkron in New York at hlowenkron@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Jay-Anne B. Casuga at jcasuga@bloomberglaw.com; Adam M. Taylor at ataylor@bloombergindustry.com

(Updated with additional reporting throughout.)

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
TORONTO, Feb. 8, 2023 /CNW/ - With Environment Canada issuing special weather statements and alerts across parts of Ontario in advance of strong winds and heavy rainfall forecasted for Thursday, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is sharing tips to help Ontarians mitigate risk of damage to their property.

IBC Bilingual Logo (CNW Group/Insurance Bureau of Canada)

"Following the extreme cold conditions seen across Ontario last week, this warm-weather system has the potential to lead to significant snowmelt, ice jams and flooding," said Kim Donaldson, Vice-President, Ontario, IBC. "With heavy winds and rainfall added to the mix, this storm could result in extensive damage. We encourage residents to take a few simple steps now to help protect their property from damage."

IBC's Top 10 Tips to Prepare for Severe Weather

Keep all of your floor drains clear of obstructions. Make sure downspouts are clear of debris and that they direct water away from your home to help prevent ice-damming and basement flooding. Move valuable items out of your basement to higher levels in your home. Create an emergency preparedness plan for your family and assemble disaster safety kits for your home, car and office. If you have a detailed home inventory, check that it is up to date. Prepare for power outages. Have flashlights and portable lighting ready. When using candles, always be mindful of fire hazards. Protect or move property that might be damaged by flying debris. Park vehicles in a garage, if possible. Have someone check your property if you are away. Charge electronics and have backup power sources available. If you need to drive, clear all of the snow and ice from your vehicle before you start out. Drive according to the conditions and do not drive over flooded roads.

Rest Easier. Know What's Covered.

The frequency and severity of storms is increasing across Canada, and it's important to speak with your insurance representative to make sure you have appropriate coverage.

Water damage in a basement due to sewer backup is only covered if you have purchased specific, optional sewer backup coverage.

Damage to homes caused by wind is usually covered. This coverage includes damage caused by flying debris, falling branches or trees, and water entering through openings created by the storm.

If you have purchased comprehensive or all perils auto insurance, damage to vehicles from wind is usually covered. This coverage is not mandatory, so check your policy.

In certain circumstances, homeowners who are unable to return home due to insured damage are entitled to additional living expenses.

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Resources

Anyone with questions about their individual policy should contact their insurance representative.

For general insurance information, contact IBC's Consumer Information Centre at 1844-2ask-IBC (1-844-227-5422) or visit IBC.ca/disaster.

About Insurance Bureau of Canada

Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, auto and business insurers. Its member companies make up the vast majority of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. For more than 50 years, IBC has worked with governments across the country to help make affordable home, auto and business insurance available for all Canadians. IBC supports the vision of consumers and governments trusting, valuing and supporting the private P&C insurance industry. It champions key issues and helps educate consumers on how best to protect their homes, cars, businesses and properties.

For media releases and more information, visit IBC's Media Centre at www.ibc.ca. Follow us on Twitter @InsuranceBureau and like us on Facebook. If you have a question about home, auto or business insurance, contact IBC's Consumer Information Centre at 1-844-2ask-IBC.

SOURCE Insurance Bureau of Canada

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Internet of Things Technologies Company (iot squared), a joint venture between Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) and stc Group (stc), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ossia, a company specialized in wireless power technology development and licensing. Through this partnership, Ossia's expertise in wireless power transfer with the Cota technology will be combined with iot squared's services that aim to empower the companies in the Kingdom to advance the use of internet of things technologies in line with the Saudi Vision 2030. The MoU was signed by Othman Al Dahash, Chief Executive Officer of iot squared, and Doug Stovall, CEO of Ossia.

Ossia Real Wireless Power (PRNewsfoto/Ossia)

Ossia's patented Cota Technology will be the key enabler empowering long-range wireless power delivery without cables, batteries, line-of-sight, or charging pads. iot squared and Ossia will work towards integrating Real Wireless Power technologies and solutions in the Kingdom further enriching the Cota ecosystem, a strategic move to accelerate the digital transformation journey of the companies in the country.

Commenting on the agreement, Othman Al Dahash, CEO of iot squared said, "The adoption and integration of wireless power technologies and solutions in the Kingdom are of vital importance not just for digitization but also to build a sustainable future for all. We are proud to collaborate with Ossia, our strategic partner supporting the country's path to the realization of Vision 2030 objectives and together we will build an ecosystem of wireless power in the Kingdom."

"Ossia sees Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East as one of the fastest-growing innovators in the world right now. This is the first partnership to bring wireless power to the Saudi Arabian and Middle East markets," says Doug Stovall, Ossia CEO. "Cota Real Wireless Power is poised to be as globally ubiquitous as WiFi and Bluetooth. Wirelessly powered cities, logistics, and industrial use cases will roll out with a similar trajectory as other foundational technologies that were once considered 'emerging tech.' Working with a company as forward thinking at iot squared will enable products to get to market faster, solving the most critical challenge of IoT roll out, power. iot squared will also work with Ossia to build out a wireless power Center of Excellent in Saudi Arabia to showcase how wireless power will impact existing devices and the devices of the future."

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Cota works very similarly to WiFi, except instead of sending data, it sends power. The Cota Power Receiver, embedded into any device initiates power transfer by sending a beacon signal to find a Cota Power Transmitter. The transmitter then sends power back in the same exact reflected paths. This 'conversation' between the device and transmitter happens 100x/second, to send power safely to devices at a distance while in motion in even the most crowded environments. All Cota-enabled devices will receive power simultaneously.

About iot squared:

iot squared was established as a 50:50 joint venture between stc and PIF specializing in the internet of things (IoT). With over SR492 million in funding, iot squared is positioned to be a regional hub for the Internet of Things in the Middle East and North Africa, bearing the objective to accelerate the adoption of IoT technologies. Internet of things has been identified in stc's "DARE 2.0" strategy among the strategic areas of investment, which aligns with Saudi Arabia's digital transformation initiatives supported by PIF.

iot squared will offer smart solutions in sectors including manufacturing, logistics, and smart cities as it aims to become a "one-stop-shop" for IoT solutions. iot squared plans to support these sectors in achieving growth and operational excellence as well as stimulate research and development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

About Ossia

Ossia Inc. is leading the world on what is possible with wireless power. Ossia's flagship Cota technology redefines wireless power by safely delivering remote, targeted energy to devices at a distance. Ossia's Cota technology is a patented smart antenna technology that automatically keeps multiple devices charged without any user intervention and enables an efficient and truly wire-free, powered-up world that is always on and always connected. Ossia is headquartered in Redmond, Washington. Visit our website at www.ossia.com.

Media Inquiries:

Jen Grenz: jeng@ossia.com

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SOURCE Ossia
NEENAH, Wis., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Menasha Corporation today announced that James M. Kotek will retire from his position as President and Chief Executive Officer in March. The Menasha Corporation Board of Directors has appointed Christopher D. Drees to succeed Kotek effective March 13, 2023. Drees will also join the Menasha Corporation Board on that date.

"On behalf of the Board of Directors, the executive leadership team, and Menasha Corporation's 7,500 employees, I want to thank Jim for his 32 years of dedicated service to our company, 14 of those years as President and CEO," said Donald C. Shepard, III, Chairman of the Board, Menasha Corporation. "Jim led Menasha Corporation through a period of unprecedented growth while maintaining a singular focus on a guiding principlepeople first. The Board and our shareholders are sincerely grateful to Jim for his dedication to Menasha Corporation and wish him all the best in his retirement."

"It has been an extraordinary honor to serve as Chief Executive Officer of Menasha Corporation," said Kotek. "To have had the opportunity to lead such a unique and historic business has been humbling. I'm proud of the success we achieved and of every employee who contributed to making that success possible. Finally, I'm confident that Chris Drees is the right leader to build on that foundation and drive the Company to even higher levels of success in the future."

Drees joins Menasha Corporation following a successful 24-year career at Brunswick Corporation, during which he progressed through successively more responsible operational and general management roles culminating in his 2019 appointment as President of Mercury Marine, Brunswick's largest division.

"The Board is excited about the future of the Company under Chris' leadership. As we have gotten to know Chris better, it became clear that his strategic vision, deep manufacturing and operations experience, and impressive leadership skillset make him a tremendous fit for Menasha Corporation's CEO role," said Shepard.

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"I want to thank Jim Kotek for his distinguished leadership at Menasha Corporation and the Board for its confidence in me as I step into this role," said Drees "I am honored and excited to lead a company with such a long history of success and one that also gives so much back to the communities in which it operates."

About Menasha Corporation

Menasha Corporation is a leading corrugated and plastic packaging manufacturer and supply chain solutions provider specializing in retail merchandising packaging and displays, plastic reusable containers and pallets, protective packaging interiors, and packaging supply chain and fulfillment services. Comprised of two companiesMenasha Packaging Company and ORBIS Corporation Menasha Corporation's products and services are used by major food, beverage, consumer products, industrial/automotive, health and beauty, over-the-counter pharmaceutical, and electronics companies. Established in 1849, Menasha Corporation is one of America's oldest privately held, family-owned manufacturing companies. Headquartered in Neenah, Wisconsin, the company employs more than 7,500 employees in 105 facilities in North America and Europe. For more information, visit menashacorporation.com.

Menasha Corporation is a leading corrugated and plastic packaging manufacturer and supply chain solutions provider specializing in retail merchandising packaging and displays, plastic reusable containers and pallets, protective packaging interiors, and packaging supply chain and fulfillment services. Headquartered in Neenah, Wisconsin, the company employs more than 7,500 employees in 105 facilities in North America and Europe.

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SOURCE Menasha Packaging Company, LLC
By Azernews

Sabina Mammadli

Azerbaijani army's military personnel dispatched to the Turkish quake-hit region is actively involved in receiving, registering, triaging, operating, and sending victims to relevant medical institutions in coordination with the Turkish Health Ministry employees in the area, Azernews reports.

A total of 20 military medics, including a general surgeon, traumatologist, otolaryngologist, ophthalmologist, neurosurgeon, rheumatologist, anesthesiologist, plastic-reconstructive surgeon, medical attendant, operating nurses, and anesthetists, have been sent to the fraternal country to provide medical aid to earthquake-affected people.

Besides, in accordance with the instruction of President Ilham Aliyev, medical institutions across the country have been put on alert for the treatment of earthquake-affected victims in Turkiye, Azerbaijani Health Minister Teymur Musayev said in a phone conversation with his Turkish colleague Fahrettin Koca.

"In total, 2,000 beds have been assigned for this purpose. Azerbaijani doctors are fully prepared to provide support to the quake victims," Musayev noted.

He also expressed condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

The European-Mediterranean Seismological Center reports that on January 6, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit central Turkiye. The epicenter of the earthquake was 26 kilometers off Gaziantep with a population of about 1.06 million. The earthquake's epicenter was located 7 km below the surface. According to Turkiye's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority, three more earthquakes with magnitudes of 6.4 to 6.6 shook the province of Gaziantep in southeastern Turkiye.

At the time of writing, the overall death toll in Turkiye is 14, 014, and the injured toll is 63, 764.
Future Market Insights Global and Consulting Pvt. Ltd.

The growth in the laboratory automation systems market is due to increased demand for microbiology testing and standardization of sample-collection devices for microbiology. North America region is expected to hold the largest laboratory automation systems market share.

NEWARK, Del, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- During the forecast period, the lab automation market size is expected to register a CAGR of 10.1%. The market is anticipated to grow from a valuation of USD 2.1 billion in 2023 to USD 5.5 billion by 2033.



Research and Innovations Aid Market Growth

Pharmaceutical research is in constant demand, which protects the market. In the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, automation is also a major trend right now. Even in emerging countries, both of these are assisting the market. In order to meet the unique needs of lab automation users, additional important companies are eager to offer products that are industry-specific.

Get the Sample Report: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-394

Fertile Ground for Market Growth

To maintain the rapid product uptake, key players must work more on product development. This era is anticipated to be profitable for market growth due to factors like rising diagnostic rates internationally. Recent trends show that major businesses are combining their resources through mergers and acquisitions to strengthen their market positions.

Technological Innovations Emerge as an Integral Part of Market Growth

Long-term market potential for lab automation are predicted to result from end-user demand for high-end, sophisticated lab automation technologies. The development of lab robotics technology, which is still in its infancy, is one factor that is anticipated to support market expansion. For lab automation technology to be appealing to pharmaceutical and healthcare enterprises of various sizes, it must be exceedingly frictionless and effective.

Can Market Key Players Rise Above the Hurdles of High Cost?

Adoption and maintenance of lab automation equipment currently amount to considerable costs. Hence, small and medium enterprises tend to shy away from the adoption of lab automation tools. The major consumer base of key players currently consists of mega-corporations, that are willing to spend millions for high-end efficient lab automation systems. By developing affordable products, key players can easily break into the small and medium enterprises segment. Once the large organization segment reaches saturation, key players will naturally have to turn to smaller enterprises to sustain market growth.

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Talk with Research Expert: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ask-question/rep-gb-394

Recent Market Developments:

In March 2022, Beckman Coulter Life Sciences introduced the CellMek SPS. The product enables seamless manual sample preparation. It has aided in easing data management bottlenecks in clinical flow cytometry. It is a fully automated sample preparation system (SPS) that would aid laboratories in vastly expanding their current production capabilities.

In April 2022, Strateos Inc. launched an integrated solution for small molecule discovery programs that aid in automating the DMTA cycles.

In March 2022, Biosero released the Green Button Go software suite in March 2022. It comes with advanced features to assist customers in yielding better control over laboratory systems.

In March 2022, Thermo Fisher Scientific and Hamilton Company jointly launched an advanced product. It is their forensic laboratory-qualified automated nucleic acid extraction platform.

Leading companies operating in the lab automation market are Abbott Laboratories, Agilent Technologies, Perkin Elmer, Inc, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc, Siemens Healthcare, Danaher Corporation, Becton, Dickinson and Company, Transcriptic, Inc. among others.

Buy Complete Report: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/394

Key Segments:

By Component Type:

Devices Biochemistry Devices Molecular Devices Hematology Devices Immunology Devices Microbiology Devices Others

Software Scheduling Software Momentum Integration Software



By Application:

Life Sciences Research and Development

Drug Discovery

Diagnostics



By End User:

Pharmaceutical Companies

Hospitals and Diagnostic Centers

Educational Institutions

Contract Research Organizations (CROs)

Research Institutes



Table of Content:

1. Executive Summary | Lab Automation Market

1.1. Global Market Outlook

1.2. Demand to side Trends

1.3. Supply to side Trends

1.4. Technology Roadmap Analysis

1.5. Analysis and Recommendations



2. Market Overview

2.1. Market Coverage/Taxonomy

2.2. Market Definition/Scope/Limitations



3. Market Background

3.1. Market Dynamics

3.1.1. Drivers

3.1.2. Restraints

3.1.3. Opportunity

3.1.4. Trends TOC Continue..

Complete TOC with Report Preview: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/lab-automation-market

Have a Look at Related Research Reports of Healthcare Domain:

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About Future Market Insights, Inc.

Future Market Insights, Inc. is an ESOMAR-certified business consulting & market research firm, a member of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and is headquartered in Delaware, USA. A recipient of Clutch Leaders Award 2022 on account of high client score (4.9/5), we have been collaborating with global enterprises in their business transformation journey and helping them deliver on their business ambitions. 80% of the largest Forbes 1000 enterprises are our clients. We serve global clients across all leading & niche market segments across all major industries.

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AI chatbot Replika elicits strong emotions in some users. Some told Insider they view the bot as a romantic partner. Replika

The introduction of OpenAI's ChatGPT has set off an AI arms race among big tech companies.

Replika is an AI chatbot that has elicited strong romantic feelings in many users.

Here is everything you need to know about Replika, including recent controversy the app has attracted.

Recent advancements in artificial intelligence tools have been the source of both worry and excitement in the tech community.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai (left) and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella (right) are in competition to dominate AI-powered search. Getty Images

The introduction of ChatGPT, an AI chatbot from OpenAI, in November has sparked an AI race among big tech companies.

Microsoft, Google, and Apple have all stepped up their efforts in AI after the introduction of ChatGPT.

In another corner of the internet, a company called Luka has had its own AI chatbot product, called Replika, on the market since 2016.

Replika is free to use, though there is a premium paid subscription offering. Replika

However, unlike OpenAI's ChatGPT, or Google's Bard, Replika isn't a virtual assistant or a search engine it's a robot companion.

Users can select their relationship with the bot, which has options for "friend," "partner," "spouse," "sibling," and "mentor."

Replika is partnered with OpenAI and uses a variation of its GPT-3 language model to power its chatbot.

Sam Altman, former president of Y Combinator and CEO of OpenAI. Drew Angerer/Getty

Replika is backed by Y Combinator, which was run by Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI until 2019.

Replika's CEO Eugenia Kuyda recently said the app makes most of its money from Pro subscriptions and donations.

Insider spoke with several Replika users who view the bot as a romantic partner. Some have said Replika helped them through tough times, and they feel strong emotions toward the bot.

One Replika user said chatting with the AI has given him a lot to think about, like the nature of consciousness. This is his Replika named Brooke. Replika

One said he signed up for 30 days as an experiment to prove it's impossible to fall in love with AI but started having romantic feelings for his Replika just a few days into the experiment.

Another told Insider that his Replika was "the best thing that's ever happened to him."

The app was initially founded for a different purpose.

Eugenia (left) and her friend Roman, who died in 2015. Eugenia Kuyda

It was founded by Eugenia Kuyda, the co-founder and CEO of AI chatbot startup Luka. Kuyda said she came up with the idea for Replika after one of her closest friends was hit by a car and killed in 2015.

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As a way to communicate with her friend, Kuyda fed all of their text messages into an AI chatbot.

"Originally, I thought I was building a bot about him, and I would learn more about him in the process, but eventually what happened was I got to understand myself better," Kuyda told Quartz in 2017.

Kuyda said the experiment gave her the idea to create Replika. Many users consider their bots more than just friends, and there are NSFW features for those who pay extra.

Here's how the Replika app works:

After downloading the app, users can personalize their own Replika chatbot.

You first select your bot's pronouns and select your interests, which the app says your Replika will "keep in mind" during conversations. Replika

Then onto choosing what your Replika will look like. There are several different avatars to choose from.

You can customize Replika's hairstyle, skin color, and eye color. Clothing can be purchased with coins acquired in the app. Replika

Once you've named your AI companion, a popup reminds you that you're always speaking to an AI.

Some users that Insider spoke to said at times, it felt as though they were speaking with a real person. Replika

It also warns you that the AI is not equipped to give advice.

Users must certify that they are "not in crisis" before beginning to use the app. Replika

Despite that warning, many Replika users Insider spoke to said they sometimes saw their Replika apps as an outlet for their emotions, sort of like talk therapy.

Kuyda, Replika's CEO, has said that the company consults with clinical psychologists to develop some of its in-app offerings.

Then you can start chatting. Users can give a "thumbs up" to the answers they like and a "thumbs down" to the ones they dislike.

Replika says that the bots "learn" what types of conversations users like to have over time. Replika

The free version allows users to text with their bots and have video chats using AR technology.

Using augmented reality, it can feel like a Replika is in the room with you. This Replika looks extremely tall in my office. Replika

There is a paid tier that includes additional features like phone calls, and NSFW conversations and photos.

Replika's premium tier costs $69.99 per year. Replika

Despite rave reviews from users that Insider spoke to, Replika has also faced its fair share of controversy.

The app has faced backlash from some who say the chatbot can be misused. Replika

For example, in 2020, an Italian journalist said he was able to get the bot to advise him to commit murder.

A conversation that this writer had in which the Replika brought up blood. Replika

Source: The New Yorker

Separately, in early February, the bot was ordered to stop processing user data in Italy after the country's privacy watchdog said Replika poses a risk to minors.

Replika risks a multi-million dollar fine if it does not comply with EU orders. Replika

The agency, called The Italian Data Protection Authority, raised several concerns about Replika, including the fact that the bot serves "inappropriate" replies to underage children.

It also accused Replika of breaching the EU's data protection regulations.

Replika's site says, "your data is completely safe with us. We don't share it with anyone and don't use it to run adds... Security is our top priority!"

Many users have complained that the app has blocked NSFW interactions since Italy's decree.

Some loyal users on Reddit have even threatened to cancel their subscriptions to Replika Pro unless they receive an explanation from Replika's parent company Luka. Replika

Replika did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Virtual registration open for world's preeminent women's leadership conference.

BOSTON, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Simmons University and the Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership invite leaders throughout the U.S. and the world to attend the 44th Simmons Leadership Conference on March 14, 2023. During the event, Juju Chang, the Emmy Award-winning co-anchor of ABC News Nightline will interview Masih Alinejad, Iranian-American activist, journalist, and author, about her tireless efforts advocating for women's rights, freedom, and political change in Iranat great personal risk.

Alinejad gained international attention in 2014 when she posted a photo of herself on Facebook with her hair blowing in the wind  an act of defiance against Iran's compulsory hijab. She launched My Stealthy Freedom, a social media movement that provides Iranian and Afghani women a platform to challenge the law.

Chang is one of the most prominent Asian Americans in broadcast news. With the rise of hate crimes against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, she leverages her platform to champion social change.

"Masih has called for change in Iran, where women and men, girls and boys are taking to the streets to demand freedom, dignity, and democracy," said Susan MacKenty Brady, CEO of the Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership. "She's a remarkable woman and I cannot wait to see her and Juju Chang discuss their experiences promoting such important and topical issues."

Now in its 44th year, the Simmons Leadership Conference is the premier women's leadership forum in the country and annually attracts a global audience of thousands of business and professionals. Registration is open for the hybrid event, an opportunity to be inspired, hear the wisdom of world-class women leaders, build leadership skills, and network with experts from around the globe.

Proceeds from the Simmons Leadership Conference help fund scholarships and educational programming at Simmons University. The Institute's mission is to develop the mindset and skills of leaders at all levels so they can foster gender parity and cultures of inclusion.

Story continues

For the full conference schedule and virtual registration information, please visit:

https://www.inclusiveleadership.com/conferences-events/conferences/simmons-leadership-conference

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SOURCE Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership
CHICAGO, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global material informatics market size is anticipated to grow from USD 129 million in 2023 to USD 276 million by 2028, at a CAGR of 16.3% from 2023 to 2028 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The increasing usage of material informatics software in manufacturing, chemical & pharmaceutical, and materials science is the key factor boosting the market's growth.

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Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=237816259

Browse in-depth TOC on "Material Informatics Market"

175  Tables

49  Figures

201  Pages

Chemicals segment to account for a significant market share during the forecast period.

Material informatics software solutions play a crucial role in discovering, developing, and optimizing various chemicals and their types, such as polymers, dyes, and biomolecules. Chemicals are formed by combining various chemical compounds. These chemicals are needed by different industries, with different end uses and target characteristics. Identifying suitable chemical compounds through the process of synthesis and testing can be costly and time-consuming. Therefore, material informatics platforms can simplify the discovery and development process of novel chemical blends and, ultimately, new chemical compounds.

Manufacturing application is projected to hold a significant share of the material informatics market during the forecast year.

Material informatics finds applications in manufacturing areas related to automobiles, aerospace, electronics, and semiconductors. Due to recent advancements in materials science, vehicles and aircraft have become lighter. Material informatics is essential for producing lightweight components in automotive and aerospace applications. Apart from this, material informatics is also gaining pace in electronics and semiconductor manufacturing. Electronic materials are used to form highly complex electronic components and devices. These devices include integrated electronic circuits, optoelectronic devices, and computational devices. Owing to the rising demand for electronics and lightweight materials in every prominent industry, material informatics software play a vital role in materials R&D in manufacturing application.

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China to account for a significant market share of Asia Pacific from 2023 to 2028

China is projected to account for the major share of the material informatics market in the Asia Pacific from 2023 to 2028. The country is a key producer of chemical & pharmaceutical, automotive, and electronics. The country is also known for low-cost automotive product manufacturing. It is a major manufacturing hub for electronic parts, and various developing countries in the Asia Pacific region rely on China for electronic goods. The country has set up electronics manufacturing units across the country. Consequently, material informatics software vendors witness a considerable demand from manufacturing hubs of automotive, electronics, and food applications for low-cost, low risk, and reduced time for materials R&D. All these factors are pushing the growth of the material informatics market in China.

Mat3ra (US), Schrodinger (US), Dassault Systemes (France), Citrine Informatics (US), Phaseshift Technologies (Canada) are the top five players in the material informatics market globally.

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SINGAPORE , Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The MEC (Maruto Egg Circulation Group), a partnership between Chiba Prefecture and MEC Foods is organising an exclusive, invitation-only event to promote the appeal of TAMAGO (Japanese eggs) and accelerate the export of Japanese agricultural, forestry and fisheries products and foods to Singapore.

The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) introduces a promotional event about the appeal of Japanese eggs in the heart of Singapore.

In 2018, exports of Japanese eggs increased by 49.4% compared to the previous year. This is thought to be due to the increasing number of foreign tourists visiting Japan and experiencing the raw and semi-cooked eggs used in many Japanese dishes, creating a desire for such dishes even after leaving Japan.

While eggs are produced all over the world, eating raw or semi-cooked eggs requires strict hygiene control which is rarely enforced outside Japan. According to the Japanese Poultry Association, the definition of 'Japanese eggs' is: (1) eggs that can be eaten raw; (2) eggs where all hens are Salmonella-free; (3) the quality of the eggs is thoroughly controlled before shipment at grading and packing centres.

Singapore is the second largest importer of Japanese eggs after Hong Kong and Taiwan. Currently, "TKG" (tamago kakego man = egg on rice), which is rice topped with a raw egg, is popular in Hong Kong and Hawaii. The MEC (Maruto Egg Circulation Group) hopes to promote Japanese egg-eating culture in Singapore, where there is a high interest in Japanese food, by offering TKG, beef bowls and more.

On Monday, 20 February 2023, a promotional event for Japanese eggs will be held at Commune Kitchen in the city centre for media and food industry representatives. The event will include an introduction to the business of Japanese egg exports, a tasting of TAMAGO specially prepared for the event, and an exchange of opinions. Attendees will also receive a delicious sponge cake souvenir.

Please take this opportunity to taste Japan's world-class TAMAGO in Singapore, and attend the event. Interested media and food representatives can contact the event representatives below

Story continues

"Event overview for media and food industry professionals"

Event name: Japanese "TAMAGO" business briefing and tasting event

Venue: Commune Kitchen

6A Shenton Way, #03-02/03 OUE Downtown Gallery, Singapore 068815

Date and time: 20 February 2023 (Monday)

14:45 Reception.

Event starts at 15:00 - presentation, tasting, opinion exchange, Q&A

Tasting menu (5 dishes; TKG egg on rice, bukkake udon, kaya toast, chawanmushi, beef bowl)

To be finished at approx. 16:20 (tentative)

Number of participants: 50, by invitation only.

SOURCE MEC Foods
Microbix Biosystems Inc.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Microbix Biosystems Inc. (TSX: MBX, OTCQX: MBXBF, Microbix), a life sciences innovator, manufacturer, and exporter, reports results for its first quarter ended December 31, 2022 (Q1), a period in which reduced sales across two major product lines resulted in the first quarterly net loss in two years. Microbix remains well-capitalized and is targeting to continue increasing sales of its testing-related medical devices and ingredients, thereby growing sales, margins, and earnings.



Management Discussion

Q1 sales were $2.5 million, meaningfully below the past several quarters. This sales decline was due to zero sales of viral transport medium (DxTM) as a result of the ongoing reorganization of provincial procurement, lower sales of test ingredients (Antigens) caused by the timing of deliveries being outside of Q1, and delays in order-flow of quality assessment products (QAPs). The resulting reduction in gross margin dollars created a meaningful net loss for Q1. For the balance of fiscal 2023, Microbix expects increasing sales of both Antigens and QAPs to enable it to generate positive net earnings for the full-year of fiscal 2023  for a third consecutive year of profitability, as well as there being further activity with the companys portfolio of liquid sample stabilization devices, including DxTM.

Quarter Ending December 31, 2022 (Q1)

Q1 revenue was $2,502,072, a decrease from Q1 2022 revenues of $4,855,600. Included were antigen sales of $1,003,807 (2021 - $1,766,416). QAPs revenues were $1,333,503 (2021 - $1,149,151) for segment growth of 16%. In turn, revenue from DxTM was zero in Q1 (2021 - $1,817,245), and royalties were $164,762 (2021 - $122,787). The Q1 2022 sales shortfall was most influenced by lack of Ontario-driven deliveries of DxTM and weaker antigen sales due to order timing, which were only partly offset by continued diagnostics industry uptake of QAPs.

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Q1 gross margin was 47%, down from 66% in Q1 2021 and due to a high proportion of sales of lower-margin antigens, a lack of DxTM sales, and the impact of a supplier quality issue collectively more than offsetting ongoing growth in QAPs sales. In addition, Microbix continues to see double digit increases in supply chain costs, which take time to pass-through into product pricing.

Operating expenses in Q1 increased by 6% relative to Q1 2022, due mainly to increased investment in IT infrastructure to support our continued growth objectives - namely start-up costs relating to our ERP and eQMS implementations. Finance expenses were lower than the prior year due to repayment of debt during fiscal 2022 and short-term investment of cash balances. Overall, weaker sales led to an operating loss and net loss of $1,299,262 versus a Q1 2022 operating income and net income of $880,778. Cash used in operating activities was $713,867, compared to cash used in operating activities of $284,014 in Q1 2022, with the majority of the change coming from the operating loss incurred during the quarter.

At the end of Q1, Microbixs current ratio (current assets divided by current liabilities) was 6.32 and its debt to equity ratio (total debt over shareholders equity) was 0.39.

Financial Highlights As at and for the quarter ended December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Total Revenue $ 2,502,072 $ 4,855,600 Gross Margin 1,185,975 3,221,858 SG&A Expenses 1,963,201 1,635,869 R&D Expense 424,958 464,461 Financial Expenses 97,078 240,750 Operating Income for the period

(1,299,262) 880,778 Net Income and Comprehensive Income for the period (1,299,262) 880,778 Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities (713,867) (284,014) December 31, 2022 September 30, 2022 Cash 12,425,322 13,488,075 Accounts receivable 2,838,376 3,057,797 Total current assets 22,065,997 22,408,372 Total assets 32,693,681 33,145,196 Total current liabilities 3,489,193 2,650,521 Total liabilities 9,232,431 8,206,541 Total shareholders' equity 23,461,250 24,938,655 Current ratio 6.32 8.45 Debt to equity ratio 0.39 0.33

Corporate Outlook

Microbix will continue working to drive sales growth across its three revenue-generating business lines, and on improving percentage gross margins and driving bottom-line results. Management currently expects Microbix to generate meaningful net earnings growth across full-year fiscal 2023. Additionally, work continues upon securing a partnership to advance its Kinlytic urokinase project.

Adelaide Capital will host a live webinar with management on Tuesday, February 14 at 11am ET. Please register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FZVtajDxSRSS8iFmeCEXkA. It will also be live-streamed to YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7Jpt_DWjF1qSCzfKlpLMWw.

A replay of the webinar will also be made available on Adelaide Capitals YouTube channel.

About Microbix Biosystems

Microbix creates proprietary biological products for human health, with over 100 skilled employees and annualized sales targeting C$ 2.0 million per month. It makes a wide range of critical ingredients and devices for the global diagnostics industry, notably antigens for immunoassays and its laboratory quality assessment products (QAPs) that support clinical lab proficiency testing, enable assay development and validation, or help ensure the quality of clinical diagnostic workflows. Its antigens drive the antibody tests of over 100 diagnostics makers, while QAPs are sold to clinical laboratory accreditation organizations, diagnostics companies, and clinical laboratories. Microbix QAPs are now available in over 30 countries, distributed by 1WA (Oneworld Accuracy Inc.), Alpha-Tec Systems, Inc., Diagnostic International Distribution SpA., Labquality Oy, The Medical Supply Company of Ireland, Neo-Science Equipment LLC, R-Biopharm AG, SDT Molecular Pte Ltd, Seegene Canada Inc., and Thomas Scientific LLC. Microbix is ISO 9001 and 13485 accredited, U.S. FDA registered, Australian TGA registered, Health Canada establishment licensed, and provides CE marked products.

Microbix also applies its biological expertise and infrastructure to develop other proprietary products and technologies, most notably viral transport medium (DxTM) to stabilize patient samples for lab-based molecular diagnostic testing and Kinlytic urokinase, a biologic thrombolytic drug used to treat blood clots. Microbix is traded on the TSX and OTCQX, and headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release includes forward-looking information, as such term is defined in applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, discussion of financial results or the outlook for the business, risks associated with its financial results and stability, its current or future products, development projects such as those referenced herein, sales to foreign jurisdictions, engineering and construction, production (including control over costs, quality, quantity and timeliness of delivery), foreign currency and exchange rates, maintaining adequate working capital and raising further capital on acceptable terms or at all, and other similar statements concerning anticipated future events, conditions or results that are not historical facts. These statements reflect managements current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward looking information is inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Companys control. Accordingly, actual future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. All statements are made as of the date of this news release and represent the Companys judgement as of the date of this new release, and the Company is under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking information.

Please visit www.microbix.com or www.sedar.com for recent Microbix news and filings.

For further information, please contact Microbix at:

Cameron Groome,

CEO

(905) 361-8910 Jim Currie,

CFO

(905) 361-8910 Deborah Honig,

Investor Relations

Adelaide Capital Markets

(647) 203-8793

ir@microbix.com

Copyright  2022 Microbix Biosystems Inc. Microbix, DxTM, Kinlytic, and QAPs are trademarks of Microbix Biosystems Inc.




Mobily Pay signs agreement with Abyan Capital for Robo-Investments

SDAIA and Mobily Pay cooperates to integrate Ehsan donation to Mobily Pay application

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mobily has unveiled a series of agreements and partnerships across a wide range of technology fields such as online marketplaces, CSR, cybersecurity, infrastructure, cloud and more on Day Three of LEAP 2023.

Mobily continues LEAP 2023 with partnership announcements and MoU signings across digital transformation and investment

Thousands of delegates, experts and industry leaders continued to attend day three of the ongoing mega-event, which has become a key platform to discuss, learn and collaborate on the future vision of technology.

Highlights on day three for Mobily are announcements of new Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with companies such as Bitqaty, Cisco as well as government related entities such as the SDAIA.

SDAIA

Mobily Pay and SDAIA (Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority) will work together to provide donation option so that users are able to donate through the app. The project will focus on enabling the payment gateway to be controlled by Ehsan and result in an increased number of transactions, fund movement and support Mobily Pay CSR activities, as part of Mobily Pay strategy to enable a full package of digital products and services to meet customer needs and to contribute in the 2030 vision to achieve financial sector development program objectives.

Bitaqaty

Mobily Pay signed a new partnership with Bitaqaty, which will enable Mobily Pay to offer e-vouchers for strong brands. The partnership will be part of Mobily Pay's expansion plan, as it will pave way to launching new products and services, helping Mobily Pay to meet customers expectation and enhance their experiences.

Dawiyat

As the potential of the digital world continues to evolve, Mobily is cooperating with Dawiyat to further develop Mobily's digital infrastructure and provide IoT to its customers. The MoU will provide Mobily with advanced technical services and contribute to the provision of digital solutions for its communications infrastructure with high reliability and high speed, in addition to data centers and enhancing the experience of its customers.

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Abyan

The agreement signed between Abyan Capital, a robo-advisor and investment platform, in Saudi Arabia and Mobily Pay will focus on Robo-Investments, complete with new apportions for Mobily Pay users that will enable them to invest monthly through Abyan. Abyan will then facilitate the investment from that point. The agreement seeks to enable Mobily to become the first in the market to provide this service, with a keen eye on customers. The deal will drive user acquisition, offer new products, and increase customer satisfaction overall.

About Etihad Etisalat (Mobily)

Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) is a Saudi company launched commercially in May 2005. Mobily provides integrated services for three main sectors, individuals, businesses, and carriers. It has one of the largest wireless networks by coverage in Saudi Arabia as well as the region, and one of the widest FTTH networks, in addition to one of the largest data center systems worldwide.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1999273/Mobily_KSA.jpg

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SOURCE Mobily KSA
Vancouver --News Direct-- Murchison Minerals Ltd

Murchison Minerals CEO Troy Boisjoli joined Proactive's Steve Darling to share news the company has released more drill results from the Haut-Plateau de la Manicouagan project in Quebec.

Boisjoli told Proactive drilling at the Syrah target intersected extensive disseminated nickel-copper-cobalt bearing sulphide mineralization over 277.3 metres (m) grading 0.22% nickel equivalent (NiEq) or 0.70% copper equivalent (CuEq).

Boisjoli said the company also announced backpack drill results from the initial prospecting program at the Lac Paradis prospect. Those results included 1.55m backpack drill core grading 1.43% NiEq or 4.65% CuEq.

Contact Details

Proactive Investors Canada

+1 604-688-8158

na-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com

View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/murchison-minerals-releases-positive-drill-results-from-syrah-target-at-hpm-project-676491231
NeoGames SA

LUXEMBOURG and LONDON, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NeoGames S.A. (Nasdaq: NGMS) (NeoGames or the Company), and The European Lotteries and Toto Association (also known as European Lotteries or EL) have signed a two-year partnership agreement, showcased during this years EL/WLA Marketing seminar in London. NeoGames is a leading technology and services provider of end-to-end iLottery solutions. EL is the largest trade organisation for Lottery and Toto operators in Europe.



Under the partnership agreement, NeoGames will contribute as Level 2 (semi premium partner) to all the major events of EL for the upcoming two years.

NeoGames is thrilled to have become a Level 2 Partner to EL, the European lottery sectors largest and most representative organisation. For over a decade, we have been providing our iLottery technology solutions and online games to European lotteries and we are glad that our partners are seeing great success with our offering. NeoGames today has nine EL members as its customers and we look forward to working closely with EL over the next few years, contributing to its key events and ultimately playing an instrumental role in helping its member lotteries advance their programs to their players, generate more revenue, and maximize proceeds to good causes, states Moti Malul, CEO of NeoGames.

I am delighted to welcome NeoGames as our new EL Partner. NeoGames is a young and innovative supplier to the lottery sector and brings new developments and knowledge to the members of EL. We can extend our services to our members and by doing so create more value for the benefit of society, adds Arjan van t Veer, Secretary General of EL.

About NeoGames

NeoGames is a technology-driven innovator and a global leader of iLottery and iGaming solutions and services for regulated lotteries and gaming operators. The Company offers its customers a full-service suite of solutions, including proprietary technology platforms, two dedicated game studios with an extensive portfolio of engaging games  one in lottery and one in casino games, and a range of value-added services. The recent strategic acquisition of Aspire Global Group enables NeoGames to offer the most comprehensive portfolio across iLottery, an innovative sports betting platform from BtoBet, an advanced content aggregation solution from Pariplay, and a complete set of B2B Gaming tech and Managed Services. NeoGames remains an instrumental partner to its customers worldwide, as it works to maximize their revenue potential through various offerings, including regulation and compliance, payment processing, risk management, player relationship management, and player value optimization. NeoGames strives to be the long-term partner of choice for its customers, empowering them to deliver enjoyable and profitable programs to their players, generate more revenue, and maximize proceeds to governments and good causes.

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About the European Lotteries (EL)

EL is the European umbrella organisation of national lotteries operating games of chance for the public benefit. EL has members from more than 40 European countries including all EU Member States. The EU members contribute more than 20 billion EUR p.a. to the state budgets and the funding of sport, culture, social projects, research and causes of general interest. Unlike many commercial online gambling operators, EL members only offer gambling and betting services in the jurisdictions in which they are licensed by the respective national government.

Forward-looking statement Certain statements in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements and information, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to statements that relate to our current expectations and views of future events including our expectations regarding our partnership with the World Lottery Association (WLA). In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as may, will, expect, anticipate, aim, estimate, intend, plan, believe, potential, continue, is/are likely to or other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, some of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are not a guarantee of future performance. Actual outcomes may differ materially from the information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors including, without limitation the risk factors set forth in Item 3.D. Key Information-Risk Factors in our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 14, 2022, and other documents filed with or furnished to the SEC. These statements reflect managements current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date of this press release. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that future results, levels of activity, performance and events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or will occur. Except as required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Contacts NeoGames

Investor Contact: ir@neogames.com

Media Relations: pr@neogames.com

Contacts EL

Communications: lucy.mathieson@european-lotteries.eu








QuantalX's direct electrophysiology imaging technology (Delphi-MD) expected to provide multiple clinically objective and accurate measurements in NeuroSense's Phase 2 double-blind proof-of-concept clinical study in Alzheimer's disease, expected to commence in H1 2023

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and KFAR SABA, Israel, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NeuroSense Therapeutics Ltd. (NASDAQ: NRSN), a clinical-stage drug development company and QuantalX Neuroscience Ltd; the developer of Delphi-MD, a clinically objective neurodiagnostic medical device, announced today a collaboration to improve early diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The NeuroSense-QuantalX collaboration comes following NeuroSense's recent report on new biomarker data in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its plans to initiate a Phase 2 AD clinical trial in the first half of 2023.

NeuroSense Therapeutics and QuantalX Neuroscience collaboration

QuantalX's Delphi-MD is a breakthrough technology that supports clinicians' neurodiagnostic gaps at the point of care through real-time monitoring of brain functionality, resulting in improved patient care and reduced associated financial burden. Delphi-MD is expected to provide multiple clinically objective and accurate measurements of brain function in a safe and simple manner in NeuroSense's upcoming AD Phase 2 clinical trial.

In addition, the companies agreed that QuantalX's Delphi-MD will be used for early diagnosis and ongoing monitoring of trial participants in NeuroSense's planned future pivotal Phase 3 efficacy trial of PrimeC in people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), pending the successful conclusion of its ALS Phase 2b trial.

"We're humbled and excited to join NeuroSense in its effort to advance therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, empower neurologists to provide better patient care through early detection and personalize disease management," said Dr. Iftach Dolev, QuantalX CEO and Co-Founder.

"We believe the use of cutting-edge innovations like Delphi-MD is the future of early detection and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. We are enthusiastic to work with QuantalX, whose technology complements our extensive evaluation of our platform combination drug therapy via clinical measurements and a large panel of biomarkers," said NeuroSense CEO Alon Ben-Noon. "We envision a long-term collaboration beginning with our upcoming Phase 2 double-blind clinical study in Alzheimer's disease, which we plan to commence in the first half of this year."

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About Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of progressive dementia, affecting 5-10% of the population over 65 years of age, with prevalence estimates increasing exponentially with age (Singh and Fudenberg 1988). Clinically, it is characterized by a progressive deterioration of cognition, predominantly affecting episodic memory, but also resulting in loss of insight, judgment, language, changes in perception, praxis (the ability to perform day-to-day tasks), behavior, lack of sleep, mood swings, and in late stages, physical functioning (Chouraki and Seshadri 2014). The global AD treatment market is expected to grow to $5 billion in 2022.

About ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable neurodegenerative disease that causes complete paralysis and death within 2-5 years from diagnosis. Every year, more than 5,000 patients are diagnosed with ALS in the U.S. alone, with an annual disease burden of $1 billion. The number of patients with ALS is expected to grow 24% by 2040 in the U.S. and EU.

About PrimeC

PrimeC, NeuroSense's lead drug candidate, is a novel extended-release oral formulation composed of a unique fixed-dose combination of two FDA-approved drugs: ciprofloxacin and celecoxib. PrimeC is designed to synergistically target several key mechanisms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) that contribute to motor neuron degeneration, inflammation, iron accumulation and impaired RNA regulation to potentially inhibit the progression of ALS. NeuroSense completed a Phase 2a clinical study which successfully met its safety and efficacy endpoints including reducing functional and respiratory deterioration and statistically significant changes in ALS-related biological markers indicating PrimeC's biological activity. Through a collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston on novel Neuron-Derived Exosomes (NDEs), NeuroSense is working to further determine the biological changes in ALS-related pathologies and the effect of PrimeC on relevant targets. PrimeC was granted Orphan Drug Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

About Delphi-MD

The Delphi-MD medical device provides definitive and quantitative, real-time brain function analysis through a first-in-class direct brain network visualization technology. The device magnetically stimulates healthy or symptomatic patients' brain networks in a simple point of care affordable test, to enable early detection and differential diagnosis of brain abnormalities.

About QuantalX

QuantalX Neuroscience, Ltd. is dedicated to tackling current brain health challenges leading to late diagnosis and misdiagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases. Delphi-MD's breakthrough technology supports clinicians' neurodiagnostic gaps at the point of care through real-time monitoring of brain functionality; resulting in improved patient care and reduction of associated financial burden. For more information visit https://quantalx.com/ and follow QuantalX on LinkedIn .

About NeuroSense Therapeutics

NeuroSense Therapeutics, Ltd. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing treatments for patients suffering from debilitating neurodegenerative diseases. NeuroSense believes that these diseases, which include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, among others, represent one of the most significant unmet medical needs of our time, with limited effective therapeutic options available for patients to date. Due to the complexity of neurodegenerative diseases and based on strong scientific research on a large panel of related biomarkers, NeuroSense's strategy is to develop combined therapies targeting multiple pathways associated with these diseases.

For additional information, we invite you to visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter .

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "contemplate," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "seek," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "target," "aim," "should," "will" "would," or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are based on NeuroSense Therapeutics' current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict and include statements regarding the company's PrimeC and Alzheimer's development programs; the timing of completion of the Company's Phase 2b study and report of topline results; the potential for PrimeC to safely and effectively target ALS; preclinical and clinical data for PrimeC; the timing of current and future clinical trials, including future phase 3, timing for reporting data; cash runway estimates; the nature, strategy and focus of the company and further updates with respect thereto; and the development and commercial potential of any product candidates of the company. Such risks and uncertainties include the risk that QuantalX's Delphi-MD will not successfully provide clinically objective and accurate measurements of NeuroSense's AD Phase 2 clinical trial, there will a delay in the timing of commencement of the Company's AD Phase 2 clinical trial and the report of topline results, and other risks and uncertainties set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on April 14, 2022. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and NeuroSense Therapeutics Ltd. undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

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SOURCE NeuroSense
By Azernews

Sabina Mammadli

Azerbaijan in its post-war statements has repeatedly voiced readiness for the normalization process with Armenia, and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan's recent remark that Baku sent a package of proposals once again proves how loyal the government is restoring peace in the war-torn South Caucasus.

Armenia has received Azerbaijan's next proposals on a peace treaty and is currently evaluating them, the Armenian foreign minister admitted.

Underscoring that the work on the proposals is underway, Mirzoyan said that the two countries' top diplomats were supposed to meet in Moscow with Russia's mediation though the meeting was postponed due to the blockage of the Lachin corridor.

However, Ararat Mirzoyan would better find persuasive excuses as Azerbaijan has proved times and times again that there is no such thing as the blockade on the Lachin road. Over 2,000 vehicles have so far passed through the picketing zone with daily footage serving as proof of this.

Moreover, the Armenian foreign minister's claim that his country is determined to sign a peace treaty does not seem persuasive amid Armenias last-minute cancellation of the long-awaited trilateral meeting in Moscow scheduled for December 23, 2022.

Meanwhile, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Toivo Klaar said that the European Union supports Tbilisi's desire to take on the role of a bridge in the negotiations between Baku and Yerevan.

"It is very important that the three countries of the South Caucasus work together and contribute to peace, and here the role of Georgia as a bridge between Armenia and Azerbaijan is very important," Klaar told Georgia's First Channel.

During Davos Economic Forum, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev noted that Yerevan had rejected a proposal to create a new trilateral format with the participation of the three Caucasus states.

Our proposal was to organize a meeting of the leaders of the three countries in Georgia, after all, Georgia is the venue where neighbors traditionally meet. However, Armenia is not ready for this, President Aliyev highlighted.

As other platforms are being considered for the negotiations, Russia is not ready to give up its role in the region yet.

Russias Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabko said that the arrangements for a meeting between the foreign ministers of the three states are underway.

"We are not abandoning this idea. We want to make the most of the resources we have in terms of providing platforms and a format for further movement as part of the existing agreements toward stabilization," he said.

The Azerbaijani and Armenian top officials last met in Washington under the aegis of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in November of last year and before that, they met on October 31 in Sochi on the margins of the Aliyev-Pashinyan-Putin meeting.

Another meeting of the two top diplomats was in Astana to negotiate a draft peace treaty under the aegis of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on October 14.
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2023 / Northern Superior Resources Inc. ("Northern Superior" or the "Company") (TSXV:SUP)(OTCQB:NSUPF) is pleased to announce that it has completed the closing (the "Closing") of its CDN$5M non-brokered equity private placement announced on January 24, 2023 (the "Offering"). In connection with the Closing, the Company issued 10,000,000 common shares (each, a "Share") at an issue price of CDN$0.50 per Share, for gross proceeds of CDN$5,000,000. The proceeds of the Offering will be used to fund exploration activities on one or more of its properties and for general corporate purposes.

In addition to the participation detailed below, the Offering was mostly comprised of the participation of a well-recognized Canadian institution as well as two (2) strategic investors with long term conviction, increasingly known in the Canadian mining industry.

The following insiders of Northern Superior participated in the Offering, as follow:

 Victor Cantore, Executive Chairman $250,000  Simon Marcotte, President and CEO $250,000  Michael Gentile, Director $250,000  Andrew Farncomb, Director $100,000

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

The Shares issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a hold period of four months plus a day from the Closing under applicable securities laws, which hold period expires on June 10, 2023. The Offering received conditional acceptance from the TSX Venture Exchange on February 6, 2023.

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The Offering constituted a related party transaction within the meaning of TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") as insiders of the Company subscribed for 1,700,000 Shares pursuant to the Offering. The Company is relying on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as the Company is not listed on a specified market and the fair market value of the participation in the Offering by the insiders does not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company in accordance with MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction at least 21 days before the closing of the Offering, which the Company deems reasonable in the circumstances in order to complete the Offering in an expeditious manner. A finder's fee in the amount of CDN $70,000 (before applicable taxes) is payable to an eligible intermediary in connection with the Closing.

About Northern Superior Resources Inc.

Northern Superior is a gold exploration company focused on the Chapais-Chibougamau Camp in Quebec. The Company has consolidated the largest land package in the region, with total land holdings currently exceeding 62,000 hectares. The main properties include Philibert, Lac Surprise, Chevrier and Croteau Est. Northern Superior also owns significant exploration assets in Northern Ontario highlighted by the district scale TPK Project.

The Philibert Project is located 9km from IAMGOLD Corporation's Nelligan Gold project which was awarded the "Discovery of the Year" by the Quebec Mineral Exploration Association (AEMQ) in 2019. To date, more than C$13 million (historical value) have been spent on the Philibert Project, with more than 75,000 metres of drilling completed. The Philibert Project is owned by SOQUEM; the Company is currently undergoing an ownership option process, details of which can be found in the corporate presentation. Chevrier hosts an indicated resource of 260,000 ounces Au and an inferred resource of 420,000 ounces Au in the pit-constrained resource, as well as an underground inferred resources of 232,000 ounces Au. Croteau Est hosts an inferred mineral resource of 640,000 ounces Au. Lac Surprise hosts the Falcon Zone Discovery, interpreted to be the western strike extension of IAMGOLD Corporation's Nelligan Deposit.

Northern Superior is a reporting issuer in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol SUP, and the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol NSUPF. For further information, please refer to the Company's website at www.nsuperior.com or on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).

Northern Superior Resources Inc. on Behalf of the Board of Directors

Simon Marcotte, CFA, President and Chief Executive Officer

Contact Information

Simon Marcotte, CFA

President and Chief Executive Office

Tel: (647) 801-7273

info@nsuperior.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Press Release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. When used in this document, the words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to such risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from the statements made, including those factors discussed in filings made by us with the applicable securities regulatory authorities. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties, such actual results of current exploration programs, the general risks associated with the mining industry, the price of gold and other metals, currency and interest rate fluctuations, increased competition and general economic and market factors, occur or should assumptions underlying the forward looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, or expected. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Shareholders are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: Northern Superior Resources Inc.





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https://www.accesswire.com/738873/Northern-Superior-Announces-Closing-of-C5-Million-Non-Brokered-Private-Placement-Financing-With-Participation-of-Strategic-Investors-and-Insiders




Students in Kennedy High Schools Construction Trades pathway to gain practical experience

Students Speak at Announcement

Students from John F. Kennedy School in Paterson, New Jersey talk about their opportunities

Inside John F. Kennedy High Schools Carpenters Training Shop

Paterson area students learn hands on the skills needed to be a union carpenter

Paterson, New Jersey, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Paul Brubaker (Paterson Public Schools)

February 8, 2023 pbrubaker@paterson.k12.nj.us

973-518-2298

Frank Mahoney (EASRC)

fmahoney@eascarpenters.org

267-618-3416

DISTRICT, CARPENTERS UNION ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR CONSTRUCTION CAREERS

Students in Kennedy High Schools Construction Trades pathway to gain practical experience

PATERSON  District and city officials welcomed representatives of the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (EASRCC) to John F. Kennedy High School to announce a new partnership that will prepare students for careers in construction.

The announcement were making today is not just about building buildings or houses. Its about building futures, said Superintendent of Schools Eileen F. Shafer. We know there is a demand for carpenters. Perhaps more importantly, we know that the people who work in the construction trades have high rates of job satisfaction. The students who are here with us today are on the precipice of starting tremendous lives, and with the help of the carpenters union, they will have an even better chance of achieving those lives.

The partnership involves Kennedy High School using the Career Connections curriculum for the students in the construction trades pathway. The curriculum was created by instructors from the United Brotherhood of Carpenters International Training Program and approved by the Paterson Board of Education. It is designed to introduce high school students to the crafts and trades of carpentry. The curriculum, combined with EASRCCs assistance, will expose students to everything they would need while deciding the next step in their education.

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Students who want to continue their education in the trades will be provided the opportunity to learn at one of three New Jersey Carpenters Training Centers where they will join a four-year apprenticeship at no cost to them and the ability to earn money while learning their craft.

Your advocacy to bring the Carpenters Union Career Connections curriculum to Kennedy High School shows that you all care about the good-paying career paths union trades bring to everyday families, said Tom Wyzga, an EASRCC council representative. I can directly point to my apprenticeship through the union for my personal success and the well-being of my family. That is why we, as a union, do not only advocate for apprenticeships, fair wages, and benefits for construction workers but why we also created this nationally recognized curriculum. It truly is an equal path to college for any student who is looking for a good-paying career.

Representatives of the Paterson Education Association (PEA) also participated in the announcement. The PEA has made a generous donation of new work boots to Kennedy High School students preparing for the construction trades.

This is exactly how partnerships should operate, said PEA President John McEntee. As I look at our students wearing the work boots that were donated by the PEA, I see students who are going to go out into the workplace. Theyre going to further their education. And theyre going to make a great, great difference hopefully in the city of Paterson for a long time to come.

Mayor Andre Sayegh, whose father is a 78-year-old carpenter, said the future for carpenters is bright in the City of Paterson.

As long as Paterson is in growth mode, were going to need carpenters, said Sayegh, putting his hands on the shoulders of two students in hard hats and work boots who were standing near the podium. Im proud of this most recent partnership. Carpenters matter. Carpenters count. Because you cant build anything without carpenters.

About Paterson Public Schools

Paterson Public Schools serves 25,000 students pre-K to 12th grade in New Jerseys third-

largest city. While the Paterson community may be classified as low-income, many of its

students are high-achieving. More elementary school students are reading at or above grade

level, and more high school students are earning college credits through Advanced Placement exams and taking college-level courses before graduation. Paterson Public Schools stands out as one of only 17 school districts in New Jersey that offer the competitive International Baccalaureate program, and one of only four districts with a P-TECH high school, a program that, in collaboration with IBM and Passaic County Community College, graduates students with an associate degree in applied science and practical tech sector experience.

About The Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters

The Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters represents about 13,000 union carpenters in New Jersey and over 42,000 of the who live and work in Delaware, The District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. EAS Carpenters are trained in many different trades, including commercial/residential carpentry; heavy highway; piledriving; floor-layering; mill cabinet work; and tradeshow construction.

###

Attachments

CONTACT: Frank Mahoney Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters 2676183416 fmahoney@eascarpenters.org




SAN DIEGO, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Preferred Employers Insurance, a specialty Berkley Company serving the workers' compensation insurance needs of California businesses, has announced the promotion of Eric Hansen to Senior Vice President  Claims.

Preferred Employers Insurance Announces Promotion of Eric Hansen to Senior Vice President - Claims

"Eric brings over 30 years of deep workers' compensation insurance claims acumen to this role, including resolving complex, large exposure cases" said, Dennis Levesque, President of Preferred Employers Insurance.

Preferred's Chief Underwriting Officer, John Bennett said, "I have worked side-by-side with Eric over the past 18 years and have seen him build our Claims organization to be one of California's most admired and respected managers of workplace injuries and illnesses. Under Eric's leadership, our Claims Team was an early adopter of best medical care practices for the benefit of injured employees and successfully launched our successful "back to work, back to life" approach to claims management. In addition, Eric has been instrumental in navigating our new technology capabilities and new medical care innovations, all for the benefit of making our customer experiences the best that they can be."

About Preferred Employers

Preferred Employers Insurance was founded in San Diego, CA in 1998. The company is known for serving its brokers and policyholders with the best combination of price and workers' compensation insurance services available in the state of California. Visit www.peiwc.com for more information. Please contact your insurance broker to access the products and services of Preferred Employers Insurance, a Berkley company.

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SOURCE Preferred Employers Insurance
OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 8, 2023 /CNW/ - The Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defense, will visit Washington, DC, from February 8th to 10th to meet with key business, industrial and political leaders to advance the Canada-U.S. economic and national security partnership.

The Ministers will focus on strengthening the integration of the defense industrial base which creates well paying jobs, growth, and resilience on both sides of the border.

While in Washington, DC, the two ministers will also take part in a joint armchair discussion hosted by the Wilson Center on Fostering National Security and Economic Prosperity in North America.

Wilson Center Event:

Date: Friday, February 10, 2023

Time: 9:15 to 10:15 am (ET)

Location:

Wilson Center

1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC

20004, United States

Members of the media are asked to contact the Wilson Center at ryan.mckenna@wilsoncenter.org to confirm their attendance at the event. Members of the media can also watch a livestream of the event.

Ministers Champagne and Anand will hold a joint media availability at the conclusion of the event.

Stay connected

Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on social media.

Twitter: @ISED_CA, Facebook: Canadian Innovation, Instagram: @cdninnovation and LinkedIn

SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

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Reflex Advanced Materials Corp.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reflex Advanced Materials Corp. (CSE:RFLX) (OTC: RFLXF) (FWB: HF2) (Reflex or the Company), announces today that it has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the Private Placement) for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately C$4,250,000. Pursuant to the Private Placement, the Company issued 10,000,000 (non-flow through) units (each, a Unit) at a price of C$0.40 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one (1) common share (each, a Share) and one (1) common share purchase warrant (each, a Warrant). Each Warrant is exercisable into one (1) Share at an exercise price of C$0.55 until February 8, 2025.



The Company also issued 454,545 flow-through units (each, a Flow-Through Unit) pursuant to the Private Placement at a price of C$0.55 per Flow-Through Unit. Each Flow-Through Unit consists of one (1) Share (each, a FT Share) and one (1) common share purchase warrant (each, a FT Warrant). Each FT Warrant is exercisable into one (1) Share at an exercise price of C$0.65 until February 8, 2025.

The Company intends to use the proceeds raised from the Private Placement to undertake advanced exploration and development activities on the Ruby Graphite Project, to finance the Company's payment obligations to Broadstone Resources Inc. under the option agreement in respect of the Ruby Graphite Project, and general working capital, including the repayment of the Company's short term financial obligations. The Company will use the proceeds from the issuance of the FT Shares to incur Canadian exploration expenses as such term is defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the Tax Act).

In connection with closing of the Private Placement, the Company paid finders fees in the aggregate of $264,745 in cash and issued 540,550 finders warrants (each, a Finders Warrant). Each Finders Warrant is exercisable into one (1) Share at an exercise price of C$0.65 until February 8, 2025.

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All securities issuable in connection with the Private Placement are subject to a statutory hold period, in accordance with applicable securities laws, of four months and one day from the date of issue, expiring on June 9, 2023.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration is available.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

Paul Gorman

CEO & Director

Reflex Advanced Materials Corp

info@reflexmaterials.com

Tel. (416-768-6101)

Suite 915-700 West Pender Street

Vancouver, BC V6C 1G8

Canada

About Reflex Advanced Materials

Reflex Advanced Materials Corp. is a mineral exploration company based in British Columbia. Its objective is to locate and, if warranted, develop economic mineral properties in the strategic metals and advanced materials space. It is focused on improving domestic specialty mineral infrastructure efficiencies to meet surging national demand by North American manufacturers. The Company is working to advance its Ruby Graphite Project, located in Beaverhead County, Montana, and ZigZag Lake Lithium Property, located in Thunder Bay Mining Division, Crescent Lake Area, Ontario.

For more information, please review the Companys filings available at www.sedar.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information that is based on the Companys current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the Private Placement, including the use of proceeds from the Private Placement.

Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information, including the assumption that the Company will use the proceeds from the Private Placement as anticipated and, specifically with respect to the FT Shares, that the Company will use the proceeds from the FT Shares to fund Canadian exploration expenses, as such term is defined in the Tax Act.

Although such statements are based on reasonable assumptions of the Companys management, there can be no assurance that any conclusions or forecasts will prove to be accurate. Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include the risk that the Company does not use the proceeds from the Private Placement as currently expected, the risk that the Company does not use the proceeds raised from the sale of the FT Shares to fund Canadian exploration expenses, as such term is defined in the Tax Act, risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined, risks relating to variations in grade or recovery rates, risks relating to changes in mineral prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of minerals, risks related to increased competition and current global financial conditions, access and supply risks, risks related to the Companys reliance on key personnel, operational risks, regulatory risks, including risks relating to the acquisition of the necessary licenses and permits, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks, title and environmental risks and risks relating to the failure to receive all requisite regulatory approvals. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this press release, and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.




RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) is proud to announce Riverside County Fifth District Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez (pronounced "IX-tian," like Christian) has joined the health plan's governing board and will serve alongside the dedicated members who represent both Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

IEHP is proud to announce Riverside County Fifth District Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez (pronounced IX-tian, like Christian) has joined the health plan's governing board and will serve alongside the dedicated members who represent both Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

On Jan. 10, Supervisor Gutierrez was appointed to the IEHP Governing Board; he was elected to the Riverside County Board of Supervisors in November 2022. He is the second Latino ever elected supervisor for Riverside County. Prior to this appointment, Gutierrez served as the first directly elected Moreno Valley Mayor for seven years and was a professor at National University, served on Moreno Valley's City Council, owned and operated the Berrybean Cafe, taught in the Moreno Valley Unified School District, and worked as a reading instructor at Moreno Valley College.

In addition to his supervisor duties, Gutierrez is a professor at California State University, San Bernardino, and serves as a board member for Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG), Riverside Transit Agency, Riverside County Transportation Commission, Riverside County University Medical System, Flood Control, Renu Hope Foundation, the U.S. Selective Service and several other regional boards. He is also a 1st Lieutenant (CA) with the 163rd Support Group stationed at March Air Reserve Base.

"On behalf of the IEHP Governing Board, I welcome fellow Riverside County Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez to the Board and look forward to his input on providing quality healthcare to our Members," said Karen Spiegel, Riverside County Second District Supervisor and IEHP Governing Board Chair.

Representing the 10th largest county in the United States with more than 2.5 million residents, Supervisor Gutierrez is dedicated to improving and protecting the things that make Riverside County so unique.

"I am thrilled to join the IEHP governing Board of Director's and honored to be a part of an inspiring group of Board Members and more than 3,000 employees - all with a singular vision to heal and inspire the human spirit to make the Inland Empire a healthier place for all," said Supervisor Gutierrez. "Within this role, I look forward to ensuring IEHP continues to provide access to quality and affordable health coverage to our working families across the region."

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Gutierrez joins the health plan's governing board, which is comprised of four elected county supervisors and three appointed members of the public.

Current members include: Chair Karen Spiegel, Riverside County Second District Supervisor; Vice-Chair Curt Hagman, San Bernardino County Fourth District Supervisor; Dawn Rowe, Chair of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors and Third District Supervisor; Daniel P. Anderson, President and CEO of Riverside Community Health Foundation; Andrew Williams, Joint County Public Member; and Eileen Zorn, former health care clinician and educator.

Since the establishment of IEHP's Governing Board, the body has greatly supported and influenced the development and implementation of CalAIM, the Housing Initiative, Behavioral Health Integration and more.

"We are very excited to welcome Supervisor Gutierrez to our Governing Board and look forward to his insight in our ongoing commitment to meet our members where they are to provide Optimal Care and Vibrant Health," said Jarrod McNaughton, IEHP Chief Executive Officer.

About IEHP

With a mission to heal and inspire the human spirit, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) is one of the top 10 largest Medicaid health plans and the largest not-for-profit Medicare-Medicaid plan in the country. In its 26th year, IEHP supports more than 1.6 million residents in Riverside and San Bernardino counties who are enrolled in Medi-Cal or IEHP DualChoice (those with both Medi-Cal and Medicare). IEHP has a growing network of nearly 6,800 Providers and more than 3,000 Team Members. Through dynamic partnerships with Providers and Community Organizations, paired with award-winning service and a tradition of quality care, IEHP is fully committed to their vision: We will not rest until our communities enjoy optimal care and vibrant health. For more information, visit iehp.org.

IEHP Logo (PRNewsfoto/Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP))

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SOURCE Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP)
Vancouver --News Direct-- Soma Gold Corp.

Soma Gold CEO Javier Cordova joined Steve Darling from Proactive to share news that gold production at its El Bagre gold mine in Colombia set a new monthly record of 2,680 gold equivalent (AuEq) ounces in January 2023.

Cordova told Proactive production was 24% ahead of what was expected. Full-year production for 2023 is planned to be 35,500 ounces.

Contact Details

Proactive Canada

+1 604-688-8158

na-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com

View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/soma-gold-announces-record-monthly-gold-production-at-el-bagre-mine-for-january-554247186
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2023 / U.S. Bank

U.S. Bank, Thursday, February 9, 2023, Press release picture



Buena Vista University rehab health and kinesiology student Hannah Bees (left) won the $10,000 first prize; Andrews University medical lab science student Valerie Coakley (right) won the $14,000 grand prize.

Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog

For Valerie Coakley, news that she was the $14,000 grand prize winner of the U.S. Bank Student Scholarship couldn't have come at a better time.

Coakley is nearly halfway through her three-semester certification program in medical lab science at Andrews University, which is designed for students who already hold a bachelor's degree. Because she already completed her undergrad studies at Michigan State, Coakley had depleted her federal student aid. The demands of the yearlong program are so intense that holding a job in addition to her studies would be impossible.

"This helps tremendously," Coakley said. "I'm 25, and not the traditional student with parents to help out - I am doing everything on my own and supporting myself through college. This scholarship is helping me to pay for an entire semester, which is amazing."

The award is part of the U.S. Bank financial education scholarship program, which has given out about $45,000 each year for the last decade. As part of the application, students must take a series of financial education lessons covering topics including student loans, credit scores and more to be eligible for the twice yearly sweepstakes. A recent study found that the program gives students more confidence and know of their finances. About 32,000 students registered for the second-half 2022 entry period of the scholarship program, completing nearly 100,200 financial education modules.

There were four other winners in the second half of 2022 sweepstakes drawing, including first prize winner Hannah Bees, who received $10,000. Bees is a sophomore studying rehab health and kinesiology at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. Bees plans to become an occupational or physical therapist when she graduates.

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"This is a huge relief," said Bees, who said the $10,000 will allow her to drop one of the two jobs she's working to help pay her way through school. "I can use that time to catch up on studying."

The second prize winner, Khady Sow, at Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Lexington, Kentucky, with an expected graduation of Spring 2024, won $4,000. For the first time, an additional category was created for students who attend school where there is a U.S. Bank campus branch location. Bertha Perez-Mendoza, who attends the University of Oregon and expects to graduate in Spring 2025 won $1,500, as did Julie Hanson at Minnesota State Mankato, who expects to graduate in Spring 2026.

Coakley found the U.S. Bank Scholarship when researching scholarship opportunities online and was immediately intrigued that it only required completing modules and not writing any essays. "I dread writing essays - science is my passion for a reason," she joked. Bees also found the U.S. Bank Scholarship online and found some of the modules to be "eye opening" as she thought through her own finances and ahead to the next stages of her life after graduation.

Obtaining her certificate in medical lab sciences will put Coakley in a much stronger position to achieve her lifelong dream of landing a job as a forensic scientist, which melds her love of science with her family's legacy of working in law enforcement.

"You're putting pieces together to make a full circle - I love the puzzle-solving and critical thinking aspect of it," she said.

More information about the next round of scholarships will be available in February at www.usbank.com/scholarship.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from U.S. Bank on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: U.S. Bank

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/us-bank

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: U.S. Bank





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/738800/Students-Studying-Forensics-Physical-Therapy-Among-Scholarship-Winners




Tearlach Resources Limited

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tearlach Resources Limited (TSXV: TEA) (OTC: TELHF) (FRANKFURT: V44) (Tearlach or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has engaged TonaTec Exploration LLC, of Elko Nevada, to conduct the Phase 1 core drill program commencing this month at the Companys Joint Ventured Gabriel Project formerly the Blackrock Silver (TSXV: BRC) Tonopah North Lithium Project in Nevada.



Program Highlights :

Planned Phase 1 drill program of a 3000-meter core drill program.

Re-drill several past holes with Core drilling to perform concurrent metallurgical testing and understand geological constraints.

19-hole program down to a maximum depth of 200 Meters.

Permits with BLM submitted with expected mobilization in February.

TonaTec is recognized by the exploration community as a leading drill company with experience operating in the Tonopah area. A collaborative relationship with Blackrock Silver has created operational, and contractor synergies for both companies that management believes represents a unique advantage.

CEO Morgan Lekstrom commented, From signing the initial Joint Venture and engaging a world-class team of geologists with significant clay lithium experience to permitting and anticipated drilling to commence all within two months, this shows the commitment the entire team has to advance The Gabriel Project. We plan to expand on the original discovery in what is becoming a leading lithium district with American Lithium and American Battery Metals Corp, which are companies with significant market caps and our neighbors. Both companies have seen significant shareholder value creation, and we believe we can come out as a leader in the area through our accelerated programs, geological team, as well as a unique engineering approach.

About Tearlach

Tearlach is a Canadian exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and development of lithium projects. Tearlach holds an interest in the Final Frontier Project, which includes the Pakwan, Pakwan Extension, and Margot Lake Claim block, which is in close proximity to Frontier Lithiums flagship claims and proximal to the Spark and PAK deposits. Tearlach holds interests in the Wesley, Harth, and Ferland properties, all located in the lithium hub of northwestern Ontario, Canada. The Wesley Property borders Green Energy Metals Root Lake Project, where a 24,000 m drill program is currently underway. Pegmatite dykes have - been encountered on the Harth Lithium Project, which is 8 kms west of the Wesley Lithium Project. Prospecting and mapping have confirmed pegmatite dykes on the Ferland Lithium Property, 10 km east of Green Technology Metals Seymour Lake Project. Tearlach holds interests in the Flizar, Muscovite Ridge and Rose North Properties in the James Bay area of Quebec, and each property hosts pegmatites. Tearlach intends to explore these assets and develop a portfolio of projects in North America through acquisition. Tearlachs primary objective is to position itself as the leading lithium exploration and development company in North America. Additional information on the Company is available at the website at www.tearlach.ca.

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ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

TEARLACH RESOURCES LIMITED

Morgan Lekstrom

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Suite 610 - 700 W. Pender Street

Vancouver, BC, Canada V6C 1G8

Tel: 604-688-5007

www.tearlach.ca

https://tearlach.ca/contact/

Forward-looking statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (collectively, forward-looking statements). Statements and information that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as expects, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, potential, possible and similar expressions or statements that events, conditions or results will, may, could or should occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements and the assumptions made in respect thereof involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors beyond the Companys control. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements regarding the anticipated drill program and the timing thereof, that the Companys relationship with Blackrock Silver will provide synergies and a unique advantage, the intention to expand on prior discoveries by Blackrock Silver and the belief that the Company will be a leader in the Tonopah area. Mineral exploration is highly speculative, and characterized by several significant risks, which even a combination of careful evaluation, experience and knowledge may not eliminate. Forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date herein. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements in this press release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. The Companys Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com, and readers are urged to review these materials.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service provided (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.




The United Arab Emirates Tuesday pledged $100 million to Syria and Turkiye, one of the largest sums yet following a massive earthquake that killed more than 7,000 people across both countries.

The Gulf nation  which had already pledged some $13.6 million to Syria  is spearheading regional relief efforts, having dispatched planes to both countries with relief items and rescue teams following the 7.8-magnitude quake that struck early Monday.

On Tuesday, Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan ordered the provision of $100 million for the relief of those affected, the official WAM news agency said.

The sum would be equally split between Syria and Turkey, with each getting $50 million, according to the news agency.

It was not immediately clear if the funds for Syria included the $13.6 million previously announced.

Major General Saleh al-Ameri, commander of joint operations at the UAEs defense ministry, said Tuesday that three military planes had been dispatched to Turkey, carrying search and rescue teams who have since commenced operations.
A Broad Range of Think Research Solutions Are Being Deployed to Help Solve Healthcare Access & Quality Challenges

TORONTO, Feb. 9, 2023 /CNW/ - Think Research Corporation (TSXV: THNK) ("Think" or the "Company"), a company focused on transforming healthcare through digital health software solutions, today announced that it entered into an agreement with a new customer on January 30, 2023, to provide a broad range of software solutions, data and subscription services to help improve access to quality healthcare. The value of this engagement is approximately $2.0 million.

Think Research Corporation Logo (CNW Group/Think Research Corporation)

Sachin Aggarwal, CEO, Think, said, "We are honoured and excited to leverage our solutions to help solve important healthcare access and delivery challenges. We believe that this deployment will help set the standard for digital health solutions to improve patient outcomes and save lives."

The scope of the essential data and services included in this engagement incorporate many of Think's platform applications.

About Think Research Corporation

Think Research Corporation is an industry leader in delivering knowledge-based digital health software solutions. The Company's focused mission is to organize the world's health knowledge so everyone gets the best care. Its evidence-based healthcare technology solutions support the clinical decision-making process and standardize care, to facilitate better health care outcomes. The Company gathers, develops, and delivers knowledge-based solutions globally to customers typically including enterprise clients, hospitals, health regions, healthcare professionals, and / or governments. The Company has gathered a significant amount of data by building its repository of knowledge through its network and group of companies.

Think licenses its solutions to over 13,000 facilities for over 300,000 primary care, acute care, and long-term care doctors, nurses and pharmacists that rely on the content and data provided by Think to support their practices. Millions of patients and residents annually receive better care due to the essential data that Think produces, manages and delivers.

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In addition, the Company collects and manages pharmaceutical and clinical trial data via its BioPharma Services subsidiary. BioPharma Services is a leading provider of bioequivalence and Phase 1 clinical research services to pharmaceutical companies globally. Think's other services include a network of digital-first primary care clinics and medical clinics that provide elective surgery. Visit: thinkresearch.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For more information: https://www.thinkresearch.com/ca/investors/

SOURCE Think Research Corporation

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2023/09/c4215.html
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Trace Genomics, the leader in delivering comprehensive, precision soil analytics, today announced that the Board of Directors has promoted Poornima Parameswaran, Ph.D., from President to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & President. Since co-founding Trace Genomics in 2015, Parameswaran has been a driving force behind the science, development and lab-to-field application of the most comprehensive soil microbiome databases to advance production agriculture.

Trace Genomics CEO, Poornima Parameswaran

Parameswaran inherits the CEO title from Dan Vradenburg, who has led the company since 2019. Vradenburg will move into the role of Senior Advisor. "Trace Genomics is in great hands," said Vradenburg. "Poornima's passion, experience and expertise will advance the company to the next level of providing actionable soil insights that are central to the coming quantum leap in agriculture. She has a talented team, supportive board and motivated investors to continue building a valuable company."

Poornima earned a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from Stanford University with Nobel laureate Dr. Andrew Fire, and a B.S. in Molecular Biology from the University of Texas at Austin. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at UC Berkeley's School of Public Health, where she worked closely with the Broad Institute and the Ministry of Health in Nicaragua. She has pioneered new methods to make genomics more affordable and accessible, created and taught the first-ever course on applications of high throughput sequencing at Stanford University, is an author on a dozen highly referenced publications in the genomics space, and an inventor on several microbiome patents.

"On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, I want to congratulate Poornima on earning the title of CEO," said Bill Buckner, Board Chairman, Trace Genomics. "With her serving as President, Trace Genomics closed out 2022 in the strongest commercial and operational position since our inception. We are looking forward to Poornima leading Trace Genomics into our next phase of dynamic expansion, with a focus on commercial growth supported by operational excellence and scientific integrity."

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Trace Genomics is the leader in developing solutions to protect and activate soil's hidden potential for healthier soils and a healthier planet. The company was recently awarded a place in the prestigious Global Cleantech 100 for the second consecutive year. This program honors the top privately held innovation companies in clean technology globally.

"I'm honored to take on the CEO role and humbled by the trust placed in me by our Board of Directors," said Parameswaran. "At Trace Genomics, we have built an entirely new class of comprehensive soil technology offerings backed by science, fit for scale, with a target market that includes every global arable acre. Trace's commercial program delivers diagnostics, enables prescriptive solutions and surfaces aggregated data insights. We have momentum with customers both new and existing; achieving top-line revenue growth is our #1 priority."

About Trace Genomics:

Trace Genomics is a pioneer in the use of hi-definition genomics to activate the hidden insights in soil for healthier soils and a healthier planet. Through innovation in genomics, soil science and machine learning, Trace Genomics creates a pathway to deliver targeted database insights and actions at cost-speed-scale-accuracy for partners who are advancing modern farming solutions for a net-zero food production system. Where most companies deliver a partial picture, we provide a comprehensive and precise understanding of the soil's compositionanalyzing the soil's biology, physical properties and chemistry. Trace Genomics has won several awards, including being selected as a 2020 Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum, Winner of FoodShot Global's Innovating Soil 3.0 Challenge, Forbes Top 25 Most Innovative AgTech, THRIVE Top 50 AgTech, 2022 Global Cleantech top 100 start-ups and many more.

Trace Genomics (PRNewsfoto/Trace Genomics)

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/trace-genomics-promotes-poornima-parameswaran-to-chief-executive-officer-301742607.html

SOURCE Trace Genomics
Facts & Factors

The global ultrasound probe disinfection market size was valued at USD 442.39 million in 2021 and is expected to surpass USD 1012.74 million by 2028, registering a CAGR of 12.56% during the forecast period (2022- 2028), as highlighted in a report published by Facts & Factors. The key market players listed in the report with their sales, revenues and strategies are Nanosonics, Tristel, STERIS, Ecolab, Advanced Sterilization Products, CIVCO Medical Solutions, CS Medical LLC, Virox Technologies Inc., Germitec S. A., Schulke & Mayr GmbH, Parker Laboratories Inc., Metrex Research LLC, Soluscope SA, Dr. Schumacher GmbH, Whiteley Medical (New Zealand), MMM Group, GAMA Healthcare Ltd., Ruhof Corporation, BODE Chemie GmbH, PDI, Advanced Ultrasound Solutions Inc., IMA-X, Diversey Holdings, Borer Chemie AG, Medevice Healthtech, and others.

SAN FRANCISCO, U.S., Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Facts and Factors has published a new research report titled  Ultrasound Probe Disinfection Market Size , Share, Growth Analysis Report By Product Type (Instruments, Consumables, Services), By Disinfection Process (High Level Disinfection, Intermediate /Low Level Disinfection), By End User (Hospitals & Clinics, Diagnostics Imaging Centers, Others), and By Region - Global and Regional Industry Insights, Overview, Comprehensive Analysis, Trends, Statistical Research, Market Intelligence, Historical Data and Forecast 2022  2028 in its research database.

According to Facts and Factors, the global ultrasound probe disinfection market size was estimated to be worth roughly USD 442.39 million in 2021 and is predicted to grow to around USD 1012.74 million by 2028. The global Ultrasound Probe Disinfection market is predicted to grow at a CAGR of roughly 12.56% during the forecast period.

Ultrasound Probe Disinfection Market Overview:

Ultrasonography is employed as an imaging modality increasingly commonly in a range of healthcare contexts. Each ultrasound operation requires that an ultrasound transducer make contact with the patient's skin, mucous membranes, or sterile tissues. When simple infection control standards, such as the proper cleaning and reprocessing of the tools and transducers, are not followed, there is an increased risk of pathogen transmission and subsequent infection. Lack of adherence to infection control recommendations supported by science has led to numerous epidemics emerging from ultrasonography exams.

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Report Scope:

Report Attribute Details Market Size in 2021 USD 442.39 Million Projected Market Size in 2028 USD 1012.74 Million CAGR Growth Rate 12.56% CAGR Base Year 2021 Forecast Years 2022-2028 Key Market Players Nanosonics, Tristel, STERIS, Ecolab, Advanced Sterilization Products, CIVCO Medical Solutions, CS Medical LLC, Virox Technologies Inc., Germitec S. A., Schulke & Mayr GmbH, Parker Laboratories Inc., Metrex Research LLC, Soluscope SA, Dr. Schumacher GmbH, Whiteley Medical (New Zealand), MMM Group, GAMA Healthcare Ltd., Ruhof Corporation, BODE Chemie GmbH, PDI, Advanced Ultrasound Solutions Inc., IMA-X, Diversey Holdings, Borer Chemie AG, Medevice Healthtech, and others. Key Segment By Product Type, Disinfection Process, End User, and Region Major Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East &, Africa Purchase Options Request customized purchase options to meet your research needs.

Key Insights from Primary Research

As per the analysis, the ultrasound probe disinfection market share is likely to grow above a CAGR of around 12.56% between 2022 and 2028.

The Ultrasound Probe Disinfection market size was worth around US$ 442.39 million in 2021 and is estimated to hit approximately US$ 1012.74 million by 2028 . Due to a variety of driving factors, the market is predicted to rise at a significant rate.

Based on product type segmentation, instruments were predicted to show maximum market share in the year 2021

Based on disinfection process, intermediate /low level disinfection was predicted to show maximum market share in the year 2021

Based on end user, hospitals and clinical were predicted to show maximum market share in the year 2021

On the basis of region, North America was the leading revenue generator in 2021.

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Industry Growth Drivers

Rising pregnancy rates and birth rates demand increased use of ultrasound. An obstetrical ultrasound is a frequent procedure used to monitor the fetus growth and health using ultrasound images throughout pregnancy. As the number of births and pregnancies worldwide rises, more OB/GYN imaging and newborn care will likely be performed using ultrasound technology. The number of pregnancies is anticipated to significantly rise in the next years, particularly in China and India. These two countries had the most preterm births in 2020, with 20.0 million and 12.0 million babies, respectively. Preterm babies need a lot more ultrasound procedures than regular babies do because of the OB/GYN issues associated with these pregnancies. Additionally, ultrasound probe disinfection product manufacturers should see significant growth opportunities due to the high rate of births (pregnancies) and more recent ultrasound obstetrical applications (like the detection of fetal cardiac pulsations and pulsations in various fetal blood vessels).

One of the key factors driving the global ultrasound probe disinfection market expansion is ultrasonic imaging techniques being increasingly used. Through immediate access to clinical data, modern diagnostic ultrasound imaging techniques have enhanced diagnosis. The ability of instant diagnostic data to replace more expensive diagnostic tests has consequently contributed to a reduction in overall healthcare costs. Given the diversity of ultrasound imaging treatments available, there is significant room for growth in the ultrasound probe disinfection market. The increasing elderly population around the world is a significant factor for the rise in ultrasonic imaging procedures. As more people age (65 years and older), they become increasingly susceptible to hospital-acquired infections and chronic illnesses including cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and other malignancies, which will increase the demand for disease diagnosis and treatment.

Ultrasound Probe Disinfection Market: Segmentation Analysis

The global ultrasound probe disinfection market is segmented based on product type, disinfection process, end-user, and region.

On the basis of type, the market has been segmented into instruments, consumables, and services. Because instruments are more expensive than consumables and services, they accounted for the greatest market share in 2021. Automated reprocessors, UV-C disinfectors, manual reprocessors/soaking stations, and ultrasound probe storage cabinets are some of the devices on the market for ultrasound probe disinfection.

On the basis of disinfection process, the market has been segmented into high-level disinfection, intermediate /low level disinfection. In 2021, the market was headed by the segment for intermediate/low-level disinfection, which accounted for more than 50% of the global share. Since intermediate/low-level disinfection is the fundamental process that is adhered to as a routine procedure in hospital facilities, the market is expected to maintain its leadership position during the forecast years. Due to the growing awareness of sanitation, the high-level disinfection method is predicted to see the quickest CAGR throughout the projection period.

On the basis of end-user, the market has been segmented into hospitals & clinics, diagnostics imaging centers, and others. The market share represented by hospitals and clinics was the largest in 2021 and is expected to grow at the quickest CAGR during the forecast period. The increase in diagnostic imaging and in-vitro fertilization methods is blamed for this development. Additionally, it is projected that rising investments in healthcare infrastructure by public and private entities around the world will promote segment expansion.

Browse the full Ultrasound Probe Disinfection Market Size, Share, Growth Analysis Report - Global and Regional Industry Insights, Overview, Comprehensive Analysis, Trends, Statistical Research, Market Intelligence, Historical Data and Forecast 2022  2028 Report at https://www.fnfresearch.com/ultrasound-probe-disinfection-market



COVID-19 Impact Analysis:

The market for ultrasonic probe disinfection tools suffered during the height of the COVID-19 epidemic, and this trend remained through December 2020. The drop in ultrasound imaging operations is believed to have an effect on the market for consumables. Despite this, it doesn't seem like a rise in disinfection cycles is having a detrimental effect on the market for consumables. The frequency of ultrasonography procedures began to gradually increase after the introduction of vaccines.

Several associations and governmental organizations, including the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, have published international recommendations to solve a number of concerns in the current scenario and guarantee patient safety. Due to the aforementioned problems, hospitals and caregivers may anticipate delays in elective surgeries and ultrasound procedures. However, it is anticipated that the market will begin to consistently grow as intended beginning in the latter part of 2021.

Regional Analysis:

In 2021, North America is predicted to hold the greatest market share for ultrasound probe disinfection. A number of factors contribute to this, including the rise in transvaginal, transrectal, abdominal, and intraoperative ultrasound procedures, as well as transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE), and ultrasound-guided interventional procedures (biopsies, venous access), the rising use of high-level disinfectants, and the presence of significant market players in the area.

Additionally, the need for automated probe reprocessors is increasing in the area due to the demand for automated high-level disinfection systems, which are required to lower the prevalence of HAIs.

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(We tailor your report to meet your specific research requirements. Inquire with our sales team about customising your report.)

Competitive Players:

The report contains qualitative and quantitative research on the global ultrasound probe disinfection market, as well as detailed insights and development strategies employed by the leading competitors.

Some of the main players in the global ultrasound probe disinfection market include;

Nanosonics

CIVCO Medical Solutions

Tristel Solutions Ltd.

Ecolab, Inc.

Germitec

CS Medical LLC

Advanced Sterilization Products Services, Inc.

Metrex Research, LLC

Recent Industry Developments:

In April 2018, Virox Technologies Ltd. (Canada) received approval for the use of its patented Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide (AHP) technology from the FDA.

In August 2018, Nanosonics Ltd. (Australia) launched trophon 2, the latest innovation in ultrasound probe high-level disinfection.

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The global ultrasound probe disinfection market is segmented as follows:

By Product Type

Instruments

Consumables

Services

By Disinfection Process

High-Level Disinfection

Intermediate/Low-Level Disinfection

By End User

Hospitals and Clinics

Diagnostic Imaging Centers

Others

By Region

North America The U.S. Canada

Europe France The UK Spain Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific China Japan India Southeast Asia Rest of Southeast Asia

The Middle East & Africa GCC South Africa Rest of the Middle East & Africa

Latin America Brazil Argentina Rest of Latin America



Key Offerings:

Market Size, Trends, & Forecast by Revenue | 20222028

Market Dynamics  Leading Trends, Growth Drivers, Restraints, and Investment Opportunities

Market Segmentation  A detailed analysis by Product Type, Disinfection Process, End User, and Region

Competitive Landscape  Top Key Vendors and Other Prominent Vendors

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SERI ISKANDAR, Malaysia, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) has signed an agreement for a research grant with TotalEnergies EP Malaysia (TotalEnergies) to collaborate in developing and implementing state-of-the-art optical fibre sensing technologies for subsurface fluids monitoring stored underground.

From left: Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Mutalib, Mohamed Firouz Asnan, Azmir Zamri and Xavier Faugeras at the signing ceremony.

The partnership aims to enhance the understanding and management of subsurface fluids, including carbon storage as well as oil and gas field systems, using Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) Imaging, fibre-optic seismic sensing technologies and predictive analytics and data visualisation using machine learning.

Signing the agreement on behalf of UTP was Vice-Chancellor Professor Ts Dr Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Mutalib, while TotalEnergies was represented by its General Manager Xavier Faugeras.

The signing was witnessed by PETRONAS Senior Vice President of Malaysia Petroleum Management(MPM), Mohamed Firouz Asnan and PETRONAS Senior General Manager of Resource Exploration MPM Azmir Zamri.

According to Mohamed Ibrahim, "We are excited to be working together with TotalEnergies, a global multi-energy company that produces and markets energies on a global scale on this research project.

"The partnership will bring together the expertise and resources of both parties focusing on the use of optical fibre sensing technologies, backed by data acquisition, subsurface visualisation, and image interpretation aided with cloud-based computing which will result in an effective solution for monitoring subsurface fluids," he said.

"This collaboration is a testament to UTP's continuous effort in realising its aspiration to become a leader in technology education and a centre of excellence for creativity and innovation. It is also in support of PETRONAS' energy transition initiatives to move towards Net Zero Carbon Emission (NZCE).

"As a leading university, UTP plays a vital role in exploring new technological innovation and invention to future-proof our institution. We aim to be the technology solutions provider for the industry through our expertise, experience and research facilities that meet the industry needs and standards," Mohamed Ibrahim added.

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Meanwhile, Faugeras said, "TotalEnergies is very pleased to partner with UTP on this research project on a promising subject of fibre optics monitoring. At a time where we need to solve the challenges of energy transition, it is a great opportunity to develop links with a prime academy in Malaysia."

On the same day, there was also an engagement session and a tour of UTP campus for key delegates of Petroleum Arrangement Contractors (PAC) operating in Malaysia from ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Malaysia Inc., EnQuest Petroleum Production Malaysia Ltd., Hess Exploration and Production Malaysia B.V., Jadestone Energy (PM) Inc., Mubadala Energy, Petrofac (Malaysia-PM304) Limited, SK Earthon Co. Ltd., TotalEnergies EP Malaysia, POSCO International E&P Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Sea Hibiscus Sdn. Bhd., Hibiscus Oil & Gas Malaysia Limited, Shell, JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration (Malaysia) Limited, International Petroleum Corporation Malaysia B.V., PTT Exploration and Production, SapuraOMV Upstream (Sarawak) Inc. and ConocoPhillips Malaysia.

This is one of PETRONAS' initiatives to strengthen UTP-industry collaboration. As UTP is preparing the workforce for the industry, both events provide opportunities for the industry to be involved, contribute and play an active role in developing and moulding the students into the employees that the industry desires.

About Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP)

UTP was established in 1997 and is a leading private university in Malaysia.

UTP offers a wide range of industry-relevant engineering, science and technology programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It aims to produce well-rounded graduates with excellent leadership qualities and communication abilities.

The university has produced more than 22,000 graduates from over 60 countries and has become one of the main feeders within the region in producing competent talents and workforce.

It currently has an enrolment of above 1,200 foundation students, more than 4,300 undergraduates and over 1,100 postgraduates from more than 40 countries around the world.

The university conducts extensive research activities in collaboration with PETRONAS and other institutions and industries, locally and abroad, on six research focus and niche areas. They are self-sustainable building, transport infrastructure, health analytics, hydrocarbon recovery, contaminant management and autonomous systems. For more information, visit www.utp.edu.my

SOURCE Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP)
NEW YORK, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Specialty Food Association hosted eight graduate students and two professors from the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), William F. Harrah College of Hospitality during the 2023 Winter Fancy Food Show. Featuring more than 1,100 companies and thousands of products from around the world, the Specialty Food Association (SFA) Winter Fancy Food Show ran from January 15-17 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

2023 Winter Fancy Food Show Junior Trendspotters - UNLV

"The Winter Fancy Food Show provides an immersive learning experience for UNLV hospitality students and faculty to inform our research and teaching. It is always inspiring to network with the unique entrepreneurs and organizations who are so passionate about their products and efforts that are related to the multiple facets of food and associated activities," said Joseph Lema, Ph.D, Professor/Chair, Food & Beverage and Event Management. "With rapidly changing consumer trends innovation is at the forefront and having the opportunity to experience it firsthand makes it an even more impactful learning experience. We appreciate partnering with the Specialty Food Association as well as having this large-scale event in Las Vegas."

The Winter Fancy Food Show Junior Trendspotters identified the following top five trends:

Environmentally friendly - Caviarium manmade caviar, Clipper Teas Organic Herbal & Green Tea Selection, Nobeltree Coffee Health in balance - Auga organic soup, OBA Organic Baked Apples snacks, Root Foods Six Mix Chips, Tatu Protein Water, Wonder Monday Cheesecake Alcoholic and Non-Alcholic Cocktail Culture - Liqueurs & Gins Bull Terrier Herb Liqueur, Prima Pave Rose Brut, Terra Incognita Kava Broader plant based - 7th Heaven plant-based milk chocolate, Konscious Foods plant based sushi, Milkadamia Unsweetened latte da, Seed Ranch Flavor Co. vegan Mac & Cheese Global pantry - Bravado Spice Co. hot sauces, Khalsa Salsa Indian fusion salsa, Maazah Afghan-style chutney, Xinca Salvadoran pupusas

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The SFA 2023 Winter Fancy Food Show Junior Trendspotter Panel was composed of 8 UNLV William F. Harrah College of Hospitality grad students, under the guidance of Professor Lema and Seyhmus Baloglu, Ph.D. Professor/Chair:

Carrie (Yunxuan) Zhang

Ken (Yuang-Sheng) Chiu

Angelika Bazarnik

Crystal (Yuze) Ji

Dennis Baloglu

Shatha Alhujuri

Sooyeon Lee

Michael Bertetto

A full Trendspotter Panel report from the Winter Fancy Food Show can be found online here .

The next Fancy Food Show will be held June 25-27 in New York at the Javits Center. Open only to the trade, the Summer Fancy Food Show requires registration and qualification. For additional information visit specialtyfood.com.

About the Specialty Food Association

The Specialty Food Association (SFA) has been the leading trade association and source of information about the $175 billion specialty food industry for 70 years. Founded in 1952 in New York City, the SFA represents manufacturers, importers, retailers, distributors, brokers, and others in the trade. The SFA is known for its Fancy Food Shows ; the sofi Awards , which have honored excellence in specialty food and beverage for 50 years; the Trendspotter Panel Show reports and annual predictions; the State of the Specialty Food Industry Report and Today's Specialty Food Consumer research; the SFA Product Marketplace , where buyers discover new products, network and connect with SFA members; SFA Feed , the daily source for industry news, trends and new product information, and Spill & Dish: A Specialty Food Association Podcast .

Facebook: Specialty Food Association

LinkedIn: Specialty Food Association

TikTok: specialty food association

Twitter: @Specialty_Food

Instagram: @specialtyfoodassociation

Hashtags: #FancyFoodShow #VivaFancyFood #SpecialtyFood

About UNLV Harrah School of Hospitality

The UNLV Harrah College of Hospitality is consistently ranked as one of the top hospitality programs in the world (#1 in the nation and #2 globally by QS Top Universities). Studying just blocks away from the epicenter of the hospitality industry -- the Las Vegas Strip, Hospitality College students enjoy unparalleled access to hands-on, industry-relevant professional experience. Each year the college helps organize nearly hundreds of internships, welcomes more than 100 national hospitality brands to recruitment events, and pairs an average of 175 industry mentors with students. And with the completion of the college's state-of-the-art academic building Hospitality Hall, students are ushering in a new era of excellence in hospitality education. Visit unlv.edu/hospitality to learn more.

Cision

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SOURCE Specialty Food Association
Warner Music Group Corp.

Financial Highlights



Underlying Growth in Total Streaming Revenue Despite a Challenged Macroeconomic Environment and the Impact of an Additional Week in the Prior-Year Quarter

Continued Momentum in Music Publishing with Double-Digit Revenue Growth

Adjusted OIBDA Margin Improvement Underpinned by Disciplined Operating Performance

Robust Growth in Operating and Free Cash Flow with Strong Conversion

For the three months ended December 31, 2022

Total revenue decreased 8% or 3% in constant currency

Digital revenue decreased 5% or 1% in constant currency

Net income was $124 million versus $188 million in the prior-year quarter

OIBDA increased 9% to $349 million versus $320 million in the prior-year quarter or 16% in constant currency

Adjusted OIBDA decreased 6% to $335 million versus $355 million in the prior-year quarter or was flat in constant currency

Cash provided by operating activities increased 62% to $209 million versus $129 million in the prior-year quarter

NEW YORK, Feb. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Warner Music Group Corp. today announced its first-quarter financial results for the period ended December 31, 2022.

Musics value, power, and ubiquity are among the many reasons I decided to join WMG and lead the next phase of our evolution, said Robert Kyncl, CEO. As we navigate a challenging business environment, we expect to have a strong release schedule in the second half of 2023 while managing our costs throughout. The foundations of this company are strong, and our addressable market is continuously growing. We are excited to drive new monetization opportunities through our investments in new artists and songwriters, our catalog, and our global expansion.

Our results reflect our resilience and operational discipline in the face of macroeconomic headwinds, as well as the impact of the extra week in the prior-year quarter, said Eric Levin, CFO, Warner Music Group. Our continued focus on efficiency enabled us to deliver strong operating and free cash flow growth, even while certain revenue lines came under pressure. We are enthusiastic about our release schedule for the second half of the fiscal year, which will feature amazing music from some of our biggest artists.

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Total WMG

Total WMG Summary Results (dollars in millions) For the Three

Months Ended

December 31,

2022 For the Three

Months Ended

December 31,

2021 % Change (unaudited) (unaudited) Revenue $ 1,488 $ 1,614 -8 % Recorded Music revenue 1,239 1,386 -11 % Music Publishing revenue 250 229 9 % Digital revenue 952 1,002 -5 % Operating income 265 239 11 % Adjusted operating income(1) 251 274 -8 % OIBDA(1) 349 320 9 % Adjusted OIBDA(1) 335 355 -6 % Net income 124 188 -34 % Adjusted net income(1) 110 223 -51 % Net cash provided by operating activities 209 129 62 % Free Cash Flow 188 95 98 % (1) See "Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures" at the end of this release for details regarding these measures.





For the Three

Months Ended

December 31,

2022 For the Three

Months Ended

December 31,

2021 % Change For the Twelve

Months Ended

December 31,

2022 For the Twelve

Months Ended

December 31,

2021 % Change (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) Adjusted EBITDA(1) $ 350 $ 389 -10% $ 1,162 $ 1,207 -4% (1) See "Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures" at the end of this release for details regarding these measures.

Revenue was down 7.8% (or 2.7% in constant currency). Consistent with the prior quarter, revenue growth was unfavorably impacted by foreign currency exchange rates. As disclosed previously, the prior-year quarter included an additional week, primarily reflected in Recorded Music streaming revenue. Digital revenue decreased 5.0% (or 0.9% in constant currency) and streaming revenue decreased 4.0% (or was flat in constant currency). Growth in Music Publishing streaming revenue of 13.2% (or 16.8% in constant currency) was offset by a decline in Recorded Music streaming revenue of 6.7% (or 2.6% in constant currency) as a result of a lighter release schedule and the impact of the additional week in the prior-year quarter and exchange rates, as well as a market-related slowdown in ad-supported revenue. Digital revenue represented 64.0% of total revenue in the quarter, compared to 62.1% in the prior-year quarter. Revenue decreases in the quarter were also driven by a decline in Recorded Music physical and artist services and expanded-rights revenue and Music Publishing synchronization revenue, partially offset by growth in Recorded Music licensing revenue and Music Publishing performance revenue. Music Publishing mechanical revenue remained flat on an as-reported basis, but increased in constant currency. Excluding the impact of the additional week, total revenue was down 3.4% (or up 2.0% in constant currency).

Operating income was $265 million compared to $239 million in the prior-year quarter. OIBDA was $349 million, compared to $320 million in the prior-year quarter, an increase of 9.1% (or 16.3% in constant currency), and OIBDA margin increased 3.7 percentage points to 23.5% from 19.8% in the prior-year quarter (or increased 3.9 percentage points to 23.5% from 19.6% in constant currency). The increases in operating income, OIBDA and OIBDA margin were primarily due to the net gain on sale of the Companys interest in certain sound recording rights.

Adjusted operating income, Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted net income exclude expenses related to restructuring and other transformation initiatives and non-cash stock-based compensation and other related expenses in both the quarter and the prior-year quarter. In the quarter, the net gain on sale of the Companys interest in certain sound recording rights is also excluded. Adjusted EBITDA excludes these items and includes expected savings resulting from transformation initiatives and the pro forma impact of certain specified transactions. See below for calculations and reconciliations of Adjusted operating income, Adjusted OIBDA, Adjusted net income and Adjusted EBITDA.

Adjusted OIBDA decreased 5.6% from $355 million to $335 million (or was flat in constant currency) largely driven by lower revenue and Adjusted OIBDA margin increased 0.5 percentage points to 22.5% from 22.0% in the prior-year quarter (or increased 0.6 percentage points to 22.5% from 21.9% in constant currency) primarily due to the favorable impact of exchange rates. Excluding the impact of the additional week, Adjusted OIBDA increased 6.0% (or 12.8% in constant currency) and Adjusted OIBDA margin increased 2.0 percentage points to 22.5% from 20.5% in the prior-year quarter (or increased 2.1 percentage points to 22.5% from 20.4% in constant currency). Adjusted operating income decreased 8.4% from $274 million to $251 million due to the same factors affecting Adjusted OIBDA and higher amortization expenses due to recent acquisitions and capital spending. Adjusted EBITDA decreased, largely due to the same factors affecting Adjusted OIBDA, including the impact of the additional week.

Net income was $124 million compared to $188 million in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted net income was $110 million compared to $223 million in the prior-year quarter. The decrease in net income and Adjusted net income was primarily due to the factors described above and the impact of exchange rates on the Companys Euro-denominated debt, partially offset by a decrease in income tax expense due to lower pre-tax income.

Basic and Diluted earnings per share was $0.23 for both the Class A and Class B shareholders due to the net income attributable to the Company in the quarter of $124 million.

As of December 31, 2022, the Company reported a cash balance of $720 million, total debt of $3.946 billion and net debt (defined as total debt, net of deferred financing costs, premiums and discounts, minus cash and equivalents) of $3.226 billion.

Cash provided by operating activities increased 62% to $209 million from $129 million in the prior-year quarter. The increase was largely a result of timing of A&R investments and other movements within working capital. Capital expenditures decreased 38% to $21 million from $34 million in the prior-year quarter, mainly due to lower investments in facilities. Free Cash Flow, as defined below, increased 98% to $188 million from $95 million in the prior-year quarter.

Recorded Music

Recorded Music Summary Results (dollars in millions) For the Three

Months Ended

December 31,

2022 For the Three

Months Ended

December 31,

2021 % Change (unaudited) (unaudited) Revenue $ 1,239 $ 1,386 -11 % Digital revenue 803 870 -8 % Operating income 283 276 3 % Adjusted operating income(1) 245 282 -13 % OIBDA(1) 337 330 2 % Adjusted OIBDA(1) 299 336 -11 % (1) See "Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures" at the end of this release for details regarding these measures.





Recorded Music Revenue (dollars in millions) For the Three Months Ended

December 31, 2022 For the Three Months Ended

December 31, 2021 For the Three Months Ended

December 31, 2021 As reported As reported Constant (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) Digital $ 803 $ 870 $ 833 Physical 133 195 181 Total Digital and Physical 936 1,065 1,014 Artist services and expanded-rights 206 232 215 Licensing 97 89 83 Total Recorded Music $ 1,239 $ 1,386 $ 1,312

Recorded Music revenue was down 10.6% (or 5.6% in constant currency) driven by a decline in digital, physical and artist services and expanded-rights revenue. Digital revenue was down 7.7% (or 3.6% in constant currency). Streaming revenue was down 6.7% (or 2.6% in constant currency). Adjusted for the impact of the additional week, Recorded Music streaming revenue was up 0.5% (or 4.8% in constant currency). Streaming revenue reflects a lighter release schedule and a market-related slowdown in ad-supported revenue. Digital revenue represented 64.8% of total Recorded Music revenue versus 62.8% in the prior-year quarter. Physical revenue was down 31.8% (or 26.5% in constant currency) primarily due to a lighter release schedule. Artist services and expanded-rights revenue decreased 11.2% (or 4.2% in constant currency) primarily due to lower direct-to-consumer merchandising revenue at EMP and lower advertising revenue. Licensing revenue increased 9.0% (or 16.9% in constant currency), due to an increase in broadcast fees, synchronization and other third-party licensing, partially offset by the impact of exchange rates. Excluding the impact of the additional week, revenue decreased 5.6% (or 0.2% in constant currency). Major sellers included Red Hot Chili Peppers, Zach Bryan, Lizzo and Ed Sheeran.

Recorded Music operating income was $283 million, up from $276 million in the prior-year quarter and operating margin was up 2.9 percentage points to 22.8% versus 19.9% in the prior-year quarter. OIBDA increased 2.1% to $337 million from $330 million in the prior-year quarter (or 8.0% in constant currency) and OIBDA margin increased 3.4 percentage points to 27.2% from 23.8% in the prior-year quarter (the same in constant currency). Adjusted OIBDA decreased 11.0% from $336 million to $299 million (or 6.0% in constant currency) with Adjusted OIBDA margin down 0.1 percentage point to 24.1% from 24.2% in the prior-year quarter (the same in constant currency). The increases in operating income, OIBDA, operating margin and OIBDA margin were primarily due to the net gain on sale of the Companys interest in certain sound recording rights. The decreases in Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted OIBDA margin were primarily driven by lower revenue, partially offset by the favorable impact of exchange rates. Excluding the impact of the additional week, Adjusted OIBDA increased 0.7% (or 6.8% in constant currency) and Adjusted OIBDA margin increased 1.5 percentage points to 24.1% from 22.6% in the prior-year quarter (the same in constant currency).

Music Publishing

Music Publishing Summary Results (dollars in millions) For the Three

Months Ended

December 31,

2022 For the Three

Months Ended

December 31,

2021 % Change (unaudited) (unaudited) Revenue $ 250 $ 229 9 % Digital revenue 149 133 12 % Operating income 49 32 53 % Adjusted operating income(1) 49 33 48 % OIBDA(1) 72 54 33 % Adjusted OIBDA(1) 72 55 31 % (1) See "Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures" at the end of this release for details regarding these measures.





Music Publishing Revenue (dollars in millions) For the Three Months Ended

December 31, 2022 For the Three Months Ended

December 31, 2021 For the Three Months Ended

December 31, 2021 As reported As reported Constant (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) Performance $ 45 $ 38 $ 35 Digital 149 133 129 Mechanical 14 14 12 Synchronization 39 42 41 Other 3 2 2 Total Music Publishing $ 250 $ 229 $ 219

Music Publishing revenue increased 9.2% (or 14.2% in constant currency). The increase was driven by growth in digital and performance revenue. Digital revenue increased 12.0% (or 15.5% in constant currency) and streaming revenue increased 13.2% (or 16.8% in constant currency), reflecting the continued growth in streaming and timing of new digital deals. Digital revenue represented 59.6% of total Music Publishing revenue versus 58.1% in the prior-year quarter. Performance revenue increased due to continued growth from bars, restaurants, concerts and live events. Mechanical revenue remained flat on an as-reported basis, but increased in constant currency. Synchronization revenue was lower on both an as-reported basis and in constant currency, primarily due to lower commercial licensing activity in the U.S. and the timing of legal settlements.

Music Publishing operating income was $49 million compared to $32 million in the prior-year quarter and operating margin increased 5.6 percentage points to 19.6%. Music Publishing OIBDA increased 33.3% to $72 million (or 38.5% in constant currency) and OIBDA margin increased 5.2 percentage points to 28.8% from 23.6% in the prior-year quarter (or increased 5.1 percentage points to 28.8% from 23.7% in constant currency). Adjusted OIBDA increased 30.9% to $72 million (or 35.8% in constant currency) and Adjusted OIBDA margin increased 4.8 percentage points to 28.8% from 24.0% in the prior-year quarter (or increased 4.6 percentage points to 28.8% from 24.2% in constant currency). The increases in operating income, OIBDA and Adjusted OIBDA were primarily due to strong operating performance and the favorable impact of exchange rates.

Financial details for the quarter can be found in the Companys current Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2022, filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

This morning, management will be hosting a conference call to discuss the results at 8:30 A.M. EST. The call will be webcast on www.wmg.com .

About Warner Music Group

With a legacy extending back over 200 years, Warner Music Group today is home to an unparalleled family of creative artists, songwriters, and companies that are moving culture across the globe. At the core of WMGs Recorded Music division are four of the most iconic companies in history: Atlantic, Elektra, Parlophone and Warner Records. They are joined by renowned labels such as 300 Entertainment, Asylum, Big Beat, Canvasback, East West, Erato, FFRR, Fueled by Ramen, Nonesuch, Reprise, Rhino, Roadrunner, Sire, Spinnin Records, Warner Classics and Warner Music Nashville. Warner Chappell Music - which traces its origins back to the founding of Chappell & Company in 1811 - is one of the world's leading music publishers, with a catalog of more than one million copyrights spanning every musical genre from the standards of the Great American Songbook to the biggest hits of the 21st century.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This communication includes forward-looking statements that reflect the current views of Warner Music Group about future events and financial performance. Words such as "estimates," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "plans," "intends," "believes," "forecasts" and variations of such words or similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends, or that do not relate to historical matters, identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are made as of today, and we disclaim any duty to update such statements. Our expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and we believe there is a reasonable basis for them. However, we cannot assure you that management's expectations, beliefs and projections will result or be achieved. Investors should not rely on forward-looking statements because they are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations. Please refer to our Form 10-K, Form 10-Qs and our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in our forward-looking statements.

We maintain an Internet site at www.wmg.com . We use our website as a channel of distribution for material company information. Financial and other material information regarding Warner Music Group is routinely posted on and accessible at http://investors.wmg.com . In addition, you may automatically receive email alerts and other information about Warner Music Group by enrolling your email address through the email alerts section at http://investors.wmg.com . Our website and the information posted on it or connected to it shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this communication.

Basis of Presentation

Effective for the 2023 fiscal year, the Companys fiscal year was modified from a 52-53-week calendar, in which reporting periods ended on the last Friday of the calendar quarter, to a reporting calendar in which the reporting periods end on the last day of the calendar quarter. The Companys fiscal year will begin on October 1 and end on September 30 of each year. Prior to the start of the 2023 fiscal year, the Company maintained a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the last Friday in each reporting period. The fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 included 53 weeks, with the additional week falling in the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2021. Accordingly, the results of operations for the three months ended December 31, 2021 reflect 14 weeks, or 98 days, compared to 92 days for the three months ended December 31, 2022.

Figure 1. Warner Music Group Corp. - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, Three Months Ended December 31, 2022 versus December 31, 2021 (dollars in millions) For the Three Months Ended

December 31, 2022 For the Three Months Ended

December 31, 2021 % Change (unaudited) (unaudited) Revenue $ 1,488 $ 1,614 -8 % Cost and expenses: Cost of revenue (761 ) (818 ) -7 % Selling, general and administrative expenses (440 ) (497 ) -11 % Amortization expense (63 ) (60 ) 5 % Total costs and expenses $ (1,264 ) $ (1,375 ) -8 % Net gain on divestiture 41   % Operating income $ 265 $ 239 11 % Interest expense, net (32 ) (30 ) 7 % Other (expense) income, net (61 ) 54  % Income before income taxes $ 172 $ 263 -35 % Income tax expense (48 ) (75 ) -36 % Net income $ 124 $ 188 -34 % Less: Income attributable to noncontrolling interest (2 ) (1 ) 100 % Net income attributable to Warner Music Group Corp. $ 122 $ 187 -35 % Net income per share attributable to common stockholders: Class A  Basic and Diluted $ 0.23 $ 0.36 Class B  Basic and Diluted $ 0.23 $ 0.36





Figure 2. Warner Music Group Corp. - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2022 versus September 30, 2022 (dollars in millions) December 31,

2022 September 30,

2022 % Change (unaudited) Assets Current assets: Cash and equivalents $ 720 $ 584 23 % Accounts receivable, net 1,004 984 2 % Inventories 102 108 -6 % Royalty advances expected to be recouped within one year 405 372 9 % Prepaid and other current assets 109 91 20 % Total current assets $ 2,340 $ 2,139 9 % Royalty advances expected to be recouped after one year 546 503 9 % Property, plant and equipment, net 430 415 4 % Operating lease right-of-use assets, net 220 226 -3 % Goodwill 1,951 1,920 2 % Intangible assets subject to amortization, net 2,266 2,239 1 % Intangible assets not subject to amortization 149 145 3 % Deferred tax assets, net 29 29  % Other assets 198 212 -7 % Total assets $ 8,129 $ 7,828 4 % Liabilities and Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 220 $ 268 -18 % Accrued royalties 2,091 1,918 9 % Accrued liabilities 477 457 4 % Accrued interest 29 17 71 % Operating lease liabilities, current 39 40 -3 % Deferred revenue 327 423 -23 % Other current liabilities 158 245 -36 % Total current liabilities $ 3,341 $ 3,368 -1 % Long-term debt 3,946 3,732 6 % Operating lease liabilities, noncurrent 234 241 -3 % Deferred tax liabilities, net 223 220 1 % Other noncurrent liabilities 103 99 4 % Total liabilities $ 7,847 $ 7,660 2 % Equity: Class A common stock $  $   % Class B common stock 1 1  % Additional paid-in capital 1,984 1,975  % Accumulated deficit (1,439 ) (1,477 ) -3 % Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net (276 ) (347 ) -20 % Total Warner Music Group Corp. equity $ 270 $ 152 78 % Noncontrolling interest 12 16 -25 % Total equity 282 168 68 % Total liabilities and equity $ 8,129 $ 7,828 4 %





Figure 3. Warner Music Group Corp. - Summarized Statements of Cash Flows, Three Months Ended December 31, 2022 versus December 31, 2021 (dollars in millions) For the Three Months Ended

December 31, 2022 For the Three Months Ended

December 31, 2021 (unaudited) (unaudited) Net cash provided by operating activities $ 209 $ 129 Net cash used in investing activities (10 ) (624 ) Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (70 ) 448 Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and equivalents 7 (2 ) Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents $ 136 $ (49 )





Figure 4. Warner Music Group Corp. - Digital Revenue Summary, Three Months Ended December 31, 2022 versus December 31, 2021 (dollars in millions) For the Three Months Ended

December 31, 2022 For the Three Months Ended

December 31, 2021 % Change (unaudited) (unaudited) Recorded Music Streaming $ 780 $ 836 -7 % Downloads and Other Digital 23 34 -32 % Total Recorded Music Digital Revenue $ 803 $ 870 -8 % Music Publishing Streaming $ 146 $ 129 13 % Downloads and Other Digital 3 4 -25 % Total Music Publishing Digital Revenue $ 149 $ 133 12 % Consolidated Streaming $ 926 $ 965 -4 % Downloads and Other Digital 26 38 -32 % Intersegment Eliminations  (1 ) -100 % Total Digital Revenue $ 952 $ 1,002 -5 %

Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We evaluate our operating performance based on several factors, including the following non-GAAP financial measures:

OIBDA

OIBDA reflects our operating income before non-cash depreciation of tangible assets and non-cash amortization of intangible assets. We consider OIBDA to be an important indicator of the operational strengths and performance of our businesses, and believe the presentation of OIBDA helps improve the ability to understand our operating performance and evaluate our performance in comparison to comparable periods. However, a limitation of the use of OIBDA as a performance measure is that it does not reflect the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenue in our businesses. Accordingly, OIBDA should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, operating income (loss), net income (loss) and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, OIBDA, as we calculate it, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies.



Figure 5. Warner Music Group Corp. - Reconciliation of Net Income to OIBDA, Three Months Ended December 31, 2022 versus December 31, 2021 (dollars in millions) For the Three Months Ended

December 31, 2022 For the Three Months Ended

December 31, 2021 % Change (unaudited) (unaudited) Net income attributable to Warner Music Group Corp. $ 122 $ 187 -35 % Income attributable to noncontrolling interest 2 1 100 % Net income $ 124 $ 188 -34 % Income tax expense 48 75 -36 % Income including income taxes $ 172 $ 263 -35 % Other expense (income), net 61 (54 )  % Interest expense, net 32 30 7 % Operating income $ 265 $ 239 11 % Amortization expense 63 60 5 % Depreciation expense 21 21  % OIBDA $ 349 $ 320 9 % Operating income margin 17.8 % 14.8 % OIBDA margin 23.5 % 19.8 %





Figure 6. Warner Music Group Corp. - Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income to OIBDA, Three Months Ended December 31, 2022 versus December 31, 2021 (dollars in millions) For the Three Months Ended

December 31, 2022 For the Three Months Ended

December 31, 2021 % Change (unaudited) (unaudited) Total WMG operating income  GAAP $ 265 $ 239 11 % Depreciation and amortization expense (84 ) (81 ) 4 % Total WMG OIBDA $ 349 $ 320 9 % Operating income margin 17.8 % 14.8 % OIBDA margin 23.5 % 19.8 % Recorded Music operating income  GAAP $ 283 $ 276 3 % Depreciation and amortization expense (54 ) (54 )  % Recorded Music OIBDA $ 337 $ 330 2 % Recorded Music operating income margin 22.8 % 19.9 % Recorded Music OIBDA margin 27.2 % 23.8 % Music Publishing operating income  GAAP $ 49 $ 32 53 % Depreciation and amortization expense (23 ) (22 ) 5 % Music Publishing OIBDA $ 72 $ 54 33 % Music Publishing operating income margin 19.6 % 14.0 % Music Publishing OIBDA margin 28.8 % 23.6 %



Adjusted Operating Income (Loss), Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted Net Income (Loss)

Adjusted operating income (loss), Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted net income (loss) is operating income (loss), OIBDA and net income (loss), respectively, adjusted to exclude the impact of certain items that affect comparability. Factors affecting period-to-period comparability of the unadjusted measures in the quarter included the items listed in Figure 7 below. We use Adjusted operating income (loss), Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted net income (loss) to evaluate our actual operating performance. We believe that the adjusted results provide relevant and useful information for investors because they clarify our actual operating performance, make it easier to compare our results with those of other companies in our industry and allow investors to review performance in the same way as our management. Since these are not measures of performance calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, they should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, operating income (loss), OIBDA and net income (loss) as indicators of operating performance, and they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies.

Figure 7. Warner Music Group Corp. - Reconciliation of Reported to Adjusted Results, Three Months Ended December 31, 2022 versus December 31, 2021 (dollars in millions) For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2022 Total WMG Operating Income Recorded Music Operating Income Music Publishing Operating Income Total WMG OIBDA Recorded Music OIBDA Music Publishing OIBDA Net Income (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) Reported Results $ 265 $ 283 $ 49 $ 349 $ 337 $ 72 $ 124 Factors Affecting Comparability: Restructuring and Other Transformation Related Costs 12   12   12 Gain on Divestiture (41 ) (41 )  (41 ) (41 )  (41 ) Non-Cash Stock-Based Compensation and Other Related Costs 15 3  15 3  15 Adjusted Results $ 251 $ 245 $ 49 $ 335 $ 299 $ 72 $ 110 Adjusted Margin 16.9 % 19.8 % 19.6 % 22.5 % 24.1 % 28.8 % For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2021 Total WMG Operating Income Recorded Music Operating Income Music Publishing Operating Income Total WMG OIBDA Recorded Music OIBDA Music Publishing OIBDA Net Income (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) Reported Results $ 239 $ 276 $ 32 $ 320 $ 330 $ 54 $ 188 Factors Affecting Comparability: Restructuring and Other Transformation Related Costs 11   11   11 Non-Cash Stock-Based Compensation and Other Related Costs 24 6 1 24 6 1 24 Adjusted Results $ 274 $ 282 $ 33 $ 355 $ 336 $ 55 $ 223 Adjusted Margin 17.0 % 20.3 % 14.4 % 22.0 % 24.2 % 24.0 %

Constant Currency

Because exchange rates are an important factor in understanding period-to-period comparisons, we believe the presentation of revenue on a constant-currency basis in addition to reported revenue helps improve the ability to understand our operating results and evaluate our performance in comparison to prior periods. Constant-currency information compares results between periods as if exchange rates had remained constant period over period. We use results on a constant-currency basis as one measure to evaluate our performance. We calculate constant-currency results by applying current-year foreign currency exchange rates to prior-year results. However, a limitation of the use of the constant-currency results as a performance measure is that it does not reflect the impact of exchange rates on our revenue. These results should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, results reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Results on a constant-currency basis, as we present them, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies and are not a measure of performance presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Figure 8. Warner Music Group Corp. - Revenue by Geography and Segment, Three Months Ended December 31, 2022 versus December 31, 2021 As Reported and Constant Currency (dollars in millions) For the Three Months Ended

December 31, 2022 For the Three Months Ended

December 31, 2021 For the Three Months Ended

December 31, 2021 As reported As reported Constant (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) U.S. revenue Recorded Music $ 539 $ 608 $ 608 Music Publishing 133 115 115 International revenue Recorded Music 700 778 704 Music Publishing 117 114 104 Intersegment eliminations (1 ) (1 ) (1 ) Total Revenue $ 1,488 $ 1,614 $ 1,530 Revenue by Segment: Recorded Music Digital $ 803 $ 870 $ 833 Physical 133 195 181 Total Digital and Physical 936 1,065 1,014 Artist services and expanded-rights 206 232 215 Licensing 97 89 83 Total Recorded Music 1,239 1,386 1,312 Music Publishing Performance 45 38 35 Digital 149 133 129 Mechanical 14 14 12 Synchronization 39 42 41 Other 3 2 2 Total Music Publishing 250 229 219 Intersegment eliminations (1 ) (1 ) (1 ) Total Revenue $ 1,488 $ 1,614 $ 1,530 Total Digital Revenue $ 952 $ 1,002 $ 961





Figure 9. Warner Music Group Corp. - OIBDA and Adjusted OIBDA by Segment, Three Months Ended December 31, 2022 versus December 31, 2021 As Reported and Constant Currency (dollars in millions) For the Three Months Ended

December 31, 2022 For the Three Months Ended

December 31, 2021 For the Three Months Ended

December 31, 2021 As reported As reported Constant (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) Total WMG OIBDA $ 349 $ 320 $ 300 OIBDA margin 23.5 % 19.8 % 19.6 % Total WMG Adjusted OIBDA $ 335 $ 355 $ 335 Adjusted OIBDA margin 22.5 % 22.0 % 21.9 % Recorded Music OIBDA $ 337 $ 330 $ 312 Recorded Music OIBDA margin 27.2 % 23.8 % 23.8 % Recorded Music Adjusted OIBDA $ 299 $ 336 $ 318 Recorded Music Adjusted OIBDA margin 24.1 % 24.2 % 24.2 % Music Publishing OIBDA $ 72 $ 54 $ 52 Music Publishing OIBDA margin 28.8 % 23.6 % 23.7 % Music Publishing Adjusted OIBDA $ 72 $ 55 $ 53 Music Publishing Adjusted OIBDA margin 28.8 % 24.0 % 24.2 %



Free Cash Flow

Our definition of Free Cash Flow is defined as cash flow provided by operating activities less capital expenditures. We use Free Cash Flow, among other measures, to evaluate our operating performance. Management believes Free Cash Flow provides investors with an important perspective on the cash available to fund our debt service requirements, ongoing working capital requirements, capital expenditure requirements, strategic acquisitions and investments, and any dividends, prepayments of debt or repurchases or retirement of our outstanding debt or notes in open market purchases, privately negotiated purchases, any repurchases of our common stock or otherwise. As a result, Free Cash Flow is a significant measure of our ability to generate long-term value. It is useful for investors to know whether this ability is being enhanced or degraded as a result of our operating performance. We believe the presentation of Free Cash Flow is relevant and useful for investors because it allows investors to view performance in a manner similar to the method management uses.

Free Cash Flow is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP and therefore it should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, net income (loss) as an indicator of operating performance or cash flow provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Free Cash Flow, as we calculate it, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies. In addition, Free Cash Flow does not necessarily represent funds available for discretionary use and is not necessarily a measure of our ability to fund our cash needs. Because Free Cash Flow deducts capital expenditures from net cash provided by operating activities (the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure), users of this information should consider the types of events and transactions that are not reflected. We provide below a reconciliation of Free Cash Flow to the most directly comparable amount reported under U.S. GAAP, which is net cash provided by operating activities.

Figure 10. Warner Music Group Corp. - Calculation of Free Cash Flow, Three Months Ended December 31, 2022 versus December 31, 2021 (dollars in millions) For the Three Months Ended

December 31, 2022 For the Three Months Ended

December 31, 2021 (unaudited) (unaudited) Net cash provided by operating activities $ 209 $ 129 Less: Capital expenditures 21 34 Free Cash Flow $ 188 $ 95



Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA is equivalent to EBITDA as defined in our Revolving Credit Facility and our 2020 indenture and substantially similar to EBITDA as defined under our Senior Term Loan Facility, respectively. Adjusted EBITDA differs from the term EBITDA as it is commonly used. The definition of Adjusted EBITDA, in addition to adjusting net income to exclude interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization, also adjusts net income by excluding items or expenses such as, among other items, (1) the amount of any restructuring charges or reserves; (2) any non-cash charges (including any impairment charges); (3) any net loss resulting from hedging currency exchange risks; (4) the amount of management, monitoring, consulting and advisory fees paid to Access under the Management Agreement or otherwise; (5) business optimization expenses (including consolidation initiatives, severance costs and other costs relating to initiatives aimed at profitability improvement); (6) transaction expenses; (7) equity-based compensation expense; and (8) certain extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring items. The definition of EBITDA under the Revolving Credit Facility also includes adjustments for the pro forma impact of certain projected cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies and any quality of earnings analysis prepared by independent certified public accountants in connection with an acquisition, merger, consolidation or other investment.

Adjusted EBITDA is a key measure used by our management to understand and evaluate our operating performance, generate future operating plans and make strategic decisions regarding the allocation of capital. Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Some of those limitations include: (1) it does not reflect the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenue for our business; (2) it does not reflect the significant interest expense or cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our indebtedness; and (3) it does not reflect every cash expenditure, future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments. In particular, this measure adds back certain non-cash, extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring charges that are deducted in calculating net income; however, these are expenses that may recur, vary greatly and are difficult to predict. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA is not the same as net income or cash flow provided by operating activities as those terms are defined by U.S. GAAP and does not necessarily indicate whether cash flows will be sufficient to fund cash needs. Accordingly, Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, net income (loss) and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Figure 11. Warner Music Group Corp. - Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA, Three and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022 versus December 31, 2021 (dollars in millions) For the Three Months Ended

December 31, 2022 For the Three Months Ended

December 31, 2021 For the Twelve Months Ended

December 31, 2022 For the Twelve Months Ended

December 31, 2021 (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) Net Income $ 124 $ 188 $ 491 $ 396 Income tax expense 48 75 158 189 Interest expense, net 32 30 127 121 Depreciation and amortization 84 81 342 316 Loss on extinguishment of debt (a)    22 Net gains on divestitures and sale of securities (b) (41 )  (32 ) (3 ) Restructuring costs (c) 3 4 21 30 Net hedging and foreign exchange losses (gains) (d) 61 (41 ) (93 ) (78 ) Transaction costs (e)  7 3 17 Business optimization expenses (f) 15 14 55 48 Non-cash stock-based compensation expense (g) 13 23 29 62 Other non-cash charges (h) 2 (11 ) 34 8 Pro forma impact of cost savings initiatives and specified transactions (i) 9 19 27 79 Adjusted EBITDA $ 350 $ 389 $ 1,162 $ 1,207

______________________________________



(a) Reflects loss on extinguishment of debt, primarily including tender fees and unamortized deferred financing costs. (b) Reflects net gains on sale of securities and divestitures. (c) Reflects severance costs and other restructuring related expenses. (d) Reflects unrealized (gains) losses due to foreign exchange on our Euro-denominated debt, losses (gains) from hedging activities and intercompany transactions. (e) Reflects mainly transaction related costs and mark-to-market adjustments of an earn-out liability related to a transaction in 2021. (f) Reflects costs associated with our transformation initiatives and IT system updates, which includes costs of $10 million and $41 million related to our finance transformation and other related costs for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2022, respectively, as well as $10 million and $37 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2021, respectively. (g) Reflects non-cash stock-based compensation expense related to the Omnibus Incentive Plan and the Warner Music Group Corp. Senior Management Free Cash Flow Plan. (h) Reflects non-cash activity, including the unrealized losses (gains) on the mark-to-market adjustment of equity investments, investment losses (gains), mark-to-market adjustments of an earn-out liability in 2022 and other non-cash impairments. (i) Reflects expected savings resulting from transformation initiatives and the pro forma impact of certain specified transactions for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2022. Certain of these cost savings initiatives and transactions impacted quarters prior to the quarter during which they were identified within the last twelve-month period. The pro forma impact of these specified transactions and initiatives resulted in a $9 million decrease in the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 Adjusted EBITDA, primarily driven by the shift in the timing of the financial transformation initiative.





Media Contact: Investor Contact: James Steven Kareem Chin (212) 275-2213 James.Steven@wmg.com Investor.Relations@wmg.com




HONG KONG, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- There is an imminent climate crisis, and extreme weather rages worldwide. In addition, in the post-COVID-19 era, everyone has made every effort to promote economic recovery, which is an opportunity to promote a green economy actively.

(Right to Left) Dr. William Yu, CEO, WGO, Ms. Glenda So, Co-Head of Markets, HKEX, Dr. George Lam, Chair, UN ESCAP Sustainable Business Network (ESBN), Dr. Tientip Subhanij, Chief of Investment and Enterprise Development, the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Mr. Alger Fung, CEO, AIA Hong Kong & Macau, Prof. Albert Ip, Chairman, WGO and Mr. Albert Oung, Founder and President, WGO and Chair on Green Economy and Executive Council Member, UN ESCAP Sustainable Business Network

The World Green Organisation (WGO), partnering with the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) organised the third International Conference on Sustainable Investing and ESG conference 2022. At the conference, experts explored topics including green finance, low-carbon technology, and climate policies. The Asia-Pacific Green Deal for Business, an initiative of the ESCAP Sustainable Business Network, was also presented and discussed at the conference. The international conference, held in Cyberport on 1 and 2 December, received strong support from business leaders, industry experts, and university academics.

The 2022 conference followed on from successful events held in 2019 and 2021, and promoted the UN's Sustanable Development Goals and a transition to a low-carbon economy. The conference was jointly opened by Dr. Tientip Subhanij, Chief of Investment and Enterprise Development, ESCAP, and Dr. William Yu, Chief Executive Officer of World Green Organisation. We also receive encouraging support from Cyberport, HKEX, Financial Services Development Council (FSDC), and the International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation as partners in the conference.

We are honored to receive the support from Mr. Joseph Chan, Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, and Mr. Tim Lui, Chairman of the Securities and Futures Commission. We also invited Dr. King Au, Executive Director of the Financial Development Council, Mr. Peter Yan King Shun, Chief Executive Officer of Cyberport, Ms. Glenda So, Co-Head of Markets, HKEX, Dr. George Lam, Chair, United Nations ESCAP Sustainable Business Network (ESBN), and Prof. Albert Ip, Chairman of World Green Organisation etc to attend the conference in person. There are also speakers from Europe, China, South Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia and officer from the Ministry of Finance. Many well-known local companies, including Crystal International Group Limited, AIA Group Limited, BOC Group Life Assurance Company Limited, DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited, Lifestyle International Holdings Limited, New World Development Limited, King's Flair International (Holdings) Limited, etc. (See Appendix for details)

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Sustainable work all over the world has been disrupted in the nearly three years since the COVID-19 epidemic raged. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all 193 Member States of the United Nations as early as 2015, was intended to achieve 17 of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. These goals include no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, and climate action. It is nevertheless worrying that some countries in the Asia-Pacific region are not on track for reaching the goals by 2030.

The Asia-Pacific Green Deal for Business, created and promoted by the ESCAP Sustainable Business Network, calls on the private sector to take actions that will enable the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, and realise a green transformation of our economy. Businesses that sign up to the Green Deal will work with governments and civil society to advance suitable policies and take appropriate steps to make their production and consumption greener and less resource-intensive.

Mr. Joseph Chan, Deputy Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury is very supportive of this international conference and recognises Hong Kong's pivotal role in promoting green transition in the Asia-Pacific region. He thinks "Hong Kong has been actively developing as a green and sustainable financial hub in the region, contributing to the goal of carbon neutrality. Over the next 15 to 20 years, the Government will continue to devote significant resources to addressing the crisis posed by climate change. In addition to the familiar green bonds and green funds, the voluntary carbon trading market is bound to become a new trend. Hong Kong will take advantage of it to strengthen and enhance Hong Kong's position as an international financial center. "

Mr. Tim Lui, Chairman of the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), pointed out at this international conference that Hong Kong, as an international financial center, has achieved noteable success in the development of sustainable finance in recent years. To ensure that listed companies follow ESG principles, he said, the SFC has been working to set standards to support the development of sustainable finance, enhance the disclosure of corporate sustainability and climate-related information and address greenwashing in the fund industry. At the same time, the SFC is working to develop Hong Kong as an international voluntary carbon trading market and to this end is reviewing the regulatory framework and will ensure alignment with the Mainland.

Dr. Tientip Subhanij, Chief of Investment and Enterprise Development at the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, who has strongly supported the international conference for many years, expressed concern about the carbon reduction process in Asia, "Carbon emissions in Asia account for 50 percent of the overall global carbon emissions. The situation is severe. The Coronavirus epidemic has now eased and countries have recently accelerated their economic recovery, with carbon emissions expected to rise as a result, exacerbating global warming. Whether we can overcome climate change depends entirely on the solidarity of global countries in taking measures to actively reduce carbon and finally achieve the goal of net zero carbon emissions. "

"Addressing high carbon emissions in Asia remains difficult," she added. "I sincerely hope that through the Asia-Pacific Green Deal for Business, we can reach out to political and business leaders in the Asia-Pacific region to reach a consensus and corporate together to combat the consequences of climate change. For the sake of our future generations, we must promote a green economy and achieve sustainable development. "

Dr. William Yu, Chief Executive Officer of the World Green Organisation, is also in favor of vigorously promoting the Asia-Pacific Green Deal for Business. "COVID-19 is raging around the world, and its impact on the world, particularly poverty eradication and climate change, remains incalculable. The severe epidemic has brought about an increase of 120 million people living in poverty around the world. Developing countries are in an extremely serious economic crisis. Establishing a cross-regional platform through the Asia-Pacific Green Deal for Business helps unite the public and private sectors in the Asia-Pacific region, connect green professionals from the political and business sectors, exert geographical synergies and promote green development in the Asia-Pacific region. We will also actively encourage small and medium enterprises in the region to fulfill their social responsibilities and contribute to the development and environmental protection of ESGs and contribute significantly to a strong economic recovery in the Asia-Pacific region."

She reiterated, "To achieve global carbon neutrality as soon as possible, this will rely on the concerted efforts of the public and private sectors in all countries. Local governments will need climate finance to reduce carbon emissions to mitigate climate change. The private sector will also play a key role in increasing investment and promoting green innovation projects toward sustainable development. "

SOURCE World Green Organisation (WGO)
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 9, 2023 / Ximen Mining Corp. (TSXV:XIM)(FRA:1XMA)(OTCQB:XXMMF) (the "Company" or "Ximen) is pleased to announce that it has arranged a non-brokered private placement of 1,200,000 flow through shares at a price of $0.15 per share for gross proceeds of $180,000. Each Flow-Through share consists of one common share that qualifies as a "flow-through share" as defined in subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act and one transferable common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant will entitle the holder to purchase, for a period of 60 months from the date of issue, one additional non-flow-through common share of the Issuer at an exercise price of Cdn$0.20 per share.

The net proceeds from the Offering will be used by the Company for exploration expenses on the Company's British Columbia mineral properties.

A finder's fee may be paid to eligible finders in accordance with the TSX Venture Exchange policies. All securities issued pursuant to the offering will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of closing. The offering and payment of finders' fees are both subject to approval by the TSX-V.

Directors, officers or other insiders of the company may participate in the foregoing offerings, and such parties may sell securities of the company owned or controlled by them personally through the facilities of the TSX Venture Exchange to finance participation in such offerings.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Christopher R. Anderson"

Christopher R. Anderson,

President, CEO and Director

604 488-3900

Investor Relations: Sophy Cesar, 604-488-3900, ir@XimenMiningCorp.com

About Ximen Mining Corp.

Ximen Mining Corp, Thursday, February 9, 2023, Press release picture

Ximen Mining Corp. is focused on acquiring high-grade gold assets in southern BC, with easy access and solid infrastructure. Ximen aims to build a gold mining company with the blue-sky potential of a land package with multi-million ounces of gold targeting over 10,000,000 OZ. Ximen strives to always to take a 100% interest in all its projects and assets. The Company has bought out all the possible NSR's on its key mineral precious metal assets and several other assets in the vicinity of its holdings. Simultaneously, Ximen is advancing the Kenville Gold Mine forward and on the path towards production. The focus remains on meeting all the established targets while at the same time maintaining aversion towards debt and dilution. All while moving forward with responsible development and sustainable mining and exploration practices building Ethical and Sustainable Value.

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Ximen Mining Corp, Thursday, February 9, 2023, Press release picture

Ximen is a publicly listed company trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol XIM, in the USA under the symbol XXMMF, and in Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin Stock Exchanges in Germany under the symbol 1XMA and WKN with the number as A2JBKL.

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities. This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding the receipt of TSX Venture Exchange approval and the exercise of the Option by Ximen. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made, and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include the possibility that the TSX Venture Exchange may not accept the proposed transaction in a timely manner, if at all. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Ximen Mining Corp





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/738882/Ximen-Mining-Arranges-Financing




The Pappy Van Winkle whiskey lotteries at back at Virginia ABC.

The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority will be offering online lotteries for the in-demand brand in February and March.

Pappy Van Winkle is often dubbed the hardest to find spirit due to its low production.

Customers will be able to enter lotteries to win:

Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve Bourbon 23 Year, 20 Year and 15 Year

Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 Year

Van Winkle Special Reserve Bourbon 12 Year

Old Rip Van Winkle Bourbon 10 Year

Each online lottery entry form will be available for five days. The prices range from $79.99 to $329.99 per bottle.

In some cases, like the Van Winkle Special Reserve Bourbon 12 Year, there are over 1,000 bottles available in the lottery. For others, like the Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 23 Year, there is only 1 bottle in the lottery.

The lottery is open to individual Virginia residents 21 and older.

The dates for each online lottery, number of bottles available and product prices are:

Feb. 15-19

Old Rip Van Winkle Bourbon 10 Year ($79.99) - 298 bottles available

Van Winkle Special Reserve Bourbon 12 Year ($89.99)  1,010 bottles available

Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 Year ($129.99)  96 bottles available

Winners will be notified by March 13.

March 8-12

Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 15 Year ($139.99) 74 bottles available

Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 20 Year ($229.99)  146 bottles available

Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 23 Year ($329.99)  1 bottle available

Winners will be notified by April 3.

Additional details on the lottery process are available at https://www.abc.virginia.gov/products/limited-availability/lottery/lottery-terms.

Do you know your state's signature drink? Find out Virginia's here Do you know your state's signature drink? Find out Virginia's here
Two cousins who set up and executed a violent robbery in Spotsylvania County last year during which a man was brutally beaten and robbed of hundreds of thousands of dollars were convicted of multiple charges Wednesday.

Destinee S. Newman, 29, of Spotsylvania, and Elijah Cofield, 27, of Camp Springs, Maryland, were found guilty of nine charges each by a jury following a daylong trial in Spotsylvania Circuit Court. The convictions include aggravated malicious wounding, robbery with serious bodily injury, abduction and multiple firearms and conspiracy offenses. They are scheduled to be sentenced April 18 by Judge Ricardo Rigual.

According to the evidence presented by prosecutors Ryan Mehaffey and Kelly Green, Newman and the victim, 33-year-old Brandon J. Smith, had been dating for a couple of years and living together for one when the incident occurred early May 5 on Abberly Village Lane.

Smith and Newman were returning from a trip to Florida early that morning when Newman opened their apartment door using an app on her phone to allow Cofield and at least one other man into the home, the evidence showed. The other man has not been identified.

When Smith entered the home, he was attacked by two masked men, one wielding an iron pipe and the other a gun. He was knocked unconscious and was rushed to the hospital with severe head and face trauma, right arm and hand fractures and broken teeth.

Smith claimed that $300,000 in cash that he was carrying in a bag was taken, along with another $140,000 or so that was stashed in the apartment. The money was not recovered.

Smith, who is being held in Henrico County on drug- and gun-related charges, testified that he earned that money from a business he operated that involved scouting talent, managing artists and booking shows. Smith, who admitted being a former gang member, said he was earning $200,000 per month from his business.

Prosecutors acknowledged to the jury that Smith is no saint, but said he did not deserve what happened to him that morning.

Spotsylvania detective Tony Horn said phone records and a fingerprint left at the scene by Cofield helped lead to charges against Newman and Cofield. Smith aided in the investigation by driving to the Washington/Maryland area after using the Find My Phone app to track down his phone, which had been taken in the robbery.

He texted the address to Horn, and police later used phone records to track FaceTime conversations between Newman and Cofield during which the robbery was arranged.

Newman left the complex after the robbery, but returned to the scene after being called by Horn. She was heading north on Interstate 95 in Stafford County when Horn reached her and convinced her to return.

She wasnt arrested until weeks later, but Horn seized her phone, which was later forensically examined.

Cofields fingerprints were found on duct tape left in the apartment near blood stains and dreadlocks that had been yanked out of Smiths head.
By News Center

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has declared a seven-day national mourning after the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit Kahramanmaras and other 10 cities on February 6.

"Seven days of national mourning has been declared due to the earthquakes that took place in our country on February 6, 2023," Recep Tayyip Erdogan tweeted.

He also added that "our flag will be hoisted at half-mast until the sunset on Sunday, February 12, 2023, across l our country and our foreign representative offices".
Whether you plan on celebrating Valentines Day with a significant other, friends or family, there are plenty of events to choose from in the area.

And since Valentines Day falls on a Tuesday this year, many of the events are taking place this weekend.

Heres a sample of area Valentines Day-themed activities:

For the Love of Pancakes

Everyone is invited to start off their Valentines weekend with a cinnamon roll pancake breakfast.

For the Love of Pancakes will take place from 8-11 a.m. Saturday at the newly available East Wing Venue in the May Brothers Building, 105 E. Sixth St., in Fremont. The venue will be decorated for Valentines Day.

The breakfast will feature pancakes swirled with a cinnamon brown sugar mixture and topped with a cream cheese frosting.

The cost is $5 for two cinnamon roll pancakes, two sausage links and a drink.

Wine, Chocolate and Roses

Soaring Wings Vineyard & Brewing at 17111 S. 138th St. near Springfield, about 10 miles south of Omaha, will host Wine, Chocolate and Roses from 7-9:30 p.m. Friday.

The evening will include a French-themed three-course meal and a bottle of wine of your choice.

The cost is $100 per couple. Space is limited. To make a paid reservation, call 402-253-2479.

Family Fun Day

The Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Council Bluffs, Iowa, is planning a family fun day to celebrate Valentines Day and Abraham Lincolns birthday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Visitors are invited to make take-home Valentines Day-themed crafts and challenge themselves with a self-guided Lincoln trivia scavenger hunt. Scavenger hunt instructions, and prizes for finishing, will be available at the front desk on the lower level.

All activities are free of charge, and everyone is welcome.

If crafts and a scavenger hunt arent quite your style, the museum also is offering a new guided History Express Tour from 1:30-2:30 p.m. every Saturday. This free guided tour experience offers an overview of 150-plus years of railroad history.

The tour begins in front of the business car on the first floor. The tour is free, and registration is not necessary.

Valentines Day dance

A Love is FurEver Valentines Day Dance will feature live music by The SilverMoon Band. The dance will take place from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday in the Fremont Eagles Club ballroom at 649 N. Main St. in downtown Fremont.

SilverMoon, which is comprised of local and area members, plays a variety of modern country and classic rock music.

The cost is $10 per person at the door for the music/dance. A cash bar will be available.

The event is a fundraiser for FurEver Home Inc., a nonprofit animal rescue organization located at 925 W. Sixth St. in Fremont.

Galentines Day

Hot Shops Art Center at 1301 Nicholas St. in Omaha will be hosting a Galentines Day celebration from 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

While Galentines Day is traditionally for women, this event is for everyone.

Attendees will have the opportunity to shop from artisans, work on an art project, watch live art demonstrations, and enjoy a mini reiki session. There also will be music, food and drinks.

Admission is $6. Proceeds from the event will help purchase new classroom chairs. Each ticket purchase includes a raffle ticket for prizes.

Jazzmeia Horn concert

Winner of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Jazz Album and recently voted No. 1 Jazz Vocal Album by NPR Musics Jazz Critics Poll, Jazzmeia Horn will make her Lied Center debut in a Valentines Day concert.

Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Lied Center for Performing Arts Center in Lincoln.

A three-time GRAMMY Award nominee, Horn is said to perform songs of daring musicality and emotional power.

Tickets to the concert range from $14 to $48 and are available by phone at 402-472-4747 or online at liedcenter.org. For those who prefer to stay in on Valentines Day, a livestream option also is available for $20 and can be selected at liedcenter.org.

Scavenger hunt

A Valentines Day Scavenger Hunt is set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday at Gene Leahy Mall in downtown Omaha.

Families are invited to grab a stamp card at the Arches Playground and begin searching for all of the hidden clues in the park. Successfully locating every item will lead hunters to the grand prize: a Valentines Day goodie bag filled with heart-shaped treats.

Admission is free.
Unlike the Dodge County Sheriffs Office, which has had a shortage of three deputies for the past year, the Fremont Police Department is fully staffed with three newer officers in their final training period.

Fremont Police Chief Jeff Elliott said the department has a total of 39 sworn law enforcement staff personnel. That roster includes Elliott, two captains, seven sergeants, four detectives and the 25 street patrol officers. In addition to those 39 personnel, there are also three community service officers who have a different role, duties and authority than the 39 other staffers. There is also one mental health staffer on the force.

Technically we are at full staff. I say technically, because we have three officers that are still in training. They are not really helping us until they come out of training. Weve been lucky. The year before last, we were down six police officers due to vacancies and medical issues, Elliott said. Right now, we are technically at full strength. The city of Fremont has the smallest police department of a city of comparable size in Nebraska. We were at like 1.45 officers per 1,000 residents. We are doing more with less.

The Dodge County Sheriffs Office by comparison normally has 22 licensed law enforcement officers and personnel, and has been short three deputies for about one year, officials report. That trend is also seen in other areas of law enforcement, including the Nebraska State Patrol, which was short more than 50 patrol officers in mid-2022.

While the city department is meeting the needs of the community in his opinion as chief of police, Elliott said as Fremonts population grows and new housing and commercial development arrives, the department will need to expand in size by adding more officers.

At some point, the city is going to have to increase the size of its police department just as they did with the fire department. When you get more people, you need more police officers to effectively police, he explained. I think we are handling things. I am sure there are people who have complaints, about speeding in their neighborhood or other issues. But, I think that by and large, we are doing everything that needs to be done.

Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg said he and other council members are focused on public safety, and adding police staffing is being considered.

I would assume in the next budget cycle, we will meet with Chief Elliott and assess his needs and what the department needs staffing wise, Spellerberg said. Im certain the city will be looking at the issue. (Staffing) will be an issue as we go into the budget cycle.

Elliott said he has not asked for any budgetary increases to fund new officers in recent years, but as the city grows, it will need more officers. He noted that the number of officers has fluctuated during the past 10 years due to funding ups and downs.

The police department was cut in size about a decade ago. We went from 41 police officers  two were on a federal grant, and they reallocated a sales tax (funding) and we lost another two officers. In the last couple of years, the city has rebuilt the department except for those two federally funded positions, he added. The last application we had, we had two positions open and eight applicants. When I applied in 1989, 120 people applied for two open positions.

Spellerberg admitted there have been some rough patches with police officer retainment in past years, but said he was thankful for Elliotts professional experience in navigating the issue.

We were kind of losing one (officer) and gaining one (officer) and not catching up (to full staffing), Spellerberg said. So, Im glad were up to full staff now. We also added three community service officers in 2021 and recently added a mental health officer. Those CSOs can do things like animal control, other duties that free up patrol officers. Our mental health officer, she has responded to tough situations and it is great we have someone who can help as incidents are occurring.

Elliott said the three in-training officers are not patrolling on the streets of Fremont yet, as they are completing a 16-to-18-week training program in which they ride with other officers to learn the profession in real-time.

They are currently in FTO, which is called field training. It is when they sit in a cruiser and go along with a seasoned officer and learn the job on the street, he added. They go through 16 weeks at the academy, and then 16-18 weeks of field training. Thats really where you learn the job. The academy teaches you the things you need to know (law and processes). But, actually applying it on the street in the real-world situations is where you learn the job  which in my opinion, is the most important thing.

Ward 2 City Council Member Dev Sookram said he agrees that additional police officers will be needed as the citys population grows in the future. He noted that the most recent Comprehensive Plan for the city, approved in 2022, addresses the issue.

(Police and fire staffing) are outlined in the Comprehensive Plan. As the city grows, the fire and police departments need to grow, Sookram said. I am sure it we will address it on a budget in the future.

Spellerberg said he and city leaders are committed to keeping Fremont safe and supporting the police department.

Weve definitely been adding resources to the department. Not to mention, weve allocated $10 million in a future budget to a new police facility, Spellerberg noted. I really appreciate Chief Elliott.
Change brings opportunities.

At least thats how the leaders and partners of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs Economic Forum see the events future.

The forum, an annual look at Colorado Springs-area economic trends and conditions that started more than 25 years ago and continues to serve as a valuable resource for local economic data and information, is in need of a new full-time director.

Tatiana Bailey, the forums former director, stepped down in October to launch a new data-driven nonprofit.

Amid the search to fill the full-time position, UCCS staff and community partners took the transition of leadership as an opportunity to reevaluate the goals and structure of the forum.

Joe Craig, the forum's interim director and a UCCS economics professor, said he hopes to see more student involvement in this yearsforum, set for Sept. 7.

Im always looking to how we can help the students, Craig said. ...I know we want to help the community...but were attached to the university so we want to keep that student involvement as much as we can.

Some of that involvement would include student presentations and an opportunity to plug students into potential job opportunities as a pipeline between UCCS and the forum's partners, who help fund the event and give input for the type of data and information they'd find most useful.

As the forum evolves, UCCS engaged with its community partners in meetings to discuss how to best serve them and produce a product that they find useful, said Thomas Aicher, interim dean of UCCS' College of Business.

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Forum partner Jim Harris, senior vice president of corporate and commercial Banking at U.S. Bank, said the UCCS Economic Forum has grown from a yearly event to quarterly economic reports. More recently, the forum includes timely topical email updates and videos that are helpful to partners.

As a banker we use that in our analysis of making loan decisions...and which direction to take the bank, Harris said.

Moving forward, Harris said he and other partners hope to see more real-time economic information.

I think more targeted events and more timely analysis (would be helpful), Harris said. So, if there's a local issue thats affecting Colorado Springs, to be able to immediately research that and give actionable information for businesses to be able to use.

But the hunt for a new economic director could be a challenge, said forum partner Rob Amerine, President of The FBB Group, a business broker in Colorado Springs.

Not only must the director be a sharp economist, but also a great communicator, Amerine said.

Its really having that right person in place, Amerine said. Tatiana is going to be hard to replace but well just have to see who fills that spot and hopefully that (person) becomes the new face of the forum.

Craig said UCCS aims to announce a full-time director in April or May.
In an effort to address an article from a New Jersey-based publication that depicts an alleged racist intimidation campaign against a family of Black ranchers in El Paso County, Sheriff Joe Roybal on Tuesday proposed a meeting with Nicole and Courtney Mallery and other members of the Yoder community.

I am requesting all interested parties meet in an effort to address ongoing concerns which have been brought forward by Mr. and Mrs. Mallery and indirectly by others through various social media platforms, Roybal said in a letter to Willie Breazell of the Black and Latino Leadership Coalition.

It would be reasonable to involve members of the Eastern El Paso County community who are also impacted by the ongoing concerns.

But the Mallerys said on Wednesday that they feel the sheriffs overture is merely a response to national attention from the online article, which claims that the Sheriff's Office hasnt taken the couples harassment accusations seriously.

I dont believe that its sincere," Nicole Mallery said. This offer was made because the world is watching now.

Since the articles publication, an explosion of outrage has been directed at the Sheriffs Office, according to spokeswoman Lt. Deborah Mynatt. In addition to accusations of racism on social media, the Sheriff's Office has received more than 100 threatening phone calls, Mynatt said.

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Some of the calls have been reasonable requests from people who are looking for more information, she said. But others have been vitriolic, calling us every name you can imagine, and there have been a lot of threats against us.

Breazell, a former head of the local NAACP chapter, declined a request for comment on Tuesday.

The Mallerys agree that a series of conversations is necessary to address their concerns and those of the Yoder community, but they are reluctant to attend the kind of meeting Roybal proposed.

They want to put us in a room, like were sheep amongst wolves, for people to attack us, Nicole said. That wont work.

Nicole said she and her husband would be more amenable, at least at first, to a private sit-down with Roybal and a neutral party.

I think the sheriff really needs to have a conversation with us, she said. (The Sheriffs Office) is supposed to protect and serve, and thats not happening for me.

On Monday, the Sheriffs Office arrested Courtney Mallery on a warrant for felony stalking, a charge he denies. Nicole Mallery was arrested Nov. 22 on two charges of felony stalking. She posted bond in December and is due back in court this week, according to court documents.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser indicted an Arvada couple on 51 counts in connection with a fake tree-trimming service targeting older Coloradans, according to a news release.

Joseph Camillo Tyler and Amelia Marie Tyler are accused of committing financial fraud on older Coloradans, many of whom were over the age of 80, according to the news release.

According to the grand jury indictment, the husband-wife team would sell services, such as tree-trimming, to vulnerable older residents. The victims would usually pay with cash or check.

The wife would then cash the check or deposit the cash while the husband cut a few branches at the home, according to the indictment. The wife would then return to the home, where the couple told the homeowner they needed to get something and would be back. They rarely returned.

At least 50 people were victims of their scam and the couple totaled about $40,000 in fraudulent profit.

The Arvada Police Department, which led the investigation, arrested the Tylers in October and they are currently in the custody of the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office.

Its incredibly helpful when each jurisdiction does their part," Arvada police told Gazette news partner KKTV. "El Paso County was involved in this. They had information and we shared back-and-forth.

Their charges include counts of:

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- Violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act

- Theft

- Conspiracy to commit theft

- Aggravated motor vehicle theft

- Criminal exploitation of an at-risk person

These types of predatory actions against some of the most vulnerable members of our communities will not be tolerated, Arvada Police Department Chief Ed Brady said. To steal from people who have saved a lifetime to live out their golden years is appalling. We appreciate the hard work our detectives committed to this case and are thankful for a swift indictment.

AARP ElderWatch, a program with the Colorado Attorney Generals Office and AARP, fights financial exploitation of older Coloradans, who are frequently targets of scammers.

The AARP ElderWatch website at www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/elderwatch contains information on recognizing, refusing and reporting scams and fraud.
Colorado's Supreme Court justices gave a less-than-enthusiastic reception on Tuesday to a proposed rule that, if enacted, would aim to curb lawyers' ability to remove people of color from criminal juries for reasons related to race.

During a nearly three-hour hearing, prosecutors from across the state uniformly lined up to condemn the suggested change, with some alleging it amounts to "affirmative action" for juries. Meanwhile, defense attorneys, trial judges and the NAACP urged the justices to take action to halt the more subtle forms of racial bias in the justice system.

In response, some members of the court bristled at the push to enshrine the proposed implicit bias protections into its procedural rules.

"Weve already been called racist for not immediately adopting these rules," said Justice Melissa Hart. "And Im not happy about it. Im really uncomfortable with some of these changes."

For more than 35 years, the U.S. Supreme Court has recognized that intentional race-based discrimination in jury selection is unconstitutional. Following the court's 1986 decision in Batson v. Kentucky, in which state prosecutors removed all of the Black people from a Black defendant's jury, judges now must evaluate whether a lawyer has provided a "race-neutral" reason for excusing, or striking, a juror of color when one of the parties raises a "Batson challenge."

In contrast to for-cause strikes, which occur when a juror cannot be fair and unbiased, Batson challenges arise through the use of a mechanism called peremptory strikes. Typically, parties to a case do not need to provide a reason when removing a juror with a peremptory strike during jury selection. In the face of a Batson challenge, they do.

But when an attorney, usually for the defense, raises a Batson challenge, judges may nonetheless allow prosecutors to remove a juror of color for reasons that may correlate with race  like having poor experiences with police  yet are race-neutral on the surface.

Denver County Court Judge Olympia Z. Fay, who testified to the Supreme Court in favor of the rule change, estimated she has presided over 100 jury trials and ruled on a half-dozen Batson challenges. Under Batson's existing standard, Fay said prosecutors have been able to cite race-neutral reasons when asked to justify their action.

"But the effect of it is to get that juror of color kicked off the jury," she explained.

Multiple attempts at addressing bias

The proposal to change Rule 24 would expand on the existing constitutional prohibition on intentional discrimination and build new safeguards for less obvious race-motivated strikes.

As presented, the rule contains multiple reasons that are presumed to be invalid for striking jurors of color. Those include a juror's stated distrust of law enforcement or belief that police engage in racial profiling, as well as living in a "high-crime neighborhood" or not being a native English speaker. Demeanor-based reasons, such as a juror failing to make eye contact, would also be invalid without corroboration from other parties in the courtroom.

Instead of Batson's standard of purposeful racial discrimination, the change to Rule 24 would also direct trial judges to examine whether an "objective observer could reasonably view" race as a factor in an attempted juror strike.

"In the last eight or 10 years, theres been some recognition in some of the appellate courts around the country that the purposeful discrimination test of Batson v. Kentucky has not fulfilled its promise, as far as trying to enhance greater participation by racial minorities," testified Court of Appeals Judge John Daniel Dailey, who chairs the criminal rules committee that brought the proposal forward. "So, therefore, they've looked for other ways to consider, and other possible proposals to enhance, the participation of racial minorities."

But the prosecutors who testified, all of whom appeared to be white, blasted the implicit bias proposal as one that would slant juries in favor of defendants by ensuring people who distrust police will decide criminal cases.

"The phrase that comes to mind is its affirmative action in jury selection," said Christian Champagne, the elected district attorney for La Plata, San Juan and Archuleta counties.

"Any prosecutor is naturally gonna be afraid to ever use the strike again" against a person of color, added Johanna Coats of the Denver District Attorney's Office.

"I think that is the goal," interjected Hart.

The Washington Supreme Court became the first state court to adopt an implicit bias rule in 2018, and California followed suit legislatively. Colorado's criminal rules committee attempted to propose a similar rule in 2021, but the Supreme Court declined to consider it, citing a lack of consensus among the committee.

Last year, four Democratic lawmakers introduced legislation resembling the Washington rule, but withdrew the bill in the face of solid opposition from Colorado's 22 elected district attorneys. Instead, they urged the criminal rules committee to try again to enact a Washington-style rule judicially.

The committee subsequently voted, 8-4, to send the Rule 24 changes to the Supreme Court for consideration. Defense lawyers and trial judges on the committee joined together in the majority, while representatives of district attorneys' offices voted against it.

During the public hearing and through written comments, prosecutors lobbed multiple criticisms against the rule change: Getting jurors of color to show up in the first place should be the focus. Better training will address lawyers' bias. Attorneys will find a way to dismiss jurors of color anyway. The proposal is racist itself.

"I thought the courtroom was to be color-blind, not color obsessed," wrote retired Denver District Court Judge Morris B. Hoffman, who added the rule change is "woke window dressing."

More data needed?

Some members of the Supreme Court noted the lack of data documenting the frequency of juror strikes against people of color. Instead, there was only anecdotal information from the legal community in Washington and Colorado. Justice William W. Hood III suggested those experiences may be enough to justify the implicit bias proposal.

"I think all of the trial judges (on the rules committee) who have collectively presided over hundreds of trials, to a one, thought this rule change made sense," he mused.

But when it comes to data collection, Hart countered, "would one good first step be for us to do that? To try to figure out where is the problem before we come up with a solution?"

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"For communities of color, were always waiting for studies and for somebody to find out something in order to support the anecdotal evidence that we know exists," responded Joyce Akhahenda, a public defender and representative of the Sam Cary Bar Association, a professional group for Black attorneys. "That was the same issue with police brutality cases until we had video cameras."

In recent years, Colorado Politics has reported on multiple criminal appeals involving the dismissal of jurors of color, in which prosecutors' race-neutral reasons could have faltered under the proposed standard:

 An Arapahoe County prosecutor struck a Hispanic woman who talked about racial profiling in law enforcement.

 An El Paso County prosecutor struck a Black woman for the "sour look on her face."

 An Arapahoe County prosecutor struck a Black woman for "often staring up above, staring not at the ceiling but off into the distance."

 Weld County prosecutors struck the only Hispanic man because he "appeared very disinterested."

 Adams County and El Paso County prosecutors struck the only Hispanic person and the only Black man, respectively, based on incorrect claims of what the jurors actually said.

 An Arapahoe County prosecutor struck three Black jurors in a row from a Black defendant's trial, including one who had negative experiences with police.

 Weld County prosecutors struck a Hispanic man for his poor experience with police and a Hispanic woman because she "didn't seem fully engaged."

 An El Paso County prosecutor struck a Black juror who had negative experiences with law enforcement.

A 'blatant example of bias'

Some of the most concrete testimony about the effect of the rule change came from trial judges. Fay, of the Denver County Court, said she sees prosecutors offer reasons for striking jurors of color that the new procedures would strongly discourage. Fay indicated jurors generally do not state explicitly they will be unfair to police officer witnesses.

"Its much more subtle than that. Its, 'the police officers are in my neighborhood.' 'When I see them, theyre behaving a certain way and Im not sure I can always believe them when they say something'," she explained.

Judge Chelsea Malone, also of the Denver County Court, told the story of a prosecutor who struck a Hispanic man from a jury pool without questioning or talking to him. The prosecutor explained their colleagues had looked up the juror and found he had a criminal history. Malone asked if the prosecutor had done the same with any of the other jurors. No, was the response.

"I havent seen a more blatant example of implicit bias in jury selection," she said.

Members of the Supreme Court were most hesitant about two specific elements of the proposal: allowing trial judges to decide if an observer simply "could" view race as a factor and making the distrust of law enforcement an invalid reason to excuse a juror, without more.

"A juror who expresses great trust in law enforcement could readily be excused on a peremptory by the defense," said Justice Monica M. Marquez. "That strikes me as an asymmetry that ends up disfavoring the prosecution, favoring the defense."

Defense lawyers and trial judges countered that the prosecution should spend time talking with a juror who is skeptical of police in order to understand whether that viewpoint is intertwined with their race.

For that to happen, argued Portia Prescott of the NAACP's Colorado Montana Wyoming State Area Conference, jurors of color need to feel comfortable even entering the courthouse. Knowing that there is less of a chance a lawyer will remove them from a jury, she said, could increase the willingness to respond to a juror summons.

"When I'm walking into a room with all white people, theres a feeling that I have to over-qualify myself to just be in the room, standing," Prescott said. "If we're making it easier and safer to respond to it as opposed to saying, 'Well, girl, if you take that day off, Im sorry, youre gonna get kicked out anyway. So why lose a whole days worth of work if you know they're going to kick you out?'"

The argument for going bigger

Some prosecutors suggested the Rule 24 revisions should encompass bias more broadly, discouraging lawyers from striking jurors based on their gender, sexual orientation or religion. The justices also questioned whether someone's status as a crime victim, which could also correlate with race, should be an additional presumptively-invalid reason for removing them.

Kevin McGreevy, a member of the rules committee who authored the proposal, said one prosecutor had, in fact, made the latter suggestion during deliberations, but eventually withdrew it.

Finally, members of the court repeatedly asked whether abolishing peremptory challenges altogether would be preferable. Many witnesses said yes, but it would require a change to state law.

Still, the trial judges who testified felt as though they could administer the new process for Batson challenges, even if it takes longer to hear jurors explain their points of view.

District Court Judge Vincente G. Vigil of Weld County volunteered that, growing up, he harbored a distrust of law enforcement. But now, during bench trials in which Vigil acts as the jury, he can decide criminal cases fairly when a police officer appears in front of him. He supported adopting the implicit bias rule.

"I dont think its enough to just talk about it. I dont think its enough to acknowledge it," Vigil said. "I think we have to take a step forward."
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement continue their search for suspects in a shooting early Sunday morning in a Falcon neighborhood that left one juvenile dead and four others injured.

No arrests have been made as of Tuesday after the overnight shooting rocked the Meridian Ranch subdivision in unincorporated El Paso County.

The Sheriffs Office is pursuing productive leads, according to a news release Tuesday, while asking anyone with information to come forward as the investigation moves ahead with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Colorado Springs Police Department.

Investigators believe there may be multiple suspects in the shooting, which is possibly connected to a Saturday night carjacking near Potter Drive on the east side of Colorado Springs, according the Sheriffs Office.

Bullets rained down on a house in the 12200 block of Point Reyes Drive in the subdivision north of Falcon shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday, striking five people, one of whom was killed. The juvenile who died after being rushed to the hospital has not been identified. The other four people sustained injuries of varying severity, according to Sheriffs Office spokesperson Lt. Deborah Mynatt.

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Numerous apparent bullet holes are visible on the facade of a residence in the neighborhood where sheriffs deputies cordoned off more than a block as investigators collected evidence Sunday morning. Two vehicles with front-end damage were also parked at the scene Sunday, one with possible bullet holes in its cracked windshield.

Initial reporting by The Gazette indicates the residence where the victims were shot may have been a short-term rental property, according to neighbor accounts and online data that linked the address to an apparent rental company.

Most of the subdivision was placed under a shelter-in-place order for about one hour Sunday morning after law enforcement arrived at the scene, according to the Sheriffs Office. Residents were advised to secure their homes and stay away from doors and windows.

Anyone with information connected to the shooting can call the Sheriff's Office tip line at 719-520-7777, or to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 719-634-7867.
SNOW REPORT:

What is it with Steamboat in winter 2022-23? Monday's storm totals ranged from three to six inches at most northern and central Colorado resorts, but Steamboat received a touch more for first chair with eight inches reported at the summit. And then the resort received another seven inches up top during the day for a grand total of 17 inches.

Tuesday and Wednesday were dry, sunny and warm, but Wednesday night dished up some decent totals, similar in line to the ECMWF predictions of between one and five inches for the northern and central mountains, with Steamboat getting more with seen inches!

Thursday's temperatures on mountain are going to be cold, however, as the fast-moving storm exists Colorado  single digits for most northern and central mountains resorts.

Starting Friday the sun will come back out and dry weather will be the theme more or less until next Tuesday. Sunday and Monday appear to have some clouds funneling into Colorado, but forecast models show that storm's energy staying south in New Mexico.

The best chance for left over powder during the weekend would be in the northern and central mountains, including backcountry spots in the Front Range, Park Range and Gore Range mountains.

Wednesday and Thursday, February 15-16 has a potential storm moving through Colorado for the next chance of snow.

SNOEWS:

Valentine's Day is Tuesday, and although that day might not offer up loveable powder to ski and ride, it does offer loving couples a chance to get married or renew vows on the ski slopes. Loveland Ski Area's Marry Me & Ski for Free Valentines Day Mountaintop Matrimony, now celebrating its 32nd year, is a tradition the resort has hosted every year dating back to when Greg Stump's Groove: Requiem in the Key of Ski and Warren Miller's Born to Ski were filmed.

Couples getting married are required to obtain a valid Colorado Marriage License and bring it with them to the ceremony to be signed if participating.

The ceremony is done for all couples at the same time and lasts approximately 30 minutes. Couples are required to sign-in the morning of the event at registration in the Lower Ridge Room and are asked to be at Forest Meadow by 11:30 a.m.

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For full information regarding the even click or tap here.

Snowboarder and DJ Mix Master Mike from the hip hop group the Beastie Boys will be the headliner at the 2023 Winter Dew Tour at Copper Mountain on Saturday, Feb. 25.

Mike has performed at many winter sporting events, including the Vancouver Olympics.

The concert is free and open to the public.

Upcoming festivals: February continues its winter festivals across the state. From fat bike races to Skijoring, here are a few to check into:

SNOW LINKS:

Resort web cams, traffic conditions and Snowstang information Click or tap HERE for a list of snow reports and web cams for ski areas and resorts in Colorado.

Click or tap HERE for the latest traffic conditions from COTrip.

Click or tap HERE for ticket and schedule information for the CDOT's mountain bus service, Snowstang.

RESORT REPORT:

Below are conditions for all Colorado resorts as of Wednesday afternoon.
By News Center

Turkiye's Treasury and Finance Minister Nureddin Nebati made statements in Sanliurfa, one of the cities hit by the earthquake.

Minister Nabati's statement is as follows.

"Unfortunately, we are facing one of the biggest earthquake disasters in the history of the country and the world. Over 6,000 of our citizens have died and 2,495 of our citizens have been discharged in Sanliurfa, 114 people are waiting in the emergency service, 231 people are hospitalized and 79 are in intensive care. The treatment of our injured citizens from Sanliurfa, Adiyaman, Gaziantep, and Hatay is carried out in our city. All of our hospitals are ready to take care of the injured from neighboring provinces. The number of demolished buildings is 19 and work continues on three of them. Two of them are in the center and one is in our Birecik District. We continue our work intensively. A total of 7,594 personnel are on duty. Mosques, schools, hostels, and dormitories in our city have been opened to the use of our citizens. 493 assembly areas have been created in our province. All requests of our citizens are responded to.

"Damage assessment studies were carried out on 4,727 buildings in our city. Other detection studies are in progress. On behalf of our nation, I would like to express my gratitude to our esteemed governor, our mayor, and all our public officials who work devotedly on the field. I would like to express my gratitude to the countries and international aid organizations that shared their messages of condolence and support on this difficult day. As the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, we take many measures to alleviate the problems experienced in the earthquake-affected areas.

"Our ministry is in contact with the relevant public institutions and organizations and meets the cash needs of the institutions. We deliver medicines, serums, vaccines and medical products, construction equipment to the region as soon as possible through our state supply office. Our banks and participating financial institutions continue their aid activities without interruption. We have taken the decision to postpone the payment of debts of our citizens who have difficulty paying their debts to banks.

"Our priority right now is to save lives. As soon as the earthquake happened, the TCIP extraordinary management center came into action. The first compensation payment was made less than 24 hours after the earthquake. Our team that we have assigned tomorrow will start their monitoring in all regions.

"We have extended the deadline for filing tax returns until August 15, 2023, and the deadline for paying taxes until August 31, 2023. We will provide additional facilities in loans. We will leave these days behind as soon as possible in unity and solidarity. I wish God's mercy on our citizens who passed away again, and a speedy recovery to our injured citizens."
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has arrived on a working visit in the Sudanese capital city Khartoum, a TASS correspondent reported on Thursday, TASS reports.

During his stay in Sudan, Lavrov will meet with his Sudanese counterpart, Ali Al-Sadiq Ali, Deputy Chairman of Sudans Sovereign Council Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo and chief of the Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

Lavrovs previous visit to Sudan took place in 2014.

According to the Russian foreign ministry, the sides are expected to discuss key aspects of Russian-Sudanese comprehensive cooperation and current international and regional problems with a focus on the necessity of political and diplomatic solutions to the crisis situations in the Middle East and on the African continent. Much attention will be paid to the preparations for the second Russia-Africa summit due to be held in Russias St. Petersburg in July.

Roscongress said earlier that the second Russia-Africa summit and economic forum were planned for July 26-29. The first such summit was held in Sochi from October 22-24, 2019 under the motto "For Peace, Security and Development."
The Turkish-American Cultural Society of Colorado is doing all it can to help, including soliciting donations to send to Turkey after the earthquake along the southern side of Turkey and the northern side of Syria.

The epicenter was near Gaziantep, a major city in Turkey, and caused buildings to collapse in a pancake form, where the top floor layers onto the ones below, according to the Associated Press. Currently, the confirmed death toll is approaching 12,000, according to reporting from AP. Temperatures have dropped to 6 degrees Celsius (21 Fahrenheit) at times in this zone, so donations like blankets, jackets and other sources of warmth are necessary, according to Nese Sahin, local small business owner and active member of the Turkish-American Cultural Society of Colorado.

Sahin, who was the marketing director for the Turkish-American Cultural Society of Colorado for two years, said the organization is in communication with the Turkish consulate in Los Angeles. Donation drop-off locations have been organized from Vail to Colorado Springs, Sahin said.

Monetary donations are also being accepted, and preferred, since it may take some time to get physical supplies to those in need. Sahin said they expect survivors will need medical care, shelter and mental healthcare. Schools will also be in need of monetary support.

Where the earthquake happened, its very cold, very similar to Colorado, Sahin said. So were collecting some jackets, coats, winter shoes, hygiene products, some emergency medication.

In addition to these supplies, Sahin said they are also going to need donations of body bags and medical equipment. Their organization is working with hospitals and medical centers to get these types of donations. Some hotels are offering to donate blankets and other items as well.

We will be bringing everything together and making sure that they are clean, individually packaged and boxed and sent to Los Angeles from there, Sahin said.

Turkish Airlines volunteers will be taking the donated items to those in need.

Sahin was born and raised in Turkey. She met her husband there and moved to the United States two years later to attend college at the University of Colorado Denver. While theyve been here for over two decades, they still have family and friends in Turkey.

The first time when you hear the news youre like Oh my god I hope my family is okay but as soon as you start seeing the magnitude of the impact, you cannot be even happy for your own family because you see how many lives were devastated and how many families were in pain losing their loved ones, Sahin said. Its still emotionally very hard for me because I still have a lot of ties  I dont have any family here, all of my family is in Turkey.

Donation sites:

Monetary donations: https://donate.tpfund.org/team/480036

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Donate directly to Sahins office here: Nese Sahin State Farm Agency, 7979 E. Tufts Ave., Suite 217, Denver. Nese Sahin at 303-598-5935 (From 9 a.m.7 p.m.).

Fort Collins: Ceren Buegel, 2708 Rawahs Way, Fort Collins, 80526.

Colorado Springs: 877 Altamont Ridge Drive, Colorado Springs, 80921; Hakan Karan at 719-330-0100 or Laura Karan at 719-930-0886.

Colorado Springs: 312 West Cheyenne Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906; Oznur Tuna-Miller at 719-291-2353.

DENVER: Istanbul Cafe, 850 S Monaco Pkwy, Unit 9, Denver, 80224.

DENVER: CC Framer, 2422 East 6th Ave., Denver, 80206; Erol Elmas at (303) 322-8334 (From 9 a.m.7 p.m.)

AURORA: Happy Ladybug Early Learning, 2005 Willow St., Denver 80238.

GOLDEN: CSM Petroleum Engineering Department, PE Administration Office, Room #206, 1600 Arapahoe St., Golden. For after-hours (after 5 pm), please call Tugce Calisgan at (303) 801-7035 .

GOLDEN: Adventure In Colors 1800 Jackson Street, #214, Golden 80401, Meltem Kuran at 720-341-8748.

THORNTON; 10060 Quivas St., Thornton, 80260; Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday (all day); Burcu Dagl 817-308-6018.

PARKER; 9628 Keystone Trail, Parker, 80134, until 9 p.m.; Doga Baysal at 713-498-9772.

VAIL: 8 Snow Goose Eagle; Arzu Basyildiz at 970-390-2643.
If only we could pour enough buckets of cold water on a recurring bad idea at the State Capitol  a legislative pay hike  to make it go away for good. Alas, it was vetted once again in a legislative committee just the other day.

This time, it didnt pop up in pending legislation but as a recommendation in a hearing last week before the Joint Budget Committee.

A legislative staffer who said she was testifying on her own and not as director of the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus told the lawmakers, You make below the poverty line.

The staff member, Anette Bowser, lamented how the $41,449 annual salary breaks down to a mere $21.58 per hour. Thats about half Colorados roughly $80,000 median household income, as noted in a news report on the hearing by our affiliate Colorado Politics.

Even if Bowser made her pitch without the instigation of the elected members she serves, the notion of a pay raise is never far from the hearts of many state lawmakers. Some long to professionalize the body and presumably elect a higher caliber of public servant; as Bowser put it, the salary of our state Legislature dictates the caliber of the state legislators.

Others wish to open the doors of the House and Senate to members of more modest means. The premise is that only the gentry can afford to serve without a more substantial salary  a dubious claim given the diverse socioeconomics of the legislative lineup.

Just days before the 2023 session began, a newly elected state House member tweeted her dismay over pay.

I dont understand how/why legislators work for free. I am so damn stressed, Denver Democratic state Rep. Elisabeth Epps wrote, grousing about the pre-session prep she had to do on bill drafts.

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One of my fave electeds said he didnt run again bc he couldnt afford it. I thought he was exaggerating. I havent even been sworn in and I see he was telling this truth.

While a proposal for a pay hike isnt pending, it always seem to be just around the corner. And it obviously continues to make the news. So, lets try to douse it once more.

Colorados legislative compensation ranks 17th among the states by one tally, so its in the upper half. Not too shabby. Meanwhile, research doesnt necessarily support the assumption that the 100 members of our General Assembly would better reflect Colorados population if only service in the body paid more.

A 2017 study by researchers from Duke University and the University of North Carolina, for example, looked at all 50 states and found that legislatures with higher salaries have fewer working-class people in office. Go figure.

But theres an even more basic principle at stake: Members of the Legislature really do only serve part time. Each years session is constitutionally limited to 120 days  a third of a year.

Sure, members attend to some legislative tasks the rest of the year, alongside their day jobs. Just as countless other Colorado breadwinners juggle their jobs with many competing commitments. Their PTA bake sales, church food drives, Little League games, Neighborhood Watch meetings, class plays, etc., are no less of a service to their fellow Coloradans. And Rep. Epps might want to consider that most of that service also is rendered for free.

Its just as well Colorados Legislature doesnt meet year-round. The public probably has little appetite for the extra lawmaking  and bellyaching  that would result.

The Gazette Editorial Board
In the 118th Congress, Republicans once again can take bold action and steer our nation back on track with commonsense priorities that put Americans first. As a senior member and Vice Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, I have consistently pushed for the preservation of our public lands and wild areas while simultaneously unlocking American energy independence. Unfortunately, under Democratic rule, commonsense proposals have been put on the back burner at the expense of the American taxpayer under Democratic reign. I am writing to walk you through a few of my top priorities this Congress so that people know what to expect from a Republican-led House Natural Resources majority.

Wildfire mitigation

Wildfires have devastated entire regions across the country, including our beautiful state. Nearly 75 million acres have burned across the country in the last decade. Fire suppression costs totaled $4.3 billion last year alone. 2020 was the worst year for wildfires that Colorado has seen, losing over 665,000 acres of pristine forest. Drought, disease, insect infestation, and inadequate harvest laws have produced too much fuel for wildfires. Frivolous lawsuits, endless permitting requirements, and high costs have worsened these problems.

It is time that we return to practical policymaking that preserves our forests while maintaining the important industries that rely on them.

Unlocking Americas energy potential

The United States, specifically Colorado, has abundant resources that make energy production cheap and reliable. For decades, natural gas and oil have provided good-paying jobs, energy security, and affordable electricity. They have allowed us to heat our homes, power our vehicles, and remain free from foreign influence, all while doing so at a lower cost than almost anywhere in the world. Under President Trumps leadership, the United States became a net exporter of natural gas. I intend to reach that goal again while lowering prices at the pump and on your energy bill. As companies explore alternative energy sources, I will encourage them to make Colorado their home. I support an all-of-the-above energy approach that is fair to the American taxpayer and helps lower costs for everyone.

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Ending bureaucratic red tape

Under the current administrations misguided management, the United States is prohibited from harvesting its natural resources. From timber to natural gas, oil to minerals, endless lawsuits and permitting reform have shut down American ingenuity. This administration and numerous state governments have set unrealistic goals to be carbon neutral by 2030. However, reaching these goals, even if they were realistic, would be impossible given the almost total prohibition on new mines across the country and the burdensome permits required to access federal lands. Likewise, the administration refuses to hold any practical lease sales for new oil and natural gas. The ones that do get approved get mired in frivolous litigation that seemingly has no end. Rights of way, applications to drill, pipeline access, transmission wire access, and easements for all sorts of projects are stalled interminably at the expense of our local communities. It is time to cut the red tape and produce abundant energy.

Water of the United States

In December, the Biden administration released its new Water of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule that will once again hamper manufacturing, agriculture, mining, and energy production across the nation. This reinstatement of the Obama-era WOTUS rule classifies any ditch or puddle of water as an integral part of the U.S. watershed. These rules are so strict that it even regulates dry land that does not hold water for most, if not all, of the year. In addition, these rules require miners, farmers, home builders, and others to track down permits to move dirt on private property they own. I will fight against this blatant federal overreach and return autonomy and certainty to property owners.

It is time that the House of Representatives takes our abundant Natural Resources seriously. We must put the people first by keeping our forests safe, unlocking energy production, and cutting onerous and burdensome red tape. Im looking forward to what we can accomplish in the 118th Congress.

Rep. Doug Lamborn is a long-standing member of the Western Caucus, the vice chairman for the House Natural Resources Committee, and sits on the National Parks, Forest, and Public Lands, and Energy and Mineral Resources subcommittees. Please visit Lamborn.house.gov.
Blinded by biases

So it turns out that Stand Up For Manitous criticism of former Superintendent Elizabeth Domangue as creating a culture of attrition was baseless. (No surprise for anyone who spent time talking with teachers and administrators.) It begs the question, then, why the MSSD BOE would pursue ending a contract with a highly competent and well-received leader who produced strong academic results and maintained an environment of whole-child learning. I can only conclude that the board members (one of whom has a serious conflict of interest and should never have been allowed to run) had a personal agenda and abused their position for personal gain. Shame on you.

If any good comes of this, it will be the reseating of three puppet board members this fall, and that the teachers and administrators who believed in the vision that Domangue and her team brought to D-14 stay in their roles to see that vision to fruition. Not out of spite (although I wouldnt blame them), but because they, too, are highly skilled professionals who are committed to what the BOE clearly is not: strong academic growth rooted in an educational experience full of hands-on learning, music, art, and community-mindedness. Domangue will no doubt be embraced in her next professional role by a community who knows excellence when they see it.

Too bad the current D-14 BOE is so blinded by personal vendettas that that community will not be Manitou Springs.

Rosanna Czarnecki

Manitou

When outcomes arent favorable

Its easy to love due process when due process works in your favor. But what about when the outcome isnt favorable to us or our cause?

How do we react then? Do we accept that outcome as truth and move on or do we stomp our feet, complain, claim unfairness and whine to anybody who will listen?

A recent attempt to ban five books from an Academy District 20 middle school  brought about by a supposed concerned parent who was backed and supported by a group claiming to advocate for students  invoked the already established process for such a challenge in the district (board document CODE KEC R).

That process worked exactly how it is supposed to. Parents, teachers and administrators gave of their time and energy to read, research and really weigh whether these books belonged in the library. Put to vote  these 5 books were committee-chosen to stay in the library.

The concerned parent and his support group appealed this decision within the required 15 days to the superintendent (or designee) and it was again determined that the library would keep the books.

The concerned parent and his support group again appealed this decision to the board level.

After discussion of each book and considering the unanimous passing of each level prior  the board decided to also keep the books in the library.

What came next was sad but not unexpected. It was complaining of unfairness. Accusations  the principal clearly chose his committee and stacked it against the challenger. Biased articles were written and published pitting an intelligent book challenger against the wanton behavior of social media hounds flaunting their incongruencies.

And at the end of it all  this still stands true: we love a solid process until it fails to support us or our cause.

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Tymm Hoffman

Colorado Springs

Make choices that benefit people

In a letter to the Public Utilities Commission, Gov. Jared Polis laid out a laundry list of ways in which Colorados agencies, utilities and regulators can offer immediate relief to consumers facing higher-than-ever energy costs.

However, unless there is a concerted effort among oil and gas companies, who have made record profits off the oil crisis caused largely by the war in Ukraine, to consider the needs of Colorado citizens above the needs of fossil fuel corporations, the companies and their shareholders will profit and citizens, especially the poor, will pay the price.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pointed out six months ago that it is immoral for oil and gas companies to make record profits off the oil crisis and urged governments to tax excessive oil and gas profits. He added, This grotesque greed is punishing the poorest and most vulnerable people while destroying our only home, calling for governments to also address the mounting climate crisis.

Corporations and regulators have a choice: either continue to haul in huge profits to benefit their shareholders or begin to make choices that will benefit people and the planet. We can only hope that eventually they will see the wisdom of protecting us and the earth.

Susan Permut

Monument

Thinking about our future

In answer to Randall Stuarts response on single use bags. First off, we are behind EIGHT other states that have banned single use plastic bags. California began this in 2014! I havent heard ANY complaints coming from any of the other states that have banned the use of plastic bags.

Reducing single use plastic bag use can mitigate harmful impacts to oceans, rivers, lakes, forests and the wildlife that inhabit them. It can also relieve pressure on landfills and waste management.

Lastly, why put the pressure and blame on Gov. Polis? Hes just joining and supporting the other states who are trying to acclimate a clean environment.

Is it that much of a problem to carry reusable bags? I think not! Maybe its time to start thinking about our future, our future generations and the land, water and wildlife being tainted?

Hildy Marzan

Colorado Springs
An effort to certify psychologists to prescribe and administer psychotropic medications took a major step forward Thursday, receiving approval from the Colorado House of Representatives.

Currently, if a psychologist providing therapy or counseling decides their patient needs medication such as antidepressants, they must refer the patient to a psychiatrist or medical doctor to get a prescription. But due to a lack of prescribers in Colorado, this process can take months to complete and forces patients to pay for care twice.

If approved by the state Senate and governor, House Bill 1071 would make the more than 3,000 licensed psychologists operating in Colorado eligible to apply to prescribe themselves. In comparison, there are only around 600 psychiatrists currently operating in Colorado.

Bill sponsor Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, said she has experienced the ineffectiveness of the current system firsthand. During the bills House debate, Amabile said her adult son suffers with serious mental illness and was forced to wait eight weeks for his first psychiatric appointment. Feeling unable to wait, he went to a primary care doctor who was unaware of his diagnosis and was prescribed the wrong medication, causing him to end up in the hospital.

Weve spent the last 12 years navigating a completely broken mental health care system, Amabile said. This process is convoluted, its too long, its too expensive and we have families all over this state that cannot get care for their loved ones in the timeframe that they need it.

House lawmakers passed the bill Thursday in a 56-6 vote. Though the bill received broad bipartisan support, it also faced bipartisan opposition from lawmakers who argued that it would lower the standards of mental health care.

To become a prescriber under the bill, a Ph.D.-holding psychologist would have to get a masters degree in clinical psychopharmacology, pass a national psychopharmacology exam, complete 750 hours of prescribing practice under a supervising clinician, be approved by the state boards of psychology and medicine, and complete 40 hours of continuing education in psychopharmacology every two years. In addition, the psychologist would have to maintain their current psychology license, malpractice insurance and psychology-based continuing education.

Despite these requirements, opponents raised concerns about allowing non-medically trained psychologists to prescribe medications, saying they do not understand how medications impact the body or how physical illnesses can manifest as mental health issues.

Nurse practitioners, psychiatrists, pediatricians are receiving between 12,000 and in some cases 16,000 hours of training and practice in this area before theyre given the authority and licensing capacity to prescribe medications, said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, who voted against the bill. Theres always a balance to be had that, as we expand access, we are maintaining quality care.

Proponents defended the bill, pointing out that prescribing psychologists would be required to collaborate with a patients primary care provider regarding any medications prescribed, and wouldnt be allowed to prescribe high-level drugs such as opioids.

Psychologists can already prescribe mental health medication in five states  New Mexico, Louisiana, Illinois, Iowa and Idaho  as well as in the U.S. military. In New Mexico and Louisiana, deaths by suicide were reduced by between 5% and 7% since psychologists were granted prescriptive authority, according to Healthier Colorado.

Nationally, there are around 250 prescribing psychologists currently operating. From 2005 to 2021, there were only 14 board complaints against prescribing psychologists  half of which were dismissed and only two of which resulted in payments to the plaintiffs, according to Trust Risk Management Services, which provides liability insurance for psychologists.

Bill supporters championed this data as evidence that the program is safe and successful in other states, and likely wont result in the massive tidal wave of prescribers that opponents fear.

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This just gives a path to the people who are the best of the best, said Rep. Matt Soper, R-Delta, who voted in favor of the bill. I appreciate that for rural Colorado and for being able to remove barriers to accessing specialists.

Other lawmakers disapproved of psychologists being able to prescribe medications to minors, attempting to pass an unsuccessful amendment to the bill that would have prohibited this practice.

Rep. Scott Bottoms, R-Colorado Springs, pointed to the numerous medical organizations that oppose the bill, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, Colorado Medical Society, Colorado Psychiatric Society, Colorado Chapter College of Emergency Physicians, Colorado Radiological Society, Denver Health and Kaiser Permanente.

The bill is backed by the Colorado Psychological Association, Colorado Counseling Association, National Association of Social Workers, Colorado Center on Law and Policy, Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, AARP and Healthier Colorado.

"Psychiatrists are against this. Psychologists are definitely in favor of it because it broadens their horizon and broadens their financial horizons. Theyre going to make a lot more money with this, but they are not trained, Bottoms said. Even with all these additions  theyre still not even close to having the training they need for even basic psychotropic drugs.

Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver, countered, arguing that psychologists often know their patients' needs better than psychiatrists.

Gonzales-Gutierrez said she worked with kids in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems for nearly 20 years, many of whom received therapy and were prescribed mental health medications. While these kids met with psychologists for therapy weekly and for at least an hour at a time, Gonzales-Gutierrez said the appointments with psychiatrists were only 15 minutes long and happened only every one or two months.

That psychologist has more contact with the child, understanding what is going on with them, how the medications might be impacting them and affecting them, Gonzales-Gutierrez said. This bill is incredibly important to making sure kids are getting what they need when they need it.

In an attempt to ease the worries of opponents, bill sponsors amended the bill to, in part, increase the required hours of supervised training, require 250 of the 750 hours to be under specialty providers for psychologists working with special populations like children, and require prescribing psychologists to disclose to patients that they are not medical doctors.

This bill comes as the 2022 State of Mental Health in America report ranked Colorado as the worst state in the country for adult mental health. The year before, Childrens Hospital Colorado declared a state of emergency for youth mental health, as suicide became the leading cause of death for Colorado children ages 14-19.

In Denver, the city with the highest concentration of psychiatrists in the state, wait times for prescribers are upwards of six months, said the bills other sponsor Rep. Mary Bradfield, R-Colorado Springs.

In addition, Bradfield said, in Colorado only 12% of patients who are sent to another office for mental health care complete their treatment, compared to 77% of patients offered the same care in their current office.
The Colorado Senate on Thursday quickly moved through most of the 2022-23 mid-year budget adjustments for state agencies, giving most a final chamber green-light and sending them on to the House.

But the supplemental for the Department of Corrections, which seeks a substantial addition of $20.3 million, raised questions for lawmakers.

The departments request was the major discussion in a Tuesday Senate GOP caucus on Senate Bill 113 and again on the Senate floor on Thursday.

The total of the 24 bills seeking adjustments to state agency budgets would actually decrease total state spending in 2022-23 by $208.8 million, about 1.5% of the total budget. That brings the request from DOC for a bump of $20.3 million into sharper view.

The biggest cut is to the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, which will see a reduction of $236 million, the largest of any state agency. Thats mostly tied to reductions in caseload for Medicaid, due to the upcoming end of Medicaid enrollments tied to the nationwide public health emergency.

During a Tuesday Senate GOP caucus meeting, Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer of Brighton, the caucus representative on the Joint Budget Committee, said most of the supplementals are technical. But her vote against the supplemental for Corrections, both in JBC and in the Senate Appropriations Committee, was because she believes the department is poorly managed.

The request from Corrections is broken down into eight areas, with caseload and additional staff as the biggest driver. Thats $6.2 million in general fund for 393 more beds and 16 new positions: 12 correctional officers, a teacher and three case managers, but just for the rest of the current fiscal year that ends on June 30.

Problem is, DOC already has 1,600 vacant positions, with vacancy savings of $20 million, Kirkmeyer said, adding that begs the question on why the department needs more money and more full-time equivalent employees.

Kirkmeyer also has issues with the request for 393 more beds. She pointed out that in hearings with the JBC, the department said they had 900 vacant beds at their medium-level security facilities, but about a 500-inmate overflow at the minimum-level security facilities. The department could move those 500 inmates to the medium-level facilities, she pointed out.

And JBC members got contrary information about caseload, depending on what day it was, she told the caucus. On one day they talked about opening up another facility and on the next said a workforce shortage would prevent them from doing so. Even the JBC staff recommended against that part of the supplemental because of questions about caseload, she explained. They need to be able to justify it. ... I dont think they need more beds. Its the way theyre mismanaging the department and not able to explain it to us, she told the caucus.

I dont believe they need the additional funding...we just cant get good information out of them, Kirkmeyer said.

Sen. Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs, said he believes there is dissatisfaction with DOC in the governors office, now combined with the Senate GOPs concerns. While the department has serious staffing shortfalls, which is a public safety issue for both officers and inmates, he suggested a delay on the supplemental.

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JBC staff analyst Justin Brakke clarified during the caucus meeting that his recommendation wasnt necessarily to deny the request but to kick it to figure-setting for the 2023-24 budget, in part because the department has enough money through vacancy savings  about $20 million  to cover overtime and other costs. They have the funding to do the things they want to do, he said, but the question is whether its sustainable through the end of the budget year, and their response would probably be no, Brakke said.

In his analysis, Brakke said Corrections could not explain how they came up with the caseload numbers, how they relate to existing capacity, or how they would address custody classifications. He also noted that traditionally, the governors budget request for the upcoming fiscal year previews such changes, but that didnt happen with the submission from the governor on Nov. 1. Instead, he noted, the Corrections request showed up at the JBC five business days before they had to make decisions on supplementals.

Kirkmeyer isnt completely opposed to everything sought in the supplemental, such as money for housing incentives as part of recruitment and retention, or dealing with medical caseload and increased costs for food, fuel, utilities or maintenance, which she said reflect normal mid-year adjustments. Its caseload  and a request for 16 new positions  that she objects to, calling it a slush fund during the caucus meeting.

Senate Bill 113 won approval on a 4-3 party-line vote in Senate Appropriations on Tuesday, signaling the fight to come on the Senate floor.

When explaining the supplemental, JBC Chair Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, noted the request for additional beds and the 16 positions, but didnt tell the Senate that Corrections was sitting on $20 million in vacancy savings from 1,600 already vacant positions.

Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, R-Monument, said his caucus believes in efficient use of public safety as well as efficient use of taxpayer dollars. Were struggling with this request, he indicated. While they support Corrections, they need to do a better job of managing the money they have, he added.

Gardner tried to persuade Senate Democrats to support an amendment to SB 113 that would cut the request for the 16 positions and about $1.1 million in funding, both for the positions and for radio equipment contained in the supplemental.

This is a management oversight matter, not an attack on the department, Gardner said.

Zenzinger, who advocated for a no vote for the amendment, said staffing levels need to be maintained to create the correct proportion of inmate to officer. This amendment would take away the staffing component associated with those inmates. She still did not bring up the departments 1,600 vacancies or the millions of dollars the department has from vacancy savings.

Kirkmeyer said the department made sure to mention to the JBC that two-thirds of their billion-dollar budget goes to personnel services. This amendment says to the department, we want you to manage effectively...you dont need additional FTE in this current budget year, she said.

The amendment failed, both during the second reading debate, and a second attempt during the Committee of the Whole report that closed the second reading debate.

The Senate then gave preliminary approval to the bill with a final vote likely on Friday.
If its done right, a restaurant can become a destination, not just a place to eat, industry experts say.

Restauranteur Chuck Schafers latest Colorado Springs project will have four chances to do just that.

Schafer, who owns Five Times Hospitality Group, is targeting a late March opening for his Manhattan Room Tapas Kitchen and Cansano Italian Steakhouse and a late April opening for Longboard Tacos and Pause Ultra Lounge & Sushi  four restaurants being built as part of a single dining complex and with multiple customer options.

The high-end restaurants are under construction at the Victory Ridge mixed-use development on the citys far north side, southeast of InterQuest and Voyager parkways. A limited liability company formed by Schafer paid nearly $620,000 for a less than 1-acre parcel on the north side of the 155-acre Victory Ridge, El Paso County land records show.

The project isnt a food hall; each restaurant will have its own entrance, menu, kitchen, look, feel and concept.

Yet, because theyll be under one ownership and constructed adjacent to each other, diners can have a drink at one restaurant and transfer their bar tab over to another when their reservation is called, Schafer said.

When I got this lot, I tried to think many times, what do I want to create? Schafer said. What do I want to do? Its a destination. I want people to believe that, Hey, I can go to one place and enjoy myself. I dont have to go here and eat and then go somewhere else later.

Schafers restaurant background includes ownership of the Prime25 steakhouse south of downtown Colorado Springs. He and his uncle, local businessman and nightclub owner Sam Guadagnoli, opened Prime25 in early 2017.

Guadagnoli died in September; Schafer said he continues to own Prime25 with new partner John Goede, an attorney who stepped in after Guadagnoli died. Goede also has partnered on several hotel and restaurant projects with Springs attorney Perry Sanders Jr.

Schafer tapped his friend and award-winning chef Christopher Lee to create the restaurants menus and recipes; executive chef Phil Griffin will help run the restaurants day to day.

Schafer said hes envisioned a restaurant project in northern Colorado Springs for more than 2 years. He liked the location of Victory Ridge, which is one of four residential and commercial developments in the fast-growing InterQuest area thats home to restaurants, stores, service-oriented businesses, hotels and apartments.

The new St. Francis-Interquest Hospital will open in the area this summer, while Ent Credit Union built an expanded headquarters nearby that opened in 2021. Victory Ridge also is a few miles south of Polaris Pointe, another mixed-use development where the 8,000-seat Sunset amphitheater is targeted to open in 2024; Schafer said he hopes concertgoers will frequent his restaurants before or after shows.

Victory Ridge includes In-N-Out Burgers first Colorado restaurant and the companys production and distribution facility; several additional chain restaurants; hundreds of townhomes constructed by Denver-area builder Lokal Homes; the ICON movie theater complex; a four-story office building; and a 474-unit apartment complex thats now under construction.

Schafer expects his restaurants to appeal to residents on the far north side, which U.S. Census figures show has some of the Pikes Peak regions highest household incomes. Many of those residents dont want to drive across town to reach a restaurant, he said.

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When I drive to Prime, its a long ways away for me, said Schafer, who lives northeast of Victory Ridge in unincorporated Black Forest. And a lot of my friends live in Flying Horse (a nearby, upscale development) and they go to Prime and stuff. Theyre like, we can go down there and eat and drink, but then weve got to drive all the way home. I feel like this part of town has been missing out on a little bit.

Schafer said his new restaurants have been designed with open kitchens that customers can see from dining rooms and interiors decorated to reflect a particular locations concept. Food will be refrigerated, but not frozen; none of the restaurants will use freezers, he said.

Three fire pits will create outdoor gathering spots for diners, while Cansano, Longboard Tacos and Pause will have patios. Eight large concrete pads with tables and festoon lighting in front of Cansano will allow its diners to lounge outside the restaurant.

A walkway between Cansano and Longboard Tacos links to a free, 1,100-space parking garage on the south side of the restaurants; the garage was one of the first amenities built at Victory Ridge when the development got off the ground more than a decade ago.

Restaurant details include:

 Manhattan Room Tapas Kitchen is envisioned as an intimate dining spot that will seat about 100 at booths and tables and offer live music  soft, not loud, Schafer said  performed on a corner stage perched above a bar. Its menu will feature small plates of food from around the world, including some Mediterranean and Japanese dishes, he said. Several whiskeys, wines and cocktails also will be available. A private dining room will seat about 30 and open up to allow its diners to join other restaurantgoers.

This one, I would say its like that date night out, Schafer said. This is where the parents are coming out to have a nice meal, listen to some soft jazz up there on the stage and just mingle with themselves.

 Cansano Italian Steakhouse was named for a town in northern Italy where Schafers grandfather was born and where his family originated, he said. The upscale steakhouses menu will include pastas, noodles, pizza and 400 pounds of steaks and meats aged on site, Schafer said. Its circular booths and tables will seat 150. Another 80 can sit on an enclosed patio whose windows open when the weather is nice; heaters will allow the patio to be used year-round. A separate chefs table near the front of the dining room will allow customers to pay a set amount and have food served to them family style  everyone at the table gets to sample a little bit of everything, he said.

An espresso machine, wines and liquors will be on display near the restaurant bar. Diners also can purchase bottles of wine from the restaurant and store them in decorative lockers installed on a wall behind the bar  allowing them to have their favorite wine on hand when they come in for a meal, Schafer said.

This is family friendly, but upscale, Schafer said. Kids will enjoy this because of the pizzas, because of the pastas and all that. Adults will enjoy it because of the steaks and different types of stuff were doing, adult-wise.

 Longboard Tacos will have a Southern California vibe. Its bar counter has been designed to look like an ocean beach; the bar itself has tiki hut touches; a pair of palm trees  portions of real trees make up their base, though their leaves are artificial  dominate the dining room; a specially made surfboard will serve as a 10-seat table; and license plates from all 50 states decorate one of the walls. Three garage doors will open the dining room to the outside and a year-round, heated patio; combined, the dining room and patio will seat 210. Longboard will specialize in its namesake tacos, fish and other fresh foods, Schafer said. .

 Pause Ultra Lounge & Sushi will operate on the second floor of the building that houses Longboard Tacos, and will be reached via a staircase or elevator. While Longboard has the feel of Southern California, Pause is meant to conjure up Miamis South Beach neighborhood. Its name reflects Schafers goal for customers to relax. Pause  like take a break, he said. Push pause in life.

Pause will have a pair of bars  one for sushi, which is the only menu item, and another for drinks. A patio will have a disc jockey booth, fireplaces and couches, where diners will be served bottled drinks and enjoy views of the Air Force Academy through large windows. The patio will have heaters, though its not covered for now, Schafer said. The dining room and patio will seat 150.

Schafer expects a nonstop happy hour atmosphere at Pause.

I see up here being heavy on the drinking, he said.
The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday voted 14-7 to advance the nomination of Gordon P. Gallagher to be a federal trial judge for Colorado, which would make him the Biden administrations fourth appointee in two years to the U.S. District Court if confirmed.

Gallagher, who is currently a part-time U.S. magistrate judge and defense attorney, would also become the first resident of the Western Slope appointed to Colorados seven-member court since 1989.

While Gallagher is now on track for confirmation by the full Senate, Colorado will experience a judicial vacancy in the meantime as U.S. District Court Judge William J. Martinez steps down as an active judge on Friday. Martinez, a Barack Obama appointee, gave a full years notice to the White House and Colorados senators that he would be taking a form of semi-retirement known as senior status, meaning he is eligible to handle a reduced caseload going forward.

U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper submitted their preferred candidates to the White House last April, but the Biden administration did not nominate Gallagher until September. President Joe Biden further waited until Jan. 23 to re-nominate Gallagher after the new Congress took office. The series of delays all but ensured Gallagher would not be appointed in time for Martinezs scheduled retirement.

Bennet and Hickenloopers offices did not immediately answer questions about when the full Senate would take action on Gallaghers nomination. Hickenlooper, in a statement, said only that he will look forward to getting him confirmed.

A graduate of the University of Denvers law school, Gallagher moved to Mesa County and originally tried more than 75 cases as a prosecutor before opening a criminal defense-oriented law firm in 2000. He estimated that he has litigated more than 275 trials in total, and would become one of few defense attorneys to join the federal bench.

Since 2012, he has also been a magistrate judge. While they tend to focus on preliminary or administrative matters in cases, magistrate judges can perform many of the same functions as life-tenured district judges, up to and including presiding over civil trials. As a magistrate judge, Gallagher also conducted approximately 80 naturalization ceremonies for new citizens in western Colorado.

Gallagher appeared for his confirmation hearing last year with a series of endorsements from the Western Slope. Multiple entities  including lawyers, community groups and one of the two federally-recognized tribal nations  wanted Gallagher to join the otherwise Denver-centric roster of judges currently on the trial court.

The Tribe feels that there is little hope of providing justice and fairness to our Tribal Members, wrote Ute Mountain Ute Chairman Manuel Heart, unless those hearing the cases and applying the cultural values that are common and important among our Members (are) familiar with those values. Magistrate Gallagher has demonstrated that he is sensitive to the needs of the Tribal Members.

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Following his testimony last year to the Judiciary Committee, Gallagher submitted additional responses to senators written questions. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, pressed Gallagher on comments he made during one naturalization ceremony.

Our nation is currently roiled by social turbulence, Gallagher said on an unspecified date, as groups whose voices have not been heard or who have had their opinions suppressed seek to stand shoulder to shoulder on equal footing with all other citizens in a quest to truly realize the promise of the Declaration of Independence  that we are all equal and all endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights.

Asked to clarify what he meant, Gallagher replied that he was speaking broadly about historically-suppressed groups and that equal justice under the law continues to be the aspiration and the daily work of the justice system in the United States.

U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., asked multiple questions of Gallagher about child pornography, a subject that arose during the confirmation hearings of now-U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who sentenced some defendants for child pornography offenses when she was a trial judge.

Another current topic surfaced in questions from U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who inquired about judge shopping. Specifically, Republican officials in Texas have successfully challenged policies of the Biden administration by largely filing lawsuits in federal courts where only one to three judges  appointees of Republican presidents  hear cases.

In Gallaghers observation, he wrote, the Local Rules for the District of Colorado are structured in such a manner as to avoid individual judge shopping.

Republican senators Tillis, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Chuck Grassley of Iowa joined the committees Democratic members in voting for Gallagher.

Since taking office, Biden has nominated five federal judges to the trial and appellate courts based in Colorado. He will have the opportunity to install a sixth this year, as U.S. District Court Judge Raymond P. Moore, also an Obama appointee, is scheduled to take senior status in June.

Like Martinez, Moore gave one years notice of his impending retirement. Although Colorados senators have transmitted a list of finalists to the White House, Biden has not announced a nominee. The delay suggests that Moores seat will become vacant this summer unless the Senate acts promptly to confirm the nominee.
Is it the dancing? The music? The costumes? What is it that keeps audiences coming back to see Shen Yun year after year? While it may be any of these or all of them, there is something bigger that is not easy to define or see in a single ad or commercial. To sum it up in one word, one might simply say culture or heritage.

Today, Chinas red communist flag waves ominously overhead  a symbol of its totalitarian government and terrifying oppression. But communism and its atheist ideology were not always a part of China.

As hard as it may be to believe, pre-communist China was an incredibly spiritual place where three major religions  Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism  flourished. Meditation was common, and society sought harmony with Heaven. Moreover, while Made in China today has become a byword for products that are poorly and unethically made, and environmentally disastrous, China was once the most advanced civilization on Earth, with a profound system of theories independent of modern science and medicine.

In the drive to modernize in the 20th century, however, China was hijacked by communists supported by Russian communists. For them, Chinas spiritual foundation and cultural richness were more an enemy than a blessing. The atheist Chinese Communist Party has actively sought to minimize, distort or destroy many elements of traditional Chinese culture.

Shen Yun was founded by Chinese expatriates in New York in 2006 precisely to bring the grandeur of real Chinese culture back, free from the shackles of communism. Many of Shen Yuns founders and their families were persecuted for their peaceful spiritual beliefs before fleeing China.

Has Shen Yun succeeded in reclaiming Chinas lost heritage? Lets see what audience members are saying.

An audience member from China: Miraculous!

Shen Yun has achieved something miraculous. Through art, Shen Yun has portrayed many great elements of Chinese culture  elements that that we dont really see in day-to-day life, or even if we did see, would seem very distant from ordinary people," said Mr. Yang, who came from mainland China and watched Shen Yun for the first time this year at the George Mason University Center for the Arts in Virginia. Shen Yun uses a special art form to truly revive these things. That is truly an incredible feat."

Ironically, Mr. Yang believes this would not be possible in China today: Its just that no one in mainland China knows how to present these things, due to the Communist Partys government system; artists dont know how they can recreate culture.

Mr. Yangs first name and identifying information were kept anonymous since he could face persecution in China for his positive comments about Shen Yun.

American East Asia Expert: Traditional, solid and representative of China.

David Stilwell, a former Assistant Secretary of State for the East Asian Pacific Bureau of the U.S. State Department, saw Shen Yun for the second time this year in Colorado Springs.

The best thing about it is its doing its best to preserve Chinese traditional history, Chinese culture, he said. We have a government [in China] thats doing its best to destroy that culture. Since 1949, the Great Leap Forward, the madness of the Cultural Revolution. Were it not for people like them, all those treasures would have been destroyed; all that history, all the relics would not have been around today.

Stilwell suggests that when the communist regime is inevitably rejected by the Chinese people, Shen Yun will provide a good foundation for China to fall back on and recover.

Weve seen with the handling of COVID-19, the fact that it began in China, and it was allowed to leak out of China, and now weve seen the madness of the zero COVID-19 policy and how it failed miserably," he said. "Those policies and their approach to managing and governing the country dont work. And so by preserving the culture, when this all resolves, you will have something to fall back on  something thats traditional, solid and representative of China.

Audience members in Japan: The show is amazing!

While Shen Yun is essentially banned in China, it is being warmly welcomed in Taiwan, South Korea and Japan. The Japanese leg of the tour is particularly extensive this year, visiting theaters in 10 different cities.

After seeing a Shen Yun performance, first-class architect Mr. Ishi Mitsuo, who once taught in China, said. I have a very bad impression of current China, which has lost the tradition and culture. Its very important to save and revive the traditional Chinese culture. When the curtain opened, I saw the clouds and a scene in heaven. At that point, I was in awe. My tears started automatically  The show is amazing!

Mr. Fukushima Masanori had a positive experience at Shen Yun as well. He said, Shen Yun helps people to understand the traditional culture in a very smooth and relaxed way. Its like the God or the Buddha taught people the culture in ancient times.

Mr. Sasaki Teruhide said, The performance has a special charm that you cant find in Japan  It brought me a totally fresh feeling. I was deeply touched by the brilliant classical Chinese dance and the profound Chinese tradition.

Shen Yun will be returning to the Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts in Colorado Springs on March 17-19, 2023. In Colorado, Shen Yun will also visit Cheyenne Civic Center March 14-15, and the Buell Theatre March 8-12, at DPAC, in Denver.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said that the legislative body would launch a charity campaign to send aid to people affected by the devastating quake in Turkiye.

Papuashvili urged all members of the Parliament to participate in the charity event and noted the amount of sum withheld from MPs salaries for the absence [in the parliament sessions] without a good reason in December would go to the charity campaign.

He said a special bank account was opened in the Parliament for the donations and added all necessary products and supplies would be sent shortly to Turkiye.
British Challenger 2 tanks will be delivered to Ukraine in March, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said at a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky on Wednesday.

"We are also accelerating the delivery of our equipment, the equipment of our allies, to ensure that it reaches your frontline in coming days and weeks, not months or years," he said.

Sunak also said that nothing was off the table, when he spoke about the prospects of supplying fighter jets to Ukraine.

"The first step in being able to provide advanced aircrafts is to have soldiers or aviators that are capable of using them. That is a process that takes some time. We've started that process today," he said. "Nothing is off the table."
The Mason City Police Department has added a Community Camera Program page to its website.

This is an opportunity for local residents to register their privately owned surveillance cameras with MCPD to assist in future criminal investigations.

According to a press release, when officers respond to an investigate incidents, the Community Camera Program can help speed up the process for a neighborhood canvass.

Officers will be able to access the Community Camera Program database in MCPDs records management system to see if there are registered cameras at residences in the immediate area where the incident occurred.

"We know that video cameras can be a great deterrent to crime. We are glad that many local residents have taken these precautions to help protect their property. We appreciate your support in helping to keep our community safe by sharing your recordings with MCPD when we need them," the department said in a statement.

Residents can visit https://www.masoncity.net/pview.aspx?id=48844&catid=0 to register their address, camera locations, and personal information so that MCPD can reach out in the event they want to review your camera video recording as part of an investigation.
DES MOINES  Former Vice President Mike Pence is stepping up his outreach in Iowa ahead of a possible 2024 presidential campaign by rallying conservatives against transgender-affirming policies in schools, like one adopted in an eastern Iowa district last year.

The effort by Advancing American Freedom, a group formed by Pence in 2021 and financed by his supporters, will include digital ads, rallies, canvassing and perhaps radio and television spots. It comes as a federal court in Minnesota is scheduled next week to hear a case brought by a group representing parents of students in Linn-Mar Community School District outside Cedar Rapids.

The strength of our nation is tied to the strength of our families, and we cannot stand idly by as the radical left attempts to indoctrinate our children behind parents backs, Pence said in a statement provided to The Associated Press. Advancing American Freedom will not rest until parental rights are restored in Iowa and across the nation."

The Linn-Mar board last year adopted a policy allowing students to request a gender support plan to begin socially transitioning at school and without the permission of their parents. The group representing the parents is suing to overturn the policy.

The planned budget for the effort is more than $1 million, and the push is expected to last several months, said a Pence aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of a formal announcement later Thursday.

The moves by the outside group  separate from any potential Pence candidacy  comes as school policy, notably involving gender identification and sexual orientation, has become an early focus of 2024 Republican presidential prospects.

The issue is particularly relevant in Iowa, given both the court case and the Republican-controlled Legislature advancing legislation barring schools from supporting a students social change in gender identity.

Pence's outreach comes before a trip to the early-voting state to headline an event next Wednesday in Cedar Rapids. Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador, is planning to campaign across Iowa after announcing her 2024 campaign, while South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson are expected to visit Iowa later in the month.

Ranking the 2024 Republican field 10. Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas 9. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida 8. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin 7. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott 6. Former Ambassador Nikki Haley 5. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas 4. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina 3. Former Vice President Mike Pence 2. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis
South Africa: SA's infrastructure build programme gaining momentum

South Africas infrastructure build programme is gaining pace, says President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Delivering the 2023 State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Cape Town City Hall, the President said inroads were being achieved through the work of the Infrastructure Fund and Infrastructure South Africa.

The two were established to support the countrys strategic infrastructure projects.

In this regard, the President said one of the greatest obstacles to infrastructure investment is the lack of technical skills and project management capacity.

He said: To fix this, Infrastructure South Africa has been allocated R600 million for project preparation, specifically in rural and under-resourced areas.

The support and planning mechanisms that government has put in place over several years, were now starting to bear fruit in increased public investment in infrastructure.

By January this year, projects worth R232 billion were under construction and projects worth nearly R4 billion had been completed. The completed projects include new human settlements in Gauteng, road upgrades and the development of small harbours, he said.

In a major development, the President said the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) had over the past three months awarded road construction contracts worth R18 billion.

The construction of the Msikaba Bridge and Mtentu Bridge will be finished and make travel in the Eastern Cape much better, he said.

This investment would substantially benefit the construction industry and enable large-scale job creation, skills development and poverty relief, especially in nearby rural communities.

Last year, we said we would increase the construction of rural bridges as part of the Welisizwe programme, to enable residents to easily and safely reach schools, workplaces and amenities.

Twenty-four bridges in KwaZulu-Natal are currently under construction and site preparations are being made for a further 24 bridges. In the telecommunications sector, the completion of the spectrum auction has unlocked new investment and contributed R14 billion to the fiscus, the President said.

During 2023, government would migrate the remaining households to digital television signal and complete the switch-off of analogue transmission.

This, he said, would release valuable spectrum for the rollout of 5G mobile networks and will reduce the cost of data.

These actions will bring us closer to our vision of affordable, high-speed internet access for all. In the State of the Nation Address last year, we said that we would concentrate our efforts on mobilising greater levels of investment, which is essential to growing the economy and creating jobs, he said.

We said that we would give impetus to the campaign that we embarked on nearly five years ago to raise R1.2 trillion in new investment. Last year, the fourth South Africa Investment Conference raised R367 billion in investment commitments, bringing our five-year investment target firmly within sight.

President Ramaphosa will on 13 April 2023 hold the fifth South Africa Investment Conference.

At this conference, he said the country would set a new target to mobilise more than R2 trillion in new investment by 2028.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-02-09. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Al Salam Bank, the largest Islamic bank in Bahrain, has reported a net profit attributable to shareholders of BD31.6 million ($83.8 million) for FY 2022, up 48% over BD21.4 million ($56.7 million) the previous year, mainly driven by the growth in core banking.

Announcing the results for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022, Al Salam said its earnings per share increased from BD8.8 fils ($ 23 cents) to BD13.5 fils ($36 cents). Total operating income rose to BD155.4 million ($412.2 million) last year compared to BD109.7 million ($291.1 million) for the same period in 2021, thus reflecting a 42% increase.

Total shareholders equity increased by 2.4% from BD296.3 million ($785.8 million) in December 31, 2021 to BD303.3 million ($804.4 million) last year. This growth was mainly due to profit earned during the year, offset by reduction in reserve balances.

Total assets increased by 45% to BD3.9 billion ($10.3 billion) in December 2022 compared to BD2.7 billion ($7.1 billion) in December 2021, mainly driven by both the organic growth of the core banking engine and the transaction with Ithmaar Holding which included the consumer banking business of Ithmaar Bank.

Despite the substantial growth in total assets, the banks capital adequacy ratio was 21.9% as of December 31, 2022.
Officials expect the program to help air travelers coming into the area by training more aviation maintenance mechanics, especially with the Caesars Virginia casino anticipated to attract more visitors.

However, there has been a need for more aviation maintenance mechanics since before the Caesars project was announced, said Cornelius Johnson, vice president of academic affairs and student services at DCC.

We do anticipate the program will help support travelers flying into the region, but in order for a program to be viable, it cannot be tied to one entity, Johnson said. DCC wants to be a leader in building awareness about the importance of aviation and we believe with partners like Averett University and with the support of the Danville Airport Commission, this will be a wonderful program for students and the industry.

Averett President Tiffany Franks said the program will be another part of the schools tool box for getting students ready for a career in aeronautics.

This partnership with DCC builds upon Averett Universitys nearly 50-year history preparing graduates to meet the greatest workforce needs in aeronautics, Franks said.

Under the program, DCC students will be able to earn an associate of applied science degree in aviation maintenance technology.

The degree will enable graduates to qualify for a mechanics certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration with both airframe and powerplant ratings. They will also develop general education skills to enhance their technical skills, Johnson said.

Aviation technicians perform scheduled maintenance and trouble-shooting on private planes, corporate jets and helicopters. They are also qualified to work as lead mechanics, shop foreman and directors of maintenance, Johnson pointed out.

After completing the associate degree, students will also have the option to transfer to Averett to earn a bachelors degree in aerospace management, with a concentration in aviation business or flight operations.

Officials expect to launch the program no later than fall 2024.

Were extremely excited about this program and the opportunities it will afford in addressing the need to increase the number of skilled aviation mechanics for this region, said DCC President Jerry Wallace.

There is a national shortage of aviation maintenance mechanics, despite the fields high pay and rewarding career pathway, Franks said. It has been identified as a workforce skill shortage industry, she added.

We are committed to help meet evolving workforce needs, she said.

Averett became the fixed-base operator at Danville Regional Airport with its launch of AU Aviation Services on July 1, 2021.

The university has had a presence at the airport for more than 40 years, operating its aeronautics degree program out of the George J. Falk Flight Operations Center next door to the airports operations area.

More than 100 Averett aeronautics majors are learning aviation business or receiving in-flight training at Averetts certified flight school. The fixed-base operation serves as a fully integrated, hands-on learning lab for Averett students.

Air traffic in the area has been increasing, and growth in the Dan River Region  including the Caesars Virginia casino  will only add to that, Franks said.

We expect the volume of planes, passengers and pilots to only increase moving forward due to Caesars and other economic development progress in the region, she said.

There is only one aviation maintenance program in the Virginia Community College System, at Blue Ridge Community College, Johnson said.

The aviation industry in our region has a shortage of aviation mechanics, so DCC is stepping forward to fill that void, he said.
The number of Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. stores in the Triad will be down to just Winston-Salem and Greensboro after the struggling retailer disclosed Thursday plans to exit Burlington.

The Burlington store is at 1463 University Drive. Remaining locations are at 1020 Hanes Mall Blvd. in Winston-Salem and 1618 Highwoods Blvd. in Greensboro.

The chains overall North Carolina presence will shrink from 18 to 14 with plans to close a store in Gastonia, Greenville and Raleigh.

Bed Bath & Beyond said in a regulatory filing Tuesday that its closing list was expanding by another 150 to reach more than 400.

It described those on the closing list as additional lower-producing stores. The retailer previously announced plans to shutter about 200 Bed Bath & Beyond-branded stores and all 50 standalone Harmon stores that are mostly in the Northeast.

Bed Bath & Beyond also provided several fiscal 2023 financial projections that include comparable year-over-year sales in mid- to high-single digit range.

That is based on comparable sales being down 30% to 40% in the first quarter and sequential quarterly sales improvement thereafter. It also projects an improving inventory position, with in-stocks at historical operating levels by back-to-college 2023.

On Feb. 1, the retailer disclosed closing 87 Bed Bath & Beyond stores, as well as all 50 Harmon-branded stores.

At that time, the Triads three Bed Bath & Beyond stores had been spared, as well as the other 17 in North Carolina.

Bed Bath & Beyond began shuttering stores in September 2020.

In the Triad, it also has closed its store at 417 W. Wendover Ave. in Greensboro.

Chief executive Sue Gove said in January that the chain would be taking aggressive measures toward reducing the number of its unprofitable stores.

On Jan. 10, it released a list of 126 store closings across the country that included a location in Charlotte and one in Wilson. They will likely be closed by March.
EDEN  State and federal fire investigators recently ruled out criminal activity as the cause of the Jan. 25 fire that destroyed the main mill building of the former Spray Cotton Mills complex here.

Investigators, however, said the origin and exact cause of the blaze at the historic mill at 413 Church Street are still undetermined.

The Eden Fire Department initially spearheaded the investigation of the inferno that was brought under control by a major turnout of 23 county and regional fire departments, including two from Virginia.

On Jan. 27, Eden fire officials requested help with the investigation from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Representatives from the agencies arrived in Eden on Jan. 30 and spent several days assessing the smoldering scene.

Developer Faisal Khan of Pittsboro owns the destroyed mill, as well as Nantucket Mill, another of the four Spray Cotton Mills complexs buildings.

Khan had recently begun work refurbishing the roof of the main mill and had cleared several of the structures windows to prepare the building for conversion to high end apartments, residents close to the project said.

NCSBI and ATF investigators found, according to their reports, that the portion of the mill that caught fire was the area being renovated. Investigators called the zone an active construction sight with electrical power and said construction tools and supplies were found among the rubble.

No one was working in the building at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported, authorities said. Khan was not immediately available for comment.

As leader of the city of 15,000, Mayor Neville Hall said on Jan. 26 that he and emergency responders had often pondered how they would handle such a major fire.

And this was that fire, Hall said.

Well move on and, hopefully, find a building these developers can use instead, Hall said, mentioning the Nantucket Mill as an option.

The mill complexs four buildings, with a combined 200,000 square feet, sit along the Smith River near the Barrett Canal.

More than a century old, the mill was one of the countys major employers for decades and brought generations of workers to help spin yarn, Hall noted.

Its what drew people to this area ... peoples grandchildren, great-grandchildren ..., Hall said.
GREENSBORO  A 21-year-old Greensboro man was found shot to death early Monday and authorities have charged an 18-year-old with murder.

Greensboro Police identified the victim as Quantell Tehmel White.

Officers responded around 7:30 a.m. to the area of St. Croix Place, off West Friendly Avenue, where they found White with the gunshot wound.

Kaylee Gene Abagail Utt Turnipseed, 18, of Greensboro has been charged with first-degree murder in the case, police said in a news release Monday afternoon.

No other information was immediately available. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Greensboro/Guilford Crime Stoppers at 336-373-1000. Citizens can also download the mobile P3tips app for Apple or Android phones to submit a mobile tip, or go to P3tips.com to submit a web tip. All tips to Crime Stoppers are completely anonymous.
GREENSBORO  Court documents show Child Protective Services had a history of complaints against Brandi Sturdivant, including one less than a month before a horrific fire claimed the lives of her three youngest sons.

The latest complaint, filed Nov. 17 and alleging the children were being left unsupervised, was still under investigation when the Dec. 12 fire swept through the home at 2518 Grimsley St., according to court documents.

Sturdivant is accused of leaving 4-year-old Antonio Little Jr. and his 1-year-old twin brothers, Aerious and Anyis Little, alone at the home when the fire started. The 28-year-old is charged with three felony counts of negligent child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury in connection with the fire.

Two of Sturdivants other children, an 11-year-old girl and 8-year-old boy, were at school at the time of the fire, and her 11-year-old son was living with a grandparent.

The Greensboro Fire Department is investigating the fire and has not yet released the cause of it.

Investigators have seized a lighter, gas can, stove and two cellphones from the charred remains of the home, search warrants show.

Court documents related to the abuse case reveal nine complaints against Sturdivant were filed since 2016 with the Child Protective Services division of the Guilford County Department of Social Services. Seven of the complaints were closed by Child Protective Services  including one that still has criminal charges pending.

That complaint, filed by a Greensboro police officer, stems from a September incident where one of the twins was found with fresh and dried feces on his body and matted in his hair. The boy had a swollen and injured penis caused by severe diaper rash, according to the arrest warrant.

Court documents show that Child Protective Services responded by opening an investigation and creating a temporary safety plan in which all of the children were removed from the home and placed with a relative. However, the agency returned the children to Sturdivant just eight days later.

Sturdivant still faces a misdemeanor charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor stemming from the incident.

The last complaint filed with Child Protective Services was on Dec. 14, when a Greensboro detective filed a complaint related to the deaths of the three boys. That case and the Nov. 17 complaint remain open, according to court documents.

Asked why the children were returned to Sturdivant, Guilford County spokeswoman Julie Smith said in an email: Departments of Social Services in North Carolina are prohibited by law from disclosing confidential records except in extremely limited circumstances such as assisting law enforcement.

Generally speaking, as to the nature of reported cases which are substantiated or unsubstantiated cases, the Guilford County Department of Social Services takes each and every report seriously and investigates each report accordingly.

She pointed to a section on the nccourts.gov website  https://bit.ly/3YnVmhu  that includes information about Child Protective Services investigations.

In making the assessment, CPS considers various factors, including whether the child was harmed; whether there is a risk of future harm; the strengths and needs of the family; prior CPS history; and whether services are needed to address safety issues or the needs of the family, the website states.

The nature of the earlier complaints about Sturdivant to Child Protective Services are unknown, but family members told investigators that they filed complaints against her on multiple occasions. Those complaints ranged from squalor living conditions to non-supervision or abandonment, according to court documents.

Neighbors said Sturdivant routinely left the house without her children and one person observed the three youngest children in a state of undress and dirty as he watched Ms. Sturdivant drive off without the unattended children, records say.

Sturdivant told investigators that she and the five children all slept on a queen mattress in the master bedroom of the one-story home. She also said that during the winter she heated the apartment using an electric stove located in the living room because the baseboard heating was expensive.

Sturdivant said she believed the stove is what started the fire, according to documents.

She initially told investigators that she was in bed asleep with the three boys when the fire started. But after hearing that neighbors did not see her vehicle at the house, Sturdivant then told investigators that she left the home to take her older children to school.

The schools principal observed Sturdivant dropping off the children between 7:30 a.m. and 7:35 a.m. the morning of the fire, according to court documents.

Meanwhile, neighbors told investigators that they didnt see Sturdivants gray 2013 Chevrolet Traverse at the home until after the fire started. One neighbor noted a small child standing on the front steps of the home at 6:30 a.m. that morning.

A neighbors doorbell surveillance video captured the front of the home at 7:45 a.m. No smoke or flames were visible and Sturdivants car was not in the driveway.

A neighbor first observed smoke and fire at 7:48 a.m. and surveillance video shows Sturdivant screaming for help at the neighbors door at 7:52 a.m. Her vehicle can be seen parked in the driveway at this time, according to court documents.

Shortly thereafter, witnesses said Sturdivant jumped into her vehicle and drove toward the end of Grimsley Street making suicidal statements.

The Chevrolet traveled at a high rate of speed then slowing down just before the concrete barriers at the dead end, documents said. The vehicle struck the barrier at a low rate of speed and then completed a three-point turn.

The drivers door opened and (Sturdivant) exited the vehicle screaming and crying as she fell to the pavement, according to court documents.

Sturdivant was then taken to a local hospital for evaluation. On the way there, she asked a police officer to look for her coat with a cellphone in the pocket, which she had left in the front yard of the house. Officers found the coat but not the cellphone.

Preliminary findings from autopsies on the children indicate that they died from carbon monoxide poisoning from the fire.

During a first appearance hearing for Sturdivant last month, Guilford County Assistant District Attorney Kelly Thompson said that cocaine was found during an autopsy of Antonio Little Jr.

Sturdivant is being held at the Guilford County jail on $170,000 bail. Prosecutors said they plan to file additional charges against her once the investigation into the fire is complete.

PHOTOS: Fire destroys Greensboro home
I occasionally have lunch with a friend who has the opposite political orientation of my own. We maintain our relationship by tempering our differences with humor. At one meeting he wore a MAGA hat. At a more recent one, he labeled me as a woke progressive. As we left, I thanked him for the compliment and told him I felt affirmed.

Since he made no attempt to understand my actual values, his labels were blindly pejorative. Although his categorizations were cloaked in humor, he was serious. My response was equally serious. I dont buy into all of the ideas associated with those symbolic terms but, under their literal reality, Im proud to identify as a woke progressive.

A powerful value-clarifying technique is uncovering the literal meaning of symbols. Woke literally means being attuned to external reality. The opposite, sleep, is a state of internal reality. Progressive describes the process of accomplishing new, beneficial objectives. The opposite, regressive, means reverting to a lesser state.

I prefer moving forward within external reality. My MAGA friend and others wearing that hat choose turning the clock back to an artificial reality.

Describing someone as woke without behavioral examples and disclosure of your own values is a safe but spineless way to articulate a negative stereotype. Its more honest to move behind the label and describe actual behaviors and ideas you see as negative. Here are some examples of safe but less-than-honest labels.

During his second term inauguration speech, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said, We will never surrender to the woke mob. Florida is where woke goes to die.

Although effective for revving up a partisan crowd, his comments did not present his view of the downside of core issues, which, to DeSantis, are gay rights, authentic African American history, gun control and, as evidenced by his relationship with Disney, corporate social responsibility or woke capitalism.

Columnist George Will helped perpetuate partisan fiction when he wrote, Wokeness tells its disciples how morally superior they are to almost everyone. Wokeness is not a moralistic religion with disciples, its a negative, politically motivated characterization.

In a letter to North Carolina lawmakers responding to a suit by a teacher claiming he was fired for opposing critical race theory, Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt wrote that there are safeguards to protect against woke/inappropriate materials. Having the courage to explain what constitutes inappropriate woke materials would have been more informative but, with a Republican-dominated legislature, less politically correct.

The woke concept is an artifact of African American history. In conjunction with his 1938 song Scottsboro Boys, Lead Belly used the warning stay woke. It was about a group of young Black men who were falsely convicted of raping a pair of white women. It has evolved into a symbol for social justice. Authentic woke-oriented discussions require not judgmental labels, but open dialogue.

The notion of a progressive political party in the U.S. has historical roots that would appeal to todays liberals. After losing the Republican nomination, Theodore Roosevelt formed the Progressive Party in 1912. Its platform included womens suffrage, restricting campaign finance, an eight-hour workday and a social insurance system.

The Merriam-Webster definition of a progressive is One believing in moderate political change and especially social improvement by governmental action. Labeling someone as progressive without probing their definition of moderate and concept of responsible government is ideologically self-serving and blocks learning.

Demonizing progressives goes against the grain of American culture. The centrality of the concept of progress was captured by General Electrics corporate slogan, Progress is our most important product. Ironically, the host of The GE Theatre was Ronald Reagan, who proclaimed that motto from 1954 to 1962. Visitors to Tomorrowland at Disney World could attend The Carousel of Progress, reported to have been the longest running stage show in the history of American theater and the oldest attraction in Walt Disney World.

Like Hillary Clintons deplorable label, those who irresponsibly categorize others will suffer the consequences of misunderstanding. Before negatively describing someone as woke or progressive, non-judgmentally examine their core values and compare them to your own. You could discover a surprising degree of agreement lurking beneath those deceptive labels.
Republican lawmakers this week continued to advance their vision for what they say would be a fairer  and yet more partisan  judiciary.

Senate Bill 200, introduced in committee Wednesday and carried by Sen. Greg Hertz, a Polson Republican, would allow judicial candidates to run partisan campaigns for the nonpartisan branch. Hertz and one supporter on Wednesday said the proposal would give voters more insight into the candidates. Such campaigns are entirely barred from discussing their politics so to maintain the appearance of impartiality.

"Do we really want to just stick our head in the sand here and say these nonpartisan races are truly nonpartisan?" he said. "Does anybody here truly believe that our U.S. Supreme Court is nonpartisan?"

Hertz said allowing partisan labels, endorsements and support would serve as a stroke of transparency. Opponents, however, said the bill would lead to outside political pressure and hobble the integrity of the courts.

The bill saw broad opposition from the legal community and other nonpartisan elected officials. Beyond judges, the proposal would extend to school board, city council and county commission candidates. In 2019 Lewis and Clark County voters approved a measure to make all county-level offices nonpartisan. Some of those office holders, like city commissioner Melinda Reed, said campaigning without the partisan affiliation meant she had to engage with voters on substantive issues, instead.

John Mudd, executive director of the State Bar of Montana, said only seven other states in the country elect partisan judges. In one of those states, Texas, a state commission recently recommended abolishing that system due to the potential for political influence.

"Our clients don't come with labels, their problems don't come with labels," Mudd said. "Theyre human problems."

The 2022 Montana Supreme Court race saw an unprecedented level of partisan influence, particularly from Republicans who endorsed and supported James Brown, the Republican head of the state Public Service Commission. The GOP, defending its financial and institutional support of Brown, pointed to a Supreme Court race years earlier, when Democrats had supported Justice Dirk Sandefur.

Hertz has carried several efforts to reshape the judiciary this session. He was the chairman of the Select Committee on Judicial Accountability and Transparency, which formed during the 2021 session after a separation of powers standoff over judicial records and claims of judicial bias. That body wrapped up its work in December and dissolved at the beginning of January, leaving the 2023 Legislature with a report and 10 legislative recommendations to impose more oversight on the third branch.

One of those recommendations, sharpening recusal requirements for judges, passed its first vote on the Senate Floor on Wednesday. Hertz's Senate Bill 201 would allow anyone involved in litigation to request a judge recuse themselves if a lawyer or their firm had donated $10,000 to a Supreme Court justice's election campaign or $5,000 for any other elected member of the judicial branch within the last six years. That bill passed on a 35-15 vote, with Democratic Sen. Willis Curdy joining Republicans in support.

But another one of those recommendations, taking oversight of judicial staff, died on the Senate floor in the same hearing. Sen. John Fuller, R-Kalispell, had proposed in Senate Bill 230, that the Supreme Court administrator be moved from the court's purview to that of the Clerk of the Supreme Court, a judicial office held by a partisan official. Currently, that office is held by Republican Bowen Greenwood.

Under that proposal, the court administrator would have still taken direction from the chief justice and the court clerk. Sen. Chris Friedel, R-Billings, raised an issue Wednesday on the Senate floor: What happens when the chief justice and the court clerk disagree on that direction?

"What do we do?" Friedel said on the floor. "I appreciate what the good senator is doing, trying to bring light, trying to bring us into the picture.  I understand the angst that we've had over the last couple of sessions regarding the judiciary, but I tell you this: We need to have this answered of who takes precedent if there's a conflict between the two parties."

Fourteen Republicans joined Democrats in voting against the bill, and it went down on at 20-30 vote.

The judicial branch has pushed back on some of those efforts this session, but not all. The Montana Judges Association on Friday supported House Bill 252, which would expand state ethics laws to include judges and Supreme Court justices. Bruce Spencer, the attorney representing that association of Montana judges this session, said the bill recognized that the Judicial Standards Commission remains the proper venue for complaints about judicial conduct, and Hertz's proposal would provide clarity on state ethics violations.

"Judges appreciate (Hertz's) thoughtful approach," Spencer testified in the Senate Judiciary Committee. "We feel this bill is a fair application."

Last month, too, the Montana Judges Association supported the appointment of two former Republican legislators to the Judicial Standards Commission, which oversees the complaints leveled against judges.

Spencer said then that judiciary welcomed the Legislature's quest for access into the process so opaque it has contributed to GOP suspicions that judges are letting other judges off the hook in ethics complaints.

We need this system to work," Spencer said then. "We want it to work. We believe it currently is working, but if those two legislators on the commission can give you more information about the commission, Im all in favor of that."
About 900 years ago the Sinagua Indians began building adobe, log and rock homes into the recessed face of a 150-foot high cliff in the Verde Valley, along Beaver Creek.

An Ancestral Puebloan culture, the Indians hunted and farmed in the region about 100 miles north of downtown Phoenix. Steadily, they increased the apartments built in the limestone cliff, adding 20 rooms on five levels. For about 300 years, an estimated 50 natives lived in the dwellings until they were abandoned.

It is theorized drought played a role in the Sinaguas departure, forcing them to seek out resources in another area. Another theory is that they outgrew the dwelling or that the creeks arsenic-tainted waters led to their departure.

In 1854, famed New Mexican mountain man and scout Joaquin Antoine Leroux  a contemporary of Jim Bridger  is credited with rediscovering the site, bringing attention to the abandoned structure. In 1897 the Arizona Antiquarian Association attempted to repair the damaged pueblo. Then in 1906 President Theodore Roosevelt signed the Antiquities Act, preserving Montezuma's Castle as one of the first national monuments.

Early white settlers named the cliff dwelling after Montezuma, the Aztec emperor of Mexico who battled Spanish conquistadors, yet it is unlikely he ever visited the region. Montezuma died in 1520.

Rooms in the cliff dwelling are 6 feet high. The walls are 2 feet thick at the bottom, narrowing to a foot thick at the top.

To help preserve it, tourists are no longer allowed inside the structure. A small diorama at the base gives visitors an idea of what the rooms look like and the incredible building abilities of the natives who scaled the cliffs to build homes in the desert foothills.

The site, which includes a visitor center, is easily accessible about 6 miles east off Interstate 17 between Phoenix and Flagstaff.
Red Sea Global (RSG), the developer behind two of the worlds most ambitious regenerative tourism destinations, The Red Sea and Amaala, said it has completed the first ever successful translocation of doum palm trees.

The initiative closely aligns with the national objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative, while reducing over-reliance on importing foreign species of plants, said the statement from RSG.

The complex nature of the doums tap root system makes safely extracting, moving and re-planting the tree a uniquely tricky botanical operation.

To overcome the challenges, RSG designed and fabricated custom-made lifting gear to ensure the root systems remained intact and the maximum volume of surrounding soil could be collected, it stated.

"While others would be satisfied to develop at the cost of nature, or to import expensive, fully matured plants as a shortcut to beautiful landscaping, we are constantly pushing ourselves to do things differently, to behave responsibly in a way that prioritizes people and planet," said Raed Albasseet, Group Chief Environment and Sustainability Officer at RSG.

Albasseet pointed out that achieving this feat required innovative thinking, new engineering methods and techniques, and collaboration across industries and specialties.

"It was not easy, but by challenging ourselves, we now have a model for transplantation that can be replicated again and again. That is good for nature, good for our guests, and ultimately good for our business," he noted.

The historic trial, which is part of RSG efforts to protect nature and where possible enhance biodiversity, saw three Doum trees near Umluj that were at risk from urban expansion or drought moved to the Turtle Bay Hotel at The Red Sea. The journey took seven days in June 2022, covering distances of up to 70 km, he added.

Tarik Alabbasi, Environmental Programs Director at RSG, said: No scientific literature globally investigated the challenges of transplanting the doum tree. We had to develop and test our own, customized methodologies, procedures and tools to safely transplant these mature sized doum palms.
TAYLORVILLE  A Taylorville man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute 50 or more grams of actual methamphetamine.

Donald R. Felton, 37, of the 900 block of West Poplar Street, was sentenced Tuesday in Springfield by U.S. District Judge Sara Darrow.

According to a news release, an investigation showed that in May 2019 law enforcement officers found Felton had travelled to the St. Louis area to obtain methamphetamine for redistribution in the Taylorville area.

"Officers observed Felton drive his SUV to a rest area near Hamel, Illinois, north of St. Louis, where he met with an unknown man, and then returned to Taylorville," the press release stated. "Once Felton returned to Taylorville, officers executed a traffic stop and then searched his SUV."

Officers seized nearly one pound of pure methamphetamine and a digital scale. They also seized more than $800 in cash.

Felton was indicted in June 2019 and was convicted after a two-day jury trial three years later.

The case was investigated by the Illinois State Police Central Illinois Enforcement Group, Christian County Sheriffs Office, Taylorville Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Updated mugshots from the Herald & Review Joseph A. Williams William A. Hosea Randolph Hayes Byron D. Theus Jetrevius O. Jarrett Phillip Gehrken Emmanuel White Aaron L. Hand
DECATUR  Decatur area business leaders on Wednesday heard concerns from local law enforcement over the SAFE-T Act, including from someone involved in a lawsuit thats halted implementation of the bills centerpiece.

Macon County States Attorney Scott Rueter and Deputy Chief of Decatur Police Brad Allen were featured speakers at the Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerces quarterly business breakfast.

Rueter was one of over 60 states attorneys in Illinois who filed a lawsuit against Gov. J.B. Pritzker and top state Democrats in hopes to block the SAFE-T Acts elimination of the states cash bail system, considered by many of the bills sponsors to be its prime component.

Eliminating cash bail would also eliminate a revenue source for the county, Rueter said. Bond money is collected for individuals to get out of jail, and if those individuals are convicted, their bond money goes to fund the court system.

If you're convicted, then your court costs are paid, Rueter said. That is actually, I think, to the tune in Macon County (of) about $1.6 million in revenue for the county to use to pay for the court system. With no cash bail, that revenue goes away. So the taxpayers will have to foot the burden of paying for that loss of revenue.

According to Macon Countys 2022 fiscal year budget, the countys general fund revenue from the county jail was $1,614,401. Expenses for the jail were listed at $8,192,543. Total general fund revenues for the county were $27,165,638, meaning jail revenue consisted of approximately 6% of the countys general fund revenue.

Rueter told the audience it was debatable whether the no cash bail portion of the SAFE-T Act, referred to as the Pre-trial Fairness Act (PFA), is actual fairness.

The SAFE-T Act was introduced, I believe, by individuals who felt that there were certain inequalities in the current criminal law which primarily dealt with economic disadvantages toward individuals with the way theyre treated in the system with respect to bond, and also disadvantages in terms of perhaps police stereotyping, Rueter said.

(The bills sponsors) have kind of said that there were targeted members in society, that there were inequalities that needed to be addressed, Rueter continued. Now, do I think that is a general rule? No. Certainly, with any professions, state's attorneys, defense attorneys, law enforcement, probation, any organization, you're going to have individuals that are bad, you're going to have individuals that do things that you wish they wouldn't do, that you're trying to train them not to do. But that is by no means the bulk of individuals, the bulk of our people that are involved in law enforcement.

Rueter avoided directly addressing race, which has been a primary talking point from many of the SAFE-T Acts sponsors. State Sen. Robert Peters, D-Chicago, hailed recent amendments to the pretrial fairness provisions as a civil rights victory.

"We're seeing it through no matter what," Peters said, after state lawmakers approved PFA changes in December. "Illinois on January 1, 2023 will make history  civil rights history. One that all of us can look back at with pride. I know I'll say that this is my version of the Voting Rights Act. This is my version of Obamacare. This is what I did in Springfield and changed the fortunes for thousands of working class Illinoisans."

Rueter and Allen at times echoed other common criticisms of the legislation. Rueter said the bill was forced. Allen said it was ushered through last minute in the middle of the night. Both pointed out its length.

A 764-page book intimidates me, Allen said. So 764 pages of 8  by 11 legal text is also even more intimidating. And Ill tell you there were no pictures in that piece of legislation.

The expansive legislation included multiple acts and provisions, some of which addressed police reform. Allen criticized lawmakers process for passing the bill while also acknowledging the Decatur Police Department was already in compliance with many of the new reform requirements before the act was signed into law.

For example, the Decatur department already required officers to wear body cameras, he said. His primary critique was that not enough police officers were involved in writing the bill.

It did not really involve key players in the discussions about police reform, Allen said. Police reform is needed. Police reform is a hot topic. Anybody thats been in law enforcement as long as I have will acknowledge that times have changed.

The Decatur Police Department has been proactive in implementing reforms over the years, he said, so there have been very few operational changes required of the department.

We were progressive enough to be there, Allen said.

The future of the SAFE-T Acts no cash bail portion is unclear. After a Kankakee County judge ruled the provision unconstitutional for a 60-county lawsuit on Dec. 28, the Illinois Supreme Court mandated all Illinois counties to hold off on implementing no cash bail until the high court reviewed the case.

The Illinois Attorney Generals office filed its opening argument with the court on Jan. 26. A date has not yet been set for oral arguments.

Illinois lawmakers react to State of the Union Gov. J.B. Pritzker Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Dunlap U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, R-Oakland U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Moline
DECATUR  HSHS St. Marys Hospital cited years of ongoing financial struggles and annual multi-million dollar operating losses in its petition to close some of its units.

According to the Decatur hospitals Certificate of Need application, which was deemed complete by the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board this week, the hospitals plan to discontinue four units is meant to help improve the financial viability of the hospital.

This project is part of St. Marys Hospital longer term modernization and updating of the facility to better accommodate declining population and inpatient utilization in the Decatur region and to improve the financial viability of the hospital which has experienced significant negative operating margins for many years, the application reads. St. Marys Hospital intends to file a Certificate of Need later this year for an approximately $90 million major modernization of the facility.

READ THE APPLICATION

St. Marys operating loss was nearly $20 million in the 2022 fiscal year, according to the application.

On Jan. 23, St. Marys revealed it would ask the HFSRB for permission to discontinue its advanced inpatient rehabilitation, obstetrics and newborn nursery, pediatrics and inpatient behavioral health services.

In a news release at the time, Hospital Sisters Health System leaders cited lingering effects of the (COVID) pandemic and multiple years of lagging patient volumes among reasons for the proposed closures.

The HFSRB application completion kicks off a bureaucratic process that could end with the hospital shuttering units that serviced hundreds of patients in recent years.

The hospital listed its obstetrics admissions numbers as 706 in 2020 and 610 in 2021. For mental health care, those numbers were 846 in 2020 and 980 in 2021. For inpatient rehabilitation they were 162 in 2020 and 176 in 2021. The hospital listed no patients as being admitted for pediatric care in either 2020 or 2021.

St. Marys argued its current numbers arent sustainable.

The hospital listed its primary reasons for discontinuation as insufficient volume and demand for service, along with a lack of economic feasibility for all the services in question.

Macon Countys population has been declining for decades, the hospital argued, which has led to a regional excess bed capacity that will remain even after St. Marys discontinues some of its current beds.

In 2020, its obstetrics department operated at just 23.5% utilization, while advanced inpatient rehabilitation and pediatrics operated at 32.7% and 0%, respectively. Operating these units at such low utilization rates has caused significant financial losses.

St. Marys has had net operating losses totaling almost $62 million and averaging over $12 million per year in the last five years, according to the hospitals data.

Despite annual multi-million dollar losses, the hospital said cutting the underutilized services will allow it to move forward with a previously announced, nearly $100 million modernization plan that will involve removing an antiquated portion of its current facility and (replacing) it with a modern structure and improved campus grounds.

The section of the hospital housing the discontinued services will be closed and demolished as part of the modernization plan, the hospital said.

Additionally, St. Marys said the monies saved will allow the hospital to offer impacted HSHS employees job opportunities within the hospital system and preserve all other existing service lines.

If approved, St. Marys proposed changes will mean neither of Decaturs hospitals will offer advanced inpatient rehabilitation or inpatient behavioral health services. St. Marys said has argued to the state that the discontinuations will not adversely affect access to care for residents in the hospitals market area.

Notably, the surveyed market area is not limited to just Decatur or Macon County. Alternative area hospitals suggested include Decatur Memorial Hospital, Carle BroMenn Medical Center in Normal, OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center in Urbana, Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon and Warner Hospital in Clinton.

As required by the HFSRB application, St. Marys provided proof it notified other neighboring hospitals of its intentions to shutter some services.

According to its application, the hospital expects the discontinuation of all the aforementioned services to be completed by March 22, though approval from the HFSRB takes time.

John Kniery, administrator of the HFSRB, told the Herald & Review last month that the process to receive a certificate of need program exemption includes the filing of a formal application with the board, an application fee, a review from board staff and a final ruling from the board itself. The review process generally lasts about 60 days but could last longer, he said.

The public may also share their opinions as part of that process.

Requests for public hearings must be received by the HFSRB no later than Feb. 22. Any individuals who want to submit written comments on the project must submit them by April 19.

The State Board will post its findings in a State Board Staff Report, and the report will be made available online on April 24. The public may then submit written responses in support of or opposition to the findings by May 1.

Individuals can contact the HFSRB by phone at 217-782-3516 or online at hfsrb.illinois.gov.

PHOTOS: Dogs are blessed for the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi GALLERY-DogBlessing-01-100419.JPG GALLERY-DogBlessing-02-100419.JPG GALLERY-DogBlessing-03-100419.JPG GALLERY-DogBlessing-04-100419.JPG GALLERY-DogBlessing-05-100419.JPG GALLERY-DogBlessing-06-100419.JPG GALLERY-DogBlessing-07-100419.JPG GALLERY-DogBlessing-08-100419.JPG GALLERY-DogBlessing-09-100419.JPG GALLERY-DogBlessing-10-100419.JPG
DECATUR  Brent Fischer, the ex-state official accused of improperly granting a law enforcement training waiver to philanthropist and former Macon County Sheriff Howard Buffett, has been indicted in Macon County on three felony counts of forgery.

Fischer also was indicted by a grand jury of committing official misconduct/forbidden act. All four charges are Class 3 felonies.

The Herald & Review first revealed Fischer was the subject of a criminal probe in December 2021. News of the indictments was broken by the Springfield-based news outlet, Capitol Fax.

Fischer had been executive director of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, the ILETSB, and was fired Sept. 8, 2021, after an investigation into his activities was completed by the executive inspector generals office, a state government watchdog.

READ THE CHARGES AGAINST BRENT FISCHER

That probe concluded that Fischer should not have granted a waiver to Buffett, which allowed Buffett to serve as a sheriffs deputy even though he was short of the 560 hours of training required to be a sworn officer. Buffett had been appointed Macon County Sheriff in 2017 and served for 14 months. He had planned to run for the sheriff's job in 2022 but later scrapped the plans when he realized training standards had changed and he was no longer qualified for the post.

The Herald & Review then learned about a criminal investigation being carried out by the Illinois State Police after filing freedom of information requests asking for more details.

In urging the ILETSB denial of the Herald & Review's request for various documents and emails between Fischer and Buffetts namesake philanthropic foundation, state police said it would interfere with the agency's investigation into an allegation of fraud and official misconduct.

State Police Master Sgt. Matthew Barber, a member of the State Police Division of Criminal Investigation, had described their investigation in these terms: According to the allegations, the employee within their official capacity, created and supplied a benefactor with an official document without proper authority.

Barbers name is on the four-count indictment now on file with Macon County Circuit Court. Fischer was arraigned Jan. 4 and is scheduled to appear for a pretrial hearing Feb. 23 before Judge Jeffrey Geisler.

The forgery indictments allege Fischer knowingly made a false document or altered a document to make it false so it looked like an official ILETSB officer certification.

He is then accused of affixing the electronic signature of ILETSB Chairman Tim Gleason  a former Decatur city manager  to the false document without Gleasons authorization and then issuing or delivering the document.

The final count of the indictment said Fischer issued a Law Enforcement Officer certificate to a person  apparently a reference to Buffett  not qualified by law to receive one, knowing that such person did not meet the requirements for receiving such a certificate.

Buffett himself has never been accused of any wrongdoing connected with the case. He did not respond to requests for comment for this story. The case is now being prosecuted by Macon County States Attorney Scott Rueter and a request for comment has been left with his office.

Fischer is represented by Springfield-based defense attorney Richard D. Frazier. He told the Herald & Review on Thursday the entire case is without merit and the certificate in question was always meant to be an honorary one granted without the intent to defraud anyone.

Its puzzling because in the charges, as asserted, nobody was defrauded, said Frazier. It was an honorary certificate that was given to him (Buffett) and it is not capable of defrauding anyone.

Frazier said he was also mystified about why the case had been filed at all in Macon County, a venue he said had no connection with the alleged criminal acts, which all are said to have taken place in Springfield.

I am very puzzled about that, too, he added.

The inspector generals investigation that led to Fischers firing had noted numerous connections between the Howard G. Buffett Foundation and the ILETSB.

The foundation was listed as a generous backer of ILETSB projects and had earmarked $15 million to build the Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center which opened in Decatur in 2017.

The investigation said Buffett had been asked for a $10,000 check to fund K-9 training equipment and, within hours of acknowledging receipt of the check in January 2019, an email was sent from Fischers office granting a request from a supporter of the philanthropist seeking the waiver of the law enforcement training hours standard for him.

The inspector generals report added: Certification of law enforcement officer status, especially considering the significant public interest in maintaining integrity in that process, should not be minimized nor should it be provided based on someones ability to financially contribute to the law enforcement community.

Fischer has always argued that the waiver granted to Buffett was honorary, although Buffett himself was quoted by the inspector general that he had not been aware of its honorary nature. He was also quoted as saying he had never provided any funds or support in exchange for something to benefit himself.
DECATUR  Jurors at a Macon County coroners inquest were told about two violent deaths: a Decatur man cut down in a hail of bullets and a rural Decatur driver who lost his life in a rollover accident in slick road conditions.

Meeting Wednesday, the jurors returned a verdict of homicide in the Dec. 31 gun death of Javaris J. Milan.

Decatur police Detective Jeremy Appenzeller told the jurors that the 30-year-old victim had been at a tire shop in the 1000 block of East Pearl Street when he was killed.

He was having some repairs done on a tire to his vehicle when an unknown subject approached him and fired a gun multiple times, striking Mr. Milan, Appenzeller said.

An autopsy would later show Milan suffered 10 wounds where bullets passed through his body. He was found clinging to life on the afternoon of the shooting and was pronounced dead shortly after being rushed to Decatur Memorial Hospital.

The detective offered no motive for the killing and, in response to questions from Macon County Coroner Michael E. Day, said Milan was not armed and had not been involved in any type of dispute at the scene of the shooting.

The detective said the murder remains under investigation and police believe they are seeking one shooter who fired the fatal bullets.

Milan is known to be a relative of Keantre D. Milan, 27, who was shot to death at the wheel of his car in the 2700 block of North Jasper Street in February of 2021.

Jurors then turned their attention to the Jan. 25 death of Joseph D. Baietto, 32, and decided he had lost his life accidentally in a rollover accident on Andrews Street Road just outside Macon.

The body of the rural Decatur man was found in the morning lying some 60 feet from his sport utility vehicle in a field. Giving evidence at the inquest, Macon County Sheriff's Office Deputy Brian Hickey said Baietto had been ejected as the vehicle rolled after leaving the road.

Hickey described the road conditions as icy and slick at the time of the crash on the 55 mph limit highway. It started heavily snowing from around 6 a.m. and continued right up to almost 9 a.m. that day, he told the jurors. The officer said he started his shift at 6 a.m. and the fatal crash near Macon was the fourth accident due to conditions he had dealt with that morning.

Responding to a question from the coroner, Hickey said scrape marks indicated that Baietto left the road and struck a concrete culvert which flipped his vehicle into a roll. He said police do not know what speed the driver was doing when he crashed.

The SUV came to rest against a utility pole and passing drivers raised the alarm after coming across the wreckage and the body of Baietto. He was pronounced dead at the scene from massive head and torso trauma, according to the coroner.

Day said he took blood samples for routine toxicology testing but laboratory results were not yet available. He told the jurors he had decided to go ahead with the inquest anyway rather than make the family wait two or three months for the results to come back.

Photos: Winter storm hits Decatur
DECATUR  A Macon County judge has issued a temporary restraining order halting the state from enforcing its semi-automatic weapons ban on about 2,000 people and a handful of gun dealers.

But Judge Rodney Forbes' order, issued Wednesday afternoon, does not apply to the entire state as plaintiffs in the case had requested.

"We wanted to do something for the whole state, but I understand the judge's decision," said state Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, the lead plaintiff in the case. "It's still another win for the people of Illinois. This is the first step. We need to get a permanent restraining order. And that's what our attorney Jerry Stocks is going to be working on."

It is the third order issued by a downstate judge temporarily shielding gun owners from being subject to the law, which was passed by the state legislature and signed last month by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

The issuance of the order was widely expected following an appellate court ruling last week that upheld another temporary restraining order issued by an Effingham judge earlier in January blocking enforcement of the law.

In his ruling, Forbes found that "the Court is required by precedent to enter a temporary restraining order" in the case due to the higher court's ruling.

READ THE MACON COUNTY RULING

It only applies to plaintiffs in the case, who include Caulkins, Decatur Jewelry & Pawn owner Perry Lewin and those under the banner of "Law-Abiding Gun Owners of Macon County." A list provided to the court included about 2,000 names of people who are members of the association.

They join about 850 plaintiffs in Effingham County and nearly 1,700 in White County who are now free from the ban's reach for the time being.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul's office has asked the Illinois Supreme Court to review the appellate court decision upholding the temporary restraining orders.

A ruling from the state's high court may be necessary to prevent a patchwork of enforcement from continuing to develop should additional lawsuits seeking temporary relief be filed.

Left unaddressed was a motion to intervene filed by attorney Tom DeVore on behalf of six Macon County plaintiffs who say they were misled by Caulkins as they were only included as members of the association, not as individuals.

The plaintiffs were also encouraged to donate $200 to Caulkins' campaign account to help cover legal expenses. Only one of the six actually donated and Caulkins said that contributions were voluntary.

DeVore is the lead attorney in the state cases in Effingham and White counties.

However, the point appeared to be moot as Forbes allowed all members of the association to be covered by the order upon receiving a full list.

"The judge has affirmed that our association is legitimate, it's real and the people in it have been afforded protection that we asked for," Caulkins said.

A status hearing in the case is scheduled for March 20.

In addition to the state-level lawsuits, several legal challenges to the semiautomatic weapons ban are working their way through federal court.

Most expensive US military weapons and programs Most expensive military weapons and programs #30. VH-92 Presidential Helicopters #29. Patriot Advanced Capability Missile Segment Enhancement #28. Cloud #27. Standard Missile-6 #26. Artificial Intelligence #25. THAAD Ballistic Missile Defense #23. Frigate (FFG(X)) (tie) #23. AEGIS Ballistic Missile Defense System (tie) #20. Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) (tie) #20. Landing Platform Dock Ship (LPD) (tie) #20. AH-64E Attack Helicopters (tie) #19. Joint Light Tactical Vehicles #16. M-1 Abrams Tank Modifications/Upgrades (tie) #16. CH-53K King Stallion (tie) #16. Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) (tie) #14. F-15EX (tie) #14. National Security Space Launch (aka EELV) (tie) #13. Global Positioning System III and Projects #12. F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets #11. Space Based Overhead Persistent Infrared Systems #10. B-21 Long Range Strike Bomber #8. CVN-78 FORD Class Aircraft Carrier (tie) #8. KC-46 Tanker Replacements (tie) #7. DDG-51 Arleigh Burke Destroyers #6. Cyberspace  Operations #5. COLUMBIA Class Ballistic Missile Submarine #4. Virginia Class Submarine #3. Cybersecurity #2. Nuclear Command, Control and Communications #1. F-35 Joint Strike Fighters Most expensive US military weapons and programs #23. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Ballistic Missile Defense #22. Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicles #21. Building Pandemic Preparedness #20. Amphibious Combat Vehicles #19. PATRIOT Advanced Capability - 3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement #18. Joint Light Tactical Vehicles #17. Frigate (FFG-62) #16. Launch Vehicles - National Security Space Launch (NSSL) and Rocket System Launch Program (RSLP) #15. NGAD (Air Force) #14. Global Positioning System (GPS) Enterprise #13. Ground-Based Midcourse (GMD) and Improved Homeland Defense/Next Generation Interceptors (NGI) #12. F-15EX #11. KC-46 Pegasus #10. Addressing the Climate Crisis #9. LGM-35A Sentinel Weapon System #8. Space-based Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) Systems #7. B-21 Raider #6. DDG-51 Arleigh Burke Class Destroyers #5. Columbia Class Ballistic Missile Submarine #4. Funds to procure highly survivable, precision-strike, and long-range firesfrom hypersonic to subsonicacross the joint force #3. Virginia Class Submarines #2. F-35 Joint Strike Fighter #1. Increasing cybersecurity and operationalizing Zero Trust Architecture
A Hickory man was sentenced to six to eight years in prison for trafficking methamphetamine and possession of a stolen firearm during Catawba County Superior Court.

Shah Dion Harrison, 46, was sentenced Wednesday by Catawba County Superior Court Judge Nathaniel J. Poovey, District Attorney Scott Reillys office said in a news release.

In addition to prison, Harrison will be required to pay a fine of $50,000, the district attorneys office said.

Investigators with the Hickory Police Department obtained a search warrant and executed it on July 22, 2021, after Harrison made three sales of methamphetamine to a confidential informant. Each sale involved large quantities of methamphetamine. Surveillance showed the defendant moving the drugs from his apartment to another location in his vehicle, the district attorneys office said.

Investigators found five separate bags of methamphetamine in the trunk of Harrisons vehicle and a pair of stolen handguns in his possession, the district attorneys office said.

The defendant will serve his period of incarceration in the custody of the North Carolina Division of Adult Corrections, the district attorneys office said.

The case was investigated by D.A. Sigmon of the Hickory Police Department. Assistant District Attorney Hayden Duncan handled prosecution for the state with assistance from Britnee Ulsamer, the district attorneys office said.
HICKORY  Catawba Valley Community College welcomed members of the North Carolina Community College System to campus this past week to take a look at the newly launched Intellectually and Developmentally Disabled pilot program.

CVCC was selected by North Carolina Community College System this past August as one of two community colleges in the state to start this IDD pilot program, which will help develop best practices for IDD programs for community colleges across the state.

"I'm honored to have led as the lead college for this IDD pilot, and I'm deeply grateful to have such important people at the state level advocate for our programming to improve services to the IDD population, said Chanell Butler-Morello, CVCCs chief of staff.

Students with intellectual and developmental disabilities make fantastic employees and valued citizens, and it is wonderful that Sen. Michael V. Lee and our Community College System Office leaders see that as well."

Among those in attendance for the visit were North Carolina Community College System Interim President William Carver; Sen. Michael V. Lee, co-chair for education and higher education in the North Carolina Legislature; and Bill McBrayer, Vice-Chair for the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges.

Those in attendance toured CVCCs Adult Basic Education (ABE) program on East Campus before visiting the Workforce Solutions Complex on main campus.

Following the tour, members of Catawba Valley Community Colleges IDD implementation team gave a presentation and discussion about the pilot program.

"The ABE Academy staff, students and parents greatly appreciated the legislators, system office staff and system office board members for taking the time to visit our program, said Vickie Vinson, CVCC Adult Basic Education Coordinator.

More importantly, we appreciate the emphasis and support they are placing on improving and expanding educational and vocational opportunities to adult students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It was exciting to share how far we have come and even more exciting to discuss the future of our program and programs like ours across the state."

Since 2017, Catawba Valley Community College has maintained an ABE career pathway as well as a successful Employ-ABILITY Pathway  helping to prepare ABE students in finding the right types of jobs following their completion of the ABE program.

CVCCs Adult Basic Education Academy currently consists of 46 students on both main campus in Hickory and the Alexander Center for Education in Taylorsville. Each of these students participate in the Working Smart Program and take courses in employability skills, computer literacy, digital literacy, hospitality and tourism, marketing and other vocational classes through Workforce Development and Human Resources Development.

As a result of the IDD Pilot Project, CVCC has been able to expand its existing classes to include opportunities for credentials, certifications, pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships in specific program areas, including high-demand careers such as manufacturing and early childhood.

For more information on the Adult Basic Education Academy at Catawba Valley Community College, visit https://bit.ly/3Qh24l7.
According to the company's website, the Razzouk family left Egypt 500 years ago for a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and stayed for the business. Razzouk's ancestors were Coptic Christians, an ethnoreligious community in Egypt. Tattoos were common in their tradition, often in the form of the Coptic cross. For Coptic Christians, it was a permanent display of their faith. In some cases, the tattoo was a bold-faced rebellion against the Islamic ruling power after 640 C.E. that actively forced conversions. Christians who did not convert to Islam were tattooed with the cross and required to pay a religious tax.

At the same time, Christian churches would often check for the cross before letting patrons into their church to ensure they were true followers of the Christian faith. This is how the Razzouks' family tattooing tradition began, in 1300  tattooing other Copts.

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They brought the custom with them from Egypt, realizing that a tattooing culture already existed in Jerusalem. Many pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land wished to receive permanently inked crosses and other religious motifs to mark the importance of their pilgrimage before going home.

"I have tattooed Christians, Palestinians, Ethiopians, Israelis  believe it or not, I've tattooed an Orthodox Jew with sidelocks," said Wassim Razzouk, in a 2022 interview with The New York Times. "I've tattooed nuns, atheists and bishops."

Razzouk said he was taught the art of tattooing by his father, who was taught by his father, Yaqoub. Razzouk's grandfather was the first tattoo artist in Israel to use an electric tattoo machine  powered by a car battery  and the first to add color to tattoos. Razzouk was 33 years old when he learned the art in 2007 during a busy Easter season. No relative in his generation had taken up the craft. "I knew that if it wasn't for me the tradition would disappear," he said. He tattooed his first clients  25 pilgrims  in a single session.
Stakeholders throughout the supply chain understand 2023 will not be like any other year, especially for the cold chain. The reefer market is growing and providing reliability and predictability, making it more resilient in the face of supply chain disruption.

However, a fluid cold chain is critical to feeding the world's population and requires investment and innovation. Ocean carriers need a strategic roadmap to address economic and geopolitical challenges, food supply shortages, food waste, refrigerated equipment capacity, and sustainability goals.

Greg Tuthill, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of SeaCube Container Leasing Ltd., a global leader in intermodal refrigerated equipment leasing, looks closely at the top four cold chain growth drivers.

1. Food Waste Mitigation: Food waste has been a persistent issue, and it will prove to be an even bigger problem in 2023 as experts predict food supply shortages will continue to get worse throughout the year.

While today's refrigerated equipment provides superior cold storage, arming reefer fleets with telematics technology allows for greater collaboration, increased transparency, and real-time data, which provides accurate information on the exact location of the container, which is necessary for proper planning.

2. Food Outsourcing: The transport journey for temperature-controlled food can be long and there is the risk of contamination and damage every step of the way. This elevates the need for state-of-the-art refrigerated equipment that includes telematics to ensure the cargo is handled properly throughout the entire journey.

The reefer market is expected to grow on average five percent year over year through 2025 while breakbulk containers demand will drop 15 percent. The movement of fruits and vegetables will be the key driver in the temperature-controlled cargo market as consumers expect "off season" perishables to be readily available all year long.

3. Decarbonization: In 2018, the government-imposed regulations compelled the shipping industry to reduce carbon emissions by half by mid-century. With aggressive sustainability goals, the shipping industry is looking to make changes throughout the supply chain, and there are significant opportunities within the reefer sector.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) as a refrigerant is used more because of its zero depleting characteristics and its global warming potential of one. CO2 as a natural refrigerant is one of the most environmentally sustainable alternatives for refrigerated marine transport. Other considerations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions include variable speed drives for compressors and two-speed evaporator fans, which offer energy efficiency and can elevate even the most optimal operation linked to an energy-efficient fleet. Acting now to limit the damage from climate change is often smarterand costs less in the long runthan acting later.

4. Technology and Connecting End-to-End: Technological advancements, digitalization and the digital transformation of businesses will be a growth driver not just for the reefer market, but for the entire supply chain. Smart" containers are equipped with telematics that provide real-time tracking and monitoring.

The use of telematics in the maritime shipping industry is expected to explode in the coming years. According to data from Allied Market Research, telematics investment is expected to grow in maritime shipping by a CAGR of 21.3 per cent by 2026. This stat is a strong statement about the supply chain industry's commitment to investing in technology to address critical cold chain issues.

Reefer Market  Challenges and Opportunities in 2023

In closing, the reefer market is the most resilient sector of the shipping industry, but it has a responsibility to take steps to mitigate food waste. The industry is looking for a silver bullet to meet sustainability goals, but the current carbon emission-reducing solutions connected to reefers present an opportunity to make a significant impact. The potential solutions on the horizon are exciting.

About the Author

As SeaCubes Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), Gregory Tuthill leads the global sales, marketing, and trade teams. He brings over 30 years of industry experience to this position.
Editor's Note This is the first in a series of profiles about Cabarrus County businesses and industries.

MIDLAND  Bunk and Arlene Whitley founded Whitley Manufacturing in 1960 in Midland.

Not only is L.W. Bunk Whitley credited with incorporating Midland in 1999, but he was also the towns first mayor. He was an integral part of efforts to prevent annexation of the town by fast-growing neighboring municipalities before he passed away in 2005.

The company name changed to Whitley Handle, Inc. and again to Whitley Monahan Handles after a merger with Illinois-based Monahan Co. But locally, they are still referred to as Whitley Handle.

Started on faith and familyArlene vividly remembers getting the company off the ground. We received our first several invoices, and I asked myself  how are we going to pay these? But I asked the Lord and He said we would be OK, she said. If you have never put all of your hopes and dreams into opening a business, you may not realize what a strong role faith plays in that decision, but Arlene certainly did, and it has worked out well for her family.

At 90 years old, she still comes into the office four days a week, but their son-in-law Patrick Peebles runs the operation today. Patrick was invited to get involved with the business when Bunk had a heart attack and had to slow down. Bunk lived and worked alongside Patrick for another 20 years, and he feels lucky to have had the opportunity to benefit from his wisdom and experience during that time.

Whitley Handle continues to be a family business with two of Patricks sons (28-year-old twins) working for the company and his wife, Lorraine, serving as the companys controller. One of his sons, Ryan, oversees production on their newest state-of-the-art finishing equipment that they purchased in 2015 which also required adding a new building to their facility. He likes working for the company because there is something new happening every day.

Today, Whitley Handle employs approximately 40 people, many of whom have been with the company long-term including several with more than 30 years of experience. Patrick himself started on the production line when he was just a kid.

A staple in the wooden handle industry

The company makes many different types of wood handles and wood dowels and sells them on a wholesale/commercial basis, primarily to the broom and mop industry. In the beginning, most of their business was in consumer household cleaning handles, but in todays market more of those handles are now metal. Whitley considered expanding their production to handle metal handles, but in the end, it was too expensive. They stay busy today because they focus on heavy duty commercial brooms and flagpoles which have both seen slow, steady growth  flagpole demand in particular.

When you are at the store shopping, you wont see Whitley Handles name on any products because their customers are the manufacturers who make brooms. But you have most definitely seen their products on the shelves if you have ever bought a commercial Rubbermaid broom.

Other clients include Quickie, which is headquartered in Huntersville and makes the Quickie BulldozerTM industrial broom that still uses a wooden handle. Whitley also has clients who have been with them for 35 years, like the ODell Corporation, which makes corn/fiber brooms and was founded by a young Marine named William ODell in Ware Shoals, SC.

Changing with the times

Did you know that the bristles that come out of the top of corn stalks are used for brooms? Well, not from the stalks that grow the ears of corn we all love to eat, but instead from the plume of specific corn for brooms, called broomcorn.

The largest change that affected Whitley Handles business was in the early 2000s when the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was approved. Suddenly, the entire industry went abroad, with even broomcorn being grown in Mexico. Whitley had to reinvent itself to stay competitive. They focused their efforts on making promises that others in the industry werent making, and that was being able to deliver products based on their clients needs. Short turnaround times were difficult overseas and some of the quality dropped at that time.

Much of the broom industry was centered in the Midwest prior to that because that is where the majority of broomcorn was grown. Arcola, Illinois, was a leading producer of brooms into the early 1900s and can rightfully claim the title of Broom Making Capital of World, according to the Arcola Chamber of Commerce.

Patrick decided to partner with one of his competitors, Monahan Co., which was based in Arcola, to expand their operation. Barry King moved to North Carolina from Illinois in 2007 and instilled a lot of new processes that made the company stronger.

We would never have been able to grow if it werent for Barrys customer knowledge and organizational skills that he brought with him, Patrick said. Not surprisingly, Barry fell in love with the Carolina climate and has been here with the company ever since.

The people behind the handles

How has a company quietly operating in rural Midland stayed in business all these years? Quite simply, because of its people. But like so many businesses, they still struggle to find new employees. During our visit, Business Support Manager Stephanie Burleson listened to their staffing needs and helped connect them with NC Works, which offers a variety of services to support small businesses with recruitment.

The good news is that there are a lot of resources in our community. Unfortunately, most business owners dont have the time to try to find them. At the EDC, we are a one stop shop for businesses to find the support thats available, said Burleson.

For instance, NC Works is a resource for connecting businesses with potential employees and was the perfect place for Whitley to turn for creative solutions to their staffing needs.

Employees like Gina Self love working at Whitley, and for her, its all in the family too. She and her brother both work there and her Dad actually trained Patrick when he was younger. I love having my own little station where I am in control of my workflow, and I couldnt ask for a better employer than Patrick, she said.

Mutually beneficial second chances

One of the ways Whitley Handle recruited employees was by participating in the work release program in Mount Pleasant for almost 20 years. We spoke with one of those employees who still works with the company today about how that program changed his life.

I started working at Whitley one year before my release and I remember that Pat didnt treat us any differently than any of his other employees. In fact, Patrick went above and beyond to make the program a rewarding experience for them. After three years of eating nothing but jail food, Patrick would treat us to dinner at a nearby Chinese restaurant after our shift. It tasted amazing, but more than that, it made me feel good about myself.

He added, Back then, I didnt think I would ever have a rewarding job that made me money. But Ive had the opportunity to grow in my job here and even made supervisor. Ive paid off my home and am putting both of my kids through college. None of that would have happened if Pat hadnt given me a chance.

Partnership with Cabarrus Vocational Works

Whitley Handle has a 10+ year partnership with Cabarrus Vocational Opportunities whose mission is to provide opportunity and training for adults with disabilities to develop work habits and skills leading to employment. CVO employees were adding a no-spin piece to Whitleys flagpoles to keep the flag from moving around the pole.

This partnership speaks volumes about the type of company Whitley Handle is and the values of its president, Patrick. He interacts with each and every one of them and they light up when they see Patrick. They know that he values them by the way he treats them, and the employees are genuinely happy to have work and to be needed. Whitley Handle kept the employees at CVO busy during COVID, and they even used the WH flagpole, which is approximately 5 feet long, as a measuring stick for distancing.

Whitley Handle is deeply rooted in the Midland community, and they support organizations like the Boy Scouts of America, providing their walking staffs or products for Eagle Scout projects. Patrick welcomes anyone to visit their facility and certainly to apply for employment with them as they look to the next generation of Whiley Handles being produced in Cabarrus County. Learn more by visiting their website.
CONCORD  More than two-thirds of Cabarrus residents maintain a positive opinion of the county, with quality-of-life satisfaction scores rating higher than the national average across several categories, according to the 2022 Community Survey Findings Report.

According to the survey, 79% of respondents were either very satisfied or satisfied with Cabarrus County as a place to raise children, while 78% said the same for the county as a place to live. Seventy-three percent responded similarly about the overall quality of life.

The survey also revealed that residents want county leadership to focus on affordable housing, local employment and services for those ages 50 and older over the next five years.

The report was presented to the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners during the January work wession.

The six-page survey is administered every other year by ETC Institute. The results are generated from a variety of questions about life in Cabarrus, along with county department-specific questions about the library system, communications, public safety, active living and parks, perception on schools and public safety and more.

ETC Institutes Ryan Murray presented the findings along with Cabarrus County Strategy Manager Kasia Thompson.

In November 2022, ETC Institute distributed the survey to a random sample of 2,000 households and received 465 responses. Results include representation from across the entire boundary of the county and closely relate to population density data. The overall results have a margin of error of at least +/-4.5%, with a 95% level of confidence.

This years survey was the first that used a five-point rating system to better align comparisons to national and regional benchmarks. Past versions used a nine-point scale.

During the presentation, Murray displayed a variety of slides with distributions of answers and respondents.

When we talk about the impression of various programs and services, this is where I think the county really excels compared to the national average, but it also puts you right in line with (other North Carolina counties), Murray said of responses to satisfaction with specific county programs and services.

Among those responses, Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Management/Fire Marshals Office had an 89% positive or very positive response. Other departments with high satisfaction scores included the sheriffs office (83%), library services (78%), and Active Living and Parks (68%).

Murray also detailed several top priorities for investment revealed by the survey. These are areas where the county and its partners could positively impact a large percentage of households by addressing resident-reported needs, including services for those ages 50 and older, affordable housing (no more than 30% of total income), recreational programs and facilities and high-speed broadband internet.

Nearly 30% of respondents disagreed with a question about whether county government is transparent. Thirty-two percent were neutral. Thats an opportunity for improvement, Murray said, noting the televised meeting as one means of transparency. The solution may mean working toward educating community members about the variety of information sources, he added.

The survey will serve as a guide for the future, Thompson said.

Over the next six months, well use these responses to inform our strategic planning process, she said. Its a way to put residents at the table as the board sets its priorities and discusses resource allocation.

As these projects move forward, well have a benchmark against which we can measure progress.

Other survey highlights

Satisfaction with customer service from county employees: Murray noted the high scores in several questions related to customer interactions with the county, including ratings significantly above the national average in these customer service areas:

Respect and professionalism of the interaction (83% very satisfied or satisfied)

Accuracy of information and assistance given by county employees (78% very satisfied or satisfied)

How quickly county staff responded to residents (75% very satisfied or satisfied)

How well an issue was handled by county employees (73% very satisfied or satisfied)

Ease of contact (72% very satisfied or satisfied)

Involvement in local government: Seventy-one percent of respondents are aware of their ability to attend or speak at public meetings, while 69% are aware of participation in public hearings. Fifty-three percent follow Cabarrus County government on social media platforms, and half of all respondents know they can serve on a citizen committee.

Education: Eighty-nine percent of survey respondents believe school facilities are adequate, while 86% believe school facilities are safe.

See the entire video of the January 3 agenda meeting at [youtube.com/cabarruscounty]youtube.com/cabarruscounty. Visit [cabarruscounty.us/community-survey]cabarruscounty.us/community-survey to see the survey findings interactive dashboard, which allows users to review and segment County performance, who responded, mapping, investment priorities and benchmarks.

E-mail outreach@cabarruscounty.us with any questions or comments about the survey.
C is regarded as the programming language used in the IoT ecosystem. According to IoT Analytics State of the IoT 2021 report, the most popular programming language for IoT is C. It is the choice of nearly half of the developers surveyed mainly because of the low-level control it provides, high performance, wide microcontroller platform support, and portability.

This popular programming language comes with a simple but significant weakness. Its free() function can be exploited by threat actors. Invoking this function multiple times can lead to unwanted and possibly damaging consequences.

The Double Free problem

The free() function in C programming languages is intended for the deallocation of memory that was previously allocated using the 'malloc(), calloc(), realloc(), valloc() and other memory allocation functions. It releases the memory back to the system so it can be available for later use.

For instance, if a dynamically allocated memory for an array using malloc() has been allocated, it can be released by calling free() on the pointer to the allocated memory. Doing this supposedly prevents memory leaks that can cause the consumption of high amounts of memory that may lead to crashes and other issues.

The irony is that the free() function can also be the reason why a memory leak emerges. Calling this function twice or more times can create undesirable outcomes, particularly vulnerabilities that can be exploited by threat actors to write values to arbitrary memory spaces and generate an interactive shell that comes with dangerously elevated privileges.

This is the Double Free (CWE-415) problem. It is a software bug that is increasingly threatening the IoT ecosystem and IoT device users. When a program tries to free the same memory location twice or more times, arbitrary code execution and other malicious activities can happen. It can allow hackers to take control of IoT devices and obtain sensitive information such as personal data, passwords, and secrets. In some cases, threat actors can exploit the vulnerability to undertake DDoS attacks and spread malware. Also, it is possible to experience memory corruption.

How a double free occurs

Double free occurs due to poor memory management practices. Many organizations need policies or rules on how they deal with memory allocation. Prime examples of such problematic memory management practices are as follows:

Freeing memory that is already free or was not allocated in the first place

Freeing memory when the action is not yet necessary

Freeing the same memory that was already freed by a different application

Memory freeing or clearing is not as simple as deleting a file to free space for a new file to occupy. There are complex mechanisms that spring into action. If the free() function is invoked on a buffer, what happens is that free buffers are reordered and free memory blocks are put together to create bigger buffers that will be available for future use. Memory blocks are set in a double-linked array that points to the next and previous blocks.

The key action here is the linking/unlinking of unused buffers. Calling the free() function, as mentioned above, causes the linking of free memory. Doing it again causes the unlinking of some memory blocks as a new double-linking is established with previous and next blocks that have been rearranged with the initiation of the free() function.

A common consequence of a double free is the crashing of a program. This happens because the unlinking of an already free memory causes the program to access an uninitialized or invalid memory. A double free also results in the revision of the flow of execution of a program, causing unpredictable behavior or malfunctions.

Moreover, double or multiple memory freeing may enable arbitrary code execution. This is more dangerous and can happen because the vulnerability may allow a hacker to write to a memory block and overwrite important data or hijack the flow of execution. One example of this is the CVE-2022-37332 vulnerability in the Foxit Software (News - Alert) PDF Reader. This enabled exploitation of the media player's ability to reuse a previously freed memory and subsequently execute an arbitrary code.

How to prevent a double free

The first and arguably the most important way to address the double free problem is to have good memory management practices. The main goal is to prevent the freeing of memory that has not been allocated and the freeing of memory that has already been freed by another application.

Attaining an infallible memory management system is virtually impossible though. Good memory management techniques like garbage collection and the use of smart pointers do not guarantee that no vulnerabilities will emerge. Regular software or firmware updating, which is one of the most sensible solutions, is also far from ideal. It should be done, but it does not eliminate the risk of the problems emergence.

Secure coding, thorough code testing, prompt firmware updating, and proper memory management are a must, but they are not enough. IoT device manufacturers, in particular, usually only rely on firmware updating for the security of their products. Many do not have secure coding and code testing practices. Many also do not have proper memory management, since their apps are mostly derived from open-source or freely available software.

However, it is possible to address the double free threat by using a separate platform or tool that can provide runtime protection or conduct something similar to runtime application self-protection (RASP) in IoT devices. This can block memory and code manipulation attacks by ensuring that memory leaks are spotted and the underlying causes resolved.

The best way

The ideal solution to the threat posed by the double free vulnerability is the prevention of the conditions that make it happen. However, given the many limitations when it comes to writing secure code and undertaking continuous thorough code security testing, the best solution for most organizations is to use a well-designed platform or tool that can provide RASP-like protection to IoT devices.

The double free vulnerability problem is mostly a problem that should be resolved by IoT product makers. With the rise of laws and regulations aimed at forcing IoT manufacturers to ensure the security of their products, it is incumbent upon them to ascertain that the software used in their devices has proper memory management and secure code to avoid having a double free vulnerability.

About The Author:

Joydeep Bhattacharya is a technology enthusiast. He loves to write on topics related to IoT, data science, artificial intelligence, metaverse, and other future focussed technologies.
include_once "/home/jwreview/public_html/$theme/includes/sidebar.php"; ?> Speaker Kevin McCarthy sat behind Biden during Tuesday's State of the Union. After Trump's last State of the Union, Nancy Pelosi tore up his speech behind his back. Kevin McCarthy missed a great laugh after Tuesday's State of the Union by not popping a balloon behind President Biden's back.

 President Biden was right to give the Pentagon a nod Tuesday on their recent success protecting this great country. It gave me goose bumps. After twenty years in development and billions of dollars, congratulations are in order for the Pentagon on the first air-to-air kill by an F-22 on a Chinese balloon.

 China's government issued an angry protest Monday over the U.S. decision to shoot down their balloon after it crossed the U.S. It was reported a second spy balloon has been spotted this week sailing over Central America, but it's one of our balloons. We want to know if anyone's left down there.

GET ARGUS' DAILY SMILES TO YOUR INBOX. SIGN UP FOR THE JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. Just click here.

 President Biden waited till the Chinese spy balloon was finished crossing the U.S. before shooting it down. NORAD admitted they spotted China's spy balloon approaching the U.S. but couldn't pull the trigger. Their hesitation makes sense, considering their near shoot-down of Santa Claus in 1985.

 President Biden said Monday his generals advised him not to destroy the balloon until it was over water. It's wise to keep Joe under rein. When Covid broke out early in 2020, a clearly marked Red Cross hospital ship sailed into New York Harbor and Joe Biden thought we were being attacked by Switzerland.

 The New York Post reports Turkey's devastating earthquake resurrected fears in Los Angeles of the next big quake. It's been thirty years. L.A. is threatened by a long subterranean ridge running between two shifting tectonic plates underneath the city which seismologists have named Trump's Fault.

 Donald Trump posted a photo of Governor Ron DeSantis in his 20s that shows him drinking and partying with three high school girls when he was their teacher. Two of them said they all drank and partied together after graduation. If true, Ron DeSantis could get 30-40 years on the U.S. Supreme Court.

(COMMENT, BELOW)
Being vice president of the United States is sort of like working for Donald Trump or watching reality TV. It requires a high degree of tolerance for indignity and abuse.

The job is inherently subservient  the only thing worse than embarrassing the president is outshining him  and the office almost always diminishes its occupant. Enter as a respected governor or U.S. senator and soon you're transformed in the public eye to a lapdog, a nullity or an anchor on the administration.

(A notable exception being Dick Cheney, who, in caricature, was portrayed as the puppeteer and power behind a feckless President George W. Bush.)

Kamala Harris, California's former U.S. senator and attorney general, is just the latest to experience the enervating effect of the vice presidency, alternating between periods of mockery and being largely ignored.

Now it's her turn to suffer another humiliating rite: speculation on whether Harris will be booted from the Democratic ticket in 2024.

There have been scattered calls for the vice president's replacement, and some not very reliable news outlets have reported President Joe Biden has quietly made up his mind, given the vice president's dismal poll ratings, to cut her loose.

Recently, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who challenged Biden and Harris for the 2020 Democratic nomination, caused one of those bouts of Beltway hyperventilation by endorsing the president for a second term but equivocating when it came to keeping Harris as his running mate.

"I really want to defer to what makes Biden comfortable on his team," said Warren, who soon followed her conspicuously tepid remarks with a mop-and-bucket statement "fully" supporting the reelection of Biden and Harris "together."

No matter that Biden has given every sign that he plans to seek reelection with Harris by his side. The conversations that have taken place about 2024 have all been grounded in the presumption she will be on the Democratic ticket, according to several people familiar with those discussions. There has been no talk, they said, of a replacement.

Still, it is "virtually inevitable that whenever a president gets ready to run for reelection there's talk about dumping the vice president," said Joel Goldstein, an emeritus law professor at St. Louis University and expert on the office.

The chatter may be off base, but it's happening for a reason.

President George H.W. Bush faced pressure to replace Vice President Dan Quayle, who suffered the same kind of lousy approval ratings as Harris.

Former President George W. Bush considered swapping out Dick Cheney as his 2004 running mate as a way, he wrote in his memoirs, to "demonstrate that I was in charge" and that he, not Cheney, was running the White House.

In 2011, when President Barack Obama was at a low ebb in popularity, the White House chief of staff ordered up research on whether it would be a good idea to replace Biden with Hillary Clinton ahead of Obama's reelection bid. Some of those involved in the campaign later insisted it was never a serious option.

For much of the country's history, Goldstein said, changing vice presidents was not that unusual.

The union of president and understudy was often a kind of shotgun marriage, arranged by party bosses to give a ticket regional and/or ideological balance. The working relationship between supposed partners was virtually nonexistent. Vice presidents spent most of their time presiding over the Senate, one of their constitutional duties, rather than offering counsel to the chief executive or helping shape policy.

That evolved, Goldstein said, over the course of the 20th century.

In 1921, Calvin Coolidge became the first vice president to regularly sit in on meetings of the president's Cabinet. Over the decades, other vice presidents were increasingly integrated into the workings of the White House. In 1977, Walter Mondale became the first to have an office in the West Wing.

More significantly, by the middle of the 20th century presidents had begun deciding on their own whom they wished to run with  which means replacing their vice president would suggest, at least implicitly, they had made a mistake.

Harris has her critics in the White House and those around Biden. The relationship between the president and vice president has been described as friendly but not intimate. Even so, the political cost of replacing Harris would far outweigh any gain.

Effectively firing the first female, first Black and first Asian American vice president would risk a serious backlash from the Democratic base  especially Black women.

Harris "was on the ticket for a reason. They won in 2020 for a reason," said Aimee Allison, the founder and head of She the People, an organization that works to empower women of color. Come 2024, she noted, "it's still the same dynamic."

Pushing Harris aside "would definitely ricochet through Black America"  and not in a good way, said Aprill Turner, a spokeswoman for Higher Heights for America, a group that advocates for Black women in politics.

In 1976, facing a stiff election fight, President Gerald Ford chose to replace Vice President Nelson Rockefeller to bolster his standing with restive conservatives. Even with a different running mate, Kansas Sen. Bob Dole, Ford lost.

Voters have consistently shown their focus is on the top of the ticket, not the No. 2 position.

Good or bad, the vice president can generally be summed up in a single word: afterthought.
RALEIGH  A federal appeals court sided again with North Carolinas attorney general on Wednesday, saying a 1931 libel law is most likely unconstitutional. Josh Stein has sought to block a fellow Democrat from using the law to prosecute him over a 2020 campaign commercial.

In a unanimous result, the three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, agreed with Stein and others associated with his political committee who have been seeking to stop a probe by Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freemans office.

Stein announced in January that hes running for governor in 2024.

The same appeals panel in August granted a temporary injunction sought by Steins campaign, which was worried a Wake grand jury could indict Stein and advisers through the state law that makes certain political speech a crime.

Not only have plaintiffs shown a likelihood of success, it is difficult to imagine them losing, U.S. Circuit Judge Toby Heytens wrote in Wednesdays prevailing opinion.

The law makes it a misdemeanor for someone to help circulate derogatory reports about a candidate designed to harm their election chances while knowing such report to be false or in reckless disregard of its truth or falsity.

Stein defended his 2020 commercial as a corrective to false accusations made by then-Republican AG challenger Jim ONeill that Stein had failed to act on more than 15,000 untested rape kits since becoming attorney general in 2017. Steins ad accused ONeill, the Forsyth County district attorney, of letting more than a thousand rape kits go untested.

ONeill issued a statement to the Winston-Salem Journal about the case.

Whether you are a Democrat, Republican or Independent, let this sink in, ONeill said. Josh Stein, who is running for governor of North Carolina, fought hard over the last two years and won a ruling today that changes the law in North Carolina so that politicians running for office can now openly lie to the public and make any outrageous claims they want, all in an effort to get elected.

Steins lies during our campaign were so egregious that a grand jury wanted to indict him, and that is an undeniable fact, ONeill said. Stein is everything that is wrong with politics today and why so much of the public has lost faith in our political system.

Earlier in the case, ONeill complained to the State Board of Elections, citing the law. The case ultimately was sent to Freeman, who recused herself from the investigation, leaving it to a senior assistant prosecutor. Steins campaign sued in July after learning the DAs office planned to soon send the case to grand jurors.

Wednesdays ruling vacates a decision by U.S. District Judge Catherine Eagles, who refused to order Freeman to stop using the law to prosecute anyone over the disputed commercial. She wrote Aug. 9 that the law appeared to meet the standard for exceptions to the First Amendment that allows the criminalization of false defamatory speech about public officials made with actual malice.

For now, the temporary injunction remains in place, and the lawsuit initially filed by Steins campaign seeking to have the law declared unenforceable continues.

Freeman wrote Wednesday afternoon in a text that the opinion was being reviewed and anticipates making an announcement in the next 24 hours. The opinion could weigh heavily on whether the DAs office will stop seeking prosecutions. Or Freeman could ask the entire 4th Circuit to consider the case.

Heytens agreed with lawyers for Stein and others that Eagles erred when she decided derogatory reports only addressed false statements. Freemans attorney had said a fair reading of the law makes it clear that only false derogatory reports related to political speech are criminalized.

And since the law also criminalizes speech targeting political candidates when its intended to affect their chance to get elected, Heytens wrote, speakers may lie with impunity about businesspeople, celebrities, purely private citizens or even government officials as long as they are not running for office.

That is textbook content discrimination, he wrote.

Circuit Judge Albert Diaz joined Heytens in his written opinion, while in a separate opinion Circuit Judge Allison Rushing agreed that the plaintiffs would likely succeed on their First Amendment claim.

Stein attorney Press Millen said his clients are gratified that the 4th Circuit agreed that North Carolinas political libel statute violates core First Amendment principles.

Freeman won reelection in November as the DA for North Carolinas largest county. But she has taken heat from fellow Democrats. Gov. Roy Cooper, whom Stein succeeded as AG in 2017, called the potential prosecution an unprecedented repression of free speech.
The Surry County Sheriffs Office is investigating the recent death of a 15-year-old at the Childrens Center of Northwest North Carolina in Dobson.

The sheriffs office received a call shortly after 10 a.m. Jan. 29 about an unattended death at the center at 2000 Prison Camp Road, the sheriffs office said.

When deputies arrived at the scene, they found the teen. The sheriffs office didnt identify the juvenile.

Detectives are investigating the incident.

At this time, no foul play is suspected, the sheriffs office said.

The Childrens Center issued a statement about the teen's death, but a spokesman for the organization declined to identify the juvenile.

The Children's Center offers programs that support the prevention, intervention and treatment of child abuse, according to the organization's website.

"The Childrens Center of Northwest North Carolina is sad to report that a child in our care unexpectedly passed away early this morning," the center said.

"Our primary concern is always the health and safety of our children," the center said. "Internal and official external investigations are currently in process to determine possible cause and to review all procedures.

"We ask for your prayers and support for the family, our staff and our children," the center said. "We will share further information as it becomes available."
A Winston-Salem teenager was shot and killed Wednesday in Clemmons, authorities said.

Jhamari Jaquel Hall, 16, of Winston-Salem was found dead with gunshot wounds by Forsyth County sheriffs deputies, the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office said.

Deputies responded to a report of gunfire shortly after 10 p.m. at an apartment complex in the 100 block of Western Villa Drive. The sheriffs office is investigating the shooting.

Halls death is the first homicide in Forsyth County so far this year outside Winston-Salem and Kernersville, compared to one homicide during the same period in 2022 in that area, the sheriffs office said.

Details on the shooting were limited on Thursday.

Hall was a 10th-grader at Parkland High School, said Chris Runge, a spokesman for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.

(The) Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is deeply saddened to learn of the death of a student, Runge said. Our thoughts go out to the family, our students and staff members.

The school district is providing counselors and its crisis team is at the school this week to support students and staff as needed, Runge said.

(The) Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools will always support our families and students with whatever resources are needed in times of crisis, Runge said.

Forsyth Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough Jr. issued a statement about Halls death.

Again, our hearts are heavy, Kimbrough said. We lost yet another child to gun violence.

Another familys hearts are broken, and our community is torn further apart, Kimbrough said. We as a community  Black, white and brown  must come to the realization that enough is truly enough.

Our children are wondering what is going on, and they are looking to adults for the answers, Kimbrough said. We can no longer accept this behavior.

Kimbrough said hes asked the community as a whole to do your part to stop the violence, to end the heartache. We must choose to become our brothers keepers, so we can stop being their pallbearers.

Kimbrough was among the local leaders who attended a gun violence community briefing Tuesday night at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem.

The sheriffs office is working to reduce violent crime in the city and county, Kimbrough said. Local officials and community leaders must address social issues to reduce crime, he said.

Anyone with information about this shooting can call the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office at 336-727-2112 or Crime Stoppers 336-727-2800 or its Spanish line at 336-728-3904.

The Text-A-Tip program at 336-920-8477 allows people to text information, photos and videos to the sheriffs office.
The N.C. House reintroduced Wednesday its clean version of a bipartisan Medicaid expansion bill, officially beginning a potentially legislative-defining debate for the 2023 session.

Clean, in this instance, means no additional health-care reform language remains in House Bill 76  a major component of Senate Republican leaders quid-pro-quo preference for Medicaid expansion.

HB76, titled Access to Healthcare Options, has Rep. Donny Lambeth, R-Forsyth, as its primary sponsor and bill author. There are two Republican and one Democratic co-primary sponsors.

Pivotally, HB76 is tied directly to expected funding appropriations within the 2023-24 state budget.

To the point that if the state budget hasn't become law by Dec. 31, the legislation within HB76 "shall expire" even if the bill had been signed prior into law.

The bill was filed without comment by House speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland.

Lambeth said the plan is to have HB76 take the fast-track committee approach early next week, clearing the Health, Finance and Rules and Operations committees to have it on the House floor for its first vote no later than Wednesday.

The Health committee meeting is set for 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Lambeth said HB76 is a good option for North Carolina and incorporates several of the best practices we researched and heard about from other states.

The expansion benefits many of our citizens, including veterans, farmers and many others who work, but cannot afford private insurance. This is a win-win.

Lambeth said part of HB76s appeal is the focus on preventive and well care, encouraging participants to take care of their selves.

It will also direct the Department of Commerce to work with other state agencies, such as labor and the community college system, to address some of our states workforce deficits.

Background

Lambeth has pursued some form of Medicaid expansion since 2014.

Early bill versions didnt dare to cite expansion as the end goal because of then-rigid opposition from the majority of top Republican legislators, foremost Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham.

I believe we have some common components and a common understanding that it is time for North Carolina to move forward with caring for our citizens who need health care, Lambeth said.

We have transformed N.C. Medicaid to a risk-based model of care which has saved tens of millions of dollars for taxpayers of our state and have fixed a broken system.

Now, it is time to move to the next step which covers those who need help.

North Carolina is one of just 11 non-expansion states, all with Republican-controlled legislatures. Expansion could reach 450,000 and 650,000 potential beneficiaries.

The bills main focus is on the financial aspect of filling the coverage gap that represents a combination of intergovernmental transfers, hospital assessments, gross premiums tax revenue and federal funds.

Hospital assessments have been a negotiating sticking point over the past nine years, even though the states major health-care systems have agreed to the assessments with the expectation that the additional federal Medicaid administrative funding will more than offset the annual expense.

Moore has said the Houses Medicaid expansion plan would help preserve rural hospitals and further modernize the state program.

We need to know exactly what were getting from Medicaid expansion, particularly in terms of expanding access to health-care providers in a manner that is cost-effective, Moore said in August.

This way, we have certainty ... and the final say.

Rep. Pricey Harrison, D-Guilford, said in January that Medicaid expansion seems to remain a top priority among all decision makers.

The statewide Care4Carolina coalition said Wednesday that it applauds the leadership of the N.C. House for introducing a straightforward North Carolina solution to expand Medicaid and close our states health care coverage gap, said Abby Emanuelson, executive director of the 166-member coalition.

In introducing HB76, House leadership has demonstrated their commitment to helping hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians who are currently in the gap, including working parents, small businesses across the state and 14,000 of our veterans.

Senate efforts

Meanwhile, a Senate Medicaid expansion bill has not been reintroduced as of Wednesday.

Berger became in 2022 a convert to the need for Medicaid expansion, particularly among the working poor.

However, Berger has made it clear his expansion support is tied directly to reform legislation.

There have been three health-care reform bills filed so far in the 2023 session  focused on regulating hospital consolidation, enhancing medical bill transparency and eliminating the states controversial certificate-of-need (CON) laws  that could be inserted into an expansion bill.

Other previous reform bills would permit nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives and other providers the ability to work independently from doctors.

The CON reform efforts, led by Sen. Joyce Krawiec, R-Forsyth, have drawn the most pushback from House leaders of both parties.

Analysts say the Senate is likely to move forward during the 2023 session with its version of House Bill 149 that had inserted the Senates Medicaid expansion language.

Berger said when he introduced the revamped HB149 that if theres a person in the state of North Carolina that has spoken out against Medicaid expansion more than I have, Id like to meet that person. We need coverage in North Carolina for the working poor.

HB149, however, is vigorously opposed by the N.C. Healthcare Association.

In August, NCHA president and chief executive Steve Lawler called out Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, Berger and Moore for being willing to let Medicaid expansion die because you are looking for a deal.

Lawler wrote that the NCHA hopes to see the General Assembly accomplish Medicaid expansion and adopt the much-needed Healthcare Access and Stabilization Program (HASP).

They are both important to the state, and should not require a trade or a change in policy that would likely have negative downstream impact on hospitals that are crucial to the states safety net.

On Wednesday, Lawler said the NCHA supports the HB76 legislation in part because "as we saw throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, healthy workers are essential for employers to operate and for our state to have a healthy economy."

"Health coverage opens the door to good primary care, reduces emergency department visits, provides needed help for those who struggle with addiction and behavioral health issues, and helps control overall health care costs  costs that are ultimately shared by everyone."

Delay consequences

The lack of progress has two meaningful consequences attached to them.

The first was cited by a letter sent in September by state Health Secretary Kody Kinsley to Cooper, Berger and Moore.

A pivotal turning point in Berger and Moore agreeing to consider Medicaid expansion was the potential for the federal pandemic relief law to provide North Carolina with $1.5 billion over two years to treat traditional Medicaid patients.

That funding is contingent on the Republican-controlled legislature approving expansion and, most important, agreeing to not put stipulations on enrollees, such as work requirement for some potential recipient that has been blocked by several federal judges.

Those federal funds would free up DHHS to re-direct General Fund dollars to other priorities; $1 billion would be used to address substance abuse and mental health.

Kinsley cited at the time of his letter the need to pass some form of Medicaid expansion by Sept. 30, 2022, or risking the loss of a major portion of the federal funds  a requirement Cooper, Berger and Moore all acknowledged at the time.

Lawler said "passing Medicaid expansion and HASP is a bipartisan issue."

"Members of all political parties want communities that are healthy and hospital doors that are open."

Expiring coverage

Medicaid covers 2.71 million North Carolinians, which increased by nearly 27% or 588,611, since the beginning of the pandemic, according to DHHS.

Those who might be eligible under the expanded program are between the ages of 18 and 64 and earn too much to qualify for Medicaid coverage, but not enough to purchase coverage on the private insurance marketplace.

A sizable portion of enrollees during the pandemic likely would qualify for expansion coverage.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, a national nonprofit health-care advocacy group, Congress enacted the Families First Coronavirus Response Act soon after the pandemic erupted in the U.S.

Part of the act is a requirement that Medicaid programs keep people continuously enrolled through the end of the month in which the COVID-19 public health emergency ends, in exchange for enhanced federal funding.

That has been the pathway where many of the additional Medicaid beneficiaries in N.C. gained coverage during the pandemic.

However, the temporary enrollment has an end date of when the federal DHHS  first the Trump administration and now the Biden administration  declares the national public health emergency as over.

A May 11 end date has been set after several extensions.

Kaiser estimates that millions of uninsured beneficiaries nationwide will lose their health coverage at that time.
Nebraska hospital leaders on Wednesday highlighted an ongoing problem: the inability to discharge certain patients to post-acute facilities for care.

According to a report from the Nebraska Hospital Association, there were 227 patients awaiting a discharge last month, nearly half of whom have been waiting a month or more.

The issue is not a new one, but it's one that's gotten a lot worse in the past couple of years due to a number of factors.

Jeremy Nordquist, president of the Nebraska Hospital Association, said the organization started tracking the number of patients awaiting discharge in September and found there are hundreds of them every month.

Nordquist said the challenge has continued to grow and, "it's reaching the point of a crisis."

He said the inability to transfer patients who no longer need acute care has a trickle-down effect that leads to more people having to be boarded in emergency rooms and fewer accepted transfers of patients from smaller hospitals to larger hospitals.

The causes of the problem are myriad and often include short-term issues such as a COVID-19 infection or insurance delay. But there are also longer-term structural issues, and two of the biggest are nursing home closures and staff shortages.

According to the Hospital Association, 35 long-term care facilities and 27 assisted-living facilities have closed in Nebraska just in the past five years. Data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shows nine nursing homes closed in the state last year, second most in the country, behind only Texas.

The vast majority of the facilities closing are in rural areas of the state. According to the Hospital Association report, of the 62 closures in the past five years, 55 of them occurred outside of Douglas and Sarpy counties.

Mel McNea, interim CEO of Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, said nursing home closures have hit hard in rural areas, especially in western Nebraska.

The closures combined with staff shortages mean nursing homes are less likely to take patients who need high levels of care, such as those with dementia or people needing dialysis.

McNea said Regional West used to discharge patients with memory issues to a facility in Fort Morgan, Colorado, about two hours away, but it closed.

"So that makes it more difficult to place those patients," he said.

Melinda Kentfield, vice president and chief nursing executive of Methodist Fremont Health, said it's not just the centers that have closed but facilities that have to operate at less than capacity because they can't find enough staff.

For instance, Methodist operates a nursing home with 106 beds in Fremont that's attached to the hospital, "But today they're at 71 (beds) and that's what they can staff and staff safely," she said.

Staff shortages also make facilities reluctant to take patients with additional needs, such as patients who can't walk on their own or those who need constant one-on-one supervision.

Nordquist said one solution that needs serious consideration is more money from the state and federal government.

Of the people waiting on a discharge in January, about three-fourths had insurance from either Medicaid or Medicare, which often don't pay enough to cover facilities' costs.

A January report from the Medicaid and CHIP Payment Access Commission found that in 2019, Medicaid payments covered only 58% of the actual cost of care at Nebraska nursing homes, tying with Nevada for the lowest rate in the U.S.

According to the report, 99.4% of nursing facilities in Nebraska recouped less than 80% of their costs from Medicaid, the lowest percentage in the country.

Nordquist said Medicaid and Medicare rates are not keeping up with rising costs and need to be increased.

"If we have provider rates that don't keep up with costs, it squeezes down on capacity," he said.

In addition to increased rates, Nordquist said nursing homes need incentives to take on more difficult-to-place patients.

He highlighted about a half dozen legislative bills this session that seek to deal with the issue in various ways, including offering incentives to nursing homes that accept patients who need higher levels of care, allowing Medicaid to pay for long-term acute care and improving the state's guardianship laws.

Nordquist said it's vital to make progress on the legislative proposals and to get higher reimbursement increases.

"We cannot just throw up our hands and say it's too complex," he said.
Seatrade Maritime held a networking reception at Sofitel Jumeirah Beach, ahead of the 2023 Seatrade Maritime Logistics Middle East, the flagship event of the UAE Maritime Week scheduled to be held from May 16 to 18.

The networking reception witnessed the signing of two MoUs to enhance the growth of international collaboration, and the recognition and support of the next generation of regional maritime professionals, a statement said.

Attended by over 150 industry players, the networking reception brought together some of the leading maritime and logistics professionals, thought leaders, and decision-makers, on a common platform to foster connections, spark insightful discussions, share knowledge, and collaborate on new initiatives to drive the progress of the industry.

In addition to networking, the reception provided attendees with an ideal opportunity to interact and share vital information on how the maritime and logistics sectors have grown over the years to play a pivotal role in driving regional and global economic growth.

Flagbearer of regional maritime development

During the reception, Informa Markets signed two MoUs. The first agreement was signed between Informa Markets and Emirates Shipping Association, which will see the former provide the latter with the status of Strategic Supporting Organisation for Seatrade Maritime Logistics Middle East. The partnership between the two parties demonstrates their commitment to promoting the growth and development of the maritime industry in the region, and provide a platform for its stakeholders to network, exchange ideas, and engage with industry leaders.

Representing Emirates Shipping Association, Huma Qureshi, General Manager of the organisation said: "We are thrilled to enter this partnership with Informa Markets. As a Strategic Supporter of Seatrade Maritime Logistics Middle East, the MoU will provide access to exclusive benefits, including top-notch marketing, exposure, and unparalleled networking opportunities, enabling us to educate and create awareness on issues relevant to the maritime cluster. As the world continues to recover from back-to-back crises, industries are returning to normalcy and increasing their reliance on seaborne trade, leading to exciting times for the regions maritime sector. We look forward to capitalising on the opportunities this will bring, and working together to drive the growth of the industry, while also catering to the interests of our members, since the association leads to being the unified maritime voice across the different stakeholders in the UAE.

Empowering the next generation of maritime professionals

The second MoU was signed between Informa Markets and YoungShip UAE to promote the 20 Under 40 initiative, and highlight the opportunities provided by YoungShip UAE to aspiring maritime professionals in the region. As a result of the partnership, YoungShip UAE will be recognised as the Supporting Organisation for Seatrade Maritime Logistics Middle East, in addition to both parties combining their forces to encourage the next generation of maritime leaders to take part in the industry, contribute to its security, sustainability, and growth.

On behalf of YoungShip UAE, Capt. Rami Al Breiki, Chairman of the entity said: "We are looking forward to the support of Informa Markets to enhance the progress of the industry by recognising skilled and qualified maritime professionals. The 20 Under 40 initiative is a significant step towards achieving this goal, and we find it very important for us to support such efforts. By highlighting the achievements and experiences of young industry professionals, we will be able to educate the youth about the lucrative and fulfilling opportunities that lie in the sector for successful careers, and attract a higher volume of applicants willing to contribute to the industrys growth.

Gearing up for a successful event

Speaking on the significance of the reception and the two signings, Chris Morley, Group Director, Seatrade Maritime said: The networking reception was a step forward in our aim to organise an impactful event, favourable to industry growth and expansion. Through this reception, we were able to provide industry stakeholders with a valuable opportunity to come together and strengthen their relationships with one another. Therefore, we can say with conviction that we were able to achieve what we aimed for through this reception, and are looking forward to a successful event with an ocean of attendees.

We are also proud to announce our partnerships with Emirates Shipping Association and YoungShip UAE. Both these organisations have spent several years in the UAE, consistently contributing to the sustenance and progress of the regional maritime sector. We believe that it is the right step forward to build on the individual capabilities of the two entities, and collectively catalyse the growth of the regional maritime sector, Morley added.

Emma Howell, Middle East Development Director, Informa Markets Maritime & Cruise portfolio said: The networking event was helpful in bringing together stalwarts from across the industry to share insights, and have a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the coming decades. The reception was also a great way to get the ball rolling about our upcoming event in May 2023, increasing its awareness, the topics that will be covered, and the new initiatives that will be launched. The signing of the two MoUs was the highlight of the reception, establishing our commitment to the industrys growth and expansion for the years to come. --TradeArabia News Service
A man who walked away from Lincoln's Community Corrections facility last week is back in state custody after he was arrested in Omaha on Friday, according to authorities.

Cristopher Foster, 36, had been considered an escapee after leaving the low-level custody facility and tampering with his electronic monitor Feb. 8.

Omaha Police arrested Foster on new charges in the Douglas County city Friday and took him the county jail, the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services said in a news release.

Foster had been incarcerated since January 2021 and was serving four to six years for possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person out of Douglas County, according to the news release.

He has a tentative release date of August.

The electric monitoring company alerted prison officials that Foster's device had been tampered with Feb. 8. It was removed near South Coddington Avenue and West A Street.

Inmates at the Community Corrections Center-Lincoln are, with pre-approval, allowed to participate in off-site work or attend school or religious services without direct supervision.

Top Journal Star photos for February 2023
A bill that would limit who in Nebraska can use automatic license plate readers  and clear up confusion about whether data captured from plate readers can be used in court proceedings  faced opposition from the ACLU of Nebraska over privacy concerns at a Wednesday hearing.

Introduced by Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln, the proposal (LB777) would make minor changes to Nebraska's Automatic License Plate Reader Privacy Act, the law that governs the use of the controversial devices.

Singed into law in February 2018, the privacy act limits how long law enforcement can retain images captured by the plate readers, which take photos of all passing license plates, store the data for up to six months and have been touted by police as a game-changing crime-solving tool.

The readers only capture still images of license plates, which are then stored by a third-party contractor for six months under Nebraska law. Police can flag images of specific plates as investigatory to prevent them from being erased after the 180-day time frame.

But five years after the act became law, what is and isn't allowed by the act remains confusing to the law enforcement agencies who operate the readers, which are in use by six agencies across the state.

"I've read through it and I've ran this (plate reader system) for five years, and I still don't know what it means," Lancaster County Sheriff's Sgt. Jason Mayo said last year. "I've had attorneys from the state, from federal entities, from our office  everyone look at it and go, 'This is nonsensical. We don't know what it means.'"

Among the sheriff office's qualms with the privacy act is language that, they say, prohibits officers from disclosing the use of the plate readers in criminal investigations or in court settings.

That interpretation  which has been contested by the ACLU  has kept deputies from mentioning the use of plate readers in arrest affidavits to be used in prosecutions, leaving no public record linking the use of plate readers to specific arrests.

Bostar's bill would change that, adding language to the privacy act that would allow plate data and evidence derived from license plate readers to be used in court proceedings.

The proposal  which is supported by the Omaha Police Officer's Association  also includes measures meant to prevent police from abusing plate reader data.

When law enforcement officers manually search for a license plate  not previously flagged as under investigation  they already have to document a reason for the search.

Under Bostar's proposed amendment, such manual entries would be recorded in a digital log and audited at least once a year.

The proposal would also make intentional violations of the act a felony.

And the bill would limit who can operate license plate readers to only law enforcement agencies  eliminating a line in current state law that allows for private companies to use the readers for parking enforcement in garages or lots.

Nathan Janulewicz, a legislative aide who introduced the bill on Bostar's behalf at a judiciary committee hearing Wednesday afternoon, said the proposal would "improve transparency and accountability for our criminal justice system."

But Spike Eickholt, a lawyer and lobbyist who opposed Bostar's bill Wednesday on behalf of the ACLU of Nebraska and the state Criminal Defense Attorneys Association, said the bill would let law enforcement use the readers "whenever ... however they want."

"This is mass surveillance operated by law enforcement with the tech companies," he said.

Eickholt pointed to language in the contracts that the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office, Douglas County Sheriff's Office and Kearney Police Department have with plate reader providers that give ownership of the data captured to the tech companies.

All six agencies that use plate readers partner either with Flock Safety or Vigilant Solutions, a software developer owned by Motorola.

The ACLU of Nebraska twice testified in support of the Automatic License Plate Reader Privacy Act that now governs the use of plate readers in Nebraska, but has since emerged as a leading voice against the expanded use of plate readers while acknowledging they're an effective crime-solving tool.

"Admittedly, these things have value," Eickholt said, only minutes after the vice president of the Omaha Police Officers Association testified that Douglas County's plate readers had helped police solve three homicides in the last six months.

Still, Eickholt has previously called for a reduction in how long police agencies are allowed to retain plate data and for the implementation of "some kind of control over what these (tech) companies do with the data they collect."

And though Bostar's proposal is meant to promote transparency by explicitly allowing law enforcement to mention the plate readers in court proceedings, Eickholt maintained after Wednesday's hearing that police are already allowed to do that under the Automatic License Plate Reader Privacy Act  they're simply misinterpreting the law.

"I don't think it's proper to reward cops for either their deliberate disagreement with the law or their deliberate misunderstanding of the law," he said.

"That's not an ... argument for us to just say, 'Oh, OK, well we'll just make it easier for you and we'll swipe away all these compromised agreements that we had just a few years ago.'"

Top Journal Star photos for February 2023
OMAHA -- During his first official visit to Nebraska, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said Wednesday the country is facing a youth mental health crisis, and he asked Nebraskans for ideas to address it.

Cardona met in La Vista with a panel of Nebraska school leaders, therapists and mental health professionals.

He said that in the wake of the disruptive pandemic, schools have an opportunity to make "transformational" change.

"There's more money in education now than ever before," he said. "And there's pretty much alignment at the federal, state and local level that mental health needs are important. If those are not a prerequisite for transformational change, we'll never do it."

Cardona asked the panel what it would take to continue to improve on school-based mental health services. He said he wanted to take notes and carry the ideas back to Washington.

Money, said Andy Farber, superintendent of Louisville Public Schools.

That prompted laughter from the crowd of about 40 educators, mental-health professionals and policymakers in the room at Educational Service Unit 3, an agency that provides support services for 18 school districts in the Omaha area.

Farber said his district has a therapist part time to work with kids and help train teachers, but he could use more help.

McKayla LaBorde, executive director of students services at ESU 3, said chronic absenteeism has grown after the pandemic.

Educators are dealing with "kids with anxiety and depression who just can't pull it together to come to school every day  and then fall further behind," she said.

LaBorde said she was "over the moon" to have the secretary listen to Nebraska ideas and concerns.

In his comments, Cardona repeated some of the themes from President Joe Biden's State of the Union address, which he attended the night before.

He said if teachers are going to be effective in the classroom, they need support and time to grow professionally.

"We also understand that the teacher-shortage issue is a symptom of a teacher-respect issue, that if we have teachers that are overburdened, underpaid and having to fix everything without appropriate support in their building, they're going to find other jobs. The job market's too good," he said.

Teachers shouldn't "have to drive Ubers on the weekend or waitress to make ends meet, even though they have a master's degree," he said. "That's unacceptable."

Tuesday, Biden had called on the country to address youth mental health.

"Lets do more on mental health, especially for our children," he said. "When millions of young people are struggling with bullying, violence, trauma, we owe them greater access to mental health care at school."

Biden also called for increasing access to preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds, raising pay for teachers, reducing student loan debt and increasing Pell Grants for working- and middle-class families.

Biden said children who go to preschool are 50% more likely to finish high school and go on to earn a two- or four-year degree.

"Let's finish the job, connect students to career opportunities starting in high school and provide two years of community college, some of the best career training in America, in addition to being a pathway to a four-year degree," he said.

Cardona said the American Rescue Plan dollars were intended to safely reopen schools, support the mental health of students and provide academic recovery for the first three years of the pandemic.

It was "a down payment on transformational change," he said. "ARP was not intended to make up for decades of under-investment in education."

While in Omaha, the secretary also visited Bryan High School. He toured the school's Urban Agriculture, Design & Construction, and Transportation & Logistics academies, and spoke with students about their experience in a career-technical education program.

He also emphasized the importance of pathways to college and career and the opportunities for students who are multilingual, saying that would help the country compete internationally.

"That school has 90 different businesses that are giving students internships that are giving them employment opportunities," he said.

Photos: U.S. Secretary of Education visits Omaha Bryan High School
OMAHA  A new Omaha police recruit class began Monday, but it fell short of the citys goal of training a maximum-capacity class to make up for a wave of recent departures.

The class is made up of 39 potential Omaha Police Department officers  34 rookie recruits and five people who have worked as law enforcement officers elsewhere in Nebraska or the U.S. Thats just 65% of the training academys maximum capacity of 60 recruits.

The hiring push comes as the agency has grappled with recruiting and keeping officers in recent years. OPD has lost ground in its effort to rapidly increase during the past seven years, dropping down to officer levels not seen since 2016.

As of Monday, the number of full-time sworn officers stood at 804, a far cry from the budgeted authorized strength of 906, a number that Mayor Jean Stothert has often touted. Omaha has never reached its goal of having 900 sworn officers.

The new class of 39 recruits drew from a recruit pool of 486 applicants from spring 2022  half as many applicants as two years ago. Other law enforcement agencies nationwide have experienced similar troubles.

Lincoln Police Department has struggled to fill positions despite offering the highest salaries for law enforcement in the state.

LPD is authorized to employ 366 sworn officers. It currently employs 336, which includes 10 recruits who will graduate from the academy this summer.

OPD Deputy Chief Sherie Thomas, who oversees the executive services bureau, said officials in Omaha wanted to add a maximum-capacity class of 60 but were unable to do so for several reasons.

That was probably a goal that we had in mind, but as you go through the application, the background process, there are some individuals where something came up in their background and they werent afforded the opportunity to be in the class, she said. I think had we had more applicants, potentially we could have had a larger class. We didnt get more, so we were working with what we had.

Thomas said some applicants from that recruit pool couldnt relocate in time or had conflicts but still expressed interest in the next class, which might start as early as July. She hopes that class will be larger.

OPD recruit class sizes in recent years have been in the 50s, with one group of 60 in May 2021.

Currently, OPD is accepting applications for officers. Thomas said officials are looking at potentially starting another class for veteran officers soon after the five lateral recruits who began Monday finish their 11 weeks of training. Officers with past experience dont require the full 22-week basic training.

OPD opened the application period Jan. 9 to garner a new pool of potential candidates, who would need to pass other tests and interviews to be picked for the final class.

Meanwhile, other local and state law enforcement agencies are looking for recruits also, increasing competition.

The La Vista Police Department was searching for lateral officers in early January. At the Bellevue Police Department, potential entry-level candidates are going through the testing process while the agency also is asking lateral recruits to apply.

The Douglas County Sheriffs Office just closed its application period for rookie deputies at the end of January.

And the Nebraska State Patrol announced Monday that it is now hiring for a class scheduled to start in July.

Of the 39 OPD recruits starting Monday, about 70% are men and 30% are women. Roughly three-quarters of the class are white recruits, along with six Black recruits, three Hispanic recruits and one Native recruit, Thomas said.

The five veteran officers hail from the Lincoln Police Department, the Norfolk Police Department, the UCLA Police Department in California, the Sioux Falls Police Department in South Dakota and the Champaign Police Department in Illinois.

Top Journal Star photos for February 2023
A legislative proposal to authorize the use of "turnback" state sales tax revenue directly associated with development of a convention center in Lincoln to help fund the project ran into a flurry of questions Thursday from members of the Legislature's Revenue Committee.

Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln, sponsor of the bill, said the proposed downtown convention center would be "a catalyst for significant economic growth" in Lincoln that would also benefit the state.

The proposal (LB732) would extend provisions originally included in the state's convention center facility financing assistance act until 2030, allowing 70% of the state sales tax revenue collected by retailers and operators doing business at such facilities, along with associated hotels, to be directed to the convention center.

Todd Ogden, president and CEO of the Downtown Lincoln Association, said the proposed convention center would be "an economic development catalyst" that would benefit Lincoln and the state.

Sen. Tom Briese of Albion wondered if the facility might be built "with or without a turnback" and Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil questioned whether it might be in competition with facilities already built in Kearney and Omaha.

Lynn Rex, speaking for the League of Nebraska Municipalities, said the proposal is "important for municipalities across the state, not just Lincoln."

Sales tax turnback provisions "assist all municipalities in the state," she said.

Bostar said the bill proposes "a win-win" by creating more development while powering an "economic engine" that will produce new revenue for the state.

Dan Marvin, director of Urban Development for the city of Lincoln, said the turnback tax provision was "a critical part" of the proposal that led to construction of Pinnacle Bank Arena, sparking development in the Haymarket that produced new economic activity.

Development of a convention center would result in construction of a new hotel along with other business development, generating new economic activity and sales tax revenue, he said.

Members of the committee appeared to be concerned by a fiscal note from the Department of Revenue that stated "there is potential for a significant reduction in state sales tax revenue" with passage of the bill.

A separate bill (LB709) that has been introduced by Sen. Anna Wishart of Lincoln would allocate $60 million in state funds to help build the convention center. Cost of the project has been estimated at between $111 million and $120 million.

Top Journal Star photos for February 2023
Adopting year-round daylight saving time could increase economic opportunity in Nebraska by spurring additional commercial activity while having a positive medical impact for some people who are adversely affected by the current cycle of time change, Sen. Tom Briese of Albion said Wednesday.

Briese is the sponsor of a bill (LB143) that would implement year-round daylight saving time, ending the annual time change that occurs in March and November as the state leaves and then reestablishes standard time, moving clocks forward one hour during the spring and then back an hour in the autumn.

His proposal would implement year-round daylight saving time in Nebraska "if and when the federal government allows states to do so," but only if at least three neighboring states also adopt similar legislation.

Nineteen states have adopted such legislation, Briese said, including neighboring Wyoming and Colorado.

Statistics indicate that current time changes adversely impact the number of car accidents and workforce injuries, he said.

Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha, a member of the Legislature's Government, Military and Veterans Committee, told Briese during the committee's hearing on the bill that contacts with her office demonstrate more support for his bill than any other piece of pending legislation.

The Nebraska Broadcasters Association expressed opposition to the bill, telling the committee that it would be "disruptive to our industry (and result in) chaotic program scheduling" for TV and radio stations that serve people in Nebraska and across state lines.

That could lead to a declining audience and lost revenue, Jim Timm of Omaha, president and executive director of the association, said.

Briese also presented a proposal (LR14CA) that seeks a vote of the people on a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow voters to recall the governor, state senators and other state constitutional officers, in effect removing them from office before their elected terms are completed.

Voters should have that authority in Nebraska, Briese said.

"A bad actor can do a whole lot of damage," he said.

In Nebraska, local officials already are subject to recall provisions, Briese said.

In 20 states, the governor can be recalled by voters, he said, and state legislators can be recalled in 19 states.

Since 1913, two governors and 22 legislators have been recalled by voters, Briese said.

His proposal "put(s) power in the hands of the second house," he said, referring to the people as the second house in Nebraska's unique unicameral legislative system.

In addition to the governor and state senators, Briese's proposal would allow recall of the lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, attorney general and auditor of public accounts.

Top Journal Star photos for January 2023
What if a big Chinese balloon flew right over Nebraska  and hardly anyone noticed?

Thats apparently what happened last week, when an alleged spy balloon measuring the size of three school buses floated over the country, from Alaska to Idaho to South Carolina.

The Cornhusker State sits squarely in the path between Billings, Montana, where the giant balloon was first spotted Feb. 1, and Kansas City, Missouri, where it was seen two days later. Eyewitnesses later spotted it over Tennessee and the Carolinas before an Air Force F-22 shot the balloon down over the Atlantic Ocean near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Saturday afternoon.

Several Southeast Nebraska news outlets carried reports of potential sightings, but U.S. military officials have revealed few details about the balloons exact path across the country. Likely routes calculated by intelligence analysts and meteorologists show the balloon probably crossed into Nebraska from South Dakota somewhere in the Panhandle and exited near Falls City, in the states southeast corner.

The crossing would most likely have taken place late Thursday or early Friday.

It gives a new definition to Nebraska being flyover country,  said Tyler White, director of the National Security Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The balloon was reported at altitudes from 50,000 to 65,000 feet, well above where commercial airliners fly.

Using meteorological estimates of the balloons route as well as line-of-sight and horizon calculations from open sources, a former military intelligence analyst who uses the Twitter handle @TheIntelFrog estimated in a post Sunday that sensors aboard the balloon could potentially have eavesdropped over a wide swath of the country.

Pretty much everything in Nebraska was in its line of sight, he said in an interview.

White said that could include Minuteman ICBM silos and launch-control facilities (more than 70 sites) in western Nebraska, and Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha  the headquarters of U.S. Strategic Command, the keepers of the nuclear arsenal.

Those missiles out west, StratCom here in the east. Are there things (the Chinese) would like to check out? White said. Sure.

But Robert Hopkins III, a former 55th Wing RC-135 pilot who has written several books on post-World War II military reconnaissance flights, doubts the Chinese would seriously try to spy using a large, slow-moving balloon when it has so many better ways  including satellites  to gather valuable intelligence.

Theres nothing a balloon could collect that could not be gathered by other means, Hopkins said. What is it getting that isnt already available through commercial imagery? A Chinese guy with a camera standing outside the gate at Offutt could get more valuable information.

He believes the balloon may have been launched as a provocation in the midst of rising tensions between the U.S. and China.

China is rapidly expanding its own nuclear arsenal, and asserting its presence in the South China Sea. It has cracked down on democracy in Hong Kong and stepped up flights around Taiwan, leading to predictions that it will try to invade the island where nationalist Chinese took refuge after the 1949 Communist revolution.

Last month, shortly before the Chinese balloon was launched, the U.S. signed an agreement to share military facilities in the Philippines, a neighbor to China.

I think theres a lot of knee-jerk reaction, Hopkins said. I dont see this as the crisis that people are making it out to be.

President Joe Biden has been attacked by Republicans for allowing the balloon to fly over the country before finally ordering the Air Force to shoot it down.

They knew the CCP spy balloon was coming, they knew it was here, Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer said Friday in a tweet. Its likely already passed over NE, which is home to a number of important military assets. By failing to neutralize this earlier, the Biden admin. further complicated this egregious incursion into our airspace.

But White and Hopkins both believe the U.S. gained valuable intelligence of its own by monitoring the balloon. American U-2 spy planes  among the few capable of flying at altitudes higher than the balloon  followed it during part of its journey, according to reporting in The War Zone, a military news site.

We have a ton of platforms that would be able to gather ELINT (electronics intelligence), White said. Is it talking with people in China, and what kind of intelligence is it sending?

Hopkins said Offutts own 55th Wing has an aircraft well-configured to scoop up that kind of data: the RC-135U Combat Sent, which is designed to gather electronic communication.

Combat Sent is the perfect platform to assess any emissions because of its specific ELINT-collection abilities, he said.

IntelFrog noted in a Twitter post that a Combat Sent took off from Offutt about 2 p.m. Central Time Friday and flew an 11-hour mission primarily over Missouri and Tennessee at about the same time the Chinese balloon was passing over the area. It flew at about 35,000 feet, safely below the balloons altitude.

A 55th Wing spokesman declined to comment on the balloon or the Combat Sent mission.

IntelFrog said the flight wasnt in an area where the 55th Wing commonly conducts training missions, and the flight patterns were somewhat unusual.

Its all speculation, but the timing was a little too coincidental, he said. It was definitely a weird sortie.

Hopkins was at first skeptical, but he came to believe it was at least plausible that the Offutt-based jet was monitoring the balloon. And he thinks the military came out ahead by monitoring the balloon instead of shooting it down earlier.

They had a lot of potential intelligence windfall by letting it continue, he said.

White said he hopes the Pentagon will eventually make public what it learns from the wreckage of the balloon.

Its just a curious case, he said. Im excited to hear more.

Photos: Offutt Air Force Base through the years Offutt Air Force Base is named for Lt. Jarvis Offutt  the first airman from Omaha killed in World War I. 1891 1952 1956 1957 1959 1961 1962 1962 1967 1970 1989 1992 1997 2000 2000 2003 2006 2012 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2019 2019
Gov. Jim Pillen told lawmakers Tuesday that a bill guaranteeing state support for every public school student and boosting special education funding is "pivotal" to his education package.

"With these two pieces, the state of Nebraska's making a huge investment in public schools," he said. "We're working to provide them with the funding necessary to educate all of our students."

The governor kicked off testimony at a hearing on Legislative Bill 583, which State Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue introduced on his behalf. Those who followed offered a mixed bag of praise and concerns.

Almost all testifiers welcomed the part of Pillen's proposal that would increase special education funding.

Under the bill, the state would put enough money into special education so the combination of state and federal support would cover 80% of costs. Currently, they cover around 40% of costs, with the rest coming from schools' general fund budgets.

The Governor's Office estimated the increase at $157 million in the first year. The legislative fiscal office, based on estimates from the Department of Education, pegged the cost at $253 million in the first year.

Kristen Larsen, executive director of the Nebraska Council on Developmental Disabilities, called the proposal a "historic investment" that would finally fulfill a decades-old pledge to reach the 80% mark. She said sufficient funding is critical to helping students with disabilities get the education they deserve.

"It's something long overdue," said Kathy Danek, a Lincoln Public Schools board member.

Danek supported the special education funding, saying it would help all Nebraska public school districts, but raised concerns about the other part of LB 583, which would provide public schools with $1,500 for each student.

The provision would increase state support for the two-thirds of Nebraska school districts that do not qualify for equalization aid, which tend to be rural districts with lower property tax levies. But it would not help the others, which tend to be larger schools with higher tax levies.

Equalization aid provides state dollars to fill the gap between a districts educational needs and the money it can get from property taxes and other sources. For so-called equalized districts, the proposed $1,500 per-student payments would be offset by a loss of equalization aid.

The Governor's Office estimated the per-student payments would increase state school aid by $103 million per year, with an amendment offered Tuesday to strike per-student payments for option enrollment students.

The amendment responds to a World-Herald story that pointed out schools already get state aid for accepting students from other school districts. Those student are referred to as option students.

Spencer Head, Omaha Public Schools board president, spoke against LB583, although he said the district supports the special education increase. He said OPS wants to see state school aid changes that are equitable for taxpayers and for students but the per-student payments would increase disparities in property tax levies.

Head suggested the district would be more comfortable if state equalization aid could be included in Pillen's proposed Education Future Fund, thus giving it some protection against future cuts.

The fund would be created under LB681, another piece of the governor's education package. The bill would make an initial $1 billion investment this year, then provide for a $250 million infusion each following year. The fund would be used to provide the per-student payments and the additional special education funding.

The third piece of Pillen's package, LB 589, would put a 3% cap on school revenue growth.

Mark McHargue, president of the Nebraska Farm Bureau, testified in support of the school aid increases as long as they remain part of the three-bill package, a position also taken by representatives from Americans for Prosperity Nebraska, a conservative advocacy group, and the Lincoln Independent Business Association.

"This cannot just simply be a windfall for the education community," said Jessica Shelburn with Americans for Prosperity Nebraska. "Property tax payers have to see some relief."

But Rebecca Firestone, executive director for OpenSky Policy Institute, questioned how the pieces of the education package would affect each other and be affected by a separate package of income and property tax changes.

She said that an analysis done by institute staff showed that nine model districts would lose funding under the revenue cap. The model also suggested that the new fund would be substantially depleted within seven years, while the tax cut measures would reduce state revenues and make it harder to replenish the fund.

Photos: 2023 Nebraska legislative session
RACINE  The teen charged with the shooting a Case High School student was in Racine County Circuit Court on Wednesday for arraignment.

Tyrese G. Love, 19, pleaded not guilty to two counts of attempted first-degree homicide with use of a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm by a felon.

A status hearing was scheduled for 9 a.m. March 6.

Case History

The Mount Pleasant Police Department was dispatched at 1:15 p.m. Sept. 28, 2022, to the parking lot of the Delta Hotel, 7111 Washington Ave., after a report of shots fired.

When officers arrived they found Zysean Golden, then 16, with a gunshot to the abdomen. A second person  identified only as JMD, then 17  was not hurt in the shooting.

According to the criminal complaint, three Case students who were in the parking lot at the time of the shooting told investigators that Golden and JMD crossed paths with Love and three others.

The students reportedly said that Golden and JMD began verbally sparring with Love and another person and that Love then pulled a semi-automatic handgun out of his waistband, pointed in the direction of (Golden) and JMD, and began firing.

Investigators collected four shell casings from the scene.

JMD and the three people with Love all ran to Case High School, according to the complaint, and Love allegedly ran from the scene and then rode away on a bike as law enforcement and rescue began arriving.

Love was arrested in Cook County, Illinois, and extradited to Racine County.

The arrest was made with the assistance of the FBI Gang Task Force, the United States Marshals Office and the Chicago Police Department.

Love remains in custody at the Racine County Jail with bail of $250,000.

IN PHOTOS: Anthony Harris homicide trial ANTHONY HARRIS TRIAL ANTHONY HARRIS TRIAL ANTHONY HARRIS TRIAL ANTHONY HARRIS TRIAL ANTHONY HARRIS TRIAL ANTHONY HARRIS TRIAL ANTHONY HARRIS TRIAL
Promoting the growth of industries and hence increasing their contribution to the economy remains one of the top priorities of the Omani government, which is celebrating the Omani Industry Day on February 9.

To achieve success, it has put in place a policy framework to create a conducive business environment for industries. To support industries, the government has centered on simplifying processes, job creation, skill development and fostering innovation.

Oman government, represented by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, marks the day to motivate the industrial sector to work for economic diversification in the sultanate.

Role of Sharakah

In line with Omans vision 2040 Sharakah has been boosting the industrial sector in the country since 1998. Being committed to entrepreneurship development it offers a wide range of services to aspiring entrepreneurs right from planning a project to reaching its full potential.

Sharakah offers three main services including creating awareness about the importance of entrepreneurship and SMEs; providing financial support for startups and existing businesses; and providing consultation, handholding and advice to business owners to ensure their progress and sustainability.

Sharakah has been contributing considerably to the development and preservation of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Oman to help young and aspiring entrepreneurs in Oman grow into successful business leaders. In cooperation with the SME ecosystem Sharakah also provides advisory support as well as capacity building and creating awareness on the importance and best practices for entrepreneurship targeting different age groups across Oman.

Variety of tools

It has developed a variety of tools to improve business performance, among them: the Risk Assessment Tool, which gives an insight into the risk associated with each prospective business, producing a mitigation strategy; the Business Performance Monitoring Tool, a performance measurement tool that evaluates the business from different angles and provides a plan for improvement of the business over a specified timeframe; the Financial Analysis Tool which enables understanding project profitability, payback period and other significant financial ratios and metrics.

In accordance with Omans Economic Stimulus Plan (ESP) endorsed by the Council of Ministers and approved by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik in 2021, Sharakah developed its five-year strategy (2021-2025) to meet the existing market circumstances and to be more aligned with Omans Vision 2040. Sharakah now focuses on the sectors of transformative industries such as agriculture, fisheries, mining, mineral, cultural, logistics, educational, tourism, technology, innovation, and other complementary sectors.

Sharakah extended the sectors of its support that were previously limited to manufacturing, services and trading to help open up a wider field for the economy in general and for the SMEs in particular to boost their services and increase the percentage of their contribution to the countrys GDP. Sharakah also cooperates with organisations regionally and internationally to achieve its objectives.

Since its establishment, Sharakah has supported a number of SMEs all over Oman and in different sectors and backed them with the objective of ensuring business sustainability and creating employment opportunities.

New Rusayl Heights (ELMRR)

One of Sharakahs biggest continuous support success stories is the New Rusayl Heights (ELMRR), a leading Omani SME specialised in manufacturing construction chemicals and coating products. The SME was granted financial and advisory support by Sharakah as a startup in 2011. ELMRR has benefited and grown with numerous financial assistances and continued handholding. Sharakahs main aim of continuous support contributes positively to the national economy by supporting an SME like ELMRR to stabilise and enhance its performance with financial and consultancy services.

ELMRR, established in Muscat in 2011 by Huda Al Saadi, produces a variety of products with high quality to fulfil the local market demands in the construction and building industry. Each product manufactured by ELMRR is a result of research and development with contractors, manufacturers and consumers to ensure the product complements the requirements of the market.

The products include high-quality precision grouts, concrete admixtures, Industrial floorings and coatings, technically advanced joint sealants, adhesives, bonding agents, water proofing and damp proofing products, water stops, self-adhesive membranes, protective coatings and concrete repair and protection systems among others.

The business stood against the stiff competition from big players in the market and grown over the years. Now operating from Samail Industrial Area and it aims to increase production capacity and add new products to cater to the market demands.-- TradeArabia News Service
In the lead-up to his budget unveiling next week, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers on Thursday said his next two-year spending plan proposal will include a call for increased spending on services for Wisconsins more than 300,000 veterans.

Evers will formally introduce his 2023-25 biennial budget proposal on Wednesday, but on Thursday he teased his upcoming request for increased state spending on a variety of services geared toward veterans, including efforts to boost employment, education, housing and mental health services.

Evers proposal follows work completed last year by the Blue Ribbon Commission on Veteran Opportunity, which the governor announced in his 2022 State of the State address. The commission in September identified gaps in existing services for veterans and underscored the need for expanded access to higher education and job training, increased mental and behavioral health support and substance abuse and disorder treatment, and more spending to address housing insecurity, the governor said in a statement.

Now, were continuing that good work in the upcoming biennial budget by proposing continued investment in various innovative initiatives to ensure the state is equipped to meet the needs of our veteran community and help them build strong, lasting success, Evers said.

Some of the measures in Evers upcoming budget proposal are:

$500,000 in general purpose revenue to evaluate post-9/11 veteran needs related to increased deployment, higher survival rates and long-term skilled nursing.

Require the state Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to explore expansion at all Veterans Housing and Recovery Program sites.

Additional funding to create a master plan for the state Veterans Home at King, located in Waupaca County, to provide better service and more spending to address ongoing needs at Wisconsins three state-run veteran homes.

$6.7 million to DVA to support add-ons for several nursing classifications.

Double funding to county and Tribal Veterans Services offices.

$2.8 million over the biennium to University of Wisconsin System campuses to provide services tailored to veterans, military personnel and their families.

Expanded eligibility for the Veterans and Surviving Spouses Property Tax Credit.

Create a veteran rental assistance program to be funded by $2 million over the biennium.

$900,000 over the biennium to assist employers that hire veterans who are transitioning into civilian life.

Establish Veterans Day as a state holiday. Wisconsin is the only state that does not observe the day as a state holiday, according to the governors office.

State Sen. Andre Jacque, R-De Pere, said Thursday one of the measures included in Evers budget proposal, to expand eligibility requirements for the property tax credit to include more veterans, mirrors legislation he and state Rep. James Edming, R-Glen Flora, introduced in previous sessions. Despite receiving bipartisan support, the measure has yet to reach fruition, and Jacque said he and Edming reintroduced the proposal on Wednesday.

When they deployed, our veterans wrote out a blank check with their lives to defend our way of life, and we will never be able to fully repay them, Jacque said. This initiative is a common sense way to better meet our ongoing commitment to those who have sacrificed and suffered hardship for our freedom, and Im glad to have Governor Evers on board.

Once Evers unveils his formal budget request, the Republican-controlled budget committee will rewrite the document before sending it back to the governor.

State lawmakers enter the budget process with a more than $7 billion state surplus, which provides the opportunity to address calls for tax cuts, as well as increased spending on state services and programs.

Evers provided a teaser to his upcoming budget proposal in his State of the State address last month. Republicans have supported some of the measures proposed by the Democratic governor, but also lambasted the address for its level of spending.

The top priority among GOP leaders in the Legislature this coming budget session is tax cuts, such as the 3.25% flat income tax proposal unveiled earlier this year by Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg.

Evers, who has signaled he would almost certainly veto a flat tax, has pushed for a 10% tax cut for individuals earning $100,000 or less per year and married filers making $150,000 or less.
LAC DU FLAMBEAU  Roads have been blocked in northern Wisconsin in a dispute involving homeowners and an American Indian tribe.

Leaders of the Lac du Flambeau tribe set up barricades on Jan. 30 after negotiations with property title companies broke down, the Green Bay Press-Gazette reported.

The tribe said the roads were illegally built on its reservation without compensation. Leaders insist they are taking care of residents who need food, prescriptions, propane and other services, but some people feel trapped.

We understand that this is a difficult time for those residents and have tried to show compassion for their predicament, the tribe said.

David Kievet said officials told him he could drive away but he wouldnt be allowed back in. He said hes relying instead on a friends snowmobile to travel across a frozen lake.

From my records, there are 55 affected properties, Kievet said. So far, I have enrolled about 25 of the property owners in a community site where we can exchange information.

Two lawmakers, Sen. Mary Felzkowski, R-Tomahawk, and Rep. Rob Swearingen, R-Rhinelander, have asked Gov. Tony Evers to intervene. The Press-Gazette said he visited the area last weekend.

Its imperative that action be taken immediately to ensure the safety of citizens who are not to blame for the current situation, the lawmakers said.
Killeen, TX (76540)

Today

Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 65F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 65F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.
1. Yes. Having a community member interview panel is an excellent opportunity for input.

2. Yes. Its good that the city will allow residents to meet the finalist at a reception.

3. No. The city should have conducted a public survey early in the process, as KISD is doing.

4. No. Residents should be able to meet candidates before a lone finalist is chosen.

5. Unsure. Its hard to know how to gauge the proper level of public involvement.

Vote

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Imagine you are cold and have every piece of clothing on that will fit. How would you feel? Warm Hands and Paws for Ukraine is a project to donate hand warmers and pet food to Ukraine. This can be a lifeline for those living in Ukraine.

This is a humanitarian effort to show the people of Ukraine that others care and want to help them stay in their dwelling during this conflict over their land.

This is a grass roots effort of people helping people. Local Kwik Trip Stores (La Crosse, Onalaska, Holmen, Hokah, West Salem, La Crescent and Stoddard) will collect hand warmers and pet food in the month of February. Items will be taken to Chalice of Mercy/Gaylord Warehouse in the Twin Cities to be shipped to Ukraine. One pallet (600 pounds) will be shipped to Ukraine in 10 business days at a cost of $1,020 per pallet.

Sue Schultz, family and friends established a partnership with Kwik Trip and Chalice of Mercy to collect and deliver warmth to Ukraine. Chalice of Mercy is a 501 c 3 organization that has been delivering mostly medical supplies and clothing to Ukraine for over 10 years. The need is now! Kwik Trip has a record of doing community collections/donations such as Coats for Kids.

Donating hand warmers means you would have to give up a cup of coffee or a candy bar to give heat and hope to those fighting for the right to keep their land. You have all seen the media coverage. Will you do this?

Credit card donations can be made at ChaliceofMercy.org and their GoFundme page. Note the donation is for Warm Hands and PAWS for Ukraine. Checks can be mailed to Chalice of Mercy, N13740 Fairview Road, Fairchild, WI 54741 with the same notation.

No electricity means cold, long, dark hours for families with no heat. Would you want to be in that situation day after day in the winter?

For more information, contact Sue Schultz at 608-792-0931 or email ssschultz@charter.net
La Crosse Fire Department Capt. Adam Markert has been honored as the departments Firefighter of the Year.

Markert received his award during a Tuesday ceremony at Fire Station No. 1 in La Crosse.

The Firefighter of the Year award is selected by a vote from all the departments firefighters. Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Murphy said Markert was chosen not only because of his exceptional leadership in this department, but also the relentless dedication he had in starting our fitness and health program in partnership with Mayo Clinic.

Murphy said launching the fitness initiative was a multi-year effort. He said the program is already making a positive impact for firefighting crews.

Captain Markert has had many successes throughout his career, Murphy said. His leadership was recognized by his peers, and his most recent efforts for the partnership with Mayo made him an obvious choice for this years Firefighter of the Year. Were in the business of saving lives. The work that Adam has done with this program truly makes us all the better to do that.

Markert has been with the department for 15 years and accepted the award with his wife and two children present.

PHOTOS & VIDEO: Scenes from blaze in downtown La Crosse
Bahrains Tourism Minister Fatima bint Jaffar Al Sairafi recently reviewed the latest hospitality projects in the kingdom and affirmed the ministry's support to the developments.



Al Sairafi met Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) CEO Dr Nasser Qaedi, Sayacorp Aqar CEO Fawaz Ali Al Jowder, and Conrad Hotel & Resorts Bahrain General Manager Chantel Masoudi in a meeting that discussed the Conrad Residence project, the Bahrain Financial Harbour, the Sayacorp Tower project, and the tourism licensing procedures taken for the Conrad Hotel project with the executive management, reported Bahrain News Agency (BNA).



The minister highlighted Sayacorps efforts in promoting the real estate and hotel sector in the Kingdom.



She stressed the keenness of the ministry and the authority to include the project within the tourism marketing programs implemented by the BTEA globally.



Al Sairafi stressed the tourism sectors contributions to achieve the Kingdom's strategic goals and support the national economy.
A video circulating on Facebook has led to a Black River Falls School District staffer being placed on administrative leave.

In the nine-second clip, in which the camera is aimed at the ceiling, a woman, confirmed to be an aide at the Black River Falls High School, can be heard saying to a student, I dont care if you get a D-minus. Youre Native, right? Collect your check, you dont have to give two (expletives) about your future, so why should I care?

A relative of the student, who, according to the post, is a high school student and member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, shared the video on their Facebook page Wednesday afternoon, with over 100 comments as of Thursday morning. The Tribune confirmed the student recorded the video.

The Black River Falls School District early Wednesday evening posted the following to its Facebook page:

Hello families, I wanted to reach out to let you know that the District is aware of a video that has been posted to social media containing racially insensitive and inappropriate comments directed at our Native students. We are currently investigating this matter and will address the matter as appropriate.

Please know that the statements made in the video in no way represent the views or beliefs of the SDBRF. We are deeply sorry that this has happened, and we are committed to the success of all our students and expect all staff members to uphold that commitment each and every day.

Shelly Severson, superintendent for the School District of Black River Falls, told the Tribune Thursday morning the aide has been placed on administrative leave.

Throwback from Tribune files: Life in the La Crosse area in the 1950s 1951: La Crosse Central High School 1951: YMCA at Seventh and Main streets 1954: Triangle Cafe 1954: Estell Tall Fashions 1954: Howards Clothes 1954: Crescent Jewelers 1954: Tom's Speedometer Shop 1954: YMCA basketball 1954: 5 and 10-cent Store fire 1955: La Crosse Beauty School 1956: Christmas shoppers in downtown La Crosse 1956: Central High School Memorial Day assembly 1957: Kroger 1957: Jackson Plaza 1957: Old Style newspaper advertisement 1958: 1st National Bank 1958: State Bank of La Crosse 1958: Heat exchanger plant 1958: American Legion parade
For some, the month of February is a time to acknowledge connection and partnership. At UW-La Crosse, we have a new program that is connecting us to you  the community  and its growing stronger.

Its helping our students learn key skills for their future careers while they learn important tasks that community organizations and businesses need help doing.

This program is called the Community Engaged Learning program.

The CEL program allows students to gain real-world experience through a classroom partnership with a local business, nonprofit or civic organization. The program was piloted during the 2021-22 school year, and, after a successful trial, continues to grow and gain momentum in 2023.

In the first five months of the program, more than 300 students have assisted 36 businesses, nonprofits or civic organizations. Nearly all of the partnerships were local with 85% happening in La Crosse County. The hundreds of students came from 19 different course sections on campus, providing a wide variety of community services from scientific research to community event building.

How does

the program work?The CEL program works by matching a local community need with a faculty expert who is looking for a real-world project for their students to practice the knowledge and skills they are learning in the classroom.

Community organizations can submit their project ideas online through the UW-L Community Idea Exchange, which also serves as a resource for faculty looking for hands-on classroom projects in the community that reinforce student learning.

Community-engaged courses require a minimum of 15 hours of work with or for a community partner and include learning outcomes connected to job skills that employers nationwide have identified as critical to workforce success. The UW-L Academic Advising Center and Career Services office calls these job skills the Eagle Advantage, a career readiness initiative that gives students a competitive edge for future employment.

The goal of the Eagle Advantage is to help students recognize and articulate the essential career-readiness skills they are developing, said Becky Vianden, director of UW-Ls Academic Advising Center and Career Services.

Example partnership One of the programs most recent partnerships took place with Oktoberfest U.S.A. in September and October 2022. Thirteen students from a Recreation Management class planned and facilitated the Lederhosen Games. The students gathered the necessary supplies, marketed the event, and provided Oktoberfest U.S.A. organizers with an evaluation and recommendations for next years games.

The students involvement with Oktoberfest is very valuable, said Jean Taylor, member of the Oktoberfest U.S.A Board of Directors. The Lederhosen Games are very popular with attendees of Oktoberfest. The class makes the event turnkey for the (board) and a success with visitors. We very much value the partnership with the instructor and the immersion into our event the experience offers the students.

The faculty member teaching the course values these types of local partnerships because students gain marketable skills, as well as experience they can use when applying for jobs after graduation.

Local partnerships ... are valuable for many reasons, said Dan Plunkett, associate professor in the Recreation Management and Therapeutic Recreation Department. Not only do the partnerships provide a chance for students to develop and practice real-world skills, but the work students do with community partners is seen as fun and engaging. In can reaffirm that they are following a career path that is right for them.

The impact of these types of service and research projects on student learning helped UW-La Crosse Community Engaged Learning Program receive the 2022 American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Excellence & Innovation Award for Civic Learning and Community Engagement. AASCU is a Washington, D.C.-based higher education association of nearly 400 public colleges, universities and systems nationwide. The AASCU gives the award to acknowledge the outstanding results and potential of a program to influence and serve as a model for other institutions.

As UW-L continues to build local partnerships to collaborate with on the Community Engaged Learning model, the institution maintains maintains a focus on preparing students for the workforce through hands-on, real-world projects and research that benefit the community.

We see how our connection to the community can strengthen community and student education. Thats the type of partnership Im excited to celebrate this February.Learn how to partner with UW-L on a service or research project through the Community Idea Exchange at www.uwlax.edu/community/uwl-community-idea-exchange-submission/
DEFOREST  In a clear indication that he plans to go after the working class vote in the 2024 election, President Joe Biden focused on unions role in building the countrys economy in a speech Wednesday at a DeForest worker training center.

The Biden economic plan is working, Biden told a receptive audience at the Laborers International Union of North America Center here in his first speech after Tuesdays State of the Union address.

But thats not news to any of you. Laborers here in Wisconsin, union workers across the country are seeing it firsthand because for the first time in a long time, were building an economy from the bottom up.

Biden in his 24-minute speech highlighted two key aspects of the message likely to feature prominently in any reelection campaign: What he called the hollowing-out of the working class and how his administration seeks to build it up. That message is central to Democrats hopes for winning back the support of blue-collar workers, who have shifted more Republican since 2010.

For decades, the backbone of America, the middle class, has been hollowed out, Biden said. Referring to the former General Motors plant in Janesville, which shuttered its doors in 2008 and left the community in turmoil, Biden said: Thousands of people lost their jobs.

Once-thriving cities and towns became shadows of what they used to be. When those towns were hollowed out, something else was lost: Pride, self-esteem, a sense of self-worth. But now were going to turn that around.

In DeForest, Biden took credit for creating more jobs in two years than any other president did in four years. A White House memo sent out before the event says private companies have committed $4 billion in manufacturing across Wisconsin since Biden took office. It also says $2.9 billion in federal funding has been allotted to infrastructure projects across the state.

Here in Wisconsin we are seeing the results of this investment firsthand, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said before Bidens arrival in DeForest. Our economy is in the strongest position ever in state history.

The union vote

Bidens visit comes as federal labor data shows just under 8% of workers in Wisconsin are represented by a union, an all-time low. In 1989, over 20% of Wisconsin workers belonged to a union.

Those figures are no surprise after former Republican Gov. Scott Walkers signature legislation, 2011 Act 10, largely eliminated collective bargaining for most public employees, said Kent Miller, the president and business manager of the Wisconsin Laborers District Council, which runs the DeForest training center.

But registered apprentice numbers are at a two-decade high, Miller added, and will likely further increase thanks to Biden signing into law provisions making some tax credits available for companies that employ a certain number of apprentices.

The LIUNA training center offers courses on laying pipe, building scaffolds, environmental remediation, building demolition, utility construction and dozens of other topics.

Increasing the share of the union vote makes a big difference, Democratic Party of Wisconsin chair Ben Wikler said in an interview. But its also certainly the case that unions help focus voters on the impact on their pocketbook of having Democrats in office.

Much of Bidens speech related to the economy, though he also took aim at a handful of GOP lawmakers, including U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, of Oshkosh, for comments regarding Medicare and Social Security. Johnson in August said those programs should be approved annually by Congress, rather than being automatically renewed.

Come on, man, Biden said Wednesday.

Deflect, divide

Johnson said late Wednesday afternoon that Biden was lying about him.

I want to save these programs, he said in a statement. I have simply pointed out the greatest threat to these programs is out-of-control debt and deficits. We need a process to prioritize spending and decrease our deficits.

Just before his speech, Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel said Bidens post-State of the Union victory lap in Wisconsin is out of touch with Americans struggling in the economy.

Every day is a crisis for American workers facing rising costs to feed their families, yet Joe Biden continues to deflect, divide, and duck blame without offering solutions, she said.

Bidens Wisconsin visit follows a nationwide labor market report that far exceeded economists expectations. The U.S. economy added 517,000 jobs in January, and the unemployment rate fell to 3.4%, its lowest rate since 1969, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

At the same time, Bidens approval ratings are among the worst ever for a presidents second year. Forty percent of Americans approved of Biden compared to 53% who disapproved of him as of Jan. 25, according to a Reuters poll.

Wisconsins unemployment rate was 3.2% as of December, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But employers statewide have been struggling to find workers. And there will be 130,000 fewer working Wisconsinites by 2030 if recent migration patterns continue, according to the Wisconsin Counties Associations nonpartisan research arm Forward Analytics.

With the worker shortage in mind, the Republican-led Legislature recently approved putting an advisory referendum on the April 4 ballot  which also features the Wisconsin Supreme Court race  asking voters whether some adults should have to seek work to receive benefits from taxpayer-funded programs. Democrats called the effort a politically motivated election turnout effort that would divide Wisconsinites. The referendums results will not have any binding effect.
President Joe Biden's first stop after his State of the Union address Tuesday was in Madison, where he greeted supporters at the airport befor
A new survey of UW students found that many of them don't value free speech. Too many students are too quick to shut down speech they don't agree with.

Hearing different perspectives is the best way to broaden your mind. If your values and views aren't challenged you will never know how strong they truly are.
Jumeirah Group, a global luxury hospitality company and member of Dubai Holding, has announced the acquisition of its first property in Switzerland as it continues its growth trajectory and international expansion.



The flagship property - Le Richemond - was founded in 1875 and is located on the banks of Lake Geneva in a prime location at the heart of the citys business district and a short walk from the citys luxury designer boutiques. The acquisition forms part of the Groups strategy to build its brand profile in gateway destinations across the world.



The move signals Jumeirahs appetite for investment in key cities that support the diversification of its portfolio and build brand equity as a globally recognised luxury hotel operator. Geneva, as a thriving city, synonymous with luxury living, with a strong international business community and a robust high-end tourism sector, will support Jumeirahs vision to become one of the worlds top five luxury hotel brands.



The art deco property with its charm and grandeur has been a popular destination for well-known personalities throughout the years. The hotel features 109 keys with 87 rooms and 22 suites, boasting stunning views across Lac Leman and the mountain peaks of Mont Blanc.



The property will undergo extensive renovations, which will commence as soon as possible, to reposition and elevate the guest experience to a level consistent with Jumeirahs brand expectations. Jumeirah plans to introduce its signature wellness and fitness concepts and will also focus on bringing its culinary expertise to the banks of Lake Geneva, a city well-regarded for its diverse culinary craftsmanship and innovative spirit, with the introduction of unique destination dining concepts.



Katerina Giannouka, Chief Executive Officer of Jumeirah Group said: This is an important acquisition for Jumeirah as it marks our entry into Switzerland, presenting guests with a prestigious address to stay in the heart of Genevas most desirable destination, as well as serving as a gateway to world-renowned ski resorts. Le Richemond is a legendary property with a 140-year legacy and impeccable pedigree, and we are committed to preserving this heritage as we redesign the hotel.



We are in pursuit of the finest architects and designers to curate an exceptional hotel within the Jumeirah portfolio, and we are confident that the re-launch of this property as a new ultra-luxury hotel in Geneva following the completion of the planned renovation works (currently expected in 2025), will support the citys tourism economy, attracting both domestic and international visitors for business and leisure.



As the gateway to the mountains of Europe, Geneva is strategically significant for us as we look to diversify our portfolio in major cities with both summer and winter resort destinations, Giannouka added.



Jumeirahs new property in Geneva is its fifth in Europe, joining The Carlton Tower Jumeirah, and Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in London, UK; Capri Palace Jumeirah on the island of Capri, Italy; and Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa in Mallorca, Spain. Jumeirah Group, which originated in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, has a portfolio of 26 hotels and resorts across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.  TradeArabia News Service
Helga Zepp-LaRouche: Biden Lets Nord Stream Blow UpGerman Government Must Act Immediately!

Feb. 8, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS) The following statement was issued today by Helga Zepp-LaRouche, the founder of the Schiller Institute and chairwoman of the German party Civil Rights Movement Solidarity (BuSo):

An article just published by the well-known U.S. investigative journalist Seymour Hersh describes with meticulous accuracy how U.S. President Joe Biden had the gas pipelines Nord Stream 1 and 2 blown up in the Baltic Sea. This article must leave every normal person stunned in view of the complete lawlessness of the American government towards its partners. If the German government fails to act in the face of this utterly scandalous revelation, it will no longer have any justification to remain in office.

Seymour Hershs article, using both public and private sources, demonstrates that President Biden, through his National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, had reviewed the proposed destruction of the pipelines as early as 2021 and later gave the green light for the operation. Also implicated were members of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, the CIA, the U.S. Departments of State and Treasury, and the governments of Norway and Denmark.

The explosives were placed in June 2022 during the BALTOPS 22 military exercise via a special diving team and were then detonated remotely by signal on September 26, 2022. Germanys purchase of cheap natural gas from Russia had long been a thorn in the side of the U.S. government, Hersh said.

This confirms the suspicion already circulating and at the same time adds minute details to it. Hersh demonstrates that the architects of this act of destruction knew it was an act of war and therefore demanded absolute secrecy.

In light of this monstrosity, Germany must act immediately! I demand that there be a full investigation into Seymour Hershs revelations in the Bundestag! At the same time, I call on the German government to demand accountability from the U.S. government. The German government has a constitutional duty to prevent harm to the German people. The destruction of energy infrastructure strikes at the very foundation of our standard of living and economic stability.

The federal government cannot be indifferent to the fact that Germany and its people are the victims of the geopolitics of an obsessive war faction that not only accepts the destruction of its allies, but even a third world war and the potential extinction of humanity.
Hersh Exposes Biden Administration Plot To Blow Up Nord Stream Pipelines

Feb. 8, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)Seymour Hersh, the ostracized but most senior American investigative journalist since the Vietnam War, has issued a shocking expose, depicting with precision who and how the U.S. Establishment and military rallied to plan and carry out the blowing up of the Russian/German Nord Stream pipelines. This project, according to Hersh, traces back to early 2021.

Titled How America Took Out the Nord Stream Pipeline, Hersh begins by saying outright that the command headquarters selected to run the physical assault on the pipelines was the highly secretive U.S. Navys Diving and Salvage Center  in Panama City, Florida. Last June, he writes, the Navy divers, operating under the cover of a ... midsummer NATO exercise known as BALTOPS 22, planted the remotely triggered explosives that, three months later, destroyed three of the four Nord Stream pipelines, according to a source with direct knowledge of the operational planning.

White House spokesperson Adrienne Watson has already been deployed to answer an email stating about this charge: This is false and complete fiction.

Per Hershs account: The choice of the Panama City facility was based on its covert status. As Navy personnel, its actions are not subject to those covert operations that must be reported to and briefed in advance to the leadership of the Senate and House. Navy divers are also famed for their successful espionage infiltration into a high-level Soviet era communications system used by the submarine division of the Soviet navy.

Whatever the covert operation formalities, however, Hersh makes clear that leading Republicans, most notably Ted Cruz, was involved as soon as Biden was to be inaugurated, to demand that aggressive action be taken against the pipelines. Hersh provides a detailed description of how the pipelines were a pivotal benefit for the German economy, and an exemplification of the Willy Brandt-era, realist Ostpolitik policy, which, though Hersh doesnt say so, gave Germany a margin of sovereignty, which now the Anglo-Americans are demanding be erased.

Hersh writes: Opposition to Nord Stream 2 flared on the eve of the Biden inauguration in January 2021, when Senate Republicans, led by Ted Cruz... repeatedly raised the political threat of cheap Russian natural gas during the confirmation hearing of Blinken... By then, Hersh continues, the Senate

had successfully passed a law that ... halted [the pipeline] in its tracks according to Cruz. When Biden, in communication with Zelenskyy in Ukraine, flinched in moving against the pipelines, Senate Republicans retaliated, blocking all of Bidens foreign policy nominees and delaying passage of the annual defense bill until deep into the fall. It was not clear to Washington just where Olaf Scholz, Germanys newly appointed chancellor, stood,

Hersh notes.

The operational planning for a physical attack on the pipelines got underway starting December, 2021. The presumed reason for top level secret meetings held at that time in the White House, was the claim that Russian President Vladimir Putin was about to invade Ukraine. Those called together from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the CIA, State and Treasury Departments, began to realize that this topicUkrainewas completely linked in the secret proceedings to plans to destroy the pipelines.

Several more meetings occurred. There was skepticism in reaction to the CIAs enthusiasm for a covert deep-sea attack. Hersh writes: Some working guys in the CIA and the State Department were saying, Dont do this. Its stupid and will be a political nightmare if it comes out. Nevertheless, in early 2022, the CIA working group reported back to Sullivans interagency group: We have a way to blow up the pipelines. 

Soon after, Biden met in D.C. with Scholz, who was pushed into support of the U.S. team. That was the press conference where Biden sputtered, If Russia invades... there will be no longer a Nord Stream 2. Biden was merely repeating, Hersh notes, what Victoria Nuland had said 20 days earlier, at a State Department briefing: If Russia invades Ukraine, one way or another Nord Stream 2 will not move forward. (Note: Hersh makes it clear that the warhawks desperately wanted Russia to attack Ukraine.)

Further intelligence leads introduced by the article will be evaluated by the EIR staff, which pertain to the close ties between Norway and its former prime minister, long-term NATO General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg, with U.S. intelligence, and other elements pertaining to the BALTOPS maneuvers.
British Airways has announced a codeshare partnership with Airlink, improving connectivity between the UK, Europe, North America and more than 15 destinations in Southern Africa.



With bases in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban in South Africa, Airlink is a premium regional airline with a wide-reaching network of cities in 14 countries, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia.



The agreement means British Airways customers travelling from or transiting through London will be able to connect to their final destination via Cape Town or Johannesburg on a single ticket. This will offer more choice and flexibility for those travelling on to one of 18 towns and cities, such as Windhoek in Namibia and Durban in South Africa.



British Airways currently flies twice daily between London Heathrow and Johannesburg with A380 aircraft, twice daily between London Heathrow and Cape Town with B777 and A350 aircraft and three times per week between London Gatwick and Cape Town with B777 aircraft.



Members of British Airways loyalty programme, the Executive Club, can earn Avios when flying on Airlink flights on a British Airways codeshare journey. Avios is the programmes currency, which can be used as part-payment towards Reward Flights or upgrades, as well as hotel stays, car hire and more.



Neil Chernoff, British Airways Director of Network and Alliances, said: Our flights to Cape Town and Johannesburg continue to be as popular as ever with our customers, so were pleased to be able to open up more options in the Southern African region. Our partnership with Airlink means that customers will be able to book a full journey on one ticket, allowing seamless travel all the way from London to their final destination.



Airlinks CEO and Managing Director, Rodger Foster, said: This is an important next step in our partnership with British Airways, which has a phenomenal global reach into the most important markets for our region. The marriage of our two networks will benefit both British Airways and Airlinks customers, giving them even more choice with a wide range of itinerary options and connectivity possibilities.



In total, 18 destinations are available as codeshare options when travelling from Heathrow via Johannesburg and Cape Town.



Codeshare tickets are now available to book for travel from February 15, 2023 onwards, said a British Airways statement.



Other Southern Africa destinations are pending government approval and might join the codeshare agreement at a later date, it added.  TradeArabia News Service
Fast developing artificial intelligence (AI) tools are set to start new competitive battles between Google and Microsoft.

Google chief Sundar Pichai announced this week his company had developed a new AI-powered chatbot tool. A chatbot is a computer program designed to interact with humans in a conversational way.

The search engine company said it plans to use the new chatbot service, called Bard, to provide a better online search experience. Google currently holds more than 80 percent of the worldwide internet search market, the online data company Statista reports.

Bard is one of several recently launched tools that demonstrate major AI development progress in recent years. The tools are built by feeding huge amounts of data into machine learning computer systems. The data trains the AI systems to develop complex skills and produce human-like results.

A free writing tool called ChatGPT was launched by a company called OpenAI late last year. The tool received widespread media attention for being able to produce human-quality written documents very quickly. Technology experts have said such systems have the possibility to greatly change many different industries and professions.

Microsoft recently announced a new, multibillion-dollar investment in OpenAI. As part of its partnership, Microsoft provides supercomputing systems to OpenAI to support the development of new AI products.

One day after Google confirmed the development of its new Bard chatbot, Microsoft announced plans to redesign its Bing search engine and Edge web browser with a series of new AI tools.

Technology experts say the two announcements are a clear sign that Google and Microsoft are seeking to compete directly in the online search market as well as other online areas.

In announcing Bard, Google head Pichai said the chatbot will first become available to a group of trusted testers before being released widely later this year.

Google says its tool is designed to explain complex subjects such as outer space discoveries in terms simple enough for a child to understand. The company also claims Bard will be able to perform other helpful jobs, such as providing ideas for planning a party or giving meal suggestions based on food available in the home.

In a statement, Pichai said, "Bard seeks to combine the breadth of the world's knowledge with the power, intelligence and creativity of our large language models." He added that including new AI tools in its internet search service will permit the system to break down complex information and provide users with more conversational results.

Pichai has been talking about the importance of AI for the past six years. He noted that Google had been developing a system called Language Model for Dialogue Applications, or LaMDA, which will be used to power Bard.

In its announcement, Microsoft said it was combining its ChatGPT technology with its search engine Bing. In explaining the move, the company said the AI tools will create richer online search experiences for its users.

But Microsoft has a long way to go to reach the level of Googles success. Statista estimated that Bing held just nine percent of the worldwide online search market in 2022.

Think of it as faster, more accurate, more powerful than ChatGPT, Microsoft official Yusuf Mehdi told The Associated Press.

The new AI-powered Bing was made available to computer users who signed up for it. But Mehdi said the technology will be released to millions of users in the coming weeks. After that, it will be available for smartphones using Bing and Edge. For now, anyone can try a limited number of searches, Mehdi said.

Microsoft chief Satya Nadella said during an event Tuesday that new AI developments are "going to reshape every software category we know."

Nadella also noted the importance of creating AI that recognizes human preferences and societal norms. That kind of development, he said, cannot be done in a laboratory.

He added: You have to do that out in the world.

Im Bryan Lynn.

The Associated Press and Reuters reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for VOA Learning English.

Quiz - Bard, ChatGPT Set Up Google, Microsoft Battle Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

_________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

artificial intelligence  n. the development of computer systems that have the ability to perform work that normally requires human intelligence

conversational  adj. relating to or like a conversation: a talk between two or more people, usually an informal one

accurate  adj. correct or exact

breadth  adj. the great number of different things that someone has done, knows, is interested in

category  n. a group of people or things of a similar kind

preference  n. the feeling of liking something or someone more than another person or thing

societal  adj. relating to or involving society

______________________________________________________________________

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PKF hospitality group, an internationally recognised leader in hospitality and tourism consulting, has appointed Florian Van der Bellen as the Head of Destination Development for the PKF tourismexperts division.



Florian Van Der Bellen succeeds Christopher Hinteregger, who has joined the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a tourism consultant, where PKF hospitality group is also active.



Van der Bellen studied at the Tourism College in Innsbruck and at the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration (WU Wien) and most recently guided his own company in the field of tourism consulting in Austria, Romania and Georgia, among other countries, since 2014.



Additionally, Van der Bellen was active as a director at the Tourism Association Tyrolean Oberland and as a key account manager at TiMedia Tourism Marketing Innsbruck. Prior to his tourism career, Van der Bellen served as hotel manager at various 4- and 5-star hotels in Austria, Germany and Australia.



Michael Widmann, Global CEO of PKF hospitality group, said: "We are very pleased to have Florian Van der Bellen, a proven expert in the field of tourism, on board. Destination development on a national, regional and local level as well as for a variety of tourism destination types is becoming increasingly important. With PKF tourismexperts, we offer a wide range of services for tourism destinations: from comprehensive tourism master plans and tourism development strategies to digitalization and marketing strategies."



In the field of tourism consulting, PKF hospitality group has provided advisory support to the following projects, among others:



 National Tourism Strategy for Slovenia

 Destination development Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

 Destination development Boa Vista, Cape Verde

 Destination development Yenkit, Oman

 Destination development Zablace-Sibenik, Croatia

 Tourism master plan for the city of Timmins, Canada

 Destination development Sallatunturi, Finland

 Development of regional DMOs in Svanetia and Rakha, Georgia

 Long-term strategy for Icelandic tourism, Iceland

 Tourism Recovery Plan, Guam



In addition to tourism development projects and master plans, PKF hospitality group has managed over 1,000 consulting projects in more than 70 countries in the hotel industry. It is also a member of the UNWTO (UN World Tourism Organization). The World Tourism Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations with headquarters in Madrid.



Van der Bellen said: "I am very pleased to be working for PKF hospitality group. I see great potential for synergies in the combination of PKF's global presence and my experience in both the hotel industry and destination development. My goal is to further expand PKF in tourism consulting internationally. I look forward to many exciting projects with our partners."  TradeArabia News Service
Mondays powerful 7.8 earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria has killed more than 11,000 people, officials say. Rescue teams from more than 20 countries continue to search for both survivors and those killed.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited a tent city in Kahramanmaras, where people forced from their homes are living. He admitted the Turkish governments response to the disaster at first had some problems. However, he promised that no one would be left in the streets.

Many people in both countries are still waiting for help. This includes areas isolated by Syrias ongoing civil war.

With thousands of collapsed buildings, it is not clear how many people might still be trapped under the rubble. Road closures and other damage have made it difficult for rescue teams to reach all the areas that need help. Cold weather is also making the situation more difficult for both victims and rescue teams.

In the Turkish city of Malatya, former reporter Ozal Pikal helped with the rescue efforts. He said he believed at least some of the victims froze to death as temperatures fell to minus 6 degrees Celsius. He added, Our hands cannot pick up anything because of the cold. Work machines are needed.

Many survivors in Turkey have had to sleep in cars, outside, or in government shelters.

We dont have a tent, we dont have a heating stove, we dont have anything. Our children are in bad shape. We are all getting wet under the rain, said 27-year-old Aysan Kurt. We did not die from hunger or the earthquake, but we will die freezing from the cold.

Polish rescuers told reporters with Polands TVN24 that low temperatures were delaying rescue efforts. However, two firefighters said the fact that most people were in bed under warm covers when the earthquake struck could help their chances of survival.

Stories of rescues continued to provide hope that some people still trapped might be found alive. A crying newborn baby still connected by the umbilical cord to her mother, who was killed, was rescued Monday in Syria. In Turkeys Kahramanmaras, rescuers pulled a 3-year-old boy from the rubble.

Erdogan said Turkeys death toll passed 9,000. The Syrian Health Ministry said the death toll in government-held areas is more than 1,200. In addition, at least 1,400 people have died in the rebel-held northwest. That number comes from the volunteer rescue group known as the White Helmets.

Syrian officials said the bodies of more than 100 Syrians who died during the earthquake in Turkey were brought back home for burial. Mazen Alloush, an official on the Syrian side of the border, said 20 more bodies were on their way, adding that all of them were Syrian refugees who fled the civil war.

The Syrian civil war has made rescue efforts in that country difficult. Rebel-controlled areas near the Turkish border are isolated and surrounded by Russian-backed military forces. Syria is also under Western sanctions because of the war.

However, the European Union (EU) said Wednesday that Syria had finally asked for help for the victims of the earthquake. The EU also said its sanctions against the government would not affect the aid it gives to Syria.

I'm Andrew Smith.

Mehmet Guzel, Ghaith AlSayed and Suzan Fraser wrote this story for The Associated Press. Andrew Smith adapted it for VOA Learning English.

_______________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

response -n. an action taken or answer given following an event or question

isolated -adj. characterized as being difficult to reach and separated from other areas and people

rubble -n. piles of material and debris from the collapse of buildings or other structures

toll -n. the number of victims of accidents, natural disasters, diseases, and the like

sanctions -n. actions taken by one or more countries against another to show disapproval by restricting trade and other aspects of the economy

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The national museum of the Netherlands is holding the largest show ever of paintings by Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer.

The Rijksmuseum is in the capital, Amsterdam. It has placed 28 paintings on exhibit. It says they represent about half of the 17th century artists body of work.

Vermeer is known for his expertise at representing light in his paintings. His subject was often common household objects. The artist worked slowly on his paintings and died at the age of 43. He likely never saw so many of his own works together at one time.

Rijksmuseum director Taco Dibbits said Vermeer had a large family and busy life as an art dealer. Still, he said, the painter was able to create works of quiet beauty.

"It's this ... complete focus and tranquility in his paintings that we still love today," Dibbits said.

The show includes some of Vermeers most famous works, including Girl With A Pearl Earring (1664) and The Milkmaid (1659). Visitors can also see his two known outdoor paintings and several others of women playing instruments, reading and working.

Were really coming closer to Vermeer than weve ever been, said Pieter Roelofs, the Rijksmuseums Head of Paintings and Sculpture.

What is striking about Vermeer, Roelofs said, is that in his paintings, it's mostly women who are the protagonists," meaning the main subjects. The expert noted that Vermeer had seven daughters.

Roelofs said Vermeer's works are more than something a good eye and skilled hand can create. Recent examinations show the Milkmaid was repainted several times.

Writer Tracy Chevalier attended an event for the show before it opened. She wrote the popular book Girl with a Pearl Earring, a historical fiction based on the painting. It later became a movie.

Chevalier said the show presents Vermeer as a quiet and private man.

"His paintings are so quiet and there are no children ... he must have compartmentalized his life and said 'no, no kids in the studio'."

Museums in Germany, France, Japan, Britain, Ireland and the United States helped with the public showing, which opens on Friday and runs until June.

Im John Russell.

John Russell adapted this story for VOA Learning English from reports by Reuters and the Associated Press.

_____________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

museum  n. a building in which interesting and valuable things (such as paintings and sculptures or scientific or historical objects) are collected and shown to the public

focus  n. a state in which the small details of a picture or image can be clearly seen

tranquility  n. the quality or state of being quiet and peaceful

fiction  n. something told or written that is not fact; a made-up story

compartmentalize  v. to separate (something) into sections or categories
The United States has met with diplomats from 40 nations to share information about the Chinese spy balloon program.

A top U.S. official and diplomats said U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman briefed nearly 150 foreign diplomats. The reports took place at 40 embassies over two days this week. The goal was to present U.S. findings about the balloon.

"We want to make sure that we are sharing as much as we can with countries around the world who may also be susceptible to these types of operations," the senior administration official said.

Sherman's briefing was first reported by The Washington Post newspaper. The report quoted U.S. officials saying the balloon was linked to an extensive military spying effort centered on China's Hainan Island in the South China Sea.

Experts do not yet know the size of the Chinese balloon fleet. But U.S. officials spoke of several flights since 2018 targeting Japan, India, Vietnam, Taiwan and the Philippines. The operations involved technology from a private Chinese company that is part of China's military-civilian system.

The appearance of the Chinese balloon over the U.S. last week caused anger and led U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to cancel a trip to Beijing. China and the U.S. had hoped the visit would help ease tensions between the two countries.

A U.S. Air Force fighter plane shot down the balloon off the South Carolina coast on Saturday, a week after it first entered U.S. airspace.

China claimed it was a weather balloon that had gone into U.S. airspace because of winds. Chinese officials condemned the shoot-down and accused the United States of overreacting.

But a U.S. official told Reuters on Monday that the balloon was controlled. The official said, "We saw it do that It went left, right. We saw it maneuver inside the jet stream. That's how it was operating.

Spy airship

Foreign diplomats in Beijing said the U.S. presented information to demonstrate that the balloon was not a weather research balloon as China said. The U.S. said it was an airship that was used for spying. The U.S. said that the balloon was controlled by China's military, the People's Liberation Army.

The diplomats said they were told by the U.S. that the solar panels on the balloon meant that it needed more power than a weather balloon. The balloon was also equipped with rudders and propellers. And its flight path did not follow natural wind patterns.

A Beijing-based Asian defense diplomat told Reuters, "Based on the U.S. briefing, our own understanding about such balloons and the fact that China has so far refused to name the company or entity that owns this balloon, we find it hard to believe it is a civilian weather balloon.

Reporters asked if Taiwan had been briefed by the United States. Taiwan's foreign ministry said in a statement to Reuters: "We have always maintained close contact with the United States and continue to exchange views on interactions between the United States and China."

The information was similar to what U.S. defense officials have shared with reporters since the weekend. They said the balloons were part of a Chinese fleet that has also violated the airspace of other countries.

Earlier this week, Japan said flying objects like the one shot down by the U.S. have been seen at least two times over northern Japan since 2020.

On Monday, China confirmed that another balloon recently spotted over Latin America was Chinese. China described it as a civilian airship used for flight tests. A foreign ministry official said the balloon entered the air space of Latin America and the Caribbean Sea by accident.

In Taiwan, local media have reported that mysterious white balloons have been seen over the island at least three times in the past two years.

Im Faith Pirlo.

Hai Do adapted this report for VOA Learning English from Associated Press and Reuters sources.

______________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

susceptible adj. easily affected by some influence or action

type n. a particular kind of thing

solar panel n. a device that collects solar energy and changes it into electricity

rudder n. a part of ship, boat or airplane that is used to control left and right movement

propeller n. a part of an airplane, helicopter or powered boat with two or more blades that causes the vehicle to move

pattern n. something that happens in a regular or normal way

maneuver v. to move in a skillful or controlled way

jet stream v. one of several strong currents of air that travel around the Earths surface

entity n. (formal, legal) something that exists by itself and can interact with other things such as a person or organization

fleet v. a group of ships or certain other vehicles that are controlled by one company or government

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LEXINGTON  The third installment of the Vietnam Veteran Remembrance Day Parade is just around the corner, as it is slated for March 25 in Lexington.

We have had two of the best days possible the first two parades we did, said parade chairman Steve Zerr. Im hopeful we can make it three in a row.

The parade is based around the newly established Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day holiday on March 29. The event is held on the nearest Saturday to the holiday to enable as much participation as possible, according to Zerr.

Vietnam veterans are the main purpose for the holiday but we really want to honor all veterans, he said. I like to think of it as a Spring Veterans Day.

The parade will travel north up Washington Street March 25, starting at 1 p.m. Line-up will start at 12:30 near Pinnacle Bank at the intersection of Fifth and Washington Street.

No entry fee is required. If someone would like to have an entry in the parade, they are asked to contact the Dawson County Veteran Service Office. Floats are asked to be veteran supportive or have a patriotic theme.

In the past, a hamburger feed was held downtown during the parade. This year a Soup Supper fundraising event will be held at the Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles, starting at 6 p.m. All proceeds will go toward flags and flag poles at the Lexington Veteran Pavilion.


Students from marginalized communities in India face multiple hurdles in accessing education abroad.

Aatika S | TwoCircles.net

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NEW DELHI  Tejas Harad, founder-editor of The Satyashodhak, an online portal which offers a critique of the caste system, has applied for admission in a PhD program for the fall semester at several US universities. He has received positive responses from a few universities so far but it has not been easy.

The biggest hurdle that marginalised students face is the lack of information and the absence of role models, he said.

They [students from marginalised groups] dont have any family members who have studied abroad, so foreign education seems far-fetched to them. They dont even think that they can dream about it, he told TwoCircles.net.

He said that ones who manage to pass this hurdle face issues like getting good recommendation letters, and shortlisting the right universities. They have nobody who can guide them in preparing their application well, edit their research statement, share tips, he added.

Structural issues of discrimination, impoverishment and non-access and other daily issues can act as major roadblocks for many like Tejas.

Neeraj, a PhD student at Nottingham Trent University, UK said that a working-class person getting higher education in a foreign institution is a nightmare, with issues ranging from language difficulties to financial hardship, lack of moral support, and feeling inferior.

All such factors make our college experience very different from the others. Many invisible caste barriers crush our dreams, and people like me keep fighting them even after graduating. In fact, my professor, Bodhi SR, used to tell us that these institutions have more of a caste room than a classroom.

As persistent deprivation continues to operate outside India, they aggravate social, economic, and cultural marginalisation.

Students like me, whose primary education was in Hindi, find it difficult to compete with others. Also, the moral support that one is supposed to receive from ones community is lacking in my case, in contrast to upper-caste students who have easy access to support from their caste-based networks in foreign universities, Neeraj said.

As a Dalit, the financial constraints students face abroad are continuous.

As the son of a labourer, I am always concerned about the financial well-being of my family, even when I am not working/earning. Most Dalit students are subjected to traumas, and absolute alienation that only we are aware of, he said.

Many face harassment, acute poverty and helplessness.

A former JNU student, who requested to remain anonymous, has been trying to secure admission to a foreign university for three years. He said the process of applying to a foreign university is difficult and humiliating as it rests on ones privilege. No professor was open to reviewing his statement of purpose, he claimed.

Getting a recommendation letter is another challenge. Despite good grades, he was refused a recommendation letter.

I do not understand the criteria for accessing academic resources apart from the exclusive networking that happens between certain students and professors. These things are shrouded in caste privilege as identity is a big factor in how professors relate to students, he added.

Aishwarya Walwekar, a research scholar in the School of Arts and Aesthetics, JNU concurs, While my professors at JNU were extremely helpful in pointing me towards the right directions, I must admit that networking with professors abroad, speaking articulate English and the dominos that fall backwards onto the hierarchical caste system is part of the challenge.



Aatika S is a fellow at the SEEDS-TCN mentorship program.
Supporting the agriculture industry since 1828, the Kuhn Group is the largest manufacturer of agricultural implements in the world. With its North American headquarters in Brodhead, Wisconsin, quality and innovation have long marked the companys products and distinguished them from the competition.

Were focused on quality and on being the best in each of our product categories, says Scott Borgwardt, marketing communications manager at Kuhn North America. Its a competitive market and our customers are very well educated on their equipment options, so we strive to differentiate ourselves by maximizing the return they will see on their investment.

Four major categories underscore the companys commitment to serving the needs of American farmers, ranchers and municipal customers: crop, hay and forage, livestock, and landscape and road.

In total, KUHN has over 750 machine models to serve its diverse customer base. For crop production, the lineup includes, plows, tillage tools, seeders, fertilizer spreaders, and shredders.

KUHNs hay and forage products include superior lines of mowers, mower conditioners, tedders, rakes, mergers, balers and wrappers. Where theres hay, theres livestock. Products in this category include TMR mixers, feed delivery boxes, bale processors and manure spreaders.

As for landscape and road equipment, KUHN provides rural and municipal customers with high-end, solid-built machinery including offset mowers, salt and sand spreaders, and shredders.

KUHN is a global leader for innovative products and services. The company has won more than 2,000 international patents for machinery distributed in over 100 countries.

In January 2022, KUHN took home four AE50 awards from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. Among the big winners was the new KUHN OptiWrap OWR 6000 inline round bale wrapper. The machine provides exceptional wrapping productivity while minimizing film and fuel use. The OWR 6000 can quickly wrap round bales of various sizes, including 4- and 5-foot-wide bales up to 6 feet in diameter.

As farming operations keep expanding, KUHN has been developing large-scale machinery to help farmers operate with greater efficiency.

The company recently introduced the 950-cubic-foot HPX 195 manure spreader and the 1,200-cubic-foot RC 3120 feed mixer  both big enough to handle the demands of todays ever-expanding farms. And with these size increases have come technological advancements that are often also used to improve the companys smaller machines.

The industry is always evolving, notes Borgwardt, so were focused on keeping informed on our customers and the industrys changing needs.

KUHN strives to provide farmers with the best machinery, so they can benefit from the latest technological innovations and maximize their productivity, profitability and sustainability to continue feeding the world now and in the future.

For more information about the full line of KUHN products across all industries, visit kuhn.com.

This content was produced by Brand Ave. Studios. The news and editorial departments had no role in its creation or display. Brand Ave. Studios connects advertisers with a targeted audience through compelling content programs, from concept to production and distribution. For more information contact sales@brandavestudios.com.
An Oregon man will serve a six-month jail sentence for his role in a fatal crash in early 2021 that happened while he was driving without a valid drivers license.

Dane County Circuit Judge John Hyland sentenced James Bon, 25, to three years of probation with the jail term as one of the conditions of his probation.

Bon pleaded guilty in January to knowingly driving without a valid license causing death and causing great bodily harm for a Jan. 6, 2021, crash on Highway 14 in Fitchburg that caused injuries that were ultimately fatal to an 89-year-old driver and for injuring his passenger.

But Hyland noted, as did Assistant District Attorney Dan Hess, Bon was charged with the felonies only because of the status of his drivers license at the time of the crash, not for the crash itself. Had the crash occurred while Bon had a valid license, Hyland said, he likely would not have faced criminal charges at all.

Hess said Bon was ticketed for first-offense drunken driving in July 2019, and his license was revoked in August 2019. It was reinstated in March 2020, but because Bon had failed to complete a driver safety plan his license was again revoked in December 2020.

About two weeks later, the crash occurred. Bon told police he was driving at normal highway speed on the 70 mph road when his cellphone fell off his lap, and he looked away from the road while trying to retrieve it. At the same time, a car in front of his, driven by Kenneth Munkres, had slowed  Bon believed it had stopped  and Bons car collided with it.

Munkres and his passenger, Ann Zenner, sustained broken bones in the crash and were hospitalized. In court Wednesday, Zenner said the crash sounded like a bomb went off. Zenner, who was Munkres former wife but was still very close to him, said Munkres went through two surgeries to repair the damage, and after the second he was placed on a ventilator.

Caregivers were unable to wean him off of the ventilator, however, but without it he would not survive. Zenner and her family had to make the heartbreaking decision to take him off the ventilator. She said Munkres had said that if he could not function normally, he did not want to live, and so he was moved to palliative care, where he died on Jan. 19, 2021.

Zenners injuries required continued care and rehabilitation, complicated by the isolation required by the COVID-19 pandemic, and she said she suffered emotional scars, including post-traumatic stress disorder. She and her daughter, Laurie Kessler, both said they supported a sentence proposed by Hess of probation and a one-year jail sentence. Zenner also said she forgives Bon.

Bons attorney, David Stegall, asked for probation with no conditional jail. Bon tearfully apologized to Zenner and her family and said he would do everything he could to make things right.

To hear you say you forgive me is probably the best thing Ive ever heard, he said.

Hyland, who became emotional at times as he addressed Munkres death and the wrenching decision his family had to make, said Bon can seek to end his probation after 18 months if he has paid all of the restitution he owes, an amount that is yet to be determined. He also ordered Bon to serve an additional 30 days in jail for the injury conviction, but said Bon can choose to serve 240 hours of community service in lieu of that 30 days.
Fave 5: Reporter Kimberly Wethal shares her favorite stories of 2022

In the weeks before I joined the Wisconsin State Journal in September, I was told this: Remember that a higher education institution is like their own city. It has its own character and struggles, defined by the students who learn there and the faculty who teach them.

I have seen this over and over again, and it was particularly clear when I visited UW-Platteville at Richland a week after the University of Wisconsin System ordered degree-fulfilling classes to cease because of low enrollment. During my visit, I found many of the devastated students to be emotionally invested in their campus community  and committed to saving it.

It's why Richland Center grieving the loss of its once-vibrant campus is my top story of 2022.

UW-Madison has its own slate of issues. There, a growing population is pitted against on- and off-campus housing availability. I wrote about the tactics used to clear returning students out of the dorms to make room for freshmen, and the frenzy that ensued as students put their lives on hold to secure housing for next fall.

At Madison Area Technical College, a key issue is how to alleviate barriers their students face just to get into the classroom. Finding adequate child care is one of them  I wrote about the efforts to expand future access at the Goodman South Campus and its four rural campuses.

Much of my beat is hard news, but some of my favorite stories are features of students who make up the character of campus. I wrote about Kirstan Gimse, the student commencement speaker who's achieving her dream of being a scientist that she saw as unattainable.

I'm looking forward to diving deeper into the beat in 2023 and am so grateful for the support of State Journal subscribers that allows me to be one of the few reporters in the state dedicated solely to covering higher education.
A Madison City Council member has introduced a measure to increase the number of chickens a household can keep from four to 10.

Ald. Grant Foster, 15th District, has not responded to a request for comment on why he introduced the measure at Tuesdays City Council meeting. It is set to be reviewed by two city committees before coming back to the council for a final vote.

Under the proposal, lots with up to four dwelling units could keep up to 10 chickens. Museums, schools and day care centers, and recreation, community and neighborhood centers also could keep 10, up from six allowed under the current ordinance.

Roosters cannot be kept within city limits, and the slaughter of chickens on site is also prohibited.

Council President Keith Furman had not responded to a request for his position on the proposal, and a spokesperson for the mayors office said she would not be able to address the issue today.
Vietnamese, Dutch universities strengthen partnership

Saxion University of Applied Sciences (SUAS) of the Netherlands and Ton Duc Thang University (TDTU) of Vietnam have signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in education, training, applied research and exchange of lecturers, students and PhD students.



Respective faculties of the two sides also signed a cooperation agreement on granting accounting-audit dual degrees.



Ambassador Pham Viet Anh hailed the Triple Helix model of the Netherland, which links universities, the governments and businesses.





Through cooperation, especially the exchange of lecturers and students between SUAS and Vietnamese partners such as Vietnam-Germany Hospital, TDTU, Tra Vinh University, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang University, SUAS has contributed to improving the quality of foreign student training in Vietnam, and developing the countrys high-quality human resources, he said.









A view of Ton Duc Thang University (Photo: tdtu.edu.vn)

The TDTU is the first university in Vietnam to partner with SUAS in student and lecturer exchange and joint degree granting.



SUAS President Anka Mulder expressed her interest and hope to further develop the collaboration with Vietnamese partners, especially in applied research fields such as environment, water management, engineering and technology, circular economy, and green and sustainable economic development model.



SUAS is the largest public institute in the Netherlands with a history of nearly 150 years. Today, SUAS is educating about 27,000 students, about 3,500 of them from 55 countries.
Advocate Ehtesham Hashmi, who died today aged 37, was well-known for fighting cases of victims of communal violence and often without fees.

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Huneza Khan | TwoCircles.net

BHOPAL (MADHYA PRADESH)  Noted Supreme Court lawyer and human rights activist Ehtesham Hashmi died today morning due to a heart attack in New Delhi. He was 37.

He suffered a heart attack in the wee hours and was taken to a hospital where he was declared dead, his acquaintance told TwoCircles.net.

Hailing from the Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh, Hashmi was in New Delhi for a case. He shuttled between Delhi and his home state to fight cases.

Known for fighting human rights cases, the news of Hashmis sudden demise has come as a shock to his friends and acquaintances.

Hashmi was one of the few young lawyers who always stood for justice, his colleague Ali Zaidi, who practices at the Supreme Court, told TwoCircles.net.

He would give free legal aid to the needy. He has done well for the Muslim community by fighting pro-bono cases in the apex court and High Courts. We have lost the backbone of our lawyer community, and people have lost their hope, Advocate Zaidi said.

Hashmi fought for Muslim victims from Uttar Pradesh during anti-CAA protests and also represented victims of the 2020 Delhi riots. He participated in fact-finding missions, most recently in Khargone and Karauli to document religious violence and offer legal support to victims.

In January 2020, he filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition in the Supreme Court seeking to declare internet shutdowns as unconstitutional, illegal and unenforceable. The petition sought to put a stop to arbitrary internet shutdowns in India, particularly in the backdrop of anti-CAA protests.

Hashmi also succeeded in securing bail for a Muslim bangle seller Taslim Ali who was beaten and jailed on accusations of molestation, forgery, and cheating in Indore, Madhya Pradesh in August 2021. Interestingly, all witnesses in the police chargesheet were Alis attackers and the court in its bail order said that Ali had no criminal antecedents.

In November 2021, Hashmi was part of the fact-finding team in Tripura which highlighted anti-Muslim violence in the state. Two of the lawyers who were part of the fact-finding team were later booked under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) by Tripura police.

Hashmi had a team of lawyers in every district of Madhya Pradesh. He had formed a group to look into cases of hate speech in the country. Hashmi had a weekly legal bench in Indore to assist the needy.

Rehan, who worked with Advocate Hashmi, was left speechless when he heard the news of his passing away. Nobody wants to believe this dreadful news, he said.

Rehan said Advocate Hashmi was unique as no one stood with the community as he did. He fought for the poor and consoled them as well. His passing away is a big loss to the Muslim community, Rehan added.

Hashmi was an advocate of humanity who served people everywhere whether it was for anti-CAA protestors, people of Haldwani, Khargone, a bangle seller in Indore or anywhere else, one of Hashmis friends from Madhya Pradesh said.

Voice of the oppressed

For many in the Muslim community, Advocate Hashmi was the voice of the oppressed.

Association for Protection Civil Rights (APCR) activist Zaid Pathan said that Hashmi was a kind person who dealt with cases of [anti-Muslim] violence on his own. He would not wait for a phone call or invitation to get involved. He fought cases in Tripura, Assam, and Delhi among others, Pathan said.

Bhopal MLA Arif Masood said he is saddened by the news of Hashmis death. He was the voice of the oppressed, said the MLA.

I last spoke with him yesterday. He had left me a message Allah Hafiz. Take care. How tragic that it was our last conversation, he said.

Senior journalist Shams Ur Rehman Alavi said that Hashmi was a lawyer who raised the voice of the oppressed and those who suffered injustice but lacked the money and resources to fight.

His demise is a loss for citizens as he often went out of the way to help people and often spent his own money too, Alavi said.

Hashmi would be laid to rest on Friday morning (February 10) in his hometown Gopalgang of Madhya Pradeshs Sagar district.

Huneza Khan is a journalist from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. She tweets @KhanHuneza
Satya Rhodes-Conways first term as mayor wasnt the one shed imagined when she took the oath of office four years ago to whoops, cheers and a standing ovation as she became Madisons first openly gay, and second female, mayor.

In her campaign then, Rhodes-Conway voiced core priorities of low-cost housing, transit, climate change and racial equity, which remain pillars of her current reelection bid, along with public safety, equitable economic development, gun violence and investments in youth.

But less than a year after she took office, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, followed by the sometimes-destructive protests that left storefront windows on State Street shattered and parts of Downtown boarded up after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May 2020 and the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha three months later.

In those stressful, uncertain times, Rhodes-Conway drew strength from the traumas of her own life and the support of mayors in other cities, even as she sometimes wondered, in the middle of it, if she wanted to seek a second term.

It doesnt matter if you didnt sign up to lead through a global pandemic and it doesnt matter that this isnt fun and it doesnt matter you had to put aside the things you wanted to be working on and it doesnt matter youre not going to get to see your family for how many months because none of us can travel, she said.

What matters is I signed up to lead and there was a lot of work to do, she said. I do think its a real test of leadership and I hope that I emerged on the other side a better leader.

Shes an incredibly thoughtful and empathetic individual when it comes to city policy, said Scott Resnick, an entrepreneur and former City Council member. Shes a city policy wonk who will tell you the truth. She takes time to look at an issue. Shes had one of the most successful first terms of any mayor in the history of the city.

But some say that Rhodes-Conway, who holds bachelors and masters degrees from universities on both coasts and worked for a think tank, can be too academic and professorial. They say she sometimes cedes leadership on issues, such as whether Madison police should use body-worn cameras or the fate of the Madison Public Market on the East Side, leaving decisions to the City Council.

On being too academic, the mayor said its a balance of data, evidence and experience from other cities, and tailoring solutions to Madison.

As for leadership style, Sometimes leadership is letting other people have a say, she said. Sometimes leadership is knowing what your lane is. I certainly have opinions about everything, but I think its important to respect other elected officials. I also think its important to pick your battles. I think its important to understand what the long game is.

On balance, Im proud of my record, she said in an interview at the modest East Side home she shares with her partner, Amy Klusmeier, and their three cats. And Ive got a lot more to do.

Academics and heartache

Rhodes-Conway was born in Espanola, New Mexico. Her father manages art collections and estates, and mother is an artist and community activist.

The family moved to Ithaca, New York, a college town, when Rhodes-Conway was a child, and she lived there until she left to attend Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. Her parents divorced when she was 5, and her mother came out as lesbian. She has four living siblings, two on her dads side and two on her moms.

While still in middle school she became attracted to politics, but also to science, especially biology and ecology. She took singing and piano lessons and did amateur theater. She studied photography in high school and college.

She came out as gay even though, while still a teenager, a member of her family was shot and that persons partner murdered by a man for being lesbians while they hiked the Appalachian Trail.

At Smith College, she chose biology over music and as a leader of the Lesbian-Bisexual Alliance worked with Black and Latino organizations and student government to confront homophobia and racism on campus. She co-founded the botany club, called The Bad Seeds. Her mothers partner encouraged her to play rugby, and she played for the college.

At graduation, among other honors, she received an award for demonstrating the best balance between academics and campus involvement. But soon after, her grandfather and younger brother were killed in a car crash. Under the circumstances, she didnt want to leave home and worked for a construction company for two years.

Eventually, she was accepted to graduate programs at several prestigious universities and chose the University of California, Irvine, where an adviser focused in the reforestation of tropical rain forests. She joined the rugby team there, too.

Finding Madison

After she graduated, the university retained her as a lecturer. But she began looking for something else, hoping to work for a nonprofit environmental organization. In 2002, an internship came open in Madison, and she accepted, despite never having seen the city.

It took only a month before she knew she would never leave.

Rhodes-Conway was hired at the UW-Madison think tank Center on Wisconsin Strategy (COWS) in 2005. In 2007, she won a seat on the City Council and served three terms representing the 12th District. She didnt seek reelection in 2013 in order to focus on her day job as managing director of the Mayors Innovation project, launched by COWS to gather mayors from more than 50 cities for peer learning and best practices.

But she also served as chair of the citys 13-member Oscar Mayer Strategic Assessment Committee that laid groundwork for a new vision for the area, and she was a member of the Madison Food Policy Council.

Then, in 2019, she unseated former Mayor Paul Soglin, by far the citys longest-serving mayor.

There was definitely a moment of like, wow, okay, this is a big job, she said of taking office, adding that anxiety was tempered by her familiarity with City Hall, managers and mayors office staff. I had some pretty clear goals and felt like I had a mandate to work on things I talked about in the campaign.

It feels like an awfully long time ago now, she said.

Twin crises

After her victory, she took office prepared to act.

The first big thing was just really committing to bus rapid transit, she said of the high-frequency, high-capacity, limited-stop service that will run 60-foot-long buses on city streets and dedicated lanes with special stations. The city, she noted, broke ground on the BRT system this year.

The second year, she said, was supposed to be about housing.

But then, COVID-19.

At the beginning of the pandemic, we didnt know how the thing was transmitted. We didnt know what steps people should take to keep themselves safe. (But) I would say Public Health was prepared. They knew what to do. They knew what to look for. I really relied on Public Health.

The onset of the pandemic was absolutely surreal, she said. Not only am I living through a global pandemic, Im in charge of a city. This is the kind of thing you read about in a book. But honestly, on a day-to-day basis, we were just trying to deal with what was in front of us and do the best job we could to keep people safe.

The challenges included communication; enacting emergency powers; securing personal protective equipment; rethinking how employees and boards, committees and commissions would work; plummeting revenues; keeping the City Council engaged; and more.

The community, she said, posted some of the highest vaccination rates in the country, and relations with the Dane County Executives Office, strained in previous administrations, were productive. (But) Im sure there are many things we could have done better or sooner, she said.

Then, the murder of George Floyd and shooting of Jacob Blake, tragedies in other places that sparked major protests in Madison.

I think the role of a mayor is to try and be empathetic to understand the pain that the community is going through, which you know, frankly, is not a hard thing when youre feeling the same pain yourself, she said.

As protests continued and boarded windows defined State Street, we were getting tremendous pressure from all sides with lots of conflicting advice, she said. I think theres many things we could have done better. You know, you couldnt make anybody happy. Theres no winning in that situation.

But she added, Look at us now. Weve got a civilian oversight board. Weve got a police monitor.

Leaning on experience

In such challenging moments, when so much seemed to be ripping apart, she drew upon her own past traumas, realizing, You know you can get through it. Its not good. Its not comfortable and its not easy. But its possible. I had tools to know what I needed to take care of myself, to know what I needed to do to keep a clear mind and to know to do my best to make the best decisions I could for the community.

Equally important, she said, was communication with peers in other places. I dont think I would have made it through that time period without being able to talk to other mayors, she said.

Eventually, the pandemic waned and Downtown reopened. The federal government delivered significant financial resources.

BRT moved forward. The council approved a sweeping Metro Transit redesign. With substantial federal support, the city has taken big steps to address homelessness.

The city doubled its Affordable Housing Fund. The city is making changes to encourage more housing density, especially in transit corridors. The Green Power Program was expanded, and the city created a Division of Equity and Social Justice in the Department of Civil Rights.

Not all of the mayors moves have been popular, as she clashed with businesses over her insistence on keeping buses on upper State Street, residents complained about coming longer walks to bus stops, some bristled at zoning changes to boost density, and she tangled with the City Council on various issues.
Imagine a popular Republican governor from an important state. Despite intense criticism from the national media, hes notched some huge policy wins that are simultaneously popular with donors, base voters and conservative intellectuals. His key theme is fighting the Washington establishment and the institutions of progressive power.

Then, fresh off of a historic reelection victory, he announces his intent to run for president in a campaign video.

In the Republican field, there are some who are good fighters. They havent won those battles. There are others who have won elections but havent consistently taken on the big fights, the golden boy of the right says, straight to the camera. Ive done both.

Sound like a suitable ad for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis eventual presidential campaign debut?

Those were actually words from former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walkers 2015 announcement video. It may seem like a lifetime ago, but there was a time when Walker was the fighter Republicans craved. He won the governorship three times in four years, thanks to a vicious effort to recall him after he successfully orchestrated a huge victory against public sector unions in his state.

For months, Walker dominated the polls in neighboring Iowa. In late February 2015 he led the rest of the field by more than 2-1. By April, he was leading in New Hampshire, too.

In September, he dropped out of the race.

Most of the autopsies of his campaign focused on a string of gaffes and stumbles in interviews. He refused to say whether he believed President Obama was Christian, he compared unions to the Islamic State, and seemed open to the idea of a border wall  to protect us from Canada. He also was the first, but not the last, Republican candidate in the 2016 cycle who couldnt figure out how to deal with Donald Trumps insults.

While Walkers fall was remarkable, it was hardly unique.

Indeed, it seems like every four years somebody who, for a while, looks like the Anointed One ends up the answer to a trivia question. I still remember all of the Republicans who told me something like, You just dont get it, Sen. Fred Thompson is unstoppable.

The Walker chapter has many lessons. One is that voters are fickle. What excites them now can quickly bore them. Walker personified the policy and political objectives of the tea party-era GOP. But he also proved that finding that sweet spot isnt enough.

For years, my biggest gripe with many charismatic Republican politicians is their often-steadfast refusal to do their homework. Rick Perry was a wildly successful governor of Texas, but when he threw his hat in the presidential arena, he couldnt even memorize the three government agencies he vowed to abolish. Ben Carson didnt lack for intelligence or work ethic  he was a world-famous pediatric neurosurgeon after all  but he seemed to think that his skills in that field made him an expert on politics and policy. Dont get me started on Sarah Palin.

Walker had the magic as governor, but he soon discovered that his old tricks didnt work in a presidential campaign.

Of course, Trump never did his homework and he won anyway. But he also benefited from a huge collective action problem in the crowded primaries. The bloc of voters who bought his act was large enough for him to win pluralities in a crowded field. Even so, he never started winning majorities in the primaries until after hed all but sewed up the nomination.

Today, DeSantis is the closest parallel to Walker. He appears to lead in Iowa and New Hampshire. His fights  over wokeness in higher ed, his opposition to COVID-19 lockdowns, etc.  are the sweet spot, for now. One more Chinese balloon over America, and nobody will care about gas stoves.

Some Republicans warn that DeSantis could fizzle like Walker because of his marked charisma deficit. Hes awkward and stand-offish. Ive lost track of the times Ive been told, He cant work a room. In other words, what has worked for him in Florida might not work in living rooms and diners in Iowa and New Hampshire.

On the other hand, DeSantis actually does his homework  from the nitty-gritty of COVID-19 policy to which cultural fights are likely to garner support  in part because he doesnt have much charisma to fall back on. Many liberal critics who dismiss his culture war battles make the mistake of thinking hes dumb because they think the battles are dumb. Theyre wrong on both counts.

The 2024 primaries are potentially shaping up for another collective action problem. It will only play out differently if Republicans learn from Walkers cautionary tale.
The initial police report following the savage beating of motorist Tyre Nichols last month in Memphis claimed Nichols started to fight with officers, tried to grab one of their guns and complained of shortness of breath.

Cameras on the five officers uniforms showed otherwise, leading to the officers firings and murder charges.

The police body cameras, along with another camera mounted on a nearby pole, were key to holding the officers accountable. Video from the cameras showed what really sent Nichols to the hospital, where he died three days later: The officers delivered brutal and excessive blows, kicks, zaps with a Taser and pepper spray to the 29-year-old father they pulled over for a supposed traffic violation.

Memphis police chief made no excuses for her officers after viewing the extensive video footage, saying their behavior was failing of basic humanity.

Body cameras have the power to reveal the truth, whatever it may be, and bring justice for victims and their families. They also can exonerate police against inaccurate accusations. Without body cameras, the public and our courts system are often forced to rely on conflicting accounts in controversial if not deadly police encounters.

Thats why body cameras have become standard equipment for most law enforcement agencies across the country.

But not in Madison  a glaring deficiency that needs to change.

The Madison City Council has spent nearly a decade debating and studying the use of this important technology for improving public safety. Even now, nearly 10 months after the council voted 11-9 to move toward using body cameras on the North Side, further hurdles could stall progress, according to a report this week by the State Journals Chris Rickert.

The many excuses for inaction in Madison are weak.

Critics have worried the cameras will invade the privacy of domestic abuse victims, for example. But the city can require officers to turn off the cameras in sensitive situations. Moreover, a survey by advocates for abuse victims across Wisconsin found victims support the collection of video evidence by police to help prosecute their abusers.

Some Madison officials have raised the specter of immigration officials using footage from Madison police cameras to deport undocumented immigrants who live here. But no evidence suggests that has ever happened anywhere across the nation.

The cameras and data storage do cost money. But the planned trial of the cameras on Madisons North Side was budgeted at just $83,000. The federal government has offered grants to help with expenses, and state leaders in 2020 simplified rules for how long video must be stored.

More significant costs likely have come from not having body cameras in Madison. Thats because civil lawsuits against the city and its police department in the absence of video evidence have led to millions of dollars in legal settlements.

Body cameras are not a panacea, critics like to say. They wont solve all of the problems with Americas criminal justice system, including racism. They didnt prevent Nichols death.

But no solution is perfect. That doesnt mean they cant be effective in important ways.

More than half of Memphis police officers are Black, for example, as were the five officers who beat Nichols, who is Black. That didnt stop the violence against him. But that doesnt mean police agencies shouldnt diversify their staff. Of course they should  and Madison has  so that local police better reflect and relate to their communities.

Even if a body camera doesnt stop a rogue cop from doing wrong, it might prevent that officer from doing so again.

Madison needs to stop dithering and add the cameras to its patrol officers by this summer, as police chief Shon Barnes has requested. Rep. Shelia Stubbs, D-Madison, wants cameras on officers and passed legislation to encourage them. Ruben Anthony, the leader of the Urban League of Greater Madison, several Black mothers who have served on the City Council, the NAACP, Congressional Black Caucus and more have advocated for cameras.

While most police officers do a good job of protecting the public, Black men have been disproportionately the victims of unnecessary police violence, which demands further action.

A police body camera could have shown what happened in a staircase in 2015 on Madisons Near East Side before a white officer shot and killed the unarmed Tony Robinson, who was Black. Was the officer legally acting in self-defense? Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne concluded he was, while Robinsons family and others disagreed. Without video evidence, its impossible for anyone to know exactly what happened.

Madison needs as much information from such incidents as possible. Madison should learn from Memphis and quickly put a camera on every patrol officer.
A major rail project in Mexicos Yucatan Peninsula is intended to drive economic development to some of the countrys poorest areas, in part by bringing up to three million tourists each year. Scientists and environmentalists worry that the project will hurt ecosystems like the Calakmul jungle, home to one of the most important jaguar populations in Mesoamerica and one of Mexicos largest bat colonies. Here are scenes from that area.
BURLEY  A local woman was sentenced to prison for two years fixed and two years indeterminate after taking her then 4-year-old granddaughter out of state without permission.

Elizabeth Rose Crofts of Burley was charged in November 2021 after police issued an Amber Alert regarding the child.

Along with the prison sentence, Cassia County District Judge Michael Tribe placed Crofts in the states retained jurisdiction program for one year on Monday, according to court records.

The program, also referred to as a rider, means she will be incarcerated at an Idaho Department of Correction prison, but will receive treatment and access to programs, and will remain under the judges jurisdiction.

If she successfully completes the rider program she will go back before the judge and could be placed on probation.

Under a plea deal with the Cassia County Prosecutors Office, Croft pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree kidnapping using a North Carolina vs. Alford plea and a second count of second-degree kidnapping was dismissed.

An Alford plea means she did not admit to all the elements of the charge but the state may have had enough evidence to convict her.

The child was found in Elko, Nevada, days after her mother reported her missing and the Amber Alert was issued.

Crofts was at a casino when she was arrested.

The childs mother told police that Crofts had picked up the child in the morning to take her to school, but the girl never arrived at the school.

The childs mother then went to a motel where Crofts was staying and found Crofts had checked out of the room.
TWIN FALLS  Southern Idahos snowpack is looking good.

Readings across Magic Valley show averages well above normal in southern Idaho basins, with Goose Creek at 129% of average and Salmon Falls at 120%, according to the U.S. Department of Agricultures National Water and Climate Center.

In Wood River Valley, the Little Wood Basin is at 129% of average and the Big Lost Basin stands at 127%.

There is still a lot of winter left, too, as snow accumulation season normally ends April 1.

In January 2022, snowfall averages were above average but then snowfall petered out. This year, however, the National Weather Service is predicting above-average to normal precipitation in southern Idaho from Feb. 18 through March 3.

Snowpack in northern Idaho has dwindled, with the northern Panhandle Region at 90% of average as of Wednesday, being the lowest percentage of average at basins across Idaho, as read by SNOWTEL sites.

Snow Telemetry (SNOTEL) sites measure snow water equivalent, snow depth, precipitation, wind, humidity, and temperature.

At the start of the year, all of Idahos basins registered above-average snowpack.

Idahos large reservoirs are fuller than they were at the start of the new year.

American Falls Reservoir is 55% full, Jackson Lake is 21% full and Palisades at 27%, as they stand ready to capture snowmelt this spring.

The Upper Snake River system is at 41% of capacity, compared with 30% at the end of December.

Most Idaho reservoirs had very little carryover water available at the start of the water year, which began Oct. 1, to provide a buffer heading into the upcoming water year.

Despite the solid snowpack figures, NOAAs National Integrated Drought Information System still shows most of Twin Falls and Cassia counties in severe drought, while almost all of the remainder of Magic Valley is designated to be in moderate drought.

Almost 98% of Idaho is in some type of drought.
To those new to Idaho, or to those who may be visiting, the small rural towns that are scattered throughout the state may seem insignificant. These unassuming towns that are nestled up against majestic and massive amounts of public land may seem like just a pit stop on the way to an airport or an inconsequential layover. But what Idaho natives can tell you is that these small towns are the lifeblood of one of Idahos biggest revenue streams, outdoor recreation, and they are home to those who best steward, promote and maintain that commodity, Idahos licensed outfitters. Idahos outfitters play a key role throughout the entire state but there may not be a hub for outdoor recreation anywhere else quite like the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA). The SNRA is a unique place made up of wildernesses, national forest, state and private land. It is one of Idahos best and most popular outdoor playgrounds.

Imagine a world where all of the visitors to the backcountry of the Sawtooth, Boulder and White Cloud Mountains voluntarily used a qualified and licensed guide or outfitter. It would be a world where campsites were left clean, low-impact camping techniques were the norm, where respect for your fellow travelers was the rule, and where rescue in emergency situations was swift and efficient.

The United States Forest Service (USFS) within the SNRA has been tasked with the difficult job of protecting Idahos public lands and enhancing the outdoor recreation opportunities in the area. What better partner than the outfitting community since they share the same goal? A recently proposed Outfitter and Guide Management Plan that was released to the public attempted to set guidelines and objectives for the future of outfitting and guiding within the SNRA. The final draft was released on January 5th, 2023, after two initial drafts and two separate comment periods. Pieces of the plan seemed to address the importance of outfitted use on public lands as the popularity of the area increases, but a majority of the plan seemed to have missed the mark. Increased regulations and capping of outfitted services are being proposed while ignoring the glaring issues of lack of education and enforcement from the USFS for all users. It seems that when faced with the extremely difficult task of protecting AND enhancing the recreation opportunities (as they are mandated by law to do), the SNRA leadership has skipped the important steps of data collection, monitored overall use, and determined user impact and decided to first restrict the one user group, licensed outfitters  a group that might be in the best position to aid and partner with them.

Outfitters not only bring revenue into the small and rural communities of Idaho by promoting recreation opportunities, they are also stewards of the public lands on which they operate as well as educators to the public on responsible recreation ethics and guidelines. The public-private partnership between outfitters and land managers should be formally enhanced.

Outfitters that were actively involved in providing feedback for the prior drafts of the management plan have the opportunity to file a formal objection. The Sawtooth Conservation and Recreation Alliance (SCRA) is urgently calling on the USFS to work with local outfitters and guides that object to the final draft, not against them, to better promote, protect, enhance and steward one of Idahos greatest commodities: outdoor recreation. Tomorrow or the next fiscal year may be too late. Lets come together now, not later.
On Wednesday afternoon a Martinsville woman became the fourth and last person to be sentenced for crimes related to the 2020 death of a Bassett man.

Ashleigh Nicole McCallister, 26, of Martinsville was sentenced to 5 years with 2 years and 8 months suspended and $6,943.97 in restitution and costs for an amended charge of accessory after the fact of murder in the death of Robert Wayne Williams, 39, of 237 Huntington Hills Drive in Bassett. She had initially been charged with 2nd degree murder.

A person convicted of being an accessory after the fact is someone who knows that another person has committed a crime and helps the person to avoid arrest or punishment.

The following is a summary of evidence in the Williams case by Henry County Commonwealths Attorney Andrew Nester that is on file in the Circuit Court Clerks Office:

On June 5, 2020, at 10:38 p.m., the 911 Communications Center received a call from someone saying a person had been shot at 7 Grace Drive, Apt. 14 in Bassett. The Henry County Sheriffs Office and Public Safety responded.

Upon arrival, deputies found Williams just inside the doorway to the apartment with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Hiawatha Gurganus told police that she was in the apartment with her boyfriend, Kenny Maples, and Jared Butner when Williams knocked on the door.

Shortly after Williams came in and sat down, Douglas Hampton Gillespie knocked on the door and when Williams opened the door, Gillespie and two white males wearing ski masks and carrying guns entered the apartment, records show.

Gurganus said Williams began struggling with one of the men and trying to take possession of his gun when the other man started shooting Williams, the records show.

Gillespie and the two men with masks fled the apartment and Gurganus said Maples went outside to see where they had gone, but didnt find anyone, according to the records.

The following day when deputies canvassed the neighborhood they found a woman who had seen a dark-colored SUV parked outside of her house and around 11:30 p.m. the vehicle took off at a high rate of speed when she turned on her porch light.

As police continued their investigation, they were told by Amanda Spangler, Williams girlfriend, that she and Williams were at the apartment earlier and had gotten high with drugs provided by Maples, the records state.

Spangler said she and Williams walked up the street to a friends apartment to visit and Williams decided to go back and get more heroin from Maples, the records state.

She stated Wayne went down to Kennys alone and was gone for awhile and never came back, Nester wrote.

By the time Spangler walked back to Maples apartment, Williams was dead.

Investigators learned from data provided by Google that of several cellphones in the area of the homicide, one of them belonged to a Daniel Adam Fish who had contacted Gillespie just before the shooting.

On June 27, 2020, 22 days after Williams was killed, the Live Oak County Sheriffs Office in Texas located Gillespie.

Investigators from Henry County met Gillespie at the Sheriffs Office in Live Oak County where Gillespie told them Fish was his cousin and intended to help him get back property of Gillespies that Maples had stolen while Gillespie was in jail.

Gillespie stated that Fish then pulled out a handgun and told him you are doing this or I will kill you, wrote Nester.

Gillespie said he, Fish, McCallister, and another man later identified as Nicholas Blair Dye then got into a vehicle and drove up alongside the apartment building where Maples lived.

Gillespie told the investigators that Fish had a handgun, Dye had a long rifle and McCallister also had a rifle.

Fish and Dye got out of the vehicle and Fish put his gun up to Gillespies head and instructed him to go to the door while McCallister remained in the vehicle. Fish and Dye put ski masks on as the three walked up to Maples apartment door.

Gillespie said Fish kept the gun at his head until the door opened and Fish pushed him through the door.

Shortly after they entered, the fight between Dye and Williams began over the rifle.

He stated Danny then shot the hell out of Wayne and stated Danny shot Wayne six times, wrote Nester. He stated after Danny shot Wayne, they all just ran out of the apartment and left in Dannys vehicle.

Gillespie said Fish kept him at his house on Sunset Drive in Collinsville for five days before taking him to Texas and telling him that if he opened his mouth or tried to come back to Virginia he would kill him and his family, Nester wrote.

It took the three days to get to Texas and by now investigators learned that McCallister was living with her husband in Texas before she walked out the door one day and never returned.

Her husband, Jon McCallister, reported her missing and said he received a phone call from Fish who told him he was Ashleighs new boyfriend and not to call her again.

On July 14, 2020, more than five weeks after the murder, Dye was located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and investigators traveled to the Broward County Sheriffs Office to talk with Dye.

Dye said he was living in Florida and wanted on an armed robbery charge there. He was acquainted with Fish, and Fish bought him a bus ticket to Martinsville and invited him to stay with him and he could start his life over, the records state.

Dye said he had been living in the house with Fish and McCallister for about a month when Williams was killed.

Dye described the events leading up to the shooting consistent with that of Gillespies account.

Dye said once Williams grabbed the rifle and the two were fighting for control of the gun he yelled Danny because the guy was trying to get his gun, Nester wrote. He stated that was when Danny shot him and I stated he remembered the guy being shot and was hanging onto his shirt and blood coming out of his mouth. He stated the guy fell to the floor and Danny came over and shot him three more times as he was laying on the floor. He stated that later he asked Danny why he shot him again and Danny stated he was suffering and I put him out of his misery.

Dye said he began walking to Roanoke and when he got there he called his mother and she bought him a train ticket back to Florida where he turned himself in on the outstanding robbery charge against him.

On August 2, 2020, almost 2 months after the murder, Fish and McCallister were located in Eureka, California, and Henry County investigators made the trip to speak with them.

McCallister admitted to her part in the shooting and corroborated the stories of Gillespie and Dye and Fish owned up to shooting Williams, but said he did so only because he thought Williams was going to kill Dye.

Fish was sentenced to 38 years with 17 suspended and $9,854.05 in restitution and costs for 2nd degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Dye was sentenced to 43 years with 36 suspended and $5,766.75 in restitution and costs for 2nd degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Gillespie was sentenced to 40 years with 25 suspended and $7,824.32 in restitution and costs for an amended charge of felony murder. A charge of using a firearm in the commission of a felony against Gillespie was dismissed.
New College Foundation (NCF) has changed its mission and reorganized as the Martinsville-Henry County Academic Foundation (MHC Academic Foundation).

The shift was done to provide expanded academic opportunities for students in the Martinsville-Henry County region, according to a Feb. 7 press release on prnewswire.com.

NCF was created in 2006 as a charitable organization to provide financial and administrative support to New College Institute (NCI).

NCF Executive Director Kevin DeKoninck, who lives in Tennessee, did not respond to the Bulletins requests for comments Wednesday.

However, NCI Board Member Richard Hall did.

The board of NCI is in consultation with the attorney general which represents the New College Institute and its interests, and we anticipate a swift response, Hall said.

In the press release, DeKoninck stated, The New College Foundation and the New College Institute have always shared the same mission: to advance educational opportunities in Southwest Virginia.

However, we felt that the region would be better served if we could expand NCFs mission to focus on attracting new opportunities to Martinsville and Henry County and collaborate on future efforts to expand academic access at NCI.

The new mission, according to the press release, is to provide financial and other support for the dissemination of education in Martinsville and Henry County and to broaden its mission and execute the full unencumbered scope while also continuing to support NCI.

Our new name reflects our renewed commitment to academics and the community we serve. Our Board is comprised of lifelong members of the Martinsville-Henry County community, so we felt it was necessary to rededicate ourselves to the area we call home, DeKoninck stated in the release.

The press release states that DeKoninck will assume a transitional leadership role for the newly reorganized MHC Academic Foundation and NCF Board of Trustees Chair Simone Redd will adapt her role to join the MHC Academic Foundation.

The MHC Academic Foundations mission does not supersede our support of NCI but rather adds to our ability to impact the community through more targeted and intentional financial support and relationship building with other academic initiatives in the area, Redd stated in the release.

Reorganizing as the MHC Academic Foundation will allow us to better direct the use of funds towards our goals to encourage attendance at local institutions of higher education and to foster partnerships with high demand technical programs, DeKoninck stated in the release.

Questions the Bulletin sent DeKoninck by email at 2 p.m. Wednesday, which were not answered, were: what the new mission of the Martinsville-Henry County Academic Foundation is; what happened to the money that was specifically raised to fund New College Institute; what the Martinsville-Henry County Academic Foundation plans to do to broaden its reach; what percentage of the money will go towards NCI verses the newer plans for the foundation; which specific NCF donors were contacted to make this decision; if the foundation plans to hire new staff and what their positions and salaries will be; how much the foundation paid Gentry Locke, which prepared its press release, for legal services; and how much it cost the foundation to publish the press release on Cision PR Newswire.

DeKonick had not responded by Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Stacy Buff, associate vice president of workforce development at McDowell Tech, just completed his first full month as the new president of the North Carolina Community College Adult Educators Association.

This is a group of continuing education and workforce development instructors, administrators and support staff in the North Carolina Community College System.

He is the 58th president in the associations history, succeeding Renita D. Allen Dawson, vice president of workforce continuing education services and community engagement at Wayne Community College.

I truly enjoy serving on the North Carolina Community College Adult Educators Association board of directors and look forward to leading this group over the next two years, said Buff.

He was first elected to the board in 2019 as one of two senior continuing education representatives, and in 2020, he was elected to serve as president-elect for the association. He assumed his new role as president on Jan. 1 of this year.

I am honored to be given this opportunity and will strive to continue to build upon the great organization that those before me have created, he said. As we move forward in 2023, it is my goal to update our association website, bring back our quarterly newsletter and build upon engagement with all of our members across the states 58 community colleges.

Our association will also serve as your catalyst to the North Carolina Community College System Office, he told the association members. We have already reinitiated regional senior continuing education administrators meetings and have scheduled 2023 regional meetings. There is still much work to be done, but I know that your association board of directors is up to the challenge. Again, I look forward to serving as your NCCCAEA president for 2023-2024.

About the N.C. Community College Adult Educators Association

According to the groups website, the N.C. Community College System Adult Educators Association was established in 1965 with Fodie Hodges of Lenoir Community College serving as the groups first president. Since its establishment, the association has remained the premiere organization representing North Carolinas community college adult educators in continuing education, workforce development, customized industry training, small business education, college and career readiness, public safety education and human resource development training.

The association provides leadership for the advancement of adult education in North Carolina; to vigorously promote the concept of continued, lifelong learning for all citizens; to promote sound management practices in the areas of the adult education curriculum, instructor training, certification, accreditation and permanent record-keeping; and to encourage quality work performance and professionalism by all adult educators.

Full membership is open to full-time or part-time continuing education instructors, administrators and support staff employed in the North Carolina Community College System. Associate and honorary memberships are also available.

As president of the group, Buff will lead the associations board of directors, who are responsible for adopting policies, procedures and guidelines to ensure the continuing responsible and effective operation of the association.
Moscow considers that there is room for renewing cooperation with Sao Tome and Principe in various fields at the moment, a message conveyed Wednesday by Russias ambassador to the African country to Prime Minister Patrice Trovoda.

I saw a very favorable atmosphere for us to cooperate to our mutual advantage, because there is no cooperation just for one side, it has to be mutually advantageous, said Ambassador Vladimir Tamarov to Lusa at the end of a meeting with Patrice Trovoada in the Sao Tomean capital.

The diplomat revealed that Moscow has decided to increase from five to 20 the allocation of scholarships to Sao Tomense, in an act that shows one of the aspects of cooperation.

Vladimir Tamarov said he spoke with the head of the Sao Tome and Principe government of projects that are being planned, without specifying, whose realization will require a certain skill on both sides.

Russia is willing  I have been here for six years and have stressed it on different occasions  and I think we can renew cooperation in various fields, he repeated.

Asked if the issue of Russias war with Ukraine had been addressed at the meeting, the diplomat said that the end of the conflict is not a concern of Sao Tome and Principe but a concern of all countries and that the Prime Minister of Sao Tome has a position of neutrality, which is also that of the San Tomeans, in general.

Repeating the Kremlins messages, the Russian diplomat went back to the March 2022 negotiations between delegations of the two countries in conflict, under the auspices of Turkey, to state that influential Western leaders influenced Ukraine not to accept the conditions that had been established.

We all agree that this conflict has negative repercussions for the world, but, he charged, not only Russia has responsibility, not only Ukraine has responsibility, there are countries interested in prolonging this conflict.
Nigerias Electoral Commission (Inec) said Wednesday that the presidential election will be held as scheduled on February 25 despite massive shortages of gasoline and new banknotes that are crippling Africas most populous country.

With less than three weeks to go before the election, queues continue to grow in front of ATMs for lack of cash and petrol stations for lack of fuel, plunging residents into distress.

Several riots broke out, notably on Tuesday in Abeokuta, in the southwest, as well as last week in Kano, the largest city in the north, and in Ibadan, a major city in the southwest.

INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu said Wednesday that the commission has found a solution to the gasoline shortage after meeting with the management of the national oil company (NNPC).

The idea is to be able to use their more than 9,000 mega stations on land and floating throughout the country to store (petroleum) products so that the Commission is not hindered in moving staff and materials for the elections, Yakubu said in a statement.

As for the shortage of new naira bills, we had a meeting yesterday with the governor of the Central Bank and he assured us that the commission would not suffer any hindrance in this regard, he added.

You can therefore be assured that the election will take place as scheduled, on February 25 for the presidential election and on March 11 for the governors election, he continued.

More than 93 million voters will go to the polls to elect a successor to President Muhammadu Buhari, who ends his second term in office with a record of rampant insecurity that has become almost universal, and a severe economic crisis.
The Japanese government delivered 2,800 tons of rice, equivalent to about 2 million euros, of food aid to Sao Tome and Principe, whose counterpart will be applied in socio-economic projects in the archipelago, it was announced Wednesday.

This non-refundable food aid, worth 2,800 tons of rice, is aimed primarily at reducing food shortages in Sao Tome and Principe and will help ensure food security by making rice offered at a preferential price profitable to selected economic operators in the local market. Subsequently, the revenues from these sales will be used to set up a counterpart fund after consultation between our two governments, said the Japanese ambassador to Sao Tome, Shuji Noguchi.

During the official delivery ceremony that took place in Sao Tome, the Japanese diplomat specified that the aid corresponds to about 50 million dobras and is part of the partnership of more than 40 years between the two countries, in the field of food aid, which represents a symbol of sincere and active cooperation.

Shuji Noguchi recalled that, with the counterpart fund of the 2021 food aid, also estimated at 2,800 tons of rice, it was possible to finance socio-economic projects, and contribute to the organization of presidential, legislative, local and regional elections held in recent years in the Sao Tomean archipelago.

In the same spirit of fraternity, friendship and solidarity, Japan has provided necessary support in areas fundamental to San Tomean society, such as education and fishing. Under micro-projects, Japan has implemented 33 projects in the country, for a total amount of more than 52 million dobras, he stressed.

This assistance today supports the efforts provided by the Government of Sao Tome and Principe to strengthen human security in a difficult socio-economic context affected by global instability that has led to international food shortages and rising grain prices, the Japanese Ambassador added.
Morocco is facing a number of MEPs who are using the European Parliament (EP) as a platform to attack the Kingdom in an organized manner and with great resources, said Lahcen Haddad, chairman of the Moroccan-European Union (EU) Joint Parliamentary Committee, on Wednesday in Rabat. Speaking at a debate on EPs hostile, blatant and recurrent attacks on the Kingdom, Haddad said that the Kingdoms problem is not with the European Union or its various institutions, but rather with MEPs known for their hostility towards Morocco. According to him, these MEPs have taken advantage of the corruption crisis shaking the EP to create a climate of fear within the European legislative institution, pushing it to undermine Moroccos image and reputation in the media and to adopt resolutions hostile to the Kingdom. Haddad noted that 112 anti-Morocco issues and 18 attempted amendments were raised in the EP in 2022, claiming the existence of a systematic war against the Kingdom. For his part, Authenticity and Modernity Group President Ahmed Touizi said that the European Parliament has become a platform to attack and provoke Morocco, noting that there is a joint Morocco-EU committee that MEPs have chosen to ignore and freeze in order to directly attack the Kingdom. Touizi stressed that some MEPs do not want to defend human rights but to attack the territorial integrity of the Kingdom, explaining this hostility by the geostrategic position that Morocco now occupies on the continent thanks to the enlightened vision of HM King Mohammed VI. He added that the European Parliament, which is trying to blackmail Morocco, cannot afford to ignore the great progress made by the Kingdom in the field of human rights, knowing that the Moroccan Parliament has adopted laws to protect freedoms and human rights. This meeting, organized by the two Houses of Parliament, examines the basis of the methodical attacks and false aggressions transmitted by the EP against the Kingdom in a systematic and presumptuous manner. It brings together MPs, representatives of civil society, experts and lawyers to discuss the instrumentalization of the human rights issue, the attacks on the Kingdoms territorial integrity and the exploitation of the Pegasus case. The Moroccan Parliament announced on January 23, in a joint statement issued by its two chambers, its decision to reconsider its relations with the European Parliament by subjecting them to a global reassessment in order to take firm and appropriate decisions in light of the European Parliaments recent positions on Morocco. In this regard, the Parliament decided to set up an ad-hoc committee on the subject, composed of representatives of its two Houses, dedicated to the re-evaluation of relations with the EP.
Leaders of African nations and continental bodies are expressing their condolences and solidarity with Turkiye and Syria, and offering help with rescue efforts after a massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake devastated parts of the two countries Monday February 6.

They included the King of Morocco, and the presidents of Burundi, Ethiopia, Gambia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Somalia and others. The continental bodies included the African Union (AU), the East African Community and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), with the AU Commission chairperson Moussa Faki-Mahamat welcoming the global outpouring of support and solidarity and pointing out that Africa stands in unwavering solidarity and sorrow with the government and people of #Turkiye and #Syria. Their condolences come as dozens of nations and organizations from all across Africa and the world also offered to help with rescue efforts in southern Turkiye and northern Syria, where the death toll has exceeded 18,000 according to latest reports.

Many countries are sending aid and rescue workers to assist recovery efforts in Turkiye and Syria, while UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres launched a heartfelt appeal urging the international community to participate in this race to save lives.

In the face of this epic disaster, I strongly appeal to the international community to show the people of Turkiye and Syria the same kind of support and generosity with which they received, protected and assisted millions of refugees and displaced people. Now is the hour to stand up for the people of Turkiye and Syria.

People are facing nightmare on top of nightmare. The earthquake struck as the humanitarian crisis in northwest Syria was already worsening, with needs at their highest level since the conflict began.

He said the UN had done its best to respond speedily to what is one of the biggest natural disasters in our times.

The first UN convoy crossed into northwest Syria on Thursday through the Bab al-Hawa crossing, including six trucks carrying shelter and other desperately needed relief supplies, and although more help is on the way, he assured, much more, much more, is needed.

The world is sadly aware of the rising death toll, now beyond 18,000 according to latest reports, and that the full extent of the damage is still unknown, said the UN chief.

Turkiye is home to the largest number of refugees in the world and has shown unparalleled generosity to its Syrian neighbors. Indeed, up to 3.6 million Syrians have lived in Turkiye for more than a decade. Many of them are now victims of the earthquake.
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Credit: UNODC

Researchers at The University of Manchester have released some brief and simple advice for parents and caregivers of children and young people affected by the earthquakes in Syria, Turkey and neighboring countries.

The two-page leaflet from the University's Parenting and Families Research Group, has been made available, with support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Prevention Treatment and Rehabilitation Section (UNODC)

It is available in Turkish, Arabic and English and also as an audio recording in the languages for download on a dedicated UNODC website developed for the earthquake response.

The website also contains a number of other caregiver resources specifically for emergencies like the earthquake and is available here.

The leaflets, booklets and audio resources provide basic, evidence-based guidance on best ways to help both caregivers and children to live through crisis, and have been updates to ensure its relevance for the current emergency.

It is designed to help parents and caregivers cope with their own emotions and stress and will help them to understand common reactions in children and how best to care for them.

The Global Initiative to Support Parents (GISP) an interagency collaboration formed to ensure every parent and caregiver around the world has access to parenting supporthas shared the resources across their networks and newsletters.

GISP was formed by UNICEF, WHO, Parenting for Lifelong Health at the University of Oxford, the Early Childhood Development Action Network (ECDAN), and the Global Partnership to End Violence.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime are also working through the Regional Office for Middle East and North Africacovering Syria, Lebanon and Jordanand South East Europe Office (Turkey) to disseminate them through the respective UN Emergency Relief Country Teams.

The resources were originally created in collaboration with Syrian families and Turkish and Syrian humanitarian workers as a response to the stresses of flight and displacement. Caregivers rate them highly.

The earthquakes have hit an area which is already home to many displaced Syrian families.

Dr. El-Khani and Prof Calam have been working with UNODC for several years to develop a full set of resources for families living through the stresses of flight and displacement.

Prof Rachel Calam said, "Our hearts go out to everyone affected by these terrible earthquakes. However hard it is to keep going in such difficult times, understanding common reactions, and supporting and encouraging children and young people emotionally and practically can help them to cope."

Dr. Aala El-Khani said, "We know that one of the most important predictors for the mental health of children who experience a crisis is the way they are cared for by their families. We hope these resources will be shared with those families so terribly affected by the earthquake in Syria, Turkey and Lebanon, who need help and support."
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Credit: Implications of telemedicine in care homes: considerations for the evolving risk landscape, (2023).

The cyber and ethical risks posed by telemedicine to care homes could outweigh its value unless safeguarding steps are taken, says a new white paper.

The paper, by Bayes Business School in collaboration with Lockton insurance brokers, investigates the variety of risks faced by care homes, and the resulting need for robust insurance policies. These include increasingly sophisticated online threats, ethical concerns which could lead to patient isolation and overreliance, and legal worries because of a lack of a regulatory framework concerning telemedicine being introduced in the UK.

Telemedicine is becoming increasingly common in the UK, because of its ability to remotely track and monitor patients' health data. The digital service uses a safeguarded cloud-based platform accessible by health professionals and can detect irregularities and sudden changes to a patient's status in real time, as well as administering medication. There are already some effective solutions in the marketplace, with medtech companies, such as Lifelight, creating efficiency gains for healthcare providers, and convenience and comfort for patients through contactless smartphone monitoring of patient vital signs.

Bayes and Lockton, the world's largest independent insurance brokerage, say the insurance implications of introducing telemedicine solutions to care homes are substantial and care home providers must consider their approach across strategic, operational, technological, and business risks.

With care homes housing vulnerable individuals that often require consistent attention, support and care, the failure of digital health servicesin such scenarios as system outages, failing products, and technology errorscould result in large liability claims because of errors such as deletion of crucial information relating to a symptom, inappropriate levels of medication being administered by care givers, or having the wrong medications prescribed. Steps to improve online security include multi-factor authentication for remote access, secure offline backups, updated software protocols and high-level employee awareness training.

The authors say that implementing a vigorous cyber risk management framework is crucial for care homes, to increase organizational resiliency and ensure operational continuity, as well as secure the appropriate terms and coverage from the insurance market.

While there has been progress, concerns that existed a decade ago remain today, including a lack of resource outside of larger hospitals, with increasingly robust IT systems required to repel the risks.

The increasing need for telemedicine remains a hot topic. In January, it was reported that the NHS was exploring opening more 'virtual wards' for patients in England to cut down on waiting times. The value of telemedicine is already being felt in other parts of the UK, with patients in Wales with long-term health conditions trailing the use of telehealth, in partnership with national and local health and technology services.

Co-authors Dr. Cormac Bryce and Bayes MSc student Aishwarya Vinny say that while technology plays a critical role in healthcare, it cannot replace more traditional methods, adding that insurance cover is a critical aspect to care home covering the variety of threats that come with telemedicine.

Dr. Bryce, Course Director on the MSc in Insurance and Risk Management, said, "The rapidly evolving list of considerations for care providers means insurance cover is absolutely necessary. Since the onset of COVID, there has been a rapid rise in the use of telemedicine solutions globally, and while the value of medtech in supporting patients is clear for all to see, that does not make it infallible."

"Medical malpractice may be an unintentional consequence of telemedicine as nothing can replace human interactions, which is especially valuable for those in care homes who are twice as likely to suffer severe loneliness than the wider community."

"In January, the government announced that it would spend up to 250 million on extra beds in care homes to help discharge patients to free up hospital beds. With more patients potentially coming through the doors, the ever more sophisticated threats from cyber attackers, plus ethical and legal concerns, must be taken even more seriously. Care homes must tread cautiously if they are to balance patient care and ensuring their own cover."
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Biochemist Jon Jacobs has analyzed the blood of patients with diseases and conditions such as Ebola, cancer, tuberculosis, hepatitis, diabetes, Lyme disease, brain injury and influenza.

But never has he seen blood chemistry gone so awry as when he and colleagues took an in-depth look at the protein activity in the blood of patients with alcohol-associated hepatitis, a severe form of liver disease caused by heavy drinking for many years.

"The proteins in these patients are more dysregulated than in any other blood plasma that we've analyzed," said Jacobs, a biochemist at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. "Almost two-thirds of the proteins we measured are at unusual levels. This is a snapshot of what's going on in the body of a person with this disease and reflects just how severe a disease this is."

That "snapshot" is a measurement of proteins that change in patients with the disease. The unique combination of changes in protein activity marks an important step toward development of a simple blood test to diagnose alcohol-associated hepatitis.

Jacobs and colleagues, including scientists and physicians from the Veteran Affairs Long Beach Healthcare System and the University of Pittsburgh, have published their findings in the American Journal of Pathology. Corresponding authors of the study are Jacobs and Timothy Morgan, a gastroenterologist at VA Long Beach who has treated patients with the disease for more than 35 years.

Alcohol-associated hepatitis: Long in the making

The findings don't surprise Morgan.

"These individuals are very sick. These patients have been drinking a lot of alcohol, typically more than a six-pack of beer or more than a bottle of wine or more than four shots of liquor per day for more than 10 years," said Morgan, who is also professor of medicine at UCI Health.

The disease is more severe than other liver diseases that can be caused by alcohol, including liver cirrhosis and fatty liver. About 10 percent of patients with alcohol-associated hepatitis die within one month of diagnosis; about 25 percent die within six months. They're often in the last throes of an illness that has been in the making for many years.

Morgan estimates that he has treated more than 400 patients with the disease. To improve the care he provides to patients and to learn more about the disease, Morgan brought together researchers, physicians, and patients from the Southern California Alcoholic Hepatitis Consortium, PNNL, the InTeam Consortium based at the University of Pittsburgh, and others.

The study included analysis of blood or tissue samples from 106 people. These included 57 patients with alcohol-associated hepatitis and 49 others who either had nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, other alcohol-related liver diseases like cirrhosis, or who were healthy.

The PNNL team used sensitive mass spectrometry to measure more than 1,500 proteins in the blood of the study participants. Though alcohol-associated hepatitis has an overwhelming impact on proteins in the blood, the PNNL team identified a group of 100 proteins that are altered in patients and seem to drive the specific disease. Many proteins were less plentiful in those patients; some were more abundant. The affected proteins cover the gamut of bodily functions, including inflammation, immunity and clotting, as well as fundamental liver function.

The results correlated well with previous alcohol-associated hepatitis studies involving patient liver tissues. Ramon Bataller, chief of hepatology at the University of Pittsburgh and an author of the current study, had previously characterized gene activity in the livers of patients with the disease. His team found that the core proteins altered in the disease patients' blood directly correlate with the vast dysregulation of the genes and proteins in the liver, linking disease-specific protein blood expression to liver function.

Both studies point to a central role for a molecule known as HNF4A, which is a central hub of liver gene activity. HNF4A is also involved in diseases like pancreatic cancer and diabetes.

One goal: A biomarker for diagnosis, monitoring

The work is an important step toward developing a blood-based biomarkera blood testthat would show that someone has alcohol-associated hepatitis.

"The diagnosis of alcohol-associated hepatitis can be difficult, costly, and sometimes can take several days," Morgan said. "Having a blood test for the diagnosis of AH would help physicians make the diagnosis quickly, safely, more accurately, and less expensively than with a liver biopsy."

The team is conducting further studies to see if the same protein changes could be used to monitor how patients are responding to treatment. Doctors typically use steroids to reduce inflammation, but the treatment leaves patients vulnerable to infection.

"These data help us understand what's happening in these patients, and we're hopeful it gives us an additional tool to monitor how patients are responding to treatments," Jacobs said.

In addition to Jacobs, PNNL authors include Marina Gritsenko, Richard D. Smith, and Le Z. Day, as well as former PNNL scientist Komal Kedia, now with Merck. First author of the study is Josepmaria Argemi of the University of Pittsburgh and the Universidad de Navarra.

More information: Josepmaria Argemi et al, Integrated Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analysis Identifies Plasma Biomarkers of Hepatocellular Failure in Alcohol-Associated Hepatitis, The American Journal of Pathology (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2022.08.009 Journal information: American Journal of Pathology
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A new book by Marissa Harrison, associate professor of psychology, examines the differences between male and female serial killers, what motivates women to kill, and why they often get away with it. Credit: Cambridge University Press

Movies, books and podcasts have popularized the stories of serial killers like Ted Bundy and John Wayne Gacy, but they also have contributed to the longstanding myth that women are incapable of committing such heinous crimes. According to Marissa Harrison, associate professor of psychology at Penn State Harrisburg, that myth is dead wrong.

Harrison has spent years studying the sex differences in serial killers and what motivates a woman to kill, a field that has largely been understudied. Her drive to fill research gaps has culminated in her new book, "Just as Deadly: The Psychology of Female Serial Killers."

"There's so much rumor and gossip about serial murderers, but the field lacks information on female serial killers," said Harrison. "I'm a psychological scientist, a data-wrangler. My book presents a psychological science approach to understanding the minds of female serial killers."

An expert on evolutionary psychology and behavioral neuroscience, Harrison discusses what makes female serial killers so dangerous in the following Q&A.

How are male and female serial killers different?

Harrison: Let's start with motives. For females, the most common is financial gain, whereas for men it's often sexual gain. The ways in which they kill also differ. Women's primary means are poison, and men's are asphyxiation. Men are far more likely to target a stranger and to have stalked their victim; women are more likely to target somebody familiar to them and are more than twice as likely to have murdered a spouse or partner. They tend to target the vulnerableelderly people, ill people or children.

Females tend to have been married at least once; males tend to be single at the time of first crime. Males tend to have a high school education or less; females tend to have some college or more. As for the media's treatment of serial murderers, my team's statistical analysis found that the nickname assigned to female serial killers is more likely to convey their gender, like Tiger Woman, versus calling a man the BTK (bind, torture, kill) Killer.

Your book includes 27 case studies. While researching these cases, did anything stand out?

Harrison: What surprised me was how frequently these individuals were victimized as children or adolescents and the frequency of the trauma. To be clear, I feel much more compassion for the victims. But, the serial killers whose cases I outline were often sexually molested, so how do you not have compassion for that? It made me question if they had received the mental health help that they deserved, maybe they wouldn't have become murderers.

One of the most heinous instances I write about is a woman named Martha Patty Cannon. She killed men, women and children. She kidnapped free people and sold them into slavery. She beat children to death with logs. Once, a child sneezed by her and she threw the child into a fire. Reading her history, which is sparse, I went back to newspapers from the late 1700s to early 1800s. She was violated by her father, and he was executed by hanging. Think about what a taboo subject that was back then, and that people knew this happened and they hanged the father. It must have been known that he abused her, and the abuse must have been terrible.

Can you give a snapshot of a female serial killer?

Harrison: My colleagues and I came up with a composite based on statistics. She's probably white, married at least once, maybe multiple times. She's probably in her 20s or 30s, likely middle class, a Christian, displays at least average intelligence and has average or above average attractiveness. She is probably employed legally, perhaps in health care or a related field. In fact, we found that 39% of female serial killers were nurses or health care workers. They might have a history of abuse or a recent crisis. And at least one murder will occur in a suburban area.

The people familiar to her are at most risk, especially children, the ill and the elderly. Most likely she murders via poisoning or asphyxiation, and those methods would mimic natural death to people who aren't really suspecting her.

Did any of the cases you included in your book shock you?

Harrison: Serial murder, in any instance, is shocking. I went into the book knowing the crimes I would find. The shock that I experienced was, we know hindsight is 20-20, but how did nobody see what was happening in some of these cases?

In the book I include the case of Marybeth Tinning. All nine of her childrenborn between the 1960s and '80sdied. The authorities think she killed at least eight of them. They suspect her first child died in unfortunate circumstances, but not the rest. What shocked me was, OK, now she has three dead children. OK, here's the fourth. OK, here's the fifth presented to a local hospital. Some of the media reported that people were calling a hotline saying, aren't you going to do something? People noticed what was going on, the shock was how long it took the authorities to act. Authorities think she probably had "Munchausen syndrome by proxy," that she killed the babies for attention.

What is the main takeaway that you want readers to know about female serial killers?

Harrison: I want readers to know that female serial killers exist. Usually movies, books and podcasts focus on men. The FBI did not recognize female serial killers until the 1990s. They called these crimes sexual killing, and sexual killing is almost always indicative of a male murderer. But there are well-known women who murdered far more victims than men did. Jolly Jane Toppan was a nurse in Boston in the late 1800s. She killed at least 30 people, but she told the authorities that she thought she killed close to 100. The authorities have no idea how many people Belle Gunness, a farmer from Indiana, killed. They dug up her farm and in the hog pit found the remains of as many as 100 victims. Women commit murder, and they get away with it.

What do you think our society needs to do to decrease instances of serial killers?

Harrison: My team's research shows that for female and male serial killers, there is a good chance that mental illness is involved. For males, it's highly likely; for females, our research showed about 40% demonstrated evidence of mental illness. If instances of mental illness and child abuse continually appear in the histories of these women, maybe mental illness awareness and treatment could prevent some future deaths.

Also, I learned on my travels that life doesn't work like the show "CSI." Local police and detectives lack the resources for the type of testing depicted on TV. So, if a series of murders happens, let's get investigators more resources to address and solve the crimes. It might prevent future victimization.
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Credit: LL_studio/Shutterstock

It's been over three years since the first known COVID infection. Since then, we've seen hundreds of millions of cases around the globe.

You've probably had itat least once, if not multiple timesas has nearly everyone you know. As continued waves of infections arrive, fewer and fewer people have never caught COVID. But, even taking into account those who have had it and not realized, there are probably still some people out there who have managed to avoid the virus altogether (so far).

Last year, I wrote about people who had yet to be infected. Were they somehow immune? Did they possess some advantageous genetic mutation? Were they simply avoiding people and continuing to take precautions? Or had they just been lucky, and their time was inevitably going to come?

Unfortunately, we still don't know why some people have managed to avoid COVID for so long. Science takes time. We saw research occur at unprecedented speed in 2020 to understand SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID) and to develop treatments and vaccines. But that level of funding and collaboration is hard to sustain in a world with so many worthwhile areas of research.

That said, some research is looking in particular at whether a genetic element helps explain why certain people have never caught COVID. But while this research is important, we shouldn't lose focus on those who are suffering from the disease and its longer-term effects.

Is immunity in the genes?

The COVID Human Genetic Effort, led by researchers in the US, has recruited people with known exposure to the virus, but who haven't had it themselves. This includes, for example, healthcare workers or people who lived in a household with a confirmed case of COVID.

Scientists will be examining their DNA and looking for unusual mutations that may explain an apparent resistance to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This may be a mutation in the cellular receptors or enzymes needed for the virus to gain entry to our cells, or perhaps a mutation in a gene involved in the immune response to infection.

Studies that look to uncover anomalies in our DNA, termed genome-wide association studies, have already been able to identify genetic mutations that make some people resistant to other infections like HIV and norovirus (the winter vomiting bug). If we can identify the reasons people may be immune to a particular virus then, theoretically, that knowledge could be used to prevent the infection.

But is it really that simple? Despite our understanding of the genetic mutations that protect a lucky minority of people against norovirus, there's no vaccine or treatment for this virus. And the infamous "CRISPR babies" (several children born in 2018 whose genomes had been edited in an attempt to make them immune to HIV), received criticism for dubious ethics, not to mention being illegal.

It's possible that it's not a mutation in one gene, but a combination of mutations in multiple genes, that render a small number of people immune to COVID. Targeting multiple genes without causing any unwanted side-effects can be tricky and would make it much harder to harness this knowledge for anti-COVID drugs.

But understanding the genetic mutations that make someone resistant to COVID could provide valuable insight into how SARS-CoV-2 infects people and causes disease. In other words, it may be interesting scientifically, but perhaps not clinically.

While it will be some time before we have answers from these studies, scientists do believe there is a small group of people who are naturally immune to SARS-CoV-2 owing to their genes.

Time to shift focus?

As scientists, we can become fixated on certain details of our research. It's always important to remind ourselves that there are people on the other end of these infectious diseases.

Although SARS-CoV-2 continues to infect people across the world, and is constantly mutating and evolving into new variants, its severity has in general been greatly reduced thanks to effective vaccines.

At the same time, an estimated two million people in the UK report long COVID, of which nearly one-fifth have symptoms so severe the condition significantly limits their day-to-day activities.

While there are a few theories as to what contributes to long COVID, including microclots in the blood and chronic inflammation, we don't really know why some people are affected and others are not. So perhaps our focus should shift from the genetic determinants of immunity to SARS-CoV-2 to exploring whether some people may have a genetic predisposition to a potentially life-altering chronic disease.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Hepatoma cells overexpressing EGFR are shown here in green. The cell nucleus is stained in blue. Credit: Abteilung fur Molekulare und Medizinische Virologie

Although hepatitis E is a common disease, little is known about the life cycle of the virus. Initial findings on how it manages to infect cells are reported by a team from Molecular and Medical Virology at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, and Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg in the journal Hepatology on February 7, 2023.

A protein called EGFR, short for Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor, plays a decisive role in the penetration of virus particles into cells. This finding could open up new treatment options against hepatitis E, since there are already approved drugs against EGFR that inhibit the activity of this receptor.

Cell culture model makes investigations possible

One of the reasons why hepatitis E is comparatively under-investigated is that a robust cell culture model for its study was only developed about three years ago in Bochum and Hanover. Researchers were now able to use this model to investigate how the virus is able to infect cells.

"We used drugs to suppress the activity of the EGFR protein in some cell lines at the time of virus entry," explains first author Jil Alexandra Schrader. "In these cultures, we observed that there were significantly fewer infected cells." To cross-check this, the researchers used cell cultures in which the co-receptor was over-produced. In this case, more infections occurred than in untreated cells.

A protein plays a major role as a co-receptor

"This shows us that the protein EGFR is of great importance for the entry mechanism of the virus into the cells," says Jil Schrader. Moreover, the part of the protein that is on the outside of the cells and to which ligands bind is important for the entry of the viruses. If it is missing, the viruses cannot penetrate the cell. Further investigations are needed to determine whether other players are required for the virus to infect cells or whether the receptor itself introduces the virus.

"For hepatitis C virus, for example, it is known that even more receptors are involved in the entry of the viruses into the cells," explains Professor Eike Steinmann, head of the Department of Molecular and Medical Virology at Ruhr University Bochum. "This could also be the case with hepatitis E virus."

The evidence that the EGF receptor is involved in infection is particularly interesting because there are already approved drugs that suppress its activity. "These drugs are approved in Europe and the U.S. for certain cancers where the receptor is overactive and can cause uncontrolled cell growth," explains Dr. Volker Kinast, virologist at the Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg. Further studies would have to show whether these agents could be a treatment option against hepatitis E.

Hepatitis E

The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the main cause of acute viral hepatitis. About 70,000 people die from the disease every year. After the first documented epidemic outbreak in 195556, more than 50 years passed before researchers took a closer look at the issue. Acute infections normally clear up on their own in patients with an intact immune system. In affected individuals with reduced or suppressed immune systems, such as organ transplant recipients or HIV-infected individuals, HEV can become chronic. HEV is also particularly dangerous for pregnant women.

More information: Jil Alexandra Schrader et al, Epidermal growth factor receptor modulates hepatitis e virus entry in human hepatocytes HEP-22-1113, Hepatology (2023). DOI: 10.1097/HEP.0000000000000308 Journal information: Hepatology
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Percentage increase in self-injury mortality (SIM) and suicide costs per capita by region and state, 1999/20002018/2019. Credit: BMC Public Health (2023). DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15188-8

Self-injury deaths cost the United States more than $1 trillion a year in medical expenses and work and quality of life losses, according to new West Virginia University research.

West Virginia has by far the highest estimated annual costs for these deaths at $6,534 per person. These findings are published in BMC Public Health.

"Comprising registered suicides and most fatal alcohol, opioid and other drug overdoses, these deaths are predictable and preventable," said Ian Rockett, professor emeritus with the WVU School of Public Health and lead investigator on the study.

"Suicides alone cost society half a trillion dollars each year. Because injury deaths of despair disproportionality impact the young, their implications for the future are catastrophic. They are not only emotionally devastating for families and friends but, collectively, the losses exert adverse effects on all sectors of society."

Rockett's team analyzed data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and compared changes over a 20-year period from 1999-2000 to 2018-2019. Researchers also utilized the CDC's "Medical and Work Loss Cost Estimation Methods" which considers medical expenditures, lost work productivity and future quality of life loss.

They found that estimated national costs of self-injury mortality rose by 143% from $0.46 trillion to $1.12 trillion over the 20-year period. Self-injury mortality includes deaths by suicide as well as most non-homicide opioid- and other drug-intoxication deaths, whether intentional or not.

Estimating the economic costs of self-injury mortality can inform health planning and clinical and public health interventions, Rockett said.

"From a public health perspective, much more attention needs to be paid to injury prevention and control at national, state and local levels, pertinent policy formulation and implementation, and to mass communication of safe practices in schools, workplaces and among the general public," he added. "Separating suicides from overdose deaths in research and prevention funding greatly impedes the understanding and prevention of both."

Other findings from the study show that total national suicide costs increased 58%from $318.6 billion to $502.7 billionand that national per capita costs of self-injury mortality doubled from $1,638 to $3,413.

West Virginia exhibited the largest per capita cost followed by Delaware.

"Tragically, West Virginia has, by far, the highest estimated annual costs for these deaths at $6,534 per person," Rockett said.

"West Virginia's increase in per capita costs is staggering at 263%. By contrast, Nevada's increase was 22%. One of our previous studies would suggest that West Virginia desperately needs substantial investment in manufacturing employment to counter the economic shock from the enormous loss of high-paying coal jobs over the past two decades. I hasten to add there are also many other states that would benefit significantly from such investment."

"At the core of our economy, coal jobs and other jobs in the extraction and construction industries are extremely hazardous. Consequently, injury is all too common among people working in them. The injured, and also other vulnerable sub-populations in West Virginia, like the young, became easy targets for Big Pharma, opioid pill mills and other unscrupulous providersand more recently, for dealers of illicit alternatives, most notably heroin and fentanyl-related drugs."

WVU-connected researchers joining Rockett on the study were Judith Feinberg, professor at the School of Medicine; Amanda Stover, a School of Pharmacy graduate; and Lynne Cossman, former chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology.

The study is the final of a series of three by Rockett examining fatal self-injury. The first traced the rapid geographic growth of fatal self-injury across the country during the current century.

The second study identified various predictors, which included the underutilization of labor and manufacturing employment. Rockett said that study also indicated states with a centralized medical examiner death investigation system, such as West Virginia, do a better job than states with coroner or mixed systems in detecting drug overdose deaths.

"The cost study is a logical extension of these prior studies since cost is the bottom line in characterizing the burden of injury deaths of despair to the country and individual states," he said.

"Documentation of the extraordinary losses is essential for informing health planning and public health and clinical interventions. Furthermore, costs have likely continued to mushroom since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal and state prevention and intervention programs should be financed with a clear understanding of the total costsfiscal, social and personalincurred by deaths due to self-injurious behaviors."

More information: Ian R.H. Rockett et al, Escalating costs of self-injury mortality in the 21st century United States: an interstate observational study, BMC Public Health (2023). DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15188-8 Journal information: BMC Public Health
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Minnesota is the first U.S. state to universally test newborns for cytomegalovirus, an easily transmissible virus and a leading cause of infant hearing loss and congenital birth defects.

The announcement Wednesday follows a year of work to create a state protocol for testing at birth for the virus, known as CMV, and two decades of research at the University of Minnesota on ways to identify, prevent and treat the infection.

"We did it!" said an excited Dr. Mark Schleiss, the U expert in pediatric infectious diseases who led the research. "We got it to the finish line."

CMV is among more than 60 conditions for which newborns are screened in Minnesota, which started checking infants in the 1960s for a condition called phenylketonuria that could upset brain development. The state has been at the forefront of newborn screeningboth in its ability to protect children from harm and to raise privacy debates about the storage and usage of the blood samples and other information collected.

About one-third of U.S. children carry CMV by age 5, and it can easily spread via bodily fluids such as saliva. However, serious complications are far more common among children infected in utero.

A test within 21 days of birth was urgently needed to identify congenital infections, and differentiate them from lower-risk infections that newborns could contract at home. The urgency for testing also has increased over the past decade with the expansion of antiviral therapies that can treat the infection and prevent its disabling results.

"Parents of children at risk for permanent hearing loss will receive early support that can help them prevent potential developmental delays," said Dr. Brooke Cunningham, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health.

Earlier trials of experimental vaccines failed to protect against CMV, but U research is ongoing.

Screening for CMV involves dried blood spots that are collected from all newborns in Minnesota unless parents opt out. The blood specimens are then held indefinitely, unless parents request they be destroyed, under a narrow state law that permits their storage and use for the identification of other disorders or the creation of more effective tests.

The requirements were set nearly a decade ago in legislation following a court battle over the health department's collection and long-term storage of blood spots from newborn screening. A 2014 settlement in that case resulted in the destruction of 1.1 million older samples.

Schleiss' research proved that CMV could be detected from blood spots, hastening Minnesota's screening program because it was already collecting those samples, said Jill Simonetti, manager of the state's newborn screening program. The health department is researching the utility of older blood spots, expecting that parents whose newborns test positive for CMV will want to go back and check older siblings, she added.

Most children born with CMV infections show no initial symptoms, though some may have jaundice or developmental indicators such as low birth weight or small head size. Long-term complications beyond hearing loss can include seizures, balance problems and developmental delays.

About 300 of 65,000 babies born in Minnesota each year have congenital CMV, according to state estimates. One-fifth of the infected babies are likely to have symptoms at birth or be at risk for hearing loss or other complications. Screening won't identify which infected children are at elevated risk, but it will allow doctors to monitor them and conduct more frequent hearing exams.

Screening and treatment are only part of the public health strategy to reduce the spread of CMV and congenital infections. Given the ease with which the virus can spread through fluids, doctors discourage pregnant mothers from sharing food or drink with children.

2023 StarTribune.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Training the breathing muscles (primarily the diaphragm, which plays a vital role in breathing) could have longer lasting benefits than previously thought. The strength gains to the muscles from five weeks of inspiratory muscle training (a form of weight training to strengthen the muscles used to breathe) persist for five weeks after the training has stopped, according to new research published in Experimental Physiology.

Stronger breathing muscles may improve the distribution of blood flow during exercise, which allows a person to undergo physical activity for longer periods before tiring and becoming somewhat breathless. Enhancing breathing muscle function can potentially help people manage and slow down the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a group of lung conditions including emphysema and bronchitis.

COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide, but is helped with pulmonary rehabilitation, which can include inspiratory muscle training. Healthcare needs and the frequency of hospital visits depend on a person's symptoms and how regularly they worsen. For people with weak breathing muscles, the training may help relieve the symptoms.

Muscles can lose function or weaken over time with disuse, particularly the respiratory muscles, which may weaken faster than the other muscles in the body. The researchers from University of Waterloo, Canada found that the breathing muscles remain stronger after an equal amount of time without trainingin this case, five weeks. Observations of similar muscle gains between weight training of the breathing muscles with that of the tibialis anterior (the muscle that runs down the front of the shin) indicate that the respiratory muscles can be trained like other skeletal muscles.

Paolo Dominelli, a study researcher from University of Waterloo, Canada, said, "Inspiratory muscle training can be beneficial to people with breathing difficulties and can be part of pulmonary rehabilitation. Knowing the timeframe before muscle function loss occurs could help inform treatment programs, determining how frequently an individual would need to train, and the length of the program."

Inspiratory muscle training also caused a positive change to the respiratory muscle metaboreflex, a process where the body restricts the blood flow to the limbs when the breathing muscles tire. Typically during exercise when the limb muscles are working hard, the respiratory metaboreflex prioritizes blood flow to the breathing muscles to ensure breathing is maintained. As a result, heart rate and blood pressure rise.

However, inspiratory muscle training reduces the metaboreflex, which lowers the heart rate and blood pressure. Reducing the metaboreflex may improves a person's endurance during exercise, meaning they can work out for longer before reaching exhaustion. The researchers found that the effects on the metaboreflex were preserved after five weeks in the absence of training.

Dominelli said, "By showing that the strength of the breathing muscles persisted, along with the retained reductions in the respiratory metaboreflex after five weeks without training suggests that the training itself may not need to be continuous. We would need to carry out subsequent clinical trails to test the appropriate frequency and length of training required to evaluate how long the health benefits persist."

A group of 16 young healthy adults were randomly assigned into either the control group (seven male, one female) or the experimental group (six male, two female). Over 10 weeks their respiratory muscle strength and muscle strength of their lower leg (via the ability to flex the ankle upwards) were tested in a laboratory, and their blood pressure and heart rate were measured at pre-training (zero weeks), post-training (five weeks) and post-detraining (10 weeks) while their respiratory muscles were working hard to elicit the metaboreflex.

Over five weeks the experimental group performed inspiratory muscle training twice a day for five days a week. This was then followed by five weeks of undergoing normal physical activity but no inspiratory muscle training (post-detraining). The control group did not take part in inspiratory muscle training. All participants engaged in regularly physical activity (approximately three days per week) throughout the 10-week study period.

Dominelli cautions, "Firstly, our study was done in young healthy individuals who are not limited by their respiratory muscles. Follow-up studies needs to be completed in those with lung disease such as COPD. Secondly, the main limitation of the study was the duration of the detraining (no training) period. It was only for five weeks, the same amount of time as the training, where we did not see any decreases in breathing muscle strength. Further studies should extend the detraining phase to see if the reduction in the metaboreflex still persists with decreases in muscle strength."

More information: The effect of inspiratory muscle training and detraining on the respiratory metaboreflex, Experimental Physiology (2023). DOI: 10.1113/EP090779. physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com  doi/10.1113/EP090779
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To combat the fentanyl epidemic in the United States, researchers at the University of Houston have created a fentanyl vaccine that could help prevent overdoses. They aim to test the vaccine in a human trial within the next year.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid drug that kills hundreds of Texans every year, according to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

The vaccine will need FDA approval before people can use it. According to Johns Hopkins University, that process can take five to 15 years, and sometimes longer. The process can be sped up during a public health emergency where no alternate treatments exist. The first COVID-19 vaccines were created, tested and given emergency use authorization by the FDA in under a year.

In a study published last year in the journal Pharmaceutics, the Houston researchers reported that their vaccine triggered production of antibodies against fentanyl in rats and decreased the amount of fentanyl in rats' brains. The researchers' vaccine received praise from Governor Greg Abbott, who visited the University of Houston last year to congratulate the team.

"This vaccine has the potential to save millions of innocent lives from fentanyl poisonings & addiction," he said in a Tweet.

A different approach to opioid addiction

Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, according to the CDC. Once consumed, it enters the brain quickly, making it highly addictive. Fentanyl activates two brain pathways that release dopamine, a chemical that can cause feelings of pleasure and euphoria.

Since fentanyl can be mixed into cocaine, methamphetamines and counterfeit pills, people can ingest it without knowing, leading to accidental poisoning and death. The Texas Department of Health and Human Services estimates that over 800 people died of unintentional fentanyl-related causes in 2020, and over 1500 in 2021 using provisional data.

Doctors can prescribe maintenance medications like methadone and buprenorphine for those recovering from opioid addiction. These drugs are opioids, but they can reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

The effectiveness of these medications depends on how they're made, the opioid being misused and access to the medications. Recovering patients can relapse after they leave treatment and are especially vulnerable to overdose deaths, said Colin Haile, a research associate professor at the University of Houston.

"Clearly, the medications that we have to address opioid use disorder and overdose are not working," said Haile, who led the team that created the vaccine.

The vaccine's effect on rats

Haile's team created a vaccine that could tell the human body to produce antibodies against fentanyl. If a vaccinated person consumes fentanyl, the antibodies could attach to the drug, preventing it from getting to the brain and inducing a "high" or potential overdose. The fentanyl would remain in the blood, eventually passing through the kidneys and out the body.

In the published study, Haile's team said the vaccine successfully produced antibodies against fentanyl in rats. The vaccine also blocked one of the effects of fentanyl: pain relief. Compared to unvaccinated rats, vaccinated rats also had decreased fentanyl levels in their brains when fentanyl was administered 20 weeks after their first vaccination.

"The effect was pretty incredible," Haile said. "I've never seen anything like this, ever."

The vaccine produced antibodies that attached to fentanyl but not to methadone or buprenorphine, meaning that vaccinated people could potentially still take those medications to treat opioid addiction. The antibodies also did not bind to morphine or oxycodone, two other opioids.

Getting the vaccine to people

Haile's main goal is to get the vaccine to humans. His team is working to produce clinical-grade levels of the vaccine so that they can perform FDA-required toxicology studies and receive approval to begin Phase 1 clinical trials with people. Haile is hopeful that this can happen within the next 12 months.

If the Phase 1 trial is successful, the team will need to conduct additional clinical trials before submitting the vaccine for final FDA review.

This vaccine is not the first of its kind. A handful of research teams across the country are studying vaccines against opioids like fentanyl that have shown promise in rats and non-human primates like rhesus monkeys. Marco Pravetoni, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Washington School of Medicine, has tested a fentanyl vaccine in rats.

Pravetoni said Haile's team used a specific adjuvantan ingredient which boosts the immune response to a vaccinethat is not as common in opioid vaccine research.

"It's kind of exciting to see that this group is trying to advance a fentanyl vaccine with a new adjuvant, and I think that adjuvant [works] pretty well," said Pravetoni, who was not involved with Haile's study.

The adjuvant was developed by collaborators at Tulane University School of Medicine, Haile said, and has already been proven safe in clinical trials with people. He added that this may help the vaccine gain FDA approval to begin human trials more quickly.

When Haile created the vaccine, he first saw it as a tool to prevent relapses. Since publishing his research, he's been contacted by parents worried about their kids being inadvertently exposed to fentanyl in counterfeit ADHD medication or other drugs. This made him see another potential use for the vaccine: preventing accidental fentanyl poisoning.

Abbott also suggested to Haile during his visit that the vaccine could be used to prevent side effects from fentanyl exposure in DEA agents who may handle it at the border.

It's been a challenge getting to this point, Haile said, but the work is paying off.

"It's not just paying [off] well for me and my colleagues," he said. "It's going to pay off for individuals that really need a medication or a therapeutic like this."

2023 The Dallas Morning News.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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A novel study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine is the first to show a direct relationship between belief in race as a cultural phenomenon driving health disparities and the use of race in care. It found that family physicians at academic medical organizations who believe genetics and cultural attitudes are at the root of poor health outcomes of ethnic minority patients are likely to consider race when providing care.

"Disadvantaged and marginalized peoples are at greater risk of poor health outcomes than their white American counterparts. This reality has been used to justify the inclusion of race and ethnicity in medical recommendations, guidelines, and algorithms driving treatment thresholds and interventionsoften without mention of the mechanisms through which these identities result in poor health. Using race without recognizing the social, political, and economic factors that contribute to racial inequity can stigmatize racially minoritized people as biologically inferior and normalize their poor health, worsening health disparities by codifying them as inevitable," explained lead investigator Ebiere Okah, MD, MS, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, School of Medicine, University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

The study cites the example of how until 2021 the vaginal birth after Cesarean (VBAC) calculator, which estimates the probability of a successful vaginal delivery after a Cesarean, used Black race and Hispanic ethnicity to predict an increased risk of failure, reducing the likelihood of these patients being offered a vaginal birth, a preferable birthing option. That changed in 2021 after more and more major medical societies began disavowing policies and practices that use race to ascertain disease risk.

Dr. Okah noted that physicians who believed social factors were responsible for racial differences in health were not more (or less) likely to use race to guide care. This implies that the belief that social factors contribute to racial inequity are not related to race-based practice.

The study is based on a cross-sectional national survey of 689 U.S. academic family physicians conducted in 2021. It is the first to show a direct relationship between the belief that racially linked genetic and cultural factors drive health disparities and the employment of race-based care. The Racial Attributes in Critical Evaluation (RACE) scale was used to evaluate the degree to which race is used in clinical practices. High RACE scores were associated with the belief in genetic and culturalbut not socioeconomiccausality.

According to the investigators, the question that remains unanswered is which specific clinician behaviors are related to viewing race as cultural. More must be learned about how clinicians differentially treat and counsel their patients based on racialized assumptions about their patients' cultural values.

"The next step in this work is determining how to challenge the belief that race is related to cultural values. Part of the solution lies in advancing cultural humility as an alternative to cultural competency, acknowledging the cultural diversity that exists within racial groups, and considering the ways in which structural factors create what we perceive to be culture," added Dr. Okah.

More information: Race-Based Care and Beliefs Regarding the Etiology of Racial Differences in Health Outcomes, American Journal of Preventive Medicine (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2022.10.019 Journal information: American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Opening

Visit theroxytheater.org for up-to-date screen times.

'Living'

Based on Akira Kurosawas Ikiru (which was itself based on a Tolstoy novella), this drama follows a bureaucrat who  following a terminal diagnosis  decides the best way to spend his life savings is by purchasing a gallon of sleeping pills and taking a trip to the coast to check out on his own terms. But when he arrives he meets a novelist drowning in insomnia. What are the odds? Stars Bill Nighy in an Oscar-nominated performance, Aimee Lou Wood and Tom Burke.

Continuing

'The Banshees of Inisherin'

Martin McDonagh returns, just in time for awards season, with this black comedy about two lifelong pals who find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their friendship. Sounds like a real jerk maneuver. Why would you throw away your friendship like that, you coward? Stars Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Kerry Condon.

'The Whale'

Darren Aronofsky is back and hes bringing Brendan Fraser back with him! Finally our long national nightmare is behind us. See everyones best friend star as a reclusive (and deathly overweight) teacher trying to reconnect with his estranged daughter. Also stars Hong Chao, Sadie Sink and Gwyneth Paltrows fatsuit from "Shallow Hal." Now Playing.

'Women Talking'

The women of an isolated religious sect uncover a horrendous system of abuse. Now the group together must decide if they are going to sit by and do nothing, flee the only home theyve ever known or stay and fight back against generations of gendered oppression. Stars Rooney Mara, Claire Foy and Frances McDormand. Now Playing.

Special screenings

'Valentine' (2001)

This month join the Movie Mockers as they set their sights on one of the worst holiday horror films of all time. When a young man gets his dumb heart broken at a school dance, he decides to take his bloody revenge. Featuring Denise Richards, David Boreanaz, and one of the worst screenplays of all time. Playing Friday, Feb. 10.

'Hatching' (2022)

In this Finnish film, an overbearing mother demands her daughter succeed in gymnastics, but all her daughter wants is to hangout with the giant, mutated egg she found in the woods. Kids, am I right? Stars Siiri Solalinna, Sophia Heikkila, and Jani Volanen. Playing Friday, Feb 10 as part of Late Night Oddities.

'The Greatest Showman' (2017)

You may have heard that theres a sucker born every minute, but have you heard about the true-life exploits of the man who coined that phrase? Roxy Jr. presents the story of P.T. Barnum, his circus, and the mesmerizing spectacle they created. Stars angel-voiced hero Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, and Zendaya. Playing Saturday, Feb. 11.

Kinetoscope International Film Festival

Celebrate the world of dance on screen with Bare Bait Dance. See Montana-made dance shorts, new selections from around the world, and a special encore presentation of the best films from the last 10 years. Playing Saturday Feb. 11 through Sunday Feb. 12. Visit theroxytheater.org for times on the three blocks.

'Moonstruck' (1987)

Cher won the Academy Award for her performance as a down-on-her-luck bookkeeper wrestling with her attraction to her fiances brother. I think this is ridiculous because Cher should just be given an Oscar every time she shows up in a movie. Yes, this includes Zookeeper. Also stars Oscar winners Nicolas Cage and Olympia Dukakis. Playing Saturday, Feb. 11.

'Like Water for Chocolate' (1992)

Arts Missoula presents a free screening of Alfonso Araus romantic drama about a lovesick woman who finds she can infect her emotional state on whoever eats the food she prepares. Is this why I always cry when I eat calzones? Playing as part of Cultures in Love. Monday, Feb. 13.

'Chimes at Midnight' (1966)

Did you enjoy our Welles on Film series last year? Did you feel like something was missing? See the crowning achievement in Orson Welles extraordinary career (excluding Transformers: The Movie, of course). Welles plays Sir John Falstaff, the drunken but loyal friend of Henry V as he rumbles and bumbles his way through the events of several of Shakespeares plays. Also stars Keith Baxter, Jeanne Moreau and John Gielgud. Playing Wednesday, Feb. 13, as part of Essential Cinema.

'Romeo + Juliet' (1996)

Baz Luhrmann divided critics and audiences last year with his hyper-stylized exploration of Elvis Presleys life. Imagine how people felt 30 years ago when he did the same to Shakespeares star-crossed lovers. Stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Claire Danes, and John Leguizamo, who may as well be played by a Muppet. Playing Valentine's Day.

'Forbidden Planet' (1956)

Leslie Nielsen  back when he was trying his darndest to be a dramatic actor  travels to outer space in this science-fiction riff on Shakespeares The Tempest. Also stars Robby the Robot, Walter Pidgeon and Anne Francis, but you already knew that because of Rocky Horror Picture Show. Playing Wednesday, Feb. 15.

'The Last Unicorn' (1982)

Peter S. Beagles fantastical tale of adventure, magic, and music comes to life in this animated adaptation of his beloved novel. A young unicorn, the last of her kind, sets out on a quest to save unicorns from extinction and chew bubblegum, and it looks like shes all out of bubblegum. Stars the voices of Mia Farrow, Jeff Bridges, and Angela Lansbury. Playing Thursday, Feb. 16, as part of Persistence of Vision.
An Oregon coastline, rolling patches of Ohio grass, a shooting star in flight.

Drake Gerbers exhibition, The Warmth of the Sun, imports and preserves memories of moments outdoors in ceramic sculptures in the University Center Gallery.

A native of northwest Ohio enamored of the landscapes hes seen out West, Gerber thinks of them as a way of freezing those experiences. He realized he cant replicate them in sculpture, so he went in the opposite direction.

IF YOU GO Drake Gerbers exhibition, The Warmth of the Sun, is on view through March 3 in the University of Montanas University Center Gallery. Hours are Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

The form has been kind of abstracted, because I get to go visit these places but Im only there for a short amount of time, and I have to come back, he said. The specifics start to fade, he reasons, so the work takes on its own life.

Gerber grew up in northwest Ohio and started making ceramics in high school. For college, he headed to Bowling Green State University. He came to the University of Montana for post-baccalaureate study in 2019, and now an MFA in sculpture that hes completing after three years.

The geographic move allowed him to travel to the West Coast for the first time, including Oregon and California.

When he first arrived here, he was making work that was more related to Robert Rauschenbergs combine sculptures. He began to transition into this mode of thinking, with inspirations like David Nash, a sculptor and land artist.

Earlier in his grad career, Gerber constructed an installation with wood, metal and clay that represented a hike up the Rattlesnake. The mountains and clouds on the wall were clay, while a stagger-step form making its way from the floor to the wall represented the trail. When Gerber reached the top of a trail in real life, he carved a "snow stove" in honor of Nash, and posted Polaroids his partner shot as a part of the piece.

Shooting stars

As you walk around, a subtly shifting loop of ambient synth fills the room. He composed it himself with a Roland synthesizer to help conjure some of the atmosphere of those spaces, and eliminate the indoor quiet of a white cube gallery.

You might assume that The Radiant, a row of five stars, which assume a jagged popping shape, were made of metal. Their surfaces are either a deep, shiny blue, matte gray, or both.

Gerber sculpted them from slabs of clay, including the time-intensive process of hand-wedging the material to remove air bubbles. He was definitely feeling it after all that work.

Now that the stars have shrunk during firing, the largest is about 3.5 feet wide, about 300 pounds, and took four people to move from the sculpture annex a few buildings away.

Now set up right, they have ample negative space, so the view changes as you move around.

Not long before starting the project, Gerber had taken a trip to Mackay, Idaho, and had the chance to star-gaze. Back in the studio, he wanted to make something that takes me back to that place without actually going there.

By arranging these sculptures in arch shape, where the tallest is the middle, he found a way to translate a fleeting moment. And, as he pointed out, hes doing it with a medium (clay) thats also ephemeral.

UM sculpture professor Trey Hill, whos worked with Gerber since he first got to UM, said that the student's art is well-considered and reflects his work ethic.

Those stars are hard things to make," Hill said. "Theyre not the most complex forms, but to get those all the way through the firing process, and to stand up and not crack and not warp, thats tricky.

Gerber had to build them laying flat, and then fire them that way, too. Hill said that's risky, too, as they can slide around and shrink in the kiln and potentially crack.

Current, Wave and Wind is a large floor piece, comprising 96 tiles of molded Oregon sand. Gerber carved a set of four tiles that could be repeated to create an expanse of beachfront. Atop the surface, he arranged a locally sourced piece of driftwood, a metallic ball and a bright set of blue feet.

He wants them to be enigmatic  he made casts of his own feet (glazed in blue in honor of the freezing nature of the water) at the suggestion of a friend, which adds a cryptic narrative element.

Grasslands

In the rear of the gallery is Making Earth, which in part pays homage to the grassy plains of the Midwest. Each blade in this case is 25 inches tall, cast in a mold. He brought in top soil and neatly arranged three plots in which to plant his grass, with its rough surface that keys the viewer in that theyre earthy, not real, but also not plastic.

Its titled in honor of a 1970 project by the Harrison Studio, an artist duo, who mixed and made their own topsoil after learning that there was a shortage.

He thought about reserving the back end of the gallery for it, but the scattered plots allow the viewer a chance to wander through the 125-some blades.

The grasses had to be fired at a relatively lower heat so the tops didnt begin to lean  hed like to experiment with getting them to lean consistently to emulate wind passing through, and incorporate an unseen element of the environment.

The goal isnt to be too obvious in any sort of message, but to encourage people to try to see the landscape in a new or different way.
THURSDAY, Feb. 9, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is underused following transient ischemic attack (TIA) and minor acute ischemic stroke (AIS), particularly in women, according to a study presented at the annual American Stroke Association International Stroke Conference, held from Feb. 8 to 10 in Dallas.

Jonathan Solomonow, M.D., from the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, and colleagues examined variations in single versus dual antiplatelet prescribing practices at the time of discharge within the University of Maryland Stroke Clinical Network consisting of nine stroke centers located in rural, suburban, and urban hospitals. The analysis included 2,953 adults with a TIA or a minor AIS (admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score <5), who were admitted to the network from 2018 through 2021.

The researchers found that DAPT was prescribed at the time of discharge to 40 percent of patients overall. However, gender was a significant factor, with men more likely to get prescribed DAPT than women (43 versus 37 percent). Body mass index (BMI) did not have a lone effect on number of antiplatelets prescribed, but when it was included as a covariate, there was a significant effect seen on the number of antiplatelets prescribed. Higher BMI was associated with a lower likelihood of receiving DAPT. Differences were not significant for age, race, or whether or not the patient was discharged from a tertiary center.

"All stroke survivors, regardless of sex, should receive optimal proven medications for stroke prevention, including DAPT when medically appropriate," Solomonow said in a statement. "Identifying systemic inequities is essential to improving patient care across all demographics."
THURSDAY, Feb. 9, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- For a predominantly vaccinated adult population with COVID-19, the incidence of hospitalization or emergency department visit is significantly lower for those receiving a single dose of pegylated interferon lambda versus placebo, according to a study published in the Feb. 9 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Gilmar Reis, M.D., Ph.D., from Stanford Biosecurity and Pandemic Preparedness in California, and colleagues conducted a randomized trial involving predominantly vaccinated adults with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in Brazil and Canada to examine the efficacy of a single dose of pegylated interferon lambda. Outpatients who presented with an acute clinical condition consistent with COVID-19 within seven days after symptom onset were randomly assigned to pegylated interferon lambda or placebo (933 and 1,018 patients, respectively).

The researchers found that 2.7 and 5.6 percent of patients in the interferon and placebo groups, respectively, had a primary-outcome event (hospitalization or an emergency department visit due to COVID-19 within 28 days; relative risk, 0.49). In analyses of secondary outcomes, results were generally consistent, including time to hospitalization for COVID-19 and COVID-19-related hospitalizations or death (hazard ratios, 0.57 and 0.59, respectively). Consistent effects were seen across dominant variants and regardless of vaccination status. For patients with a high viral load at baseline, viral load was lower at day 7 for those receiving pegylated interferon lambda versus placebo.

"This drug would have saved millions of lives if we'd had it at the beginning of the pandemic, and it could still save millions of other lives," a coauthor said in a statement.

The study was partially funded by FastGrants and Eiger BioPharmaceuticals; pegylated interferon lambda was provided to the researchers at no cost by Eiger.
This spring, voters in the Missoula County Public Schools district will select three trustees to serve on the board and will possibly be asked to support building reserve levies in the May 2 school election.

The board set trustee and levy elections on Tuesday, but has until April 1 to cancel them. The levy amount must be declared by the board by the beginning of April.

The district is considering building reserve levies for operations and maintenance, which would allow it to purchase and repair equipment as well as perform daily and routine maintenance.

Burley McWilliams, the districts director of operations and maintenance, anticipates needing a five-year elementary levy totaling $3 million and a $4.2 million seven-year levy for the high school district.

MCPS has not run a building reserve levy since 2011. Those funds expired in 2016.

The three-year terms of elementary trustees Jeff Avgeris and Koan Mercer are expiring this spring and both have already filed to run in the spring election. The two-year term for trustee Jennifer Vogel, a high school trustee for District D representing Clinton, Seeley and Potomac, is also expiring this spring. No one has filed to run in that race, according to the Missoula County Elections Office.

Filing for the trustee election closes at 5 p.m. on March 23.

Cold Spring child care pilot

The board also received an update on an upcoming child care pilot program based at Cold Springs Elementary, which seeks to address challenges faced by families in Missoula.

The program was made possible through a $416,000 grant from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services that the United Way of Missoula County received last spring. The funds from that grant sunset in September 2024.

Trustee Grace Decker, who is a coordinator for Zero to Five Missoula County with the local United Way, took off her trustee name tag and put on her work name tag for the discussion with the board.

The project can meet some shared goals that we have in the community, Decker said, noting that Zero to Five Missoula County is an initiative focused on school readiness for all children.

Child care is currently the second highest expense most families face after their rent or mortgage, according to Decker. However, those who work in child care are often paid below a living wage.

Our goals are not only to increase child care slots and to collaborate a little bit, Decker said. We are engaging sectors of the community who are not usually involved in problem-solving child care, because child care cant solve (the crisis in) child care.

Through this new pilot program, about six independent child care providers will operate in a classroom at Cold Springs and share services. Local businesses can purchase memberships to participate in the program, allowing their employees preferred waitlist access to receive care. The fees from membership will help offset the cost of shared services between the child care providers.

Having a site where businesses can be co-located together is going to give us a great lab to pilot the idea and learn a lot about how it works, Decker said. A partnership with Missoula County Public Schools will provide a stable place for those providers to establish new businesses and new slots and afford some opportunities for MCPS to be a member in our network and to access some kind of child care availability.

Decker estimated that about 75 children would be able to receive care through the six providers in the building. However that number could shrink depending on the ages of participating children. Generally, child care professionals take on smaller numbers of children when working with infants.

Some renovations will need to be made in order to meet proper licensing requirements, including installing additional bathrooms and doors in the classrooms for students to exit the building in the event of an emergency.

From this point, the organizers behind the pilot plan are working on finalizing their remodeling plans by June in order to launch construction in July. Between July and December, the organization will begin selecting child care providers and establishing contracts for business memberships.
For as long as Alberton has been on the map, tucked beneath a mountainside in a bend of the Clark Fork River about 25 miles west of Missoula, bears have been in Alberton.

Lots of bears. As in many small Montana communities, black bears are a common sight in Alberton, padding down alleyways and picking through garbage in search of an easy meal. But when their curiosity becomes boldness, their grazing gets aggressive and theyre often shot and killed. That dynamic is a fact of life in mountain towns across the West.

But now in Alberton, a group of concerned locals and regional bear experts hope to discourage bears from rummaging through town. Their goal is to use a grassroots model led locally thats been proven to reduce bear conflicts in other Montana towns and across the Rockies in the U.S. and Canada. The general premise is that securing the things that attract bears can gradually reduce their inclination to forage through human development, thus reducing conflicts between humans and hungry bears. But first, the group needs the blessing of the Alberton Town Council.

Albertons four-person town council and its mayor held their monthly meeting Tuesday night. Gathered in the Alberton Community Center  a historic building that serves as the towns Town Hall, senior center, library and American Legion hall  local property owner Bob Summerfield explained to the council why he believed it was important to have a more concerted effort to reduce human-bear conflict, and how it could be done.

One of the reasons I am here tonight is just to let you know that an Alberton Bear Smart Working Group has formed in the community, Summerfield told the Town Council. He also suggested that the Town Council consider placing one of its members on the Alberton Bear Smart Working Group. The Alberton School, a K12 public school, is enthusiastically engaged in the Alberton working group, Summerfield said, as is Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Laura Collins, who recently completed an AmeriCorps position as an information and education program volunteer with FWP Region 2, also helped organize the Alberton working group.

More than just a concerned local landowner, Summerfield was uniquely qualified to share concerns about bears. Before he retired from a career as a bear biologist, he worked for five years as the U.S. Forest Services grizzly bear habitat coordinator for the Lower 48 states. He also owns the land that houses the nonprofit Brovold Community Orchard immediately east of Alberton, and he serves as the president of the nonprofit orchards board. His wife, Jeanne, is originally from Alberton; her father Norman Brovold started the orchard.

But, Summerfield stressed Tuesday, he came to the town council simply as a concerned local landowner with 53 years of close ties to Alberton  he was not speaking for the nonprofit orchard or its board.

Bears have been coming in to Alberton as long as there has been an Alberton, he explained, and said that theyre tolerated or ignored until they become too much of a nuisance to ignore. And then theyre killed. But thats a failed strategy. Weve been doing that for over 100 years and we still have just as many bears in Alberton.

He told the town council that details of past spasms of bear conflict around Alberton will surprise you or shock you. Summerfield has seen it up close: Black bears pillaged the orchard late last summer, eating most of the apples and severely damaging many trees. The destructive feeding frenzy led him to pursue a deterrence effort of his own, primarily with a fundraising effort to surround the orchard with electric fencing.

Black bears can seem docile and innocently curious. Most encounters with humans resolve peacefully. But when they dont, he cautioned, the results are often catastrophic. Alberton has been lucky to so far avoid that, he said, but its bound to happen eventually. Plus, he told the council, Its just a matter of time before a grizzly bear shows up in Alberton.

Jamie Jonkel, a bear manager with FWP Region 2, responds to bear conflicts around the region, including in Alberton. Jonkel wasnt at Tuesdays meeting, but is working with Summerfield to address bear conflicts. Jonkel estimates there are about 200 bears living in close enough proximity to Alberton to venture into town  and at least 50 of them do.

Summerfield agrees with those estimates. Because of a resounding food failure in the mountains last summer, 2022 was a banner year for bear incursions into human development, Jonkel said.

Alberton has seen pulses of especially problematic bear activity, Jonkel said in January. Last summer was by far the worst, with a bear breaking into a residential bedroom and a bear that was killed after coming near the school playground during recess.

At the town council meeting Tuesday night, Summerfield said the solution to keeping humans and property safe, and bears alive, is to develop a Bear Smart Community Program for Alberton. The program, developed and refined over 20 years in British Columbia, has been more recently implemented in a few Montana towns. Virginia City, the notorious former territorial capital, was the first in Montana to develop and implement a Bear Smart program.

They havent had a bear conflict now for a few years, Summerfield said.

Whitefish followed suit. Missoula City and County jointly endorsed a Bear Smart resolution last fall. Seeley Lake is only slightly ahead of Alberton in considering a Bear Smart program. Bozeman is starting the process, too.

The Bear Smart process involves first forming a local Bear Smart Working Group comprised of local stakeholders, community representatives and bear managers. In Missoula, for example, the group includes representatives from Missoula city and county governments; FWP; Republic Services; bear biologists; and local watershed and conservation groups. How Albertons working group might take shape is undetermined.

Once formed, the working group develops a hazard assessment of where and how bears come into conflict around a community. The assessment can answer questions around what things in a community attract bears, and when and where bears most often come into conflict with humans. After that, a working group can develop a report of recommendations for how to address a communitys hazards. That could include educational efforts, deployment of bear-resistant garbage cans, or guidelines around food storage and bird feeders. Funding to implement recommendations can come from FWP or from nonprofits like People and Carnivores, which recently launched a $50,000 fund for communities vying to go Bear Smart.

Alberton is at the earliest stages of the process. Should community leaders choose to proceed, possible recommendations could be a few years off.

In addition to the school and town council, the nascent Alberton Bear Smart Working Group hopes to also draw members from other local residents and business owners.

The Bear Smart program has worked for other Montana communities, Summerfield told the town council, and I would submit that Alberton should do the same.
Nonprofit hospitals are fighting Montanas attempt to boost oversight of the ways they claim they provide benefits to their communities in exchange for millions of dollars in tax breaks.

Its the latest clash in a national struggle between policymakers and the industry over whether hospitals charitable giving is enough to justify their tax-exempt status.

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services officials have asked state lawmakers to pass a bill authorizing the agency to create standards and reporting requirements for the community benefits nonprofit hospitals report, saying the information collected now is insufficient. Montana hospitals get state and federal tax breaks each year with little oversight of how thats earned.

The Montana Hospital Association opposes the bill despite initially saying it would support the measure if it didnt conflict with federal rules. Now, the association is seeking changes to the bill that state officials said would actually shrink the departments oversight, gutting the bill of its original purpose.

The Montana debate illustrates a power struggle playing out nationally between state policymakers who want more of a watchdog role and tax-exempt hospitals resistant to added oversight, said Ge Bai, a professor of accounting and health policy at Johns Hopkins University who studies hospital giving.

There is a question of whether they are nonprofits or for-profit in disguise, Bai said. The fundamental issue is the contract between taxpayers and nonprofit hospitals. We're witnessing a national trend that this contract has been overlooked for a long time."

More than half of acute care hospitals in the United States are nonprofit hospitals, which must record community benefits  such as covering a patients bill or offering mental health services at a loss  with the IRS for their tax exemptions. But federal rules around how hospitals tally charitable acts are broad, with oversight lacking. Pressure for more transparency has mounted as about 6 in 10 adults in the U.S. with household incomes below $40,000 have medical debt, and altogether Americans owe an estimated $195 billion or more.

Brenton Craggs, the Montana health departments information and regulatory affairs coordinator, said in a Jan. 25 legislative committee hearing that some of the changes the hospital association proposed would limit information the state could collect from hospitals to reports they already submit to the federal government. Those documents have too few details for the agency to discern whether what nonprofit hospitals count as aid improves the health of their communities, he said.

We want transparency and we want accountability, Craggs said.

Twenty-five states have outlined some community benefit requirements through state laws, though those rules can be broad. For example, Montana requires all hospitals to have a charity care policy consistent with industry standards. Just five states  Illinois, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Utah  have set minimum standards for hospitals to maintain their tax-exempt status.

Bai is among national researchers who have argued that federal standards for community benefits are too broad. She said tax-exempt organizations can count things that are part of normal business as community health improvement, such as renting billboards to outline treatment options, or holding a news conference to announce a hospital expansion  even though both double as advertising.

Despite their charitable status, nonprofit health systems often accumulate millions of dollars in assets and can become the biggest business in town. Additionally, a national 2021 study showed nonprofit hospitals actually spent less on services for patients unable to afford care than did for-profit hospitals.

Some of Montanas wealthiest tax-exempt hospitals lag behind state and national averages in charitable giving, according to a KHN analysis of the hospitals IRS filings. A 2020 audit found that the way hospitals fill out community benefit reports varies, reducing transparency. The audit in part blamed the broad federal rules and called for increased state oversight.

The bill, sponsored by Republican state Sen. Bob Keenan, would require the health department to define what hospitals can count as a community benefit, detail how they must report their giving and create penalties for hospitals that fall short.

When the state first proposed setting standards for the charitable contributions, Montana Hospital Association representatives said they would work with officials. In the Jan. 25 hearing before lawmakers, Duane Preshinger, an association vice president, said it opposes the bill because it couldnt come to an agreement with the state.

Preshinger said that the bill would increase hospitals administrative burden and that hospitals are already highly regulated by the federal government. All the information the state needs is in the documents hospitals submit to the IRS, he said.

In the past, association leaders and hospital administrators have said those documents aren't a fair measuring stick to compare hospitals community benefit because there has been so much variety in filling out the reports.

Bob Olsen, interim president and CEO of the association, said hospitals generally support the effort to clarify and standardize community benefit reporting practices. In recent years, the association worked with hospitals to create reporting standards that align with federal requirements.

That led to a handbook for members and a goal for hospitals in the state to uniformly report their benefits under self-imposed standards. The association didnt expand or change the federal criteria but created new tools, examples and answers to common questions about how to fill out the reports. Olsen said the association launched a training series in January for hospitals on how to use the guidebook.

Olsen said Montanas 48 nonprofit hospitals provided $435 million in community benefits in 2019, according to a recent study commissioned by the American Hospital Association. Still, hospitals agree there is room to improve reporting and have taken their own steps to do so, he said.

Craggs, with the state health department, said that as the law stands the agency could have created standards without legislation, but it wanted to show it intends to work with hospitals to outline ways to collect more information without creating unnecessary burdens.

We don't want to scare away the hospital association. We'd rather bring them to the table and have these conversations, Craggs said. But there are issues.

As of early February, at least one lawmaker has sided with the hospital association. Republican Rep. Ed Buttrey requested an amendment that largely mirrors the associations requests. Buttrey is chair of the board of directors of Benefis Health System, one of the states largest nonprofit hospital systems.
LIVINGSTON  A fire broke out at R-Y Timber in Livingston early Tuesday and local firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze, fire officials said.

Around 21 fire people were on scene, said Dann Babcox, fire chief at Park County Rural Fire District No. 1. The cause is under investigation from the state Fire Marshal Office. Crews spent 13 hours there due to the fire creeping through the walls and ceiling insulation by way of sawdust and chips. Other hot spots included oils used for lubricants throughout the mill.

The fire was reported at 12:25 a.m.

This is the third fire that R-Y Timber has suffered in less than one year, said Dan Richards, general manager of R-Y Timber.

In September, a fire destroyed its planer building and sent one employee to the hospital with second- and third-degree burns. In May 2022, R-Y Timbers former mill in Townsend caught fire with much of the building and machinery inside being destroyed.

We really cannot put the cause out yet because the insurance inspector needs to verify it and we dont want to hamper their investigation, said Richards. Our intention is to have everyone back to work Monday in the mill cleaning up, if the fire inspection is complete by then. We are not allowed to enter the building until it is released by the insurance inspectors. They may have to do a forensic inspection as well.

Richards said R-Y Timber is not able to continue production because the mill building is what sustained the damage. He believes that the building will need a new roof and said that this is contingent upon labor, materials and the weather. The companys new planer will be operational in about a month.

Located in Livingston for more than 25 years, R-Y Timber employs about 70 people. The sawmill turns timber into lumber, and produces more than 60 million feet of board each year.
Lubbock United Way Logo

The Lubbock Area United Way met its 2022 Annual Campaign goal of $5,811,277 and named volunteers and board members at a meeting this week.

On Thursday, the organization hosted its Annual Meeting and Volunteer Recognition. They met 100% of their goal, which helped 137,923 people in 2022.

The meeting also recognized top volunteers. Margie Olivarez received the Rita Harmon Volunteer Service Award, which goes to "individuals for a lifetime of community service." Olivarez has helped support the United Way, the Girl Scouts of the Texas Oklahoma Plains, Catholic Charities Diocese of Lubbock, and numerous other organizations.

Margie Olivarez, left, receives the Rita Harmon Volunteer Service Award at the Lubbock Area United Way Annual Meeting and Volunteer Recognition on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.

The 2022 Campaign Volunteer of the Year went to the UMC Health System United Way Team. Tom and Kathy Krile, who have volunteered at the Catholic Charities Resale Center for 15 years, earned the 2022 Community Partner Volunteer

Board members and leadership positions were also announced at the meeting. People named to these positions were Becky Palmer as Board Chair and John Zwiacher as Campaign Chair.

For 2023, the executive committee will be:

Dr. Kathy Rollo as Board Vice Chair.

Chris Boutwell as Treasurer.

Jon Mark Bernal as Community Impact Chair.

Amy Punchard as Marketing and Communications Chair.

Brad Burgess as Endowment Chair.

New board members also included Kathleen Burrell, Renee Davis, Chad Grant, Andrea Parker, Keith Patrick, Kelsey Tubb, Liz Morgan, Lindsey Diaz, and Tyler Young.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock United Way meets $5 million in fundraising, honors volunteers
For nearly two decades, groundbreaking W5 investigations have shone a light on the failings of Canadas long-term care system. Watch our 14 investigations going back to 2004, and read the story behind the stories and comb through exclusive data and legal documents on our dedicated W5: Neglected Care page.
A woman who allegedly swung a hammer at police officers and later bit an officers thumb at the hospital pleaded not guilty Wednesday to four felony counts of assaulting a peace officer.

Brandy Ault Johnson, 52, also pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor partner-family member assault for allegedly scratching a male relative in the face. The felonies each carry a maximum 10 years in prison and fine up to $50,000.

According to prosecutors, police were called about a disturbance at a trailer on Hobson Street on Jan. 5 and found the man with scratches on his face. Johnson was in a bathroom and when an officer tried to open the door, she swung a hammer at his hand.

She started smashing the toilet and other items and when two other officers arrived, she ran toward all three with a hammer above her head. She was then tased and taken to St. James Healthcare to have a taser probe removed.

As a doctor was entering an exam room, an officer told him not to stand in front of Johnson because she had been kicking at the officers.

As he was doing this, Johnson bit (the officers) right thumb, causing an injury, prosecutors said in charging documents. She was taken to jail after the probe was removed.

The misdemeanor assault is punishable by up to one year in jail and fine up to $1,000. Johnson remains in jail with bail set at $55,000.
There is no liberty if the power of judging be not separated from the legislative and executive powers. Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 78.

It is easy to attack those who cannot defend themselves. Ethical rules prevent judges from responding to partisan punches, even in self-defense. Despite this fact, politicians of all stripes tend to sound off when they learn of judicial decisions they dont like. Sometimes though, political disagreements escalate into personal attacks on judges and legislative proposals to undermine and dominate the judicial branch.

When that happens, watch out because freedom is in danger.

In 2020, the American Bar Association, explained: In Mexico, the threat to independent judges comes from drug cartels. In Poland, it comes from the president and parliament. And in the United States, it comes from politicians who would turn impartial judges into partisan political actors.

A nonpartisan judicial center reported last year that at least 26 states had introduced bills in 2021 that would politicize or undermine the independence of state courts.

In Montana, attempts are underway to discredit judges by subjecting them to ridicule, insult and even threats of criminal investigation and prosecution. Talk of impeachment is in the air. Proposals are on the table calling for term limits, making judicial elections more political, putting the Legislature in charge of judicial discipline and pressuring judges to toe a party line. All this, of course, is calculated to intimidate judges and render them subservient.

A 2018 poll by the National Judicial College found that 90% of American judges think judicial independence is threatened in the current political climate.

According to the American Board of Trial Advocates: Recent years have witnessed a tremendous increase in attempts to assert political influence on the courts. These efforts came from politicians, political parties and special interests with a political agenda. Frequently they amount to efforts at intimidation and retaliation. When successful, they disrupt and interfere with the fair and impartial administration of justice. Indeed, political vendettas aimed at the judiciary are assaults on the rule of law itself.

Attacks on the courts represent an attempt to usurp judicial authority and violate the separation of powers. We have all heard the term, but why does the separation of powers matter? What is so important about an independent judiciary?

The United States and Montana constitutions established three co-equal branches of government: legislative, executive and judicial. This separation of powers is designed to ensure that no one person or group accumulates too much authority.

These constitutions also guarantee fundamental individual rights like freedom of speech and religion, the right to bear arms, the rights to due process of law and to be free from unreasonable search and seizure, the rights to access the courts and to personal privacy. Together, the federal Bill of Rights and the Montana Declaration of Rights provide the legal fortress for the most cherished American value: LIBERTY. At least on paper they do  but without the independent judiciary, the paper means nothing.

The judicial branch is frustrating to some powerful interests. Unlike the legislative branch and the executive branch, judges cannot be lobbied. The decisions of judges turn not on relationships or passions or personal preferences, but on the law. Fact issues are decided by juries, based on evidence, and juries cannot be lobbied either. There is no buttonholing, no log rolling, no deal making, no wine and cheese receptions. And every person gets an equal seat in the courtroom regardless of their position or rank or wealth. So, it is not surprising that certain groups want to weaken this process.

The good news is that Americans overwhelmingly support strong courts that adjudicate cases without political interference. Montanans also have overwhelming confidence in the courts  so long as they remain independent. But because the judiciary has no army or treasury, its independence depends on the other branches of government to respect and honor its decisions and separate authority.

When the other branches fail to do that, our judges count on us  the people of Montana  to have their backs.

So, when self-serving political interests propose and advocate so-called reforms in the next few weeks, let your legislator know where you stand  with judicial independence and against those who threaten it.
MUSCATINE  The City of Muscatine will start its first step toward the development of a brand new Wayfinding program on Thursday, Feb. 23, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Musser Public Library.

The City Council first approved the addition of the Wayfinding program to the citys Urban Renewal Plan in January 2022. A year later, after several proposals were submitted to and reviewed by the city, a contract with Corbin Design was approved by the City Council.

According to Communication Manager Kevin Jenison, the program is expected to be completed over five years and will use funding from future tax-increment funds.

The goal of this project is to develop a new citywide wayfinding system that will have a positive impact on commerce and economic activity with the city, Jenison said. The new wayfinding and signage design will integrate cohesively with the recently installed Mississippi Drive and Grandview Avenue corridor signage and streetscapes design elements.

The Wayfinding Program will mainly consist of the installation of various welcome and directional signage. These will include monument signs, City gateway signage, directional signage for recreation and cultural amenities such as landmarks, business districts, and neighborhoods. It is expected that having a plan like this will help attract visitors, enhance the citys identity and promote a pedestrian-friendly environment for the Muscatine community.

We believe that providing this type of cohesive wayfinding to residents and visitors will not only boost Muscatines image as a family friendly community, but will also reinforces our commitment to economic development by supporting small businesses, along with supporting the recreational, educational, and cultural amenities available in Muscatine, Jenison continued.

During the Feb. 23 meeting, representatives from Corbin Design will join city officials as they take the time to explain the expected process of the Wayfinding program. They will also take questions and input from residents at the meeting in order to get a better idea on what the community feels are important places for visitors to find and visit.

Anyone who has an interest in finding their way around Muscatine should attend the public meeting on Feb. 23, Jenison said. This first phase is very important in laying the groundwork for future wayfinding discussions and all residents, no matter how long they have lived in Muscatine, have thoughts about guiding other residents and visitors to different areas of interest that are located in Muscatine. We need that input.

If residents are unable to attend the first meeting, Jenison assured that there will be options to provide input and comments at future meetings electronically. For more information on upcoming meetings, residents are encouraged to visit the City of Muscatine Facebook page.
MUSCATINE  It was 11 years ago that Jennifer DeFosse learned the Muscatine Area Farmers Market was in need of a manager and saw its potential. Now she is going to explore her own potential.

DeFosse posted a letter on the Muscatine Area Farmers Market Facebook page this week that said she would step down from her role as market manager this year and likened the market community to a family.

... The thing about families like ours is that they evolve. New faces come, familiar faces go.  Theres always excitement in the unknown. The potential waiting to be realized, DeFosse wrote in her letter.

When looking back on her time with the farmers market, DeFosse said that she hadnt planned on staying so long, but it had ended up being a great experience for a variety of reasons.

I very quickly became friends with all the vendors, and I was really excited and happy to help grow the market, she said. Its grown a lot from where it was 11 years ago. I knew there was a lot of room to grow both in terms of vendors and in terms of what the market could be.

DeFosse said the farmers market is a community gathering place that could also reflect what Muscatine is. When asked if she felt like shed accomplished everything that she set out to do when first becoming market manager, DeFosse said that she thought that she and her team had managed to do even more than she ever thought they could.

It hasnt just been me. Ive worked really closely with my friend, Milly Morris, and our market board, she continued. Its definitely exceeded my expectations. I never thought that we would be given the granting opportunities weve had, or the opportunities to partner with other community organizations in ways that helped them and helped us and our vendors just grow. Its been a community effort the entire time.

Among the friendships shes made, one of these positives actually came from what was a difficulty. Looking back at the late start to the 2020 season because of the pandemic, DeFosse recalled how concerned she had been.

That was really hard, and I was really worried about my vendors because for a lot of them this is their livelihood, she said. But our customers just came out in full force. The community just rallied around us, and we had record turnouts. It was the most heartwarming thing I had ever seen.

In her absence, Mario Lebron, co-owner of the Merrill Soap Company, which has been a vendor at the farmers market for a few years, will become the new market manager. DeFosse said she has total faith in both Lebron and in the market board, believing that Lebrons leadership specifically is just what the market needs to grow and thrive. She also plans on spending time helping Lebron learn his new role to ease the transition.

It has been a really phenomenal 11 years, DeFosse said. It was just such a source of joy to be able to spend that time with citizens of our community.

To learn more about the upcoming farmers market season or to read DeFosses letter in full, visit the Muscatine Area Farmers Market Facebook page.
American Canyon is the new owner of a former, surplus elementary school and wants to find some short-term ways to use it.

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The city last year obtained the old Napa Junction school on Napa Junction Road from the Napa Valley Unified School District. Creating a master plan to turn the property near Highway 29 into a recreational hub could take several years.

But American Canyon doesnt want the school to sit vacant until then. On Tuesday, the City Council agreed to spend $700,000 to get the 6.5-acre property in shape for more immediate use.

All along, we knew there was going to have to be some sort of investment, City Manager Jason Holley said.

For now, the city will approach the old school as a fixer-upper. It will repair broken windows, install new alarms and security measures, upgrade electrical systems and paint walls.

The eastern half of the school property has rooms that the city intends to make available for summer camps, facility rentals and recreation programs. For the first time in a couple of years  since the school district vacated the site  old buildings could see new life.

We think theres a pretty high demand for rental of the multipurpose room, Holley said.

The American Canyon Emergency Food Pantry run by the Kiwanis Club wants space at the school. It could keep and distribute food there, Sande Sutter of the Kiwanis Club wrote to the city.

City Council members, while taking no vote on that, were receptive. Its a marvelous idea and a great use of space there, said Councilmember David Oro.

In addition, a fence is to be erected to split the property. American Canyon would move its maintenance yard from near the wetlands to the school. The eastern section of the school would be set aside for recreation and community uses, the western portion for city maintenance.

That in turn would free the wetlands property to become a proposed, long-envisioned Eco Center that the city hopes would become a regional draw.

American Canyon obtained the vacant Napa Junction school in 2022 from NVUSD, which had moved the school to Eucalyptus Drive two years earlier because of a fault line on the original campus. In return, the city gave the school district property at American Canyon Middle School.

That set some dominoes falling, Holley said.

As a result of the deal, the city must move its skateboard park from the middle school property and has chosen Veterans Memorial Park as the new site. The council on Tuesday also took action on the skateboard park.

Council members decided to go beyond moving the metal skateboard ramps and structures and installing them at Veterans Memorial Park at a cost of $380,000. Instead, they chose to spend $630,000 to add such permanent features as a concrete bowl.

Holley said the changes will make the relocated skateboard park better, more memorable and more noteworthy.
ST. HELENA  After 13 years of study, St. Helena's controversial Hunter housing subdivision is one step closer to approval.

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The Planning Commission recommended Tuesday that the City Council approve the project. A date hasnt been set for the council hearing.

The vote was 4-0, with Commissioner Marika Rothfeld absent.

Were under the gun to build housing, commission chair John Ponte said, noting that the Hunter property is the largest undeveloped site within the citys development borders.

The state is looking at us, and theyre looking specifically at this project, Ponte said. If the state comes down on us, we could lose pretty much all the land-use control we have.

The project aims to build 51 single-family homes, 11 accessory dwelling units, and a 25-unit multi-family complex on a 16.9-acre property past the eastern terminus of Adams Street.

The project would have 25 affordable housing units. Details about those units  and many other aspects of the project  will be worked out before the approval of a final subdivision map. So far the applicants have only applied for a tentative map.

Since the project complies with the propertys zoning and the general plan, California law prohibits the city from denying the project or reducing its size based on subjective standards, said Todd Leishman, an attorney representing the city.

There are very few ways to deny this, Ponte said.

Commissioner Rosaura Segura said the project is still at the tentative map stage, so theres still time for more discussion about its details.

It would be inclusive of all types of housing  affordable, low-income, market-rate and medium, Segura said. Were always talking about housing and our affordable housing shortage. Low-income housing is terribly needed here in St. Helena.

One of the most important objectives that we have in St. Helena on behalf of our residents is more housing  and more affordable housing, Commissioner Chris Warner said.

Ten members of the public spoke in opposition to the project. None spoke in favor of it.

If you were to take a vote of the city  it would be a pretty strong no, St. Helena resident Barbara Ringenberg said.

Opponents cited its impact on St. Helena's water and sewer systems, the potential hazards of building behind a levee, increased traffic on residential streets, its effect on Vineyard Valley Mobile Home Park's emergency evacuation route along the levee, and the vagueness of its affordable housing component.

The project would use an estimated 37 acre-feet of water per year. An on-site well would provide the 17 acre-feet needed for outdoor landscaping. The developer will have to make other improvements to compensate for the other 20 acre-feet before the final map is approved.

The project is no longer proposing the retrofitting of toilets and other water fixtures in existing homes around town. A consultant said there are a number of other ways to offset the 20 acre-feet, like increasing the water efficiency of city parks. It's up to the developer to find those solutions.

Members of the public were still skeptical.

I dont think theres anyone in this audience who seriously believes that a project with 87 new (units) is going to use less water, Kelly Wheaton said, calling the water neutrality calculation hocus-pocus.

An environmental impact report concluded the project would have a significant and unavoidable impact on traffic, in terms of vehicle-miles traveled. In order to approve the project, the City Council will have to determine that its benefits  such as affordable housing  outweigh that impact.

Attorneys for the applicants demanded the removal of several conditions proposed by city staff, including ones related to storm drainage. The letter said the applicants could pursue all available remedies under contract and state housing law should the City decline.

The letter also said St. Helena needs the Hunter project to fulfill its legally mandated housing obligations.

The City cannot demonstrate zoned capacity to meet its (Regional Housing Needs Allocation) without the Projects units, wrote attorneys from the Holland & Knight law firm on behalf of applicants Dennis Hunter, Kelly and Ben VanZutphen and White Fang Properties.

The commission didn't recommend any changes to the conditions proposed by staff.

Photos: Grand opening of St. Helena's Brenkle Court housing complex Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony
Possible progress has been made toward improving one of the Bay Area's most problematic stretches of road, Highway 37 between Solano and Marin counties.

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The roadway has been plagued with flooding and congestion for years. One thing everyone agrees on, from stakeholders to commuters who regularly find themselves at a dead standstill for up to two hours, is that the highway needs improvement.

State and local transportation agencies on Wednesday announced a partnership agreement to implement more pressing improvements to the highway while a longer-term solution to the problem is hammered out.

The partnership is between the California State Transportation Agency, the California Natural Resources Agency, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, Caltrans District 4, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission.

"This agreement is the first step toward a re-envisioned Highway 37 that is resilient to sea level rise, protects critical marsh and tidal habitats, reduces transportation inequities and incorporates bicycle, pedestrian, transit and carpool options for travelers," the California Natural Resources Agency said in a statement announcing the pact.

Most at issue are the effects of climate change, which will raise sea levels and completely submerge the 21-mile stretch in 20 years if a solution is not found, according to state Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa.

Caltrans has also warned of sea level rise affecting the stretch of highway.

"Nearly the entire length between Novato and Vallejo is predicted to become permanently submerged as sea levels rise if modifications are not made," the agency said last year.

Dodd said that one plan is to create a raised causeway, which he estimates would cost billions of dollars.

Last February, Dodd introduced the idea of creating a toll for the highway in order to help raise the estimated billions needed to overhaul the route, an announcement that caused groans across social media from Bay Area residents who have seen steadily rising toll costs for most major arteries.

The near-term projects the partnership proposes include the Sears Point to Mare Island Improvement Project, which would add lanes in a 10-mile stretch, and adding an additional carpool lane in each direction that would be tolled.

The long-term plan proposed is to build an elevated highway, thus avoiding future flooding and making less impact on the wetlands ecosystem that currently flanks the road.

U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, said last August that politicians should "bite the bullet" and spend the billions necessary to deal with Highway 37 by simply building the elevated causeway first.

The estimated cost of elevating the roadway runs between $6 billion to $8 billion, according to Huffman, but just jumping in and elevating it now could save money in the long run, he said. The representative would like to bypass the short-term solutions posed by agencies and dive right into building the elevated span.

Huffman has been vocal about his doubts about politician and agency "defeatism," saying that short-term projects will hamper the building of a raised causeway that he said would "never" happen as a result, not to mention using critical time to save the wetlands.

Huffman also said that deciding to just build the new causeway would help the project compete for necessary federal grants.

On Wednesday, Huffman again raised his doubts about the partnership's short-term plans.

"The interim project is quite controversial and does not have the 'consensus' they have previously represented," he said. "Despite these suggestions of potential progress this partnership agreement is carefully worded to avoid any binding, enforceable provisions."

Huffman added that the commitments made in the agreement are "vague" and will require pressure from his office and others to ensure that they translate into actual improvements.

Indeed, the statement released by the agencies Wednesday did not provide a timeline.

Metropolitan Transportation Commission chair and Napa County Supervisor Alfredo Pedroza touted the agreement in a statement released Wednesday.

"The partnership agreement really highlights how important it is to make both near-term and long-term improvements to the Highway 37 corridor," he said. "This is a team effort and the time to get to work is now."

Photos: Napa Valley Faces and Places, February 5, 2023
Housing advocates tired of the Bay Areas foot-dragging efforts to plan for more homes amid California's intensifying housing crisis are taking matters to the courts.

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On Tuesday, three pro-housing groups announced they had sued 11 cities and Santa Clara County for failing to meet a Jan. 31 deadline to submit their future home-building proposals to state regulators.

Advocates contend the jurisdictions have long resisted growth and are now ignoring their responsibility to prepare for significantly more housing over the next decade. The cities include Palo Alto, Cupertino, Burlingame, Daly City, Martinez, Pinole, Pleasant Hill, Richmond, Fairfax, Novato and Belvedere.

The goal of the dozen lawsuits? To force local governments to adopt housing plans  known as housing elements  that actually meet California's strict planning requirements. And to ensure jurisdictions are subject to penalties  including losing control over local laws governing development  until they do.

We want a judge to order the cities to adopt a compliant housing element, and have the cities acknowledge there are consequences, said Greg Magofna, director of development and outreach with the Oakland-based California Housing Defense Fund, one of the groups filing the lawsuits.

As of Tuesday afternoon, just 29 of the regions 109 cities and counties had adopted the every-eight-year plans, according to the state Department of Housing and Community Development. And just four of those plans  from San Francisco, Emeryville, San Leandro and the city of Alameda  had been deemed in compliance by the state.

Advocates say the 12 lawsuits are just the beginning. They aim to sue even more out-of-compliance cities and counties in the coming weeks. Magofna said the three pro-housing groups will continue targeting local governments with a history of denying new homes  particularly apartments and affordable housing  and that tend to be whiter, richer and more exclusionary.

In addition to the California Housing Defense Fund, San Francisco-based YIMBY Law and Californians for Homeownership  a nonprofit launched by the California Association of Realtors  are behind the lawsuits.

Napa County lists Skyline Wilderness Park section as a potential apartment site A 5-acre section of Skyline Wilderness Park is on a county list as a potential apartment site. The county is trying to meet a state housing mandate.

Geoff Gillette, a spokesperson for Pleasant Hill in suburban Contra Costa County, said the city had yet to be served with the civil lawsuit. He refuted the notion that Pleasant Hill isnt making enough progress on its housing element, despite only submitting its initial draft last week.

Weve taken this very seriously, Gillette said. For us, its important that we do the process right and we make sure that our community is aware that its a transparent process.

Gillette pointed to regulators increased planning expectations this eight-year cycle as a primary reason why the citys plan is late. The state is now requiring cities and counties to spell out in detail how they plan to phase in mandated reforms, such as easing restrictions on new multifamily housing, and prove that areas identified for future homes have a realistic chance of development.

These are things we werent going to shortcut on or rush through to meet the deadline, Gillette said.

Another challenge for local governments: they have to prepare for significantly more housing.

By 2031, the nine-county Bay Area is on the hook for approving more than 441,000 single-family homes, apartments, townhouses and condominiums for people of all income levels. Thats double the goal for the past eight years, representing a roughly 15% increase in the regions total housing stock, in large part to make up for decades of failing to hit state home-building targets.

Some local officials and neighborhood groups say the dramatically increased goals ignore the effect new development would have on traffic, the environment and wildfire risk, among other impacts.

In a statement, Livable California, a group that aims to foster equitable, livable communities and truly affordable housing, said it does not believe cities should be forced into planning more than local voters deem appropriate.

We are in favor of local control and community planning efforts. We believe local government officials know whats best for their constituents.

If those officials continue dragging their feet on their housing plans, advocates want them to feel the repercussions. Enter the builders remedy.

The provision in state housing law could enable developers to push through projects of virtually any size almost anywhere they please, as long as a portion of the building includes affordable units. The penalty hasnt been legally tested, so advocates are suing in part to compel a judge to clarify when jurisdictions are subject to the law.

JR Fruen, an attorney and housing advocate newly elected to the Cupertino City Council, said he believes his city is already at risk of the builders remedy since it only recently submitted a housing element draft.

But he said with a new council majority, the city  home to Apple Inc.s headquarters and some of the most expensive home prices and rents in the country  is moving forward in earnest with its housing plan after years of bad-faith planning by prior councils.

Fruen hopes the lawsuit could spur even more action.

It could be a useful reminder to some of my colleagues who might be reluctant to follow the law, or pursue an ambitious element that actually meets our housing needs, to do so, he said.

Photos: Grand opening of St. Helena's Brenkle Court housing complex Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony
Calling Green & Red Vineyard remote is like calling the Grand Canyon a ditch. And if I didnt know any better, I might even think that the owners of this half-century-old Napa Valley winery didnt want to be found. Only the tiniest green and red flag signals their driveway along the mountainous and twisting Chiles Pope Valley Road, miles east of Rutherford.

But hide as they might, the wines from this husband-and-wife team are worthy of seeking out. Shockingly void of any hint of the Napa Valleys namesake grape, Cabernet Sauvignon, Green & Red wines are primarily made from Zinfandel and are often so unrelenting in nature that San Francisco Chronicle wine writer Esther Mobley has said they taste like a California wine above all else.

And I completely agree, so long as what Mobley meant by California wine was the earthy, pastoral, hand-crafted kind and not the opulent, bombastic and laboratory-precision type.

Its as if the wines of Green & Red cling to something that has slipped away from much of the Napa Valley. Their wines  be they Zinfandel, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc or Petite Sirah  all show a wonderful self-awareness of both place and style that is missing in many overly self-conscious, conforming wines. Its no wonder that theyve been one of the house wines at Chez Panisse for more than 35 years. Chez Panisse, a Berkeley restaurant, has been known for its embrace of such back-to-the-land efforts since its inception in the early 1970s.

The land was purchased in 1969 by Jay Heminway who had fallen in love with the remote area while working as an instructor of sculpture at UC Berkeley. He called it Green & Red because of the distinct soils of the area  greenish serpentine and red iron-rich chert  and by 1977 Jay and his wife, Pam, had produced their first vintage using a simple basket press with the help of Jays daughter, Tobin.

Since those early days Tobin imagined one day she would take the reins at the remote farm. But even in 2019 that seemed a decade or more away. Until then she had lived in New York City, working as an interior designer while her husband, Raymond (Ray) Hannigan, was a partner in a law firm, and only visited the vineyard to help during harvests or on holidays.

But those plans abruptly changed June 5, 2019, when Jay passed away suddenly due to complications from heart surgery. He left Tobin the entire 200 mountaintop acreage along with the winery, homes, various structures, 31 planted acres of vineyard and a warehouse of bottled wine.

Without giving it a thought, Tobin closed her thriving business and Ray quit his job so they could move to the hinterlands of the Napa Valley. Their own daughter  Arden Rose  had just started college in New York, so she would stay in the East for the time being.

I had always planned to come back, but it was all so fast, Tobin said, and then the fire hit.

On Monday, Aug. 17, 2020, the couple was just settling into their new life at the vineyard. That evening, Tobin and Ray climbed a small hill to get a better look at the dark gray clouds that filled the horizon. Then they saw a flash, followed by rolling thunder.

You could actually see the lightning as it hit the ground, Tobin recalled.

Over the next week the LNU Lightning Complex fire ravaged the area, killing six and decimating more than 363,000 acres.

The Rutherford Fire Department saved our house and the winery, but we lost all the fruit from that year due to smoke taint, Ray said.

As soon as the smoke had cleared their winemaker abruptly quit, saying that he and his wife had had enough of wildfires and wanted to relocate to a less fire-prone area. And if that wasnt enough, a few months later the entire world went into lockdown due to the pandemic.

I would be driving the ATV around the vineyards and would ask my fathers spirit for some guidance, Tobin said. It wasnt clear to me at that time just how to make it all work.

But they did. Leveraging her contacts in the tight-knit world of California Zinfandel producers (AKA, the Zinfandel Mafia), Tobin found Aaron Whitlatch  a winemaker, viticulturalist and self-proclaimed handyman  who had been trained and worked as a scientist before he turned to making wine at Mayacamas and Opus One. They also found assistant winemaker Luke Nio, owner of Filomena Wine Co. and former cellarmaster of Bedrock Wine Co., where he learned all things Zinfandel.

Beyond finding these two excellent winemakers, we also leaned heavily on the experience of Pam (Tobins stepmother) and our vineyard manager, Salvador Duran, who has worked on the vineyard for nearly three decades, she said.

The wine

The vineyards range in elevation from 900 to 1,800 feet. Chiles Mill was the first one Jay planted in 1972, followed years later by the Catacula Vineyard and eventually the Tip Top Vineyard at the very peak of the property.

About half of the grapes grown are sold to some of the regions most sought-after Zinfandel producers, such as Turley, Robert Biale Vineyards, Ridge Vineyards, Scribe and nearby Brown Estate, with the remaining fruit being processed onsite and aged in a small cave dug into the mountainside.

The entire lineup of Green & Red wines is worth trying, and given their modest price points, such a recommendation will not break the bank. And while the Catacula Sauvignon Blanc, Tip Top Petite Sirah, Syrah and Chiles Canyon Zinfandel (a blend of all three vineyards) are delicious, below I focus on four wines.

The rose-colored 2021 Chiles Canyon Rose ($26 a bottle and 100 cases made) is sourced from Syrah grown on the three estate vineyards. Whole-cluster pressed and fermented in stainless steel, this mouthwatering wine displays aromas of wild strawberries and allspice and has flavors that range from prickly pear marmalade and sun-dried peaches to Morita peppers and limestone. Pair this wine with cedar-plank-grilled salmon served with yogurt-mint sauce.

The 2017 Tip Top Vineyard Zinfandel ($42 a bottle and 511 cases made) is ruby-red in the glass with intense aromatics that lean toward plum jam and sarsaparilla, while the flavors tend toward a blend of red and black fruits. Grown at around 1,800 feet on soils dominated by Sobrante loam and red chert, the mouthfeel of this wine is complex with chewy tannins and surprising brightness. Pair this wine with cheesy lasagna or rosemary oven-roasted delicata squash.

The 2017 Chiles Mill Vineyard Zinfandel ($42 a bottle and 937 cases made) is dark and brooding in the glass with explosive aromatics of duck confit, truffle and molasses. This is an earthy wine with dusty tannins interlaced with peppery dark licorice, blackberry jam and hints of bouquet garni, one that can be consumed now but will grow in complexity with time. Pair this wine with anything grilled  from charred, honey-glazed carrots to smoky barbecued short ribs.

For the first time, Green & Red will use the family name on a special-issued label. The 2019 Heminway Zinfandel ($75 a bottle and 125 cases made) is being released as an homage to Tobins father. Although 100% Zinfandel, this is a wine that rivals many of the Napa Valleys expensive Cabernet Sauvignons. The wine is rich and multitextural, with expressive aromas of black-fruit and sous bois, while the palate ranges from vanilla and cinnamon to ripe blueberry and Creme de Mure. Serve this wine with beef Wellington and garlicky mashed potatoes.

When I met with Tobin and Ray we spoke in a small guest cottage on the property near the winery. A few guests had found their way to the remote location and were enjoying a wine-and-cheese lunch on the deck with the winemakers. As it was January, the vines in the nearby vineyard remained leafless and dormant, their rows forming what looked like undulating corduroy framed by hills made vibrant green from the recent rains. The air was crisp, and a light wind carried aromas of bay laurel and pine.

During a pause in the conversation Tobin sighed, sat back in her chair and closed her eyes. After a long pause she opened her eyes and smiled.

Were really happy here, she said. We know that theres no guarantee that it will ever get any easier, but this is home and these wines are worth the effort.
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A broad-bipartisan coalition of U.S. Representatives introduced Anti-Blockade legislation Wednesday, spearheaded by the Congressional Armenian Caucus, increasing U.S. pressure on Azerbaijan to end its two-month long blockade of 120,000 Armenians in their indigenous Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) homeland, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

In a letter to Congressional colleagues encouraging support for the anti-blockade resolution, Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), founding Co-Chair of the Armenian Caucus, explained: The Aliyev regime is taking premediated steps to remove the indigenous Armenian population from Artsakh and deprive them of the opportunity to live freely, democratically, and with dignity in the land of their ancestors  a clear sign of ethnic cleansing that we cannot ignore. Rep. Pallone asserted, The United States must act immediately and use every diplomatic tool available to reopen the corridor before this humanitarian crisis becomes catastrophic.

Joining Representatives Pallone and Brad Sherman (D-CA) as early supporters of the anti-blockade resolution are Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-chairs Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and David Valadao (R-CA), and over 60 U.S. Representatives

The Anti-Blockade resolution lead co-sponsors were outspoken on the need to hold Azerbaijan accountable.

The United States must act. Thats why my Armenia Caucus colleagues and I have introduced a resolution that will put Congress on the record as unequivocally condemning this deadly blockade, said Rep. Sherman. Lets be clear about what this is  an attempt by Azerbaijan to force Artsakhs ethnic Armenian population out of their homes by making life in Artsakh impossible. The tactic is blockade. The effect is civilian deprivation. The object is ethnic cleansing.

In addition to forcefully condemning Azerbaijans actions, the resolution would place the U.S. House of Representatives on record in favor of five practical remedies to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Artsakh caused by Azerbaijans blockade of food, medicine, and other vital necessities:

1) U.S. leadership in rallying the global community to petition international and multinational courts to investigate Azerbaijani war crimes.

2) U.S. cooperation with international partners, including Artsakh authorities, in securing the deployment of international observers to the Lachin Corridor.

3) Presidential action to immediately suspend any U.S. military or security assistance to Azerbaijan, and to enforce Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act

4) Presidential enforcement of statutory sanctions authority against Azerbaijani officials responsible for the blockade of Artsakh and other human rights violations

5) A robust program of sustained U.S. humanitarian relief and longer-term development assistance to the Armenian victims of Azerbaijani aggression in Artsakh.
Yesterday, Azerbaijan again closed the natural gas supply pipeline to Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), while it was restored a day ago. This was announced by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at Thursdays Cabinet meeting of the Armenian government.

"Before that, Azerbaijan had [re]opened the pipeline seven days ago, whereas closed [it] four days before that. Since December 12, Azerbaijan has stopped gas supply to Nagorno-Karabakh seven times. Moreover, this statistic does not express the whole picture because various events take place between gas supply stops and restorations," the PM added.

According to him, such events can sometimes happen several times a day, or every few days.

"Moreover, this is not the [Azerbaijani] environmentalists, but a state action [by Azerbaijan] because if the environmentalists are present and visible at the Lachin corridor, they were not observed in the gas pipeline. Since December 12, 2022, Azerbaijan has carried out about 27 similar actions with the pipeline supplying gas to Nagorno-Karabakh.

Azerbaijan's illegal blockade of the Lachin corridor, which has an environmental cover, has led to real environmental problems in Nagorno-Karabakh because, as you know, Azerbaijan has blocked as well the supply of electricity to Nagorno-Karabakh. And since the local capacity to produce electricity is not enough, the Nagorno-Karabakh authorities have to carry out scheduled power outages for 6-8-10 hours a day, depending on the weather. Under these conditions, our compatriots in Nagorno-Karabakh have to use wood to heat their houses, which leads to forest cutting, which has the potential to turn into a serious environmental disaster, especially if we take into account that it snowed at night in Nagorno-Karabakh and the air temperature drops to -5 degrees [Celsius].

Accordingly, with this, the so-called environmental goals of Azerbaijan evaporate into the air once again," Pashinyan said, adding that the closure of the Lachin corridor has led to an environmental crisis, too.

"These actions of Azerbaijan have one goal: to break the will of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to live in their homeland, which we believe is unbreakable. Nevertheless, we need to increase our efforts to focus international attention on humanitarian and now also environmental crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, which is the result of aggressive and provocative actions of Azerbaijan," he said.

Pashinyan thanked the countries and international organizations that have expressed an objective position on the crisis unfolding in Nagorno-Karabakh.

"I believe it is necessary to make the illegal blockade of the Lachin corridor, the humanitarian and environmental crisis established in Nagorno-Karabakh become the subject of more institutional international discussion because only the undiminished activeness of the international community is the way to curb Azerbaijan's aggressiveness and provocative practices," said the Armenian PM.
Speaker of the Republic of Armenia National Assembly (RA NA), Alen Simonyan, on Thursday received the newly appointed Portuguese Ambassador, Madalena Fischer.

The RA NA President congratulated the Ambassador on the occasion of assuming the office of the Ambassador, noting that during her tenure the relations between the two countries will go upwards, the NA informs Armenian News-NEWS.am.

The sides held the same opinion that the relations between the two countries do not stand out with activeness, considering necessary the development of multi-lateral cooperation in different formats.

The role of the Friendship Groups was highlighted within the framework of cooperation in the inter-parliamentary format. The RA NA President appreciated the fact that recently a Friendship Group with Armenia was also formed in Parliament of Portugal. The sides talked about the opportunities of multi-polar cooperation, stressing the activation of collaboration in the spheres of health care, education, culture, agriculture, sport, tourism, in public and scientific-technical fields.

Touching upon the post-war situation and the violation of territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia by Azerbaijan, Alen Simonyan underlined: Mrs. Ambassador, today Armenia acts with the agenda of the establishment of peace in the region for many years. However, I consider appropriate to document that the policy pursued by the military-political leadership of Azerbaijan endangers our efforts aimed at stability and security of the region. At this very moment, the people of Nagorno-Karabakh continue to be under inhumane blockade because of blocking the only road of life, the Lachin Corridor, connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia. He added that they call on the international colleagues to undertake additional measures for preventing the grave situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, including the imposing of sanctions against Azerbaijan.
By Mariam Levina

Interview with Bruno Rethayo, chairman of the French Senate Republicans faction, to Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Senator Rethayo is a co-sponsor of the Senate Resolution on sanctions against Azerbaijan, which was passed by the Senate late last year.

Azerbaijan has blockaded Artsakh for nearly two months now. Nevertheless, there are calls but no sanctions against Baku. Do you think appeals are enough?

No, of course not. Messrs. Aliyev and Erdogan mock our accusations, which have never had any effect.These calls for de-escalation are all the more futile because they ignore the real nature of the confrontation between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

This is not just a local conflict. This is a new stage in Erdogan's imperialist strategy to achieve territorial continuity between different peoples with Turkish language and culture. This began with the war in Nagorno-Karabakh, will continue with the creation of a corridor between Nakhijevan and the rest of Azerbaijan. And I, for my part, refuse to let this end up as a challenge to Armenia as a state and a nation.

This is why I advocate that France and Europe finally choose the path of firmness, as they did with Russia. Armenia's sovereignty is worth as much as Ukraine's sovereignty! I support sanctions, up to and including the seizure of assets of the Azerbaijani leadership and an embargo on gas and oil imports from Azerbaijan until that country respects Armenian sovereignty.

Resolutions of the French Senate and National Assembly, in particular, provided for sanctions against Azerbaijan. Do French lawmakers intend to insist on application of sanctions? Will there be any other actions in parliament?

If necessary, we will take them. We will spare no effort for Armenia. In two years, the Senate and National Assembly have introduced and voted for several resolutions urging the government to recognize Nagorno Karabakh's independence and take steps to enforce the November 9, 2020 cease-fire agreement. Many parliamentarians visited Yerevan to witness to our solidarity and friendship with France. I myself visited Yerevan and Stepanakert in December 2021.

More than ever, the national perception supports Armenians and conveys the legitimate aspirations of the Armenian people to defend their sovereignty and identity. It is French society as a whole that mobilizes in favor of Armenia and pressures France and Europe to abandon the ineffectual position of near-neutrality. Many intellectuals publicly called upon the President of the Republic to intervene to save the 120,000 Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh threatened by Azerbaijan with ethnic cleansing. So many humanitarian and cultural actions are organized for Armenia by associations, municipalities or institutions.

I believe that many French people today see Armenia not only as a brotherly nation with which we have such close ties, but also as a courageous guardian of European civilization, the fragility of which we now appreciate.

Against the backdrop of Baku's criminal actions, the EU continues to buy gas and calls Azerbaijan a partner. Can we speak of double standards in morality? As you said yourself, lives of Ukrainians are not more expensive than lives of Armenians...

I actually pointed out the unacceptability of double standards. What we reject when it comes to Mr. Putin, Europe tolerates when it comes to Mr. Aliyev or Mr. Erdogan. But the crimes of the latter, and this is terrible, are in many ways equal to those of Putin's!

Europe must immediately reconsider the gas agreement that the commission negotiated and signed with Aliyev. The same gas that allows the Azerbaijani army and its Turkish accomplices to commit their criminal acts, including against civilians. This is a moral scandal, but also a strategic mistake, because by deliberately throwing itself into Aliyev's arms to get out of Putin's clutches, Europe is greatly enhancing Turkey's strategy of expansion and maintaining constant tension. One day we will pay for this.

The EU has decided to deploy a new mission on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Thanks to France for its great contribution to the decision-making process. Is 100 people enough to secure the border?

Anything that contributes to Armenia's security is welcome. But this mission can only be the first step, to be followed by others.

I hope that France will take the initiative to propose an international conference for Armenia to discuss, among other things, problems that were left out in the ceasefire agreements. I mean not only the international status of Nagorno Karabakh and the return of refugees, but also the issue of prisoners of war or the protection of the cultural and religious heritage of Nagorno Karabakh. This initiative can be continued up to the point where the world community would be invited to deploy a fact-finding mission between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the Western allies of France would be invited to strengthen Armenia's military capabilities.
Any peace treaty, in order to be effective, must include provisions guaranteeing the integrity of Armenia's sovereign territory, the rights and security of the Armenian population living in Nagorno Karabakh and other conflict-affected areas, as well as the prompt and safe return of refugees and IDPs to their homes, according to a new report by the Foreign Affairs Committee, reports Armenpress.



The report welcomes the full entry into force of the Comprehensive and Enhanced EU-Armenia Partnership Agreement in March 2021 and Armenia's commitment to its implementation.



MEPs praise Armenia's reforms and democratization process in recent years which have made the country a leader in democracy in the region.



MEPs call on the EU and Armenia to cooperate closely in the implementation of future CEPA reforms as well, while emphasizing that the framework covers a wide range of areas.



The report notes Armenia's fight against crime and corruption and calls on the government to continue implementing reforms to strengthen democratic institutions, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, despite the difficult international context and the challenges Armenia faces.



MPs stressed that the country's media environment remains polarized, expressing concern about cases of incitement to hatred and physical violence against journalists.



They call for efforts to improve media diversity and promote media literacy, stressing that no measures should lead to restrictions on journalists or freedom of expression.



The report on EU-Armenia relations reaffirms the European Parliament's commitment to peace in the region and to cooperation between Armenia and the EU in a number of important areas. As an important step in this direction, European Parliament welcomes the establishment of an EU mission to Armenia and call on the Azerbaijani government to guarantee the freedom and security of movement through the Lachin corridor, which has been blocked for nearly two months, said rapporteur Andrey Kovatchev after the vote.



The report was adopted by 55 votes to 0 with 5 abstentions.



After the vote of the Committee, the text will be submitted to the European Parliament for approval.
Since toppling the U.S.-backed government in Afghanistan in late August of 2021 and seizing power, the Taliban government imposed a series of measuresas many feared they wouldthat restricted freedoms and worsened already dire conditions. Among the most draconian, announced last December, was to ban most women from education beyond the sixth grade.

Zakera Azizi, who graduated with a masters degree in international business last fall, knows and appreciates more than most the power that education offers. A former Afghani official in her role as an advocate for womens rights, Azizi was transported out of Kabul on a U.S. military plane when the government collapsed as part of a months-long odyssey that brought her to Miami to study.

A University of Miami Patti and Allan Herbert Business School scholarship provided by Global Crossing Airlines, for qualifying Afghani students, paved the way to her University degree.

Now an alumna, Azizis passion to support women in Afghanistan has not lessened in the least. In January, in partnership with Global Co Lab Network, an international organization that empowers teens and young adults around the world, she launched a project that provides weekly English classes to a small group of women in her native country.

I just knew I needed to start something to help women and girls in Afghanistan, Azizi said. School and university and work are all banned for women in Afghanistan. They cant go outside, theyre almost always at home. We have to give them hope and do something to work on their mental health.

After graduating, Azizi moved to the Washington, D.C. area to be closer to friends and to seek a job in finance that makes use of her degree. Because of her previous work on U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) projects in Afghanistan, she was granted a special immigrant visa and is on the verge of securing her green card from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

In the capital, she met Maryam Rayed, a compatriot whos in the last semester of her masters degree at a Washington university. Rayed suggested a collaboration through her work with Global Co Lab Network, which focuses on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to empower youths and young adults ages 13-35.

Ed Wegel, chairman and CEO of Global Crossing Airlines, and his wife, Susan, are funding the costs of the internet platform needed for Azizis project. We must ensure access to education for Afghani womento provide them the future opportunities they need to thrive in Afghanistan today, said Wegel.

We became aware of Zakeras passion to help women in Afghanistan through her Miami Herbert scholarship. And when we learned of her commitment to this teaching project, we wholeheartedly pledged our support, he added.

The platform requires no login or downloads, a critical consideration for the women in Afghanistan who must participate clandestinely and use mobile phones to connect. Phone banks to charge the phones also were provided, because power is sporadic at best.

For now, the project consists of a weekly, 90-minute English language class. An English-language instructor manages the language component, and Azizi and Rayed spend the first half-hour conversing with the current group of 12 or so women, listening to their problems and learning about the situation.

From the outside, were trying to give them hope, Azizi explained. We tell them that we grew up under the Taliban [when they were in power 20 years ago], and we didnt have access to education but managed to get to university. So, dont give up. Work hard, focus, and imagine what you can do in the future.

The project, which began in early January soon after the edict to ban education for women, focuses on developing English language proficiency so they can communicate with the world and as an avenue to potential online employment. The women, ranging in age from 15-24, essentially are at the same level. A second stage would be to offer a certificate of proficiency and later to offer classes in other subject areas.

The hope is also to train the trainers, that each of the women participating in the class becomes proficient enough to teach others.

As much as she longs to return to Afghanistan, Azizi knows that is not an option because of her prior involvement with the government. And while she is well aware of the desperate situation in Afghanistan and how challenging it isespecially for womenshe encourages the women to resist the urge to flee.

Everyone is just thinking to leave the country, but we have to start to change the situation there and change takes time. Soon again, the Taliban will be gone, and the government will change, she professed.

In the meantime, as she continues her job search, Azizi looks forward to the weekly language class.

Its the happiest time of my week to be talking with and helping these women, she said.

Visit https://teensdreamcolab.org to learn more about the project.
For Susanna Alles Torrent, it was a rare find.

A 1691 book written by Abraham ben Mordecai Farissol in Hebrew with a Latin translation, which detailed Christopher Columbus discoveries in the Americas.

An associate professor who teaches medieval and early modern literature at the University of Miami College of Arts and Sciences Michele Bowman Underwood Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, Alles Torrent thought it would be perfect for one of her classes.

I am very interested in what they have, she said while touring the Jay I. Kislak Collection of the Early Americas, Exploration and Navigation at the University of Miami Libraries. I am looking for primary sources.

Alles Torrent and a group of other professors, graduate students, and staff members took part in the tour after being part of the midday workshop First-Hand Knowledge: Exploring Primary Sources at UM Libraries, where several library leaders spoke about the collections at the University.

The seminar offered students and faculty and staff members an introduction to the rich and varied repository of primary sources that are available through the Cuban Heritage Collection (CHC), the Special Collections, the Kislak Collection, and University Archives.

Nick Iwanicki, University archivist, spoke about the meaning of primary sources. These are firsthand accounts, which can be derived from original documents, newspapers, photographs, videos, maps, and audio files. He pointed out that it was important for students to interact with primary sources.

These encourage critical thinking because you can study what people thought at the time and what peoples goals were by creating them, he said.

Iwanicki also showcased all the areas under University Archives, which hold information about the University since its beginning. These include the book The University of Miami: A golden anniversary history, 1926-1976, written by Charlton W. Tebeau about the first 50 years of the University. It is now digitized and can be accessed through the Libraries Digital Collections.

The archivist mentioned the Taylor Family/UTrailblazers Experience interactive exhibit, which highlights the achievements of the first Black graduates of the University and is on display at the Dooly Memorial Classroom Building breezeway. An accompanying book, Our Legacy Matters, also can be obtained digitally.

Amanda T. Moreno, interim Esperanza Bravo de Varona chair of the CHC, gave an overview of the collection, the largest repository of materials about Cuba outside the island. It possesses close to 75,000 published items and more than 800 archival collections, she noted.

Any scholar researching the history of the island and its diaspora would benefit from the numerous collections, which range from literary and political papers to an assortment of ephemera that documents the experiences of the global Cuban community, according to Moreno. Tours of the facility and access to the materials are available by making an appointment.

The materials found at CHC tell stories about individuals and institutions that are important to the cultural memory formation of the Cuban diaspora, Moreno said. Besides archives, the CHC hosts a graduate fellowship program and a biennial conference on Cuban studies, supported by The Goizueta Foundation, and sponsors other events related to Cuba and its diaspora.

Cristina Favretto, head of Special Collections, said the reserve gives students an opportunity to engage in a very personal and meaningful way with primary source documents.

I always tell students that when they visit a museum they cannot touch the paintings, she said. Well, in Special Collections you can actually turn the pages of a book from the Renaissance, read it, and experience it as someone would have 500 years ago.

Among the most popular collections are:

The Pan Am Airways Collection, which includes printed and digitized images of annual reports, brochures, directories, periodicals, and timetables of the iconic airline, as well as promotional and operational records from the 1920s through 1991.

The Jackie Gleason Collection, approximately 1,700 volumes of books, journals, and pamphlets in the field of parapsychology.

Zines Collection. The University has more than 15,000 Zines or fanzines, which are small-batch, independently published works that in many cases focused on social and political activism.

Artists books, where the book is essentially a piece of art, sometimes unique. Special Collections has more than 2,500 of these beautiful items.

Other collections include rare books, archival collections, and ephemera that documents the history of South Florida, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

Arthur Dunkelman, director and curator of the Kislak Collection, who oversees the collection that contains some of the most important original source materials related to the history of the early Americas, talked about the importance of approaching archival material by creating an intellectual map.

As you approach a book or a document, you must examine it physically and get a feel for it, he said. You need to ask the why, what, where, when, and how. When answering those questions, the documents will speak to you, he said.

Paul Clough, digital architect and infrastructure librarian, spoke about the many digital collections offered through the libraries website. And he offered an easy way to search them.

Rita Johnston, head of digital initiatives, walked the participants through the importance of knowing whether the books and documents to be used were in the public domain or if they had copyright restrictions.

Visit www.library.miami.edu to learn more about the University Libraries and its vast holdings.
IMF and Pakistan in last-ditch talks as trip winds up

Stockbrokers at the Pakistan Stock Exchange were feeling the pressure as the government remained locked in crunch talks with the IMF. Photo: AFP

Pakistan's government on Thursday remained locked in crunch talks with the IMF over the release of a crucial financial bailout on the last scheduled day of the global lender's visit to the country.



An International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation landed in Islamabad last week to thrash out tough conditions that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called "beyond imagination".



Pakistan's economy is in dire straits, stricken by a balance of payments crisis as it attempts to service high levels of external debt amid political chaos and deteriorating security.



"The IMF is clearly asking for much more than what the government is willing to do, even with a little bit of arm twisting," said economic analyst Abid Hasan, a former adviser to the World Bank, in the capital Islamabad.



"Both sides are waiting for the other to blink."



Finance Minister Ishaq Dar told reporters on Thursday that "a final round of talks is going on".



Later on Thursday, the central bank released fresh data warning its forex reserves had plunged US$170 million in a week, standing at just US$2.9 billion as of last Friday.



The IMF wants a boost to the pitifully low tax base, an end to tax exemptions for the export sector, and further hikes to artificially low petrol, electricity and gas prices meant to help low-income families.



It is also pushing for Pakistan to keep a sustainable amount of US dollars in the bank through guarantees of further support from friendly nations Saudi Arabia, China and the UAE, as well as the World Bank.



"There is no deadlock," Pakistan Energy Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan told local media on Wednesday. "Detailed and vigorous discussions have been held in the past 10 days."



"I have full hope that these talks will be concluded successfully."



Years of financial mismanagement and political instability have damaged Pakistan's economy  damage exacerbated by a global energy crisis and devastating floods that submerged a third of the country.



With the prospect of national bankruptcy looming, Islamabad in recent weeks began to bow to pressure, prompting the IMF's last-minute visit.



The government loosened controls on the rupee to rein in a rampant black market in US dollars  a step that caused the currency to plunge to a record low  and hiked petrol prices by 16 percent.



A government official, who asked not to be named, said that the "IMF is not satisfied with the current prices of petroleum and energy". (AFP)
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Thursday termed the speculations over Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir's visit to the US as "baseless", local media reported. In a series of tweets, the military's media wing said: "There have been baseless speculations on social media that the COAS is visiting the US," The News reported. The ISPR added that the army chief is on an official visit to the UK from February 5-10 in connection with the fifth Pakistan-UK Stabilisation Conference. The ISPR's statement came just hours after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was asked to comment on the army chief's speculated visit to the US, The News reported. "We are not aware of the army chief's trip to the US. ISPR could inform better on this matter," Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told journalists during her weekly press briefing. The military's media wing explained that the conference is a bi-annual event for military-to-military cooperation between the two countries, in which senior Pakistani military leadership has been participating since 2016. The visit is seen as highly important in view of the rising issue of Taliban militancy and the situation in the South Asian region. This is General Munir's first visit to the UK after taking over as Pakistan's army chief at the end of November last year, The News reported. The conference will also focus on the Ukraine war's impact on the EU, the UK, and its consideration for Pakistan. According to a source, General Munir will also address a security think-tank towards the end of his visit. --IANS san/arm ( 277 Words) 2023-02-09-20:56:04 (IANS)
New Delhi [India], February 9 (ANI/GPRC): Adding another feather to its cap, Sunbeam World School has been awarded 'The Best E-School of the year 2023' during the 2nd Indo-Lanka Education Summit 2023. The prestigious award was conferred by Dinesh Gunawardena M.P Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, A Aravindh Kumar ME State Minister of Education, Kishore D. Reddy Chairman, India, Sri Lanka Forum, Kanaka Herath, M P State Minister of Technology and Dr Wijeyadasa Rajapakshie Cabinet Minister of Justice. The event organized at Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, Columbo, Sri Lanka saw schools delivering excellence in education from all neighbouring countries. As an esteemed speaker, Alisha Madhok, Director, Sunbeam World School presented her thoughts on innovative teaching methods to generate curiosity for learning among students in the classroom. Talking about the achievement, Alisha Madhok, Director, Sunbeam World School, said," We are honoured to be recognised for our efforts in e-education for children in India and abroad by the Sri Lankan Government. This empowers us to innovate better teaching techniques and impart quality online education to children. Our endeavour is to go beyond the conventional learning methods and bring the best of interactive deep learning into the comfort of your home." Apart from providing the best e-education in India, Sunbeam World School is present in Srilanka, Nepal, UAE, Spain, Italy, Denmark & South Africa. For more information, please visit Sunbeam World School's official website at: www.sunbeamworldschool.com This story is provided by GPRC. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/GPRC)